And We Walk After Part III // Michael Gray

‘and we walk after’ part III // Michael Gray

SUMMARY: an addiction warrants a loss of sound mind. and when blood stains his hands from the withdrawals of his cure, Michael Gray’s obsession is the price to pay for cocaine… and his life.

WARNING: cursing, drugs use, drug abuse, addiction, OD, murder, violence and blood.

A/N: if you enjoy this, please let me know. I’d love to hear from the readers. and if you wish to be tagged, let me know as well. my goodness. thank you. also… a gigantic thank you to @caelys​ because she has been with me throughout this entire time. she has listened to me go on about the plots, the moments, everything… thank you, dearie. it means the world. 

PART  I     PART  II

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Iconic 10/10

The School Teacher (21/21)

Pairing: Tommy Shelby x Adeline Taylor (OC)

Warnings: period typical sexism, series typical violence, period typical views of PTSD, canon suicide attempt, angst, period typical racism, smut, blood & gore, brief non-graphic descriptions of assault, possessive behavior

Summary: Adeline Taylor goes to the races, but she can’t shake a bad feeling.

Word Count: 4649

A/N: OMG welcome to the final chapter. What a journey this has been. Thanks for keeping with me.

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“Stable Boys and Bookmakers” – Tommy Shelby x Reader

[ MASTERLIST ]

SUMMARY: There was a girl before the war that turned Tommy down. Now they’re back in Small Heath but they’re both different people than a few years back… kind of. It’s hard to change old habits.

AUTHOR’S NOTE: Second of the three ideas I had on the trains the other day! 😂 In general, it feels a bit weird because I rarely focused here on analysing Tommy and the Reader’s emotions. I focused mostly on narrating the story but I hope it’s going to make sense this way as well. I got inspired by the aspect of Tommy’s relationship with Grace (no matter what I think of this ship, he loved her in canon and I don’t want to argue with that) – I have a feeling that he tried to prove himself a lot because her love was a proof to him that he’s worthy of a woman like her, a woman that is much more than all the Small Heath girls around. So yeah, the Reader is quite rude…? But honestly, I like her. It’s a one shot so some parts are a bit rushed! 🙈 Thank you @celticmelody​ & @comebackjessica​ for listening to me talking about this story so much.

WARNING: English is my second language.

WORD COUNT: 3,220

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The School Teacher (20/?)

Pairing: Tommy Shelby x Adeline Taylor (OC)

Warnings: period typical sexism, series typical violence, period typical views of PTSD, canon suicide attempt, angst, period typical racism, smut, blood & gore, brief non-graphic descriptions of assault, possessive behavior

Summary: Adeline Taylor makes a promise to Thomas Shelby. They both might come to regret it. 

Word Count: 3794

A/N: Let me know if you want added to the tag list. Enjoy.

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a little leeway and a lot of restraint - thomas shelby x reader

pairing: thomas shelby x reader

word count: 2.3k i think!

warnings: explicit smut, shotgunning, breathplay (slight), name calling (whore, slut, love, flower) degradation (slight), d/s dynamic (squint nd you miss it kinda thing) MINORS DO NOT INTERACT 18+ ONLY

disclaimer: this is my original work! i do not consent to the writing being reposted, copied or translated on other sites or on here by anyone

born from a convo between me and a friend that spiralled very far!!!! @sunkissssd enjoyyy

tommy made it a point not to involve you in the business, whether illegal or legal, nothing with any of the businesses touched you.

you were his flower, his delicate girl who was never to venture out when he said the words, ‘stay inside, i mean it.’ it was for your safety, not that you didn’t know marrying a man with as much ambition as thomas shelby wouldn’t infringe on your safety, but for his peace of mind, and for your safety, you’d listen to anything he said.

still, tommy allowed you your freedom. if you wanted to go shopping, out with your friends, or over to the flower shop you co-owned, you could leave at any time; he only asked that you take one of his brothers or isaiah.  

over time, tommy was comfortable enough to do some work in front of you, mostly so that he could have you come into his office and watch him work while trying not to interrupt.

it might be cruel, but he loved watching your cross your legs just as he lit a cigarette, the tobacco coating the room as he inhaled and exhaled evenly, clouds of smoke hanging gently in the air before breaking apart; and with each drag of the fag, you shifted, sinking into the leather of the cushions, trying your best not to whine or make too much noise to pull his attention completely away from his work.

today though, tommy felt more cruel than usual and was working late at night, the moon high and bright, and as he lit his third cigarette you opened the office door, smiling softly before taking your seat.

