𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟕
𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐑𝐢𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐬

Aurora leaned against one of the walls, looking at all the Blinders that gathered in the den. "Who are we?" John shouted. "The Small Heath Rifles!" They all shouted back at him, followed by a collection of cheering and clapping.

Rory rolled her eyes and pushed away from the wall, watching as they began leaving to den. John wrapped an arm over Finn's shoulder and dragged him outside. Rory went to make herself breakfast and looked at the clock.

The men were going to the Epsom Derby to take down Sabini and his men. She didn't dare ask how or if she could go with. Quite frankly she didn't care. She only cared about if they'd return home safely. Finn, of course, was just their little dog to boss about as always. He had his rant to her the night before.

Once finishing up her breakfast and placing the plate in the sink, Rory peered out the window and her eyes widened when seeing Arthur sat on the back of the van.

"Jesus fuck—" she practically sprinted outside. "Arthur!"

He turned his head in her direction and stepped down, his arms open wide as she jumped into him. "How did you get out?" She asked. "I've been wondering the same thing, Angel." He laughed into her shoulder. "Tommy always has a plan though, eh?"

"Yeah— always has something." She laughed, looking up at him. Arthur squeezed her shoulder. "You look well, you do." He complimented.

She had heard it so many times yet struggled to believe it.

Their attention diverted to Tommy who was approaching and Rory turned to get to him before he could speak. "Please tell me you don't plan on anything outrageously stupid today, do you?" She asked. He quirked up an eyebrow. "It depends what you consider outrageously stupid." He teased.

"Like getting yourself killed." She offered.

"I can't promise that one, kid." He said seriously, balancing a cigarette between his lips. Aurora sighed and shook her head. "Do you never get bored of risking your life?" She asked.

Tommy shrugged. "I chose this life."

"And it seem you're not too fond on keeping the life either. You must like seeing the end of somebody else's gun." She joked. Tommy laughed dryly and looked over at his brothers. "You make sure you stay here today, alright? Just incase, for whatever reason, Sabini finds out our plan and sends men down to Small Heath. I wouldn't want you getting hurt."

"I'll be alright, Tom." She assured him. "I'm in school today and then i'm going to Charlotte and Mikey's. Harvey might be there." She said. "Since you're not wanting them or Alfie on the job today."

"They only recently got the job. We have enough men today and can't risk losing any." He said, shielding his eyes from the sun.

She nodded along. "Good luck today, Tom." She said before brushing past him to go into the house.

Aurora wasn't necessarily worried they would get hurt, more weary. She knew they could be stupid and sometimes overly cocky. She believed they needed to take more caution with the people they planned to take down. What happened with Kimber was bad enough, Sabini would probably be worse.

Polly was in the office and Rory decided not to approach the woman. She still felt offended by her angry comment and decided it would be best if she avoided her for the time being.

After a few moments, the door closed and Finn walked in. Aurora turned to him and offered him a smile. "Are you going now?" She asked as she closed the doors that separated the house and the den. Finn nodded. He leaned down and kissed her quickly. "Wanted to say goodbye."

Her smile grew and she nodded. "Don't get in too much trouble."

Finn laughed and nodded, grabbing his cap on his way out and closing the door behind him.

Rory flattened her uniform with her palms and went to grab her coat, the chill from outside still lingering against her face. By the time she got outside, everyone had left. With it only being eight in the morning, nobody but the school kids were awake.

She walked with her head down, hands shoved into her pockets in attempts to keep them warm. Suddenly, a pair of hands grabbed her shoulders from behind and she jumped.

"Sorry— only me." Alfie smiled, Harvey on his left.

She shook her head but still smiled. "Morning to you too." She sighed. The two boys fell into step beside her and Alfie took a deep breath. "How've you been?" He asked.

Aurora nodded. "Better than I usually am." She said truthfully.

"That's good, Thorne." Harvey said. "Thank you," she said. "What're you doing here anyway, Harvey? You're not in school anymore." She said.

He shook his head. "No. But i'm going to meet Mike." He said. "Thought I would come with Alfie on his way to school since Mike's house is on the way."

