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#but one of the first things freddie did after meeting tommy was almost kill him and maybe he was right
businessbois · 2 years
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i bet freddie badlinu lives everyday of his life wishing he let tommy drink that one more cup of water when they were 10
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romeulusroy · 3 years
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Being The Smartest Shelby Would Include:
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Polly knew you were smart from the start
She said so when you were a baby, but of course no one believed her
Everyone thought their kids were special, but you really were
Born just a few years before Finn, you weren't the baby, but you definitely weren't the oldest, so it was hard to be taken seriously
It started with your homework
You spent a lot of nights trying to tell your siblings it was just too easy
You weren't just getting every answer right, you were finishing pages of work in minutes, faster than anyone in your class
Eventually, you moved on to your brothers work
Finding it discarded on the table, you recognized Johns scraggly handwriting
He'd only made it halfway through, so you decided to finish it, even fixing some of his mistakes along the way
You wanted to show them what you'd done, but of course no one listened
At least, not until you stood on your chair and demanded that someone look over your work
It was a bit dramatic, and made for an embarassing story later, but you wanted to be heard
They did, finally, and they were shocked
Tommy handed it to John, who passed to Ada, skipping over Arthur, who eventually got it to Polly
"Well?"
"It's right, all of it. . . ."
"Fuck."
It wasn't just math though. You were reading every book you could find, even the ones your siblings struggled to get through
You had a knack for puzzles, for figuring things out no one else could, able to pull things apart and put them together just in your head
Polly knew, and she was going to do something about it
Anything she could find to keep you entertained, occupied, your mind at work, she'd bring it home
You had an incredible memory too, remembering everything from the contents on the back of bottles you brothers drank from to entire speeches Polly gave when all of you were misbehaving
It was amazing, to say the least
You were a kid when your brothers went off to war, so it was mostly Ada and Polly who spent long nights with you at the table over homework
You didn't think it was fair, that you were forced to stay in school when none of your siblings were
Polly called it a gift, said you shouldn't take it for granted
She had big plans for you, the kind of career kids like you could only dream of
Finn grows up with you reading to him every night
Even helping him with schoolwork, though that didn't last very long
It still irks you Polly let's Finn drop school, not even getting past reading himself, but you know better than to push the subject
By the time your brothers come back, thankfully all in one piece, you've become a bit of a myth or legend around the Small Heath
Not only are you taller and with more acne, a young teenager, you've made a name for yourself, and a business
After school you could be found with a hat on the ground, getting pocket change for your "abilities"
Showing off and splitting the money with friends, you put on shows
Memorizing the faces of strangers, drawing them almost perfectly by hand, reciting lines of poetry from class all from memory, etc.
Sometimes you bring Finn along, promising candy for his silence, making him part of the act
Your favorite is showing off the languages you've lesrned, switching between Romani, French, Italian, and German (to name a few) without a second thought, so effortlessly
Arthur caught you once, but instead of saying anything, he simply cheered you on, laughing at the fact that your business was doing better than the familys
You spent a lot of time in the shop like Finn, growing up there, but never really allowed in on business, not even to listen
Instead you were ordered to be quiet and focus on your studies
And you did, for a few years, slipping notes to John about what you thought would improve business, pressing your ear to the door to listen, putting up with being categorized as "one of the kids" with Finn
And then you made an announcement, one that almost killed Polly
You weren't going to university, and instead you'd be joining the family business
Your aunt put up a good fight, but your brothers were more than happy to welcome you, with rules of course
Ada wasn't too thrilled either, knowing how smart you were, and how special it was, but she wasn't going to stop you
Pol was, or at least she was going to try
"You could be anything you want y/n."
"And I choose this."
"You're-"
"Wasting my potential? So you've said."
You'd be more behind the scenes, working on the business side rather than the side with razors and guns
Your brothers were more than happy to hear that, though you'd gotten more than a few comments muttered by Pol
If you really wanted to, you could always be a doctor or a lawyer later in life, for now this is what you wanted most
You were finally part of your family
Within the first week, you have a full list of what could be improved and you're center stage in the family meeting
To say that was nerve wrecking was an understatement
Tommy had his doubts, of course, but John knew you'd been keeping their heads above water for a long time
"Go on then, you've got our attention."
You were the one they went to check over the books, the numbers, catching mistakes no one else did
It wasn't just spelling mistakes or addition issues, you were taking stock in inventory, in all the bullets that were wasted, the little things that went missing that no one seemed to notice
It didn't take long for you to work your way up, prove yourself not only to Tommy, but Pol too, showing her this wasn't a waste of your time
She's still not thrilled, but you're as stubborn as the rest, and she knows it's a losing battle
At least you're being smart with your work
Tommy made you check over every contract and agreement he made, making sure he didn't miss a single detail that would screw them over
He brought you to the races too, working out probability, though your math was shaky at best under that kind of pressure and uncertainty
You were the one counting the profits and losses too, weighing the options of whether or not to invest
You're really the only one who knows just how much the family makes
That is a dangerous thing in itself
You make friends quite easily
Not only can you speak an array of languages, bonding with everyone, but you've got that Shelby charm and good looks, too
You're quite popular, though your brothers constantly get in the way of any potential relationship
You're smart though, and not just for their gain, but yours too
If and when you're ready to date, you'll find a way
Alfie adores you
Tommy drives him mad, but he'd have you over any day
Not only does he love the fact that you can keep up with him, witty beyond belief, but your Hebrew is perfect
"So, you're the brains behind the whole operation?"
"Something like that."
You're brought along to a lot of in person deals
You pick up on things no one else does, remembering the littlest of things that can and will be weaponized if need be
Their kids and spouses names, the way they look at you, how they speak and carry themselves
It doesn't take long for you to know exactly who they are
"They're lying Tom. I know they are."
"How can you tell?"
"They look away when they answer, their eye twitches, and they always lean forward when they're saying something true."
"You got all that from a five minute conversation?"
You're not only their beloved little sibling, but the perfect weapon
They don't teach you how to use a gun, but you've been watching for years, making note of every tiny detail
When you do use a gun, which is inevitable, it's a perfect shot
Arthur and Tom insist you carry something with you, but you're fine sticking with a simple razor
The guns can stay with them. . . .
Not only does it come in handy with work, but your family, too
You pick up on the way Arthur escalates, talking him down before there's a full outburst
You know the nights Tommy does and doesn't sleep just by the sound of his voice, the way he signs his name
You know when to check up on Ada if she's not doing well after Freddies gone, even if no one else can see the hurt in her eyes
That's the thing everyone seems to forget, is that you're not only book smart, but people smart, too
Constantly making fun of your siblings right in front of them
"Pol, y/n's making fun of me!"
"I am not! You don't even speak Russian."
"No, but I can guess."
He'd never admit it to you, but Finn really is amazed by you
Ever since he was a kid he always looked up to you
School and homework and all that never came easy to him, and it lead to him giving up, so the fact that all of this comes so easy makes him proud to be your brother
"Y/n, curse in a language we all know or don't say it all."
Along with learning weapons along the way, you pick up on how to be a nurse, tending to whatever it needed
From your nieces and nephews scraped knees to bullet wounds
"Do not get blood on my new shirt!"
No one really suspects you to be listening or watching the way you do, so when they need it, you go "undercover"
Gaining the trust of the enemy, pretending to be a stranger that just so happens to get their attention as if you hadn't been figuring out what makes them tick, distracting them with drinks and small talk
If anything goes wrong, you picked up on how to get away, how to fight without getting too much attention, and not just by watching
With a memory like yours, there are some things you'd like to forget and can't
A lot of things do leave you with nightmares, with flashes of panic, with this dreadful feeling in your gut like you'd seen it all before
At one point or another you've called your siblings and aunt in the middle of the night, just to check up on them, see if they're okay
Begging your brothers to be more careful
They rarely ever listen though
"Is there anything you can't do?"
"I can't go on a date."
"Nope, not until you're forty."
"Come on Arthur, you can't scare them all away."
Despite all this, you're still treated like a child
Your siblings still see you as that smart little kid correcting their work and growing bored of even the most complicated things
No matter what you do or say, you'll always be small in their eyes
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songtoyou · 3 years
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Tempting Fate - Part Six
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Paring: Tommy Shelby x Reader
Warnings: Nothing major.
Word Count: 1,815
Story Summary: Tommy is not a believer in fate or destiny. However, a new resident in Small Heath will question his beliefs and push his boundaries outside his comfort zone.
Chapter Summary: Tommy gets attacked by Sabini’s thugs. You help him recuperate at home. He tells you of his plan to meet with Alfie Solomons to join forces against Sabini.
A/N: While this story takes place during season two of the show, I made some changes to the timeline. For instance, Tommy meets May before meeting Alfie Solomons. Tommy also gets attacked by Sabini’s men long after meeting May. I just wanted to make that clear. The Garrison got bombed and rebuilt before the start of the story.
Please do not post any of my fics to other sites without my permission.
Tag list: @owenniasstars​​
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You knew it was not a good idea for Tommy, Arthur, and John to go to London to appear at the Eden Club. The jazz club was owned by Darby Sabini, the man who currently controls half of the southern racecourses. These are racecourses Tommy desired to take over for himself. To no surprise, the Shelby brothers more than let their presence at the club be known, making sure to cause a raucous and leaving destruction in their path. Typical antics by the Shelby brothers. You and Polly adamantly told Tommy that being reckless was not how to get noticed by Sabini, but Tommy merely brushed them both off.
"Sabini is aware of us now. That was the whole purpose of the trip. He'll make his move, eventually, and when he does, we will be ready," Tommy voiced nonchalantly.
You merely shook her head in disapproval at Tommy. "Okay, the fact that you gave Sabini the upper hand is a really dumb move," you said honestly. "Why would you do that, Tommy? Do you have a death wish or something?" you asked him, concerned for his wellbeing.
Tommy got up from his chair to stand in front of you. He placed his hands on your shoulders and began to gently rub them to help calm your nerves. He softly spoke your name and told you that everything was going to be okay. "You got nothing to worry about, love. You got to trust me on this. I know what I am doing; nothing about my plan is out of place," Tommy reassured you.
However, the small voice inside you was telling you otherwise. It did not take long for your fears to come to fruition. You were at the betting shop helping Polly and Esme on little tasks when they got word that Tommy was in the hospital. Apparently, Tommy got set up by the Jews who asked him for a sit-down only to be attacked by Sabini and his thugs. You told Polly that you were going with her to the hospital. Before she could refuse, you held your hand up to say, "I'm going. Don't try to stop me."
Polly waved you along to follow her to the car and told Esme to watch the house. On the way to the hospital, you kept shaking your leg right leg and fidgeting in your seat.
"I told Tommy something like this would happen, but he didn't listen. He never listens," you almost shouted.
Polly could only sigh, "That's Thomas for you. He always claims to know what is right. He never takes what others think or feel into consideration."
You pinched the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath, and let it out. "It's always going to be like this, isn't it?" you asked, looking towards Polly. "Always worrying about him?"
"Yes. If you are going to be with Tommy, then that will be your life from now on. Think you can handle it?"
"I don't know. But I know no other woman would be able to. He needs someone to look after him, even though he may not think so," you told Polly, who let out an amused chuckle.
"What?" you asked her, confused.
"Nothing, dear. You really were made for Tommy. The two of you are written in the stars," Polly praised happily. "I'm glad Tommy has you around to look after him. Helps ease off my load."
When you and Polly made it to the hospital, it didn't take long to find Tommy. The doctor told you both that Tommy was lucky to be alive. Polly asked you if it was okay for her to see Tommy first. You agreed and waited until she was done.
Polly was only in the room with Tommy for fifteen minutes.
"We're leaving," said Polly.
When she reached for your arm, you pulled away. "What? No! I need to see him!" you shouted.
"Shhh!" ordered Polly. "He says he doesn't want any more visitors. He needs to rest, now let's go."
But you pulled out Polly's grasp and walked towards the hospital room. You saw a row of beds, and Tommy was at the very end. You slowly walked up to him and sat down. It pained you to see him in such a state. Cheek cut, eye swollen shut, ribs bruised and broken. It took all of your strength not to break down in front of him.
He looked at you but didn't say anything. Leaning his head back on the pillow, Tommy let out a disappointed sigh. You didn't say anything. The last thing you wanted to do was scold him or tell him, "you told him so." That wasn't what he needed. So you reached for his hand and intertwined it with yours. He squeezed it tightly. It was his way of thanking you for being there with him.
Nothing was needed to be said between the two of you. Tommy was grateful to have you next to him, even if he didn't actually say it. Your gesture showed him that you were not going anywhere and that you would stay by his side no matter what happened.
What's worst is that Sabini's men also accosted Ada. Thankfully, Tommy already had some of the Peaky Blinders watching out for his little sister. But it was Ada who eventually fought off the thugs herself. You had yet to meet Ada but heard a lot about her from her brother's and aunt. You found out that Ada's husband, Freddie, had recently died from pestilence, and they had a young son, Karl. Ada decided not to move back to Birmingham but chose to stay in London for she didn't want much to do with her family. However, Tommy was not too keen on letting his little sister cut him and the others out of her life so easily. Typical Tommy, you thought.
You visited Tommy every day at the hospital for the first week. By the second week, you could tell he was getting restless. "I need to get out of here," he kept telling you.
"Tommy," you began, "You need to rest and heal."
Unfortunately, Tommy didn't listen and checked himself out of the hospital. Luckily, you caught him as he was getting ready to leave.
"What do you think you are doing, Thomas?" you scolded him. But he didn't say anything.
Tommy struggled to put on his coat. You let him struggle as you knew helping would only make him feel emasculated. When Tommy finally looked at you with pleading eyes, you walked over and helped him into his coat. You folded his collar down and smoothed out his shirt underneath.
While his face had healed up nicely, it still pained you to look at him. His ribs were still bruised but still managed to be able to move around. You offered your arm for him to take, which he did.
Slowly, you both walked out of the hospital.
"I couldn't stay there anymore. Sabini's men would have come to finish me off eventually or someone else," Tommy told you. What he did not tell you was that Chester Campbell visited him earlier. Campbell found out that Tommy killed Eamonn Duggan and threatened Tommy to work for him as a spy or be jailed and hanged.
"Take me back to your place," Tommy instructed. "I'll finish healing there, okay."
"Well, that makes me feel a little bit better," you said with a small smile.
When you got Tommy home, you took him up to your bed, where he slept for the remainder of the day. You fed him when he got up and cleaned his wounds. You told him to stay put when you went for your shift at The Garrison. He was already asleep when you returned. You snuggled next to help and held him while he slept peacefully. Polly, Arthur, and John would make trips to your house to check on Tommy and give him updates on the business. This routine occurred for another week before Tommy became eager to get back to work physically.
He told you that he was heading back to London to meet Alfie Solomons, the leader of the Jewish gangsters in Camden Town. "I'm going to offer Solomons to join forces with us. I also need to stop by Ada's home to see how she is doing. If she is going to stay in London, then she needs a better place to stay, so I bought her a house," Tommy shared with you that morning.
"How are you getting to London?" you asked him curiously. "More than likely, Sabini's men or folks he hired are keeping watch to let him know of your whereabouts."
"I got that covered. I'm meeting up with Charlie and Curry in an hour down by the canal. Curry will take me to London on a barge. It will take a couple of days to get there…"
"Is anyone else going with you?" you interrupted Tommy.
He shook his head 'no' and lit a cigarette. "I need to do this myself," Tommy said to you.
While Tommy knew that you more than likely would have wanted to go with him to make sure he stayed safe, you nodded your head as a show of understanding. You realized that it would be in your best interest to trust Tommy and not doubt him.
"Well, while you are gone, Esme and I are going to meet up with Johnny Dogs to head to a fair not too far from here. The kids have been bugging John and her about going to a fair. John couldn't go, so I offered to go with her. I think Esme is a little bit homesick. She misses traveling."
"Please stay out of trouble while I'm gone," Tommy advised firmly. "I don't want to picture the trouble you and Esme will no doubt get into. Both of you, please behave yourself."
You couldn't hold back your laughter. "We're going to have the kids with us, so not much trouble the two of us can get into. But don't worry, we will behave ourselves," you told Tommy and got up to kiss on the lips.
Before you could step back, his hand grasped the back of your head and deepened the kiss. With Tommy's injuries, the two of you hadn't been intimate with one another in a long while.
When Tommy stood up, he began unbuttoning your blouse and walking you back to the bedroom.
"Tommy, we can't. You're still hurt," you pleaded, but it went on deaf ears as Tommy guided you to the bed.
"I need you, love. It has been too long. Trust me, being inside you will make me feel better," Tommy uttered while kissing your neck and chest.
Who were you to deny the man? You needed him just as he needed you.
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merakiaes · 4 years
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First Impressions - Tommy Shelby
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Pairing: Tommy Shelby
Requested: Yes. 
Prompts: None.
Warnings/notes: This might actually be the shittiest shit I’ve ever written. I’m posting it for now but I’m going to come back and re-write it once the other requests are done. Sorry if this sucks xD A short, hopefully better part three coming tomorrow.
Wordcount: 4360
Summary: Tommy invites you to meet the rest of the Shelbys and things get a bit out of hand, as they always do in the life of a Peaky Blinder. 
Part One - Nice To Meet You
Part Three - Salvation
The day Ada had been trying to avoid since you first met Tommy had finally come. 
