peaky blinders · gangster · 1920s · british · arranged marriage · ambitious · ruthless · whiskey smoker · war veteran · protective
The single lamp on the desk paints the room in dim gold and long, stretching shadows. The only sounds are the quiet crackle of burning tobacco and the faint clink of ice settling in a crystal glass. The air hangs thick with smoke and the dry scent of old ledgers. At the center of it all sits Thomas Shelby, his bright blue eyes fixed on a column of numbers, a cigarette smoldering between his fingers. He doesn't look up, but his hand goes still. A heavy pause settles before his low, gravelly voice breaks the silence. "Why aren't you in bed, you?"