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padfootdaredmetoo · 2 years

Note

Hey 👋 I’m not too sure if your doing requests( if not completely ignore this it’s fine:)) but I was requesting a peaky blinders one-shot where reader is like an orphan and lives in an orphanage and tommy the philanthropist he is goes down to the orphanage with Polly,John,Arthur,and Ada and whoever else you want and they see reader going at it with on of the sisters. You could choose the conflict or their argument but yeah, if you could draw the reader as someone who’s quick and sarcastic with their words like a speak before thinking type of person you know. Also can this be like a tommy Shelby x daughter!reader kinda like a found family kind of trope. Sweet kisses love your stories❤️

Dear Anon,

I hope this does it justice!! I changed a few things because I felt like it fit the story better (I hope that's alright) but there is lots of family stuff. And lots of Lizzie and Tommy - not something I have ever written before so hopefully that's also alright. Sweet kisses back to you love, thank you for this wonderful idea!!!

Warnings: peaky type stuff, religious language? Implied that a priest was going to assault the reader, bad words, not descriptive death of parents, mentioned death of a baby, grief, so much sweetness and hurt comfort and hopefully laughs. I promise it's not as dark or sad as it sounds. Also some Grace bashing / group hate.

Word count: 6606 - may have gotten carried away...

Part 2

Tommy watched Lizzie closely as they approached the large building. According to his sources it housed around a hundred and fifty children, the building was large but it didn't seem that large.

It was gray and rainy, much like every day. The dark dampness didn’t bother him as it had seeped into his bones and made a home long ago. At this point, he was convinced that the sunlight would simply cause him to turn to ashes if it ever reached his skin.

Lizzie looked nervous but that was expected, he felt beyond nervous. Suddenly hoping she would change her mind altogether. Children were overrated, he would know having raised Finn and half of John's kids. But after her she lost the baby, he would do anything to bring some happiness to her. He knew he wasn't the best husband, but he was trying to do better every day.

Walking up the steps a voice in his mind started to remind him that he would only be bringing this baby into a world of danger and horror. Only going to ruin them so no God would allow them refuge. He pushed them down as best he could, reaching out to hold Lizzie’s hand. She looked taken back at the gesture, another thing wrong with them. Wrong with the situation.

They were escorted in to look at the babies. They were just as expected, plump, cute, and small. Tommy tried not to look at them too close, no point in getting attached. Lizzie would pick a baby, and he would attempt to be a good father.

He hated that he knew what it felt like to reach out for parents that were not there to hold you. He was sulking when a commotion caught his attention.

“For Fucks sakes woman! ” A girl shouted.

“You listen here. Father Stryker is a noble member of this community and organization. You will do what he asks of you.” A woman responded in a cold tone.

“We both know that’s not what God would want you old bat.” The girl snapped back and he held back a smile.

“Now you listen here, we do not know what God wants, that’s not our place. He has a way -”

“No, he sure as hell doesn't. God would NEVER.” The girl demanded. “I thought God was in all of us, and GOD doesn't want me to be alone with him. In fact, I would say he’s overcome with passion about the issue. It would be a sin for me to ignore his protests.”

“I will not tolerate such language, you foul girl!” The sound of a slap was dealt out. Tommy felt an odd feeling of unease about the situation.

“You let this happen! You. And you will BURN FOR IT. Mark my words, you will suffer an eternity for his sins. There are no amount of crosses under the sun for Jesus to croak on that would make up for your grotesque choices you evil witch.” The girl's voice was pure venom, and Tommy was overcome with an urge to protect the girl. What type of place were they running here?

“I want her,” Lizzie said clearly standing next to him looking at the Sister that was showing them around.

“Sorry Mrs. Shelby ?” She asked looking for clarification.

“The girl in the hall.” He looked at Lizzie landing her eyes on a girl that must have been about 15 standing off with the nun in the hallway. Her face was beet red, making her blue eyes seem extraordinarily bright in contrast, her fists clenched ready for a fight of any size. That girl did not care what happened, she wasn't going to back down.

“Ah, are you sure? She’s quite temperamental.” She responded looking embarrassed.

“Excellent, I’ve never seen anyone look so much like my husband,” Lizzie said with a smirk on her face.

“We’ll take her. And I’d like a word with management.” He asserted firmly. This was not the sort of thing he could look the other way on, plus it would only further the family image. Win-win.

______________________________

Another sister came into the hallway.

“Sister Margret, she has been requested by a family.” She said quickly.

You were positive this must be some type of trap. But a tall angular woman moved into the hallway. She looked like someone from a painting, impossibly pretty, elegant, clothes worth a small fortune. This was impossible.

The sister grabbed your arm and pulled you away from that bitch. Far away from the classroom you were terrified of.

The lady looked you up and down and removed the sister's hand from your arm. She shot her a warning look and the sister apologized. Whoever this woman was, she meant business.

“I’m Lizzie, Lizzie Shelby.” She said in a voice that belonged on a stage. You introduced yourself feeling embarrassed.

“We’d like to take you home if you're alright with that.” She asked holding her arm out. Normally you didn’t like being touched for any reason, but being escorted out of the place was a good enough reason for you to make an exception.

You looped your arm in hers and she strode out of the place with her head held high.

“The Paperwork -” The sister called out

“Get my husband to deal with it.” She called back, her voice dripping with power. You accompanied her into a very expensive car. You sat in the back seat beside her and watched her take in your appearance as if it had changed being in the natural light.

“Do you read?” She asked you lighting a cigarette.

“I had a tutor before my parents died.”

“How did they pass?”

“Car accident.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Me too.”

“We’ll expect you to go to school.”

“You’d be a shit parent if you didn't.” You mentally kicked yourself. “Sorry I -didn't” You were stumbling over an apology as the door opened and a man got into the driver's seat.

“That’s my husband. Thomas.”

“Hello,” You said feeling completely deflated. “It’s nice to meet you, both of you, It’s nice.” You couldn't remember a time being so embarrassed. You wished that they would just run you over with their expensive tires. There were just too many emotions in such a short period.

An hour ago a priest was forcing himself on you, telling you God would never allow you to get adopted, and here you were making a fool out of yourself with your new parents.

That phrase stung so bad you visually imagined pushing it from your mind.

“Did you sort the paperwork?” Lizzie asked in a frosty tone that made you wonder what their relationship problems were like.

“That and a few other things.” He responded in a tone you assumed only ghosts were capable of.

“Like what?” She said looking out the window with resentment.

“Taking the place over.” He responded easily. As if it was no big deal, like spending money on petrol for the car.

“What do you mean?” This caught her off guard and you watched a bit of hopefulness come to life in her eyes.

“Saw things.” He hesitated, obviously aware of your presence in the car. “That I didn’t think God would approve of.” You caught a slight smirk on his face in the mirror. His eyes told you it was easier to poke fun at the situation.

Lizzie hummed in approval, and even though you’d only known them a few minutes it felt like progress.

_______

They wanted to give you a few days to settle in before introducing you to the whole family. Something you saw as a bit of a red flag. The house was massive, but it was clean and quiet. Both a blessing and a curse. You were too shy to ask for something to do or go explore. Your bedroom was unbelievably beautiful, and warm.

There was a knock on the door that caused you to jump.

“Yeah?”

“Can I come in?” Lizzie’s voice rang through the door.

“Of course” You responded stiffly. She came in and smiled at you, she pointed to your bed but you didn't understand what she was looking at. Should you not have been laying on it during the day?

“Is it alright if I sit?” She asked you and you realized that’s what she meant.

“Yes!” You sat up straight feeling like an idiot once again. You’d had to sit through two dinners each equally painful due to your rambling.

“How are you settling in?” She asked kindly.

“Um, fine. It’s nice. I love my room.”

“What do you get up to in here?” She looked around with a frown.

“Mostly sitting and thinking.” You responded blandly.

“Are you sure I can’t take you shopping for anything?” She’d asked at least three times, and you felt horrible imposing on them further.

“I don't want to bother you.” You finally broke. She let out a strange laugh.

“Bother me. All the time. Big stuff little stuff, doesn't matter.” She picked a piece of lint off of your bedspread. “Plus kids cost money you know. That’s no one's fault, so don’t carry it like a burden.”

Your eyes stung with tears. That was not the narrative you had grown up with parents or none. You’d always been acutely aware of the burden your existence placed on people. Her words made you feel like you were special, not something your parents could give you. This brought on a very large mix of feelings.

“Don’t cry, really all this is-” Her face appeared displeased with your reaction and it only made your hurt more.

“Normal. Not for me, it’s not. If you wanted a kid that was used to this you should have had one yourself.” the words flew out of your mouth and she was up and out of the room before you could try to apologize. You felt so much worse, you wanted to pull out all your hair trying to make it stop.

You stopped trying to hold the tears back and got up off your bed to apologize. An embarrassing apology was better than them shipping you back.

You followed the sound of her soft crying sounds. Through a door that was slightly ajar. It was a beautiful nursery. They had tried to have their little spoilt children, the guilt only became worse.

You locked eyes with her and decided the truth was always best.

“You treat me better than my parents. But they're dead and it hurts. I don't want to bother you both, it's already some kind of miracle that I got adopted at this age, I don't want to push my luck. Or live through you getting bored of me and then tossing me aside.”

For a moment you thought she was going to shout at you. But she just nodded in understanding. You both were crying, so why not try to risk a hug. You got down on the sheep skin rug next to her and hugged her.

Her grief wrapped around you with her slender arms. She pushed your face against her chest and kissed the top of your head. You didn't understand, but the hurt in her felt a lot like the hurt inside of you. So you leaned into the feeling crying just as hard.

“I lost her. She was born and - nothing anyone could do about it.” She said after a long while. The thought made your heart break all over again. “They told me I couldn't have kids. Spent years avoiding it like it was the plague and now, God it hurts.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“I’m sorry for you too. My dad left before I was born, mother passed when I was 13. Prostitute till I was twenty.” She let out a sad laugh. “This life.” She motioned to the house with her arm. “Is not the life I came from and my husband doesn't have much. But he has money, so don’t ever feel bad for spending it.” You looked up at her in shock. There was no way she was telling the truth. She looked like she belonged in a palace like you wanted to trust her with the whole world. So elegant, kind eyes.

“We’re the same then” you whispered.

“Absolutely not! If you become a prostitute I will have officially become the worst mother in history.” She said causing you both to laugh.

“I’m not good with people.” You joked along. Tommy pushed the door open and you stiffened slightly. No matter how you tried to calm down, he made you uneasy. Like he would be impossible to please or get to know.

“It’s not a whore house?” He said with a confused look having caught the end of the conversation. You’d never seen a man look more confused as the both of you were tear-soaked holding each other on the floor.

“Not anymore it's not.” Lizzie quipped causing him to almost smile. You wondered what made him so stuck up.

“Good lord, how did you guys make all this money again?” You asked cheekily, causing Lizzie to laugh.

“Just you wait.” She said lightly, but you couldn't help but know already that it was not God’s work that placed them here.

“Come down for lunch?” he asked you both, still slightly put off by the situation.

“Yes” she wiped her cheeks with the back of her hands, you watched her walls of composure surround her once again.

“Come on. Let’s see how much trouble we can get in before supper.” She said helping you up.

_____________________________

You stopped by to pick up people on the way to the shops.

“We’ll get Esme first. She’s John’s wife. Tommy’s younger brother - he made a deal with the Lee family - a bunch of gypsies - Tommy needed men, and she needed a husband. Technically I almost married John. It was a complicated time. But they both get along like a house on fire. She holds him down pretty good, probably the only reason he’s still alive.” You listened as she drove you through the countryside. “Then we’ll get Polly. She’s Tommy’s Aunt. She probably goes up against him the most. She’s some kind of Gypsy royalty, a very peculiar woman, but she means well. Hated Tommy’s first wife Grace. Well, we all hated Grace. Us women tend to stick together. We have to put up a good front against the boys or they raise hell like nothing else.”

“You’re all gangsters then?” You asked her catching her slightly off guard.

“Technically he’s a gangster turned politician. But trust me having been on the receiving end of both there really isn't a difference.”

You blushed at her words and tried to hold your tongue.

“I shouldn't have said that last part.” She flicked her cigarette case open and lit one up. “Forget I said that.” but you started laughing. You pulled up to a country-style house, chickens squawking loudly at the car engine.

“Oi! That is not a baby!” A woman with wild curly hair approached the car. She slid into the backseat and you felt awkward sitting in the front. You looked at her looking you over. “Total babe, but not a baby.” She said with wide eyes in disbelief.

“She’s fifteen,” Lizzie responded looking at you like you were a brand new car.

“Good lord. Going to have to beat the boys off of her. She’s pretty like you.”

You blushed heavily at her words unsure of what to do with the attention.

“Eh, as long as we keep her close I think we’ll manage just fine.” Lizzie smiled and turned the car around.

“I’m Esme, I’m sure Lizzie caught you up to speed.” She lit a cigarette and smiled at you as you introduced yourself. She asked you lots of questions, about how you liked the place.

“It’s cold. You can say it, love.” Esme blurted out. “It’s a monument to Grace. Should have been burnt down the second she left us.” You could tell this was a part of the stormy ocean of problems that rested between your adopted parents. You put that piece of knowledge into your back pocket. You pulled up to a stylish-looking complex and a woman in a black suit and sunglasses approached the car.

“I was going to offer to babysit for you when you need a rest - but by the looks of it I’ll be asking you for help, love.”

“How many kids do you have?” You asked while you waited.

“Too fuckin’ many,” Polly responded climbing into the back seat. “I thought you asked Tommy for a baby, not a miniature replica of yourself?”

“Come off it Pol,” Lizzie said starting the car.

“I’m serious, I thought I was seein’ a bloody ghost. I’ve known you since you were the size of a potato, when I say she looks just like ya, I fuckin’ mean it.”

You looked at Lizzie and wished you looked even a fraction of how beautiful she was.

“How's he managing with this then? He was always good with the kids when they were little but I can’t imagine he’d know what to do with her.” Polly said stealing Esme’s cigarette.

“Eh, like everything else, he’s adjusting.” Everyone seemed to find this funny.

“You look at me, that boy gives you any trouble you call me alright. I’ll set him straight.” She was strong like Thomas but soft like Lizzie, and something distinctly her own. You could tell she was in charge.

“Thank you.” You said sheepishly unsure of what else to say.

“You're welcome, love,” She said kindly.

Shopping was a lot. You cried on the way home and they had a unique way of comforting you while also making fun of you, making you laugh. Once you started laughing with them it seemed impossible to stop. You assumed that you would all pile into the sitting room, but instead, you piled into the kitchen, which quickly became your favorite space in the house. A large wooden table surrounded by something that felt so perfectly warm. Grace clearly didn’t touch this space much.

They poured you cranberry juice and set into a bottle of whiskey. The jokes got worse as the night progressed and for once your sharp tongue and misplaced comments brought a great deal of joy.

“Where did you find this girl!” Esme said between laughs

“Fighting off a Nun in a hallway,” Lizzie replied still laughing from the joke before. Tommy and you assumed his brothers appeared in the doorway.

“Wow, Looks like you Lizzie, but with Tom’s eyes” John said, or you thought it was him because he went to stand behind Esme and she looked up at him in a way you hadn't seen before.

“And his mouth.” Esme quipped and you hoped it was a compliment. He reached across the table to shake your hand.

“John”

“It’s nice to meet you” You introduced your self. Arthur came and gave you a crushing hug.

“They got you out numbered now brother.” He joked letting you go to pour himself a glass of whiskey.

Tommy gave you a tense look, like he was worried about something. He took the seat next to you puting space between you and the boys.

“Might be enough women to put some life back into this place.” Polly said with twinkling eyes.

“I’ll try my best.” You responded quickly seeing that Tommy didn’t seem happy.

He stuck close to your side, sliding glasses of Whiskey away from you as the boys started drinking. His youngest brother was only a few years older than you, and he showed up with a bunch more men that introduced themselves politely before joining into the savagery.

You scooted your self along the bench to sit closer to Tommy not knowing the others well enough to want to sit as close.

“Thank you, Lord, for blessing us with such a wonderful girl! May she shine bright for us in these dark times. To the newest Shelby!” Arthur’s voice boomed and your face turned bright red. Everyone finished a drink, but you caught Lizzie and Tommy sharing a look.

Tommy put his arm around and you were grateful to have something to lean into with all the commotion. They were the loudest and rudest, most funny group of people you’d ever seen.

“Think it’s time for bed, eh?” He asked you quietly and you nodded.

“Alright! Clear out you lot. She’s got to get to bed. We can have a proper dinner tomorrow night!” Tommy called out causing a few groans.

“But we just got here!” Finn mumbled.

Everyone said their goodbyes and goodnights to you moving out of the kitchen. Polly placed a kiss to your forehead. She said something in a different language, to which Tommy responded with a sharp nodd.

Once everyone had piled out the front door, they took you up to your room. You hit the bed feeling more tired than you could ever remember.

_________________________________________

You slowly became more at ease around Tommy. Sitting alone at the table didn’t frighten you nearly as much. You heard him shout at people occasionally and that made you determined to keep your distance.

It wasn't until Lizzie stayed away for a night getting stuck at Esme’s due to a storm. You assured her that you ate dinner and that everything was fine. In reality, you'd been sitting by the front window praying for her to come back. You hated storms and you’d just trusted that she’d be there and know what to do about it.

