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pebblysand · 1 year

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Heyyyy im dying for an update on castles!! Any hope of getting one soon?😭💗

hi anon! thanks for your message! the tl;dr answer to this is: no.

or, i don't know. maybe? sigh. it's just been a lot lately.

it's a funny one, you know? most of you will not remember this, but there used to be a time when i would share (maybe overshare - is that a word? i've always wondered why that is a word when it's your platform and your rules and people can just choose to ignore you) on tumblr. not just about fics and writing and peaky blinders, but also about me. the stuff i felt. the stuff that was going on in my life. lots of things.

i grew up in an era of blogging and livejournal (seeing dreamwidth make a comeback lately is oh-so-bizarre, btw) where people opened up online - sometimes too much. this was before doxxing, before cancel culture, before it became dangerous to do so. people would complain about their jobs, their mates - the internet was an outlet. and, i don't know if it was better or worse, i'm not here to make value judgements and i've always thought people who say "things were better in my day" sound like absolute twats, but it was undoubtedly different. i've had this conversation with someone on discord lately, about the dreamwidth comeback actually, when this person said: 'people get real personal on there, though' and i was like: 'yeah, i suppose it's just the culture of the place.' a place where, unlike tumblr and everything that came after it, most of the content produced was through words, rather than images. when the internet was still made for writers and you weren't afraid of "clogging" someone's dash with posts that were too long to be digested in less than ten seconds.

the thing is: i like writing. it makes it easier to organise thoughts. and, up to 2020 (2021, even) i used to post monthly updates on my writing, but also about my life, for you. remember how i told you when i passed my bar exam? how i quit my job, found another job, and then another one. i told you about the boy and hinted at my break-up. i told you about how one of my best friends sank into a very toxic relationship, from which i couldn't save her. i told you when my dad died. it wasn't even that long ago. and, i explained to you that for these reasons, and maybe others, i didn't have a chapter out as early as i would have liked. and, you understood. you were kept up with what was going on. it was the pandemic and a different time.

but then, gradually (oh-so-quickly and oh-so-slowly), "you" became "many." i like that word - "many" - it's what my hairdresser said the first time she cut my hair: "they are very fine, but there are very, very, many of them." i suppose that between the first chapter of castles and the latest, my follower count grew into the hundreds and i got - well, scared. scared to share: what i thought, why i wasn't posting, how much or how little i was writing, how i was feeling. because there were too many of you. because i started to hold myself up to higher standards, too.

the truth is that no one wants to listen to anyone on the internet complain. it's not fun. and, specifically, no one wants to listen to fanfiction writers complain. why would they? why would they moan about how busy they are? about how creatively drained they might be? about how maintaining a healthy balance between real life, a job, and writing, is hard, if you do it seriously. because it's a hobby. because it's not "real" writing. because it doesn't matter.

well, anon, i'll tell you something. the voice in my head, it goes like this: why are you tired? it's just fanfiction. stop taking yourself and your little stupid story so seriously. stop thinking this is Important because you're writing about something you feel is important. no one cares. and: you only wrote 80,000 words last year, people write full-blown nanos in a month, calm down. it's not that bad, you don't have children. it's not that bad, you don't have dying parents. it's not that bad, you have money. you're a white cis privileged girl who can afford to spend her free time on writing because you don't have to work multiple paying jobs to foot the bills. so many people do. people who are much busier than you write a lot more than you do. shut up, what are you crying about? why are you responding to this poor anon with anything other than "soon, i hope." they weren't even mean about it.

and, i like the word "many" because it encompasses the realness of it, the repetition of it. many, many, many. it's less theoretical than "a lot". you can't say: a lot, a lot, a lot. it's morning as i write this, irish drizzle blown in by the wind against my window, thin droplets like static and i wonder: could i isolate thirty thousand? count up to thirty thousand little drops of rain against glass and imagine what that would look like as people. that's a small stadium, isn't it? and, it's also almost how many people have clicked on castles, in the past three years. it's also how many people, in my head, are telling me to just suck it up and write the next chapter. it's been a month already, hasn't it?

to tell you the truth, i still overshare with some people. there's a very small discord i'm on which is more like a group chat with my best internet friends. it's a lot of fun. and, i'm not going to tag them here for fear that you might come at them with pitchforks, but after i was explaining this to them, how exhausted and drained and lost i've been feeling lately, i had some, last week, tell me i should just give up castles. just stop, recharge, take care of myself. it's just a fic, it doesn't matter. let it go, you know?

so, yeah. you read that right, anon dearest. people who i really love, and trust, told me i should put your beloved on an indefinite hiatus and move on with my life. how's that for an update? and, they didn't say it in a "this is a bad fic and it's not worth continuing" kind of way, but in a "it's not worth working yourself into the ground" kind of way. in a "fanfiction is a hobby" kind of way.

i typically count years from september to august (i'm still in school, in my head, sue me) and this past one has been long and hard. for reasons that i won't explain because of the "very many" issue i mentioned above. for reasons that i also won't explain because as i also mentioned above, i can't help but always compare myself to people who have it worse. but, the fact of the matter is that whilst i'm not really asking for sympathy, i do want to say this, as i hope it will help provide a bit of context to how i'm feeling right now, in terms of writing.

anon dearest, i'm exhausted. i'm bored. i'm turning thirty in 24 days. i'm sick and tired of putting everything in my life on hold "until i finish castles". i would estimate that right now (and for the past three years) castles has eaten up about 75% of my free time. i think the first couple years, i didn't really mind. because it was the pandemic. because there wasn't much else i wanted to do. but now, when i see my friends, i try to schedule it on weekday evenings because i want to keep my weekends for writing. when i travel at the weekends, take holidays, do anything that will take me more than a couple hours, it's a compromise made against writing time. a compromise i often feel guilty about because it delays the next update and because ultimately, it delays the moment when i do finish castles. when i am able to move on to something else. move on with my life and also maybe another story of my own.

these past few months, i wrote almost every day from late march until last week because i knew i'd be going home to france in august and wouldn't be able to write there, so i needed to get ahead. everything in my life is planned around writing and updating and i'm a little bit burnt out, anon. it's typical summer me, nothing to really worry about, i felt the same last year (those who were already here will remember) but it doesn't make it suck less. and, that's why people are telling me to give up. because i keep getting stuck in this cycle of overworking myself, getting burnt out, taking a month off and diving back in again. it's fanfiction and it's a hobby and it's meant to be fun and it's just not fun anymore. it feels endless and draining and like a vampire eating my "good" years. time my mates are spending getting married and having children. and, even if i don't think that's what i want for myself, precisely, i still don't feel like the life i'm currently living is one i want to be living in five years' time.

i don't want to be exhausted. i don't want to be working all the time. this groundhog day of getting up, opening up my (work, or personal) laptop, deliveroo-ing my meals, working until 9:30 pm, and repeat. i have seven chapters left to go to the end, which will take 12 to 18 months, and i don't think i can go on like this for another year. i don't want to. something's gotta give: my IRL life, my job, or this "hobby", and it is logical (oh-so-logical) that it should be the latter.

and, yet. when my pocket friends suggested this, i came at them with pitchforks. i said: no. no, no, no, no. i can't give up. i don't want to give up. i love this story. it's unnerving and draining and exhausting, but haven't touched it for a week and i already miss it - it's crazy. and, it's true: it's not fun, but writing, to me, has never been "fun". it's: fulfilling, exhilarating, meaningful, it gives me the chills and a sense of peace but it's not "fun". i don't know who the fuck writes for "fun". you can enjoy things that aren't "fun", you know? i definitely do.

and, if i had to pick one thing to give up on that list, honestly, it would be my job - 100%. i'd finish castles in six months, if i could give that up. but, i can't, lovely anon. because fanfic doesn't pay. because writing doesn't pay. and whilst i do have a savings account that i intend to use someday to take time off to write, i don't think i could justify using it for anything other than original fiction. because at least, there would be a tiny bit of hope that the book might get picked up and i could make my money back. i can't, like, quit my job to write fanfiction, can i? even if i did set up a patreon, i doubt you all would want to fund me, lol.

so, i don't know. i don't know what to do, anon. i don't want to give up castles. realistically, i probably won't. realistically, i'm probably going to keep ploughing through and overworking myself and feeling like i'm throwing my youth and my free time away into this project that everyone will most likely forget the moment it is finished. right now, to answer your question, i have about 6,000 words on the new chapter. right now, i'm also taking august off writing. to recharge, to sleep, and only write if i feel like it. later? i don't know. i think i'm in a place where i've just got 30,000 words out in three months and i'm too brain-dead to think clearly. i am acutely aware that this issue doesn't have a solution (or at least one that i like) but i might be more willing to compromise my life again after a bit of rest and holidays.

anyway, sorry for being a debbie downer, anon. and sorry i don't have an update for you. i'm dying for one, too.

#asked and answered #castles #i might delete this later cause it's so depressing and it's not *me* but it's also how i feel right now #i just don't know what to do lads

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setaripendragon · 3 months

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Trying to organize my ask notebook better since I've run out of space under general fandom asks and I would like to know what fandoms you are in so I can ask the correct people about the correct fandoms.

I think my main ones are Bagginshield/The Hobbit, Sherlock/Johnlock, Dragon Age Inquisition, {Pippin/Faramir Merry/Eowyn}/The Lord of the Rings and I dip my toes in a few that I currently can't remember but ones I don't engage in canon at all are Good Omens but only for Crowley/Azirapheal ship, Stranger Things but only for Steve/Eddie ship, The Witcher but only for Geralt/Jaskier things and Ladybug and Cat Noir but only for Adrinette .

Also do you like getting asks that are or include story ideas or snippets?

*Asks are sent for fun, no pressure to answer within a certain amount of time or at all.

Ooh, I am in so many fandoms XD It wouldn't actually be easier to list the ones I'm not in, but sometimes it feels that way.

Definitely there with you on The Hobbit and Bagginshield and Lord of the Rings and that whole 'verse, and I'm all in on the Good Omens and The Witcher (well, all in on most of the fandom, I've read some of one of the books, played some of one of the games, watched some of one of the shows... XD).

I also enjoy me some Sherlock, but my preferred flavour is Elementary, rather than BBC.

At the moment my main fandoms are One Piece (catching up with the anime atm, it's taking a while XD), Supernatural, and Star Wars (pretty much entirely second hand, except for the Kenobi show and recently being bullied into watching the Mandalorian with a friend =P).

Okay, I'm going to try and be concise now because otherwise we'll be here all day. Here are fandoms that I've written stuff for (published or not): A Song of Ice and Fire, Alice in Wonerland, Assassin's Creed, Avatar the Last Airbender, Black Butler, Bleach, James Bond, Charmed, Criminal Minds, Critical Role, Emperor's Edge, Fairy Tail, Firefly, Frozen, Fruits Basket, FullMetal Alchemist, Girl Genius, Rise of the Guardians, Harry Potter, Kingsman, Marvel Cinematic Universe, Merlin, Chronicles of Narnia, Naruto, Avatar (2009), Once Upon a Time, Peaky Blinders, Percy Jackson, Pride and Prejudice, The Sandman, Shadowhunters, Sinbad (Dreamworks), Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, Teen Wolf, The Untamed, Torchwood, White Collar, X-Men.

I'm not, you know, deep in the fandom of more than usually three or four at a time, but my muse wanders like she's got itchy feet. And I'm probably at least passingly familiar with several other fandoms: I'm enjoying watching Dungeon Meshi at the moment but I haven't yet got the itch to play in that sandbox, I love reading Scum Villain's Self Saving System fanfic but I don't feel I know the characters well enough to write my own, I watched basically all of the Disney animated movies as a kid but I haven't yet had a solid enough idea to write, I have seen some of Stranger Things but I watched most of it while somewhat sleep deprived and that is not the best way to watch horror ^^" I've played FF7, I've read the Hunger Games, I've watched Yuri On Ice, etc, but I don't have a convenient list of those, so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I won't make this any longer than it needs to be going into my ships unless you ask specifically, but let it be said that I'm a polyshipper in a big way (nothing gets my brain to go brrrrrrr like complicated relationship dynamics =3), and making it onto my NoTP list takes some seriously rancid vibes and/or overly pushy fans, and it's always safe to ask me about a ship =P

Story ideas are very welcome! The muse needs constant feeding =P I won't make any guarantees about them going anywhere, but I love seeing them all the same. Snippets... are probably the same? I don't know, I've never been sent one. I'm probably even less likely to do anything with them, just because of stupid brain quirks, but who knows?

#fandom #asks

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justmoreocs-writing · 1 year

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Rules: Answer 12 questions from the point of view of one of your OCs, ask 12 questions, tag 12 people

As I’m still working on my Peaky Blinders Fanfiction, The Piccola Rossa Series, I’m going to answer these 12 for a different perspective character: Stanley ‘Stan’ Shelby.

1. What is your biggest guilty pleasure?

‘Um, I don’t know,’ Stan admitted, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly as he thought about the question. ‘Hot chocolate is good though, and I know Cece always has a stash of it that she’s willing to share with people who appreciate it.’

2. What would you do on a day off?

‘Usually at Charlie’s Yard,’ Stan said, a smile curling his lips before he could stop it. ‘Helping Curly with the horses, and just generally not really thinking about anything.’

3. How is your relationship with your parents?

‘It wasn’t too great with Dad from what I remember, and I don’t honestly remember Mum all that much,’ Stan said, feeling a little awkward thinking about it all. ‘Polly pretty much brought us all up, and Tommy did some of it when Dad was... away.’

4. Dog person or cat person?

‘Horses,’ Stan said, smiling as thought back to the Yard and how good it would be to have a day there again. ‘But, I think I prefer cats over dogs. More independent but also affectionate when they want to be.’

5. What are you most proud of?

‘Moving to London. I know there was a lot going on at the time, and moving away was terrifying, but it was a big step. And I get to train to be a doctor, so I’m proud of that,’ he said, a slight amount of pride obvious behind his voice.

6. What do you think is your worst quality?

‘I’m not sure,’ Stan said, before hastily adding: ‘Not because I’m amazing, or anything.’

Stan took a deep breath, forced himself to take a moment.

‘I think my anxious nature is my worst quality,’ he said after a second. ‘It gets in the way of some things, but other times it’s been a lifesaver.’

7. Are you in a relationship with anyone?

A blush crept over Stan’s cheeks, and his attention went to where he was fiddling with his hands on his knees. ‘Lia,’ he said softly. ‘We’ve been in a relationship for about a year now.’

