There's Nothing More Freeing Than Mortality
To my Dearest Thomas Shelby,
My Dear boy, It appears I have run out of time - so, if you are reading this letter, it most certainly means that I am dead.
It's a strange feeling writing a letter that you know will be your last. However, try not to feel sad, for I am dying for the noblest of causes - life.
It is no secret that I was a man of both power and secrecy and often found myself at my most potent within my mysteries. But, you Tommy seemed to see through all those secrets with those all-knowing eyes of yours - just like the eye of Horus. It is truly a gift most remarkable.
And it seems it is a gift that I am now in need of. But, unfortunately, it appears that just like Icarus, I have flown too close to the sun, and now I must atone for my sins.
I am to die a lonely old man, but I am glad to at least have you as a friend. I wish to thank you for the honour of your friendship. I also thank you for your open acceptance of me being a fan ofOscar Wilde. You're a good man, Tommy. So, please accept this one last gift of friendship, for it is my heart and truth. This diary will be the answers you are looking for, and once you do, I know that love will find you.
I also ask that you take care of Miguel for me. Like me, he has no one, and when I depart this mortal coil, he will be alone once more. Tell him I love him dearly, and I shall alwayswatch over him.
Tommy, one last thing beware the Angel of Death, for no man can escape its kiss.
Your friend,
Lord Peter Fitz Williams
Brushing off the tears that fell onto the letter, I prayed that Thomas could see the truth that lay within it. Then, folding it, I placed both the diary and letter into a box and wrapped it with a lavender bow. I was, after all -all about the details. I looked at the clock that was now mocking me as it got closer to the witching hour. Not long now.
"Miguel! Quickly take this to the Shelby estate and make sure that you are not seen." A boy standing no taller than 4'11, with honeyed brown skin and eyes that were usually warm but now filled with terror, retrieved the box from me. My heart broke for the boy because he was unaware of how peace was about to be taken from him once more. I hugged the boy tightly, squeezing all the love I had left into him. The boy broke apart from me with a confused sadness; he understood that something was about to happen - children were bright like that.
Miguel preceded with caution to exit my office, but before he left, I called out once more, " Oh, and Miguel?"
"Yes?" He answered with mild trepidation.
"I love you!" I smiled a smile that melted his worries. Finally, at least for a moment, he should feel like all is right in the world - even for just a moment.
The boy left, and with him the final moments of jubilant light in my life. I now entered my twilight. I sauntered around my office, taking in everything I collected and achieved - my whole life summed up in a single room. How camp. I breathed in the oakiness of the room and delighted in its earthy comfort. Then, walking over to my gramophone, I put on my favourite opera, Tosca's Vissi d'arte. Humming along, I put on my most favoured silk robe and poured myself the most divine glass of wine. After all, I wanted my last moments to be filled with love. Finally, I languidly reclined into my leather-bound chair, delighting in my final moments of peace.
I looked at the clock one last time; it was precisely three o'clock in the morning. The witching hour has finally come for me, and with it, the angel known as Death. After that, it's peaceful meeting one's fate.
Taking a sip from my wine, I calmly called out to the angel, "You've come for me then?"
The shadowed figure simply answered with a serene tenderness, "Yes."
"Will it hurt?"
"It is already done." Answered the angel.
I smiled and leaned further back into my chair. I felt at peace. "You know, I once read that you die because you see the Angel of Death, and you fall in love. And you fall in love so hard your soul is sucked out through your eyes, and that's the moment of death. It's a lovely, strange old Jewish legend. Don't you think?"
The angel stepped out of the shadows revealing its beauty. So I guess it's true then. "It is", the angel agreed.
"Will you stay with me, my dear?
"I will."
I could feel myself setting free. Dying is a very simple thing. One moment you are bound to the predetermined confines of your physiology, and the next, you are infinite. I am now the trees; I am now the stars. I am now everything that was created and everything that is to be - for now, I am existence. Death can be a wonderful thing.
Death watched over the man as he transitioned into the ineffable. Then, finally, death kissed the now shell of the man that once was. Although, sometimes Death could be merciful, and sometimes Death could be violent, either was no man could escape the kiss from the Angel of Death - not even Thomas Shelby.
The Angel vanished soon after, leaving behind nothing but a dead Peter Fitz Williams and a small black card with the words Love, Death xx.
Warning this work contains violence, gore themes, Racism, Sexism, Sexual references and coarse language. This work is intended for a mature audience. Slow burn romance. This fic does not follow the exact timeline of the series and skews heavily in areas, ut overall characterisation and themes remain the same. This work is somewhat experimental. I hope you like this, and Thank you for reading! x
Also, if you're interested, there is a link to the official Spotify playlist: Here