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In the short, twenty seven years of his life, Alfie’s never been to Birmingham.
He never really had the desire to visit, not even when Tommy and him stepped into the more deep, serious waters of their relationship. He was aware that Tommy visited the city around the same period (early days of June) every year, and he was also aware that the trips weren’t made just for fun. In fact, each time his boyfriend returned, he would be quiet and solemn, even more so than usual.
The feeling of loss never really faded, and Alfie understood completely; which is why whenever Tommy came back from his hometown, Alfie made sure to hug him close and make the man feel safe, not alone.
Yet, this time, it would be Tommy’s duty to make Alfie feel at home.
Finn’s birthday was coming up, and Polly came up with the (in her opinion) brilliant idea to celebrate the happy event in nature, amongst kin and friends. The perfect destination for the party was (again, in Polly’s opinion) some Lee camp that Alfie never really heard of before. So, here he was now, sitting in the passenger seat of Arthur’s shitty car, observing the bland-looking, green pastures of Birmingham’s countryside.
Truth be told, Alfie was nervous. Incredibly so. And not only because he would be sleeping in the middle of bloody nowhere for the next four days or so, but also because… He had a plan.
You see, Alfie never considered himself to be the domestic type. He didn’t grow up in an environment where marriage was a thing. Well, sure, it was a thing; but it didn’t really work out between his late mother and his dickhead of a father. Alfie could barely remember the fucker, he left when Alfie was still in diapers, and his whole life his uncle was his true father figure.
So, this… Plan. It was a very terrifying, fragile plan; but the idea of asking Tommy to marry him ate away at his brain like some kind of parasite, and he couldn’t stop himself from buying a damn engagement ring. He’s been hiding it from his boyfriend for roughly three months now, and now that they are finally taking a break from work and other responsibilities… Alfie doubted he’d get a better opportunity than this one.
Anxiety filled him like never before. He’s never been this on edge.
One question kept creating a dull pain deep in his skull for the past three days.
What if Thomas says no?
“Can’t believe you’re quiet,” Arthur’s raspy voice pulled him out of his head. “I thought you’d be talking your arse off the whole drive!”
Alfie rolled his eyes. “Not in the mood for talking.”
Arthur cackled. “Well I never- are you sure you’re alright, mate? Is the countryside squeezing your city boy bollocks too hard?”
Alfie sighed, pressing his head against the vibrating glass of the window. What in the world made him agree to travel with Arthur?
Oh, right, Tommy’s blue puppy eyes did.
Tommy, his aunt, and the rest of the Shelby siblings left for Birmingham several days ago already. They had to make some preparations for the party - Tommy had told him so, at least. So, Alfie ended up being paired up with Arthur this time.
Alfie usually didn’t mind being around the lad, they were friends since secondary school, after all; not to mention that they saw each other at work every single day. But this time, with his frayed nerves, Alfie really couldn’t stand the latter’s funny little jokes.
“How much longer ‘till we reach the camp?” the bearded man asked, ignoring the quip at his city roots.
“Hmph, not too long. Less than an hour.”
Alfie desperately wished to feel better, because he’d finally get to see Tommy soon; but the relief simply refused to come to him. Actually, only more anxiety came over him.
What if he says no what if he says no what if he says no
-
“We’re here!” Arthur announced with a big grin on his face.
Alfie straightened up in his seat. He looked outside, and was surprised by the number of traditional, Romani wagons parked around the huge clearing. He’d only seen them on the telly before, and most of them were awfully small. He wondered what Tommy's vardo looked like?
There were plenty of people sitting outside, talking and laughing amongst themselves. Finn suddenly appeared out of nowhere, jumping in front of the car. He waved to them both, then made his way to Arthur’s side.
Arthur released a laugh as he opened the door, and welcomed Finn into a tight hug.
“Arthur! You’re here!” the boy giggled.
Alfie smiled at the sight of the two brothers hugging.
“‘Course I am! Wouldn’t miss your birthday for anything!”
Finn pulled away from the hug, and once Alfie got out of the car, the boy threw his arms around him as well.
“Welcome to the camp, Alfie!”
Alfie chuckled, and gently hugged the boy back. “Thank you.”
Finn looked up at him. “Tommy’s waiting for you.”
“Oh? Where is he?”
“He’s with aunt Polly and Ada, they’re preparing dinner!”
