#charlie shelby

[sparksetfire]

TOMMY SHELBY -PEAKY BLINDERS. 4.05-

#tommy shelby #polly gray #peaky blinders #peaky blinders gifs #gifs #cillian murphy #charlie shelby #peakyblindersedit #tvgifs #tvedits #polly lighting his cigarette is so dear to me :((

[kkurades]

˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆ RED LIPSTICK ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

━━ you feel flattered when charlie shelby asks to marry you while your husband feels like he could strangle his nephew

word count: 2014

pairing: fem!reader x john shelby

warnings: none

The Shelby's were always your family.

From a young age, you had been a Shelby. Even though you weren't blood-related, they were more of a family than your actual family could ever be.

While you and Ada were nearest in age, you had always been closest with John.

It didn't matter whether you were two youthful teenagers messing around or two passionate lovers who tried to find their place in the world.

You and John had always been each other's priority.

So, it came as no surprise when you turned out being pregnant by John at the age of sixteen.

You and John happily married each other as Arthur walked you down the aisle.

The day that your first daughter had been born was the day that John vowed to you that he would grant you more children if that was what made you happy.

So, you had five more kids after Katie.

Even though your life was far from ideal, you still loved it with every fiber in your body.

John was an incredible husband. He was always faithful to you and constantly made an effort to spend as much time as he could with you and the kids.

A particular thing that he loved to do was to spoil you. Anytime you even merely glimpsed at a dress, the following day it would be hanging in your wardrobe.

You had frequently told John that he didn't have to purchase you expensive items, but he constantly said that he loved to do it.

Tonight, you were wearing a black dress that John had bought you for a gala that would be hosted by one of Tommy's business partners.

You were seated on the bench that stood in front of your bed as you slipped on your heels. A giggle escaped your mouth as you felt John's wet kisses on the side of your neck as he crept onto you from behind.

“John, we can't do this right now,” you said while your husband wrapped his arms around you.

“We can do whatever the fuck we want,” he muttered against the base of your throat as his hands roamed over your body.

You tilted your head back onto his shoulder, which gave him more access to your neck.

“Fucking hell, love,” John mumbled as a grin appeared on his chiseled face.

Just before he could get any further, you heard the door to your shared bedroom open, revealing your third-born son.

“Mummy! Tell Katie to stop putting makeup on me!” He cried out, entirely ignoring John who looked like he was done with his life.

John loved your kids, he really did. But he can't stop questioning why they won't ever leave the two of you alone for more than five minutes.

Fred ran over to you before leaping onto your lap as he buried his face into your neck, which John had been harassing a few moments prior.

“Bloody hell, Fred. What'd Katie do to your face?” John asked his son as he caught a glimpse of red lipstick smeared all over his face and a deep green eye shadow covering the lids of his eye.

“She put it all over my face!” He hissed while he attempted to conceal his face into your neck as deep as he could.

“That's not true, mum! He asked me to do it for him!” You heard Katie yell from her room while Fred settled down in your arms.

John let out a groan before getting off the bed to get a damp cloth to get the cosmetics off his son's face.

While he went to the bathroom, you caressed Fred's back soothingly which lulled him to sleep along with your consoling flower perfume which you had applied earlier that evening.

When John returned, you carefully turned your son in your arms before softly wiping the makeup from his face.

After having made sure that his face was spotless you stood up to carry him to his chamber while John watched you quietly.

You put Fred to bed before making sure that all of your other children were all safe and sound in their beds.

You kissed them all on their forehead as they told you a 'goodnight mum' before you switched off the light and made your way back to your shared room.

When you entered your room, you noticed John slumping against the headboard while he stared at the wall opposite of him.

“John?” You leaned against the door frame as he glanced at you before he clambered off the bed and made his way towards you.

Your husband tugged you into his taller frame while kissing you gently. He kissed the corner of your mouth before he lowered his lips to your jaw. When he reached your neck, he instantly pulled back as a disgusted look was present on his handsome features.

You furrowed your brows curiously as he stormed off towards the bathroom that was attached to your bedroom.

A few moments later you followed him only to see him holding his tongue under the water.

When he looked up at the mirror where he saw your figure, he gestured to his neck as the water got all over him.

“Gret hot uhin mahuh aw awe joh ek,” he mumbled as you frowned with a perplexed look on your face.

“What now?” John rolled his eyes before repeating the same sentence. When he noticed that you weren’t going to comprehend what he said, he turned off the water before turning to you.

“Fred got fucking makeup all over your neck,” he snarled, which made you look in the mirror where you glimpsed red and green lipstick stained on your neck.

“Oh,” you simply said before grabbing a damp towel to get it off your neck while John went to change his clothes so that he would look appropriate tonight.

After having scrubbed your neck, you made your way downstairs. John was already waiting at the front door with an adoring smile on his face as you put on your coat.

“You ready love?” You nodded at your husband, taking his outstretched arm before making your way to his car.

During the car ride to the Arrow house, you chatted John's ear off, which he didn't mind even if he whined about it.

Briefly afterward, you reached your destination before you made your way inside where the rest of the Shelby's stood.

“You're finally here! I was beginning to think that you two got lost,” Arthur exclaimed as he caught sight of you.

“Nah, the kids were being pissy,” John wrapped his arm around your waist, catching the lingering stares of the men who surrounded you.

You greeted all of your in-laws before going to stand next to Tommy, who was supervising Charlie.

“How's Charlie?” Tommy turned to you, allowing his eyes to leave Charlie for the first time that night, which provided him the opportunity to take off.

“He's alright. How're the kids?”

“They're alright,” you echoed, which made his lips turn upwards slightly.

“I-” Tommy was rapidly cut off as he noticed Charlie nearing the two of you with a cheeky smile on his child like features.

You scrunched up your face in disarray at Tommy's interruption before you followed his sight line and noticed Charlie.

The young boy had slicked his hair back with water and had requested Polly to make sure that he looked decent.

The two of you silently stared at Charlie as he cleared his throat before extending his arm out towards you.

“Dear Miss. Y/l/n allow me this dance,” you noticed that he resorted to using your maiden name and that he addressed you with Miss instead of Mrs.

You and Tommy shared an amused glance before you accepted his offer.

“Of course Mr. Shelby,” you took his arm, having to bent down slightly because he was five.

He chose a spot in the middle of the room before he turned back to you and made you pick him up so that you were in the same eye line.

“You look extremely beautiful. As usual, of course,” he rambled nervously with negligibly flush cheeks while you danced softly from side to side.

“Thank you sir. You look very handsome if you ask me,” you remarked with a kind smile on your face, which made him giggle giddily.

John had been searching for you for the past ten minutes after having closed an agreement with one of their business partners.

He had felt exceptionally pleased with himself and was thrilled to tell his wife about his triumph.

When he asked Polly about your whereabouts, but she told him that she saw you last with Tommy.

So now he was making his way to his older brother who was staring off somewhere with a fond smile on his face while Arthur was cracking up beside to him.

“Tommy, have you seen Y/n? Can’t find her anywhere,” Tommy and Arthur turned towards their younger brother before they swapped an amused look.

“Careful there John-boy little Charlie is planning to steal your wife,” Arthur laughed loudly which drew in some unwanted attention.

John furrowed his brows as he followed Arthur’s finger which was pointing at Charlie, who had enveloped his legs around his wife’s waist while she swayed from side to side with a smile on her face.