“what are you doin’ in here, eh? thought i left you asleep?” his words were slightly muffled around the cigarette, smoke billowing from his lips.

“bed got cold thomas. how much longer are you working for?” your voice was low and groggy with sleep but tommy found it absolutely sexy how sultry it made you sound.

“about an hour,” he took a long drag then, listening to you inhale with him before smiling. “c’mere flower, on my lap.”

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evermore

pairing: tommy shelby x reader

warning: mild swearing, mentions of an abusive character and death

summary: tommy becomes your lifeline in more ways then one

side note: original characters included

The shadows of two men walked across the quiet Small Heath streets. Both were fairly equal in height, their wide-brimmed hats adding a few inches to their tall stature. Even in the gloaming darkness, the quick brightness of the passing lamp post gave you the ability to recognize them. They worked for your fiancé. Your fiancé who recently obtained immense pull. His new job allowed him to make, break or bend the law. And those two guard dogs following you barked and attacked no matter the orders. They hardly blinked or questioned their boss, and the reasons why they were tailing a young, unsuspecting woman was no mystery to you. They were surveillance. They were the chains welded into your iron-clad shackles.

As you turned the corner towards a street you weren’t entirely familiar with, their footsteps picked up, matching the fast pace of your own tired feet. You weren’t sure why you were running, as running only increased the chances of an unpleasant outcome. Yet, your fight or flight response had one objective. To make it across the muddy street and closer to the amber lights illuminating within the windows of a pub named The Garrison.

Without thinking, you darted for the doors and collided straight into somebody’s strong arms. They steadied your balance, holding you upright until you pried yourself from their grip. The strong arms belonged to a man. A divine man, who in certain angles of the amber lights appeared almost Godly. And if you weren’t being chased by your fiancé’s henchmen, you would’ve gotten lost in those blue eyes.

“I apologize. I was just looking for a place-”.

The doors swung open, faces visible. The slightly shorter of the two stood on the right. Oscar Shaw, was his name. He had dirty blonde, slicked-back hair with green eyes, which he wasn’t too fond of ever since an unsatisfied whore told him they looked more like the colour of piss than the bright colour of freshly cut lawn. And his voice was often mistaken as the sound of creaking carts. The taller man standing to the left, Leon Mills, was the fearsome of the two. He dawned black hair and brown eyes that terrifyingly appeared charcoal. Perfect soulless windows fit for a man who you had never seen crack a smile or say more than a few words. A thumb-inched gap under his right eye was a medium-sized scar, one he received when he was younger. Although, nobody knew the true story. Nonetheless, he wore the scar with pride, as well as the nickname that came with it - “Mad Hatter”.

The man you ran into stared down the men, displaying no signs of fear. All three locked in a battle of glares. “The pub is closed”. The man said, his voice husky.

“We’re not here for a drink”. Oscar screeched, eyes moving towards you.

Taking two warning steps forward, the man remained unshakeable. Shoulders squared, voice calm as he spoke. “Then you best be on your way”.

“Not without her. We have orders”. Oscar spat.

“I don’t give a fuck about your orders. Anyone who steps into my pub has my protection”.

“She doesn’t need protection. She needs to fucking learn how to obey”.

The man’s eyes snapped towards Oscar. While Oscar did his best to appear unaffected, you knew he was afraid.

“And you need to fucking learn some respect. Now get out of my pub”.

Oscar’s green eyes barely were able to contain his growing cowardice. Tugging on Leon’s coat, he muttered all sorts of foul language. The man waited until the doors clicked shut before turning his attention on you, re-igniting your flight response.

“Whiskey?”. He asked, walking towards the bar.

“I suppose you want something in return for helping me?. But I would like to keep my self-respect if you don’t mind. And if it’s money you want, I barely have enough for myself”.

“How about a name?”. He poured a generous amount, putting aside one of the glasses.

