#tommyshelbyxblackreader

[saintsir4n]

PROLOGUE

where tommy shelby decides to take a leap of faith

___

1913

"COME on 'Saiah, maths ain't that hard, even I could do it and I didn't know my dividing from my multiplying,"

"What's that?" he groaned, dropping his pencil and pouting his lips, which Eden thought was adorable, but she couldn't say it aloud otherwise he would whine and cry about being treated like a child. Brat. "Those ain't real words."

"They are, trust me and you'll learn 'em soon. Don't worry kid, just remember we have to get this homework sheet done, I don't want your teacher actin' up."

"'Cause she's a... what d'you call it, a b-bitch?"

Her eyes widened at the curse, "Isaiah."

"You say it and so does Finn," he quickly explained, patting the table.

"Neither of you lot are supposed to say it. You're kids!"

"I'm almost six," he said cheekily as if it meant anything.

She pinched his cheeks, "Still a baby to me."

"I am not a baby, Dad said I'm a big boy," he spoke grumpily, "I can count to fifty y'know?"

Knocking at the front door caught their attention.

Eden frowned because she knew her parents had a key, same with her uncle Jeremiah and he didn't stop preaching until he 'put the fear of god into small heath', even though she couldn't tell if he believed the words he spoke. Whoever was rapidly knocking slightly worried her.

"How about, you stay here and count to fifty like a big boy and then we can stop for a bit," she hushed him before he could clap excitedly, "I'll throw in some sweets if you can keep quiet and finish one of these sums alright?"

Isaiah nodded happily and started counting, holding his hands up to help him, not wanting to ruin his chances of getting some sweets along with his Friday night chips that his dad brought home with him.

Eden cautiously approached the front door, all while wishing she brought a knife from the kitchen or a nursing needle from the nursing course she was taking (following in her mother's footsteps she was).

If she had a religious bone in her body she would've prayed, but there was no God in Small Heath, only devils existed 'round here.

And that was who was on the other side of the door.

Thomas bloody Shelby.

Stood there leant against the archway of the door without uttering a single word.

Tilting her head upwards, Eden met his impenetrable gaze.

During their school years, not one word was exchanged between them, well being in different years groups would do that and the fact he never seemed to stray far from his two best friends Greta and Freddie, just like Lorenzo and Dorris never strayed from her. Not one word and yet she usually talked to his brother John, with him being in the same year as her.

Eden didn't know what to do other than glance behind her, hoping not to see Isaiah making his way around the corner but luckily all she could faintly hear was him struggling to count. When she turned back she gulped at the sight of Tommy. Eyes as piercing as snow, not even the peaky hat could protect her from his stare. With his fairly chapped lips and a jaw that could slice its way through the thickest bread one could buy at the local bakery, she took a step back, swiftly raking her gaze down his slightly worn suit and dress shoes that must've been polished this morning.

Tommy was frustratingly handsome and to him, she was infuriatingly beautiful.

He was there for a reason, though he'd never uttered a word to the girl he'd grown up with he knew there was more than what met the eye. He knew her closest friends, which sibling of his she spoke to, her parents' profession and what she might do with her future. He knew she would come to the door cautiously considering the rough street they lived on. He knew her short hair would be styled back in a bun which unintentionally insinuated her flawless features. And he knew she would be wearing an ankle-length skirt and a loose-fitting blouse similar to his aunt. Why? He just knew.

They never spoke a word to each other.

Not one word until now.

"You lost?" she asked, leaning forward and glancing around the noisy street.

And what he was about to say next, she could never have predicted.

"Come to my uncle's yard, John told me you know where it is," he replied shortly, taking her back.

She blinked at him, ignoring how his gruff voice made her feel, "Hello Tommy, nice to see you too."

He continued, unaffected by her sarcasm, "Just come."

Her grip on the door tighten, "And why would I listen to you?"

He shrugged, "Well, As your future husband, I want to show you things that no one else will."

A laugh of disbelief escaped her lips and yet she didn't smile, much to his chagrin.

"And what things are they Mr Shelby?" her grip on the door loosened slightly, which he took note of.

"Anything you ask, meet me at my uncle's yard and don't be late."

"And what if I am?" she dared to ask, rolling her shoulders back and insinuating her neck. A bear neck, like always. He assumed that a cross would cover it, but even when they were all forced to go to church as kids she never wore one. "What will you do huh?"

His tongue swiped over his teeth before answering, "Then I'll just have to wait for you then eh?"

She wanted to smile at his answers, they were all so...charming, but why would she believe the ladykiller of small heath? Just as she went to reply, she was interrupted.

"Edie!" Isaiah's little voice boomed through the little space, making her sigh and Tommy raise a brow and cocked his head to the side, letting his eyes dart around the small foyer of the narrow home. Cleaner than my house that's for fucking sure. It looked cosy and warm, filled with pictures, hanging from the walls and cluttered on the small table near where shoes laid, "Counted to a fifty, I did."

"Then finish the sum!" her voice pulled him from his thoughts and a ghost of a smile tugged at his lips.

Hearing Isaiah's huff and groan, Eden exhaled and turned back to a rather amused Tommy.

"What?" she questioned, finally dropping her hand from the door.

"Nothing," he paused, "I don't remember you being so good at maths at school."

Her brows pinched together, "You didn't speak to me at school so how would you know that?"

"Finn tells me things," he recalled all the times his littlest brother would run home after being babysat by Eden and gush over every little thing she did, "You help him with readin' and writin' like Isaiah back there."

"Two little shits that drive me off the bend," she blurted out, then went to correct herself remembering who she was speaking to, "shit- I mean-" he swiftly cut her off.

"Thick as thieves those two," he said, amused by her cursing, "Our Finn is head-case and despite Jeremiah stalking through town and trying to fill it with hope and all the godly advice in the bloody world, Isaiah is just like my brother."

She hummed and then changed the conversation.

"Am I even your type? Because the women I've seen you with are the same colour as my palm if that."

"So you watch me," he noted rather smugly, though his face didn't show it, his eyes beamed slightly.

"Easy, I notice things."

"As do I," he retorted, "You're wrong, about the women you see me with," she raised a questioning brow, urging him to go on, "I don't have a type, you can say there's a pattern —"

"And you wanna break it with me? No chance."

She didn't want to be the first black woman he bedded, even though she highly doubted she would be. Well, that and she didn't want to give in to the small-town gangster.

"Haven't you heard? Life is full of chances," he jested.

"Cute."

"And you should take one on me."

Rolling her eyes, "Since I watch you..." her tone turned mocking, "I could've sworn you have a woman, at least that's what the streets are saying."

"The streets of Small Heath are full of lies," he spoke, pulling out a cigarette tin, growing slightly irritated from all her assumptions and questions. He didn't think it would be easy to get someone like Eden Dawkins, he liked a challenge, but she was fucking stubborn. Like trying to force the wrong bullet into a barrel, it won't fucking go. "And fuckin' smoke," he added, pulling out a lighter.

Not being able to help herself her gaze dropped to his lips just as the cigarette swiped against them before he lit it. He took a drag and turned his head as the smoke escaped.

A sly smirk appeared on his face after noting her stare.

"What?"

"Nothing," she quickly cleared her throat and ignored the beam in his icy eyes, "it's just that you contribute to the latter well enough," she uttered, quickly nodding to his cigarette. Fuck I need one.

"Yeah, the factories help me out a bit."

She almost smiled.

"I suppose, but I'm just remembering what I was told... you know about you being taken."

"By who?"

"Whom," she corrected.

"Fine, whom?"

"The eyes of small Heath." Her eyes, but she wouldn't admit that.

"Alright. You think if I had a woman I would look at you, be on your doorstep?" he asked after taking another drag, even offering her a hit, but she refused, despite needing a release of her own.

"I hope not. Or I would let her know that her man's a dog," she said, holding back a smile.

He made a noise, "A horse is more fitting."

"Ah yes, your family loves to ride," she quickly added, "John's on four feet more than he's on two."

"It's in the blood. Gypsy blood," he informed, waiting to see how she would react to his background.

It wasn't a secret where his family came from, most people were disgusted by them, many hid it well, whilst the others got a beating if they opened their gobs.

He was glad when he didn't catch any indifference in her demeanour. She didn't care or didn't see any faults in it. He supposed that she couldn't, being black and all, but if you weren't pure-blooded you would get put into the same boat as everyone else or the bottom of the barrel. And that's where one would find people like them; Watery Lane.

"I'm scared of horses," she admitted.

He squinted, "What has a horse ever done to you, Eh?"

"Mum doesn't like 'em, so I guess she passed that on to me."

"Suppose I have to change that," I will change that.

"Not without asking that girl of yours," she finally smiled at her own joke and so did he.

He playfully rolled his eyes, "I'm available, not with anyone and those who say they're with me are lying alright."

"Alright. Because I don't like cheaters. I despise the lot of 'em, just like those toffs despise us."

"It's a good thing I'm not one then ain't it?"

Finally giving in, she shrugged, "I guess you're right."

"And what about you," he turned it on her, "I heard I weren't the only lad in knockin' at your door."

She hummed, folding her arms, "There's a long list."

Narrowing his eyes, he didn't know whether or not she was playing with him, "How long?"

"No need to bawl and shout. According to the eyes of Small Heath, it goes from here to bloody Black Country. But all you need to know is that you could be at the end..." she trailed off.

"Last darlin', last."

"Oh really?"

"Changretta won't storm your mind when you next see me I promise you that."

She laughed, "Changretta, which one? Just like you Shelbys, there's many."

"You know which one, I don't have to spell it out for you," he took his last drag and let the cigarette drop before stomping it out.

"You might, I'm a woman y'see, I don't always get things straight away, have to get a man to dumb things down f'me."

He almost smiled again at her teasing, but all joy faded as he spoke.

"Luca," he pronounced as clear as day, with his jaw tightening ever so slightly. That bloody jawline. He knew she was heavily involved with the Changrettas, her closest friend was Lorenzo for Christ's sake and she even talked to the Angel also. But Luca... he and Luca never got along. not during school or out of it. Shelby's and Changretta's... like water and oil. Them being Italian meant they were also the bottom of the barrel, but that didn't mean they had to get along. "That Changretta."

She began to grin and even though he wanted to enjoy her expression, he took a mental picture and decided to save it for later.

"Ah, so the eyes of Small Heath have told you about me and him is that right?"

"Yeah, these bloody eyes seem to know all."

She hummed, "Bloody nosey."

"Too right," he agreed.

"So confident, where has this man been for the last couple of years? Pestering other doorsteps and desecrating other homes," she motioned to the used cigarette, which made him quickly kick it away.

"Making sure he was the right man for you," he spoke not taking his eyes off of her which made her cave and look away, much to his amusement because he caught the light blush kissing her caramel skin.

"You've got the charm," she annoyedly admitted, "it's all in the eyes."

He huffed out a chuckle, "Don't stare for too long, yours will get stuck."

Feigning offence, "And then I won't take you up on that offer, oh no."

Checking his watch, he tsked and ignored her quip. He shot her one last look and then spun on his heel, before shouting, "I'll see you at Charlie's yard Eden!"

"No, you won't!"

"Don't dress up for me!"

"Wasn't gonna!"

And with that, she slammed the door shut with the biggest smile on her face.

"Edie!" Isaiah yelled, "I'm done!"

"Sure you are little man!"

"Can we get sweets now?" he eagerly asked after she entered the kitchen and saw the biggest drawings all over his homework, making her curse.

"You ain't done. Your dad will be on my arse if he sees this."

"He won't. Just like I won't tell him about Tommy comin' over."

His cheeky grin widened at the glare he received.

"Fine," she gave in, "but don't tell your dad."

"Promise."

"Alright get your coat," she huffed as he ran away, "little shit."

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a/n:

dorathy dandridge is eden’s face claim. this story is also on my wattpad account, but I know that many people cannot access the app/website so I’ll try and post on both.

[saintsir4n]

1

___

1914

EDEN Dawkins was never the type that liked nature, instead, she preferred to be at home, reading or even at the Garrison to have a quick drink, especially after a long day nursing concussions, illness or even bruises and cut lips from the local bandits. She steered away from horses because her mother inspired a fear of them in her from a young age. But here she was, in Charlie Strong's yard, wearing her worst outfit, trousers, a thick shirt and riding boots that she brought for cheap and mended them.

When she met the icy pair of eyes that were beaming at the sight of her she tutted.

"I have a man Mr Shelby and he wouldn't want someone like you around me."

"And what am I like then eh?" Tommy asked, staring across his uncle's yard at her.

She shrugged, "A gangster, typa man to pull a gun on someone for looking at him wrong."

"He's got that right, I would. But he's missed something," he paused, coming closer to her, dodging the copious amounts of horse manure and loose hay he no doubt will have to sweep up.

"And what's that?" she withheld a smile when he appeared in front of her.

