awkbergbloom:

tommyisaacs:

Tommy grinned at Bloom’s description of what he’d been up to, school and cats. Typical. And then Tyrone was mentioned and Tommy felt his heart sink a little, knowing the six footer’d have to be mentioned now and then, but then Bloom said his name, including him in his thoughts even though they’d barely seen each other, and he turned to his roomate, beaming at him, and he nudged him gently, and he couldn’t wipe the grin off his face as they continued on.

“I’m real glad t’ see y’ Bloom.” he murmured, “I really do miss y’ when you’re gone..” He slipped his hands into his pockets, turning his head to look at him, taking in the mop of curls, the angular face, and he felt his heart quicken. “I miss..I miss the way we used t’ be y’know?”

Tommy nudged him and he couldn’t help it, but the spot felt warm and it radiated throughout his body. “I’m real glad t’ see y’ Bloom.” He looked to him and nodded, feeling precisely the same. Tommy was his best friend. He made everything feel better, the bad feelings and the voices and the characters go away, leaving only clarity and— well, what Bloom understood as happiness. 

“I really do miss y’ when you’re gone…” Bloom frowned. He missed Tommy. God, he missed Tommy all the time, more than he could bear. He caught the cowboy looking at him and smiled softly, “I miss… I miss the way we used t’ be y’know?” And Bloom nodded, pausing in his step and turning to Tommy, “I- I miss it too…” He licked his lips nervously and held a hand out tentatively, “We can- we can b-bring it back. I… I want it.” He was holding out his feelings right there, waiting for Tommy to take his hand. “I just.. Don’t… Know w-what to do most of the time…”

Tommy stopped walking as Bloom turned to him, nodding. Bloom said he missed it too, and Tommy smiled slightly, having wanted to hear that for so long, and then Bloom was holding out his hand, and Tommy stared at it, heart fluttering. Bloom was saying that they could bring it back, and Tommy met his gaze, heart in his mouth, and Tommy swallowed as Bloom said he didn’t know what to do most of the time. 

He let his hand move forward, taking Bloom’s, his calloused hand taking Bloom’s soft one, and he let out a breath, cheeks heating, and he whispered. ‘I don’t know what I’m doing either, Bloom,’ and he held Bloom’s gaze. “I don’t… I don’t want t’ lose y’ Bloom,” he murmured, “Y’ mean a lot t’ me.”

awkbergbloom:

tommyisaacs:

Tommy followed Bloom down the stairwell, grinning at the speed at which Bloom was taking the stairs, and as they reached the ground floor Bloom turned, extending his hand, and Tommy’s heart almost stopped as their fingers brushed. Was Bloom trying to…? No. Of it was an accident, because Bloom had pulled his hand away and was now blushing, mumbling a sorry, and Tommy took a calming breath as he moved away, his hands deep in his pockets. “S’alright.” Tommy murmured, though he was sure Bloom couldn’t hear him. 

Bloom was telling him he could lead to the diner, and Tommy came to walk beside him, his own hands slipping into his pockets, and he found his grin again, falling into step. “Sure sure,” he said, squinting up at the sky. “I love the heat,” Tommy said, though Bloom already knew that from Tommy’s complaints when winter rolled in. “Wish it was still as hot as summer.” He glanced sideways at Bloom. “So, any plays..musicals?”

Tommy fell into step beside him and Bloom smiled up at him. The urge to take hold of his hand was still very much there, and God, he wished he could act upon it. But- that would mean… That wasn’t good. His- His boyfriend was Tyrone. And Tommy… Well, Tommy didn’t like Bloom. Not in that way. That much, Bloom was sure of. He was sure. Because love meant… That things… 

Well, Bloom wasn’t really sure what love meant. Tracy and Michael showed it just the way Tyrone did, it was tough and it was painful and it wasn’t always pleasant but at least- at least you always knew that they were there.

“I love the heat,” Bloom pulled his eyes from the sidewalk and looked at Tommy, who was glancing at the sky. His eyes fell to his neck and Bloom turned pink, staring at the sidewalk again as they walked along, “I-I know,” he smiled a little, because, well, Tommy was just so… He was such a good friend. “Wish it was still as hot as summer,”

That statement, Bloom didn’t agree with, a small snort coming from his nose. Summer meant the sun was always out and the buildings were always hot and hoodies were very suspicious. “So, any plays… Musicals?” Bloom shook his head, “N-no. Not. Not right now. Just- school and… School and cats.” His already pink cheeks turned a little pinker, and he cleared his throat, “School, cats, T-Tyrone and-” His eyes glanced at Tommy for a moment, then at the ground again, “and you, t-too.”

