Always, Yours

8 - The Party

warnings: mild angst

***

You set the letters back into their box, hastily shoving them underneath his bed once again.

You figured Tom would be coming back any minute from celebrating with his cast and you had to erase any sign that you were peeking into his life. Especially a part he had kept hidden this entire time he knew you.

After turning the lights off you settled under your covers, attempting to fall asleep before you heard the front door open.

"Y/N?" Tom's voice called out for you. However, you knew there was absolutely no way that you'd be able to keep quiet about everything. So you pretended to be asleep.

"Y/N?" Tom sang as he opened the door to your bedroom. You heard a small sniffle but you figured it was from coming back from the cold night air, probably a little drunk.

You kept your eyes closed as Tom shuffled around, probably getting changed.

You heard his bed creak as he laid down, shuffling from side to side until he figured out which was most comfortable.

You smiled in the dark at his sleepy sigh.

You felt yourself drifting off to sleep, having no idea how late you stayed up reading his letters.

"I love you."

It was a whisper in the dark, so quiet you figured that it was some silly dream you were having.

Tom wouldn't possibly be so bold, so honest, so clear with his intentions when your entire life he's hidden a part of himself from you.

You forgot about it, or at least you pretended it was all in your head as you fell asleep, counting each of Tom's breaths like sheep.

When you woke up, Tom was already gone. He left a note about Nikki kidnapping him for a day in town.

It was something you had planned with her a while ago so you could set up for the party tonight.

"God," you groaned as you stood up, a slight hangover as you stumbled to the kitchen for water and ibuprofen.

You settled into your normal routine, making coffee and breakfast, usually you danced around Tom in the kitchen. You missed his presence, his singing as you made eggs for him and he cooked your toast just right.

A knock on the door broke your attention away from stirring your coffee.

"Don't tell me you forgot we were coming over, hmmm?"

You brought your coffee to the door, opening it for Keaton and Harrison.

"No," you said pointedly, rubbing the sleep out of your eyes as they followed you back toward the kitchen.

"Just had a long night, is all," you explained as you sat at the table, both of them joining you.

"Did you finally-,"

"No! God, no," you groaned as you cut Keaton off, burying your face in your hands.

"Then what happened?" Harrison asked, twirling his keys around his finger as you sat up.

"I er, I had a guy over."

"Y/N!" Keaton scolded, smacking your arm.

"He was nice! Tom was gone and you know the only time either of us can have company is if the other is gone. But anyway, I may have found something, after..."

"Were you snooping?" Harrison asked, perfectly fine with gossiping all day at the table while Keaton tapped their watch to remind you of your plans.