#peaky blinders tickle fic

[amazingmsme]

Under the Table

AN: Was worried I might not finish since I was leaving my nana’s house today, but I was able to get it done pretty early! Here’s day 8 with the Shelby sibs ganging up on Tommy!

Perhaps the only time the Shelby family behaved like a normal, proper one was when they sat down for dinner. The sound of silverware clanking and scraping against plates could barely be heard over soft chatter. Talks of what they did that day, requests to pass the potatoes, and compliments on a delicious meal well made. You didn't make a scene at dinner, unless you wanted to face the wrath of Aunt Polly. Dinner was when they all behaved like civilized people and held conversation. Everyone knew that, especially Ada. Thomas shot her a glare, which she returned with an innocent grin.

He felt another squeeze on his knees and swore under his breath just as he hit the underside of the table. A loud bang startled everyone, jostling plates and causing glasses to slosh precariously. Polly gave a stern and unamused look from across the table, arching a brow.

"Everything alright Tommy?" she asked, though it was clear it didn't come from a place of concern. He gave a curt nod, staring intently at his plate.

"Yes, everything's fine."

"You sure? 'Cause that's about the fifth time I've had to catch my glass before you knock it over," she said accusingly. "So what's got you so damn fidgety?"

"I assure you, I'm fine," he insisted, making Ada stifle a laugh. Tommy fixed her with a look as Polly shifted her attention. Ada beamed from ear to ear as she scribbled her nails over her brother's kneecap, making him spasm and fight back a laugh. Unfortunately for him, his family was accustomed to the sight and slowly put two and two together.

"And you? Mind sharing what's so damn funny?" she asked, cocking her head expectantly. Arthur bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing, glancing at Tommy across the table.

"What, I can't be in a good mood?" she asked, leaning forward not so subtly and latching onto both of his knees. Thomas couldn't hold back the bark of laughter as he curled up, kicking the table so hard it hopped off the ground. Arthur stopped his and Polly's plates from sliding off. She was trying hard not to appear amused.

"Not if it's going to ruin our dinner," she said curtly.

"I don't see how that has anything to do with me. Tommy's the one flailin' about!" What had been one off squeezes turned into relentless ones, and he found himself sinking down in his chair as loud hysterical laughs echoed through the room.

Everyone was amused, eyes fixed on the scene before them. Arthur at this point was laughing along and managed to catch one of his brother's kicking legs. Tommy's eyes went wide and his chuckles kicked up a notch, morphing into nervous giggles as he tried in vain to stop him from taking off his shoes.

"NO! Arthur, Ihihi'll kill you!" he threatened, even holding his butter knife in a defensive position to add weight to his words, but it still wasn't enough to negate the effects of his rarely heard laughter.

"Well there's a sight you don't see everyday," Finn joked, a wide grin in his face as he watched from across the table. "Ada, don't forget to go for his ribs!"

"Nohoho, dohon't you dahahare!" he growled through gritted teeth, desperate to hold back but breathless snickers continued to push through the barricade of his teeth. He looked to Polly with pleading eyes. She was the only voice of reason in this madhouse, and the only one who wouldn't outright turn on him.

She knew she should put an end to this, to save Thomas from the wrath of his siblings and turn their attention back to their food, where it should be. But it's been so long since she's seen them all get along like this. And when was the last time she'd seen Tommy actually laugh and enjoy himself. So she really couldn't stop the fond smile that found its way on her face, or the warm feeling growing in her chest.

"Pohoholly! M-make thehem stohohohop!" he pleaded, but she saw something sparkling in his eyes and she knew: he was having fun.

"If you make him flip the table, you're all cleaning up." He scoffed indignantly at that response before chuckles and snorts overtook him once more.

"Except you Thomas,  I'm sure this is already punishment enough," she teased, shooting him a wink from across the table. She grabbed her plate and glass of water and left them to their devices.

And when she heard a telltale crash followed by Tommy's smug voice, "That's what you fucking get!" she just smiled to herself. She peeked in through the doorway to see Arthur, Ada and Finn picking up scraps of food and china from the floor. Thomas stood in the corner, brushing himself off and glaring at the lot of them, fighting off his grin.

"So, was it worth it?" she asked.

"No," Tommy answered the same time the rest answered with an enthusiastic yes.

[red-riding-wood]

Hi! :) first of all, I love your blog and your writing is amazing!

I'm obsessed with peaky blinders for years now and i would love to request a fic about arthur shelby (cause he's my comfort character :') is it possible that you write a fic/imagine about him and a younger female reader (in her early 20s) that had a traumatic past and as a result resorted to unhealthy coping mechanisms (hurting herself, drinking,.etc.). Arthur and her are dating, he gets more and more protective over her cause he wants to keep her safe and as they get more intimate with each other (smut) and he notices her scars etc., he tries to make her feel more comfortable by praising her. So a mix of feelings, smut and a slight power dynamic (arthur is more dominant/caring and the reader is a little insecure). I hope that makes sense!

Also, if the topics make you uncomfortable/you don't like to write about said things, i can totally understand that you turn my request down. :)

~sending you positive vibes ! ♡

Ruined

moodboard by @shelbydelrey

Arthur Shelby x F!Reader I Peaky Blinders

Warnings: smut, mentions of self harm and scars, allusions to past sexual assault, angst, reader has body issues

WC: 2415

AN: Thank you so much for the request and the support, anon! It means so much to me and I'm SO sorry it's taken me so long to get this written. You've been in my thoughts a lot and I hope you're doing well! Actually was holding onto this one for a little while, too, because I didn't think the smut was very good, but I'll give myself a break because it's been a while since I've written anything spicy. Also, apologies for cutting it short; it was getting to be quite a long oneshot. I hope you like it!

---

“He wasn’t even looking at me, Arthur.”

“Nah, Y/N, you didn’t see him. I’ve seen enough bad men in my life to know he was up to no good,” Arthur disputed, aggressively hanging his overcoat on the rack.

You sighed, and closed the gap between the two of you; your hands went to the stubble of his cheek, and you sought his gaze with your own.

“Arthur,” you said, softer this time. “Just because I…” Your words hitched in your throat, your tongue bound from speaking of the assault as if admitting it would make it real. “… just because I’ve been hurt in the past doesn’t mean it’s going to happen again.”

Under your touch, he settled, if only slightly; it had been proven, time and time again, to tame the beast inside him. But his chest still heaved, and with a gentle finger you wiped a bead of sweat from his brow.

“Arthur,” you said again to ground him, as his gaze began to wander anywhere but your face. “I hate seeing you like this, picking fights everywhere you go.”

Sometimes you wondered if you had made him worse. Ever since you’d started dating the eldest Shelby brother, he’d found more and more excuses to punch or bludgeon whoever looked at you the wrong way. Though your touch may have soothed him, your existence only stoked the fire that burned bright in his damaged soul.

“What am I supposed to do, then, eh?” he said, exhaustion working its way past the thorns of his tone, and his forehead brushed yours, unruly locks of brown hair tickling your lashes. 

You inhaled his scent – the sharp spice of his aftershave, the sweat of his ire, the musk that was so uniquely him that you couldn’t help but feel at home each time you breathed it. Your heart fluttered in your chest, and you cocked your head at him slightly as an idea formed in your head.

“Maybe some kind of…” You drew a finger from his jaw down the bare of his chest before it disappeared beneath his shirt, and you swallowed as your heart beat faster against your ribs. “… physical therapy?”

Winter-blue eyes clouded in lust, and his Adam’s apple bobbed along his throat. Despite seeing him for a while, the two of you hadn’t gone all the way yet, but it wasn’t that you didn’t want him, or didn’t trust him. You had always been afraid that, when he saw the scars on your flesh, he would discard you for another young woman who didn’t ruin her body.

Ruined, indeed, you thought, with a bitter jolt in your chest. Your eyes lowered from his winter blues so that he wouldn’t see the self-hatred in your eyes.

“Now, don’t tempt me with that, love.” His breath fanned the hair from the side of your face as his hand slid from your shoulder down to your hip. “That somethin’ you want?”

Repressing your anxiety and your sullenness, you drew closer to him, pressing yourself against the heat of his body as you tried to formulate a verbal response.

“Hm?” His fingers tipped your chin back up to look him in his eye.

You nodded, biting your lip as your hips connected and you felt him hard beneath his trousers.

“Yes,” you breathed.      

“C’mere, then,” he growled playfully, his hands scooping your legs up. You wrapped your thighs around his waist for balance, and you chimed out a giggle as he carried you to his bedroom.

Though you knew he tried to be gentle, he practically threw you down on the bed, but you didn’t mind. A puff of air escaped your lungs and you sank into the mattress, your head spinning and heat pooling between your legs. Your pointed toe ran down his waist, not wanting to part from him even for the seconds it took for him to shed his shirt. You tried to prop yourself on your elbows to get a better look, biting your lip. A grin stretched apart his lips as he looked down at you, undoing his belt. And he said, with that gravel in his tone that you’d come to adore,

“Going somewhere, love?”     

You shook your head, but you managed to sit up, your breaths cast across his navel as you looked up at him from bright, playful eyes. “Not without you.”

Your fingers ghosted over his, knuckles rough against the softness of your palms. They stilled, and you pried them from his belt, your index slipping between the hem of his trousers and the heat of his flesh, your heart skipping a beat when you felt the coarseness of his hair.

Arthur’s breath hitched in his chest as you rose, on your knees, to place kisses along the ridge of his collarbone, tasting his sweat on the tongue you dragged down his clavicle to the center of his chest. An animalistic groan rumbled beneath your lips as you cast his belt aside and tugged the buttons from his trousers.

“Seems I’m not the only eager one,” he rasped as his fingers wove through your hair, seeming to light a trail of fire from the nape of your neck to your scalp and sending a shudder through every nerve of your body. For a brief moment, you stiffened, the sensation of his fingers tightening around your hair familiar to you in a way that had once been most vile but, in this moment, you were most ashamed to find thrilling. You reminded yourself that he wasn’t pulling as hard, and that at any moment if you asked him to stop he would. You reminded yourself that this time it was Arthur. And it was okay for it to feel good.

Heat suffused your cheeks at his words, and you cast a small moan just above the hem of his trousers, having worked your way down in loving kisses. His hand loosed from your hair, and his other came around to tilt your chin back up to look at him, hair flopping in front of those lustful eyes and the light of the chandelier framing his head in a halo, like he was some kind of fallen angel.

“As I much as I want you to continue…” he said, voice coming out ragged. “… I want to see what we’re dealing with.” His fingers ran along the outline of your breasts beneath your shirt, another shiver passing through you as his thumb brushed a pert nipple.

“I want to see you, love,” he said, thumb dragging down to the lip of your breast, your heart rate increasing the further he explored. You wanted to sit still, and be a good girl for him, but the pounding in your ears and the clamminess of your palms just wouldn’t subside.

You shuddered this time out of fear, that jolted through your veins, intense and cold and criminally contrast to the heat that inundated every other fibre of your being. But you hid it well. How could he had known he’d just traced over a scar you’d never shown him?

Your stomach twisted as you wondered what he would think when he saw them… all of them. And while you wanted nothing more than to be laid bare before the man who owned your heart and your soul and who deserved your body, and you wanted to give him it, you also couldn’t help but wonder, what if he thought you were ugly? What if he thought you were ruined?

And in that moment you scorned yourself for ever laying a blade to your thighs, or your stomach. You hated yourself for ruining something you could never have back, something that would’ve been beautiful had you not squandered it, time and time again.

“Arthur.” Your lip trembled, and your hands were shaking as they left the hem of his trousers. You panted out your breaths, your head even lighter than it had been before. And on your lips you could taste the words you yearned to say, to tell him why you ached so badly to do this but feared so cruelly unveiling a gruesome body that he did not deserve.

But all that came out was, “I’m scared.”

Something in his eyes softened at that, and any trace of his grin vanished as his weight sank into the mattress beside you. His hands were on you, but not in a frightening way; one ran across your trembling back and the other rested reassuringly on your thigh. You felt yourself leaning into his touch, as if it would vanquish any trace of fear or doubt that made your body tremble with such pitifulness. As if it would cleanse your impurities and make you whole again.

Arthur’s words seemed to catch on his tongue, and a flicker of his own uncertainty darted through those winter blues. “You’re not… scared of me, are you?”

“No, Arthur.” You cupped his cheek in your hand now, forcing his gaze to yours, even if yours was brimming with unshed tears. “I want you. And I trust you. I just…”

I’m ruined.

The words froze before they could even reach the back of your tongue, instead strangling your throat, your eyes bugging wide as you swallowed against them. All the while, Arthur’s gaze dragged solicitously across your face, and this time, he was the one to press his forehead to yours, his fingers tangling gently in your hair and rubbing soothingly along your back.

“Y/N,” he said, his heavy breath tangling with your short, frenzied ones. “So long as you ain’t scared of me, you don’t have to be scared of anything. I’m going to take care of you.” His lips dragged to your neck, placing a gentle yet firm kiss along your clavicle. “You don’t have to worry about a thing, love. Just let me take care of you.”

