"A passport?" You furrow your brows, moving your head to look up to him.

"Mhm, passport. Little booklet that lets you travel between countries." A side smirk crosses Tom's lips with his explanation.

You roll your eyes as you roll onto your back, not moving your head from his lap. "I know." Your eyes widen. "Yes I have one but why?"

Tom moves his hand to yours and starts fiddling with your fingers. He bites the inside of his cheek as his hands start to grow clammy with nerves. It was a little bit of impulse ask. No one really meets his family anymore, mostly because he's in a different country but also because people just leave. The closest anyone got to meeting Monica was a facetime call and she happened to just be around at the time and interjected herself into the conversation. Seeing as Tom doesn't talk to his family as much as he used to, his mom wasn't fond of the interruption. But, you aren't Monica and you're sweet and kind.

You stayed.

"Yeah," Tom nods. "Uh, talked to your dad when we weren't talking and planned to go to London for a week, next week," Tom takes in a breath as he specifies. "With Harrison. Dunno, if you could or not, but if you can and you want to, maybe you could come with."

"To London?" You watch Tom chew his lip expressing his nervousness.

"Yeah." Tom swallows. "If you want to, don't have to or anything." He shrugs a shoulder and looks to the TV.

"I have to clear it with my doctor but yeah, okay." You blush, pulling his hand to your lips and pressing a chaste kiss to his skin.

"Really?" Tom quickly looks back to you, a huge smile splitting his face.

"I've never been and I've always wanted to." You smile.

"You'll be meeting my family, ya know?"

"You met mine." You state.

"Alright, I'll let my mum know." Tom says, secretly ecstatic you agreed to go.

"I'll let my dad know." You smirk. "Good thing I never spend any money."

"You don't?" Tom raises a brow but not in surprise.

"I don't want anything. I don't need anything so I just save it." You shrug, moving your stare back to the TV.

"That all?" Tom asks and his voice is harder than it was just seconds prior, something telling him there's more you're not saying.

"That's all." You say, turning your head to look up to him again, a soft smile decorating your face. "But, now I want to go with you so, I have something to spend it on now."

"Yeah, alright." Tom shakes his head, satisfied smile looking down at you as he chooses to go with your word.

You called your doctor first thing in the morning and you got permission to go, understanding the risks of you going and what happens if a heart were to be become available while you're overseas. It was a hard decision, one you'd choose not to tell Tom about but since organs are only viable for so many hours, you wouldn't be able to make it back to the states in time to receive the heart and it would go to someone else. It's a risk but you've been waiting for a heart for a long time and nothing has come. Are you supposed to wait the rest of your life trapped within a three-hour radius of the hospital? Before Tom, sure. But now, no. You want to live for a little bit.

With very little reluctance your dad gave you the next week off. The way he saw it, you were going to go no matter what he said but that's not why he agreed. He's been hoping you would get out and just do something. So anything instead of just going day to day. You used to do things and he misses seeing that light. You're his daughter and you should be able to do whatever you want in your life. So, if you want to go to England with your boyfriend he might not care for, then he's going to be happy for you. And encourage you to go despite the risks.

The week went by and soon enough, it was time to be boarding the plane for the six-hour flight to London. Harrison had booked his ticket with Tom so their seats were together but he offered his up so you could sit with Tom. In all honesty, you were relieved Harrison was coming, not that you were surprised. If Harrison was coming, it would just feel more casual since they're friends even though they act like brothers. Truthfully, you're just terrified of meeting Tom's family. You're new and what if Tom didn't actually tell them? Or if he did, what if you're not what they expect? What if you can't live up to Elena? The way Harrison talked about her and said everyone loved her, you can't help but worry you may not be what Tom's family wants for him. Of course, Tom will do what he wants but family is important nonetheless. You want them to like you.

When you landed, two of Tom's brother's were at the airport to pick the three of you up. The boys all hugged and you watched the reunion from the background with a soft smile until Tom pulled away and offered a hand to you.

