More self-indulgent peaky blinders x reader bc I've always struggled with my femininity as a woman, especially when it came to trying on feminine clothes like dresses.
"No. I don't want to." You mutter, pouring the boiling water over coffee grounds.
"Why not? It's just like looking for a suit." Arthur spoke from the table.
"Except it's not." You hum. "The complete opposite, actually."
There was nothing more irritating to you than trying on dresses. Even getting fitted for them, you hated it. Every fucking minute of it.
"Still haven't grown out of that then huh,"
"I don't see why I can't just wear a suit to the damn thing, all of you are." You mumble, ignoring Tommy and taking a sip of your coffee. "I look better in those anyway."
"Is that what this is about?" John sighs, walking in the kitchen. "How many times do we have to tell you? You look beautiful. Always."
"Don't get fucking sappy," you roll your eyes. "I just don't like dresses. Or trying them on." You state, sitting down at the table.
"Nonsense. You love dresses when you feel good in them." Polly cuts in. She sets a plate in front of you.
"Thanks Pol," you nod. "But that's how clothes work, in general. Not dresses."
"But that's what this is. Still the irrational thought you don't look good."
"You know, your mother carried you for nine months, gave you that body and face just for you to hate it."
"Pol how many times are you going to use that?" You groan rubbing your face.
"As many times as it takes for it to stick. You don't look bad, at all. I'm not just saying that because I've raised you."
"I look good in suits, yes. Thank you. Why can't I wear one of those?"
"It's too formal of an event, poppet. A suit won't work."
"Pols right," Tommy looks up from his paper. "As much as I'd like to let you wear a suit, it's too formal. We'll have to get you in a dress."
"I know, I know, you don't want to. We'll look around some shops, whatever you like We'll get, no questions asked. Whatever color, style- if you feel it looks good on you, we'll get it. And if you really don't see anything you like, we'll get one made, alright?"
You murmured something under your breath.
And so it began, within the next hour you were in town with your brothers, dress shopping.
"Wouldn't fill it out right." You mutter with hands in your pocket.
"You didn't even look at it poppet,"
"I did, already, over there when Pol was talking about that red one."
Arthur sighed, "Why don't you at least try it on?"
"I suppose so, if it'll make you happy."
"I think Pols got some too," John looks over to you, taking his attention away from the dress he was running his fingers across. "What about this one?"
You turn your attention from Arthur, who was grabbing the one he was eyeing to the one John had pulled. The fabric seemed soft. It was a lovely shade of green, with silver beads that adorned it simply.
"It's nice," you mutter. "Soft," you mumble once you've got your own hands on it.
"Isn't it? I really like the color. I think it'd fit your skin tone."
"Since when did you become so knowledgeable on the things of a woman." You smile.
"Since Esme, she's adamant I learn. I guess she was right that it would help." He hummed, "after all i have to be able to help my baby sister and keep my title as the favorite brother."
"Oh, you think you have that title?" You side eye him and lift dress off the wall.
"Oi," he makes a face, "Who does then?"
You say nothing, just smiling as you take a step back to move to another part of the store.
"Oh come on you have to tell me, come on. Who is it then?"
"I can't tell you that, power shift and all."
"I've got some dresses dear," Aunt Polly gestures to the ones in her hand. "Let's try these on, okay?"
"I've got one for her too," Arthur holds his up.
"And I picked that one for her to try," John points.
"Oh this is a competition now?"
"Oh Hush. Hand them here." She snaps. "You boys wait out here, we'll come show them once she's in them."
"Yes Pol," the chorus plays.
You make a face but ultimately follow Pol to the back room.
The first one up is a black one with gold beading, all you have to do is look at it before you know you'd not like it.
"No," you immediately turn it down. "I'm sorry aunt Pol, but I really don't like that one."
"Alright," she took a deep breath and set it aside. "Let's try this one then."
The next one was white. It was long, looked like it'd be form fitting to an extent, in the bodice anyway. The skirt was flowy with tassels that made an almost scale pattern. It was pretty, you had to admit.
You stared at it for a few moments before starting on your suit, unbuttoned the shirt (your jacket had been left with Tommy, good lad,) and slipped it off. Followed by your pants and shoes.
You held your arms up and the dress fell down your body.
You hesitantly open the door and walk out to where your brothers are.
"Oh that one's a nice one," John smiles. "Like mine better though."
"'I picked that one out," Tommy grins.
"I mean its nice," you nod, looking at yourself in the big mirror. "But it looks more like a wedding dress Tommy, you trying to see me off already?"
"No," he mumbled, watching you step off the ledge. "Just thought it was pretty "
You wave him off and walk back into the dressing room. The next one is one Pol had picked, she said anyway.
It was a light pink, a color you had to admit you enjoyed, so it was a downer when you looked in the mirror and hated what you saw.
"Let's just try the next one," you mutter
"You don't want to show the boys?"
"No Pol- no I just really want to take it off," you mutter, still scanning your form.
She stares for a few moments but ultimately nods.
The next is the one Arthur had picked. Red with black beading. Tassels that fell down your arms. It was elegant. You left the room and walked towards the boys.
"That one's awful nice on you," Pol smiles.
"I have taste, see?" Arthur grins. "Do you like it?"
You stare at yourself in the mirror. "It's...I mean its a nice dress, really."
"Not for me. I don't fill it out right. I look like a man."
"If you don't like it, it's no trouble. Try on the next one." Tommy leans back in his chair.
"Sorry Arthur," you mumble.
He just waves it off with a small smile.
Then it's John's choice. The green one, forest silk with the simple sliver beading. It's a longer dress, and honestly you don't mind.
Aunt Pol helps you slip it on. "Oh..." She breathes. You look fantastic. It frames your waist and your hips before falling freely around your legs. It's sleevless, the silk coming up your back in a V to cover your shoulders.
"It's so nice," you whisper, fingers trailing down your sides.
"Like a princess," you hum.
"Go on then, show the boys." Pol all but shoves you through the doors.
"Alright alright," you lift the skirt and hike up the platform.
John was smug. "You like that one don't you?"
"I do," you whisper with a nod, till staring at the dress. "God I love it," you laugh softly.
"Give us a spin," Tommy smiles, moving his hand on a small circle.
And you do. You spin with a stupid grin on your face, looking at your brothers when you've finished. "Does it twirl? Tell me it twirls."
"It twirls," Arthur laughs. "You look beautiful."
"Yes, this is the one." You hummed. "Not to much for you is it?"
"Never," Tommy stands, "go on get dressed, we'll pay and go home."
"Yes Tommy," you step down.
The boys would always take care of you.
