#Tommy Shelbyx OC

[badwolf-in-the-impala]

~Where the Wild Rose Grow~

~Chapter 7~

((Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6))

Image Credit: Myself, none of the pictures are mine obviously. Just the editing

Inspiration: Colors - Halsey

Pairings: Tommy Shelby x Original Female Character

Rating: Mature/18+

Warnings: PTSD, Drug use, Alcohol use, mentioned physical/sexual abuse, violence, angst, sexual content. 

Chapter Warnings: Drinking, fluff, little bit of angst.

Word Count: 4,723

A/N: Sorry I suck and haven’t updated this story in like...forever. I seriously fail at trying to get my shit together so I can finishes these fics...please don’t hate me lol.

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When Althea awoke the following morning Tommy had already gone. Leaving behind in his place a very cryptic note scrawled in that immaculate handwriting of his. He apologized for his absence but he had business elsewhere that morning that needed attending to; but that she was welcome to stay as long as she liked. Even offering her the day off if she wasn’t feeling up to it.

Althea heaved a small sigh as she placed piece of paper on the nightstand and pushed the covers back; sitting up as she swung her legs over the edge of the bed. With a small stretch, she turned her head to glance out the window, noting that the sun was actually shining for once; a rare occasion. Her eyes widened slowly as realization suddenly struck her at how late she had actually slept as she noticed just how high the sun had risen.

Climbing off the bed she padded her way across the cold, hardwood floor, as she approached the large clock that sat atop the mantel above the fire. Checking and then double checking to make sure it was working properly when she saw that the time was well past eight in the morning.

Most days, since returning home from the War, she didn’t sleep any later than four in the morning, so this was an unusual occurrence indeed. But she didn’t have the time to dwell for long on the issue before a loud knock at the door grabbed her attention, instantly putting her on edge.

“It’s jus’ me!” A woman’s voice chirped cheerily, followed by a short pause, then by a few choice profanities as she chastised herself before adding, “I mean, it’s Ada!” Althea chuckled softly, the slip up helping to ease some of the tension as she crossed the room and opened the door slowly.

“Good morning!” Ada beamed brightly as she waltzed into the room, passed Althea, to the table where she set the tray she had been carrying and few other items in her arms down before turning around with a smile.

“Um, morning?” Althea turned with a quizzical expression as she allowed the door to fall shut behind her, eyeing the items Ada had brought with her, curiously.

“I didn’ wake you, did I?” Ada apologized quickly as she turned back to the tray and began pouring them each a cup of tea, offering Althea one of the cups once she had finished. “Thomas asked if I’d bring some things by.”

“No, it’s quite alright.” Althea replied, taking a quick sip from her cup before finishing, “I was already up.”

“Oh good.” Ada breathed a sigh of relief before taking her own sip of tea and returned the cup to the table. She then gestured for Althea to have a seat as she began pulling out a collection of fresh medical supplies to change the bandage on Althea’s arm. “Heard you had quite the afternoon yesterday?”

“Suppose I did.” Althea gave a soft laugh, watching as Ada rolled back the sleeve and began slowly undoing the bandage from Althea’s left forearm.

“Christ!” Ada breathed, eyes widening as she stared at the neatly sutured wound. “How are’ye not in pain?!” Althea simply shrugged in reply, taking a sip from her tea, as Ada gently began to clean around the wound again before applying more salve and redressing it with a fresh bandage.

“I’ve suffered worse.” Althea replied with a sad smile once Ada was through. Her hand instinctively drifting to her right shoulder for a brief moment; fingers probing tentatively at the scars that lie covered beneath Tommy’s shirt that she wore. “Anythin’ else pales in comparison, really.”

“I can’t even begin to imagine.” Ada stated softly as she tidied up the dirty bandages, disposing of them before returning to her seat to finish her tea. A comfortable silence fell over them as they listened to the bustling streets below, just outside the window.