"I would pull the trigger if they looked at my woman wrong as well."

He caught the glimmer of happiness swimming in her brown pools as he inhaled the faint scent of cedar wood (his favourite smell) and alcohol, which she used as an anaesthetic at work earlier today. Breathing in, all she could sense was the whiskey, cigarettes and aftershave, Tommy's natural musk. She was sure that he would add the stench of a barrel to that as well.

"Oh really?" she teased, dodging his kiss by pressing a hand to his chest,  "We shouldn't, I'm taken."

He rolled his eyes, "This man can't be too good if he lets you around me."

She hummed, "Suppose you're right, he's not the tallest."

"Oi." he would've thrown her over his shoulders then and there but he knew Curly was around somewhere and hated seeing him being rough with Eden, even if it was a joke.

"Or the sharpest tool in the shed."

"Thinking of our Arthur are ya?"

She tapped her chin, "Perhaps but the prettiest one of you boys is definitely Johnny."

"Watch it," she could hear the amusement in his tone.

A smile tugged at her lips, "Only messing, now can I get a kiss?"

He blinked at her, "Want one from the smallest, ugliest Shelby?"

"Half of that is true...alright I'll stop, you're the most dashing man I've ever seen," she gushed, running her hands over his patchy jacket and up to his neck.

Fighting off the blush breaching his cheeks, he said, "And you're not too bad you're self."

"Leaving," Her smile dropped as she tried stepping around him, but his hands caught her waist.

"Calm yourself down, you know how many times I've had to fight someone off for hearing what they've said about you and your looks? I feel like I'm punching every man in Small Heath for underselling your beauty. Pretty don't do you, Justice, so I'll kiss you until I think of a word that does."

And with that, she melted into the kiss he'd been trying to steal.

Tommy and Eden had been dating for a couple of months and it hadn't been easy. Glares were thrown her way more than usual and jaws clenched around the couple like they had something to say but never did.

During this time, the quaint betting shop the Shelbys owned was drawing much more traction, more customers came in to put down money for whatever horse they believed would win and even though the family sometimes lost out money, they were still happy with their winnings. Considering it had been two years since they'd opened the shop, four since Arthur Sr left and five years had passed since Mara Shelby took her own life; their family was doing well.

"Not yet Thomas," she said when he suggested that she should come and see the new horse he'd been training.

"Thomas? You mad at me?" he asked, racking his brain for when he last pissed her off and god knows it was a lot.

"No, I just don't think I'm ready and you said it yourself, he gets scared if you breathe 'round him."

"I said that months ago," he tugged her over to an old haystack that was hidden around the back of the barn where the wild Mustang he had taken a liking to resided, "Y'know I'll be next to you when I show him off."

"Still doesn't have a name?" he saw through her oblivion's deflection.

Taking her hand in his, he stared at her, making her gulp slightly.

Tommy always had the ability to look through her, like he was seeing her soul, his gaze was the most powerful thing she felt and yet she loved it as much as she hated it. His stare was suffocating and only when he decided to let go was when she could breathe again.

Deciding not to press the matter, because he was cautious of how anxious she became he glanced down, trailing his callous finger over the back of her hand. He did it whenever he couldn't find the right words to say. He adored her hands, so delicate to the touch, often growing envious of the patients she had to treat because they would feel these nimble and gentle things all over them.

Eden could see there was something on his mind and she didn't know what it was, for the past couple of times she'd seen him, he tended to randomly stop talking which confused her as his voice was both his defence and attack. Without meaning to, it was also his instrument that he could play and manipulate to his bidding only when he decided to tune it properly.

"What's wrong, have you gone mute?" her tone was soft, yet impatient, but that didn't stop him from playing with her hands.

He huffed out a chuckle, "No."

"Oh, Tom have you got something to say to me? Just spit it out..."

What she didn't know was how many people kept approaching him about how close she and Lorenzo Changretta were and despite knowing they were best friends, he hated it.

"Those fuckin' eyes."

"What about 'em?"

He took off his cap, "Can't say no to you when I stare into 'em."

"I–" she glanced down, furious about how easily his charm worked on her, "I didn't ask you anything other than for you to say what's on that mind of yours."

Tommy wanted some whiskey, no, needed it to calm his nerves and no he wasn't a nervous man, Polly thought that emotion skipped him. Any drink would calm him, Christ, if only his brothers brought him some, but he knew they were tucked away in the snug getting so drunk they properly couldn't walk home. He didn't know why, but he always hated being vulnerable about Eden, even after all these months, even when Freddie said, 'She's your woman, just tell her, Women are more loyal than men nowadays'. Eden was loyal, she was more than that, she was his His Eden. His little safe haven. Although religion never sat right with him, he believed she was sent to save him.

There was something that he wanted to tell her, something that she deserved to know since they were together and had been for more than any other relationship he'd been in.

But instead, he kissed her like a starved man, for which she was the forbidden fruit that was dangling right before him and he would be damned if anyone would prevent him from taking a bite.

Cupping the back of her head with one hand and using the other to guide her backwards, he poured the passion he felt into her, lapping her tongue with his and feeling up and down her sides. When she moaned his hand only drifted lower, yearning to rip the clothing from the skin he craved to touch.

But their intimacy had some bounds.

She pushed him off before he could leave her indecent.

"We can do it here, Tommy, you wouldn't risk anyone seeing me would ya? I know how jealous you get," she breathed out, still appearing flustered when he stared at her, licking his lips. Almost a minute went by before he let go of her. Her grin faded when he tugged her forward, so she felt his hardened state and whimpered, "Tom."

He dropped his gaze to her chest, "Just wanted you to know that your actions have fuckin' consequences."

"Alright fuck off."

A voice interrupted them, "Yes nephew, you better not knock her up Tom, I don't wanna have to deal with Pol."

The couple immediately snapped their heads to the side to see Charlie standing there, with combs and brushes in hand and a grimace on his face.

When Eden went to jump away from Tommy, he pulled her even closer.

"We were about to look at the fuckin' horse," he stated.

Charlie shot him a sarcastic look, "Oh is that what they call it nowadays?"

Eden averted her gaze, feeling severely embarrassed as the two men spoke Rokker, judging from Tommy's face he hasn't too happy, but Charlie continued to tease him.

Shortly after Curly appeared, the stableman was in his element whenever it involved horses, Tommy believed he was one of the best horsemen in England. Eden thought he was cute, and much easier to talk to than Charlie, perhaps it was because he didn't have much to say at all. 

"Eden... Tom, Tommy, we're almost finished setting up the new boy, he's a bit scared, just have to be nice to him," he mustered out.

Eden timidly smiled at him and Tommy noticed how nervous she was.

"We'll be there soon," he said, taking her hand.

Charlie frowned, "Don't be too long, it's Sunday, can't be missin’ out on Sunday dinners can we?"

"Alright alright."

And with that, the two men disappeared back into the barn.

Tommy reached into his pocket and withdraw his cigarette tin, all while Eden started playing with his cap, analysing the razor she and Polly spent a while stitching into his, Arthur and John's caps. The blade was peeking through too much and it was only a matter of time before she had to fix it.

She felt him place a cigarette between her lips, then lit it. They would always light each other's smokes, ever since they began courting it was a thing that had going on, small intimacies. Taking another drag she grabbed his chin, then blew the smoke into his parted chapped lips.

She was mesmerised when he exhaled.

But he honestly thought she looked even more beautiful with a smoke in hand, watching her cheeks suck in, showcasing the beauty spots that decorated her face. He counted every single one over and over again as he found solace in the tobacco. You have more smoke comin' out of you than a fuckin' train, Eden always joked, despite being the one to light them for him.

He smoked more than trains and she judged more than the police, he believed.

"What?" she asked.

They'd been sitting there for a few minutes, in silence, just listening to the sound of the trees blowing in the wind, the trimmed grass sway and the sounds of the horse's neigh. The drop in temperature had her shivering and Tommy wouldn't let that slide, so he took off his jacket and rested it on her shoulders, leaving him in a thick jumper with his shirt collars peeking through.

"You ready?" he asked, standing up and stubbing out the cigarette.

Eden scrunched up her face, "Do I have to go?"

He pulled her up, "Everyone looks more powerful sitting on a horse."

She scoffed, "Who said I was riding it?"

"Who said I weren't referrin' to myself?"

She groaned and shoved him to the side, he mimicked her groan, further aggravating her. Tommy and his impressions would be the death of her.

She gasped when they turned the corner, coming into the barn and seeing the dark brown trembling horse.

Curly and Charlie were nowhere in sight, it was only her, Tommy and the horse.

Oh fuck.

Tommy stepped closer, holding his hands up when the horse caught his movements.

Eden could hear the little cooling words Tommy spoke and she smiled, never seeing him in such a way. It was like she wasn't there, only him and the wild horse.

Gently grabbing the bridle, Tommy continued to whisper, rubbing its forehead down to his muzzle.

He cast a look to Eden holding out his hand, encouraging her to slowly walk towards them.

It was as if the horse could feel her nervousness and started stomping on the grassy floor, creating dents with his heavy hooves, driving her to a halt.

"Eden..." he whispered to the horse, "you're not scared of a pretty girl are ya, boy?" he motioned her to walk which she did, realising how big the horse was almost the same size as them which drove her nerves up the wall, "she's not gonna hurt you. You're not gonna hurt her."

Eden gulped when Tommy took her hand and carefully placed it on the horse's side, she was almost as apprehensive as the animal.

"See... there you go."

She heard Tommy's words as she kept touching the horse.

He smiled when her shoulder's dropped all the tension, though the look in her eyes told her that her fear wasn't gone, after all, it had been less than a few bloody minutes. He never had to search her eyes for meaning for too long.

Eden's eyes doubled in size when she realised that Tommy had let go of her hand and taken a few steps back.

"Gosh Tommy," she whispered, "Look."

A smile graced his lips at her excitement.

"I can see darlin'."

"Have you decided on a name yet?"

"I talked to Curly and Charlie...Curly wasn't too happy but he's lettin' you name him."

She gasped softly, not wanting to scare the animal that wasn't shaking as much any more.

"Really?"

"Yeah," he said, smiling and coming back to them and rubbing down its back. "You're a natural, not even freakin' out anymore."

"Shut up, I didn't freak out."

"Oh really? The bit of piss on that haystack over there –"

She gasped and extended her leg to kick him.

He dodged her attempts, softly chuckling at the glare in her eyes.

"Y'know, he never likes to be out during the day," Tommy commented, remembering when the horse acted as if the sun burnt him whenever it touched its skin.

Eden hummed, and then something came to mind, "Shadow, he should be called Shadow."

"Shadow, and why that?"

"He hides from the sun, ain't that what shadow means?"

He didn't really know or care, he just loved how she looked, whispering to the horse she claimed to be afraid of, only took a few months, and he promised that he would change that and did, well only a little bit.

"Whatever you say, love, whatever you say."

—

The day was coming to an end and the moon would soon be in their sights, no doubt her mother would send Isaiah to look for her since it was a Sunday, she couldn't be missing Sunday dinners, Polly was the same.

The couple left Charlie's yard after Tommy told her the time.

Walking along the cobble streets she was still slightly in shock.

It was the first time she'd been anywhere near a horse, let alone touched one. Sure she saw the Shelbys throughout the years ride them through the streets, but it stunned her to see how large they were up close.

"Are you gonna tell me what's going on in your head? You seem off," she asked, walking along the lane.

"Nothing was wrong."

"Sure?"

"I'm sure, just wanted to spend time with you, is that a crime?"

"It is, if I was out for another hour, mum would've killed you," she said, coming to her front door.

They only lived a few houses apart.

"You said she loves me."

"Sometimes."

She laughed when he nervously ran a hand through his raven hair, it was fuller on the sides and needed to cut it off soon.

"So... since you say you ain't mine, some random toff's girl, can I still steal another kiss?"

"A toff? You think that low of me?"

"Never."

She pressed a chaste kiss to his lips, drawing a smirk from him.

His fingers trailed over them, remembering how they felt against hers. 

"Until we meet again love."

"Yeah yeah, get lost before my dad comes out with a shotgun," she said, taking off the jacket on her shoulders and giving it back to him, even though he believed it looked better on her.

"Wouldn't want his only daughter being led astray by a gypsy would he?"

"Too late for that now."

As soon as she shut the door behind her, she smiled to herself and took off her shoes, placing them by her parents.

She could hear them faintly as she walked in.

"Still saving lives?" she heard her dad say to her mum.

"Still making things?" her mum joked.

Nurse and carpenter they were and have been for 19 years. Celestine and Cecil Dawkins had been happily married for 20 years, the same couldn't be said for half the city.

"I'm home!" Eden screamed on purpose, startling her parents, her mother almost dropped the plate of mash over her father who was sitting at the table.

