The fights were amateur in nature but the rules were respected. No weapons, no loose clothing, and most of all, no fucking around. Since Fawnie came to watch the fights, Finn recruited her as the bet collector (and because Isiah was currently... indisposed). Plus Fawnie was excellent at mental maths.

"I've got 50 pound on the welterweight champion of Midlands South!" She shouted, hoping to rouse more attention on Bonnie due to his winnings. "He's goin' up against a... Walter Jones?" She didn't recognize the name. "Apparently he's an amateur boxer in London!"

Fawn managed to get nearly 400 pound out of the men around her in favor of Bonnie. This Walter Jones got 450 which surprised her. Maybe they thought Bon lost his golden fist?

"Bon's coming out in like, 30 seconds so either hide yourself or run to meet him so his head is in it." Finn suggested as he locked the cash in a safe box.

"Right, good idea." She ran up over the bend to find Bonnie stretching and doing his usual pre-fight preparations. Aberama was, of course, by his son's side. "Bonnie!" His head snapped up in surprise. "Heard you were fighting tonight," She could see how his face paled, "I don't give a shit, Bon. You're gonna win."

He laughed, "You're always surprising me, little deer." They shared a quick kiss before Bonnie started toward the fake ring. "Come to wish me good luck?" Bonnie asked.

Fawnie shook her head at him, "I was collecting the bets, Isiah's currently dying in one of the bathrooms right now and you know Finn's kind of shit at maths."

"That he is," Aberama agreed, not poking fun at Finn's lack of skill. "But he's an excellent talker, I watched him round up most of those blokes and... Finn's a poet, Fawnie Rose."

"What? Finn can't talk himself out of a ticket but can convince a bunch of socialites to waste their money?"

Bonnie nodded, "It's mad how easy it was for him, he's such a good bullshitter."

She couldn't help but laugh, "That's so interesting."

━━━━

"Gather round' gentlemen–and lady! On this side, we've got the one, the only–Bonnie Gold!"

Fawnie and Aberama's voices were the loudest of them all. "And his opponent; Walter Jones!" Finn riled the group up all proper like, Fawn watched curiously how he did it. "All bets are final and go to Ms. Shelby there," He pointed at Fawnie. "If everyone's done with the money, shall we get to the fun part?" The group hollered in agreement.

Bonnie and Walter touched gloves and nodded before drawing back slowly. Finn looked at both men and then whistled using his pinky fingers. She didn't know he could do that. Fawnie spent the rest of the fight cheering her fiance on and wondering just how much she didn't know about Finn.

He seemed different than the year before; stronger. It was odd seeing the growth in her faux-twin so suddenly. Finn even stood straighter, not that he needed to with how bloody tall he was. For the first time ever she could see why Tommy tried treating Finn like John. He might not have been built for it a year ago, but Fawnie could see the potential for greatness in him.

Bonnie was pummeling his opponent, it was strange seeing how good of a fighter he was. This would be the first fight she watched from start to finish and it was so satisfying seeing how Bonnie played Walter like a fiddle.

He used his small stature to his advantage and beat Walter down within a minute of continuous blows. Fawnie found it exhilarating as she yelled with the group in favor of Bon.

"Take him down!" She screamed, ears ringing from how loud it was. "Get 'im!"

One last punch and Walter dropped. Finn called it and Bonnie was deemed the winner. Half of the crowd was pissed and the other was ecstatic as Finn sent the cash box inside to be counted.

"To those staying over you will receive your portion in the morning, for those who are leaving, it will be mailed to you. So make sure you sign the guest book!"

Finn really was smart, he was getting people to sign the guest book for Lizzie. She had begged that everyone do so upon entering but hardly anyone did but now Fawn could see that a lot more men would do so in order to get their cash.

"No more fights for tonight, lads. Go sleep off your anger about losin'!"

━━━━

They walked back toward the house quietly, Bonnie had his boxing gloves hanging over his shoulder and held her hand. It was peaceful with the darkness all around.

"How'd I do?" He asked, sounding coy.

"You already know, Bon."

Bonnie bumped his shoulder into hers, "You know what I mean, doe."

She shook her head at him, "I think you did well, though it's hard to say that's the first proper fight I've seen yet." Fawn swung their arms forward and back.

"You'll be seeing lots more next year on my tour." He added with a smirk.

"For someone so shy you're so bloody cocky." She knew he blushed just based on how much warmed his hand felt. "See now you're all shy and bashful, it's mad."

No one in her family was like Bonnie, they were all much different from him. His attitude was new to Fawnie, even with having known him for so long she was still getting used to him.

"I've always been like this, I dunno." He paused, "Maybe less shy before we met but–"

Fawnie stopped short, "Less shy?" Bon nodded, "What... do I make you shy?"

Another bright red blush covered his cheeks, she smiled at him–the blush deepened. "Well kind of, it's hard to explain."

"Take your time, I'm curious, Bon... you already know how you affect me. I don't really have any idea what I do to you."

He scoffed, "You say things just to make me blush all of the time, Fawnie Rose." She glanced away, feeling embarrassed. "You're the first person I've ever wanted to... I don't know– I've never been good at explaining how I feel. 'Specially not with you." He scratched at his head.

Bonnie looked up at the sky with a smile, "With my family, it's always been easy, it's an obligation that I have to fulfill. With you... I–" He set his burning gaze on her and stepped closer, taking in her entire face with just his eyes, "With you, I want to take care of you– I want to do anything–every fucking thing for you. It's not like with my dad where I help because I've got to... with you I want it. And it's fucking horrifying."

She was silent in front of him for a while, eyes glazing over with tears as the weight of his words began to press down on her. He understood her... Their feelings were not so far from each other and Fawnie couldn't even begin to comprehend how happy she felt.

It took everything in her to respond, she just wanted to stand there in his warmth forever but it was nippy. "How is it that when you're talking about yourself it feels like you're saying just what I'm thinking?" She wondered out loud, curious about how he was so good at feeling things.

Bonnie chuckled and shrugged, "I dunno. You're the one who doesn't say what you're feeling unless I poke at you."

"I get it from Tommy," The boy shook his head, "Sorry, sorry I couldn't help it."

"I love you," He said sincerely.

Fawn smiled shyly, "And I, you." She wiped a bit of blood off of his cheek before kissing the spot.

AUTHOR'S NOTE.

Here's chapter 52!!! I love writing little bits between Fawn and Bonnie, their dynamic really makes me happy <3 Especially with how Bonnie brings out the sweet / domestic side of Fawnie. It's just <3 They're soulmates :') Please leave comments it inspires me and makes me so happy!