Tommy grinned at Bloom’s description of what he’d been up to, school and cats. Typical. And then Tyrone was mentioned and Tommy felt his heart sink a little, knowing the six footer’d have to be mentioned now and then, but then Bloom said his name, including him in his thoughts even though they’d barely seen each other, and he turned to his roomate, beaming at him, and he nudged him gently, and he couldn’t wipe the grin off his face as they continued on.

“I’m real glad t’ see y’ Bloom.” he murmured, “I really do miss y’ when you’re gone..” He slipped his hands into his pockets, turning his head to look at him, taking in the mop of curls, the angular face, and he felt his heart quicken. “I miss..I miss the way we used t’ be y’know?”

dontcallmedavey:

tommyisaacs:

Tommy thought he saw a slow burn of reccognition deep behind Dave’s eyes, the flicker in the slight shine that came off them in the dark of the room. He felt his stomach tighten, and he swallowed, staring down at Dave, wondering if losing Jason had somehow unhinged him, he didn’t do this kind of thing, but this was Dave. If Tommy loved anyone, he loved Dave. Tommy let out a low breath, feeling as though the hand that was resting on Dave’s abdomen was on fire, and he tried to think straight, tried to reason what he was doing, but he didn’t know what he was doing, in any sense. 

“I hate when your upset,” Tommy whispered, avoiding Dave’s gaze now. “and this time I know that there ain’t much I can do except be here…like..like I always am,” he paused, “but If I can help another way…” Tommy slid his hand up Dave’s chest, his jaw tensing slightly, “I’ll do it. I can be that for y’ if y’need it.” He took a calming breath, steeling his nerves, and he leaned in, kissing Dave’s lower cheek near his jaw, letting his lips linger, hating the part of him that craved the close contact, the part that was asking as well as offering, because he knew it was wrong, yet there he was.

‘I hate when you’re upset.’ But Tommy wasn’t looking at him and Dave swallowed hard, trying not to think about the hand that was resting just above the waistband of his basketball shorts. ‘And this time I know that there ain’t much I can do except be here…like..like I always am.’ And that was enough— Tommy had no idea how much just his presence was helping. How just being next to Tommy was calming because it was familiar and normal. And everything that had gone on in the last 24 hours had been so not normal that just that small bit of familiarity was doing wonders for him. But this- the hand that settled on his stomach and the way Tommy hovered over him- this was not the norm.

‘But if I can help another way…’ The hand slid up, callous running up the washboard stomach and the touch sent a slight shiver down his spine. ‘I’ll do it. I can be that for y’ if y’need it.’ No, no- this was Tom. Tommy was everything to him but that. There was a reason for that. Dave had never wanted to cross that line with Tommy. There was too much at risk with that. He tensed, watching the outline of Tommy’s face draw closer, frozen there until warm lips pressed against his cheek. He swallowed hard, struggling to find his voice and keep a clear head because he was perched on the dangerous slope of making a mistake out of selfishness. “Tom, I can’t— what about- what about Bloom?” No- no, there were more involved in this than just Tom and he. There was Bloom to think about. And more importantly in Dave’s mind, their friendship. Once they crossed that line, that would be it. And Dave couldn’t handle losing that- almost three years- to one night of ‘comfort’. 

Tommy lifted his head slightly, mind spinning and heart racing, and he tried to keep himself calm, to calm the fear that was clawing in his chest, and he swallowed, waiting for Dave’s reaction. He could feel Dave’s eyes on him, practically hear the cogs of his mind working, and as Dave spoke, Tommy waited, fingers tightening on his skin a little. “Tom, I can’t— what about- what about Bloom?” Tommy’s heart gave a horrible tug, and he could see Bloom in front of him so clearly, he could still feel his arms around him, he could still smell his scent, and Tommy’s eyes fell to the hand that rested on Bloom’s chest, fighting the swell of emotion. 

