#k’s 2.5k holiday bingo challenge

[look-at-the-soul]

New traditions

Modern Tommy Shelby x Reader

🎄 I wrote this one shot to celebrate @runnning-outof-time almost 2.5K, K congratulations 🎉 you’ve made a few celebrations before but timing wasn’t on my side and I couldn’t finish the story on time, now your Bingo celebration came just in time as I had this Christmas idea ♥️ so it couldn’t be more fitting, I hope you continue to do more celebrations and posting more incredible stories -one day I will catch up ☺️-

Summary: Setting up the Christmas tree together, becomes a new tradition for Tommy, Y/N and Charlie, let the beautiful the season do its own magic and make your wish, you might find your favorite Shelby doing something he wouldn’t normally do. 😉

Special thanks to @lyarr24 for the food recommendations 🥰

 After taking a shower, Tommy got ready. The second floor was oddly silent, Y/N was nowhere to be seen and Charlie wasn’t in his room. But as he reached the first floor, he heard a low conversation and giggles and small chorus of a song.

“Go around the tree, and keep the ribbon with the little loop like this,” Tommy saw Y/N pointing at a piece of ribbon perfectly placed.

“Like this?”

A hand on her hip, her jeans hugging her legs, her ass was hidden by an oversized sweater Tommy swore belonged to him. “Beautiful, see? It wasn’t so hard.” Y/N nodded at the kid as she walked to the fire place, there was a garland decorating the top of it. As Charlie kept singing and messing up with the lyrics, Y/N took something out from a shopping bag.

Tommy’s heart caught up in his throat as he saw three Christmas socks in her hands.

One for him, one for her and one for his son, with Charlie’s name embroidered.

“Y/N look! Dad can help us with the star, we don’t need the ladder anymore.” Charlie pointed at him, still frozen in spot.

“We didn’t want to wake you up, so I asked Charlie to help me set up the Christmas tree.” Y/N explained as she walked towards him, giving Tommy a small peck on the lips, she tasted like hot chocolate and cookies.

“Will you help us Dad?” Charlie asked showing off his smile. Charming just like his father.

He had a busy morning ahead, but as Charlie ran to Y/N and they both pleaded with puppy eyes, he couldn’t say no.

“Alright.” He cleared his throat, pushing away the emotions, or at least trying to. “What can I help you with?

“Mr. Shelby I brought some coffee for you.” Frances announced placing the tray on the table, after asking if he wanted something for breakfast and Tommy answered that he didn’t, she left the drawing room.

“Charlie I think we can turn up the volume of the music now.” Y/N winked at Tommy, brushing his lips one more time as his son went to choose the playlist . “I have a surprise for you, later.”

Tommy raised his eyebrows in surprise, “are you going to dress up as Mrs Claus?” he licked his lips suggestively.

Hitting him in the chest with the Christmas sock, Y/N looked over at Charlie, lost in the gifts she had wrapped already, trying to find out the content of the package with his name on the tag.

“No what I had in mind, but that sounds like something you’d like.” Y/N answered while a soft blush covered her cheeks.

“Gloves, red lipstick, high boots, singing Jingle bells...” Tommy pressed his lower lip between his teeth and his eyes rolled to the back of his head.

Y/N couldn’t stop the laugh, as his hands squeezed her waist.

“You left me alone this morning.”

Feeling his arms locked, she was pressed dangerously close to his toned body. His lotion was addictive.

“Thought you were tired from last night activities.” She whispered opening the top button of his blue shirt. “Charlie almost caught me this morning.”

“Oh you wore me out, but I could always go for one more.” As Tommy smiled, small lines formed around his eyes. Lines of happiness as Y/N liked to call them.

“Dad do you know what Y/N got me? She says it’s heavy and its got thirteen letters.” Charlie complained interrupting their conversation looking up at his father.

Breaking the embrace, Y/N smiled at the mini-Tommy, he was just as curious as his dad, trying to get hints and clues since they started decorating early that morning.

“Nope, she went alone to shop in peace, says I don’t have patience.”

“You don’t.” Y/N interjected adding some crystal render to the decoration on top of the fireplace.

“So you don’t know?”

Pouting, Tommy shook his head.

Truth is he did know what present Y/N got his son, it was a beautiful horse collection that included three books and a set of horses figures, he knew Charlie would love it. But he wouldn’t ruin her surprise.

Tommy saw Y/N smiling at Charlie’s complain. He had asked Frances already.

“If its any consolation, she doesn’t want to tell me what she got for me.”

“That’s because is a surprise!”

After fixing some of the lights that didn’t work, he got up from the floor with a groan.

“Right, I hope you clean up everything after you finish, I gotta go.”

“What? Where?” Y/N popped her head from behind the tree with a look of a disappointment in her eyes, Christmas ornaments hanging from each finger. “I thought we’d spend the day together decorating.” She was hoping they could make it a beautiful new tradition.

With a loud huff, Cyril joined them only to keep sleeping peacefully next to the fire.

“I won’t be long, I just have to do something.”

“Daaaad.”

Guilt shot through his system, two pair of eyes looking at him accusingly.

“You promised to watch the Grinch with us.”

Part of Y/N’s Christmas ritual consisted of decorating the tree, bake cookies and watch a Christmas movies marathon.

“And Home alone too.” Charlie added.

And suddenly he felt like the worst person in the world.

“Fine, I’ll do it on Monday.” He gave in after a few seconds, there was no way to escape the Christmas decoration.

Y/N’s eyes sparkled, it was their first Christmas together and she was looking forward to the whole process.

“Really? Are you staying?” Y/N placed the tree ornaments back in the box and walked to were he was standing. She still wasn’t used to him working during the weekends. Lifting on her tip toes, she brushed her lips against Tommy’s. As he nodded, a beautiful smile appeared, and she pulled him by the neck to kiss him one more time. “You make me so happy.”

That’s all he wanted to hear. He would do anything just to see Y/N smile.

“I’m hungry.” Charlie complained.

“See I could go leave the papers and buy some food.” Tommy offered.

Y/N made a sound with her tongue and tilted her head. “I know that trick... we can order lunch in the app and get it delivered here.”

“What do you want?” He wrapped his arm around her waist, as Y/N leaned her head against his chest.

“Fish and chips!” Charlie demanded excitedly, running around.

“Where did he get all that energy?” Tommy asked looking at the ceiling.

Y/N laughed and inhaled his scent. “He’s your son, what did you expect?” Walking to her phone, she started placing the order, while with her free hand, she gave Tommy some ornaments. He made sure to get her approval before hanging each piece.

“Can you add extra ketchup for me Y/N? Please.”

Her heart skipped a beat as she saw Charlie placing the teddy bears with matching scarves under the tree, he was so polite.

“Of course sweetheart.” And as she said that, an arm sneaked around from behind.

“Where are you buying lunch from?”

“From Harry Ramsdens’, is that alright?”

“Yeah, love that.” Tommy kissed her neck and then the spot behind her ear that made her toes curl. Taking his wallet, he gave her his credit card.

“I think the tree is ready.”

Almost, Y/N thought walking to one of the boxes.

“Do you like this star, Cyril?” The dog sniffed the item, and Y/N moved it back just in time before he could lick it. “I think that’s a yes.”

Touching Tommy’s arm, she moved her eyes to Charlie, who was touching the crystal angel ornament he chose to remember and honour his mother.

“The tree needs the final touch son, do you want to put the star?”

“But it’s so high, I can’t reach the tip.”

Without further explanation, Tommy gave Charlie the star and took him in his arms. Lifting him above his head, the kid was able to set the star in the highest part of the tree. Struggling a bit when he started to laugh as his father’s fingers tickled his ribs.

“Are we ready now?”

“l’ll do it!” Charlie smiled running to take the remote to lit the tree.

“3, 2... 1!”

Turning on the lights, the three of them remained quiet for a moment, admiring their work.

It was probably one of the simplest thing he had ever done, but it meant so much. Sharing a moment with his son and girlfriend, listening to his happy voice singing and laughing with Y/N, telling her what he wanted to ask Santa, Tommy thought that this would be a happy holiday for him, not like the previous or when he was about his son’s age.

Swallowing his emotions, he was grateful for the doorbell ring interruption. Cyril stormed out barking.

“I’ll get it. Charles, help Y/N with the plates.” He instructed walking to the door.

 After finishing their lunch, Y/N walked to get one of the presents and then back to the dining room.

“I was going to wait until Christmas Eve to give you this, but I guess we can open one present early.” She still had another present for him wrapped, it was a beautiful leather cover for his new iPad with a matching briefcase.

Tommy looked at her surprised, he wasn’t expecting the big box was for him.

“Go on, open it.” Y/N encouraged him with a smile.

Tommy left his cigarette on the tray. His heart fluttered with joy as he found what was under the shiny paper.

“Wow it’s so cool Dad.” Charlie spoke for him.

“When did you get this?” He asked in shock, looking at his girlfriend.

Y/N knew she scored when her eyes found Tommy’s. “Yesterday, I couldn’t resist it.”

“Can we assemble it?” Charlie’s eyes were fixed on the train set.

“Why don’t you open the box? We’ll be there in a minute.” Y/N offered to give Tommy a moment, he was suddenly quiet. Turning to look at him, she was now worried. “If you don’t like it I can ask for a refund.”

Before she could finish, Tommy was shaking his head.

“Thank you.” Sometimes, if she looked closely and he was caught off guard, she could see his emotions right in his eyes. This was one of those rare moments. “This is the best present you could give me, love.”

She didn’t know, but she was healing old open wounds, she was giving his inner child the love he sometimes couldn’t find.

“You’re welcome babe, I’m sorry it took you a few years to get the train around the Christmas tree you wanted, but it’s better late than ever.” Her hand came to rest on his cheek in a caressing motion.

Tommy closed his eyes the moment when his forehead touched hers. “Can’t believe you remember it.”

When they talked about how they would spend the holidays, somehow Y/N managed to get inside the deepest parts of his soul, where no one else was allowed to, and he ended up sharing a memory of his childhood and how he always loved to see the stores full of Christmas decorations and one store particularly placed the tree next to the window with a train going around the base.

“Are you going to help me or what?” Charlie shouted from the drawing room.

Burying his fingers in her hair, Y/N felt him smiling against her lips.

“He sounds just like you.” She chuckled intertwining her hand with his to walk to the other room.

“It has the track sections, the caboose and the little cabin with the driver!” Charlie exclaimed happily, he already had the pieces ready on the floor.

In silence, Y/N snapped a photo of Tommy and Charlie from behind, without them knowing, without a pose as they were setting the track, her boyfriend had a beaming smile, genuine, the kind that hurts your jaw after smiling so much.

“Put the batteries there, no turn that one.” Tommy instructed his son after stepping back.

The train started to move around the tree and Cyril inspected it, barking a couple of times, while Tommy struggled to find the right words to say. How could something so small mean so much?

He couldn’t stop the thoughts of those times when there wasn’t enough money for dinner, decorations or presents.

“I have something for you as well.” Tommy announced, then turning to Charlie, he whispered something in his ear and the kid ran upstairs.

“What is it?”

“You’ll see in a minute.” The smirk Y/N saw didn’t help, but he insisted on covering her eyes. “Charlie can you take it out from the bag please? Be careful, it can bite you.” He joked winking at his son as Y/N tried to hide herhands.

“Tommy!”

“Y/N!” He imitated her voice.

Seconds later, his hands moved away from her eyes and she found Charlie holding a music box with a small village inside.

“How...H-how did you know?”

“I asked Isaiah to be my eyes while you were shopping, he mentioned you kept coming back to watch it, after he drove you back home, I asked him to go back to the store to get it.” By the surprise in her eyes, it seemed like he got the right present.

“It needs a key to work.” Y/N stated, taking the box from Charlie’s hands.

“Right, about that...” Tommy offered her his hand and she pressed her palm against his, he turned it around, placing a key chain with two keys. “We’ve talked about taking the next step in our relationship.” His thumb was moving in slow circles in the back of her hand. “You’re so important in my life, my son loves you as much as I do. And we spend most of our time together... here. So I want to ask you if you would like to move in with me?” Charlie cleared his throat. “With us, I mean.”

One was the key to musical box and the other one of his house.