A soft moan stirred from your lips as you felt the heat of his lips on your neck, and your heart pounded in your core. Physically, you had never felt so conflicted, but his words, they were all you needed to hear. You trusted him, and that was what was important. Whether or not you deserved to be taken care of, that was a whole other demon, but Arthur Shelby had a way of making you want to submit to his every whim, to let him do with you as he pleased. This was how you would take care of him.

“Is that a ‘yes’?” he said.

You licked your lips, and said, “Yes.”

“Good girl.”

His hands lowered you to the bed, his stronger, sinewy frame looming over you and making your heart pound wilder in your chest. You licked your lips again, mouth dry, and swallowed back your fear as you felt his fingers begin to undo your blouse, revealing more of you until you were certain he could see what you had so desperately tried to hide. But his kisses were trailing between your breasts, and you helped shrug the garment off as he was absorbed in his work. Had your heart not been beating so fast and had your stomach not been turning so much in fear of what he would soon discover, you would’ve enjoyed the attention a lot more.

And there it was. He hesitated, the bristle of his moustache lifting from your skin and a hot breath exhaling across the scar, still fresh, still burning from the other night.

Your heart practically stopped.

“Y/N…” he breathed, the stubble of his chin brushing your skin to indicate that those blue eyes were on you. You peered back at him reluctantly, expecting horror in those eyes.

And they were filled with adoration.

“Is this what you were scared about, love?” he murmured against your stomach.

“Yes.” Your breath came shattered from your chest, still not quite able to believe your eyes.

For a moment longer, he held your gaze, with a pity you weren’t sure you wanted, but a love that eased your frenzied heart. And then, saying nothing, his lips brushed the scar ever-so-gently, as if to pay it reverence, and though the wound stung, you didn’t care in the slightest.

He still wanted you.

Once he had spent time on the first scar, he let his lips trail all across your stomach, with a surprising tenderness, his fingers gripping your hips tightly but in such a way that felt as if you were safe within his touch. He laid kisses across older scars, that had been slashed across your stomach, and as his lips grazed the lowest, you rocked your hips against the bulge in his trousers, drawing a moan from him and casting it hot against your belly.

“Don’t stop,” you murmured. “Please don’t stop.”

“Y/N, you’re fucking perfect. Have I ever told you that?”

“No,” you laughed, a tear pricking your eye but your anxiety and your tension all dissipating in wake of the sensations that the heat of his lips and the firmness of his hands and the tickle of his moustache sent racing along your skin.

“Well, you’re fucking perfect,” he said, as he pulled your skirt from your waist, and you helped kick it off, your legs instinctively crossing over to shield the scars along your thighs.

He seemed to notice this, and cast you a reassuring look before prying your knees open with strong fingers, and saying, “I’m going to have my way with every bit of you, love. Gonna kiss you everywhere because you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever had in my bed.”

Your head rolled back into the sheets as he began kissing and running his hands along your inner thighs. Chapped only slightly, his lips were hot as hellfire but soft as heaven as they explored each scar in a way you never had. In a way that was loving rather than shameful.

“Arthur,” you moaned, bucking your hips impatiently as his lips fell in the crook of your thigh.

“What’s the matter, love?” he asked, coming up between your legs and cupping your cheek in his hand.

A streak of a playful grin pulled at your lips, and you whispered, “Fuck me.”

That devilish grin that you knew so well plastered itself across a handsome face, and as you felt him shift his trousers down, he murmured into your ear,

“Told you wouldn’t have to worry, love. Because if that wasn’t the plan for even a goddamn second…”

---

MASTERLIST • REQUEST

Please let me know if you would like to be added/removed to any of my taglists and notified of new works!

TAGLIST: @eclecticwildflowers @emotionalcadaver @evita-shelby @minaethrym @shelbydelrey @zablife @midnightswithdearkatytspb @poisonedtruth

[heartfelttickles]

Hey everyone!

My name is G.

I have been a silent tumblr reader for years and finally have a smidge of confidence to post my own fics on here from time to time!

My fandoms are;

TV Shows:

- Heartstopper

- “A Tale of Two Ticklers”

- “Ticklish Terrors”

- Bridgerton

- Peaky blinders

- Friends

- Haunting of Hill House/ Bly Manor

- The Umbrella Academy

- Headcannons

- Modern Family

- The Big Bang Theory

- Criminal Minds

Movies

- Marvel

- Hunger games

- Kingsman

- Top gun + Top Gun Maverick

And a lot more that I cannot current think of 😂

I mostly do tickle fics so if that’s not for you then that’s fine but it will be mostly SFW!

I will try to post on here every now and then about these fandoms but feel free to send a message for movie/tv show suggestions so I can write about them!

Looking forward to sharing my lil fics with you all <3

[iantimony]

tuesdaypost

tried a new thing this week where i started drafting this as i went - so any time i read something that i wanted to put here, for example, i just slapped the link in to expand more on when i got around to finishing the post, yanno? i liked it, i think it made the whole process less "??? what did i do this week???" i also think i do like tuesday, actually, because it means i can put all my various weekend craftings/watching/playing in while it's still fresh in my mind.

because i noted things down as i went this is a RICH tuesdaypost, buckle up

listening

up to partizan 15! also been listening to fatt soundtracks as background while i work, it's very good for that.

reading

a looooot of bloodletter this week, notably all the tgcf and most of the mdzs fic, but especially both ways open jaws: delicious, pun intended. found it through this tumblr post of the art that's in one of the chapters. (saw dreamwidth user rigormorphis in the acknowledgement notes on there!!! [leonardo dicaprio pointing meme] i follow them on dreamwidth!! hello!) also read you were not mine to save by factorialrabbits: this isn't really how i understand nhs as a character, personally, but i liked the narrative structure a lot! read it because bloodletter wrote a fic that was inspired by it and i liked that one a lot too.

read some of the tgcf donghua just because i wanted to look at pretty pictures.

the poster's guide to the internet of the future by david pierce: interesting. i've never much thought about having all platforms be cross-connected and cross-interact-able and i'm not sure if it's something i would want, to be totally honest. i like certain things to be separate. we should all go back to geocities. (jk) (unless....)

caught up on the soft news newsletter by joy alicia raines, one that's been sticking in my head is the bit about 'but and therefore rule' from may

i started 'the house on vesper sands' by paraic o'donnell while i was at my grandma's because she had a copy in the guest room, read about the first 100 pages or so, liked it enough that i rented it from the library but we'll see if i finish it haha

playing

oh i'm DEEP in pokemon go again :p send me friend codes if you wanna be pokego friends!

watching

my grandma has been recommending peaky blinders to me for ages so when i visited her last week for thanksgiving i decided that if we started watching it while i was there i might keep watching it when i got home. i probably will! we watched the first three episodes while i was there, definitely has the Drama and Intrigue that i would expect, doesn't hurt that cillian murphy is easy on the eyes, etc.

as promised last week, i've watched the new tgcf episodes! as you can probably tell from my reading section, i am fully back in the tgcf brainworms, frothing at the mouth waiting for new episodes to get released

finished cowboy bebop with my bf, it was so good :( i think our next show is finishing kill la kill, i had him watch the first threeish episodes a while ago but might as well. also on the list to watch together is jujutsu kaisen, mob psycho, space dandy…feel free to rec!

making

continued progress of my big scarf! started what will hopefully be a very quick winter headband knit for my roommate's mom, i'm spending time with her over christmas and i'm absolutely sure she will get me a gift so i need something to give to her lol.

after tragically missing the deadline for secret samol i sent the tumblr account a message asking to be put on the pinch hitter list and it turned out that they were able to slide my entry in after the deadline!! so i got my secret samol assignment in my email on saturday and i'm VERY excited, there are some really good prompts and i have to figure out which is tickling my fancy and what medium to do it in…the funniest part of it is probably that my assignee is a geologist. like, what are the odds, right? (i am not a geologist by training but the research i do now for my phd is way closer to geology than i ever thought i would be. i wonder if they'll be at AGU in a few weeks…it's such a big conference so odds are slim but there's definitely a funny universe out there where i run into them without either of us realizing :b)

i spent most of sunday cozy inside because it was snowing out, and i did a lot of little mending tasks! i finally blocked out the tank top that i finished knitting a few months ago, fixed the lining for a cowl that i made in 2021, darned some socks + some holes in a shirt that i like…

(the Cowl Saga: i finished the object in 2021! it was a little scratchy so i made a cute lining out of matching plaid fleece! i never fucking wore it because it was too small and pressed on my nose uncomfortably and sucked to pull over my head!!!! so i went, damn, wait, i didn't block it. i bet i can make it a better size by blocking it. so this summer i took the lining back out and blocked it (and laid it in the sun to dry, so it FADED UNEVENLY because the yarn was just dyed with turmeric in 2020!! i am not a professional!!! so it definitely isn't colorfast!!!) and lo and behold, now it fits better! however now the lining was too damn small! so finally, FINALLY, i used some leftover plaid fleece scraps to patch in an extra panel to make it big enough! so now i can wear it! i wore it yesterday because it's finally cold enough!!!)

no pictures of me wearing the tank top because i don't love the fit…i have some spare bra inserts at home that i can get when i'm there for the holidays so hopefully sewing those in will help? i can't really wear a bra with it otherwise. despite using an old norwegian cast-on, which according to google is one of the stretchiest options, to wear it the hem is stretched completely taut so i probably should have sized up >:\ it was a fun project otherwise, might try it again with a different size/yarn/cast-on, perhaps without the waist increases.

also, started writing again?? something about glancing at my decade-old nanowrimo last week tickled my brain and i started poking at something inspired in that direction. no promises.

misc

i was thinking of getting a small keyboard for my ipad so i don't have to bring my whole laptop to a conference next week, i was discussing with my roommate, she was like "ah but they're sooo small…" i said "we have tiny hands, it's not a bad size for us", she goes "but they're scared of each other" which made me crack up. will probably try to go to best buy or something, one of the little logitech ones could be good, but also do i Need a keyboard?? will i actually type ANYTHING while i'm at this conference????? i doubt it. so maybe not huh my current week looks like powering through my poster for AGU, that way i can spend next week tweaking as needed and print a few days before travel…….fingers crossed. i laid that timeline out for my advisor yesterday and she nearly cried from how reasonable it was, apparently her last phd student was a "finish the poster on the plane and print the day of the presentation at the conference" kinda guy oops. :")

[sapphicmicrofics]

September 21: Painting Open to any Harry Potter femslash ship. We aim for a word count between 50 and 500, but any length is allowed. Post your fic on Tumblr (tag this blog in the post and use the hashtag #sapphicmicrofics).

Please tag your works for any potential warnings, and if you want you can add them to this AO3 collection. For more rules check here!

You can also still write for any previous prompt!

Potential ships: Katie/Angelina, Millicent/Luna, Dorcas/Narcissa Inspiration: Painting your lover, painting someone’s skin, face paint at a children’s party, or an adult’s, comparing someone to a painting, painted lips, painting your nails, splatters of paint after decorating a house, painting a fence in the middle of summer, art museums, nude modelling, using a paintbrush to tickle someone, destroying a painting out of anger (peaky blinders vibes).

See the other prompts for this month here! See the previously written works here! For any questions, ask here!

[cas-kingdom]

Spies

A/N: Just a little fluffy something. Finn is 10, reader is 9.

Find the OC version of this fic here.

Title: Spies

Summary: You and Finn spy on Tommy.

Words: 456

"Do you see him?"

"I do."

"What is he doing?"

"Eating blueberries.

"Hey! They're mine!"

"Shush, Y/N! He'll hear us!"

"Sorry."

You and Finn had been hidden behind a table in the living room for ten minutes, now. Your keen eyes were fixed on one man in particular, who was sat in front of the flickering orange flames of the fire, eating – as you had so angrily pointed out – blueberries.

"What's he doing now?"

"I don't know."

You watched intently as the man stood up and walked towards the exit to the room, knocking over a house made from bricks that had been standing on the floor.

"Hey!" Finn screamed, and you turned to him with wide eyes. "That took me hours to build!"

The man stopped in his tracks.

You and Finn stared at each other.

"Run," the latter whispered, before he grabbed your hand and burst out from behind the table.

But the man had disappeared.

"Has he left?" you asked, tightening your hold on your brother's hand and glancing around nervously.

"I don't know," Finn said suspiciously, "I didn't see him leave."

"That would be because I didn't," came a low growl, and the two spun around, coming face-to-face with Tommy.

"Tom!" Finn said, offering a smile to the tall man stood in front of him. "We, er, we didn't see you there!"

"Hm. Would that be because you were hiding behind a table?"

"Probably, yes."

"And what were you doing behind the table?"

Finn hesitated, but you didn't. "Spying on you!" you told him proudly.

"Spying on me?" Tommy asked as he crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow, but there was an obvious spark of mischief in his azure eyes.

