#peaky blinders fic rec

[goldensunflowe-r]

Tommy Shelby Smut part 2

Part 1

Masterlist

[shelbyssins]

White Tulip ~ Arthur Shelby x F!Reader

A/N: This is rated 18+ for mature themes. This is my contribution to @runnning-outof-time's 3K follower celebration "Tales From the Flower Garden". The prompt I chose was “I don't mind what you have to do… I won't think less of you”. I'm so happy with how this turned out and I'm excited for you all to read my first Arthur story! He's my baby and I'm really looking forward to hearing your thoughts. This takes place somewhere in S3 in the countryside. As always, if you read this, please let me know what you think! - Rosie x

Warnings: Mature themes, hurt/comfort

Arthur sat in his and Y/n's garden, an isolated meadow that stretched into farmland just beyond their fence. He was surrounded by wild flowers of seemingly every colour and variety, the stems bending in the breeze, petals stroking his hands where they lay at the sides of his legs. The night was warm, not even a hint of a chill in the air, and the sky was inky blue despite the late hour. There was no pollution in the countryside, unlike the ever present fog in Birmingham, so the moon shone bright pale light onto Arthur's face and reflected into the pond just beyond their willow tree.

Arthur looked at the bottle of whiskey he had brought onto the grass with him, the cork still intact and the liquor still untasted. His mind wandered back to a promise he'd made to his beautiful Y/n that he would quit the alcohol, quit every one of his vices if it meant he could be with her for longer. His hands caressed a patch of grass as he recalled what had happened after that conversation, how the smell of wild flowers clung to Y/n's skin as he laid her down in the meadow and left kisses all over her body, how beautiful she looked as they made love under the spring sun.

He heard the soft beat of footsteps against the grass and lifted his heavy head to gaze at his love. Y/n was wearing nothing but a silken nightgown, her legs and feet both bare as she sat down next to Arthur. Her hair, which was usually pinned up in intricate styles, hung loosely over her shoulders, some strands dancing in the warm breeze. Arthur thought for a terrible moment that he might cry at the sight of her, his beautiful angel under the pale moon.

He reached for her instantly, as if she was the only thing keeping him from floating away. Y/n felt his hands shaking despite the summer warmth as she carded her fingers through his un-styled hair. She watched with sad eyes as the lines on his face that she loved to trace with her delicate fingers deepened when he squeezed his eyes shut, trying fruitlessly to hide his tears from her.

Y/n smiled softly, cupping his cheek as she whispered to him, "Stop that, you know you don't have to hide your emotions from me, Arthur."

Arthur recalled, then, how difficult it was when he and Y/n first started to go out, how hard Y/n had tried to train Arthur out of the bad habits he learned from Tommy. Only recently had he started to open the door on his past traumas so that Y/n could get in; at the start of their relationship he refused her comfort. Once, he'd even thrown a glass at Y/n when her gentle hands were too overwhelming and he'd never forgiven himself, even though she had forgiven him a thousand times. The memory brought the shame right back to him, acidic guilt rising up his throat.

Arthur looked to the skies for falling stars, so that maybe all of the bad thoughts and poisonous memories could be carried away with his one desperate wish.

Arthur could feel himself properly going over board for the first time since he and Y/n had moved away from Birmingham. The weight in his mind was pushing him deeper and deeper under the relentless waves of anger and worthlessness, so heavy that he was terrified he'd pull Y/n under with him.

"What's wrong, my love?" Y/n asked gently, she could see all of Arthur's emotions flashing through his eyes like a picture book, she knew his silence never meant good things.

"Tommy," He whispered back, as if afraid that mentioning his name would somehow summon his brother.

"What about him, darling?" Y/n replied, the pet names rolling easily off her tongue as she knew Arthur loved to be loved, that he needed reminding at all times she was still his.

"He asked for me... To go back to Birmingham. Needs help with business, but you and I both know what he really wants from me," Arthur clenched his fists in the grass to articulate his point, the pale scars littering his knuckles glowing silvery in the moonlight.

"I know he'll put me straight back in the field, in the ring where I know he needs me," Arthur continues, that unmistakable waver in his voice when he was trying not to break down, "I know I'll kill whatever new enemy he's made if that's what he wants me to do,"

Y/n brushed her thumb over the back one of Arthur's battle-marred hands, trying to quell the pounding of her heart. She knew about his past and accepted all that came with it, but that didn't change how unpleasant it was to imagine her husband condemning a man to his death.

"I can try to pretend it's not who I am but... Y/n, me 'ead stops hurtin' when me fists start bleedin'," Arthur said, a fresh wave of unshed tears welling up in his eyes, "If Tommy asks me to fight, I won't let 'em get up from the count,"

Y/n scrunched her eyes closed, squeezing Arthur's hand to somehow let him know she understood.

"You could tell him you're not going back," She whispered, already knowing what his answer would be, Shelbys and their loyalty weren't to be questioned.

"You and I both know I won't do that, Y/n," Arthur replied, his clenched hands ripping the grass out at the roots.

Arthur dug his damp palms into his eyes as his tears finally spilled over, "I - I can feel hell fire blazing at my feet, Y/n, and the closer I get to going back to the Blinders, the more me mind burns up," He sobbed, roughly hitting himself in the temples to emphasise his words. Y/n laced her fingers through Arthur's own large, calloused ones in an attempt to stop him from hurting himself. The terrified rage in his eyes seemed to drain as he softly gripped Y/n's hand in his, "I love you, Y/n. I can't let you burn with me,"

Y/n smiled softly despite Arthur's panicked spiel. She picked a flower from the beautiful plant bed she had sown herself one day when Arthur was out. She tucked it into the breast pocket of his thin linen shirt, a white tulip to symbolise her anticipatory forgiveness.

"Oh, Arthur, I don't mind what you have to do… I won't think less of you," She whispered, as if afraid that speaking any louder would make him run.

Y/n pressed a soft kiss to Arthur's temple, reddened where he had abused the skin earlier, and she took his war-toughened face into her small hands, holding him so gently it was as if she was cradling the whole world in her grasp.

"I love you so much," She began, shushing Arthur softly when he tried to interject, "You don't have to understand why I love you, you just have to accept it. If your choice is to do whatever Tommy is asking of you, I'll still love you when it's done. I chose this life with you long before you turned your back on who you were in Birmingham. I fell in love with you when you were still proud to be a Peaky Blinder, you can't scare me off with talk of hell now, my love," She resumed carding her fingers through Arthur's soft hair, his eyes had closed somewhere during her speech and his breathing was so even and calm she might have thought him asleep.

Arthur opened his eyes again when Y/n's fingers stilled and she was once again struck at the love she saw in his eyes, so pure and unfiltered that it was almost too much for her to bear.

"And besides," Y/n spoke again, "Surely if I'm journeying into death with you, I couldn't possibly be anywhere else but heaven,"

Arthur's tears spilled freely then, down his cheeks in paths that glinted like the first spark in a flame.

"Just promise me you'll let me be around to patch you up, even if you're not physically hurt," Y/n whispered as Arthur nodded, unable to speak around the lump in his throat.

He laid his head down in Y/n's lap, the skirt of her night gown cool on his hot skin, "Let's stay out 'ere for a while," Arthur rasped after a moment of silence, pouting his lips slightly to ask for a kiss.

He tried to pour all of the love he had in his body for Y/n into the soft touching of their lips; he knew there were no words that have ever or will ever exist to describe his feelings for her. They stayed like that, gently laid in the blooms as they kissed, until Arthur felt the crushing weight in his head disappear. When they eventually pulled apart, Y/n graced him with her brilliant smile and wiped away a stray tear he didn't know he'd shed with her thumb.

Arthur gazed back up at the dark sky, the thousands of stars that glittered there just for them couldn't ever compare to the light Y/n brought to his life. Even in a garden of beautiful flowers, Arthur thought Y/n was still the most radiant being by a mile.

[shelbyssins]

Ooo this piece is deliciously written! Everything is so wonderfully described that I could see it like a movie in my head. So good <3

Congrats on 1.5k Mars!! 🥳🥳 here’s the first of my submissions to celebrate with you!! Is there something fluffy you could make out of this gif? Who’s Tommy looking at, and why is he staring at them like that?? 👀👀 thank you!! 💕

Early seasons Tommy is the best Tommy and I am always more than glad to deliver, specially for you! <3

'Mars 1.5K Celebration'

Mine || Tommy Shelby x Reader

Warnings: None really, some possessiveness maybe

He is always watching her.

Every Friday she is in the club. Her frocks are tailor made and her jewels are of the finest crafting. She glides about the room gracefully, a cigarette holder carefully placed between two gloved fingers, with the faintest stain of crimson lipstick upon the ebony tip. Just observing her, Tommy can feel the aroma of her perfume, mixed with the fragrance of her hair and the musk of her skin. Even from afar, her skin appears so soft; Tommy flexes his fingers, picturing what it would feel like to brush them down the curve of her neck.

He comes down every time he can, around the same hour, just to stand vigil. Leaning into the wall, whiskey on the rock warming in his hand, blue irises tracking her every move as she greets patrons, dispensing warm smiles and greetings to the patrons. Everyone knows her, how could they not? She beams like the moon in the darkest night, a perfectly cultivated rose in a field of little daisies. The eye drags naturally to her figure, almost as an instinct, and she knows it. She basks on the attention and thrives under the spotlight. She is meant to be observed, cherished and adored. 

Tommy treasures the first time he saw her. The same unwavering beauty and the mysterious eyes situated behind the bar pouring drinks, a novelty in itself. The owner had promptly realised that her presence served to drag admirers to the line, spilling their pockets on the counter for a sliver of her attention. A bright beacon to guide drunken fools to the safety of the liquor and the demise of their salaries. 

