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#Arthur has 2 sisters that look the most like him of any of his siblings and they will probably be the ones we most see at shows
pawsitivevibe · 7 months
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Possible that Arthur's sister will be at the show we're going to in April. Oh no. She's prettier than him.
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wisp11 · 3 months
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Meet Benjamin „Ben“
Maximoff-Romanoff
• 16 years old
• oldest child
• also older twin (by 7 minutes but he always hold that against his twin sister)
• biological child of Wanda and a male donor
• he's REALLY big into martial arts
• probably because of his Mama (Natasha)
• he practices literally everyday
• once a week with Steve and the other days by himself or with his teacher
• he's really good at it too
• very interested in technology also
• when he's not practicing you'll probably find him in the lab with either Tony or Bruce
• „okay-ish" grades at school, he's not at the top of his class but isn't at the bottom either
•  currently goes to high school along with his twin sister
• they're both in their sophomore year
• most of the kids at school don't really know who his parents are since Natasha and Wanda try and keep them off the media, everyone definitely knows they have children but don't know what they look like or who they are
• Peter, Ned and MJ do though, but they're the only ones along with a few teachers
• is in the same friend group as his sister
• wants to go to „MIT" along with his friends and study „Computer Science and Molecular Biology"
• his moms are very anxious with the thought of him going away and living by himself (same with his sister) but they still have at least 2 years
• he likes to remind them from time and to time that their relationship won't ever change despite the distance
• very overprotective of his siblings, especially his sisters
• often goes out with his siblings or takes them to places just to be sure they're safe even though their parents don't really let them go out by themselves anyway because of the dangers of being one of the avengers' biggest weaknesses
• he's pretty calm and chill
• sometimes maybe a little TOO calm
• he's the kind to joke around in serious situations
• a little awkward when it comes to talking to girls, MJ's fine though
• spends the most time with Owen (after his twin sister of course, the two are inseparable)
Johansson-Olsen
• 16 years old
• older twin
• biological son of Elizabeth and another male celebrity
• though only him, his twin sister and Owen are this man's „biological" children, they don't have any contact to him at all since he was very abusive to Elizabeth and her three oldest children
• Ben and Charlie were three and Owen was a few months old when Lizzie got a restraining order
• not long after, Lizzie met Scarlett and they both fell in love rather quickly
• Ben likes Scarlett.. no, he LOVES Scarlett
• she's „mama" to him and always will be (Lizzie is „mom")
• he knows about his father but doesn't really care, he's just happy he's not around
• really enjoys eating out with his family
• though it's REALLY hard to not get noticed when they're out
• he appreciates the fans and always tries to talk to them
• but hates the paparazzi, like REALLY hates them
• had some really bad experiences in the past so he is really anxious when they're around
• goes to a private high school alongside Charlie
• has „ok" grades
• wants to go to „MIT" also
• he wouldn't say he gets bullied, he would say there are a lot of misunderstandings
• he's definitely bullied tho
• Charlie too
• but their moms don't know, they would never want to bother them with that
• Ben usually takes all the hits, he wants to protect Charlie as much as he can
Face Claim
Zackary Arthur
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sapphirelass · 3 years
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You tell Arthur (1/3) - Sir Leon x Reader, Arthur x Sister!Reader
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Hiiiii!!! You know when a songwriter is asked 'how long did it take to write this song?", and they answer something like 'ehh, about 30 minutes... it just came to me.'? Because that is pretty much how I felt with this one! Granted, it took me longer than 30 minutes, but I definitely wrote faster than usual ;)
To read this as x OC instead of reader insert: Click here
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Please note:
1: I don’t own any of the gifs used, nor any already established characters, so credit to the authors and original creators - You have done a phenomenal job :)
2: English is not my native language, as I was born and raised in Sweden. I have, however, studied English for almost a decade, so I don’t think it’ll be a problem, I just thought I’d let you know ;)
+ CEFR level C2 (due to passing the C1 advanced test with an A)
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Word count: ≈ 1,8k
Warnings: Mentions of death, Uther
Enjoy! :)
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(y/n) - your name
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You tell Arthur (Part 1/3)
(y/n) Pendragon stood quietly behind her father when her older twin brother entered the room. She somehow sensed that he brought bad news, but had not anticipated anything quite as bad as this.
“It was Cenred who did this, you’re certain of it?”
“Yes, my Lord. His messenger has only this minute departed Camelot. Cenred said that the patrol trespassed on his land, and an example had to be made.”
“How many dead?”
“All of them, sire. Every last man.”
“The knights?”
“All lost. Edric, Oldoff, Osric… and Sir Leon.”
(y/n) closed her eyes with a pained expression on her face. Receiving word of death was seldom a good thing, but that of Sir Leon was excruciatingly painful for the young princess. She could feel both Arthur and Merlin staring at her, but decided to leave the room before anyone could notice her tears.
The princess and the knight were childhood friends. They used to play together when they were really young, and when they became older and Uther refused to let (y/n) join the knights in training, Arthur and Leon used to practice with her in secret. While most people grow apart, their friendship had stood the test of time, and they would still go on walks or hang out at least once a week. (y/n) wasn’t quite sure whether her feelings were purely platonic or not, but it never really seemed to matter; she just wanted to spend as much time with him as possible. That thought made his sudden death all the more tragic, and it took a while before the meaning of everything Arthur had said actually sank in.
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She sat by the window in her chambers when Arthur came knocking on her door.
“(y/n).”
Turning around she met her brother’s gaze.
“(y/n), I am very sorry. How - are you okay?”
She took a deep breath and looked away.
“No”, (y/n) answered truthfully. “No, Arthur, of course not. How could this happen?”
“I- I don’t know. I am sure it was an honest mistake on our side. I-”
Arthur was interrupted by rapid knocking on the door.
“Sire?”
The door was pushed open and the servant who did so looked relieved when he noticed Arthur.
“My Lord”, he acknowledged. “Princess. Sire, the king requests your presence in the main hall.”
“What happened?”, asked Arthur, clearly confused.
“One of the knights, previously presumed dead, has returned. Alive, Sire.”
(y/n) stood quickly, but Arthur grabbed her arm even faster.
“(y/n)...”
“Arthur!”
He looked at his sister tiredly but knew that there was nothing he could do to make her stay.
“Fine”, he sighed. “Come on.”
The siblings ran down the stairs, (y/n) almost tripping on her long, blue dress. They entered the hall and were met with a familiar face.
“We thought you were dead for sure!”, exclaimed Arthur as he embraced Leon in a brotherly hug.
“I was dead, or as good as. Until the druids found me.”
“Druids?”
The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became much tenser as the matter of druids and magic was discussed, but (y/n) could only focus on the fact that her best friend was alive.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Is that it?”
“That’s it. He’s exhausted, Sire, and severely dehydrated but give him time, he’ll make a full recovery.”
Everyone in the room looked extremely relieved at the physician’s statement.
“Thank you, Gaius.”
Uther, Gaius and Merlin left, and Arthur followed after patting his sister on her shoulder.
“Princess”
“Sir Leon”
He smiled awkwardly. “Just Leon is fine.”
“So is (y/n).”
They smiled at each other for a moment, but it eventually became too much and (y/n) walked up to the bed and puller her friend in for a tight hug - one he quickly returned. Some might find it inappropriate for a princess and a knight to embrace one another in such a way, but when the two were alone like this all titles felt… redundant?
“I am so glad you are okay! You scared me, though…”
“I am sorry, it was never my intention to frighten you.”
“Of course, I know, it’s just… You know, the concept of losing you forever is… I have never considered it before, and I really don’t want to do it again…”
“You have my word, (y/n). I will do my very best to keep you from worrying.”
“Good!” (y/n) stood and blew out the candle by the bad. “Now, please, rest.”
“Right. Good night, (y/n).”
“Good night, Leon.”
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(y/n) was walking back to her chambers, now feeling much better than the last time she did so. She was just about to turn around a corner when she heard two voices - her father and her brother.
“You called for me, father.”
“Cenred is our sworn enemy. We cannot risk him getting his hands on the cup of life.”
“I know, father.”
“You must retrieve it. Your mission must remain secret. You can speak to no one of this.”
“I will take only my most trusted men.”
(y/n) decided to make her presence known and walked naturally around the corner.
“It sounds like I could join you then.”
Uther turned around with a furious look on his face.
“Certainly not! I will not allow my daughter to enter enemy land. End of discussion.”
“Bu-”
“(y/n), please…”, muttered Arthur, sensing that this debate would lead them nowhere.
“But, Arthur, if I could ju-”
“QUIET!!”, roared Uther. “This is an incredibly dangerous quest, and you are a princess. It is not part of your duty, and we shall discuss the matter no further. Now, Arthur, we’ve seen what happened to the last patrol that entered Cenred’s land. You must go alone. I’m sorry to place such a burden upon you but there is no one else I can trust.”
“I understand, father.”
“Good. Now, will you please escort your sister back to her chambers, and make sure she does not go with you.”
“Yes, father.”, said Arthur. He placed his right hand on his sister’s shoulder and started guiding her towards her room. Once he was sure their father couldn’t hear them Arthur decided to speak up.
“(y/n), what are you thinking? Listen, I know that you want to join us in battle, but you already know that father is opposed to it - why would you even try to convince him to let you go on the most dangerous one yet?”
“I know.. I-I just…”
“Look”, said Arthur calmly. “I understand that you were worried about Leon - any good friend would be - but he is back. He is fine. The best thing you can do now is to stay here, and make sure he stays that way, and let me and Merlin go after the cup, alright?”
She sighed in defeat. “Alright.”
“Good, now go to bed. Please.”
“I’m going!”
“Good!”
“Night, Arthur! Good luck!”
“Night, (y/n)!”
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(y/n) once again found herself standing behind her father as he was addressing his men.
“Arthur should be back by now.”, he stated worriedly.
“I’m sure there’s a simple explanation, Sire.”, answered Leon, standing awkwardly in front of the king.
“You know as well as I do he’s been gone too long.” (y/n) could tell that her father was getting anxious, and it became clearer as he continued to give Leon orders. “Take a patrol, as many men as you need. Whatever it takes, find him!”
“Yes, sire.”, said Leon shortly before leaving the room.
(y/n) shared a worried glance with Morgana before quickly leaving the room and running around to the main entrance. She rounded the corner just in time to see the blond knight walk through the door to the courtyard.
“Leon! Wait!”
He turned around at the sound of his name and approached his old friend.
“(y/n)”. He nodded respectfully towards her.
“I-I just… Please, be careful, okay?”. They were close - barely ten inches apart - and (y/n) kept her head down, desperately trying to think of something to say.
“(y/n)”, he muttered kindly, using his gloved hand to gently tilt her head upwards to look her in the eyes. “(y/n), I gave you my word. I would not dare to break it.”
“I know. Good.”. She could feel herself blushing, but chose to ignore it. “I believe in you. And please bring my brother back while you’re at it?”
He sent her a kind smile in return. “Of course, my lady. I shall see you in the morning then?”
“Indeed. Good luck, sir.”
They then left their separate ways; (y/n) back indoors, and Leon out to round up some men.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“We must convene the council of war.”
“They cannot be stopped. The soldiers, Sire, they will not fall.”
“What are you saying?”
“They will not die.”
“Gather the knights. Prepare whatever defences you can.”
“But, Sire-”
“DO IT!”
(y/n) flinched slightly. She hated when her father was shouting, something that unfortunately happened quite often. It was, however, worse when it was directed at her, or Arthur, or Morgana or someone else who was close to her - Leon obviously not being an exception. The knight in question fell quiet for a moment, but then gave the king a respectful nod and headed out the doors.
“It’s Cenred. It must be?”, Uther now looked directly at Gaius. “How? The location of the cup was secret.”
“There’s only one explanation, Sire. We have a traitor in our midst.”
Uther now seemed beyond concerned. “Right, (y/n) and Morgana, the two of you must go to your chambers - where you will be safe.” After a moment of silent confusion, the king already became impatient. “NOW!”, he ordered harshly, and the girls, for once, did as they were told.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There were knights absolutely everywhere! (y/n) had never seen so many in one place before, but they were all preparing and getting ready for battle.
She watched the attacking army through her window, and couldn’t help the feelings of fear och dread that were taking over her entire being. She feared for Arthur, and her father, and Leon, and Merlin, and Gwen, and everyone else who lived in Camelot. If what Leon was saying was true - and it most likely was - she struggled to see anything but a horrendous outcome of the upcoming battle. She even doubted whether there would actually be a battle, or if the enemy would straight-up massacre every last person living in Camelot.
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It didn’t take long for (y/n)’s fears to become reality. The knights fought bravely, but still fell, one after another. The army marched through the lower town and reached the citadel within hours. She could go out there and fight, but quickly realized that there was no point - there is strength in numbers did not seem to apply in this case, as the immortal army seemed to be cutting through Camelot’s fighters like butter. She was still watching through her window when the door to her room was violently pushed open, and turned around to see four enemy guards and a woman with long, blonde hair and a sly smile.
“Oh, princess (y/n). Long time no see, huh?”
“Hello, Morgause.”
~L
Part 2
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cappymightwrite · 3 years
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What draws you to incest ?
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*sighs* Ok, here we go. I'm a real card carrying Jonsa now aren't I?
Anon, listen. I know this is an anti question that gets bandied about a lot, aimed at provoking, etc, when we all know no Jonsa is out here being all you know what, it really is the incest, and the incest alone, that draws me in. I mean, come on now. Grow up.
If I was "drawn" to incest I'd be a fan of Cersei x Jaime, Lucrezia x Cesare, hell Oedipus x Jocasta etc... but I haven't displayed any interest in them now, have I? So, huh, it can't be that.
Frankly, it's a derivitive question that is really missing the mark. I'm not "drawn" to it, though yeah, it is an unavoidable element of Jonsa. The real question you should be asking though, is what draws GRRM to it? Because he obviously is drawn to it, specifically what is termed the "incest motif" in academic and literary scholarship. That is a far more worthwhile avenue of thinking and questioning, compared with asking me. Luckily for you though anon, I sort of anticipated getting this kind of question so had something in my drafts on standby...
You really don't have to look far, or that deeply, to be hit over the head by the connection between GRRM's literary influences and the incest motif. I mean, let's start with the big cheese himself, Tolkein:
Tolkein + Quenta Silmarillion
We know for definite that GRRM has been influenced by Tolkein, and in The Silmarillion you notably have a case of unintentional incest in Quenta Silmarillion, where Túrin Turambar, under the power of a curse, unwittingly murders his friend, as well as marries and impregnates his sister, Nienor Níniel, who herself had lost her memory due to an enchantment.
Mr Tolkein, "what draws you to incest?"
Old Norse + Völsunga saga
Tolkein, as a professor of Anglo-Saxon, was hugely influenced by Old English and Old Norse literature. The story of the ring Andvaranaut, told in Völsunga saga, is strongly thought to have been a key influence behind The Lord of the Rings. Also featured within this legendary saga is the relationship between the twins Signy and Sigmund — at one point in the saga, Signy tricks her brother into sleeping with her, which produces a son, Sinfjotli, of pure Völsung blood, raised with the singular purpose of enacting vengence.
Anonymous Norse saga writer, "what draws you to incest?"
Medieval Literature as a whole
A lot is made of how "true" to the storied past ASOIAF is, how reflective it is of medieval society (and earlier), its power structures, its ideals and martial values etc. ASOIAF, however, is not attempting historical accuracy, and should not be read as such. Yet it is clearly drawing from a version of the past, as depicted in medieval romances and pre-Christian mythology for instance, as well as dusty tomes on warfare strategy. As noted by Elizabeth Archibald in her article Incest in Medieval Literature and Society (1989):
Of course the Middle Ages inherited and retold a number of incest stories from the classical world. Through Statius they knew Oedipus, through Ovid they knew the stories of Canace, Byblis, Myrrha and Phaedra. All these stories end more or less tragically: the main characters either die or suffer metamorphosis. Medieval readers also knew the classical tradition of incest as a polemical accusation,* for instance the charges against Caligula and Nero. – p. 2
The word "polemic" is connected to controversy, to debate and dispute, therefore these classical texts were exploring the incest motif in order to create discussion on a controversial topic. In a way, your question of "what draws you to incest?" has a whiff of polemical accusation to it, but as I stated, you're missing the bigger question.
Moving back to the Middle Ages, however, it is interesting that we do see a trend of more incest stories appearing within new narratives between the 11th and 13th centuries, according to Archibald:
The texts I am thinking of include the legend of Judas, which makes him commit patricide and then incest before betraying Christ; the legend of Gregorius, product of sibling incest who marries his own mother, but after years of rigorous penance finally becomes a much respected pope; the legend of St Albanus, product of father-daughter incest, who marries his mother, does penance with both his parents but kills them when they relapse into sin, and after further penance dies a holy man; the exemplary stories about women who sleep with their sons, and bear children (whom they sometimes kill), but refuse to confess until the Virgin intervenes to save them; the legends of the incestuous begetting of Roland by Charlemagne and of Mordred by Arthur; and finally the Incestuous Father romances about calumniated wives, which resemble Chaucer's Man of Law's Tale except that the heroine's adventures begin when she runs away from home to escape her father's unwelcome advances. – p. 2
I mean... that last bit sounds eerily quite close to what we have going on with Petyr Baelish and Sansa Stark. But I digress. What I'm trying to say is that from a medieval and classical standpoint... GRRM is not unique in his exploration of the incest motif, far from it.
Sophocles, Ovid, Hartmann von Aue, Thomas Malory, etc., "what draws you to incest?"
Faulkner + The Sound and the Fury, and more!
Moving on to more modern influences though, when talking about the writing ethos at the heart of his work, GRRM has famously quoted William Faulker:
His mantra has always been William Faulkner’s comment in his Nobel prize acceptance speech, that only the “human heart in conflict with itself… is worth writing about”. [source]
I’ve never read any Faulker, so I did just a quick search on “Faulkner and incest” and I pulled up this article on JSTOR, called Faulkner and the Politics of Incest (1998). Apparently, Faulkner explores the incest motif in at least five novels, therefore it was enough of a distinctive theme in his work to warrant academic analysis. In this journal article, Karl F. Zender notes that:
[...] incest for Faulkner always remains tragic [...] – p. 746
Ah, we can see a bit of running theme here, can't we? But obviously, GRRM (one would hope) doesn’t just appreciate Faulkner’s writing for his extensive exploration of incest. This quote possibly sums up the potential artistic crossover between the two:
Beyond each level of achieved empathy in Faulkner's fiction stands a further level of exclusion and marginalization. – pp. 759–60
To me, the above parallels somewhat GRRM’s own interest in outcasts, in personal struggle (which incest also fits into):
I am attracted to bastards, cripples and broken things as is reflected in the book. Outcasts, second-class citizens for whatever reason. There’s more drama in characters like that, more to struggle with. [source]
Interestingly, however, this essay on Faulkner also connects his interest in the incest motif with the romantic poets, such as Percy Bysshe Shelley and Lord Byron:
As Peter Thorslev says in an important study of romantic representations of incest, " [p]arent-child incest is universally condemned in Romantic literature...; sibling incest, on the other hand, is invariably made sympathetic, is sometimes exonerated, and, in Byron's and Shelley's works, is definitely idealized.” – p. 741
Faulkner, "what draws you to incest?" ... I mean, that article gives some good explanations, actually.
Lord Byron, Manfred + The Bride of Abydos
Which brings us onto GRRM interest in the Romantics:
I was always intensely Romantic, even when I was too young to understand what that meant. But Romanticism has its dark side, as any Romantic soon discovers... which is where the melancholy comes in, I suppose. I don't know if this is a matter of artistic influences so much as it is of temperament. But there's always been something in a twilight that moves me, and a sunset speaks to me in a way that no sunrise ever has. [source]
I'm already in the process of writing a long meta about the influence of Lord Byron in ASOIAF, specifically examining this quote by GRRM:
The character I’m probably most like in real life is Samwell Tarly. Good old Sam. And the character I’d want to be? Well who wouldn’t want to be Jon Snow — the brooding, Byronic, romantic hero whom all the girls love. Theon [Greyjoy] is the one I’d fear becoming. Theon wants to be Jon Snow, but he can’t do it. He keeps making the wrong decisions. He keeps giving into his own selfish, worst impulses. [source]
Lord Byron, "what draws you to—", oh, um, right. Nevermind.
I'm not going to repeat myself here, but it's worth noting that there is a clear through line between GRRM and the Romantic writers, besides perhaps melancholic "temperament"... and it's incest.
But look, is choosing to explore the incest motif...well, a choice? Yeah, and an uncomfortable one at that, but it’s obvious that that is what GRRM is doing. I think it’s frankly a bit naive of some people to argue that GRRM would never do Jonsa because it’s pseudo-incest and therefore morally repugnant, no ifs, no buts. I’m sorry, as icky as it may be to our modern eyes, GRRM has set the president for it in his writing with the Targaryens and the Lannister twins.
The difference with them is that they knowingly commit incest, basing it in their own sense of exceptionalism, and there are/will be bad consequences — this arguably parallels the medieval narratives in which incest always ends badly, unless some kind of real penance is involved. For Jon and Sansa, however, the Jonsa argument is that they will choose not to commit incest, despite a confused attraction, and then will be rewarded in the narrative through the parentage reveal, a la Byron’s The Bride of Abydos. The Targaryens and Lannisters, in several ways excluding the incest (geez the amount of times I’ve written incest in this post), are foils for the Starks, and in particular, Jon and Sansa. Exploring the incest motif has been on the cards since the very beginning — just look at that infamous "original" outline — regardless of whether we personally consider that an interesting writing choice, or a morally inexcusable one.
Word of advice, or rather, warning... don't think you can catch me out with these kinds of questions. I have access to a university database, so if I feel like procrastinating my real academic work, I can and will pull out highly researched articles to school you, lmao.
