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crowleying · 1 year

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My policeman | m!reader

Date: 06.12.2022

Pairing: Tommy Shelby x m!reader

Reader’s pronouns: he/him

Words: 4.840

Fandom: Peaky Blinders

Characters: m!reader, Tommy Shelby, Polly Gray, Ada Shelby, John Shelby, Arthur Shelby, Esme Shelby, Harry Fenton, others

Genre: Romance

Length: Oneshot

Warnings: Angst with a happy ending

Requested: No

Prompts: No

Summary: Tommy Shelby is suddenly very interested in you and you have no idea why.

A/N: English is not my first language, so feel free to correct any mistake, and I would love to know what you think about it. If you like my works, please like and reblog them. REQUESTS ARE OPEN. I posted a List of prompts, so check it out! Let me know if you would like to be tagged in my works.

IF YOU LIKE MY WORKS, PLEASE REBLOG THEM

Masterlist

Ao3

You were on patrol around the city with one of your colleagues. You knew he was on the Peaky Blinders' payroll but, after all, only a handful of policemen weren't. You were one of them. It was confusing to most people in Small Heath, mainly because they knew you were John Shelby's best friend. He had offered you money to give them information and turn a blind eye to their affairs as they did with everyone, but you had made it clear that you couldn't be bought. He had respected that. The balance was fragile. The whole deal was based on your friendship. You had been able to refuse the money without losing your job because you were friends and people respected you because of your bond to the most powerful family in Birmingham, and a little because you did your job and wouldn't hesitate to throw people in jail if needed. You didn't pretend not to see what happened around you. Not even if the Peaky Blinders were involved. However, being friends with John also prevented you from trying to tear the whole business down. Everyone had learnt it pretty soon, so they had just started doing their things when you weren't on patrol, which meant your rounds were always quiet. You didn't complain. You didn't like arresting people, especially if they were Blinders.

That day seemed to be especially quiet. Well, as quiet as Small Heath could be. Your eyes observed the people going on about their lives around you while you chatted with your colleague. Many people greeted you, and you smiled back.

You turned to your partner, your eyes wide and a big smile on your face. "What?! No way. What is this, your... seventh?"

"Yeah," he replied smiling proudly under his thick moustache. "Four girls and two boys. I'm rooting for another boy."

"Congrats!" You patted his back, but you saw his face change, suddenly becoming serious.

He looked up and touched his cap, tilting his head down. "Morning, Mr Shelby."

You turned and saw Thomas Shelby on one of his horses, riding down the road. You nodded towards him as a form of greeting but didn't touch your cap or wish him a good day.

He nodded back at you, and you felt his icy blue eyes pierce through you. It wasn't anything new. You felt that way every time he looked at you and you wondered if everyone could feel it when they were under his gaze as if he could see everything that was inside. It felt as if God was scrutinizing you. You did understand why John called him Tommy the Almighty.

Even as he passed by you, you could still feel his eyes burn holes in you. You kept walking but turned to look at him and saw he was already looking. You turned back to the front.

"I don't know how you can refuse their offer. By the way he was looking at you, he really wants you on his payroll."

When you walked into the Garrison that night and asked Harry for a glass of whiskey, he refused your money and said it had already been paid for, then nodded towards the private room next to the counter.

"Yeah, well, John knows it won't happen." You shrugged, but the feeling of his eyes on you lingered and stayed with you for the rest of the day.

"Mr Shelby wishes to speak with you."

You rolled your eyes at the formality John liked to mess with when you were involved and grabbed your glass heading to the room.

"Come on, John, how many tim-" you started as you opened the door only to stop mid-sentence when you met Tommy's icy gaze instead of John's warm and playful one. "Thomas."

He was smoking alone, a glass of whiskey in front of him.

He beckoned you with a motion of his fingers. "Close the door and take a sit."

Your eyebrows raised, unimpressed by how he was treating you like one of his men. Maybe he had forgotten you didn't work for him.

"If you want to buy me, Thomas, you can save it. I'm not on sale," you said without doing any of the things he had asked of you.

He observed you for a few long seconds as if trying to read you. Then he sighed, tearing his gaze away from you and knocking the ash of his cigarette into the ashtray. "That's not why I wanted to talk to you."

When you still didn't move, he turned towards you again. "I promise. Please, come sit with me."

You hid your surprise at hearing him saying the word "please." You didn't think he even knew how to pronounce it for lack of use. You closed the door behind you and took a sit on the other side of the table from him.

You rolled the whiskey in your glass waiting for him to speak. "What did you want to talk about?" you asked when he didn't.

He offered you a cigarette but you refused. You didn't trust him outside family gatherings and that wasn't a social call.

"I would like to invite you to dinner."

You frowned. You had already been to dinner at the Shelbys plenty of times and not once had Thomas himself been the one to invite you. "Uhm... sure, tell Polly to count me in."

"I mean with me."

His reply startled a laugh out of you. "I never thought you were one for pranks. Thought you left that to Johnny."

He stared at you, his expression unchanged. There was no trace of a smile on his face. "I'm serious."

You looked back at him with a newfound seriousness and slammed your glass on the table, spilling some of its content. "I really hope not."

It was your turn to observe him, trying to understand what his real intentions were. "What do you really want from me, Thomas?"

"I want to take you out for dinner."

You snorted. "You think I'm a fool?"

"No," he let out much lower than his usual tone.

"You can't buy me so you're trying to get me arrested. That's too low even for you."

He shook his head. "That's not-"

"Save your bullshit," you interrupted getting up. You leaned forward pointing a finger at him. "You try this shit again and I'll get you arrested."

You were smoking with John by the cut like you did when you were fifteen. You loved the fact that your friendship hadn't changed all that much, not after you had been to war together, nor when you had decided to join the police. With John, it had always been easy. No judgement, just two boys having fun and doing what they had to live in such a hard world.

Then you walked out.

"So, new girls?" he joked.

You looked at him unimpressed, before looking back in front of you.

John was the only person who knew you didn't like girls. You had found out thanks to him. When you were young, you had experimented with each other. There had been some kisses and a couple of hand jobs. He had soon understood he wasn't into men, but he had never judged you. To these days he still joked about it and you had never really minded until Thomas had asked you out.

"Did you tell him?"

He abruptly turned to look at you. "You know I would never."

"Then how the fuck did he know, John?" you asked, throwing your unfinished cigarette into the cut, clearly upset.

"Tommy, he always seems to know shit," he said slowly, playing with his cap and looking down at it in his lap. He looked at you. "But he means good. He isn't trying to fuck you up."

You snorted. You trusted John and you were sure he believed what he was saying, but Thomas was cunning and he could have people believe anything he wanted. Maybe he had tricked his own brother into believing he really was interested in you, knowing he would have put a good word in for him.

"Are you still coming to dinner tomorrow though?"

You had been a guest of the Shelbys every Saturday for dinner for as long as you could remember.

"Will he be there?"

"Probably."

You groaned.

"Come on. You won't even have to talk to him. How many times have you two talked at dinner?"

You frowned. "Probably more than you would expect."

Now that you thought of it, Tommy had always found a way to exchange a few words with you after dinner about the most random topics. You had always enjoyed those moments. Talking with him was nice. He didn't smile a lot, not like before the war, but he had always been kind to you. You had always thought he did that just for John's sake, so you had never considered him a friend or anything. In addition to that, the huge crush you had had on him had made it hard to be as comfortable with him as you were with the rest of the family. You had completely overcome that now, though. Still, the awkwardness was hard to shake off.

John bumped his shoulders into yours, bringing you back to the present. "The kids will be a pain if you don't come."

You rolled your eyes. "Fine."

When you stepped into the Shelbys' household the following evening, you got surrounded by John's kids. They either hugged you, pulled you somewhere, or screamed at you about their day. You loved them, but they could be a lot. Finally, Ada came to save you, and you smiled gratefully at her. She hugged you and invited you to follow her to the kitchen where all the others were. Tommy was missing, and you felt relief flooding you. You hadn't even finished greeting everyone when the front door opened. Little Finn ran to welcome the newcomer. You held your breath and your eyes found John's on the other side of the room. He looked guilty. You frowned, but before you could take him aside to ask what he had done, Tommy walked into the kitchen with Finn in his arms. When you turned towards him, he was already looking at you and you couldn't bring yourself to utter a word in greeting. Your lips stayed still.

John grinned triumphantly.

"Let's sit and eat," Polly said, setting the pot in the centre of the table.

While she served, everyone took a seat, and somehow you found yourself next to Tommy. John had taken the seat that was usually reserved for you and you had to take his. Now you understood the look you had seen in his eyes earlier. You would punch him later.

"Not exactly what I had in mind, but it's something." Tommy's murmur was drowned by the others chatting and you would have missed it too if you hadn't been so close to him.

You pretended you hadn't heard and instead thanked Polly for filling your plate.

For the whole dinner, you did everything you could to forget Thomas was there. You chatted with everyone, complimented Polly for her cooking, asked Esme how she could be so patient with all those troublemakers around, glared at John multiple times, joked with the kids, even taking one of them on your lap when he wanted to show you the small gap in his smile left by the tooth he had lost a couple of days earlier.

Tommy stayed silent for the most part, as usual. He commented on a thing here or there and messed with the kids for a little fun. You could always feel his gaze on you. His eyes might have been the colour of ice, but sure as hell, you could feel them burn on your skin. He saw to it so that your glass was never empty, and even if you remembered distinctly rejecting him that day at the Garrison, it seemed like he hadn't gotten the memo, although he had probably just decided to ignore it because Tommy Shelby only ever played by his rules.

After dinner, the children went off somewhere to play while Polly and Esme washed the dishes. Ada had excused herself saying she was tired and she would go to bed early, but you were pretty sure she would climb out of the window to go see Freddy. Arthur took out a bottle of rum and filled four glasses.

"I should go, actually," you announced, getting up.

"No way!"

"Oh come on, you can stay for a nightcap."

John, who was now sitting next to you, pulled on your arm and you sat back down with a sigh. Arthur grinned and a small, pleased smile appeared on Tommy's face. You wanted to slap it away. Instead, you glared at him and grabbed his cigarette case to take one in retaliation. It only caused his smile to grow.

You put the cigarette between your lips and scowled at him when he leaned in touching the end of your cigarette with his to light it up. You hated how your heart skipped a beat and blood rushed to your cheeks. You inhaled and pulled back quickly, missing the looks Arthur and John had exchanged seconds earlier.

You exhaled the smoke and quickly downed your glass, making John snort. You pushed the glass towards Arthur, silently asking for a refill. He chuckled and shook his head but poured you another glass. Tommy was looking at the whole thing with an amused glint in his eyes. Once again you did your best to ignore him.

"Seeing a girl tonight? Is that why you're in a hurry?" Arthur teased.

You felt Tommy tense next to you, but you couldn't be sure and you didn't dare turn to look at him, not wanting to give yourself away.

You waved a hand. "I'm leaving them all to you, Arthur."

That made him laugh. "That's wise."

"You should have it easy now that Johnny is taken," you commented. Then you turned towards Tommy. "What about you, Thomas? I bet you have all the girls falling for you. What is it? Nobody is good enough for the great Thomas Shelby?" you teased.

"You're the only person who calls him that," John commented amusedly.

"And aunt Pol when she's angry," Arthur added.

Tommy stared at you seriously.

When you had given up on waiting for a reply and went to take a sip of your rum, Tommy finally spoke. "I already have my eyes on someone," he said quietly.

You choked on the rum and coughed. John patted your back. "You alright?"

You nodded and pulled at the collar of your shirt, although it didn't really do anything to help your situation. You did your best to compose yourself while Tommy tried to hide a small amused smile behind his cigarette.

"So, who's the lucky girl?" you asked when you finally managed to breathe again.

Arthur's boisterous laugh filled the room. "That would be some change."

Tommy paid him no mind and kept his glacial eyes on you. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

Both his reply and Arthur's comment confused you. Before you could inquire further, you heard John's glass clink on the table, soon followed by Arthur's. Your eyes snapped to them as they got up.

"We're headin' to the Garrison. Are you coming?" Arthur asked.

"Uh... no. I should really go. I have work tomorrow."

John patted your back. "See you tomorrow?"

You nodded and they left. The last conversation had made you forget about John's guilty look at the beginning of the night.

You suddenly realized they had left you alone with Tommy. You cleared your throat and put out your cigarette into the ashtray, then downed the rest of your rum.

"I should really go."

You got up, but so did Tommy. He killed his cigarette. "I'll show you to the door."

You nodded stiffly and walked to the door. When you stopped at the hanger to get your coat, you found him closer than expected and your heart picked up.

"You like horses, don't you?" he asked, putting his hands in his pockets. You hated how cool he was about everything.

You nodded.

"You should come to the races once."

"Have you forgotten I go there for work sometimes?"

"Not for work."

Not again.

"It's not something I enjoy watching," you said shortly, then opened the door, anxious to leave that hallway that had never looked so small in your whole life.

"You might change your mind."

"I don't think I will," you insisted dryly, looking at him in the eyes, hoping he would get the message that you were talking about the whole situation.

You were doing everything you could to avoid Tommy, and it was not working. On the contrary, he was everywhere. He would pass by your house every time you were leaving for work and he would offer to walk or drive you there. You refused every time. You would meet him as you were walking by the cut. You would see him at a pub he had never frequented before. You even saw him at the market a couple of times. When you saw him in church you thought you were hallucinating. It seemed like the universe was working against you, but it was only Tommy Shelby, and maybe his family.

You opened the door and he held it open for you. "It's not a no."

You were surprised to find a little box on your desk at work on Monday. You looked around to see if any of your colleagues had noticed anything. They seemed to be minding their business as usual. You returned your attention to the box and opened it. A precious pocket watch was laid there, with a piece of paper. You picked up the note. You didn't recognize the handwriting. It read "counting the seconds to the moment you'll accept my offer."

John always found a way to mention him. He had never talked about Tommy as much as he had in the last few weeks. You pretended not to notice. You hoped Tommy would just give up at some point. How wrong you were.

You crushed the note in your fist and rolled your eyes, closing the box vehemently and shoving it in the only drawer in your desk that had a key. You locked it up. You thought you would deal with that later, but it was a busy day and you forgot until the next morning when something else was waiting for you on your desk.

It was your favourite book from when you were a kid. It was about horses. They were your favourite animals and obviously, Tommy somehow knew. You opened it and on the first page, with the same handwriting from yesterday's note, there was written "I think you'd really like to meet my horses. Think about it."

That evening you went to the Shelbys, hoping to find Tommy and give him back his presents. When Ada opened the door, you walked past her hastily.

You heard one of your colleagues calling you, so you quickly closed the book and threw it into the drawer where you had left the watch.

"Where is Thomas?" you asked looking for him around the house, startling the others, confused by your manners so out of character.

"He isn't back yet," Ada said, closing the door to follow you into the kitchen.

You let yourself fall down into a chair with a groan and discarded your hat on the table.

"Hello to you too," Polly piped up.

"Hi Pol, I'm sorry, but your nephew is trying to ruin me."

"Tommy?" Esme asked frowning. She wasn't a fan of him, but she was quite sure he would never do anything to ruin you.

"What are you talking about?" Polly asked taking a seat next to you.

"He is just being over dramatic." John waved a hand. You glared at him.

"Let him talk." Ada slapped his arm, making him roll his eyes. "What did Tommy do?"

You suddenly sobered up. You couldn't tell them. They wouldn't approve. You shook your head and got up. "It's nothing. I should just talk to him. I'm sure we can fix this."

"Where are you going? Stay for dinner." Polly stopped you gently.

Before you could refuse and leave, someone knocked.

Ada went to open the door.

"Hello, Ada." Thomas.

Ada was already telling him you were there looking for him when you walked up to him, hat in hand. He smiled smugly at you.

"Thought you would last longer," he commented.

You just looked at him as if you wanted to kill him.

Ada's eyes moved between the two of you.

"Would you mind leaving us, Ada?" Tommy asked, without taking his eyes away from you.

She rolled her eyes but did as she had been asked.

Once she was gone, you pulled the gifts out of your coat and shoved them into Tommy's chest. "You can take these back and leave me alone."

His hand raised slowly to take a hold of the items and he glanced down at them. "You didn't like them?"

"That's not the point. Stop fucking trying to ruin me. If I'm such a huge problem for you, why don't you pay my superior to transfer me somewhere else? Do you really hate me so much just because I'm not on your fucking payroll?"

He shook his head. "I'm not trying to ruin you."

"Really? Because sending me gifts at work tells me otherwise."

"I really am into you."

You scoffed. "Sure."

"What do I have to do to make you believe me?" his voice, quiet as usual, seemed to fill the entire house. Only then you realized the chatter that previously came from the kitchen had stopped. You glanced that way, then looked back at Tommy.

You lowered your voice. "If you care for me, stop this."

For the first time since you knew him, Tommy looked like he didn't know what to say.

You didn't wait for a reply. You just headed to the door, stopping in your tracks when Polly's voice came from the kitchen. "You're not staying for dinner?"

It was clear the others had listened in on your conversation.

You sighed. "Maybe next time."

You opened the door and stepped outside, putting your hat on.

Polly's interjection had given Tommy enough time to come up with something to say.

"Just give me one chance," he said quickly before you could leave. "We can go out of the city with the horses tomorrow afternoon. Nobody will see us. If after that you still want me to leave you alone, I will."

You turned to look at him and you hated yourself for being so weak.

The following day was nerve-wracking. No matter how you tried to distract yourself, you couldn't stop thinking about the date. The anxiety was eating at you. Part of you didn't want that afternoon to arrive, and another part was looking forward to it.

"One chance. Then you will leave me alone."

Time would not stop flowing for your sake, and soon you were making your way to meet with him out of the city. You asked the driver to drop you off way before the meeting point and walked the rest of the way.

Tommy was waiting for you with two horses. He smiled when he saw you, and you didn't know if it was knowing that this was the last chance you had given him or if that was actually the most genuine and happiest smile you had ever seen on his lips.

You smiled back. It was a very different smile from his. It was small and it had a hint of sadness to it. You wished this was real, but you couldn't bring yourself to believe it.

Without a word you got on the horses and guided them through the countryside. Sometimes Tommy would stop to show you something. He told you about his love for the countryside and that he would love to live there one day. He liked the idea of being surrounded by green fields and animals, especially horses, a passion the two of you shared. When you asked why he was so in love with the countryside, he explained that it made him feel closer to his mother. That was where her people lived and where she had grown up.

You hadn't realized, but at some point, you had relaxed. You and Tommy talked, joked, laughed and raced each other. Before you noticed the sun was setting. Tommy suggested you stopped to enjoy the view before heading back.

You got off the horses and sat down on the grass. You stayed silent for a while, simply admiring the colours of the sky. When you turned to look at Tommy, he was already watching you. You stared at each other for a few long moments before he cleared his voice and looked away.

"What's the verdict, then?" he finally asked, not looking at you.

"I had a good time with you," you admitted easily.

"But?"

"Is this really what you want? This life is... not great. So if you ever liked a girl in your life I suggest you go back to her and give it one more try."

"It's always been you and I know you are scared, but I sincerely don't give a fuck if you are a policeman or if you aren't on my payroll. We made arrangements to do our things when you're not on patrol just so you wouldn't have to arrest any of us. It wasn't much trouble. You are important to me, to all of us. I would never do anything to hurt you."

Your brain had gotten stuck on the first few words. "Always?"

"What?"

"You said it's always been me."

"Yes."

"Then why now?"

"Because I found out only recently that you like boys."

You frowned. "How did you find out?"

"I saw you with a man one night, in the alley behind the Garrison," he admitted.

"Oh... Right. So John didn't tell you."

"No, not a word. He would rather cut his own arm off than betray you."

"I know," you replied relaxing.

"But you thought he had told me."

"Maybe he had mentioned when he was drunk." You shrugged.

"I promise he didn't."

You nodded.

"I've had a crush on you for a while too," you said, still looking at him. You had long forgotten about the sunset. How could you look at something as trivial as the sun when you had Tommy Shelby right beside you?

"Yes?" he asked, hopeful.

You smiled and nodded. "It's impossible not falling for you."

He leaned closer but stopped a few inches away from your face. "I really want to kiss you right now."

"Fucking finally Tommy, dinner was getting cold," Polly's voice came from the kitchen as you followed him inside the house that night.

"What are you waiting for, then?" was all that came out of your lips before they met his.

"Sorry Pol," he replied taking little Finn in his arms and putting his cap on his youngest brother.

He reached for your hand with his free one after you had hung your coat. You took it, although nervously. He had assured you that his whole family knew about him and that they would accept you but after a lifetime of being careful about everything you did and said, you couldn't just stop.

Tommy kissed your temple, hoping that would help your nerves.

You smiled at him, then winked at Finn who grinned back.

Tommy led you to the kitchen. "We have a guest," he announced. Everyone turned to look at you, and your grip tightened on Tommy's hand. They all seemed surprised.

"But it's not S-" Arthur was cut off by John shoving his elbow into his brother's ribs.

That seemed enough to shake Polly out of her surprise. "Of course!" She hugged you smiling. "You're always welcome."

You felt your nervousness melt away and hugged her back. "Thanks, Pol."

She pulled back and turned to her nephew, pointing a finger at him. "If you hurt him, Thomas Shelby, I'll make you pay for it."

"What?! Why are you telling me?" he asked putting Finn down.

"Well, because he would never do anything bad," she replied without even thinking about it.

"Wait, aunt Pol. He is my best friend, I should be the one to give Tommy the talk."

Tommy shook his head. "This is absurd."

"Come on, I'm sure he is more than capable to look after himself."

You nodded quickly, agreeing with Ada.

"And I'm sure Tommy won't do anything he might regret unless he wants to have the whole family against him," she added crossing her arms and glaring at him.

You sighed and turned to look at Tommy. "Don't worry, I'll protect you from them."

Tags: @one-green-frog

923 notes · View notes

zablife · 7 months

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No Peace For You Ever

Requested by @runnning-outof-time for my 2K celebration An Evening at Arrow House.

Author's Note: A special ty to the amazing @shelbydelrey who helped me brainstorm this one!

Warnings: dark fic 💀, mention of the supernatural, suicide

Tommy sighed contentedly as he leaned back against the headboard of the bed, business papers in hand as you peacefully slumbered at his side. It was long past midnight, but his restless mind wouldn’t allow him sleep, not with thoughts of his family weighing on him.

As he lost himself within the jargon contained in the documents, he failed to notice the frigid breeze tinging the air or how the roaring fire had been reduced to smoldering ash. It wasn’t until you began to stir that he took note of a change in the room. Looking down at your shivering form, he asked, “What’s wrong, darling?”

“M so cold, Tommy,” you mumbled, half asleep and unable to find him in the large bed.

Discarding his glasses on the bedside table, he turned out the light and slid under the covers. “C’mere,” he said, pulling you into his bare chest, full of warmth and gentle reassurance he hadn’t gone. His strong arms wrapped around you and you instantly felt his body heat radiating over you as you snuggled closer. A lazy smile tugged at the corners of your mouth as you felt his lips graze the top of your head. “Get some rest. We’ve got a big day tomorrow,” he reminded you, thumb grazing your shoulder gently. You wanted to voice your concern about the housewarming party, but too tired to protest, you only nodded against him. “Good girl,” he murmured as sweet slumber welcomed you once more.

———————————————-

“Frances, tell Mr. Shelby I’m taking a walk,” you said as you gathered your coat and hat.

“Are you alright, ma’am? You didn’t eat any breakfast,” she asked, her kind blue eyes looking you over to be sure the stress of the last few weeks hadn’t made you overly anxious. She knew how much you wanted this evening’s party to be a success.

“I’ll have something later. I only need the fresh air now,” you said with a reassuring smile. You didn’t want her to know how your nerves were making your stomach churn into such a frenzy you felt you might be sick any moment. Was it your imagination or was Tommy retreating to his office more with every phone call from one of his disapproving relatives?

You had to stop the intrusive thoughts before they began so you set out toward the calming warmth of the morning sun, basking in the gentle heat upon your cheeks. You didn’t have any particular destination in mind when you set out from the house, passing the garage and the stables. You only knew you needed absolute quiet before the chaos of the evening began.

Soon you’d distanced yourself from anyone working near the house and the only sounds to be heard were the crows overhead and the distant rush of cool water from the river. As you inhaled a deep breath of fresh air, a frigid breeze stirred your hair and an unfamiliar scent came to you, something that shifted and changed as it swirled around you with the early morning fog. You began to sense you were not alone as you heard the snap of a twig from deep within the forest bordering your land. However, finding nothing but mist taunting your vision, you attempted to steady your breathing.

Pulling your cloak around your shoulders protectively, you turned to leave. The chill in the air was unmistakable as it had been last night. However, this time the source would become known as an unnatural presence stalked from beyond the brush in stealthy movements until a figure appeared just beyond your left shoulder.

“Y/n Shelby” a low voice called to you. Hands trembling at your throat, your head snapped from left to right, waiting for the person to show themselves. Soon a woman emerged from the dense fog, wild brunette hair flowing freely and fierce hazel eyes narrowing at you. You could only watch in speechless fright as she closed the space between you, leaning on a crooked walking stick.

“You have no clue who I am, do you?” she questioned, voice dripping with condescension. However, you’d placed her by now from the family photos in Tommy’s study. She’d lost weight, cheeks sunken and wrinkles etched into her pale skin, but the resemblance was unmistakable.

“You’re John’s widow, Esme,” you answered, trying not to let your fear show. You’d heard about her hatred of Tommy and the curse she’d placed on him before her hasty departure years ago.

“Don’t have to make it sound so harsh, love. I’m still a part of this family whether Tommy likes it or not,” she asserted firmly, a wild gleam in her eye.

You swallowed harshly with a nod of your head. “If you need me to arrange a meeting with Tommy…”

“I don’t want to see him,” she spat as she continued to stalk toward you.

You cocked your head, unsure of what else she might want. “Then is there something else?” you asked, feeling your breath coming hard and fast at the realization you were alone together and much further from the house than you would have liked.

Esme stopped suddenly, looking at you in distress as she made a mysterious confession, “There’s only one thing that could make it right.” She stared into the distance, a long silence stretching before you until she began speaking again, more to herself than you. “It’s been so long since I was back here living with John…”

You shook your head slowly, wanting to offer her comfort, but unsure how to right the wrongs of the past you’d only just become acquainted with yourself. “If you want to come to Arrow House, we’ll do everything we can to help you and the children,” you offered.

She spun around to face you, body tense and chest heaving. “Fuck you and your bloody mansion!” she spat at your feet, making you jump.

“Then why are you here?” you challenged her, your words coming out more forcefully than intended.

“Cos Thomas Shelby has lived in peace far too long. I warned him there’d be a price to pay,” she said, forcing her staff into the ground for emphasis with a look of devilment in her eye.

You began to back away, feeling her gaze rest upon you like that of a hungry wolf locked onto it’s prey. The long grass swept along the backs of your legs as another gust of wind blew and your nerve endings ignited sending shivers coursing down your spine. Your legs trembled in anticipation, the urge to flee growing by the second. You glanced back toward the path home knowing the attempt would be futile. Slow acceptance washed over you as you winced, “Are you here to kill me?” You felt your mouth go dry as you uttered the unthinkable, a knot forming in your stomach as you awaited an answer.

“I’m not armed,” she stated calmly, opening her jacket to prove it to you.

