Fandom Serendipity (Peaky Blinders | Closed)

[Kassandra Rose]

"Well, we've always been from different worlds, different people, I see no reasons for us not to be so in the future," she lied, shrugging of his reluctance to think of anything but the world of crime, the black hole it was that consumed anything with the slightest light of hope. Still, at least, she'd stick around for as long as it took to get Charlie back, and then she'd leave a free woman. Or, so she thought. How cruel fate was.

Distance would be good. She needed to forget about him, to stop seeing his face. Michael was broken, devoid of love, and incapable of little else but this wretched life that she detested so much. Yet, she felt the need to save him, as if the job were hers and hers only. Slowly, and reluctantly, she withdrew her hand. "I bet your gutted that the old bullet didn't stop my big fat mouth from going on and on, hm?" She jones dryly, faking a small smile. "Sorry that I'm not so easy to get rid of".

***

"Esperanza?"

Tommy's voice called out into the darkness of the house. He'd been sat in his armchair, unable to think of a single thing to do, unable to think of much at all. In fact, he'd very much been in his own world, thinking about Charlie, if he was okay, where he was, how he was being treated. Were they kind to him? Did they beat him? This was the kind of thing that Grace had wanted him to avoid. She'd begged of him to leave, and yet he couldn't give up the power, the adrenaline rush. It was going to be the death of him, of everyone he held dear.

As if he hadn't learned from last time, he readied his weapon, and approached the door that had only moments ago slammed. Tommy hadn't even realised that he'd been holding his breath until he cast eyes upon her, and he let out a small sigh of relief.

"Bloody 'ell, it's just you. I thought..." his eyes focused on her rapidly heaving chest. Was she... was she okay? "Hey, hey..." he hushed. His eyes narrowed. "It's okay". Almost instinctively, his arms wrapped around her, as he crouched down to her level, and attempted to soothe her. "It's okay. What happened? Was it him.. Capone?" Or rather, his men.

 

[RunawayGirl]

Esperanza simply hugged him, catching her breath, pulling away while holding onto his arms, looking up at him, "F-Finn might not have to marry Carmen. I think we can get your son tonight.. I just need a map..." she took a deep breath, pausing for a moment, "M-my family. They are transporting..." She took another breath, "Jesus fucking christ. They are transporting his liquor. I know the docks. The caravans that were left were filled easily... 30 cases. There were two caravans parked and ready to go meaning they are about ready to store it for shipment, tomorrow Tommy we have 15 maybe even twenty caravans." she took bit her lip, looking up at him hopefully, "I think I have a plan...I recognised the liquor in there, Tommy, it's top shelf....wouldnt it be a shame if someone took it?" her voice was stronger, confident, it didn't seem as she was shy anymore she genuinely thought she could pull this off. She lit up with a small smile, though her eyes narrowed toward him, motivated, "Carmen is certain he wouldn't harm Charlie. I believe her. If we do this it'd be a force of hand but it means war. Now." her eyes searched over his, she spoke quickly as she regained her breath, she was ready to do this. When the shock she quite literally ran out dissipated you could see just one speck of her personality bleed through.

Michael laughed a bit at that lie. He very well knew that truth and he knew that Carmen did too. He just glanced at her giving her the classic, 'yeah right' face. He had to admit part of the reason why he didn't like her dream was that it wouldn't be here. But in all honesty, he wanted the best for her. His care expanded past such trivial things. That was also a bit maddening, or you could say, mind fuck to the young Gray. He only smiled at the joke, "I couldn't be happier it didn't." he spoke sincerely, softly yet still in his deep baritone as the cool air bit his cheek where her small dainty hand warmed it. His eyes fell to her lips, how desperately he wanted to kiss them. No. He knew he was toxic. Why corrupt her more. Just another toxic man in m her life to drag her down from what she wants. No, that broke him. That thought only made his eyes soft, almost saddened for a moment as he glanced away. "I'm going to make Tommy pay for that...." he growled after a moments silence. He was quite angered at the Shelbys irrational behavior. To harm her just because he still isn't over his ex-wife partly he knew fueled this. And it ate at him and it eroded away, "Fuck Tommy." he spat

 

[Kassandra Rose]

"Michael..." she began, though her words failed her, dying before they even had a chance to leap from her tender lips. She was not naive to his glances, though perhaps a little to his intentions. Although she'd never admit it. This desire was not unreciprocated. If anything it was overwhelming, indulging, intoxicating. It became her. Without control, furthermore, of her actions, her hand extended again, though this time pulling him in by his tie, and it took all of her strength to bring her lips up towards his.

They didn't meet, not in time.

There was a knock on the door.

"Fuck," her head flopped back upon the pillow, yet her eyes did not leave from his face. She wanted him to know that she was sincere, genuine. "Don't ever say that again," she let out a low warning, "because you don't mean it, Tommy is your family, and you never know what the consequences could be". Another knock. "...Come in".

Finn, what on earth was he doing here?
"I, uhm, came to check on you. Esperanza said that you hadn't woken yet, but the nurse told me otherwise". He shoved his hands inside his trouser pockets, peering out from under his flat cap at both her and Michael.

"That's very sweet, Finn," she bit her lower lip softly. "Esperanza was right. Apparently, I've been a sleep for a good few weeks. Would you believe it? Roberto always said that I was lazy but, pft". The nerves in her voice were unbelievable. Not only had she betrayed herself in being so open about those stupid emotions, but they'd nearly been caught in the act.

"Actually," he cleared his throat. "There was something else I needed to tell you, Carmen, and I'm glad you're awake...." he was stalling. Why was he stalling? "Tommy says we're to be wed, as part of good terms with Al Capone. So, you'll be a part of the family".

***
​

He liked it. No, that clever little minx, he loved it. He wanted to kick himself that he hadn't thought of such an intelligent plan. "Esperanza," he gently cupped her cheeks, the first smile appearing on his face in years. "Oh, Esperanza. I could kiss you". His arctic eyes absorbed her gentle own for just a moment, before dropping to her plump, pink lips. His hands fell from her face, and he sharply withdrew.

He couldn't- couldn't allow himself to feel again, a chance for others to break him. "We will go through with the wedding," he informed her, "and whilst Capone is distracted, I'll send a few of my best men to retrieve, or burn, the mans liquor. That way we get everything we want, and the old man is none the wiser. I'm not a fool to believe he values his liquor as much as I do Charlie, but..." the plan gave Tommy some easy instead of just sitting and loitering around.

"Where would I be without you, Esperanza?"

 

[RunawayGirl]

Esperanza's deep brown eyes absorbed his icy blue ones for that one moment, it felt like nothing mattered. She wasn't accustomed to this emotion that he was making her feel. Ever. Between being couped up and shown cruelty for the majority of her life, she never understood the chills she got when she touched him, and the butterflies that felt welcome that only ever came to her when she was about to have a panic attack, no this was different. Drastically. It felt good as it made her uncomfortable, her heart pounding every time he glanced at her or hell; even when she saw him it made her happy, almost giddy. She barely knew him; why? Why all of this. She didn't know what to do with it, she saw his eyes leave hers and eye her lips as she couldn't help but allow her eyes to drop to his plump ones, but when he pulled away it snapped her right out of it. What game was this? What was all that for? Her cheeks were tinted a nice rose color by now as she he spoke, smiling. She certainly did feel better about the situation now that she could contribute to aiding her mess up. She nodded in agreement, being cautious she supposed is better and she respected it quite a lot. She was about to speak when he heard his kind words. She halted. 'Where would I be without you, Esperanza?' played in her head over and over In that second. It made her lock up. She's never heard that before. To be useful, her cheeks only reddened more, she could only smile at him, for her tongue could not find how to speak words back for such a gesture. "I-I need a map, Tommy..." her voice was soft, clearly taken back but her face was soft, showing gratitude for such kindness

Michael was ready to lunge, to cup her cheeks, he wanted to take feel her soft lips so badly. The lips he was ashamed to say he fantasized to know how they felt on his. It tipped his rationality over when she grabbed him in such ways. He was so close to her lips, just almost touching right when he yanked back, harshly, brushing back his sleeked hair, he glanced over at her to see her expression, he only smiled softly l showing the same sincerity. He watched Finn walk in. Odd. This makes no sense. Why is the kid here?

