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#aunt polly
lilahisntsadanymore · 5 months
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Engaged to an Italian man and carrying a secret pregnancy, Y/n must decide when and how to reveal the news to her notorious family.
The reader pronouns: she/her
Pairings: the Shelby family x shelby!reader x OC (faceclaim Lorenzo Zurzolo)
Words count: 2.4k
Tw: mentions of death, pregnancy, italian written by me (but there are english translations)
Additional inf.: Y/n's mother, was made up by me as well
«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»
A Shelby Surprise
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Now that the vendetta with Changrettas was over, everyone could take a breath. Finally all the stress was gone and for once the Shelby family wasn't in trouble. They hoped it would stay this way.
The stress was gone, but not for Y/n, Arthur's daughter. What nobody expected coming, she fell in love. What was so unfortunate about this? The man was Italian.
If it happened a few years earlier or a few years later maybe that would have been alright. But not right now when the memory of vendetta was still crystal clear.
The man Y/n fell in love with wasn't a Changretta, but she supposed it wouldn't matter to her family. As long as the vendetta was still a fresh topic, he would be a bad man in their eyes.
As if the problem wasn't big enough, Y/n got pregnant. The man knew about it and wanted to be present in the kid's life, he even proposed to Y/n. But the challange was to tell Y/n's family about it.
So there she was - calling each family member, inviting them for a little 'party'. Y/n had no experience in this stuff, so she considered it the best way, telling everyone at the same time when they're gathered together.
"It'll be fine," Y/n's fiance said, squeezing her hand lightly. "What's the worst that could happen? Will they murder me?" He laughed.
"You really didn't know what you're signing up for when you fucked a Shelby, did you?"
«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»
"Non voglio dirgli della gravidanza,"* Y/n paced around the living room, waiting for the guests to arrive. "What if we only tell them about our engagement?"
*I don't want to tell them about the pregnancy
"Non possiamo, cara mia. La noteranno prima o poi."**
**we can't, my dear. They'll notice it sooner or later.
Right after those words, the sound of knocking filled the room.
Y/n took a deep breath. "Hide upstairs, Nicco. I'll call for you when it's the right time."
The man walked in the direction she instructed as she herself went to open the door.
The Shelby clan. In front of Y/n's doors. Waiting to be let inside. Maybe it wasn't the best idea to tell everyone in the same time.
Despite her running heartbeat, Y/n tried to stay calm as she greeted each person that entered her house.
Something was off when Y/n hugged aunt Polly. The woman eyed her up and down. Did she know? Most likely. She sensed it when Lizzie was pregnant, so why wouldn't she now?
"You probably wonder why we've gathered here today." Y/n spoke, her gesturing more intense than ever. She tried to make her voice sound as light and free of stress as possible, but it was a difficult thing to do due to the anxious feeling in her stomach. Either the stress or the baby inside was making Y/n want to puke right there.
"Yes, we'd love to know." Polly said, a faint smile on her face.
Everyone had their eyes glued to Y/n. Ada watched the girl with worry, as well as Linda who treated Y/n as her own, Polly was fighting the smile from completely ruling on her face, Finn looked extremely confused, Tommy lit up a cigarette.
"Are you in trouble?" Arthur asked eventually.
"Yes and no." That answer didn't clear up anything.
"What do you mean?"
A nervous laugh escaped Y/n's mouth. "Do you remember mum? My mum, your wife, who died many years ago?"
Arthur nodded confusedly. How could he not remember her? He would never forget that amazing woman, who gave him love, hope and a beautiful daughter and then passed away too soon.
"I remember Georgia." Arthur didn't want to talk about her. Years passed and now he had Linda, but the wound caused by his first wife's death was still open.
"Dad, her name was Giorgia. She was Italian, don't try to rewrite that story. The reason why I'm reminding you about it is..." Y/n hesitated fr the last time, "I hope you'll understand my situation."
The times were different back when Arthur and Giorgia were together. Back then, she was just a simple girl who moved to England from Italy and fell in love with a man from Birmingham. There wasn't any vendetta, so their relationship wasn't such a sensitive topic, but nevertheless Y/n hoped her father would understand.
"Can you stop the charade?" Tommy chimed in impatiently.
Y/n nodded. "Niccolò, come here!"
The tall, brownhaired man walked down into the living room. He was dressed in a white shirt, black trousers and elegant black shoes.
"Everyone, this is Niccolò. Niccolò, this is my family."
Everyone eyed the man. Tommy and Arthur were especially suspicious about him.
Niccolò shook hands with each Shelby, taking the time to introduce himself better and get to know everyone.
When the man lastly got to Arthur and Tommy, they refused to shake hands with him, their arms remaining crossed on his chest.
Arthur looked at his daughter. "Why are you introducing him to us?"
"Seriously?" Y/n sighed. "Dad, are you this clueless?"
"Yes, Arthur, are you this clueless?" Polly asked with a full smile on her face now.
Arthur wasn't clueless. He suspected, he knew, but he didn't want it to be the truth.
"Niccolò is my fiance."
The room fell almost silent, if it wasn't for Finn's coughing. He choked on the air and smoke, he was lighting up a cigarette when Y/n broke the news. Finn was her uncle, but they were rather like siblings to each other, because Y/n was even a few years older than Finn.
"He's your what?" Arthur asked.
"Fiance. I'm sorry I haven't told you before, but I was afraid of your reaction."
"An Italian, eh?" Tommy interrogated, shifting his gaze to Niccolò. "Who are your parents? What do they do?"
Y/n added, "O digli il tuo cognome e lo scoprirà entro domani."***
***or say your last name and he'll find it all out by tomorrow
Niccolò smirked and the girl's comment, but then turned back to being serious. "They moved to this country before I was born. My father died in the war, but my mother has a flower shop in London."
"A flower shop?" Arthur raised an eyebrow. "That's interesting."
"I see what you're doing," Y/n said, "Nicco has nothing to do with the Changrettas."
"It's just funny how he appears in your life exactly when-"
"Yes, vendetta, I know. Can we talk in private, dad?"
Arthur and his daughter walked out of the room into a small kitchen. Y/n leaned on the kitchen counter.
"Can you stop?"
"Stop what?" Arthur asked. "I'm just trying to get to know my future son-in-law."
"Can you do it without making it seem like you're looking for a correlation between him and the Changrettas?"
"I don't want him to hurt you. Or any of us. Isn't it any suspicious to you?"
"It's a stupid coincidence!"
