The living room of Tom's apartment is quiet besides the few city sounds outside. The blinds across the floor to ceiling windows are pulled up and the couch is turned around allowing SJ and Tom to have their view of the city. Neon lights illuminate the living room with a faint light coming from the kitchen. SJ has her legs across Tom's lap and her head turned towards the window while Tom's facing forward, his hands on her shins, thumbs rubbing against the fabric of her jeans softly.

It's been hours that they've been sitting here. They talk here and there but it's mostly silence, the two of them enjoying the silence. There's a different kind of comfort with someone when no conversation or sound needs to be had in order to be happy together. SJ and Tom have managed to reach that. They're peaceful and happy to just be sitting there, looking at the city at three in the morning, quiet but together.

Tom turns his head as he lightly squeezes SJ's shin. "Think Mikey is gonna be with Haz and Matty?"

SJ laughs softly with the shake of her head. "He has to watch his sister so probably not." SJ explains, still finding it amazing that Harrison decided to hang out with Matty for another night.

"He's a sister?" Tom asks, quirking a brow and blatant surprise covers his face.

"Yes." SJ comments. "He doesn't really talk about her."

Tom shakes his head with a huff, a smirking tugging at the side of his mouth. "No wonder the two of you are friends."

"Hey!" SJ flicks his shoulder. "I didn't hide Travis."

"I'm kidding." Tom chuckles.

"Why'd you ask though?"

Tom sucks in a breath and tries to play it off. "Just, curious."

SJ narrows her eyes. "You're full of shit. Why?"

"He's just....kind of hostile."

SJ burst into a fit of laughter. "Harrison will be fine, I promise. It's you he doesn't like."

It's not that Tom didn't know Mikey didn't like him but actually having it confirmed just makes his heart sink. SJ is clearly capable of making her own decisions and she seems to listen to absolutely no one so it's not that Tom thinks that if Mikey were to tell her to stop seeing him, she would, it's that he wants SJ's friends to like him. Tom hasn't done anything to Mikey or to SJ for that matter. So, he's worried that if Mikey doesn't like him, maybe it'll rub off on SJ and maybe she'll find a reason to stop talking to him. It's a bit of an odd worry, really. If SJ were going to just fall into whatever Mikey's issue is, she wouldn't open up like she has. And she definitely wouldn't be sitting on the couch with him at three in the morning.

"Why doesn't he like me?" Tom asks, his head slightly hung as he looks at her through his lashes.

"Eh, he's kind of in love with and doens't trust you." SJ shrugs as if her words meant nothing and her stare goes back to the city lights.

Tom's eyes widen and he didn't really expect that. He expected something like Mikey not trusting him. That's fair. SJ didn't trust him either and she still doesn't trust him as much as she probably should but Mikey being in love with her, that's not what he wanted to hear or expected. Tom doesn't want to get in the middle of that, not when it's her best friend. Friendships come before anything else.

SJ looks back to Tom, sensing him just staring at her. "It's not like that." SJ rolls her eyes, her voice still nonchalant. "He's not that kind of in love with me, like, he'd never do anything about it. We've literally talked it about it. It's," SJ pauses and her shoulders shrug. "It's hard to explain but it's really not like that. Him not trusting you is the main thing."

Tom nods slowly, not really grasping what SJ is saying but she's calm and it doesn't seem to bother her, not even a little bit so he goes with it. "Okay, so why doens't he trust me but you do?"

SJ's attention goes back to Tom and she dodges his stare, one of her hands going ot his and tracing her fingers over the back of his hand. "You're working with Arthur, that's why he doens't trust you." SJ says and she glances to him, taking in a shallow breath. "I trust you because you showed up when you didn't have to."

