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red-riding-wood · 2 years ago

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OC: Charlotte Griffin

Fandom: Peaky Blinders

Summary: Charlotte Griffin, on a quest to emerge from her family's dark shadow, becomes a spy in a gang war that puts her loyalties and desires into question as she grows closer to the man who is meant to be her enemy.

WARNINGS for whole story: eventual explicit sexual content and references, explicit violence and gore, mentions of physical abuse, language, ethnic slurs (mainly because of Alfie)

I couldn’t take my eyes off of the blood stains on his desk.

Thumbs twiddling in my lap, I finally tore my gaze from the crimson that had speckled and seeped into the wood. I dragged it across some nearby papers that had their edges marked red, furling over as if poisoned by the mark of death. It couldn’t have been more than an hour old.

I swallowed a ball in my throat and looked to the two guards who stood, rigid, at the wall. I didn’t recognise one of them. A bead of sweat pricked at his brow and there was a gleam of fear in his bright eyes.

“Perhaps I should come back another time.” My words pierced the silence like a knife, yet the men scarcely acknowledged my presence.

“He said you’d insisted to meet with him immediately, Miss Griffin.”

My lip curled slightly at the use of that wretched name. “I know, but I’m not exactly seeing him right now, am I? I’m sitting here talking to you. Which, frankly, is a waste of my time.” Pointedly, I added, “And it’s Charlotte.”

The larger, more collected guard – I believe I had once heard Luca refer to him as “Stefano” – dug his pocket watch from his waistcoat. He checked the time, snapped it shut, and said, “He should be here any minute.”

I tapped my forefinger restlessly against the lace of my gloves, attempting to ease the growing knot of anxiety in my gut.

“Where is Luca?” I asked them.

“I cannot say,” Stefano said.

“And why can’t you say?”

At that, I noticed the younger, unfamiliar guard glance to the blood on the desk. My head tilted slightly in intrigue but my gut clenched with dread. Though neither of them answered me, the man’s gaze told me everything I needed to know.

I stirred as I heard the slow, steady footfalls outside the door, and a knob turning. My palms felt clammy beneath the lace of my gloves and I swallowed as I turned my head slightly to glimpse the darkly clad man in my peripheral. The two guards were ushered out behind him, door shutting woefully in the silence.

“I was beginning to think you’d hired another spy,” I said dryly as Luca came to stand beside me, facing his desk. I couldn’t but help but think back to his meeting with Polly with a bitter pang in my chest at my words.

Luca didn’t say anything, his expression veiled by his rakishly tilted hat. Instead, he slipped a pair of black leather gloves from his fingers. My gut tightened as I noticed that they were covered in blood.

The gloves were slapped across the crimson speckled portion of the desk, and only now did he turn to me, leaning against the structure with the heels of his hands. Long fingers curled over, pinky rubbing slightly at the dampened wooden grain. His black overcoat stretched behind him. He hadn’t removed it, nor his hat.

Green eyes darted to mine, and his jaw clenched around his toothpick. The movements he made were sometimes sharp, frustration blending with his usual languidness. It was as if he were volatile, as if there were something simmering beneath his flesh and, ready to explode at any moment.

Luca’s mouth quirked, for a brief moment, into a tense smile, though in his eyes I could read nothing but murder.

“What were you doing following me last night, mia piccola spia?”

His nickname for me, which was typically woven as if it were a spell, now was uttered as if it tasted bitter on his tongue. My heart clenched in my chest, and I met that dangerous gaze as the rate of it sped, threatening to burst from my ribs. I inhaled deeply, forcing myself to keep my breaths steady.

“I was following Polly Gray,” I said. “She’d been acting peculiar that day. I was only doing my job and decided to follow her for the rest of it.”

“Hm.” His jaw worked against the pick, and he didn’t seem to blink as he stared me down. My flesh boiled under that stare, my palms only growing clammier and my head turning almost light from the shallow breaths I was suppressing.

“You don’t believe me, Luca?” I said, the slightest waver pervading my tone.

His eyes darted away, and he removed the toothpick from his lip, slowly, paying it its usual reverence before he snapped it in two. Conjoined by the slightest thread, the two wooden pieces fell to the floor beside his shoe. His inhale was deep as he brought his hand up to run along the faint stubble of his face.

Luca’s sigh was expelled into the poignant tension between us, and something dark flared in the light green of his eyes as his gaze settled on me again.

“Why were you dancing with one of my men?”

I tilted my head slightly in confusion when confronted with the odd question. And I narrowed my eyes at him, studying the way his pinky now thrummed against the grain of the desk.

“Hm?” he urged, index beginning to circle the hollow of his cheekbone as he rested his jaw in his hand.

“I used him as cover,” I said, though my curiosity bled into my tone. I was still studying each of his micro-movements. “I didn’t know he was one of your men at the time.”

“I see,” Luca said, seemingly disappointed or perhaps even dismissive of my words.

I glanced again to the traces of red beneath his fingertips, and I asked,

“Why is there blood on your desk?”

“Charlotte. Piccola spia.” His other hand settled back on the edge of the desk, and his weight leaned forward slightly. That tense smile tugged frighteningly, wickedly, at the corner of his lip. “If I ever see you dancing with one of my men again, you will not enjoy the consequences.”

My heart quickened in my chest. But I quirked my brow. “What sort of consequences?”

His pinky stilled where it had thrummed against the bloodied wood. “Would you like to find out?”

I looked from the intensity in his stare to the brittle pieces of the toothpick on the ground. I thought about how he had handled it with an almost delicate care yet snapped it as if it were the most fragile thing. And I thought, for one moment, maybe I did. Maybe I wanted to be paid such reverence by the same hand. And maybe, in some dark pocket of my soul that the light scarcely found, I wanted to be snapped in two.

But then my eyes wandered back to the bloodied gloves, and the red of the desk, and I decided that it was much too dangerous to nudge at such a mysterious threat. Even if I did find myself excited when I played with fire.

“And what does it matter to you whom I dance with?” I asked. I wanted to draw attention back to the subject, for I couldn’t help but wonder if it was for the same reason I desperately wanted to know what he had done with Polly.

Luca shifted his jaw, and leaned back, but said nothing for a long while. And then,

“I want you to keep a close eye on Polly. I want you to report to me anything you can find on her. Is that understood?”

Annoyance shot beneath my skin in a hot flash, and I couldn’t hold back the flame that darted to my throat.

“Why were you meeting with her?” I demanded.

“Why do you want to know?”

