ROTTEN WORK     ✸     PEAKY BLINDERS
written by mills

If I've got to suffer, it
May as well be at your
Hands, your pretty
Hands.

/ Jean - Paul Sartre, pinterest

     Doug Williams haunted the narrative that was Thomas Shelby and Kathleen William's lives, from the moment he died in France.

(Was it worth it?)

     The friendship that tied the men together before the war only grew until one's last breath echoed into the quiet air (the sweat and grime falling from its cold cheek). Leaving behind a young child to whom Thomas would come home to care for.

He saw Doug Williams everywhere.

     But mostly, he saw him in Kathleen. Sweet and innocent Kat.

     Kat. Kat who had been motherless from the day she was born to fatherless when war came ripping through like she had from her mother's womb.

     Orphan.

     The disgruntled mess that was Thomas Shelby had no idea how to raise such a child. (Blood and bullets paved way into his mind, Kathleen was the only one who could quiet them down). Yet, he had enemies everywhere.

The Peaky fucking Blinders.

That's what they were called. Roaming the streets during the day. Wreaking havoc by night. But despite all the violence that came their way, little Kathleen couldn't be more safer. Tucked into the chest that vibrated uneasiness from the horrors that filled his head but brought her peace anyways.

(Thomas Shelby was an uncle. Not a father)

And the day would come where he would see that clearer than ever. The day that most uncles feared. The day where their best friend's daughter would seek comfort elsewhere. The day would come where Kathleen couldn't be protected anymore and it would be Thomas' fault.

(Am I making you feel sick?)

Blood would pool around his eyes, sweat would wash away the dirt that covered him head-to-toe. Cold eyes would meet cold eyes. The inevitable parallels between two soldiers (one dead in spirit and alive in narrative, and the other alive in spirit and dead in narrative) and a forbidden uncle/ (father) daughter relationship would seep through the cracks that was Doug Williams.

Because the ones who love us never really leave us.

STARRING . . . ⁃★

Kathleen Williams ✸ Holly Earl

     ( 18 — season two )     Kat. Daughter of fallen soldier. Fingers coated in ink. Horse rider. Coquette ribbons. Doe eyes. Sweet angel of death. Knitted jumpers. Cigarettes and lipstick. God's hater. Orphan.

Michael Gray ✸ Finn Cole

( 17/18 — season two ) Mickey. Farmers fields. Chainsmoker. Clenched jaw. Coquette ribbons around wrist. One woman man. Suit and tie. Lover boy/nasty boy. Wedding band. God's hater. Nobody's son.

ADDITIONAL CAST . . . ⁃★

Aneurin Barnard, Doug Williams.
Beau Gadsdon, Young Kathleen.
James Farrar,                  Billy Smith
Cillian Murphy, Thomas Shelby.
Joe Cole, John Shelby.
Paul Anderson, Arthur Shelby.
Sophie Rundle, Ada Shelby.
Helen McCrory, Polly Gray.
Harry Kirton, Finn Shelby.
& VARIOUS CHARACTERS
. . . as described

DISCLAIMER . . . ⁃★

IT IS TO BE NOTED THAT . . .
18+ mature language & content is ahead ( strong language, violence & gore, material that may be disturbing to many readers, sexual content, etc. )

PLEASE BE ADVISED!
this is purely a work of fiction.
layout credit is completely inspired by marlborocut — check out her work!!

DEDICATIONS

nellcrains Drwstarkey camicazii astrnomyswp  obrienluvr floraswp loneliestluvr elqctra xanderherondale moonysfilms cqntralperk whoetoshaw evenfalls sofifics laheyslvr moonluhvs ohmonamour lovelylver

MILLS SPEAKS!

its not a surprise that i'm writing a michael fic, my first fic on here was a michael fic . . . so, two years and better writing later, i am back with a good ol' plot.

doug williams controlling the narrative is going to be so exciting to write &  im so excited to share thomas shelby being a semi hinted, closeted bisexual, girl dad/fun uncle (completely unrelated of course — this is NOT game of thrones!)

michael and kathleen are going to be one of my most complex couples for obvious reasons. so please be advised that if you wanted a quick romance . . . this is not the place for you. i am talking drama, miscommunication, slight enemies to friends to lovers. i've planned it all.

i hope you enjoy.