Stalling, stalling and more stalling. Why?

He listened as Finn finally spoke and his blood boiled, "That is not bloody happening." he scoffed, "Shit plan that is. No retaliation? Nah just another wedding to cover up the bloody fact of what he did to us? Fucking seriously ?" he rattled off, scoffing yet again, "Tommy such a selfish prick he couldn't do it himself, no. You and Carmen...no." he spoke angrily pointing his finger and both Carmen and Finn as he said 'no'. "He and I are going to have a fuckin' talk." with that he stormed out and got into his sleek black Bentley, driving to the manor. White knuckling the steering wheel as he gritted his teeth. Utter fuckin' bullshit. He began to speed in his lack of care as he pulled up the manor, barging in and letting the door slam behind him. He looked between Esperanza and Tommy. He examined the young girls face, blushing away. He scoffed, "Finn and Carmen, aye? You fuckin' serious?" he glared. Esperanza's face molded into an 'oh boy' expression. An uneasy face, "Michael..." she spoke softly. Michael snapped, spinning around her, "This. Does not fucking involve you. This is a bloody family matter." he pointed his finger at her, as he bent down to look her in the eye sincerely, making Esperanza freeze but she soon got her bearings, "Yes so you can have your tantrum. Go on then." she sassed right on back as she waltzed out of the room, visibly going to Tommys study to grab a map and a pen and went to her quarters where household staff laid to rest.

 

[Kassandra Rose]

Marriage?

It all happened so quickly. He was so close, almost within her grasp, literally in her grasp, and then so quickly torn away. Before she knew it, he was was ranting, raving, mumbling like some kind of mad man before storming out of the hospital, before she could even slip in a single world.

"Michael!" She called after him, but it was far too late. He was gone. Her azure eyes looked up to Finn through her thick, dark lashes. "Is Tommy serious?"

"Yes," the kid answered firmly, his eyes soft and apologetic. "Look, Carmen, I know me and you have never really spoken much, and I don't know if you can ever grow to love me... but I do feel as though I could for you. If not, I could only try make you as happy as in my power. I can give you a home, children, anything which you want. I don't want you to thing I'm trying to buy you or nuffin', or even that I endorse this, but-"

"You're very sweet, Finn," was all she could manage to say again. Her gentle eyes still upon the door from which Michael had stormed out of. "I'm sure that if there's anyway around this, we will find it, and if not-" so much for that happily ever after, far away from all this shit. "If not, I do believe that you would try to be the best possible husband". It's true. There was nothing wrong with Finn. He was just the wrong man.

***

"Yes, a map," he agreed. "There should be one inside of my study. I'll go up with you and we can-" A deafening bang of the door smacking against the wall shook the whole house. Tommy's instinct was to cover the lady beside him, in case Capone's men had returned for round two. His hand itched towards his gun.

A mixed variety of emotions flickered inside him, as his eyes cast upon the perpetrator. Michael? What the fucking hell did he think he was doing? Funnily enough, before Tommy could even open his mouth to scream this, Michael had already began to vent whatever it was that plagued him. His aggression was unrestrained, and unfortunately unleashed on Esperanza.

"Don't fucking talk to her like that, and mind your fucking tongue," Tommy growled. Although, Esperanza promptly ran towards the staircase, alluding to the other boy's instructions to stay out of family business. "She," the older Shelby pointed to the empty staircase, "is a part of this family now, whether you like it or not. Stop acting like a small child". Rolling his eyes, Tommy began to walk, knowing Michael would follow him. "No offence. I don't see how Finn and Carmen are any of your fuckin' business, mate".

 

[RunawayGirl]

Esperanza was taken aback when he grabbed her that way initially but she still went to her rather small quarters to start circling the docks and where they were located and what to avoid.

Michael cracked up, "Oh. Right. SHE'S family now, aye? Woman who attempted to fuckin' kill ya at the meetin' and then handed Charlie right on over. She's family. But you can't fuckin' forgive Carmen, aye?" he snickered, "That is funny, Tom, really is. It is my bloody fucking business. It's not fuckin' right. You can't just throw their lives out like that." he rattled off even though he was hiding his real reasoning. The truth: he loved Carmen and he didn't want his damn brother in law (I hope I did that right...brother in law, realistically?) to be marrying her. The more and more the poor Gray boy desperately wished he was born a Shelby. The Gray name was a bloody inconvenience. "There's ways around this and you're taking the fuckin' easy one instead of fighting back. The fuck you become, Thomas? Fuckin' soft." He walked up to him, looking at him dead in the eye. It angered him that he wasn't fighting back, it angered him what he did to Carmen, "You fuckin' shot her. Risked her life. Why didn't Esperanza get the bullet to then, aye?" his sharp grey eyes pierced Tommy's icy blue ones, harshly, "Because Carmen reminds you too much of Grace and, selfish bastard couldn't take it. Could you?" he spoke quietly but deeply, his tongue harsh.

Esperanza could hear the arguing from even the servants quarters, she sighed, flinching a bit at his tone; she expected a fight, more physical if not. She wanted to help but the Gray was right, it wasn't her place. It wasn't that she was too comfortable with the family, more she hated everyone hurting. And Michael was certainly hurting. She wanted to avoid the marriage, she truly did. It stung to hear him break for the Carmen, Romeo and Juliet....gangster gypsy style? She stopped marking the map for a moment as she then heard the tones in muffled mumbles. That couldn't be a good sign. She expected to hear an outlash any moment now, her eyes close and flinching in anticipation. She took a deep breath. Wait, what did Tommy say? She's family? She blinked in surprise and shock, that made no sense. Michael was absolutely right, she had no place after what she did. Why? She stared at the map, lost in her thoughts for a moment. Nonsense. If anything she had to go, not burden them, this time for real. That was unforgivable. Or was it? Tommy's acts around her, little tid-bits made no sense. Perhaps she's seen too much into it. Her mind raced, and began overthink. She sighed, ' It's going to be fine, they'll beat the shit out of each other and resume as normal after they put each other in their place,' or that's what she told herself anyway as she resumed.

 

[Kassandra Rose]

There was a sickening crunch as Tommy brought his fist to Michael's face.

"I said, watch your fucking tongue," he hissed, his knuckles already bruising from the brunt of the impact, stained slightly with blood. "That's my decision, and it's final, not open for questioning all because you want to get your fucking feelings in the way of family business. I don't give a shit if your upset because you wanted her in your pants, in your bed, or what ever bloody way you perceive it. I justify myself to no one".

Tommy took of his cap, hanging on the hall stand, before turning right down the corridor into the office. Here, he sat behind his desk, knowing definitely that Michael would soon follow, no doubt breaking down another path in his whirlwind of a tantrum.

"Listen, kid," he rummaged through the top drawer, retrieving his pipe and lifting it to his mouth to light. "What happened to Carmen was an accident, a misfire. It happens, and when you've actually been in this business long enough to know that, you'll finally understand. Finn's a good kid, likely to drop out of the business sooner or later. They'll be happy together, go live in la la land, or whatever the fuck they want, just like Arthur did".

***

Carmen laughed, shaking her head. Finn had taken Michael's place in the seat besides her. Although, he was nothing at all like the latter. He was soft and sweet, like some kind of puppy, teddy bear, or even a kitten. Michael was rough edged, passionate and consuming, more like a piranha than a fucking teddy bear. He'd bite your hand off if he feared you were too close, and yet only because he was broken inside. She liked to imagine that he simply needed someone to collect his broken pieces and hold him tightly so he remained whole.