After hanging around your shared home far more often than he usually would for two weeks straight, he had finally invited you to join their family for drinks at the Garrison.
You had gotten incredibly close with the Peaky Blinder leader since you met him two weeks prior, much to Ada’s dismay and everyone back in Small Heath was surprised to see how quickly he had taken a liking to you. He hadn’t even reacted that strongly when first meeting Grace and they hadn’t thought it would ever be possible for him to love anyone else that way again.
You were currently standing in front of the mirror of yours and Ada’s shared bathroom, putting in a pair of gold earrings and smearing a coat of bright red lipstick onto your lips while Ada and Tommy waited downstairs.
Karl had been dropped off at the babysitter’s house an hour before so that you and Ada would have enough time to get ready, and it was safe to say you were not going to be needing many drinks at the pub as you were both already slightly buzzed with the wine you had consumed.
Tommy had arrived only ten minutes ago, and you had yet to see him for the evening, but Ada had already started nagging his ears off downstairs, without a doubt about how to treat you, and the thought brought a slight chuckle from your lips.
You checked your reflection a final time, brushing your curled hair out of your eyes and straightening your red dress before finally retreating out of the bathroom and heading out into the hallway.
Already at the top of the stairs you could catch up snippets of their conversation, and even though you didn’t like eavesdropping, it was pretty much impossible to shut their voices out now that you were so close.
“She’s been good to us and I love her like my own sister.” You heart Ada say at the bottom of the stairs, her voice still slightly muffled. “If you ruin that I’ll kill you myself.”
Tommy’s voice followed shortly after, low and confident. “I would never do anything to hurt her.” 
Merely his voice managed to bring butterflies to your stomach. You were ashamed to say that you, a grown-up woman, had fallen for him in such a short amount of time. Hopelessly so.
“That’s what you always say.” Came Ada’s response, but they didn’t get to continue their conversation as Tommy finally caught sight of you coming down the stairs over Ada’s shoulder, a smile instantly rising to his lips.
The sweet sight caused your own lips to pull into one as well, and Ada to turn around, clearly hurrying to put on a strained smile to cover up the fact that she was undoubtedly not happy about the idea of you meeting her family. 
The very same family she had been trying to distance herself from ever since before Freddie had passed away.
You made it down the final step and your hand left the railing, and Tommy, who had already been holding your coat in his hands, wasted no time in coming over to you, opening the piece of clothing and helping you put your arms into the sleeves.
“Thank you.” You thanked him, smiling.
Once your arms were secured in the sleeves, he carefully reached his hands up to your neck and pulled your hair out, dropping the curls to your back. 
“You look beautiful.” He complimented, looking down into your eyes, and for a moment, you almost forgot that Ada was there too, standing to the side watching the scene unfold before her with crossed arms, lips pulled into a straight line and foot stomping on the floor impatiently.
But you were quickly pulled out of your trance-like state when she let out a loud clear of her throat. “Are you ready to go?”
You and Tommy turned your attention to her, taking a step away from each other. You nodded, smiling, and wasted no time in walking forward, hooking your arm with hers and pulling her out through the door.
The second you had gotten away from Tommy, her mood was lightened again, and the two of you skipped down to the car awaiting you while Tommy locked up the apartment, a cigarette now hanging from between his lips.
He kept quiet pretty much the entire ride from London to Small Heath, only speaking when you sparked up a conversation with him. 
Other than that, most of the ride was just you and Ada chatting and having fun, like you always did when you were together.
You reached your destination in a little under three hours, and by the time you were there, the dark had fallen outside, the clock now being around ten.
Tommy left the car first once you had stopped, helping his little sister out before moving on to you.
You smiled widely as you took his outstretched hand, thanking him quietly through your eyes and letting him help you down from the car.
Your eyes immediately looked around. 
It was sure to say Watery Lane was no London, but it did have its own charm to it. 
You thought so at least. Ada didn’t seem to care much for being back home, but you guessed you couldn’t really blame her after everything that had gone down in the past few years.
Ada started walking ahead, and you got left behind her with Tommy walking by your side.
“Are you cold?” He asked quietly after a moment of silence, his hands tucked into the pockets of his pants.
You turned to look at him at the sound of his voice and shook your head, but smiled gratefully. “I’m alright, but thank you.” You answered, and he smiled, before turning his eyes back forward.
Only three minutes later, the Garrison entered your field of view, and already from down the street you could hear the sound of loud singing, yelling and glasses clinking together. 
It all seemed a bit chaotic from what you could see through the window upon closer inspection, but you were still excited.
Ada entered first and her name was instantly called out by several voices. Once you reached the door, too, Tommy wordlessly opened it for you, letting you step into the warmth before stepping inside himself, closing the door behind him.
“There she is!” A voice you didn’t recognize called out the second you stepped inside, but once your eyes landed on the source of the voice you could instantly come to the conclusion that it belonged to Arthur.
Ada had shown you more than enough pictures of her family for you not to recognize them.
The smile that had previously been very bright on your lips turned into a more nervous one as the entire Shelby clan was now watching you approach with expectant smiles on their faces, all yelling out for both Ada, Tommy, and surprisingly, you, in their drunken states.
But then again, you guessed it wasn’t very surprising, at all. After all, they had known you would be coming along.
Before you had even had the chance to think about getting your jacket off, Tommy had already started pulling at it, and you let him, smiling and thanking him silently over your shoulder.
Upon reaching the table where his family sat, Ada had already found herself a spot and Polly was the first one who stood up to greet you.
Her arms wrapped around you in an embrace and you gladly accepted it.
“It’s nice to see you again.” She said, and you smiled, hugging her back.
“You too, Polly. It’s been a while now.”
She chuckled, pulling away and giving you a mildly amused look. “Someone has to keep these idiots alive.”
You laughed, and she sat back down, Finn and Isaiah being the next ones to stand up, both with wide smiles and wasting no time in hugging you. Isaiah first and Finn last.
“Nice to see you boys again.” You smiled, having to stand on your toes to reach them as they were both taller than you. 
As you broke away from Finn, you raised an eyebrow. “Keeping out of trouble, I hope?” You asked, bringing a hand up to the arm you had patched up when he had been shot, teasing him.
“Of course.” He agreed, but the smug smirk on his face said the opposite.
Finn sat back down, but Isaiah remained standing, holding his arms out for the man to his right. “This is my father. Dad, this is (Y/N).”
The man wasted no time in standing up, reaching a hand out for you to shake. “I’m Jeremiah Jesus. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
You took it in yours without a second thought, shaking it. “The pleasure’s all mine.”
He smiled and both him and Isaiah sat back down. Finally, after having hanged your coat on the back of an empty chair, Tommy pulled said chair out and offered you a seat.
“Thank you.” You smiled at him, sinking down in it. He sat down in the chair beside you and held a hand out towards John and Arthur, introducing them despite knowing you already knew who was who.
“This is John, and Arthur.” He said, and John wasted no time in straightening up in his seat, reaching over the table to shake your hand.
“It’s nice to meet you.” He said, a toothpick hanging from between his lips.
You shook his hand and nodded with a smile, and then moved on to Arthur as he did the same, reaching his hand over the table. 
“Nice to finally meet ya, love. Tommy boy hasn’t shut up about you for weeks.” He joked, causing everyone around the table to snicker.
You blushed at his words, expecting Tommy to make some kind of protest, but he did no such thing, simply throwing his arm around the backrest of your chair and smiling as he filled himself a glass of whiskey.
“A pleasure to meet you.” You answered both John and Arthur, trying your best to hide the faint blush rising on your cheeks. 
And you did an okay job. The room was very hot, which made it a pretty acceptable excuse that the heat in the room was the cause of the heat in your face.
Polly then put a hand on the shoulder of the boy sitting next to her, the only one who hadn’t been properly introduced yet. “And this is my son, Michael.”
Of course. You had heard enough about him to be able to recognize him from miles away.
“I’ve heard a lot about you. It’s nice to finally meet you.” You admitted, shaking his hand over the table like you had his cousins only seconds before, and he offered you a shy, boyish smile back, nodding his head.
“Likewise.”
“And you’ve met, Aberama.” Polly continued, waving a gloved hand towards the man in question.
You nodded. “Yes, I have. Nice to see you again, Aberama.”
“Likewise, miss (Y/L/N).” He answered, tipping his hat slightly but not attempting to shake your hand as you were too far away.
“How are your studies going, (Y/N)?” Finn asked then, being the first to spark up a conversation and very clearly proving the crush you had been told he had on you.
The thought made you snicker slightly. 
“They’re going great. If everything goes as planned, I should have my degree by the end of next year.” You smiled proudly, and Aberama was the next to talk, congratulating you.
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you.” You smiled at him.
“What are you studying?” John pitched in, taking a drag from the cigar between his lips.
“I’m studying to become a surgeon.” You said, and when these words left your lips, Arthur’s interest was instantly piqued.
“Is that so?” He asked, and you nodded. But before you had time to answer, Finn spoke again.
“She’s got tons of books. I looked through them and I couldn’t understand shit.” He laughed, bringing everyone else with him.
“That’s because you can’t read, Finny boy.” Arthur turned his attention to him, teasing him, and at this, the light snickering broke into full laughter.
You joined in on the laughter, but felt bad as the youngest of the Shelbys burned bright red and turned slightly sour. “Don’t worry.” You assured. “I didn’t learn how to read until I was fifteen. I’ll teach you.”
He smiled, nodding in thanks.
“I’ve been able to read since I was eight and I can’t understand her books, either.” Tommy suddenly joined in from beside you and reached out to rub Finn’s head., having been quiet up until that point. “Just a bunch of Latin.” He chuckled, leaning forward to put out his cigarette on the ashtray.
At the mention of this, Ada finally joined in on the conversation, happily declaring. “She’s actually been teaching me some.”
“Yeah?” Tommy questioned, raising an amused eyebrow. “Like what?”
Ada smiled a crooked smile, repeating the phrase you had taught her some weeks before. “Verita Nunquam Perit.”
“What the ‘ell does that mean?” Arthur exclaimed, his face pulled into a mixture of a glare and frown, clearly confused.
“The truth never perishes.” She answered, but he only waved it off, turning to you.
“How do you say I need another drink?”
You chuckled. “Alio opus est bibere.”
“Well, I’m not repeating that.” He grumbled, causing everyone around the table to laugh. 
He turned his head to the bar, reaching his arms up in the air for extra emphasis and yelled. “Harry! Get us another bottle!”
After ‘Harry’ had signaled an okay to him, he turned back to you, threw back the rest of his current drink and said. “Nice to finally have some brains in the family.”
Tommy chuckled beside you as everyone else laughed and started chatting about everything and anything again, introductions now being out of the way, and you smiled at the feeling of Tommy’s hand slowly moving to rest on your shoulder, his thumb brushing against the bare skin.
Your hand instinctively moved up to hold his, and your other hand went to grab the glass of alcohol you were soon being served, wasting no time in bringing it to your lips.
You talked and laughed a lot with the Shelbys, getting on with every single one of them like you had known each other your entire life. 
But while you had fun with them, Tommy only ever chuckled beside you, only joining in when being directly spoken too, and you found yourself wishing he would have talked to you some more.
But you had known already before coming here that he was more of a ‘sit back and spectate’ type of man, so you guessed you shouldn’t have expected much more. He was much chattier when he wasn’t surrounded by other people.
A few hours and many drinks too many later, the entire pub had ended up gathered together, everyone standing with their arms thrown across each other’s shoulders and singing at the top of their lungs.
And you were no different, your drink raised high in the air as you stood between Tommy and Ada, singing along to some song you barely knew the words to. 
A drunken man had taken the lead on top of the bar, much to Harry’s dismay as he was kicking and knocking over several bottles and glasses.
You didn’t get much time to register what was happening but soon, as the song came to an end, everyone was nudging each other around and someone managed to nudge a man a little harder than meant to, sending him stumbling into your body from behind.
In your drunken haze, the force was enough to successfully send you into a table, the corner knocking into your hip uncomfortably and Ada going with you as you were still attached by the arms. 
When seeing you and his sister being pushed around, Tommy instantly reacted by pushing the man back the way he came from.
Too drunk to think by themselves, Arthur and John took this as an introduction to a fight, and wasted no time in running to their brother’s side, and the next thing you knew, the fun was thrown right out the window and the entire pub had erupted into a rowdy fight.  
“What the hell are you doing?!” You yelled out as you watched Tommy knock the man in the nose, you and Ada using each other for support to collect yourselves after the stumble. “Thomas, stop it!” You yelled again, eyes widening as he kept pushing people who came too close, the rest of them doing the same.
Polly and Aberama had retreated to the back, trying to stay clear of the flying fists, and Jeremiah and Harry were both trying to stop it by yelling.
But no one was listening. 
You wasted no time in leaving Ada’s side, despite her protests, and running for Tommy, grabbing the back of his waistcoat and trying your hardest to pull him back and out of the crowd. 
But he was much stronger than you and didn’t even seem to realize you were there in the state he was in, simply shrugging you off.
“Thomas!” You yelled again, but it did nothing, and upon closer inspection you noticed that John and Arthur were both smiling, hollering with laughter as they punched and kicked. 
They were having a jolly good time. A good time beating people up.
You had known what they did for a living ever since the start and knew that this was probably nothing in comparison, but still, seeing it with your own eyes made it all so much more real and left you shocked and horrified.
Realizing you wouldn’t have any luck with Tommy, John or Arthur, you instead hurried over to where Finn and Isaiah were fighting, and as they were both a lot smaller and less muscular than the oldest three of the Shelby siblings, you managed to pull them away from the crowd, taking them back to the table where Polly, Jerimiah, Ada and Aberama were hiding away, waiting it out.
“Sit down and stay there!” You instructed them, pushing the younger boys into their previous seats, much to the adults’ amusement.
They stumbled into their seats, landing rather roughly and in any other situation you would feel guilty and apologize for being so careless, but at this moment, you didn’t give a flying fuck. They had brought it onto themselves.
Once you were sure they wouldn’t be going anywhere and that they were supervised, you walked over to Ada, giving her a sad look.
“This is no scene for me. I’m sorry.” You shook your head, trying your hardest to ignore the sounds of fists hitting flesh behind you.
Ada only gave you a sorry look. “No, I’m sorry.” She told you, crossing her arms over her chest. “I told Tommy not to do anything like this and he didn’t listen.”
Her words drew a scoff from Polly’s lips. “What else is new.” She questioned, emotionlessly, taking a drag out of her cigarette. 
You really found it horrible that she must be so used to stuff like this happening that she didn’t even bat an eye anymore.
You sighed, grabbing your coat from the chair you had previously been sitting in before turning back to Ada. “I’ll see you at home.” You said, and she nodded, giving you another sad, disappointed look.
Turning to Aberama, Jeremiah and Polly, you forced yourself to smile politely. “It was nice seeing you again, thank you for having me tonight.”
All of them nodded, and you turned to Finn and Isaiah, giving them one last disapproving glare to which they looked up at you sheepishly, before turning on your heel and pushing your way through the fighting crowd in the direction of the door, luckily getting there unharmed.
In the middle of a fight, Tommy spotted the back of your head as you retreated in the other direction and lost track of what he was currently doing to call out for you from the end of the room, but the yelling and sound of breaking chairs and glass was too loud for you to hear him.
The last thing you heard before the door closed behind you was Ada yelling Tommy’s name with more anger than you had ever heard her use before.
You didn’t even bother putting on your coat once you made it outside, just letting it hang over your arm as you walked away from the pub with rushed steps, not really sure where to.
You didn’t make it very far before you could hear the door of the pub opening, however, and sighed in annoyance when you heard the footsteps coming after you.
“(Y/N)!” 
You didn’t turn around at the sound of Tommy’s voice calling after you, but rather picked up your speed and hugged your jacket closer to your chest.
Soon enough, he caught up to you and rounded you, coming to a stop before you. 
“Don’t go, please. I’m sorry.” He was quick to apologize, but you only glared at him.
“Why the hell are you apologizing to me for?!” You almost roared back, throwing an arm behind you. “Apologize to those men you just gave a beating for no reason at all!”
“He hurt you.” Was his only response, causing your eyes to narrow.
“It was an accident, Thomas! Those do happen!” You let out a dry laugh. “You may be a Peaky Blinder but you still can’t just go around starting fights with people without a reason.”
If you weren’t mistaken, you almost could have sworn that intimidation flashed through his eyes for a short moment. 
And you weren’t mistaken. All of the times he had spoken to you, you had been softer and kinder than anyone he had ever met. And now here you were, yelling at him and giving him a piece of your mind.
“You’re right.” He nodded, letting out a breath. “I’m sorry.”
You adjusted your coat over your arm, crossing your arms over the chest and pushing back the chill running through your spine. 
You stared him down from another moment, allowing yourself to calm down, before answering sourly. “Apology accepted but you’re not off the hook.”
His entire body relaxed at your words, but his eyes remained desperate as he reached his hands out to take yours in his. 
“Let me make it up to you.” He said. “I’ll take you to dinner, just you and me. Tomorrow.”
You snorted, letting your gaze run up and down his face, scanning him. “Better be one hell of a dinner.” You agreed, making the corners of his lips twitch upward.
“Will you come back inside?” He asked, squeezing your hand, and you raised an eyebrow, pulling it back and crossing it over your chest again.
“Are you gonna start another fight?” You challenged, and he instantly shook his head.
