Currently Halfway Through Murakamis Kafka On The Shore And Holy Shit Its So Goooood

Currently halfway through Murakami’s Kafka on the Shore and holy shit it’s so goooood

This is so pure I’m exalted🥺🥺🥺🥺

A story where the one and only Thomas Shelby was chasing a simple horse rider, but he was too afraid of doing something about it.

𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫'𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞: In some points it is Tommy and in other points it's not Tommy at all. The story doesn't follow a timeline, it's more like a bunch of moments that happened in the series and in my mind made sense. If you like it that's good and if you don't that's good too, I guess. Tell me if you would like another part/parts of this because for the first time i dont know whats gonna happens next. Also English is my second language so sorry in advance.

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 1,800

The only thing that brought peace to Tommy were horses, he trusted them more than his family and found them more bearable than his relatives. Rarely Tommy was seen in the races only because he hated the presumptuous people and the environment. But when he heard of the female rider he had to see it with his own eyes.

Her horse was as exceptional as her. Tall, black, fast as no other, fearless and incredibly beautiful. Cerberus and his rider were making history, since they started competing they won every single race. The bookies were bored and the people happy and angry at the same time but the Shelby brothers were intrigued. Their plan of fixing the races crashed thanks to Cerberus and his rider.

The first time they won the people thought that luck was on their side, but by the sixth time that idea was long gone. The chauvinist men were furious because a woman was beating their asses and giving zero fucks of their beliefs.

In the balcony where all the people watched the race stood Tommy, watching every movement that she made. The way she walked from the barns to the exit with her head held high, Cerberus by her side in his glorious form. Both of them walked with grace and determination. The way she rested her face in the face on the horse and whispered something while she started to caress the neck of the animal. The way both of them seem relaxed and in peace, like they were the only ones in the place.

She gets on the horse and rides to the start of the line, catching the attention of everyone there and not even flinching in the process. Tommy doesn't even know her name and yet he can't look away. He was mesmerized with her, the way she walked, the way she rode, the way she treated her horse, everything about her was hypnotizing. His “date” was furious because since they arrived he didn't even look or talk to her. His brothers talk about who knows what, he pretends to listen but it was a lie. He was so intrigued with her that he couldn't think of anything else.

Everyone was in their places, the riders were in line, the people waited expectantly, the time seemed to slow down and the mood was heavier. Everyone held their breaths when the race started. Seven horses, one winner, lots of money at stake.

In 5 seconds she went from being in fourth place to being in first and with wide advantage. As expected, she won. As fast as she won, she was out of the race track. In a blink of an eye he lost her. The only thing he knew about her was the name of her horse, Cerberus. Nothing else, nothing more. He asked about her but all the people could tell him was nothing. No one knew her name, where to find her or anything at all.

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

Months have passed and he doesn't get any information about her. The only thing he knows is that she was going to compete the next day. And the only logical thought he had was that he had to see her, so he went to the races.

Thomas Shelby was nervous, for the first time in a long time. Because what if she doesn't like him, what if she doesn't even look at him or even worse what if she had someone else. All that and more crossed his mind on the way to the races.

The people were starting to get used to the idea of her competing and winning. This time he wanders on the field hoping to see her, talk to her. In the crowd of horses and people he thinks he sees her but two guys kick him out because he wasn't supposed to be there and the race was about to start.

This time instead of being on the balcony seeing everything from above he decided to stay near the track. The horses and the riders do the usual cavalcade and for the first time he sees her from close. Cerberus was very tall, his black fur glowed with the sun and he was majestic. She had her eyes fixed straight ahead, her face was serious and her hair in a low bun. Maybe it was the way the sun touched her face but he swears her eyes were emerald green. For him the time slowed down and he was admiring her for years, but the reality was that if it was more than two minutes it was a lot.

Like the last time, everyone was where they were supposed to be. The race started and she was the last one, it seems that the race was fixed. The people around him start to swear, scream, and move their arms. But he stood still in silence watching every move she and Cerberus made. The way his muscles clench, the way that his hoofs touch the ground, the way she moves above him, the way she holds the reins, every little thing they do.

The class with which she passed her rivals, one by one lost in the dust she leaves in her way. With every breath Tommy made, she overtook another rider. It was like the three of them were breathing in sync. And again she wins, Cerberus wins. All the people in the track were in silence, astonished with what they saw, trying to believe it. It was like magic, every move that she made was like magic.

The voice telling that Cerberus and his rider were the first ones winning ten races in a row, that they were undefeated, brought people out of their trances causing them to start clapping and yelling. She picked up her prize and for the first time she took off her helmet, greeted the audience and made a bow. Then her and Cerberus left and that was all.

For Tommy everything happened so fast and yet so slow, it was so surreal. He went after her but he couldn't find her. He went to the barns, the track, everywhere, even the women bathroom, nothing. It was like the earth swallowed her. Not a single trail of her or Cerberus.

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

All the power that he had and yet he cant finf out a fucking thing from a simple woman, but at the same time she wasn't simple at all. It was frustrating for him. Women come and go as days and she still wanders through his mind. He was afraid for her. Maybe she was hurt or even dead, but that simple idea runs his blood cold. It was irreal to him to be honest, he doesn't know her and still he wanted to protect her.