Eventually you decided to retreat to your room to avoid any conflict.

“Goodnight.” You poked your head into his study.

“Night, love.” He responded kindly looking up from his papers. You thought about bothering him for a moment, telling him that you were scared. You decided to slip up to your bedroom instead. Girls your age didn't get scared of these types of things.

Without Lizzie, there was an impending sense of doom about the place. Like there was pressure pushing down on you. Listening to things creak and shift, you had an idea that maybe without Lizzie here Grace’s ghost would try to snatch you up.

Laying there listening to the storm and the house, your mind cooked up a story of revenge. Grace would kill you to get back at Lizzie for stealing her mourning husband. Maybe that’s why Lizzie’s baby wasn't born right. Your heart started to race as your stomach twisted.

There must have been some deeper story, Lizzie always seemed like she was very hurt by Grace, despite having come into Tommy’s life after. But Polly’s known Lizzie since she was a baby….

Questions were swirling in your mind non stop trying to make sense of it all. Your door made a horrid sscreeching sound and you let out a scream in response, pulling the blankets up above your head.

“LEAVE ME ALONE GRACE.” You shouted hoping that it was enough that you could see it was her this whole time. She’d be deterred by your cleverness and the quilt Polly had made you.

The quilt was tugged away from your face and you balled your fists ready to fight her off. However you looked up at Tommy’s horrified face instead.

“I don’t do well with storms” You blurted out hoping that would make it better. You both looked at eachother for a moment.

“Let’s make some tea.” He said firmly. You knew that you’d fucked up and the last thing you wanted to do was have tea over the situation. You got up and he pulled your quilt around you, keeping his hand on your shoulder as you moved down the stair case.

You watched him light a fire in the kitchen and grab two glasses and fill them with whiskey.

He passed one to you and sat across from you, he took off his glasses and placed them on the table.

“Why do you think my first wife is out to get you?” He cut right to the chase.

“I got scared of the storm, and Lizzie is trapped, Grace- it’d be the perfect opportunity to get revenge on Lizzie for stealing her mourning husband.” You rushed the words out wishing you were dead. Tommy actually chuckled.

“That’s the story you’d been told then?”

“No, just the one that made sense.”

“How so?” He took a sip of whiskey.

“Everyone says this place is some kind of shrine for her, Lizzie hates it. Hates her, why exactly, I’m not sure but I know it’s because she’s hurt.”

“Lizzie is hurt by Grace?” He asked with a wrinkled brow, you didn't think he was capable of such emotions.

“That’s obvious.” You said sadly. He made a humming noise.

“I didn’t intend to marry Lizzie. She got pregnant and I married her.” He answered easily, suddenly you were very angry at him. Happy he did right by her and married her but -

“Doesn’t mean she hasn’t always loved you.” You argued.

“Is that so?”

“Obviously. Have you ever looked at her? This place, the family, everything, me. Obviously.” You were dumbfounded. How on earth could someone so smart and sharp be so daft. “She puts up with a lot of shit around here. Not once has she ever mentioned leaving or hating you.”

“Perhaps I should talk to her about it.”

“You’d better. Everywhere we go men look at her.” You said trying to scare him into doing the right thing.

“I’m sure they do, she’s a pretty woman.” He answered tensly. Suddenly you started to worry that maybe he wont ever love her, and if that was the case he would certainly never learn to love you. Panic started to wash over you.

“Do you want to watch the storm then?”

“How?” You answered even more uneasy. He got up and you followed him through to the dark sitting room. He pulled the curtains open adding the slitghtest bit of light to the room. You helped him turn the couch around to face the big window.

You watched him pour more wiskey and sit down motioning for you to do the same. Wrapped in Polly’s quilt you sat next to him and he put his arm around your shoulders.

“The only way to stop being scared is to face the thing that scares you.” He explained easily. He held you close to his side as you watched the dark figures of trees swaying violently. The lightening causing you to jump. Eventually things calmed down but you found yourself wishing that it would continue on so you could spend more time sitting like this. He just sat with you tucked into his side sipping his whiskey.

“ I do care for you and Lizzie. More than anything.” He kissed the top of your head. “Things in the past weren't always easy or safe. Keeping her at arm's length seemed like the best way to keep her from ending up like Grace.”

You listened to his voice in the dark, feelingthe pain in his words.

“However, I would hate for her to leave me for a man at the shops.” He said lightly and you snorted.

“Sorry for overstepping - I didn’t mean that she looked back at them”

“S’alright.” He answered easily. Suddenly you saw headlights coming up the drive. You felt his body tense. “Hide behind the desk,” he said seriously. He grabbed a gun hidden in the paneling on the wall. You could hear the door open and to your relief, you heard Lizzie’s voice.

“Fuck sake, Thomas! A gun! Scared the bloody life out of me!” She started to scold him but suddenly she stopped. “Are you alright? Where is she?! I knew something was wrong! Where-” her voice was muffled and you assumed it was because he was holding her.

“She’s fine, in the sitting room” He answered calmly.

“The sitting room at this hour!”

You got up and moved back to the couch hoping that they might sit with you a while longer before going up to bed.

“Why is the couch the wrong way?” She asked sitting down pulling you against her. “Miss me enough to sit up at the window like a couple of dogs.”

“Something like that.” You said enjoying the way she held you tightly. Tommy came to sit down on the other side of you. His arm came across your shoulders pulling Lizzie towards you slightly.

“Did you give her whiskey? She smells like distillery.”

“One glass to calm her nerves, won’t hurt her any.” You felt him reach over you to kiss the top of her head.

“Alright. But don’t you go turning into your father.” She said sternly causing you to laugh.

You sat for a while with the them till eventually the gray sky started to brighten with the sun of the next day.

“Let’s get to bed. We can all get in a nap before the day starts.” Tommy said. Lizzie followed you through to your room to help you into bed and make sure you were okay. After you were settled you heard them talking down the hall and hoped that he was ready to face his fears.

The next day you all had breakfast around noon in the kitchen. Lizzie and Tommy seemed in better spirits, might have had something to do with the marks on her neck, but you hoped he’d talked to her about the situation.

After that night things were noticeably different. You went to school and tried to get along with the other kids, your marks were not great, leading to long nights in the kitchen studying extra with various family members. Esme was the best person to sit with, having learned maths and reading from her mother. She knew how to encourage you without stressing you out.

Tommy on the other hand would look over the material and already look stressed. He always tried to keep his temper in check, but it was unbearable feeling him be frustrated with you. Eventually he caught on that you did worse with him there because of the added pressure, he learned to just sit next to you and work on his problems and offer you help when you needed it.

It took a lot of struggling but eventually you were caught up and getting good marks.

Things were going well till some old business needed to be handled. Tommy was to go away for two weeks, something that seemed to crush Lizzie.

To her surprise he called her everynight. You’d watch her sitting on kitchen counter talking and occasionally laughing. Then he’d talk to you about school and the weather, telling you that he missed you. That was when you realised that something must be very wrong. He was clearly in a great deal of danger where ever he was. Polly came to stay at the house with Arthur, you enjoyed having them around but it only confirmed your suspicion. Everyone seemd it was best to keep you in the dark on the whole thing.

When he came back he was very different. Somebody, or some people, were most certainly dead. A great relief fell over the family and something was different about him. He had a smile on his face when she rushed to the door to greet him. You watched how they held eachother and thought back to when you’d first met them. Things were very different. You eventually butted into the hug feeling left out.

______________

Extra Blurb.

Eventually the unthinkable happened. The boy you had your eye on at school asked you out. Not knowing what to do or what the rules are you decided to get some more information on him make sure he was worth the risk of asking.

Finn laughed at you.

“Not from the best family. But not a rival either, Tommy’s sure to have a fit, and Lizzie, I’m not sure. All in all, I don't mind the guy, you might be better off not telling them.” He said looking out the stained glass window of the Garrison. “If he gives you a hard time, come see me yeah? Don’t let him take you out of Small Heath” He looked at you seriously.

“Sure thing.” You said getting up. You shouted a thank you over your shoulder rushing out of the pub.

You thought long and hard about the situation. He made you laugh, didnt seem to care to much about your last name or who your dad was. Didn’t care that you were adopted. He was very polite, but enjoyed your peculiar sense of humor and misplaced words.

You thought about turning him down. It was too complicated and anything that would upset your parents was too much of a burden. Thinking of what you would say to him, your heart gave a painful wrench.

You went downstairs towards Tommy’s study. God this boy better be worth it or you’d put him in the ground.

You poked your head in to see him writing and Lizzie sitting on the sofa reading a magazine.

“Erm - So.” You started and watched them both look up at you.

“What are you wearing?” Lizzie said smiling at your dress.

“Go upstairs and change” Tommy cut you off before you could respond.

“Theres a boy -” You watched his face fall into his hands. “And he’s picking me up in a half hour if that’s allowed.” You fumbled with your words, wanting them to say yes badly.

“What boy” They said at the same time, giving eachother a glare.

“Noah Solomons. I met him at school.” you responded expecting an explosion.

“No. absolutley not. No way on earth am I sending you anywhere with him.”

“Finn said he’s alright.” You started by stopped once he let out a sigh.

“Finn! Fucking bastard.” He pinnched the bridge of his nose.

“Where is he taking you then?” Lizzie asked

“Just around Small Heath for dinner. I told him that I can’t be out late.” Your face got red and you looked out the window.

“Put on a longer dress. The purple one, and put your hair up -”

“Tommy! Don’t make her wear the purple one” Lizzie started to argue but stopped once she saw the look on his face. Her eyes narrowed back at him.

“How bout I wear the red one -”

“The black one is fine” They both answered suddently.

“Just put on a cardigan,” Lizzie said getting up. “I have a nice one upstairs.” You followed her up to her bedroom. She pulled out a nice cardigan and some less opaque stockings. After you’d changed you looked yourself over, more modest, but that wasn't a bad thing. Especially if it got Tommy’s blood pressure back down. Lizzie got your hair up and you were grateful for her help.

“Do you think dad will let me go?” You asked as she fixed your make up.

“Dont think he can stop you. But, we’ve done business with his father. I think he’s worried this is apart of some elaborate plan.”

“I don’t think so, but I’ll keep an eye on him” You were even more nervous now. Lizzie gave you lots of advice and you felt bad making her this worried. When you walked down stairs you could see Tommy talking to Noah at the door.

You loved the way his face lit up when his eyes landed on you, he looked at you like you were the most beautiful thing in the world. You watched the front door swing shut, keeping him on the other side.

“No.” He said firmly looking at Lizzie.

“Going to have to let her find her own way sometimes.”

“No I don’t. Not with boys, not dressed like that.” He responded angrily.

“Look, I told Finn where we are going, he said him and Isaiah would be around to keep an eye out. I’ve known him for the past two school years. I - please” You looked up at him in what you hoped were puppy dog eyes. You saw the conflict rage in his eyes.

“Fine.” He sighed in defeat. “But you don’t like something, anything, you call me from the restaurant and -” You cut him off with a big hug.

“I won’t be out too late. Love ya” You said flying out the door before he could change his mind.

He kissed you on the cheek on the door step, promising to take you out again next weekend. After saying goodnight you watched as he drove down the drive way before opening the front door.

You were surprised at how quiet it was. You slipped your shoes off and followed the lamp light into the sitting room. Much like the day with the storm, they sat on the sofa turned around to face the large window. You moved towards them to see your dad looking beyond relieved, and mum asleep on his lap.

“So how was it then?” He asked you handing you the last bit of whiskey in his glass. You sat down next to him, watching him look you over for anything out of place.

“Felt a bit like the Queen to be honest. More Blinders than people in that restaurant. Not to mention people watching from their windows.” You gave him a look as he started out the window. “But he was nice. I -He is nice, I enjoyed myself”

“Just for food then straight back?”

“You already know that’s what happened. Can you help me get the pins out of my hair?” You turned away from him and felt him struggle to find them, pulling slightly too hard.

“What? No, this is my job hands off.” Lizzie said groggily. “What did I miss? Tell me everything.” You felt the two of them shift and Lizzie's expert hands start bringing your hair down. By the time she’d gotten it brushed Polly and Esme had showed up for a full debrief in the kitchen.

You were giggling like mad for hours with them, hearing their stories about past lovers. Some sweet, other cautionary. Eventually it was time for bed and you stopped into Tommy’s office before going to wash up.

“Dad.” He gave you a shocked look then you realised what you had said. You didnt feel like apologizing though, too tired to make a big deal of it. You leaned over and gave him a hug. “Thanks for letting me go tonight.” You felt his arms wrap around you tightly.

“I don't like it, and there will be lots to talk about tomorrow. But I'm happy that you're happy.” You kissed his cheek then headed up to bed. You knew that he’d probably already called Noah’s father, a tense conversation awaited you, but you had no doubt it was because he loved you.

@kpopgirlbtssvt

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highladyluck · 4 months

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The Finn stole my baby AU

ok FINE you can all have the Eelfinn Stole My Baby in outline form

I've never pinned down the details on this, because I think it would be most interesting as an installment in a larger series and a lot of the details would be determined by the needs of the overall storyline, but this is the vague outline:

1) Fortuona has just found out from Min that her kid's going to be a marath'damane. Because a) SOME IDIOT (maybe Mat, maybe Berelain if they're on speaking terms, there's some other options depending on the scenario) made the mistake of telling her about Sindhol in some way that makes her actually believe in it, b) she's a slut for prophecy and always has been, and c) she wants to explore all her options, she wants to go to Sindhol to get some answers from the Aelfinn. The questions she intends to ask vary by setting but it's something along the lines of how to survive the current situation/protect her marath'damane child/solve the sul'dam problem/ensure stability of the Empire in the westlands/how best to reconquer mainland Seanchan. You know! #FortuonaProblems. Mat eventually agrees to escort her; both to get in, since the only way in right now is the Tower of Ghenji, and to get out.

2) But because they're going in outside of treaty rules and Mat's there, the Eelfinn are the ones waiting for them and they won't let Fortuona go see the Aelfinn (maybe they say that they won't see Mat, but they will see her, if she agrees to be escorted alone. Mat's almost like "oh, over my dead body" but catches himself just in time.) Whatever deal Fortuona makes with the Eelfinn involves something she can use to solve her existing political problems (not sure what this is but it could be something horrible, like a better male a'dam), and something for Mat (maybe a magic replacement eye?). The third item is either something else for her, something else for Mat, or a very thoroughly rules-lawyered escape clause, depending on how confident Mat was/she is about being able to escape with the ashandarai. In exchange, they take her about-to-be-born-child, which she either explicitly names as the price, or is counting on them taking as the price.

3) At least they're not gonna eat the kid; the Eelfinn want a human child who can channel to build them new treaty doors someday, and if the human child is raised by them and therefore on their side, so much the better. They're also thrilled to get another piece of Mat. I figure the Eelfinn would want the savor of Mat and Tuon fighting about this, so while there's a possibility that the world's least hygenic c-section happens before Mat cottons on to what Tuon just bargained away, I think it would be more likely that they don't strike until the price is explicit or Mat has figured it out.

Tuon's like "I understand that you're upset but it's better this way. I came to solve a problem. It's not solved the way I intended, but it's solved and I got you an incredible boon in the bargain. We can always have more children."

Mat's like "Yeah, well, you aren't having them with me! You're a monster for unilaterally trading our child to my eldritch enemies."

She's like "If I'm a monster, so are you. As soon as you found out she would be marath'damane you began setting plans in motion to take her from her destiny. From the empire. From me. Don't think I haven't noticed. At least in this situation, I'm getting something out of it that benefits both of us."

4) I honestly don't entirely know what happens next, but it's bad. Unstoppable force (Mat's desire to rescue women & his love of Tuon) meets immovable object (said woman/Tuon just betrayed him and his innocent child to his worst enemies). Would he just leave Tuon there? (maybe?) Would he try to trade Tuon's life for the baby's? (I like this because I like pain and I think he might be deranged enough in the moment to do it) Would he try to trade his life for the baby's? (maybe, but they wouldn't accept it.) Would he try to kill all the Eelfinn? (yes, and they'd still take the baby.) Like how the fuck do you recover from any of that? And the worst part is you can like… sort of see where Tuon is coming from, if you enjoy women's wrongs? And she really just wanted to meet the Aelfinn and it's Mat's fault that it isn't going as planned?

5) If there's a sequel, it would be the fully grown child showing up in their world with a terrifying knowledge of esoteric ter'angreal construction and thoroughly socialized as a *Finn some improbably short amount of time later. Maybe when Elayne and Mat mount a rescue mission in a few months. Time runs differently in Sindhol if the *Finn need it to.

Bonus: I'm still debating adding a variant of this to the epilogue of The Fox That Makes The Ravens Fly- for one thing, I haven't decided yet if Tuon is pregnant, and if she is, by whom. If I do it'll be Rand who tells her about the Aelfinn & Thom who tells her about the Eelfinn, she'll go in with Thom and someone else (Elayne, I think, in exchange for access to the dice-ring ter'angreal that replicates Mat's luck, also Elayne would love to go on that field trip, although I could see Min being interested for the metaphysics of it all), and the ostensible point is to rescue Moiraine. I think instead of that, she negotiates getting Mat back, at the cost of leaving her baby with them, and resetting the timeline so Mat never died and the canon events where Moiraine gets rescued happen, but she remembers the old timeline. I have no idea if the *Finn actually get to keep her baby, who may or may not be a sparker in this scenario, or for that matter if they get to keep Moiraine, but I bet they'd take the bargain regardless because they invested a lot in Mat & also now Tuon has some weird fucking emotions about the entire life she didn't lead. Also they're the fae, the only thing they like more than bargain eyeballs is bargain babies.

