⠀⠀★⠀.ᐣ⠀

   "you two..."  he laughed,  a more unguarded noise which he'd blame on the fact that he was totally tipsy and the gift was so sweet!  "c'mere."  he held his arms out and pushed himself from the doorframe so jon could meet him in the middle for a hug.  "thank you.  i'll find alex and thank him at some point.  you didn't have to do this."  
            
            /   @-HEAVYLOVE   <33333  jon is so cute i adore him 

He was leaning on the wall on the other side of the hallway, right in front of him. He just watched him, in silence, an idle smile on his face as the other studied his gift. "Of course I am sure!" he answered, a warm smile following his words. "You deserve it, Tom. You'll be finally able to relax and have a break from me," he laughed a little. "It's a gift from Alex and I, please, accept it, my friend."
            
            
            // HE DESERVEEEES ITTT, HE'S AWESOMEEE !!!
            OFCCCC !!! <333 TYSMMM AS WELL, DEAR xx

   "really?  how's that work."  he mumbled under his breath,  pushing his door open and picking up the gift in question.  and,  honestly,  it was a  *lot*.  he couldn't believe it.  he studied all the details,  narrowing his eyes at the gift and turning to jon incredulously.  he hadn't even fully walked into his room,  just leaning against the doorframe.  "are you sure?"  he questioned,  surprised,  as if it was too much money and so much more effort just for him.  
             
            /   @-HEAVYLOVE   THIS IS SO CUUUTE  he's undeserving.  i love this tysmmm <3333 

"Oh, that's an excellent question!" he said, musing over it with an idle smile on his face. "If it's a reference to Netflix's Lucifer show, definitely a suit. Without the tie— he's a charming devil, literally," he laughed a little. "You would look perfect, since you're very charming, too," the last bit, he added without looking at him, but instead, focusing on the horns and the pitchfork in his hands, so it wouldn't come out too strong of a compliment (he never wanted to make him accidentally uncomfortable, of course!) Only after saying it, he did turn to look back at him and smile slightly.

   tom followed after him,  slightly surprised that he actually did have quite a few costumes.  he supposed there were a lot of people that had plenty of options,  and he was very amused by the concept that jon belonged to that group.  "oh,  nice."  he complimented vaguely,  looking through the options with narrowed eyes like he was making a very important decision.  "okay,  talk to me.  if i go as a devil,  what else do i wear?  other than the obvious.  the fuck do devils wear?  black suit?  normal suit?  no suit?"  
            
            /   @-HEAVYLOVE 

He sent him a soft look, understanding that it was probably because of all the stress of his job, and simply not having the time to relax and enjoy the little things about life more. Like traveling for fun, and not to watch after someone. Going to parties for fun, and not because he was in duty. And celebrating the holidays at home or wherever he preferred to be, instead of working... he would make it worth it for him, then! For he was officially off duty from now on till Monday! The weekend was his, since he spent all the five week days with him.
            
            He nodded in response and smiled sweetly to him, gesturing for him to follow him. Once they were in the room, he opened the closet that was full of those costumes... he wasn't lying when he said they were pretty basic, such as a headpiece with devil horns and a small red pitchfork, amongst masks of famous horror and fantasy film characters, and out of nowhere, a few costumes of famous artists, too, like Elvis and Michael Jackson— a lot of things for him to choose from!

   thomas wished he would just forgive himself for that lapse in judgement,  but there were certain times where the bodyguard could tell it still bothered him.  sure,  at first he might've been a little glad that jon was still thinking about it,  purely out of spite because it'd  *hurt*.  but now?  god,  he just wanted to move on from it.  the constant thought of it just reminded him of how he was perceived,  what people must generally think of him one way or another,  and it was terrifying.  "we're the better club,  duh."  he shrugged,  not being able to stop himself from laughing at the silly tone of jon's voice even if he was trying to  *defend himself*!!  he shook his head when jon decided to announce that he'd get the drinks,  sending the man a knowing look and conceding rather quickly seeing as it was his birthday.  "whatever you like,  jon.  as long as it's got enough alcohol in it,  i don't mind.  thanks."  
            
