𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐄

( @RED-EMPTION )
            
            With a dramatic gasp and a feigned look of hurt, the keeper rested a hand on his chest. "How dare you! Are you implying that I don't play fair? I could *never* do that to you, darling," he said, trying to hide his smile behind his bottle of beer — of course, it didn't work very well for him.

   "no,  'cause i already know what you're gonna do."  with a pointed look towards the cards in jon's hands,  the midfielder settled back where he was sitting with defiance.  "you're gonna let me show you and then you won't do the same.  i already know your tricks,  honey,  it's not gonna work."  
            
            /   @RED-EMPTION 

( @RED-EMPTION )
            
            "Yeah, yer do." he repeated with a mischievous smile, casting a glance at his cards again, before finding Tom's eyes with an amused look in his own. "I'm so happy to know my boyfriend's such a gentleman... but I'm sound. Yer first, my dear."

   he uttered a hum of confirmation at the response,  because he  *did*  love it and there was no sense in denying.  besides,  he was comfortable enough that moving away was so much  *effort*,  he was almost betrayed by it.  but,  because he was a grown man,  tom was soon getting the sandwiches from the plastic bag and also retrieving them both a can of fizzy drink that he'd picked up at the same time.  upon returning,  he placed their drinks upon coasters on the coffee table,  handing jon his sandwich with a smile.  "don't mention it,  it's my pleasure."  

( @RED-EMPTION )
            
            "I know." he answered with a small, mischievous smile. "You love it, though," the keeper added, tilting his head up while also raising an eyebrow at him, as if in defiance to him when his boyfriend shrugged with all his smugness. He loved it, he loved all of those expressions of his — he felt compelled to hold him and kiss his gorgeous face all over again, but he let the midfielder go... despite how painful it was to do so, especially when he could tell Tom was lingering, giving him yet another kiss before parting. Goodness, he was acting like the other was already going back to Manchester! ...He would ask him to stay tonight. Hopefully, batting his eyelashes to him, he wouldn't be able to say no! "Yes, please, my Angel. Thank you."

   "pfft.  okay,  okay—  c'mon.  you are ridiculous."  he was at the mercy of his boyfriend,  tilting his head slightly with a grin as he gave himself up to the kisses.  tom almost forgot what he was actually supposed to be doing,  watching the goalkeeper's lips and his eyes as he came closer and drew back over and over again.  "feel free to."  tom shrugged smugly,  leaning up onto his knees beside him and putting a hand on his chin to tilt his head up and kiss him again.  he realised,  then,  that he'd look like a hypocrite,  so he shifted back to gradually escape jon's touch.   "i got drinks,  too.  do you want yours?"  

  tom was glad to have gotten the heads-up during their drunken conversation in the end,  even if he thought it was a joke at the time.  he didn't think he would've ever had the balls to admit his feelings to jon,  and was absolutely willing to die with them untouched.  it was lucky that liquid courage gave the goalkeeper a boost,  really.  "i'll be looking forward to that.  couldn't wear sunglasses on the motorbike anyway i suppose."  

( @RED-EMPTION )
            
            Seven colours. A drink for every colour of the rainbow. He wouldn't ever forget it — nor any detail about that night. Or the day after, when they were sober and could set things right — when he could then finally let Tom know that he meant it, every single word he told him while drunk. It wasn't the best way of confessing his feelings for him, and if he could, he would've done it differently, but... here they are. They truly loved each other, that's the only thing that matters. "...A shame that my contract doesn't allow me to drive motorcycles. Too risky. I do plan on buying one after retirement, though, so we can make your dreams come true... preferably without the arrestment bit, though."

   his drunk rambling was as endearing as it'd been the very first time he heard it.  and if halfway through a night at the bar he made an effort to get them both some bright cocktails,  that was nobody's business.  he took the sunglasses from the top of his head and slid them onto jon's face,  smiling absently all the while.  "they do look very natural on you.  you look like you're about to get arrested for dangerous driving on a motorbike with a cigarette." 

   the touch to his hand practically made him shiver,  gentle and caring in its manner which always had a way of going straight to tom's heart.  he was caught in a trance,  eyes wide and admiring with little shame in his boyfriend's direction—  a glance towards the ring on his finger,  one that could switch places with a more valuable one on a different finger,  a dream made all the more real with each passing day.  "you're better with words than i am.  if only there was another way i could show my appreciation."  

