Requested by anon: Hey do ya write for Peaky Blinders? If yes could you do a reader x Tommy !platonic one where the reader is really tough but at the same time quite laid back and everyone just assumes they are dating and they are shocked when she intruduces her love interest to Tommy at a family dinner or so?
Pairing(s): Thomas Shelby x reader platonic!, Michael Gray x reader
Warnings: Swearing, slight angst, fluff, alcohol, probably a tad bit ooc Michael
Note: So I apologize if you didn't want the love interest to be anyone Tommy knew, I just didn't really know who to put, my apologies, I can always rewrite it!
Also now that I think about it- I can't tell if you meant where she has a crush on Tommy or if she has a different love interest and I'm so sorry if this is not what you had in mind aaaa!
Note numero tres: I got carried away and I apologize. Hope you enjoy
Final Note: I don't even know wth that ending is. Okok bye enjoy the story lmfao
Y/n and Tommy had been friends for a very long time. They had similar personalities and traits, some people had said that they were like female and male versions of each other. But the thing that was argued about the most, was if they were a couple. Everyone wondered it! Even the Shelby family! Ada and John made a bet that they were, and Polly and Arthur did as well. Making bets with the same goal wasn't possible, but that's not what the bet was about.
Their bets were about who would introduce it first. Would Y/n announce that they were engaged or that she was pregnant and Tommy was the father? Or would Tommy reintroduce her as his lover? Maybe they'd walk in on them kissing? Who knew, the bet was just on who would come out and say it already.
People felt like the tension was there. It was strong and obvious to them. They claimed that the two flirted quite a lot. However, in reality, there was nothing there. The "tension" and "flirting" was just the brotherly and sisterly bond they shared. It wasn't even flirting, more of teasing and mocking in a fun way. The tension wasn't romantic, it was them wiggling in their seats as they resisted the urge to jump and laugh at one another.
Tommy and Y/n were aware of the assumptions, and it had gotten old fast. Just as Tommy was, she was tough and hard to break. Alas, there was one very large difference. She was more laid back than he was. Tommy was cautious, always ready to move or attack, while Y/n was comfortable and quiet until she felt anything that would make her feel otherwise.
Best friends...but with a few secrets. Tommy was single, free, and didn't really mind it at all. Y/n on the other hand, was seeing someone. She didn't tell Tommy, which normally would make him concerned, but he brushed it off when she said she would introduce him to the entire household sometime.
That's when the idea hit Tommy. Electrocuting him just as lighting would a lightning-rod. If him and his family hosted a dinner party and invited Y/n, while hyping up the family to meet said boyfriend, she couldn't say no. It would disappoint them as well as make them lose faith of ever meeting him. Plus she owed Tommy some favors.
He reached over and set the paper on his desk, scribbling names of the people to invite. Arthur, John, Finn, Ada, Pol, Michael, Y/n and Y/n's secret boyfriend. It was perfect. The list was complete and he was already thinking of what to have for dinner. Would the kitchen staff be able to cook anything that Y/n's lover could eat? He didn't know that yet, so he still had to ask if there was anything.
There they sat. Curled up on the sofa and watching the fire calmly. As subtle as possible, Tommy brought up the topic. "Say, Y/n, if your lover-boy were to eat with us...is he allergic or incapable of eating anything?"
"Incapable?" She laughed, "You make him sound like a two year old. And no, I believe he isn't. Why?"
He kept it in mind. "No reason. Thank you, um, enjoy your book or whatever it is you were doing."
"Tom-"
He rushed out of the room and back to his office. The list was still on his desk where he left it the previous day and a sigh of relief left his mouth. Tommy sat down and wrote the new information down. Next was dinner ideas. What sounded tasty? Nothing came to mind, so Tommy went to the next person he could for advice.
"Ada."
"Yes Tom?"
Her eyes never left her book, but Thomas knew she was listening. "If we were to eat a special meal as a family...what do you think it should be?" That caught her attention. And just enough to make her head snap up to look at him.
"We're eating dinner as a family?"
"I didn't say that. Just-" he sighed. It was just now coming to mind that he didn't think of what to do or say if anyone got suspicious. He needed to think, and fast. "Uhm, I just need to know what kind of food we would all enjoy."