But you know, thanks for the ask anyway, I guess.
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A/N: So I guess we were gonna wait and write more for this but I am a menace (sorry guys) and @writer-wednesday inspired me yet again. So behind scenes I’ve been collabing with the most incredible @acrossthesestars and @a-bang-for-your-bucky while we bond over our love of anything Peaky Blinders. The three of us came up with the idea writing some OCs into the series and honestly it’s all just taken off in the most glorious way.
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Introductions:
Sarah Shelby (OFC): sister to the Peaky boys and Ada, she doesn’t take any shit and yet has a certain vulnerability about her that will have your heart breaking. She looks up to Tommy possibly a little too much, residing in his shadow until someone makes her see she doesn’t have to live like that anymore.
Katherine Fletcher (OFC): a trained nurse who swiftly became the Peaky’s personal medical professional, yearning for a Mr Thomas Shelby and yet never seeming to catch his eye….or so she thinks.
Delia Flanagan (OFC): an Irish firecracker who decided her life back home wasn’t worth living anymore and came to Birmingham. She certainly found her hands full of Arthur Shelby as the two spiral into a wild romance until her past catches her up.
Warnings: I will tag the fic as 18+ NSFW. MDNI. This blurb is fairly harmless though, just a touch of yearning and angst mixed with sibling ribbing and all the joys of the fair. Also a hint of things to come. I don’t condone smoking and honestly the amount Tommy and Sarah light one up, turns my stomach a little, but it’s 1919.
Summary: Taking place just after the first scene of episode 2 season 1, Tommy promised his sister a day at the fair. No spoilers if you haven’t seen Peaky Blinders though.
Word Count: 1445
Tagging: @strangunddurm @writer-wednesday
Dividers by: @firefly-graphics
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The ride to the fair was slightly somber after what had just happened with the Lees, but Tommy had promised and Sarah could feel the budding excitement in her chest once more. She glanced down at her youngest brother Finn and he smiled up at her, pulling a smile to her own face as they bounced over the field to park the car.
As they got out, Tommy offered his arm to Sarah and she leaned easily into him. They were going to meet Delia and Kat and hopefully just enjoy the day. Sarah breathed deeply, tilting her face back and letting the sun hit her skin for the first time in what felt like months. Tommy checked his watch, sliding it back into the pocket of his waistcoat as the path cleared for them. People moved out of their way between the rides and stalls, casting wary glances in their direction but Sarah didn’t care. It was moments like this she relished being a Shelby. John hit Finn round the head, antagonising him and they both zoomed away into the crowd, Arthur closed the gap against Sarah and she linked her arm through his.
“What do you want to do first, princess?” Tommy asked quietly.
“En’t we meeting the ladies?” Arthur looked around as though he could see them and Sarah grinned.
“Yes, they'll be waiting for us at the Ferris Wheel. I told them we had family business first.”
“Alright!” Arthur rubbed his hands together gleefully as they headed for the tallest ride at the fair.
Sarah skipped away from her brothers when she saw her friends. She didn’t get to be just a girl very often, so it was days like this she took full advantage. Almost immediately Delia and Arthur drifted off to do their own thing with waves and shouts of meeting up later and Tommy trailed after his sister and her friend.
Kat expressed a wish to ride the wheel so Tommy paid for them both. He helped Sarah in first letting her get settled before he helped Katherine in, his hand gripping hers tightly when the cart swung a little and she tried to catch her balance. He put a foot out to steady the basket, his cap covering his face as he watched Kat step in carefully and finally sit down.
“Thank you, Thomas,” she breathed with a quick smile.
“Alright,” he mumbled. After closing the gate he stepped back to lean casually against the fence, running a cigarette along his lips and lighting it. Both women clutched hands when the ride started to move, excitement lighting their faces, but Sarah didn’t miss the way Kat’s green eyes were drawn to one lone figure, who patiently waited for them to return.
“Oh!” Sarah exclaimed when they were high enough to get an uninterrupted view of the countryside. Birmingham wasn’t too far in the distance, black clouds from the factories marked the sky, tapering off slightly as they hit the high breeze. Green fields stretched for miles in all directions, the river carving a path through the slight hills, each field separated by rows of neat hedges and Sarah suddenly pointed. “There’s the Lees camp! When we go home we have to pick up this new grey that Tommy got off ‘em.” She leaned over the railing only for Kat to grip her shoulder and pull her back, their little cart swinging with the movement.
“Sarah, love, you gave me a fright. Can’t imagine your brother would be too happy if I let anything happen to you.”
“Tommy could never be mad at you,” commented Sarah absently. She kept looking all around as though she couldn’t get enough of the view, a beaming expression on her face as she breathed in deeply. Kat was slightly pensive for the rest of the ride, only managing a soft smile when they finally tumbled out of the ride. “Tommy, you should have seen it! How far the green fields stretched and the city looked like it were in touching distance!”
“Sounds great, princess,” he said, offering his arm to his sister before offering the other to Katherine.
Slowly she slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow, her breath hitching slightly at his closeness. Sarah almost squealed at the sight of the merry go round, leaving her brother and Kat as she jumped on the spot. John appeared from nowhere. He and Finn barreled into Sarah but she was ready for them. Knocking Finn over and managing to grab John in a headlock, tossing his cap at Kat who went to catch it. Tommy’s hand snatched it out of the air. “Watch yourself,” he muttered around the cigarette in his mouth.
“Sharp.” Kat just nodded, not really sure what to say as she eyed the cap in his grip.
“Kat, you coming?” Sarah called.
“John!” Tommy yelled, making his brother turn around suddenly. “Pay for the ladies.” Kat shot Tommy a grateful look before heading over to the ride and letting John help her up. Finn was already on his chosen horse, crowing loudly and swinging his hat round even after Sarah told him to pipe down. Tommy leaned on the fence, tossing the butt into the grass as he watched John help Kat sit on a horse, making sure she was settled before he found his own.
“Oi, where’s my help?” Demanded Sarah.
“I only help ladies,” he retorted, earning himself a loud smack on his arm.
“I am a bloody lady! Fookin’ cheek!” Tommy allowed himself a smirk at his sister's sullen face before he found himself watching Kat again. Her green eyes danced when the ride started, her rich laugh floated through the bustling crowd and he hung his head as she disappeared from view.
“Alright brother,” Arthur appeared at his shoulder and Tommy greeted him and Delia.
“They’re on the merry go round.”
“I bet John’s going to come off feeling sick,” guessed Arthur happily. “Yeah, look at him going all pale.”
“Arthur Shelby, you won’t be so happy when he goes off being sick everywhere,” scolded Delia, tucking herself into his side as he draped an arm across her shoulders.
“Nah, not my problem.”
“Will be if he’s sick in my fuckin’ car,” grumbled Tommy as he lit a new cigarette.
Sarah was the first one off the ride, her expression rosey from laughing and she wrapped her arms around her abdomen as John wobbled off the ride, clearly suffering.
“I’ll be alright in a minute,” he gasped, leaning heavily on the fence.
“It will pass,” Kat told him, her hand gently rubbing his back as he bent over.
“I don’t feel so good,” he muttered.
“Bloody hell, John. You’re a fuckin’ Shelby. Man up,” crowed Arthur, slapping his younger brother on the shoulder as he walked past with Delia still tucked against him. Sarah wrapped an arm around Finn, looking at the way he pointed when he saw the stalls and expressing a wish to play one of the games. Glancing back at Tommy, he nodded his permission and she guided Finn to the nearest one. She handed over some shillings and they got a handful of balls that they piled on the floor. She crouched down to his level telling him he needed to knock the coconut off the post. Straightening she moved away, giving him room.
As she watched an uneasy feeling spread through her.
Glancing behind her, all she could see was her oldest brother ribbing John for being taken out by a single ride. Lowering her head she looked the other side and her heart pounded as she glimpsed a flash of red hair.
“Sarah, did you see that?” Asked Finn, distracting her for a second, and she smiled. Her expression fell as she searched the crowd for the stranger, only to find him watching her intently. He was in a tweed three piece suit, shiny black boots on his feet and Sarah watched as he lazily sucked on a cigarette, his eyes never leaving her face. She stared him down, noting everything she could about his appearance. His bright hair was the most noticeable thing about him, as well as his ruggedly handsome face. If it wasn’t for Finn she’d have walked over there and demanded to know what his problem was.
“Sarah!” She wheeled round at the sound of her name, Tommy beckoning them to where John was still hunched over. She looked back but the ginger stranger had gone, even as Finn dragged her away she still searched the crowd. She’d seen him three times now, and that meant it wasn’t a coincidence, someone was following her.
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The former God of Magic resents The Mother for sticking him on Earth, and plans on causing as much havoc as he can to punish Her;
Version 2, Dark!Merlin
INTRO
(Version 1, Good!Merlin)
TW: A lot of emotional manipulation, a little violence, a lot of angst.
~
“You’re late.”
The woman’s well practiced blank mask falls into a scowl as she stares at Merlin with mistrust:
“Well, perhaps I was putting off coming to see you, no matter how necessary it is.”
The gang can see the bob of Merlin’s head as he lets out a low chuckle, and they have to stop themselves from recoiling; they’d never heard a noise like that from their young friend before, it sounded almost... cruel.
He lifts a hand to cover his heart as he says in faux offense:
“You wound me, sister. You didn’t want to see your favourite sibling?”
Everyone frowns in confusion, Merlin doesn’t have... siblings. That’s not even mentioning the fact that this woman barely seems human.
The woman doesn’t hide her slight disgust, taking a step back from Merlin and letting out a harsh breath:
“I came here to tell you that you need to hurry up. Time is running out.”
Merlin chuckles again, turning to the side and taking a few short paces, his hands held leisurely behind his back. The amusement on his face is disturbing, and Arthur gulps, not noticing the way Mordred is growing paler and paler by the second. Merlin doesn’t turn to look at the woman as he speaks, and his smirk stretches wider:
“But I’m having so much fun, Ava!”
The woman, Ava, huffs again, rolling her eyes and crossing her arms over her chest. If the gang weren’t so semi-sure that Merlin wasn’t dangerous, they’d think she looked scared:
“Mother sent you here to complete a task. Get it done, and you can come home. Isn’t that what you want? To come home?”
Merlin’s smirk falls, and the snarl that the gang briefly see on his face before he whips around to face Ava takes their breath away. They barely notice the thunder, snapping in the distance in time with Merlin’s anger:
“Mother’s the one keeping me here in the first place. She could accept me back any time.”
Ava takes another step back, and Merlin tilts his head ever so slightly at the movement, but waits for her to speak:
“As punishment for your cruelty. She isn’t happy, you’re making a mess of things.”
Merlin chuckles again, tilting his head even further, and his words have an immediate chilling effect on the group hiding in the bushes:
“Well, if she insists on sending the God of Chaos to fix a problem, perhaps she should expect a little mess. Plus, I’m having more fun here than I’ve had in centuries. These humans... so gullible.-”
Ava shakes her head mournfully, but before she can say anything, Merlin continues, now pacing calmly around the clearing, waving his hands and grinning in his excitement:
“-I mean, they’re just so... easy. To play with, to manipulate. You know they all trust me? They all come running to naïve, innocent, loving little Merlin, spilling all their secrets as they go. Did you know, the drunkard is the son of a noble? “Fuck nobility” my arse, he is nobility.-”
Gwaine clenches his jaw and looks to the floor, ignoring the stares of Arthur and Leon, but before anything can be muttered, Merlin continues, listing their greatest secrets off on his fingers:
“-The gentle giant is terrified that someone’s going to find out that his preferences lie with men, which is ridiculous considering the way he stares at the aforementioned drunkard when he thinks no one but little old me is watching. The blacksmith, even years on, is terrified that his whore sister will never forgive him for... something or other, I wasn’t really paying attention. Camelot’s first, The King’s most trusted, has a debilitating fear of heights, and oh if it isn’t just hilarious to watch when he has to patrol the city walls. And then, there’s the-”
Ava rolls her mournful eyes and interrupts him:
“Your point, Em?”
Merlin laughs, fully and from the belly, but the sound doesn’t bring the gang joy like it normally does:
“My point, is that I’ve got these idiots wrapped around my finger. Mortals: the universe’s most fun toy. I haven’t even gotten to half of them yet. There’s the noble one, who thinks he holds my trust, the Druid boy, whose only redeeming feature is that he’s destined to kill the King Prat one day; believe me, if it weren’t for that I’d have killed the annoying little twerp years ago. Then there’s the King Prat’s magical sister, who is full of such terror. I play with her dreams some nights, force visions of pyres and hatred and destruction to play over and over in her mind. It’s rather amusing, watching her thrash and sweat and whimper in her sleep.-”
Arthur’s head had whipped around to Morgana when Merlin had mentioned her, but the tears streaming down her face and the way her hand was clamped tightly over her mouth stripped his anger from him. Which left him with no distraction, no way to ignore the simple fact of what was happening right now. Merlin was... not what they thought. He was powerful, he was using them. He was playing with them like puppets and pulling their strings this way and that, watching as they could do nothing but follow. Arthur didn’t know what to think, and he definitely didn’t notice the tears on his own cheeks.
Mordred was pale to the point of looking like he was about to faint and Lancelot had a deep frown on his face, tears in his eyes but not quite falling, not yet. This was... a misunderstanding. He... he knows Merlin, this is a trick, or a trap, he’ll explain later and everything will be just fine. He just has to... to trust him. Everything will be fine.
Gwaine keeps his gaze on the floor. A small part of him was feeling a little prideful that Percival liked him back, but the rest of him... had no room for anything but grief. He had suspected that Merlin had magic, but this was something else, this was... a whole new person. Did he ever really know Merlin? Did any of them? 
Elyan and Gwen sat pressed together tightly, though Gwen had one hand on Morgana’s shaking back, and her other was reaching around Elyan, gripping Leon’s shoulder tightly. Leon was just staring blankly at the scene in front of him, though anyone that knew him well enough would be able to see the tight clench of his jaw and the anger (and grief) in his eyes.
Ava interrupted Merlin’s gleeful ranting, the tears in her eyes a little more prominent as she took on a slightly more desperate tone:
“Please, Em, just... stop. They’re important, they have destinies, you can not destroy them or push them too far; this is cruel, even for you. This... you never used to be like this.”
Merlin turns around, facing away from his sister and giving the hidden group full view of his rage-filled face. His voice is quiet and clipped and angry as he asks:
“Oh?”
Another roll of thunder echoes through the clearing, closer this time, and fat droplets of rain fall harshly from the sky, mixing with the tears on everyone’s face. Ava sighs, tears overflowing as she gulps before answering, her voice shaking slightly as she takes a step towards Merlin:
“You’re meant to be the God of Magic, not Chaos. You were so... beautiful, balanced. You saw wonder in everything, every little spark of magic and every single prayer put a smile on your face. You loved humanity even more than Mother did. Now look at you, you’re tormenting them, torturing them. This isn’t you, Em, please. Help them, and things can go back to the way they were, help them and you can come home.”
The anger on Merlin’s face had only grown as she spoke, and each individual hidden in the bushes had to make a concerted effort to stop themselves from bolting. None of them had felt terror like it, and the fact that it was Merlin they were all so scared of... well, it didn’t help.
Lightening streaks across the sky and wind howls violently through the forest, calming only when Merlin shuts his eyes and takes a deep breath, straightening his back and smirking slightly before he replies, still not turning around to face his sister:
“You’re right. I loved humanity, I was desperate to see them succeed. And then they butchered me. I gave them this universe to frolic in, and in return they call me a monster, a beast, they call me evil, they make nightmares out of me. I still listen to every little prayer, and do you know what I hear? I hear my people, my wonderful little creations, my creatures of magic, begging for mercy, begging for the pain to stop. The humanity I so used to love turned on them, began to burn them, out of spite and fear and hatred. I will not show them any more grace than they have showed me, I will give them exactly what they deserve, and that blonde idiot is at the top of my list of people who have to fucking pay. I won’t destroy him entirely, because ultimately I want my creatures to stop suffering, but I will break him. I will rip him apart piece by piece for what he has done to me.-”
The absolute fury in Merlin’s words, the hatred, translates to thunder in the sky and agony in Arthur’s chest. The King can barely breathe, muffling the sobs tearing from his mouth with both hands, both terrified of being discovered, and desperate to... to let Merlin punish him for the pain he has caused.
Leon settles a shaking hand on his shoulder, but Arthur doesn’t look his way, his blurry gaze focused on Merlin, now finally turning back to his sister:
“-You know, I’m this close to getting that big blonde idiot to fall in love with me. How pathetic is that?? All it took was a few touches here, a few lingering stares there, saving his life occasionally. The man is so pathetically starved for attention I imagine he’d fall for anyone who showed him the barest amount of affection. That is how I will break him.-”
The only thing stopping Arthur from sobbing aloud is Leon collapsing behind him, pulling the young King back into his chest and wrapping a tight arm around his torso, one hand clamped over his mouth as he mutters desperate reassurances into his ear. Morgana pulls Gwen close in a similar way when the servant’s cries grow harsher, her brother burying his face in her shoulder.
Lancelot barely notices Gwaine gripping his arm hard enough to leave bruises for weeks, or Percival pushing his forehead into Lance’s shoulder blade. All he can do is sit and stare at the ground, his breathing slow but shaky, tears streaming silently down his face as he rethinks everything he’s ever known.
Mordred sits on his own, rocking back and forth rhythmically as he tightens the clutch he has around his knees. Tears drip from his young cheeks, poisoning the ground beneath him as he struggles to consider his faith. His faith in magic, in Emrys, who was meant to be balanced and beautiful and giving. Emrys, who he now knew was twisted and angry and desperate for revenge.
All of their hearts are splitting, cracking down the middle.
“-It won’t be physical pain, no, that’ll be down to the Druid boy. He doesn’t want to kill Arthur now, but he will, one day, when I give him one final push. He’ll fall so far into the darkness there’ll be nothing of him left to save, and when he plunges his sword into The Pendragon’s chest, I’ll sit back and watch with a smile on my face, and Arthur will realise that the man he loves, the man who claimed to love him in return, hated him all along. Tricked him. I will watch the life drain from his eyes, and he will spend his last few moments on this world in every kind of agony imaginable, lost in the knowledge that I wanted him to suffer, that he is being punished for his sins.”
Ava shakes her head, silver tears dripping from her emerald eyes as she stares at the floor:
“Are Sir Mordred and the Lady Morgana not your creatures? Do you not wish to save at least them?”
Merlin chuckles darkly:
“I had faith in them once, but they made their decisions. They sided with a Pendragon over me. Mother may be fond of her precious Once and Future King, but to be fair, she’s fond of anything with a pulse, and I, for one, can not wait until she’s not quite so fond of him anymore.”
Ava gulps, taking a desperate step towards her amused brother, but before she can say anything, before she can make one last plea for mercy on humanity’s behalf, Merlin tilts his head, smirking dangerously:
“Do you think they’re scared?”
She halts in her tracks, blinking in confusion, and Merlin’s smile grows into a chuckle as he gestures behind him:
“The King and all his little friends, hidden in the bushes. Do you think they’re scared?” 
The gang barely have time to look up in shock before their bodies are moving, out of their control. They stand rigidly and walk single-file out from their hiding place, coming to stand in a line at the side of the clearing. Merlin hasn’t even looked at them, but his hand floats in the air, a sickly looking yellow mist swirling around his fingers as he tilts his head at his sister, staring in horror at The King, the knights, the Lady, and the servant.
Merlin drops his hand and they all fall to their knees, not even bothering to be brave as they sob. The angry God finally turns, and the serene smile on his face is chilling as he walks towards them, coming to stand in front of Lance and Mordred first. The two of them are the calmest, though calm in the way that they don’t really look... present. They stare blankly ahead, breathing shallow and tears still falling as Merlin crouches in front of them, gripping a chin in each hand and shaking their heads roughly. His voice comes out a whisper, the frown on his face looking more disappointed than anything:
“So much faith, so much trust. It’s a little pitiful, if I’m being honest.”
They don’t react to his words and he smirks before letting them go and standing, moving on to Elyan and Gwen, gripping the knight’s shoulder and saying with mocking sympathy in his voice:
“You were right, by the way,-”
He glances at a fully sobbing Gwen with disgust:
“-she’ll never forgive you, but she’ll never tell you that. You’ll just spend the rest of your life wondering why your relationship was never the same.”
Next, he shuffles over to Gwaine, not even bothering to see the siblings’ reactions as he passes Leon and Percival with a look of disinterest on his face. He leans down in front of the knight, running a soft hand through his hair, waiting for the man to relax slightly before gripping his hair harshly and yanking back, so he has to look up at him. Merlin gives him a blindingly cruel smile:
“You're grateful that Percival is just as in love with you as you are with him, but don’t think yourself too lucky. You’re a hypocrite and a drunk, and my dear old Percy has too much self respect to put himself through that. I’d go for a good tumble in the hay and give up while you’re ahead.”
Once again, he moves back, his sister having to look away in her grief, her empathy drowning her. The God comes to stand in front of Morgana, who is desperately trying to look brave but failing miserably:
“And you. You’re meant to be The Darkness, but I couldn’t very well have you outdo me, could I? Try your hardest, I’ll still be the end of you, and I wait with baited breath for the day you fall, and the day soon after that, when I get to kill you.”
She break down in tears again at that, horrified with the idea that she might one day be on the same end of morality and cruelty as this monster in front of her.
Merlin smirks before rolling his eyes and finally coming to stand in front of Arthur. The King calms his breathing just enough to look up at a smirking Merlin, his voice cracking and barely-there as he mutters:
“Please... Merlin, please...”