Tommy’s keen eye soon picked up through various subtleties in her attitude that she did not enjoy her post; her lips always curved in a candide but forced smile, the set of her jaw whenever she looked away, the way her fingers curled every time she pushed a hand away from her arm. One too many times Tommy had observed how depraved fingers clung to the fabric of her dress, forcing her to stay close, men wanting to drown in the glow of her charm.

He tried to put in a word with the club owner, how a woman such as herself should not be hung out like a piece of meat to lure in predators. The owner refused and sent Tommy in his way. The man did not have much to refuse two weeks later, however, when the Blinder overtook possession of the establishment for themselves. Many of the employees chose to desert, but she chose to stay. The way his name rolled off her lips sent a shiver down his spine. When he offered his lighter for her cigarette, he felt the warm caress of her breath in his hand. He had to fight off the impulse of brushing that coquettish loose strand of hair out of her face.

From that moment on, Tommy became obsessed. He had left the management of the club to others, but he still showed up there every night to watch her, to receive her gentle welcoming as the hostess of the club; to watch her strut across the room, dominating the scene, now safely flanked by two gargantuan goons to keep her safe and ward off anyone who dared look at her the wrong way. The charming smile she gave him every time he crossed the threshold was enough to wrap him around her little finger.

He had pursued her, like every other man, but she was tantalisingly elusive, always standing just on the edge of his reach, close enough to entice him, but always ready to abscond. Toying with him, giving him a taste of heaven and then slipping like sand on his fingers. Every time Tommy thought he had finally captured her, caged in his grasp, she simply vanished in a puff of smoke. The chase resumed, the thrill of the chase flaming his fervour.

Suddenly, back in the present, her back stiffens and she peers over her shoulder. Their eyes meet, a Mona Lisa smile pulling at her lips, a smile meant just for him. She has grown used to seeing him there, his attention following her about as she socialises with the patrons. She moves behind the bar and produces from under the counter a feathery fan. The effect on Tommy is immediate; his pupils dilate and the whiskey stops midway towards his lips. He had gifted her that fan. He loved to see her piercing gaze staring at him from above the fluffy tips, concealing her face from view and leaving to his imagination what was happening behind. Is she smirking, is she grimacing, are her lips pursed in a silent kiss?

More often that he cared to admit, Tommy had pictured her with that fan in her hand and nothing else on her skin.

She leans down towards a male, using that same fan to hide their faces as she whispers to him. The beast of jealousy lashes inside Tommy’s chest, growling and gnawing and banging against the bars of its cage, straining to escape and wreak havoc. His free hand twitched and fisted around nothing, the mental image of his fist colliding with the man’s nose burning like a branding iron. He knows she does it on purpose; she loves to rile him up, push on the boundaries of his desires and then reap the seeds she has sown on him. The threat of another stealing what he so desperately covets enough for Tommy to double up his efforts. He cannot slack if he aspires for a woman like her.

As the night winds down and the patrons wane, she finally caves in to him and moves to his side. His posture is relaxed but his jaw is tense and his muscles nearly vibrate with the need to pounce on her, the wait so long and the prize so close. Her hands lay on his chest, pushing him towards one of the shadowed corners of the room to steal a heated kiss from his lips, still tasting of champagne and sweetness of her own self. Tommy circles her waist, all too happy to oblige in her desire. The game has been played, the hunt culminated and the treasure laid before him

Her whispered words tickle his ear, her gloved hand cradling the back of his head, feeling the pressure of a hidden ring against his skull

“I am ready to go home, Mr Shelby”

The smirk dances on his lips, his fingers gripping her chin tenderly and brushing some smeared lipstick from the edge of her mouth

“As you wish, Mrs Shelby”

[baddestbittyontheblock]

thomas shelby fic recs

you are responsible for the content you consume‼️

✧*:·˚ hi everyone!! here is a list of all the fics that are my favs with tagged writers/authors ✧*:·˚

✧*:·˚ remember to like and reblog the works you enjoy in order to support each writer!! ✧*:·˚

✧*:·˚ however, make sure you read the information on each story themselves such as triggers & warnings ✧*:·˚

✧*:·˚ also, if you'd like me to remove your fic from this list, message me! ✧*:·˚

°。°。°。°。°。°。°。°。°。°。°。°。°。°。°。°。

「*ೃ࿔」 another chance by @smallheathgangsters thomas shelby x reader | 2.6k

-tommy believes keeping things about work from y/n would help their relationship. he couldn’t be more wrong.

「*ೃ࿔」 a promise i won't break by @justauthoring thomas shelby x reader | 1.2k

-mosley is obsessed with tommy’s wife and tries to make a move on her.

「*ೃ࿔」 dead of night by @justauthoring thomas shelby x reader | 1.2k

-without you, everything just seems fucking pointless.

「*ೃ࿔」 the right treatment by @ijustwant2write tommy shelby x reader, john shelby x reader (platonic), arthur shelby x reader (platonic), polly shelby x reader (platonic) | swearing, illness (including pain), injury, arguing, angst, fluff

「*ೃ࿔」 a free spirit by @ijustwant2write thomas shelby x reader | mentions of sex, fighting, threats, pregnant symptoms, shouting, swearing

「*ೃ࿔」 gunshot by @smallheathgangsters thomas shelby x reader | 2.7k | fluff, some hurt/comfort

-tommy and y/n spend a night together, but never speak about it again. that changes, when tommy’s business plans have a dangerous impact on the lives of people he loves.

「*ೃ࿔」 another chance by @smallheathgangsters thomas shelby x reader | 2.6k

-tommy believes keeping things about work from y/n would help their relationship. he couldn’t be more wrong.

「*ೃ࿔」 unspoken by @shelbylimiited-blog thomas shelby x reader

-"i can't keep kissing strangers and pretending that they're you."   "people are staring."

「*ೃ࿔」 all nights after by @tessimagines thomas shelby x reader | heatedness and nakedness, I guess? no actual smut though.

-tommy comes to a conclusion one night late in bed.

「*ೃ࿔」 i chose you by @peaky-blinders-lit thomas shelby x reader

-you’d never been a morning person but mornings with Tommy were blissful.

「*ೃ࿔」 brave enough by @cas-kingdom sister!reader x tommy | 3.1k

-you’re the only person brave enough to mess with thomas shelby.

「*ೃ࿔」 not part of the deal by @storiesforallfandoms thomas shelby x female!reader | swearing, violence, hints of smut, 1.6k

-a potential peaky blinders business partner ruins his chances by making some off remarks about the boss’ girl

「*ೃ࿔」 wishing it was you by @orionwhispers thomas shelby x reader

-tommy knows he's standing next to Grace.

「*ೃ࿔」 private ceremony by @storiesforallfandoms thomas shelby x female!reader | 1.1k

-after some trouble with his men, tommy and his bride to be decide to have a quiet, more intimate ceremony before the chaotic one

「*ೃ࿔」 fear by @babylooneytoonz thomas shelby x female!reader | light angst , mentions of abortion, unplanned pregnancy

-tommy and his second wife, reader, an independent, successful business woman are living a fairly happy marriage until the reader finds out she's pregnant. things take a wrong turn when their work life clashes with this news and in the end, the reader takes a devastating decision. without consulting her husband.

「*ೃ࿔」 nice to meet you by @merakiaes thomas shelby x reader | 2.9k

-you’re ada’s flatmate in london and you haven’t met her brothers yet. tommy comes to your shared house one night to find you giving karl a bath and as he doesn’t recognize you, his automatic response is to pull a gun on you. 

Part Two - First Impressions

Part Three - Salvation

「*ೃ࿔」 speechless thomas shelby x reader

-thomas shelby knows that he’s going to marry his childhood friend one day. He also knows he’ll be a bundle of nerves when the day arrives.

「*ೃ࿔」 love is blindness by @blueathens tommy shelby x fem!reader | smut (MDNI!), raging breeding kink, creampie, unprotected sex (please use a condom), tommy has A Thing about you being pregnant, 3.3k

-after watching you mother his boys, tommy is intent on making you the mother of his real children.

「*ೃ࿔」 protect you by @babybluebex tommy shelby x fem!reader | this is pure fluff no smut to be seen, violence is mentioned, injuries are mentioned, confessions of love are abound, tommy hates to admit when he's got a crush but buddy now is the time to admit it, 2.5k

-being a peaky blinder often makes you a target, but when a rival gang crosses the line, tommy puts you first.

「*ೃ࿔」 misbehaving by @babybluebex tommy shelby x fem!reader | smut (MDNI!), dubcon (the punishment isn't exactly wanted but the sex, reader is 100% into), impact play (spanking, belting), slutshaming, age gap (tommy is early 40s, reader is 20-something), unprotected sex, glimpses of sweet tommy

-you made tommy look like a fool, so he doles out a punishment that he deems appropriate

「*ೃ࿔」 little love by @twilightmyths tommy shelby x fem!reader | pure fluff

-thomas shelby adored you.