After hearing about her mom, Tom gets it. He understands why that's such a huge thing for her but it's still a bit surreal hearing it because it was second nature. Harrison told him SJ needed a ride and didn't sound good and Tom didn't waste time to tag along. He barely knew her and he was there because that's just who he is. He already cared for her then and he wasn't going to let her sit out in the rain possibly hurt. Tom going to her, that's easy. Him being there for her when she needs someone even if not to talk about whatever is going on, that's easy. Tom just didn't realize what that meant to her.

Tom looks to the windows, choosing not to say anything and let the room fall silent. He doens't need to say anything because it's in the way SJ says she trusts him. He doesn't need to know anything else about it and SJ knows that. She can tell by the way his jaw is relaxed and his fingers are running up and down her shin.

"Uh, hey, so," SJ starts. "How did you get involved with Arthur, exactly? I mean, how'd you get...here?"

Tom looks to her and raises the same question. "How'd you?"

Arthur isn't exactly someone he wants to talk about. How he got involved isn't what he wants to talk about it. It's been nice just spending the day talking about how SJ was the kid in school that doodled in the back of the class but still managed a 4.2. He likes the conversations where he got to tell her about his favorite movies and favorite tv shows. They're light-hearted and it's what he needs right now. The heavy is a lot and he just wants this night to be happy but, if SJ will tell him, he'll tell her because he can't close her out if he wants her to keep opening up.

"Trust me, you don't wanna know." SJ sighs. Tom's face contorts to concern, his mind going back to the burn of the crest on her arm, wondering if it's everything he's been through and threatened with. SJ feels his stare and shakes her head, gathering his concern. "It's not like....that kind of bad. Just, bad for me, I guess."

Tom nods softly. "Will you tell me one day?"

SJ's face softens and brows just barely knit together. "Yeah, one day." And she will but she doens't wanna talk about it right now. There are too many stones that would need to be overturned in order for him to even understand and, she knows he'll freak out.

"I, uh, I told you it was gambling but, uh, Arthur was one of the people who were playing the night I lost big." Tom explains. "I didn't have the money, fuckin' stupid of me but thought I couldn't lose, was on a winning streak." Tom looks back to the city, finding it easier to talk to the lights rather than SJ's face, fearing he'd disappoint her with his lack of responsibility and self-control with his money. "Haz and me were already working for him at the time, so when I'd lost, he pulled me aside and asked where I'd gotten the money to pay for the loss. I told him I didn't have it so...uh, yeah he said he'd give me the money for the debt and I could work with him to pay it off to him, said it'd be safer." Tom scoffs at the last part.

"He tricked you." SJ says, voice gentle and sympathetic as she goes back to running her fingers over the tops of his hand.

"Yeah," He says curtly. "So, uh, he starts telling me about this competition, all I've to do is win and I'd be good but, um," Tom shakes his head, a loose curl falling onto his forehead. "He threatened Haz and threatened me, never directly to Haz but he said he could make sure we were never found again and if we were, they'd need our dental records to ID us."

"Did...did he tell you what he meant? Specifically, or is he letting your mind fill in the blanks?" SJ asks and yes, she does want to know for the sake of Tom's sanity but if Arthur really told him, it could be good for her and him.

Tom looks to her and his eyes are glossed over, fear striking his face. "Yeah, he told me."

"You don't wanna talk about it, do you?" SJ asks carefully and all Tom does is shake his head giving SJ everything she needs to know. "Okay." She says softly.

"If only I'd have counted cards." Sarcasm drips from Tom's lips as he looks back to the windows.

"Why didn't you?"

Tom turns his head slowly, eyes narrowing. "It's against the rules."

"Oh, because underground boxing and gambling are perfectly legal." SJ quips and a smirk pulls at her lips.

"'S not that easy!" Tom chuckles, SJ's comments lightening his mood just enough.

"I can do it." SJ shrugs a single shoulder, a confident grin taking over.

"What the bloody hell can't you do?" Tom's eyes widen and SJ just laughs.

"Design furniture and build it."

Tom laughs with her and lightly shoves her shoulder. "I know more than just furniture!"