You felt the hammering in your chest subside as you inhaled a shaky breath, but you were still wary of her. There was something unsettling about her presence which told you she didn’t need weapons to do harm. “You won’t hurt Tommy either?” you asked, tears gathering in your eyes as the unspoken plea for your husband’s life hung in the air between you.

“If that’s what you want,” she said with a crooked smile, amusement evident in her tone. “Perhaps there is something you can do for me.”

“Yes, anything,” you said nodding vigorously. Closing your eyes in relief, head tipped up to the heavens in grateful prayer, you didn’t see her dip into the satchel at her waist and remove a few seeds. She scattered them at your feet with a chuckle, the jarring sound of her laughter bringing you back to reality.

As you inspected the small, brown shells at your feet, you furrowed your brow in confusion. Were they nuts? Seeds? You couldn’t be sure until they suddenly began to burrow into the ground with a speed that made you gasp. Roots formed before your very eyes, growing and twisting in gnarled patterns along the ground until they began to snake toward your toes. As in a nightmare, you found your feet growing heavy and uncooperative as a wayward root found it’s way up your leg, lacing elegantly back and forth like a snake until you were bound to the spot were you stood.

Esme stood back and watched you carefully, a look of satisfaction on her face as you began to feel a tightening in your chest. Your lungs felt as though they were being punctured by thorns and you began to cough. “What have you done?” you sputtered, feeling your body begin to shake. There was no answer as a violent fit overtook you, delicate petals spewing from your pink lips and falling to the ground. Your hands shot up to gather them, but you found jagged leaves in place of fingers, sprouts shooting from your fingertips. You wished to shout, but by now your voice had gone, only a rustling of leaves in it’s place as you stood trapped within the bark of a twisted blackthorn tree. A faint echo of the curse Esme had issued long ago whispered forth in the wind replacing your scream with her words, “No peace for you ever.”

————————

“Frances, where did Mrs. Shelby say she was going?” Tommy asked, looking down at his pocket watch. The hour had grown late and he was concerned you hadn’t returned for lunch.

“She said she was going for a walk, sir,” Frances replied. “She enjoys the path by the river.”

“Thank you,” Tommy replied, grabbing his coat and setting off to find you. However, his search that day would be fruitless and his agitation grew as his family arrived for dinner.

The moment Polly arrived he grasped her elbow, pulling his aunt into his office with harsh insistence. “It could only have been you. What have you done with her?” Tommy seethed.

Jerking her arm away, Polly’s brown eyes lit with fury to match her nephew’s. “What the bloody hell, Tommy!”

“Y/n, she went missing this afternoon,” he said, raking a hand through his hair and making his appearance even more untidy than before. Pacing like a caged animal, he shook his head. “Don’t try to deny it, Pol!” he pointed at her accusingly. “You warned me she wouldn’t last long in the family and I know what that means.”

Polly furrowed her brow in concern, eyes tracking Tommy’s impatient movement from one end of the room to the other. “Tommy, I’ll pretend you didn’t just accuse me of doing away with your wife. You obviously aren’t thinking clearly,” she stated, straightening her fur. She crossed to the bar to pour three fingers of whisky before handing it to him to calm his nerves.

She breathed a sigh of relief as she watched him pause long enough to gulp it down, hoping it might weigh him to the carpet for a moment as she reasoned with him. Using the low, soothing voice she reserved for moments of crisis she began, “Is it possible she’s left of her own accord. Gone back to France?”

Tommy's eyes glazed over as he allowed her words to penetrate his heart and just when he accepted the stab of betrayal, a sharp knock came upon the door. The noise pulled him from the depths of his despair, a hopeful look brightening his eyes as the stablehand held up Mrs. Shelby’s cloak. “We found this tangled in the blackthorn, Mr. Shelby.”

———————-

One year later…

Time and time again Tommy had returned to the tree where your belongings were found, praying for the first time in years that you might return. Despite his best efforts to learn if you’d been kidnapped or worse, there was no word from his men north or south and the lack of information was slowly driving him mad. His only consolation was found at the foot of the gnarled blackthorn tree where, for reasons unknown to him, he felt closer to you. However, he never allowed his family or staff to accompany him to the area he considered sacred ground. It had become far too personal.

On the anniversary of your disappearance, when a walk by the river failed to soothe him, Tommy began to loose all faith. He craved the softness of your touch, the sound of your laughter, the glimmer in your eye when he called your name. There hadn’t been enough time to savor it all before you’d gone and the thought he might never experience it again was ripping him apart. “I don’t know how much longer I can go on without you, Y/n,” he cried, dropping to his knees.

Looking up into the twisted branches, the snow-white blossoms overhead showered over him. The scent of the blooms surprised him as they smelled far sweeter than any he’d ever noticed before. In fact, it transported him to a happier time when he danced with you in Paris, holding you close to him and promising to love you forever. He whispered your name to the heavens and was rewarded with another sprinkling of flowers, a bittersweet smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Within the confines of your thorny prison, you watched over your beloved husband. Instinctively you moved toward him, but the roots planted long ago had burrowed deep into the earth, holding you captive so you could do nothing more than bear witness to his suffering.

As his shoulders slumped forward, his large hand dipped beneath his woolen coat and your terror grew as you spied what he had been reaching for. Tommy’s eyes shut tight as his arm snapped to attention at his temple, the muscle memory of a soldier called to action. A hushed prayer fell from his lips just audible over the babbling brook. “In the bleak midwinter…”

You would have gasped if you still remained human or shouted a desperate plea for your husband’s life, but now it became nothing more than a silent prayer for someone or something to stop him in time.

It was not to be. The crisp clear shot rang out into the air and you strained against your bonds in agony. Your efforts resulted in nothing more than a muffled rustling of leaves and an echo carried away on the wind, “No peace for you ever.”

--------------

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#Peaky Blinders fanfic #Peaky Blinders imagine #Tommy Shelby x you #Tommy Shelby x y/n #Tommy Shelby x reader #Tommy Shelby #Cillian Murphy #Esme Shelby #Esme Shelby Lee

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cosmic-crybaby · 1 year

Text

Blue Skies- Tommy Shelby

Summary: Sparks fly when a self-sufficient, newly single mother meets the cold-hearted bachelor gangster of Birmingham. On their first outing, it was like everything in the world was asking for them to finally meet each other. But when fate intervenes, they soon find themselves suffering the reprocussions of their own decisions.

Rating: Mature, Minors DNI plz

Warnings: Warnings will be advised on each chapter.

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call-sign-shark · 1 year

Text

Heaven in Your Eyes || Arthur Shelby x Reader!OC

Summary: Following your encounter with the Shelby family, you try to get accepted but you have no idea how. This is why Ada comes out with a good idea: organizing a tea party in the garden. You accept, hoping things will get better between you and Arthur's family... But it does not go as planned.

featuring John x Platonic!OCReader

Words: 4.3k

TW: Foul language but hey, that's about Peaky Blinders, witchcraft ??

Notes:

✞ This chapter is longer than what I attended to do, so unfortunately I could not follow the poll's result. Hence, here is a quieter chapter but nonetheless tinted with a bit of angst. Moreover, the three next chapters are going to be quite violent and intense so consider this the calm before the storm.

✞ Heaven is OP's original character but written with the use of « you » (Moodboard here).

Afficher davantage

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“I don’t like the kids being around her.”

“Come on Esme, she’s not going to eat ‘em eh.” Arthur brought the cup of tea to his mouth and drank it, its sweet flavor melting on his tongue. It was a necessary and momentary relief, which kept him from yelling at his sister-in-law for what she had just said about his sweetheart. She had not stopped making snarky remarks from the day he introduced you to the family. Somehow, it was not about hatred or personal resentment, but rather about fear: she was sincerely scared of you.

After meeting the Shelbys for the first time, you were left utterly confused and did not know what to do. That was when Ada’s idea popped up. She had helped you organize a small tea party in the garden of the house Arthur had brought for you, in order to have a cozy family gathering. Then, John grew fond of the idea. These two surely had adored you as soon as their eyes had fallen on your angelic face. Following the invitations you had sent, Esme and Polly agreed to come to the event even if they did not trust you. More superstitious than the rest of the family, they were genuinely anxious when you were nearby — but family was family, and they did it for Arthur. Concerning Michael and Finn, they were too busy playing tough boys in Small Heath to bother sipping on a cup of tea in a flower garden. And regarding Thomas… Of course, he would not come. His refusal had been quite obvious following your disastrous encounter with little King Shelby, even though he pretended to be far too busy with work to come. His manners were on point, at least when he was not insulting you and grabbing you by the throat. Admittedly, you had been disappointed in the boys’ lack of commitment but you did not let it show. People still came, you thought.

“What if she brings evil spirits upon them?” She insisted, her dark eyes staring at you as if you would kill her children if she dared to shift her eyes from you for one second. Annoyed with her disrespectful claim, Arthur rolled his eyes and exhaled loudly through his nose.

“Listen, girl,” He put back his cup on the table a bit more bluntly than he intended to, “if you keep saying dumb shits in my bloody house I’ll kick ya out. Heaven invited ya and y’all talk shit in her back tsk… Damn ungrateful women.”

Esme opened her mouth to say something but she closed it straight away for Polly had rested her hand on her arm to keep her from doing so. The last thing they needed was a quarrel. She finally sighed, admitting her defeat. Then, she went on observing you playing with her four children alongside her husband, John.

“At least she’s not filling your mind with stupid Christian things. “ Polly said, stirring her tea with a little silver spoon. She was observing the liquid with great attention, looking for any sign of poison or suspicious ingredient. Somehow, she feared you had served her some kind of magical potion. Witnessing this circus of a conversation, Ada closed her book and frowned.

“This is ridiculous. You should stop judging her because of stupid rumors. She’s no witch…

Heaven is a delightful woman, clever and polite. Far away from that bitch Linda.” She paused to look at each of the faces around the table, “And if she is, well… She might as well fly on a broom and turn people into frogs I would not mind. I’ve never seen Arthur that happy before, and that’s all that matters.” She argued, her voice filled with determination and her tone highlighted with her natural fury. The Shelby sister sure was a wild and entitled woman.

“Thanks, Ada,” Arthur looked at her with sincere gratitude. He was starting to get tired of the two women’s nonsense and constant judgmental behavior toward his lover. His steel blue eyes abandoned his guests and fell on your graceful body — not interested in anyone but you. Bewitched by the sight, Arthur’s traits relaxed as he observed you running behind Katie in an attempt to catch her, with your dolly face enlightened with a smile so beaming even the sun was green with envy. His heartbeat quickened in his ribcage as seconds passed — the more he stared at you, the more the world around him vanished: you had the gift of making him forget everything. Your wild ivory mane floated at the wind’s discretion, along with the overhanging fabric of the Greek-inspired white dress you were wearing. How he loved to see you covered with the beautiful dresses, fur coats, and jewels he kept buying for you — nothing was too precious nor expensive for his angel.

“You can’t catch me, Heaven!”

“You think so, Katie? I’m coming for you!”

Esme and John’s children had adored you from the minute you met. They seemed to have adopted you into the family, judging by their blooming smiles and their joyful laughter each time you would catch them in your arms. A sudden comforting wave of warmth overcame Arthur’s heart. Seeing you playing with kids definitely did something to him. He tried not to let it show, for you were younger than him and he did not want to put any pressure on your shoulders, but he had always wanted a family. For years he had seen his siblings being blessed with the joy of love and children, to the point he had wondered if his time would come or if he was deemed to live off prostitutes, drugs, and bland momentarily reliefs. Yet the more he watched you with children, the less he could keep domestic thoughts from flooding his brain. How deeply he wanted to put a ring around your finger to make you officially his, and fill your belly with a child. His child. But the truth was he still doubted you truly wanted him, his insecurities whispering to his ear that you’ll wake up one day and see the monster he was. He already could barely believe you wanted to see him every day. Let alone the surprise of you agreeing to live with him, by his side.

“Shit Arthur, it’s getting serious.” Ada teased, smiling behind her cup of tea at his brother’s blissed out expression, “She did cast a spell on you.”

“Oh fook off, Ada. Don’t say that, Polly and Esme are going to believe it.” And he was right, for the two women were now watching Ada with pure terror on their faces, which only made her burst into laughter.

John grabbed you by the wrist, gently forcing you to stop running. You turned around and pout, visibly unhappy of your poor performance.

“Gotcha, little Angel,” He said, one brow raised and his beautiful lips stretching in a wide, cunning smile from which a toothpick was hanging, “Following the rules, you’re excluded from the game.“

“That’s unfair. You cannot hide in a bush and bounce on me, John. This is cheating.” You retorted, pretending to be outraged, but the smirk etched on the corner of your charming lips left no doubt about your amusement.

“I’m a Shelby. Of course I cheat.”

“That’s such a lame excuse,” You said, your sentence punctuated by a thunder of complaints that rose when the kids noticed you had stopped chasing them. All the four Shelby children wished was to keep playing with you, but John wanted to take advantage of this moment to enjoy your company without the protective presence of Arthur towering over him, “And I think the whole team disagrees with your decision.” You added, shrugging, with a false innocent expression on your face, which gave you a bratty look more than anything else. Gosh, John thought, you were a hell of a woman…

“Oi herd, why don’t you play together for a while so that Dad and Heaven can talk eh?”

Another wave of protest, but the focus of the little crowd was soon diverted by a small white bird that had just landed on the handmade birdhouse near them. The children decided they did not want to play Tag Your It anymore, but rather chose to observe the bird from the closest spot as possible. So was kids’ ability to focus, as flickering and ephemeral as a moth. John freed your wrist as they moved away and winked at you. Then, he pulled a silvery cigarette case out of his pants pocket. He gave you one and proceeded to light it up politely. You leaned over his hands until the tip of your cigarette brushed the flame — John’s sky-blue eyes looked at you during the whole moment, his iris shining with a playful gleam. To be honest, he was probably the nicest Shelby of the family, Arthur not included. At least, he was always absolutely caring for you and would never forget to pull you in a bear hug each time you met. Hugs so tight, so comfy that you could almost feel the shattered piece of your heart brought back together. John Shelby had spent countless hours helping you move to your new house, refusing to let you carry heavy furniture and stuff. More than being helpful, he fancied the moments you both spent together. That was why he would sometimes keep you company and teach you some tricks with his personal deck of cards when Arthur was busy working for their boss-brother. In exchange, you would mend his torn shirts after a fight and offer him shelter whenever he and Esme had a heated argument.

“How’s going with Arthur?” He asked, his tongue playing with his toothpick. You let out a cloud of smoke from your juicy lips.

“This is going so well, I can’t believe it. Your brother is so soft, so caring… He’s an Angel.”

“Soft? Caring? Are we really talking about Arthur?” He chuckled, “I mean he used to throw Michael out of the window when he was just a kid.”

“Well, you were there to catch him though. Pretty sure no one did when Arthur would throw you out of that same window. You must have hit your head against the concrete more than once.” You raised a brow, your teeth digging into your cigarette as your smirk widened. Blown away by your quick wit, John shook his head.

“What the hell, I don’t know why Arthur calls you angel. You’re a fucking devil,” He said to tease you. Yet the soft traits of his baby face turned into a more serious expression, “So yer really happy with him? I’m asking because he loves you so much that he would not stand losing you. Hell, he talks about you every fucking minute!”

“Does he?” You said with a softer note in your voice before glancing at Arthur. Your aquamarine eyes met his, for he had not stopped staring at you. Blood rushed to your cheeks, “I’m truly blessed, John. Arthur is — he is unique you know? I can’t find words powerful enough in any language to describe my feelings for him. But trust me, I am a lucky woman. “

Domestic life with Arthur Shelby had a surprising taste of blissful paradise. Obviously, it had its ups and downs, for the path to healing was always a long and somehow troubled one, but you knew what you were stepping into the first time you met — his face was splattered with blood after all. You had been aware of the scorching fits of rage and his past troubles with addictions right from the start. He also told you about the nightmares that would wake him up at night, screaming and panting, and that time he cheated on Linda and cried doing so. Yet, he had promised you to do his best to tame his demons — and when he said “best” he did not lie. Whether covered in blood or not, he often came home right after work, wanting to spend his time with you rather than doing anything else. When he did not it was simply because he was drinking with his brothers. And even wasted, at the edge of the abyss he was so familiar with, he never touched another woman — No matter John’s behaviors and Tommy’s pressure. How could he when the fairest creature of this bloody world was waiting for him at home? Moreover, sex with you outperformed everything he had experienced before. Arthur knew that having you by his side was a miracle, and he was determined not to sabotage it. Because you were everything he needed to survive, and what he had craved all his bastard’s life. Sometimes he would wake up at night, afraid you had been just a dream, and when he would realize you really existed he would pull you in his arms and watch you sleep peacefully, his fingers caressing your porcelain skin until he dozed off. Yes, Arthur Shelby was the most loving and loyal man you ever had.

Maybe that was what made the moments he snapped even more terrifying. But you weren’t scared, for Arthur never laid a finger on you and would never do it. In fact, he was never mad at you, but rather at himself. Or at the rest of the world. But not you — how could he?

He was simply terrified of hurting you. Sometimes he touched you so lightly, afraid to break you… And when his spirits heated and he squeezed you a bit too fiercely, all you had to do was gently remind him to relax and his embrace would loosen.

“But tell me John. Are you really interested in Arthur’s well-being or is it because you’d miss me if I leave?” You joked, taking another puff of your cigarette and shifting your gaze to him. You expected a roast in return but all he gave you was a strange silence. Your smile slowly faded away at his pensive face, the oceans in his eyes lost in thought.

“Yeah,” He said, a bit embarrassed. John swallowed, then, after a brief moment of hesitation, he gently pressed one of his big soft hands on your shoulder in a tender sign of affection, “I’d miss you. I really like you Heaven. You’re good for Arthur. You know when he goes back home after work it’s because he really wants to. Because he misses you so deeply he physically aches. Plus, I really love spending time with you,” He rubbed his nose with the back of his free hand in a nervous reflex, his handsome eyes fleeing yours, “And I’m deeply sorry for my wife’s behavior.”

“Ah,” You waved the topic off, “That’s okay,”

“ Oi! That makes more room for me eh!” He blurted out, an irritating yet adorable playful grin plastered on his face.

“Oh Gosh, what an idiot you are!” You slapped him behind the head, which made him laugh even more, “you have such a punchable face!”

“That’s what my brothers always say, little angel. Find a better roast next time.”

“What do we always say, dumbass?” A hoarse voice asked. Two strong and large hands grabbed you by the waist. Arthur had left the women, who had a heated discussion about politics, for he grew already frustrated not to be with you. His familiar perfume made all your muscles relax as if your instinct linked his presence with undeniable safety — which was the case. To be true, Arthur was not only loving, he was clingy. Adorably clingy. From the day you met — to probably the day death do you part— he constantly felt a deep-rooted need to touch you. On the one hand, he wanted your attention, on the other, he could not get enough of your affection. You let out a soft and amused snort, and you raised one arm to slip your hand in his hair. You almost hear him purr at your touch, his lips against your ear.

“His face is punchable, don’t you think so?”

“Fook yes, it is! It really is.”

“Two against me?! Now who’s the one cheat—“ John could not finish his sentence for he was cut off by the children’s screams. The three of you rushed to the small pack as one to check what had just happened.

When you reached their level, you saw all the children encircling something, their heads down and their eyes looking at one specific spot somewhere in the grass.

“The hell’s wrong with ya kiddos? Ain’t no reason to scream like that!” Arthur complained, his gravel voice tainted with fading worries now that he realized all the kids were safe and sound.

“The bird! It’s the bird, uncle Arthur!” Cried a little boy.

“Dad, dad! What’s wrong with the bird?” Katie asked.

When you came closer, you realized that the children were circling the same bird that had landed on the birdhouse fifteen minutes ago. The poor creature was laying in a bed of green grass, as petrified as a statue. Its small beady eyes were glassy, utterly lifeless. It did not take more than one second for you to understand that it was probably dead.

“That bird’s bloody dead.” Arthur stated. Maybe tactfulness was not his best quality.

“What?! Is it?!” The children spoke as one. A terrified expression veiled their round faces at their uncle’s harsh words.

“Good job Arthur.” John replied, visibly annoyed by the situation.

A soft breeze made the bird’s pale feathers dance in front of your eyes. How come this creature, which was joyfully whistling not so long ago, had stopped living all of sudden? The futility of life would never cease to amaze you… The fact remains that you had to do something, whether it was for John’s children or for the animal itself. Without the slightest word, you kneeled in the grass. Its comforting caress on your skin sent a shiver down your spine and reminded you how you loved taking naps in the forest when you were a kid, back in France. You forced your mind to focus on your task and finally cupped the bird’s body in your cold hands.

“Don’t touch it, love.” Arthur told you. The gravel in his voice was coated with softness and care: he did not want you to catch a disease or something.

“It’s alright.” You answered, absentminded, before standing up on your feet. Your brows slightly furrowed as you observed the dead creature in your hands. There was something about dead birds — something in the way their small black eyes were always wide open as if they had frozen at the sight of Death’s face right before it struck them with its lethal kiss.

Arthur, as well as the rest of the Shelby family, looked at you in confusion. They did not comprehend what you wanted to do with the corpse. You took a quick glance at John’s children and offered them a soft smile, then you looked back at the bird, “You know,” you started, your voice sweet and enchanting, “my mom used to tell me that some birds only have one love during their life,” Your words stirred up curiosity among the young ones, whose faces turned from fear to vivid interest, “they can die from a broken heart. Just like some humans.”

“This is sad. I don’t want the bird to have a broken heart.” One little boy with feckless said.

“It’s true. That’s a sad fact. But … If you give it a bit of love and a lot of hope…” Pausing your sentence, you closed your eyes for one short moment and exhaled loudly. Doing so, you raised your arms with closed hands facing the clear blue sky, “Maybe you can repair what has been broken.” And as you concluded, your sweet words and soft voice hypnotizing your audience, you opened your hands: against all odds and natural laws, the white bird twitched and, all of sudden, flew away in panic as the witching hour struck. White feathers lazily spin to the ground, carried away by the wind and the melody of flapping wings. A peaceful grin grazed your full lips at such a magnificent sound, “See?” You finally said, reopening your Bambi lashes and turning towards the mesmerized kids that were now cheering. However, that dazzling smile of yours quickly faded away at the sight of Esme, Polly, and Ada’s bewildered faces — they had witnessed everything.

“What the bloody hell was that?” John’s voice was merely a whisper. You had resurrected a damn bird. In front of them. No trick, no ruse. You had brought a fucking bird back to fucking life.

You looked at Arthur with a tint of anxiety in your eyes, not understanding if you did something wrong, but all he did was stare at the bird’s silhouette up in the sky with his cold blue eyes.

“Fookin’ hell…”

He could not believe it either.

When Esme had grabbed her children, panic on her face, and left the house slamming the car’s door, you had felt utterly disappointed in yourself. Here we go, you thought, they are all going to hate me. And Arthur’s going to leave. You thought, still standing in the alley with your eyes fixed upon the horizon where she had disappeared. The horror with which she had looked at you was haunting you — were you that monstrous? You blinked and remembered you were not alone. John, Ada, Polly, and Arthur were still there, probably ready to flee too. Your heart ached at the thought, to the point you did not dare move for fear of facing them.

“Angel.” Arthur’s voice called with such a soft and delicate tone no one would have recognized it. You finally turned around slowly, jaw clenched and eyes looking at your feet.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry Arthur.” That was all you could say, apologies falling from your quivering lips each time you would part then to speak.

“Hey. Stop that.” He said, a bit more strictly, yet he gently cupped your face with his two rough hands at the same time. The sensation of his warm skin against yours managed to bring back peace in your tormented soul.

“Don’t mind her — Yer fucking perfect. Yes, you are, and I don’t want ya to think you’re not.”

“I should not have done that. Maybe that wasn’t what you thought, maybe the bird was just playing dead and…”

“I love ya and I’m not gonna leave if that’s what yer scared of. That’s okay, love.” He said, pressing his forehead against yours in that so specific habit of his, “Just don't cry please, I hate to see you cry.” Lavishing you with sweetness, Arthur left little reassuring pecks on your lips for it was the only thing he could do to keep the tears away from your eyes.

How much he hated to see you in pain. It made him want to bend the skies and raise hell. Made him want to destroy everything that had hurt you.

Fortunately for him, your hard heart did not let you shred a single tear. You felt wounded and frustrated, simple as that.

“Don’t worry, Mon amour.” You finally say, taking a deep breath. You were about to give him a little smile, eyes lost in Arthur’s blue iris when Polly literally pushed him away from you with quite a surprising strength. She had snatched your man from your arms with such fierceness that you stood still, eyes wide open, unable to move.

“HELL, POL’! BLOODY FOOKIN’ FAMILY!” Now he was yelling — roaring like a wounded and enraged lion.

“Shut up Arthur!” She snapped back without looking at him, before grabbing your shoulders with her two frail hands. You were once again astounded by her strength now that she was holding you firmly.

At such a sight, Arthur’s protective instincts kicked in. He was about to place himself in front of you to face Polly Gray, within an inch of tackling his own Aunt, when John and Ada grasped each one of his arms to hold him back.

“You have brought it to life, haven’t you?” She questioned, her brows slightly furrowed and her brown eyes trying to probe the meanders of your soul. It was more than enough for you, who came to the edge of your patience. You exhaled slowly and swallowed.

“Why do you want to know? Gonna hang me high? Gonna burn me?!”

“DON’T TOUCH HER!” Arthur roared in the background.

“You did it!” She blurted out.

You did not reply, rather leaving her to draw her own conclusions.

“You did it.” She repeated with a surprisingly softer voice.

And everything changed.

Her face. The spark in her eyes. Her whole attitude. Polly’s hands loosened their grip but remain on your shoulders. The coldness of her face melted in a brief proud smile, whose rarity rendered it even more inestimable. Polly’s mouth opened to say something but it took a little while, for she was still trying to find the right words. And when she did, she said something to you in Romani. Something you could not understand, even though the tone of this unknown language sounded beautifully in your ears. The meaning behind her words remained a mystery — all you knew was that what she said had surprised Arthur and John, who were both now looking at their Aunt with lips slightly opened. Confused, your gaze shifted to Ada — and contrary to her brothers, a magnificent smile was adorning her face.

Polly gave your shoulders a last gentle squeeze before releasing you from her embrace and pointing Arthur out.

“You better keep this one.” She simply stated, then she headed back to the garden.

You blinked, still utterly confused by Polly’s behavior, “what did she say?” You turned to the three Shelby siblings but especially asked Arthur. However, he struggled to produce a proper answer. He opened his mouth but Ada cut him off right before he could speak.

“Miracle.” She stated.

“She said you’re a miracle.”

Any comment, review, reblog, or constructive criticism is welcome. Your reactions really motivate me and keep me alive, so please don't be shy. English is not my first language.

Each chapter of this series can be read as stand-alones but I advise you to read everything if you want a better understanding of details.

Tagging those who might be interested: @areyenotfondofmelobster @meowtastick @babayaga67 @sired-to-hybrid @shelbyssins (tagging u honey because it’s bby Arthur)

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mrsalwayswrite · 2 years

Text

My Guiding Lights (Tommy Shelby x reader)

Summary: Tommy does not handle being out of control well, it claws at him like street cats, fighting and biting until he cannot handle it anymore. So when you are giving birth to his first child, he takes matters into his own hands.

This is my contribution to @emilyhufflepufftlk 300 followers celebration! Congrats again!