( @RED-EMPTION )
            
            "Every day," he answered without hesitation, whilst keeping on caressing his boyfriend's hand. "My favourite thoughts are those about *us*," he flashed him a small smile, eyes lighting up at the words he said — before he blushed profusely. "Then I do consider myself the luckiest guy in this planet, for spending the rest of my life with you is what I want the most — what an honour and privilege it is. To have met you and to have you in my life. You're certainly the best part of it."

   he wondered if there was something about the early morning that made them so ridiculously sappy,  or perhaps if the good news on tom's side made him more susceptible to it.  he was practically blown away with the reminder that jon loved him in a way that was so absolute and lasting,  and he almost couldn't believe it.  "big intentions."  he mumbled with a sniff,  keeping himself together because it was not cool to get emotional about this kind of thing.  but..  promises of a future that he always wondered if he'd even be given were overwhelming!   "you've thought about it a lot?  i do want to spend the rest of my life with you."  

  tom watched him consider it with what he hoped was a convincing look on his face,  just to add to his case of how important it would be.  in all honesty,  he was sure they could come up with other ideas he was more comfortable to do;  in the meantime,  the private showing was much more promising!  the midfielder laughed,  nodding his head along at the idea with a considering expression of his own.  "that's too kind of you.  i have a lot more to look forward to this halloween,  it sounds like.  you spoil me,  sweetheart!"   

( @RED-EMPTION )
            
            "Yes?" he laughed at the other's reaction, watching with a playful pout as he disconnected their hands and went to take hold of his bottle instead, not even in the slightest 'ashamed' of stealing his boyfriend's own move and using it against him. When he asked him to at least consider it, the keeper hummed thoughtfully — tapping his chin whilst looking at him, grinning when he said he would accept a private showing instead (actually, he said 'also', not 'instead', but Jon would purposefully ignore that). "A private showing, all for you, huh? Now that I can totally do. We gotta find a nice sword, though. For you, my darling, it has to done *right*!"

   "trousers?!"  he groaned in disappointment,  disconnecting their hands out of outrage and reaching for his bottle again.  he'd momentarily thrown his head back dramatically,  almost ready to denounce halloween as a whole at that news,  but then he was fully aware that jon didn't want to go with that costume anyway.  so,  he supposed that was the kind of compromise he should've expected.  even if the shorts sounded like a  *great*  idea!  "at least tell me you'll consider it.  maybe i'll try to convince you for next year!  i would also accept a private showing."  tom winked over his beer,  taking a sip with an amused look dancing across his eyes. 

( @RED-EMPTION )
            
            Shite.
            Wait — yeah. Well... it's a good thing that there are no kids around him to worry about that. Although Jon isn't given to say too many bad words, other than the occasional 'shit'.
            But... his sister?! My goodness! She would've been a total bad influence. Her first words in the morning, when they were teens, used to be a long string of curses directed at the alarm that dared waking her up (for school)!
            ...And she hasn't changed in the slightest. It was always funny to him, the contrast between the two of them.
            He was certain that Tom tried his very best, but again, thanks to *social media* and *internet*, they're learning bad words from a way earlier age than they used to. Another point to make when discussing why he didn't like technology? You bet! It was basically a running gag between them already, and he liked to keep on bringing new reasons why he would rather stay far away from these things.
            Jon looked down at him, right when he looked up, meeting his gaze and mirroring his smile, easily. He could swear that the trusting and loving look in his eyes was enough to make him melt right there on the spot! It's crazy how much Tom messed with him... in the best of ways. "I love you too, sweetheart." he leaned down and kissed the top of Tom's head — without interrupting the massage, though, of course!