“That little fucker,” John mumbled under his breath as Arthur laughed even harder if that was achievable, and a small grin arose on Tommy’s face.

Polly and Micheal drew near the brothers, having noticed them by Arthur's loud laughing.

“What’s going on?” Tommy grinned at his aunt and cousin as Arthur was practically rolling on the floor, while John didn’t keep his eyes off his nephew who had caught his stare and smiled mischievously at him which only aggravated him more.

“My nephew is a real lady’s man,” Both Polly and Micheal glanced at Charlie who was kissing your cheek while maintaining eye contact with his furious uncle.

Micheal grinned slightly as the corner of Polly’s lips turned upwards in amusement.

“I swear if he doesn’t get his fucking hands off my wife, I will,” John declared angrily before you caught them all watching you.

You smiled sweetly at your family, which made your husband smile back at you while Arthur was trying to retain his giggles.

When the song ended, you put Charlie down before he led you back towards the Shelby's who were watching you with amusement shimmering in their eyes.

John quickly took you back from Charlie, which made the small boy frown before he turned to his father.

“I want to marry Y/n,” he simply spoke.

Your eyes enlarged while you gaped at him, Arthur got into another fit of laughter while your husband looked ready to annihilate his nephew.

“No. Absolutely fucking not,” John stated, which made Charlie roll his eyes at his uncle.

“And why not?” He questioned sassy.

“She’s already married to me,” John replied, Charlie, walked over to you and held your hand while the rest of the family silently watched the scene unfold.

“So? She can divorce you,”

“She’s too old for you. She could be your mother. Besides, she’s your aunt,” Your husband looked ready to pulverize him.

“But if you two divorce, then she won’t be my aunt anymore. And any woman older than eighteen could be my mother. Didn’t you get her pregnant when she was sixteen?”

Micheal choked on his drink, and you stared at Charlie with a perplexed look on your face. Polly was full-on grinning, while Arthur was turning red from the lack of air.

“Get here you little shit,” Tommy held John back as his son backed into you, looking for your protection from your husband.

“I think you should run before your uncle catches you,” you whispered to Charlie, who nodded before taking off into the crowd.

“Well, that was fucking amazing,” Arthur spoke before downing his drink at once.

©cupidsheqrt , 2022.

#peaky blinders fanfic #peaky blinders masterlist #peaky blinders imagine #peaky blinders #john shelby #john shelby imagine #john shelby x you #john shelby x reader #tommy shelby #polly gray #charlie shelby #arthur shelby #micheal gray

[thomashelbyswife]

Tommy Shelby & Charlie Shelby - Peaky Blinders S3E1

#tommy shelby #thomas shelby #charlie shelby #peaky blinders #in the honour of my baby fever thank you lee all credit goes to you :') #oh my heart #cillian murphy #thomasshelbyedit #peakyblindersedit #tv #t'swifesgifs

[fangirlting]

Peaky Blinders S3 | Tommy & Charlie

#peaky blinders #peaky blinders edit #thomas shelby #tommy shelby #charlie shelby #tommy x grace #thomasshelbyedit #cillian murphy #my gifs

[madeinparadis]

NIGHTLY SORROWS | THOMAS SHELBY

pairing: thomas shelby × reader

tw: grief (reader is dead), angst

word count: 724

masterlist: all characters

a/n: this is more of a drabble, just a little something i wrote before bed. italics signal a flashback/memory.

Far into the winter, all of Birmingham was covered in fog and cold. The houses were dimly illuminated by the bleak sunshine during the day, then engulfed by darkness in the later hours, and Arrow House was no exception, looking and feeling particularly gloomy. Despite all efforts done by staff to make it warm and hospitable for its owner, the most important part of it was lost forever, and could never be replaced- you.

The clock on the bedside table read one o'clock. Tommy sat in what was once your shared bed, now only his. His mind was playing tricks on him yet again, clouding his conscience with visions of you, the feeling of longing and regret leaving a bad taste on his tongue.

No matter the circumstances, Thomas Shelby wouldn't ever say he is an emotional or sensitive man. With all the horrors he's seen, all the men he's brutally murdered, the business he leads, there was just no space in his life for feelings. Even so, that doesn't mean they didn't plague him- in fact, they took over his mind at every given chance. Every time he let himself breathe and relax his muscles, he was taken there, to a place where you exposed the thoughts and emotions buried the deepest in his consciousness.

"Tom?" you called, a smile painted on your face. Oh, this was one of his favourite memories. "Look, I want you to see this." your request caught his attention, making him glance up at you, taking notice of the new garments on your frame. "What do you think?" you gestured at your outfit. "The seamstress finished it earlier today. I'm thinking of wearing it the charity event next week."

If only he didn't take you to that ball...

"It looks perfect. you're always beautiful, love." Tommy replied, watching you change back into your nightgown, joining him in bed- back when it was still both his and yours to share.

"Fuck." he spoke in a low, tired tone. He had to get his shit together, stop reminiscing, he thought to himself. Well, perhaps later he would- for now, he wanted to keep you around, in whatever way possible.

The hours went by as Thomas drowned himself with work in the office, a poor attempt to drown out the thought of you. He got up from his chair, dragging his tired self to the cabinet and pouring himself a glass of whisky. Sitting behind the desk again, he drank up the contents of the glass in one uninterrupted take, setting it on the wooden desk quite harshly.

For a second, his head was empty. Then, there you were- the vision of your ghost like an oasis sighting to him. You took a step closer to him, standing behind the office desk as you rested your hands on his shoulders, earning a relieved sigh from Tommy, who leaned into your touch almost desperately.

"Did you miss me, darling?" Your voice was like medicine to his soul, making the pain drift away while he heard it- except it made his heart ache even more after, when he was reminded you weren't truly there anymore.

"Everyday, love." He replied with a tormented tone.

"You know you can't keep living like this, Tom. Our son needs a father." You spoke softly. "He needs you."

"There's no joy in this house without you, (y/n). Charlie misses you just like me, everyday."

You remained silent for some time, offering comfort with your touch rather than words. Tommy accepted every gesture of yours, taking every second he could get with you.

"It's not your fault, Tom. There was nothing you could do to prevent that bullet from reaching me." You spoke up again, kneeling down until your lips reached his ear. "Do you remember my last request to you, just before I died?"

"To be good to Charlie, take care of him." The expression on his face was pained as he answered your question, reminding him of your last moments on earth.

"Exactly. Have you gotten him a horse yet?"

"Yes. I bought him one for Christmas, a good breed."

"That's good. Be patient with him, Tom. He's got a strong-willed spirit like yours."

Tommy felt your lips on his cheek, looking up to see your face. But just like that, you were gone once more.

#madeinlisbon #thomas shelby #thomas shelby x reader #tommy shelby #tommy x reader #peaky blinders #cillian murphy #cillian x reader #charlie shelby #peaky blinders fanfic #grace shelby #arthur shelby #john shelby #winter #angst #drabble #my writing

[padfootdaredmetoo]

Hi so I have a kind of specific request but it doesn’t matter at all what you do with this information could I request a Thomas Shelby and reader fic where the reader only has one eye after some form of circumstance (it can be completely up to you if you want to list it) and after that they are rendered emotionless and have no care for what happens to themselves or others and towards the end they show some form of emotion (example would be a small smile or Wrinkle of the eye to show a form of gratitude etc) this was out of the blue and I thought it sounded cool so I thought I’d request (I’ve never requested something in my life from here)

Dear Anon,

I loved this request. I changed a couple things up a bit and hope that's alright. I'm always struggling to find gifs for fics and thought I would try out making little pictures for it.... not sure how I feel about it yet. Anyway thank you for waiting so long, hope you enjoy it!

