✨ Falling Like the Stars ✨ | Tommyinnit ✔️

Thirty-Six

When Ryleigh woke up she felt drained, both mentally and physically. She had vividly remembered the frightening phone call from before she fell asleep.

The girl took a shower, refusing to look at herself in the mirror. Her shower was no more than five minutes. She changed into leggings and one of her dad's old shirts.

Ryleigh sat in her bed thinking over the entire conversation with Luka. Her fists curled and uncurled at the thought of him, nails digging harshly into her palm. Ryleigh was so engrossed in her thoughts she hadn't noticed her boyfriend's presence until he was holding her hand to get her to stop the harsh nail marks that were beginning to tear the skin.

"Hey, hey what's wrong? Ryleigh whats going on? Why are you digging your nails into your palm?" Tommy asked calmly.

"He called me today, Tom. He called me a-a-and he wasn't nice at all. He stopped by my h-house and he got very- very upset that i wasn't home. I lied and i talked back to him, Tommy. He threatened Tubbo..." Ryleigh whispered the last part, blaming herself for everything.

"He can't hurt you anymore, Ry."

"No but Tommy, he can. He knows where i live and who to threaten."

"Ryleigh, love, i won't let him hurt you."

"Tommy he'll hurt you too!" She exclaimed, the mere thought of Luka hurting Tommy sending her full circle and crying once again.

"Hey, hey listen, listen. If he touches me i'll call the police on him. If he even tries to touch you that bloody fucking prick will be on the ground in a matter of seconds. He cannot control you, Ryleigh, so don't let him."

"He doesn't take no for an a-answer."

"I don't particularly want to elaborate on what that means." Tommy spoke, evident anger in his tone.

"Why are you staying? Why arent you running away? Or- Or- Or fucking leaving me like everyone else? Why are you sticking around?" The girl sobbed against her knees, completely broken down.

"Because i dont abandon the people i love." Tommy whispered, pulling her into his arms to hold.

She hadn't noticed what he had just confessed. She was too wrapped up in trying to breathe than to comment on the fact that Tommyinnit told a woman he loved her.

Ryleigh had calmed down rather quickly when Tommy had held her. She inhaled his scent and gripped onto his shirt for some type of grounding.

Sometimes when Luka had been the cause of her problem's she'd slip into a place in her head where he was constantly tormenting her for fun, Tommy being present kept her from feeling mentally abused in those moments. This was something she'd grow to be extremely thankful for.

"Why can't i just be happy?" She whispered out.

"You'll get there, i promise." Tommy whispered back. "I promise."

"Thank you for being my boyfriend." The girl thanked quietly.

"Say that again." The boy paused after a few beats of silence.

"Say what again?" She said, moving to look up at him.

"The last word, the one you called me."

"My boyfriend?"

"I like that, Your Boyfriend, i really really like that." Tommy said giddily.

"Its been almost two weeks, how are you just now realizing you like it?"

"Can you always call me your boyfriend? I like being your boyfriend, i like being yours." Tommy said, hugging the girl tightly.

"Always."

"Promise?"

"I promise." Ryleigh replied, completely forgetting about her conversation with Luka for the time being.

"Ryleigh!" Tubbo called before busting into the room. His eyes narrowed as he studied my face.

"I'll fucking- thats a conversation for not now." Tubbo said, un-narrowing his eyes. "Anyways were going out to dinner tonight. Me you Niki Ranboo Will and Tommy. Make sure you're ready!" He yelled before running downstairs.

"Im glad he's happy, it's his day to shine." Ryleigh whispered.

"It can be your day too, love."

"He deserves it." She smiled.

"I know he does. So do you though, Ryleigh, don't forget that." Tommy assured.

Ryleigh nodded and smiled. She opened her phone and took pictures of the intimate moment with the boy, with her boy.

"You reckon you could send those to me?" Tommy said softly. She nodded and he smiled happily.

Soon enough Tubbo was dragging Ryleigh away from Tommy so they could coordinate their outfits alike every year.

This year they wore denim jeans, a white tee-shirt, a black hoodie overtop, and whatever shoes they had present.

Tubbo wore one of his black hoodies while Ryleigh stole yet another black hoodie from Tommy; he didnt mind , he never really minded.

Tubbo and Ryleigh walked downstairs holding their masks in hand. The group waiting for them clapped and cheered playfully as if it were some grand event. The playful actions made Tubbo laugh and hype them up for more while Ryleigh blushed from embarrassment and laughed awkwardly.

"What, don't know what to do with the attention on you?" Ranboo commented to the girl now hiding her face.

"Pardon?" She asked, not fully catching what Ranboo had said through the loudness of the group, mainly Wilbur and Tommy, yelling.

"Nothing." He laughed. She nudged him and he rolled his eyes with a laugh.

"Ready?" Tubbo asked, stepping next to his sister. She nodded and they all walked outside. Wilbur would be driving one car while Ranboo drove the other.

The teens would be in one car while Niki and Wilbur were in the other.

They soon arrived at the restaurant and sat down to eat. Ryleigh had always gotten anxious during eat out sessions seeing as everytime she went out she'd have to keep on Luka watch.

Tommy watched her hand curl and uncurl, once again digging her nails into her palm. He quickly grabbed her hand and drew circles on it so she wouldn't hurt herself.

"Follow me." The server said nicely. Ryleigh and Tommy followed everyone else hand in hand.

"He's not here, Ry, you're okay. He's an ocean away." Tommy quietly reassured, gripping her hand gently. She nodded in response as they were all seated and handed menus.

While Ryleigh was anxious all night, she still allowed herself to have a great time. She allowed herself to enjoy her birthday for the first time in two years. One thing she'd take away from tonight is that she definitely was happier than she'd been past years.

She was happy with her new friends, some even to be considered more like family now.

{1093 words}