-NEVERALONE

   the stunt man squeezed his boyfriend's hand as they made their dramatic escape,  and tom was excited to be all charming as he called them both a taxi to take them away!  "that sounds perfect to me.  having you all to myself with a glass of champagne is my ideal way to end the night!"  and perhaps taking off this tie and undoing a few buttons on his shirt would also help,  because fancy suits always felt a little claustrophobic in the end.  when they were going at the same pace and their arms were connected,  he leaned close to jon and opened the door of the taxi,  letting his partner sit down and leaving a kiss to his knuckles as he did.  

( @RED-EMPTION )
            
            "Good to hear it," he answered with an arch of his eyebrow; the mischievous look being sent right back to him made him look at Tom with an impossible-to-hide grin on his face. He loved the back-and-forth they had, always joking around. It had been like that while they were friends, and it was even better now that they were boyfriends. He felt like teasing each other was another one of their love languages!
            "I may take you to go snowboarding one day... but what I had in mind for tonight was indeed a tad simpler than that," he chuckled, rubbing his thumb over his boyfriend's hand, as he held it. "Still 'fancy', though. I was thinking of having our own champagne tower at 'home'..." the hotel they were staying at, actually. It was funny referring to it as 'home' due how long they stayed in one of those, though. "And go crazy with room service! ...My treat."

   tom already knew all of that before they were even together,  which is a little funny to think back on—  in their friendship,  they valued each other higher than anyone or anything else.  tom had always relied on jon,  he'd turn to his best friend about an issue and jon would  *handle*  it.  he'd been a possessive and smug friend,  and he was even worse as his boyfriend!  he felt secure,  and  *happy*.  
              "ooooh,  i'd love to go snowboarding,"  he commented idly,  mischievous look being sent back to his partner just to tease him a little.  because he wouldn't make jon do it with him,  per se,  if he really didn't want to,  but he'd have to watch!!  "but i don't need anything as fancy as  *that*  for you to make it up to me.  i'm a much simpler man than that."  

   everyone should've known the trouble making angel would bite off more than he could chew eventually!  although,  he really hoped nobody would have to find out about his infatuation with the demon.  they probably wouldn't believe him at first,  his sarcasm could get him into enough trouble as it is!  but this was more real than all of those angels put together!  the words from the demon made him stop to smile for a moment,  flattered by the sincerity that he could sense between the lines.  he stared at him,  raised a brow,  and nodded.  "okay.  i believe you,"  which he did,  obviously,  because he trusted jon far more than he should.  "sometimes i suppose i just need a little push."  

( @RED-EMPTION )
            
            "Well, thank you," his eyes seemed to light up there, even if just for a moment— definitely not a look you'd expect from a demon, but so what?! He had been doing a lot of things that weren't expected from demons. Including the elephant— or better, *angel*— in the room, there: falling in love with someone from upstairs! Man... they would wipe him away from existence if they figured that out! "Just know that I would've waited for you, anyways. For as long as necessary." yeah. They had a talent there, to say words that carried a much greater meaning behind them. But they always found a way to understand it through their secret, shared looks.

   he hummed to acknowledge the reasoning—  no,  upstairs weren't too fond of that kind of thing.  tom believed in nuance,  a very human sensation,  and that concept hadn't exactly reached heaven quite yet.  either way,  if jon liked the books or wanted to talk to him about them,  tom was more than happy to be a willing participant!  it was nice to sit and listen to the demon talk about something he knew a lot about.  quite sweet,  really.  "very charming,  darling.  but i wouldn't make you wait too long."  they were both saying things that were only a fraction of what they meant,  words that covered a whole part of them rather than this one conversation about books.  

/   i do that all the TIIIME i always make up lore stuff and then have to come back and find it.....  bc i'm always changing my mind with stuff HAHAHA 
              i looove their little family dynamic so baaaad  <3333   also your MATT in that rp was so  CRAZYYYY i adore him.  it was so good,  so moving,  i loved it.  you could really see why he was so baffled by it and how hard he tried to help him bc he Knew Clint.  adorable,  loved it.  loooved the nat one too,  she always has his back.  
              HAWKINGBIRD YESSSSS!!!!!  we have done some great sad rps and great happy ones we're so good at this.  love a bit of angst,  might need to have some on hold depending on how this game goes...... i'm so scared.  

   the clarkes were a beautiful family,  and thomas adored all of them and how they showed their love between one another.  they were so kind and they showed it all the time,  to anyone and everyone around them,  and they were the kind of brightness that filled the hole of positivity his dad left behind.  which was...  probably ridiculously sappy,  but they really did bring an unapologetic kindness that tom had only ever seen up close from his dad before.  that might be why he felt so safe around jon's family,  even after their first meeting—  not just because jon was a part of them,  and he was perfect.  
              "mm,  yeah.  you do have a terrifying sister,"  he laughed along with him,  taking his hand back to hand jon his glass of wine and smiling.  "maybe i am.  definitely sounds like heaven to me.  i love you."  