I swallowed, and said, “Perhaps I’m curious who you dance with.”

“And you expect me to trust you with that kind of information, piccola spia?”

“I’ve trusted you with more,” I pointed out, remembering the last time we’d spoken, when I’d confided in him about my brother. Shared things I had never spoken to anyone before.

“How is the investigation coming?” I asked, for I had also trusted him with finding my brother’s killer. And I had heard nothing.

Luca scoffed, and crossed his arms over his chest. “You’re trying to talk to me about the fuckin’ investigation right now?”

“I have the right to know.”

“And I have the right to discharge you from your services at any moment.”

I couldn’t say that didn’t sting. It pierced straight through the dark of my soul and seized the bright of my heart.

“But you don’t want another spy,” I reminded him, though the part of my soul that had been pierced bled into my words, pleaded to be reassured that I wasn’t being replaced.

“Get out.”

“Get out?” I huffed, not bothering to ease the swell of my aching chest with each ragged breath.

Luca’s eyes left me, and he called for his guards. Within a moment, they were by my side.

“Escort this spia outside,” he ordered them. And then, with a glance to me, he said, “She has work to do.”

I mustered my most vitriolic glare as I stood, reluctantly but with a grace.

“As do you, Luca,” I pointed out, before Stefano’s arm was linking through mine and pulling me away.

“I can walk on my own,” I said to the guard, loosening my arm from his grasp and sweeping my coat around my shoulders as I followed, wedged between the two, to the door.

Every particle in the air seemed to depressurise once I had left Luca’s hotel room, and I stifled a sigh of relief. Looking to the new face again, I said,

“I haven’t seen you around yet. Are you a new hire?”

The young man glanced at Stefano as if for permission, but Stefano’s gaze was fixed firmly ahead. Bright eyes settled back on me, and he noticeably gulped.

“You don’t have to be afraid to tell me things,” I told him. “If I’m getting anyone in trouble here it certainly wouldn’t be you.” Despite his indifference, I cast a bitter glance to Stefano before drawing my attention back to the younger guard.

There was a hint of skepticism in his eyes that I found most amusing.

“Well, Miss – “

“It’s Charlotte.”

“Right, Charlotte.” He cleared his throat nervously. “The last guard’s employment was abruptly terminated. I’m the new hire.”

A shiver ran through me as I recalled the fresh blood splattered across Luca’s desk, staining his gloves. The way his last thread of calm seemed to hang by a very thin wire.

And the fear I had just seen in the new hire’s eyes when I’d assured him he wouldn’t be in any trouble for speaking to me.

And so, I made the rest of our trip in silence, because I knew exactly whose blood it had been.

---

The only reason I had accepted Thomas’ invitation to oversee the training for the boxing tournament was that I knew Aberama Gold to be there with his son, who would be competing against Alfie’s nephew. And, while there wasn’t anything particularly important to my mission about the Gypsy leader himself, I had noticed that he’d been spending whatever time he could with Polly. From a distance, the two seemed to love to hate each other, but to a keener eye, one could detect the faintest desperation between them – one who was acquainted all too well with such a pull.

While Thomas had to take a call, I ventured to where the Gypsy leader was leaning his elbows along the rope of one of the boxing rings.

And while fighting for sport had never interested me, I had been observing Aberama’s son. His build was slight, unusually so for a fighter, I imagined, and especially so if he were standing in the same room as Alfie’s nephew. But, in the time I had spent here, I’d seen him put every single one of his opponents on the floor. Even I had to admit it was impressive.

“He’s quite the fighter,” I remarked, coming to stand beside Aberama.

“’Course he is. He’s got Gypsy blood in him. Doesn’t matter his size. Bonnie’s got his father’s strength and his mother’s temper,” the man replied with a smirk playing at his lips, a twinkle in his eyes, and he scrutinised me in a brief moment before he dropped his elbows from the rope. “Surprised to see you here. Seems you’ve always somewhere to be.”

“I am surprised to see you here, as well, Mr. Gold. It’s admirable to see a father so devoted to his son and his ambitions.”

Again, he eyed me, smirk still playing at his lip but his gaze narrowing only slightly. I kept my expression neutral and my body relaxed, all the while letting my own gaze dart across whatever I could read of him – the way his head tilted slightly in suspicion or perhaps confusion, the way his smirk seemed to hook in place, the way he stood hunched slightly as if prepared to pounce. I’d heard that his gang were savages, and I half expected him to draw a weapon on me.

“It’s only what a father should do,” he replied at last, his demeanor seeming to relax slightly. But his words stung.

I fixed my gaze back on the ring, half in an act of casualness, half in an attempt to hide any longing that may have darted through my eyes, and delicately curled a few lace-clad fingers around one of the ropes. “That Miss Gray, she’s worried sick for her boy,” I said. “I can see why she might be looking for someone to bring the family together.”

In my peripheral, he became animated at that, stepping forward, cocking his head. I could tell I’d sufficiently captured his attention, perhaps taken him aback.

“She’s looking for a husband?” he said, a falter in his tone.

“It was merely an observation,” I told him, and cast him a seemingly innocent glance. “You two seem to spend a lot of time together.”

“I wasn’t aware I was an object of such keen observation.” A bitter wariness wove itself back into his tone, and his elbows rested beside mine on the rope, the wool of his overcoat bunching at shoulders teased by long, free locks of mousy hair. “You want information,” he stated, the smirk long gone from his features. “Polly told me you’re a spy.”

I was in now. There was no going back.

“Really?” I said, still feigning an affable indifference. “What else has she said about me?”

“I’m not that easily tricked. If you want information, we make a deal.”

My back straightened as I stepped back from the rope, and he mirrored my action. “What is it you want?” I asked, tone lowering.

“That’s a question with many answers. But I can think of something. Your father is Marcus Griffin, if I’m not mistaken?”

I stiffened. “He was, yes.”

“I hear he has quite the treasury. I’ve long thought about nicking one of his heirlooms, but there’s something that has been misplaced from my own family. An amulet, enchanted with good luck by my mother. It was offered to him as a gift for safe passageway in London, but I think I’d make much better use of it in the fight against the Changrettas than he would wasting its potential in some display case.”

I knew the amulet Aberama was referring to. A citrine gem encased in gold. Expensive. Blessed. Kept locked away not in a display case, but a safe in his own private quarters. Though I had never known my father to believe Gypsy superstitions, something had made him hold onto it all of these years.

