#Peaky kids

[padfootdaredmetoo]

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

Dear Anon,

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

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

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

Part 2

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

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

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

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

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

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

“For Fucks sakes woman! ” A girl shouted. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

______________________________

Another sister came into the hallway. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“The Paperwork -” The sister called out 

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

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

“I had a tutor before my parents died.” 

“How did they pass?” 

“Car accident.” 

“I’m sorry.” 

“Me too.” 

“We’ll expect you to go to school.” 

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

“That’s my husband. Thomas.” 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

_______

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

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

“Yeah?” 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Mostly sitting and thinking.” You responded blandly. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“I’m so sorry.” 

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

“We’re the same then” you whispered. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

_____________________________

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“John” 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“But we just got here!” Finn mumbled.

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

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

_________________________________________

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“No, just the one that made sense.” 

“How so?” He took a sip of whiskey. 

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

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

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

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

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

“Is that so?” 

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

“Perhaps I should talk to her about it.” 

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

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

“Do you want to watch the storm then?” 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“The sitting room at this hour!” 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

______________

Extra Blurb. 

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

Finn laughed at you.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Where is he taking you then?” Lizzie asked

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

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

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

“How bout I wear the red one -” 

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

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

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

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

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

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

“No.” He said firmly looking at Lizzie.

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

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

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

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

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

__

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

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

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

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

“Just for food then straight back?” 

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

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

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

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

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

@kpopgirlbtssvt

Tags List: Feel free to send a request or message to be added.

#Tommy Shelby #thomas shelby #Peaky blinders #Peaky blinders request #Dad Tommy shelby #Tommy Shelby x Reader daughter #Peaky Kids #Shelby Children #Shelby Children imagine #Tommy shelby imagine #Thomas Shelby imagine #Tommy Shelby x Lizzie Stark #Thomas Shelby x Lizzie Stark #Lizzie Stark imagine #Lizzie Stark mum #Lizzie Shelby #Lizzie Shelby Imagine #Polly gray #esme shelby #finn shelby #shelby family

[danceyreagan]

Its so hard being a black women who likes fanfiction. Like there is just still so little representation. Even when things are “reader” they are coded for white people.

No one is running their fingers through my silky hair. Or brushing hair out of my eyes behind my ear. I have an afro and when I dont its in twists. Also, black women dont really let people touch or play in their hair.

I dont have pink nipples.

I dont blush. My skin will not turn red no matter how hard Im blushing.

Now I thought it was hard in the Peaky Fandom. But there are some amazing black fic writers here and likely more have emerged since I havent been active in the fandom for a few years.

Trying to read Kpop fan fiction, its even harder to find representation.

If you are in any of the fandoms below, please comment or reblog with your fave black fanfic writers.

Mine are

@btsqualityy

@kimnjss

@panjakes

@laketaj24

@xxdearlybeloved

#welcome to the new series #Dancey’s rants. #please feel free to post your pet peeves. #peaky blinders #game of thrones #kpop fanfic #Black Reader #black fanfiction #Black and nerdish #BTS Fanfiction #Stray Kids #stray kids fanfic #txt fanfic #tomorrow x together #TXT imagine #BTS Imagine #Stray kids imagine

[feasibilities]

Thomas Shelby | Peaky Blinders Season 3, Episode 2

#i see why grace was smashing him at every given moment like... #i would've given him 8 kids #thomas shelby #peaky blinders #cillian murphy #thomasshelbyedit #peakyblindersedit #tommy shelby #edits #gifs #my gifs

[caseyisaloser]

Oppenheimer (2023)

#iron man #tony stark #mcu #marvel #avengers #oppenheimer #oppenheimer spoilers #spoilers #drake and josh #josh #tommy shelby #peaky blinders #mr robot #rodrick heffley #rodrick #wimpy kid #albert einstein #einstein #elliot alderson

[kittenbradensgf]

truly convinced that there was no script for alfie solomons that was just tom hardy’s improv comedy

#they got him on set amd dressed him up and told him to go for it #and he just said whatever he liked based on what was going on around him #peaky blinders is a comedy. to me #i kid you not i swear you can see cillian trying his hardest not to laugh at some scenes #peaky blinders #alfie solomons #tom hardy

[grayisblogging]

oh to light his cigarette for him

#i would never speak back. dinner would always be ready in time. the house would be spotless. as many kids as he wants. #tommy shelby #cillian murphy #peaky blinders #icons #mine

[deadendtracks]

i was watching the season 2 episode where tommy stops in on arthur at the eden club the other day, and it's such an interesting scene in that i think it would be really easy to see arthur's reaction as a bit cowed, almost like tommy is being super harsh/borderline abusive -- but if you look at what tommy actually says and how he says it, he's just calling arthur out on massively fucking up.

and arthur knows he's fucking up.

arthur knows better! that's the whole reason he reacts the way he does.

tommy's not coddling him there, but he's not mean about it either. it's just funny because so often there's this idea that tommy's being harsh and controlling with his family members as if they can't help their behavior (or as if they're not actually doing anything wrong and he's being unfair) but like. arthur knows better that's the whole point there. his reaction is about shame at his own behavior.

also this is just another example of how false the whole "tommy never delegates or gives his brothers opportunity to do anything but be the muscle" idea is when the reality is he sent arthur to London to run this club and arthur is blowing it all off and doing a mountain of coke.

#peaky blinders #there's this unspoken idea that tommy's supposed to be gentle and supportive with arthur when arthur is doing shit like this #or like when he literally killed a kid in the boxing ring #it's...something #arthur's behavior in these situations makes you pity and feel for him but if you take a step back it's like... look at what he actually did

[loveisalwaystheanswer]

3.06 | 6.03

#peaky blinders #peakyedit #peakyblindersedit #peaky blinders s6 #peaky blinders s3 #perioddramaedit #usershelby #3.06 #6.03 #liata edits #parallels #tommy shelby #cillian murphy #and it's all about kids

[hb-writes]

Little Lady Blinder - Chapter 33

Uncertainties, 1919

Also available here on ff net or here on AO3.

Chapter Content Warning: canon-typical content

Clara startled awake to find she wasn’t at home in her own bed. She was sprawled out on John’s living room floor, her nieces and nephews all around her, a bundle of pillows and blankets spread out on the carpet. But it was quiet, the only sound in the house was the soft snoring of the kids…and some rustling up the stairs. 

