The problem with questions like that, there's always more to them. There's not always a simple 'yes' or 'no'. There's more to it because feelings are complicated. They're always complicated especially when the two people involved have a friends with benefits deal. Of course, Tom does like Elli, he has to to some extent otherwise he wouldn't be sleeping with her. He wouldn't make out with her or any of the benefits of their friendship but, that's not what Harrison means.

---- 4 years ago ----

Tom fumbles with his keys as he tries to hold onto the plastic grocery bags, partially cutting off his circulation. The lock clicks and Tom struggles to turn the knob, it's only when Harrison opens the door that Tom can enter properly, a look of relief on his face. Harrison quirks a brow watching his roommate enter the apartment with the bags looking to contain quite a bit.

"Thought Elli was going the shopping this week?" Harrison asks after relocking the door and following Tom to the kitchen table.

Tom's cheeks blush as he starts pulling out Orville Redenbacher popcorn and a few frozen pizzas. "Uh, yeah..." Tom pauses and looks to Harrison. "I kind of need your help." Tom rubs the back of his neck, looking to Harrison.

"Okay?" Harrison looks at Tom with confusion, opening one of the bags and pulling out little boxes of candy. "Are you planning to run a cinema from our flat?" Harrison jokes but Tom stares at him, almost holding his breath. "Oh...wait. What?" Harrison stacks the mini boxes and waits for an answer.

"Well, uh, I like Elli." Tom bites his lip and Harrison gains a smirk.

"Do you? Never woulda guessed." Harrison chortles.

"Fuck off." Tom rolls his eyes. "Was gonna ask her out tonight but I need your help setting up because class ran late and she'll be home soon."

"Oh, shit." A soft laugh comes from Harrison's throat. "So, you're really going for it, eh?"

Harrison has been pressuring Tom to ask Elli out for nearly a year. Tom's never admitted that he liked Elli until now but Harrison knew. He's not blind and Tom is terrible at hiding it, especially since the three of them have moved in together. But, Tom's always been different around Elli than he has been around other girls. Tom isn't the cocky type but he's not overly confident either. He can be shy but he can talk to girls. It's Elli that seems to leave him tongue-tied and flustered. So, Harrison never really thought Tom would get the guts to actually ask her out but he's happy with this new found confidence. Of course, he's not sure where it came from exactly, but he's not gonna bother to question. Instead, he's just gonna help anyway he can because he knows Tom and Elli could be incredible together.

"I really like her, mate." Tom sighs and a smile is etched across his face.

"Alright," Harrison rests a hand on Tom's shoulder. "What am I doing and how late ya want me stay out? Should I ring Ryan?"

"No," Tom groans. "Just a few hours." Tom's cheeks are back to a vibrant shade of red making Harrison laugh. "Just go to the closet and grab the spare blankets. Put 'em in the living room."

Harrison doesn't ask any more questions. He goes to the closest for blankets and Tom heads to his room for pillows and then Elli's room for a string of her fairy lights.

Movie nights weren't anything out of the ordinary for any of them. Whenever they had time and needed a break, the group of three would plop down with popcorn and pizza and a movie. But, it's never been just Tom and Elli and tonight was going to change that.

Tom knew Elli had to work and her days were always long, she had a rough class that day according to her text to Tom earlier so he wanted to have a better movie night. Elli can be kind of a hopeless romantic and she's showed him on more than one occasion pictures she's come across with a couple having a movie night where they had a fort and fairy lights set up. She's always thought they were really cute and Tom decided that that's how he'd ask her out if he ever got the nerve. So, here he is with Harrison, the two fo them rushing to set everything up before Elli gets home from her shift.

Once the living room is set up and all of the snacks are set up, all of which are Elli's favorites, Harrison leaves, leaving Tom to himself. Elli's due home within a few minutes but Tom's heart is thundering in his chest and in his ears. He thinks she likes him, too but he's never asked and she's never said anything. As far as he knows, Elli's never told Harrison anything, it's purely based off his assumptions and he's hoping he's right.