She hummed in understanding and as she breathed out, she could see her breath in the cold air. "Will you both be there after school? At Mikey's?" She asked the pair. Harvey nodded and so did Alfie. "Of course we will. Any chance to get the group back together."

"It feels like it's been ages." She said.

"Cause it has been ages." Harvey laughed.

Aurora rolled her eyes and they approached the school gate. "Whatever, Harv. Bye." She laughed, continuing to walk alongside Alfie and into the school. "Are you enjoying being back at school?" He asked her, holding the door open. Aurora shrugged. "It's a nice distraction, I suppose."

-

"Come on, Thorne. We ain't got all day." Alfie teased as they waited at the door for her to finish packing up her things. She shook her head with a laugh and shoved her things into the drawer. Her ears pricked up when hearing the mutter of Finn Shelby's name.

"I saw him in the gym last week—" the girl giggled to her friend. Aurora frowned. "He's quite handsome." The other said. "I don't think he has a girlfriend, either." She added on.

Aurora turned to look at them and they stopped talking. "What are you looking at?!" One snapped at her. She raised her brows and looked her up and down. "What are you talking about?" Rory asked. The girls shared a glance. "Finn Shelby. What's it to you?" She crossed her arms. Aurora took in a breath. "Oh wait— I know you.. you're that girl who clings to his side." The other spoke with a laugh.

Alfie and Charlotte noticed the interaction and began watching carefully.

"Excuse me?" Aurora asked, standing straight. Alfie came from the door and approached Aurora, Charlotte following behind. "Did I stutter?" The girl asked, stepping forward. Aurora let out a breathy laugh. "You're that whore that so desperately wants Finn Shelby— but he doesn't want you, does he?" She asked. Aurora's face fell and within seconds, she had sent her fist forward and it collided with the girl's cheek.

She stumbled backward and her friend gasped. "What the fuck!" She shouted.

Aurora punched the girl again.

And again.

And again.

Until Alfie pulled her away. She breathed heavily and spat at the girl's feet. "Shut your dirty mouths." She pointed at them. "Or next time i'll kill you." She threatened.

The girls scurried away, not bothering to argue further.

Alfie held Aurora upright and frowned. "What the fuck was that about?" He asked. "Are you okay?" Charlotte asked. Aurora fixed her hair and huffed, shrugging Alfie's hands away. "I'm fine." She assured before smiling widely. "God, i've not done that in a while." She breathed.

Alfie laughed when sure she wasn't going to attack him too. "People need to learn not to talk shit." She whispered, walking ahead of the pair to leave the school.

-

Aurora walked into the Garrison after saying goodbye to her friends and saw the crowd of Blinders blocking her view. Arthur stood on a table, a bottle raised in the air as he cheered about something.

She spotted John who had watchful eyes on Esme as she laughed with Johnny Doggs.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, someone wrapped arms around her waist and picked her up, spinning and laughing. She raised her eyebrows and looked down to see Finn. "We did it! We bloody did it!" He shouted over the noise. She laughed and placed her hands on his shoulders for support. "You did?"

"We did!" He repeated, a wide smile on his lips. "Sabini is done." He added.

Aurora held his face for a brief moment and nodded. "That's good, Finn. Are you hurt?" She asked. Finn shook his head and put her on her feet. "No— not a single scratch on me." He said.

"Where's Tommy? Is he happy about the win?"

Finn looked around and shrugged. "Haven't seen him since we were there. I'm not sure where he is." He said. This alarmed her slightly but she brushed it off, knowing how unpredictable Tommy could be and not wanting to ruin Finn's moment.

He saw the redness on her knuckles and lifted her hand. "What's that?"

She withdrew her hand quickly and shook her head. "Nothing. Don't worry." She smiled, trying to change the subject. She was afraid they'd all be disappointed in her if they found out she'd been fighting.

Finn raised a brow and tried to take her hand again to look but his time she pulled away more harshly. "Finn." She warned. "Don't."

He scoffed. "Fine." He huffed and walked away.

"Wait— no, I didn't mean.." she tried but he had already walked away. With a sigh, Aurora scanned the room and spotted Isiah who was talking to a girl. Wondering whether to go and interrupt, being a possible cock block, or to leave him to it. But luckily for her, the girl walked away with a smile, Isiah with a satisfied look on his face.

