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saintsir4n · 7 months

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WARNINGS: MENTIONS OF WAR

1914

"YOU'VE got a what?" Finn asked, the expecting couple.

Isaiah's gasped, "In where?"

Days had passed since the celebratory drink in honour of another Shelby baby and the boys were still confused about all of it, so Tommy and Eden pulled them aside from their learnings to explain as much as possible, considering he and his brothers would be leaving in very soon.

"How is a baby in there?" Isaiah turned to his best friend.

"Sex," Finn answered, despite not knowing what he was saying.

The couple looks at each other in shock watching the two interact.

"How does he..." Eden was too stunned so Tommy took over.

"Boys, Eden's got a baby in her tummy, just like Martha did –"

"-- she might again," Eden mumbled, luckily only Tommy heard but she gave him an 'I'll tell you later' look and he continued.

"The baby will come when I'm not here, so you two need to be on your best behaviour," Tommy instructed, leaning down as they stared up at him with their innocent faces, "no messin' around, no gettin' on her nerves, just be good, alright?"

His words went straight over their heads, "Does that mean I still get sweets?" Finn asked no one in particular.

Tommy pinched the bridge of his nose, "Finn you've been told you're gonna be an uncle for the second time and you're worrying about sweets."

The Shelby boy awaited an answer.

"Yes, you'll get sweets Finny and another niece," Eden reassured him.

His brows pinched together, "What's that?"

Finn understood that he was an uncle but nothing more than that.

"Is it a girl?" Isaiah questioned, folding his arms, when he received a nod, the boys exchanged grimaces, "Ewww."

Immediately they ran off and went back to their books, leaving the couple alone.

"What the fuck?" Eden blinked rapidly.

Tommy took her hand, before palming her stomach once again.

"Now that's done, let's go," he said, nodding to the basket on the floor.

"But what's up with 'em?"

"Fuck knows."

Two days, the lads were leaving in two days. Tommy's heart hammered in his chest at the thought, nevertheless, he promised Eden a perfect day, filled with chocolate slices, sandwiches and a flask of tea. She wore the sweetest frock she could dig out of her closet, it was cheery red, matching the colour of her lips. He adorned a crease-free shirt which was concealed by his favourite navy blue jumper, his shoes were polished, and the gifted horseshoe and box were in his slacks.

Despite not carrying his gun with him, he decided the blades in his cap would suffice and along with the knife he knew that clung to Eden's thigh, they would be safe.

They rode Shadow once again, this time Eden was much more relaxed and free, the light wind combed through Tommy's hair and luckily didn't move a strand of hers, being that she styled it into a low bun.

After tying the horse to a nearby tree, they found the spot overlooked the city, allowing them to spread out the blanket and sit down, basking in the heat.

The sun felt like hot kisses against Eden's skin, leaving her with tints of amber, drawing Tommy's attention as he pulled out all the food he'd spent making up that morning. She was everything he dreamt of and more, the very thing that he yearned for in both body and spirit, she challenged him in ways he hated to love and often drove him to madness, but brought him back with only the right sequence of words. Eden bloody Dawkins, she was his home.

"What?" she felt his stare.

Tommy simply cocked his head to the side, raising his brow at her as a smile tugged at his lips.

"Aren't I simply a dream Tom?" she teased, winking at the man.

"That you are my love."

Eden bashfully laughed at his response and started to dig into the spread, she carved anything and everything, the previous night she'd woken up Tommy so he could make her some rose tea, he didn't have a clue of what she was on about and cautiously told his aunt about it. Polly wasn't pleased with being pulled out of her slumber but aided him anyway.

"How's the little one treatin' ya?" he gently palmed the slight swell of her stomach.

"Can't feel much, bumps don't show properly for another two months," when you're away, she wanted to add, but decided not to, "nausea's died down for now."

"Can see that," he nodded to a half-eaten sandwich in her hand, making her snort.

"And you can say it's a girl, Tom unless you don't believe your aunt," she gave him a pointed look.

"I believe her, things might change, just being realistic."

"'Cause you want a boy?"

"Did I say that?" his hand didn't leave her stomach as he picked up the flask.

"Y'know she's a girl, so you're not havin' a peaky blinder," she narrowed her eyes at him, "but by the grace of god, we have a boy he ain't becomin' a blinder Thomas alright? Promise me." he shrugged, making her hit his forehead, "You promised a perfect day so promise me."

He nodded after gulping down some tea, "Alright, I promise... if it's a boy he ain't becoming a blinder," he paused, "I'll make sure he goes to London and becomes one of those established toffs."

She scrunched up her face, "Ugh, I think I'd prefer a blinder."

They both started to laugh, but in truth wanted a bright future for their child, their children, not wanting them to be subjected to the same misfortunes they inherited, but it was a lot to ask for, let alone dream about. Money could change a lot, but it couldn't change blood.

"You thought of any names?" she asked, as he rested his head in her lap.

His eyes fluttered shut, "A few."

She gently patted him, "Spill."

He inhaled sharply, "It's a lot to ask..."

"Go on."

"Somethin' to do with my mum," his reply had her intrigued.

"Mara Shelby," he stiffly nodded at her mention, "it's a pretty name," she said smiling.

"Esme too," he added, recalling how he and John were up a couple of nights ago talking about it. Arthur joined in, and so did Ada before they passed out in the front room.

"Esmerelda," she liked how it rolled off her tongue.

He chuckled before saying the next, "Pollyanna, but don't tell Pol 'bout that."

"Secret safe with me," she giggled.

"You thought of any?"

"Nothing's come to mind, none have felt right, my mum told me that she spent months thinkin' of what to call me and then changed her mind on the day," she said, combing her hand through his thick locks.

"Really?"

"Yeah, spontaneous thing right?"

"Sounds it," as a man who made part of their child, he didn't want to influence Eden too much with the name of the baby, but the fact she was taking his input made him grateful.

"Just picturing the little girl, runnin' 'round, with a dog chasing her..." her eyes fluttered shut at the image.

"A dog, what one?" he questioned, envisioning the image also, it made his heart swell.

"Bullmastiff," she breathed out.

His eyes fluttered open. "Those big dogs?"

"Yeah, family dogs apparently, but can be brutal when needs be," she continued with the vision, believing it would be the perfect addition to the home they already dreamt of.

"Ballmastiff it is, anything else Mrs Shelby?" and with that question her eyes snapped open, glancing down at the smirking man.

She swallowed the lump at the back of her throat, "Not Mrs. Shelby yet, haven't even popped the question."

"That's true," Tommy sat up, then rose on one knee, rendering Eden to softly chuckle behind her shaking hand, "Now, I was gonna do this a while ago, back when I got permission from your parents. And yes even your dad gave me 'is blessin', a shock to me and all, but I promised I wasn't gonna fuck this up, and I'm not am I?"

"No, you aren't, keep it up."

"Been thinkin' of all the ways I was gonna ask you this, dreamin', talkin' talk my self 'bout how I was gonna ask you to be my wife, did it so often Pol thought 'bout 'avin' me admitted," a teary laugh escaped her at his confession. "So I thought what would my Edie do when she's stuck? She'd write it down wouldn't ya love?"

"I would," she admitted.

"But I couldn't do that," he jokily tutted, making her laugh even more, "I scrapped the paper and thought speakin' from the heart was better, even though I think I'm doin' a crap job at it, but you're smilin'" her smile reached her teary eyes, making his heart hammer once more, "best smile I've ever seen, the brightest too," his voice cracked slightly, "and a great woman once said 'you have to be a bright ball of fire to be seen' and I've never not seen you, Eden. You're everything to me, my bright ball of hope, Christ how sappy is that?"

"Keep goin'" She softly nudged him, despite her tears.

"Oh right," he reached into his back pocket, "even before that little one starting growin' inside you, I was gonna propose. We speak about the future and mine wouldn't be right — it couldn't be without you in it. You've always been in it, so Eden Mary Dawkins would you –"

"Yes," she practically fell into his arms, covering his face with kisses.

"Darlin' I 'aven't shown you the ring yet or properly asked the question."

"Fine, ask me," she playfully rolled her eyes, not letting go of him.

"Will you marry me?"

"Yes, it was always gonna be yes," she exclaimed.

An uncharacteristically wide smile broke out on his face as he produced a small box, but that didn't stop her from kissing him and he immediately kissed back, flooding her with feelings that burst through his chest and she did the same, swirling his mouth with the joy that took over her.

Pulling away, he presented her with a ring, that she squealed out, much to his shock, sure it shone in the sunlight, but he didn't think it was much, in honesty he thought she would hate it, but it was the best he could do.

"Brought it for cheap, don't be mad," he said, settling down onto the blanket again.

Her brows furrowed slightly, "And why would I be mad?"

"You deserved better."

"It's perfect," she wasted no more time and slid it onto her finger.

She even laughed when he fitted his cap onto her head.

My secret blinder, he thought.

She wouldn't stop looking at the ring, so he took his time to speak again, "I want us to have the best weddin', but can't do it now only when I come back, so promise me you'll tell people we're married."

"For protection?..."

"Exactly, protection, our little Shelby needs it, just like you," he and his family agreed to it as well, making sure to spread the word that they'd wed, so no one questioned it. Even asking Jeremiah to pretend he performed the ceremony and Polly to put together a fake marriage certificate.

"'Course," she smiled at him, watching as he slipped on a wedding band of his own. "Should we make up our own vows then?"

"If you want," he couldn't stop smiling.

"Well, I... promise to be loyal to you, always, mind body and soul."

He let out a nervous chuckle, "Not to love ey?"

"You can love someone and hurt 'em right?" she blurted out, eyes widening at the words she spoke. It was out of experience she wanted to be cautious, she loved Tommy and he loved her, but the future they planned wouldn't be plane sailing. "I promise to always love you, also, but loyalty, our loyalty to each other can't be brought, or made, it was always there, alright?"

Tommy couldn't disagree despite himself.

"I promise to be loyal to you, always, mind body and soul."

They sealed that vow with a kiss, arguably far more meaningful and sacred than the last.

The sun brightened, bearing witness to the faux wedding, shining down on their rings with its harsh rays, before Tommy turned to whisper something to her bump, putting on voices for his daughter to hear, making his fiancé laugh at his utter foolishness as she ran her fingers through his hair. Thirty weeks left of her pregnancy to go and Tommy had to make the most of this moment, imagining what their child would look like before she popped out.

He was about to go through the flames of war, but right now all he could think of was his family, and how he would make sure to cherish them, despite how little time he had.

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a/n:

for a while, i was trying to figure out how far along eden is and she's roughly two months pregnant, give or take a week.

we all know when it comes to tommy loyalty is more vital than love, merely because he's committed atrocities in the name of love and family, so he's really not one to be trusted.

how did you find this chapter? the proposal? the happiness between teden?

next time chapter will be the last before the epilogue and bonus chapter, guys so might want to bring some tissues.

#wattpad #fanfic #black reader #black girl #tommyshelby and edendawkins #edendawkins #edenshelby #tommy Shelby #tommyshelbystory #tommy shelby x reader #tommyshelby x black!reader #Birmingham #1914 #great war #peaky blinder fanfic

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saintsir4n · 2 days

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MORE SHELBY’S

when eden meets michael grey

—

1921

“Oh Michael, this is your cousin-in-law, Eden.”

Polly proudly introduced her to her son, she clutched him tightly as he sheepishly fiddled with the cufflinks of his cheap suit. Eden waddled in with the help of Tommy, her bump was getting big and she was ready to give birth in days, everyone knew it.

Arthur and John snickered once they saw the astonishment on Michael’s face. Their young cousin knew that Tommy, the head of the family had a wife, but she didn’t know what she looked like, every time he asked his mum… Polly, she answered, like one of the few people to rein your wild cousins in. It was the understatement of his fucking life, and Eden was truly a stunner.

“I can’t be that big can I?” Eden asked, with a smile. “Tommy, you said I wasn’t that big.”

“You look beautiful alright,” Tommy rushed out, with a hand resting on her back.

“She’s carrying another Shelby in there Michael,” Arthur nodded to his sister-in-law.

John clasped his hands together, “Here’s praying it’s a fuckin’ boy.”

“There’s already too many of you lot,” Eden scoffed, then stepped forward, feeling Tommy’s eyes on her as she stood before Michael.

“It’s nice to meet you,” he nervously shook her hand, immediately thinking he maybe should’ve kissed her cheek or hugged her but, his cousin didn’t look like he would let her go. “Another Shelby?”

Before she could respond, Arthur did.

“Apart from John’s kin, Ada’s little one, you've got another cousin, little ankle biter,” he teased, earning a small smile from his cousin.

“Inara, spittin’ image of Eden but with Tommy’s eyes,” Polly informed her son, as Eden sat down with Tommy assisting.

Their six-year-old daughter was about to be seven, inquisitive and cheeky she was, whenever Inara would get grumpy she’d look like her father but whenever she was lively and joyful she was the very picture of her mum.

“Yeah, she’s a brat,” John’s words made the married couple snap their heads in his direction.

“Oi, you don’t want to compare children,” Tommy pointed out.

“Not with your roster Johnny,” Eden quipped, making the room chuckle.

John rolled his eyes, “Fuck off.”

Eden pointed at him, “You do not want to rile me up, It could induce labour you pillock and I’m not givin’ birth here.”

“Yeah, leave it John boy, you do not wanna see a kid come out of her,” Arthur said through his laughter.

Tommy playfully glared, “Stop talkin’ about my missus and my baby.”

Michael sat back, amused by the bickering. As first impressions go, he was pleasantly overwhelmed, the men were playing with their guns like toys before Tommy settled them. It was obvious Tommy ran things, he was the one who Michael first met. Tommy was confidant, powerful and very dangerous, that was clear, but his wife was something else. A beautiful woman, but to put up with this family, she had to have something up her sleeve.

“Where is Inara?” Michael asked, breaking the arguments flooding the room.

“She’s with my mum,” Eden spoke softly, stroking her bump.

“‘Nara threw a strop yesterday, sayin’ she didn’t want another sibling,” John stated.

Tommy huffed out a smile, “Well it’s too late for that.”

“She’s fuckin’ gettin’ one,” Eden agreed. “You’ll meet her soon Michael,” for the first time she looked at the boy, really looked at him, she saw his eyes, the detail swimming in his iris’, “My god you look so much like your mum.” She found herself choking back sobs, missing the joy on Polly’s face but catching the shock flashing across Michael’s. “Sorry, anythin’ and everythin’ gets the tears flowin’.”

John wasn’t shocked, “Cried over some flowers dyin’ didn’t you Edie?”

“Watch it,” Tommy warned, rubbing a hand over her back as she wiped her tears.

“Last week it was a candle blowin’ out.”

“And next time it’ll be a knife in your face,” Eden snapped, groaning at their laughter.

Michael was startled by the threat.

“There’s my girl,” Tommy pressed a kiss to her cheek before she pushed him away. “Pol, can you boil the kettle,” he noted the pot of tea was bare as were the cups.

Polly nodded, knowing how much Eden drank during her first pregnancy, her second was even worse.

Michael gulped, although no one apart from Tommy caught it. The teen lowered himself into a seat as his mother scolded his cousins for their poor habits, claiming she didn’t want him to mirror them.

“You should meet Isaiah, he’s around your age Michael,” Eden said, sending a look toward Tommy. “It’ll be good for you to make a friend.”

Michael nodded, listening to whatever advise he could take, eyes darting between Eden, trying not to get caught looking at her too much, and so he would look toward his cousin Tommy, who stroked her large bump and then his mum who returned with a cup and the steaming kettle fresh from the fire.

He occasionally heard the mumbles from his other two cousins — Finn and Ada, he hadn’t met yet — John and Arthur snickered off to the side, still stood up as if they were waiting to leave.

“… friends, what’s the point? They might end up like Eden and Grace,” Arthur whispered, quite harshly to his younger brother.

John’s mood soured at the mention, “That bloody barmaid.”

They knew not to mention Grace around Eden. Their sister-in-law fought she found a friend ever since Enzo and Martha passed and Dorris moved to London, but was a huge mistake. The Irish Woman’s betrayal caused the hole in Eden’s heart to grow as did her paranoia.

Tommy felt he should’ve protected her more, but he trusted Grace as a friend, especially since he didn’t have many female friends. But it costed him a bullet to the shoulder.

Even with Lizzie, Esme and Dorris from a far he was wary about everyone who surrounded the family, even if they were family.

Tommy was constantly thinking. Always.

“That won’t happen with Michael. Isaiah is loyal, you’ve seen him, Eden practically raised the boy,” John said quietly. “He’s Jimmy’s son.”

“I ain’t worried, we just have to be careful, not everyone’s a friend alright,” Arthur muttered, knowing that Isaiah wasn’t the one he didn’t trust.

“But family is family.”

The two broke apart to see Tommy right behind them. They didn’t even hear him move.

“Fuck, Tom,” John cursed, eyeing him.

“Keep your bloody trousers on,” Tommy scoffed, “you ready to go?”

“‘Course Tom,” Arthur nodded, shoving John forward, “you need to wear a fuckin’ bell on ya.”

“Yeah, alright.” Tommy smirked, then turned back to to the table, to see Eden sipping on some tea with a pensive look on her face. He pressed a kiss to her head as he stared at his Aunt, “Make sure he treats my Edie well, Pol.”

“Get going,” Eden playfully shoved Tommy away just as he gave her a chaste kiss on the lips.

“Don’t worry Michael, we’ll be back to show you, what’s what,” John grinned.

Polly gasped, “You’ll do no such thing!”

“Let’s leave ‘em boys,” Arthur said, “Wouldn’t wanna ruin the tea party.”

That had John snickering.

Michael smiled, watching as Tommy scanned Eden again.

The pregnant woman waved at him, “Bye, my love.”

“Darlin’, stay safe,” Tommy didn’t want to leave her for too long. “The both of you, alright.” He was pulled away by his brothers as he nodded at the mother-son duo, “Pol, Michael.”

When the door slammed shut behind them, Michael coyly smiled at his mum.

“They seem nice.”

Eden and Polly laughed.

The latter spoke, “They’re anythin’ but.”

Eden agreed, “But they’re your family, so got used to it.”

——

a/n:

I was thinking what if Eden met Michael before his corruption… so season 2.

#wattpad #fanfic #black reader #edenshelby #tommyshelby and edendawkins #eden dawkins #edendawkins #John Shelby #Arthur Shelby #tommyshelby story #tommy shelby x black reader #Tommy Shelby x black!reader #michael gray #polly gray #1921 #peaky blinder headcanon #peakyblinders fic

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saintsir4n · 9 months

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___

1914

EDEN Dawkins was never the type that liked nature, instead, she preferred to be at home, reading or even at the Garrison to have a quick drink, especially after a long day nursing concussions, illness or even bruises and cut lips from the local bandits. She steered away from horses because her mother inspired a fear of them in her from a young age. But here she was, in Charlie Strong's yard, wearing her worst outfit, trousers, a thick shirt and riding boots that she brought for cheap and mended them.

When she met the icy pair of eyes that were beaming at the sight of her she tutted.

"I have a man Mr Shelby and he wouldn't want someone like you around me."

"And what am I like then eh?" Tommy asked, staring across his uncle's yard at her.

She shrugged, "A gangster, typa man to pull a gun on someone for looking at him wrong."

"He's got that right, I would. But he's missed something," he paused, coming closer to her, dodging the copious amounts of horse manure and loose hay he no doubt will have to sweep up.

"And what's that?" she withheld a smile when he appeared in front of her.

"I would pull the trigger if they looked at my woman wrong as well."

He caught the glimmer of happiness swimming in her brown pools as he inhaled the faint scent of cedar wood (his favourite smell) and alcohol, which she used as an anaesthetic at work earlier today. Breathing in, all she could sense was the whiskey, cigarettes and aftershave, Tommy's natural musk. She was sure that he would add the stench of a barrel to that as well.

"Oh really?" she teased, dodging his kiss by pressing a hand to his chest, "We shouldn't, I'm taken."

He rolled his eyes, "This man can't be too good if he lets you around me."

She hummed, "Suppose you're right, he's not the tallest."

"Oi." he would've thrown her over his shoulders then and there but he knew Curly was around somewhere and hated seeing him being rough with Eden, even if it was a joke.

"Or the sharpest tool in the shed."

"Thinking of our Arthur are ya?"

She tapped her chin, "Perhaps but the prettiest one of you boys is definitely Johnny."

"Watch it," she could hear the amusement in his tone.

A smile tugged at her lips, "Only messing, now can I get a kiss?"

He blinked at her, "Want one from the smallest, ugliest Shelby?"

"Half of that is true...alright I'll stop, you're the most dashing man I've ever seen," she gushed, running her hands over his patchy jacket and up to his neck.

Fighting off the blush breaching his cheeks, he said, "And you're not too bad you're self."

"Leaving," Her smile dropped as she tried stepping around him, but his hands caught her waist.

"Calm yourself down, you know how many times I've had to fight someone off for hearing what they've said about you and your looks? I feel like I'm punching every man in Small Heath for underselling your beauty. Pretty don't do you, Justice, so I'll kiss you until I think of a word that does."

And with that, she melted into the kiss he'd been trying to steal.

Tommy and Eden had been dating for a couple of months and it hadn't been easy. Glares were thrown her way more than usual and jaws clenched around the couple like they had something to say but never did.

During this time, the quaint betting shop the Shelbys owned was drawing much more traction, more customers came in to put down money for whatever horse they believed would win and even though the family sometimes lost out money, they were still happy with their winnings. Considering it had been two years since they'd opened the shop, four since Arthur Sr left and five years had passed since Mara Shelby took her own life; their family was doing well.

"Not yet Thomas," she said when he suggested that she should come and see the new horse he'd been training.

"Thomas? You mad at me?" he asked, racking his brain for when he last pissed her off and god knows it was a lot.

"No, I just don't think I'm ready and you said it yourself, he gets scared if you breathe 'round him."

"I said that months ago," he tugged her over to an old haystack that was hidden around the back of the barn where the wild Mustang he had taken a liking to resided, "Y'know I'll be next to you when I show him off."

"Still doesn't have a name?" he saw through her oblivion's deflection.

Taking her hand in his, he stared at her, making her gulp slightly.

Tommy always had the ability to look through her, like he was seeing her soul, his gaze was the most powerful thing she felt and yet she loved it as much as she hated it. His stare was suffocating and only when he decided to let go was when she could breathe again.

Deciding not to press the matter, because he was cautious of how anxious she became he glanced down, trailing his callous finger over the back of her hand. He did it whenever he couldn't find the right words to say. He adored her hands, so delicate to the touch, often growing envious of the patients she had to treat because they would feel these nimble and gentle things all over them.

Eden could see there was something on his mind and she didn't know what it was, for the past couple of times she'd seen him, he tended to randomly stop talking which confused her as his voice was both his defence and attack. Without meaning to, it was also his instrument that he could play and manipulate to his bidding only when he decided to tune it properly.

"What's wrong, have you gone mute?" her tone was soft, yet impatient, but that didn't stop him from playing with her hands.

He huffed out a chuckle, "No."

"Oh, Tom have you got something to say to me? Just spit it out..."

What she didn't know was how many people kept approaching him about how close she and Lorenzo Changretta were and despite knowing they were best friends, he hated it.

"Those fuckin' eyes."

"What about 'em?"

He took off his cap, "Can't say no to you when I stare into 'em."

"I–" she glanced down, furious about how easily his charm worked on her, "I didn't ask you anything other than for you to say what's on that mind of yours."

Tommy wanted some whiskey, no, needed it to calm his nerves and no he wasn't a nervous man, Polly thought that emotion skipped him. Any drink would calm him, Christ, if only his brothers brought him some, but he knew they were tucked away in the snug getting so drunk they properly couldn't walk home. He didn't know why, but he always hated being vulnerable about Eden, even after all these months, even when Freddie said, 'She's your woman, just tell her, Women are more loyal than men nowadays'. Eden was loyal, she was more than that, she was his His Eden. His little safe haven. Although religion never sat right with him, he believed she was sent to save him.

There was something that he wanted to tell her, something that she deserved to know since they were together and had been for more than any other relationship he'd been in.

But instead, he kissed her like a starved man, for which she was the forbidden fruit that was dangling right before him and he would be damned if anyone would prevent him from taking a bite.

Cupping the back of her head with one hand and using the other to guide her backwards, he poured the passion he felt into her, lapping her tongue with his and feeling up and down her sides. When she moaned his hand only drifted lower, yearning to rip the clothing from the skin he craved to touch.

But their intimacy had some bounds.

She pushed him off before he could leave her indecent.

"We can do it here, Tommy, you wouldn't risk anyone seeing me would ya? I know how jealous you get," she breathed out, still appearing flustered when he stared at her, licking his lips. Almost a minute went by before he let go of her. Her grin faded when he tugged her forward, so she felt his hardened state and whimpered, "Tom."

He dropped his gaze to her chest, "Just wanted you to know that your actions have fuckin' consequences."

"Alright fuck off."

A voice interrupted them, "Yes nephew, you better not knock her up Tom, I don't wanna have to deal with Pol."

The couple immediately snapped their heads to the side to see Charlie standing there, with combs and brushes in hand and a grimace on his face.