“Tommy yes! I want to move in with the three of you.” She pointed at Cyril, who only moved his head to get comfortable.

Placing his hands on her cheeks, Tommy pulled her for a kiss.

“It’s going to be so fun Y/N!” Charlie hugged her after they broke apart. “Will you stay tonight?”

Y/N blushed, she usually sneaked out before the sunrise, but that morning Charlie caught her walking from Tommy’s room.

“Will you stay forever?” Asked Tommy with a smile that reached his eyes.

“If you want me to.”

“Now we can watch a movie!”

“You can pick the movie, I will get the popcorn.” Y/N told Charlie who was already running to the other room.

But before she could walk to the kitchen, Tommy grabbed her by the arm and pulled Y/N back for a deeper kiss now that his son wasn’t looking.

“Are you really living with us?”

“It looks like that.” Y/N ran her fingers through the shaved sides of his head.

“That means I get to have you in my bed every night?” His lips went to assault her neck, nibbling gently.

“Starting tonight.”

“I’ll make sure you get a drawer or two.” He joked.

“That’s very generous from you.” And she pulled him before Charlie could start shouting that the movie was about to start.

An hour later, they were cuddling in the big sofa, Tommy placed his free hand wrapped around Y/N’s back. She was caressing Charlie’s hair, he fell asleep on her lap in the middle of the movie, in her other hand she was holding a glass of wine. After the movie finished Y/N took the book she bought for Christmas, another new tradition she wanted to do, buy books for her loved ones and read every night until Christmas Eve.

She knew there’s was something magical about the season, Tommy even agreed to wear the matching socks she bought for them, maybe next year she could convince him to wear matching pajamas.

Tommy looked at them; Y/N snapped a photograph of their legs tangled, with the fireplace in the background, Cyril could be seen there as well.

“Are you posting that to your Instasnap?

Y/N had to suppress a laugh to not wake up Charlie.

“Instagram baby.”

Rolling his eyes he added. “Whatever. Same shit.”

Unlike the movie, he wasn’t home alone. He had exactly what he needed to be happy.

***

A/N: Do you have any special traditions? You know it’s just a bit crazy because I decided to open my blog on Christmas Eve last year and my very first post was a Tommy/Charlie photo, so this just seemed to be the perfect match for the holidays. I hope you like this story, if you do, your thoughts and comments are the best gift you could give me 💝

Master list

This is the combination I chose from the Bingo:

Tag list:

@lyarr24 @datewithgianni @runnning-outof-time @gretelshelby @cloudofdisney @cillmequick @zablife @moral-terpitude @cutecurly-hair @prettylittlehoneyeyesxoxo @lespendy @gypsy-girl-08 @onlydeadcells @peaky-cillian @shelbydelrey @forgottenpeakywriter @esposadomd @stevie75 @strayrockette @the-forest-witchh @elenavampire21 @peakyscillian

If you want to be added to my tag list, let me know :)

[rangerelik]

Christmas present - T.S. x Fem!Reader

Word count: 1373

Summary: Y/N and Tommy spend their Christmas with their family.

Warnings: nothing

Requested: No, it’s made for @runnning-outof-time’s BINGO challenge.

A/N: I started writing and it kinda developed in double bingo.

So I went with: fluff-a family tradition-modern AU-must include: a proposal and with domestic-must include: a secret-modern AU-Christmas Eve. 

Oh and I don’t exactly know how Christmas is celebrated in the UK, I know what we learned at school, so don’t please come for me if I have written something wrong.

I am so sorry it was really my first proposal scene I’ve ever written, so please forgive me.

Thanks to @cillmequick for beta reading.

Although it was nearly Christmas time, you couldn’t get into your normal Christmas spirit. You needed to go Christmas shopping for Tommy and your little five year old daughter Samantha, but she now occupied all of your free time you wanted to spend preparing the house for the holidays. Unfortunately, you couldn’t do that as the maids had their orders to prepare the tree and all those ornaments you always loved to display by yourself. Tommy gave his orders and you didn’t have any choice in this matter.

At least you could be in your room and read your little one some books. She liked everything fairy tale-like, every princess, prince or dragon captured her eyes and refused to leave her imagination. Tommy sometimes played with her, he was her rescuer, her prince and she was always the princess that needed her prince.

The time went by and you were becoming a bit anxious. This was the first Christmas, you weren't able to have the presents prepared. So, deciding it was time to go shopping you rang the bell and Mary, your maid, appeared in the door of your room.

„Yes, ma’am?“ she said.

„Could you take Sam for a while, I need to do my shopping.“ you told her as you gave her your little one.

Mary just nodded her head as she started talking to Samantha. You changed out of your home clothes into something more presentable and went to do your shopping.

Christmas Eve came and all the Shelbys came to your house to celebrate the holidays with your little family. Tommy had a big house in the country, so it was natural, you would be the host for those holidays. There were enough bedrooms for all of your family, so they didn't need to go home after all the evening festivities ended late at night.

As you were preparing in your dressing room, you put on your best festive dress with some delicate Christmas ornaments. Everyone was already inside, sitting in the drawing room, probably already drinking, as you knew Arthur. Well everyone except Ada. It bugged you because you liked her the most. As you made your way down the stairs the bell rang and maids opened the door, Ada made her way into your parlour.

„Ada! I am so glad you came! How are you? Oh, hello Karl, dear!“ you said as you hurriedly embraced her and her little boy. You were glad she accepted your invite. You felt a lot more happy and at ease when she really came. Even Sam would be happy, she liked playing with her cousin.

„Y/N! It’s nice to see you! I am good, thank you.“

After some more lively talk you both made your way to the drawing room, where everyone was. The dinner time came and everyone set on to go find their seat at your large table in the dining room.

You took your seat next to your boyfriend and daughter. The dinner went on great, nobody did anything stupid, which was already a little miracle for you, and everyone had a great time. 

When late evening came, Ada and you went on to set the children to sleep. There the first problem came. Samantha kept asking about Father Christmas, she wanted to stay awake to see him.

„You need to go to bed, my dear. He won’t come if you stay awake and you won’t get any presents this year.“ She scoffed and her mouth curled into a pout, already starting to throw a fit.

„But mama,-“ she started with a weepy voice but she didn't have the opportunity to say more as you interrupted her. „Off to bed with you.“ You told her as you took her into your arms and took her to her bedroom. There came the usual tantrum about not wanting to go to sleep. After some bargain she settled for some fairytales. When she finally drifted off to sleep, which took almost two fairy tales about princess Fiona and Rapunzel, you came back down and found out that everyone moved back to the drawing room where the adults had been drinking again. Thomas poured you a drink and kissed you. You embraced him from the side and looked around the room. Everyone was here and everyone was happy.

„It’s time,“ you told everyone. As they knew what was going to happen, they got up and helped Tom and you prepare gifts under the tree. You also poured some flour over Arthur’s boots to mask Father Christmas’s footsteps to the fireplace. Poll drank the milk and John ate half of the carrot and the biscuits Samatha left there before the dinner for Father Christmas to freshen up.

„I am so glad you all are helping me. She loves this little tradition, it always makes her smile.“ You told everyone when you finished setting up the perfect scenario for the kids. „Hope Karl will like it too,“ you said, sending a smile in Ada’s direction. 

After committing all those crimes the kids shouldnt know of, everyone, already tired from all the preparation it took, went to bed.

„Mummy, daddy! Father Christmas was here! And he had eaten what we prepared for him!“ Both of you were abruptly woken by your daughter jumping up and down on your masterbed. You were still tired and hoped she won't continue in waking you up, but you were mistaken. When neither of you answered, she proceeded to pinching and tickling you both, so you had no choice but to wake up.

„Good morning, Sam. That’s awesome. Did he leave some presents for you under the tree?“ Tommy asked with his raspy morning voice, you always loved. His words worked like magic, because Samantha jumped from the bed and ran downstairs to observe the presents you bought her.

„Morning, love,“ you told your boyfriend and pecked him on his lips. 

„Mornin’,“ he answered. You got the chance to stay a while in his embrace, when the distant shouts of Sam and Karl made you get out of your shared bed. You put on your Christmas pyjamas and made your way down.

„What do we have here?“ you asked the children when you found them beneath the Christmas tree.

„A lot of presents, ma! Even Karl got some! Could we go and wake up everyone else?“ she exclaimed while jumping up and down excitedly.

„Of course, love. But be gentle with everyone. Uncle Arthur doesn't like jumping on his bed and aunt Pol must be woken up gently, so careful.“ Both children nodded their heads and set off on their quest of waking everybody up.

After some time, when everyone was gathered, the children took the presents and brought them to the person it was for. They were so happy because they brought smiles to all of the „boring“ adults. When there were any more presents under the tree, Tom stood up and came to the middle of the room.

„I have one more present which I kept secret,“ he started his speech, „This christmas was the most wonderful one I had since the time my daughter was born.“ Everyone looked at him, eager to know what his present would be. „To the love of my life. Y/N, you gave me a beautiful daughter, you make me the happiest man under the sun. Will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?“ With those words he made his way towards you and came down onto one knee and opened the little box with the most beautiful ring you ever saw.

With tears in your eyes you nodded your head and simply replied, „Yes, I will.“ Everyone clapped and cheered as Tommy put the ring onto your finger. You fell into his arms where you wept happy tears for a while. After composing yourself a bit you gave him a long kiss.

„Bleh, ma! Why would you do that?“ little Sam shouted over the claps of others. Frances, who had been discreetly waiting in the wings, knowing he was going to ask, quickly ushered in maids bearing trays of champagne as well as orange juice for the children, so the whole family could celebrate their happy news together.

Tags: @runnning-outof-time @cillmequick @zablife @gypsy-girl-08 @dandelionprints @shelbydelrey

Dividers are from @firefly-graphics

[runnning-outof-time]

K’s ‘65 Away From 2.5k’ Holiday BINGO Challenge!

I hope y’all don’t mind that I’m starting this milestone celebration a bit early … I’ve had this challenge in mind for a while now and knew that I wanted to start it today (Dec. 1st). Then I realized how close I am to 2.5k, so I figured ‘why not make it a celebration too?’ So here we are.

I’m going to put the details of the challenge below the cut so that this post doesn’t get super long. Before you go check it out (and I hope you do) I wanted to thank you SO MUCH for helping this blog reach 2.5k followers. To achieve that in less than a year of having this account is crazy, and it’s all thanks to you. 💕

Alright…go check out the challenge now!!! (Please)

You can read stories written for the challenge HERE.

So you’ve decided to check out the challenge…thank you so, so much!!

The rules of it are pretty simple. At the bottom of this post, I’ve got a BINGO board that is loaded with different tropes, genres, settings and ‘must includes’ that you will use to create a story. I’ve picked these because they’re my personal faves, and they’re choices that I’ve seen in many stories on here. And since the holidays are now officially upon us, I figured I’d get us in the spirit with some fesitve choices.

If you’ve not played BINGO before, you need to either fill in 4 squares across or down (I’d shy away from going diagonal because there isn’t all 4 criteria present…4 corners is an option though) and then use those 4 choices in one story. Remember…ALL 4 must be included to get BINGO!

Want to try and get BINGO? All you need to do is either send me a 🎁 in my ask box, or comment 🎁 on this post, and I’ll add you to a PARTICIPANT LIST where all of the stories will eventually be posted.

You don’t need to tell me what choices you’re using right away…save that surprise for the fic that you’ll post (but please tell your readers the 4/the line that you chose when you post the story - maybe add it in an author’s note)

Any character from Peaky Blinders is free game for this challenge, and you’re more than welcome to use an OC or pairing from the show if you feel more comfortable with doing so instead of writing an ‘x reader’.

It is completely fine if you want to include mature (NSFW) content, but if you do…make sure that there are warnings and that you tag it properly.

YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE FOLLOWING ME TO JOIN IN - EVERYONE IS WELCOME!!

This celebration will run from today (Dec. 1st) until January 1st, 2023, which is when I’d like for all of the stories to be posted (becuase we’re celebrating the holidays) … BUT if things happen to get a little hectic for you and you still really want to join, you’re still more than welcome to post after the deadline.

Please make sure that you tag me in the story when you post it!! - you can use the hashtag too, but it’s not required.

