𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗿, 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝘄𝗼:
aren't you afraid of death?

AUNT POLLY KNEW MARGARET AND especially her nephew, Thomas Shelby, no one could hide things from Elizabeth Gray. Something was going on and she was more ready to know what.

Margaret was sitting alone at the Garrison, her hand wrapped around a pint of beer as she mentally rattled because Harry stated he wouldn't serve her Irish whiskey at ten o'clock which was disappointing. . . to say at least.

Again, she spent a sleepless night with Thomas Shelby in her mind.  Whenever she would fall asleep, the man would appear somehow—  in her dreams or as in her worst nightmare, he just wouldn't go away.  She hated it.

Hated how he suddenly cared for her, hated how he'd play with her feelings knowing he had this kind of power over her.  And at this right moment, she wished for nothing but to go back in time and never step a foot in Small Heath.

"What has gotten into you, love?" Quizzed Polly as she sat across the woman. "One?" She slid the box full of cigarettes towards Maggy as she took one and put it between her lips.  Polly lighted it and shook the match to stop it from burning.

"Thanks, Pol." Tiredly smiled Margaret, inhaling the smoke. "Have you seen Thomas today?"

Polly shook her head, "Not yet. Why? Are you looking for Tommy?"

Maggy chuckled lowly leaning back in her seat, "Absolutely not. Your nephew keeps me up at night ever since we came back in Small Heath, he won't let me fucking be."

The middle aged woman puffed the smoke with a little smile, "Yes. Thomas always had been good at this." Replied the aunt as she remembered how he would keep everyone up at night when he was younger, probably not for the same reasons as Maggie but still. "What did he do to you?"

Margaret sipped on her beer, letting out a sigh and a long exhausted one, "Did you know he like to dance so much? He just randomly asks me to dance, then drops things on me and I'm supposed to act normally." She mumbled, eyes slightly closing due to the tiredness. "And maybe I'm crazy, but Thomas Shelby doesn't hate me."

Polly closely listened and she suddenly felt bad, bad to have Maggy involved in this but she somehow knew it was meant to be.  Margaret Kegley was meant to be by their sides, Thomas' side, as weird as it sounded.

"Thomas hadn't danced since Grace died, take it as a way of healing heal, eh?" Softly smiled Polly. "You'll be okay, dear." Added the woman reaching for Maggie's hand, the pad of her thumb softly rubbing against her pale skin. "What about sleeping at my house tonight, eh?" Proposed the woman trying to ease Margaret's mind.

Maggie smiled gently, taking Polly's hand in hers and gave it a soft squeeze, "I would love that. Thank you. I fear that I might become fucking crazy if I don't sleep again." She quietly laughed.

"I understand."

Margaret finished her pint before standing up, and collected her items under the middle aged woman's eyes, "I have to meet Curly at Charlie's Yard, a trainer is here to collect the horse. Thomas asked me to take care of it, said it might take me mind off for a moment." Explained the green eyed woman.

"Be careful, Maggie. Keep that gun of yours." Reminded her Polly as she finished smoking her cigarette. Maggie gave her a shy wave before disappearing.

Her legs strolled around Small Heath as she made her way to Charlie's yard.  To be honest, Margaret always loved horses and she guessed it was something in common she shared with Tommy.  The smell of burned iron hit her nose as she entered the yard, Curly was waiting for her at the front with a soft smile—  almost an innocent one.

"Morning, Curly." Cheered Margaret as he closed the gates behind her. "Where is that horse?"

Curly bowed his head towards the stable, "Want to see her, Miss Kegley?"

Maggie rolled the cigarette between her lips before lighting it, "Course, Curly. Is the trainer soon going to be here?"

Curly hummed, "She's never late, probably should be here in ten minutes." Honestly replied the man, leading the woman towards the horse.

Margaret was greeted by a black horse and she couldn't hold her excitement as she jogged to it.  Her hand instantly found her muzzle as she quietly rubbed it.

"She's quite the beauty, isn't she?" Smiled Margaret towards Curly, knowing he loved horses dearly. "Look at this. So fucking beautiful. You're the one in charge, Curly?"

The man nodded his head furiously, "Yes. Every horse Tommy brings here, I take care of it."

"Well, Curly, you're doing your job perfectly eh?" Beamed Maggie and Curly thanked her.

By the end of her cigarette, a car was heard and Curly hurried to the gates again opening it.  Margaret had no idea of the person's identity, only knew she was a woman because of Curly's statement.  Thomas hadn't mentioned anything, and it wouldn't be surprising that he fucked her once or a few times—  after all, who could resist a Shelby's charm?