Warning: reader got injured as a child and has lasting damage from it

Tommy was never sure what to think of you, he wondered if that’s how people felt about him. You had an elegant voice, the kind that made him think without a doubt that you could sing. It was soft and feminine, none of which reached your features. You were very pretty but completely unemotional. There was a large scar over your eye, but you didn’t cover it. The pink glass orb replacing your right eye was sparkly, part of him thought you enjoyed how unsettled it made people. But that would imply you enjoy things at all. 

He could set you on a task and you would always come back in a timely fashion giving him a nod then going back to your desk at the betting shop. You stayed out of trouble, kept out of family drama, so much so that it made him feel the need to keep a closer watch on you. 

All day you were professional, speaking the bare minimum. You drank black coffee but only once it was cold and took small sips. You would give John a swift shake of the head when he offered you a glass of whiskey. 

He could tell you gave John the creeps, John would talk for hours if you let him, and you would barely give answers to his questions.

“I don’t know how you trust her.” John had whispered to him before running out the door. He wondered this himself. 

“Where bout’s do you live, love?” Tommy asked coming over to stand in front of her desk. 

“A few blocks away.” You said softly, he hated how badly he wanted to hear you continue. 

“Want me to walk you home.” For her protection, he told himself. With the days getting shorter he should make sure someone walks her home. 

“No thank you, Mr. Shelby.” You said politely. 

“Call me Tommy.” He said wanting things to become more casual between the two of you. 

“Tommy,” She said his name in a way that made his heart lurch. He knew he was in trouble. Your green eye looked at him with a cold stare. Surly he could make you feel something if you gave him the chance. 

“Well, help me carry something to the pub then? That on the way to yours?” 

“That would not be a problem.” You gave him a nod before he went into the back room trying to think of something to carry to the pub. He tossed some bottles into an old crate. Coming back into the main room he watched you pull your jacket on. 

He Put the crate down on the desk and pulled out his wallet. He handed it to you and picked up the crate of empty bottles. Your expression was the usual stony mask not even a hint of confusion. 

“Ready?” You gave a nod then followed him out. 

“I’ve never had someone want to walk be home this badly before.” Her voice had him feeling tangled up inside.

“It’s dark.” He said dismissively. 

“As it is every night.” She said softly. She wasn't going to let him win, he couldn't think of anything to say as he felt your eye on him again.

You followed him to the pub and he left the crate at the doorstep. You stared at him for a long moment and he swore he saw a slight twinkle in your eye.

You turned on your heel, moving into the dark alley way. You lifted your arm up showing you still had his wallet. 

Tommy didnt need more of an invitation. 

____________________________________

Tommy walked you home every night, and every night you left him on the doorstep. You avoided gatherings at the Garrison, so that was his only real time with you. A part of him felt that he should be asking you questions, try to figure you out. But the desire to be silent with someone was greater than his curiosity. 

This routine continued as the nights got colder and he wondered if you enjoyed it at all. 

The shop was closing up and he was making his last phone call. You were organizing the papers on your desk. The door opened to the shop and Charlie ran through. Tommy’s stomach clenched wanting to know why he wasn't home with Polly. He assumed the boy would come right to him and continued his phone call while keeping an eye out. 

He went to you and he felt a sense of discomfort. Charlie wouldn't understand that you were closed off, he was only four. He came around the side of your desk and peered up at you. 

_______________________________________________

You were almost done you work when the door opened and shut, you paid it no attention as it probably didn’t concern you. You were about to open the bottom drawer of your desk when you saw a little boy peering around the edge of your desk. He was quiet and observant. You wondered what had messed him up to make him that way. Ah, yes this was Grace’s son, that explained it. 

“Are you a pirate?” He whispered, his eyes focused on the pink glass eye. 

“No, but I was taken by pirates when I was young.” You tapped your eye, feeling a flicker of enjoyment as the boys eyes got wide. 

“What happened!” He was so eager, and you remembered being that way as a child. You opened your top drawer and pulled out some candy you kept in there. 

You slid a piece across the table and the boy smiled. You felt Tommy come out of his office. 

“Maybe your dad will let me come over sometime for a bedtime story, I can tell you all about it.” You ruffled the boy's hair, knowing your words were more for Tommy than him. 

You gave the boy a smile, it took a bit of concentration but the boy took in a breath. You thought maybe it didn’t look right and that maybe you frightened him. 

“The pirates took you because you're so pretty.” The boy's eyes were wide. You let out a small laugh and winced with the familiar pain that followed. 

“Feel like a sleepover?” Tommy asked picking Charlie up. Typical Tommy, willing to use his kid as a bargaining chip. The boy clung on to his father but moved so he could keep looking at you. 

“No bottles for the pub tonight?” You were being cheeky, but he wouldn't understand that. 

“Nah, we can deal with it tomorrow.” 

You gave him a slight nod and followed the boys out of the betting shop. Polly was there talking to a lady in a house coat. You assumed they must have been neighbors at one point. She greeted Tommy with a smile but looked slightly startled to see you there. 

“Thanks Pol.” He said and she gave a warm smile to you. 

“You have a good night.” You gave her a nod then she continued her conversation with the woman. Tommy carried Charlie back to his car and he opened the passenger side for you. You got in, pulling your long skirt in after you. 

“Can I sit on your lap?” Tommy was closing the door and you held out a hand to the boy. He got settled on your lap and rubbed his cheek on the fur collar of your jacket. 

“So soft.” He murmured. You held on to the boy enjoying the embrace. Thankfully the boy was very still and easy to sit with. The drive was about a half hour and you realized Tommy added about 20 minutes to every night just to walk with you in silence. 

____________________________________________

You let the maid take your jacket and didn't miss the way Tommy’s eyes looked over your figure. You felt a twinge of anxiety, how badly you would like to be touched in a way that wouldn't hurt you. 

Charlie was rattling on about something and grabbed your hand leading you up to his bedroom. He showed you his various stuffed animals. Tommy took him into the bathroom to get him washed and dressed. 

“Promise you’ll wait!” He called out of the little attached bathroom 

“Promise.” You called back, you sat on his bed, and took in the space. He had a lot of books and soft toys. A knot in your throat formed as you felt the little girl in you scream in envy. You assumed Tommy had the same type of kid somewhere deep inside of him. His boy was kind and polite, observant and smart, and never had to worry about things. He had clean clothes, a nice room, books to learn from, and a dad who came home every night. 

He might have been smoking and drinking, murdering after breakfast, whores for lunch. But you knew that unless he was away for business, Tommy came home to his kid. It was a work ethic you had a great deal of respect for. 

The boy ran out of the bathroom in a soft pin-striped pj set and took a leap up onto the bed landing next to you. 

“Now tell me about the Pirates.” He said with hungry eyes. 

“Well, it all started when I was small.” You told him a wild story. About being left behind by your family, how the forest took you in as one of its own, growing up with magic. One day you were dancing along the cliffs, spinning in the wind and singing, when a pirate captain snatched you right off the rocks. How he had carved out your eye in hopes of gaining the ability to see the magic in the forest. It didn't work and eventually, the mermaids crashed his ship, leaving you stranded in the water. You floated along until his dad pulled you out of the cut. 