“Bloom…Bloom’s with Tyrone.” he mumbled, “He ain’t mine.” Tommy’s voice cracked slightly, and he shook his head, swallowing thickly. “I just thought it might help y’…maybe I’ve gone crazy, I just… You’re my best friend… I want t’ help.” Tommy pressed another kiss to Dave’s jaw, knowing it felt wrong, knowing Dave wasn’t supposed to be the one he offered this to, or asked it from, but his body wasn’t listening to his mind, the hurt and the pain and the worry and the need to fix all betraying him at once.

dontcallmedavey:

tommyisaacs:

There was a pause, and Tommy felt like he was suspended in mid air, unsure if he should try to climb back up to the ledge he’d been safe on or to just continue to plunge downward. Dave turned, and Tommy found himself holding his breath, and he noticed Dave’s brow furrowed, confusion mapped out easily on his face, his blue eyes showing no understanding. Oh holy hell. Tommy felt his cheeks burning at the idea of spelling this out to Dave. He was glad of the dark that shrouded them, it’s heaviness now a comfort, and he looked back at dave a moment, trying to find the right way to say it. Only there really was no right way.

“I just meant..” Tommy swallowed, voice dropping, “I know when you’re upset or down… Y’ find comfort in someone..” Jesus Christ, Tom, find comfort in someone. That was the best he could come up with as a substitute for fuck some strangers brains out. Tommy pulled Dave down to lie on his back, and he stared down at him, feeling rather petrified of his own words. “I could.. I don’t mind.” Tommy lifted a tentative hand and he placed it carefully on Dave’s lower stomach, just above his waist band, eyes searching for Dave’s again, and he knew part of him was looking for some sort of comfort, but he ignored it, wanting Dave to be ok, because Tommy could never quite function right when he wasn’t.

‘I just meant… i know when you’re upset or down… Y’find comfort in someone…’

The line between Dave’s eyes seemed to crease further, Tommy’s words still not connecting to his brain. ‘Find comfort in someone’? Comfort…sex? His mouth turned down the slightest bit, “Y’know Tom, I really don’t think we’re gonna find very many willing girls for me to fuck at this hour. You live in the middle of Bum-Fuck Nowhere.” And really, where the hell was he supposed to do that? Not back at the house- if he wouldn’t drink under Karen’s roof, he sure as hell wasn’t about to fuck some stranger under that same roof. And- and frankly the thought of being in a car made his stomach turn in knots and what the hell was Tommy even saying?

Tom’s hand pulled at his shoulder and he turned, lying flat on his back, staring up at the faint outline of Tom’s face. Something in the back of his mind was starting to connect the dots but the rest of his brain was refusing to even think on that. This was Tommy- his best friend. And- and Tom knew everything about him- the good, the bad, the ugly- and still stuck around but if he was hinting at what that little bit of Dave’s mind thought he was hinting at… ‘I could… I don’t mind.’ A warm, rough hand settled on his stomach and his heart pounded madly against his ribcage, the lines in his face smoothed and he looked up at Tom, eyes wide, brain still refusing to believe what was practically being screamed to him, “T-Tom?” 

Tommy thought he saw a slow burn of reccognition deep behind Dave’s eyes, the flicker in the slight shine that came off them in the dark of the room. He felt his stomach tighten, and he swallowed, staring down at Dave, wondering if losing Jason had somehow unhinged him, he didn’t do this kind of thing, but this was Dave. If Tommy loved anyone, he loved Dave. Tommy let out a low breath, feeling as though the hand that was resting on Dave’s abdomen was on fire, and he tried to think straight, tried to reason what he was doing, but he didn’t know what he was doing, in any sense. 

“I hate when your upset,” Tommy whispered, avoiding Dave’s gaze now. “and this time I know that there ain’t much I can do except be here…like..like I always am,” he paused, “but If I can help another way…” Tommy slid his hand up Dave’s chest, his jaw tensing slightly, “I’ll do it. I can be that for y’ if y’need it.” He took a calming breath, steeling his nerves, and he leaned in, kissing Dave’s lower cheek near his jaw, letting his lips linger, hating the part of him that craved the close contact, the part that was asking as well as offering, because he knew it was wrong, yet there he was.

awkbergbloom:

tommyisaacs:

Tommy loved the sight of Bloom’s smile, his real one, the one that made his eyes shine and crinkle, and as Tommy ran out of steam on ideas, Bloom spoke up, asking if they could go to the diner to get some milkshakes, and Tommy grinned at him as he moved to the door, remembering the other encounters they’d had there, one in which Tommy had come back covered in pink blotches. Bloom still apologised for it sometimes.

