A Collection Of Arthur Shelby Imagines

A Secret Lover

It was a murky evening, like most in Birmingham, Arthur had been down the Garrison spending some time with his family, celebrating their most recent success in their business. He was leaned up against the bar observing everyone as they were happy with themselves and each other. However, Arthur had barely touched his glass of whiskey as he wanted to be perfectly sober when he went to visit his own recent success in life -- a girlfriend.

He wasn't sure if he wanted to call her that just yet but he knew that his affection towards her was unmatchable. He hadn't ever come this close to the light of an angel before. She lit up his whole world. He ran a hand through his slicked hair, pushing it backwards only for it to fall forward again as he leaned closer to the bar, trying to read the time of the clock on the wall.

"Arthur," Tommy began, "why haven't you touched a single drop of that whiskey in your glass tonight? Is something wrong?"

Arthur tensed and hoped his brother couldn't see it but he did notice Polly turn her head to pay attention to what may happen next. "Ah, Tom, don't mind me. I was just enjoying seeing everyone else enjoy themselves as they celebrate... figured I should be sober to at least one of these things."

Tommy strolled over before taking a seat, "Sit down, brother."

Arthur obliged with his younger brother.

Tommy held his hand up to the bartender signalling for another drink and received it within seconds, He turned towards his brother, "What's troubling you, Arthur?"

Arthur shakes his head, trying to concentrate on the glass of whiskey he wished that he'd drink earlier to get Tommy off his back, "Nothing, Tom, really. 'M just enjoying the atmosphere."

Tommy eyes his brother, "Since when did you give a fuck about the 'atmosphere'; more so, in a place filled with whiskey to your heart's content?"

"I don't know. Maybe I didn't want to miss out on a lass walking through the door," Arthur lied and he knew it was one as he had a secret.

Tommy held Arthur's stare, trying to decipher whether or not Arthur was telling a pinch of truth and Arthur held Tommy's stare, challenging him to say something.

Tommy let it go with a lift of his eyebrow and a swift swig if his whiskey. "Well then, Arthur, all I can say is: I hope you like whoever walks through those doors tonight, then."

Arthur nodded and let Tommy walk away, back over to the others who were celebrating. To be completely honest, Arthur has forgotten what it was that they were celebrating as he had his mind fixed on seeing his secret lover.

Without another thought, Arthur drunk his first and only glass of whiskey all in one go, slammed the glass down on the counter and sauntered out of the establishment with one destination in mind. He wasn't sure if he'd heard Polly or Ada calling after him as the whiskey had rounded the edges for him and helped him focus a little bit more. He wasn't going to let anything stop him from where he needed to be.

He needed her.

He yearned for her touch in his.

Walking down the alley, a few women dressed in overly-revealing dresses and stockings up to the high heavens purred out to Arthur, trying to lure him in but he wasn't interested. He carried on past their pouty lips and feline arms until he knew that he had made it well and truly far away from them.

He only stopped walking when he stood in front of a building that was dimly lit from the outside due to the fact that there wasn't much in the way of oil lamps nearby, it was only illuminated by the moon. He stood, making sure everything was correct; in the right place and pushed his hat off whilst moving hair back with a quick hand before calling out, "Darlin' I'm out here waiting for you, only warmed by the love in my heart for you!"