#wheel of time #wot book spoilers #au ask game #the eelfinn stole my baby #anyboli #problematic fave tuon #an alternate dimension with incredible shopping #one thing about Tuon is she loves to shop and also create problems by her very existence

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viscerax · 2 years

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Submitted by @donniecr0ssing

When you get the chance Can you do another robin/finn/fem!reader fic where they are having a picnic when it’s interrupted by Some adult that doesn’t support or like, poly relationships and they insult the reader about dating two guys and that’s when Robin and Finn get angry and protective and comfort the reader with cuddles and reassurance (I really like your poly fics and take your time there is no rush for this!)

Judgemental

Robin, Finney and you sat cross-legged on your plaid blanket spread across the green grass. You were chewing on a sandwich, a few cards clutched in your left hand. Robin was staring intently at his cards, while Finney placed one down.

The game went on for a bit, and ended in Robin winning. Again.

"You are totally cheating, Robin!" You huffed and almost threw your cards down on the pile before you.

Finney chuckled and Robin just smirked. "I'm not a cheater! Maybe I'm just better at this game then the rest of you." Robin snickered and grabbed all the cards, sorting the deck into a neat pile between the three of you.

You crossed your arms and glared at him, before playfully smiling.

"I think I deserve my trophy." Robin sighed and tapped both of his cheeks, looking at you and then Finney.

You rolled your eyes and leaned over, messing up the neat deck of cards, and placing a kiss on Robins cheek, then on Finneys. Finney smiled bashfully and copied you, kissing Robin then you.

You smiled and giggled, leaning back to your spot and sitting down again. Just as you did this, an older woman, probably in her 30's, walked by and shot you a nasty glare.

"Psh, what a slut. I hope you burn in hell." The woman scoffed and snickered and continued walking.

Robin immediately sat up and shouted at the woman. "What the fuck did you just say?" Robin shouted, grabbing the attention of a few surrounding people.

"I said your girlfriend is a slut. And all three of you are going to hell." She smirked at Robin, who although was shorter, was definitely not lacking in confidence.

Finney was now almost fuming, and you were beginning to cry. How could someone be so cruel? What did you do wrong?

Finney let go of your hand and confidently stormed over to Robin and the lady, standing at Robins side.

"Y-you are just a sad person! I'm sorry you've never felt the love of another person in your entire life but that doesn't mean you get to take your anger out on others. F-fuck you!" Finney sounded confident, even when he stuttered. You were in shock, and so was Robin, but he hid it behind a proud smile.

"If you ever talk to us or our girlfriend again, I will pound your head into this sidewalk. I don't care if you're an adult, because if I can beat Vance Hopper I sure as hellcan beat some scrawny old witch." Robin shouted as the woman just scoffed and turned around, angrily stomping away.

You were left sitting on the blanket, crying even more by then. Your attempts to wipe away your tears were futile as more spilled over. Robin and Finney practically ran to your side to comfort you. Finney held your hand while Robin held your face in his hands, wiping away the hot tears that stained your cheeks.

"Shhh, its gonna be okay. She was just some mean woman." Robin murmured as you leaned forward and rested your forehead against Robin's shoulder.

"Yeah! She was just sad because we love you more then anyone will ever love her! She's just projecting!" Finney sighed and wrapped his arms around your waist, resting his chin on your shoulder and kissing your tear covered cheeks.

"Exactly. We love you more then anyone in the entire world, Y/n. And we always will. And if someone thinks that's wrong then they're wrong! There is nothing wrong with love." Robin smiled and brushed some of your hair out of your face, placing a kiss on your forehead.

You shuddered and took in a shaky breath. "Th-thank you. I-I love you guys to." You mumbled, nose running a bit. Robin handed you a few napkins, and wiped some of your smeared mascara off of your cheeks.

Finney hummed and let go of you, grabbing your hand and squeezing it.

You looked over at him and warmly smiled, resting your head on his shoulder. Finney smiled back and rested his head atop yours. Robin looked over at the two of you and smiled, discarding the napkins and quickly coming back, wrapping his arms around the two of you as tight as he could.

Robin peppered kisses on the two of yours faces. "I love you guys."

#submission #the black phone #the black phone x reader #robin arellano #black phone edit #finney shaw #headcanon #robin arellano x reader #finney x reader

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alexxyna · 4 months

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The Big Win after the Loss~

Warnings: Swearing(not much), kiss on cheek, cheating(mention), flirting( I think that is it, but if I forgot anything, please let me know so I can improve it next time!<3)

!Not Proofread!

Pairing: No one yet, but maybe in part 2…

AuthorsNote: Hii, so this is my first ever fiction, so please don’t be too hard with the criticism. I’m open for praise, criticism and ideas of improvement! This Fiction was suggested by my best friend, who chose every little detail about it! So shout out to my best friend A, love ya!<3

People involved: Cody Rhodes, Jey and Jimmy Uso, Finn Bàlor, Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley

People Mentioned: Naomi, Solo Sikoa, Roman Reigns(as the Tribal Chief), Dominik Mysterio, JD McDongah, Alba Fyre, Isla Dawn

Enjoy<3

It was impressive how many Enemies The Judgment Day has made in their short time in WWE, but even better is, that I was selected as the second feminin Superstar of the most dominant faction in the entire Wrestling Business! It was interesting to see, how this Alliance came to live, since just a few days before, I helped Cody and Jey win the Tag Team Titles from the Judgment Day at Fastlane. Rhea confronted me Backstage which led to a fight on Raw the next Week. I won, which showed the Judgment Day that I was perfect for them.

So here we are, 9 days after Fastlane on Raw. For the past few days, WWE played sequences that hinted my return and debut as The Judgment Day’s newest member. That day, The Judgment Day got their Rematch for the Titles. When Finn and Damian made their Judgment Day entrance and started walking down the Ramp, they suddenly stopped and my music hit. The Crowd went wild when I exited the Curtain in my new darker persona, in a Goddess like robe and a halo over my head, being portrayed as the saviour of The Judgment Day! It was just like Fastlane, except for 1 thing, I was standing in Judgment Day’s corner now!

The match began and both sides started hitting big moves really soon. I was walking around the ring, cheering on my faction, when I noticed someone staring at me. It was Cody Rhodes. Jey was the legal competitor, so Cody had all the time in the world to continue checking me out, which I noticed fairly quickly, as he kept on trying to keep his eyes off of me. He came back to his senses after Damian pushed him off the apron onto the hard floor. I giggled and turned around to walk the other way, when I heard my name being shouted from the crowd, by a familiar, almost to familiar voice. “Y/n!” It couldn’t be… I turned back the other way, jumped over the barrier and sprinted towards the area where the voice came from, to see Jimmy Uso standing in front of me, smirking! “Y/n, whatchu doin’ here?” He said, grabbing me by the arm and pulling me closer to him, so that he could whisper in my ear “I missed you!” “Back off Fatu!” I shouted in his face, mentioning his real last name… after all, it would have been yours too, if he wouldn’t have cheated on you with Naomi , 2 days before our wedding. Jimmy’s always been flirting with you, ever since you joined the Company a few years back. They are married now and have kids… You have long finished with this chapter of your life, but he isn’t over you yet, even tho he has a family now. You cant help but feel sorry for Naomi, because you’re basically the reason that her marriage isn’t as filled as it could be, since her husband is secretly dreaming of someone else at night.

“Whoah, chill out, Mama, what did I do?” “Oh, you know what you did, alright, and besides… WHAT IN GODS NAME ARE YOU DOING HERE?!” I screamed at him and I could have sworn the entire Arena heard me. “I was just here to watch my baby brother loose” he said “like he always does…” he added under his breath “Baby Brother? Your just a few minutes older!“ „As I said, baby brother“ he said ”oh my- whatever“ I answered, thinking about why I was ever attracted to him “Stop lying, I know you’re here to do something to alter the outcome of the match. Whatever your plan is… Stop!” “Why you his side, mama? Shouldn’t you be on Judgement Day’s side?” “Oh I am, but if you screw over Cody and Jey, the fans won’t get the match they deserve.” “He betrayed us, Me, Solo, the Tribal Chief and the entire Family!” “He only did what was best for him!” I exclaimed “Oh yeah? Well, I don’t care! Take care, mama!” He said, gave me a kiss on my cheek and took off towards the ring. I was stunned as I watched him give Jey a superkick, presenting Finn the perfect opportunity to pin Jey and get the Titles back to The Judgment Day. I came back to my senses after hearing the crowd explode after Jimmy left through the crowd. I made my way through the crowd of screaming fans back to the ring to start celebrating with Finn and Damian, trying to ignore the pressure to break away from Damian’s arms, run back to the ring and cheer up Jey and Cody.

When we got backstage, we entered the Locker Room to continue celebrating with Rhea, Dom Dom and JD. We celebrated for a few more hours till it was time for us to leave. Rhea and I were the last to leave, since we were called into the office of Adam Pearce, to discuss a Tag match against the Witches Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn on Raw next week. We accepted and continued our way towards the exit. When we got to the Parking Lot, we started looking for my car to drive to the Hotel. We found it after passing a lot of vehicles, including Cody’s bus which… “Why is Cody’s Bus still here? I thought he left earlier?” I asked Rhea “I guess not, maybe he had to plan something with Pearcey, like we had to” Rhea answered, giggling after calling Adam Pearce „Pearcey„ “Probably…”

I opened the Trunk so we could put away our bags, when I noticed footsteps behind us. I turned around to face two tall and muscular men. “Hey, what’ up Mama’s?” It was Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes~

To be continued~

#jey uso and cody rhodes x reader #jey uso x reader #cody rhodes x reader #fanfic

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spiderh0rse · 8 months

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so. i have some Conclusions To Draw. I don't think having Betty around would have actually done much to help Simon stop that downward spiral of his, and I can reasonably infer this because of Farmworld.

in the episode named after Betty, we learn that the reason Simon never saw Betty again after putting on the crown is because she kept through a portal leading a thousand years into the future. (I love Betty she's nuts) Now, in Farmworld, that portal is never made because Simon dies before he can make it.

This has some interesting implications! For one, taking from some dialogue during Finn The Human, Marceline says that Simon stopped the mushroom bomb before it went off, and that they already knew each other by that time. Now, from what I've seen, it's not said outright that in our world those two didn't know each other before the bomb went off, it just doesn't make much sense. And we have seen how badly into the crown's influence Simon was before the bomb exploded. About the same as what Marceline's flashback shows, actually! Maybe a little better.

(yes I am doing weird things with this timeline. hold on.)

So. Because Betty never went into that portal to the future, she either stuck around with Simon (this somehow leading to Simon knowing Marcy before the bomb drops and to Simon sacrificing himself to stop it) or. Leaves on her own? Which seems out of character for her, though I don't have anything solid to support that, just how devoted Betty is to Simon. And vice versa, of course.

Somehow Betty's presence doesn't slow down Simon's change. It just keeps moving forward at what looks to be exactly the same rate as in the world that would become Ooo.

#That's about all I have to say!#I did work out a rough timeline for things happening in Ooo when I first watched the farmworld episodes btw #And I love time shenanigans (homestuck prepared me well)#I may or may not be making any excuse possible to talk about farmworld #The implications of that portal never existing are pretty cool I feel I just can't do much with em myself #Ok now for the sorting tags #Simon Petrikov #Betty Grof #Adventure Time #Farmworld #Ok yeah that's solid

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izabesworld · 1 year

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Roma attitudes and how to present us in your writing.

The top of this piece primarily discusses negative stereotypes in writings, so you can understand why these aren’t really true, and the bottom has a header which you can read to see how to present us as we are.

FOR MORE READ THIS.

Do I think this piece will be groundbreaking? Absolutely not. Do I hope this piece will prevent AT LEAST one writer from making a common mistake in their writing? Absolutely.

I want to start of with Roma Family Loyalty. This is something people are eager to show in their writing, presenting family units as something that is powerful and strong, which is great. However, like all families, we have limits.

A popular mistake in Peaky Blinder fanfiction is the misuse of this loyalty. It’s not shown in celebration, we don’t see Roma characters celebrating character achievements to the small things like better results in school and moving up in a business.

However, what we do see is family loyalty in a way that portrays us as violent. We read about a family member killing a character, and don’t see the backlash the character should receive. We don’t see the distrust you now feel for that person, we don’t see the problems that now arise. Violence committed by Roma is such a common topic in fan-fiction, when in fact, it is very rare.

Of course, the Peaky Blinders series is filled with blood, guns and knives but it’s also filled with Aunt Pol’s love of God, it’s filled with Arthur’s character change, it has Ada’s moving on from old family ways for a better life for herself and her children. All things that would’ve been celebrated.

A Roma family would’ve been ecstatic to see the change in Arthur. It would’ve been celebrated and praised, not pushed off and ignored. It’s not something that happened over night, it required dedication and support from those closest.

You often see scenes in “Shelby Sister” series where the Shelby Sister in question is afraid of Aunt Pol and Tommy because she gets beat. When this too, isn’t a reality.

Of course, it does still happen, and I don’t want to dismiss ANYONE who is a victim of this time of punishment, however, in Roma it’s extremely uncommon. (We are more creative).

When in the series has Aunt Pol been portrayed as someone who beats Finn as punishment? When Finn smoked that cigarette, he received a tap to the head and a word later. He was not beaten, so why is it done in fiction?

Roma families protect their family, they do not beat them. (Still not trying to dismiss anyone who was a child beat by their Roma family, this is just an in general <3). DESPITE the times they lived in where this was considered normal.

We are not genetically violent. We do not grow and and think “guns are okay”. In our world, they are not. At the time, everybody owned a gun, however, we knew the consequences of using one. It wasn’t a first option, nor was it really an option at all.

Selling Family Members?

We do not sell family members. This one is a BIG one for me.

We do not get in debt with another Roma family and offer daughters to solve that debt. We speak to them… Like everyone else? I’m not sure where selling Roma children has come from.

We do not offer out children to random Roma families. We do not meet a wealthy Roma man and think, “yes, I will sell my daughter to him”.

Yes, we do have a history of arranged marriages, and they do still happen today, within reason. We do not marry happy people with happy relationships. We do not marry people who do not want a partner. We do not marry people because they’re “too crazy”.

We marry people with what’s best for them. We ask people what is that family like? Where do they travel? Is there any significant history in that family I should be aware of? Families spend MONTHS even YEARS getting to know the other family beforehand, asking around and getting to know them.

Esme and John was a one off thing, and was a marriage I don’t believe was presented right. The Shelby’s and Lee’s were already familiar with each other, having spent years of connections. Esme needed a husband, and John needed a wife. Esme was not quickly given away at convenience, do you truly think families would allow that??

Our whole lives do not revolve around spirituality and thinking we are being followed by ghosts. We do not live in a constant state of paranoia — it’s unrealistic.

Of course, we dabble into it once in a while, we explore what we can’t see and test the waters, but we are not running around believing there is a bad omen behind us.

Reading People.

Honestly, I do believe this is also something exaggerated in people when writing. We don’t sit and analyse you when we first meet you, but we do try to find out about you before we begin sharing details of ourselves.

We don’t go, “oh, she scratched her nose, she’s a pathological liar”, but we do go, “he’s quite fidgety, perhaps he’s uncomfortable”.

Yet we do still make mistakes, we are not upper beings who know all and do all. We do still make bad friends, and become close with people we do not truly know, despite the fact we thought we knew them.

We do still get in arguments and upsetting conversations, we are not immune to emotions.

Enough of the negative.

I’ll be blunt and honest, we do still make mistakes. We will still get in silly fights, we do still push people a little bit too far, which is normal, we are all human, no?

Roma feel emotions, we get sad when our day isn’t going right, and feel happy when our dinner came out perfectly cooked. We feel love for those closest to us, and feel an intense amount of care for them.

We have friends, lots of friends. Sometimes they’re only Roma friends, other times we meet them in primary school.

We have family celebrations, where we thank musicians by licking money (notes 💴) and sticking them to their foreheads.

We have horses, often not many but us usually a family will have one.

We are not natural riders. Of course we do pick it up quite quickly, having seen those around us do it so often, however we do make mistakes. We do fall off our horses, and we get upset when we do, because it hurts and we’re human. We do have good days with our horses, where we are content and happy.

We make AMAZING meals with cabbage, this could be a whole post in itself. However, we aren’t too good with cooking bread, (for some odd reason?).

We sit with our families and talk about our days. Yes there is secrets, but we do still discuss “why on earth have they changed that shop?”

Just remember when writing us, we are regular human beings, and I think you’ll do okay! <3

#finn shelby #peaky blinders imagine #peaky blinders x y/n #peaky blinders #tommy shelby imagine #tommy shelby x y/n #tommy shelby x reader #tommy shelby #arthur shelby x reader #peakyblinders #peakyblindershelp #izabesworld peakyblinders #izabesworld

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jessequinones · 5 months

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Writing Lesson: Remembering the Past

I moved from the United States of America to Australia and since then I’ve tried to rewatch some cartoons from my childhood, mainly ones from either Cartoon Network or Boomerang and I can't find them. They're not on any streaming services and I can’t buy physical copies because they’re extremely expensive. Sure Tubi might have some old cartoons such as Popeye or the original Superman, but I didn’t grow up with them. I wanted to rewatch cartoons from the 60s-early 2000s, shows such as The Jetsons, Flintstones, Yogi Bear, the original Animaniacs, Dexters Laboratory, you get the picture.