A woman, a wealthy looking one, stepped out of the car and looked around the place while Maggie took the time to throw her cigarette's butt somewhere, "Hello, Curly." She spoke.

Curly's peaceful voice echoed through the yard, "Oh, hello." Maggie watched from the fire, her head tilting on the side as she took the time to admire the woman. "This is Margaret Kegley." His finger directly pointed at the brunette.

The woman bowed her head, "May Carleton. Mr. Shelby may have talked about me." Spoke May.

Maggie shook her head side from side, "Not a fucking word, Miss Carleton. Not a fucking one."

"Oh, well." For a second Margaret wore a satisfied smile, knowing the woman was hurt by her words.  It wasn't hard to see when someone liked someone else, in that case, it was almost written on her fucking forehead.  I like Mr. Shelby. "I'm here to collect Mr. Shelby's horse, I'm a little early I think."

Maggie shrugged, "Don't worry. Curly has already everything ready for you, so you can leave Small Heath as quickly as you came."

May hummed before looking at Curly who seemed to inch to ask her a question, "Are you gonna train the horse to race?" He queried, clearly anxious.

"Yes."

Curly hesitated but finally spoke, "Don't use a crop, she's very gentle." He pleaded.

"I won't." Reassured May as Maggie realized how innocent Curly appeared.

May glanced at Maggie before speaking, "How is Mr.Shelby?" She quizzed and Margaret couldn't hold a snort.

Curly helped Charlie while talking, "Well, now he's got the Americans after him, he's a bit hard on people." Admitted Curly.

"The Americans?"

Maggie walked towards her before humming, "They're known as the mafia."

"Dear God." Muttered May and the brunette next to her laughed.

"That you can say." Added Maggie before grabbing another cigarette.

"Yeah, there's 15 of them, yeah, they want to kill us all, but we got guns and grenades and, and Polly's back, so it's gonna be okay." Ranted the man.

Maggie put a hand on Curly's shoulder, smiling at him, "Go get the horse, Curly, alright?" The stable boy agreed before disappearing, the two women alone in the yard. "Do you smoke, Miss Carleton?"

May shook her head, "No. Not anymore."

"Ah, I'm sorry to hear that. You could use one, May, you seem nervous." Commented Maggie as she exhaled the smoke.

May cleared her throat, "I'll take one." Margaret didn't waste a second giving one and lighted it for her. "Thank you."

"Curly is going to come back with the horse, alright?" Spoke Maggie as she nodded. "I'm gonna leave. Have things to do before noon. It was nice meeting you, Miss Carleton."

May looked up at the woman who was slightly taller, "The feeling's mutual, Miss Kegley or should I say, Margaret?"

"Margaret." Simply answered the brunette with green eyes before walking away from the yard.

——————————

Margaret approached Thomas' factory and stepped in it. A few bad looks were thrown at her, but she didn't mind.  Margaret Kegley had nothing to fair here or anywhere in fucking Small Heath.  When she reached the stairs, a crowd caught her attention and she noticed Arthur.

"Sir, I'm going to need you to step aside, please." Mumbled the woman as the man turned around, ready to yell at her because women weren't allowed in this place but soon closed his mouth recognizing Margaret Kegley.

"Maggie, what are you fucking doing here?" Mumbled Tommy, not even surprised the woman was standing in his factory as she was about to watch a fight.  Margaret always ended where she wasn't supposed to, but she didn't care— not in the slightest.

Maggie shrugged, "Heard Mr. Gold's son was a good fighter. Came here to see it from me own eyes." Nonchalantly answered the woman as she bowed her head towards Aberama Gold, and waved at Bonnie. "What? You didn't want me here, eh?"

"It's dangerous." Spoke Thomas, looking around him and he moved closer to the woman. "Aren't ye scared of death, Margaret?"

Maggie looked up at his eyes, trying to find an ounce of sarcasm but he was dead serious, "No."

Their heads snapped towards Arthur's husky voice as he walked around the ring, money in his hand.  All the workers gathered around the ring, placing bets for Bonnie Gold or Billy Mills.

"Arthur!" Yelled Maggie as he faced the woman, a smile growing on his face. "I want to place a wager on Gold's son. Here, take this." She said handing him money as he chuckled.

Arthur looked down at the money, "Women don't place wagers, Maggie, nor step a fucking foot in a factory." He spoke in a teasing manner.

"Arthur, I'm Margaret Kegley. Rules don't apply to me, I make them." Laughed the woman, and Thomas couldn't help but feel astonishment towards the woman. "Take my fucking wager and go to the other men, they're getting impatient." She teased.