“No.”
“Is that a promise or just empty words?” You asked, not yet convinced.
But then he took a step closer, staring down at you with nothing but sincerity behind his eyes as he answered. “You have my word.”
You found yourself lost in his baby blues for a moment, the anger you had previously been fueled by melting right off you. 
Your body relaxed slightly at the feeling of his fingers brushing against your bare arm, but you didn’t let any emotion show on your face as you looked down and nodded, mumbling out. “Alright.”
That was all the confirmation he needed to take you under his arms and carefully turn you back to the pub, slowly leading you back.
You had to admit it was nice to come back inside into the warmth, the evening air outside having been a lot colder than you had expected, especially when not wearing anything but a thin dress.
Upon re-entering the Garrison, the fighting had settled down again, and judging by the look of Polly and Ada standing behind John and Arthur with their arms crossed over their chests, they had been the ones to sort everything out.
Everyone were back at their original tables, some people now nursing cuts and blackeyes but drinking and talking as they hadn’t just been shoving each other’s faces into the floorboards while hitting them upside the heads with bottles.
You could see all the way from the door that Ada was practically fuming where she stood, and John and Arthur were sitting in their seats with straight backs, looking down into the table sheepishly, clearly terrified of the Shelby women. Just as they should be.
Once said women noticed you returning, they slapped the two men upside the heads, causing them to look up at you. 
Both of them mumbled half-coherent apologized under their breaths, for having started the fight.
You only glared at them as you reached the table and Tommy pulled out your chair again, sinking into your previous seat and bringing the glass you knew was yours judging by the smudged lipstick on the edge closer to you.  
“You’re all brutes and you should be ashamed of yourselves.” You told them without missing a beat, still pissed beyond words at the fiasco you had just witnessed. 
But nonetheless, you tilted your glass slightly, looking at each and every one of the men around the table.
“Now who the hell’s going to get me another drink?” You asked, and all of those who had in one way or another participated in the brawl wordlessly got out of their seats and headed for the bar, Tommy included, while those whose hands were clean sat back down and made themselves comfortable, more than amused at the fact that you had only been there for a night and was already bossing them around – although more surprised than anything that they were already letting you.
So much for making a good first impression. 
Tagged: @thatlittlered​
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fuckingthefictional · 4 years
Text
Being Ada’s best friend and falling for Tommy would include.
Becoming friends with her after the boys go off to fight
Some much older lad was trying to flirt with her and Ada looked uncomfortable. So...
“Oi you stupid cunt! Can you fuck off before a bullet gets put into your head by yours truly?”
The man scarpered off after being confronted and publically humiliated
Ada recognises you from the first aid church hall thing
“Thanks for saving me back there”
“no problem us small heath girls have to stick together”
“You’re Y/N right?”
“The one and only, And you’re Ada Shelby”
The old bloke returned with some of his friends I guess not liking the idea of being humiliated by a girl
You just took the pistol from your thigh holster and aimed it at them
“Are you bloody deaf? I told you to leave, so off you fuck!”
They didn’t move so you shot the cap off of one of their heads
“I’m giving you 3 seconds you fucking bastards and not a second more.”
They fled of course
“Christ almighty i need a whiskey.”
“I know just the place.”
After that you became fast friends and became super close.
You both go to the Garrison more than you care to admit.
Ada being surprised at how well you can hold your liquor
The only time you were both pissed out of your minds was on your 18th birthday and you just ended up walking around the streets giggling and singing at the top of your lungs.
You both couldn’t look at a bottle of vodka without gagging slightly
You’re the first person who Ada properly opens up to
She talks to you about her family and boy issues she has because she feels like nobody takes her problems seriously or would be willing to listen to her
“I get so worried about my brothers. I feel like there’s a part of me missing without them here. I’m worried that they might be killed over in France.”
“They won’t.”
“Howd you know”
“Because anyone who shares blood with you, Ada Shelby, would: a) never willingly leave someone they love alone and: b) would never go down without a bloody good fight.”
You always knew what to say to make her feel better again.
You both felt like you were each other’s sisters that they never had growing up.
Like you have sleepovers all the time
“If you expect the unexpected then doesn’t that technically mean that the unexpected is expected?”
“Y/N it’s 4am go to sleep!”
One time you’d woken up a bit earlier than Ada had and you were looking at her thinking
“Damn I’m so lucky to have her as my best friend!¡”
Then she rolled over in her sleep and smacked you in the face
The first time you met Polly you nearly shit yourself
Ada has gone to the bathroom, leaving you alone at the kitchen table
“And just who might you be?”
Polly was stood at the entry way, stern, cold look on her faceface, hand by her hip ready to grab a weapon if necessary.
“I’m- um, I’m”
“Bloody hell aunt pol put the gun down, if you must know this is Y/N she saved my arse from getting raped by an old bloke.”
“Let her speak for herself Ada”
“I’m Y/N, I scared an old guy off after he tried to feel her up in a back alley.”
“ScArEd hiM ofF, you shot the cap off of his head and they bolted.”
“Why did you do that, did you think if you scared a man off then the Shelby’s owed you a favour?”
“Nope my life is just a mess and I instinctively take care of other because I don’t know how to take care of myself.”
Polly was a lot more happy to have you around after she found out about what you risked to help her niece.
It started becoming a regular occurance to have you over for dinner or a cup of tea everyday.
You just sort of walked into the Shelby house now.
“Hey- Jesus, stop screaming for fucks sake. We’ve ran out of whiskey!”
You’re an honourary Shelby girl™️
Like you would willingly help out around the house.
Whether that’s cooking breakfast, tidying Finns room, or doing the laundry.
Always being there for Ada and being her biggest support
“Y/N I’ve done something bad. Really bad.”
“Put the corpse in ice, I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“WhaT nO?! WhY wOulD I HavE a CoRpsE?”
Obviously being close to Ada meant you got close to Finn and he became a younger brother figure.
He comes to you for advice when he’s too embarrassed to go to his aunt and sister.
This family dynamic yoooooo
You began to help the Shelby ladies to run the betting shop.
You did all the numbers and you could read and write.
You also started to teach Finn how to read.
“What does that say Finn?”
“hoo-agh”
“nO”
If you get that reference then ily
You’d get dating advice from Polly too.
“Remember as ladies it’s all about being A-B-C. Always-Be-Classy”
“And a little bit slutty!”
“Ada’s right be a little bit slutty too.”
You’d help Polly look after John’s children on Sundays when she went to church
They seriously love you. They call you Aunt Y/N/N and they look forward to seeing you every weekend.
When the boys come home from France they found the family dynamic had shifted
They obviously weren’t the same after the shit they went through.
But Ada, Polly and Finn we’re happier than they’d ever seen them be
They were having a family meeting around the kitchen table
And you walked into the house as you normally did. carrying groceries
And as you walked into the kitchen
“Who the fuck are you?”
The shelby lads are aiming their guns right at you, ready to blow your head off.
You just looked at Ada, rolling your eyes, “What is it with your family and trying to shoot me on site?”
“They like to shoot first and ask questions later.”
“Aye I can bloody see.”
You just walked around to the kitchen counter and plopped the bags of shopping down.
Polly casually gave you a glass of whiskey which you downed.
“I’m sorry but who the fuck is this random girl standing in the middle of our kitchen drinking our whiskey?”
“Y/N Y/L/N, pleasure to meet you- I assume your Arthur judging by the attitude you’re giving me.”
Polly and Ada full on snorted
“And you must be John, you look just like Katie. The kids have told be a lot about you.”
“All good things I should hope.”
“Shit there were meant to be good things?”
Polly and Ada crying with laughter
“Boys this Y/N, my best friend, the person who did all the numbers for the shop while you were away, John’s kids’ babysitter, Finn’s teacher and honourary Shelby girl.”
Tommy is just in awe even if he hides it
“Welcome to the family Miss Y/L/N”
“You can call me Y/N”
Sexual tension
“GEt a RoOm!”
“Shut it Arthur”
After a few weeks the boys got used to seeing you around the house more.
Whether it was you sat at the table with Finn giving him advice on his spelling.
Or cooking dinner for John’s little ones on a Sunday (which meant you usually had at least one child on your hip)
Or even just lounging on the sofa in a heap with Ada while you gossiped.
Your qualification in nursing often came handy when one of the Shelby men would turn up battered
“That fucking hurt”
“Aye- you should have thought about this before you got into a fistfight.”
Out of all the Shelby’s it was of course Tommy that took the longest to start a full conversation with you
When it happened it wasn’t under the best circumstances
You went to the pictures on a date with a guy you had fancied for ages and the guy in question was snogging someone else- leaving you in the rain for an hour
You banged on the Shelby’s door looking like an absolute mess.
And Tommy opened the door
He didn’t know what he was supposed to do
Ada was not there *cough* at Freddie’s *cough*
And the house was empty apart from Finn, John’s kids and Polly (who was putting the children to bed)
So you just pushed past Tommy who was stood in the doorway dumbfounded
At this point you were shivering from the cold rain and the tears had stopped.
“Now what’s got you knocking on our door this late ‘ey Y/N.”
“Date went wrong, fucker stood me up.”
You were downing whiskey.
Tommy as much as he didn’t want to admit it hated seeing you upset and he knew you deserved better
It took a while for you to notice that Tommy had draped a blanket around your shoulders and had lit the fire to try and get you warmed up
“Forget the fucker. He don’t deserve a gal like you.”
“Thanks Tommy.”
In the morning Polly came down the stairs to find you and Tommy curled up on the sofa together.
She lowkey rooted for yous to get together
Honestly you found yourself constantly covering for Ada saying she was staying at your house when actually she was with Freddie
Because ur a great friend
“has anyone seen our Ada today?”
“Aye she slept at mine last night and we were up most of the night so I let her sleep in.” Definitely not at Freddie’s
“Up all night, that sounds kin-OW”
“If you must know Johnny boy- we were chatting shit about people- mainly you.”
“Uncalled for.”
“Why there’s so much to talk about?”
You were always involved in covering for Ada
Because your cared about her happiness- which was heavily influenced by her love life.
But actually Ada and Polly paid close attention to your love life too with Tommy
When you Polly and Ada were sat in the kitchen having a catchup- they raised the question.
“When are you going to realise that my brother’s in love with you?”
*que tea being spat out* WHAT
Polly just rolled her eyes and smiled, “dear Y/N, its almost obvious that Thomas is falling for you.”
“What the fuck?”
I think you may have been in a constant state of shock after that.
“We broke Y/N.”
Like you couldn’t quite pinpoint when you started to fall for Tommy
But Tommy definitely remembered the time he knew he was in love with you
You were in the kitchen, with John’s youngest child on your hip- making dinner for all the kids.
While Finn was sat at the table trying to read out bits of a book you’d lended him.
Tommy was stood in the entryway watching as Finn struggled to pronounce some of the harder words and you’d just wander over and explain how to do it.
Like to Tommy family is the most important thing in his life.
You’re not blood related but you still gave up your spare time to look after John’s kids, teach Finn to read or even just comfort Ada after a fight with Freddie.
And Tommy admires you for that- you sacrificed a lot in order to care for his family.
So he’s just leant on the doorframe, cigarette between his lips, watching as you got everything ready for dinner.
And he just thought “she’s gonna be my wife and mother to my children someday”
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talicat713 · 4 years
Text
It's Always Been Molly
John Shelby x OC story
Part Three
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A/N: Two updates in one weekend! Who am I lol! Another part is up!  You get a glimpse of the Mollys past in this one.  I apologize in advance if I offend anyone. Thank you to the person who made the GIF above. I think it might be perfect for this part.  Links to the other parts are below.  Happy reading!
PART ONE ; PART TWO
Warnings: language, mention of abuse, mention of murder and death, mention of pregnancy and childbirth, angst, alcohol (I’m trying really hard with these btw. If I leave something out I’m so sorry)
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Two days after her meeting with Thomas, a friend was bringing the rest of her things from London. She had to meet him at the train station. 
Molly had woken up earlier than usual that day. As she walked down the hallway, she saw Jacobs door open. Walking down the steps, she could smell breakfast being made.  She was surprised to see her brother standing by the cooker. 
“When the ‘ell did you learn how to cook?”, she said as she sat down at the table and started making her plate. 
Jacob came to sit down with the rest of the meal,” The nice nanny Tommy hired to watch me after you left taught me.  I think her name was Helen. I just called her Nan. Dad wasn’t happy when he came back, and she was here instead of you.” He looked up at his sister waiting for her reaction. 
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, “Are we really going to talk about this now? I’ve been back for three days!”, she exclaimed. 
“You were never on the receiving end of Richards abuse. Mum and I protected you from that. He killed our mother, but paid off the police to rule it an accident. Then he tried to kill me the same way Jake. And don’t think I don’t know about the time he came home drunk, like he always did, and almost bloody shot you.”
Jacob looked over at his sister with wide eyes. That had happened about a year after she had left. He didn’t know she knew about that.  He begged Tommy not to tell anyone, especially her. And a few days later Tommy and Polly had come over to sign him into Helen’s custody, on Molly’s behave and told him his father was never coming back to hurt anyone again. 
“I was the one who told Tommy to have the Peaky Blinders finish him. Tommy told me they did it slowly and painfully. A way to punish him for what he did to me and our mother. For all the mental, physical, sexual abuse he bestowed on us. Tommy said in the end, John was the one who pulled the trigger. His way of a vengeance for being half the reason I had left,” Molly continued as she stared right at the brother with no emotion on her face.
Jacob reaches over the table to grab her hand, giving it a squeeze,” I was never sad. I was more relieved. And I’m not mad you called the order. Back then I hoped it would bring you back, but I’m happy you are here now. Even though, it’s my fault.”
“I told you not to worry about that. I’ve got everything settled. We are going to the train station this afternoon to get the rest of my things and then I’m officially here for a while,” she smiled. “Tommy said he called a family meeting to announce my homecoming and employment as the maid for the betting shop. We are both invited. At this meeting you will apologize and Tommy will then make you an offer. You’ll either become a Peaky Blinder or you’ll go to work with their horses. You have the afternoon to decide. And then tomorrow, we both start our new jobs.”
Jacob nodded in agreement knowing he didn’t have a choice. He was the one who let it slip to his friends about his relationship with the Shelby’s. He was going to help his sister make it right. 
As the clock struck noon, Molly and Jacob were at the train station waiting for the train from London to arrive. Soon Terry would arrive with the rest of her stuff, and they would never have to see each other again. Terry and Molly had an on then off kind of relationship. He was the landlord of her apartment building. When she got the call, they were off again, so he was relieved when she said she wouldn’t be back for a while. Unfortunately, he didn’t sign up to bring the rest of her stuff to her, so she knew he would be irritable when he got here. 
As the train pulled into the station and people started to exit, she could hear Terry grumbling in the distance. 
“Molly fucking Payne where are you?”, he screamed across the platform. 
“Well hello to you too Terry. This is my brother Jacob. Jacob this is Terry”, Molly said as she introduced them. Jacob stuck out his hand for a handshake, but Terry ignored him.
“Just give me the fuckin’ money, so I can get the ‘ell back to London,” he said dropping her bags at their feet. 
Molly handed him his money and he walked away. “I don’t know what the hell I ever saw in him. Must have been all the good alcohol he fed me and the cheap rent,” she chuckled and rolled her eyes. 
As they were gathering her bags, Molly looked up to see a man on one knee proposing to his lady with an older woman standing next to her. She thought to herself how cute that was and when they walked past the trio, she called out,” Congratulations.” 
This made the older woman look up, and she and Molly’s eyes met. Molly quickly, then looked away, hoping Polly didn’t recognize her, but unfortunately that wasn’t the case.
“Molly Payne. My sweet Molly!”, Polly exclaimed happily. She then grabbed the girl and wrapped her in a hug and kissed her forehead. 
Molly then realized the other two people with Polly were Ada and Freddie. She smiled when Ada pulled her into a hug as well. She gave a small hello nod to Freddie and mouthed sorry for ruining their moment. It wasn’t until Ada squeezed her really hard that she felt something poking between them. 
Molly pulled away with a giant smile on her face, “You’re pregnant!” She reached to put her hand on Adas small bump. 
Ada when leaned into Freddie, “We are! And just in time because by the looks of these bags, it could only mean auntie Molly is back in town.”
“When did you get back? Does anyone know you are here? Does John?”, Polly asked. 
Molly then explained that Tommy was the only one besides her brother, who was forgotten during the reunion, that she was here. But everyone, including John would find out tonight.  She made them promise not to say anything until then.  After they all agreed, they went their separate ways.
As the evening approached, Molly watched out the window as all the Shelbys arrived for their family meeting. Thomas called her after she had returned from the train station to tell her to come over around half past six. He wanted her to knock on the door and wait for him to come get them. 
She looked over at the clock. It was just after six. She got up from the sofa to head upstairs. “Hey, let’s start to get ready. We need to leave soon,” she said as she walked past his room on her way to hers. She sat at the vanity to fix her hair and then went over to the wardrobe to pick a dress. 
With one last look over herself in the mirror, she took a deep breath to calm the nerves that had suddenly appeared. She walked through the hall and down the steps, she notices it’s twenty past six. 
“Jake, please hurry up. I really don’t want to be late,” she said in an anxious tone as she fumbled around trying to get everything together but her hands were shaking.