Nearly a year past and he start to think that she was a product of his delusional mind, a stupid belived of light at the end of the tunel. His family laughs at him and his situation. The people start to forget about her, the history she made, the legend she was becoming. The first woman to enter the races and win ten times in a row and then disappeared. The history name was “Cerberus and the first woman rider” because she was nameless. No other woman competed in the races, no other rider won ten times in a row. She was one of a kind. No one compared to her. Her history was intact and at the same time forgotten.

In one of the nonsense monologues that Alfie was having about moving to Margate while Tommy was trying to do business with him that that peculiar horse name escaped his lips and the next choice of words caught Tommy's attention “Cerberus and his beautiful rider, I swear you mate that woman is like magic. I see her walking in a field full of sunflowers with her horse at sunset. It's like a fuckung paint mate.”

“You know them?”- Tommy was in shock. After so much time, he almost lost hope and there he was hoping his enemy-friend would give him something about that misterius girl that has his heart in her palm and she doesn't even know about it.

“Yeah, yeah. Lovely woman even though she doesnt give me her name. Sometimes she plays with Cyril. Very lovely woman.”- Tommy walked to his car and left the place. Leave behind him a very confusing Alfie. Leaving giving zero fucks about his responsibilities in Shelby Brothers Limited. He had to go to Margate and find her.

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

There he was in the only fucking field full of sunflowers in fucking Margate and no misterius woman. No Cerberus and his rider. He was sure that it wasn't a product of his mind, but he started thinking that maybe destiny doesn't want them to meet. But fuck Thomas Michael Shelby doesn't believe in fucking destiny, he was the one who controlled his future so if he had to stay in that damn field for who knows how many days he would do it because he was tired of not knowing who she was.

30 minutes later in the distance a figure was coming and he knew exactly who is, at least he hoped to know who is. The more the figure got closer the more sure he was. It 's her. She was riding freerly. Her arms stretched, the breeze in her face and a wide smile. She seemed at peace, under her was Cerberus galloping and everything was fine, even great. It was like Alfie said, it was like a fucking paint.

Leaning against his car door, cigarette in his lips Tommy kwen that the scene in front of him was the scene he wanted to watch every day for the rest of his life. When she was close enough he started walking in her direccion. Finally they were close enough, but she still was on her horse. Without thinking Tommy approaches Cerberus slowly and when finally Cerberus lets him touch him Tommy starts to caress his head. No one said a word and she got off the horse.

When she was close enough to him he looked at her. She was more beautiful than he remembers. Her skin was freckle and tanned thanks to the sun and her eyes were in fact greens. Her hair was wavy and long. He admired every centimeter of her face. And a small smile appeared in her lips that without thinking made Tommy smile the same way.

And there in the sunset in Margate Tommy Shelby found the woman he tried so hard to find. But the real thing that matters is if he manages to preserve her in his life or if his belief that he is the owner of his destiny is really true.

We are losing it

Can't you tell

The scratch

Our eternal itch

A twentieth century bitch

-Radiohead

Ok so, I know all of these r so sexy and hot but I can’t help but think of how fuck did they made Cillian appear sweaty (5th gif) ?? Did they made him run laps or smthn? Dnnajdhshshahahahshahhahshaha

Tommy x Tatiana (Peaky Blinders) | Day 2: Favorite Relationship (platonic or romantic)

Gosh this is so amazinggggg😭😭

Bad Liar (Thomas Shelby Imagine)

Anon Baby: 77, 73 and / or 35 for tommy pretty please!!!! Ofc ignore if this is not your thing though 😇❤️

77. ‘I need to leave.’

73. ‘You believe me, right?’

35. ‘This wasn’t supposed to happen.’

This is more of a cuter, soft one - I felt like if I just made a ‘he cheated and got caught and begged for forgiveness’ that would be very bland and typical so i hope you like this one

^ hes so fuckin hot i swear…. skflalkha;glajf;lkajsflaskfj

The day with me typically begins with a piping hot cup of tea, and ends with a piping hot cup of tea. I’m the simplest women you could ever meet, at least that’s what is said about about me. Mediocre, average, simple. And most females would take offence to such a thing, but I liked my simple life. As a matter of fact, I fucking cherished my boring life, and loved it so much. The funniest thing of all is that I found a man, good, and funny, and handsome to love me for the way I am too.

I made sure to rub that in my aunts faces as I walked down the aisle to a man known as Tommy Shelby. They were always extremely unsure of my dreariness. Saying that the fact that I always have a book in my hands and my glasses on my face gets in the way of a woman’s true beauty. It’s bullshit is what it is.

Because for goodness sake, Thomas met me in a library ages ago. Trying to get my head out of the book I was reading to ask me out on a date I had no interest in attending. I was studying to be a librarian, making sure to ace my final exam. 

I can still hear his groggy, raspy, scared voice as I tried to tune him out, I had no clue of who he was, hadn’t even looked up once. 