   it had been tiring;  stopping them from throwing things,  eating things,  saying things they shouldn't—  honestly,  who was teaching these kids swear words?!  it was outrageous!  tom had spent his evening trying to think of every way to entertain the young family member,  talking about football and putting on random films to the point of exhaustion.  his own exhaustion,  obviously,  because they never seemed to get tired.  he leaned his head back at the touch to his chest,  looking up at jon with wide and trusting eyes,  attentive and admiring all at the same point.  "i love you."  he smiled,  connecting their eyes before the hands were moved to his shoulder and he hummed with appreciation at the touch.  the stress was pressed from his muscles and he felt himself relaxing with each touch,  practically melting into the couch predictably.  he loved it every time,  the beautiful man stood over him and the relaxation he was letting himself experience.  

( @RED-EMPTION )
            
            He knew him well at this point. Both of them did. Jon could nod and agree, but you bet he wouldn't be 'reminding' Tom of anything. The keeper didn't offer to do this to have anything offered to him in return, this wasn't how he worked. He just wanted his boyfriend to feel good and relax -- a massage could totally help with that! He knew the other spoke in a joking tone, but looking after children was exhausting. He didn't know from experience, exactly -- his family consisted of his mother and his sister only, now. But he still remembered all the trouble he and Jane gave to his poor uncle, especially when they were both very little, so... once his boyfriend accommodated himself on the couch, Jon positioned himself behind him and rested his hands on his shoulders. Firstly, he just rubbed them -- moving his hands down to his chest, showering him with affection (the way he deserved!) before returning to the shoulders, finally starting the massage, focusing to ease the tension he felt there.

( @RED-EMPTION )
            
            He laughed openly and without caring to control it in any way at the initial response he was given, quick to lean closer and kiss his temple once he was sitting beside him. "Bet!" he answered, exaggerating that mentioned confidence in the name of humour, raising his chin and puffing up his chest -- the pose wasn't kept for too long before he found himself laughing again, resting his head against Tom's. "The truth can't be denied, after all," he added in a teasing tone, nudging him carefully.

   it was liberating to know that jon  *meant*  it,  in the same way that tom did.  to be able to look at each other and know that they weren't just saying it to fill the space,  but instead to portray a feeling.  he put his legs down to shuffle closer,  bringing their joined hands to his lap and laughing at the goalkeeper's comment.  "no.  no mirror,  you heathen.  i think i believe you anyway,  you seem very confident about it."  he rolled his eyes,  his head leaning on jon's shoulder for a moment to cover his bright reaction.  

( @RED-EMPTION )
            
            Maybe... maybe they were a diversion tactic, but that didn't make his comments any less sincere. He was working in his struggle with taking compliments, but he didn't just 'flip' it back on Tom for the sake of doing so. His mother was like that, and he had picked that habit from her: she only said what she truly meant. People throw the three little words, 'I love you', out there, for instance, when they don't exactly feel it in their hearts sometimes. In his whole life, he only heard her mom saying it for three people: Jon and Jane, her kids, and Robert, her brother. The keeper wasn't very different from her -- and in many aspects. "Gladly," he would respond with a smile, linking his free hand with Tom's. "Any suggestions on how could I begin proving it to you, other than holding you a mirror, my angel?"