[outoftheseine]

- THOMAS SHELBY FIC RECS PART 2 -

alexa, play jealous girl by lana del rey | note: some fics are 18+ so minors DNI. be aware of canon trigger warnings (blood, violence, death, guns, etc)

main masterlist | part one

SERIES - MULTI-CHAPTERS

the royal wedding of small heath • thomas shelby x fem!reader part 2

↳ by @sneakyblinders (fluff, slightly explicit)

protection • thomas shelby x reader

↳ by @writers-hes (angst, death, mentions of abuse)

romantic escape | romantic capture • thomas shelby x fem!reader

↳ by @anonymooseforever007 (fluff, slight angst, overprotective!thomas)

immune to his charms • thomas shelby x american!reader

↳ by @readyouforfilth (love their banter so far, can't wait for updates)

happy birthday, my love • dad!thomas shelby x reader

↳ by @teenwolf-theoriginals (so so so fluffy)

safe with me • thomas shelby x reader

↳ by @kgficz

a man with a reputation • thomas shelby x reader

↳ by @kadwrites (arranged marriage trope)

your house | our home • thomas shelby x wife!reader

↳ by @vintunnavaa (angst, fluff, mentions of infidelity, looved it)

the cigarette girl • thomas shelby x reader

↳ by @huntingingoodwill (very angsty, thomas is mean)

ONE-SHOTS - BLURBS - HC'S

i got you • thomas shelby x reader

↳ by @madame-wilsonn (panic attacks, hurt/comfort, mentions of a loved one's death, fluff)

gentle love • thomas shelby x wife!reader

by @vintunnavaa (fluff)

what could've been • thomas shelby x reader

↳ by @toms-cherry-trees (angst)

love is sweeter than vengeance • thomas shelby x fem!reader

↳ by @pherelesytsia (angst, blood, death)

the secret garden • thomas shelby x reader

↳ by @celticmelody (very angsty, domestic violence, blood)

the layers of thomas shelby • thomas shelby x fem!reader

↳ by @theonewiththefanfics (angst, mild fluff)

november • thomas shelby x reader

↳ by @moral-terpitude (fluff, a little angst)

you reap what you sow • thomas shelby x reader

↳ by @springsteens (mentions of abortion, angst, fluff)

ain't she sweet • thomas shelby x reader

↳ by @look-at-the-soul (angst, fluff, hurt/comfort, injuries)

love will keep you up all night • thomas shelby x reader

↳ by @look-at-the-soul (very fluffy)

girl dad • thomas shelby x reader

↳ by @runnning-outof-time (fluff, fluff, fluff)

men with blue eyes and dark hair • thomas shelby x reader

↳ by @dandelionprints (angst, blood, name calling, fluff)

little you's and i's • thomas shelby x reader

↳ by @multific (fluff)

a small mishap • thomas shelby x reader

↳ by @gypsy-girl-08 (mention of violence, injuries, fluff)

thomas shelby as a father • thomas shelby x reader

↳ by @fanficwrit3r (very fluffy)

wailing teapots • thomas shelby x reader

↳ by @oddaodd (angst but happy ending, mentions of abuse)

as if you are still here • thomas shelby x reader

↳ by @speckledemerald (so. much. angst)

do you get déjà vu • thomas shelby x fem!reader

↳ by @calummss (fluff and humour)

venus rising • thomas shelby x fem!reader

↳ by @ay0nha (angst, this one is 🤌)

the sapphire ring • thomas shelby x reader

↳ by @kitixie (angst, but fluff)

the brother that always wins • thomas shelby x reader

↳ by @runnning-outof-time (fluff)

business and dates • thomas shelby x fem!reader

↳ by @princessofmarvel (fluff and slight angst)

[kaylasficrecs]

thomas shelby recs

safe with me | series | @kgficz

shattered | imagine, angst, smut | @earlgreydream

frozen fear | one shot, flangst | @theonewiththefanfics

a small mishap | imagine, flangst | @garrison-girl-08

the governess | one shot, fluff | @cillmequick

casual | imagine, flangst (more fluff) | @everythingelseisextra

protection | series | @writers-hes

ain't she sweet | imagine, fluff | @look-at-the-soul

men with blue eyes and dark hair | one shot, fluff (some angst) | @dandelionprints

wailing teapots | imagine, flangst | @oddaodd

an unfair loss | one shot, angst | @wutheringcaterpillar

back to december | imagine, flangst (more angst) | @wutheringcaterpillar

don't be late | one shot, angsty flangst | @dandelionprints

drunk confession | imagine, smut | @iluvzaddies

for once let me have it | imagine, flangst | deactivated blog

pawn shop blues | imagine, flangst (mostly angst) | @heartcereql

toy horses outside the brothel | series | @writers-hes

new chapter | imagine, fluff | @garrison-girl-08

no man works alone | drabble, fluff | @muneca-lemon-steppa

midnight interlude | imagine, fluff | @awritesthings1

the complaint | imagine, fluff | @look-at-the-soul

a new day | imagine, fluffy flangst | @garrison-girl-08

protection | imagine, flangst | @mydear-corinthian

it's not already | imagine, flangst | @garrison-girl-08

[hisbuni]

let's read and get so high we can't recognize the real world around us !

❥ 𝐅𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐎𝐌𝐒 (in order) ★ slashers. stranger things. the peaky blinders. criminal minds. euphoria. the punisher ˎˊ˗

smut, angst and fluff included.

˚₊⊹ 20/20 VISION ✧ ethan landry. ── @echnated !

[ sfw ] okokok! reader x lalala! ethan.

loved the concept, writing and the fic.

˚₊⊹ CLASSMATE CHARLIE WALKER ✧ charlie walker. ── @lithiumfae !

[ sfw - bit of spice ] obsession.

the obsession with her voice is literally everything to me because my voice is rather… man like.

˚₊⊹ DAMN, BOY! SLOW DOWN! ✧ thomas hewitt. ── @vampiremillk !

[ nsfw ] chubby black reader. breeding kink. overstimulation.

i just love pussydrunk! thomas :))

˚₊⊹ SOUTHERN STYLE CREAMPIE ✧ thomas hewitt. ── @/vampiremillk !

[ nsfw ] female chubby reader. breeding kink.

mwahhhh. the whole thing at my legs shaking.

˚₊⊹ NO.1 AUNTIE ✧ steve harrington. ── @erin-bo-berin !

[ sfw ] single mom! reader. steve x single mom! reader. robin x single mom! reader (platonic).

i can literally imagine robin being the funniest auntie alive and i love this.

˚₊⊹ DEVILISHLY HANDSOME MAN ✧ thomas shelby. ── @toomanyfandomsallatonce !

[ sfw ] lots of flirting. kinda dirty flirting. eating.

the flirting throughout had me kicking my feet in the air.

˚₊⊹ EAT YOU OUT- I MEAN ✧ spencer reid. ── @ddejavvu !

[ sfw - bit of spice ] spencer being a complete reck.

the post should say it for its self. just beautiful.

˚₊⊹ HOT WIFE ✧ spencer reid. ── @radiant-reid !

[ sfw ] hot wife! reader x spencer reid.

them sliding it under the table is EVERYTHING that i never knew i needed.

˚₊⊹ MESS OF MINE ✧ aaron hotchner. ── @hotchgirlsummer !

[ sfw ] female! bimbo! reader.

the cutest of this fic makes me wanna just die. i am in love with him. i believe it was written by gods.

˚₊⊹ DO YOU LIKE HER ✧ elliot. ── @eunoiathewriter !

[ sfw ] talks of smoking weed and drugs (duh, it’s euphoria).

i just loved it. thank you for writing this.

˚₊⊹ SHOW ME LOVE ✧ frank castle. ── @captainmarvels !

[ sfw - angst-ish ] insecurities.

so fluffy and adorable i would blush if i could…

TO WRITERS ! thank you for being here and for your wonderful writing. your writing is not only people of color friendly but also beautiful, and really appreciated by everyone. i hope you have a beautiful day, because you deserve it. <33

[wastingmylifesecondatatime]

UPDATE: 04.06.2024

NOTE: You can find other masterlists in  my mother masterlist

I have updated the following masterlists:

Criminal Minds Masterlist - One Shots/Drabbles

Peaky Blinders Masterlist - One Shots/Drabbles

Peaky Blinders Masterlist - Series

Cillian Murphy and his Characters Masterlist - One Shots/Drabbles

Golden Trio Era (Slytherin) - One Shots/Drabbles

Genshin Impact Masterlist - One Shots/Drabbles

[shelbyssins]

This made me feel alllll of the things! Such beautiful writing and despite the softness it still didn’t feel out of character for Tommy. Well done <3

worth it

A/N: requested by anon from the fluff list! warnings: fluff, language, mentions of sex but no smut, Thomas being rude. not canon. for my Tommy and his darling wife! au. Prompt in bold. 1k words.

It was raining. Always rained, it seemed. The sun was never out for very long before the clouds took over lately. You had just gotten Katherine down for her afternoon nap, and you were on your way to rest for a while yourself when you heard a strange, sad noise coming from your husband's office. 

You opened the door gently, revealing your husband at his desk with his head in his hands, hunched over his desk. “Thomas?” you ask gently. 

He sits up immediately at the sound of your voice, his eyes red and dark circles underneath his eyes. “My love,” he said softly, clearing his throat. 

“Are you alright?” you ask as he reaches for his handkerchief in his jacket pocket, blowing his nose. 

“No, Darling, I am not.” he said frankly, leaning back in his chair. You approach him carefully, eyes sad. “Don’t look at me like that,” he snaps. 

“Like what?” you ask, swallowing the lump in your throat. 

“Like you pity me,” he said, reaching for his glass of whiskey. “Come here and let me touch you.” he demands softly. 

You know he doesn’t mean sexually, not in this moment of intense, melancholy emotion for him. When he gets like this, he just wants to be close to you. Just wants to hold you, inhale your scent, lay his head on your chest. “Come lay down with me?” you ask sweetly, perching yourself on his lap in his desk chair. 

“Maybe in a little while,” he whispers, wrapping his arms around you, sighing. 

You readjust your position in his lap to look at him. “You’ve been blue lately, Thomas.” you tell him, running a hand through his hair. 

“I have, hm?” he muses, not meeting your eyes. 

“Yes,” you tell him, hand scratching the short hair at the nape of his neck, his eyes rolling closed at the sensation. “Peter has noticed too. Asked why Daddy looks so sad. Why Daddy doesn’t read him bedtime stories lately.” 

Peter, your oldest, was two and already much too smart for his own good. Katherine had just turned the corner of being three months old. 