All the same, Finn was like a breath of fresh air, so easy to talk to, to laugh with.

"You did what? She chuckled once more ind disbelief. "Oh, Finn!"

"What?" He joined in with her laughter, a mischievous smile perched upon his lips. "They deserved it. Isiah is still a person, regardless of race. They don't get to speak to him like that".

 

[RunawayGirl]

Michael took the blow, he certainly saw that coming, instead; he didn't follow him, "Yeah bloody right a misfire." he eyed Tommy, as blood began to drip from his now cut lip, "You know what, Tommy? You really don't give a shit about her. She's just a pawn to you." he spoke plainly, the punch only angered him more, and he wanted to slap the pipe right out of his mouth and hit back. "Because that's all people are at the end of the day, aye? Even your own family. Bargaining chips." He snapped, he couldn't contain himself, the anger let the truth spew out, "I fuckin' love her. I could care fuckin' less what you think about it. After you lost Grace you don't know one damn thing or another of love, do ya?" he stared him down from the hall, looking through his office, "Nothin'. She's not gon' be fuckin' happy with him and you know it. The last thing Finn fuckin' wants. He wants to be apart of this family and you push everyone away." he finally stepped into his office, "It isn't fuckin' happening, Tom." he sounded sincere, he was going to make sure it wasn't going to happen, as he wiped the blood from his lip, and walked out. Michael certainly had a streak to misbehave, and his word was sincere; he was going to fuck all this up.

He got back into the Bentley, slamming the door, he just smacked the steering wheel and banged his head against it as he held onto to the wheel loosely. He was angry entirely now, at Carmen for getting attached to her, at Tommy for, in all honesty everything at this point, livid with Esperanza, no one could be come out unscathed from his anger at this point. He took a deep breath. How do we stop this? He didn't want to leave, in all honesty his heart still laid with the family despite his anger. He drove back to the hospital as he attempted to logic out a plan.

Esperanza finished the map, after hearing well, the impact of a punch and all the chaos, Michael's little speech. She bit her lip nervously, she decided to give Tommy a moment before demonstrating the map, figuring he needs to sort his mind and cool off himself. She desperately wanted to talk to Michael but it worried her, he was harsh. Harsher than Tommy in some ways, and that scared her. She knew he didn't like her right at this moment, if not ever again before she accidentally handed Charlie away. She frowned, trying to find a solution to his anger, to make him understand. She sighed, rubbing the back of her neck.

 

[Kassandra Rose]

"Because that's all people are at the end of the day, aye? Even your own family. Bargaining chips".

"After you lost Grace you don't know one damn thing or another of love, do ya?"

The words played in a loop, haunting his mind, over and over again. No, it wasn't right. He weren't right. This wasn't fair. It wasn't his fault that they were in this mess. He did know love, and no love was stronger than that which he possessed for his only son. If doing anything, absolutely anything, within his power to get Charlie back made him the bad guy... then, fine. He'd play the bad guy. This wedding was going to happen, if not for Charlie's sake, solely for the pure, rotten disrespect of Michael.

"Oh, Esperanza," he coughed, placing the pipe down. "I hope Michael didn't startle you too much. He's just a boy. And, well, y'know what they say, boys will be boys. His impulsiveness will be the death of him". He stopped, standing from behind his desk. "On a brighter note, did you manage to find what you were looking for?"

He looked across at her through his heavy, long lashes, out of white blue, arctic eyes. If he was incapable of love, he reminded himself so much, why did he save Esperanza? Why did he grow to care so much for her?

 

[RunawayGirl]

Esperanza nodded slowly, she shook her head, "It's alright..." she cleared her throat, "Uhm, well." She walked down the stairs, now with the map rolled up in her hand. She wasn't about to bring it down but she took it out of the room as soon as he inquired, walking into his office, she didn't dare look up at him, she needed to maintain her head and not get lost in his eyes as she explained this, nor did she want to show it, she rolled it out carefully over his desk. She pointed at the main circle, "These are the docks...there are two warehouses, on either side of them. From the outside it simply looks like those warehouses, people store their nice boats in for the off-seasons. You'll see quite a few boats, but on the inside, it looks completely ordinary though, there is a there is a false wall. East side." She spoke as she took out a piece of paper, a drawing she made of the inside of the warehouses, the location of the false walls and entrances, then explaining the security. "There's some traps on the inside, wires and such, if you trigger them the whole bloody thing explodes." she seemed to roll her eyes, it was pathetic to her. If you attempt to steal their possessions, no one can have their possessions. "So." she began to draw out where the wires were in proximity, and then explained how to deactivate the little bombs they had. It was all simple gypsy tricks, nothing too complicated. "On the other side of the canal, there are some other businesses. Not sure if you care about that but it is fairly active over there. But if you hide along the boats, they are complete blind spots to everything...quite clumsy. They attempted to make it look so ordinary yet they inconvenience themselves..." she shrugged. "That's about it."

Michael pulled up the hospital, sighing. He couldn't stand being there now, especially knowing Finn's presents. It wasn't Finn's fault, and he knew it. It still disgusted him. He took another deep breath, in attempts to calm himself down, he leaned over to grab his flask on the seat and downed some whiskey. He closed his eyes allowing the fumes to completely intoxicate him, the burn down his throat into his stomach, he leaned his head all the way back. He lit up a cigarette, taking a puff, and letting out a sigh. He was still quiet angry, but at least now he wouldn't completely explode. He climbed out of the car and walked back into the sterile hospital, making his way down the white halls into her room, leaning against the door way as he puffed, not saying much of anything as he sat down beside Finn. Though, he didn't seem to act cold toward the boy, only to acknowledge his presents in an uncomfortable glance and a jaw clench, puffing his cigarette once more, his eyes didn't dare look at Carmen's for the moment as he stared off at the floor. Hesitantly, he finally looked up at her, his eyes filled with uncertainty and utter confliction, sadness and anger; a storm in those eyes were brewing, it hasn't even begun yet. He searched her eyes, for any sign, anything. All he wanted to do was talk to her alone about this but he knew where Finn stood; Tommy's orders. And he needed to get to know his fiance a bit more. The thought made his heart race as it began to anger him. He took another puff of his cigarette as his knee began to bounce anxiously.

 

[Kassandra Rose]

The tension in the room increased thricefold when Michael entered. Almost immediately, the two parted from their deep, hearty conversation, as Carmen's eyes fluttered to Michael's bruised face. She wanted to reach out to him, run her fingers gingerly over his injuries, and scold him for having involved himself in such fisticuffs, whatever had provoked it. Yet, she couldn't. Finn's presence prevented any such intimacy, and instead she resigned to silence.

"Do you need anything, Carmen?" Finn broke the silence, after a few unbearable seconds. "A blanket? Perhaps, a drink?"

"Oh, actually..." her mind began ticking over the possible ways to earn herself some privacy. "I'd really appreciate it if you could somehow grab a bite for me to eat. I haven't sunk my teeth into something solid for a good few weeks now, and I fear becoming skin and bones".

With a small chuckle at her melodrama, he nodded obediently. "Something to eat it is. Ya sure you don't need nuffin' else? What about you, Mike?" Standing, he collected his jacket and flat cap, approaching her side. Slowly, as if not quite sure of himself, he reached out and took her hand in his own, before raising it and brushing his lips against it. "I won't be long," he nodded, before pushing through the doors, leaving them alone for the first time since the news.

Carmen opened her mouth to speak. The two soft petals of lips, ever so slightly agape, lingered apart for only a moment before closing firmly again. No words could summarise how she felt at this moment. They didn't do emotions justice. "Michael," she settled on, her voice riddled with feeling. "Your poor face. You look worse than I feel".

