Peaky Blinders. One shot and imagines

Blind - Part 1 - John x Reader

I know that the boy's mother was never given a first name in the show. But I thought that she deserved one. So, I have named her Alice.

"I'm not here.........You haven't seen me......right." John blurted out, as he burst into the back room. His brothers and the others, looking at one another as John quickly scanned the expanse.

"John......what.............?" Tommy began. It obvious that his brother wasn't hearing a thing. His expression reminiscent of a startled rabbit that was doing its best to avoid a hunter. Arthur, Tommy and the other men present, watching as John quickly darted under one of the tables. Using the legs of those present, to shield him from whatever might be after him.

"Remember........I'm not here.............." John reiterated. Arthur and Tommy not sure what, or who might be causing their younger brother to act like this; but if they thought they could get to John on the Peaky's own turf........well, they would be very much mistaken. Arthur pulling his gun out from the holster under his jacket and placing it on the table in front of him. Just in case.

The older boys had to admit that they were a little confused. When John had left the house, he was supposed to be meeting up with his friend (Y/n) to go out for the evening. (Y/n) the only woman, that wasn't family, that had been a constant in John's life. The pair having known one another since they were children. (Y/n) the rough and tough little girl that lived with her grandmother, a perfect match for John. The duo always getting themselves in trouble; often finding themselves being dragged back to Watery Lane, by the ears, by the local bobby. Both of them standing there, while they were chastised by John's mother, Alice. Tommy and Arthur always sitting there and chuckling, as the two would do their best to look innocent; despite the fact that everyone knew what the terrible two would get up to.

When the war came, (Y/n) had been on the platform with Polly, Ada and Finn to say goodbye. It the first time that anyone could remember seeing (Y/n) cry, as she hugged her best friend before he had had to get on the train with his brothers, and all the other men. And then, when the boys had returned, battered, bruised and permanently changed by the horrors that they and so many others had seen, she had been there waiting for John; the first to get to him, the first to pull him into her arms. Arthur and Tommy amazed to see that the tough girl that they had known, was now quite the most beautiful of women; John though, seeming to be blind to the fact, much to his brother's confusion.

And so it had been since that day; John appearing to be the only man in town that didn't notice what he had right by his side. Blind to the fact that even Tommy and Arthur were jealous of their brother. Both believing that (Y/n) deserved more than just having John think of her as a friend, as another member of the Peakys; as the person that was always by his side, happy to help and protect him against anything that came his way. So, what had happened between when John had left the house, and now; and where (Y/n) could be, they didn't know.

"Where is he...............?" An angry voice demanded to know. The boys turning to see an irate looking (Y/n) standing in the doorway.

"Where's who.............?" Arthur replied, as he took a drink. His eyes inadvertently looking over to the table under which John was hiding.

"Don't give me that, Arthur Shelby. You know exactly who I mean. And I know that he's here.........I can smell him.............."

"(Y/n)........what's he done.........?" Tommy asked calmly. Only able to imagine what his brother had been up to, to make (Y/n) act like this.

"What.......what has he done.........? I'll tell you what he's done, Tommy. That......that brother of yours vanished, leaving me all by myself in a place, out of town, that I had never been before. I went to look for him, and where do I find him? I find him in the alley next to the pub, fuckin some girl up against the wall. A girl that turned out to be the daughter of a very large man. And what does the hero do? He does a runner as the girl's father makes an appearance, and because I was wearing my suit, and he had seen me with John, dear old dad decided to come for me. I was just lucky I had my gun with me. It has taken me all my time to get back here, and now that I am, I am going to use that gun on John............" (Y/n) explained, as she made her way over to the table under which John still hid, and pointed her gun at it.

"I told you I could smell you, John. The stench of that girl's cheap perfume is following you. And may I remind you that bullets will go through wooden tables..........." The angry woman continued. Tommy stopping Arthur from getting up, as John reluctantly appeared from under the table.

"(Y/n), I can explain................."

"No John, there is no explaining. I have had enough. I have always been there for you. Always happy to stand by your side and fight with you. I coped with the fact that you didn't send me a single letter during the war. That you couldn't be bothered to tell your best friend that you were alive, that you would be coming home........that you missed her. But this........this is the final straw. It just proves to me how blind you really are. That you will never see me as anything but that little girl that you grew up with. And you know what.........I deserve more than that. So, the next time you need someone to watch your back, don't come looking for me............" (Y/n) growled. The young woman huffing as John seemed to not even care enough to look at her. (Y/n) giving Tommy and Arthur a sad smile, before she stormed out of the room.