8. What is the best thing that has ever happened to you?

A small smile formed on his lips. Part of him wondered how sappy he could get, to talk about the day he met Lia. But, while he loved that day, it wasn’t necessarily the best.

‘The day I met Luce at Charlie’s Yard,’ he admitted. ‘She’s my best friend, and I’m not sure I’d have done half the stuff I have without her.’

9. Who do you trust the most?

‘Luce,’ he said without hesitation. Sure, he trusted his family, but there was something about Luce that just meant he knew he could trust her with anything.

10. Do you/would you ever want to have kids?

‘I’d like to have kids,’ he said gently, wondering if perhaps it was a good conversation to have with Lia sometime soon.

11. What kind of clothes do you like to wear?

‘Anything I can help out in the Yard in. I wear a lot of smart clothes for things in general, but those are my favourites,’ Stan answered.

12. What animal are you the most like?

‘Um, I’m not sure. Something reliable?’ He chuckled softly. ‘A horse would probably work, honestly.’

#Repost #Made By Me #Tag Games #Peaky Blinders OCs #The Piccola Rossa Series #Stanley Shelby #Stan Shelby

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zodiyack · 4 years

Conversation

Peaky Blinders As Things (And Some Conversations) My Best Friend Has Said

I changed the names to characters names btw... and if there are two different characters, then it's a conversation.

I don't specify who said what (as in the two of us), but...yeah. We also have a very...odd sense of humor, so warning I guess

Alfie: UR FACE IS SO IMMACULATE IT IS SO ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY ADORABLY GROOVY IF I WAS DR DRE AND UR FACE WAS EMINEM I WOULD SIGN U TO MY RECORD LABEL OR WHATEVER TF HE DID IM NOT SURE BUT YOU GET IF POINT UR HAIR IS IN THE DICTIONARY AS THE DEFINITION OF PERFECT AND RIGHT UNDER THAT IS U BC UR AMAZING BUT SO IS UR FACE

Someone: i snorted, i'll admit. this is why ily

Alfie: so u love Alfie bc u snorted cocaine. that’s quite odd but alrighty matey

Tatiana: is it plugged into the wall

Tommy: ...into a pluggin yes but not the wall-wall

Tatiana: see there’s ur mistake- just plug it into the wall wall and boom it’ll be charged in no time

Isiah: hi ur rlly jazzy and i love u so much thanks for being my Pal bc ur super dandy and talking to u is super duper amazing bc ur rlly funny and fun and ur rlly snazzy and btw ur looking rlly fresh today so keep rocking it daddio

Probably Finn: ily, u snazzy toilet.

Ada: UR TASTE IN MUSIC. IS AS GOOD AS I AM GAY.

Gina: ur amazing. never change.

Michael: kk.. i think i can make do with that. thank u- and ur amazing as well, don't ever change either. or i'll change too.

Gina: new rule if we change we must change together

Michael: DEAL

Gina: brb engraving that into some stone

Polly: yes. as your mother AND father i say you must.

Tommy: WHY DID THAT MAKE ME LAUGH WTF I AM SUPPOSED TO BE EMO

Someone: *complains about anything*

Tatiana: slap it

Arthur: i hereby dub thee God Jr.

Esme: uno momento por favor

John: i don't speak russian but i assume you just confessed your love to me

Michael, before joining The PB: not to be all dramatic or anything but,,, i’d let u ride on my tractor

Finn, referring to Tommy as god: wait why tf is god doing cocaine-

Tommy: it gets stressful being fucking god sometimes man

Arthur: tooshie

Arthur: touce

Arthur: HOWEVER TF U SOELL IT

Arthur: soell

Arthur: spell

Still Arthur: fancy words will be the death of me

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themultifandomgal · 2 years

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Isaiah Jesus- Struggling

TW- talk about multiple miscarriages and struggling to get pregnant

Isaiah and I have been best friends with Finn for years! Tommy, Arthur and John always saw me as a little sister since the day I started hanging around the Shelby brothers. This automatically put me under protection with the Peaky Blinders, although I am more than capable of looking after myself. When I turned 17 Tommy got me a job in the betting shop, but the deal was for me to stay away from the illegal stuff. Saiah and I have been together since we were 16 and now we're 23 and married. We have been trying to have a baby for 2 years, but unfortunately we have had 3 miscarriages.

I walk over to my desk outside of Michaels office and sit down

"Good morning YN, how are you today?" Michael asks

"I'm good thank you Michael" I get out files from the draws of my desk and start to do my work. A couple of hours pass and the betting shop door opens, I look up and see Isaiah walking in with Finn. He walks over to me and kisses my forehead

"You shouldn't be here, you should be at home resting" Isaiah loudly whispers to me

"Shh" I nudge him "if I take time off people will ask questions and I don't want anyone to know" I say sadly. Finn walks over to Michael whose sat in his office. I thought I was pregnant again last week and so we went to the doctors, but I had the results back yesterday telling me that I wasn't pregnant

"Ok, but your upset you should be at home" I shake my head at Isaiah

"Your upset as well but your out here doing jobs for Tommy"

"I'm not just doing jobs for Tommy" the doors open again and Tommy walks in

"Isaiah, Finn, Michael I have a job for you" I raise a brow

"You were saying?"

"Isaiah!" Tommy shouts getting impatient

"I'll see you later" Isaiah and I share a kiss then he walks off into Tommy's office.

Later that evening when Saiah comes home we sit at the table together while eating our food. Somethings playing on my mind, but I don't know how to bring up that fact I think we should stop trying for a baby

"Hey are you ok?" Saiah obviously being able to see me in thought asks me. Well I guess this is my cue

"Huh? oh. Errm I'm ok, it's just..."

"What?" Isaiah frowns putting down his fork and taking my hand. I take in a deep breath before breathing out

"I think we should take a break with trying for a baby" Isaiah now takes in a deep breathe "I don't think this added stress is helping. Even my period has been weird the last couple of months and we thought I was pregnant. I just think if we stop trying so hard, have sex for the sake of feeling good rather than trying to get pregnant, maybe it will happen"

"What if it doesn't?"

"Then we figure something else out. Maybe adopt an orphan? I don't know yet Saiah. We will figure this out. As long as I have you by my side I really don't care"

"I love you YN"

"And I love you"

1 year later

"Do I look fat to you?" I ask Isaiah running a hand over my bloated stomach

"No you don't. You look 5 months pregnant. Now can we finally tell people were having a baby. The doctors said we're past the scary part. This is the longest you've carried so please can we tell the others"

"Fine we can tell the others at the meeting today" I give in to Isaiah. We head over to the garrison and to the back room where the meeting is being held. Isaiah and I walk in hand in hand and sit down

"Great now we're all here I want to..."

"Wait errm before we talk about jobs and things. YN and I would like to tell you all something" the room falls silence and everyone looks at me. I give a sheepish smile but before I can tell anyone I hear a gasp. I look at Polly who is staring at me wide eyed

"What's going on?" Arthur asks confused

"So, me and Isaiah are pregnant" concern washes over everyone's faces "but, I've never carried this long before so in 4 months time we should be having a baby"

"Right well I guess a congratulations is in order. And YN your dismissed for early maternity leave"

"Tommy we can't afford..."

"You'll still get paid, I know how much you both want this. Also to keep all stress to a minimum. Isaiah you will take over YN in the betting shop. We need to keep you both as safe as possible. Now let's forget the meeting and celebrate" I smile at Tommy grateful that he's so understanding. He nods at me then pours himself and the others a glass of whisky. He holds it up in the air "to YN and Isaiah" then he drinks his drink, the others following him.

#peaky blinders imagine #peaky blinders reader #peaky blinders #isiah jesus #tommy shelby #arthur shelby #finn shelby #Isiah Jesus x reader #john shelby

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queenshelby · 3 years

Text

My Friend’s Father (Part Five)

Pairing: Cillian Murphy x Reader

Warning: Age Gap, Mild Sexual References

Words: 1,848

Notes:

I have decided to make this into a series.

Alright, no judgment. This was a dream of mine and I felt like I had to write it down. Everyone in this Fic is over the age of 18 and this Fic is in no way based on Cillian’s real family life. It’s pure filth.

*************************

YOUR POV

Two weeks had passed since you visited your friend Denise in Dublin and it was time for the annual Galway Arts Festival.

Denise had been working on a photography project for the past year and had been nominated for a student award in Galway as part of which ten of her photographs were being displayed during the Arts Festival.

Whilst, as you had expected, Cillian didn’t contact you, you knew that he would be there to support his daughter. Being an artist himself, he was very proud of her and her work and he supported her projects not only mentally but also financially with the caveat that she would finish her degree at Trinity College.

Unlike him, he didn’t want her to drop out of university even though she hated it and you certainly understood his reasoning.

Contrary to Denise, you had no creative bone in your body. You enjoyed art and theatre, but weren’t an artist or performer yourself. Instead, you were an A Grade Law Student who had become rather bored in Galway and had recently applied for a scholarship to Oxford University.

Reading was your passion and you had always been known as a geek. In school, you were the girl that no one liked, nerdy, not interested in fashion or social media and wearing braces, which, luckily, had been removed three years ago.

You were shy and it was only for Denise that you came out of your shell. She was popular in school, mostly due to her name, but also because she was generally confident and, over the years, she helped you gain confidence especially after you had left high school.

But, today, you knew you would be questioning your gained confidence once again since, first of all, you would be seeing Cillian again and the truth was that you couldn’t stop thinking about him in an intimate way and, secondly, you were featured completely naked on some of Denise’s photographs.

Whilst the photographs were artistic and not sexual in any way and your most intimate part wasn’t visible on them, it bothered you knowing that people you disliked would see you so vulnerable and you couldn’t remember why you had agreed to being photographed like that.

The other woman who Denise chose to photograph was Amalie. She was 23 and had been Denise’s friend for a while as well but, unlike you, she began modelling professionally when she was just 16. You all went to the same private school together and, clearly, her lifestyle had been largely financed by her parents. She always wore expensive clothes and had no interest in pursuing a career other than modelling, which barely sustained her lifestyle considering the few small jobs she got.

***

Just as you served your last cup of coffee to an elderly lady sitting in the corner of the café you were working at, you saw Denise, Amalie and two other friends of Denise walk in.

‘Hey guys, take a seat. I will be right with you. I am just about to finish my shift’ you said as you hung up your apron.

‘Please tell me you will get changed before the Gallery opening tonight?’ Amalie asked somewhat weirdly and you couldn’t help but roll your eyes as you sat down at the table with her, Denise and the others before ordering some coffees for yourselves.

‘No, I thought I would go like this’ you said sarcastically, looking down at your coffee-stained clothes.

‘I bought a dress for tonight’ you then said, after Amalie didn’t seem to sense your sarcasm.

‘Right’ she then said as she flicked through Instagram and you simply looked at Denise who shrug her shoulders.

‘What are you looking for?’ you asked curiously as her eyes seemed to be glued to her phone.

‘She is looking to find more photos of my dad and Laura Jennings’ Denise said, rolling her eyes.

‘Laura Jennings, as in the actress?’ you asked, causing Amalie to nod.

‘Yes, apparently they have been dating’ Amalie then confirmed, causing you to swallow harshly. You knew that you shouldn’t care but you couldn’t help it. Knowing that Cillian was seeing someone made you feel ill.

‘And you care about that why?’ you then asked Amalie after an uncomfortable shiver ran down your spine.

‘Apparently, just like you, Amalie thinks my dad is a DILF’ Denise huffed out before telling you how disgusting you all were.

‘Well, he is though…he is super hot’ Amalie then joked before carrying on. ‘And I don’t understand how you don’t know about Laura Jennings and whether this is true or not. You need to find out’ Amalie then said but Denise simply shook her head.

‘My father doesn’t share this sort of stuff with me and I certainly don’t want to know about his sex life, thank you very much. In so far as I am concerned, he doesn’t have sex, ever…yuck! Also, I would appreciate if you could not talk about my dad anymore, please. It grosses me out’ Denise said and you knew that, all of this had become a common occurrence ever since the day the first episode of Peaky Blinders aired on BBC, a show which Denise refuses to watch herself because of the heavy sexual content and a show which you, only a week ago, had begun to binge watch.

Cillian’s POV

When Cillian walked into the basement after you had left, he immediately saw the small folded up note you had left him but, reading it, made him somewhat uncomfortable.

He was torn about what to do with it and certainly knew that he should ignore it. He couldn’t see you again even if he wanted to.

The fact that you were 23 years younger than him and that you were his daughter’s best friend made it all wrong and highly inappropriate and he didn’t know what had gotten into him in the first place when he gave into you.

He had never felt attracted towards you in any sort of way until that last visit which was the first time had seen you since you and your family had moved away.

You changed in many ways and he wasn’t sure what it was that he liked about you. But what he knew was that it was more than just sexual attraction, which was usually something he knew how to supress.

With that in mind, he placed your note into his wallet and decided to ignore it for now. But he couldn’t quite bring himself to throw it out.

***

With his bags packed it was time for him to return to Manchester and resume filming of the final season of Peaky Blinders.

The first week of filming went well and Cillian decided to spend the weekend with his friend, fellow actress Laura Jennings. Cillian and her had developed a friend with benefits sort of relationship. No strings attached and no feelings involved. After his divorce from Denise’s mother, he wasn’t ready for anything else and Laura would certainly not have been the type of woman he would have wanted a relationship with in the first place.

Unlike him, she wasn’t press shy and, whilst they kept their arrangement a secret as best as they could, she was otherwise quite active on social media.

Cillian, on the other hand, only maintained a private Instagram account with the sole purpose of being able to check on his children. Whilst they were adults, he was still worried about them, especially Denise who had recently gotten herself in a lot of trouble after distancing herself from this Jeremy boy.

***

‘Another wine?’ Laura asked as Cillian was relaxing on top of the doonas, wearing nothing but his black Calvin Klein briefs, after they had spent the last hour doing exactly what friends with benefits would do after not having seen each other for over two weeks due to busy filming schedules.

‘Yes please…thanks’ he responded as he reached for his phone after a notification had popped up.

It was his daughter Denise who had posted on Instagram and, since she hadn’t posted for a while, he decided to check it out, hoping that she wasn’t with Jeremy again.

To his surprise, three new pictures of Denise and her friends showed up when he opened the APP and, one of them, there was you.