When Eden went to jump away from Tommy, he pulled her even closer.

"We were about to look at the fuckin' horse," he stated.

Charlie shot him a sarcastic look, "Oh is that what they call it nowadays?"

Eden averted her gaze, feeling severely embarrassed as the two men spoke Rokker, judging from Tommy's face he hasn't too happy, but Charlie continued to tease him.

Shortly after Curly appeared, the stableman was in his element whenever it involved horses, Tommy believed he was one of the best horsemen in England. Eden thought he was cute, and much easier to talk to than Charlie, perhaps it was because he didn't have much to say at all.

"Eden... Tom, Tommy, we're almost finished setting up the new boy, he's a bit scared, just have to be nice to him," he mustered out.

Eden timidly smiled at him and Tommy noticed how nervous she was.

"We'll be there soon," he said, taking her hand.

Charlie frowned, "Don't be too long, it's Sunday, can't be missin’ out on Sunday dinners can we?"

"Alright alright."

And with that, the two men disappeared back into the barn.

Tommy reached into his pocket and withdraw his cigarette tin, all while Eden started playing with his cap, analysing the razor she and Polly spent a while stitching into his, Arthur and John's caps. The blade was peeking through too much and it was only a matter of time before she had to fix it.

She felt him place a cigarette between her lips, then lit it. They would always light each other's smokes, ever since they began courting it was a thing that had going on, small intimacies. Taking another drag she grabbed his chin, then blew the smoke into his parted chapped lips.

She was mesmerised when he exhaled.

But he honestly thought she looked even more beautiful with a smoke in hand, watching her cheeks suck in, showcasing the beauty spots that decorated her face. He counted every single one over and over again as he found solace in the tobacco. You have more smoke comin' out of you than a fuckin' train, Eden always joked, despite being the one to light them for him.

He smoked more than trains and she judged more than the police, he believed.

"What?" she asked.

They'd been sitting there for a few minutes, in silence, just listening to the sound of the trees blowing in the wind, the trimmed grass sway and the sounds of the horse's neigh. The drop in temperature had her shivering and Tommy wouldn't let that slide, so he took off his jacket and rested it on her shoulders, leaving him in a thick jumper with his shirt collars peeking through.

"You ready?" he asked, standing up and stubbing out the cigarette.

Eden scrunched up her face, "Do I have to go?"

He pulled her up, "Everyone looks more powerful sitting on a horse."

She scoffed, "Who said I was riding it?"

"Who said I weren't referrin' to myself?"

She groaned and shoved him to the side, he mimicked her groan, further aggravating her. Tommy and his impressions would be the death of her.

She gasped when they turned the corner, coming into the barn and seeing the dark brown trembling horse.

Curly and Charlie were nowhere in sight, it was only her, Tommy and the horse.

Oh fuck.

Tommy stepped closer, holding his hands up when the horse caught his movements.

Eden could hear the little cooling words Tommy spoke and she smiled, never seeing him in such a way. It was like she wasn't there, only him and the wild horse.

Gently grabbing the bridle, Tommy continued to whisper, rubbing its forehead down to his muzzle.

He cast a look to Eden holding out his hand, encouraging her to slowly walk towards them.

It was as if the horse could feel her nervousness and started stomping on the grassy floor, creating dents with his heavy hooves, driving her to a halt.

"Eden..." he whispered to the horse, "you're not scared of a pretty girl are ya, boy?" he motioned her to walk which she did, realising how big the horse was almost the same size as them which drove her nerves up the wall, "she's not gonna hurt you. You're not gonna hurt her."

Eden gulped when Tommy took her hand and carefully placed it on the horse's side, she was almost as apprehensive as the animal.

"See... there you go."

She heard Tommy's words as she kept touching the horse.

He smiled when her shoulder's dropped all the tension, though the look in her eyes told her that her fear wasn't gone, after all, it had been less than a few bloody minutes. He never had to search her eyes for meaning for too long.

Eden's eyes doubled in size when she realised that Tommy had let go of her hand and taken a few steps back.

"Gosh Tommy," she whispered, "Look."

A smile graced his lips at her excitement.

"I can see darlin'."

"Have you decided on a name yet?"

"I talked to Curly and Charlie...Curly wasn't too happy but he's lettin' you name him."

She gasped softly, not wanting to scare the animal that wasn't shaking as much any more.

"Really?"

"Yeah," he said, smiling and coming back to them and rubbing down its back. "You're a natural, not even freakin' out anymore."

"Shut up, I didn't freak out."

"Oh really? The bit of piss on that haystack over there –"

She gasped and extended her leg to kick him.

He dodged her attempts, softly chuckling at the glare in her eyes.

"Y'know, he never likes to be out during the day," Tommy commented, remembering when the horse acted as if the sun burnt him whenever it touched its skin.

Eden hummed, and then something came to mind, "Shadow, he should be called Shadow."

"Shadow, and why that?"

"He hides from the sun, ain't that what shadow means?"

He didn't really know or care, he just loved how she looked, whispering to the horse she claimed to be afraid of, only took a few months, and he promised that he would change that and did, well only a little bit.

"Whatever you say, love, whatever you say."

—

The day was coming to an end and the moon would soon be in their sights, no doubt her mother would send Isaiah to look for her since it was a Sunday, she couldn't be missing Sunday dinners, Polly was the same.

The couple left Charlie's yard after Tommy told her the time.

Walking along the cobble streets she was still slightly in shock.

It was the first time she'd been anywhere near a horse, let alone touched one. Sure she saw the Shelbys throughout the years ride them through the streets, but it stunned her to see how large they were up close.

"Are you gonna tell me what's going on in your head? You seem off," she asked, walking along the lane.

"Nothing was wrong."

"Sure?"

"I'm sure, just wanted to spend time with you, is that a crime?"

"It is, if I was out for another hour, mum would've killed you," she said, coming to her front door.

They only lived a few houses apart.

"You said she loves me."

"Sometimes."

She laughed when he nervously ran a hand through his raven hair, it was fuller on the sides and needed to cut it off soon.

"So... since you say you ain't mine, some random toff's girl, can I still steal another kiss?"

"A toff? You think that low of me?"

"Never."

She pressed a chaste kiss to his lips, drawing a smirk from him.

His fingers trailed over them, remembering how they felt against hers.

"Until we meet again love."

"Yeah yeah, get lost before my dad comes out with a shotgun," she said, taking off the jacket on her shoulders and giving it back to him, even though he believed it looked better on her.

"Wouldn't want his only daughter being led astray by a gypsy would he?"

"Too late for that now."

As soon as she shut the door behind her, she smiled to herself and took off her shoes, placing them by her parents.

She could hear them faintly as she walked in.

"Still saving lives?" she heard her dad say to her mum.

"Still making things?" her mum joked.

Nurse and carpenter they were and have been for 19 years. Celestine and Cecil Dawkins had been happily married for 20 years, the same couldn't be said for half the city.

"I'm home!" Eden screamed on purpose, startling her parents, her mother almost dropped the plate of mash over her father who was sitting at the table.

"And now the whole street knows that," Celestine remarked, then received a kiss on the cheek from her daughter.

Cecil chuckled, "No doubt Mrs Granberry across town can."

Eden rolled her eyes, "Mrs Granberry can get fuc–"

"Watch it," her mother warned, just as Cecil laughed with his daughter, who pressed a kiss to his cheek.

Cecil was a tall and tough man who would do just about anything for his girls, his darker skin would lead him to trouble which he never caused, the same couldn't be said for Celestine who was a lighter complexion than her daughter, the woman wasn't much taller than Eden, and looked great for forty.

Cecil turned to his daughter, "How was work sweetheart? Still savin'–"

"--Lives? No Dad, a patient succumbed to his wounds today," Eden admitted, taking a seat and not looking at her parents who were sending her pitiful looks.

"Sorry to 'ere that," her dad reached over and grabbed her hand, "why don't ya give our girl an extra piece of lamb," he asked Celestine who nodded.

"Here you go, need you to be in better spirits for tomorrow. Don't fret my girl, it happens to the best of us," Celestine remembered all the times when she couldn't save a patient, it occasionally took a toll on her.

"Thanks, mum," Eden forced a smile, then went to eat, but her mum slapped her hand as well as Cecil's.

"Ay, you may not come to church or even say your daily prays but you will wait to say grace at this table before you start stuffing those bellies of yours."

"Sorry mum," she muttered.

Cecil winced, "Sorry, love."

"And you young lady, where were you? I expected you to help me prepare the table," Celestine pointed the sharp knife at her, making her inch back in her seat.

"Next time I won't be late I promise," Eden spoke, avoiding her mum's piercing look.

"And since you grabbed for your fork first, you're saying grace."

Eden groaned, "Mum."

"Did I stutter?

Grabbing ahold of her parent's hands she sighed, "Alright alright. Dear God..."

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a/n:

just to reiterate, tommy is 22 and eden is 20. the shelby business had only been running for 2 years (i searched up when it started but it wasn't clear online, so I'll make it headcanon for this story). also, tommy might seem much more smilely and open and less cold and that's because he hadn't been to war just yet, none of them have, so everything in this story is much lighter, but that doesn't mean there aren't any future problems, because tommy's jealousy is a mean thing.

you'll meet more oc's throughout the next couple of chapters and even the other canon characters as well. hoped you enjoyed the first chapter guys.

also imma include as much horse terminology as i can, (tryna remember my saddle club days). also since i'm writing about the roma/ romani culture please correct me on anything (beliefs, sayings and more)

tommy and eden ship name?

#wattpad #fanfic #black girl #black reader #edendawkins #Tommy and Eden #tommyshelby and edendawkins #tommyshelby story #Tommyshelbyxblackreader

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saintsir4n · 7 months

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EPILOGUE

WARNINGS: MENTIONS OF WAR, DEATH AND DEPRESSION

1918

ARMISTICE.

The war had finished.

Four years of bloodshed and treachery, lies and survival, broken promises and death.

Within those four years, a lot had changed for the people of Small Heath.

In the second month of nineteen fifteen, Eden Dawkins gave birth to a little girl, Inara Nadine Shelby. Her teal blue eyes were the first thing everyone recognised, bright little things that followed you around the room, just like her father's, but she'd gotten her bronze complexion from her mother, as well as her dark kinky locks. When she gave birth in the Vardo, Polly was quick to spread the word, writing to her nephew, who had already sent a letter about a name suggestion, Nadine, a French name that meant hope, which they all needed. Hearing that his daughter was partially named after his mother, brought him to tears whilst covered in blood, sweat and mud. Inara had a beautiful meaning; heaven sent and after receiving a picture of his two girls, he placed it in his dog tags, kissing it every time he felt like life would leave his body and take him away.

Tommy addressed all the letters he sent to Eden as follows,

Eden Shelby 12 Watery Lane, Birmingham, B9 4HN.

But as the mud thickened and clung to him like a second skin, the letters gradually died down, but Eden didn't lose hope, she had to keep going, despite being a new mother, she helped care for Martha who had been pregnant at the same time as her and given birth to twin boys William and James two months after Inara. It was supposed to be a happy time, but the pregnancy took her life and broke the family, and if only that were the last of the deaths that would render them in such a way. John wasn't the same after he'd heard the news of his beloved wife, torn between injuring himself so he could be sent home to his kids or to continue to fight alongside his brothers.

He stayed, of course, fighting, digging and slashing enemies.

As the year first year of the war was drawing to an end, Eden slowly gave up on her dream of getting out of Birmingham. Her family needed her, both families. Although she and Dorris stayed in touch, even fulfilling their promise to bring little Inara to 'the poor man's heaven', they started to grow apart. Dorris wanted to move away, to London and finally got enough money to do so, she and her mother were planning on leaving in the new year.

Everyone thought the lads were going to come back when nineteen-sixteen came around, but that wasn't the case at all, they stayed fighting and Eden fell ill only for a month, bedridden and filling those around her with worry. Allegedly it had something to do with Inara's birth, the infection almost spread around her body, but her mother recognised the symptoms and caught it before it was too late. The young nurse wasn't drafted due to that. Being so close to death, Eden turned to god, finding religion again, believing it was the only thing she, her mother and Polly had to lean on.

Slowly she was back on her feet, typing away on her typewriter, in between Inara's feedings, spending time with her and also caring for the other new additions to the family.

The summer of that same year, The Lonely Stallion, by Adam Garden, was published, it was tough, but with Dorris' connections she got from starting her new life in London, it happened, Eden was an author, coming up in the ranks, just like Tommy was who became Sergeant Major.

Unfortunately, it wasn't much to celebrate, Tommy was getting dragged further into the mud and had to bear the weight of not only his best friend Freddie taking a bullet for him, but witnessing the death of Cecil Dawkins, his future father-in-law stunned him. Killed in action, those words shattered Celestine's heart and took a part of Eden's with it. The last letter that he wrote to his wife and daughter ended with a prayer, 'Give me strength and courage to keep moving forward, give me the strength to see my girls, especially little Inara.

Time moved on, but it took another life, Lorenzo Changretta was impaled by a bayonet, after pushing his brother Angel out of the way. Once word got back to Birmingham, Eden didn't really react, she couldn't if she did she wouldn't be able to function and after her father, she barely recovered, thinking about Enzo's lifeless body only motivated her to keep striving and not look back. She and Dorris didn't speak much after that, the latter only sent gifts to her goddaughter during the holidays but that was it.

Due to a new regime called 'daylight savings' being implemented, days were longer, which meant the grief process clung to everyone like a bad smell.

Inara Shelby began talking in broken sentences in the year nineteen seventeen, asking who the man in the pictures was, that's daddy, Eden told her and broke down in tears when her daughter called out for him at night. Despite the success of her book, she felt a disconnect, her father, her best friend and her Tommy hadn't returned, and some never would. Eden didn't receive a lot of royalties for the success of the book, partially because it would be impossible for her to collect them in person, so she sent the trusted surrogate uncle for the Shelby family to get them, much to his discontent. She donated some of the money to the Shelby betting shop and the rest to her mother.

Reaching nineteen-eighteen was gruelling and tough, but Eden got there. Every day she would wake up afraid to receive a letter that someone else had been killed in action, but fortunately, none came. The four years since the war started had shown on Isaiah and Finn, who'd grown up quickly. They understood death despite their young age and always stuck together, even helping care for the youngest members of the family. Ada felt lucky, that although part of her family was torn, they were alive, or at least that's what she hoped, she went to church alongside Eden, Celestine and Polly and on the side helped other families that were struggling, all while the betting shop had sustained.

The women ruled the empire equally and fairly, when Eden wasn't working or raising her daughter she was at the betting shop, helping Polly with whatever. She wasn't the best at numbers but she got better, better at a lot of things actually. Multitasking became one of her strong suits and it had to be when raising a Shelby. Soon they managed to purchase a car, it was beaten up, but it was easily mended, after she knew what needed to be fixed and being the daughter of a carpenter, her father used to tell her about the best auto shops.

Inara never stayed in one space, always wanting to explore and run around, so every week, they brought her to Charlie Strong's yard, where she watched him with all the horses, round them up and even wanting to help. Since he didn't have the Curly there, Charlie occasionally let little Inara feed the horses, seeing Tommy in the young girl was unsettling for him, nevertheless, being the man he was -- a man of very few words, when he talked, she listened, which came as a shock, because the troublemaker barely listened to anyone, if it wasn't her mum or aunts. Shadow also took to her like he knew that she was part Tommy.

"'Nara!" Eden called her daughter's name from the bathroom.

Today was the day they'd be coming home.

Polly instructed, coming up the stairs, "Eden it's time, they're comin' home, get your things, your mum is downstairs with Isaiah, I'll round up the rest of the kids, you get the little troublemaker."

Eden didn't know what to feel, excitement? Sorrow? Joy? Everything was all over the place, not everyone they'd waved away would be returning.

She and Polly grew far closer over the years, leaning on each other when times got rough and boy did they.

Turning around, Polly banged on her niece's door, "Ada c'mon! It's only your brothers who you 'aven't seen in years."

"Give me a second!" the Shelby woman shouted from her room.

"Nara!" Eden left the bathroom and opened Tommy's bedroom, seeing her daughter rise from the floor after playing on her stomach.

Pale blue eyes met hers, and along with it was a bright smile, the little girl had two bows at the end of her corn rows and a red dress Polly made flowed from her frame.

"Yes, mummy? I was playin' with Dolly," the three-year-old beamed, holding up the doll her grandfather bought for her all those years ago, it was a toy horse, soft and fluffy that Inara hadn't let go of since it was placed in her crib.

Kneeling down she tickled her daughter's sides, the giggle and squeal that fell from the girl's lips put a smile on Eden's face. Anything her daughter did made her proud, even recently, she'd been listening in conversation that Isaiah and Finn were having about spelling and the three-old girl somewhat caught on.

"We're goin' on a little trip to the station, where we'll meet your uncles and daddy," she told Inara, whose eyes doubled in size.

"Meetin' Daddy?" Inara's accent was almost as thick as hers.

Celestine always told Eden how much Inara was a replica of her, despite the blue eyes, Inara had beauty spots on her face matching Eden's which no one could ignore.

"Yes, we are" Eden nodded, matching her daughter's excitement.

"Will he like me?" the question had them both frowning.

Inara only saw Tommy in pictures and heard about him in stories, just like cousins with John. it was weird, she felt connected to her father, but also worried he wouldn't like her.

"He'll love you, sweetie," Eden was certain of it.

Inara continued with her questioning as she fidgeted with her toy, "Is he the same as before he left, will he play with my dollies, like Katie, Billy and Jamie?" she referred to her cousins using their nicknames, preferring to pronounce them than William and James.

Eden harshly gulped at the thought, they won't be the same, no one will be, "I don't know if he's the same, but we'll find out soon and you can ask 'im to play with you, and he'll say yes and if he doesn't, y'know what to do?"

Inara quickly pouted and fluttered her eyelashes, a trick that Eden taught her, but regretted whenever it was used against her.

"Good girl," Eden praised, standing up and opening up the closet.

"'Ave you got your neck...nex...lace?" Inara managed to say as Eden turned to show it off with a grin.

"My necklace and I do, smart girl," Eden grabbed her daughter's coat. November weather was brutal and she didn't want her daughter to catch a cold.

"We leave now?" Inara asked after they both had their coats on.

"Yes, my girl," Eden responded, "your cousins are downstairs waitin', with Aunt Pol, Ada and Granny Cece."

"Well come on," she grabbed her mother's hand, much to her amusement, "let's see Daddy."

And off they all went with a sense of dread and joy in their step. I'll be back for Christmas. Lie, I won't be gone for long. Lie. I'll come back to you...so many promises were broken.

As they all reached the station, Eden muttered to herself, words that weren't heard amongst the crowd of people rushing to reunite with their loved ones.

"We better meet again Thomas Shelby or so help me God."

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a/n:

ridley asha bateman as 𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗯𝘆

sorry i killed off cecil and enzo, loved writing them, but they will be missed. many things happened through those four years, even figuring out how to add small details was bittersweet as i really loved writing this book. it's sad how many people changed and never reverted back to their old selves, mainly because they couldn't and had no support, especially if they were poor.

the book that eden wrote was basically a parody of the peaky blinders plot and since there were very few men she trusted with the information of her writer's name, she made sure that charlie strong (i didn't know whether or not he went to war, but's indicated that curly might've) retreaved her royalies, despite it being very little money, however it put her 'name' out there.

the bonus chapter I'll publish will be the reunion between tommy, inara and eden, it'll be short but sweet. hope you enjoy and please comment and vote.

#wattpad #fanfic #black reader #black girl #edendawkins #tommy and eden #tommyshelby and edendawkins #tommyshelby story #tommy shelby fanfic #tommy shelby x reader #tommy shelby x black reader #1918 #the greatwar #peakyblinders fic

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saintsir4n · 7 months

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BONUS CHAPTER

WARNINGS: MENTIONS OF WAR, DEATH AND PTSD

1918

THOMAS Shelby's breath got caught in his throat when he saw... them. Despite his soul being split between life and death, his heart remained in Small Heath, in the clutches of two people who looked at him like he wasn't the same man. He wasn't, he and the rest of the Birmingham Riffles were already dead, and seeing his daughter pull away from Eden's grasp and run between the crowds of people and her uncles who were wrapped up in the hugs from the family, he dropped his duffle bag as soon as she threw her arms around him, he finally caught his breath.

"Daddy!" she cried into the crook of his neck. She recognised him despite the sombre look in his eyes, "It's you, from the pictures and stories."

He didn't let go of the little girl, feeling the liveliness and joy radiating off of her, warming his undead heart. Her croaky voice brought tears to his eyes. Pulling away, her arms never moved from his neck, but her legs settled around his waist.

"'Ello," he uttered in awe.

Inara's smile grew wider by the second, taking in his hollow cheeks, raven hair and pale blue eyes that mirrored hers. Tommy couldn't believe it, no description from any letter did his daughter justice, she was something else, she was the very pull he needed to keep fighting in France. He didn't think he would be able to love someone more than Eden and here she was, half him, half her.

The beauty marks dotted around her innocent face were what got him, just like my Edie, my pretty girl.

He would protect her with his life and that vow he would never break.

"'Ello Tommy," Eden reached him after being almost knocked over by John and Arthur. Jeremiah made sure to thank her for the role she played in his son's life while he was away. The three men spent their time off to the side, greeting the rest of the family, doting over the new additions and pointing out the differences they could all see.

"Mummy it's Daddy," Inara squealed, laughing at the two, wondering why they were just staring at each other, shell-shocked and stunned beyond belief.

All the details they tried to take in before they parted all those years back, had changed ever so slightly, they were the same, and they were different. Eden appeared far more vigilant and attentive, partially due to the little girl in his arms, she had to change. Her hair; in its natural state, settled above her neck, whilst his was shaven around the sides, just like she'd last seen.

But it was the eyes, all in the eyes, they never lied.

She could see that he wasn't there, her Tommy was trapped, part of him died back in those trenches if not all. Trapped between life and death. Some made it back, others didn't, but those who survived didn't really, part of them still entangled by the mud and the patting of the shovels.

He could see that his Eden morphed into someone else, far less reactive and impulsive.

They both simultaneously pulled out their lucky charms, his horseshoe and her necklace, it brought a crooked smile to his face but failed to meet his empty eyes. There were times in the mud, the bullets and miles of death when he thought his luck would run out, his time was finished and life seconds from ending, where Eden would fade from his memory, but she was also stuck in his mind, pulling him out of the hole he dug himself. Each time he touched the horseshoe, he thought of his little girl, and she was enough, the motivation she gave him was enough, enough to survive. The necklace draped around her neck has pushed her to prevail, through the lonely nights, sleepless ones, the ones where she cried herself to sleep thinking of all she lost.

The rings they wore bound them for life, but what life would they live now? The only place to go was up.

"I promised we'd meet again, didn't I?" Was the first thing he uttered to his fiancé.

You didn't come back, not really. He knew what she wanted to say, but instead, she rushed over, placing a hand on his face, Inara watched their interaction with an innocent smile.

"You did," Eden finally smiled.

Tommy's lips connected with Eden's, arms wrapping around her waist and it was like everything was slowly coming back together, like two missing puzzle pieces. Neither had looked at another soul since they'd parted, sure they were French girls who threw themselves at him, just like there were men who glanced Eden's way, but they paid no mind to the attention, just fixated on the future flashing through their minds and ongoing battles they were facing.

"My girls," he muttered against her lips.

"Like my dress daddy?" Inara paid no attention to the kiss, slightly wrapped up in the toy horse in her hands, which caught Tommy's attention, it made him stiffen, knowing who had bought it for his daughter, "Wore it for you Daddy, it's pretty."

"I can see that," he didn't hesitate to respond, trying to be as engaged with his daughter as much as possible.

"Pretty like mummy and me," Eden blushed at her words.

Tommy turned to his fiancé, and his crooked smile, morphed into a grin, "It is, very pretty," Inara stared, hanging onto his every word, wondering what he would say next. That's when he knew he had to be better, protect her from the world around them and the demons that taunted his mind, "I wish you could've met me before the war," he whispered to her, but Eden could hear.

"You're 'ere now," Inara didn't stop beaming as she spoke.

"I am, that I am," he agreed with her then took Eden's hand in his.

It wasn't long before the rest of the family swarmed the trio, chuckling and cheering amongst themselves, shocked by the similarities that the little girl shared with Tommy, just like everyone was stunned by how John's twins were the spitting image of Martha, God rest her soul. More hugs were given, and cries of joy were heard and sad tears were shed, blessings were said, but unfortunately, the soldiers couldn't take much in.

Instead, they couldn't help but think back to the times when smoke meant a cigarette had been lit and not that a bomb had been blown. When balloons popping didn't sound like gunshots, but that was a lifetime ago.

Everything changed, they'd changed and now they'd returned.

The war might've finished back in France, but it was only starting in Small Heath.