Jacob came down the steps moments later chuckling,” We are walking across the street. We won’t be late.”  He then grabs the girl by her shoulders to stop her, “Molly, Molly! Stop! Everything will be fine. You look great. Everyone will be so happy to see you.”
“Yeah. Okay,” she said not convinced and took another deep breath.
The two then put their coats on and walked out the door across the street. As they approached the Shelby house, Molly was frozen with fear and anxiety. Jacob then took the initiative to knock on the door signaling they arrived.  Moments later Thomas answered the door and ushered her and Jacob in.  
“Wait here for just a minute”, Thomas whispered, walking back into the kitchen. 
“Now, onto the second reason I gathered you all here today. A few weeks ago, someone had broken into the betting shop after hours and took some money we left laying out,” Thomas looked around at each of his siblings and aunt,” Now part of that was our fault, but me and the Blinders found the boys that had done it and took care of them, except for one. I asked him to come here tonight to speak to us about how he will pay us back. Jacob, please come in here.”
Jacob followed Thomas into the room. “Hello everyone. I would first like to say I am deeply, deeply sorry for stealing from you. I fell into the wrong crowd, and they used my relationship with you all against me. I hope you all can forgive me. We will do everything we can to pay everything back. 
“We? Whose we?”, Arthur piped up.
“Yeah, whose we? You mean you and the redhead leaving your house every morning,” John said jokingly as he stood to wrap an arm around the boy. 
Now with Johns back to her, Molly thought it would be a good time to walk into the kitchen. All eyes were on her except for Johns, who didn’t hear her walk up behind him.  Polly and Ada were smiling, Thomas was smirking and Arthur’s mouth just dropped open. 
She then cleared her throat,” No, it’s me.”
Hearing the voice John hadn’t heard in eight years, his eyes widened with shock, and he turned around.  There was no way he was seeing and hearing correctly. He was speechless.
“Hello everyone. Hello John,” Molly going to grab a hold of her brother.
“Now that Jacob has apologized. I hope you all don’t mind, I’ll be working here, as the maid and nanny for Finn. I’ll also help with your children when needed John,” she said looking at him. His expression still shocked that she was standing there after all these years.
“Jacob here has decided to take a job as a Peaky Blinder, with everyone’s permission. I hope that him joining will help pay back everything you all have done for us.  I want you all to teach him how to keep the city safe. I hope to keep this place tidy and up to your standards, as well as keep Finn out of trouble,” Molly continued. 
Polly then stood up and came toward Jacob,” He’ll be a good man to help keep the pubs in check,” she then turned to Tommy,” You keep him away from the fighting for now. I can still sense the scared child in him.”
She then made her way over to Molly. She looked at her with sad eyes, sensing the fear in her heart. Polly then again turned to Tommy,” She doesn’t need to be involved. She doesn’t owe us anything,” Polly then moved her eyes over to John, who was now stood leaning against the wall,” She was almost family. She should have been rising with us not under us. Jacob being a Blinder should be enough to cover the damage.”
“A deal has already been set Polly. She and I sat down a few days ago and agreed to the terms,” Tommy said back.
“Well then undo it. The poor girl is still broken, I can sense it. Why would you make a decision like this and not consult the rest of us,” Polly spat back. 
Molly then reached for Polly’s hand,” It’s okay Pol. I’ll be alright. It’s just cleaning and watching over the children”, she then reached her other hand out for Ada,” Just think, I’ll be able to help deliver the baby. Just like we did when Finn was born.” 
Polly smiles at the memory. Her sister had been having a hard time delivering the little boy, so she had Ada run across the lane for Molly’s mother. Molly had insisted on going with her leaving Jacob with Ada. That was the first time she had ever seen a baby be born. After, Molly had told John that’s what she wanted to do with when she was older. Have babies and deliver them. 
“I have something to look forward to, so I won’t be running away again,” Molly continued while smiling at the memory as well. She had looked over at John and their eyes met. He remembered that day too. It was the day he promised himself he was going to make that happen for you. But of course, as time went on, things changed.
“Okay, you both win. I won’t fight it,” Polly says raising her hands in defeat. 
Tommy then clears his throat,” Alright then, all in favor of Molly and Jacob coming to work for us raise your hand.” Everyone raised a hand except for John. 
He then kicked himself off the wall and walked back over toward Molly. “I know you better than anyone else in this room. Look me in the eyes and tell me you want this. I’ll raise my hand if you really want this,” he said, wrapping his hand lightly around her shoulders, making her look at him.
Molly reluctantly looked up at John, “I don’t just want this John, I need this. I need to do this to help my brother. He is the only reason I came back here.” 
And with that, Molly shook Johns hands off of her and backed away. She then noticed John raise his hand. 
Arthur then stood up and made his way over to Jacob,” Well, I guess this calls for a celebratory drink,” he then proceeded to pour everyone a drink,” Welcome to the Peaky Blinders kid”
And just like that, it was official. All the Shelbys agreed and it was set in stone. 
They all spent the rest of the night catching up and drinking. Molly couldn’t help but notice how quiet John was. She knew he wouldn’t be happy with the decision and what she had said. But he was going to have to deal with it. It was the truth. She came back for her brother.
Or at least that’s what she thought.
(posted 07/05/2020)
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aion-rsa · 3 years
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Fear Street Part Two: 1978 Breaks Friday the 13th’s Darkest Rule
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This article contains Fear Street Part Two: 1978 spoilers.
On the surface, Jason Voorhees appears to be no one’s idea of a rule-follower. Ranging in heights between six and seven feet—depending on the movie—the hockey masked behemoth dominates every room he’s in, even before the machete starts swinging. He’s cut a brutal path across 10 canonical films, plus a remake and a crossover movie with Freddy Krueger, and built a throne of blood amongst the horror movie pantheon.
Yet deep down, as Freddy might tease, Jason is still the mama’s boy who feels bad about being picked on as a child at summer camp…and who is still hounded by his crazed mother’s voice: Kill them, mommy, kill them!
In truth, you might even say Jason is just trying to make Mom proud one dead camp counselor at a time. After all, Mrs. Voorhees (Betsy Palmer) didn’t blame the other kids who tossed poor Jason into the lake. Kids will be kids, or so she might say. Rather Mama blamed the camp counselors who were too busy canoodling to notice a child drowning. So, like his mother before him, Jason reserves his machete for teenage counselors while largely leaving the “kids” alone—similar to how the horniest teens are the first to die in a Friday the 13th movie, and the generally most virginal is the one to live to see another summer.
Which is what makes the killings in Fear Street Part Two: 1978 so shocking to both its younger target audience and the adults who grew up watching the movies Fear Street emulates. Because whether or not you’re aware of the “rules” of horror movie franchises, as best explained by Jamie Kennedy in the original Scream, you inherently are unsettled by the image of Fear Street’s Tommy Slater (McCabe Slye) standing above a child with an axe. And then watching him swing it.
As with Fear Street Part 1 before it, 1978 wears its influences on its sleeves. The previous film was set in 1994 and opened with the biggest star in the cast, Stranger Things’ Maya Hawke, getting viciously slaughtered, a la Drew Barrymore in Scream. By contrast, Fear Street Part Two pulls from slower burning horror movies. 
When we properly begin the film in its ’78 setting, we meet Sadie Sink’s Ziggy Berman, who is being tortured at the hanging tree by her summer camp’s resident mean girls. This plays like it’s straight out of Carrie, both the Stephen King novel published in 1974 and Brian De Palma’s zeitgeist-shattering adaptation from 1976.
Fear Street eventually admits its Carrie White fixation, even having Ziggy reverse engineer the famed “pig blood” sequence from that movie to get back at her Queen Bee tormenter. The new movie also references a few of the tracking shots from the actual slasher movie landmark of 1978, Halloween. But when everything’s said and done, Fear Street Part Two is about the Friday the 13th of it all.
Jordana Spiro does a pretty good Mrs. Voorhees impersonation as she tries to kill one of the camp counselors—little do the others realize she would’ve saved their lives if only Tommy could’ve died that afternoon—and when Tommy is possessed by the Shadyside witch, he soon takes on the oft-forgotten burlap sack that Jason wore in Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981).
For all intents and purposes, Tommy Slater is Shadyside’s Jason Voorhees. But in addition to being a poor soul “enslaved” by a witch’s curse, there is something nastier about Tommy Slater because he doesn’t play by Jason’s rules. He kills stoners and tea-totalers, virgins and harlots, and he even murders children.
To be fair, almost all the characters in Friday the 13th and its various clones are kids: teenagers just trying to get by at summer camp. However, most of them are played by twenty-somethings and all of them are old enough to partake in the sins and vices that summon their puritanical boogeyman from beneath the lake. In fact, the only Friday the 13th picture to even feature campers at Camp Crystal Lake, Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives! (1986), goes out of its way to creep out audiences with Jason watching the wee ones sleep. But the movie then reassures us that he’s not that bad, with Jason then electing to butcher their babysitting counselor one cabin over instead.
This is likely a choice made in part by 1980s filmmakers at Paramount Pictures who wanted to sell their schlock with minimal blowback from parents groups. But 40 years later on a streaming service like Netflix? There is little need to worry about such concessions intended to protect box office receipts.
So it is that we see the magnanimous, popular counselor Tommy in Fear Street Part Two dote on the heavyset nerdy kid by day, and then swing an axe into his bespectacled skull by night. We’re even reminded about how different the social mores of the ‘70s were when he’s told to “shut the fuck up, nerd” during an era when that was hardly a compliment, even of the backhanded variety. Nay, his self-esteem is cut deep by fellow middle schoolers, and then his body is cut much deeper by his favorite counselor.
It’s fiendishly mean-spirited. But Fear Street doesn’t stop there. It breaks the “don’t kill kids” rule once in this scene and then it does so at least three more times when Tommy corners a cabin full of youngsters who spot the guy they all looked up to just long enough to realize he’s their murderer.
Jason wouldn’t dare.
This is one of the many ways Fear Street honors, critiques, and then attempts to outdo its inspirations. It also lays the groundwork for the climax where we’ve been led to believe Ziggy is the Berman sister who will die and virginal good girl Cindy (Emily Rudd) will be the one who lives. Yet during the film’s final movement, when both Ziggy and Cindy approach the Shadyside hanging tree, they’re cornered by Sarah Fier’s rogues gallery of terrors, including a reanimated Tommy Slater. Minutes earlier, Cindy did the unthinkable and decapitated the boyfriend she wished she’d consummated her relationship with.
Now in 1978’s finale, Tommy’s returned to kill a young woman who on paper should be our survivor girl: the studious one who played by the rules and was resourceful enough to figure her way out of the witch’s cave. Nevertheless, she receives the most graphic murder onscreen, with the director favoring extreme close-ups of nearly each axe blow Tommy delivers into her body.
Jason may have killed final girls before, but only after they survived one movie and have since been replaced by a new idol for the sequel to honor. But Fear Street? It’ll play in Jason Voorhees’ sandbox but not by his rules. Which makes it a far scarier camp fire yarn.
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ashelbygirl · 4 years
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Dishonorable intentions. | Thomas Shelby x Reader Imagine.
Part I.
*Sidenotes: So... yesterday I was watching the notebook and thought it would be cute to do this! I totally stole the idea from there so... hope you like it.
*Resume: You’re a volunteer nurse in France, that when you meet Thomas. Months later he goes looking for you.
Thomas saw YN the first moment he arrived to the tent that served as “hospital” for the British soldiers. Her beautiful smile was the first thing he saw when he got there. He was walking, everything in him was numb, so numb he didn’t even realized almost every part of his body was wounded or fractured. He was stunned by her. They were seconds but Tommy could bet she walked in slow motion just so he could registered her face and never forget her. And then, she met his gaze. Her smile vanished while she ran to get to him. He looked terribly and YN was pretty sure he was going to die. But Tommy didn’t die. Soon, the doctors and other nurses arrived and helped him, his eyes began to close after seeing her smile ran away, after that he didn’t seem to remember anything else. He does remember thinking YN wasn’t supposed to be there. She was way to perfect, way to innocent, way to pure. Tommy could see the way she walked, the way she talked and he knew she wasn’t a street girl. She was classy in every single way, she was well educated and god she was beautiful. Her body, her face, her lips, her eyes. He wanted her and he’ll get her. Thomas didn’t remembered ever wanting someone as much as he wanted her. Tommy was in shock, and not for the beautiful girl who stole his mind, but because of everything that just went down right in front of him. Dani was going to get killed, Freddie was going to get killed and he was certainly going to get killed if he didn’t attacked those french soldiers and it wasn’t until two days later when YN arrived next to him to help him get up, that his mind went on again. It was like the pause was gone and everything came back to him just in a second.
YN on the other hand, was on her last year of college when she volunteered as a nurse’s aide for the First World War. She was a student on Sarah Lawrence College in New York. A british girl living in the new world. YN was a well known socialite who always felt like a misfit. YN always wanted more and in her biggest dreams, she wanted to became the first woman to be lawyer even if that wasn’t allowed, she knew since a toddler that the rules were made for being broken and creating you own. Her family being one of the wealthiest families in Europe made sure that their little girl could do anything she wanted, even if that was studying. Her dad was a big lawyer while her mother was an artist, her brother was a student in law school and also her best friend and confident, before he was called to service their country and went to fight in representation of England.
YN could still remember the day he said goodbye. She flew from Manhattan to London the same day she found out her brother, Alex was leaving for war. Funny thing was she never thought it would be the last day she would see her brother. He left. Months went by and no one had any idea of how or where Alex was, if he was dead or alive, it was unknown and for someone that loved control and knowing everything, it was killing YN. So she made a decision. She was celebrating the holidays at London with her parents when she got the news that the government needed nurses to go to war. They needed nurses that would be sent to France so they could help the wounded soldiers. So she enlisted herself and a month later she was in France trying to help whoever she could, with the hope of finding Alex in one of those injured man that needed her help. She was determinate to find him. To her, the broken man with shattered bodies who filled the war were all her brother or someone who fought beside him.
So there she was, in a tent that tried to be a hospital or at least the closest thing to it, at the middle of the night trying to take care of at least 50 men only at her watch. Checking in every single one of them every time she had the chance. Praying for one of them to be Alex. She was exhausted, her eyes didnt have the light that distinguished her anymore and you could sense how tired she was. She was about to lost her hope. She wanted to go home but she wasn’t the type of girl who would just give up. YN walked to one of the men who’s injuries where pretty serious. He was really beaten up. If she remembered correctly, he attacked some French soldiers while trying to save his mates but the results were him having fractured ribs and her face looking crazy with bruises and blood, while his leg was also fractured. There was something mysterious about him. He didn’t speak. Not once. He had two days there and not even a single word came out from his mouth, but YN wasn’t intrigued or shocked about it as the other nurses seemed to be, she was very busy trying to find her brother while saving the life of hundred of men to even look at him. Oh but when she did.
-Sir? I’m gonna lift you up, is that okay? We need you to start moving your body so it doesn’t get numb okay? -YN didn’t even waited for an answer before she started to hold him with all her strength and made him sit on the bed he was laying seconds ago.- Okay! There we go. Now I’m gonna bring this leg over. -She talked to him with a smile on her face. She was a true believer that a smile could save someone’s life. YN started to help him put his leg down on the floor.- Set it on the stool. Are you okay?
-Tommy. Thomas.- The blue eyed man spoke for the first time in days and she was pretty surprised. It could only meant he was starting to recover from the trauma. The thing was YN wasn’t sure who was Thomas or why he was looking for him, so she wasn’t sure what he was trying to say.
-Hm?-She grumped while taking his temperature and vitals. There was something strange about this guy, but being so close to his face made YN feel safe. Safe even when everything could explode in just seconds.
-I mean... My name is Thomas, Thomas Shelby.- Something strange happened in Tommy, he was really nervous and could feel his hands sweat every time she came close to him. He didn’t knew what was going on but the girl standing in front of him made him nervous, even when she also made him feel like home. YN didn’t knew this but for Thomas, being close to her made him feel secure. It made him feel better. It helped him forget or deal with everything that’s has been going on.
-Well, nice to meet you Thomas... I’m YN, YN Casiraghi.- She said with a true smile on her face.- So, Thomas, how are you feeling?
-Miss, can I ask you a question?- It was like Thomas didn’t listen to the question she just asked and YN didn’t do anything but get out a sight.
-Hmm?
-I noticed that you aren’t wearing a ring and I was wondering if I could take you out.-Tommy looked into her eyes trying to know what would the response to his proposition would be.
-Excuse me?- YN was surprised for the straightforwardness that Tommy had but she did was getting used to soldiers asking her out, the only difference was that normally, other soldiers would try to get know her first and even when they did that, YN always made them clear that she wasn’t interested. Oh but not with Thomas Shelby. She was interested.
-On a date. I was wondering If I could take you out on a date. And before you go and say no, I’ll have you know that I’m an excellent dancer and my intentions are completely dishonorable.-He started to cough after de efforts he had been doing, even if it was just minutes.- I want you YN and I’m gonna get you.
-Ok Casanova, come on. Let’s put you down. -She talked while laughing a little bit, she was sure he was crazy or probably just drugged.-How about this, let’s just get you better and then we’ll talk about a date ok?- YN just chuckled while she helped Thomas lay on the bed again.- Good night Thomas.
-Goodnight love.
