Game Of Bliss

(26)

"Did she get on the train safe?" Tommy asks, sliding onto the seat beside his sister.

"I don't know... I wasn't going to wait to see her onto the train, it wasn't coming for another half hour, it'd be thirty minutes of uncomfortable silence that I was not willing to put myself through," Florence replies, "she got to the train station safely."

"I know I shouldn't given what she did... but I still want her, beng," Tommy says.

"I know you do," Florence responds, "the feeling will pass eventually. There will be others."

"To the others," Tommy sighs, clinking his glass against hers before downing his drink.

"Are you glad you got him out?" Florence asks, turning her head to look at Freddie and Ada who were dancing with Karl in their arms.

"Oh yes, I'm ecstatic I have to see him sticking his tongue down my sisters throat, it's really made my day," Tommy retorts.

"You're being dramatic," Florence says.

"Am I?" Tommy scoffs, turning away as Ada and Freddie share another kiss.

"She's happy," Florence states.

"Be happy somewhere else," Tommy mumbles.

"When she tried to do that, you didn't react well, Thomas, so you're going to have to put up with it," Florence replies.

"How's your back?" Tommy questions.

"As good as it can be after being shot," Florence jokes.

"You never should've been in that position," Tommy sighs, "I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault, you didn't shoot me," Florence replies.

"I was the one who was meant to get shot," Tommy says.

"Nobody was meant to get shot today," Florence states, "you made it clear firing shots is not something you wanted from the takeover, plans change, you can't help that. Nobody is blaming you."

"Really? Because Mal doesn't look too happy with me," Tommy replies, gesturing to where Malachi was sat with Arthur, though his eyes were focused on them.

"He's not looking at you," Florence says, "and that's his concerned face, not angry face. He wants me to go home and rest, but I want to stay here... so we're staying here."

"Perhaps you should listen to him," Tommy suggests, "resting wouldn't be a bad thing, you're not missing anything. We've said our goodbyes to Danny, now people are just getting hammered. Go with him, beng."

"Are you going to be okay?" Florence asks.

"I sort of have to be, don't have any other choice, do I?" Tommy shrugs, "can't leave Arthur in charge, can we?"

"That's not the answer I was hoping for," Florence replies.

"What were you hoping for?" Tommy responds.

"Honesty," Florence states, "be honest with your emotions, you've got nothing to be ashamed of. If you ever feel like you want to be honest with how you're feeling, you know where to find me."

"Thank you," Tommy says, as Florence slowly raises from her chair, ruffling up his hair, "take care of yourself, Thomas. I'll see you tomorrow."

Malachi excuses himself from his conversation with Arthur when he sees Florence stand up, walking towards her, "please don't make me have to listen to Arthur's drunk ramblings for any longer."

"Let's go home, Mr Welch," Florence smiles, linking her arm through his as they exit the pub.

"I've been thinking, Flo," Malachi says, "this is just a suggestion, there's no pressure whatsoever, it just crossed my mind the other night."

"Yes?" Florence replies.

"I like having you around. I like you being there when I wake up. I like you being there when I fall asleep." Mal states, "how would you feel about constantly being around?"

"Are you asking me to move in with you?" Florence says.

"I'm suggesting that if it is something you'd also like, I would very much enjoy sharing a house with you," Malachi responds, "if you're not ready for that, it is completely fine, I understand."

"I think it is something I would very much enjoy too," Florence says, resting her head against his shoulder, smiling as he drops a kiss to her temple, whispering, "I love you."

-

"Take your top off," Malachi states.

"No foreplay... okay then," Florence teases, as he rolls his eyes, "it's so I can change your bandages."

"Is that the foreplay?" Florence asks.

"No," Malachi says, "besides I doubt you'll be in the mood to have sex after this."

"Have you seen you?" Florence responds, "have you had sex with you? It's fucking brilliant."

"Just take your shirt off, Flo," Malachi chuckles.

"Anything Mr Welch wants, Mr Welch gets," Florence winks, unbuttoning her blouse.

"Please stop calling me that," Mal replies, "especially in that tone."

Florence smirks, trailing her hand down his chest, "and why is that... Mr Welch?"

"You know exactly why," Malachi responds.

"Do I?" Florence says.

"You do," Mal nods, "I'm not giving in, Flo. Giving in would mean compromising your health and that is not something I'm willing to do."

"I'm fine," Florence sighs.

"You got shot less than a week ago, you are not fine, you can't even fully take your top off," Malachi says, watching Florence groan as she attempts to pull her sleeve down, "that does not mean you try to prove me wrong by straining yourself."

"You were the one who told me take it off," Florence remarks.

"You know I only meant unbutton," Malachi says, gently pulling the sleeves over her wrists, so she was sat there in her bra, "given that's what it has meant all week."

"I think it's unfair that I'm sat here in nothing but a brassiere," Florence says, smiling as Malachi huffs, unbuttoning his waistcoat and shirt, removing his undershirt and placing the garments on a nearby chair, he looks at her shrugging, "you happy now?"

"Extremely," Florence grins.