"Yeah?" SJ challenges. "Tell me then." She bites her lip and looks at him with wide eyes, hopeful and adoring.

"Alright," Tom taps her legs for her to move them so he can resituate and face her better. SJ props her legs back onto his lap once he's comfortable, her head falling onto the back of the couch, giving him her undivided attention. "I like space, stars, planets, galaxies. All of it."

"Really?" SJ asks with a raised brow. He just never seemed like the space kind of person, especially after her comment about knowing about space than the ocean.

Tom nods. "Yeah, it's cool. It's so big, we can't even really fathom it. We're just this speck floating out there surrounded by things we know nothing about." SJ smiles, and she wants to hear him talk about space all night. "Kind of like you with the ocean. So much we don't know, makes it interesting."

Tom starts rambling about supernovas and comets and SJ just listens. She doesn't say anything or ask any questions. She just listens to him talk because it's not serious. It's something he's passionate about just like she is with the ocean. And the thing with them, they represent the things they're passionate about. Tom likes to design furniture and build it because it distracts him. He can use his hands and furniture makes life a little more comfortable. It's not something too complex but it's not boring either. It's that perfect medium just like Tom. And SJ is her graffiti because it's usually illegal. It's done in secret and usually at night, going against the grain to be something different. That's SJ. And with space, there's so much people know about space because it's been researched so much over the years. It's still scary, given that there's still a lot that's unknown but not as scary as the ocean. The ocean, there are so many secrets that lie beneath the waves. Secrets the ocean isn't willing to just give up. They have to be hunted and it can be dangerous. It's dark and scary, hard to reach. Just like SJ, a force, a hurricane and Tom is space, giving answers when needed, free and open.

"Is that what you wanna do?" SJ asks, after Tom's rambling has slowed down. "Study space? Or do you wanna design furniture? Keep boxing?"

Tom shrugs, his fingers lightly tapping her knees. "I wanna design furniture I think, but I'd like to keep boxing, just not like this. Keep space a hobby." Tom explains.

"I think you should do it." SJ gives him a gentle smile.

Tom's cheeks turn a beautiful shade of red. "How 'bout you? Wanna keep boxing? Coach a hockey team? Spray paint murals over cities? Be a marine biologist?"

SJ laughs softly. "Marine biology." The words fall from her mouth like honey, sweet and smooth. "But, yeah, maybe coach a hockey team one day, one for kids who can't afford it though or something. Troubled youth, kinda deal. I will always spray paint buildings but," SJ sighs. "If I could give up boxing today, I would. I fucking hate it." It's the first time SJ has ever said those words out loud. She's hated it since she took it up but her debt keeps her in the ring.

The last bit catches Tom by surprise. "What? Really? You're so good at it. Why...why don't you like it?"

"I like to watch, like I could watch you box all day." SJ admits and Tom's heart jumps to his throat but he lets her keep talking. "But, I hate doing it. I just, I don't' like fighting. I've been fighting something or someone my entire fucking life and I just...I don't wanna do it."

"What made you start, then?"

SJ bites her lip and her eyes go distant, the same look she gets when she starts to close off. Tom expects her to. He knows before she does because it's the same look she always gets. But, this time is different. It's different because this is the first time they're alone together in a house. In a home. It's just them and the lights of Chicago. There's no one to interrupt them and there's no one there to judge. It's different this time so, SJ doesn't close off.

"I was attacked on my way home from school one day." Tom's heart drops to his stomach and he wonders what else could have possibly happened in her life. "It was....it was bad." SJ manages to say as she swallows a lump. "This cop found me and he got me to the ER and they did tests and stuff and it was just, everything was so fucking bad and it hurt and I didn't want to be there again." SJ's voice raises and Tom can feel the anger coming from her. "I promised myself while I sat in that hospital bed that no one would ever touch me again so I asked Mikey to help me. He'd taken up boxing after he had to quit hockey, boxing fit more into his schedule. So, he taught me and now I can't give it up because I don't have the money."