Deep down, it's been bouncing around his head for a little while now. He's known he's liked Elli but he's always sat in a state of denial because it was easier and it was too soon for him. Just moving to the states for school and starting the first year of college, he wasn't in any position to start something. Plus, Tom's a firm believer that friendships before relationships are important but now it's been about a year and last night, Elli fell asleep on his shoulder while they watched an older movie. Her arm was stretched across his torso and her hand gripped his t-shirt and Tom's heart fluttered. Butterflies exploded in his stomach and he couldn't wipe the smile from his face. She was peaceful and he was comfortable with her sleeping on him and that made him realize that he didn't just like you as a friend. He adored you and you are his best friend, but there is so much there, so many unsaid things and he's ready to admit them.

Of course, he's worried that maybe asking her out will ruin their friendship and/or their roommate situation but he also feels like since they've been friends a little over a year and Elli isn't the type of person to ice someone out over feelings. She's one of the most understanding and kindhearted people Tom has ever met so it's a little reassuring as he paces back and forth and goes over what he's going to say.

"Elli....I like you." Tom mutters. "No, that's lame." He whispers to himself. "You're my best friend and I don't wanna ruin anything and this is going to go to shit and words. Why am I so bad at words? I'm a musician. I write music for fuck's sake." Tom groans, hand running over his face as the other falls on his hip, frustrated with himself.

What's he gonna say? How is gonna tell Elli? Should he actually tell her? Or should he just wait for the right moment and ask if he can kiss her? That's never gone horribly for anyone, right? And it's kind of romantic so Elli should like it. Elli is his best friend, basically his other half, if asking anyone out should be easy, it should be Elli but instead, it's just putting more and more pressure on Tom's shoulders. He just wants it to be perfect.

The lock of the door clicks and Tom's heart goes from thundering to completely silent. He holds his breath and his mouth goes completely try as he waits for Elli to enter the home. It's only then that he really starts worrying about her saying no. What if she really doesn't like him back? What if this is all for nothing?

"Tommy!" Elli chimes once the door is open and she sees Tom standing in front of the table.

"Hey, Elli." Tom gives her a bashful smile, cheeks red.

"What're you doing?" She asks and she's beaming like the sun on the first day of spring.

"Just, nothing." Tom says and he could kick himself for the response.

Elli catches a glimpse of the living room from the corner of her eye as she enters the apartment. Tom sees Elli looking and his heart is just erratic. She doesn't say anything and he thinks maybe it's because this is too much. Maybe Elli knows exactly what's going on and it's too much. Or maybe she liked the idea of fairy lights and blanket forts with someone else, not Tom. He is praying to anyone that this isn't too much and she wants to do this with him. Maybe Elli gets it and maybe she's gonna be the one to blurt out that she likes him. Maybe.

"What's this?" She points a finger, looking up to Tom.

"Uh, well, j-just wanted to have a movie night, ya know? You'd mentioned that you always thought stuff like this was cute." Tom sucks in a breath and runs a hand through his hair. And it's then that he thinks maybe he should have showered again, maybe done his hair, dressed differently.

"Really?" Elli's eyes are soft as she looks to him and it's enough to make every fiber in Tom's body fill with electricity.

"Yeah." Tom says softly. "You said you had a bad day and...uh, I wanted...to talk to you about stuff so...." Tom trails off, gesturing his hand to the living room.

"That's great because I have something to tell you, too!" Elli beams, taking Tom's hands in hers and shaking him slightly.

Tom laughs and his heart swells because maybe he has nothing to be nervous about. "Okay, okay, go sit and I'll make the popcorn. I've all your favorite movies queued."

"You're the best." Elli chimes, leaning in and pecking his cheek.

The gesture never made Tom's heart skip a beat like this before. Elli kisses his cheek all the time as a thank you or a 'you're welcome'. It's just what she does and he's never put thought into it but now he is because he's leaning on hope that tonight will bring them to be more than friends.

