Vi

“Toruk Makto,” I greet standing in front of him and his wife, “I have come in search of sanctuary. Please.” I say the plea quietly. Luckily it was only, Jakesully, Neytiri, and I. My people, Kekunani, are warriors, who show little emotion. It is common for it to be said only for the weak to show emotion.

“Why do you seek shelter?” Neytiri interrogates.

“ I am Y/n of the Kekunan clan, daughter of the Skakoan Olo’eyktan and Minotaur Tsahik. I was next to be Tsahik. My brother Selkath tried to kill me simply for trying to save my people, our clan is small, but strong. I tried to save them. I cannot help them if I am dead.” I explain to them.

“How is your clan in danger?” Jake asks.

“My brother is blinded by rage, as if he’s been taken by a demon. He- he murdered my peoples Ikrans, he set fire to their homes because they disagreed with him. He is using fear to control them. He has betrayed our parents, me, my people, and Eywa. I am here to ask for safety, but I will not ask for you to help me in this war with my brother.”

“How old are you, Y/n?” Neytiri asks while observing me.

“I am 17,” I tell her. From the stories I've heard, she was only a year older than me when the Great War happened.  

“You are so young and in a war with your own?”

I smile sadly, “I would love nothing more than to change it all, but my brother, Selkath, he is beyond salvation. I have asked our great mother to guide me, help me, help him and our people.”

“You can stay here, If you’d like we can help your people as well.” Jake says, looking towards Neytiri for approval.

“Thank you. This will be temporary, this is between my brother and I and I will stop at nothing to put a stop to him.” I tell them, It pained me to say. Maybe I won’t have to kill him, but I have to put a stop to my brother.

Jake and Neytiri introduced me to their kids the next day. Neteyam, who was a year older, Lo’ak, Kiri, and Tuk, the youngest of their daughters. I hung out with Kiri for a while and Tuk reminded me of a lot of the kids in my clan. Lo’ak was funny, he reminded me of Selkath when we were younger, when he hadn’t let the rage get to him so deeply. Lo’ak would never turn into Selkath. And Neteyam, Neteyam was a lot like me. He reminded me of myself, at least partly. He was kind.

I’d spent most of the morning along with them before I left to look for my Ikran. My clan wasn’t too far. I’d done this for my people’s sake and my own. I made sure to take in everything, every little detail what was different, if my people seemed more hurt. every little detail was marked in my head. When I returned I went to my tent. I was startled to find Neytiri there.

“Are your people okay?” she asks in a way of greeting.

“As okay as they can be.” I responded.

“When Selkath is dealt with, what will you do?” she asks.

“I am not fit to be Tsahik, I would not be good. Maybe I will give the role to someone Eywa leads me to.” I sit down across from her.

“You are young, you will learn.” she encouraged me. “You have my Jake and I to help you, if you’d like.” I smile and hold my hand out to her.

“Thank you, Neytiri.”

That night I went out with the Sully kids. They’d convinced me to go with them to see the forest at night. It was a beautiful sight. The animal and plants had a glow so beautiful that it felt as if it were all fake. near my clan the forest is not as bright, more dull. but it also had its beauties.

“Are you alright ?” Kiri asks from beside me.

“Of course,” I tell her, giving her a small smile.

“you seem to be stuck in your head.” Neteyam says from beside me as well.

“I am… just taking in the beauty.”

“my father told me a little of why you’ve come,” Neteyam exposes, Kiri was now with Tuk, Lo’ak and the human boy ahead of us.

I sigh, “it’s only a matter of time before he comes looking for me or I go to him for a duel.”

“duel?”

“If he lives he continues to lead my people down a path they will not survive, If I live I save my people,” I explained quietly.

“We can help you,” he says. We stopped walking, Kiri and Tuk being entertained by a bioluminescent creature.

“You already are, you’ve given me a place to stay.” I say sincerely to him, my hand on his arm, as I give him a small smile.

It was almost dawn, I’d been with the Omaticaya clan for nearly three weeks. I was sitting in front of the spirit tree sending up a prayer to protect my people, to protect me. Yesterday evening, just before eclipse, Selkath approached me on his vicious Ikran in the forest. I was alone, thankfully. I no longer could recognize my brother and it pained me more and more everyday. Our duel is set for tomorrow at eclipse on the Hallelujah mountain at the highest point. I had yet to inform the Sully’s. I don’t want to worry them, i’ve grown so close to them in such little time, I cannot imagine putting them in danger. As the sun rose I walked back to the clan i’d grown to care for. I met the Sullys in their tent as it had now become mandatory that I show up for at least one meal a day. Neytiri and Jake’s orders. I sat beside Neteyam who gave me a playful nudge and smile.

“How are you?” he asks.

“good,” I tell him. I felt light today. knowing no matter what my people would be safe after tomorrow.

“good.” he says with a smile. Over the little time i’ve been with this family I’ve grown close to Neteyam. unbelievably close.

“do you want to go fly together after breakfast?” he asks.

“i would love to,” I responded with a smile.

Neteyam and I left the rest of the Sully’s once we both finished. The excursion was… magical. we laughed and flew together and I was truly happy. I hadn’t felt like this in what felt like years. I allowed myself to let go of everything even if it was temporary. Neteyam landed down below near a river. We got off our Ikrans and sat with our feet inside the water.

“Thank you, Neteyam. For everything.” I tell him after a moment of silence.

“Always,” He says looking me in the eyes. “Y/n?” The way says my name makes me wish he was the only one allowed to say it.

“Neteyam.”

“go on a date with me.” he says, I was slightly taken aback. but happy nonetheless.

“Of course,” If I survive tomorrow, “I do have a pretty busy schedule…I’ll have to check when I am free.” i tell him half jokingly. He laughs and comes closer to me tickling my sides making me burst in a fit of laughter.

when he finally stops his attack on my body and allows me to catch my breath I look at him, actually look at him taking in every detail. My hand rest on his cheek as I lay on my side with him next to me.

“I see you, Neteyam.” I say gently.

“I see you, Y/n.” He says in the same gentle tone. I lean closer, but he’s the one to initiate the kiss, a kiss so gentle I felt as if I were floating.

I spent my time leading up to my duel with Selkath with the people I’d grown to love. I gave Tuk my necklace that my mother had gotten me for my 12th birthday. She’d give me many growing up. I gave Kiri my beaded bracelet. I left Lo’ak my small dagger. I left Neteyam, another of my daggers with a note. Neteyam and Lo’ak would find their gifts if neteyam were to look for me in my tent. If I made it back they wouldn’t know they existed.

I readied myself as eclipse settled closer and closer. I steadied my mind and heart, sending a prayer to Eywa. I grabbed my remaining daggers and my bow and arrows before calling Malu to take me up to the place I would meet Selkath.

He stood at the peak, his body rigid, and back towards me. I studied him before calling out to him. He turned to me and I no longer recognized him.

No words were shared before he charged at me. Knife in hand, he aimed directly to my heart. I moved under him, deflecting the hit. It was a dance, a beautifully tragic dance once. My daggers hit his body as his hit mine as well. Maybe it was from the blood loss or the overload of emotions I've been able to feel in the last few weeks, but I could not kill my brother and live. It would haunt me and possibly kill me as well. Tears and sweat mixed together each move brought us close to the edge of the mountain.