***

He nodded, listening tentatively, as she went along. This woman was truly a force to be reckoned with, or not if one feared confrontation. As he listened more and more, Tommy couldn't help but feel increasingly pissed off that Michael had ever dared tell her that she had no business in the family drama. Esperanza had sacrificed every bit as much as everyone else to earn her place here, if not more. And, now, here she was plotting against her kin, all for the family.

"Wow," was all he could manage to whisper. "It's an impressive plan, I'll give you that, and you formulated this on your own?" He let out a small whistle. "A plan lie this is gonna need a leader as equally as intelligent and powerful, with proper experience. I'd ask Michael, only he's not exactly in my good books right now. He'd probably spit in my face, if he even deemed me worth the energy". Ideally, he needed someone exactly like Esperanza.

 

[RunawayGirl]

Esperanza blushed furiously at the compliment. She especially now didn't dare to look him in the eye, diverting her eyes to the floor. She didnt feel as if she was, welcome, more like, nor should she be. Such confliction. Such urge to help but would she be overstepping. However she did want to protect it until the shit show she propelled was over, if not longer- but from a distance, where she belonged and was quite alright with that, "Whoever you choose, I would like to come along....not...everyone there. Exactly likes my uncle. And if some see me if you guys get caught for whatever reason. Which I doubt. It'll hold them off." She spoke simply, you could See the wheels turning, deep in thought as she looked down at the map, making sure she didn't leave out any details, "Whoever is going to be leading this whole thing needs to know: no one SHOULD be there around midnight. It should be best to go then, but leave before an hour. If they are later you may run into some of the clan checking in on it or doing inventory..." she spoke simply as she crossed her arms, clearly still thinking. Her eyes darted across the map with such motivation and intent, she was even afraid to say if that was all, she didn't want to make a mistake and leave something out. She took a deep breath, "I think thats it...." She seemed certain in her answer but also second guessing herself as per usual.

Mike waved off the boy, dead silence he glared at the wall. It also hurt him to think maybe She did deserve Finn. She actually seemed to happy. And finn. He's soft. Nice. Overall, not broken. He decided to not speak of what he discussed with Tommy, he shrugged, "So what? Finn is a really Nice kid." he bit back.his anger, as much as he could, "He's gon' treat you well. Show you off n' all that. Maybe with him you two can....get out like ya wanted. Travel. Such." he shrugged as he looked over at her calmly when inside, deep inside he wanted to punch something. Someone. Tommy. His jaw twitched, "Its actually a decent match all things considering." he laughed a bit, "Not like there is much of a choice there but ....Finn is probably the kindest of all of us anyway." he spoke in a gruff tone. Trying to more talk himself into letting her go before even grabbing onto Carmen at all. He hated Tommy was right. He's good for her. Himself? Not so much. She needed to get away from this. So did Finn in the end. Keep.him untainted. He took a deep breath drawn between his teeth, and then another off of his cigarette, nodding slightly as he diverted his eyes.

 

[Kassandra Rose]

This mission... it was going to be dangerous. Frankly, Tommy would rather that she didn't sacrifice much more than she already have. Her attending this... it would be a risk on her life. Yet, did have much else of a choice? Either, he stubbornly refused to let her go, over some weird indescribable feelings and risk the whole thing going astray, endangering his own son's life. Or, he allowed to to go and oversee that the meeting went both smooth and efficiently.

"I..." he inhaled a sharp breath. "Okay, Esperanza. You may lead this mission. I know how much this means to you. You feel as though you have something to prove to the family. You don't, but if it'll give you peace of mind then who am I to stop ya?"

His polar eyes ran across the arch between her shoulder and neck, all the way up to her face. Inside, he was terrified of letting her go, because deep down... deep down he felt something so much deeper than idle appreciation. Yet, he couldn't let himself close, not after grace. With another loss like that, his heart would never recover, neither his mind nor soul.

***​

​

"No. Are you blind?" Was exactly what she wanted to shout. She didn't. She couldn't. There he was, the boy she lusted for, yearned for, had even slowly but surely begun to love, telling her that his cousin was her perfect match. What was there to even say to that? Nothing, there was nothing left but acceptance.

Instead, she settled for. "Sure," her eyes avoiding the heartbreak of looking at his perfectly crafted face. "I doubt it'll very much be the same". She turned away, lying with her only her back facing him. Watching the wall, she added, "I doubt it will be the same, travelling the world I mean. The point was to be free, to make my own choices. How can that be so, when I do not even get to choose to marry a man who i love?"

A life with Finn would be a sweet life. He was right, the younger Shelby was not like the others. Crime had not yet become him, not as it seemed to absorb Michael. Yet, she could not content her heart. "I am not foolish enough to believe such sentiments were ever reciprocated, or ever could be, but to have the choice was my only wish. How can I refuse him, when Charlie's very life is in my hands, and may be so easily retrieved by a simply vow?"

 

[RunawayGirl]

Esperanza listened to him as he spoke. She looked surprised. Lead? She cant lead. No way. She looked at him, definitely a face in shock, "U-uhm I'm not- I've never-....Okay whose...coming?" she looked up at him. She was quite nervous now. She can't fuck up again. She felt deep down she would and she hated it. In all honesty, it wasn't to prove anything. It was to fix what she caused, she didn't understand she was in the family, she looked down timidly, "Im just trying to fix my messes..." she spoke softly. She gave a small thankful smile, "Once I resolve it. I'll go back to the clan... Grab my things and settle down away from all that...shit." she smiled a little, clearly trying to get out of his way- in her mind anyway. It would be weird, by now, for her. She cared for him. To walk away would be a bit awkward and she in all honesty didn't want to. Truth is, she didn't feel like she belonged well; anywhere. Lowest of a person, why would someone miss her? "Anyway uhm....if we want to bring his stuff back here. If we want to take it from him. Just use the caravans docked already. Won't look suspicious to anyone. And i know a route from there to here that they won't spot their caravans. Its not a route they take. If we want to burn it-......I'm taking a bottle but we can just use the explosives already in the warehouses...Thoooough, that's a lot of money in there.....and it smelt really good in all honesty..." she spoke plainly, giggling a little toward the end of her sentence, looking up at him once more, "What do you want to do?" her brown orbs met his shocking blue ones. She blushed then looked away quickly.


Michael grew quiet as he listened to her. He nodded slowly, rubbing the back of his neck. He knew it was for Charlie. He knew that. But he couldn't bear to break Carmen even if Finn was not a factor. He sighed, "Once this all blows over....we'll figure it out. Okay?" in all honesty, it stung. It stung for the clouds to clear to have the truth set in. He can't love without hurting. It stung, in the end it was for Tommys child. The one that he cared for. He took a puff of his cigarette slowly, "You're right. Your choice. Just need to hold on...just for a little." his eyes met her, and he took his hand into hers. "Just a little while longer."

 

[Kassandra Rose]

"Michael?" She called out to him, still not yet quite confident enough to allow her eyes to fall upon his face. Her voice was soft, and airy like a gentle summer's breeze, which carried a considerable insecurity or uncertainty within it. Almost immediately, she considered taking back her question, not airing the words, but curiosity killed the cat. Pandora opened her box. These words could not be withheld.

"Why- why do you push people away? You're so... distant, and cold, you act like this, but I can- it seems like there's so much more to who you are. Why..." she fumbled to think of the right words. "Why restrict yourself?"

***​

"We'll think about what to do with the ale when we have it," Tommy took a mental note of what she was saying. If the shit was worth value, it would be a shame to burn it. Yet, he didn't want to declare outright war, not just yet. No, they'd hoard it somewhere that no one would ever think to look for it. Then, they'd get around to thinking about a plan when they were successful.