My prompt was: the one with the birth

Quick disclaimer: I am not an expert in birthing practices during the 1920s nor am I Romani. For this story I did some research on both topics but not extensive, so please forgive me if I get anything inaccurate or misrepresent the Romani practices. I know I took some liberties because of what we have seen in the show.

Warnings: reader giving birth (if you haven't picked that up by now), mild language, brief mention of past violence, Tommy's mind and control freak tendencies.

Words: 4700

Tommy paced the snug of the Garrison, the few paces it consisted of. His feet guided him as his thoughts twisted and tumbled over one another. His strongest asset under attack. Stinging wasps infiltrated his mind. Fears plagued him. Stinging. Tormenting. Worry echoed with each footstep.

Back and forth.

Back and forth he paced.

He should have been utilizing these past few hours properly. The power-hungry businessman within him demanded it. Making plans for further expansion into and around London. Listening to the whispers of gossip and the hidden morsels of truth in them. Anything. Even cracking a few heads and bloodying his suit because someone looked at him wrong. Anything other than this useless pacing.

But the concern and fear kept an ever tightening chokehold around his throat, refusing to relent. So he paced.

Back and forth.

By the time he was done, there would certainly be a permanent groove embedded the wood floor.

Never more had he felt a predator trapped in a cage. Staring through the bars, eyeing those who stared warily at him, waiting….just waiting to sink his teeth into someone and shred them, just to momentarily sate the burning fear that choked him.

He stopped his pacing to throw back another glass of whiskey before resuming his relentless pacing. His suit jacket had been discarded within the first hour of his arrival at the Garrison. His sleeves were now rolled up, the top two buttons undone on his dress shirt. His hair most likely looked a mess with how often he had run his fingers through the dark strands. He knew this was a side of him rarely seen by the population of Birmingham. Thankfully so. For when Harry opened the door into the snug, to bring in their newest bottle of whiskey, he had physically recoiled when meeting Tommy's icy eyes. The gangster wondered how much of the manic consuming his mind bled through into his gaze, making him seem more crazed predator than human.

And so he paced.

Back and forth.

"Tommy, sit down." Arthur chuckled, throwing his cards down on the table. A groan left his lips when he realized that he lost another hand in the poker game Tommy was supposed to be playing with his brothers to distract him. Instead he was pacing.

Tommy ignored his older brother. His feet never stopped.

"C'mon, Tom." John smirked as he pulled the winnings closer to him. "You know Pol's takin' care of her. Esme's there too. She'll be fine."

"Not wot you was saying when your first was born, eh?" Arthur pointed out, swirling the amber liquid in his glass before draining it. "Puking behind the Garrison, you were. Drinking like a fish then to puke it all up from nerves. Me and Tommy almost put you outta your misery, knock you out cold. Fuck. Was planning on it when Ada came running' and screaming' about the baby being' born. Then you could barely walk back to Watery Lane, reeking of whiskey and vomit. If Martha wasn't holding a baby in her arms, she'd probably have hit you with her favorite pan. Yeah, that bloody heavy one too."

The corners of Tommy's mouth tilted upward as Arthur spoke, taking a moment to reminisce. He remembered Ada and Finn's births as a child himself. He could remember finally being allowed to return home after hours of being forced to stay outside while his mother screamed and cried with bringing new life into this unforgiving world. Yet with John's first, he had been a man and had a better understanding of what was going on. Of how precarious and difficult giving birth could be for both the woman and child. How there was no guarantee that both would survive. That a new life could just as easily rip away the one guiding it into the world. And all the blood and screams….

With that thought in mind, Tommy started pacing and chain smoking again. Fears renewed and clawed at him until he wanted to smash his head against the wall to just make it stop.

Right away this morning, before the sun even graced the sky and he opened his eyes, he knew something was wrong.

Tommy always woke up before his wife, usually before any other Shelby member since he was a child. There was something about waking up before the rest of the world, in taking those minutes of silence and peace to allow his mind to fully awaken and his body to restart. To just be….until he put on the suit and firmly tightened the stoic mask he wore and became what he needed to be.

Once he met you, the love of his life, and convinced you to start regularly sleeping in his bed, he was now not as quick to rise and greet the sun. He would be awake, but instead of crawling out of bed like before, with a cigarette in hand and searching for a glass of whiskey to toss back, he would linger. His hand might trace lightly over your exposed skin or listen to your breathing there in the morning gray. His thoughts would writhe and twist like normal, scheming and planning before he had even rubbed the sleep from his eyes. But with you in bed next to him, he remained just a little while longer, soaking up the peace he only found with you nearby. His wife. The one who truly saw past his mask and drew out the hidden, compassionate side of him he had thought long dead and buried.

So when he woke up this morning, finding himself alone in the bed, only the first rays of sunlight hinted in the sky….he knew something was wrong.

Dressed only in a pair of knickers, Tommy rushed downstairs to find you washing the dishes you had been too tired to finish last night. Your nightgown hung loosely over your frame, but clung jealously tight against your swollen belly. As he opened his mouth to ask what you were doing, you froze, hand gripping the edge of the sink with an intense look of concentration. After two deep breaths, your eyes focused back as if waking from an uncomfortable daydream. It was then you noticed him. A beguiling smile lit up your face as you spoke softly.

"We're having a baby today."

And his whole world imploded.

Apparently, your contractions had started the hour prior and because of them you could not sleep. So instead of waking Tommy, which he was quite unhappy about and made sure you understood, you had snuck downstairs to do some chores while you waited for your contractions to progress. He logically knew it took hours until it was time for the baby's arrival, especially with the first. It did not mean he liked the idea of you suffering alone, even if you assured him you were fine.

Eventually Polly arrived, took one look at you and stated, "I had a feeling when I woke up it'd be today." Then she eyed Tommy in his undressed state, since he refused to leave his wife alone, and forcibly commanded that he get dressed and get to the betting shop. This was women's business now.

Yet while at the betting shop, he could not think. Worries gnawed away at his mind like filthy rats. Panic and despair whispered their half-truths into his ears. In his distressed state, all he could do was stare at the green doors. Knowing on the other side was his beautiful wife in labor with their first child. A baby they were both thrilled to have. Now anxiety reminded him what you must endure to bring his child into the world, to place it in his arms. And how easily he could lose both you and the already beloved baby.

Only after two hours of being open, Arthur and John shut down the shop for the day and dragged his arse to the Garrison. They kept Scudboat and Lovelock back to maintain presence at the betting shop and announce that it was a Birmingham holiday.

Hours late here he was. Still pacing. That ever tightening chokehold of fear made it hard to breathe. The heavy stone of anxiety threatened to cave in his chest. There had been no word of how you were doing. Or how the babe was. So his mind conjured nightmares to fill in the void of information. He wondered if the combination of terrifying thoughts and excessive whiskey would send him puking his guts out behind the Garrison. Now he felt a stab of regret for teasing John so ruthlessly after his own turbulent experience.

"Tommy," John murmured again, an undertone of understanding in his voice. He met his older brother's eyes, compassion shining as he spoke words of reassurance. "She'll be fine. She's strong. Pol won't let anything 'appen."

Tommy nodded silently, letting his brother's words flow over him like a cool breeze.

"Think the babe will look like Tommy?" Arthur asked, rearranging the cards in his hand. Clearly attempting to break the tense air stifling the snug.

"I fooking hope not. Poor child will be teased if he's that ugly."

Tommy lightly smacked the back of John's head, even as John just smirked and swatted him back. For a moment, the despair lightened like the sun breaking through storm clouds.

Arthur laughed loudly. "Yeah, probably best the babe takes after y/n. A beauty she is. Poor girl can't go anywhere without men just staring at 'er."

"That's me wife you're talking about." Tommy growled but without any sort of heat behind his words.

"And the perfect wife for you!" Arthur raised his glass in a toast before tossing it back. John quickly followed suit.

Tommy made a mental note to ask about who has been staring at his wife. Then he started pacing again.

Back and forth.

Finally, the storm swirling in his chest reached its peak, battering against his resolve until it lay decimated like a ship against the merciless rocks. He had to do something. Anything. If he continued pacing, drowning himself in whiskey and cigarettes, he was going to lose what last pieces of sanity he still maintained.

No one wanted to see the consequences of that.

Without a word, he grabbed his suit jacket and yanked it on. Even before his arms were fully in the sleeves, he had thrown open the door to the snug and raced out like the devil was on his heels. From behind, he could hear Arthur and John calling out to him but he kept moving. His fears, his sudden terror, growled at his heels like vicious wolves. His need to know, to see his wife, propelled him onward.

Tommy was a man who had always liked to be in control. Who held all of the cards and could play them as he pleased. Who was three steps ahead of everyone else. It was not arrogance when he could confidently say he was the most intelligent man in Birmingham. Ever since he was a child, he had always been more clever and smarter than his peers. When others could only see a straight line, he saw multiple, twisting lines that got him farther and with more resources than that single straight line everyone else saw.

Beyond that, he needed that control as much as the air he breathed. For without it, he felt like a rowboat lost at sea, tossed about by waves and praying it would not capsize. Bad things usually happened when Tommy was not in control.

But in this situation….he had none. There was nothing he could do. There was no one he could pay for the right information. No way to be ahead of the game. He had no control over childbirth. Over the pain his wife would endure. No control if everything went to hell. There was not a goddamn thing his hands or his mind could do to solve it.

And that very simple fact terrified him down to his core.

Without a care, he threw open the front door to 6 Watery Lane and stalked in like a predator on the loose.

Almost immediately, Esme popped around the corner from the parlor. Shock initially crossed her face before morphing into confused annoyance. She crossed her arms over her chest, dark eyes narrowed at him. "You can't be 'ere."

"It's me own home."

"You can't be here!" Esme practically snarled. "You'll bring bad spirits with you!"

Tommy approached his sister-in-law, his movements smooth, not giving away the way he felt his bones vibrating with agitation and concern. He stopped just in front of her, towering over her smaller form, his voice cold and clipped when he directed his question to her. "Where is she?"

Before Esme could respond, Polly stood behind her, an almost matching scowl on her face.

"You shouldn't be here, Thomas. This is women's business. You'll make the birthing further unclean if you come in."

"And bring bad spirits with you." Esme mumbled, still glaring though.

Tommy raised his eyes to the ceiling for a moment, willing himself to take a deep breath and not yell at the women in his family. He knew they still clung to many of the Romani beliefs and superstitions. Something he had never truly believed himself. All those notions about luck and bad spirits and fate….as a young boy he had disregarded it and continued to ignore them for the most part. The only thing he did believe in was curses.

When he no longer felt the urge to rampage through his own house, looking for his own wife, who was going to give birth to his own child, he lowered his eyes back to the women folk. Slowly he enunciated his next words, allowing his frustration to bleed over every syllable and hopefully make them realize how serious he was. "Where. Is. My. Wife?"

"Tommy, you can't–" Polly stopped and looked back into the parlor room, clearly listening. With a grumble, she rolled her eyes and stepped to the side just enough to indicate her begrudging willingness for Tommy to enter. "She's asking for you."

With a nod at his aunt, he crossed into the parlor room, unsure exactly what he was stepping into but knowing he needed to be here. For both himself and you.

What he saw both made his heart race and blood turn to ice. There you stood in front of the fireplace, still dressed in the loose nightgown. The firelight danced across you, highlighting your swollen belly and the sweat on your brow. Your hands tightly gripped the back of a wooden chair, your eyes pinched shut and a pained grimace on your face.

"She's close. Won't be much longer now." Polly softly said, shifting to stand by Tommy's side.

He nodded mutely at the same time your eyes slowly opened and turned to him. A stab to the gut, a bullet to the shoulder, anything would have been less painful. For it was the pain still obvious in your eyes and in every bead of sweat dotting your skin, that hurt to bear witness to. The worst was the small, shaky smile you gave him, the reassurance he needed when it should be the other way around.

"Tommy…." You barely mouthed before pinching your eyes shut again and your lips pulled back in the grimace as the next wave of contractions slammed into your body.

Immediately, Tommy moved. He shucked his suit jacket off, tossing it carelessly onto the couch. In the next step, he moved behind you, placing his hands on your shoulders. "What can I do, darling? Please tell me I can help."

With the short reprieve between contractions, you leaned back, resting your head on his chest. "I'm fine."

He snorted. "You're in labor." His hand absent-mindedly ran along your side and towards your back. "How can I help?"

A soft sigh escaped you. "Right there. My lower back."

His hand returned to rubbing soothing circles and applying pressure against your lower back. In the next moment, you were leaning forward, gripping the chair with a death-like hold.

He turned his focus onto his aunt, a new layer of fear and worry dripped into his blood like poison. "Shouldn't she be….screaming?"

"Some women handle pain, even labor pains, differently." Polly stared thoughtfully at you, someone the matriarch had stated was family even before you married Tommy. "You remember when she fell and got that gash on her arm. It bleed so much, I worried she'd pass out, but the whole time she never cried. Even when I stitched her up. Brave, foolish girl."

Tommy bit the inside of his cheek as the memory swept over him. It was before your relationship became concrete, when the two of you were just friends but he wanted so much more. The story you had shared was that you tripped and fell. Later, he learned the whole truth from one of the Peaky boys. That a drunkard had knocked you down and spat on you because in his intoxicated state, he confused you for his wife who was coming to retrieve him from the bar. The next day Tommy and his brothers paid the man a visit, educating him on what happens to those who hurt persons under the protection of the Peaky Blinders.

"I need to check her." Polly said, drawing Tommy out of his memories and back into reality.

Once the contraction ended, Tommy stepped back to roll up the sleeves of his shirt again while Polly checked your dialation.

The matriarch smiled up at you. "You're just about there. You're doing so good, love."

You nodded, already leaning forward with the next onslaught of pain.

"Tommy shouldn't be 'ere, s'not right." Esme said, taking a random scarf laying around and sliding her fingers through, making sure there were no knots.

Tommy glared at her, his voice ice cold. "I'm not leaving me wife while she's in pain."

With a huff, Esme got up, muttering under her breath continuously as she stomped over and rummaged through her bag.

Tommy swung his gaze back to his aunt. "Don't force me to leave. Please." He whispered. Even to his own ears, he sounded like a little boy. A vulnerability that had been shattered under the impact of his father's fists and the realization that the world did not care for lowlife scum like him and his family. But for this….for you, he would beg to not leave your side.

Polly hesitated but something in his gaze, in his words, made her inhale sharply and nod. Perhaps she caught a glimpse of that long lost boy she had watched vanish before her eyes. "Alright, Tom, but when it's time, you do what I say. No questions asked."

"Yes, boss."

She rolled her eyes, even as the corners of her lips tilted up. "I'll get the hot water and cloths ready."

As Polly headed towards the kitchen, Tommy returned to his spot behind his wife, rubbing your lower back and whispering encouragement. He knew enough from helping horses that nature would take its course and all one could do was wait.

Esme came to his side, holding a comb. "Let me brush her hair, can't have any knots. It'll help bring luck."

For the next several minutes, Tommy and Esme worked on you. His fears continued to fester. It was obvious each contraction seemed to worsen. The few times a whimper escaped your lips, he pressed his face against your head, wishing he could take away your pain. He would give anything to alleviate your pain, to take it upon himself. But he could not. So he did what he could to help, even if he felt useless. Which irked him. Made his skin crawl at his own uselessness. Those stinging thoughts in his mind transformed into vultures, circling, circling, waiting to feast on his decaying sanity.

What chewed away most at his confidence was how unresponsive you became as labor continued. He could still hear your breathing, could feel your heartbeat. But when Esme directed a question at you, it took several tries of your name before you responded.

He could not help but wonder if your continued silence was better or worse than screaming.

After some time, you stiffened. Your head shot up to where Polly had been standing, watching you with a hawk-like precision.

"I pushed….I–I didn't mean to. It just happened–"

"Good girl, it's alright. That just means it's time." His aunt said calmly, then directed the others like the general she was. "Tommy, help her around. Sit down in that chair, I want her squatting in front of you. You'll support her. Esme, prepare the cloths."

Tommy helped his wife quickly as his aunt directed. He sat down and spread his legs wide for you to squat between, facing outward. Pain seemed etched onto your beautiful face, your breathing shallow. Sweat coated your body. As soon as you were in position, you grabbed his hands, your arms over his thighs. He clutched your hands in return, hoping it brought you some idea of relief.

Polly knelt in front of you. "Alright, love, push when your body tells you too."

Time was irrelevant as you worked and fought to bring your child into the world. Your grip on his hands was borderline crushing but he never thought to complain or try and pull away. He continued to whisper, his lips against your temple, tasting your sweat, embracing what pain he could, to try and take it from you.

"I can't, Polly." You whimpered out after some time. The first words you had spoken since Tommy walked in a couple of hours ago. "I can't….I'm so tired."

His heart shattered like a glass window listening to you. Tears pricked the corners of his eyes. He wished he could offer you some comfort, some relief, but this was your battle, and he was stuck on the sidelines.

Polly's dark, knowing, eyes met yours. "Yes, you can. I promise. I can feel the head. You're almost there, love. A couple more pushes then you can meet your baby. Think about that. You can meet your babe in a few minutes. Don't give up."

You nodded before giving a grunt with the next contraction.

"One more! The head almost came out!"

Tommy pressed his lips to his wife's ear. "Let's meet our child, eh? My strong wife. Let's see our baby."

He wondered if you heard his words, if that was the encouragement you needed. For in the next instant, you let out a pained cry as your body shuddered.

"Yes! One more! I've got the head!" Polly said, with her hands underneath your sweat-soaked nightgown.

"Hear that? One more, my sweet darling. One more." Tommy crooned.

Then he heard it. The squelch. The flush. The sound of life entering the world.

Immediately, you sagged in his arms, all energy drained, like a puppet with its strings cut. He grabbed a hold and fell with you to the ground, cradling you in his lap. Blood stained your dress and legs, soaking into his clothes but he did not even notice. His sole focus was on the rapid breathing of his wife, your eyes closed and lips pressed together.

"Oh love, he's beautiful." Polly cooed as she cradled the bloody bundle in her arms. She used a different cloth to wipe away his face and head, a beaming smile on her face.

At her words, Tommy felt his heart miss a beat. A son. He had a son.

"Open your eyes, love. Meet your son." Polly carefully knelt down, holding the baby. She placed the newborn on your chest.

Even as shivers rocked through your body in response to the trauma it just experienced, your hands reflexively stilled as they cradled the newborn against you.

"We need something of Tommy's to wrap him in!" Esme cried.

"Me coat." He mumbled, eyes locked onto his son. Yet relief waited at the threshold, not quite ready to enter in and erase the fears and worries Tommy still harbored.

Esme grabbed the coat, bringing it over and gently laying it over the baby and his wife's bloody, sweaty body.

While you gazed lovingly down at the baby you had brought into the world, Tommy watched his aunt and Esme turn your body carefully and reach back under your nightgown. After several long moments, the faintest hint of concern slid off Polly's face.

She glanced up at him, most likely feeling his gaze locked on her. "The afterbirth is out and her bleeding is already slowing down. She'll be alright, Tom. I promise."

And with that simple, reassuring promise, the foul air that filled his lungs with fear was knocked away with a swift kick. Relief finally crossed the threshold and anchored itself into his mind. His arms tightened around his still trembling wife. The emotional turmoil he had warred with throughout the day seeped out, leaving him emotionally exhausted. Yet through it all, he had never felt more alive. More hopeful.

His focus dropped down to the baby on your chest, his little mouth opening and closing slowly and his tiny fingers twitching. A sense of awe and wonder crawled up his spine to twist around his heart. You, his beautiful wife, had given him a child. A single tear escaped his watery eyes and dropped into your hair but neither of you seemed to notice, too absorbed in the miracle you had created together.

"You did it." He croaked out. "We've a son. Our son."

"Our baby." You murmured.

As if hearing your words, the newborn opened his eyes….and Tommy thought he could drown into the vast blue of them. For they were his eyes staring back at him.

At that moment, he knew he would do anything for his son. He thought he knew love when he gave his heart to you, when he allowed himself to be completely vulnerable with you in ways he had never been with anyone else. But this….staring into his son's eyes. It was a far different feeling than he expected. For you, his wife, he would sell his soul to the devil without a second thought to take care of you. But for his son, for this new babe in your arms that with a single look shook the foundations of his world, he would storm the gates of hell and rip the devil's heart out himself if anyone dared harm his child.

"I love you." Tommy whispered as overwhelming emotions welled up in his chest, clinging to his throat, and threatening to escape in sobs of sheer relief and devotion. Instead he placed a kiss to your temple and ran a single finger over the top of his son's head.

"I love you too, Tommy." You glanced up at him, from where you reclined against his chest, before turning back to your baby. "And we love you. Mummy and daddy love you so much."

Tommy stared down at his family, the love of his life and his newest reason to be better, to do better. His heart stretched and strained, trying desperately to fit the love overfilling it, just trying to accommodate it all somehow.

As he continued to gaze down at his son while Polly helped you to try and feed him, he knew one thing for certain. What ruthlessness people thought he harbored was nothing compared to what would be unleashed if anyone dared to touch his family. A peaked cap or a bullet to the brain would be the least of their concerns. He would overthrow governments to keep his family safe. He would break countries to keep his family protected. Nothing was outside of the realm of possibility he would do. For as his love grew to encompass his new son, his need to see him and you safe mirrored it. Whatever it would take. He would see it done.

For his wife and now his son were his guiding lights and he refused to allow anyone to put them out.

Tag List:

Peaky Blinders- @slytherinicequeen @geekandbooknerd @lilyrachelcassidy @deans-ch-ch-cherrypie @minxsblog

(lemme know if you wanna be added or deleted from the tag list)

#mzwrites #peaky blinders #bbc peaky blinders #by order of the peaky blinders #tommy shelby #thomas shelby #tommy shelby fanfic #tommy shelby x reader #thomas shelby fanfic #thomas shelby x reader #john shelby #arthur shelby #polly gray #aunt polly #esme shelby #ems300

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padfootdaredmetoo · 2 years

Note

Hey 👋 I’m not too sure if your doing requests( if not completely ignore this it’s fine:)) but I was requesting a peaky blinders one-shot where reader is like an orphan and lives in an orphanage and tommy the philanthropist he is goes down to the orphanage with Polly,John,Arthur,and Ada and whoever else you want and they see reader going at it with on of the sisters. You could choose the conflict or their argument but yeah, if you could draw the reader as someone who’s quick and sarcastic with their words like a speak before thinking type of person you know. Also can this be like a tommy Shelby x daughter!reader kinda like a found family kind of trope. Sweet kisses love your stories❤️

Dear Anon,

I hope this does it justice!! I changed a few things because I felt like it fit the story better (I hope that's alright) but there is lots of family stuff. And lots of Lizzie and Tommy - not something I have ever written before so hopefully that's also alright. Sweet kisses back to you love, thank you for this wonderful idea!!!

Warnings: peaky type stuff, religious language? Implied that a priest was going to assault the reader, bad words, not descriptive death of parents, mentioned death of a baby, grief, so much sweetness and hurt comfort and hopefully laughs. I promise it's not as dark or sad as it sounds. Also some Grace bashing / group hate.

Word count: 6606 - may have gotten carried away...

Part 2

Tommy watched Lizzie closely as they approached the large building. According to his sources it housed around a hundred and fifty children, the building was large but it didn't seem that large.

It was gray and rainy, much like every day. The dark dampness didn’t bother him as it had seeped into his bones and made a home long ago. At this point, he was convinced that the sunlight would simply cause him to turn to ashes if it ever reached his skin.

Lizzie looked nervous but that was expected, he felt beyond nervous. Suddenly hoping she would change her mind altogether. Children were overrated, he would know having raised Finn and half of John's kids. But after her she lost the baby, he would do anything to bring some happiness to her. He knew he wasn't the best husband, but he was trying to do better every day.

Walking up the steps a voice in his mind started to remind him that he would only be bringing this baby into a world of danger and horror. Only going to ruin them so no God would allow them refuge. He pushed them down as best he could, reaching out to hold Lizzie’s hand. She looked taken back at the gesture, another thing wrong with them. Wrong with the situation.

They were escorted in to look at the babies. They were just as expected, plump, cute, and small. Tommy tried not to look at them too close, no point in getting attached. Lizzie would pick a baby, and he would attempt to be a good father.

He hated that he knew what it felt like to reach out for parents that were not there to hold you. He was sulking when a commotion caught his attention.

“For Fucks sakes woman! ” A girl shouted.

“You listen here. Father Stryker is a noble member of this community and organization. You will do what he asks of you.” A woman responded in a cold tone.

“We both know that’s not what God would want you old bat.” The girl snapped back and he held back a smile.

“Now you listen here, we do not know what God wants, that’s not our place. He has a way -”

“No, he sure as hell doesn't. God would NEVER.” The girl demanded. “I thought God was in all of us, and GOD doesn't want me to be alone with him. In fact, I would say he’s overcome with passion about the issue. It would be a sin for me to ignore his protests.”

“I will not tolerate such language, you foul girl!” The sound of a slap was dealt out. Tommy felt an odd feeling of unease about the situation.

“You let this happen! You. And you will BURN FOR IT. Mark my words, you will suffer an eternity for his sins. There are no amount of crosses under the sun for Jesus to croak on that would make up for your grotesque choices you evil witch.” The girl's voice was pure venom, and Tommy was overcome with an urge to protect the girl. What type of place were they running here?

“I want her,” Lizzie said clearly standing next to him looking at the Sister that was showing them around.

“Sorry Mrs. Shelby ?” She asked looking for clarification.

“The girl in the hall.” He looked at Lizzie landing her eyes on a girl that must have been about 15 standing off with the nun in the hallway. Her face was beet red, making her blue eyes seem extraordinarily bright in contrast, her fists clenched ready for a fight of any size. That girl did not care what happened, she wasn't going to back down.

“Ah, are you sure? She’s quite temperamental.” She responded looking embarrassed.

“Excellent, I’ve never seen anyone look so much like my husband,” Lizzie said with a smirk on her face.

“We’ll take her. And I’d like a word with management.” He asserted firmly. This was not the sort of thing he could look the other way on, plus it would only further the family image. Win-win.

______________________________

Another sister came into the hallway.

“Sister Margret, she has been requested by a family.” She said quickly.

You were positive this must be some type of trap. But a tall angular woman moved into the hallway. She looked like someone from a painting, impossibly pretty, elegant, clothes worth a small fortune. This was impossible.

The sister grabbed your arm and pulled you away from that bitch. Far away from the classroom you were terrified of.

The lady looked you up and down and removed the sister's hand from your arm. She shot her a warning look and the sister apologized. Whoever this woman was, she meant business.

“I’m Lizzie, Lizzie Shelby.” She said in a voice that belonged on a stage. You introduced yourself feeling embarrassed.

“We’d like to take you home if you're alright with that.” She asked holding her arm out. Normally you didn’t like being touched for any reason, but being escorted out of the place was a good enough reason for you to make an exception.

You looped your arm in hers and she strode out of the place with her head held high.

“The Paperwork -” The sister called out

“Get my husband to deal with it.” She called back, her voice dripping with power. You accompanied her into a very expensive car. You sat in the back seat beside her and watched her take in your appearance as if it had changed being in the natural light.

“Do you read?” She asked you lighting a cigarette.

“I had a tutor before my parents died.”

“How did they pass?”

“Car accident.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Me too.”

“We’ll expect you to go to school.”

“You’d be a shit parent if you didn't.” You mentally kicked yourself. “Sorry I -didn't” You were stumbling over an apology as the door opened and a man got into the driver's seat.