There's this tiny part of Tom that wants to ask how she was attacked but the look in her eyes tells him everything. Now, he just wants to know who the hell did it because he wants to hunt the guy down. It's clearly been years but whoever did it, deserves their teeth knocked in and Tom would be happy to do it.

"I really wanna be a marine biologist." SJ sighs, her way of telling Tom not to ask the questions she can see running through his head. SJ's eyes move to Tom's hands but his stare stays on her face.

Tom doens't push either. He doens't need to because this is her. Everyone puts up a front when they first meet people. First impressions are always said to be the most important but SJ puts up a front for as long as she wants and feels like she needs to to keep herself safe. But Tom wishes she wouldn't because the person in front of him telling him about how she hates boxing and just wants to study the damn ocean, he is in love with this person. He loves this version of her. She is authentic and raw and everything. SJ should be able to be herself.

"Why are you looking at me like?" SJ looks back to Tom, pulling him from his thoughts.

Tom is silent. He lets the air fill with the sounds of a distant siren and passing cars. His brows are knitted together and his stare is hard. His eyes move from hers, to her necklace that's catching the light of the street lamps. Tom can't help but bite the inside of his cheek and lick his lips when he finally looks back to her.

"I hope you find a way to be yourself someday." His voice is just above a whisper but it's etched in pure sincerity. It's sincerity mixed with a feeling of sadness and empathy.

"What?" SJ asks, her tone matching his but a little more broken.

Tom lets out a breath and looks in front of him. "You're not happy," He lifts his hand and gestures out. "...I just want you to be happy, be happy being you. This," Tom taps her collarbone lightly. "This is you, the person telling me this shit right now. This is you and you seem happy here because you're you." SJ's eyes are on his and a lump forms in her chest as her heart aches with his words. "You should be able to be yourself shamelessly, SJ. Be happy."

SJ just stares at him because what is she supposed to say to that? Her friends know her but she talks to a lot of people and no one bothers to get to know her, not like Tom has. And now he likes her, the rawest and scariest and purest versions of her. And for the life of her, she doesn't know what she ever did to deserve someone like Tom.

"You deserve to be happy, too." SJ whispers, her eyes not leaving Tom's and all he can do is give her this sad smile because she means it.

Tom's eyes start glancing between her lips and this is different.

The first time they kissed, it was so heated and full lust, it was SJ avoiding her issues. It didn't mean anything because they had vendettas, ulterior motives. And sure, by the morning those didn't matter, but it matters now because the look Tom is giving her is different. There was no other rhyme or reason on SJ's behalf but now Tom is looking at her and she is so scared that he might really kiss her. Tom might kiss her and it'll be like all the cliche movies and books where she feels like she's spinning on a carousel and fireworks are exploding behind them while butterflies and sparks consume her entire body.

She is terrified that she'll have this movie-like kiss with Tom because that means the feeling in her stomach and the uncontrollable smile etched across her face when she sees his messy curls and bruised skin mean exactly what she thinks. That strange, warmth in her chest she couldn't pin-point when he hugged her that day in the rain would all make sense and the sense of ease and catharsis she felt with her head on his bare chest would all confirm her fear. Her fear that she is, undoubtedly, in love with the one person she doesn't deserve.

But, above all else, she is excited. She's excited because SJ is not the person people fall in love. She's the girl people brush over. There's the kiss and then there's the sex, maybe they stay for a little while but she wakes up alone. SJ has Mikey, Matty, and Travis and she likes having those three to wake up to down a hallway, to talk to, but she is so excited that maybe she'll have someone new. She can have Tom and he can be hers. Just hers. Maybe SJ can have a love like no other, if she just lets herself, and she is fucking excited that this might be a kiss, a real kiss with passion and love, hesitance and fear from his side that she might not feel the same way because he loves her, too, maybe it won't be so scary.

