Work Text:
July, 1914
"Shut up..." you grumbled as his laugh reached your ears. Despite your constant defiance towards him, John still could not resist winding you up every chance he got. You've manged to convince yourself it's just his way of showing love.
"Not my fault you make it so easy." he managed out between breaths, struggling to keep his laugh down.
You were sitting down by the cut to get a moments peace from the constant buzz of the Shelby's parlour. War was announced a few days ago, and everybody's on the edge of their seat waiting for Britain to announce their involvement. Men down at the Garrison (Shelby boys included) all proclaim their wish to fight and make their country proud, albeit spurred on by a pint.
"oh c'mon," he huffed out "We're here to have fun."
How can you have fun when the thought of John, or any of his brothers, going away for god knows how long, fighting god knows who has been plaguing your mind all week? Yet none of them can see the bad side of it, its almost as if they think they're invincible.
But John's been full of himself since the day you met him, so it checks out.
May, 1912
"You don't need to keep thanking me. It gets tiring hearing it you know." Ada said exasperatedly from across the room as she begins making tea for you both.
For as long as you can remember, Polly had been inviting you in for tea at the end each night you and Ada went out, her excuse bring that she wishes to get to know the newest member of the family. Now that you've accepted this offer, both women insisted you make it a tradition.
"I may look boorish to you, but I've got manners when it counts!" you replied jokingly over the sound of the kettle whistling on the stove.
Whilst Ada fixes you both a tea, you take the chance to observe the parlour surrounding you. It may not be highly extravagant, but it is heavily decorated by an array of opulent trinkets and knick-knacks. It felt well loved, like a proper home.
Wait a minute
Your eyes stopped scanning the room as one particular photograph grabbed your attention.
It was a young man in a three piece suit, pocket watch hanging from his waistcoat as his hands sat comfortably behind his back and a slight smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. He was clean shaven with his hair swept to the side.
He. Was. Gorgeous
You were completely mesmerised.
The thought that this was probably a relative of Ada's quickly snapped you out of your daze, just in time to hear her speak.
"Won't your aunt be expecting you home? The sun's gonna set soon." at the mention of your aunt, you grimaced.
You had nothing particularly against the woman, but it's clear why she had chosen not to have children of her own. She likes to say she's happily unmarried, yet she has a hard time coping if she's not sober. Most of her days (when she's not working down at the Marquis) are spent drinking and chain smoking, which are pretty expected activities for a barmaid, but she takes it to a level you consider harmful.
After your father left you mother whilst she was pregnant out of wedlock, claiming he 'didn't want to raise the child of a whore', she saw out her pregnancy and took her own life soon after. Your aunt often said the fear of what others would say about them was their downfall. This left your aunt as the only capable carer for you, so dealing with her drunkenness was a better option better than the workhouse. Even the name of a place like that put a sour taste in your mouth.
"You and me both know that no matter what time I walk in the door, she'll be too off her face to notice." you muttered in response.
Ada carried over the steaming tray of sugar, tea, and placed it on the small table in front of your plush chairs.
"Well then, more time for tea I 'spose." she said over the rim of her cup.
"Or maybe something a little stron-" you go to suggest but are quickly cut off by the sound of the parlour door slamming open.
The brash entrance of the Shelby brothers and their friends is to be expected if you're planning on being in their home. But them bursting into the house drunk was certainly not something you expected to see.
Familiarity dawned on you as you recognised one of the boys prancing around the room. He was the boy from the photograph, the one who had managed to take your breath away without even being in the room.
You gaped at the sight of him, which was much more delightful in person. That smirk of his was adorned by a dazzling sense of charm, making it even harder to take your eyes off him this time.
Out the corner of your eye you noticed one of the brothers' friends had taken Ada's attention, giggling along to whatever joke he had made.
Realising you were on your own, you knew there was no point trying to get them to calm down as they danced around the room, all singing and smiles. They continued their merry songs, but one particular boy seemed to have a plan of action.