"The twins, Harry and Sam." Tom points to the boys. "And this is y/n." He looks to you with a confident smile.

"Nice to meet you." Sam grins, offering a handshake.

"Yeah, nice to be the girl Tom won't stop talkin' about." Harry quips, taking your hand next.

"Fuck off." Tom rolls his eyes, taking your bags and piling them into the car with his luggage and Harrison's.

"He never stops talking about you." Harry whispers with an eye roll. "Ever."

You giggle quietly and shakes your head. "Does he really?"

"He never shuts up at all." Harrison states opening the back door of the car. "But, you know that already so can't be much of a surprise." Harrison chuckles and climbs into the car.

"For once, Haz is right." Harry smirks making his way to the passenger side.

"I'm always right." Harrison corrects.

"Sure 'bout that, mate?" Harry retorts.

Harrison quips with something but your attention was back on Tom. His hand on the small of your back as he leaned to whisper in your ear.

"Could go on for hours, but they aren't so bad. Ya get used to it." Tom smirks and offers you to get in the car.

"If I can put up with you everyday almost all day long, I can handle your brothers and Harrison." You smile wide and pat Tom's chest before getting in the car.

He shakes his head after you, sucking on his teeth. You really were going to fit right in.

Harrison was being dropped off at his parents' house saying he'd text one of the boys the following day. So, after dropping Harrison off, you were off to Tom's parents' house. The closer you got, the more nervous Tom got. He's certain you really are going to fit in nicely but he also knows how his family is. They want the best for him and he might think you're the best, he knows you are, but his family could think differently, especially given your current circumstances. It's all too familiar. Tom's been talking to his parents more since hanging out with you and he doesn't know if that'll make them judge you more or give you slack. It's because of you, he talks to them more but maybe now that Tom's nearly back to where he used to be, they'll be afraid of him slipping because of you. If the worst happens.

You arrive at Tom's childhood home and all of the boys help with the luggage. You insisted you could just stay at a hotel but Tom was a little more persistent than you were, saying it's cheaper to just stay with him and his parents already offered when he'd called them. Truthfully, you wanted to stay at a hotel so you weren't intruding but also in case things went south and they didn't like you. But, there's no going back now and Tom's hand is holding yours, his grip warm and tight as you enter the home.

Tom's dad is first to greet the boys and you. You can't help but take notice in how relieved Tom's dad looks. He just looks happy and the way he brings Tom in for a hug, Tom releasing your hand to hug back, he reminds you of your dad.

"Must be y/n, ya?" Tom's dad asked.

"Yes, sir. It's nice to meet you." You give him a sheepish smile, offering your hand to him.

"No need to be so formal, can call me Dom." He chimes, shaking your hand softly.

You give him a kind smile and a soft nod. "Where's mum?" Tom asks.

"Out in the garden." Dom responds.

"Right, alright. I'll show her around first then and be out." Tom says, taking your hand back in his as he gets a bag, Harry and Sam already out of sight.

Dom nods and allows Tom to take you through the house. Tom leads you down a long hallway and up a flight of stairs to the upper floor of the house. The house is bigger than you imagined but it certainly fits the six of them just fine. It makes you wonder what his childhood was like exactly. The house is large and nice. It's decorated beautifully and it's just outside of London in a very nice suburban area. It's homey, very, very homey, similar to your childhood home, but also expensive.

"Mum said we'd be staying here. It's my old room." Tom says, leading you into a room with a full-sized bed covered in a blue comforter.

"You've got a thing for blue." You say, your eyes scanning over the rest of the room. "And grey."

"Yeah," Tom shrugs. "Guess I do." He chuckles softly and rests your bags at the foot of the bed. "Nervous?"

"A little, yes." You say softly. "What if they don't like me?" You bite your bottom lip.

"Your dad doesn't like me." Tom quirks a brow.

"But you were a jerk when he met you."

"And you're not a jerk so you've nothing to worry about, love. I promise." Tom walks over to you and snakes his arms around your waist.

"Do you really talk about me that much?" You ask shyly, looking up to him.

