Gun metal and Daisies (Thomas Shelby)

Well-fed devils are better than famished saints

Perhaps one did not want to be loved so much as to be understood.

Dorothy got up early the next morning. She was well rested and fully ready for the long day. Her excitement bubbled over and spilled into the hearts of people near by as they saw the ecstatic girl weave her way through the streets of Small Heath.

She ran for the betting shop, knowing Thomas would already be there. She had two packs of film in her satchel and a clunky camera in her hand. She chose to wear trousers today (specifically the ones Thomas leant her that she modified to fit).

She bounced into the betting shop, walking past workers and impatient men. She wondered through the double doors and paused for a moment.

Her mind, all too quickly, flashed back to the two weeks prior. The horror and anguish that held her for so long washed over her for a second time. She almost felt tears slip until she heard the sound of chairs scraping.

"Dorothy! Hello there Little Bird!" Arthur held his arms wide with an even wider grin. Dorothy quickly forgot her troubles and stepped into his warm embrace, "now 'am not complainin' or nothin' but why're you here?"

Dorothy giggled into his shoulder, "I'm taking Bubs in an adventure! Show 'im the sights! Then we're going horse back riding!" Her wide eyes and splendid grin resembled that of a child after visiting a sweet shop. Arthur's heart swelled at the adorable sight.

Before any more words could be exchanged, Dorothy was pulled into another hug that was firm and secure, "'ello dear." It was Polly. "How're you doing today?" The question was nice and well-mannered, but both of the women knew what she was really asking.

"I'm doing fantastic, Pol. Did ya hear? I'm taking Bubs on the best adventure of his life!" She held up her clunky camera which in return made Polly smile sweetly. She'd truly never met anyone so full of joy.

"Do me eyes deceive me or is our Dot here to see little old me?" Dorothy spotted John swaggering through the door. He always walked funny to her.

"She's not here for us!" Polly feigned annoyance, "she's takin' Tom out. Lucky bastard."

"Youse lot going on a date? Took him time to finally settle down!" John sniggered.

Dorothy gasped slightly, her cheeks dusting a rosy red, "it's not a date, silly! I'm educating him on how to have fun in ways that don't include drinking and cuttin' up ya mates."

John smirked and brought her into a tight bear hug which brought her feet up off the floor.

"Orright. You guys done smothering her?" Another voice joined the lot. Dorothy wriggled her head out of Johns tight grasp and smiled over his shoulder, "Hi Bubs!"

"Hello, Bonny. You're early." He remarked with a raised brow. He just figured he was going to go find her some time during the day.

"One. We never discussed a time. Two. I wanted to see everyone. Three. You were taking too long." She stated sassily.

The family surrounding them chuckled quietly.
Arthur clapped Thomas on the back, "go on. Get outta 'ere, you two. If she keeps talking, the boys'll think they can start talking to you like tha'."

Dorothy grinned and grabbed Thomas' elbow, "yeah! Jesus, Bubs. Keep up! I'll leave you in the woods otherwise!" Thomas only had the chance to grab a pack of cigarettes before he was whisked out of the door.

——

"I didn't even know the woods went this deep. I thought it was a meadow at best!" Thomas threw his arms about dramatically. "'N why is it all muddy 'ere? It hasn't rained in ages!"

Dorothy laughed at his unease. He was certainly out of his comfort zone. "This part of nature doesn't abide by those rules, Bubs." Thomas scoffed at that. "This isn't your territory anymore, Shelby. This is nature's back garden."

"Yeah? Well can nature do some fucking foliage control? I've walked through several bramble bushes. Where are we going anyway?" He was just complaining at this point.

"I'm not sure. I'll probably just keep due North and see where we end up." Dorothy shrugged.

Thomas stopped walking and gaped at her, "you're saying you don't know where we're going? You plannin' on killing me as soon as we get out of local earshot? I thought you knew this place like the back of your hand."

"Yes, I have no idea where we are, but that's the fun but. I'm not gonna kill ya, don't have time to do that. I guess you could say you've grown on me? And I never said anything about knowing this place. Nature, Bubs, is a maze and while we sleep, it changes its paths and routes. You can't control it like a city or a business. Nature is vast beyond our understanding."

"Since when were you so poetic?" Thomas teased at her but his comment was lost when she nearly jumped on him.

"Shut up! Sh! Sh! Be quiet!" She pulled him to the floor and rustled around in her satchel, placing a new film into her clunky camera. Thomas was forever confused by the girls antics.

Dorothy, while partially crushing Thomas' ankle, got up on one knee and leaned over a fallen log. She focused for a few moments, unmoving; until the distinct 'poof' sounded.

She sat back down again, leaning against Thomas' shins, which was mildly uncomfortable, but he didn't say anything.

He watched beside her as the film slowly developed and on the slick paper was a gorgeous photo of a deer feeding on grass.

"Oh fuck yes. That's gorgeous." She remarked, mesmerised by the beautiful photo.

——

The two were now strolling around in horse-back. Hours after they left for the woods, Thomas convinced her that if they wanted a ride, they'd have to head back.

In his mind, he was now ready for his part of the show. He knew horses, he was in his element. Everything was planned.

That was the case, until Dorothy, it turned out, was some kind of horse whisperer. Although his plan of being a chivalrous and charming protector, who would calm her nerves and impress her with his skills- plan, was ruined, he found himself strangely falling further and further in love with her as he saw the way she treated his horses, and how she cared for them so deeply.

"She's as soft as butter. Of course she's some sort of animal fairy tale whisperer." Thomas rolled his eyes.

Today, he'd been shown up and completely out of his zone. But now- he ran this ballpark.

The day was still young, he had time to be chivalrous- that was, of course, until thought she a good idea to have a horse race, and Thomas never backed down from competition.

——

Ah no! This is short and kinda bad, but here it is! I couldn't write much because I really didn't have time today. Work is killing me! But I promised myself that I'd get a chapter out for my lovely readers!

I'm also excited to announce that plans are in the works for my next Peaky book. I'll be posting a sneak peak on what you can find in that book on my Tumblr soon enough- and I'll also post one on the end of one of these chapters at a later date soon enough!

Thanks for the love.
Feedback and comments are wanted.
See ya next time!