            /   @-HEAVYLOVE 

He wasn't just flattering him, that's for sure... he meant it! ...And, maybe, the way he was so interested in him played a role there, somewhere, as well... for instance, he felt like smiling just because the other entered the room. For a brief moment, all he could do was watch him... till the guilt and the shame, especially for what happened *that* night, came striking hard— and then he would avert his gaze, pensive... his brain going ahead and making him a whole *film* of every damn mistake he made. Because that's how brains loved to operate, huh? 'You're feeling bad about that? ...Aw, adorable. Remember when you did that even *worse* thing in 2012?'
            "How?!" his tone was high pitched, in a playful manner. As if he was scandalized with the mere suggestion of it (the rivalry spoke loud!) "Ha! The same thing could be easily said about you, dear friend. Yeah, another drink sounds lovely—" he stood up. "But I'll be the one to get them for us. Another one of those, or would you like something else?" he inquired, quirking an eyebrow defiantly as he waited for his response.

  jon had always been a lot kinder than bosses tom had in the past,  and it wasn't so bad to be treated with that respect.  his sister was nice,  obviously,  but he wasn't always working for her—  just when it came to events and whenever the club as a whole needed someone to call,  and she'd tease him to no end.  it wasn't fair!  he was only a few minutes younger than her!  and a few inches shorter!  she was mean,  so jon was an angel in comparison.  although the bodyguard didn't tell that many jokes because he just didn't think he was that funny,  really,  so jon was just flattering him.  "that just proves me right."  they were doing better than liverpool right now!  ha!  he'd been ridiculed by the other bodyguards during united's difficult phase,  and now he was free!  "you just don't know what you're on about.  can i get you another drink?"  
            
            /  @-HEAVYLOVE 

"Please, don't worry about it..." he said, both in reference to the bag and to walk him to his room. "No one's gonna try anything against me as I walk three doors down to the left," he added with a small smile. "Although I adore the company... I want you to rest and look after yourself now a bit, yes? You looked after me long enough already," he told him, putting a hand on his shoulder, gently. He didn't mean to make it linger... he didn't mean to keep his eyes locked with his again like that, either... but it was inevitable! He forced himself to move, then, smiling sheepishly to the other. "Thank you, *again*. For everything."
            
            
            // exactlyyy !!!! <3333333

   any other day he was sure he'd look away and do something,  but there was something strangely captivating about that moment.  he was stunned into a silence,  intrigued as to why jon was looking at him like that anyway,  tension gripping at his shoulder blades and suffocating him without noise.  tom didn't want to read into any of this,  he decided,  finding these personal moments between them to be more tense than when tom was actually on the job.  "yeah."  he agreed idly,  almost with a breathless and distracted quality to it,  before rising to a stand and clearing his throat.  "let me walk you to your room."  the bodyguard reached over to take jon's bag,  gesturing for him to leave first so he could follow.  
            
            /   @-HEAVYLOVE    exactly!!!  them being soulmates means they'll always figure it out <3333 

The comfortable silence that followed it, too, added to that intimate feeling... it was dangerous, but Jon couldn't help it— he just watched him, idly, grateful to that angel of a man in so many ways... yet, the words escaped him. Nothing he could say would do justice to the way he felt, and the things he couldn't say, well... they were too much, too real, too scary... and highly inconvenient, quite possibly, for he was pretty sure it wasn't the kind of thing Tom wanted to hear— but it was okay, for he couldn't bring himself to say it, either way, that was the whole point he was trying to make.
            He smiled up to him, slightly— glad to hear that confidence in his tone, hoping that, when the time came, he really accepted the gesture of gratitude he had in store for him. He surely deserved it! "I think... I think I should let you rest. Take a nap. It'll be a long night, yeah?" he grabbed the handles of his bag, but didn't stand nor picked it up already— not before that one last look, to have that face in his memory... those eyes that calmed him down and encouraged him to keep going.
            