She has to feel the same way, right? Tom is who she spends most of her time with when she's not at work or school. They're best friends and they get along and he swears he's not the only one who felt something a year ago in the snow. She always asks him for pictures now and Tom always plays her favorite song when she's had a rough day. And she always, always hugs him tighter and longer and she's there for him. She has to like him back.

Tom heads into the living room, bowl of Elli's favorite popcorn in hand. He plops down on the blankets and pillows, surrounded by other blankets and fairy lights while Elli is sat beside him on her knees. She's still bouncing with excitement so Tom decides she can go first.

"Okay, what's up?" Tom asks, putting the bowl between them.

"Okay," Elli's smile splits her face. "You remember Shawn, right?"

Oh no.

Of course, he remembers Shawn. Tom remembers everyone Elli introduces him to and she'd just introduced him last week at a party. Tom's heart starts to sink as he remembers everything she's said about him.

Tom nods. "Yeah, from, uh your graphic design class, right?"

"Yeah!" Elli cheers. "Okay, today he came into my work and he asked me out!" Elli bounces in her seat and Tom's heart plummets.

Elli's words were like a stab to his heart. She didn't know it and Tom is happy she doesn't know because she'd feel guilty but it hurts. He's trying to smile, he's trying to put on a smile because Elli is so happy but he planned this night to ask her out because he likes her. He likes her so much he wonders if he'd ever be able to not like her. But he waited to too long to realize it and now, Tom's heart is breaking as he watches Elli get excited about a date that isn't with him.

"Yeah?" Tom puts up a smile and he can feel a lump rising to his throat.

"Mhm! We have a date on Saturday!"

Elli is ecstatic and all Tom wants to do is sink into the floor. He really thought he had a chance but maybe he never did. Elli's been talking about Shawn but Tom thought it wasn't much to be worried about. Elli's talked about other girls and other guys before but none of them have turned out to be anything. They've become friends if anything, really so Tom didn't think Shawn would be any different but maybe he should have because Elli has been hanging out with him when Tom's in class and she's always told Tom about it. Elli's given him every indication that she's like Shawn but Tom just didn't realize it. That's the thing about hope. It can fool people and make them blind to the most obvious situations.

"I'm so happy for you, Elli!" Tom cheers and he fakes his excitement because Elli is his best friend. He pulls her in for a hug and she squeals quietly before pulling away, smile bright as could be. "You'll have to tell me all about it."

Maybe if it weren't for Elli's excitement, she would have seen the sadness in Tom's eyes and the way they didn't crinkle at the edges like they always did when he smiles at her and maybe she would have seen them gloss over wanting to spill heartbroken tears but she didn't.

"Thanks, Tom." Elli blushes. "Okay, your turn, what's up?"

"Uh, yeah, right," Tom stutters, trying to make something upand swallowing the lump in his throat, hoping his voice doesn't crack. "Um, oh, Harrison's presenting his sculptures at this upcoming event and so we gotta help him get ready and he wants you to photograph it." Tom says and it's not a complete lie but Harrison was supposed to be the on to tell her.

"That's awesome!! Yeah, of course whenever he needs the help." Elli smiles.

"Yeah, yeah, told him you'd be down." Tom agrees.

"That all?" Elli asks and it just seemed like Tom had more that he wanted to talk about when she first entered the home.

"Yeah, all good. What movie?" Tom asks, grabbing the laptop.

---- Present ----

The party is loud and Harrison wonders if Tom even heard him but he did. Ever since that day, the boys haven't talked about Tom's feelings towards Elli. Harrison knows his hype is part of why Tom was able to get up the courage so it was easier for him to just leave it, knowing that Tom got hurt partially because of him. But it's been a long time and the question is harmless. He's been watching Tom and Elli dance around each for years.

"Doesn't matter." Tom furrows his brows, taking a drink of his water.

"C'mon, mate, yeah it does." Harrison groans. "'S been years."

Tom shrugs. "If I still liked her, I'd have done something about it after Shawn, ya?"

"You were dating Vicky then." Harrison challenges.