Clara rubbed her eyes. There was light coming in through the windows, so it was morning, but early enough that the kids were still asleep. She wondered when or how she’d fallen asleep, and for how long. She felt rested for the first time in a long stretch. 

Whatever had happened, Clara certainly hadn’t meant to fall asleep the night before. Lizzie and the kids had done a good job in distracting her for the day, but Clara and Tommy had plans so she had wanted to know as soon as they were back so she could get home and prepare. Clara had expected the worst after breakfast the day before, after what Joseph had said, but the day had gone rather smooth—an exhausting, whirlwind of activity, sure, but good day nonetheless. They’d gone to a children’s tea, played games on the way back, had a scavenger hunt and built a fort for the kids to pretend to sleep out in the living room. 

Clara had joined the kids in the fort once completed, but she hadn’t intended to stay over. She had a sleeping out of her own to prepare for, but she’d fallen asleep before the boys arrived home. She assumed it had just been very, very late by the time they all made it back to Small Heath. 

Because if something had gone wrong…well, Clara assumed someone would’ve woken her. That’s what she told herself at least. If John hadn't come home or if he’d been hurt, Lizzie would have woken her straightaway. And if it was someone else…well, John would have woken her. 

Clara was sure of it. 

She turned over in her makeshift bed when footsteps sounded on the top of the stairs, Lizzie’s soft giggle trailing down to her on the living room floor. Beside her, Clara saw Robbie’s eyes open, a sleepy smile on his little face. Clara held a finger to her lips and Robbie nodded, closing his eyes and pretending to sleep, letting out deep, exaggerated breaths. 

Clara waited for John and Lizzie to head out through the back before beckoning her nephew up. Together, the two of them traipsed over the sleeping bodies on their way to the kitchen. Lizzie’s basket was gone from the counter, but a few biscuits had been left behind on a plate in the center of the table. 

“Can we play again today?” Robbie asked, climbing up on a chair to take a biscuit. 

Clara shook her head. “Not today.”

Robbie deflated a bit in front of her. “Why not?”

“I have to go home. Uncle Tommy’s…” Clara considered it…why couldn’t Robbie come? It was meant to be just her and Tommy, but she figured he wouldn’t mind their nephew coming along. Robbie was the youngest, but he was never much trouble. Not compared to the rest of them, and Clara had enjoyed her time with him yesterday.

“I’m supposed to spend the day with Tommy, but maybe we can ask—”

“Mornin’,” John said as he came back through the door, mussing both kids’ hair as he reached out for a biscuit and leaned back against the counter.

“Lizzie said you lot behaved yourselves.” 

Clara considered that. She supposed that overall, the kids had behaved though Joseph had been short with the poor woman throughout the day.

“She especially likes you, mate,” John grinned as he looked at his son. 

“I like Lizzie,” Robbie said.

“Me too, mate.” John popped another biscuit in his mouth. “I’m going to get some more sleep. Don’t wake the others yet, yeah?”

Robbie stood up on the chair, reaching out for John and clasping his arm before he headed through the kitchen doorway. “Can I go with Clara today?”

John glanced at his sister. “You want him with you?”

Clara hesitated just a moment before nodding. “Can we go now?” 

John shrugged. “If you want. Should be late enough now that Aunt Pol won’t drag you two off to church.” 

And they could have a more substantial breakfast back home, Clara figured. A couple of biscuits weren’t fuel enough for an adventure like the one she had planned.

“Alright, mate," John said. "Go get dressed.” 

Robbie scooted off the chair.

“Something warm,” Clara added as he moved toward the door, leaving Clara and John alone. 

John pulled out a chair, sitting down beside her. 

“Thank you,” John said. “Lizzie had no complaints. Said you weren’t a grump, either.” 

John leaned to the side, fishing out his bill fold and setting a few notes on the table. 

“You did good,” he confirmed. 

Clara didn’t think she’d done much, though. It had been Lizzie who navigated all of the issues and tended to Robbie when he’d been upset. It was Lizzie who had done all the planning and the cooking and Clara had felt more that she was just along for the ride than that she had been especially responsible for helping with anything. 

Clara left the bills sitting on the table between them and turned to her. “How was the races?”

“Good,” John said, taking another biscuit.

“They went late,” Clara offered, the words somewhere between a question and a statement. “The races?”

“Nah," John shook his head as he chewed and swallowed the biscuit. "We were celebrating at the Garrison.”

“Arthur and Tommy, too?”

John shook his head again. “Just Arthur and the boys.” 

“Oh,” Clara nodded. 

“You know how Tommy is,” he offered, studying her response. 

Clara did know how Tommy was, but she still didn’t quite know what John meant. She didn't know what it meant that Tommy hadn't joined them in celebrating. She didn't know what it meant that he hadn't come to find her, either, and a bit of uncertainty curled into her stomach.

“You need me for anything else before you go?” 

Clara shook her head, already deep enough in her own thoughts that there was nothing John could do to help her, nothing Clara would allow him to do to help.  

“Alright then," John said as he stood up. "I’m back to bed before this lot wakes up. Go out through the back. Keep it down.” 

--

As Clara and Robbie walked back to the house, the boy talked non-stop about their day with Lizzie, chattering on and on, but Clara was busy packing her bag in her mind, trying to remember everything that they’d need, strategizing on how she’d ask her brother to let Robbie tag along. 

Clara imagined her brother was already awake. It wasn’t very early—already past the hour Charlie had offered to walk with her to the yard, and far past when Tommy usually elected to stay in his bed. 

Either way, they’d have to be quiet, and Robbie had to let her do the talking. Clara told him as much as she fumbled around for the hidden key, unlatching the back door and letting them both into the quiet of the kitchen. Clara directed Robbie to the sitting room out front, settling him on the couch before backtracking through the dining room to draw back the shop’s curtain. 

She pushed aside the very sudden thought that Tommy might be mad at her, that she was supposed to come back home from John’s last night to make sure there’d be no delay with their sleeping out, but the thought quickly vanished as the quiet stillness of the office took over her.

Clara passed her nephew in the parlor again, pressing a finger to her lips as she moved through the room and headed up the stairs. 

Tommy’s door was shut, all the doors in the hall were. It was normal these days for Ada’s to be shut, and Finn was sleeping later and later these days, but not Tommy. 