“Any business conducted that involves my family is off the table,” I said firmly. “Name anything belonging to anyone else, and I can find someone to thieve it. But I will not tangle myself in cut threads.”

A wry vestige of his previous smirk did peel at his lip, and he studied me as he said, “For someone who claims to no longer be a Griffin, you do seem to possess your father’s resolve.” His eyes were shadowed by the lip of his tall, brown hat, but even in their dark opals I could detect the glimmer of pride. Like Luca, he was using my family against me.

I swallowed against a knotted throat, and ignored the sting in my chest. The sooner we could stop discussing my father, the better.

“What you see is made, Mr. Gold, not born of any blood,” I told him, returning his gaze with an intensity I hadn’t been quite sure I'd possessed until that moment.

Threads of tension wove and built between us as we stared one another down, until footsteps landed leisurely against the flooring and a familiar presence materialised between us.

“What seems to be the fuss over ‘ere?” Thomas asked.

I turned my attention to the Blinders leader, and said, “I was asking Mr. Gold for lessons in shooting. You know I don’t typically like getting my hands dirty, Mr. Shelby, but I thought that I should be better able to defend myself in times like these.” I ignored the unease that darted beneath my flesh as I looked back to Aberama, who was eyeing me silently yet with a growing smirk and a great deal of intrigue. “We are having difficulty finding terms we agree upon for this arrangement.”

Thomas pulled a cigarette from his engraved silver case and ran the filter along his lip a few times before deciding to light it and take a puff. He hadn’t even paid Aberama the respect yet of an acknowledgment. Instead, his attention was fully on me. “You want to learn to shoot, Charlotte? You should’ve come to me for that.”

Now, Thomas turned to the man opposite of me, seeming to size him up with a rake of that piercing gaze. “You’ll be taking them from me, free of charge,” he added. “And I would like to remind Mr. Gold that nothing here is for sale.”

A vitriol warning emerged in shadowed eyes as Aberama returned his stare.

“Thank you, Mr. Shelby,” I said, and the Blinder blew another puff of smoke before turning back to me.

“I’ll be outside,” Thomas said. “We’re leaving in two minutes.” And without so much as another word or glance, he was gone, his presence only indicated by the echo of his shoes against the floor.

“What an interesting development, Miss Griffin.” Satisfaction glimmered in dark opals. “I was under the impression you reported solely to Mr. Shelby. If I heard right, it seems you don’t want him to know about this investigation into Polly.”

“It’s hardly an investigation, Mr. Gold. Just harmless research.” I resisted the urge to play with the bow around my neck as that unease seemed to claw at my flesh.

“That you’re willing to steal for.”

“I have very disposable assets,” I pointed out.

“Indeed. So it shouldn’t be a problem for you to make sure that amulet ends up in my hands.”

“I made myself clear, Mr. Gold. It is off the table.”

With Thomas gone, he stepped close enough so that I could smell the wood smoke and fir needles on his jacket. “Not if you want to keep your ‘research’ secret,” he said, and I swallowed again against a knot laced now with the faint trace of bile. “I will take the amulet. Free of charge.” He winked at me. “And you will not pry about myself or Polly again. And I will not tell your employer that you just lied to his face.”

My blood boiled, and my gaze hardened, but I said nothing. I couldn’t say anything, because he had me cornered like an animal. Only, if I bit back, he would put me down. End me. Ruin my fresh start.

I swallowed my aching pride and bid him a tense farewell before leaving to meet Thomas at the car.

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sl-newsie · 2 months ago

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American Woman (Thomas Shelby x American OC) Ch. 58: It Hurts

Masterlist: https://www.tumblr.com/sl-newsie/739551758747090944/american-woman-thomas-shelby-x-american-oc?source=share

Throughout the never-ending day I anxiously wait to hear the phone ring. When it finally does I snatch it up and prepare for the worst.

“Hello?”

“Verena! It’s Liam. We did it.”

I clutch my chest in relief. “No one was hurt?”

“Well, Mr. Changretta is much less alive than he was an hour ago,” Liam jokes lightly. “But no. No one was hurt. Your boss is fine and Arthur’s back. We’re all meeting for dinner in war-wic-chester.”

I hang my head to quit from laughing. “You mean Warwickshire? At Arrow House?”

“Yeah, that’s it. Your boss said to bring his boy with you.”

“I will do that. Tot ziens.”

“Tot ziens.”

It’s over. The vendetta is over. Charlie and Thomas can go back to Arrow House and no one has to keep looking over their shoulder for assassins.

“Charlie!” I call down the hall and the schavuit comes running. “Get ready to go! You’re going home!”

He bolts to Thomas’ room and we both put together his bag. It makes me wonder if Thomas will actually try to spend time with him or if the servants will be the ones to entertain Charlie. We pack up my car and begin our journey north. I’ll call Uncle Colon later to ship the Bentley over to Brooklyn. It makes me guilty to think such a thing but I am not going to let Thomas’ gift go to waste.

“Do you really have to go?” Charlie whines from the backseat.

My grip on the wheel tightens. “I’m really sorry, Charlie. One day you might understand why. I will come by and visit sometime, I promise.”

Darkness falls by the time I pull into the driveway. Arrow House’s windows gleam warmly ahead and Charlie stares wide-eyed as we get closer. Outside I see Ada waiting for me.

“Hello, Charlie!” She greets as the young boy hops out and races for the door. “Your daddy’s waiting inside!”

Ada doesn’t follow him and lingers next to me as I start to gather Charlie’s things from the trunk. Please, Ada. Not now. Let me have this night of relief with everyone and then I am gone.

“I’m sailing over next week. You’re not waiting until then?”

I clench my jaw. “No, Ada. There’s no use stretching it out. I am not arguing it any further so please drop it.”

Ada groans and gently slaps her forehead. “Tell him! Tell him you love him! I’ll slap it into him if I have to!”

“No, Ada,” I retort firmly with a warning finger. “Just drop it. He goes for any other woman but me. Grace, May, Lizzie. Anyone else. He knocked up Lizzie, so now he will be attentive to her.”

Ada wants to say more but instead bites her lip and helps me carry the bags inside. Everyone’s sitting in the parlor while servants pass around enticing drinks. Charlie and Karl are off to the side playing.

“Arthur!” I gasp when I see the familiar Shelby broer. “It’s so good to see you!”

He grins and raises a glass. “I’m still alive and kicking, Steenstra!”