I’ve seen you here so many times and I’ve finally got the balls to ask you if I can take you out. I’m a respectable man, and I don’t do this very much…

It was all charming, his voice alone did things to me that no man has ever done before. And when I glanced up to see who this mystery man was I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. He was so handsome, so beautiful, so sweet and pretty and perfect. His eyes a blue so blue, the ocean was put to shame. That’s what I initially saw, and what had me falling in love with him. The rest was history, we were happily in love, madly, deeply, and whatever the fuck else you wanted to call us.

He walks down the stairs slowly, wincing a little before coughing loudly, following everything with a sneeze so loud, our little cat Queenie nearly jumps up into my arms.

I sip on my tea, looking up as he walks towards me. “Happy birthday, beautiful.” He bends down and kisses my cheek, making me smile.

“Thank you.” I beam before noticing the tip of his nose is a ruby red. That grin on my face disappears, “Your fever is still up, isn’t it?”

He sniffles, exhaling once his back comes in contact with the chair. “Fuck,” He hunches over, reaching for his smokes. Tommy looks a bloody mess. Which is weird considering he slept through the night, his annoying snores continuously woke me up.

“I couldn’t sleep, babe.” He coughs, covering his mouth. “Fuckin’ hell. I never get sick. I can’t drive you to work, I’m sorry, love.”

I squint my eyes at him, wondering how he’s to even think about my work right now. “It’s fine.” I cross my legs, “You know, I’ve known you for over six years, not once have you had the flu.” Regardless of the facts, I leap to my feet and hurry to the medicine cabinet and pull open the remedies and recipes to cook, “I’ll take work off, tend to you.”

“No, you don’t have to, love!” Again, a sneeze comes out of him and it takes his entire body to shake a bit. “I can take care of meself.”

Rolling my eyes at him, I pull out the family book of curing diseases and shut the cabinet. “By taking care of yourself, you mean only being at work for half the day, and not the full day?”

He laughs a bit, “I need to go into work-“

“No you don’t!” I put my foot down before moving back to the table to grab my glasses, I put them on and open the book in search of my mother’s dreadful chicken noodle soup recipe. Thomas will loose his mind when he sees that I’ll have to use chickens feet, but it will help him a lot.

He sulks, “This wasn’t supposed to happen, I had plans for you today…” Thomas coughs again, this time more dramatic than the last which makes me flip through the pages hurriedly.

Getting lost in the book, I ignore him the way I do too often. I finally find it and read the recipe before bouncing up and heading to the fridge. I can still hear mums nagging voice: you’ll need all ingredients or just don’t ye bother makin’ the damn thing if ya don’t.

She was always so mean, but so knowledgeable and wise. I always told my friends, my mother was some sort of genius before she lived her life, her past spirt wsa definitely a boss businesswoman. Too bad she was such a miserable soul. 

“Okay, here.” I lift the book up and flash it to Tommy. “This’ll all be okay because you’ll feel better very soon.”

“Honestly y/n, I think I’m actually feeling better.”

“Mmmm, I don’t think so, sweetness. Ring up Arthur and John, tell ‘em you can’t hang out today.”

“No I think I’m better.” He states.

“I think not.” I sing.

He sighs. “Alright. I’ll take a hot bath, see if that’ll help. You go ahead to work, I’ll phone you if I get worse. Alright?” 

“Argh, Thomas you’re so annoying! Let me take care of you!” 

“Babe, trust me. I’ll be fine, and isn’t,” He snaps his fingers, his eyes narrowing as he tries to remember her name. “The ginger who smokes a pack of cigarettes a day.. What was ‘er name?”

“Beth?” I almost roll my eyes at him. Beth must’ve come over for tea at least five times with her husband, who Thomas knows fairly well. We’re good friends, coworkers. How does he not remember her bloody name? 

“Yes! Beth, isn’t Beth making you some kind of cake, birthday traditions?”

“Christ,” Putting my hand on my forehead I sigh, how in the world does he remember that but he can’t remember her name. He’s losing his mind. “I’ll just ring the library up and get her to put it in the fridge, or something.”

“Seriously, love, you should go, I think I’ll feel better, and its your birthday, you don’t want to have to take care of me.” 

“But I dooooooo.” I really don’t mind. The more time I get to spend with him, the better. “Why do I need to leave, anyways?” I straighten out my back. 

“Because,” He shrugs, “You’ll have more fun with your workmates than you will with me.” H

I grab my bag, my shoulders dropping as I stare into the deep depths of Tommy’s eyes. “Fine.” I sigh, walking towards the front door. “But its your loss, so, ya.” 

I shut the door without getting a reply out of him, which to me sounded like a chuckle. Which made me think, what the absolute hell is going on. Regardless, the day begins and goes. Beth does bring me a cake, and all of the girls make sure to really celebrate me, which is nice beyond belief.

My feet drag against the gravel when I get home. And I push my key into the lock and twist the knob to pop the door open. I make my way inside my house and saw John’s kid running across my hallway and into the really room. I thought, huh that’s weird. And then I heard him say in a voice that was meant to be low — oi, Toms lady is here! Shut up! 