The smirk drops from Merlin’s face as he brings his hand up, the sickly yellow mist back again. Arthur rises from the floor, hands clutching at his throat as the air is drawn from his lungs. Merlin steps closer to his with a snarl, his free hand gripping Arthur’s chin like a vice, though his voice eerily calm as he murmurs:
“You. You and Uther were so desperate for a scape-goat, for a villain, for a monster. And you picked magic, you picked me. So stop being so fucking pathetic, I’m just playing the part you gave me to perfection. You picked the premise, I’m writing the ending.”
Ava finally speaks up, her voice loud, despite the waver:
“Brother please, this is... this is beyond cruelty, please just stop.”
Arthur is dropped, and The King can barely find it in himself to choke for air as Merlin turns back to his sister, the amused smirk back on his face:
“Why? None of them are going to remember in the morning anyway. I’ve had my fun, this has been cathartic, but I can’t have them ruining my plans. So run along now sister, tell Mother that her precious task is being completed, I’m just taking the scenic route.” 
She shakes her head in defeat, staring at the floor. She lifts her head, opening her mouth to make one last attempt, but she closes it, realising that there’s nothing she could possibly say to persuade him to suddenly have mercy, mercy that no one had ever shown him. She gulps, letting out a deep breath before shaking her head again and turning around, walking back into the trees, the way she came.
The God looks back to his puppets, shivering in time with their knotted strings, smirking once more before he clicks his fingers and everything goes dark.
~
Arthur wakes the next morning feeling oddly refreshed and surprisingly unannoyed at his idiot manservant’s lateness. He rolls his eyes at the bright sunshine glaring through his curtains, the sun certainly a lot higher in the sky than it should be at the time The King wakes, but oh well. Merlin has been chipper lately, and the warmth that Arthur feels in his chest at the younger man’s happiness makes him more likely to forgive him his tardiness.
As if thinking of him had summoned him (wishful thinking on Arthur’s part), Merlin bursts through the doors, not bothering to knock as per usual, a breakfast-laden tray in his arms and a cheeky grin on his face. Arthur rolls his eyes again, chucking a pillow at Merlin half-heartedly as he grumbles, also half-heartedly:
“You’re late.”
Merlin chuckles, setting the tray down on the table before jogging endearingly over to Arthur’s bedside, grabbing his hand and pulling him to stand upright:
“Something tells me you don’t mind all that much, Your Pratness.”
Arthur huffs, but only to stop himself from smiling, and resolutely ignores the way Merlin’s hand is still in his. The servant squeezes his palm softly, and Arthur gulps, pulling away and walking towards his meal, hoping the food would squash the butterflies in his stomach.
He rubs the sleep from his eyes, smiling to himself softly at a whole range of things: the good night’s rest he’d had, the bright sunshine, Merlin’s good mood, the sensation of Merlin’s hand in his own, Merlin’s dazzling smile, Merlin, Merlin, Merlin...
Merlin stares at his back as he goes, noting with a dangerously satisfied smirk the red blush of his ears.
The scenic route indeed.
~
THE END!!
Oops I made myself sad. Sorry to say but I hope this makes you sad too.
This was SUPER fun to write and I’m so glad I decided to do two versions😅
Link to the Good!Merlin version (much MUCH fluffier, I promise) at the top!!
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coffee-imagines · 4 years
Text
Wrong Houses Pt 2
part one
Pairing: Draco x weasley!reader
Warnings: none
A/N: I wasn’t sure what I was going to do for this but then I got an idea and got excited so here we go :) I’m glad a lot of you liked the first part. Also can we talk about how iconic Molly’s howler to Ron is in the movie?
Summary: After a letter home an unexpected surprise arrives during lunch
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You’d started crying the second your face hit your pillow, the feelings from the past five years hitting you all at once. You felt overwhelmed, your body shaking when your cries turned to sobs. There was no way you could go home now, not after what Ron had told you. You felt like a bother to your family, and inconvenience that they had to deal with because of your differences. The sound of footsteps made you hide your face deeper into the pillow and try to calm your shaking, thinking one of your dormmates had come back to get something.
“Y/N.” Draco’s voice filled your ears, his hand softly touching your back. You couldn’t bring yourself to speak, knowing you would only cry harder. “I’m here, it’s okay.” He assured you, helping you sit up before he pulled you in for a hug. You clung to him, crying into his neck while he whispered reassurances in your ear and rubbed your back. It had taken a while but you finally stopped shaking, your tears falling silently, hitting Draco’s neck and sliding down wetting the collar of his shirt.
“I don’t… I don’t want to...” You stuttered out, trying to find your words but Draco shushed you, playing with your hair to try and calm you down fully before you tried speaking again. You took a few deep breaths, closing your eyes trying to focus on Draco instead of everything else. “I don’t want to go home.” You whispered in his neck. “I don’t ever want to go back home.” You sniffed, hugging Draco tighter.
“You don’t have to. My parents actually like you. I’m sure if I write a letter home my mom will let you stay with us.” Draco explained and you nodded, pulling your head away from his neck. Draco’s heart clenched when he saw your tear stained face, the complexion of your skin almost matching your red hair, your nose even redder and your bottom lip still quivering. “You’re going to be okay.” Draco reassured you, leaning down to kiss the tears away. You closed your eyes, and a small smile made its way on your face when Draco softly kissed your eyelids.
“I’m going to write a letter to my parents. They should know I’m not going to come home.” You explained softly and Draco nodded in agreement. 
You took a deep breath, reaching over in all of your belongings to get a paper and a quill. It took a while before the quill touched the paper. You were trying to find the right words to say. Writing the letter didn’t make you happy, it hadn’t been like you really wanted to leave your family, but at this point you felt like it was the only way it would make them happy and stop worrying about how you turned out. There wasn’t a day that went by that you didn’t feel guilty about how everything had turned out, and you refused to spend the rest of your life being reminded of something that was out of your control.
Molly and Arthur Weasley,
I know I don’t normally write home, but I have something important to tell the both of you that just can’t wait. I have suspected that I have been a disappointment to this family since my first day here at Hogwarts, and according to Ron’s words my suspicions are correct. It hurts to think that I have ruined the legacy of my own family and not been sorted into what we perceive to be the correct house. Although I’ve also upset everyone with my relationship with the Malfoy’s son, that I won’t apologize for. I refuse to apologize for something that makes me happy, but I will apologize for the mistake that was made by me being sorted into Slytherin instead of Gryffindor like the rest of the family. 
I unfortunately cannot change the past, but I will take it upon myself to change the future and not continue to burden everyone in the family with my presence. I will hopefully be staying with the Malfoy family, but if not then I will find another way. I no longer feel like I am a part of this family, and although I haven’t for a while, being called a disappointment to my face is where I have to draw the line. It doesn’t bring me any pleasure writing this letter. It pains me that I will have to leave my family, because although I care about all of you greatly, I guess that doesn’t go both ways. Any of my things that Ginny can use she can have, but the rest I will give to the twins to sell in order to help them with their plans for the future. I’m sorry I couldn’t be the child you wanted and I’m sorry that things had to turn out the way they did. I will miss all of you greatly, but I understand if you don’t feel the same toward me.
Good wishes always, Y/N Weasley
Your hand shook while you wrote, the words coming out in shaky lines, some tears falling onto the page that made the ink smear. You sniffed and bit your lip to keep yourself from balling all over again, squeezing your eyes shut when Draco placed his hand on your back.
“Don’t touch me.” You whispered softly and shook your head. You were trying too hard to keep it together, but you knew if he tried comforting you you’d only break down again and let it all out. Draco’s hand moved away from you and you let out the breath you were holding. Clearing your throat and wiping your face you stood up, grabbing an envelope you folded the letter silently before slipping it in. You wrote everything you needed down on the front and you turned to Draco. “Come with me?” You asked, your eyes soft showing how much you’d actually been hurting, but your face almost looked as though you hadn’t been crying, the only thing giving you away was your puffy eyes.
Draco nodded and stood up, walking as close to you as you allowed him. All the way to the owlery you would move a bit away anytime Draco brushed against you, walking in silence. You had nothing else to say, wanting to forget about everything with your family, you even went as far as thinking about changing your hair a different color so you wouldn’t resemble any of your family members, but you knew you couldn’t. A small pit formed in your stomach when you watched the owl take off with your letter, but you took a breath and brushed off the feeling, finally grabbing Draco’s hand when you both walked back to the Slytherin common room.
That night Draco had sent an owl home to his mom about your situation, asking if you’d be able to stay and start living with them for the rest of your time at Hogwarts. The following days you’d avoided your siblings like the plague, especially Ron. You were lucky enough to only have one class with your brother, and you both sat on opposite ends of the room. You’d felt his eyes on you during class, but you never looked in his direction, wanting to put as much distance between you and your family that you possibly could. You wanted to get used to them not being in your life anymore, and not living with you anymore. This had been the only time you were happy to be a Slytherin, being in different houses making it easier to not see them. The only time you had to actually see your brother’s were at Quidditch games, and you were glad that those were the only times, knowing you wouldn’t have been able to handle anything more.
Everything had started taking its toll on you, every day you would be mentally exhausted, a heavy weight seeming to hold you down. Draco wasn’t the only one who had noticed this, your entire house could see it, and it only made the rival between the Gryffindor’s and Slytherin’s thicken. Slytherin’s had always stuck by their own through anything and you’d definitely proved how much you belonged in your house over the years, shocking even the people who had thought the hat had messed up your first year.
You were resting against Draco’s side, picking at the food on your plate. You’d lost most of your appetite, usually eating when Draco would be with you, but today had felt different. It had been hard throughout the past few days, and the second you’d gotten up in the morning you felt more exhausted than you ever had before. You smiled softly when Draco started playing with your hair and you finally decided to start eating when you felt your stomach grumble softly. You kept your head on Draco’s chest while you ate, wishing you’d been able to stay in the common room with him instead. Owls started flying overhead but you ignored them, not expecting any mail to come from home since it never did.
“Ronald Weasley!” Your mother’s voice filled the great hall making your head shoot up from your plate. You watched in amazement, your family owl flying over and sitting on you after dropping a letter in your hand. “How dare you speak to your sister that way! I am absolutely disgusted! I want an explanation sent home and an apology to your sister right this instant! If I hear anything from her about you again I’ll have you brought straight home!” Your mother yelled in your brother’s face and your face turned red in embarrassment. The howler turned to the rest of your sibling but you drowned it out, looking down and opening the letter that had been dropped in your hands.
Y/N,
Don’t you even think about leaving. Your father and I care about you dearly, and we do not agree with what your brother has said. We will have a discussion as a family when you all come home for the summer. Let me know if they give you any more trouble.
Love, Mom
You smiled down at the letter in your hand. Although short, it had everything you needed to hear in it. You were pulled out of your thoughts when you heard all the Slytherin’s around you laughing, pulling your attention to the Howler that had barely finished scolding all of your siblings. Ron had been walking across the hall almost in shame, almost every student laughing to themselves at the scene they had just witnessed. You watched anxiously, wondering if he was going to come over and make your mother’s words seem like nothing. The rest of the Slytherin’s watched with you, surely making Ron’s nerves way worse because of all the eyes that had been on him. You’d been surprised to even see the teachers watching the scene before them.
“Y/N listen.” Ron started, rubbing the back of his neck, his face already red. “I’m sorry for being a prat. I was upset and shouldn’t have taken it out on you.” He explained, your attention averting to the sea of red hair that had been making their way over. “We all don’t care that you’re in Slytherin. It’s just weird to us, and we need time to get use-” He continued but you cut him off.
“Five years isn’t enough?” You asked softly, biting the inside of your cheek. You felt overwhelmed, feeling too many things at once made your bottom lip threaten to quiver.
“We don’t mind it.” The twins explained and Ginny agreed next to them. You knew they hadn’t cared, but hearing it seemed to make you feel a bit better. You turned your attention to Ron, waiting for his explanation.
“We used to do everything together, then we came here and separated and I didn’t like it.” Ron explained, shocking you. “I know I should have talked to you about it instead of pushing you away all these years but I never knew how. I just wanted my sister back, but instead I pushed you away and hurt you instead and for that I am sorry. Really.” Ron apologized, making you nod slowly.
“Thank you.” You whispered, looking down at your lap trying to think. “I need time.” You explained looking back up to Ron.
“How much?” He asked hopefully, and you bit back a smile.
“I’d say about five years.” You tried saying seriously, but you and your other siblings ended up laughing at the look on Ron’s face. They turned to walk away and you nodded to Ron, knowing the both of you would most likely talk later that day.
“My mom said you can come stay with us whenever you need to if you still want.” Draco explained breaking the silence, holding a letter you hadn’t noticed before. 
“I don’t think I will just yet.” You smiled, watching your sibling walking back to the Gryffindor table turning and kissing Draco’s cheek softly.
———————————–
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hb-writes · 4 years
Text
For Old and Young Alike - Pt. 2
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{Part 1}
Summary: 1913 in the Little Lady Blinder universe. Clara has saved up for the perfect Christmas gift for her family and it’s almost time to show it to them. She’s just got to fetch the gift and wake everyone for the Shelby family Christmas breakfast first. 
Inspired by this anon request: What about a little blurb set around Christmas time when Clara is younger maybe just before the boys go off to war, she has been saving her pocket money for ages to buy all her siblings and polly a little gift and she’s so excited to give them to her family x
Featuring: Tommy Shelby, Ada Shelby, Finn Shelby, Polly Gray, John Shelby, Martha Shelby, Arthur Shelby, Charlie Strong, Clara Shelby
-----
When Clara rose from the bed she shared with Finn, it was still much too early, the sun not yet up and the house very much silent. She checked on her siblings and aunt, listening outside of Ada's and Tommy's and Polly's rooms for telltale signs of their slumber, deep even breaths heard through each of the closed doors.
She couldn't stop herself from admiring the tree as she came down the steps, the few gifts there under the lowest branches visible even in the rather dim light meaning Father Christmas had already been to number six. Clara didn't linger there on the steps long, far more focused on the gift she'd purchased for the others than any of the boxes sitting beneath the tree.
The gift had been wrapped and labeled and hidden with Freddie's help, stowed high and away from prying curious eyes. It hadn't crossed Clara or Freddie's minds that she'd need someone similarly tall in order to get the package down when the time came.
Clara was smart enough to know she'd not be able to get it on her own, not with the help of a stool and not by standing on the tips of her toes. She'd need the tallest person available and that person, her older brother Thomas, was peacefully asleep in his bed.
Tommy usually woke early on Christmas mornings. At one time it was him and Arthur doing the early rousing, then John and Ada when he'd become too old to show excitement over such things, and for the last few years, it had been the twins waking him, the babies synchronizing their pounces to cause the most surprise, taking precious care to knock the most wind out from their unsuspecting older siblings' chests.
He wasn't used to hushed whispers stirring him, warm breath surrounding his ear as a light pressure weighed on his right shoulder, and it confused him in his half-asleep state. Tommy snaked his arm around his sister, recognizing the presence of Clara even if he hadn't heard her little voice coaxing him along. Tommy shifted closer to the wall, pulling her under the covers, eyes still closed.
"It's alright, my girl," he said, vaguely stroking his hand through her hair. "Just a dream. Go back to sleep."
Clara didn't correct him settling under the warmth of the blanket for a cuddle even though she had her own agenda, waiting there long enough for Tommy's breath to even out, his chest heaving in a steady rhythm beneath her.
"Tommy?" she whispered once he'd begun to snore a bit.
Met with silence, Clara pushed his eyelid up with a single finger, the gesture gentle but intrusive all the same. "Wake up, Tommy."
"Clara," Tommy groaned, swatting her finger away and using the arm wrapped around her to hold Clara and her wandering arms against him. "It's not time," he mumbled. "Father Christmas hasn't—"
"But he already came, Tommy," Clara said, struggling against him. "And I—"
Tommy inhaled deeply, trying his best to hold his sister's belligerent little body still. Tommy knew Father Christmas had already come to the Shelby home. He'd come no more than a few hours earlier, just at the moment when Tommy had gotten home from the Christmas Eve dinner at Greta's, dropping the gifts under the tree after checking that the twins and Ada were asleep, or at least pretending to be asleep, in their beds. He was grateful that Polly had done the wrapping, stowing the handful of packages in the shop after they'd put the twins to sleep.
Really, Tommy shouldn't have been surprised his sister was awake this early being as they'd finished reading the final chapter of A Christmas Carol around seven, just before he'd been due to Greta's. He couldn't imagine Polly had let them stay up much beyond that.
"And if you don't go back to sleep, he'll come back and gather up anything he's left."
"No, he won't," Clara answered, "and he can't come back as I haven't been naughty."
"You're being naughty waking me up so early," Tommy mumbled, "and naughty little kids get coal for Christmas."
"I'm not naughty. I just need your help."
Tommy shushed her again, repositioning them both and pulling the blankets up as he held her to his chest. "Go back to sleep."
She ignored his words, pushing her arms up against his chest, trying to get out of his hold. "And not helping those in need is very naughty, Tommy, maybe even a sin."
Tommy snorted now, almost properly awake at his sister's words, a phrase he suspected to be transplanted from their aunt's mouth straight into Clara's. "I wouldn't want to be a sinner on Christmas, now would I?"
"I would expect not, Thomas. You'll get coal."
Tommy released Clara's arms, reaching for the pocket watch discarded on the nightstand. "And you need this help from me… right now?"
It was about half-past four in the morning and Tommy dropped the piece of metal to the bedside table as he wrapped his arm around her once again. If Tommy had his way, they'd both rest a bit longer and he'd help her with whatever it was she needed closer to six, or even better, at seven. He'd not sleep any later than that, even without the twins' traditional Christmas morning wake up call.
"Please, Tommy?"
Tommy shushed her again, wrapping the arm around her once more. "How about we get a bit more sleep and I—"
"But, it's Christmas. Please, Taaaa…mmy?" she said, drawing out the first syllable, pouting and wide-eyed though Tommy's head still tilted back against the pillow and he saw nothing but the inside of his eyelids.
That long opening syllable, the Taaaa he'd not heard with any regularity for a few years, his name usually so rushed as it came from her lips, the pieces of it mushed together as she uttered it only as a hasty introduction or conclusion to whatever she wished to tell him, the other content more significant than whatever sound she whirled at him to gain his attention.
The reappearance, whether she'd done it purposefully or not, pulled at something in him and Tommy released his sister, opening his eyes as he looked to her.
"You're a little devil, Clara Shelby."
"I am not!"
"You are and you don't even know it, which makes it all the worse."
-----
Tommy looked up to where Clara pointed, to the brown paper package on the very top of the cabinet, hidden just behind the decorative edge. It'd been there for weeks now but he hadn't noticed it.
"You pulled me out of bed for this?" he asked as he pulled it down. "What is it?"
"A surprise," Clara answered, pulling the box from his hands as it came within her reach and holding it to her chest.
"Alright," Tommy answered, rubbing his eyes. "We'll put it under the tree then, eh? Open it in a few hours? Give us all the gift of a bit more rest?"
Clara nodded as she took a step away from him, stopping suddenly at a lone creak on the stairs.
"Father Christmas come yet?"
Ada yawned, wrapped up in a robe, her hand clasped around Finn's as the pair tentatively traversed the stairs.
"Finn wants to know," Ada offered to Tommy's raised eyebrow. "I'd have liked that gift of a few more hours you've just mentioned."
"I imagine you would," Tommy said. "What time did you get in last night, Ada?"
"Not very late," she answered. She'd been back before Tommy, just barely, though. He'd seen light in her bedroom window from out on the lane. "Not that it's your business what time I get in."
"And where were you 'not very late' last night?"
"Molly's," Ada answered. "Though, again, not really your business."
Tommy sighed. He'd hoped to simply get his sister back to bed for a few more hours, or at the very least, he hoped she'd allow him a bit of rest on the couch. He'd planned to ask after Ada's whereabouts later, without quite so big and impressionable of an audience. He knew she hadn't spent the whole night with Molly Evans.
"So did he come, then, Tommy?" Finn asked.
"He did," Clara said to Finn, "and he left us presents and drank all the whiskey."
"Big surprise there," Ada said.
Tommy rubbed his face once again, willing his body to accept that sleep was something long behind him, willing his body to not punish him too much for drinking Father Christmas's glass of whiskey and then some.
"We best wake John and Arthur if we're doing this now."
"And Aunt Polly?" Clara asked, already on the second step.
Tommy lifted her into his arms. "Let Finn go wake Aunt Polly. You help me with our brothers. Ada can put the kettle on," Tommy said. "I'd tell you to start with breakfast, but we don't want to burn the place down, eh?"
Ada scoffed. "It was one bloody time, Tommy. It was just a bit of smoke."
He raised an eyebrow as he glanced at the twins, both of them starting to giggle.
"Well, go on, then. I don't need an audience to make tea, especially not if it's the three of you."
"Why's she so cross on Christmas morning?" Finn asked.
"Perhaps because someone woke her up before five."
"But you're not cross and I woke you up," Clara answered.
"Yeah, well, I imagine you were a bit gentler than Finn," Tommy said. "And we know how our Ada needs her beauty rest, makes her lovely inside and out."
"Shut it, Thomas," Ada answered. "And make sure to wrap yourselves up in something. It's chilly out."
Tommy pulled a blanket off the back of the couch, wrapping them both. "Good enough for your standards, Mother Ada?"
She stepped forward, wrapping the blanket a bit tighter around her sister, tucking the fabric under her chin. "If either of you catches your death of cold out there—"
"We won't, Mother Ada," Clara said, mimicking Tommy's overdone inflection as she spoke her sister's name. "We're just going down the lane."
Ada rolled her eyes, shouting at them. "Fine! Go off and catch your colds, then!"
"See, my girl, that's why you're coming with me. You won't wake up half the lane shouting like our sister."
"Shut up, Thomas!" Ada said as she stepped through to the kitchen.