"Y-yes," Finn confirmed with a nod, before a look of realisation appeared on his face. "You knew! That's why you ate Y/N’s blueberries and knocked down my house!"

"My, my," Tommy said with a low chuckle, and Finn felt his sister's grip tighten around his hand, "you’re getting fast! You should’ve known I would have realised eventually that I wasn’t the only person in the room."

Finn huffed. "That took ages to build."

Tommy smiled. "I’ll help you rebuild it."

"And what about my blueberries?" you demanded, eyes narrowed in a way that reminded the man almost fearfully of his aunt.

"Those weren’t the only blueberries in the kitchen, little miss!" he rumbled before advancing on you.

You squealed and turned to run, but the man snatched you up and immediately began to nibble on you neck, laughing maliciously as you practically screamed with laughter.

Finn stood back, smiling a little nervously at your giggles.

"And now," came the growl again, "time for seconds."

Finn hadn't run faster in his life.

Peaky Masterpost

[artedimichelangelo]

Cab I please get an alfie solomons x (shelby maybe?) Reader?

Just something with them trying to woo each other (him getting her flowers or learning gypsy lore, y/n learning how to bake challah (Jewish bread)) etc.

Thanks either way! <33

Pleasant Hours in Camden Town - Alfie Solomons x Shelby! Fem! Reader.

Author’s Note: Hii! Thanks for the request!

I love writing Alfie fics, they're my favourite!

As always, thank you all for the love and support you’re giving me, I really appreciate it <3 !

Pairings: Alfie Solomons x Shelby! Reader.

Warnings: English is NOT my first language; possible grammatical errors; fluff.

Word Count: 1140.

"I'm sorry, tell me again why the fuck you're always taking her along and not one of us?" John asked his brother, a slight note of irritation in his voice.

"Because she can be very persuasive, plus, she knows how to do her job," Thomas replied quietly, clouds of smoke escaping his lips as he kept talking. "Besides, I don't risk a possible fight between her and the men we do business with, unlike you."

"Sounds more like favouritism to me."

"Hello? 'She' happens to be here." Y/N butted into the conversation, reminding the brothers of her presence inside The Garrison's private room. "And shut up, Arthur, no one has any favouritism. I simply know how to keep my violent instincts at bay."

"Tell me again, where is it that you have to go this time?"

"We, my dear brother, have to pay a brief visit to Alfie Solomons in Camden Town."

Brief. Tommy chuckled, knowing that his trip would be anything but quick.

London's weather wasn't so different from Birmingham's: there too, the humidity began to seep into the bones of the two Shelbys, who had just arrived at their destination, new business arrangements with their old friend awaited them.

A tall, broad-shouldered figure emerged from the doors of the so-called bakery, his booming voice echoing against the old stone walls as he moved closer to the newly arrived visitors.

"Look who's here, in the flesh before me, my favourite Shelby!"

"I didn't know you missed me this much, Alfie."

"Don't flatter yourself, Tommy. I was referring to your wonderful sister." The man turned to Y/N, a bunch of azaleas in his ruined hands. "These are for ya... last time you said you liked flowers a lot, I hope they're to your liking, dove."

"Thank you so much, Alfie. It's a truly precious gift." The young Shelby stood on her toes to leave a tender kiss on Mr Solomons' cheek, the hairs of his beard tickling her lips.

Thomas cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the two lovebirds to himself.

"If you don't mind, I would like to sit down, as there is much we need to discuss, business-related."

"Business, of course..." Alfie watched his friend carefully before taking Y/N's arm under his. "Very well, we can move to my office, I have something to talk about too, a proposition."

The two Peaky Blinders exchanged a puzzled look, waiting to have a seat before exploring the topic further.

"I'm afraid I didn't understand the first time, Alfie... can you repeat that?"

"Now you're being a dramatic cunt, yeah? I suggested that Y/N's presence in the warehouse might bring a good profit for me and you Brummies."

A heavy sigh escaped Thomas' dry lips, the gears in his head began to turn loudly, even his sister had guessed he was intently thinking.

"She's smart, she can do the math, she would have no problem working with me and my men."

Y/N smiled at the man, a slight blush creeping on her cheeks after the few compliments.

"Alright, but I want to test this 'proposal' of yours with a short trial period first."

"What's this? A school test?"

"You think of it like that, Y/N," Tommy swiftly got up and reached the office's glass door. "I'll pick you up in a few days, be good."

"I've never been the opposite."

Thomas only had to glance at her to make her understand the seriousness of his words.

"Have a good day, see you soon." And with that, the Birmingham Devil left the room with high expectations of a solid alliance with the King of Camden Town.

"At last, it's just you and me, what shall we start with, love?"

Days of hard work between percentages and stock preparation came to an end.

Alfie and Y/N, however, never got bored during this period in each other's company. Indeed that aspect made the hours go by even faster.

As a well-deserved leisure activity, Mr Solomons decided to teach the woman he was madly in love with how to make Challah, a traditional Jewish bread.

And if the big gentleman from that infamous district of London had decided to turn his office into a kitchen, it was because of the importance of that activity with an equally important person.

"Perfect, now let's make a volcano in the middle of the flour, so then we can pour the water, yeah?"

"Like this?" Y/N replied, pointing at the hole she had just created, the office desk looking like a hot mess at that moment.

"That's right, now take the jug and try to pour the warm water slowly in the centre."

Sweet Shelby jewel seemed in distress, a look of dread in her eyes for fear of ruining the dough.

"Here, let me help ya." Alfie positioned himself behind her, his large hands resting on the woman's to help her with that recipe process. "Atta girl, good job."

Y/N would forever hold that moment in her heart. It had a domestic something about it and spending it with someone she loved immensely made her feel over the moon.

She was in such a powerful peace of mind that she didn't realise she had let herself go in Alfie's arms, her back against his broad chest as the man's voice cuddled her.

Meanwhile, inside the warehouse stepped in a tired Thomas Shelby, back in London after leaving his sister there on business.

Had it not been for the dim light coming from the upper floor where Mr Solomons' office was, Tommy would have thought that no one was in the building.

"What the fuck is going on here?" The man from Small Heath interrupted what seemed to be a moment of extreme closeness between Y/N and his friend, her lips united with Alfie's in a kiss. "You know what, I don't really wanna know... I just hope the job I sent you here for, my dear sister, is done."

"Yes, Sir Captain, all done!"

"Now ya have a new brother-in-law, Tommy boy. Are you happy?"

"No, but I'll leave you to your sappy moment anyway. See you later."

When Thomas left that building once again that week, the bearded man's attention returned to his woman.

"So... where were we?" Alfie reached Y/N's hips with his floured hands and pulled her close to him.

"Brother-in-law, you said?"

"Why not? It's like I've already fuckin' proposed, ya know, the flowers and all the rest. Yer officially my woman now."

"Yeah?"

"Of course! I can see myself spending the rest of my days with ya," He held her tight, his lips lingering down her soft neck. "Ya make me feel like a well-rounded man and not as a freak, or a monstrous gangster, as outsiders call me."

"Then, know that I'll never leave you."

And when Y/N said that 'never', it was because she meant it.

[zodiyack]

Niffler’s New Discovery

Requested by anon: May I request a the youngest Shelby sister x Newt Scamander story? The Shelby sister is nothing like her siblings. She’s shy, reads books like they’re oxygen, loves animals, and doesn’t drink, smoke, or anything like that. She doesn’t even swear, she’s so pure. She also loves his animals. And Tommy acts like her father but she loves her brother very much. Same as her other brothers. They find out she’s dating him and get all overprotective. Sorry if this is too specific. I just love the idea of a Shelby sister who’s nothing like her siblings. Because most of the Shelby reader fics always have them smoking and all that. Which they are fun to read, but it’s nice to see something different. Feel free to pick the Scenario. :)

Pairing: Newt Scamander x Female!Shelby!Innocent!Reader

Warnings: Swearing (not from reader ofc :)) slight suggestiveness (also not from reader), fluff, ✨m a g i c✨

Words: 1,303

Summary: (See Request...also I thought the gif was cute, so anon, I based it off the gif kinda)

Taglist: @matth1w, @redspaceace-writes, @fandom-puff, @darling-i-read-it, @simonsbluee, @sebastianstanslefteyebrow, @marquelapage, @stuckysslag, @psychkunox​, @i-love-superhero​

Masterlist | Fantastic Beasts (AWTFT) Masterlist | Peaky Blinders Masterlist

At first, they had no problem keeping their relationship hidden from her overly protective family, but the troublemaker Newt constantly had to chase down and return to his case was the thing that exposed them. The bloody Niffler just loved things that shined. Who could blame it though? It was it’s nature.

Just as it was the Shelby brothers nature to react the way they did. Violent, perhaps, but of their nature. Their possessive, over the top protective, shitty, big brother, nature.

And it all started, one late afternoon...

The older Shelby trio, not counting Ada with her age advance over John, returned home after a nice night out at the pub. Sure, the sun hadn’t set yet, but Pol wanted them to return home a little earlier today for a family meeting. The meeting included everyone, minus the innocent angel whom the Shelbys called their sister.

It was the perfect time to have Newt over. The perfect time to explore the secret world hidden inside his little brief case. If only they knew the pesky Niffler had been waiting.

“Are you sure they won’t suspect anything of my presence?” Newt hesitated, one foot hovering above the wooden flooring of Y/n’s bedroom, the other resting on the rooftop outside her window.

She ushered him in the rest of the way, making sure to lock her door after checking that no one was around. “Positive. Family meetings take a while, so we’re good on time. How about you? Are you sure this is good with the council?”

He had a guilt-ridden look across his face as he looked around. “There are some things the council doesn’t have to know.” A nervous laugh rumbled in his throat before he cleared it and scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.

“Uh huh... Well, just promise me that you won’t get into any serious trouble for this, alright Newton?” The blushing hufflepuff gave his lover a quick nod, as well as a smile in return for the little peck she placed upon his cheek, pinkening his skin further down his neck- it was no surprise that Newt was terribly new to receiving affection from anything other than his beasts that resided in his case.

“S-shall we be going?” He broke the tension, gesturing to the case in front of them.

“Boys.” Polly stopped the bickering that had started up between John and Tommy, her eyes drifting toward the ceiling, the trios’ following. “Your sister’s been awfully quiet.”

John cackled, “Oh no, maybe she snuck out, went to have a quick fuck with some guy off the streets, didn’t she Pol?” His rather sarcastic tone suggested his knowledge that the referenced behavior was most certainly unlike his little sister, but the immaturity of John Shelby simply couldn’t resist making a joke.

Polly, however, was in no mood for John’s incessant kidding. Her hand met the back of his head, a disapproving furrow of her brows telling him to stop talking. “I’m being serious, you idiot. It’s more quiet than usual.”

“And what about it, Pol?” Tommy spoke after taking a drag from his cigarette, an eyebrow quirked.

“If she really does have a boy up there, he better pray he’s out the window by the time we get up there.”

Tommy’s brow, lowered after asking Polly how she’d respond, lifted back once again. “There’s no God for him to pray to, Arthur. The boy is fucked, plain and simple.”

“In more ways than one.”

John’s childish cackles were hushed into silence, a slap sounding throughout the room prior to their ceasing. A hand rubbing the back of his head, John glared at his aunt, yet continued the discussion of what to do with Y/n nonetheless.

The past ten minutes had been spent trying to block off any and all exists for the pesky little Niffler. Each time it attempted to escape the bedroom, Y/n or Newt were quick to block it off. It amazed Y/n how many places the little creature could scurry off through. Unfortunately, with their wild-goose-chase, footsteps turned to stomps...well, really running, but downstairs it was more likely to sound aggressive, such as the hard thud of a Blinder’s boot on the floor of the Garrison.

It was inevitable; the possibility of being caught, but the fact seemed to slip their minds as they both tried to corner the Niffler, as well as capture it once more. Every shiny thing, ranging from jewelry to bullet casings, or things that caught her eye, made into décor (gifted from her brothers, as she would never touch a gun unless need be) were being stolen as the creature evaded capture.

Newt shot Y/n a sorry look each time one of her belongings were snatched up by the Niffler. It touched her heart, truly, it did, but now was not the time to swoon. Y/n froze as the Niffler wandered over to a bottle. Wine? Champagne? She didn’t know; Y/n never drank- the bottle was a gift from her sister in law, which she couldn’t turn down without upsetting her, so it soon became another...decoration.

Atop the bottle was shimmery, gold-like, wrapping. Of course it caught the mischievous little shine-thief’s eye. It pulled and pulled, Y/n and Newt made eye contact as the uneasy feeling in their guts mirrored, until POP!

The door broke open with a loud bang, Arthur standing confused before getting both a Niffler and a cork to the space between his brows. While Y/n flinched, Newt only looked away in shame.

“What. The. Literal. Fuck. Was. That?” John gapped. His usual remark would be to poke fun, but he too was in great shock, he couldn’t even think of anything humorous.

