Your finger tapped across your phone screen with a gentle smile etched across your face. You're leaned against the old headboard, blankets covering the majority of your body and Matty's laptop playing Titanic. The most you've moved is to grab a bowl of cereal for breakfast, Matty's laptop, and use the bathroom. Other than that, you've been comfortable in the bed you call yours half the week while texting Tom.

You had woken up to a text from Tom. It was a simple 'good morning' but it made you smile and your chest warm with happiness. Butterflies swarmed your stomach and while you weren't one to immediately get on your phone the second you wake up, you couldn't help yourself but reply immediately. You feel like you're a kid again with your first crush, bubbly and happy. A pleasant reminder that even through dark times, there can be this peacefulness, happiness, innocence. It's refreshing, almost a little too refreshing.

While you and Tom texted away and your cheeks ache from pure joy, there was this knot forming in your stomach. You aren't talking about anything important but you feel like you're really getting to know him. You can feel yourself slipping and with every slip of your footing, the further you fall into a guilt-ridden swamp. It's sticky and enough to completely suck you under. It's like you're lying to him. Tom doesn't know why you went on a date with Harrison and why Harrison went out with you in the first place. He doesn't know anything about Arthur, the small bit you have been willing to tell Harrison, anyway. With Harrison knowing and Tom not, you feel like you're going behind his back and for no reason. At least before it was because it was easier, no harm, no foul but now you're texting for hours and you're friends. You had that night and he's in the forefront of your mind. Lying might be easy, the task, but the mental toll it can take can be hell and you're experiencing it.

A knock sounds on the door that's cracked open, Mikey pushing it open further. "Hey."

You nod at him, not really looking at him before your stare goes back to your phone. "Hey."

"Aren't you supposed to be at work?" Mikey asks, leaning against the wall.

"Diner was robbed." You roll your eyes. "They only got what was in the register but they broke the front window so Sheryl called us all off saying the guy that owns it is getting people in to board up the window and he's ordering a replacement. So, here I am." You put your phone down, about to ask why Mikey was home but when you look up and really look at his face, your question changes. "What the fuck happened to your face?"

Mikey chuckles, shrugging his shoulder and pushing off the wall. "Ran into a pole, Rocket. What else?" Sarcasm drips through his words as he walks over to you.

"Yeah? That pole have a few moving fists attached to it?" You poke a still-forming bruise on Mikey's arm as he takes a seat on the bed.

"Perhaps." Mikey laughs, pulling his arm away. "Kicked Ian's ass."

You scoff, shaking your head but there's almost a taunting smile across your lips. "Yeah, no shit."

"Why'd you ask then?" Mikey quips.

You shrug. "The off chance you happened to run into a pole and had a good story."

"Sorry to disappoint, Rocket." Mikey lays back, arms going behind his head.

"Why'd you kick his ass?"

"He choked you?" Mikey says as if you should have known the answer. "Fucks with you, he fucks with me. I don't care how fucking smart you get with someone, no one touches you unless it's inside that damn ring and they're supposed to." Mikey's sarcastic tone completely drops as he eyes you, mouth in a straight line showing his seriousness and sincerity.

"You don't have to do that, ya know?"

"Always will." Mikey responds, words nonchalant.

You nod before muttering, "Thanks, Mikey."

He gives you a cornered smile, pulling the laptop to face him so he can see what you're watching but you switch your attention back your phone. Mikey notices and catches a glimpse of your face. You light up from looking at the electronic screen, something he hasn't seen in years. There's something about Tom that rubs him the wrong way and maybe it's just because he's involved with Arthur but Mikey doesn't like him. And it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out you're texting him and that's why you've turned all smiley again so, despite his disdain, Mikey keeps his thoughts to himself. But then, your smile drops and you look back to Mikey.

"What?" You raise a brow and Mikey's brows furrow.

"You alright, Rocket?"

"Always, why?" You ask, glancing back to your phone.

