C2 - Liar Liar, Gypsy Witch on Fire

Thomas Shelby approaches me, but doesn't touch me. Arthur does though, engulfing me in a hug so warm and lovely, I almost get the life squeezed out of me. I look at Thomas as Arthur holds me, wondering why he's so hesitant before remembering the last time we touched.

The night that ruined us forever.

"What are you doing here?!" He asks me. "I mean it's fuckin' grand seeing you but I, we didn't expect to see youse!"

Arthur's beautiful green eyes are radiant under the moonlight. I hate to say it, but that skinny young man who taunted Tommy and drank way too much grew up to being a handsome, capable man.

They all look happy to see me, which really warms my heart. I see Arthur, who reads pain like no other. A certain sadness that makes me want to tell Thomas to pay close attention to his older brother. A self hatred, one that keeps Arthur stirring in the middle of the night. But he's healing. Because behind his spirit, I see a woman who is strong and noble. Able to carry the weight of his heart and hers. A true love for a man like Arthur.

"I heard about the news," I reply, turning to Thomas. Licking my lips, I tell myself to stay away from the way I am really feeling. "Congratulations Thomas, you're a married man!" My lip tilts upwards, but barely.

He locked eyes with me from the moment he saw me. He struggles to smile, unable to even do that. Thomas is in pain too, but not like Arthur who hates himself. No, Thomas has too many things going on in that head of his to think of himself.

"Bria," He says my name like a cool breeze, putting his hands into his pockets. "Thank you."

"Weren't you in Greece?" Arthur asks me.

"Romania." Thomas corrects him.

"Romania," I correct him.

Arthur looks at Thomas, who lowers his head in shame, and then me, who lets out a cough, rubbing my hand against my arm, I shift awkwardly.

"I was, in Romania but I couldn't not attend Thomas's wedding – which is incredible by the way." I put my hand out, extending the complement to Thomas who only stares cold in my eyes.

"Your dad got 'round to telling youse." Arthur says. "Wow, you look so different, Bria, just like your mum-"

I nod. "Ah-huh." Turning my head, I face Arthur. "And you're married, that's wonderful!"

"Yeh! Married a lovely woman named Linda, she's my wife now. How'd you know?"

Thomas narrows his eyes, the mood of the conversation shifts.

"Errrm." I hold my breath. "Polly told me." Lying was never easy, mum had taught me the ropes.

"And you saw Polly?" Thomas asks, snappy.

I nod.

He just studies me, and when I meet his eyes I see that woman. His woman in his eyes, as she sinks to the ground in a scream, blood oozing out from her side. A gunshot wound, ultimately fatal.

For Angel!

I see Thomas, racing to her. The words, 'for Angel', echoing over and over again in my ears. Chaos. Complete chaos and madness settles into my stomach, I hold my breath. Wanting to press my hand against the wound, I know this is fake. And only a mirrored image of what she will feel, but the gunshot is hot, and fiery.

One, two, three, four.

Mums taught me to count to four to ease my mind. And just like that, my heart settles and I can feel my shoulders relax.

"I should probably get inside." I step back. "Polly's still got to introduce me to her son, Michael-"

"Has she told you that too?" Thomas raises an eyebrow at me. I don't know what he's playing at, no, I know exactly what he's playing at. The prick.

I nod, stepping back again.

"And you need to meet my wife! Linda!"

"Of course, her too!" I nod. "And John, I haven't seen him yet."

"Find uz when you can then," Arthur replies. "We'll be here the whole night."

I nod. "Sounds good, and Thomas," I stumble back, "—I think you owe me a thank you."

"Why's that?" He smirks softly. He always was so soft.

"I believe I was the one who taught you the two-step." I narrow my eyes at him. "I must say I'm proud."

He looks away, blushing crimson. He's absolutely adorable in that innocent way. Behind the doom, is his beauty. That young man I had met so long ago.

"Thank you." I can hear him murmur just as I disappear inside. My side still hurts from feeling the gunshot wound that will end Grace's life.

Inside, I find my father and hurry to him. "Dad," I interrupt his fun, the noise in my head punishes me.

Emotions of heartbreak, displeasure, jealousy, rage, truth. I'm am slowly decaying. Heaven help me.

"Bria, I was just telling-"

I pinch my eyes shut, feeling my body sway. It's like I hear a thousand voices in my head. And all of them command me to leave Thomas Shelby alone. And I wonder for once if I told him what I saw that night so many years ago, would he forgive me?

"Bria?" My father sounds off, and before I am able to control any thing. A violent scream, the sound of a woman who has her mouth in my ear. Her voice shakes me, my knees buckle right before my head hits the ground. My heart doesn't ease up, all I can see is a brown haired woman, Russian, a gemstone. Blue. Thomas and Grace, who hold each other close. Madness and a stormy night that is sooner than anyone can imagine.