⠀★ ... ♯ 10

  it was funny how that one look told tom everything he needed to know,  the silent support practically being shouted at him through the look in his partner's eyes.  that said it all.  the midfielder had to force his eyes away to stop himself from admiring the goalkeeper too obviously,  laughing along at the joking as he had a too-wide smile on his face.  all from the adrenaline,  he swore.  "yeah!  it was great.  i missed it."  he offered brightly,  a sort of boyish enthusiasm in every gesture,  growing by the moment as he thinks about the world cup.  the possibilities.  "onto the next!  i'm just excited to get back to the hotel until then."  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE 

He wanted to shower his partner with praises, tell him how much of a fierce *lion* he was at the midfield today— like always, really, his boyfriend is incredible! ...But... given the circumstances... he had to hope Tom was getting good at reading his mind! Joking apart, he was ready to tell him all about it as soon as they found themselves on their own! "I was nervous, it was terrifying," he admitted with a chuckle. "Made some silly mistakes, but... at some point, I just... started to enjoy the ride in this crazy roller coaster," he shook his head. "It was incredible! Better than everything I've imagined." with his hands on his hips and a silly grin on his face, he asked him: "How about you? Did you enjoy it?"

  "not bad at all."  the midfielder smiled back,  fleeting and polite,  even if he wanted to flatter the love of his life to an almost embarrassing level.  he,  personally,  was still recovering from the bollocking they'd gotten at half time,  and felt slightly vindicated by their performance after the fact.  "did you enjoy it?  your first proper world cup game?"  
            
            /    @-NEVERALONE   <333 

   he chuckled at the kisses and the reply,  feeling perfectly surrounded by his partner that he couldn't be happier!  "i'm gonna have to go out without you."  he shook his head,  bringing his hand up to grab jon's chin and nudge him closer to press a kiss to his lips after all those to his face.  "you'd ruin the surprises!  but... i can't really turn down the idea of going out with you by my side."  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE 

Oh, that voice. That honey-like, all-drives-him-crazy, velvety voice. He talked like an angel, really! And got Jon melting for him, instantly..! The keeper pressed 'lazy', but adoring kisses all over his partner's face; suddenly, all he wants is to be the silliest person there is out there! ...Just to get to hear him saying the words to him, just like that, *again*!
            "Ha. Yeah. Kinda counterintuitive... to have some alone time in the middle of a bunch of other people, but..." he sighed and smiled to his partner. "It'll be worth it. But, no— I won't look away. You know how curious I am! I can't help it—!"
            
            
            // HAHAHA IT DEF WILL !!! ;p

   "don't be silly,"  his voice is overflowing with fondness,  gentle and warm in a way that only jon could coax out of him,  and perhaps a part of that was down to how comfortable and relaxed he was with the goalkeeper's fingers in his hair.  he leaned into the touch,  hands moving back and forth from jon's back to his waist to his hips,  then repeat.  "i hope so.  i wish we could sneak out on our own,  but we might have to drag a few others with us.  as a genius disguise.  then we can shop all we want.  you'd have to look away when i'm buying you stuff,  though."  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE   EXACTLYY  theyre gonna get so humbled.  it'll be a good watch HAHAHAH 

  "exactly.  you'd be prepared for anything."  he knew that'd be more helpful,  and they'd be able to practice all sorts of things!  and they'd be able to eat afterwards,  laugh about things,  give pointers!  it'd be nice,  and tom could take the totally innocent opportunity to tell the goalkeeper how excellent he was.  "if there's anything else i can do,  let me know.  this should be an exciting time!  you're gonna be great!  and much more gorgeous when that kit you wear has a different badge on it.  out in that american sun.  plenty to look forward to."  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE 