"You're in bed, usually when I protect you, you go on a rant about how you don't need anyone to protect you, you're smiling like an idiot at your phone and just stop the second you put it away. You were asleep by the time I got home and you're still here. You're never still here if you don't have to work and me or Matty aren't up or around. So, what's up?" Mikey lists off the few things he's picked up in the short time he's been talking to you. It's a good and a bad thing knowing someone for so long like you've known Mikey. It's harder to hide things from him.

You sigh, running a hand through your messy hair. "I just," You look up to the ceiling as if the words were going to write themselves. "He doesn't know anything and I feel like I'm lying to him, ya know?" You say as you look to Mikey.

He gives you an understanding nod. "Why don't you tell him?" You bite the inside of your cheek, dodging Mikey's stare and that silent tell gives him everything he needs. "Dude, if you fucking like him or whatever, just say it. Don't beat around this damn bush." Mikey sits up with a groan, wincing in pain. "What's the worst that can happen if you tell him?" Mikey reasons.

"He could tell Arthur." You counter.

Mikey just looks at you as if you've lost your mind. "I don't even like him and I have more sense to know he's not a moron." You glare at him and Mikey resituates, moving to sit beside you. "Okay, what do you feel guilty about?"

"Going on a date with his best friend just to use his best friend to get to Tom and having my initial plan be to use Tom himself." You ramble. "I mean, I feel guilty about all the Arthur shit I know but at least I have good reason to keep that fuckin' shit to myself."

"Yeah, keep your mouth shut on that, would you? We don't need a rerun." Mikey warns.

You don't say anything and Mikey knows that warning you isn't going to make you feel better. He hates seeing you like this, with momentary happiness. It happens sometimes, especially after everything with your parents and Travis and everything you've gone through since you were twelve. It's a lot and it gets to your head sometimes.

Mikey pulls the laptop onto his lap and puts an arm around your shoulders. "Hey," He starts and you look up to him. "The dude likes you. He does. So, if you do or don't tell him anything, it's because you have his best interests in mind and he'll understand that." You force a smile and Mikey just pulls you closer to him. "You gotta let the weight of the world off your shoulders, Rocket. It's gonna crush you one day."

"Probably." You mutter, unlocking your phone.

You stare at the text from Tom. He made a joke about jellyfish which sparked you up on the marine biology topic. Tom, he didn't even mind. Not at all. He rolled with it and asked questions, wanting you to go more in depth about what you know about jellyfish and why. It's a bit of a weird topic but one you're both enjoying and one you don't talk much about it. It's just so easy with him that you forget about everything else. You forget even when it's just texting. So, you type your reply and head to Harrison's message thread.

"Tell him." You type, pressing send and immediately locking your phone, allowing Harrison to spill everything he knows to Tom.

Harrison reads the text and all he can do is look to Tom. He's seated in the chair, a smile splitting his face and eyes bright as can be. His cheeks are tinted a soft shade of pink and he looks genuinely happy. He's been looking happy all damn day. Harrison didn't even have to ask who Tom was talking to because it's obvious by the way his entire face lights up when he looks at his phone. But, now you're telling him to tell Tom and he has to. Harrison could wait, sure and maybe he should wait until later that night but the longer Harrison will sit on the permission to start talking, the more likely it'll just spill out of his mouth.

"Aye, mate." Harrison starts, grabbing Tom's attention. Tom raises his brows, locking his phone and waiting for Harrison to continue. "I've to tell to you something." Harrison's voice wavers just enough.

"'Bout what?" Tom asks with furrowed brows.

Harrison sucks in a deep breath and Tom grows nervous with anticipation. "You know how I went on a date with y/n?"

Tom nods slowly, hesitance coming over him. "Yeah, 'course."

Harrison shakes his head, guilt and shame filling his veins and spreading across his face. "It was a set-up."

Tom jerks his head back with a light shake and brows knitting together. "Hell you mean it was a set-up?"

Harrison can't bring himself to actually look at Tom. "She was going to ask you out, not me."