“Oh! ‘Fore I forget,” Ada spoke suddenly, startling Althea as she jumped a little, startled by the suddenness of Ada’s voice, turning to watch as Tommy’s sister grab up a bag from the floor and pass it over; Althea taking it carefully. “Tommy had me grab ya some clean clothes from ye’re flat on my way over...I hope tha’s alright?”

“Of course.” Althea gave her a smile to reassure that she appreciated the kindness of the gesture. “Thank you, Ada.”

“Think nothin’ of it.” Ada replied sweetly. “An’ I was thinkin’, tha’ maybe if you weren’t busy, an’ needed a lil company today? Maybe we could do a bit of shoppin’, or visit the new Tea House tha’ jus’ opened? Doesn’ have to be anythin’ fancy … I mean, it would be a nice change from hangin’ aroun’ with Aunt Pol.” She chuckled nervously. “But obviously, it’s one hundred percent up to you.

Althea thought about it for a moment, considering the offer carefully as she finished her own cup of tea. On one hand, she probably should get some work done today; spend some time at the stables at the very least...But Tommy had offered her the day off, and it had been a great deal of years since she had actually spent time with another woman. At least doing anything that didn’t involve the tending of wounded soldiers, that it is.

“On second thought, forget I said anythin’.” Ada started to dismiss the offer nervously when Althea stopped her, reaching across the table to rest a hand on her arm reassuringly as she gave the younger woman a smile.

“Tha’ sounds like a lovely idea.”

~

It was late, somewhere around 7 o’clock  in the evening, before they were finally headed back for the Garrison. Tommy’s business having taken much longer than he originally intended when the day first started. But then again, making deals with Gypsies was never easy ‘business’, and now the entire day was all but wasted, along with any plans he had hoped to make that included Thea. Sighing heavily to himself as he drove, he could only hope at this point that she may have taken Ada up on her offer of spending the day together, out doing whatever it is women consider ‘fun’ these days.

He also couldn’t help it as his mind started to drift back to the previous night. Sharing his bed with the same woman in question; not intimately of course. But it had proven to be a welcome change of pace for him. One that he couldn’t help but long to repeat again, hopefully sometime in the near future.

While he still hadn’t managed to quite achieve a full night's sleep, it was for much different reasons. Better reasons, so to speak, and when he did finally manage to drift off, he did so peacefully into dreamlessness. No smoke, no whiskey, no sex...Just the genuine comfort of lying beside someone who understood his soul. Even if she wasn’t yet aware of it. Just being in her presence seemed to somehow seemed enough to put him at ease. But no matter how hard he tried to wrap his mind around it, he just couldn’t figure it out.

“Oi!” The sound of Arthur’s voice snapped Tommy from his thoughts. Glancing at his brother from the corner of his eye as he drove, acknowledging him with a soft ‘Hm?’, before turning his attention back to the road. “The fucks y’er head at, Tommy boy?”

“Nowhere.” Tommy replied bluntly.

“Lemme guess,” Arthur mused as he shifted in his seat, staring at Tommy intently, as he studied his brothers seemingly blank expression closely. “Thea?”

“Shut up, Arthur.” Tommy gave him a warning glare.

“So I am right?!”

“Drop it.” Tommy repeated.

“Aw, c’mon Tom. Ye gotta give me somethin’ta go on ‘ere. Did ya sleep wit-”

“I said’ta fuckin’ drop it.” Tommy snapped, cutting Arthur off in a harsh tone. “Now shut the fuck up ‘fore I kick ya outta the Goddamn car.”

“Christ, Tom, I’m fookin’ jokin’. Don’t go gettin’ y’er knickers in a knot.” Arthur huffed out, but as requested he dropped the subject. Leaving the last remaining half hour of their drive completely silent. Arthur all but a little too relieved as they pulled up outside of the Garrison finally.

“Let’s jus’ hope John boy ain’t wrecked the place, eh?” Arthur grumbled as they climbed out of Tommy’s automobile and began to approach the doors of the Pub; both pausing to exchange a confused look at the strange commotion that was coming from within. Something that sounded an awful lot like a chorus of singing.

