Always, Yours

10 - The Morning After

warnings: angst

***

Tom's disappearing act absolutely baffled you. It was like you couldn't move from your bed. It could have been minutes, it could have been hours that you sat there, but you were stunned. He kissed you. He practically told you that he loved you.

But then he got up and left.

A knock startled you from your haze as you hastily brushed away the tears you didn't even realize had fallen.

"Y/N? Can I come in?"

Harrison.

If anyone could help you understand Tom now, it would be Harrison.

"Yeah, come in." You hated how your voice cracked, you were unable to hold back your tears for much longer.

"I saw Tom practically bolt from the apartment," Harrison laughed lightly as he stepped in until he saw your face. Pure devastation.

"I told him I loved him."

"Oh." Harrison rushed over to you, sitting down next to you, he realized he didn't know how to comfort you.

Because in his mind, if you told Tom you loved him, then Tom should've said it right back. The party should've ended and you could spend the night with "I love you" like a special secret between the two of you.

This was an ending he was not expecting.

"And he just, he left. We kissed and he left," you sobbed, letting Harrison pull you into a hug.

"I just- I thought after all this time it would be so easy," you admitted.

"It's never easy," Harrison whispered, "it's never easy when you love someone."

"This was supposed to be about celebrating Tom. About celebrating his run in Spring Awakening. And I ruined it."

"You didn't ruin anything. Everyone out there is having a good time. Tom is... being Tom. He'll show up soon with a greasy pizza and the two of you can hash it out."

"But what's there to hash out? I mean, this was supposed to be simple."

"You've got years of secrets kept from each other. Sure, you're best friends. But you've kept this from each other. Both too stubborn or stupid-,"

"Hey," you laughed bitterly, wiping your nose with the back of your hand.

"Don't say I'm not wrong." Harrison rolled his eyes playfully. "But you need to talk. Really talk to each other."

"Okay. But right now I can't talk to him. And I feel like I'm going crazy sitting here, waiting for him or waiting for something to happen."

"Y/N? Harrison?" Keaton's voice was loud from the other side of the door. The background noise gone, did that much time pass? Had the lamest excuse for a party already end?

"Come in!" Harrison shouted back.

"Hey, Julie and I managed to convince most people to pick up the party at a bar down the street. She took a cab home since Harrison gave us all a ride here. Figured you needed some time alone."

"Did everyone see Tom's dramatic exit?" You asked, standing up with a stretch.

Keaton shook their head. "Nah, he slipped out pretty quick. I figured it was time to get people out of here."

"Thanks for that. I'd rather not look like a mess in front of everyone."

"You're allowed to look like a mess in front of us, c'mon. Let's get you some water." Harrison suggested, helping you up.