            
            // the best formula EEVEER: angst + hurt/comfort + fluff !!! loveee it <333 loveee our silly boys xx hahaha

"Of course," he nodded to him; one last brush of his thumb over his cheekbone and he got up, picking back up his guitar and turning to sit back by his side, instead of in front of him as he was before. He turned his body, so he was somewhat facing him, then he tried to remember one of them that he hadn't played yet tonight, and there was an obvious choice in 'This is The One', that he began, softly...

   he sniffled pathetically at the reassurance that jon seemed to give him in abundance,  and maybe this feeling of being supported was addictive.  it echoed around his head helplessly,  but for his own sanity he'd decided to just accept it for what it was.  he was vulnerable!  "could you?  i don't mind which song.  any of 'em.  please?"  he added a bit of strength to his voice so it didn't sound like he was literally begging—  that'd be embarrassing.  
            
            /  @-HEAVYLOVE 

"Don't mention it," he responded softly, brushing his thumb over his cheekbone when they separated from the hug. He kept his eyes locked with his, to convey his sincerity, when he shook his head once again to reassure him. "You didn't, don't say that—" he gave his hand a gentle squeeze with his free one, keeping a hold of it. "It means the world to me that you enjoy it— would you like me to play you another one? Any song you'd like, just name it," if he doesn't know, he'll learn for a next time, just like he did with most songs of The Stone Roses.

   "you don't have to thank me for that,  don't be ridiculous."  he had looked at jon when he was promoted to by his name,  offering him a small smile in return as if to silently thank him for being too kind to him.  he really didn't need to hear it,  but it was overly sweet for the musician to jump at the chance.  he thought about the question himself,  wondering how much time he'd actually have to spend in the city that didn't include bodyguard duties.  he looked away and leaned his head back to look off into the distance.  "i would like tooooo...  have a drink in a fancy bar with a view just as the sun's setting.  you know what i mean?  that's it.  i don't even need all the shops or anything until  *after*  i have those sun-setting drinks."  
            
            /   @-HEAVYLOVE 

He laughed when he noticed he had drawn a hand with a middle finger for him, leaning back and watching the bodyguard with an idle smile on his face. "Tom..." he began, softly, waiting for the other to look at him. "Thank you— truly. For what you've done. For what you're *still* doing. You helped me out of the panicking... it's the first time I'm even able to look at the window! It's crazy— thank you." he smiled, before answering him. "Oh, the show, absolutely. It's always thrilling— but, right now? I really wish we were already there, just... walking down the streets, *feeling* the city, enjoying it— maybe watching the sunset somewhere nice, it would be cool. How about you? You know you'll have free time to explore the city, right? What would you like to do or where would you like to go first?"

  he tried to draw a hand with a middle finger when jon watched him drawing,  just to tease him aimlessly before he leaned back and steadied his eyes on the musician.  they'd learned bits about each other during that heated exchange,  little hints to things that were huge and heavy and yet felt like things they should've kept to themselves.  but he had nowhere to go,  no one else that would take him.  and...  he quite liked jon,  honestly.  "hm,  i know what you mean.  two days full of opportunities!  what are you most looking forward to?"  
            
            /   @-HEAVYLOVE 

  "no,  no,  i've got nowhere else to be.  just pretend i'm on the job.  guarding an' stuff."  he joked back,  idly watching the way he twirled the drumsticks because he was so impressed by absolutely anything when it came to these guys.  even the grumpy one in the corner would manage to impress him,  eventually,  despite his attitude problem and the obvious tension between him and jon.  he was jon's bodyguard,  after all,  and would totally step in to defend him no matter what.  tom gestured as if to let them carry on,  excited at the idea thay they'd play the new stuff,  and he turned to pat jon on the shoulder to wish him luck for his playing.  was that a thing people did?  thomas had no idea.  
            
