Imagine: Boy Toy

Part 9: Pump the Brakes, Kid

"Oi!" The shout came from a dark corner booth to the left of the bar. You recognized one of the guys from the other night, waving you and Tom over. Tom waved back and grabbed your hand, heading over. He kept doing that, grabbing your hand. You weren't really sure how to feel about that. It was a bit endearing and all but pump the brakes, kid.

"Hey guys, this is Y/N." He let go of your hand and cocked a thumb in your direction. "My brother Harry, my mates Harrison and Tuwaine." Tom pointed to each one as he introduced them. They all greeted you in some way. Harry raised his glass and nodded. Tuwaine's face beamed with the biggest smile you've ever seen. And Harrison, well Harrison looked about to be five pints deep already. He attempted to stand up, thought better of it, then sat back down hard, giving kind of a half salute.

Harrison leaned over to Tuwaine. "She likes Batman!", he shouted over the noise.

"Spider-man," you corrected him.

Harrison crinkled his face, "I thought it was Batman." Clearly, Haz was enjoying himself. Tuwaine rolled his eyes and gave a little shrug at you. You stifled a smile. This ought to be an interesting evening, you thought.

"No, that's you, mate," Tom said to Harrison and motioned for everyone to move over and make room. You slid in next to Harry. Tom sat on the other side, across from you. This place was very different from the Tavern - much louder, busier, more modern.

Harry leaned over to you, "Harrison fancies himself a Batman expert."

"Oh yeah?" you smirked, "I thought Tom here was the resident expert on our dear Mr. Wayne."

Harrison scoffed, "Tom? Nah...He's Spider-Man! Thinks he's the best."

Tom tensed up, "I am the ...uh he is the best," and shot Harrison a look like he wanted to throttle him. You found his foot under the table and softly kicked it with your own. He looked up quickly and you mouthed the words, You okay? He nodded and winked at you. Jesus, did he have to do that? You were trying to maintain this cool exterior after all and he kept being ridiculously adorable.

Tom cleared his throat, "So Y/N is new to London-"

"No, no, no just wait," you cut him off. He cocked his head at you.

"Why the hell would you not mention that you liked Spidey, when you obviously know that's a big deal for me," you asked, rolling your sleeve up to expose your tattoo and making your point. "How could you keep something so important from me?" You jokingly placed your hand on your heart and bowed your head sighing, then looked up at him. "I thought we could be friends but...I feel so betrayed."

"Oh, I like her," Tuwaine said giggling.

Harry just shook his head and sipped his beer while Harrison just looked around the table, trying to keep up with the conversation.

Tom seemed amused and said, "A man must have his secrets, darling. Can't have you fall madly in love with me just on my taste in superheroes."

"I don't even think I can roll my eyes far enough in the back of my head for that comment," you countered in a deadpan tone.

Harry choked on his beer, "Point goes to Y/N," he said wiping foam from his lips. You nudged him in appreciation.

Harrison, who was apparently still five minutes behind everyone else spouted, "No but he is Spider-Man!"

Tom stiffened again. What the hell is going on, you thought. You looked at Harry who kind of raised his eyebrows and buried his face in his pint. Tuwaine folded his hands together on the table and just stared at them silently.

You turned to Tom completely perplexed, "Did I miss something?"

"What can I get for you, miss?" A server with a pleasant smile and purple hair popped up beside you. You surveyed the boys one by one. Everyone was still awkwardly silent. Under the table, you felt Tom tapping his foot incessantly. Was he nervous or annoyed or both? You couldn't tell. One thing was for sure, this party came to a screeching halt fast. You didn't come here to sit in silence and stare at each other.

"Five shots of whiskey and a Guinness, please," you answered. Tom looked up at you, eyes wide.

The server returned with your tray of drinks and set them in front of you. You kept the Guinness and two shots for yourself. Harrison had had enough for the evening. You gulped the first one quickly, savoring the burn as it slid down your throat. Picking the second shot up, you raised it towards them. They slowly raised theirs in return, Tom looked a bit wary.

"Hang on tight, boys. We're just getting started."

********90 minutes later**********

"Then I was like, Take your fucking tea and shove it up your ass!!" you threw your head back roared with laughter. You were right pissed but so was everyone else. You hadn't laughed this much in a long time. Tom was shaking with laughter too, his eyes glistening with tears. You grabbed your water and took a swig, watching him compose himself as a swell of affection pulsed through you. Maybe you could cut him some slack. He was genuinely kind and didn't appear to have any sort of agenda. He took it upon himself to invite you out, a complete stranger. He must have noticed how lonely you were being in a new city, hell a new country, all by yourself. And he was so persistent, at first it freaked you out, but now you were grateful. You'd be in your empty flat, staring at the ceiling, feeling sorry for yourself otherwise.

"Y/N?", Tom said softly. Apparently you were staring at him instead.

You blinked, snapped back from your thoughts and gave a small, nervous laugh, "Right um.. I'll think I'll go use the toilet."