“And you told him it’s because Daddy has been working very hard, right?” he said in a voice equal parts stern and defeated. 

“Yes,” you reassure him. Peter is still far too young to understand the demons his father battles on a daily basis, both visible and invisible. “But he’s a smart child. He knows his Father works hard all of the time, but told me he never looked this sad doing it.” 

Tommy groaned, shifting the both of you. “I don’t need you to berate me, angel.” he ground out. 

“Thomas, I’m not–”

“Okay, well, I’ve got a lot to do, so could you leave me to it, please?” he asked, readjusting so you would have to get off his lap. 

You stood up, dejected and slightly hurt. “Alright. I’m sorry,” you tell him, walking towards the door. “You’ll let me know if you need anything?” you ask. 

“Mhm,” he grunts, shuffling through stacks of paper on his desk. 

You slowly shut the door. 

Later that evening, Tommy makes his way to your shared room, shoulders heavy. You’re already in bed, sitting up reading, lamps dimmed. He silently undresses for the evening, sliding into comfortable sleep pants and pulling his undershirt over his head. He slides into bed next to you, plucking the book from your hand and laying it down on your bedside table, making sure to mark the page. He lays his head on your stomach, wrapping his arms around you, legs tangling with yours beneath the sheets. 

You smile softly at him, hands moving to his hair to massage his scalp. “Feels good,” he nearly moans, eyes closed, listening to the sounds your belly makes. 

“Yeah?” 

“So fucking good. You’re so fucking good to me,” he mumbles. “Too fucking good to me. Why are you so good to me?” he asks, turning to look at you. 

You run a thumb over his cheek, caressing his scar. “You’re the love of my life, Thomas.” you say simply. 

He snorts softly, returning to his original position. “You act as if love covers a multitude of bruteish behaviors,” he pauses as you resume your massage of his scalp. “I’ve not been good to you lately, love. And I’m sorry.” 

You lean down and press a kiss to his temple. “You’re hurting, Thomas,” you tell him softly. “It’s alright.” 

The memories of France had been haunting him more than usual lately, and he had recently been blackmailed by Inspector Campbell to carry out an assassination. He had told you, and it had caused a rift in your relationship for weeks. He was only able to repair the rift by swearing on all he loved that he would make it out alive, and reformulated the plan that Inspector Campbell originally had set. 

A silent tear fell down his cheek into your lap. You didn’t mention it as you tapped his arm, asking him to sit up. He sits up next to you, exhaustion in his eyes. “I love you, Thomas.” 

His eyes close and a small smile spreads on his lips. “I love you,” he replies, taking your hands, pressing a kiss to each knuckle, both palms before rolling on top of you, pressing his forehead to yours. 

“You always manage to make me feel like I’m worth it,” he breathes, in disbelief of you. Of this love you have for him. 

“That’s because you are worth it. You will always be worth it in my eyes.” you tell him as he presses a gentle kiss to your lips. 

“I don’t know what I did so right to deserve your love,” he says, pushing a few stray strands of hair out of your eyes before he leans down to kiss you again. “Mrs. Shelby,” he whispers softly. “May I make love to you?” 

Your eyelashes flutter over his cheeks, a smile spreading on your features and you giggle, nodding. He made love to you that night, slowly and languidly, vowing to himself that he would make himself worthy of your love. That he would do everything in his power to make the world see he was deserving of this incredible, unrelenting, soul-consuming love, and that he would give it back to you in spades. 

[beastofburdenxo]

Fic idea where Tommy becomes infatuated with a little good church going girl and one night while he watches her walk home from church she gets attacked. Tommy shoots the attackers in the head and saves her. Thoughts?

[runnning-outof-time]

K’s Reading List — SEPTEMBER

Hey there! Thanks for stumbling upon this reading list! I figured that as a way to support the lovely writers within this fandom that I’d compile a reading list of all of the stories I read over each month.

September was a wonderful month filled with incredible stories. Below is the list of stories that I read. I hope you will find some that you like as well!

As always, please make sure you heed to the warnings on each fic!!

@garrison-girl-08

Sleeping with the Enemy - Tommy Shelby x Reader — contains 🔞 NSFW themes!

Blind Date - Modern!Tommy Shelby x Reader (on-going series) — multiple chapters contain 🔞 NSFW themes!

@zablife

You’re My Girl - Tommy Shelby x Reader — contains 🔞 NSFW themes!

Just a Peek - Tommy Shelby x Reader blurb — contains 🔞 NSFW themes!

Playing Games - Tommy Shelby x Reader blurb — contains 🔞 NSFW themes!

@novashelby

I’m Not Your Wife, I’m Your Daughter - Tommy Shelby & Daughter!OC

@myers-meadow

Chance meetings - Tommy Shelby x Reader

Wheat fields - Tommy Shelby x Reader

@wonderlanddreamer

Behind Enemy Lines - John Shelby x OC (on-going series) *only one part posted on tumblr atm*

@cillmequick

Split - Cillian Murphy x Reader — pairing is part of an on-going series of stories.

@lau219

Enemies with Benefits - Modern!Tommy Shelby x Reader (on-going series) — several chapters contain 🔞 NSFW themes!

@darklydeliciousdesires

John Shelby vs. Breakfast - John Shelby x Reader blurb

[shelbyssins]

Ahhh this story was incredible! The amount of times I said “slayyy” in my head is a testament to how well written the sister character is! It also made me laugh a lot, especially when I read the “stupid handsome cow man” line. This could be a really entertaining series if you ever felt like making it one. Very well done on this piece, can’t wait to read more of your writing!

The Engagement

(Luca Changretta x Shelby sister reader)

Summery: You had made it very clear already. You had absolutely no intentions of marrying Luca Changretta for a business deal.... So your brothers really should have been suspicious when you eagerly requested for them to set up a meeting for you and your fiancé one neutral ground.... And they should have been scared when you choose Alfie's shipyard as that neutral ground....

A/N: Hi Y'all! No trigger warnings besides peaky language and threats I think! There are talks about an arranged marriage, but once again we'll see how that goes over.... This is the first time I've like written Luca besides just mentions so I hope I did alright! Also I write this like two weeks ago but forgot to edit it until today oops! Enjoy!❤️

WC-5.0k

Part 1- The Proposal Main Masterlist

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Remind me again why the fuck we're we're here Tom?"

"Ask her. She was the one who choose the meeting place."

"Keep in mind that she can also hear you perfectly well brother darling, and if you ask that question one more time you won't be so lucky."

Arthur raised his hands in surrender as he took a seat by John as you all sat waiting for your company to arrive. Well, Tommy didn't sit. He just stood with a cigarette hanging from his mouth watching the entrance gate of the loading dock. 

"All I don't understand is why you wanted to meet him here. After all, we're Romani blood right?"

"Yes Arthur."

"And Luca's Italian blood?"

"Correct"

"So why the fuck are we meeting at the fucking Jew's shipyard?"

"I actually agree with that. Why are we here? Isn't it suppose to be neutral ground or what not?" John chimed in and even Tommy tilted his head in concession. Even he wasn't sure why you choose to meet Luca in Alfie's territory. He would have rather met in Charlie's yard, but you'd insisted on being here, in the small boat yard on the edge of Alfie's territory. 

"Simple. If he hates both of you he can't favor either of you. Thus neutral land is formed."

"That's some wise fucking words if I've ever heard them, poppet." 

Turning around you smiled at the approaching gangster, his loyal dog strolling a few steps ahead. Reaching out you began to coo at the large dog who was eager to receive his belly rubs. Playing with Cyril always improved your mood. You ignored the groans of your brothers and John grabbing on to Arthur's coat to he decided to lunge.

"Hello Arthur!"

"Fuck off!"

"Oi! No fighting," you interrupted getting between the two men, "Now he may hate you all, but he can still hate one more than the other so let's not push it."

Alfie nodded his head mockingly behind you as you gently shoved your eldest brother away. Sending him back to his seat, you gave Tommy a short glare for not stepping in, to which he just shrugged, and then turned towards Alfie again.

"But really why are you here?"

"Can't a man walk his own property?"

"Sure, but you said everything would be ready for when Mr. Changretta arrived. You're not suppose to be here. It's to be a private affair."

"And it is. Just making one last check to see if you lot are all ready and make one last proposal of my own. Also I wanna remind ya not to get any blood on my dock. Just had it redone all nice and such. I wouldn't want your ugly guts staining the finish. I saw their ugly fucking cars pulling up down the street on my way in. Should be here any minute. It's a shame thou init? Pretty thing like you is too good for any of these cunts. If you'd like I can kill them all now and you can run with me, eh poppet? You can play with my dog any day you want." 

You laughed as both Arthur and John stood up this time with indignant protests. Even Tommy tensed up and turned to glare at the man who had spoken.

"Alright then Mr. Solomons," you drawled, patting the man's chest, "While that is just a lovelyoffer, unfortunately I am already taken for," a quick glare at Tommy, "though you're welcome to leave the dog anytime. He's such a lovely boy." Cyril wagged his tail at the attention shoving his head into your leg like an over grown cat looking for head scratches. Ones you were more than happy to oblige.

"Well then, I best be off now haven't I mates? Unlike you lot I know to appease a pretty woman with her desires. Y/N." Alfie nodded his head as he stared to head off, Cyril waiting until his master had called thrice before leaving your side. It wasn't until they'd both rounded the corner when the company you'd finally be waiting for arrived. Three black cars pulled up smoothly before coming to a halt. From your place in the shipping yard you watched nine men exit the cars. A few more than you had expected but still not any issue.