Meanwhile my own broer sits next to Uncle Charlie and Johnny Doggs, no doubt hearing some very wild stories. Finn’s chatting with Bonnie and Isiah. Polly and Aberama seem to have grown on each other. Linda looks to have calmed down and Ada sends her own discrete message to me by passing me my own drink. The only one who is still bothered by my presence is Lizzie. Due to the pregnancy I hope she’s not drinking.

I hear footsteps enter the room and I don’t need to turn around to know it’s Thomas. The music is silenced and everyone turns to address him. Instead I choose to stare down at my glass of brandy.

“Oi! Before we eat, I’d like to say a few words,” Thomas addresses. “Last time we were all here, it ended badly. But now we’re in a happier place.” Thomas cuts it off and raises his glass. “That’s it, I’d just like to raise a toast.”

“Hold on.” Arthur holds up a hand and looks around at everyone as he sits up. “There’s a few words I’d like to say from the heart. And this time, you’re gonna let me finish, Tommy.”

His brother obliged, keeping his mouth shut for once.

“As you all know, Arthur Shelby is dead. Because of that, Tommy’s offered me a way out. A new identity. Start a whole new life.”

Linda will like that very much. If Thomas offered this to his broer then there is no excuse why he should object to my own choice to leave.

“I’ve thought about it. Made a decision.” A smile slowly grows on Arthur’s face. “I ain’t fucking going nowhere.”

Some cheers echo throughout the room and others sit in silence. Thomas included. Alright, Arthur. You can keep yourself in this lifestyle. But don’t say that things will ever stay calm.

Arthur puts a foot on the coffee table and gestures to all of us. “Our enemies are dead, all of ‘em. I’d like to make a proposal that all of you, the Shelby Company Limited, insist that Tommy here takes some time off. Time you took a holiday, Tom. War’s over.” He raises his whiskey. “To peace.”

“To peace,” almost everyone echoes.

Thomas stays quiet and doesn’t make a move to drink. The same sadness from yesterday still paints his face. Oh, yes. Lizzie will adore it if he takes time off. She’s already smiling about it. Congratu-fucking-lations, Thomas.

Liam locks eyes with me across the room and he signals for the door. I give a quick nod and Liam gives the thumbs up. He stands up and we both start to take our leave-

“Verena, wait.”

Polly takes my hand and pulls me away into the kitchen. Not her too! Why can’t anyone just let me leave with peace and dignity?!

“I know I’ve been distant and I’m sorry.” She pulls out two chairs from the table and we both sit down. “Between my blasted headaches, Linda’s complaining, and Lizzie’s new pregnancy, I didn’t stop to think about how you pulled through this. How you stayed put together.”

I take another sip of my drink. “It’s fine. ‘S not the first time I had to travel alone.”

Polly shakes her head. “No, it’s not fine. Here. Let me read your future.”

She reaches for my hand despite my inner voice telling me to go. The kind woman means well and it brings me joy to talk with her again. But it’s too late now.

“Polly, I appreciate the thought, but the only premonition I expect to receive is from God.”

“And He will present it to me to give to you,” Polly insists. “Let’s see… Oh my.”

From the way she says that I can’t tell what whatever she sees is supposed to be. Good or bad? At this point I’ve lost enthusiasm.

“That dull? No surprise.” I push my chair out and start to leave. “Now please excuse me-”

“Verena. This is serious.” Polly keeps a grip on my hand.

I shoot her a look. “I’m not pregnant too, am I?”

She purses her lips at my bold remark. “No. It’s something else.”

I gulp down the rest of the brandy. “Does it mean life or death?”

Polly’s mouth presses into a line. “No.”

“Then I will wait for it.”

I pull away and march back to the hallway.

“Your stubbornness to avoid challenging news makes you deaf,” Polly calls after me. “You cannot run away from this, Verena.”

Probably not. But I’m not waiting around here to find out. I ignore Polly’s premonition and walk up to Liam, who’s waiting impatiently by the door.

“Ready? If we get to the docks by morning-”

“Oi! Wait just a minute.”

No. No. No! I hear Thomas walk up behind me and he starts leading me into his office. Can’t Thomas take a fucking hint and see that I need to leave?!

“If you’re gonna be a while I’m having another drink!” Liam calls before I enter the office.

I might need one myself after this. Thomas shuts the door behind us and when I look up to face him there’s something in his eyes that makes me even more uneasy. Why does he have to look so good in that suit? I don’t know if I want to punch his lights out or- Damn it, Verena! Stop thinking about when you walked in on him in the bath!

“It’s settled. Michael and Ada will accompany you back to America. There you will help negotiate peace between us Englishmen and the Italians from Chicago.”

I squeeze against the wall as Thomas slowly walks past me to his desk. He pulls out a bottle and pours two whiskeys. Is that it? A quick goodbye and a drink for the road? Maybe I don’t have to worry so much after all.

“And you? You’re finally going to rest?” I ask with raised eyebrows. “You’ve been carrying the world on your shoulders. Do as Arthur says, take some time off.”

Don’t think so crossly, Verena. Let him have this. Thomas deserves to have a halfway-normal life with his family. You can live out the rest of your life comforted by yours.

“And when I say time off, I mean it. No paperwork, no phone calls. You need to relax without working. Please tell me you’ll try to relax.”

At first Thomas waves it off but then wants to argue. “Verena-”

“Answer me.”

“Yes, love.” He gives in and hands me my drink. “Anything I can do for you, anything, just let me know.”

I take a swig and try to let the alcohol soothe me. “Alright, then. Spend more time with Charlie. He misses you. And remember to care for your new daughter.”

That’s all I can ask for now. If I can’t have Thomas’ love then I will see to it that his children do. Even if I have to order him to.

“We’re calling her Ruby. Ruby Shelby,” Thomas sighs and takes a sip of his own drink.

“That’s a pretty name. She’ll be a lovely girl.”

Now Lizzie will probably take over and become Charlie's new mum. I’ve never seen her work well with kids but maybe she’ll change? I just hope she doesn’t prize her own child over Charlie.

“That’s all?”

I freeze. Those words. Those Goddamn words. The same ones I forced myself to ignore before Thomas went back to Grace. All of this could have been different if I hadn’t been so fucking quiet.

“That is all, Mr. Shelby,” I stutter and regain a firm tone. “Enjoy your holiday.”

Get out get out get out! I put down the glass and pace to the door before any tears can form. Get out get out-

“If you have something to say then say it.”

Fuck. He’s not falling for it now. Thomas isn’t thick enough to ignore it again. He knows I’m not saying everything. Can’t he just let me go? Can’t he see I’m doing this to let him be happy? To save myself from any more heartbreak?