“That’s my husband. Thomas.”

“Hello,” You said feeling completely deflated. “It’s nice to meet you, both of you, It’s nice.” You couldn't remember a time being so embarrassed. You wished that they would just run you over with their expensive tires. There were just too many emotions in such a short period.

An hour ago a priest was forcing himself on you, telling you God would never allow you to get adopted, and here you were making a fool out of yourself with your new parents.

That phrase stung so bad you visually imagined pushing it from your mind.

“Did you sort the paperwork?” Lizzie asked in a frosty tone that made you wonder what their relationship problems were like.

“That and a few other things.” He responded in a tone you assumed only ghosts were capable of.

“Like what?” She said looking out the window with resentment.

“Taking the place over.” He responded easily. As if it was no big deal, like spending money on petrol for the car.

“What do you mean?” This caught her off guard and you watched a bit of hopefulness come to life in her eyes.

“Saw things.” He hesitated, obviously aware of your presence in the car. “That I didn’t think God would approve of.” You caught a slight smirk on his face in the mirror. His eyes told you it was easier to poke fun at the situation.

Lizzie hummed in approval, and even though you’d only known them a few minutes it felt like progress.

_______

They wanted to give you a few days to settle in before introducing you to the whole family. Something you saw as a bit of a red flag. The house was massive, but it was clean and quiet. Both a blessing and a curse. You were too shy to ask for something to do or go explore. Your bedroom was unbelievably beautiful, and warm.

There was a knock on the door that caused you to jump.

“Yeah?”

“Can I come in?” Lizzie’s voice rang through the door.

“Of course” You responded stiffly. She came in and smiled at you, she pointed to your bed but you didn't understand what she was looking at. Should you not have been laying on it during the day?

“Is it alright if I sit?” She asked you and you realized that’s what she meant.

“Yes!” You sat up straight feeling like an idiot once again. You’d had to sit through two dinners each equally painful due to your rambling.

“How are you settling in?” She asked kindly.

“Um, fine. It’s nice. I love my room.”

“What do you get up to in here?” She looked around with a frown.

“Mostly sitting and thinking.” You responded blandly.

“Are you sure I can’t take you shopping for anything?” She’d asked at least three times, and you felt horrible imposing on them further.

“I don't want to bother you.” You finally broke. She let out a strange laugh.

“Bother me. All the time. Big stuff little stuff, doesn't matter.” She picked a piece of lint off of your bedspread. “Plus kids cost money you know. That’s no one's fault, so don’t carry it like a burden.”

Your eyes stung with tears. That was not the narrative you had grown up with parents or none. You’d always been acutely aware of the burden your existence placed on people. Her words made you feel like you were special, not something your parents could give you. This brought on a very large mix of feelings.

“Don’t cry, really all this is-” Her face appeared displeased with your reaction and it only made your hurt more.

“Normal. Not for me, it’s not. If you wanted a kid that was used to this you should have had one yourself.” the words flew out of your mouth and she was up and out of the room before you could try to apologize. You felt so much worse, you wanted to pull out all your hair trying to make it stop.

You stopped trying to hold the tears back and got up off your bed to apologize. An embarrassing apology was better than them shipping you back.

You followed the sound of her soft crying sounds. Through a door that was slightly ajar. It was a beautiful nursery. They had tried to have their little spoilt children, the guilt only became worse.

You locked eyes with her and decided the truth was always best.

“You treat me better than my parents. But they're dead and it hurts. I don't want to bother you both, it's already some kind of miracle that I got adopted at this age, I don't want to push my luck. Or live through you getting bored of me and then tossing me aside.”

For a moment you thought she was going to shout at you. But she just nodded in understanding. You both were crying, so why not try to risk a hug. You got down on the sheep skin rug next to her and hugged her.

Her grief wrapped around you with her slender arms. She pushed your face against her chest and kissed the top of your head. You didn't understand, but the hurt in her felt a lot like the hurt inside of you. So you leaned into the feeling crying just as hard.

“I lost her. She was born and - nothing anyone could do about it.” She said after a long while. The thought made your heart break all over again. “They told me I couldn't have kids. Spent years avoiding it like it was the plague and now, God it hurts.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“I’m sorry for you too. My dad left before I was born, mother passed when I was 13. Prostitute till I was twenty.” She let out a sad laugh. “This life.” She motioned to the house with her arm. “Is not the life I came from and my husband doesn't have much. But he has money, so don’t ever feel bad for spending it.” You looked up at her in shock. There was no way she was telling the truth. She looked like she belonged in a palace like you wanted to trust her with the whole world. So elegant, kind eyes.

“We’re the same then” you whispered.

“Absolutely not! If you become a prostitute I will have officially become the worst mother in history.” She said causing you both to laugh.

“I’m not good with people.” You joked along. Tommy pushed the door open and you stiffened slightly. No matter how you tried to calm down, he made you uneasy. Like he would be impossible to please or get to know.

“It’s not a whore house?” He said with a confused look having caught the end of the conversation. You’d never seen a man look more confused as the both of you were tear-soaked holding each other on the floor.

“Not anymore it's not.” Lizzie quipped causing him to almost smile. You wondered what made him so stuck up.

“Good lord, how did you guys make all this money again?” You asked cheekily, causing Lizzie to laugh.

“Just you wait.” She said lightly, but you couldn't help but know already that it was not God’s work that placed them here.

“Come down for lunch?” he asked you both, still slightly put off by the situation.

“Yes” she wiped her cheeks with the back of her hands, you watched her walls of composure surround her once again.

“Come on. Let’s see how much trouble we can get in before supper.” She said helping you up.

_____________________________

You stopped by to pick up people on the way to the shops.

“We’ll get Esme first. She’s John’s wife. Tommy’s younger brother - he made a deal with the Lee family - a bunch of gypsies - Tommy needed men, and she needed a husband. Technically I almost married John. It was a complicated time. But they both get along like a house on fire. She holds him down pretty good, probably the only reason he’s still alive.” You listened as she drove you through the countryside. “Then we’ll get Polly. She’s Tommy’s Aunt. She probably goes up against him the most. She’s some kind of Gypsy royalty, a very peculiar woman, but she means well. Hated Tommy’s first wife Grace. Well, we all hated Grace. Us women tend to stick together. We have to put up a good front against the boys or they raise hell like nothing else.”

“You’re all gangsters then?” You asked her catching her slightly off guard.

“Technically he’s a gangster turned politician. But trust me having been on the receiving end of both there really isn't a difference.”

You blushed at her words and tried to hold your tongue.

“I shouldn't have said that last part.” She flicked her cigarette case open and lit one up. “Forget I said that.” but you started laughing. You pulled up to a country-style house, chickens squawking loudly at the car engine.

“Oi! That is not a baby!” A woman with wild curly hair approached the car. She slid into the backseat and you felt awkward sitting in the front. You looked at her looking you over. “Total babe, but not a baby.” She said with wide eyes in disbelief.

“She’s fifteen,” Lizzie responded looking at you like you were a brand new car.

“Good lord. Going to have to beat the boys off of her. She’s pretty like you.”

You blushed heavily at her words unsure of what to do with the attention.

“Eh, as long as we keep her close I think we’ll manage just fine.” Lizzie smiled and turned the car around.

“I’m Esme, I’m sure Lizzie caught you up to speed.” She lit a cigarette and smiled at you as you introduced yourself. She asked you lots of questions, about how you liked the place.

“It’s cold. You can say it, love.” Esme blurted out. “It’s a monument to Grace. Should have been burnt down the second she left us.” You could tell this was a part of the stormy ocean of problems that rested between your adopted parents. You put that piece of knowledge into your back pocket. You pulled up to a stylish-looking complex and a woman in a black suit and sunglasses approached the car.

“I was going to offer to babysit for you when you need a rest - but by the looks of it I’ll be asking you for help, love.”

“How many kids do you have?” You asked while you waited.

“Too fuckin’ many,” Polly responded climbing into the back seat. “I thought you asked Tommy for a baby, not a miniature replica of yourself?”

“Come off it Pol,” Lizzie said starting the car.

“I’m serious, I thought I was seein’ a bloody ghost. I’ve known you since you were the size of a potato, when I say she looks just like ya, I fuckin’ mean it.”

You looked at Lizzie and wished you looked even a fraction of how beautiful she was.

“How's he managing with this then? He was always good with the kids when they were little but I can’t imagine he’d know what to do with her.” Polly said stealing Esme’s cigarette.

“Eh, like everything else, he’s adjusting.” Everyone seemed to find this funny.

“You look at me, that boy gives you any trouble you call me alright. I’ll set him straight.” She was strong like Thomas but soft like Lizzie, and something distinctly her own. You could tell she was in charge.

“Thank you.” You said sheepishly unsure of what else to say.

“You're welcome, love,” She said kindly.

Shopping was a lot. You cried on the way home and they had a unique way of comforting you while also making fun of you, making you laugh. Once you started laughing with them it seemed impossible to stop. You assumed that you would all pile into the sitting room, but instead, you piled into the kitchen, which quickly became your favorite space in the house. A large wooden table surrounded by something that felt so perfectly warm. Grace clearly didn’t touch this space much.

They poured you cranberry juice and set into a bottle of whiskey. The jokes got worse as the night progressed and for once your sharp tongue and misplaced comments brought a great deal of joy.

“Where did you find this girl!” Esme said between laughs

“Fighting off a Nun in a hallway,” Lizzie replied still laughing from the joke before. Tommy and you assumed his brothers appeared in the doorway.

“Wow, Looks like you Lizzie, but with Tom’s eyes” John said, or you thought it was him because he went to stand behind Esme and she looked up at him in a way you hadn't seen before.

“And his mouth.” Esme quipped and you hoped it was a compliment. He reached across the table to shake your hand.

“John”

“It’s nice to meet you” You introduced your self. Arthur came and gave you a crushing hug.

“They got you out numbered now brother.” He joked letting you go to pour himself a glass of whiskey.

Tommy gave you a tense look, like he was worried about something. He took the seat next to you puting space between you and the boys.

“Might be enough women to put some life back into this place.” Polly said with twinkling eyes.

“I’ll try my best.” You responded quickly seeing that Tommy didn’t seem happy.

He stuck close to your side, sliding glasses of Whiskey away from you as the boys started drinking. His youngest brother was only a few years older than you, and he showed up with a bunch more men that introduced themselves politely before joining into the savagery.

You scooted your self along the bench to sit closer to Tommy not knowing the others well enough to want to sit as close.

“Thank you, Lord, for blessing us with such a wonderful girl! May she shine bright for us in these dark times. To the newest Shelby!” Arthur’s voice boomed and your face turned bright red. Everyone finished a drink, but you caught Lizzie and Tommy sharing a look.

Tommy put his arm around and you were grateful to have something to lean into with all the commotion. They were the loudest and rudest, most funny group of people you’d ever seen.

“Think it’s time for bed, eh?” He asked you quietly and you nodded.

“Alright! Clear out you lot. She’s got to get to bed. We can have a proper dinner tomorrow night!” Tommy called out causing a few groans.

“But we just got here!” Finn mumbled.

Everyone said their goodbyes and goodnights to you moving out of the kitchen. Polly placed a kiss to your forehead. She said something in a different language, to which Tommy responded with a sharp nodd.

Once everyone had piled out the front door, they took you up to your room. You hit the bed feeling more tired than you could ever remember.

_________________________________________

You slowly became more at ease around Tommy. Sitting alone at the table didn’t frighten you nearly as much. You heard him shout at people occasionally and that made you determined to keep your distance.

It wasn't until Lizzie stayed away for a night getting stuck at Esme’s due to a storm. You assured her that you ate dinner and that everything was fine. In reality, you'd been sitting by the front window praying for her to come back. You hated storms and you’d just trusted that she’d be there and know what to do about it.

Eventually you decided to retreat to your room to avoid any conflict.

“Goodnight.” You poked your head into his study.

“Night, love.” He responded kindly looking up from his papers. You thought about bothering him for a moment, telling him that you were scared. You decided to slip up to your bedroom instead. Girls your age didn't get scared of these types of things.

Without Lizzie, there was an impending sense of doom about the place. Like there was pressure pushing down on you. Listening to things creak and shift, you had an idea that maybe without Lizzie here Grace’s ghost would try to snatch you up.

Laying there listening to the storm and the house, your mind cooked up a story of revenge. Grace would kill you to get back at Lizzie for stealing her mourning husband. Maybe that’s why Lizzie’s baby wasn't born right. Your heart started to race as your stomach twisted.

There must have been some deeper story, Lizzie always seemed like she was very hurt by Grace, despite having come into Tommy’s life after. But Polly’s known Lizzie since she was a baby….

Questions were swirling in your mind non stop trying to make sense of it all. Your door made a horrid sscreeching sound and you let out a scream in response, pulling the blankets up above your head.

“LEAVE ME ALONE GRACE.” You shouted hoping that it was enough that you could see it was her this whole time. She’d be deterred by your cleverness and the quilt Polly had made you.

The quilt was tugged away from your face and you balled your fists ready to fight her off. However you looked up at Tommy’s horrified face instead.

“I don’t do well with storms” You blurted out hoping that would make it better. You both looked at eachother for a moment.

“Let’s make some tea.” He said firmly. You knew that you’d fucked up and the last thing you wanted to do was have tea over the situation. You got up and he pulled your quilt around you, keeping his hand on your shoulder as you moved down the stair case.

You watched him light a fire in the kitchen and grab two glasses and fill them with whiskey.

He passed one to you and sat across from you, he took off his glasses and placed them on the table.

“Why do you think my first wife is out to get you?” He cut right to the chase.

“I got scared of the storm, and Lizzie is trapped, Grace- it’d be the perfect opportunity to get revenge on Lizzie for stealing her mourning husband.” You rushed the words out wishing you were dead. Tommy actually chuckled.

“That’s the story you’d been told then?”

“No, just the one that made sense.”

“How so?” He took a sip of whiskey.

“Everyone says this place is some kind of shrine for her, Lizzie hates it. Hates her, why exactly, I’m not sure but I know it’s because she’s hurt.”

“Lizzie is hurt by Grace?” He asked with a wrinkled brow, you didn't think he was capable of such emotions.

“That’s obvious.” You said sadly. He made a humming noise.

“I didn’t intend to marry Lizzie. She got pregnant and I married her.” He answered easily, suddenly you were very angry at him. Happy he did right by her and married her but -

“Doesn’t mean she hasn’t always loved you.” You argued.

“Is that so?”

“Obviously. Have you ever looked at her? This place, the family, everything, me. Obviously.” You were dumbfounded. How on earth could someone so smart and sharp be so daft. “She puts up with a lot of shit around here. Not once has she ever mentioned leaving or hating you.”

“Perhaps I should talk to her about it.”

“You’d better. Everywhere we go men look at her.” You said trying to scare him into doing the right thing.

“I’m sure they do, she’s a pretty woman.” He answered tensly. Suddenly you started to worry that maybe he wont ever love her, and if that was the case he would certainly never learn to love you. Panic started to wash over you.

“Do you want to watch the storm then?”

“How?” You answered even more uneasy. He got up and you followed him through to the dark sitting room. He pulled the curtains open adding the slitghtest bit of light to the room. You helped him turn the couch around to face the big window.

You watched him pour more wiskey and sit down motioning for you to do the same. Wrapped in Polly’s quilt you sat next to him and he put his arm around your shoulders.

“The only way to stop being scared is to face the thing that scares you.” He explained easily. He held you close to his side as you watched the dark figures of trees swaying violently. The lightening causing you to jump. Eventually things calmed down but you found yourself wishing that it would continue on so you could spend more time sitting like this. He just sat with you tucked into his side sipping his whiskey.

“ I do care for you and Lizzie. More than anything.” He kissed the top of your head. “Things in the past weren't always easy or safe. Keeping her at arm's length seemed like the best way to keep her from ending up like Grace.”

You listened to his voice in the dark, feelingthe pain in his words.

“However, I would hate for her to leave me for a man at the shops.” He said lightly and you snorted.

“Sorry for overstepping - I didn’t mean that she looked back at them”

“S’alright.” He answered easily. Suddenly you saw headlights coming up the drive. You felt his body tense. “Hide behind the desk,” he said seriously. He grabbed a gun hidden in the paneling on the wall. You could hear the door open and to your relief, you heard Lizzie’s voice.

“Fuck sake, Thomas! A gun! Scared the bloody life out of me!” She started to scold him but suddenly she stopped. “Are you alright? Where is she?! I knew something was wrong! Where-” her voice was muffled and you assumed it was because he was holding her.

“She’s fine, in the sitting room” He answered calmly.

“The sitting room at this hour!”

You got up and moved back to the couch hoping that they might sit with you a while longer before going up to bed.

“Why is the couch the wrong way?” She asked sitting down pulling you against her. “Miss me enough to sit up at the window like a couple of dogs.”

“Something like that.” You said enjoying the way she held you tightly. Tommy came to sit down on the other side of you. His arm came across your shoulders pulling Lizzie towards you slightly.

“Did you give her whiskey? She smells like distillery.”

“One glass to calm her nerves, won’t hurt her any.” You felt him reach over you to kiss the top of her head.

“Alright. But don’t you go turning into your father.” She said sternly causing you to laugh.

You sat for a while with the them till eventually the gray sky started to brighten with the sun of the next day.

“Let’s get to bed. We can all get in a nap before the day starts.” Tommy said. Lizzie followed you through to your room to help you into bed and make sure you were okay. After you were settled you heard them talking down the hall and hoped that he was ready to face his fears.

The next day you all had breakfast around noon in the kitchen. Lizzie and Tommy seemed in better spirits, might have had something to do with the marks on her neck, but you hoped he’d talked to her about the situation.

After that night things were noticeably different. You went to school and tried to get along with the other kids, your marks were not great, leading to long nights in the kitchen studying extra with various family members. Esme was the best person to sit with, having learned maths and reading from her mother. She knew how to encourage you without stressing you out.

Tommy on the other hand would look over the material and already look stressed. He always tried to keep his temper in check, but it was unbearable feeling him be frustrated with you. Eventually he caught on that you did worse with him there because of the added pressure, he learned to just sit next to you and work on his problems and offer you help when you needed it.

It took a lot of struggling but eventually you were caught up and getting good marks.

Things were going well till some old business needed to be handled. Tommy was to go away for two weeks, something that seemed to crush Lizzie.

To her surprise he called her everynight. You’d watch her sitting on kitchen counter talking and occasionally laughing. Then he’d talk to you about school and the weather, telling you that he missed you. That was when you realised that something must be very wrong. He was clearly in a great deal of danger where ever he was. Polly came to stay at the house with Arthur, you enjoyed having them around but it only confirmed your suspicion. Everyone seemd it was best to keep you in the dark on the whole thing.

When he came back he was very different. Somebody, or some people, were most certainly dead. A great relief fell over the family and something was different about him. He had a smile on his face when she rushed to the door to greet him. You watched how they held eachother and thought back to when you’d first met them. Things were very different. You eventually butted into the hug feeling left out.

______________

Extra Blurb.

Eventually the unthinkable happened. The boy you had your eye on at school asked you out. Not knowing what to do or what the rules are you decided to get some more information on him make sure he was worth the risk of asking.

Finn laughed at you.

“Not from the best family. But not a rival either, Tommy’s sure to have a fit, and Lizzie, I’m not sure. All in all, I don't mind the guy, you might be better off not telling them.” He said looking out the stained glass window of the Garrison. “If he gives you a hard time, come see me yeah? Don’t let him take you out of Small Heath” He looked at you seriously.

“Sure thing.” You said getting up. You shouted a thank you over your shoulder rushing out of the pub.

You thought long and hard about the situation. He made you laugh, didnt seem to care to much about your last name or who your dad was. Didn’t care that you were adopted. He was very polite, but enjoyed your peculiar sense of humor and misplaced words.

You thought about turning him down. It was too complicated and anything that would upset your parents was too much of a burden. Thinking of what you would say to him, your heart gave a painful wrench.

You went downstairs towards Tommy’s study. God this boy better be worth it or you’d put him in the ground.

You poked your head in to see him writing and Lizzie sitting on the sofa reading a magazine.

“Erm - So.” You started and watched them both look up at you.

“What are you wearing?” Lizzie said smiling at your dress.

“Go upstairs and change” Tommy cut you off before you could respond.

“Theres a boy -” You watched his face fall into his hands. “And he’s picking me up in a half hour if that’s allowed.” You fumbled with your words, wanting them to say yes badly.

“What boy” They said at the same time, giving eachother a glare.

“Noah Solomons. I met him at school.” you responded expecting an explosion.

“No. absolutley not. No way on earth am I sending you anywhere with him.”

“Finn said he’s alright.” You started by stopped once he let out a sigh.

“Finn! Fucking bastard.” He pinnched the bridge of his nose.

“Where is he taking you then?” Lizzie asked

“Just around Small Heath for dinner. I told him that I can’t be out late.” Your face got red and you looked out the window.

“Put on a longer dress. The purple one, and put your hair up -”

“Tommy! Don’t make her wear the purple one” Lizzie started to argue but stopped once she saw the look on his face. Her eyes narrowed back at him.

“How bout I wear the red one -”

“The black one is fine” They both answered suddently.

“Just put on a cardigan,” Lizzie said getting up. “I have a nice one upstairs.” You followed her up to her bedroom. She pulled out a nice cardigan and some less opaque stockings. After you’d changed you looked yourself over, more modest, but that wasn't a bad thing. Especially if it got Tommy’s blood pressure back down. Lizzie got your hair up and you were grateful for her help.

“Do you think dad will let me go?” You asked as she fixed your make up.

“Dont think he can stop you. But, we’ve done business with his father. I think he’s worried this is apart of some elaborate plan.”

“I don’t think so, but I’ll keep an eye on him” You were even more nervous now. Lizzie gave you lots of advice and you felt bad making her this worried. When you walked down stairs you could see Tommy talking to Noah at the door.

You loved the way his face lit up when his eyes landed on you, he looked at you like you were the most beautiful thing in the world. You watched the front door swing shut, keeping him on the other side.

“No.” He said firmly looking at Lizzie.

“Going to have to let her find her own way sometimes.”

“No I don’t. Not with boys, not dressed like that.” He responded angrily.

“Look, I told Finn where we are going, he said him and Isaiah would be around to keep an eye out. I’ve known him for the past two school years. I - please” You looked up at him in what you hoped were puppy dog eyes. You saw the conflict rage in his eyes.

“Fine.” He sighed in defeat. “But you don’t like something, anything, you call me from the restaurant and -” You cut him off with a big hug.

“I won’t be out too late. Love ya” You said flying out the door before he could change his mind.

He kissed you on the cheek on the door step, promising to take you out again next weekend. After saying goodnight you watched as he drove down the drive way before opening the front door.

You were surprised at how quiet it was. You slipped your shoes off and followed the lamp light into the sitting room. Much like the day with the storm, they sat on the sofa turned around to face the large window. You moved towards them to see your dad looking beyond relieved, and mum asleep on his lap.

“So how was it then?” He asked you handing you the last bit of whiskey in his glass. You sat down next to him, watching him look you over for anything out of place.

“Felt a bit like the Queen to be honest. More Blinders than people in that restaurant. Not to mention people watching from their windows.” You gave him a look as he started out the window. “But he was nice. I -He is nice, I enjoyed myself”

“Just for food then straight back?”

“You already know that’s what happened. Can you help me get the pins out of my hair?” You turned away from him and felt him struggle to find them, pulling slightly too hard.

“What? No, this is my job hands off.” Lizzie said groggily. “What did I miss? Tell me everything.” You felt the two of them shift and Lizzie's expert hands start bringing your hair down. By the time she’d gotten it brushed Polly and Esme had showed up for a full debrief in the kitchen.

You were giggling like mad for hours with them, hearing their stories about past lovers. Some sweet, other cautionary. Eventually it was time for bed and you stopped into Tommy’s office before going to wash up.

“Dad.” He gave you a shocked look then you realised what you had said. You didnt feel like apologizing though, too tired to make a big deal of it. You leaned over and gave him a hug. “Thanks for letting me go tonight.” You felt his arms wrap around you tightly.

“I don't like it, and there will be lots to talk about tomorrow. But I'm happy that you're happy.” You kissed his cheek then headed up to bed. You knew that he’d probably already called Noah’s father, a tense conversation awaited you, but you had no doubt it was because he loved you.

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witchthewriter · 2 years

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𝐁𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐛𝐲'𝐬 𝐬/𝐨 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞

⤷ gender neutral, ambiguous race, and any size reader. Requests are open, thank you for reading!

a/n: trigger warnings for drugs, mental illness, smoking. The show is pretty dark so the themes are hard to ignore

ᴹᵃˢᵗᵉʳˡᶤˢᵗ

ESFP

Hufflepuff

Chaotic Neutral

Leo Sun, Pisces Moon, Aries Rising

SFW🌿

・ Arthur would do well with a partner that is gentle and kind. Someone who doesn’t tell him to ‘man up and soldier on.’

・Because of his PTSD, and the impact it has on him in his everyday life. Tommy, who he goes to for support, is very rough with him. With mental illness, forcing yourself to ‘toughen up’ rarely helps. So Tommy’s advice falls short most of the time.

・As his significant other, you are tender with him. Knowing mental illness yourself (maybe you have your own battles with it, or a family/friend has and you’ve helped them etc,) you aren’t the person to shut down his feelings.

・You listen. You’re open, warm, and gentle.

・In front of the fireplace, you settle him down. Taking his mind out of the battle and focusing it on something in the here and now.

・Tracing all of his freckles; it makes him shiver

・Arthur’s pet names for you are ‘love,’ ‘sweetheart,’ ‘beautiful,’ ‘gorgeous.’

・Lighting each other’s cigars

・At first he didn’t want you near the business, he saw what it does to him and was scared that you would get hurt. But you have smarts and talents that Tommy sometimes needs.

・Telling you about his childhood. About the shenanigans, he and his brothers would get up to.

・You guys would definitely drink together, getting tipsy in your townhouse. Giggling on the floor while Arthur imitates Tommy

・You know about him and snow. Somedays you partake in it yourself. But because of your emotional support with his PTSD and other grievances - he doesn’t use it that much

・Proudly tells people that he’s going to marry you soon.

・He has a lot of energy, kind of like a golden retriever. And so you bought a puppy that he could chase around.

・He loves making cups of tea for you, but usually spills the hot water on himself and you can hear him swearing from the kitchen

・Arthur tries his best to be romantic, but he’s really grateful for everything you do

・Being really good friends with Ada. You have similar opinions and love literature. I can see you working together on something

・You don’t really like Tommy. You respect him, but you don’t necessarily like him.

・John is always fun to be around

・And you absolutely adore Esme

・Polly is very intimidating but she knew you’d be a great match for Arthur so she thinks of you as family

Relationship Tropes:

‘I Don’t Deserve You’ + ‘I Love You No Matter What’

Looks Tough, Is A Softie + Looks Like A Softie, Is Tough

‘I May Look Like The Boss, But I’m Not’ (Arthur) + ‘I’m The Motherf*cking Boss’ (You)

NSFW🔞minors dni!

・ 50% dom 50% sub

・ He would like you to take control; show that you desire him and want him. Arthur would love you to push him down on the bed, and strip him naked

・He loves it when you bite on his earlobe and yank

・Arthur definitely has a mummy kink

・And I think Arthur would think that sex should be serious. But because of your personality and how you’ve opened his mind, sex becomes something more fun and pleasurable. Rather than critical.