Now that all of the boring stuff is out of the way (and I hope you’re still with me)…let’s take a look at the board:

Important: you’ll notice a * at the end of the box that says Christmas Morning/Christmas Eve. I’ve included that in case you wanted to use that line of choices but would rather use New Year’s Eve/New Year’s Morning instead, OR if you want to use that line of choices, but the character you want to write it with doesn’t celebrate Christmas…or you personally don’t celebrate Christmas.

An example of a possible combination for a fic would be: ‘we’re just friends’, ‘a holiday party’, ‘fluff’, ‘must include: a kiss’ … just in case anyone was confused.

I really hope that y’all would want to participate in this challenge…I’ve been waiting anxiously to share the idea with you, and I think it could be a fun way to celebrate the holidays.

Please don’t hesitate to message me if you have any questions!!

Tagging a few people who may be interested: @zablife @cillmequick @raincoffeeandfandoms @shelbydelrey @notyour-valentine @l1-l4 @gypsy-girl-08 @rangerelik @dandelionprints @look-at-the-soul @midnightmagpiemama @evita-shelby @fallatyourfeet @toms-cherry-trees @there-goes-thefighter @moral-terpitude @dearshelby @strayrockette @solomons-finest-rum @mgcllovdrms @huntingingoodwill @teenwolf-theoriginals @pherelesytsia @peakyscillian @peakyswritings @noforkingclue @forgottenpeakywriter @christinasyellowflowers @celticmelody @padfootdaredmetoo @theshelbyclan @vintunnavaa @mythos-writes @dreamlandcreations @jyessaminereads @lilyrachelcassidy

———

Dividers by @firefly-graphics

[evita-shelby]

Congrats K/@runnning-outof-time !!!!!!

Christmas Eve

A splash of angst, hurt/comfort, mentions of a previous miscarriage and mentions of a suicide attempt.

Modern Au where Tommy is an MP and Eva is his wife, business partner and social media manager

🖤🖤🖤🖤

She should be relieved.

The test was negative and she is a little disappointed to know she wasn’t pregnant.

“Sweetheart, we’ll be late to Polly’s Christmas party.” He knocked on the bathroom door softly and she quickly tossed everything away.

Tommy cannot know, Eva tells herself and pretends all is fine.

They wanted kids once the pandemic was fully over, but things had calmed down enough and she wants a baby before her prime reproductive years are over.

But Tommy had avoided all the instances she tried to bring up the topic about trying again.

He blamed himself for the miscarriage when they came back from Mexico. Something she had made peace with after three years, but it was something that had her husband believing he was nothing but a curse to everyone he loved.

She couldn’t tell him that she wants a baby, or that the thought of her contraception failing had made her feel hopeful instead of scared shitless.

Eva’s forgotten it by the time they get to Polly’s for a family get together that didn’t violate covid guidelines still in place.

She’s getting foil paper for the leftovers when her husband corners her in the kitchen.

“Want to tell me about this?” he shows her a picture someone tagged their joint Instagram on.

It’s a picture of her picking out the most effective pregnancy test at a drugstore.

Even worse it was captioned: congratulations on your baby, Thomas Shelby MP!

Fuck.

“It was negative. Had there been something to tell, I would’ve told you.” She can’t even look at him because then he’ll know she would kill to have a child with him.

“Evie, I know that’s not all you’re hiding.” He nudged her gently making her look at him.

“I didn’t want it to be negative. I saw it in my last reading, and I was hoping it had come true.” She wants to cry because she knows he doesn’t.

Thinks its his fault the embryo didn’t develop when it was just a random occurrence they had no control over.

“I didn’t think you’d want to try again after—” he can’t bring himself to say it.

Eva remembers all too well that night he’d gotten so drunk he’d taken his gun to his temple screaming he’d killed their baby.

They had cried that night, she'd held him and reminded that one day she’d prove him wrong and be a damn good father to their two future kids.

“Two kids remember, they will happen whether we plan for it or not, Tom. And I think we’re ready to try again.” Her hand glides gently to cover his and give it a reassuring squeeze.

She then adds knowing it will get him out of these dark thoughts that never leave him, “If we start now our baby will be born when the parasite in chief dies.”

“How can I say no to that?” he cracked a smile and for a moment everything was fine with the world.

[madame-wilsonn]

It’s always been you

Summary: after years by his side, Tommy sees your friendship shattered when he decides to marry Grace and then later, hurts your boyfriend. Will you ever be reunited?

A/N: phew! this was...well it’s officially the longest one shot I've ever written and it’s in honor of my darling @runnning-outof-time​ bingo! I’ve worked very hard on this and I'm literally writing this on December 31st at half past two in the morning but it’s worth it! Also, big big thank you to my darling @choreosmania (you’re such a sexy little swine ily <3) Happy New Year everyone, I hope you enjoy this first fic of 2023!! 💗💗

Prompts: A holiday party—hurt/comfort—must include: a secret—enemies-to-lovers

Warnings: angst, mentions of death, swearwords, peaky related stuff and fluff (obviously)

Word count: 8,037 words

Tommy sat in the quiet office, waiting to hear the distinctive clicking on the hardwood floor. He had news to tell you. Something very important that got you rushing to the Shelby Company Ltd. Building. But for once, the news were good.

“What happened?” you almost screamed, erupting through the glass doors. You knew Tommy well enough to be concerned when he called you to his office for “important matters”. And the blood on his temple didn’t soothe your worry.

“I’m getting married, Y/N.”

He pronounced the words calmly. As if it wasn’t supposed to be exciting or thrilling or the best news you had heard all year. He had been through a lot and all you had wished for him was someone good. A nice girl to dust off the remains of the tunnels. Because even if he had changed, Tommy still deserved good things. He deserved to be loved, he deserved to be happy. Even if he didn’t believe it most of the time.

“This is amazing!” you exclaimed, rushing to embrace him. Tommy welcomed your hug, a chuckle rumbling in his chest. You were the first one to know. He wanted you to know before the rest of the family. Ever since he came back from France, you had been a constant. He was aware he was a different man— far from the young boy he was when he left but you accepted it. You didn’t try to make the young boy come back, you didn’t expect Tommy to act like someone he wasn’t anymore. And for that, he wanted to share the good news with you first, and you only.

“So who is the unfortunate creature?” your playful tone made Tommy shake his head. You smiled at him, wondering who had managed to bring back the grin on his face. He hadn’t mentioned anybody special and you hadn’t seen him with anybody either.

“It’s Grace,” Tommy finally said, his smile widening. But you weren’t smiling anymore.

You let him go, a cold pit in your stomach. No. No, you refused to believe it. He couldn’t. He wouldn’t. Not after everything that happened. No, it was probably someone else. Another girl. You heard it wrong because he wouldn’t. He wouldn’t marry her.

Tommy noticed the sudden switch. Your joyful expression erased by a troubled frown, you backed away in disbelief. “Y/N…,” but you shook your head, a hollow chuckle escaping your trembling lips.

“No, no, you can’t marry her. Fuck, Tommy! You can’t be that naive, you– did you forget what she did?” The man lowered his head, sighing. You were reacting out of shock but it would pass, he just needed to let you have a moment. “You almost got killed because of her! She called the fucking cops on your own fucking sister and y-you want to marry her? No, no, please tell me this is supposed to be a joke because you can’t be serious right now…you can’t…”

“But I am, Y/N,” he began calmly, grabbing your hand. “She’s pregnant a-and she said she loved me.”

You snatched your hand away, angry tears rolling down your cheeks. “Are you fucking kidding me, Tommy? She said she loved you? So fucking what? She said she was a barmaid too, didn’t she? And how do you know the baby’s yours, hm? Isn’t she married?”

Tommy sighed, he was feeling less and less patient. Maybe he didn’t expect you to jump out of happiness, especially after knowing he would marry Grace. But he thought you would be happy for him because it was important. Because after all these years in the dark, trying to dig himself out of the tunnels, he had found light.

“She’s going to leave him, she doesn’t love him.”

“Oh right…because she loves you,” you spat out bitterly. “Is that why you asked me to come here? Did you expect me to give you my blessing to go marry a traitor?”

“Don’t call her that, alright?” The mere mention of the past was enough to make Tommy’s blood boil. He knew what Grace had done but he forgave her. You should understand that. You should understand that if he could forgive her, then you should too. Because there would be no one else for him, Grace was the one.

“Call her what? A traitor?” you taunted him even if your anger only masked the deep hurt you felt. She had harmed your family, she had harmed him and now he was opening the door for her. He was allowing her back in. What would she do this time? What would happen if this was another trap but he was too blinded to see? “That’s what she is, Tom! She betrayed you and you’re just giving her another chance! This will never end well, you hear me? And if you go through with this, it’s over. Forget about me.” you uttered the words with all the fierceness burning in your heart. If he wanted to marry a traitor, then he was no better than her. And you didn’t want to be friends with someone who would betray their own flesh and blood.

Tommy observed you for a moment, gauging how serious you were. But he didn’t find an ounce of hesitation in your gaze. You were ready to throw away your entire friendship just for that? You would give up on him because he finally found happiness?

“Then leave, Y/N,” his blue eyes were cold, enough to freeze you on the spot. You watched him as he nonchalantly grabbed a cigarette out of his pocket. The Tommy you loved wasn’t there anymore. You didn’t recognize this man standing tall and proud before you. You shook your head, walking out of the office but before reaching the door you stopped. “When this all goes to shit—and it will— don’t expect me to be there for you. Goodbye, Thomas.” You slammed the glassdoor on your way out, leaving Tommy alone in the gigantic office.

“You’re inviting Y/N?” Polly asked, surprised as her nephew handed her two invitations. She had been the first one to know about the terrible argument between him and Y/N. Polly was many things to the children: a mother, an aunt, a friend at times. But there had always been a strong bond between her and Y/N. Polly had grown up with her mother and when she passed, the Shelby matriarch didn’t hesitate to take the little girl in. She was already spending most of the time with the rest of the Shelbys anyway. They had all accepted her whole-heartedly as part of their clan, especially Tommy. They were inseparable. If Y/N was somewhere, Tommy wasn’t far behind. They disagreed sometimes but their fights never lasted long.

That’s what Polly thought would happen the last time. Nothing more than a petty argument, a few days sulking and then it would go back to normal. Y/N would get over her hatred towards Grace and Tommy would understand that marrying her didn’t erase her wrongs. But neither seemed to budge, they were too stubborn, too set in their own positions.

Family meetings turned to awkward blanks and a tense atmosphere as everyone observed the broken pair. Y/N didn’t address Tommy unless it was necessary. Tommy treated Y/N like she was nothing more than an employee. But the rest of the family couldn’t help notice the glances one would throw when the other wasn’t paying attention.

“Well, she’s part of the family, isn’t she?” Tommy answered simply, passing a tired hand over his face. He had told the same thing to Grace a week before when she was making the invitations— to which she replied:  “I’m your family too, now, Tommy.” But he insisted regardless of Grace’s reticence. His soon-to-be wife didn’t seem to understand why he would invite the girl who had decided to cut all relations with him. But Tommy, for some reason, couldn’t imagine his wedding without Y/N being there. And even if there was a very strong chance she declined the invitation, Tommy thought he could try. Maybe extend an olive branch her way and put an end to the ridiculous quarrel between them.

“Just give her the invitation, will ya, Pol?” his aunt observed him, he seemed exhausted. But not the exhaustion of a father who had a teething baby at home. Not the exhaustion of a businessman spending too much time at the office. No, something was bothering him.

“What’s going on, Tommy?”

He looked up, eyes reddened by the incessant rubbing, but he didn’t answer. Instead, he took out a file from a drawer and threw it on top of his desk. Polly opened it, finding letters and different annotations. “Mr. Changretta met a girl in the Italian restaurant on Fleet Street and took her back to a suite at the Midland Hotel,” she read out loud.

Fuck.

You had been seeing Angel for a few months. You had told Polly about him, how nice he was to you.

“Don’t tell her anything, alright? I’m going to deal with it?” Polly looked up from the file, a frown on her face. Tommy’s tone didn’t need clarifying. Anyone who hurt a Shelby would pay the consequences. These were the rules. But the Changrettas were a powerful family.

“Thomas, don’t start with the Italians, you hear me? I’ll tell Y/N what you found and she will handle it alone-”

“No, Polly. You won’t tell her. Just let me handle it.”