Hours after her talk with Tommy, YN got the news she feared to get. Alex was dead and the body was never found. She could feel everything in her world turn into pieces. Everything was over now. She didn’t think it twice and left. Hours later she was on a plane that would take her back to London, a plane that would take her back to her old back. Everything was so fast and traumatic that she didn’t even remembered that she had met Thomas. Everything was a blur.
————-
The days turned into weeks and the weeks turned into months and later, the months were years. YN graduated from college and deciden to go back to London to try help his father with work and try to apply the things she’d learnt at college. They time went by fast, she tried to go out, meet new people and even date, but there was always something missing. She, yet again, wanted more. She needed passion, she needed rush, adrenaline and someone reckless. She wanted everything she alway read on her favorite books. She wanted all.
Sponge cake, Russian cigarettes, Florentines, sugar tarts, and chocolate chip buns with dry-roasted chocolate bean grué follow in the wake of an exceptional tea selection from the prestigious house TWG. It was a Friday afternoon, she was walking back home from her favorite tea room with her friends on her sides. There is no ritual that YN loved more than the afternoon tea, that special late-afternoon moment of lingering conversations and secrets shared. While YN and her friends walked on the street laughing, YN could notice a car and a man in front of her house. Who was he and why he was waiting there?
-Hm, who’s him sweetheart?-Sophie asked her while eating the man alive with her eyes. Everyone could notice that her friends were undressing the man in their imaginations.
-Omg, he’s so dreamy ! I think I might be in love...-Louise said with a little chuckle. She loved to flirt and her heart was pretty big.- God, YN he’s staring at you!!!
-Shh... he’s probably looking for my dad or something.-YN didn’t even looked at him twice. More like, she didn’t even looked at him at all. She completely ignored him and passed thru him to start looking for her house keys so she and her friends could come inside. But she wasn’t dumb at all, she could feel the eyes of the man piercing her back. He wanted her to turn around. YN didn’t plan on turning around.
-Aye! Miss?- The man shouted at her, and everything froze for her in that moment. Slowly she turned around, even when she knew who was the man standing in there. After all this time, could it be him? He was waiting for her.- I’m all better now, so how about that date? -Thomas started to walk towards her, with an almost imperceptible cocky grin on his face. There was something YN needed to understand, Thomas Shelby always gets what he wants.
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ANOTHER LOVE - JOHN SHELBY X READER
WORDS: 2444
i really love this song (Another Love - Tom Odell) and while listening to it, i had this idea and i must say that i’m really proud of it.
this is my first imagine here on tumblr. i have a few more already written, but i’m waiting for your requests as well. xoxo
...I wanna take you somewhere so you know I care...
- Come on, this way.
- Where are we goin, John?
You chuckled and wanted to stop walking, but in the same time you were too curious to do that. And John was so excited, with his big hands covering your eyes as you walking to his surprise.
- I'm so curious, you whispered frustrated and you immediately hear John beautiful laugh.
- Just a few seconds, love.
Even if you can't see him, you can feel his smile just by listening to his voice. The smile that bright up your life since you met him. Unfortunately, you can't call this a relationship yet, but you two aren't just friends either.
- We're here, John put his hands around your waist as he hugged you from behind and slowly kissed a sweet spot on your neck.
As soon as you can see again, you noticed you are at the Garrison, which wasn't something unusual since you spend most of the nights off there with John, Ada who was your best friend and the rest of their family, but now...It was special in other way. In the pub were just the two of you and everything was covered in a warm light from the candles placed here and there. You can hear a soothing melody and in the middle was a table with more candles, petals and tableware for the both of you.
You couldn't believe your eyes. You didn't how to react, what to say...And John took your silence as a answer. His smile dropped.
- It is somethin wrong with...
You turned around to look at him and immediately grabbed his hands, made him look into your eyes just to make sure he understands. You had happy tears in your eyes and John melted looking at you and gentle wiped the tears from your pink cheek with his thumb.
- It's the most beautiful thing someone has ever done for me. You shouldn't...
He interrupted you.
- I wanted to show you I care. I fuckin care about you, [Y/N]. You are not just a quick fuck.
His voice was so calmly to your thoughts and his deep blue eyes made you feel weak on your legs, just like every time you stare into them. He pulled you into his arms and your lips collided together in a passionate slowly kiss.
...I brought you daffodils in a pretty string...
It's been a few hours since you last saw John at the betting shop. You are his secretary, but he hates to put you in the danger that means his business so you don't know too much about them. Just the essential and that it's good to stay out of them.
You were thinking about him, just as he walked in with his hand at his back and a bashful smile and look on his face. He was the handsome good looking man he had ever been with his expensive suite, coat and peaky blinder cap. But, even being a blinder and a gangster, he was the sweetest man you've ever meet.
- Hello, love.
You smile brights up your entire face as you greeted him with a kiss on the cheek.
- I found something and it made me think of ya...His tone is nervous, impatiently as he slowly pull out from his back a beautiful yellow flower and place it behind your ear in your hair.
You didn't know what to do, like most of the time when he surprises you with cute and lovely gestures like this.
- Thank you, John. You are the best, you pink lips curved into a big smile and his do the same as he pulled you closer, grinning.
- No, you are. You are my best girl.
...And I wanna kiss you, make you feel alright...
You two are almost our of air, but you can't stop the kiss. You don't want to.
Your heavy breaths and the sound of the bodies touching are the only sounds in the bedroom. You left out a loudly moan, that almost came out as a scream, as John let his face in the space between your neck and shoulder and he placed kisses and bites all over your chest and neck as he came inside of you.
- For the fucks sake I hope I'm not pregnant, you said with a raspy voice and a sweaty body. John just grinned, not scared at all of that idea. After all, he already had four kids and you loved them. Why not have one with you as well?
- So? It will be the most beautiful baby the entire fuckin Birmingham had ever seen [Y/N], he says with a charming smile as he collapsed next to you. You both are now tired and cover in sweat, but the happiest you ever been in the arms of each other.
- John Shelby, you said and you didn't planned you're smile that big as you stand up on your elbow to look at him even better, just as he had now a better view at your breasts. You are such a tease.
- Ya but you love it, don't ya.
Your smile answer it for you.
- Then show me how much, he commanded as he looked right into your eyes with a intense glare and you were right into his lap in the next second.
...I wanna cry and I wanna love
But all my tears have been used up
On another love...
You can't believe your ears.
- It can't be true, you said for yourself.
You didn't wanted to be true.
- You can't be serious..You talk again as you can feel the ground under your feet falling apart.
- It is, [Y/N]. John's getting married...With one of the Lee's. If what I know it's true...It's just for business.
Ada says carefully, looking sadly at you cause she knows. She knows since the beginning even if it's about one of her brother and she kept the secret long enough. She knows all the good and bad and she knows how much you wanted to be with him. To officially be John's Shelby girl and wife. But now...When you hoped you had a chance...He's getting married.
- He's a liar...He's a fucking liar.
You started mutter, but your heart aches and you hear these words over and over again in your mind, so you screamed the words at the end. Ada is immediately right next to you, hugging you and letting you cry on her shoulder just like you did when Freddie died and she felt alone. You put your head on her lap and you sit there crying for hours maybe.
- Ada? Is [Y/N] with ya? Open the fuckin door!
You closed your eyes at the sound of his voice. He sounded sad and worried. But he wasn't cause he's a liar.
He said he's serious about you, about the thing you had together...But he wasn't. He was just a good actor.
- No! Go the fuck away, you bastard! Ada yelled and didn't moved.
- [Y/N]! Let me talk, please. I can fuckin explain you! I didn't lie to you!
- Go away, John! You screamed and you feel bad for do such a drama in Polly's house, even tho you know she consider you family since you and Ada grow up together. You loved them, you cared about this family and...And you loved John.
After that, you hear Thomas serious voice calling John and you cried harder in Ada's arms when you were sure the brothers left and they can't hear you anymore.
...And if somebody hurts you, I wanna fight...
Working as John's secretary feels like shit after what happened. Tommy told you to stay home a few days to recover, but you only resisted three days. Your thoughts were killing you.
Today as you came in and you take your coat off you hear a discussion in John's office between he and Polly. You couldn't resist, but soon you starts to understand that it's about you anyway.
- You pig, what were you thinking cuttin him like that in the middle of the fuckin day?! You killed him, John.
- Pol, he touched her. He started talking with a low tone, but eventually his tone grow higher. Was I supposed to stay and do fuckin nothing?! Hell no.
- Stop being so cocky, John.
How could you forget about that?
You remember two days ago; you and Ada were at a bar, one when not everyone knows your best friend is a Shelby and you both were drinking a lot of whisky, trying to numb the pain and erase the memories.
Later that night, when you were dancing there was a man who touched you, who tried to kiss you and who could tried to do worse. The barman helped you to get rid of him, but apparent you didn't know shit.
You let out a gasp full of pain exactly when John leaves angrily his office and shouted the door behind him.
...Words they always win, but I know I'll lose...
A few hours later, John come to you and you were trying so hard to work and be careful, that you didn't noticed him and you didn't have time to leave.
- [Y/N], can I talk to you? Please.
- No. You tried to don't look at him. Looking into his eyes would make you cry again.
- Please...I wanted to be the one to tell you, but Ada...
- You wanted to? Then why you didn't tell me that you are going to get married to another woman instead of telling me that I'm beautiful, or that I'm your girl...Why?!
You tried to control cause there are a lot of people around you, but you simply can't. You had tears in your eyes again and you tried your hardest to keep them locked as he pulled you away from all these people glares. He started talking again with a lower and calmer tone, grabbing your hands in his.
- If I'm not gonna marry her, we're gonna have a war with the Lee's...They will try to destroy everything we worked our asses for..You are the one I l...
You closed your eyes for a moment and when you open them again, you are already crying and John's looking at you with full pain on his beautiful but tired face. He also had dark circles around his eyes.
- Shut up! Don't fucking tell me excuses, John. We are over.
You use a certain and serious tone, but inside you are breaking for telling this words to him. He cursed in a whisper and he let his head down as he ran a hand over his face, trying to stay calm at your words that hurts him more that he thought possible. He never felt that with any other woman and Gods knows how many he met.
- Are you sure? We can work it out of this mess, I will, I swear to you I will do as-...
He was desperate.
He remembered your days and nights together, your first kiss and the first time you two slept together. He remembered your big smile and the way you used to look at him, like you have right next to you everything you ever wanted.
He didn't wanted to lose that.
- I'm sure.
But it was too late.
A tear falls from his blue eyes as he left the betting shop. He immediately wiped it off and lights up a cigar, still thinking at your green eyes and big beautiful smile.
...And I'd sing a song, that'd be just ours
But I sang 'em all to another heart...
The wedding was beautiful, you can't tell otherwise. Esme was a beautiful bride, but John...Oh, you don't have words to describe what you feel when you saw John in a grey elegant suite with a positively expression all over his face.
His eyes looked in the crowd and when he let his eyes on you, you smiled a little to him. He turned the smile back and you two kept the eye contact a few seconds before Esme came with her mother. You had tears in your eyes all the ceremony and Thomas, who was John's best man and right next to him, observed you. Just like the rest of the family did, but they couldn't do anything. It was too late for you.
The party was at the Garrison and everyone was dancing and drinking too much. Arthur was probably the happiest around and you danced with him a few times. He was a really good company and always makes you laugh. You loved that about him.
You were next to Polly, smoking a cigar and you felt a pain in your heart as you hear the next song. It was your favorite song and you danced with John so many times on this; well every time you could get him slow dance, it was on this song. You are not the best dancer, but also not the worst and your dances with him, were making you laugh like crazy.
You smiled as you drink from your glass of Irish whisky and as you looked in the crowd, you saw them. John and Esme were dancing for the first time this close, slow and they looked in the other eyes just like a...Like a real couple. "It's just business" you remembered his words.
She was happily talking and he was bending down a little as he listened to her, then they both smiled again. You sighed deeply and you drink the glass of whiskey in one sip.
- Wanna dance? Michael asked you with a nice smile on his lips and he lifted his hand towards you.
- Yes, sure, you said as you sat up. But I have to say, I'm not a really good dancer.
- No problem. Nobody would know. He took a glare at the bride and the groom, knowing the situation, just like the rest of his family which you considered your family too.
Oh, somebody would. And that somebody is looking at you right now.
He smile disappeared and a face full of pain took his place. Just like yours did.
You let your head on Michael's shoulder, just like Esme did, and you and John were looking directly at each other, full of regrets and words left unsaid.
The words that were meant for him only are gonna be saved for another one...For another love.
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chnat0wn · 4 years
Text
Black Irises
Relationship: Alfie Solomons/Original Female Character
09. Black Crows
Tommy's large, probably haunted house looked even more terrifying than usual. It was surrounded by white clouds of morning fog. The green leaves of the trees were moving carefully under the influence of the gentle wind. The same wind that was hitting Deborah's silhouette. It forced her to wrap her coat tighter.
She went to the door. Before she could knock, Mary poked her head out. She smiled at Deborah, then removed herself in the doorstep. She took Deborah's coat, and though the low temperature in the house was giving her goosebumps, she didn't protest. Mary didn't even realize that Deborah was wearing only a nightgown.
“Mr Shelby and the other gentleman are waiting in Mr Shelby's office.” Mary said, friendly smile on her face. Deborah smiled back, rubbing her cold hands together. “Would you like some warm tea?” Mary asked after a moment, and Deborah nodded. “I’ll get it for you.” she added and left.
Deborah headed to the room Mary mentioned earlier. She wasn't looking at the dark walls and the paintings she knew by heart. She wanted to get into the office as soon as possible, and she couldn't let anything distract her. She turned the door handle and pushed another pair of heavy doors. The smell of cigarette smoke was mixing with the air in the room. Thomas and Alfie both glanced at Deborah. Thomas looked indifferent, though the slight twitch of his face muscles indicated that he didn't particularly like what he was seeing – a large bandage on Deborah's face. Alfie didn't seem as mysterious as Tommy. He frowned, and Deborah could almost hear his thoughts. And if Biagio were in the same room with them, Alfie would strangle him to death.
Tommy cleared his throat and put out his cigarette in the crystal ashtray on the desk. “I'll leave you.” he said, shortly after he left the room.
Alfie approached Deborah with a slow, cautious steps. In case Biagio managed to discourage her to all men without exception. Alfie took off his coat, which Mary apparently had no chance to take away from him, and put it on Deborah's shoulders. “It is fuckin’ freezin’ in ‘ere. And ya are trembling, mate.” he said. He stared at her before he took a step back. “And you wear… only your underwear.” he pursed his lips. The view alone didn't matter that much, it didn't shock Alfie, didn't cause negative feelings. Still, it brought the memories back. The moment Alfie saw Deborah for the first time – as an embarrassed, just pulled out of bed eighteen-year-old girl. The problem was how much has changed since then. “Haven't ya had time to get dress?”
“I didn't know the reason why you came so suddenly, so it seemed to me that the case is serious.” she shrugged. She put her arms into the sleeves of the coat and wrapped herself in it, inhaling the scent. It didn't smelled like a rum or any other type of alcohol. It smelled fresh. It smelled like a cool wind. “Why are you here?” Deborah raised her gaze at Alfie.
“Because I didn't believe a word from your maid's mouth.” he raised his eyebrows. “You come every fucking day for a round month, right? For a round month, no day off. And then we're fucking in me bakery, and suddenly ya ‘ave to go to your family.” he frowned theatrically. “And I was not wrong. He fucking hurt ya. He went too fucking far.”
Deborah sighed resignedly, rubbing her forehead. “Alfie...”
“Alfie what?” he asked in a raised tone. Irritation surfaced, flooding everything around. Alfie wasn't angry, though he was close to it. He couldn't understand what Deborah was trying to do. “What holds you by ‘is side? What makes you want to be stuck in ‘his ‘ell?”
“That’s not the point!” Deborah protested sharply. Alfie looked like he wanted to say something more. A burning need dried his lips, but fueled his mind. Still, he didn't say a word. “If I leave, Biagio will kill me. Or he will be slowly destroying my life for years, lurking somewhere in the dark corner. And what kind of life is this, huh? Fearing that something will collapse at any moment.” she smiled without a shadow of real joy. She shook her head. “If you kill him, you'll bring a bad luck on us. A fucking Sicilian mafia. And believe me, Alfie,” she took a few steps toward him. “there are things even bigger than you. Than God Himself.”
Alfie was staring at Deborah. He was breathing calmly, which was an unusual phenomenon in his case. He knew Deborah was right. But he was who he was. He acted impulsively, brutally and usually didn't pay attention to the consequences that followed. Why should he, if he had all London in his grip?
He grabbed Deborah's chin tenderly. She flinched at the moment she felt the rough skin of his hands on her own. “Fuck this Sicilian mafia, alright?” he managed a smile. And he smiled so sweetly that a heat wave passed through Deborah's body. She knew that smile. It belonged to her lovely boy, whom she thought she had lost for good. He had been appearing in some small things, in unexpected moments. “The skirmish wif’ the Sicilians is nothing compared to the War. Mothers lost their sons and wives their husbands. And it is just another fuckin’ wop. I care about you. We all want you to be safe. Did ya see Tommy's face? He was terrified. Fucking terrified.”
“Tommy Shelby was fucking terrified? Since when can you recognize it?” she laughed softly. Alfie's smile reached his eyes. He was amused and charmed by the innocence of the current moment. “No.” Deborah whispered after a long silence, during which they were looking at each other without a word. “I will lose more than I can bear. I lost you and couldn't do anything about that. I'm not going to risk, Alfie.”