“I cannot kill you, I will not!” I shout over the wind.

“then you will die.” He responds in a cold tone.

“You hate me so much ?” He stayed quiet. I hit him hard enough so that he’d drop his knife. “Is this what you wanted?!” I ask, grabbing onto his shoulders, moving us closer and closer to the edge of the mountain.

“I will kill you!” he yells. I could feel him trying to push me but I held my grip on his arms.

“Let my people go!” I yell, both in prayer and to the man who caused this all to fall from the mountain, fear flashed in his eyes, I closed my eyes accepting my fate.

I thought it was the end, that I would see Eywa when I opened my eyes again. Instead I found Neteyam, Neytiri and Jake. I gasp and sit up remembering the events before I closed my eyes.

“you’re okay,” Neytiri says, laying a hand on my back. Neteyam was holding my hand. small sobs shaking my body.

“Selkath?” I ask.

“Eywa heard you Y/n.” Neytiri says.

“A swarm of Ikran saved you and my dad banned him from ever leading any people.” Neteyam says. I nod my head in understanding and send up a prayer to the Great Mother, thanking her for not making me do something I would not be able to live with.

“Thank you,” I muttered.

“Jake,” Neytiri says nodding her head towards the entrance of the tent signaling to give me and Neteyam so moment alone.

“What were you thinking? you should have told me, Y/n.”

“I was thinking about my people,”

“Woah there kid, Where’ve you been?” His voice alone told me who it was. There was no need to look up and inspect his face, not that I could since there was a 100% chance his mask was on.

“On my mission, where else.” My voice was raspy and it slightly hurt to talk.

“It’s been 4 months.” Laswell says.

“What?- no. how?” I could’ve sworn it’s only been two months. The calendar in the room they held me in- I was counting the days- they-.

“We need to get you to a medic.” Price says. Everything was going dark. My hearing was going in and out. The last thing that was going through my mind was the face of my daughter. The last time I saw her was 4 months ago. How…

I was young when I got pregnant with my daughter. I had barely turned 19, she was born 4 months after my birthday. I was enlisted already and on active-duty, Laswell was the only person I trusted at the time.When I went home I was kicked out and left for dead with a newborn baby. I was able to rent a shitty little apartment for a couple weeks before being kicked out once again. During that time I met a wonderful older woman and she helped me with Morgan. Laswell gave me the keys to a safe house and allowed me to stay there. I went back to the force when Morgan turned 6 months. I trained harder than ever, I got stronger and faster, so I could come back to her after every mission. Everything I do is for her. Laswell is the only one who knows.

The room was bright, my body ached since every bit of adrenaline left my body. Laswell, Price, Gaz, Soap, and Ghost were all in the room. I cleared my throat slightly and tried to sit up despite the aches in my body.

“How are you feeling?” Laswell asks.

“Perfect.” I mumble.

“We thought you were dead.” Soap says. Despite him always being the first joke around at this moment his tone was nothing but serious.

“I’m fine.” I reassure them. Ghost was the closest to me scanning my body. “I’m fine,” I repeat quietly leaning back on the bed. I saw Kate leaving the room from the corner of my eye and called out to her.

“Laswell,” She turned to look at me and nodded, she knew what I was going to ask.

“Rest and I’ll be back in a couple of hours.” I give her a small smile and relax. Price, Gaz, and Soap left shortly after her. Ghost was the only one left in the room with me.

“I’m fine, Simon” I turned my head to watch him, his forearms rested on his knees & he stared at me intensely. Part of me wanted to shrink under his stare but I refrained.

“You were gone for four months” he remarks.

“you were worried…” I say a little sarcastically.

“No shit.” He grumbles.

“I’m sorry,” I mumble, staring back at him. It isn’t a secret that Simon is a very reserved & secretive man meaning our relationship was also secret & very very new. When I left for my mission we had barely started ‘dating’ for 3 months. It honestly felt like it had been 3 years. I was supposed to tell him about Morgan before leaving for my mission but he had a mission to go on himself.

He hums. His hand grabbing mine, tracing his thumb along my palm. “What happened?” he asks softly.

“Someone blew my cover. They held me hostage in a room with no windows. There was a calendar- it was a trick.”

“Did they touch you ?” he asks, anger hidden beneath his soft soothing tone.

“Nothing too bad, knives & punches is all,” I explained before sighing, “Simon…”

“Yes, love?”

“I haven’t been completely honest with you & if you want to leave… I completely understand, I mean part of me knows that I should have told you sooner but-“

“y/n. what is it?” he asks, confused by my rambling.

“I have a daughter.” I say quietly, the tears brimming my eyes now falling down my face, my fear of losing the first man who’s actually made me feel loved taking over.

“How old is she?”

“five…” I couldn’t stop my tears, so I stared at my hands.

“Can I meet her?” I looked up at him in surprise. His eyes softened under his mask when he noticed my tears. “Did you think I would be mad? that I would leave you?” A sob racked my body, Simon stood up & wrapped his arms around my body.

“I just want her to be safe and I was scared of losing you.”

“You aren’t losing me anytime soon, You & me are taking some time off.” He says, his rough voice determined.

“I can’t ask you to do that.” I mutter into his chest.

“I want to. Gives me time to spend with my girls.” He mutters into my hair. my chest swells with happiness, the words coming out of his mouth felt unreal. I look up at him & stare into his eyes, the eyes that I've grown to love & constantly think about.

The majority of the dress was black, it reached just below her knees. it had gold trimming and golden flowers made out of the gold fabric and gold thread. That day she stayed home and waited until later in the day to start getting ready for dinner with Freddie. She was finished getting ready at five. she waited and then it was 7:59... She was sitting on her bed waiting for a knock on the door to alert her, but one did not come. Not until nearly 8:30. She walked towards the door expecting Freddie but finding Finn. Her body deflated slightly. 

“Not happy to see me?” He jokes. She gives him a sympathetic smile. 

“I’ve been expecting Freddie...” She tells. 

“Ah, Well... Polly asked me to come get you, she prepared a shit ton of dinner,” He tell her. 

The two people who knew had forgotten...

She puts on a happy smile and nods, following him out the door, but she couldn’t help the slight pain in her chest. 

“Are you alright?” Finn asks, she was silently walking next to him. She didn’t want to celebrate her birthday in the first place so why does she care if they had forgotten...

“Yeah... Yeah, sorry, I’m just a little tired, I didn’t get much sleep last night.” 

“How come?” Finn inquired. 

“I stayed up making a dress,” She tells him. 

“Did you finish it?” 

“well, I am wearing it, so I’d say yes.” 

“You look beautiful, by the way, darling, I don’t think I’ve told you.” Y/n smiles up at him, blushing slightly. 

they walk into the house and as y/n walked in, she finds everyone standing in front of the door. Karl and Freddie were in front, the latter helping the young boy hold a small cake with 2 candles on it. She stopped in her tracks and smiled as he walked towards her a little saying a small happy birthday. Finn had his hand on the small of her back. Her eyes were watery, causing Freddie to grab the cake from Karl and whisper something in her ear. She crouched down to his level as he wrapped his small arms around her neck and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Y/n melted at the gesture and stood up with Karl in her arms. 

