the offer || thomas shelby
Summary: Tommy Shelby is worried for Y/N, who is tiring herself far too much at The Garrison. He offers for her to work with him instead. Is that all he wants? Will she accept his offer?
Requested: Yes.
Word Count: 1k.
Reader: F.
Warnings: None.
Working as co-bartender after the races is not an easy shift, to say the least, but today, it has you worse for wear. Perhaps it was the lack of sleep you had gotten the night before or that you have accepted more shifts than you can handle recently. In fact, your job has taken more of a toll on you than you would like to admit.
As one would expect, the Garrison was overflowing with drunken men, either pleased or disappointed with their earnings from the day’s races - with you receiving every outburst from their intoxicated state.
Even though the end of your shift was edging near, the men showed no sign of calming down. As more voices were begging for your attention, you took a moment to focus yourself and take a deep breath. You pushed a stray piece of hair behind your ear and closed for eyes for a moment. While doing so, a loud bang from the opening and closing of the front door almost instantly made the entire room quiet down for several moments. It hadn’t been this silent since you started the shift in the early hours of the morning. Without the need to open your eyes, you knew exactly who had arrived as only one family could do this in Small Heath - The Shelby’s. Thomas, Arthur, and John along with a few other Blinders are dressed in their tailored suits, followed by their dark trench coats and their razor-edged peaked flat caps - the classic Blinder uniform.
There was one particular Shelby that caught your fancy since meeting him a few months ago. Maybe it was his cold, yet enticing sunken blue eyes that complimented his perfected, neat-cut ebony hair that reeled you in. Or that he was one of the few men that treated you with respect at the Garrison. Though, you knew he was special to you for other more important reasons.
His stern, husky voice interrupted your moment of peace and startled you, “are you ever going to accept my offer?” Thomas’ eyes laced with concern as he examined how your recent abundance of shifts has affected your appearance. He took off his cap and placed it on the counter, fixing his ruffled hair.
The offer of which he is speaking of is one you have over thought every night for the past 3 weeks since he asked.
As soon as Thomas Shelby laid eyes on you, he wanted to protect you from any harm your job or anyone may bring. He had waited until you two knew each other better before offering you a job at Shelby Company Limited. The specific job had not been discussed since you declined Tommy’s offer before the both of you got a chance to discuss it.
The reason as to why you refused his offer was quite simple. Though you wouldn’t admit it to yourself, you are scared. The Shelby’s, especially Thomas and the gang he leads, is dangerous and not the kind of people to be messed with. You knew them to be kind, caring and thoughtful, but you cannot forget how they treat their enemies. However…being associated with the Peaky Blinders wasn’t the reason why you are scared…
In only a few months, you have gained feelings for the infamous gangster and that has you second-guessing every exchange between the two of you. You have always believed that Tommy and you could never work. There isn’t any time for love in Thomas Shelby’s hectic life, is there? The thought had always crossed your mind each time he laughed a little too much at your cheesy jokes or gazed for a little too long.
“Hello, Thomas. How are you?” You sighed, sarcasm dripping from your lips as you proceeded to serve the customer next to him, ignoring his question as you knew by the sound of his voice, you were in for a lecture.
Frustration shot through him as he waited for you to serve his blonde haired friend, his tone getting more annoyed by the second, “You work too much, Y/N. It’s not healthy.”
“Smoking isn’t healthy either, Tommy. I’ll quit when you quit,” you knew it was a low blow, but you had hoped he would back off after it, as the both of you knew he would never give up smoking.
His voice soft and low, almost offended, “that’s not fair.”
“I need this job, Tommy. I need the money.”
“My offer is still on the table, Y/N…” He stated, looking into your eyes for a trace of submission, braiding his hands together as he rested them on the rich, deep maroon counter.
“…You do not deserve to be wearing yourself out, let alone surrounded by idiotic men trying to get into your pants, 24/7.” He continued as he inched himself closer to the bar, surprising himself with his plea and subtle jealousy, though he did not regret it. Tommy is not the one to beg for anything, neither are any of the Peaky Blinders, but he respected you enough to not demand you to accept his offer, knowing full well he could.
There was something about how he was talking, presenting himself to you in a way you have never seen before. It is obvious that he cares so seeing him allow himself to somewhat vulnerable towards you, made you consider his offer.
“What would I even do for work over there?” You asked, realising you had never speculated what you would do at Shelby Company Limited. The books? Assistant? The possibilities were endless.
“Well, for one, you could work alongside me if that would interest you…” His eyes widened with joy, a smile forming on his soft, pink lips.
“Tommy, I don’t think I’m as qualified as you believe me to be.”
“You are more than qualified, sweetheart. I will clear my lunch for tomorrow so we can discuss this further. Does 12 o’clock at my office suit you?”
“Sure,” You inched closer to him, your torso touching the counter as you gently touched his hand, “thank you, Tommy.”
“No need,” Tommy answered, brushing his thumb across your palm sweetly in response, before picking up his cap from the counter and heading back to his brothers to celebrate the day’s winnings.
