VULNERABLE | thomas shelby

✞ T W E L V E ✞

CHAPTER TWELVE; LETS PLAY TOMMY

BETH HAD WOKE UP WITH A, frustrated grumble when she felt her bed being weighed down and two arms pulling her into a chest. "Fuck off Tommy." She spat in disgust, her hands attempting to pry his hands from her body but when she leaned back into the grasp and didn't smell smoke, rum and leather her body shot up in a panic. John Shelby nearly chocked on the tooth pick in his mouth as he tried to contain his loud laughter.

"Pol said you was here. I didn't mean to scare you Beth. Just wanted a cuddle, s'all." John grinned, pulling her back in with a laugh. Beth lay into his hold, the mellowed feeling that crept into her bones making her frown, the reminders of yesterday plaguing her mind. "What do you want John?" She murmured, rubbing her eyes tiredly. "Marry me?" Beth peeked through one of her hands noticing the playful smile on John's face and couldn't help but smile herself.

"Of course my darling John." Beth teased, lying into his hold. "If only our lives were that easy." John couldn't help but nod in agreement. They fell into a comfortable silence, Johns hand brushing through her hair as he watched her with a concerned look in his eyes. "Where did you go off to yesterday? I couldn't find you while we was all leaving." Beth couldn't help but cringe, her eyes wandering up to John. "Me and Arthur, we'll beat him. You just tell me what he did, eh?"

"John- yesterday, yesterday afternoon- Tommy auctioned me and Grace off to Mr. Kimber as prostitutes. He had me bent over the table when my knight in shining armour came to save me! Tommys always been generous though, hasn't he?" Beth sighed, sarcasm dripping from her voice. "I don't know what's gotten into him." John sighed, his hands combing through Beth's hair in hopes of being comforting. "Bloody hell, what a horrid prick!"

Beth could only nod, scooting closer into Johns hold as he watch her."Look I'm after calling a family meeting at the Garrison and I really need you to be there for me Beth. It's bloody important. Tommy's an arsehole at times but if there's one thing the cold bastard loves, it's you. I reckon you have it out with him. It's best than letting it in your head and sweeping it under the carpet because yous will have to bloody talk sometime."

"You're right John. I'll speak to him after the family meeting." She paused for a moment glancing up to smile into John's face, his facial features beginning to mimic her own as he smiled wide. "And don't be daft John. I'm always going to be here. Your my best friend for gods sake! It's me and you against the world."

John grinned nodding his head. "Us against the word sweetheart."

•

It was nearly midway when Beth found herself sat beside John in the front room in the Garrison, his sweaty hand clutched in hers squeezing it tightly as she stared into her glass of whiskey. Arthur sat at the other door and the trio sat in silence, Beth's eyes never moving from the cup when the door swung open and Polly and Tommy walked in. Polly sat at the table while Tommy hovered against the wall staring down at Beth.

"Alright John, there's only one man-." Tommy cut himself off waving his hands hand at Arthur as he offered him a drink. "No. There's only one man guarding the house. What's troubling you?" John let out a huff, his hand squeezing Beth's tighter. Her hand was red as she pulled it away, shooting him a look. "Fuck sake John. Not that tight." She murmured, shaking her hand to get the circulation back into it.

John cleared his throat taking the tooth pick from his mouth as he ignored her complaint. "Polly, you know what it's been like since Martha died." His voice was soft and the room fell at the mention of John Shelby's first love. Martha had died a tragic death, leaving behind her lover and kids and John never seemed to have recover from it. Beth sighed in remorse, her good hand laying on top of Johns and squeezing in a comforting motion. "God takes the best first." Polly spoke, her eyes soft. It was rare for John to speak about Martha so it must have been important.