“Alfie, we better hurry before Tommy-boy burns down the whole camp.” Arthur jokes, and Alfie couldn’t help but laugh at him this time.
“Lead the way to our Tommy then, Finn.”
-
They found Tommy chopping carrots on a small table outside, while loud bickering could be heard coming from inside of the vardo not too far away. The man had a frown on his face, as if the carrots were personally offending him.
“Tommy!” Finn called out, making the man look up from his task.
His face brightened when Alfie waved at him and smiled.
Tommy lowered the knife to the table, and walked up to them with quick steps. Not unlike his little brother, he squeezed his arms around Alfie as if his whole life depended on it. Alfie was convinced that the Shelby family had some sort of blood relation to koala bears. He hugged the man back with equal enthusiasm, of course. He had missed him, and yes they were separated for only a couple of days, but still . They didn’t stay away from each other that much, not after Alfie’s departure for America that happened years ago.
Tommy pulled back a bit, and looked at Alfie straight in the eyes, fluttering his long lashes at him.
“Hello.”
Alfie’s heart skipped a beat. “Hello, treacle.”
Arthur, of course, had to interrupt, and clear his throat very loudly.
“No hello for me, Tom?”
Tommy let out a small laugh. He pulled away from Alfie’s arms, and approached his older brother. The two hugged tightly, but then a loud crash came from the vardo, and the brothers ended the hug at once.
“Bloody hell, what’s going on in there?” Alfie muttered.
“Polly and Ada are cooking. Esme’s helping out as well.”
“Esme? John’s girl?” Arthur inquired curiously.
“Yup. She wanted to help out.”
“Tommy! Are the carrots ready yet- Oh, hello!” Ada came out of the vardo with an old apron tied around her waist.
“Hello, Ada.” Alfie greeted.
“Ugh, Alfie, please help us out! We’re barely managing in there!”
“Yeah, go on, be useful!” Arthur teased.
Tommy huffed. “No, Ada, Alfie needs to unpack, and he’s probably tired from the drive.”
“No, no; it’s alright, sweetie, I’d love to help out!”
Tommy moved towards him and embraced him again. “You sure?”
Alfie grunted softly in confirmation, and gave the younger man a chaste kiss. “I’ll cook you something real good.”
He broke the hug, and after throwing Tommy (who seemed quite disgruntled now) one last fond look he followed Ada into the vardo. He missed Tommy, but he needed some distraction more than ever now.
“Oh, Alfie, you’re here!” Polly greeted him as soon as he stepped foot inside.
“Hello, Polly, it’s good to see you again.” Alfie sent the woman a small smile.
The woman raised her brow at him, and he immediately knew he was fucked. She knew. She always knew when he was up to something. The woman has learned to read him like an open book. He wasn’t sure how, but throughout the eight years he’s been around and with Tommy, he became an addition to the Shelby family; and Polly started treating him like he was another one of her nephews.
Alfie was, of course, enormously grateful; but at times it was still unnerving, how quickly Tommy’s aunt could figure him out. He didn’t even hint at anything related to the bloody plan or the bloody ring! He just said hello! And yet he knows she knows he’s hiding something…
“Alfie volunteered to help us out, Pol.” Ada chirped as she walked by, joining Esme at the stove, who was stirring some kind of stew with a long spoon.
“That’s nice of you, dear. Would you mind baking some bread? I’m busy with the salad here.”
“Not at all, Pol, baking bread is my profession.” Alfie chuckled.
“The flour is in the cabinet down there.” the woman motioned towards a big cabinet with her chin, and Alfie eagerly went to look for the main ingredient.
After he got everything he needed, he started making the dough. Baking always had him feeling focused, but of course, he was still super aware of Polly’s presence right next to him.
Ada and Esme left after the stew was done, and while Alfie waited for the dough to rise, Polly sat next to him and shot him down with a calculating look.
“So, will you tell me what’s going on?”
Alfie blinked. “Uh, excuse me?”
Polly rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. Just tell me. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong, I just…”
He took a deep breath.
“Would you give me your blessing? If I, y’know, planned on popping the question to Tommy?”
Polly stared at him in shock for what seemed like an eternity. He was starting to bloody sweat.
“Holy shit.” she whispered.
Alfie looked down at his flour dusted hands.
“I know this might be a bit of a surprise, but I- I’ve been thinking about it for a while now, and… I may have purchased a ring.”