She handed him the file back, sighing. Tommy wouldn’t do something stupid, she told herself. Not when he had a baby, not right before his wedding. No, her nephew was a smart man. He would handle things properly.

You opened the glassdoors with such strength they hit the wall behind. But it didn’t matter, you didn’t care. Thomas got up from his desk as you ran towards him, rage deforming your features.

“Fuck you, Thomas! Fuck you!” you pushed him, tears blurring your vision. “How could you, hm? How could you do that? What…just because I refused to come to your fucking wedding you had to get revenge? Are you that fucking petty?” you screamed. You probably seemed mad, maybe you were. It didn’t matter. Not when he stood so calmly, even after what he did.

“Y/N…” he grabbed your wrists, holding them close to his chest. You easily got out of his grip, withdrawing as if his hands had burnt you.

“Why did you do that, hm? Just out of spite?” but Tommy stood there, observing you. “Answer me!” you demanded vehemently.

The office doors opened again. This time, Polly rushed inside, alerted by the screams.

“What’s going on?”

You turned to her, eyes swollen and red. “Maybe you should ask your nephew, hm?” your finger pointed accusingly towards Tommy, you explained “He went to Angel and took his fucking eyes out.”

“What?” Polly observed Tommy in disbelief. Not because she was surprised by his action. But because two weeks ago, she warned him. She told him if he decided to deal with Changretta, he had to be diplomatic. This was far from diplomacy. This meant war with the Italians.

“And you wanna know why he did it, huh?” you continued, hands gesturing in anger “Because the great Thomas Shelby can’t stand that I hate his darling wife so he wants to make me pay. And for that, he’s just planning on hurting anybody I get close to, isn’t he?” a hollow laugh left your trembling lips, Tommy kept quiet.

From the corner of her eye, Polly noticed his clenched jaw. Her nephew stood there, unable to defend himself because he refused to let you know the reason.

Tommy had to speak with Polly. Keep her from explaining why Angel Changretta lost his sight. But he couldn’t do that with you in the room.

Polly seemed to understand her nephew’s lack of answer and called Lizzie.

“Y/N, sweetheart, let me talk to Tommy. Go with Lizzie, alright?”

You sighed, your chest heaving. The flaming rush that led you to the office was slowly dissolving, leaving you a pounding headache and exhaustion. You listened to Polly, deflated and followed Lizzie outside.

The Shelby matriarch waited to hear the click of the door and turned back to Tommy. He slumped in his chair, sighing. “Oh, you can sigh all you want but I’m not leaving.”

“Yeah, I know you won’t, Pol.” he lit up a cigarette, watching the cloud of smoke escaping from his lips.

“You have to apologize, Thomas. We can’t afford a war with the Italians. Not when you already have that business with the Russians.”

Tommy scoffed, shaking his head. “Oh yeah and how should I apologize, eh? In English or in Italian?”

Polly shook her head. Her nephew was too proud to realize the consequences of his actions.

“Or maybe we should ask them which fucking language they prefer?”

“Why, Thomas? Why?”

“Because anyone who hurts a Shelby pays the price, remember, Pol?” he said matter-of-factly, his voice low.

She observed him. This was more than just pride, this was more than just a show of power.

“Why didn’t you tell Y/N, then? Why let her believe you did it out of pure spite?”

Tommy took a minute to reply, smoking his cigarette as he stared at the family portrait on the desk. “She hates me already. No need to get her heart broken on top of it.”

Polly sighed. She sat next to him, grabbing a cigarette as well. He knew the consequences of his actions but it didn’t matter, he would blind the king himself if he dared disrespecting you. Even if your friendship had shattered to pieces, it didn’t make him care less about you. It didn’t change the years spent by your side. Tommy knew you like no one did. And even if you were a strong woman, he wouldn’t handle seeing you in pain. Much less for a scumbag like Angel Changretta.

“Don’t tell her, Polly, yeah?” his aunt stared at him, containing the smirk forming on her lips.

“I won’t but that’s not what you should be worried about, Tommy. The Changrettas will come after you.”

“Then let ‘em come, Pol. Let ‘em come.”

A cup of tea, a book in hand and a fire softly crackling in the hearth. All the elements for a perfect evening. And it would be perfect if Polly wasn’t standing over you, arms folded across her chest. “Come on, Y/N, just come! You can’t spend New year’s Eve alone!”

You rolled your eyes, finally giving up on your book. “I can, Polly. And I will. Now, you got the pearls you were looking for, go or you’ll be late.” Wrapping your robe closer around your chest, you opened the door. “And you know how your dear nephew loathes late people.”

Polly sighed. The only reason you refused to come was because said New Year’s party was at Arrow House. It was a stupid reason. And even though Polly had tried to be patient, she  was tired of you and Tommy sulking like children, refusing to be near each other under any circumstance. “Y/N…”

“Polly…” you mimicked her. The woman sighed, closing the door and grabbing your hand.

“Alright, I won’t take another minute of you behaving like a kid. Sit,” her order was firm. It left no room for negotiation. And quite frankly, no matter how grown you were, you couldn’t ignore Polly’s scolding.

“You’re going to that party.” you opened your mouth, ready to retaliate “You are going. And you’ll talk to Tommy.” She fished a dress out of your wardrobe, throwing it on your bed. “ Go on, we don’t have all day. I need to do your hair.”

“Polly, please.”

It was hard for the family, you were aware of that. Tommy and you had always been close and the sudden distance between you had completely wrecked the usual balance. But you couldn’t just forgive and forget. It was better to ignore him than go to his house and sulk all night while the others were put in the middle.

“Y/N, this has to stop,” she spoke more softly, her hands rubbing your arms up and down. “Look, he doesn’t want you to know but…”, Polly hesitated. She promised she wouldn’t say anything but she couldn’t bear watching you and Tommy apart anymore. “Angel was cheating on you.”

“What?”

Polly sighed. “He was cheating with some other girl and that’s why Tommy gave the order. He asked me to keep it a secret and…”

“And you lied. You let me believe that Tommy did it because he was bitter,” you scoffed, shaking your head.

“Tommy didn’t want you to be heartbroken. He…he cares even if he has strange ways of showing it.”

You observed Polly, suddenly feeling stupid. You thought your anger towards Tommy was justified, that he deserved it because someone had to stop him. Someone had to make him understand he didn’t have all the rights to do whatever he pleased. But now…now you realized your outburst was unfair. He was trying to protect you, even if he could have let you deal with your troubles alone. He shielded you from the pain, took the blame for everything. Gosh you hated him.

“Just come, alright?”

Your initial reticence had seemingly disappeared and you nodded.

Polly helped you get ready and called her driver an hour later. You would arrive late, probably right in time for dinner but it didn’t matter. All you needed was a talk with Tommy. You needed to apologize and put an end to the conflict between—which seemed completely ridiculous now. Apprehension grew in the pit of your stomach as you got closer and closer to Arrow House. You didn’t know how he would react: would he listen to you? Would he try to avoid the conversation?

“We’re there, Y/N,” Polly’s firm hand squeezed yours, the great manor standing tall behind the window.

You took a deep breath, exiting the car. Each step brought you closer to him and it frightened you. You brought your coat closer to you, trying to stop your hands from shaking. Polly, noticing your anxiety, kept her hand tightly wrapped around yours and offered you a smile as you passed the threshold.

“Well, Polly, you’re…” Tommy appeared, his pocket watch in hand. He was probably going to comment on his aunt’s late arrival but he stopped himself mid sentence. Polly didn’t come alone tonight. No, you were here too.

Tommy had invited you, the same way he invited his brothers and their wife but unlike John, Esme or Arthur, he didn’t expect you to show up.

Even a year later, you didn’t forgive what happened to Angel Changretta. Tommy had paid the price already but losing Grace made him realize how alone he felt. After her death, he didn’t have anyone to turn to. Of course, there were Ada and Polly and Arthur’s clumsy attempts. But none were enough. Not compared to you.

Tommy remembered the days after his mother’s death, you had been the only one he could somehow confide in.

Sometimes, his grief grew so heavy he couldn’t speak anymore. His family didn’t understand that. They didn’t see his silence as the biggest proof of his sorrow, they saw it as a lack of emotion. But you had always been attentive enough to understand that words didn’t work, not when he felt like his heart was nothing but broken pieces scattered on the floor.

Your absence had never been as striking as it had been during the past year. But you were here now, on his doorstep with a soft smile brightening your features. Tommy moved towards you, he wanted to hug you, tell you just how much he had missed you.

“Y/N,” he mumbled instead, a polite nod to greet you.

Polly watched the scene, suppressing a grin. It wasn’t much but it was progress, she thought.

“Alright, Tom, are we spending the rest of the evening on the doorstep or can we get in? It’s freezing here!” The Shelby matriarch almost pushed her nephew out of the way and ran to greet the rest of the family. John’s kids screamed as they saw Polly, scaring to death Billy—Arthur’s baby.

The party was booming, jazz echoing through the halls and children running around. Although you didn’t come here often, you knew your way to the parlor where most of the family was. You hugged everyone, giggling at Arthur’s tight embrace and drunken comments. Quickly, you found yourself holding Esme’s little girl in your arms, chatting with her and Linda.

Tommy sat in the corner of the room, a glass of whiskey in hand and a cigarette in the other. He didn’t enjoy parties—too much noise, too much mess— but Arrow House had been so quiet. A deadly silence, gloomily settling in the manor until Tommy couldn’t handle it anymore. Inviting the family over brought back some of the liveliness: the chandeliers had been lit, music played on the phonograph and Charlie could run around with his cousins.

“Tom?” he blinked, startled as you stood before him. It had been a while since he heard you say his name. “Could I talk to you, please?” Tommy kept quiet for a moment, surprised by your proposal but he nodded, guiding you to his office.

There was a beat of silence as you stood in the middle of the room, twisting your fingers. You didn’t know how to start.

“Is everything okay?” Tommy finally asked, observing your nervous gestures.

“No…I mean, yes, I just…Polly told me about what you did and…and I guess I wanted to apologize.”

Tommy sighed, your words clear enough he didn’t need to ask what you were talking about. Polly promised she wouldn’t say anything but of course, his aunt never listened to him.

“You don’t have to apologize, I’m the one who blinded the man you loved, didn’t I?”

“You did it because he deserved it,” you reasoned simply. “And I didn’t love him, he was just a nice man…well, I thought so. I…why did you do it, Tom?”

Polly gave you a reason earlier today but you wanted to hear it from him. Why would he do something so reckless just over a love affair between you and some Italian man?

“I didn’t want you to get your heart broken over him. You didn’t deserve that,” he admitted, hands in his pocket.

“So you thought taking the blame would be better? You didn’t deserve getting yelled at.”

Tommy stared at you. He didn’t know what to answer. Letting you believe he was a terrible person somehow felt easier than watching you in pain. It was hard to explain but at the time, he didn’t need to explain anything. It was natural. Your friendship was already dead anyway, why break your heart to save something that wasn’t there anymore?

Before he could figure out an answer, Tommy felt your arms wrapped around his neck. You embraced him so tight it knocked the air out of his lungs. “Thank you,” a soft whisper, mumbled close to his ear.

It had been so long, he didn’t even realize how much he had missed it. You always hugged him like your life depended on it, like at any point he would disappear and you needed to make the most of whatever time you had left. Not much had changed, not even the perfume you wore. Tommy finally wrapped his own arms around your figure, his head resting on your shoulder. He closed his eyes for a moment. He dreaded the moment you would pull away, afraid it was the last time and he didn’t enjoy it enough.

But you didn’t want to let go either. You had missed him terribly. Often people wondered what you found in him, why a girl like you would care so deeply about the devil of Small Heath. And you understood the concern: Tommy was from being a saint. But there was so much to him, so much you were never able to express. He had unique ways of showing his love but you wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. If you had to learn a lesson from all these years apart, it was that. You needed him just like you knew he needed you.

“Mr. Shelby?” a soft knock on the office door and Tommy loosened his hold, allowing Frances to come inside. “The fireworks are ready, sir.”

“Fireworks, huh?” you asked in a playful tone.

“Wanted to start the year on the right foot.”