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THE END

a/n:

i hope you all enjoyed this short story, i started planning it a couple of months ago. i loved writing about these different characters, especially eden. for some reason i found her to be more challenging to write because she is a very emotional person (and i am one too) but i also tend to write characters that are dissimilar to me to an extent. although you can see in the epilogue and this chapter that the four years did a lot to her and she hardened up, not because she wanted to, but because she had to manage and raise a baby.

even in this final chapter, writing the interaction between inara and tommy was sad in my opinion, we all know how closed off and vacant he became because of the war, even with how he was with charlie, he wasn't much of a dad in the end, (i lowkey blame that on the death of ruby and polly and grace even though i wasn't her biggest fan). i believe if i wrote inara throughout the show, she would see a side to tommy she would grow to hate but also learn to work with. that little girl would be his karma, considering eden was forced to grow up mentally, whilst inara would mimic her past behaviour. tommy loves his girls and vows to protect and love them but also always be loyal to them, so it would be interesting to see.

before anyone asks, i have thought about writing the rest of the show, however, that would take a lot out of me, considering its six seasons worth of planning and truthfully i doubt eden would stay with tommy after the shit he pulls in canon, even the things i'd thought about adding it would possibly break her, so i won't be writing the show, but i have thought of ideas to put on tumblr.

thank you for reading guys and follow my tiktok, tumblr and watch out for any conversation posts on my wall.

- liv

#wattpad #fanfic #black reader #black girl #edendawkins #eden dawkins #tommyshelby and edendawkins #tommyshelbystory #tommy shelby fanfic #tommyshelby x blackreader #tommyshelbyxedendawkins #1918 #peakyblinders fic #thegreatwar

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saintsir4n · 7 months

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thank you for 10k views

WARNINGS: SMUT, MENTIONS OF WAR AND ABORTION

1914

THE Shelby brothers had enlisted and Eden Dawkins wanted to kill them all.

"Why?" She finally asked after being silent for five unnerving minutes.

"We wanted to do it on our terms," Tommy exclaimed, watching her nervously as she played with her fingers.

He and his brothers brought her to the nearby park where they all used to play. It was vacant but her boiling anger was suffocating them all. John sat next to her on a swing, but Arthur stood next to a cautious Tommy.

"Your terms?" Eden repeated, folding her arms.

He stiffly nodded, "Our terms."

"What's Pol said?"

"Very little."

"Ada?" Eden asked, and that's when John took a good look at her, seeing how she glowed, despite her frustration.

"Wouldn't stop cryin'" John grimaced at the memory.

"John," Arthur hissed, Tommy just sighed.

"What? She did."

"Little Finn? I know Isaiah was bawlin' his eyes at last night when he woke up they were swollen," Eden stated.

"We're tellin' 'im later tonight," Arthur informed, averting his eyes.

She turned to John, "And Martha?"

"She smacked me, then cried," the force of the slap caused his head to whip to the side full force whilst his aunt consoled his crying wife.

"She's your wife, popped out a baby for you and now you're off to war, I don't blame her," Eden muttered, and John sighed.

"Alright Eden," he didn't want to feel guiltier than he already did. He was leaving his girls for however long. But it was his decision and there was no way he or his brothers back out of it now.

Eden stared up at Tommy, with a look he couldn't read, "My dad and uncle told me the same this mornin', that they enlisted as well, my dad vows, promises to my mum, well they don't mean shit anyways."

"Thanks, Eden," John grumbled, then stormed off, leaving Arthur to follow him presumably back to the house.

Tommy appeared in front of her, "Edie, love."

She stood up and softly shook her head, "Don't, give me time to think."

She didn't sound angry anymore, just hurt, there was so much on her mind, the baby was a big factor and how was she gonna raise a child when he was shooting the enemy at war? Is there any point in telling him now? Her mother asked her if she wanted to keep the baby, as did Polly the following Monday and she instantly said yes, but it was all before this madness.

Before all the men in her life were gonna up and leave for... a few months? What a load of shite, it wouldn't be that easy, it never was. Her father would be gone, a part of her world. She wouldn't cope if she ever lost him.

"Fuck, don't shut me out," Tommy ran a hand throw his raven locks, which continued to grow.

He would have to cut it again, fuck Eden stop thinking about it all. But she couldn't. It was real, it was gonna happen whether she wanted it or not. It's men's business. Fuck.

She sent him a sad smile, "I'm not, just thinking about more life-changing decisions."

"What's that supposed to mean?" He cupped her face, trying to read her, her comments hadn't been making much sense to him recently.

"Nothin' Tom, just give me some time alright?" She placed her hands over his, then caught the panic in his eyes, "And before you ask, I'm not leavin' you, I'm just thinkin'."

"Alright," that answer he could deal with.

But the fact he wouldn't be here to protect her made him realise how much he needed her to put on the pendant, to put his mind at ease, fuck her stubbornness.

His eyes couldn't look away from her, fuck she's beautiful, he did notice a glow on her face, the summer added to her beauty, he realised.

"Alright," she nodded.

"I'm sorry," he dropped his hands and tugged her closer, bringing her head to his chest, breathing in her scent, her everything.

"Don't be, I know it's been on your mind for a while, I could tell, I'm just... upset," she mumbled against his jumper.

She was surprised tears were not pouring from her eyes, her emotions have been all over the place recently, it's the baby, her mum kept saying and wasn't wrong. She remembered Martha being the same.

"I know, I don't want you to be," Tommy tugged her away, raising her chin so she could look at him, "I love you."

His tender words made her smile reach her eyes, "I love you too, just give me a minute, okay? I have work tomorrow, come by after that, we can talk."

It's good to talk, Tommy nodded and just pulled her back to his chest as they stood alone in the vacant park, listening to nothing but the cool breeze whistling in the air.

—

Sitting across from the Dawkins was Tommy Shelby. He decided he needed to talk and explain himself to them, properly and in person, and alone while Eden was at work. Luckily he got them as they returned from their shifts and after he got John and Arthur into the betting shop to run the business in his haste absence.

Cecil Dawkins wasn't forthcoming in the slightest, he never really took to the Shelby man and didn't think he was good for his daughter, and despite trying to convince both Celestine and Eden the same, it was like talking to a brick wall. Celestine claimed it was because she could see Mara in Tommy, the friend they lost not long ago, but Cecil only noticed the same trickster act Arthur Sr wore throughout Small Heath.

He didn't buy it then, he wasn't gonna by it with Tommy sitting in their kitchen.

Or at least that's what he told himself.

"You claim to love my daughter, yet you enlisted," he started, rolling his broad shoulders back and not taking an eye off the younger man.

Tommy immediately couldn't ignore the hypocrisy, "Aren't you doin' the same to Mrs Dawkins?"

Celestine made a face, "He's got you there love."

"Celestine," Cecil cast her an annoyed look.

Tommy leaned closer, "Your daughter sees me. I used to hate it. Now love it. Well, I hate that I love it."

Celestine couldn't help but be touched by his words, "Awww—"

Cecil cut her off, "Celestine, he beat up that poor boy, made our little girl cry more than she smiled and we're supposed to give her off to 'im."

Tommy narrowed his eyes on the carpenter, "She's not property."

Cecil craned his neck to look at him in disgust, "Are you gonna lecture me 'bout property?"

"Boys," Celestine was quick to interrupt, "Cecil, I know what he's done and now I'm seein' what he's tryna do for our girl."

Cecil already recognised the influences Tommy had over his daughter, one day she was adamant that religion wasn't for her and all of a sudden she came back with a black Madonna on her neck, well not so much anymore. He knew Eden had her own mind, but love was clouding it and her dreams, big dreams, he didn't want Tommy dimming them in any way.

"Eden came home cryin' yesterday, those Changretta boys have signed up and all, she found out 'bout through Dorris." Cecil informed, turning back to him with a frustrated look, "You ruined that friendship for her as well."

After suppressing another glare, Tommy averted his gaze as the guilt and the nerves took over him. He was trying, very very hard to make things right with Eden but he knew it was something she would always hate him for, even if she was in love with him. The looks he received from Cecil were only adding to that, piling onto the remorse.

So he nodded, and finally snapped his head up again, "I know, it's somethin' I regret, can't change the past now, need to focus on the future, my future with your daughter."

"Sound so confidant," Cecil muttered bitterly.

"I am."

Celestine blurted, "Thomas, you think you've made the right decision, what if Eden comes to you with some news of her own?"

"Like what?" both men turned to her in curiosity.

"Who knows," Cesltine quickly waved them off, but Tommy didn't glance away from her, "y'know our Edie, she's a mystery half the time."

"I know she is, but she's easier to read than I thought," Tommy said, still trying to decipher her previous question.

Cecil rolled his eyes at his response.

Tommy continued, "I get that I've done wrong by her, but I'll live up to the promises I've made her. I'm not perfect –"

"–got that right –" Cecil murmured, wincing at the pinch he received from his wife.

"– But I'll be my best for her, I'll give you my word, that I will," Tommy stated.

"A man's only as good as his word," Celestine added, half smiling at the younger man.

Now I see where Eden gets her forgiving trait from. Tommy thought.

Cecil bitterly snorted, "Thank you my sweet but I'm not worried about his word, it's his actions that I'm cautious of."

"I understand," Tommy insisted.

"Dont think you do," Cecil argued, waves of conflicting feelings washed over him.

"I understand that in all the years I've spent on this lane, you two are the only ones that had a functioning relationship. No domestics, no lyin' or cheatin' from what I've seen," Tommy remarked, "Just love, understanding and forgiveness. That's what I want with Eden."

Tommy pulled out the ring he wanted to propose to Eden with, making Celestine's face light up, Cecil remained unimpressed. He's been carrying the ring around him for days since he brought it, (more than the horseshoe) looking for the right time and day to ask. It was a simple ring, one he brought before Greta passed away along with one for himself.

Two wedding bands.

Tommy rubbed the back of his neck, "It's not much, I know, Eden deserves a lot better than me. She's your daughter and you'll do anything for her, what parent wouldn't? But give me a chance, another one, I already lost her once, and I can't do it again. She makes me a better man, a smarter man, and with her brains it easy to do that," Cecil couldn't deny what he was saying. "I'll make her happy, happier than she's been, I fucked — I mean messed up already, I'd be a fool to do that again. If I didn't respect you, I wouldn't be here, I would've just asked her to be my wife and she'd say yes because I know her, but I'm here, askin' for ya blessing Mr. and Mrs. Dawkins."

"Celestine," she corrected.

"Celestine," Tommy smiled at her, and she returned the gesture, it's just like my Edie's. Turning back to Cecil, hespoke clearly, "And if it goes to hell, then I'll put the revolver in your hands, with a bullet that has my name scratched across it, Mr Dawkins."

Cecil hummed, "Sounds good to me."

"Cecil," his wife scolded.

"Don't fuck up," he jabbed a finger at Tommy.

"Oi."

"I won't," Tommy nodded along.

Celestine hissed at her husband, "Watch your language."

Tommy did his best to conceal his amusement as he watched the two bicker, is this what me and Eden look like? Christ.

"Sorry my sweet," he cupped her hands, pressing a kiss to them, then turned to the younger man, about to say something he hoped he wouldn't regret. "You've got my blessin'."

Tommy let out a breath he didn't know that he was holding and shook his hand with Cecil's.

"And you, Mrs — Celestine, do I have ya blessin'?" He corrected, much to her excitement.

Celestine chuckled, "You had it before you walked in, Thomas."

Tommy finally smiled.

—

"Anythin' you wanna tell me?"

"Like what?"

Tommy knew Eden inside and out, he'd been observing her since they came to lay on her bed after she got home. How she wiped off her subtle make-up and got undressed, revealing parts of her that he believed to have grown or thickened, had him aroused but overall he knew something was different.

So after she wrapped her hair in a scarf, he sat down at the edge of her bed, ready to ask her some questions.

"Your mum said somethin' weird today, somethin' 'bout you might havin' some news of your own," he pressed, still confused by her cryptic words.

"I don't," Eden rushed out, internally cursing at her mother, despite knowing she meant well. "Besides you're off to war," she added, knowing the gears were turning in his mind, but she couldn't have him asking any more questions, "you all are, how are we supposed to cope?"

Tommy took her hands in his, "It won't be for long, papers sayin' it'll be a couple of months and we'll be back for Christmas."

"As if you believe that," she muttered, softly scoffing at the thought. It's a fucking lie, the papers are lying to them all.

"'Ave to believe somethin'."

She pulled her hands out of his grasp, "It'll be hell. We joke 'bout Small Heath bein' hell but this is hell, all the things we learnt in school and church– "

" – You barely went to church," he remarked, smirking slightly.

She rolled her eyes, "Tommy it'll be hell, I just know."

"Aye, then we'll need to return to our havens soon," Tommy spoke with a glint of glee swimming in his eyes.

"Please don't go," he could hear the pain in her voice, it almost crippled him.

It was too late now...their papers had been turned in, and they would be shipping out to France soon.

Taking off his blazer, he slipped into bed next to her, turning on his side, so he could take all of her in.

"Love listen, I'll come back to you, sooner than you think," he vowed, "you can write to me, and by the time I come back, you'll finish that book you've writing."

She bit down on her bottom lip, "What book?"

He softly chuckled, "The book that's runnin' through your mind right now, you fuel it with whatever you set your sights on so you can put pen to paper."

"It's hard to do that when war is on my mind and has been on yours for quite some time," she whispered.

"I know," he nodded, "what'll make you feel better eh? Visit a medium and they'll tell you what's what."

Tommy was never a believer in fortunes, well sometimes he was but his dad was a trickster for a living, stealing horses and telling fortunes, Tommy didn't want to be tricked but he needed Eden to settle and she hadn't been for a while.

"Don't need to see a fraud like Mrs. Price or whoever to know what's what Tommy, you'll be gone for a while..." and who knows if you'll come back the same.

Eden sniffled at the visions flashing through her mind, she was pregnant and he would be gone. How big was she gonna get, how much would she change? All the dreams and wishes she had about having a big family, she always thought Enzo and Dorris would be there for her, all three of them together, but the former wasn't an option and the latter, wouldn't be much of a help, instead turn it into a big joke and that wasn't what she needed right now. She needed guidance.

Hearing the Changrettas were all aboard with this suicide mission, her old best friend was gonna get himself killed and she couldn't even get within five feet of him for her to tell him to stay at home.

Soldiers at bloody war.

"Does Finn know?" She broke the silence with a quiet question.

Tommy frowned at the memory, "He does. Wants to come along with us."

"Course he does, you're his heroes."

"I'll be yours when we come back," he countered, not wanting to think of his little brother crying and begging to come along.

"How confident," she muttered the same thing his father had done hours before.

He smirked, "Y'know me."

She nodded, "I do know you."

"Can I ask you somethin'?"

"What?"

"To put the pendant back on," he rushed out, narrowing his eyes when she sighed, "We're together now Edie, no point of you carrying on this act. You love me, I love you. What happened ain't in the past, I know that, I messed up, it fucked up your head and all, but listen I'm changin' and I can't leave 'ere with the thought of your beck bare."

Eden deeply sighed.

"I don't wanna rush ya —"

"Give it to me."

His eyes widened.

"What?"

"Give it to me, I'll put it on," it's for the baby, she wanted to be safe and careful with the pregnancy, especially if he wasn't gonna be there.

Tommy quickly pulled it out of his pocket, shocking her that he'd been carrying it around this entire time. He put it around her neck, just like how he did when he first confessed his love for her.

It looked beautiful and he couldn't stop smiling, she thought his face would have to hurt.

In all honesty, she did prefer it on and missed it so dearly, but she was a stubborn woman and wanted to be petty.

"Back where it belongs," he said aloud, trailing a finger over her cheek, "You look so fuckin' beautiful, y'know that?" he loved her more than life itself, "Can't get enough of you."

She blushed at the look he was giving her, "Tom..."

"You're glowin' I don't get it. But I love it. Come here," he tugged her closer.

"No, I'm mad at ya," she didn't bother fighting.

"Good, the sex is better when you are," he stole a kiss from her.

"My parents are here," she gasped when he tugged at her nightie.

"Like that's stopped us," he started to undress, rushing to get his clothes off.

She gasped when he got into bed again, still in his undergarments, but she could see all of him fuck no wonder I'm pregnant.

"Tom..." she whimpered when he got on top of her.

His lips trailed up and down her neck, "If you're worried 'bout puttin' a baby in you, I won't, I'll wait for some here."

She fought a frown and asked, "So you don't want a baby now?" She asked and he pulled back.

"Not yet, when I come back, maybe when the business improves y'know?" He rushed out, standing up and going to the door.

"Right," she whispered, knowing now wasn't the right time to tell him. Fuck when was it?

"Come here," he grinned after shoving the door stopper under the door, so they wouldn't be interrupted, "I love you alright, now, I need to make it up to you, your parents know I'm stayin' over, so lay back and be quiet."

Her small breathy moans haunted him at night in his room alone. Touching himself, imagining how it would be when he had her all over again. He craved Eden like the very air in his lungs.

"You're not tired?" She asked, putting aside her confession and focusing on his hardened state, palming it, earning a soft groan from him.

"Of you? Never," his head moved all over her body, travelling from the hem of her nightie to the inside of her thighs, "surprised your knife ain't here, can't 'ave you stabbin' me."

He didn't need another incident with the flick knife.

She let out a breathy laugh, "I wouldn't... yet."

Eden dragged his face back to hers, enveloping him in searing kisses as his hands began shifting off her nightie, pulling it over her head, freeing her breasts, whilst her nimble fingers pulled down his undergarments, he groaned against her feverish lips.

"Fuck, you're everythin', ya know that?" He grunted at the feeling of her hands.

Tommy pulled back, trying to suppress his grunts and groans but he couldn't. He moved away her hand, wanting, no, needing to focus on her and only her.

His tongue teased her breasts, "'Ave these got bigger? They fuckin' 'ave."

It was something he couldn't deny.

"Oi, that hurts," she hissed, then panicked at the worried look in his eyes, "Avoid 'em for the night. Just feel a little sensitive, that's all."

"Y'sure?" she never reacted like that before "They look so..." Tommy trailed off, biting down on his lip at how big they were, "alright sorry," he quickly apologised, then was taken back by her roughly pushing him, managing to flip him over, "Fuck."

"Wanted to be to top," she murmured as his hands settled on her waist.

He needed all of her, she squealed when he sat up, still keeping his firm grip on her.

"By all means, darlin'," he groaned, watching her rise on her knees, "be on top."

Sinking down on him, they both groaned and gripped each other.

Eden knew she would have to find a better time to tell him about the baby on the way.

▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃

a/n:

it upsets me that those who went to war only thought they would be away for a few months. i was gonna watch 'all quiet on the western front' but i don't wanna upset myself. never been a fan of war films but been hearing a lot praise from that one.

and yes i finally made eden put the pendant back on, just for the sake of the baby. she's a superstitious person, so it would just bring her comfort to know that she's safe and so is the baby.

also i didn't realise how quickly this book would take for me to write, honestly thought it would be longer but I'm glad it wasn't too heavy, or violent, but I've been enjoying it so much, i love eden and tommy.

#wattpad #fanfic #black reader #black girl #tommyshelby and edendawkins #edendawkins #tommyandeden #peaky blinders #tommyshelbystory #tommyshelbyx black reader #tommyshelby x black!reader #1914 #birmingham

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saintsir4n · 7 months

Text

WARNINGS: MENTIONS OF WAR

1914

THE Shelby family home was a mess to put it lightly, the kitchen was packed, and the brothers were stuffing their faces, as had been ever since they'd enlisted, leaving little Finn to follow in their footsteps even though his stomach couldn't take it. Ada and Polly were whispering to each other, leaving Eden and Martha to worry whether the men were going to choke on their food.

Martha seemed to recognise the changes in Eden's body, and so did John surprisingly, the Shelby wife threatened her husband a few times so he wouldn't spill the beans.

"God, slow down would ya? The rest of us have to eat somethin'," Ada murmured, sitting down next to her brothers, "some more than others."

"What's that supposed to mean? We're soldiers at war," Arthur's voice was muffled by the toast in his mouth.

"Not yet you ain't," Eden retorted, wiping the crumbs from Finn's face.

"Exactly and I weren't talkin' 'bout you," Ada continued, missing the alertness on the women's faces, "pregnant women need more food than most."

"Ada!" Polly and Martha warned, just as the men's forks clattered against the table.

Eden tensed up, instantly feeling Tommy's eyes on her.

"What does pregnant mean?" Finn's innocent voice broke the silence.

Arthur snapped his head towards John, and cheered, "You and Martha 'avin' another one? well done."

"She ain't talkin' 'bout –" One glare from Martha, silenced John.

"Drop it." Martha snapped.

"What are you sayin'?" Tommy got up, just as Eden did, "Eden what's she sayin'?"

Eden sighed, "Nothin'."

Polly scolded her niece, "Adelaide, you and that bloody gob."

"What did you just say? Ada, you've never had a problem speakin' before," Tommy demanded, not taking his eyes off his woman, only to glance at her stomach.

Arthur and John each exchanged looks, but the latter continued to eat.

Ada frowned at his tone, "Pol said somethin' about a girl on a horse and Eden –"

"Ada!" Martha exclaimed, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"What? Was it supposed to be a secret?" the Shelby girl went back to eating, now that her brothers stopped.

"What 'bout Edie?" Finn asked, very worried, "And whose horse was it? Not mine, Eros's gonna be alright —"

"— Finn, go upstairs," Polly ushered the pouting boy out.

Eden's breaths quickened, she needed to get out of the house, and the pressure was getting to her.

"Fuckin' 'ell, when I said Edie would 'ave his balls I knew it was a matter of time" Arthur chuckled, alongside John, both were quick to get a smack to the back of their heads from Martha.

"Fuck!" Eden raced out of the room, then out of the house, faintly hearing the sounds of Polly reprimanding her nephews, neglecting to see Tommy chasing after her.

The warm weather slapping against her face did nothing to cease the dread she felt.

"Eden, darlin' stop, runnin' in your state —stop would ya?" even in heels he was stunned by how quickly she could escape his grasp.

"Just get it over with Thomas," she rushed out, senselessly palming her flat stomach. She couldn't turn around and look at him, worried about the expression on his face.

His brows pinched together, "Thomas? Fuck, is puttin' a baby in you so fuckin' awful that you're mad at me, takes two to make one, and you weren't complainin' about a bloody thing last time I checked."

He was still reeling from the news, he was gonna be a dad, a father, and have a child to protect love, feed, and provide for. It was happening and it was real and Eden wouldn't stop walking away, fuck.

"Would you just stop – come here Eden," he pulled her under a tunnel, away from prying eyes.

The eyes of small heath were everywhere.

He watched as she avoided his gaze, nervously playing with her fingers, whilst thinking of what to say. It was then he realized all the times she pulled away from him, the sensitivity of her body, how she flinched away when his hands caressed her breasts, her thickening hips and the glow kissing her skin, how she would throw up if the stench of booze was too much for her it all made sense and he was kidding himself before. Even when she allowed him to regift his mother's pendant, it was to protect the baby.

"Just tell me that you're done with me," she threw her hands up in the air.

"I'm what?"

"That you want me to get rid of it," she reiterated, panting slightly.

His face contorted from confusion to hurt, "What... you think..."

Her shoulder slumped, "What, it's not like you want to be a child now, you said it yourself last week."

"Have you not listened to a word I said? I want a family with you," he exacerbated.

"Those are just words, Tom," Eden's mind was drowning in a pool of dread, she missed the frown taking over his face.

Tommy scoffed, "Comin' from the wanna-be writer, seems a bit rich. I tell you I want to have a future with you and you think it's all lies? That's my baby in there too you know, I want you to have it, why on Earth do you think I would tell you to get rid of it?"

Eden shuffled back, "Because..."

"Because what? You jump to conclusions faster than I pull out a smoke, which you can't do for a while," he rushed out, trying to deduce how far along she was.

Fuck she needed a cigarette, "You want this, you sure?"

Tommy sighed, knowing it was her insecurities and anxiousness plaguing her brain, but it didn't hurt any less. He wanted her, the baby and nothing else.

So he gently pulled her against him, grabbing her chin, so she could see that truth floating in his eyes.

"Unclog your bloody ears, I want this baby, do you not want it? Is that why you're so up in arms about it."

She pouted, "I'm not up in arms."

He gestured all around them, "You ran out onto the fuckin' street."

"For exercise," she mumbled, accidentally inhaling his aftershave and surprisingly it didn't affect her.

A chuckle escaped him, "Liar."

"No, it's good for the pregnancy," she argued, despite wanting to smile.

"Is that what Pol's feeding you eh? I guess you told her before everyone else includin' the father of this little troublemaker?" she detected the slight irritation in his voice and felt worse.

"She just knew, my mum too," she meekly informed him, before he let out a deep sigh.

The realisation hit him, "Shit. You're mum knows, means your dad..."

"Won't kill you," she promised, settling her hands on his chest.

He clicked his tongue, "Not yet, but do you want this baby," he asked, silently curing himself for never doing it before.

And when Eden nodded he smiled.

"'Course I want the baby, I wouldn't 'ave been stressin' 'about ways to tell you if I didn't," she retorted, though she was happy he knew, it didn't settle the nervousness she felt.

"Thankin' Ada and her loud mouth for that one," he tried making light of the situation.

"But Tom, you're not gonna be here, all of you are leavin'. What am I gonna do?" she stressed, blinking rapidly.