“Ya couldn’t do anyfing about that, eh?” Alfie repeated mockingly. “Fuckin’ ‘ell.” he shook his head.
Deborah suspected that Alfie had constructed his own version of truth from scraps that he had been discovering over the years. She felt a strong urge to tell him everything - from the moment he got on the train to the day they met again. But she was afraid. Alfie was still too hurt to see things as they were. Deborah feared he wouldn't believe her. That he would reject her, accusing her of lying. Once she wouldn't have the slightest resistance to do this, but Biagio broke her, persuading all these years how worthless she is.
Mary entered the room. Before that, she knocked carefully on the wooden door, but Deborah was so preoccupied with her own thoughts that she didn't notice a thing. The woman set down the silver tray with three steaming cups of tea, nodded, and left.
“When are you coming back to Camden Town? You can't leave the bakery for too long.” Deborah rubbed her hands on her shoulders, gazing across the floor. She was already missing conversations with Ollie, as well as spending time with Roy, Bill and Freddie. She missed this old, dusty building.
Alfie allowed himself to sit on the sofa. He put his hands on his cane and looked at the window. The rising sun cast a cool light into the room. “Ollie can handle it for a few hours. I canceled the meetings so that the boy wouldn't get too tired.” he sneered, pursing his lips.
Deborah grabbed one of the cups - the one that contained the lightest color of liquid. Mary knew perfectly that Deborah prefers tea with milk. She sat down next to Alfie and dipped her upper lip in a hot drink. She set the cup down on a nearby table and ran her tongue over her mouth, collecting the last of the flavor. “He can definitely handle it. He is not stupid.” Deborah rolled her eyes and put her hand on Alfie's forearm. She stroked it comfortingly.
Alfie immediately glanced at the place where her slim, trembling fingers rested. Then he looked up to her face. He was gazing at her pale skin. That was why he called her a doll years ago. Because her face was like porcelain. Now, it no longer looked as healthy as it once did. There were fading bruises and other marks on it, not to mention the red line hidden under the dressing. Alfie thought that she had chosen such a fate for herself. On the other hand, he blamed himself for allowing such a thing.
He raised a hand to her face. He gently ran his thumb over her chin, then hooked her lower lip with it. Deborah didn't wince at his touch like she had been doing with Biagio. She felt safe when Alfie was next to her. And without thinking much, she wrapped her lips around his thumb. She looked into Alfie's eyes, sucking his finger. She lowered her eyelids, her cheeks grew concave, and Alfie held his breath, watching her. When he finally took his hand away, a short and weak bundle of saliva was connecting Deborah's mouth and his thumb for a moment.
Deborah climbed at Alfie’s thighs. The cane he held until now fell on the wooden panels with a loud crash. But Alfie needed free hands to be able to place them on Deborah's buttocks. He did it for fear of her possible fall, although they both doubted it could happen. “I can’t, Alfie.” she whispered. She clung to his lips in a short, greedy kiss. “I can't pretend I don't need you. Because I do.”
Alfie stared down at her, still stunned by her sudden kiss, her closeness. “And I need you. I fuckin’ need you.” he said with a heavy breath. Deborah put a hand on the back of his neck and brushed the tips of his hair with her fingers. “Are ya in pain again, love? Ya want me to ease it?”
“No.” she shook her head. She began to move her hips subtly. Her bottom was brushing Alfie's crotch, slowly driving him to a madness. Deborah felt a growing bulge that in itself was giving her pleasure with every move. “Not this time.” she added in an undertone. She leaned back a little, and the bend of her body emphasized her collarbones, ribs, and showed her cleavage. Alfie put a hand on her breast, thumb brushing her nipple, his fingers of the other hand dug into her bum.
Deborah leaned forward and kissed Alfie again. Their lips clung together much longer than the first time. She tickled the tip of Alfie's palate, and he grunted in satisfaction. He moved his hand under the nightgown she was wearing. He stroked her thigh, and when Deborah pressed Alfie's crotch a little harder, he clenched his fingers.
Deborah moved away for one purpose. She immediately unbuttoned Alfie's pants and slipped them off with his help. Alfie lifted Deborah's pajamas. She was wet and swollen, pulsating with desire.
“Go on, love.” he muttered. Deborah lowered her hips and moaned hollowly as the head of Alfie's hard cock stuck in her. She bit her lip and put her hand on his shoulder for better stability. Shortly afterwards he filled her to the end. “Fucnkin’ ‘ell. Good girl.” Alfie praised and placed a kiss on her lips.
Deborah began to make slow, a bit inept movements. She felt sore and tired, but she knew that she needed a few minutes to get used to it again. She was in no hurry, she tried to receive all the thrust fully. Besides, Alfie had time. He certainly had enough of it to wait for Deborah to be more confident. He was watching her in all this, admired the slightly parted lips, barely opened eyes and sweat drops on her forehead. 
The room seemed to fill with the warmth they produced. The walls were absorbing also moans that Deborah tried to suppress. But she couldn't be silent when Alfie's cock was rubbing against her soft inside, as he was stimulating the wet, sensitive walls of hers. 
Deborah moved faster and faster. Their bodies was colliding with each other. At that moment, she wasn't thinking about her life. She didn't care about the pain, didn't bring back memories of the last night. She focused only on what  Alfie was leading her to. On how close to the explosion she was.
Alfie was observing her face mostly. She was completely different when she was fucking him. Carefree, at the same time concentrated and determined to achieve a goal that would satisfy both of them. From time to time he looked at her bouncing breasts, refraining from touching them.
Dark spots flooded her field of view. She tilted her head back abruptly and stopped any movement, unable to even budge. Her legs were shaking in pleasure spasms, Alfie kept his hands on her hips in case the orgasm turned out to be too rapid. Breathing heavily, she looked at him. He seemed worried, but Deborah decided to change it. A few final moves led Alfie to the edge. He pursed his lips, grunted, and released a decent charge of air that had accumulated in his lungs. Deborah felt the wet, sticky warmth spilling inside of her.
She kissed the corner of Alfie's mouth as he continued to catch deep breaths. “It felt nice.” she smiled.
“Nice, eh?” he repeated incredulously and shook his head. “You ‘aven't changed at all.”
  *
  Thomas entered the room with a cigarette in his mouth. He glanced at Alfie, who was sitting on the armrest of the sofa, and raised his eyebrows. “You have waited.” he said. He went to the alcohol table and chose one of the bottles available. He poured a small amount into a low, wide glass. “Don't tell me which piece of furniture it was. Just take it with you.”
Tommy's mansion was huge, with lots of rooms. Still, when there was dead silence everywhere, the only sound became the center of attention. Thomas could easily understand why Deborah and Alfie spent in his office more time than necessary. He heard her. He heard her perfectly.
“So,” Thomas cleared his throat. He took the place that actually belonged to him. Behind a massive wooden desk. “You wanted to talk. Let's talk.”
“Yeah, exactly. Let’s talk about fuckin’ Biagio Castellano.” Alfie pursed his lips, staring at Shelby with his eyes wide open, almost theatrical curiosity. As if he was asking what the fuck are you thinking? “Actually, I am wonderin' why he is still alive. Why he doesn't have a fuckin’ idea where he belongs. I know where he belongs. Ya know where he belongs. But he does not have a fucking idea.”
“Alfie,” Thomas sighed heavily. The cigarette between his fingers was spreading suffocating smell. “What is your point?”
“I want to know, right? I want to know why you do not react to what you see. You saw what he did to her. It wouldn't ‘ave happened if ya took matters into yer own hands. And you sit ‘ere and feel sorry for yerself like a little girl.” Alfie was speaking calmly. But his peace was as stable as the card house. “Ya and yer fuckin’ Peaky Boys.”
Thomas scratched his thumb over his upper lip. He frowned as if he didn't understand what Alfie was up to. But he wasn't stupid. “I’ll tell you.” he raised his eyebrows. “Deborah is grown and sensible. If she needed help, she would say. But she knows that Biagio is a dangerous enemy for us to fight.” he leaned back in his seat. “Deborah is a part of this family. But until she determine the right moment, I have me hands tied.”
“She does not know she need help, for fuck’s sake.” Alfie said. “But she doesn't ‘ave to know. All she needs is to receive it. This ‘s why I came ‘ere.” he spread his arms in a savior gesture. Immediately afterwards he placed his hands on the cane.
Tommy tilted his head back and scanned the ceiling. He smiled, inhaled and glanced at Alfie again. “The killing of Biagio Castellano? You do business with him through your weakness for Italians,” he stated, pointing at Alfie with the smoldering tip of the cigarette. “so you know about the mafia.”
“I know ‘bout fucking mafia. I am aware of fucking mafia.” Alfie agreed. “But I cannot stand there and watch him slowly take her life, can I? Ya know her. Ya knew her years ago, and ya know that she is not the same person. He changed her into a timid, insecure woman. And our Debby was about to become somfing bigger than ‘his.”
“I’ll talk to Arthur and John.” Tommy answered almost immediately. “But I don't expect them to protest.”
  *
  The dark blue sky stretched from one horizon to another. Black crows were cutting the vault, but instead of making animal noises, they were screaming like tortured people. Deborah covered her ears with her hands, but it soon turned out that the screams were trapped inside her head. The trees around seemed dead due to the lack of leaves. There was a muddy, bare field under Deborah's feet. She wasn't wearing shoes, her feet and hands were covered with ground and something sticky.
She saw the figure lying on the area in the distance. The distance was too long for Deborah to assess the character's identity. She started running in that direction. Her legs refused to obey, every few steps she sank into the ground, which seemed to want to swallow her. And the farther she went, the farther she was from the destination. The crows kept screaming, the trees were whispering in an obscure language.
“Mum. ”
Deborah looked around desperately. It was Benjamin's voice. And it pierced her mind again and again.
“Mum! Help me! ”
Benjamin clearly needed her and she couldn't help him. She couldn't even find him, though there was nothing around except a few trees. It was only after a time, that seemed to flow for years, that she realized that her son's voice was coming from the point where she had been rushing to from the very beginning. A shapeless element in the distance was asking for help. With Benjamin's voice.
Deborah tried again. This time, nothing prevented her from getting there. An unidentified object that previously looked like a human figure was gradually approaching. It turned out to be a white sheet, stained with soil and blood. The same blood she had on her hands. She knelt and hurriedly pulled off the material that was moving in the wind.
It was him. It was Benjamin. His face was ashy, the skin on his cheeks cracked, showing rotten meat. His mouth was opened in a scream of terror he experienced. Big, black bugs and smaller, white larvae escaped from between his lips. His eyes seemed to be behind a misty coating. But he turned his head and looked at her, and when the last insect left his mouth, they moved in a few words. “You could have saved me. ”
  Deborah sat up abruptly and immediately looked around the room.
“It’s alright now.” the arms that appeared in the darkness embraced Deborah and pressed her against a warm body. She heard a calming, slow heartbeat that didn't sound like her own at all. Her heart wanted to jump out of the chest; break her ribs with strong blows and leave her body. “You are safe.” Tommy's hoarse voice, that owed its tone to the years of smoking and drinking alcohol, broke into her mind and slowed down all processes in her head. She felt calm again, like then when she was falling asleep.
“Tommy...” she gasped and looked at him. Thomas placed his hands on both sides of her face, making their eye contact easier. “Where is Ben?”
“Still at Ada's.” he said. He slowly took his hands away, one of them slid over her shoulder and stroked it. “All right?” Tommy wasn't used to being soft, certainly not since Grace died. But all the warmth that was hidden in his recesses was just pouring over Deborah. He knew she needed it. That, just after waking up, she was like a lost child. And Thomas and his brothers promised to take care of her as befits a family.
Deborah nodded. She looked away, and it wasn't long before she cried at the thought of her child. About dead Benjamin, who blamed her for his death. Thomas once again hugged her body in a firm but tender grip. He stroked her hair, saying it was over and everything was fine. The problem was that the end has yet to come.
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megcapulet · 4 years
Text
Falling || Megan and Freddie
When: Friday 18th October 2019 @ 9pm
Who: Megan Capulet and Freddie Capulet
Warning: Megan takes ill when out for the evening.
Megan stepped out of the restaurant and into the cool air of the evening.  It wasn’t all that late she knew as she looked down at her watch, surprised to see it was already after nine.  Sighing loudly as she couldn’t see any sign of a taxi.  She waited for a few moments but there was barely any traffic and she doubted that she would get lucky enough for one to suddenly appear.  Glancing back at the restaurant she knew that she should go back in, call Leo and wait with the rest of her friends until he could send someone to pick her up but she felt awkward enough among the group being the only single and with all the looks of sympathy following on from Oz’s conviction.  The riots the previous week had brought the city to a halt but also seemed to have calmed things down a bit afterwards and so making a decision Megan decided to walk two streets to where there was a taxi rank.  The streets were well lit, there were people around and she was impatient to get home.
Turning off the street where the restaurant was she could see the lights of where she needed to be and sped up her steps to get there quickly.  Almost instantly she regretted her actions as a group of young me stepped out of a bar, clearly having indulged for a few hours.  Trying to step past them she wasn’t quick enough and one of them grabbed her arm turning her back to the group.  “You’re that Montague’s slut aren’t you?” the dark haired Dominant growled at her.  “You wasted your time telling everyone how sweet he is, no one would believe he didn’t kill that English bitch.  Next time it will be you.”  His words were slurred and he jabbed a fat finger towards Megan before running it across her throat as he emphasised his point.  The group laughed and jeered as they turned and walked away leaving the dark haired submissive frozen in fear.  
Taking a few steps forward, tears trickling down her cheeks Megan was forced to stop and lean against the cold stone wall.  Her chest was tight and she couldn’t catch her breath.  The last few weeks had been stressful enough but that small incident brought back to her why she really wasn’t safe to be out alone at night.  She tried to walk but it was taking all her strength to stand and she bent forward knowing that should help a bit and hoping a few minutes rest would allow her to at least get to the end of the street or reach for her phone.
Freddie massaged his temples as he headed towards the bar. The man believed himself a decent educator, yet the papers he’d only just finished grading stated otherwise.  It was as if the student’s deliberately misunderstood what he assigned. Either that or they all decided to write while half-asleep and only half-conscious. It would explain the grammatical errors that he was certain even a first semester undergrad would never make. He’d earned the drink at the bar. Turning the corner, he decided upon taking the shortcut through the alleyway. It would get him a beer that much quicker.
At first the man assumed that no one would be lurking in the shadows. It was too early for anyone to drunkenly stumble and fall asleep. Perhaps there might be an overzealous couple, but the noise that he heard certainly was not from someone having a good time. The hyperventilating caused his instincts to kick in. While he was more of a chemistry expert, Freddie had taken a few practical classes in first aid. He knew the basics of what needed to be done, but he couldn’t do anything until he found the person. Cursing his failing night vision, he took a few steps forward almost tripping over the body huddled on the ground. At first all he saw was dark hair, yet it did not take all that long for the man to recognize the woman at his feet.
“Fuck, Megan. What the hell happened to you?” He quickly scooped her up in his arms, knowing that this was not the place to talk to her. Whatever had happened, he would find out after getting her out of there. His chest tightened, as he quickly walked towards a bench under the street light. “I need you to breathe with me.” He kept her in his arms as he settled them both on the bench. While he would try to settle her, Freddie worried that it might not be enough. He could not even tell if the woman heard him. “Come on, baby girl. Say something to me. Slap me if you need to, but please tell me that you hear me.” 
Megan slunk further to the ground as she became aware of a figure approaching her, terrified it was one of the men coming back having decided to follow up on their threat.  Cursing herself for not making it a little further down the street where she would at least have been under a streetlight although it wasn’t as if she was in any fit state to run or scream or anything really.  
Relief flooded her when she heard her own name and realised it was Freddie.  His strong arms soon lifted her from the ground but while it didn’t ease the tightness in her chest being with him at least took away a little of the panic she was feeling.  As he settled them both on the bench however she felt herself worked up again.  He wasn’t to know about her condition and she opened her mouth to speak but the words jarred in her throat.
“Hospital…...I need ox….y….gen,” she choked out, her mouth dry and saving her energy for the actual task of breathing.  Mentally screaming at herself for never getting round to arranging the dinner with her cousin she looked at him with wide, pleading eyes begging him not to wait any longer.
Freddie felt the way that his cousin trembled in his arms. He cursed, wondering what in the world could have had her so shaken up in such a manner. Outwardly aside from looking a bit paler than normal, he could not see any injuries. Still it was unlike her to collapse in some dirty alley. At least it had been unlike her. Freddie realized that the woman in his arms could have changed in all the years that he had missed. Their catch-up session meant that he would learn everything that didn’t fit in emails and all the other ways that he kept in touch. He should have made that a priority. 
“Okay. Just hold on.” He reached into his pocket, pulling out his phone. He wanted to take her himself, but it would take far longer than an ambulance could get here. Besides the paramedics would have supplies to help her even sooner than getting to the ER. He cradled her close, quickly giving all the information that was needed. “Sweetheart, I know that you are having trouble breathing right now, but I need you to either nod or shake your head. Is Tommy working at the hospital? Will he be able to tell them about your allergies and medications?” 
