* TRAUMA / KING !

sansa would be a liar to say that she was entirely aware of all that had been newly elected; had focused on the bigger candidates, the ones that could threaten her father or, more importantly, robb. she had needed to make sure that he retained his seat, that there was no doubt that another stark man would be able to make it through in parliament. that he would be just as good as their father. she did it, loved to, because she had a better chance at making some sort of impact, having some sort of influence through him than she did running herself. would never dare to, either. not against robb. not against other members of her family. no; she was better at the sidelines, making sure that the parts all moved right. that she was involved without being the face of it all.

and yet, tonight, she stood out as she always did. when things were private and secluded. when sansa could let her hair down and mingle; always unassuming, all the others unsuspecting of her. stood at her brother’s side, her father on his side, a glass of champagne in her hand. standing out like a beacon of red hair and a cobalt blue dress. a need for a cigarette, already on her second drink, and the night had barely started. hadn’t yet had a chance to get away from robb’s side to go talk to others; to see who was new, who she would need to keep an eye on, who she figured would be out by the next election… if they even lasted that long.

there’s a voice as she’s looking to find someone to refill her glass, robb’s whispers coming to an end. ned’s taking a step forward, the cigarette between his lips being removed before he shakes the man’s hands. thomas shelby, he introduces himself, and sansa finds herself interested. admittedly, can’t say she knows too much about small heath. had only left london once, years and years ago. his gaze lingers and sansa can’t stop the smile that curls up red lips, watches him as her father talks – of course, he had known who the man was. knew everyone; old and new, had been there longer than most. robb, next; not quite as friendly, not quite as open as their father. he was newer, less trusting. warmer, with a few drinks in him. “sansa stark,” she introduces herself, at last, can practically hear robb’s eye roll beside her as she holds a hand out expectantly.  

calloused hand takes smaller, outstretched hand and pulls it to his lips, placing a small kiss on the back of her hand. ❝ a pleasure to meet you, miss sansa stark, ❞ comes his purred reply. he can feel the tension from the stark men, bristled by his audacity. nothing about his behavior is entirely unusual, but many others in parliament had heard about THOMAS SHELBY, and he had no doubt that the starks were not an exception to those few. thomas withdrew his cigarette case from his pocket, pulling free a perfectly rolled stick before running its end across his lips, popping it between them. he extended the case to the red-headed woman in front of him. ❝ care for a smoke? ❞ he waits as she takes one, gesturing to the other two in their company as well, as much as he would have liked not to.

Oooh, what a very good question, that is.

To be completely honest, I haven't given it much thought. But I suppose I could do that now. Inside the Peaky Blinders fandom, ANY of his family members. Especially Arthur. I've always loved the relationship/dynamic between Thomas and Arthur, considering Arthur is older yet still subordinate to Tommy. Alfie Solomons, for obvious reasons. Alfie is like the crazier, more outspoken and filter-lacking version of Tommy, and one of his toughest opponents/allies. And honestly? MORE OCS!! I love the OCs people come up with for PB, and I'd like to interact with them more.

Outside of PB, I have only thought of a few fandoms here and there. One obviously being GOT. In GOT, I'd love to have Thomas interact with Ramsay Bolton, Robb Stark, Sandor Clegane(either as The Hound or post redemption), Jaime Lannister, Cersei Lannister, and probably Bronn for the lols. As far as any other fandom goes, it could be any character others see as a match or a compliment to Tommy. He loves to be challenged, and loves to find ways to undermine others and uproot their authority.

a week had passed since thomas shelby o.b.e was named into parliament for the labor party of SMALL HEATH. he had quite literally started as just a man part of the small heath rifles in a war that ruined him, to the man who represented the very people he had protected. there was a gala this evening, inviting all newly elected members of parliament to come and mingle with the existing, as well as benefactors and donors who helped lined the coffers of parliament. pol had given thomas no choice as to who his plus one would be, and she was working her charm, finding investors for the shelby company limited.

thomas stood within a small group of other men in the labor party, a cigarette between his lips and a crystal glass of whisky in his hand. ❝ 've only ever been a legitimate man of business. parliament was the next logical step, ❞ he spoke, free hand catching the cigarette for lips to drag, tendrils of smoke curling out from freckled lips. he received a pat on the back from one of the other men who commented on his liberating of the races. thomas's brows raised and he pointed with his cigarette hand at the other. ❝ i'll be sure to 'ave a box reserved, ❞ mentioned the bespectaled man as his eyes scanned the room.

crystalline gaze fell upon a shock of red hair across the sea of people, standing with two dark haired men. thomas did not immediately recognize them and he gestured in their direction to his compatriots. ❝ that's eddard stark, ned. the curly haired fella is his son, robb. ❞ thomas nodded, his attention staying fixed on the younger woman with them. ❝ and her? ❞ the men around him looked at each other. one even shook his head. ❝ that's ned's daughter, sansa. i'd stay away from the starks, sir. old ned is quite fond of his family, ❞ but thomas was no longer listening. he just needed the names. eyes still fixated on the girl, he put his cigarette out on the table beside them and left the group of men, glass in his other hand. he approached ned with an extended hand. ❝ ned stark, it's a pleasure, ❞ he gave a lingering glance to the red head. ❝ thomas shelby, labor from small 'eath. ❞ he then bowed his head respectfully to sansa, careful not to sidestep her father first.