Bloom said they could walk to the shelter and Tommy was sold, as if he hadn’t been already, and he nodded, looking around for his phone and keys, shaking a hand as Bloom backed down and said he could chose, waving it off. “No I like that plan, milkshakes and animals to scratch where Lorence hasn’t.” He pocketed his wallet and passed Bloom out the door, pulling it shut behind him, and he gave Bloom a delighted grin. “Come on then, you.”

“No I like that plan,” Bloom grinned at the cowboy, “milkshakes and animals to scratch where Lorence hasn’t.” Tommy walked past him and Bloom’s eyes followed, as did the rest of his body. The door was pulled shut, a click signifying it being locked, and Bloom was met with a wide grin and a “Come on then, you,”

Bloom nodded and walked along, leading the way. He took the steps quickly and reached the ground floor fast, looking behind him and reaching for Tommy’s hand when Tommy came up behind him. Bloom’s pale and thin fingers grazed Tommy’s hand and his cheeks burnt up in embarrassment. “Sorry, didn’t- I-I. Sorry.” He cleared his throat and turned away, beginning to walk again and putting his hands deep in his pockets, where they wouldn’t bother anyone.

“Just- got to w-walk a few blocks and- it’s a bit. You c-can lead to the diner,” he said, it being so long since going there, he didn’t recall where it was. But the shelter? That was another story altogether. From anywhere he could get there. Anywhere.

Tommy followed Bloom down the stairwell, grinning at the speed at which Bloom was taking the stairs, and as they reached the ground floor Bloom turned, extending his hand, and Tommy’s heart almost stopped as their fingers brushed. Was Bloom trying to…? No. Of it was an accident, because Bloom had pulled his hand away and was now blushing, mumbling a sorry, and Tommy took a calming breath as he moved away, his hands deep in his pockets. “S’alright.” Tommy murmured, though he was sure Bloom couldn’t hear him. 

Bloom was telling him he could lead to the diner, and Tommy came to walk beside him, his own hands slipping into his pockets, and he found his grin again, falling into step. “Sure sure,” he said, squinting up at the sky. “I love the heat,” Tommy said, though Bloom already knew that from Tommy’s complaints when winter rolled in. “Wish it was still as hot as summer.” He glanced sideways at Bloom. “So, any plays..musicals?”

awkbergbloom:

tommyisaacs:

Tommy stared into Bloom’s uneasy smile, and almost sighed as he shrugged. Bloom said it was all accidents, mumbling about Lorence getting tangled in his legs, and Tommy pulled one leg up onto the bed, resting his chin on his knee, arms wrapped around it. Bloom’s voice was small, telling him there was no falling, that he was alright. Tommy didn’t really believe him, but he just nodded, preferring not to fight, not when he hadn’t seen Bloom in so long. 

Bloom cleared his throat, and Tommy raised his head from his knee, watching the hands that patted his thighs, and he met Bloom’s gaze as he asked if they should do something, something to catch up, and Tommy had to smile, and he nodded. “Yeah, I’d like that.” He bounced up off the bed, glancing around. “Whatever y’ want, Bloom, we could go t’ the shelter, I could take y’ t’ the stables. We can go t the diner.. or just watch doctor who.. go for a walk..” He listed off everything that came to his head,too happy to be spending time with his shy roomate to care what they did at all.

Bloom smiled brightly when Tommy agreed that they should do something. He stood and cracked his bones, much too happy and trying not to bounce around at all as Tommy prattled off and listed, “Could we- I- the- the diner. The diner. We could… Get some milkshakes?” He suggested, walking to stand by the door, “We could get some- and take them and- and- w-walk to the shelter?” 

It was an attempt but, Bloom’s heart felt like it was going to give out. He loved being with Tommy. He made things feel so much simpler, so much easier. He let him breathe and he didn’t treat him as if he was made of glass. “I don’t… y-you can choose,” he said, staring at the floor as he rocked back and forth on his feet.

Tommy loved the sight of Bloom’s smile, his real one, the one that made his eyes shine and crinkle, and as Tommy ran out of steam on ideas, Bloom spoke up, asking if they could go to the diner to get some milkshakes, and Tommy grinned at him as he moved to the door, remembering the other encounters they’d had there, one in which Tommy had come back covered in pink blotches. Bloom still apologised for it sometimes.

