WARNINGS: MENTIONS OF VIOLENCE

1914

"FUCKIN' bellend," Eden stressed, pacing around the park.

Fortunately, only a few families were around, a few noticed and recognised her, even waved at the local nurse, before going back to pushing their kids on the swings.

Pulling out a cigarette, not caring that Thomas wasn't there to light it, she inhaled the tobacco, hoping it would settle her inner torment.

She never imagined that someone could have this much influence on her heart, let alone her mind.

"Why me?" she knew the answer because I let him in. Her amazing choice of men was going to be her fucking downfall. "Why couldn't I go for a church boy?" she questioned herself over and over again. "A small-town gangster, well done Eden." Enzo was right, "Should've just stuck to being alone." and at least I would still have my friend, "Was he even fuckin' worth it?"

With each drag her thoughts grew louder.

Deafening.

It would've been just her luck if she lost her hearing just from thinking about Tommy Shelby.

She loved him, but why?

Why's it so hard to let him go?

Since losing her closest friend she didn't know what to do. It was tough. Writing out her thoughts was worse. Half the time, she tore the pages out and burnt them, not wanting to be reminded of the torment.

"Thomas fuckin' Shelby," she muttered, annoyed by the thought of him, his big blue enticing eyes, his lips made her want to kiss him every time she looked at him and his cheekbones, his fucking cheekbones were just... "Fuck this."

Throwing her cigarette to the ground, she stomped it out and went on her way.

"Bloody men," she kept muttering, "short bloody men, like Thomas Shelby," she almost gagged at his name. "With an ego bigger than his height, a cock larger than his patience — should've binned 'im off a while ago."

She couldn't stop her fist from knocking on his door, she needed to get this out of the way.

"Christ Eden. Weren't expectin' you to come 'round so soon," Arthur remarked after opening the door.

"Where is he?" she didn't waste any time.

"In his room," Polly's head popped out from the kitchen, along with Ada who was eating, "Do give 'im a good tellin' off, he's doin' our heads in."

With that, she made her way up the stairs, disregarding the voices she heard from downstairs.

Eden was a woman on a mission.

A mission to humble Thomas Shelby.

She pushed open his door, not bothering to knock since he didn't deserve her kindness right now.

Tommy immediately sat up, ready to scream at whoever disrupted his quiet time. His gaze softened at the sight of his... well not his... Eden. He hadn't stopped thinking about their last conversation, it was far less destructive, but it still wasn't okay.

But when he noticed the irritated expression it made his joy fade. 

Tommy stood up, "Eden —"

"I've been thinkin' all day, walkin' 'round tryna organise the thoughts in my head," she began pacing in his room, even though there wasn't much space.

That seemed to concern him, "Walkin' alone. Were you alone?"

"Listen to me," she snapped, stopping in her stride.

"But —"

"Listen!"

"Alright," he gulped at her tone.

"You... you were disrespectful and rude to me. Your words cut deep, y'know that? I kept cryin' because of you. I shouldn't. You should know I deserve better. I could 'ave better and you're not special."

Tommy rubbed the back of his neck, "I know —"

"No shut up and listen," his mouth slammed shut, "If I choose to get back with you, it'll be on my terms. You talk to me like shit, it's done. You raise your voice, it's finished. You dare look at another woman, I'll chop your balls off and leave you bleedin' to death and won't think twice about it. You understand?" He started nodding quickly, but she was satisfied, "Say it."

"I understand," he rasped.

"Good. Now if you so much as think that you can dictate who I can speak to, I'll have you admitted, I can do that since my mum's a matron and all."

"I know," he surprisingly struggled to keep her unwavering gaze. Fuck, he was intimated by her... and incredibly turned on.

"Don't go thinkin' I won't end this, because I will. You want me, you love me so act right," She stated, narrowing her eyes when he shifted in his stance.

"I will," he promised.

"You already caused me a friend, a best friend, that you battered and bruised to the point his pretty face was unrecognisable. So I swear to the Lord almighty, if you fuck this up again, I'll have no problem lettin' this," she gestured between them, "go. I'm shocked I'm even 'ere and that I still 'ave feelings for ya after that and you cannot blame me for remindin' you of it every step of the way. And don't pressure me to do anythin' or be nicer to you. You want me, a bitch is what you're gettin' alright?"

"Alright," he nodded, rushing out, "and I'm sorry, I never meant to —"

"Yes I know, ruin a part of my life," she cut him off with a harsh glare that had him averted his gaze, "and you'll know I'll never forgive you for that, nor can I forget, but I'm stomachin' it because for some reason I can't let this be done."

I guess there is a God in Small Heath, his heart hammered at the words she spoke.

"Thank you," he didn't know what else to say, all he wanted to do was reach for her, have her in his arms again.

"Yeah, well I guess we'll see," she said with indifference, stunning him. The whole conversation had stunned him. "And don't ask me to put that necklace on until I'm ready. I'm not givin' into your charms."

Eden swivelled on her feet, not allowing him to respond, let alone reach out for her, which he tried to do. She exited his room, ignoring him trailing behind her and the amused looks on the Shelby's faces and left the house.

Standing on the stairs, Tommy gulped, raking his hands through his hair.

"She has you by the balls Tom," Arthur laughed, glad that he had a girl like Eden to humble him.

"Fuck off, at least she's back with me," Tommy retorted, coming down the stairs, "where's your woman?"

"Leave Arthur alone," Martha came out from the living room with John holding little Katie, "You're on probation."

"Only a matter of time before you fuck up," Ada mumbled with a piece of toast in her mouth.

A scowl grew on his face, "Right, Ada, come 'ere now."

The house quickly erupted into chaos.

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a/n:

eden needed time to gather her thoughts and set tommy straight. she won't forgive him for what happened with enzo and why would she? she's basically tolerating the situation until it hurts less. (something i've done many times unfortunately).