“Thank you,” She says sincerely to everyone, “truly, this...” She couldn’t find the words to explain it.  

“You are apart of our family now, we couldn’t let your first birthday with us pass without us doing something.” Ada says. Karl gives y/n another kiss on the cheek. 

“You are so sweet Karl, I’m guessing you’ve made that cake all by yourself, little man?” Karl giggles and nods confidently. 

“Careful, Finn, Karl here is going steal your girl.” John jokes. Freddie turns to him and glares, everyone laughs. 

“Your girl, eh?” Y/n asks softly, nudging his side slightly. 

“Only if you’ll allow it...” He says staring directly into her eyes. 

“should I or should I not?” She jokingly thinks aloud. 

“Absolutely NOT. Separate. Right now. You are a child, I will have none of that!” Freddie yells causing y/n to laugh as he gestured to her and Finn. 

“I’m 17, nearly an adult, I should be allowed to date, it’s not like I haven’t already,” She says mumbling the last part. 

“No.” Freddie say sitting on one end of the table. Karl sat next to her, Finn on her other side, Freddie glared at him slightly, Ada sat next to Karl, Freddie next to her. 

“OI! If you get to be married to a Shelby, I should at least be able to date one.” 

“Absolutely not.” 

“Freddie, come on, look at them. Imagine how adorable my children will be.” 

“Children?! What bloody Children?!” Freddie exaggerates. Polly, Ada, and Esme all watched the spectacle giggling. The guys sipped at their whiskey chuckling and watched it all as well. 

“My future children.” Y/n says calmly, sipping at Finn’s whiskey she took. 

“I will lock you up.” 

“No!” Karl yells glaring at his father. everyone knew that the 4 year old was most likely taking the entire thing seriously when they saw how serious his expression was. 

“See, Karl will protect me.” Y/n says while Karl still glares at his father, causing everyone to laugh. 

As the night went on they all laughed and enjoyed the night. Yes, Y/n knew she had to get up early and go to her first day at work at the boutique but she disregarded it. She would be fine. She was leaning on Finn’s shoulder listening to John and Arthur bicker about nonsense. Today was perfect 

Later that night, Finn was able to convince y/n to stay the night. The boutique being closer to his house convincing her since that meant she’d be able to get in little bit more sleep in. She’d borrowed some of the clothes Ada left to sleep in and woke up early the next morning. Eager for her first day. She didn’t wake Finn, although he did steer awake when she got out of bed. She walked down stair, wearing the dress from the night before and said good morning to everyone before walking out the door. 

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

Y/n was saddened when she noticed her first work day was over. She enjoyed all of it, the women she met were incredibly kind and she already started to love everything there. She was excited to tell Freddie and Finn all about her day but she decided to go home and change first. She grabbed the first thing she could find which was a soft long sleeve dress. 

As she was walking out the door she noticed a small note on the floor that she must have missed as she walked in. Her heart sped up as she read it. Her steps were faster as she walked to where she was hoping everyone was. As she entered #6 Watery Lane, she looked around and only noticed one person missing. Freddie. Polly noticed her slightly panicked state. 

“Is everything okay?” Polly asks. 

“Where’s Freddie?” She asks. 

“He went to grab a bottle of whiskey from the Garrison, why?” Finn answers. Y/n ran out the door and straight for the garrison, as fast as her heals could take her. the contents of the note kept replaying in her head. ‘It was his gun you shot me with, It’s his head.’ As she reached the Garrison she saw Derrick holding a pistol and pointing it at Freddie. Freddie was simply standing there holding onto the bottle of whiskey. Derrick’s finger drew closer and closer to the trigger and without thinking she took off her shoes and ran towards them. right as Derrick was going to shoot y/n threw herself on top of him and a shot rang out.

She was still breathing, she was still on top of Derrick, and she could still hear Freddie call out to her. There was blood dripping from her arms she could feel it. Derrick watched wide eyed. She took the gun from his hands and stood up, her good arm helping her up. She turned to Freddie to make sure he was alright and then walked towards him, disregarding the blood flowing out of the cut on her arm. She could see Thomas, Arthur, John, and Finn making their way toward them. Derrick was still on the ground as he had fallen on top of a piece of sharp rock knocking the air out of him. 

“you’re bleeding-“ Freddie starts but is interrupted by y/n hitting him repeatedly with her good arm.

“what the bloody hell was that?” she yells.

“what?” he asks trying to deflect her hits.

“why did you just stand there and do nothing? why didn’t you use your gun? why didn’t you do something?! you could have been shot!” Her voice was wavering as tears flowed down her cheeks, from the pain in her arm or the fear she had felt of nearly losing her brother again, she did not know.

“he’s a kid…”

“He could have killed you!” she yells.

The brothers were now in closer range. Arthur and John were dealing with Derrick, while Thomas and Finn walked toward Freddie and y/n.

“You’re bleeding.” Finn says grabbing her arm causing her to hiss slightly as he applies pressure to stop it from bleeding any more, the bullet luckily only grazed her arm, but it was deep. 

Y/n didn’t take her stare off of Freddie. 

“Let’s get you cleaned up,” Freddie says, beginning to walk away. Y/n didn’t follow him. instead she scoffed loudly and walked into the Garrison, Finn following close behind her. She asked Grace to hand her a bottle of whiskey and a clean rag. She drenched the clean rag in the liquor and wrapped around the cut with the drenched rag tying it with a knot. It was obvious it burned by how her eyes shutting tightly and leaning her head back on the booth she had sat herself at. Freddie had followed them in and tried to take the bottle of whiskey away from her but she pulled it away and glared up at him. 

Freddie sighs, “Why are you being so childish?” 

“Childish? ChILDiSh?! Fuck you.” She says. Arthur and John were just walking in with Polly, Ada, and Karl, Thomas was sitting across from her, and Finn was next to her. 

“Jesus Christ, What happened to you?” Polly asks when she sees the rag that was slowly turning red. 

“Nothing, Polly, I’m fine.” 

“You’re bleeding, y/n.” Ada says. 

“Yes. I know.” 

“She took a bullet for me...” Freddie says. 

“What?!” Ada and Polly say. 

“and she’s taking that as an excuse to act childish.” Freddie mutters. 

“YOU stood there. you stood in front of a loaded gun as if you had nothing to lose, Freddie. What if I had done that?... You would have left Karl and Ada alone? Don’t even think of me, but your wife and kid...” 

“I’m sorry,” He says sincerely finally seeing how serious it all had been. Finally seeing how badly this could have all ended. And as if her body knew she didn’t have anything left to say, the effect of the adrenaline from her being shot was leaving her body quickly. the graze was deep, but there was no bullet stuck inside of it. Maybe she was exaggerating but her body began to feel slightly weaker than before. She sighed deeply, nodded her head and laid onto Finn. 

“She’s losing blood, Let’s get her home so we can stitch her up.” Polly says. Everyone nodded and y/n began to stand up. She could walk but they were slow movement. Finn wrapped his arm around her waist and helped her walk. As they were walking she took a misstep and lost her balance causing her to nearly fall, Finn picked her up, his arm under her knees and one under her back. 

“I’ve got you, love.” He whispered, not paying any mind to the blood getting on his shirt. Y/n allowed herself to relax slightly, feeling safe in his hold, she could hear Ada and Freddie behind her murmuring loud enough that she could hear. 

