#Modern Tommy Shelby x Female Reader

[ryuzakemo128]

Incorrect Quotes - Peaky Blinders au (Part One)

Characters used: Alfie Solomons, Thomas Shelby. Plus Red (Female Reader)

(Part One / Part Two / Part Three / Part Four / Part Five / Part Six / Part Seven / Part Eight / Part Nine / Part Ten )

(Divider by this person here )

Red: Hi. Alfie: Hey, did you do what I said? Did you tell him? Red: I did. Alfie: And what did he say? Red: “Thank you.” Alfie: You’re totally welcome. What’d he say? Red: He said, “Thank you.” I said “I love you” and Thomas said, “Thank you.”

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Thomas: Due to personal reasons, I will be fucking sinking to the bottom of the ocean in a large metal box. Alfie: Did Red say 'I love you' and you said 'Thanks'? Thomas: THE REASONS ARE PERSONAL–

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Red: Thank you all for coming. Thomas, wearing a hospital gown: When I heard you couldn't get laid, I dropped everything and came straight here. Red: Well, I couldn't imagine anyone else being part of the "Fuck A Task Force". Alfie: Yeah, I interpreted that in a different way.

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Red: Wait a minute, how did this happen? We're smarter than this! Thomas: Apparently, we're not.

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Thomas, hungover: Please tell me I'm imagining that I claimed I was king of the ducks. Red: I would, but then I would be lying to the King of All Ducks.

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Red: Thomas, I rebuke thee! I rebuke thee! Thomas: Rebuke? Is that a word? Red: You have all invoked my fury! You will all pay recompense for your transgressions! Thomas: What, you got like a word-a-day calendar or something?

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Thomas: Ah, Hello again. We really need to stop meeting like this. Red: Maybe we would, if you would STOP BREAKING INTO MY FUCKING HOUSE!!!

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Red: Thank you for not saying "I told you so." Thomas: When you’re as right as I am, you don’t have to say it.

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Thomas: I am an expert at identifying birds. Red: Okay, what about those ones flying over there? Thomas: Yeah, they're all birds.

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Red, dramatically: They called me a fool. Thomas, sick of Red's shit: They weren’t wrong.

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Thomas, texting Red: I’m a theif. Red: Thief. Thomas: Theif. Red: I before E except after C. Thomas: Thceif. Red: NO.

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Thomas: You know, when I first met you I thought you were a real bitch. Red: What changed your mind? Thomas: Oh, I still think you're a bitch. I've just grown to like that about you.

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Red: If it pleases the court I would like to say that my opponent is TALKING SHIT! Thomas: ...

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Red: Just be yourself. Say something nice. Thomas: Which one? I can't do both.

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Red: Thomas, fuck off. Red: And by "fuck off" I mean "fuck off right back here and listen", you insufferable prick.

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Thomas: *is visibly upset* Red: Thomas, what happened? I haven't seen you like this since you found out Candyland wasn't an actual country.

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Thomas: You’ve got to learn to love yourself. Red: But don't you hate yourself. Thomas: Yeah, but this is about you. Stay focused.

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Red: Can I have some? Thomas, mouth full of cheesecake: It's really spicy, you wouldn't like it.

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Thomas: Red... you've been cuddling with me for over an hour now. Red: *muffled* mm hmmm :) Thomas: Fuck. I should be annoyed but you're adorable.

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Thomas: Uptown Funk would've made it into the Shrek Soundtrack. Red: That's the truest statement I've ever heard.

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Thomas: I've met a lot of pricks in my time, but you, Red, are a fucking cactus.

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Red: Hey Thomas, can you give me the opposite of these words? Red: Always, Coming, From, Take, Me, Down. Thomas: Never, Going, To, Give, You- Thomas: The fucking satisfaction.

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Thomas: What happened?! Red: Do you want the long version or the short version? Thomas: Sh-short?? Red: Shit's fucked. Thomas: Okay, long. Red: Shit's very fucked.

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Red: Hey, Thomas. What kind of flowers do you prefer? Thomas: I like sunflowers. Red, pulling out a bouquet of Venus Flytraps: Well, shit-

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Thomas: If I had a face like yours, I'd put it on a wall and throw a brick at it. Red: If I had a face like YOURS, I'd put it on a brick and throw a wall at it.

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Thomas: The saying “it is better to beg forgiveness than to ask permission” no longer applies to Red.

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Red: Thomas, you love me, right? Thomas: Normally I’d say yes without hesitation, but I feel like this is going somewhere I won’t like.

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Thomas: What happened to your nose? Red: I used it to break some guy's fist.

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Thomas: Hey. Red: Hey? Thomas: I can't sleep. :/ Red: I can. Goodnight

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Thomas: Hold on, I can explain! Red: Really? Can you now? Thomas: I can if you give me a minute to think of a convincing lie.

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Thomas, after getting a job as a life guard: Hmm... I wonder what those things at the bottom of the pool are.. Red: THOSE ARE PEOPLE DROWNING!

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Thomas: *fast-forwards all the way through the movie* Red: You can't just skip to the happy ending! Thomas: I don't have time for their problems.

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Red: Why are you always trying to aggravate me? Thomas: To relax.

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Thomas: FUCK THE CHAIR. PARDON ME FOR MAKING MYSELF COMFORTABLE DURING A SINCERE HEART TO HEART DISCUSSION WITH A DEAR FRIEND IN NEED! Thomas: BUT THE TIME HAS COME FOR ME TO CEASE STRADDLING THIS DEEPLY OFFENSIVE PIECE OF FURNITURE! AWAY WITH YE, FOUR LEGGED TEMPTRESS! DISTRACT US NO MORE WITH THE MOST BASIC AND UTILITARIAN FORM OF COMFORT YOU SUPPLY! Red: Thomas just threw a tantrum about a chair. Red: I just won Thomas Tantrum Bingo.

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Thomas: My life is a mess. Red: Thomas relax, go get a beer. Thomas: I don’t want a beer. Red Who said it was for you?

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Thomas: A decision had to be made. Red: And you fucked it up!

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Thomas: Though I admit I don’t know much about you, I am feeling pretty confident in my assessment that you are probably some sort of sick deadly fuck. Red: Who told you my secret?

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Thomas: You’re mean! Red: You’re meaner! Thomas: Yeah, well, you’re ugly too! Red: You’re uglier! Thomas: You’re a dumbass! Red: You’re a dumberass! Thomas: You think “dumberass” is a good insult!

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Thomas: Please say words of encouragement to me so I don’t murder someone right now. Red: There are no books in prison. Thomas: *sighs* Thank you.

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Thomas: Are you drinking enough water? Red: Sometimes my tears get in my mouth.

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Red: Thomas, you need to react when people cry! Thomas: I did. I rolled my eyes.

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Thomas: I think this might be a bad idea... Red: Don't start thinking on me now!

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Red: Bottling up negative emotions is bad for your health, so you shouldn't do it. Thomas: I know, that's why I bottle up all my emotions, both positive and negative, so it cancels out. Red: Th-that's not how that works-

[all-mirth-no-matter]

Time After Time | Chapter Fourteen

Pairing: Tommy Shelby x Reader, Tommy Shelby x Original Female Character

Summary: Startling revelations ensue after drinking the tea. While you wait for Tommy to return, Benji comes in search for another date. Ada takes you shopping for a new dress to wear to the races.

Warning: language, slight supernatural (kinda?), harassment (not anything explicit but not fun), less tommy in this one but promise next chapter will make up for it!

ao3 link | catch up on tumblr here

Chapter 14: Raise Hell

I found myself an omen, and I tattooed on a sign. I set my mind to wandering, and I walk a broken line. You have a mind to keep me quiet, and although you can try. Better men have hit their knees, and bigger men have died. 

It came upon a lightning strike, and eyes of bright clear blue. I took that tie from around my neck, and gave my heart to you. I sent my love across the sea, and though I didn’t cry. That voice will haunt my every dream, until the day I die.

— Raise Hell, Brandi Carlile 

The tea cup landed on the rug with a soft thud, the hot liquid spilling at your feet — though you couldn’t feel a degree of it. 

Your mouth gapped open at the sight before you — your mother, sitting on the rug across from you, her legs crossed same as yours, as she smiled at you. 

“This isn’t real,” you whispered, still too surprised to move, your heart racing. 

Your eyes searched over your mother’s features, looking for some hint of something fake to indicate the trick that was being played here. 

But there was your mother — as plain as day. There was no otherworldly glow or translucent quality. She looked solid, wearing the same kind of modern shirt and jeans that she would have been wearing back when she was alive, looking very out of place against the 20th century backdrop. 

The only difference between the person in front of you and the memory of your mother was the smile on her face. 

“Real is quite relative, don’t you think, Y/N?”

Her voice sounded the same as well, if not maybe stronger than it had in her last handful of years. 

Instinct to combat your mother reared its ugly head as you scoffed and responded involuntarily, “Quite relative to whether I’m hallucinating or dreaming, sure.” 

Your mother chuckled, “I’ve missed you, my darling. We have so much to talk about.” 

Swallowing, you accepted that whether dream, hallucination, ghost, or indeed real, you’d done this for a reason. You’d been given this opportunity by the Delphi for a reason. It was now or never, and you couldn’t let a little thing like freaking out over talking to your dead mother stand in your way. 

“Do you know what’s happened to me?” you asked, feeling yourself sit up a little straighter. 

Her smile fell, eyes moving around the bedroom before landing back on you, running down the clothes you were wearing. “The curse. It finally came for you, too.” 

“Too? Are you saying—“

“Yes. I too was pulled from my present and into the past. As was my mother, and her mother, and her mother before that.” 

You couldn’t believe it. Of all the things you had expected, this hadn’t even crossed your mind. “How far back?” you wondered aloud.

She shrugged, “Centuries, I suppose. All the first born daughters of this cursed lineage. Cursed to know the future, because it’s our past.” 

So that was the schtick, you realized. You couldn’t predict the future, but you could recall it from a past that hadn’t happened yet — as long as you’d been paying attention. Your mother’s insistence of learning history now made more sense. 

And yet, there was still a big question, one you asked aloud, “Why?”

“I don’t know. That is still a mystery.” Your mother dropped her head slightly out of shame, “Even in death, I’m still searching for answers.” 

I curse you, Cassandra! The voice from your dreams echoed through your head and a crazy realization hit you. “Who was the first?”

Your mother swallowed. “When you were born, I saw a vision of my daughter. A woman who would know the future, just like I did. I heard the whisper of a name. It should have been a warning, but I was under a lot of drugs and hormones and thought the name was pretty. So did your father. We already had your first name picked out so on the spot agreed to name you Cassandra. I had no idea it was the name of our matriarch — of the first to be cursed.” 

“So it’s true, we come from the original Cassandra of Troy?” Your mother nodded and you shook your head. “But that doesn’t make any sense. Say the stories are true — say the Greek Gods really existed — she could actually tell the future and she’s from the ancient past.” 

“Another mystery.” 

You huffed, so sick of the ambiguity. 

“I’m sorry,” your mother said softly, causing you to meet her eyes again. “For lying to you all those years, for confusing you. For causing you grief and madness.” 

You felt a lump in your throat, your chest tight at hearing the acknowledgment you’d wished for your whole childhood. Your brain wanted to comfort her, tell her it was alright, but your heart was more wounded than you’d ever realized.

You swallowed down the rise of tears that were threatening to build and changed the subject. “When were you born?” 

She blinked, aware of your deflection method, and answered. “The early 2020s.” 

“But that’s so—“

“Close?” your mother sighed. “Yes. I grew up blissful — my mother never mentioned her own displacement. So when I was stripped from my loved ones in 2040 to 1990, I was distraught. I was lucky to meet your father, though regretfully I was never able to open myself up completely to him, still mourning the loss of my first love. I would jump from fits of madness to total denial. After we had you, I thought things would be different. But as you grew, I became more suspicious that you would also be stripped away from me, or I you, and the fear drove me mad. So I tried to prepare you. But the closer I got to my own birth date, the madder I became and more desperate for answers I grew. Eventually, I became convinced that I’d made the whole thing up. The line between reality and delusion became nonexistent.”

You felt the tears begin to pool again as you thought about your own struggles with reality since arriving here. Madam Despoina had told you that you were stronger than your mother. But that wasn’t fair. None of this was fair. 

“I’m sorry for your father, as well,” she went on. You opened your mouth to protest, but she stopped you. “I was able to warn him about certain events — terrorism, the housing bubble, natural disasters — but I couldn’t save him, not in the end.”

“Did you ever tell him? Properly, that is?” You found yourself asking, thinking about Tommy.

Your mother shook her head. “Not directly. The best I could come up with was the gift of prophecy. After a while of telling that story, a part of me began to believe it. Believe it for you.”

“I’m sorry,” you found yourself saying, “for being so hard on you. I didn’t understand—“

“And now you do,” she said with a soft smile, “more now than ever. And unfortunately, darling, I’m going to have to put pressure on you one final time.” 

“What do you mean?”

“The curse — it must be broken. You have to find a way to break it.” 

“Me? Why—“ your words stopped as you thought about Madam Despoina’s prophecy. “‘You have a chance to mend ancient mistakes. Break the cursed chain, end the line of travel.’ A woman from the Delphi family who said she was a descendent of the Pythia told me that.” 

She smiled knowingly again, “Your tattoo, ya?”

Your mouth dropped slightly, “You knew?” 

“I have the same one. I had the same impulse before I was pulled away. I didn’t even know you had it until I—“ she cut herself off, looking somber again before clearing her throat. “It’s the tree of knowledge, of balance. But how were you able to find them?”

“I’ve met some people since arriving here. A Romani family that I’ve grown quite close to. One of the brothers specifically, he— he helped me find them.” 

Your mother hummed as she listened, her eyes moving again to the space around you. “What year is this exactly?” 

“January 1919.” Your mother’s eyes widened. “I’ve been here a few months now.” 

“And I thought fifty years was a shock,” she murmured. “Remarkable. Although the interwar period has it’s merits I suppose. Roaring 20s, jazz, rise of automotives, electricity, women’s suffrage. Though suppose it also has it’s negatives: Great Depression, prohibition, facisism, gangsters—“ You must have had a reaction, because your mother paused. “This man, is he a nice man?”

You swallowed at that, your eyes shifting. “I think he wants to be. But the circumstances are a little more complicated.” 

“Complicated like organized crime complicated?” She retorted, and you were surprised at her humor in the situation. “Oh sweetheart, you didn’t—“ 

You scrunched your face, “I didn’t mean to. There’s been odd coincidences between us since even before we met. I had a vision of him the night I woke up here. He had one of me as well. And then there’s the other dreams—“

“What dreams?”

