⠀★ ... ♯ 10

Musical films, surprisingly enough, weren't Jon's favourite genre. Actually, far from that, if he was being honest. He did like some good romance, especially silly rom-com ones— those were his favourites! But since La La Land had such a great romantic vibe to it... it quickly made its way into his list of 'coming back to' films— that he would rewatch every now and then, just because. "I bet you'll be on tears by the end of it. Ha!"

   it was all so stupid,  because tom wouldn't be able to forget what this felt like.  he could go on pretending,  but anything with other guys would be nothing compared to the fleeting touch of jon's hand.  and wasn't that pathetic?  "fine.  okay,  we'll watch that.  even though it sounds just as bad!" 
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE 

When their legs touched, he felt that heat come back to his face. There was a short delay between Tom's words and his own response, for he was screaming on the inside against his brain that constantly froze when he was close to his roommate, like this! "I, uh..." he moved forward, towards the laptop to scroll through the options, and smiled at his comment about Mamma Mia. "Aw, why not? Okay— if Mamma Mia is off limits, what about La La Land? It's a great musical, I promise."

He loved to know how much his black kit did things to his boyfriend... it was the very same thing for Jon as he saw him in red. Yeah, it was the 'wrong' shade of red, but it allowed him to fantasize a little! ...Just kidding.
            "Hmmm... I'll leave it up to you to decide, because I win in any scenario." he sent him a smirk, leaning into his boyfriend's touch. Just loving how it felt, to be able to sit here and cuddle with him like this!

   it was a coincidence that his focused look in his black kit made him look stunningly intimidating,  kinda,  and even tom got a little flustered when he was able to watch it.  his gorgeous boyfriend,  whom nobody really knew.  not the people that watched the tv,  at least.  but that was only because it was dangerous for them to know.  tom spent a lot of time worrying about him.   about all of that.  "whatever."  he chuckled,  letting himself be pulled into the hug.  his arms tightening around his partner in a split second,  and he pressed a kiss to the side of his head.  "getting mixed signals about whether i should cheat or not now."  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE 

It was a carefully built up stage persona... or... better saying it, not really. Listen, of course he puts on an effort to keep people from knowing that aspect of his identity. It used to be an exhausting compartmentalization process... that now runs on automatic mode. The outfits weren't really only to deceive, although they helped! But he always loved wearing that 'good-bad boy' style. "Cute," he repeated to him with a grin, leaning in to peck the tip of his nose. Of course he would protest at the word... which, sorry, only made it even more cute! It was a loop! He let out a laugh at his words, then, bringing him close again for a tight hug.

   tom supposed that even with these skills,  jon has some pretty instinctive reflexes,  so it was a fun game.  they were both training their skills in their own ways!  although he would definitely appreciate his partner singing his praises,  it was the kind of flattery that definitely won tom over and got him quite distracted and appreciative.  especially from jon,  who was amazingly reliable on the pitch and also frustratingly quick on his feet.  honestly,  tom had gotten a few shots against him in games but they never amounted to anything.  whether it was because jon closed it down before it became a proper shot,  or just an insanely good dive which ruined his chances!  damn jon,  it was a challenge he would accept.  "i'm just getting started,"  his tone was smug and overconfident,  because he was dedicated to this challenge and he knew jon found his absurd confidence to be amusing,  at the very least,  and so he indulged him.  he'd try some extra little tricks just to make his boyfriend laugh.  
             
            /   @-NEVERALONE 

They're each other's weakness, yes...
            But they're also each other's strength.
            Don't mind him, he can get a tad philosophical sometimes!
            This wasn't one of said times, though— because he's far too distracted by his partner's awesomeness. Look at *that* ball control! That's a brilliant midfielder for you. The one who disarms the opponent and, with a glance around, finds his teammate at the same time he finds a way of making him a perfect pass! Like a maestro, backheeling it, lifting it and sending it to the other side of the pitch, kicking it to the side while looking in the opposite direction... it doesn't matter where you are, Tom will send you that ball. That one you need to score a belter at the final minutes...
            If he only wasn't playing for the wrong Reds, ha!
            It was more an accident than a calculated move that he got to block off that backheeling, laughing as he did. "What a show off!" tone full of fondness. Tom knew it, Jon loved it when he started to show off with all his abilities!

   jon's internal monologue was far too flattering,  and it was just proof as to how damn charming he was.  tom knew that detail already,  of course,  but being reminded of something during their game definitely would have distracted him.  his boyfriend was his weakness.  he was trying to bat jon's hand off his shirt in a frantic motion,  focusing on doing that and doing unnecessary tricks with the ball.  he was trying to backheel it between jon's legs,  but must've chosen the wrong time and he qas quick to try and retrieve the ball again.  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE 

   he never got tired of the touch of jon's hand,  and similarly he seemed to beam happily at the way he was guided to the sofa.  he'd been too busy looking at jon to notice where exactly they were heading before that.  "yeah.  it was good.  tiring."  he sat beside his partner and almost immediately put his arms around him.  "how about yours?"  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE 