“A- ...A Niffler.” Newt stuttered. His rather shy demeanor was rarely common around Y/n, so she new he was slightly uncomfortable the second his hand lifted to itch the back of his neck as his eyes found interest in the floorboards.

“Did I fuckin’ ask you?” John narrowed his eyes at the timid wizard.

It was unusual for Y/n to get angry, but the unjustness of John’s attitude toward her lover didn’t sit well with her. “Leave him alone!”

Now there was more to be shocked about. “I- what?”

“You heard me, John. You, Arthur, and Thomas. Leave Newt alone. He didn’t mean for this to happen, so he shouldn’t be harassed by you three. Want to question him? Have Pol do it, but the second you come to my room and bully my lover is the second you cross the line.”

Tommy, amused, let out a little chuckle as he raised his eyebrows.

“Something funny to you, Thomas? ‘Cause I don’t think any of us are laughing.”

 “No, sister, nothing is of humor to me.” He muttered despite dawning a lopsided smirk. Tommy looked at his brothers and nodded his head toward the stairs before walking away. Although he was leaving, he never said he wouldn’t poke at the boy some more. Now just wasn’t worth it; he was already shaking in his boots as it is.

“Tommy- where- where’re you goin’?” John did a double take, following shortly after.

Arthur rubbed the red spot where he’d been nailed by the creature and it’s new favorite possession, proved by it cuddling the cork close to it’s body on the floor where it had landed after hitting Arthur. He excused himself politely before walking in the same direction as his brothers, still rubbing at his soon-to-be-bruising injury all the way down.

Newt took the opportunity to grab the niffler and tickle Y/n’s possessions from his tummy before running over and tucking him in the case. The anger faded from Y/n’s eyes as she watched her lover. “It looks as though the Niffler has discovered something new.” Newt chuckled lightly, easing up slowly.

“New indeed.”

[runnning-outof-time]

In Celebration of Reaching 800 Followers...REQUESTS ARE OPEN!!

Hello, hello!

Firstly, thanks so much for following me! I can’t believe that I’ve hit 800 followers this quickly. ☺️💕

Y’all are the reason why I keep going and why I’ve written so much in such a short time. Although writing is a big stress reliever for me, your love and support is the main reason why I post my creations on here!

So as a thank you for this amazing milestone, I’ve decided to open up my requests again!! 🥳🥳

Here are some rules if you’re thinking of requesting:

-> I only write for Tommy, Arthur, and John (from the show Peaky Blinders)

-> I will accept platonic or sister!reader requests, but I am more apprehensive to them. I will say for those requests that if they’re more detailed, I’ll be more apt to accept them, but don’t be disheartened if I write back saying I don’t want to write it.

-> I do not write straight up smut — the furthest extent I will describe those kinds of scenes to is PG-13 rated, so you can include that in your request accordingly.

-> I’m also open to accepting ‘preference style’ requests...I’ve done one before and found it to be quite fun, so send them too if you have any in mind (same restrictions apply as the regular fic requests)

-> I’m usually pretty open to requests/will write almost anything, but I also reserve the right to turn a request down...if I don’t know much about or don’t feel comfortable with the topic, I will send a note back saying that I won’t be writing it — please don’t be mad at me if I do this!

ALSO ... if you’re like me and you want to send a request but you’re not good at thinking of them, I have a list of prompts available for you to choose from! Feel free to look through and see if any tickle your fancy!

!!Check out the prompt lists HERE!!

My inbox is open and ready for your lovely requests!

Note: if I don’t respond to your request, it means that I’ve accepted it and I’m keeping it in my inbox so that can look back at it and make sure that I’m following it.

Thanks so much for all of the love you’ve been sending me. I cannot express how much I appreciate it!! I’m so looking forward to writing these requests! (That you hopefully send)

[amazingmsme]

Looking For Trouble

AN: Yes I know it’s late, but it’s a busy time so bear with me. This fic was so much fun to write tho! Wish I could’ve made it longer, but I have other fics to write, & there’s still 1 more peaky blinders fic this month! Thank @a-fluffer-nutter for the prompt, I had a blast planning things out! I still might flesh this out into something longer when I’m not on as big of a time crunch lol.

Thomas should've known something was up when Arthur waltzed into his office, but didn't say a word. He eyed him as he wandered about the shelves, studying all the odd knickknacks and accolades, before turning his attention back to the stack of papers in front of him.

Arthur started casually whistling a low tune, picking up a snow globe and turning it around in his hands to inspect it. Tommy watched him with a bored expression.

"Yes, can I help you?" he asked, not so subtly hinting for him to leave his office. Arthur perked up when spoken to, turning to face him.

"Not particularly, no," he said, managing to maintain his casual facade. He set the snow globe back down, strolling over to his desk with meandering steps. Thomas watched him with a careful eye while still trying to focus on the paperwork in front of him.

"Well... you're distracting me," he deadpanned, but Arthur didn't seem to get the hint. Or rather, he deliberately ignored it.

"Am I?" he asked, and there was something in his voice that should've tipped him off, but went overlooked.

"Yes. So if you have no business, I'd appreciate some peace and quiet." When Arthur still didn't leave, he gave an exaggerated sigh, "What?"

"I never said I didn't have business," Arthur said, mustache twitching with his smirk. "Never said I didn't have business." He took a step closer. "It's just not... business business." Another step. Tommy cocked a brow, leveling him with a gaze.

"Then it doesn't concern me."

"See, that's where you're wrong." He sat down on the corner of his desk, shifting and crinkling the papers scattered about. "You're the only one who can help."

That got his attention. "Help with what?" Arthur leaned across his desk, far into his personal space and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I'm lookin' for trouble mate," he practically growled, and only then did Thomas recognize the mischief gleaming in his eyes.

"The hell's that supposed to mean?" Before he could even scoot away from his desk, Arthur was on him, keeping him pinned to the office chair. Thomas yelped, fighting him off for as long as he could, struggling to keep his hands at bay. Arthur was quick and stronger than him, and easily slipped from his grasp. He dug into his ribs, reluctant chuckles fighting their way to the surface. He tweaked his bottom rib, earning a bark of laughter before Tommy managed to slip out of the chair.

He landed on the hardwood floor, bolting to his feet before Arthur could pin him. His eyes were wide and had a wild look to them, but his smile still lingered. He pointed a stern finger at him, “What the hell was that for?”

Arthur chuckled, a deep, gravely sound. “What? Can’t a guy tickle his grumpy ass little brother in peace?” He relished in the way his jaw dropped, a dark pink blush spreading across his cheeks. He floundered for an answer before he was composed enough to speak.

“No!”

“Agree to disagree.” Arthur stood in front of him, blocking the only exit. Thomas tried to step around him, but the taller mirrored his movements. A smile twitched on his lips, arms curling in to protect himself. All it took was a flinch to the left for Arthur to strike.

He caught him around the waist, wiggling his fingers into Tommy’s sides. A strangled choking sound escaped his throat, a tight lipped smile stretching over his face despite his best efforts to suppress it. His resolve didn’t last once Arthur went for his hips, squeezing and drilling circles over the bones.

“Y’know somethin’? You’re real easy to catch off guard when you’re working. Practically have a target painted on your back!” he said conversationally, hands crawling over Tommy’s stomach.

“Ahaharthur! Knohock ihihit ohohoff!” he scolded through his laughter, but the venom was gone from his voice.

“Mmm, no, don’t think I will. Not really a sneak attack if I don’t do much attacking,” he teased, reaching a hand down to squeeze his knee, chuckling when Tommy snorted. His legs buckled and Arthur had to guide him to the floor so that he wouldn’t just collapse into a giggly heap.

Arthur used the new position to loom over him, a sinister grin in place. He wasted no time and latched onto both knees, sending him into howling laughter that turned to deep cackles once Arthur got ahold of his thighs.

In the midst of the mess that was his mind, Thomas couldn’t help but think he might need to launch a sneak attack of his own. Once he can breathe, of course.

[dini73]

Bathtub Nonsense Part II

(Peaky Blinders, Tommy & Alfie)

Please read part I (Vikings, Heavar) here

It's finally here. Thanks @whatsmyline-pb for your help, thanks @jackson--t for wanting this, thanks all for your patience.

So, after the fic was finally written I realised the moodboard above actually showas the wrong person in the tub...not that there could ever be something wrong with naked Tommy, but I still felt like doing another one:

This second part is actually what made me start this little series - of which I just decided I will go on extending it with more scenes between all the couples I adore so much - . And it started by thinking about scenes for the last chapter(s) of my T&A fic Together

So please imagine a long time established relationship between these two when reading this. Tommy lived with Alfie at Margate since several years already, decades even. And they take care of each other. In the nicest ways ;o)

****

Alfie felt Tommy's cautious question more than hearing it over the rippling of the water and the delicate crackling of the foam.

A gentle tickle, right on his temple, followed by a tender kiss.

“Better?”

He wanted to answer but his senses were enveloped in the delicate peach scent of their bathing foam and the soothing circles Tommy drew on his chest; the wet sponge moving up to his shoulders from time to time, the thumb slightly massaging Alfie’s stiff neck.

“Alfie?”

“I’m here, Tommy, I’m here.” He smiled at his stubborn lover, his eye catching a glimpse of the little stool Tommy always prepared next to the chair that had its constant place by their bath now. Alfie wouldn’t have minded getting his beard trimmed in his beloved armchair right in the middle of their living room, but of course everything needed to be taken care of in the proper places with Thomas Shelby. Thinking about it, Alfie wouldn’t have minded not getting his beard trimmed at all and just let it grow, but one day Tommy had murmured something about food remains and hygiene before he had- somewhat aggressively, if you asked Alfie – manoeuvred him in their bath and then trimmed his beard for the first time. What a paternalism! Not that he wouldn’t have enjoyed it…and maybe he was tempted from then on to emphasize his aching, making it obvious for Tommy that he needed to take care of his wise old Jew.

Alfie huffed out a little laugh.

***

“What’s so funny, eh?” Tommy asked, a bit drowsily, as Alfie’s laugh had torn him back from his own memories.

Memories of a time when he was the one that needed to be taken care of. Not that Tommy would ever admit to needing such care, but he didn’t really have a say in matters regarding his mental health if you asked Alfie; or all the women in his life.

Women…Tommy’s thoughts drifted off again. It seemed centuries ago that he had spared even one single thought toward a woman.

Lost in thought he leaned further towards the bathtub his hand absent mindedly reaching deeper into the water.

How could he ever have existed without Alfie? But he really hadn’t, had he? Wasn't it all just a big show, a dazzling façade, his life back then?

The gentle massage of his hand along the stiff, old leg seemed to numb them both a little. Alfie's pleased moans echoed from the tiles. Both their chests rose and fell faster and faster, while Tommy’s hand kneaded more and more determinedly, the water sloshing more and more. Tommy’s head searched for Alfie’s forehead; their steamy cheeks slid along each other, while Tommy’s right arm reached around Alfie’s shoulder and to his head, his fingers played with the grey but hair of his loved one.

“Tommy,” Alfie croaked, while leaning his head to the side, welcoming Tommy’s eager tongue, not wasting a second as it slid into well-known territory.

“Hmmm? That good, feeling better?”

“What, we…ah fuck Tommy!” Alfie’s hand shot up out of the water and clung to the tub.

Tommy’s hand moved up and down, the exact movements that drove Alfie crazy long engrained in his muscles after decades of amazing lovemaking; years spent pleasuring one another, not giving a fuck about the outside world. Not family or expectations, just them, just the two of them, their longing, their dedication, their devotion, their love. Nothing but their love.

Tommy felt himself getting hard; his trousers cutting electrifyingly into his tender flesh. He longed for some friction but above all, he longed for Alfie’s release. The wonderful sounds he could evoke by treating the love of his life just right. Treating him the way only he knew how. Spoiling him with movements learned and perfected during years of a devoted relationship.

The urge to touch himself got nearly unbearable, but Tommy resisted, using his hand to pull at Alfie’s hairs, moving his head back, exposing his neck just to lick at it as they had done when they were far younger.

Tommy heard nothing more than the fast pulsating of his own heartbeat. His tongue went down to Alfie’s collarbone. The whimper he provoked Tommy only noted through the fog of his own arousal. Sucking at Alfie’s skin, skin that was still so beautiful to him, and the accompanying memories of all the times he had done so before, made him throb.

Alfie’s moans got louder, he stirred in the water, trying to lift his hips.

“I-I can’t, Tommy, I need-I’ll, fuck, Tooom- oh god, Tommy! Tommy baby!”

Alfie came undone, and Tommy soon followed.

***

Alfie laid back, convinced he had just died the most perfect death. For a few moments nothing could be heard but the slowly calming water and the slowing breathing of the two lovers. But then Alfie couldn’t resist saying out loud once more what he was sure Thomas already knew deep in his heart:

“I love you.”

“I love you too, Alfie.”

