METHOD OF MADNESS ━ 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐛𝐲 ¹ (Under editing)

𝒾𝓋. 𝓉𝓌𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓎-𝒻𝒾𝓋𝑒: family day, or not

ᴺᴼᵂ ᴾᴸᴬᵞᴵᴺᴳ : achilles come down - gang of youths

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iv. twenty-five: ❝family day (or not)❞

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Small heath, Birmingham

Marianna and Thomas barely slept that night. They lay in the bed side by side, wrapped in the muted warmth of each other's presence, a silent comfort in the darkness. In Thomas's mind, the room was a sanctuary, a place where he could temporarily escape the chaos that lurked outside.

They lay there as dawn crept in, the shadows retreating to make way for the first light of the new day. It was a time for renewal, for hope that tomorrow might be better, a chance for redemption from past wrongs.

But for Thomas Shelby, each new day felt like a cruel irony. He knew that with every sunrise came a fresh slate of sins, a promise of more transgressions to commit, each day an unbroken chain of moral failings that dragged Marianna deeper into his web of corruption.

His mind was a labyrinth of guilt and regret, with Marianna caught in its snare. The cycle of sin threatened to either pull her closer or drive her away entirely.

By ten o'clock, Thomas, Arthur, Diego, and Marianna were trudging through the muddy path towards where John and the rest of the blinders were assembling.

Earlier that morning, a fierce argument had erupted between Thomas and Polly. Polly wanted Marianna to stay with her, believing it would keep her safe and away from the turmoil. Thomas, however, was adamant that Marianna remain by his side, unwilling to risk her safety or divert his attention even for a moment.

As predicted, Marianna was feeling utterly dismal. She wished only to retreat into her home, to shut out the world. But Zilpha's wedding loomed on the horizon, an event she was expected to attend, an occasion too significant to miss despite her personal turmoil. The thought of attending felt unbearable, a reminder of the life she was being forced to endure.

"John, ready?" Thomas called out as they approached the gathering.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine." John replied, though Marianna could sense the hesitation in his voice. He might have his daft moments, but he wasn't easily fooled.

"Have a drink." Arthur said, thrusting his flask towards John.

John took it gratefully, tilting it back to drain the contents. As he drank, the tension in the air seemed to thicken.

When he handed the flask back to Arthur, his eyes met Marianna's, her gaze was a storm of conflicting emotions, and John's unease only grew as he noticed the silent scrutiny from everyone around him.

"What? What are you all staring at me for? What?" John snapped, his frustration bubbling over.

Thomas, spotting his brother's agitation, turned his attention to Marianna. She gave him a brief nod, a subtle signal that she was holding up alright. "Good. Let's go."