"And just who might you be?" You can practically hear the amusement in his voice as he draped his arm on the back of your chair, and leaned down to speak into your ear over the noise of the room.
"I could ask you the same thing." you spoke, not turning to face him, in fear of being completely star struck by his allure.
"Well why don't we start with why you're in my house." for somebody who was supposed to be drunk, his words are surprisingly clear.
"Oh! You must be one of Ada's brothers then. Polly invited me in for tea so... here I am." in your mind, feigning ignorance to his identity was the best way to keep calm
"Yeah that's right, I'm John, nice to meet you." after introducing himself, he uses his index finger to tip your chin in his direction.
Wow. There really aren't any other words. Just wow, where does this man get his confidence from?! Surely it's just the drinks talking. Even if that's not how you want to see things, it's better if you avoid the attention of your friend's brother.
"I'm Y/N, likewise." you offer a small smile in return then quickly pop out of your seat and over to Ada, announcing your leave.
Face flushed and head down, you rush out of the Shelby family home, shouting a quick 'goodbye' to Polly as you pass the staircase.
Even after the short walk home, and having to help your so clearly drunk aunt up the creaky steps, thoughts of John just wouldn't leave your mind.
Sitting at your vanity, tying the last of you hair back, you catch yourself smiling at the thought of how your next meeting with that self-assured man may go.
Back to July, 1914
Once his laughter died down, he took another drag of his cigarette before turning to face you.
A beat past and he was still looking into your face.
"I'd prefer it if you didn't stare so hard." you turn away from the sun setting over the hills past the cut and to John's face
The sun hits the right side of his face perfectly, the sky reflecting in his blue eyes and the sun lighting up the freckles dotted along his face.
You're going to miss moments like this.
That thought alone is enough to remove the look of adoration from your eyes and replace it with sorrow.
"Tryin' to figure out what's goin' on up there." he muttered around his cigarette.
"You're not exactly an open book."
"You already know what's bothering me." turning to look back out onto the horizon was your safest option, John could be very convincing when it comes to figuring out what's bothering you.
Trying to explain to John why the thought of him going away worries you so much would just complicate things, some things are just better left unsaid.
"We should be getting back now anyways, Polly's expecting us." you hopped up and started heading back to Watery Lane without taking so much as a glace back in John's direction.
You heard him move to follow you, and he soon caught up thanks to his taller stature.
The walk back home was mostly silent, with the odd comment here and there.
~✿~
When you finally got back, Polly answered the door, apparently waiting for you both, just as you had said.
"Ah! There you are. I only sent you out to fetch a loaf of bread. Even Fin would have got back faster than you both."
John slides past Polly in the narrow hallway.
"Yes, yes very funny, but we're 'ere now."
"We decided to take the long way home, the sunset is always so pretty at this time of year. Sorry Polly." you apologised on John's behalf as Polly shut the door behind you, guiding you to the staircase.
"Ada's just up in her room, love."
You rushed up the steps and into Ada's room, glad to get a moment's peace from your invading thoughts.
The second you pushed past her door Ada turned to you.
"What took you so long! I have to know all the details!"
"There are no details... I have no clue what you're talking about actually." turning your nose up at her accusation you plop down onto her bed.
"Oh c'mon! Why would you be out for that long if nothing happened." she said excitedly as she bounced on her feet in front of you
You fell back onto the bed with a groan.
Thoughts of John are even harder to deal with when Ada is attempting to pluck them out of you.
"Can we not just drink our tea and be done with it."
"Alright. But you're telling me everything when I walk you home!"
You rolled your eyes, knowing it's futile to disagree when she's this persistent.
A week later Britain announces war on Germany, August 4th 1914.
The following week most men in Small Heath had been shipped out to the front.
The possibility that you could lose someone you hold so dear broke your heart each day you waited for that bloody war to end.