@jackson--t @mintjamsblog @weeo @pieces-by-me

[vostokovasmelina]

Hi, I hope you're doing well! Btw, congratulations on reaching 100 followers 🎉! Could I request a Peaky Blinders imagine with the prompt “It’s okay, I couldn’t sleep anyway.” where the reader is the youngest Shelby girl (born in 1903) and is very close with Thomas? In the scenario, the reader is having trouble sleeping and she goes to her brother for comfort. Thank you very much in advance ✨💕

a/n: and that’s a wrap, folks! thanks for joining my celebration, here’s to another hundred xx  -  also thank you, my dude, hope you’re okay and will enjoy the tooth-rotting fluff in this one!!

requests for the blurb week are closed, fics and one-shots are open

fluff #11 - “It’s okay, I couldn’t sleep anyway.”

Your bare feet thomped quietly against the cold concrete floor and you could only count on your sense of touch on the way to your brother’s room in the moonless night. Once you reached the door you had been looking for, you wrapped your fingers gently around the doorknob, delighted to find it unlocked and slipped in smoothly, not wanting to wake Tommy in the process. You could see that he had left a small candle burn on his bedside table and you weren’t sure if it was intentional or if he had simply forgotten about it. You didn’t mind it though- it gave you the chance to watch your brother in his sleep for a few seconds only to be startled by him cocking his gun at you just as he saw you lurking in the shadows.

“For fuck’s sake, Y/N! I almost shot you!” Tommy breathed out, tossing the weapon back onto the small drawer and looking up at you with eyebrows raised in question. “What are you doing here?” He finally asked in a much more gentle voice and you felt encouraged to move closer to him, finally stepping into the weak light of the leftover candle.

“I had trouble sleeping and didn’t want to lie alone in bed all night... Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you, I just wanted someone close,” you whispered, eyes lowered in a thorough examination of your toes so you could avoid your brother’s searching gaze.

“It’s okay, I couldn’t sleep anyway,” he assured you, reaching out for your hand and you let Tommy pull you onto his lap and even tickle your belly, something he hadn’t done since you were a toddler- since he came back from the war. It still felt so natural and it transported you back to a time when everything was much simpler and the world seemed kinder. Even Tom smiled as he saw your frowns in an attempt at strangling your own laughter but once he had let his hands rest around your waist in a protective way and saw your worn-out expression, he was pulled back into reality harshly.

“What’s up with you? Huh?” Tommy put his index finger under your chin and lifted it gently, practically forcing you to finally look into his pale eyes which looked like they held flames inside as they reflected the burning candle- something to resemble the old times just again.

You leaned into his chest and suddenly felt a wave of exhaustion hit you as you finally rested somewhere much warmer and more welcoming than your lonely bed. You shrugged absent-mindedly but still smiled softly when you felt Tommy’s gentle kiss on the top of your head.

“Can I sleep here tonight?” You blurted out, hopeful for the answer to be ‘yes’. You could feel your brother’s chest rise and sink under your head as he inhaled deeply and let out a long sigh, accepting that it wasn’t the time for you to give him answers.

“Alright, lemme tuck you in,” he replied and you climbed onto his bed cheerfully. It was already too small for Tommy himself, let alone both of you but you completely pressed against the wall so only one of your brother’s legs would stick out from under the blankets.

You had to strangle your laughs again when Tommy did as he said and completely wrapped you up in his softest blanket. He finally lowered himself on the old bed closely next to you and enveloped you in his strong arms. You giggled into his chest one last time, right before he scolded you and sent you to sleep and you gladly welcomed it, thus starting your first peaceful night in weeks.

taglist:

@writerdream22

@lordofthunderthr

[azurethevampire]

Peaky Blinders drabble

A/N: I’m trying to get back my habit of writing that I’ve neglected because of my busy life as of late. Enjoy this little Tommy Shelby x sister!reader drabble that I did as a quick warm up based on a dialogue prompt I got from here. The title of this fic is the prompt.

The reader is a child in this one

Characters: Tommy Shelby x sister!reader

Words: 379

Title: “Sweetheart, what did you bury in the garden?”

•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•

“Y/N, come here.” 

“Yes, Tommy?” you asked as you happily obliged to your older brother’s request and climbed to sit on his lap. He wrapped his arm around your waist to keep you from squirming around. 

He leaned back casually in his seat and watched your face carefully. “Sweetheart, what did you bury in the garden?” 

Your eyes widened in shock. 

“W-...I didn’t bury anything!” You tried to say in the best possible innocent voice you could muster up, but it was difficult when your voice was shaking without your permission. 

“Come on, darling. You know better than to lie to me”, Tommy scolded lightly, making you drop your head down in shame. 

“It’s nothing.”

“What was that? You’re gonna have to speak up.” 

Tommy gently placed his finger under your chin and lifted your face. He had suspected you would be in the verge of tears at being caught doing something you obviously didn’t want anyone to know about. Instead, he found that you seemed annoyed. 

“Y/N, what did you do?” 

You pouted and crossed your arms. “I won’t tell.” 

Tommy smirked. “What exactly won’t you tell?” 

“That I buried Finn’s- Hey! You tricked me, Tommy!” You glared at your older brother and slapped him on the shoulder. 

Tommy chuckled at your face. Even when you were mad at him you were adorable. Quickly his fingers dug to your sensitive stomach. “Now, I wouldn’t do that to you, would I?” he asked innocently, while his hand tickled you making you giggle and squirm in his lap. 

“Toohmmy! Sto-ohop!” 

A rare genuine smile graced your brother’s lips as he stopped tickling you, hugged you close to him and pressed a kiss to your hairline. 

“Now”, he said. “What of Finn’s did you bury?” 

“His peashooter”, you admitted. “But only because he kept shooting John’s kids with it!” 

“Hmm”, Tommy hummed in thought. Then he gently tapped you on the stomach and pushed himself - and you along with him - to stand up. “I’ll speak with Finn, alright? Come on then, little digger, let’s go and unbury that Finn’s toy.” 

“But Tommy! Finn will just start shooting peas and paper balls at innocent people again!” 

Tommy winked at you. “Who said anything about Finn getting it back, eh?” 

[theshelbyclan]

Family Secrets

Summary: Polly finally lets slip what the real Shelby curse is and as the youngest Shelby, with a little encouragement from John, you feel obligated to use it to your own advantage

(Gif by @mistress-gif​) A/N: I wrote this one when I couldn’t sleep, a long time ago, fuelled by my own frustration of being picked on as the youngest. This has been a headcanon of mine for ages and I finally put it to paper. I never had any intention of posting it, but because I’ve reached the 500 followers mark, I decided to share. It’s short, fluffy and a lot lighter than the actual series. Enjoy!

Words: 3220

*** 

“Give me the fucking book, John!” you bellowed through the kitchen. Your aunt was adamant that you’d all eat together, one day a week, on Sunday. These dinners were great and important, but they always ended in chaos. Tommy usually left early to get on with work, so he was never part of the sibling banter that ensued.

You had just finished eating and while Aunt Polly was busy clearing the dishes, you thought you could read a little. How wrong you were.

Holding the book out of your reach, the most annoying brother in the world was grinning broadly at you. “I will punch you in the fucking throat…” you threatened. This only made John laugh harder and he threw the book over your head towards Arthur who caught it nimbly. “How about me, little sister,” Arthur said playfully, “Are you going to cut me?” With a sigh you turned around and made another failed attempt at grabbing the book. Arthur threw the book back at John and a little game had started that you had no energy for. Still, you wanted that fucking book. “Forget the book, Y/N,” Ada commented from behind her own book, “Let them have their fun.”

But you were too stubborn for your own good, “I’ll be damned if I let them win…” which gave rise to more laughter from your brothers. So you grabbed the nearest tea towel and threw it in Arthur’s face. Before he could remove it, you pounced and actually felt the book beneath your fingers now. Polly paused her work and watched the scene with interest, partially because it was sweet, in a very Shelby manner, and partially because she wanted to put a stop to it before her kitchen got destroyed. You were so close, but Arthur grabbed you around your waist and managed to get the book back to John. Now you were well and truly stuck. “Right, what now?” he teased in a low voice. “Get the fuck off!” you screamed, when John walked over to you and dangled the book in front of you. Stretching out your arms as much as you could, you could almost reach it. But John, evil as he was, used his other hand to tickle your ribs and you immediately crumpled down in Arthur’s arms. The second brother soon joined in and now you were being attacked by two pairs of hands. You dissolved in a mess of giggles within seconds and there was nothing you could do. Sliding down onto the floor, with very little hope of rescue from your sister or aunt, you were at their mercy completely. And then, like some miracle, Ada intervened. She grabbed John by the collar and pulled him back. You gasped for breath as soon as you could. “She’s had enough, John,” Ada said sternly, “Back off, or you’re next.” Arthur looked down on you with a huge grin on his face, “Ada, we both know she can take much more than that…” “Noo!” you whined and without waiting for him to finish his sentence, you rolled away on your stomach across the kitchen until you bumped into your aunt. “Should’ve punched him in the throat,” she said softly to you. “Don’t be a baby!” John called out, “It’s your own fault.” “How the fuck is it my fault?” you replied indignantly from the floor. “For being so fucking sensitive,” John grinned. Arthur joined in, “That’s right. Just turn it off.” You rolled your eyes almost audibly. 

John scoffed and pushed Ada away, “You’re fourteen now, Y/N. Time to learn.”

Polly turned around swiftly, “Oh, like you ever did!”

“What?” your head shot up.

Ada looked at you with a smirk, “What, you thought you were the only one?”

As you got to your feet, Polly helped you up and said meaningfully, “That’s the real family curse, sweetheart.”

Years of them pinning you down and teasing you bubbled up in frustration, “Are you saying that I’ve been going through torture for all these years, thinking that it was just me, when all this time…”

Arthur shrugged, “You’re the youngest and smallest. Comes with the territory.” 

“Besides, we’re stronger,” John added smugly. He was right of course, which made it all the more annoying.

Polly threw down the washing cloth and theatrically said, “Welcome to the Shelby family, feared by all in Birmingham and where everyone is ticklish as fuck!” Your entire worldview had been altered in seconds. Apparently this wasn’t news to your siblings, because they all looked completely unimpressed by this bit of information, while you stood there with your mouth hanging open in surprise. After thinking about all of this for a while, you asked, “Even Tommy?” “When we were kids we used to make fun of him,” John recalled with a glint in his eyes, “It’s just his ribs, but if you poke him suddenly, he literally jumps.” “He went absolutely feral,” Arthur nodded. An idea was taking shape in your head, “Would that still work, you think?” “You’ll only get yourself killed,” Ada commented in her usual bored tone of voice. “Do it!” John urged, “Come Ada, you know she’ll get away with it.” You and John had always been the most mischievous in the family and you shared a look with a similar twinkle in your eyes. You finally knew something Tommy didn’t know. This was your one chance to catch Thomas Shelby by surprise. ***

For the next couple of days, you tried to get your brother alone. It was strange, because on the one hand you couldn’t wait to try out your plan. Envisioning how he would react was brilliant already, but the feeling of power you had was even greater. However, you also feared his reaction. Thomas Shelby was a busy man and he had very little time for anyone these days. When he did spend time with you, it was short and it often involved him reprimanding you. In all honesty, you were a little scared of him, but not scared enough to let a prank like this one go to waste. You’d deal with the consequences, whatever they were.

John might’ve been even more excited than you were and whenever Tommy left to go somewhere on his own, he motioned you frantically to follow him. Finding the right time proved almost impossible though. So you decided just to get on with it. This was the day you would find out if your brother shared the family curse. Unfortunately, he’d been in a bad mood all day. He’d called a family meeting at breakfast and had left quickly after that. They’d all reconvene in the evening. Dodging all your other responsibilities, you shadowed Tommy for most of the day, but he had one business meeting after the other. His mood was getting darker and darker, and you began to wonder if you were actually suicidal. But then, unexpectedly, you found yourself alone with him outside. “Y/N,” he said strictly, “Tell me what’s going on.” You’d come outside for some peace, because today was one of the busiest days at the shop and you’d had enough of the noise. Outside, you planned on reading your book and you’d forgotten about Tommy for a minute. Until he had appeared suddenly. “Nothing,” you said, looking up.

“Then why have you been following me all day, eh?” He sounded annoyed almost and all courage left you.

Improvising quickly, you said, “Missed you at dinner last Sunday.” “I was there,” he lit a cigarette and sat down next to you on the stone steps.

“For five whole minutes…”

“There was business to attend to.” “And there’s family to attend to as well,” you replied, without missing a beat. Silently, he side-eyed you and a small smirk played around his lips, “You’re right, I’ll do better next week. Am I forgiven?” “No,” you feigned anger. He turned his head towards you and he smiled, and you couldn’t help but smile back.

The bond you had with Tommy was a complicated one. In many ways you were very similar, but the war had changed him the most. Sometimes you felt like you’d lost him completely, when you thought of how you used to talk and laugh with him when you were younger. These moments were so rare now. And these exact thoughts did the trick and you decided that you had to be the one to make that old Tommy come back, if only a little. So you said a silent prayer, decided not to overthink it and poked him in the ribs once. The effect was immediate. Thomas Shelby shot up and nearly rocketed himself off the steps. With a wild look of betrayal he turned his eyes on you and you almost burst out laughing.   “Are you okay? What’s wrong?” you asked innocently.