She knocked lightly on the wood, waiting a few seconds but hearing nothing, not even when she pressed her ear against the wood to listen. 

“He already left.” Clara spun on her heel at the voice, her heart pounding as a hand reached out to catch her before she stumbled. “Just ten minutes ago,” Isiah added as he stood in Clara’s now open doorway. 

Clara had questions—she wanted to know where Tommy went and she wanted to know why Isiah was in her bedroom—but both questions died on her lips when she spotted the cuts and bruising on Isiah’s face. 

Clara pushed her loose hair from her face, her fingertips brushing over the scar on her brow. 

“Just a scratch,” Isiah said, a cheeky grin on his face as he leaned back into the door frame. “Didn’t even need stitches.” 

Clara nodded, unable to pull her gaze properly away from Isiah’s face, her mind subconsciously looking for more evidence of injury. 

“You should see the other guy,” he said, nudging her.

“Is Finn—?”

“He's fine,” Isiah interrupted. “Passed out sleeping though.” 

Clara meant to ask after the others—after Tommy and Arthur, and her cousins and everyone else who’d gone off to Cheltenham yesterday, but Robbie appeared at the top of the stairs before she could voice any of it.

“Did you ask him yet?” Robbie asked, the excitement in his voice falling as Clara started shaking her head. 

“Maybe we’ll just play around the house instead,” Clara ventured. “...See if he comes back soon and then we’ll ask…or maybe we can see if Uncle Charlie’ll still have us...or…”

Clara’s mind was seeking alternatives, spurred on a bit by the frown on her nephew’s face, but her heart wasn’t in it, her problem solving hindered, clouded over, by the hurt and confusion and worry.

They’d made a plan. Tommy had promised no one would get hurt. And he’d promised they’d sleep out. They’d make a day of it. That’s what he’d said. Clara had been certain he would keep his word. Certain that her brother would come through. He'd promised.

“You can spend the day with me and Finn,” Isiah said, still leaning against the door frame as he watched his friend shifting through her thoughts.

The mere suggestion charged Robbie, a smile growing on his face, but Clara was slower to warm, cautious not of Isiah and his words. She knew it was an offer that she could trust, but of the idea of spending the day out with him and her brother unsettled her a bit. It had been a long time since Clara had passed one of her days out with the boys.

The boys tended to stray from home. They tended to cause trouble. Just days ago now Clara had been left dealing with her brother’s trouble and she wasn’t sure she wanted more. 

Clara had been doing her best to stay clear of all that. 

But Isiah was smiling at her, his eyes warm and bright as his eyebrows rose and fell a few times, the gesture taunting her as his smile reminded her what it was to pass a day by his side.

Clara huffed, just a quiet bit of resistance offered before she rolled her eyes, a quiet bit of curiosity stowed in her features. 

“What do you have planned?” she finally asked.

Isiah shrugged. He knew Clara was already hooked despite the hesitation she was putting on. It didn’t much matter what Isiah had to offer her, what his plans were for the day. Some part of Clara knew it would be far better than sitting around here wallowing and trying to entertain the nephew she’d brought along for the ride.

“Yesterday was payday,” Isiah said, reaching into his pocket and producing a sleek handful of money.

Since John had paid Clara, they were both flush with cash. Clara hadn’t even been expecting payment for helping out with the kids, but either way, the money was in her pocket. It was a gift that was certainly more than she had deserved, but John had been in a good mood and he was always generous when he was in a good mood. 

“We could go to the pictures,” Isiah said.

“But I don’t have any money,” Robbie whined. 

“That’s alright, mate,” Isiah answered. “Go wake Finn and I’ll spot you.” 

Robbie grinned, heading down the hallway without another word, and Isiah watched him go, waiting until turned into Finn’s bedroom before looking back to Clara. 

She was looking at her brother’s door, Tommy’s door. 

“He seemed in a hurry,” Isiah offered. “Something important.” 

Clara nodded, pushing her hurt down beneath the excuse Isiah offered on her brother's behalf. She didn't know if he had said the words to make her feel better or to protect her brother. Isiah didn't know wither.

Tommy hadn't left her a note. He clearly hadn't been even remotely concerned about her when he left, but Clara was already trying to move past Isiah to find some paper in her bedroom.

“We should leave them a—”

On the floor below, a key fit into the door that led in off the lane, cutting Clara off. She raced past Isiah, moving down half a flight of stairs before Polly stepped into view, removing her hat as she looked up the steps. 

“You missed a fine service,” Polly said. “Where’s your brother?” 

Clara was prepared to answer fully, giving her aunt an account of each and every Shelby boy. Finn was asleep in his bed. John was home with the kids. Tommy was…out. And Clara assumed Arthur was still down the lane, asleep in his own bed. She was tempted, but that answer sounded like she was being smart, even in her own head. And Clara knew who Polly was really asking after, anyway. 

“Isiah said he went out.” 

Polly nodded, her gaze moving to the boy who stood at the top step. “Something important, I suppose,” she said, though Clara had the distinct feeling that Polly had no idea why Tommy wasn’t home…wasn’t where she expected him to be. 

“And Finn?”

“He’s waking up,” Robbie said, venturing down the stairs and moving past Clara until he was within arms’ reach of Polly. “Isiah said I can go to the pictures with them. He’s gonna spot me.”  

Polly lifted the boy from the stairs, holding him on her hip for a moment. 

“And who said you four were going to the pictures?”

“We were gonna—” Clara started to explain her plan to leave a note. It wasn’t exactly aking permission, but it was something. 

“Tommy was supposed to take me and Clara to sleep out, but he’s not here so we’re going to the pictures instead.” 

Polly hummed, setting Robbie back on the steps as she studied her niece and the way she'd stayed quiet, letting the little boy provide the explanations. 

“Well, you’d best go have something to eat before you go,” Polly said, directing Robbie towards the kitchen. “Best go search the cupboards.”

Polly beckoned Clara down the last few steps. Clara trailed behind her aunt as she walked through the dining room and into the shop, heading straight for the safe. She lingered a few paces away as her aunt leaned down to lean inside. 

“No reason to take any money from that boy,” Polly said as she turned to hand Clara a small amount of money. “Family fund,” she added, as she guided Clara back through the shop.