Your brothers walked up first, and you saw Tommy moving to shake someone's hand. The man was tall with dark slicked back hair and he wore his hat slightly tilted on his head. He looked stupid. In his mouth sat a toothpick that he seemed to enjoy munching on as he listened to your brother speak. He looked like a cow when he did that you'd stubborn decided. A stupid cow. A handsome cow. But a handsome stupid cow. Stupid. handsome. cow man. asshole.....ok so obviously still you weren't happy to be there. After all, this was the man who threatened to kill your entire family. Even the children, and you made a habit of disliking anyone willing to harm children. They didn't have to want any of their own or even like them in general, but to be willing to harm something so innocent to the crimes being punished seemed wrong to you. So even without meeting the man you knew you despised him. What kinda lowlife monster would be willing to hurt innocent kids to get his revenge? ....Evidently one you're brothers we're willing to marry you too. But was there really no other deal he'd make for peace? Well....If things went to plan you were about to find out. 

"I'm glad you were able to consider my proposal Mr.Shelby, I think it's much nicer this way isn't it?"

You didn't even try to hide your disbelieving laugh as the New York Gangster's words reached your ears. Immediately the attention went you, and since he was closer now, you could see the faint outline of a permanent  stubble outlining his lower face. Stupid veryhandsome cow man. As he looked towards you for the first time Luca raised and eyebrow.

"Do you find something amusing?"

Tilting your head slightly, you smiled with a false sweetness. Out of the side of your eye, you noticed your brothers tensing up slightly. Be it from the fact Luca was so close or that you interrupted their conversion. Either way, they began to notice the glint in your eye. And slowly they were regretting allowing you to meet Luca before the wedding. As if an introduction at the alter would have been any better.

"Yes. Very amusing in fact. See, I came here thinking it was ME being proposed to," clasping a hand mockingly to your chest you continued, "But here we are and the only one being romanced is my beloved brother. ...Well, romanced isn't the word, that's got to be the shittiest proposal I've ever heard. 'I'm glad you've considered my proposal'.... poppycock! Aren't you Italians suppose to be good at this romance shit?"

Arthur choked on his tongue besides you as Tommy spoke your name in warning, which you ignored. Luca moved his toothpick around his mouth and he gave you a once over. If you hadn't already been set on hating this man, his stare would have sent a pleasant shiver down your back in a way few could these days. Finally, letting out a small but still amused hum, Luca reached out to shake your hand. 

"Y/N, I presume?"

"Shelby. Y/N Shelby....Miss Y/N Shelby is my name. And you are too close, back up," you stated firmly. The special emphasis on both 'Shelby' and 'Miss' was more than enough to let anyone know your feelings on the current situation. Luca only raised his eyebrow again and rescinded his unaccepted hand. 

"I'm Lu...."

"I know who you are," you interrupted.

"Really," Luca queried. Surely you didn't know enough about him then if you were treating him so flippantly, he thought. He was the man determined to end you entire bloodline only a few weeks ago. You should be terrified of what would happen if he decided he didn't want to marry you!! But no, he thought, instead you were....

"You're the man who thinks finger paintings are scary."

Luca's toothpick fell from his mouth, while John could be heard covering his laugh. Then his eyes narrowed and his voice became slightly darker.

"What did you say?"

Tommy put a hand on your shoulder as he stepped forward to put himself between you two. But before he could open his mouth to take control of the situation again, yours opened first. You waved your hands around in sarcastic  excitement as you spoke, imitating the man's voice.

"What were you helping 'mama' with her lesson plan one day, making hand turkeys and decide, 'ohhh THUMBS! Terrifying?! That'll be a great way to show people not to mess with me!'"

Luca's eye twitched and if he hadn't already lost it, you were sure he would have snapped the toothpick between his teeth, his jaw was clenched so tightly.

"Watch your tone with me woma..."

"OR WHAT? You'll send me a finger painting?"

Arthur wrapped an arm around your waist and began to pull your back. No, he didn't like how Luca was speaking to you, but he also didn't want you to start a war of your own today. Even if he had a good idea you'd win. And yet still you weren't deterred. 

"Can it be pink and have confetti? OOHH or maybe it can be red like the blood that's gonna run down your throat when imaamuahhh," Arthur hissed as you bit the hand covering your mouth, but it was enough time for Tommy to finally step in again. Briefly...

"She doesn't mean that. It's the fa..."

"He's right! I don't!" You interjected again, freeing yourself of your eldest brother, "I'm not actually a fan of blood, so I won't slit your throat, but I'd be carefully of the champagne at the after party. Never know what slips in the cups these days..."

This time it was John who grabbed you, though not as roughly as Arthur, but luckily for everyone you had finished.... for now. The entire yard was silent and even Tommy was at a small loss for what to say. Truth be told he didn't know if there was anything to say. It was a long enough shot to convince Luca that marriage would be a way to end the vendetta and now here you were, possibly ruining that chance within half an hour. While he could understand your anger, there was still a part of him that was annoyed at the fact you could be so tactless. Another part though, the part that was still your big brother, was incredibly proud and resisting the urge to laugh at your comments. Luca however, remained unimpressed.

"My apologies, Miss Shelby," Luca restated, started to become more than annoyed with your antics. Surely, you knew that he was the one holding the power here? If your family had it, there was no way they'd have even considered the marriage. He was the one holding all the cards and you were instead choosing to act as though this entire plan was your idea. In a quieter, and deceitfully threatening voice, Luca ignored your demand for space and leaned closer to your ear. "Though, one would think for a woman in your situation, you'd be a little more welcoming to your fiancé. After all, I've been so generous to reconsider my previous message of vendetta, haven't I Bella?"

John could be heard whispering to Tommy, probably demanding to be allowed to hit the taller man, but he was held back. Again, you ignored your brothers instead focusing on the man before you, who's just said one of the worst things he could have.

"Generous? You think you're generous to try and force a woman into marriage and take her away from her family? Is it generous to not to kill children in exchange for someone else's freedom? Do you expect me to be happy, fucking happy, to have to spend the rest of my life with you when I don't even know you? I don't who you are or what you might do to me. You expect me to just follow your every whim and play housewife, knowing that one day you may kill me to go after my brothers? Is that what you define fucking generosity as," you fumed, just as angry as you were when you first learned about the new deal. "Well, if that's generous then damn all of the generosity in the world to hell! I agreed to come here today to meet you for my family. I am agreeing to consider giving up some of my freedom for their safety, when I'm not even the one who started this whole mess. I could have said no. I could have left them to fend for themselves and likely die over a needless feud, but I didn't. Because I was the one who decided to be generous. I am the one willing to give up something good that I have, to keep spending bad from happening to someone else. That is generous. My drawback for their benefit. I didn't have to do it but I did. Because I love them. So unless you're more incompetent than you've come off so far, I'd try thinking of a better word than generous for that little statement if I was you," speaking tersely you dared Luca to question your speech. Then taking a deep breath you closed your eyes off a moment.

His last comment had thrown you off, setting you off in a way you hadn't meant to go. And while your words were true, this isn't where you wanted the conversation to go. Not if your plan was going to work. It couldn't work if you'd pushed Luca too far too fast. He needed to be in just the right spot for the biggest blow to make the most efficient impact. Sighing, you straightened your shirt and looked down at your shoes. Your glare dropped and an almost desperate look appeared in your eyes briefly. 

"Besides.... is it too much to ask for a proper proposal? Like the one from a story that makes you dream of true love," Tilting your head in an almost wistfully sad way, you'd met Luca's gaze again, noticing that by some miracle he's eyes had softened just slightly. "Even if it's not true it would be nice to pretend wouldn't it? To actually be asked to be one's forever even if it seems there's only one answer? Can't I at least be granted that?"

Luca thought for a moment, taking the time to pull a new toothpick from his pocket. Shooting a brief glance over your shoulder, he saw your brothers staring at him intensely from a few steps behind. It crossed his mind that if he truly did want to, he could kill you here and now. Because he really did have the power in this fight. You stood within half an arms reach and the eight men he'd brought with him far outnumbered your three brothers. It could be an easy fight, over in mere seconds, damned how neutral this ground was suppose to be. He could kill you all now and the vendetta would be settled, AND he wouldn't ever have to deal with your infuriating brothers or your even more infuriating comments ever again. You had showed him no respect up to this point and if it were anyone else they'd have been dead after the first interruption. But you weren't dead, and for some reason, some unknown feeling brewing in the pit of his stomach, Luca wanted do keep it that way. So he unwittingly did exactly what you wanted him to do. 

"You want a proper proposal," Luca drawled, his eyes falling to your lips once and his voice was calmer now, almost softly curious, like he sympathized with your plea, "Is that it? Me asking you, and that's all it'll take for this to be done? You'll be good and stop fighting?"

Smiling sweetly again, a more genuine smile this time you nodded, clasping you hands together and placing them behind you almost shyly as you rocked your feet. It was a complete change from your attitude moments ago. Like all it took was to believe someone was listening to you, for you to become this sweet little demure creature from the fairytales his mother taught in her class. 

And somehow, naively Luca didn't realize the fairytale of your own act now. Giving a pleased smile, at what he assumed was your acceptance of the deal, he nodded, silently agreeing to your desires. Despite your beliefs Luca didn't think of himself as a monster, nor did he want an unhappy marriage either. He didn't necessarily care if you loved him, but it would be nice if he knew you wouldn't betray him. And if he could please his wife, he figured life would be so much easier for him in that matter. So he supposed he could give you this one thing you seemed to so closely desire. Besides, there was, again, this almost funny feeling that had settled in Luca's stomach. He couldn't say what it was but there was apart of him that was almost.... excited to be able to actually propose to you instead of just meeting you at the alter. It was something he couldn't explain and wouldn't admit yet but it was there. And so the next words from his mouth would seal both your fates.... or so he thought as he took the toothpick out of his mouth to fulfil your wish. 

"Y/N Shelby? Would you like to..."

"Wait, not like that!"

