Hide Your Heart

Blow Up

Two days after Tommy had been released, he and Paul were in the bedroom. Paul was standing in the closet sorting through his clothes to take on tour while Tommy sat on the bed watching the pile grow bigger. "Paul, why can't you just wear sweats and t-shirts? I mean, skinny jeans, tight fitting shirts, more lingerie than Victoria Secret's! Really?"

Poking his head out, Paul saw the fight coming. "I do not know why it matters! We have interviews and appearances, you know this." "Now, if you plan on joining me, maybe you should stop bitching and start packing!"

Tommy flung everything onto the floor and stormed out. He slammed the door for good measure and kicked the guest room door shut. He tossed everything into the floor or against the wall, listening to it shatter.

Paul silently picked up his clothes and packed them. He dared not even go talk to Tommy until his boyfriend stopped sulking and being a bitch. He knew being pregnant caused mood swings but it still hit him hard. He finally sucked it up and headed down the hall. 

Knocking on the door, he waited for Tommy to open the door. When he got no response, he walked away. "I'll be making dinner if you want to eat. " he called over his shoulder.

"So...I don't care! I refuse to have another meal in this house. Go on tour. I don't give a damn!" snapped Tommy, poking his head out. "I won't be here when you come back."

Paul stopped dead in his tracks and turned around. "If you walk out, you won't be allowed back in. Understand? I love you but I WILL NOT PUT UP WITH YOU BEING A BITCH FOR THE NEXT EIGHT MONTHS! "

Tommy's response was to shut the door and burst into tears. "Y-y-you hate me?" "I-I-I'm s-s-sorry Paulie! "P-p-please don't toss me out!" "Y-y-you want me to leave?"

Paul sighed softly and headed back to the guest room. Bending down, he pulled Tommy to his feet. "I don't hate you, I just can't deal with the moodiness." "Please come to me if you feel down. I've been through this so I know how to deal with it. I know all of this is overwhelming and stressful, but I want to help."

Tommy collapsed into Paul's arms and sobbed his heart out. After about thirty minutes, he said, "I-I-I'll go take a shower. I-I-I'll come eat dinner after I pack." 

Paul wiped away Tommy's tears and pulled him to his feet. "Come on, let's take a shower together. I'll comfort you without being intimate. We just need to talk without distractions. Come on. " He led Tommy towards the bathroom. Gently undressing his husband and getting him in the shower, Paul joined him.

Paul bathed Tommy while he talked to him. "Bruce talked to me and Gene about taking Pat along with us. We're okay with it. Are you okay with being backstage most of the time?"

Tommy nodded as he dried off. "I am."

They headed down to the kitchen for dinner. Paul held Tommy's hand as they walked. "I just want you to be happy."

"I know. I love you too."

They ate pasta and salad along with garlic bread.