Well... that was mostly due his experiences when he was a kid. Again, everything seemed to come back to it, one way or another. With his mother out, working, and not really wanting to get in the way of his uncle unless it was absolutely necessary, he grew up being a man of action and problem-solving —he talked *after* he figured his shit out, and tried everything in his power to fix things on his own, first. It was with his boyfriend that he was slowly learning to reach out for help. Commenting about his fears and struggles was always somewhat difficult for him still, though. "That sounds... perfect. Yous make an unpredictable team," he grinned; of course, saying that in a positive way. For a keeper, that was important, in matters of training. "Thanks, love. I appreciate that."

   tom learned his lesson with all this time spent with his partner!  the midfielder always liked a little period to complain and be comforted before he made efforts to improve,  but jon skipped the middle man!  the encouragement came after!  "i do count on you,"  he raised a brow as if jon should know that,  albeit teasingly,  and smiled into their kiss.  quick to lean back in for another before he could get too far away.  "of course.  we'll spend some more time training at yours,  then,  yeah?  just let me know what you need help with.  and if we need extra people we could always invite our sisters."  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE 

   it was always nice to give the affection back when jon was always the one that liked to press a large amount of kisses to his face.  that was probably his signature move,  and tom didn't mind stealing it every now and then.  when jon put his phone away and spoke so sweetly,  tom laughed and shifted to sit properly in his lap and wrap his arms around his shoulders.  "i'll always wait for you.  whether it's to laugh in your face or...  cry in your direction."  he teased,  leaning against him to just sit there and hug him for a bit.  it'd been a busy day,  after all!  and it was important to ramp down from all that intense rivalry and remind each other that they didn't actually hate each other as much as the media thought they did.  or something like that.  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE   ...  <333 

He felt goosebumps and grinned like the silly man in love that he is upon receiving those kisses, pressing a few on his boyfriend's head. After he finished placing their order and paying it, he stuffed his phone back in his pocket and dedicated all of his attention back to him. "The best part after a derby... is that it doesn't matter if we win, or lose, I'll always come back to you. And if it's like today's case, you always make everything feel better... thanks, love."
            
            
            // <333333 hahaha

   tom,  like always,  lets himself be pulled closer,  sat half over jon's lap as the arm goes around his shoulders.  he was happy to play the part of the silly romance movie,  not bothering to look at the phone and instead pressing a few kisses to jon's neck.  "you will.  promise."  he lifted his head to leave kisses along his jawline,  finally then looking up at the goalkeeper.  his favourite place to look,  and he was always quick to say it.  the smile on his face was sentimental and sweet,  like they were reflecting these heart eyes back and forth between themselves.  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE    daaaamn  </333  okay fiine 

he watched with a fond smile as jon took his hand,  being a little slow to react to his partner's teasing just because the warmth of their hands was endearing.  "well.  how can i say no to a pretty face like that?"  he smiled stupidly,  gentle and adoring,  as he leaned in to kiss his lips.  he lingered for a moment,  perhaps just to really make sure the  'cure'  had worked,  he'd use as an excuse in their joking,  but really he was just wrapped around jon's finger.  "there you go.  dr d'angelo has officially cured you of all pain!"  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE 

He pouted when he was teased, and smiled in the sequence at the kiss he was given to the cheek. The keeper held his hand when he poked his chest, intertwining his fingers with his— gently bringing his hand closer to him, holding it against his chest. "Much better," he said with a nod and a mischievous glint in his eyes. "My lips are still hurting, though, babe." he batted his lashes to him, trying to look innocent.

