A Collection of Odds & Ends

On the Rocks - Pt 9 (Tom Hardy)

After some debate, I have decided that this is the final part of On the Rocks.

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Part Nine

"I'm a father." Tom exclaims as if you are a child, incapable of understanding his role in life. This has been the source of arguments for the last week, at least.

You roll your eyes and huff, crossing your arms over your chest. "I'm not an idiot, I know that, Tom." you defend yourself. "Which is why I told you that moving in with me was a bad idea."

How many times had you told him that exact statement?

Yet, he insisted that you were the best place for him to be. If somebody were to tell you straight out that they weren't happy with everything about you, as a roommate, you certainly wouldn't move in with them.

This morning's argument was brought on, when he got a call asking to take his youngest for the day. You had a sneaky suspicion that Charlotte knew you worked today, which is what led to her asking. As long as no children were spending the night, you informed Tom that it would be fine. After a bit of grumbling at one another, the two of you were set off - again.

Tom groans, gripping his hands in his hair. He's frustrated and you can't blame him. You are too.

As much fun, if you could call it that, as this has been - it's time for him to leave.

"I know these last few days have been rough, I mean really fucking rough, but I don't hate you." You offer with a weak smile. This argument needs to end.

You can't hate him. You've tried these last few days, but you can't do it. The man makes it impossible to hate him.

"I never thought you did." Tom mutters, his clenched jaw loosens and the hard lines around his eyes soften a tiny bit. "But, I'd appreciate some more respect."

"I think I've been doing pretty good at giving you a lot of things." You reply with a slight sigh.

"Come on now, lovely. Don't be like that." Tom warned, at least you're pretty sure it was a warning. Some times, it was hard to tell with him. "I'm not the one who came asking for some of those things."

He was right.

Standing in the middle of the living room, you look around the small space at the boxes which have been stacked and hardly touched in months. As much as you've enjoyed Tom, the more you think about things the better it is for him to leave.

"Have you called the agent? Told them you want that house?" You ask glancing at him but never meeting his eye.

"Yesterday. I put in an offer, if they take it then I have a house." Tom nods. Shoving his hands in his pockets, he leans against the kitchen counter and gazes in your general direction. "You won't have to put up with me for much longer."

"It isn't whether or not I want to put up with you." You add. "I don't mind having you here, but lately this arguing has gotten a bit out of hand. Tom, I'm sorry but it's best this way."

"I know that, lovely." He nods curtly.

How had a few weeks turned into this? Why had you allowed him to stay so long? Had you kept your damn mouth shut, the two of you could have been living happily and without the added stress of arguments almost daily.

Who are you kidding?

The two of you were bound to fight eventually.

You couldn't keep your mouth shut and Tom never failed to react. It was waiting to happen, taunting the two of you at every turn.