Headcanons for how the Peaky blinders (tommy john arthur and michael and anyone else you want) react to seeing a man annoying their girlfriend? maybe even getting handsy after she told him no? i neeeed some protectiveness🛐
𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐲 𝐁𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐧𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧
☾‧₊˚ ⋅ ― female reader. no description of features. no mentions of size, race or age
☾‧₊˚ ⋅ 𝐓𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐲
You're nestled in the dimly lit corner of the Garrison Pub, the air thick with cigarette smoke and the low hum of conversations. Tommy's arm is draped casually over the back of your chair, his fingers occasionally brushing your shoulder in that possessive yet subtle way he has. The evening has been pleasant—sipping whiskey, sharing quiet words amid the chaos of Birmingham's underbelly—until this stranger saunters over, reeking of cheap ale and overconfidence. He leans too close to you, ignoring Tommy entirely, and starts with a slurred compliment that quickly turns into persistent chatter. "Come on, love, just one dance," he insists, his eyes lingering too long on your form.
You politely decline, your voice firm but measured, not wanting to escalate things in Tommy's presence. But he doesn't take the hint. His hand reaches out, grazing your arm in a way that's far too familiar, his fingers lingering despite your clear "no" and the way you pull back. The touch sends a shiver of discomfort through you, and you glance at Tommy, whose blue eyes have already darkened like storm clouds rolling in.
Tommy doesn't react immediately. That's not his style. He takes a slow drag from his cigarette, exhaling a plume of smoke that curls lazily into the air. "Oi," he says, low and even, but with an edge that could slice glass. The man turns, finally noticing Tommy, and his bravado falters under that piercing gaze.
"You've got two choices here," Tommy continues, his Birmingham accent thick and unyielding. "You can apologize to the lady and walk away with all your teeth intact. Or you can keep pushing your luck, and I'll make sure you regret every second of it." He doesn't raise his voice; he doesn't need to. The threat hangs in the air, backed by the weight of the Shelby name and the legends that surround it. The man's hand drops from your arm as if burned, his face paling. He mumbles something incoherent—an apology, perhaps—and stumbles back, disappearing into the crowd like a rat fleeing the light.
Tommy turns back to you then, his expression softening just a fraction as he slides his hand to yours under the table, squeezing gently. "You alright?" he asks, his voice quieter now, meant only for you. You nod, and he pulls you closer, his arm wrapping around your shoulders protectively. For the rest of the night, no one else dares approach. Tommy's presence is a shield, his love a quiet fortress. Later, as you leave the pub together, he murmurs in your ear, "No one touches what's mine," and you know he means it—not just as possession, but as a vow to keep you safe in this brutal world he navigates.
☾‧₊˚ ⋅ 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐮𝐫
Arthur’s laugh is booming across the pub when the creep sidles up, slurring compliments that turn sour when you brush him off. You step back, firm: “Back off.” He doesn’t. His hand grabs your arm, fingers digging in like he’s testing how far he can push.
Arthur’s on him before the man finishes his next breath. One second he’s halfway across the room, the next he’s got the bastard by the throat, slamming him into the bar so hard the bottles rattle. “You put hands on her?” Arthur’s voice is a growl, all gravel and fury. His fist cocks back, then stops—inches from the man’s face. Not because he’s calm. Because he’s deciding how much to break.
He leans in, nose to nose. “You ever touch a woman who says no again, I’ll feed you your own teeth.” Then he lets go—just long enough for the man to think it’s over—before driving a fist into his gut. The stranger doubles over, wheezing. Arthur hauls him up by the collar, dragging him toward the door. “Out. Before I decide you don’t need legs.”
He kicks the man into the street, then turns back to you, chest heaving. The rage drains from his eyes the second they land on you. He cups your face, gentle despite the blood on his knuckles. “Did he hurt you?” His voice cracks, raw. You shake your head. He pulls you into his chest, arms like iron bands, muttering into your hair, “No one touches you. No one.” Later, he’ll pace, restless, until you pull him down beside you and trace the scars on his hands. Only then does he still.
☾‧₊˚ ⋅ 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧
John’s halfway through a story, gesturing wildly with a pint in hand, when the idiot leans over you at the bar, his hand sliding down your back like he’s got a right. “Piss off,” you snap, shoving his arm away. He grins, drunk and stupid, and grabs your wrist.
John’s there in a heartbeat, pint abandoned, chair clattering. He doesn’t grab the man—he moves him. One hand on the back of the neck, the other twisting the offending arm until the man’s on his knees, face pressed to the sticky floor. “You deaf, mate?” John’s voice is light, almost cheerful, but his eyes are cold. “She said no. That’s a full sentence.”
The man whimpers. John leans down, mock-whispering, "Touch my girl again, and it'll be your last mistake," he hisses, his voice low and dangerous, the Shelby edge cutting through. He releases the man, who gasps and retreats, muttering curses as he flees.
John turns to you, his expression shifting to concern as he checks you over. "You okay, darlin'? He didn't—" You shake your head, and he pulls you into a hug, his hands rubbing your back soothingly. "Good. No one messes with you."