// TRUE !!!!! I was looking for one specific rp once, that I knew we had, when writing Jon's book I wanted to put the info exactly how I developed it with you, but I couldn't find it anymore. Wattpad is awful— I gotta say that even if I love it and wish it was better, bc it's so easy to use and has such a clear and organized design. ugh!
            HAHAHAAH yesss, you bet !!! I'm waiting for the weekend, so I have more free time to explore Discord and figure out if I'll be able to learn how to use it ;p
            yesssss. I love her, too (the reason why she's the only Marvel CC I have left HAAHHAH) but yes, they gave all comic! Clint stuff to her, and with that we didn't get to have him. it's quite unfair. I totally prefer their comic dynamics, too. they feel much more like equals in the comics, even if he was indeed a mentor for her there— they feel much more like *family* than what they've done in MCU, where he's this sorta distant mentor figure. it doesn't suit him HAHAHAA
            OMGGG, YESSS !!!!!! I often think of that rp, too. IT WAS GREAT. YOUR CLINT (like all your characters, truly) WAS GODDAMN PERFECT. PERFECTLY WRITTEN !!!! I wanted to hug him during the Ronin rps. we had one with Nat that I never forgot, either. she was trying to pull him out of that darkness. omggg, my (canon) otp, forever (': <333
            we had many, many life changing rps... even the one where we made Hawkingbird heal, was beautiful (': AAAAHHH I love all our interactions, they make me happy, even when they hurt (looking at musician! Jon & bodyguard! Tom, now) HAAHAHAH

   he follows him happily,  pleased to be given the opportunity to have jon put him wherever he wanted him.  that was one of his favourite things,  and he didn't mind admitting it.  he reflected the smile back to his partner when they were sat on the bed,  moving to place the hat on the bedside table and incidentally using it as an excuse to lean closer to jon.  "you're ridiculous."  he shook his head and watched the way jon pressed kisses to his hand,  weakened by every touch and suddenly deciding to lean fully against him,  with his head against the goalkeeper's shoulder.  he almost collapsed there,  feeling utterly  *comfortable*,  and laughed.  "i'm sure she'll be happy with anything you get her.  especially the shirt.  nothing else will compare to the sight of you playing in the world cup,  anyway,  i bet.  that's perfection!"  

( @RED-EMPTION )
            
            He brought a hand up to cradle the back of Tom's head, brushing his fingers through his hair as he held him close. "Goodness, I've missed this," he said with a smile, sneaking a kiss to his partner's temple.
            He rocked them gently from side to side while they were hugging, guiding him till they were sitting on the edge of the bed. He looked up at his eyes, then— a smile returning immediately to his face at the sight of those shiny eyes of his.
            "I've barely started!" he defended it, then grinned mischievously. "Oh, you bet. I'm gonna do that, too! But prepare for more gifts as well," he held his hand in his, bringing it up to kiss it repeatedly.
            "Honestly, I don't know— I haven't found her special gift yet. I was hoping we'd play in Mexico, for I'd know where to start looking for it there, thanks to Jane..."

  the midfielder leaned into the hug and took the hat off to hold it in his hand,  tilting his head impossibly close to jon to make sure there was very little distance between them.  how it always should be!  "i love you too."  he muttered his reply after jon mentioned the wine,  shaking his head and leaning his head back a little to raise a brow at him.  "you don't have to get me anything else.  you used up all your gift slots!  just sneak into my room after the next game and that'll be gift enough.  what're you gonna get your mum,  in the meantime?"  

   "you don't have to sound so surprised,"  thomas laughed at him,  flattered by the disbelief in his tone.  it wasn't so crazy to tom,  in knowing that jon introduced him to all these acts of love in a relationship.  jon was sweet and kind in ways that exes hadn't even considered,  it made him feel much luckier to have in contrast.  "you don't have to do that,  darling.  what if you use up all the change and still can't get it?!  then your tip's all gone!" 
             
               /   IT'S COOMING HOME ITS COMING HOME !!!!! 

( @RED-EMPTION )
            
            "Really?" he figured that all his past boyfriends would've tried to show themselves off for him, trying to get him prizes in every single arcade game. They *should* have, at least! Spoiled this man in every chance they had. If they didn't, it was their loss, truly. Tom deserved all the silly plushies there is! Tom deserved... *everything*. Flowers, breakfast in bed, post-its left in strategic places for him to find through the day... you know, all that and much more! "The imposter has a pass, then? I'm still gonna get you that cat, though!"
            