( @RED-EMPTION )
            
            The look in his eyes was one of pure and open adoration, smiling slightly at his boyfriend after the kiss he pressed on his wrist. The keeper wished he could've held eye contact with him longer, so he could add more to it when he said those three little words to him: "I love you," each one of them were said with all his genuine devotion, though — as always.
            When he was forced to look back ahead — for their own safety! — Jon did so with a laugh, for he could truly imagine himself with elaborated celebrations in dedication to his beautiful boyfriend. "Can't promise you that," he would add jokingly, then, patting his now free hand on Tom's knee — whilst stealing another glance his way, for he couldn't help himself: "Thank you. Just knowing you'll be watching me, really makes it harder to promise I'll keep the celebrations under control indeed," he added in a teasing tone, before winking his way: "I'll make sure to wear that kit you like, just to make it more bearable for you to watch Liverpool play!"

   they were always learning about each other,  and that was his favourite thing.  the small details that he could cherish and write down and reference later on.  it all felt so intimate and important and he couldn't help but fall in love more and more every day.  he lifted jon's hand as they were brought together,  pressing a kiss to his wrist before he withdrew it.   "as long as you don't start doing elaborate celebrations after your saves,  that sounds good to me."  he adored jon's laugh,  watching him openly with bright eyes that were difficult to shake off.  "i'll catch up with the game.  i do love watching the champions league,  even if it *is* liverpool.  you are the only person i'd consider watching that awful club for."  

( @RED-EMPTION )
            
            Honestly, he didn't even think from the perspective that, by sharing his 'bad experiences', what he heard could make him overthink and fear that it could happen to him too in his 'debut' at Champions League... Tom is too sweet, for real!
            But hey, with the promise that he would tell him, although in another time -- it was enough to make the keeper nod and smile to him, appreciative of how caring his boyfriend was, although looking forward to hear more about him (anything he wanted to share) in the near future.
            "Thank you, darling," he held out a hand to briefly hold Tom's in his. Really appreciative of all that optimism, and allowing himself to feel some of it too! "I'm very excited for it as well... I'll dedicate my saves to you! ...You know, the equivalent of a scorer dedicating their goals to their loved ones," he laughed a little, allowing himself to relax some more. In Tom's presence, that was always possible. The positiveness he got from just being with him, it was enough to make him forget anything that could be stressing him out... Tom had that kind of *magic*.

   "that's a very confident stance,  babe.  i'll remind you of that when i become a diva-type celebrity.  and i'll have to tell the press that it's your fault."  his focus went from jon's eyes to his lips and back again,  a few times over,  with his smile widening each time.  he almost had to bite his lip to hide his teeth as his amusement was as strong as it often was alongside jon.  tom brought his arms around jon,  cuddling closer  (  even if it wasn't physically possible  )  and listening to his gorgeous voice for a few seconds.  "i'd take you anywhere."  the midfielder spoke like it was a promise,  tilting his head on jon's shoulder to get a better look at him but still keeping the close contact.  he'd gotten used to it now,  after all.  

( @RED-EMPTION )
            
            "Not in the slightest. I think you deserve to hear it," he stated with confidence; besides, Tom was far from being the kind of person to have an 'ego problem'. He was always too hard on himself, it seemed. In his constant work towards self-improvement (which Jon admired and supported, without a doubt, for that showed how much of a dedicated person and professional he is), he unfortunately tended to forget how incredible he already is. His numbers this season speak for themselves! Jon was just stating facts, when he said the great footballer he is, how great of a boyfriend he is, how talented and handsome he is... every day, yes, just to make sure he won't ever dare to forget.
            Jon's hand continued on the back of his head when he leaned closer; the touch seeming even more caring and protective than before (if that was even possible): "I love the beach," he responded quietly, his voice almost a whisper given their proximity. "I didn't get to go as many times I'd like... so I absolutely love the idea. It'll be even better, since you'll be there with me."

   "you already do that.  you aren't worried i'll get an ego problem?"  any distance between them,  no matter how small,  was too much;  and the concept simmered beneath the surface up until the moment they kissed.  tom let himself,  rather selfishly,  melt into the embrace and relax underneath his arms,  enough sense in him later on to kick himself and lean back—  even if temptation begged him to reciprocate when jon tried to chase him.  after the peck to his lips and the quiet confirmation,  thomas smiled and hid his face in jon's neck.  "you like the beach?"  he wanted to make sure,  his question murmured against his neck with a dreamy tone.