In the picture, you were wearing accompanied by a man in his late twenties, wearing a suit while you were wearing a dark blue dress and he couldn’t help but wonder who the man by your side was.

You looked simply stunning, with your hair long and open and your shoulders exposed. You were wearing only a little bit of make up and showed your beautiful smile.

‘There you go Mr Murphy’ Laura then said as she returned to the bedroom with another glass of wine, pulling Cillian’s phone out of his hand and climbing on top of him.

‘Round Two?’ she then asked eagerly as she reached for another condom, but Cillian’s thoughts were elsewhere entirely.

‘Maybe tomorrow, I am tired. It has been a long week, sorry’ he explained, causing Laura to pout with disappointment.

But the second round never eventuated as Cillian left Laura’s house the following morning to drive back to Manchester to resume filming.

On his way back to Manchester, he called his daughter Denise to check on her and while he did, he enquired about your companion on the Instagram posts.

‘Why do you want to know?’ Denise asked somewhat confused but Cillian played it cool.

‘He looks familiar, that’s all. Didn’t he go to your school?’ he then asked, playing dumb.

‘Oh god no, he is 29. His name is Connor and he is an accountant. Y/N wouldn’t date anyone our age. You know she isn’t a normal 21-year-old’ Denise joked, referring to your nerdiness and intellect.

‘Apparently not’ Cillian chuckled before asking another question about the stranger on the picture. ‘So, they are dating?’ he asked.

‘I think they went on two or three dates or something. Why do you care?’ Denise asked.

‘No reason. I was just wondering’ Cillian confirmed before changing the topic.

Tag List:

@lilymurphy03@deefigs @theflamecrystal @desperate-and-broken @weepingstudentfishhorse @livinginfantaxy @rosey1981 @atomicsoulcollecto @peakyboyslover @nerdy4itall@elenavampire21 @hanster1998@mariapaiva13 @fairypitou @harry-is-your-sunflower @zozeebo @lauren-raines-x @kasaikawa @littlewierdalien @sad-huffle-nerd @theflamecrystal @peakymalfoyscullymulder @themissthang@0ghostwriter0 @stylescanbeatmyback @1-800-peakyblinders @datewithgianni @momoneymolife @ntmynouis @lilymurphy03 @mcntsee@cloudofdisney@missymurphy1985 @peakymalfoyscullymulder @otterly-fey @janelongxox @uchihacumdump @basiclassy @being-worthy @chaotic-bean-of-smolness @margoo0 @chocolatehalo @vhscillian @ysmmsy @littlewierdalien @crazymar15 @stickyknightflowerbailiff @im-constantly-fangirling @goldensunflowe-r @tellingyouastory @captivatedbycillianmurphy @namelesslosers @littlewhiterose @ttzamara @ttzamara @cilleveryone

@peaky-cillian

@severewobblerlightdragon @ysmmsy

#cillian murphy smut #Cillian Murphy x Reader #cillian murphy #cillian murphy imagine #cillian murphy x y/n #cillian murphy x you

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fandom-puff · 4 years

Text

Only Love Can Hurt Like This

Pairing: Isaiah Jesus x Shelby Reader

Requested by: @beth-winchester21 ‘Where I'm the youngest and I fancy isiah and my boyfriend breaks up with me so I go and get drunk and esme snitches on me to the boys and isiah they come look after me and I confess to isiah I'm in love with him and we get together thanks xx’

Note: I feel like this song describes the mood of this perfectly!

Warnings: breakup, alcohol, swearing, protective older brothers

“Fine! Fuck off then!” You yelled, begging your tears to not fall. Your now ex boyfriend walked away from you.

“Stupid little slut! At least Fran lets me fuck her. And I won’t have to even worry about your idiot fucking brothers. Good riddance, Shelby whore!”

***

The landlord at the Rusty Anchor knew better than to cut you off. The pub may not be Peaky territory, but you were still in Small Heath and you were still a Shelby, albeit barely old enough to drink.

“Come on, Miss,” the bartender said gently, sliding you one last (slightly watered down) drink. “Time to go home, especially now the lads are coming in. Don’t want them causing you any trouble. You gonna be alright getting home,”

You nodded and stumbled home, taking a detour and winding up in the warehouse that had been turned into a boxing ring. In your drunkenness, you didn’t recognise the late hour, expecting Isaiah to be here, the thought of the slightly older blinder comforting. Over the years you had harboured somewhat of a crush for him, but knew your brothers would never allow it. But right now, as tears streamed down your cheeks and you drew your knees to your chest, you hoped he would come, as he was there so often.

***

“John, you better get down the Anchor,” Esme said quietly to her husband as she walked into the Watery Lane dining room.

“Eh? Why?” He asked, looking up from his card game with his brothers. “Anchor’s not one of our pubs, love. It’s the Ruby Track that’s one of ours,”

“I know that. But... well I nipped in to fetch my cousin for my Auntie and... YN was at the bar. She looked rotten,”

“What’s our YN doing down the Anchor, eh?” Arthur said, laughing slightly. Tommy and John didn’t seem to find it funny.

“You’re right, Arthur. What’s our YN doing there when she could get drunk in the Garrison, eh? Anyway, I thought she was seeing that butcher’s boy. The Peters kid,”

Finn piped up. “She still seeing him? I saw him snogging the postie’s girl this afternoon,”

Everyone was quiet for a moment before Arthur stood up. “I’ll bloody kill him, the little fucker. I told him, Tom, if he hurts our YN I’ll cut him a smile,”

Tommy sighed. “You can cut him a smile once we’ve found YN, brother. John go to the Anchor and see if anyone’s seen her around. Arthur, you can come with me. Finn... get to Charlie’s yard. Check the stables. She goes there when she’s upset,”

The brothers set off while Esme sighed, sitting herself at the table, waiting for Polly to get back from the chemist.

***

“Oi, Finn, where’re you off?”

Finn skidded to a halt, turning as he saw his best friend. “‘Siah, have you seen YN? She’s drunk and wandered off somewhere. Think that lad she was seeing cheated on her,”

Isaiah frowned. He had always cared for you, even if you were barely a year younger than Finn. “Havent seen her, no. Where’re you lookin’” he asked, falling into step with Finn.

“John’s gone to the Rusty Anchor, Arthur and Tommy are patrolling the streets and I’m meant to be going to the yard,”

Isaiah nodded. “I’ll... start looking too. I think my dad’s out preaching tonight, I’ll tell him to keep an eye out,”

The boys nodded to one another as they ran off in opposite directions.

***

Isaiah almost walked past the warehouse when he heard a bang and a sharp gasp of pain. Curious, he pushed the door open, holding his bladed cap at the ready.

As he rounded the door, he saw you cradling your hand as you sat on the edge of the ring, face blotchy with tears.

“YN, that you?” He asked. “It’s Isaiah,”

“I know,” you said quietly, voice still a little slurred.

He walked over to you slowly, stuffing his cap away before sitting next to you, about two feet away. “What’s up?” He asked you gently. You sighed, shuffling a little closer to show him your quickly bruising hand.

“Punched the wall. Hurt,” you shrugged. “And he’s a bastard, you know that lad I was seeing. Kept wanting me to do stuff with him... didn’t want to so he cheated on me and then got shot of me. Then I went to the Anchor because the garrison don’t serve me when I’m pissed unless one of the boys are there. And I got cold on my way home and I wanted to see you so I came here instead,”

As you rambled, isaiah smiled softly. “I’m sure Tommy will see to that lad,” he said gently and you nodded. “And your aunt Pol will see to that hand,” you nodded and sighed, resting your head on his shoulder. He stiffened slightly before relaxing, putting his arm around your shoulder. You smiled sleepily.

“This is nice,” you said. “I’ve fancied you since I was fourteen and you were sixteen, you know,” Isaiah gulped, thinking it was just your drunkenness talking. “I’m not saying it because I’m drunk. Well I am. But it’s true. Promise,”

“Tell you what, YN, if you remember this when you’re sober, we’ll talk about it, okay?” He said quietly, brushing his lips over your forehead gently. You nodded, nuzzling closer.

“I wanna go home, ‘Siah,” you mumbled and he nodded, helping you up.

“C’mon, put this on,” he said gently, draping his black cloak over you. You smiled sleepily, pulling it closer to your body and inhaling the smell of his aftershave.

Sensing your sleepiness, he slung your arm around his waist, his around your shoulders as he guided you to walk home. As he walked you down Watery Lane, Tommy, Arthur and John came the opposite way.

“S’alright, I found her in the warehouse,” Isaiah called as John ran over to you, taking your other side and helping you walk.

“I’m drunk, John,” you giggled softly, eyes already slipping shut. “Don’t tell Tommy,”

Arthur took over from Isaiah to help you upstairs, where Polly and Esme helped you into your pyjamas and then to bed. As the men came back downstairs, they stared hard at Isaiah.

“Where was she?” Tommy asked.

“Warehouse, the boxing rings. Said she was making her way home and she got cold,” Isaiah said, omitting the part about your waiting for him.

“What about the butcher’s boy. She say anything about him?” John asked.

“Said he cheated on her and got shot of her because she wouldn’t let him... you know... sleep with her,” Your brothers briefly looked away, feeling a little out of depth when it came to your romantic relationships and sex life (they’d left that up to Ada and Polly). “He hasn’t hurt her,” Isaiah said quickly. “At least not physically. She’s upset. And she might’ve broken a finger or two,”

“So she got a good punch in then?” Arthur said proudly, quickly shutting up when tommy glared at him.

“Er... she punched the wall. Pretty hard by the looks of it,”

It was quiet for a moment before tommy cleared his throat. “Thank you, Isaiah. For bringing her home safe and looking after her,”

Isaiah nodded before rubbing the back of his neck. “I’d do anything for her,”

John let out a laugh. “Alright, mate. One step at a time, yeah? She may have been giving you the look for the last four years, but she’s still our baby sister,”

Tags: @liliputbahn @lilymurphy03 @imareallygrumpyme

#isaiah jesus x reader #Isaiah jesus x you #Isaiah Jesus x y/n #isiah jesus #peaky blinders #peaky blinders imagine #shelby!sister #shelby sister oneshot #2021 #shelby reader

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peakywitch · 3 years

Text

If i was on the Peaky Blinders universe, you best believe i would:

ask arthur to teach me how to box, deffo. someone as pretty as i am needs to know how to fight because it will shook people.

and also because men are disgusting and i want to punch them every day

every damn time alfie said "fuckin' hell" i'd go "fookin' 'ell" too

would deffo hide tommy's cigs in john's desk

would deffo put bibles in tommy's desk

would bake them cookies

"martina, go away, i don't want cookies." - tommy

"oi, tommy, you don't refuse cookies from pretty girls" - alfie

"right? thank you, alfie" - me, and would give alfie one more cookie for him and one for Ollie.... we know it would NEVER meet Ollie.

would write notes to Pol like "you look prettier than usual today!! :) <3"

would write notes to John "tell Esme she's pretty, you uncultured swan"

would write notes to Arthur "Thimothee 18:01, may the lord be with you, artie!"

he would never find any thimothee and would go crazy

would ignore freddie when he tried to mansplain comunism and capitalism

wherever finn is, i also am, causing trouble

would cry every day because there's too much chaos and i can't keep up

you'd find me every friday night out with The Guys TM because i am obviously not like other girls lmao

"martina, alfie is coming today for a meeting, bake cookies." . tommy

"yes, sir." - martina

"don't call me sir." - tommy

"okay, captain." - martina

and after that interaction, you can hear polly choking on tea

me just being muffin clueless 23/7 (i have one hour of attention per week, usually on friday nights)

"okay so who are we fighting with?" - martina

"'we' are not fighting with anyone, martina. I am... doing business with Sabinni." - tommy

"that's how the younger generation calls it now? wow." - martina

tommy being done with me

michael, after accepting the fact i'm a pain in his ass, agreeing to be my friend

as soon as he agreed, he would also get notes

"your hands don't look that bad after climbing from hell. Good for you, I see your hand cream is working! Have a nice week! <3"

michael and i being frenemies

somehow I KNOW finn wouldn't like me THAT much

isaiah and i just going CRAZY during partys

no drugs tho, i would be a family friendly girl

now, if i didn't do cookies one week? tommy would secretly try to figure out why

would bet with john how long it takes for him to have another kid

overall, just dumb/sweet stuff because i am actaully afraid of them

this was just a dumb idea i had that i wanted to share, you're all more than welcome to insert your own headcanon <3peaky b

#peaky blinders #tommy shelby #michael gray #john shelby #arthur shelby #finn shelby #ada shelby #esme shelby #polly gray

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footballxposts · 3 years

Text

Sleeping With The Enemy - Jack Grealish Series❤️‍🔥 (Chapter Two) Curiosity

Warnings: just some more sexual tension for now hehe but y’all better be ready for the next few chapters cause god damn 🥵

Recommended listening: Dangerous Woman by Ariana Grande (Slowed).

Quick A/N: if you can’t understand Scottish slang a will translate for you in the comments

Taglist: @storyofavengers @hotyeehawman

——————————————————————————

The rest of my first day working in Aston went much better than I had initially expected. We only had a few minor injuries so I spent most of my time just going through all the players files, mainly looking over their medical history and current rehabilitation plans. That being said, I found it so hard to concentrate as the only thing I could think about throughout the entirety of it was Jack’s words. They were etched on my mind like the winner of a tournaments name being engraved on a trophy. I was extremely thankful Alan had came back into the room when he did, because I really had no idea how to respond to Jack’s comment and to be quite honest, I wasn’t really sure I wanted to.

Now arriving back at Bodymoor Heath training grounds for what was going to be my second day, I tried my best to find a parking space. Spotting one, I positioned my car and took the keys out of the ignition. Just as I was grabbing my things so as that I could make my way into work, I noticed a familiar face walking across the car park and quickly ducked my head so that he wouldn’t see me. But he did. And instead of walking towards the building’s entrance, Jack Grealish was now headed towards my car.

He lightly tapped the window as I pretended to look for something. Giving me space to open the door he quickly stepped away. My heart was nearly beating out of my chest. What did he want? I’ll tell you what I wanted. I wanted to avoid him as much as possible so I wasn’t put in another awkward situation with him, but he really wasn’t making it at all easy. Stepping out and closing the door behind me, he began walking beside me.

“So how’s my girl Ella this fine morning?” he asked, his eyes watching me every step I took.

“Your girl?” I questioned back in a slightly nervy manner, trying to speed up.