“I don’t know how I should feel about that...” Freddie mutters to Ada. 

“He’s a good boy and she’s a good girl, I think you should let them be.” Ada murmurs nonchalantly. 

“Why is Uncle Finn carrying Aunt Y/n?” Karl asks loudly. 

“She’s just tired, Karl.” Freddie reassures him. Y/n smiles into Finn’s chest. Once they got back to the house Finn sat y/n down on the sofa and then went upstairs to change. Freddie took this time to apologize once again. He earned one last scolding but ultimately y/n’s forgiveness which was all he wanted. 

Ada was the one to stitch y/n up. Once she was done everyone settled, the sun was barely setting. Freddie, Ada, and Karl left to go home after y/n reassured them over and over that she was fine, and Thomas, John, and Arthur all went back to the Garrison or somewhere else. Polly had gone to her room a little while earlier, so it was only Finn and y/n. 

“You’re a bloody idiot.” Finn whispers. He had his arms wrapped around her, her head on his chest. 

y/n breathes out a laugh, “maybe...” 

“But... you’re my bloody idiot, darling.” He says, She lift her head up slightly and looks at him, he was so close. He nudged her nose with his and then kisses her gently. She sighs into it and kisses him back, her good arm coming up to put her hand on his cheek. The kiss was slow, sweet, and full of passion.

Too caught up in the moment they failed to realize Finn’s older brothers had all returned until Arthur yells, “Make sure to use protection!” while walking up the stairs, Thomas behind him smirking. 

Y/n laughed and pulled away, shaking her head and leaning it on Finn’s chin.

It was early and Small Heath was eerily quiet. You were on your way home from getting sweets for yourself and the rest of your family as a treat since things have been all around heated. As you walked past a small cafe you over heard some women talking, their words made you stop in your tracks.

“… the youngest Shelby boy was murdered…”

your pace quickened, you decided to check the Garrison first. you rushed in looking around for your brothers, they were no where in sight. Your eyes fell on Isiah. Everyone was watching you, you noticed. every peaky blinder watched you… but with the hats against their chest. Isiah walked towards you and before he could speak you say, “it’s not true, tell me it isn’t.” a desperate plea.

“I’m sorry, He’s gone.” He tried to put his hand on your shoulder but you stepped back and ran out. You kept running until you reached 6 Watery Lane. you ran through the door and searched the rooms, no one was home. you fell to your knees crying, you’ve lost your other half, you twin brother and best friend. You barely had enough strength to walk upstairs, you visión blurry with tears. You walked past your room and straight to Finn’s. Maybe you half expected- hoped he’d be in there. And when you found no one in the room it only made it hurt more. You walked to the bed and clutched on pillow sobbing into it. you had no control of the tears anymore.

——————————————————

Thomas had no choice but to fake Finn’s death, at least until his threats had be eradicated. He made sure his death was public and at the hands of one of Sabini’s ‘men’, No one would know Finn’s death is fake other than Polly, Micheal, and his siblings. They made sure everything was believable.

Finn’s cause of death was a gun shot wound straight to the heart. there was blood everywhere. everything showed just how dead the Shelby boy was. When Arthur, Thomas, John, and Isiah found him Arthur was the one go pick his body up and take him to the betting shop. Everyone cleared out. And then Finn woke up. Everyone hugged him and told him the next steps. But it was hard to him to pay attention, it was if no one noticed his twin sister was not there.

Before Tommy, Polly, John, and Arthur could continue explaining he interrupted.

“Where’s y/n?” it suddenly dawned on them, had no one told her ?

“fuck…” Polly says after a few seconds.

“what, pol?” Thomas asks, “Where is she?”

“She left before I told her, She doesn’t know it isn’t real.” Horror dawned on everyone’s face. Finn was the first to dart to the house. They all noticed the bag you dropped at the bottom of the stairs. They all went upstairs, your sobbing could be heard from outside the door. Finn peeked through the crack in the door and found you with you knees to your chest on the floor, your back against the bed. you head was tucked into your arms.

Thomas walked in first, Finn behind him. “Y/n ?”

“Go away,” you say. your voice was hoarse surprising everyone. How long had you been crying for ?

“Come on, dove, look up,” He says trying to make you see that Finn was alive and standing in front of you. You lift your head up slowly, you bloodshot eyes coming into view. there was a steady stream of tear still falling from your eyes. It took you a few seconds to notice Finn, but when you do you shot up and hugged him, you tears still didn’t stop though.

you punch his shoulder pulling away slightly, right where the bullet supposedly went.

“What the fuck!” you yelled. your voice was broken.

“it was all a decoy, Aunt Pol was supposed to tell you but you left before she could.” Finn explained.

you stepped away from him and looked at everyone. “so I’ve just cried for the last hundred hours and fried my voice over nothing ?!”

“no, you just showed me how much you love me.” Finn mocks trying to make you smile.

“Fuck off.” you say wiping your tears.

You start walking downstairs when Arthur calls out, “where are you going ?”

“to get my bag of treats that i bought while you all made Finn fake his death.” everyone follows you. “ I went to the Garrison and then here. Where the fuck were you all?”

“First off, watch your mouth, Second, the betting shop,” Thomas says, you’d forgotten to check there...

“I get to say fuck all I want after what you made me go through, Piss off.” you say rolling your eyes sitting at the kitchen table with your bag of chocolates and butterscotch.

“You’d miss me if I actually died.” Finn says sitting next to you picking a candy out of the bag.

At the young age of 5, everyone noticed how much you loved music. You’d hum to a song you’d heard and match its pitch with whatever objects you could find. At the age of 6, you stumbled upon a violinist, he was old, well into his 50′s, and playing for money, but the sound he emitted from his instrument was so enticing, you stood and watched him play. You didn’t know how much time had passed as you watched him play, but it was long enough for your family to notice you were no longer with them. They’d found you sitting on the concrete floor, legs criss cross, watching the man play his melodies. 

Thomas got you your first violin a few weeks later, right before all of them left to fight in the war. In those four years, you dedicated almost all your free time to playing the violin. It was your escape, you practiced until your finger were numb and only until you perfected every note would you think about stopping, most of the time you’d still continue. Your music was rarely heard, though, Not by Ada or Polly and not even by Finn. Your music was yours and yours alone. You’d leave in the morning with your violin, carry it around school and practice somewhere secluded after school. Or you’d leave after breakfast on the weekends while Polly was busy with the business. 

When the boys returned from the war, you weren’t able to spend as much time playing and practicing as you’d like. They became more protective than the last time you’d seen them. The first year they were back, after turning 11, you played in front of them for the first time. It was a simple song called ‘Andantino’. It was one of the first songs you tried to learn and succeeded. It was slow and beautiful. It was the first time any of them had heard you play and to say the least they were stunned. You were 11 and playing beautifully. 

That was the only time you’d played for them for a long time. It always made you nervous when others heard you play. you were a little afraid of their judgment. No one ever pushed you to play. When you were 14, you stopped playing for a few months. School was becoming more stressful and it felt like you barely had any time to play. When school ended for the year, you picked your violin back up and worked hard to regain you skill level. You’d go to your Uncle Charlie’s place and go as far out onto the field as you could so no one would hear you play. And if they did it would sound incredibly distant and faint. you tried to maintain the habit even when school started again. 