Arthur sighed, looking at his daughter with a mixture of concern and skepticism. "Y/n, you know how things are around here. We've been through hell with the Changrettas, and now you bring an Italian man into our lives. You can't expect me not to be cautious."
"I understand, but he's not connected to the Changrettas in any way. I wouldn't put our family in danger like that," Y/n pleaded.
Arthur rubbed his forehead, contemplating the situation. "You could have at least given us a heads up. This is a lot to take in all at once."
He was trying his best to remain calm. The old Arthur would've bursted out of the house a long time ago, but now he was in control of his emotions.
A lot to take at once. Prepare for more, then, Y/n thought.
"I know, dad, but I was scared. Exactly because of that. I'm sorry, but we really do love each other."
"Just promise me, if anything feels wrong, you'll let me know. I don't want you keeping secrets."
"I promise, dad. I won't keep secrets. I want us to be a family, including Niccolò."
Arthur forced a smile. "Alright, let's go back out there. I'll try my best to keep an open mind, for your sake."
Poor Niccolò was left alone with the Shelbys. It was a weight off his shoulders when Y/n was back in the room.
Everyone looked at Arthur curiously. He spoke. "We'll give it a chance. But you," he pointed at Niccolò, "hurt her, and there won't be a place on earth you can hide from us."
Niccolò nodded respectfully. "I understand, sir."
"Can we all just enjoy the evening and celebrate this occasion that is our engagement?" Y/n asked cheerfully.
The atmosphere felt lighter, the family peacefully continued the gathering. Most of them wanted to trust Niccolò and give him a chance.
Arthur and Thomas kept a close eye on Niccolò throughout the night. Their suspicions weren't easy to put to rest, but for Y/n's sake they chose to keep their mouths shut this one time.
After dinner Y/n and Niccolò managed to talk to Finn alone. Y/n decided that the pregnancy would be too much for just one evening and all her fiance could do was accept it. However, they trusted Finn with this information.
"Finn, we have to tell you something." Y/n said after she made sure everyone else is busy.
"Oh no, another big news?" Finn whined. "I don't know if this family can handle more tonight."
"That's why we wanted to talk to you alone," Niccolò pointed out, "it's a secret."
Y/n added, "A secret just for you, Finn. The mission is to keep it until we can tell the others. You understand, soldier?"
"Alright, I guess." Finn agreed with a curious expression on his face. "You didn't kill anybody, did you?"
"No, of course we didn't."
"Quite the opposite," Niccolò added with a chuckle. "Y/n is pregnant."
Finn raised his eyebrow and joked. ""Engaged and having a baby... You didn't waste any time, did you?"
"Proposing is the right action to make once you knock somebody up," Nicco chuckled, "but seriously, it was actually planned."
Y/n giggled, "Life comes at you fast, Finn. Engaged and having a baby. We wanted to share the news with you first."
"Besides it'd be a lot to handle in one evening." Niccolò grinned. "We'll make the announcement in the right time."
Finn shook his head in disbelief, "I can't believe you decided to put so much pressure on me!" He laughed. "Am I supposed to lie to Tommy and Arthur?"
"Like you haven't lied to them before." Y/n pointed out sarcastically. "They aren't going to ask you any questions."
As they headed back to join the family, Finn couldn't help but wear a mischievous grin. The rest of the Shelbys continued their celebration oblivious to the news.
«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»
A few days later, aunt Polly paid a visit to Y/n and Niccolò, surprising the both of them. Despite the surprise, they couldn't not let her inside.
"I need to talk to Y/n," the woman said, "it's a ladies business. Be so kind, Niccolò, and find something to do for the next... half an hour."
Niccolò raised an eyebrow at the request but decided not to push it. "Alright, take your time, ladies." He grabbed his coat, a pack of cigarettes and walked outside.
Polly and Y/n settled into the living room, the air heavy with curiosity. Polly took a moment, eyeing Y/n.
"I know you're hiding something," the woman said, lighting up a cigarette, "and I wanna hear it from you. I'm giving you a chance here."
"Am I hiding anything?" Y/n tried to convinvnce Polly that she was wrong. But she knew the woman has been a little different recently.
Tommy and Michael thought she's starting to go crazy or maybe it's the alcohol that she seemed to be drinking a bit more often, but Polly knew she had been blessed. Blessed with the gift of contacting spirits, predicting certain things.
"Let's start from here. Are you keeping it?"
Y/n's eyes widened. "What are you talking about?"
"I'm not gonna tell your father if you don't want me to. I was in your shoes once. I know a place, we will go there and-"
"Yes, I'm keeping it."
Polly smiled widely. "That's wonderful. Would you like to know if it's a boy or a girl?"
"We want it to be a surprise. Besides I don't think it's safe to do... whatever magic you do on a pregnant woman."
"It's not magic, my dear. You can't read cards or tea leaves for a pregnant woman, but I just sense it's a-"
"A surprise. Please, please, please, I really don't wanna find out yet."
"Alright... and now, why didn't you tell us? Any of us?"
"Wasn't that a little bit too much in too little time?" Y/n scratched the back of her neck nervously. "Didn't wanna add to the chaos."
Y/n decided to not mention the fact that Finn actually knew about it.
Aunt Polly studied Y/n for a moment before nodding approvingly. "Well, love, you've made your bed, now you have to lie in it. But I'm not here to scold you. I just want to make sure you're ready for what's coming."
"I know it won't be easy, but I'm ready. I have a husband, almost. I have a house. We can make it."
"Remember, you also have us. Me and Ada can certainly help you with the baby. I'm sure Linda will also love this new little Shelby."
"The baby isn't going to be a Shelby... I'll go with Nicco's last name."
Polly leaned back, taking a thoughtful drag from her cigarette. "Fair enough. But remember, secrets have a way of coming out, especially in this family. And when they do, it's usually in the most dramatic way possible."
"I'll tell the rest of the family soon... can you come with me to dad and Tommy? I'm a bit scared to tell them..."
"Of course, love. There's nothing you should be afraid of, you're a grown woman. When your mother was your age, you were running barefoot in my backyard."
Y/n smiled at the comment. "Thank you, Aunt Polly. I appreciate your support."
Polly stood up, stubbing out her cigarette. She gave Y/n a hug before heading to the door. "Now, take care of yourself and that little surprise of yours. And let me know when you're ready for me to do whatever 'magic' you think I do."
As Polly left, Y/n couldn't help but be grateful for the unexpected ally in her corner. She suddenly felt much more confident.
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dandelionprints · 7 months
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Peaky Blinders (TV Series) posted this today 12/9/23 on their official facebook.
