Peaky Blinders. One shot and imagines

It began with a kiss - Arthur x Reader

As a nurse in France during the war, she had seen the horrors that battle had to offer. Mustard gas, bullet holes, severed limbs, had all become common place; yet that was just the physical trauma. To (Y/n) there was something worse; and that was the change in the men as the war progressed.

Some had come in at the start with just minor wounds, and had been happy and carefree, wanting to do their bit for king and country. But as the war had gone on, these same men turned into different people, a part of their soul being taken. A part they would never get back.

She heard them at night screaming in agony as they dreamt of the horrors that they had seen; horrors that no one should have seen. And one of those men was Arthur Shelby.

Arthur was a sapper, digging tunnels under the enemy in order to plant explosives. But an accident had occurred, and one of the tunnels had collapsed, coming down on Arthur and his younger brother Tommy, both of which (Y/n) was now caring for.

Both had nightmares, but poor Arthur's seemed more violent. And (Y/n)'s soft spot for the two men, had led the devoted nurse too take to working extra shifts, just so she could keep an eye on the pair at night. And this night was proving particularly bad. For from down the hall she heard Arthur screaming and shouting, the horrors of war that still raged, filling his dreams.

"Sister (Y/l/n), I can't wake him." Tommy yelled at her, as she rushed into the ward. The younger Shelby shaking Arthur by the arms.

"It's alright Tommy, get back into bed." (Y/n) ordered, as she took hold of Arthur's shoulders holding him down as he shook uncontrollably.

"Now listen here Arthur Shelby, I know you're in there. Come back to us, you're safe, and nothing will happen to you as long as I'm around. Come back Arthur, it's safe. I promise" (Y/n) told him softly, her voice barely above a whisper, as she leant down to speak into his ear. Arthur all of a sudden sitting bolt upright and staring at her for a moment before he pulled her in to a tight embrace, before pulling away slightly and kissing her roughly on the lips. For a moment she was shocked, nothing like this had ever happened to her before, but quickly she found herself melting into the lips. And despite the fact that she knew it was unprofessional, she had to admit to herself that Arthur was very handsome, that he had always been a gentleman, and she couldn't help but be drawn to him.

"Sister (Y/l/n), you saved me." Arthur said, as the finally moved away. His voice quiet and wavering. (Y/n) brushing back his sweat drenched hair, as she straightened herself.

"I did no such thing Arthur Shelby, I just brought you back to us. I won't let anything happen to you or Tommy on my watch. You are my favourite boys after all." She said, smiling as she looked over at Tommy. Doing her best to not appear too flustered.

"Thank you, Sister, I thought I'd lost him this time." Tommy told the nurse, the usually quiet one of the pair, obviously concerned for his older brother.

"There's no need to thank me, it's all part of the job. And I do wish you two would stop calling me Sister, my name is (Y/n), I've told you before." (Y/n) began, as she slowly got up from Arthur's bed.

"Now young man let's get you out of that bed so I can get you some fresh sheets, and a new nightshirt. I can't have you sleeping in a sweaty, dirty one can I?" (Y/n) continued, as she helped Arthur out of bed, and placed him on a chair.

"Wait there, I'll be right back." She ordered, before leaving to get some fresh linen.

"She's a bit of alright don't ya think Tommy?" Arthur asked his brother, as he watched her walk away.

"She's beautiful, intelligent, gentle and kind, she's way out of your league Arthur." Tommy laughed, as he ignored his brother's glare.

"I'm probably more her type." The younger Shelby added, as he gave his brother a small smile.