You ended up graduating high school early, at 16, and began to focus on your violin. It wasn’t strange for your family to not see you for the entire day as you’d spend it out practicing and playing. 

One day, you decided to go back to the market in which the old man with the violin was at. You had little hope you’d find him there but you did. Still playing the violin. You watched and listened to his music. It was just as beautiful as you remembered. He saw you from afar and beaconed you over when he finished his piece. 

“You seem awfully familiar...” He says trying to remember, “The little girl who watched me play for nearly an hour a decade ago?” You smile slightly. 

“Yes...” 

“Did you ever learn to play?” He asks. 

“I did.” He hands his violin to you and gestures for you to play. You took a moment to breathe and decided which song you would be playing. You let your fingers lead you, the memory of each note to lead you. You let everything go and let the music guide you, ‘Gymnopédie No. 1′ was the piece you had decided on playing in that moment. You shut your eyes and played the song by memory, every note was smooth and beautifully played. The music transported you somewhere safe, somewhere warm and comfortable. Once you finished the piece you opened your eyes and found a bigger crowd then the one before watching the man. He was in front of you with an astonished face. 

“That was absolutely beautiful, and all of it by memory... my God, you were born to be a violinists.” He says as you hand him back his violin. 

“I wouldn’t be here, playing the violin, if it weren’t for me hearing your music 10 years ago, I have you to thank.” You say walking away, but not before leaving a pouch with money inside the hat he was using to collect his earnings. 

When you arrived back home you found Thomas, Arthur, John, Ada, Polly, and Finn all in the living room. You were a little happier when you arrived from when you left. 

“I heard you gave quite a show today, Y/n.” Thomas says. You look at him a little shocked he’d found out but held a smile on your face nonetheless. 

“What? Where?” Ada questions. 

“At the market, the old man who was playing the violin 10 years ago still plays there.” You inform them. 

“And he let you play? How did he know you played the violin?” John asks. 

“Yes. And he recognized me. It felt amazing playing for a crowd. I used to be so afraid of playing in front of people, even you guys but after today, It felt so... magical in a way.” you say. 

“maybe you should do it more often then,” Polly says, everyone agrees. 

“Maybe, I should...” You say.

“Why don’t you play at the Garrison?” Arthur says. 

“That’s a great idea, you can play tomorrow night.” Thomas says. 

“The Garrison is a pub, Who the hell goes to a pub to listen to a violinist?” You retort. 

“Tomorrow can be a special event, it’s a great idea come on, Y/n.” Arthur tries to convince you. 

“It’s an awesome opportunity, y/n. You play really fucking well, everyone would love to hear you.” Finn says. 

“And we’ll all be there, so you’ll have more confidence and all our support. you’ll do great.” Ada persuades. 

“So, What do you say, Y/n?” Polly says after a while of you contemplating. 

“...Fine. I’ll do it, if you all promise to be there.” You say at last. 

“Deal.” Thomas says. 

That night you decided on which songs you would play. Some were slow and some were fast, but all were just as beautiful. You decided on playing the song you played earlier that day at the market first, then ‘Andantino’, ‘Concerto for Violin in A minor’, Accolay: Violin Concerto No.1 in A minor, a part of Brahms: Violin Concerto in D minor op. 77, Scottish Fantasy Op. 46 and then finish off with ‘Salut d’amour’. You would only play for an hour, that's the amount of time you all agreed on. 

The next day when you woke up you decide you wanted to get some practice in, so you went to your uncle Charlie’s yard and practiced until each piece was perfected. You’d played each song probably a hundred times since you’d started playing the violin. 

You went home and got ready with Ada and Polly later on. You decided on wearing a simple short sleeve light blue dress that was slightly shorter in the front than in the back. You wore white flat shoes rather than heels. Once you’d fixed your hair and applies a bit of make up, You, Ada, and Polly all walked to the Garrison together, your violin in hand. You were a bit nervous but pushed it all aside. The Garrison wasn’t as rowdy and loud as it usually is. It was more tame. You spotted Thomas, Arthur, John, and Finn seated in a booth. Arthur gesture with his hand for you to go stand on a small platform, While Polly and Ada went to sit with them. You pulled your violin and bow out of the case and stood at the front on the platform Arthur gestured to. Everyone watched as you took a deep breathe, looking towards your family who gave you smiles, encouraging you to start. It didn’t take you long after you started to travel to the place you adored. the place where there was nothing but you and your music. Your cheek rested on the violin, your eyes remained shut and your fingers played the right notes every time. Your eyes were shut but you could see a beautiful field with hundreds if not thousands of flowers, that’s where you were always transported when you played. there was a river not far from where you stood, the sky was a beautiful grey, and the breeze blew on your face. 

You only finally opened your eyes when you finished your final piece, it was quiet for a few seconds and it felt as if time had stopped. you received a standing ovation, even from Thomas, Polly, Ada, Finn, Arthur, and John. You smiled and gave everyone a small bow, then walked to the table your family was seated at. 

“Would you look at that, Our little sister, might as well become a professional, That was amazing.” John says. 

“Thank you, John,” 

“That was absolutely beautiful.” Polly says. 

“Thanks Aunt Pol,” 

There’s only been two instances where you’ve lost your temper with someone who wasn’t family. Two years ago with a dumb blonde bimbo who wouldn’t leave Finn alone and started talking about you and spreading rumors, and Now. In this moment, in the Garrison. You were on the verge of exploding and everyone could tell. 

It was a slow day, the shop was pretty empty with the exception of you, your brothers, your aunt and sister, and a few of the blinders. Isiah, Finn Best friend, brought a girl with him. Now, that’s not what bothered you. You could care less who he brought around, what bothered you was who this girl was. The dumb blonde bimbo from two years ago was now a brunette. She’s still a dumb bimbo though. That hasn’t changed. 

Today was hard enough for you since, you’d gotten into an argument with Thomas about me arguing with the teachers at school- it’s a long story. But the fact was that you’d started the day off on the wrong foot. after your argument with Tommy, you’d gone up to your room and dropped your ceramic jewelry holder and it completely shattered. it was one that you’d gotten from a market years ago and very much liked. And then to make matters worse the floor was still wet from the shower you’d taken earlier leading you to slip and fall onto a large shard of the broken jewelry holder. the piece went into your lower thigh, Ada helped you close it up and wrap the wound but you were still reminded of it nearly every step you took. The odds were just against you today. 

It was a little after your usual lunch time, so now you were hungry, annoyed, hurting, and being tempted all at once. The bimbo kept bringing up old fake rumors she thought I didn’t know she started. 

“Is it true that you were insane which is why you stopped going to school?” She asks. 

“no, I just switched schools.” 

“What about that rumor that said you slept with almost every guy in our class?” 

“They were all imbeciles why would I want to get with them?” 

“Well I’m sure you helping your family murder people is true.” you roll your eyes and clench your fist behind your back, a failed attempt at calming yourself. 

“I mean those rumors about you killing your father are pretty convincing.” She says softly only loud enough that Finn and I hear. “Did you murder your mother too? I wouldn’t be surprised if you end up murdering your entire family, your the most psychotic of them all, Isn’t that right, Crazy y/n?” the nickname was what did it for you. 

