Arthur has always loved, ever since you were children. He desperately wanted to give you flowers he had picked from a field, and ask you to be his girlfriend, to show you off to his brothers and cherish you. But you were Thomas’ best friend during your childhood, and still are. And the age gap, despite only being 3 years, was awkward at time. Tommy had found out Arthur had loved you when you guys were around 24/26. It wasn’t hard to miss the look of adoration in the man’s eyes, and the way he’d follow you both to ‘make sure you two aren’t getting up to trouble’ despite being adults. Thomas understood and gave Arthur permission to ask you to be his girlfriend.

He planned it for weeks. Every little detail. And despite his usual confidence, he was nervous. He was going to do it. He had to. But then the war happened. He watched at you cried while saying goodbye to Tommy, and his heart shattered. He wanted to hug you. To tell you he loved you because he wasn’t sure he’d come home. But he couldn’t. He couldn’t do that to you.

Eventually, after 4 cruel years, he and his brothers came home. You had helped Polly with the business and raising Ada and Finn. All Arthur wanted was you. To hold you in his arms and cry into your neck. To ask you, finally, to be his. But he still didn’t. His PTSD only got worse and he NEEDED you to comfort him.

And that brings us today. Thomas had found Polly’s son Michael. And today, Arthur, Thomas, John, Charlie, Curley and Michael went to an auction to bid a horse. But Sabini had ordered a hit on Tommy. You didn’t get the full story, just that someone tried to kill Tommy and Arthur had beaten them to death, as well as ripped their ear off…with his teeth. Michael had seen the whole thing, and everyone knew that Pol would never allow him near the boys again, so they all kept it a secret.

You’re in the betting house, going through the books to make sure they’re ok. Arthur walks with blood smeared across his mouth and cheek and you instantly know that the story you heard was true.