“Come on, you know what I mean.” he teased, a smirk now spreading across his face.

“Uh no actually I don’t, because we’re not friends Jack.” I sighed, attempting to pull the door of the premises open but he had got there before me and was now holding it out wide for me.

“Oh really?” he raised his eyebrows in response. “What are we then?”. I hated to admit it, but his accent was honestly so damn attractive too, though I wanted to believe I only thought so because I had watched too much peaky blinders and he reminded me of Tommy Shelby. Standing in front of me and stopping me in my tracks to prevent me from moving any further, I gave him one of those ‘seriously?’ glares.

“Nothing.” I stated. “We’re just work colleagues. That’s it. Just two professionals getting on with their morning, or at least I’m trying to but someone is in the way.” His reaction was comical. Lightly scoffing with a small chuckle, he took a step closer to me, almost closing the distance between us. I was shaking like a leaf internally. He honestly made me so nervous, as if my anxiety didn’t already do a good enough job of that. I gulped as he parted his lips and got the final word in.

“Maybe.” he began. “But I’m hoping to change that sometime soon.” Giving me a smug wink, he moved out of the way and began walking down the corridor the opposite way. I stood there for a few seconds, which felt more like minutes, trying to process what he had just said. He was a very attractive man, and there was no denying it. But was he actually being serious? Only my second day here, and he’s already hitting on me like I’m a piece of fresh meat. Was this what he done with every new girl that started working here? And how many other females in the vicinity was he currently doing this with? Did he just think every girl would fall at his knees and give him what he wanted? And what made him assume I would? Or that I even wanted to? Feeling slightly nauseous at all thoughts and questions now racing through my mind, I shook my head and made my way to my section of the workplace.

A few hours had gone by of assessing more injuries and whatnot, and before I knew it, it was now lunchtime. Making my way to the canteen, a friendly face appeared beside me, this time being one I was more than happy to see. It was midfielder John McGinn, who I had had in the clinic earlier on that morning. He and I maintained a good conversation about various different things, mainly about Ireland and Scotland’s relationship. Now holding the door open for me, he perked up.

“Hello.” he smiled softly.

“Oh John, hi, everything alright?” I beamed back at him.

“Aye yeah no a wis just wondering if you wanted tae come have lunch with me since your friend isn’t in today and you probably don’t want to sit with Alan and stuff?” he asked with a strong Scottish accent and a hopeful look on his face. He was referring to Samantha, the girl I had met yesterday who worked as a nutritionalist. She had told me how happy she was to have a female the same age as her working at the grounds to and offered for me to come sit with her at lunch, to which I accepted but she had took a sick day today meaning I would probably have to sit and have lunch by myself.

“Oh okay, yeah.” I replied, “Thank you, that would be nice.”

The little grin that spread across his face as he opened the canteen door for me was the cutest. “Great, no problem.” he responded as I began to enter the large dining hall. We made our way over to the food court to get something to eat. Joking and laughing, I was caught in my tracks by a very serious looking Jack, who was now staring at us from where he was seated at one of the tables. Ignoring him, I diverted my attention back to the lunch lady who was placing my vegetarian lasagne back on my tray.

“Oh, sorry thank you.” I said, expressing my gratitude and moving on to get a drink at the end of the counter.

“Vegetarian huh?,” John raised his eyebrows at me.

“Umm yeah aha, I kinda have been for the past seven years or so.” I chuckled.

“Kinda? Whit ya mean by kinda?” He questioned.

“Well.” I began. “I eat chicken, but I don’t eat any other meat or poultry.” Giving me the biggest look of judgement he could muster up, he began to crack up. “No way! Are you serious?”

“Yeah, I know I know. It’s a bit of a weird one to be honest but it is what it is.” I muttered shyly.

“Naw naw, each to their own am no saying anything. But isn’t there a name for that itself?” he queried.

“Yeah pollotarian, but everytime I say that everyone tells me it’s not at real thing and I’m a nutcase and stuff. Besides, a pollotarian is supposed to eat all poultry and I don’t.” I answered, as we sat down at a free table.

“Aye well a canny say a dinnae agree with them.” he teased as the two of us broke out laughing. John was so sweet and wasn’t unattractive either, but even when it came to him I wanted to remain strictly professional. Jack’s eyes were still fixated on us with what I could only assume was jealousy and envy growing in them. Having enough, I watched as he forcefully stood up out of his chair and walked away out of sight.

“What’s his deal?” I asked John who now had a forkful of spaghetti in his mouth. “Who? Grealish?” he replied as soon as he had swallowed it. Nodding anxiously, he rolled his eyes and giggled again. “Ah, Jacky-boy, whit can a say? Serious baller, great hair, great legs. But a flirt and a wee heartbreaker anaw.”

“Oh really, how so?..” I lamented.

“Ah, it’s no really for me to say sorry darlin, but am sure one of his previous conquests could fill you in if your paths cross. He’s no a bad guy, just done some silly things if you get me? How come you’re asking anyways?” he interrogated, nudging me with his elbow.

“Oh I was just wondering..” I trailed off.

“Naw, no way. Has he already tried tae make a move on you?”, an amused look now appearing on his face.

“Not exactly, but I think he’s planning to try to.”

“Aye right a see. Well, word to they wise, as much as a love Jack, if you’re looking for something serious, he’s no the way to go about getting it. A wid focus on your work if a were you.”

To indicate that I understood, I nodded slowly. But why did part of me also feel slightly disheartened and disappointed? I kept trying to remind myself that Jack Grealish was the ultimate no go; not only because I had only started working here and I wanted to keep everything strictly professional, but also because I don’t think I could every forgive myself, let alone my country or the world if they knew. He was supposed to be the enemy. Well, not so much the enemy, but the traitor and rival. However, there was just something about him that made me want to do so many things that I know shouldn’t.

After finishing lunch, I said goodbye to John and set about returning to the clinic. As I exited the canteen door, I felt an arm grab me and pull me into an empty office. Struggling to make out who it was initially, the smell of cologne mixed with sweat that was becoming overly-familiar helped me to quickly register.

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moral-turpitudes · 4 years

Text

Silver Linings: Part 1

Masterlist | Rules | Peaky Prompts

A/N: Excuse any of my terrible math skills and if this seems rushed. This is the best I could come up with lol, I hope you all like it though!

Trigger Warnings: Swearing, Angst, Slight Fighting, Descriptions of Drug Use, Drinking, Familial Drama, Fluff, Mentions of Adoption, etc.

Word Count: 3,972

Characters: Alfie Solomons x Adopted Daughter!Reader + Michael Gray x Alfie’s Adopted Daughter!Reader

Summary: After growing tired of hiding, Y/N decides to venture out from the back of her fathers shop, not knowing she’d quite literally fall for one of her father’s enemies who happened to be lurking around the corner. But with tensions growing between the two families, one decision could change the course of their lives as they know it, for better and for worse.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | *Part 4* | Part 5

“Alright Y/N, now when you aim you gotta line yer eyes up with the sight. Take a deep breath, and on that exhale of yours yer gonna pull that little trigger right there.” Alfie said, the teenage girl only coming up to around his chest, her hands shaking slightly as she aimed the small hand gun for one of the flour sacks in the back of the shop. With a small exhale she fired, the bullet whirling through the air and into the target she’d helped draw on it the day before.

“See that’s not so hard innit?” He asked, smiling at the new light in his life.

Y/N heard her father calling for her upstairs, bringing her out of her daydreams from years ago. That was during the first week she’d lived with him after he adopted her from the nearby orphanage. She had no adoptive mother, and no other friends except their dog Cyril, seeing as she had to be practically hidden away on a daily basis. The only time she really went out was to work in her fathers shop, where she’d do her best to avoid being spotted by her fathers business partners-some of which who had strained relationships with him and his men.

Shaking the memory from her brain, she hesitantly walked up the stairs, the creaking of the wood announcing her arrival.

“There you are love. Listen...I’m having Mr. Shelby come by soon so you’ll have to work in the back alright? I know you’ll get me for it later but I’ll make up for it mmkay?” He said, looking his now 21 year old daughter in the eyes. People often found him intimidating, but over the years she grew used to him, knowing deep down he was a sweet person. With every interaction she observed, she could see the pain in his eyes over not being able to really introduce her, knowing it would put her at risk. But deep down there was a mutual understanding between them that it was going to be inevitable that someone would find out, but neither of them thought it would be so soon.

With a sigh, she reluctantly walked towards the back where the other “bakers” worked the ovens and inspected shipments. While she organized bricks of cocaine for shipment, she felt her stomach drop as she realized she’d left her gloves in the front of the shop. She often hated the texture of the bricks as she packed them away, the fabric gloves being her only solace when she was given the task.

Swallowing hard, she nervously crept around the corner, eyeing Thomas Shelby and some of the other blinders in her fathers office as she continued, not noticing the man she collided with as she stumbled back slightly.

“Oi! I’m so sorry sir...wasn’t even fuckin’ looking.” She said, brushing a stray hair from her face and tightening her apron around her waist.

“No problem love, you alright?” He asked, looking concerned as he adjusted his well tailored suit.

“Y-yeah. Just looking for my gloves. I have to go.” She said, knowing she wasn’t supposed to be out for long while the blinders were there, yet trying to not look the dashing man in the eyes.

As she walked away, his eyes followed her to her station where she usually rolled dough and decorated pastries, grabbing her gloves which were tinted white from the previous cocaine shipment she handled earlier in the morning.

“Hey...miss? Before you go...what’s your name?” He asked, a crooked smile spreading across his features as she neared him.

“Uhm...it’s Y/N. What’s yours? You don’t look like you’re from ‘round here.” She said.

“I’m Michael, Michael Gray. I’m with the blinders.” He said.

“Oh....um, well I have to get going. It was nice meeting you...Michael.” She said, awkwardly putting on the gloves as he recognized the powder falling off them.

“What do you around here anyway? I know that’s not flour on those gloves.” He said with a smirk. She swallowed hard before answering, her eyes flicking to the window of her fathers office.

“Um...I bake, and...I organize things. Listen...I really do have to go. I’ll see you ‘round sometime, yeah?” She asked. He followed her gaze to the window, noticing the nervous look on her face.

“Alright. See you around, Y/N.” He said with a wink, walking back to his lookout spot in the corner.

She smirked slightly as she passed him, reluctantly heading straight to the back, the other workers paying her no mind as she resumed packing the bricks.

As she worked, she could hear shouts coming from her fathers office, her stomach tightening in knots at the tension she could see forming in the room. Thomas and him standing close to each other, most likely mumbling threats under their breaths. A few moments later, she saw the men exit the tattered room, putting their razored caps on and storming out the door. Michael ultimately leaving with them, but catching her staring as he looked back towards the room she was in. She smiled lightly as he smirked, shutting the door behind him.

She shook her head as she turned back, getting the rest of her packing done while shaking away the thought of someone like him ever taking an interest. She knew her father dealt in dangerous business, so she wasn’t afraid of the blinders and her father doing business necessarily, but she couldn’t deny that them feuding terrified her, knowing even one slip-up could put her or her father at risk. Blowing their years-long cover.

As she was lost in thought, Alfie walked down after they left, smiling as he grabbed a bottle of rum from one of the crates and locking it back.

“You don’t have to organize all those love. How about we go call it a day aye? I know you’re probably wanting summing’ because your old man made ya work back ‘ere all day.” He said. His words annoying to her ears as of late as she grew bored of her life at the shop and at home. One question forever buzzing in the back of her mind as she continued her monotonous tasks.

“I was wondering something....” She said, taking her gloves off and turning towards him.

“Yeah? Wondering about work or what? I’m all ears now you know.” He said, taking a swig from the bottle in his hand.

Her stomach tightened again as she looked her loving, yet over-protective father in the eyes.

“I was uh...wondering how you would feel if I moved out?” She asked, the thought barely working its way through her anxious mind before spewing out of her mouth.

“What?” He asked, his eyes squinting as he cocked his head to the side.

“I-I just think since I’m an adult now, I’d like to have a place of my own. That way I won’t come between ya and the business as much. I’m tired of hiding, dad.” She said, throwing the gloves on the table as she sat next to him.

“What devils gotten into your bones? Have you been sniffing the snow or drinking me rum?” He asked.

“No dad....I just...I just want to be more independent that’s all.” She said.

“I’ll tell ya what...if you pack the snow for the next month I’ll up your pay so you can get you a place. I’ll chip in some too but getting it on your own will be good for ya. I taught you to shoot but I didn’t teach ya about life aye?” He said.

“No not really. But spare me the lectures. Let’s get home. I’m starving.” She said.

“Alright. Let’s get on with it then.” He said, walking with his cane as they made their way to the car.

As the next few weeks passed, she found herself going into work with a smile. Knowing she’d get to work towards her own place, and for the chance to see the dapper blinder who’d been making regular appearances lately, and to her surprise, for more than business reasons.

He’d been sent by Thomas to crunch numbers and talk bets with Alfie, knowing that he was sent to handle more of the legitimate business than the illegal stuff.

But if Y/N learned anything throughout her years, it was knowing when to make herself known.

She waited until Alfie closed his office door, watching Michael walk down the creaky steps as she did a small whistle.

He turned around and grinned, walking towards her, as was becoming their habit recently.

“Y/N, didn’t think you were here, love. Must’ve been in the back again aye?” He asked, quietly. She nodded and led him to one of the women’s lavatories.

“W-why are we in here? I haven’t even taken you on a date.” He asked, a mischievous grin on his lips.

“Shh. There’s no other place right now for us to go. I haven’t told him.” She said.

“Told who?” He asked.

“My-my father. Alfie.” She said, nervously biting her lip as she removed her hand from his. Crossing her arms over her chest.

“Wait...your father is Alfie fucking Solomons?” He asked, his face hardening at the fact. His usual happy demeanor fading.

“Well, adoptive father. He uh adopted me when I was 16 from an orphanage ’round here. He wanted to protect me...from uh...people like you. I guess he’s had some bad history with the blinders and other groups so I’ve been most my life, just working here to pass the time.” She said.

“People like me? What...are you afraid of me?” He asked.

“What? No! I’ve been around dangerous men all my life. I’m just saying that your blinder cousins may not take a liking to me and neither will my father to you. I just have a bad feeling about it.” She said.

“So...what are we to do? Fucking talk in the bathroom every week or what?” He asked, a small smirk playing at his lips.