You got up at the same time she did, she was too slow to avoid you grabbing her throat. “say again, Princess?” 

“Let go of me.” 

“Not so bold now, are we?” I chastise. 

“Y/n.” Thomas says from behind me. 

“Listen very carefully, keep trying me and you end up just like your uncle, dead in an alley. I wonder who the person behind his murder was. Don’t you, bimbo?” You whispered every word into her ear so only she could hear. 

“Y/n, let go of her.” Arthur said from behind you.

Your hand remained around her throat, but you pulled away from her ear. there were tears in her eyes and true fear, her face had gone pale.  

“You’re only showing that you really are insane, you bitch.” She breathes out. you laugh at her feeble attempt to hurt you. 

“Of course they’re true, I’m a Shelby. You have three seconds to leave.” You let her go and turn your back. You felt her hand on your shoulder and back handed her. you knew what she was going to do. She wanted to prove something. You grabbed her head and brought it down to your knee causing her to fall to the ground. 

“Get her the fuck out of my sight.” some of the blinders help her up and lead her out. you sit back down next to Finn. 

“That wasn’t very nice, Y/n.” John says trying to annoy you. 

“John. You’re next.” You glare at him. 

“Will chocolate make you feel better?” He says pulling out a small bar from his jacket pocket. You let out a sigh and take it from him. 

“feel better now?” Arthur asks. 

“Yes, a lot.” 

“Why were you so moody anyways?” John asks. 

“Ask your brother.”

“Finn? What did you do?” Arthur asks, narrowing his eyes. Finn puts his hands up in surrender.

“Not that one.” 

“Thomas?” John asks. 

“Bingo.” 

“Thomas. What did you do?” Ada asks. 

“Nothing.” He says reading his newspaper and drinking his stupid whiskey.

“He woke me up at the ass crack of dawn and started an argument because I started an argument with a teacher about him grading my test wrong. Three fucking week ago!” you say glaring at Thomas, who was staring at you. John, Arthur, and Finn all start laughing while Ada and Polly shake their heads in amusement. 

“It was six a.m.” Thomas justifies. 

“I. Don’t. Care. IT’S A SATURDAY.” 

“Remind me never to wake her up early on the weekend.” Arthur says. 

“If I get you more chocolate, will you forgive me?” Thomas asks. 

“Maybe.” He sighs and walks out of the Garrison for chocolate. Ada and Polly laugh at the fact that you have your older brother wrapped around your finger.

You were making yourself a sandwich and softly singing to “Running Up That Hill’, One of your all time favorite songs. you’ve never sung around people, you never like being the center of attention and kept mostly to yourself. which is a little strange seeing that you were in l- best friends with one of the most. loudest people in all of Hawkins. It wasn’t all bad though, he could be quiet and calm when he wanted to and to be honest he wasn’t very loud outside of school, only when he was having fun and stuff like that. 

The music was softly playing on the side and you were singing along. “I’d be running up that road, Be running up that hill with no problems Say, if I only could I’d make a deal with god and get him to swap our places-” You turned around only to find Eddie leaning against the entry. you let out a small yelp. 

“Sorry, princess, didn’t mean to scare you.” he chuckles and pushes himself off the wall, “you never told me you could sing.” you took a bite of your sandwich. 

“I don’t like doing it in front of others.” you tell him, shrugging. “what are you doing here?” 

“I could leave if you want.” He says pointing towards the front door. 

“No.” you say a little too quickly, “no, you can stay, unless you want to leave, you don’t have to sta- I'm rambling...” You say the last part slightly, He simply grins. 

You and Eddie have been friends since he was in the 8th grade, you in the 7th. You graduated the year after he was supposed to, but you stayed good friends. you were more of the shy type, always reading with your knees up to your chest or listening and watching the sky or simply sleeping. either in class or on Eddie or by him. Lunch was always your designated nap time. 

“You should sing more often...” Eddie says sitting next to you on your bed. 

“I only like to sing when I'm by myself,” 

“why?” 

“Because it’s a little bit of a coping mechanism, I guess, Whenever I feel vulnerable or alone, I sing, but I also do it when I’m bored.” 

“Well, princess, you have the voice of an angel.” He says, looking at you in the eyes. For a second you held the eye contact and then looked down at his lips, only to quickly look back up to his eyes. He’d caught nonetheless and smirks. He takes one of his hands and puts it against your cheek. The only reason you’ve never told him how you felt was because you didn’t want to ruin your friendship. 

“You know, y/n,” He says softly, “I don’t miss those little glances you take of my lips when I'm talking or how flustered you sometimes get when I put my arm around your shoulder, The way you look at me...” Your breath hitched as his face got closer. “But you’ve never actually said it.” 

“Said what?” He looks at you with an ‘I know you know what I’m talking about’ look, “I don’t want to lose you...” you sigh. 

“I don't think that could ever happen,” He says getting on top of you, he had his legs on either side of you, both his hands on the sides of your face making you look up at him. he leaned down and kissed your cheek then your nose, the corner of you mouth, and then finally your lips. your hands grabbed onto his wrists lightly as you kissed him back. 

you pull back slightly, “so, you've known this entire time?” You asks slightly out of breath.

“kind of,” He says nudging his nose on yours making you smile a little, “I just wanted to make sure I was right before making any moves, so I asked robin.” He says grinning. 

“um excuse me what?” you say completely baffled.

“I told her I liked you and asked her if I was right about you liking me back, princess, that's all, she didn’t tell how much you gossip about me or dream about me either,” He says winking. 

“I don’t gossip or dream about you, Munson.” you tell him, narrowing your eyes at him jokingly making him laugh. 

“Whatever you say princess.” you roll your eyes. 

“So, you like me too?” You asks with the widest grin.

“Yes, I... like... you...too.”He says, kissing you in between each word. 

It was almost noon so y/n made her way to #6 on Watery Lane. She was incredibly happy, she held a small smile on her face, as she day dreamed about the different dresses she’s make, She’d try to make trousers, and skirts, oh how she loved skirts. She tried to control the smile on her face as she walked into the home, there was already commotion. This time John’s wife, Esme, and their kids were here. She walked into the living room and greeted the guys there, then walked into the kitchen where she found Esme, Polly and Ada and greeted them too. 

“Wise of you to show up, Y/n.” Ada says with a smirk. she narrows her eyes at her sister-in-law jokingly making her laugh. 

“Why don’t you go with Freddie and Finn for a while, we have it handled in here.” Polly says with a smile. She nods and walks back into the living area. Karl was playing with John’s kids in the back yard now, so there was a little less noise in the house. Y/n sat next to Freddie who was currently talking to Tommy about something she wasn’t really paying attention to. She’s was staring off into space thinking about the new job she got. 

“Y/n.” Freddie calls out to her. 

“hm?” She hums looking up at him, she instantly dropped the smile she had, knowing she’d get interrogated. 

“Why are you so giddy?” He asks. 

“What ever do you mean, Prince Frederick?” she says, sniffling a small laugh at the end of her sentence. 

“That smile on your face, Why is it so bright?” He says narrowing his eyes. 

“Am I not allowed to be happy?” 

“You were just smiling while you stared at the floor biting you lip, a little suspicious.” John says. 

“I bite my lip when I’m distracted so what?”  