And then there goes Esme, hissing for her son to not swear, followed by a chorus of shush’s. I drop my bag and kick off my heels before walking towards the living room where the lights are dimmed before hearing a cheers and shouts of people saying happy birthday! It’s cute to say the least, and when I look around and see my friends from the library I giggle, remembering them all in a rush to leave work. Thats why! And the living room is converted into a party room, banners running across the room, cake, tea, champagne, goodness gracious! For me!?

He approaches me, baring two glasses of champagne, Thomas with his deep blue eyes and handsome face. He looks darkly delicious, in a suit that makes me want to tear it off of him, oh, what’ll tonight bring I wonder. 

I take the glass of champagne and smile as he ducks down to kiss my forehead. “Surprise baby,” He says and I melt, kissing him. “Happy birthday.”

I laugh when I see his nose is not at all red, and he doesn't’ sound nearly as sick as he had this morning. 

“Hey!” I point at him, “You lied about being sick to surprise me, sneaky!”

“Yes, you believed me right,? He smirks.

“You’re so clever!” I giggle, shaking my head. “God, I look a mess, shall I change?” 

“You look so beautiful,” He says gazing at me, he leans down and whispers in my ear. “I can’t wait to have you all to myself, Y/N.” 

I lace my hand around his neck and grin at him. “I love you.” 

“I thought you deserved more than a cake from Beth and a few gifts from me,” Turning his head, Thomas nods towards the decor, “Do you like it?” 

“I love it so much!” I reply, taking a sip of the champagne, I look up at him through my lashes, “Thomas Shelby, ultimate husband and romantic and actor?” I look at him quizzically, putting a finger on my chin. “Your a man of many talents, Shelby.” 

I get a flushed smile out of him. “I can also dance.” 

I note the music that plays and giggle once he takes me and drags me to the dance floor which used to be where the dining table was. He spins me around before putting my hand on his shoulder, he puts his hand on my hip. I look up into those eyes, blushing. “Did I tell you I love you?” 

He ducks down and kisses me softly. “I love you more.” 

“It wasn’t just Thomas Shelby against the world, it was them against the world. His brother, his lover, and himself.” 😭😭😭

Oh god, I need to lay down for a bit... This is just an absolute ✨masterpiece✨

"KINDRED",6 - Tommy Shelby x Reader

Warnings: Swearing, Fluff, Plot(s), Tommy & Reader being bitches

Summary: You're a reconverted ex war-nurse and join forces with Thomas Shelby to cut the head of the Fascist serpent, Oswald Mosley.

Word Count: 4.8K

A/N: This is the end of the Serie guys... The next part is the epilogue. II Gina's family is totally OC & It's Tommy POV.

*Masterlist*

❰ ​Previous Chapter

“I dreamt about a black cat,” Tommy went to sit down next to you, he was so close to you that your shoulders were touching, to his greatest pleasure.

After Polly left him, he stayed in his office for what seemed to be hours. It was his thirst for whiskey that hurried him to leave the room, and after he wandered in Small Heath’s streets & pubs, he conceded to do what he wanted to do since Pol left his office, see Y/N.

She was now in front of him, intently looking into his blue iris while remaining silent, a sign that she was waiting for him to continue.

“Thought it was Michael,” he raised a brow, “You told me it was Gina.” He pointed to her with his hand that was holding his cup of whiskey.

“Now Polly resigned.” He scoffed to himself. He couldn’t believe it was true that she left the company. And the worst part was that she was leaving to be on his enemy's side, Michael’s.

“Resigned?” Y/N raised her brows, quite surprised by the revelation.

Tommy didn’t answer, too occupied looking at the void in front of him. The woman didn’t know the Shelby family for quite long, but they seemed close. It was hard for her to understand the actual situation, and it’s in her head that she was making the additions to fill in the blanks in Thomas’s speech.

“She joined with Michael?” She concluded fast enough to catch Tommy desperately looking at her. It wasn’t simple to read his face, but she was used to him now, and their intimacy made it easier for her to see that Tommy was truly hurt by the event.

Y/N was seated on her knees, turned toward the Peaky head with one elbow at the top of the sofa and her chin in her palm. Her free hand was fidgeting with the tassels of her dress.

It was what Tommy firstly saw when she got out of the car ten minutes ago.

They arrived at her manor at the same time, both of their vehicles facing the other. Tommy got one hand onto his gun that was in his shoulder holster under his suit and Y/N was holding a rifle she kept on the passenger seat.

It was only when they turned off the headlights and that their stare connected that their bodies relaxed, the tension being replaced by the desire to possess the other.

Once out of the car, Tom couldn’t look at anything else other than the dress the Y/E/C eyed woman was wearing, it was a form-hugging grey satin one that reached her knees with a split on one of her legs, revealing some more skin.

At each of her actions, the tassels would move to accompany her figure, which mesmerized Tommy who forgot the reason for his coming.

She lifted her hand to Tom’s arm, squeezing it gently to reassure him. She didn’t want to use words as she knew he didn’t admit to himself that he was hurt. Y/N remained silent a little more before an idea crossed her mind.

“There is going to be a meeting, Tommy. A last one.”