Still frozen midstep, I take a deep breath. “Actions speak louder than words. My neglect to object is my way of saying I want you to be happy.”

In the corner of my eye Thomas walks closer. I feel him grab my shoulders, turning me around to face him. His icy blue eyes stare me down and my heart seizes with fear. There’s that look again. Like he knows I’m hiding something.

“And by that, would you say that you love me?” He whispers softly. “Look at me, love. Look at me. With God as your witness, look at me and tell me you don’t love me.”

His gentle tone paired with the tender yet heartless question leaves my mind crashing.

“Thomas. Please…”

“Say it.”

I shake my head to look away and hide the forming tears. “Don’t do this to me-”

“It’ll be quick and painless.” Thomas cups my shaking face. “Say it.”

“I- I… Oh Thomas!”

My body collapses and I fall back against the wall, turning away so I can hide my shame. Jesus, why is he doing this?!

“You can’t, can you?” I hear him ask. “‘Cause then you’d be lying.”

Snap! Something tugs in my brain and in a split second my jumbled nerves are replaced by ignited anger. I whip my head around to glare at Thomas’ blank, dumbass face with a look moeder would be proud of.

“Stop tormenting me! I can’t keep this up. I am not going to sob here like a pathetic child and listen to you belittle my heart any further!” I storm up to him and back him against the desk. “You might think that pushing me aside will spare my feelings. Well, the honest truth is it hurts, Thomas. It really hurts me to be treated like this. That is why I am no longer going to work from Birmingham.”

Thomas, still gaping at me with shock and fear painted on his face, stays silent as I march to the door. Happy now, Thomas? I’m probably one of the only women to ever walk away from you with this much dignity. How does it feel to be on the other end of shouting?

I tightly grip the door and give him one last glare. “Goodbye, Thomas.”

Thud!

The door slams and I strut down the hall, the clicking of my heels ringing throughout the house. If anyone else tries to stop me from leaving they’re going to be met with a first to their nose.

“Liam! We are leaving!” I bark, letting my voice echo through the house. “Now!”

My broer scrambles out of the parlor and meets me at the door.

“Finally ready? It’s really dark now and- Verena?” He does a double-take when he sees my tense face. “Zus? What’s wrong?”

“If I ever fall in love again, you have my full permission to give me a smack on the head,” I answer sternly as we step into the bitter wind outside.

Though I put aside my heart for you, Thomas Shelby, I am still human. I’m sorry, Grace. I will not be able to keep my promise to take care of them. It’s up to Lizzie now.

@meadows5

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zablife · 9 months ago

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Zablife 2.5K Celebration Sleepover

Here's everything I've written for my sleepover celebration. I'll add to the list as I make my way thru all the asks I've received. Thanks to everyone who participated!

Warning: 18+ content, MDNI

💋 NSFW alphabet

Jack Nelson: A, E, V

John Shelby: A, C, N, L, M, O, V

Luca Changretta: E, L

Tommy Shelby: B, D, I, M, N, R, T, X

💋 FMK

Arthur, Tommy, John

Tommy, Luca, Jack

Michael, Isaiah, Finn

Eva Shelby, Eva Changretta, Eva Nelson

Charlie Strong, Jeremiah Jesus, Aberama Gold

Ada, Polly, Esme

Luca, Alfie, Jack

Gina Gray, Tatiana Petrovna, Luca Changretta

Tommy, Alfie, Luca

Bonnie, Isaiah, Michael

John, Alfie, Jack

💋 Spicy Fics

Disappointment (Tommy)

Are You Listening? (Tommy)

Let Me Spoil You (Luca)

Morning Chores (Alfie)

💋 GIF blurb

Tommy Stolen Kiss

John John's Return

John A Small Distraction

Tommy Two Left Feet

Tommy Just a Peek

Tommy Playing Games

Jack Nelson x Eva Smith Costume Party

💋 Questions

Who would you have a threesome with?, Part 2

24hrs to let Tommy do anything to you or vice versa?

Tommy's tattoos

Who would you rather be trapped in a house with?

Unpopular/scandalous opinion of a peaky character

Describe your wedding to May Carleton

#zablife 2.5K celebration

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twice-my-age-simp · 1 year ago

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"Happy birthday Pol"

Polly Gray x FemReader

Warnings: smut, fluff, jealousy(little)

Summary: It's Polly's birthday, but Thomas had other plans for you. You went to visit Lizzie and waited for Polly to pick you up.

Word count: 1763

A/N: It's my first smut, sorry if It's shitty

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

It was Polly's birthday. You hoped that you could spend it together, alone in your home. But of course, Thomas had to destroy your plans.

First you had gone to the orphange, to yell at some nuns. Yes, it was important matter, because these children have been beaten, by nuns. Then you went to Charlie's Yard. The boys said happy birthday to Polly, you all had a beer. And Tommy asked Polly to get Aberama out of the hospital. You saaid that you'll go with her right away, because you didn't like the idea of Polly and Aberama together in the car. Alone.

But Thomas said that she has to go on her own and you can go back home or with him, Arthur and Micheal or if you wanted, you could go and meet with Lizzie, who was home. You decided to go visit Lizzie, for peace of mind. Polly also said, that you don't have to worry and that she'll pick you up.

•--------------------------------•

You were sitting with Lizzie drinking whiskey and talking. You had hepled her with some thing to occup your mind.

"Y/N why are you looking out the window every bloody minute. She won't get here quicker." Lizzie laughed, you rolled your eyes ay her comment.

"I know. I'm just worrying because it's getting late and it's fucking November so the roads may be slippery." you said, sighing and looked out the window again.

"And you worry because she's with Aberama." she pointed at you with the hand, in which she was holding a glass. "You don't have to worry, Polly would never cheat on you."

"Lizzie I don't... I am not... Ehh, I just want to go home and spend time with Polly, it's her birthday after all." You took a cigarette out from your tin, lighting it.

When you sat down next to Lizzie, you could hear the front door open, what made you look at Lizzie, who was already looking at you with a smirk. "I think she's here." You didn't have to tell her what you wanted to say at that moment, your eyes were speaking for you 'Shut up'. Frances walked into the room, but before she could say anything, Polly walked right after her.

"Hello Polly." Lizzie greeted her, trying not to laugh.

"Hello, something happend?" she asked, clearly confused by Lizzie's behavior. You got off of the couch and walked to her and kissed her.