Tom's cheeks turn a soft shade of red but there's a confident smirk finding its way to his face. "How do you think I know they'll like you?" Tom kisses your forehead.

"Okay." You say, placing a delicate kiss to his cheek.

"C'mon then, better get it over with and then you can relax." Tom's brows wiggle as he untangles his arms from around your waist.

The two of you go back downstairs and Tom leads you through the kitchen and out the sliding glass doors. His mom is sitting at a table with Dom while Harry and Sam are dribbling a soccer ball with the youngest Holland, you assume that one would be Paddy. Tom's hand is resting on the small of your back, leading you towards the table.

"Aye, mum." Tom greets.

She stands up from the table and brings Tom in for a warm hug. You notice how much Tom looks like his mom. He looks like his dad obviously, but there's something with his mom that he truly resembles. And she's absolutely gorgeous.

"Mum, this is y/n." Tom pulls away and gestures a hand for you to be greeted.

"Nice to finally put a face to the girl who's finally been puttin' Tom in his place." She jokes bringing you in for a quick hug.

Your cheeks burn as Tom runs a hand over his face. "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Holland." You say sweetly.

"You can call me Nikki." She takes a seat and gestures a hand out to the two other chairs, hinting for Tom and you to take your seats. "Was your flight alright?" She asks once you're both seated.

"Long and borin' but yeah, 's alright." Tom nods.

"How was it for you?" Nikki turns her attention to you.

"Oh, uh, yeah, no it was fine." You say sweetly.

"That's because you slept most the time." Tom chuckles, flashing you a playful grin.

"I was tired." You defend.

"Well, do either of you have a plan for the week?" Dom asks.

"Not really." Tom admits. "Was probably just gonna show y/n 'round for the week."

You look to his mom and catch a glimpse of disappointment crossing her face. "Actually," You speak up. "You should spend time with your family. I wanted to be a tourist and what better way than to go without a local."

Tom looks at you with confusion. "You'll get lost."

"So be it." You shug. "That's part of the fun."

Tom shakes his head. "Doesn't like a good idea. I can take you."

You shrug a shoulder. "I'll see if Harrison will come then."

Tom's face softens and he gives you a grateful smile. "Well, alright, then.

"Tom, are you gonna sit there forever or are ya gonna play?" Harry hollers, hands on his hips as he catches his breath.

Tom looks to you with big doe eyes. "Don't let me stop you." You laugh.

Tom grins ear to ear before getting up and going to the grass to team up with the youngest boy leaving you alone with Tom's parents. The air quickly thickens as it falls silent between you. You're the first girl they've met since Elena and you're certainly different from what they expected but you're polite and kind. You seem genuine with good vibes. But, they're his parents who know about Monica and know about how Tom has been thanks to Harry and Harrison telling them so they're cautious, afraid of what will happen if their son goes through either situation again.

"So, Tom says you're a writer, eh?" Dom asks, breaking the silence.

"Uh," You stutters. "I-I mean, I-I write, yeah but I wouldn't say I was a writer."

"If you write, you're a writer." He chuckles. "What d'ya like to write?"

"Fiction, coming of age, fantasy kind of. Fantasy like fairytales, I guess." You explain, your heart is starting to pick up speed with you having to actually conversate without Tom around. You just really want them to like you.

"That so?" Dom asks, more than intrigued. "You know, I'm an author myself and I've just started on this piece. Would you like to read a bit of it and let me know what do you think?"

Your eyes widen as you glance to Nikki and back to Dom. "A-are you sure?"

"C'mon." Dom stands up and leads the way inside the house. "You'll see why but I think you'd be a good help."

"What could I help with?" You ask quietly as Dom leads you through the house to the living room where his laptop is rested atop a small table.

"Just your opinion." He says as he takes a seat and you sit on the opposite end of the couch.

"Did Tom tell you?" You raise a brow, knowing Tom's read over your list a thousand times by now.