   the good thing was he'd probably never ask jon to point something like  *that*  out,  so they wouldn't need to worry about that bit!  thomas laughed without trying to hide it,  finding jon's attempt to get some kisses to be convoluted and adorable.  "ow?"  he teased,  poking jon's chest before he leaned in to press a kiss to his cheek.  as a starting point.  "does it feel better now?"  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE   <333 

   learning about them was also tom's favourite thing!  there was something so precious in seeing the goodness they could have,  even amongst the notable amounts of bad that existed too.  they were flawed,  they followed their dreams,  they were always learning.  they were forced to see everything human as something to be wiped away,  at least in heaven,  and to be on earth and indulge yourself with the simple vices of humanity was just as freeing as the amulet around his neck.  he could enjoy their food,  listen to their music,  play their games.  it was perfect.  and,  even more perfect,  was feeling jon's arm go around him as they sat together.  he practically melted by his side,  leaning against him and listening to the sound of his gentle voice.  "you don't need to thank me for that.  it's a pleasure to be given your time.  i want to have it forever.  i'm glad you feel that way,  though,  i admit."  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE 

Jon very much enjoyed watching humans and other beings, not just as an act of curiosity, too, to try and learn more about them (even if he had been one, he was far from being a good one, or having good ones near him— so watching gestures of kindness had always been something that drew his attention), but also because, admittedly, he liked being near them because of their artistic abilities. It was nice. Films, books, music, painting... he loved all of that, and the million ways they found to express themselves through art. Now that he had all the time in the world..! He did it even more so than when he used to be human. He still very much liked claiming he hated them, though— but it was much more for the 'roleplay'!
            He sat beside him once the angel encouraged him to, wrapping his arm around him as he sat facing the moon up above. "Thanks... not just for accepting to come here, with me. But... for being by my side. I feel like... I'm much better since I've met you."

   thomas enjoyed learning about them,  about the way they had to live and things like that.  because,  obviously,  angels were very different!  and humans were also quite different!  it was fun to experience the life of an average person since being invisible to prying angel eyes,  but he had to admit he was a little clueless!  
               he kept looking away from the view to check the demon was still with him,  which was silly but he just felt like he was living in some sort of paradise,  even more so when they were suddenly standing upon the paws of the sphinx.  his smile couldn't widen any further at this point,  so it was just stuck to the point where it would've even hurt if he were human!  he encouraged the demon to sit down with him,  taking that opportunity to lean against him whilst using both his hands to hold onto one of jon's with security.  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE 

   the response made him smile.  the kind of smile that was gentle and quiet and adoring,  the kind that tom only had on his face when it came to jon.  not only because of how sweet his comment was,  but also because tom saw it coming a mile away.  he felt lucky to feel this loved.  he brushed his finger over jon's arm,  slowly and thoughtfully,  before it went up and he intertwined their fingers.  "if you say so.  wellll,,,  what do you wanna talk about?  i was thinking as the summer gets closer,  we could have our families over for dinner again.  that'd be nice,  right?"  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE   <333 

"And waste the precious time we get to be together sleeping instead of talking with you? Hell no," yes, Jon. You really are predictable... for a goalkeeper, or even better, for any footballer, that's not good! ...Right there, though, he wasn't 'goalkeeper!Jon'. He was just 'Tom's-boyfriend!Jon'! And to be so well known by him like that? It made him feel very special, too. So seen. So *lucky* to have someone so amazing in his life.
            
            
            // HAAHHA LOVEEE ITTT !!!!! <33333

   every small movement felt like it was built in,  like it was natural.  he couldn't do anything else but let himself be held,  and he'd probably enjoy staying like that forever.  the way jon touched him made him feel so special,  and he never thought he'd be one of these people.  it was crazy!  "i love you too,"  he smiled,  his answer an impulse but still said deliberately and earnestly.  "you're not gonna fall asleep on me,  are you?" 
            