"Why? Make me jealous or something?" Tom scoffs and for a second, he lets the anxiety ease. If that's all it is, that's no big deal. You still shouldn't have done it but you went to him the other night, not Harrison. But, Harrison's expression doesn't change and Tom gets worried all over again.

"No," Harrison shakes his head. "She wanted to distract you so you would lose. You wouldn't talk to her, so she was planning to use me."

Tom's face drops with his heart. "What?" The word comes out as a broken whisper.

"I went on a date with her because Arthur made me. He wanted me to distract her." Harrison confesses and he should feel a little better having some of the weight off of his chest, but he doesn't.

"Wait." Tom shakes his head and the broken voice from seconds before is replaced with annoyance. "She's fuckin' playin' me and you went along with it? Couldn't tell me? What the fuck?" Tom's voice increases in volume as he stands from his seat.

"She's not playing you! Before we even went on the date, she told me! She's not playing you, Tom." Harrison yells back. "I couldn't tell you! There's more to this, mate."

"I don't bloody care! You didn't think tellin' me she'd planned to fuck me over was important? You fuckin' knew and still–" Tom groans and tugs at the roots of his hair. "You let me walk around like an idiot! You're my best mate for fuck's sake!"

"Because she does like you! Tom, listen to me, ya? There's more to this, okay?"

"You lied to me!" The feeling of betrayal clouds Tom's thoughts as he yells, his only focus being that Harrison and you lied to him, used him for your own gain.

"Listen to me, fuck's sake!" Harrison gets up from the couch, tossing his hands out in frustration. "She can get us out of this!"

"Yeah? How the fuck am I supposed to believe that when she went out of her way to fuck around with you just fuck with me? Make sure I lose? You know, she knows Arthur and she's still willing to let me get fucked over! And you let her have that!"

Harrison just stares at Tom because he's right. Harrison doesn't know for sure that you can get them out of it. He doesn't know if you're telling the truth or lying. He's only got his gut to go on and his gut says to trust you. Everything in him says to trust you and even though Tom is screaming his head off about how you could still be using him, Harrison knows Tom will come to that conclusion, too. Hopefully, though, it's sooner rather than later.

"Tom, c'mon, lemme explain everything." Harrison cuts off Tom's ranting.

"Fuck off!" Tom brushes Harrison's arm away from him. "You let her do this. You let her use you, too. Fuck off."

Tom moves away from Harrison, making his way to his room and slamming the door so hard Harrison's surprised the door didn't come off the hinges. Tom rummages around his room for anything to take out his emotions out on. He's so pissed off that Harrison has kept this from him and he's pissed off that you would sink as low as you did to use him. Those were the two people he felt he could trust but you've both been lying to him and now he feels like he has no one. He has no one besides himself and his chest feels like someone is beating it with a jackhammer. Tom's humiliated. How is supposed to just forgive that and let it go?

Tom's phone vibrates in his pocket and he has a half damn mind not to just call you and tell you off himself but he doesn't. He clears the notification and throws the cracked phone onto his bed. How could he be so stupid? You played him and he fell for it. That's all he keeps thinking. Tom's never felt so betrayed in his life. Who uses people? Who uses people when they know the stakes? How could Tom have ever fell for you? Been there for you the other night? He shared his designs with you and let you in and you've been doing this. It doesn't matter if you're not using him now because once it's out there, it's out there and it'll be eating at the back of his head like the terrible lawyer jingles that won't go away. Tom will always question your intentions now and if you're lying or not. You fucked up. And yeah, so did Harrison but at least Tom knows that Harrison has his best intentions, it's you he doesn't fucking know about it and it hurts. He hates that it hurts. And now he's supposed to fight in just a few hours.