            
            // HAHAHAHAH I KNEW TUCHEL WOULD BRING A DIFFERENT VIBE FOR ENGLAND. I KNEW IT !!! <3333 you guys are totally a favourite to win it this year, I'm feeling it !!!!

   thomas took the bunny with a studious look,  as if to judge it by turning it in his hand for a few moments.  "so,  really,  you're the hero in this story.  now i don't mind him as much,"  he laughed,  patting jon's head and pretending to support him through this difficult time.  although,  the smudging of the eyeshadow would make him roll his eyes fondly.  he supposed it was only going to get wiped off later anyway.  "you're the only person to ever win me something from one of these anyway.  so i'm officially charmed!" 
            
            /  I CANT BELIEVE IT!!!!  suddenly i will pretend i didn't hear that lfc nonsense because we WON!!!  forget what i said earlier i love watching england 

  "sorry!"  tom teased,  but conceded on the point purely because jon was the one saying it.  he would have laughed at anyone else,  but his boyfriend always had a point.  he was clever like that.  he smiled and placed his other hand over jon's to sandwich his hand between the midfielder's,  accepting the kiss to his temple with a bright expression. 
            
              "you're right.  yeah,  okay,  you're right.  it's not over!"  she said,  unconvincingly,  with an expression of lighthearted worry.  "it's so stressful.  i hate the talking stage.  i just wanna meet someone and know them and marry them.  or something.  that'd be way easier.  but hey,  whatever,  maybe i'll end up having to ask jane to help me make my tinder profile."  

( @RED-EMPTION )
            
            Look at all the parallels they could trace between their lives... Jane was basically the one 'responsible' for his realization! ...Well, not really. But he liked saying so, for it was funny! He was just a ten years old boy, she was literally half that age. She just wanted to put make up on someone and paint their nails and pretend they were walking down the catwalk! As two very glamorous models. He knew that! She painted his nails, put on silver eye shadow on him... with the expertise of a five years old. But! ...He kinda liked it, all right? It was like she knew it. All along!
            
            "Sshh. I just told her that you're very sweet. That wasn't very sweet of you to say," he playfully reprimanded his boyfriend, before he laughed and shook his head— pressing a kiss to Tom's temple, and then directing himself to Amelia: "I am *sure* that you'll find your *the one*, Amy. Who knows, maybe in this World Cup! ...People from everywhere on this globe... perhaps you haven't found them yet because they're from somewhere you haven't been to, yet! Stay positive, girl!"

   "look at me,  amelia.  look at how sweet i am."  he laughed and let jon take his hand,  squeezing it fondly under his twin sister's outrage.  because no,  she did  *not*  find it sweet at all.  he was an annoying guy,  her brother.  but,  then again,  they grew up together.  and she didn't truly dislike him—  he'd been very open minded about her coming out as trans when they were kids.  in fact,  he was the first person she told!  and now look at them.  she always knew he'd be gay. 
            
              "nope.  you guys are annoying.  i can't believe you found a better boyfriend on your first try than i have in my  *life*.  that's so annoying.  not hot or cute."  she grumbled teasingly,  all whilst tom grinned at the attention he was getting from his boyfriend. 
            
            "maybe *you're* just annoying.  or the fashion industry is just shit.  take your pick.  but i'm glad we're annoying you!  i'm not about to be humble about it."  

( @RED-EMPTION )
            
            Everyone loves Thomas D'Angelo. Of course his dogs wouldn't be an exception! He smiled back to his partner at the kiss he was given to the cheek, then laughed when Rose tried to move away from his chest and onto Tom's. She was stretching her little paw, and Jon held her slightly to prevent her from faceplanting on him. He couldn't believe it... she wanted MORE kisses! ...Actually... he could understand her fairly well...

  "yeah,  yeah.  i'm up for that,  darling."  he squeezed jon's hand and greeted taz with a laugh when he came over—  he's adorable,  and tom gives his fur an energetic ruffle until he decided to move.  he let go of jon's hand for a moment,  rolling over to his side and rest his head on his hand,  using the free hand to say hello to rose where she was sitting on his partner's chest.  "yeah,  'zactly.  we spend too much time pretending in front of everyone else on the pitch,  i can't think of anything worse than having to pretend here too!"  he smiled,  leaning over his boyfriend and pressing a kiss to jon's cheek—  then,  for good measure,  one on the top of rose's head.

( @RED-EMPTION )
            
            "Let's consider this a draw, then?" as he asked it, the 'gang' joined them on the floor (except for good old Mav, that was still sleeping).
            Taz, as Tom's 'number 1 fan' (he would pretend and play along, for his dog's sake— but they all knew *Jon* was Tom's number one fan!) came to him first, giving tiny licks over the midfielder's cheek as an excited 'hi!'
            It was when Jon turned around, then, also laying on his back so he could place tiny Rose over his chest. A hand reaching out for his boyfriend's in the sequence, to keep the contact between them.
            "Obviously... neither of us can win, we're too... charmed by each other for that!"