“How did you survive in the water that long!” He whispered in awe. 

“My magic’s not in my lost eye, it's right here.” You pointed at your heart, wishing people could see more of it. 

“Can you get a blue eye so we can match?” He asked and you could feel Tommy’s discomfort. 

“I suppose I could try and ask the fairies to make me a new one.” 

“Time for bed Charlie,” Tommy said softly. 

“Will you come back again to visit?” Charlie said grabbing your arm as you tried to stand up from his bed. 

“That sounds like a nice idea.” You tried to smile again and it ended up as more of a wince. He didnt seem to notice. 

_______________________

You followed Tommy down the stairs, amazed he hadn't just taken you down the hall to his bedroom. Maybe you upset him, thinking about it you were a little bit gruesome with the details and Charlie was really small. 

You kept following him surprised when you moved away from the front door, he walked towards the other end of the house and then pushed open a heavy door. 

He pulled you into a warm and well loved kitchen. It smelled like lamb stew and you realised he was going to try and feed you dinner. You panicked slightly before taking a breath, he invited you to his home. If he doesnt like you, he doesnt have to have you back. 

He motioned for you to sit and poured two glasses of whiskey. 

“I have wine, gin -” 

“I can’t drink -” You said hoping you didnt seem rude. He simply raised and eyebrow and then put both gasses in front of his spot at the table. 

“No alcohol.” You clarified. 

“Oh, Tea, water, juice?” You thought about which would be easiest and settled for juice. 

“Juice please.” You watched him pour a glass of cranberry juice into a whiskey glass. 

You thought about sipping it but you felt too shaky at the moment. 

“So Pirates eh?” 

“Sorry if I scared him -” 

“Nah, he liked it. Got me curious as to what actually happened though” He brought you a bowl of stew and a spoon. You looked down at the inviting warm mixture. Would it be worth risking it? 

“Hmmm.” You sighed and then realized that he kept you around because of your work ethic, telling him the truth just meant he wouldn't have a romantic interest in you. A sadness flooded you but it was better to get these things over with. 

“Well, I dropped a glass in the kitchen when I was little. My dad hit me and I hit my head on the kitchen tiles. The glass got in my eye I have -” You took a shaky breath. “A lot of nerve damage in my face. Sometimes it’s a bit hard to talk or move my face. I’m in a great deal of pain everywhere most of the time actually.” 

Tommy studied you carefully. 

“I’m sorry.” The words hit you like a bus, another failed conquest. You took another breath. He motioned for you to eat and you looked down at the large pieces of lamb.

“Might not be graceful.” You whispered, hating the anxiety humming through you. Can’t he just say this won’t work out and take you home? 

“Nothing about me is graceful.” He shrugged. “Do you - Can I help?” his kindness took you off guard. 

“No thank you.” You took a spoonful of broth and slurped it down. It took you the better half of an hour to get the soup finished. Tommy talked though which was nice. He was quiet like you, something you enjoyed about his company.  

“Stay in my bed?” 

“Oh.” You wanted to say yes. Even if it was just for night you wanted to know what it felt like. “I’ve not - I don’t know if I ca -” 

“Just to sleep then?” 

“I can do that” You smiled knowing it was crooked and painful to look at. He smiled back at you and it was also pained and crooked. 

________________________

Her staying in Tommy’s bed for the night. Neither of them sleeps normally, so they end up talking for a lot of the night. He puts on some records and they lay in silence listening to the music. 

He stops seeing whores at lunch after that

After a while, it’s full-on dating and they prefer each other's company rather than lying awake alone. 

He notices her pain now and tries to help her out any way he can.

He asks her if touch is painful and she shrugs not sure how to give a solid answer - he tries a variety of things to make her feel good. 

Charlie is happy and likes your stories but understands that sometimes you can’t talk. He will sit next to you and make up his own stories to make you feel better.

#peaky blinders #tommy shelby #peaky blinders imagine #tommy shelby imagine #tommy shelby x reader #thomas shelby #thomas shelby x reader #charlie shelby #peaky blinders oneshot #peaky blinders fic #peaky blinders request

[auroracalisto]

colds in the winter — the reader falls ill in the middle of winter, worrying tommy and their son, charlie. tommy even goes as far as taking a day off to keep an eye on her. word count: 803 words tw: colds, slight!ooc tommy?? i feel like it could be interpreted this way, but i’ll leave that up to you to decide, fem!reader a/n: i’m always sick. you now have this as a result. :P also… ignore the totally lame title. LMAO

Winter had fallen upon Birmingham once more. Clouds constantly littered the grey skies, and rain fell far more often than you had liked. Snow would soon litter the grounds of your beloved home.  

Your coat was often glued to your shoulders, buttoned up your body for warmth. Without it, the temperatures would have you freezing, guaranteed to make you sick. However, your attempts of staying remotely healthy fell short of successful.

In a matter of days, the cold weather had taken its toll on you, leaving you lying in bed, staring up at the tall ceiling. Your nose stuffed up, your ears feeling as though they needed to pop. A raging headache had made its way to every corner in your head. The sun peaking through your bedroom curtains did little to soothe your aching body.

Thomas was nowhere to be seen. He must have left sometime in between your off-and-on sleeping that morning. You hadn’t even bothered to check the time, knowing it was well into the day. Thomas surely had been gone for hours.

With a groan, you forced yourself to sit up, rubbing your face with the palms of your hands.

The little patter of feet came rushing towards your bedroom door.  Charlie busted through, a smile on his sweet face.  

“Mum!” he quipped, rushing over to your side.  He reached out to you, expectantly waiting for you to pick him up.  

As you moved to do so, a cough emitted from your throat, soon followed by another, and then another.  You quickly covered your mouth with the inside of your elbow, moving away from Charlie.  You couldn’t risk getting your baby sick.  

“Charlie, what did I tell you?” Thomas said as he rounded the corner, coming into your shared bedroom.  “Leave your mother—“ 

Thomas stopped short as he heard your cough.  

“Are you alright?” he asked, coming over to your side.  “Should I call for a doctor?”

You curtly nodded, squeezing your eyes shut.  

“I had figured you were tired.  Tossing and turning all night,” Thomas frowned, leaning forward to pick up Charlie.  He sat him in his lap.  “I tried to keep him from bothering you, but it seems as though my attempts were futile.”

“You didn’t go to work?” you frowned as you looked up at him.

“No,” he shook his head.

“And why is that?” you questioned your husband. He hardly ever missed work. 

He pursed his lips, avoiding your gaze. “I had things I needed to take care of, here.”

“Like?”

“Mrs. Shelby, I did not come here to be interrogated.” he huffed, looking down at Charlie who was just giggling. Charlie looked over at his mother, smiling all the while. 

You couldn’t help but roll your eyes, leaning back against the pillows once more. “Well—” Before you could get a word out, you began to cough once more. You coughed into your elbow, but it only seemed to get worse with each one. 

Thomas quickly put Charlie tell, instructing him to tell the maid to call for the doctor. Charlie nodded and ran off to do as he was told, leaving his father with his sick mother. 

“I do believe this is the reason I stayed home,” he said, coming to your side. He gently pressed the back of his hand to your forehead, frowning. “You are warm. I would say you have a fever.”