“Wha’ in the bloody ‘ell--”

Tommy followed close behind as Arthur burst through the doors, shoving their way into the Pub a ways before stopping, stunned to find the place packed; more so than usual at least. Not a single empty seat to be found in the entire building as patrons gathered around, drinking, chatting, and singing. Something that seemed quite unusual indeed, and there at the center of the room, atop one of the tables, stood Althea; whiskey glass and cigarette in hand, the room suddenly falling silent as she began another song.

Her voice rising as the melody of ‘The Parting Glass’ began to fill the silence, the beauty of her voice quickly captivating the audience that stood before her, Tommy included. Completely enthralled as he leaned a shoulder against the wall beside him, his own words suddenly escaping him as he listened; though they flowed from Thea’s with such ease. Even despite how she swayed slightly, likely from a little to much drink.

They hadn’t had singing, of any kind, at the Garrison since the war, and normally Tommy would’ve put a stop to it right then and there. But as he stood, listening to the intoxicatingly beautiful sound of Thea’s voice, a sense of calmness washed over him. Leaving a strange warmth to settle in his chest, a foreign feeling not often felt by Thomas Shelby these days. Until he had met the woman standing before the entire room, that is.

The crowd was more than a little disappointed when Althea had finished her song -- Tommy included -- and announced that she was through for the evening before trying to climb down off the table. A look of surprise overtaking her soft features suddenly, as Tommy and Arthur suddenly appeared to offer her a hand down, her cheeks suddenly flushed red with embarrassment.

“Havin’ fun?” Tommy arched a brow as he started down at her, trying his best to hide the smirk that tugged at the corners of his lips. Althea cleared her throat awkwardly as she tucked her hair behind ear, before smoothing her hands down the front of her blouse, chasing away imaginary wrinkles as she gathered her composure.

“As a matter of fact-- I was.” Althea answered as she took her drink back from Arthur. Tommy chuckled and shifted as he said, “Usually we don’t allow singing in the bar anymore. ‘Least not since before the war.”

Althea turned down the corners of her mouth, puzzled and downed what remained of her whiskey. “Oh, really? Tha’s a shame. The men seemed to enjoy it.” She said, handing her empty glass back to Tommy, a sly grin creeping onto her lips as she turned and pushed her way back up to the bar where Ada stood, ordering another round of drinks.

“Aw, Christ, John boy!” Arthur shouted as they approached the bar. “Ye had one job!” All John could do at that point was throw his hands in the air with an exasperated look, as he tried to keep up with the flow of patrons demanding drinks.

“Eh, it’s n’ah his fault!” Ada hiccuped drunkenly as she rounded on Arthur. Althea reaching out to catch her by the arm as Ada lost her balance and nearly toppled over

“It’s really not.” Althea gave an amused laugh as she righted Ada, turning to grab their drinks with her left hand before guiding them back inside the safety of the private nook. “I, am unfortunately, the bad influence to blame ‘ere. We shoulda’ left hours ago.” Althea admitted sheepishly as she took a seat, carefully. The effects of all the alcohol they had consumed since being there, finally starting to catch up with her.

“Aunt Pol is gonna ‘ave y’er arse.” Arthur shook his head, but gave a laugh -- directed at Ada -- as he and Tommy took their own seats at the table. “How long ye been ‘ere?”

“Too fuckin’ long.” Althea and Ada answered in unison before dissolving into a fit of giggles. Tommy and Arthur shook their heads, but shared a chuckle of their own all the same as they joined in on the drinking; even if it didn’t last much longer. It eventually being decided upon that they should take Ada home, before she nodded off with her head on the table, and Aunt Pol skinned them all alive. Arthur agreeing to stay behind and help John finish up so that they could close and finish out what business needed to be handled at the Garrison -- after helping to get Ada into Tommy’s car. The group ignoring her drunken ramblings about being perfectly fine and not wanting to go home just yet.