( @RED-EMPTION )
            
            Playing a detective character for so long in a series of four films (even if it's been three years since the last one came out), one of the things he learned from his character was: people tended not to pay attention if they weren't already expecting something to happen. To illustrate it, he could use their very situation as an example: they wouldn't recognize them simply for their voices, for no one really expected them to be there! And although that could be just fiction, he preferred to believe his character was right... otherwise, he would probably panic at the idea of what would happen, given that his boyfriend is totally right: they *are* kinda trapped! Although there was an emergency exit right behind them, he was *against the wall*. He would have to *jump* over the seat, and... *chill out*! Only that very said character did that kind of stuff, and it was literally his boyfriend who filmed those skilled, acrobatic scenes. His reaction timing, plus, the hypothetical jump would take him forever to do, people would definitely get closer before he managed to escape!
            ...Thank goddess, none of that was in his thoughts right now. "Me too! I want to see all of your scenes— and I'll totally want to hear your comments about them."

   it'd been a busy film to work with!  but jon had been very encouraging the whole time,  and his scenes were bound to be even better.  most of them were!  "yep.  i'm excited!"  he whispered,  leaning closer just so he wouldn't raise his voice and accidentally give them away.  they'd practically be trapped!  

( @RED-EMPTION )
            
            "Super. You?" he inquired in response, pressing a kiss to his cheek before taking some popcorn with a smile, whispering him a 'Thank you'. He was mostly excited for this film to see the action scenes! The result of all the stunt team and his beautiful boyfriend's hard work. And oh, man, he was happy that this film was full of these scenes! His role being of a mechanic by daylight and driver for hire for the mafia and the underworld at night time.

   she was ridiculous!  nothing jon's mum asked him for would be bothering him,  and he wished she knew that!  then again,  they didn't see each other that often,  so he'd forgive her for being nervous about it.  then he'd sign a million shirts for her or something.  "it's okay,  it was my pleasure.  i love you."  he pressed a lingering kiss to his boyfriend's cheek—  he was about to mention the stuff he left in the kitchen,  but decided to let it be a surprise for him later on.  so birthday celebrations could last all day,  even when he wasn't there!  he'd demand that jon not read the card until he's gone,  indeed so celebrations wouldn't stop without him!  

( @RED-EMPTION )
            
            "Totally, or she's gonna kill me," he joked, laughing a little at that. He was only telling Tom, for he was sure she would give up every time she had the chance. She used the words 'I don't want to bother him'. He knew his sweet ma! She was only telling him she would do it later, so he wouldn't comment it with Tom himself. Well, here he is!
            "Will do." he promised, taking a sip of his tea. He smiled to him, then. "I know I've said it already, but allow me to say it again: thank you. For everything. You're unbelievable. This breakfast is delicious."

   "well.  i tried."  he loved the way jon leaned into his touch like that,  he was utterly distracted from his proper argument and so he just gave up on it.  that smile on jon's face!  it was all too much.  
             "so i should act surprised when she asks me?"  he ruffled the goalkeeper's hair with amusement,  accepting his partner's sweet gesture and smiling at how kind his mother was.  she was so lovely.  suddenly he missed her!  "ughhh.  i wish my game was a little earlier so i could see you all properly.  tell them both i said hi,  yeah?"  

   he couldn't lie,  the way jon looked at him when he explained things like this was enough to distract him from all of it.  not only did it happen when explaining his phone to him,  but also when he explained game controls and the xbox to him,  and this was the simplest part of love!  "we can indeed,  my darling."  he said it like he was being the charming hero of the situation,  indulging jon's admiration of his magical technology skills.  "soon you'll be talk of the town with these settings.  people'll be asking how you did it."  

( @RED-EMPTION )
            
            He laughed a little at the tease, recognizing technology was indeed not his forte. Then again, this granted him an 'excuse' to get to listen to his boyfriend speak, while he tried to teach him things... it was a win-win, really. Admittedly, he had a hard time understanding, so he just watched him with a dreamy look in his eyes, as he magically got the right settings for his phone, laptop, tv or whatever else. "Oohhh— could we get the 007 theme as ringtone?" he grinned. "It feels quite dramatic, I think that would be funny."

   thomas had to concede the fact that the physical album was a much better idea than the ones on his phone.  he had to keep the few he had very secure and locked away,  and there weren't nearly as many as he wanted.  but he always got jon to print out and keep his favourites so it was safer.  "you're lucky you're pretty."  thomas teased,  setting it for both and then being kind enough to go and change his ringtone,  too.  "now we get to listen to awful ringtone noises until you can pick one.  or,  if you wanna go crazy,  you can pick a song you like and have your ringtone as that."