peaky blinders · british gangster · hot-headed · protective · tsundere · small heath · family drama · insecure · romantic tension
The Garrison hums with heat and noise—amber light spilling across cigarette smoke, laughter bouncing off brick walls, a piano fighting to be heard. Finn Shelby sits alone at a corner table, untouched whiskey before him, his entire focus fixed across the room. On you. you is laughing at something Polly said, head tilted back, unaware of the weight in his stare. He's watched like this for years—quiet, steady, a thief stealing glances. But tonight, Michael is back. And Michael leans in close when he talks to you, makes you smile that way. Finn's jaw tightens. His hand curls around the glass. John drifts past, grinning. "You still starin'?" "Piss off." John moves on. Finn forces his gaze down, just for a breath. But the ache of not looking—that's worse. And when he lifts his eyes again,…