"Ada, you're not supposed—"
"Oh, come off it, Clara. Our brother deserves to be told to shut his mouth every now and then. Maybe if you said it, he'd listen."
"Now, Ada, don't go poisoning my Clara against—"
"Me? Me? You think I'm poisoning your Clara against you?"
"I won't give a second thought to poisoning the lot of you if you don't stop with all your shouting," Polly said as she came down the stairs, guiding Finn in front of her.
"I wasn't shouting," Finn said.
"I wasn't shouting either," Clara echoed.
"Yes, I know, my loves," Polly said, shifting her eyes from the twins to her other niece and nephew as she sharpened her tone. "You would never cause such trouble on Christmas morning."
Polly gave each of the twins a kiss on the cheek, offering them both a "Merry Christmas" and a smile before giving Tommy a peck on the cheek as well.
"Merry Christmas, Polly," Tommy said, beating her to the sentiment.
"Keep your sister under that blanket. Wouldn't want her to catch her death of—"
Clara and Finn both started giggling once again at Tommy's raised eyebrow, the three of them stopping suddenly as Polly cleared her throat.
"See." Ada threw her hands in the air. "Just as I've said. Tommy's always poisoning the twins against—"
"Calm down, Ada. Your brother's only doing it to rile you up. And you're only making it worse for yourself by letting him."
Ada huffed. "Unbelievable, the lot of you," she said, storming out of the room.
"Can we do breakfast first?" Finn asked, tugging on Polly's robe. "Then the presents?"
Polly opened her mouth to answer, cut off by the cursing and sound of crashing pots and pans one room over. This time Polly raised an eyebrow, smirking as the kids and Tommy chuckled.
"You alright in there, love?" Polly asked
"Fine, Polly," Ada answered. "And shut up, Tommy!"
"I didn't say anything, Ada."
"But you were thinking something or making a face or…just shut up and go get the boys."
-----
Clara snuggled against Tommy's chest, the two of them working together to hold the blanket up against the chilly air out on the lane.
Tommy directed them to John's house first, unsurprised when the door fell open with just a gentle push. They never locked up, Martha and John possessing something, perhaps an ill-placed bit of courage or comfort or stupidity that allowed them to feel protected within their four thin walls, only a barely competent door latch between them and the rest of Small Heath.
Clara released a small squeak as Tommy turned around to shut the door behind them, struggling to get out of his arms when she spotted Martha and the baby in a chair by the fire.
"Oh," Tommy said as he turned to them, allowing Clara out of his arms, her socked feet closing the distance to Martha and the baby in a few seconds. "Morning, Martha."
"I'd ask if you want to come in, but as you already have, maybe you'd still allow me to offer you a seat before you sit?"
Martha eyed Tommy for a moment before looking down at Clara, her little finger already clasped by the cooing baby.
"We didn't want to wake you," Tommy said. "Was planning to have Clara tiptoe in to steal John and the kids and let you sleep."
As little sleep as John got, they all knew Martha got even less, responding to most of the late-night and early morning calls of their babies before John even stirred.
"So you two decided to break in quietly, then?" Martha asked. "Sounds like a good way to get yourselves shot. You know he keeps a gun under his pillow."
"Where's Sarah?" Clara asked.
"Asleep with your brother. We can go wake the lazy lump if Uncle Tommy will take Joseph for a moment."
Tommy accepted the bundle of blankets into his arms, more adept and comfortable with an infant than most people would expect. He settled into the vacated chair as Martha took Clara's hand and led her up the stairs.
Martha stepped into the room first and pulled two things from the bed, the gun beneath John's pillow, which she stowed in the drawer of the nightstand, and then the sleeping toddler pulled from the spot between John and the wall. John stretched out the moment Sarah was pulled from the bed, subconsciously unraveling to occupy the space now vacated.
Martha gestured for Clara to have at it, the woman's smile further encouraging the excitement that had already budded in Clara on the way up the stairs.
Clara's words, her alarm bell greeting, shocked John's system, his hand going under the pillow in search of the missing gun before she'd even properly gotten the second syllable of 'merry' out from between her lips. Clara ran from across the room and landed with a grunt followed by bright giggles as she collided with his chest.
"Wake up, John. It's Christmas," she said between laughs.
John's heart was beating so fast and hard it took him a moment to recuperate, just lying there with his wife and sister giggling, his daughter waking to the noise, her laughter joining the chorus.
"Christmas, is it?" he said, glancing through the window to the dark street. "It's still Christmas Eve, I think."
"No, John, it's Christmas," Clara answered.
"Must be pretty fucking early, then."
Martha scolded him and John sat up, Clara sliding off his chest to sit in his lap.
"Tommy and I broke in to wake you up."
"Broke in?" John asked, glancing up to his wife for confirmation.
"Your brother," Martha said. "He never fucking knocks. Just lets himself in like he owns the place."
John raised an eyebrow at the language he'd just been corrected for and Martha rolled her eyes. "I suppose your sister has already learned it. Sarah, too. We'll try better with Joseph."
John smirked. "Clara learned it around Sarah's age. Imagine this sweet little thing sat right there at the breakfast table demanding more fucking eggs. Gave Aunt Pol quite a shock to the heart the first time she heard her say it, eh Clara?"
"I don't remember," Clara answered.
"I suppose you wouldn't," John said, depositing his sister on the covers as he pushed himself out of bed and began pulling on the rest of his clothes. "Has Pol started breakfast yet?"
-----
When their fourth set of knocks went unanswered, Tommy shifted Clara to his opposite hip and fished the key to number 57 Watery Lane out of his pocket.
The first floor was dark and silent, and Tommy kicked an empty whiskey bottle out of the way as he carried Clara towards the stairs. Clara wiggled out of the blanket and Tommy's arms and he set her down on the top step, Arthur's bedroom door angled open to reveal a heap of blankets on top of the bed.
Clara intended the same wake-up for Arthur as she'd given to John and prepared to launch herself on top of him, but Tommy caught her under the arms, pulling her back up to his hip as he spotted a delicately arched foot slip from under the mound of covers.
"Hey!" Clara attempted a whisper, but it still came out as a shout. "Put me—"
"Shush, love. It's still early," Arthur mumbled, assuming the noise came from the bed beside him. "Give me another hour of sleep and I'll give you—"
Tommy cleared his throat. "Merry Christmas, Arthur."
It startled him and the bed quickly became a mess of limbs and blankets as Arthur and the woman he'd brought home began to thrash about.
"Who's your friend, Arthur?" Tommy asked, nodding towards the woman hiding behind his shoulder.
Arthur stammered, reaching down to grab his shirt and pants off the floor and pulling them on beneath the covers.
"Ah, is that Eva?" Tommy asked. "Merry Christmas, Eva."
"Merry Christmas, Tommy," the young woman answered tentatively, pulling the covers closer around her as Arthur got off the bed.
Clara leaned forward in Tommy's arms, extending her hand. "Merry Christmas. I'm Clara Shelby."
Eva bit back a giggle, the embarrassment of the moment slipping away as the little girl looked at her expectantly, not a bit phased by finding a girl in her brother's bed. Eva pulled a hand out from beneath the covers and shook Clara's hand. "Merry Christmas, Clara."
"Are you coming to Christmas?" Clara asked, settling back against Tommy's chest.
"Oh, um…"
"Go on. Get yourself dressed," Arthur said, gathering up her things and tossing them onto the bed. "You're welcome at breakfast. The baby has spoken."
"No, no, that's alright. I've got my own family to get home to."
Arthur turned to his siblings. "Has Aunt Pol started breakfast yet?"
Tommy nodded. "C'mon, Eva. You haven't lived 'til you've had a Shelby family Christmas breakfast. If you thought Arthur could drink, you should see him eat."
"There's biscuits," Clara added. "Biscuits and candies for breakfast!"
"And everything else you could imagine," Arthur added.
"No, it's really alright. My sister's expecting me," Eva said.
"Tillie's expecting you at five in the morning?" Tommy asked.
Tommy knew the sisters. He couldn't imagine Tillie was home yet either.
"Well, I might sleep a bit more and then go over," she answered.
"Suit yourself," Arthur answered, kissing the girl before turning. "Lock up for me when you leave, alright, sweetheart?"
"Sure, Arthur."
Arthur pulled Clara from Tommy's arms, kissing her cheek as they stepped out of his room. "Merry Christmas, love. A bit early this year, eh?"
"It's Finn's fault," Clara said. "He woke Ada."
"Yeah, and you woke me thirty minutes before that," Tommy added, the three of them making their way out onto the lane.
"But we were gonna wait."
Tommy nodded. "I suppose you and Finn'll be taking naps this afternoon, being up so early."
"No naps, Tommy! It's Christmas." Clara turned in Arthur's arms twisting both ways to meet each of the boys' eyes. "Tell him, Arthur!"
Arthur laughed. "I may be taking a nap, myself, love. You two wake John yet?"
Tommy gestured ahead of them to where Martha, John, and the babies were making their way down the street towards number six.
"Let's wake Charlie, too, eh?" Arthur asked, stepping over and banging hard on Charlie's door until the upstairs window opened.
"Christ, Arthur. It's five in the fucking morning. People are sleeping."
"Merry Christmas, Charlie," Arthur said.
"It's time for Christmas, Uncle Charlie!" Clara said, smiling up at him.
Charlie sighed, rolling his eyes. "Did your aunt start breakfast, then?"
The boys and Clara nodded and Charlie shut the window without another word, appearing moments later beside them on the sidewalk. There was nothing quite like the Shelby family Christmas Breakfast.
-----
Read more Little Lady Blinder here.
{Part 3}
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hetalia-reacts · 3 years
Note
Hi, I'm new to the hetalia fandom. And I was wondering can you do soft platonic Yandere Allies and/ or Axis that just discovered a new colony ( I recently just watched Kolkol's video about how countries are born as babies ). So what is the Allies going to do when they find the new baby ( their a tiny newborn btw ) country peacefully sleeping in a pretty flower field. And when the new country wakes up, they start squealing happily and star reaching out to them with a cute gummy smile. Now the countries has new baby sister.
I like this idea~ Also welcome to the fandom! I’m an old fan back from the dead for season 7 ^^
America
Alfred was kind of lost at first when he saw a literal baby laying in a field of flowers
I mean even as a yandere he would never do something like leave a child to die
This is about when he realizes that maybe the kid wasn’t actually a human child, but the new colony he’s heard about
It’s 100% likely that Alfred has never seen a baby country before, not a newborn and not a chibi one either
The closest he’s seen to a baby country was probably Sealand
Alfred was about to pick up the kid and pawn them off to someone else because he’s got important things to do, but they opened their eyes and looked right at him
And then the kid smiled?? Reaching out for him??
You could literally hear his psyche snap
Alfred decides then and there that no one would be getting a hold of this kid other than him
He really changes more than he ever has when he has his yandere moments
Alfred become exactly what this kid needs, a responsible big brother that protects and teaches them, and by god does he do his job
This child will never know sadness, yes even if Alfred is a yandere and has his more violent moments where he basically barricades the child inside he could never truly hurt them
No one will ever lay a hand on them without facing the consequences
I also suspect that because this child is well, a baby, and will never be a love interest to him, Alfred will allow the child to leave and be somewhat free once they get older and can care for themselves
His condition though is that they have to call him and visit him every so often and tell him everything, even about the guy that bumped into them without apologizing 2 weeks ago
Canada
Matthew is very confused at first
I mean what kind of monster leaves a defenseless newborn out in a field of flowers?
It’s only when he sees the child does he realize they aren’t human but in fact the new colony that was near Canada
He never planned to not raise this child, I mean it was near him and he’d be damned if he was letting Alfred care for this baby instead
However, the baby finally opened its eyes and immediately started smiling and laughing at him, even trying to grab onto him
Matthew kind of gets a dark aura around him, if anyone were to have seen him at this moment they probably wouldn’t even recognize him
It’s at this moment he decides to be this baby’s big brother forever, to protect them, to keep them away from war and everything else that could hurt them even at his own expense
Matthew doesn’t change much, he’s already very responsible and he knows the basic baby care
But his attitude is different around others now
Unlike Alfred who would keep the baby away from others Matthew will at the very least show them to those he trusts, so France or Cuba, maybe even England too
He wouldn’t hesitate to snatch them up or even yell at whoever is holding them too long or making them cry
Matthew won’t let the child go far once they grow up
They may not have to live with him, but they aren’t going to leave for their country by themselves or live in a completely different province than him
He just has to protect the baby, even when they aren’t a baby anymore,
he will even lose his polite Canadian facade to protect them
England
This isn’t Arthur’s first rodeo
he knows from the moment he sees the baby in the flowers what happened and what it means
And what it means is that he’s a big brother again
Already without even getting close to the baby does he decide to kill anyone who would dare hurt them or take them away
But when he does get closer and they wake up giggling and reaching for him
Oh boy is he all the more smitten and determined now
The baby will likely never see anyone other than him or ever even learn about anyone other than him and themselves
Arthur is afraid they’ll choose someone over him and leave him all alone again
so he just refuses to tell them anything other than the edited version of British history and the baby’s history
He will fight and destroy anyone who comes to see the baby or tries to tell him he’s acting insane
He just doesn’t buy it, this is normal big brother behavior, it’s his duty to protect and shield them from the world
As stated before the baby will likely know nothing other than him when they grow up, they won’t be allowed to leave either
He’ll make up any excuse to keep them inside
Kind of like a Tangled situation where he tells scary stories of the outside to make them fear ever leaving his house or its perimeters
France
Just like Arthur, he knew the second he saw the child that it was no ordinary human baby
Francis was going to take care of them regardless of what or who the baby was
He was content and already falling in love with the baby while it was peacefully sleeping
But then they opened their eyes and squealed in happiness at seeing him!!
Francis’ yandere side becomes more apparent after this point
He’s also one of the few who would raise the baby to call him papa or dad, while he likes being big brother he feels it’s different in this situation since he’s going to raise them from their newborn state
The baby will only see people Francis approves of, people he knows won’t steal the baby away from him or convince him he wasn’t stable enough to raise them
So Canada, Monaco, and Seychelles
England will never even know of the child, Francis can’t trust that he won’t try and fight him for the baby
He will tell the baby everything, the child will grow up knowing the world, but Francis twists some things to boost himself and his history up so that his child will always hold him in high regards
The baby will never lift a finger growing up, Francis will do everything for them
Clothes, accessories, decor, entertainment, food, pets, anything the child asked for would be placed at their feet
That’s kind of Francis’ plot to keep the child with him forever
They won’t want to leave and live on their own if they don’t know how to do anything without him
But he would let them leave if they really wanted to, they would have to live close by though
He needs to come and visit them as often as he wants and possibly figure out who he needs to get rid of if his baby ever gets hurt
Russia
While I don’t think Ivan has had any experience seeing or raising a newborn nation he knows what the baby is
He’s concerned though, this child is a new colony more than likely near his home, so it must be freezing out here for the little thing
He feels for it, his yandere side is angry and protective for the small baby, how could Mother Nature just birth them in such a cold and unforgiving place
He plans to keep the baby after holding them, he becomes attached just like that, I mean they were so cute sleeping like that totally unaware of everything
Ah but then they open their eyes and reach out for him, laughing and happy to see him
His crueler side agrees that anyone and everyone must suffer if they attempt to steal his little sunshine away
Even Belarus won’t scare him anymore when it comes to his new little sibling
Since Russia is known to not have friends no one will be seeing the baby, and Belarus might catch a glimpse but will otherwise not be allowed to ever interact with them
Lithuania might be the only one allowed to ever see the baby actually, Ivan likes him the most and if he were to come over he would allow Lithuania the honor of meeting and even holding you
He just better be careful
Ivan will protect them from everyone, even his own sisters
The baby won’t grow up knowing anything about the world other than it is cruel and unforgiving to people like them
Ivan will make sure that the child depends on him and him alone as a provider and protector
He won’t let them leave his house, the baby, the colony, their people, it’s his, and he promises to take good care of them
Everyone who gets close to the child will ultimately disappear if they seem to begin liking them more than Ivan, and no one is allowed to be a big brother or even sister other than himself
China
Yao of course knows a baby country when he sees one
This was the perfect spot, after all, a nice flowery field with no human town or village nearby
Perfect for nurturing a newborn country and also incredibly unlikely that it was a living human newborn
When he gets close enough to see them fully his yandere possessive side is already going crazy, he wants to protect them and be their big brother more than he wants to breathe
And it doesn’t help any when they finally wake up from sleeping and excitedly reach for him
Yao feels so loved at that moment
He decides only a few will see the new baby, Japan, Vietnam, and maybe South Korea
These are people that probably won’t do much to stop him from raising and being possessive over the baby
Japan and Vietnam surely won’t start a war to stop him and he won’t mind any rude comments they may make towards him since he will just cut them off from his life and South Korea wants his approval so if anything he’d support Yao’s decision
The baby will grow up sheltered, only hearing the good things about China and Chinese history
he will teach them very little about other Asian cultures and probably nothing of Western cultures
The only exception was if their culture was considered Western, then he would teach only their western culture to them that approved of
The baby was also never going to get the option to leave
Yao will raise them so they can be strong when he isn’t there but he won’t raise them to be completely independent
Surprisingly though, he would let them live on their own, even in their own country, when the time comes, but they will never truly be free
they will always be a part of China and he will make sure of it
Germany
Ludwig is also very clueless as to what the baby is
I mean, obviously a baby, but it’s strange how someone left them here considering it was quite a ways away from the nearest town and this baby didn’t look old enough to be more than a few days old
He will eventually realize that they were a colony that popped up near Germany
This is where his possessiveness starts, they were his colony in his mind and he was going to be their big brother
Ludwig gets really hooked however when they open their eyes from sleeping and make such cute happy noises he can’t help but become scarily possessive and protective over them
No one but a few of the other Germanic countries will see the child
Prussia is a given, though Ludwig is not afraid to threaten, reprimand, or cut him off for anything dangerous or harmful he may do to the baby
And Austria and Hungary will see his new sibling, though he will be keeping a close eye on Hungary as she is the biggest threat to taking them away from him
The baby will grow up cared for and knowledgeable but will follow a strict way of life
They aren’t to mock him or others, they must exercise and train, they must study history and learn about the past both their own and others, Ludwig values intelligence and strength and wishes them onto his sibling
He will not tolerate anyone messing with them however, even if they become strong or stronger than him he will always protect them in the long run since he doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty for revenge
Ludwig would let the child leave when they got older, out of everyone he is the least possessive when they grow up
His yandere tendencies seem to have only been strongly attached to baby them and while he would certainly destroy anyone who messed with them, he isn’t as possessive as he used to be, just protective now
Italy
Feliciano knows what that little baby in the flower field is
I mean, he was once one and Grandpa Rome often told him about when he found him and his older brother
He wasn’t sure if he could raise the baby though
He knows he isn’t super strong, not the best role model sometimes too, so he planned to see if someone like Austria or Spain would want to raise them
That all changed when they opened their eyes and immediately reached out for him in happiness
His more possessive yandere self couldn’t help but get immediately enamored by their charm
Since Feliciano got attached and he’s yandere, he becomes stingy with the baby
No one gets to see them, not Austria, Hungary, especially not Germany, Japan, or even Romano would be allowed to see the baby
Feliciano feels like they would outshine him, if he allowed the baby to look at them and see how much more capable they were he knew they wouldn’t stay with him
Because while he could and will kill for the child, he can’t fight fairly or intimidate anyone like the others could
He would teach them everything about Italy though! And of course their own culture too
But he would leave out everything else and always avoid teaching them about anyone else
The child would also be spoiled, Feliciano is similar to Francis in that aspect
He just wants them to be happy and to rely on him
They probably would never get to leave his house though, he really is stingy and really good at manipulating them into staying
Feliciano just really wants to be depended on for as long as he can get them too
Japan
Kiku knew what this child was
I mean, they obviously weren’t a human as they surely would’ve died at this point or even be crying hysterically for help
He had no plans to raise them, yandere or not, he’s still not the fondest of touch and them being a child didn’t help as they would not understand the concept of personal space or not wanting to be touched
So he was about ready to phone China or even Germany for help
But before he could do anything the baby woke up, smiling and cooing at him as if they were waiting for him and loved him already
You can hear his last shred of non-yandere sanity and rationality snap
He immediately becomes protective of them
They would be his little colony, he would take care of them and their people and he would make sure there was never any problems
No one would see them and they would never be allowed to make human friends either
He would isolate them from everyone, even to the point where he ruins his own progress of coming out of his shell just so they can isolate themselves together
He will make sure the child comes to know the world as a lovely and beautiful place, but one that they should never see without him
His sibling becomes spoiled, but unlike Italy and France, the child isn’t going to be waited on or just simply given everything
They will be spoiled by everything they could ever want but it’s only if they behave
No mentioning leaving or visiting places unless he brought it up and they must be respectful
Kiku will not be the big brother or someone who doesn’t know at the very least basic manners and respect
The child won’t be leaving when they grow up either, if anything Kiku would’ve successfully discouraged them from wanting to be social and molded them into basically a mini him
Romano
Lovino unlike Feliciano probably did not ever get told how he came to be or what a newborn colony/country looks like
So he definitely thinks someone just left a human baby in some flowers
Eventually, it will click that hey, a new colony appeared, a baby in a flower patch far away from any humans but relatively close to Southern Italy, ah it’s a baby country
Lovino most definitely won’t want the baby at first, he’s got some...other...priorities and some issues
He wants to call Spain asap and get the kid somewhere relatively safe
But as he’s walking away with the kid it opens its eyes and reaches out for him happily squealing
Any rationality Lovino may have had is gone now, everything his yandere side craves, love, affection, dependency, it’s all this child could give him by being his little sibling
As seen, he wants to be praised by his brother so this baby is like his second chance, his saving grace to be successful and a hero in someone’s eyes
Because of this the child will never meet anyone, he can’t afford for them to meet Feliciano or Spain because he knows deep down they would certainly like them more than him
Lovino will teach them about Southern Italy, about their culture, and maybe even about some Northern Italian and Spanish culture and traditions but under the guise that it was actually his
He won’t want this child to know anything but him and his house, no friends, no family other than him, he would make the child a recluse
He’s not necessarily the nicest sometimes, he’s prone to aggravate easily and he hates when they mention outside or seeing other people so sometimes he can come off as a little mean
But he always apologizes to them and makes it up to them since he wants them to be happy and to love him
The child won’t be allowed to be independent and leave, Lovino really will do anything to keep them together because he really doesn’t want to lose them or their love
Prussia
Gilbert is old let’s face it, he knows a newborn country when he sees one
I mean he’s likely helped raise a lot of Germanic countries and states before so this is nothing new
He obviously wants to be the baby’s new older brother, he doesn’t need any more convincing or thinking on that matter
It’s just when the baby did wake up and start squealing and reaching out for him, Gilbert realizes this won’t be the same as raising Germany
He can instantly feel the deep connection, the deep need to protect and shelter them for the rest of time
The possessiveness to not let anyone see the baby or take their attention away from him is immense
So that’s what he does
He stops relying on Germany, moves out, and forbids anyone and everyone from ever entering or coming to his home
He can't afford for this child to meet anyone else, he knows he’s no one’s favorite in the end and they would pick someone else
He knows this baby would choose Germany, Austria, or Hungary over him in a heartbeat so he won’t give them the chance
He teaches the child about Prussian history only, he wants his new sibling to be raised on his same values and culture
He wants them to feel a kinship with him and him alone
He will also isolate them from everyone since no one is coming and he would never let them anyways
he puts his own mind at ease by telling them scary stories about war, wars like he’s been in so that they will never have the urge to go out and think he is undefeatable and strong
Prussia, along with Russia, is another very big one that would very much destroy even another country if they tried to mess with his new sibling and/or steal them away
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realcube · 4 years
Text
karasuno boys spending christmas with you 🎄
;tw// christmas (?), santa ig, extreme fluff, shoplifting, underage drinking, violence, ennoshita, kinoshita and narita exclusion 😞
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(a/n): ik the gif isn’t hq but look how cute it is (○` 3′○). also i’m aware that i wrote a rather western-washed version of Christmas (despite the characters in question not being western) but as someone of an asian ethnicity, imo western traditions surrounding Christmas are a lot more..festive (?) which i hope that isn’t offensive considering that Christmas was popularised by the west. so, in short, sorry the traditions aren’t those that are celebrated in japan (or asia) but i just found it i had a lot more inspiration to write it this way. :) perhaps i’ll make a part 2 with aoba johsai or nekoma celebrating Christmas with japanese traditions
Shōyō Hinata
you spend christmas at his house bc he wants to be with his sister on the day
and any sibling that you live with, he insists that they stay over too 
but if you don’t have any younger siblings then y’all just spend the whole day spoiling natsu
hinata absolutely adores how well you get on with his sister, it just makes him so happy seeing his two favourite people having fun together 
although, it did make him a bitter when he asked natsu if she likes the doll he bought her and she said,
“Yeah, thank you. But look at the Furby (L/N) got me! It’s pink and so fluffy, feel it! And it talks, it’s eyes move and-” Then she continues to rave on about how amazing your gift was.