Luca froze, his head tilting in confusion at the light frown that has formed on your face. Your brothers, as well as Luca's own men could be here whispering in the background. None of them were really sure what was going on now, but none of them moved, all equally curious to see where this was going. 

"Not like that? Didn't you just say you wanted me to propose?"

"Yes, but I also said propose properly," you insisted, "if you don't do it the right way it may as well mean nothing." 

"And what exactly does 'proper' mean by your standards? What do you want me to do?" There was a small amount of sarcasm in his words due to a voice in his mind that was starting to get annoyed again, but Luca ignored it. It didn't even take you a second of thought before your smile returned. As had the look that worried your brothers in the first place.

"It means get on your knees Mr. Changretta."

Silence echoed across the entire shipyard. Almost all the men present stood in shock, eyes wide, even Tommy at what you'd just said. Luca however just tilted his head to the side, his hat looked straight now, processing. The deceptively sweet smile still lingered on your face as you waited for a response.

"You said to get on my knees.... to propose to you?" he repeated slowly, wanting to confirm you'd actually just demanded that of him. He wanted to be sure you had the audacity to order such from him. 

"I want you on your knees Luca....now."

....

Luca listened. 

For some reason, one nobody would ever be able to explain, he did as you said. The toothpick was clenched tightly between his lips as he slowly lowered himself to one knee, eyes locked with yours the entire time. His men could be heard whispering to each other behind him, and Luca knew he'd have to have a talk with them later about what they saw. Luca took a deep breath in, contemplating if this was actually going to happen, if he was actually doing this....Evidently he was. 

"Y/N Shelby..." he paused a moment as you stuck out your hand indicating he should take it... He did. You couldn't see it, but Tommy was looking up at sky, lips tightly together trying to hide his smirk. John and Arthur did have to turn around to hide their grins now too. Luca started again. The words were spoken with a slight hint of sarcasm as he repeated by the title you'd reminded him of earlier. Luca tilted his head in question, and if he did it any more his hat probably would have fallen off. 

"Y/N Shelby, Miss Y/N Shelby.... would you do me the honor of marrying me, Luca Changretta, and become my wife?"

"No."

Luca almost choked on his toothpick, he inhaled so quickly, his cheeks darkening a slight tint of red. You hadn't even paused for a moment to think, bluntly rejecting the man on his knees before you. Squeezing his hand lightly, you smiled again, though now Luca could see the true meaning of the look and realised that you never had any intentions of accepting his proposal at al. You just wanted to make a fool out of him down on his knees. Quickly, that embarrassment turned to anger as Luca shot to his feet, pulling you closer by the hand and seething in your face. Behind you, your brothers shot into action as well, all tensing up and reaching for their guns. But they knew that even if necessary, they'd have no shot as you were practically shielding Luca with you body because if where they stood. 

"That's is enough! Who the fuck do you think you are to fucking make me kneel..."

"Step back Luca," you interrupted, undetected by his ranting, but he ignored you.

"Don't tell me to fucking step back woman. If you think you can treat me...."

"Step back Luca," you repeated again calmly, but it only served to anger him more.

"STEP BACK! Step fucking back!! I will stand wherever I fucking want to stand," and with that he stepped even closer, to where the tip of his nose was touching yours. "You don't seem to understand anything going on."

"Actually I..."

"NO! Your precious brothers are going to have a bullet coming out of every fixing hole they have in ten seconds in you don't fucking listen," His hands were on your shoulders know gripping you roughly. The toothpick in his mouth almost stabbing you in the face as he spoke. "You are not the one in power here, I am. You do not make the calls, I do. I am the one who can tear apart everything you hold dear." Luca leaned his head back arrogantly, looking down at you over nose. He was still less than an arm's length part. "I have nine men and you have three. So who's to fucking stop me from killing your brothers and having my way with you right now?"

A shot rang though the air.

Luca's toothpick was still in his mouth, but now half of it had been blown to sawdust by the bullet passingly cleanly before his face. 

You just smiled...

"I told you to step back Luca..."

Every man in the ship yard ignored you, reaching for their guns, trying to find the shooter. Even your brothers looked around, slightly panicked, not knowing who fired the gun.... Or whose side they were on. The surprise of the shot, had loosened Luca's grip on you as you freed yourself and took a few steps back. Two more shots rang out from somewhere, landing close to Luca's feet, creating more space between the pair of you as he stumbled back. Then the shipyard went quiet again. Not a single man moved, for fear the next shots wouldn't be so harmless. Still searching for the ambusher Luca turned towards Tommy.

"I thought you said this was neutral ground! It's suppose to be private," He demanded, completely ignoring the fact he, himself had just threatened you on the very same neutral ground.

"It is. Or it's fucking suppose to be. I have no clue what's going on," Tommy replied, just as concerned. He should have known Alfie would play dirty. He hadn't counted on you doing it either though.

"But it's just that Mr. Changretta," clasping your hands together, you started towards the Italian man again, having no fear of getting shot. "As I told my brothers earlier, 'If he hates both of you he can't favor either of you. Thus neutral land is formed.' And I promise, Alfred Solomons hates both of you."

Luca huffed and narrowed his eyes. "I suppose this was your doing too?"

"Of course. See that 'you' is spelled without an 'me'.....and me, well I, have a very good relationship with a certain man's dog. And it is just amazing what a man will do when his dog likes you."

No one spoke so you continued. Though your face remained composed in an accomplished grin, you were almost bouncing on the balls of your feet due to your excitement. Your plan was going very nicely. Laughing, you carelessly spun around once, observing the mass of boxes and boats and building around you.

"They're amazing are they? Snipers? Could shoot your hat off from half a mile away  and you'd have never even heard the shot. Do you know how many snipers during the war were Jews? I don't, but I understand that Mr. Solomons employee a decent number of them. And when my dear friend heard of this whole marriage ploy?.....Well he righteously shared my outrage and offered to help me." Now you had taken to walking circles around your target. Now Luca realised that it was in fact you who had all the power, since the moment his tires hit the yard's ground. "And luckily for you, I did manage to curve his "help" from something a little bit less...murdery? Perhaps. After all, I do prefer to avoid violence if I can. There are so many more civilised methods than that...And finally we settled on this. The 'official engagement' taking place in this very yard, where I politely ask you to rethink your offer. And if you don't, we try to renegotiate.... and if you don't agree to that.... well. Luca you were wrong earlier..... I have far more than three men. All of who are very inclined to keep me safe. Now they've been instructed not to injury unless necessary, but that doesn't mean they can't give a warning shot. It doesn't mean they have to either. They were being very very nice just now. And you can't see them, but I promise they've had their sights on you for a while now. Why not give them a smile and then I'll tell you how this is gonna go." You opened your arms wide as if showing off everything. Luca just watched chewing on the half of his toothpick that remained. 

"How what's gonna go?" It actually wasn't Luca who spoke up. Nor was it your brothers. One of Luca's men, had asked the question. You turned and smiled at the man nodding you head once as if pleased that someone was participating. Luca made a mental note to beat the man later for encouraging you.

"See I really don't want to marry you. I don't love you. I don't even know you. There's also the fact you threatened everyone I love. But I also understand you and my brothers' small minds are incapable of imagining deals involving anything other than fighting or fucking and I don't particularly want to do either of those things with it right now. So I've come up with a new plan and who knows, maybe it'll work out in everyone's favour. Are you ready to hear it?" You paused waiting for a response. When none came you raised and eyebrow and made a point of glancing towards a rooftop over Luca's shoulder. "Do you want to know how this will work Luca?"

"Fine."

"Perfect! So you WILL take back your little finger paintings, but I will NOT be marrying you anytime soon. However, for the good of our families I am presenting another option. Luca Changtetta, I will NOT marry you on a whim, but," You paused for a moment for dramatic effect, waiting until Luca tilted his head. "Should you agree... I will let you take my hand in courtship for one year. And I promise it will not be easy for you. If you manage to whoo me, the you can have your marriage. If not.... Well then I should hope by that day we are close enough friends to put the past behind us and everyone can go their separate ways."

Luca tilted his head in confusion, "What?"

Bloody hell, this man needed to pick up a romance novel. Huffing slightly your reworded your demands. 

"Luca, you have a year to date me and make me fall in love with you. If you do I'll marry you. If not the you have a whole year to give up or come up with a better plan than killing everyone. Got it?"

"Why the fuck didn't you just say that in the first place? And what if I don't want to court you?"

"Because I didn't wanted to. And if you don't want to play then you can give up now or let the snipers play target practice."

Luca nodded his head and thought for a moment. The right choice was obvious as the fact that you were crazier than Alfred Solomons. After all, first you were threatening to kill him for trying to marry you, and now he had a year to change your mind. Luca's hand was still wrapped around his gun and he had half a mind to use it. The only thing keeping him from shooting you was the fact he knew, he'd have at least five bullets in him before he pulled the trigger. The obvious choice was to walk away now and give up the vendetta. You had just told him he could stop and you all could go your separate ways. No one else would have to die. All he had to do was give up, admitting you'd outsmarted him. He'd have to admit that you did hold all the power. 

"Well, Mr. Changretta? What do you think of my proposal?"

Luca didn't like admitting anyone else had the power... Even if looked very good on you. And so his choice was made.

"I suppose I better learn your favorite type of flower amore."

"Whatever kind you're most allergic to Romeo"

.....

And so it began...