"It's only until Christmas, come 'ere," his arms settled around her waist, "I'm gonna be there. For the both of you, no war will stop me from gettin' back to you. We'll 'ave that house, with the horses, ponds and studies. I'm gonna make it happen, y'know that alright?" he needed to her to have faith in not just him, them as a couple, their future, their family.

Eden hummed, looking down at her abdomen, "In the vardo, given' birth in the vardo."

"Yeah, the vardo, pushin' out our baby, fuck." His hands ran over her stomach as if to feel the baby growing beneath his fingertips, the feeling inside of him was indescribable, everything in that moment changed for him.

"Havin' a little me, that's what Polly says," she whispered, loving how in awe he looked.

Tommy couldn't stop smiling. He was going to have a daughter with the woman who owned his heart for years, it was all coming to plan. Now, he envisioned more babies in their future, his daughters wouldn't be married until they were thirty, and his sons, he wouldn't care as much but would protect them all the same.

If their daughter was anything like Eden, he'd be beating boys off with a club.

"Suppose we need more Shelby woman eh?" he murmured, keeping his hand on her.

"Too many men 'round 'ere," she joked and gradually her stress was fading.

"I'll make my way back to the two of you," he spoke low, pressing his forehead against hers, "but I need you to do somethin' for me."

"What is it?" She asked, quietly

"Next time, tell me first alright?" I wanna be the first to know.

She immediately understood his silent plea, "Alright."

Tommy's smile morphed into a grin, he didn't hesitate to pull her in for a kiss, pouring his love into it as his hand cupped the back of her head. Actions were louder than words, for the both of them, so Eden couldn't deny the indescribable feeling she felt as their lips moulded and tongues grazed each other. I love you, it was like every fibre of their beings absorbed the unspoken words.

Daring to pull back, Tommy was breathing deeply, "I need you to put your feet up, don't want you standin' until this little one's out, no doubt the rest of 'em are plannin' somethin' so I want you restin', next to me until they call on us'' she nodded rapidly, still dazed from the breathtaking kiss. "Eden, wanna know somethin'?"

"What?"

"You've made me the happiest man in the world, that's what."

"I know that," confidence took over her, it'd been missing for a while.

He raised a teasing brow, "Do you?"

A smile took over her face, matching his, "I do, now, let's get goin', unless you want to see Mrs. Granberry "

"Ah, that bloody woman."

That was another thing he was grateful for, he wouldn't have to see that woman for months if he was lucky.

So gathering Eden in his arms, he walked back to the Shelby family home, Eden, Tommy and their child-to-be.

—

The Shelbys piled into the Garrison, each as joyous and cheerful as the next.

The room was packed, but they would soon make themselves at home in the snug.

"What will it be?" Harry asked from behind the bar, as Arthur and John approached him.

"Whiskey, lots of it, keep 'em comin'." the eldest Shelby brother exclaimed, nodding to his aunt and sister-in-law as they disappeared into the snug.

"You lot celebratin'?"

"Yeah, we're celebratin' a big one," John wore a shit-eating grin, turning to his older brother, who stood behind Eden and softly rubbed her stomach, much to her amusement, "Our Tommy put a baby in there Harry."

"Holy Jesus," Harry's eyes widened, "Congratulations Mr Shelby, you too Miss Eden, no usual then?"

Eden shook her head, looking up at her boyfriend who smirked.

"Don't serve her for the next eight months, unless it's a clear glass of water," Tommy's tone was light-hearted, but they all knew he was serious.

"Yeah, yeah, come on," she dragged him into the snug, where the rest of the family were.

It wasn't long before more friends of the family entered, Freddie greeted them all, pressing a kiss to Eden's cheek, before laughing and hugging his best friend, overjoyed by the news. The Jesus' were next to join, Jeremiah made sure to whisper a small blessing to the happy couple, whilst Isaiah sat next to Finn, giggling about their plans to steal a pint of beer.

Eden knew Tommy wished that Greta was there, just like Freddie, the two men had a look in their eyes whenever they talked and it never went away. It didn't quite match hers, considering her closest friends were alive, only one didn't speak to her.

"'Ello Mr Dawkins, ya hear the news?" John laughed, slightly slurring his words as the Dawkins Patriarch walked in with his wife in his arms.

"I'm to be a grandfather, yes Jonathan I'm aware," Cecil received a few laughs, some nervous, the other drunk. He embraced his daughter, smiling down at the joy on her face.

Celestine was quick to pull her daughter in for a hug, even shedding a tear even though she knew her condition all along, and then sat on the stool next to Polly.

Tommy stood up and apprehensively approached Cecil, everyone watched the tense exchange.

Cecil rolled his shoulders back and eyed the man, before begrudgingly holding out his hand for Tommy to shake, which he did, allowing everyone else to exhale and continue the festivities.

"No threats from me Thomas, you know she'll ruin your life if you fuck her over."

"That she will!" John yelled, making them laugh.

Judging from the look on Eden's face, they were right with that assessment. Tommy saw Eden for who she was, some days she was his haven, but if he got on her bad side, she could be his worst nightmare.

"C'mon Tommy, put a ring on her finger," Arthur nudged his brother, once he sat down again.

"Once you Marry a Shelby, you stay fuckin' married," John drunkenly added, believing to be quieter than he was.

"Boys!" Celestine rolled her eyes at their language.

"You've said worse love," Cecil quickly raised his hands at the glare she sent him.

"He's not bloody wrong," Polly stated, remembering how her friend could curse at the wind if it got on her bad side.

Martha made sure to monitor the six-year-olds, luckily baby Katie was with her mother for the weekend.

"Mum drank with most of you" Arthur commented, looking at Eden who rested her head on Tommy's shoulder, "Mainly with John Boy."

"Explains a lot," Eden laughed, even when the man in question scowled.

John gasped, "Oi."

"Love ya."

"And what did she drink when she was 'avin' me?" Ada wondered aloud, leaning forward hoping to get a coherent response from her eldest brother.

"Smoked with you, must've what gave ya such a big mouth," Arthur joked, earning a few laughs.

"Oi," Ada bashfully smiled at her future sister-in-law, "and sorry Eden, I didn't know."

"It's alright," Eden would get back to her one day.

"Thought Tommy had bigger brains than that y'know?" that response caused the room to erupt into laughter.

"Watch it," Tommy playfully warned, snaking his arm around Eden's shoulder.

John clapped a hand on his brother's shoulder, "Tom's joined the Shelby dad's club."

"'Bout time you did," Arthur nodded, smiling at his younger brother as if to tell him he was going to be a good dad. Tommy smiled back, nodding in appreciation.

"Don't mess 'er about like John does me," Martha quipped, moving the pints away from the six-year-old menaces.

John pouted, "Leave it out Mar, I'm tryin'"

"Yeah, I know," she pressed a small kiss to his cheek, before getting up from her seat.

"We'll be feedin' an army with the Shelby sperm count," Arthur joked, then reeled back at the scolding looks he received from Polly and Celestine, who nodded to the children who were surprisingly paying attention.

"What's sperm Dad?" Isaiah questioned rather loudly, drawing snickering from Freddie and John.

"Nothin' son," Jeremiah tried hushing his boy, but he knew it wouldn't work.

Finn tilted his head to the side, "But what is it?"

"Boys, wanna play a game?" Eden interrupted, pulling their attention, "Whoever can count how many drinks your Uncle John has tonight wins."

"What?!" John suddenly realised what was happening, "I'm not gonna have that many."

"Okay," The two boys agreed, ignoring the world around them and just stared at John much to his annoyance.

Tommy smiled at how quickly Eden handled them, it made him wonder what type of mother she would be, but all he did know was that she wouldn't ruin their child, she was too perfect to do that.

He pulled away from Eden and decided to chat with Freddie, leaving her to talk to his sister.

"Jimmy let's go for a smoke, been itchin' for one a minute now," Cecil patted Jeremiah's back after they both sent appreciative looks to Eden for managing the boys.

The two men exited the room.

As Eden chatted away, Tommy's eyes tended to drift back to her stomach, almost like he would miss it swell if he looked away.

Polly approached him, nodding to Freddie and he knew to leave.

"You're gonna be better than you're father," Polly stated definitively, following his gaze to where Eden was sitting.

"You can see that yeah?" Tommy's heart pounded in his chest, his aunt's praise meant a lot to him.

"Don't need tea leaves or dreams for that one," Polly pressed a kiss to his cheek, then patted over it," I'm proud of ya, you and your brother chose good ones."

Tommy couldn't help but grin, "We did."

"Christ, men and their drinks," Eden grimaced at how quickly Arthur could down a pint. She was never much of a drinker, because of the lightweight she was.

"Couldn't imagine workin' 'ere," Martha murmured, wondering how Harry did it.

"And you won't 'ave to love," John retorted, wiping his mouth.

"A woman workin' in the Garrison, that'll be the bloody day," Ada joked, sounding much like her aunt.

"Only women who would work 'ere are insane or spies," Eden added as Tommy came over to sit next to her.

"That's what you think love?" he teased, eyes dropping to her stomach once more.

She nodded, "That's what's what."

Throughout the night, singing began and ended, and the two six-year-olds drifted off to sleep, resting their heads on Ada's lap before being woken up by the banging of Arthur's hand. Polly didn't bother scolding him, she knew he wouldn't comprehend a bloody word she spoke.

Harry pulled open the hatch every so often, asking if more drinks were needed and obviously no one said no.

"I see you lookin' at Freddie," Eden whispered to the Shelby girl, whose eyes doubled in size.

Ada shook her head, "What, I wouldn't – I never."

She even glanced around, hoping no one could hear the exchange, luckily most of the men had vacated the space and the boys had drifted back to sleep.

"Calm down, I won't say anythin' 'bout your crush," Eden hoped that's all it was.

Ada swallowed the lump in her throat, "Promise?"

"Promise."

Tommy re-entered, immediately noticing the blush taking over his sister's face, he shot Eden a look, to which she mouth, don't worry. He held out his hand for Eden to take and she carefully manoeuvred herself around the table.

Taking them to the room in the bar of the back, Tommy didn't take his eyes off of her, watching the frown take over her face.

"What ya thinkin'?" he asked, his palms met her cheeks.

She leaned into his touch, "That I wish I could tell Enzo 'bout our daughter, I know Dotty could just let 'im know, but it won't be the same."

He nodded understandably, "'Ave you told her yet?"

"Not yet, been thinkin' 'bout how to do that and all," she didn't know how Dorris was going to react. "it won't take long, but with Enzo, it'll be a shot in the dark."

"And you can't shoot to save ya life," he mused, then winced at the pinch she gave him.

"But I can use a knife so watch it."

"Yeah, I know better than anyone what you can wield." he pinched her cheeks, making her laugh, "But just leave that to me, I'll make sure Changretta hears the good news."

Tommy would find a way to get the information to the youngest Changretta and only him, for Eden's sake.

She eyed him warily, "You sure?"

"There's a truce, my love, he'll know," he didn't say more on the matter.

She slowly nodded, "Alright."

"Y'know, there's somethin' I've been meaning to ask you," he said, smiling widely.

She mirrored his expression, "Oh really? And what's that?"

"You'll find out soon Mrs Dawkins." oh how he wanted to say, Mrs Shelby.

"Okay, Mr Shelby," she joked as their lips met again.

Back in the snug, it seemed the room was packed once more, everyone returned, but only some seemed to continue drinking, whereas the youngest members of the blended family were having a debate.

"It was sixty," Isaiah argued with his best friend.

"No it was fourteen," Finn tried holding up his fingers.

"Sixty? Fourteen? It's nine boys," Freddie was so confused about where they got their numbers from, "your uncle would die if he had that many."

"No drink is killin' me," John slurred, raising his head from the table as everyone else returned to their seats. "Not even a bullet can do that."

Arthur agreed, "Got that right John boy."

His loud voice caught his aunt's attention, "Settle down you two, like bloody kids."

"And ones got a bloody kid."

"For now," Ada teased the woman after Polly shot her an unreadable look.

The snug door opened, revealing a flustered Eden and Tommy.

John and Freddie cheered at the sight of them before getting hushed by Polly.

Tommy tugged Eden close and held up a drink, gesturing for everyone else to do so.

"Not one for speeches," he started.

"Liar," Ada scoffed, making the room laugh.

"Go on Tom," Freddie nodded to his best friend.

"Alright, here's to, expanding the Shelby family," everyone raised their drinks, and Arthur started clapping, clearly gone out of his mind, John banged on the table as he whistled, "And my Edie, she may be known as the delight of Small heath, that she is, but she's also the mother of our child and my future wife, so let's raise a glass to her, to Edie."

They all cheered, "to Edie."

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a/n:

the war apparently didn't start for the brits until august when they declared war on germany, however, i will send the boys off to war a bit earlier, I'm pretty sure that was normal.

also, i'm going to be doing double updates until the end because by the time this book is finished... another fan favourite one will be ready to update...

#wattpad #fanfic #black reader #black girl #eden dawkins #tommyshelby and edendawkins #tommy shelby x reader #tommyandeden #until we meet again #tommy shelby fanfic #tommyshelby x blackreader #tommyshelbyfic

16 notes · View notes

saintsir4n · 7 months

Text

WARNINGS: SMUT

1914

TOMMY Shelby was happy, in fact, he was more than that, the woman who owned his heart was back in his grasp, and regardless of it not feeling the same, he was adamant about making their relationship better. It was tough, considering he was the reason that she lost a friend...a brother and there was no fixing that. Your best friend gets taken from you and you try and do the same to me, Eden's words always echoed through his mind. She was right and there was no mending her ruptured soul, all he could do was make her feel better.

And that was hard.

Not even Stevie would talk to Eden, someone who was an extension of Enzo and wanted nothing to do with her, it only hurt more.

But what brought her tears was what she met on her doorstep on a rainy morning. A second-hand typewriter and along with it was a note,

For all the times you helped, loved and protected me.

May you shine through the fog of the mirky city, little sister,

- E. Changretta.

P.S. Adam Garden is the perfect name.

Tommy was the one to bring it into her home, rubbing a hand over her back as he read the note with appreciative eyes, despite not understanding most of it contained. Typewriters weren't cheap, even if they were second-hand.

"You've got more motivation now don't ya Edie?"

She cast him a sad smile, "I guess I do."

"I'm sorry," Tommy breathed out. He'd been saying it for days, ever since she stormed into his house, demanding that he treat her well, he was doing everything in his power not to mess up. "I'm sorry Eden." For everything.

She simply nodded and looked away.

—

Meeting Tommy in the betting shop like he wanted, Eden smiled at the workers, made up of four Peaky soldiers (mainly old friends from school or boys needing work, like Danny Owen and Sudboat). They smiled back, knowing who she was and more importantly in their eyes, who she was with... one of the big bosses.

"Boys," her batting eyelashes and smoulder almost cause them to fall from their chairs and if it weren't for Tommy emerging from the office, with John and Arthur behind him, they would've.

They tipped their caps in her direction, "Miss Dawkins."

And with that, they quickly returned to their work.

John and Arthur smirked at each other, greeting the nurse with a wide grin. She didn't press a kiss to Tommy's cheek, which irked him, watching as she entered the office, leaving the brothers to whisper.

"Careful brother, she's got them foamin' at the mouth," John teased, adjusting his hat and putting a toothpick back in his mouth,

"Yeah yeah, try and make it home without fallin' up the stairs," Tommy retorted, not in the mood for quips, because he didn't receive a kiss from his lady.

"No promises, ain't that right John boy?" Arthur jokily nudged him.

John nodded as they turned to leave, not before he made one last gag, "And make sure to give Edie a proper seein' to, bet she starved."

"Fuck off," Tommy pushed them both away, ignoring their laughter as he turned back around and opened the office door.

"They think I'm starved?" Eden questioned, hearing everything that was said.

"Don't worry 'bout 'em, they weren't there yesterday were they?" his eyes shone with lust, referring to their ex-rated activities as he rounded the desk that she was sitting behind.

Tommy seemed to ride Shadow miles out, with Eden gripping his torso and the hat she wore for safety. A picnic he said, and why the fuck did she listen. Horse riding wasn't for her, not this soon anyway, but she got on. It took half an hour for him to find the place he rode to a few weeks back, thinking of the empire he wanted to build.

Helping get off the shadow and tying his reigns to a tree, he grabbed a blanket and then took her hand and ran, as fast as possible, with giggles falling from her lips.

Soon she lay naked, back on the blanket, staring up at Tommy.

"Here Thomas?"

"Yeah, I promise no one will lay an eye on you," or he would cut them a pretty smile,

Tommy found himself inside of her, the only place where he could forget about every worry and doubt, her velvety walls fluttering around him, her nails on his chest his back, whilst purring pretty words in his ear, driving him crazy.

She was drunk on the waves of pleasure washing over her.

"You're so beautiful," he grunted, pressing kisses to her neck, nibbling on the skin drawing more whimpers from her. The sounds she made only spurred him on. Grabbing her hands and placing them above her hand, he didn't relent, "fuck."

"Please, don't stop."

"I was there Thomas, you don't 'ave to remind me."

"Suprise you still have your voice," he remarked, sitting on the desk, pushing some work out of the way,

She coyly chuckled into her hands, "I hate you,"

"Keep tellin' ya self that," he teased, grabbing her ankle and pulling off her shoe, earning a confused look before he began to rub the heel of her feet, drawing a satisfied sigh from her, "How was work?"

"Witnessed some poor bloke get amputated today," Tommy snapped his head up at her words, "turns out, one day he was cold and drunk, so he turned on his oven, to warm up his hands, as you do."

"Standard practice," he said highly amused.

"He fell asleep and woke up to one of his hands burnt to a crisp, the other was decent because he moved in his sleep I guess. He screamed down the bloody hospital when he arrived, demanded that we somehow get him a new hand," she said with a deadpanned expression, making Tommy laugh, "we couldn't obviously, so the surgeon – thankfully one came in today. He had to knock the guy so he would stop screamin'. The surgeon wanted my mum to gather some nurses so we could see how to properly amputate someone, so she got me and a couple of the girls to see 'im sew up his wrist. Blood was everywhere and the hand was chucked away, thank god, Thomas it was charred like a burnt chicken - remind me to not eat chicken for a while."

"I will, sounds like you had an eventful day," Eden marvelled at his hands, trying to focus on his speech, "the surgeon didn't have somethin' to put him under?"

"There was a chloroform shortage today," she informed, "well that's what they told us, I think it was one of the nurses, stealin' 'em because some think that 'god created humans and gave them the strength to go through pain,' would love to see 'em go through childbirth and still think that."

"My mum went through it five times," he breathed out.

"Strong woman," she instantly replied.

Tommy wordlessly agreed, placing down her foot gently, then grabbed the other, slipping it out of her shoe and began massaging it.

"Don't know how she did it," she murmured, stunned he was talking about his mother, it was rare when he did.

"Pol helped." Dad didn't, he chose not to add. A man's place wasn't in the birthing room, he and his brothers weren't taught many things by their dad but that was one of them. "Me and Arthur were born in a Vardo."

Her eyes widened, "Really?" Tommy nodded in response, "Where is it now?"

"Somewhere in Charlie's yard no doubt," he paused, "Want to see it?" he asked, patting her leg and placing it down.

"You'd take me?" she leaned forward in intrigue.

"I'd take you anywhere you asked."

Her heart swelled at his words, "Yeah, one day I wanna see it."

"Alright," a grin tugged at his lips, "When I finally put a baby in you —"

"--Tommy —" she gasped, not like that stopped him.

"---You can 'ave the baby in there," he proposed, smiling at the memory of the dreams he'd been having.

"The vardo?" Eden pondered for a moment, smirking at the thought, "Okay, I'll have our baby in the vardo."

His smile reached his eyes, causing her to quirk up a brow.

"What?"

"You said 'our' baby," butterflies swarmed his stomach at the thought.

Yes, he proclaimed copious times that he wanted her to be the mother of his children, this was just the first time she verbally agreed.

She huffed out a chuckle, "Well who else is gonna knock me up?"

"If they wanna keep their balls, no one," he said emotionlessly.

"Got that right," She agreed instantly, "but what if I decided not to 'ave 'em?"

"Then we don't 'ave 'em."

"Just like that? really?"

"Really," he wouldn't force her if she wasn't ready and with how he'd be behaving, he was lucky that she continued to consider it.

Eden winced at what she was going to say next, "But y'know, our children... it'll be tough on 'em. The world I mean."

"Then I'll burn it down," he stated with indifference.

Eden sighed, "Be serious."

"I am."

"Half black, half traveller... the worlds gonna really love 'em," her tone laced with sarcasm.

He shook his head, "Fuck the world if it's got somethin' to say."

She blew out her cheeks, "Raising children in this society --"

"I'll be there to support ya, you're not raising them alone," he promised.

She rubbed her temples, "I probably will, you're a man."

She worried about many things, but regarding their relationship, she didn't know if the moment she got pregnant, he would treat her like a possession or a partner. Recently, he'd tried to stop doing so, though, she imagined it wouldn't last long, but she was allowing herself to be delusional for a moment.

"A man who will help you raise our children." He wondered if their children would have her beauty marks or his blue eyes.

His mother had beautiful brown eyes like Eden but none of his siblings inherited her darker features, only her dark hair and wild spirit, as Polly liked to call it.

Standing up, he took her face in his hands, catching the blush spreading across her cheeks, no doubt it was the same one kissing his.

"You won't be alone, not when I helpin' out a baby in your stomach," he winked at her and Eden couldn't help but laugh.

"I'll be walkin' 'round like a whale."

"A pretty whale," he retorted, eyes dropping to her stomach.

She feigned offence, "Thought you said pretty was an insult."

"Not to a whale."

She tried to push him away, but he didn't budge, "You got jokes now."

"You said I was funny."

"When you do voices – not impressions of me of course," she reiterated.

He chuckled, "I'll do 'em to our kids,"

She teasingly jabbed a finger in his face, "You'll be lucky if they like 'em."

"It won't be luck."

"Tell that to the horseshoe you're walkin' round with," she responded knowingly.

"What's this?" Tommy picked up something that fell out of her cardigan pocket as they lay there bare.

"Now this, I didn't steal it... John did," she revealed, sheepishly smiling and tugging his blazer over her body.

He snorted, "That don't surprise me."

"Remember the carnival last month," he nodded, still staring at the horseshoe, "Well, my dad told me there was some merchant that sold very good antiques — he found out for my uncle Jeremiah — anyways, I told John about it, asked him to find a horseshoe... for good luck."

His face lit up like a kid at Christmas, "For me?"

The bronze horseshoe was a perfect gift.

"Who else would I be askin' for?" He raised his hand in surrender as she continued, "he came back with that after nickin' it from the stall and I even offered to pay him for it, but he wouldn't take it, which is a shock because anythin' shiny —"

"—my brother can't keep his hands off."

"Exactly."

"Why am I only seein' this now?" something quickly dawned on him, "'cause of how I was actin'"

"Glad you remembered, your big brains finally workin'," she giggled.

"Alright, alright come here," he cupped the back of her head, bringing her to a passionate kiss, sending a wave of goosebumps over her skin.

"Thomas –" she felt him drop the horseshoe somewhere on the blanket, "make me feel good."

"Wanna feel good?" he muttered against her lips, pulling away his blazer, revealing the body he knew every inch of, knew where to touch, where to love, "so greedy,"

His kisses trailed from her lips to her neck, before his lips found her breasts.

"Fuck," her back arched as he sucked at her nipples, blowing over the skin.

"And you say you ain't forgiven me yet," he muttered, kissing further down her body.

"I bloody 'aven't."

Tommy licked his lips, groaning at the arousal between her legs.

"You will."

"Yeah, the horseshoe was a gift from you," he said, feeling it in his pocket.

Wiggling her brows, she asked, "So you'll always carry it around?"

"For good luck," he recited her, with a smile.

It wasn't the only thing he always carried around.

She winked at him, "For good luck."

Looking around the room, a framed picture of a horse caught her eye. A stallion to be exact and she knew amongst the brothers, Tommy would be the one to put it up with a proud smile on his face. He was cute when he smiled, adorable even. She hoped he never stopped smiling, rather than beating down her friends.

She turned to him, realising that he was already smiling down at her.

"What?" he asked softly.

"Do you think I could be a writer, a real one?" nerves came off at the mere question.

His face scrunched up, "Wouldn't have bought you that notebook if I didn't. 'Ave you finished writin' int it?"

She rapidly nodded, "Last week."

A wild smile took over his face, "See..." he pressed a kiss to her forehead, "You tried usin' that typewriter yet?"

He felt her tense under his touch.

"No, not yet," she averted her eyes.

And Tommy decided not to press on the matter, it was something to do with Enzo, he knew it was.

So he changed the subject, correction, he joked about what he had to do to get on top, to be King.

"Birmingham is so fuckin' dull, you have to be a bright ball of fire to be seen," she exclaimed, turning to look at him. "If you wanna do somethin' big, you gotta start small."

"Like what?" he rushed out the first thing that came to mind, "burn pictures of the King?"

She laughed, "And that's small to you?"

He nodded, "Got your attention."

"Why, do you hate the man?"

"I don't, he's done nought to me."

She raised a questioning brow, "Wanna get yourself killed?"