You walked over, throwing your coat on the chair, introducing yourself after a sip of whiskey.

“Tommy Shelby”. He replied, leaning on the bar. “Those men, they looked like police”.

“They were. My fiancé is the newest police commander. Youngest ever, they say”.

“And what were his men doing harassing his woman?”.

Drowning the rest of the liquor, you deeply sighed. "I’m only his woman when the spotlight shines”.

"Does he hurt you?”.

You glanced down, ashamed. "Some days. When liquor grabs a hold of him”.

Tommy’s jaw tightened, fingers curled around the glass, suppressing the urge to squeeze. “Why agree to marry him?”.

“It was his latest apology. I was too afraid to refuse”.

”Why not leave?”.

“Clearly, you have no idea what it is like being a woman in this time. He handles my money. He has eyes on me constantly. I leave and I might as well be dead”. You said, glancing at Tommy, and wondering if he thought you were weak for letting such a power hungry man control you like a puppet on a worn out string.

“You stay, you will end up dead”.

Tommy’s words unpleasantly travelled across your skin. The certainty of such an outcome had crossed your mind after Edward stumbled into the house one evening shouting for you to serve him more liquor. You naively believed it would be the first and last time you would see Edward in such a state. But the dark aura surrounding his already questionable morals only grew.

“And what do you propose, Mr Shelby?”.

“I can offer you protection. I know people, and I know places where you won’t be found”.

Pressing your lips together, while Tommy’s words were of softness and concern, the same aura surrounded him too. “That’s kind of you, but I’m not looking to go from one bad man to another. No offence”.

“None taken”.

Tommy moved around the bar, making a quick call that lasted no more than two minutes. Without a word, he walked towards the doors preparing to lock up the Garrison. But you knew enough about surveilling a target to notice he was using the simple act of closing the pub as a shield to not alert Oscar and Leon, who most likely were biding their time until you exited the pub.

He returned, grabbing your coat. “You will leave the pub, cross the street and knock on the fourth house from your left. A woman, by the name of Ada, will open the door. She will hug you in a manner that suggests the two of you have known each other for some time. Then, Ada will invite you inside for some tea, and you will wait there until I call”.

“Who is this Ada?”.

“My sister. She will take care of you”. He said, helping you into the coat. “When you arrive, ask to use her phone and call your fiancé. Tell him you ran into a friend and plan on staying the night”.

“He knows all my friends. Besides, those men outside will tell a different story”.

“Don’t worry about them. I will take care of those men”.

“How?. What are you going to do?”.

“All you need to know is what I’ve told you. The rest I’ll handle, alright”. Tommy ushered you towards the door. You placed a hand on his chest, startled by the magnetic reaction.

“Why are you helping me?”.

“Because bad men don’t deserve good things. Good women”.

“How do you know I am a good woman?”.

He remained silent, choosing not to answer. Instead, Tommy explained once more the plan, asking you to recite it so he knew you understood. Once every word aligned, Tommy opened the doors and you were on your own again. Trusting another man who shared many similar attributes to your fiancé. Yet, for reasons unknown, Tommy did not frighten you.

Ada had kept Tommy’s word, she hugged you like an old friend and welcomed you into her home with kindness. The phone call consisted of annoyance from your fiancé, who scolded you for interrupting him during work. He ended the call with such outrage that Ada had to take the receiver from your shaking hands to hang up the phone. She consoled you until your weary eyes could not stay open. The last thing you saw was Ada’s sympathetic face covering your body with a thin grey blanket.

the next morning  

Dawn broke through the creases of the smoky clouds. Through your sleep ridden eyes, you saw the blurry outline of Ada holding the phone to her ear. All you could manage to grasp were the words “alright” and “Thomas”. But there were enough to shake the rest of the sleep away, prompting you to straighten.

“My brother is waiting in a car next street over”. Ada instructed, placing some tea on the table. “Finish your tea, and I’ll pack a few of my clothes so you can take them with you”.

“What about Oscar and Leon?”.

“Tommy has sent Arthur and Finn to provide a distraction”.

Sipping on the tea, it warmed your insides but not your trembling heart. Ada noticed, providing comfort with the same compassionate glance from the night prior. “It will be alright. You will be far out of Small Heath before they even realize you’re gone”.