"Absolutely, angel," he pecked the tip of his nose and smiled. "How was your day?" he asked, and he held his hand and gently led him to the sofa, so they could cuddle up some more till dinner got there for them.

    the midfielder's smile was warm and sickeningly fond,  a hand settling on one of jon's arms and looking up at him from the close distance.  "m'kay.  alright.  thank you,  you're perfect."  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE   <3333 xxx 

   jon's encouragement made the angel smile,  and he studied his face for an extra moment with a smitten look following the kiss to his knuckles.  the demon who always knew what to say and what to do,  especially when thomas was completely lost.  he brushed a thumb over jon's cheek after the kiss,  quick and earnest,  before joining their hands again and using the contact to pull the demon to stand a little closer.  shoulder to shoulder,  that is.  nothing more than that in front of his  *sister*.  god.  "i'll....  uhh,  keep an eye on the universe.  just in case,  of course."  he said lightheartedly,  even in knowing that there wasn't much he could do about yhe whole universe.  but,  y'know.  he would fight anyone for jon,  too,  so of course he wouldn't be on his own.  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE 

"The tea... right," Jane indulged it, smiling to herself as she moved to the kitchen to prepare them some tea. She looked up at them through her lashes, just happy to witness the care they had for each other, and the energy coming from them. It all felt so pure and sincere! ...The witch couldn't help it but lower her guard down a little. Unfortunately, they were too cute to resist!
            "The universe will be all right," Jon promised him, bringing his hand up to kiss his knuckles; his eyes locked with his. His own way of saying 'I got you', and, hey... he meant it. He knew he stood no chance, at least not on his own, to fight the angels if they decided to go after Tom... but that wouldn't stop the demon from protecting him.

   he was quite right!  thomas was weirdly determined to understand all these human things and he'd be happy to work with jon to figure them out together.  it was bound to be an exciting journey!  
            "that sounds lovely."  the angel says politely,  squeezing jon's hand as if he had no intention of letting go  *ever*.  which,  again,  would probably be a problem.  and a little impossible.  a few seconds later,  he realised what jane had actually said,  and he tries to help the situation.  "the tea,  i mean.  the fate of the universe is....  well,  i don't know.  it'll be fine.   ....   right??"  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE 

   "you're adorable."  he smiled back when they were separated enough for it,  studying his eyes for a glorifying moment before he had to focus on where they were going.  he was so pliant under jon's touch,  going wherever he was pushed or pulled happily.  when they were sat down,  he squeezed jon's hand and grinned at him.  the love of his life,  his best friend.  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE 

"Of course, sweetheart," he kissed his cheek, as he returned the tight hug. His hands rubbing his back, affectionately. "I love you, too. You're my world— and how lucky am I that I can hold my entire world into my arms, like this," he pulled away just enough to look into his eyes and smile, tugging at his hand gently to invite him to sit with him.

   he loved the privacy of it,  the idea of getting to celebrate this privately between them after so many years of being weirdly friendly about the holiday.  it was already his favourite valentines ever.  "i love it.  thank you."  he turned to pull jon into a tight hug,  hiding his face into his partner's neck for a few seconds.  "i love  *you*."  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE   <3333 

   tom leaned his head against jon's shoulder and laughed,  wishing it would be possible to be able to sit around and watch jon fix the car.  because,  honestly,  there was no sight more attractive than that one.  but,  because it was an impossible task,  he'd have to leave it up to his imagination!  damn it.  "i can cheer for  *you*.  but,  y'know,  in the end..."  his voice trailed off and he decided not to reiterate,  smiling to himself as he teased his partner like it was second nature.  "good idea.  do not get my controllers all greasy."  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE 

He laughed softly in response to the question, nudging his shoulder against his, playfully. He knew the other knew all about his love for that car, he was there, helping him to design it when he decided to repair it. "Never. But thanks, anyway."
            It was originally red, but they, together, chose to paint it black— alongside that suggestion of Tom's, he followed many others, including the interior, that was now light grey. The car is a relic, and now more than ever, looked very classy! He would never get rid of it to buy something new, a 'plastic car' from this 'plastic decade'! He liked things with personality! From times that even the car brands were written in cursive, a detail placed like a metal 'stamp' on the boot! Everything from 'analog times' had charm... like maps! Now everything's in a damn phone, that when the battery dies, simply becomes a useless 'technological rock brick'!
            "So mean! Even against Manchester Shitty, you're still not gonna cheer for me?" he pouted, dramatically, then accepted  the controller with his clean hand. "Better clean the other up before I start, or I'm gonna make this greasy from the crisps..."