I’m so excited!!
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demiurgic-aesthetic · 2 months
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Peaky Blinders // aesthetic
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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
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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."
"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.
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.
"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."
Then you walked out.
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.
"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."
John grinned triumphantly.
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.
"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 yours 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 opened the door and he held it open for you. "It's not a no."
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.
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 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."
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."
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.
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.
"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.
"One chance. Then you will leave me alone."
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.
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."
"What are you waiting for, then?" was all that came out of your lips before they met his.
"Fucking finally Tommy, dinner was getting cold," Polly's voice came from the kitchen as you followed him inside the house that night.
"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 your boyfriend. "Don't worry, I'll protect you from them."
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Tags: @one-green-frog
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silentkw · 1 month
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Aunt Polly ✏️
Graphite pencil in my sketchbook
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mindful-of-ideas · 1 year
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A/N: Finn and Polly aren’t in the gif, but they’re there, I promise!
You couldn’t remember the last time you were here. It felt like years since you last saw Birmingham, and even longer since you set foot in the betting shop. You would’ve gone home first, but you knew you had better chances of finding your family here. As you walked down the street, the shop in sight, memories flooded in.
Ever since you were little, you knew you wouldn’t stay here. You were too different, too clever and too kind to ever be a real Peaky Blinder. And well, you were a girl. But that never stopped you from trying your best… and getting up to no good. Growing up, you and Finn, your twin brother, were ruling the neighbourhood. You would do anything to annoy people. Parents were often mad at the both of you, but you still kept doing it. But as you grew up, you started getting a lot of praise from teachers and adults for doing good at school. The only way to get further was to stay in line though. So you kept your mouth shut. Slowly, you drifted away from your family destiny, focusing on your study. With help from your aunt Polly, you managed to get into a college in London and find a safe place to stay. And you had been there ever since. You found a job working as a secretary for one of the researchers to pay for school, which meant working even when the semester was over. But the researcher had fallen ill and you had enough money on the side to allow yourself a visit to your family.
You stepped into the betting shop. And it was empty.
“Well…” you said quietly.
You were about to turn around when you heard muffled voices. That ought to be them. They were probably having a meeting in the parlour. You looked around the room, trying to find a place to sit when someone cleared their throat.
“Who are you?” asked a man, stepping out of the shadow.
“Who are you?” you asked in return.
“I’m not telling you my name until you tell me yours.”
“And I’m not telling you my name until you tell me yours.”
“You think this is funny?”
“You think this is funny?”
This was definitely funny.
“I’m not here to play games with little girls.”
“And you think I am? I was about to step out when a little girl asked me my name,” you replied, looking the man up and down.
Man was a strong word. He was more of a boy pretending to be a man. You hated that type of guys, always thinking they were above everyone when they actually knew nothing about anything.
“No one talks to me like that, you understand!” he said, suddenly walking towards you.
“And who would you be?” you asked, hoping to trick him while he was angry.
“Michael Gray”
Oh shit, was that Polly’s…
“Well, Michael, unlike what you might believe, I am not here to start a fight. So you can just take a step back and a deep breath.”
“The shop is off limits today, what kind of idiot doesn’t know that,” he said, taking a step forward.
“I don’t know, you tell me,” you said, also taking a step forward.
“Are you calling me an idiot?”
Another step.
“I don’t know, you tell me.”
Another step.
“What even is your name?”
Another step.
“I don’t know, you tell me.”
Another step.
“Not this again! You better shut up before things get bad,” he said.
He was close, too close now. Yes, you were a Shelby but if this man was Polly’s son, then chances are he could match you in a fight. He looked you straight in the eyes and with a single finger lifted your chin.
“Are you scared yet, little girl?”
You smiled. The voices in the other room had stopped.
“Are you scared yet, little girl?” you finally replied.
“That’s it!”
He pulled back his fist, ready to punch you and the face. Before he could even reconsider, Tommy grabbed his arm from behind. You dashed between the two and jumped into Finn’s arms.
“Finny!” you said, hugging him tightly.
“Y/N, how did you… when did you…” he tried to ask, hugging you back.
“Well, if it isn’t the child wonder,” said Arthur, putting his hand on your head.
You flashed him a smile before hugging him too.
“Hi,” you mumbled, your face buried in his shoulder.
“What, how… who is that?” asked Michael, his expression a mix of disbelief and disgust.
“Michael, meet Y/N Shelby,” Tommy said, as you made your way over to John.
You hugged him too, but he quickly pushed you back. You and John had always gotten along well, sometimes even more than you and Finn. You knew he was worried that seeing you here meant you had to quit college.
“I’m on break and my boss is ill,” you whispered to him.
“That’s amazing then,” he said, pulling you in for a second hug.
Your aunt then made her way to you hugging you and kissing the top of your head. She knew you were coming, so this wasn’t really a surprise for her.
“How was your trip?” she asked.
“Great, it was him that was the worst part,” you said, pointing at Michael, “No offence.”
“None taken,” she said, smiling at you, “In the future, Michael, don’t hit people.”
“She started it,” he replied.
“He started it,” you said back.
“Alright, stop it!” said Tommy.
All you wanted to do was walk up to him and hug him. It was his turn after all. But his eyes were so cold. He didn’t even smile when he saw you. It’s been so long since you last saw him, how much could he have changed?
“Where’s Ada?” you asked.
“Home,” Tommy replied, looking straight at you.
“Oh…”
“I’m glad to see you Y/N.”
“Are you? You should tell it to your face.”
You gasped, putting both hands on your mouth. You had fucked up. Michael had gotten you all riled up. Being on a break surely didn’t help either. You had fallen back into old habits of pushing people’s buttons until they snapped. But this wasn’t someone you wanted to snap.
“Sorry…” you said, lowering your hands.
Tommy didn’t say anything then suddenly started laughing.
“It’s good to see you Y/N. Seems like things don’t really change, um?” he said, opening his arms to you.
You went in for the hug, still shocked by his reaction.
“It’s good to be home,” you finally said.
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mrsalwayswrite · 2 years
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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
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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. 
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. 
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. 
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)
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camewiththeframe · 7 months
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This moment always moves me. Out of all the life & death matters Tommy has faced that day, it’s his heartbreak that destroys him. It’s such a vulnerable move from him—a man always on his guard, who knows the entrances & exits in whatever room he’s in—to put his head down in such utter anguish & heartache. The weight of his sorrow is so immense, he can’t even look forward to what’s ahead.