・Likes it when you wear nothing but his tie... it drives him wild

・Arthur likes to smell you - your hair, your neck. He leaves bites along your collarbone

・Oh and he is loud. With moaning, groaning and yelling your name. He doesn’t care who hears - just as long as they don’t see.

・He likes others to know you’re his, and he’ll leave hickeys on your neck. But you usually cover it with makeup or a scarf.

・He loves bathing together; getting in a hot bath and washing each other’s bodies. It usually leads to sex, or just cockwarming

・And he loves cockwarming ...

“Can we do the thing where I-”

“Yes love,” and you move your panties to the side while he pushes his cock inside you.

・He loves head. It’s what he thinks about most of the day.

・Arthur will try and reciprocate but he would need a lot of practice. But he’s willing to learn.

#arthur shelby #arthur shelby headcanons #arthur shelby x reader #peaky blinders #peaky blinder headcanon #peaky fucking blinders #headcanons #dating would include #would include #being arthur shelby's wife would include #peaky blinders x reader #reader insert #thomas shelby #john shelby #esme shelby #ada shelby #polly gray #arthur shelby smut #witchthewriter

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mindful-of-ideas · 8 months

Text

Hot Summer Days

Peaky Blinders One Shot

Summary: At the end of the summer, Thomas decides it's time for the family to go on a well-deserved beach vacation. While you only work for him, you wound up getting invited.

A/N: I tried to leave this open in regards to pairing, hopefully it worked but maybe it feels like everyone is flirting with you. Also, this was supposed to be an imagine but you wouldn’t believe how hard it is to find the proper gif sometimes.

It came to you as a surprise when you heard that the Shelby family was planning a trip to the beach. Sure, you knew they could use the break and deserve some time away from the city, especially Finn, but that they would acknowledge that was surprising. Almost unsettling if you were being honest.

If something suspicious was looming under this trip, you had to make sure no one was going to get hurt.

Not physically, of course, but emotionally. This had slowly became your job ever since you got hired by Thomas Shelby himself. Officially, you were his secretary. Making sure papers were in order, reminding him of official and officious meetings, seeing that the boys weren’t too rowdy in the betting shop. Just your average secretary job. Things changed when it became apparent that you needed a desk and the only place available was near the entrance of the betting shop. Now, your job included greeting everyone as they came in. Slowly, you picked up on their habits. Arthur was not to be talked to before he had his coffee. Thomas would always greet you but only nod in your direction if something was on his mind. John would always take the time to talk to you. Finn would stop running up and down the shop if you took the time to ask him what he learned today. Ada only popped by when she needed something from Thomas or when she was sad and needed someone to listen to her. Esme, even if she would never admit it, always gushed over all of John's kids. Arthur takes his coffee black but with one sugar; it’s nicer on his stomach he says.

So if this trip the the beach was just a cover-up for something bigger, something nastier, you had to know. Otherwise, life could become unbearable at the betting shop.

You barely had a foot in the door when a loud voice yapped at you.

“Y/N, my office,” said Thomas sternly, “Now.”

The room had gone quiet. You quickly glanced at John but he looked as confused as you did. Could Thomas have known about what you were planning on asking him? Could he take offence to that? Maybe you got too eager, put your nose where you shouldn’t have? Could he even fire you for that? You couldn’t afford to lose this job. You couldn’t afford to get fired by the Shelbys out of all people.

You stepped into Thomas’ office shaking, your palms sweating.

“Please, sit down,” Thomas said gesturing to the chair facing him across his desk.

You did, maybe a little bit too slowly. You stared at your shoes, not daring to meet his eyes.

“Y/N, is everything okay? You look pale.”

If there was genuine worry in his voice, you couldn’t hear it over the buzzing that was now in your ears.

“I’m… I’m fine…” you finally said, “Just a bit tired I guess…”

“That’s perfect then,” he said clapping his hands together and making you jump, “Not that you are tired of course, that’s not what I meant… I…”

Now hearing his hesitation, you looked up. Thomas seemed uncomfortable. He was slowly scratching the back of his head, looking down, almost as if he was embarrassed.

“I meant… I was planning on taking everyone, the whole family, away on a vacation. To the beach as you may have heard. And I real vacation I might add. Just the sun, the waves, and… what I mean is… would you come with us?”

With his question, he looked up at you but your gaze had gone back to the floor.

“Y/N?” he asked quite firmly.

You looked up again.

“That’s better,” he said, “Now, will you come?”

But you were too stoned to say anything. Not only the vacation plan was real but you could go with them as well.

“It’s just that, you know, Finn really seems to like you,” Thomas started, “And so does Ada and Esme… it would be really nice if you could make it…“

Was he trying to convince you?

“… can get a word out of Arthur before noon. And with John, you’re just…”

“Yes!” you blurted out before he could finish, “I’ll be there!”

“Great!” he said smiling at you, “We leave tomorrow morning. Be here at 6:30 sharp.”

He gestured towards the door, inviting you to leave before getting back to his work.

As you got out of the office, you couldn’t help but smile. Yes, you were thrilled to get the time off and to go out with people you might just start calling friends, but mostly you were happy to know that your work had not gone unnoticed. But you barely had time to enjoy the moment. You could only take a few steps towards your desk before feeling a hard slap on your back. You turned around, a bit angry only to see a beaming Arthur.

“Moving up the ladder I see,” he said excitedly, “Next thing you know you’ll be part of the family! I can’t wait for tomorrow,” he added more quietly.

As soon as the day was over, you rushed home. 6:30 a.m. was early. Way too early. You still had to find clothes and your swimsuit. You hoped it still fit you. Living in Birmingham, there are not many opportunities to go to the beach. The last time you saw the ocean was probably well over ten years ago. You were still a child back then. But your mother had always told you to be ready for anything, so a few years back, after seeing that it was on sale, you bought a swimsuit. Just in case. Just in case you got invited by Thomas fucking Shelby to go to the beach with his family. In what world could something like this happen.

This one apparently. And your mother would tell you to seize the day and not look back. You grab the only bag big enough to fit all your things. Swimsuit, check. Towel, check. Sunglasses, check. Sandals, check. Hat, check. You went down your list until everything was in your bag. In the end, it was much and the bag closed easily. It was already past midnight when you finally laid on your bed and went to sleep.

At 6:30 a.m. sharp, the cars left for the ocean. You ended up squeezed between an overexcited Finn and a less-than-happy Arthur. It was way too early for him.

The ride wasn’t too long, just a little over two hours. As soon as you got out of the car, you were met with a whirling wind. Your hair danced crazily in front of your eyes. With one hand holding your bag you struggled to keep it under control.

“Here,” said Esme, “give your bag to John, I’ll help you.”

Still half blind, you lifted up your bag in front of you, hoping that this was where John was.

“Now,” said Esme raking her hands through your hair, “let me take care of this for you.”

Gently, she combed your hair back and started braiding it. A few strands from the front of your head escaped and started dancing in the wind again.

“You tell me if I hurt you,” she said. But you couldn’t hear a thing over the wind that has now picked up again.

“What!” you said hoping to be loud enough.

She leaned in closer to you.

“Tell me to stop if it hurts, okay?” she whispered gently in your ear.

You nodded slightly, not wanting to move too much and ruin your hair. A few moments later, she was done. You felt the cold wind on your neck before Esme wrapped her arm around it.

“Let’s go find the boys now!” she said before forcing you down the sandy hills and towards the beach.

When you got there, Thomas and John were already laying blankets under beach umbrellas while Arthur was still struggling to put his up. You knew asking him if he needed help was a bad idea but you had no other choice.

“Need a hand,” you asked gently.

He was struggling with keeping the umbrella at the right angle while hammering it down for it to stay in place. He grumbled something you couldn’t quite hear but took as a ‘yes’. You got to your knees and grabbed the umbrella with both hands. Arthur inclined it properly before hammering down a rock on its top. It took a few hits but it eventually was deep enough in the sand for it to hold in place.

“Thanks,” he mumbled, “You’ll wanna sit with me?”

“Sure,” you said grinning.

You placed down your towel by his before grabbing your bag again.

“Does anyone know where we can get changed?” you asked, mostly looking towards Ada and Esme.

“There’s a hut right by there,” Thomas answered first, vaguely pointing behind him towards yet more sandy hills.

“I guess I’ll have to figure it out myself,” you mumbled passing right by him.

And you did. Not far from where you had settled, there were a dozen of brightly coloured cabins all lined up neatly by a boardwalk. You quickly changed, keeping on an oversized shirt to cover your shoulder from the sun. It used to be your dad and went down to your mid-thigh. After a quick glance at yourself, you decided it was best to leave the last few buttons open. It looked better, but mostly it felt more comfortable.

You walked back down to the beach, your arms interlaced with Ada and Esme’s. Even from far away, you could see the boys running on the beach. What they were running for was however unclear.

“Are they…?” you started, not sure how to finish your question.

“Playing football?” Ada completed, “Yes! It’s been such a long time since I played with them too, come on!”

With that, she started running, dragging Esme and you behind her. Quickly, the teams were changed as you ended up facing Thomas, John and Esme. Your team was losing. Badly. Something about being too aggressive and not having enough strategy. As Ada and Arthur blocked the other team, you managed to get ahold of the ball. Without missing a beat, you ran up your makeshift field. As you were about to kick the ball, and hopefully score, John came out of nowhere, trying to steal it from you. You struggled to push him back, unknowingly drifting towards the water.

“It’s over Y/N!” roared John.

“Unless…” you started while trying to outsmart him.

You kicked the ball in between John’s legs and took a step forward trying to get control of it. But John stepped forward too, making you tumble backwards. Next thing you knew, you were in the water, John over you.

“Oh shit, sorry,” said John quickly getting up and offering you a hand.

“It’s… it’s okay,” you said between two coughs.

He pulled you up with a little bit more strength than you expected. You stumbled forward, catching yourself on John’s chest.

“Woah, easy there,” he said taking your hand and his.

“Sorry…” you said feeling the red rise to your cheeks.

“I’m messing with you, come on!” he said gently pushing the ball towards you.

Quickly, you took the ball back and sprinted towards the goal, scoring. The game went on, the score tied. As you tried to get in one last goal, you and Finn kicked the ball at the same time, sending it flying away.

“I’ll get it,” you both said at the same time, sprinting towards the ball.

The ball came to a stop in front of three tall men, all dressed in black suits.

“So sorry to have disturbed you,” you said politely, “We’ll just get the ball back…”

But one of the men put his feet on it before picking it up from the ground.

“Look, we don’t want any trouble…” you said now more quietly feeling that the situation was escaping your control.

“And what can someone as pretty as you give me in exchange for the ball?” the man asked stepping towards you.

You stepped back, but Finn stepped in front of you.

“Kid, move out the way,” the man said, pushing Finn to the side.

Finn struggled to keep his balance but came right back by your side.

“Now, come on,” the man went on, “I’m sure you can think of something.”

“It’s okay, Y/N,” Finn whispered in your ear, “If they get too close, I’ll fight them off.”

You had trouble believing him after what you had just witnessed, but the thought was still comforting.

“You know what,” the man said, “Maybe I’ll just take what I want.”

He dropped the ball and made his way up to you. Finn grasped your hand and you held it as tight as you could. Before you could even will your body to run away, a loud voice snapped at the man.

“Don’t take another step,” Thomas said from behind you.

The man stopped dead in his tracks. He hesitated for a moment and then started laughing.

“Oh, come on man. I’ll let you have a turn after if that’s what you want.”

You looked over your shoulder. Thomas looked serious, dead serious, but you could tell there was a point of anger in him.

“Finn, get a move on,” he said walking towards you.

Finn went running back to his family. Thomas wrapped an arm around your shoulder, making you realize that you were shivering.

“Now,” Thomas said calmly, “you have two choices. Either you turn around and leave this beach, or you take another step forward and I make sure you, your friends and your whole family can never see the sun again.”

“Mate, come on! We were just having some fun,” the man said still smiling.

Somehow, that creeped you out even more and made you want to disappear from that man’s sight. You made yourself as small as possible against Thomas.

“Mate…” the man said now hesitating as Thomas’s face was still serious.

“Have you heard of the Peaky Blinders?” Thomas asked slowly.

But before you knew it, the men had turned away and were gone.

“You’re okay Y/N?” Thomas asked, looking down at you.

“Yeah… yeah I think I’m fine.”

“Let’s get back to the others,” he said.

“Y-yes.”

He kept his arm wrapped around your shoulders, his fingers lightly grasping your shirt sleeve.

The rest of the day went by quietly. Before you knew it, it was time to leave and go back to gloomy Birmingham.

“Can we get like ten more minutes?” Ada asked Thomas.

“No,” he answered simply.

“Five then,” she pleaded, “I promise, just five more minutes.”

“Fine,” Thomas finally agreed.

“Y/N, with me,” she ordered as she ran up the beach.

You were back by the boardwalk, but Ada made you turn away from the rainbow cabins this time. After just a few steps, you understood why she had brought you here. Ice cream.

“We’ll take two vanilla, two chocolate and one strawberry,” she said, “and it’s my treat,” she added before you could even say anything.

“Wha- well thanks,” you said slightly embarrassed.

As the vendor started handing the ice creams to her, she stuffed two in your hands.

“Yours and mine,” she said.

“Strawberry,” you said smiling, “you remembered.”

“Of course I did!” she said, “Now let’s go before they melt.

Giggling you made your way back down the hill. This truly had been the most amazing summer day.

#mindful-of-ideas #peaky blinders #peaky blinders one shot #peaky blinders fic #thomas shelby #arthur shelby #john shelby #finn shelby #ada shelby #esme shelby #reader insert #reader x shelby #ahhhhh my first one shot on the revamp blog hopefully you like it

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kkurades · 2 years

Text

˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆ PRETTY KITTY ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

━━ arthur knew you were lonely when he wasn’t at home, and he tried his best for you. so, when he took the day off to stay home with you, he hadn’t expected a hundred hungry kittens who raided your kitchen for the past two weeks to be on your front porch

word count: 1800

pairing: arthur shelby x fem!reader

warnings: none

You had always felt lonely when Arthur wasn’t at home. Which was fairly regularly. Either he was occupied with the business or he was at the Garrison, drinking all of his sorrows away.

While you knew he tried to be a good husband, and you never got infuriated about it, it still didn’t cease the loneliness.

So, when you found three small baby kittens behind the bushes of your house, you couldn’t help but feel a tiny spark of delight go through your body.

You instantly took them home with you to clean and feed them.

You had even given them names, but by the time that you woke up the next morning they were gone.

Disappointed filled your senses as you scoured the whole house for them, but came back empty-handed.

When Arthur came back home drunk that same morning, not having gone home during the night, you kept your mouth shut about the felines and helped him change and get to bed, which he appreciated the next morning when he woke up.

A few days later you were intending to go to John’s house to help Esme get ready for her date night with her husband but just as you were about to enter your car you saw the same three kittens hiding underneath your car, but now they were there with three other kittens having a total of six.

Your heart melted as it had done a few days prior, and you just couldn’t help them, so you called Esme to tell her there was an emergency that you had to fix before you fed and cleaned the kittens once again.

From that day on they kept coming to your house to be fed, cleaned, and cuddled before they left only to redo the same cycle the next morning all over again.

What you did notice though was that they always multiplied. If there were three on the first day, there would be six the next one, then twelve, and so on.

By the end of the week, you were taking care of ninety-six baby kittens with no one knowing.

While you didn’t tell anyone about it, you contemplated speaking to Arthur about it considering it was your shared house even though he was rarely home. But when you looked at your worn-out husband, you couldn’t get the words out of your mouth and just assisted him with whatever he required.

Besides, you didn’t think he’d notice, so everything was fine. You got company, and he didn’t have a lonely wife at home attempting to keep him from going out.

But Arthur did notice. He noticed the fur that was practically everywhere, he noticed the poop in his shoe, he noticed that there was rarely any regular food, but he mostly noticed that you weren’t giving him the attention that he loved so much.

While you often assumed that he felt irritated by your constant worrying, he didn’t. He relished the feeling of you worrying about him, of you caring for him, of you loving him.

But recently, it felt to him like he wasn’t your priority anymore like he was a chore you had to do, so when he began longing for your love and attention he took a day off aspiring to spend it thoroughly with you.

Your senses came back to you as you came back to consciousness only to realize that a warm, lean body was pressed against you, providing you the warmth that filled your body.

You felt a lazy smile crawl onto your face as you carefully attempted to turn your body not to wake him up.

But when you ultimately settled down again, you caught his shimmering blue eyes fixated on you with a content expression on his features as you gazed into his eyes.

“Good morning,” you mumbled softly as Arthur’s rough fingers traced your face gently, as if afraid to break you.

“Morning,” he replied as he leaned forward to kiss your lips with a particular tenderness that made you smile into the kiss.

“Aren’t you going to be late?” You questioned as your lips grazed his before you gazed at the window which was shielded by the extensive curtains which held the late sunrise out of your room.

“I took the day off,” Arthur inclined forward while hovering slightly over you on his elbow.

Your hands reached for the sides of his face while kissing him softly with a kind of purity that wasn’t typical.

“I love you,” the words slipped out of Arthur’s lips as he enveloped his arms tightly around your body while kissing the crown of your head as he inhaled your divine scent.

Your fingers delicately traced the freckles on his bare chest while kissing the base of his throat.

“I love you too,” Arthur let out a sigh he didn’t know he was holding as a smile tugged on the corners of his lips while carefully letting go of you to kiss you once again.

Momentarily later, the tender and gentile kisses escalated to passionate and heavy make-outs which made you hold your breath as you craved for more.

Arthur tugged you gently on top of him, while not breaking the kiss, feeling like he would rather perish than stop.

His tongue was soon enough inside your mouth while his hands wandered over your body, but you felt the bliss feeling fading away as you heard the familiar sound of meowing and scratching claws along the front door.

At first, you tried to dismiss it, but you felt the quelling feeling yanking at your heart as you visualized your poor babies sitting on your doorstep with those hauntingly miserable eyes yearning for your love and care.

Arthur frowned when you pulled away, feeling like he had done something wrong. While his mind wandered you kissed his lips one last time before tossing the blanket off your warm body, you felt a shiver run down your spine as your bare feet touched the freezing floor.

Arthur shortly followed, but with more harshness and roughness before pursuing you downstairs.

“Y/n?” Arthur called your name with a desperate tone wavering in his voice as he stopped you by gently taking your hand in his.

You hummed softly while examining his face, which was a combination of both disarray and hurt.

A frown graced your features as you cupped his face into your hands, which provoked him to incline further into you desperate for your touch.

“What's- what’s wrong? Did I do something wrong?” Arthur’s confused, and lost expression made your insides squirm as you realized that you hurt your husband by taking off without an explanation in the middle of something that would presumably eventually have led to meaningful sex.

“Oh god, I’m sorry, Arthur. Nothing’s wrong, you didn’t do anything wrong,” you reassured him while caressing his cheek lovingly, causing him to relax slightly as he pulled you closer again.

You kissed him passionately as your hands ran through his hair. You were about to pull away, but you felt him chasing after your lips desperately.

Just as he was about to deepen the kiss, you remembered your poor kittens and felt yourself pulling away again.

“I’ll be right back,” you murmured against his lips before making your way towards the front door, where the sound of frantic kittens could be heard.

Even with his bafflement, Arthur followed you in only his underwear, having already discarded his other garments the night before.

You couldn’t contain your smile as you opened the door wide open revealing a hundred tiny kittens, compelling Arthur to widen his eyes and gape at your precious babies.

“What the fuck are those,” Arthur mumbled, causing all those adorable little eyes to turn to him.

You shushed him quickly before kneeling in front of the kittens, completely forgetting about your husband who looked as if he was about to faint.

As soon as your warm smile spread across your face, the kittens stormed towards you with exciting sounds leaving their small bodies as you tried to pet them all.

“Darling,” only now did you realize that Arthur was still there, that this came as a total shock to him, and suddenly, you didn’t know what to say as you looked into the lost eyes of your husband while numerous kittens climbed your back.

“I- uh-“ you stammered hesitantly, trying to think of how to explain why a hundred kittens were breaking into your house. “Surprise?”

Arthur looked at your sheepish smile before quickly glancing at the kittens that you grew attached to and realized that this was the reason you didn’t spend all your attention on him.

You let out a sigh before carefully standing up while examining every step you made to make sure that you wouldn’t squash one of your babies as they followed you to the kitchen.

You opened a drawer underneath the sink, got out the recently bought cat food and poured it into multiple plates before placing it next to the wall resulting in all the kittens to run and jump in that direction.

A sigh left your body once again as you caught Arthur watching you and the kittens warily before approaching him.

“Where the fuck did those things come from?” He questioned with a raised brow as you wrapped your arms around your body and leaned against the wall that was opposite of the hungry kittens.

“They aren’t things. And I didn’t mean for there to be a hundred! At the beginning of the week, there were only three, but they multiply every time they come back. And I was just lonely, and they were so nice Arthur,” you tried to explain, but you knew that your husband wouldn’t let you keep feeding the stray cats.

“You know that you can’t keep doing this, right? They’re like the plague, they won’t leave if you keep feeding them,” he told you while you nodded shamefully like a child who was being scolded for eating too much candy.

When Arthur saw the disgruntled look on your face, he ceased your movements and kissed you.

“I'll find them some good owners,” he told you while stroking your hair away from your face. “And perhaps we could keep one.”

Your face lit up with excitement, causing a grin to take over Arthur’s features as he looked at your child-like expression of pure delight.

“Really?” At his nod, you almost ran towards the kitten herd and searched for your favorite and most loyal companion.

Arthur watched with curiosity as you made your way back towards him with a small white kitten in your arms.

“This is Artie,” you said with a smile plastered across your face as you glimpsed at your chuckling husband.

©cupidsheqrts , 2022.

#peaky blinders fanfic #peaky blinders imagine #peaky blinders #tommy shelby #finn shelby #arthur shelby #ada thorne #polly gray #esme shelby #arthur shelby imagine #arthur shelby x reader #arthur shelby x y/n

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look-at-the-soul · 2 years

Text

All we’d ever need (Part 10)

Tommy Shelby x reader

Series master list

Fluff, fluff reloaded. ♥️

Two problems solved 😉 enjoy everyone! We never talked about how this would be fixed, but I hope you like it @lyarr24 🌻

Tommy thanked the nurse as she finished checking Y/N. They have been monitoring her vital signs and the baby every hour. There shouldn’t be any bleeding during those first hours, not many things could be done, being pregnant made it difficult to use most of the antibiotics, she could just have some fluids. A miscarriage was a latent threat, she had been under so much stress and the doctors weren’t very hopeful.

Y/N had a dark mark on her cheek, probably from a slap and an ugly cut behind her shoulder, it was deep, she got a couple of stitches for it, some bruises decorated her arms, it seemed as if she had been fighting.

She looked so pale and fragile.

Taking her small hand in his, Tommy couldn’t help but blame himself for putting Y/N through all of this. She was hit as a collateral damage for his ambitions, the last thing he wanted and of course in everybody’s eyes, he cheated on her.

“I will open the betting shop, and we’ll take turns to be there.” Polly handled him a glass of water. He needed something stronger. The worry and love in her eyes were evident.

Tommy could only nod, but before his aunt left the room, he asked her: “Could you please light a candle for Y/N and our baby?” His voice barely audible.

“Done.”

“Do you think she will believe me?” He never showed this vulnerable side to anyone. “This is all my fault.”

When all his family began to complain about his behavior while the doctors checked Y/N he had no choice but explain how everything happened, he never imagined his plan of staying the night in the hotel would cause so much trouble, apparently he was a smart man in business but a completely knob and expert on how to piss a woman.

Polly walked towards him, he had done so many wrong choices, but so did her goddaughter. She never should have gone to that clinic, part of her understood her reasons though. The physical contact between she and her nephew was very reduced, not because they didn’t love each other, they just didn’t show a lot of public display of affection. Polly placed her hand on his shoulder.

“You both have a lot of things to work out, but let her get better first. Don’t make her upset for now.” She would need to let Y/N parents know. “Make sure to call once she wakes up.”

Once Polly left, Tommy rubbed his eyes, struggling with the lump in his throat. He wanted to scream, cry and hit something.

He would trade her place without hesitation.

Leaning forward, he kissed gently Y/N’s hand and rested his forehead next to her fingers, on the mattress.

“I should’ve protected you from Donal Henry and Rita.” He whispered. Regret making him feel miserable. He had been thinking of canceling the plan to take over Darby Sabini, if he couldn’t have her, he didn’t want anything at all. “I should’ve told you about May but I was scared you wouldn’t approve the fake flirting to get her help, I know it’s a low thing to do to make her believe I was interested, but I swear I never thought of crossing the line, yes I went to her house, but all I could think about was you… I was just having dinner with her, then I went to sleep to the Midland Hotel because I was tired of the drive, I would neve-” His confession was interrupted by a gasp.

“You woke up!” A rush of adrenaline ran through him, cupping her face between his hands, his lips trembled as he was able to see her beautiful eyes open, unable to contain his emotions he moved to the door to get a nurse, but her weak voice stopped him.

“What you just said…”

Tommy walked back to the bed. “How are you feeling, what happened?” A million thoughts ran through his mind.

A frown decorated her features. “You didn’t sleep with… her?”

“No! God, of course not… I wouldn’t be able to look at you.” He was so overwhelmed that he didn’t know how to react or what to do. “I’m sorry for everything, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, I never meant to hurt you.” He was speaking with his heart in his hand. Hovering over Y/N, he kissed gently her forehead, whispering everything would be alright.

“But you said you would do anything to get what you wanted?”

Tommy pinched the bridge of his nose. “I did… but I meant us…” Tommy leaned against the bed, his head hanging down. “I was talking about having a family, in that very moment I was thinking of taking you somewhere until you could believe me. I was so frustrated it even crossed my mind to drag you out of the house to get married, I asked Jeremiah to do the ceremony but he told me he needed you to do it because you wanted to, not because I said so.”

“I thought you meant your business.”

His choice of words dug his own grave.

“And why would I want a business or money or being the number one if I don’t have you? Ey?” His hands cupped her face gently yet firmly while his thumbs whipped away the tears. “You and this baby are the reasons I wake up every morning.”

Her hands moved instinctively to her stomach in a protective motion, panic in her eyes.

“I couldn’t do it, Tommy… I wanted to keep my baby.” Her voice broke then. She changed her mind last minute, determined to find a way to make it work even without Tommy in case he had cheated. But the doctor and nurse wouldn’t let her get up. They started calling for Rita who was outside and then the chaos began.

“The baby it’s okay, don’t worry about that.” Tommy’s hand caressed her face, she needed to calm down, they were still trying to get her levels back to normal. “Baby is just fine, shh. You’re safe here, just the three of us… I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

“Rita was there, she had a knife, she was going to stab me.” As she tried to move, a sharp pain on her shoulder made her stop. She had called her stupid several times, how could she fallen for her lies?

Tommy tried to hold her. “Be careful, you got hurt, take deep breaths. There’s a lot of information to process, but try to stay calm love, for the baby.”

As Rita tried to stab her directly in the stomach, Y/N was able to crouch down to protect her baby and she got hurt on the shoulder blade. In pain she hit Rita with a metal plate she found on the floor and then her hand touched the wound, shocked by the blood she caressed her stomach over the hospital gown getting it stained with blood in the process until she moved away and that’s when Tommy came in, shooting Rita in front of her. His face was the last thing she saw until she woke up in the hospital bed. The memories slowly appearing in her mind.