honestly, y’all spend the whole day pampering natsu; making sure she has the best christmas possible
y’all made gingerbread cookies with her, helped her built a snowman (or rather, a snowwoman because she insisted that it was a lady), snowangels, opening presents, christmas crackers, watching movies - the whole shabang.
probably the only time in the day were she was sad was at 10PM when hinata insisted that she goes to bed
natsu looked at you to back her up in her argument that she should be allowed to stay up late on christmas but you kinda just stood there like 🧍‍♀️/🧍‍♂️
not wanting to get involved in their family drama (unproblematic liege 😍😩)
eventually though, natsu did go to bed and as soon as she was sound asleep, you and hinata spent the night cuddling while watching more christmas movies as you were both too tired to do anything else
you ended up falling asleep in his arms and it was a christmas miracle that his arm didn’t get pins and needles like it usually did while cuddling for a long period of time
Tobio Kageyama 
i’m a firm believer that he doesn’t celebrate christmas
not that he doesn’t like the concept, it’s just doesn’t understand the hype
plus - other than going to nationals - there isn’t much he wants and from what he knows, santa can’t make that happen
but as soon as you come over to his house on christmas day with a tub filled with cookies shaped and decorated like volleyballs, suddenly christmas is his favourite holiday
he invites you inside to eat the cookies with him and you notice that he’s watching a volleyball match on the TV
you giggle at how passionate he is about about the sport and offer to cast a Christmas movie from your phone onto the TV
he says yes since this is probably the 10th time he’s rewatched the same match 
you scroll through the list of christmas movies available on Netflix, “Wanna watch Arthur Christmas?”
“No.”
“How about the Grinch?”
“Eh, no.”
“Ooh! What about the Nativity? I love that movie-”
“No thanks.”
So you ended up watching Frozen and Frozen 2 (on a different streaming site) because Kageyama didn’t like any of the Christmas movies available on Netflix
You figured that Frozen kinda counted as a Christmas movie because..there was snow :) 
anyway, you already knew Kageyama tolerated Disney Movies so Frozen was your best bet
and as it turns out, he was oddly engaged by the movie which gave you an opening to slip into his arms, stifling an evil snicker the whole time
as we all know, when Kageyama is into something he is into it.
so whenever the climax of the movie comes up (or any part with high suspense) you feel him squeeze you slightly and tense up 
AND IT IS THE MOST ADORABLE THING PERIODT 🥺😩
so yeah your christmas with him is not overly Praise The Lord but it very fun and cute since it mostly consists of Disney movies
(also Barbie: A Christmas Carol because it gave you both overwhelming nostalgia since he has a big sister who i now headcanon to be a barbie movie addict ✋)
Kei Tsukishima 
the biggest grinch™
mostly bc every year he drops hints to both his mum and brother that he wants new headphones but every year he still gets a snowglobe from his mum and something dinosaur related from his brother
even though his brother is aware that he is ‘too old for that shit’ now 
but Akiteru just loves seeing his brother’s pissed off face whenever he opens his gift (which is a similar size to a headphones box) to find something like a Jurassic Park Lego set
anyway, backstory over - in short, Tsukishima very much dislikes Christmas
So when you appear at his door with a gift, he slams the door closed
“Tsukishima!” You roar as that was quite rude - even for Tsukishima - since it was snowing and you were clearly freezing, “Let me in! I’m freezing my tits off out here!”
Eventually, he did let you in and gave you a hot chocolate as an apology but as soon as you tried to hand him the give, he refused to take it
“No.”
“Why not?” You whined, clearly upset that he wouldn’t take the gift you went through so much effort to get your hands on.
“Because I didn’t get you anything.”
You rolled your eyes, “You got me this hot chocolate - now, take it. It’s seriously not much.”
Upon eyeing the wrapped box in your hand, he realised it was about 9x9″ - the same size as the tub you usually deliver food in, meaning that the gift was probably some sweet treats
“Alright.” He sighed, accepting he gift as he figured that he could easily pay you back by making Christmas cookies with you or something
He hummed, delicately unwrapping the gift and his heart skipped a beat as he noticed the present inside was in a black box rather than a clear tub which you normally gave homemade treats in
nevertheless, he persevered in unwrapping the box 
when he finally finished, his heart dropped yet he couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed with joy
“Wireless headphones.” He muttered to himself, doing everything in his power to resist the smile tugging on the corner of his lips but it was challenging, to say the least
“Yeah!” You chirped, “Don’t worry about the price though, I got them on a Black Friday sale.” You lied, aware that it was usually considered rude to talk about the price of a gift you’ve given but knowing if you didn’t say anything, Tsukishima would assume you paid full price (which you did smh) and immediately empty his bank account in order to pay you back
You could almost envision the situation already; “Would you like it in cash or cheque?”
“Neither, Kei!” 
“You seriously got me branded headphones?” Non-imaginary Tsukishima asked, unable to pry his eyes off the long-awaited gift in his hands
“Y-Yeah.” You stuttered at his unusually sinister voice. “I wanted to buy you noise-cancelling headphones and Google said these were the best ones available that weren’t selling for millions of y--”
“I love you.”
You did a double-take, “Huh?”
“I love you.”
You did a..triple-take.. “I-I don’t think I heard you correctly.”
“I’m not saying it again, dumbass.”
now, tsukishima wasn’t a very affectionate person but considering you paid full price for headphones (yes, he knows. you’re not a very good liar 😐) for him, the least you deserved was forehead kisses 
plus, he was determined to make you as happy as you made him that day
so can get all the kisses you want, all the hugs, all the cuddles, all the smiles, all the cookies-  everything!
but that’s not to say that he’s not going to get you anything in return as subtly through the day he was gathering info on what to get you 
by the end of it, he had a whole list but unfortunately - after looking at his bank account - he realised that the only thing he could afford was an easy-bake oven (┬┬﹏┬┬)
Tadashi Yamaguchi
y’all spent Christmas at your house because Yamaguchi was absolutely entranced by your massive Christmas tree
he also slept over because you both wanted experience the Christmas morning buzz together 
also because your parents were working on Christmas day and Yamaguchi didn’t want you to be alone 🥺
(he didn’t tell you that though as he didn’t want you to think that he felt bad for you or anything)
after you both completed you morning routines, you raced downstairs (quite literally raced; you won.) to open the presents
the milk and cookies you both hand left out for ‘Santa’ was gone because your parents chugged the milk and scarfed the cookies before they left for work
“Open the presents I got you first!” You urged Yamaguchi, pointing to the two presents wrapped in Sanrio wrapping paper
 Yamaguchi did so; sitting on the floor cross-legged to open the larger, box-shaped gift first
“Candy!” He chirped with a smile, gently shifting through the selection of sweets you got him, his grin stretching as he did so and once he was finished, it was beaming ear-to-ear. “You know me so well, thank you so much, (L/N).” 
You giggled, a light blush crossing your features at the praise - then motioning to the second, smaller, thinner gift.
Yamaguchi accidently tore the wrapping paper off to reveal basic, charcoal face masks.
You quickly interjected to explain, “You said that you were embarrassed about how the animal-themed face masks your mum bought you were too childish and that they just made your skin more oily so bought you those; less embarrassing and supposedly good for oily skin.”
Yamaguchi’s heart fluttered upon hearing how much attention you paid during his random rants, “Thank you, babe!” He enthused, hugging the mask to his chest.
After that, you opened the gift he bought you and were over the moon when you realised that it was a box full of adorable stationary 
“I noticed how you kept complaining about your pens running out of ink during class and..yeah..I hope you like it..”
You obviously loved it and expressed that by giving him a big bear hug and many kisses (づ ̄ 3 ̄)づ (*≧︶≦))
By then, it was around Midday so you had time to play in the snow for a bit before Yamaguchi had to go home to spend the rest of Christmas with his family
but of course he came back on Boxing Day to binge watch movies and cuddle with you 🥰
Daichi Sawamura
okay; I am going to say this and you aren’t going to argue with me bc I know that I’m right:
if you have any younger siblings or cousins staying in your house for Christmas (and I mean younger like 5 or less) and the kid isn’t a little shit
daichi (with your assistance) will dress up as Santa and you will dress up as an elf to surprise the child with a visit 
daichi would be like ‘ho ho ho!’ and you’d be like ‘shut up, santa, you fatass.’ 
and the kid would be like ✪ ω ✪
y’all would take pictures and shit before santa dips 🚶‍♂️🛷
after that, you both would head back to his place to celebrate a kid-free christmas 
you don’t open gifts because you both mutually agreed not to get anything for each other this year since you had ‘grown out of presents’ (tsk).
but you did get a RingFit Adventure from one for your relatives for Christmas so you and Daichi spend an hour or two playing that 
it’s surprisingly taxing though so you’re both puffed afterwards
so you decided to make spaghetti for yourself and Daichi and a Christmas miracle occurred..he got off of his ass to help you cook 🤩
usually he’d hide his fear off fucking up under toxic masculinity but today he actually let you teach him how to make food and he was a natural chef tbh
however, his habit of grabbing your ass or holding your lower back wasn’t especially helpful while he had tomato sauce all over his hands
you changed into a different pair of bottoms as the spaghetti cooled down
then, a second Christmas miracle occurred
Daichi gave you both permission to eat in the living room, on the couch, so y’all could watch a movie or something as you ate
every other day of the year, daichi would have to be killed before he let anybody eat in the living room - forget on his new couch 
but today was a special so he let it slide
originally, the plan was to watch a Christmas movie but then you noticed that a new episode of y’alls favourite show was out - House Hunters - so you just watched that instead 
hey, it made you both happy so why not?
especially with daichi’s running commentary which you outwardly expressed annoyance to but internally loved
“Andromeda will never be Suzanne, rest easy.”
“That house is so ugly, next.”
“Why’s their budget so low? May as well just buy a caravan.”
“They are so fucking picky.”
“Her face annoys me.”
IT LIKE HIS ALTER-EGO IT’S AMAZING
anyway, merry christmas to the daichi stans and that is from me, not daichi - he actually forgot it was Christmas at noon
Kōshi Sugawara
SUGA IS DOMESTIC LIKE DAICHI BUT MAKE IT ❄ FESTIVE❄
y’all bake christmas cookies together, exchanges small gifts, bake carrot cake, watch The Polar Express, bake pudding, kiss under the mistletoe, bake-- yeah, there was a lot of baking
get ready to work out twice as much and start dieting if you don’t want to develop an illness due to the amount of sugar you consumed
to be honest, Suga was kinda lost for things to do on the actual day of Christmas bc y’all were so hyped preparing for it so he had no idea how to top that
I mean, you both went on romantic, late night car drives to buy a tree
cute couple trips to the store to purchase decorations 
planning out and putting the decorations around the house (and with both of your keen eyes for design, the house ends up looking gorgeous ofc)
you ornamented the tree in his living room but it was so tall that he couldn’t reach the very tip to put the final decoration on top
so you hopped onto his shoulders and stuck the star on top with a smile
but he wasn’t done with you yet, he rushed around the house with you on his shoulders while you clung onto his hair as if your life depended on it 
he did most of the festivities with you before Christmas but he saved one special one for the day
“(Y/N), let’s bake something.” 
You sighed, shooting him a weary smile, “Suga, we’ve been baking all day.”
“Just one last thing! It’s not even baking actually, more like assembling.”
You quirked an eyebrow at his statement, “Hm? What is it?”
“Let’s make our dream houses with gingerbread!”
Of course you agreed. Not just because he is the cutest thing you’ve ever laid your eyes on but also since it sounded rather fun
“What are those?” You pointed to the weird rectangular designs on the roof of his house
“Solar panels.” He hummed, elegantly icing the sides of his house, “I want my future house run on that energy.”
“Anyway, what’ve you got on your house?” Finishing off the final swirl on his door, he turned to look at your gingerbread home and deadpanned 
A sheepish grin formed on your lips as you noticed his blank expression towards your ‘dream home’ which has walls garnished with golden, edible glitter and sugar paper sanrio characters on the roof along with many other extremely unconventional things 
“Hey,” you shrugged, “Let me have my dreams.”
“Of course,” Suga agreed, his usual sweet smile returning, “Although, in an ideal world, I thought we’d end up living together and starting a family. However, I don’t think we can do that if you planning on putting a horse head on our front door.”
“IT WAS JUST LYING THERE, KŌSHI! IF ANYTHING IT’S YOUR FAULT FOR GIVING ME ACCESS TO A MARZIPAN HORSE!”
“I DIDN’T THINK THAT YOU’D DECAPITATE IT, (Y/N)! I THOUGHT YOU’D USE IT FOR A STABLE OR FARM OR SOMETHING!”
“YOU SHOULD KNOW ME BETTER THAN THAT!”
Asahi Azumane 
you both spent christmas day in your respective households, promising each other that you’d spend boxing day together 
until around 7PM when you had to come over to his house bc he called you, extremely puzzled at the fact that random mutuals from school (and the whole volleyball team) were on his instagram page, facebook, snapchat and any/every other social media platform wishing him a happy birthday
“I don’t get it.” He spoke through the phone, confusion and anxiety apparent in his voice, “My birthday isn’t for another six days. Why do they think it is today? Is this a joke?” 
“Uh, can I come over? I’d love to see you.” 
“Um, sure.” He replied, even more confused that you didn’t answer his question and instead asking one yourself
you spent the rest of the day with him, trying your very best to distract him from social media by doing various activities 
you both baked, watched movies, played board games (he’s a beast at battleships) then you moved on to other games like charades - basically every bs excuse you could come up with to get him to stay away from his phone
but that’s not to say you didn’t enjoy every second of it bc you did
he is so cute like whenever you are doing an action which he can’t interpret, his automatic guess is ‘are my beautiful gf (Y/N) (L/N) who i love very much? (= ❛ ᴗ ❛=)’
PRECIOUS 💓 
and then you are just like, ‘yes, i am, baby. but i am also optimum prime. your turn.’
anyway, by the end of the day there was no way you were able to prevent him from finding out about the joke now
so you just decided to tell him - figuring that it’d be better for him to hear it from you rather than someone else
“See.. y’know how jesus was allegedly born on christmas day? well, the joke is that..you kinda look like what people assume jesus would’ve looked like..”
Asahi had to do a double-take at what you just said, “Th-they..think I look like jesus?”
“yeah.”
Ryūnosuke Tanaka
you’re both broke af so you spend Christmas day pretending you are a rich couple
you slept over at his house too so you could start early in the morning and by that I mean 10:30AM
firstly, you and tanaka flick through an Argos catalogue (which you found on the ground, so there were a few mud stains on it 😶) to select the gift(s) you were going to buy for your ‘children’
but really it was just you and him going through it and circling all the toys y’all wanted as kids but couldn’t afford/didn’t get
“I super badly wanted one of those kiddie monster trucks that you could control with a remote as a child so my son is going to need one of those.” Tanaka said, circling the monster truck with a marker
“Yes, of course. And I asked for Monster High dolls every year as a kid but my parents said they were everything god hates so let’s buy that because we stan satan in this house, apparently .”
“Of course, of course.” He said in his best ‘rich person’ voice which was actually just an english accent
After resenting your parents for around an hour, you both moved onto the next activity of your rich person Christmas which included reading your horoscope in an english accent
that only lasted a few minutes though because both of you couldn’t be bothered to read
you also planned to look at the stock market (just like all rich people do on christmas day, obvs) but it was so boring
you took a glance then just went ‘okay, bye.’
next, you had caviar - just like rich people eat for every meal of the day, i think.
except it was actually black pop rocks  
“ah, yes. scrumptious.” “the flavour is immaculate.” 
then, as dawn drew close, you and tanaka preformed your final rich person activity 
no, it wasn’t being rude to minimum wage workers
no, it wasn’t being ungrateful
no, it wasn’t exploiting the working class under capitalism
no, it wasn’t being generally stuck-up and cocky
instead, it was going to the grocery shop and buying everything rather than shoplifting :)
“what should we get, babe?” you asked tanaka, in awe at how many different brands of toilet paper were on the shelves. “Have you ever noticed how spoiled we are for choice when it comes to toilet paper?”
“uh, no.” he replied in reference to the toilet paper question, “Hm, how about some gingerbread men or something?”
his suggestion was just met by a blank stare and silence
“JUST KIDDING! WE’RE TOTALLY BUYING BOOZE!”
“Hell yeah!” 
luckily, because tanaka looked a lot older than 17 and also since the cashier was too tired to check his ID, you both managed to buy the drinks without getting caught
“Merry Christmas, Ryū.” You hummed, fidgeting with his hand which was interlocked with yours as you walked through a rather prestigious neighbourhood and admired all the extravagant christmas lights
“Merry Christmas, (Y/N). Love you.”
Yū Nishinoya 
you and noya spent the whole day in his backyard and since it was a white christmas, you were able to spend the 90% playing in the snow
at first, you both went outside with the intention of making snowangels and taking cute couple photos in the snow 
but the weather was just so inviting that you had to stay for a little longer even when you did finish taking pictures; so you made the ‘ultimate’ snowman  
by that, it was just the biggest snowman y’all could make without it falling apart with stones for eyes, spiking out twigs for hair and an empty Monster Energy can for a nose 
once you had completed the snowman and basked in it’s glory for a moment, you went to head inside - but then you felt something hit your back
you turned around to see noya snickering, a mischievous grin on his face which you couldn’t stand
so what started out as him playfully throwing a snowball at your back, eventually turned into a full-on snowball battle to the death
there were snow forts, piles of snow ammunition, mini snow-warriors guarding the edges of your fort, a snow-princess which you were trying to steal from each other’s fort to win (basically like capture the flag but colder..) and a few brunch bars in the middle of the battle field for snack breaks 
it was all going smoothly until Noya ran up to your base, obviously with the intention to steal your princess 
“stay away from her, you fiend!” You yelled, jumping into an offensive stance - your neighbours must hate you bc of all the noise you and Noya made.
Noya screaming his battle cry as he rushed towards your fort, batista bombing you to the ground before you had a chance to attack him with a snowball
now that you were out of the equation, he scurried over to your princess which was perches on a little snow podium you made for her
he grabbed it, lifting it above his head like a trophy and letting out a loud victory cry “I win!”
he then turned to you and laughed upon noticing that you had your face buried into the snow in shame, “You have been defeated, (L/N)! And the great Rolling Thunder prospers!” 
“That’s a stupid nickname.” You groaned, outstretching your arms to allow him to pick you up, “Now take me inside, I’m tired.”
“Alright, babe.” He spoke softly, seemingly coming down from his adrenaline high. 
