#5ll

It wasn’t weird that Tom liked the little things like eating dinner together in the comfort of your living room or cuddling before bed. There were even little activities like holding hands as you walk down the street when you weren’t swarmed with paps or going to the gym together that made his heart swell. He was a huge fan of quality time– where you’d be his centre of attention for as long as you allowed it, earning his undivided attention.

So lately he would admit that he’d been feeling a little more than deflated. Because coming home only to find you tucked up beneath a thin, woollen blanket already asleep after staying up to wait for him left a hole in his chest. It made him worry– made him worry that you deserved more.

He didn’t like the idea of you waiting up for him and he didn’t like the image of you trudging around the house alone because as you’d once told him, the house was lively and fun only when he was home.

That night, the most recent in a series, he shoves the door open gently with a low creak and pads into the entryway. His shoes squeaking against the floor and he tries to be as quiet as he possibly could be, still unaware if you’d fallen asleep in your shared bed or in the living room again.

But there you were fast asleep on the couch.

A mug of now cold tea still sat practically untouched on the coffee table and his heart ached because once again, you’d waited for him with hope that he’d be home before eleven. You seemed to be just as worn out as him and rightfully so.

“Tommy?”

He freezes at the sound of his name, seeing you sneak an eye open before he relaxes. He wets his bottom lip before continuing.

“Hey, sweet girl. Did I wake you?” He questions, clambering down onto his knees beside the couch.

“No, was waiting for you.”

Tom reaches to brush away a few strands of your hair as your eyelids fall heavy the more you try to keep them open. You push your cheek into his palm, hearing his quiet sigh before you unwillingly start to drift off again.

“It’s okay, love. Sleep. I've got you.”

His arms slide beneath your legs and yours tangle around his neck as he lifts you gently. With exhausted eyes and your head rested against his shoulder, you manage to look at him- something you hadn’t gotten to do much of lately. His curls were an unruly mess after a long day of interviews, tousled from his own fingers running through them. The small hue of black under his eyes proof that he should be the one falling asleep. But all he cared about was you and making sure you were taken care of. He missed that more than anything.

Taking care of you was part of that quality time that he had become so addicted to. And right now? He craved it.

You feel the welcoming comfort of the mattress as Tom sets you down. He carefully starts helping you out of your- his hoodie, because he knows you can’t sleep if you get too hot. You watch through slitted lids as he tosses it aside and then moves back to pull the cover over you.

“...Miss you,” you mumble, his lips lingering on your forehead the last thing you remember before drifting off.

Tom was tired, he was exhausted but still, he sat for a moment to brush strands of hair away from your face. He knew he had to do something soon– something that’d get the two of you alone and not in that way, but more of a romantic way. Where he could shower you in love and affection and care. Where he could prove that yes he loved his job, but he loved you more.

And maybe he could pull that diamond ring out of his bedside drawer once and for all.

With a tired groan, Tom sits up and tugs his own shirt off before sliding in next to you. He made sure not to move around too much, not to cough too loudly or kick his feet. The last thing he wanted to do was wake you.

So he didn’t.

Instead, he leaned back against the headboard, thinking about those quiet two words. Miss you. Tom missed you, too. He missed the content cuddles on the couch after days that seemed to last forever and listening to you talk softly at 2 am when you couldn’t sleep. The absence of you had exhausted his heart and he could tell it was hurting you. Exactly what he never wanted to do. All he wanted- all he needed was to feel you again.

-

You woke up the next morning with the duvet pulled up to your chin, engulfing you in a blanket of warmth and you extended an arm over to the other side of the bed with still closed eyes, part of you expecting your boyfriend to be laying next to you but instead you were met with an empty half. The duvet was already tucked neatly beneath his pillows, not a crease in sight.

He must’ve gone to the gym.

Your heart drops for a second, only a second. Because then you remembered that he’d be back later and you’d most likely have him all to yourself for the rest of the day. The thought was enough to give you butterflies.

You push the blankets back only to be met with a cool breeze, enough to make goosebumps form on your arms and shoulders to ride up in displeasure. You knew that Tom had been in a hurry that morning because if he hadn’t of been then he would’ve turned the heater on. Making your way to the small, corner chair you shove on a pair of slippers and your fluffy dressing gown. The thing was definitely not as comfortable as one of his shirts but enough to keep you warm.

Warm feet pad across the flooring, a still half asleep hand reaching for the door handle and you tug it open, hugging the dressing gown to your chest tighter as you’re met with the hallway that was definitely colder then your room. Damn it, Tom, he was most definitely in a  hurry.