“Why is your family helping me?. None of you know me”.

“My brother is a good judge of character. He wouldn’t be helping you if he did not think you deserved it”.

Setting down the cup, you placed your hands in your lap. “All of you are risking your lives. And I can’t replay you for that”.

Ada warmly smiled, “You can by staying alive. By not letting your fiancé take away your life or happiness”.

You smiled back, thanking Ada for her generosity. The next 20 minutes were spent in anxious wait, only building when Ada escorted you through the back streets, weaving in and out of backyards and narrow alleyways. Climbing into the car idling by, Ada offered you a friendly hug and a hushed whisper to her brother. You could not hear what she had said, but judging from Tommy’s reaction, it was no more than sisterly advice.

“Where are we going?”. You asked Tommy as he slid into the back.

He lit a cigarette, rolling down the window an inch for the smoke to escape into the polluted air. “Away from the city, that’s all you need to know”.

Nodding, you did not want to aggravate the man providing you with a lifeline. So you kept your eyes on the scenery outside the window, finding some freedom from the last two years of hardship within the countryside.

In the distance, a house emerged. The grandeur architecture spread across 1.2 acres of land. Leading up to the house were tall bushes, shrubs and trees following the shape of the wide gravel driveway. In the centre, a small fountain enclosed in a circle flowerbed added a pop of colour with its red and pink flowers. The house emitted a royal ambience, and you guessed that Tommy was royalty of his own making. The darker brown roof complimented the lighter caramel bricks, blending seamlessly alongside the pearl white windows and the front door. It took your breath away to experience such luxury without conditions.

“You will stay here for a few days”. The car stopped in front of the house, and a maid standing alongside a man dressed in a chef’s uniform were waiting to greet you. “They will cater to any need you have. I will be back to check in on you tomorrow”.

“Wait, you’re not staying?”.

Tommy blinked, throwing the remains of the cigarette out the window. “I’m needed elsewhere. If there is any trouble, my men will be nearby for protection”.

Your stomach twisted, but you slowly got out of the car and politely introduced yourself to the staff. Tommy gave you a fleeting glance before the window rolled up. The maid gently led you into the estate, and despite the high ceiling, spacious rooms and open windows, you still felt trapped.

five days later

The promise of tomorrow turned into five days. Tommy called to reschedule his visits, citing business matters or safety concerns. Within those five days, you quickly became familiar with the staff. Frank Reid was the chef who cooked the most exquisite chicken and baked the most mouth-watering walnut tea cake. He was a stumpy man, blue eyes and his hair was almost completely grey. But despite his elderly complexion, he was youthful at heart. Some mornings you would hear Frank hum in the kitchen, coincidentally in tune with the birds whistling outside. Your maid, Ruth Reid, was the wife of Frank. She was thin, hair slightly darker than a cherry with a few grey strikes woven through. Ruth was a lot more reversed than her husband. But on occasional would join in as he hummed. You smiled whenever you saw them blissfully enjoying the morning spirit, heart aching for a similar type of love.

As you enjoyed the solitude of the backyard, Ruth rushed over to inform you Mr Shelby was on his way. Instinctively, you smoothed down the vintage pale yellow flapper dress loaned to you by Ada. Ruth’s eyes twinkled, leaving you to your morning stroll.

When Tommy did arrive, Ruth, greeted him, giving an update regardless if he wanted to hear one. “She has settled in well, Mr Shelby. Shall I go fetch her from the garden?”.

“No need, Ruth. I will be in the living room”.

“Yes, Mr Shelby. Anything I can get you?”.

Tommy shook his head, disappearing into the next room, throwing his briefcase onto the champagne coloured couch. As he poured himself a drink, heels marched across the floorboards, quietening as they hit the carpet.

“Care for a drink, Pol?”.

“What do you think?”. She smiled, taking a seat.

Tommy handed her a glass, walking back towards the windows. You were in his line of sight, crouching to smell the roses growing. He fondled the glass in his hands, barely paying attention to Polly talking in the background.

“Thomas, you’re not even listening”.

“I’m listening, alright”. He replied, breaking away from watching you bask in the purity of the flora growing.