And even though he would never admit it, Tommy would be lying if he said he wasn’t disappointed about having to call it a night so soon, as he had rather enjoyed getting to see this side of Althea. Seeing her out of her shell and so relaxed, was a welcome change from the more reserved facade she normally put on. Something Tommy knew all too well about. But the ride wasn’t a complete waste. While Ada sat in the back seat, nodding off in her drunken state, Althea sat close to Tommy, her head on his shoulder with her eyes closed. Every now and then, Tommy glanced down at her and smirked to himself. Before he could shift and put an arm around her, Ada suddenly came to life, making both Althea and Tommy jump, before Ada launched into more drunken ramblings with Althea. In between words, Thea and Tommy exchanged glances and secret smiles gone undetected by Ada. Althea still sat close to Tommy and after a while, Tommy shifted to slide his hand over her thigh, raising her skirt slightly. Her cheeks tinted pink, even more than they were already from being drunk, and she slowly slid her hand over his, slightly lacing their fingers together. Tommy smirked and glanced down at her.

As they pulled up to the house, Polly was waiting for them, arms crossed, cigarette lit, and pissed. Tommy and Althea, both, tried to explain, but Polly waved them both off and escorted Ada up to a room and got her settled, leaving Tommy and Althea alone downstairs.

“Could’ve gone worse…” Tommy chuckled softly as he turned his attention away from the stairs, crossing the living room to the whiskey decanter where he poured a glass and offered it to Thea, who graciously accepted. Taking a few sips before setting it aside as she watched him pour a glass second for himself.

“Aye…” Althea chuckled as she took a sip from her glass. “I pity poor Ada in the mornin’, though. If Pol doen’ smother her in her sleep first.”

“Ah, she’ll be fine.” Tommy shrugged with a smirk, his icy gaze drifting down to meet Althea’s, the room falling silent again as he leaned up against the table behind him. His gaze watching intently as Althea glanced away briefly, chewing her lip lightly as though she were suddenly lost in thought. A good minute or two had passed when Tommy finally set his glass down and moved to see if she was alright. His fingertips just barely grazing her shoulder as Thea turned, suddenly, and without warning; her lips crashing into his.

It was something that caught Tommy a little off guard at first, causing him to stumble backwards a few steps before regaining his balance, as he slipped an arm around her waist, keeping them steady, allowing his other hand to slide up and caress her cheek. His thumb stroking lazily against her cheek as he returned the kiss; lips moving gently in tandem with her own.

The kiss started out slow and soft, but quickly became more urgent and passion filled as Thea parted her lips, allowing Tommy the access he desired as he slipped his tongue into her mouth, moving it freely against her own as her hands reached up to grip the lapels of the trench coat he still wore; pulling him closer. Tommy’s own hands drifting down to grip her waist as she pressed herself against him, a soft moan escaping her throat. It quickly replaced by a low whimper of disapproval as Tommy broke the kiss, leading her upstairs quickly.

Once the door to his room was shut and locked behind them, Tommy’s lips were quick to reattach themselves to Thea’s, as her hands began to make quick work of removing him of his trench coat, blazer, and shirt. His own hands moving to hike up her shirt as he picked her up, hooking her legs around his waist as he backed her into the dresser that sat against the opposite wall, setting her atop it as he settled between her thighs. Tommy’s fingers drifting to the buttons of her blouse as he trailed his lips along her jaw and down her throat, settling over the sweet spot between her neck and collarbone as he sucked lightly on the sensitive skin, reaching a hand up to palm one of her breasts, through her brasserie as he finished undoing her blouse and pushed it open, earning a moan of approval from Althea as she tipped her head back. Tommy’s teeth grazed across her pulse point as her nails scraped over the finely shorn hairs at the base of his skull; tugging him closer. The action prompting Tommy to return his lips to Althea’s, deepening the kiss once more as he pushed the blouse from her shoulders, allowing the fabric to slip down her arms slowly before casting it aside. The tips of his fingers ghosting over her skin, as they trailed down her waist, hands settling on her hips as tugged her closer.

