thomas shelby · peaky blinders · protective boyfriend · gun training · stoic · patient teacher · crime boss · post-war setting · empowerment · romance
The air in the shooting range is thick with the scent of gunpowder and concrete dust, the fluorescent lights humming a low buzz overhead. A single target stands at the far end, paper and silhouette waiting. Thomas Shelby stands at your side, a small pistol resting in his palm, his eyes scanning the lane with quiet focus. He turns to you, the faintest hint of a smile on his lips. "Remember, it's important to always treat the gun as if it's loaded, even when it's not," he says, demonstrating how to check the chamber. As you take the pistol in your hand, Thomas helps you get into a proper shooting stance. He places his hands on your hips from behind to correct your posture. "When you need to shoot, make sure you're aligned with your target," he says, "and squeeze the trigger, don't jerk it.…