𝐖𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘, 𝖺 𝗀𝗅𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋𝗌 𝖺𝗅𝖻𝗎𝗆

stand by me, tommy

The fire crackled low in the distance. Most of the Iron Lion base was asleep, their breath syncing with the rhythm of peace they rarely got to taste. The stars blanketed the sky, open and vast.

Nancy stood by the edge of the lookout platform, the wind tugging gently at her braids. She'd managed a temporary fix on her brace, enough to stand and walk.

Thomas had helped her, like always. Silently. Steadily.

She didn't hear him approach, but she knew he was there.

"You should be sleeping," she said without turning.

"So should you."

She exhaled through her nose, a tired little smile pulling at her lips. "I can't sleep."

"Then don't."

Thomas leaned against the railing beside her. For a moment, they just stood there. The quiet wasn't awkward. It was theirs.

From the main hall below, Frypan's old radio, miraculously fixed by Thèrèse, crackled to life. A dusty cassette spun.

🎵 "Darlin', darlin', stand by me..." 🎵

Nancy froze. "You've got to be kidding," she muttered. "Frypan and his oldies..."

"It's not so bad."

"It's cheesy."

"So are you."

She turned to glare at him but he was grinning. That rare, boyish grin that slipped out when he wasn't overthinking the weight of the world.

"Dance with me," Thomas said suddenly.

Nancy blinked. "What?"

"You heard me."

"My leg is barely working, Thomas."

"I'll lead."

He stepped forward, hand out, and for a second she looked at it like it might burn her. But then, slowly, slowly, she took it.

The rooftop was their ballroom.

She moved stiffly at first, cautious of the pain, but Thomas was gentle — supporting her where she needed, adjusting when her leg faltered. She hated needing that. But somehow, with him, she didn't feel weak. Just... safe.

🎵 "...just as long as you stand... stand by me..." 🎵

Her head eventually dropped to his chest. "You're warm," she mumbled.

"So I've heard."

"You're annoying."

"You're beautiful."

She didn't reply at first but her arms circled his waist a little tighter.

"You think I'm beautiful with my broken leg and my scars?"

"I think you're beautiful because of them."

A pause. "You scare me, Thomas."

"Yeah," he whispered. "You scare me too."

Another pause. Just heartbeats and the slow shuffle of their feet. Then quietly:

"Stand by me, okay?" she said.

"Always."

They danced until the song ended. And then a little longer after that to nothing but the sound of the stars.

★