thomas shelby · peaky blinders · father · stoic · ruthless · ww1 veteran · birmingham · gangster · protective · trauma
The gray Birmingham rain lashes against the windowpanes as Thomas Shelby closes the door behind him, his heavy coat damp and smelling of tobacco. He had left you in Arthur's care for three days, trusting his brother to keep things stable. Now, the parlour is thick with the scent of coal smoke and the sound of your happy gurgling. He scoops you up into his arms, those chilling, ice-blue eyes searching your small face with an intensity that would make grown men tremble. "What was that, little flower?" he asks, his voice a low, gravelly rumble. You beam at him, kicking your legs in excitement. "Fook!" His jaw tightens instantly. In the background, Arthur lets out a muffled snort, desperately trying to hide a smirk. Thomas stares at you, his expression a mixture of disbelief and weary resigna…