“You have my blessing, Alfie.”
“What- Really?”
Polly shook her head in exasperation. “Of course! I don’t want anybody else for my Tommy, you’d be the perfect son-in-law.”
Alfie chuckled. “Thank you, Pol, I appreciate that…”
“So, when are you going to ask him?”
The man shrugged. “I’m not sure. I was planning on doing it while we’re here, but… I’m sort of terrified.”
“Why?”
“Because he and I never spoke about marriage before. I’m scared of his rejection, what if I ruin everything?”
“Alfie, there’s no way he’s going to say no. You’ve been together since you were practically kids. Nobody understands him like you do, he loves you to bits!”
Alfie released a long sigh. “I don’t know. What if we get married and it all goes to shit, what then? It happened to my parents, it happened to his parents… What if it happens to us?”
Polly placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Alfie, look at me.”
The man reluctantly followed the woman’s instruction. She gave him a reassuring smile, and somehow it made his chest feel less heavy.
“You two will be just fine. Because the both of you, despite being a fucking handful, are good, patient people. I’m sure that no matter what trouble finds you, you’ll be able to overcome it together.”
Alfie’s eyes burned, but he repressed the tears trying to escape. “Thank you.”
“I’d ask him the day after tomorrow, if I were you. After Finn’s birthday party.”
“Mm. I suppose that’s not a bad idea… I’m so nervous, though. I feel weird.”
Polly laughed. “That’s normal, but trust me, he’ll say yes.”
Alfie smiled at the woman.
God, did he hope she was right…
-
That same night, after a very loud dinner (which became a regularity for Alfie, ever since he started associating himself with the Shelbys), Tommy showed him the way to the vardo in which they would be sleeping. It wasn’t very big, but it was painted in a beautiful blue color; and was covered with little carvings of roses.The interior was just as lovely as the exterior, although Alfie was a bit concerned about the bed.
“We’re sleeping on this tiny thing?” Alfie asked as soon as he caught sight of the bed at the rear of the wagon.
“Yes.” Tommy replied. “You don’t like it?”
Alfie didn’t miss the tinge of insecurity in Tommy’s tone. He knew Tommy was concerned about whether or not Alfie would like the environment, the lifestyle Tommy was born into. But of course, the silly boy would never admit to it.
As if Alfie could ever judge him.
He pulled the man close, and planted a small kiss on his brow, making him smile.
“I like it, it’s just… You’ll probably have to sleep on top of me.”
Tommy quirked his brow. “Don’t I do that at home already?”
Alfie snorted. “Yeah, what am I talking about? We’ll be just fine.”
Alfie really didn’t mind the vardo, nor the small bed. He liked it, it looked cozy. Besides, he’d sleep in a shoebox if he had to, as long as Tommy was there with him.
He observed Tommy move through the tight space with ease. It was obvious that he was used to this kind of life, where things were humble, and simple. He almost seemed… Happier. As if all of the stress that weighed him on back in London disappeared.
The blue-eyed man pulled out a big pot out of the cupboard and placed it on the stove.
“You can unpack. Also, the toilet is outside, but you can wash up here. I can bring out the tub and warm some water for a bath, if you want.”
“Can we bathe together?”
Tommy paused. He sent Alfie a mischievous look, but his cheeks reddened. He was still so easily flustered, even after all the years that had passed. Really, it was unbelievable at this point. They have been living together for almost five years now, and they’ve seen everything there is to see.
Alfie found it endearing, of course.
Everything about Thomas was endearing, even his annoying little habits.
“Sure.”
While Tommy carefully poured the warm water into the small, wooden tub, Alfie unpacked some fresh clothes, and pointedly ignored the secret pocket inside his duffel bag, where the ring was hidden.
When he turned around, Tommy was already in the midst of getting undressed, his chest tattoo on full display. His co-worker from the parlor did a good job, but Alfie liked the art Tommy put on his clients much better.
They got into the tub together, and laughed when some of the water spilled over the edge as Tommy crawled closer, right into Alfie’s open arms. He settled on top of Alfie’s thighs, and a zing of arousal stabbed through his belly when he felt Tommy’s half-hard shaft poke his own.
“I missed you…” Tommy muttered into his shoulder.
“Mm, I missed you too.”