"No, everything is fine." You answered her, before Lizzie could say anything, in fact she was laughing now. Frances came back with your coat and handled it to you. You took it from her, mouthing a little 'thank you' putting it on. "Thanks for whiskey and please Lizzie, don't drink more, because it will be me, who will have to deal with Thomas." You grabbed Polly's hand and practically dragged her out of the room.

"I see, you had fun with Lizzie." She chuckled, you both got into the car, Polly was driving.

"Yeah, you can say that. And how was your time with Aberama?" your voice went flat when you mentioned him. She took her eyes off the road for a moment and looked at you smirking. You've never really hided that you're jealous, even when he was around. Family loved to make jokes because of that, but you didn't care about that.

"Do you really want to know, darling?" she teased you.

"Yes, that's why I asked you." You answered with smile, as if she wasn't trying to make you more jealous.

"Alright, so we talked about everything and nothing to be honest and he gave me a rose as a gift, that's all. I think he was grateful that I picked him up from the hospital." You were listening carefully to what she was saying. If she was telling the truth, and you belived her of course, nothing really happened.

"How nice." You said after a few seconds, what made Polly smile. She put her hand on your thigh, like she awlays do when you're sitting in a car.

You were sitting in silence, until Polly's hand started creeping up your thigh, what made you tense up. You looked at Polly and saw that she was already smirking, but she was also concecrated at the road.

"Polly what are you doing?" you tried to sound as normal as possible.

"Nothing." She said, but her hand was telling something else, Polly's hand sliding up on your thigh even higher, what made you close your eyes.

"Polly you are driving."

"Oh. We can change that." She said, still holding her hand on your leg. You opened your eyes to see what she was going to do.

You waited a few minutes for her to do something, but she did nothing, so you started to think that she was just joking. Until she turned onto side road and stopped the car.

"Get in the back, now." She unfastened her seatbelt and got out of the car. Wait, does she really want... here? Right now? You heared the back door open. "Y/N did you hear what I said, get. In. The. Back."

"Pol are you fucking serious? We're in the middle of nowhere." You turned around to look at her.

"Exactly, in the middle of nowhere. I repeat myself once again. Get in the back, fucking now." Okay, she was serious.

You unfastened your seatbelt and got out. She opened the door from the insiede of the car so you could slip in next to her.

"Good girl." Polly said in a seductive tone, you blushed at her comment.

She took her hand to your neck and pulled you to her, bringin your lips together. She kissed you softly. You put your hands on her cheeks when the kiss started to grt more rough. Polly put her hands on your waist and pulled you onto her lap, you straddled her.

Her hands went to the buttons of your shirt, unbuttoning it and she backed away to see what she was doing. When she finally undone all the buttons, her lips went to your neck, kissing it and looking for your sweet spot. You tilted your head to the side to give her more room. She started sucking on your pulse point. You let out a loud moan, your hand flew to the back of her head.

Her lips went down to your collarbones, leaving pink marks. After a moment she moved away and started kissing your breast throuh the bra. Breathy moans escaped you and you grabbed her hair harder. She gasped against your chest, making you smirk.

One of her hands left your waist and snaked on your legs, under your skirt, while you tried to unbutton her blouse. You slightly jumped and graped her blouse as her fingers put your underwear to the side and touched your clit, smirking at your reaction.

"Polly" You moaned as she was drawing tight circles on your clit. "Polly please."

"Hmm? What does my little girl want?" She teased you, even though she knew exactly what you wanted, but she wanted to hear it from you.

"Please Polly just..." You took a deep breath trying to form a sentence, your hips trying to grind against her fingers. "Just fuck me, please. Make bloody scream already." You wrapped your hand around her neck, pulling her closer to you, so you could whisper directly in her ear. "Isn't it what you want Pol, to hear me scream your name." A loud moan escaped you, as her fingers slipped into you and started at relentless pace.

"Is that what my girl wanted? Did she miss my fingers, hmm?" The questioning made you grind your hips even faster against her hand, moans elicting from your mouth wirh every curl of her fingers. Your hand went to grab something, when you grabbed the back of the seat, you realized that you were still in the car. Once you opened your lips to say something, Polly directly hit that spot inside of you and only a loud gasp broke out from your lips, holding on her arm for dear life. "Oh my god!"

"Polly, is fine." She smirked, her thumb came in contact with your clit, rubbing cirlces on it, at the same time curling her fingers.One of your hands grabbed her neck and pulled into a kiss to muffle your moans, the other one went down to her breast, squeezing it through her bra. Polly gasped, taking the opportunity, your tongue slipped into her mouth, dominating the kiss for a moment, befor she dominated you.

"l'm gonna- Fuck! Please can I cum? Oh shit." You buried your head beetwen her neck and shoulder as your hips desperately grinded against her fingers.

She didn't answer verbally, she just curled her fingers even more. You bit on the nape of her neck at the feeling. Polly let out a sheaky breath, neverthless her fingers didn't stop, trying to drag out your orgasm as long as she could.

She took her fingers out of you, putting digits to your mouth. You put your lips around her fingers, looking into her, licking them clean. Polly bit her lip, taking fingers out of your mouth and pulling you for another deep kiss. While she was too focused on kissing you, your hand moved from her breast to her thigh under her skirt, sliding up to her center. She let out a suprised gasp, when you slipped your hand into her panties, started rubbing her clit.

"Keep going, darling... you're doing good." She breathed out, grasping your waist as your three fingers entered her, instantly curling inside of her. You started thrusting your fingers into her. She was moving her hisp, matching the moves of your fingers.

Polly grasped the nape of your neck, reconnecting your lips. She was getting tense while you didn't stop curling your fingers.

"Finish honey. I love the way you look when you cum." You whispered against her lips. She dug her nails into the skin of your thigh as your words send her over the edge. She finished muttering curses under her breath. You slid your fingers out of her, rapidly putting them into your mouth and sucking on them.

Once she stabilized her breath, she looked up at you, only to find out you were already staring at her. "What?" She raised one eyebrow.

"Happy birthday Pol." You leaned down to kiss her, which she gladly accepted. She smiled into the kiss, putting her hands around your waist.

"Thank you, darling."

#helen mccrory #polly gray #polly shelby #polly gray x reader #smut #fluff #x reader #fanfic #peaky blinder fanfic #one shot

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evita-shelby · 1 year ago

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Shooting Stars

Cw: mentions of attempted murder, miscarriage, blood, death, visions of death, illness, a lot of angst

Mostly Diane in her aged up version, with some Tom Bennett x Diane at the end.