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He is bent and bowed by what he has lost: At the beginning of the day, he was looking ahead to a future with Grace; was not one man but part of a couple, part of a happy future he never thought he’d have.
It’s bigger than Grace “betraying” him – Tommy has been betrayed before by loved ones. He could forgive her for that – once again, he’s forgiven loved ones before. It’s the fact that Tommy, for the first time in a long time, allowed himself to be vulnerable, to be intimate. To dare to dream there was more to life than his gangster ways. Grace told him she loved him. But suddenly, none of that seems like enough. The fact that even Grace was ensnared in the dark goings-on in Small Heath must’ve made him feel like nothing was sacred anymore, that nothing good in his life is impervious to being corrupted…
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The fact that two years later, he still unable to lift his head when thinking of Grace says so much. The loss is still so fresh & weighs upon him so heavy.  The loss of life could’ve been. And it’s not that he doesn’t trust women…it’s that he doesn’t trust himself. To love again. To trust again. To dream of happiness again.
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For Tommy, it’s easiest to forget it all ever happened. But even if he can’t do that. He could never forget about Grace…
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Gifs @timothechallamet @nat111love @thomasshelbyltd
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ardentfan-45 · 7 months
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Aunt Polly Quotes 👏🙌
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theshelbyclan · 2 years
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Cursed
Summary: After Grace’s death, Tommy is still mourning his wife. And when he sees his baby sister wearing her old things, before he can stop himself, he snaps.
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(gif by @nofckingfighting​)
A/N: As some of you know, my entire inbox was cleared a while ago (damn you Tumblr!), so I lost most of my messages. Luckily, I saved some of my requests and a few have popped up again, like this one! I’m so sorry you had to wait for this one for so long, sweet anon, but thank you so much for requesting: Can I request a Shelby sis imagine. Maybe Tommy catches her wearing some of graces earrings or a dress of hers and he get SO angry and she feels so guilty. Maybe Polly or graces ghost has to remind him that she didn't mean any harm. Shelby sis would be like late teens? Early twenties? This is set around season 4 and Shelby sis is sixteen in this one. Hope you like it! Words: 2541 ***
Silently, you tiptoed around the house. You’d been living in Arrow House for a few years now, but still you felt like an intruder somehow. Ada used to say you all looked like you’d snuck in through the window, hiding in those big fancy rooms, that were simply too grand for the likes of you Shelby’s. But you liked to pretend that you really were trespassing. That you were a thief in the night, ready to steal some jewelry and riches. That you were just a maid, secretly trying on milady’s clothes. And even though you were sixteen already, you still liked to play pretend.
Tommy had given you an entire set of rooms, all to yourself. There was your bedroom of course, but also a boudoir, a sitting room and a small, personal library. Little did he know that most nights you silently walked over to the nursery, where little Charlie couldn’t sleep for the quiet either, and with your nephew in your arms, the two of you finally managed to sleep soundly. The entire house felt just a little too big and you could wander for days. You often did. But there was one set of rooms where you weren’t allowed to enter.
Grace’s old rooms were forbidden. This rule applied to you, the maids and even to Charlie. These rooms were to be left alone, they weren’t to be cleaned and no one was allowed to even open the doors. It was like Tommy wanted to trap her ghost inside and he was scared that if someone would even open a window, he’d lose Grace all over again. Naturally, this was where you were headed.
Without making a sound, you lowered the handle to her boudoir and peeked around the door. A part of you was always afraid you’d find Tommy inside, even though you knew he never went there himself. Then you slid inside the room, that still smelled of her, like sickly sweet roses and beauty powders. The dust floated around in the sunlight and for a moment you stood still, waiting. No ghost came to visit you. A few moments later, you plucked up the courage and opened her closets. Inside it you found a beautiful green dress, which you tried on at once. You had never considered yourself beautiful, you were far too dark for that, but this dress almost did the trick. With a small giggle to yourself, you spun around the room, posing in front of the large mirror. Then you took out an exquisite mink scarf and draped it around your neck. In the mirror, a fancy lady looked back at you. You frowned and told yourself, your much younger self, to behave and use a knife when you eat, in a fake strict voice. Patting your clothes, you walked over to Grace’s vanity. There you found her priceless necklaces, all stolen by Tommy, her rich bracelets and posh trinkets. A pair of earrings caught your eye. As you tried them on, the green stones hanging from your ears erupted with fire as they danced in the afternoon sun. And you disappeared into yet another adventure of your daydreams… Suddenly, a bang sounded through the house. At once, you spun around with only one thought in your mind: Tommy’s home early. In seconds, you’d taken off the dress, thrown off the scarf and put them back in the closet, making sure nothing appeared to be touched. In a flash, you were back in your own clothes and you even managed to put back the furniture just as it had been. Nothing seemed touched. Heart beating in your throat, you closed the door again, hardly daring to breathe. “Tommy, you’re back!” you greeted him cheerfully, when he walked into the library, where you had positioned yourself with one of your favourite books. It looked like you’d been there for hours. “Yes,” he sighed, “I’m back.” It was clear the day hadn’t gone as he’d hoped, which made you even more nervous. Still, there was a lot to preoccupy him. Apparently, gangsters from New York were now after you Shelby’s as well, which was frankly all you needed. “What’re you reading?” he did manage to ask you. There was much to be said about Thomas Shelby, but he did love his baby sister. “The same one,” you smiled, “Always, the same one.” He lit a cigarette and nodded, “You better remember to take it with you then, eh?” “Take it where?” “Y/N,” he sighed yet another deep sigh, “we might have to leave this house for a while.” “Why?” you looked up, “we can’t just leave. It’s almost Christmas!” He waved a hand, “This thing with the Italians…” “Oh right, that thing with the Italians.” “Yes.” “That thing you told me about?” Tommy frowned, “Did I?” “No,” you smiled your most charming smile, “but Ada phoned me the other day and told me all about it.” “Of course she did,” and your brother nearly smiled as well.
A sudden gush of wind made one of the windows in the house slam shut. Startled, you turned your head, and as you did, your earrings sparkled like fireworks going off.
You noticed Tommy noticing at once. Immediately, you winced, like that would stop the jewelry from attracting attention. But, of course, it didn’t.
“Tommy…” you started, when his icy blue eyes staring at them started to make you feel nervous. But he interrupted your excuses before you could even start them, “What the fuck is that?” The words were stuck in your throat.