You took a deep breath, feeling once again like you were in a room filled with puzzle pieces trying to figure out which was the right piece to pick up and share with your mother. “I’ve had dreams. Very real feeling dreams of myself as Cassandra in ancient Troy. They’ve just been pieces though, it still feels incomplete.” 

“You’ve got a strong connection to her,” your mother mused. “There has to be something in those dreams, that story, that can help you?” 

Shifting in your place, she rose her brow at you. A wave of nostalgia hit you as you recalled the look many times from your childhood. She knew you had more. 

“The Delphi woman, Madam Despoina, she— she called him Apollo. It’s his face I see in my dreams when I, as Cassandra, am with him, as Apollo. But I— I don’t know what that means.”

Her eyes narrowed as the muscle in her cheek flinched, “And does he mean something to you?” 

Her question caused your brow to furrow. “What does that have to do with this?” 

“Mother’s intuition, I suppose,” she smiled. “It’s been good to see you, my darling.” 

“What do you—“ 

You blinked. 

She was gone. 

——-

You woke up the next morning on the cold floor of your apartment, the empty tea cup still laying on the rug. 

“Mum!” you exclaimed with a jolt upward, looking to the spot in front of you. 

But of course, no one was there. You were as alone in your apartment as you’d been when you arrived last night.

You reached for the tea cup and knew that it didn’t matter. Yesterday you might have tried to argue with yourself that you’d simply been dreaming or hallucinating, but the time for denial was over. 

Whatever this stuff had been that Madam Despoina gave you had given you the ability to talk with your mother last night. 

As you got ready for your shift at the Garrison, you tried to go through everything your mother had said to you, trying to commit it to memory, afraid that any little bit of it could slip away. 

You were going through it for about the twentieth time when a patron cleared his throat at the bar. 

“Apologies, I was—“ you turned and your customer service smile fell, “Oh, Benji, hello.” 

“I was just coming by to see when you were available next,” he said, offering you his most handsome smile. “No deaths or births or any other excuses this time, eh?”

Your brow lifted, finding that statement slightly rude. It’s not as if you’d blown him off for a headache or something minor — someone had died. 

But you knew what you had to do. Benji had been nothing but nice, if not a little forward, with you since you’d meet. It’d been wrong of you to accept his invitation when you were feeling alone and rejected. You couldn’t allow him to continue to believe he had a shot, but there was no reason to be rude about it. 

“I’ve been thinking about that, Benji, and I just— I don’t think it’s such a great idea.” His smile slowly began to fall as you talked, his brow creasing. “I shouldn’t have accepted in the first place,” you continued, feeling awkward and guilty. 

“Come on, love, you haven’t even given me a chance,” he tried to defend, pulling another smile on his face, though it didn’t reach his eyes. 

“I wasn’t ready to start anything. I’m still— I’m still adjusting and I—“

“Hmm,” Benji shoved his fists in his pocket. “And this wouldn’t have anything to do with the rumors going around of you and Tommy, would it?”

Your mouth opened slightly at the allegation, but you couldn’t form any kind of defense. Instead you crossed your arms, “I’m not sure what you’re talking about.” 

“Liar,” he hissed, slamming his fist to the bar top. The handful of patrons in the pub looked toward them, curious by the commotion. Benji noticed the eyes and cleared his throat, lowering his voice as he lifted his finger. “You’re making a big mistake, Y/N. Tommy-boy can’t sit on the throne forever, I’ll make sure of that.” 

He gave you a wicked smile as he turned and left the pub, slamming the door on his way out. 

You contemplated whether you should tell anyone about your interaction with Benji. Unsure if his threats were real or brought on simply by rejection and jealously, you decided to stay quiet for now. 

Things had been quiet for a few days afterwards, but slowly you began to notice some major irregularities in the books. Benji’s numbers were showing signs of stealing again. It started off small, similar to what it’d been when you originally became suspicious of him. But now it was quite obvious.

Finally, you came to the conclusion that you had no choice but to bring this to Polly’s attention. It was early in the morning before the shop opened. Polly was helping with John’s kids while Ada was MIA (though if you were a betting woman, you’d say she was with Freddie), and you found yourself sitting alone at the kitchen table, book open in front of you as you felt weirdly conflicted over Benji’s malfeasance.

In the past, you hadn’t been aware of what happened to the people you reported. But now, you knew that there were physical repercussions for stealing from the Shelbys, even as extreme as death. And whether it was guilt for leading him on or some piece of you that still believed that deep down he was a good guy — you began to contemplate whether he deserved a fair warning before you officially reported him. If he knew that he wasn’t as sneaky as he thought he was, that someone was paying attention to him, maybe he’d realize his mistake and end it before something bad happened to him.

You got up to get some tea, trying to think through how exactly you were going to warn him without giving yourself away, when the front door opened.

“How were the kids?” You asked over your shoulder as you poured, assuming Polly had returned.

“Y/N?”

A deeper voice than you expected came from behind you. Spinning around, you were surprised to find the man himself standing in the kitchen doorway.

Your heart rate surged when his eyes moved curiously from you to the table, the open diary and pencil next to it.

“You–” he started, the gears in his head turning to process the scene in front of him. “It’s been you all along.”

“What are you–” you tried to discreetly walk toward the other set of doors, but Benji rounded the table quicker than you, cutting off your escape routes.

What was the saying about good intentions?

“Benji you shouldn’t—“ you tried to lift up your arms between you.

His eyes narrowed and he took a step toward you. Your back hit the counter behind you as he caged you in. “It’s you isn’t it? I kept trying to figure out how it was Lenny and Jackson got stitched. And there you were all along — the little mouse hiding in plain sight.”

“Get off me!” You shouted as you tried to push him away, but he grabbed your arms. You tried to use some of the self defense moves you’d learned, but Benji was stronger than you’d anticipated, and much more sober than the last man you had to fight off of you in the pub. He spun you around and pinned your arms behind your back, pressing his weight onto you so you were pinned even tighter against the shelves and counter. You tried to kick, but he had your legs locked between his.

You were completely defenseless.

“You think you can fuck with me—“

“I wasn’t— I haven’t said anything–,” you gasped out, your face against the shelves as you tried to catch your breath while still struggling to get him off you. You felt the tears begin to fall down your face as you felt helpless.

“And you fucking won’t! You killed my mates. I’m gonna make you wish you’d never met Tommy—“

“Oi!”

Polly’s voice shouting from the doorway finally caused Benji to release you. At the slightly feel of freedom, you pushed him off and ran for the other other end of the kitchen. You grabbed a near empty bottle near you and threw it at him. He ducked as it broke against the wall behind him.

“Out!” Polly shouted, grabbing his arm and pushing him out the door. “And don’t you dare come back!”

Benji was shouting as well, raving that he was a Peaky Blinder dammit, and no one could stop him from getting what he wanted.

He looked back at you as he said that and you shivered.

Sure, you were shaken by being manhandled like that by someone you thought was a good enough man. But more than that, you were angry. This had been the second time since you’d been here that a man thought he could toss you around like you were some kind of doll.

Polly turned back toward you, and immediately got busy pouring you a cup of tea. She let you take your time as you finally launched into explanation. At the end, she calmly rose from her seat and found Scudboat in the betting den, who’d shown up at some point in all your distraction. You watched as she whispered in his ear and then calmly again walked back toward the kitchen. She reached into a drawer and pulled out a small handgun.

“You know how to use this?” 

Nodding, she handed it to you and told you to keep it on you from now on. 

“Go back to work, Y/N. Benji won’t be bothering you again.” 

——-

Polly had been right. Another week went by and you hadn’t seen or heard a peep from Benji. Part of you wondered if the bastard was dead, and you weren’t sure how exactly you felt when you realized that you didn’t really care. 

You also wondered if Tommy knew now about what happened with Benji. You hadn’t heard from him since he left again, but knew from Polly and Ada that they’d be back by the following weekend. 

In all the excitement, you’d forgotten about Tommy’s invitation to the races. When Ada burst into your apartment to announce that they were going shopping, you’d been surprised. It’d been a while since you’d been to the shops, but you weren’t going to deny the opportunity to find something nice to wear to your first race. 

“I’ve been crying nonstop for weeks,” Ada explained as you both walked around, looking at different fabrics as she pointed out some options. “Every little thing sets me off, I tell ya. I thought it was because of the funeral, but Martha and I weren’t really that close. Suppose it’s sympathy for the kids. Dunno. It’s been making me so tired though. I think I may be ill or something.” 

“Maybe,” you mused, grabbing the dress she handed you. 

A woman caught the corner of your eye. At your gaze, she dropped her head and turned. 

You ignored her, used to people staring when she was out with Ada. You hadn’t understood it when you’d first become friends, but now you realized. 

When you saw her again at the next shop, you began to feel less like it was accidental. 

“Hi,” you greeted when you met her eyes again. She looked away and tried to leave, but you spoke again, “Can I help you?” 

The woman stopped finally and turned, her head down slightly sheepishly. She wore a small hat and trendy dress, her hair was cut short like most women of the day, and you could tell she was quite tall, though she seemed to slouch slightly. Her facial features were sharp, complimenting her slim body shape. She was quite beautiful, and in your day could see her being the ideal supermodel. But the bags under her eyes and wornness of her skin led you to believe that her story probably wasn’t that simple. Not here, in Small Heath. 

“Pardon?” She finally said innocently, trying to subtly give you a once over as well. 

You shrugged, “It just seemed like you were needing something from me. My mistake.” 

You turned to leave but she spoke again. “This is incredibly improper of me, but I saw you and I just— you and Tommy, ya?” 

As you turned back to her, your brow creased. Instinct had you looking around for Ada. Ever since your encounter with Benji, you’d been edgier than you’d ever been, always looking for the exits and for familiar faces to run toward. It made you feel incredibly vulnerable and you absolutely hated it. You felt your fingers grip the strings of your handbag, knowing the gun Polly had given you was safely tucked away inside.

Swallowing, you resounded yourself to shake it off, to toughen up, and you straightened your shoulders as you addressed the stranger once again. “Excuse me?” 

“My sister saw you both walking home often late at night. I suppose he’s moved on, I shouldn’t be surprised.” She was rambling now, her cheeks blushed as if she were embarrassed by her own words. “I know we shouldn’t be speaking of this, not in public at least. It’s just hard, y’know, losing a customer. Especially one like him.” 

Customer. You looked over the stranger in front of you again and tried to think of any other instance where her phrasing would make sense aside from the very clear one that came to mind. 

Ada called for you, reaching you with a handful of dresses. You turned back to the woman who nodded and made her leave. 

“Ada, who was that?” 

She craned her neck and clicked her teeth. “Ah, that was Lizzie Stark. Surprised you haven’t seen her around town. Though why would you, less you were payin’ I suppose. Here, try these on.” 

——-

It’d been a while since you’d been on a real date. Even before you’d been sent to this place, dates had started to dwindle as you got older and got more choosy. For a while, starting in college, you’d easily been able to flirt with someone new, get to know them, and then start a fling for a while until one or both of you got bored. The couple serious relationships you’d had were harder for you. Being vulnerable hadn’t come easy for you, and it created commitment and trust issues. Dates became more complicated than they were worth. 

Tommy had greeted you at your place, and you surprised yourself with how much you missed him in the few weeks he’d been away. There was something about his presence, knowing that he was here, in the city, gave you a wave of some kind of safety and security that you hadn’t realized you’d been missing. 

He looked tired, though he smiled at you warmly as he walked you toward the family car, and offered you a hand in as you climbed in. 

This had been the first time you’d actually been excited for a date since possibly high school. 

And of course, Harry had to go and buzz kill your mood the day before the races. He hadn’t meant to, of course. After the Benji incident, he’d been extra protective and cautious. You’d explained the situation (without the stealing money from the Shelbys part) and he’d been surprisingly sensitive. But he believed his recent pub decision would make you feel better instead of make you sour.

“Somethin’ the matter?” He asked when you were quieter than he expected. “If this is about Hancock—“

“No,” you answered, already knowing from Polly that Tommy and the brothers had learned of Benji’s malfeasance, but he’d disappeared before Scudboat and Lovelock could find him. You’d cursed your previous self for trying to be sympathetic toward the man — it seemed like you’d just made everything worse. “It’s nothing honestly, just something silly.” 

“Go on, then. I can handle silly.” 

Your cheek flinched as you looked over toward Tommy, humored by him even saying the word ‘silly’. He rose his eye brow as he looked over to you, offering you a smirk before pulling his eyes back to the road. 

“Harry’s putting in an advertisement in the paper for another barmaid.” 

Tommy’s smirk turned into a frown, “Is he mad? The place wouldn’t be standin’ without you — I’ve seen the numbers, I know. I’ll have a word with Harry—“

“He’s not replacing me,” you quickly corrected. “I thought the same thing, but he wants me to concentrate more on the books and said he’d rather bring someone in part time to fill in behind the bar.” 

“Ah,” his brow creased as he gave you a short look. “The problem, then?” 

You sighed, knowing that you were being childish. “I’m just feeling territorial, is all. I know I’m not technically being replaced, but part of it feels that way. Did I mention I have a small case of control issues? I blame it on being an only child.” 

Tommy chuckled softly and shook his head. “You have nothing to worry about. If anything it’ll leave more time for you to do your real job.” 

“My real job?” You asked him curiously. 

“The Shelby business, ‘course. Wheels are already in motion, and today we’re going to enact the second part of my plan.” 

“And that is?” 

Tommy smiled, “Gonna buy a horse.”

>> next chapter << chapter masterlist

Tag list: @cillixn @sidefanficaccounttohidemyshame @cillmequick @swordofawriter @sweetmilkshakeluminary @nataliewalker93 @ttae-yong @topstory21 @cole-silas @moral-terpitude @optimisticsandwichgladiator @reallysparklychaos @enrapturedbythemoon @bat-shark-repellant @kpopslur @skxawngs @musicsweetie21 @invisiblexcth @whoisf4yryl0v3r @laylasbunbunny @lordofthunderthr @luvstylesz @roseanimelover @lostgirl219 @berarenado @akemiixx01 @mulletmcghee @jasminxts @oneboygenius @piceous21 @xoprincessmel @the-blueatlas @regatoni1 @goblinjnr @gentyleman @xxbeckybeexx-blog @tanyaherondale @sometimes-i-sing @littlewhiterose @ja-4-leyvam @rubyxx16 @allie131313 @pet1t3 @globetrotter28 @woofgocows @radrouda @wildernessflora @jeysbae @lilianashomaresparza @himikotoga101 @a-asterias @sourholland @samywhale @thecityofspareparts @ponyboys-sunsets @mariaelizabeth21-blog1 @vastseamind @optimisticsandwichgladiator @booktvmoviefangirl @drquinnzel0217qqqqqqqqqqq @zodiyack @ofkilljoysandslytherins @bluevenus19 @ce1iat @mgajdaaa @babyotileeblog @arcanebabe @iamtrashsry @snowtargaryen @mottergirl99 @sinarainbows @belledawnidk @laneyspaulding19 @warrior-of-justice @kkrenae @ryswritingrecord @qtkat @monifaagha @avidread3r

[zablife]

Seemingly Incurable Sadness

Alfie Solomons x female reader

Summary: (Modern AU) You’re weeks away from your wedding to Tommy, but you’ve run away to Camden to think about your future. When you stumble into a random pub for a drink, you meet a handsome bartender who changes everything.