[nottyoursbutmine]

peaky blinders fic recs

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

peaky blinders

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

[baddestbittyontheblock]

march fic recs

✦ dividers by @gigittamic, @cafekitsune, @plutism ✦

ᓭི༏ᓯྀ hi everyone!! i've read so many great fics this month, so i hope you all enjoy my faves of march!! ᓭི༏ᓯྀ

༒ remember to like and reblog the works you enjoy in order to support each incredible writer!! ༒

ᓭི༏ᓯྀ however, make sure you read the information on each story themselves such as triggers & warnings ᓭི༏ᓯྀ

༒ if you’d like me to remove your fic from this list, message me! ༒

call of duty

simon riley

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 embrace by @the-froschamethyst4 husband!ghost x wife!reader | fluff, language, kissing, married couple, children, more use of simon than ghost, protective simon, a worried and caring mother

-y/n and simon’s daughter luna is having a hard time being able to see, in school her teacher notices a few signs and has a talk with the parents to discuss about possible glasses for the child

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 love is not enough by @cntloup simon riley x fem!reader | angst, smut, sex against the wall 18+ MDNI

-“simon, dinner is ready.” you call out, voice flat and emotionless, knowing full well that the food is going to get cold and possibly thrown away.

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 simon headcannons by @gaysindistress simone riley x reader

-things that I feel like would happen when you’re in a relationship with simon riley.

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 simon fic by @peppermint-toads simone riley x reader | smut

-simon had finally, finally left you the fuck alone.

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 simone mini fic by @oceantornadoo protective ex-husband!simon x reader | implied violence/break-in

-your apartment door was open, a menacing sliver of darkness awaiting you.

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 ex-husband simon by @shotmrmiller simon riley x reader | 18+ (implication of breeding kink or something and simon's a jealous boy)

-simon who signed the divorce papers without a fight. it'd stung, you're not gonna lie, but it needed to be done and the fact that he didn't make a big fuss about it made things easier for you physically. (emotionally you were in shambles because did he not even want to try and fight for you?)

f1

carlos sainz

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 i would love you either way by @sunny44 carlos sainz x girlfriend!reader | pregnancy talk, infertility etc…

-carlos notices that you’ve been acting weird and he decides to ask you why.

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 lolita by @cherry-leclerc carlos sainz x reader | age gap (10 years), porn with plot, affairs, forbidden romance, angst, mentions of suicide, mentions of drugs, tragedy, erotic literature, 18+... sexual tension, penetrative sex, dry humping, riding, size kink, oral sex (f and m receiving), semi - public sex, deepthroating, praise, fingering, handjobs, lots of dirty foreplay, slapping (like once AH), a bit of edging, overstimulation, a bit of crying, sucking on fingers, squirting

-you were young, alluring, floating through a disastrous life with the touch of a thousand angels. carlos was successful, irresistible and someone who often kept a distance from catastrophe. never in a million years did he think he would have a complete moment of weakness…especially the week of his wedding. 

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 overprotective dad by @ccsainzleclerc5516 carlos sainz x reader

-girl dad carlos series continues

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 two different kinds of love by ^ carlos sainz x reader | girl dad! carlos

-bea series (girl dad carlos)

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 carlos sainz being a simp for you by @itaipava carlos sainz x reader

-he always puts his arm over your shoulder without saying anything or takes his hand out of his pockets to hold yours when you approach him.

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 carlos sainz falling in love with you by ^ carlos sainz x reader

-carlos always thought you were beautiful, but he truly fell in love with the beauty inside you

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 soft moments with carlos sainz by ^ carlos sainz x reader

-doing skincare and taking care of yourselves on a free day

oscar piastri

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 let's have a baby, baby by @norrizzandpia oscar piastri x reader | sexual conversations, language, oscar has no filter at all, an extremely graphic and sexual conversation that has zak traumatized (pray for him), tooth rotting fluff

-there is nothing oscar wants more than for y/n to get pregnant with his kid, and everyone knows it.

harry styles

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 breastfeeding in public by @hazslover harry styles x reader | breasting mention, fluff

-‘honey.. she needs feeding’ you scratch the back of his neck to grab his attention. he turns to look at you.

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 inside y/n l/n’s bag | vogue by @lovecanyon dad!harry styles x reader | fluff, mom!reader

-“hi vogue i am y/n l/n and this is what’s in my bag.”

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 squishy little marshmallow by @finelinevogue harry styles x reader

-pure lover vibes

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 the one where harry goes on a hike with his kids by @alittletaste dad! harry styles x reader

-harry looked like a proper dad. his cheeks had a few days old stubble on them, his eyes were clouded with sleep but you could see the absolute adoration in them and he was also supporting some eye bags from the lack of sleep.

dune

paul atreides

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 the death of a star by @nonpoppin paul atreides x reader | cheating! not the sexual kind but the emotional kind! toxic marriage, sorta dark paul, almost sexual cheating, talks of bastards, child birth, violence, arranged marriage, pussy eating, fingering, pinv sex, creaming, use of the voice. talks of baby making and brief pregnancy mention.

-paul thought he could never love you but when a star starts to die, it sucks everything in and in your death, your rebirth, he learns he can.

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 little cakes by ^ paul atreides x reader | this is a SMUT! 18+ only, please!! Nothing too bad outside of that though. Oral (f.receiving), mentions(?) of voyeurism, heavy petting and Paul being a simp

-you panic as your wedding date draws near and a trip to a famous sex planet doesn't help with these growing emotions. thankfully, Paul is there to distract you.

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 big mistakes by ^ paul atreides x reader | THIS IS SMUT!!! 18+ ONLY!! male masterbation, oral (f.receiving), thigh job, outer course (?), overstimulation, squirting, Paul is his own warning;little menace, 7k

-society is so mean to girls who want the same things as boys. a whole lot of catching up on missed time and paul putting his foot in his mouth.

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 do you believe in us? by @murdrdocs paul atreides x reader | STEPCEST, SMUT MDNI 18+, fem!reader, oral (f receiving), childhood best friends to stepsiblings, instigator paul, appearances by lady jessica, duke leto, and duncan idaho, sparring, sneaking around, 5.3k+

-from a young age, you and PAUL ATREIDES believe you belonged to the other, and foolishly thought you could one day marry. not even an unlikely marriage between your parents will diminish those beliefs.

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 when paul has a bad vision by @dropitpunk paul atreides x reader | hurt/comfort kinda, kissing, sweet and short

-distraught mumbling in your right ear woke you from your slumber. paul was shaking beside you again, whispering senseless words into the air.

marvel

natasha romanoff

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 her idiot by @marvelfilth natasha romanoff x f!reader

-your night out with thor and valkyrie leaves natasha worried unimpressed.

wanda maximoff

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 another new addition by @five-bi-five-mind wanda maximoff x fem!reader | fluff, smut, 5.6k+, lots of pregnancy talk; pregnancy sex I guess? bathtub sex, clit play, nipple play, top!Wanda but she's topping from the bottom lol, bottom!r, strap-on (r receiving); enchanted strap, cum-filled strap, strap riding, thigh riding, aftercare

-it finally happened, you were pregnant and growing your family that you now shared with wanda. however, pregnancy was a little rough on you. wanting to take care of you, and also absolutely adoring the way you were glowing from being pregnant with her child, wanda had a plan. she was going to pamper you all night long.

miguel o'hara

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 aftercare by @luveline miguel o'hara x fem!reader | suggestive content mdni, 1k

-“you’re doing that thing,”

woso

alexia putellas

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 the view between villages by @samkerrworshipper alexia putellas x reader | horrificically brain numbing angst

-all alexia can focus on his the sound of the indicator of the van that she’s in.

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 embarassing by @wosoreading alexia putellas x reader

-you and alexia take advantage of the opportunity to be typical embarrassing moms.

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 sisters and crushes by @sunnyaelia alexia putellas x reader | no angst in here just pure fluff and Alexia being a bit jealous

-alexia has been crushing on you from the first moment on - she refuses to ask you out though, not wanting to mess with the team dynamic. to get things going her sister alba decides to flirt with you, eliciting the exact response from alexia that she had expected

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 love or game by ^ alexia putellas x reader | small mention of blood and wounds, nothing horrible though 

-you get hurt right before an important game of alexia’s and decide not to tell her - she’s really unhappy with you when she finds out 

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 hickey's and concealer by ^ alexia putellas x reader | quite suggestive at one point and alexia lowkey being toxic

-“if you keep covering those marks up i’m gonna have to add something more obvious” 

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 hip thrusts by ^ alexia putellas x reader | fluff, very suggestive

-alexia doing hip thrusts with you as the weight to show you that you’re definitely not too heavy to sit on her lap because you’re a bit insecure about it and then it gets dirty

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 i love you by @ale-wosofan alexia putellas x reader

-reader realizes she’s in love with her girlfriend

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 miscommunications + conversations by @girlgenius1111 alexia putellas x reader | angst, fluff

-alexia has practically stopped speaking in the wake of her second surgery. it's stressing you out, but you don't quite know how to tell her. she gets it out of you anyway.

ingrid egen, mapi leon

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 targeted by @mapiforpresident ingrid egen x mapi leon x reader | mentions of ankle injury

-tackle after tackle was aimed at you throughout the game. the other team clearly targeting you.

leah williamson x reader

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 just as bad as each other by @inuyashaluver leah williamson x reader | swearing, mentions of arguing and injury

-in which you and your best friend are just as bad as each other, from your stubbornness, all the way to your infatuation for one another

alessia russo

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 you're beautiful by @inuyashaluver alessia russo x reader | elf loathing, insecurity, tears, slightly angsty?

-in which your girlfriend wishes you could see yourself the way she does

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 savior by ^ alessia russo x reader | swearing

-in which your girlfriend forgets everything, good thing you’re at home due to injury and being able to read her mind

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 newlyweds by @p0orbaby alessia russo x reader | SMUT 18+, public setting, fingering (r receiving), dom!alessia?

-better add getting married to the list of aphrodisiacs

bridgeton

anthony bridgerton

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 my miracle by @ladysharmaa anthony bridgerton x reader | mentions of death

-anthony’s wife is in labor and it’s not looking good

marauders era

sirius black

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 september fifth, nineteen seventy-eight. by @quackitingg. sirius black x gryffindor!reader | angst, hurt/no comfort, happy end???