Ada squinted at her brother but nodded and went along with whatever it was that he was doing. "Alright. How about...soup? Soup and roast? I'm not sure Tom, but good luck." Just as quick as she was too look up, she looked back down and continued reading her book.
Tommy thought for a second and nodded before walking back to his office and writing dinner ideas. The last three things were needed and they didn't require anyone's assistance. One, dress code if there is one in mind. Two, making the invitations. And three, giving the invitations.
He finished, no dress code needed, and got ready to try and sneak the invitations to each person. The first one was for Ada, so he walked past the room she was in and saw that her book was open but she wasn't in sight. Tom took the chance and set an invitation in the center of the book, closing it now that the paper worked as a bookmark.
Next, was John, Finn, and Arthur. Tommy learned his brother's schedule for that day, so he knew that John was currently with Arthur elsewhere. He set three invitations, one labeled John, one labeled Finn, and one labeled Arthur, on the desk where their stuff was placed.
Not quite last, but before it, was Aunt Polly and Michael. He walked over and leaned his head through the door way, seeing his aunt reading. She noticed his presence and raised an eyebrow. "Tommy?"
"Ah, hello Pol." She gave him a kind smile before returning to her book. She didn't notice Tommy setting the papers near the door. He excused himself from the room and they said their quick goodbyes. Tom knew Polly would give Michael his, so it wasn't that big of a fuss.
Finally, it was time for Y/n and whomever this unknown male was. Tommy had gotten away with a subtle question once, but he wasn't sure he could get away with this one. He walked into the room but quickly moved back out to the hall and against the wall when he heard Y/n giggle and a kissing noise. Just as he thought he got away, Y/n and the male heard his footsteps attempting to make it out the door in time.
"Shit! Hurry, go out the other door!" She recollected herself as her boyfriend ran out the opposite door of the room. Her hair was every which way until she smoothed it down and breathed in. "Uh- uhm...come in!"
"Y/n! Was uh someone in here with you?"
"N-nope. No. Nada. Negative... Hey Tommy?"
"Yes?"
"What are those papers?"
Tom looked down at the papers in his hand. The invitations. "Um...nothing! Just work. Have you...by chance...seen Michael?"
Her eyes widened and her face turned red. Thomas didn't know why, but he kept it in mind. It was possibly that it could be a sign or a valuable piece of information. He brushed it off, for her sake and for his curiosity's sake.
"W-what? M-M-Michael? Noooo."
"Alright then. If you don't mind, I'll be setting these here," he walked over to the sofa and set them on it just as he said he was. "Don't look at them...okay?" It was the master plan in his mind. Since when did she agree to not look or touch something he specifically told her not to. She nodded and he walked out the door, satisfied with his work.
...
Dinner was served, the guests were now arriving. Polly and Ada sat down at the table first, Pol already sipping away at her beverage. Next was John, Finn and Arthur, both John and Arthur joining Polly on the alcohol train. Michael walked in, his hair messed up and his collar positioned to cover his neck, just like it had been the past few days.
Finally, Y/n walked over to the table and sat next to Michael and Tommy. They began to eat. Everyone, except for Tommy, thought Y/n or Tommy was about to introduce their relationship. Pol was determined to win her bet against Arthur. So when no one spoke up, she decided she'd had enough.
"Alright you two. Time to fess up. Tommy put this all together to tell us that you guys are seeing each other, didn't he?"
Y/n, Tommy, and Michael choked on their food and drinks. Tommy hit his chest a few times and shook his head quickly. Y/n knew she had to speak up and soon because once Tommy announced the reason, which she caught onto rather quickly, non one would allow her to get away without answering.
"Close," She wiped her mouth with a cloth, "but not quite."
The entire table, minus a gaze averting Michael, turned to her. Tommy raised an eyebrow and started naming names jokingly, each person that was named and present shaking their head. "So when is he getting here? Or is he already here? John? Arthur? F- no that's just nooo...um... that boy you met at the Garrison? The other boy? Who is it then?"
"I'm seeing Michael."