“Then you most definitely should not be in here with me.”

He gave you a faint smile. “Mrs. Shelby, you are in no position to tell me what to do.”

You rolled your eyes again, huffing once more. 

He leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to the top of your head. “You will be alright.”

“It is merely a cold. No need for the dramatics.”

He grinned, his hand cupping the side of your face. 

“Perhaps,” he said. “I am not leaving your side until the doctor gets here.”

You frowned. “Well that’s preposterous. You should leave. Go to work. You’ve never missed for something so silly before.”

“My wife being sick is silly?” he questioned. 

Perhaps he had a point. He had many loves in the past who left him in a matter of seconds because of things far more drastic than just a cold—but the worry he had was justifiable. 

You sighed softly and closed your eyes. 

“Will you at least lie with me? Instead of hovering over me like that?”

He just smirked, sitting down beside of you. He wrapped an arm around your torso, pulling you close. He knew the maid would warn them before the doctor arrived, so he would have plenty of time to straighten himself up. But for now, he would hold the one woman who made these dastardly winters worth it all, even if he might end up sick as well. 

#thomas shelby #tommy shelby #tommy shelby x reader #thomas shelby x reader #tommy x reader #thomas x reader #reader insert #female reader #fem!reader #the peaky blinders #peaky blinders #peaky blinders x reader #the peaky blinders x reader #thomas shelby imagine #fanfic #fic #peaky blinder imagine #peaky blinders fanfic #charlie shelby #mom!reader

[loveisalwaystheanswer]

+ bonus

#tommy shelby #charlie shelby #johnny dogs #s3 #3.03 #peaky blinders #peakyedit #peakyblindersedit #userthea #usershelby #tvedit #tvgifs #liata edits #cillian murphy #cillianmurphyedit #tommy from s1 you were our favoutie horse too

[cljordan-imperium]

@runnning-outof-time - for your "Caught in 4K" Celebration

A little Tommy & Charlie fluffy happiness.

Tommy had been spending too much time in London, too much time at the Garrison, too much time away from home, and every time he turned around he swore his boy had grown an inch or more.  It was time that he let his brothers and Polly run things for a few days and took Charlie out to the country.  Just he and his son, be the father that he never had.  It was the one thing he swore he’d do when Charlie was born and he knew he’d been woefully neglectful of it.  However, it was never too late to start, and he’d made a promise to Polly to do better and if anyone could ride his ass to do it, it was Polly.

So, with bags packed, the car loaded, and Charlie just about bouncing out of said car, they pulled out of the drive and onto the main road that would take them out to the Shelby hunting cabin.  Now, the Shelby cabin was not like what most people would imagine a hunting cabin.  It was far from rustic and was always kept well stocked in case any of them needed to get away from the city for any reason.  It was just the place for a “boys weekend” for Tommy and his favorite boy.

As expected, once they were on the road, Charlie passed out in the passenger seat of the car and didn’t wake up again until they had arrived at the cabin.  It made Tommy chuckle, but there was something about watching his sleeping son that tugged at the tough gangster’s heart.  The boy was innocent, but he looked especially like an angel when he was curled up asleep.  There was no length he would not go to in order to keep the boy safe; no depth he would not plunge to in order to ensure that the life that he lived never even came near to touching him.

Once Tommy had pulled the car to a stop in front of the cabin, Charlie was awake in an instant and peppering his father with a thousand questions on what they were going to do.  Could they feed the ducks?  Would they fish?  Could they go for a walk? Did he think the black cat was still out in the barn?  Could they tell stories under the stars? Did he have to wear shoes?  Tommy wasn’t sure how his son was even taking breaths.  All he could do was laugh and shake his head as he got his son, and then their bags, out of the car and headed inside.  

Anyone who has ever tried to keep a small child inside on a beautiful, sunny day knows that it is an impossible task, and being a powerful gangster gives you no more influence over a child than anyone else.  So, before Tommy could turn around, Charlie was sprinting off towards the lake.  He knew how to take advantage of a turned back, much to his father’s chagrin.  Which meant that Tommy was off and chasing the giggling boy towards the lake.  Thankfully, Tommy was faster than his son and did not end up with a wet child in addition to a feisty one.

Once he had the boy’s small hand in his much larger one, they decided to take a walk around the property.  They found that the cat did live in the barn, and that it had apparently had a litter of kittens since the last time that they were out there.  One of said kittens ended up touring the rest of the property with them.  The ducks were happily swimming in the lake, and there were several spots that were perfect to be able to lay out a blanket and look up at the stars to be able to tell bedtime stories.  As long as there wasn’t rain, they might even be able to camp out one night if Charlie was very, very good.

Other than trying to sneak the kitten into the cabin later, Charlie made sure he was on his best behavior.  More than once Tommy caught him trying to mimic his behavior, saying that he wanted to be “just like daddy”.  It hit Tommy in the heart.  Maybe he wasn’t doing so bad as a dad after all.  Only time would tell, but if that round little face staring up at him like he was the best thing in the world was any indication, all hope wasn’t lost yet.

@evita-shelby @cillmequick @call-sign-shark @look-at-the-soul @zablife @raincoffeeandfandoms

#writeblr #peaky blinders #peaky blinder fanfic #peaky blinder imagine #tommy shelby #thomas shelby #charlie shelby #i tried #my writing

[sparksetfire]

you ever think about how tommy and aberama are both ambitious family-oriented men who both lose their wife and have hallucinations of her when under the influence of drugs and are both left with their son as the only memory of her and while aberama champions his son and does everything for him because he wants to celebrate that memory tommy pushes his son away to the point he doesnt even consider him his father because the memory of grace is too painful. you think about that

#peaky blinders #tommy shelby #thomas shelby #aberama gold #parallels #charlie shelby #bonnie gold #grace shelby #grace burgess #very interesting similarities between them considering hes supposed to be just a side character

[eu-nicola]

Tommy Shelby x Reader / part 2

part 1

part 3

summary: Your love for Tommy even protected him from his own actions

sorry english isn’t my first language

You were 19 when you met him and even though you already knew his name and who he was that was the first time you really met him. You remember having been delighted with that man who had just left the hospital after the death of his daughter and you really felt so sorry for him, you were moved to see him at the entrance comforting his wife who did not stop crying. After that you didn't see him again until a few weeks later with a blonde woman down a street, you watched them for a few minutes and then you had to leave.

From there he began to appear at every moment of your life, the first time both spoke he was courteous but not too much because he did not like to talk to people more than necessary, God or fate seemed to be on your side and he he kept appearing in your life, in a casual chat he told you that he was getting divorced and something inside of you maybe butterflies fluttered all over your being tickling you with happiness, since you saw him for the first time you always had a little hope in your heart that he noticed you despite your young age.

When both met he didn't speak and he didn't say more than necessary but you understood every gesture and little by little you understood why it was like that, you had met his brother Arthur and he had told you about the things Tommy had to go through and you felt sorry for him but you didn't want to say it maybe it would be disrespectful considering everything he did to get ahead for him and his family so you just didn't say anything, then every time you saw him you only saw a strong man capable of anything, you loved that.

When you were with him for the first time you almost begged him to take you as his and you didn't feel ashamed because you loved him so much that it burned your sane thoughts, he treated you so sweetly and you felt desired like never before, he had been the first man and you wanted him to be the only one. One time you even told him "Don't break my heart" and he obviously didn't say anything.