She’s always known when there’s shooting stars, ever since her parents would take them to the woods and sleep underneath the stars.

The first wish she ever made was for a sister when she was four going on five and they went to the Canary Islands. Her parents had shared a look between them and right before Easter, Diane knew her wish had come true.

Shh, don’t tell anyone yet, her mother had whispered with a wink as she put on the sapphire as large as a Diane’s fist around her neck.

Diane had not kept her secret, lost in the euphoria of having her wish come true she told everyone who listened to her.

That same evening, her mother was shot at a charity gala and the shock and injury had made her lose the baby.

From then on, Diane Elizabeth Shelby learned wishes don’t come true if they aren’t secret.

----

Diane was six years old when she Uncle John dying in Aunt Esme’s arms during one of those secret visits she and her mother did to them.

And just like that time in the villa in Tenerife, she felt the rush of excitement of a star falling from heaven.

This time she didn’t pray for a sister or a brother or a new pony, this time she wished for uncle john to live.

For extra measure she didn’t tell a soul.

And sure enough on Christmas Day, they get a call from a frantic Esme telling them of the ambush by the Changrettas and John Shelby surviving to tell the tale.

Wishes only came true if they were secret.

----

She is ten years old and dressed up as Marie Antoinette complete with a wig as big as she and period accurate undergarments.

Versailles wishes it could be this great, her dad said as she danced standing on his toes.

Her mother had drawn a blood red line and fake stitches to make it look as if her head had been sewed back on.

Her mama can barely stand waltzes, her eyes grow wide with horror and her skin turns into gooseflesh before she runs off to scream or cry as her past rushes back into her head.

Diane had never understood that, she only knows that its like the shovels her daddy hears some nights.

Its as he spins her one last time that she understands why.

Aunt Polly’s laugh triggers a vision so strong Diane screams like she’s never done before.

A knife in the dark, Polly struggling and then choking on her own blood as her throat is slit.

That night Diane holds the Black Madonna she gave her and prayed her aunt polly never dies.

And yet the morning after her father tried to kill himself in the empty field, her body and that of Barney Thompson and her fiance, Aberama Gold are dumped on their doorstep.

It was then that Diane learned not all wishes come true.

----

Diane is fifteen. She has had her quinceanera, she is to debut in society on her fifteenth birthday as her mother did and most girls in Mexico do.

Life returns slowly to the Shelbys after Polly’s murder. Her father no longer drinks, her uncles do their best to keep themselves clean and no one speaks to Michael because he blames them for his mother’s death.

Her father for his plot to assassinate Mosley, her mother for not stopping it.

Diane gets comes down with the same cold her best friend from school, Cathy, does around December. Both had been friends since grammar school when the teacher assigned them together because Cathy needed to grow out of her shell and Diane needed to be mindful of others.

When they move Christmas up so they can go to Boston with daddy, the young witch finds herself so sick she could stay standing after coughing so terribly her handkerchief comes away with splatters of blood.

Diane is fifteen when she is diagnosed with tuberculosis.

She is given the best of care in an institution built up by her father because his first love died of consumption and what better way to honor her by making sure no one has to die like she did.

He refuses to leave her side no matter what the doctors try. They talk to pass the time, he does mainly because he knows she’s dying.

Diane tells him about the shooting stars as she starts to feel the tingling of one about to a fall.

And because Thomas Shelby would do anything for his family, he picks her up from her bed and both make a wish on a shooting star as they watch it fall to its death from her hospital window.

On Christmas Day, Diane is carried out of the institution by her parents alive while Cathy’s carry her out dead.

Sometimes magic comes with a price, she can hear her Aunt Polly say.

-----

Diane is twenty when she meets the love of her life.

He is charming, carefree and makes her heart sing as if he himself were a shooting star.

Thomas Bennett doesn’t even know her name and yet both feel as if they have known each other before. Perhaps in a past life, she thinks as they dance to his sister’s song like all young lovers do.

She has known desire before but not so strongly. It was like a thousand shooting stars had begun to fall around them.

He is so much more than he appears, insightful and caring and so unlike others see him.

“Haven’t seen a shooting star in years. Used to make wishes on them.” He mentions as they stop and see the streak of light that has the young witch almost vibrating from the heady feel of her connection with Tom and the meteorite burning to nothing in the heavens.

“So did I, well, I still do.” Diane admitted quietly and found herself wishing for the boy standing right beside her.

“Are you free tomorrow?” he asks holding out his hand and she takes it while keeping her wish and her last name a secret…for now.

#eva smith shelby #tommy shelby x oc #diane shelby #diane shelby x tom bennett #tom bennett x oc #tom bennett world on fire #world on fire peaky blinders crossover #november writing prompts

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rootin-tootin-roleplayer · 9 months ago

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𝙵𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚘𝚖 𝙻𝚒𝚜𝚝

୧‿̩͙ ˖︵ ꕀ⠀ ♱⠀ ꕀ ︵˖ ‿̩͙୨

A list here for fandoms I'm in/roleplay in (plus characters I can play!)

Usually in fandom roleplays I enjoy doubling up, unless I feel like being oc in oc x cc stuff, but thats a rare case!

୧‿̩͙ ˖︵ ꕀ⠀ ♱⠀ ꕀ ︵˖ ‿̩͙୨

RDRD 2 - Arthur Morgan, John Marston, Javier Escuella, Dutch Van der linde, Molly O'Shea, Tilly Jackson, Micha Bell, Bill Williamson, Kieran Duffy, Charles Smith, Hosea Matthews, Sean.

Hetalia - Prussia, Germany, South Italy, North Italy, Russia, Japan, America, Canada, England, France, Hungary, Austria.

ATLA - Aang, Zuko, Katara, Toph, Sokka, Yue, Ozai, Azula, Suki.

Adventure Time (Fionna and cake series) - Fionna, Adult Finn, Farm world Finn, Scarab, Prismo, Simon, Zesty Simon (man's very Zesty) , Vamp world Marceline, Vamp world Bubblegum.

ITSV/ATSV - Peter B. Parker, Miguel O'Hara, Miles Morales, Wiles Morales, Gwen Stacy, Pavitr Prabhakar, Hobie Brown.

Holes (yes that Disney movie) - X Ray, Stanley, Zero, Armpit.

The lion King - Scar, Mufasa, Simba, Nala, Sirabi.

Scooby Doo Mystery Inc - Scoobs, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, Velma.