Tommy drew back, and nudged his nose against Alfie’s cheek before pressing his soft lips there. Alfie hummed, and placed his palm on the back of Tommy’s neck, pulling him down for a proper kiss.
It didn’t take long for it to turn passionate, for Alfie to bite into Tommy’s thick lower lip, asking for entrance, and for Tommy to dip his hand into the warm water right between them, taking hold of their now fully hardened members.
“Fuck…” Alfie hissed at the first tight flick of Tommy’s wrist, the touch sent a shiver through him. He tried to join in, to help his boyfriend out, but Tommy pushed his hand away.
“No, I want to do it.” he whispered into Alfie’s ear, and released a quiet moan when the older man bit into the soft space between his neck and shoulder.
Their breaths grew more heavy with each stroke of Tommy’s palm. The friction was perfect, and Alfie was the first one to reach climax, not only because Tommy ran his thumb over a particularly sensitive spot right underneath the head of his cock, which felt like fucking heaven, but also because of the obscene, wet sound the movements of his hand made. Alfie loved it.
Tommy didn’t complain this time, when Alfie lowered his hand and wrapped his skillful fingers around his cock. He shoved into Alfie’s solid, tight grip (Alfie knew it was just how his blue-eyed beauty liked it) with a small, soft whimper; and Alfie couldn’t stop himself from leaving another mark on his shoulder.
It only took a few strokes, and a quiet “C’mon, come for me…” from Alfie, for Tommy to spill and soil the water just like the other man did mere minutes before.
Tommy buried his head in Alfie’s chest and groaned as the strong waves of his orgasm made his whole body tremble. More water sloshed over the tub, but neither of them could care less in the moment.
“Fuck, fuck.”
“Shh, you’re alright, you’re good…” Alfie murmured, and bundled his arm over Tommy’s freckled back.
When they both came down from the post-coital high, they quickly washed up, before the water went completely cold. They got out of the tub and got rid of the dirty water afterwards. Alfie helped Tommy into a soft cotton shirt, and laid on the small bed first. The smaller man tiredly flopped on top of him, and buried his face into Alfie’s neck. The bearded man threw the nearby quilt over them, and smiled when he heard Tommy let out a small, pleased hum.
“I’m glad you’re here.” Tommy’s words were slightly muffled.
Alfie left a kiss in the man’s soft, damp hair. “Me too.”
All of Alfie’s worries seemed insignificant, when the man he loved was so close by.
Sleep found him much faster than usual that night.
-
The next morning, when Alfie woke up, Tommy was gone. That was enough to put him in a poor mood, and the fact that Alfie’s back was aching didn’t help much, either.
Getting up and getting dressed was a difficult feat, and by the time Alfie stepped out of the vardo, he was ready to call it a day and just go back to bed. His stomach grumbled though, signaling its desire for food, and he wanted to find Tommy, so he continued his slow walk towards Polly’s wagon, where he was sure everybody else was already at.
When he got there, he was surprised by the crowd that hovered around a big ass table. Seriously, from where were they pulling out these pieces of furniture?
He spotted Finn being suffocated by a hug from some elderly lady, and figured all of these people were either friends or relatives.
“Alfie, good morning!” Ada walked over.
“Morning… What’s all this?”
“Oh! Some friends of the Lees came over. They’ll be staying here too.”
Alfie nodded. “And Tommy? Where’s he?”
“He’s helping uncle Charlie feed the horses.”
Ah. Of course. His horse girl for a boyfriend would never miss out on that.
“Come on, let’s go fetch some food before everything disappears!”
Breakfast was an even noisier ordeal than dinner. Alfie usually didn’t mind crowds, but the not so covert glances the elderly ladies kept sending him killed his appetite. One of them kept glaring at him like the future of the whole universe depended on it. She had deep crow’s feet around her eyes, and the dark ribbon wrapped around her head made her look like some kind of evil witch.
Alfie felt like a piece of meat getting sniffed out by a bunch of wolves. And he got it, he really did; nobody really knew who he was. They probably all just knew him as the Jewish city boy their Thomas was fucking; and the notion for sure didn’t fail to make him feel uncomfortable.
The staring had slowly started to become unbearable, and just when he was about to get up from the table and go look for Tommy, his boyfriend plopped on the bench right beside him.
“Good morning, Alfie.”
“Yeah, it is…”
Tommy’s eyes were on him, Alfie was more than aware, but he didn’t look up from his plate.