It was getting harder to stay awake.  The pull of sleep was great and while part of her knew that she needed to fight and keep her eyes open the part saying it would be easier to close them was winning out.  She nodded slightly at his question, both her brothers still worked at the hospital but whether either of them would be there at this time in the evening was a bigger question.  Even if Thomas was there was a good chance he would be in surgery and they wouldn’t be able to get to him.  She opened her mouth to try and say that any of their cousins could give the main piece of information but then she knew that beyond saying she had a heart condition it would be unlikely they could remember what she had but words failed her anyway as she shuddered at a sharp pain again.
The longer they waited for the ambulance the more frightened she became.  Her body began to tremble through a mix of cold and worry and a tear trickled down her cheek as she couldn’t fight against the need to sleep much longer but there was a fear linked with it that she couldn’t understand in her drowsy state.  Closing her eyes she was vaguely aware of a siren in the distance but sleep was far more interesting.
All that Freddie needed from Meg was that nod. He needed to know that there would be someone there to keep things from getting worse. As much as he longed to help Megan, there was little that Freddie could do aside from being a supporting influence for her. Not that he planned on leaving her. Freddie would not part from her as long as he would not be in the way of anything. The way that she could not even keep her head up worried him. He looked down the road, longing to see the flashing lights that could save her. They would know what to do aside from rocking her gently. 
“I got you, kid. I promise that I won’t let anything happen.” Finally hearing the wail of a siren coming towards them, he stood up, eager to meet them. It was with great reluctance that he handed her over, watching as the paramedics began to check her. He climbed in next to her, taking Meg’s hand in his own. Damned if he wouldn’t be there when she woke up. 
She awoke to a mask on her face as they sped through the streets of the city.  Giving the hand holding hers a gentle squeeze as she turned her head a fraction to see her cousin.  Aware the tightness in her chest was easing a fraction but wasn’t gone entirely she pulled the oxygen mask down when the paramedic turned to address her. “I have cardiomyopathy,” she explained before the woman nodded and slid the mask back on.  
“We’re nearly there Megan and we’ll just call through and let the ER team know,” the paramedic assured her.  Megan looked towards Freddie again.  “Thank you,” she said, her words muffled with the mask before her eyes closed again and she let sleep pull her under again.
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mrschangrettawrites · 6 years
Text
Acquisitions
Summary: Every person has their purpose, and yours has just come up.
Pairing: Luca Changretta x Reader
Words: 2251
Notes:  Spoilers for season four, reader is a WOC. I highly highly highly recommend installing the InteractiveFics extension from the Chrome store if you can. To add your name and last name simply install the extension, then click ‘Need to replace something other than Y/N?’ and in the value bar put Name and put your name in the Replace With bar, then click change! And be sure to tick Store this replacement so that you don’t have to do it every time.
I will admit I’m a little unsure of this as a first chapter lmao be sure to tell me what you think!
Tagging: @kittiofdoom (who is the one who gave me this idea ages ago), if you would like to be added to the tag list just lmk!
CHAPTER ONE
Family meetings always made you nervous. There was something about being under Tommy’s impassive blue eyes that made you uneasy and all the more worried that you would mess something up. And with the Italians and the vendetta, this only made your anxieties worse.
Tommy exhaled cigarette smoke before looking at you all. “I’ve spoken to Luca Changretta.” He said slowly. “And we’ve reached an agreement.”
“What kind of agreement?” Arthur asked gruffly. “And why didn’t I know about this before now?”
“It’s a peace agreement.” Tommy said, not looking at his brother. “As much as it pains me to say, the Italians are leagues ahead of us, and if this doesn’t end here, things will only get worse for us. So we made a deal.”
You glanced over at Ada and clutched her hand under the table, squeezing it tight.
“He’s going to marry a Shelby.”
A stunned silence followed, and slowly, all eyes fell on Ada, including your own.
The idea of handing Ada over to the Italians upset you and you wanted to protest, but you weren’t brave enough. Already you could feel your heart sinking and missing Ada, even as she continued to sit beside you and hold your hand. Out of your cousins, she was your favourite when you were growing up. The boys, save for Finn, were all older than you and Ada tended to be more than enough for them to deal with, girl wise. Being an only child, you had clung onto your cousins as makeshift siblings, but Ada was the only one who returned the feelings. Tears began to prick at your eyes. First John now Ada, both taken by the mafia, albeit in different ways. You hoped you would be able to write to her, maybe even visit if the Changrettas took a big enough liking to Ada, and why shouldn’t they? She was fierce and brave and smart, everything one would want in a daughter-in-law.
“Name.”
You looked up at Tommy so quickly you were surprised your neck didn’t break. “Y-Yeah?” You said nervously.
“Pack your things.” He said. “Your train leaves tonight.”
There was another silence, as everyone processed what Tommy had just said.
“Are you out of your fucking mind?!” Ada spat, glaring at her brother. “You can’t send her off to America!”
“I can and I have.” Tommy replied firmly. “It’s the agreement Luca Changretta and I came to, and it’s the agreement we’re going to follow.”
“Like Hell we are.” Polly joined in with a sneer. “You’ve done some shit Tommy but this has to be the worst! You don’t sell off family!”
“Pol.” Despite how softly you spoke, your voice was able to carry in the small room, making everyone turn to you. “It’s ok.” You looked up Tommy. “I understand.”
And you did, really. In a family like yours, sacrifices and decisions are made that can be hard on everyone else. But while a new feeling of apprehension had settled over you, a part of you also felt elated.
For years you had tried to prove yourself to the brothers, wanting them to see that you could be just as useful as any other Blinder and be just as worthy of the cap. When Tommy became the head of the family you tried especially hard to impress him, to get him to see you as more than just an annoying younger cousin. You had done whatever he asked, yet somehow it never proved to be enough. He put you to the side, choosing someone else to do this or that job, only going to you as an afterthought. To know that Tommy trusted you with something as big as this made your heart swell, along with a new determination to make Tommy proud.
He nodded, taking another drag of his cigarette. “Good.”
“No, not good!” Ada was on her feet, no longer holding your hand. “Name isn’t a stallion you can put out to stud Tommy! And you can’t just do this without asking her!”
“Ada.” Tommy said warningly. “Drop it.”
“Fuck off Tommy!” She snapped in return. “Go back to Changretta and tell him the deal’s off! Trains be damned!”
Without a word, you clutched Ada’s sleeve. She looked down at you, eyes still burning with righteous fury, but you could see fear as well.
“I’ve already said I’ll do it.” You said, your voice firm for the very first time ever. “It’s either this or more bloodshed Ada. I know which one I prefer.”
Although she was clearly still angry, Ada didn’t say anything else, just glared at the table.
“As I was saying.” Tommy said, trying to regain control of the meeting. “Name you need to pack whatever you can and be ready to leave so you can catch your train. Ada and Polly can help.”
“Yes Tommy.” Before they had the chance to say anything else, you left the living room, hoping that Ada and Polly would do same and join you on the street.
The bracing wind sent you hair flying in all directions, but you barely noticed. You were still in something of a daze, trying to understand what had made Tommy choose you to be Luca Changretta’s wife. Maybe, after all this time, he was finally beginning to see your potential, to trust you with bigger tasks, and what was bigger than this? He had chosen you to save the family, an honour that held no equal in your eyes.
“I can’t fucking believe that boy sometimes.”
You turned and saw that Polly and Ada had finally joined you outside, both of them still clearly furious.
“And to do this without consulting anyone!” Polly continued, doing up her coat. “He has a lot of fucking nerve.”
“Leave it Pol.”
Polly looked like she wanted to say more, but something in your face made her hold back. Instead she got into her car, you and Ada following behind. “Tommy is going to get a right bollocking from me tonight.”
You hold Ada’s hand again, and found it clammier than before.
Ever since the death of your parents you have been living under Polly’s roof, which was something you never forgot to be thankful for. You had told Polly that you were more than happy to go off on your own, but she would never hear of it so eventually you dropped it. But now she no longer had a say in the matter.
She and Ada were oddly silent as you packed everything you felt you would need, which quickly ended up being everything you owned. When it became clear the other two women weren’t going to say anything, you decided to do the talking instead, more to fill the silence than anything else.
“Do you think it would be easy to find a masjid in New York?” You asked, delicately placing your copy of the Qur’an among the other books you had put in one of your suitcases. One of Small Heath’s problems was it’s lack of a masjid, which your had mum lamented almost everyday. When she was growing up it was more than just a place of worship, it was the center of the community. A sadness always overcame your mum whenever she got to talking about the masjid she went to while she was still in Istanbul, so you learned to not ask. “It’s supposed to be very big, how many do you think there will be?”
You glanced over at Ada and Polly, but they remained tight lipped and grim faced, folding your various clothes and fitting them into other cases.
“Coffee!” It had come to you so suddenly it made you jump, and you hurried down the stairs and into the kitchen to find the tin that held the special Turkish coffee you got from London, a habit you picked up from your mother who refused to drink coffee, or tea for that matter, that wasn’t made in her homeland.
As you made your way back up, Ada and Polly at your heels, you stopped in front of the doorway to the living room, looking into it.
“I don’t suppose I can take mum’s loom can I?” You gazed sadly at the wooden frame your mum had used to make carpets while she was still alive. She had taught you to do the same when you were eight, by which time she had been teaching you the art of market haggling for three years. They were both skills your mum had excelled it. “Maybe I can have it sent for in New York.”
“How are you alright with this?”
Ada’s voice had been so small you almost thought you had imagined it. But when you turned to look at her, you saw her eyes welling up and her mouth trembling. “How can you be ok with Tommy selling you off like cattle?”
Usually, Shelbys didn’t know what to do with people feeling strong emotions, but you were an exception to that rule (as you were with many other Shelby family rules), and you embraced Ada without hesitation. “I’m not a hundred percent alright with this.” You admitted. “Ada, I’m terrified. But with what happened to John and Michael, and Arthur nearly being killed in his own factory…Ada I just want this to end.”
It was strange to see Ada, the girl you had long seen as an older sister and admired for her strength and tenacity, look so utterly shattered. You hadn’t seen her like this since Freddie died, and you felt bad for being responsible for Ada being in this state.
“But what if we never see you again?” Ada asked with a slight sniffle, clutching your arms like her life (or yours) depended on it.
“That won’t happen.” Polly said firmly. “I’ll make sure of it.” And she wrapped her arms around the two of you as she too started to cry.
The wait for Luca Changretta and his men at the train station felt like the longest wait in your life, longer even than during the war and you spent every day wondering when Arthur and Tommy and John would come home.
Ada was still holding your hand while Karl clutched her other hand. You weren’t sure what Ada had told him, or even if he understood what was happening. You would miss him too, him and Charlie and Billy. Like Finn before them you had helped care for them, becoming another open pair of arms they could turn to.
It suddenly occurred to you that Luca Changretta would no doubt expect you to give him children. The thought made you blush and you hoped he wouldn’t jump right into that straight away. You hadn’t even had sex yet, and only kissed a boy once.
‘If he wants children you’ll give him children.’ You told yourself firmly. ‘This is for the family. Think of the family.’
As the steam from the latest train to leave the station cleared away, a tall man dressed in black emerged, flanked by twelve other men. With each step the man came closer to you and when Tommy stepped forward to greet him, you knew that this was your new husband.
“Good to see that you’re keeping up your end of the bargain.” Tommy said.
“Of course.” Luca Changretta grinned, a toothpick situated in his mouth. “I’m a man of my word Mr Shelby.” He turned to you and Ada, dark eyes landing on you. “Name I presume?”
You felt your face flush. As men go, he certainly wasn’t bad looking. Rather the opposite in fact. “Yes Mr Changretta.” You said, offering the hand that had been holding Ada’s.
Luca Changretta raised a brow, and for a split second you genuinely feared that you weren’t up to his expectations and that everything would fall apart.
Instead, he took your hand and removed the toothpick from his mouth before kissing your knuckles. The act was surprising not just in it’s unexpectedness, but it’s tenderness too.
“You’re my wife now.” He said gently, his mouth mere centimeters away from your hand. “Call me Luca.”
“I…I…” Looking into Luca’s eyes, you found yourself unable to form words.
“Alright that’s enough.”
Tommy’s impatience broke whatever spell Luca had inadvertently cast on you and you would be lying if you said that you weren’t grateful. You went to pick up your suitcases, but three of Luca’s men beat you to it. Unused to this kind of treatment, you just stared at them dumbly, avoiding looking at Luca.
“We’ll send word once we’ve arrived in New York.” You heard him say.
“Good.” Was Tommy’s reply. “Then we can put this whole business behind us.”
There was a pause, and you were tempted to turn around to see Luca’s reaction, but your embarrassment prevented you from doing so.
A train attendant came out and started yelling for people with tickets to board the overnight train to London.
“Looks like we should go.” Out of nowhere, Luca hooked his arm through yours, more or less making you look up at him. He smiled down at you and you felt your face heat up again.
Before either of you could step foot on the train, Polly grabbed Luca’s arm. “Be good to her.” She said sternly.
To your surprise, Luca’s face became softer, almost gentle. “I will, don’t worry.”
With one last look at the family, and Small Heath and everything else you had ever known, you stepped onto the train.
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manglefic-a · 6 years
Text
Acquisitions
Summary: Every person has their purpose, and yours has just come up.
Pairing: Luca Changretta x Reader
Words: 2251
Notes:  Spoilers for season four, reader is a WOC. I highly highly highly recommend installing the InteractiveFics extension from the Chrome store if you can. To add your name and last name simply install the extension, then click ‘Need to replace something other than Y/N?’ and in the value bar put Name and put your name in the Replace With bar, then click change! And be sure to tick Store this replacement so that you don’t have to do it every time.
I will admit I’m a little unsure of this as a first chapter lmao be sure to tell me what you think!
Tagging: @kittiofdoom (who is the one who gave me this idea ages ago), if you would like to be added to the tag list just lmk!
CHAPTER ONE
Family meetings always made you nervous. There was something about being under Tommy’s impassive blue eyes that made you uneasy and all the more worried that you would mess something up. And with the Italians and the vendetta, this only made your anxieties worse.
Tommy exhaled cigarette smoke before looking at you all. “I’ve spoken to Luca Changretta.” He said slowly. “And we’ve reached an agreement.”
“What kind of agreement?” Arthur asked gruffly. “And why didn’t I know about this before now?”
“It’s a peace agreement.” Tommy said, not looking at his brother. “As much as it pains me to say, the Italians are leagues ahead of us, and if this doesn’t end here, things will only get worse for us. So we made a deal.”
You glanced over at Ada and clutched her hand under the table, squeezing it tight.
“He’s going to marry a Shelby.”
A stunned silence followed, and slowly, all eyes fell on Ada, including your own.
The idea of handing Ada over to the Italians upset you and you wanted to protest, but you weren’t brave enough. Already you could feel your heart sinking and missing Ada, even as she continued to sit beside you and hold your hand. Out of your cousins, she was your favourite when you were growing up. The boys, save for Finn, were all older than you and Ada tended to be more than enough for them to deal with, girl wise. Being an only child, you had clung onto your cousins as makeshift siblings, but Ada was the only one who returned the feelings. Tears began to prick at your eyes. First John now Ada, both taken by the mafia, albeit in different ways. You hoped you would be able to write to her, maybe even visit if the Changrettas took a big enough liking to Ada, and why shouldn’t they? She was fierce and brave and smart, everything one would want in a daughter-in-law.
“Name.”
You looked up at Tommy so quickly you were surprised your neck didn’t break. “Y-Yeah?” You said nervously.
“Pack your things.” He said. “Your train leaves tonight.”
There was another silence, as everyone processed what Tommy had just said.
“Are you out of your fucking mind?!” Ada spat, glaring at her brother. “You can’t send her off to America!”
“I can and I have.” Tommy replied firmly. “It’s the agreement Luca Changretta and I came to, and it’s the agreement we’re going to follow.”
“Like Hell we are.” Polly joined in with a sneer. “You’ve done some shit Tommy but this has to be the worst! You don’t sell off family!”
“Pol.” Despite how softly you spoke, your voice was able to carry in the small room, making everyone turn to you. “It’s ok.” You looked up Tommy. “I understand.”
And you did, really. In a family like yours, sacrifices and decisions are made that can be hard on everyone else. But while a new feeling of apprehension had settled over you, a part of you also felt elated.
For years you had tried to prove yourself to the brothers, wanting them to see that you could be just as useful as any other Blinder and be just as worthy of the cap. When Tommy became the head of the family you tried especially hard to impress him, to get him to see you as more than just an annoying younger cousin. You had done whatever he asked, yet somehow it never proved to be enough. He put you to the side, choosing someone else to do this or that job, only going to you as an afterthought. To know that Tommy trusted you with something as big as this made your heart swell, along with a new determination to make Tommy proud.
He nodded, taking another drag of his cigarette. “Good.”
“No, not good!” Ada was on her feet, no longer holding your hand. “Name isn’t a stallion you can put out to stud Tommy! And you can’t just do this without asking her!”
“Ada.” Tommy said warningly. “Drop it.”
“Fuck off Tommy!” She snapped in return. “Go back to Changretta and tell him the deal’s off! Trains be damned!”
Without a word, you clutched Ada’s sleeve. She looked down at you, eyes still burning with righteous fury, but you could see fear as well.
“I’ve already said I’ll do it.” You said, your voice firm for the very first time ever. “It’s either this or more bloodshed Ada. I know which one I prefer.”
Although she was clearly still angry, Ada didn’t say anything else, just glared at the table.