Author’s Note: This was requested by the lovely @solomons-finest-rum who asked me to write a modern Alfie fic where he owns his own bar. I hope you enjoy it!

Warnings: drinking, language, unwanted advances

You’d just arrived in Camden feeling tired and ready for a drink. Unable to go any further, you settled for the first pub you saw, a run down little place called The Rum House. Although it was late afternoon, the sun disappeared as soon as you crossed the threshold. The interior was dark and it smelled of damp as though you had entered a cave. Your boots stuck to the sticky floorboards giving you the feeling it hadn’t been mopped properly in ages. 

If you’d had any concern for your comfort, you would have chosen literally anywhere else to rest. However, you were too tired to care. Dropping your exhausted body onto a stool, you looked around noting the lack of patrons. A few old men sat huddled in a corner arguing about a football match, while another man kept to himself at the end of the bar.

Usually when you came to London you enjoyed fine dining in elegant restaurants accompanied by expensive bottles of wine. You didn’t spend much time in places like these because your fiancé would never have allowed it. He liked the best life had to offer, exhibiting his wealth and influence via material possessions and you were no exception. At times you felt you were just another box to be ticked, a possession to be acquired in a month when you would be wed in front of 500 guests. Most of those people you barely even knew, businessman and politicians more important to your fiancé than you were. 

Feeling overwhelmed by the demands of wedding planning and the life that awaited you as the wife of an MP, you’d taken an unannounced trip to escape. Though you knew this was a childish way of handling your feelings, you also knew how futile it was to voice your concerns. Your friends and family all thought you were lucky to be marrying a handsome, successful man. They said you were ungrateful if you complained about him being cold and distant at times, explaining he had other responsibilities besides tending to your every whim. 

As you sat at the bar, your phone began to ring. You reached for it noticing yet another call from the florist and let it go to voicemail. No sooner had you done that, a text message appeared from your mother and then from your sister. The tone of the messages were the same, wondering how you could be so irresponsible as to disappear this close to your wedding date. Suddenly the stress was seeping back into your body, making you tense all over. You switched your phone off for a much needed respite from the barrage of communication, then cradled your head in your hands as a gruff voice called out to you, “Gonna order somethin?”

“Could I have a minute, please? And then I’ll order,” you said on a shaky breath without looking up. 

“Course, dove,” he said more gently, leaving you to your thoughts.

Ten minutes later he returned, placing a ringed hand on the bar to announce his presence without startling you. He stood before you, clearing his throat softly and you were grateful for the delicate approach. Looking up, you noticed his furrowed brow, as he stared at you with concern. “You alright? Can I get you anything?” he asked.

You nodded before answering politely, “Gin neat, please.” The bartender turned to face the shelf and began to pull a bottle of Shelby Co. Limited gin from the top before you shouted, “No, not that one!”

The man looked over his shoulder at you with a puzzled look. “It’s too sweet,” you attempted to explain quickly, affecting a softer, more controlled tone of voice. 

“Right, can’t blame you there, love," he said, an affable grin warming his handsome features. He attempted a bit of humor to make you feel at ease. "Marketing for it’s a bit soppy as well, innit?” He began reciting the label from memory dramatically gesturing with one large hand, “For the eradication of seemingly incurable sadness!” 

As he pulled another bottle from the shelf, he let out an amused chuckle from deep within his chest, “What self-absorbed twat thought that up, eh?” 

You scoffed as you replied, “Someone who makes a lot of money making promises of happiness without having to fulfill them."

The man snickered for a moment, placing your drink in front of you. “Is that why you’re here then?” he asked, intense green eyes studying you carefully. 

“Why do you ask?” you inquired, turning your gaze down toward your drink.

“If you had ordered whisky, I’d know you was here for business," he said matter of factly. Continuing with a bit of hesitation he added, "Had it been rum...Well, rum’s for fun and fuckin’, innit?" he said, a blush creeping into his cheeks. "So if you ain’t here to do either of those, what are you here for, treacle?” 

“Just a quick drink,” you said, gesturing toward your glass with a tight smile. You could tell by the way he leaned onto his elbows that he wasn’t finished. He was still observing you with those piercing eyes.

“Well the problem with gin, right, is that it leads to the melancholy. Ain’t gonna solve your problems with that stuff, but maybe you already knew that,” he observed, stroking his beard thoughtfully. Pointing a finger in your direction he said, “You’re a clever woman to see through the Shelby bullshit.”

You jerked your head up to look at him, wondering how he knew. “What did you say? Do you know the Shelby family?”

“Course I do, love. Tommy and his animal brothers too, don’t I?" he said narrowing his eyes. "Their gin business is doing far better than my rum ever did. Nothing but bees and honey like you said, off people’s troubles and what not.” Trying to affect an air of nonchalance, he picked up a rag and began cleaning the top of the bar. You breathed a heavy sigh realizing he was discussing business now, oblivious to any personal ties you might have with the family.

“You’re Alfie Solomons,” you stated, making the connection between the man behind the bar and the discontinued rum label that had gone out of business five years ago. Tommy had a hand in ending this man's career with his usual tactics. You called them unethical, while Tommy preferred unorthodox. Since that time no one knew what had become of the rum distiller whose spirits had once earned numerous awards. All kinds of rumors swirled around London, but no one knew where he had vanished to after the collapse of his company or if he was even alive.

“That’s right,” he said with a quick nod. His phone began to ring and he reached into his back pocket to fish it out. He excused himself to the back room to take the call as you traced the top of your glass absently.

Lost in thought about the day’s events, you hadn’t noticed the man at the end of the bar creep closer to you until his voice was ringing in your ear suddenly asking, “Want some company?”

“You’re alright,” you said without making eye contact. 

“What’s a pretty girl like you doing all by herself?” he continued. The sweat and whisky poured off him in equal measure and you leaned back to avoid the stench as much as possible. That only enticed him more though so you decided to make a verbal statement of your disgust. 

“I’m trying to enjoy my drink in peace. Leave me alone,” you said forcefully.

Despite your tone, he didn’t seem deterred, venturing a hand to your shoulder next. You brushed him off quickly, standing to put distance between you. “Don’t touch me!” you shouted loud enough to get the attention of the old men in the corner. However, they only watched with mild interest, none of them coming to your aid. 

“You don’t have to be such a bitch,” he slurred at you, grabbing for you arm. At that moment, Alfie came back to witness the scene and instantly sprang into action, dodging a sloppy punch as a bullmastiff came to join him growling viciously by his side. He had the man's arm in a painful looking hold before he could utter another word, leaning over to growl in his ear, “The lady told you to leave her alone, mate. That means she’s off the fucking menu for you. So how come you’re still thievin’ my oxygen?”

The man mumbled some incoherent response before trying to escape the hold. Alfie was much faster though, hauling him off toward the exit. “Good boy, trot on. Down there is Bonny Street,” he said shoving the man out the door. 

When Alfie returned you offered your thanks for his help.

“S no trouble. Don’t like ladies in my establishment bein harassed. Besides if I didn’t, you might  never come back. Couldn’t have that now could I?” he asked with a grin, scratching his dog behind the ears.

You gave him a watery smile in return, feeling how kind he was being. He wasn’t hitting on you. He was offering protection and for that you were grateful. You hadn’t felt genuine warmth from someone in a long time. You were so tired from keeping your guard up all the time. It was nice to have someone look after you, even if it was only keeping the bar flys away. 

“If you say you don’t want to be disturbed, than you won’t be,” he said, ready to return to his station behind the bar.

“Wait,” you called out. “If you don’t mind my asking, what happened to you?"

“You mean Solomons Rum?” Alfie said leaning against the bar. 

“Yes, you just disappeared. Why?” you said curious to know how someone could lose everything and still keep their sanity.

“I’ll let you in on a little secret, pet. Life is so much easier to deal with when you are dead,” he proclaimed.

You had to laugh at his assertion. “So that’s the secret, eh? Abandoning all responsibility?” you asked, voice turning serious all of a sudden. Alfie picked up on your tone right away.

“Now I didn’t say that. Didn’t run off and join the circus, did I?” he said gesturing around his bar. “Just took a step back and become a respectable member of the community’s all. Stopped troubling myself with shit that don't matter.” He scratched his beard before venturing a query of his own. “Where did you run away from, dove?”  

“Birmingham,” you revealed, although it shocked you as soon as the answer left your lips. “I’m trying to make a decision about my future,” you said continuing your confession. It must have been the gin lowering your inhibitions, normally you would have never divulged that kind of information to a stranger. Alfie seemed different though. He was offering to listen and you weren’t used to that. It felt like an indulgence you had to take advantage of just this once. You wondered if he might be able to help you make sense of things. 

Just when you opened your mouth to speak again, Alfie stood, interrupting your train of thought. You shut your mouth quickly, feeling foolish. Perhaps he didn’t want to hear your troubles after all. In one swift movement, he wordlessly swept your glass from the table, leaving you in utter confusion.

“What are doing with my drink?” you asked watching him discard it behind the bar. You noticed him pour an amber colored liquid into a double old fashioned. When he brought the new drink back to you with a flourish he explained,  “Whereas rum incites violence, it also allows you to be liberated from your self-doubt.” He pushed the spirit toward you with two fingers, staring at you intently. “I believe you’re more in need of the old rum right now than gin,” he said with a wink. Sitting back on a stool and crossing his arms over his chest he declared, “Now, tell us your plan.”

Over the course of the next two hours you spoke to Alfie candidly about your troubles and he listened as the last of his patrons filtered out of the bar until it was just the two of you sat at the bar discussing your life. You explained how badly you wanted a life of your own away from the pressure of living under your fiancé's shadow. You told him how desperately you wanted to stop taking orders and how you dreamed of having a real partner in life and in love.

Somewhere along the way you had decided you couldn't go through with your marriage to Tommy and you knew you would have to tell him sooner rather than later. It must have been when you'd gotten lost in Alfie's thoughtful feedback or the way he held your gaze as he absorbed every new piece of information with care. He even made you laugh despite the painful things you divulged. Whatever it was, you were falling under his spell.

The rum had warmed you pleasantly and you had forgotten about the sadness which consumed you when you arrived. After a brief lull in the conversation, you felt yourself lean into Alfie, knees brushing against his. Your hands came to rest on his thighs, steadying you as you gazed into his captivating eyes.   You waited midway between you with eyes closed and felt his calloused palm graze your cheek, followed by the sensation of his soft lips on yours. You melted into his touch and synchronized your movement with his, wishing you never had to part from him.

As you eventually pulled away for air, you came to your senses and realized you needed to get back to the real world. “Alfie, I’m sorry, but I need to check in with my family. They’ll be worried,” you said.

“Say no more,” he reassured you, leaning back to give you space.

As you turned your phone back on, it immediately lit up with an incoming call. Tommy’s face popped up on the screen and Alfie’s face flashed with recognition, suddenly realizing who you had been discussing these last two hours. “I need to take this,” you said grabbing the phone off the table and standing quickly to answer the call.

“Well this is going to be fucking biblical,” Alfie said with a smirk. 

Cont. reading Part 2

---------------------------------

Tag list: @solomons-finest-rum

@peakyswritings

@evita-shelby

@tommydoesntpayforsuits

@shelbydelrey

@alanadetigy

@wandawiccan60   

@easilyobessedbutflighty

@severewobblerlightdragon

@lovemissyhoneybee

@theshelbyslimited

@kittycatcait219

@peakyrogers

@christinasyellowflowers

@retromafia

@notyour-valentine

@theshelbyclan

@runnning-outof-time

@potter-solomons

[midnightswithdearkatytspb]

MidnightsWithDearKatyTSPB's Recommendation List: March

Welcome to March’s recommendation. Down below is the link to February’s part 2 featuring Peaky Blinders, Bucky Barnes, and more. March is a very busy month for me, I’m traveling all over to see specialists, so there may be more stories than usual, or there could be fewer. If you are interested in having your writing challenges featured here, or your stories, or even just your blog, please feel free to tag me in your works, message me, or use the hashtag MidnightWithDearKatyTSPB. I hope you are enjoying the new theme on the blog for March, as St. Patrick’s day holds a special day in my heart. My folks got married on that day in an intimate ceremony and again in July in a bigger ceremony many years ago, before many of your parents got together.

🌹 Feb. '23 Pt. 2

March '23 Pt. 2 🍀

Masterlist

A Handsome Stranger >> John Shelby x Reader (Moodboard)

Me and The Devil >> Alfie Solomons x Reader (Moodboard)

In Death's Realm >> Fortunate Souls Playlist, "Death has feelings, death weeps, death feels anger, death has hopes and dreams, and death has a heart."

Have It All by @look-at-the-soul >> Tommy Shelby x Reader (Moodboard)

Keep Us Safe by @zablfie >> Tommy Shelby x Reader (Moodboard)

Make A Good Thing Bad >> Tommy Shelby x OFC!Estella (Moodboard)

My Darling Tommy (Moodboard) >> Tommy Shelby x Reader "I do not think such a smile or happiness will be known till we are in each other's arms once more."

Lighthouse Vacation (Moodboard) >> Tommy Shelby x Reader

Happy Birthday Buck (Moodboard + Drabble) >> Bucky Barnes x OFC!Sparrow Lake

How About Now by @look-at-the-soul >> Tommy Shelby x Reader (Moodboard)

Polly Gray x Aberama Gold (Moodboard) "Across the vast quantity of multiverses, Polly Gray always fell in with Mr. Gold. Mr. Gold himself fell madly deeply in love with Mrs. Gray."

The Blackbird and The Lionheart (Playlist) >> Polly Gray x Aberama Gold

HEADCANON'S:

Being Finn's Twin Sister by @mindful-of-ideas >> I loved seeing more Finn Shelby on my dashboard.