Bloom said they could walk to the shelter and Tommy was sold, as if he hadn’t been already, and he nodded, looking around for his phone and keys, shaking a hand as Bloom backed down and said he could chose, waving it off. “No I like that plan, milkshakes and animals to scratch where Lorence hasn’t.” He pocketed his wallet and passed Bloom out the door, pulling it shut behind him, and he gave Bloom a delighted grin. “Come on then, you.”

awkbergbloom:

tommyisaacs:

Tommy watched Bloom’s face carefully as his roommate told him that Tyrone was good, more than once, adding in that he didn’t like Lorence much, and Tommy nodded, trying to appropriately happy about this. Then Bloom added that Tyrons still didn’t like Tommy much either, and Tommy found himself smiling a little wryly. “No..I wouldn’t say he would.” He murmured, studying Bloom carefully. “Is he…” he caught himself, glancing at the floor. “Have y’ fallen lately, Bloom?” and he looked up slowly, meeting Bloom’s eye pointedly, indicating exactly what he was really asking. 

He hated that Tyrone kept Bloom locked away from them, and the others were starting to notice too now. Tommy’s paranoia about the six footer was starting to hold some sway over them. He hated that he couldn’t keep an eye on the boy he’d become so protectively fond over, and to think that Tyrone would actually hurt Bloom, accidently or not, made him so angry he could barely begint o process it.

“Is he…” Bloom looked up at Tommy, quizzical expression on his face, head tilted off to the side. Is he what, Bloom thought, narrowing his eyes in the direction of the cowboy, before softening again at his next words, “Have y’ fallen lately, Bloom?”

The question in itself was a dumb one, asking if someone had fallen, but- the both of them knew precisely what he was talking about. Falling. Right. Bloom looked downwards and up again, into Tommy’s eyes. He gave a queasy smile, shrugging, “If- it’s all accidents,” which was true. “Lorence scratches sometimes but- and he gets… tangled. In my legs,” he pointed to his shoes to emphasize. “I… No falling… Nothing that- well- that- I’m alright, Tommy,” his voice was tiny and his gaze fell to the floor again, unsure of what to say next.

He hadn’t meant for Tommy, or anyone for that matter, to find out. It was something between he and Tyrone, and no one else had to be involved. Tyrone was his boyfriend and… Bloom was sure that Tyrone loved him. At least, he thought he did. His mother… His father… So many… Bloom cleared his throat, patting his thighs, “W-well, we should… do something? So that… We can catch up, y-yes?”

Tommy stared into Bloom’s uneasy smile, and almost sighed as he shrugged. Bloom said it was all accidents, mumbling about Lorence getting tangled in his legs, and Tommy pulled one leg up onto the bed, resting his chin on his knee, arms wrapped around it. Bloom’s voice was small, telling him there was no falling, that he was alright. Tommy didn’t really believe him, but he just nodded, preferring not to fight, not when he hadn’t seen Bloom in so long. 

Bloom cleared his throat, and Tommy raised his head from his knee, watching the hands that patted his thighs, and he met Bloom’s gaze as he asked if they should do something, something to catch up, and Tommy had to smile, and he nodded. “Yeah, I’d like that.” He bounced up off the bed, glancing around. “Whatever y’ want, Bloom, we could go t’ the shelter, I could take y’ t’ the stables. We can go t the diner.. or just watch doctor who.. go for a walk..” He listed off everything that came to his head,too happy to be spending time with his shy roomate to care what they did at all.

dontcallmedavey:

tommyisaacs: 

Dave stared at him, and Tommy kept his grip firm, hoping he wouldn’t refuse, but as Dave relaxed back toward the mattress, Tommy let out a breath, and he released his grip, relieved. Dave was asking if he was sure, and Tom nodded, waving his worry about taking up the bed away, and he returned Dave’s small smile, watching as he slipped back under the blankets, turning away from him, facing the wall. Tommy swallowed, staring at Dave’s back, trying to think and trying not to think at the same time. He didn’t want to think about what had happened, but he also didn’t want to leave Dave feeling as though he couldn’t talk about it if he needed to. 

He saw Dave move a fraction closer, scooting back a few inches, and Tommy bit his lip, his natural reaction being to pull Dave into his arms and hold him, the way he’d always comforted people, the way he showed affection. That was why Bloom had been a mystery to him, unable to touch him without scaring him, Tommy had had to learn to use words as well, trying to show he cared with a sentence rather than a gesture. But with Dave he’d always been able to comfort him in his own way, yet Tommy didn’t think it would be enough this time. “It’s..It’s gonna be alright,” he murmured quietly. “I know it doesn’t seem like it right now but..” He swallowed, staring at Dave’s back, feeling at a loss of what to do, and then in the back of his mind a spark of a thought ignited and frightened him a little, and he felt his cheeks heat. He took a shallow breath and swallowed again. “If..what y’ normally like t’…I can…if y’ want.” His whispered words made little sense he knew, but he had no idea how to offer. He had no idea what he was doing or why, but if Dave needed it he wanted to give. 