“Did you go in there?” Tommy asked in a low, soft voice, which frightened you even more somehow. And suddenly he shouted, “Did you fucking go in there when you know I want it to be left undisturbed, Y/N?” “I did,” you confessed in a small voice, “I’m so sorry, Tommy…” He nodded and stared at the floor for a moment, “And now you’re wearing her earrings, yes?” I wasn’t a question, not really. “Give them to me.” Tommy Shelby had never looked more menacing. At once, you took them off and handed it over to him. Seconds later, and without any warning, he slapped you hard across the face, his hand quivering slightly and his features stone. Then he pointed at you, “Never, ever disobey me again.” After he’d left the room, you didn’t move for a long time. Minutes and minutes passed, before you slowly started sobbing and you hid your face in pain and shame.
*** A week had gone by and you kept reliving those moments with your big brother. His white-hot anger, him lashing out and the hours that followed. That night, all of you left Arrow House and moved back to Small Heath. Tommy didn’t even tell you, but made Frances do it, and Charlie slept in your lap, because his father had refused to explain. He hadn’t spoken to you once since the incident. And even though you were happy to be back in Watery Lane, back home, it felt like you were being punished still. “Y/N,” a small voice from very far away called, “Y/N! Look, I’ve got daddy’s old horse!” You looked up and shook off your deep thoughts, and saw Charlie holding up a wooden figure. And you remembered how Tommy used to play with you, telling you stories of how he was going to buy a horse just like that and race her. He’d make them all rich, he used to joke, and he’d buy you a horse, a real one! But now it’d happened, and it wasn’t at all as great as you’d hoped back then.
“Look, Y/N,” Charlie urged, “I’ll sell her for three shillings, won’t I?” “Charlie,” a warm firm voice came from the doorway, “Leave your aunt for a minute. She’s tired, alright?” And Charlie promptly left the room, taking his horse with him of course. You smiled a little, “Still can’t get used to being called ‘aunt’.” “Neither could I,” Aunt Polly said, “My nephews aren’t that much older than me…” “Yeah, but you’re so much like an aunt, you know?” you thought out loud, “I mean, everyone who knows you thinks of you as Aunt Polly. How could you ever be anything else then our Aunt Polly?” She laughed, “You know perfectly well my darling that I am Mrs. Shelby, and Mrs. Shelby only, to all those fucking bastards out there.” “You’ll always be my Aunt Pol.” “I am,” and she took the chair opposite you, resolutely, “so speak. Tell me what’s wrong, and don’t lie to me.”
You hadn’t thought about lying for a second, not to Aunt Pol, “I think I fucked up.” “Language,” she warned, “Fucked up how?” “With Tommy…” You told her the whole story and managed to the end without actually crying. It felt good to get it off your chest, even if your aunt could do nothing to help. “I see,” she said, after you’d finished. “Do you?” “Let me deal with Thomas, I think I know what’s going on.” “So do I,” you replied bleakly, “he hates me.” “He really doesn’t, sweetheart, he’s just a wild Romani boy.” You stared at her, gaze full of questions. “Do you remember what he did after Grace died?” You shrugged, “He left. Camped out I guess.” “Yes, he simply up and left for a few days. Weeks later he told me where he’d been. See, he’d taken the necklace, the blue sapphire one, to see a woman up in Wales. Because in Tommy’s mind, it wasn’t his fault…” “…if they jewel was cursed,” you finished her sentence for her. You know Tommy better than most people did, so it suddenly all started to make sense. “Exactly,” Aunt Polly confirmed, “so we can only guess at what his superstitious mind has come up with now.” “It’s not, though, is it,” you said, “it’s not all superstition.” “No, it’s not.”
The two of you were silent, and then, “But, Aunt Polly, he slapped me.” And for a moment, anger flashed through her eyes. Then she said in a comforting voice, leaning over to put a hand on your leg, “Let me talk to him. Let me fix this.” And, of course, you did. ***
As the days went on, you became more and more certain that your brother would never speak to you again. In your mind, the scenarios became more and more bleak, and loneliness crept into your bones. Every free moment, you thought about curses and you had managed to convince yourself that misfortune seemed to follow this family everywhere. The Italians hardly even mattered to you, not when more important things were on your mind. Even Aunt Polly had stopped mentioning the incident, which must mean things were really hopeless.
Of course, you had no idea that Aunt Polly had gone to find Tommy with every intention of setting her nephew straight. You weren’t aware that she’d found him in a church, of all places, and had beaten him like he was still a little boy, for slapping his baby sister. You didn’t know that she’d demanded he’d apologize and told him that losing you would mean he would lose the one person who would love him no matter what. You weren’t there when Polly eventually softened and whispered to her broken nephew that curses didn’t last and the necklace had no power anymore, nor did any of the other jewels. You didn’t witness her stroking his head as he let it fall in despair and telling him you’d be safe, and that he could stop being scared now, because he wouldn’t lose anyone else. Somewhere, without you knowing, Aunt Polly was still holding onto him, comforting and loving him, and teaching him how to trust again. So when he suddenly stood in front of you, you jumped, both in confusion and fear.
“Sit down, Y/N,” Tommy said gently, “we need to talk.” Numb, you sat back down. “I fucked up…” he started. Purely out of habit, you mumbled, “Language…” And when Tommy smirked a little, you felt the first bit of the burden dropped from you. “I hurt you and I had no right. But, Y/N, the thing is, I was scared, alright?” he started explaining, waving his hands around frantically, like he was desperate for you to understand, “I was scared and when I get scared, I react badly. Those earrings, they were…wrong.” “You thought they were cursed,” you added. “I did,” he nodded, “I fucking did, and you know what? Maybe they fucking were, because they made me hurt my little sister, and there’s no excuse for that.” Warmth spread through you, and when Tommy finally asked, “Am I forgiven?” He already was. Silently, you sat together and when he offered you a cigarette, you smoked together, without saying a word. After a long time, you said, “It is true, though, Tommy, isn’t it? Curses are real?” “Yes,” he sighed, “They are. I wish I could tell you they’re just something that we create out of fear, but I’d be lying.” You frowned, thinking, “Aunt Polly told me a curse and a promise is the same thing. Words, creating or destroying realities.” “She’s right, Y/N.” You looked up, “So I brought it on us. I went into her room and took the earrings and they were cursed. That’s why all of this is happening with the Italians. And if that’s true, I ruined everything, and you were right to get angry. ”
“Y/N, listen to me,” your brother took your hand, “I was scared, yes, but not because you wore the earrings. When I saw you, I thought of the night Grace died. She took a bullet, Y/N,” his voice trembled a little, “A fucking bullet meant for me. The woman in Wales didn’t tell me, but it wasn’t the necklace, it wasn’t even the stone. It was me.” You had never seen your brother like this. When he was conducting business, he seemed powerful. When at home, he often looked sad, busy most of the time, deeply preoccupied. And when you were little, he was playful and fun even. But you’d never really seen him this vulnerable.