"And now the whole street knows that," Celestine remarked, then received a kiss on the cheek from her daughter.

Cecil chuckled, "No doubt Mrs Granberry across town can."

Eden rolled her eyes, "Mrs Granberry can get fuc–"

"Watch it," her mother warned, just as Cecil laughed with his daughter, who pressed a kiss to his cheek.

Cecil was a tall and tough man who would do just about anything for his girls, his darker skin would lead him to trouble which he never caused, the same couldn't be said for Celestine who was a lighter complexion than her daughter, the woman wasn't much taller than Eden, and looked great for forty.

Cecil turned to his daughter, "How was work sweetheart? Still savin'–"

"--Lives? No Dad, a patient succumbed to his wounds today," Eden admitted, taking a seat and not looking at her parents who were sending her pitiful looks.

"Sorry to 'ere that," her dad reached over and grabbed her hand, "why don't ya give our girl an extra piece of lamb," he asked Celestine who nodded.

"Here you go, need you to be in better spirits for tomorrow. Don't fret my girl, it happens to the best of us," Celestine remembered all the times when she couldn't save a patient, it occasionally took a toll on her.

"Thanks, mum," Eden forced a smile, then went to eat, but her mum slapped her hand as well as Cecil's.

"Ay, you may not come to church or even say your daily prays but you will wait to say grace at this table before you start stuffing those bellies of yours." 

"Sorry mum," she muttered.

Cecil winced, "Sorry, love."

"And you young lady, where were you? I expected you to help me prepare the table," Celestine pointed the sharp knife at her, making her inch back in her seat.

"Next time I won't be late I promise," Eden spoke, avoiding her mum's piercing look.

"And since you grabbed for your fork first, you're saying grace."

Eden groaned, "Mum."

"Did I stutter?

Grabbing ahold of her parent's hands she sighed, "Alright alright. Dear God..."

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a/n:

just to reiterate, tommy is 22 and eden is 20. the shelby business had only been running for 2 years (i searched up when it started but it wasn't clear online, so I'll make it headcanon for this story). also, tommy might seem much more smilely and open and less cold and that's because he hadn't been to war just yet, none of them have, so everything in this story is much lighter, but that doesn't mean there aren't any future problems, because tommy's jealousy is a mean thing.

you'll meet more oc's throughout the next couple of chapters and even the other canon characters as well. hoped you enjoyed the first chapter guys.

also imma include as much horse terminology as i can, (tryna remember my saddle club days). also since i'm writing about the roma/ romani culture please correct me on anything (beliefs, sayings and more)

tommy and eden ship name?

[saintsir4n]

TOMMY SHELBY STORIES

Despite me writing a Tommy shelby story, I generally believe that his stories can’t have much of a happy ending.

Since I stated I was going to write one, uploading TikToks about it and even spoke about it on my conversations wall, people asked me whether or not I’ll make him cheat or just hurt the reader in any way.

I immediately said no to the cheating as I think there’s ways to create angst in a story and cheating is one of those unforgivable acts especially in stories and I never understand why people write it in unless they allow the LI (tommy) to suffer consequences by making the reader eventually leave him. Majority of stories don’t, they subject the reader to disrespect of the highest regard and we as readers just have to go along with it.

I mean no disrespect to writers who do so, it’s just tiring to read as well as disheartening as it gets to the point that many readers get attached to the character and feel their pain.

So when I was planning my Tommy story I was thinking about all the ways he would and could hurt my oc (Eden Dawkins) and considering his flawed nature, there are many. Eden is a young black nurse from Small Heath, why? Because nursing was a prominent profession especially back then and was fairly easy to get into. She’s black because I am and there is a very big absence of black original characters in peaky blinders stories and I’m tired of rereading the same ones.

Already Eden and Tommy will be subjected to prejudice, because of their pairing and their backgrounds, her being a black woman and him being from Irish and Romani traveller parents. So that is a big factor in their relationship.

Another being. Tommy is an ambitious man, and as he said as well as others, “he has no limitations.” He doesn’t, well apart from his family and the love he has for them.

But considering that this story is set before the war, his ‘worse self’ as I like to call it, hasn’t kicked in. The fact he was living with ptsd and survivors guilt after the war and he already viewed himself and the others he survived the war with as dead and everything else was simply “extra” he just kept going into he reached the top and even then he didn’t stop.

So how I’ll write Tommy, the Tommy before the war, the one that smiled and wanted to work with horses, I’ll still incorporate his desire to push his family to the top, to crawl out of the hole that is small Heath, all whilst in a relationship with my girl Eden.

The problems in their relationship will revolve around his communication issues, jealousy and possessiveness. Now Eden is forgiving, but she won’t forget. It’s impossible for her since his misdeeds will prominent and cling to her like a leech. As will her insecurities and how they will prevent her from being all in when it comes to Tommy.

Being with someone like Tommy isn’t for the faint hearted, she knows what she’s gotten herself into and won’t forget all the sacrifices she’ll have to make in order to keep up with the unstoppable force that is the blue eyed devil.

But then again, he’s the Tommy before the war…

How bad can he be?

a/n:

Check out “until we meet again” on my wattpad

[saintsir4n]

UPDATED MASTERLIST

STARTED: 04/04/2023

A DARK TWISTED FANTASY 

Blurbs/ Headcanons:

Hand Kisses

Jealousy

Blood

Fluff:

Affection 

Pretty boy

Give me what I want

I want you

Mikaelsons go abroad 2 3

Smut:

Champagne

Three’s a crowd

Angst:

I’m tired 

I miss you

Bro

Teasers:

The full moon

Natural Order

A New Beginning 

ADTF TRAILER

Opinions:

Marriage in ADTF

Writing POCs into period pieces

Damon Salvatore

Problems with tvd

Bonnie Bennett’s Style

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN

Blurbs/ headcanons:

Fluff:

Smut:

Angst:

Teasers:

Wattpad Story link

Opinions:

Tommy Shelby stories

Writing POCs into period pieces

Story:

Prologue cast list 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Epilogue Bonus chapter

THE MIDAS TOUCH

Blurbs/ headcanons:

Fluff:

The wedding

The reunion

Barbenheimer

Angst:

His Relly

Teasers:

Opinions:

[saintsir4n]

New story out now

[saintsir4n]

7

WARNINGS: PANIC ATTACKS, MENTIONS OF DEATH AND ILLNESS

___

1914

EDEN had forgiven Tommy.

But she hasn't forgotten, why? Because she doesn't have the memory of a fucking goldfish, all his misdeeds were prominent in her mind and she wouldn't forget, nor could she.

As time passed, Tommy gave her a few lessons with a gun and if she could at least shoot straight, he would ensure she carry it for protection whenever he wasn't around, despite her yelling that he wasn't her knight and saviour.

But the thing was, Eden, couldn't use a gun to save her life.

Tommy stood behind her, whilst Eden held the gun with her healed hand. Her finger curled around the trigger just as his hand moulded around hers for aid.

"Just like that. Just shoot at the bottle," he whispered to her ear, smirking at her shudder and blush at their proximity.

She missed completely, shooting in the opposite direction.

"Eden, what the fuck?!" Tommy shouted, though, thoroughly amused by her lack of aim.

"You told me to shoot."

"At the bottle, not the bloody sky!"

So instead he gave her a knife, which he bought a while ago, and even scratched 'S' on the handle. He wanted to see if she could manage a weapon.

And yes she could.

How Eden was so good at handling a knife was a mystery to everyone. Still, Tommy believed it was because she was so efficient with a needle, her fingers were nimble, rarely callous like his and his brothers, but it was only a matter of time before they would match theirs.

As of late, she strapped the knife around her garter, so all it took was one tug and she could slice the flesh of whoever threatened harm.

Looking down at the babe in her arms, Eden thought about all the things that could drive someone to harm another, what age did it start, the violent tendencies, and what was installed in them or were just born that way? How could something so adorable, so fragile, grow up to do the opposite?

"You're a natural with gettin' her to sleep," Martha commented, sounding exhausted and looking it too, "Katherine does my head in half the time, must get it from her dad."

Eden chuckled, still not taking her eyes off little Katie, "Indeed she does."

"What tune were you hummin' Edie? Need to learn it if that's all she responds to."

"You've got milk in your breasts all for her to consume, of course, she's not gonna sleep with you teasing her with it," Eden joked, "and I was only hummin' some old lullaby my mum used to sing, couldn't sleep without it or I'd be up for days."

Moonshine Tonight, was the lullaby that she also heard Jeremiah hum to Isaiah whenever the nutter kept him up at night, she even had to sing it to him whenever Finn had their shared toy, but luckily her father gifted him a new one.

Martha unclipped her hair, letting it roll down her shoulders, "Teach me it will ya?"

"Of course."

Eden stared at her friend. Martha was a natural stunner, with long brown hair, gentle hazel eyes and a shy smile. Pregnancy changed her body, widening her hips and growing her breasts. She was gradually losing the baby weight, even though Eden didn't see why she had to so quickly, but what society says, goes. Unfortunately.

Katie looked more like her mother than her dad, inheriting her dark hair and eyes, but everyone could see the teasing glint in them whenever she was being difficult, much like John.

"You thinkin' about havin' one with our Tommy?" the Shelby woman asked, smiling softly at her daughter yawning in her sleep.

Eden flushed at the thought, "It's only a been a couple of months since we've been seein' each other."

Martha giggled, "For you, he's been seein' you in his dreams for years."

Eden smugly smiled and innocently shrugged at her remark. Many people had told her that he's been obsessing over her for years despite never saying a word, only looking in her direction whenever she visited, but she felt his soft stares turn to glares when she walked the streets with a Changretta by her side.

"Shelby boys and their women," Martha chuckled, "we're right lookers ain't we?"

Eden winked, "You could say that again."

Martha slowly got out of her chair and came over, "Let me put this little one down, I'll be upstairs if you need me."

Eden already missed how Katie felt in her arms, now looking up at the mother-daughter duo. Martha was truly glowing, motherhood suited her so well, it was only a matter of time before she had a few more.

"I'll be up to check on the boys, all that sugar they won't be waking up for a few hours," the Dawkins girl said softly, sitting back in her chair.

The last time she checked, Isaiah and Finn were resting in John's room with sugar and powder decorating their faces.

Martha shook her head, "It's all those sweets, you spoil 'em."

Eden bashfully bowed her head, "They flash those toothy smiles and I'm grantin' wishes."

"Change that soon, or you'll be giving 'em that throne the King sits on."

Eden made a face, "With his health, won't be hard to."

Martha softly chuckled and left Eden to pick up her book and begin to read, getting lost in the pages, and the imagery, leading her to the fantasies that were between the words she took in.

She often pondered if she could make something up like this if she could make a piece of work so enticingly special or if she would be able to keep her name on the cover or change it to appeal to the masses. E. Dawkins... potentially E. Shelby, with the way Tommy persisted.

She was so engrossed she didn't even hear Tommy walk into the room. He leaned against the door, watching her, seeing the small smile that graced her rose-coloured lips and how her eyes lit up whenever she turned a new page. Hearing from Martha how she took care of his little niece he couldn't help but picture the family he wanted to start with her, how she would look with his child in her belly, nurturing and growing until it finally pushed from her womb.

What a mother she would be.

Finally feeling his presence, she smiled up at the man who strolled over to her, "Tommy, thought you were out all day, did something happen, Arthur get into another scrap? I'm all for stitchin' 'im up but bein' your designated nurse is fuckin' tiring."

He chuckled, "'M just hear to see you darlin'," he pressed a kiss to her lips, then another and another, missing her taste and her touch, "you missed Martha pinchin' my sides."

She teasingly pulled away from him, "And whys that?"

Crouching in front of her, he murmured, "For upsettin' you, know there's a whole league of your defenders after me when that happens."

"Be aware of my soldiers," she playfully pushed his chest, extracting a laugh from his lips,  "wanna read with me, it's a good book."

He picked it up, careful not to let go of the page she was on and looked at its contents, Peter Pan by J.M Barrie. Three years since the book was published he was sure of it and wasn't surprised that she let herself get caught up in the tales about the mischievous bandit. He was a reader, not as much as his woman but he liked to read, mainly about horses, but poetry caught his eye also.

Tommy turned to her with a strained expression.

She caught how each time he smiled or laughed, it never reach his tiresome eyes. Something with wrong, he even physically looked weak.

So she folded the corner piece of the page she was on, taking it from his grasp and settling it down on her lap before cupping his face.

"What's wrong handsome?"

He didn't bother to fight the heat creeping up his face at the compliment, too tired by the news he had received.

"Let's go on a walk."

He stood up and held out his hand for her to take, she accepted it and smiled.

"Yeah, a walk would be nice."

—

Eden quickly lit a cigarette, after seeing his fingers wrinkling together, itching to wrap them around the paper. The couple had been walking for a while, no destination in mind, but she followed his steps, waiting for him to unload the weight on his shoulders.