You're in one of the rooms of the club's basement wrapping your hands, readying yourself for the night. A horrible knot is stuck in your throat and your head is fogged while your stomach turns. Tom hasn't texted you back, instead, you've received a text from Harrison. All he had to say was 'he's not talking to me. Give him space.' and you know there's no redemption there. At least, not now. In order for you to even try to get a redemption is to explain in detail what's going on and you're stubborn. It's not the right time, not yet so you have to deal with Tom being pissed at you and you letting him in just that very, very small bit. Which, pisses you off more than anything. When you let someone else in, they leave. And he's leaving, technically. It's your fault. But he's going to leave you high and dry without talking to you and that's what hurts the most. You'd hoped that Harrison would tell him and he'd want to talk to you, to get your side but it doesn't seem like you're going to get that lucky. Of course not, why would you?

"What happened to your face?" Matty's voice pulls yours and Mikey's attention to the door. Relief floods you at the sight of your tired friend.

"He's an idiot and fought Ian." You roll your eyes.

Matty smirks. "Nice." He walks up to Mikey and fist bumps him. You scowl at the two. "He strangled you, Mikey can kick his ass any day he wants." Matty says with more sass than necessary.

"Can fight my own battles." You mutter, getting to your feet.

"Sure you can, Rocket." Mikey walks up to you and tosses an arm around your shoulder, your gloves in hand.

"Fuck you." You shrug him loose before turning your stare back to Matty. "Where've been anyway?"

"Work." Matty groans as the three of you enter the hallway. "I was booked all day and I need caramel frappe and a nap."

"We'll get right on that." You pat his back, a grin coming to your face.

"Gee, thanks." Matty retorts as you all enter the center of the basement. "Good luck." Matty changes his tone with his words, sending you a genuine smile.

"Thanks." You nod, staring at the ring while Matty walks to his spot to stand and watch.

"You ready?" Mikey asks.

"Ready as I'll ever be." You say, faking a confident smile.

"You sure?" Mikey asks, helping you into the ring.

"Yes." You widen your eyes for emphasis.

Mikey helps you with your gloves and you walk to the center of the ring, facing your opponent. He's a guy, of course, and twice your size. He looks angry and he smells rancid. It's just another thing to add to your already shitty day.

The match starts and immediately, you take a hard hit to your face, making you stumble backwards. In the crowd, Tom is watching with Harrison and Arthur as usual. Tom winces watching you take another hit and Harrison scrunches his face. Tom might be pissed off at you and he'd love to say he doesn't feel bad, but god, his heart aches watching you take a beating. You never fall but you're getting your ass handed to you and it's killing him. In fact, Tom wonders if not texting you back, not going to you and asking your side of the story, is part of it.

You take another hard hit to the face and Tom winces once, looking away this time. He hesitates to look back and when he does, you're on the floor of the ring, spitting out blood. Your opponent doesn't let you rest either. He's on you in seconds but luck happens to be your side this round. The bell rings, signaling the end of that round. Tom sucks in a sharp breath looking to Harrison who looks just as worried as him. But, Arthur, Arthur has the smuggest look Tom has ever seen. It's almost enough to make Tom get up and punch him in the face right then and there. It's disgusting. They're watching you get pummeled and he likes it.

Tom scoffs and gets up, Arthur's hand flying to grab Tom's arm, yanking him back. "Where do you think you're going?" Arthur demands.

"The toilet. Not allowed to take a piss by myself, now?" Tom snarks, Harrison having to look away to conceal his smile of pride.

Arthur glares at Tom, grip tightening on him. "Watch your mouth." Arthur says through gritted teeth.

Tom yanks his arm free. "Yeah." Tom replies curtly before exiting the room.

"What's wrong with him?" Arthur looks to Harrison.

"You'd have to ask him." Harrison quips, turning his attention to the ring where you're standing to the corner with Mikey.

Your head is throbbing. Your ribs ache and you feel like someone attacked your entire face with a hammer. It all hurts and at this point, you want to give up. You can't but you want to. Your mouth is bleeding and you can't tell if it's just because your opponent burst a blood vessel or if you're missing a tooth or maybe bit your tongue. Your nose is bleeding and your sports bra and a good portion of your chest have small streaks of blood.