“You really think so?” you questioned, “you think you’re cursed?” “They all die, Y/N.” “Not me,” you promptly said, “Or did you think that?” “When I saw you wearing those earrings, yes.” “Well, I’m not,” and you raised your head in a defiant manner. Tommy smiled, “You used to do that when you were little. And we all knew you were going to say ‘no’ to something.” Your eyes met and you shared something only siblings share. Eventually you offered, “You need a hug, Tommy?” “Nope,” he said, “I’m more than happy with my cigarette.” But you persisted, “I think you need a hug.” And you walked over to him and sort of climbed on top of him while hugging him close. You felt him tense up; he wasn’t used to hugs and, truth be told, it wasn’t really something the Shelby’s did often. “See,” you whispered gently, “no curse. You can relax now. I’m not going anywhere. I’ve broken the curse. You’re safe now.” And finally, he softened. *** Masterlist
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forevercillianmurphy · 7 months
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im sorry, tommy shelby.
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- warnings: death, swearing, violence.
- word count: 3.7k
- my own timeline since I haven’t watched past season 2 lol
- Tommy x oc sister !
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rebecca was born on a cloudy day some December 1902, twelve years after the head of the family; thomas shelby was born. ever since that day (and finn's birth) he promised not only himself but his family that he'd take care of them. they were the most important thing in his life, and after the war that never changed. though, it grew harder with the night terrors and feeling as if the two had a bounty on their heads every time they stepped out into good ole birmingham. though, the family never once made it seem that way. the two younglings thought nothing much of it really, thinking that that was how everybody else lived. always having people following them around for protection especially if arthur, john or tommy could not be there. so when rebecca turned 20 in 1922, she did not understand why she couldn't come 'out' to society, like everybody else her age. she did not realize how dangerous it was. because again, her and finn had lived in a bubble; something that polly made sure of.
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the very night she returned home from school that spring, rebecca was fuming, teeth seething and hair falling out of her braided bun, "why on earth can i not take part in the event tom! how else am i supposed to be seen as an adult and not a child?" she demanded, hands on her hips. tommy had watched his youngest sister scream and shout, pull at her hair for the better part of the hour. once she had realized her name wasn't on the list of the debutant ball, she quickly came home to give a piece of her mind to the head of the family. he said nothing, just watching. she stopped her frantic movements, turned back towards tom and shrugged. she was simply giving up, something that she never did. because she was a shelby, fighting till the very last second. tom saw the defeatedness wash over her like a waterfall, and then saw the tears forming in her eyes. oh how he hated to see her or finn cry, especially at the expense of him. she shook her head, knowing he was about to stand up or say something, and she put her hand up. "you don't want me out there, fine. but just know that i will resent you for the rest of my life as i go leave for university this upcoming fall." she paused beginning to walk out. she took one last look at him, "and just know that i wont come back to this shitty hell hole." and with that she left. tom sat there for a few minutes finishing his whisky and freshly lit cigarette. he sighed, looking up at the ceiling knowing that polly was going to be giving him an earful right about - now.
"thomas michael shelby, what the hell is wrong with you?" she quipped, slamming his office door and shaking his now iced glass. "pol-" she cut him off, "don't poll me, boy." she stated promptly and he knew to shut up. "your sister is this close, this close!" she said emphasizing with her fingers. "to slipping away, and do you really want that? really want that boy?" she seethed, "i don't care what you have to say thomas but she is going to that ball whether you like it or not." she said standing her ground, and he knew it was golden. one to be left untouched. he sighed, "but its dangerous." he stated and she shook her head. "if its so dangerous, find a way to make it not dangerous! you have this whole empire, use it for something good." she stated before walking out. tommy rubbed his eyes, before standing up to go speak to arthur and john, who no doubt would be at the garrison. he knew deep down, he had to let rebecca do this and if he didn't he no longer would have a sister.
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rebecca brushed her hair as finn her little brother by 7 years, went on and on about his day at school. she giggled at naiveness and plain stupidness him and his little friends possessed. yet she adored it, and how they still saw life in the most purest form. rebecca on the other hand, her world slowly began cracking a year ago. she accidently walked into the garrison during a 'family meeting' that was in the back and therefore they hadn't heard her. then as they believed her to be sleeping, she heard more speaking and whispers late one night. the world she once saw was not what she saw now. she realized how dark, cruel and unforgiving it could be. so it came to no surprise when her name was not on the damn list but a huge part of her wish it had been. she wanted to be like every other university girl in this town, but she was afraid she'd never be. "alright fi, time to get to bed." she smiled turning around in her vanity chair. fi was a little nickname she gave to him one cold night during the war and it had stuck between the two since. "i don't want to." he huffed, crossing his arms. "you have to, it is quite late. don't let our big scary brother find out i let you stay up past your bedtime." she grinned, running over and tickling him. finn's laugh filled up the room, alerting the whole house he was still awake. francis smiled as she tidied up the kitchen. tommy stirred in his cat nap, feeling a ginormous headache coming on. but as he listened to the laughter and shrieks coming from upstairs his heart softened. his cold and locked heart, always swelled just a bit more when he heard finn's laugh. a contagious one at that.
rebecca shooed the boy after a minute, and wrapped her arms around the almost 13 year old boy. "i cant believe you're going to be 13 in a few days." she hummed, and he started to squirm in her arms. "oi don't become a teenager just yet." she giggled, and he stopped fidgeting. the two sat on her bed for a few minutes more before deciding it was time to get him to bed, "come on love, time to go to sleep." she said letting him get off of her lap. he yawned, and she grinned knowing full well he'd been trying to hide his exhaustion so the two could stay up just a bit more to talk. rebecca was truly all finn knew, he was only 8 when the boys went off to war and when they came back it was a shell of what they had been. rebecca cared for him like he was her own for as long as she could remember. just as tommy thought of her and finn as his own, sometimes. "come on." she whispered, taking ahold of his hand and walking towards the conjoined rooms that were separated by a thin wall and door.
tommy heard from his office the fight that finn was putting up and then it stopped, and he smiled softly knowing his exhaustion finally won. he'd always have trouble getting finn to sleep especially when everybody was over but rebecca - becs - always had a way with him. she was soft, kind, heart warming and gave the best hugs in the world. oh, and a cookie here and there. he looked at the grandfather clock in his office and decided it was late enough, and that he'd finish everything in the morning. he slowly walked upstairs, saying goodnight to francis and he stopped without knowing in front of rebecca's door. he heard her mingling about, getting ready for the next morning and trying to find her one book she'd hid without realizing. he knocked softly on her door, and she knew who it was. she walked over to her door, and opened it to reveal and tired and somewhat bothered tom shelby. she rolled her eyes, and walked towards her bed. he took that as a cue to walk in, and she faced him once she sat on her bed. she sat pretzel style, waiting for him to speak.