He spoke after taking a deep drag, "She's dying."

That stunned Eden, "Who?"

He looked away, "Greta."

Eden's lip's parted in shock. She blinked rapidly, wanting to come to terms with what she heard, it couldn't be right, could it? Maybe she misheard him, but no, the distant look on his face, teary eyes and clenched jaw told her all she needed to know.

Bringing her hands arms around his waist, she asked softly, "How?"

"Consumption." the disease of the poor, he was surprised that it hadn't killed off half of the lane.

"Oh, Tommy I'm so sorry."

He let go of the cigarette, needing Eden's comfort much more than a bunch of nicotine, wrapping his arms around her, tighter than he thought possible. Breathing the cedarwood she always smelt like, hoping that the scent would never be foreign to his nostrils, wishing it could soothe the embers burning in his chest, the pain storming his heart.

Losing one of his best friends was breaking him down, he wondered if he could ever recover.

"It's not your fault. Doctors say she's got a month at best."

He turned away from Eden, pulling out of her hold, still not wanting to come to terms with the hands on the clock ticking and taking away the life from Greta's eyes.

Eden covered her mouth with her hand, thinking back to the last time she saw the sick woman, it's a cold, the words echoed in her mind, rumbling like a train going through a tunnel.

"Tommy, why are you here? She's your best friend," she whispered, dropping her hand and coming up to him carefully. He shouldn't be here.

"I... Just... I can't look at her, not like that," she was pale and fragile, not like his Greta. His Greta was up and moving, lively and vibrant, nothing like the mummified woman he and Freddie saw earlier in the morning.

Being the ambitious man he was, Tommy didn't see much of Greta, over the last few weeks, he tried and always brought by pearl drops believing that her being under the weather was just that, nothing more.

"She needs you," Eden uttered.

"I need her alive but where's the good in that? She's fuckin' fallin' off this earth every day and I can't do a thing to stop it."

She placed a hand on his shoulder, "It's a disease it's not in your control, or anyone's."

"You don't think I know that?" He instantly regretted snapping, after noting the frown on her face, "Sorry."

"Don't blame you, I would be on edge if it were my best friend, god forbid," she shook the thought from her mind, "what about Freddie? Where is he?"

"Gone home, he didn't say anythin' to me, nor her, he just saw her... like that and umm, left."

"He's scared."

Tommy tried not to roll his eyes at what she said, knowing she was attempting to confront him, but in turn, he was growing angrier, his best friend was dying for Christ's sake.

There really ain't a God in Small Heath.

"I knew she was sick," he turned back to her.

Eden hummed, "A cold right?"

"She tell you that?" he recalled Eden mentioning how they talked, women talk, no doubt about him and all the ways he fucked up when it came to girls.

"She looked pale when I saw her, like a ghost." her words had Tommy's face contorting.

"Why didn't you tell her to go to the doctor then?" his accusing tone had her taking a couple of steps back, wary of the crazed look in his eyes.

Eden's head hung low, "I did Tom, she's stubborn, she kept sayin' it was a cold."

"Should've forced her," he mumbled rubbing his chest, "should've forced her."

Snapping out of his trance, he turned around, realising where they ended up... the cut, the last place his mother was alive, the last time she took a breath, the last time he had two parents.

Eden gasped when he drew for breath, fighting for air to return to his lungs like some invisible force was snatching it away. His clasped hands rested on his head as wheezed.

"Tom, you need to focus on somethin', shit," she grabbed him, desperately looking around, hoping no one was around to see his vulnerable, knowing it would hate it if he could breathe. "You need to focus on...fuck."

Tears pooled in his eyes, at the thought of losing his best friend, all the moments they shared, all the years they had together were now out of reach and she was given a month, a fucking month left to live as if she wasn't at the pinnacle of health only months before. She was fine or was she? Why didn't he see it, why didn't Eden see it? No, it's not her fault, he thought... it's him, he truly believed it was his.

"Focus on me alright Tom? On my face, my eyes, look, don't think for a second. Just keep lookin' at me, keep your focus. Like you've got those fuckin' blinkers on. Just like a horse."

Those words seemed to click in his head, "Horses."

But instead of looking at her face, his eyes were drawn in by the black Madonna around her neck.

"Right horses, you love 'em," she expressed, rubbing his face. "Wanted to work with 'em since you were a boy, you did."

"Horses yeah horses," he kept breathing out, with his eyes fluttering shut.

Eden brought him into a soft embrace, "Nothing else."

He choked back a sob, "Nothing else."

"Nothing else, my love."

▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃

a/n:

jennifer jones as 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗮 𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗯𝘆

decided to keep greta's consumption in the story, especially because it's canon and although it's upsetting i do believe her death had a big role in his character and will do to his and eden's relationship in this story.

also, i hope no one is too upset with how i wrote tommy's panic attack, i know everyone's experience is difference, i was just going off my own. wanted to tie in how much he also sees himself in horses, and the fact that eden knew how to bring him out of his head by mentioning them.

[saintsir4n]

4

___

1914

BEING a nurse was harder than Eden thought.

It'd been two years since she started at the hospital and because her mother was a matron, they rarely worked with one another.

Instead, she regularly saw a sea of white long gowns, that never stayed white for long.

She was exhausted, but she promised Tommy a date and she always came through on her promises.

So she told him that she would meet him by the bridge not far from the canal, knowing he would wait all day outside her house as if he didn't have a job of his own. God that man knew how to obsess over things, sometimes she didn't know whether or not he wanted her or loved her.

She would drive herself mad trying to understand the mind of Tommy Shelby.

Coming up to the canal, she removed her bib and placed it into her purse and discarded it, not wanting to be covered in any more bodily fluids since there was a cold going around and she heard that Ada and Finn already caught it, she'd been working hard to prevent it from spreading, but it was inevitable.

Eden already dropped some soup off at Dorris' since her mother was under the weather. Luckily Eden's father brought a new bedframe by the Martin's home so Dorris could have a good night's rest.

Eden tugged on her coat as she neared the spot, she was surprised they were having a date there because that is where Tommy, Freddie Thorne and Greta Jurossi hung out and sometimes even just Tommy and Greta.

Eden couldn't help but feel a bit uncomfortable whenever she heard that they were alone together, away from the prying eyes of Birmingham. She's a friend, was what he always said in response, but she never truly believe it.

Putting aside those feelings, she took out her miniature mirror and checked her hair she had curled using a hot comb, but it had unfortunately gotten slightly messy because of the caduceus she wore.

"Fuck," she quickly moved some strands and applied the red lipstick she took out.

Smacking her lips, she put away the mirror and rolled her eyes at the passers-by.

She internally smiled at the thought of seeing Tommy, it even made her heart skip.

Readjusting her coat for the second time she rounded the corner, coming closer to the bridge.

But when she saw something, Eden's head spun.

The sight she stumbled upon had her rapidly blinking.

It was Tommy and Greta...

Hugging under the archway.

He whispered something in her ear, making her laugh and push him away.

Eden narrowed her eyes when Tommy playfully nudged her to the side.

The two friends were brought out of their bubble until Eden stepped closer, the sounds of her shows slapping the cobblestones made them turn towards her.

Greta immediately waved at her, though her smile faltered when Tommy grinned. Eden forced herself to wave back at the Italian woman, whose alluring eyes and winning grin made pretty much anyone flock in her direction.

Quickly saying goodbye to her best friend, Greta went the opposite way, revealing the picnic laid out by a table that was dragged there by the Shelby man.

"Look at you," Tommy was quick to pull Eden in, wickedly racking his eyes up at now her appearance, oh did he love her nurse's outfit, similar to how she adored how effortlessly he wore a suit. He locked onto her red lips, even biting down on his, trying to stop the impending thoughts go straight to his slacks. "Bet your patients loved this eh?" he asked, trying to sound more jovial than irritated, but she read him with ease.

"Yeah whilst they were throwin' up on me, they were really captivated by all of this–"

He smashed his lips onto hers, silencing her sarcasm and drawing her in. Her hands latched onto his lapels, while her purse dropped near the picnic table. He cupped the back of her head, careful not to mess up hair her, God, he knew better than to move a strand out of place and that he needed to control himself. He wanted to just show the effort he went through for her, but she looked so... riveting.

Just as their tongues lapped over one another, he reluctantly pulled away, leaving her to wipe away the lipstick from the corner of his lips and he did the same for her, despite how much he wished he didn't.

Her breathing went back to normal, but he took a little while longer, causing Eden to realise how worked up the man was. It'd only been a day or two since he told her about their impending date, whilst she invited him into her house so he could apologise for being so aggravating. He sure was on his knees for most of that...discussion.

"Here you go," he picked up the flowers he picked from some florist Polly forced him to go to after he just said he would pick them out of Mrs Granberry's yard, "remember you sayin' you liked flowers that grow in the cold, 'cause–"

"--if they can survive English weather they can survive anything." she grinned at the primroses he gave her. "They're beautiful Tommy."

"Glad you like them," he watched as she smelled them, then turned to see the picnic setting,

"Like it? Etta helped set it up, didn't want me to tell ya though," he asked, picking up her purse and nodding over to the table, full of some fruits, some sandwiches he made under Polly's guidance, some squash and even her favourite cake.

"She helped?" Eden tried to not sound too irked by the mention of the woman who was only heard a couple of moments prior, she's his best mate, just like Freddie is...but why wasn't Freddie there also?

Tommy beamed, "She did, so you like it?"

He made sure to help her down onto the stool that was next to his, even pressing another kiss to her hand and winking went she sat down, causing a blush to kiss her already heated cheeks.

He slowly pulled the table in front of them, hoping the checkered cloth he borrowed didn't shift because that was all he needed. Then he took the flowers and set them down, so she grab whatever food she wanted.

Eden nodded, smiling when she noticed her treats, "I like it Tom, you even got my favourite cake."

His smile widened at her squeal, "' Course, I did."

Her brows suddenly furrowed, "But the bakery it's in Little Italy?" and the Shelbys tended to stay away from there.

"And don't I know it? Told Etta to get it."

He asked his best friend to get it for him because it was close to where she lived and he wanted to avoid getting a mean bruise just before his date with Eden. Even though it was a quarter piece of cake and he spent more than five bobs for this - usually for a couple of pennies he could get it half anywhere else - but for Eden, he spent it because she deserved it.

He didn't see her smile slightly falter, "Oh, that's lovely."

"Your hair is curled." he noticed, smiling and hoping he didn't say the wrong thing.

A chuckle escaped her, "Like it?"

"Always," he responded in a slight daze, before nodding to the table in front of them, "Tuck in, want me to tell you 'bout my day?"

Reaching for the slice of cake she nodded, "Yeah."

So he did, informing her how he and John took little Katie to the Garrison because she wouldn't stop crying, even rubbing gin over her gums when they noticed she was teething and that's what worked with Ada and Finn. shortly after he mentioned Shadow and how doesn't shake as much anymore, but he occasionally does when they have to remove his shoes.

He was adamant about her telling him about hers, so she did, even letting him know that the cold that everyone seemed to be getting was merely seasonal and nothing harmful, only a few could risk something far worse if it wasn't treated. She informed him that another one of her patients succumbed to their illness shortly after they were admitted, and he tried his best to comfort her.

He brushed off the crumbs around her endearing lips as she relaid her day, drawing a begrudging smile from her when he consumed some.

Eden quickly realised that he wasn't eating, he smoked more than ate she thought, but he prepared a spread for them and he hoped he would have at least something.

"Have some Tom, you said you didn't eat much today."

"Already ate earlier..." he quietly admitted, noting her narrowing eyes.

"With Greta?" her tone lowered.

"Yeah, just before she helped me set this up."

He caught tensing of her jaw, which confused him.

Soon Eden turned away from him, placing down the cake, making Tommy question if he did something wrong.

"What?"

She waved him off, still avoiding his eyes, "Nothing, keep telling me about Shadow, does he miss me?"

Grabbing her chin, Tommy made sure her eyes were on his, "Eden. Don't, don't do that."

"Do what?"

"What's the matter?" he didn't understand why she was off with him now.

"Nothing."

Groaning, he let her chin go, "Here we fuckin' go."

"What?" she asked, recoiling when he huffed.

"Tell me what's wrong. Is it the flowers? they'll die soon but I'll just buy another."

"It's not the flowers they're lovely," she replied, itching to scratch at the skin around her nails out of pure discomfort.

"Spit it out, I don't want the date ruined because of your mood," he said, finally having enough.

She tossed her arms up, "Fine. Do you like Greta?"

"What?" his sudden laughter made her turn and get up, but he pulled back down before she could, "Come here, I'm laughin' because I was shocked alright."

"Answer the question," he raised a brow at the seriousness of her tone.

"Fuck, I don't like Greta. Why do you think I do?"