The playfulness returns soon after; he drags you for a dance, spinning you until you're laughing, but his grip is a tad tighter, his eyes watchful. It's John's way—protecting you with a mix of charm and ferocity, ensuring the night ends on a high note, just the two of you against the world.
☾‧₊˚ ⋅ 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐧
Finn's holding your hand as you weave through market stalls, his youthful energy infectious as he points out trinkets and steals kisses when no one's looking. He's grown into his role in the family, but with you, he's still that sweet, eager boy trying to prove himself.
You've been steady for a while now, and he treats you like you're the center of his universe. But then this older chap, clearly a few pints in even at midday, spots you browsing fabrics and decides to make his move. "Pretty thing like you shouldn't be alone," he slurs, stepping too close.
"I'm not alone," you reply coolly, gesturing to Finn who's just a few steps away haggling over apples. But the man persists, his hand brushing your shoulder as he leans in. "Just a chat, love." You pull away sharply. "No, thank you."
Finn hears the edge in your voice and turns, his face hardening as he sees the man's hand hovering near you. He's not as seasoned as his brothers, but the Shelby blood runs hot in him. "Hey! Back off," Finn shouts, pushing through the crowd to stand between you and the man. His fists clench at his sides, his stance protective despite his slighter build. The man laughs dismissively, "Run along, kid", and reaches past Finn toward you again.
That's when Finn snaps. He grabs the man's arm, twisting it back with surprising strength honed from years of family scraps. "She said no, you prick!" Finn growls, his voice deeper than usual, echoing his brothers' intimidation. The man winces, trying to pull free, but Finn holds firm, his free hand balling into a fist. "Touch her again, and I'll make you wish you hadn't." There's a fire in his eyes, a determination to protect what's his, even if it means escalating.
The man backs down, yanking his arm away and slinking off with a glare. Finn exhales shakily, turning to you with wide eyes. "Are you alright? Did he hurt you?" His hands hover over you, checking without touching until you nod. Then he pulls you into a tight embrace, his heart pounding against yours. "I won't let anyone do that to you," he promises, his voice earnest.
☾‧₊˚ ⋅ 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥
Michael’s playing cards, cool and collected, when the man leans over you at the bar, his hand sliding up your thigh under the pretence of reaching for a drink. “No,” you say, loud and clear, slapping his hand away. He smirks, persisting.
Michael doesn’t stand. He unfurls. One moment he’s dealing cards, the next he’s beside the man, hand clamped on his shoulder with a grip like a vice. “You’re done,” he says, voice silk over steel. He doesn’t raise it. He doesn’t need to. The man tries to shrug him off; Michael’s fingers dig in until the stranger winces.
He leans in, close enough to whisper. “You see that ring on her finger? That’s mine. You see the way she’s looking at you? That’s disgust. Learn the difference.” Then, with a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes, he shoves the man back, hard enough to send him sprawling into a table. Glasses shatter but Michael doesn’t flinch.
He turns to you, expression softening. “You alright, darling?” His hand cups your cheek, thumb brushing your lip. He kisses you slow, deliberate, right there in front of everyone—like he’s erasing the man’s touch with his own. Later, he’ll make sure the bastard’s banned from every Shelby establishment in Birmingham. Quietly. Efficiently.
☾‧₊˚ ⋅ 𝐀𝐥𝐟𝐢𝐞
The bakery in Camden Town is quieter than usual, the scent of fresh bread mingling with the faint tang of rum from Alfie's office. You're perched on a stool, watching him bark orders at his men with that gruff charm.
But one of his newer workers, bold or stupid, doesn't know the boundaries. He approaches you while Alfie's distracted, his flirtations crude. "Fancy a walk, pet?" he says, and when you refuse, his hand lands on your knee, squeezing despite your sharp rebuke.
Alfie's head whips around like a bull sensing danger. He lumbers over, his cane thumping against the floor, his beard twitching with barely contained rage. "Right, what's this then?" he rumbles, his voice a gravelly mix of Cockney and menace. The man straightens, but Alfie's already towering over him, eyes wild. "You think you can put your filthy mitts on my woman? After she told you no? Nah, mate, that ain't how it works 'round 'ere."
He doesn't touch the man at first; instead, he launches into a tirade, words tumbling out in a chaotic stream. "See, in my bakery, we got rules, yeah? Bread rises, dough kneads, and no one—no one—lays a finger on what's mine without losin' said finger. Or maybe more, dependin' on me mood."
The man backs up, stammering, but Alfie grabs his collar with one massive hand, lifting him slightly. "Apologize, yeah? Proper like, or I'll bake you into the next loaf and feed you to the ducks. Slowly."
The apology spills out, terrified, and Alfie shoves him toward the door. "Out! And don't come back unless you fancy a swim in the river." Turning to you, his ferocity melts into concern. "You alright, treacle? That wanker didn't—"
You reassure him, and he pulls you into a rough hug, his beard scratching your cheek. "Good. No one touches my girl." The afternoon shifts to him fussing over you with tea and stories, his protection a whirlwind of bluster and deep affection, ensuring you're safe in his unpredictable realm.