When you decided that you didn't want to be just one more you walked away from him with a broken heart and your thoughts scrambled. You spent a week at your mother's house in the room that was yours when you were a girl crying and being comforted by your mother. Every day your mother repeated to you that it was not your fault to be in love because no one can avoid falling in love. The day you made the decision to go back to your routine you found Arthur and he went crazy when he saw you, he told you that Tommy was looking for you all week and when he asked your parents about you they told him that you had taken a few days off far from everything.

You didn't want to see it because if it did you'd fall again and you didn't want to but fool Arthur had to convince you to see it one more time and so you did. That day Tommy and you found yourself in an alley far from the eyes of people where only you were calm, when you saw him arrive your heart raced and even more when he approached you and kissed you with all his being.

You cried so much when he stopped kissing you feeling like he was afar, after that he scolded you for making him look for you for a whole week to which you laughed at how he acted and for the first time he laughed too and it was the cutest thing you'd ever seen in a while.

—

When you agreed to marry him you knew the kind of man you would marry and you knew his past with his wife Grace and Lizzie and you were afraid that he would lose you like he did Grace and relapse into grief or cheat on you for not knowing what else to deal with the pain like he did with Lizzie but you did it anyway.

A few months later you were already at the altar walking towards him, you had already met his children and you had gotten along especially better with the youngest Charlie, he was a child who felt very lonely but now that you were here you really wanted to make him feel good and show him how much his father loved him even if he didn't show it.

Not even two months had passed since the wedding and you were already with pregnancy symptoms which tested positive when you visited a doctor, you were happy to have created a life with the person you loved and nothing could change it.

Except that from the day he found out you were pregnant he began to have more work or that's what he said and was never there, his son Charlie was the one who was happy to have a new brother or sister and loved to keep you company when his mother brought him to visit to see you.

One of the many times when your pregnancy was already very advanced he had come to spend the day with you trying to help as much as he could and while they were talking about the name of the baby you had not heard him but Tommy had come home early after so long.

continuation of part 1

“Tommy”. You said looking at him surprised to see him so early at home. "Could talk to you?". He asked.

"Yes of course". After that he sent his son to another room to be able to talk and he sat next to you to be closer. “Is something wrong Thomas?”. You asked worried.

"I haven’t been here for you and the child." He start. "But when i heard behind the door how my son didn't want to be like me i realized that I don't want our son to think the same of me."

"But he would never think that of you, listen to me." You told him while holding his face. "Since I found out everything that had happened to you i also saw and accepted that this could be difficult for me but I took it anyway and with that I took all the responsibilities by marrying you, you will be a good father I know because every day inside you try to get better even don't let others see it, I see it when every night you come home and lie down next to my belly to talk to our son trying to be a good father”. He looked at you as if he was the luckiest man to find such a valuable woman.

"But listen to me, how you try to be a good father to our child I want you to be for Charlie, he is still a child and he needs you more than anyone, please just get closer to him." "I promise you that I will do everything I can to be a good father to all my children.". You smiled at him and went to kiss his lips while he rested his hand on your belly.

"The baby kicked." He told you surprised. "He recognizes his father." You said with a smile.

#peaky blinder fanfic #peaky blinders #tommy shelby x y/n #tommy shelby x you #tommy shelby #tommy shelby x reader #thomas shelby #thomas shelby x reader #thomas shelby x y/n #charlie shelby #fanfic #cillian murphy #arthur shelby #grace shelby #lizzie shelby

[winnie-the-monster]

#peaky blinders #s5 #5x02 #rewatch #lizzie stark #ruby shelby #charlie shelby #thomas shelby #😭 he’s there but he’s not there

[weeo]

Masterlist

PEAKY BLINDERS - TOMMY / ALFIE

• Rum is for fun and fucking 🔞 - read on A03 / Tumblr

• And whiskey is for business 🔞 - read on A03 / Tumblr

• And the gin? 🔞 - read on A03 / Tumblr

•  What's Bred in the Bone Comes Out in the Flesh (Where the Waters Do Agree - Chapter 4) - read on A03 / Tumblr

• Trust me, I’ve got you - read on A03 / Tumblr

• Sleeping Beauty - read on A03 / Tumblr

• Pick 🔞 - read on A03 / Tumblr

• Knot 🔞 - read on Tumblr 

PEAKY BLINDERS - TOMMY / LIZZIE

• It’s still you anyway - read on A03 / Tumblr

• With spring comes new hopes - read on A03 / Tumblr (Lizzie & Ada)

PEAKY BLINDERS - TOMMY / FREDDIE

• The last time I saw the sun - read on A03 / Tumblr

• It’s been a long time - read on A03 / Tumblr

PEAKY BLINDERS - OTHERS

Tommy & Charlie

• The sun always rises - read on A03 / Tumblr

Tommy & Ada

• The Interpretation of Dreams - read on A03 / Tumblr 

Tommy & Polly + Tommy / Grace

• At least, the leaves were golden - read on A03 / Tumblr

CHALLENGE

• Peaky Season 6 Response Challenge - Final Masterlist

#I realized I had no masterlist I could pin! #so I did one #in the hope that it'll motivate me to write :D #it looks better on my blog than on the dashboard but yeah... #peaky blinders #masterlist #tommy shelby #alfie solomons #tommy x alfie #tofie #tommy x lizzie #lizzie stark #lizzie shelby #tommy x freddie #freddie thorne #tommy & charlie #charlie shelby #tommy & ada #ada shelby #lizzie & ada #tommy & polly #polly gray #tommy x grace #grace burgess #peaky blinders fic

[evita-shelby]

Made this for you @justrainandcoffee

Anyways Alfie runs into his ex at Jo's first Pride

While both were aware their daughters (and Charlie) are queer, none of the girls (and Charlie)knew their dads were exes

#solomons and shelby #diane shelby #allie solomons #jo solomons #charlie shelby #eva smith shelby #rose solomons #alfie solomons

[notyour-valentine]

Any headcanons about older Emma and Charlie? 🌷

🍷Join me for a Drink 🍷 - TBITW: Grown Emma and Charlie

[Celebration] [Celebration Masterlist] [Masterlist]

This was written as part of my Series The Boy in the Window and contains spoilers

Warning: WWII, Bombings, Injuries, mention of death and violence, medical treatments, sexism, mental health problems (18/21+). I do not consent to my work being translated, copied or posted elsewhere on this platform or any other.

Words: 1333

Tommy wants his children to go to the best possible school, which are mostly boarding schools, but can’t bring himself to send his children away. It is tricky to find a school, which takes both boys and girls but he won’t have them separated. 

In the end, they find a school which not only has both boys and girls from the age of sixteen, but also a looser boarding system, allowing them to come home on the weekend. 

For the first weeks, both parents are living in a rented house barely fifteen minutes away from the school in case the children need their help or want to go home. 

Especially Charlie is homesick at first, but he has Emma and knows he can go home every weekend, which makes the transition easier. 

At school, Emma excels at writing and speaking, at debating, mathematics and dramatic arts, while Charlie is excellent in biology, physics, chemistry, philosophy, literature and, like Emma, mathematics. He also starts to take an interest in drawing and poetry. 

She becomes an excellent equestrian, so good that if she were a man, she could have made the Olympic Team by a country mile. She isn’t though, and there are some things even Tommy can’t change, even if it makes his skin itch with anger. 

