Peaky Blinders One Shot

When you'd returned to Birmingham, you knew things were going to have changed but you never thought your Tommy would have changed.

Yes, war changes a man, it could change a man beyond repair, but you had hope for Tommy that he'd return with the same smile he left you with.

It had been over a year since Tommy and the others had returned from France and on your first stop back in Small Heath was to go straight to the Garrison.

Small Heath hadn't changed that was for sure, the streets were the same and the walk to the Garrison felt as familiar as ever.

When you pushed the doors open you smiled as the familiar bustle of the patrons greeted you and it felt as if you'd never left.

The only thing that was different was a new barmaid behind the bar instead of Harry, but you paid her no mind as you headed for the snug, planning on waiting there for Tommy if he wasn't there already.

"You can't go in there!" the blonde barmaid called out to you as your hand landed on the doorknob of the snug.

You turned to her, a smile on your face. "I think you'll find that I can," you answered her in a sickly-sweet tone.

At the sound of your voice the door in front of you whipped open to reveal Tommy standing right in front of you.

Your heart melted at the sight of him again, the small smirk on his face that he always had when he looked at you hadn't changed.

"I knew I couldn't imagine that voice," he spoke, reaching out to tuck a curl behind your ear.

"And I could never imagine those eyes," you stared right into his eyes as you spoke, those eyes that had captivated you all those years ago and still did to this day.

It was then that his smile graced his face, the smile you were hoping hadn't been changed by war. "God I've missed you."

Tommy's hand rested on your cheek as he leant down to kiss you, your hands went to his waist as you melted into the kiss.

He pulled away with a smirk on his face and his hand still on your cheek. "Could never imagine that either," he commented.

You laughed, pulling back properly and you caught the blonde barmaid's eye. "I did tell you I could go in there," you told her with a shrug.

Tommy chuckled at you, reaching down to snag your hand as he pulled his cap back on. He eyed Grace and watched as she glared over at you.

He tugged on your hand to lead you over to the bar, clearly intent on making introductions. "I didn't really come for a drink Tommy," you joked with him as he pulled you into his side. "I only came to find you."

Chuckling, he picked up the glass of whiskey that had been placed in front of him. "Grace, this is Y/N," he spoke to the blonde and then turned to you. "Love, this is Grace, Harry needed some extra help around here."

You smiled at her as you enjoyed the fact that she seemed royally pissed off by you on Tommy's arm.

"And how come I've never seen you around here?" she questioned, her accent ringing clear.

"I was away for a while, couldn't come home until recently," you answered her, being intentionally evasive as there was a feeling about her that you didn't like.

She nodded as she wiped down the counter. "And you know Tommy how?" she quizzed again it being clear that her curiosity was getting the better of her.

Tommy chuckled again as he took another sip of his whiskey, his hand present on your waist as he decided to dig into his pocket with his other.

When he pulled it out, he held up a ring you hadn't seen in a long time. "This belongs on her finger Grace so I'm sure you can guess just how she knows me."

And with that Tommy finished his drink and quickly whisked you out of the Garrison, to his car that was parked down the way.

"You kept it?" you asked as he helped you into his car, the surprise was in your tone, as you were surprised at the fact Tommy still carried it around.

He smiled at you as he started up the car. "Stayed around my neck in France Love, just like you asked of me."

~*~

Written by Hannah.