Nodding, he held his chin in his hand, before leaning back into his chair. "Ideally, we should use the alcohol in a way that jeopardises Capone, shake the foundations of his empire". He brushed off her queries of moving away, as if simply ignoring the words would mean that they had never existed. The truth was, the thought of her simply up and packing her bags to leave him was not one that he could handle. "Got anymore big ideas, boss?"

 

[RunawayGirl]

Esperanza blushed at the 'boss', "I believe that is still. You." She laughed timidly. She then hummed, "Jeopardise him....." she mused. As she sat across from him, crossing her legs. She sighed. With a troubled look on her face, "I-if....I get rid of my uncle. From the clan. You could make a deal with my-..." she had a hard time even saying they were family, you could see the struggle. She decided to skip the term entirely after a sigh, "They respect me. Kind of. They don't exactly respect women. The younger ones, bit of a different story. It'd be. Difficult. If you come forward with a good deal. The one next in charge would by my uncle's son. Leif. He's.....reasonable. Ish." Her eyes darted away when she spoke his name, clearly a lot of pain from even his son, "If the deal means double crossing Capone. Long as protection is on the table, you could easy seize all of his shipments going to the clan. Or pay them off for where else he may be shipping. Blow up the docks, bars he's selling them at- buy them out. Blow em up. There's a lot of outlets there...." she spoke simply.


Her silence lasted for a good few minutes after speaking, her eyes still fixed on the map. She finally blinked as she fully plotted the alternative plan in her mind, "Even. Unite. Show of good trust; Leif will respect it. I can most definitely make that happen." She froze for a moment. She chewed her lip, "Or. We take a more stealthy approach. Put someone in. Internally. In Capone's family. After the marriage. Perhaps a dinner. A party. Something that is a good gesture. Get close. Allow someone to weasel in their turf." she was quiet for yet another moment, "Capone's men. They recognized me from the meetings." flashes of the attack flooded, triggering memories back to her and her uncle, making her abruptly spring up but made it look as if she did it in purpose, she began to pace, "Some were a bit." she grew quieter, "Fonder. Than others at those meetings. If i am incorporated. I look weak . if I gain the mans respect. I am not but easily trust-able..." she halted in her movement, "Intel. Everything. Schedule. Patterns. Secrets." she looked over at Tommy, sincerely. Despite how much all of it pained her, if it meant compromising Capone in any way, she was indeed ready for it. After what they did for her, she was terrified of them. She made a vow. To stop cowering in the corner, and if it meant her family, or the man himself; it was to come crashing down. "Regardless, of what you choose, your family chooses..." she bit her lip, "I have no place. To say this. And I very well know it, but I am going to anyway. I am sorry for it, but I think...." she began to chew her lip nervously, "Regardless of what path your family travels on....Please, see Carmen. Talk to her. I...know nothing, of..." she wasn't going to dare say his wife, or her name, "Or truly anything, I am not about to pretend to. Michael, is....certainly. Troubled. But in all my years of...exploring, I have never seen something quite like those two." she spoke softly as she trailed off to finish her sentence as the words fell in place. "He doesn't seem so troubled anymore." she shrugged, "Again, I'm sorry," she gave a nervous smile.

The Gray stared at her for a moment and then quickly looked down at the floor as he held his cap in his free hand, letting it dangle loosely by the rim between his legs as he leaned over them. He got very quiet for a moment. He simply emitted a sigh, as he gathered his emotions which in that moment were a bit. Scattered, hurt. Seeing her face so. Frazzled was difficult. He knew she was hiding deep down, but he didn't want to admit someone could care for him so. "I am a broken man, Carmen. You have been surrounded by broken men and broken by them for years." he spoke quietly, in a low grumble, "And I'm no good for no one." he spoke as he took puffs from his cigarettes, his eyes will diverted to the floor but slowly straightening up and leaning back into the chair, meeting her eyes. His grey blue eyes seemed.... Like a void. A void of nothing. Pain. Pain in disguise. His gaze was serious with his words and so was his ever growing silence as he spoke. "Its not restriction of you are free outside of....good people. Or people who haven't been through it too. Its to protect. And that is all." he spoke simply as he took another puff.

His silence, encouraged him to think more, as he got lost in her eyes once more, the corner of his lips twitched into the slightest, sober smile, "If you think I'm cruel for doing this to you. Encouraging this. Even temporarily; this is the most kindness I have demonstrated to you. Even if you can't see it." he spoke softly, has air left as he spoke, in the most gentle of ways. "If it hurts you now, I am sorry." he spoke simply, he cleared his throat. He had no other orders from Tommy and he very well knew Tom and him were on the outs. Finn was coming back, in all honesty it hurt to see him around her and it hurt even worse just what absolute turmoil was inside of him. He didn't want to disobey Thomas's orders, because he couldn't find the confidence in the young boy to know what was right if something were to happen. Bloody fucking hell.

"I'm going to stay, I know it's..." he trailed off, not wanting to explain what they already know will be tedious, uncomfortable and in all honesty will hurt, he was not about to drag on what's already there, "I need to make sure you stay safe. Those were my instructions to begin with. Finn is still learning, he's young. It's his first couple years actually getting acquainted with how to be a man. He's doing well, but for now I need to make sure he has the help until he can go on his own." he explained, hoping to give her at least a little insight on how innocent and kind the boy can be. He already knew she had affiliation with the family, though he knew Finn and her didn't often speak, or, even see one another.

 

[Kassandra Rose]

Carmen had decided that she was indeed in hell after all. She had to be, or at least it couldn't be a much worse place than here. Ironically, she ought to be thankful. She'd survived what should've been a fatal attempt on her life, to wake up to a face that she yearned to see. Yet, the reality was so much harsher to grip than this idealisation.

First, and forthmost, the face that she had 'yearned to see' was most certainly not telling her words that she yearned to hear. On top of this, every single limb and inch of her body ached thoroughly. Call her melodramatic, but it was hard for her to currently see the purpose of things, a thing to aspire to or life for. Perhaps, it would indeed have to just be Charlie's life. She would live to correct her mistakes, her Godfather's wrongdoings, and perhaps some day raise both Finn and his children to be everything that her family had never been: a true gentleman. Was that what she ought to aspire to? She felt as though it must be true, and yet it felt so very wrong.

"You know what, Michael Gray, I don't think your supposed protection or wise words will be needed any longer. Why don't you just go and run along, and be the little puppet for Tommy that you are. It makes me sick. Every word you say sounds like some kind of toxicity that would splutter from his mouth. And I've had enough. Enough. So, if you're quite done here," she gestured to the door, yanking her hand away from him. "As you said, I'm sure Finn will take great care of me. So, why are you still present?"

***

Yes. Yes! He loved it. Get someone in Capone's empire, where they could collapse it from the inside. This wedding, forced by the old man, could not come at a more perfect time. Capone would be the one pulling the trigger behind the gun whose bullet had his name on. The old man would be fucking himself over, messing with the Peaky fucking Blinders and marrying his own in.

No doubt this was what he planned on doing all along, using Carmen to gain advantage over Tommy. Ha, it hadn't worked, and now... he was gonna use the bastards own weapon against him. "You're right. You're right. This wedding could not be any better timed," he rubbed his hands together in anticipation, before collecting hers in his own, without a single thought around it. The thousands of pieces that his life had fallen into since losing Grace and Charlie were beginning to fall back into place, slowly but surely. "Esperanza, you're a genius. A true doll, if I ever did see one!"

He brought her hand slowly to his lips, brushing them against it before allowing it to fall back to her side. "You doubt yourself too much. I'd already.. well, I'd be fucked without you. Don't screw yourself over a stupid mistake, okay?" It wasn't easy for Tommy to say this; Charlie was his entire universe, and her mistakes had messed with the babe's fate. Still, he meant every word.