"becs, there are things-" she cut him off, "cut the bullshit tom. i don't want excuses." she said coldly and his eyebrows knit together in confusion and then in understanding. "you know?" he asked almost in disbelief and she rolled her eyes again, nodding. "when?" he asked, trying to figure out when she'd heard things. "the garrison last September, right before university started. then again over winter break, here at the house. and then last week when i woke up from a nap." she explained and he stood there processing it. "i know you've tried to keep me and finn safe but tommy." she paused, and he looked up at the nickname. "you cant keep my cooped up here forever. i cant live like this nor will you be able to when I've turned this house upside down." she said a bit lightheartedly. he grinned, "its not like you haven't don't that already." and she smirked. "i am the only female in this bloodline, it was to be expected." she smiled, a genuine smile. "and the only blonde and blue eyed one." he said and she pointed at him, in agreement. he looked down, and thoughts plagued his mind. "tommy...i need to do this. you need to let me do this, i cant stay in birmingham forever. i want a life outside of this place, i dream of faraway places. i dream of chicago or los angeles, i dream of a air so clean it hurts. i dream of a place where i don't fear to step out of my house, where i can be who i want to be, wild and free." she paused as tommy looked up. "i want the fairytales mum used to say and the one's aunt pol spoke about...i want my prince charming far, far away from here. you-you need to let me go tommy. or ill never escape this thing- this place." she said saying the words he'd longed to hear. just not the america part.
"okay." he simply stated, her eyebrows knitting together in confusion. "ok-ay?" she questioned, and he nodded. "okay." he repeated. she felt her heart flutter and butterflies grow with excitement. she jumped off the bed, and threw her arms around the usually stone cold brother. he froze for a second before chuckling, and wrapped his arms around his baby sister. "thankyou thankyou." she said genuinely, feeling as if she was on top of the world. until she wouldn't be.
˚ · .·˚
rebecca walked down the stairs to find michael and aunt polly waiting for her, at the bottom. because her brothers were out of the age frame, it was determined that michael would 'send her off' and accompany her that evening. she smiled at michael who truly was her brother, as the two had stuck with one another during the war. and being so close with aunt polly, cemented it further. finn shouted from the top steps as michael was about to walk out with her. "becca wait!" he screamed, and she turned around to see her kid brother rushing to hand her a single rose. she knew exactly where he got it from, mrs.hanovers front garden two blocks over. "oh bubba, thankyou." she smiled hugging him. "i hope you have a good time tonight, and break a lot of hearts." he joked and she giggled nodding. "i love you, don't forget that." finn said pulling her in one last time. she smiled, "i love you too fi." she said before kissing his cheek and michael retook her arm. he hooked his other arm on pollys and the three left finn with franics.
the shelby boys and their partners were already at the grand hall, polly walking in shortly before rebecca and michael would walk in after being announced. he looked down at his cousin who practically was his sister at this point, and he saw the nerves beginning to seep over. she could not shake the feeling of dread, and one of fear. she had woken up during the night in a terror, finn quickly running over to check on her. he'd found her in a cold sweat, heart and mind racing. he held her as she shook, not understanding what her mind was fighting. thoughts so unfathomable for her, and one's that would not be dared to be spoken. michael rubbed her arm, and that comforted the blonde. "thankyou michael again, for doing this." she smiled up at her younger cousin - by only a year he liked to joke. he nodded kissing her temple, and she held on tightly to the rose finn had given her.
polly on the other side of the curtain found the boys and their partners, nodding to tommy who stood just a little taller. grace at his side, smiled softly knowing polly had settled his nerves just a bit. the crowd turned their attention toward the debutants and their partners. the crowd gushed, oohed and ahhed over the affair. it was now rebecca's turn, and she felt butterflies flooding her body. michael winked at her and then they walked out. rebecca's champagne-colored dress dazzled the crowd, her blue stone necklace glinting just a tiny bit in the light. rebecca amelia shelby, the girl who shall not be named was finally being seen by many. the shelby girl kept in the shadows for most of her life, raised by her kid brother and so called addicted aunt, had barely seen the light of day for school. let alone, the slum of birmingham. she smiled widely as the crowd clapped for her like they did for every other young lady tonight. michael walked her over towards the family as he had spotted them rather quickly, while rebecca was lost in her own world. they turned towards the family, as the crowd murmured about the young girl. she would not be forgotten, not now and not ever.
they walked up to the group and john quickly hugged rebecca, then arthur and then tommy who only nodded at her. oh for the love of appearances, rebecca silently cursed. aunt polly gushed about her dress and entrance, to which grace and esme agreed. rebecca thanked the women and turned around to look at the two debutants who had just been introduced. she politely clapped, and quickly found her best friend, olivia who Michael had become quite fond of. "please excuse me." rebecca said to the group before walking over to her and brother. "if it isn't miss beauty-" olivia started, "miss grace-" rebecca giggled. the two had recently become quite fond over america and the idea of the west, and what it could possess. their interest peaked when they saw there was a miss america pagenet and olivia was smitten. "miss united states." olivia whispered the last part causing rebecca to laugh loudly. "so did you tell him?" olivia questioned, eyeing tommy who was also eyeing the two. rebecca shrugged, "you didn't tell him?" olivia eyes went wide. rebecca shook her head, "its not like you haven't talked about since the very day you turned 18 and we were roommates." olivia said as a matter of factly. rebecca sighed, "its not that easy you know him, you know them. they'll never let me go. besides i told him about it awhile ago but i know he hates the idea of me in chicago or los angeles without them." rebecca stated and olivia rolled her eyes. "if i didn't love you as much as a sister, i'd march right up to him and go ballistic. y'know that?" olivia smirked and rebecca nodded. she'd been keeping her best friend at bay for months now.