"Hey, what's up?" Mikey whispers.

"He pivots." You mutter, holding the rag to your nose before taking a drink of water.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Mikey raged. "You're paying attention to how he fucking moves and not the fucking fight. Y/n." Mikey is almost visibly shaking from pure rage.

"No," You say flatly. "He punched the shit out of me so I paid attention then. Now, I gotta get up and win." You push the bloodied rag and water bottle to Mikey before moving to the center of the ring.

You ge into position with your opponent as the bell for the second round starts. Mikey turns to glance at Matty in utter confusion and disbelief but Matty just shrugs, just as confused as Mikey. Of all things, you don't just lay down. You get up and up and up. You have to be knocked out and beaten to a bloody pulp before you stop kicking. But, you rolled over and let this guy continue the beating. Mikey and Matty want to burst, combust watching it and the only thing they can do is hope you pull these next two rounds out.

And you do.

Your first came back and with a final punch, you knocked your opponent off his feet and were on him quicker than he could even process what was going on. You won. Your arm was raised, declaring you the winner and your eyes fell on Tom who was finally making his way back to his seat. Your heart ached like you'd be stung by a thousand bees with the sight of him. Disheveled hair and not his usual mess, his hair was disheveled from the constant running of a worried hand through his hair. But his brows were knitted together, mouth in a tight line showing his distaste. Your stare moves to Harrison who just gives you a gentle nod, one of reassurance.

Tom inhales sharply watching you leave the ring and his head goes back, eyes closed in relief. He couldn't watch you take a beating for another round or two. It meant he didn't get to watch you win but that's a lot better than the latter. But you won so he can go right back to being pissed off at you. He doesn't have to worry now. He can be angry, upset, betrayed, and heartbroken. You're not his responsibility to worry about. That's on your friends.

"Y/n, look at me." Matty says, pulling your hand away from her nose back in the room where you got ready. "What happened out there?"

"It's nothing." You mutter, holding a blood-drenched rag in your hand while Matty looks over your face.

A sad sigh leaves his lips as he goes to his first aid kit. "Can you give us a minute?" Matty looks to Mikey.

Mikey shakes his head, arms crossed. "Why?"

Matty narrows his eyes, darting them between you and him, silently hinting that he's going to get you to talk. Mikey groans but agrees without another word. The door shuts behind him, leaving Matty and you to yourselves. Matty cracks the ice pack and hands it to you while he works on getting some gauze for your nose.

"Okay, you wanna tell me now?"

"Not really." You mumble, eyes closing with exhaustion. Matty taps your hand so you'd open your eyes. His blue eyes are sad like a lonely ocean in the coldest winter. "Tom hates me now."

"What?" Matty asks with a huff.

"I told Harrison to tell him about the date and everything."

Matty nods, giving you the 'yikes' expression. "Not talking to you now?"

"Nope." You say before leaning over the small garbage can and spitting blood into the bin. "Looked pretty pissed when I saw him, too."

"Okay," Matty says. "And how would you feel if he had went on a date with me to get inside of your head?"

"Well, I'd probably punch him in the face which makes him a better person than me." SJ chuckles.

"Yeah, exactly." Matty says. "So, oh well. He'll get over it. He left after you get your ass kicked the first round." Matty informs you. "I wasn't watching much but I saw him and he couldn't watch you get hurt. So, I'm just saying, trying talking to him." Matty reasons and you go to counter but Matty doesn't let you. "I know that's foreign for you and you don't have to tell him your shit, but just tell him point blank, man. He'll get over it."

"How do you know?" You wince as Matty presses around your eye to make sure nothing seems broken.

"Because you like him enough that you give a shit that he's not talking to you. And I like him. I think he's good." Matty side smiles, moving his touch to your other eye.

"Thanks, Matty."

"It's what I do." Matty smirks. "I think you're good. I mean, you're gonna have some gross bruises and shit, but I think you're okay." Matty assures before looking to your side. "Does this hurt though?" Matty pokes your side and you hiss in pain, moving away from him.