"Yeah, and we broke up and Elli and me..." Tom trails off, knowing he can't tell Harrison about the friends with benefits deal with him and Elli.

"You and Elli what?" Harrison asks, eyes wide with curiosity and touches of worry.

"Nothing." Tom says, his attention going back to Elli. "I just went on a date. I don't like her anymore."

"When was the last time you played her song?" Harrison asks and it's almost taunting.

"Dude, I swear, I don't like her like that anymore." Tom looks Harrison in the eyes and Harrison just nods, surrendering to Tom's answer.

Elli never directly rejected him and Tom did get over it. Elli went on her date with Shawn and came home, telling Tom and Harrison all about it. It stung like a thousand wasps but Tom nodded along and he smiled because Elli was happy and that's what friends do. That's what friends are for. Being happy when their friends are happy. So, as Elli and Shawn dated, Tom got over her. He moved onto someone else and they both had their people. They went on double dates and it didn't hurt anymore because that's what friends do. They pick up, and move on. Tom did.

But, there is still a tint of annoyance when Tom sees her with this guy across the room but maybe that's just because Tom is sober and Elli isn't and he's afraid the guy she's talking to might be more sober than she is. So, maybe it's not jealousy and it's just Tom wanting to protect her but keeping his space because Elli is a force of nature and can handle herself better than anyone. And she definitely proves that only moments later when the guy goes to kiss her and she dodges him, pushing him away. A smirk comes to Tom's face as he watches the disgruntled look on the guy's face and Elli moving away from him, her feet not steady but she still holds herself with confidence.

Harrison nudges Tom, hinting that they should help Elli before she runs into someone or falls. The two make their way to her, meeting in the middle, Tom holding onto her shoulders once they reach her.

"You alright, darling?" Tom asks.

"He tried to kiss me!" Elli's words are slurred but she's clearly offended. "Good talk, shitty guy!"

Harrison and Tom chuckle. "You give him a piece of your mind?" Harrison asks.

"Told him he's a prick and his prick is probably small if he's trying to kiss me while I'm wasted."

Tom laughs, head going back and he pulls Elli in for a hug. "We should get you home before you start telling the wrong people they have a small dick." It wouldn't be the first time Elli has mouthed off to the wrong person and it's resulted in a fight or two, but Harrison and Tom are no angles when it comes to that either. Tom might even be worse than Elli.

Elli sighs against Tom's chest. "Okaaaayyy."

"How many drinks do you have?" Harrison asks as they all make their way for the door.

"Not enough!" Elli chimes, Tom's arm around her shoulders, keeping her steady.

"Are you sure?" Harrison and Tom ask at the same time.

Elli looks at Tom, clearly thinking about her answer. She's wasted and is going to be paying for it later but she looks at Tom and his messy hair that makes her smile and his brown eyes are the prettiest eyes she's ever seen. Not enough alcohol. "Positive!"

Tom shakes his head. "Sure, Elli." Tom always keeps track of how much Elli drinks to make sure she's safe and she does the exact same with him.

"You'll be paying for that in the morning." Harrison chuckles, looking past Tom to Elli. "Call me if she's wrecked in the morning and I'll come by so you can go to work." Harrison offers as they reach Tom's car.

"Thanks." Tom says.

"Bye, Harrison!" Elli scrunches her face at Harrison before getting in the car.

"How long do you give her?" Harrison asks as Tom closes Elli's door.

"She'll be puking by the time we get home." Tom scoffs but he chuckles softly.

"Good luck, mate." Harrison gives him a sarcastic thumbs up as he makes his way to his car.

Tom gets into the driver's seat of the car and Elli is already curled up with the blanket she'd left in the front seat, Elli's camera still around her neck. Tom pokes her forehead to grab her attention and she looks at him with adornment, a kind smile pulling at the corner of her mouth.

"You comfy already?" Tom asks, starting the car.

"Mhm." She hums and watches Tom put on his seatbelt before she leans over and rests her head on his shoulder. "Good idea to leave, you're comfy."