“So, you weren’t thinking about a boy?” Fred asks. 

She scoffs, “ no. ew. no. why- what the fuck?” She chokes up making everyone look at her surprised. “No offense but I don't have to for men in my life, right now I'm focusing on making myself rich.” She says smuggly. 

“and how will you accomplish that?” Arthur asks. 

“By working hard at the boutique.” She says with a big smile. 

“you got the job?” Finn asks. she nods excitedly, as Fred gives her a side hug. 

“well, no wonder you were so happy, congratulation y/n.” Thomas says. 

“thank you.” She says. Karl walked back into the house and right into her arms. She’s gotten close to her nephew over the past few days. He crawled onto her lap and laid his head on her shoulder. “Are you alright, Karl?” She asks softly. 

“mhm. sleepy.” He says quietly. She could feel him growing heavier. She leaned farther back on the couch and allowed the boy to fall asleep. 

“How has he fallen asleep so fast?” Arthur asks surprised. He said it a little loudly causing Karl to stir a little and making y/n glare at him. he muttered a small apology while everyone else laughed. She ran a hand up and down his back to help him fall asleep as he was still slightly awake. 

“When is your first day, y/n?” Freddie asks. 

“in 2 days.” 

“Do you need anything? We could help you out a little.” 

“I’m fine, Freddie, I have everything I need.”

“Well, tomorrow we are cele-” Freddie begins, only to be cut off by her. 

“No.” She says, not in a harsh manner, but a little sternly. 

“Why not?” He asks. 

“Because, I’m not feeling up to it.” She lied, she always loved her birthday, but having Freddie back and people who look out for her is enough. 

“Fine, Dinner?” He asks and she nods. 

“What’s tomorrow?” Finn asks. 

“Nothing important,” She tells him with a small smile, He eyes her suspiciously. 

“The foods ready,” Esme announces and everyone walks into the dining room. Y/n stays behind to lay Karl down on one of the couches, Finn stayed behind as well. 

“You know you aren’t a very good liar, you look around a room after telling on subconsciously.” He states, she laughs. 

“It’s honestly nothing, just a normal day.” She says. 

“It’s your birthday isn’t it?” He asks. 

“How’d you know?” She asks surprised. 

“context clues.” he grins. 

“Don’t say anything, please? It’s not that big of a deal.” She says sincerely, he nods in understanding and they walk to the room everyone else was in. They sit in the only remaining chairs that were left, right next to each other too. she stayed quite listening to everyone else talk and also getting stuck in her head.  The last nice, fun birthday she’d had was when she was 5. Her father was still alive, her mother loved her, and Freddie was there too. Her father had given her rose and sunflower seeds to plant, her mother gave her a red bow, and Freddie gave her a sewing kit. Her flowers bloomed but died soon after... since she stopped taking care of them. She used the sewing kit to make more bows for herself. Y/n finished her food and listened to the conversation between the Shelby family absentmindedly. Her leg was shaking under the table and when Finn noticed he nudged her arm softly. She looked up at him in question. 

“Everything alright?” he asked softly enough that only she heard. she nodded, but her leg continued to shake. He put his hand on her leg and watched her calm slightly. 

She felt his hand on her leg but didn’t make any attempt to move it away. It calmed her in a way. She tried to keep the change in her mood unnoticeable, not wanting to bother anyone. 

Freddie eyed the two as he sat next to Ada. He noticed the slight change in y/n’s mood after bringing up her birthday. Even though he said they’d only have dinner, he owed it to her to have something bigger, especially since her last birthday with him was nearly more than a decade ago. He’d mention it to the Shelby’s later. 

“So y/n I hear you got the job at the dress boutique?” Polly asks. 

y/n nods but not as excitedly as she had earlier. “Uh, yes. I got the letter this morning. I start in 2 days.” She says a bit quietly. 

“I’d think you would be more excited.” Ada says, a hint of worry in her words. 

“I am, It’s just I'm a little tired is all, the food was delicious, thank you.” 

“Are you sure you’re alright?” Arthur asks.

she was beginning to get flushed and a bit overwhelmed. “yeah, yes, I’m fine.” she smiles at him. “just tired and thinking of all the dresses I'll be making.” she tells them. 

“Will you make me one?” Ada asks. 

“Of course, you know now that I think about it I could open my own dress shop and make dresses.” She says. 

“Well, This is just a start to that, that could be your goal in the future.” Freddie says. 

“Such a wise man.” Y/n jokes. 

“Why, Thank you.” Freddie says with a grin.

“Shush, Princess Fredericka, you’re ruining the moment.” Everyone burst out laughing at the nickname. including Finn and Y/n. 

“Wasn’t it Prince Frederick an hour ago?” Freddie asks amused. 

“I like Princess Fredericka better.” She says cutely. 

“Right, well, Rosie, we shall settle it in the Thorne manner just like when you were younger later. you’re still ticklish aren’t you?” He asks with a huge grin, the old nickname didn’t faze her much, it felt nice being called Rosie again. Y/n Rosie Thorne

“You wouldn’t dare.” She says staring him down. 

“We’ll see,” He says, “can you go check on Karl?” He says with a smug grin, changing the topic, But she was more than glad to go check on her darling nephew. He still needed to eat. She got up, forgetting about Finn’s hand, and smiled at him as she walked away. She walked to the couch Karl was on and ran her finger through his hair. He stirred a little before waking up. 

“Well, good morning, minx.” 

“Morning?” He asks. 

“It’s still dinner, you have to eat bud.” she says softly. The four year old reaches his arms up and she picks him up. He rests his head on her shoulder and they walk back to the dining room. She didn’t fail to notice the shadow in the corner of her eye. She was tense, Freddie noticed that as she handed Karl to him. She whispered into his ear, “pass me your gun, don’t ask just don't do it.” she says so softly only he hears. He passes the gun to her discreetly and she excuses herself to the bathroom. His shadow was in the window, so he must’ve been outside. She stepped out and looked around, noticing him about walk away from the house. 

“I thought I told you to stay away.” She says sternly. 

“You actually thought I would listen?” Derrick asks. 

“Did you think I was bluffing? I am Thorne and I keep my word.” She says before shooting him in the leg. She would have shot his dick off but she was feeling a little Merciful today. 

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” He screams in pain. 

“Why’d you help me today?” she asks softly. 

“you’re too pretty to die falling in that river.” Finn says turning to look at her as he said it. 

“Ha ha. funny.” she whispers.

“why were you there?” 

“I used to go there to calm down when I was younger, it was a little prettier back then.” she tells him. 

“and you needed to calm down today?” 

“I guess.” she sighs, “I think I’m leaving Birmingham.” 

“Why?” he asks getting up slightly putting his head on hand. 

“I have nothing keeping me here, I might as well leave.” 

“To somewhere you don't know anybody?” Finn asks, she stays quiet. “Is staying here really that bad?” 

“It’s difficult to explain, Finn. I feel like no one needs me here. like I’m better off leaving.”

“Are you an only child?” 

“No, I have an older brother but I don't think he’d care about me.” 

“Why not.” 

“The last time I say him I was 6. He walk right past me and wouldn’t recognize me.”

“hmm. and you’re mad at hime because of that?” 

“I’m mad because he’s had 5 years to contact me. but instead he spent them away from me because my mother told him to, I’ve known for the last 4 years. An entire year after his return.” 