"Yes, yes it does." You snapped

"I had to check." Matty defends with his hands in front of him.

You pull the barley bloodied gauze from your nose to see it's finally stopped bleeding. "You could have...asked."

"You might've lied." Matty mocks.

"You suck." You groan, taking the ice pack and moving it to your ribs.

"Says the one who looks like they were hit by a bus." Matty reaches for your bag, pulling out a hoodie and sweatpants for you.

"You wanna look like this?" You retort, taking the clothes from him after tossing the gauze into the garbage can.

"I'm good." Matty laughs, cleaning up the things from his first aid kit.

You allow silence to fill the room after tossing on the sweats over your clothes and watch Matty clean up. You let his words sink in and try to accept them. Matty is probably right. Harrison will talk to Tom more and Tom will eventually hear you out. But, it still eats at you because you knew what you were doing was wrong but you did it anyway. You went along with it too long and hid it. Secrets don't make friends. They cause hurricanes.

Matty helps you to your feet and the two of you exit the room. Your arm crosses your stomach, holding the ice pack in place. Mikey stares at you and he feels bad but there's a sense of pride. You get your ass handed to you but you walk out with Matty with your head high. You're incredibly resilient.

The three of you make your way to the center of the basement, to your usual spots where you watch the fight. Tom might be pissed at you and you might want to just go home, but you're going to see how he does because you care. Tom is in the center of the ring and his eyes meet yours. His mouth is taut just like it was before and his eyes hold anger. It's no surprise but you hope that it will help him. Maybe him being pissed off at you will actually get him to win. That was Arthur's idea. Get Tom pissed and he'll win.

If only that were the case.

Just like with your first round, Tom is layed out. He takes hit after hit after hit until the ref finally calls the round. You can see his chest visibly heaving with every breath but there's a fired glint in his eyes. You're both different, sure, but not as different as you'd like to think. He's not going to roll over either and he's going to turn back around and lay out this guy as if Tom never took a hit.

You watch him take the ring for the second round and his back is to you. You get a new view of the burns you can see clearly despite the flimsy lighting and distance between you. They're still red and inflamed, a little better than they were the other day, but still bad. A lump jumps to your throat and you find yourself looking to your worn shoes, not wanting to watch. But, you're not the only one who notices the burns.

"Y/n." Mikey's voice is stern. You meet his eyes, biting your cheek. "Burns, aren't they?" He asks. You nod in response, moving your eyes to watch the fight.

"Fuck." Matty mutters.

"You knew?" Mikey asks, sounding almost offended you didn't say anything.

"Mhm." You hum watching Tom win the second round.

Matty and Mikey exchange worried glances but they don't say anything. What are they supposed to say? They know what Arthur did to you and there were no words that could ease that. So, what are they supposed to say to you when someone you care about, who isn't talking to you currently, has burns from the same person? They know you're freaked and that's part of why you're putting so much pressure on yourself. But, it's more than that. No one deserves to be burned so they're sad for Tom. The two of them find themselves empathizing with him. It's just painful.

Tom wins the final round making him the winner of the match. You give him a soft smile when he looks to you but he just glares before looking away. He looks to Arthur who was glancing between the two of you. Tom might have won but by the red tint to Arthur's face, one would think Tom just lost everything. To Arthur, it can't be some coincidence that both Tom and you do terrible in your first round. Tom is pissed beyond belief, being snarky, glaring at you who looks like a kicked puppy. Arthur needs to know why you're acting like this and what you've told each other.

Arthur gets up and watches you head for the exit. He makes the decision to quickly approach Tom and Harrison, telling them to meet him outside when they're done gathering their things and before Tom and Harrison had a chance to respond, Arthur was walking away from them, leaving them both a bit scared for what awaited them outside.

Arthur leaves through the same exit you had left and spots you outside the building, checking your phone while Mikey and Matty chatted. He didn't hesitate to walk up to the group of you. You, Mikey, and Matty looked to him as he approached, all you showing the same expression of confusion.