“We’ll do what I do best. We’ll have to hide.” She said. He looked at her with a confused expression as he put his hand on her hips.

“I get off at 4pm and my father won’t be home until late at night. I usually go straight home, but meet me at the warehouse later around 7pm, yeah?” She asked, seeing him smirk.

“Michael I’m deadly serious. If Thomas or my father finds out we’re as good as dead.” She said.

“Fine...I’ll meet you, but I want you to bring some of the snow. Can you sneak it out?” He asked.

“Yeah. Alright, now go, the workers are coming down the hall.” She said, hearing the plethora of Alfie’s men stomping down the dark hall, making it easier for Michael to slip out un-noticed.

“See you then, Y/N.” He said, pecking her cheek before he left.

She rubbed the spot, her cheeks flushing at the brief contact.

“Y/N?” Alfie’s voice rang from the hall, making her heart race as she thought of all the reasons he could be asking for her, internally praying that it wasn’t because he caught Michael leaving.

“Yeah dad?” She asked, quickly stepping out of the restroom.

“Thought ya ran off love. I was just gonna remind ya I’m working late again.” He said.

“Alright, how many nights are you working late?” She asked.

“Well, probably every day for this month. Thomas and the rest of his blinders are damn near making me lose me mind.” He said.

“Oh...ok. Well I’ll keep an eye on Cyril then. Is it ok if I go out to the shops later? Been wanting to stock up for the new place, for whenever I get it.” She said.

“I mean I’m not going to be there so I can’t stop ya can’t I? You can but remember your gun and that knife. You remember how to use it aye?” He asked.

“Yes dad, I can’t really forget stabbing a man for you, nor can I forget putting a bullet through his head.” She said, shivering slightly at the memory of when things got tense at the shop with a disgruntled employee. Alfie had beaten the man unconscious and dragged the man to the back, telling her that it would be good practice. And it was, but after it was done, she vowed to herself that she’d never use such weapons unless she had to.

“Right, well I have to go deal with some business. I’ll let you off at 4 like usual alright?” He asked.

“Okay, thanks dad. I’ll see you...I guess tomorrow depending on how late you get in.” She said giving him a hug before walking back to her station.

The last few hours dragged on as she reminisced over the past couple of weeks. Her heart skipped a beat thinking about how they’d secretly talk and make out behind the shop where her dad couldn’t see, and how on days like today she had to drag him into the restroom as her heart beat out of her chest at the rebelliousness of it all. It was nothing compared to what she planned to get away with tonight, and for hopefully weeks to come, but it was a small step towards her independence, even if they had to hide their relationship from the world.

As the clock struck 4 she headed towards the back of the building, snagging a bottle of rum from an opened crate and replacing it with one that had just came off the line for the night. Shoving the bottle in her purse as she grabbed a rather small brick of cocaine, it being one of the various runts in the pile they’d received that day.

With quick steps, she went out the door and down to the car that was waiting for her. The purse growing slightly heavy as she continued on. Her father didn’t want her walking home alone of course, and so he arranged for one of his men to routinely take her home, ultimately becoming a blessing and a curse for her independence she was so desperately trying to achieve.

“Hello Tim, I have an odd request today.” She said, counting the huge wad of cash in her purse she’d managed to save up well before asking about apartments

“What’s that Ms.Solomons?” He asked, hid old face wrinkling with a smile.

“Can we stop by the housing department? I’ve had my eye on an apartment for a few weeks. Don’t worry though, I’ve already gotten my fathers approval.” She said, pulling off her biggest lie yet.

“Alright, after that do you wish to go home? He asked.

“Yes please.” She said, watching as the streets zipped by.

Once at the housing department, she told the landlord where she’d like to stay and she followed her to the requested location. Her eyes lit up as she saw the rather grand place. It was just close enough that her father needn’t worry too much while also being just enough of a distance away from the shops she loved going to. It was a rather safe area given the town and her fathers plethora of men protecting her, but she enjoyed the new sense of independence as she gave the woman a cash deposit, along with enough for the years rent.

The woman’s eyes lit up as she saw the amount of cash, Y/N rather un-phased given her fathers business.

“Are you sure Ms.? This is so much in advance.” She said.

“Yes. When shall I move in?” She asked. Checking her watch and seeing it was just after 5pm.

“Oh I’d say ‘round any time next week. Here’s your key, just drop by before you begin moving in.” She said with a smile as she got in her car and left.

“Alright Tim, I’m ready to go home.” She said, a satisfied smile on her face.

“I’m impressed. You got this place yourself? Alfie must be proud.” He said.

“Mhmm.” Y/N said, nervously fidgeting with her hands as she remembered the lie. He’d have her neck if he knew she’d already bought the place earlier than he would’ve liked. But what could it hurt?

The minutes passed rather quickly as she was dropped off at her house, walking inside to see Cyril’s tail wagging as she came through the front door. The house was dimly lit and quiet, just as she’d left it that morning. She played with him and made sure his water bowl was filled, seeing as the maid would help feed him later, but she still loved helping wherever she could.

“Ms. Y/N, I have your dress ready. I’ll feed the dog later and make sure the house is kept before leaving. I hope you enjoy your date.” The older woman said, a genuine smile on her face.

“Thank you so much. I can’t tell you how much you’ve helped me these last few weeks. Here.” She said, giving her a few slips of cash from her purse.

“Just as a thank you. I’ll be moving in next week to my apartment. Dad doesn’t know though so I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell him.” She said.

The maids eyes widened at the cash in her hand, agreeing with a small smile and a quick nod before returning to her duties. As much as she loved this house, she wanted to do things on her own terms. She wanted to meet people on her own terms, and finally not hide herself. To make more friends than just the maid. To start actually living.

With an excited smile she ran up the stairs, putting the casual dress on and doing her makeup, deciding to leave her hair as-is, then anxiously making her way outside. The purses weight tugging at her shoulder as she walked down the quiet streets, her gun in her purse and her small knife in hand.

Once she neared the warehouse, she sat around the back, taking a swig of the rum before Michael got there to calm her nerves.

She watched the sun set over Camden Town, the birds songs ending as the insects buzzed about, the air turning a bit colder as she looked at her watch. It was just after 7pm, her heart sinking in her chest as she thought he’d stood her up. But after a few moments, she heard footsteps, making her panic slightly not knowing who was behind them. She carefully drew her gun, aiming at the man as he walked closer, his hands soon up in surrender.

“Y/N? It’s me. Michael.” He said, a smirk on his face, lowering his hands.

“I figured you were ‘round back, didn’t think you’d try to shoot me though.” He said.

“Sorry. You never know out here.” She said, putting her gun away and retrieving the cocaine and rum.

“You carried all that here? I’m impressed.” He said, inspecting the cocaine as she opened the bottle, taking another swig from it. She cringed internally as the liquid burned her throat. She’d only drank a few times, not to any huge extent, but now that she was older and more capable, she figured she at least could drink how she pleased.

“How’d you score this rum?” He asked, taking a swig from the bottle as well.

“I stole it from my dads stash in the back. And that coke is one of the runts of the batch, it was too small to pack in the big crates. Figured I’d bring the whole thing since you seemed to know about it a couple weeks ago.” She said, smirking at the memory of their first awkward meeting.

“Have you tried it?” He asked, leaning back against the wall of the warehouse.

“No.” She said turning away from his gaze as she nervously brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.

“It’s easy. Watch.” He said, unwrapping it and shaving off a sliver of the white substance with her knife. He sat it on top of the brick and made sure it was all crushed, forming it in a straight line.

He handed her the brick carefully as she held it up towards his face, him inhaling the powder through his nose in one fell swoop.

“You want me to shove that shit up my nose? Are you mad?” She asked, giggling as she took another swig from the rum.

“Yeah. Can’t hide from everything love.” He said, his words hitting home probably more than he realized.

“Alright, if I die, my fathers gonna have your head on a spike.” She said.

“That’s a risk I’m willing to take.” He said, preparing a smaller amount of the drug and holding it up to where she could inhale it through her nose. Her nostril burned as she did so, the foreign particles lacing their way through her system.

She laughed and shook her head, wiping her nose of any excess powder as she looked up at Michael who was chuckling slightly.

“That was so odd. I’m not doing that again. Not right now anyway.” She said, handing him the bottle of rum as she curled up next to him. It had only been about a month since they’d met, but even then, their interactions became more frequent.

Over the next few weeks, it was as if they’d known each other for years the way they got on. His aunt Polly eventually seeing a spark in his eye that wasn’t there before, and the same went for Alfie.

“You’ve met someone. I can tell.” Polly said one night, catching him coming in drunk on more than one occasion.

“Yeah I did. Tommy can’t do anything about it. It’s not his concern so don’t go telling him.” He said as he stumbled into the house.

As Michael grappled with the weight of seeing an adversaries daughter, Y/N had gradually moved things into her apartment with the help of her driver, all under her fathers nose. But she knew that once her room was more vacant, he’d catch on. Knowing if the blinders didn’t anger him enough, her leaving suddenly surely would.

One night after a drunken date with her mystery boyfriend, Alfie confronted her. Holding the small brick they’d chipped away at over the previous weeks.

“Oi! You wanna explain this? No daughter of mine is going to be sneaking drugs in me house. Do you really think I’m dumb? Cuz I guarantee you I’m not. This can’t happen. Not under my roof.” He said, lighting his cigar.

“Well if you didn’t want to pack it anyway I thought I might as well put it to good use. But uh, I’ll be sneaking it under me own roof from now on. I’ve bought a place if you couldn’t already tell from barging in my room to find that.” She said, folding her arms like she often did when she was frustrated.

Alfie stepped closer to her, his eyes not leaving hers as she barely flinched.

“I’ll find out who you’re doing all this for. Once I do, you’ll wish ya never stole a thing.” He said, walking towards his chair he usually sat on in their grand living room.

Y/N shook her head and chuckled to herself, stomping off towards her room. Her mind raced as she thought about what to do, grabbing what was left of her clothes and hurling them into her suitcases, deciding to leave the house for good in the morning.

Alfie sighed and sat back in his chair as he heard Y/N rummaging around upstairs. The sweet girl he helped raise all of a sudden wanting to leave the nest.

It seemed like everything was fine in their lives until the peaky fucking blinders waltzed into his shop. Not caring who they destroyed as long as they got their money, their rum, or their drugs.

#peaky blinders #peaky blinders imagines #peaky blinders fanfic #michael gray x female!reader #michael gray x reader #michael gray x y/n #michael gray #katiesfics #alfie solomons #alfie solomons x adopted daughter!reader

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deepdonutkid · 3 years

Note

Can I ask for multiple character break downs?👀

Well if I can, then would you please do one for Ada and one for Tommy and one for John

But if only one has to be done, then you can choose any one of these.

Thanks! <3

Thanks for the ask! 💞

Ada Thorne nee Shelby

How I feel about this character

Just love for her! She is adorable, strong, fierce, absolutely amazing! Ada and Polly are the best developed female character on the show. Mainly, because Tommy can’t fuck them, so they can’t be reduced to his love interest, which is such a good thing, because I love strong women. Makes me weak in my knees.

All the people I ship romantically with this character

Freddie Thorne, Ben Younger, Jessie Eden, because Ada is bi, she just gives off that vibe, u know.

Somehow I prefer to read stuff with a female reader for her, more than a male reader for her. Because it’s either Freddie x Ada for me or Ada x female reader.

My non-romantic OTP for this character

Lizzie, Polly, Ada and Linda are an amazing combination! She and Tommy have an interesting dynamic as well! I would have loved to see more John and Ada interactions, because they have not such a big age gap inbetween, so I think they are close. Especially after Ada got her child and John got married with Esme. Oh, Ada and Esme would have sooo much fun together. Esme would be like the sister Ada never had.

My unpopular opinion about this character

I think her character changed a lot between season 1 and 2, because of Freddie’s death and also after she joined the business again. Sometimes when I make memes or the alignment charts, I have two icons for her, one from first season and one from third season, because I think she is one of the characters who changed the most through the series. First season Ada would do a lot of things different and more naive than third season Ada. Mainly, because she still believed in communism in season 1 and she somehow lost her faith after losing Freddie. Which is super understandable tho.

She acutally becomes wiser with age... unlike her brothers, who just do the same shit over and over again.

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon.

I wished Ben hadn’t died, because they kill her lovers even fast than Tommys. WTF, right?

On the other hand I wished Ada talked some sense into Jessie, to NOT SLEEP WITH TOMMY THE WHORE SHELBY! Because Ada knows her brother very well and I think she genuinely liked Jessie, or she liked her enough to save her from the pain of being Tommy’s toy or pleasure doll.

And I’m still bitter about the way they killed of Freddie... but more about that later...

Tommy Shelby

How I feel about this character

Relationship status: It’s complicated!

Yes, well, I ramble about Tommy’s shit a lot. I know! He is still an intersting character and it’s so tempting to think about his actions in certain situations, but if I would meet him as a person- I would hate him from the bottom of my heart! <3

He is such an asshole all the time and when I first watched the show, I forgave him a lot he did to his siblings, because I was caught up with his good looks and the presentation of him being the good guy who does bad things to survive. But I spend some time to think about his actions and I noticed, he is an awful human being... to Polly, to his siblings, to his lover and actually to everyone. He might think he does all those mean things to archive a bigger goal, but he is just a gambling addict who can’t stop taking risks he isn’t even prepared for.

Shitty things Tommy has done over time:

Forcing his brother to marry somebody, John didn’t even know at that time, to end a feud, Tommy had started himself and only when it was in his favour to end it, he used John as pawn, so he could archive his plan. HOW FUCKED UP WAS THAT? Nobody seems to talk about this. It was fucking awful! And the way he did it was horrible to! Tommy said nothing to John until the very last moment, when they were already surrounded by enemies, so John couldn’t said no. It also shows, that Tommy thinks he is above his siblings. Tommy thought John wasn’t capable of chosing a wife for himself, so Tommy did that for him too. Even when John didn’t ask for this at all!

Destroying Ada’s relationship with Freddie and chasing his best friend out of town, just because... TOMMY WAS AGAINGST HIS SISTER HAVING A RELATIONSHIP. and yet he proclaimes to listen to woman and to give them a fair change. Maybe just not for our dear Ada!

Destroying Arthur’s marriage, because he kept dragging Arthur into shit, he wasn’t mentally stable enough for. Putting thoughts of rejecting Linda into Arthur’s head, by talking bad about Linda and making jokes about her any given time.