"Tells me a lot now, thanks to you." Dom says as he pulls open his document. You watch him with curiosity. Dom glances to you and shakes his head. "Yes, he told me. He told me you wanted to be a published writer."

You sigh before a laugh escapes your lips. "He's determined, I'll give him that."

"Once his mind is set on something, he's never giving up. So, I've got news for you, you're doing everything on your list." Dom jokes sliding over his laptop. "Only a few paragraphs but it's something."

You read over the few paragraphs Dom has and it's talking of the after effects of a ship being wrecked and a group of friends trying to figure out what to do. You feel it's an honor to read something before it's done because it's someone's work and you're being trusted with it. But, also, because this might not make the final cut and you still get to know that this thing was happening. You'll be one of the few people who knows. It's like a secret between you and the characters that are being written.

"I like it." You say, sliding the laptop back over. "I really wanna know how they got there and what they're going to do."

"What would you do?" He asks.

"Panic." You laugh. "A lot of panic."

"Just panic." Dom chuckles.

"And cry." You state."But after that, I think I'd probably start a fire and create a type of signal in case a boat or a plane or something can see it and then I'd start looking for freshwater assuming we'd be stuck there for awhile."

Dom nods, a satisfied smile on his face. "Continue, please." He says, curious as to what you would do.

You start talking, what you would do and who you would declare the leader of the group just from what you got of the few paragraphs. Dom interacted and countered your plan which you quickly backed up if you ran into a roadblock. The two of you went back and forth and every ounce of you that was nervous about meeting Tom's dad just vanished. Your thoughts weren't even on the fact that he was Tom's dad or that you were in Tom's childhood home. You were just talking to someone about something they're passionate about and someone you happen to share the same passion with.

Once you were done discussing what Dom had questions about, you gained the courage and asked if you could run your idea by him and ask for opinions so long as he promised not to tell Tom what you were writing. It's something you don't do. You don't share your ideas with anyone besides your mom but you have the opportunity to share it with someone who actually has published books and you'd be stupid not to run it by him. And when you do, it grabs his attention immediately. It's a story about survival after an abundance of radioactive waste is dumped into water, killing millions and millions of people.

You and Dom discuss what you're writing. You bounce what you have off of him and explain your characters, still keeping parts to yourself but giving him enough that he'll be able to give you a proper opinion. And you just talk. He asks what sparked the idea and you go on to explain that you wanted to try something totally different since the death of Alex, not feeling the need to hide it anymore, and this was something that would push you. It would pull you from reality and let you express anything you didn't know how.

You felt so comfortable with Tom's dad, like he was your own, that you hadn't noticed Tom walk in. Talking to Tom's dad was like talking to her own without her feeling the need to completely censor yourself on certain topics. He's a lot like Tom and it's nice.

"Aye," Tom chimes, finally breaking the conversation. "Mum's got dinner ready."

Dom smiles at you as he stands. "Creative." He says. "Meet you both in there."

Tom nods, watching his dad leave the room. "Gettin' along quite well there, Love?" Tom smirks as you stand.

"You're a lot like your dad." You say nonchalantly.

"Think so?" Tom asks, the smirk gone as you approach him.

"Mhm." You hum. "You seem surprised?"

Tom shakes his head. "Been awhile since I've heard it, is all. Thanks."

You start to ask a question that you've had for a long time but given that you're about to sit down with his family for dinner, you figure it's best to hold your tongue. "Of course." You smile softly and Tom pulls you closer to him to place a chaste kiss to your forehead.

"C'mon, now Mum's gotta like ya." Tom wiggles his brows and interlocks his fingers with yours.

-

Dinner went well. You talked mostly to Sam and Tom but there were multiple conversations being had across the table as if you weren't even a guest. It was like you seemed to fit in without really trying and it was like you'd already been there a thousand times for dinner. Tom's family worries about him and they want to protect him but they're still open enough to make anyone feel comfortable in their own home. They're accomplishing that.