Now the girl was out the way, he saw Aurora stood by herself and waved her over.

She sat upon the chair beside him and breathed. "How was it?" She asked. Isiah shrugged. "Busy." He said plainly. "But we did it so I can't complain." He lifted his drink to his lips.

Aurora nodded and focused on him, trying not to look for Finn in the crowd.

"Have you seen Tom?" She asked the same question from earlier and received the same response: a shake of his head. "Not a clue. I'm sure he's fine, though." He said. Aurora nodded as if she was trying to convince herself that Tommy was okay.

"Yeah.." she trailed off.

Isiah followed her glare and it landed on Finn. "What's happened with you two? You look like you want to kill him." Isiah joked. She said nothing. He lowered his glass. "You aren't going to kill him, are you?"

She let out a laugh. "No, no I'm not going to kill him. At least not yet."

Aurora got up from her chair, deciding she wasn't in the mood to be in the pub, and wished goodbye to Isiah before turning for the door. What she didn't know was that Finn had followed after her.

Once she was in the house, she was looking over one of the getting books when she heard the door close and footsteps on the wooden floor. "Tom?" She asked curiously. Finn appeared in the doorway and she bit down on her tongue. "Aurora." He warned, hands in pockets.

He wasn't as small as he used to be. When they were children, Aurora was slightly taller than him. But now, it seems Aurora had stopped growing years ago because he was at the height where he could tower over her.

Aurora brushed past him quickly and he basically chased after her, grabbing her wrist and she fought against him. Finn pulled her toward him and leaned her against the wall, both hands on her shoulders to keep her there.

"Why won't you talk to me?" He asked, out of breath. Aurora said nothing. "Why won't you fucking talk to me?" He asked angrily.

She tried to pull away from him but he was too strong.

With a sigh of defeat, Rory looked to the side and Finn shook his head. "You can't even talk to me now. Have I done something  wrong?" He questioned. She scoffed. "No." She answered quickly.

"So just talk to me."

Aurora crossed her arms and Finn huffed, annoyed with her. "Just tell me what happened today for your hand to look like that." Finn said. It was more of a demand rather than a request.

She said nothing.

"Why won't you tell me?"

"Because I'm scared everyone is going to be angry with me— that you're going to be angry with me!" Aurora finally spoke. Finn's face altered slightly, falling into a slightly rested but confused expression.

"I got into a fight! That's it— is that what you wanted to hear?"

"Aurora," he shook his head, "why the fuck would anyone be angry at you?" He asked.

She shrugged. "I don't know. Because everyone thinks i'm better now— and I am. I swear it's just.. I don't know! Alright? I don't know!" She rambled. Finn pursed his lips together and held the side of her neck. "Everyone gets into fights, Rory. It's not that big of a deal."

"Yeah but Tommy—"

"Fuck Tommy, Rory." He whispered. "If he cares then so what? That's one opinion." He told her. Aurora looked down. "But I can tell you now, he won't care. He won't be angry. No one will. Especially not me." He assured her. "Just tell me what it was about and—"

"You."

"Me?"

"They were talking about you. They fancied you or something— called me the whore that desperately wants Finn Shelby, the girl who clings to your side.." she explain.

He scoffed. "Really?"

She nodded.

"Well.. I wouldn't say whore but.." he joked. Aurora smacked his chest and looked down to hide her smile. Finn laughed and pulled her into a hug. "It's fine, Rory." He said. "Don't worry about it."

"I'm not worrying."

"Sure you aren't." He grinned, kissing the top of her head. "You'll be fine." He said. He wanted to say, 'you'll be fine as long as i'm here' but felt she would laugh at him. So he didn't say anymore.

She looked up at him and kissed him. "I know," she whispered. She wanted to say, 'I know i'll be fine because i've got you,' but she didn't because she cringed just at the thought of those words leaving her mouth.

Both thoughts from the pair of them were true, of course, but they were too afraid to say them. Something that often got in the way was their fear of reaction.

But it was true, Aurora would be fine as long as Finn was around.