He cleared his throat, ran a hand through his hair and sat back down. Apparently, we’re pretending this never happened, you thought. 

A few seconds of awkward silence later, you poked him again. This time, a small yelp escaped him. The most feared gangster in Birmingham yelped, and you couldn’t stop yourself from laughing any longer. 

As you were still trying to regain composure, Tommy pointed at you with a menacing finger, “Do that again and you will not live to tell the fucking tale.” You could only snort in reply. He was trying so hard to act all scary and while that had an effect on most people, you just couldn’t be bothered right now: It was too funny. Besides, you thought you could detect just a hint of mirth behind those pale blue eyes and decided to risk everything on just that.

“I mean it, Y/N,” he repeated, raising his eyebrows, “Do it again, I fucking dare you, and see what happens.” So you did it again. 

In a flash, he was up and dove for you. But you were faster and jumped out of the way. Like the two of you were a part of a bad play, you started circling each other around the small yard. Neither said a word and seconds felt like hours. Then Arthur called from inside the house, “Tom!”

“You called a family meeting,” you reminded him, while relaxing a little at the prospect of escape.

Tommy’s eyes stayed on you and he cleared his throat again, “Fuck, alright. You’re coming with me.” And he lifted you up and threw you over one shoulder. Your shrieks filled the house as he walked through the betting den, over to the table where the family was already gathered, with you still on his shoulder. Without blinking, the leader of the Peaky Blinders announced, “Right, well you’re all here. Let’s talk business quickly…” Aunt Polly pointed vaguely at your arse, which was sticking up in the air, “You do realise you have my niece in your arms?” “Well aware, Poll,” Tommy continued, like it was the most normal thing in the world, “Business! We’ve done well this week. John’s shown me the books and we’re making more money than ever. Next week, we’re buying a new horse and I’m going to race her.” Flabbergasted, the family stared at Tommy. You could see the million questions on their faces, but they decided to wait until he was done talking. You had also refrained from protesting by now. “Poll, as treasurer I need your permission to buy the horse.” She blinked a few times and mumbled, “Buy the horse. Y/N‘s still…” Tommy held up a hand, “Not finished,” and everyone closed their mouths again, “John, I need you to talk to that old widow down the road. She’s recently lost her son and she should become part of our fund. Arthur, for fucks sake, get the books from the Garrison in order.” “It’s those bloody numbers, Tom…” Arthur grumbled in reply. “Are we all clear on what to do?” Tommy finished off in a hurry. When no one replied, he answered for them, “Good!” With this he plucked you down from his shoulder and held you in his arms bridal style. With a grave and business-like tone he announced, “As you all know, this is Y/N Shelby, youngest member of the family. While we were away in France, she kept the fort and she has often provided us with some relief in times of stress ever since we’ve come back. But not anymore.” John started to get nervous and looked from you to Tommy. Had they gone too far this time? But then he saw Arthur grinning and even Ada had a small smile on her face, so he knew Tommy was only playing. “Gentlemen,” Tommy continued, “This is the day that Y/N Shelby dies. Say goodbye to your sister.”

And that’s when you decided not to await your fate, so you made a sudden movement and jumped out of Tommy’s arms. Dashing past the table, you sought refuge behind Polly’s back. 

“Told you this would happen, Y/N,” Ada said, not helping at all.

For some reason, Polly got up and left the room, while stating triumphantly, “The secret’s out, Thomas. Deal with it.” Now you just had an empty chair for protection. Tommy pointed at you directly and practically growled, “And it’s going back in.” With three of the largest steps he was at your side once again.

So you held up your hands, “Okay, wait, I can explain.”

“Too late, little sister,” Tommy said in a low voice, “These are family secrets that are not spoken of.”

“You’re such a drama queen, Tommy,” your sister commented, while getting up to leave. And all you could think was: why would you leave me alone with these mad bastards?

You really should’ve known better but decided to go for the cocky approach, “There’s no point in trying to scare me now, Tommy, knowing what I know.” You raised your eyebrows in an attempt to show him you were still in control. You weren’t. In a flash he’d tackled you to the floor and had you pinned down, while whispering ominously, “You picked the wrong brother to fuck with, Y/N Shelby.”

And for the second time in a week, you cursed your own sensitive skin as dexterous hands attacked your sides. Incapable of little but laughing and screaming, you flailed around hopelessly. Tommy’s face was slowly softening into a smile as well.

“Tommy!” you pleaded between giggles, “It was John, not me!” “Was it now?” he taunted without stilling his fingers, “And who was the fool to listen to his ideas, eh?” He moved up to your ribs, which made the pitch of your laughter increase. “Toohoohoom! Wait!”

Now, it was no secret that your major weakness in life was your sensitivity. Usually it was John who took the most advantage of it, being the mad joker that he was, but he often got Finn or Arthur to join in. Arthur on his own could be absolutely brutal, which was due to his strength as well, so there was no hope for you at all. Ada didn’t bother much, but when she did, she was merciless, much like Polly. But Tommy, he was a whole other story. You didn’t have many moments like this with him anymore, but when he did play and did get his hands on you, it was hell. He knew exactly how to reduce you to a small heap of giggles, pleading for your life and regretting all life choices up to that point. And this was happening right now. His smile was widening and he shook his head, “You thought you could beat me, eh?” “Yeheeeheees,” you admitted. Then he stopped for a second, allowing you to breathe, “Alright, you little devil, I’ll give you one a chance to speak.”

Residual giggles were pouring from your mouth, “Never… listen… to… John.” Tommy looked up at his younger brother who was showing zero remorse on his face, and he nodded slowly, “Good. What else?” “I’ve learned that Thomas Shelby sounds like a girl when…” but you never got to finish that sentence, as he continued his assault.

“Wrong answer. And you are way to ticklish to have an attitude like that, Y/N,” he said calmly. 

As he dragged your arms up and dug his hands under your arms, you squeezed your eyes shut, “NOOOO, I’M SOOHOORYYY!” “Are you?” he asked, now smiling broadly at your reaction, “Then tell me what you’ve fucking learned from this, eh?” “YOU DON’T FUCK WITH THE PEAKY BLINDERS!” you managed to shout out between laughs. “That’s right,” Arthur commented, watching the scene while sitting back in his chair, “Finally, she gets it.” Tommy paused and looked at both of his brothers, as if he was waiting for their verdict. “Nah,” John decided to cause more trouble, “I don’t think she has…” Still struggling unsuccessfully to get out of Tommy’s grasp, you shouted, “John, shut your fucking mouth or I swear to God…” Tommy rolled his eyes and interrupted you, “Get her, boys,” he called out, “Let’s teach our sister some respect for her brothers.” So now there were three brothers trying to keep you in place, while you were being tickled from all sides. Why did you listen to John? Why did you not know better than to challenge Tommy? Spluttering, kicking and fighting like crazy, you managed to kick them a little bit at least, but the fact that they were all grinning down on you still meant that it didn’t help much. 

Tears leaking out of your eyes, you shrieked, “YOOOUAAHAHAH AHAHAHALL SUAHAHACK!”

Then Tommy stopped them and crossed his arms in front of him. The amusement was twinkling in his eyes, “Had enough?” “Yep,” you said quickly, wiping the tears from your eyes. “Whatever Polly has told you,” he widened his eyes and brought his face close to yours, “Family secrets are not spoken of.” “Fine!” you called out, “They’re not spoken of.” His smile grew again, “Remember this, Y/N. And remember this was nothing compared to what we can do and what I will do, if you ever feel the need to cross Thomas fucking Shelby again.” You got up, again, and brushed yourself off while sending a death-stare to each of your brothers. But when Tommy smiled at you, there was a certain warmth to it that you hadn’t seen in ages.

“Wankers…” you mumbled carefully. Tommy smirked slightly, “You brought this upon yourself, Y/N. Now you know what happens…” “…when you fuck with the Peaky Blinders. Bladibladibla…” you finished his sentence. Making your way to the door, you turned back for a moment, “To be fair, Tommy, I did just saw you jump up about a foot because you’re actually fucking ticklish. So much for the whole gangster act, I should say.” Tommy’s eyes narrowed, John burst out laughing and Arthur managed to shout out a quick “Oi!” And before anyone could react, you sprinted away. Somehow, this still felt like a victory. Sure, you were the youngest and probably the most sensitive in the family, but you had discovered your own weapon now. John would be next, just for setting you up. Arthur would involve more planning. But finding Tommy’s weakness, that was the real triumph. Behind you, you could hear Tommy sit down and sigh, “Well, boys, we’re well and truly fucked now…”

And you grinned to yourself. The game was on.

***

Masterlist

[cas-kingdom]

Nightly Visitor

A/N: Reader is the youngest Shelby, as usual!

Find the OC version of this fic here.

Title: Nightly Visitor

Summary: You’ve been sneaking into Tommy’s room to sleep with him for the past few nights, and he’s not too sure why.

Words: 2583

“Tommy!”

Thomas Shelby didn’t like to be woken up. It wasn’t often he got a decent night of sleep, and even when he did, it was only a decent amount on his own account. He was usually lucky to get about six hours, and that was providing he didn’t stay up ages thinking. He’d been doing a lot of that lately. Thinking.

Nevertheless, the family knew this, and so if any of them dared to wake him up by sharply knocking on his door at God knew what time of night or early morning, then it would be for something important. That still didn’t help Tommy’s mood, however, when the knocking ceased to desist and continued in slowly rousing him from his sleep. “What the fuck?” he groaned, voice barely audible as he attempted to squeeze his eyes shut and imagine it was all a dream.

“Oi, Tom!”

No, definitely not a dream.

“What?” He managed to raise his voice just loud enough for it to travel through the shut door.

“Y/N’s not in her room! D’you know where she is?”

Arthur’s hurried question almost caused Tommy to bolt up in bed, heart racing, and rush to see if what his brother had said was true, but he was awake enough now to turn his head and check the side of the bed next to him. Sure enough, a dark shape was huddled under the covers, fast asleep. He let out a sigh. “Come in, Arthur,” he called, turning his head back around.

The door opened, revealing the anxious face of the eldest Shelby, and Tommy moved his head slightly so he was able to see you next to him. Arthur visibly relaxed, reaching up and running a hand down his clearly exhausted face. “Thank fuck,” he said quietly, “I thought...” He trailed off, looking a little lost, and Tommy nodded.

“Yeah, I know.” He yawned before slowly sitting up in bed. They’d been having some trouble with a family who’d threatened to kill the Shelby’s youngest if they didn’t comply with what they said – of course, that had earned them more than trouble on the Shelbys’ behalf, and as far as they knew they’d received the message and backed off (those who weren’t six feet under the ground, at least). Nevertheless, as was customary for your four brothers, they’d recently amplified their overprotectiveness as a result of the threat, even though it was more than likely an empty one. “What’re you doing up?” he asked once he was sat up, leaning against the headboard, legs stretched out in front of him.

“Just come home from the Garrison,” Arthur replied, moving sluggishly over to sit on the edge of his brother’s bed. “Was gonna check on Y/N before I went to my room… when I saw she wasn’t there, Tom…” Tommy nodded and set his mouth in a grim line as Arthur glanced behind him to look at you as though reassuring himself you were still there. Truth be told, any one of the Shelbys would have had the same reaction if they’d seen your room empty. The world they lived in was harsh – too harsh for a fifteen-year-old girl – and the whole family were constantly keeping their eyes on you. They doubted it’d change much as you got older. Hell, they were still watching after Ada, and she was over ten years older than you. It didn’t help that you were the youngest Shelby. Whatever happened, however old you were, you’d forever be the baby of the family.

“Well, she’s here, Arthur,” the younger said, leaning forward to place a hand on Arthur’s shoulder, “and she’s safe.”

Arthur offered Tommy a smile. “Yeah, yeah, she is.” It was silent for a moment, and Tommy would have asked if he could go back to sleep had his brother not been recovering from a slight panic. “When’d she come in here, then?”

Tommy rose both eyebrows and shook his head, turning slightly to look at your sleeping form. “No clue, Arthur. It’s the third time this week I’ve woken with her next to me. Don’t even notice when she comes in.” Arthur frowned, reaching over and rubbing a hand along your upper arm.

“Wonder why that is.”

Tommy shrugged. He had been a little surprised to see someone else in his bed when he’d woken up a few days ago, but not so much the second time, and now he really hadn’t been shocked at all when Arthur had asked about your whereabouts and he’d turned to find you there next to him. He wasn’t sure why you’d suddenly started climbing into his bed in the middle of the night, but he didn’t mind it. Of course, there was probably a reason for your doing so, and he’d ask you at some point, but besides that it didn’t bother him. He often had you as a guest in his room during nights where the noise outside was too loud for you, or your room was too quiet, or you’d woken from a nightmare, or you simply wanted his company… though never thrice in a row.