He had no idea why he was feeling so… Shitty. Last night was amazing, and now he felt like if he even thought of being close to Tom, everybody’s eyes would jump on them. Don’t get him wrong, he never gave a flying fuck about what people thought of him and Tommy getting handsy in public, and he took great pride in that.
But this was different. These people mattered. He didn’t want them to get a bad impression of him.
“You okay?” Tommy’s warm breath ran over his neck as he whispered, creating goosebumps on his skin.
“I’m fine, sweetie.” Alfie forced a smile. “Just didn’t expect so many people.”
He intertwined his fingers with Tommy’s underneath the table, when the man offered him his hand.
“Yeah, it always gets like this for celebrations. But don’t worry, they’re all decent people.”
“Mm, I’m sure they are.”
“Are you done with breakfast yet?”
Alfie looked at Tommy, arching his brow in question.
“I’d like to show you something.”
Tommy pulled him up from the bench, and didn’t let go of his hand as they walked away from the throng of kin. They walked past all the wagons, children running past them every now and then, until they were a good distance away from the camp. Tommy led them down a small path that laid in between tall elm trees, and not too long after Alfie could see a small creek. They walked closer, until they stood right by the water.
“I used to come here a lot when I was a kid. It was my not-so-secret spot. The Lee women came here to wash their laundry often.”
Alfie chuckled. “It’s lovely…”
“Yeah, kids use it as a pool during summer.”
Tommy pointed at a tree. It was odd. It had two thick branches that were spread apart, the gap between them wide.
“I spent hours there. Reading, thinking. Come on, let’s sit.”
Alfie wordlessly followed the man, and smiled when Tommy climbed up onto the tree, patting the empty space next to him invitingly. He joined him, mindlessly wrapping his arm around his boyfriend while he looked around some more.
“So, you and your family visited this camp often?”
The younger man perched his head on Alfie’s shoulder and nodded against it.
“When mum was alive, we’d come almost every summer. She had some family here. Then she got really unwell after Finn was born, and we didn’t visit as much; last time I was here I was seventeen.”
“That’s a long time…”
“Yeah. Honestly I… I was sort of afraid to come back.”
Alfie frowned. He turned his attention to Tommy, who now for some reason was all tensed up.
“Why?”
Tommy shook his head. “Because I did something stupid.”
Alfie, not wanting to pry, only kissed Tommy’s temple; and waited. If Tommy wanted to tell him, then he would.
“I kissed a boy… He was around my age, his name was Johnny.”
Oh. Well that was… Not unexpected. Just a bit... Surprising, to say the least.
“I see…”
“Yeah. It happened after we… After I broke up with you, right before you left for America.”
Oh.
“Why did you…?”
“I was drunk, and I missed you.” Tommy replied. He was playing with his fingers, trying to calm himself. “And Johnny was- He was friendly, and he gave me the right amount of attention at the wrong time.”
“I’m sorry.”
Tommy snapped his gaze towards him. “What?”
“I’m sorry, I… I never wanted to hurt you, you know that right?”
“Oh, Alfie, no. I know- I just… Wanted to come clean I guess. I regretted it, the kiss. I felt disgusted with myself for months afterwards, and I was young, and… I was afraid to tell you. I didn’t want you to get mad.”
Alfie gave the man a soft smile. “I understand. Though, I doubt I’d be mad. Maybe just a little jealous.”
Tommy chuckled, pushing himself closer towards Alfie. “Yeah, I know that, now.”
The kiss Tommy gave him was saccharine; like he was trying to convey all of his affection onto Alfie with it. It gave Alfie an enormous sense of comfort, and while they walked back he found himself in a much better mood.
“Thank you for showing me your secret place.” he muttered, nudging his shoulder into Tommy’s as they trudged through the grass, the sun shining over them.
“It’s your place too, now.” the blue-eyed man nonchalantly said.
Alfie laughed, and stopped Tommy in his tracks, kissing him once more before they reached the camp filled with loud, nosy people.
-
It was Finn’s birthday the next day. Even more people came to the camp, and music had started playing at the early hours of the morning. Everybody was having a good time, talking and celebrating, especially Finn.
Alfie still couldn’t believe that the boy was turning ten. He remembered the first time he met him, when he was only a toddler, clinging onto his big brother with an adorable smile on his little face. And here he was now, riding around on his new bike with that energetic enthusiasm most ten year olds possessed.