She is also an absolute heartbreaker, truly. But thankfully for Tommy’s nerves, she is never half as interested in a boy as she is in her horses, at least not until she is in her mid-twenties and falls head over heels

In my mind, independent of this story or any other Charlie becomes a doctor. He doesn’t seem to be all too like his father and I would love to see him pursue a more caring profession. It would also align with the charity work of the Shelby Family Foundation and while during WWII he would see more than his fair share of war, it would be vastly different from Tommy’s. 

By the time war breaks out, he would still be studying. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he would not be sent to France but stay in Birmingham and quickly rise through the ranks. He has nerves of steele and steady hands and is soon in the operating chamber day and night to save the lives of the people of Birmingham that are caught in the bombings

He comes of age during that time, not just legally, but emotionally. He sees things just as bad if not worse than his father has seen in France, has decisions to make that are tricker than his fathers, different, yes, but no less easy. Practise makes perfect and soon he has the duties of doctors far his senior. He has the talent, the cool head and the dedication

During that time, he falls in love with a nurse. She is just as tough as she is and not at all content with keeping her mouth shut. She knows exactly what she is doing and is not shy to stand her ground, against anyone, no matter how rich or powerful or threatening. 

He falls for her when they are in a bomb shelter and she is helping a woman deliver a child - it is the one time Doctor Shelby is close to losing his cool - an operation is one thing, but an unmedicated childbirth in the middle of an airstrike is a whole other thing, but she has nerves of steel and takes charge. 

Within weeks she becomes his closest companion and ally. They pull each other through the war, after which they get engaged, however it would be years before they get married. She goes off and studies medicine in her own right first, and is one of the first women in England to keep her maiden name as a professional name since it would be very confusing to have two “Dr Shelby”s working at the “Shelby Family Hospital”. 

The war causes Tommy’s mental health to turn for the worse; he blames himself for everything that happens, every death, every injury, every ruined building in the city. He has plans of course, for evacuation, for rebuilding, but he doesn’t have the strength to carry them out. Guilt, fear and PTSD renders him incapable of most things, even of engaging with the general public - of being the Tommy Shelby the world, and especially the city knows and respects. 

In this time, it is (Y/N) that holds him together, if so barely. She is the one behind the scenes, caring for him, caring for others, managing his housing project, that turned into a refugee project, but behind the scenes work is not good enough in a situation like this. 

So Emma steps up. 

And how she steps up! Having always been a charismatic, charming girl, she had grown into a confident young woman, adopting a signature red lipstick and matching red ribbon in her hair to keep it out of her face. It looks strange at first, but before long it is the single most recognisable style in the city. 

Many people are sceptical about leaving their city homes for refuge in the country, but the Shelby name, the Peaky Blinder’s reach, Ada Thorne MP’s influence and Emma’s charm is enough to convince most, even if it means she has to go knocking from door to door. 

It isn’t known how many lives they saved, but when the bombs fall on all industrial cities, a large part of Birmingham is already empty, having relocated to all those country mansions Tommy had bought up earlier. 

Those are managed by (Y/N), while Emma becomes pivotal for moral and communication in the city. The Major, the MP, the Home Secretary and the War Minister, they are all well and good, but Miss Emma’s word is more often than not the deciding factor.  This irks some of the old guard in the ministeries and when they send a young officer from an old family, to investigate, and to ensure that everything runs in the proper order of things while removing “that girl” without any official position from influence. The visit goes as bad as possible, and he makes an utter fool of himself, and has to eat his words within an hour of meeting her. Birmingham is a Shelby city, and he quickly learns that Emma’s word holds much more sway than any official piece of paper. 

It is only incidental that he requests leave for a follow up and quickly puts in a recommendation to grant more power and presence to community leaders instead of solely to military officials in this city and others. 

When he asked Emma if she would go dancing with him, she said she would only go if he could beat her in a horse race. In the end, after the war was done, she beat him at an embarrassing scale, and he lost his chance to take her dancing. So she took him instead. 

The war turns Tommy into an old man. There is no other way to put it, and even after it is finally over, recovery is slow, but still he doesn’t want to let go of the reigns of the company completely. 

Charlie was practically running the foundation and the take over was only a formality. He would expand the medical care for impoverished families, healthcare, medical research etc. 

And Emma’s charm, people skills and general knowledge are decisive in shaping the company in a post WWII world. They mainly take on the task of rebuilding infrastructure, mainly housing, in the big cities. Before long, he realises that Emma has what it takes to lead the company with Ada. While he never leaves an advisory position, he keeps handing her more and more control. This happens due to his age, his trust in both of them, his acceptance that the world is changing too fast for even him to keep up and the arrival of his grandchildren, who keep him more than busy enough.

End

I want to thank you for participating in my celebration and for expanding on this. I hope you like this little headcanon.

Taglist

Overall

@lilyrachelcassidy @jyessaminereads @chlorrox @watercolorskyy @books-livre @quarterpastmidnight  @lilyevanswhore  @polishcrazyone  @zablife  @just-a-harmless-patato  @stevie75 @flyingjosephine-blog @runnning-outof-time @babayaga67 @butterfly-skinnylegend @shelbydelrey @mrkdvidal1989 @raincoffeeandfandoms

Tommy

@knowledgefulbutterfly @babayaga67 @signorellisantichrist @lespendy @geeksareunique @look-at-the-soul @lothbrokcore @rangerelik

#valentines1k #valentineswritings #valentinesheadcanons #join me for a drink #the boy in the window #tbitw #tommy shelby #thomas shelby #tommy shelby x reader #thomas shelby x reader #tommy shelby imagine #thomas shelby imagine #tommy shelby fluff #thomas shelby fluff #tommy shelby family fluff #thomas shelby family fluff #charlie shelby #charles shelby #charlie shelby headcanon #charles shelby headcanon #charlie shelby imagine #charles shelby imagine

[lethargicmouse]

lizzie and tommy (:

I’ve always been a fan of Lizzie. I found her character so interesting, solely because I found her to be so tough, but also have so much love and femininity to her. However, I also liked Grace– she was strong and cunning and dang she fell for a gangster! However, I felt her character was underbaked (because she literally died. Great for Tommy’s character development– bad for Grace). What prompted me to write this all out was me running out of Lizzie and Tommy fics to read and turning to Tommy and Grace fics. The first (and frankly only one I read), was Thomas Shelby laughs in his sleep, or at least he used to.  by @i-just-look-at-pictures on AO3, and it really fleshed out Grace’s character for me, it filled in the holes in their relationship that the show didn’t cover. It made me realize how stark (haha), the differences between both relationships are. Grace gave us the forbidden love, marriage trope, love at first sight type deal whereas Lizzie gives us the redemption arc (literally RUBY.) and a slow burn. 