-on the fifth of september, nineteen hundred and eight, sirius black receives news that his girlfriend had been one of the victims of the death eaters. however, a few years later, while he was fighting for his godson's safety, when he crossed the veil, he finally managed to find her again and, finally, live by her side.

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 blurb by @moonstruckme sirius black x fem!reader | fluff

-straddled in a playfully agressive manner by sirius black

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 meanbf!sirius by @sleyu sirius black x reader | smut

-meanbf!sirius <3 visits you at work only to fuck you in the staff bathroom <3 speaks to you in french while you fuck because he knows you won’t understand what he’s saying and it makes you teary eyed.

james potter

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 daylight by @pretty-little-mind33 james potter x fem!reader | SMUT, oral sex (m & f receiving/giving), teasing, cursing, mature themes, fingering, talk of sex and orgasms

-when your boyfriend finds out he didn't make you come, his anger quickly turns into lust.

wolfstar

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 cute fic pt:1 by @ellecdc  poly!wolfstar x potter!sister!reader | touch starved reader who also happens to be James' sister, it's a secret relationship

-you didn’t even have a right to feel this way right now; this had been your idea.

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 cute fic pt:2 by ^ poly!wolfstar x potter!sister!reader

-you & the boys tell james

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 mistake pt:2 by ^ poly!wolfstar x fem!reader | angst, hurt and COMFORT

-remus felt like he’d just been slapped. in fact, he was sure that if he looked in a mirror, he would see a red welt in the shape of your hand across his cheek. read part one here

tom riddle

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 voicemail by @anawritez-posts tom riddle x reader | 18+ only. minors dni, contains dark themes and sexual language so minors pls dni

-y/n tries to escape her controlling obsessed husband, he leaves a disturbing voicemail while she tries to find a way to leave him.

bts

jk

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 12:00 am by @joonberriess jungkook x reader | smut blurb

-best friend!jk hour

peaky blinders

tommy shelby

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 is that how you remember it by @runnning-outof-time tommy shelby x reader | tooth-rotting fluff and one (1) bad word, 2.6k+

-(y/n) finds some discrepancies in the story of how they first met that tommy tells their children…so she decides to give her own rendition of the story.

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 to keep you safe by ^ tommy shelby x reader | season 4 spoilers (like right from the jump), language, 1.0k+

-(y/n) and tommy discuss the decision to have her go into hiding while the war with the changrettas rages on.

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 little you-s and I-s by @multific tommy shelby x reader | pregnancy mention

-you and tommy deal with the changes that come with your pregnancy.

ྐ𖥨᩠ׄ݁ ˖ ݁ 𓈒 tommy shelby fic by @little-diable tommy shelby x fem!reader | just nudity, full on fluff and fun

-tommy will always do what his wife asks of him, especially when he needs a few calm moments himself.

[fandom-puff]

This is beautiful!! I’ve missed little Teddy so much 💗💗 merry Christmas xx

Merry Christmas, Thura 😊 I know it’s probably not happening and you don’t have the time, but could you maybe just for me, as a small Christmas present, write a few lines about Teddy and the Shelbys during Christmas? 😍😍

Thank you sweet Anon, and I wish you all the best too and a blessed Christmas! Just for you, here’s a small bit (just don’t expect too much of it). This takes place shortly after the war, so Teddy’s like 8 in this.

*****

In the bleak midwinter

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan…

It was the day of Christmas Eve and Tommy stood outside their house at Watery Lane, quietly smoking a cigarette. He looked up at the sky, where thick grey clouds were gathering: snow was coming in. That was all he needed.

The Shelby’s didn’t celebrate Christmas this year and, if he had anything to do with it, they never would again. They’d celebrated before the war, but after the war, there was no Christmas anymore. The fields of Flanders hadn’t allowed it, Small Heath didn’t allow it and most of all, Tommy no longer allowed it.

Christmas was dead. No more hope and no more light. All there was left now, was: in the bleak midwinter.

Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone…

Arthur came approaching and Tommy looked up. He knew it before he’d opened his mouth: there was trouble.

“There’s been some trouble at the Garrison, Tom,” Arthur explained, “Couple of boys tried raiding the place, knocked Harry about, broke half the bloody bottles in there too.”

Tommy nodded slowly, “So what is it you want from me, Arthur, eh?”

“What do we do, Tom?”

“You know what to do,” he flicked his cigarette away, “Cut them.”

The oldest Shelby nodded, but the hesitation was written all over his face.

“What is it?” Tommy demanded.

“They’re just kids.”

“Kids who fucked with us.”

“Yeah, I know, it’s just…”

“For fuck’s sake, Arthur! Just get on with alright? Just grow a fucking backbone for once and get it done.”

“Alright, Tom, we’ll get it done.”

“I don’t have time for fucking soft sentiment, alright?” Tommy growled.

Snow was falling, snow on snow, snow on snow…

Meanwhile, John was working over the books. He tried to get as much done as he possibly could during the day, before he got really drunk.

He looked out the window and saw some children playing in the snow. He looked for Finn and Teddy amongst them, but couldn’t find them.

One boy threw a snow ball at a factory worker, who then slipped and fell over. He cursed loudly and all the children ran away and laughed. John couldn’t help himself and stifled a laugh too.

But then he remembered the bodies piled up in the snow. And somehow, he could see the blood mixed in with the whiteness in Birmingham too. In seconds, the moment had lost all its purity. Now it was just death and decay, hidden in ice.

He took another swig and continued his numbers.

In the bleak midwinter, long, long ago.

“Church starts at nine.”

Tommy coughed a laugh and looked up at his aunt, but her eyes seemed set.

“Arthur and John are coming too.”

Probably not by choice, Tommy thought. And he added, “I have no business with church, Pol, and nothing to discuss with God.” He practically spit the last word.

Polly shrugged, “I’m sure he has one or two things to say to you. You’re going, end of discussion. Teddy is singing.”

Tommy looked up in surprise, “How the fuck did you manage that?”

“I bribed her. Be there at nine.”

What can I give him, poor as I am?

And so the Shelby’s turned up at the church at nine. Not because they wanted to, but because the holy saint Polly Gray, enforcer of all things fearful, had ordered them to. At least Arthur had brought the bottle with him.

People piled into the church slowly, but they left the front most pews empty for the Shelby’s.

Tommy sighed deeply. He had better things to do. They had business to do and money to make. There was no way he was going back to poverty. There was no way he was going to let them walk all over them again.

Because, when they were in the mud, where was God then?

If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb…

John elbowed Tommy and pointed, big grin on his face. When he followed his gaze, he saw one very pissed off little girl in a white dress, standing off to the side near the altar.

Teddy was not happy, and it showed in every way she held herself. Tommy couldn’t help but smile at the sight.

“Polly must’ve offered her some money…”

“Better still,” Arthur whispered lowly, “She promised her a horse.”

“She always knew how to bargain,” he said not without pride, “Innocent as she may be, she knows how to get whatever the fuck she wants.”

“Innocent?” John laughed, “She’s about as innocent as a wolf in sheep’s clothes. She changed though, Tommy, after we left.”

“Yes, she did. France fucked her up too, even though she’s never even been away from Small Heath.” Bitterness crept into Thomas’ voice.

He never wanted any of that for her. He wanted her to stay small and sweet forever. But he knew that was gone already.

If I were a wise man, I would do my part…

“Move over,” Ada hissed, as she unceremoniously joined them in the pew. “Now will you look at this, the whole family together at church. What the fuck.” Sometimes it was like Ada was physically incapable of speaking without sarcasm.

“Then why are you here?”

“Teddy’s singing. She hates it, so I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” And when her brothers stared at her reproachfully, she added, “Just doing what any good sister would do.”

They were quiet for a little while, but then Arthur leaned over John and told Tommy, “Tomorrow at 11, we’re meeting with that importer I told you about. Charlie’s yard.”

Tommy nodded.

Arthur opened his mouth to talk, but one slap from Polly made him close it again. “No business at church.”

“Why not, aunt Pol?” Ada challenged, “Looking at the size of those golden statues, they’ve done some pretty good business themselves.”

“Ada…” Polly warned.

“Oh I’m sorry,” she continued in her bored tone of voice, “Isn’t that what Christmas is all about? The rich not giving to the poor, but instead celebrating no longer having to?”

Tommy lowered his head to hide his grin. He never liked to admit it, but he had a soft spot for his sisters. They were smarter then all the men he knew combined and they always, always, had something to say.

Life would be incredibly boring, without his sisters doing their part in making his life hell.

But what can I give him? Give him my heart.

The service finally started and the whole procession of pomp and circumstance started. One by one, the Shelby’s sighed deeply and resigned themselves to the next hour.

But after all of that, Teddy stepped forward. She shuffled around a little, uncomfortable, and pulled on her robe that apparently got stuck behind the altar.

She looked back at Finn, who got roped into being an altar boy, and he nudged her forwards again.

Tommy made eye contact with her and nodded. Teddy sighed and rolled her eyes.

“I’ll bet you a pound she’s going to bolt,” John giggled.

“Shut up,” Tommy replied, “I want to hear her.”

And he actually did. It was strange how all his grumpiness and pessimism seemed to have fallen away. And he looked over to John and Arthur, both sending Teddy reassuring smiles. They looked nothing like the bored bastards they’d been only seconds ago. And even Ada, sarcastic detached Ada, fixed her slouch and leaned forward in anticipation. Maybe this is what Christmas was after all: in the middle of the whole fucking chaos of the world falling down around your ears, dropping everything, because your little sister has to sing. And actually feeling warm about it too.

So Teddy breathed in deeply and started to sing, in perfect pitch and angelic voice:

In the bleak midwinter…