"No."

"Let me guess, Tommy Shelby ain't afraid of death?" she teased.

Tommy chuckled but didn't say anything in response. Twenty-two years old... he was afraid of death, dying really and if he ever reached a point where he wasn't then he would no longer be himself.

He wished there was a time when all he had to do was work with horses, but he knew it wasn't realistic, there was more he needed to do -- had to do, for just not him, but the family.

Seeing a slight change in his demeanour, Eden grabbed his hand, "Well put aside those anarchic thoughts and think 'bout somethin' happy, like our future house."

"And what about it?"

"What do you want in it?"

"In our big house..." he blew a raspberry, thinking of their future sanctuary "Let's see, the kids have to be runnin' 'bout, all up and down the halls, round a pond, in the stables –"

"Stables?"

"Stables, where we'll keep the horses," she rolled her eyes at his sarcasm, but listened nonetheless, "I need a study, and so do you. A nursery, or a bench where you can read to the kids, y'know one of those rooms."

Her brows furrowed, "A playroom?"

"That's what they're called." she nodded, in response, then motioned for him to continue, "want our house to have one of those fountains out front."

"Our house needs to be far out, so Mrs Granberry won't be near."

He shuddered at the thought of her, "That woman... hope to never see her again."

"Amen to that," she then began to ponder, "How many horses we havin', none racin' ones?"

"Two, at first, one for me and one for you," he proposed, already seeing her head shaking.

"No," she let out a nervous laugh, "I can't ride horses – and no Tommy, you don't count."

A smirk tugged at his lips, "Weren't gonna say that. You were ridin' Shadow just fine."

"I was squeezin' you so tight, I'm surprised you didn't suffocate."

He forced himself not to make a joke at her phrasing, instead, he said, "You'll be better next time."

She sent him a pointed look, "You say that to Freddie? I know he's never been on a horse."

"Prefers walkin', he does."

"And rallyin' of sorts," she added, remembering all the big speeches Freddie made at school, it was usually against capitalism or him defending his Jewish faith before he and his family had to change their name to avoid further discrimination.

"Got that right," Tommy agreed.

"Where is he? 'aven't seen 'im in a while."

Tommy played with a stray strand of her hair, "Out with some girl, he's seein'"

"Right," she stood up, Tommy pulled her, between his legs, then held out a cigarette, which she didn't light for him, earning a grunt, but she happily took a few drags, Eden went as far as to tease him by blowing the smoke into his mouth, grazing their lips in a taunting manner before pulling away, "How was your day?"

Tommy stared at her, his eyes swarmed with joy and his heart practically wanted to beat out of its chest, he couldn't hide his happiness. She was so close to me, willingly too, although she tended to tense or shift or shuffle away sometimes, she was still close to him. He just needed her to wear that bloody necklace.

So he just kept smiling, and said something she wasn't expecting,

"Well... John reckons he's knocked Martha up again."

"He's what?!"

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a/n:

gratiela brancusi as 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗯𝘆

no, mara shelby will not be in the story, however, she will be included and i wanted you guys to have an image of what i imagined her to look like. considering she had to be around 35 in canon when she passed away (i know i changed the ages of some of the shelbys)

i hope you guys are seeing the changes in their relationship, sure they're having sex, but their small intamacies have changed. eden is being stubborn (as she should) still not kissing him outside of the bedroom, or lighting a cigarette and especially not wearing his mother's necklace.

i wanted the horseshoe eden gifted tommy, to relate to the horse he rode in the first episode of the show, but online it doesn't say what breed of horse it is, which was annoying. also, pre-war tommy, i doubt was so adamant about death, he was scared in my opinion, and everyone was. polly mentioned a few times that he wanted to work with horses, so i made sure to mention that.

I feel like if I were going to continue the book post-war, then I would have written a scene where Eden would amputate someone, for the the foreshadowing aspect. But don't worry that won't happen, even though it would have been a very intense scene.

#wattpad #fanfic #black reader #edendawkins #tommy and eden #tommyshelby and edendawkins #eden dawkins #tommyshelby x blackreader #tommyshelbyfic #untilwemeetagain

11 notes · View notes

saintsir4n · 8 months

Text

WARNINGS: MENTIONS OF VIOLENCE

1914

"FUCKIN' bellend," Eden stressed, pacing around the park.

Fortunately, only a few families were around, a few noticed and recognised her, even waved at the local nurse, before going back to pushing their kids on the swings.

Pulling out a cigarette, not caring that Thomas wasn't there to light it, she inhaled the tobacco, hoping it would settle her inner torment.

She never imagined that someone could have this much influence on her heart, let alone her mind.

"Why me?" she knew the answer because I let him in. Her amazing choice of men was going to be her fucking downfall. "Why couldn't I go for a church boy?" she questioned herself over and over again. "A small-town gangster, well done Eden." Enzo was right, "Should've just stuck to being alone." and at least I would still have my friend, "Was he even fuckin' worth it?"

With each drag her thoughts grew louder.

Deafening.

It would've been just her luck if she lost her hearing just from thinking about Tommy Shelby.

She loved him, but why?

Why's it so hard to let him go?

Since losing her closest friend she didn't know what to do. It was tough. Writing out her thoughts was worse. Half the time, she tore the pages out and burnt them, not wanting to be reminded of the torment.

"Thomas fuckin' Shelby," she muttered, annoyed by the thought of him, his big blue enticing eyes, his lips made her want to kiss him every time she looked at him and his cheekbones, his fucking cheekbones were just... "Fuck this."

Throwing her cigarette to the ground, she stomped it out and went on her way.

"Bloody men," she kept muttering, "short bloody men, like Thomas Shelby," she almost gagged at his name. "With an ego bigger than his height, a cock larger than his patience — should've binned 'im off a while ago."

She couldn't stop her fist from knocking on his door, she needed to get this out of the way.

"Christ Eden. Weren't expectin' you to come 'round so soon," Arthur remarked after opening the door.

"Where is he?" she didn't waste any time.

"In his room," Polly's head popped out from the kitchen, along with Ada who was eating, "Do give 'im a good tellin' off, he's doin' our heads in."

With that, she made her way up the stairs, disregarding the voices she heard from downstairs.

Eden was a woman on a mission.

A mission to humble Thomas Shelby.

She pushed open his door, not bothering to knock since he didn't deserve her kindness right now.

Tommy immediately sat up, ready to scream at whoever disrupted his quiet time. His gaze softened at the sight of his... well not his... Eden. He hadn't stopped thinking about their last conversation, it was far less destructive, but it still wasn't okay.

But when he noticed the irritated expression it made his joy fade.

Tommy stood up, "Eden —"

"I've been thinkin' all day, walkin' 'round tryna organise the thoughts in my head," she began pacing in his room, even though there wasn't much space.

That seemed to concern him, "Walkin' alone. Were you alone?"

"Listen to me," she snapped, stopping in her stride.

"But —"

"Listen!"

"Alright," he gulped at her tone.

"You... you were disrespectful and rude to me. Your words cut deep, y'know that? I kept cryin' because of you. I shouldn't. You should know I deserve better. I could 'ave better and you're not special."

Tommy rubbed the back of his neck, "I know —"

"No shut up and listen," his mouth slammed shut, "If I choose to get back with you, it'll be on my terms. You talk to me like shit, it's done. You raise your voice, it's finished. You dare look at another woman, I'll chop your balls off and leave you bleedin' to death and won't think twice about it. You understand?" He started nodding quickly, but she was satisfied, "Say it."

"I understand," he rasped.

"Good. Now if you so much as think that you can dictate who I can speak to, I'll have you admitted, I can do that since my mum's a matron and all."

"I know," he surprisingly struggled to keep her unwavering gaze. Fuck, he was intimated by her... and incredibly turned on.

"Don't go thinkin' I won't end this, because I will. You want me, you love me so act right," She stated, narrowing her eyes when he shifted in his stance.

"I will," he promised.

"You already caused me a friend, a best friend, that you battered and bruised to the point his pretty face was unrecognisable. So I swear to the Lord almighty, if you fuck this up again, I'll have no problem lettin' this," she gestured between them, "go. I'm shocked I'm even 'ere and that I still 'ave feelings for ya after that and you cannot blame me for remindin' you of it every step of the way. And don't pressure me to do anythin' or be nicer to you. You want me, a bitch is what you're gettin' alright?"

"Alright," he nodded, rushing out, "and I'm sorry, I never meant to —"

"Yes I know, ruin a part of my life," she cut him off with a harsh glare that had him averted his gaze, "and you'll know I'll never forgive you for that, nor can I forget, but I'm stomachin' it because for some reason I can't let this be done."

I guess there is a God in Small Heath, his heart hammered at the words she spoke.

"Thank you," he didn't know what else to say, all he wanted to do was reach for her, have her in his arms again.

"Yeah, well I guess we'll see," she said with indifference, stunning him. The whole conversation had stunned him. "And don't ask me to put that necklace on until I'm ready. I'm not givin' into your charms."

Eden swivelled on her feet, not allowing him to respond, let alone reach out for her, which he tried to do. She exited his room, ignoring him trailing behind her and the amused looks on the Shelby's faces and left the house.

Standing on the stairs, Tommy gulped, raking his hands through his hair.

"She has you by the balls Tom," Arthur laughed, glad that he had a girl like Eden to humble him.

"Fuck off, at least she's back with me," Tommy retorted, coming down the stairs, "where's your woman?"

"Leave Arthur alone," Martha came out from the living room with John holding little Katie, "You're on probation."

"Only a matter of time before you fuck up," Ada mumbled with a piece of toast in her mouth.

A scowl grew on his face, "Right, Ada, come 'ere now."

The house quickly erupted into chaos.

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a/n:

eden needed time to gather her thoughts and set tommy straight. she won't forgive him for what happened with enzo and why would she? she's basically tolerating the situation until it hurts less. (something i've done many times unfortunately).

#wattpad #fanfic #black reader #black girl #tommyshelby and edendawkins #eden dawkins #tommyshelbyfic #until we meet again #tommyshelby #tommy shelby x reader #tommyshelbyxblackreader

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saintsir4n · 9 months

Text

WARNINGS: ANGST, GRIEF AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE

___

1914

THERE were many things Eden Dawkins hated and being shouted at is one of them.

Since the funeral Tommy hadn't been the same, he wasn't treating her like he once did, as much as she tried to ignore his attitude, his mumbles and rudeness she couldn't, even if it might be a part of his grieving process.

Guilt crept up her spine any time she wanted to snap back and prevented her from doing so.

He's grieving, his best friend is dead, and he's grieving.

Christ knows she would've been worse, god forbid she lost anyone she held dear.

But with Tommy, it felt like he was just having a go at her despite everything she did daily. Entering March, the weather had improved but Eden's mood regressed.

Whenever she wasn't at work, she was with the man she claimed to love.

But with each argument, every bicker, the whiskey coating his tongue grew thicker, harsher, driving him to say whatever, whenever.

Polly was usually there to put a stop to his rudeness, surprised that not even Eden could settle him.

But work did, the King threw himself into his ambition head first, which initially seemed like it did the trick, but he was just growing more distant, pushing everyone away as if they were nothing.

Stood by the sink of his family home, Eden huffed, attempting to scrub up the rest of the broth from the bowl Tommy didn't consume. She heard muffled chatter from the other room between Freddie and Arthur whose voices calmed her. The fact she wasn't alone with Tommy brought her a sought of peace. She cursed herself for thinking it, but he was just getting worse.

Usually, he would be all over her, running his hands over her back and sides, hugging her from behind, whispering sweet nothings in her ear, until giggles escaped her lips before he would press the most passionate, yet chest kiss to them, pouring the devotion he felt into it.

But now... nothing.

"Tommy?" She turned to see him let out an exasperated sigh, "Want me to make you somethin' else? You haven't eaten in days."

Tommy just stared ahead at the glass and the bottle of whiskey in front of him.

"Soup might be good for you," she suggested moving closer, noticing how much his hair had grown out around the sides, the heavy bags residing beneath his eyes, stubble peppering his jaw and the crinkling of his fingers, he needs a smoke, "or a sandwich, or fruit —" she tensed at the empty look he gave her, "talk to me my love."

"Talk to you?" he stiffened when she placed a hand on her shoulder.

She mustered up a smile, "Yeah, we can talk about whatever you want."

He turned away, shrugging off her hand, "What's there to talk about."

Frowning, Eden clasped her hands together and gulped, "I know I'm not her Tommy but you can talk to me —"

He abruptly cut her off with a glare, "That's right you're not her, Eden and you will never be."

His harsh words had her fingers pinching at each other, yearning to tear off the scratch around her nails.

He's grieving, his best friend is dead, and he's grieving. She repeated to herself.

Exhaling she tried again, "Tom-"

"Just leave," he waved her off.

He missed her hurt expression, "I'm trying to help."

"You haven't been helpin', being all over me for days at a time, you call that help?" His condescending tone was like a sharp knife in her back. "You're gettin' in the way, why? Tryna replace Greta ey? Is that what you want?"

Eden rapidly shook her head, "No, why would I want that?"

"You felt threatened when she was alive didn't you?" he suddenly stood up, making her flinch from the way the chair to scratched against the floor.

"I wasn't —"

Tommy came up to her, "She told me what you said, you saw her as a threat."

It was clear that he intended to hurt her, strike some sort of cord and it was working.

That's rich, "N-not like that," she stammered at their proximity, never had she seen the crazed look in his eyes cold eyes, it only made her want to draw the knife hidden beneath her underskirt, use it for protection only, but she felt like she needed it now.

But how could she use it against him?

Would she ever use it against him?

It seemed Thomas Shelby brought her as much love as he did the pain.

"Yeah, I bet," he scoffed, "she was there for me when you weren't."

She took a step backwards as he neared her, "We weren't even together until recently Tommy —"

"Fuckin' excuses, just admit it, Eden, you hated her from the start and you're glad she's dead."

"What?!" Her screech caught the attention of the men in the other room. "I never hated her and I prayed she would get well, how could you think that?"

"Always on me, all over me, suffocatin' me, want me all to yourself," he was going in circles, angry that he even made Eden a priority from the start, when he should've taken better care of Greta.

But it wasn't Eden's fault and despite that, he didn't seem to care.

"I wasn't trying to be all over you, I swear," she could see the shadows lurking behind Tommy.

He sneered, "Just get out."

"What?" she uttered as a tear escaped her eye, kissing her cheek.

"Get out!"

Eden's shoulders slumped as she bit down on her bottom lip, wondering how she ended up being subjected to such cruelty.

Tommy didn't seem to regret a thing, he just wanted to inflict the pain he felt and he'd succeeded.

Coming out from the hallway, Arthur was the first to speak, all while Freddie went to check on Eden who was physically shaking from Tommy's tone.

"Brother–"

"Shut up Arthur," he snapped, keeping his gaze on his girlfriend.

Eden grabbed her things and swiftly moved passed the other two, who stared at her sympathetically, even Freddie reached out for her, seeing the tears flowing down her face, but she shrugged him off, wanting to get out of there as quickly as possible.

The sound of the front door slamming pulled Tommy back down into his chair and picking up his unfinished glass of whiskey, all while the men just stand there, one in disappointment the other in irritation.

"You need to get you're fuckin' head straight," Arthur could hardly recognise his younger brother, it disturbed him. He might've been the rowdy one who could never seem to reign in his temper, but Tommy was different, they all knew it.

Tommy tried to ignore them but they came closer, not caring if he was going to yell or scream or even punch.

"Have you lost your mind? Don't push her away. You think Etta would've wanted this," that earned a glare from Tommy, but Freddie continued, "I lost my best friend y'know? You're not the only one."

But the grieving Shelby reached to grab another drink, thinking of the pain in Eden's eyes as he shouted at her, did I really do that? He gulped down another glass, washing away the guilt that was dug at him, like a tunneler at war.

Arthur's eyes flickered between the door and his brother, "You ain't gonna go chase after her?"

He just knew John and Martha would be on his arse when they returned.

"What's the point?" Tommy finally spoke up, continuing with his tour of apathy.

Arthur leaned against the counter, "She makes you smile Tom, she makes you smile."

"What good is that? She ain't here." Tommy grumbled, much to Freddie's dismay.

The Thorne man just shook his head.

Arthur sneered, "And who's fault is that, no one's fault but your bloody own."

Tommy took no note of the words spinning around him, it was all noise, nothing but noise.

So picking up another drink, he laughed, it was a bitter and empty laugh, which they recognised.

He raised it to them, with a resentful look, "To women who leave when times get rough."

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a/n:

you can't have tommy shelby story without his tommy shelbyness. he's not cut for relationships in my opinion, he's not built like that, whether it's him or external forces, it will either end in misery or tragedy unless he makes a change.

let's hope he changes before the story reaches its conclusion. fingers crossed.

and don't go thinking eden's weak, she's hurt and the first man she has ever loved is acting horribly to her. I take pride in how I write my characters and how they act accordingly, especially in situations where the majority would be shocked or just cry if they are shouted or screamed at and let's be real, tommy doesn't deserve her kindness, especially with how he's acting.

#wattpad #fanfic #black girl #black reader #tommyshelby and edendawkins #eden dawkins #tommy shelby #tommyshelby #tommyshelby story #tommy shelby fanfic

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saintsir4n · 9 months

Text

WARNINGS: PANIC ATTACKS, MENTIONS OF DEATH AND ILLNESS

___

1914

EDEN had forgiven Tommy.

But she hasn't forgotten, why? Because she doesn't have the memory of a fucking goldfish, all his misdeeds were prominent in her mind and she wouldn't forget, nor could she.

As time passed, Tommy gave her a few lessons with a gun and if she could at least shoot straight, he would ensure she carry it for protection whenever he wasn't around, despite her yelling that he wasn't her knight and saviour.

But the thing was, Eden, couldn't use a gun to save her life.

Tommy stood behind her, whilst Eden held the gun with her healed hand. Her finger curled around the trigger just as his hand moulded around hers for aid.

"Just like that. Just shoot at the bottle," he whispered to her ear, smirking at her shudder and blush at their proximity.

She missed completely, shooting in the opposite direction.

"Eden, what the fuck?!" Tommy shouted, though, thoroughly amused by her lack of aim.

"You told me to shoot."

"At the bottle, not the bloody sky!"

So instead he gave her a knife, which he bought a while ago, and even scratched 'S' on the handle. He wanted to see if she could manage a weapon.

And yes she could.

How Eden was so good at handling a knife was a mystery to everyone. Still, Tommy believed it was because she was so efficient with a needle, her fingers were nimble, rarely callous like his and his brothers, but it was only a matter of time before they would match theirs.

As of late, she strapped the knife around her garter, so all it took was one tug and she could slice the flesh of whoever threatened harm.

Looking down at the babe in her arms, Eden thought about all the things that could drive someone to harm another, what age did it start, the violent tendencies, and what was installed in them or were just born that way? How could something so adorable, so fragile, grow up to do the opposite?

"You're a natural with gettin' her to sleep," Martha commented, sounding exhausted and looking it too, "Katherine does my head in half the time, must get it from her dad."

Eden chuckled, still not taking her eyes off little Katie, "Indeed she does."

"What tune were you hummin' Edie? Need to learn it if that's all she responds to."

"You've got milk in your breasts all for her to consume, of course, she's not gonna sleep with you teasing her with it," Eden joked, "and I was only hummin' some old lullaby my mum used to sing, couldn't sleep without it or I'd be up for days."

Moonshine Tonight, was the lullaby that she also heard Jeremiah hum to Isaiah whenever the nutter kept him up at night, she even had to sing it to him whenever Finn had their shared toy, but luckily her father gifted him a new one.

Martha unclipped her hair, letting it roll down her shoulders, "Teach me it will ya?"

"Of course."

Eden stared at her friend. Martha was a natural stunner, with long brown hair, gentle hazel eyes and a shy smile. Pregnancy changed her body, widening her hips and growing her breasts. She was gradually losing the baby weight, even though Eden didn't see why she had to so quickly, but what society says, goes. Unfortunately.

Katie looked more like her mother than her dad, inheriting her dark hair and eyes, but everyone could see the teasing glint in them whenever she was being difficult, much like John.

"You thinkin' about havin' one with our Tommy?" the Shelby woman asked, smiling softly at her daughter yawning in her sleep.

Eden flushed at the thought, "It's only a been a couple of months since we've been seein' each other."

Martha giggled, "For you, he's been seein' you in his dreams for years."

Eden smugly smiled and innocently shrugged at her remark. Many people had told her that he's been obsessing over her for years despite never saying a word, only looking in her direction whenever she visited, but she felt his soft stares turn to glares when she walked the streets with a Changretta by her side.

"Shelby boys and their women," Martha chuckled, "we're right lookers ain't we?"

Eden winked, "You could say that again."

Martha slowly got out of her chair and came over, "Let me put this little one down, I'll be upstairs if you need me."

Eden already missed how Katie felt in her arms, now looking up at the mother-daughter duo. Martha was truly glowing, motherhood suited her so well, it was only a matter of time before she had a few more.

"I'll be up to check on the boys, all that sugar they won't be waking up for a few hours," the Dawkins girl said softly, sitting back in her chair.

The last time she checked, Isaiah and Finn were resting in John's room with sugar and powder decorating their faces.

Martha shook her head, "It's all those sweets, you spoil 'em."

Eden bashfully bowed her head, "They flash those toothy smiles and I'm grantin' wishes."

"Change that soon, or you'll be giving 'em that throne the King sits on."

Eden made a face, "With his health, won't be hard to."

Martha softly chuckled and left Eden to pick up her book and begin to read, getting lost in the pages, and the imagery, leading her to the fantasies that were between the words she took in.

She often pondered if she could make something up like this if she could make a piece of work so enticingly special or if she would be able to keep her name on the cover or change it to appeal to the masses. E. Dawkins... potentially E. Shelby, with the way Tommy persisted.

She was so engrossed she didn't even hear Tommy walk into the room. He leaned against the door, watching her, seeing the small smile that graced her rose-coloured lips and how her eyes lit up whenever she turned a new page. Hearing from Martha how she took care of his little niece he couldn't help but picture the family he wanted to start with her, how she would look with his child in her belly, nurturing and growing until it finally pushed from her womb.

What a mother she would be.

Finally feeling his presence, she smiled up at the man who strolled over to her, "Tommy, thought you were out all day, did something happen, Arthur get into another scrap? I'm all for stitchin' 'im up but bein' your designated nurse is fuckin' tiring."

He chuckled, "'M just hear to see you darlin'," he pressed a kiss to her lips, then another and another, missing her taste and her touch, "you missed Martha pinchin' my sides."

She teasingly pulled away from him, "And whys that?"

Crouching in front of her, he murmured, "For upsettin' you, know there's a whole league of your defenders after me when that happens."

"Be aware of my soldiers," she playfully pushed his chest, extracting a laugh from his lips, "wanna read with me, it's a good book."

He picked it up, careful not to let go of the page she was on and looked at its contents, Peter Pan by J.M Barrie. Three years since the book was published he was sure of it and wasn't surprised that she let herself get caught up in the tales about the mischievous bandit. He was a reader, not as much as his woman but he liked to read, mainly about horses, but poetry caught his eye also.

Tommy turned to her with a strained expression.

She caught how each time he smiled or laughed, it never reach his tiresome eyes. Something with wrong, he even physically looked weak.

So she folded the corner piece of the page she was on, taking it from his grasp and settling it down on her lap before cupping his face.

"What's wrong handsome?"

He didn't bother to fight the heat creeping up his face at the compliment, too tired by the news he had received.

"Let's go on a walk."

He stood up and held out his hand for her to take, she accepted it and smiled.

"Yeah, a walk would be nice."

—

Eden quickly lit a cigarette, after seeing his fingers wrinkling together, itching to wrap them around the paper. The couple had been walking for a while, no destination in mind, but she followed his steps, waiting for him to unload the weight on his shoulders.

He spoke after taking a deep drag, "She's dying."

That stunned Eden, "Who?"

He looked away, "Greta."

Eden's lip's parted in shock. She blinked rapidly, wanting to come to terms with what she heard, it couldn't be right, could it? Maybe she misheard him, but no, the distant look on his face, teary eyes and clenched jaw told her all she needed to know.

Bringing her hands arms around his waist, she asked softly, "How?"

"Consumption." the disease of the poor, he was surprised that it hadn't killed off half of the lane.

"Oh, Tommy I'm so sorry."

He let go of the cigarette, needing Eden's comfort much more than a bunch of nicotine, wrapping his arms around her, tighter than he thought possible. Breathing the cedarwood she always smelt like, hoping that the scent would never be foreign to his nostrils, wishing it could soothe the embers burning in his chest, the pain storming his heart.

Losing one of his best friends was breaking him down, he wondered if he could ever recover.

"It's not your fault. Doctors say she's got a month at best."

He turned away from Eden, pulling out of her hold, still not wanting to come to terms with the hands on the clock ticking and taking away the life from Greta's eyes.

Eden covered her mouth with her hand, thinking back to the last time she saw the sick woman, it's a cold, the words echoed in her mind, rumbling like a train going through a tunnel.

"Tommy, why are you here? She's your best friend," she whispered, dropping her hand and coming up to him carefully. He shouldn't be here.