“You like her. That’s why you’re playing hero”.

“I don’t play hero, Pol”.

She smiled, already enjoying being right. “You like her, I can see it in your eyes. But somethings different”.

“Do you have the information or not?. Tommy retorted.

"That’s every thing I could find on Edward White”. She replied, throwing a file onto the table. “He’s a cunning man who knows how to hide his dirty laundry. Are you really going to take on the police commander, and the entire fucking police department?”.

“Won’t be the entire department, still know men who are loyal to me”.

"Be careful, Thomas. Make sure you’re risking your life for the right girl”. Polly stood, glancing at you from a far and then back to Tommy who was flicking through the file. “I know what’s different”.

“Yeah, what’s that?. He said without so much as breaking his concentration.

"This woman, you’re not thinking with your cock. You’re thinking with your heart”.

Looking up, he gave a nonchalant response. “What heart, eh?”

“The one still beating in your fucking chest, Thomas”. Polly raised her eyebrow, insisting she was right once more, leaving Tommy to debate with the thoughts challenging her observation. But before he got to any solid conclusion, you walked in.

“You won’t find what you’re looking for in those files”.

“And what do you think I’m looking for, eh?.

"His weakness. I assume the plan is to hold incrementing evidence over his head. It would be foolish to kill the newest police commander when there is a risk someone more temperament could take over. The only option is to play him like a puppet. Have him in your Shelby pocket, and control him in that way”.

“I’m impressed”.

“Well, we women are more than just things for your pleasure, Mr Shelby”.

His mouth twitched upward. You sat beside him, knees casually touching. “Tommy. Call me Tommy”.

“Alright…Tommy”.

His pupils grew. Something about the way his name rolled off your tongue evoked a hardened desire to find other ways for you to utter his name. Pushing that desire out of his mind, Tommy placed the file down, and the photo of your fiancé clipped to his background check stared back at you. You forcefully slammed the file, embarrassment following soon after at Tommy witnessing such anger. However, he did not seem to mind and handed you his glass. You finished off his drink, tearing up at the memory of your late father laying on his death bed a year ago and giving his blessing to Edward. Believing with his last breath all of Edward’s false promises that he would do whatever it took to give you a happy life.

“Will you be staying for dinner?”. You nervously asked.

“Business calls, love”. Locking away the file in his briefcase, you escorted Tommy to the front door. “Ada will come by tomorrow with some more clothes”.

“And you, when will you come back?”.

Tommy readjusted his grip on the suitcase, “Not for a while. Best we keep our distance”. The coldness in his voice threw you. As if it was a reminder that despite the good he was doing, underneath, he remained a bad man.

Upon returning to Small Heath, Tommy’s exhaustion led him straight to The Garrison. The small patrons that were occupying a few tables, he ordered out. Grabbing one of the bottles behind the bar, Tommy took a seat.

“We’re closed”. He said, frustrated at the interruption. Yet, Tommy didn’t need to turn around to see the source of the disturbance. “You must be Edward White”.

Edward grinned, “You’ve heard of me. Good. We can skip the pleasantries and get down to business”.

“We have no business”.

“Ah, but we do. You have information I need”.

Tommy rose to his feet, taking in Edwards appearance. He was a tall man, well-built, no older than mid-30s. He had blonde hair and hazel eyes, which gave the illusion he held any sense of kindness. If he did, it was no more than an act. A fake sense of security. Like the way a spider lures its prey into its web.

“What kind of information?”.

“You’re a smart man, Mr Shelby. Or so I’ve been told. Let’s not insult each other by playing games”.

Pulling out his cigarette compact, Tommy tapped both ends of the cigarette onto the case and lit the tobacco. “She no longer belongs to you”.

Edward loudly chuckled, “The ring on her finger says otherwise. Where is she, Mr Shelby?. My patience is wearing thin”.

“Far away, Mr White. She won’t be marrying you anytime soon”.

“I’m coming for you, Tommy Shelby”. Edward warned, “The whole fucking police department is coming for you”.

Tommy’s alpha composure watched as Edward stormed out of The Garrison. He calmly wrapped his lips around the end of the cigarette, tilted his head upward and exhaled the smoke.