            /    @-HEAVYLOVE 

"Yer could never get in the way, don't worry. I bet Veronica and André aren't here today?" he inquired, looking at Jon, who confirmed it to him, then turned to look back at Tom. "They would be here with you if they were— we're used to have people around and we prefer it that way! ...Unless yer have somethin' else to do? It's like a private show, enjoy it!" Alex joked with him, sending the man a tiny smile— twirling his drumsticks, before he ran up the steps to take his position. "What are we gonna play? The songs from the new album?"
            "Yeah," it was the first time David spoke since he walked in. And that was all he limited himself to say, before the band started with the intro and he began to sing...
            And oh, boy— it was one of those songs Jon wrote inspired by what happened between him and Tom... luckily, he wouldn't put two and two together!

   tom wouldn't be able to even believe any of those thoughts,  because he was totally mysterious and foreboding and cold as a guy!  or...  well,  not really,  but he was okay with that.  he was good at his job,  of course,  his reflexes were lightning quick and he was always on top of things.  but to be described as adorable was terrifying!  and it made no sense!  what would he even do if jon kissed him?  probably...  be totally chill.  and normal.  and just politely turn him down.  duh.  "just as long as i don't get in the way."  he wouldn't know what was in sync and what wasn't,  if that helped,  because admittedly his knowledge of instruments was awful.  hopefully one day he could learn a skill like that,  who knew!  
            
            /   @-HEAVYLOVE 

   he was very smug about his correct prediction,  shrugging like it was just part of the rules of interviewing—  which,  by the way,  was just him making it up as he went along.  he was sure jon had no idea.  "ha,  fuck off,  no way you do that."  he chuckled at that,  scandalised on behalf of the rest of manchester.  although he was sure the teasing jeers were all part of the teasing between the cities,  so he didn't take it too personal.  "i have heard that about south america,  actually.  i've been a few times for other jobs,  but i'd love to go to a concert.  damn,  i can already imagine it—  i forgot my interviewing techniques.  but it's fine,  i'll think of something else later.  thanks for breakfast."  
            
            /   @-HEAVYLOVE 

Right. He told himself the same stories in order to deny the obvious chemistry that existed between the two of them— because it was better that way, for both of them. He was pretty sure their friendship wouldn't survive another blow, and whatever he's been nurturing in his heart for the other? It was dead and buried in the depths of his chest. Or that's what he'll be forever telling himself— ignoring how instantly happier he felt from the minute he saw the other entering through those doors and dismissing it for the sake of staying *safe*.
            "Damn—" he laughed, because the bodyguard totally got him there. He would predictably answer it was his home city, but now that the man told him he couldn't say Liverpool, he needed some time to think about it. "In England or outside of England? It's really nice to play in London and in Manchester— the fans are super nice there, even when I bring a Liverpool jersey to mess with them," he chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "Outside of England? Anywhere in South America, the energy is incredible. A party in Colombia? The best ones I've ever been to. Argentina? A beautiful country. I could list all of them as my favourite places to both play and visit."

   it was nice for himself to get that opportunity,  too,  almost like he'd forgotten he could actually tell jokes.  which was a silly thing to forget,  but on the dates with the girl he was seeing,  he seemed to be trying so  *hard*.  none of it felt natural,  and it was strange that it seemed to be the opposite with jon,  even after their disastrous night recently.  tom was sure that was because they were just friends and it wasn't as big of a deal.  "favourite place to go?  and you can't say liverpool."  he already predicted the whole trope of an artist always loving the opportunity to go back home,  he wasn't entirely sure if he was right anyway.  he supposed he used to like going to loads of different countries with his sister and home always felt the most familiar,  but nowadays he didn't mind where he was.  leaving manchester had been difficult,  but he didn't think he could stomach it over there anymore.  hopefully one day he would get used to the idea,  he missed going to see manchester united!  
            