Tom chuckles before pressing a kiss to the top of Elli's head. "I'll wake you up when we get home if you fall asleep."

"Thanks." Elli mutters, eyes already closed.

Tom pulls away from the curb and sets for the drive home. This time, he makes sure to avoid potholes and he takes extra caution in turns to make sure he doesn't disturb Elli. The music is playing softly, picking up where it had left off and he keeps it that way. Elli can sleep like a rock, especially after she's been drinking but he'd still prefer to allow her to sleep even when his shoulder is going numb halfway home. Elli always lets him sleep so he lets her sleep, it's just what friends do.

Once they arrive back at the apartment, Tom wakes Elli up and helps her inside their apartment, him taking her camera from her in case she falls and he isn't able to catch her. It only takes the time for Elli to start taking off her shoes for her face to drain of color and Tom knows what's coming. Elli runs to the bathroom, the door quickly slamming behind her and all Tom can do is sigh. It's clockwork. The second she starts to settle down, it's at most forty-five minutes before she's locked in a bathroom. Tom's been here plenty of times with her before and he knows the drill. He goes to the fridge and grabs a bottle of water before heading to the bathroom, knocking softly.

Elli is flushing the toilet before leaning back against the wall as Tom peaks in. "Hey, you alright?" He asks.

"Mmm." Elli hums, eyes closed and knees pulled to her chest.

"Here." Tom lets himself all the way in and gives her the bottle of water. "Do you want me to grab you clothes?" he offers as he goes through the medicine cabinet and grabs the bottle of aspirin.

"Can I have one of your hoodies?" Elli whines, peaking her eyes open to look at him while he squats in front of her.

Tom gives her a gentle smile. "Yeah, I'll be back."He pulls her head closer to him and presses a gentle kiss to her forehead.

Elli hums in response and Tom heads to his room first, quickly changing himself before heading to Elli's room. He grabs a pair of her pajama pants and the hoodie of his she was wearing the day before. There's always been something about Elli wearing his hoodies that makes Tom smile. They always look good on her, in fact, he thinks they look better on her than they do him. It's part of why he buys certain colors, because they look good on her and he knows she'll just end up swiping it at least a few times.

Tom goes back to the bathroom and Elli hasn't moved an inch. "C'mon," Tom says as he kneels beside her. "Sit up and I'll help you change." Tom pulls her hands and Elli sits up.

"Everything spinning." Elli slurs.

"That's why I'm helping you change, arms up." Tom says and Elli does as told, allowing Tom to help her swap from her shirt to the hoodie. Elli leans back once the hoodie is pulled completely over her, and allows Tom to help get her skirt off and pajama pants on. "Good?" Tom asks once Elli is set.

"Nope." Elli mutters and she lunges forward, head burying in the toilet.

Tom leans forward and pulls her hair back in a ponytail with one hand and the other rubs her back. Tom doesn't have the strongest stomach and it's taking everything in him not to follow her lead but this is what happens. If it were a regular thing, it'd be different but this happens maybe once a month between the two of them and Tom can handle being nauseous to make sure Elli is okay. It's not that big of a deal to him.

"Ew." Eli mutters and she sits up. Tom releases her hair. "Thanks." She looks at him with red-rimmed eyes.

"You're welcome." Tom leans against the wall with Elli, handing her the bottle of water again. "Drink."

Elli looks up to him and does as told. "You don't have to stay." She mutters, capping the water.

"Nah, I want to." Tom reassures.

"You have to work."

"It doens't matter, Elli." Tom says with the shake of his head.

Elli looks at him with eyes soft and caring. She's drunk, very drunk and she's nauseous but she adores Tom for everything he is and everything he does. And in her drunken state, she wants to curl up with him because he's the most comfortable person to exist and she wants to say everything she should have said before but that's alcohol. It's always the alcohol so she leans her head on Tom's shoulder and he wraps an arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer to him.

"You're my best friend, Tom." She whispers, eyes closing.

Tom squeezes her shoulders as his chest clenches and his thumb rubs against her arm. "You're mine, too." He whispers back, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.