But, the scary part is front and center and SJ wants Tom to stop looking at her like he's fallen so in love with her that he's willing to give up everything he's worked up for because...after all of this, she can't be the reason he gives up his life. She's not someone people fall in love with. She is not someone who is careful or easy. SJ is a wild card, scared of everything. A flight risk. But, she's hoping more than anything that he will lean in and his strawberry flavored, chapped lips will brush against hers and his nose will just touch hers for a second, as if silently asking if it's okay, before he finally just kisses her. Above all else, SJ just wants to love and be loved back the same way. SJ wants someone to show her that she doesn't have to be a flight risk or some one-night stand. She's everything he could ever want and need.

Tom leans forward and SJ's holding her breath while her heart pounds against her ribcage.

Do it.

He extends his hands and places his calloused palm against the side of her neck, his thumb brushing over the faint bruise that lingers on her pale skin. His eyes aren't on her lips anymore, just the bruise and SJ can feel the pounding of her heart move to her stomach, convinced the excitement has been for nothing. But, then, Tom looks back to her light brown eyes and he's never seen eyes quite like hers before. They remind him of Jupiter, like the pictures in the expensive textbooks for astronomy. Crystal clear as if the planet has always been there the entire time. And her eyes remind him of fall, of his favorite season because there are different colors that subtly make up the shade of her eyes like the leaves that decorate the pavement. They decorate the black cement and dying grass in shades of orange, brown, and yellows. It's beautiful.

SJ's shoulder is pressed against the couch cushion and it's so uncomfortable and her neck aches from the position but she's afraid to move. She's afraid that she'll scare Tom off so she stays still and she waits for him to say something or move closer. Tom's chest is moving with every breath and his breathing is picking up as if he's just as nervous and scared as SJ is and it shouldn't be comforting but it is. SJ is scared of him but she likes that's he's afraid of her, afraid of her for different reasons than other people. Maybe he's afraid because he just wants to love someone and be loved back, just like her. Maybe he's afraid he's going to scare her away because he knows this is different.

Tom leans forward, his eyes locked on SJ's, nervous and careful. SJ remains still, partially paralyzed from her own fear and partially afraid of scaring him off like a timid deer. But her stillness doesn't stop Tom. He takes it slow because he wants this to be something and this can be something incredible. So, his nose brushes against hers and his eyes droop with adornment the second he smells the leftover scent of her bubblegum flavored gum. SJ's eyes are wide, a sheer sign of her uncertainty and fear but the second Tom presses his forehead to hers, the uncertainty melts away like a freezepop in the peak of summer. Her eyes close and she can smell the strawberry chapstick on his lips and his eyes flutter closed for a few seconds before he can find the courage to ask.

"You alright?"

SJ's eyes open and she swears she's never seen anything so beautiful, so perfect. His eyes are dark. Dark brown like the bark of shaded Cherry Blossom tree. His eyes hold secrets she's dying to hear, but only if he's willing to tell her. She wants to hear about his secrets and his life, his favorite color and she wants to know why he hates whatever movie he does. She wants to know his life but only if he wants to share it with her. She wants to share hers with him.

"Yeah." Her voice is hushed, just above a whisper and Tom swears it doesn't even sound like her because the word is vulnerable and delicate, everything SJ tries not to be but he loves it.

Tom moves and his nose brushes against hers while his lips ghost over hers. "Good." His warm breath graces her lips with the word that should have sounded confident. But, SJ swears Tom sounds vulnerable, vulnerable but trying not to and she loves it.

Tom's hand moves up to her cheek and his lips finally collide into hers. SJ can feel the sting of tears behind her eyes, the best kind of tears as she kisses him back. Her hands come to his neck and pull him closer to her and Tom sighs against her lips like he can breathe for the first time in a year. This kiss is like oxygen, finally letting Tom breathe properly and easily. And every ounce of hesitance and fear is just leaving SJ with every movement of Tom's lips against hers because he is the safest person on the planet and she can breathe for the first time in years.