"I... Just... I can't look at her, not like that," she was pale and fragile, not like his Greta. His Greta was up and moving, lively and vibrant, nothing like the mummified woman he and Freddie saw earlier in the morning.

Being the ambitious man he was, Tommy didn't see much of Greta, over the last few weeks, he tried and always brought by pearl drops believing that her being under the weather was just that, nothing more.

"She needs you," Eden uttered.

"I need her alive but where's the good in that? She's fuckin' fallin' off this earth every day and I can't do a thing to stop it."

She placed a hand on his shoulder, "It's a disease it's not in your control, or anyone's."

"You don't think I know that?" He instantly regretted snapping, after noting the frown on her face, "Sorry."

"Don't blame you, I would be on edge if it were my best friend, god forbid," she shook the thought from her mind, "what about Freddie? Where is he?"

"Gone home, he didn't say anythin' to me, nor her, he just saw her... like that and umm, left."

"He's scared."

Tommy tried not to roll his eyes at what she said, knowing she was attempting to confront him, but in turn, he was growing angrier, his best friend was dying for Christ's sake.

There really ain't a God in Small Heath.

"I knew she was sick," he turned back to her.

Eden hummed, "A cold right?"

"She tell you that?" he recalled Eden mentioning how they talked, women talk, no doubt about him and all the ways he fucked up when it came to girls.

"She looked pale when I saw her, like a ghost." her words had Tommy's face contorting.

"Why didn't you tell her to go to the doctor then?" his accusing tone had her taking a couple of steps back, wary of the crazed look in his eyes.

Eden's head hung low, "I did Tom, she's stubborn, she kept sayin' it was a cold."

"Should've forced her," he mumbled rubbing his chest, "should've forced her."

Snapping out of his trance, he turned around, realising where they ended up... the cut, the last place his mother was alive, the last time she took a breath, the last time he had two parents.

Eden gasped when he drew for breath, fighting for air to return to his lungs like some invisible force was snatching it away. His clasped hands rested on his head as wheezed.

"Tom, you need to focus on somethin', shit," she grabbed him, desperately looking around, hoping no one was around to see his vulnerable, knowing it would hate it if he could breathe. "You need to focus on...fuck."

Tears pooled in his eyes, at the thought of losing his best friend, all the moments they shared, all the years they had together were now out of reach and she was given a month, a fucking month left to live as if she wasn't at the pinnacle of health only months before. She was fine or was she? Why didn't he see it, why didn't Eden see it? No, it's not her fault, he thought... it's him, he truly believed it was his.

"Focus on me alright Tom? On my face, my eyes, look, don't think for a second. Just keep lookin' at me, keep your focus. Like you've got those fuckin' blinkers on. Just like a horse."

Those words seemed to click in his head, "Horses."

But instead of looking at her face, his eyes were drawn in by the black Madonna around her neck.

"Right horses, you love 'em," she expressed, rubbing his face. "Wanted to work with 'em since you were a boy, you did."

"Horses yeah horses," he kept breathing out, with his eyes fluttering shut.

Eden brought him into a soft embrace, "Nothing else."

He choked back a sob, "Nothing else."

"Nothing else, my love."

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a/n:

jennifer jones as 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗮 𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗯𝘆

decided to keep greta's consumption in the story, especially because it's canon and although it's upsetting i do believe her death had a big role in his character and will do to his and eden's relationship in this story.

also, i hope no one is too upset with how i wrote tommy's panic attack, i know everyone's experience is difference, i was just going off my own. wanted to tie in how much he also sees himself in horses, and the fact that eden knew how to bring him out of his head by mentioning them.

#wattpad #fanfic #black girl #black reader #edendawkins #tommyshelby and edendawkins #tommy shelby x reader #Tommyshelbyxblackreader

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saintsir4n · 9 months

Text

WARNINGS: ANGST, BLOOD AND MENTION OF VIOLENCE

___

1914

PRIMROSES are what flooded the small foyer of the Dawkins home. Who were they from? Thomas Shelby and Luca Changretta. Men that weren't good with their words so they believed that sending Eden's favourite flowers was a grand apology.

And did it work?

No, Eden got rid of them.

At first, she suggested that she should drown them in the cut, inviting the pair to come and witness it but no she didn't want to be near either of them. Celestine was against the idea of Eden burning flowers, claiming that was a bad omen so instead she got rid of them.

Luca knew he shouldn't have talked to her in such a way, regarding her private escapades, and her private relationship with Thomas bloody Shelby but he couldn't help himself. For the last couple of days, he received an earful from his youngest brother who continuously checked in on his best friend, fearing that somehow the glass sliced her skin would leave her without a hand.

Eden was fine, her hand might have been bandaged up, no splint needed, but that couldn't say the same about her heart, her mother did ask how she injured herself despite knowing because two small birdies informed her...

Isaiah and Finn knew all and were willing to say anything with the small price of sweets.

This in turn gave Tommy the idea of ensuring the two troublemakers were always around her, being his little spies, to see how she was doing and who she could be talking to. She turned him away at every chance, so how else would he find out what was happening to the woman that he stole his heart?

And how else would he find out who was also knocking at her door whenever he wasn't around?

Since he physically couldn't go everywhere and anywhere at once he came up with an idea, to get his best friend – not Freddie – Greta of course to have a friendly chat with the stubborn woman who avoided him with the quickness of a bloody quarter horse.

When Eden got the invitation to come to the Jurrosi household, to say she was irked, was an understatement.

"Not to be rude Greta, why am I here?" she questioned.

Greta's eyes never left hers, "Thought we should talk."

Eden narrowed her gaze, sitting opposite the Italian woman, with a table between them, acting like a barrier just in case Eden lost her temper, not like she was prone to, but recently her mood fluctuated like the stock market.

Eden tended to move like a snake, especially when she was analysing someone. The melancholic appearance of the other woman was the first thing that she noticed when she stepped into the house. Kitty, Greta's sister, let her in, greeting her with a tight-lipped smile before leaving for work, where their parents were. The Jurrosi home was slightly bigger than hers, presenting as homely, but there was something off about it, perhaps it was the lack of pictures on the walls or the plastic smell in the air, it just felt like a facade to her.

So pale, she wanted to say, not to be rude, just at the slip of the tongue. Eden had known Greta for years, never speaking only exchanging glances or forced smiles but they knew more about the other from whispers around Small Heath. So when Eden saw the lack of colour on the usually tanned woman's complexion she was confused.

Eden caught the occasional sniffle or eye rub, but the coughing was apparent.

So she scooted forward and picked up her teacup and passed it over, watching as Greta fumbled with the handle before getting a good grip.

"It's a cold," Greta stated, with a voice that thickened each day.

Eden tutted, "Dont look like a cold."

"You've been a nurse for how long?" the sick woman retorted, settling down her cup and rubbing her nose.

Eden snorted, "Don't need to be a nurse to know you don't look well. Have you seen a doctor?"

"They said it was a cold."

"Just a cold?"

"Just a cold," the older woman responded, growing more annoyed by the constant questions regarding her health. She felt...fine. It will pass, is what many people told her.

Eden made a face, "Greta —"

"We're not here to talk 'bout me," she interrupted, rolling back her shoulders as much as possible without straining herself.

"We're here to have a chat about Thomas, I know," Eden mused.

"Thomas?" Greta laughed, "he told me you call him that when you're mad at him. His aunt does the same."

Eden shifted in her chair, "He tells you about me?"

With a stiff nod, Greta said, "He tells me enough."

"And what do you call you when you're mad at him?"

"Nothing, I just ignore the bastard."

"Which I've been doing," Eden said, fidgeting with her fingers.

"Which you've been doing," Greta repeated with a hum, "and is he letting you?"

"You and I both know he isn't, sends Finn to mine constantly, Isaiah too, always tryna to pick 'em up, even bribing the poor boys with sweets. Doesn't know when to quit."

Greta weakly disagreed, "He's got limitations."

Eden shook her head, "For now, but Thomas won't take no for an answer."

"Believe me I know."

"Oh I know that too, you're his... best friend," Eden remarked, taking a sip of the tea in front of her, keeping the cup close to her chest, when a humourless laugh escaped the older woman.

"Come off it Eden, I am his best friend."

"And was there a time you wanted to be more?" Eden prodded, quirking up a brow.

Greta cast an offended look, "I beg your pardon."

"You heard me, the line between friendship and relationship can be blurred, shot down, swept away if you want it bad enough."

Greta scoffed at the accusation, "And you think I want it do ya? Want that line to be swept away."

Eden shrugged, "Like the cut, the waves may be gentle, don't mean they aren't persistent."

"You...comparing me to that fuckin' canal?" Greta leaned forward, gripping the teacup in her hand tightly, it might shatter.

Eden kept going, "Was tryna be subtle, but we're women that both can and sometimes don't want to read between the lines, but I know what I see, I know you like Thomas, just be honest."

"You think I owe you honesty?" the sick woman didn't fight her impending glare, nor did she have the energy to.

Eden's tongue swiped over her red lips before they pursed together, "You brought me here, wanting to sit down and talk about Thomas, but when it's time to talk about the fucker, you don't want to, why's that?"

A tickle crept up Greta's throat, forcing her to clear it, "My relationship with Tommy —"

"— your relationship huh?" the amused look on Eden's face only irritated Greta more.

"My friendship with him ain't any of your concern."

"It is when it's a threat to our relationship," Eden's tone lowered, but that didn't intimidate the older woman.

"So you see me as a threat, is that what this is?" she asked, rubbing her stuffy nose.

Eden looked at her with indifference, taking another sip of the cup of tea, before placing it down and thinking of her next words.

"A threat, but not to me, not at all, you're a pretty girl, kind, so I've been told. You've been there for Thomas when I haven't and I commend you for it because he can be a barrel of laughs...until that barrel is full and wants to take aim."

Greta placed down her tea, then rubbed her temples, "Enough with the metaphors, Christ, Tommy said you were one for talkin' but never realised how much until now."

"Just want to understand you," Eden wasn't lying, she didn't intend to come at the older woman, no, she wouldn't fight over a man, not when that man was acting like a foul git who needed to be smacked. No, she didn't want to act like how Tommy did whenever he saw Enzo, or she would be no better than him.

"By asking if I liked him?"

"Like," Eden corrected, picking at her bandage.

"I don't... but I did," for the first time Greta's gaze dropped, wanting to avoid the intense stare Eden was shooting her, she felt it heighten with her words.

Spendin' so much time with our Tommy she's turnin' into him, she thought.

"So I was right," the caramel-skinned girl muttered, clenching her jaw and digging her nails into her bandage, she thought it was only a matter of time before the wounds opened up.

"Hardly, it's in the past," and the past stays in the past, a sombre expression took over Greta's face.

"And when did you realise that?" Eden pressed on.

"When I realised no matter how much I wanted him, he always wanted you."

A silence enclasped the two women who orbited Tommy Shelby in different ways.

To Greta, Eden was a beauty, a rare one, a jewel that was only held back by the smoke, the mud and the debris of Small Heath. No wonder why she had so many lads under her spell, from black country to Little Italy, there was no doubt that the tales of the coloured nurse that laughed her way through town didn't carry across the midlands. Greta wasn't a fool, she knew the moment her best friend set his sights on the girl who was only two years his junior, he wouldn't relent, even if she was interested in someone else at the time, even if she only spoke to his younger brother or even for some reason she wouldn't go for him, he would somehow make it happen.

From the Vardos and canals that swept through Birmingham city to the heart of Eden Dawkins, she knew that was where Tommy Shelby would end up.

And as his best friend, she had to be supportive all while mending her heart in silence.

Greta's gaze darted all around the perfectly imperfect features of the younger woman who stared at her with sympathy as the grip of her bandaged hand loosened and rested on the side of the chair she sat in.

Eden didn't know what to say, in fact, her rapid blinks and drying throat, lead her to down the rest of her tea before sitting back in her chair.

"He's my best friend and I'm his, and that's how It'll stay with 'im, now do you understand me?"

Eden didn't respond, Tommy only has eyes f'me. She cursed herself for coming across in such a way.

She was later pulled from her thoughts when Greta broke out into a coughing fit, causing Eden to dive forward to help her drink more tea, even rubbing her back, to soothe the pain.

Doesn't seem like a cold, Eden continued to think. Being a nurse didn't mean she had all the answers, but she knew enough, the pale skin, weak movements and hoarse-sounding voice... if it was a cold it would've passed a while ago, along with Ada and Mrs Martin's. Unless it wasn't treated properly, or soothed with the right remedies...

Now settling back in her chair, Eden hung onto Greta's words.

"Now listen, you should forgive Tommy, he's a lot and I know he is, trust me there's been times when I didn't think we would stay friends for long but he pulls you back in, like fish on a bloody hook. Forgivin' 'im don't mean forgettin', just means you either accept him at his worst so when his best comes along you appreciate it."

"He doesn't trust me, what's the point of all of this if he don't trust me," Eden breathed out, furrowing her brows at the notion of forgiving the man who pained her.

How he approached her, to him yelling and screaming so the whole lane could hear their business was unacceptable in her eyes. Seeing how her mother and father behaved... that's what she wanted, but was that too much to ask for? Respect. Even when Cecil discovered the events that transpired, courtesy of Jeremiah being told by Isaiah, he wanted to take out his shotgun and put the bullet in Tommy himself.

"Eden, you're a pretty girl, smart too, but if you wanted to leave him, you wouldn't have come to visit me and you definitely wouldn't be wearing his mother's pendant."

Eden's eyes drifted to the Black Madonna, she never forgot to put it on every morning.

It was the first thing Greta saw when she walked in, and it made her feel like shit in all honesty, since it was a family heirloom, one that wasn't just given out to any random sod off the street. Tommy gave it to the woman who was his new priority.

"I promised I wouldn't take it off," Eden mumbled, ensuring the pendant was centred over her dress.

"So you won't take it off?"

Eden didn't verbally answer, the little shake of her head was enough for Greta.

Greta almost smiled at the answer just before another coughing fit took over her.

Before Eden went to help her, banging at the door brought her to a halt.

"Go and see who it is will ya?" the knocking was doing her head in. Eden hesitated to leave her but with one final push she went, "Go."

Rushing to the door, Eden pulled it open, revealing a panting Finn.

"Finn?" with bulging eyes she glanced around, wondering if anyone was with him, "what's wrong?"

He blurted out, "It's Arthur, come quick."

—

With her nurse's bag, she arrived at the Shelby home with Finn stumbling behind her. Eden felt bad for leaving a sick Greta alone, but she made sure to send word for Kitty, worried that she would hurt herself.

Polly was the one to usher the young nurse into the house, amused by the worry on her face and how she tightly gripped a blushing Finn's hand.

Arthur's face was drenched in blood that partially belong to him, a black eye mucked up his vision and a cut lip made it hard for him to talk. He sat at the kitchen table wincing each time Eden tried assessing how to treat his wounds.

John laughed at his brother each time he groaned, whereas Tommy didn't say a word, keeping his eyes solely on Eden who didn't spare him a glance much to his chagrin. Not one even a fucking word.

But she still wore the pendant, it suited her so well, so he was content for now.

"Let's go finn, wanna play a card game?" Ada approached her little brother, not wanting him to see any more than he already had.

He hesitated and whispered, "Will Arthur be alright?"

"He's in good hands," those were the last they heard from the youngest Shelbys before they ran upstairs.

"You'll be a great nurse like your mum," Arthur voiced through the pain.

"Shut up Arthur. What were you doing?" she gritted out, trying to stitch up the gash on his cheek, all while attempting not to tear her own wounds.

"It was only a game."

"Drunken game," Polly remarked, unimpressed, "at five o'clock, would ya look at that."

"It was brilliant," John added.

"Shut up John," Eden had to he fast when cleaning the wounds, realising how fast it was pouring from his flesh, making Arthur wince and reach for her side.

An action that Tommy saw and the fact Eden had no reaction to it, none at all, made him tense.

His eyes darkened as he spoke, "Brother... stitches won't be the only thing you need if you touch her again."

They all turned to him and Arthur dropped his grip.

"Tommy it was an accident," John murmured, receiving a scowl in response.

"Men and their bloody egos will forever bore me," Polly commented, coming to smack the back of his head, not caring for his attitude in the slightest.

Arthur winced, "Apologises brother. Sorry, Eden."

"Nothing to apologise for," Eden said before Tommy could, causing him to crane his neck to the side and stare, "Now stop movin', don't want me to scrape your eye with this needle do you?"

She needed to apply the carbolic acid to prevent any bacteria from spreading or infecting the wound.

"'Course I bloody don't," Arthur grumbled.

"You and that temper Edie," John snickered, "you ain't killin' your patience are ya? wouldn't be surprised if you took that approach."

"Shut up John," Tommy wanted to snatch his toothpick out of his mouth and hit him, but that didn't stop him from thinking. Eden did have a temper but he doubted she would ever kill anyone.

Eden let out a humourless laugh, "They succumb to their wounds, what ya tryna say? That I'm shit at what I do."

John sighed, "Never said that."

"Didn't have to."

"Only messin', you'll be the next Marie Stension or whatever she called 'erself."

"Who?" Polly laughed at his mispronunciation.

"Mary Seascole brother," Tommy deadpanned.

Ignoring the exchange, Eden prodded, "Who did you get into a fight with then?"

"Those Italians was sayin' shit about you Eden, I heard it when we went to the Chain, I did. They wanted in on our game and we let 'em, but they started runnin' their mouths and you're my brother's girl. I weren't gonna let that shit slide," Arthur explained, gripping the table.

"Yeah that's all I fucking am these days," Eden said, with an eye roll, much to Polly's amusement.

"What's the supposed to mean?" Tommy took a step forward.

"What I just said." was the first thing she said to him since walking into the house, "and which Italians were they?"

"Friends of your boyfriends," John said, further pissing off both Tommy and Eden.

"You what?!"

"Luca, not the other two," John raised his hand in surrender,

She shot a glance at Tommy, "Suppose you told him to fight them then?"

"It's only a game, Eden," he answered wryly.

Tommy knew he couldn't hurt the Changrettas directly so he went about it in other ways. He knew if he somehow hurt Enzo, Eden most likely wouldn't talk to him, well she hadn't for days. He got people to attack and fuck up a few market stools in Little Italy, by order of the peaky blinders, so a few friends of the Changrettas robbed their booze supply. A truce needed to be had, but on the business front, a couple of pubs had paid the Blinders for protection against the other side of town, so he didn't want to stop. Not really.

"Next time I'll be sewing up your faces if this keeps goin' on," Eden stated, almost finishing with the last stitch.

"Only a matter of time," Polly shook her head, "I didn't raise you to be witless."

John didn't hold back his laugh, "Only Arthur."

Tommy cracked a smile.

"Oi, I went to school," Arthur yelled at his laughing brothers.

"When it suited you."

Tommy watched her bandage his brother's face with expertise. He never noticed how advanced she'd gotten since she started at the local hospital. It was exhilarating to watch her at work, taking charge, and getting things done...it was a turn-on.

"Ease up Charlie Chaplin, you're not dying," Eden nudged a wincing Arthur when she wiped down the rest of his face.

John chuckled at the insult, never realising how his oldest brother's thick moustache made them look.

"She ain't wrong," Polly snorted, "Chaplin aye?"

Eden laughed at the pointed look she received from Arthur.

Tommy's gaze dropped to her bandaged hand, the one he squeezed too tightly. Fuck, he was far too drunk and emotions and alcohol never mixed well. He knew he went too far, Freddie ranted to him the next day, sobering him up, it even caught the attention of Polly who then proceed to rant to him after.

He thought the flowers would help soften their inevitable conversation, but then to discover that he wasn't the only one to send them only angered him more and drove him to plot against Luca Changretta.

He was pulled from his thoughts when John started joking around with his woman, muttering a few innocent things in her ear, causing Tommy to mutter a few things below his breath.

"What Thomas? Gonna accuse me of fuckin' the milkman next?" Eden snapped, noting his glare.

Sometimes she felt like she couldn't breathe around another man.

John laughed, "Easy Edie, the man's sixty, could send him into an early grave."

"Fuck off Johnny."

"Though, it might make his day," Polly added, laughing along beside John.

"Don't make me laugh," Arthur chuckled through his pain, trying not to tear his stitches.

"You lot done?" Tommy asked with a face like a slapped arse. He was itching to smoke, but Polly wouldn't let him inside.

"I am," Eden mused, packing up and disregarding any waste, "wait a few days, then I'll be round to take them out and put new ones in."

"Like a wizz, you are," Polly complement the younger woman, whilst gently touching her nephew's injured face.

Eden sent her a smile that was quickly returned.

"Try not to play any more games for a week or so," she wasn't joking in the slightest.

"Where's the fun in that?" John groaned when his aunt's finger caught his ear, "Fuck."

"Thanks, Eden," Arthur rested his hand on her arm, then removed it quickly after feeling his brother's intense stare.

"Take care of yourself... please."

With that she picked up her bag and bid her adieus, purposefully ignoring Tommy and walking through the hallway, yelling up to Ada and Finn goodbye.

She felt Tommy trailing behind her, coat and cap in hand, ready to leave with her.

"I'm walking you home."

She didn't respond, instead, she pulled open the door and walked outside.

"Ignore me all you won't, don't mean I can't see you darlin'" he caught up to her, waiting for her to say something but she didn't. "Christ Eden just speak. You yell enough."

"I leave the yellin' to you," she couldn't help but retort, much to his amusement.

"Talk to me."

"Is there any point?"

He tugged on her arm, stopping her from walking and standing in front of her.

A few people were confused as they walked passed, a black woman and a white man... together? It was like a sin and they couldn't give a damn whether they were sinners.

He caressed the same hand he'd hurt, pressing a kiss to it, whilst keeping their eyes locked.

"How does it feel?"

"...Better now you ain't squeezing it" she whispered.

Tommy winced at the memory, his face displayed regret and his eyes were nothing less than remorseful as he pressed another kiss to it.

"Can we talk?"

"Can you let me be mad?" she asked, trying not to give in.

Tommy leaned in, "...can you let me kiss you? It's been days and I'm starved."

"You're starved?" Eden leaned in.

He nodded, eyes flickering between hers and her lips, "Hmmm."

Eden smirked, then hastily pulled out of his hold, "Then you can starve some more."

"Eden!" he chased after her.

—

"You can go now Thomas," Eden put her key into her door.

"I'll follow you," he said motioning to the door.

Eden thought back to her earlier conversation with Greta, he's got no limitations.

"Fuck –" she was cut off when the door swung open, revealing her mother.

"Mrs Dawkins," Tommy took off his cap and gave her his winning smile, making Eden scoff.

Although Celestine was mad at the man for upsetting her daughter, she did surprisingly think they were a good match, but she tried not to let it show, especially because Cecil wasn't a fan.

"Stayin' for tea Thomas?" she questioned, withholding a smile when she heard Eden gasp, "I know you won't so no to an old lady."

"Don't look a day over thirty."

Celestine chuckled, "Charmer, come in."

Eden shook her head at the smirk on his face.

Tommy waited for her to step into her house before he shut the door behind them.

His senses were pleasantly surprised by the smells drifting to his nose.

Eden placed her nurse's bag down and took off her coat and shoes, watching as he did the same.

"You're not forgiven," she said to him, not yet anyway.

Tommy nodded, "I know"

"Stop smilin'," he just smirked and came closer, "Just come and eat."

He grabbed her by the waist, shooting a glance behind in case her father was near, "You on the menu?"

Eden huffed, pushing him away, holding back a smile and blush.

Tommy chuckled to himself, knowing she was close to letting her grudge go.

He was happy, for many reasons.

One of which, she didn't take off the necklace.

▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃

a/n:

people telling eden to forgive tommy shouldn't come as a surprise guys, this is normal, especially when he's done something fucked up. i don't know whether it was the time period or not but in peaky blinders as a whole (and the fanfics) grudges couldn't be held for long which is a pisstake.

don't worry, eden isn't a pushover, but just so you know, tommy will continue to do and say stupid things... it's tommy shelby. truthfully i don't think he ever deserved a love interest let alone three, considering his mindset but we move.

#eden dawkins #Eden and Tommy #wattpad #fanfic #black girl #black reader #tommyshelby story #tommyshelby and edendawkins #tommy shelby x oc

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saintsir4n · 9 months

Text

___

1914

BEING a nurse was harder than Eden thought.

It'd been two years since she started at the hospital and because her mother was a matron, they rarely worked with one another.

Instead, she regularly saw a sea of white long gowns, that never stayed white for long.

She was exhausted, but she promised Tommy a date and she always came through on her promises.

So she told him that she would meet him by the bridge not far from the canal, knowing he would wait all day outside her house as if he didn't have a job of his own. God that man knew how to obsess over things, sometimes she didn't know whether or not he wanted her or loved her.

She would drive herself mad trying to understand the mind of Tommy Shelby.

Coming up to the canal, she removed her bib and placed it into her purse and discarded it, not wanting to be covered in any more bodily fluids since there was a cold going around and she heard that Ada and Finn already caught it, she'd been working hard to prevent it from spreading, but it was inevitable.