Tommy’s hand rested safely on the small of your back, guiding you outside. Polly instantly noticed the gesture as you arrived in the garden. She didn’t comment—there would be more appropriate times for that— but she couldn’t help flashing a sly smirk your way.

It was a minute to midnight, everyone was ready. The kids sat expectedly, waiting for the magic to start while the adults checked their watch. At last, Tommy signed for the fireworks to be lit.

Midnight sharp. A first bang, followed by another. The entire family marveled at the colors and festive motifs as they all hugged each other. A bright smile on your face, you turned to Tommy and kissed his cheek. “Happy New Year, Tom.”

But before he could answer, the noise was covered by cars screeching in the driveway and explosions—different from the fireworks. You merely had time to register the screams, Arthur yelling to get inside with the kids and bullets flying left and right. You couldn’t see who was shooting, your mind numbing the noise as you stood there, completely frozen. Fireworks were still shooting in the sky and in hues of red and blue, you saw John and the bullets passing through his chest, you saw Michael right behind him fall to the ground and you felt something running down your arm. A wave of hot liquid soaking your coat as arms pushed you away from the bullet. Gravel scratched your cheek—a sting long forgotten as you bled out on the ground. Tommy lay on top of you, he pushed the hair out of your face and spoke to you but all you could hear was the ringing in your head.

“...Okay? Y/N?”

You blinked, mumbling about your arm—at least you thought you did, you weren’t sure your lips could still move. Tommy seemed to understand and he took off his scarf, wrapping it around the wound.

“It hurts, Tom.”

“I know, I know, love,” he held you, leaning against the wall. You felt the wool of his coat around you and the fast thumps of his heart against your cheek. He shouted instructions, his loud voice rumbling in his chest. Someone was crying, you couldn’t see who it was. Your arm was getting numb, you couldn’t feel the tip of your fingers anymore. The pain was so raw you thought you would pass out. Somewhere in the distance, the cries were covered by sirens. You were so tired, so cold.

“Hey, hey, Y/N, stay awake, love,” Tommy’s hands cooled down your flushed cheeks.

“’m so tired.”

“Yeah, yeah but you have to stay awake, alright? You have to stay awake, the ambulance is coming,” Even in your half-conscious state, you picked up on the worry in his voice. Tommy couldn’t lose you. He had lost enough already, he wouldn’t handle losing you as well. The dark attire, the funeral, everyone crying and him just standing there, only crumbling in the middle of the night, guilt gnawing at his insides. No, he couldn’t do it all again. “Please, Y/N…”

“Hey,” you quietly joined Tommy in front of the fireplace, sitting on the carpet. A heavy sigh escaped his lips as he sipped his whiskey.

“How is your arm doing?” his gaze darted towards the fresh bandages wrapped around the bullet wound.

You had spent the few hours following the attack at the hospital. Thankfully, no bone was touched. Your injury was taken care of quickly, you didn’t even realize it was over—which probably had to do with the heavy dose of anesthetic they gave you. Tommy proposed to take you back home and stay with you, leaving Polly with Michael and John…

Oh John…

You didn’t see him, didn’t have time to say goodbye. But a part of you was glad you didn’t go to the morgue. That way, the last memory you would keep of him would be his booming laugh and the jokes he’d share at dinner. Not the gruesome view of his wan skin covered by blood and lifeless eyes. No, that way, you cherished that last evening with him, his smile and his hugs and everything that made him him.

“It’s okay. I don’t feel much with all the painkillers.”

Tommy nodded, his eyes stopping on your cheek. His fingers instinctively reached for the scratch, his thumb gently trailing over the redded marks. “It’s from the gravel, don’t worry,” you assured him, your hand closing over his fingers.

He frowned, his jaw clenching. “‘m sorry, I didn’t realize…”

“Are you joking? Tom, hey,” you tilted his chin, making him look at you. “You saved my life. If it wasn’t for you, I would’ve gotten that bullet…”

Right to the heart.

“I know,” he interrupted you.

Tommy had watched the scene unfold before him. You and that bullet rushing at you. It had left a strange impression of déjà-vu. A familiar sequence. Memories of one fateful evening under glistening chandeliers, guests screaming, the noise covered by his own buzzing fear. His stomach churned at the idea—the sparkle of your dress fading under warm red, holding your lifeless body as he begged for you to stay. So he did what he didn’t have the chance to do a year before: he pushed you to the ground, deviating the trajectory. The bullet didn’t miss, it went to your arm but you were okay. You were okay.

“But I didn’t save John,” Tommy let the words sting his tongue, not even realizing how broken his voice sounded or how easily the truth came out. He felt his eyes burn with the tears he couldn’t shed, his jaw aching under the tight pressure.

But your hand found a place on his shoulder, a simple gesture alleviating Tommy’s sorrow.

“I’m sorry, Tom,” you whispered but he shook his head. “It’s not your fault, don’t do this to yourself.”

He scoffed bitterly, bolting the remnants of whiskey. It was his fault. Maybe you were too kind to admit it or even to see it but Tommy knew it was. His hand may not have been the one blinding Angel Changretta but his mouth gave the orders.

“Hey,” your hands gently framed his face, your forehead resting against his. “You can’t control everything, you can’t predict the future. Maybe this was avoidable or maybe it wasn’t. Maybe it was going to happen no matter what. And there is nothing you can do to change that. Blaming yourself won’t make any of this better.”

Tommy observed you, your words sinking in. A part of him wanted to believe you. A part of him knew you were right. But he couldn’t help the guilt gnawing at his insides.

“All I can think about is what you said. That day when I told you about Grace. You said it would go wrong. I didn’t want to believe you then but you were right. It all went wrong,” he confessed. Your words had haunted him ever since that first night alone in Arrow House. He desperately wanted to go back. Listen to you and let Grace sail away. Maybe then, all of this wouldn't have happened. Maybe he wouldn’t feel the constant grief laying heavily on his chest.

“I said that out of anger, Tom. I never meant…” you sighed, realizing the impact of your wrath. You had been so blinded by your rage you didn’t even consider the consequences of your words.

A pinch of guilt in your chest, you bit your lip. “All these years not talking to you, d’you know what I regretted the most?”

Your thumb trailed across his cheek as he kept quiet. “How safe you made me feel,” you uttered. Those words were true, you meant every single one of them, in every way they could be interpreted. He was the arms you ran into after each heartbreak, each torment. An unsuspected haven hiding under intimidating layers of arrogance and rigidity.

“And after tonight, I can only say the feeling has increased. I know you want to blame yourself for everything that went wrong but I don’t think it’s fair. You do so much good, Tom. You protect us, as best as you can. I know that, Polly knows that. And John knew that too.”

A single tear rolled down Tommy’s freckled cheek. You leaned in, kissing his pain away as his hands tightened around your waist. He embraced you, head resting on your shoulder and even though the wound was still raw, Tommy chose to believe you.

Laughs and chatters echoing through Charlie’s yard, the smell of roasted meat and the entire family gathered around a lavish meal: the perfect way to celebrate John. No matter the pain, no matter the grief, the Shelby clan knew that he would have wanted them to remember the good moments only. The memory of his buoyant energy soothed their sorrow as they chose to say goodbye reminiscing the pranks and jokes John was a master of.

Tommy sat at the end of the table, playing with the flask of whiskey in his hand. He had tuned out the chatter around, turning the loud voices and exclamations into a mere buzzing in the background. Although he seemed miles away from the actual scene, his eyes were fixed on the other side of the table.

You sat next to Ada, chatting about something or another, still wearing your mourning attire. Since the night before, Tommy hadn’t been able to get you out of his mind. For some reason, your presence seemed to haunt his thoughts even more so than usual.

Even after you had gone to bed, Tommy stayed wide awake, incapable of forgetting the solace you had offered him. Your gentleness, your words, your hands. Everything about you made him crave more. He longed for your arms around him, for your voice to whisper in his ear and quiet the demons in his mind. Tommy couldn’t shake that feeling—a wave of peace and tranquility washing over him amidst a tempestuous ocean.

“I heard you and Y/N finally buried the hatchet,” Polly sat down next to him, a sly smirk illuminating her tired face.

Tommy sipped on his whiskey, shrugging. “Yeah, guess I have to thank you for that.”

His gaze was still fixed on the other end of the table. Although his aunt promised she would keep his secret, for once he was glad that she did the complete opposite of what he wanted. If it wasn’t for Polly’s meddling, Tommy would still be living with that cold, empty pit: the knowledge that no matter how close he was sitting, you would only get further and further away.

“I wanted to keep your secret,” she began, her gaze briefly following his. Polly turned to her nephew, observing his tired features. She often worried about him. The more time passed, the more he looked like his mother. And although nothing could be done for Martha, Polly didn’t want the history to repeat itself. Regardless of yours and Tommy’s bond, you were good to him. The Shelby matriarch handled the matters of the heart in the family for a reason, she wasn’t going to let the only good thing in Tommy’s life slip through his fingers. “But then I remembered the time you came home from school and told me you had met your wife.”

Tommy’s head shot up at Polly’s words. It had been so long, somehow buried under the decades of war and pain and loss. A memory lost, somewhere before France, somewhere before his mum’s death and his father’s leaving. Somewhere Tommy was still a boy who wasted the week’s money on top hats and coconuts and you were still a little girl with braids and a toothy smile.

It had been another dusty afternoon, running home after school. Tommy was with his brothers, kicking a ball and laughing the soot away. But even in the middle of a very important game, the little boy didn’t miss the cruel snickering echoing through the streets. He remembered abandoning the ball, his brothers’ exclamations ignored as he followed a lone, shriek cry for help.

Behind an alley, tall boys circling a smaller figure. Tommy knew them, some scumbags from school who spent their days attacking those who couldn’t defend themselves. And their new target was you, only 8 but already tougher than those boys. They were mocking you, making fun of your father—or lack thereof. You didn’t care, your mum explained it all to you but those idiots didn’t seem to understand.

Tommy stepped up, easily reminding them their own lives weren’t perfect—they lived in dingy Small Heath just like that little girl after all, they weren’t any better. You had watched the scene, scared for your daring savior—those boys could easily take him—but he got a pocket knife out and in the blink of an eye, the boys scurried off the alley.

“Thank you, Tommy,” you had shyly muttered, the first words you ever said to him. Tommy had seen you, sometimes you came over with your mum but you always stayed hidden in her skirts.

Tommy remembered how your light voice made him smile.  And with the full weight of his 11 years old, he realized that the chirpy melody was too beautiful to be tainted by sorrow or even anger. He couldn’t understand it then but the radiant grin you offered him on that first, real meeting, made his heart flutter and his cheek redden.

Kindly, Tommy took you back to your house and made sure you arrived safely but before leaving, you granted him another smile. “Thank you,” you had repeated and Tommy waved the gesture off as if it was nothing. It was to him.

He remembered how you looked around, searching for something until your gaze dropped on a small dandelion. It had somehow grown on your doorstep, finding a crack through the pavement and shamelessly growing, unafraid of the industrial monster around. You handed him the flower, tiptoeing to kiss his cheek. The first kiss Tommy didn’t get from his mum or his aunt. The first kiss he got from an actual girl. He took the flower, staring at you dumbfounded.

On the way back to his house, Tommy couldn’t help but touch his freshly kissed cheek, observing the dandelion. He had passed the threshold, arriving in the living room, still as starstruck as he had been ever since your lips touched his skin. Polly observed her nephew, wondering what in the world could have turned the usually loud boy so quiet.

“I–I think I met my wife, Pol,” he mumbled, showing the bright yellow dandelion.

Tommy stared at the dried flower between his fingers. It had been there all along, at the bottom of a drawer in his childhood bedroom. After the lunch in Charlie’s yard, Tommy had spent another sleepless night. It wasn’t nightmares or ruminations this time, no. It was that old, shrunken up dandelion. He had been unable to shake the growing feeling in his chest, the memories of an entire life spent by your side.

“Hey, you said you wanted to see me?” Tommy blinked his thoughts away, quickly hiding the flower in his pocket.

He cleared his throat, leaving his chair and grabbing his coat. “Yeah, I…I wanted to take you somewhere.”

Instinctively, Tommy extended his arm towards you and you linked your fingers with his. He almost stopped in his tracks, surprised by the striking contrast. Your soft finger rubbing the rough and calloused skin of his hand.

