SACRILEGE | THOMAS SHELBY | PEAKY BLINDERS STORY (HIATUS)

v. | temptaion

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" We all crave the things we know we

shouldn't. It makes us human."

✞

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THE SOUND OF JOYFUL LAUGHTER FILLED THE DREARY STREETS AS Tommy led Delilah down Woodgate Lane. During their nearly twenty minute walk from the alley he had found the red head in back toward where she had stormed away from her grandmothers house, she had completely bypassed the street her aunts family home was on. She felt a bit sheepish at the revelation but that was quickly trumped by Tommy as he began telling her a story about the first time he and Arthur, the eldest Shelby son, had taken their brother John to the Garrison, a local pub the boys frequented.

"He was piss drunk after three pints and a few chasers," the blue eyed man said through his light laughter, grinning at the memory, "I told Arthur we shouldn't have let 'im have more than one but Arthur looks at John and he says 'Johnboy's a Shelby,' he says 'and we Shelby men can hold our whisky,' all the while Arthur's propped up against the back of the booth, slurring every other word, looking as if someone were to breathe in his direction he'd go toppling over," he chuckled long and hard at the scene as it unfolded in his mind, Delilah giggling along with him. She had seen more than a few drunk men in her life so it wasn't very hard to conjure up an image of what might have transpired.

As he continued on with his story, John wandering out of the Garrison alone and ending lost in a field for nearly a full day just outside of the city, Delilah found herself staring at him more than once. His eyes held a faraway look in them, lost in his own story, a beautiful smile etched on his face as he remembered his youngest brother's antics. His laugh was deep and raspy and the girl couldn't think of a time she had ever heard a more lovely sound.

She was completely focused on all things Tommy Shelby when he suddenly turned to meet her eye, having finished his story as they came to a stop near the end of the street, a knowing smile on his face as she blushed at being caught dropping her gaze to look at anything but him.

"Well," He started, amusement clear even in just that one word, as he leaned against the brick behind him and dug through his coat for his cigarettes now doubt, "here we are, all in one piece."

Delilah peaked up at him through her lashes, still overcome with embarrassment at being caught blatantly ogling him. He was just so strikingly beautiful; she was sure he wouldn't like her calling him that, but there wasn't another word in her mind that seemed to fit. Thomas Shelby was a very beautiful man. She blushed again at her thoughts.

"Thank you," she said timidly, smiling up at him, "you've been very kind. I'm sure aunt Lillian would pay you something for your troubles if you'd just give me a moment to talk to her." She was grateful for him intervening back in that alley; Lord knew what would have happened had he not stumbled upon her and that horrible man when he did and she knew Lillian would be thankful as well.

She turned to the door, ready to knock and speak to her aunt immediately, only to be stilled by a gentle hand on her elbow.

"That's not necessary, any decent man would have done what I did." Tommy shrugged as he lit another cigarette. "But," he continued, "if you would really like to thank me I could think of somethin' else."

Delilah's eyes widened. Did he just proposition her after saving her from a dirty drunkard that had done the same. So much for a 'decent man' she thought bitterly. The seventeen year old flushed in anger, bright blue eyes turning stormy. She was grateful, but not nearly that grateful!

Tommy realized his mistake immediately, holding the hand not gripping his cigarette out as he pushed off the wall to take a step closer to her as she opened her mouth to tell him just what she thought of his request.

"That wasn't what I meant!" If He wasn't worried she would slap him, he might have thought the look on her pretty face quite comical.

"What, pray tell, did you mean then, Mr. Shelby?" Delilah nearly hissed at him.

Tommy composed himself as he took a slow drag from his smoke, thinking over how best to remedy the situation. "Do you like horses?" He finally asked, startling the girl; she hadn't expected that.

She tilted her head, regarding him cautiously as she nodded, "I grew up near a farm, my father was friends with the owner. He used to let me ride whenever I wanted growing up." He nodded, looking at her in that calculating way he had earlier, sending the butterflies in her stomach fluttering all over again despite the fact that she was just ready to take a swing at him.

"My uncle, Charlie, has a stable down at 'is boat yard, would you like to come out with me sometime?" his toned was guarded but Delilah could see an almost imperceptible glimmer of hope in his eyes as he held her gaze, silently imploring her to say yes.

She didn't know what it was about Tommy Shelby that had her mind foggy and set her heart racing. She didn't know why she was reduced to a blushing mess every time their eyes met. Or why when he looked at her in that way that made her feel as if he could see her, see into her soul and find out all her secrets in just that single glance. She had know the man for all of an hour at the very most and now that her time with him was winding down to an end, she already missed his company. It was the oddest feeling.

Maybe it was because he had saved her that she was so drawn to him; he had been like one of the knights in shining armor her mother used to read her stories about as a child, come to slay the smarmy villain, though not with a sword sword like in the tales. No just Tommy Shelby's presence was enough to send the monster in the alley running and save the damsel in distress just in the knick of time. Whatever the reason, she knew she wanted to see him again.

So, with his piercing ice blue eyes still locked on her, she nodded her acceptance of his invitation, smile brighter than it had been in weeks.

The temptation to get to know him, to simply spend more time in his presence, was too great for her to resist.

✞

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A/N: Thought I would give a little update in honor or Peaky Blinders season 4 being released on Netflix tomorrow! Ya girl is beyond ready to see what's in store of the Shelby family this season. Literally was in tears when I saw the trailer lmao 😂 sorry this book is starting out so slow, I have a plan for how things are gonna work out but I'll try to speed things up. Remember book one takes place years before the events of season one.

Also, 6K READS HOLY FUCK LIKE WHAT?! YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING AND I DON'T DESERVE YOU! Thank you to everyone who had read, voted, and commented on Sacrilege I love and appreciate every single one of you. If work doesn't kill me tomorrow there may just be another update once I get off 🤔

See you lovelies in the comments!

xx Awktavia

PS. I dunno if any of you are Fear The Walking Dead fans but I recently published a FTWD Nick Clark story. Check it out and let me know what ya think? 😊