“Shouldn’t worry too much about it,” he said quietly. “I wondered if it was the damn O’Connell family’s threat that’s making her want to stay near us.”

Arthur rose an eyebrow. “She completely refused to stay in one of our rooms until we’d sorted it. Said she was old enough to look after herself.”

The leader of the Peaky Blinders’ smile grew at that as he gazed at your curled-up form, facing the wall, small breaths indicating you were fast asleep. “Well, I think we all knew that wasn’t true.” Arthur huffed a laugh.

“For a little mite she sure is tough.”

“Tries to be, at least.”

“Just like her brothers.”

“Permission to stop that?”

Arthur laughed. “Permission granted.” Tommy responded with a smile, albeit a small one. It was no secret that he was willing to do everything in his power to stop you from turning out like him and your brothers, but there really was nothing anyone could do to change that. Unfortunately, you weren’t heading Ada’s way in that you wanted to step away from the family business and create your own path. You were constantly involving yourself in the business, helping your brothers when they needed it, both out on the streets and in the shop. Your mind was bright, much like Tommy’s when he‘d been your age, and you were a lot tougher than you looked. You’d be a great addition to the business when you were older, but your brothers – mainly Tommy – were still considering whether that was an option they were willing to risk making available to you. Not only were you the baby of the family, but you were their baby. Tommy’s baby. And if anything were ever to happen to you, they’d blame themselves one hundred and one percent. “D’you think we should send her off to a different country before she comes under our influence?”

Tommy chuckled. “I think it’s too late for that, now.”

“Maybe we could ask Ada to give her lessons on how not to be a Shelby.” The younger man shut his eyes and shook his head, biting his lip before suddenly breathing a laugh, Arthur joining in not long after.

“Hey.” They fell silent at the tired mumble from the other side of the bed and turned to look at you, noticing how you’d moved your head to glance over your shoulder, eyes still droopy. “I’m tryin’ to sleep, here.”

Tommy rose an eyebrow, shifting in his position slightly. “Sorry, little sister,” he said, “but you wouldn’t be having this trouble if you were sleeping in your own room. Almost gave Arthur a heart attack when he came looking for you.”

You stayed quiet, blinking tiredly before looking over at Arthur. “Sorry.”

“Yeah, yeah, ‘course you are,” Arthur said, the corners of his lips turning upwards slightly. “What’re you doing in here, anyway?”

“Uh… sleepin’.” You gave your eldest brother a look and he rolled his eyes.

“What’s wrong with your own room?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. Arthur could be intimidating when he needed to be, and though he wasn’t trying to be at this moment, all your tired mind could comprehend was the fact that two men were looking at you expectantly, waiting for answers to a question you weren’t sure you wanted to answer.

“Um…” You bit your lip hesitantly, and Tommy and Arthur shared a look of confusion.

“Y/N?” Tommy asked. “What is it?” Truthfully, he believed he should have asked you why you were creeping into his room in the middle of the night a little earlier, but the first night, he’d left the house on business before you’d even woken up, and the second you’d woken up and left before him, and the only knowledge he’d had that you’d slept with him was the fact that you climbing into his bed at almost two am had stirred him slightly.

“Just… nothing,” you said quietly, turning your head to look away from them. Tommy rolled his eyes and gently grasped your upper arm, pulling you back and over to lie half on his lap and half on the bed.

“Tell us what’s wrong,” he said, tone of voice brooking no argument, and when you glanced at Arthur, he looked no different.

You sighed. “Nightmares. That’s it. I’ve just been waking from nightmares recently… and I feel better when I’m with one of you, so I just… yeah. I’m sorry.”

Arthur took one of your small hands in his larger one and shook his head softly. “No need to be sorry, little sister,” he told you. “That’s perfectly understandable.”

“It is?”

“Sure it is,” Tommy said. “But if you were having nightmares, why didn’t you come speak to one of us beforehand?”

“I don’t know.” You shrugged. Honestly, there wasn’t really a reason as to why you hadn’t. You’d been having the nightmares for a little while, now, ever since you’d been threatened by the people your brothers had been dealing with, but you hadn’t wanted to tell anyone for fear of them treating you younger than you were. You’d always had a problem with that, but you supposed sleeping with your big brother took you as far down on the age scale as it went, and you didn’t seem to mind that at all.

“You know you can talk to us about these things, yeah?” Arthur asked. “That’s what big brothers are here for.”

You nodded with a smile, squeezing your brother’s hand. “I know.”

“And we don’t like you keeping things such as this from us, do you hear?” Tommy added, raising an eyebrow when you looked up at him. “I don’t mind you sleeping in here with me, but I’d like to know the reasons for it. Same with whoever’s room you go into, whether that be Arthur’s, or John’s, or Finn’s.” You made a face at the thought of sleeping in the same bed as Finn, who was a year older than you, and Tommy smiled. He supposed you didn’t remember the times he’d walked into the shared room you’d had as children and seen you both curled in each other’s arms. “Don’t keep things like this from us, alright? If you’re having nightmares, we can set about trying to stop them. We’re only able to help if you tell us what’s going on. Is that understood?”

“Yes, Sir.” You mock-saluted, and Arthur darted his hand down to tickle briefly under your raised arm.

“Hey!” you laughed, glaring at Arthur, and he winked. The corners of Tommy’s lips turned upwards slightly at the exchange between the two of you. It was always nice to see; Arthur didn’t often have time to spend with his darling baby sister, and many believed he wasn’t capable of being a good sibling, but he truly was the best… after him, of course.

“I think I’ll head off to bed if that’s it, then.” Arthur nodded at Tommy and leaned forward to press a kiss to your forehead before moving to stand to his feet.

“Wait,” you said, keeping your hold on his hand when he attempted to move it out of your grasp, “can’t you stay here tonight?”

Arthur dipped his head a little in confusion, eyebrows raising. “I have my own bed.”

“So do I,” you replied with a smirk, and Tommy pinched your side, causing you to slap his hand. You looked up at the younger man, a sweet smile gracing your lips. “Tommy?”

Tommy rolled his eyes. “Yeah, sure, and why don’t we go get John, Ada and Finn, too, so we can have a little Shelby sleepover?”

“Tommy!” you moaned.

“Don’t whine.” He glanced up and over at Arthur, who was still sitting on the edge of his bed. “Go ahead, brother,” he said, “jump on in.”

Arthur shook his head. “Nah, don’t worry about it, I’m-”

“She’s not going to sleep until you do.” Tommy looked at you and you directed an almost sickeningingly sweet smile at the eldest. He heaved a sigh and shrugged.

“Fuck it,” he mumbled. “Jump on in where?” He motioned towards the bed, which was already pretty full even with two people in it. Of course, the rooms in the house were too small for any beds bigger than a single one, and though it was a bigger single than others, it would still be remarkable if the three of you managed to wake up in the morning without someone having fallen out of the bed in the night. Nevertheless, the conversation you’d had somehow made the three of you feel more comfortable together. Tommy and Arthur hadn’t slept in the same bed since France, but even so, if it would make their little sister happy and safe, then they’d be willing to put up with it.

“Wherever’s free,” Tommy said as he lifted up the covers for you to slide under. Arthur shook his head for quite possibly the tenth time that night before shrugging off his jacket and kicking his shoes to the floor. Tommy shuffled over enough for his brother to be able to tuck himself neatly against you and the wall.

“I’m about to fall out,” the younger man commented.

“Why isn’t your bed bigger, Tom?”

“‘Cause I don’t usually share it with my siblings, Arthur, that’s why.”

 “Ah. Fair enough.”

“Night,” you said drearily, a satisfied smile on your face.

“Good night,” Tommy said.

Arthur sighed. “Sweet dreams.”

John wasn’t entirely sure what to think of the scene in front of him when he walked into Tommy’s room first thing in the morning... he definitely had not expected to see the owner of the room fast asleep at the very edge of the bed, one leg visible from the covers that were apparently too small to be shared among him and what looked to be the youngest and eldest of his siblings, who were sleeping next to him, somehow entangled with each other.

His confused look subsided slightly when he saw how both his brothers had arms wrapped around you while you cuddled into Arthur’s side, one of your own arms thrown across Tommy’s chest. John smiled softly, shook his head, and then walked out of the room, quietly closing the door behind him.

He’d make sure to be there for the next sleepover, ready with his pillows and blankets, Ada and Finn in tow.

Peaky Masterpost

[nikkzwrites]

The Girl I Left Behind | Peaky Blinders Fic | Thomas Shelby x OFC | Chapter 2

A/N: So this is a story of a Scottish Mobster named Elspeth Finley and her adventures with and becoming a Shelby.

Content Warning: Smoking, Alcohol, Canon Typical Behavior, Canon Typical Triggers

Words: ~3.7k

[First Chapter] [Next Chapter]

Campbell was working at his desk when a young woman walked in. Her auburn hair curled nicely and wearing an outfit he would not have expected from this type of area. He stood up and cleared his throat. He motioned to the chair for her to sit. He watched as she gently made herself comfortable. She seemed to embody poise and elegance, yet with a slight playful air to her. He felt drawn to what she was to say. “So,” the man cleared his throat, “What brings you here?”

Elspeth smiled at the man and leaned forward, “I heard through the grapevine you were working with Thomas Shelby to lure out the IRA. I believe I might have a better way to help you.”

Maggie giggled as John swung her around the shop. She reached up to press his forehead against her’s. Her blonde hair tickling his skin as she asked him, “How did you convince my hard headed sister to allow us to get married?”

“I don’t quite know to be honest,” John shook his head as he grabbed a bit of whiskey from Seumas Finley’s desk, “One minute I thought she was going to decline and have me kicked out just as you said, then she looked at your Archie and he said he saw nothing wrong with it.”

Maggie shook her head, “Did she very well say anything?”

John shook his head as he took a large gulp from the bottle, “I don’t think so, but I did hear from Thomas that he needed to talk to your family about the arrangements. I assume Archibald, yeah?”

Maggie raised her brow, “Archie?”

John nodded, “Is it not going to be Archibald? He seems to be the one who is in charge.”

Elspeth sat across from Thomas at the Garrison looking over paperwork. The woman spoke up, “You still haven’t asked about the dowry or more about the marriage agreements.” She put her pen down from addressing and writing invitations. She sat back and looked at Thomas expectantly.

“A bit archaic,” Thomas commented without looking up. His voice holding just a bit of playfulness. He also placed his pen down to take a sip of his whiskey. His eyes tried to avoid hers so that he could not have a moment of visual weakness. Thomas knew he needed time to be able to look at her without his thoughts written in his icy orbs. He looked over to Elspeth’s work and commented, “your penmanship is beautiful. Wouldn’t have expected that from you.”

“I went to finishing school, you know,” Elspeth remarked back. Her voice showed her aggravation at Thomas’ teasing. She scolded him, “You act too familiar for someone who hasn’t been acquainted with me for nearly two decades.”

Thomas chuckled and sat back to finally look her over again, “graduated finishing school, yet still no husband at your age? Such a disappointment and a waste of precious schooling.” He chuckled and smirked at her. Thomas wanted her just as emotionally compromised as him when they first made eye contact again. So that she had nothing over him when their eyes met.

Elspeth rolled her eyes, “Am I to assume you are going to talk that business with my brother then?”

Thomas hummed a positive and placed his glass down. “Why would I bore you with such business when it is for Archibald and I to discuss,” he asked as he lit a cigarette for him to smoke.

Elspeth waited for him to take a large puff in before she gently stole the cigarette from its resting place on his lips and took in a deep drag. She placed it back where she found it and sat back again. She asked, “Why would you join me in doing such tedious work when it’s customary for your sister to join me? One might say, something for Ada and I to do.”

Thomas took the cigarette from his lips after taking in another breath from it and placed it on the tray to smoke up the room, “I have the better handwriting.” He chuckled and said, “Besides, our sweet Ada has four brothers and no sisters. It would be unfair to expect her to write them all the time.”

“Well, at least now all of you can ask darling Maggie to write as well,”  Elspeth noted, “So your Ada could have perfectly helped me. Or maybe your aunt could have done this with me instead if Ada didn’t want.”

Thomas gave a slight nod and went back to his work, “I guess you could say that I volunteered so that I could have some pleasant company and soft features to admire this evening. I did have a matter I wanted to discuss with you.”

“Oh,” the woman questioned.

“About our speeches,” Thomas noted, “I am to assume you are her maid of honor?”

Elspeth nodded, “Well, of course, I am her closest sister. What was it about our speeches?”

Thomas squashed the cigarette to stop the smoke as he spoke, “I thought we could coordinate our speeches. Make them and the wishes the same to show solidarity in the families and this union becoming a symbol of peace.”

Elspeth smiled. Her heart raced in excitement and anxiety. He had fallen for the trap beautifully and was even making everything more convenient for her, “Oh? What were you thinking of wishing for the couple?” 