 

[RunawayGirl]

Michael Gray

Michael sighed. Here we go. In all honesty her tone pissed her off, "It's my job." He stated now in a dark tone, " Don't act of things you know aren't true." It was riling him. He was already quite angered by the situation now it was about to be directed at her. "Do not make this any bloody fucking harder. Alright?" He spoke calmly though you could hear he was ready to snap as his voice got rougher. "This is not my fault. It's your families. In turn, yours you've clearly." He put his hand out at her state, "Paid for. Don't pretend I am not the only toxic one. Especially right now." He took yet another puff. His blood boiled, his free hand simply gripped at the arm rest, white knuckling it as his jaw clenched in spasms.

Women. He didn't understand them. He knew how to well, let's say politely, court them, but not the emotion. "Don't fuckin' listen to a word I say, nah let's just piss em off then-" he muttered under his breath. He took a breath, his eyes board holes in her, Tommy's puppet. Ready to punch a wall, "And whose fucking puppet are you, exactly?" He snarked, scoffing into a small laugh, he wanted the best for her as much as he wanted to slam the door in her face he couldn't imagine how he'd feel if something happened to her. And that, that in the end only made his anger worse, "I doubt Tommy even gets one singular fuck if I'm passed out in a damn alley somewhere, or in some fuckin' whore right now. I choose to be here but I don't want to add to bullshit yet here we are." his tone never wavered, the same rasp, low growled tone, not blinking for one second, his eyes never wavering. Tommy's puppet, toxicity splutter, Tommy's puppet, toxicity splutter. He finally closed his eyes, taking a breath, in that moment he was silent. You could tell he was trying to contain the anger deep inside, we can play this game, but I'm not fuckin'. Leaving." he spoke his last couple words carefully, leaning toward her, looking her dead in the eye, a look itself that could kill you, though it still seemed just the little bit soft, just for her

Esperanza Levectoria
'Bring it on, every neglected dream, bring it on, every little scheme, every little fear, and I'll make them disappear'
[IMG='width:268px;']https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C1vSFTJCKYs/WXjc7tvbjUI/AAAAAAAACg8/6AGR6a-8r9EuwdFsKbuYML8_7MbrTXIcgCEwYBhgL/s1600/boA268p.gif[/IMG]
​

Esperanza blushed furiously as his lips met her hand. Chills flooded her but she did not allow them to quake within her. She only smiled, she knew how hard it was for him to say such a thing when it was his own child. Yet it meant the world to her, she nodded carefully, her eyes went soft and humble, her eyes darting up to his, she gently allowed her arms to clasp and cross, resting on the opposite end of his desk. Her honey brown eyes rested upon his. She always had somber glints when she was calm, perhaps from all of the pain throughout the years instilled in them, "If we are to go through with me spying on the guy maybe we shouldn't be taking his liquor so soon. Boss?" She shot a playful smile toward him but nevertheless a humble one. "Or hell, maybe we should. Incognito. They'd be in a panic, course we would have quite a lot of reassuring to do, gaining their trust as well as letting me in, since- I'm apart of the Lee family will be a bit of a minor set back, unless we threw someone else in the mix. It's still workable, they see me as the weak, defenseless maid." she shrugged, as she reasoned out the probabilities aloud to distract her from the Shelby's actions. In love with the boss...it's love, isn't it? Her internal dialogue whispered in her ear, wrecking her train of thought as she attempted to reset the mental train on it's tracks. Shut up. It made her happy to see him so motivated when he was stooped so low for the past couple weeks. It was a genuine relief. She hated to see him in pain and at least now he has something to focus on to end it.

(Sidenote: I am terrible at the images/gifs since there is legitimately no models or actors I can find that are really good for the 'gypsy' look)

 

[Kassandra Rose]

She hated him, despised him. Why did he have to do this to her? Why was he so fuckin' damn stubborn? She wanted to hit him, make him hurt as he'd hurt her, but instead she found herself quite at a loss. Instead, her hands reached out for the sides of his face, pulling him as close as she could so that her soft rose petal lips brushed against his own. At first, it was delicate, her lower lip against his upper, and unreciprocated. Yet, she quickly found herself melting into it, becoming it, passionately and deeply.

"I hate you," she hissed, as they parted. She felt as though the oxygen had been ripped from her lungs when he weren't there. How? How had she grown so damn independent upon him, upon these feelings, that she couldn't shove them away as she always did and forget that they ever existed? "I really fuckin' hate you. You could be anywhere, but you're not. You're not in an alley. You're not with some other whore. You're here, with me, in spite of everything, and it's not fair, Michael. It's not fuckin' fair that you get to come here and make me... make me feel something and act like it's- like it's nothing".




"I'll drink to that," Tommy pulled out two bourbon glasses, pouring the liquor cautiously into the crystal. 10 am, 5pm, the time made no difference to a man who had very little. To him, drink was his only friend. Or, at least, it had been his only friend, until she came. Her, sat before him, in a simple moment she'd made it whole again, made him complete. How? She made it seem so damn well easy, but it wasn't. He'd been a broken man far before he could remember. Was it the war or his father? He couldn't tell.

Seeing your comrades shot down, and cradling them as they died was scarring enough. Blood everywhere. Consistent bangs, explosions, the ground shaking. Never knowing what breath was going to be your last, if you'd ever see your family again, if you even wanted to. It has sickened him, inserted toxicity into who he was, so that he needed the poison inside him to keep him alive.

There was something sickening about an uncaring father too. If one's parents didn't want them, love them or nurture them, how could they ever expect somebody else to? How could they ever believe anyone else if they ever claimed to? Love seemed nimble, short and sweet, uncertain. He'd thought that he'd found the love of his life in Grace. She'd given him a family, but so quickly after it had been horridly yanked from his arms.

Here Esperanza was making him whole again, and it terrified him.

Raising the glass in the air, he gave a soft "cheers", before throwing the burning liquor down his throat, not even wincing at the sensation. "To Esperanza, the beauty that is going to save us all".​

 

[RunawayGirl]

Michael in all honesty expected a slap, but this was in all honesty far worse. Something he did not expect. On instinct, like it was to breath, his plump lips met hers, colliding and aligning while his calloused hands cupped her cheeks gently, wary of cuts in her face. Desperately wanting it to linger but parted anyways before he completely lost his head.

And that nearly killed Michael Gray. That moment made his anger disappear from thin air and replaced it with warmth. Just for that second. Nothing in his head, nothing to worry about, just her. And that was okay, for once everything was okay. He was okay, it was him and her. The toxicity left his bones for that moment, the pain and memories that feed them went to the far back depths of his mind. But now that moment was over and reality sets back in. There she is and through all of that. He can't have her.

His now dilated eyes gazed down at her, as her words filled him with sadness. His eyes searched hers as she spoke, all these feelings she brought out that he hated to feel. Feelings he shouldn't feel. But, Carmen. The one still scolding him, despite the words she spoke, it only made him want her more and the pain was overwhelming. He closed his eyes, sighing. "Its not nothing, Carm..." he spoke as he pulled away, now sitting at the edge of her bed, looking out the window.


Esperanza chuckled softly, smiling a bit as she watched him bring out the glasses, she held up the glass as a gesture of cheers and downed hers. For a tiny woman, and young, it was quite clear she was indeed friends with bourbon as well seeing she didn't wince in the slightest, only giving him a bit of a giggle as she watched him, the warmth of the fumes swarmed her belly, a comforting warmth, the warmth she felt many times when there was no one there for her to hold her and pick her back up again, in some cases quite literally. She knew so little of his past but she wanted to. The curiosity nearly stung, she wanted to know everything and learn him like a map. She knew now wasn't the time nor would there ever be one. But little did she know, how similar they could truly be. To never see a war, but an abusive an occasional absentee father figure. Her own family a mystery to her but the Lee's, the only half remaining. To never know, but to only see her last name as a haunting ghost. To be chained down to a man who destroyed your life and the weight it carries to clean up his mess, as she is doing now that Tommy has done numerous times, as many of his siblings had.

