Christmas Presents- Thomas Shelby
Summary: Your family failed to get you anything for Christmas. But your boss, Tommy, certainly didn't.
A/N: Just a short, quick sort of drabble that I wanted to post for Christmas. Platonic, but hints at a little more. I don't plan on writing a sequel but I can!
The rain came down in steady droplets as you walked to Shelby Company Limited the morning after Christmas Day. The holiday spirit had left you, and you dreaded hearing anything associated with the word.
"So what did you get for Christmas this year, Y/N?" Tommy asked lazily, ironically, clasping his hands on his desk as he took a break from the monotony of scanning documents.
The hour you had been at work by this point was quiet. You despise silence, find it uncomfortable and bothersome, but after Tommy's question there was nothing you preferred more.
You stared at the wall in calculation of the best response before admitting the truth with an upset sigh. "Nothing," you had said, not daring to meet his eyes.
You felt ridiculous and greedy being so afflicted by your lack of gifts, but you couldn't help it. With each passing year Christmas became less spectacular, which you understood, you were no longer a kid.
What hurt the most was that you tried your hardest, using two of your paychecks to pay singlehandedly for everything your family members wanted. They just didn't seem to put the same time or effort into you.
"Nothing?" He repeated with raised eyebrows, nodding coolly. "I'm sure that made for a nice Christmas."
"The best," you replied softly. "How about yours?"
Tommy lit a cigarette, cupping the flame of the match with his hand. "It wasn't extraordinary. I don't much care for exchanging presents."
Your eyes immediately widened at the unexpected inquiry and you shot to your feet, brushing your skirts off with haste. "No--- No, Tommy, I could never---"
Tommy chuckled at his desk, exhaling smoke into the air as he did. "It's too late," he said with a crooked smile. Slowly, he stood. "I've already bought it."
"You didn't have to," you said with a stomach twisted in knots. Despite knowing the man bestowed luxuries like candy, your deeply engraved morals were entirely uncomfortable accepting such a present. "Tommy, really... Are you serious?"
"You're eighteen soon," he reasoned. "And don't think I haven't seen how hard you work."
Tommy watched with a smile when you gave in, defeated. You pursed your lips and feigned angry, stubborn with a comical roll of your eyes.
"You can expect more on your birthday, love."
He dug into his pocket and revealed a tiny box. He put out his cigarette, handing the gift to you. Just the box itself looked expensive, you were afraid to touch it.
His icy eyes drilled into yours as you carefully lifted the lid, jittery with joy. "I've never really had jewelry," you explained in a tangent before inhaling sharply at the sight.
It was a thin, intricate silver ring with a centered round diamond. Two tinier ones sat on each side framing it. It was breathtaking, you couldn't deny that.
It was a ring that you would gladly accept for marriage, not just as a gift. The fact that he was so nonchalant about it had your head spinning.
"Thank you!" you cried. In spite of being rather out of touch with your emotions, your arms wrapped around Tommy without a second thought. "Thank you so, so much, Tommy!"
The Blinder found your reaction quite interesting, arms moving to loosely hold you. The ring wasn't terribly large at all. Had he known you'd react that way, he would've done it a lot sooner.
The hug had inspired a sense of longing in his chest whose existence he was never aware of. He found himself patting your back gently, sadly as you pulled away with a rare beaming smile.
"I've got a meeting," Tommy said abruptly, glancing one last time at the ring adorning your finger and the happiness on your lips.
You watched as he threw on his overcoat and checked the time on his pocket watch. His footsteps sounded as he reached the exit, leaving you.
