So maybe your life is in shambles and you run away to London to get your head straight. Sure, you don't really have a plan but the Universe does, and before you know it, some kid from Kingston has completely turned your world upside and your body i...
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It had been three days since your little meltdown. Tom had called, which you ignored, and texted several times. You always replied with a short response, saying things like, I'm busy, I'm fine, I'm full of shit.
You spent most of your time at Park Tavern, picking up extra shifts or just hanging out so you didn't have to go home and be alone. Bill didn't mind. The less he had to do, the better.
"Bill, I'm heading out. See you tomorrow," you shouted, grabbing your purse and locking the door behind you.
"Y/N?"
You spun around to find Tom standing there, hands in pockets, all puppy dog eyes and tousled hair. Your heart hammered in your chest.
"Tom...what are you doing here?" you asked weakly.
"I wanted to see if you're okay. You just...." he shrugged, "stopped all communication."
He looked so forlorn. You were being completely unfair to him, but you also didn't even know how to explain everything that was going on in your head and heart. It was easier to keep your distance.
"I have to go," you said turning away from him. He grabbed your hand and pulled you back.
"Y/N, what is going on? What did I do? We had an amazing night at the gala and then...you just stop taking my calls? Don't answer my texts?" He grabbed your other hand and pleaded with you. He looked so desperate, it made you feel like such an asshole. You didn't know what to say. What do you say? I'm haunted by the ghost of some unrequited love?
"Tom, I just...need some time to think," you said slowly pulling your hands away and clasping them in front of you. You didn't want to think anymore, though. You just wanted to forget, to avoid, to not deal.
Tom just stood there, completely bewildered. It really wasn't fair. You did owe him an explanation.
"Look, you didn't do anything," you stepped closer and put a hand on his arm. You could feel the heat coming off of him, even through his clothes. His emotions were cooking. And here you were just letting him fry like it was no big. Such a selfish asshole, Y/N.
"It's just something came up...from my past," you continued.
"The past you won't ever talk about," he shot back.
Fair enough, you thought. He's right. You always kept it close to the vest. You didn't feel it was any of his business, really. But that's when he was just some boy you were using to get over things. That was before feelings started to stir and swell and grow inside of you. Just looking at him now, you realized how much you missed him these past few days. Missed his laughed, missed his touch, missed that fucking hair.
You slid your hand down his arm and into his hand, giving it a squeeze.
"You're right. I don't like to talk about it because you may not look at me the same way again. And I've grown to like the way you look at me," you tried to smile but only managed a grimace. Tom grabbed your other hand.
"You're so bloody stubborn," he said. Your mind flashed to Michael and you felt yourself tear up. This is exactly what you were afraid of. As soon as you put a crack in the foundation, the whole thing's going to crumble. And he's going to run the other way because he's 19, he's Spider-Man and he has more important things to do than deal with your crazy ass.
Tom noticed you getting upset. He'd never seen this side of you, so vulnerable and exposed.
"Hey, hey," he said softly, pulling you into an embrace, "it's okay. Whatever it is, it's okay."
You let him hug you. He was too sweet for you. But sweet was exactly what you needed right now. Because no matter how old you get, you're always going to be just a silly, scared little girl inside.
You pulled away from him, looking into his eyes. You had to be sure.
"You sure you want this? All of this, I mean. The baggage, the truth, the whole story. Because, Tom, if you don't, then just say it right now and we can go our separate ways. I've enjoyed our time together so, so much, but I don't think I can continue to see you if I become too much for you to handle, you know what I mean? I don't want to go backwards."
You looked down. You couldn't believe some of the stuff coming out of your mouth. You didn't want to play games with this one. He was different. You wanted to play house and have him around always, and my god, Y/N, you're totally falling for this guy! Abort! Abort!
"And," you continued, "I don't want to get hurt. If we stop now, I just may recover, but if we keep moving forward, and you decide it's too much, I don't..." you shook your head, "I'm trying to give you an out here."
You kept your eyes down, letting him mull it over.
"Y/N, you really are thick, aren't you?" Tom said lifting your chin, "You really don't see what's happening at all? I haven't been able to leave you alone since the moment I clapped eyes on you. I've never met a woman like you. You're so feisty and funny and smart and sexy," he gave a little wiggle when he said 'sexy' and you laughed softly. He smiled when he saw that.
"But you make me try so damn hard, Y/N," he gave an exasperated laugh, "You've really made me work for it. You think I'm just some kid who can't handle a woman like you. I get it. You needed to vet me. But you need to give me more credit. I've been keeping up just fine so far, haven't I? I've not given you any reason to not trust me."
Everything he said was absolutely true. Here you'd been the one acting childish this whole time, trying to keep him at arm's length, making him jump through hoops just to prove his adequacy. And he did, and never complained. And you scoffed that he was far too young and too inexperienced to ever make something out of this. To ever win the heart of such a treasure as you. What an ego, Y/N. He's so much more than you've ever deserved and lucky for you, he's still standing here. Don't fuck it up.
You kissed him then, kissed him with something so much more than lust this time. You could never say it. You were afraid to even think it. But you felt it and prayed he felt it too. Please, let him feel it too.
Tom placed his hands on the side of your face and held you there, kissing you so affectionately that you thought your heart may just burst. He'd never kissed you like this before, it was staggering, and each time your heart thumped, you felt yourself falling farther and farther.
You stopped him, placing a hand on his chest. Tha-thump, tha-thump, tha-thump. His heart pounded just as hard as yours. Please let him feel it too, you thought again.
"Come on," you took his hand,"Let's go back to my place and I'll tell you everything."