Eden already dropped some soup off at Dorris' since her mother was under the weather. Luckily Eden's father brought a new bedframe by the Martin's home so Dorris could have a good night's rest.

Eden tugged on her coat as she neared the spot, she was surprised they were having a date there because that is where Tommy, Freddie Thorne and Greta Jurossi hung out and sometimes even just Tommy and Greta.

Eden couldn't help but feel a bit uncomfortable whenever she heard that they were alone together, away from the prying eyes of Birmingham. She's a friend, was what he always said in response, but she never truly believe it.

Putting aside those feelings, she took out her miniature mirror and checked her hair she had curled using a hot comb, but it had unfortunately gotten slightly messy because of the caduceus she wore.

"Fuck," she quickly moved some strands and applied the red lipstick she took out.

Smacking her lips, she put away the mirror and rolled her eyes at the passers-by.

She internally smiled at the thought of seeing Tommy, it even made her heart skip.

Readjusting her coat for the second time she rounded the corner, coming closer to the bridge.

But when she saw something, Eden's head spun.

The sight she stumbled upon had her rapidly blinking.

It was Tommy and Greta...

Hugging under the archway.

He whispered something in her ear, making her laugh and push him away.

Eden narrowed her eyes when Tommy playfully nudged her to the side.

The two friends were brought out of their bubble until Eden stepped closer, the sounds of her shows slapping the cobblestones made them turn towards her.

Greta immediately waved at her, though her smile faltered when Tommy grinned. Eden forced herself to wave back at the Italian woman, whose alluring eyes and winning grin made pretty much anyone flock in her direction.

Quickly saying goodbye to her best friend, Greta went the opposite way, revealing the picnic laid out by a table that was dragged there by the Shelby man.

"Look at you," Tommy was quick to pull Eden in, wickedly racking his eyes up at now her appearance, oh did he love her nurse's outfit, similar to how she adored how effortlessly he wore a suit. He locked onto her red lips, even biting down on his, trying to stop the impending thoughts go straight to his slacks. "Bet your patients loved this eh?" he asked, trying to sound more jovial than irritated, but she read him with ease.

"Yeah whilst they were throwin' up on me, they were really captivated by all of this–"

He smashed his lips onto hers, silencing her sarcasm and drawing her in. Her hands latched onto his lapels, while her purse dropped near the picnic table. He cupped the back of her head, careful not to mess up hair her, God, he knew better than to move a strand out of place and that he needed to control himself. He wanted to just show the effort he went through for her, but she looked so... riveting.

Just as their tongues lapped over one another, he reluctantly pulled away, leaving her to wipe away the lipstick from the corner of his lips and he did the same for her, despite how much he wished he didn't.

Her breathing went back to normal, but he took a little while longer, causing Eden to realise how worked up the man was. It'd only been a day or two since he told her about their impending date, whilst she invited him into her house so he could apologise for being so aggravating. He sure was on his knees for most of that...discussion.

"Here you go," he picked up the flowers he picked from some florist Polly forced him to go to after he just said he would pick them out of Mrs Granberry's yard, "remember you sayin' you liked flowers that grow in the cold, 'cause–"

"--if they can survive English weather they can survive anything." she grinned at the primroses he gave her. "They're beautiful Tommy."

"Glad you like them," he watched as she smelled them, then turned to see the picnic setting,

"Like it? Etta helped set it up, didn't want me to tell ya though," he asked, picking up her purse and nodding over to the table, full of some fruits, some sandwiches he made under Polly's guidance, some squash and even her favourite cake.

"She helped?" Eden tried to not sound too irked by the mention of the woman who was only heard a couple of moments prior, she's his best mate, just like Freddie is...but why wasn't Freddie there also?

Tommy beamed, "She did, so you like it?"

He made sure to help her down onto the stool that was next to his, even pressing another kiss to her hand and winking went she sat down, causing a blush to kiss her already heated cheeks.

He slowly pulled the table in front of them, hoping the checkered cloth he borrowed didn't shift because that was all he needed. Then he took the flowers and set them down, so she grab whatever food she wanted.

Eden nodded, smiling when she noticed her treats, "I like it Tom, you even got my favourite cake."

His smile widened at her squeal, "' Course, I did."

Her brows suddenly furrowed, "But the bakery it's in Little Italy?" and the Shelbys tended to stay away from there.

"And don't I know it? Told Etta to get it."

He asked his best friend to get it for him because it was close to where she lived and he wanted to avoid getting a mean bruise just before his date with Eden. Even though it was a quarter piece of cake and he spent more than five bobs for this - usually for a couple of pennies he could get it half anywhere else - but for Eden, he spent it because she deserved it.

He didn't see her smile slightly falter, "Oh, that's lovely."

"Your hair is curled." he noticed, smiling and hoping he didn't say the wrong thing.

A chuckle escaped her, "Like it?"

"Always," he responded in a slight daze, before nodding to the table in front of them, "Tuck in, want me to tell you 'bout my day?"

Reaching for the slice of cake she nodded, "Yeah."

So he did, informing her how he and John took little Katie to the Garrison because she wouldn't stop crying, even rubbing gin over her gums when they noticed she was teething and that's what worked with Ada and Finn. shortly after he mentioned Shadow and how doesn't shake as much anymore, but he occasionally does when they have to remove his shoes.

He was adamant about her telling him about hers, so she did, even letting him know that the cold that everyone seemed to be getting was merely seasonal and nothing harmful, only a few could risk something far worse if it wasn't treated. She informed him that another one of her patients succumbed to their illness shortly after they were admitted, and he tried his best to comfort her.

He brushed off the crumbs around her endearing lips as she relaid her day, drawing a begrudging smile from her when he consumed some.

Eden quickly realised that he wasn't eating, he smoked more than ate she thought, but he prepared a spread for them and he hoped he would have at least something.

"Have some Tom, you said you didn't eat much today."

"Already ate earlier..." he quietly admitted, noting her narrowing eyes.

"With Greta?" her tone lowered.

"Yeah, just before she helped me set this up."

He caught tensing of her jaw, which confused him.

Soon Eden turned away from him, placing down the cake, making Tommy question if he did something wrong.

"What?"

She waved him off, still avoiding his eyes, "Nothing, keep telling me about Shadow, does he miss me?"

Grabbing her chin, Tommy made sure her eyes were on his, "Eden. Don't, don't do that."

"Do what?"

"What's the matter?" he didn't understand why she was off with him now.

"Nothing."

Groaning, he let her chin go, "Here we fuckin' go."

"What?" she asked, recoiling when he huffed.

"Tell me what's wrong. Is it the flowers? they'll die soon but I'll just buy another."

"It's not the flowers they're lovely," she replied, itching to scratch at the skin around her nails out of pure discomfort.

"Spit it out, I don't want the date ruined because of your mood," he said, finally having enough.

She tossed her arms up, "Fine. Do you like Greta?"

"What?" his sudden laughter made her turn and get up, but he pulled back down before she could, "Come here, I'm laughin' because I was shocked alright."

"Answer the question," he raised a brow at the seriousness of her tone.

"Fuck, I don't like Greta. Why do you think I do?"

"You're close," she stated like it was obvious.

"So you have a problem with me being friends with a girl? But I can't with you and Enzo?" he asked, starting to get more and more frustrated.

Eden averted her eyes at his point. Enzo wasn't interested in her or any girl for that matter, but she couldn't tell Tommy that, that would go against their friendship and she wouldn't risk that, not even to win some stupid squabble.

"That's different," she mumbled, earning a scoff from him.

"And why is that? You keep saying it's different but it's fuckin' not."

Tommy disliked Enzo for a multitude of reasons, one being the fact he was a link that would always pull Eden back to Luca and the thought of her being in proximity to her ex-boyfriend drove him to tug at his hair and reach for a shotgun.

Eden shrugged, "It is."

His nostrils flared, "Is it, fuck."

"It just is. Forget I ever asked you," She said, returning to the food and nodding, but Tommy wasn't having it.

"You want me to be more open and you won't be," he stated definitively, much to her annoyance,

"I am," she lied.

"It's about communication Tommy, you have to communicate," he mocked her by imitating her voice and Eden couldn't help but laugh.

She shot him a glance "I don't sound like that."

"Sure you don't," he playfully rolled his eyes and tugged her closer, softly grabbing the back of her neck, "I don't like Greta, because I fuckin' love you."

Her mouth gaped open at his confession, he said what? She blinked a few times, to try and come to terms with what he said, even her eyes darted all around to make sure she was really there. Tommy caught her pinching her arm a few times and he thought it was adorable.

"You what?" she whispered.

He let his emotions show, usually, he would trace the words over her hands without her noticing but he wanted her to know.

"I was gonna write this down, Pol was gonna make it look all fancy but –"

"You love me?" she asked again, wanting to hear it roll off his tongue.

"That I do," he answered, swiping his thumb over her cheekbones, feeling them grow as she grinned.

Wanting him to repeat it a few more times, Eden played dumb, "What?"

"have gone deaf or what?"

"You love me?"

"I love you," he confessed again, slightly growing nervous when she wasn't returning the sentiment, nevertheless he grabbed her legs and placed them on his before his hands dropped to her sides, gripping her waist after she's snaked around his neck, despite the table sides digging into them.

"Why?"

"Why? Fuck sake, why? Because you make my fucking head spin Eden Dawkins that's why."

Butterflies took flight in her stomach. Her nerves were all over the place, just like his.

"And that's why you love me, how's that?" she teased, despite herself.

"The bloody thing hasn't spun before, my heart beats faster with you, told Pol I thought I was having a stroke and she laughed at me."

She feigned offence, "So Pol told you that you loved me?"

"Now you know no one can tell me to do or say a single thing that I don't wanna do."

She clicked her tongue, "Except for Polly."

"And you," he murmured, pressing his head against hers.

"And Ada... Greta..."

"Eden it's you. I love you, gonna make me lose my mind if I have to explain more, now are you going to say it back or what?" he asked, impatiently.

Her happiness was undeniable.

She launched forward and pressed her lips to his.

Tommy cupped the back of her head, feeling everything all at once, all the love, affection and care spread over his body as he held his woman in his arms. He never looked at a girl the way he looked at Eden, he didn't think it was possible, knowing that never once had he ever been in love before, despite what he claimed to his past flings. He knew she looked at him with the same adoration, even how her brown pools glistened whenever he neared.

Eyes never lied.

Eden felt like crying when she felt all the tingles shooting down her spine.

"I'll take that as yes, you love me?" he mumbled against her lips.

"I love you, Thomas Shelby," she giggled when he gulped at the sentiment spilling from her lips, "Cat your tongue ay? When have you ever been speechless?"

He said nothing and instead pressed his head to hers once again, breathing in the anaesthetic on her clothes and the cedarwood emitting from her neck, my haven. In all honesty, Tommy was surprised her could confess his feelings without needing a glass of whiskey. Deep down he knew Eden was better than him, that she deserved better than him but he was selfish and he wouldn't let her go, he would be an idiot if he did.

"All those days goin' to church finally workin'."

"You prayed f'me to be with you huh?"

He huffed out a chuckle, "Is that a problem now, like some sort of a curse?"

"Blessin', it's a blessin'," she quickly corrected himself.

"I'm a blessin' am I? I would say it's the other way around, you're a haven you know that?"

She playfully shrugged, "I've been told."

"Well not by me you 'aven't, so I'm telling you, mark my words... you Eden Mary Dawkins are my fuckin' Haven."

She sniffled, "Oh, Tommy..."

"Wait a second would ya?" He said, pulling out a box from his pocket, drawing a wide eye expression, "It's not a ring, not yet anyways," he chuckled at the relief flooding her face, "somethin' I think you'll like more but just wait."

"O-Okay." her heart was hammering against her chest.

Swiping a cigarette against his lips, he waited for her to light it, which she did, before he blew out a large cloud of smoke, that drifted away like the water in the cut.

"Listen, I've got you somethin' and it's special, it's an heirloom alright?"

"Then what are you givin' it to me for?"

"Because you, my darlin', are my future, so when we go off and get hitched, you'll pass this down to our kids and so on."

Her eyes glistened, "Tommy...I... what is it?"

Taking another drag, he placed the box in her quivering hands and once he threw an arm around her shoulder, making some of her nervousness fade.

She opened the box with one last look at him before a gasp escaped her lips.

"Pol saved a bunch of things of mums, made sure we never touched 'em and she was right to keep them away, they would've been fucked in seconds if we got over hands on anythin' like this."

Eden hadn't taken her eyes off the necklace of the black Madonna. The dark features of the virgin Mary holding a baby Jesus. When she was younger she was told by her godfather Jeremiah how the black Madonna could grant special blessings when she was evoked by prayer. Now she wasn't religious, and Tommy knew that, but to him and his Romani culture, the Black Madonna had other great significance even going back to the tenth century.

Tommy continued to explain, "It's the Black Madonna, for protection, Mum used to wear it before she had Finn, and when she stopped, she got bad, sick, never left her bed until..." Clearing his front he moved on, "Ada had no interest in it," and she told me to give it to you. "Wanted you to 'ave it, somethin' pretty to go with that pretty neck."

Growing up as travellers, his parents were on the road until they finally settled in Small Heath, but that didn't stop the trouble following them. Polly told them it was part of them, that they would always be at a disadvantage until they did something about it. The betting shop was only the beginning.

"Tommy," she choked back a sob, getting his attention.

"Yeah? You don't like it."

"Me likin' it ain't the matter, it's beautiful, I bet your mum did it justice," she said, her thumb stroking over the metal.

"That she did." he put out the rest of the cigarette.

"I can't accept this," it was far too special to her and although she knew they were in love, she didn't think he would give her something like this.

"You can and you'll wear it," he wiped away the tear that escaped her eyes as he left no room for argument. Plucking it from her hands, he gently placed it around her neck and smiled, it looked perfect to him, "there you go."

"I'll never take it off then," she promised, glancing down at the necklace.

"You better not," she detected the seriousness and slight fear in his voice making her nod.

She allowed him the rest of her cake, whilst she ate some berries. He glanced at the necklace a few times, since it hadn't been worn in years, it would just take him some getting used to.

"Good?" she asked, noting him enjoying the taste.

"See why you like it," he muffled.

"You never told me your favourite flavour of cake y'know?" she paused, "just so I know for your birthday."

He smirked, "Ain't it obvious?"

"What is it?" she leaned forward, wiping the crumbs from his lips.

His eyes glimmered with lust, "chocolate."

Eden rolled her eyes and tried to turn away from his piercing stare, "Don't look at me like that," but he grabbed her face, staring deep into her eyes which made her sheepishly laugh. "Christ Tommy, stop."

"Why would I when you look like that?"

Ignoring his compliment, she shook her head, "I can tell what that look means."

"And what does it mean then?" he teased, cocking his head to the side.

"You know what, but if you think we're 'avin' sex here, you're out of your mind."

"You think I would strip your clothes where anyone can see you? See my lady, you're out of your fuckin' mind."

"Oh, that's right I forgot how much jealousy is confined to such a small frame," she blurted out.

He scrunched up his face, "I'm not jealous – wait a minute did you say small?"

"My short man," she poked his cheek and attempted to escape his grasp.

"Eh? The fuck did you just say? Eden, come here!" he pulled her back in, "I'm short, is that what you're tryin' to say to me? Well, I'll let the whole Lane know which short man's name you love to scream and moan, I'll do it."

"Go ahead, I'll wear like like a badge," she said, getting up in his face, "you're mine just as I'm yours, Tommy Shelby."

"Got that fuckin' right."

He did not doubt that because he thought now they were in love, it would make things a little bit easier.

"That I do," she tried to imitate him, even lowering her voice, earning a deadpanned looked from him.

"I don't sound like that."

"You do," she nodded.

"Let me stick to doin' voices, whilst you save lives, deal?"

"No deal, but there is one more thing I wanted to ask you."

"What?"

"I want to learn how to use a gun, properly."

He snickered, "Bout time you asked, whole of Birmingham knows you can't shoot."

"Oh fuck off."

—

"You love me..." Eden spoke to Tommy now they were back at his home, luckily John and Arthur were at the betting shop, Finn was over at the Jesus', Martha had taken Katie to her mother's and Ada was helping Polly with food shopping. "So you're goin' to get up and dance with me."

Tommy ran his hands through his freshly trimmed hair, he had the sides shaved for the date, despite Eden liking it grown out. Now that they were inside their coats were off, his cap was on the table and their shoes by the door.

Eden skipped across the room, pulling out the gramophone that rested on the side of the living room.

Tommy prayed no one came home at this very moment.

"Now you have to ask me," Eden insisted, turning to him when My Heart Still Clings to You by Albert Ketèlbey started to play much to his chagrin. Tommy wished he took a hammer to that thing years ago.

Truthfully he hadn't danced with a woman he loved since his mum.

He huffed, "I don't dance."

Eden gave him a pointed look, "But you know how to, don't ya? Or should I ask Pol if she taught ya?"

Rising from the couch he shook his head, "Don't ask her."

"And why shouldn't I?"

"Fine let's dance," he took her hand and wrapped an arm around her waist, attempting not to feel her up, he was just too tempted.

She pouted, "Not until you say it."

"I know how to dance," a grin broke out on her face when he took her hand, "Come on you brat."

She smacked his chest, "Thomas."

"Sorry, I forgot to add 'beautiful' to that."

A smile graces her face, "Just how I like it."

"I bet you do," they started moving to the beat.

"But you still haven't properly asked me."

"We're already dancing," his words made her halt her movements and frown, "Miss Eden Dawkins, would you do me the honour of havin' this dance?"

"Yes, yes I will."

She dramatically gasped, taking his hand once again. Tommy couldn't stop smiling at her. He would only dance for her.

They swayed to the rhythm which caught her off guard because she was surprised he knew how to stay on it.

Laying her head on his chest, he began muttering things in her ear, making her laugh which in turn made him chuckle.

Moments like this mess were special to him and her.

In their hectic life, they rarely had moments that resembled peace.

All the noise that was Small Heath, the smoke and tediousness that came along with it.

They were so engorged in each other and the melody that had become their bubble they hadn't noticed the front door open.

"Oi John boy, little Edie's got Tommy dancin', she has!" A loud voice that belonged to none other than Arthur caused them to freeze.

"Should've locked that fuckin' door," Tommy sighed, resting his head in the crook of Eden's neck.

John came around the corner, laughing at the song playing, "Give him a minute he'll be skippin' and singin' songs."

"Don't you lot have anythin' better to do?" Eden groaned, turning in Tommy's hold and facing the smirking pair.

"They'll be dancin' in the rain next," Arthur joked.

Tommy glared, "Fuck off!"

John settled his gaze on Eden, "Aren't you a sight Edie, don't know what you see in my brother."

"Oi!"

"Well I'm with 'im," she spoke, grimacing at the way John was letting his eyes wander up and down her body, she could feel Tommy tense behind her. "and you have a wife."

John winked, "Not if you wanted a go."

Arthur shoved his brother backwards when he caught the glint in Tommy's eye after he moved around his girlfriend.

"Run Johnny!"

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a/n:

thought this was a cute little chapter for Tommy and Eden, despite the minor angst between the two. they are both jealous people, well Tommy more than her, but oh well.

i was looking long and hard for multiple meanings behind the black Madonna, if I made any mistakes just let me know, also the necklace does play a big part in their story.

#wattpad #fanfic #black girl #black reader #tommyshelby and edendawkins #edendawkins #tommyandeden #tommy and Eden #Tommyshelbyxblackreader #peakyblinders #tommyshelby story

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saintsir4n · 9 months

Text

WARNINGS: VIOLENCE, BLOOD AND HEARTBREAK

___

1914

"HAVE you written in that diary of yours?" Enzo asked.

Eden nodded, "'Course, can't go a day without it. Helps clear my mind."

Looping arms with her, he teased, "Loverboy upsettin' you again? Feelings mutual, that puttana gets on my tits," he continued despite her strained expression, "You heard 'bout a robbery a couple of weeks ago near Digbeth, Stevie's market stall was trashed."

"What?!" She turned to him in shock, stopping their movements m.

Enzo sent her a wry look, "Edie I love you, but you knew 'bout did it didn't you?"

She continued to shake her head, "I didn't know what happened."

Craning his neck to the side, Enzo took in her shocked expression and concluded that she was telling the truth. It wasn't like Eden would lie to him, he trusted her with his life, he really did, but he just didn't trust the company she kept and was very vocal about that.

Returning from a poor man's peace, he tried to keep his opinions to himself...tried. They instead talked about the plot of land she and her family owned in Jamaica that her mother had only recently inherited after her father passed. Portmore, it was beautiful and Eden hoped to visit soon because England was far too dull for her. Enzo said the same about Italy and even believed his true calling was leaving with his oldest brother and joining the rest of the family in New York.

Ah, their dreams kept them up at night.

"Now you do," he murmured.

"I'm sorry, is Stevie alright?" Eden felt extremely concerned about the man who always showed her kindness, even when it was least expected.

He slowly nodded, "He's making do, only a matter of time before there's a retaliation."

"Fuck," she breathed out, picturing the events that would play out if they didn't come to some sort of truce.

She felt even worse knowing that Tommy started it all because he discovered that Luca injured her, unintentionally but what did that matter?

Enzo's lips twitched, "Alls fair in love and war."

"Well, that's utter bullocks."

"Tell that to your diary."

"Fuck off," she playfully pinched him, just as he looped their arms again.

"Let me walk you home, tell you 'bout why you might not want to come down to little Italy any time soon," he advised, cautious of her safety and how his older brother would react to it, he said the same to Dorris.

"I'll come and visit you," she promised despite his precautions.

"Even bump into Mrs Granberry while you're at it."

Feigning offence, she gasped, "Never wish that on me. Take it back."

From the distance, an angry Tommy stumbled through the streets, after leaving the Garrison with many pints of beer and a few whiskeys in his system.

One week had passed since he'd seen or heard from Eden. Isaiah and Finn's birthdays came and went, and like twins, they shared the day. The junior bandits of the lane were six now and despite the celebration and the occasion Eden didn't speak to him.

Seven days of radio silence from the woman that took over his mind and stole his heart. Get lost, and she did. He wanted to go to her house but didn't want to risk running into her parents. He wanted to visit her job but it was too soon to be near any sick people. He knew if he asked Dorris to help him, she would just tell him to fuck off and Enzo wasn't a fucking option.

So as he stumbled down the lane, he tried focusing his eyes on anything, something that would calm him and settle the fury.

And that's when he saw Eden Dawkins, in all her glory, giggling away, looking happy and healthy... but why?

He froze in his uneven stride when she saw the arms wrapped around her waist, tugging her body closer to the body of the man they belonged to.

Lorenzo fucking Changretta.

Nothing or no one could hold him back, he wasn't wearing rose-tinted glasses, but all he saw was red.

So he ran, despite his state, with one thing on his mind.

Eden's scream seemed to echo through the streets.

Enzo had been torn away from her and slammed on the ground, feeling nothing but sharp fists pound into his face, unrelenting and unforgiving.

Eden's gutwrenching screams just added to the noise that was in Tommy's chaotic mind.

With the blood spurting from Enzo's mouth and the bruises forming on his skin, the drunk Shelby didn't stop.

People peered out their windows to see the commotion, but quickly they drew their curtains fearing repercussions.

"Tommy stop it please!" she screamed, feet clattering over to the pair, but the footsteps approaching made her stop, "Arthur!" she yelled, thinking he would aid in rescuing her friend, but that wasn't the case. The oldest Shelby pulled her back, "Let me go! Enzo I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. Tommy got off of him!"

She writhed in Arthurs's hold, cursing at the wind, yelling at her boyfriend and praying that it would all come to an end.

"Tommy!" She heard Arthur's voice, it didn't sound nearly as discouraging as she needed it to.

"Why are you doing this?!" Eden finally caught the drunken Shelby's attention, he kept his hands on Enzo's capels as he halted his carnage.

"What was he doing with his hands all over you?" he demanded, tone thick with whiskey and rage.

"Talkin', just talkin' you idiot!" she cried, keep trying to pull away from Arthur.

"That's not what it looked like!"

"But it's what it was!"

He ignored her cries and turned to his brother, who wasn't as intoxicated but recognised his wild side taking over his younger brother, the blood staining his fists as the Changretta painfully sturred on the ground, calling out for help.

But help could not come.

Seeing the look in his eyes and him reaching for his cap, Eden thought fast, trying to not let her emotions take over but it was too late for that.

The alcohol in Arthur's system allowed her to strike his gut with her elbow, resulting in him staggering back and letting her go.

Both Shelby's blue eyes doubled in size and mouths let in a harsh breath as she retrieved the knife tucked underneath her skirt and directed it at Tommy.

The wind blew over the tense silence.

Tears streamed down her face, but her hold remained stern.

"Eden put the knife away, you're gonna hurt yourself, love," Arthur voiced, the sight sobered him up in an instant. If only John wasn't at the betting shop or at odds with Tommy, he would be here to help, no doubt he was making his way, "Put it down."

Eden looked terrifyingly beautiful even when holding a weapon, her hand wasn't trembling and that's what scared Tommy.

She was sure of her decision, despite the emotions coating her face, the anger and pain swimming in her brown pools, she was sure.

