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My mother always used to say that horses were Angels protectors, that's why they loved my Sister and me so much. But now I'm older I realise that was just another bedtime story.
Francis lay bare with her head pressed against Tommys chest, his breathing slow and calming. She took a moment to just relish in the feeling of tranquility and peace. This was a feelings the Shelby's never got to experience often.
This was a new feeling for Thomas aswell. He couldn't help but give a small smile when he noticed Francis run her fingers up and down his chest drawing shapes and letters. Her hands soft and petite, compared to his rough calloused ones. As soon as her hand stopped it's movements his face fell "do you remember the night we first did... this" she said barely above a whisper.
Thomas pulled his head back to get a better look at her "ofcourse I do why?" He took her hand in his "turn so your back is facing me" she asked softy. He complied doing as she asked.
Suddenly her hand came into contact with his skin. He flinched slightly at her touch. Slowly she began writing something on his back "you know, You never did tell me what you wrote on my back" she said with her smile now prominent "that's going to stay a secret" he said smiling back "for now" he finished so she couldn't hear him.
Although they were silent she found that she simply just enjoyed his presence. His scars, his hair, his eyes, his harsh words. She came to love it all. But her stubbornness would never let her admit it, neither would Thomas.
She finally finished her writing so he turned back to face her. The bed was small but seemed like it was almost too big for the both of them they were so far apart.
He brought his hand up to her face and cupped it. Her eyes closed at the contact. He rubbed her cheek slightly before bringing her face to his and pressed a tender kiss to her lips.
"I love you too."
-
Before the war Thomas was a bright boy who would never be seen with a frown on his face. Constantly smiling and laughing with his brothers. Even without a mother and a deadbeat dad he was happy, he was pure. Then the war rolled around all the men were called to fight for their countries.
Something inside Thomas died that day his sense of hope faltered and his soul broke. As for Francis she was shipped of to work as a nurse on the French borders. Traumatised is a word she used often. But she never said it about herself it was always about those poor boys fighting for their countries. To young these boy's broken to young stolen, to young.
She new the war had broken Tommy she knew he would never want to speak about it. So she never asked. Not even in the most intimate moments moments of peace moments of silence. She just never asked.
When she found out that Thomas would wage war against Kimber she was frightened. She knew Kimber was a strong man and Thomas would not come out of this unscathed. It was all that seemed to be playing on her mind lately. Even after a letter came through saying that her sister Elizabeth had had her baby, a healthy baby boy, she still could not get the thought of Thomas being hurt out of her mind.
The garrison had been unusually busy lately. John has come in and had another one of his drinking episodes. Francis took him back to Pollys house and to say she was fuming would be an understatement. The woman had gone so far as to smack the boy on the back of his head as if he was still that same six-year-old running around fighting with his older brothers. For Polly it seemed like she'd never get a break, Ada still refused to come out of hiding everyone was growing worried for Ada and for the baby. She was a strong woman everybody knew that but they couldn't say the same for her new baby. And with the stress of worrying about Finn's safety as he was a growing boy and would be curious.
-
The garrison was quiet only a few shallow souls left drinking their sorrows away. A rumour had come about that the Chief Inspector Campbell was looking for Thomas and Francis knew he would stop at nothing. So she had presumed that Thomas would go under the radar for a few weeks or at least until the inspector left the city.
But much to her dismay Thomas waltzed in as if there wasn't a bounty on his head. He slowly pulled his peaky cap off and placed it down on the counter in front of Francis. She smiled softly and grabbed a bottle of whiskey from the liquor cabinet "Irish I'm guessing mr Shelby?" She didn't let him reply and instead began filling a glass with the strong drink "bloody formalities, Fran" he shook his head until it dropped down facing the floor.
She pushed the glass towards him then turned around to clean the cabinets. Only to stop immediately as Thomas began talking "I told Campbell where the guns were."
She whipped her head around "you did what?!" She spat just below a whisper "you know how stupid that is. He will have your head!" She ranted on.
Thomas sat there for a moment before speaking up again "I did what was best for all of us, Fran,"he looked genuine and had the sincerity in his eyes she knew she couldn't stay mad at him. She huffed in annoyance that place her hand on top of his.
"I'm really proud of you, Thomas. But you can't keep acting irrationally" She tilted her head. He sighed and went to speak but was interrupted by the doors banging open. The pair whipped their heads to the door in anger only to be met with the soft eyes of Finn Shelby.
"The police are in the lane Thomas" ————————————————————————— Long time no see.
I appreciate everybody being patient I've had a very busy few weeks and have tried to update as soon as possible. I will try and be more consistent in the next few updates.
Just a heads up for the next few chapters TW they will include some violent and upsetting themes so just a pre warning.