Tommy’s chest pressed against his back and his breath left him in a soft huff, his eyes falling shut. It was simple with Tommy. He was comforted by physicality- touches, kisses, hugs, sex. And although he would never openly admit it, out of everyone he could’ve had next to him at that point, he wouldn’t have picked anyone but Tommy. The slow reassuring roll of Tommy’s voice filled his ears, ‘It’s.. it’s gonna be alright.’ Dave wasn’t so sure. How could it be alright when the guilt was crushing him? ‘I know it doesn’t seem like it right now but..’ A slight nod was all Dave could manage to return. It didn’t seem likely that he would ever really be alright again. But- but if Tommy said so, then he trusted him.

His eyes slid shut and his breathing had started to even- just sleep. I’ll deal with it tomorrow. Just need to sleep.- when Tommy spoke again. ‘If.. what y’ normally like t’…I can… if y’want.’ His eyes cracked open, his mind not connecting what Tommy was saying. What was he talking about? He shifted slightly, turning his head to face Tommy, the line between his brows furrowing in confusion, blue eyes meeting brown, “Wh-What? What are you talking about?”

There was a pause, and Tommy felt like he was suspended in mid air, unsure if he should try to climb back up to the ledge he’d been safe on or to just continue to plunge downward. Dave turned, and Tommy found himself holding his breath, and he noticed Dave’s brow furrowed, confusion mapped out easily on his face, his blue eyes showing no understanding. Oh holy hell. Tommy felt his cheeks burning at the idea of spelling this out to Dave. He was glad of the dark that shrouded them, it’s heaviness now a comfort, and he looked back at dave a moment, trying to find the right way to say it. Only there really was no right way.

“I just meant..” Tommy swallowed, voice dropping, “I know when you’re upset or down… Y’ find comfort in someone..” Jesus Christ, Tom, find comfort in someone. That was the best he could come up with as a substitute for fuck some strangers brains out. Tommy pulled Dave down to lie on his back, and he stared down at him, feeling rather petrified of his own words. “I could.. I don’t mind.” Tommy lifted a tentative hand and he placed it carefully on Dave’s lower stomach, just above his waist band, eyes searching for Dave’s again, and he knew part of him was looking for some sort of comfort, but he ignored it, wanting Dave to be ok, because Tommy could never quite function right when he wasn’t.

newtheatregirl:

O.K. Go!

(Source: fuckyeahchadmayate, via dontcallmedavey)

awkbergbloom:

tommyisaacs:

Tommy grinned at Bloom’s back as he moved into the room, making his way toward his bed. Tommy followed, but sat on his own, crossing his legs and resting his elbows on his knees. Bloom dropped his things, telling him he missed him, and Tommy cocked his head to the side, taking in Bloom’s expression, and he felt a tug in his chest, causing him to glance down. “I missed you too.” He said hands rubbing over his faded jeans, and his gaze rose to Bloom’s face once more, his eyes raking over every feature, trying to memorise him subconsciously in case this was a once off excursion. Bloom murmured that Lorence missed him too, that he liked Tommy’s cuddles, and Tommy laughed, thinking of the cat who scratched him as much as purred for him, and whom took up residence on Tommy’s lap everytime they were in the same room. “I miss the feline devil too,” he murmured, “all my scratches have just about faded, think I’m due for a top up sooner or later.” He wasn’t sure if that would happen, seeing as the last time Tommy had gone over to Tyrone’s place the subsequent scene hadn’t boded well for either of them.

Bloom asked him how he’d been, and Tommy shrugged, not really wanting to tell the truth, but unable to settle on a believable lie, so he went with vagueness. “Eh, Alright, I guess. Been busy..” He met Bloom’s eye, and his brain screamed at him to tell him just how much he missed him and his dino laptop, but he just came out with; “workin’…” and he cursed himself. He could tell Bloom about Dave, but in fairness to his friend, who wanted their problems broadcast to anyone. Tommy would keep his concerns to himself and spare Dave’s pride, what little was left of it.