Thomas inhaled deeply, "Maggie, you're playing a dangerous game." He whispered.

"Tell me about it." Sighed Margaret as the fight started, and Artur went back next to them.

Once more, all eyes were on Margaret Kegley. Men wondering what a Kegley woman was doing here with two Shelbys at her side.  Everyone knew Eddie Kegley, scared the shit out of everyone but never Maggie.  He was probably the most amazing father.  But when it came to dirty work, Eddie was called because he was the best and fearless— a trait she inherited from her father.

The word had spread quickly when it came to the killing of an Italian man, everyone was rather stunned to learn that it was a woman who pulled the trigger— and not Thomas Shelby.  Small Heath's people knew Maggie either way because she pointed a gun at a Peaky Blinder or for killing a Sabini man.

"Your boy knows he can hit back, right?" Directly spoke Arthur to Mr. Gold who was watching his boy with a smirk.

"Told him in the professional game people want their money's worth, don't win too fast." Explained the father, hands in his pocket as if he knew his son would win. "But if you've seen enough. . . Finish him, Bonnie." Exclaimed the man.

It took two words for the teenager to start hitting, suddenly it all felt unreal.  A fucking teenager beating Billy Mills.  The heavyweight champion fell to the ground after Bonnie hit him one last time as Arthur, Thomas, and Maggie watched his body on the ground.

"Fuck me. That was a punch." Said Arthur with a content smile.

Aberama went to take the gloves off his son's hands and faced the Shelbys and Margaret, "Does he have fits?" Queried Thomas as Mr. Gold shook his head. "Asthma?"

"No."

Arthur hummed, "How's he cut?"

"Well, no one's cut him yet, but skin's thick." Explained the father.

They continued to talk about the boy as the Eldest questioned Aberama, "And against Romany fighters?"

"That's why they won't let us in the fairs no more, he keeps winning."

Maggie hummed, "I could fight a fucking tree and knock it out, Mr. Shelby." Proudly spoke Bonnie as Margaret chuckled.

Arthur laughed, "I like him. I like him."

Thomas and Arthur went on the side, probably to talk about Bonnie as Maggie stared at them.  She brought a cigarette to her lips, lighting it, and blew the smoke into Aberama's face.  He gave her a smile which she returned.

"Mr. Gold." Greeted Margaret as she inhaled the smoke again. "Quite the fighter you have." She added pointing at Bonnie who seemed intimidated by the woman.

Aberama kept an arm around his son's shoulders, "Thank you, Miss Kegley. Didn't think you would make it."

"Well, I heard your son was a great fighter. Didn't lose any fights. Had to see it from my proper eyes." Said the brunette. "It was a great fucking fight, Bonnie. I'm glad I placed my wager on you."

Bonnie smiled widely, "Thank you, Miss Kegley."

The woman seemed to think a second before talking, "It's Maggie for you, Bonnie. It was nice to see you, gentlemen."

Before any of them could say a word, she started to walk away and Tommy looked up from his conversation with his brother at the sound of her heels.  And, for the first time today, he took the time to look at her— she was wearing a dark blue suit and an overcoat.  Not at all feminine, but he liked it, she looked insanely perfect in it.

As soon as he gave the flat cap to Bonnie, he caught up with Margaret who was at the front of the factory patiently waiting for him to show.  He stopped in front of her and glanced down at her, "Are you going back home?"

"Actually I'm going to Polly's." Replied Maggie remembering their discussion from hours ago. "She told me to come spend the night at hers."

Tommy frowned, "What?"

"I need a night without you being in my fucking head, Tom." Muttered the woman. "One night where you don't ask me to fucking dance with me, and leave me alone in the dark wondering what the hell just happened. Just one night." Begged Margaret.

The Shelby man sighed but nodded his head, "Alright. Be careful, I'm being fucking serious, Mag." He warned her, his hands softly cupping her face.  God, he loved doing this and letting his thumbs roam on her cheekbones.

Maggie kissed the inside of his hand as Thomas felt his heart beating faster, but tried to ignore it, "I will, Tommy."

She pulled away from the man, the warmth of his hands missing her cheeks as soon as the cold breeze struck her face.  Thomas waited for her to be out of his sight to pull out a cigarette, and to let out a breath he didn't know he was holding until now.

Maybe Thomas Shelby wasn't a lost cause after all.

————————————

AUTHORS NOTE,
NO BC I LOVE THEM YOU HAVE NO IDEA

how was/is your day?

tbh thank you for the endless support, i love you all very much 💚🌴👒🍏🌿🍀🐸🍵

i hope you liked it!!!
also sorry if i did mistakes, i didn't really check pls