The rest of the night had gone by and the morning soon came. You got a hold of Harrison who promised to take you into the city while Tom spent the day with his family. You were actually excited to spend the day with Harrison seeing as your last conversation alone involved a lot of death discussions but you were very excited to actually see London. Not see it from a laptop or phone screen but see it in person. Walk the streets and breathe.

"So, how's meeting the family?" Harrison asks, nudging your shoulder as he shoves a spoonful of ice cream into his mouth.

"Not as bad as I thought it was gonna be if I'm being honest." You chuckle, poking your ice cream as you watch your feet walk across the sidewalk.

"Yeah?" Harrison's voice picks up, showing his cheeriness.

"Yeah," Your cheeks warm. "They're all very nice."

"Yeah, get why they're like a second family to me now?" Harrison asks, looking to you.

"Oh yeah." You say with wide eyes before taking a bite of your ice cream.

"Talk to his mum much?" Harrison asks, your eyes looking over the river and back to Harrison.

"Not much." You admit. "Mostly his dad and his brothers." Your voice shows hints of disappointment.

"She'll want to talk to you one-on-one, don't let it get you down." Harrison gives you a reassuring smile.

"I just want her to like me." You admit.

"She will." Harrison states. "Gotta be crazy not to." Harrison rolls his eyes.

"What's that supposed to mean?" You humor his statements.

"You're nice to everyone, give everyone a chance no matter their story. Ya care a little too much in my opinion. You're just...nice. It's hard not to like you and I think she'll see it, too."

"Thanks, Harrison." You shake your head, looking to the large ferris wheel to your left.

"It's what I do." He jokes.

"Speaking of what you do," You start. "You talk to Seb at all?"

"'Course, make me a hypocrite if I tell you and Tom to talk but I don't talk to her." Harrison chortles, matching your stare on the circular ride.

"Did it not go well?" You ask, moving your eyes back to him.

He shrugs a shoulder. "Nah," He shakes his head and his blue eyes fall sad, looking straight ahead of him. "She doesn't want to talk to me or hear me out."

"She always seemed nice." You say.

Harrison says, taking a bite of his ice cream. "Yeah, she is." Harrison says in her defense. "She's got the right to not want to talk to me. I did ditch her a lot for Tom. He needed me and that's still not fair to her."

"If she were nice, she would give you the benefit of the doubt and give you a little bit of sympathy, understand that you have a friend who solely relies on you like you're a life jacket." Harrison looks down to you, brows furrowed and raised. "I'm just saying," You say, rolling your shoulders. "If she were nice, she'd at least hear you out but she won't. I don't think that's very nice and that's coming from someone you say is nice."

Harrison's head goes back as he laughs. "Okay, okay," He says. "Yeah, maybe she could be a little nicer but that doesn't make her a bad person, y/n."

"I didn't say it did." You say casually. "I said she's not nice. Tom wasn't nice when I met him either."

"Alright, cut the shit. What're you on about?" Harrison asks.

You smirk. "Maybe you shouldn't give up on her."

"Ooooh," Harrison laughs, nodding his head. "Take my own advice, huh?"

"You asked me as Tom's friend not to give up on him and he was covered in blood. We were covered in his blood and neither of you would tell me what the heck was going on. It took months to get a backstory. So, yeah, take your own advice if you really like her."

"You said you weren't going to give up on him anyway if I remember correctly." Harrison scrunches his nose as you round a corner.

"Yeah," You take a bite of your ice cream. "But, hearing that I shouldn't, just solidified my decision. It boosted my faith if you will."

Harrison shakes his head and bumps his shoulder against yours. "Alright, I'll try again when we get back." You beam up at him, satisfied with his response. "Now, I've shown the Buckingham Palace, you've seen Big Ben, ready to get on the London Eye and continue to be the biggest tourist?" Harrison mocks.

"Duh." You give him a toothy smile full of excitement. "This is the coolest stuff ever, okay? Look at the architecture! It's awesome and Harry gave me a quick crash course on how to get my pictures to turn out better from my phone."

Harrison stifles a laugh. "Of course he did."

"My mom wanted pictures and this is cool, Harrison!" You defend, sarcasm in your words.