ONE-SHOTS:

Fireflies by @acewritesfics >> Tommy Shelby x Reader - Summary: Extended version of her Moodboard and Blurb. | Did I cry? Yes. Would I read it again? Yes, times a million. It's such a beautiful story, yet so sad.

A Handsome Stranger by @zablife >> Vampire!John Shelby x Reader - Summary: You meet a handsome man one night in a club who makes you feel a powerful desire for him. The events of the evening grow increasingly strange and difficult to comprehend. | I did not see that end coming at all, but then again, with all of Lee's writing, she always takes me by surprise with her endings! I hope to see more vampire!Shelby family.

BLURBS:

Pizza and Champagne. by @peakyscillian >> Modern!Tommy Shelby x Reader - Summary: A peek into your and Tommy's life. | So good, and I would love to have a night like this with Modern!Tommy.

Three's A Party by @peakyscillian >> Tommy Shelby x Reader x Ginger!Lady - Summary: You and Tommy have a threesome with a frequent female patron from The Garrison. Tommy thinks he just might be in Heaven. | This is so very hot. Please enjoy it.

MINI-SERIES:

Keep Us Safe by @zablife >> Tommy Shelby x Reader - Summary: Family history repeats itself when your daughter is taken by parish authorities. This time Tommy won't let them get away with it. | This story will make your eyes water and your heartache, but you will see a father's true desperation to do whatever it takes to make his family whole. Lee, you did such an outstanding job with this story.

What About Now by @look-at-the-soul >> Tommy Shelby x Reader - Summary: Tommy has been hard at work with your children Charlie and Ruby, planning something extra special for you. | This is very beautiful, and I absolutely adore it. Tommy puts so much effort into doing something for his significant and evolving his children. Be still my heart.

DRABBLES:

Request: Ties and Baton by @dameronscopilot >> Steven Grant x f!reader - Summary/Request: Okay, but now that you’ve mentioned it, Steven using his tie and batons on the reader. | I read the warnings, I promise I did, but I still did not expect it to be as hot as it was.

ONE-SHOT:

Favorite Kind of Trouble by @amhrosina >> Frank Castle x Reader x Matt Murdock - Summary: Frank and you get up to no good at a gala event, and Matt’s enhanced senses can’t help but focus on the pretty sounds you’re making from across the room. | Be prepared to read something that has just the right amount of spiciness to it.

Present by @crazyunsexycool >> Alpha!Stucky x Reader - Summary: Reader has never presented as a beta, alpha, or omega, but she still managed to find the loves of her life. If she isn't presented, then why is she in the middle of a mission, cramping and hunched over, craving her two loves so badly? | If you are looking for some spicy Stucky x Reader, look no further. This will have you covered.

SERIES:

Push & Pull by @milkymoon2483 >> Frank Castle X Plus Size Jewish OC Hannah Friedman - Summary: You’re going back to your small town for your father’s funeral and Shiva. You know you’re about to face family drama, but what worries you the most is that you’re going to see HIM, your dad’s long-time friend and probably the most attractive man you have ever met. When Frank finally sees you and realizes that you’re all grown up, he struggles with accepting his budding feelings for you. | Please do yourself a favor and go and read this, especially if you are on a Frank Castle kick or if you are a sad bunny like me. This story is just perfect. The emotions that are portrayed through the writing are just beautiful.

ONE-SHOTS:

Can You See His Silhouette? by @psychedelic-ink >> Joel Miller x f!reader - Summary: You get your period and without anything to help you with it, you're mortified. Luckily Joel is there to help. | This is really sweet, leaving me wishing for Joel to take care of me.

Compass by @frenchiereading >> Frankie Morales x f!reader - Summary: You receive an unexpected visit that threatens to tip over the fragile balance you’ve been trying to maintain for the sake of your love, your family, and your marriage. Set about a year after the events of the movie. | Grab some tissues for this one, folk, because let me just say, you'll need them.

Crossroads of His Heart by @jake-g-lockley >> Frankie Morales x reader - Summary/Prompt: “would you acknowledge my feelings for you if i kissed you right now? you can’t seem to take a damn hint, [name]”, Glancing at you but immediately looking away when you catch them, Almost kissing, but someone walks in. | Can you tell I'm on a Triple Frontier kick, and I'm getting my fix? This was so adorable, especially the cotton candy scene.

Lush by @javierpinme >> Neighbor!Frankie Morales x f!Reader - Summary: You buy a sex toy and accidentally send a request to your hot neighbor to join in. | Is this really hot? Yes. Did I need to splash cold water on myself after reading? Very much so.

Stay by @dameronscopilot >> Kacey Dutton x Reader - Summary: When a downtrodden Kayce arrives on your doorstep at nearly midnight on New Year’s Eve and shares unexpected news, reigning in the feelings you’ve harbored for him for years becomes exceedingly difficult. | I'm a big fan of Yellowstone, and Kacey is my favorite character, so I freaked out when I saw this. It's something I didn't know I needed and I want more of in my life. Please go read if you are a fan of Lukas Grimes or Yellowstone!

Worth the Risk by @melodygatesauthor >> Santiago "Pope" Garcia X f!Reader - Summary: You're visiting your hometown on college break, and you are staying overnight at your best friend's house. You never realized how attractive her dad was until that night. You wonder if he feels the same. | An Oscar Isaac character *chefs kiss* and some spiciness, just what everyone needs.

The Wow Factor by @movievillainess721 >> Frankie Morales x Plus Size!Female!Reader - Summary: You now owe Santi a favor. | Can something be adorable and hot at the same time? Well, this was.

MINI-SERIES:

*Grays Part 1 & Part 2 by @fuckyeahdindjarin >> Frankie Morales x Hairstylist!Reader - Summary: Frankie wants you to cover up his grays. You want to knock some sense into his salt-and-pepper head. | I only give you the summary of part 1, but trust me, you will want to read both parts. Part two is spicy, but part one is the teasing, and I just love this so much.

MOODBOARDS:

Arthur + Wedding by @acewritesfics >> Arthur Shelby x Reader | Arthur and Reader sneaking off just warms my heart. I need more Arthur in my life now.

Men (Modern AU) by @dreamlandcreations >> Tommy Shelby x Reader x Alfie Solomons - Blurb | TOMMY'S WHAT?!? Alex does a wonderful job making your jaw drop. Beautiful moodboard.

Your Eyes by @forgottenpeakywriter >> Tommy Shelby - Poem | Such a beautiful poem and moodboard, Selene.

@acewritesfics - Ace was one of the very first Peaky Blinder writers I followed on Tumblr when I returned, and I'm so glad I did. I don't just follow her peaky content. I follow because Ace is so kind in her feedback on other people's content and just encouraging. She is definitely someone you want on your dashboard.

[notyour-valentine]

One Thousand Follower Celebration ~ Masterlist

[Celebration] [Overall Masterlist]

This is the Masterlist for my One Thousand Follower Celebration of both my works and the incredibly contributions of others:

👠Ask me to Dance👠 (Blurb/One Shot)

"They are all looking" - Tommy Shelby x Reader

"People are always more honest at night" - Tommy Shelby x Reader

"I live, which is the main point" - Tommy Shelby x Reader

"I want to understand you." - Dad!Tommy Shelby

"Money is the God of our time" - Tommy Shelby x Reader

"Never kiss a fool" - Tommy Shelby x Reader

"There is only one thing on earth worse than English Music and that is English Painting" - Tommy Shelby & Reader

"You are haunted by your dreams" ~ Tommy Shelby x Reader (Fluff/Angst)

"My child, I fear it will end horribly" ~ Tommy Shelby

"To speak and to speak well are two different things " ~ Tommy Shelby x Reader

"Champagne - it's like a mistress: sparkling, flighty, vivacious, wayward - and not to be trusted" ~ Tommy Shelby & daughter!Reader

"It is a common phenomenon that just the prettiest girls find it so difficult to get a man" - modern!Tommy x Reader

"The question remains: how?" - modern! Tommy x Reader

"God will forgive me. It is his job" ~ Alfie Solomons x Reader

"I was born for a peaceful life" - Arthur Shelby & Reader

"Never let a fool kiss you" ~ John Shelby & Reader

"The more I get to know people, the more I like dogs" - Polly Gray x fem!Reader

"No Talent, yet a character" ~ Polly Gray x fem!reader

"A woman is at once the apple and serpent" ~ Lizzie Stark & fem!Reader

"They drink wine and preach water" ~ Lizzie Stark & fem!reader

A moment's peace ~ Gif Blurb: Tommy x Reader

🍷Join me for a Drink 🍷(Headcanon)

Modern!Tommy Shelby

John x aristocratic!Reader

Ada x female lover

Lizzie x female lover

Arthur's happy life in the country

TBITW: PDA

TBITW: What the family thinks

TBITW: Horse riding lessons

TBITW: Tommy comforting Emma

TBITW: Calling them Mummy/Daddy

TBITW: Marriage

TBITW: Another child

TBITW: Grown Emma and Charlie

WTDMS: Wildcard Headcanon Charlotte

✨Be the Belle of the Ball✨ (Submission)

Moonboard Submissions

The Boy in the Window ~ by @polishcrazyone

Story Submissions

A reveal ~ "As good a place as any" (Tommy Shelby x Reader) by @runnning-outof-time

A forever memory ~ "Ain't she sweet" (Tommy Shelby x Reader ft. Charlie) by @look-at-the-soul / @thats-what-cill-said

A place one is not supposed to be ~ "An unexpected guest" (Tommy Shelby x Solomons!Reader) by @cillmequick

A promise ~ "Hide 'n' seek" (Alfie Solomons x Shelby!Reader) by @raincoffeeandfandoms

An admission ~ "Tip of my Tongue" (Tommy Shelby x Reader) by @gypsy-girl-08

A creepy portrait/ a rumour ~ "The Portrait" (Tommy Shelby) by @zablife

A risk ~ "Risk Taker" (Tommy Shelby x Reader) by @noforkingclue

An inappropriate giggle ~ "The Funny Girl" (Tommy Shelby x OC) by @thebathatter

A place one is not supposed to be ~ "An unholy Alliance" (Tommy Shelby x OC by @evita-shelby

~

Thank you so much for participating in my celebration - I hope you enjoyed!

[helplesslyinlovewithcharacters]

you kill me so slowly - Alfie Solomons x Reader

Summary: (Y/n) is caught up in the criminal underworld dominated by the Shelbys and Solomons, never quite sure if she picked the right side. (Modern au) (Bitter part three)

Pairing: Alfie Solomons x Female Reader

A/N: do people want a taglist for Bitter??

“That boss of yours is a real prick, making you work so late”

Charlie’s gruff words echoed within the cramped passageways of the storage facility. Despite herself, (y/n)’s lips twitched with a smile. A member of the old guard, Charlie didn’t heed the falsities of gilded masks and pretty lies.

His blatant honesty soothed the ache in her chest, that persistent press of anxiety that endeavoured to wake her, desperate to believe this life wasn’t real. Charlie was a relic of a world that had been grounded and safe. The bittersweet roll of smoke from his pipe, the stitched scars in his coat, the grey of his beard. Charlie was just Charlie. Imperfect and real.

(Y/n) pressed closer to him as the chill of the waning summer night ghosted over her skin. There was a lag in her steps, her toes pinched in the narrow suede of her shoes, the height of the heel pressing her weight into the aching pad of her foot.

Charlie’s brow rose expectantly when she didn’t voice a response, a glimmer of humour sparking in his eyes as they walked under the pasty fluorescent lights.

Her gaze bounced away from his, counting the locker numbers. “Seems to be the general consensus, at the moment”

He tsked, a smile etching the wrinkles in his cheeks deeper. “Not just at the moment, darl’”

“Easy, Charlie” There was no weight behind her remonstrance, not when she laughed for the first time all day. Not as he unconsciously lifted a weight from her chest, let her breathe deeply.

“As if that boy could scare me,” Charlie rooted through the sagging pocket of his coat for the keys. The rough wool was misshapen under the weight of three rings of keys and a gun, so small it could be a toy. “Bet that boyfriend of yours isn’t happy – the scruffy bloke?”

Twice. He’d made her laugh twice.

Unwilling to relent to his subtle prodding, (y/n) nodded towards the set of locks. “C’mon”

“Our Tommy could get you a job”

“I picked this job,” There was an edge to her tone. It was an argument they’d had before. A minefield of kind offers that only increased the pressure of regret’s hold on her throat. “Its bloody freezing, Charlie, hurry up”

“Alright, alright, it’s open” Charlie settled her with a glare. “Come fetch me when you’re done”

With a nod of thanks, (y/n) stepped into the unit. Her hand ran along the corrugated wall, warm with the lingering presence of the day’s sun, until the light switch swung on its string, tapping against her palm. As she pulled it, the cramped space was revealed in a buttery, yellow light.

Shelf after shelf was stacked with Michael’s collection of collateral. A bloodied knife with the prints of a detective, now trained to stay away from Michael’s business. Recordings of a politician’s affair. There was no doubt that her own fate, concealed within an artifact of her past, was hidden in the crowded space. The insurance for when Michael’s leash on her finally snapped.

Sighing wearily, (y/n) reached for a duffle bag, heavy under the burden of bundles of bank notes. Hoped it would be enough for Michael to patch over whatever new problem he’d created.

…

The bakery hadn’t changed.

The overcrowded passages stacked high with barrels. The permanent murmur of chatter as employees filed past her. The warmth, making the space resemble a cavern. The golden haze of nostalgia welcomed her, soothed her hackles with a careful caress.

Her presence got caught in snippets of conversation and anxious glances, the prying curiosity of Alfie’s foot soldiers prickling at her neck as she approached Alfie’s office.

His back was to her, the confines of his suit abandoned as he stooped over his desk in just a shirt, the sleeves rolled to rest below his elbows. The fabric strained against his hurried ministrations as he scribbled onto a sheet, handing it to Ollie before he became aware of her presence.

It hurt. To watch the softness bleed into his expression. To watch a light warm his eyes as he struggled to temper the curl of his mouth.

She didn’t deserve this.

Or maybe it was exactly what she did deserve. The comfort and affection of a man she’d scorned too many times to every truly call her own.

“What brings you here, love? Business or pleasure?”

Alfie’s smile was open. He shifted to lean against the desk, nodding towards the chair opposite him. She didn’t accept the offer.

“Business”

“Fucking shame, that”

An ache blossomed behind her ribs as his smile only grew wider. Undeterred by her indifference, Alfie stood to his full height and reached behind the desk for a bottle of whiskey.

Some things never change.

(Y/n) would bet her life savings on there being a fresh shirt placed neatly in the third drawer of his desk and a stash of chocolates hidden in the box of files shoved beneath the bookshelf that stood at the back of the room.

Alfie was still Alfie.