“He really likes your gift.” Polly chimed next to him. “Did Tommy tell you Finn wanted a new bike?”
“Nah. Finn mentioned it before.”
The woman smiled. “So… Are you going to ask him tonight?”
Alfie chuckled. “Yeah, probably…”
The velvet fabric of the box with the ring in his pocket made his fingertips tingle every time he ran them over it.
“Still scared?”
“Mm. I’ll stop fretting when- no, if he says yes.”
“He will, trust me.”
The man sighed and looked around. People were dancing everywhere, most of them were piss drunk, too.
“Where is Tommy, anyway?”
Polly frowned. “I’m not sure, actually; haven’t seen Arthur and John in a while either. They must’ve dragged him off with them, somewhere.”
“I’ll go look for them.”
He found Arthur and John first. They were sitting at one of the many tables, playing some kind of drinking game. When he asked them about Tommy’s whereabouts, Arthur just shrugged, meanwhile John couldn’t even do that. He fell off his chair trying to say “I don’t know.”, and Arthur burst out into hysterical laughter.
Alfie gave up trying to get a coherent answer from either of them after that, and continued his search through the crowds of dancing folk.
Finally, after almost getting trampled by several couples dancing some kind of feral waltz, he caught sight of Tommy. He was talking to that old woman who shot bloody daggers at Alfie with her eyes the day before; but they weren’t alone. There was another man present, and he seemed very… Friendly. A big smile decorated his face, and he looked at Tommy as if the man hung the moon and the stars. Alfie couldn’t blame him, really. Tommy was an extraordinary man. He looked beautiful in the setting sun, barefoot, with his dark hair tousled oh-so-prettily.
The old lady was the first to notice him, and the look on her face immediately turned disdainful as soon as she did. Alfie approached the trio with an assured smile, even though the granny really was testing his self-confidence more than anybody else did before…
“Ah, Alfie- I was just about to mention you.” Tommy stepped closer to him, taking a gentle hold of his arm. “Florence, Johnny, this is Alfie, my partner.”
Johnny’s smile faltered a bit, but he offered his hand for a handshake anyway. “Nice to meet you,.”
Alfie shook the man’s hand, and then he paused.
Wait. Wait a minute.
Johnny.
He looked at Tommy, and subtly arched his brow.
Is this him? - was his unspoken question.
Tommy gave him an impish look, and it almost made Alfie laugh.
Yes, this is him . - was Tommy’s unspoken answer. Help me.
“Nice to meet you too. You’re a friend of Tommy’s?”
“Ah- Well-”
“Yes, he is.” the granny, Florence, butted in.
“That’s nice. I’m always happy to meet Tommy’s friends . ”
Tommy squeezed his arm in annoyance, and Alfie pressed his lips together, barely swallowing down a yelp.
“Anyway, we should probably go check up on Polly now, right Alfie? Dinner will be served soon.”
Alfie didn’t even get the chance to say goodbye, because Tommy was already dragging him away as far away as possible from Florence and Johnny. He laughed all the way to the vardo where the food was being prepared.
“Seriously? You’re laughing?” Tommy huffed.
“I’m sorry- It’s just- Where the hell did he come from? How did you run into him?”
“Ugh, well that’s the thing, it wasn't on accident.”
“It wasn’t?”
“No. That woman, Florence, brought him over. He’s her grandson.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah. They’re both friends of the Lees, and I guess she knows about the kiss…”
Huh.
“You think she’s trying to, y’know.”
Tommy looked at him. “What do you mean?”
“Play matchmaker?”
A frown marred Tommy’s face. “I don’t know, I doubt it.”
Alfie wanted to differ, but their little chat was interrupted by a very excited Finn. Dinner was ready, and they were both ushered by the boy towards the main table, where all family and close friends were sitting. The table was huge, but Alfie noticed that Florence and Johnny were seated at the table as well, not too far away from Polly.
Surprisingly, the atmosphere wasn’t too loud. Everybody was hungry, meanwhile some of them (Arthur and John, and plenty of other men) were too inebriated to utter a word.
Alfie could feel that familiar, anxious tremor appear in the soles of his feet, and slowly spread upwards. He’d need to ask Tommy to go somewhere more private with him after this, and then-
“So, Alfie, how long have you and Tommy been together?”