She gave a timid smile, "I should go...are you having Arthur or-..." she hesitated as she spoke, "Michael. Doing anything?" she looked up at the clock, 11pm at night. "I explain the plan to them now, time It'll take to get there." She bit her lip, "But we need some people to move it all besides is three...theres a lot." she tilted her head up at him. In all honesty, Michael did scare her a lot of the time, especially when he was angry. When he was calmer she could loosen up a bit but there was something in him she could feel. Growing up as a gypsy, it's was quite easy to feel what was in a person and how to read them. She felt something. Similar. However years of abusive can cloud such clarity.

 

[Kassandra Rose]

Chapter 3: Celebrations, tribulations, and anticipations


​

"Esperanza, I absolutely despise parties, must I go? Do you not recall what happened last time?" That was most certainly the wrong choice of words. "What I mean is... I just... I know it's my own engagement party, but you know it's a bad idea when even the bride to be thinks that it is". It wasn't as much fear of the past repeating that haunted her, but the manner that this would be the first time she'd seen Michael since the moment they had shared, the moment that made this engagement feel even more like a funeral call.

"Don't look at me like that," Carmen rolled her shoulders uncomfortably. "You know I'm not getting cold feet, I'm... it's nothing. I mean, I don't care. You know I said yes to Finn," an anxious glance was cast down to the heavy ring upon her finger, which she felt weighted her entire body down, and not just because of its mass. The two women edged further towards the grand staircase, where they would soon be revealed to the partygoers. "And I have every intention on keeping that promise. I just... I don't know, okay. I can't describe how I feel. My stomach is... in knots? I feel slightly queasy. Will you at least link my arm?"

***

"Alright, lads. This is a respectable event, and we will behave accordingly," Tommy had warned the boys before they'd entered, apparently before the ladies had. "Head up, Finn. This is a big night for you. You got a lady most men would kill or die for". Finn merely gave a weak smile of acknowledgement.
​

The ballroom of the manor had been intricately decorated to suit the occasion. Decorations of cream, white, and silver hung loosely from the ceiling. Men and woman from all manners of society, the lowest that had stuck with the family through thick and thin, alongside the high, the mighty, and the plain dirty rich. Al Capone, or at least one of his representatives, would probably be there. Would his son? He highly doubted it

These were the kinds of occasion that he could only dream of being invited to as a child, and here he was, throwing one himself in a house that was the twice the size of an English village. And that wasn't even his only house. Success, it wasn't easy. It came at a price, but it was all worth it if one was willing to pay.

He wondered what this would extend to in the future? It had cost him his family at various occasions, Grace's life, endangered his sons. Was Esperanza next? Sweet Esperanza, dangerous Esperanza, he wondered what she was wearing. She'd most certainly looked... for a man of his wealth, he seriously lacked the background and education. His words couldn't do her beauty justice, and he couldn't help but wonder how she never saw it. Maybe, she did. Maybe, it was all an act. Or, maybe, he had just grown paranoid in his old age. Another cost of success, he supposed.

"Ok. No commotions today, lads. We want no fights. Remember. This fucker has Charlie. So, until we can do anything, it's smile and nod. Smile and fucking nod".

 

[RunawayGirl]

The gypsy woman only Carmen a sad smile, "Draga," she spoke in her native tongue, then to catch herself to quickly speak English, "Sweetheart, I didn't look at you in any such way..." her accent was still quite prevalent, and indeed her fashion, dramatic makeup. This...English, flapper? They called it dressing was too...just not right, not something she was acquainted nor used to. She finally untied her hair from it's ponytail, letting the natural Victorian-like curls down, a true show of her heritage; the curly dark walnut brown hair. She put her golden arm cuff on, that gently looped around her forearm, and black onyx cuff earrings that she obtained from her old caravan when smuggling Capone's goods. She felt terrible for her, she very well knew the predicament, "We will fix this soon, I know it." she gave the American a hug, rubbing her back, "This too passes," she gave a reassuring, yet solemn smile. "I can see it's end." she spoke wisely, humbly. Her eyes diverted to the floor shyly as she spoke, but to not give fate away; a fate to be told would already be revealed and loose all purpose of completion.

She then linked her arm with hers, "I'm always here if you need to get away, I can make an excuse." As they made their way down the staircase, Esperanza was quite nervous herself. Her honey eyes scanned the room, for a rather fat Italian man. She took a deep, shaky breath though she seemed so composed, walking down the staircase gracefully as her black low-heeled dancing shoes clicked in unison with Carmen's steps. She then leaned her head toward Carmen, to speak without being heard, "You also need a drink, so do I. I'll get something from the bar to ease your stomach, yeah?" she gave a soft smile her way, but also a certain one; fake, however she was a great actor for the rest of the families to see. Keep appearances, smile and wave. She was used to it after being beaten, and without injuries for once in her life; healed, it made it evermore easier. The stakes and risks, cost? Much higher. Always a set back, always a down fall. Her mind buzzed and could barely focus. Carmen, Capone, Carmen, Capone, Tommy. And there he bloody was, and her mind went blank, for one second. One. Though the tug of Carmen's linked arm with the next step down the stairs set her back in motion, glancing away. This was going to be even more difficult with him around. Bloody hell.

Confliction, anger, pain, sadness, heartbreak, all at once. A cess-pool of emotion flooded the young Gray. Smile and nod. Smile and nod. Fucker has Charlie. He allowed Tommy's words to echo inside him over and over, he glanced over at Finn and his eyes quickly darted away. He couldn't even stand his face right now and this was not his fault in the slightest. He cleared his throat as he tensed evermore. It felt more of a funeral than a celebration, one step closer to getting Charlie, Finn getting hitched, no, it felt the last time he will see a dear friend, her last day of freedom. A farewell to their love, before it even begun.

His gray eyes slowly rose from the fixation of the ballroom tiles after he heard the faint echo of heels clicking, he didn't move his head, he barely dared to meet eye to eye to the woman he believed they were coming from.

And everything froze. There she was. All ready, in her beauty, the best he's seen her since before the shit show. But she did not glow before, he could see in her beautiful blue eyes she was terrified, despite facade she wore and it only scared and pained him more. He stared, as she made her way down, to see the gypsy woman reassuring her in her little whispers. To see such beauty and such pain all in one was something he could not fathom, he didn't wish to. It burned the back of his throat, his lips parted for a moment as he locked in on her as her movements fell to him almost in slow motion, his mind to not process all the feeling that was coming to him, what was going to happen he knew very well but it felt so much severe than the statement of it. Marriage, the statement of a funeral, the word couldn't amount to the pain nor could heartbreak, or longing. It wasn't a word but a whisper and heartbeat.

Michael finally blinked, slowly and in a flash it all came back in play, reality set in and his tunnel vision opened from his fixation on the beauty, and he finally took a breath, a slow and shaky one. He cleared his throat once more to shake the feeling of becoming ill, and walked out to the front porch entrance to take a smoke. He slowly brought the stick to his lips and lit in, shakly. Why was he so afraid? She would be with Finn, someone he could at least trust to never harm her and make a fool out of himself to please her. He wouldn't be in the care of the enemies that allowed her to be so brutally treated and forced, and he would still be able to see her frequently. Seeing her, however, wasn't reassuring. Extremely difficult to live with, and perhaps he feared to feel this forever, every time he saw her, and for her to finally be happy. He closed his eyes solemnly as he drew yet another breath, causing a fog against the cold winters breeze. Clenching his jaw, he finishes his cigarette and walked back into the room, avoiding eye contact to the woman he loves.​

 

[Kassandra Rose]

"Drink, yes," Carmen mumbled meekly to herself, as if the words alone were a sweet elixir of medication for all of her worries. Should she really ought to be drinking more? She'd already had two brandy wines whilst she bathed, or was it three? It hadn't numbed her so far. Only made her feel a little more sickened in the gut. No matter. No matter. Either way, she collected herself, and the two ladies made their way to the bar.

