Mutual (A TheSyndicateproject/Tom Cassel)

Gamer Shore

"Well if it isn't Mrs. Syndicate" I sighed as I shut the door to Gamer Shore behind me, glaring at the accuser. 

"Haha Brennan. You're killing me with your Hilarity" I rolled my eyes as GoldGlove emerged from the kitchen, a mocking look on his face. 

"I knew I'd get you with that." He grinned. "Tom left with Muzza to get food. Tucker is upstairs if you wanna hang with him till he gets back. Or you can always keep me company." 

"Tom told you about the threesome text didn't he?" I rubbed the bridge of my nose. 

"Yep. Glad to know I'm the favorite" He chuckled to himself. "But seriously. Tucker is in his room. I'll be in the living room watching a stream. You can pretty much do whatever you want. Our home is your home" 

"The home that you don't even occupy anymore" I laughed as he slipped past me into the living room. I set my bag on the floor before slipping out of my jacket and hanging it over the back of a chair. "I'm going to go see what Tucker is doing" 

"Sure thing" Brennan waved as he sat himself on the couch. "I'll tell Tom you're here so he doesn't get distracted." 

"Thanks" I picked up my bag, heading for the stairs. I jogged upstairs, pausing at the top of the stairs to listen for  a minute. It wasn't hard to locate Tucker's room judging by the muffled cursing coming from behind one of the doors. I rolled my eyes knocking on the door. 

"Come in!" Tucker called out, followed by a short bark. 

"It's Ashley" I said, opening the door a little and poking my head in. Grizz immediately rushed up to greet me. 

"Hey Ash" Tucker sat back sitting his controller on his desk. "What's up?" 

"Ah you know. Waiting for Tom to get back. He has a problem with telling me to meet him somewhere and then not being there" I said, leaning down to pet Grizz's head. 

"Yeah. He's good at that" Tucker laughed. "Come in and sit. He'll probably be a while" He nodded to a spare chair next to the desk. 

"Sure thing" I walked over, leaving the door open behind me. Grizz immediately jumped into my lap. "I'm sure Tucker just never pays attention to you, does he buddy?" 

"Bullshit" Tucker picked up his controller again, starting another fifa match. "He's just an attention whore" 

"How dare you call this precious dog an attention whore Tucker" I fake gasped, watching as he scored a goal. "You should be ashamed of yourself" 

"Surrreee" He rolled his eyes. "Hey, There's something I've been meaning to ask you" 

"Go for it" I shrugged, petting Grizz. 

"How are you doing with this whole Twitter drama thing?" I raised an eyebrow at him. "Don't look at me like that. I know they've gotten worse since you started dating Tom. People know about it now because of PAX." 

"So? Hate happens" I said, looking down at Grizz."It's not something I can control. There are always going to be people that think I'm not good enough for Tom. I've got to accept that" 

"Yeah but you've never handled hate well. Jordan said" I cut him off with a harsh look. 

"I know what Jordan thinks about my ability to handle criticism" I said bitterly. "I'm fine Tucker. Really. If something's wrong I'll let everyone know" 

"I get it" Tucker nodded, seemingly unaffected by my outburst. "Just don't be afraid to talk if you can't take it" 

"I promise-" I cut myself as Grizz barked. He jumped out of my lap, hurrying to jump as far back on Tucker's bed as he could. Downstairs there was the sound of a door closing and a muffled, high pitched, noise. 

"Sounds like Tom's home" Tucker laughed. "Better go see him" 

"I guess I probably should" I got up, picking my bag up off the floor. "Talk to you later Tucker" 

"Yeah. See you later" Tucker went back to his game. 

I stepped out of the room, shutting the door behind me. I'd barely heard the click of the latch before something caught me off guard, wrapping their arms around me as I tried to turn. I rolled my eyes as they nuzzled into my neck, knowing who it was immediately. 

"It's nice to see you too Tom" I said, squirming as the beard he'd grown tickled my neck. 

"You could at least sound excited about it" He chuckled, moving backwards. Tom ducked downwards as if he was going to kiss me. 

"Whoa whoa whoa" I turned my head as I caught the smell of his breath. "I don't do garlic breath. Eat a tic-tac. Or brush your teeth" 

"Why you gotta be darude" He pouted, releasing me. 

"A little toothpaste won't hurt you" I patted his cheek with a slight smile. "Besides. I'm not sure Tucker would be too happy if we're kissing in front of his door" 

"She's right. Go away" Tucker called from inside. 

"Point made" He admitted finally. "My room is the last doo on the right. I'll be there in a second" 

"Sure thing" I moved away from him. "Teeth. Now. Deal with your gross breath" 

"You're so mean" He said, moving toward what I could only guess was the upstairs bathroom. 

"Yeah yeah. I'm aware" I rolled my eyes, heading toward his room. 

I smiled as I heard the bathroom door shut, pushing open Tom's door gently. His room was a general mess, as I expected it to be. Clothes occupied one corner, out of sight from the gaming setup next to it. His bed was made, miraculously, and everything else seemed to be in good order. More or less it was what I expected from Tom. 

"Admiring my room?" I jumped as Tom slipped in through the door. 

"Well I figured you've seen mine before. Why shouldn't I see yours." I smiled as he tossed his jacket aside, turning toward me again. 

"Sooooo" Tom raised an eyebrow. 

"No" I shook my head. "Tucker and Brennan are here" 

"But Ashley" I giggled to myself as he wrapped his arms around my waist, tugging my toward him. 

"Tom, that tickles" I moved away as he kissed my neck. "No. I literally just got here" 

"Fine" He kissed me instead, lips just barely grazing. "So? What are you planning to do while you're here?" 

"Well we could start by doing movies?" I suggested. 

"Do these movies maybe involve kissing?" 

"Possibly" I laughed, pulling him over to his bed. 

"Then I am so down for this."