He exhaled deeply and lifted his stare to her, intrigued by the confidence in the woman’s voice. She knew what he was thinking and nodded to him, “A family meeting. I will take the lead. I know exactly where to hit.” Her fingers slide to Tom’s hand as she was brushing the tip of her fingers on his skin.

The blue-eyed man wasn’t saying anything, but unlike any other time, he wasn’t deep in thought, this time, he was trying to read Y/N’s face. He knew she was ready for anything and ready to do everything, but the question remaining was, what?

What did she have in mind this time?

“Did you free Gina?” Tom suddenly asks, with everything that was happening he almost forgot that Y/N abducted his cousin’s wife to get rid of the couple after they treated Tommy’s status in the company.

She shook her head, “I did not do such a thing,” she raised her eyebrows with excitement, “Do you want to know our plan?” She shifted position, straightening back on her knees with both her hands on her thighs.

Tommy knew her, when she was this excited it didn’t presage anything good, and by the fire burning behind her iris, he knew he was right. “Please.” He agreed.

“Michael Gray, Polly Gray, Mr Rice & me, in the family meeting.” A faint smile appeared at the corner of her lips, distracting him a minute from what she just said.

“Mr Rice?” He squinted his eyes, frowning.

“Gina’s father.” The woman began as she poured some liquor into her cup, “He is here, in Birmingham, I’ve met with him today actually.” She sipped on her drink as if everything she was saying was normal.

But the more she was speaking and the more Tom’s brain got filled with questions, and when he was about to open his mouth, Y/N spoke again, well aware that Tommy didn’t understand.

“Remember when I told you that Gina was working with her uncle? Well, her father used to work with his own brother when younger, but he settled down when he met God. So I just twisted his mind into thinking his brother is using his daughter to get to him and... boom. We got another ally.”

“How come you know so much about her family?”

“It’s called socializing, Thomas, you should try it from time to time. When you use the money to get information, I use my pretty eyes.” She winked at him.

He snickered at her remark, did she just criticize his way of dealing with things? No. She proved more than once her benevolence towards Tommy and his business. “So, why do you want my enemies in a family meeting?” The man emphasized the last words to highlight how absurd Y/N’s idea seemed.

“To show ‘em our hand, we got all the cards right there, Tom.” She opened the man’s hand and patted at his palm with her index.

It was still quite peculiar for him to admit that Y/N handled difficult situations ridiculously well, and even more, to admit that she was indeed helping him.

Tommy wasn’t the type to let people get into his business because he was the only one to know how things needed to be handled, but since he met her, she hadn’t done one thing wrong.

She always had the right answers to threats, she always made the right moves, and even if he wouldn’t fully admit it to himself, he wanted to trust her. Even if he was well aware that she wasn’t telling him everything. He respected that, only because her resilience to fight for his business and himself was genuine.

Maybe Polly got it right the other night at the Garrison, he might be loving her.

“What do you say?” The woman’s voice got him out of his thoughts.

“Hmm?”

She chuckled and shifted her position to be closer to him when realizing he wasn’t even listening to her, “Why that serious face?” she asked as the tips of her fingers encountered Tom’s cheek tenderly.

The man didn’t move a bit, paralyzed by the thousands of sparkles running down his spine. He wasn’t used to her being that soft with him, and at the same time, he never wanted to get used to this, from the way her lips were stretched into a smile to the sweet gleam animating her eyes.

“You went out tonight?” He dismissed her previous question. She didn’t need to know that even when being with her he was still thinking about her.

The thing between them was still as fresh as spring wind and he was so used to seeing her being all strategic and untamed, that seeing her smiling and giggling with him ignited something in him.

“It's a women’s night,” She leaned toward him and pecked his lips before getting up. His fingers that were drawing circles on her thigh slid to her hand and she squeezed it before pulling on it, “the night’s still young. Come ‘ere, Sergeant Major.” She mentioned to him as starting to move her hips.

Tommy’s eyes weren’t leaving her figure, he didn't even blink, too afraid she would vanish. Seeing that she was inviting him to join her, he gave her a faint smile.

(...)

Y/N pushed the Garrison’s door and entered, followed by Tommy. The sound of her high heels caught the attention of the people already inside, heads turned to the lovers as they both puffed on their cigs, ignoring the fact they were late.

“Good morning everyone, I’m happy you could all make it. We know there are disagreements between some of you, but business comes first, right?” Y/N took the lead, positioning herself in front of everybody.

In the room we could see Polly, sitting at the same table as her son Michael who kept an empty chair next to him, probably expecting his wife to join the meeting. Arthur was next to the counter, pouring himself some whiskey. Ada was seated by herself, arms crossed, she already looked pissed off for some reason, but when did she not look like that?

To finish, Mr Rice was alone at a table at the back of the room, as if he didn’t want to mix with the people present at this meeting.

The smiles and sweetness that was present on Tommy and Y/N's faces last night was long gone as both of them wore an emotionless cold face now. They stood side by side, but not too close to avoid suspicion about the nature of their relationship.