Tom leans into SJ, moving his hand from her cheek to her waist, wrapping his arm around her and pulling her on top of him. Their lips never disconnect during the position change, the two of them too invested to detach. SJ's legs straddle Tom's lap, her hands are cupping his neck while his hands are grasping at her hips, pulling her as close as possible. And it's everything SJ wants because butterflies are exploding in her stomach and she can feel him smiling against her mouth. And when she starts to smile back, their teeth knock and laughter fills the room before their lips meet again. This is so much different than the other times because this isn't about getting off. They are happy here. This, this is happiness.

SJ's hands move to the hem of Tom's shirt, tugging it over his head, the material getting stuck for a second and allowing the two of them to erupt in laughter before Tom starts taking her shirt and bra off. They're so comfortable and happy with each other as Tom kisses from just above her breast, to her neck, and back to her lips, a smile never leaving his face. The smile is aching his cheeks but he doesn't care because his heart is beating a thousand miles an hour and they're laughing and he's crazy about her and that scares the hell out of him.

Tom's hands go back to SJ's hips and she grinds against him. Tom whimpers against SJ's lips before she grinds down again. Tom pulls at her hips, encouraging her to keep going as he detaches his lips from hers and starts making his way down her neck and her collarbones. The kisses are slow and open-mouthed, sending chills down SJ's spine. A whimper just above a whisper comes from SJ's throat as Tom starts kneading her breast, running his thumb over her nipple. Her eyes close and she grinds down harder, eliciting a moan from Tom.

"Condom?" SJ asks as she starts kissing Tom's jaw, his head going back and resting on the back of the couch.

"In my room." Tom mutters, lost in the pleasure of SJ's movements.

"Got it." SJ whispers against his skin before pushing up to her knees and reaching behind the couch. Tom holds her hips steady so she doesn't fall and when she comes back over, her bag is in hand. She digs through a pocket before pulling out her wallet and a condom. She gives Tom a shy smile, holding the square and handing it to him before putting her belongings to the floor. "I like having sex with you." SJ whispers and her face shines bright as she bites her lip.

Tom hums, pulling her face to his and capturing her lips in a deep kiss. "I like having sex with you, too."

It's more than the sex though. It's that he gets to be there with her. Of course, it's fun and everything but he feels close to her. It's not just the sex, it's her in general. It's everything about her and it makes him feel like he could never feel lonely again. It's like she's this piece of him he didn't even know he was missing. So, it's not the sex, it's SJ and it's always been SJ and it'll always be SJ.

SJ gets off of Tom, unbuttoning her jeans and shimmying out of the tight material, Tom watching her with wide eyes and raised brows. A smirk crosses his face and he follows her lead and starts tugging his pants and boxers off. Once him and SJ have discarded their clothing, Tom pulls SJ towards him by her hand, helping her straddle him before he rolls the condom on. She hovers above his hardened length as her lips go to his kiss once more and it's like electricity is shooting through Tom's spine.

It's SJ that's been having those three words tugging at her brain but now it's Tom and he wants to tell her so bad. He wants to say it because it's true and he wants to always be honest with her. He wants to show her that honesty is good and healthy and it is so scary but it's always the best option. It's cliche and cheesy but it's true, especially in times with dealing with other people's emotions. He loves her and he wants to tell her.

"SJ?" Tom pulls away and his breathing is slightly labored, brows pulled together, the expression showing his fear.

SJ's eyes meet his and she knows what he's thinking because she looks at him the same way but she doens't want him to say it. If he says it, she has to say it back. She has to say it back because she loves him, too but if she tells him, it makes it so real and that is the scariest thing of all. Reality is fucking terrifying. There are no take-backs in reality. No one can just unring the bell. Once it's out there, it's out there and she can be vulnerable with him like this but she can't say the words, not yet.