So why am I bringing all of this up when it comes to writing? Well it got me thinking that yes, while these shows were racist, and aged like milk being left out in the sun, I would argue that it’s still important to rewatch them. Not just for nostalgia shake but as a writer it’s a good idea to remember the past so we don’t repeat it.

I know, “if you don’t remember the past you’ll be doomed to repeat it” but the thing about that saying is, it’s not actually wrong, but I think it get’s overused so no one understands why we say it.

Stories change and evolve over time. The stories we read and were told as kids, might not be the same ones we tell our children because it doesn’t work for them and that’s ok. Stories are supposed to evolve over the years because they show that we as humans are evolving as well. However, if we start to no longer show the past what lessons can we learn to improve?

You see history is a funny thing, if we know our history and the lessons it brings we can do stuff to avoid making the same mistakes as the previous generations. However, if the previous generation's mistakes are lost in time, how can we avoid them if we don’t know what those mistakes are to begin with?

That’s what the saying means. Remember the mistakes our parents, grandparents, great grandparents and so on so we don’t make those same mistakes. This is one of the reasons why every couple of generations society seems to go backwards since the mistakes of the past are being forgotten or ignored and we do them again.

Now I’m not one of those people who think we should stay in the past, life was better back in the old days because let’s be honest, it wasn’t. We were just kids and didn’t understand how the world works. I think we should be able to tell new stories while also not wiping the old ones from existence just because the old ones no longer make money. Of course, they aren’t going to make money the people who like old things are old and there'll always be fewer old people compared to younger ones.

All I'm saying is that if we could keep the old stuff available for as long as possible, we should try and do so. Is the past embarrassing and racist? Yes, but so are we. As a society, many stories are being told that I already know aren’t going to age well in the next couple of decades but we shouldn’t forget about them. Keep learning, keep improving, keep being better.

If you want to reread some old books as a bit of a history project I got some for you. "The Giving Tree", "Gone with the Wind", "Lolita" (my god is that a bad story, why was that ever popular?) "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn", "Stranger in a Strange Land". I could go on but those are some classic stories that it would be best not to forget about them. It’s important to understand why they were popular and what newer lessons we can get from them.

I also understand history for most people is kind of a boring subject, and while I don’t have advice on how to make learning fun. Perhaps if you’re a writer, and don’t want to read some old books in the genre you writing in, there might be a Youtube video you could put on or something? I’m not asking anyone to do a ten-page history report, just to try and remember some of the mistakes that were being taught in the old days so we could create new and more progressive ones instead of just repeating the same mistakes and never moving forward.

#writing #writeblr #book #books #history #writers of tumblr #authors of tumblr #bookblr #the giving tree #Stranger in a strange land #gone with the wind #The adventures of Huckleberry Finn #mark twain #writing lessons #the jetsons #the flintstones #dexters laboratory #yogi bear #animaniacs

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vodkacheesefries · 6 days

Text

Thought it would be fun to do an intro post for each of the three households I'll be rotating through in my historic sims file. Also told my buddy @schitzophrenicrainbows I would make one of these. It'll also help me keep things organized as I play the challenge since I'm committing details to writing.

Up first and beneath the cut, we have a little history dump and our Gladiators.

Gladiators initially started out as poorer people and slaves who were inscribed to fight and train in the gladiator schools, Ludus Magnus. Over time as people began to see the fame and honor that could be won in the arena, though it was more rare, people did start to voluntarily join these gladiator schools.

Due to the popularity of gladiator fights, and how pricey it got to train and house them, not every single gladiator fight was to the death for its contestants. (For the purpose of Finn's story/challenge rules, his fights will be.)

There's debate whether the infamous "thumbs down" actually meant the opponent HAD to die or not. It could have just meant they were disgraced and couldn't compete anymore, but I can't find definitive answers one way or the other, and the opinions I found on this often contradicted each other. (I could probably text my sister with three degrees all about ancient to medieval Italian/Roman history, but how do I explain to her I need to know for my Sims game lmaooo) All that said, gladiators often didn't live past their mid-twenties given the hazards of the job.

Gladiators were also sex symbols (do yourself a favor and look up ancient Roman graffiti. Humans are the same now as they were then lmao). Idk how much that'll play into my game but Finn does have to find a partner and have kids so the legacy continues but we'll get there when we get there.

Rana

Rana is the gladiator who has been at the Ludus Magna the longest. Her traits: Creative, Self Assured, Loyal.

She came from a wealthy merchant family, but the family business didn't interest her much. She left home when she was young to find herself and ended up finding the arena. She picked up sword fighting quickly and proved her aptitude for not only fighting, but teaching others to fight as well. These days she only competes occasionally, as she has proven herself invaluable in creating more gladiators.

She's hitting a point where the losses of her pupils, and more importantly friends, are starting to weigh on her. She likely isn't going to just be allowed to retire, though, so she has to figure something else out.

Apollo

Apollo named himself after a Greek God because he thinks he's hilarious. (This is debatable if you ask anyone who has spoken with him for more than five minutes.) He ended up at the Ludus Magnus due to his sense of humor; turns out a Senator doesn't like it when you make jokes about their philosophical ideas, even if they are stupid.

He doesn't enjoy the gladiator lifestyle much if he's being honest, and is counting down the days until his "voluntary" contract with the school is over so he can use what money he's won and travel the world like he's always wanted to. His self absorption is part him being young, and part it being a front for the fear he has of not living out his dreams and he wears it like a protective front. His friends know better, though.

(He also thinks Spartacus is cute, but he's certain Spartacus is going to stay a gladiator till he dies and that doesn't work with what he wants in the long run.)

His traits are: Loves the Outdoors, Self Absorbed, and Outgoing.

Spartacus

Disclaimer: I did not make Spartacus lmao. I was hitting create-a-sim burnout so I hit up the gallery to find someone else's Roman themed sim. Although I did make some minor changes to his wardrobe, added scars and swapped out a couple of his traits, which are: Athletic, Proper, Loner. I ended up keeping his name because while it's on the nose for a gladiator, it fits.

Spartacus is a former member of the Roman Legionnaires. He was released from his service due to an injury he sustained abroad. Once he had healed, he found civilian life to be difficult to adjust to, so he signed a contract with the Ludus Magnus. He's here for a good time, not a long time.

But lately, he's been spending more time with Apollo, and he's starting to change his mind. But surely someone as handsome as Apollo wouldn't be interested in someone who'd rather spend his time meditating than socializing at a party...

Finn

Finn's traits are: Athletic, Loyal, Ambitious

Finn knew the risks he was taking when he killed Antonius, but he doesn't regret it. He's now plotting his escape, and if his new found friends can survive, he'll bring them with him if they like. He really just wants to get back to Britain to what's left of his family and help them take back what is rightfully theirs and drive the Romans out.

By challenge rules, he has 10 fights to get through first. I also have to receive a silver medal or higher on at least 50 events, and I'll probably use his fights to accomplish at least 10 of those. (I've done six so far).

Will probably go over Laelius' household next along with the parts of the challenge they'll be completing, followed by his daughter's. Who I don't think I've posted so far.

#i am very normal about the sims #the roman empire is currently my roman empire #ts4 history challenge

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racerchix21 · 1 year

Text

The First Time

Relationship: Georgia Adams/ Roman Reigns

Word Count: 856

Tagging: @thesamoanqueen, @sunnyfleur23, @nayys-world @wickedsunfire @tomhardydallasstarsgirl @gobbersworld

Summary: A series of firsts in Georgia and Roman’s relationship!

Work Text:

1. Their 1st meeting

Georgia Adams was nervous as hell to make her main roster debut with WWE and then to be debuting as Roman Reigns’ mixed tag partner was even worse. Not that being stuck with a big ass sexy as sin Samoan was a hardship but still it was nerve wracking and her best friends laughing and giggling wasn’t helping matters.

“Y’all, I’ll be back later I’m just gonna go for jog around the arena. I’ll catch y’all later,” she said catching their attention as she all but ran out of their locker room running straight into a solid wall of muscle.

Pulling back she was greeted with the most mesmerizing brown eyes and holy shit he was gorgeous, “Oof, I’m sorry. I should’ve been paying more attention to where I’m going.”

“No, no I should’ve been. I’m Roman and the blonde one is Dean, Abs is Finn and the mouthy looking one is Seth. And you are?,” the pretty guy -Roman rumbled.

“The names Georgia. I’m sorry I was gonna go for a jog before I went to meet my mixed tag partner. Wait you wouldn’t happen to be Roman Reigns would you?”

“Yes ma’am I am. How bout I join you for that jog and we get to know each other better before our match?”

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

2. Their first date

Walking around a fun fair with Roman was fun and the best first date she’d been on in forever but she was struggling to keep up with his giant steps. Not to mention she kind of chilly with the wind beginning to blow. “Ro, can you slow down a little please? I’ve got short legs and I’m afraid I’m gonna lose you.”

“Yeah, princess. Here hold my hand or better yet I’ll give you a piggyback ride so we don’t get separated,” he says offering his hand. “Wait baby are you cold? How bout instead we do this,” he asks before wrapping an arm around her pulling her into his side. “That better?”

“Hmm, yep that’s much better. Thanks Reigns,” Georgia hums smirking up at him when he growls at her use of his last name.

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

3. Their first kiss

Georgia had been psyching herself out all night preparing for this moment right here. Standing up on her tippy toes, she smiles up at Roman and draws him in for what she’s been hoping is the first of many kisses.

She can feel Roman’s smirk against her lips before he gets with the program running his fingers through her hair kissing her back. The taste of his mint flavored chapstick and the chocolate cheesecake they shared for dessert bursts out first and she can’t help but continue to pull him into a series of tinier pecks.

This is definitely the best last first kiss of her life and she can’t wait to see what the rest are like.

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

4. Georgia’s first Wrestlemania main event and Roman’s first chance at good boyfriending

Being injured sucked but getting to witness his best friend, his baby main event the biggest show of the year more than made up for it. Especially since Georgia was getting main event with her best friends Reese, Shawnee and Kayce for the first time in their careers. Roman didn’t know who was more stressed out about it: him or Georgia.

A women’s Fatal Four Way was something the company had never attempted before and sitting backstage with Dean, Seth and Finn they could all feel the crowds electric energy. Listening to the crowd pop when the bell rang, they were all 4 on the edge of their seats as they’re badass queens did their thing, he thought he might be able to get used to this.

“Gentlemen, regardless of who wins I think we can all agree that their the 4 best in the game right now, what do y’all think,” Roman asks looking towards his friends.

“Yep, I’m gonna be proud no matter what because they all deserve to be right where they are right now,” Seth says glancing at Dean and Finn who quickly agree.

Even though Georgia doesn’t win, Roman couldn’t be prouder of her or of Reese who gets the win. Seeing his friends greet their girlfriends, he snags Georgia’s wrist and tells her how proud he is with kisses instead of words.

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

5. Their first child

Watching Georgia hold their newborn daughter Kaia, Roman sits back and thinks about all their other firsts. He can already tell that his life just got crazier with a baby girl to love and protect but he can’t wait to see who she’s gonna be one day and what kind of adventures she’s gonna lead them on.

Hearing Georgia murmuring to her, he leans down to give her a kiss and hold his fingers out for Kaia to latch onto. His heart swells and he huffs a laugh and smiles down at his perfect beautiful girls.

He can’t wait for even more firsts with Georgia like their first dance as husband and wife, he just has to propose but that can wait a day or two,” he thinks to himself.

#Roman is a good boyfriend #Roman Reigns x Georgia Adams #roman reigns fanfic

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spicybylerpolls · 3 months

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Cafe anon is SO REAL for sharing their story. You’re not alone. I think that’s the elephant in the room not just here on spicy byler tumblr, but in any coming-of-age media contexts, so I applaud anon for directly facing the elephant.

And thank you spicybylerpolls for giving us a platform to express our unfiltered thoughts!

I remember they tried to cancel gracie abrams for saying something similar even though she was (a. not that much older than Finn, and b. correct lol). Even to this day people on twitter won’t let her live it down, even though it shouldn’t even matter cause Gracie and Finn are, you know, both legal adults now and within dateable range.

I think in anon’s case, being older than Gracie was at the time, it makes sense that they were especially freaked out by their “less than kosher” thoughts at the time since they were inherently scandalous. But any therapist will tell you not to dwell on your shocking thoughts as they don’t define you. They don’t make you a bad person. They just are what they are, shout out to Ke$ha.

In our world we have lines, and these lines are good cause they protect real-life kids from harm and abuse. I think we can all agree with that! But they weren’t created to protect us from our OWN thoughts. They CAN’T really do so. They don’t have that power. Cause then it becomes a maze of, “Your thoughts are bad and you need to be fixed and re-educated” which isn’t healthy. I feel like a better approach is to reflect and mediate on the potential deeper reasons for things.

In cafe anon’s case, she and her friend noticed something w/out any filters, and then they had to make sense of what they noticed cause it raised their alarm bells. Did it make them a “creep?” I don’t think so. I also feel like a true “creep” wouldn’t freak out. They would just be creepy.

I like the explanation of this not being a case of perving on a 13-year old actor and actually wanting to be with them in a tangible sense, but rather an act of putting yourself in your past teenage shoes. Speaking for myself, I know I constantly have dreams where i’m 14 or 15 again, and maybe even dreaming of someone I used to have a crush on. In my mind, they are still 14. We are both still 14. Is that weird? Some might argue that it is, but is it really? I think it’s normal.

But I also think this is a deeply psychological subject that gets at the heart of what we’re comfortable with, and what we SHOULD be comfortable with, and there’s no doubt it’s controversial. But if you can’t be controversial anonymously on an already anonymous platform, where can you be controversial? Nowhere.

Many are uncomfortable with this convo cause they conduct themselves in such a way that no incorrect thought EVER slips in. The more filters you put in, the less you allow yourself to ruminate and reflect upon all aspects of human psychology, the less familiar anon’s admissions will be. But a part of art, a part of being an artist, is to embrace the gray area, no? Is this a slippery slope? Maybe. But slip n’ slides are also fun.

It doesn’t mean dwelling on it, ofc. It’s wise to stick to age-appropriate crushes. Please don’t misinterpret my words. My point is that it’s totally normal to have thoughts you shouldn’t have from time to time. That’s called being human.

There’s this idea that everyone is a perfectly upstanding citizen and no one ever goes where they shouldn’t in their brain, and if you do you’re a creep and the FBI will knock down on your brain’s door, but that’s silly IMO. I applaud café anon for unpacking her physiological reaction to the photoshoots and then moving on with her life.

Of course, not everyone has the same filtering system or comfort level. Some us needed the clear line of demarcation of S4 byler to think spicily, and some of us have no such filter have no such filter and have always been thinking spicy thoughts about these characters, aged-up ofc!

I think now though, I’m so glad that more and more of us are recognizing the clear sexual innuendos and subtext the Duffers have placed into the show. And I hope we will approach S5 and the potential consummation scene with maturity! The Duffers aren’t creeps for telling this story. And you’re not creepy for noticing it.

Many would say that 13 is too young to use terms like “hot” even if you recognize their potential/recognize their cuteness, and I’d agree. But then the question becomes, where is the line? Lots of us here believe Finn and Noah are “hot” now. But at what point did they become hot, hmm?

Obviously on their 18th birthday and not a second before, you degenerates /s

I think if most of us are being honest, even if we wouldn’t say it out loud, we know that isn’t true. You grow into what you become. It doesn’t happen overnight with a birthday. And no one should be attacked for being honest.

Honesty isn’t a crime.

Thank you sharing your thoughts! There's a lot to unpack here. I agree that no one should be attacked for their honesty. And I agree that those who still try to cancel Gracie Abrams are ridiculous.

#byler #spicy byler #finn wolfhard #noah schnapp #spicy byler meta #potentially controversial spicy byler discourse #gracie abrams #no poll

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aphrodites-law · 2 years

Note

would love Clexa 46, please 😌

“You’re jealous of Finn? Finn? Seriously?”

“I’m not jealous,” Lexa retorts curtly. Her jaw feels like it’ll snap from how hard she clenches it, but it’s nothing compared to how tightly she grips the glass in her hand. It’s a good thing it’s made of witch glass, because she knows anything human would’ve shattered and cut her skin by now.

“Do all humans lie this badly?”

Lexa looks away from the source of her poor temper and glares at the witch mocking her. “This doesn’t bother you?”

Raven laughs at the very notion. Her hair is an inky black, but there are twinkles in it like stars in the sky. Her dress is a gorgeous deep blue, the perfect embodiment of tonight’s winter solstice celebration. “Finn couldn’t flirt to save his life,” she says. “He has two lines in his arsenal and one has the word kernel in it. If he ever did want to try his luck elsewhere, I’d get a snack to witness it.”

Lexa frowns. “You trust him that much?”

“You don’t trust Clarke?”

“Of course I do. But I don’t believe that a man who dated two of the most brilliant witches I know could be that uncharming.”

“They were sixteen," Raven emphasizes. "Best friends from childhood. They were each other’s solution to loneliness at the time. Witches aren’t schooled like you are, divided by age or class. Clarke was already learning alongside incredible potion makers, but most were twice her age. Finn was already his father’s apprentice in the workshop. They explored a new side in their relationship because it was comfortable and easy, but it didn’t end in the dramatic heartbreak you think it did.”

