"What are you doing here?" you asked, shocked.
Tom's jaw is still set in a tight line and his eyes are still narrowed at (Y/E/N). He grits his teeth, causing his jaw to move on a torturous motion. "What's he doing here?"
You turn to your ex. "He's..."
"I'm helping." (Y/E/N) says loudly. "Where have you been the past month, huh? Not here with her."
You shake your head at him.
"I'm here now." Tom states flatly, but his eyes float to you when he says it. "Right where I need to be."
You heart sinks. You've wished for so long that he would appear at your doorstep, for him to call you, or at least try to contact you. Now here he stands, with his brooding face and tensed body, standing in front of you and your ex boyfriend, who's been here for you.
"You should go." you say.
Your eyes stay locked on Tom's. His face falters, the sadness overwashing his once furrowed brow.
"Yeah, I think that would be a good idea." (Y/E/N) says. "We were in the middle of something anyway -"
"You shut your mouth!" Tom takes a big step toward him.
Your mother stands frozen behind Tom. Her face shows you how worried she is. She gives you a look that screams 'do something!'.
"No, (Y/E/N)," you say sternly. "I said you should go. Please."
Your ex stands stunned, a hurt look in his eyes. You don't look at him. Tom's gaze has returned to you. He's just as surprised as (Y/E/N), but he smiles at you incredulously.
Suddenly (Y/E/N) turns and stomps away from you. You and Tom still stand staring at each other when you hear his car turn on and pull away from your house.
"(Y/N)..." Tom takes a cautious step toward you. You don't move or speak. "I'm sorry it took me so long to come for you."
You swallow.
"But I want you to come home," Tom sighs. He finally relaxes when he admits it out loud to you. "I need you to come home with me. These last few months have been..."
"Hard." you sputter. You didn't realise that tears were building in your eyes and your throat was getting rough until you spoke. You dropped your head so he couldn't see how lonely you've been.
"The hardest of my life," Tom walks up to you.
He places a finger under your chin and forces your head up. He moves his head and forces you to look at him. You see a storm underneath his brown eyes.
"Everything will be different, (Y/N), I promise you. I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure I never lose you again." he whispers. "I'll do whatever it takes."
You sniffle weakly.
A small smile creeps on his lips. "Even Tessa misses you."
You let out a chuckle. "Oh yeah?"
He nods, a mocking serious expression on his face. "Oh, terribly. She just sits at the window whining, and she won't take your spot in bed. But she sits and stares at it all night, wondering where you are."
Tom was always good at making you smiling the way you were right now. "Well, I can't let poor Tessa suffer."
Tom's eyes widen. His smile is huge as you reach up and cup his hand against your cheek.
"And I miss you," you admit quietly. "And I'm tired of missing you, so yes. Please just take me home, please."
"You don't ever have to ask me twice." Tom laughs.
Then he kisses you, and you know he means it. He means to kiss you with so much love and longing. He means what he says, when he tells you He refuses to disappoint you. He means it when he tells you that he loves you.
You know he means it as he whispers it against your ear when he pulls you into his arms.