Ada and Aunt Pol played their cards as they waited for the boys to get home. They were both getting wrapped into this wedding as well. They had only met Maggie for a few minutes, but already the women of the Shelby family had some very strong opinions about the entire situation.

“You said that the little blonde one John is hitching is the sister of that little Finley girl Thomas couldn’t shut up about for years,” Polly asked.

Ada nodded, “Yup. Exactly what I said.”

Polly nodded, “And Thomas is just… okay with John marrying into that family?” She took a deep breath with her cigarette.

“From what it seems at least,” Ada drew and placed another card down, “I think he was out writing up the invitations with her, Elspeth.”

Polly shook her head, “I’m sure he is up to no good about this.”

“Wouldn’t be Thomas if he wasn’t,” Ada remarked.

The elder woman shook her head, “The little blonde one-”

“Maggie.”

 “-doesn’t seem to have an ounce of what it takes to be married into these boys and their work. Too soft and sweet, that one,” Polly finished her comment. There was a moment before the matriarch of the Shelbys spoke again. She rolled her eyes and asked, “They are Scots, right? Protestant or Catholic?”

Ada shrugged, “I don’t know if they celebrate. The older ones don’t seem to be religious folks.”

Polly shook her head, “Of course.”

“I actually really like Maggie,” Ada commented, “She seems like she would be a good mother for John’s little ones. Lord knows we’re tired of them.” She laughed.

Polly laughed, “Maybe her sister will come and help her so that we can have more of a break as well.”

Seumas stood with Archibald at their bar. He rolled his eyes and asked, “So, are you sure Elsie agreed to all of this? If I know anything about my twin, she would not want-”

Archibald glared at his younger brother, “You forget Seumas, it is for me and Elspeth to speak about. You need not worry to what we decide.”

“But what about Thom-”

“I said,” his voice raised, “It is for our sister and I discuss. You need not to bother yourself with such matters. Just find yourself a wife. You had some years to do so. Our sister gave up those years for you and you repay her with meddling in her and I’s affairs.”

“You forget, I was the head of the household while you were gone and she is my twin sister not yours Archie,” Seumas argued, “I know more about our family and our sisters’ hearts than you do.”

Archibald yelled, “If you knew our dear sister’s heart, then you would have stopped her five years ago, but you are nothing but a coward to preys upon her sympathies and love for the man who shared her mother’s womb for the same time she did!”

Seumas yelled, “She chose that for herself, not me! She threw herself into the fire so that our siblings could have a chance! What was our family going to do with just a 22 year old girl to raise three children!? How was she going to protect them by herself?”

“The same way she protected herself when she was alone in both France and Germany,” Archibald roared, “Our sister is made of hellfire. Don’t you dare ask me how Elsie would have managed! You just didn’t love her enough!”

“And you love no one else but her,” Seumas growled back, ”she and I share a soul and you just cannot stand that can you? You despise that I can know exactly what she is thinking and you just have to be along for the ride. Elspeth and I saved our family from ruin in every sense of the word while you ran off to play good little soldier for a King who isn’t even ours.”

Elspeth smiled as she did her sister’s hair, “You look absolutely beautiful. Tonight everyone’s eyes will have a hard time parting from you.”

“I just want my John,” Maggie giggled as she did her younger sister’s hair, “Thank you for preparing all of this. I know it must be very...awkward… to have the reception before the wedding.”

Elspeth shook her head, “I just want my closest sister happy.” She held her sister tightly trying to calm herself. She kissed her sister’s head. Elsie whispered into her sister’s golden hair, “Anything for you, my darling.”

Lucy huffed from the front of the sisters doing each other’s hair train and mumbled, “I’m here too you know.” This prompted the older two to laugh as they all held each other close.

Thomas knocked on John’s door. The man’s brother was already drinking and laughing with their eldest brother. Thomas sighed and asked, “Do you really think this is the best way to present yourself for marriage to your refined bride?”

John laughed, “You are so attached to this.”

“Maybe because he thinks after this he can scoop up her older sister that he’s been waiting fifteen years,” Arthur laughed.

Thomas mumbled, “Seventeen.” He cleared his throat, “But my relation to the situation is irrelevant.”

John stood and walked past his brother with a smirk, “Besides, Maggie likes me rowdy.” He winked and walked to the Finley’s with the rest of his family trailing behind.

Ada walked with Thomas asking him, “You aren’t planning anything, are you? I do know that you had your heart set on her sister for a long time.”

“That was years ago Ada,” Thomas told his sister, “I wish that everyone would let it die.” He entered the bar with his siblings to see the Finley siblings. Maggie ran straight to her future husband to be swung around happily. His own blue eyes found their way to the future bride’s older sister. A small smile grew on his face seeing the woman wishing his younger brother well as well as making the introductions of her own youngest siblings to his own. Finn and her youngest sister were right around the ages that he and the oldest Finley girl had met. He recognized the looks on their faces quite well. 

Ada leaned to whisper into her brother’s ear, “That look on your face means your feelings haven’t quite died so why should we let the topic die with it?”

Lucy tilted her head looking at Finn Shelby. He was such a cute boy. She smiled and told him, “You’re my boyfriend now.”

Finn blinked and shook his head, “No way. That’s gross.” He tried to stand tall to be intimidating like his older brothers, but he watched her face change to one of disappointment. He blushed and huffed, “Fine. Whatever you want.”

Lucy giggled and grabbed his hand, “Well then, come on. I want to introduce you to my cousins. They are here from Ireland.” She ran off with the boy.

Elspeth smiled seeing Lucy and Finn. She walked further in and spoke with some of her family members that she had purposely invited knowing they were IRA. The familiar feeling of a pair of eyes on her tingled her neck. She smiled and moved to talk to the older brother of the pair of eyes staring at her.

Thomas spoke with some of his own friends while his eyes never left the woman he had met so long ago. When he spied her talking to Arthur, Thomas excused himself from the conversation to start walking towards them. He was unfortunately stopped by the announcement made by Archibald Finley.

Archibald smiled as he stood on a chair. He called out loudly over everyone’s conversations, “Excuse me everyone! It seems to me that dinner is ready. So everyone find your seats and we can get started.”

As the dinner started, John whispered to his soon to be wife. He adored watching her face blush as he playfully joked about their families and making suggestive comments. He felt as though this was going to be the best day of his life. Arthur laughed and reminisced with Archibald about their little siblings. Archibald seemed to be shifting awkwardly and spoke very decidedly. Seumas noticing this, interrupted and started to tell some funny childhood stories of Maggie as well. Edward and Lucy argued as Finn looked pleadingly at Ada to save him from the hot headed Scots. Ada, however, was speaking to some of the Finley cousins. Thomas carefully drank from his whiskey. He noticed something off. Elspeth looked far different from how she was with him earlier. There was something beneath the surface that she was hiding. When she made a small giggle, his brain connected it to the woman he saw in France. But that was in the middle of the war. How could Elspeth be there? Polly sat back and simply watched everyone else. She started to have a very bad feeling about this. Something in the back of her mind screamed at her that this wasn’t going to work out as everyone was hoping. 

After everyone was nearly done, Seumas stood up and spoke, “Now let’s hear from the best man, Thomas Shelby!”

Thomas stood and held up his glass. His refined speech making voice emerged as he spoke, “I would like to take this time to make a toast to the bride and to the groom. From your brother who will always be by your side. To your union and the hope you provide, may you always be satisfied.” He held up his glass higher and waited for the cheers before taking a gulp down. He motioned and said, “And now for the Maid of Honor, Elspeth Finley.”

Elspeth smiled. Her face lit up completely. The woman stood on top of the table, “Thank you so much. I too would like to make a toast.” She strolled across to the head of the table where John and Maggie sat, “To the groom!” She smiled and laughed with John. She then pulled her younger sister up onto the table so that they could spin together for a second, “To the bride! From your sister who’s always by your side!” Elspeth pushed her sister into John’s lap as she yelled, holding her glass up to everyone else now, “To the union and the hope you provide!” She waited for the roar from the Blinders and Banshees to calm before she continued with her eyes locked into direct contact with Thomas’. Her voice was much more restrained as if speaking to only Thomas, “May you always be satisfied.” She raised her glass higher.

Just as the glass touched her lips, pounding on the doors disturbed everyone. Quickly, the doors were broken down and cops flooded in. Campbell smiled and said, “Thank you, Thomas.” He turned and said, “Arrest the traitors.”

Suddenly everyone jumped into action. Seumas placed his sister off the table as Archibald yelled over the full out brawl the Banshees and Blinders were having with the cops, “What’s going on?”

Elspeth looked at her little brother and spoke, “Get the lovebirds and the Shelby’s outta here.” She turned to go with her older brothers to try and work everything out and to stop the fighting.

“Yessir,” Edward spoke. He hopped on the table and started to dodge the blows coming from all directions. He herded the Shelby’s and got them through the secret hall out to the back. He pushed Maggie and John through first. Then watched Lucy drag Finn and Ada after them. Edward got Arthur to go next and grabbed onto Polly to guide her through leaving Thomas, Elsie, Seumas, and Archibald behind.

Maggie looked panicked at John and asked, “What’s going on? I thought your brother had a deal with them?”

Polly stared as people started to pour out of the building. She watched as the older three Finley’s emerged from the same secret exit they went through. Thomas getting dragged out by Seumas.

John stormed to Thomas and pulled him up, “What the hell Tommy!”

Edward ran up to his oldest siblings who were counting heads and spoke, “Everyone is accounted for. We were just waiting for you four.”

“What are you blaming me for,” Thomas asked his brother, pushing himself away.

Arthur tried to get in the middle of his younger brothers, “Tommy. I don’t think now is the best time…”

“I KNOW you did this,” John roared, trying to push past Arthur to get to Thomas. He grabbed his brother by his collar and pulled him towards his face, “You addressed those invitations just to find out the guest list! You allowed us all to think you were alright with this just to get ahead!”

As John roared, a fire engulfed the building they were all once in. Everyone gasped watching it go into flames. John let go of Thomas again to watch this. He rushed to Maggie’s side to hold her close to him. Elspeth stood closest to the fire. Large tears rolled down her face. She turned with a smile painted across her face despite her crying, “At least everyone is okay and we can still do this tomorrow.”

John shook his head, “I don’t think I can allow my family to become attached to yours. Everything my family touches becomes ruin.” His eyes glared at Thomas. He bowed his head at the eldest Finleys and kissed Maggie’s head one last time for the night, “I’m sorry.” He stormed away with Arthur and Finn calling after him.

Maggie cried as she ran into Seumas’ arms. She clung onto her older brother. Seumas looked up at Archibald who had scooped up Lucy to comfort her. Elsie’s twin spoke to his older brother who was now holding Edward’s hand, “Let’s get the younger ones somewhere safe.”

Polly spoke up and said, “Ada and I can take you in. Please. It is the least we can do considering.”

Archibald bowed his head, “Thank you. We shouldn’t be too much of a bother. We should be moving on soon.” The two eldest brothers followed the two Shelby women with their younger siblings clinging onto them.

Elspeth had since turned back to watch the fire. Tears still streaming down her face. Her expression completely stone. 

Thomas slowly approached her and spoke sorrowfully, “I promise I had nothing to do with this. I will get to the bottom of it.” His hand traced the exposed part of her arm between her gloves and dress.

Elspeth shook her head and laughed. Her chest ached from laughter. She turned to face him. Her eyes still watering as she laughed. Her fingers ran through her hair. “I know you didn’t do this Thomas,” She smiled through her tears. The woman motioned to the burning building, “I know because I did this. Next time, don’t underestimate me, my leadership, or my Banshees.” She looked back at the fire and spoke again, “We were going to London soon anyway. This was just one minor inconvenience as the expense of dragging you down.” Elspeth turned to follow her family but whispered to him before she left, “You really need to catch up, Mr. Shelby. Keep climbing. I am so far past Kimber. Let’s see if you can do it.” 

Thomas knew he should have been angry. He could feel rage wanting to bubble up inside of him, but for some reason, he couldn’t allow it to take over him. She had outsmarted him and he could see on her face the same face of all the soldiers who didn’t come home from France. She was like the rest of them. Still at war. Despite what she told him, He knew she burnt her home for the warmth of it, to feel as if she could calm, be in control of something, and to be free of it. He felt kinship with her once again. His heart aflame. He knew he shouldn’t, but he allowed her to slip from his fingers again. He stood there unable to speak. As he watched her leave, he felt as if this was nothing more than an invitation to play her game. A game of cat and mouse. Next time, he’s going to be the cat and maybe, he could catch her genuinely impressed and enraptured by him just as he was her now.

Elspeth walked away from the man. When the woman was finally alone in the dark wet cobblestone streets, she sobbed. Only when there were no eyes to spy her and possibly report back. The woman took the moment to allow her weakness through. Only when she was alone. She had won, but at what cost. Her dear sister’s happiness? She just ruined potentially true love, for what? To prove something to a man who didn’t even love her nor lived up to her expectations? Yet still, his blue eyes haunted her.