“Comfortable and easy might be the complete opposite of our relationship.”

“Well don’t you think it means something that you’re fighting so hard to make it work? It’s 3AM and you’re all dressed up for an event you didn’t even know about last year. You’ve got a final in twelve hours and I can tell you’re a hard worker. But still you’re here at your girlfriend’s best friend’s party getting to know her world.”

“And yet I feel like I’ll never know enough.”

Raven takes the glass from Lexa’s hand, setting it aside on the buffet next to them. “Is that what’s really bothering you? You think we know her better?”

Lexa worries her lip. “You understand her magic in a way I can’t. It’s a hugely intricate part of her and I… I don’t get it. In a superficial way maybe, what she does and how she does it, but not at the core. Not how it feels. How could I ever hope that’s enough?”

“And she doesn’t know what it’s like to be fundamentally human. To have a looser grip on her emotions. You’re different and you’ve always known that, but you got together anyway, didn’t you?”

Lexa nods as her eyes find Clarke again, watching her talk with Finn over a plate of blue-tinted treats. She remembers seeing her like this the first time, just chatting with someone else across the garden. There was always something about Clarke Griffin that called to her. That made her body gravitate closer to her. She feels the same pull tonight despite the lingering worry in the pit of her stomach. They’ve never had it easy, and she suspects they never will, but what they do have is strong. Lexa can never lose sight of that.

“Excuse me…” she tells Raven before walking toward Clarke.

She’ll thank Raven properly for the advice she always seems to give her, but for now there’s only one thing she can think of doing. And as Clarke turns to her before she’s even closed the space between them, and grins so lovingly it has Lexa’s heart pound, she finds that nothing could stop her.

“Hey, babe, we were-”

Lexa kisses her in one fell swoop, both hands on her waist, with little concern for anyone around them. It’s not like her at all – they both know it – and maybe that’s what makes it so tempting. Or maybe it’s just that kissing Clarke will never feel embarrassing, no matter the setting. For once, Lexa feels like making a show. A claim. Later she’ll question the terribly possessive urge – though she’s pretty sure it’s another one of her fundamentally human traits - but for now she gives into it.

A little while ago, Clarke kissed her. Chose her. Lexa can’t help but feel proud of it, and in turn she’ll always make sure Clarke feels the same. Their bodies align perfectly and soon Clarke’s hand is on her neck, in the same spot it was this morning, when she woke her up with a dirty kiss and a few choice words, ones that had Lexa feeling just as hot-blooded as she does now. There are days when it never stops. It’s said to be the nature of most relationships between humans and witches, but Lexa thinks they would be the same if she were a witch.

“I shouldn’t be encouraging this kind of behavior…” Clarke tells her, slightly breathless, though she sounds very much like she wants to. Finn has already shuffled somewhere else, and maybe tomorrow Lexa will regret acting so rudely.

Maybe.

“It feels like you are,” Lexa answers with a smile, feeling the way Clarke leans into her, unwilling to let go.

“Mm you know me too well,” Clarke sighs fondly before kissing her again.

Lexa wonders later if Clarke overheard what she talked about with Raven, or if she's simply that intuitive when it comes to their relationship. She doesn’t know everything about magic, but she knows Clarke. She knows how she likes her breakfast and what her favorite sweaters are. She knows that perfume makes her sneeze and that cinnamon makes her nose twitch. She’d know her voice in a dark, crowded room. And she hopes to spend the rest of her life knowing her better.

#asks #f: seven #clexa

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no-one-fuck-a-man · 2 years

Text

Berry Blues

Season Two

Part Eight - (Furt) It's a Nice Day For a Black and Blue Wedding

Quinn Fabray x Reader

Summary: Things come to blows, and a wedding ensues. Why are feelings so much?

Word Count: 11,358

WARNINGS: Kinda graphic descriptions of violence and the aftermath of it, anger, bullying, angst, a small argument.

(A/N): Enjoy!

-----

"So... listen..."

You didn't like where this was going.

"You better not have gotten my sister pregnant," you stated, deathly calm to your friend as you leaned against the lockers, watching as he put his books away.

"No. No," Finn rushed to say, "It's... it's about the Sam and Quinn thing."

"No." You shook your head vehemently.

"We have to talk about it sometime."

"Do we?" You knew you did. "Because I really don't want to do this."

"You never want to do this."

"I wonder why."

Finn cleared his throat just as Kurt walked up, flanked by his dad and Finn's mom.

"Oh," the tall boy said, drawing your attention to them, which you were thankful for, just so that you didn't have to continue having this conversation with him, "What's going on? Is this one of those interventions, 'cause..."

"If it is, it's for the both of us. They bombarded me and forced me to bring them to you."

You gasped. "If it is, can I join? That seems like it would be fun. "Finn. Please stop making out with my sister where I can see"."

"No, it's not an intervention," Carole told you, making you 'aww' in disappointment.

"Okay, come on. Tell them," Burt waved her on excitedly.

"No, no, no. You-"

"We said in the car-"

"Come on. You. Please."

"All right," Burt relented, "So, you know how I drive Carole to work every Tuesday?" The boys nodded as you just stood there confused. "Well, today, I drove here, and we snuck into that classroom where Kurt introduced us, very romantic of me, I might add, and I-"

"He proposed!" Carole exclaimed joyfully, "He proposed!"

"You stole the punch line!" Burt laughed, "Come on!"

You and Kurt had gigantic smiles on your faces.

Meanwhile, Finn looked like the world was crashing down upon him.

"Wow, this just happened?"

"Oh, dad," Kurt gushed while looking at the ring upon his soon-to-be stepmother's finger.

"Congratulations, you guys," you said, patting Burt on his shoulder. Receiving their thanks and a head bow from Burt in return.

"We wanted the two of you to be the first to know. And Y/N," she added.

"Really intruding on a family moment here, aren't I?"

"Don't sweat it, kid," Burt pat at your shoulder, just like you had his, "And yeah, after the kids in that homeroom."

"Bet they got the shock of their lives, huh?"

"You bet. Now, come on. Family hug."

You tried to slide back, to give the four their space. But Burt's hand was still upon your shoulder, and he felt your movements.

"Nuh-huh, you're in this, too." The man pulled you in to join the hug. "You spend enough time 'round our place. You're basically family."

"Does that mean I have three dads and a mom now?" you joked.

"You bet it does!"

Everyone, minus Finn, laughed as they pulled away.

"I'm so excited and- And nervous," Carole said.

"Oh, don't be. Don't be."

"Okay."

"This is just what I needed. I will take care of it from here," Kurt said, "I have a trunk full of wedding magazines hidden under my bed. I'm thinking of an, uh, russet and cognac theme. Those are colours, Finn. Fall wedding colours. Autumnal."

"Sounds nice." You nodded.

"Nothing too extravagant. Okay?" Burt told his son, "We're gonna use whatever savings we have. We are spending it on the honeymoon. That's right, we're going to Waikiki. We're gonna go to the hotel where they put up the guest stars on 'Lost'."

"Bring me back a Hawaiian shirt? I love those things."

He chuckled, "You bet 'cha, kid."

You made a 'yes' movement in celebration.

"Finn, you- You've- You haven't said anything," his mother pointed out. Peering up at his dopey far-off face.

"Yeah, dude, you okay?"

"Uh, uh, I'm- I guess I'm just kinda stunned." He shook his head.

"Hey, don't worry," Burt told him, "I'm already looking for a bigger house. One where everybody's gonna get their own rooms."

"Come on, honey. Be happy for me," Carole almost begged.

"I am, mom," the boy conceded. Pleasing his mom immensely.

"All right. Now listen, Kurt. As the wedding planner, I want you to take care of one thing. I don't care about the food or the booze at this party, but I want one heck of a band. I've been eating right, I've been exercising. And I want to boogie with Carole at this wedding. And I will boogie," he finished, dancing as a white dad does.

"All right. It's already taken care of, dad," Kurt told him excitedly, "I'm gonna hire the New Directions as your band. Right? It won't cost you a cent. They're cheap. They're available. Long story short... you're having a glee wedding."

Punching your arms into the air, you yelled, "I'm coming." In reference to the wedding, then not a second later, "That is a bad thing to yell in a school hallway!"

---

"Hey, Y/N."

Looking over your shoulder, you spotted Sam jogging up to you in the hallway, trying his hardest to avoid the rest of the students as he did. All the while digging into the pocket of his jeans, fishing for something.

"Hey, Sammy." You smiled once he had caught up to you.

"What do you think of this?"

Looking down at the object in his palm, you spotted a dainty gold ring with a diamond in the centre.

"Uh, dude, I like you and all, but I ain't gonna marry ya', you're not my type."

A soft laugh poured from him as he shook his head.

"It's for Quinn."

That got you to stop in your tracks. Shock flooded your chest as you stared down at the ring, then back up to the boy. Repeating the action once more, when your voice finally returned to you.

"What? Don't you think it's her style?"

'No, it's perfect for her'

"You're not gonna ask Quinn to marry you, are you?"

Sam scoffed, shaking his head, amused, once more. "No. This is a promise ring. I'm gonna ask her to be my girlfriend. I think she might say yes. Do you?"

The boy was so excited that you didn't have the heart to tell him "no".

But, you were hurting too much inside to say what you really felt.

'She'll act like she hates the gesture, but secretly she'd love it more than anything. Quinn is truly a hopeless romantic at heart. I'm sure, if there's nothing -superficial or not- stopping her, she'd say "yes" right away'

So, instead, you chose to be the supportive friend.

"I hope it works out for you, man." You nodded. "When you planning on doing it?"

"Right now, actually. I asked her to meet me in the geometry classroom. I just wanted a second opinion beforehand."

"Well, good luck, buddy." You pat him on the shoulder, and with a quick "thank you" your way, he was off.

Leaving you in the middle of a student-filled hallway, feeling like you had lost the girl all over again, in a fight you had no way to be a part of.

That's when all those buried emotions came back. The ones you had spent weeks pushing down and avoiding, ever since the duet competition.

Anger. Betrayal. Sadness. Heartbreak.

It was not gonna be a good day.

---

As it turns out. It wasn't a good day.

It hasn't been a good three days.

Your father's have noticed.

Your sister especially has.

Rachel was confused beyond belief at your attitude towards her once more. She thought you were over this. She thought she was forgiven.

But she had no time to dwell on that. She had a 'Glee Girls' meeting to hold. At least those of whom who have boyfriends.

And you had some being dragged around by Santana to do.

"Uh, why didn't you tell me we were having a glee girls meeting?" Santana asked, affronted, towing you behind her into the choir room.

"Stop pulling me around." You tugged your arm free from the cheerleader's grasp. "Why didn't you guys tell me Santana was being a heinous bitch today?"

"Like you can talk, you've been a heinous bitch all week," she bit back, throwing her arms into the air. Causing you to roll your eyes and shake your head at the girl.

"Anyway, this is a meeting for glee girls with boyfriends."

'She said yes to him then'

Quinn noticed your reaction to your sister's words. The way your jaw clenched tighter, the shake of your head once more, the way you couldn't look towards the seated girls. The waves of energy that rolled from you were dark and brooding, not unlike the feeling you get when you know a terrible storm is coming.

She knew why you had reacted so.

You thought she and Sam were officially dating.

Part of her wanted to correct your sister again. A pretty big part of her.

But another part of her wanted people to keep believing she and Sam were together. If only just to further hide the truth within her. Even if that meant hurting you.

She just hoped you didn't end up doing something stupid.

"We're gonna make them stop Karofsky from bullying Kurt," Rachel finished.

Your head raised at that, peering directly at your sister with an unreadable look upon your face. Knuckles straining under your skin as your grip on the strap of your backpack grew tighter and tighter.

Quinn didn't like where this was going.

"What did Karofsky do now?"

All but the head cheerleader ignored your stone-cold words.

"I'm dating Puckerman," Santana said, raising her hands to her chest.

But Quinn also heard that.

"You're getting naked with Puckerman," she clarified.

You were so angry, the rage boiling within your stomach, that you didn't even make a witty comment about that.

"Besides," Tina spoke up, "Puck can't mess with Karofsky. He's on probation. If he gets in a fight with him. He'll be sent back to juvie."

"What did Karofsky do?"

Once again, ignored. Only heightening the fear and worry in Quinn's eyes.

"Yeah. So now, if you'll excuse us," Rachel kicked the Cheerio from the room.

Santana scoffed in return. "You're so on my list, dwarf."

You heaved a slow breath as the girl exited the room, your sister pointedly looking at you. Obviously, wanting you to follow in the Latina's lead.

But you weren't about to go anywhere without any answers.

"I'll ask one more time," you stated, a dangerous blaze beginning to shine behind your eyes, "What did Karofsky do?"

"Uh-"

Tina cut off Quinn's warning with a sad shrug and said, "He just really terrified of him. He's always scared now. Mr Schuester even took him to the principal's office because of it. He was crying."

'Oh, that was not the right thing to do, Tina', Quinn thought.

The four girls watched you silently, expecting a reaction from you. Calling the football player everything under the sun and back. Anything at all.

But you just stood there.

No reaction.

Nothing.

That was until you spun on your heel and began striding towards the door you came through.

Pulling your backpack off and flinging it to slide across the floor and land up against the wall right by the door, seconds before you passed through it.

"Y/N-" Quinn tried to stop you. She really wanted to, but you were not hearing a single thing she said.

Only one thing ran through your mind as the girls scrambled behind you.

'Gotta find Karofsky'

It didn't take you long to find the bully. Surrounded by his like-minded jock friends. Not that you noticed and cared.

Lucky for you, however, the girls never exited the threshold of the choir room, having been called back by Rachel to finish their private meeting. Much to Quinn's objections. But still, the blonde cheerleader was convinced -against her better judgement- to stay. So they didn't have to see this.

Karofsky and yourself went sliding across the floor from where you had tackled him.

Manoeuvring the furious and confused buy onto his back, you gave him a good look at who was the perpetrator of his sudden position before you began to pound your fists into his face.

Chants of "Fight! Fight! Fight!" Lined the halls, signalling that soon there would be a teacher whizzing up to stop the commotion.

The boy had managed to push you off of him and give you a few good punches of his own.

"I told you to leave him alone!" you yelled, pushing him into the wall, punching him a few more times.

You were quickly pulled off of the boy by Mr Schuester. Who stopped the boy from advancing on you.

"What is going on here?!"

"They just tackled me out of nowhere!"

"Yeah! And I would do it again!" you admitted in a yell, shocking the teacher by your sudden act of violence, trying to push your way back to the boy, "You deserve everything coming to you, you homophobic piece of sh-!"

"Y/N, principal Sue's office! Now!"

With a firey huff, you turned and walked down the hall, feeling the glares of Karofsky and his jock friends following you.

Maybe that had been a bit rash.

Your dad's were gonna kill you.

Your sister was gonna kill you.

Oh, God.

Quinn was gonna kill you.

'Shit'

---

"What, in your right mind, made you decide to randomly fight him in the middle of a hallway. Is what I don't understand."

You had been silent ever since you first arrived at principal Sue's office, battered and bruised. Blood drying on your face.

A father on either side of you, as Sue sunk down into her seat across the desk. And Mr Schue. Who leant into the bookcase with his arms folded across his chest.

"He's had it coming for a long time."

"What's that supposed to mean?" LeRoy asked.

"It means he's a douche, dad."

"Why did you tackle him?" Sue asked, getting straight to the point, "Why did you hit him?"

"Because he's a homophobe," it burst from you suddenly. A breath and you continued, "He's been harassing Kurt for, God knows how long, and no one has done anything to stop it. I have repeatedly told him to leave Kurt alone, but he never listens... when I walked in on my friends trying to think of a way to stop the bullying from happening, I snapped, okay? I know that it wasn't right to just randomly attack him, and I'm sorry for that, but I'm not sorry for standing up for my friend."

"You did it because he's been bulling your friend. Because he's gay?" Hiram asked, to which you nodded.

"Why didn't you tell a teacher, Y/N?"

"The same reason why you didn't notice," you sassed back to your Spanish teacher, "They all say that they mean well, and that they're here to help. But when you go to them about something like this, what do they do? Nothing. That's what."

"I would have done something," Mr Schue argued softly, pointing at his chest, "I would have spoken to the principle-"

"Just like you did this morning when Kurt was scared out of his whits? What happened then?"

"There was no evidence that anything had happened," the cheerleading coach said, drawing your attention back to her, "And anything that had happened before could be excused on Mr Karofskys part."

"So, what? He's the bully, and I'm the one in the shit? I mean, I know I started the fight, but to not have the reason to be taken into account-" You cut yourself off with a shake of your head, anger beginning to grow inside of you once again, no longer able to look at your blonde principal.

"Principle Sylvester, there has to be something we can do," LeRoy began, a soft, pleading look in his eye. One that made you ashamed to have even put him in that position, "Y/N is a good student, they get good grades, take part in extracurricular activities, they've never been in a fight like this."

Hiram piped up next.

"We just ask you to take everything into account before you make your decision."

"But that's not strictly true." Sue shook her head, pointing a lone finger at LeRoy.

"What?" was asked on behalf of his husband.

"Your child has quite the reputation of fear in this school. I should know, I have one myself."