You quickly recognized the path you took countless times before. It brought you right to the Canal, a secret spot Tommy showed you when you were merely 16. There was not enough space, not enough quiet on Watery Lane so he found somewhere else. A place known by you and him only. A place you would escape to when you wanted to chat or just get away from thin walls and wandering ears.

“It’s been so long since I came here,” you uttered, nostalgia rushing through your veins. All these years and yet, it stayed the same. Nothing had changed since the last time you met there. As if the Canal knew. As if it waited for you to come back, freezing dear memories in time.

Tommy walked to the water, watching a bird on the other side of the bank. He stayed quiet, deep in his thoughts. Something in him told him to bring you here but now…now he didn't know what to do. He considered admitting the strange feelings. Maybe admitting it outloud would make it easier? Or at least make him realize how stupid those thoughts were.

“The trip down memory lane sounds fun, Tom, honestly but, uh, why d’you bring me here? It’s fucking freezing,” you muttered after a good 15 minutes spent in silence.

Tommy walked back to you, leaving his incessant thoughts behind. He handed you a cigarette, observing your features as you exhaled the smoke.

“I had a crush on you,” he finally blurted out. The words lingered in the air for a moment. Tommy didn’t even realize what he said until he noticed the frown on your face.

“What?”

“Yeah, before France, had a crush on you.”

“Really? I–I always thought you were in love with Greta Jurossi,” you chuckled, the image of a younger Tommy appearing somewhere in your mind.

“Nah, she was just helping me. I never told anyone but she knew and she said she would play cupid.” Tommy shook his head at the memory, he had spent hours with Greta, listening to her talk about women loved and how to be romantic.

“D’you remember that time we ended up in the linen closet?”

You hummed.

“Yeah well, that was her idea. She read it in some book, said that by the end the characters kissed and then got married,” Tommy chuckled. It did sound ridiculous now that he said it. “But you grew tired of waiting for her to come back with help so you knocked the damn door down.”

You giggled, remembering that one particular afternoon. You had found yourself locked up in the linen closet and for some unknown reason—well, it was at the time—Tommy just sat there and tried to convince you to wait. Greta promised she would get some help to get you out but time passed and you were still stuck in that closet. Tired of waiting, you did what any other sensible person would do and forced the door open. You never understood why the two kept behaving so strangely but now it all made sense.

“Oh, my poor Tommy, I ruined your plans, didn’t I?” you pouted, a tender expression gracing your features.

“Yeah…” he observed you, hands brushing the hair framing your face.

You had changed so much. Long gone were the two kids from Small Heath who only had each other. But in your gaze, Tommy found a sparkle, the same gleam the little girl with her braids and toothy smile carried proudly. The dandelion weighed in his pocket. It was the reminder that beautiful things grew everywhere—even in the dusty hell of Small Heath. A reminder that, once, Tommy was just a boy and you were just the girl who kissed him. He had given up on being a simple man. Someone who craved to be loved just as much as he craved to love. But the boy he had buried under the mud was still there, still craving the tender smiles and soft kisses.

Tommy felt himself lean in, closer and closer until his lips gently touched yours. His hands caressed your cheeks, slowly trailing down your neck as you responded to the kiss. Your arm wrapped his waist, you brought him closer. It should have been strange, kissing him. It should have felt weird and probably even repulsing. But you still melted against him, fingers getting lost in his raven hair.

Reluctantly, Tommy’s lips left yours cold and hungry for more. He rested his forehead against yours, sighing. “I think I love you, Y/N.”

You shouldn’t have been feeling that peculiar flutter in your stomach at his words. You shouldn’t be craving more, more of his lips, more of his touch, more of the sparkle he lit. But it didn’t feel wrong. It didn’t feel like a mistake, something that should never happen again. No, it was the missing piece of the puzzle. What should have happened all these years ago but never really did.

You felt a yearning. It had been hidden, retained, buried for so long. Too long. And now, you both realized it was everything you wanted, everything you needed. The source of your happiness, your peace, safely resting in each other’s hands.

“No, I don’t think…I know,” Tommy mumbled, his lips brushing yours before kissing you once again.

The sun shone, its gleam covering the guests in golden hues. Arrow House was dressed in its best attire, tents had been installed in the gardens and enthusiasm flowed through the sweet summer air.

Tommy stood at the end of the alley, facing the few guests. Arthur was beside him, talking his ear off as they waited patiently for you. You had decided to get married in your garden with Jeremiah to officiate and only your close family and friends attending. It was unusual, unconventional even. But the Shelby clan wasn’t known for respecting conventions.

At last, the bride’s melody covered the excited chatter as everyone got up. You sauntered through the alley, walking by each of the guests, a bright smile hidden by your veil. You instantly fixed your gaze on Tommy. He looked dashing in his navy blue suit, you thought.

Polly walked next to you, proudly giving you away. The tradition was for the father of the bride to bring her down the aisle but you never had a father. What you had was your aunt who raised you and loved you enough to replace whatever masculine presence people valued so much.

“I’m so proud of you, sweetheart,” she whispered to you, tears glistening in her honey-like eyes. She embraced you tightly, finally leaving you with Tommy.

Your soon-to-be husband beamed at the sight of you: an angel sent to him for a reason he still couldn’t understand. Gently, he lifted the veil covering your face and his smile only brightened. Even after all these years, he couldn’t help but still be starstruck by your beauty.

“You look beautiful, love,” he mumbled, his gaze overflowing with adoration.

“You don’t look so bad yourself.”

Tommy chuckled at your playful tone, his hand reaching for yours. You observed him, a radiant grin engraved on your face. He was beautiful and the best part, he was yours. A part of you wanted to leave everyone there, let them enjoy the champagne and the food while you ran away. Let them dance, let them sing and hide with Tommy, have him all to yourself again.

You made a note to yourself to thank Polly. She made Tommy pick the gorgeous shade—that way, he could be your something blue. But it’s not the suit that piqued your curiosity.

Among the immaculate flowers Tommy wore in his breast pocket, there was a smaller, rusty one.

“Y-You kept it?” you asked, pointing to the old dandelion. The first thing you ever offered him.

Tommy smiled, squeezing your hand. He leaned in and whispered:

“I needed my lucky charm.”

[zablife]

A Gift for My Wife

Tommy Shelby x wife reader

Summary: Tommy wants to surprise his wife with an extravagant surprise after the birth of their new baby, but things don’t go to plan. 

Author’s Note: Written for @runnning-outof-time ’s Holiday BINGO Challenge. I used the prompts: a confession, hurt/comfort, a family tradition and forced proximity. 

Warnings: language, mention of pregnancy, mention of cheating, lots of fluff

Looking out from behind the curtains of the nursery, you stared longingly at the stables. It had been months since you’d given up your daily rides with your husband and you missed the time with him desperately. The tiny bundle in your arms shifted beneath her blankets, cooing softly to break your reverie. You smiled down at her, heart swelling with pure love. You didn’t resent a moment of the time you’d given up for her, but you were aching to return to your first passion. 

Like Tommy, you’d learned to ride as a child and it was something you’d bonded over when you first met. Even as Tommy’s empire grew, he always made time in his busy schedule to go riding with you because it was a way of staying connected. You would discuss your hopes and dreams for the future or simply make each other laugh as you stayed in constant competition over who was the better rider. 

The tradition stood for three years until the day you learned you were pregnant. You’d wanted a family for so long, neither of you wanted to take any chances when it came to your child. So you’d given up riding in favor of time in the library. However, it quickly devolved into watching Tommy work as you read a book and the interaction wasn’t the same.

Tommy had seen your distant look as you sat across from him, but didn’t know how to rekindle the spark until he heard news of the Doncaster Blood Stock. It gave him a wonderful idea to give you a gift in exchange for the most precious gift you’d ever given him, his beautiful baby girl. He wasn’t known for grand, romantic gestures, but this occasion called for something unique so he made a call, smiling to himself as he thought of taking you on a special outing.

One week later, you kissed the baby goodbye and bundled yourself into a warm coat, waving goodbye to Frances. Tommy placed his hand on your knee, giving you a reassuring squeeze. “She’ll be alright for one day, love,” and you nodded in agreement. 

“Won’t you tell me where we’re going?” you said with a nervous giggle. This was very unlike your husband.

“You’ll see when we get there,” he answered, flicking his cigarette out the window.

When you arrived at the horse auction, your heart thrilled with excitement. Tommy offered you his arm and you pulled yourself closer to your husband as people bustled all around you. “Tommy, I don’t understand. We can’t afford another horse right now,” you pointed out, always the voice of reason.

“Well, we can have a look, can’t we? No law against that,” he said, guiding you up the stairs in front of him.

“This is awfully expensive window shopping,” you said, but you secretly loved the idea of viewing all the thoroughbreds.

When you’d found a place in the gallery overlooking the ring, you leaned over the railing for a better look. Then you took time to survey the room. Men were marking papers and reviewing documents around you. “What are they doing?” you asked. 

Tommy lit a cigarette, blowing smoke over his shoulder as he surreptitiously glanced at the man to his right. “Those are reports from the vet,” he said matter-of-factly.

“You mean you don’t get to run hands over them first?” you asked, remembering how Curly liked to inspect a new horse.

“No, that’s not the way the toffs do it,” Tommy said, shaking his head with a chuckle. “They like their paperwork.”

“What’s your method then?” you asked with a curious smile playing on your lips. 

“I keep an eye open when they walk,” he said gesturing toward the ring with his cigarette. “That’s all I need to know,” he said with a small nod.

Just then a beautiful quarter Arab filly was lead out. Her coat shone in the light as she regally made her way beneath you and you instantly saw what Tommy meant. “Oh, Tommy, she’s lovely!” you exclaimed.

At a small table at the far end of the ring an auctioneer in a bowler hat and little round spectacles announced, “Morals of Marcus, Sedgemere stud by Tetrach out of Lady Josephine. We’ll start the bidding at 800 guineas.”

Tommy could tell by the way your eyes shone watching the horse, this was the one. As you turned to smile at him, you noticed him give a nod to a woman across from you. She was obviously wealthy, dressed in a black fur trimmed coat and fashionable gray hat. For a moment you wondered if she was there with her husband, but one look at her loose curls and smoky eyes made you realize she was far too glamourous. No, she was someone’s mistress or looking to become one. You shifted your weight uncomfortably, closing your coat around yourself, suddenly feeling unattractive by comparison. 

The woman raised her hand to bid, then the man next to you raised his, inciting a bidding war. “Bloody May Carleton, what’s that spoiled little bitch doing here besides driving up the prices?” he hissed to his companion.

“With Ian gone, she’s taken on quite a few new clients. Heard she's here today spending some new man's money,” his friend informed him. You swallowed harshly, suspicions confirmed. 

As the gavel fell, everyone clapped for May. She smiled sweetly at Tommy as the man beside you threw down his paper in disgust. You couldn’t blame him as you felt the same. Turning to Tommy you begged for him to take you home.

“Don’t you want to stay to see the other horses, darling?” Tommy asked with furrowed brow.

“No, I’m feeling very tired all of a sudden,” you said and Tommy took your elbow to help you down the stairs. As he did, you met May by the stairs. 

“Mr. Shelby, lovely to see you. Have you and Mrs. Shelby enjoyed the auction?” she chirped.

“We have,” he replied simply, turning to leave.

“Just a moment,” she called out. “Would you mind accompanying me to the offices?”

“I’m sorry that won’t be possible. We’re on our way home, Ms. Carleton,” Tommy said with a tip of his hat. Your cheeks burned as you realized your husband knew this woman and your heart ached at the thought that perhaps he knew her a bit better than you’d care to admit. 

You rode in silence most of the way home, looking out the window as it rained. Finally Tommy spoke up asking, “Y/n, what’s wrong? You’ve barely spoken since the auction. Are you worried about the baby, love?”

Facing your husband with tears in your eyes you said, “No, I’m not worried about her, Tommy. I’m worried about us. How do you know May Carleton so well?”

Tommy gave you a puzzled look. Why would you be so concerned about May and how did you know her first name? “I don’t know her all that well honestly,” Tommy said, unsure why it mattered to you.