"Michael? What Michael? Our Michael? That's very funny Y/n." John chuckled, but stopped after Thomas gave him a serious look.
"Are you being serious, Y/n? I'd like it if you answered what John inquired because I am quite curious. So, Y/n, who-"
"Tom." A new voice entered. Everyone's heads turned to the direction it came from. Michael fucking Gray. "She's seeing me. I'm seeing her."
Newfound silence filled the room. Tension, undecided whether it was good or bad, snuck in with it's silent friend. Y/n's eyes darted from her best friend to her now public lover. She was sure of it now. Thomas was staring daggers right into Michael's soul. If looks could kill, Michael would be more than just dead.
"Thomas. Don't."
"Stay out of it Ada." He stood up and walked to the other side of Y/n, staring Michael down more intense than he was only a second ago. "You mean to tell me, Gray, that you're romantically involved with my best friend, with the person who means the world to me, with the person I would give my life for? I need you to answer me honestly. Are you prepared for this question?"
Michael didn't answer. Instead, he gulped and widened his eyes. If he didn't already fear Tommy, he sure did now.
"I asked you a question, god dammit! You answer me or I'll make you answer me!" Everyone, really everyone, either gasped or flinched. It was known. Tom didn't yell like that unless he was very very very serious. Pol would've normally stepped in to defend her son, but she too was curious and somewhat hesitant now that Thomas was red as a tomato.
"Y-yes?"
"Do you love her?"
"W-what?"
"Do you love her!!?"
Y/n's hand thrusted itself into Michael's. Now even she was scared for him.
"Yes! Yes I do! I love her with all my heart!"
"Would you die for her? Or rather, protect her with your life?"
"Yes! Yes to both of those!"
"Would you ever lie to her or have an affair?"
"No!" He was squeezing Y/n's hand. His hand was sweaty, and also red from how tightly he was gripping hers.
She took it as the last straw. Seeing both of her boys fight pained her to an extreme measure. Knowing that it was because of her, even a little bit, pained her just the same. "Enough! Thomas! Michael! I am in love with Michael, he has made it clear that he is in love with me! He is kind, listening, caring, loving, protective, and overall and amazing man. I want to spend the rest of my life with him. And I love you Tom, you're my best friend and you always have been, so please. Don't let him and I being involved change our or your relationship."
She finished her sentence, plopping back down and sighing loudly before digging into her food. The rest of the family, not including Michael or Thomas, slowly eased back into eating their food. They still felt the tension, so it was a very quiet dinner.
A smile formed onto Y/n's face when she felt Michael's hand rub her back. She leaned into his arm and thanked him. After she finished scolding the boys, she sat back down with teary eyes and Michael was the first to notice.
Thomas froze. The sight in front of him, Michael comforting Y/n as she sobbed silently into his shoulder...it all clicked into place. Her nervousness, Michael's collars, the giggling and freak out when Thomas was trying to deliver the invitations. She was head over heals for Michael.
He sat back in his seat beside Y/n. His arm rested above Michael's, rubbing her back as well. Y/n turned and faced Tommy with red puffy eyes that made his heart ache. He really hurt her that badly? She spoke up, and what she said shocked Tommy greatly. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry Y/n/n, I should be the one who's sorry."
"Y-you're not mad?"
"Close, but not quite." He repeated her answer from Polly's previous question.
Y/n opened her mouth to speak but closed it and squinted. Visibly in thought, he murmured to herself. "What do you mean?"
"I'm not mad, I'm more...protective. Ya know? If he hurts you...don't think that just because he's my cousin I won't shoot him dead."
"Like hell you will!" The table burst into laughter due to Polly's comment. Michael and Thomas this time as well. Y/n smiled genuinely. She was proud of her work. While Tommy was chuckling and distracted, she turned her head to him and tackled him in a hug.
"Thank you Tom-Tom."
"Of course Y/n/n. I just want you to be happy, safe and loved."
She let her smile drop and an eyebrow raise. "You're still gonna beat him up a bit, aren't you?" The question was more of an observation. A very accurate observation.
"You are one-hundred percent correct. Now finish your food and enjoy some family time."