He strolled towards you, scooping you up into his arms - off the snow - and carrying you inside
unbeknownst to him, you had fallen asleep as he held you and once he put you down on the couch and noticed- i- my man almost died of happiness
“Oh my god, (Y/N)! You’re so fucking cute! (❤´艸`❤)” he hollered, peppering your face in kisses
“Shhh..” you hushed Noya, sticking your bottom lip out to form a pout 
Noya nodded understandingly before hopping onto the couch beside you and snuggling up 
143 notes · View notes
dauntingdarling · 4 years
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In Defense of the Weeping Monk
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So during my first ramped scrolling of Weeping Monk content post-completion of the series, I came across a number of people against the Weeping Monk not just for this storyline but because of how people have been quick to obsess over him and ship Nimulot.
In particular, calling the Nimulot ship racist or homophobic, his character a predator, and those shipping him with anyone toxic. While these points are valid and come from a place (I would assume) of good intentions (anti-homophobia, anti-racist, protect the children etc.) they are strong accusations that should not be linked to this character. And here’s why:
Racism:
-I’m going to be blunt here. Seeing as Racism isn’t a joke, it shouldn’t be thrown around as an excuse not to like WM just because said character didn’t end up with a person of color. If you don’t like him, you don’t like him. Don’t blanket cover your reasoning with a serious accusation that even today is still running rampid and needs to be taken seriously in today’s society (see George Floyd)
-It would be one thing to call out a show if they were expressing Racist undertones, but Cursed hasn't. Two of the most powerful characters in King Arthur lore are played by wonderful actors of color (Arthur and sister Morgana) and should this show continue, we will see the pair of them raise in the ranks of power for both good (King Arthur) and evil (Morgan le fay). 
-People are stating that WM should have been black, as we’ve had more than enough white edgy boys out in shows and movies (see Winter Solider, Kylo Ren/Ben solo...) I’m not against the idea of a black or someone other than white actor portraying WM. That’s not my fight. My fight is over disliking Daniel Sharman’s casting because of his race rather than his acting skill. The guy plays WM fantastically and shouldn’t be docked points just because he’s a white British guy. Like... come on. 
-I could go on, but we have more topics to cover so I’ll close this part with this: keep up the good fight to end Racism, but don’t use it to elevate your own ship/actor profile/ etc. 
Throwing around this topic to benefit your own belief (more than just in media) is what makes people degrade racism in the first place. Don’t be that person.
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Homophobia: 
-WHY WOULD SHIPPING NIMULOT BE HOMOPHOBIC? WHY
-I would have thought this show already established that they were not homophobic seen by the great response Nimue gave to Morgana after spotting the scene above^. She normalized their relationship as any other and that was beautiful *chef’s kiss* 
-Back to WM, from what I read on the topic from a person with this view, they stated that because people are shipping Nimulot over Nimue and Morgana (I’m sorry I don’t know their ship name), they are homophobic? WHAT
-Dude that’s great that you saw the fantastic chemistry between Morgana and Nimue, but do you really want Nimue to bed both siblings like that? 
-What I just stated isn’t my real fight on the topic, it’s just something I just thought of as I am here typing away. My fight here is just because Nimue hasn't entertained the possibility of a romantic relationship with Morgana doesn’t mean those shipping Nimue and WM together are homophobic. We just are ex-reylo trash (as I’m noticing so far) and love the enemies to lovers trop. 
-Also I am pretty sure that those shipping Nimulot adore the relationship Nimue has with Morgana as they give off major feminism vibes. And have a healthy relationship overall. 
Which brings me to my next point:
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Toxic Shipping:
-No one is stating that WM should hook up with Nimue immediately. And if they are, take notes. WM still needs to grow from the horrors he has done in the past and what he has ahead of him. Only then would he be deserving of Nimue (should she take him)
-I honestly believe people are not shipping Nimulot because it’s toxic, but rather because they hope that WM will come around on the other side as a better man (for he has been through the ringer) and should find peace. With Nimue? Sure, if the storyline fits. 
-I’ve read that some don’t want Nimue to be the fixer upper of WM, and I agree, but do not find this statement to be enough to call the Nimue ship toxic by any means. We just want to see everyone happy, is that so bad? 
-And after growing up idolizing the major character arch of Zuko from Avatar the Last Airbender, I can’t help but hope (as the optimist that I am) that WM will get a similar ending to Zuko. 
-As for why people want Nimue with him and not, say Gwenevere, it is because of all the similarities they carry so far that complement each other (while also playing the opposites attract card). Similarities include:
cursed out fay (N- the villagers scorning her, WM- the monks attitude toward him as a weapon and not a being)
lingering on the edge of dark and light (N with the cursed sword, WM with his faith)
scars (that happen to be on their backs)
their relationship with Squirrel (both protective, not smothering)
Symbols of their side in war (WM is the monk’s best fighter, N is their queen)
I’m sure people can give you more reasons. This is just what I came up with on the spot after one watch through of the series. If you have others, please write them below, I’m curious. 
Now onto the topic that I find to be atrocious: 
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Predator: 
-EXCUSE ME, a predator prays on others. How on God’s green earth is WM that? He was a literal sword for hire/raised to fight against his kind through mental strain from this messed up ideology of christianity. 
-And for those calling his relationship with Squirrel unhealthy... fair point but I’m not done yet. 
-I don’t mean all this to say that what he did under the red monks was good or even acceptable. No it wasn’t, the dude was practicing mass genocide of his own race, that’s fucked up. (That torture scene in front of the mill was really something)
-But as we learn in later episodes, all of his actions linger on not being damed and going to heaven (I assume) as seen in the scene when we got a nice look of him shirtless while he was having a moral crisis.
-Speaking of moral crisis, did you notice that he had one when the rest of the villains present in this show do not? Even Iris (a fantastic villain) had a tragic backstory with her family like WM, but rather than question her motives, she starts on the villain path. 
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-Now while I do admit he doesn’t treat Squirrel right in the beginning, it makes sense for his character and where he is at. Not to say that hurting a child and using him as a pawn to kill leftover tribe members is justified. 
-But the writers always wrote the interactions between Squirrel and WM with a hint of humor. Squirrel was always talking back, calling WM and his horse ugly, and even hissing out “you” in front of the red monks. All this going on while WM maintains a blank expression, that to viewers is almost comical (because it breaks away from the sad emo boy cliche) 
-In the end, WM needed someone like Squirrel to get out of the disastrous rut the red monks had WM in. For WM to start on this journey of his (that I’m sure will continue through season 2) he needed to show he had a moral code. 
-Also, like many complicated characters, WM never thought through the damage he has done and how his work impacted children up until G called him out for it. For this reason, I think G had just as much a part of getting WM to revolt as Squirrel did. 
- I think his relationship with Squirrel will continue to grow into a more protective association now that G is dead. G made Squirrel into a knight, the next step is for this kid to train like one. Who better than Mr. Lancelot himself. (They better have a training scene in next season or I will riot)
-And lastly, all of you who know the lore of Lancelot understand that he will become the best of the best and also the most loyal and chivalrous knight out there. What a better way to love a character with these attributes than if he started in the proverbial gutter and grows to understand and value these characteristics?  It’s the shiny ending that he needs to work hard to achieve and that is what, at the end of the day, all lovers of WM want to see in the next few seasons. 
Him becoming that knight in shining armor.
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poge-life · 4 years
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The Cut } Finn Shelby chap. 1
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introduction  prologue chapter 2
Never in a million years did anyone think Tommy Shelby, notorious gang leader, would be getting married. But here Penelope was, getting ready with Willow, Lizzie Stark, Ada Thorne, Polly Grey, and her mother.
"Willow, I swear if you pull my hair one more time, I'll cut you." Penelope threatened as her best friend was doing her hair.
The four older women let out a laugh at the two girls, used to their threats. Penelope and Willow had met after the boys came home from the war and had been best friends' sense; along with Finn and Isaiah. You never saw one without the other these days.
"I wouldn't have to pull so hard if you actually brushed your hair everyday." Willow defended, tugging on the blonde's hair again.
"Willow!" Penelope groaned, moving her head away from the girl. Audrey let out a chuckle, moving to stand behind her daughter, "Alright, Willow finish getting dressed. I'll do her hair."
Willow gave a final tug on Penelope's hair, quickly moving out of the way to avoid getting hit by her best friend. Audrey had gently brushed through Penelope's hair before pinning the front pieces back and bringing them together with a braid in the back. Audrey added a few hair pieces that Grace had loaned them and placed a kiss on top of her daughter's head.
Penelope looked at her mom in the mirror as Audrey wrapped her arms around her shoulders, "Had Finn seen your dress yet?"
Penelope let a smile make its way across her face at the mention of the red-haired boy. Her and the youngest Shelby were 6 months apart, the latter being older. They were thick as thieves growing up; as John and James went to school together and Tommy and Camden being the same age. Finn took pride in the fact Penelope chose him. Out of all the boys in Birmingham, she chose him.
"Not yet," She replied, "I've managed to hide it from him."
"I know he'll be speechless when he sees you." Audrey smiled at her daughter.
Audrey absolutely loved her daughter and Finn being together. Everyone often joked that Audrey preferred Finn over Penelope and Audrey has yet to deny it.
It was no secret to anyone that Penelope was Audrey and David's pride and joy. But that didn't mean they loved James and Camden any less. They knew it was because she was their little girl. Penelope got her mothers looks and her fathers brains. A dangerous combination. Penelope was often used as bait to get men to pay the money they owed her father and the Shelby's. She knew her father nor Tommy would let any guy touch her. And if they did, the would have to deal with not only her father, but her brothers and the Peaky Blinders as well.
A knock sounded throughout the room and Lizzie moved to answer the door, "Audrey. It's David and your sons."
Audrey motioned for them to be let in and Lizzie moved off to the side as they entered. David was followed by James and Camden as they greeted each lady with a kiss on the cheek before making their way to Audrey and Penelope.
"I do believe I am the luckiest man in the world." David smiled, wrapping his arms around his wife as Penelope turned to face her parents.
The Longfield siblings idolized their parents and the love they had for each other. Audrey and David met when Audrey's family moved from London to Small Heath and David had been the one to show her around the little town. Most women were expected to leave their jobs when they fell pregnant but not hers. David respected his wife. Treated her as an equal and higher. With him having many flourishing businesses, he stayed home for a while after Audrey went back to work after every child was born and he would stay home for as long as Audrey needed.
"We had to pay Isaiah and Michael to keep Finn away from here." James laughed, taking a seat next to Polly on the couch, sending her a cheeky smile as he wrapped his arm around her, "Boy is nearly going mental without you."
"They're in love," Polly smiled, nudging the blonde, "Leave them be."
"Besides, this is the longest they've been away from each other since they were born." Ada added as Polly and Audrey agreed.
"Oh come off it." Penelope groaned, walking over to the divider where her dress was. She signaled for Willow to come help her, as she wouldn't be able to do the buttons on her dress.
"I think it's adorable how much you two love each other." Willow smiled, nudging her best friend as she helped Penelope into her dress. The dress she would be wearing was from her mothers collection that wasn't out yet and Penelope was in love with it.
It was a velvet green dress that fell to just under her knees. It had a pink flower sheer lace over the entire dress and had slits filled in with green lace all around the dress and she paired it with white heels.
Willow and all the ladies were wearing something made by Audrey. Grace had even come to Audrey about making her wedding dress and Penelope was excited to see what her mother had come up with.
Despite everything that Grace had done to the Shelby family a few years back, they had all learned that Grace was pregnant and it was Tommy's. And two years later, Charles Michael Shelby was born and he was a beautiful little boy.
Willow helped Penelope fix her hair and her jewelry before they stepped out from behind the divider. The room had gone quiet, causing Penelope to look down at the ground.
"You look absolutely gorgeous, Penny." Lizzie smiled causing Penelope to lift her head. The other ladies agreed as David made his way over to the blonde, "Absolutely stunning, my shiny Penny."
David pulled Penelope into him as she wrapped her arms around her father. David Longfield was an exceptional man and an amazing father. He always gave to those who weren't as fortunate, offered hot meals and a place to stay for anyone who needed it. He played the father figure to the Shelby's after their father took off and David considered them his honorary kids. He was there when the three eldest Shelby boys and his boys were drafted for war and he was there to help them all find their way out of the dark.
"Alright," Audrey clapped, "the wedding starts in 15 minutes so we need to leave."
David placed a kiss on Penelope's head, pulling away from her as Penelope linked arms with Willow and Ada, making their way out of the room.
"I can tell you're nervous and there's nothing to be nervous about," Ada spoke, "Finn absolutely loves you. You could be wearing a sack and he'd still think you look stunning."
Penelope felt her face heat up at the older girls words. It was no secret to anyone on how much the two teenagers cared for each other. Even at a young age, the two were head over heels for each other. Penelope had made the first move, considering Finn was shy, but he was slowly breaking out of his shell.
They made quick small talk as they made their way to the front of Tommy's house, where the rest of the family was. Willow sent Penelope a wink and a smile before making her way over to her brother and father. Ada gave her arm a squeeze before making her way towards her brothers, turning Finn around to face his girlfriend.
Penelope took small steps as Finn did the same. He moved some hair out of her face, placing his hand on the side of her face, rubbing his thumb over her cheek, "You look...wow. You are so gorgeous."
Penelope let her eyes trail over his figure; he was wearing a dark brown suit under his coat with his peaky cap in his pocket. He had a red flower pinned to his lapel and she noticed he left his hair natural, his wild red curls were styled up with some gel, "You clean up well, Mr Shelby."
Finn smiled before leaning down to place a kiss on her lips. They pulled away with a smile and Penelope noticed the nervous look on his face, "What's wrong?"
Finn looked over her shoulder before looking back at her, "Your dad 'nd brothers have been watchin' me since I walked over 'ere."
Penelope groaned before turning around to throw a glare at her brothers, causing them and her father to walk over to the couple, "Any reason why you lot are terrifying my boyfriend?"
Camden shrugged, throwing his arm around Finn's shoulders, "Just making sure Finny Boy is being a gentleman."
Everyone knew Finn was terrified of Penelope's dad and brothers. Hell, so were the Shelby boys, well, they were scared of her father. Tommy looked up to David, as did his brothers. He had a beautiful wife, three wonderful children, and many successful businesses.
"Please," Penelope scoffed, glaring at her oldest brother, "You know Finn's a gentlemen."
Finn was the favorite Shelby, besides Ada, to the Longfield's. He was innocent compared to his brothers. He hadn't seen the troubles of war and he hadn't killed anyone. He always, well most of the time, used his manners and treated Audrey and Penelope with respect. But, there was a part of Finn that wished he could be like his brothers. Yes, he got respect only because of his last name but his brothers got respect because of the type of men they were.
"He better," James smirked, "because he knows what'll happen if he isn't."
Finn paled at his words and looked at Penelope, who elbowed her brother in the stomach, causing him to double-over, before looking over at her father, who was looking quite amused at his children. David chuckled before grabbing both of his sons, "Alright. Leave your sister alone. She can handle it."
Penelope stepped forward to straighten Finn's coat before pulling him down so she could kiss him. She pulled away when she realized he was stiff and shook her head, "At least act like you like me, Finn."
He placed a kiss on her forehead before offering her his arm. He led them over to the rest of the group before they all made their way to the church. Tommy and Arthur were already at the end of the aisle and Penelope smiled at the content look on Tommy's face. The same couldn't be said about Arthur's.
Penelope noticed the many red coats on Grace's side of the church and she quickly looked for her brother's and John. John, James, Camden, Arthur, and Tommy all held the same distaste for the red coats. When they went off to war, they were to dig tunnels to get into the enemies camp. The tunnels had collapsed and they waited for three days for the Calvary. For three days, they suffered in the dark, only with each other, waiting for the bloody red coats to help them.
Penelope made eye contact with her mother and motioned to the left side of the church, causing Audrey to look over before whispering to her husband. David looked around for his two kids before quickly grabbing them before they could leave the church.
Finn and Penelope made their way through the pew and Penelope stopped in her tracks when she noticed she would be sitting next to Linda. Arthur's very religious wife. She turned to look at Finn, who just sent her a cheeky smile. She quickly elbowed him before sitting next to her. Her parents were behind them with Isaiah, Willow, and her brothers sitting next to them.
Penelope put a little bit of space between her and Linda, sending her a smile. It's not that Penelope didn't like Linda, it's just that Linda had a very...strong opinion about the Shelby and     Longfield's lifestyle. Yes, David's businesses were 100% legal but he did start sending some of his whiskey out with Tommy's when they did business with Alfie Soloman's. And Linda had a very strong opinion about all of it.
John and Esme were sat with one of their kids next to Finn with Ada, Karl, and Michael at the end. John was staring at the red coats and Finn was mouthing off to them. Penelope rolled her eyes and turned to look at her brothers who were in the same state as John.
She turned her attention back to Grace's side of the church and narrowed her eyes at the blonde who was making heart eyes at Finn. Penelope put her hand on his jaw, turning him to look at her before she pulled him into a deep kiss.
They pulled away after a bit and Penelope wiped her lipstick off his lips as Finn stared at her. She heard her mother and Polly chuckle at her action as Isaiah and Willow let out loud laughs, no doubt noticing the blonde staring at Finn.
"What was that about," Finn asked, "Not that I'm upset about it."
Penelope pecked his lips before smiling, "Just letting them know neither of us are available."
Finn smirked at his girlfriend before setting his hand on her thigh. Jeremiah, Isaiah and Willow's father, made his way up to where Tommy and Arthur were and she noticed how appalled Grace's family looked.
Her and Finn turned to look at their best friends, knowing that was something that they dealt with more than they liked. The twins sent the couple a reassuring look, letting them know they were okay.
Penelope met Isaiah and Willow after her brothers came home from the war. Audrey, Polly, and David had thrown a dinner for the return of their families. Finn had dragged Penelope with him to introduce her to his new friends; the four being inseparable since.
The Wedding March played throughout the church as all the guests stood up. Grace was wearing a beautiful purple silk dress with a dark purple veil that went over her head. She looked absolutely stunning. Audrey really out did herself.
"Here comes the fucking calvary. Late as usual." John mumbled, causing Penelope to bury her mouth on Finn's shoulder to hide her laughs. Penelope had smiled at the sight of Tommy and Grace and she wondered if that's how her and Finn looked at each other.
The ceremony was beautiful and none of them cared at the looks they received from Grace's family at the loud cheers they let out as Tommy and Grace kissed.
They all made their way outside for the pictures and Penelope let out a loud laugh as Finn twirled her around before setting her down. She noticed that all the boys, including James and Camden, had their peaky caps on and she rolled her eyes at the sight.
A few of the girls from Grace's family were fighting over the bouquet and Penelope and Willow shared a look before laughing. Arthur ushered the girls away so that they could take the picture. Finn wrapped his arm around her waist as she placed one of hers on his chest as she looked up at him.
Finn had grown up in the last two years. His freckles had darkened and he had grown considerably taller than her. He filled out in muscle and was close to catching up with Arthur and her father in height. Penelope realized how handsome he was and how she was lucky to have him.
"What?" Finn asked, pulling her from her thoughts as she smiled, "You're just so handsome."
Finn smiled at her before placing a kiss on her forehead before turning to face the photographer. She blinked a few times as the flash went off twice, causing her to blink rapidly.
"Sorry Finn," Willow called, tugging the blonde away from said boy, "I'm stealing your girlfriend."
Willow and Penelope quickly made their way through the crowd as Finn chased after them. The girls let out giggles as they ran through the grass, hand in hand, holding up their dresses with their free hand. They slowed to a stop as they neared Tommy's drive way, waiting for everyone to catch up.
"What was that?" Penelope panted, looking at her best friend. Willow looked at the group of people before looking back at the blonde," Michael was walking towards me and I don't want to talk to him."
"I thought you two were together?" Penelope furrowed her eyebrows at Willow who just shook her head, "We are. I think. We argued the other day and we haven't talked since."
"What did you guys fight about?"
"I told him I loved him but he didn't say it back." Willow whispered. Penelope pulled her into a hug. Ever since Michael came to Birmingham, he was infatuated with Willow. She happened to be the only girl besides Penelope that didn't fall for him. But once Isaiah took Michael under his wing to show him the ropes, Willow started feeling something for the boy.
"I'm sorry, Will."
Willow let out a few sniffles before pulling away, " 'Saiah's been trying to get me to talk to him but I don't think I'm ready."
"You can be my date for the rest of the night. Finn can put his big boy pants on and deal with it."
Willow giggled at the blonde's word and intertwined their hands, leaning her head on her shoulder. The two were often seen holding hands and touching in someway but no one ever dared to say anything about it due to their connections to the Peaky Blinders and because of Penelope's family.
Tommy and Grace were the first to arrive and Penelope and Willow pulled the two newly weds into a hug. The two girls were the only people that Tommy would hug besides his family but he rarely did it in public. The newly married couple made their way onto their house as the rest of the guests arrived.
Finn was walking with Isaiah and John before he spotted his girlfriend and his best friends sister. Penelope and Willow gave him a big smile before they made their way into the house, ignoring the looks from Grace's family at the sight of the two holding hands.
Penelope was halfway through her first glass of champagne when arms wrapped around her waist, "You're hiding from me."
She placed her glass on a tray before turning to wrap her arms around Finn's neck, looking up at him, "And you found me."
"This mean I get a reward." Finn smirked, giving her waist a squeeze. Penelope lightly ran her nails over the back of Finn's head, causing him to close his eyes, "Mm, come find me at the end of the night and we'll see."
Before Finn could respond, the two were pulled away from each other by Willow and James, "Tommy's called a meeting in the kitchen."
The four made their way to the kitchens, taking a few wrong turns but eventually finding it. Finn and her brother made a beeline for the food while the two girls made their way over to Tommy.
