Warnings: Lgbt themes

Word Count: 673

--------

Birmingham in the snow was beautiful. It was late December and there was no one on the streets, not a soul.
You were alone with your thoughts.
You had been at the Garrison with Polly, mostly gossiping, but every now and then the subject would change to Shelby family business.
"He doesn't know what he's doing half the time, that kid..." Polly would say, sucking at a cigarette, discussing the actions of your second eldest brother.
"Hmm" You'd nod along in mindless agreement, your thoughts preoccupied.
You'd caught the attention of a suitor; a suitor you knew your family would not approve of. For your suitor wasn't a traditional gentleman. It was not a gentleman at all.
You stole glances to the woman across the bar, her eyes lifting to yours; a kind, innocent smile sat on her rose petal lips, inviting you over.
You made your glances as little and often as you could, moving your eyes up from your drink to her soft porcelain face, making sure Aunt Polly didn't see your actions.
Her firey red hair cascaded over her shoulders, a small pin holding back the curls.
You smiled discreetly to yourself and you imagined touching her; her velvety pale skin; cherry pink lips; soft ruby locks.
Now you walked down Watery Lane, the same smile you sported in the pub etched onto your lips, remembering the beautiful stranger.
You'd known you were different for a while. Instead of watching the men of Small Heath walk down the street, their fedoras sat neatly on their styled hair, you watched the women.
You listened to the clip-clop of their heels, the way their hair bounced in the breeze, how they nuzzled into their fur collar when the wind grabbed at their face.
You didn't exactly know what you were or how to describe it, all you knew is that you weren't like other women.
A thin layer of snow blanketed the gravel and the wind picked up, wrapping icily around your bare legs. You eventually made it to the Shelby house, pushing on the door.
You stepped inside, the heat of the hall hitting your face.
"Tommy?" You called out, your brother appearing at the dining room door, a glass of whiskey sat loosely in his hand.
"Have a nice time?" He asked, leaning against the door frame bringing the glass to his lips.
"Well, Polly left a lot more drunk than me, let's just say that" You giggled, shrugging your coat off your shoulders, a slight dusting of snow falling to the floor.
"Right, well" Tommy said, finishing off the brown liquid "I'll be off" He set the glass down on the table, making his way upstairs.
"Tommy?" You said, your face suddenly going into a state of shock; you hadn't meant to say his name aloud.
"Hmm?" He said turning around on the stair he was on.
"Would you... Disapprove of who i was with?" You asked looking up at him, an innocent expression pulling on your features.
Tommy looked at you for a minute, his eyes staring deep into yours.
He considered your question.
"Well, it depends if he was good to you..." He answered and your face dropped.
"Tommy it..." You sighed, composing yourself, taking a few deep breaths.
"Tommy it isn't a 'he'..." You spoke softly, your heart rate speeding up as you saw your brother nod his head.
He walked down the stairs to meet you his eyes focused on yours.
"Ada..." He placed his hand on your cheek and you closed your eyes, feeling his warmth radiating through your body.
"As long as you're happy, I... I don't care who you're with" A tear spilled over your eye and Tommy moved his thumb, wiping it from your cheek.
"Really?" You asked, your voice breaking slightly.
"Nothing will make me love you any less, Ada" Tommy said, pulling you into a hug, kissing the top of your hair.
You sobbed quietly into his chest, closing your eyes and wrapping your arms around his stomach.