"You would use that on me for 'im?!" Tommy spat, glaring down at the groaning man who was in a pool of blood, "You would go against me... for 'im?"

Her emotions are running wild, far wilder than mine, his thoughts blared.

Blood thumped in her ears as she came stalked towards him, wanting him to back away from Enzo, her best friend who hadn't done a thing to him – not directly – Enzo was like her brother and had been there for her through her highs and lows, the man that encouraged her career as a nurse even when she was unsure and when she thought about writing, he made sure to get her a diary every Christmas.

Tommy's anger didn't subside, but his darkened eyes grew slightly lighter as if the guilt of upsetting her was flooding through, he drove her to this. Emotions clouded her judgment yet he was the one to drive her to this.

"You've gone too far Tom," she choked out, watching Tommy slowly stand up and come closer.

"You crossed the line, Eden."

"You crossed it first, you were hurtin' 'im, why Tom, why were you hurtin' 'im? He ain't done a thing to you, not a thing, and you keep attackin' 'im. You realise by hurtin' 'im you're hurtin' me, or don't you care?—"

"Get outta the way, Eden!"

She shook her head and from the corner of her eye, she could see John run over, stunned by what was happening and coming to stand by his oldest brother who also reached out for her.

The cheeky Shelby man never thought a day would come when Tommy was rendered defenceless by a local nurse whom he called his friend.

"Edie... put it down," John tried.

Eden stared ahead at Tommy, "You don't care, do ya? He's my friend, no fuck that, he's my brother, I love 'im, and I love you but... if you come near 'im again, I'll use this," she held up the knife as her voice cracked, "I'll use it against ya, don't make me, please don't make me."

"Put it down Edie girl." John kept trying, before turning to his brother, "Arthur!"

"John, shut up," Eden yelled as her grip slowly weakened.

"All for him?" Tommy nodded to the groaning man in disgust.

Eden's lip quivered, "You hurt me."

"It was for you," Tommy whispered, "All this was for you,"

"Put it down, love," Arthur said quietly, they all watched as she lowered the knife.

Letting out a sharp breath, John silently cheered but Tommy remained stagnant.

"There you go," Arthur went to reach for the weapon but instead she tucked it away once again.

Eden ignored the silent pleas emitting from Tommy's eyes and brushed passed him, rushing to her best friend.

There was a mean gash below his now bruised eyes, that fluttered open and shut. His lip was busted open, which slurred his speech. Blood was like a second layer of skin that stained his flesh.

She could hardly recognise him.

"Oh Enzo," she let out a soft cry.

"Just leave him—" John received a glare as she helped up her injured friend, who could barely see, let alone stand.

But the adrenaline coursing through her veins allowed her to do the heavy lifting.

"I'm so sorry," she continued whispering to the delirious man.

"J-just get me home," he groaned, spitting out more blood at the Shelby's feet.

"I'm sorry," she repeated, struggling in her stride.

The three Shelby brothers watched on, one in despair, one in bemusement and the other in heartbreak. But they all wanted to scream, you do not fuck with the peaky fuckin' blinders...but Eden Dawkins sure as hell did.

Still yearning for the light in her eyes, Tommy stepped forward, "Eden lets go. Leave 'im."

He didn't think she would stop, but when she did she let out a laugh, a laugh of disbelief that contained little to no humour.

"You ignored me when I looked after you and you think your claim over me is still strong? The cheek of you."

And just like that, she set him off all over again.

Tommy jabbed his finger at the Changretta, "The cheek of 'im."

"Oh fuck off Thomas. It's done — better yet," Eden reached for the necklace around her neck, earning shocked expressions from both Arthur and John, all while Tommy's face fell. She chucked it at the cheeky Shelby, knowing her... ex-boyfriend wouldn't take it, "don't talk to me again."

Snatching out of his brother's hands, he stalked after the struggling pair, with purpose and pride.

"Put it back on now. Eden! Get back here now and put it on!" He yelled, but she didn't stop walking, even if her feet hurt, she needed to help her best friend, even if he wouldn't have any memory of it.

"Don't speak to me like that! You can keep your fuckin' necklace! Stay away from me!”

"Put it back on!" His hoarse voice caused her to blink away more of her tears. She promised she wouldn't take it off, "You promised Eden!"

If John placed a bet on if his brother would ever get his heart broken, he would've bet against it but now, after seeing the torn and broken look on Tommy's face, he would be beaten. Both he and Arthur thought it was unnerving to see as were the tears trickling down their brother's perfectly shaped cheeks.

Tommy always thought he and Eden were made for each other, though, that didn't mean they were made to last did it?

She had always been daring and prideful, and that her rage would only need to be set off by a single match.

....And Tommy just realized that he'd finally started the fire.

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a/n:

this is the end of the first act of until we meet again. how are we feeling? i mean our girl is calling him thomas not tommy so...

eden finally pulled out that knife and although she didn't put it to use (not really) she took a stand, by defending and protecting someone she loved against...someone she loved.

considering that tommy directly went to enzo (out of jealousy, resentment and more) instead of being sly about his attacks due to his drunkenness/ grieving, he's fucked up, on the biggest scale. eden went as far to give back his mothers necklace, is there any coming back from that?

also i took a lot of inspiration from an old film cillian was in called "disco pigs" it's on youtube and it's amazing but also very unnerving.

#wattpad #fanfic #black girl #black reader #tommy and eden #tommyshelby and edendawkins #tommy shelby x oc #Tommyshelbyxblackreader #tommy shelby x black reader #edendawkins #eden dawkins #peakyblinders fic

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saintsir4n · 8 months

Text

WARNINGS: MENTIONS OF ANXIETY AND VIOLENCE

1914

LEAVING the hospital, Eden adjusted her uniform and gathered the rest of her things.

She muttered a goodbye and nodded to the other nurses around her, who returned the gesture.

Celestine came up to her and discreetly squeezed her hands, "See ya at home love."

All Eden could do was muster up a smile, further worrying her mother.

Pushing past the doors, Eden wasn't surprised when she met with a familiar face.

Polly Gray.

Not saying a word, she took the younger woman's arm in hers and guided her towards the Watery Lane. Eden remained unaffected as they walked side by side, arms clinging together and heels smacking against the cobblestones.

When people saw Polly, they briskly moved out of the way, clearing a path allowing them to walk by without any trouble.

Eden could feel the Shelby Matriarch studying her, the bags under her tired eyes, the lack of colour on her face and the absence of her signature red lipstick.

Although it wasn't allowed at work, she knew the Dawkins woman would be quick to apply it as soon as she stepped out of the doors.

"Where's that smile of yours? People will think I'm holdin' you hostage."

"And if they did, they wouldn't say a word, would they?" Eden's hoarse voice caught Polly off guard.

The walk from the hospital wouldn't take long but Polly had questions.

"What happened to ya voice?"

"I lost it," Eden answered keeping her gaze to the cobbles.

Polly wasn't satisfied, "How?"

"Couldn't find it this morning," or in other words, she spent her nights crying.

"Enough with that cheek," Polly's stern voice caused Eden to sigh, "Tell Aunt Polly what's wrong."

Giving in, Eden stated, "Your nephew for starters."

"Gonna have to be more specific, can't be poor Finn who's got your voice sounding like Arthur's," Polly quipped, then received a sarcastic smile.

"Why, thank you."

"I've got just the remedy for the attitude and ya soar throat and no need to worry, no one's in."

Eden felt slightly better after hearing that, "That's a first."

"Oh, don't I know it."

—

"You know how exhausting it is to be Eden Dawkins?"

Polly stared at the Dawkins nurse, who was sitting on the couch, feeling nothing but empathy as she put down a cup full of honey and lemon for her to consume.

"How 'bout you tell me then, you've been silent since we've walked in," Polly retorted, leaning back in her chair with her cup of tea which had some whiskey in it. "It's worrying y'know? You're always talkin'. If it's not 'bout your books that you have your head stuck in, it's to do with your work."

"Not just those two," she murmured, before taking a sip of the drink, that soothed her throat.

"Oh right, can't forget that chocolate cake you're always obsessing over." Polly has heard countless times about how much the chocolate cake from the market down in Digbeth was one of her favourite things in the world.

Eden suppressed her smile, "It's nice cake."

"Believe me, I know," Polly said against her cup.

"You always know."

Raising a brow, Polly asked, "Tommy tell you that?"

"John did, Finn too," Eden replied, dismissing Tommy's name.

"My bloody nephews, but they're right, 'cause Polly Gray always finds out. Now why have you got the size of the Garrison under ya eyes?"

Eden let out a deep sigh, "You know why."

"Of course I know, I want to hear it from you," Polly noted each time the nurse shifted in on the couch.

She looked anxious or was it irritant?

"Thomas," Eden begrudgingly answered.

Polly hummed, "Stirrin' up trouble is what he does."

"I know."

Pursing her lips, Polly added, "And you knew that before you started messin' with 'im."

A bitter laugh escaped Eden, "So it's my fault?"

"Never said that so don't go puttin' words in my mouth," Polly warned, then took another sip of her tea.

"Then what you tryna say? I should expect 'im to make me cry, batter my friends if they get too close, make a scene?" Eden pressed, tilting her head.

"Yes."

"Wow."

Polly watched Eden subdue her simmering her rage by drinking, giving her time to explain.

"Because he's a man. Men kick, scream and shoot and as a woman, we clean up their messes, 'cause if we didn't the world would fuckin' burn."

Placing her drink down, Eden asked, "And what if I want that?"

Polly was caught off guard by her question, "Then you're just like Tommy."

Eden couldn't scoff quicker, "I'm nothin' like 'im."

"Actin' on emotions, waving weapons 'bout like it's a bloody flag and kickin' and screamin' like you're hairs on fire?" Polly listed, smiling when Eden tensed up, "Yes, I heard all 'bout the incident, I was there when the truce was decided," Polly tried to not sound too amused, "few people have pulled a weapon on my nephew, think you're the only one he was afraid of when it happened."

"He's not afraid of me," Eden didn't think that was possible, she wasn't much to be scared of.

"Oh he is, come on Eden use that big brain of yours, he's scared, not for the reasons you think."

Disregarding her statement, Eden decided to ask, "Do you think women have to clean up after men?"

"We do because we have something they don't," Polly informed, putting her cup to the side

"Balls?"

Polly chuckled, "The ability to keep going."

Eden averted her gaze, "Sometimes I don't think I do."

"You do," Polly spoke with a hint of admiration.

"How do you do it?" Eden turned back to her,

There were days she just wanted everything to stop and she was barely an adult. Wondering how she would continue was a question she asked herself every time she got out of bed.

"Five children wouldn't 'ave been fed, cleaned and clothed if I didn't," Polly said sternly, then looked to the floor as a flood of memories breached her mind.

Memories of children, her kids, running up and down the lane along with her wild nephews and little niece, Arthur tossing little Michael out of the window and John putting him into a shoe box and kicking him up the lane, all while Tommy sat and chatted with little Anna. A smile wanted to form on her face but she wouldn't let it, because that's all that it was, memories, the past, even though she wanted it so desperately to be present.

Searching her dreams every night she prayed she would never find her children.

And if she did, she doubted if she could go on.

Straightening up her back, Polly looked at Eden.

"Before you two fell out –"

"-- Broke up –" Eden's correction fell on deaf ears.

"-- did Thomas say things when he slept?" Polly wondered, confusing the nurse.

"We haven't been together for a minute Polly," Eden answered, starting to think why she allowed the Shelby matriarch to bring her here, she should've gone home, considering it was almost five in the afternoon and she'd been working for nine hours.

Christ.

"Answer the question," Polly demanded in a light tone.

"I don't remember," Eden wanted to groan at the pointed look she received, "Fine he used to mutter and twitch in his sleep whenever he dreamt."

Polly's eyes grew wider, "Did he say what these dreams were about?"

"Polly..." Eden sighed, knowing that she would've given up, God these Shelbys are relentless, "he never said anything, but I heard him mutter stuff."

"What stuff?" Polly was now leaning forward, gesturing for her to go on.

Rubbing her forehead, Eden tried to remember, "Rokker I think, same three words, karo I think... fee or fi and nova?"

"Kařo, fi, nivă?" Polly corrected her with perfect pronunciation.

"I think so. Why?"

"Tommy and his dreams." Glee danced in Polly's eyes and Eden didn't understand why.

"I suppose."

"Remind me to read your tea leaves next time you're round," Polly didn't leave any room for argument.

Eden slowly nodded, "Okay."

Polly thought back to the images she saw whenever she stared at her second oldest nephew, A little girl with russet skin and sapphire eyes running through the fields trying to get to a large horse with a woman chasing her, both were happy and both were smiling.

It was similar to when Marta got with John, only with John she imagined a whole vardo full of children.

Kařo, fi, nivă. Horse, girl, field.

Polly was delighted, so very delighted, but the sombre look on Eden's face made her shake the thoughts... For now.

She wanted to get down to the issues at hand, wanting all the chaos to be put to bed.

"He doesn't trust me," When Eden spoke, emotions coated her voice.

Clanging her nails around the arm of her chair, Polly spoke softly, "He sees things like objects, if it's not his, he wants it and when he gets it, he tends to not let it go."

"Great so I'm a fuckin' toy to 'im," Eden didn't mean to snap.

"Watch that tone with me," Polly warned, seeing the regret in the younger woman's eyes, "and to answer your question, you have to show 'im why you're not a toy."

"If I forgive 'im," Eden pointed out and quickly shook her head at the look she got.

"Eden."

"Please don't say it," Eden whispered, looking down at her hands, trying not to pinch the skin around her fingers.

"I'm tellin' you this 'cause I know our Tommy, he has this essence... this potential that will bring something to this family, my family, the family I know you'll be part of someday. So you're gonna forgive 'im, Eden Dawkins."

Her shoulders slumped as she glanced up at the older woman, "Polly... what he did to my best friend --"

"I know what he did, forgivin' him don't mean forgettin', believe you me there's a huge fuckin' difference."

Eden sighed, recalling that Greta said the same thing to her not long ago, but she wondered, if she ever did something to hurt Tommy, would he forgive her?

"But--" she was cut off by the sound of someone storming into the house.

Tommy was quick to lean against the frame of the front room door, eyes zeroing the brown-skinned woman who looked away and sighed. He attempted to not let his eyes wander over her uniform, but it was so hard.

Polly sat back, feeling the tension rise in the room, Eden's hurt demeanour immediately morphed into crabby.

"Your mum said you were here," Tommy finally spoke, shooting a look at his fascinated aunt.

Eden's head snapped toward him, "And how would my mum know that?"

Tommy's eyes softened at her sore, just as he was about to ask what happened to it, his aunt interrupted.

"I told her, caught Celestine on her lunch break, " Polly informed, unaffected by the scowl on Eden's face.

"Right."

Tommy couldn't help but snicker at his ex-girlfriend.

"What's so funny?" Eden grew aggravated, by his presence, his eyes, the way he looked good leaning against the door frame.

"You can come to mine, but I get kicked out if I step a foot in yours?"

Eden was quick to nod, "Pretty much, yeah."

Tommy stepped into the room and asked, "What happened to ya voice?"

Eden made a face, "None of your business."

"It is my business, you're my business," he argued, eying her.

Polly scoffed at the pair, believing they thrived off arguing. Eden challenged Tommy in ways she hadn't seen before, it was annoyingly entertaining to watch.

Eden rubbed her temples, ignoring when he checked the cup she was drinking, instead, she faced Polly once more.

"I haven't got the energy to argue with 'im," she gritted out, disregarding the mirth swimming in his eyes.

"And you think I do?" Polly retorted.

"You've been doing it for twenty-two years."

"And you'll be doing it for twenty-two more."

It was Eden's turn to scoff, "Not bloody likely."

Polly snorted at the glare Tommy sent her.

"And what's that supposed to mean?" he asked, sounding irritable.

She gesticulated, "We're not together anymore."

"Y'sure about that?" Polly mused, eyes flickering between the bickering pair.

"I'm sure," Eden said just as Tommy countered, "She's not sure."

"Pol," Tommy sent his aunt a pleading look, for her to leave the room, which she didn't take note of, so instead he turned back to Eden in defeat, "Has Changretta talked to you yet?"

"And why would you care?" Eden used her anger as a facade.

Enzo hadn't responded to her letters she ended up writing as Dorris informed her that he didn't want to see her just yet.

"You said he hadn't before," Tommy continued, unaffected by her attitude, just curious if they were in contact. Judging from her appearance, she hadn't been getting any sleep and he knew he was one of the reasons for that.

Folding her arms, she glared up at him, "And I bet you're loving that."

"Fuck sakes Eden."

"What, you are, you hate whenever I was with 'im, even though were just friends."

"Bet he hated that," Tommy's tone lowered, much to the women's annoyance.

"Blind as a bat, you are Thomas," Polly spoke, fully amused.

Tommy ran his hands throw his hair, "I don't need it from you, for the tenth day in a row Pol."

"Just friends or at least were," Eden sounded very hurt.

"Wouldn't be any more than that, the boy isn't interested in little Eden over here, or any other girls if you must know."

Polly's words stunned the ex-couple.

"Polly!" Eden screeched, jumping out of her seat.

"What?" she recalled the day she saw Enzo heatedly staring at some boy in the market she visited one day.

"You can't just go 'round saying that," Eden was too busy stressing out, she didn't account for Tommy who continued reeling at his aunt's statement.

"Tommy hasn't got an issue with someone's sexual orientation do ya? Or I haven't rasied you right," Polly noticed how confused and surprised his nephew seemed.

Tommy's eyes flickered between the two women, knowing what was said was true, which only meant that all the times he suspected the was something going on between Enzo and Eden, or that Enzo wanted Eden, all the touches, hugs, cheek kisses... they were platonic, they were just friends.

And he assaulted Lorenzo Changretta for no reason, none at all.

"It's not right, to just say somethin' like that Polly, he wouldn't want that," Eden eventually settled back into her seat, fiddling with her hands as Polly rose from her chair.

"Now you, my dear nephew can cut that poor boy some slack," she nudged Tommy onto the couch, "I'll leave you two and go and start on our tea."

The door shut.

Eden gulped, too busy thinking about how Enzo would react to his secret being exposed, would he blame me? What if he thought I told everyone, he would hate me even more.

Tommy's eyes never left her, her anxious fingers beckoned his hand to soothe and calm her as she did for him, but it was too soon. Far too soon.

So taking out a cigarette, Tommy begrudgingly lit it, hoping she would've done it instead, but no. It was the closest he'd been to her in days, her body screamed for him to hold, caress and worship. His lips yearned for hers, just like his every being craved to be with her all the time.

Oh, how he could not be in love with Eden Dawkins.

"Changretta likes blokes," he said as the smoke escaped his lips.

Eden's jaw clenched, "Don't, Thomas."

"He doesn't like girls," he spoke aloud, coming to terms with the fact.

"Can't believe Polly said that – or told you, Enzo could get killed for the speculation," Eden stressed, turning to him.

"She won't tell anyone."

"And will you?" she asked, earning an offended look, "what?"

"I'm no grass," Tommy took another drag, "and I'm not gonna judge 'im for having a preference."

"But you battered 'im, Thomas," Eden rushed out.

"I was wrong about that. I know he doesn't fancy ya now."

"So if he did, it would be fine," she sneered.

He rolled his eyes, "That's not what I'm tryna say alright?"

Her jittering hands caught his eye, he offered her the cigarette and surprisingly she took it, and quickly inhaled the tobacco.

Tommy watched the smoke drift from her lips and up to her nose in awe.

"Do you think I would care that he fancies men?" he questioned, senselessly shifting closer.

"I don't know."

"He can stick his cock anywhere as long it's not you," he muttered thoughtlessly.

Eden grimaced, "How romantic."

Tommy hastily pulled out the necklace again, earning a groan from Eden, knowing what he was about to say.

"Put it on."

"You can keep the necklace, my neck is doing fine without it," Eden sassed, knocking the ash into the ashtray he brought to her.

"How It's bear?" he stressed, eyes dropping to her neck.

"So what?"

"You kept the journal," he remarked, annoyed that she wouldn't keep the necklace.

She shrugged, "You left it at mine."

"You didn't have a problem putting the necklace back in my pocket," he pointed out, nevertheless, his nervousness was getting to him, "I was impressed."

"'Course you were."

"Just put it on," his throat was starting to get dry.

"Why?!" she yelled.

"So you'll be safe alright?!" he yelled back and it was then that Eden noticed the worry in his eyes, "I need you to be safe so put it on, can't have anythin' happenin' to you because it's not on your person."

"I'm fine," she said, tone softer than before.

Tommy shook his head, "Please, just keep it on you even if you don't want to wear it."

It's because of his mum, Eden recalled all the times Tommy told her why he believed his mother took her own life and the fact she took off the necklace was one of them. Fuck.

Eden swallowed the not forming in her throat and looked at the necklace in his hand as she put out the rest of the cigarette.

"Please..." she heard him whisper.

"If I put it in it means you're forgiven."

"It means you put it on."

"I'm not putting it on," she said calmly, seeing the emotions flood his eyes, "You can't force me, I'll do what I want when I decide, not you."

Eden coyly looked up at him as he reluctantly placed it back in his pocket.

He wouldn't be able to breathe steadily until it was around her perfect little neck and she knew that she's not forgiven you, she's nowhere close.

"Thomas..."

"Tommy," he tried to get her to say, but she wouldn't.

"You said I make your head spin," she said calmly, recalling his past words.

"I wasn't lyin'. You make my head spin. That's good, I can't stand the silence," he spoke reassuringly. "The last thing I want is silence."

Eden nodded, "Right."

"What happened to your voice?" he had to know.

Eden softly shrugged, "Lost it."

"Couldn't find it this mornin' ey?" he joked, nearly putting a smile on her face, "how did you lose it?"

"Cryin'." she told him, his amusement faded, "just for a few nights."

"Because of me?" he dared to ask, seeing her lips move hesitantly.

"Yes, and other reasons, things that have been on my mind for a while."

Enzo, he knew she wanted to say, only causing his guilt to spread.

Tommy placed his hand on top of hers, seeing her fingers twitch in anxiousness, but moved away.

"Come to my room – no funny business," he promised after catching her eyes narrowing, "I need to tell ya somethin' — please Edie, won't take long."

There it was again, Edie, he said it for the second time, almost to compel her to agree.

And she didn't.

"Say what you wanna say 'ere, the doors shut, only your aunt's in. I'm not leavin' this room."

She stared at him, waiting for what he was going to say.

"You never let me answer your question y'know," referencing their last sorrow-filled interaction, "Why I won't let ya go. I'll tell you why. I spent days sittin' on Shadow — he misses you —, anyways, when I'm riding or even trotting through fields, needin' to find the highest place in Birmingham, to reach the highest sights so I can look over everythin', be above everythin', like a King. And once I found it, the highest place in the city all I could think of was you. You being beside me... sitting in front of me on that horse overlookin' the city like a Queen, my Queen. That is why I stay with you because that's what I see in you, I won't stop. I treated you like shit and I'm sorry, I can't take it back no matter how much I wish to. And I know you don't think so, but I trust you, with my life and in our relationships. Now, since you're a Queen I'll get down on my knees to prove to you how sorry I am."

"You'll get on ya knees?" she asked, completely choked up from all he said, his dreams, and aspirations all included her and she didn't know how to feel or what to do.

She started the day, no way close to forgiving him, but his speech made her want to, just a little bit.

"For you, I will," he promised, already thinking about getting down on his knees for her.

"Do it."

As soon as the words were spoken, Tommy lowered himself to his knees in front of her, stunning her.

"I was right to prioritise you," he continued, "if its time, love and effort you want, I'll give it to you. I know I'm not a patient man, not always, but I will be I'll try to be alright. Can't happen overnight burn I promise it'll happen."

He waited for her to say something, anything at all, but nothing came.

It drove his nerves up the wall.

"You owe me nothin', but I want this to work. I can't apologise to Changretta because the truce won't let me onto his territory, not for a while, but if you ask me to do anything else, pride aside and all, I'll do it. Tell me what you want love."

Eden didn't know what to say... its a first and she knew it.

There were a lot of things, he had to do for her to willingly get back with him, but there was a list of things she needed before she agreed to anything at all.

So she said,

"Time Thomas," she said definitively, "that's what I need."

He smiled,he'd guess that was progress.

"Then it's time I'll give you."

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a/n:

polly highkey just outed enzo... christ. (the way ada did the same in canon to her friend james) i was going to say "back then" but now even now people get killed for not being straight or cisgendered.

everyone wants eden to forgive tommy as if he hasn't hurt her and its tough because wherever she goes a shelby will be there. just wanted to highlight the lack of options most women had back then, they just had to deal with their issues privately and just had to keep going. eden is clearly struggling but is expected to bounce back. polly wasn't trying to dismiss her feelings but she was basically saying what's expected of her.

don't worry tommy hasn't been forgiven just yet, which is why I didn't let her put on the necklace, i mean i would never get back with him after he put hands on my best friend, but eden's not me.

#black reader #wattpad #fanfic #black girl #tommyshelby and edendawkins #edendawkins #tommyshelbyxblackreader #tommyshelbyfic #beforethewar #1914 #smallheath #blacknurse

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