Tommy was just about to ask how Bloom was, hating to bring up Tyrone, but then Bloom blurted out another question, one that caught Tommy by surprise, and he blinked, feeling a twist in his stomach and a humourless laugh on his lips. He shook his head, trying not to find the question overly hilarious. “No, Bloom. I ain’t got a girl.” He studied him, he the reason Tommy wasn’t interested in the starbucks girl who’d boldly slipped him her number, or the girl from the bar who’d tried to flirt with him. Not that he’d ever been someone to rake in the women, he was far too nice for most girls’ taste, that was what Harry said, but he’d always appreciated the compliments. Now he felt as though he were lying to them from the moment they said hello, feeling as though he were taken, though he very much was not. 

Bloom was busy telling him that he really should have one, that he was good and deserved a real girlfriend, and the crooked smile Bloom gave him only confused his heart all the more. He thought about Bloom a lot, but he still was having a horrible time coming to terms that he wanted to do more than just hold and comfort the boy. It was frightening and confusing, and all the while the thought of Bloom’s real smile made Tommy’s stomach flip. “Nah, Bloom. I ain’t… I ain’t really interested,” he mumbled, leaning back against the wall, and he licked his lips. “How’s..Tyrone?” He tried to make his voice conversational, unsure if he’d succeeded. 

He liked spending so much time with Tommy. He’d missed it, he’d missed it so much. He’d missed the twang in Tommy’s voice and the way his lips turned upwards when he smiled, he missed his warmth and compassion and the way that he looked at him as if he mattered— because feeling that way, like he mattered to people, at least for Bloom, was nearly impossible. Especially with his background.

“No, Bloom. I ain’t got a girl,” Which was bizarre to Bloom, and so, he went on. Tommy needed a girl, one that would spend time with him because, God, it was self centered of him, but because he didn’t. He wanted someone that he liked and that he thought was good for Tommy to spend time with him (no offense to any of the girls that Dave had gotten with, none.) If Tommy had a girlfriend then… maybe he would stop thinking about him so often. Maybe he would put Tommy out of his mind because it would be certain that he and Tommy would be an impossible happenstance.

“Nah, Bloom. I ain’t… I ain’t really interested.” Bloom frowned, wanting to question that more. But why? Why didn’t Tommy want anyone? Why couldn’t he just hole himself up with a girl and make it clear that Bloom was not an option? Bloom couldn’t help it. It wasn’t fair, he thought, the way Tommy looked at him with those wide eyes, the way Tommy touched him sometimes, the way— god, when they’d made the cupcakes for Dave? That was a memory he visited often, even though the reason for the baking and the things that had happened before that was… Well, not good.

“How’s… Tyrone?” How was he supposed to answer that. Bloom swallowed and chewed nervously on his lip, picking at the skin around his fingernails and feeling the familiar stinging feeling, grateful he had the hoodie’s pocket to shield Tommy’s view from that, “I… H-he’s good,” which was true. Tyrone hadn’t done anything in… A long time. Things had been good between them. Tyrone was more amorous than usual, and not in a forceful way, which- Bloom thought of as good. “He’s good. St-still doesn’t l-like Lorence too much but… But he’s good, I think,” Bloom shrugged, looking up at Tommy. 

He hadn’t told a soul but the night that the group had returned from the roadtrip-gone-wrong, Tyrone hadn’t exactly been… Pleased. Bloom was still pretty sure that there were bruises and, well, thank goodness he owned so many hoodies and long jeans. “Still doesn’t- doesn’t like you m-much,” a fact that made Bloom sad.

Tommy watched Bloom’s face carefully as his roommate told him that Tyrone was good, more than once, adding in that he didn’t like Lorence much, and Tommy nodded, trying to appropriately happy about this. Then Bloom added that Tyrons still didn’t like Tommy much either, and Tommy found himself smiling a little wryly. “No..I wouldn’t say he would.” He murmured, studying Bloom carefully. “Is he…” he caught himself, glancing at the floor. “Have y’ fallen lately, Bloom?” and he looked up slowly, meeting Bloom’s eye pointedly, indicating exactly what he was really asking. 

He hated that Tyrone kept Bloom locked away from them, and the others were starting to notice too now. Tommy’s paranoia about the six footer was starting to hold some sway over them. He hated that he couldn’t keep an eye on the boy he’d become so protectively fond over, and to think that Tyrone would actually hurt Bloom, accidently or not, made him so angry he could barely begint o process it.