"You're close," she stated like it was obvious.

"So you have a problem with me being friends with a girl? But I can't with you and Enzo?" he asked, starting to get more and more frustrated.

Eden averted her eyes at his point. Enzo wasn't interested in her or any girl for that matter, but she couldn't tell Tommy that, that would go against their friendship and she wouldn't risk that, not even to win some stupid squabble.

"That's different," she mumbled, earning a scoff from him.

"And why is that? You keep saying it's different but it's fuckin' not."

Tommy disliked Enzo for a multitude of reasons, one being the fact he was a link that would always pull Eden back to Luca and the thought of her being in proximity to her ex-boyfriend drove him to tug at his hair and reach for a shotgun.

Eden shrugged, "It is."

His nostrils flared, "Is it, fuck."

"It just is. Forget I ever asked you," She said, returning to the food and nodding, but Tommy wasn't having it.

"You want me to be more open and you won't be," he stated definitively, much to her annoyance,

"I am," she lied.

"It's about communication Tommy, you have to communicate," he mocked her by imitating her voice and Eden couldn't help but laugh.

She shot him a glance "I don't sound like that."

"Sure you don't," he playfully rolled his eyes and tugged her closer, softly grabbing the back of her neck, "I don't like Greta, because I fuckin' love you."

Her mouth gaped open at his confession, he said what? She blinked a few times, to try and come to terms with what he said, even her eyes darted all around to make sure she was really there. Tommy caught her pinching her arm a few times and he thought it was adorable.

"You what?" she whispered.

He let his emotions show, usually, he would trace the words over her hands without her noticing but he wanted her to know.

"I was gonna write this down, Pol was gonna make it look all fancy but –"

"You love me?" she asked again, wanting to hear it roll off his tongue.

"That I do," he answered, swiping his thumb over her cheekbones, feeling them grow as she grinned.

Wanting him to repeat it a few more times, Eden played dumb, "What?"

"have gone deaf or what?"

"You love me?"

"I love you," he confessed again, slightly growing nervous when she wasn't returning the sentiment, nevertheless he grabbed her legs and placed them on his before his hands dropped to her sides, gripping her waist after she's snaked around his neck, despite the table sides digging into them.

"Why?"

"Why? Fuck sake, why? Because you make my fucking head spin Eden Dawkins that's why."

Butterflies took flight in her stomach. Her nerves were all over the place, just like his.

"And that's why you love me, how's that?" she teased, despite herself.

"The bloody thing hasn't spun before, my heart beats faster with you, told Pol I thought I was having a stroke and she laughed at me."

She feigned offence, "So Pol told you that you loved me?"

"Now you know no one can tell me to do or say a single thing that I don't wanna do."

She clicked her tongue, "Except for Polly."

"And you," he murmured, pressing his head against hers.

"And Ada... Greta..."

"Eden it's you. I love you, gonna make me lose my mind if I have to explain more, now are you going to say it back or what?" he asked, impatiently.

Her happiness was undeniable.

She launched forward and pressed her lips to his.

Tommy cupped the back of her head, feeling everything all at once, all the love, affection and care spread over his body as he held his woman in his arms. He never looked at a girl the way he looked at Eden, he didn't think it was possible, knowing that never once had he ever been in love before, despite what he claimed to his past flings. He knew she looked at him with the same adoration, even how her brown pools glistened whenever he neared.

Eyes never lied.

Eden felt like crying when she felt all the tingles shooting down her spine.

"I'll take that as yes, you love me?" he mumbled against her lips.

"I love you, Thomas Shelby," she giggled when he gulped at the sentiment spilling from her lips, "Cat your tongue ay? When have you ever been speechless?"

He said nothing and instead pressed his head to hers once again, breathing in the anaesthetic on her clothes and the cedarwood emitting from her neck, my haven. In all honesty, Tommy was surprised her could confess his feelings without needing a glass of whiskey. Deep down he knew Eden was better than him, that she deserved better than him but he was selfish and he wouldn't let her go, he would be an idiot if he did.

"All those days goin' to church finally workin'."

"You prayed f'me to be with you huh?"

He huffed out a chuckle, "Is that a problem now, like some sort of a curse?"

"Blessin', it's a blessin'," she quickly corrected himself.

"I'm a blessin' am I? I would say it's the other way around, you're a haven you know that?"

She playfully shrugged, "I've been told."

"Well not by me you 'aven't, so I'm telling you, mark my words... you Eden Mary Dawkins are my fuckin' Haven."

She sniffled, "Oh, Tommy..."

"Wait a second would ya?" He said, pulling out a box from his pocket, drawing a wide eye expression, "It's not a ring, not yet anyways," he chuckled at the relief flooding her face, "somethin' I think you'll like more but just wait."

"O-Okay." her heart was hammering against her chest.

Swiping a cigarette against his lips, he waited for her to light it, which she did, before he blew out a large cloud of smoke, that drifted away like the water in the cut.

"Listen, I've got you somethin' and it's special, it's an heirloom alright?"

"Then what are you givin' it to me for?"

"Because you, my darlin', are my future, so when we go off and get hitched, you'll pass this down to our kids and so on."

Her eyes glistened, "Tommy...I... what is it?"

Taking another drag, he placed the box in her quivering hands and once he threw an arm around her shoulder, making some of her nervousness fade.

She opened the box with one last look at him before a gasp escaped her lips.

"Pol saved a bunch of things of mums, made sure we never touched 'em and she was right to keep them away, they would've been fucked in seconds if we got over hands on anythin' like this."

Eden hadn't taken her eyes off the necklace of the black Madonna. The dark features of the virgin Mary holding a baby Jesus. When she was younger she was told by her godfather Jeremiah how the black Madonna could grant special blessings when she was evoked by prayer. Now she wasn't religious, and Tommy knew that, but to him and his Romani culture, the Black Madonna had other great significance even going back to the tenth century.

Tommy continued to explain, "It's the Black Madonna, for protection, Mum used to wear it before she had Finn, and when she stopped, she got bad, sick, never left her bed until..." Clearing his front he moved on, "Ada had no interest in it," and she told me to give it to you. "Wanted you to 'ave it, somethin' pretty to go with that pretty neck."

Growing up as travellers, his parents were on the road until they finally settled in Small Heath, but that didn't stop the trouble following them. Polly told them it was part of them, that they would always be at a disadvantage until they did something about it. The betting shop was only the beginning.

"Tommy," she choked back a sob, getting his attention.

"Yeah? You don't like it."

"Me likin' it ain't the matter, it's beautiful, I bet your mum did it justice," she said, her thumb stroking over the metal.

"That she did." he put out the rest of the cigarette.

"I can't accept this," it was far too special to her and although she knew they were in love, she didn't think he would give her something like this.

"You can and you'll wear it," he wiped away the tear that escaped her eyes as he left no room for argument. Plucking it from her hands, he gently placed it around her neck and smiled, it looked perfect to him, "there you go."

"I'll never take it off then," she promised, glancing down at the necklace.

"You better not," she detected the seriousness and slight fear in his voice making her nod.

She allowed him the rest of her cake, whilst she ate some berries. He glanced at the necklace a few times, since it hadn't been worn in years, it would just take him some getting used to.

"Good?" she asked, noting him enjoying the taste.

"See why you like it," he muffled.

"You never told me your favourite flavour of cake y'know?" she paused, "just so I know for your birthday."

He smirked, "Ain't it obvious?"

"What is it?" she leaned forward, wiping the crumbs from his lips.

His eyes glimmered with lust, "chocolate."

Eden rolled her eyes and tried to turn away from his piercing stare, "Don't look at me like that," but he grabbed her face, staring deep into her eyes which made her sheepishly laugh. "Christ Tommy, stop."

"Why would I when you look like that?"

Ignoring his compliment, she shook her head, "I can tell what that look means."

"And what does it mean then?" he teased, cocking his head to the side.

"You know what, but if you think we're 'avin' sex here, you're out of your mind."

"You think I would strip your clothes where anyone can see you? See my lady, you're out of your fuckin' mind."

"Oh, that's right I forgot how much jealousy is confined to such a small frame," she blurted out.

He scrunched up his face, "I'm not jealous – wait a minute did you say small?"

"My short man," she poked his cheek and attempted to escape his grasp.

"Eh? The fuck did you just say? Eden, come here!" he pulled her back in, "I'm short, is that what you're tryin' to say to me? Well, I'll let the whole Lane know which short man's name you love to scream and moan, I'll do it."

"Go ahead, I'll wear like like a badge," she said, getting up in his face, "you're mine just as I'm yours, Tommy Shelby."

"Got that fuckin' right."

He did not doubt that because he thought now they were in love, it would make things a little bit easier.

"That I do," she tried to imitate him, even lowering her voice, earning a deadpanned looked from him.

"I don't sound like that."

"You do," she nodded.

"Let me stick to doin' voices, whilst you save lives, deal?"

"No deal, but there is one more thing I wanted to ask you."

"What?"

"I want to learn how to use a gun, properly."

He snickered, "Bout time you asked, whole of Birmingham knows you can't shoot."

"Oh fuck off."

—

"You love me..." Eden spoke to Tommy now they were back at his home, luckily John and Arthur were at the betting shop, Finn was over at the Jesus', Martha had taken Katie to her mother's and Ada was helping Polly with food shopping. "So you're goin' to get up and dance with me."

Tommy ran his hands through his freshly trimmed hair, he had the sides shaved for the date, despite Eden liking it grown out. Now that they were inside their coats were off, his cap was on the table and their shoes by the door.

Eden skipped across the room, pulling out the gramophone that rested on the side of the living room.

Tommy prayed no one came home at this very moment.

"Now you have to ask me," Eden insisted, turning to him when My Heart Still Clings to You by Albert Ketèlbey started to play much to his chagrin. Tommy wished he took a hammer to that thing years ago.

Truthfully he hadn't danced with a woman he loved since his mum.

He huffed, "I don't dance."

Eden gave him a pointed look, "But you know how to, don't ya? Or should I ask Pol if she taught ya?"

Rising from the couch he shook his head, "Don't ask her."

"And why shouldn't I?"

"Fine let's dance," he took her hand and wrapped an arm around her waist, attempting not to feel her up, he was just too tempted.

She pouted, "Not until you say it."

"I know how to dance," a grin broke out on her face when he took her hand, "Come on you brat."

She smacked his chest, "Thomas."

"Sorry, I forgot to add 'beautiful' to that."

A smile graces her face, "Just how I like it."

"I bet you do," they started moving to the beat.

"But you still haven't properly asked me."

"We're already dancing," his words made her halt her movements and frown, "Miss Eden Dawkins, would you do me the honour of havin' this dance?"

"Yes, yes I will."

She dramatically gasped, taking his hand once again. Tommy couldn't stop smiling at her. He would only dance for her.

They swayed to the rhythm which caught her off guard because she was surprised he knew how to stay on it.

Laying her head on his chest, he began muttering things in her ear, making her laugh which in turn made him chuckle.

Moments like this mess were special to him and her.

In their hectic life, they rarely had moments that resembled peace.

All the noise that was Small Heath, the smoke and tediousness that came along with it.

They were so engorged in each other and the melody that had become their bubble they hadn't noticed the front door open.

"Oi John boy, little Edie's got Tommy dancin', she has!" A loud voice that belonged to none other than Arthur caused them to freeze.

"Should've locked that fuckin' door," Tommy sighed, resting his head in the crook of Eden's neck.

John came around the corner, laughing at the song playing, "Give him a minute he'll be skippin' and singin' songs."

"Don't you lot have anythin' better to do?" Eden groaned, turning in Tommy's hold and facing the smirking pair.

"They'll be dancin' in the rain next," Arthur joked.

Tommy glared, "Fuck off!"

John settled his gaze on Eden, "Aren't you a sight Edie, don't know what you see in my brother."

"Oi!"

"Well I'm with 'im," she spoke, grimacing at the way John was letting his eyes wander up and down her body, she could feel Tommy tense behind her. "and you have a wife."

John winked, "Not if you wanted a go."

Arthur shoved his brother backwards when he caught the glint in Tommy's eye after he moved around his girlfriend.

"Run Johnny!"

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a/n:

thought this was a cute little chapter for Tommy and Eden, despite the minor angst between the two. they are both jealous people, well Tommy more than her, but oh well.

i was looking long and hard for multiple meanings behind the black Madonna, if I made any mistakes just let me know, also the necklace does play a big part in their story.

[saintsir4n]

14

WARNINGS: MENTIONS OF VIOLENCE

1914

"FUCKIN' bellend," Eden stressed, pacing around the park.

Fortunately, only a few families were around, a few noticed and recognised her, even waved at the local nurse, before going back to pushing their kids on the swings.

Pulling out a cigarette, not caring that Thomas wasn't there to light it, she inhaled the tobacco, hoping it would settle her inner torment.