Mr Schue rolled his eyes at her as your voice burst from you once again.

"Do you know how many homophobes roam these halls? It's not just Karofsky, you know. And this whole town is worse. Ever since I was younger, I made people scared of me, intimidated them so that they wouldn't have the chance to bully me. I have never started a fight before. I stop bullies when I can. Yes, with more intimidation, but to stop them. My reputation is built on nothing but confidence, sticking up for myself and others, and finishing fights when they start against me first. Not starting fights."

Sue Sylvester took your rant in as she leaned back in her red chair, evaluating your now silent form.

"I am going to impose a minimum of two weeks suspension-"

"But, Principal Sylvester, Sectionals is next week."

"Should have thought about that before you started a fight. I would find myself lucky that it wasn't a minimum of two months."

"Mr Schue, can't you do something?" you asked, turning to the teacher.

The man opened his mouth to speak, looking almost like a fish out of water. But was soon cut off before he could utter any words.

"Oh, I'm afraid William has no power over my decision."

"Isn't there any way that they could be allowed to compete in the competition, then continue with her suspension?" your father, Hiram, asked.

Sue shook her head. "I'm afraid I can't do that. If I start giving one student special treatment, then I'd have to do it with all of them."

"Please, Princip-"

Your face contorted in pain as you pushed yourself to sit straight in your seat, hand tensing in its grip upon the armrest. Other arm coming 'round to hold against your ribs, trying to ease the pain there.

"What was that?" the principal asked.

"What was what?"

"Don't play stupid now with us, Y/N," Hiram told you, "Why are you holding your ribs?"

"It's nothing. It's-"

"Did you know about this?" Sue turned to Mr Schue.

"No," the man denied, with a shake of his head, "They were standing fine when I found them."

The cheer coach turned back to you then.

"Lift up your shirt."

"I think that's a legal problem, Miss Sylvester."

"Y/N," LeRoy said sternly, "Show us your ribs."

Realizing you were fighting a losing battle against the four adults, you heaved a sigh and slowly drew your shirt up past your toned stomach, all the way until your ribs were showing.

Red marks and grazes littered your torso. Faint indentations of shoe prints glowing against the deepening bruises. Causing shock waves to flow through the adults in reaction.

Glancing down at your injured stomach for the first time, you saw just how bad it was for yourself.

"Oh, well, would you look at that. I may need to go to the hospital for some X-rays."

"Did he do this to you?" Sue pressed, voice taking on an almost dangerous tint. Only making you scoff in return.

"Karofsky? He could hardly do anything to my face." You grew quiet, deciding it was best to tell the truth. "No. This was thanks to his football buddies, who were there when I fought him. They ambushed me on my way here."

"His friends did this to you?" LeRoy asked sadly. You nodded in confirmation after swallowing harshly against the lump in your throat at seeing your father so upset. Watching as he swiftly turned to face Sue once again, "These are the people this boy hangs around with, he has shown himself to be a bully against the LGBT, and yet our child is the one to be punished?"

Her voice sounded forced the next time she spoke, like she had to force herself to say her next sentence, "There's nothing I can do. My hands are tied, there are regulations for this sort of thing."

"And what regulations does this Karofsky kid have?" Hiram asked, "What regulations do the kids who kicked the hell out of my child have?!"

"Trust me, I will be filing a formal complaint about all of this to the school board as soon as you leave my office. And will be keeping a much closer look at Mr Karofsky and his friends."

"So, what now?" you asked softly, voice low after a few long seconds of silence passed.

"Now... your suspension will begin for the rest of the week." Relief filled you at the principal's words. 'You would be able to compete with your friends', "You are permitted to pick up your work and nothing else. And this will be going on your official file."

"Thank you, Principal Sylvester," Hiram thanked, as your dads stood from their seats, hands hovering dangerously close to your arms as you rose up yourself.

"Enjoy the rest of your day," she bid you all goodbye.

The rest of your day was only mildly enjoyable.

Rachel was waiting outside with your backpack, worry-stricken face turning upset at the sight of your injured features.

"Don't worry," you had told her, as tears welled up in her dark brown eyes, "He got way worse."

Your father's quickly filled her in as you made your way to the exit.

Leaving her to be the one to fill the Glee Club in about your absence.

You didn't know what to say, sat in the back seat of LeRoy's car as he drove. Head bowed and glancing all around, watching the scenery fly by.

'They must be so disappointed in you'

That was the last thing you ever wanted. To disappoint your parents, who you loved so much.

Finally finding your voice and dissipated courage, you spoke up.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't," LeRoy told you sternly, making you think he was so utterly angered by you and your actions, "Don't you dare apologise for this."

"What?" you breathed, utterly confused now.

"Do you know how proud of you we are?" Hiram asked from the passenger seat, turning to peer at you in the back.

"You're proud of me for starting a fight against a homophone?"

"No." LeRoy shook his head. "You know how we feel about fighting-"

"At least starting fights."

"Even against homophobes. But we are so proud of you for sticking up for your friend this whole time, even though it came out wrong this time."

"So... does this mean I'm not getting punished?"

"No, you're still getting punished," LeRoy corrected, "You're grounded for as long as you're suspended, and you're not allowed to play your games with your friends during the time you're in detention."

"That seems like a pretty good deal."

"We can make it worse, it that's what you really want," he said playfully.

"No, thank you."

"We're also getting you ice cream from that place you like," Hiram added.

"After we've been to the hospital."

"You know, you're sending really mixed signals with this whole punishment and reward system you've got going on," you remarked playfully.

---

It wasn't long later that the next Glee Club lesson commenced.

All the while, you were being checked over by the numerous doctors at the insistence of your fathers.

Unknown to the -less so- injured boys sat within the choir room.

Your sister could hardly stand looking at the boyfriend she loved as Quinn held an ice pack to Sam's eye, and Tina and Brittany took care of their respective boyfriends.

No one yet realised your absence from the room, some assuming you were just running late, most others too distracted to realise you were missing.

"Dude was a wild animal," Mike said, telling the tale of Karofsky's second fight of the day.

"'Manimal'," Artie said, proud of himself for coming up with that pun.

"How bad does it look?" Sam asked the girl holding the pack to his reddened eye.

"It's pretty hot, actually."

"Now, Karofsky looked rough," Mike told the blonde, drawing her attention from her maybe-boyfriend, to the gossiping boy behind her.

"Yeah, he looked like he got jumped," Artie said, "Wonder who got to him first."

The girls -Well... the girls, minus Santana and Mercedes- shared knowing looks.

Dread filled Quinn as she realised you weren't in the room, and the bell had long since passed.

But before she could voice her worry, hoping that Rachel knew where you were right now, Puckerman spoke up.

"You have no idea how hard it was for me not to jump into that beat down."

"Where were you, Finn?" Santana, cynical as ever, asked.

"I was still out on the field, okay," the boy defended, a bit too strongly for it to seem sincere.

And even though she was pissed at him, Rachel still nodded with a condescending smile for her boyfriend.

"I totally would have given him a beat-down if I'd been there, though."

"The fact is, it shouldn't have gone down without you, Finn," Mercedes spoke up, "You should have been leading the charge."

"Lay off Finn, everyone," Kurt told, shaking his head, "It isn't his problem. It's none of your problems, actually. But, thank you for what you did. Especially Sam."

"Serious. An epitome of a leader," Mike complimented the boy, practically in awe of him, as Sam smiled to himself.

"You might want to thank Y/N, too," your sister spoke over to Kurt.

The boy didn't know what to say to that, never expecting you would go through with it and fight for him.

Quinn took the short silence as her chance to speak.

"So they did fight Karofsky?" she stated more than asked Rachel in a breathless voice.

At her nod in reply, she could think of only one thing: She never should have let you leave the choir room.

"That's what happened to Karofsky's face?" Artie asked, astounded.

"Baller," Puck said, in the same way, speaking the first nice thing about you in, well, ever.

The head cheerleader had no more time to ask the smaller Berry any more questions as Mr Schue entered the room, voice tinged with worry.

"What's going on? What happened to Sam's eye?"

"He stood up to Karofsky," Quinn told him, still holding the icepack to the other blonde's face.

Tina added, "All the guy's did. Not Finn."

"Is everyone okay? Do we need to go talk to Principal Sylvester?"

"No," Sam rushed to deny, "I got in a few good licks too, so we can just call it even. And maybe this will send a warning to Karofsky, telling him to back off Kurt."

Quinn had lost her patience after the Spanish teacher moved over to check on Kurt, growing desperate to know where you were and what had happened to you. Unable to stand the sickly, knowing feeling building up in her stomach with every second that she was left alone with her worry. She'd sooner rather have morning sickness than this.

"Mr Schue, where's Y/N?" she asked, hardly keeping her voice from begging.

"That's... actually something I needed to talk to you guys about." Taking a deep breath, the man continued, "Y/N got into a pretty heavy fight with Karofsky. They started it. So they have been suspended."

"For how long?" Finn asked, seemingly worried about the wrong thing. The upcoming competition, over his friend's wellbeing.

"The rest of the week." That gave the room a breeze of relief. "We're lucky that Sue didn't suspend them past Sectionals."

"Are they okay?" Quinn asked, everyone, holding their breath as they waited for the man to answer.

"They... they're okay. Injured. But okay."

That was another relief off of the clubs' shoulders.

You were okay.

Trying to move on from the hectic day, Mr Schue moved on with the lesson itinerary, "All right, guys. Let's take our places. We got a wedding to prepare for."

And Quinn had a Y/N to prepare to yell at.

---

You had been put on bed rest.

By your fathers' orders.

The doctors advised it, but they enforced it.

You had a bad case of bruised ribs and some superficial injuries. Mainly telling you one thing: You were going to be sore for a while.

And your face wasn't all that much better.

Butterfly stitches placed over the cut above your brow, the eye underneath darkening into a serious black eye. While your other cheek was scraped up, redness hiding the bruise underneath. And to top it all off, a split lower lip stinging with every movement they made.

You thought you would be spending the rest of your day in bed, watching some TV, probably doing some of the work your sister said that she'd bring home for you.

You didn't expect this.

"What the hell were you thinking?!" Quinn yelled as soon as she entered your room, glaring down at your laying form as you painfully pushed yourself up into a seated position. Hiding it behind the shock and slight fear on your face at the girl's sudden outburst. "You tackled him?! You seriously tackled a football player?"

"He went down like a piece of paper."

She jabbed a pointed finger your way, face furious, "Don't joke with me right now!"

Your eyes widened at her reaction, watching as she paced the space at the foot of your bed.

Both of you were unaware of the three Berry's huddled up outside your bedroom door, pressed against the wood to listen in.

"Do you not remember what I told you?! When I said you were worth more than this- Than him!" she cried, pointing at the air as if he were standing right there, in your bedroom, "Than to throw your life away-!"

"I haven't thrown my life away. It was one fight!" you cut her off, face scrunched at her words, finding them to be idiotic.

"You're suspended, Y/N!" she decided to shout now, changing the route for her anger, "Do you really think he's worth that?!"

"I'm sick of this, Quinn!" you roared back at her, surprising her this time, "What gives him the right-? What gives him the fucking right to go around treating people this way?!"

You waited, watching, for her to answer, but got nothing in return.

"Don't worry," you said, rationalising why the blonde had been yelling at you so passionately, "I'm gonna alright to be in the competition."

Apparently, that was entirely the wrong thing to say.

"I don't care about a stupid Show Choir Competition! I care about you! I care if you're safe! Do you know how worried I was about you?" You were shocked to see the pain behind the blonde's eyes, watching her fight tooth and nail to keep her tears at bay. Hand's coming down to cradle her flat stomach, "I felt sick with it. Like I was gonna crumble into pieces if I didn't find out what happened to you." She gasped, looking away from you as the tears finally welled up in her eyes. "I can hardly look at you right now."

"Listen, I get that you're probably disappointed in me-"

"I'm not disappointed in you!"

You didn't understand what you were seeing.

Quinn Fabray was standing in front of you, looking about ready to let the tears stream down her cheeks, posture tight, as flames raged behind her wet eyes.

"I can't stand to see you hurt. I don't want you to be hurt." The girl had grown closer to you as she spoke, resting her hands upon your aching ribs, making you flinch instantaneously. "Y/N-? What-?"

Taking initiative, she weaved her fingers into the soft material of your T-shirt, pulling it to bunch up your body, showing her the bruises underneath.

"What the hell happened to you?"

"Karofsky's football buddies got the jump on me as I was going to Sue's office." You shrugged your shirt back down. "It's nothing. I'm fine."

"That's not nothing. How many were there?"

"Like four, maybe five. I don't really know."

"Did you-?"

"They know. Everyone knows. You're not the only blonde who saw my abs today," you joked, referencing what had happened in the principal's office, slight smile falling when you noticed her sullen face, "Seriously, Quinn, I'm fine. Just sore."

"Why can't you believe that I care about you?" she randomly asked.

"Can you really blame me?" you muttered, almost sneering as you couldn't meet her eyes.

The blonde caught on easily, sighing as the memories flooded her.

"Just because of what happened over the summer doesn't mean I don't care about you, you big dumb idiot." You squinted over at her soft spoken name-calling. Quinn leaning closer to you to hiss to you, as if the room were crowded and didn't want anyone hearing, "It's the opposite. I care about you, so much, that it's insane. But you know the reason behind everything. You know that I can't- I can't-"

"I know." You nodded solemnly. "I'm sorry for bringing it up again."

"It's okay. Just... just focus on getting better. Can't really dance with bad ribs."

The blonde moved to exit the room then, opening the door only to reveal the three eavesdropping Berrys. Looking back at you with a pointed look, as you watched your family the same way, their faces bashful in return.

"Excuse me," she muttered, cutting through the huddled group and making her way to leave your home.

"What the hell, guys?"

"We just..." Rachel began, "Wanted to make sure you were alright."

You eyed her suspiciously, knowing that she was lying and clearly showing that on your face.

Hiram moved to try and excuse their position, but you cut him off before he had the chance.

"Don't even try." With a groaned sigh, you flopped painfully back onto your bed. Turning to face LeRoy, you asked, "Dad. Would you- Would you drive her home? She's too upset to."

"Of course." He nodded. Moving to follow after the girl who had just left, quickly catching her before she could drive herself home.

'What a fucking day'

---

It was the end of the day when you went back to school the next day to pick up your held work. Thinking it best so as not to run into Karofsky and possibly get into another fight with the football player.

Meandering the hallways slowly, trying not to pull against your aching ribs, when you passed by the choir room on your way out, only to spot Kurt standing before a seated Burt and Finn, with his hands upon his hips.

"-And if uncle Andy's fortieth birthday party was any indication, you're gonna need some work."

"What are you talking about? My moves were great. Okay?" Burt shrugged, trying to excuse himself from that night. "It was that damn sangria-"

"Okay." Kurt stepped forward, pulling his father up from his seat, "We dance to the beat, not the words."

"-Affected my coordination."

"Oh, I believe that," you spoke from the doorway in Burt's defence. Shocking the three with both your sudden arrival to them and your battered appearance, "Sangria really messes you up. My dad's not allowed it."

"What happened to you?" Burt asked as the two teens stared at you in shock, mouths agape.

A shrug. "Got into a fight. Face is gonna be a little jacked up for your wedding, though."

"I don't care." The man shook his head, worry pouring from his eyes. "Are you okay? Do I need to come with you to sort this out?"

"No, it's fine. Everything's been settled. I'm suspended. But it's not as bad as it could have been."

Kurt looked at you sadly before clearing his throat, "Y/N, would you mind helping me teach these two boy's how to dance?"

"I'm kinda only allowed to be here to pick up my work," you told them sheepishly, shrugging your shoulder.

"I doubt five minutes would hurt," Burt tried to convince, "Come on, I think we need the most help we can get."

With a sigh and a nod of your head, you gave in, stepping forward to place your papers on the piano. As Kurt got his father started.

"Look at me. I'm dancing, huh?" Burt announced happily, "Look at that."

"You sure are, Burt."

"Yeah. Okay, okay. Y/N, will you come over here and dance with my dad?"

"Sure thing."

You stepped up to the metaphorical plate, taking the man's hand in your own, placing your hand on his shoulder as he called over to Finn.

"Okay, no chickening out. I did it. You gotta do it too."

"We'll have to go a bit slow. My core's a little messed up," you told the man as you began walking him through the moves, just as his son had, "This feels really weird."

"What? Dancing with a man?" Burt chuckled.

"No, it's not that that's the problem. Just, usually, I'm in the leading position."

Your back was turned when Karofsky walked by the room, silently making fun of Finn and Kurt dancing together. Finn dropped his soon to be brother's hand out of embarrassment, more so than anger towards the bully.

You didn't see it.

But Burt sure did.

Pulling away from you randomly, the man asked, "What the hell was that?"

"It's nothing, Dad," his son tried to brush it off.

"What? What happened?" you asked, spinning to see for yourself.

"That's not nothing," he carried on, walking closer to the two boys, still peering through the door the boy had just strutted past, "That guy was making fun of you. What the hell is his name?"

"Tell him, Kurt," Finn uttered softly.

That was all it took for you to figure out what had happened.

"Tell me what?"

"Tell him, or I will."

"Yeah, you'll do this, but you won't defend him," you bit, referencing what your sister had told you about her boyfriend's whole attitude towards the situation and the fact that you weren't blind to how he was acting.

Finn looked at your hardened eyes and clenched jaw, his mouth agape. Unable to find the words to say to you.