“Mr Rice, may I introduce you to my partner, Mr Thomas Shelby, OBE.” She waved her hand to the man standing right next to her.

“Michael, this is Gina’s father, but I bet you already met him, didn’t you?” We could sense provocation in her tone, but Michael was too concentrated on wondering why Gina’s father was there to notice it.

“Polly, we informally met each other two nights prior to this day. Nice to meet you officially.” She threw a smirk to Polly before pouring some whiskey into two cups, giving one to Tommy as she sipped on hers.

The man ignored the stares of his family and drank his drink. They discussed strategies before the meeting and he was sure she knew what she was doing, if everything happened as Y/N predicted, he wouldn’t even have to open his mouth this morning.

“Why are we here?” Polly was the one to ask the question that everybody had in mind.

“To inform you about the restructure of the Shelby Company Limited.” The librarian snapped back outrightly. She didn’t miss the face Michael made and the way his chest raised, it wouldn’t last long before opening his mouth, she could tell, and she counted on that.

“According to what I heard, Americans don't want to deal with the Peaky Blinders, so we’re giving them the Bridgehead Corporation instead.”

It was the first time Tommy heard mentioning the name of her own organisation and his side-eye look showed how deep she piqued his interest.

“I got people back in New York that reached to your contacts, Michael, offering them to directly deal with the opium dealer themselves rather than having to have you as the intermediary.” She didn’t even look to the Gray man, despising him for trying to outdo Tommy.

“Mr Rice here,” She spiritedly pointed at the man sitting at the back of the room “...is one of my associates in America, he is here to testify that they will directly link the Chinese to your contacts if you don’t back down your stupid caprice, Michael.”

Tommy’s cousin was looking at the woman with a clenched jaw, and she knew he wouldn’t be able to retort anything because he wasn’t even the brain of his plan, it was his wife, and she wasn’t there.

She smacked her lips, “But we both know that fucking Americans don’t want to deal with Chinese, right, they don’t want to have to talk to them & do all the real job. They want their money fast without dirtying their hands so they can strut around with their big bellies and cigars.” She continued, meeting Polly’s black stare, but she didn’t give in.

She wasn’t scared of any member of this family, she was there to have Tommy’s back which meant she wouldn’t back down. If they wanted to concentrate on the evil things he’s done and be blind to the fact that all he did was for his family to prosper, then she would be the only one standing by his side.

Polly’ eyes reached Tommy’s, breaking eye contact with Y/N. The Shelby's head wasn’t even looking at the crowd, he was looking before him, listening closely to what the Y/H/C haired woman was saying.

“I’m high-society in England, my name’s on the War records. I've worked hand in hand with Emmeline Pankhurst, which make people talk about me even when I’m not there. Add to this that now, I too deal with the Chinese in the name of the Peaky Blinders. If I approach your contacts, Mr Gray, do you think they will refuse me?” She was speaking with a very calm voice, no anger nor pride and no glance thrown his way, she was too occupied lightening up another cigarette.

“Who the fuck are you?” He ultimately let out, to Y/N's greatest pleasure.

“Who the fuck am I? Say the one losing 2$ million in fucking stock market but still think he can lead this company.” She chuckles to herself, and Arthur can only snort at her arrogance.

A freezing silence settled in the room.

“How’s Gina, Michael?” She finally looked at him with a vicious smile, “Oh yeah, you cannot properly take care of her either.” She let out solemnly.

Another silence settled as Polly was once again intently looking at the woman.

She knew from the start she wasn’t a simple “librarian” as Tommy portrayed her, but this was too much of a scene for a high-society person. She was there when Mosley spoke at the Arrow House during the ballet and it was nothing like what just happened.

There was something more about this that she couldn’t quite get.

“Now if you would excuse us, we got a fucking fascist to kill.” She let out before putting one of her hands in her suit’s pocket as she grabbed the bottle of whiskey with her other hands after sticking her cigarette in between her lips.

Tommy watched her leave the room and raised his brows out of surprise, she was something… He couldn’t say otherwise. It was now sure that Michael wouldn’t try something against him, after that speech, he himself never wanted to be an enemy to Y/N.

(...)

*Bingley Hall, 6th*

“What did you mean: damage from the inside?"

“I have a strategy,” Tommy started to pace up and down, overflowed by the number of thoughts in his mind as well as adrenaline filling his veins.

“You always have a strategy,” Jessie Eden continues wiping the dirt off her face in front of the mirror.

“But it’s dangerous, and it can’t be shared without sharing the danger. ” He opened his arms to mimic how dangerous it was while turning to her figure.

“What’s going to happen?” She turned to face him as the Shelby's head began his race again.

He stops right in front of her without breaking eye contact, his head held high, “I’m gonna do a good thing.” He waved his hand as if he was acting. He thought it was funny to put “I” and “doing a good thing” in the same sentence, “When I do a good thing, innocent people get hurt. So go home.” He looked straight at her. “After this evening, we can meet, discuss strategies.” He pointed to the door with his hand that was holding his cap, “That beast… out there he just a beast. He’s like a horse. It’s the rider that decides which direction it takes.” Tommy wasn’t even talking to Eden at this point, it was himself he tried to cheer up.