Sleeping with Lizzie over and over again, even when he knew she loved him and when she tried to get over him by dating someone new, he made the order to burn down the pub of Angel, humilated his family, and have him killed later.

Sleeping with Jessie, so he could use her

Humiliate Polly, when she was at her lowest, after Rueben had left her

Drag Michael into the illegal business after Polly begged him not to

Dragging Finn into all this shit after John died, because John wasn’t avaiable anymore

Calling Grace a whore, when they first met

Paying Lizzie in his head, even after she stopped being a sex worker

Helping a fascist

I could go on for a while, but you see my point here!

All the people I ship romantically with this character

Nobody! I want to see him miserable and alone! Honestly I’m never going to read all these soft!Tommy fics or whatever, because they really don’t interest me. I don’t want to see him happy.

But go have fun people and write and read whatever you want!

My non-romantic OTP for this character

Tommy and Lizzie, because they have a sexual relationship, which is not based on romance and I love this sad and depressing dynamic between them. It’s so interesting to write and read about.

Tommy and Ada are great in the show. I love their talks and Ada actually points out when Tommy is acting like a douche again.

My unpopular opinion about this character

I have a lot... where should I start?

I get so annoyed, when I see Tommy shown as a twink, because the actor is just 1,70m... which is not small to me. I know a lot of men around that height and I think they are average and not small. Also a lot of men feel bad for not being tall enough, because everywhere in our society it’s normal to have a tall man and a small woman. And the way tall man or small man are sexualized in this alpha/omega thing or in a top/bottom dynamic is so... meh. It’s really uncomfortable to see how people try to push the patriarchal man-woman dynamic into same-sex relationships.

Tommy is a class traitor and a horrible husband.

Man, I could rant for hours, but I stop right here. Just remember, please don’t feel attacked, I don’t mean to attack you. Even if you write or draw... whatever with Tommy, I would never say something bad about this. Enjoy creating Tommy content, I will love to ignore it!

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon.

I was so disappointed when they killed Freddie, because those two could have had an interesting and compelling relationship. Freddie could have been a great frenemie. I put this here and on on Ada, because their marriage wouldn’t changed the plot as much as Freddies and Tommys friendship. Tommy would have been a way better person, if Freddie was around.

John Shelby

How I feel about this character

MY HUSBAND! I love him and he has never done anything wrong in his life.

Nah, John has many faults, but I still adore him as a character, because his faults are actually making the plot more interesting. I also read, that he and Tommy fight a lot, because John is more moral and has way more integrity than his older brother. It was just hinted in the show, but I love this side fact and I will base my whole characterisation this.

I love to write, draw and read stuff with him. He is my favorite character from Peaky blinders and my love will never die, even though he did.

Funny tho, when I first watched PB, I adored Tommy and was annoyed by John, but as I rewatched it I changed my mind about those two.

He had so much potential and I would spend all my money, which is not much, but the devotions counts, to see a spin-off with just John and his army of children.

All the people I ship romantically with this character

Esme, because they are sooo cute together!

My OFC, because I love writing them.

Any reader, because I’m a sucker for John.

My non-romantic OTP for this character

All kinds of interactions with other characters and John are great! My favorite is John and Ada to be honest. But here are other dynamics I adore as well:

John & Polly, (she would help him a lot with the kids)

John & Arthur (they come to the garrison to drink and play cards, they talk a lot about their problems, deep bond here)

John & Tommy (in my head they are always fighting)

John & Lizzie, because they have a great friendship, and they helped each other a lot. She spend time with the kids and he gave her financial support, so she would quit her job, which she didn’t do, because she feared being all alone again, and she has trust issues) (I’m actually writing a fic about these two)

John & his kids (I’m soft for dad!John)

John & Michael (especially in season three, because John seems to be jealous of Michael)

My unpopular opinion about this character

John is not completely stupid. Well, he is certainly not smart, but he works in the betting shop, and Arthur does not, or not really, because Arthur is bad at math... John at least knows his numbers. And also Tommy chose him to be the legal bookie over the others, so John must do a good job there. He just never got a degree or something similar like Michael. Which is also a reason, why John seems to be bitter about Michael joining the business. Michael was put in a higher position than he did.

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon.

This one is obvious... John should have survived.

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pebblysand · 2 years

Text

[I WOULD LIKE ...]

As you may have seen on Discord, I recently had to go through the #corporatemillenial hell of writing down “goals” for my IRL boss to review and approve. I laboured over the bloody thing for an entire week, proof if needed that there are different types of writing and that I can clearly write 50k of fanfic in three months and still struggle to come up with three lines of actionable professional targets. 🤣Especially knowing that they will inevitably land me the same “meets expectations” at my yearly review that literally everyone else in the #corporate hell I live in gets. Hooray!

This being said, I’m on holidays from IRL work at the moment and I feel like in fanfic and blogging land, the year is coming to a close. It’s funny: ever since I was a child, I’ve always seen the year running through September to August, rather than January to December. Even now - I’ve been out of school for five years, and I still think of it that way. First, I reckon it's the fact that the end of August is usually when I take my only actual, long holiday of the year, and is thus also when I have time to sit down, reflect, breathe, recharge and, most importantly, as someone who is very future-oriented: decide what I want to do next.

I’m also an August baby, so coming up to my birthday on the 26th is actually when another year has officially gone by. Lastly, my friends often affectionately call me a sunflower, meaning I’m boosted by the sun, the heat, long summer days, etc. I’m much more likely to start something/decide on a new project in the summer than in January, where I just want to lay under the covers and sleep until it’s light again. There is a reason why the first chapter of Castles came out at the end of summer 2020, haha.

So, I’ve decided to learn something from my corporate job and sit down to write… things I would like to see happen, this coming school year. These are not “goals” - I’m not tying myself to any of it and am happy for them to change, but it’s just stuff which I’d like to make happen, if I’m able :).

So, without further ado: here is below a list of five things I'd like to see happen between now and August 2023.

1. I WOULD LIKE... TO FINISH CASTLES

Out of all of these, this feels the scariest, but also the most likely to happen. I’ll edit and publish chapters 14 and 15 in the autumn, then probably take a few weeks off writing in October (I’m going to the US for work, then my mum will come to visit in Dublin for her birthday so time will be scarce).

I would then like to write a new ROAR fic in November/December (basically post by Christmas), though I can’t decide if it’ll be the Hermione one (which I really want to write because one of the plotlines is Very Relevant at the moment and matters to me) or one of the Peaky Blinders stories (Ada’s probably), because I get depressed in the autumn (see above) and PB is my comfort TV series. I'm leaving that open - we shall see, haha.

But then, in 2023, I feel like January to August might be the time during which I bury myself into castles again and write the five chapters I have left. Could this be? Honestly, I'm terrified to finish (what will I do next? 😱) but I'm also so fucking excited. If I could make this happen, I would be the happiest gal in the world!

2. I WOULD LIKE... FOR THE PODCAST (@thefanficwriterscraft) TO CONTINUE, GROW, AND POTENTIALLY BECOME FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT

If you’d told me a year ago that I’d have a podcast about fanfiction going (and going strong), I’d have laughed at you. But, now, seven episodes in, I am loving every minute of it. Every new episode seems to do better than the last in terms of downloads and feedback/engagement, and hearing from you guys about how you found it interesting/helpful is honestly the absolute best thing! It makes all the work that goes into it (planning the episodes, recording, editing, etc.) totally worth it. I would like for the podcast to continue to grow, build an audience, build on its themes and episodes, and generally bring something good and useful in the lives of the thousands of fanfiction readers and writers, out there. In my head, it’s my way to (a) help new and existing writers and readers, and (b) contribute to the legitimisation and de-stigmatisation of fanfiction as an art form, which I’ve always struggled with and am obviously very passionate about. I know we've received feedback to that effect already, and it's honestly made my year so far!

In terms of the future of the podcast, as we’ve said before, we’d like to start interviewing more writers about their work, or a particular theme of interest to them, like we did for episode 6. Some might say it’s a good way to extend our reach with more diverse audiences but honestly, most importantly, it’s just fucking fascinating to hear other people’s perspectives on writing. Personally, I find listening to what other people have to say much more fun than listening to the sound of my own voice, haha. That’s one of the things I’m really hoping to do in the next year but getting people to agree to record/do interviews is obviously rather hard. We’ll get there, though. Hopefully! In the meantime, as I've said before, if there's anyone you'd like us to have on, let me know!

Lastly, regarding the podcast, while I’m not hoping to get rich off of it (lol), I would like for it to support itself. I currently pay $12/month for hosting (but I might change platforms soonish, I'm not sure), and I’d like to find some sort of sponsor for that. Not that I can’t afford it, I 100% can and I’m happy to, but it would be great if this just found a way to balance itself. At the same time, I'm always very awkward about asking people for money, especially since I have a cushy corporate job that pays me a comfortable wage. So, I don't know.

I’ve not really looked into anything or even talked with Lani about it yet, and frankly, I’m not sure if it could even happen, but I’d still like it to be at least not a negative entry, financially. It is rather hard, though, because from what I’ve quickly researched online, you need at least a thousand downloads per episode to monetise through ads (and let me tell you, we are far from that lol). The other sustainable solution is patreon (one-time donations are nice, but monthly is better, you know?) but on top of the asking-people-for-money struggle, Patreon also requires you to provide extra benefits and advantages, in exchange for support. To be honest (see point 5 for more info on this), I am totally at capacity in terms of what I can offer the internet at the moment, and don’t know where on Earth I would find the time to offer something extra.

So, I don’t know. It’s one of those things I’d like to see happen, but I don’t know how. Honestly, if you’ve any ideas, let me know. Also, if there’s anything else/new you’d like to see us do on the podcast, please tell me, too :). I'm doing this because I enjoy it, but also for you guys 🥰.

3. I WOULD LIKE … TO WRITE MORE FANDOM/WRITING POSTS

I was under the impression that no one read them but these days, I can’t seem to go anywhere without someone mentioning one of my long opinion posts on fandom/writing to me, which I linked here. So, I’ve been thinking: maybe I should write more of these? You guys clearly seem to enjoy them, and I'm pig-headed Gryffindor with Opinions, so it suits all of us 🤣. There’s certain writing advice/fandom stuff that wouldn’t necessarily fit within the podcast if they require visuals for example, and I’m like: why not write them out? Some people contribute to fandom via writing metas, but I’d love to write about: the monetisation of fanfiction and copyright law, the fandom move to discord, fanfiction stats, etc. That’s stuff that’s kind of outside the realm of the podcast, that I’d also be keen on exploring.

I was already going to do this last year and began with the 15 things I learnt post in January, then the editing one in February, but then the podcast happened, and I also spent so much time writing castles… I think if I’m gonna do it, I’d have to write them during those months I’m taking “off” writing, then schedule them for later. I love writing these and I can see you guys like them as well so I really want to try and make it work, somehow.

4. I WOULD LIKE... TO READ MORE FIC

I feel legitimately embarrassed by this but I think since January, I’ve probably read less fic than I can count on my fingers. And, it’s not that I don’t like reading fic, to the contrary, but I find it So Hard to find fic to read in the Potter fandom. I used to live in fandoms where you could reasonably refresh AO3 every day and be served with a reasonable number (20/30) new fics, so looking through those and finding a couple you wanted to read was nice and easy. I used to read at least a fic every night.

But in HP, it’s all about tags, genres, ships, etc. and there's thousands of fics published every day. I don’t fucking know how to search. I don't know what I want to read before I read it. I can be convinced of a lot of things, if the writing's good. For example: I’m not interested in the Marauders - should I always exclude all the Sirius/Remus fics? But then, I’m not opposed to the pairing, I just don’t want it to be all about them, and what if I exclude good fics that just happen to have this tag? I also don’t love fluff, but sometimes I like certain fluffy fics, and sometimes fics have that tag amongst others. And, I used to go through people’s bookmarks (either people who’d bookmarked fics I like or fics I wrote) but now everything that’s popping up I’ve already read, or people generally have less varied taste than I do. Like, if you look at my bookmarks, there’s: character pieces, a bit of Romione, a bit of Hinny, a bit of Harmony, a bit of gen, a couple of Dramiones even, etc. But most people are only focused on one thing, which I respect, but it’s not helping my own selfish search, you know? 🤣. I always end up giving up in the end and go back to my books.

I want to hire someone to go through AO3 for me, find the good fics and send me a weekly digest lol.

5. I WOULD LIKE... TO FIND A BETTER WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Last but not least, as they say. This is the toughest one because for the life of me, I don’t know what to do about it. What I do know is that I work at my day job 30-40 hours a week (depending on work from home, etc. let’s be honest, I’m not productive all the time), spend around 10 hours a week on this blog/the podcast, and when I’m writing (which, let’s be honest, is most of the time) easily 20 hours a week on that, plus generally any hour I’ve claimed back from my 9-5 to illegally (sue me) write fanfic during my work hours. My last relationship tanked for the sole reason that I didn’t have time to see him + see my friends, and I can’t justify abandoning my friendships, so something had to give.

And, it’s hard because a lot of the time, when you say (even to people who love fanfic) that you spend so much time on it, they say: “Oh, don’t worry, chill, it’s just fanfic,” which I know comes from a place of love, but also it’s one of the things in my life that makes me happiest and keeps me sane. My 9-5 brings me money, but writing is what makes me happy. And, chatting with you all, and maintaining the podcast, and the blog - that also brings a smile to my face. It’s fun. I want to do it more. And, yes, it’s fanfic, but it’s writing, first and foremost. So, I don’t want to give that up. I can’t afford to give up my day job, and I don’t want to stop seeing those I love. I struggle to find time for everything.

There’s a whole rhetoric amongst millennials at the moment that’s like: your day job can just be about money, it doesn’t have to be your passion, etc. which I totally agree with, but also how realistic is it to have a full-time job, a time-consuming hobby, exercise, a family, a significant-other, friends, and a decent mental health? Like - how? I’m slowly starting to rest, being on hols at the moment, but when I finished my last writing sprint I was absolutely burnt out. And, it’s also hard to face how long it takes you to work on something and finish it, when you’re working on it part-time. I know I could have finished Castles in a year if I hadn’t been employed. Yet, here we still are, two years later (sigh).

