Peaky Blinders Preferences and Images

[ A chat with the Italians - John ]

"You have 5 seconds to get your hand off my ass."

"What? I thought we were supposed to act like a couple."

• Tommy had sent you along with Arthur and John to have a chat with the Italians in order to start the negociations while he could figure his shit out.

• "I think it'd make it less tense if they thought y/n and I were dating," you looked at John confused, hoping that Tommy would find it as stupid as you did.

• "Mh. Could be a good idea, yeah. I suppose that way they wouldn't see this dinner as serious as it really it," Tommy shrugged nonchalantly while a boyish smile appeared on John's face.

• "Stop grinning like an idiot, that'll be your only opportunity to get a taste of what it's like to be with me," you scoffed, already annoyed. You quickly bumped into his shoulder on your way out, which led him to turn to Michael, who was leaning against the wall, very entertained. "Ooh, feisty is how I like her," John chuckled.

• When the time came, the three of you arrived at the Garrison and were then led to the closed booth which was reserved to the Shelbys' affairs.

• There, you were greeted by three Italian men, two of whose eyes widened when they landed on you. This didn't go unnoticed under John's attention, who quickly brought you closer to him with a firm grip on your hip.

• "Well, finally we meet. Gentlemen, this is Arthur, my brother and y/n, his lovely woman," John couldn't help but grin proudly, even though he was aware that it was all fake.

• He nodded, "Isn't she beautiful," he remarked as his eyes scanned you in one motion and that's when you felt his hand slide down your back only to land on your butt.

• Aware of what was at stake at the end of this meeting, you did your best to contain yourself and not ruin it. So, you looked at John - whose cocky smile showed how much fun he was having -, smiled the men and placed your head on his shoulder and your arm went behind his back to circle it.

• However, you just couldn't help but squeeze his side a bit too tight which made him jump ever so slightly.

• While Arthur told them about Tommy's absence at this encounter, you jumped on the opportunity to turn your head so that only John would hear you and started whispering. "You have 5 seconds to get your hand off my ass," because of course, it was still there.

• He looked down at you, "What? I thought we were supposed to act like a couple," joining your silent conversation which made him feel like a kid again.

• "Well, that I know but that's not what I was thinking about when Tommy-"

• "Well, shall we sit, lovebirds?" asked one of the three men who were already sitting on the booth along with Arthur, which cut off your frustration.

• "Right," John sat first at the end so that he'd be in the corner, his favourite spot. He then lifted his arm in your direction and motioned you to join him and only smiled when you sat close enough so that your thigh was touching his.

• Under the table, he placed his hand on your thigh but that oddly didn't feel like he was trying to annoy you.

• That's when you looked at him, then who he was staring at that you understood. Indeed, the one guy that wasn't talking with Arthur or his own was trying to catch as much glimpses of you as he could which made John's blood boil.

• He knew he couldn't shoot the guy - obviously - so the only thing he did to reassure himself was holding your thigh protectively.

• Seeing him actually being protective made you realise that John might've actually been serious each time he was flirting with you.

• You liked him too but never took him seriously because you knew how he was and how many girls he'd been seen with all across Birmingham.

• Though, what you ignored but now suspected, was that they were excuses for him to stop thinking about you since you'd always denied his advances.

• So, you decided to do something as to show him that he could, in fact, "have" you for real when the time will be right.

• His body immediately relaxed when he felt your hand cover and slide in his before squeezing it reassuringly, making him smile softly and give you a quick wink before finally, talking with Arthur to lead the meeting.