Frustration and humiliation spiking, you huffed, “Pull over, Tom. I want out of this car right now!”

“Are you insane? It’s freezing, you’ll catch a cold,” Tommy said, unwilling to pull over.

“I can’t stand to be in the car with you another minute if you’re going to lie to me!” you screamed at him.

Tommy looked at you in shock before allowing the car to drift into a ditch. You clutched for the door handle, but he slid over the bench seat, grabbing you by the shoulders before you could get away.

You shook him off saying, “Let me go! You don’t even want me anymore!”

“Hey, hey…look at me,” he said, grabbing your chin. “Where’s this coming from, eh?”

You broke down crying as you reached into your purse for a handkerchief. “May,” you said in a weak voice. “Tell me the truth. Is she your mistress?” you asked looking up at him with red, watery eyes.

“Fuck, is that what you think?” Tommy asked, running his hands through his hair. He’d never considered what it might look like when he asked May to help him bid on the horse. “May is a horse trainer, love. She breeds racehorses with her father.” 

“She’s not a whore then?” you asked with a sniffle.

Tommy surpressed a laugh as he shook his head. “No, she’s a joint owner of Carleton Stud. Look, I can prove it,” he said, quickly fishing a business card from his pocket.

You studied it carefully, seeing what Tommy said was true. Suddenly you felt very foolish, having accused your husband of having an affair. 

Tommy pulled you into his chest, stroking your hair away from your face. “You’ve been so selfless giving up the thing you love most to look after our daughter. I wanted to do something for you in return and I thought a horse would be the perfect gift. I thought of asking May to choose because she would pick only the best, but I wanted to be sure you approved. I’m sorry, the secrecy of it all made you think…” he trailed off unable to say the words. 

You smiled against his shirt front, his vulnerability catching you off guard. You knew in that moment he would never think of cheating with May or anyone and you were ashamed of allowing your jealousy to reign over you. “It’s such a wonderful gift,” you praised him, thanking him for his loyalty more than the horse in the moment, though he didn’t know it at the time.

Then you realized the horse you’d seen might actually be yours. Sitting up with a jerk you asked. “Tommy, does that mean the filly is ours?”

He grinned at you widely, stroking a thumb over your cheek as he nodded. “Yours, my darling. All yours.”

You threw your arms around his neck thanking him once again and peppered his face with kisses. “I can’t wait to go riding again,” you said eagerly.

“Neither can I. It will be sooner than you think. She’ll be delivered tomorrow,” he informed you. You bit your lip, squealing with excitement. 

“Ready to go home now?” Tommy asked, starting the car. You nodded, thoughts of your child drifting back into your mind. Tommy mistook your pensive silence and decided to add one more detail for good measure.

“We don’t have to invite May,” Tommy said diplomatically as he pulled back onto the main road. “I love you, you know.” 

You chuckled as you snuggled into his side. “Thank you, Tommy. I love you too.”

---------------------------

Tag list:

@peakyswritings

@evita-shelby

@shelbydelrey

@alanadetigy

@wandawiccan60   

@severewobblerlightdragon

@lovemissyhoneybee

@theshelbyslimited

@kittycatcait219

@peakyrogers

@christinasyellowflowers

@notyour-valentine

@theshelbyclan

@peaky-cillian

@kpopgirlbtssvt

@celticmelody

@look-at-the-soul

@floraroselaughter

@watercolorskyy

@cillmequick

@l1-l4

@dreamlandcreations

@raincoffeeandfandoms

@moral-terpitude

@there-goes-thefighter

@pherelesytsia

@rangerelik

@mythos-writes

@literishdegree99

@padfootdaredmetoo

@writeroutoftime

@dearshelby

@gypsy-girl-08

@dandelionprints

@midnightmagpiemama

@mgcllovdrms

@rikki-b-lake

@murderousginger

@madame-wilsonn

[notyour-valentine]

A Christmas Journey ~ Tommy Shelby (Fluff)

[Masterlist] [Taglist]

Summary: A Journey back from London in the Christmas Season with his secretary doesn't go as planned

Note: written for @runnning-outof-time and her Holiday Bingo Challenge . You always have such incredible ideas for us to join in on celebrating your milestone - congratulations! I chose forced proximity, a family tradition, subtle hurt/comfort, and (self) confession

All my writing is produced by an adult and created with an adult audience in mind (18/21+). You are responsible for your own media consumption. I do not consent to my work being translated, copied or posted elsewhere on this platform or any other.

Wordcount: 2473 words

The outside looked like one of these paintings one could buy in a collection to hang in some corner of a large room, a quiet, calm, peaceful scenery, an image of the countryside snoozing under a blanket of freshly fallen snow, coating field, house, and trees alike. 

It was the kind of cold that ought to make one stark a fire and climb under a blanket, warm tea in hand. 

Only it wasn’t a painting, and to Tommy Shelby, there was nothing calming about it. 

The cold, especially a cold like this, meant problems, and problems meant a slowing of work, of traffic, of business. And he had neither time nor means for that. 

The end of the year, of any year, meant hastily signed contracts, quickly closed deals before the new tax year would start, as well as end-of-year obligations, useless mingling for Christmas parties, dinners, company celebrations, and the like, as well as the demand of anyone and everyone wanting a piece of him. 

It meant he was stretched out even more so than usual. 

A particular contract that needed signing before the New Year had made him rush to London earlier today, taking only his suitcase and one of the Birmingham Secretaries with him. That way he had time to fill her in during the train ride there about what was going to be discussed in the meeting. 

She was fairly new, and more a typist than a secretary, with quick, nimble fingers that could dance over the typewriter at a dizzying speed. 

Now she was quite a sight, bundled up against the cold in a thick coat, with scarves and gloves, and a hat that drowned out her face. 

She had taken those off once inside the train compartment and was now removing her coat as well, revealing what looked to be a home-knitted woolen cardigan. 

Tommy glanced up from his reading, a business report about the annual revenues from one of his factories, as soon as she opened her mouth to speak, only to see she had changed her mind, instead offering him an embarrassed smile. 

With a hum he returned to his reading, only to see her scoot about on her seat out of the corner of his eye. 

“Mr. Shelby?”, she asked after a moment, unable to keep still “Is there any task you have for me during our ride back?”

Tommy considered for a moment, but there was no way she could transcribe with the bumpy up and down of the train, so he shook his head. 

“Would it bother you if I did some knitting then?”, she asked, reaching for her hand. 

“It’s a tradition in our family - my Ma’ always makes sure we get a new pair of socks in each year’s stocking and this time I wanted to surprise her with a pair of her own, even though it’s a bit foolish.”

She offered him an embarrassed smile. 

“I’m not much good so I’ve had to start over.”

“Fine.”, Tommy grumbled. 

What a silly gift, he thought, remembering the knitted socks from his earlier days. They had been warm enough, but not perfectly so.

Bothersome to mend, and too thick in good shoes, he had had no qualms about throwing them out a few years back in exchange for softer, more delicate Merino socks, which were just as warm. 

“Thank you!”, she said, beaming from ear to ear as she reached into her bag and pulled out a ghastly dark red ball of wool, and two brown needles, a good half sock hanging from the edges. 

Before she began, she scooted closer to the light source of their compartment, bringing her right across from him. 

Tommy’s eyes returned to the numbers and comparisons, as the clicking began. 

As if the rattling of the train hadn’t already been enough. 

It was persisting, never-ending, click click click, click click, click click click. 

After a few minutes, even the hiss of the wool made his jaw tighten in annoyance. 

The lines on the paper became impossible to read with the neverending sound. 

Click click click, click click click, hiss, click click click. 

Always uneven, always unpredictable. 

It was a sound to make a man go mad. 

“I’ve changed my mind.”, Tommy said sharply, snapping the file shut. “Can you stop?”

She looked up, needles in hand, with thread wrapped around her finger, her eyes wide and round as dinner plates. 

“Oh.”, she gasped surprised, staring at him in disbelief for a split second before she cleared her throat and nodded. 

“Of course Mr. Shelby, I’m sorry, Sir.”

She scrambled to tidy up, hastily twisting the needles and sticking them back into the ball of wool as if she was afraid he’d open the window and toss it out if she wasn’t quick enough in the removal of his ire. 

“No need to apologise.”, he mumbled. 

The moment he opened the file again, they heard the brakes screech as the train came to a slow halt. 

For a split second, there was silence all throughout the train. Then the both of them looked towards the window, seeing only darkness. 

They were in the middle of nowhere. 

Her whispered “Oh no.” gave voice to Tommy’s thought. 

“Wh-what just happened?”, she asked breathlessly, her hands clutching onto her brown leather bag. 

“I’ll see what the conductor says.”, he muttered as he got to his feet. “Just stay here.”

A delay was the last thing he needed when all he wanted was to get home, make the calls to Boston and New York, finish revising that speech, and - there was something else that he knew he had forgotten, but he knew it would come back to him. 

But unless they got moving soon, it wouldn’t matter at all. 

The last thing he wanted was to be stuck in a train with a good half hundred strangers, and in a compartment with his little typist. 

That strange feeling of irritation and subtle anger spurred him on as he walked nearly half of the train before he found someone in charge, already swarmed by a dozen other passengers. 

He was lanky as a tree, with a narrow face and small piglike eyes. 

“Please, Ladies and Gentlemen, stay calm!”, he assured them all, both palms outstretched. “Retake your seats, I am sure we will resume the journey shortly. There is no need to be concerned.”

That did little to block off the hail of questions, to which his only response was to flair his hands as if they were all little flies bothering him. 

He had to practically shove them back into their respective compartments all the while nodding and repeating his meaningless babble over and over. 

Tommy stopped his flight to the head of the train. 

“What’s going on?”, he demanded to know. 

“There is no need for concern!”, the conductor told him, “I am sure the journey will resume-”

“The name’s Shelby.”, Tommy hissed, undercutting any attempt of him to repeat his speech for the umpteenth time. 

The man’s little eyes went wide. 

“Oh, well, in that case, Sir, well,”, he began to stammer, wiping his hands on his uniform. 

Tommy raised his brows in impatience, urging him on. 

The man’s face turned the colour of his uniform. 

“Due to the snow, Sir, they are having to clear a railroad switch ahead of us before we can continue safely. It will only be a moment Mr. Shelby, Sir.”

Tommy gave a single nod and patted him on the shoulder before returning to his compartment, thankfully first class, which meant it was mostly abandoned this time of night, with only his secretary being the other one. 

“And?”, she asked breathlessly, getting up from her seat as soon as he entered. 

“It’s fine.”, Tommy assured her, before sitting back down again. 

Even though the door blocked out most of the noise, the restlessness and uncertainty found its way into their compartment, infecting first her and then him too, and more so with every passing second. 

“You know,”, she mumbled after a near half-hour of tense silence and stolen glances out the window, “There’s stories about this happening in the United States. They can’t get the train to work again and the people freeze to death.”

“It’s not the train.”, Tommy told her. 

Besides, it wasn’t that cold. Sure, it was chilly, but nothing compared to the winters spent in the trenches, unable to properly get a fire going. Here they were dry, with a roof over their head and coats and scarves to warm them. 

His secretary didn’t seem convinced. She kept craning her neck to look out the glass door for any sight of any possible change, her hands nervously picking at her bag. 

It was making him nervous too. 

“We won’t freeze to death either.”, he assured her dryly. 

“Are you sure? Because it already feels a lot colder if you think about it. And we are out in the middle of nowhere. No one will know where we are and-”

She shut herself off at the sight of his gaze and quickly averted her eyes, her hands still fidgeting nervously, her whole body shaking. 

What an easy life she must’ve had for a mere thing like an unplanned train stop to put her in this state. 

But then again, she was so young, part of this new, reckless generation who had been little more children during the war. And it was all too easy to paint the world a bit brighter for little ones, to hide the nasty truth behind soft lies and gentle facades. 

And now the girl was unsettled by a little train delay, poor thing. 

Tommy had suffered half a dozen a ride on the trains that carried him back and forth during his time in France. 

Still, when she began trying to breathe heavily to steady her nerves, he felt a pang of pity in his chest. And her nervousness was beginning to irritate him. 

“Why don’t you take up that knitting again?”, he asked.

“Oh no, I don’t want to annoy you.”, she quickly said, shaking her head. 