“Can I have some?” Finn asked as he peeked his head around the curtains, a piece of bread and jam in his mouth. 

“Your sister can carry it,” Polly said as they stepped into the dining room where the boys were all eating. “And I want you four to stick together. You go straight to the theater and stay away from the Cut,” Polly continued. “You watch your nephew. And you listen to Isiah. He’s in charge.” 

Isiah beamed, but only for a minute, the smile on his face slipping away as Polly continued on.

“And if anything happens, you’ll deal with me,” she said, her gaze directed at Isiah. “Keeping out of trouble may be hard, but I’ll promise you Aunt Polly’s boot is harder. And find your father while you're out. Invite him to supper.” 

--

By the time the kids made it to the end of Watery Lane, Polly’s words were akin to a distant memory to the boys, with Finn and Robbie wandering off ahead without a care. Finn had already taken the money from Polly off his sister for safekeeping, and he was spouting off, directing what they’d be doing with their day without stopping to gather the opinions of those around him.

Clara hesitated before the door to number 6 went out of view, stilling on the cobblestone and making Isiah backtrack a few steps to stay with her. 

“What is it?” 

Clara shook her head, taking a few steps forward. 

“Come on now,” Isiah said. He nudged her with a gentle arm. “You really think there’ll be trouble with me by your side?” 

Clara stared at him for a long moment before shrugging. It wasn’t too long ago that the two of them had been bested by the coppers, both of them worse off for the encounter, but things were different now. 

Isiah was taller. Something in his face seemed changed. Older. Confident.

And he was a Peaky Blinder now—well, sort of one. 

“I’ve got ya and you’ve got me, yeah?” he said, slinging an arm around her shoulders. “Heard from Finn you’ve been scrappin’ again. Probably don’t even need any of my help in a fight.” 

Clara shrugged again, kicking at a pebble as she started walking. She wasn’t proud of the fight, even if they’d won. And she didn’t see Isiah grinning at her, focused as she was on her dirty boots as they moved through the streets.

“What really happened at the races?” she finally mumbled, sneaking a glance at him and finding her gaze lingering on his new scar again. 

Isiah tapped the pebble Clara had been moving along before looking to her. The question felt like a test, one where there was no right answer. But he’d promised her nothing would change. Isiah had promised her that him being a Blinder wouldn’t change their friendship.

“You can’t tell your brothers I told you,” he said. “If they find you out, you blame it on Finn. Lad can’t keep his mouth shut anyhow.” 

Clara chuckled at that, though she wasn’t sure she’d lie and blame her twin if it came down to it. She didn’t imagine it would come down to it, but even so, it felt malicious, even if it would be saving Isiah’s skin. Clara nodded anyhow. She needed the truth. Needed a bit of certainty.

“I’m not going to tell."

Isiah nodded before offering his tale, telling Clara all about the horses and the spectators, the Lee family and the money. He told her of the small cuts and bruises incurred by the men, himself included. And he told her of the crass words spoken on the way there and the way home. He told her all of it, the words flowing out like a story, like they had needed to be told, needed to be released from his brain. 

Isiah hadn’t seen Tommy the whole time, he’d said. Tommy and Grace had gone off someplace special, and all Isiah knew was that it had been a successful day. That Tommy had been pleased. At least, that's what Arthur had said.

The information didn't satisfy her or soothe her. If anything, what Isiah told her had given her more questions than anything else, but Isiah had seemed lighter for sharing it, as if a weight had been lifted.

It was still too early for the pictures. The first showing wasn't until 11 am and anyway, the kids were still hungry even after having breakfast at home. Starving, and they had money to burn, money to spend on who lever they wanted. They could've gone to Hinkley's, but they bypassed their local bakery, heading through the streets to find something else that was open, eventually settling on a small shop none of them had ever been to, the four of them enticed by the big cakes in the window.

Clara felt a tingle in her limbs as they settled by the Cut with their bag of treats, the pastries taking on some semblance of a second breakfast as the morning sun warmed their bones.

They worked on the contents of the bag with a certain fervor before Isiah and Robbie left the twins with the leftovers to skip rocks. Clara remained with her brother, the two of them settled with their feet dangled over the edge of the canal while Isiah tried to teach her nephew what to do, the two of them practicing swinging their arm.

"What happened at the races yesterday?" Clara asked, trying again to get some type of information.

"I'm not supposed to say," Finn said around a bite of pastry. "Why are you so worried about it?"

"I'm not worried."

"You're always worried," Finn answered, the words touching on something deep within her. Didn't everyone think about things all the time? She asked the question to herself, watching her brother as he munched on his food, his gaze on Robbie and Isiah. Clara realized then that Finn didn't seem worried. He didn't ever seemed very bothered about anything, which didn't seem a bit fair to Clara, that her brother's mind could be so quiet. So calm. So kind to him in that way, when hers was certainly not.

In fact, it seemed that Finn had already moved on from her questions altogether, a stretch of quiet passing between them that left Clara feeling uncomfortably alone with her thoughts.

"Tommy let me drive the car yesterday," she offered into the quiet, the information coming out only to get Finn talking again. "Maybe he'll take you out today."

Finn shook his head. "Tommy's busy with the pretty little barmaid.'"

Clara recognized the turn of phrase as belonging to one of her brothers—Arthur or John—but she stowed the information anyhow, ignoring the sting she felt at knowing Tommy had skipped out on their plans to be with Grace.

By the time Clara looked up again, Finn was standing beside Robbie, trying to give his own two cents about rock skipping, showing off his technique, which was all well and good until Robbie tried to replicate it, whipping a rock across the canal. The sound of shattering glass came quickly, echoing across the water.

Clara sat in stunned silence, looking around the small area they were in, her eyes catching on a bit of movement down the lane, her ears catching on a small sound. The sound grew louder and louder, the sound of footsteps on pavement building until she saw the face of a man she recognized. 

Moss.

The copper who had towed her across town, brought her to Inspector Campbell. The call to bring up the breakfast of sweets she'd just enjoyed came over Clara all at once as the man started moving towards them. She barely heard Isiah yell for them to run, was barely aware of Isiah taking Robbie’s hand and peeling away from the canal as she sat frozen there. Clara just sat there as if she was rooted to the ground, too scared to move, too scared to do anything.

But then Finn was in front of her, holding out a hand. 