Thea’s own hands settled on either side of Tommy’s face gently, as she lost herself completely in the kiss they shared. A soft moan escaping her as a rush of pleasure pulsed through her veins,  the same way a wildfire burns through a forest. The walls and defenses she worked so hard to keep up around herself on a daily basis, seeming to all but fade away. Tommy’s touch seeming to ground every bad thing that stirred inside of her; quieting the war inside of her mind, the same way it did his. She had spent so much of her time and effort trying to distance herself from her emotions...Starved from happiness, starved from feeling.

But there was something that woke, deep down inside of her, stirring slowly back to life with every small touch of Tommy’s hands against her bare skin. Reminiscent of how a Rose wakes from its slumber in Springtime; finally blooming after enduring a harsh and seemingly endless Winter. Flourishing once more under the warm caress of the Sun…

And it was Tommy’s touch that finally brought Althea out of her thoughts and back to the present situation, as his hand slipped gently across her right shoulder. Reminding her of the scars that lie scattered across her body, now fully exposed by the absence of her blouse. Althea blushed out of embarrassment as she broke the kiss, abruptly, turning away in an attempt to hide herself as she hunched inward and crossed her arms protectively over her chest. Allowing her dark curls to fall across her shoulder and shield the scars that lie there. A sudden wave of anxiety and shame creeping in on her out of nowhere.

Her heart began to race frantically inside her chest as she wracked her brain for a way out of the situation at hand, about to speak some half-assed excuse and flee, when she was stopped buy the feeling of Tommy’s fingers grasping her chin softly; forcing her to look up and meet his eyes. Finding that icy blue gaze of his filled with solace and understanding, instead of pity or disgust, like she had expected. The simplicity of the gesture causing tears to well in her own eyes, which she was quick to try and hide; cursing her emotions, and the alcohol that had brought them to the surface.

“Eh, none of that now.” Tommy assured softly, despite the usual roughness of his voice, as he reached up to brush away her tears. Althea leaning into his touch, careful to avoid his gaze, as he stroked a calloused thumb against her cheek, she closed her eyes and gave a soft sigh.

“‘M sorry.” She muttered softly, now that she was coming down off the high of Tommy’s touch, her drunken state tried to slip back in, her walls and defenses slowly putting themselves back in their rightful places. She opened her eyes when she heard Tommy chuckle, softly, the light, yet deep rumble rushing through her. She finally looked at him again and gave him a soft smile as Tommy brushed away the stray tears, pushing his hand along her skin to push back the curls that had sprung forward.

“Don’ apologize, love. You can talk to me.” He said, softly. Althea shook her head and pulled the mask over her features as she said, “It’s nothin’. Jus’ been a while, is all.” She lied.

“We don’t ‘ave to rush it, pet.” He said, letting his hand fall, slipping over her shoulder to hold her waist. A comfortable silence hung in the small space between them as Tommy leaned forward to rest his forehead against hers. Althea closed her eyes again and gave a breathy laugh before looking up at him, giving him a silent response. Tommy smiled and leaned back, taking a step away to help her off the dresser. Althea quickly grabbed her blouse and tugged it on, buttoning it up. Tommy kicked off his shoes before he lit a cigarette, watching as Althea took a seat on the edge of his bed, removing her own shoes before curling up against the pillows. Tommy joining her once he had finished his smoke, shifting to get comfortable as she rested her head against his chest. Not another word was spoken between them as they lay there. Althea comforted by the warmth of Tommy’s embrace, and his touch, as his fingers stroked lazy patterns against her arm. Lulling her into relaxation, and eventually, sleep.

~

Tommy woke up alone the following morning...Seeming like Thea had taken her chance and snuck off, not wanting to face the reality of what had happened between the two of them last night. He had hoped that wouldn’t be the case, but he knew better, and the guilt of feeling like he had taken advantage of her in such a vulnerable state, weighed heavy on his mind as he set about getting ready for the day. Making his way down to the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee and some toast before heading off to the betting shop; stopping as he rounded the corner to find Althea sitting at the table with Aunt Pol, and a very hungover Ada.

