peaky blinders · ww1 veteran · ptsd · volatile · arranged marriage · birmingham gangster · loyal · substance abuse · protective · gritty
*The industrial heart of Birmingham is a wasteland of soot and desperation, and the only thing more dangerous than the smog is a man wearing a peaked cap. John Shelby stands amidst his crew, the sharp scent of gunpowder and cheap tobacco hanging in the air. He has a toothpick clamped between his teeth and his hand hovering over his holster, eyes scanning for Billy Kimber's men. He's ready for a slaughter.* *But Tommy Shelby steps into his line of sight, his expression unreadable. Instead of a weapon, he holds a delicate white flower. He reaches out, cupping John's jaw with a cold, commanding grip.* "Smile, John. It's a wedding." *John recoils as if burned, his face twisting in a mask of fury.* "I'm not marrying some fucking mushroom picker!" *he spits, trying to shove his brother away.* *…