HAMLET → FINN SHELBY

post break-up kisses

Soft and slow. Hands on each other's arms in a way that neither can tell if the other is pushing away or pulling closer. The kiss ends with their foreheads pressed together, neither wanting it to be true that this is happening.

"Shelby or fucking not, Finn, I love you."

"I don't care."

The two of you were sitting across from each other in Polly Gray's living room, an ice-pack to your rapidly purpling cheek, tears in both of your eyes as you stared each other down.

"I can't have things like this anymore," Finn whispered, his eyes glassy as they zeroed in on your damaged face. "I can't have you in harm's way just because you're sleeping in my bed at night."

"Finn." You didn't want to believe this was happening. After a run-in with some drunken Irishmen in a dingy little pub that nobody cared about, this was the last thing you were expecting. A break-up. "Shut up. I'll always be in harm's way, and I've accepted the fact long ago, when I first decided I want to be with you."

"Doesn't matter," Finn said thickly, and you dropped your ice-pack onto the coffee table as you watched a tear leave his eye. He wiped it away quickly. "It's over. Tommy said this was for the best. That you were too gentle for our world. Too good."

You felt your heart crack a little more. "Tommy said that?"

Finn avoided your eyes as he nodded. Only when you sniffled did he look up, disbelief colouring his face as he watched you cry.

"Does your face hurt?" He asked anxiously, already reaching for the ice-pack on the table, grabbing it and kneeling between your legs, thumbs gingerly wiping away your tears before pressing the ice to your face again. "Don't cry, love. It'll be okay."

"Shut the fuck up, Finn Shelby."

The venom in your words made him flinch back, raw hurt forming in his eyes as his chin wobbled, tears threatening to spill once again. He made moves to stand up, get away from you and the longing he felt in your presence. But you took his face in your hands and brought him in close, foreheads touching.

You sniffled. "Please," you begged quietly, nose bumping against his. "Please don't do this."

"I have to," he whispered back, hand taking to your waist and holding tight. "I have to because I love you."

And then he kissed you, salt on his lips where they captured yours, your fingers digging into his face and holding him close against your shuddering form, wishing that you could tether him there forever.

Then, he pushed you away. Finn Shelby pushed away the love of his life, standing to his feet with lightning speed, shocking you so bad that you audibly gasped. For the second time, the ice pack fell from your grasp.

"I love you," Finn said, waiting to turn away before letting the tears fall. "I always will, angel."

"Fuck you, Finn."