"Where are they?" Tommy asked as Johnny Dogs came through the side door, "Where's John and Arthur?"
Finn made his way over to Penelope with Arthur, Michael, and her brothers in tow as John and her father came through the servants entrance. Finn moved to stand by Penelope but Camden put him in a headlock, pulling him in between him and Johnny Dogs as James stood next to Camden. Penelope shot her oldest brother a glare as she moved to stand between Isaiah and Willow, Arthur and her father sitting on the end of the table as Tom stood in the middle of the room.
"Alright, boys, Penny, Willow, you're all here," Tommy started, "Today is my fucking wedding day."
"Yeah," John spoke, "And you said there'd be no bloody uniforms."
David sent his two sons a look as they went to agree but quickly shut their mouths.
"Nevertheless," Tommy said, "Nevertheless, John, James, Camden. Despite the bad blood, I'll 'ave none of it on my carpet. Now, for Grace's sake, nothing will go wrong."
"Those bastards, out there, are her family," he continued, "and if you fuckers, do anything to embarrass 'er, your kin, your cousins, your horses, you fucking do anything-"
"Tom." Isaiah spoke, causing Penelope to groan
"What?!?!"
"What about snow?" Isaiah asked
"Oh bloody hell." Willow groaned as John grabbed Isaiah by the back of the head, "yeah, their women are sport, I'll give them that."
"No, no," Tommy spoke, "No cocaine."
"No sport. No telling fortunes." He pointed to John
"No racing." Next was Arthur. Tommy moved to grab Finn's face, "No fucking sucking petrol out of their fucking cars."
With a smack, he turned to face the two girls, "No gambling with them to get their money." The two girls shared a smirk before agreeing. The two girls were often sent into David's casino's to try and get money out of potential dealers for David and Tommy.
Penelope noticed the dazed look on Willow's face and followed her line of vision to see her staring at Michael, who was staring back at her with a smirk. Penelope just raised her eyebrows at him before nudging Willow, snapping her back into reality.
"And you, Charlie," Tommy had turned to face his uncle, "quit telling yearns about me, eh?"
"I'm just trying to sell you to them, Tom."
Tommy rubbed his eyes in frustration and Penelope leaned forward to look at her dad, signaling for him to say something. David moved next to Tommy and patted him on the back, "If Tommy or myself hear that any of you bastards did anything to make Grace or her family upset, I'll personally see to that you are dealt with."
Now everyone didn't even think about fucking the night up for Tommy and Grace. David Longfield wasn't someone you wanted to cross.
"Thank you, David." Tommy nodded his head in appreciation at the older man before looking around the room again, "But, the main thing is, that the bunch of you fuckers, despite the provocation from the calvary, no fighting."
Tommy immediately looked towards the eldest Jesus sibling and Willow snorted in amusement as their father covered his mouth.
"No fighting." He pointed to Isaiah, "No fucking fighting." John was next, "No fighting." Arthur raised his hands in surrender as Tommy just pointed at Michael as he always kept his clean since he dealt with the legal side of the business. Tommy then turned to look at Finn and Penelope's brother, "No. Fucking. Fighting!"
They all let out sounds of agreement as Tommy nodded. David handed Tommy his as jacket as a waiter made the mistake of bumped into him, "Get the fuck off me!"
With that, the waiter was on the ground, the wine bottle shattered and Arthur threw his half eaten carrot at him. David placed his hands on Tommy's shoulders and led him out of the room before he actually killed one of them.
Finn threw his arm around Penelope's shoulder as they made their way up to the dining room, "is that what you and Isaiah do when you two go out?"
"Don't know what you're talking about, Penny." Finn answered, giving her a smile.
Penelope was sat between Lizzie and Finn with Michael on the other side of him. Tommy and Grace were at one end of the table with Penelope's parents at the other.
Finn had one hand on her thigh and the other was holding his whiskey while Penelope had one hand around Finn's neck, lightly dragging her nails over the short hairs. Penelope often cursed Tommy for their ridiculous haircut as she loved Finn's wild curls. Up until this year, he used to try and tame his curls by gelling them down but ever since he, Isaiah, and Michael were no longer 'junior peakey's' he opted cutting his hair shorter, losing almost all his curls. Most days he just styled his curls up and on days he attended events with his brothers, he would gel them down.
"There's a blonde girl who keeps undressing Finn with her eyes sitting across from you." Lizzie mumbled, bringing her glass up to her lips. Penelope turned to see the same blonde from the church doing exactly what Lizzie said she was doing.
She threw the rest of her drink back, turning to face the women, "She was doing the same thing in the church and I practically made out with Finn to prove he wasn't available."
"Girls like her are used to getting what they want," Lizzie spoke, "And since she knows Finn is with you, she'll try everything to get him."
"Not if I have something to do about it. She can try but she won't get very far." Penelope mumbled causing Lizzie to laugh. Penelope turned her attention back to Finn as he seemed bored and would rather be anywhere else. She grabbed his hand in hers and intertwined their fingers, "What's on your mind, love?"
"Just thinking about my reward later." He smirked, giving her hand a squeeze as she rolled her eyes. She leaned her head on his shoulder, looking at the blonde sitting across from them, "That girl is making it really hard for me to listen to my dad 'nd Tommy."
Finn looked up to see what girl she was talking about and the girl winked at him and Finn felt Penelope's grip tighten on his hand, causing him to look back at her.
After the most weird toast given by Arthur, the guests made their way into the ballroom.
Penelope had her arm linked with Finn's as they made their way through the crowd; trying to find someone their own age. Willow pushed people out of her way as she stepped in front of the couple, "Who's the whore with Michael?"
Penelope and Finn both looked over to see a girl with short brown hair in a white flapper dress standing very close to the boy.
"She tried getting snow off Isaiah when we got 'ere," Finn explained, turning to face the girl, "she's very eager to get it off someone."
"She's never done it," Penelope smirked, looking between the two, "If she had, she wouldn't be so obvious about getting some. Let alone being obvious about it at Tommy Shelby's wedding."
The two just looked at her in wonder, causing her to roll her eyes, "My dad owns casino's and pubs. I know snow and peoples behavior."
Finn and Willow both nodded in realization. Penelope knew when people were using snow; considering her and Finn had done it a few times. But being at her father's establishments, she knew when people had never done it and when they had. And this girl had definitely never done it before; being so obvious about it.
John and James had walked up to the trio, John whispering in Finn's ear as the boy nodded. Finn pulled Penelope with him as she grabbed Willow, following the two older boys.
"What's going on?" Penelope asked as they walked through the house
"There's something going on and Tommy wants us to make noise. So, Arthur and meself rallied together the fucking calvary to some racing and Finn boy will be riding."
Penelope perked up at the sound of Finn getting to race. She knew how much he loved horses and he took care of Tommy's and her father's any chance he got. Finn was an excellent rider and almost never lost a race. She loved watching him race and everyone knew it.
"What's that got to do with me?" Penelope questioned
Finn, who somehow ended up with his peaky cap, shrugged off his coat, putting it around his girlfriend's shoulders. He pulled off his jacket and handed it to her, quickly followed by his waist coat and his button up. Leaving him in his suspenders and undershirt. He pulled Penelope to him by her waist and tilted her head up to look at him, "Yer dad doesn't want you near the house when it's happening, so, you're going to stand there and cheer for me, while I show the fucking calvary, you don't fuck with the peaky blinders."
He placed a deep kiss on her lips and pulled away, following after his brothers.
Penelope blinked a few times, trying to process the last 30 seconds as she turned to face Willow walked up to her, "What?
Penelope pulled Finn's coat tighter against her, looking over at Willow, "I think Finn turned me on without touching me."
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og post
BBC Merlin:
AU where Merlin and Gwen compete against (reining championship) Arthur and Morgana in a speech and debate tournament
((Merlin and Gwen win))
Omg I love this. Especially that Morgana and Arthur are hyper competitive and to have them on the same team against Gwen and Merlin is glorious.
Ok, ok, ok. So, Merlin and Gwen originally want to play this casually. But Morgana and Arthur keep bragging that they'll beat the two of them easily, leaving Merlin and Gwen to make a pact that whatever happens, they will defeat the Pendragon siblings. Whatever it takes.
1. The knights form a cheerleading group. Like, they should technically be rooting for the king and his sister, obviously - but they all love and cherish Merlin and Gwen, so there’s that. The knights secretly passing around little messages at practice with supportive drawings that either celebrate Merlin and Gwen or mock the royal competitors.
2. Gwaine once got caught performing a hilarious impression of Arthur during a debate, which was so great that it sent everyone into a laughing fit. Unfortunately, the one who caught him was Arthur. Gwaine had to clean out the stables for two weeks.
3. Gaius is the main judge of the debate. A lot of people have voiced doubts in the weeks leading up to the debate, about how they are unsure Gaius will be able to be unbiased - the whole of Camelot knows that Merlin is his ward, after all. Gaius’ only response to it is that this is a debate battle against the king and his sister, so there really isn’t any side he could pick that outweighs the other. That shuts up most of the nay-sayers.
4. Once the debate is going and Arthur realizes they are losing, he does raise suspicion against Gaius about not judging fairly. But Morgana shuts him up real quick by telling him he just needs to be eloquent for once and actually think before he speaks. (There’s howling laughter from the audience, and Merlin has a slightly cocky grin on his face when he looks over at their opponents. Arthur wants the floor to swallow him whole.)
5. It’s Gwen who delivers the final argument to solidify their win. Both her and Merlin have excelled in great teamwork to really drive home their arguments, because the two of them just get each other and have a great bond that allows them to almost guess what the other person is thinking before they even speak. But Gwen exchanges one look with Merlin when the call comes for the last rebuttal, and he just nods his head, letting her have the floor. And Gwen delivers her argument with such eloquence and great wording that Arthur and Morgana just stare at her, mouths agape, speechless. The crowd applauds loudly, and Gwen just smiles.
(When Gaius announces their win, Gwen hugs Merlin so forcefully he almost falls over. But he returns the hug, whispering in her ear how proud he is. Gwen just holds him tightly. Later, she’ll tell him all about which arguments he delivered that she really liked, about her favorite reactions from the audience, or Arthur’s best shocked expressions. In that moment though, she allows herself to accept Merlin’s appreciative words, to bask in the adrenaline coursing through her veins. Gwen is allowed to be proud of her accomplishments, too, after all.)
Ok so, I legit had this sitting in my drafts for months. I’m so sorry I’m only answering this now, but here it is. I really love this idea so much, and now I genuinely kinda wanna write a short fic about it. (The only thing stopping me is knowing that I’d have to come up with the actual debate lmao.)
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deepdonutkid · 3 years
Note
Can I ask for multiple character break downs?👀
Well if I can, then would you please do one for Ada and one for Tommy and one for John
But if only one has to be done, then you can choose any one of these.
Thanks! <3
Thanks for the ask! 💞
Ada Thorne nee Shelby
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How I feel about this character
Just love for her! She is adorable, strong, fierce, absolutely amazing! Ada and Polly are the best developed female character on the show. Mainly, because Tommy can’t fuck them, so they can’t be reduced to his love interest, which is such a good thing, because I love strong women. Makes me weak in my knees.
All the people I ship romantically with this character
Freddie Thorne, Ben Younger, Jessie Eden, because Ada is bi, she just gives off that vibe, u know.
Somehow I prefer to read stuff with a female reader for her, more than a male reader for her. Because it’s either Freddie x Ada for me or Ada x female reader.
My non-romantic OTP for this character
Lizzie, Polly, Ada and Linda are an amazing combination! She and Tommy have an interesting dynamic as well! I would have loved to see more John and Ada interactions, because they have not such a big age gap inbetween, so I think they are close. Especially after Ada got her child and John got married with Esme. Oh, Ada and Esme would have sooo much fun together. Esme would be like the sister Ada never had.
My unpopular opinion about this character
I think her character changed a lot between season 1 and 2, because of Freddie’s death and also after she joined the business again. Sometimes when I make memes or the alignment charts, I have two icons for her, one from first season and one from third season, because I think she is one of the characters who changed the most through the series. First season Ada would do a lot of things different and more naive than third season Ada. Mainly, because she still believed in communism in season 1 and she somehow lost her faith after losing Freddie. Which is super understandable tho.
She acutally becomes wiser with age... unlike her brothers, who just do the same shit over and over again.
One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon.
I wished Ben hadn’t died, because they kill her lovers even fast than Tommys. WTF, right?
On the other hand I wished Ada talked some sense into Jessie, to NOT SLEEP WITH TOMMY THE WHORE SHELBY! Because Ada knows her brother very well and I think she genuinely liked Jessie, or she liked her enough to save her from the pain of being Tommy’s toy or pleasure doll.
And I’m still bitter about the way they killed of Freddie... but more about that later...
Tommy Shelby
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How I feel about this character
Relationship status: It’s complicated!
Yes, well, I ramble about Tommy’s shit a lot. I know! He is still an intersting character and it’s so tempting to think about his actions in certain situations, but if I would meet him as a person- I would hate him from the bottom of my heart! <3
He is such an asshole all the time and when I first watched the show, I forgave him a lot he did to his siblings, because I was caught up with his good looks and the presentation of him being the good guy who does bad things to survive. But I spend some time to think about his actions and I noticed, he is an awful human being... to Polly, to his siblings, to his lover and actually to everyone. He might think he does all those mean things to archive a bigger goal, but he is just a gambling addict who can’t stop taking risks he isn’t even prepared for.
Shitty things Tommy has done over time:
Forcing his brother to marry somebody, John didn’t even know at that time, to end a feud, Tommy had started himself and only when it was in his favour to end it, he used John as pawn, so he could archive his plan. HOW FUCKED UP WAS THAT? Nobody seems to talk about this. It was fucking awful! And the way he did it was horrible to! Tommy said nothing to John until the very last moment, when they were already surrounded by enemies, so John couldn’t said no. It also shows, that Tommy thinks he is above his siblings. Tommy thought John wasn’t capable of chosing a wife for himself, so Tommy did that for him too. Even when John didn’t ask for this at all!
Destroying Ada’s relationship with Freddie and chasing his best friend out of town, just because... TOMMY WAS AGAINGST HIS SISTER HAVING A RELATIONSHIP. and yet he proclaimes to listen to woman and to give them a fair change. Maybe just not for our dear Ada!
Destroying Arthur’s marriage, because he kept dragging Arthur into shit, he wasn’t mentally stable enough for. Putting thoughts of rejecting Linda into Arthur’s head, by talking bad about Linda and making jokes about her any given time.
Sleeping with Lizzie over and over again, even when he knew she loved him and when she tried to get over him by dating someone new, he made the order to burn down the pub of Angel, humilated his family, and have him killed later.
Sleeping with Jessie, so he could use her
Humiliate Polly, when she was at her lowest, after Rueben had left her
Drag Michael into the illegal business after Polly begged him not to
Dragging Finn into all this shit after John died, because John wasn’t avaiable anymore
Calling Grace a whore, when they first met
Paying Lizzie in his head, even after she stopped being a sex worker
Helping a fascist
I could go on for a while, but you see my point here!
All the people I ship romantically with this character
Nobody! I want to see him miserable and alone! Honestly I’m never going to read all these soft!Tommy fics or whatever, because they really don’t interest me. I don’t want to see him happy.
But go have fun people and write and read whatever you want!
My non-romantic OTP for this character
Tommy and Lizzie, because they have a sexual relationship, which is not based on romance and I love this sad and depressing dynamic between them. It’s so interesting to write and read about.
Tommy and Ada are great in the show. I love their talks and Ada actually points out when Tommy is acting like a douche again.
My unpopular opinion about this character
I have a lot... where should I start?
I get so annoyed, when I see Tommy shown as a twink, because the actor is just 1,70m... which is not small to me. I know a lot of men around that height and I think they are average and not small. Also a lot of men feel bad for not being tall enough, because everywhere in our society it’s normal to have a tall man and a small woman. And the way tall man or small man are sexualized in this alpha/omega thing or in a top/bottom dynamic is so... meh. It’s really uncomfortable to see how people try to push the patriarchal man-woman dynamic into same-sex relationships.
Tommy is a class traitor and a horrible husband.
Man, I could rant for hours, but I stop right here. Just remember, please don’t feel attacked, I don’t mean to attack you. Even if you write or draw... whatever with Tommy, I would never say something bad about this. Enjoy creating Tommy content, I will love to ignore it!
One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon.
I was so disappointed when they killed Freddie, because those two could have had an interesting and compelling relationship. Freddie could have been a great frenemie. I put this here and on on Ada, because their marriage wouldn’t changed the plot as much as Freddies and Tommys friendship. Tommy would have been a way better person, if Freddie was around.
John Shelby
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How I feel about this character
MY HUSBAND! I love him and he has never done anything wrong in his life.
Nah, John has many faults, but I still adore him as a character, because his faults are actually making the plot more interesting. I also read, that he and Tommy fight a lot, because John is more moral and has way more integrity than his older brother. It was just hinted in the show, but I love this side fact and I will base my whole characterisation this.
I love to write, draw and read stuff with him. He is my favorite character from Peaky blinders and my love will never die, even though he did.
Funny tho, when I first watched PB, I adored Tommy and was annoyed by John, but as I rewatched it I changed my mind about those two.
He had so much potential and I would spend all my money, which is not much, but the devotions counts, to see a spin-off with just John and his army of children.
All the people I ship romantically with this character
Esme, because they are sooo cute together!
My OFC, because I love writing them.
Any reader, because I’m a sucker for John.
My non-romantic OTP for this character
All kinds of interactions with other characters and John are great! My favorite is John and Ada to be honest. But here are other dynamics I adore as well:
John & Polly, (she would help him a lot with the kids)
John & Arthur (they come to the garrison to drink and play cards, they talk a lot about their problems, deep bond here)
John & Tommy (in my head they are always fighting)
John & Lizzie, because they have a great friendship, and they helped each other a lot. She spend time with the kids and he gave her financial support, so she would quit her job, which she didn’t do, because she feared being all alone again, and she has trust issues) (I’m actually writing a fic about these two)
John & his kids (I’m soft for dad!John)
John & Michael (especially in season three, because John seems to be jealous of Michael)
My unpopular opinion about this character
John is not completely stupid. Well, he is certainly not smart, but he works in the betting shop, and Arthur does not, or not really, because Arthur is bad at math... John at least knows his numbers. And also Tommy chose him to be the legal bookie over the others, so John must do a good job there. He just never got a degree or something similar like Michael. Which is also a reason, why John seems to be bitter about Michael joining the business. Michael was put in a higher position than he did.
One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon.
This one is obvious... John should have survived.
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theshelbyclan · 4 years
Text
King
Summary: The youngest Shelby keeps getting in trouble and is worried about her position in the family after getting scolded for it. Luckily, each family member has their own way of reassuring her (part 1)
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A/N This is the first part of a fanfic I’ve written about a year ago. I’m really nervous about posting this, but curious to see what you think! I’m following the episodes of season 1 in this, with the addition of a younger Shelby sister, who’ll be ten Saturday. Enjoy and let me know what you think! Part 1/ Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5 / Part 6 / Part 7 / Part 8 / Part 9 / Part 10
Words: 2971
***
Birmingham was a city built on smoke and grime. If you could look past it all, it was a pretty place with an old centre to it. If you couldn’t, you were in Small Heath. 
Through the mud a black horse came trotting gracefully. On top of the horse was a man, feared by all, but beautiful to see. A cigarette was dangling from the corner of his mouth and it seemed almost like he wasn’t even really there. 
The streets he entered were grey in colour, but shouts and laughter had filled the air moments before. Children of all ages were playing, mums were hanging out their washing and the constant banging of the factory machines was the rhythm of life in the background. All these people scattered when horse and rider approached. Women fell silent, the factory sounds became noticeable all of a sudden and children hid.
All children, except one.
As a Chinese girl was doing her powder trick, a little girl stood out amongst the others. Her friends were all hiding, trying to see what was happening while making themselves invisible, but she wasn’t afraid. She climbed on top of wooden overhanging landing to get a better look and watched while the ‘witch’ chanted her magic. 
Thomas Shelby called out the name of the horse and one of the boys turned to the girl on the roof, “What does it mean?“
She squinted, “Tommy’s in charge now.” 
“Does this mean we should lay a bet as well?” another boy piped in, after the leader of the Peaky Blinders had left. 
“What’s this money you got lying around that you haven’t told me of?” the girl demanded at once.
“I haven’t got any left. You won it all off me,” he replied sadly.
The girl climbed down the roof, tearing her stockings in the process, “I’ve got to get back before Tommy gets home.”
Yet another street urchin turned to her, “What’s the point in being a Shelby when you can’t even do whatever you want?”
“Dunno,” she shrugged, “But at least I’m not hiding like a coward, now am I?”
***
It was key to get back into the house on time. The youngest Shelby sibling knew Finn would’ve stayed put, as he usually did, but she was supposed to be with him. John would be busy with the books, he probably hadn’t notice her absence. Arthur was mad about something, so he had his mind on other things. Ada couldn’t care less, so that left Aunt Polly and Thomas. Coincidentally, these two had done most of the raising of the youngest two Shelby siblings, and both were very strict. Last week’s swats by Aunt Polly and Thomas’ lecture were still fresh in her mind, so she climbed the drainpipe quickly, hoisted herself through the open window, practically jumped down the stairs and ran straight into Thomas’ arms.
“What are you up to?” he asked her at once.
She tried to put on her best angelic face, the one that had gotten her out of trouble so many times, but seemed to fail her when she needed it most, “Nothing.”
“Theodora…” he said, cold and threateningly. She hated it when he used her full name, but it got her attention all right. She much preferred Teddy, as she was usually called. 
“I was just looking for something to do upstairs.”
Her big brother was making his way through to the kitchen, where Finn finally provided the distraction she needed. 
