• THE GOOD SIDE • A Thomas Shelby Fanfic •

8

"You're Tommy Shelby." I don't know if I hear concern, regret or sadness in Granddad's voice, but it's enough to have me brace myself for what's to come.

After practically ripping myself off of Tommy, I swear, my bloody heart skipped a beat because of the look on Granddad's face, he was shocked, appalled. I felt like a schoolgirl being caught making out with her much older boyfriend, this was all too awkward. The settings changed, we sit innocently in my flat, granddad pissed as hell, Tommy flushed, and me, well, I was pretty damn embarrassed.

"I am." He says all proud, and I cringe so hard.

"Holy fuck."

"Granddad." I snap. "Please." I bite. Be nice.

He turns to me, eyes wide. "What on earth do you think you are doing, Alene?!"

"What do you mean?" I know exactly what he means.

"Flirting and fraternizing with such a barbaric individual! Have you lost your damn mind!"

Whoa. Rude. I put my hand on my hip. "I'm a fully functioning adult, actually-"

"The hell you are if you're sneakily smooching him!" Pointing right at Tommy, he shakes his head. "You need help, my dear. That man is not one to be romanticizing with!"

"Jesus Christ!"

"I thought you were smarter than this!" He snaps.

"If I can explain, sir-" Thomas tries.

"Sod off." I snap, before looking back at Francis. "Granddad, I love you and I trust your concern but this is-"

"How did you even meet him?"

"At the prison." I put my hands behind my back.

"Jesus! Did he break your fingers!!"

I open my mouth, scoffing, rolling my eyes.

"No!" I can hear Tommy get up off the couch. "Mr. Francis, with all due respect sir-"

"Shut up, will you!" I hiss, turning my head, eyeballing Tommy.

He clamps his mouth shut, and for this I am thankful. But also a little on the sad side too. I shouldn't be rude, but holy shit, this is a lot. With my ex-husband this was a breeze, everyone absolutely adored him! I sink into the couch beside Tommy, sitting right across from Francis. Thomas puts his hand on the small of my back I lean forward, putting my head in my hands, my hair falls over my frame.

"What happens when you two don't get along? Will he cut off your head? Murder you?" Francis asks, leaning in slightly. I can hear his voice, like a slithering snake, "That's what he does,"

I scoff, shaking my head, looking up at him. "What are you going on about?" I sigh, playing helpless fun. "If I go missing, yes, you know who to blame, granddad." I roll my neck, trying to get out of this.

"Oi," Tommy mumbles.

I turn and look at him, giving him a smile. "I'm only teasing."

"Well, I'm being serious!" Francis basically screams, stattling the both of us from longingly looking into each others eyes. "Alene, give me my gun!"

"What! You don't have a gun, stop having a bloody fit will you, it's not good for your health." I stand, moving around the coffee table, I grab his tea and bring it to his attention, "You're upset, I know, but he's been good to me."

He sighs, looking up at me. "I just don't want you to die, is all."

I frown, "I won't. I mean," I turn and look at Tommy, "I will someday, but I assure you Francis, it won't be because of this man." With my hand, I quickly tell Tommy to stand up, "Anyways, Tommy's got to go now..."

Francis sighs, unable to do anything, I quickly whisk him away and we end up back in the hallway, Tommy looks at me, I look at him. "That was a lot."

"He's a lot, but he just-"

"Cares about you," Tommy nods, "I know. You don't live with anyone else?"

"No, just my gran and I." I shrug, "He isn't always so rude.."

Tommy smiles, inching towards me. "He threatened to shoot me,"

I laugh, nervously. I take a steps towards Tommy, "He thought you broke my fingers." I whisper, wanting to giggle.

Tommy tilts his head, "Speaking of," He takes my hand in his and examines my fingers before looking back up at me. He looks so childish, my heart aches for him. "How are you feeling?"

I bite down on my bottom lip, trying to hide my grin. "I'm better now that you're here."

"Come away with me," He suggests. "We have the whole day to be together."

I look up at him, getting on my toes to leave a chaste kiss to his lips.

"You're so beautiful." He runs his fingers through my hair and kisses my lips softly. "Tell me what you want..."

I put my hands on his side. He's strong and muscular under his shirt, I look at him as he kisses me. Remembering when I used to tend to his wounds under his skin. "Tommy," I sigh, looking around, "You, but, not like this..."

"Then let me take you to Small Heath," He states, before adding, "Please."

He came so close to me, so close, and I could smell that glorious scent of his. I missed him so much, I look down at our intertwined fingers.

"I just want to take you home, with me. Get you out of this place, you deserve to be living someplace good, close to me..." He whispers, "I've never wanted anything more-"

A sudden pitter-patter of footsteps stop us from our embrace, Tommy turns his head examining the young man who stands at the end of the hallway, watching us eyes wide. "T-Tommy-" He says, unsure of himself. Hell, I would be scared to interpret the Don too. 

Tommy leaves me and walks towards the young man, "What is it Finn?"

"Trouble with Hughes," He gulps, "Sorry to interrupt," His eyes flash over me, I look down, gushing. I was on a cloud with Tommy, and before I knew it, I was brought back to reality.

I grab the doorknob, assuming this is a goodbye. Francis will probably yell at me some more. Not going to lie, I was kinda flattered to hear his concern for me. After Noah, my ex just left me, everyone was kind of hesitant towards my love life. It shows he cares about me, and for that, I am thankful for Francis.

"Can I tell you something, for what it's worth," He suggests, grabbing my wrist.

I turn and look up at him, smiling. "Sure."

"I'm coming back here," He nods at the door, "And if you grandfather wants to fight me, tell him I'm ready when he is."

I laugh.

"It's that, your laugh, your smile," He puts his thumb on my bottom lip. "I can't just leave you alone, I'm afraid. And if you want to make it hard for me, so be it."

"Okay." I gush. Jesus Christ! He's making it hard for me! I put my hand on his chest, gently giving him a push, "Go, but be careful, ya?"

He nods, "I'm coming back!" He steps back, "Whether you like it or not."

"I'll be waiting then." I grin helplessly.

He grins too, spinning around, Finn says something, making a snarky remark I'm sure, because Tommy slaps the back of his head. I go inside, shutting the door and resting my head against the door, sighing of pure happiness.

There's a knock on the door, its the perfect time too. Francis was away at his regular community gatherings, he found a lady there that he fancies by the name of Caroline. She's a little younger than him, and apparently has these beautiful green eyes, he says.

I bathed, wore a nice outfit, nice enough to impress Tommy. I did my hair, put on a little makeup. I rush to the door, excited beyond belief, it's a little past seven PM, the sun has set, and I am ready for Tommy Shelby.

But when I swing open the door with a grin on my face, do I instantly regret not asking who it is. Because it's not the man of my dreams who my eyes settle on, but rather, the man who haunts my nightmares.

Father Hughes.