She never imagined that someone could have this much influence on her heart, let alone her mind.

"Why me?" she knew the answer because I let him in. Her amazing choice of men was going to be her fucking downfall. "Why couldn't I go for a church boy?" she questioned herself over and over again. "A small-town gangster, well done Eden." Enzo was right, "Should've just stuck to being alone." and at least I would still have my friend, "Was he even fuckin' worth it?"

With each drag her thoughts grew louder.

Deafening.

It would've been just her luck if she lost her hearing just from thinking about Tommy Shelby.

She loved him, but why?

Why's it so hard to let him go?

Since losing her closest friend she didn't know what to do. It was tough. Writing out her thoughts was worse. Half the time, she tore the pages out and burnt them, not wanting to be reminded of the torment.

"Thomas fuckin' Shelby," she muttered, annoyed by the thought of him, his big blue enticing eyes, his lips made her want to kiss him every time she looked at him and his cheekbones, his fucking cheekbones were just... "Fuck this."

Throwing her cigarette to the ground, she stomped it out and went on her way.

"Bloody men," she kept muttering, "short bloody men, like Thomas Shelby," she almost gagged at his name. "With an ego bigger than his height, a cock larger than his patience — should've binned 'im off a while ago."

She couldn't stop her fist from knocking on his door, she needed to get this out of the way.

"Christ Eden. Weren't expectin' you to come 'round so soon," Arthur remarked after opening the door.

"Where is he?" she didn't waste any time.

"In his room," Polly's head popped out from the kitchen, along with Ada who was eating, "Do give 'im a good tellin' off, he's doin' our heads in."

With that, she made her way up the stairs, disregarding the voices she heard from downstairs.

Eden was a woman on a mission.

A mission to humble Thomas Shelby.

She pushed open his door, not bothering to knock since he didn't deserve her kindness right now.

Tommy immediately sat up, ready to scream at whoever disrupted his quiet time. His gaze softened at the sight of his... well not his... Eden. He hadn't stopped thinking about their last conversation, it was far less destructive, but it still wasn't okay.

But when he noticed the irritated expression it made his joy fade. 

Tommy stood up, "Eden —"

"I've been thinkin' all day, walkin' 'round tryna organise the thoughts in my head," she began pacing in his room, even though there wasn't much space.

That seemed to concern him, "Walkin' alone. Were you alone?"

"Listen to me," she snapped, stopping in her stride.

"But —"

"Listen!"

"Alright," he gulped at her tone.

"You... you were disrespectful and rude to me. Your words cut deep, y'know that? I kept cryin' because of you. I shouldn't. You should know I deserve better. I could 'ave better and you're not special."

Tommy rubbed the back of his neck, "I know —"

"No shut up and listen," his mouth slammed shut, "If I choose to get back with you, it'll be on my terms. You talk to me like shit, it's done. You raise your voice, it's finished. You dare look at another woman, I'll chop your balls off and leave you bleedin' to death and won't think twice about it. You understand?" He started nodding quickly, but she was satisfied, "Say it."

"I understand," he rasped.

"Good. Now if you so much as think that you can dictate who I can speak to, I'll have you admitted, I can do that since my mum's a matron and all."

"I know," he surprisingly struggled to keep her unwavering gaze. Fuck, he was intimated by her... and incredibly turned on.

"Don't go thinkin' I won't end this, because I will. You want me, you love me so act right," She stated, narrowing her eyes when he shifted in his stance.

"I will," he promised.

"You already caused me a friend, a best friend, that you battered and bruised to the point his pretty face was unrecognisable. So I swear to the Lord almighty, if you fuck this up again, I'll have no problem lettin' this," she gestured between them, "go. I'm shocked I'm even 'ere and that I still 'ave feelings for ya after that and you cannot blame me for remindin' you of it every step of the way. And don't pressure me to do anythin' or be nicer to you. You want me, a bitch is what you're gettin' alright?"

"Alright," he nodded, rushing out, "and I'm sorry, I never meant to —"

"Yes I know, ruin a part of my life," she cut him off with a harsh glare that had him averted his gaze, "and you'll know I'll never forgive you for that, nor can I forget, but I'm stomachin' it because for some reason I can't let this be done."

I guess there is a God in Small Heath, his heart hammered at the words she spoke.

"Thank you," he didn't know what else to say, all he wanted to do was reach for her, have her in his arms again.

"Yeah, well I guess we'll see," she said with indifference, stunning him. The whole conversation had stunned him. "And don't ask me to put that necklace on until I'm ready. I'm not givin' into your charms."

Eden swivelled on her feet, not allowing him to respond, let alone reach out for her, which he tried to do. She exited his room, ignoring him trailing behind her and the amused looks on the Shelby's faces and left the house.

Standing on the stairs, Tommy gulped, raking his hands through his hair.

"She has you by the balls Tom," Arthur laughed, glad that he had a girl like Eden to humble him.

"Fuck off, at least she's back with me," Tommy retorted, coming down the stairs, "where's your woman?"

"Leave Arthur alone," Martha came out from the living room with John holding little Katie, "You're on probation."

"Only a matter of time before you fuck up," Ada mumbled with a piece of toast in her mouth.

A scowl grew on his face, "Right, Ada, come 'ere now."

The house quickly erupted into chaos.

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a/n:

eden needed time to gather her thoughts and set tommy straight. she won't forgive him for what happened with enzo and why would she? she's basically tolerating the situation until it hurts less. (something i've done many times unfortunately).

[saintsir4n]

10

WARNINGS: VIOLENCE, BLOOD AND HEARTBREAK

___

1914

"HAVE you written in that diary of yours?" Enzo asked.

Eden nodded, "'Course, can't go a day without it. Helps clear my mind."

Looping arms with her, he teased, "Loverboy upsettin' you again? Feelings mutual, that puttana gets on my tits," he continued despite her strained expression, "You heard 'bout a robbery a couple of weeks ago near Digbeth, Stevie's market stall was trashed."

"What?!" She turned to him in shock, stopping their movements m.

Enzo sent her a wry look, "Edie I love you, but you knew 'bout did it didn't you?"

She continued to shake her head, "I didn't know what happened."

Craning his neck to the side, Enzo took in her shocked expression and concluded that she was telling the truth. It wasn't like Eden would lie to him, he trusted her with his life, he really did, but he just didn't trust the company she kept and was very vocal about that.

Returning from a poor man's peace, he tried to keep his opinions to himself...tried. They instead talked about the plot of land she and her family owned in Jamaica that her mother had only recently inherited after her father passed. Portmore, it was beautiful and Eden hoped to visit soon because England was far too dull for her. Enzo said the same about Italy and even believed his true calling was leaving with his oldest brother and joining the rest of the family in New York.

Ah, their dreams kept them up at night.

"Now you do," he murmured.

"I'm sorry, is Stevie alright?" Eden felt extremely concerned about the man who always showed her kindness, even when it was least expected.

He slowly nodded, "He's making do, only a matter of time before there's a retaliation."

"Fuck," she breathed out, picturing the events that would play out if they didn't come to some sort of truce.

She felt even worse knowing that Tommy started it all because he discovered that Luca injured her, unintentionally but what did that matter?

Enzo's lips twitched, "Alls fair in love and war."

"Well, that's utter bullocks."

"Tell that to your diary."

"Fuck off," she playfully pinched him, just as he looped their arms again.

"Let me walk you home, tell you 'bout why you might not want to come down to little Italy any time soon," he advised, cautious of her safety and how his older brother would react to it, he said the same to Dorris.

"I'll come and visit you," she promised despite his precautions.

"Even bump into Mrs Granberry while you're at it."

Feigning offence, she gasped, "Never wish that on me. Take it back."

From the distance, an angry Tommy stumbled through the streets, after leaving the Garrison with many pints of beer and a few whiskeys in his system.

One week had passed since he'd seen or heard from Eden. Isaiah and Finn's birthdays came and went, and like twins, they shared the day. The junior bandits of the lane were six now and despite the celebration and the occasion Eden didn't speak to him.

Seven days of radio silence from the woman that took over his mind and stole his heart. Get lost, and she did. He wanted to go to her house but didn't want to risk running into her parents. He wanted to visit her job but it was too soon to be near any sick people. He knew if he asked Dorris to help him, she would just tell him to fuck off and Enzo wasn't a fucking option.

So as he stumbled down the lane, he tried focusing his eyes on anything, something that would calm him and settle the fury. 

And that's when he saw Eden Dawkins, in all her glory, giggling away, looking happy and healthy... but why?

He froze in his uneven stride when she saw the arms wrapped around her waist, tugging her body closer to the body of the man they belonged to.

Lorenzo fucking Changretta.

Nothing or no one could hold him back, he wasn't wearing rose-tinted glasses, but all he saw was red.

So he ran, despite his state, with one thing on his mind.

Eden's scream seemed to echo through the streets.

Enzo had been torn away from her and slammed on the ground, feeling nothing but sharp fists pound into his face, unrelenting and unforgiving.

Eden's gutwrenching screams just added to the noise that was in Tommy's chaotic mind.

With the blood spurting from Enzo's mouth and the bruises forming on his skin, the drunk Shelby didn't stop.

People peered out their windows to see the commotion, but quickly they drew their curtains fearing repercussions. 

"Tommy stop it please!" she screamed, feet clattering over to the pair, but the footsteps approaching made her stop, "Arthur!"  she yelled, thinking he would aid in rescuing her friend, but that wasn't the case. The oldest Shelby pulled her back, "Let me go! Enzo I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. Tommy got off of him!"

She writhed in Arthurs's hold, cursing at the wind, yelling at her boyfriend and praying that it would all come to an end.

"Tommy!" She heard Arthur's voice, it didn't sound nearly as discouraging as she needed it to.

"Why are you doing this?!" Eden finally caught the drunken Shelby's attention, he kept his hands on Enzo's capels as he halted his carnage.

"What was he doing with his hands all over you?" he demanded, tone thick with whiskey and rage.

"Talkin', just talkin' you idiot!" she cried, keep trying to pull away from Arthur.

"That's not what it looked like!"

"But it's what it was!"

He ignored her cries and turned to his brother, who wasn't as intoxicated but recognised his wild side taking over his younger brother, the blood staining his fists as the Changretta painfully sturred on the ground, calling out for help.

But help could not come.

Seeing the look in his eyes and him reaching for his cap, Eden thought fast, trying to not let her emotions take over but it was too late for that.

The alcohol in Arthur's system allowed her to strike his gut with her elbow, resulting in him staggering back and letting her go.

Both Shelby's blue eyes doubled in size and mouths let in a harsh breath as she retrieved the knife tucked underneath her skirt and directed it at Tommy.

The wind blew over the tense silence.

Tears streamed down her face, but her hold remained stern.

"Eden put the knife away, you're gonna hurt yourself, love," Arthur voiced, the sight sobered him up in an instant. If only John wasn't at the betting shop or at odds with Tommy, he would be here to help, no doubt he was making his way, "Put it down."

Eden looked terrifyingly beautiful even when holding a weapon, her hand wasn't trembling and that's what scared Tommy.

She was sure of her decision, despite the emotions coating her face, the anger and pain swimming in her brown pools, she was sure.

"You would use that on me for 'im?!" Tommy spat, glaring down at the groaning man who was in a pool of blood, "You would go against me... for 'im?"

Her emotions are running wild, far wilder than mine, his thoughts blared.

Blood thumped in her ears as she came stalked towards him, wanting him to back away from Enzo, her best friend who hadn't done a thing to him – not directly – Enzo was like her brother and had been there for her through her highs and lows, the man that encouraged her career as a nurse even when she was unsure and when she thought about writing, he made sure to get her a diary every Christmas.

Tommy's anger didn't subside, but his darkened eyes grew slightly lighter as if the guilt of upsetting her was flooding through, he drove her to this. Emotions clouded her judgment yet he was the one to drive her to this.

"You've gone too far Tom," she choked out, watching Tommy slowly stand up and come closer. 

"You crossed the line, Eden."

"You crossed it first, you were hurtin' 'im, why Tom, why were you hurtin' 'im? He ain't done a thing to you, not a thing, and you keep attackin' 'im. You realise by hurtin' 'im you're hurtin' me, or don't you care?—"

"Get outta the way, Eden!"

She shook her head and from the corner of her eye, she could see John run over, stunned by what was happening and coming to stand by his oldest brother who also reached out for her.

The cheeky Shelby man never thought a day would come when Tommy was rendered defenceless by a local nurse whom he called his friend.

"Edie... put it down," John tried.

Eden stared ahead at Tommy, "You don't care, do ya? He's my friend, no fuck that, he's my brother, I love 'im, and I love you but... if you come near 'im again, I'll use this," she held up the knife as her voice cracked, "I'll use it against ya, don't make me, please don't make me."

"Put it down Edie girl." John kept trying, before turning to his brother, "Arthur!"