"The lady will have a bourbon," she smiled, her baby pink lips tugging slightly upwards. "And, myself, I shall have the strongest liquor that you have". The bartender turned abruptly around, his eyes widening as they fell upon her small frame. His mouth opened, fell agape, perhaps to dispute, but he hadn't a chance. "Thank you," she nodded him onwards before he had a chance.

If I cannot have what I want, she naively thought to herself. Then, I shall drink to forget it. The more liquor that the ladies drank at the bar, the looser Carmen found herself feeling at last. She hadn't forgot any of her worries, at all. She just simply didn't care that they existed. It replaced the void inside her with a warm burning sensation, and she wondered if this was why Tommy did it so much.



Tommy's eyes followed Michael's, landing upon the ladies that he had struggled to find. Of course, Michael would have no worries. It was as if he'd made it his life's goal to make Tommy's life as difficult as possible. Nodding pensively at his finding, he allowed his arctic eyes to one more cast to Gray. He noticed how the boy's jaw clenched, and shoulders tensed, under the circumstances, and was about to recommend the boy get some air when he left on his own accord.

Good, now if he could just peel Carmen from the bar and onto her fiancée, the night would finally go with ease. It oughtnt be hard. Or, so, he had thought. "Carmen," he cleared his throat, "Esperanza," he quickly added. "Perhaps, we should leave the ale to a later occasion of the night?" He forced an unnatural smile. His shoulders rolling backwards. He'd been attempting to avoid looking at Esperanza, in fear of distraction, and Carmen because of the woeful reminder of Grace.

"Maybe, you should both go to dance," he suggested, shoving his hands inside his blazer pockets. "I'm sure that your fiancé-"

Slamming the glass down upon the table, Carmen swiftly turned where she was sat. "That is ... an excellent - hic - idea! Where's Michael?" She stood upon her feet, which he was admittedly surprised that she could still do with ease, and to his horror began towards Gray, not Shelby. "For fuck sake," he hissed beneath his breath. "For fuck sake, Carmen!" He called out to her, but it was too late.

His eyes finally cast towards Esperanza, widening in wonder of her beautiful dress. Was it the dress who was beautiful? Or, in fact, was it just the lady who was wearing it? He felt inclined to say that it was the latter, because it flaunted every single one of her beautiful curves and even risquély exposed some of her bare flesh in places that he supposed intimate. As a matter of a fact, in this moment, he found his own teeth grinding, at the thought of having to share this with the rest of the ballroom.

"Do you dance, Esperanza?" He found himself asking her, his hand extending.

​

"A decent pint," Arthur raised his glass. "They cockney's can't get that right. The bastards". The ale was raised to his lips, some of the top getting caught within his mustache, as he slurped it generously. "To Finn," he toasted, having untangled himself from it. His eyes scanned the seated group, before finding the newcomer approaching, "and the bride to be, look ere she comes".

"Carmen!" Finn greeted with a ginger smile. "How are you feeling?" The boy had sat forward a little, as if to eagerly get a better look at his fiancée. The innocence of his happy nature couldn't have been more endearing, or so Arthur thought. His bride to be was a lucky girl. Then again, Finn hadn't exactly pulled the short straw. The young girl was undeniably extraordinarily beautiful.

"Fine, thank you," she replied to him. Although, Arthur couldn't help but notice that her eyes were entirely elsewhere: trying to will Michael to lift his own. "Tommy has put a ban on my drinking for the night. I think he fears me making a bad image. The fancy!" She informed them, as if the thought itself were preposterous. Yet, Arthur was not blind to her swaying and stuttering. Carmen was indeed very intoxicated.

"Why don't you sit down, lass?" Arthur put his pint down upon the table, "take a break from a moment". Her mouth opened, as if to decline him, before her eyes once more fell upon Michael Gray. It appeared that she'd come to the realisation that sitting would mean besides him, and she consequently did so obediently, resting her head beck on the booth.

"How long is it," Arthur asked only to remind her, "until the wedding now?"

"2 weeks," Finn answered. The old man could simply roll his eyes. The poor kid was oblivious to everything that was going on. "I actually had something to ask. I...uhm... wanted to know if Michael would wanna be best man?"

 

[RunawayGirl]

Esperanza seemed certainly alarmed by Carmen, not realize she drank earlier. Though she felt quite shaky, she steadied her breath- wait her too no drinking? But....Shit. She took a deep breath, "I'm sorry I didn't know that-...." her eyes then narrowed toward Carmen when she slammed the drink down. Usually the yelling would make her flinch but this was Tommys voice. Esperanza sighed, exasperatedly, with a face of defeat as she just watched the young woman self destruct. She didnt know what to do she was about to go after her until she felt Tommy's eyes. She looked up at him, blushing deeply. She laughed nervously, "English dancing....I haven't uhm for years...." she spoke timidly now, it was certainly no act she didnt have much confidence in herself. Meerily, perhaps the manner of Her dress was simply Her culture. Surrounded by belly dancers and outside of the normal prude society. Her rather small and nimble hands on his. And in that moment well Carmen admittedly disappeared from her mind.


Shit. Carmen. Here. Intoxicated. Great. He hid his face in his pint, downing more of it. Not daring to make eye contact with her, clenching his jaw once more.he was so weary. Hurt. He couldn't even look at her, downing half of the alcohol. He looked over at Arthur, with guilt in his eyes, then quickly diverted. Clearly, extremely uncomfortable situation. When she sat next to him he was now officially sandwiched between the hardest question to answer and the pain of her. Michael choked on his beer as the innocent question was raised, trying to mask the surprise, "Me? Best man? The trouble maker, now?" he spoke weakly, giving a.devious, evermore plastered fake smile.

 

[Kassandra Rose]

Carmen couldn't refrain the burst of laughter than spilled from her lips. "Look at you, Michael Gray. Who woulda thought the devil could disguise himself as such an angel, hm?" She picked up his pint from where he had placed it upon the table. "A toast, to the best man!" It took everything in her power to channel this energy inside her into something of a comedy act, before she exploded in a manner that would definitely not suit the occasion.

Throwing her head back, the young blonde allowed the stinking liquid to pour once more down her throat and warm her stomach. "A celebration," she smirked, struggling in her drink state to hold her head up properly. Rolling her shoulders back, to get to grips with herself, she coughed neatly. "Dance with the bride to be, best man, let us teach the groom how it is to be done".

"Carmen, I don't think that-" Arthur had begun to object, but it was to no avail. The young blonde had already began to hoister him up, her dainty hands wrapped tightly around his strong arm, and pull him towards the middle of the floor. Confidently, like a minx, she moved his hand, so that it rested upon the small of her back, and brought her own up to his cheek.

"Hm, now that we have better lighting. I think we better not have you as best man," she whispered softly in his ear, "the devil is indeed quite seductive. We wouldn't want you to steal the light, and the bride, away from our groom, now, would we?"

***
​

"I believe the young people all jive now," he teased her. "Do you know what that is?" His hand reached toward her golden brown locks, twirling a strand around his index finger. "Or, do you need me to assist you? I can if you wish". A crowd had begun to gather around the dance floor, so much so that he could barely see the forbidden couple on the other side, let alone hear Carmen's tainting and whispering.

"You know, Esperanza," Tommy couldn't help himself. He was on a roll with his teasing. "I do believe that every man in the room to be looking at me. At first, I thought it was because they feared me, and all my mighty power, but now I know that to be untrue," he licked his lips tenderly. "You know why?" His mouth was brought so close to her ear that he was nearly touching it. "Don't get me wrong. They are jealous, but only because I have you on my arm".