Forbidden Alliances // Alfie Solomons Peaky Blinders

(118) Fine Line

*edited 04/02/23*

Dr. Wilson asked Freya all the questions he would normally ask patients that undergo intense surgery.

How she's feeling... Who she is... Where she's at... What day it is...

Though, she did get that last one wrong because when she was attacked, it was a Saturday and the sun was still in the sky. But apparently, she had been admitted early the next morning. It was now Sunday afternoon and she didn't know what to think about Tommy. If he hadn't sought help by then, she didn't know if she would have a brother to see when she got out.

She sustained an injury to the abdomen; three broken ribs, just as Alfie had said. She suffered a severe, stage three concussion, just as Alfie had said. Her hand was severely bruised but there were no breaks, she had one stitch in her left eyebrow and a bandage over her lip to keep it from splitting. Her hearing would need to be checked and an overall head exam would help them see what else was going on but they just wanted her to rest until morning.

Alfie had stayed in the back of the room as an onlooker as the doctor explained her condition. It was like he didn't want them to see how deeply he cared. He wasn't even sure if Freya was okay with him being there. He understood why, even after so long, she wanted to keep their relationship private. But he wasn't leaving.

He shielded his eyes from the doctor and nurse's view and bent his head slightly as if he had very little interest in hearing about the healing process.

But that wasn't the truth.

He cared about her like she was the moon that lit up his sky when things got dark. He loved her like she was the stars that twinkled under the the midnight sky. He admired her like she was the flame that illuminated his smile and wrapped him in warmth when his bones shivered.

He was enamored by her.

"If we could ask this gentleman for some privacy so we can discuss other matters, I would be more than happy to, Miss Shelby." The doctor spoke calmly, turning over his shoulder to face Alfie who had been pulled from his trance on the floor.

"Wot matters?" Alfie grew in size and pressed his lips together disgruntledly.

"Alfie?" she called out softly. "Can we have a minute, please?" Freya asked in a pleading tone which made her seem entirely not like herself. Freya Shelby wasn't the type to beg. She was too desperate to stand her ground to do that. She wasn't thirsty for more power, she was just adamant about keeping what little power she did have. Begging would be as if she were giving it up... For what though?

"Wot matters?" Alfie countered.

"Alfie." Her tone went flat with impatience. "Can you make that phone call for me, please? If there's any chance Tommy's still out there, you need to call John."

"If there's more to discuss, I wanna 'ear it," he replied sternly.

"May I ask what your relationship is to the patient?" The doctor directed his question to Alfie, causing his facial features to harden.

Alfie didn't know how to respond, but he wasn't going to let his features falter with discomfort and bewilderment.

Freya recognized Alfie now. It was in his subtly pinched brows and overpowering stance. It was in his eyes. How he managed to conquer dominance over the doctor, proving his strength and power through staring.

"He's a partner," Freya responded. It was that silly term that started it all. That silly little noun that linked them together. They began as business partners, but it was inevitable how passion could warp them into something more. But that title still remained. It was such a fluid title, such a... fitting title.