Moving a little from her, he finally called for the nurse, who hurried to check on her.

The medical staff provided strict instructions since Y/N and the baby were still in the middle of critical times, a miscarriage could happen at any time and the patient’s stability was a determinant factor.

Tommy made sure that Y/N ate completely her food and have her checked twice in the last hour. He hadn’t left her side, not even for one minute since they arrived at the hospital that morning.

“You’re not angry with me?” Y/N asked looking at her hands just as the nurse left.

Tommy let out a deep sigh as he was rolling up the sleeves of his shirt. “I am… but right now all I care about it you and me child.” He admitted taking one of her hands in his. “Probably just as you were angry at me when you thought I slept with her.”

They both knew the things each did wrong, there was no question about it. But it wasn’t the moment or place to talk about that.

“Why don’t you have some rest, ey? You’ve been through a lot lately, I’ll stay here.”

But Y/N needed to feel safe, so she patted the small space next to her in bed for Tommy to climb in. And he did, trying to get comfortable on his side, one of his arms was under her neck and his other hand resting on her stomach, trying to protect his baby.

Feeling his heartbeat against her ear, Y/N was swept away by the love of this fearless man, who decided that this time love should be the priority. The wellbeing of their baby was on top of everything else.

“I’m sorry.” They both whispered.

They both were, they both made terrible choices that could have ended breaking their relationship forever.

***

Esme had been so worried about Y/N and the baby, the news that she was recovering spread fast in Watery Lane, but she needed to make sure, so the first chance she got, she volunteered to visit her in the hospital that afternoon, before Polly could ask her to watch the shop. Walking down the hospital hall, she reached the reception, immediately the nurses and administrative personnel looked her up and down like so many people had before. But now, Esme walked with her head up, she was proud to be a gypsy and she was a Shelby now.

“Y/N Y/LN room please?”

Giving her one more look, the woman asked. “And you are?”

“Esme Shelby.” She made sure to say her last name slowly. The face of the woman squirmed and immediately changed her attitude guiding her.

Opening the door, she found an image she never thought she would see; Thomas Shelby smiling, he was lying in bed with Y/N, holding a book.

As soon as Tommy realized they had company, he got up from the bed and straightened his clothes. Esme walked around the bed, to the opposite side where Tommy was standing, she noticed the new color around them as their hands were linked, the darkness around them was slowly fading away. Their love was stronger than everything.

“Sorry to interrupt, I just wanted to see if Y/N was alright.”

“Doctor said Y/N needs to stay in bed for the rest of the pregnancy and absolutely nothing that stress her.” Tommy was so protective now.

“Do you think you can get me the biscuits? Please?”

Tommy looked worried, he didn’t to leave her alone.

“I’ll stay here.” Esme proposed and reluctantly, Tommy left them. “He’s going to be all over you now.” She pointed to Y/N.

“He warned me already.”

A small smile started to form, she had been on a rollercoaster of emotions.

Esme started rubbing her arms. “I got you something, I know Polly gave you the black Madonna, but I want you to have the evil eye protection too.” Esme took a small sack. “It’s not as good as your father’s work and it’s made out of the gold my family has stolen, but… I want you to have this.”

Y/N respected so much the gypsy’s traditions and beliefs, she had learned so much about them and it wasn’t about the material of the necklace, it was about Esme’s gesture towards her and her baby.

“Thank you, Esme. I will wear it every day.”

As Tommy entered again in the room, Y/N noticed the newspaper in his hand.

“I’ll go back to the shop now.”

Both Tommy and Y/N thanked her and Y/N showed him her new necklace. Esme had a wild temper, but also a good heart.

———

Three days in the hospital were enough, Tommy quickly turned it into his new office and bedroom, she just wanted to go home whatever that was.

Ada’s house was conveniently close to the hospital, it also had a guest bedroom on the first floor. Tommy moved the covers to help Y/N and tucked her in. “I’m going to bring your bag, don’t move.” He chuckled.

“Tommy.”

He had been watching over her every move, now she didn’t want to even try to get comfortable in bed because he would be arranging the pillows in seconds.

Y/N patted the space in bed next to her. Tommy exhaled the smoke from his cigarette and placed it on the tray that was on the bedside table.

“Now that we’re past the danger.”

“You still need to take it slow, there’s nothing granted.”

There was something that had been on her mind, something that was keeping her from taking a deep breath, her eyes filled with tears and her voice broke down. “I need you to forgive me for what I was about to do to our child. I should’ve never doubted your love.”

“I have nothing to forgive you, I love you, Y/N believe me when I say that.” Taking out the handkerchief from his jacket, Tommy wiped her tears. “I never meant to hurt you either, I was just doing what seemed best to make it to Epsom. Now I know it was a terrible mistake.”

“What if May doesn’t help you to take Hope into the races because you didn’t sleep with her? Epsom is a few weeks away.”

“I don’t care about that anymore.” Holding her hands tightly between his, he looked into her eyes. “All I want is to know that you and me baby are safe.”

“How did you get away from that?” He couldn’t just walk out of her house.

Tommy arched his eyebrows. “After dinner, I excused myself to get some rest… I knew she was waiting for me, she sent a maid to my room with instructions to find her bedroom. I took Hope ridding for a couple of hours to clean my head and when I made it back to the stables I found a man and asked for some oil engine for the car, he helped me, went back to my room and left a note saying I couldn’t stay.” Tommy finished the remains of his cigarette and looked at Y/N. “I tried to explain how it wouldn’t be professional from me to mix pleasure and business until the races passed. After Epsom I was planning to break any contact with May. The less damage I can do the better.” It was a low blow, he knew that, but at least he wouldn’t cross the line. “Now, if she takes it badly, I will understand if she doesn’t want to train Hope anymore, like I said I don’t care. I know there’s a limit.”

“But you shouldn’t give up this Tommy, you fought so hard for this moment.”

“If taking over Epsom will mean I have to sleep with someone else, then… I’m not longer interested, there will be other races.”

“There has to be a way.”

“There is… but it’s cruel.” He admitted. “I don’t want you to worry about it.” His thumb and forefinger caressed Y/N’s chin, Tommy gave her an adoring look. “I don’t want to make the same mistake twice, I’m going to be completely honest with you about my plans, but I need you to trust me.”

“I do, Tommy… no more doubts, I know you love us.”

“You’re my life now.” Y/N pulled him for a soothing kiss, one that told the other one everything words couldn’t express, one that professed the adoration they had for each other. Letting the other know they could leave all the pain behind.

As their lips pulled apart, their bodies found their own way to link together, both falling in a spell like a magnet. The most gentle and honest hug they had shared, forgetting completely about anything else, it was one of those hugs that brings you back to life and you just can’t break away from the embrace.

Polly opened the bedroom door without knocking, Y/N’s Mum following her, she was delighted to see Tommy again after his visit in London, he had asked back then permission to date her daughter even though they were already together, but he wanted to make things right. Both women stared silently at the couple and shared a look of complicity followed by a smile.

Closing the door, Polly offered her best friend some tea in the kitchen.

“Who would have thought your idea would work out like this?”

“It was the perfect match.” Y/N’s Mum praised accepting the cup.

***

Next part

A/N: this is not the end! More coming soon… if you like this story your comments are my guideline

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#That’s what Cill said #cillian murphy #tommy shelby #peaky blinders #cillian murphy imagine #thomas shelby #tommy shelby imagine #peaky blinders imagine #tommy shelby x fem!reader #tommy shelby x reader #tommy shelby x you #polly gray imagine #thomas shelby x you #peaky blinders fan fiction #esme shelby #Esme Shelby imagine

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crowleying · 2 years

Text

Will get us all killed | m!reader

Date: 29.10.2022

Pairing: Tommy Shelby x m!reader

Reader’s pronouns: he/him

Words: 3.318

Fandom: Peaky Blinders

Characters: m!reader, Tommy Shelby, Polly Gray, Ada Shelby, John Shelby, Arthur Shelby, Esme Shelby

Genre: Romance

Length: Oneshot

Warnings: Mention of injury (nothing descriptive), slightly sexual content (there is an erection mentioned but nothing more), angst with a happy ending

Requested: No

Prompts: No

Summary: Tommy's plan is stupid. It gets John injured and you angry. Your hate for each other gets out of hand.

IF YOU LIKE MY WORKS, PLEASE REBLOG THEM

Masterlist

Ao3

It wasn't that you weren't listening. You were, which is exactly why you were furious. Tommy had called yet another family meeting to explain one of his absurd plans. They usually didn't make any sense, mainly because he kept most things for himself. The others executed blindly everything he asked, which often got them to get shot at, which, okay, fine, probably was partly their fault because they were quite stupid, and you thought that with all the love. You really cared for John and Arthur. You, however, couldn't help but point out all the plans' flaws. Tommy hated you for that, but it wasn't your fault if his stupid plans weren't foolproof. You were sure Tommy would have kicked you out of the family meetings, and even from the Peaky Blinders if he could, but you had Polly's protection. She had raised you as her son, taking you in when your mother, her best friend, died. You had grown up with the Shelbys, and while you got along with everyone, you just couldn't see Tommy without wanting to punch him. It hadn't always been like that, though. Tommy was the most brilliant of the family, with Ada being a close second, so he wasn't used to having people rival his intelligence before meeting you. At first, you had tried to be his friend, since he seemed to be the one who was more like you, but he had pushed you away, and after a while, you had stopped trying. Instead, you got really close to John and Ada.

When Tommy finished explaining his plan, the others slipped out of the door, glancing your way. You were still leaning with your back against the wall. Your arms were crossed in front of your chest, and you were burning holes into Tommy's face with your gaze. John snorted, amused at your antics, and exchanged a look with Arthur, who chuckled and patted your shoulder.

"I know a few gipsy curses if you need them," Esme whispered passing by on her way to the door. It made you smile, but it didn't last long. It soon disappeared when Tommy's icy eyes met yours.

"Don't kill each other. We need you both," Ada said as she was leaving. Her tone betrayed the fact that she didn't really believe you would ever come close to that.

Polly was the last one to leave. Before closing the door, she looked at you, trying to tell you just with her gaze to go easy on Tommy. You ignored it.

"Close the door, Pol," Tommy said without turning to her or taking his eyes away from you. She did so, leaving the two of you alone.

Tommy raised his eyebrows and crossed his arms, mirroring your stance. "So?"

"So you keep underestimating threats and you keep important information to yourself." You pushed away from the wall and took a couple of steps towards the table between you and Tommy. "And this plan won't fucking work because that man knows Arthur. He knows he is your brother," you explained waving your hands around animatedly.

"It will be fine."

"Because you are so fucking brilliant, right?" you spat.

He took a cigarette from his silver case. He stroked it against his plump lips, then placed it between them in that way that irritated you so much. He offered you one too.

You ignored the offering. Instead, you went around the table, stopping mere inches from his face. "If someone gets hurt, I will personally hurt you, Thomas," you said, punctuating the words and poking his firm chest with your finger before storming out. Tommy smiled to himself. He loved riling you up.

As you stepped out of the room, people scrambled around, avoiding your gaze, almost as if they had been eavesdropping on the conversation and didn't want you to notice. You decided you didn't care and went to your office to get back to work. On your way there, Ada approached you.

"What happened?" she asked, walking by your side.

"Your brother is an idiot and will get us all killed, that's what happened." You walked into your office and she followed.

"You are the only one thinking that, you know that, right?"

"Apparently I'm the only one with some fucking sense here." You sat at your desk and took a cigarette from the case you had left there. You placed it between your lips and reached for the matches.

She closed the door behind her and walked up to your desk.

"You are the only one who made the point of his life to go against every word Tommy speaks," she corrected.

You arched your eyebrows and lit your cigarette.

"Not my fault he is a bloody idiot." You released the smoke upwards.

She shook her head smiling. "The day you get over this hate of yours, you'll see what we all see."

"And what is it that you see, Ada?"

She crossed her arms. She had no intention of telling you, clearly. "You two are so similar."

"No, we are not," you replied, with more heat than necessary.

She smiled triumphantly. "We all see through your little act," she sing-songed heading to the door.

You got up hastily.

"What are you talking about? Ada, I'm not done talking with you." Before you could go around your desk, she was already out of the door. "Come back here, Ada!" You had all intentions of following her, but one of the men walked in to show you one of the books.

"Fucking Shelbys," you grumbled, making the man chuckle.

You would deal with Ada later.

Later never came, because Thomas' stupid plan had gone to hell not even half an hour in. The man had recognized Arthur as soon as he had seen him, as you had said, and had opened fire on him and John. A bullet had grazed Arthur's arm. He would be fine. John, however, hadn't been so lucky. Before you could put a bullet in that bastard's head, he had hit John in his left shoulder, too close to his heart for your liking. Now he was laying in a hospital bed. The doctor had said that he would be fine, but you were fuming. Polly and Arthur nervously watched you pace back and forth next to your best friend's bed. They had tried to calm you down, but had stopped after you had yelled at Arthur. You were halfway through Arthur's cigarettes. You had already finished yours, but they hadn't helped calm your nerves.

Tommy stormed into the room, Ada hot on his heels. Polly and Arthur stood straighter, ready to intervene. You turned to look at him and quickly killed the cigarette in the ashtray.

"Tommy, what the fuck!" Ada tried to hold him back by his arm, but to no avail.

"What the fuck did you do?" he yelled to your face.

You clenched your fist and before Tommy knew it, you had punched him.

"I tried to save our asses, you fucking cunt!" you snarled through your teeth.

He grabbed the collar of your jacket and you took hold of the front of his shirt.

"You killed that man and fucked up every chance we had. That's what you did," he replied through his teeth.

Arthur and Polly stepped in just as a nurse rushed in, asking you to leave.

"I told you this would happen and you didn't listen because you are oh so fucking clever, and now my best friend is in that bed because of you."

Polly gently put a hand on your shoulder, but you kept glaring at Tommy.

"Alright, boys, you better take this outside."

Her other hand rested on one of Tommy's. He let you go and slowly you did too.

He nodded to the door and turned to leave. You followed him out and didn't register the relief that flooded the room the moment you left.

Tommy walked down the hall, looking for an empty room. He finally found one and pushed the door open to let you in. You spared him a glare as you walked him. He followed and closed the door.

You crossed your arms and turned to look at him, waiting for him to talk. You had said everything you needed to already.

"You know this is a dangerous business and Arthur and John know too. You all know there are risks. You can't go around killing every person I need, no matter how much of a dick they are."

You rolled your eyes and scoffed shaking your head. You pointed the finger at him.

"This is your fault. This wouldn't have happened if you just had listened to me! But you never fucking do. And I'm so tired of your bullshit. I know you never liked me because I am more intelligent than you but, for fucks sake, get over it," you hissed in his face.

He seemed taken aback by your words. When he didn't reply, you rolled your eyes and walked away from him.

"You're wrong."

You scoffed. "Of course."

"No, I mean-"

"I know exactly what you mean. Because you are the one who is always fucking right. The only one with a brain and all that. Isn't that right, Tommy?" You spat out the words like venom.

You heard him cover the distance between you with a few steps, and when you turned back to him, you didn't expect him to be so close.

"It's not what you think it is," he murmured. How could he be so collected when you just wanted to punch him again?

"I know exactly what it is, Thomas!"

"No, you don't."

"Fuck you."

He licked his lips, and you knew he was about to talk again, but you wouldn't let him.

"Fuck you. Fuck you. Fuck you, Thomas Shelby. Your brother is laying on that bed with a bullet in him and you-"

"They already took it out," he corrected offhandedly.

And you just couldn't help it. You pushed him full force with both hands. He bumped into the wall behind him. You walked up to him and took him by the collar of his jacket.

Instead of pushing you away, Tommy grabbed your hips and pushed them forward, against him. You were confused for a brief moment before you felt his erection pressing against your leg. You looked down to where your bodies met and then up at him.

"Tommy..."

"You're wrong."

Before you could react to his words, he pulled you into a heated kiss. You were paralyzed for a moment before you melted into it. Your body relaxed against his as you kissed him back. His lips were as soft as they looked. You would never admit to anyone that you had wondered how they would feel on yours every time he stroked a cigarette on them or licked them, but you had. It seemed like his lips were a match that had put your stomach on fire. Your desire to punch him had faded away. The kiss you were sharing and your bodies touching was all that mattered. Until the door opened and you pulled away as fast as lightning.

A nurse entered with fresh sheets in her arms and looked at you confused, then she spotted Tommy.

"I'm very sorry, Mr Shelby, I didn't know you were here. I'll leave you alone."

You fixed your suit. "No need to, we were done," you assured, and without waiting for a reply, you passed by her and walked out the door without sparing Thomas a glance. His eyes followed you until you disappeared, and then he cleared his throat and fixed his suit before leaving with a whispered "have a nice day" to the nurse.

When he walked out, you were nowhere to be seen. He went back to John's room, but you weren't there either.

It took him almost two days to realize you were avoiding him. He had been busy fixing the mess, and Polly said you were spending all your time by John's bed, which was to be expected. Except for the fact that when he went to the hospital the evening after the incident, you weren't there. He figured you had gone home to change and rest now that John was awake and his life wasn't at risk anymore.

When you didn't show up for dinner as always, he just thought you were too tired.

That night he fell asleep to the memory of your lips on his and for once his dreams weren't filled with the noise of the shovels but with your voice whispering his name.

The morning after, you weren't at the shop. That was weird, you were always the first to arrive.

By midday, he had been on the receiving end of so many of Ada and Esme's glares, he decided he needed a break.

He visited John, hoping to find you there, but once again you weren't.

He had thought Ada and Esme's looks were because they deemed him to be the cause of John's injury, but he changed his mind later that afternoon when Polly walked into his office like a woman with a mission.

"You two need to talk."

He glanced at her before his eyes went back to the papers he was reading. "I already talked with John."

"It's not John I'm talking about."

That grabbed his attention. "What are you talking about?" he asked, forgetting about the papers for a minute.

"Fix whatever mess you have caused, Thomas." She walked out without waiting for his reply.

He sighed and ran a hand over his face. So you were avoiding him because of what had happened.

He decided not to listen to Polly, so maybe you were right when you said he never listened. He would give you some time. Maybe you just needed to come to terms with what had happened between the two of you.

You didn't come to work the day after, even though all the paperwork that had been on your desk the day before had been done. Tommy wasn't surprised. You were a workaholic just like him. You probably had just moved your office to your house.

Family meetings were weird without you glaring at him, interrupting, huffing and insulting him under your breath. Ada and Esme's looks weren't as fun.

"What are you waiting for, Thomas?" Polly questioned after the others had left the meeting.

"I'll talk to him," he assured.

That same night, he grabbed the dinner Polly had put aside for you and set out to come to visit you.

You had told Polly times and times again that you were fully capable of taking care of yourself and that she didn't need to cook for you, but there was no saying no to Polly Gray. She had been sending you food through Ada or Esme every evening you hadn't shown up for dinner with the family at hers. She hadn't asked anything, but she was Polly Gray. She didn't need to ask. She just knew things and she knew something had happened between you and Tommy.

You weren't surprised when you heard a knock at your door.

"Coming," you yelled as you made your way to the door.

"Finally, I'm star-" you cut yourself off midsentence when you saw Tommy.

"Tommy... What are you doing here?"

He handed you the plate. "Brought you dinner. Thought it was time for us to talk."

You sighed and nodded, inviting him in. He stepped in and you closed the door behind him. You didn't remember him ever visiting you before.

You passed by him and went to the kitchen, followed by him. "You don't mind if I eat while you talk?"

He took off his coat he abandoned on the back of a chair and his cap throwing it on the table before he sat down. "Please."

You sat down on the opposite end of the table with the dish in front of you and started eating.

Tommy took his time to light a cigarette.

"You've been avoiding me."

You didn't say anything. You couldn't really deny that.

"Why?" he asked when you didn't reply.

You scoffed. "What was I supposed to do? I tried to figure out why you would do something like that and came up with nothing. I thought you might have wanted to get me caught but then they-"

"Stop thinking I hate you."

You looked at him as if he had grown a second head. "Why would I? It's not exactly like you ever proved me wrong."

"I kissed you."

"Which you might have done for some ulterior motive. Did you forget I know you, Tommy? You always have some kind of hidden agenda."

He took a long drag from his cigarette, his eyes were fixed on you as if he was analysing you.

"There was no hidden agenda. I've been wanting to kiss you since... forever," he admitted softly.

You snorted. "You hate everything I do. I'm always in your way, have been since we were kids."

Tommy shook his head. "Yeah, I wasn't fond of you when we were kids, but things change." He leaned forward and you looked at him, the food now forgotten. "I don't hate anything you do. On the contrary, I love it. You are the only one who stands his ground with me and speaks up against me and points out all the flaws in my plans because you're not only clever but also very observant. How could I hate it when it's so hot?"

You shook your head, smiling bitterly. "Please. Don't play with me. You've had your fun."

"I'm not playing. I've been waiting for this for ages."

"Why didn't you say anything, then?"

"I had a lot of reasons to believe you didn't like me," he said matter-of-factly, "and you had your reasons not to like me. I just think we should start anew, give each other a chance. Give this a chance."

You couldn't deny it was a good prospect. Peace at last.

"If that's what you want. If you like me too."

You hesitated, then nodded. "Okay. Yeah. I think we can try."

Tommy smiled and got up. He slowly walked around the table. He stopped to kill the cigarette in the ashtray you kept on the table, then continued towards you and stopped in front of you. He put his hands in the pockets of his elegant trousers.

"Are you going to come back to work now?"

You sighed. "Ugh... I mean, the boss is a pain in the ass, but the guy next door is cute," you joked.

He snorted. "Is that a yes?"

You nodded.

"Everything clear?"

"Good. See you tomorrow."

You huffed. "We are gonna die," you mumbled.

"What was that?" Tommy asked lifting his chin, daring you to repeat what you had just said.

"Your plan has more holes than a colander."

"Not again," Ada groaned.

"Okay, we'll leave you to it," John announced. He was the first to leave the room, followed by everyone else while you and Tommy had a staring match.

Polly was the last to leave. She looked at the two of you knowingly.

"Make it quick, boys," she said as she closed the door.

You got closer and sat on the table.

"So?" Tommy asked, walking up to you.

"You are an idiot." Before he could retort, you pulled him into a kiss by his collar.

His hands slipped to your hips and pulled you against his chest. You smiled against his lips.

He pulled away from your lips just a few inches to speak. "You need to stop challenging my authority in front of everyone."

"Nah, It's too much fun."

He pushed you away, making you laugh. He tried to suppress a smile trying to act annoyed, but he couldn't, not when he heard you laughing.

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zablife · 2 years

Text

The Curse

Tommy Shelby x wife reader

Summary: When Tommy’s wife learns there is a way to cure Ruby of TB through gypsy magic, she’s willing to try anything to save her daughter’s life. After a visit to Madame Barwell, Ruby gets well, but at what cost?

Authors’ Note: Inspired by S6, E3 “Gold.” However, I’ve changed the details a bit. Tommy's wife goes into the mountains. Reader is Tommy's second wife and Ruby's mum. I do not claim to know anything about magic or curses. Everything I mention here is from the show or my imagination.

Warnings: language, mention of illness, mention of death, gypsy curses

Replacing the heavy black receiver to it’s cradle, you hid yourself in the shadows of the hall as Tommy stalked away from his office. You knew you shouldn’t have eavesdropped on his conversation, but he’d been secretive recently and you needed answers. Unfortunately, you were left with more questions after hearing the argument about a curse Esme felt was the cause of your daughter’s illness. Tommy was reluctant to take Esme's offer of help. As usual he was letting his pride get in the way, you thought.

Before you could talk yourself out of it, you allowed your instincts to guide you. You raced from the house in search of Johnny Dogs, knowing he would be able to take you to the mysterious Madame Barwell Esme mentioned. If Tommy wouldn’t do it, it was up to you to find her.

As you ran toward the stables, you pushed all doubt from your mind. Although you had not been raised with gypsy tradition, you were willing to try anything to save your daughter now that modern medicine seemed to be failing her. You couldn’t bear another day helplessly watching her fade away. Creeping off into the night, you sought out your only hope for a cure.

———————————————————————-

The next day…

You took Johnny Dog’s hand as he guided you out of the car and along the dusty path toward a gypsy camp deep in the mountains. “Are you sure this is right? No one’s here,” you whispered fearfully.

“They’re here,” he replied in a low, warning tone. “They keep out of sight.” He walked out in front one hand on the butt of his revolver, the other motioning for you to stay a safe distance behind him. Looking around cautiously, he called out in Romani, “Where is Madame Barwell? Esme Shelby-Lee sent us.” He waited for a young man with a rifle to appear suddenly out of nowhere.

“Who’s asking?” he said with a scowl.

“Thomas Shelby’s wife has business with her,” Johnny replied.

“Do you have the gold?” The man asked looking doubtful. You held up a small, leather bag and the man nodded once in understanding, showing you the way.

Your hands trembled as you climbed the rickety stairs of Madam Barwell’s vardo, fearful of what you’d gotten yourself into.

“You’re the mother?” the old woman asked cocking her head as you entered. Her eyes were fogged by milky white cataracts, but you felt her keen gaze upon you as though she could sense every movement before you made it.

“Yes…Please, I need your help to remove the curse,” you said, voice sounding more desperate than you intended. Although the details over the phone had been vague, you understood that this woman was responsible for the curse that had made your daughter ill. You didn’t know why, but you had assumed it had to do with your husband’s business. He had a lot of enemies and that often brought bad fortune on the family in one way or another.

The woman produced a red, velvet pouch and placed it on the table, keeping one hand over the item protectively. Holding out her other hand to you expectantly, she demanded, “I’ll only remove the curse if you’re willing to make the trade I discussed with Esme.” You gulped and nodded quickly. “Good,” she said, lips curling up slowly in a satisfied smile. “Do you have the gold?” She said raising her chin and seeming to sniff the air around you to sense if you were lying. You shuttered at the way she regarded you, as though she were looking for weakness.

You looked down at the small bag of gold you held tightly to your chest. It was a large sum, but you would have given so much more to have your daughter restored to good health. “You will make my daughter well again?” you asked in a trembling voice.

She considered you for a moment before nodding her head slowly in agreement. She held out a bony, arthritic hand and snatched the bag from you in one swift movement. She opened it carefully and pinched the flakes between her fingertips. She nodded thoughtfully. “Yes, the trade will be made,” she said flicking her eyes up at you.

She shoved the velvet pouch toward you and you accepted it with trepidation, turning the soft fabric over in your hands. It was heavy and smelled of incense. “What am I to do with this? I don’t understand,” you said to her.

Johnny Dogs reappeared at the door, “We should be getting back now, Mrs. Shelby,” he said averting his eyes from the old woman. He seemed afraid of her as though he would turn to stone if he gazed upon her too long. You were eager to leave as you felt the same every moment you stayed in her presence, but you needed instructions on what to do with the pouch she had given you. You motioned for a little more time and he left you, stepping from the vardo to have a cigarette.

As he finished smoking, Esme appeared out of the fog. “It’s been a long time, Esme,” he said quietly.

“I see you’re still working for Tommy,” Esme noted and Johnny wondered if he had detected a note of disdain.

“Aye, that I am,” Johnny said rubbing a hand across the back of his neck uncomfortably. Leaning in to search her eyes he asked, “Do you know what you’re doing, Esme? Can she cure Ruby?” He asked jerking his chin toward the caravan. “That’s y/n’s only child, you know.”