   things had been better,  and thomas missed this feeling—  the winning.  the teamwork.  tom didn't come home from games tired and shattered and defeated.  even though he was still tired,  obviously,  he walked off with his head up high and believed in something better.  "i wondered why she dropped you off.  c'mon,  baby,  when are you gonna let me buy you a new car?"  he already knew what the reply would be,  that jon enjoyed fixing his car and loved the car itself,  so he only made his joke lightly with a teasing smile.  because jon also knew that tom would do that for him at the drop of a hat,  but only if it was actually asked of him.  tom knew that randomly buying jon something like that probably wouldn't go down great.  and that was fine!  everyone had things they preferred to keep,  even with all this money they got.  once the game was downloaded,  he made sure there was no chocolate left on his fingers and handed jon a controller.  "well.  i'll be watching your game.  i wish there was a way everyone could lose!"  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE 

   the idea of jon having already thought about it made him smile with all the same emotions he saw on the guard's face.  "okay.  alright,  then it's sorted.  we'll figure out when is safe to do it.  i should check royal duties and i will let you know,  okay?  as soon as i can."  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE 

He smiled in return to him; for the second time in the day, at the verge of tears, that he was far too stubborn to release... he rested his forehead against his while listening to him, rubbing his back affectionately. "Yes. Yes, I know where we can go... I have a few ideas, already, if I'm being honest," something he admitted with a blush, for it showed how much he had been thinking about it, too. About *him*, better saying it..!

   "i want you too."  he replied with a smile,  squeezing his hand and watching the way he was granted that light kiss.  yeah,  this is exactly what he needed.  he nodded as jon spoke,  frantic and excited and only a little bit nervous.  "you're right,  okay.  we need to prepare.  i can gather money and clothes and things we'll need for our journeying and our new life.  perhaps you could think of a place for us to go.  somewhere nobody will know us."  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE 

   thomas would permit score checking,  obviously,  and would make a few jokes about liverpool on the way.  it was their banter,  after all,  and he'd be more at peace with being booted out by brighton if they go on to win it.  even if tom hadn't been able to  *play*  that game.  he was still pissed about that.  "flirting with me in front of my cooking show.  unclassy."  he teased,  brushing his fingers through the hair at the back of jon's head,  and rested a hand on his bicep.  "you can turn it off,  if you want.  tell me more about what your heart desires to do on valentines.  or any other day."  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE    theyre the otp  <333 

He's right— it's Valentine's! All he wants is to be with his partner and enjoy their time together. Of course he won't be trying to watch the game! The score, though... he might check by the end of the first half, and one last time at the ending. And that's it! Good luck to his teammates, for Valentine's... he has *plans* with the love of his life!
            "Oh, you are~" he flirted jokingly, trying to copy his boyfriend's innocent tone, that wasn't at all *that* innocent..! "Good goddess— you better *not*, or I'm gonna die with your sweetness... and what a way of wrecking our plans if that happens," he laughed, resting his forehead against his.
            
            
            // that's so sweettttt !!!!! omggg, love these two so much (':

   "i'm a natural."  he said with a chuckle,  his tone being slightly smug and slightly innocent in a weird sort of combination,  which he spoke vaguely into his partner's space when he was brought closer.  thomas was glad to hear that his partner would be free for valentines,  and would even be kind enough to let him check the score every now and then as they played.  but he'd draw the line at actually watching it—  which,  funnily enough,  he didn't think jon would actually attempt to do.  unless he was out in the kitchen,  but even then!  "okay,  okay.  manchester it is.  i might have to spoil you everyday until we get there just to get some practice in."  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE   ughhhhhh it's so cuuuute.  they get to spend every night next to each other doing their own thing and i think thats adorable.  tom playing his video games with jon reading his book until jon kisses his cheek and decides it's officially Bed Time.  theyre an old married couple

  "it's not.  it's awful."  he complained lightheartedly,  deciding to focus on the less upsetting part and just look at the small smile on jon's face.  the kind that was so gentle,  so private,  the kind of smile only tom got to see.  thomas adored him.  adored the way he moved,  the way he smiled,  the way he spoke,  the way he kissed him.  he brushed his thumb across jon's cheekbone after the kisses,  holding his face and admiring the goalkeeper.  "i love you so much.  can you wake me up when you get up in the morning?"  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE 

"It's okay, sweetheart—" he was quick to reassure him, a gentle smile on his lips, as he noticed his boyfriend's apologetic gestures (and look!) "We can definitely have lunch together at Monday," he nodded to him; he didn't have to feel bad about it— it was their lives, their work! They both understood really well how things were, and there was no reason to apologize! ...His partner is way too sweet— he couldn't resist it, and pressed small, 'lazy' kisses all over his gorgeous face. "Love you."

   tom groaned dramatically,  even if he saw the answer coming,  and he tightened his hold around his partner.  it made sense,  obviously,  jon's game was sooner than his was,  but it was still  *annoying*.  devastating,  even!  especially when jon said he'd be free at lunch,  and tom cursed any and all gods.  "my training starts at lunch."  he pressed a kiss to jon's forehead,  hand squeezing the spot on his thigh in a silent apology.  they both had games at the weekend,  he supposed there was no helping it—  but,  still,  he was going to complain about it.  "monday afternoon?  we could have lunch then?"  
            
            /   @-NEVERALONE   <3333