Forbidden Alliances // Alfie Solomons Peaky Blinders

(102) Concavity pt. 2

*edited 03/27/23*

John and Arthur had joined them soon enough, ripping Tommy's eyes away from Freya's hands to see two figures making their way inside. His diverted attention gave Freya time to swipe his cigarettes without him seeing.

She straightened her posture and shoved her hands into her pockets, taking a step back and moving toward the wall again.

Arthur had entered and respectfully took his hat off his head as he was determined to bring the mood up slightly.

"Well, there 'e is." Arthur approached Tommy's desk slowly, keeping his mouth open slightly as he tried to read his brother's posture for a sign of good health. But he didn't see any.

Tommy looked like a ghost and everyone saw it. Tommy wished for it, believing the pain to be a little more tolerable if he were dead, hopefully with his wife in the afterlife and avoiding all the shit he still had to take care of.

Arthur attempted a smile, putting up gentle fists to encourage Tommy's strength and to provide physical motivation to get him back in the ring. "Hi, Tom." Arthur's eyes were big and alert, finally able to see his brother's eyes wisp past him for a split second before he moved his hands to the edge of his desk, bracing himself for the next briefing.

"Hello boys," Tommy greeted them, giving them more than he did to Polly, Michael, and Freya.

Arthur had taken his seat where Michael had while John leaned over the backside of the other, leaving Freya to stand off to the side. 

She felt like a hawk supervising the innocent play of a group of baby rabbits. She felt like she was waiting for the most opportune moment to swoop down and snatch one of them from the ground. 

She didn't understand what Tommy was doing and she could only imagine what kind of pain resided in his silence. It became impossible to know which of her brothers she was going to attack and pluck to bits. It was impossible to suspect when nothing became apparent in Tommy's restrained and hostile meetings.

"We, uh," Arthur drew out inconclusively. "We didn't get a chance to see you after the funeral."

John was leering while Arthur was giving Tommy his utmost compassion and care. It was an odd contrast that Freya didn't understand at first until the end of their meeting.

"Well," Arthur continued. "You disappeared on us but...Well, me and John, we just wanna say that..."

"Arthur," Freya spoke up. "That's enough."

Arthur turned to her and nodded his head with a tinge of sadness.

Tommy had rubbed at his eyes, then scratched at his eyebrow, finally clasping his hands together in front of his face like he was praying. Only, his eyes remained open and Tommy never prayed.

Arthur had shifted disgruntledly in his seat, swallowing and reestablishing his composure after being shot down and denied a useful response from Tommy. It was worse to attempt something with meaning and fail than it was to fail at something that wasn't important to someone. So, Arthur was ailed but he tried not to show it. He simply tried to be there for his brother. That's all he was trying to do.

"Alright," Tommy sighed, moving from his desk and pacing slightly behind it as he prepared himself for the announcement. "Talk to me." He offered his hand as a way to show that he was ready to hear about the crimes they carried out.

"We got to Angel Changretta at the hospital where he laid. Cut his throat," Arthur promised coldly, remembering the feeling of heat coating his hands as the blade slid past the blind man's neck.