love knows no bounds | thomas shelby

war stories

at the garrison, the wooden doors swung open and closed, as a steady stream of men clad in their coats and flat caps poured into the establishment, seeking respite from their daily burdens. the aroma of tobacco smoke mingled with the scent of whiskey, creating an ambience that felt both comforting and melancholic, at least that's how it felt to eveline.

eveline stood behind the polished counter, ready to serve the men. her eyes, full of empathy, reflected the stories and struggles of countless men who found solace in the bottom of their glasses. as she poured drinks and wiped down the glasses, she listened intently to the tales of those who fought in the war.

for eveline, the war was not a distant tale. her very own thomas shelby had fought in the war. the mental challenges faced by the men who frequented the garrison were not lost on her. although she could be seen as just a barmaid, she knew the nightmares that plagued their sleep and the ghosts that twirled behind their weary eyes. 

as she was behind the counter, eveline stood there with a sense of purpose, serving drinks and engaging in conversations with the patrons. she found herself engrossed in a conversation with a tired man sitting at the bar, listening intently to his troubles as she poured him another glass of amber liquid.

"the war has been tough on everyone," agreed eveline, pouring another round for the man.

their exchange was interrupted by the creaking sound of the entrance door, drawing the attention of both eveline and the men within. her eyes lit up with a mixture of joy and concern as she caught a sight of thomas shelby, recognizing the signs of hardship etched onto his face. the barmaids heart swelled with a deep affection as she locked eyes with him, still seeing the love and admiration in his piercing blue eyes. thomas, with a weary but determined demeanor, tossed his cap onto the counter before standing in front of eveline.

a smile played on eveline's lips as she leaned slightly on the counter, her eyes fixed on tommy. in a voice filled with affection and a touch of playfulness, she greeted him, "hello, mr. shelby."

then, thomas with his deep voice, returned her greeting, "hello, eveline."

the way he pronounced her name, with that distinctive blend of depth and tenderness, never failed to stir her heart. it was a sound that echoed in her mind.

eveline decided to reach for a bottle of whiskey, her fingers wrapping around it with familiarity. with a playful glint in her eye, she declared, "on the house.. as always."

pouring a measure of whiskey into the glass, eveline slid it towards thomas with a gentle smile, her gaze fixed on his tired yet captivating features. in that moment, the noisy sound of the garrison faded into the background, leaving only the two of them in their own bubble.

thomas then lit a cigarette. after he breathed out the smoke, he decided to ask about eveline.

"how have you been, eveline?" thomas shelby's voice cut through the air.

"oh tommy," she began, her voice tinged with weariness and empathy, "it's been busy, y'know. the garrison has been bustling lately. men come in, seeking refuge from their troubles. they drink, talk about the war, all that shit."

her words hung in the air, carrying a weight that only those who had experienced the horrors could truly comprehend.

she continued, "i see the tiredness and worry in their eyes, just as i see it in yours."

along with the noise, the room around them seemed to fade as eveline's words held thomas captive. as eveline traced the familiar patterns etched into the surface of the bar, their eyes met, and in that moment, they both recognized the invisible scars they wore.