He placed two glasses on the worn surface of the desk, sloshing amber liquid into each before knocking one towards her.

She’d bought him those glasses for some distant birthday after too many complaints about drinking whiskey from mismatched mugs.

What are these, love?

I refuse to drink £300 whisky out of tea-stained mugs

Snob

Child

Laughter had rumbled through his chest, warming her from the inside out.

Christ, she was tired.

“I need information” Her voice was clipped, assertive.

Alfie took little notice, nudging the glass towards her again until she relented. A sigh slipped from her lips as the alcohol burnt its way down her throat before settling soothingly in her stomach.

With a raised brow, Alfie appraised her. Something shifted in him, demeanour sliding from old friend to wry associate so quickly she fumbled to catch up. He switched faces so quickly, so readily. But never with her. At least, until now.

He spoke into the dribble of whiskey left in his glass. “Didn’t know I was your informant”

“You said you’d give me what I need”

A huff of laughter soothed her discomfort as he struggled to retrain whatever barrier he was holding over himself. “Sounds more like pleasure, to me,” Alfie met her gaze abruptly, pining her in place. Her fingers twitched around the glass. “What do I get out of it?”

“Depends how good the information is”

“Tease” It was muttered under his breath with a smile, the whispered word retracing the edges of the intimacy that had once existed between them. “Go on”

“What do you know about the deal with the Italians?”

“What does Michael want with the Sabinis?” (Y/n) ignored the question, swallowing a mouthful of whiskey. Soon, it would blunt her awareness, leave her blissfully adrift from Alfie and whatever it was that he was doing to her. But, for now, she was agonisingly aware of the weight of his gaze, of his longing for so much more than she was able to give.

He sighed, the sound curling him inward as his shoulders buckled and his hand rubbed at the scar cutting through his beard. “It’s a fucking mess, love. Tommy’s scrambling”

Fuck.

No wonder Michael wanted to swoop in and play fucking hero. Tommy would be indebted to him. Which meant so would Arthur and John.

Exhaustion settled across her temple, her eyes pinching shut.

“How much?”

Alfie didn’t pause, didn’t attempt to soften the blow. “Millions”

“Shit”

“Shit, indeed”

(Y/n)’s brain attempted to sort through the shreds of information Michael had drip fed her over the weeks. The meetings and pieces of paperwork, the calls taken outside and the errands to Charlie’s. None of it could align in a manner that would render Michael’s interference beneficial.

Impatient with her distracted mind, Alfie prompted her. “So?”

“So?”

“I’m waitin’, love” The brunt of his gaze rooted her in place. His appraisal was heavy, adoring even, until his brow drew lower over his eyes, obscuring the umber depths she could lose herself in. “Does Michael know you’re here?”

(Y/n) was all to familiar with the swarm of guilt that flooded her stomach. “Does it matter if he does?”

For a moment, Alfie smiled, pleased by the sharp edge of her tone. It was something he’d taught her, painstakingly, as she struggled with the brutality of the world she’d stumbled into.

“You using me?” His tone was careful, any hint of hurt or jealously parcelled away into the recess of his demeanour.

She could have lied. She probably should have done. “Yes”

Slowly, he nodded. The dribble of whiskey was drained from his glass before he met her eye again, expectant. There was a debt to be paid. It wasn’t like she could offer him anything else.

Michael would be pissed. But she was struggling to find the will to care. “Detective Monroe - he’s on Michael’s payroll, that’s why half your shipments are being raided”

“And?”

The press of her teeth cut into her lip. He was always so bloody difficult. “And nothing, do what you want with him” His gaze remained expectant. Alfie would always want more, even when every scrap of evidence told him to expect otherwise. It was his enduring determination that had first drawn her to him. Now, perhaps, it was what she hated him for. He saw so much, desired so much, that she didn’t know how she could ever deliver it. She was desperately holding onto the shreds of herself. And she didn’t know what it would mean to gift them to him. “That’s all I can offer you, Alfie”

His fingers curled around the edge of the desk, the strain morphing the ink spread across his scared skin. Carefully, he stood, his gaze locked on the loose threads of the rug that sat beneath his desk. “Right, then”

He didn’t move. The beast of him, the strength caged in him broad frame, held taunt as the cogs in his brain whirred. “Right, well, it’s much appreciated” He smiled but it wasn’t crooked, wasn’t amplified with crow’s feet and the burn of life in his irises. It was perfectly even and vacant and horrifying. “Best get yourself home, love. Wouldn’t want the prince getting impatient”

The blow hurt more than it should. “Alfie”

He reached for the jacket draped across the back of his desk chair, pulling it roughly. “I’ve got another meeting”

She knew the performance of indifference was false. But still, she found herself desperately scrambling at the seams, fruitlessly attempting to claim the shard of reality that had kept her afloat for years.

“Alf –“

Alfie kept his gaze low as he paused at the threshold of his office, a hand braced on the doorframe.

“Good luck with the Sabinis”

[runesandmoons]

These are the characters I write for (listed in order I most frequently write):

Stranger Things:

🪴 Eddie Munson

🪴 Steve Harrington

🪴 More characters to come!

Peaky Blinders:

🌲 Tommy Shelby

🌲 John Shelby

🌲 Arthur Shelby

🌲 More characters to come!

Bill Skarsgard’s Characters:

🌿 Roman Godfrey

🌿 More characters to come

Vikings:

🌳 Ivar Ragnarsson

🌳 Ubbe Ragnarsson

🌳 More characters to come

How I will write for these characters:

❇️ I do OC stories, but only my own OCs.

❇️ Most of my writing will be x Reader. I will do my best to make Reader nonspecific so my fics can be relatable. I am most comfortable writing afab!Reader, so Reader will always be female. I use she/her pronouns in my fics usually.

❇️ All characters I write for are 18+.

❇️ I do write smut, so my blog is 18+. Do not engage if you are a minor!

❇️ I also write dark (sometimes dark and heavy) themes occasionally, so read at your own risk. Every fic will be listed and tagged appropriately.

❇️ Fluff and angst will be in my writings as well.

❇️ Supernatural AUs are welcome! I might be open to other AUs and some modern AUs depending on what they are.

❇️ I will keep you all aware of my WIPS and updates so you all don’t think I’ve disappeared or abandoned my work! 😉

Blog Rules:

🍂 Please do not copy, translate, or repost my work to Tumblr or to another site.

🍂 Make sure to read fic warnings to see what they will entail. Read responsibly!

🍂 Zero tolerance policy on hate of any kind.

🍂 I will not write incest, pedophilia, a/b/o, child readers, or anything that I might feel uncomfortable with.

[paisholotus]

𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠

Pairing: Tommy Shelby, John shelby, Arthur Shelby x Black Female Reader

𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: Yuna walker and her family returned to a place they didn't think they'd see again. returning to birmingham was never at the top of the list, especially after how things ended.

Authors Note: This book is taken place in modern time 2021-2022.

®️ this story contains Nudity/Sexual Themes, Strong Language and Drugs.

Important: Also I am open to constructive criticism but disrespect will not be tolerated. The Ocs are BLACK and if you have a problem with that, by all means do not READ! So don't leave racist and negative comments, because I am the wrong Author to try. But anyways hope y'all enjoy. 😊🤎

[ryuzakemo128]

Peaky Blinders Incorrect Quotes Part Seventeen

(Part One / Part Two / Part Three / Part Four / Part Five / Part Six / Part Seven / Part Eight / Part Nine/ Part Ten / Part Eleven / Part Twelve  / Part Thirteen / Part Fourteen / Part Fifteen / Part Sixteen )

Dividers: Link Here

Red: What can therapy do for me that screaming in my car for 30 minutes can’t?

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Red: Quitting! It's like trying, but easier.

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Red: We call that a traumatic experience. Red, turning to Alfie: Not a "bruh moment". Red, turning to Aberama: Not "sadge". Red, turning to Thomas: And DEFINITELY not an "oof LMAO".

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Thomas: My stomach growled super loud in French. Thomas: I would like to clarify, my stomach did not speak in French. It growled during French class. Red: Bonjour. Alfie: Le growl. Aberama: Hon hon hon, feed me a baguette.

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Thomas: We need a way to lure in new customers? Alfie: Maybe we could have some fun, interactive events! Red: Aberama bath water. Aberama: ABSOLUTELY NOT!

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*In a horror movie situation* Thomas: I've got no service in my phone here. Aberama: Shoot, my battery just died. Red: Sorry guys, I just broke my phone with a hammer. Alfie: Guys, my phone is a book.

Red: Those darn tall old people. Aberama: Darn em' indeed. Thomas: Don't worry, they'll be gone soon enough. Alfie: *sharpening knife* Yes. Dead. The Squad:.....................

Alfie: Hahaha. Alfie: ...Is this self-destructive behavior?

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Red, singing to the tune of I Kissed a Girl: I killed a guy, and I liked it- Alfie, whispering: Should we call the exorcist? Aberama, also singing: The taste of his cherry Chapstick. Thomas, appalled: Call the exorcist.

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Aberama: How did none of you hear what I just said?! Red: I've been zoned out for the past two and a half hours. Alfie: I got distracted halfway through. Thomas: Ignoring you was a conscious decision.

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Red: Subs are so fun to play with. All you have to do is hint at what you might do, back them into a corner with a look, or grab their wrist in a certain way and they're a wide-eyed mess. Thomas: What the fuck kind of Subway are you going to? Aberama: Substitute teachers deal with so much shit. Alfie: Guys.

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Thomas: *Gasp* Aberama: wHAT?? Thomas: What if soy milk is just milk introducing itself in Spanish? Aberama: *inhales* Alfie, in another room with Red: Why can I hear screeching?

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Aberama: What is love? Thomas: An emotional minefield. Alfie: A neurochemical reaction. Red: Baby don't hurt me.

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Police: You’re under arrest for trying to carry three people on a single motorcycle. Aberama, with Red and Thomas behind them: Wait, what do you mean THREE?! Police: Yes…three. Aberama: Oh, my God— What the fuck!? Police: Wha- Aberama: Alfie FUCKING FELL OFF!

Red: It’s Christmas! Are you all in a Christmas mood?! Thomas: Merry crisis. Aberama: Jingle bells, jingle bells, single all the way. Alfie: Hoe hoe hoe. Red: Guys, please.

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Alfie: Are you laughing at that video of Red and Aberama fighting? Thomas: No. Thomas: I'm laughing at the comments.

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Thomas: Sometimes I drink milk straight from the container. Red: The cow?? Thomas:What? Alfie: Red, W H Y?

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Alfie, writing in a letter: "I'm going to kick.. your... ass." Alfie: THERE. Now send it. Thomas:: Dude, your handwriting's terrible, are you sure you want to- Alfie: JUST DO IT! A few moments later Aberama: So what does it say? Red, reading the letter: They say they're going to "lick my...." Aberama:..... Red:..... Aberama: Gross-

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Thomas: I am darkness. I am an power. I am your worst nightmare. I could kill a man in more ways than you can imagine. I am the night. I am fury, I am a weapon, I am- Red: A doll. Aberama: A cinnamon roll. Alfie: A sweetheart. Thomas:...... Thomas: ...stop it.

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Alfie: How late were you up last night? Thomas & Aberama, in tandem: Me? Alfie: No, not you two. You stay up late all the time. Alfie, to Red: You.

Red: No later than usual?

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Red: I’ve never smoked marijuana. I ate a brownie once at a party. It was intense. It was kind of indescribable. I felt like I was floating. Turns out there was no pot in the brownie. It was just an insanely good brownie.

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Red: Reality is an illusion, the universe is a hologram, buy gold, bye!

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Red: Clownery. Tomfoolery. Absolute fuckery, I am going to revoke your life privileges.

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Red, texting: Don't worry, I have your phone! Text me when you're gonna come get it!

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Thomas, working at McDonald's: Sorry sir, we don't serve a McFuck here, so either you throw that one slice of pickle out or we're gonna have a McProblem.

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Thomas: I wish I could control wasps and bees to sting my enemies. Red: You’re too young to have enemies. Thomas: You don’t even know.

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Thomas: And what do I get out of this? Red: I will give you a dollar. Thomas: What do you think I am? A chump? I would never do it for a dollar! Red: How bout two dollars? Thomas: You got yourself a deal.

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Thomas: And then they ran into my knife. They ran into my knife ten times. Red: You mean you stabbed them? Thomas: They ran into my knife.

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Red: So, Thomas, do you have a crush on anyone? Thomas: The only crush I have is this crushing anxiety.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Thomas: Oooh, a train! Red: We’re in a train station, Thomas.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Thomas: You’re an idiot. Red: That’s the charm.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Red: "It's easy to forget what a sin is in the middle of a battlefield." Thomas: Opposite over hypotenuse. Thomas: Dipshit.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Thomas: Red! This soup is flaccid! Red: LITERALLY WHAT THE FUCK DOES THIS MEAN?!

----------------------------------------------------------------

Thomas: Hello Red, made anyone cry today? Red: Sadly, no. But it’s only 4:30.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Red: Why is it that I always lose things as soon as I need them? Thomas: Actually, it's not that you lose things when you need them. You lose them a while before. It's just that you LOOK for things when you need them. Red: Okay yeah thanks Thomas, that's great but WHERE'S THE FUCKING FIRST AID KIT?

----------------------------------------------------------------

Red: All snacks are gone. Thomas: I AM LITERALLY RIGHT HERE?!

[livingmybestfakelife]

Peaky Blinders Masterlist

[last updated: 7-11-2022]

Tommy Shelby

Modern Biker AU:

Tommy Shelby x Reader

Songboard/Moodboard

The Next Generation:

Modern Tommy Shelby x Reader/Grace Burgess x Reader

You and Grace are long time friends and became a couple during your adult years, her plans to purpose to you comes to a halt when Tommy, who is pining for you, unexpectedly pops up during your holiday together

Untitled Songboard/Moodboard:

Dark!Tommy Shelby

Welcome Home Lady Shelby:

After five days in the hospital, the new addition to the Shelby family is finally brought home

90s AU:

Songboard/Moodboard

Heart Don’t Stand a Chance:

Tommy gives you a traditional family gift after your wedding

Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground:

Tommy finds an abandoned baby at a camp ground

Little Rabbit:

Cowboy AU

A Gangster and a Gentleman:

Joseph Blake has a thing for Tommy’s wife, but he soon hears how it’s not a good idea to make it too obvious

Nowhere, Elsewhere:

Tommy’s adopted daughter attempts to look for her birth parents

60s AU:

Songboard/Moodboard

St. James Infirmary:

Grace is jealous of the love that Tommy still holds for his deceased wife

The Crown’s Jewels:

The Shelby Brothers pull off a robbery during your birthday party

Items in Your Purse

Dedicated:

You and Tommy reminisce about your childhood while camping

Tommy Decides to Keep Cyril

Gospel Truth:

You finally break Tommy after showing your true colors

Wholesome Tommy During Christmas

It’s A Mad House:

The family pulls a Halloween prank on Tommy

Mitsouko:

Tommy calls up the woman he’s having an affair with

Candy Girl:

Tommy is not pleased with the supposed career choice his female friend has chosen

Tommy’s Old Money Wife

Office Hours:

Tommy learns that he’s not on an secret list

Tommy Being His Old Self in Front of His Nephew

Edwardian Era Cowboy AU

[Untitled] Elderly Tommy:

You’re a private nurse for an elderly man named Thomas Shelby, and you hold a strong resemblance to his deceased wife.