"You need to get out more." Harrison shakes his head but a smile dances onto his face. "C'mon, make sure you send a picture to Tom so he knows I'm not getting you into trouble."

"Mhm." You hum.

By the time you were done at the London Eye, it was time to head back to Tom's home. It was reaching just after seven on your way back and you were exhausted. You nearly fell asleep on the way back, Harrison allowing you to doze off and choosing it best for you to rest if you needed. You walked a good portion of the day and you had left early that morning. It was simply a long day. It was a good day, but long. So by the time Harrison dropped you off, your eyes were drooping and you had a lazy smile as you relayed the day to Tom, who only urged you to just sleep. Which, of course, the second you laid down, you were out.

When the next day had come around, Tom took you to a park for a picnic. The weather, the second day in a row, was nice and he was going to take advantage of it. And the picnic went smoothly and it was perfect. Tom told random stories of him and his brothers coming to this park and accidentally hitting each other in the face with a soccer ball or two. He explained that one time he fell from a tree and broke his arm which came as no surprise to you at all.

And as the day progressed, it just turned into Tom showing you around his neighborhood. He took you to his favorite place to eat and the pub him and his friends always went to. You, only ever being a bar a handful of times, found the pub interesting and it brought a smile to your face. It was different but a good different.

It was all just incredible to be able to see a light in Tom's eyes as he talked about himself and not to boast but to just talk about his childhood, his past. You listened to him all day which is how you ended up sitting on the shingles on top of the shed in his garden.

"Have you had fun the past few days?" Tom asks, knees pulled almost to his chest while his arms lay across his knees.

"So much." You said with excitement.

"Yeah?" Tom looks to you, his eyes so bright with pure happiness that they can put the city lights to shame.

"Mhm." You hum. "Really liked today. London is cool and a lot of fun and you know I adore Harrison, but I liked today." You say with a gentle smile.

"Why's that?" Tom asks, biting his bottom lip.

"It was about you." You shrug. "Just you. Your world, ya know?"

Tom nods softly. "Yeah." He looks back in front of him where the London lights were coming from.

"Can I ask you something?" You ask, your eyes on Tom's profile.

"Of course." He says, looking back to you.

"Why did you say your parents were disappointed in you?" You ask softly.

Tom closes his eyes for just a second before running a hand through his tousled hair. "Were you proud of me a few months ago?"

"No." You say maybe a little quickly.

"Yeah, exactly." Tom sighs. Just didn't like who I was becomin', ya know? Wasn't who they raised me to be."

"Is that why you looked relieved when I said you're like your dad?"

"Yeah." Tom answers quietly. "Always looked up to him and wanted to be like him. But," He pauses, swallowing hard and taking a deep breath. "Bad things happen."

Tom's jaw clenches as his eyes stay locked on where the lights shine brighter than the stars. He picks at his nails and he can feel his blood start to warm with anger. It's not anger at you for asking because you're only asking because you care. Your innocence keeps Tom's blood from boiling over. You keep him calm but that doesn't stop his fury with the universe.

"You okay, Tommy?" You lean a little forward to try and get into his vision.

He doesn't look at you though. "Still bein' optimistic?"

"Not if you need to rant."

"You sure?" He glances to you without moving his head.

'Yeah, go for it."

"Everytime something good happens, something horrible follows just after. Like it's some cruel fuckin' joke." His voice hardens while he overlooks the sky. "Someone out there having a good ole laugh because, well, they fooled me again." His head shakes, a loose curl falling onto his forehead. "I just think I'm forever doomed to be unhappy." Tom's stare moves to you. "You ever feel that way?"

"No," You shake your head as your heart weighs heavy for Tom. He deserves all the happiness and good things in the world. It's a shame he thinks he'll never be permantley happy. Heartbreaking.

"Bullshit." He calls your bluff.

"No, I just, don't feel like that." You say.

"Fuckin' bullshit." Tom looks to you, shaking his head. "You can get mad sometimes, at whatever the hell you believe in. You might die. You can be mad sometimes. Bad things happen to you, too."