"Can I have a word with y/l/n?" Arthur asks but his tone expresses that it's a demand.

"Nah," Mikey chortles. "You can fuck right off."

"Y/l/n." Arthur looks to you and you sigh.

"Five minutes." You shrug, handing Matty the ice pack.

"Rocket, c'mon-"

"You heard her. Give us five minutes, Yeun." There's a sinister grin tugging at Arthur's mouth, satisfied it didn't take any convincing to get you to talk to him.

"C'mon, we'll go back inside while we wait for the Uber." Matty jerks his head towards the door, urging Mikey to let you be.

"We shouldn't leave them alone." Mikey mutters below his breath as they walk away.

"That's why we're going to find Tom and Harrison." Matty concludes, opening the door for them.

The second they disappear into the building, Arthur's hands go to the collar of your hoodie, slamming you against the brick wall of the club. Your head smacks the brick and a tingling sensation throbs through your neck and the back of your head. Your eyes shut and you yell out in pain.

"What did you tell him?" Arthur's fists ball more fabric into his fist with the hard words.

"What the fuck, man?" You yell, your hands trying to pry Arthur's off of you. "I'm getting so tired of people pushing against fucking walls."

"What did you tell him?" Arthur demands louder this time and pushing you against harder against the wall.

"What the fuck are you talking about?" You yell back, pain radiating through your body.

"Don't play stupid." Arthur snaps, pulling you toward him and then slamming you against the wall again.

"Stop! You fucking jackass!" You tug at his fingers but his fists stay locked on the fabric.

"What. Did. You. Tell. Him." There's venom in Arthur's eyes but you don't falter.

"I have no fucking idea what the hell you're fucking talkin' about. You're literally paranoid as hell! Let me the fuck go!" You push against him, arms straining and flexing.

"Do you not learn?" Arthur sneers, pulling you up so only your toes brush against the pavement.

"I don't know what fuck you're even talking about!" Your hands go back to Arthur's trying to pry his grip from you again.

"Tell me what you told him or I'll make sure he won't be able to move for the next month."

You aren't stupid. You know full and well he's talking about Tom. So that comment, that comment threatening Tom's well-being, it should make you pause. Catch you off guard and frighten you but it doesn't. Your face remains hard and pissed, bruised and beaten but full of fight and spite.

"Who the hell are you talkin' about?" You snap back.

"Who do you think?" Arthur rolls his eyes.

"Tom?" You ask, playing up his name as a genuine guess.

"Yes, who else?" Arthur sneers.

"Could have been anyone if we're being fucking honest." You quip. "What the fuck would I tell him and why the fuck would I tell him shit? He ain't even talkin' to me."

Arthur isn't buying it. "Last chance, y/l/n."

You can tell by his tone and the stone cold expression that he's serious. He's going to go in on you if you don't talk but that's the thing, you haven't told him anything. Harrison did. You aren't lying, technically.

"I haven't told him a fucking thing! Maybe he's just tired of your sadistic ass!"

Arthur pulls you back and slams you against the wall again, this time your head hits so hard, everything starts spinning and your vision blurs for a few seconds. Your eyes widen as you blink, trying to regain yourself and ignore the pain radiating through the back of your head. But, before you can, Arthur pulls his fist back and your eyes slam shut, your head turning to the side and bracing for impact. The impact was going to be enough to knock you out, that you knew for sure. Arthur has a hard hit and he doesn't miss. It's all or nothing with him. But, the impact never comes.

"Get the fuck off of her before I bloody up your damn suit." Mikey's got a hold of Arthur's arm and fist while Tom is prying Arthur's grip from the collar of your hoodie.

You let out a breath you didn't realize you were holding with the sight of the two of them. Tom frees you and your legs give out. Tom's quick to catch you and hold you up. There's fear and worry written across his face, similar to the other night in the pouring rain but, there's still a hardness to his expression. Your heart thumps in your throat as you stare at him and Tom's does the same, aching and wanting to scream for a thousand reasons but the two of you don't yell.