"besides i just got archie to come with us when we do hit the west." olivia said cheekily and rebecca's eyes went wide. it was true, rebecca was smitten the older boy of two years. she had been for years, and olivia loved to tease her about it. "he's going?" rebecca in a whisper and olivia nodded, "he said he couldn't let his little sister fend for herself without him." and rebecca laughed loudly and boldly at this. arthur and john looked over along with tommy who'd been eyeing her the whole conversation. "see shes having a great time, tommy boy." arthur said clapping a hand on his shoulder. to which, tommy shoved off.
"maybe ill have to get michael to come with or at least visit us until you see how madly in love he is with you." rebecca giggled like a little girl. "rebecca amelia." olivia prompted, and rebecca clicked her tongue. "you twisted girl." olivia said sipping her champagne fluke, and archie gave one to rebecca. she smiled at him and thanked the hazel eyed boy who smiled back at her. "whos the rose from?" olivia asked and rebecca smiled, "finn." she said and olivia gushed. "that's so cute where'd he steal it from?" she teased and rebecca laughed. "mrs hanouver two blocks east." and olivia gasped, "that little grifter." olivia said about finn, and rebecca rolled her eyes. she looked back to see her family dispersing just a bit, while tommy and grace stood in the same place talking to another older couple. "i should head back, but i will see you later...at the after party?" she whispered the last part, and olivia smirked. "don't you know it." she smirked, and then rebecca turned towards archie. "as always it is a pleasure." he smiled, taking her hand in his and kissing it. her cheeks turned crimson and she let it fall to her side before turning around and walking towards tommy and grace. he turned towards her, as she walked up to them. he stopped the conversation short, and grace went to go find polly. tommy gave his sister his full attention, and she smiled. "see? that wasn't so bad." she teased, taking his outstretched arm. he chuckled, knowing that the threat of life was not over and done for the evening.
"so what do you think of the idea of a trip out west this winter?" she said gaging his response. "i heard al capone is a great guy." she teased and he chuckled briefly. he'd been in contact with guys in new york and new jersey and knew just how great of a guy he was. somebody just like tommy but even worse. "tell me why you know who capone is?" he questioned softly and she shrugged, and tommy rolled his eyes now. "oi! don't be rolling your eyes at me." she playfully joked and tommy could not help but crack a little bit more. he just laughed, as the crowd began to disperse into the bigger ballroom to have dinner and have some dancing. tommy and rebecca stood their for a brief moment, looking at one another. he pulled a piece of stray blonde hair behind her ear and questioned softly, "when did you grow up?" and she blushed. "i did a long time ago tommy..you just didn't want to notice." she smiled softly. despite all of the rules and regulations he imposed on her once he came back from the war, she wouldn't have had it any other way. the amount of nights in she received with finn from tommy, and her brothers were ones she was going to cherish. "tommy." she said just as he was about to take another step towards the grander ballroom. he looked back and saw nerves and anxiety plagueing her features. he tried searching her eyes but came up short, "i wanted to let you know that i wasn't joking when i was talking about going west." she began and he felt her slipping, slipping from his fingers. "i am going west once i graduate this spring, olivia and i will be going together." she said not sure of his response. but she never got it. as soon as tommy opened his mouth, he looked forward and saw the commotion that he had worried about. an italian mobster outstretched his hand with a silver weapon, pointing it at tommy. for it to only hit rebecca instead as arthur pushed him over.
chaos rose throughout the hall, as tommy screamed. rebecca fell in his arms as he had tried to push her back behind him. her champagne dress now crimson red. she looked up at tommy, as he cradled her in his arms. she could not hear a thing, as she looked up at him. as he yelled for an ambulance, for somebody to help. she pulled his face to look towards her's, eyes swelling with tears in her blue eyes. she knew these were her last moments, and she did not want them to be filled with the ceiling but on somebody she loved. could of been arthur, michael, finn- anybody. her hand finally unclutched the single rose as polly kneeled down. "i'm sorry, i'm so sorry!" tommy cried looking down at rebecca. he cried, as she was losing her grasp on this world. arthur was the first one to look back at his sister, then john and then michael. it was as if time was frozen, as the four men in her life watched her breathing her last few breathes. "im sorry." tommy whispered again, words spitting with salty tears. rebecca shook her head, "you did-did everything you thought was right. i-i-i could never fault you for that tommy." she said slowly and brokenly. "i love you so much, tommy." she cried out, and that made tommy cry even harder. "i love you too, blondie." he sobbed. arthur fell to his knees, as rebecca slowly took one last breathe; fighting gravity as her chest weighed down. once tommy realized she'd stop breathing, he lost it. his sister was not supposed to leave this world at the hands of his doings. she was supposed to live a long beautiful life somewhere far away from here, with her two kids, dog and husband she'd long to have. she was supposed to get out of this place and never look back. she was never meant to have her demise be here in birmingham.
tommy cluthed his sister's lifeless body as his world was breaking. polly clung to michael who'd now kneeled beside her. arthur sobbed face down and john grabbed ahold of olivia as she tried to see where her best friend was.
rebecca amelia shelby, the long lost daughter of the shelby clan, the one who shall not be named would be named forever in this town of birmingham.
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oh my goodness!!!!! i hope you all enjoyed, and if you did so please like, comment and repost-- i will love u forever xx
also not me playing the titanic suite medley and crying at the end lol
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liar-or-lawyer · 1 year
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let things break you wide open,
that's where the golden light is.
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bindhausen · 7 months
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look-at-the-soul · 2 years
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All we’d ever need- Tommy Shelby x reader (master list)
Summary:  You are Polly’s goddaughter, met Tommy when you moved in with your godmother. After Grace left, when he was broken, in a shell, moved by the pain… until he started noticing you. Then in a serious relationship some unexpected news will shake their worlds a little.
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Thanks to an amazing idea @lyarr24 had (like all of your ideas are!!) 💕🤗🙌🏻🌻
But I couldn’t fit it into a one shot, it would feel too rushed, but it’s perfect for a mini series. I can’t wait for you guys to read it. I still need to figure out the title…
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Epilogue
Completed 08.12
Here’s a little teaser:
Y/N took Polly’s hands in hers, suddenly the memories when she was nine years old hit back when Polly let her play dress up with her handbags, hats and necklaces. “I met Tommy thanks to you, remember? There’s no pearl or precious stone in the world to give you back what you gave me.”
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If you want to be tagged let me know 🤗
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crowleying · 1 year
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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.
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
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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.
"Good. See you tomorrow."
"Everything clear?"
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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peakyblinded · 2 years
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POLLY GRAY for @youremyvioleta
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