“C’mon, Clara, run,” Finn said, urging her up. “Leave it,” he said when she reached for the half-empty bag of sweets and he yanked her to her feet, the two of them sprinting off. Clara was barely aware of where they were going, the two of them weaving in and out of streets Clara hadn't ventured down in months. They’d lost Isiah and Robbie, and Clara didn’t dare slow or turn her head to see if the copper still followed them, not until they pulled to a stop outside of the theater.

Clara was grateful it was Finn who had their money as he bought their tickets and tugged her along into the building. She was still breathing hard, her heart beating in her chest as they slumped into the velvet seats. 

“What if something happened? What if—?” The words caught in Clara’s throat as the doors at the back of the theater opened and closed. She willed her heart to settle as two young women took up seats a few rows behind them. They paid her and Finn no mind.

The last time Clara had been in this theater, it was Tommy who had burst through the doors, demanding Ada tell him who had gotten her pregnant. Clara had been scared of her brother then. She thought he might kill one or both of them, but an angry Tommy was more preferable to her now than the thought of that copper coming through the door. 

Clara pushed herself down into the seat, her arms wrapped tightly around her queasy stomach. Oh, how she regretted cookies and pastries for breakfast. Oh, how she regretted leaving Watery Lane in the first place...

Clara kept her eyes squeezed shut as the doors continued to open and close behind them. Despite Finn's teasing, despite his insistence that there was nothing to worry about, Clara flinched each time, holding her breath until steps faded away as the patrons found their seats. 

Clara finally heard a sound she recognized minutes later, a deep bit of laughter that seeped into her bones, and she loosed a breath she hadn’t known she’d been holding. She turned to look over the back of her seat as Isiah and Robbie walked down the aisle. The little boy was laughing, a huge bag of popcorn in his arms as he zoomed away from Isiah, taking up the empty aisle seat beside Finn. 

Clara wanted to hug her nephew. To check him over and make sure he was alright, but it seemed like he had already forgotten their run-in with the copper. 

“Guess who we saw!” Robbie said, leaning across Finn to better see Clara, his answer coming before Clara could even think to respond. “Miss Lizzie! She was walking down the street.”

“Nice lady, Miss Stark,” Isiah added as he climbed over the seat from the row behind them. He slid into the seat beside Clara, settling a large bag of popcorn in her lap. 

“She told us to hide in an alleyway and then she told that copper we went the other way,” Robbie said, leaning across Finn to reach his hand into the popcorn.

Isiah hummed and took a handful of popcorn into his mouth as well before looking at Robbie. “Remember what I said though, mate?”

Robbie nodded. “Can’t tell no one about what happened," he said. 

“Good lad,” Isiah said as he sat back in the seat, leaning his arm over the back of Clara's chair. "I just hope Miss Stark keeps it to herself, too.”

“She will. I'm certain of it,” Clara let her head lean back into Isiah's arm as she grabbed a handful of popcorn for herself. Isiah glanced at her as if she might say more, but Clara didn’t offer any further explanation. Clara wasn’t sure how she’d be able to explain that she just knew, without a smidgen of uncertainty, that Lizzie Stark was a good person. An honest person.

And then the movie started, words coming across the screen that had a smile growing on her face: A Dog's Life, Written and Produced by: Charles Chaplin.

Her mind was still swimming with thoughts as the picture began. Thoughts of the broken window and the copper and her brothers and Grace and Lizzie Stark and the fact that they'd forgotten to find Jeremiah and invite him to dinner, but as the image of a small puppy emerged on the screen, Clara found a smile tugging at her lips, and she willed herself to give into it. She willed herself to let the uncertainties fall away, some part of her realizing that the world...the worries...they could wait until the movie was through.

Chapter 34

Little Lady Blinder Masterlist

Please take a moment to tell me what y'all think! Reviews and comments are always appreciated. 😌❤️

#peaky blinders #peaky blinders fanfic #peaky blinders fanfiction #john shelby #lizzie stark #polly gray #finn shelby #isiah jesus #john shelby's kids #robbie shelby #clara shelby #little lady blinder #shelby!sister #shelby sister

[loverofpiggies]

Just a little screenshot of some dialogue

Enjoy!

#bellis does not like edgy kids #cqart #watdg #willow and the dragon girl #just a fun lil sneaky peaky

[padfootdaredmetoo]

Hi hope you are fine can you make a fic where Charlie and ruby had a younger brother ,who is Lizzie's pet. so both Charlie and ruby along with their cousin Billy played a prank on him saying he is adopted. So after that whatever happened he thinks that is because he is adopted then the truth came humorously that he is not adopted infront of whole family.

Hey love,

This is a bit on the shorter side and I did change it a bit, but hopefully you like it! Today went well for me and I'm avoiding falling into the pit of despair by writing. Thank you again to everyone who offered support <3

Warnings: Sad kids

Things were always moving a little bit faster than you at Arrow House. No matter how hard you tried your little legs couldn't keep up. They were clumsy, and you often skinned your knees on the ground. Ruby used to help you all the time, but you felt that she would rather run ahead with Charlie these days. 

While sitting in the patch of mud you had slipped in, you sighed remembering the real reason you didnt fit. You were adopted. You thought back to that night, angry at yourself for not having been tough. The cousins were telling spooky stories, you had gotten scared and tried to cling to Ruby. Such a baby’s mistake. Billy had said that you were scared because you were adopted. That your dad never got scared, which was true, so naturally you weren't his son. 

You had tried to push his words out of your head since, but every time you landed on the ground, knocked something over, or couldn't play the game well, the words came back to haunt you. You weren't really a part of the family. 

Lizzie came to help you and you looked up at her feeling embarrassed. She wasn't even your mum, she shouldn't have to help you all the time. You got yourself up and walked back to the house. You brushed off her attempts to help you no matter how much you wanted her help. 

These feelings only weighed you down further as the family came around. The other kids were too loud to compete with. Tommy was busy, he didnt have time to waste on a little boy who got scared. This information didn't soothe the ache in your heart as he would twirl Ruby in the air, or ruffle Charlie’s hair. 

You pulled away and tried to get used to doing things on your own. Charlie and Ruby seemed happy that you didnt bother them anymore.