So, I don’t know. Honestly, what I’m hoping is that I can somehow sustain this rhythm on and off until I finish Castles and also have enough money saved (from my previsions, looking at January 2024) to quit and live off my savings for six months to a year. I also think I would feel better quitting once Castles is finished in the way that I wouldn’t just be quitting to write fanfiction which doesn't have any recognised value, both as an art form and as an economic thing, but quitting to write my own stuff. I know I could write original work, and ultimately I want to, it’s just the time that’s lacking, and I find it hard to sustain multiple long projects at once (i.e. castles + original writing). I would like to not be burnt out by the end of next year, but who the fuck knows? If anyone out there has any idea how to make work, please let me know haha.

Anyway, these are the “I would likes” for this coming school year. If you feel like doing your own, even in your own head, don’t hesitate to do so! If anything, this was quite exciting and cathartic. Fuck capitalism which prevents me from blogging and writing fanfic all day haha!

Lots of love,

-jo

#pebblysand rants #yearly goals #september is the true start of the year and you don't have me thinking otherwise

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poge-life · 4 years

Text

The Cut } Finn Shelby chap. 3

Chapter one chapter two

Things were slowly going back to normal in Birmingham. The Longfield's had returned to Small Heath two days after the wedding, not wanting to be away from business any longer.

David had informed Penelope that she and James would be going with him to meet Vincente Changretta, as Tommy and Camden would be away on business. Whenever David had business with Tommy, he would send Camden since he would be the one looking over the books for David's businesses and knew he would do what's best for business.

Finn and Isaiah were to search Mr Changretta and his men when they arrived at Charlie's yard to make sure they wouldn't be carrying anything. Penelope was sat on John's right with David sat in the middle with Arthur on his left and James on the end; Charlie and Curly a little further back.

Finn moved to stand behind Penelope as Isaiah was behind Arthur and David.

"You asked for a meeting out in the open," Arthur started, "fresh air and the fine aroma of shit."

Penelope and John let out a quiet laugh at the oldest Shelby's choice of words as James spoke," 'neutral ground' you said."

"This is hardly neutral ground," Vincente replied, looking around Charlie's yard. Penelope leaned back in her seat as Finn placed a hand on her shoulder, "well, it's what you've got."

"So, por favor," Arthur spoke, purposely speaking Spanish, "please sit down."

"Where is Thomas?"

"He got called away," David answered, "I'm one of Tom's most trusted advisor's, so you'll be doing business with me."

"He said he'd be here." Vincente spoke, hostility in his voice

"Yeah, he's busy." Arthur answered

"And we just told you he got called away, "John spoke, "what do you want?"

It was clear to everyone that no one wanted to be here. Penelope knew Arthur, Michael, and Camden had set fire to Angel Changretta's restaurant the night before Tommy's wedding to prevent him from attending with Lizzie.

Penelope knew that no one crosses the Italians unless you have a death wish. The Changretta's took their vendetta seriously. And Penelope hoped no one said anything to piss Vincente Changretta off.

"There has been peace between the Peaky Blinders and the Changretta family for two years now." Vincente spoke

John had interrupted the man by asking him if he wanted tea and Penelope shared a look with her brother, knowing John would be the one to piss off Vincente.

"We don't want fucking tea!" Vincente spat, "we want an explanation."

"Well, I'll have fucking tea, "Arthur said, pouring himself and James a cup

"Explanation for what?" David asked, lighting a cigarette

"The Little Venice restaurant on Forge street was burnt down," Vincente said, causing James to interrupt him this time, "no. Couldn't have been us. We were at a wedding."

"You burnt it down to stop my son from being at that wedding." Vincente replied.

"Forgive me, Mr Changretta," Penelope spoke, "But what do we have to do with your son's restaurant burning down? When Lizzie happens to be a very good friend to all of us. And we wouldn't do anything to ruin her happiness."

"A woman has no business speaking without being spoken to."

Finn's grip had tightened on Penelope's shoulder as James and David sat up straighter, "Mr Changretta, it would be wise for you to advise your men to watch how they speak to my daughter."

Vincente turned to face the two men, speaking in Italian before turning back to face the table, "You are such big boys now. And such a beautiful young woman. But once you borrowed clothes from us to look like men."

"And we repaid you for that," James spoke, "we always repay our debt."

"How's the tea, Arthur? Is it..."

Arthur and James dumped their tea out before answering, "it's cold."

Vincente turned his attention to David, realizing he would be getting nowhere with John and Arthur, "Tell Tommy that we pay him whatever he asks us to pay. We stay out of the city and off the tracks."

"But you tell him from me," he continued, looking over at Penelope, "that my son will walk with any woman in this city. Any woman he chooses. Even if that woman works for the Emperor, Thomas Shelby. Even if that woman is already with a Shelby."

James quickly stood up at Vincente's words as Isaiah moved closer to the table and Finn moved to stand next to her instead. David let out a dark chuckle as Penelope stood up and grabbed onto Finn's hand, "You'd find that your son would not get past my brother, Mr Changretta."

"And if he wishes, he will walk with the woman he loves." Vincente spoke, looking between John, Arthur, and David.

John leaned forward to pour himself tea before speaking, "You know, it would be hard for your son to walk anywhere with a bullet in each knee, wouldn't it?"

Penelope shut her eyes at John's words, tightening her grip on Finn's hand. John just started a war with Vincente Changretta. And she knew nothing good would come out of it.

Vincente stood up straighter as David shared a look with Arthur.

"Too much," Vincente had pointed at John, "you said too much, my friend. Sabini said 'Suck and Swallow'. But no. Too much. I spit."

Vincente spat at John's feet before walking away as one of his men started cursing in Italian, smashing one of the chairs to bits. Penelope sat down on her chair as Finn gave her hand a squeeze, letting her know that he was there.

The Italian's were prideful men. They valued family and loyalty over everything. And John knew that. He was told to let David and Arthur handle the business. But he let his pride get in the way.

"Isaiah," Arthur spoke, "Put two extra men on our pubs in Nechells."

"James, tell your brother to go to London and have him take a few blinders to the casino's and pubs." David spoke before walking away

"We're not scared of fucking eyeties anymore." John told his brother

"Don't tell Tommy about the chair and clean this fucking shit up." Arthur said, following after David as John called out after him, "We're not scared of fucking wops!"

"You're a right fucking idiot, John," Penelope spoke, turning to face him, "you just threatened to shoot his son in the knees. You know how serious they take those threats. You just started a war."

Penelope stood and turned to look at Finn, "Pop around our house later? I have to go to Mum's office before heading over to see Cam."

Finn nodded his head before leaning down to give her a kiss. Penelope fixed his Peaky cap before giving him a peck, making her way through Charlie's yard.

James followed after his sister, wrapping his arm around her shoulders, "what do you have to talk to Cam about?"

"One of us has to tell him what John did because if Arthur or Tommy does it, you'll know Cam will no doubt try to kill John himself."

The older boy nodded, knowing she was right. The Longfield's had no business nor problems with the Italians due to them being temperamental so Cam and David did everything in their power to make sure there was no bad blood between the two families and since ⅗ Longfield's were at the meeting, the Longfield's were now involved with the Italians.

"Pol's gonna kill John," James mumbled, opening the car door, Penelope following, "If dad doesn't do it first."

Penelope made her way through Shelby Company ltd, walking past Michael's office towards Camden's before backtracking to stop in front of Michael's, turning to face him.

Said boy was sitting at his desk, cigarette in hand as he looked at Penelope who had a smirk on her face, "What?"

"See you and Willow made up." Penelope answered, walking into his office as she looked around, only being in his office once

"What makes you say that?"

Penelope walked over to the desk before bending down before leaning down to pick up Willow's bra, holding it up for Michael to see, "because I bought her this for her birthday."

With that, Willow slowly stood up from her spot behind Michael's desk as he closed his eyes in defeat as she gave a little wave, "Hi Penny."

"You're lucky it was me and not Tommy." Penelope smirked, looking between the two, knowing she had something on them now.

"Why are they lucky it was you and not Tommy?"

The three turned to see Camden and Tommy standing in the doorway. Willow quickly snatched her bra out of Penelope's hand before the two older man could see it and let Isaiah know, even though Willow knew Penelope was bound to tell him.

"You two wanna tell them or should we wait for 'Siah to be here, too?" Penelope teased as Willow and Michael looked at each other.

Penelope was having a field day with whatever she knew about them and Tommy and Camden could tell, the big grin on her face giving it away.

"Penny caught us together and knew Tommy would make a bigger deal about it." Willow sighed, avoiding eye contact with Tommy and Camden.

"You left your bra on the floor, didn't you?" Cam smirked, leaning against the door, causing Willow to go red as Michael let out a sigh. Penelope struggled to hold her laugh in as Willow sent her a look.

"Don't let it happen again here." Tommy spoke, the couple nodding

"Polly said that you should call her. There's been some trouble." Michael told his cousin, causing Penelope and Camden to look at each other

"What trouble?"

" I'm guessing the stuff she doesn't like to tell me about." Michael responded, irritation laced in his voice

Anybody could tell Michael hated that Polly wouldn't let him be involved with the business, despite being one of the people Tommy trusted the most. Penelope wasn't a blinder nor involved with Tommy's business but she always knew what was going on. Mainly because Camden would tell her what was going on; Finn doing the same when he was allowed to be involved.

"Cam, I need to talk to you." Penelope said, walking to his office. Camden was one of the book keepers for the company, dealing with David's business that he did with Tommy and Alfie Solomans.

Camden sat in his chair as Penelope flopped down on the couch in his office, taking many naps in her brother's office.

"What's going on, Pen?"

"John fucked up, Cam," She spoke in a quiet voice, "we had that meeting with Vincente Changretta about Angel's restaurant. And John threatened to put bullets in Angel's knees."

"He fucking did what?" Camden exclaimed, looking over at his sister. Camden had a short temper. Everyone knew that. The war caused it. Camden had been tortured and held captive during the war before being let go. He didn't speak for weeks when he came back to camp. Only telling them when the tunnels collapsed. Camden was the protector of the family. After thinking he would never see them again; he always made sure his family was safe. And now that John had possibly started a war with the Changretta's and involving his family?

"Mr Changretta said there was nothing we could do to prevent Angel from being with Lizzie and John said it would be hard to do that with bullets in his knees." Penelope exclaimed, running her hand over her face as she looked over at her brother. Camden's hands were curled into fists and he was clenching his jaw to the point where the muscle in it twitched.

"What did dad do?"

"Told James to tell you to take a few Peaky boys to London to watch over at the pubs and casinos." She answered as Camden nodded

"I don't want you and James involved," Camden started, "you let dad and meself handle this. You two are to stay out of this."

Penelope nodded as Tommy walked into Camden's office, causing Penelope to roll her eyes, "Sure Tommy. Come right in."

Tommy didn't even bat an eye as he responded to the blonde, "I own the building Penny. I'll do as I please."

Penelope rolled her eyes as she laid down, shutting her eyes for a moment, "C'mon. Meeting at Polly's."

The blonde let out a groan before begrudgingly following after her brother and Tommy. Walking past Michael's office, Willow called her in, causing her to turn and walk into the accountants office, "What?"

"Just letting you know that I wouldn't want to sit in any of the chairs in here for a while." Willow avoided eye contact with Penelope as she spoke, causing Michael to choke on the whiskey he was drinking.

"Oh, I'm sure that's what Willow sounded like earlier." Penelope laughed, running out of the office before either could say anything.

Penelope greeted Finn with a kiss as she walked through the betting den and into the kitchen that connected the Watery Lane house to the building they used for bets on race day. David was sat at the table with James, Arthur, and Polly as John was standing by the mantle.

"Thanks for coming Finn, "Arthur spoke, "Now fuck off."

Finn rolled his eyes before walking through the den, being stopped by Tommy and Camden, "Finn, you can stay."

The red head immediately slunk to his girlfriend's side, the blonde wrapping her arm around his back, leaning into his side.

Tommy took a breath before looking at his younger brother, "Sit down, John."

"You cut Angel Changretta, even though Arthur and myself told you to apologize." David spoke, causing Penelope to nearly give herself whiplash at how fast she turned to look at John.

That was it. John officially started a war with the Changretta's. Dragging her family with them.

"Polly told you to compromise," Tommy looked between his older brother and aunt before looking back at John, "you chose not to listen to Mr apologize or Mrs compromise, and now I've got an Italian walking around my backyard saying he's going to kill my brother."

"So, what should we do, John? Do we apologize? Or do we compromise?" David asked, leaning towards the boy as Arthur spoke up, "it was just something he said as a joke."

The Shelby boys never like disappointing David. He was practically their father, as theirs ran off before Finn was even born. Letting David down was one of the worst feelings ever.

"Yes, but he's your brother too, Arthur." Tommy commented, "And I don't want to start a war over something John said without meaning it."

Penelope noticed that James and Camden were unusually quiet, considering they always had something to say but Penelope thought it might have to do with the fact that her family wasn't directly involved with this business.

"So, should we apologize in Italian or English? Or should we just ask them which fucking language they prefer? I'm not clear."

"You said while this business was going on in London, you wanted peace here." Arthur said to Tommy.

The three Shelby brothers wanted nothing more than to be done with the Italians but they all wanted three different ways to solve the problem.

"And the only way to guarantee peace, is by making the prospect of war seem hopeless," David spoke as Tommy agreed, "If John apologizes once, you do it again and again and again. Like taking bricks out of the wall of your fucking house."

Tommy turned to look at Arthur, "Do you want to bring the house down, Arthur? If you're soft on rebellion, it'll grow."

"Bloody 'soft on rebellion' " Arthur scoffed

"You did the right thing, John. Now, we go to the offensive. We take two of Changretta's pubs, we take them tonight."

"That's it?" Polly scoffed, " For Christ's sake, why?"

"Because we fucking can! Because we fucking can, and if we can, we do!" Tommy yelled as Camden agreed, "And if we lift our heel off their necks now, they'll come at us. Remember, these are the bastards that wanted Danny Whizz-bang dead!"

Arthur had turned away from the conversation at this point, not wanting to hear anymore. Tommy had noticed and scoffed at his older brother, "You're getting soft, brother. Soft and weak. Save the bible for Sunday's, eh?"

Everyone knew the reason behind Arthur's change of heart. Linda was a very religious woman and she was practically forcing Arthur away from the only life he knew.

"Finn, I need to get to Hockney, then home. It's been a long day." Tommy said to the youngest Shelby. Finn nodded his head, pressing a kiss to Penelope's head before making his way out of the building.