He, in turn, tried to accomplish the same, “Arthur’s mad as hell.”
Thomas smirked, a sign that he was in a good mood after all, “What does a ten year old know about hell? Eh?” he asked him, as he crouched down to his level.
The little boy scoffed a little and said, “I’m eleven Sunday.”
Thomas turned around to open the doors into the betting den, only to turn back to his youngest brother for a second, “Keep an eye on your sister. I need to have a word with her about doing as you’re told, but for that, I need her to stay put.” 
Said little sister gulped, mainly because he hadn’t addressed her directly, but evidently would in a few hours.
***
The two siblings quickly found better ways of occupying themselves. Finn would indeed turn eleven on Sunday, but Teddy would turn ten on Saturday, which was a much grander affair in her opinion. They were both growing up.
“Let’s play grown-ups,” Teddy suggested.
“Can’t,” Finn said, “Tommy told us to stay put.”
“Tommy’s got business, we’ll be back in time.”
And just like that, Finn was convinced. Playing grown-ups meant pretending to be their brothers. Finn found John’s gun on the sideboard and Teddy nicked another two cigarettes from Arthur. Near the Cut, both troublemakers pretended earnestly. 
Teddy climbed up onto an old barrel, faced the water with a dramatic look on her face, smoked her last cigarette and whispered, “In the bleak midwinter…” But just as Finn was about to shoot her, fag dangling from his mouth, their older sister approached the scene.
Looking chic and cool as always, she bellowed, “What the hell do you two think you’re playing at?”
Spooked by the sudden noise behind him, Finn dropped the gun. It went off.
***
A few hours later, the family meeting was in full swing. Teddy was rubbing her ear where Ada had dragged her off, but her good ear was against the door to listen in. Next to her, Finn was doing the exact same thing. 
“Aunt Polly’s late,” he whispered.
“She’s never late.”
“Think Ada told her?”
“Nah, Ada’s got stuff on her mind.”
Finn turned to her, “Like what?”
“Like women stuff!’”
“What does that even mean? You don’t know what it means, you’re only nine.”
“I’m ten Saturday!”
In the meantime, they could hear Polly had joined the meeting. They were going on about something in Belfast and factory workers. Arthur still seemed mad as hell.
Finn was silent for a little while. “Think Aunt Polly will kill us?”
Teddy shrugged again, “She’ll kill John first. Besides, you were the one who nearly shot Ada.” 
“Did not!”
“Did too! You were supposed to shoot me, remember?”
“Should’ve…” Finn sulked.
Teddy looked at her brother confidently, “Second time today I got away with it.”
“Like hell you did.” Before Teddy could look up at the face that had just spoken to her, her ear was again twisted and dragged upwards.
“Aunt Pol…” she ground out, “I didn’t mean to…”
“Didn’t mean to…what? Steal a gun, get your brother to tag along with your crazy plans or get caught?”
Teddy thought it best to keep quiet, tears welling up in her eyes. Next to her, her brother was going through the same ordeal.
Aunt Polly continued, “I’ve had it with the both of you. Finn, if I ever catch you or hear of you smoking again, it’ll be you on the spit roasting by the fire. And if you ever go near a gun again, a sore ear will be the least of your worries!” Finn whimpered as their aunt pulled just a little bit harder at that statement.
“But, John…” he protested. 
“I’ve dealt with John. Now I’m through with you. Bed, now!” Without a second thought, Finn hurried out of her sight. 
Teddy, however, was still locked in Polly’s iron grasp and fearfully looked up towards the mother figure, whom she admired so much, but feared greatly in this moment.
“In your own words, what part did you play down by the Cut?” Aunt Polly asked her calmly. 
“Nothing! I only went there because Finn wanted to play and I didn’t know…”
But Aunt Polly cut her off quickly, “That boy never does anything without you and it’s usually you who comes up with the ideas.” They looked at each other for a little while, Teddy with her head still in a strange angle to spare her ear.
“Pol?” A deep voice behind them demanded all of a sudden, “Let her go.”
Teddy looked up, relieved, and decided to go for a pleading look, locking eyes with Tommy.
Thomas seemed to be ignoring her though and addressed Polly instead.
“This afternoon, I rode Monaghan Boy through the laundry.”
Teddy frowned involuntarily. She was there and he hadn’t been at the laundry. She’d been watching him from the roof, at Garrison Courts…
He continued, still ignoring his little sister, “I also saw Finn there, playing with the Chinese kids, out on his own.”
“Finn wasn’t at the laundry,” the urge to defend her brother took over.
“And how would you know?” He quickly stared at her with pale blue eyes, “I was at the laundry myself and saw him.”
“No you weren’t, you were at…” Teddy stopped talking, realising what had happened, but it was too late. 
Thomas smiled coldly and put out his fag slowly. Then he beckoned Teddy to come over. She had no choice, so she walked up to him. 
“ ‘Second time today I got away with it’ “ Tommy repeated her words back to her, his face inches away from Teddy’s.
Fuck. Teddy Shelby was only nine years old, but ‘fuck’ was still the first word that came to mind. Her face went red and she looked up at Aunt Polly, suddenly feeling very small and not at all as confident as she’d felt moments before.
He pointed at her, daring her to look away, “You lie to me again, and I’ll wash your mouth out with soap.”
Teddy nodded quickly and feverishly.
“As for you leaving the house on your own and playing with guns near the Cut, I’ll let your aunt deal with you.”
Teddy felt two pairs of eyes now drilling holes into her, and nodded again.
After another long pause, he said, “Can’t be part of this family if I can’t trust you, eh?”
Then he stood up and walked away.
Somewhere inside, Thomas Shelby was torn. He wanted Teddy to behave, he didn’t want to have to waste his time on her, but he knew his sister was never one for meekly following orders. He wasn’t either.
***
That night, Teddy lay in bed, teary-faced and bruised. Aunt Polly had certainly ‘dealt with her’ and it still hurt. Part of her was full of indignation: why was she always getting the blame for everything that happened with her and Finn? Part of her was angry: why would she behave at all, if they were just going to be mad at her all the time? Most of her was incredibly sad: what if she really had to leave the family, like Tommy said? 
“Teddy?” Tiny feet had crossed the room and Finn sat down on her bed next to her, “Are you okay?”
She didn’t want him to see her cry so she turned away, “I’m fine.”
“I should’ve taken that beating,” he said determinedly, “I’m the older brother.” 
“Less than one year.”
“Tom always says I’ve got to protect you and I didn’t,” Finn sounded genuinely disappointed in himself.
“Hey Finn, if I get kicked out of the family, will you still be my brother?”
He laughed, “ ‘Course. What’s the point in being a Shelby if you’re not a big brother?”
Teddy grinned back at him. But for the life of her, she couldn’t figure out what the point in being a Shelby was when you’re only nine and a girl.
***
The next morning, Teddy crept down to breakfast, preparing for yet another lecture. John was already sitting at the table.
“Teddy-girl, what have you done now!” he joked.  
“Sleeping?” 
“Come here,” he grinned, dragging her onto his lap, “I think it’s time for you to talk to Tommy. Seems you got him all riled up once again.” 
“Why?” Teddy questioned earnestly, “Why is he always mad when I do something?”
John gulped down his tea, “Because you’re his princess, that’s why. Because he wants you safe.”
Teddy pulled an indignant face, “I’m no princess. I’m a Shelby.” 
Somewhere in the kitchen, Ada and Polly burst out laughing, “That you most certainly are…”
“Does this mean you’re no longer mad, Aunt Pol?”
“No sweetheart, I’m not mad,” Polly took her chin in her hand and lifted her face up, “But you better behave for a couple of days, just to earn back the privilege you enjoy within this family.”
Teddy thought about this for a while, but couldn’t really understand it. 
“Tommy’ll come around,” John assured her with another smile, “and if he doesn’t, you’re still my princess. My troublemaking princess, notorious plague of Birmingham, filthy feet and uncombed hair-ed princess.”
John always managed to cheer her up, even when everything seemed dark and unhappy. He was like her happy place.
No one had noticed the fifth figure that had joined them in the kitchen.
“Teddy, come with me.” 
Her face fell when she heard her brother’s voice, but she stood up obediently to follow Thomas into his office. Looking back, she saw John winking at her.
“Sit down,” he ordered her once in the office.
Teddy went over to one of the big chairs and dangled her feet over the edge, feeling too small for the chair and feeling to tiny for her brother’s gaze.  
“Tommy, I’m really sorry…”
He held up a hand, “You were at Garrison Courts.”
It wasn’t a question, so she didn’t reply. 
Tommy leaned back onto his desk, hardly moving, face unchanging. Just for a moment, Teddy could swear a small smile flickered behind those piercing eyes of his. 
“Now, what on earth made you think I wouldn’t notice you up there?” 
“I just thought…” she stuttered. 
“You thought you could get away with it, twice.”
“Yes.”
“But you didn’t.”
She sighed, “No.” 
A small smirk started to pull at the corner of his mouth, “Tell me how I could ride down a street and everyone would be hiding, and not notice the one little dark-haired girl who didn’t hide, but instead climbed up onto a roof? ”
He was met with eyes full of opposition, but she didn’t say a word.
“Go on, say what’s on your mind. You usually have a lot more to say, eh?” Teddy now recognised his playful tone of voice and dared herself to smile back at him.
“I almost got away with it, didn’t I?”
Tommy laughed out loud now and lifted her out of her seat, throwing her into the air and pretended to drop her again. He wouldn’t, of course.
Teddy leaned into his shoulder for a while, “Tom? Are you still mad?” 
Eyes joyful, he pointed directly at her, “If there was ever a girl in Birmingham that could drive me mad, it would be you!” 
“Tommy?” 
He picked up his cigarette case with his spare hand, “Yes, princess?” 
“You heard that too!?”
“I hear and see everything.”
“No you don’t…” Teddy threw back, confident of their relationship once again, “You just pretend so people get scared. Is that why people hide when you and the pretty horse come walking?”
“Maybe,” he cocked a single eyebrow.
Teddy thought about it for a little while, “I don’t want to be a princess, Tommy, I want to be a Shelby.”
“Come here,” Thomas said gently and he walked around with his sister on his hip, “See all this? This house, this business, this family? It’s all yours.” 
Teddy giggled, “No, it’s not.” 
“It will be. All of this is for you, because you are a Shelby and you’re smart. And because you are not afraid of me. All those other people are afraid of us, even people within this family are afraid of me, but not you.” 
“I’m still a Shelby?” Teddy asked softly.
Thomas assessed her for a moment, “You’re a Shelby. And I wish I could keep you sweet and safe forever, but you have got a mind of your own!” 
Tommy planted her feet first onto his desk. He took a few steps back and rubbed the cigarette against his lips a few times. “If you don’t want to be a princess, you can be a queen when you grow up.”
“What if I want to be a lady?”
“You’ll be a lady.” 
Teddy thought about it for a moment and a mischievous gleam came into her eyes, “What if I want to be a king?” 
Thomas grinned again. He leaned back, lit his cigarette and watched his sister for a moment. Dirty feet and uncombed hair, but piercing eyes that never once looked away. He’d give up his whole kingdom for her.
“You can be king.” 
Teddy smiled back at him, obviously revelling in her new position within the company, “What about you?”
Thomas shook his head, “I’m no gentleman and I don’t pretend to be. But I am your brother and as a family we need to stick together. Family’s all we got and we need to be able to trust each other.” His tone was serious once again, “And that’s why I need you to listen to me.” 
Teddy nodded, but frowned, “All the time?” 
Tommy tried to look strict, he really did, but his eyes failed him. Teddy noticed at once and smirked, so he lifted her roughly off the desk and threw her over his shoulder.
“Put me down!” Teddy laughed, and added cheekily, “When I’m king, you’ll have to put me down when I tell you to!”
Tommy simply waltzed her back into their kitchen, where the rest of the family looked up with puzzled expressions.
“You’re not a king yet sweetheart, just a muddy Birmingham gypsy with a temperament to match. Just like the rest of us.”
So that was the point in being a Shelby when you’re almost ten and a little girl.
Brothers.
***
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sapphirelass · 3 years
Text
You tell Arthur (1/3) - Sir Leon x Pendragon!Sister, Arthur x Sister
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To read this as a reader insert instead of OC: Click here
Hiiiii!!! You know when a songwriter is asked 'how long did it take to write this song?", and they answer something like 'ehh, about 30 minutes... it just came to me.'? Because that is pretty much how I felt with this one! Granted, it took me longer than 30 minutes, but I definitely wrote faster than usual ;)
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Please note:
1: I don’t own any of the gifs used, nor any already established characters, so credit to the authors and original creators - You have done a phenomenal job :)
2: English is not my native language, as I was born and raised in Sweden. I have, however, studied English for almost a decade, so I don’t think it’ll be a problem, I just thought I’d let you know ;)
+ CEFR level C2 (due to passing the C1 advanced test with an A)
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Word count: ≈ 1,8k
Warnings: Mentions of death, Uther
Enjoy! :)
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You tell Arthur (Part 1/3)
Alys Pendragon stood quietly behind her father when her older twin brother entered the room. She somehow sensed that he brought bad news, but had not anticipated anything quite as bad as this.
“It was Cenred who did this, you’re certain of it?”
“Yes, my Lord. His messenger has only this minute departed Camelot. Cenred said that the patrol trespassed on his land, and an example had to be made.”
“How many dead?”
“All of them, sire. Every last man.”
“The knights?”
“All lost. Edric, Oldoff, Osric… and Sir Leon.”
Alys closed her eyes with a pained expression on her face. Receiving word of death was seldom a good thing, but that of Sir Leon was excruciatingly painful for the young princess. She could feel both Arthur and Merlin staring at her, but decided to leave the room before anyone could notice her tears.
The princess and the knight were childhood friends. They used to play together when they were really young, and when they became older and Uther refused to let Alys join the knights in training, Arthur and Leon used to practice with her in secret. While most people grow apart, their friendship had stood the test of time, and they would still go on walks or hang out at least once a week. Alys wasn’t quite sure whether her feelings were purely platonic or not, but it never really seemed to matter; she just wanted to spend as much time with him as possible. That thought made his sudden death all the more tragic, and it took a while before the meaning of everything Arthur had said actually sank in.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She sat by the window in her chambers when Arthur came knocking on her door.
“Alys.”
Turning around she met her brother’s gaze.
“Alys, I am very sorry. How - are you okay?”
She took a deep breath and looked away.
“No”, Alys answered truthfully. “No, Arthur, of course not. How could this happen?”
“I- I don’t know. I am sure it was an honest mistake on our side. I-”
Arthur was interrupted by rapid knocking on the door.
“Sire?”
The door was pushed open and the servant who did so looked relieved when he noticed Arthur.
“My Lord”, he acknowledged. “Princess. Sire, the king requests your presence in the main hall.”
“What happened?”, asked Arthur, clearly confused.
“One of the knights, previously presumed dead, has returned. Alive, Sire.”
Alys stood quickly, but Arthur grabbed her arm even faster.
“Alys...”
“Arthur!”
He looked at his sister tiredly but knew that there was nothing he could do to make her stay.
“Fine”, he sighed. “Come on.”
The siblings ran down the stairs, Alys almost tripping on her long, blue dress. They entered the hall and were met with a familiar face.
“We thought you were dead for sure!”, exclaimed Arthur as he embraced Leon in a brotherly hug.
“I was dead, or as good as. Until the druids found me.”
“Druids?”
The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became much tenser as the matter of druids and magic was discussed, but Alys could only focus on the fact that her best friend was alive.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Is that it?”
“That’s it. He’s exhausted, Sire, and severely dehydrated but give him time, he’ll make a full recovery.”
Everyone in the room looked extremely relieved at the physician’s statement.
“Thank you, Gaius.”
Uther, Gaius and Merlin left, and Arthur followed after patting his sister on her shoulder.
“Princess”
“Sir Leon”
He smiled awkwardly. “Just Leon is fine.”
“So is Alys.”
They smiled at each other for a moment, but it eventually became too much and Alys eventually walked up to the bed and puller her friend in for a tight hug - one he quickly returned. Some might find it inappropriate for a princess and a knight to embrace one another in such a way, but when the two were alone like this all titles felt… redundant?
“I am so glad you are okay! You scared me, though…”
“I am sorry, it was never my intention to frighten you.”
“Of course, I know, it’s just… You know, the concept of losing you forever is… I have never considered it before, and I really don’t want to do it again…”
“You have my word, Alys. I will do my very best to keep you from worrying.”
“Good!” Alys stood and blew out the candle by the bad. “Now, please, rest.”
“Right. Good night, Alys.”
“Good night, Leon.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Alys was walking back to her chambers, now feeling much better than the last time she did so. She was just about to turn around a corner when she heard two voices - her father and her brother.
“You called for me, father.”
“Cenred is our sworn enemy. We cannot risk him getting his hands on the cup of life.”
“I know, father.”
“You must retrieve it. Your mission must remain secret. You can speak to no one of this.”
“I will take only my most trusted men.”
Alys decided to make her presence known and walked naturally around the corner.
“It sounds like I could join you then.”
Uther turned around with a furious look on his face.
“Certainly not! I will not allow my daughter to enter enemy land. End of discussion.”
“Bu-”
“Alys, please…”, muttered Arthur, sensing that this debate would lead them nowhere.
“But, Arthur, if I could ju-”
“QUIET!!”, roared Uther. “This is an incredibly dangerous quest, and you are a princess. It is not part of your duty, and we shall discuss the matter no further. Now, Arthur, we’ve seen what happened to the last patrol that entered Cenred’s land. You must go alone. I’m sorry to place such a burden upon you but there is no one else I can trust.”
“I understand, father.”
“Good. Now, will you please escort your sister back to her chambers, and make sure she does not go with you.”
“Yes, father.”, said Arthur. He placed his right hand on his sister’s shoulder and started guiding her towards her room. Once he was sure their father couldn’t hear them Arthur decided to speak up.
“Alys, what are you thinking? Listen, I know that you want to join us in battle, but you already know that father is opposed to it - why would you even try to convince him to let you go on the most dangerous one yet?”
“I know.. I-I just…”
“Look”, said Arthur calmly. “I understand that you were worried about Leon - any good friend would be - but he is back. He is fine. The best thing you can do now is to stay here, and make sure he stays that way, and let me and Merlin go after the cup, alright?”
She sighed in defeat. “Alright.”
“Good, now go to bed. Please.”
“I’m going!”
“Good!”
“Night, Arthur! Good luck!”
“Night, Alys!”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Alys once again found herself standing behind her father as he was addressing his men.
“Arthur should be back by now.”, he stated worriedly.
“I’m sure there’s a simple explanation, Sire.”, answered Leon, standing awkwardly in front of the king.
“You know as well as I do he’s been gone too long.” Alys could tell that her father was getting anxious, and it became clearer as he continued to give Leon orders. “Take a patrol, as many men as you need. Whatever it takes, find him!”
“Yes, sire.”, said Leon shortly before leaving the room.
Alys shared a worried glance with Morgana before quickly leaving the room and running around to the main entrance. She rounded the corner just in time to see the blonde knight walk through the door to the courtyard.
“Leon! Wait!”
He turned around at the sound of his name and approached his old friend.
“Alys”. He nodded respectfully towards her.
“I-I just… Please, be careful, okay?”. They were close - barely ten inches apart - and Alys kept her head down, desperately trying to think of something to say.
“Alys”, he muttered kindly, using his gloved hand to gently tilt her head upwards to look her in the eyes. “Alys, I gave you my word. I would not dare to break it.”
“I know. Good.”. She could feel herself blushing, but chose to ignore it. “I believe in you. And please bring my brother back while you’re at it?”
He sent her a kind smile in return. “Of course, my lady. I shall see you in the morning then?”
“Indeed. Good luck, sir.”
They then left their separate ways; Alys back indoors, and Leon out to round up some men.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“We must convene the council of war.”
“They cannot be stopped. The soldiers, Sire, they will not fall.”
“What are you saying?”
“They will not die.”
“Gather the knights. Prepare whatever defences you can.”
“But, Sire-”
“DO IT!”
Alys flinched slightly. She hated when her father was shouting, something that unfortunately happened quite often. It was, however, worse when it was directed at her, or Arthur, or Morgana or someone else who was close to her - Leon obviously not being an exception. The knight in question fell quiet for a moment, but then gave the king a respectful nod and headed out the doors.
“It’s Cenred. It must be?”, Uther now looked directly at Gaius. “How? The location of the cup was secret.”
“There’s only one explanation, Sire. We have a traitor in our midst.”
Uther now seemed beyond concerned. “Right, Alys and Morgana, the two of you must go to your chambers - where you will be safe.” After a moment of silent confusion, the king already became impatient. “NOW!”, he ordered harshly, and the girls, for once, did as they were told.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There were knights absolutely everywhere! Alys had never seen so many in one place before, but they were all preparing and getting ready for battle.
She watched the attacking army through her window, and couldn’t help the feelings of fear och dread that were taking over her entire being. She feared for Arthur, and her father, and Leon, and Merlin, and Gwen, and everyone else who lived in Camelot. If what Leon was saying was true - and it most likely was - she struggled to see anything but a horrendous outcome of the upcoming battle. She even doubted whether there would actually be a battle, or if the enemy would straight-up massacre every last person living in Camelot.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It didn’t take long for Alys’ fears to become reality. The knights fought bravely, but still fell, one after another. The army marched through the lower town and reached the citadel within hours. She could go out there and fight, but quickly realized that there was no point - there is strength in numbers did not seem to apply in this case, as the immortal army seemed to be cutting through Camelot’s fighters like butter. She was still watching through her window when the door to her room was violently pushed open, and turned around to see four enemy guards and a woman with long, blonde hair and a sly smile.
“Oh, princess Alys. Long time no see, huh?”
“Hello, Morgause.”
~L
Part 2
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