"John, shut up," Eden yelled as her grip slowly weakened. 

"All for him?" Tommy nodded to the groaning man in disgust.

Eden's lip quivered, "You hurt me."

"It was for you," Tommy whispered, "All this was for you,"

"Put it down, love," Arthur said quietly, they all watched as she lowered the knife.

Letting out a sharp breath, John silently cheered but Tommy remained stagnant.

"There you go," Arthur went to reach for the weapon but instead she tucked it away once again.

Eden ignored the silent pleas emitting from Tommy's eyes and brushed passed him, rushing to her best friend.

There was a mean gash below his now bruised eyes, that fluttered open and shut. His lip was busted open, which slurred his speech. Blood was like a second layer of skin that stained his flesh.

She could hardly recognise him.

"Oh Enzo," she let out a soft cry.

"Just leave him—" John received a glare as she helped up her injured friend, who could barely see, let alone stand.

But the adrenaline coursing through her veins allowed her to do the heavy lifting.

"I'm so sorry," she continued whispering to the delirious man.

"J-just get me home," he groaned, spitting out more blood at the Shelby's feet.

"I'm sorry," she repeated, struggling in her stride.

The three Shelby brothers watched on, one in despair, one in bemusement and the other in heartbreak. But they all wanted to scream, you do not fuck with the peaky fuckin' blinders...but Eden Dawkins sure as hell did.

Still yearning for the light in her eyes, Tommy stepped forward, "Eden lets go. Leave 'im."

He didn't think she would stop, but when she did she let out a laugh, a laugh of disbelief that contained little to no humour.

"You ignored me when I looked after you and you think your claim over me is still strong? The cheek of you."

And just like that, she set him off all over again.

Tommy jabbed his finger at the Changretta, "The cheek of 'im."

"Oh fuck off Thomas. It's done — better yet," Eden reached for the necklace around her neck, earning shocked expressions from both Arthur and John, all while Tommy's face fell. She chucked it at the cheeky Shelby, knowing her...  ex-boyfriend wouldn't take it, "don't talk to me again."

Snatching out of his brother's hands, he stalked after the struggling pair, with purpose and pride.

"Put it back on now. Eden! Get back here now and put it on!" He yelled, but she didn't stop walking, even if her feet hurt, she needed to help her best friend, even if he wouldn't have any memory of it. 

"Don't speak to me like that! You can keep your fuckin' necklace! Stay away from me!”

"Put it back on!" His hoarse voice caused her to blink away more of her tears. She promised she wouldn't take it off, "You promised Eden!"

If John placed a bet on if his brother would ever get his heart broken, he would've bet against it but now, after seeing the torn and broken look on Tommy's face, he would be beaten. Both he and Arthur thought it was unnerving to see as were the tears trickling down their brother's perfectly shaped cheeks.

Tommy always thought he and Eden were made for each other, though, that didn't mean they were made to last did it?

She had always been daring and prideful, and that her rage would only need to be set off by a single match. 

....And Tommy just realized that he'd finally started the fire.

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a/n:

this is the end of the first act of until we meet again. how are we feeling? i mean our girl is calling him thomas not tommy so...

eden finally pulled out that knife and although she didn't put it to use (not really) she took a stand, by defending and protecting someone she loved against...someone she loved.

considering that tommy directly went to enzo (out of jealousy, resentment and more) instead of being sly about his attacks due to his drunkenness/ grieving, he's fucked up, on the biggest scale. eden went as far to give back his mothers necklace, is there any coming back from that?

also i took a lot of inspiration from an old film cillian was in called "disco pigs" it's on youtube and it's amazing but also very unnerving.

[saintsir4n]

12

WARNINGS: MENTIONS OF ANXIETY AND VIOLENCE

1914

LEAVING the hospital, Eden adjusted her uniform and gathered the rest of her things.

She muttered a goodbye and nodded to the other nurses around her, who returned the gesture.

Celestine came up to her and discreetly squeezed her hands, "See ya at home love."

All Eden could do was muster up a smile, further worrying her mother.

Pushing past the doors, Eden wasn't surprised when she met with a familiar face.

Polly Gray.

Not saying a word, she took the younger woman's arm in hers and guided her towards the Watery Lane. Eden remained unaffected as they walked side by side, arms clinging together and heels smacking against the cobblestones.

When people saw Polly, they briskly moved out of the way, clearing a path allowing them to walk by without any trouble.

Eden could feel the Shelby Matriarch studying her, the bags under her tired eyes, the lack of colour on her face and the absence of her signature red lipstick.

Although it wasn't allowed at work, she knew the Dawkins woman would be quick to apply it as soon as she stepped out of the doors.

"Where's that smile of yours? People will think I'm holdin' you hostage."

"And if they did, they wouldn't say a word, would they?" Eden's hoarse voice caught Polly off guard.

The walk from the hospital wouldn't take long but Polly had questions.

"What happened to ya voice?"

"I lost it," Eden answered keeping her gaze to the cobbles.

Polly wasn't satisfied, "How?"

"Couldn't find it this morning," or in other words, she spent her nights crying.

"Enough with that cheek," Polly's stern voice caused Eden to sigh, "Tell Aunt Polly what's wrong."

Giving in, Eden stated, "Your nephew for starters."

"Gonna have to be more specific, can't be poor Finn who's got your voice sounding like Arthur's," Polly quipped, then received a sarcastic smile.

"Why, thank you."

"I've got just the remedy for the attitude and ya soar throat and no need to worry, no one's in."

Eden felt slightly better after hearing that, "That's a first."

"Oh, don't I know it."

—

"You know how exhausting it is to be Eden Dawkins?"

Polly stared at the Dawkins nurse, who was sitting on the couch, feeling nothing but empathy as she put down a cup full of honey and lemon for her to consume.

"How 'bout you tell me then, you've been silent since we've walked in," Polly retorted, leaning back in her chair with her cup of tea which had some whiskey in it. "It's worrying y'know? You're always talkin'. If it's not 'bout your books that you have your head stuck in, it's to do with your work."

"Not just those two," she murmured, before taking a sip of the drink, that soothed her throat.

"Oh right, can't forget that chocolate cake you're always obsessing over." Polly has heard countless times about how much the chocolate cake from the market down in Digbeth was one of her favourite things in the world.

Eden suppressed her smile, "It's nice cake."

"Believe me, I know," Polly said against her cup.

"You always know."

Raising a brow, Polly asked, "Tommy tell you that?"

"John did, Finn too," Eden replied, dismissing Tommy's name.

"My bloody nephews, but they're right, 'cause Polly Gray always finds out. Now why have you got the size of the Garrison under ya eyes?"

Eden let out a deep sigh, "You know why."

"Of course I know, I want to hear it from you," Polly noted each time the nurse shifted in on the couch.

She looked anxious or was it irritant?

"Thomas," Eden begrudgingly answered.

Polly hummed, "Stirrin' up trouble is what he does."

"I know."

Pursing her lips, Polly added, "And you knew that before you started messin' with 'im."

A bitter laugh escaped Eden, "So it's my fault?"

"Never said that so don't go puttin' words in my mouth," Polly warned, then took another sip of her tea.

"Then what you tryna say? I should expect 'im to make me cry, batter my friends if they get too close, make a scene?" Eden pressed, tilting her head.

"Yes."

"Wow."

Polly watched Eden subdue her simmering her rage by drinking, giving her time to explain.

"Because he's a man. Men kick, scream and shoot and as a woman, we clean up their messes, 'cause  if we didn't the world would fuckin' burn."

Placing her drink down, Eden asked, "And what if I want that?"

Polly was caught off guard by her question, "Then you're just like Tommy."

Eden couldn't scoff quicker, "I'm nothin' like 'im."

"Actin' on emotions, waving weapons 'bout like it's a bloody flag and kickin' and screamin' like you're hairs on fire?" Polly listed, smiling when Eden tensed up, "Yes, I heard all 'bout the incident, I was there when the truce was decided," Polly tried to not sound too amused, "few people have pulled a weapon on my nephew, think you're the only one he was afraid of when it happened."

"He's not afraid of me," Eden didn't think that was possible, she wasn't much to be scared of.

"Oh he is, come on Eden use that big brain of yours, he's scared, not for the reasons you think."

Disregarding her statement, Eden decided to ask, "Do you think women have to clean up after men?"

"We do because we have something they don't," Polly informed, putting her cup to the side

"Balls?"

Polly chuckled, "The ability to keep going."

Eden averted her gaze, "Sometimes I don't think I do."

"You do," Polly spoke with a hint of admiration.

"How do you do it?" Eden turned back to her,

There were days she just wanted everything to stop and she was barely an adult. Wondering how she would continue was a question she asked herself every time she got out of bed.

"Five children wouldn't 'ave been fed, cleaned and clothed if I didn't," Polly said sternly, then looked to the floor as a flood of memories breached her mind.

Memories of children, her kids, running up and down the lane along with her wild nephews and little niece, Arthur tossing little Michael out of the window and John putting him into a shoe box and kicking him up the lane, all while Tommy sat and chatted with little Anna. A smile wanted to form on her face but she wouldn't let it, because that's all that it was, memories, the past, even though she wanted it so desperately to be present.

Searching her dreams every night she prayed she would never find her children.

And if she did, she doubted if she could go on.

Straightening up her back, Polly looked at Eden.

"Before you two fell out –"

"-- Broke up –" Eden's correction fell on deaf ears.

"-- did Thomas say things when he slept?" Polly wondered, confusing the nurse.

"We haven't been together for a minute Polly," Eden answered, starting to think why she allowed the Shelby matriarch to bring her here, she should've gone home, considering it was almost five in the afternoon and she'd been working for nine hours.

Christ.

"Answer the question," Polly demanded in a light tone.

"I don't remember," Eden wanted to groan at the pointed look she received, "Fine he used to mutter and twitch in his sleep whenever he dreamt."

Polly's eyes grew wider, "Did he say what these dreams were about?"

"Polly..." Eden sighed, knowing that she would've given up, God these Shelbys are relentless, "he never said anything, but I heard him mutter stuff."

"What stuff?" Polly was now leaning forward, gesturing for her to go on.

Rubbing her forehead, Eden tried to remember, "Rokker I think, same three words, karo I think... fee or fi and nova?"

"Kařo, fi, nivă?" Polly corrected her with perfect pronunciation.

"I think so. Why?"

"Tommy and his dreams." Glee danced in Polly's eyes and Eden didn't understand why.

"I suppose."

"Remind me to read your tea leaves next time you're round," Polly didn't leave any room for argument.

Eden slowly nodded, "Okay."

Polly thought back to the images she saw whenever she stared at her second oldest nephew, A little girl with russet skin and sapphire eyes running through the fields trying to get to a large horse with a woman chasing her, both were happy and both were smiling.

It was similar to when Marta got with John, only with John she imagined a whole vardo full of children.

Kařo, fi, nivă. Horse, girl, field.

Polly was delighted, so very delighted, but the sombre look on Eden's face made her shake the thoughts... For now.

She wanted to get down to the issues at hand, wanting all the chaos to be put to bed.

"He doesn't trust me," When Eden spoke, emotions coated her voice.

Clanging her nails around the arm of her chair, Polly spoke softly, "He sees things like objects, if it's not his, he wants it and when he gets it, he tends to not let it go."

"Great so I'm a fuckin' toy to 'im," Eden didn't mean to snap.

"Watch that tone with me," Polly warned, seeing the regret in the younger woman's eyes, "and to answer your question, you have to show 'im why you're not a toy."

"If I forgive 'im," Eden pointed out and quickly shook her head at the look she got.

"Eden."

"Please don't say it," Eden whispered, looking down at her hands, trying not to pinch the skin around her fingers.

"I'm tellin' you this 'cause I know our Tommy, he has this essence... this potential that will bring something to this family, my family, the family I know you'll be part of someday. So you're gonna forgive 'im, Eden Dawkins."

Her shoulders slumped as she glanced up at the older woman, "Polly... what he did to my best friend --"

"I know what he did, forgivin' him don't mean forgettin', believe you me there's a huge fuckin' difference."

Eden sighed, recalling that Greta said the same thing to her not long ago, but she wondered, if she ever did something to hurt Tommy, would he forgive her?

"But--" she was cut off by the sound of someone storming into the house.

Tommy was quick to lean against the frame of the front room door, eyes zeroing the brown-skinned woman who looked away and sighed. He attempted to not let his eyes wander over her uniform, but it was so hard.

Polly sat back, feeling the tension rise in the room, Eden's hurt demeanour immediately morphed into crabby.

"Your mum said you were here," Tommy finally spoke, shooting a look at his fascinated aunt.

Eden's head snapped toward him, "And how would my mum know that?"

Tommy's eyes softened at her sore, just as he was about to ask what happened to it, his aunt interrupted.