“As I was saying.” Tommy said, trying to regain control of the meeting. “Name you need to pack whatever you can and be ready to leave so you can catch your train. Ada and Polly can help.”
“Yes Tommy.” Before they had the chance to say anything else, you left the living room, hoping that Ada and Polly would do same and join you on the street.
The bracing wind sent you hair flying in all directions, but you barely noticed. You were still in something of a daze, trying to understand what had made Tommy choose you to be Luca Changretta’s wife. Maybe, after all this time, he was finally beginning to see your potential, to trust you with bigger tasks, and what was bigger than this? He had chosen you to save the family, an honour that held no equal in your eyes.
“I can’t fucking believe that boy sometimes.”
You turned and saw that Polly and Ada had finally joined you outside, both of them still clearly furious.
“And to do this without consulting anyone!” Polly continued, doing up her coat. “He has a lot of fucking nerve.”
“Leave it Pol.”
Polly looked like she wanted to say more, but something in your face made her hold back. Instead she got into her car, you and Ada following behind. “Tommy is going to get a right bollocking from me tonight.”
You hold Ada’s hand again, and found it clammier than before.
Ever since the death of your parents you have been living under Polly’s roof, which was something you never forgot to be thankful for. You had told Polly that you were more than happy to go off on your own, but she would never hear of it so eventually you dropped it. But now she no longer had a say in the matter.
She and Ada were oddly silent as you packed everything you felt you would need, which quickly ended up being everything you owned. When it became clear the other two women weren’t going to say anything, you decided to do the talking instead, more to fill the silence than anything else.
“Do you think it would be easy to find a masjid in New York?” You asked, delicately placing your copy of the Qur’an among the other books you had put in one of your suitcases. One of Small Heath’s problems was it’s lack of a masjid, which your had mum lamented almost everyday. When she was growing up it was more than just a place of worship, it was the center of the community. A sadness always overcame your mum whenever she got to talking about the masjid she went to while she was still in Istanbul, so you learned to not ask. “It’s supposed to be very big, how many do you think there will be?”
You glanced over at Ada and Polly, but they remained tight lipped and grim faced, folding your various clothes and fitting them into other cases.
“Coffee!” It had come to you so suddenly it made you jump, and you hurried down the stairs and into the kitchen to find the tin that held the special Turkish coffee you got from London, a habit you picked up from your mother who refused to drink coffee, or tea for that matter, that wasn’t made in her homeland.
As you made your way back up, Ada and Polly at your heels, you stopped in front of the doorway to the living room, looking into it.
“I don’t suppose I can take mum’s loom can I?” You gazed sadly at the wooden frame your mum had used to make carpets while she was still alive. She had taught you to do the same when you were eight, by which time she had been teaching you the art of market haggling for three years. They were both skills your mum had excelled it. “Maybe I can have it sent for in New York.”
“How are you alright with this?”
Ada’s voice had been so small you almost thought you had imagined it. But when you turned to look at her, you saw her eyes welling up and her mouth trembling. “How can you be ok with Tommy selling you off like cattle?”
Usually, Shelbys didn’t know what to do with people feeling strong emotions, but you were an exception to that rule (as you were with many other Shelby family rules), and you embraced Ada without hesitation. “I’m not a hundred percent alright with this.” You admitted. “Ada, I’m terrified. But with what happened to John and Michael, and Arthur nearly being killed in his own factory...Ada I just want this to end.”
It was strange to see Ada, the girl you had long seen as an older sister and admired for her strength and tenacity, look so utterly shattered. You hadn’t seen her like this since Freddie died, and you felt bad for being responsible for Ada being in this state.
“But what if we never see you again?” Ada asked with a slight sniffle, clutching your arms like her life (or yours) depended on it.
“That won’t happen.” Polly said firmly. “I’ll make sure of it.” And she wrapped her arms around the two of you as she too started to cry.
The wait for Luca Changretta and his men at the train station felt like the longest wait in your life, longer even than during the war and you spent every day wondering when Arthur and Tommy and John would come home.
Ada was still holding your hand while Karl clutched her other hand. You weren’t sure what Ada had told him, or even if he understood what was happening. You would miss him too, him and Charlie and Billy. Like Finn before them you had helped care for them, becoming another open pair of arms they could turn to.
It suddenly occurred to you that Luca Changretta would no doubt expect you to give him children. The thought made you blush and you hoped he wouldn’t jump right into that straight away. You hadn’t even had sex yet, and only kissed a boy once.
‘If he wants children you’ll give him children.’ You told yourself firmly. ‘This is for the family. Think of the family.’
As the steam from the latest train to leave the station cleared away, a tall man dressed in black emerged, flanked by twelve other men. With each step the man came closer to you and when Tommy stepped forward to greet him, you knew that this was your new husband.
“Good to see that you’re keeping up your end of the bargain.” Tommy said.
“Of course.” Luca Changretta grinned, a toothpick situated in his mouth. “I’m a man of my word Mr Shelby.” He turned to you and Ada, dark eyes landing on you. “Name I presume?”
You felt your face flush. As men go, he certainly wasn’t bad looking. Rather the opposite in fact. “Yes Mr Changretta.” You said, offering the hand that had been holding Ada’s.
Luca Changretta raised a brow, and for a split second you genuinely feared that you weren’t up to his expectations and that everything would fall apart.
Instead, he took your hand and removed the toothpick from his mouth before kissing your knuckles. The act was surprising not just in it’s unexpectedness, but it’s tenderness too.
“You’re my wife now.” He said gently, his mouth mere centimeters away from your hand. “Call me Luca.”
“I...I…” Looking into Luca’s eyes, you found yourself unable to form words.
“Alright that’s enough.”
Tommy’s impatience broke whatever spell Luca had inadvertently cast on you and you would be lying if you said that you weren’t grateful. You went to pick up your suitcases, but three of Luca’s men beat you to it. Unused to this kind of treatment, you just stared at them dumbly, avoiding looking at Luca.
“We’ll send word once we’ve arrived in New York.” You heard him say.
“Good.” Was Tommy’s reply. “Then we can put this whole business behind us.”
There was a pause, and you were tempted to turn around to see Luca’s reaction, but your embarrassment prevented you from doing so.
A train attendant came out and started yelling for people with tickets to board the overnight train to London.
“Looks like we should go.” Out of nowhere, Luca hooked his arm through yours, more or less making you look up at him. He smiled down at you and you felt your face heat up again.
Before either of you could step foot on the train, Polly grabbed Luca’s arm. “Be good to her.” She said sternly.
To your surprise, Luca’s face became softer, almost gentle. “I will, don’t worry.”
With one last look at the family, and Small Heath and everything else you had ever known, you stepped onto the train.
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Roguish Women Part 5
Summary: Kate Rosseau is an American who fled to Paris to escape her past life. Now she's dancing and playing the part of a courtesan at the Moulin Rouge. There she meets Tommy Shelby who thinks she can be useful in expanding his empire. But has he been blinded?
Part 5: Kate crashes a Shelby family occasion. 
Happy new year! Let me know if you’d like to be tagged in this fic!
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            Johnny Dogs met them half a mile from the Lee’s campsite. He carried a pole with a white scarf tied to the top. “I got you ten minutes with her.” He clarified.
            Kate stepped out and gave Tommy a concerned look. “Are you walking me into a war zone, Mr. Shelby?”
            “They respect the white flag.” He responded, neither confirming nor denying.
            She sighed and shut the car door. “Well, at least I’m never bored when I’m with you, Tommy Shelby.”
            He pulled out a cigarette, shrugged and began walking.
           ~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
            Once the camp came into view, Kate said a prayer under her breath. Rumors told her that the Lees were not to be messed with. But it seemed that’s exactly what Tommy was doing.
            People eyed them as they wove their way through vardos and fires. Kate couldn’t help but notice some of the men holding guns or clubs. Their menacing stares followed them but they didn’t advance. Maybe Tommy was right about the white flag. It kept them at bay.
            Eventually, they stopped at an intricately painted vardo. Johnny knocked on the door with the end of the pole while another man opened the door for them.
            “Stay out here,” Tommy spoke quietly to Kate.
            She raised an eyebrow. “You brought me all the way out here to stand around while you conduct business behind closed doors?” She hissed in disbelief. “Could’ve been doing a million other things right now.”
            Instead of explaining his reasoning, Tommy stepped up into the wagon and shut the door behind him.
            “Unbelievable,” Kate muttered under her breath and took a seat on the steps.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
            After negotiating with Zilpha regarding Billy Kimber and a betrothal, Tommy reached into his pocket for a cigarette.
            “What about the girl?” Zilpha asked in their native tongue.
            “Which girl?” Tommy asked as he struck a match.
            The matriarch nodded toward the door. “The American.”
            “She’s one of the clever minds I’ve collected.” He replied. “She’s my in with the American market. Should our alliance go well, I’ll share the wealth.”
            Zilpha just laughed a bit sarcastically. “You’re biting off more than you can chew, chavi. What happens when this all catches up to you? How long do you think you can run from the devil before he catches you?”
            “I’ll worry about that when he catches me.” Tommy stood and stepped back outside.
            Kate lifted her head when the door opened. “Oh, thank God, these men will not stop staring at me.” She glanced over at some of the Lee men who had kept a steely eye on her and Johnny. They hardly flinched, staying almost as still as soldiers, their hands never leaving their rifles. “I was afraid they were going to start using me as target practice.”
            Tommy offered a hand to help her stand up from the steps. “All’s well now.” He assured her and began walking back toward the car with Johnny.
            “Well, I was never meant to be involved in this. I told you the information I would give you and you’ve been yanking me ‘round trying to do other little odd jobs.”
            Tommy looked a tad amused. “Don’t think I would want to see you try to break in a horse.” He replied.
            Baffled, Kate stopped in her tracks. “What on Earth is that supposed to mean?” She threw her hands up.
            Johnny and Tommy just shared a chuckle.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~
            Kate let Tommy drive on the way back. They were quiet for a bit until she grew restless and curious. “So, you were raised somewhere like there? In a camp like that?” She asked.  
            “On and off.” He replied curtly. His childhood wasn’t the burning subject on his mind. He was trying to conjure up the perfect plan to kill Billy Kimber. It was not a time for reminiscing on his shitty childhood.
            “You lived in Small Heath sometimes too?”
            “Yes.”
            Kate studied his face, the way his blue eyes stared straight ahead at the road. A hardened expression giving her indications that he wasn’t keen on talking about it. And yet, she continued on. “What was it like?”
            “We were poor. I was born on a fucking boat. I learned to ride and shoot a gun before I even attended school.” He listed off with a tone of finality. “What matters is right now. Can’t keep looking back.”
            “Sometimes if we forget where we came from, we lose the path ahead of us.”
            “That another philosophy from your Bohemians?” Tommy looked for a way to steer the conversation away from himself.
            “No, it’s something I’ve learned over the years.” She glanced out the window watching the outskirts of Birmingham pass by. The empty fields and stone walls lining the road. “Our past will always be a part of us whether we like it or not. It’s something we can’t escape.”
            “What can’t you escape?”
            Kate smiled and glanced over at him. “So many things, Nature Boy. Just like you.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
            After saving her from certain assault, Kate got closer to Grace. It was nice having someone to talk to who wasn’t overly suspicious all the time. Grace was at the right enough distance from the Shelby family to make acquaintance with Kate. Not in too deep but not too far away either.
            Tommy was still busy with his own work that he neglected the leads Kate had given him. So, she found herself bored more often than not. To pass the time, she went to the Garrison to chat with Grace and help her around the pub.
            While they weren’t sharing their deepest secrets with one another, they did get along. Kate found the soft-spoken barmaid pleasant to spend time with. The blonde was certainly unlike the women she spent time with at the Moulin Rouge. She smiled more and sang often. Clear signs that the light in her eyes hadn’t been snuffed out.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
            One evening, Kate was nursing a gin at the bar. Grace was sweeping up as they talked idly. For some reason or another, Kate suddenly noticed the sun had begun to set. She wasn’t sure she’d ever seen the Garrison empty past noon.
            “Where is everyone?” She asked.
            “Tommy said there’s a family occasion,” Grace replied, walking back over to the bar.
            “Family occasion?”
            “He told me not to ask questions.” She shrugged and rearrange a few bottles on the shelves. “It’s in my contract.”
            “That’s why I never sign anything. Don’t need some fucker holding my own signature over my head for leverage.” Kate grumbled. “What a lousy asshole for not inviting us. At least you, you know him better than I do. I see the way he looks at you.”
            Grace’s cheeks flushed pink and she hid an embarrassed smile. “But I’m not family.”
            “Fuck that.” Kate finished her gin and stood up. “Let’s go crash this occasion of theirs.”
            The other woman chuckled but shook her head. “I have to mind the bar.” She reminded her. “And I don’t think Tommy would appreciate if we did that.”
            “Well, I’m bored and fuck what Tommy says. Sure you don’t want to come?” Kate went to retrieve her coat.
            Grace’s brow wrinkled with concern. She could only imagine the anger on Tommy’s face if Kate showed up unannounced. “Why don’t you just stay with me here? You can keep me company.”
            “I’ll be back later once Tommy kicks me out,” Kate smirked and left before Grace could stop her.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~
            It wasn’t hard finding the wedding reception. Mostly because there were fireworks being lit up. Kate found her way to the Lees camp again where the party was in full swing. She had enough alcohol in her system not to really care what people thought. If Tommy wanted to trust her then he would need to give her chances. Keeping her at bay at all times would prove nothing.
            Besides, Kate had decided that it was her new course of action. Tommy wasn’t the only one planning to profit off of their relationship.
            The wedding guests were all substantially drunk. Music was being played and people were dancing up a storm. Lanterns and torches lit up the affair and allowed enough light for Kate to find her way through the crowd.
            Unfortunately, Tommy found her first. He grabbed her by the arm and pulled her toward a makeshift table. “What the fuck are you doing here?”
            “Grace said there was a family occasion and I wanted to offer my well wishes.” She shrugged nonchalantly. “Who got married?”
            “For fuck’s sake.” Tommy ran a hand over his face. Luckily for Kate, he wasn’t really in the mood to make a fuss about her intrusion. He sat down at the table and pointed to where people were dancing. “John did.”
            Surprised, Kate glanced over her shoulder to see the younger Shelby brother with a pretty brunette by his side. “I didn’t know he was engaged.”
            “Yeah, neither did he,” Tommy muttered and took a long drag of his cigarette.
            Polly walked over with a worried expression. “You should tell Ada to slow down.” She looked at Kate in acknowledgment but apparently there were more pressing matters at hand.
            Tommy just snorted a bitter laugh, looking out to where his heavily pregnant sister was spinning about like a madwoman. “Think she’ll listen to me?”   
            “Your sister?” Kate had yet to meet Ada due to circumstances with Freddie Thorne. But she had heard the name swirling around. Mostly agitated whispers and grumbles of betrayal.
            “She’s been drinking, oh Christ, Tommy please.” Polly urged him. Looking worn out, Tommy stood up and went to approach his sister.
            Zilpha Lee smiled a bit curiously at Kate. “You’re the American girl Tommy brought along the other day.”
            “Oh, yes.” Kate nodded.
            The older woman stubbed out her cigarette and nodded. “He’s got plans for you, chavi.” Her tone was playful there was a hint of warning laced underneath.
            Kate didn’t have the chance to reply. The dancing was suddenly interrupted by Ada Shelby shouting drunkenly at Tommy. “And he tries to kill his own brother-in-law!”
            The rest of the Shelby family went to step in and even Kate walked over just in case things broke out in a fight. But the mood changed just as suddenly as the argument had broken out. Ada let out a pained groan and began breathing heavily.
            Polly exclaimed in shock. “Holy shit, water.”
            Tommy immediately stepped into action, placing his coat over his sister’s shoulders and starting to move her away from the party. But he paused for a second. “Kate, come along.”
            Startled and not about to argue with the family in a crisis, she ran after them.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
            Kate wasn’t sure what she was getting herself into as she was hurried into a car with John, Arthur, and Esme. But she felt she wasn’t in any position to step away. She’d crashed the wedding and now she was really paying for it.
            Once they arrived at the flat, Kate got out of the car looking at Tommy in disbelief. “What am I doing here?”
            “Me sister’s giving birth, she’ll need all the help she can get.” He replied, not looking too concerned over the situation now that the women were apparently in charge.
            Her eyes widened at him. “You think just because I’m a woman I’ve got experience with children? Oh yeah, sure I’ve delivered plenty of babies, hundreds even!” She smacked him with her purse. “I worked at a fucking brothel, pregnancies were cut short. I don’t know the first thing ‘bout childbirth.”
            “I’m sure you give great moral support though.” Tommy placed his hands on her shoulders and steered her toward the door where Esme and Polly had gone through. “Breaking in a horse, Kate.”
            “I still don’t know what that means!”
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~
            The room was chaotic with Ada’s screams and Polly and Esme trying to get the baby out safely. Kate was in a state of shock and could only hold Ada’s hand as she wailed in pain. The Shelby sister’s grip was like an iron and Kate was afraid she was going to break a few fingers in the process.
            “We need to move her to all fours,” Esme said and Polly agreed. The two women helped Ada forward and Kate was pushed back a bit. Unfortunately, that gave Kate a good view of the birth in progress. The sight was too much for Kate. Her eyes rolled back and she fainting, dropping to the floor like a dead weight.
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