Even Tess was curled up at the end of the hallway in her bed, snuggled under the same dog blanket she’d been given as a pup.

You make your way to the kitchen, already itching to clasp your hands around a mug of coffee. The house was always quiet in the morning– always when Tom wasn’t home. Because when he was home, he prefered to fumble around the kitchen cupboards and bathroom draws to search for his things, tripping over discarded clothes and dog toys he forgot to pick up the night before.

You jump suddenly, nearly dropping the blue and white mug you’d grabbed when the door was shoved open, the rattling of keys startling you.

“Tom?” You call, voice shaky. You were still half asleep, still trying to adjust to the light that streamed in through the curtains. With a deathly grip around the mug, you wait patiently.

He walks in, winter coat thrown over his shoulders and tip of his nose as red as a cherry tomato. He tries to hide something behind his back, hoping a smile would be enough to distract you.

“Shit, sorry love. Did I wake you?” Tom says, startled you were up this early.

You shake your head, letting out a sigh of relief. “No, I woke up on my own. What are you doing? Where’d you go?”

He chews his bottom lip, not wanting to ruin the surprise. “I went out for a run.”

“In the snow? Tom is freezing outside– plus you’re wearing jeans. You don’t run in jeans.” You laugh lightly, catching the faults in his lie. It didn’t take the fact that he was wearing jeans to workout to realise that he was lying. Tom was purely a bad liar, you were able to tell by his facial expressions alone.

You walk over and try to see what he’s hiding but Tom spins around so you can’t, a cheeky grin making way on his face. But the next time you try he’s too slow and you catch a glance of the gift.

“Flowers?”

Your voice fills with too much emotion. The action was so small but made your heart do flips.

He knows the cat is out of the bag and brings the flowers to the front, holding them out for you.

“Yeah. I went out really early to that stall you like downtown and got those ones because I know they’re your favourite.”

You take them gently, bringing them up to your nose and sniff, breathing in the sweet scent. Though it was nothing compared to the smile tugging at his lips and the slight blush rushing to his cheeks as he looked down. You set the bouquet on the nearby island and stride closer to him, your arms snake around his neck as you pull him into a tight hug. He wraps himself around you, letting his hands rest on your waist while you lean back and cup his face. Your thumb grazes his cheekbone softly, feeling the burn beneath his skin and pressing a quick kiss to his nose, tinted red and cold from the winter air.

“They’re beautiful, Tommy,” you whisper near his lips as he presses his forehead against yours. “Thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me, darling. I know I’ve missed a lot of my chances but… I promise, I will make up for it today.” He hesitates to mention the second part but knew the secret would be out in the open once he pushed you to get changed, recommending something a little more dressy then you’d initially like.

“Today? What are we doing today?” You question, pulling back slightly. He was still freezing from being outside, lips a gentle shade of blue. “You know I don’t like surprises so don’t you dare say it’s a surprise!” You joke, speaking sternly.

“First, I thought that we could go to that nice little cafe downtown that you like going to for lunch. Then we could go and do some shopping and, or just stroll through the mall, whatever sounds better to you. Maybe we could see if there’s a movie on at the cinema? I hear that new Freddie Mercury one is pretty good.” You go to cut him off but Tom puts an icy cold finger to your lips, giving you a sideways smile to say he wasn’t done yet. “I noticed they’ve started putting Christmas lights up in the park, so maybe we could go and see those once it gets dark? I know you enjoy those.” Christmas lights were secretly Toms guilty pleasure too.

He waits patiently for an answer, slipping his bottom lip between his teeth. You looked warm and snuggled up in the robe and for a second he wondered if maybe leaving the house on a day as cold as today wasn’t a good idea. But your beaming smile halts all doubts.

“I love you so much.” You find yourself muttering. “Yes, we can do all of that today. I’d absolutely love that.”

Your heart fluttered wildly in your chest and you don’t even try and stop yourself from smiling with excitement at the day ahead. Tom had really gone all out, pulling all the stops to make sure that this day would be special. That you’d remember just how loved you were.

Tom tugs you in gently by the front of your robe, pecking your lips gently. “Go get dressed then, I’ll put these away.” He says, taking the arrangement of flowers.

You hum. “It’s still early, how about a morning bath first? I can still see you shivering.”

The idea of soaking in the hot water surrounded by bubbles and lit candles made him let out a sigh of relief. And to have you there tucked up in front of him? that much better.

“Sounds good to me.”

-

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