"You alright?" Tom whispers as Harrison is helping Mikey move Arthur further away.

"Always." You mutter.

Tom licks his lips, a cut splitting his bottom one. He shakes his head and looks to Matty who's standing to the side and watching everything unravel, knowing he can't help with Arthur and wanting you and Tom to have a minute. Tom can't be here anymore and if he doesn't get to Harrison, Harrison's likely to lose his cool. So he pushes his concern aside despite his gut telling him to tell you to tell him the truth. He's picked up on your 'always' routine and he's livid, of course he is, but he could let it go for a few minutes to make sure you're really okay. He could but there's Arthur.

"Okay." Tom says, jerking his head and signaling Matty to take over.

Your heart sinks as Matty comes over and helps you sit on the ground. Tom lets you be, walking away and not looking back. Tom grabs Harrison away from Arthur and Mikey backs off as well. Arthur goes to straighten his suit, a satisfied grin coming to his face as he looks to Tom.

"Thank you for pulling these animals off of me." Arthur says but his voice is contradicting to his statement.

Tom's jaw is squared as he narrows his eyes in disgust. "Just don't want them to be arrested for assault." Tom mutters, eyes locked with Arthur's, every care he's ever given completely gone.

Mikey and Harrison look to Tom, eyes wide and shocked by his statement.

"Excuse me?" A dumbfounded expression crosses Arthur's face.

"I'd punch you my fuckin' self if I weren't so damn tired."

He hates that he cares so much for you right now but he does. He cares about you even after finding out you lied and used his best friend. Tom's issues with you are just that, his issues and as far as Tom knows and cares, Arthur can deal with him. Leaving you out of it. Tom will take whatever Arthur wants to dish out if it'll keep him away from you.

"Let's go." Arthur walks up to Tom, grabbing him by the hood of his hoodie and pulling him with him, Harrison moving quickly to follow them, demanding Arthur let Tom go.

They walk around the building where Arthur already has a car waiting for them. Arthur is fueled with fury and rage while Tom is fueled with the same but he's got that extra bit of heartache and physical pain to add to his lack of caring.

"Get in the car." Arthur opens the door, his grip still tight on Tom's hood.

Harrison looks at the both of them and crosses his arms in protest. "Fuck no."

"Get in the fucking car." Arthur's teeth are clenched but Harrison looks like he's going to swing at any moment.

"Get in the car, Haz. It's fine." Tom says, agitation seeping into this words. Harrison goes to protest but Tom cuts him off. "It's fine."

Harrison sends a final glare to Arthur before getting in the car. The doors lock the second Arthur slams the door shut. He releases Tom and towers over him but Tom just stands toe-to-toe with him. What's he gonna do? Hit him?

"You don't disrespect me like that." Arthur warns with a finger pointing out.

"Leave 'er alone." Tom responds.

Arthur laughs in Tom's face. "Why do you suddenly assume you have a say in the matter?"

Tom's expression doesn't change and it just fires Arthur up more. Tom stays flat and ready for whatever Arthur is going to throw at him, just like you. Resilient.

"Fuck off and leave her the fuck alone." Tom's words are threatening, giving Arthur a taste of his own medicine which he doesn't appreciate.

Arthur's hand comes back and he slaps Tom across the face. Harrison witnesses it in the car and tries to unlock the door but there's no unlock button in the back. He just struggles with the door while Tom looks back at Arthur, stinging cheek turning a bright red.

"Keep running your mouth, Holland." Arthur taunts. "You lose tomorrow, you're all mine." That gets Tom to dodge his stare. Arthur's smile is sinister as he's pleased with how Tom backs down the second losing is mentioned. "Now, get in the car and my driver will take you home."

Tom shakes his head, opening the car door. He sends Harrison a warning stare, silently telling him to stay quiet. It's for the best. At least, for now.