"You take the Wrexem. You take the Five Bells. You get them signed over to us in the morning. You make sure to keep the coppers away. And don't use the bloody phone, someone's listening."

David pulled out his cigarette case, offering his children one before focusing on the two Shelby's, "You didn't just threaten Angel Changretta. You did it with two of my kids present. Therefore, involving my family in this war. You cut Vincente's son. They don't just lie there and take it, like the rest of Birmingham does when it comes to you lot. An eye for an eye. They'll stop at nothing to make sure this vendetta is paid. No matter who gets in the way. Any harm comes to my family, my wife or my kids, because you two decide to go against Tommy's orders and do as you please, you won't like how it ends."

Never in all the years David has taken care of the Shelby family, has he ever threatened them. But he loved his own family more and wouldn't think twice about harming anyone who hurt his family, Shelby or not.

"Dave..." John spoke in a quiet voice. John had grown up seeking David's approval for everything. He considered David more of a father than his own.

"Do the right thing, John Boy." David told him, patting his shoulder as he made his way through the betting den.

"James, Penny," Camden spoke, causing the two blonde's to look at their older brother, "go wait in the car."

They knew better than to argue with Camden. So they nodded, saying their farewells. Penelope leaned down to wrap her arms around John, pressing a kiss to his cheek, "It'll be alright John."

The two blondes made their way out of the building, making their way to their fathers car, "Think John'll apologize?"

James just shrugged, for once not being able to determine his best friends actions, "For everyone's sake...i hope so."

Penelope was laying with her mum in her parents room as David was in his office. Penelope was watching her mother with a content look on her face as Audrey came up with designs for the dresses Grace had asked her to design for the foundation this Sunday.

The content feeling didn't last long though.

James came bounding through the doorway, flopping on top of his sister, who let out a groan at the sudden weight, "get off me, you knob."

"You don't want to spend quality time with your brother?" James teased, maneuvering so he was laying with his head on Penelope's stomach.

"Not when your fat arse just drops on me." Penelope smacked the back of his head as Audrey laughed at her two youngest children.

Growing up, James and Penelope were as close as any siblings could be. James felt the need to protect his sister whenever Camden went with their father on business; being the man of the house. James, John, and Camden had broken the nose and many bones of the boy who referred to Penelope as the 'Peaky Whore' because she was close with the Shelby's. After that, no one ever made comments about her again.

While Camden showed his love for Penelope through his words, James did it through his actions. He would always hug Penelope, have his arm around her shoulder, or place a kiss on her head; something he got from their father.

"Where's your brother?" Audrey asked, glancing over at James who was playing with the rings on Penelope's hand.

"Went with John, Isaiah, Arthur...and Finn to take the Changretta's pubs."

"They let Finn go with them?" Penelope asked, worry laced in her voice

While she was happy that he was being included in the business, she just wished it wasn't the violent stuff. She knew he could handle himself, being trained by her father and oldest brother but she knew how often the Shelby brothers got hurt. And since there's a possible war brewing with the Italians? Her nerves were at an all time high.

"Cam's looking out for him. He knows to pull him before things get serious." James explained, looking up at his sister.

Any time the youngest Shelby would come with them, James and Camden would make sure Finn was never in harm's way; knowing his brothers would be too occupied with making sure Finn was safe.

David had walked into the room and felt himself smile at the sight. Growing up, Camden, James, and Penelope would climb into the bed with them and just talk about anything and nothing. Penelope spent most nights in her parents room after her brothers got drafted for the war. And when the boys returned, they spent many nights in their parents bed, wanting to be around each other after being away for four years.

"Sweetheart," David called, causing Audrey to look over at him, "seems like our bed has been infested with pests."

The two youngest Longfield children let out yells of protests at their fathers words as David and Audrey let out laughs.

David gestured for James to move his legs so he could lay down. Audrey had placed her sketchbook on her night table as she laid on her side, alternating with her husband with playing with their kids hair.

You would think James and Penelope weren't David and Audrey's kids due to their blonde hair but David's hair was blonde when he was young, passing that gene onto his two youngest while Camden got their mothers auburn hair.

James and Camden were quite the ladies men in Birmingham. They both were strapping young men; chiseled jawlines, both with muscle from the war, eyes that every girl seemed to fall for. And they were in a gang. Any girl in Birmingham wanted to take a blinder to bed and James and Camden often agreed to it.

Penelope was also a good looking Longfield. Often were people jealous of the good looks that all the Longfield's possessed. Penelope was one of the most beautiful girls in Birmingham. She had blonde hair that fell to just below her shoulders, stunning eyes. But once she grew a figure, men often stopped paying attention to her looks and focused more on her body and tried to bed her; well those brave enough to. But Penelope never bat an eye. Not when she had one of the most strapping young men in Birmingham on her arm the last year and a half. She had been enamored with Finn since they were 10. But her feelings grew stronger as her and Finn grew up. About two years ago to be exact.

Penelope knew she always had feelings for the boy. Finn had always defended her honor growing up. Made sure no one ever spoke bad about her. Penelope was told by her mum to get Camden from Tommy's gym and she had walked in just to see Finn take down his opponent. She pulled him aside and told him how she felt. Finn feeling the same.

"Do you think John will apologize?" Penelope asked, looking between her parents. David and Audrey looked at each other for a few seconds before David spoke, "I'm hoping I talked some sense into him. But, you can never tell with John. He needs to realize he dragged us into this war. It won't just be them who Vincente Changretta targets."

"You'd think he got enough of war in the actual war." James mumbled, letting out a sigh. Penelope grabbed her brother's hand and gave it a squeeze.

James was 17 when they got drafted for the war. He was too young. Too innocent to see so much violence. So much death. He didn't talk for weeks when he came home. But he got better. John and Camden were by his side everyday to reassure him that he was safe and that the war was over.

"Tommy'll get through to him." Audrey reassured him, sharing a look with David that went unnoticed by their children.

It was the day of the Shelby Charitable Foundation Ball that Grace had been working so hard to put together.

David and Audrey led their family through the crowd as Penelope had her arms linked with her brothers. Audrey had outdone herself yet again. She had slaved many hours over various fabrics, needles, jewels, etc...

Penelope was wearing a floor length light gray dress that had jewels along the bodice and the hips with strings of pearls all along the skirt of the dress. Penelope's blonde hair was pulled into a low bun with a jeweled headband to top it off.

Grace had requested that Audrey and her had similar colored dresses due to wanting to show her thanks for everything she had done for her.

Audrey and Grace had gotten close since Tommy told them they were getting married and Grace had come to Audrey on how to deal with the lifestyle. Audrey had very often helped with blinder business, not wanting to tarnish the name of her business. Audrey had told Grace it was better to not ask questions she didn't want the answer to and to wait for Tommy to come to her about it rather than prying.

Audrey was wearing a floor length rose-gold dress that had jewels all over the dress.

Penelope quickly spotted Willow and dragged her brothers with her. Willow was wearing a floor length gown with gold silk fabric under a layer of maroon, gold, and silver jewels.

"Well, you might just be the best looking woman in here." Penelope teased, slinking to her best friend's side. Willow let out a laugh as she greeted the Longfield brothers with a kiss to their cheeks before linking arms with Penelope, leading her over to the group of Shelby men, "I do believe your mother has outdone herself once again, Penny."

John had nudged his younger brother and motioned behind them. Finn had made the mistake of taking a drink as he turned around, causing him to choke on it. The two girls laughed as they walked closer as John and Michael were patting the boy on the back.

"You alright?" Penelope asked, stopping in front of Finn. Finn nodded his head as he turned to place his glass on a tray nearby, "You look...absolutely stunning."

Penelope felt her face heat up at his words as she placed her hand on his chest, "Ever so handsome, Mr Shelby."

Finn gave her a smile as he leaned down to place his lips on hers.

"Right," Camden spoke, causing the to to pull away from each other, "That's enough of that."

Penelope shot her older brother a look as he just smiled at her. James was hiding his smile behind his glass. The two boys loved teasing their sister when it came to Finn. They often dragged the couple away from each other during events, interrupting them before they could kiss.

"Everything went alright last night?" Penelope asked, looking between the group of boys. By now, Willow and Michael had joined in as Arthur and John went to find their wives.

Camden, Michael, and Finn had looked over at James, who shut his eyes as Camden smacked the back of his head, "You weren't supposed to tell her."

"Dad would have told me anyways. Or I would have found out."

Willow looked lost at what they were going on about so Michael had explained everything to her that happened over the last few days. Including how Isaiah was also involved.

"Oh bloody fucking hell." Willow whispered, downing the rest of Michael's drink.

"Everything went fine." Camden told Penelope, "But they won't just lie there and take it. They will retaliate."

Penelope took a deep breath, knowing Camden was right. Finn pulled her tighter against her as he placed a kiss on her forehead. Penelope shut her eyes and leaned into Finn's embrace, savoring the small moments with him

"And we'll be ready when they do." Michael spoke, pulling Willow into his side. James and Camden had left to go talk to John and Arthur as Isaiah had made his way over to the group.

Penelope had perked up at the sight of the oldest Jesus sibling and sent Willow a big grin as she realized what she was gonna do, "Penelope Haven, if you say what I think you're going to..."

"Isaiah!" Penelope cheered, "Just the boy I was looking for!"

Isaiah had shared a look with Finn who just looked as lost as he was as Michael had flushed in realization of what Penelope was about to do.

"Did you take snow before you came here?" Isaiah asked, causing Penelope to shake her head, "Just thought you might be interested in what I found your sister and best mate doing in his office the other day."

Finn had turned to hide his face in Penelope's hair as Isaiah quickly turned to face Willow and Michael, "What were you two doing in his office?"

"Shut up, Penny." Willow snapped as Penelope was laughing, Finn failing miserably to hide his laughter. Michael had placed some distance between him and his girlfriend, knowing that Isaiah wouldn't want to see them touching with the information he was just given.

"I need a fucking drink." Isaiah mumbled, turning to grab one of a table. After Isaiah had processed the information he was given, he started a conversation with Michael and Finn as Penelope and Willow talked about Audrey's dresses. Willow had noticed that Michael had tensed up under her arm and turned to face him, "Mikey, you alright?"

Michael stiffly nodded before excusing himself from the conversation. Penelope looked around where Michael was staring and only saw Tommy walking into the concert hall.

"Any idea what that was about?" Willow turned to face her brother and Finn, who just shrugged, "You're his girlfriend. You tell us."

Willow sent an exasperated look to her brother, "You're his best mate. Figured you would know."

"Doesn't mean I keep a book about him," Isaiah spoke, giving Willow the same look, "got better things to do with my life then watch 'Mikey', Willy."

Finn and Penelope glanced at each other, amused looks on their faces. The couple was often present for the many arguments of the Jesus twins, the two loving to rile each other up.

"Okay," Penelope spoke, pulling Willow to her side as Finn pulled Isaiah to his, "You guys can fight when we're not in the presence of Birmingham's finest. For Grace's sake."

The Jesus siblings looked at each before begrudgingly agreeing.

Willow had excused herself to find Michael as Isaiah followed after her. Penelope turned to look up at Finn who took a drag off his cigarette. And Penelope would be lying if she said it wasn't one of her favorite sights.

Like his brothers, he also took up the habit of always having a cigarette in his hand. Penelope smoked occasionally, mainly when she was with Finn.

"You really do look stunning, Pen." Finn smiled, looking at the blonde who smiled up at him, "Despite you wearing something like this everyday, you always look very handsome."

Finn gave her a short but sweet kiss as they made their way over to their brothers, who were now joined by Michael, Willow, and Isaiah.

Finn grabbed two glasses of whiskey off a tray as a waiter was walking by, handing the second one to Penelope. The blonde placed a kiss on his cheek as she wrapped her arm around him, leaning into his side.

Audrey had nudged her husband who was talking to one of his business partners from London. David turned to look at his wife, who motioned towards their daughter.

"I don't think I've ever seen her this happy before." Audrey had a smile on her face as she watched the young couple.

"They balance each other out," David spoke, "She keeps him grounded and he keeps her on her toes."

Audrey snorted in response as she leaned into her husband, "hell, he keeps all of us on our toes. But she's there to bring him back."

"He's not like his brothers. He's not as aggressive or violent as they are. Finn thinks before he does anything. He's more of an emotional being than he is physical. She needs that." David said, placing a kiss on Audrey's head.

"I look at them," Audrey started, " and I see us when we were young. In love and willing to risk everything to be together."

Audrey's parents didn't approve of her relationship with David when they were teens. Her parents were super religious and with David's family not believing at all, they didn't want her daughter with him. But they didn't care. They risked everything to be with each other. The same way they knew Finn and Penelope would also risk everything.

The gong for dinner rang and he asked everyone to raise a toast to the king. John had smacked Finn on the back of his head as he went to raise his glass as Penelope hid her smile behind her glass as she took a drink.

Finn offered his arm to the blonde as he went to lead them through the dining hall.

"For Angel!"

Everyone heard the gunshot before they could process what happened. Arthur had tackled the man as Finn, Camden, and John had joined the oldest Shelby sibling in beating the man.

James, Willow, Michael, and Isaiah rushed over to Penelope as they watched Tommy hold onto a bleeding Grace; David and Audrey rushing over to them. James held onto Penelope as the tears started to fall, Michael and Isaiah doing the same to Willow.

Not only was that the day Grace Shelby had died but it was also the day that Thomas Shelby stopped feeling

A/N

Please let me know if anyone is interested in being tagged in any upcoming parts for this series!

#finn shelby #finn shelby imagines #finn shelby imagine #finn shelby fanfic #harry kirton #peaky blinders #peaky blinder imagine #peaky blinder fanfic #peaky blinders imagines #peaky blinders imagine

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zodiyack · 4 years

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Cillian Murphy Masterlist

(updated per upload)

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Taglist(s)

★ = smut

⋆ = presmut

♡ = fluff

☁ = angst

☠ = death

Cillian Murphy

(Nothing yet, feel free to request when requests are open)

Jonathan Crane

Fics And More ~

Hereditary ♡

(Request) Nicolas, son of Jonathan and Y/n Crane, has an urge to fear or be around fear, almost like an addiction. However, it’s likely much more normal than that, his father having the same urge for years.

Robert Fischer

(Nothing yet, feel free to request when requests are open)

Thomas ‘Tommy’ Shelby

Social Media/Text Imagines ~

Chat Thingies (Random Cute Stuff) ~

Random Tommy x reader