He was already putting back his hat on as joining the door when she asked, “And who will be the rider?”

“Just go home.”

He opened the door and left, leaving her aghast while staring at the door shutting. She could only fill the blanks in Tommy’s speech by herself. It was him, who would be the rider.

(...)

“Full?”

“To the fucking brim.” McCavern’s strong accent reached his boss’ ears like the most satisfying sound.

He was arranging his collar in front of a glass, concentrating, “Trouble?”

“So far, a few communists. Bowlers helped our boys clear them away.”

“A few hecklers are a good thing. We can demonstrate how we deal with opposition.” Mosley’s voice was calm, not an ounce of nervosity nor anxiety or apprehension in his voice. He was confident, even his usual arrogance could be heard in his tone.

“There’s a rumour a gang of Jews are coming up from Digbeth. No sign of them yet.” The Irish man was watching things laying on the tables as if truly interested in knowing what they were. He behaved as if it was routine for him to stand by the side of a fascist who was about to tell thousands of people it was a minority being the source of all problems in England and preach about how its extinction will bring much fortune to their beloved country.

Mosley was done making arrangements with his clothes, but his eyes were still fixed on his own through the mirror, his head held high, “Well, let them come. Welcome them appropriately” He concluded.

The atmosphere was serene, filled with silence when Jimmy McCavern suddenly felt concerned, finally raising his gaze to the head of the Fascist serpent, “There are a few Peaky boys around.”

Mosley looked at the Irish man through the mirror, tilting his head to the side and clicking his tongue, “They are our allies. There’ll be no rift between us. Keep your powder dry” He exhaled.

McCavern was about to leave when called by his boss, who was now turned to him, standing straight. His vitreous black eyes didn’t blink even once as he abruptly made the Nazi salute toward the Irish near the door, “Perish Judah.”

The Irish scoffed, opening the door.

“No joke, Mr McCavern.” Mosley gave his first and only warning.

McCavern closed the door in a thud and shifted his position to stand straight, making the Nazi salute towards Mosley without any expression on his face, “Perish Judah.”

After that, Mosley came back to look at himself in the mirror, turning his body to the side, a hand on his stomach, probably checking how fit he looked.

The door opened and closed, a dry chuckle filling the silent room, “Shouldn’t you be repeating your speech or something?”

Mosley’s eyes lift to Y/N. A cigarette hanging over her lips. She was wearing a dark suit matching the gleam in her staring iris. His lids closed before snapping open to her long fitted pants that reached her feet over her black high heels.

She clicks her tongue once in front of him, leading him to lift his gaze to hers.

“You shouldn’t be here, I’ll be announced in a minute.”

“Oh, that I know Sir.”

He gave her a faint smile as closing his eyes with satisfaction, he could get used to being called ‘Sir’ by the owner of the suave voice reaching his ears.

He opened his eyes to hers, “Why the black outfit?” He tilted his head to the side, intrigued by the potential answer.

Y/N was smoking her cig, “Preparing for someone’s death.” She offered him a side smile as a heavy silence settled in the tiny room.

He clicked his tongue, not knowing if she was referencing to the people causing a riot or else. He stretched his arm to the door, inviting her to be the first to get out.

Y/N took a step closer, his hand now touching her as she locked the butt of her cigarette in between her lips, her fingers reaching Mosley’s shoulders, swapping the fabrics off of any potential dirt.

She, obviously, knew he didn’t like to be touched and that Mosely would certainly be annoyed by having the smoke of cigarettes so near his face as he despised them, but she also knew how proud he would feel to finally have an intimate contact with her as he loved women.

Mosley grabbed one of her wrists with one hand, stopping her in her tracks. She lifts her eyes to his staring ones, they were devoid of any emotions, as usual. She was quick to slide her fingers in his, the contact-making him drop her hand abruptly with disgust.

Even if her face didn’t show anything, she was internally laughing at how easy it was to play with him and poke him right in his weak points.

“A quick fuck, perhaps?” She teased the man even more.

She knew if it was any other time he would gladly bend her over a table and fuck her while looking at his own reflection, but it wasn’t the time nor the moment. But she also knew he was well aware he wouldn’t have any other occasion with her, which made the torture a little more dramatic.

He broke the stare and by-passed her without even saying anything, slamming the door behind him.

(...)

“Tommy.” Was all she succeeded at saying, her saliva being sticky out of nervousness. She couldn’t believe they were about to do it.

He turned to her, his back facing the mirror. No need to describe how relieved he was to see her radiant face. YN's perfect hair framing her face elegantly as her finger-waves bounced as she took steps further towards him.

The mood immediately shifted, it was light and soft, the sweet exchanges of looks and smiles uncovering their feelings for each other. They couldn’t even hide the fact they were desperate for each other now.

It was obvious to the two, but also to everyone around them, beginning with Lizzie. She refused to see Thomas for days now, hiding in her own house Tommy bought her when Ruby was born.

She wasn’t the only one refusing to see him, Polly never gave news after the last family meeting, but Tommy heard she was now living with Aberama in her house, away from any illegal activities while Aberama still was working with Tommy, looking forward to the time he’d be able to avenge his son by killing McCavern.