Tommy huffed, a twitch in the corner of his lips. 

“I’m not reading, so it won’t bother me.”

She was slow to reach for her bag, surveying his every reaction. 

Tommy made sure to give none as she reached for her things, and slowly began to knit again, her eyes darting from her work to his face and back, eager to see any sign of disgruntlement. 

But when she found none, she slowly settled into her knitting more and more, until she was fully focussed on that. 

Tommy allowed himself to watch. The repetitiveness in the motion, even if the sound had irritated him earlier, seemed to calm him now. 

Especially watching the tips of the needles work together, settled his heartbeat. 

It wouldn’t be the most perfect sock, which was clear to see even now, but the longer Tommy watched, the more times she repeated it, the more he felt the idea growing on him. 

But his words, or rather the fact that he said them out loud, even if it was just a mumble, surprised him. 

“I don’t think it is foolish.”

The clicking stopped as she looked up. 

“I beg your pardon, Sir?”, she asked. 

“Earlier,”, Tommy explained, “You said I’d think it foolish. I don’t. It’s a sweet thing to do for your mother.”

She bit her lip and lowered her hands, growing flustered at his words, with a smile forming on her lips. 

“Oh I don’t know.”, she admitted, “I do hope she likes it, but in the end it’s just a little part of Christmas. Our Christmas I mean.”

She offered him another shy smile. 

“It’s not as grand as your Christmasses, I’d wager. With a ten-foot tree and a hundred baubles but it’s nice.”

Tommy hummed in response, as he let his eyes find the darkening landscape. 

These days his Christmasses were like stepping into a glossy catalog, every inch of the house decorated, countless candles shining, a hoard of wrapped presents with large bows, steaming meals, and more sweets than anyone could ever eat in a whole year, let alone a few days. Every treat, every delicacy, it was all right there. 

As it should be, a part of Tommy thought, the part that was proud of all he had achieved and that he could share it with his family, with his son. He alone would receive a dozen presents worth more than a factory worker’s annual wage. 

But another part eyed those slightly uneven socks closer. 

They were far from perfect, and yet every loop was laced with care and effort. 

The memory of the socks his mother and Polly had knitted for him in years past, which he had thrown away as soon as he could afford to, made shame creep up his cheeks. 

He already knew what he would get from them this year - cufflinks from Polly and a tie needle from Ada to match, expensive gifts, undoubtedly. Like every year. 

Expensive, flashy gifts for an expensive flashy holiday. And that was it. 

Nothing close to the memories of his childhood, even if they were feeble and poor in comparison, but at least they had been excited about it, about the food, about the oranges they would sometimes receive, about snow, even about the hymns they’d sing, less for the meaning and more of them all doing something together. 

Singing together, cooking together, decorating together - and now the cooks did the cooking and the maids the decorating. 

All Tommy did was pay. Like with any other day. 

Taking a deep breath, he shifted in his chair and shook his thoughts. 

There was no need to deprive Charlie of all the presents he could afford, anything he could enjoy. But perhaps the boy would want to do a little more than merely opening and receiving gifts. 

Perhaps he’d like a little tree to decorate on his own, just a little one, even if it ended up not nearly as perfect as how Frances would instruct the maids to do it. But then again, those socks wouldn’t be perfect either. 

The longer he thought about it, the more he came to enjoy the idea. 

Maybe they could even take the horses out into the forest and he could pick one for them to cut down. 

Just as it had taken hold in his mind, they heard a mechanic screech before the train slowly started moving. 

“Oh thank God!”, the secretary cried out, dropping her needles in her lap and offering him a relieved smile. 

But Tommy’s mind was already back in that snow-coated forest to the back of Arrow House in which Charlie would choose their Christmas tree. A proper one, not flashy and big, but real.

~

Thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed and as always I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Taglist

Overall

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

Tommy

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

[runnning-outof-time]

K’s (Almost) 2.5k Holiday BINGO

Challenge MASTERLIST

Want to get in the holiday spirit (or reminisce on holiday’s past)?

This list has all of the lovely participants (and creations) from my Holiday BINGO Challenge … if you’re curious as to what that is, you can check that post out HERE.

All participants and their stories are listed under the cut!

———

Creations:

— Offers in the Snow by @dearshelby

Tommy Shelby x Reader

— Christmas Eve by @evita-shelby

Modern!Tommy Shelby x OC

— New Traditions by @look-at-the-soul

Modern!Tommy Shelby x Reader

— Warm As A Hug by @raincoffeeandfandoms

Alfie Solomons x Reader

— The Proposal by @noforkingclue

Tommy Shelby x Reader

— Christmas Traditions by @midnightmagpiemama

Modern!Tommy Shelby x Reader

— Christmas Dance by @forgottenpeakywriter

Tommy Shelby x Reader

— Under the Mistletoe by @peakyscillian

Modern!Tommy Shelby x Reader

— Mistletoe by @there-goes-thefighter

Michael Gray x Reader

— The Spirit of Christmas by @gypsy-girl-08

Modern!Tommy Shelby x Reader

— A Gift for My Wife by @zablife

Tommy Shelby x wife!Reader

— Christmas Present by @rangerelik

Tommy Shelby x Reader

— Snowed In by @cillmequick

Tommy Shelby x Solomons!Reader - contains mature content

— All We Have Is Now by @moral-terpitude

Modern!Tommy Shelby x OC

— A Christmas Journey by @notyour-valentine

Tommy Shelby

— Carols and Confessions by @choreosmania

Tommy Shelby x Reader

— Unrequited by @shelbydelrey

Alfie Solomons x Tommy Shelby

— Snow Day by @mythos-writes

John Shelby x Reader

— Men With Blue Eyes and Dark Hair by @dandelionprints

Tommy Shelby x Reader

— How to Steal A Million by @huntingingoodwill

Tommy Shelby x Reader

— Christmas Will Find You Home by @thomasshelbydrabbles

Modern!Tommy Shelby x OC - has slight mature content

— It’s Always Been You by @madame-wilsonn

Tommy Shelby x Reader

———

Who’s Joining In??

— @l1-l4 — fic not yet written

— @dreamlandcreations — fic not yet written

— @fallatyourfeet — fic not yet written

———

Divider by @firefly-graphics

[runnning-outof-time]

🎁

Awe Aimee I’m so excited that you want to join in on my celebration!! I cannot wait to see what you create! I just know it will be amazing!! 🥰❤️

[runnning-outof-time]

K, please add me in the celebration! An idea just popped in and i think i'll write soon (i'm not making promises but the size of the thing is demanding me to push a few WIPs to the side 😁)!

Ahh exciting!! I’m so happy you want to join!! I’ll add you in!! And no pressure - take all of the time you need. I can’t wait to see what you create!! ❤️

[runnning-outof-time]

🎁

Ahhh I’m so excited!!! You’re literally one of the first peaky writers that I connected with on here. I’m definitely having a freakout right now haha - I can’t wait to see what you create!! 🥰❤️

Would you like me to tag your other blog?

[runnning-outof-time]

🎁

And congrats for your 2,5K followers!

Thanks so much!! 🥰❤️ I’m so happy you want to join and can’t wait to see what you create!!

[rangerelik]

Can you answer these questions for writers 2022 wrapped

Of course I can! Thanks for asking❤️

Well as I haven't written much fics this year, I would say I used the most those three:  #k’s 2.5k holiday bingo challenge, #peaky blinders and #tommy shelby.

That I finally finished my fic for K's 2.5k bingo that can be read here.

(Hope it can be classified as an accomplishment😂)

[rangerelik]

I posted 235 times in 2022

13 posts created (6%)

222 posts reblogged (94%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@gypsy-girl-08

@runnning-outof-time

@cillmequick

@look-at-the-soul

@zablife

I tagged 156 of my posts in 2022

Only 34% of my posts had no tags

#reblog - 142 posts

#cillian murphy x reader - 31 posts

#tommy shelby - 30 posts

#cillian murphy imagine - 30 posts

#peaky blinders - 18 posts

#cillian - 11 posts

#betrayal - 10 posts

#birmingham - 8 posts

#ask box - 8 posts

#tommy shelby x reader - 6 posts

Longest Tag: 32 characters

#k’s 2.5k holiday bingo challenge

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

Sending love your way 💕 Take what you need and reply with your choice(s). Then pass it on to 5 more blogs!

🙌🏻 high five

😻 nose boop

🤗 hug

🍿snack

😘 forehead smooch

🕺silly dance

😂 laughter

Oh, K! Thank you! ❤️

Right now I need 🤗 hug, 😘 forehead smooch and a little 🍿snack.

1 note - Posted November 13, 2022

#4

Hi there!

Just dropping into say that I LOVE your new theme!!! 😍😍😍

Awww🥰, thank you!

I just needed to adjust my theme to my current obsession with Tommy Shelby and Peaky Blinders ❤️. Oh, how I love this show!

1 note - Posted November 12, 2022

#3

Hey El! 🥰

Can I ask 23, 31 and 48 for the weird asks?

Hi K, dear! 🥰

Thanks for the ask! And for my answers:

23. how do you feel about chilly weather?

Well, I just have two feelings. One, I want to hide myself with good book/tv show, drinking hot cocoa and being snugly wrapped in the most warm blanket I own. Or second, I want to be silly and enjoy being outside, probably catching snowflakes and just being happy.

31. what type of music keeps you grounded?

I would say any song from Skillet, you can find my two most favourite songs here and here.

48. when did you first try an alcohol beverage?

I don't know if I shoud say that out loud on the internet, but I was around 14 and my family is christian, so as I was babtised, I could go to the ceremony, where we are given piece of bread and a tiny cup of wine (don't know the English term for this thing) and my mom wanted to make me accustomed to the taste of wine before I would be given any.

Omg, this was really wierd but also really fun! The wierd asks can be found here.

2 notes - Posted November 13, 2022

#2

“17” Questions, 17 People

Thanks for tagging me @runnning-outof-time ❤️

Nickname: My classmates used to call me Milena (our chemistry teacher took wrong seating list which he had year before and there was one gir, caled Milena who had same last name as me), which I hated. On the other hand my friends call me El or Ela, hence my nickname here.

Sign: Saggitarius, I believe.

Height: 158 cm / 5’ 2.2’’

Last Thing I Googled: Height conversion (in original search in my language převod výšky) as I don’t know how to convert metric to imperial 😂😅.

Song Stuck in My Head: Someone you loved by Lewis Capaldi. I need it in my head for the story I am writing😅.

Number of Followers: 39 😅.

Amount of Sleep: A lot... Like 8 hours a night, because I need this much to just function...

Dream Job: Teacher, teaching history and english (maybe one day after I finish uni...).

Movie/Book that Summarizes You: I would say Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson as the main character has really great relationship with magic books.

Favorite Song: Refuge or Anchor both by Skillet.

Favorite Instrument: My favourite instrument... Well, I would say piano, guitar, recorder/fipple flute and ukulele. I can play on most of them though least on piano.

Aesthetic: I don’t know... Maybe something spring like or autumn like...

Favorite Author: I can’t choose one. But if I must, I would say J.R.R. Tolkien or his friend C.S. Lewis.

Random Fun Fact: I don’t know 😅. Maybe I must always leave home with headphones and at least one or two books, even if I won’t have time to read them.

See the full post

4 notes - Posted December 9, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

"M sorry, dove, I can't go riding with ya today," Bonnie said apologetically as he helped groom the horses. "You know Mr. Shelby wants me in the ring as much as possible before the fight," he explained, knowing you were growing impatient with him. You stomped your heel in the dirt so hard, dust flew around you in a cloud and you stormed off dramatically. As you left you shouted over your shoulder, "Fine! If you like it there so much, you can sleep in the boxing ring tonight!" Bonnie dropped his head in his hand. Why did he have to marry a woman so much like his ma? Luckily, he knew how to fix it.

The rejection hurt you, so you went riding alone. You knew he would try and fix it after you came back home, but you still wanted to be alone right now.

„I know, Swen. I need to cool down and take some time to think.“

Swen, your favourite horse, shook his head in understanding, so you climbed into the saddle and rode off.

I will solve this later, was your last thought as you left the gate of your property.

(Thank you for this, I tried to write something, but this is all I could come up with.)

8 notes - Posted November 11, 2022

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