MW2/3 - König, Ghost, Horangi, Price, Soap, Makarov, Graves, Alejandro, Rudy, Valeria.

Harry Potter - Harry, Ron, Hermione, Victor Krum, Fred, George, Seamus, Lee, Luna, Snape, Remus, Draco (that is a MAYBE) , Lucius (same as Draco)

Starwars - Han Solo, Ben Solo, General Hux, Rey, Leia, Padme, Anakin, Obi Wan.

ATWOW - Ao'nung, Roxto, Kiri, Spider, Neteyam, Lo'ak, Norm, Jake, Neytiri, Tsu'tey, Tonowari, Ronal.

GOT - Daenerys, Jon, Arya, Sandor, Ned, Catelyn, Cersei, Robb, Viserys, Khal Drogo, Robert Baratheon, Sansa, Stannis, Bran, Joffrey, Tommen, Gendry, Theon, Jorah, Ramsey, Ygritte, Oberyn, Jaime, Tywin, Tormund, Margaery, Brienne, Tyrion, Melisandre, Missandei, Petyr, Grey Worm.

House of the Dragon - Aemond, Viserys, Aegon, Alicent, Rhaenyra, Jaecerys, Daemon, Cole, Otto, Rhaenys, Lucerys.

Fallout Four - Nick Valentine, Paladin Danse, Preston Garvey, Gage Porter, Sean.

MLP - Applejack, Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie, Rainbow, Fluttershy, Discord, Sombra, Big Mac, Shining armour, princess cadence, princess Luna, princess celestia, Trixie, Chrysalis, Thorax, Starlight, Sunset Shimmer, Sunburst.

AC games - Eivor, Ivarr, Ubba, Randvi, Sigurd, Basim, Hytham, Kassandra, Bayek, Cleopatra, Apollodorus, Julius Caesar.

Jurassic Park - Alan, Ian, Ellie, Robert.

Peaky Blinders - Tommy, Arthur, John, Finn, Polly, Alfie, Michael, Billy, Luca, Lizzie, Aberama, Freddie, Esme, Isaiah, Bonnie.

South Park - Cartman, Kyle, Stan, Kenny, Wendy, Tolkien, Randy, Gerald, Bebe, Ike, Butters, the goth kids, PC principal, VP Strong Woman, Sharon, Shelly.

Hunchback of Notre Dame - Quasimodo, Claude Frollo, Phoebus, Esmerelda, Clopin.

୧‿̩͙ ˖︵ ꕀ⠀ ♱⠀ ꕀ ︵˖ ‿̩͙୨

This took FOREVER to write out but here it is lmao-

#fandom #fandom list

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peakycobblers · 1 year ago

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Aberama: I didn't drink that much last night. Tommy: You were flirting with Polly. Aberama: So what? We’re engaged. Tommy: You asked if she was single. Tommy: And then you cried when she said she wasn’t.

#classic otp moment #aberama gold #tommy shelby #polly x aberama #incorrect quotes #peaky blinders #polly gray #funny business

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ryuzakemo128 · 2 years ago

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Lazy Sunday

Genre: Wholesome vibes only

Potential Pairing: Alfie Solomons x Red (Female Reader)

Rating: Suitable from ages 16+

Summary: Red spends time with her friends, Alfie, Thomas and Aberama.

Author's Note: Modern version of the show Peaky Blinders. If you want more of this type of style let me know. Message me if you want to. I don't mind.

Masterlist: Link

The night before Red and her friends went out drinking for a few hours, Red outdrank Thomas and he stayed over for the night, sleeping on Red's couch. Alfie headed home and Aberama called Polly to pick him up. Instead of trying to drive home. What ended up waking Thomas and Red up that morning is Alfie knocking on the front door.

"Oh, calm down Alfie." Red mumbled as she went to her front door of her cottage. Red groggily shuffled to the door, her eyes half-closed and her hair tousled from sleep. It was a lazy Sunday morning, "Why you so loud in the morning?"

Red opened the door to find a disheveled Alfie Solomons standing there, his usual confident demeanor slightly faded. His usually slicked-back hair was now unkempt, and he had a slight hangover from the previous night's escapades.

Alfie let out a sigh of relief upon seeing Red. "Red, thank God you're awake. I need your help, love. I had a bit too much to drink last night and ended up misplacing my keys. I've been knocking on doors for half an hour, and I'm getting strange looks from the neighbors."

Red couldn't help but chuckle at Alfie's predicament. "Well, you do know how to make an entrance, don't you? Come on in, Alfie." She stepped aside, gesturing for him to enter her cottage.

Alfie stepped inside, looking around with a mixture of curiosity and admiration. Red's cottage had a cozy and inviting atmosphere, with warm colors, rustic furniture, and the faint scent of herbs lingering in the air.

As Alfie made himself comfortable on the couch, Red went to the kitchen and returned with a glass of water and a couple of painkillers. She handed them to him, a sympathetic smile on her face. "Here, this should help with the hangover. You're lucky I keep these around."

Alfie gratefully accepted the water and painkillers, swallowing them down with a grateful nod. "Cheers, Red. You're a lifesaver, you know that?"

Red also brought his keys, "You left them here, after Aberama took us out drinking in his car."

Alfie let out a sheepish chuckle, taking the keys from Red. "Well, that explains it. Must've slipped my mind after the drinks. Thank you, Red. I owe you one."

Red waved it off with a smile. "No need to worry about it, Alfie. We all have our forgetful moments, especially after a night like that. Besides, it gave you a reason to visit me on this lazy Sunday morning."

Thomas, who had been woken up by the commotion, entered the room with a groggy expression. He rubbed his eyes and looked at Alfie with a mix of surprise and amusement. "Alfie, what are you doing here? And why are you looking like a drowned rat?"

Alfie chuckled, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "Seems I misplaced my keys last night and had to pay Red a visit to retrieve them. And let me tell you, Thomas, she's been an absolute gem of help. But I think we both owe her a massive apology for the noise and disturbance."

Thomas blinked, taking a moment to process the information. He glanced at Red, a grateful smile forming on his lips. "Red, thank you for helping Alfie out. And I'm sorry if we caused any inconvenience."

"You're my friends, I don't plan on sharing any time soon. Bother me as much as you like. It's fine." Red replied. "It's always fun with you guys."

Alfie nodded in agreement. "Red's right. We're lucky to have you, love. And I promise we'll make it up to you somehow."

"You can let me make you a traditional Russian breakfast," Red replied. With that Red made Alfie and Thomas a traditional Russian breakfast all three of them.

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