Modern Shelby’s During Quarantine

Tommy Can’t Help But Find Amusement In How You Past the Time at a Posh Party

[Untitled] 70s Tommy

The Favorite Series [unfinished]

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Mother to All, Wife to None

———————————————————————

Grace Burgess

Love At First Sight

The Next Generation:

You and Grace are long time friends and became a couple during your adult years, her plans to purpose to you comes to a halt when Tommy, who is pining for you, unexpectedly pops up during your holiday together

———————————————————————

Arthur Shelby

From The Heart:

Arthur gives a best man speech that isn’t as cringy has Tommy expected

Arthur Gets Back Into Drawing

———————————————————————

Michael Gray

The First Time Like The Last Time:

Michael reunites with a childhood friend

The Man With The White Horse:

There were many situations that split mother and son apart, but this might be something that just might separate them forever

Original Characters

——————————-

Tommy and His Daughter Get Ready For a Father Daughter Dance

Baby Tulip Shelby During a Picnic

——————————————————————-

Alfie Solomons

Cyril Is Going To Be a Father

———————————————————————-

Duke Shelby

My Mother’s Keeper

Duke avenges his mother after learning about her haunting past

Critter

Duke brings a new pet home

Jack Nelson

Jack’s Daughter Drabble

Mother to All, Wife to None

[misscarolineshelby]

Spanked

Part Three: The Proposal

Pairing: Modern Tommy Shelby x Reader

Words: 1,045

Warning: None…This is only the beginning!

Original Blog: @queenshelby (this is just my backup account as I have been having Tumblr issues)

Two weeks later…

Your heart fluttered when you saw his name pop up in the lower right side of your computer screen.

Over the past two weeks, you had learned that you weren’t the only one at the firm whose breathing quickened when they saw a notification from him and rumours had it that, if he sent you an email himself, you would either be fired or there is a serious issue he required you to fix.

In the company, Thomas Shelby was certainly known for his bluntly worded feedback, demanding expectations, and his particular style of putting employees on the spot and, whilst many of the females in his company took a liking in him, they feared him at the same time.

You quickly opened your inbox and clicked on the email. It was short and straight to the point.

‘My office at 4 o’clock. Don’t be late’ it said, giving you no indication on what this was about.

You had never been to his office and asked Lizzie where it was. She confirmed that it was on the top floor of the building and you already dreaded going in there even after you had run into him in the building almost every day for the past two weeks and he had never said anything bad to you.

***

At 3.50pm, you grabbed a pen and your notebook, flipping to a fresh page. You began mentally preparing yourself to speak to him, wishing his email had given you any inclination as to what he might want so you could prepare yourself further.

You found him rather intimidating and stood up and smoothed down your outfit which was a navy-blue dress that fitted you quite well. It clung to your small figure and it was yet another dress you had borrowed from your roommate.

You straightened the tight blazer you wore over it and fiddled with the long necklace that sat on your chest.

Clutching your notebook against your chest, you quickly made your way to the elevator which took you to Tommy’s office.

***

You approached his partially opened office door. Taking a deep breath, you hurried up to it and knocked twice on the door.

‘Come in’ Tommy called out, not bothering to lift his head up to face you.

You stepped in and stood waiting at the table that separated you while he finished typing a sentence in an email. You surveyed the office. It was extremely neat and tidy. It was also perfectly fitted out. In one corner, there was a side board with a record player and expensive bottles of whiskey while, on the other side of the room, there were some large book shelves.

‘I looked at the charitable contributions made by my Michael Grey two days ago. Was that your idea?’ he asked and you nodded nervously.

‘Mr Shelby, I know it is a lot of money but the penalties imposed by the tax department would have been higher and, at least this way, you will be seen to provide essential services to the community’ you explained, justifying your report to Michael Grey who was one of the senior business advisors of Shelby Company Limited.

‘Well, according to my cousin, you saved the business 800,000 pounds’ Tommy then said while looking up at you for the first time and instructing you to take a seat.

You nodded shyly in response to his comment and sat down in one of the large arm chairs in front of his desk. By this point, you were fidgeting your hands and it was obvious to Tommy that you were nervous.

‘Now, I need you to develop a plan to deal with some more money coming in next week. I want all of it invested across our different businesses’ he said.

‘How much are we talking about Mr Shelby?’ you asked.

’27 million pounds’ he responded, causing you to gulp.

’27 million pounds? The forecasts I’ve been given don’t show this kind of money coming into the business as a lump sum during this quarter’ you said somewhat surprised.

‘That’s correct’ Tommy said, looking at you sternly.

‘It’s off the books and you want me to launder the money?’ you asked nervously, assuming that this is what he was referring to.

‘I don’t like to use this word, Love. Let’s just say, I want you to get creative’ he explained and you were surprised that he had just admitted to you that his company was, indeed, involved in some illegal operations.

‘What makes you think that I agree to this? I could just go to the police instead’ you said somewhat surprised and, just as you did, Tommy began to laugh.

‘You have a 70,000-pound debt Love. University degrees are expensive. If you get creative with the company’s accounts, you will be debt free in no time. Your name will not appear on any of the accounts and, if there is formal investigation, your identity will be protected’ Tommy explained and, after you took a moment to think about what he was offering you, you nodded.

‘I want 5 cents on every dollar laundered’ you stammered after having gathered all your confidence.

‘Love, we work in pounds here, eh. It’s 27 million pounds’ Tommy clarified and you nodded again, but this time with a smile.

‘Yes, but I won’t be laundering the money through your UK businesses. It will be done through some brand-new enterprises in the US, which I will set up slowly. Thereby, no connection can be made to Shelby Company Limited’ you explained, causing to Tommy to nod with approval.

‘Alright, 5 cents in the dollar it is Love’ Tommy smirked before asking you to put together a proposal for his consideration and prepare all of the necessary paperwork and forecasts by the end of the week.

You nodded again before standing up and thanking Tommy for his time. Then, you walked towards the door while holding on to your notepad which is when Tommy said something else.

‘Y/N’ he said and you turned around to face him.

‘Yes Mr Shelby?’ you asked nervously.

‘The dress suits you’ he complimented you, causing you to blush.

 Tag List:

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

@peaky-cillian  @queenyshelby ​

@severewobblerlightdragon​  @ysmmsy​  @midnightmystic

[zablife]

Alfie Solomons

Comfort 🔞

"Don't think I forgot about what you did last time."

Fuckin' Hell

"I forgive, but I don't forget."

Is This Seat Taken

"I wasn't invited, I just came."

"I wish we could just run away!"

Love Bites 🔞

Playing a Game 💀

Rainy Day with Alfie

Taking a Walk in the Rain 💀

The Alliance

The Letter

The Opera Singer

When Did You Realize I Was Not Dead?

Winking at Someone 💀

∙ Additional Gentle Touch Blurbs w/ Alfie here

Alfie as a Student (College AU)

How Alfie Says I Love You

Professor Alfie Solomons (College AU)

Alfie's Bedtime Stories - (Modern AU) Alfie x gf reader

Alfie likes to read before bed, but his change in routine during lockdown has you worried for his mental health.

A Tomb By the Sounding Sea-Alfie

As Alfie recovers from his gunshot wound at Margate, he reminisces about his teenage love who died of TB.

Champagne Problems - Alfie x wife reader

You're hosting a party in a matter of minutes, but too drunk to manage. How will Alfie react?

Crossing the Line-Alfie x Tommy x OC (Talia Solomons)

Alfie goes to Arrow House to confront Tommy about his role in his wife's opium addiction.

I Wanna Do Bad Things to You-🔞-Alfie x Shelby sister reader

You have a plan to betray your powerful brother with the help of Alfie Solomons, but your impetuous and infuriating behavior is far too dramatic for the mad baker. What happens when he puts you in your place?

Liar and a Thief - Alfie x female reader

You borrow Alfie’s hoodie and he has a unique reaction.

Let Me Be - Alfie x gf reader

You aren't feeling well and want nothing more than to be left alone, but Alfie insists on trying to help where he's not wanted.

Safe Haven - Alfie x wife reader

After Alfie sides with the Italians to take down the Shelbys, he starts a new life as a baker in a small village to hide out. When his wife puts her trust in the wrong person, their idyllic life is shattered. 

Secret Desires-Alfie x female reader

Alfie’s been keeping an eye on the new worker at his bakery.  What happens when he becomes jealous of the object of your affection?

Seemingly Incurable Sadness - (Modern AU) Alfie x female reader

You’re weeks away from your wedding to Tommy, but you’ve run away to Camden to think about your future. When you stumble into a random pub for a drink, you meet a handsome bartender who changes everything.

Seemingly Incurable Sadness 2-(Modern AU) Alfie x fiance reader

Two years after you wandered into a Camden pub and decided to break off your engagement to Tommy Shelby, you’re planning a wedding to the handsome bartender who stole your heart, Alfie Solomons. There are no reservations about your plans this time around, but that doesn’t mean your ex-fiance will let you go so easily. 

Snowflakes on the Windowpane -Alfie x gf reader

Alfie does not share your enthusiasm for cold weather. Will you be able to lure your grumpy bear of a man out to play in the snow?  

The Petrovna Sapphire-Alfie x OC (Natalya Petrovna)

Alfie comes to Hampton Court Palace to appraise jewelry for Tommy and meets Tatiana's sister.

Wounding Words - Alfie x wife reader

You overhear Alfie talking about gypsy scum with Darby Sabini and it hits a nerve, sparking a fight between you and your husband. 

[queenshelby]

Spanked

Part One: Spilled Beans

Pairing: Modern Tommy Shelby x Reader

Words: 1,345

Warning: None…This is only the beginning!

You were in your last year of your business degree at Oxford University and were certainly one of a kind.

You had obtained a student visa for the United Kingdom three years ago and shared a small apartment with two other students. You were 21 and at the top of your class and quite shy. Parties didn’t interest you and neither did community events organised by the different social clubs at university.

Clearly, you were smart but, according to your best friend Janine you were not, at all, adventurous. Or perhaps it was just that you hadn’t discovered your adventurous side as yet.

No one would ever notice you, sitting in the back of the lecture hall, keeping to yourself and studying hard to finish your degree which you started when you were just 16 years old.

While most of your friends didn’t have the need to work while studying, you did. Money was tight and, on the weekends, you were working at an art gallery as an office assistant while, during the week, you had just taken up another part time position at a coffee shop in London’s business district.

Making coffee bored you and your customer skills were limited due to being incredibly shy. It was a job nonetheless and you were grateful for the opportunity.

Every morning, at work, you saw the same people ordering the same coffees. You remembered their orders and you remembered the faces of the men who left tips and of those who didn’t.

It’s not that you had ever gotten a tip from anyone, dressed like this, in jeans and a black t-shirt, but your two female co-workers worked hard for their tips.

From black dresses to miniskirts, bleached hair and showing off their cleavages, they were quite popular with some of the young and old bankers, lawyers and business men in town, wearing their fancy suits and expensive ties.

None of this impressed you much and, while these women were looking for a sugar daddy or their perfect suitor, you simply wanted to be able to pay your rent.

Little did you know that your boring life was about to come to an end and your worries to pay rent and fears of eviction would no longer exist following the visit of one particular customer.

***

It was Monday morning at 7 o’clock that Katherine, one of the young and incredibly attractive waitresses at the café, pointed out the one man all of the women in town were going crazy for.

‘That’s him, the guy I told you about. Usually, his secretary Lizzie gets his coffee for him but, occasionally, he will come here himself’ Katherine explained.

‘Another man in a suit, of course’ you said, rolling your eyes and, whilst you thought that he was handsome, you didn’t think he was anything special.

‘He’s not just another man in a suit. According to Vogue, he’s one of the most eligible bachelors in the UK’ Katherine pointed out just before he walked into the door with his head glued to his phone.

You didn’t know what made him so special but you couldn’t help but watch him and listen to him talk while you were wiping down the tables behind where he was standing, waiting for his coffee. His voice was deep and intimidating and he was swearing much more than any other business man you had heard before.

You realised quickly that he was dealing with a problem and, when he finally got of the phone, his coffee was already ready and waiting for him.

‘Thank you, Katherine’ he said with his low voice as he took the cup of coffee from the counter and, just as he did and turned around, you accidently tumbled into him on your way to the storage room.

Katherine’s chin dropped as she watched the coffee spill across his expensive suit and onto your arms all at the same time.

‘Oh my god, I am so so sorry’ you said, cheeks blushing red while you entirely ignored the burning pain on your arms.

The man looked at you somewhat surprised before putting his half empty cup of coffee back onto the corner. Then he sighed.

‘You’ve burnt yourself. You should maybe get this looked at, eh’ the man said but his facial expression didn’t change.

‘I ruined your suit. I will pay to get it dry cleaned’ you said somewhat nervously but the man shook his head.

‘There is no need Love, it’s just fucking coffee, eh’ he said before picking up his phone again, taking yet another phone call while asking Katherine for a new cup of coffee.

As he was talking on the phone, you cleaned up the floor where the coffee had spilled and you couldn’t help but notice that he was watching you.

His blue eyes gazed up and down, observing your every move until, eventually, he swore and hung up on whomever he was talking to.

‘You know, I couldn’t help but overhear you talking about a tax issue which, I think, I might have a solution for. I just wrote an assignment addressing…’ you began to say somewhat ignorant before, suddenly, the man interrupted you.

‘Are you an accountant?’ he asked and you shook your head.

‘I am about to finish my business degree but have researched business structures quite a fair bit’ you said, moving your glasses around slightly which is something you did when you were nervous.

‘She’s in the top of her class at Oxford. A childhood genius of some sort who left high school at sixteen to come here to study’ Katherine explained humoured before handing the man his brand-new cup of coffee.

‘A clumsy genius, eh?’ the man smirked and, just as he did, he pulled out one of his business cards and handed it to you.