            /  @-NEVERALONE   YOURE RIGHT  he's like if clint was a cat person  HAHA 

   freddie had gotten bored of getting involved,  sitting on the sofa and being incredibly confused by whatever the hell they were doing.  tom didn't pay much attention to him though,  in the nicest way possible,  because he was too busy tilting his head to lean against his partner adoringly.  "you're so pretty,"  he whispered,  turning his head to study his face and all the familiar details.  "an excellent dancer,  too."  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE 

This was one of those moments he felt like he could live forever in. Just he and his partner, the love of his life, slow dancing in the middle of his living room. Nothing could spell out 'love' better than that... with Tom humming them a tune, getting the keeper to melt for him all over again. His sweet laugh the best melody he could ever dance to! "I love you, too, angel," he replied with a kiss to his temple, surrendering himself completely to him and his flawless lead.

   when jon responded to him,  his hands shifted to move positions so he could lead their little dance—  every movement was gentle and reverent,  and after a few moments of their close dancing,  tom smiled to himself and started humming a tune for them.  it wasn't particularly impressive,  it was quiet and he leaned against jon for it to be their private little moment.  it was perfect,  and he was finding himself pretty funny so his humming dissolved into chuckling.  "i love you."  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE 

   "it's not like we needed the game to hug.  it's just a bonus i guess,"  he didn't mind giving in to the silly games on a lazy afternoon—  in fact,  he enjoyed it!  the best way to spend any time was with his partner,  where they could both be silly and relax away from their jobs.  he was even weaker when jon showed off his romantic side  (  which was every side,  apparently!  ).  "but it's definitely worth it."  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE 

Don't get him wrong... it isn't like playing it the 'traditional way' wasn't fun, but he would much rather play video games with his boyfriend like this! His face was hurting already with how much he was grinning, and he wouldn't stop laughing at any ridiculous move his players ended up making. All his fault, but he would much rather pretend otherwise. "I don't know! I think I play much better like this— plus, I get to hug you at the same time. That's the best part!"

   if playing like this was going to get him all these kisses,  maybe he should do it more often!  he laughed,  the game being an absolute mess when he can be bothered to actually pay attention to it,  with each of them pressing random buttons and losing the ball every two seconds.  "it's all the game.  we're really good at this.  how weird is that."  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE 

"Ow—" he put both of his hands over his heart dramatically, like he had just been '''stabbed''' with the most cruel words! "I am so being used! And here was I, thinking we were truly bonding and making peace!" he joked, letting himself be nudged and swaying exaggeratedly. A grin was *stuck* on his face, at this point. But that was okay.
            The banter that came from the rivalry was natural to their relationship, and he was thankful they had that to rely on and be able to interact, even around others. They looked like they got along, but not in a suspicious way, and that was more than good enough for him! Sure, he still had to pretend and stick to a character, in a way, but... it was much easier with their banter as their 'secret tool'.
            "You'll still get those good passes, no worries. England has to win this World Cup, and we'll work hard towards that *goal*! ...In all senses of the word." he raised an eyebrow— the silly wordplays were back!

   jon's bad boy reputation was incredibly attractive,  and he loved being able to watch it in his interviews when he could.  it wasn't as often as he wanted it to be,  but he got to see that persona and the sweetness that hid underneath all up close and personal.  again,  not to brag.  he was incredibly smug and proud of his partner.  "i say a lot worse.  but,  y'know,  i can't let you in on that secret.  i sorta want some good passes from my goalkeeper when we both get to play."  he nudged him and leaned back in his seat to observe the game in front of them,  angling his smug and teasing smirk vaguely into towards the pitch.  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE 

Oh, Tom was definitely rewarded with most of them, all right. 98% of his winks were all Tom's, if someone ran a percentage. The other two percent was to charm the media and help him keep his 'bad boy' reputation. He mastered the '''straight guy''' attitude over the years— which was funny, because he was faaaar from being one. They were great, Tom and him. They could've been actors, if they weren't— humbly— so damn good at football! Jon laughed at the other's quiet jab at the 'Shitty' players, thinking the very same of the 'Neverton' (isn't 'Neverwon' even better for a nickname?!) ones. The Red Devils were, surprisingly, really easy to get along— well, just one Red Devil, actually. The one that mattered. (No offense— sorta). "I wonder what you say about my lot behind my back," he joked, adding that one just in case people around were still hearing them, and not lost in their own banters.