But, in the end, he didn't have to.

"His name's Dave Karofsky," Kurt told his father, "He's been harassing me for a few weeks now."

"Harassing you how?"

"Just shoving me, and..." At once, you and Burt looked over your shoulders to see a bruised up Karofsky walking by another set of open doors, "Giving me a hard time."

"There's more," Burt assured, reading his son clearly, "There's something else you're not telling me."

Kurt bit the bullet and finally shared the thing that had been weighing him down for weeks.

"He threatened to kill me."

"What?!"

That was all that was needed for Burt to take off after the boy. With you following him, after your angered yell, leaving the two boys behind.

"Burt! Y/N!"

Finn and Kurt quickly chased after you and the man, passing you by when you had stopped a few feet from Burt pressing Karofsky up against the bulletin board, with his arm against his neck, thanks to the aching in your ribs, your whining of, "Ow, ribs. Ribs. Ribs." Following them.

"What the hell, dude?" the bully asked, fearful of the man.

"You like picking on people?"

"What?"

"Why don't you try me?"

"Burt, stop!" Finn yelled, trying to ease the man away from the bully.

You would have spoken a remark about "don't tell him to stop" or "get him, Burt!" but couldn't as you were panting, trying to breathe against the pain in your ribs.

But it was Kurt's begging that finally drew the man away, allowing the bully to leave down the hall in the opposite direction. "Please, you're sick. Come on."

"What the hell have you been doing while this is all going on, huh?" Burt asked Finn, pointing towards a retreating Karofsky as he looked at you, still bent over, bracing yourself against your knees, "He do that to you? He mess your ribs up?"

"No." You shook your head, raising to your full height. "He's buddies jumped me after I fought him."

"Has he been bullying you too?"

"No, he's too scared to. I tackled him because he terrified Kurt."

The man nodded at you, eyes showing his gratitude for you sticking up for his son, along with the squeeze of your shoulder he gave, as he made his way to the principal's office.

You had meant to leave the school after picking your work up from the choir room.

However, with the anger of Kurt's revelation, your feet lead you astray and right to the gym attached to the boy's locker room. Finding Coach Beiste, sitting there writing out more plays on her notebook.

"Y/N?" the coach called over, "Are you okay? You're not supposed to be here. Is everything okay?"

"I uh... I know I'm only allowed to be on school premises to pick up my work." You gestured the papers in your hand. "But, I uh, I've got a lot of anger in me right now, and I don't want to drive like that. You think I could use the punching bag for a little bit?"

She evaluated you for a few moments. Deciding whether or not to let you do as you asked.

Quickly, you caught the hand wraps the coach had thrown at you.

"Have at it."

You didn't box for long.

Your torso in far too much pain for you to handle by the end, after you had pushed through it for so long, with every jab.

At the sudden halt of hits echoing through the gym, Beiste turned her attention to you. Watching as you panted, hands holding the sides of your ribs. Seeing the conflicting thoughts and feelings flash across your eyes.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah," you nodded breathlessly, "Ribs are aching, you know?"

Beiste nodded. "What about up here?" She tapped her temple.

"Just Kurt stuff. He's getting bullied pretty bad."

"Anything else?" the coach pressed, "I can tell there's a lot going on in your mind."

"I-" It was gonna burst from you. With Beiste's caring nature and all the feelings swelling inside of you, you knew that you couldn't hold it off anymore. You couldn't push them away. "Do you have a sister?"

Finding the question strange but assuming that it would lead somewhere, she answered, "I do."

"She ever betrayed you? Like..." You tried to find the right words to convey what was happening without spilling the whole truth. You wouldn't do that to her -after everything- you couldn't do that to Quinn. Not only was it not your place, but you understood her reasonings for everything, "Has she ever gone behind your back to stop you from doing something you wanted to do?"

"Something like that," the woman nodded.

You were sick of feeling like this. Sick of pushing it away. You just wanted it all to stop.

"What did you do to get over it? If you did."

"It takes time," Beiste told you honestly, "You've gotta let the anger settle and talk it out. It will eventually get back to how things once were." Then she tried to reason, "How do you know she wasn't doing it to protect you?"

You scoffed harshly at the coach's question. Shaking your head.

"This wasn't to protect me. This was just to keep someone around. I mean, she's supposed to be my sister, and she didn't care how I would feel. She went behind my back and got in the way of me doing something that I wanted to do. It felt like things were finally starting to feel alright again. But not only did she interfere, no, only to make it all worse, but she also went around and convinced other people to do it instead. To tell me that it wasn't gonna happen. Just to make sure she got what she wanted." Thinking back to the duets week, you remembered all that had happened, and where it had led to now. How the blonde had ambushed you in the hall with a ring, going on about asking Quinn to be his girlfriend. "And now, everything's falling apart." A huff left you as you plopped down onto the bench across from her. "Again."

If there was one thing to be said about Coach Beiste. It was that she was a good listener. Taking in your ranted words intently.

"So, you've dealt with this before and have come back from it?"

"Yeah, I have." You nodded. "But this time is different. It's worse. Rachel wasn't involved the last time. There weren't other things-" 'Sam' "-In the way. It was just me and... the situation," you had decided to call it. Other than, 'that time Quinn Fabray broke my heart over the summer because she couldn't come out'. Anyway. That would have been a mouthful, "That I could handle. That I understood. But this." A shake of your head, looking to your feet. "She didn't care that she would disappoint me, as long as she got what she wanted. Why didn't she care about how I would feel?"

"I'm sure she cares," she comforted, "You should really talk to her about it. Sibling relationships are complicated. You could be like a moose and a turkey in the same pen. Mistakes and issues come and go, but you still love each other, just the same."

A confused smile drew across your face as you stared at the woman.

"I don't understand what that meant. But thank you, Coach Beiste. You're pretty cool."

"Anytime, kid. Now get." She gestured to the door. "You're only supposed to be here for your work. You don't wanna be in any more trouble."

---

"You know, most of the guys have pre-tied ties?"

From the open doorway, you heard a chuckled voice, one that you could never forget, bringing a smile to your face.

Peering up into the mirror, you spotted Quinn Fabray. Looking as pretty as ever in her red dress to match the rest of the girls in your club. Hair styled in such a way that it would be up and away from her face while it still could be considered down.

But it wasn't how beautiful she looked that made your breath get caught in your throat.

It's the fact that she was smiling at you.

The way she used to before everything happened.

With pure unadulterated affection.

With an amused but still attractive half-smile, you looked over your shoulder, and if it were even possible, she looked better than her reflection.

"Is that right?"

"Yep." She took that as her permission to enter the threshold of the room you were given to get changed in. "Most of them either can't or never learnt how to tie a tie."

A scoffed laugh jostled your body as you continued to fold your tie into its knot.

"Can't relate. I learned when I was seven."

"Where were you going wearing a tie when you were seven?" the blonde laughed, stepping up beside you as you focused on the mirror, wanting to get your Windsor-knot perfect.

"There's a lot of weddings and bat mitzvahs in my family. My parents were more than happy to let me wear a suit if I wanted."

"So, what you're telling me is that there are pictures of a little Y/N wearing tiny suits?"

Hastily, you rose a finger at the girl, looking at her pointedly.

"Don't you dare ask my dad's to show you those pictures."

"But that sounds so adorable," she cooed, her hands coming to hold your bicep, tugging lightly as if to convince you.

"Yeah, and I know you'd think so. Which is exactly why you're not seeing them."

"You're no fun."

You laughed loudly at her sulking words before turning to the blonde, showing off your tie.

"What do you think?"

Quinn brushed her hands down the lapels of your suit jacket, licking her lips as she evaluated your tie, soon looking up into your eyes, nodding her head.

"You look very handsome."

"Well, thank you." You gave a slight bow. "And you look extremely beautiful."

"Don't try to one up me in compliments," she teased, her focus now upon the small bag at her hip as she routed through it.

"I would never," you joked in a fake voice, sounding as if you were outraged by the accusation, "How dare you insinuate such a thing?"

"But we need to do something about those bruises."

"Okay, now how dare you?" your voice took on a more serious tone, albeit still joking, proceeding to move into overly fake weeps, "Do you no longer find me attractive?"

"Honestly?" the blonde inquired rhetorically, as she gazed up at you, moving her eyes to yours as she dabbed some cream onto your skin, "It's kinda hot."

"Oh, really? Might have to get into fights more often then."

"Don't you dare."

Things were left in comfortable silence for a while as she continued to caress your face with her fingertip, dusting the cream over your bruises.

"What?" she asked, a light blush coating her cheeks when she realized you were staring at her.

"You're just really pretty," you whispered back.

"And you're just being charming."

"No, seriously." You gripped her arm, stopping her movements against your face, making her hazel eyes snap to yours as you pressed, "You're beautiful."

"Do you really think so?" she asked, almost timidly.

"Are you kidding? You're like one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen. It's almost crazy how-"

You had failed to notice how close you and Quinn had drawn together. Noses almost brushed together as you talked, sharing every breath. Which was why it was so easy for the girl to press her lips harshly against yours, her hands holding your neck in place as you kissed, ignoring the sharp throbbing pains of your still healing split lip.

Just as soon as it had started, it stopped. The blonde pulled away from you, fingers coming to her lips, looking mortified at what she had just done.

But still, you apologised.

"Quinn, I am so sorry," you rushed to speak, arms jutted out towards her in hopes of calming her down, "I shouldn't have kissed you back, I know how you feel about everything, and then there's also Sam."

At the sound of the other blonde's name, Quinn broke out of her shock, taking deep breaths to calm herself further.

"I can't do this with you, Y/N."

"I know, that's-"

"Sam asked me to be his girlfriend, and I haven't even given him an answer."

"Wait. So you're not-?"

"I just can't be here right now. I'm sorry," was the last thing she said before she rushed from the room, with you calling after her.

'Shit'

---

After the whole performance and you escorting Sanatana down the aisle with Puckerman, you were stood with the rest of your group watching the ceremony.

"Please be seated," the reverend told the attendees, making you wish you could after all that dancing. Your ribs were killing you. How boxers did it, you'll never know, "We usually start with a prayer... but a certain young wedding planner, who shall remain nameless-"

Silently, you reminded yourself to thank Kurt after the ceremony was over.

"-Was afraid that some in attendance might fall asleep."

You and Mike had to stifle your snorts as you watched Santana nudge a drowsing Brittany standing across from you.

"So, instead, I'm going to let Burt and Carole tell you in their own words why they've invited you here today."

Taking that as his queue, Burt turned to the audience to speak first.

"I'm not really known for having a way with words... you know, when you're a kid, adults will tell you a lot of things. But one thing they neglect to mention is how sad life can be... I lost somebody I loved very much. But Kurt- He lost his mom."

"Oh, fuck," you breathed to yourself, trying to push away the burning threat of tears.

"And that killed me. You know we got by, but looking back, I-I want to apologize to you, Kurt. What we were living just... wasn't living. You know that saying that when uh, 'God closes a door, he opens a window'? Well." He chuckled. "Sometimes, out of nowhere, he'll do you one better, and he'll kick a whole wall down. He grabbed me by the shoulders, and he pointed me towards this woman right here."

With a quick glance over your shoulder, you found Quinn already looking at you, a sad tint to her eyes, the boy beside her too focused on the ceremony to notice the quick look between the two of you.

But there was one person who noticed.

"And he said, "there she is. Go get her". You're everything, Carole. Words can't describe you. You're everything. And I will love you 'till the day I die."

Carol gave a heavy sniff at her -very- soon-to-be husband's words.

"I'm lucky," the woman began her own speech, "Most women, when they get married, they get one man. I get two. One of you saved me from my wardrobe... the other one just saved me. Kurt, you are an amazing person. I'm not only getting a son. I'm getting a friend. Finn, I know you were resistant at first, but I am so proud of you. I've watched you grow into a man. But I think I'm most proud that you've become a brother to Kurt." The boy's face fell at that. Finally realizing that he hadn't been doing what he knew he should have. "We are four people... becoming a family," she said. Both parents, taking their child's hand to show their unity.

"Okay," the minister said, taking that as the end of Carole's speech, "Burt, do you take Carole-?"

"You bet I do," he interrupted the man loudly, gaining a chuckle from all watching.

"And do you, Carole, take this man-?"

It seemed both adults had a thing for cutting the reverend off as she said, "Oh, yes, I do. Yes, I do." Making the room erupt in more laughter.

The newlyweds soon kissed, claps and cheers sounding as they did.

And so lead to the reception.

Which you were thankful for, seeing as you finally got to sit down.

Your arm was draped across Santana's chair while you leaned back in your own. Watching as the newlyweds danced their first dance as a married couple, with Mr Schue singing ‘Sway’ for them.

The girl moved closer to whisper to you, "How are your ribs holding up?"

"Still killing me whenever I do too much. Why?"

"So, I guess I'll have to be on top tonight then?"

Looking down at the girl under your arm, you licked your lips when you found her smirking up at you. Quickly, you returned it, turning away from her, telling her all she needed to know.

A vibrating sense to the back of your neck allerted you to the the feeling of somebody watching you.

With a glance over your shoulder, you spotted one Quinn Fabray, staring you down. Eying the arm over the back of Santana’s chair. Hazel eyes connecting with yours, was all the blonde needed to see to know that she had been caught.

Your smile was smug when you turne back around to your table, a self-pleased feeling welling inside of you, at the knowledge that you could still make her jealous.

When Santana shimmied her shoulders, you laughed, leaning in real close to her ear to mutter.

"Your boobs look great in that dress."

"Thank you. They cost a lot."

Your laugh was covered by Mr Schuester speaking into the microphone.

"And now, I'd like to introduce one of the best men. Finn Hudson."

"He can't drink that!" you called over when the waiter offered him a flute of champagne, gaining a whole laugh from the reception hall. Everyone knew that it was only for tradition's sake and that it was non-alcoholic.

"Hi, uh, thank you, Y/N. And thank you, everyone else," he referenced the clapping that had just finished for him, "Best man. Right. Uh..." he tried to remember what he had to say, "Well, I want to propose a toast to my mom... who is so awesome. Uh, I mean, somehow, even without one in the house, you taught me what it means to be a man. In Glee Club, uh, whenever two of us got together... we got a nickname."

"Most of them are weird as hell," you mumbled, making Santana smile beside you.

"Rachel and I are 'Finnchel'."

"Disgusting."

"Rachel and Puck were 'Puckleberry'."

"Even worse."

"And today, a new union was formed. Furt."

"What the hell is a Furt?"

Raising a hand, the brown-eyed girl by your side covered your mouth so that you wouldn't make any more sassy comments for at least a few seconds before she dropped her hand back on her lap. The action reminds you far too much of Quinn, who used to do that same thing to you.

"You and me, man. We're brothers from another mother. And quite frankly, no one else has shown me as much as you about what it means to be a man. And over the past few weeks, uh, some stuff's gone down, and I haven't manned up like I should've. But, from now on, no matter what it costs me, I got your back. Okay? Even if it means getting a slushie in the face every now and then." The crowd chuckled, but only the Glee Club laughed with the knowledge of how true it was. "You put this entire wedding together by yourself, Kurt. So, as a thank you, I had the Glee Club put together a little number in your honour. You're gonna dance with me, dude."

As you rose from your seat, you saw the boy shaking his head, mouthing the word 'no'.

"Hey," you leaned over to speak to him as your club started singing, "If I have to dance with Satan, you can dance with him. Ow. Ow. Ow. I meant 'Santana'. I meant 'Santana'," you tried as the Latina grabbed your arm, squeezing it in punishment. Before she pushed you away to join the boys in the performance.

At this rate, and with what was going to happen later that night, your ribs were never gonna get better.

---

It was after the wedding, and you had one task. Sneak Santana past your sister's room.

Seems easy enough.

But so did a lot of hard things.

"Hey," you said, entering the threshold. Watching your sister, sitting at her vanity, still in her red dress, taking off her earrings.

"Hey." Rachel turned to face you, surprised you were even talking to her if you didn't have to.

This may not have been the right time to follow Coach Beiste's advice, with the situation and all, but you found that you just couldn't avoid it anymore.

"Why did you do it?"

She knew what you were talking about instantly.

Of course, she knew.

"We just wanted Sam-"

"To stay in the club, I know." You nodded, having heard it all before. "But the thing is, I don't think you realise is that I doubt he would have left if he didn't win. Sam just doesn't seem like the person."

"We didn't know that then."

"I did." You shrugged. "I could tell. You really hurt me by going behind my back, Rachel. You literally worked against me just singing a song with someone. I mean, you're my sister. You're not supposed to do this type of stuff."

"You like her, don't you?" Your eyes grew fearful with Rachel's random question, the shorter Berry unnecessarily moving to clarify, "Quinn. You like her."

You looked away, swallowing the lump forming in your throat.

'You couldn't let her find out the truth about Quinn'

"All right. Yes," you admitted, turning back to your sister, "I like her, okay? And before you say anything, I know it's never gonna happen. I know that. It's just... over the summer, something happened between us- I didn't tell her, before you ask," you answered the question that was on the tip of your tongue, as soon as she opened her mouth, "It was just some stupid fight. And well, at the beginning of school, things were slowly getting back to normal. It was like we were becoming friends again. And then when you butt your way in. Whatever you said to her, made things go back to how they were at the end of summer." With a final shrug, you finished, "I just wanted my friend back."