Esme leaned past Johnny, watching from a distance through the open door as you tucked the velvet pouch into your blouse pocket. “It will be done,” she said with confidence.

“That’s good. They’ll have happiness from now on,” he said with a sigh of relief.

Esme furrowed her brow, “It’s Tommy Shelby, Johnny, no matter what he does, he’ll never have peace,” she stated ominously before whistling for her dogs.

—————————————————-

On the drive back you tried to rest, but the bumpy road kept you awake most of the way. Johnny kept looking at you nervously and you smiled at him kindly. “Thank you for taking me to see Madame Barwell,” you said, gently patting his hand with yours, while turning the velvet pouch over in your other hand.

“Of course.” His eyes never left the road, but you could tell he was having trouble concentrating. He was thinking of something. “What have you got there?” he said motioning toward the pouch.

“I’m not sure what it is exactly,” you admitted. “She said to keep it with me at all times. I must never open it or it won’t be able to ward off the curse properly,” you said believing every word the old woman had told you. As soon as you said it aloud, you knew it sounded silly and superstitious, but you were desperate and you were going to do everything precisely as she had told you.

When you arrived at the sanatorium, you ran up the hospital steps, despite your considerable exhaustion. You were eager to see your little girl, horribly afraid there might have been further decline in your absence. Quickly donning a mask, you slipped inside her room to find an unusual sight, a smiling Tommy.

“Y/n, where have you been? Ruby's awake and she can breathe!” he said jubilantly. You’d never seen him so happy. He captured you in an embrace and you felt yourself melt into his arms as the days of tense watching and waiting came to an abrupt end. You couldn’t help but cry as the relief washed over you. You turned to your daughter’s bedside and scooped her up, telling her how much you loved her.

Just then a doctor came into the room and discussed the results of Ruby’s latest x-ray. He confirmed there were no longer any signs of tuberculosis.

“My daughter will be alright then?” you asked grinning uncontrollably and fresh tears forming in the corners of your eyes.

“It looks as though she is miraculously cured,” the doctor said unable to believe his patient’s good fortune. It was extremely rare he gave parents good news in these cases. He was beaming with delight as well.

You breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as though your prayers had been answered. You knew in that moment you had been right to seek the help of the old gypsy woman and the trade you had made with the gold had been worth it.

Despite your desire to soak in the happy reunion, you felt a coughing fit threaten to escape and excused yourself into the hall for a breath of fresh air. You tore your mask away but you quickly realized the air refused to enter your lungs. You soon felt a painful burning sensation from the lack of oxygen and fell to your knees, clutching your chest where the sapphire sat tucked out of sight. The stone pushed like a lead weight against you, crushing into your breastbone. You gasped desperately and coughed, feeling your face flush and your eyes bulge from the pressure. It felt as though someone had tightened a noose around your neck and your hands began to shake with fear.

Nurses rushed toward you calling your name in muffled cries, “Mrs. Shelby! Mrs. Shelby!” they called out, heels clicking against the linoleum. In your delirium, the only image you saw was the specter of death coming for you, a murky shadow creeping ever closer as you tried desperately to drag your body down the hall. The effort was sapping your strength as your limbs became heavier with each movement. You didn’t have time to comprehend any of it as the room fell away and the ceiling turned black.

—————————————————-

Tommy stood before his wife’s lifeless body, wordlessly clutching his hands together, wishing for a cigarette or a glass of whisky. He needed something to dull the pain. He had watched his daughter recover miraculously before his eyes only to have his wife die hours later. It didn’t make sense.

As he waited for the doctor to reappear, he remembered the night of Grace’s death. The way she had been laid out before him in the morgue, still wearing the silk evening gown from that night’s gala. He had smoothed her hair and kissed her. He caught himself going through the same motions with you in this moment, an eery coincidence.

He was pulled from his thoughts the moment he heard the shoes squeaking behind him. Turning slowly, he caught sight of the doctor’s white coat, wishing it were you coming back to him.

“Mr. Shelby, I’m very sorry for your loss,” the doctor began.

“I want you to explain…Explain how a perfectly healthy woman can die within a matter of hours inside a hospital,” Tommy said voice seething with anger as he pointed at your body.

“We’re not certain at this time. We’ll need to conduct an autopsy to know more,” the doctor said evenly, trying to remain composed, but Tommy cut him off scoffing at his incompetence.

Before the doctor knew what was happening Tommy had him pinned against the wall under his brutal strength. “You don’t know? You don’t fucking know? Of course not! Why should you? Fucking arrogant bastards the lot of you, but you don’t know shit!” he yelled in his face.

The doctor trembled beneath him replying, “Mr. Shelby, please, we are doing all we can. We need your cooperation. If you’ll allow me, I have something I think you’d like to see?” he asked hesitantly.

Tommy let him go and the doctor carefully pulled a small object from his coat. “She had this in her pocket above her heart. Do you know anything of it’s whereabouts?” As the doctor extended it to him, a deep blue caught the light, the unmistakable shape and color of the cursed sapphire came into view. Tommy gasped, feeling sick all of a sudden.

“Mr. Shelby?” He said growing concerned that the man in front of him might faint at any moment, he was growing so pale.

“The sapphire…” Tommy said backing away in horror. As he did he saw Grace’s shadowy figure standing in the corner and he heard her raspy breathing. Then he collapsed to the polished floor beneath him.

——————————————————————

Three days later...

Frances had called him once already. The cars were ready to take the family to the cemetery. Today was the day of his wife’s funeral. He was waiting for a call, however, and didn’t want to leave without hearing the truth. Soon the shrill ring of the telephone reverberated through his study and he took up the receiver quickly.

“Esme? Esme, I know it was you. Pretending to want to help cure my daughter, while plotting to kill my wife. How could you?” Tommy asked.

“After John died, we had some unfinished business, you and I,” Esme began. “It won’t bring him back, but it serves justice. A life for a life," she said without emotion.

“Know this, I will find you,” Tommy threatened in a dangerously low voice.

“The only reason your wife found me before was cause I wanted to be found. You’ll never see me again, Tommy. Our business is done,” she said and then the line went dead.

----------------------------------

Tag list: @peakyswritings, @evita-shelby, @retromafia, @theshelbyslimited, @shelbydelrey, @holacia2, @tommydoesntpayforsuits, @shelbydelrey, @alanadetigy, @wandawiccan60, @easilyobessedbutflighty, @severewobblerlightdragon, @lovemissyhoneybee, @kittycatcait219, @peakyrogers, @christinasyellowflowers, @look-at-the-soul, @peaky-cillian, @celticmelody, @kpopgirlbtssvt, @theshelbyclan, @l1-l4, @the-makingsofgreatness, @flysafepapi

#Peaky Blinders fanfic #Peaky Blinders imagine #Tommy Shelby fanfic #Tommy shelby imagine #Tommy shelby x reader #Tommy Shelby x y/n #Tommy shelby #Esme Shelby #cillian murphy

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cosmic-crybaby · 7 months

Text

Blue Skies - Tommy Shelby

Chapter 18: 'Like Real People Do'

Warnings: Mentions of blood, childbirth, last chapter

Masterlist:

---

Months had passed since your relationship with Thomas Shelby had come to an end.

You had someone by your side with every step of the way. Now just a few weeks away from your predicted due date, Ada, Polly, and Esme were there to help you when you needed them. Even Alfie and John had stopped by a few times when you needed them to. But the Shelby women were there through it all. Esme had made an effort to be with you almost every day, even while she was expecting her first child herself.

Esme also kept Thomas' name to a minimum when it came to conversations with you, although she had wished she could gossip about the recent things he had done. Your mind had drifted back to him from time to time, wondering what he had gotten himself into now or how he was doing in that big mansion all alone. You stayed strong and refrained from reaching out to him for your own sanity.

Esme wore she would never give Tommy any kind of update on how you were doing, but Polly and Ada gave him some peace of mind after answering his burning and persistent questions.

“She’s doing just fine,”

“Her and the baby are healthy,”

“Yes, she’s still working,”

But that was the extent of it all.

Tommy really had no idea how you were really doing, and even though you wanted to keep it that way, he still refrained from stopping by your bakery, or sending a peaky boy or two to keep watch on you and the kids. An extra measure to make sure you were safe. He knew you were smart, and would have spotted them right away, but again part of him wished that was the case so you could talk to him again.

But it was better this way, it kept him up at night, thinking you were all alone now. He stayed awake at night with the regret of ever hurting you and jeopardizing your relationship. The one night with Lizzie Stark caused his heart to shatter every night he went without you in his arms.

You, on the other hand, continued to care for your two children and work on your own for the most part, even if you slowed down the further you grew into your pregnancy. You eventually gave into Esme’s request to help you out when the days got busy or when you simply needed to rest.

Tonight was Henry’s first orchestra concert. You were adamant on attending, no matter what. You sat in the front row with Elizabeth in the middle between you and her Aunt Esme. Watching him on stage along with the other kids of all ages. You gushed to Esme about how cute he looked in his suit, but went silent as they began to play. Listening to the beautiful symphony of classical music. You proudly gazed up at him on the stage as he focused on the sheet music and the movements of the bow on the strings. It was times like this where you were thankful that Thomas paid for violin lessons so he could perfect his skills on time for the show. Your smile dropped as you felt a sharp cramp to your side, inhaling quickly. Your hand quickly flew to your stomach for a moment until the pain quickly subsided. You managed to sit through the concert in uncomfortable silence, not wanting to miss a second of Henry’s performance. You shift in your seat as you take slow and deep breaths while rubbing your side to calm down.

Once the curtains close and everyone applauds, you turn to Elizabeth.

“Why don't you meet your brother backstage when he’s done?” You asked her.

“Okay mum,” She nods, watching her stand from her seat and skip off to the side of the stage. Esme looked over at you, worried.

“What’s wrong, love?” She asked, moving to sit in Elizabeth's empty seat. You groan a bit, attempting to stand up but sit back down with a shocked gasp. You feel around your dress, as the clear liquid spilled down to your knees and into the floor.

"I-I think my water just broke,"

You knew your due date was nearing quickly but you didn’t think the baby would come this early. Esme rushes to help you stand, grabbing your arm as you hissed at the aching pain in your back.

“Come on love, not much time now,” She guides you to stand up. Just as you pass the stage, Elizabeth and Henry walk out. Henry held his violin case as he looked at you. You halt your steps.

"Oh, you did amazing sweetheart," You smiled at him as he gave you a tight hug.

"Thanks mum," As he let you go, you reached out for their hands. You glanced at Esme as she nods once to make a call to John.

"Okay, listen..." You paused, taking a deep breath. "We will drop you off at Aunt Adas and then we will come pick you up in the morning when-"

"Rather than staying with their own father?" A strong voice said from behind.

"Dad!" The two shouted happily as they ran to him and hugged him tightly.

"Alfie?" You stood up straight with a groan. After he greeted the kids he approached you.

“No way in hell you’re gonna let my kids be watched over by a Shelby,”

"Alfie I-”

" Right, I will be taking them for the night, I insist…" He dismissively told you.

"You really never miss their performances," You told him quietly with a small smile.

"Of course not, I fuckin' love my family," Even past his burley exterior, you could still see the love in his eyes.

"Mum?" Elizabeth looked up at you. You glance down at her.

"Right! We'll get you in the morning when the baby gets here. okay?"

Their eyes brightened up.

"Okay mum," They said. You slightly bend down to pull them into hug them and give them quick kisses on their cheeks.

"Stay safe, mum" Henry whispered in your ear. You nodded.

"I love you, I will see you in the morning," You handed your children off to their father. Just then Esme had returned, rushing to your side.

"Thank you, Alfie," You smiled at him, wanting to just reach to hold his hand, but Esme grabbed your hand first after seeing the sweat beading on your forehead.

"(Y/n)," She whispered.

"I wish you well (Y/n), may God protect you, Love...stay safe,"

That was the first time you had seen him show real concern for you in a very long time.

"Love, the car's here we've got to go," Esme rushed.

In the car, Esme sat in the backseat with you, helping you breathe through the sudden increase of pain as John drove like a madman back to your flat. As planned, you had arrived home and John helped you out of the car and into your bedroom. Esme was quick to call Polly and had her rushed over, since she was the only person you had trusted to help you deliver the baby and she lived only a few streets away. As you sat on the bed, hunched over and panting, John rubbed your back. Even though he had seen this many times before and witnessed the birth of his many kids and siblings, he still felt anxious for you as his hands shook.

"(Y/n) Polly is on her way but we need to get you ready," Esme hurried into the room, holding clean sheets and a large, thin night dress. She had ushered John out of the room, sending him to gather blankets, towels, and water. She helped you undress and put on your nightgown as you finally were able to catch your breath for just a minute before the cramping started up again, this time a loud cry erupting from your throat as you gripped onto the bed sheets.

"Fucking Christ!" You shouted.

"You're doing great love just keep breathing," Esme calmed you, trying to keep your breathing regulated. She moved your hair out of your face as it stuck to your face the more you began to sweat.

"Esme, it hurts! I can't do this!" You cried.

"Yes you can! Just hold on, Polly's almost here," She comforted you. You whine as John entered the room, bringing the things Esme ordered.

"She's here,"

It was like everything was a huge blur, you had no idea what was going on until Polly greeted you. Hasty, and trying to stay calm as she ordered John to get more water.

"(Y/n), you've got a fever, you need to stay awake so we can get the baby out, okay?" She spoke clearly. You tiredly nodded. She helped you onto the bed, sitting up as she rubbed your back gently. In the midst of your next contraction you held Esme's hand tightly as Polly checked your dilatation.

"You'll need to start pushing soon okay?" Polly asked, standing up to wash her hands and grab the pile of linens and towels.

"N-No, I can't, it hurts," You cried, your words coming out like slurs and your eyelids getting heavier.

"Shit, John! Where is the fuckin' water?!" Polly shouted. The room began to spin as everyone in the room began shouting and yelling at each other. You couldn't comprehend what was happening. Not until you heard him call your name.

"He just turned up, I couldn't tell him to leave, Aunt Pol he has every right to be here!" John argued.

"I don't give a shit, he's hurt her in more ways than one and right now she needs help not a fucking reminder of the man who put her in this situation!" She argued.

"She doesn't even want to hear your name, what makes you think she wants you here?!" Esme spit.

"(Y/n)," He called. "I need to see her, please," He begged as he tried to push past Polly. She glared at him, refusing to let him through.

"Only if she agrees," She noted.

"She's delusional, she can barely speak!" Esme shouted.

"Tommy?" You mumbled. A whimper left your throat as you looked towards the door. A moment of silence filled the room as he was let in, much to Polly and Esme's dismay. Thomas stood by you and held your hand as you looked at him with a dazed look in your eyes. Your face was pale, your pupils wide, as the sweat drips down your temples and neck.

"Hi love...I'm here now, I'm here for you," He nodded.

"Polly-" You quickly turned away from Thomas as you called for his aunt. She walked to the bed once again, lifting the sheet to check your dilatation. With a focused face she ordered Esme to help.

"Give her water, try to keep her cool because this baby is coming now," She hurried. Drinking the water quickly and shutting your eyes as you felt the need to push.

"You're doing great, (Y/n) just keep breathing," Esme encouraged you as she dabbed your forehead with a damp towel. You nod once as you try to focus on your breathing. The impending pain made you open your eyes as you frantically reached for Esme's hand. Esme held you close, looking up at Thomas to step up and do the same. He was almost frozen in his place as he stared at her.

"Tommy," You called for him again, holding your hand out as he tightly squeezed. You cried out in pain

"It'll be okay, keep going," He looked at you with wide eyes.

"Fuck!" You cursed loudly as you threw your head back.

"Almost there (y/n) almost there! One more!" Polly affirmed. It seemed like everything had gone by within the blink of an eye. One last push and one last cry from you and it was all over. The pain became numb as your legs trembled. The warmth of the blood drenched your sheets as Polly gasps in relief. Far too exhausted to lift yourself up to get a proper look at the little bundle as Polly cleaned them up. Your vision begins to double as you sink back into the pillows. The muffled sound of Esme and Tommy calling your name was almost deafened when you heard the coos and crying of the baby. You felt your eyes get heavier and heavier as the sweat and heat began to get too much for you. And with that, you were out. The room was worried for you. Trying to wake you up but the fever, the pain, and the blood loss had all hit you at once.

That summer, Elizabeth and Henry were sitting on an old blanket on the grassy hills under the trees. The very same spot Thomas had taken them, chasing the ducks and flying paper airplanes over a year ago. The sun was warm and bright as the birds sang and the children laughed. A basket full of food and sweets sat beside them, Henry was restraining himself from sneaking a taste of the apple dumplings. You had approached behind them, the small baby in your arms as you set the small bag of necessities for the baby on the grass before you sat down.

"Can we take Evelyn to look at the ducks, mum?" Elizabeth asked, the baby cooed and giggled as she grasped onto your fingers.

"Yeah, let's go before Aunt Esme arrives," You nod as you stand up, and approach the small pond. She was still small, but her chubby hands grasped at the water, giggling as the little gold fish scattered whenever she wiggled her fingers. You chuckled as Elizabeth and Henry fed bread to the ducks, screaming and laughing as the ducks quacked and chased them around if they held the bread for too long.

"(Y/n)!" Esme had called. You stood up, looking at the top of the hill, holding your hand over your brow to shade your eyes from the sun. She waved happily, the baby in her arms bundled close to her chest. John's kids greeted Henry and Elizabeth before they gathered to run about the hill. The two of you sat on the blanket, watching the kids kick a ball around, their laughs were carried with the wind. Behind you, in the car, John stood. Smoking a cigarette.

"You alright, brother?" John turned to his older brother. Thomas leaned against the car. You didn't know he was there, and he didn't want to be known. He held the cigarette in his mouth as his hands were shoved in his pockets. He heavily sighs.

"Yeah..." He mumbled. He hoped to get a glimpse of your new life. You looked happy, laughing with Esme as you held the baby by the hands as she took wobbly steps. The small glance he got at her, in her bright blue eyes. She looked just like a perfect combination of the both of you. It ached him that he had to keep his distance when all he wanted was to be next to you, holding the babe in his arms just as you were now.

"Why don't you go talk to her?" John asked. He didn't completely understand why Thomas couldn't just man up and talk to you again. But it was more complicated than that.

"I can't John,"

"Why not? Tom, you were meant to be, just give it a try,"

The days after Evelyn was born, Thomas tried to reignite that spark in you. And as much as it saddened you, you declined. Your heart wanted you to go back to him, but every other part of you didn’t want to get hurt again. It just wasn't going to work. The amount of times he had hurt you was just too much to overlook the times he cherished you.

"Perhaps meant to be just wasn't for us, John..."

You picked Evelyn up, lifting her up in your arms before bringing her down to give her a kiss. She squeals as you do it again and again.

"That's bullshit," John muttered, flicking the end of his burnt out cigarette onto the gravel road. Thomas only took his hand out of his pocket to do the same. Shaking his head, swallowing thickly as he felt the lump in his throat grow the more he watched you.

And you smiled, maybe not at him, but after all this time you still smiled, so he smiled too. He quickly looks down, licking his lips before pushing himself off of the car.

"Let's go," He mumbled as he got into the driver's side. He gave you one last glance. Evelyn looked at you before turning her head to Thomas. Locking eyes with him. It was like he lost his breath at just how beautiful she was. Making him think, just how could someone as cold and deadly as himself make something so warm and beautiful.

"What are you looking at, love?" You asked Evelyn, she looked at you then back to the road. Pointing a chubby finger in that direction. Confusion washed over your face as you looked over your shoulder. You both stared at each other, doing and saying nothing until you lifted your hand to give him a small wave, as a comforting smile formed on your face. Thomas returned the gesture before driving off. Your eyes followed the car until you couldn't see it anymore.

"You still love him, don't you?" Esme calmly asked. You looked down, swallowing a bit before silently nodding.

"That's okay...You made the right choice," She scooted closer to you, putting a comforting hand over yours. You nod again, your breath shuttering as you look up. The golden sun casting a glow on your skin as you wiped your tears.

"We were always made for each other, just never made to last,"

---

This was the final chapter of 'Blue Skies' I really hope you all enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. I have another Tommy Shelby story in the works that will be posted soon! In the mean time if you would like a bonus chapter with Tommy x (yn) or Alfie x (yn), feel free to let me know.

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amidst-wonderland · 11 months

Text

[kingdom come]

pairing: nora + michael warnings: mentions of smoking, strong language, violence, substance abuse summary: michael didn't hate thomas for the events of the year prior, at least not as much as his wife wanted him to.

december, eighteenth

nineteen-twenty-six

“christ,” she curses, spotting the man clad in black strolling up towards her from the driveway. “whit’d you want?”

“my accountant’s office is empty–“

“–try the papers, you’ll find someone desperate enough.“

“nora,” he scolds.

she’d hated the inevitability of a moment like this.

the air was bitter – although, the clear sky above painted a largely different picture, an uninterrupted blanket of blue. the usual wintertime clouds were oddly out of sight, but far from out of mind.

nora’d considered the outcome of this interaction quite a bit in the past handful of months. she’d thought of a rather aggressive reaction that involved a swift swing with some few choice words for the wretched in-law who’d decided it would be appropriate come anywhere near her family once again. she didn’t particularly enjoy the passive route, wouldn’t really send a warning the reaper’s way any more than a simple ‘fuck off’ would’ve but michael’d find it easier to side with.

feeling the harsher cold blows against her skin, she crosses her arms slipping a small hiss. the knitted throw wasn’t enough to trap the heat, despite her boiling rage at the well-dressed man who stood before her.

thomas hadn’t changed since she’d last seen him – poised in his everyday attire three-piece that consisted of fabrics only appropriate for funeral attendance.

‘bastard’s buried enough people’

“listen, love.” he sighs, although there’s a sinister tension within the breath. “i’m trying to help you here, help the kids–“

“–michael had a rope around his fucking neck, because of you.”

his jaw clenches, thomas wasn’t looking for a fight.

“go find michael, bring ‘im out ‘ere,” he motioned to the front door she’d been blocking. “saves you waking up the little ones.”

“aye so ah will,” she snorts. “get oot ma sight shelby.”

thomas resides for a moment, unsure of how to approach the hand he’d been dealt whilst taking in the new surroundings. it was strange and unfamiliar, the overwhelming hit of salty-air was quite nauseating. loud waves crashing below heightened cliffs, boisterous kids playing football on sand a handful of yards from the gray home.

their cobblestoned cottage was picturesque – a far cry from arrow house – something you’d find on a postcard.

he was getting considerably more from nora than from either of his brother’s wives – who didn’t even pick up the telephone. although, he didn’t bother to ring michael, just showed up at their door but he was growing impatient with this one.

“nora if you don’t move, i’ll fucking make you.”

“oi!”

her feet cemented themselves in place, legs stiffening under thomas’ icy gaze and the warmth radiating off her husband cutting into the cold draft he’d brought opening their door.

michael slips past nora, before tossing his snout into the gravel beneath them.

thomas sneered at the sight of his younger cousin’s dishevelled appearance – fitted suits, dark eyes, and styled hair merely a distant memory, instead replaced with loose locks and his crumped pinstriped shirt that hung from his body as did his suspenders.

he looked like shit, and probably smelt like it too.

“come to beg for forgiveness?”

thomas pursed his lips, ignoring the jab. “shelby company limited needs you michael. this legitamate business can’t–“

“-whit’d ah jist tell you?” nora interjects pushing past her husband, the softer melted demeanour he’d arose standing between them, now dissipated.

nora’s childishly feral attitude was far from a rare occurrence that thomas knew michael would generally diffuse for the benefit of the family, but a year separated he wasn’t entirely sure where his loyalties lay.

“nonie”

nora felt her heart sink, michael only called her–

“yer ‘hinkin aboot it, in’t ye? i swear, if you get in that motor.”

“just,” he pauses, gently pulling her towards him with slight wobble. “go back inside.”

noting the moment of insecurity, thomas takes a dig at the couple. “michael, you really ought to think about sorting out that missus of yours.”

he scowls at his cousin.

“michael, look at me.”

he couldn’t, he tried desperately not to. “nonie, please don’t start.”

nora grips his arms, feeling her nails forcefully digging into his skin through the thin material in hopes to keep him from thomas, who he was yet to take his eyes off.

she knew the prospect of returning to civilisation had always been enticing. strolling around busy cities, pints after work with isaiah and socialising with birmingham’s brightest without begrudgingly waking up to the same hysterical children every morning. wondering when he’d get his next hit, if ever.

the band around his finger had already began weighing on him and settling down permanently had never been part of the plan, even after their son was born but polly insisted and michael struggled to say no.

the stinging sensation in his biceps tear him from this thoughts as he looks to his wife.

her heart ached, she could see it in him – he was spiralling, desperate to return with the despicable man standing before them, willing to give up everything they’d built together over the past year.

he tries to shrug her off, to no avail but she reaches out to hold his face frantically caressing his rosy cheeks with her thumb, pushing back his tousled hair, and rambling sweet nothings, refusing to let tears fall.

“y-you can’t go, ah canny lose you. no again.”

he wasn’t listening, he was still peaking over the man clad in black.

thomas pipes up, “pol’s in a bad way.”

giving another attempt to get his full attention she presses her forehead to his, forcing him to see nothing but her. “whit if he’s too late? ah couldnae–“

abrupt burning tears begin forming, sliding down her cheeks. “that isnae yer family. george, rosalin, me–“

“–nonie, what about mum?“

she ignores his protest, “family does’nae leave you to rot in a cell, does’nae ditch ye at death’s door.”

“i know.” he reassures, resting his hands on hair waist, despite it feeling like an flat gesture. “but i can’t keep doing this, running from our problems isn’t what we do.”

there was some vile sense of truth in his words, even nora could begrudgingly admit that. their marriage had begun cannibalising itself, one massacred bite after the other – every snort, scream and smash, it would take them down eventually but at the very least, out here they were no longer the shelby’s public display of misguided youth.

“michael.” thomas interrupts, “i’ll be in the car.”

the couple listen to him shuffle back to the bentley, nora flinching at the harsh slam of the door.

hesitantly, nora’s grip on her husband loosens as she wipes a few tears away dreading the awaited judgement call. they stood close, nora’s ragged breath hitting at the bare skin where michael hadn’t buttoned his shirt.

she’d done all she could, but his heart was set.

“please–“

“ –i’ll ring john to come get you and the kids if you’re not ready to drive.”

the tightness in her chest quickly becomes suffocating, her blotchy cheeks return the burning sensation of minutes ago feeling like stretched leather against hot tears.

she released a choked sob, hitting against his chest. “y-you promised.”

noting her weakened frame, michael tightly pulls his wife back into him keeping her knees from buckling. “nonie,” he soothes into the crook of her neck as nora’s chest erratically fluxes against his. “a little space, it’ll be good for us, good for george and rosie to stop hearing us fight all the time.”

nora jolts back from his grasp, disgusted.

“stop it,” she cried. “stop treating me like a wean you can jist ‘shoo’ away whenever ye want tae take the easy way oot. an don’t you dare pretend this has ‘onything tae dae with them because if it wis, you would’nae even ‘hink aboot entertaining that rat-bastard.”

“nora–“ he reaches for her.

“–don’t,” she growls, “don’t fucking touch me.”

“everything alright?”

michael sleepily peers up from the tumbler of whisky he’d been swirling, noticing his older cousin standing in the ajar of his darkened office.

“can’t say i’m a stranger to a picture like this and somehow i don’t think you are either.”

he shrugs at thomas’ pathetic attempt at casual small talk once pushing back the glass, falling back into his chair. “office, pub, home – what’s it fucking matter?”