In my first watch-through of Peaky Blinders I loved Tommy and Grace’s dynamic– and I still do; however, after watching it back it was not the most healthy thing on the planet. But really what relationship with a man like Tommy can be? For me Tommy’s love for Grace was an obsession– she was a perfect posh girl and man, how could a girl like her fall in love with a guy like him?! But she did, because Tommy really liked her so he was soft Tommy with her. (That is why she fell in love with him, not like May who liked him for the thrill of a gangster– no shame on May, though. She is a strong woman who knows who she is. And I would totally fall for a hot gangster, too.) Grace challenged Tommy in ways women hadn’t before (excluding Polly because she’s more like a mother figure to him); however, she accepted him for the dirty gangster he was and didn’t try to fix him (because she was just as dirty as he was. Also, a lot of people say that Grace was Tommy in girl form– but helloooo ADA?!). For me, this is neither good nor bad, well maybe a little bad. Like I said before, Grace challenged him, but not in the ways that I feel like could’ve benefitted Tommy as a person, but then again Tommy wouldn’t have dared to soil his perfect Grace with the dirty dealings of the illegal business. So it was a fault all around, really, in my opinion. Grace could’ve thrived in the illegal business dealings (she’s a smart girl!), but it was the illegal business that was her demise. (I don’t believe for a second Lizzie had any intention of starting a war, and she didn’t start it. John did. Lizzie just wanted a normal life. But did she really like Angel, orrr was he a distraction from Tommy? We all know the truth.) Tommy ruined Grace, but look at how her death ruined him. Her apparition (originating from the stupid drugs) is the personification of his guilt. Grace doesn’t call him to the afterlife– his guilt for his gang business does! 

Lizzie however, was different. She was involved in the dirty business from the beginning. She knew who Tommy was pre-war, and she knows who he is now. And look at how she hoisted herself up out of the gutter. She took those typing classes to stop whoring. She tried to get out of it with John (but we all know how that went– and I personally don’t think that was Tommy keeping Lzzie for himself, that was Tommy protecting John). She took the initiative to clean up her life and Tommy just aided her in the fact by giving her a job (truthfully, all he has ever helped her with was money). Regardless of all that, I truly believe (and it’s evident–blatantly obvious even) that she was in love with Tommy from the beginning. Two of my favorite Tommy and Lzzie scenes are as follows: the one where she asks him to pretend like they’re ordinary people (kills me every time. Hurts my soul. My poor baby Lizzie girl.) and the typewriter scene where he offers her the job (the manner in which he went about it was stunning. I would’ve died.) 

As the story goes, Tommy goes back to Lizzie relatively quickly after Grace dies (excluding the Tatiana madness). I’ve seen posts that blame Lizzie for this, that she jumped on Tommy after Grace died because she was jealous. I have no doubt in my mind she was jealous– but she has enough decorum to withhold that and act like a lady. Lizzie grounds Tommy. Yes, they were toxic (My property? Not cool. Infidelity? Not healthy! Telling her to abort the baby? Nooo thanks– and she was so excited! “A piece of me and you” CRYING); however, I feel like they understood each other on another level. They’ve known each other for what, 15+ years? And they’ve been married for what, 8 of those years? Gosh, they know each other inside and out. Their relationship, obviously, is very sexually based. Lizzie was a whore for pity’s sake, and Tommy himself is probably the biggest whore on the show (literally seducing poor Jessie Eden for personal gain?!). I’m sure Lizzie was able to read Tommy like an open book and vice versa! Just look at how they push each other's buttons! Him telling her he still pays her for it, and her giving him the bullets in the mud. Neither was a good situation– a) that’s a horrific way to push someone when you know that bothers them b) that is not how you deal with a suicidal person. But look at all that harm and trauma we see they cause each other because of years of hurt from each other and others.  This is where we see Lizzie break for the first time, in my opinion. For her family comes first, even over her one-sided love, and Tommy was willing to break that family. 

Lizzie’s two best qualities (but perhaps it was also these that lead to her demise) were her unwavering loyalty and her ability to care. The former is probably why I relate to her so much. Even after Tommy screwed up her first chance at a normal life with John, left her to get raped at Epsom, told her she was property, let Diana publicly humiliate her, mocked her attempts at divorce, told her to abort their child, (I’m sure there’s more) she stayed. Because she freaking loved him and cared for him. He trusted her as a secretary to have a foot in both businesses, but he never trusted her like he trusted Grace (which is completely ironic to me because Grace betrayed all of them. But look at how much he is like Lizzie in this way. Forgiving personal transgressions because you love them sooooo much.), because he trusted Grace with his head– not the business. Lizzie was the opposite. Her loyalty to him was intertwined with her ability to care. Like the man himself said, “It was you who stopped my heart from breaking”. I’m not the best writer, but aniray conveys this perfectly in their fic A Bit of Soft (In a Broken Place). Lizzie is always there for him and cares for him. She fulfills his needs. Her ability to care was shown really, though, with the children. Charlie calls her mum (which I know a lot of people don’t like– but she took the child of the woman who she probably was jealous of and genuinely loved him as her own) and Charlie’s bond with Ruby is so adorable. Lizzie was meant to be a mom! And Tommy gave her that. And like I said earlier when Tommy was willing to give up his fatherly duties to be reunited with Grace, Lizzie reminded him of his duties at home (albeit in a not-so-nice way). Because that’s what really important to her. The well-being of those children. And that’s what finally drove her to leave, was Tommy’s craziness about Ruby’s illness and his lack of presence at her death. There is no doubt in my mind Tommy loved Ruby, and he really went to the ends of the earth to save her. But when he wasn’t there to hold her hand (and Lizzie’s hand) as she died, that’s what did it. Not the infidelity, not the sham of a marriage, not the drugs (she knew what she signed up for. A marriage for looks. She was ok with being the one who cared more.), but the lack of care (in the way she thought, and really it was the way that he needed to be, mattered). This is also why she couldn’t have been the black cat. A) She wanted to get as far away from her whoring days so she isn’t talking to Mosely B) she loves Tommy too much (to her own disgust) to betray him like that C) it’d hurt her family D) She was for sure at that violin recital! She wouldn’t’ve missed it for the world!

But really he did love her, Lizzie– definitely like he loved his family (she was family), and I think he definitely had the potential to be in love with her. He’s now realizing that she was essential to his life (because he likes nice, soft things). However, Lizzie (thank goodness) has realized he’s never brought anything good into her life (excluding Ruby, her angel), and the hurt outweighs the crumbs of kindness and left him. She doesn’t deserve him. Like I said earlier Lizzie, I believe, will be the catalyst for his redemption (Just look at how Ruby saved him!). Yes. They are toxic and their relationship in the show is most certainly not healthy one bit! But, there is potential for love. 

Here’s some fic recs that really illustrate their relationship:

For me all of these authors are amazing, I just stick to Lizzie/Tommy really. No Tommy/Alfie for me. All are on Ao3

@aniray:

* a lot of these are things that happened in the show with alternate happenings. The third one down though is stunning though. Like bro, it’s canon for me! 

Open Hands

A Touch of Change

A Bit of Soft (In a Broken Place)

A Different Kind of Love

Into the Mist

Slipping into Dreams

Everything

@deadendtracks :

*these two are series

Get it wrong, get it right

Possibility of a Blade

justrosey:

Someone is digging your grave right now, someone is drawing a bath to wash you      clean

No more canaries in the mine

@divinekangaroo:

*series

The Last Second Ending

Emma_Perlman:

*series that’s au after season 6! Redemption! Strong Lizzie!!

The Siren Sings

@xxsparksxx :

*series

Armistice

@emjenenla :

Even though you don’t mean to hurt me, you keep tearing me apart

ANYWAY! Please talk to me about them I'm losing my mind.

#tommy shelby x lizzie stark #tommy x lizzie #tommy shelby #lizzie stark #lizzie shelby #grace burgess #ruby shelby #charlie shelby #peaky blinders