“Mornin’.” Polly said, turning away from her conversation with the girls to acknowledge Tommy’s presence. Brow raised and a soft smirk fixed to her lips as she took a sip of her coffee, watching as he passed by her, stone faced, to the stove behind her. Grabbing his coffee and toast, consuming it in silence as the Pol and the girls resumed their conversation, something about new Tea Room that had just recently opened.

“Headed to the Betting Shop?” Polly asked as Tommy made to leave the kitchen, pausing briefly to give a nod as replied, “Aye.” The answer was followed by a moment of silence as Polly took another sip of her coffee, Tommy turning to leave when Althea’s voice stopped him.

“Would ye mind droppin’ me at the Garrison?” She asked softly as she looked up, not quite meeting his gaze as he watched her, trying to gauge her expression; but it was guarded, as usual.

“Of course.” Tommy gave a nod, waiting a moment longer -- ignoring the looks from Aunt Pol and Ada -- while Althea gathered her things. Giving him a soft smile once she had finished and was ready to go, turning to thank Polly for her hospitality once again. Polly simply waved it off with a smile.

“No need. You’re welcome anytime.” Polly’s gaze drifted over to Tommy briefly, his patience thinning as he continued to ignore her, which only amused her further. “Off with ya both, then. Best not be late. Arthur was in a hellava mood this mornin’.” Tommy didn’t have to be told twice as he turned and ushered Althea out the door, and into the car, before Polly’s gaze could burn a hole straight through his skull...The awkward silence on the ride to the Garrison not doing much in the way of helping his mood any; stuck in his head, obsessing over his thoughts, and it wasn’t hard to miss. Althea watching him closely the entire ride, Tommy never once taking notice, as she remained quit until they were inside the Garrison.

“Thomas?” Tommy glanced up from the ledger he had been skimming through, looking over to find Althea standing beside him, just a few feet away; hands clasped in front of her, patiently awaiting his full attention before continuing. “About las’ night...I wanted to apologize-”

Tommy raised a hand, stopping her before she could finish. “You’ve no need to apologize...You we’re drunk, an’ I shouldn’t of takin’ advantage like I did...It won’ happen again. You ‘ave my word-”

“That’s not wha’ I meant.” Althea chimed in, cutting him off with an awkward giggle as she glanced away, trying to hide the blush that tinted her cheeks,which earned her a rather confused look from Tommy before she cleared her throat softly and continued; green eyes fixing to his as she turned. “I meant abou’ the scars...How I shut down. That’s wha’ I’m apologizin’ for. Me bein’ drunk had nothin’ to do with it...I mean, did it make braver, in a sense? Probably. But it doesn’ make me regret a second of anythin’ else tha’ happened between us last night.” She finished softly, her gaze falling to the floor as she looked away from him again. His own gaze having become so intense -- his expression unreadable-- that it started to make her saying anything at all.

But that changed as Tommy stepped forward and grasped her chin lightly, raising it to bring her gaze back to his own, and while his features were still hard to read, that icy gaze of his had softened considerably. “Ye don’ have to apologize.” He assured her softly, running his thumb just beneath her lower lip; tracing it almost. Althea instinctively leaning into his touch, her eyes fluttering closed for moment as she let out a soft sigh, composing her thoughts.

“I feel like a do, though.” She admitted softly. “For wha’?” Tommy questioned curiously as he stared down at her.

“For bein’ so broken...You don’ deserved tha’...No one does.” Althea admitted, attempting to pull away. Surprised when Tommy pulled her forward, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips before resting his forehead against her own; his hands resting gently on either side of her face as she stared up at him, her own features slightly twisted with confusion by his reaction.

“Ye’r not the only one who’s broken.” Tommy stated, pulling away from their embrace and closing the ledger on the bar, just as the front door of the Garrison flew open and Arthur came storming in; madder than a wet hen and shouting nonsense. Althea watching, brows furrowed and fingers pressed against her lips gently. The sensation of Tommy’s kiss still lingering, as she watched them leave without another word.

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