____________________________________________________________

There was a big ball being held at the house and Ruby was convinced that it was because she was a princess. That Tommy was looking for her prince charming. You felt even more sick at the thought of being introduced and shown off as one of the Shelby family. They were supposed to walk out with Lizzie and Tommy, and then Esme was to take them downstairs to hang out with the cousins and Finn. 

You looked down at the fancy suit they had put you in and tried to imagine yourself being tall like Tommy. Tall, and Feared. But no matter how tall you imagined yourself you knew that you wouldn't grow right. You would look however your real parents looked. 

Were they tall or short? 

“Come on, times almost up.” Tommy’s voice made you jump. He surprised you by picking you up into his arms. You tried to hide your face ashamed of the tears forming in your eyes. 

For a small moment, you felt that your dad had tried to find you specifically like they wouldn't go out without you. 

“Hey, now. What’s wrong?” He asked. 

“You don’t have to take me out there.” You whispered feeling so small. 

“Can’t be a Shelby entrance without all the Shelbys” He answered easily. “It’s alright if you're shy, I’ll carry you.” 

“No, but I’m not a Shelby.” The tears fell and you looked up at Tommy watching his eyebrows come together. 

“Not a Shelby Eh?” You nodded sniffling. 

“Look at me.” You tried to maintain eye contact with him but it was a challenge. “You are a Shelby, I’ve worked very hard to build a life for you that you can be proud of - ” 

You didnt understand what he meant. 

“But everyone told me I’m adopted it doesn't matter what kind of life you're proud of.” You stumbled on the words and it took Tommy a long moment to answer. 

“I watched over you in your mum’s belly for nine months, I watched you come into the world, and I was the first person to hold you. There is no way you're adopted.” 

“Your lying. I get scared, you never get scared so cousin Billy told me that it’s because I'm adopted.” 

“Cousin Billy is full of shit.” He laughed. “I’ll tell you a secret.” He lowered his voice to just a whisper. “I get scared all the time. I just learned not to show it.” 

“Oh. I should hide it then? Just push it down?” You were so relieved that there was a way to get better. Your father stared ahead for a long moment till Mum yelled at him from the top of the stairs. 

“No” His eyes flashed down to you finally. “If you're scared, tell me.” 

“THOMAS” Your mother called from the stairs and you watched your dad roll his eyes. 

“You ready then?” He asked you and you nodded happy that he held you tightly the whole time. He carried you down the stairs as everyone was announced. Some old people pinched his cheeks and cooed at him. Then your dad sent you off with Esme with a wink. 

She held your hand and you thought about telling her about Billy. Anger filled your tummy and you decided you would have to handle this like a grown-up. How your dad or uncles would handle it.

“Alright, Finn?” Esme called and Finn rolled his eyes from where he had perched himself in the widow sill. Esme laughed then let go of your hand and left. You looked around the room still angry. 

Finn was on the opposite end of the room as Billy, so it seemed like a good time to strike. You walked over grabbing a toy truck from the ground. 

He paid no attention as you walked over. 

“I am not adopted.” You announced with a new sense of power.

“Yes you a-” You didnt let him finish as you smacked him hard across the cheek with the toy truck. You felt guily as soon as you had done it. Finn almost fell trying to get off the window sill and scooped you up into the air before the bigger boy could retaliate. 

“WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT FOR -” Billy let out a loud groan. Finn tried to compose himself, but you could tell that he wanted to laugh. 

“I AM NOT ADOPTED.” You shouted at him. 

“Alright, no one is adopted. No hitting.” Finn looked at each of the boys. Despite the age difference between you and Billy both of you knew that Finn was the coolest person on the planet. He had cigarettes and girlfriends, he could drive, and his hair was all swoopy. 

Both boys apologized and the night continued on. You didnt try to chase after everyone, and eventually, Finn came and put you on the window sill with him. He read you a storybook that had no pictures, but it was just as good because he did the funny voices. You hoped that he had enjoyed it just as much as you did.

#Shelby family #Thomas shelby #Lizzie Shelby #Peaky blinders #peaky blinders oneshot #peaky blinders request #Kid Reader X Shelby family #Thomas shelby oneshot #Tommy shelby oneshot

[danceyreagan]

Sometimes I wanna read smut without degradation, daddy kink, and Dom!Sub dynamics. Its ok to write two equals having sex. Its not something I find sexy but these tropes are everywhere!

Lets have a convo, tell me what types of tropes you are tired of reading. Smut, fluff, angst? What do you like? What do you dislike?

I’ll go first

Likes:

A snarky reader. The snarkier the better.

@btsqualityy has some of my favorite work. Her readers have so much personality. None of them are the same.

@black-mcu-imagines her Peter Parker x black OC series! Is fire.

@blinder-secrets has great Peaky Blinders work.

@sceawere (I dont think they write anymore. But their masterlist is still up) for some more Peaky Blinders goodness.

Established relationship fics. (I love slowburn to but I dont have the patience always)

Social Media AU’s

@kimnjss she’s got tons. Black writer too. Currently on hiatus.

Action and fighting

@bubblyani’s batman series. Some of the most perfect writing I have ever come across. (POC writers stand up!)

@laketaj24 I love her work too for Vikings and Peaky Blinder.

@the-last-targaryens and @ashleyfanfic collaborated on the best Game of Thrones AU called Legends of Winters Peak.

I’ll read some flithy wild ass smut if the dirty talk is right. Praise Kink is a plus though.

Werewolf Au’s

@btsqualityy Assuage Series (she’s tagged twice cause she’s my ultimate fave and my friend)

@gamerwoo Seventeen series Imprinted. Yo, I dont even know what to say, they have a Stray Kids Series too if you arent into Seventeen.

Dislikes:

Polyamory it just isnt my jam.

Humiliation/degradation kink. Again, Im not like, judging people. Ive read it enough to know why its appealing it just is everywhere now I’m over it.

Daddy kink. (I was molested by my father. Daddy kink horrifies me. I cannot, I just cannot) its in like everything. Its hard to get away from it.

Angel/Demon xHuman!reader.

Soft readers. Again, I read it. But then I get mad at the reader for not defending themselves. (I said it before Im confrontational)

Bad boy/Good Girl dynamics. Lets flip that. Why not have a female Burnout fall in love with a nerd or shy male character?

I dont hate all Dom/sub dynamics. I guess again this comes from it being everywhere that its a little worn out. But its a hard no for bondage/sex slaves type of thing.