"I told her, caught Celestine on her lunch break, " Polly informed, unaffected by the scowl on Eden's face.

"Right."

Tommy couldn't help but snicker at his ex-girlfriend.

"What's so funny?" Eden grew aggravated, by his presence, his eyes, the way he looked good leaning against the door frame.

"You can come to mine, but I get kicked out if I step a foot in yours?"

Eden was quick to nod, "Pretty much, yeah."

Tommy stepped into the room and asked, "What happened to ya voice?"

Eden made a face, "None of your business."

"It is my business, you're my business," he argued, eying her.

Polly scoffed at the pair, believing they thrived off arguing. Eden challenged Tommy in ways she hadn't seen before, it was annoyingly entertaining to watch.

Eden rubbed her temples, ignoring when he checked the cup she was drinking, instead, she faced Polly once more.

"I haven't got the energy to argue with 'im," she gritted out, disregarding the mirth swimming in his eyes.

"And you think I do?" Polly retorted.

"You've been doing it for twenty-two years."

"And you'll be doing it for twenty-two more."

It was Eden's turn to scoff, "Not bloody likely."

Polly snorted at the glare Tommy sent her.

"And what's that supposed to mean?" he asked, sounding irritable.

She gesticulated, "We're not together anymore."

"Y'sure about that?" Polly mused, eyes flickering between the bickering pair.

"I'm sure," Eden said just as Tommy countered, "She's not sure."

"Pol," Tommy sent his aunt a pleading look, for her to leave the room, which she didn't take note of, so instead he turned back to Eden in defeat, "Has Changretta talked to you yet?"

"And why would you care?" Eden used her anger as a facade.

Enzo hadn't responded to her letters she ended up writing as Dorris informed her that he didn't want to see her just yet.

"You said he hadn't before," Tommy continued, unaffected by her attitude, just curious if they were in contact. Judging from her appearance, she hadn't been getting any sleep and he knew he was one of the reasons for that.

Folding her arms, she glared up at him, "And I bet you're loving that."

"Fuck sakes Eden."

"What, you are, you hate whenever I was with 'im, even though were just friends."

"Bet he hated that," Tommy's tone lowered, much to the women's annoyance.

"Blind as a bat, you are Thomas," Polly spoke, fully amused.

Tommy ran his hands throw his hair, "I don't need it from you, for the tenth day in a row Pol."

"Just friends or at least were," Eden sounded very hurt.

"Wouldn't be any more than that, the boy isn't interested in little Eden over here, or any other girls if you must know."

Polly's words stunned the ex-couple.

"Polly!" Eden screeched, jumping out of her seat.

"What?" she recalled the day she saw Enzo heatedly staring at some boy in the market she visited one day.

"You can't just go 'round saying that," Eden was too busy stressing out, she didn't account for Tommy who continued reeling at his aunt's statement.

"Tommy hasn't got an issue with someone's sexual orientation do ya? Or I haven't rasied you right," Polly noticed how confused and surprised his nephew seemed.

Tommy's eyes flickered between the two women, knowing what was said was true, which only meant that all the times he suspected the was something going on between Enzo and Eden, or that Enzo wanted Eden, all the touches, hugs, cheek kisses... they were platonic, they were just friends.

And he assaulted Lorenzo Changretta for no reason, none at all.

"It's not right, to just say somethin' like that Polly, he wouldn't want that," Eden eventually settled back into her seat, fiddling with her hands as Polly rose from her chair.

"Now you, my dear nephew can cut that poor boy some slack," she nudged Tommy onto the couch, "I'll leave you two and go and start on our tea."

The door shut.

Eden gulped, too busy thinking about how Enzo would react to his secret being exposed, would he blame me? What if he thought I told everyone, he would hate me even more.

Tommy's eyes never left her, her anxious fingers beckoned his hand to soothe and calm her as she did for him, but it was too soon. Far too soon.

So taking out a cigarette, Tommy begrudgingly lit it, hoping she would've done it instead, but no. It was the closest he'd been to her in days, her body screamed for him to hold, caress and worship. His lips yearned for hers, just like his every being craved to be with her all the time.

Oh, how he could not be in love with Eden Dawkins.

"Changretta likes blokes," he said as the smoke escaped his lips.

Eden's jaw clenched, "Don't, Thomas."

"He doesn't like girls," he spoke aloud, coming to terms with the fact.

"Can't believe Polly said that – or told you, Enzo could get killed for the speculation," Eden stressed, turning to him.

"She won't tell anyone."

"And will you?" she asked, earning an offended look, "what?"

"I'm no grass," Tommy took another drag, "and I'm not gonna judge 'im for having a preference."

"But you battered 'im, Thomas," Eden rushed out.

"I was wrong about that. I know he doesn't fancy ya now."

"So if he did, it would be fine," she sneered.

He rolled his eyes, "That's not what I'm tryna say alright?"

Her jittering hands caught his eye, he offered her the cigarette and surprisingly she took it, and quickly inhaled the tobacco.

Tommy watched the smoke drift from her lips and up to her nose in awe.

"Do you think I would care that he fancies men?" he questioned, senselessly shifting closer.

"I don't know."

"He can stick his cock anywhere as long it's not you," he muttered thoughtlessly.

Eden grimaced, "How romantic."

Tommy hastily pulled out the necklace again, earning a groan from Eden, knowing what he was about to say.

"Put it on."

"You can keep the necklace, my neck is doing fine without it," Eden sassed, knocking the ash into the ashtray he brought to her.

"How It's bear?" he stressed, eyes dropping to her neck.

"So what?"

"You kept the journal," he remarked, annoyed that she wouldn't keep the necklace.

She shrugged, "You left it at mine."

"You didn't have a problem putting the necklace back in my pocket," he pointed out, nevertheless, his nervousness was getting to him, "I was impressed."

"'Course you were."

"Just put it on," his throat was starting to get dry.

"Why?!" she yelled.

"So you'll be safe alright?!" he yelled back and it was then that Eden noticed the worry in his eyes, "I need you to be safe so put it on, can't have anythin' happenin' to you because it's not on your person."

"I'm fine," she said, tone softer than before. 

Tommy shook his head, "Please, just keep it on you even if you don't want to wear it."

It's because of his mum, Eden recalled all the times Tommy told her why he believed his mother took her own life and the fact she took off the necklace was one of them. Fuck.

Eden swallowed the not forming in her throat and looked at the necklace in his hand as she put out the rest of the cigarette.

"Please..." she heard him whisper.

"If I put it in it means you're forgiven."

"It means you put it on."

"I'm not putting it on," she said calmly, seeing the emotions flood his eyes, "You can't force me, I'll do what I want when I decide, not you."

Eden coyly looked up at him as he reluctantly placed it back in his pocket.

He wouldn't be able to breathe steadily until it was around her perfect little neck and she knew that she's not forgiven you, she's nowhere close.

"Thomas..."

"Tommy," he tried to get her to say, but she wouldn't.

"You said I make your head spin," she said calmly, recalling his past words.

"I wasn't lyin'. You make my head spin. That's good,  I can't stand the silence," he spoke reassuringly. "The last thing I want is silence."

Eden nodded, "Right."

"What happened to your voice?" he had to know.

Eden softly shrugged, "Lost it."

"Couldn't find it this mornin' ey?" he joked, nearly putting a smile on her face, "how did you lose it?"

"Cryin'." she told him, his amusement faded, "just for a few nights."

"Because of me?" he dared to ask, seeing her lips move hesitantly.

"Yes, and other reasons, things that have been on my mind for a while."

Enzo, he knew she wanted to say, only causing his guilt to spread.

Tommy placed his hand on top of hers, seeing her fingers twitch in anxiousness, but moved away.

"Come to my room – no funny business," he promised after catching her eyes narrowing, "I need to tell ya somethin' — please Edie, won't take long."

There it was again, Edie, he said it for the second time, almost to compel her to agree.

And she didn't.

"Say what you wanna say 'ere, the doors shut, only your aunt's in. I'm not leavin' this room."

She stared at him, waiting for what he was going to say.

"You never let me answer your question y'know," referencing their last sorrow-filled interaction, "Why I won't let ya go. I'll tell you why. I spent days sittin' on Shadow — he misses you —, anyways, when I'm riding or even trotting through fields, needin' to find the highest place in Birmingham, to reach the highest sights so I can look over everythin', be above everythin', like a King. And once I found it, the highest place in the city all I could think of was you. You being beside me... sitting in front of me on that horse overlookin' the city like a Queen, my Queen. That is why I stay with you because that's what I see in you, I won't stop. I treated you like shit and I'm sorry, I can't take it back no matter how much I wish to. And I know you don't think so, but I trust you, with my life and in our relationships. Now, since you're a Queen I'll get down on my knees to prove to you how sorry I am."

"You'll get on ya knees?" she asked, completely choked up from all he said, his dreams, and aspirations all included her and she didn't know how to feel or what to do.

She started the day, no way close to forgiving him, but his speech made her want to, just a little bit. 

"For you, I will," he promised, already thinking about getting down on his knees for her.

"Do it."

As soon as the words were spoken, Tommy lowered himself to his knees in front of her, stunning her.

"I was right to prioritise you," he continued, "if its time, love and effort you want, I'll give it to you. I know I'm not a patient man, not always, but I will be I'll try to be alright. Can't happen overnight burn I promise it'll happen."

He waited for her to say something, anything at all, but nothing came.

It drove his nerves up the wall.

"You owe me nothin', but I want this to work. I can't apologise to Changretta because the truce won't let me onto his territory, not for a while, but if you ask me to do anything else, pride aside and all, I'll do it. Tell me what you want love."

Eden didn't know what to say... its a first and she knew it.

There were a lot of things, he had to do for her to willingly get back with him, but there was a list of things she needed before she agreed to anything at all.

So she said,

"Time Thomas," she said definitively, "that's what I need."

He smiled,he'd guess that was progress.

"Then it's time I'll give you."

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a/n:

polly highkey just outed enzo... christ. (the way ada did the same in canon to her friend james) i was going to say "back then" but now even now people get killed for not being straight or cisgendered.

everyone wants eden to forgive tommy as if he hasn't hurt her and its tough because wherever she goes a shelby will be there. just wanted to highlight the lack of options most women had back then, they just had to deal with their issues privately and just had to keep going. eden is clearly struggling but is expected to bounce back. polly wasn't trying to dismiss her feelings but she was basically saying what's expected of her.

don't worry tommy hasn't been forgiven just yet, which is why I didn't let her put on the necklace, i mean i would never get back with him after he put hands on my best friend, but eden's not me.

[saintsir4n]

CAST LIST:

EDEN DAWKINS

𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲

introducing...

esther anderson as 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘄𝗸𝗶𝗻𝘀

sidney poitier as 𝗰𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗹 𝗱𝗮𝘄𝗸𝗶𝗻𝘀

lena horne as 𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻

walter chiari as 𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘇𝗼 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗮

gina lollobrigida as 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗮 𝗷𝘂𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶

(rest of the peaky blinders cast as their respected roles.)

warnings: swearing, anxiety, racism, classism, sexism, misogyny, smut, violence, substance abuse, blood, trauma, death

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a/n:

before anyone asks, there will be two separate acts for this book but each will only be around ten chapters and will be average length.

this story will contain eden's relationship with tommy and all the angst surrounding that, his jealousy, lack of communication skills and overall tommy shelbyness. you will also see eden and her various friendships and even past relationships that cause more drama for her in the future. as it is set only a few months before the great war, not all canon characters will be included, especially characters like may, grace or alfie. just making that clear because I don't want people complaining that they aren't included despite me explicitly stating that and the story description says it also. however there will be mentions or foreshadowing of people like michael grey as it is part of polly's character and she does have a close relationship with my OC, however, he will not be seen.

updates will be normal for each part until they are finished and then I will take breaks to sort out the future of the story.

in this story, (after the prologue) the ages will be loosely mentioned so if you forget just asked. finn and isaiah will be five, ada around fifteen, john is twenty (like eden), tommy is twenty-two and arthur jr is twenty-five/six.

the lack of OCs of colour especially for peaky blinders books stresses me out and leaves me only to read the same ones with the same face claims over and over again. I have mentioned a few on my conversations wall or even recommended my favourite ones in my reading list however I just grew tired and wanted to write my own tommy book and strictly wanted to stick as close to his character as possible, especially with how he was before the war. Since many people claimed how different he was, I'm going to do my best to show how I imagine him Pre-war.

there will not be any cheating in this fic as i believe angst can be created around his character without it. plus I wouldn't allow eden to stay with him if that was the case. (however, characters like john are known to cheat so of course that will be implied)

just to reiterate, this story will be taking place a couple of months before ww1, so obviously there will be a mention of most of these issues.

follow my tik tok guys (post edits about my stories) @saintsiren.wp and wattpad @-saintsiren

hope you enjoy.