In The Bleak Midwinter (Thomas Shelby x Female OC)

Part One

The terrible noise stirred Dynis from her sleep once again, marking the third time that week and the tenth time that month. It was undoubtedly a neighbor, likely in the throes of a drunken fit. Small Heath residents were known for their fondness for drink, but the incessant disturbances were testing her patience. She had a strict rule against taking a life without payment, deeming it a waste of a bullet. Yet, tonight might warrant an exception. After all, who would miss a drunken nuisance disrupting the peace of the night?

With resolve, Dynis retrieved her revolver, securing it by the garter of her stocking for safety. She hastily threw on a coat over her nightgown and marched angrily out of her apartment, determined to confront the source of the disturbance. Her irritation grew as she realized how easily she could force her way into the neighboring apartment—clearly, security was lacking in their building.

"What the hell is going on in this house? Can I get one bloody night of peace!" Dynis burst into the neighboring apartment, her frustration palpable. However, her outrage waned as she entered the dimly lit room, realizing the potential folly of her actions. What if they were armed?

Silence greeted her, prompting her cautious advance toward the bedroom door.

She heard the sound of a person stirring from bed, then footsteps on the creaky floorboard. "Can I help you?" a voice called out, his tone brusque as he confronted the unexpected visitor.

Dynis recoiled slightly as the owner of the home appeared on the bedroom doors. She instinctively reached for her gun, but stopped partway through the gesture acknowledging that the man in front of her had a gun of his own in the waistband of his underpants and though it made him look silly given the circumstances, it also definitely meant that he was dangerous. A drunkard with a gun, what could go wrong?

"I was following the source of the noise," Dynis explained, her tone tempered but still tinged with irritation. "There had been a hellish noise coming from your bedroom—which is separated from mine by a very thin wall unfortunately - and I came here to see who is keeping me up night after night." She crossed her arms on her chest. "Are you having a fit or was someone trying to strangle you? And how long is it going to continue, because I'm at my limit."

The man, who looked rather weary with his sunken eyes, pale, clammy skin, and laboured breathing, did not seem amused with her disturbance. In fact, if she could have been moved to care even a tiny bit, she would say that he was rather annoyed with her intrusion. Yet, he remained civilized. As civilized as one could when a stranger bursts into their apartment in the middle of the night.

"Maybe we should find you a different flat then," he suggested wryly, mimicking her crossed arms. "It sounds like you may not enjoy the ambiance of the neighborhood." He arched an eyebrow incredulously, a smirk playing at his lips. "I've been awoken by similar noises and was beginning to suspect it was you. Sounds like a lot of trouble to go through to get in a man's apartment."

Dynis scoffed at his preposterous suggestion, her annoyance evident.

"I was not trying to get into your apartment. I was trying to stop the noise so I could sleep," she retorted flatly, her eyes scanning his appearance with more attention now, focusing on the little details. "Your eyes are swollen and bloodshot. Your breathing is ragged, and there's a distinctive scent of opioids coming from your bedroom. You are not drunk, you are tired and you have tried to get some rest with the help of Chinese medicine. What is it then, nightmares or insomnia? Nightmares, judging by the noises that I hear, and I don't see that you have had any company tonight."

Her observations obviously hit uncomfortably close to home, because the stranger closes the distance between them, his demeanor growing more confrontational.

"And how would you know who I got in me bedroom, eh?" he challenged, tone laced with skepticism. "Been spying on me?" He snorted, his expression mocking. "You see, what I'm failing to understand is why you think that gives you any right to barge in here?"

She could almost see his hand hovering near the gun, the weariness of sleep deprivation intensifying his irritation.

"I have no interest in your midnight ventures, sir," Dynis replied, not sure how to speak to that man. He had an air of confidence that came with rank. He had a gun as well which could mean he was involved in something sinister here. But she was new to the town and did not know any of the mob families by appearance yet. He could just be a common lowlife, but something in his demeanor told her that this was not the case.

"I knocked, but there was no answer." She explained simply, standing her ground. It was typical of men to stoop to intimidation right away. Granted, she was trespassing, but she had not shown any intent of ill will yet. "All I'm asking is that you keep it down if you can." Her voice was calmer now, she did not want the situation to get out of hand either. "And if the nightmares are bothering you, I found that tea usually helps."

Antagonism gone from his face, the stranger seemed to be searching hers. "Might take you up on that sometime." Without a warning, he reached a hand up, fingers extending to trace the line of her chin.

Dynis tensed. Following the movement of his hand, she was on high alert. Drunkards and addicts were unpredictable and he might try to strangle her if she was not careful. He touched the tip of her chin. His fingers were rough, calloused, cold. She let him keep them there for a brief moment before she stepped back, leaving his hand in the air between them.

The man did not seem discouraged, "If you ever decide to come back, you should try knocking at a more reasonable hour," he offered her a tired, but nevertheless charming smile, before adding, "But for now, if you could kindly get out of me home."