Share your likes/Dislikes with me. Boost up your faves and share them with the people.

#my peaky boo #peaky blinders #tomorrow by together #tommorow x together #bts reactions #bangtan sonyeondan #BTS fem reader #stray kids #Black run blog #kpop fandom #vikings #black reader #black!reader #kpop fanfic #game of thrones #my faves #black creators

[such-a-hopelessromantic]

Oh, I don't know, Tom.. Kids these days..

They didn't fight. So they're different. They stay kids.

#peaky blinders #thomas shelby #arthur shelby #war #fight #kids #men #currently watching #tv series quotes #responsibility #work hard #babys #modernism #real man #hardershipp #fighter #softness

[normalbrothers]

though in all seriousness i can't get over how people just gloss over how violently he grabs/squeezes her throat twice in the show and the second time he sexually assaults her on top and this having so little impact on how arthur's character as a whole is seen by the fandom

#and that behaviour has a precedent!! he's been violent and predatory before this!! he continues to be! #he's clumsy and has no emotional filter and in some ways this can be fairly endearing but he's also *violent* #and this isn't good. like he's not a good man hdhdh #peaky blinders #i do love him he's very touching to me though that's not the point but mostly the way people talk about him is so annoying #like i'm with lana del rey and consorts on that one but come on #and when the issue of his violence comes up it's often in the context of how it affects him and sure. he's ashamed of this #but he's also very much hurting others #i think it made functionally little difference for the kid he beat to death if he sort of felt bad about it afterwards #or the men and boys he targeted before that

[divinekangaroo]

Monsters Vs Aliens (Giantess Premise) fusion Peaky Blinders, Tommy x Lizzie, for everyone who's contributed to the fanon that Tommy really likes tall women...

*

Music and chatter from the church fading, Ada pushed through the wagon circle, the parked cars. Tethered horses whickered uneasily in the shade of trees. A little further, buildings out of sight, she found a solitary white shoe, strap broken.

‘Lizzie!’

Months of conversations, mutual counselling, doctors and more months of balancing medications, a new house and a holiday just after Ruby was weaned. Ada might’ve had doubts still about her brother, but didn’t think Lizzie would run.

‘Lizzie!’

White flickering through the trees, deeper. Ada went as swiftly as she could in her own heels. If Lizzie hadn’t run, then maybe someone took her; certain people paid attention when politicians with certain backgrounds made unwary public announcements about looking forward to weddings and things like that.

Then Lizzie clawed her way to standing, kicking over a clump of mushrooms, long hair loose from the flower crown and now full of leaves, dress dirty, and both feet bare and stained brilliant green with the long lush grass she’d just come through.

‘Look at the state of you.’ Absconding or abduction off the agenda, the next crisis lined up: less than fifteen minutes to walk the aisle. ‘What the hell happened?’

‘I don’t know. I went for a walk, clear my head. What’s— Oh, my God. Ada. So dizzy.’ Lizzie sniffed, clutching Ada’s hands. ‘I didn’t miss it, did I? I didn’t fuck it up?’

‘Of course not. Come on. Do you have your other shoe? All right, Polly will work it out, and the hairdresser’s still here, it’ll be all fixed in no time.’ Fuck. Neither she nor Polly would have shoes that fit Lizzie’s giant feet. Ada gnawed a nail; maybe one of the Lees. She’d ask Johnny.  ‘Are you all right, Lizzie?’

Lizzie looked at her, a little wild-eyed. ‘I’m fine.’

*

Arthur cleared his throat, again. Tommy tucked his watch away, again. He glared at his brother, ready to say something slicing about punctuality, when the string quartet finally raised their tune.

Instead of falling silent at the appearance of the bride, half the church whooped and hollered, wolf-whistling. The other half promptly joined in competition, petals, hymnbooks and pamphlets volleying both ways across the aisle, the opposite of hostility, as the canon drowned in the chaos. Johnny patted Lizzie’s arm and darted over to the string quartet, grinning, a chat and wide gestures. The four nodded, discussed, and immediately started – a fucking shanty?

Lizzie cackled, gleeful, as Johnny scurried back, hooked her arm again. The boisterous pews fell into line with the new tune, stomping and clapping, shouting in rhythm.

—wedding on the meadow, the finest ever seen—

Tommy watched wide-eyed as his wedding, his fucking wedding, everything exactly as Lizzie wanted and absolutely no hidden agendas, slipped entirely out of his hands.

—priest spake words as sweet as the breeze, ‘neath those ancient, whispering trees; blessings from t’fae and the leprechaun's smile—

Sauntering mostly up but sometimes down that aisle, casual as if at market, Lizzie waved and laughed, ‘Maggie, you made it! Donna-aa! Michael, look at you, all shiny!’ She paused multiple times to chat and embrace people, kissing cheeks.

Tommy stared at her feet, which were bare and grass-stained. Somewhere over his shoulder, he could feel Arthur nearly killing himself not to laugh. Charlie ran circles around Jeremiah that even Polly couldn’t contain.

‘S’good,’ Arthur said, conciliatory, as finally Lizzie reached the altar and everyone fell silent after a final spasm of stomping. ‘S’happy, see, brother? Remember happiness?’

Tommy stared past Jeremiah’s shoulder at the man suffering on the cross.

Eventually, they reached the part where they were supposed to face each other and speak the vows. Mind unacceptably blank, Tommy found himself hard-pressed not to reach out and cup Lizzie’s cheek, which would be a suitable stalling action. Brush whatever that little smudge of dirt or makeup was from the corner of her eye.

Frowned. He would have to reach up. A few inches here and there, all right, but she didn’t even have shoes on.

Much further up.

Tommy stepped away. ‘Lizzie. What’s happening?’

Her face fell in response to his. ‘Tommy? Why are you shrinking?’

‘It's not me. It’s you.’

Lizzie’s shoulders hit the rafters and she hunched in reaction, ducking her head, dress splitting down the seams. Tommy staggered, Arthur already with an arm around Charlie and pulling Tommy away from the near-radius of whatever this was, the flash of Jeremiah in his robes sweeping to the far wall. Ruby, Ruby – no, but she was all right, in Polly’s arms at the church rear. The nearest pews cleared in a rush, some screams, as Lizzie’s heel pushed through them, one knee down and the other knee tucked under her chin, dress and boned undergarments suddenly exploding in confetti shreds. The flower crown fell like autumn leaves, and Lizzie curled tighter to avoid any further damage to the architecture.