            /   @-HEAVYLOVE 

// MWAHAHAHA I'M READYYYY !!

@-HEAVYLOVE  /   it's time to be EVIL!

// HAHAHAHA I'M ALL-IN FOR THIS PLAN, LOVING EVERY SINGLE DETAIL OF IT ;))) <333 mwahhahaha

   there was still a silent agreement between them,  it seemed,  that tom wasn't willing to break.  his unhelpful attitude could only go so far,  because he couldn't let his spite cloud his vision and make it difficult for him to do his proper job.  if he let that slip for even a moment,  anything could happen.  he would struggle to live with himself after  *that*.  his retaliation wasn't to be angry or loud,  but instead distant and vague—  he knew,  a little bit,  that this fact about himself frustrated jon,  according to his drunk state,  and he wasn't willing to prove him wrong just yet.  maybe he was empty and guarded,  but jon didn't deserve to test that.  none of them did yet,  that was why he did it.  "i'll wait 'til your doctor gets here."  then that was it,  he'd go back to his flat—  a place that he wouldn't quite call home,  but instead it was just empty and heartless with heartfelt decorations hidden away in boxes in the corner of rooms.  he was planning on going through them eventually.  maybe this break was what he needed.  he was silently manifesting for marie to hurry up so he could escape,  so he could just smile at her and pretend everything was the same as always and he could leave.  he was still so childish.  
            
            /   @-HEAVYLOVE 

If he decided to quit, Jon wouldn't let him struggle to find another job. He would definitely point him to his sister, and he wouldn't even have to fear seeing Jon frequently. She lived in London, and she was a busy artist— she was always travelling, too, just like him. And when she came to visit her brother, she didn't need to bring a bodyguard! So, really— he would never need to look at him ever again, if he didn't want to. But he wouldn't let such a good professional struggle to find a new job— he was so dedicated, and, given all the sorts of threats his sister had to deal with because of her stupid brother, he would feel a lot more relieved knowing someone like Tom was watching after her.
            He didn't mind the bodyguard 'acting difficult' now that the cards were in his hands. If anything, Jon didn't think he was being 'difficult', at all. He was here, being as gentle as he knew him to be, now, even after the short time he's been working here. He was listening to what he had to say, he was indeed being very graceful when accepting to have breakfast with him...
            "I would never," he told him, looking him deep in the eyes so he would know he meant it. "I couldn't tell them something you weren't— something you're not." with a sigh after a thoughtful sip of his coffee, he added: "I'll talk with them later on..." he hated it when people worried about him like this— but he worried about them, *all of them*, too, so... he knows it's inevitable. "You can go home, if you'd like. Take a break from me and come back at Monday..." he could tell how tired the other was feeling, and he didn't deserve to stay here, working like this...

   tom was only trying to prioritise his job.  he was just staying to smooth things over vaguely,  make things bearable so he wouldn't have to quit his job and struggle to go elsewhere.  he couldn't afford to do that right now,  so this was his only option.  be professional and adult.  but he also recognised that jon was struggling,  and he would perhaps suggest that someone else should step in and handle the emotional side.  at the very least,  he could tell jon felt bad about what happened,  and that helped a little.  the rest might fix itself in time.  he finished off his coffee and registered the sound of jon's one-word reply,  conceding on that point with a slight tilt of his head.  maybe he was being difficult,  knowing that the cards were in his hands now,  but still.  he did mean his apology,  because he wished he'd gone about it in a way that was more professional and gentler,  but that wasn't how he worked.  so his apology could only go so far when his defensiveness was only to protect himself in that situation.  "not on your own,  no."  definitely not now,  he supposed,  but his words felt forced and synthetic.  "well.  at least learning the hard way means you won't make the same mistake again.  everyone else only really knows about the stuff before you got back,  so tell them whatever you want.  i don't really care,  just don't make me sound like a dick." 
            
            /   @-HEAVYLOVE