"Okay," You say. "Of course I'm mad." You roll your eyes and set your stare at the lights. "But what the heck is being mad the universe going to do for me? Nothing. It's not going to get me a heart or magically fix my health. I was mad, really, really mad for a long time but it didn't do anything. So I let it go."

"Let it go?" Tom scoffs.

"I did but then you had to walk in and now I'm mad again, okay?" Your voice hardens with annoyance, but like Tom, it wasn't directed at him, just the universe.

Tom's eyes scan her face as his brows knit together. "What?"

"I was fine. I was okay with everything and content with just going day by day until the inevitable happened or a miracle came but then you came in and this wasn't supposed to happen but it did. And now, I'm angry because how dare the universe curse me with this crap and give me you. That's not fair to me. It's not fair to you. Because I love you and I'm no longer okay with dying. So I'm angry but I don't wallow in it."

"Why not?" Tom questions, almost challenging you. "Why not?"

"What would it do? Then I'd be dying and angry. I don't want to be dying and angry. I don't want to be dying but if I'm going to, I want to be happy. So, I focus on your stupid eyebrow," You chuckle as Tom shakes his head, his face softening. "And your eyes when I wake up because you're creepy and always staring at me," She teases, nudging your shoulder against his. "And I focus on how happy my dad is every single time my mom's name pops up on his phone. I think about how happy I am when I get to lose myself in my writing or a good book for a few hours. I don't worry about everything bad that could happen or that does happen. Life is too short, Tom."

Tom stares at you and you're so casual about it. It's like it's second nature to just express why you think the way you do. You're so okay with everything and Tom doesn't quite get it and maybe he never will but then again, maybe he will. Maybe he will because you give him the ability to believe in a happy ending even when the odds seem stacked against him. You give him faith where he needs it and for that, he will be forever grateful. And he feels like he owes you an outlet now. Something.

"Well, you can be angry around me if you want." Tom offers. "I'll be optimistic around you and you can be mad around me."

You take a deep breath. "I'm gonna be," You swallow as you push a lump down with a hard swallow. "Really, really mad if I die."

"Yeah, me, too." Tom offers his arm out and you move over to him, resting your head on his shoulder, taking deep breaths. "But, you're not gonna die." Tom kisses the top of your head.

"I really hope not." Your voice is quiet, almost broken.

"You won't." Tom states. "I won't let you."

"Believe in miracles?" You ask.

"Do you?" His eyes look down to you as you lift your head up.

"Like to think so."

"Then yeah, yeah I do."

"Okay." You whisper.

Tom is quiet for a few seconds as he stares at you just as he was a few minutes before. Your eyes are glossed over this time, not crying, just glossy and you've lost a little bit of light but you're still you. Angry, sad, hopeless, happy, you're you. And it's gonna hurt like hell if you die but Tom can't help but think how lucky he is to know you now, know you while he has the chance. It is cliche and it's terrible, but in this moment with the London lights a few miles away and just barely casting light on your face, he's so grateful he got to love you when he did.

"I'm...in love with you, ya know?" Tom whispers, his voice gentle as ever and the most honest thing that's ever left his.

You lean your forehead against his, nodding softly. "I'm in love with you, too."

Tom cups the side of your face with one hand, bringing your mouth to his. You sigh into him, Tom's lips pulling into a soft smile. Before you can deepen the kiss, Tom pulls away and liters your face is quick kisses. You burst into a fit of a laughter in response, barely pulling away from him.

"Thank you." You say.

"Thank you." Tom says in response. "Ready to head to bed?" He jerks his head towards the house. "Gettin' late for you." He chuckles softly.

"Actually," You say. "Yeah, I'm exhausted."

"C'mon then." Tom slides down the shingles and onto the grass first, helping you down. "Can turn on whatever you want tonight." Tom drapes an arm around your shoulders and pulls you into him. "Sound good?"

"Amazing." You look up to him, a loving smile aching your cheeks.