‘Make an appointment with my secretary Elizabeth. You start tomorrow as one of my business advisors’ the man then said, causing your chin to drop.

‘I what?’ you asked somewhat surprised as you took the card.

‘Sweetheart, I don’t think it’s safe for you to be working around hot beverages. You are much better suited to sit in a comfortable office, eh’ the man then said, causing you to laugh.

‘I haven’t even graduated yet sir’ you explained, unsure what this was all about.

‘I would hate to see you work for someone else, Love. Katherine says that you are a genius so I will take her word for it, eh. Despite, I am doing the city of London a favour by getting you away from the coffee machine’ the man then said before advising you that he would insist on punctuality.

‘Thank you’ you said and he simply nodded in return before leaving the shop and getting into his rather expensive car.

When he left, you looked at the business card that he gave you.

‘Thomas Shelby, Director & CEO, Shelby Company Limited’ it read and you couldn’t believe that you had just scored a position at one of the UK’s largest manufacturing, import and export companies.

Tag List:

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

@peaky-cillian​

@severewobblerlightdragon​  @ysmmsy​  

[deepdonutkid]

Buy me a drink and let me tell you why I need it

Authors note

Thank you very much for the request    @caelys​ I had fun writing it and actually I thought about modern!au John way too much. Like I made a model for his apartment and a playlist and I could possibly draw ten more fan arts of him.

It takes place in a modern setting, but it starts before John goes to the military. He and Tommy still work in the Garrison, besides some other shadier jobs. Arthur is a car mechanic or something like that. Ada still goes to school and Finn too. Polly and Michael are not mentioned here.

Female reader x bartender!John BIG PUNK VIBES HERE!

Actually, this was going to be a multi-chapter fic with intense slow-burn, but whatever there it is. Just say one thing and I’ll write a second part!

tagging  @bonniesgoldengirl​

 Warning: drinking, drug use, marijuana, swearing, infidelity mentioned, a little bittersweet

Word count: 2348

 The garrison was not a pub for everyone. It was full of gangsters and other low-life scum. A woman was a curiosity. Working there wasn’t pleasant, but John didn’t complain.

It was the only legal job he got after graduating. He worked at the Garrison twice a week, usually on Friday and Saturday.

The nice thing about this work was the free beer and he could make as many cigarette breaks as he liked.

Nevertheless, John was a little pissed that night, because he could see his friends drinking over there and he had to stand behind the counter. Tommy’s orders!

“Fuck off, Tommy”, he mumbled while cleaning bar. Of course, his brother didn’t hear that, he was busy making some phone calls. John didn’t want to know, who Tommy was calling or why. Probably their next job.

But while he was still on the first one, he didn’t want to think about more work. He already had enough. It was past ten and John hadn’t eaten for hours.

At first, he was to occupied from his work to notice you. You sat down at the bar and cleared your throat. It wasn’t on purpose or to get the bartenders attention. Actually, you just wanted your peace. You hated being trapped in your new apartment, while everything was still so empty. Since you moved, so much changed in your life, but you still felt lonely.

That’s why, you walked straight into the nearest pub, when you couldn’t bear the weight of your own thoughts. But now you realized you hadn’t a penny left. Or at least not enough for a beer. “Get me a glass of water please.”, you said to the bartender, who kept starring at you. First you thought he was a little weird and also a little intimidating, but then you understood what he expected from you. An order, of course.

“A glass of water?”, he asked with a grin on his face: “Really? You know, where you are, girl?”

Now you looked confused. Maybe there was an unspoken rule, to not order a soft drink in this place, but how you should know? After all, you’ve been pretty new to Small Heath. Three days ago you moved into your new place. It was small, but it was yours. Your private space and your sanctuary. “A pub… maybe?”, you joked: “So what about the water?”

“Ah, I get it… It’s the end of month.”, he responded.

You laughed and shook your head. “I’m always broke. Money is not my thing.”

“Not mine either.”

Now he got your attention. You took a closer look at the bartender. He was somehow handsome. A pretty face for a fucked-up place like this. Then you noticed the tattoos on his arms, that peaked out of the sleeves of his shirt. “Dead Kennedys. Nice”, you mumbled and smiled slightly, barely visible.

He put a filled glass in front of you and smirked. “No need to pay.”

Your eyes widened. That bartender really surprised you. He was nicer than he looked like. You took a sip from the glass and nodded. “Thanks… I guess.”

The water was okay, but everything you wished for was a beer or a whiskey. Something to stop your brain from thinking. However, you nipped the glass very patiently, because you didn’t want to leave this place too soon. You didn’t know the neighborhood and chances were high, you got lost on your way around town.

The bartender seemed to notice your tension. “Do you want to drink something else?”

“A beer would be nice.” You croaked

The handsome man behind the bar nodded and pulled out a pint. “A beer, it is.”

You didn’t know it yet, but you were the only thing tonight, that made his work bearable. Everything else was so boring and you were new in town. Every little thing about you was so exciting for him. Staring with the fact that you stumbled into the Garrison without knowing its reputation. Then your little comment about his shirt, yes, he heard that. And your overall appearance was just the cherry on top.

The leather jacket, the ripped jeans and your washed-out Kurt Cobain shirt said a lot about you and John was ready to listen. What else should he do in the next couple of hours until his shift ended?  

“I’m John.”, he said and served you a beer.

You noticed the twinkle with his eye and replied with a shy smile. “Just call me Y/n”

The two of you shook hands and exchanged a strange glance. Was he flirting with you? No, of course not, you brushed it off. It was part of his job, to be nice to his customers.

After a few sips of your beer, you calmed down a bit, but not enough. You fumbled in the inside pocket of your jacket for your package. You smoked Dunhill and probably started way to early in life. An end of your smoking addiction was not in sight. The package was already half empty, when you opened it.

“Fuck” you cursed and signed. How could you make it to your next pay check with just a few cigarettes left? Maybe skip dinner a few times.

“Cigarettes are empty too?” he asked “I would give you one of mine, but they are empty too.”

“No, I still have some left, but not enough until July. Maybe not even enough for the rest of this night.”, you explained.

You took two out of the package and put it back. “Want one? I don’t have money, but at least I still have something to smoke.”

“Whatcha smoking?” “Dunhill”, you answered.

A wide grin appeared on his face. “Me too.”

“I know, I shouldn’t… but I just can’t quit.” You shrugged and lit your cigarette.

John brushed it off. “Fuck em. I think, I’m never gonna quit too. This shit just stays with you forever.”

“True”, you signed and took a deep drag from your cigarette.

“So… why am I the only girl in this place? Is there something I should know?”

“Nah, not really. It’s just…”, he began to explain, but then paused to smoke. You liked how he leaned against the counter. Like there was no cooler person in this room. “I don’t know… most women don’t like it here. Too filthy or whatever.”

You nodded and looked around. Everything smelled like ashtray and whiskey. There was dirt lying around. Nobody seemed to bother, so you chose not to either.

“And you are new in Birmingham?”, he asked: “All the locals know to stay away from this place.”

Again, you nodded and hid your smile behind your hand. “I just grabbed my bass and some clothes and left.”

“Bass?” Now, John was hooked. Since he could walk and talk, he had a thing for music. Especially rock and punk and he blabber about his favorite bands all day. Of course, he never learned to play an instrument, because his family was too poor, but he stole every record he could lay hands on. “You play bass?”

“Yeah, I can also play guitar, but I sold mine to get here. I started playing in a band now and I really hope this is going to work out… somehow.”, you explained

“Maybe.”, he said: “I can ask Harry, if you can play here. Live music would be great.”

You beamed and jumped almost over the counter. “Really?”

“But I need to listen to a song first. Otherwise, I can’t do it with good conscience.”

“Yeah, sure thing! When I get the promo tape, I’ll come back here.” Finally, some good news for you. After all you went though you really needed that and right now you just couldn’t stop smiling.

Three beers later, you were already in an in-depth discussion about music and which bands paved the way for punk.

After six more beers, you danced to the song he put on. John watched you with the purest joy. Nobody has ever danced in the Garrison. Good for him, that Tommy left, because “something important” occurred.

On beer twelve you sang for all the man to watch. The Shelby just could take his eyes off you, even when you didn’t hit the right tone.

He even caught you, when you fell over the counter.

But in the end the bar had to close and you still had nowhere to go, so you waited for him to finish his work. It took twice as long, because John kept staring at you in awe.

After everything was done, he asked, if he should walk you home and you agreed. Actually, you didn’t say yes, you hugged him and rubbed your cheek against his. Then you made a purring sound and told him your address.

You even hold hands with him, but that was mainly, because you were to drunk to walk straight. But you had plenty of time to sober up along the way.

Finally arriving at the front door, you had to stop laughing and catch a breath to manage to say something. “Do you…”, you began and paused, because you didn’t know how to phrase it.

Without hesitation he answered: “Yes! Yes… I mean, it would be cool.”

And again, you started laughing. “I was about to ask, if you want to watch the stars on my rooftop, but I didn’t know you were going to be so excited about this.”

He scratched his neck and chuckled. “Yeah, we were talking about the same thing.”

“Oh honey, I’m taken”, you explained

That last three words crumbled his hopes, that have been build up since you walked into the Garrison.

But he was a gentleman and he shouldn’t expect anything from a woman. After all, you don’t owe him anything. Even though he thought you were flirting with him the entire night.

He just bit his lip and shrugged. “No problem here.”

Then he added: “But we might not see the stars though all the smog and light pollution.”

“Let’s give it a try.” you opened the door and smiled.

You took the steps up to your apartment, John followed you closely. When the two of you entered the small flat, everything was still dark. The alarm clock next to your mattress said four in the morning.

John was so curious, when he looked around. “You really didn’t lie, when you said, you just took you bass and nothing more.”

“Yup”, you mumbled and walked to a pile of clothes. “Do you want to smoke one with me?”

When you pulled out the joint, John grinned at you. His cheeks were still red. “Why not?”

Climbing out of your window and onto the roof sounded way easier than it turned out to be.

But the view was great, and that was enough.

You lit the joint and inhaled the white smoke, just to blow it out again.

“No stars in sight, babe”, he noted while looking up

He was right, but you were still glad, that he came up here with you. You feared the moment of being alone again. “Yes, but the view… is amazing.”

You didn’t notice, he was glaring at you when he said: “Yeah, it really is.”

Then you turned to him to pass him the joint.

John took one drag and coughed. “That shit’s strong.”

At first you tried not to laugh, but ended up giggling anyway.

“What?”, he asked with blunt curiosity.

When you calmed down, you had to tell him the joke that just crossed your mind: “I like my weed like my sex… keeps me paralyzed for a while.”

That was the last thing he thought he would hear from you. He would believe his ears, if he hadn’t starred at your lips the entire time. “Uhm, okay.”, he whispered and hit the joint one more time.

The longer you sat there with him, the more comfortable you two got. After talking the whole night about music and artists and stuff, you finally opened up.

You told him why you left your home town and moved to Birmingham.

And he told you in return something you would have expected either. “Just a few more months and I’ll be in the military.”

John didn’t look like a soldier or somebody who took pride in defending his country. You couldn’t understand, how a wonderful guy like him ended up serving the forces. It just didn’t seem to fit in. But then again, you knew him for a few hours now, so who are you to judge?

“I’m scared”, he whispered: “that nobody but my family will write me… and I’m going to be all alone in the middle of nowhere.”

That feeling was all too familiar for you. Your heart ached, when you glared at him. “I write you.”, you promised. “And phone you and what else.”

“You would?” His voice was full of doubt. “We don’t know each other really.”

It was true, but you always kept your promises. You moved closer to him, to hold his hand and look him in the eyes. “I would. I know this feeling too well.”

For one second you thought he was going to kiss you, and you were ready. The drumroll played, like it always did, when the first touch of two pairs of lips, unknown to each other, was close. But the drumroll was all you were going to get tonight. You kept staring at his beautiful mouth and how would it feel, when his lips meet yours. Infidelity has never been your thing and you would stay true to yourself, even when the chance was so tempting.

“Can you hold me?”, you asked, while avoiding his eyes. You felt pathetic for being so needy in front of a stranger, so you added: “Just for a while.”

John didn’t answer. He didn’t have to. Instead, he just pulled you in arms and stroke your back.

The two of you felt all alone in this broken world, but right there you met and became friends. What a weird thing to happen.

[amysteryspot]

All I want for Christmas is you - Thomas Shelby x Fem!Reader

Request: hiii! can you do modern! tommy and reader spending christmas? thank you!!❤️

Requested by: Anonymous

Fandom: Peaky Blinders

Pairing: Thomas Shelby x Female Reader

Summary: (Y/N) is staying with Tommy during the lockdown and, inevitably, the holidays, but he has plans to make her stay last a little longer.

Warnings: Swearing, Modern!AU and more fluff than what you're all used considering my history with angst.

Word Count: 904

A/N: I know, I know, in theory “Highway to Hell” was supposed to be the last Christmas related fic, but @caelys​ made my heart grow three sizes today, and I’ve received a request for Modern!Tommy, and I miss writing Modern!Tommy, so here we are. I’m sorry if it sounds too OOC, but I was just going with the flow.

Also, I saw that both @blinder-secrets​ and @pollyrepents​ were feeling a little down, so I’m going to dedicate it to them and anyone who is feeling a little low today in hopes that some Tommy fluff can get you all a little better.

Feedback is more than appreciated, especially during the holidays.

(Y/N) = Your Name | (Y/L/N) = Your Last Name

English is not my first language and this wasn’t proofread by a beta. If you want to be tagged in my stories, just send me a message.

“Stop complaining and help me put this up,” she said, making Tommy huff.

“I don't know why you're so keen on it,” he complains but gets up to help her settle things on the table, reserving a space for the tablet so they would be able to do the videoconference with the rest of their families.

They wouldn’t be able to visit their relatives because of the lockdown. They weren’t even supposed to be locked up together, it just sort of happened. (Y/N) had been passing more time at his flat than her own, when the new lockdown was announced, Tommy said that it was easier if both of them were in one place together. She said nothing but counted the unusual request as a small victory.

“I just like to have everyone together, Tom. We didn’t have much of that when I was growing up.”

Tommy looked up at her, probably recognizing the hint of pain on her voice, and was quick to walk to her, sneaking his arms around her waist from behind and placing soft kisses on her neck and shoulder.

“I’m sorry,” he murmurs after a while.

“Don't be,” she answers, smiling.

Her family was... Complicated. She grew up almost without contact with her uncles and aunts, or her grandparents. It was only her brother, their parents, and her.