“He’s your brother maybe let him explain himself then judge him after that.” she hummed closing her eyes and letting herself fall asleep. she never had trouble sleeping, she loved sleeping. it was an escape for her.

…………………….…………………….…………………….

the next morning Finn woke up before y/n and decided to grab some biscuits and tea from a bakery not far from her apartment. when he came back he set everything down and went to wake her up. He walked in and she was simply laying there watching the ceiling.

“Good morning,” He said, leaning against the door frame. 

“Morning.” she replied. “Where’d you go?” 

“To get some breakfast it’s on the table, come on.” Y/n was wearing a short night gown she had changed into in the middle of the night. She followed Finn and they both sat on the small table. 

“I think I’m going to talk to him...” Y/n said quietly. She took a small bite out of her muffin, as Finn looked at her.

“Who?” He asks. 

“Freddie- My brother.” she had stayed up most of the night contemplating whether or not to do it. He’s the only family she has left and she never much liked being lonely.

…………………….…………………….…………………….

It’s been 4 days, 4 days since she sent a letter back stating that if he truly wanted to talk then they should meet today at the river their father used to take them to. She’s been feeling a little less alone the last week, she's been spending time with Finn and Isiah, Polly talked to her the day after then incident and Y/n opened up. Polly comforted the way she wished her own mother had done. That night she stayed for dinner next to Finn and Isiah and saw how the Shelby family truly acted in the walls of their own home. Ada was the only one missing, but she didn’t ask where she’s gone to, since it wasn't any of her business. 

Y/n sat with her feet barely of the water, almost touching it. 

“Y/n?” She heard him say behind her. She stood up and faced him. He hasn’t changed very much. 

“Hi, Freddie.” she says, swallowing the knot in her throat, She didn’t know what to do or say. 

“you’re so... grown up now.” he says smiling slightly. 

“That’s what usually happens after not seeing someone for 10 years.” She didn’t bother masking her hurt and pain in her voice. 

“I’m sorry...” Freddie says, “At first it was just because I didn’t want to put you in any danger and then life just got a hell of a lot more complicated. And then mom... she said it wasn’t worth contacting you, that you’d made your choice to leave the family.” 

“...you were my best friend...” she mumbles. 

“I fucked up. I’m sorry.” He says putting his hands on her shoulders. 

“I’ll only forgive you on one condition...”

“what?” he asks. 

“Don’t leave me again. please.” She says into his chest hugging him. His arms wrap around her small frame. 

“I, Freddie Thorne, Promise to never abandon you again.” She giggle slightly at his elegant way of saying his promise, but hugged him tighter none the less. 

“I have someone I want you to meet.” He says. 

“Who?” 

“My wife and son.” Freddie led y/n through Watery Lane with his arm around her shoulder. She should of known who his wife was by the time they walked through Polly’s front door. 

“Ada meet Y/n, my sister.” He said right when they walked into view of everyone there. And of course to her luck everyone was there, even Thomas, Micheal, and Isiah. she stood there frozen, Freddie noticed her tense state.

“I’m guessing you know what family she belongs to?” He asks with a small reassuring smile. 

“that, and I already know all of them...” she says sheepishly. 

“How?” He says.

“Thats a long story not one for today or ever for that matter...” she smiles up at him. “now you said you have a son?” 

“Karl.” Freddie says and a little boy ran up to him. He had blue eyes but his face was just like Freddie’s also meaning he looked exactly like their father. 

“He looks like him.” She says quietly. 

“You never said Freddie Thorne was you brother.” Polly says. 

“I didn’t think he was your in law. I honestly would have stayed away if I’d known.” They laugh. 

“Well I guess now you’re officially a part of this family since you are Ada’s sister in law.” Tommy says. 

“Doesn’t Ada have to decide whether she likes me or not? She could hate me for all I know, I would not stay somewhere I am hated.” 

“Don’t worry, I like you, You’re a part of this family now.” 

“fun.” she says sitting down next to Finn and Isiah. 

“Welcome to family, Y/n.” Finn says. 

“Why, Thank you, Finnegan.” She says, making Finn roll his eyes. Her and Isiah laughed. 

“So, where have you been staying since...” Freddie asks sitting next to Ada with Karl on his lap. 

“I got a small place near The Garrison.” 

“Mom said you live with a boy.” He said, scowling a little. 

“I did, but I dumped him and moved out, He bother me for a while but I threatened to cut his dick off if he didn’t leave me alone.” 

“He didn’t call your bluff?” He says in a bit of a jokingly manner. 

“who said anything about it being a bluff?”

“I doubt you have the balls to do it.” He says challenging her. 

“I wouldn’t mind cutting yours off, I’m more than okay only having Karl as a nephew.” She says staring at him directly in the eyes with a small sinister smile. 

“Do you not want anymore nephews or nieces?” Freddie asks changing the subject. She laughs a little.

“I think Ada is more than capable of finding another... sperm donor.” She says leaning back, ada laughed along with polly.

“So unladylike.” Freddie says shaking his head jokingly.

“you’re right I’m not a lady, I am a woman. Why would I ever want to be lady like, it sounds so... imprisoning.” she says with a funny face of disgust. For some reason Karl laughed making her laugh as well. She was leaning her head against Finns shoulder. 

“God, I wish I would’ve written sooner.” He says. 

“Don’t dwell on the past, it’s not worth it, we’re here now aren’t we?” She says sighing slightly. 

“right.” Freddie says. 

“I’ve heard that there’s this job opening at a dress shop nearby, I applied earlier today.” y/n tell Finn, but of course everyone was listening. 

“What position is it?” Arthur asks. 

“I’d be sewing and fixing clothes in the back or Designing dresses, skirts, trousers, stuff like that.” 

“You’ve always been good with a needle and thread.” Fred says. She nods. 

“Because of that simple skill, I've been able to make clothes last longer.” 

“So, you’ll definitely get the job.” Thomas says. 

“IF all goes well then yes, but if not I think I’ll leave Birmingham for a while.” 

“Leave Birmingham?” Polly asks. 

“Maybe... I’m not sure, I’ll always come back but London sounds amazing.” 

“You’re staying here.” Freddie and Finn says at the same time.

“You can’t force me to stay.” she sighs. 

“I’m your older brother, you’re staying.” he says giving me the hard eye which she hold. 

“shush Freddie, you’re weaker than a mouse against a snake, I’ll have you on the ground in seconds.” she says.

“Cocky much.” 

“I guess it’s because I’ve got a much bigger one.” everyone laughs at my comeback. 

“You and your weird words.” Freddie sighs, “I’m sending you to a convent.” 

“Over my hot dead body, you weirdo.” she shrieks loudly, Tommy and Arthur smirk, John laughs, and Polly and Ada watch us bicker in amusement.

“I’m joking, but you’re coming to live with me and Ada.” 

“I like my home here thank you very much.” 

“you’re alone here.” 

“No, I’m not, I’ll be fine, I’ve managed so far.” she say. 

“And school?” 

“I finished early.” 

“how?” 

“I got all my work sorted out before leaving, my diploma is under my bed.” 

“you didn’t tell us that.” Polly says. She has become a little bit of a maternal figure. 

“It’s not that big of a deal.”