Arthur, that was spending way more time than needed at the Bridgehead library, also noticed how close she and Tommy were, and he never ceased to make jokes, which Y/N blocked by slipping in remarks on how he was eyeing her right-hand, Bridget, and how often this latter began to show up late at work.

The insinuation of Arthur having an affair with the employee of Y/N always made Tommy chortle on his drink, while his older brother remained unusually silent. He, that always thought to be so discreet that no one noticed he found a love interest in a feminist, was in fact not so discreet, much to his displeasure. And hearing his brother laughing at him didn’t help.

Y/N inhaled deeply, her heart pounding in her chest that was inflating. Her fingers went fondling the wrinkles at the corner of Tom’s eyes in a tender manner that immediately eased the man, his skin burning under the touch.

He tilted his head, leaning into her caress so her palm would cup his cheek.

He and she knew better than anyone that in this chaotic lifestyle, they needed sweetness. Not that he was okay admitting he found it while being with her, but she hoped it was the case.

“Something’s in the air, Thomas. Be prepared for death.” She patted one of his temples with her free hand.

He opened back his eyes, darkened by something she couldn’t name, his eyebrows furrowed while blinking, searching answers in Y/N’s eyes in vain.

He didn’t understand what the hell she was saying, but it didn’t matter, she was there, by his side, ready to take on the entire world if needed. He was aware of how much she cared and how she was ready to fight till her last breath by his side. And he'll eventually accept he felt the same about her.

The door opened and Arthur’s head picked through.

It wasn’t just Thomas Shelby against the world, it was them against the world. His brother, his lover, and himself.

Tommy coughed and looked at the ground before looking at his brother with squinting eyes. What was so urgent for him to invade their space like that?

Y/N quickly glanced at the reflection in the mirror behind Tommy to see who had entered the room. Seeing the older Shelby brother’s head, she shamelessly closed the gap between Tom’s face and hers, kissing him with strength.

She was surprised to feel Tommy’s rough hands tenderly cupping her face, his thumbs rubbing her soft skin, as he responded to her kiss with as much strength as her.

“We got this, Y/N.” He said in a whisper, without difficulty.

A warm thunderbolt ran down Y/N’s spine as she stepped backwards, her gaze falling on one of her hands gripping tightly onto Tommy’s jacket.

Even if she tried not to show it, the plan was so big and meant so much that it got her nervous.

Her cheeks reddened a bit but the man couldn’t quite grasp at this vision of her as she almost ran out of the room.

Now that he was showing affection, he was making her flee.

Well, he still hadn’t cracked the code to Y/N’s character.

“Come on Y/N, we’ve been there.” Tommy’s deep voice reached her ears in a huff.

“I know but I want you to tell me all over again.” She turned her naked body to him.

He exhaled deeply and lit a cigarette before explaining to her the plan again. He flattened the white sheet on the bed and created a wrinkle on it to show her the stage.

“Mosley and I will be here,” he then put the used matchstick on the sheet in front of the representative stage, “Barney will be up there, waiting for the sign to shoot.”

Y/N frowned and hit his hand along with the matchstick, “get this shit out my bed, this is an expensive sheet, Sergent Major.”

Tom chuckled as he bent over to her to grab her wrists, forcing her to lean all over him, “Come to me reporting for your duty, then.”

She giggled and grabbed his cig, smoking while drowning in his icy blue eyes.

It was routine now for them to share intimate moments late at night. From staying up late in the Shelby Brother Company limited office, looking to the ceiling, Tom upgraded to visit Y/L/N’s manor.

And inevitably, the lust between them eventuated in their bodies intertwining in all different kinds of places.

Tonight was the bed, fortunately for Y/N’s back as their last night’s epic adventure led them outside the house, in the nearby woods.

One of his hands wandered on her bruised body, other marks of their passionate nights along with burn marks caused by her carpets…

His eyes, thirsty of her, followed the path of his hand with as much attention as he would pay to horse racing.

Y/N found the face he made funny. She couldn’t read him, as hard as she would try, but she knew he felt good there, with her, and it was all that mattered at the moment. It was only them in this space. It was their war zone. Here, he wasn’t at the head of a gigantic gang nor the right hand of a fascist, and she wasn’t running a feminist organisation, no.

They were just lovers bearing their soul to each other, as silly as it sounded. And they wouldn’t trade it for nothing.

“Brother,” Arthur called Tommy back to reality. “Know she’s something else,” he raised his brows in understanding, “but Mosley’s been searching you out there.”

Tom ignored his brother’s remark and cleared his throat, by-passing Arthur.

That one didn’t miss the occasion to drop a hand on Tommy’s shoulder, “I’m happy for you, brother.”

And as little as this was, it was enough for Tommy to be relieved of whatever was heavy on his shoulders.

The simple fact he still got his brother meant something deep.

He was ready to make his plan shift from his head to reality. By the end of this day, he’ll be at the head of English fascism, following Oswald Mosley’s death.

He will reach his ambition.

PEAKY BLINDERS TAG: @retromafia