When she and Tommy started dating the prospect of being near them all gathered together excited her to no end, much to his dismay. Most of the time all he wanted was some time away from his family, even though he loved them dearly and made everything in his power to give them a better life.

“Christmas just lost a lot of sense for me after my mom died,” he confesses, in a low tone as if there were more people in the room and he only wanted her to hear it.

“Do you want to talk about it?” (Y/N) asks, turning around in his embrace and pecking his lips quickly, cradling his face between her hands.

Tommy leans in, kissing her more deeply, swaying with her from side to side for a moment, and then pressing their foreheads together.

“No, I just want you,” he said, bringing her in for another kiss, his hands wandering down her body.

“Tommy,” she warns weekly as his lips trail down her neck, and then before (Y/N) can say anything, the song of a videocall being received rings in the room.

They both look at the tablet to see who it is and Tommy groans, cursing.

“Fuck, why it’s always John?”

Laughing, (Y/N) pulls away from him and goes to answer the call, murmuring a ‘behave’ for him before answering the request.

Despite his complaints, Tommy did enjoy himself during supper. Their families were such a wild contrast: the Shelby’s were all loud and outgoing, the (Y/L/N)’s, calm and collected. (Y/N) always questioned herself why the both of them ended up together.

After midnight, when everyone disconnected and (Y/N) was putting the last things into place, having already changed into her sleeping clothes, she walked into the living room to find Tommy laying on the couch. The only source of light in the room being the Christmas lights and the light from the streets that seeped into the room through the thin curtains.

“Common, let’s go to bed,” she called, walking to him and picking up his hand to pull him off the couch.

“No, let’s stay here,” Tommy pulled her down to him, making her fall onto his chest.

They both giggled, as he rearranged the blanket to cover them both, making her rest her head on his chest, their legs intertwined.

(Y/N) thought that she couldn’t love him more than she already did, but when she looked up and found him already gazing back at her, the glimmer of the Christmas lights on his eyes, and that little smirk on his lips, she knew how wrong she was.

She kissed him, and then snuggled closer to him, in an attempt to pick up some of his warmness. They stayed in silence for what seemed like forever, the feeling of his hand gently moving up and down her back made (Y/N)’s eyes grow heavy, and she was already dozing off when she heard him say,

“I think you should move in,” he announced, simply, making her eyes go wide.

“Well, I think I already did,” she chuckled, with all the intention of going back to sleep.

“No, I mean permanently.”

Leaning on an elbow, (Y/N) blinked the sleep away as she stared back at him.

“What are you on about, Tommy?”

“I don’t want you to go back to your flat after this is over. Want you here, all the time. I want to wake up to you every day and go to sleep with you in my arms every night.”

“Tommy,” she called when he moved to pick up something from the side table.

“You asked me what I wanted for Christmas,” he said, opening the little velvet box in his hands, making her gasp and cover her mouth as her eyes filled with tears. “It’s you. You’re all I want for Christmas and the rest of my days. (Y/N) (Y/L/N), would you give me the honor of being my wife?”

“Yes,” she answered, unable to contain her tears anymore as she brought their lips together. “Yes, yes, a million times yes.”

.

Taglist: @stressedandbandobessed7771​ @captivatedbycillianmurphy​ @internalmess3​ @giowritess​ @theshelbyclan​ @peakyxtommy​

[helplesslyinlovewithcharacters]

Bitter - Alfie Solomons

Summary: (Y/n) is caught up in the criminal underworld dominated by the Shelbys and Solomons, never quite sure if she picked the right side. (Modern au)

Pairing: Alfie Solomons x Female Reader

Warnings: Michael is a toxic arsehole who mistreats and manipulates the reader. 

The summer heat pressed close in the crowded room, curling between the corporate flirtations and blatant love affairs, and bringing them to a simmer. Just on the edge of danger as boundaries were prodded and tempers were smothered.

It was co-ordinated disorder as gangsters played politicians and surrounded themselves in the honeyed gold of jewels and champagne only crime could afford.

And in the middle of it all, was (y/n), carving her face into a smile of gratitude as her boss slipped a hand over the curve of her arse. The performance was so ingrained in her muscles, soothed and coaxed to relax under Michael’s touches, that she had to strain to remember what her face looked like before. Had to scrambled to trace the seam between her skin and the gilded mask she concealed it with, desperate to remember there was something human and alive beneath the deceit of it all.

Every action had a purpose.

There was a ladder to be climbed and Michael was merely a rung to propel her upwards. Up and faraway from the pit of petty crime and cooperate backstabbing.

Liquid dribbled down her fingers as Michael jostled the drink in her hand, impatiently knocking his elbow against hers. She hadn’t been paying attention, hadn’t laughed or smiled or breathed at the right time. Every action was choreographed and directed by his impatient desires, possessing her time and her body.

Smile for the camera.

Wear red tonight.

Flirt with Arthur, but not too much.

Christ, she hated him. Would have given anything to smash her glass through the flaxen part of his hair and trace the trails of crimson that would slip from the cracks in his skin.

But.

She couldn’t afford such brashness, however desirable. Michael was a pawn to be manoeuvred. It was only a matter of time. Playing her cards right.

So, instead, she carefully drifted back into the conversation, laughed as Grace prodded Tommy’s pride and concealed a wince as their blatant love chiselled at her loneliness. Flared pain in her chest and brought her glass to her lips. She relished the acidic bite of alcohol on her tongue, let it linger before she swallowed the rum and felt its warmth bloom in her chest.

It was only a few hours. And then she could escape into the haven of her apartment.

(Y/n)’s smile flickered as Michael snaked an arm around her waist, the movement possessive as he anchored her to his side.

Her apartment also meant a respite from Michael. He would never deign to step into a one-bedroom, downtown apartment with peeling paint and a lingering smell of damp. It was perfect.

The ice in her glass clattered before she resettled her nerves, forced her body to recline into his touch. The bow of her head affectionate and caring, if only on the surface.

Provoked by the increased pressure on her hip, (y/n) prompted Grace with questions about her forthcoming wedding – demanding details about the dress, the caterers, the band, anything and everything. She knew how to make herself useful. Tommy would entertain Michael’s presence for as long as it amused Grace.

Still, her eyes wandered around the room, snagging on the open balcony doors and the floor to ceiling windows. Plotting escape routes. The late summer breeze couldn’t reach them where they were positioned in the room, centre stage, leaving the gathered silk of her dress to stick to her skin.

Swallowing her discomfort, (y/n) beamed at Grace. “Who designed your dress?”

The answer was lost to her as the chatter in the room was pierced by a bellow of laughter. It was warm and indulgent. A siren call (y/n) refused to surrender to.

It was Alfie Solomons. Once a friend. Almost a lover. And now, nothing.

They’d burnt that bridge a long time ago.

And yet, there was a magnetic draw to him. Something so alive and bright as he schemed and roughhoused his way through the tedium of cooperate negotiation. He was a trickster and a brute and she longed for him. Desperately. Pathetically.

Her glass was empty when she brought it to her lips, ice clinking against her front teeth.

Shit. Concentrate. Grace. Her dress.

Leaning further into Michael’s hold, she squeezed his hand, slowly plucking his grip from her dress, finger by finger.

“It sounds beautiful, Grace. Truly you put the rest of us to shame” Grace laughed delicately in thanks as Michael’s gaze cut into (y/n)’s skin, threatening to reveal bone.

She wasn’t meant to leave.

She held his gaze, almost a challenge, a dare to speak out against her. Deny her agency in front of an audience. Withhold anything from his beloved.

She might have been a dog on a leash, but she still had a bite. Michael hadn’t learnt to muzzle her yet. And she would never let him.

“If you’ll excuse me, I need a refill”

There would be no simpering requests for his permission. Thin ice be damned.

Disappearing into the ebb and flow of the crowd of businessmen, crooked politicians, and countless props she recognised as altered versions of herself, (y/n) made for the bar.

It was a thing of beauty; sleek dark wood cut into smooth lines that were accentuated with gilded edging. The swift, almost rhythmic movements of the bartenders were doubled in the mirrors that ran the length of the bar. Jewel toned bottles of liquor haloed the bar, the deep colours catching in the waning sunlight and painting the wooden surface in a dappled swirl. It was dazzling and fluid and exactly the kind of spectacle the Shelbys demanded.

Not that (y/n) cared. A cool box would have served her purposes just as well. Both would provide a respite from the prying stare and the coiling touches of Michael.

Just a few more hours. And then she could forget about Michael. That is, until his next request buzzed through her phone, hollowing her stomach and stealing hours of her sleep.

(Y/n) surrendered to the cool surface of the bar, pressing her forearms onto the carved wood as she bowed her head. Allowing the bar to bear her weight, she stretched her neck, demanding the tension in her shoulders to ease.

It worked until it didn’t.

“Hello, love”

Fuck.

Heat blazed up her spine, singeing her lungs as she pulled in a sharp breath.

Easy now.

“Solomons”

Alfie’s features were curved with amusement as she cut him a stern glare. Not that it would do any good. Like Alfie would submit to her cues and behave.

She didn’t have time for this. And Michael would kill her. Alfie was a business associate, but he was also bad fucking PR.

“You look like you’re having fun”

He rubbed his knuckles along his jaw, a jagged map of veins and scars overlayed with ink spanning the back of his hand. There was a twitch of laughter on his lips as he settled closer to her, just on the edge of invading her territory. Close enough to annoy her, but far enough away that she couldn’t justify rebuking him.

Twat.

Adamant to ignore him, (y/n) signalled the bartender, sliding her empty glass to him and watching as he wordlessly started to prepare a fresh drink. That was one thing about being with Michael; people were forced to pay attention and track your wants. It was a form of power that sat uncomfortably in her stomach, slimy and cold,

“What are we drinking?”

She avoided her gaze in the mirror. Didn’t want to see the longing and frustration warring in her eyes.

Alfie inched closer, his arm pressing into hers as he faced into the room. This close, she could make out the inked scales of the dragon climbing up his neck, past the unbuttoned collar of his shirt. It’s open mouth, erupting with flames, curled beneath the hinge of his jaw. She remembered the day he’d had it done.

What’d you think, sweetheart?

It’s fitting

Yeah?

It’s as monstrous as you

He’d laughed. That intoxicating, free, unapologetic sound rumbling from deep within his chest. It was so familiar, soothing almost, and with the slightest tinge of debauchery that followed Alfie everywhere. She could still feel that ache of something that had snared itself around her ribs, made breathing just a little bit harder.

It was that ache that left her to wonder what it would be like to kiss that fragile skin. If he would sigh. If his skin would burn with that same ferocious energy.

She guzzled her drink as soon as the bartender passed it back to her. She was fucked.

“Rum”

His smile stretched into something devious.

“Don’t you dare”

Alfie brought a hand to his chest, feigning hurt as his smile remained strong.

“You wound me,” For a moment, a smile twitched her lips. The real kind, the kind she’d longed for all night. Until Alfie ruined it. “I would never deign to offend the princeling’s favourite”

“Funny”

He hummed lowly, eyes tracking the miniscule shifts in her expression before it settled back into the refined mask that haunted her. Something burnt in his umber eyes but she couldn’t decipher it.

“How is the princeling?”

The burn of rum offered her a distraction, a moment to pause and desperately attempt to gather her composure.

“Perfect”

Their gazes locked. She refused to look away first, to submit to the challenge in his eyes.

Alfie sighed, his jaw twitching as he redirected his attention into the room, following the movements of the crowd.

“Doesn’t look too keen on you associating with us common folk”

(Y/n) shifted her gaze over her shoulder, catching the brunt on Michael’s cold glare. Shit. Fear jostled her nerves, fraying already fragile edges. His expression remained fixed as she offered him a smile.

Anger, cold and uncomfortable, settled in her veins, disrupting the simmering warmth Alfie was distracting her with. Good. Alfie Solomons was the last thing she needed.

“Last I heard, I was part of the common folk”

Michael made sure to remind her daily, even as he twisted her strategies and ideas from her grasp, bled her dry until he got what he wanted. Left her with scraps of dignity and just enough hope to think tomorrow might be different.

It never was.

A beat of silence passed between them; Alfie’s gaze heavy as he traced the bare skin her dress exposed. Not predatory, it was softer somehow. It was admiration bundled up with concern.

His question came as a surprise.

“He treating you alright?”

(Y/n) bristled. It was a dangerous question, one destined to spawn others if she didn’t silence him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

This time, Alfie held her gaze, easing himself closer. His breath drifted across her collar bones. She shivered even as the summer heat beaded sweat along the nape of her neck.

“It’s just a question, love”

But it wasn’t. It was an invitation. One that she shouldn’t have wanted.

Her teeth cut into her tongue.

“Everything’s fine”

He huffed out a laugh, but it was a poor imitation of the noise that had been beckoning her all evening.

“That why you look so miserable?”

It had to end. She was too far gone to venture down whatever road Alfie was trying to steer her towards.

“Fuck off, Solomons”

His fingers curled around her wrist, branding her with the heat of his skin. She couldn’t look away.

“You know there’s better out there, sweetheart”

Her laugh was cold as she denied the tendrils of desire curling up her spine. “You offering?”

“Always”

She blinked, startled by the blatant want in his eyes. However necessary, however urgently she needed to, (y/n) couldn’t pull herself from his grip.

“I can’t leave. You know that”

“He’s never going to see you as anything more than a prop”

Alfie’s voice was soft, gentle almost. Coaxing her into opening her eyes and seeing what a fucking mess she’d made. As if she needed his help to do that.

Exhausted, she pulled herself from his hold, levelling his gaze. “Is that so?”

“You know it is, (y/n)”

Bowing her head, she traced the gentle curve of his eyelashes, oddly delicate on his rugged face, instead of acknowledging the desperation in his gaze. Her heart clenched.

It was time to walk away, to end the conversation before he loosened her grasp on her resolve any further. She had fought and sacrificed and bled for her position. There could be no abandoning it now.

“What would you suggest?”

Alfie’s gaze traced her lips, her eyes, the curve of her cheeks. His nostrils flared as he strained towards her, halting himself before retreat became impossible. “Come and work for me”

“Alfie” There was a mere inch of space between them. In a breath, she could have pressed her forehead against his, felt his strength and warmth, curled into the protection he was extending.

“I can give you what you need”

An answer was on her lips, straining to be heard, when a familiar pressure curled around her waist. A breath was forced from her mouth as she was tugged against Michael’s chest.

“Solomons, if you’ll excuse us”

For a moment, Alfie was laid bare. His expression raged with want and horror. All too quickly, it disappeared behind an arrogant smirk as he bowed his head. Theatrical and stubborn at the same time.

“Of course, princeling, of course”

(Y/n) didn’t turn around as Michael led her away.