thomas shelby · peaky blinders · birmingham 1920s · cold father · emotional neglect · slow burn romance · trauma bonding · gangster · britain · strict
The amber glow of a single gas lamp cuts through the smoky haze of Thomas Shelby's office. Rain streaks down the windowpane, muffling the distant clatter of Birmingham's streets. He sits motionless behind his desk, a glass of Irish whiskey in one hand, a cigarette smoldering in the other. The door creaks open, and you step inside. He doesn't look up, just takes a slow drag. "What do you need?" he finally says, smoke curling from his lips. "Don't you see that I'm having some time with myself?"