It's not like it was entirely a lie.

But it wasn't entirely the truth, either.

You know what they say, 'if you tell a lie, build it on some truth'.

They also say 'liars never prosper'.

But you had a valid reason for it.

"I'm sorry," Rachel uttered meekly, finally understanding your whole reaction to her betrayal.

With a nod, you turned to leave, knowing that she would fill Finn in, so that was one less thing you had to do.

"Wait-"

"I accept your apology." You paused at her door with a hand on the frame, looking back at her. "But I'm not ready to forgive you yet."

And if you stayed any longer, Santana would not be so forgiving either.

---

"Hey, guys," you said, walking up to the two blondes talking by Sam's locker after Quinn had just given him something, "Please entertain me while Mrs Willis finishes her class, so I can get my work."

"This is what you get for being suspended," the cheerleader sassed.

You hummed at the girl, dismissing her words, as you looked down at the tube she had just given the boy in his hand.

"What's that?" you pointed to it. "It looks like haemorrhoid cream." Quickly turning to Quinn, you asked, "Did you give him haemorrhoid cream?"

"It's not haemorrhoid cream."

"It sure fuckin' looks like haemorrhoid cream."

"It's 'Arnica'," she clarified, as Sam held back his chuckles beside you, "It helps with bruises."

Leaning towards the blonde boy, you whispered, "I think it's haemorrhoid cream. Wait," your voice clear now, "That's the stuff you put on my face. Did you put haemorrhoid cream on my face?!"

"It's not haemorrhoid cream."

"Oh my, God, you put haemorrhoid cream on my face."

Quinn sighed heavily, throwing her head back at your continued assault of annoyance upon her. Sam smiled along with you in amusement.

"Can you leave? We were having a conversation here." She waved a hand towards Sam.

"No. I think I'd rather be a part of it, thanks."

"Y/N."

At her stern tone, your hands rose in defence, beginning to move around the two, sassing the girl with more jokes as you did.

"Okay, I get when I'm not wanted. I'll leave you two be. I just wanted to spend some time with my friends, but I guess I'll go fuck myself then. Sam. Enjoy your handful."

You were halfway down the hall when you turned back to the two, only to see Quinn holding her hand against the door of Sam's locker. A familiar piece of jewlery sitting upon her ring finger. The one Sam had shown you earlier that week. Your heart plummeted at the sight.

'She had accepted his proposal to be his girlfriend'

The only good thing about this week was the wedding.

And oh yeah, settling the dust with your sister.

But mainly the wedding.

About ten minutes later, your eyes were assaulted with the disgusting image of Quinn practically leaning her whole body into Sam. Her back pressed against his chest from their seats at the back of the choir room, looking absolutely lovey-dovey.

"Hey, Mr Schue," you called out to the man, surprising him with your presence in the school.

"Y/N, what are you doing here?"

"Where's my Spanish work?" you smiled, stepping further into the room but still staying close to the door.

The teacher sighed at himself, "Y/N, I'm so sorry I totally forgot."

"I'm on suspension here, man," you replied in jest, as he dug through his bag to find the work he had printed out for you, "If Sue catches me, she'll have my head." You gained a laugh from the group as you popped your head out the door as if looking out for the woman.

"Here you go." You stepped forward, taking the papers Mr Schue held out, stuffing them in your backpack, along with the others you had collected. Just as Kurt walked in behind you.

"Kurt. Good. Oh, I wanna talk to you about this amazing idea I had for a solo for you at Sectionals."

"Can I make an announcement first?"

"Yeah."

"Y/N?" You hummed, looking up when the boy called your name just before you could walk through the door. "Will you stay? You need to hear this too."

"Okay..."

The boy turned to speak to your gathered group.

"First, I wanted to thank everyone for what you did at my dad's wedding, especially Finn. It's nice to know that I have great friends here, as well as a true brother... which is why it's so hard for me to leave."

Your shoulders dropped at Kurt's saddened words, backpack hanging in your hand.

"What do you mean 'leave'?" Quinn asked with urgency, pulling herself from her boyfriend to lean over her knees as the boy delivered the rest of his news.

"I'm transferring. To Dalton Academy. Immediately. My parents are using the money they saved up for their honeymoon to pay for the tuition."

"Kurt, you can't leave," Tina said.

Finn got up, moving closer to the boy. "What the hell, dude? How about you talk with me about this first?"

"I'm sorry, Finn, but there's nothing to talk about." The boy shook his head. "Karofsky's coming back tomorrow, so that means I won't be."

"We can protect you," Sam tried to reason. Followed by Puckerman.

"Seriously. We can like, form a perimeter around you, like the secret service."

"Yeah."

"The only thing that can protect me is what they have at Dalton, a zero-tolerance no bullying policy. It's enforced."

You hadn't said a word the whole time, which was unusual for you, to say the least. Not even at your sister's words did you utter anything.

"Um, does that mean that you're gonna be competing against us at Sectionals?"

Mercedes spoke next with a sad voice as she gained nearer, "Kurt."

"I'm sorry. I... I have to go," the boy replied to her silent question, on the verge of tears. Backing up to exit the room, turning, only to be face to face with you. A silent you. "Y/N, I... I'm sorry that you fought for me for no reason."

He was surprised when you suddenly pulled him into a comforting hug.

"I'm just happy you're gonna be safe."

At your words, tears finally fell from Kurt's eyes, his fingers digging into your back, hugging you closer to his body. Thankful for how good of a friend you were.

When you pulled back, your arm was still draped over his shoulders, looking intently into the boy's eyes. Unable to see the way the head cheerleader looked at you.

You had never been more attractive to her than at this moment.

Not when you were fighting, acting all confident, or when you were bruised up.

When you were caring about your friend.

"Come on," you pulled the boy closer to your side, "I'll walk you out."

-----

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truthofherdreams · 2 months

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children of the apocalypse (3)

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Clarke spends the next couple of days tending to Wells and Jasper and dealing with minor cuts and scratches the other teenagers get around camp. Bellamy’s ban on weapons seems to be working somehow, for everyone is a little more peaceful with each other as routine settles in. Teams are created for hunting, building of tents and a wall, and other chores around the dropship. It’s not perfect, and fights break out more often than not, but it is definitely an improvement on the chaos of their first moments on Earth.

She’s cleaning Jasper’s wound – now relocated to the ground floor with the rest of them so he and Monty can chat away while Monty works on their comm system – when Finn enters the dropship. He makes his way toward Wells, and the two of them lean over the table to look at something.

Clarke frowns.

“I think that’s enough, Clarke,” Jasper tells her.

She looks down at his wound, realises she’s been rubbing it a bit too forcefully – the redness of his skin less about the fever now, and definitely about her lack of bedside manners. She mumbles an apology before she grabs another piece of cloth that she wraps around his torso.

She pats his arm without really looking, before she stands up and moves toward the other two boys.

“Whatcha talking about?” she asks cheerily, startling them both.

They offer her twin looks of surprise, too focused on their discussion to notice her coming. That’s when Clarke sees what they were discussing, the old map she had used on their very first day to find her way to Mount Weather. Only now a bunch more scribbles are added to the paper. She frowns.

“Nothing much…” Finn starts, leaning back with his hands in his pockets.

Wells is not that slick. “Looking for a better place to settle.”

Clarke blinks at him. “What do you mean?”

He points to the map, the big dot that represents the dropship, the slithering lines that make up the newly formed rivers, the most dangerous parts of the forest. She knew Finn had made a habit of sneaking out of camp already, but now it makes sense – they were updating the map, one landmark at a time.

“Our location isn’t exactly the best in the long run,” Wells explains. “If we want to build a proper settlement, the ground here is too uneven. We’re too far from fresh water too, which would be bad for agriculture, according to Monty. And we want some clearing, so we can establish a proper… town, I guess? Village?”

Clarke looks down at the map again, frowning slightly. She hadn’t thought that far, but of course Wells did. And it does make sense. They’re only sticking to the dropship because it’s easier than moving a whole bunch of rowdy teenagers to a new place and starting from scratch.

Wells takes her silence as an invitation to continue, “We think closer to the river, to the south, would be better. The ground is more even there, so better for the foundations of buildings.”

“Monroe’s dad works in Factory Station,” Finn chimes in. “She says she can help with basic architectural foundations.”

Wells points at him in agreement, and adds, “If we can get even basic cabins, that will help us with weather conditions. Climate is okay for now, but once winter comes, who knows what to expect. No to mention storage, cooking, or even just protection from those acid fogs.”

They both look at her expectantly, as if waiting for her approval. But Clarke is dumbfounded, blinking between Wells and the map in front of her. While she was trying her hardest to keep them all alive, they planned an entire exodus, buildings, and even fields? Together?

Is she that oblivious of the world around her?

“Who’s to say the Grounders won’t shoot us on sight if we move?” comes from behind her.

Clarke is startled by Bellamy’s proximity, only a few inches behind her as he looks at the map over her shoulder. She didn’t even hear him coming and yet here he is, so close she can smell the smoke of the fire and the sap of trees on him. He stands with hands on his hips, leather jacket discarded for once. The gun pokes out from under his shirt, a not-so-friendly reminder.

“They shot Jasper the moment he crossed some kind of border, yeah?” he asks. When Finn simply nods, he adds, “So how do you know this isn’t their territory too?”

“Well, hm,” is all Finn replies.

Clarke hates that Bellamy has a point, if only because he doesn’t need to be smug about yet another thing. But he does have a point – the Grounders are nothing more than shadows and tales in the dark at this point, and who’s to say they will not attack again if the opportunity comes? Maybe they just got lucky with their landing spot, some No Man’s Land they now get to claim as their own.

“Bellamy’s right,” she admits. Wells immediately shoots her a look of what can only be described as betrayal. “We’re safe here for now. Moving could be more dangerous than it’s worth it.”

“Maybe we can send Charlotte as our scout,” Finn replies, voice dripping in sarcasm. He raises his hands in defence when the three of them immediately glare at him and voice their discontent. “Joking, guys… Even though I’m sure she’d enjoy the change of pace.”

Three days she’s been locked upstairs, three days of Bellamy feeding her breakfast and dinner and not allowing anyone else to see her. Three days that must feel like an eternity up there, and yet Clarke cannot find even half an ounce of sympathy for her. Back on the Ark, she would have been floated on sight, minor or not.

“We stay here and that’s final,” Bellamy states.

Even if Wells or Finn wanted to argue, it would be a lost cause. Those delinquents outside only answer to Bellamy, and even barely. They would never follow them to a different location without his approval, even if it made sense.

Still, never put it past Wells to try and win an argument, and he’s halfway through a reply when a whooping sound gets their attention. All four of them turn toward Monty’s corner of the dropship to find him doing a mini dance, before he stops and stares back at them.

“Oh please do keep fighting. I only just managed to repair the comms, if any of you are interested.”

Clarke shares a quick glance with Wells before the two of them hurry to Monty’s side, Bellamy and Finn following close. Monty shows them the different cables connecting various pieces of the dropship’s tech and Clarke’s old wristband.

“Once we connect this cable to the cuff, we should be able to communicate with them. Morse code, one way only.”

“Better than nothing,” Clarke replies, with a pat on his shoulder.

He’s been working relentlessly on this for the past few days, only taking breaks for food and short cat naps. The bags under his eyes are so dark they turn purple in the low lights of the dropship. He deserves at least a whole week of sleep for the effort he’s put into this.

He shows Jasper how to connect one cable to the wristband, so he can do them the honours.

It doesn’t exactly go as planned.

Bellamy disappears back outside without a word.

…

The first real fight breaks out at dusk, about four days later than Clarke expected. It starts as a low rumble of voices, and turns into cheers and screams and chants within seconds. Clarke shares a glance with Wells, the two of them moving as one to make their way outside.

Unsurprisingly, Murphy is in the middle of the fight, with a dark-skinned boy twice as large. The other boy is very obviously smoking Murphy, punch after punch hitting his jaw and the side of his face, as the other teenagers cheer them on and yell words of encouragement.

“Someone needs to stop them,” Clarke tells Wells.

And she has no doubt Wells would do exactly that, were it not for the stitches on his neck Octavia had to fix twice already. He would put himself between them, take a few hits of his own maybe, but he would stop them. Only he can’t.

Bellamy is nowhere to be seen. Of course.

Another guy from Murphy’s gang grabs the dark-skinned boy from behind, holding his arms to his side and giving Murphy the perfect opportunity to punch back without taking a hit. He goes for the nose with a loud crunch of bones against bones, then for the ribs, and a kick to the side. The other boy grunts in pain, struggling to escape and fight back.

Wells grabs Monroe and pulls her toward them. “What’s happening?”

She looks a little wild-eyed, her tight braid coming undone, her clothes a mess. Her eyes travel between Wells and the fight, like she really wants to explain but also doesn’t want to miss the fight. She winces when the boy finally escapes and punches Murphy right back in the cheek.

“Murphy’s been bullying everyone at camp,” Monroe explains, then stops to cheer on the boy – Connor, apparently – before she glances back at Wells. “Ration water for no reason, force people to work, just straight up dickhead. Was only a matter of time before someone lashes back.” She cheers for Connor to kick Murphy in the dick. “Murphy took a piss on Connor after Connor asked for water so, ya know…”

“Yeah, this needs to stop.”

By the time Clarke actually manages to push her way through the crowd and toward the two boys, the fight has gone much, much worse. Three other teenagers are holding Murphy, pinning him so he can’t move, as Connor punches him relentlessly.

One girl yells “Float him!” and it immediately becomes a chant, louder and louder and louder, drowning out everything else. They push and pull and kick Murphy out of camp, Clarke following as she yells helplessly for them to stop, to listen, to not, please don’t, what are you doing, stop, stop.

Bellamy shoves past her, in time to stop a boy from slipping a nose around Murphy’s neck.

“What the fuck are you all doing?” he screams, and it’s enough to stop them all in their tracks, enough for all of them to fall silent and turn toward him. Enough for Connor to let go of Murphy, who spits blood and saliva on the ground.

“Right on time,” Murphy grins.

“Shut the fuck up.” Bellamy glares at the other boys, the only thing he needs to do for them to step away from Murphy, who slumps against the nearest tree. Bellamy ignores him as he turns toward the crowd. “If we kill him, we’re no better than the Ark. Is that what you want? To become your oppressors?”

The same teenagers who, only moments ago, were screaming for murder and blood, now all grumble in agreement with Bellamy. Eyes cast down, neck in shoulders, as if being scolded by a father figure. Clarke looks at each and everyone of them, the way they avoid his eyes and stand still, listening to his every word.

Only Connor is brave, or perhaps foolish, enough to reply. “So what do you propose we do? He’s been bullying half the camp for days now!”

Bellamy glares at him, for a second too long, before his eyes find herself in the crowd. Incertitude flashes through his eyes before he smooths his features again, but Clarke knows. She understands the silent cry for help. She steps forward.

“We banish him,” she states, loud enough to be heard by all. “If he refuses to be part of our society, then he’s gone. Simple as that.”

Murphy stands up, one hand on the trunk of the tree, and wipes the blood off his mouth. “And who put her in charge?”

Bellamy pushes him back, hard, and Murphy falls back against the tree. “I did,” he says, with the kind of confidence that only Bellamy can muster. He turns back toward the others. “Anyone has a problem with Clarke, they have a problem with me.”

Clarke blinks at him, unable to find words to express the way she feels at the moment. Wells is at her side, fingers against her elbow, but she can’t find it in her to look at him when she’s so puzzled by Bellamy in front of her. Not after what he said, not after he looked at her for – was it guidance? She can’t even tell. It doesn’t make sense. Nothing makes sense. Bellamy doesn’t make sense.

She watches, troubled by her own thoughts, as Murphy is given a knife and a warning, as he’s pushed away from camp, as teenagers scatter back to their duties with hushed whispers and hurried steps. She watches, as Bellamy ensures Murphy is gone, before he turns back and walks toward her and Wells.

“What was that?” Wells asks for both of them.

Bellamy ignores him, only has eyes for Clarke. “My sister trusts you. Believes in you. Don’t make me regret it.”

Clarke frowns, before she swallows back a few chosen words for him. Instead, she says, “People will start asking about Charlotte. They’ll think it’s not fair.”

“Let me worry about Charlotte,” Bellamy replies. “And help me keep everyone else alive.”

“Since when are you a team player?”

He smiles – his first real smile, not the usual smirk and scoff – at her, looking at her through his long lashes. A lopsided smile that Clarke pretends is perfectly normal and not – yeah, perfectly normal. “Don’t pretend like you don’t want to be in charge, princess.”

And then he’s gone, strutting his way back to camp without even a glance back at her. Clarke watches him go, watches him disappear behind the fence, before she looks back at Wells. She doesn’t know if she wants to be relieved or concerned that he looks as lost as she feels right now.

“I think he likes you,” Wells says flatly.

Clarke shoves his good shoulder away. “Shut up. Not Bellamy Blake.”

But Wells gives her that look, the one that says he definitely knows better and she’s being clueless, and Clarke huffs, annoyed. Her best friend knows better than to poke at it. Instead, he says, “Maybe you can convince him to move…”

“Not now. Not when we don’t know what’s out there.” She pauses, and sighs. “Anything else, though, I’ll need your help with.”

Wells grabs her hand, squeezes her fingers. “Always.”

#the 100 #bellarke #bellarke fanfiction #bellarke ff #bellarkefic #fanfic #otp: princess

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