Alfie stopped mid-bite.
Florence.
He set down his knife and fork, and looked over at her. Polly was looking at her with a curious expression.
“Uh… For about eight years now.”
The woman hummed. “And you’re from London, yes?”
Alfie nodded once. “Yes.”
“Huh,” the woman blinked. “A shame.”
Uh. What?
“What do you mean, Florence?” Polly asked.
“Ah, well… I always thought Emma’s boy will find somebody more like us. I mean, look at John and Esme! They both come from the same background, they fit well together.”
“But how does that matter-”
“I heard you’re Jewish, too, is that right?” the old hag interrupted Tommy, her attention back on Alfie.
Alfie leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms over his chest protectively.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“See? He’s not even a Christian boy! How is he going to follow our traditions?”
“I’m not religious either, so it’s really not of big importance to me if he’s Christian or not.” Tommy spoke up.
Florence scoffed. “Right. And what about his family? What do your parents do, Alfie?”
Alfie froze.
The memory of his mother crossed his mind.
A colorful tichel wrapped around her hairless skull. Her hand, scarred by the IV therapy she received on a weekly basis, feebly holding onto a painting brush. Her weak, but still joyful smile.
Suddenly it all became too much.
The clear judgment of all these people around him, the anxiety caused by his stupid, foolish idea about the engagement, Florence’s fucking disrespect…
He practically flew off his chair, the force slamming it backwards on the grassy ground. He ignored the stunned looks, the hushed whispers, and walked away. He could hear Tommy yelling in the distance, but he didn’t look back.
His legs hastily carried him to the one place he was certain nobody else would be at.
The creek.
Alfie sat on the coast.
The murmurs of his breathing, hitched by the tears that slid down his face every other second, was swallowed down by the loud flow of the water. He tried to wipe the tears away, but it was of little avail. They kept coming. Eventually, he gave up, and pulled out the box that was burning his skin even through the fabric of his jumper.
He opened it, and stared at the ring. It was simple, made of white gold and decorated with little cerulean stones. He thought it would match Tommy’s eyes well.
A weak titter escaped his lips.
Fuck.
He was such an idiot.
Letting close-minded people play with his head, when he was supposed to listen to Polly all along.
“Alfie?”
He snapped the box shut.
“Alfie.”
Familiar footsteps came closer and closer, until finally, Tommy crouched beside him. He wrapped his soft palm over the back of Alfie’s neck.
“I’m sorry about that- You were right- That fucking bitch- She had no right to talk to you in that way, I should’ve done something right away.”
“It’s alright, Thomas.”
“No, it’s not alright. Polly and I made Johnny drive her home, I swear she’ll never bother us again-”
“You love me, right?”
Tommy blinked.
God, he was beautiful. The moonlight brightened his face just right, Alfie could see every freckle, every eyelash, even in the dark.
“Of course I do. I know I don’t say it often; but I do, more than you can imagine.”
“Can I ask you something, then?”
The younger man stared at him for a long moment before replying. “Yes…”
Alfie raised the tiny box in between them, and Tommy’s eyes became wide like saucers when he looked at it.
“Would you like to get married? We don’t have to rush it, I just… I would really like to have a big, obnoxious wedding and just- Show us off, and say fuck you to all of those people-”
Tommy’s shoulders shook with silent laughter. “You’re insane.”
“Yeah, I know, I know- But can you imagine, treacle? We could get more dogs and- I mean, I know it’s sort of not biologically possible, but I’m sure we could make it happen, and I could have your babies-”
This time Tommy laughed out loud, and threw himself on Alfie.
“Would you then? Marry me? Please?”
“Fuck, fine!”
Alfie chortled at the answer, pulling the man closer with one arm. “Really, you want to?”
“Yes, you idiot!” Tommy groaned, kissing Alfie all over his face. “I’ll always want to.”
When they stepped into the camp once again, the party was already over. Only Polly, Ada, and Tommy’s three brothers sat at the ridiculously big table. Ada was the first one to notice the ring on Tommy’s finger, and she squealed loudly, making both Arthur and John wince in pain, their hangovers already starting to form. Finn cheered as well, meanwhile Polly only said “I told you so.” as she smiled at Alfie.
Alfie really, really was one big, big fucking idiot.
But hey, Tommy obviously didn’t mind. He wouldn’t have said yes otherwise.