“i’m not paying you to get pissed.”

michael runs a hand through his now slicked back hair, unsure if his cousin had made an appearance simply to pick his brain or to make sure the pistol in his side drawer hadn’t been used to blow his brains out after a week without his co-dependant other-half.

“it might not feel like it now, but you made the right decision. letting that girl of yours run amuck, she’s not–“

“–tommy.” michael scorns, “i’m here with you, let’s just leave it at that, yeah?”

the twenty-two-year-old knew neither his wife nor his cousin would ever see eye-to-eye. even before they wed, the older shelby brothers had made crude passing comments over drinks about the then teenage nora being a ‘belligerent fucking nuisance’ and an ‘unintelligible delinquent.’

still, if thomas was so sure he’d made the right choice, then why didn’t it feel like it? why could he still hear his son’s cries ringing at the back of his mind like a broken record, all-the-fucking-time.

thomas tips his head, strolling over to his cousin’s desk. he scowling at the mess then grabs the half-drunk bottle before michael could protest. “get that cleared by eight,” he waves to the unkept stack of documents. “give your missus a ring, then you can have the grouse back.”

“cheers.”

the shelby gives a final nod of acknowledgement, exiting the office.

‘give your missus a ring’ michael couldn’t help but scoff at the hollow instruction. he’d attempted to contact nora almost every day since he’d left their home on the coast usually ending up with a less than enthusiastic esme berating him for returning to the dragon’s keep and how she’d been up all night dealing with rosie’s colic.

michael missed nora, he missed her so fucking much. he missed her tender touch when they’d wake up bare and entangled in one another as the sun shined through the sheer beige curtains highlighting her soft features. he missed her angelic voice or even the way she smelled after bathing one of the kids in sink – honey, on the odd occasion lavender. he especially missed just holding her close as she buried her head into his chest, knowing that there was always someone at home who truly cared about him.

“–don’t think i didn’t fucking notice the snow.”

the younger boy grimaces at the disgruntled call from down the vacant hallway, glancing down at the streaked powder stained across his desk, swiping at it.

“you marry a man, bare both his weans, only fur him to run straight in-tae the arms of the same arsehole that sent him to hang.” nora groans taking a final sniff from the vial she'd nipped from michael's bedside drawer.

laid back against the headboard atop the spare bed she’d been offered, she relaxed in to the plush maroon quilt. enjoying the small pleasure of a clean sheet without having to worry about aging stains from their children’s more messy nights. the kids couldn’t take all the blame though, the biggest mark on their mattress was michael’s doing – half a bottle of rum when they’d gotten a little too tipsy on esme’s birthday.

beginning to feel lightheaded, she glimpses over to her son playing with his toy train rolling it back and fourth, “what’d you think georgie? is yer daddy a bit of a numpty?”

the two-year-old blissfully ignores her as he whooshes the wooden train into the air.

even with the curtains open, the room is a somber, cosy darkness the only source of light coming from a sole lit candle on the bedside table – more of a tactical choice on nora’s behalf as her husband nicked her own lighter.

there’s some small movement as she feels her daughter shift. rosalin wasn’t used to her mother’s body temperature, which was significantly cooler than michael’s, who she claimed as her bed whenever the pair couldn’t get her to settle in the nursey.

since the shelby’s only had one spare cot, it left nora tossing and turning, very aware that it wasn’t her husband resting next to her in the bed but in fact her baby boy.

leaving her home last friday had been a horrifying wake-up call. esme had found nora curled-up on the kitchen floor, passed out with a limp bloodied hand curled around an open bottle of gin as george – who’d been crying himself – ran his tiny fingers through his mum’s hair.

michael had no idea the mess he’d left her in.

esme had been a blessing, taking on nora’s two on top of her own six – she was lucky to have her.

the two had been close since they were their own kids age, their families regularly communing throughout their youth until the mcleod’s settled in glasgow’s east-end permanently.

“mammy, ‘ook,” george giggles showing her the magic train, with its little doors open and half-chewed roof.

weakly, she smiles at him, ruffling his golden hair before giving him a light ‘bop’ on the nose.

there’s some soft knocking at the door, a quiet voice echoing into the bedroom, “aunt nora, can i come in?”

nora chuckled at the politeness of john’s daughter, considering how long she’d known him – shamefully believing his boisterous behaviour would’ve rubbed-off on her. “’mon in hen.”

katie scuffles into the room, esme following suit.

“we wanted to see the cousins before bed, if that’s alright?”

nora nods to the ten-year-old who’s making her way to sit opposite george.

“how’s your hand?” esme asks, peaking down at her half-hearted attempt to bandage her the injury

“nippy, but all’ll live. ah’m fuckin’ knackered though.”

esme heads round to the other side of the bed, climbing under the duvet next to her friend.

katie coos george, joining him with the train-game, but he’s more interested in tugging on her vibrant red hair that mirror’s his mother’s.

“he his’nae called again, has he?”

“not yet.”

“dae you think he’ll stop?”

“doubt it, not for that pungent guilt of his still lingering.”

“did ye tell him aboot ma haun?”

sensing nora’s regret, esme cautiously shook her head.

“did john?”

“…he did.”

a hollow weight begins pressing into nora’s chest, a sense of suffering shame encapsulating her respiratory panic.

“aunt nora?”

she exhales deeply, smiling in brief recovery, “mmh?”

“can i do your hair for christmas, esme won’t let me touch her’s.”

“aye hen, that’d be lovely.”

“just,” he laments, “tell her i love her.”

ada shelby reluctantly hums in agreement, watching michael meticulously fiddling with the small weapon in his hand.

he’d called her down to the cut. it was a nice, slower change of pace being able to escape his omnipresent boss and get some much-needed fresh air. although ada had a niggling feeling the choice of scenery had more to do with nora herself, than thomas.

“anything else?”

“only this,” he responds locking in the pistol’s cylinder, offering it to his cousin now that it was reloaded.

ada takes the gun from him, carefully sliding it into the leather handbag.

“give that to nora, yeah? don’t want her touching john’s kit ‘ve seen the state of it.”

“has the poor girl even touched one of these?”

there’s an amused smirk hidden on michael’s lips. “handful of times, an awful fucking shot – told me she’d be more useful battering someone with the blunt end.”

‘nae time tae ‘hink aboot where the bullets goin’ when ah can make it bash their heid in faster.’ he remembers nora whinging when she couldn’t pelt the cans.

pursing her lips she glances back at him, now opening his cigarette tin and lighting a smoke with a lighter that had a rather feminine touch. “early christmas gift, is it?”

michael notices her motion to the lighter.

it’s a delicate little thing, detailed too but had noticeable age. the reflective silver covered in various scratches, fingerprint marks and minute rust. michael rolls his thumb over nora’s favourite detail – the encrusted ruby gemstone that mirrored the one on her wedding ring, rimmed with white diamonds.

“nora’s. she’d have my neck if she knew i’d nicked it.” he admitted, “but its like having a piece of her with me.”

ada rolls her eyes. michael’s honesty was pretentious horseshit as far as she was concerned, since it was coming from a man solely exacerbating his own problems.

“having a cig down the cut isn’t going to make you feel enlightened michael. we’re all guilty of it – john, me, christ even tom. just a whiff from this place and we’ve all got that nagging sense of nostalgia that wishes to wallow in self-pity and reminisce about hormonal teenage activities.”

michael smiles softly, “mum wouldn’t let me in on family meetings for ages. found other ways to entertain myself, which just happened to involved esme’s mate.”

the cousins share a chuckle, before the mood returns. “you should be there michael, it’s christmas for pete’s sake! you’ve got two kids–“

“tommy needs me ada – mum too. heading into the new year it’s all hands-on to push the legitmate–“

“–my brother doesn’t need you michael, he wants everyone within earshot and you’re his sacrificial lamb benefiting from the cause. have a think, why reach out to his twenty-something cousin over his own brothers? there’s a reason he’s not gone to their doors.”

“and you?”

“learned to keep my distance. same fucking reason i didn’t sit behind bars repenting whilst my wife was at home, up the spout.”

“listen, they’re safe outside the city, being in small heath only creates targets on their back, i appreciate your input but it’s none of your business.“

“tom tells me you’re back on the snow michael? i won’t judge–“

michael snorts at his ada’s disposition. “–that’s a half-arsed lie if i’ve heard one.”

‘even nora could do better than that and she struggled to hide cutting back the sugar in my tea.’

“fine.” she huffs, “but don’t take this out on your kids alright? thank christ your missus has managed to sort herself out–“

he lets out a venomous laugh this time, “that’s what she told you? fuck ada. never considered you having a piss-poor tolerance for bullshit – nora couldn’t tell her right tit from her left by teatime and at least she’s still coherent. give it a few hours and she’ll be passed out on that fucking beach until rosie screams loud enough for her mother to give a shit.”

ada braces herself, the penny had dropped.

this wasn’t about shelby company, tommy, hell it wasn’t even about polly’s sickness.

“why the fuck do you think i sent her to john’s? terrified one night she’ll get further than the sand. twelve-times i’ve had to go out, find her kicking-off like a fucking entranced lunatic.”

grief had become a fickle presence for the family, they’d all being fighting their own battles, but it appeared the gray’s had been losing theirs.

“can’t stand the sight of each-other, reckon esme would sort her out.”

she looks back at michael, throwing the snout into the water below and running a hand over his face for a refresh.

“i needed a break, tommy granted me that.”

“does he know?”

“of course he fucking knows.”

“how’s linda then arthur?” she warmly enquires, fidgeting in the seat whilst clumsily gripping at the telephone. which is followed by some positive mumbling about his wife.

“an the wean?”

arthur lets out an extended groan, “billy’s been crying non-stop for the past three months, every hour on the fucking hour.”

she smiles empathetically, not that he could see.

“had the same problem efter george was born and rosalin’s goin through it tae. ma said a wee bit of whisky on the gums never hurt anybody.”

“heard that’s becoming a solution of a lot of your problem’s ain’t it?”

“ach, you know how it goes” she shrugs, holding back a hurt chuckle. “point being, bit oan ‘is gums and that’ll see the wee-yin well”

“linda won’t let me smoke near the lad, never mind giving him the scot’s bloody finest.”

“wisnae that gud. ma had tae swally a boattle an a haulf afore ‘her arse wis in the air.”

there’s a warm laugh from him. “love,” he teased. “it’s coming oot again.”

nora can’t help but cringe at how unnatural her native language sounds coming from the englishman, though easily shrugging it off in her current intoxicated state.

“aye mebbe. mebbe ah’ve been following in ma maw’s footsteps – marrying some arsehole that canny staun the slight ae his ain faimly, so she’s left drinkin’ tae she won awa efter poppin’ oot sum greetin’ faced weans.”

arthur frowned, slowly trying to follow her words as they roll rapidly off her tongue.

it wasn’t like nora to complain nor even discuss her upbringing around the shelby’s, especially not directly to them. passing comments and speculative teases between esme and nora at family gatherings weren’t unfamiliar but it never dove deeper than that.

what arthur could remember, it seemed far removed from the anecdote nora was sprouting.

something was off, and it wasn’t linda’s cooking.

“how many ‘ave you had.”

“ach only the two, but ah ‘hink it’ll be enough.”

“i meant drinks.”

nora takes a moment before the gas induced lump in her throat dissolves, “five-ish.”

“and this doesn’t have anything to do with your michael being back in big-boys’s office?”

she sheepishly looks down at her bare toes, wriggling them in a small delight. mentally rehearsing each word she’s about to say, “ach naw, it’s christmas and we’ve all had a very difficult year. a wee few drams didnae hurt a soul.”

“love the last time you ‘ad a ‘wee few drams’ you shouted fucking ‘gardyloo’ every-time you went to take a piss.”

“i wis only making folk aware they would be withoot ma presence.”

arthur smiles.

“well ah’ll let ye go, ‘hink that’s oor dinner oot noo anyway.”

“hello lovely!” ada beams as nora opens the shelby’s front door. her eyes squinting trying to ignore the bright sun hitting against her like a hammer to a nail.

ada takes the young girl into her arms, tightly squeezing her but recoiling as the pungent smell of alcohol burns at her nostrils.

taking in the ginger’s appearance she notes some rather alarming features since the pair last met. bloodshot eyes and some red rashes, most likely from rubbing. though ada raises a brow at some faded bruising resting on nora’s collarbone, she picks on an injury far more sinister. “what the fuck happened to your hand?”

giving her a stern glance, nora turns on her heel, making her way in the opposite direction.

john and esme had already popped down to the local market trying to collect some last-minute supplies for their christmas dinner which left nora, ada and eight rambunctious children running wild.

heading deeper into the home with her in-law hot on her tail, she travelled straight to the downstairs sitting room before shoving on the cardigan esme had left out for her.

“cuppa?”

taking off her fur coat, ada smiled back watching nora disappear into the kitchen.

“i spoke with michael,” the shelby sister called, grabbing what appeared to be yesterday’s paper from the coffee-table. few headlines catch her interest, something about the new scarlet buses in london but nothing much else.

nora bites her lip, glad the other woman couldn’t see her reaction – she wanted to pry but any sign of forgiveness would surely be right back to her husband, and she wasn’t looking to give him any satisfactory release.

with the clinking and light banging of cabinets coming to a halt, ada knew she had her attention. “says he loves you, misses the kids.”

nora scrunches her face in disgust pouring the water into the empty kettle, catching a glimpse of her wedding ring clinking against the metal.

“michael misses having his fuckable other-hauf oan haun. it’s jist a bit guilt. gee it a couple o’ weeks and he’ll be the same auld miserable prick you lot like to pretend he’s no.” she bitterly muses, placing the kettle onto the burning stove.

nora digs around for some loose teabags, unsure of where her in-law keep them. “who knows, mebbe this time the snow’ll fuck him over so much–”

she grins finding two stashed behind a cracked teapot and the bread bin. “–i won’t have to.”

ada thinks back to her encounter with michael yesterday morning. cut hand aside, nora seemed perfectly well kept for someone who ‘couldn’t tell her left tit from her right by teatime.’

“what about you? still on the stuff yourself?”

“telt ye before hen, no efter rosalin. gonnae be a proper mammy noo.”

there’s a reluctance in her words, confirming it’s a fib yet, nothing in the girl’s behaviour seemed to prove michael claims.

hearing the bubbling water, nora lifts the kettle and clasps two green teacups making her way back to the living-room, setting everything down on the table in the middle, letting ada sort herself out.

straighten up, nora clocks a familiar piece of her home peeking out behind the red christmas sack. “why’ve you got michael’s gun?”

“he gave it to me – to you. just in case.”

“if he was that worried, he’d be at hame wae his weans an ‘is wife but he isnae, is he?”

ada huffs at nora’s pessimism. michael was miles away ripping his hair out over this girl and she wouldn’t even give him the time of day. “he’s just trying to keep the peace, there’s no harm in that.”

nora’s gasps, unable to contain the seething anger towards ada’s assumption wondering what her husband had told his cousin.

stalking up to the woman clad in luxurious brands, shiny pumps, and a pressed blouse unfazed by her own appearance consisting of unkept hair, a flowy maroon tea-dress with ragged sleeves now covered by esme’s woolly brown shall.

nora crosses her arms, getting in ada’s face equipped with a low, condescending tone. “aye, that’s easy fur ‘im in’t it ditch ‘es faimly the second he canny cope – thir aw the fuckin’ same. ma da, your da an his da. god fucking forbid–“

an abrupt stinging sensation in her right cheek cuts nora’s vitriol short. “michael was right, you just don’t know when to quit, do you?”

nora’s breath hitches in at her in-law’s brash reaction. “whit?”

“you! you’re not ‘off it for the kids’ michael’s told me–“

“–oh aye, michael gray, the-patron-fucking-saint. michael telt you whitever he wants tae get back tae his ma – that he’s still her good wee boy, jist his wummin ‘causin’ aw the trouble. whit’d he say? that ah’m an impotent looney oan the snow? tell ‘im to look in a fucking mirror.”

“you still lied to me love.”

“so? yer brothers lie tae ye, an clearly michael an’aw.”

“i just look out for you is all. esme’s got ‘er head screwed on and you, you were just a kid dragged into all of this – up the duff and michael in prison after the lorne fire at what? eighteen-nineteen? if it weren’t for him, you wouldn’t be in this mess.”

“oh come aff it ada. you saw yer replacement and fucked-off. esme didnae cut it, cause polly couldnae staun ‘er but when wee do-wally nora fae glesga started getting cosy wae ‘er boy, you knew you’d be set.”

ada tilts her head in contempt, “john and esme will be back soon, anything else you want off your chest without the audience?”

“aye. when ye head up the road, tell him ah‘ve nicked his ain stash and that he can shove that gun, up his fucking arse. i’m sure big brother tom will happily pull the trigger.”

there’s a thick tension between the two women, though it’s cut short by a booming voice from down the hall, “oi, is that ada here?”

“black hand. everybody will have got one,” john swallows, hard. “they’re coming for us all.”

she stomps her foot in frustration, turning her face to hold back some tears whilst she stands protectively between the married couple.

if they’d left one with arthur and john, they’d surely left one with michael. there was nowhere to hide.

nora feels her heart pick up speed, her stomach tying itself in knots. once again confirming her assumption of purgatory. no rest for the wicked, nor their family. “h-how long do we have?”

for the first time this week nora thought of her husband, she wanted him by her side. to cling to him and for him to reassure her that everything was going to be alright, that nothing would harm them. just as he did when he went to prison the first time, or when he’d killed that alfie's man after their fight or even when they’d sent him to hang, he’d promised it wouldn’t go as far as that, that’d he’d be back before their rosalin was born.

sensing some inner tension, esme place a comforting hand on the young girl’s shoulders. feeling the heat from her hands calm her through the flimsy sheer material of the dress.

“a day, month, maybe another year.” he lists attempting to contain his boiling temper.

despite john’s arrogance, he knew he couldn’t fight what was heading his way alone. esme was adamant he could – or well, she could.

getting the rest of the family involved wasn’t a bad idea but only on their terms, not tom’s. john wanted to ignore it, in hopes it would go away and changretta would forget the whole thing but their world was too cruel to grant them that. esme was happy to pretend, go on with festivities as normal. john just wished he could do the same.

all this because he’d opened his big fucking mouth about lizzie.

“whit noo?”

esme grabs both nora’s shoulders, spinning her to show an encouraging smile. “nothing. we’re the family now, and this bastard isn’t going to ruin tomorrow for any of us.”

she puts a hand under her chin, lifting it. “we’ll ask michael to pop round, won’t we? the kids’ll be over the moon.”

“today, everyone in the family received on of these.” ada states, carefully handing her cousin the letter with one hand, her distraught aunt in a tight hold with the other.

“what’s it mean?” michael questions, glancing down at the loose parchment wondering if there was one sitting in his own letterbox at home.

without looking to upset the elder woman in her arms, she spares him the detailed explanation, cutting to the chase. “tommy’s called a family meeting, he wants you both to come.”

ada tenderly guides her aunt over to the fire, helping her rest. hoping it will distract polly long enough for her to speak with michael.

she motions for him to follow her to the darkened space behind the staircase. “it’s from luca changretta, angel’s older brother. he’s coming after us.”

michael begins gnawing on his tongue. hoping to get some form of release to ease the feeling of disdain for himself.

“tommy says he wants you to collect john tomorrow since he won’t pick up the phone.”

he ponders for a moment, thinking of the danger he’d put nora and the kids in.

ada had already informed him she’d refused to take the pistol – on account of her own fucking pride – so she’d be left with whatever john had lying about the house, which was abysmal.

she takes his hands into her's, gripping them with a sense of urgency.

“michael,” ada warns, “these men can and will kill your children. if john doesn’t want to come, fine.” she pauses, shocked at what’d she’s just blurted out but continues nonetheless. “don’t even think about leaving nora there. drag her into the car if you have to.”

“you heard her ada. she doesn’t want to hear it from me.”

“she still bloody loves you for godsake!” she exclaims, yanking the letter and skelping him with it. “nora’s hurting, struggling to cope with all this. you’ve dumped her at your cousin’s and she thinks you’ve washed your hands with her.”

“michael.” polly calls, holding something neither of them could quite make out. “it’s tommy, he wants you to come to the phone.”

“you here to see your missus then?” john joshers, lowering his weapon.

“tommy wants everybody at charlie’s yard, now.”

fiddling with the shotgun, john quickly ushers his dog inside then climbs down from the roof attempting to ignore michael’s proposal.

it was ten in the morning, he’d hardly slept with his niece’s colic and his own kids were already up and running rampant with their new toys and full of pieces and sugar.

inside, nora nestled into the couch with little rosalin giggling in her arms as she waved a staffed bear in front of her. george occasionally joining too but he was more preoccupied with his new bouncy-ball and race car.

esme inspects from the window as the two men head towards the front door. she’s alerted john of the mysterious white vehicle pulling up on their property,

“red,” she beckons, “michael’s at the door. doesn’t seem to be on his own accord.”

nora carefully passes her daughter into the arms of katie shelby. praying the infant wouldn’t cause a fuss whilst she dealt with her father outside.

giving esme once reassuring glance, nora storms towards the door unsure if her friend had followed behind.

michael could try with all his might but she wouldn’t let him ruin a single moment for her, or their children.

she could hear his muffled voice grow louder and clearer the closer to the outside she became, far quicker than her brain had been able to plan a course of action.

“look john, we don’t have time for this alright? just come to the meeting.”

john, obviously disinterested keeps ushering him to relax, “come in the house, have some food, see your–“

he’d barely twisted the handle before nora swung it open. nearly pulling it off its hinges, causing him to jump back.

“tell thomas shelby he can crawl back tae whitever fucking hole he came from!” she jeered, nearly pushing her husband off his balance.

it was strange seeing him so tailored, quite unnerving actually.

he lets out a huff, knowing this wouldn’t be easy. “look, tommy says that they could come for us today,” he explains, but she sneers in his face mimicking the similar argument that started it all. “george and rosie - now. nail me to a cross another time, alright? i’m not in the mood for your fucking attitude nora.”

“jesus suffering-” she curses. “dae ye even listen tae yersel? or does he dae the ‘hinking fur ye noo tae?” nora taunted again, her voice cracking with the increased volume. she knew she had an audience but the brewing annoyance begged to be vented.

“–look it’s the mafia, alright? the new york mafia we’re talking about.”

john, trying to end their lovers-tiff cuts in, “and we’re the peaky fucking blinders.”

“no, we’re not john. we’re not the peaky fucking blinders unless we’re together.”

despite addressing his cousin, nora bites back. “that’s some fucking cheek michael, ‘cause ah can tell ye wan place ye wernae.”

sometimes michael considered that nora’d be happier seeing them all hanged collectively than the foursome being saved.

michael tries to ignore feeling her hot and heavy breaths hitting against his jaw. he glares back, calling on his cousin.

“john, come to meeting. think about the kids–”

nora’s eyes widened at michael’s bargaining. ‘think about the kids?! you’ve got two weans in there you’ve no seen all week.’

“–if you want to leave, then fine.”

michael turns his attention back to his wife, “car.”

“it’s christmas michael, whit the fuck do you think is going to happen?” she croaks, though her words laced in venom.

there’s some rustling and shuffling behind her with a faint click of a gun which she assumed was just down to john and the shotgun over his back but the change in her husband’s eyes say otherwise as his jaw clenches.

“nonie.” it’s the last tangible sound she catches before michael roughly grabs her arms shoving her back to the main door. esme quickly slamming it shut.

there’s a mixture of ringing in her ears and a collection of screams once they duck to the floor. she couldn’t hear the bullets simply the ringing at the back of her skull.

“mum!” nora’s scream echoed down the bleak corridor as she attempted to get the attention of the lost woman who’d just arrived in the ward. george in her arms, nora’s trying to fight the tears for the sake of staying on her feet.

she could barely make out the small group trailing behind polly, it was all just a blurry, black array moving towards her and george.

polly takes nora and her grandson into a warm embrace as nora clings to her jacket, beginning to sob into her shoulder. “ah didnae know whit tae dae! he wis jist lyin' thir an' the blood– an' john– fuck!”

a questioning voice behind cuts between them, “where is he?”

with her daughter-in-law still sniffling in her arms, polly turns to glare at her nephew.

“the fuck you daein here?” nora growled.

“love, don’t start this. where’s michael?”

“don’t start?! don’t you fucking start when it’s your fault he’s bleedin’ oot.”

polly gives nora a tight squeeze of reassurance before grabbing her hand, pulling the pair further away from thomas.

“c’mon, let’s get you a tea and a seat.”

“i want my husband. i just saw him fucking gunned down.” she exhaled throwing herself back into the chair. placing george on her lap and letting him snuggle into her chest whilst the in-laws loomed over them.

“ma, want daddy.”

nora sighs, relaxing at hearing his timid voice as george rubs some sleep from his eyes, “ah know baba, ah know.”

“hey stranger.”

nora smiled weakly at the familial greeting when stepping into the vacant room. believing it would be best to go in alone, just in case.

“hey you."

michael could sense the hesitance in her slow movement as she scanned the various bandages and remaining blood stains from the bullet wounds.

she takes a seat on the end of the bed, softly interlocking their hands but doesn’t look at him.

“nonie.”

nora begins shaking her head not looking to hear any excuses.

“i’m sorry about–“

“–doesnae matter.”

“yes it does. i left you–“

“you’re alive. that’s aw that matters.”

michael purses his lips ready to change the subject, knowing nora’s stubbornness wouldn’t let him continue. “where’s the kids?”

“george is oot there wae yer mammy, an ada’s got the wee-yin.”

“–john?”

bracing herself, nora takes a sharp inhale swallowing the lump in her throat. “there jist wisnae enough time.” she paused, “he didnae make it aff the drive.”

“i want to see him.”

“naw. michael, look at the state ae ye–“

“he’s family nonie.”

“an whit am i? the village eejit?” she sarcastically jabs, “ah’m no riskin’ loosing you again, aw’right? many bloody time dae ah need tae say it fir it to go through that thick heid ae yours.”

his heart sinks in discontent but michael knew she was right – usually is.

nora lets out a humours snort.

“what you laughing at?”

“heard yer mammy took the fags aff ye?”

“she did, and now that you mention–“

“christ,” she grins, rolling her eyes. “ye can forget it, call it karmic retribution for nicking ma lighter. wis havin’ tae light ma ain fags on a wee candle ‘cause ae you.”

“that’s fair. we both know you’ll cave eventually.”

“aye, ah wouldnae haud yer breath.” she replies as-a-matter-of-fact.

“we’ll get through this won’t we?”

“don’t see how we can’t.” she comforts rubbing her thumb over his bruised knuckles. “but first, there’s a wee boy out there desperate to show ye his christmas presents."

welcome back! this is my rewritten 'kingdom come' as though it was for nora.

i wrote the original on a whim back in 2018? '19? i had no internet for a week as we were changing providers and hadn't written anything that large for a very long time and it was also only the second piece i'd ever written for the fandom. it was the first thing i'd even just written in a year, so writing the reader-insert seemed like the way to go. but, as i got further in i really wanted to have my own spin on the character - which you can see in the original particularly in the phone call with arthur - so nora was born.

i'm going to keep the original up despite having many problems with it but if you want a new and improved experience that still has some overlap, then this has you covered!

#peaky blinders #michael gray #thomas shelby #esme lee #peaky blinders x reader #arthur shelby #ada shelby #oc: nora gray

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