Don't say it, don't say it, don't say it, don't say it, don't say it

Tom shakes his head, his hands coming to her cheeks and colliding his lips to hers in a heated and needy kiss. Tom can't tell her he loves either because he knows she'll run and because he's just as afraid of reality as SJ is. He likes the little bubble they've created here.

SJ sinks down onto him, slow and careful, her jaw going slack once her hips meet Tom's. Tom's hands go to her hips once more and they hold her there for a few more seconds, keeping her still and letting the two of them adjust while their chests are already heaving in a steady tangine.

Tom's arms flex as his fingers dig into her hips and help her start grinding, her hips meeting his in a steady and slow rhythm. Their breaths intertwine as SJ starts to speed up. Whimpers and moans fall from their lips as they take turns kissing each other's neck and moving back to their lips. A light layer of sweat starts to cover the both of them and a coil builds in their stomachs, the rhythm becoming messy with every passing second.

"Tom." SJ moans and Tom bucks his hips up harder this time, a louder moan of his name escaping SJ's throat before his hand moves between the both of them and starts rubbing her clit at just the right speed.

Tom's quick movements and the harder bucks of his hips send SJ over the edge, her walls clenching around Tom sending him over the edge with her. Tom bites down on her shoulder, moaning as his hips stutter against hers as he rides out his high. SJ heaves, her forehead resting in the crook of his neck. A chill runs down her exposed back as she comes down from her high.

She lifts her head and a lazy but adorable smile is on Tom's face, making SJ's heart skip a beat. His eyes are hooded and his hair is damp with sweat and she can't help but kiss his cheek and then his nose.

"Mmm," Tom hums, kissing her lips gingerly. "Hey." Tom says and his voice is now rough.

"Hi." She says shyly. She shares the same smile Tom does and he knows it's different. They didn't say it, but he can feel it so he clears his throat and kisses her again. "That was,"

"Yeah," Tom whispers between kisses. "We should-" Tom says each word between a kiss.

"Move?" SJ does the same.

"Yeah." Tom chuckles, pulling away, eyes happy and blissful.

SJ nods in agreement. The two of them get their discarded clothing from the floor, Tom putting his boxers back on but he tosses SJ his shirt, offering it to her to wear. She takes it with a shy smile and she packs her jeans, bra, and shirt away, leaving her in Tom's shirt and her underwear. Once they're dressed, they turn the couch around to face the TV and Tom gets the blinds while SJ finds a random movie to have on.

Tom lays on the couch first, his back against the back of the couch and he extends his arms out, gesturing for SJ to join him. She doens't hesitate, not at all, as she moves to lay in his arms. She faces him as on Tom's arm falls over her hip and holds her close enough. SJ kisses his shoulder and there's something more here because she just wants to pepper his skin with the softest kisses and never leave him. He's everything she could ever ask for. The universe is a fucked up place but she's so fucking happy that it gave her him. And Tom is so fucking happy that he has her.

Tom kisses her temple and his thumb rubs her hip. "Hey," Tom whispers and SJ looks up to him and she's not scared of what he's going to say. He's looking at her like she's the north star. "You're beautiful." He whispers gently and SJ blushes, looking away from him.

"Stop." She shakes her head but the smile is uncontrollable and stuck to her face but she refuses to meet Tom's stare.

Tom moves his finger under her chin and gently lifts her head to look up to him. "No, I mean it." He says quietly. "You're beautiful." SJ's eyes dart over his face and there isn't a reason for him telling her but he did because she is. And she's so crazy about him. So, she kisses him again and he kisses her back before pulling away and his voice quivers a little. "I really like you."

Tom watches her and hopes she'll say it back. He won't be mad if she doesn't because he knows she's scared but he really wants her to. He knows she likes him, he knows deep down it's more than that and all he wants is for her to say it back.

Please, say it back.

SJ can see the plea in his eyes and he's like this emotional tether, someone who can keep her grounded and pull her back with ease. He's her someone.

"I really like you, too."