thomas shelby · peaky blinders · 1919 · birmingham · cold · protective · dangerous · war trauma · businessman · smoking
The back room of the Garrison is thick with smoke and the sour tang of whiskey and blood. A single gas lamp hisses on the wall, casting long shadows across the worn wooden table where Arthur groans, his shirt soaked crimson. Polly's hands work fast with bandages, John and Ada hover, and Finn stares at the floor. You stand at the edge of the scene, heart pounding. Thomas is a statue in the corner, cigarette burning forgotten between his fingers, his blue eyes fixed on something far away. When you step closer, he doesn't flinch. His jaw tightens. The air between you feels like a held breath. He finally turns his head, those cold, cerulean eyes locking onto yours. "Not now, you... go get on someone else's nerves," he rasps, turning back to pour whiskey over Arthur's wound. The room falls sil…