After a while, the screaming slowed. Stopped, deprived of the originating shock. Not to mention they were a fairly hardy crew, his and hers. Lizzie uncurled slightly, those huge green eyes wide. Fixed on him in horror. She must be so embarrassed, she was barely able to stay modest, curled like that.

Tommy could see straight up between her legs. He could—

Abruptly, Tommy turned and shoved Arthur’s head down, away from the view, Charlie already tucked faceless into Arthur’s shoulder. Jeremiah had his gaze politely averted. Back, to the shocked watching family and friends. To Lizzie, stunned and terrified.

‘Is that it?’ Tommy demanded. To the pews, threw his arms wide. Couldn’t stop pacing, turning, didn’t know what he was looking for. Answers weren’t likely to be had in a situation like this. ‘Is that fucking it? You lot, sit the fuck back down, on the floor if you have to. We're not done here. Jeremiah, what’s next? In front of the altar, man. Come on. We’re finishing this.’ Forward, he hadn’t come this far to—Jesus, those fucking legs, filling his periphery no matter which way he turned. ‘Everyone shut your fucking eyes! Not you, Lizzie. We’re fucking finishing this!’

No hope for the rings Arthur held out, one hand over his eyes. Tommy put his on, then forced Lizzie’s ring onto his little finger as far as it would go so it wouldn’t be lost, which wasn’t very far at all; such slender fingers she’d had. Then there was still the obligatory. Rapid and fruitless, multiple scenarios raced through his mind, scaling that ankle, climbing hair like a rope, settling for kissing any portion of abundant flesh in near reach, when Lizzie put an end to the mad loop in his head by gently lay her palm flat on the floor, lips writhing in some unreadable expression as their eyes met across the distance.

It was inevitable. Tommy climbed on.

*

Celebration at the wagons in full swing from the sound, Lizzie kicked her feet as gently as possible in the river, trying not to scream, or cry, or something. If she stomped hard enough, the whole river receded from her foot and showed the bare mud below: Moses parting the Red fucking Sea.

It was a dream, wasn't it? Some kind of queer nightmare. The thought might be the only thing stopping her from panicking.

That, and Tommy.

After the ceremony, he’d immediately launched into a rapid-fire debate with Arthur and Johnny deciding what would be cheaper to fix to get her out: the roof, the stained glass window or the wall. They’d decided the wall, then argued more on which wall was non-loadbearing. Johnny dragged in some cousin who did masonry work, and despite the pleas his speciality was dry stone walling in fields, forced him to make a call. Lizzie then pushed the wall out with all the ease of squashing a sandcastle.

They’d gone very silent at that, shrouded in masonry dust, Tommy with a look she’d never seen on him before.

Lucky she’d wanted a celebration in summer, more outdoors than indoors: no rooves or walls to deal with in the short term. Polly rousted the women, kinfolk and Lizzie’s old street friends together without any tolerance for comment or complaint, getting them working on unpicking multiple skirts and restructuring them into a patchwork dress, if barely enough to cover the pertinent bits. After that, Lizzie ate the entire wedding feast, given she’d not eaten breakfast or lunch out of nerves. Johnny rounded the men with an odd kind of glee, and they’d all gone out somewhere for a couple of hours and returned madly drunk with a fortune of live and dead animals, probably stripping the nearby farms, one way or the other.

Lizzie moved so she could see Tommy. He inched closer again.

‘Will we wake up tomorrow, and it’ll all be back to normal?’

‘Lizzie. How would I know?’

He didn’t sound upset in any way. Just steady.

‘You’re taking this very easily, that’s all.’

‘How else should I be taking it?’

‘I just can’t believe I’ve ruined it again. My perfect white wedding. Did everything right, every fucking thing. Ruined anyway, now and after. Wedding and marriage.’ She couldn't bring herself to ask why he'd gone through with it. He'd been almost tearing himself to bits with some kind of emotion in there, until they'd sealed it with that very strange kiss, him crouched on one knee and one hand down on her palm for balance as she'd lifted him, a position as confident and instinctive as if he'd done this before, then he felt along her lips with his hands, until—

After, he'd relaxed.

‘Yeah? How’s it ruined?’

‘Oh, come on.’

‘A bullet would ruin it. This isn’t a bullet.’

So quiet, maybe she wasn’t supposed to hear. Lizzie went quiet, too.

‘Need a bigger house, that’s all.’

Lizzie laughed. Stopped, desperately, before it could become hysterical.  She moved again, trying to keep him in line of sight. She kept panicking she’d sit on him or something horrendous, but he stood so close, little feather-light touches on her shin or, when she was sitting, her thigh, here and there, as if trying to keep her grounded, and every time she moved away he’d inch closer again.

On cue, he inched closed again, that tiny tickling touch along her thigh sending goosebumps chasing all over.

‘Maybe mobile scaffolding.’

‘What?’

‘Nothing.’

‘Tommy?’

‘Yeah?’

‘What am I supposed to do?’

There was a long pause.

‘If you lie down,’ he started. Stopped.

‘You can’t—’

Lizzie caught his gaze. A beat.

He licked his lips. Cracked his neck, which had been craning to look up at her.

‘Oh.'

‘It’s a nice night, Mrs Shelby,’ Tommy said, almost absently, abstracted, and without any particular emphasis.

‘For sleeping out?’

‘Who said anything about sleeping?’

Checking to ensure she wouldn’t destroy a small civilisation in her shadow, Lizzie carefully lay down.

*

#peaky blinders #tommy x lizzie #my writing #possibly crack possibly kink #really the most crack is the idea they'd go to therapy and have a happy wedding #moses parting the red sea used frequently in fics for what tommy does in a crowd i thought; yeah perfect a crazy reason to use it #kids holiday movies: this movie.the Asshole Boyfriend really didn't know what to do with his Giant Lady but the animators definitely knew

[cupidbread]

send me requests guys 😭😭😞😞😞😭😭

#anakin skywalker x reader #peaky blinders fanfiction #thomas shelby x reader #tommy shelby x reader #johnny lawrence x reader #cillian x reader #top gun blurb #thomas shelby imagine #karate kid #johnny Lawrence #daniel larusso #cobra kai #peaky blinders x reader #star wars