Tom lets out a breath through his nose, leaning against your door as he runs his hands over his face and through his hair. His eyes are squeezed shut and he's fighting every ounce of him not to walk back in that room. The look you gave him was enough to shatter him. You looked at him as if he just betrayed you in the worst way possible and in a way, he did. He said and promised he wouldn't leave but he did. However, you aren't fair to him and sometimes, the right thing to do is to walk away.

With a deep breath, Tom pushes away from the door and heads for the stairs. He hesitates walking down, hoping you'll open the door. He might be walking away but you're also letting him and it hurts. A small part of him is almost relieved you have the respect to let him walk if he wants but that small part is outweighed by the guilt, assuming you can let him walk because you're your own mess of shattered glass right now. So, it's with a heavy heart that he peels his eyes from your door and starts walking down the stairs.

Mikey, Matty, and Harrison are seated in the living room, all three of them turning the second they hear someone coming from upstairs. Their eyes land on Tom and he pauses for a few seconds, the air stiff. It's written across their faces that they probably heard everything that was said between Tom and you and it just makes Tom's stomach turn but he can't take it back. That's the thing with words. Someone can apologize all they want, but it doesn't take back what they said. There's no rewind. Now, Tom's left having to face them as he finishes descending and moving to the couch. Harrison prepares to get up but Tom just sits next to him. The other boys all look at Tom with pure confusion, brows raised and eyes slightly narrowed.

"What?" Tom asks, looking between them all.

"You said you were leaving..." Matty says.

"Yeah," Tom says, looking to his hands and back to him. "The situation. Told her I wasn't gonna leave and I won't but I'm not gonna be someone she's gonna scream at or use to get over whatever she's going through. So, I'll be here when she wants to talk."

Matty cracks a smile and turns to look at Mikey. Regardless on if you'll say it or not, Tom means the world to you and your friends know that. While Tom and you were arguing Matty and Mikey were busy questioning what they were going to do if he left. They'd have to not only pick up the pieces your mom so gracefully destroyed but also the new pieces Tom would leave behind. They'd do it because they're your friends and that's what friends do, but they were hoping they wouldn't have to. You deserve someone who will stay even if you aren't always a deserving person.

Mikey leans forward, expression showing his skepticism. "Why?" Mikey asks.

"Why what?" Tom questions.

"Why are you willing to just give her the chance to talk? She took out everything her mom is bringin' up, on you. She uses you, like you just said. We heard the argument, every word of it so why are you staying?"

With Mikey's question, Matty and Harrison turn their attention to Tom who's just staring at Mikey with furrow brows and his mouth in a straight line.

"Because." Tom says simply.

"Why? It's not that simple." Mikey challenges.

"It is for me." Tom retorts.

"It's never that easy." Mikey grits his teeth.

Tom shakes his head, not believing that Mikey is picking an argument over Tom staying. If anything, Tom expected him to just stay quiet. He doesn't owe Mikey any explanation but Tom thinks of you and everything you've told him and Tom is the bigger person.

"Leave 'im alone." Harrison's brows pulled together into a scowl.

"'S fine, Haz." Tom glances to Harrison with the role of his shoulders before peering back at Mikey. "When you care 'bout someone, you don't leave because there's an argument. You walk out of the room, let it cool down, and you talk it out. It's that fuckin' simple. I like her so I'll be here whenever she needs me."

Mikey leans back in his seat, arms crossing as he stares at Tom. He's trying his hardest to find every possible reason to hate him but Tom just keeps throwing every reason to like him. There's always going to be the aspect of Tom working with Arthur but the way Tom treats you makes up for it. He doesn't treat you like other people have and he looks at you like you make his world go round. Mikey wants to hate him but Tom makes it hard.

"Her mom brings up alota shit for her, sends her into a spiral. She has a breakdown, takes it out on people she cares about. That's you." Mikey says, eyes still looking at Tom but they've lost their disdain. "She'll be up there at least an hour cooling off. You did the right thing leaving her alone and coming down here." Mikey's voice remains flat, almost reluctant on telling Tom anything.

"Doesn't feel like it." Tom says, leaning back against the couch, running his hand through his hair once more.

"That's proof you did the right thing." Matty states, looking over to Tom.

"Why's she take it out on people?" Tom asks.

"She's scared." Mikey states. "Flight or fight and y/n's a fighter."

"Is she gonna be alright?" Tom's voice slightly distressed.

Mikey nods once. "Yeah, she'll be fine."

"What about you?" Harrison asks eyeing Tom.

"Fine." Tom says shortly.

Harrison shakes his head, letting out a breath. Tom doesn't walk away from people. He never has so Harrison knows it's eating at him but that doesn't mean Harrison doesn't agree. He would have walked away, too but that's always where they differed. Harrison just worries that if this doesn't work out, if this fight is too much or if you pull away completely, it'll ruin Tom.

Tom sighs and stares at the TV. The house is silent besides whatever show is playing. There's no sound coming from the upstairs, just silence. Silence isn't always comforting but for you, it is. While the boys are downstairs, you've been cooling off, sitting at your desk. Your eyes sting from crying, they're puffy and everything looks foggy. Your nose is clogged and your entire body aches, a lump still jumping between your heart and throat. Everything was going so well and then your mom just had to show up.

You should have expected it but you felt safe with Tom. That's the issue with finding sanctuary in a person. It all seems so real but it's not. Sure, they're safe but they aren't bulletproof. No human is bulletproof and they can't protect anyone from everything. They can try to lessen the blow, but that bullet is still gonna hit and it just might go through both of them. It's a tough and painful spot for everyone. You knew better but you did it anyway because damn it, you deserve to be happy. But now, you're certain you've messed it up because you don't handle your problems "properly". You know you're wrong and if it were reversed, you would have walked out, too but that doesn't ease the guilt or regret.

Then again, sometimes, guilt and regret can be good.

You flip the page of your book and something clicks. Your eyes widen and your thoughts start going a mile a minute as you jump from your seat, searching for the laptop. Guilt and regret can make some people wallow and shut down but not you. You use it to your advantage. With a few clicks on the laptop, you're able to view what you need to and you have a plan.

You quickly grab your phone and head for the door. As far as you know, Tom left but that doesn't mean Harrison isn't there and that doesn't mean you can't catch a bus or a train or even walk to Tom's apartment if you have to. However, you stop dead in your tracks when you see over the railing to the living room and the back of Tom's head, him sitting right next to Harrison. Your sudden rushing and stopping grabbed all of their attention. Your eyes don't even look at anyone besides Tom.

"I...I thought you...."

Tom's heart pounds in his ears as he gets a look at you. Eyes red and hair messy as if you'd run your hand through it a hundred times. It hurts. "Told you I wouldn't." Tom says and his voice is gentle.

"Are you okay?" Harrison pipes up.

You nod. "Always, yeah."

"You were coming down here pretty fast." Matty chimes in.

"Yeah....I, uh," You stutter, looking back to Tom. "Was gonna go find....you." You bite your lip and your cheeks start to heat up.

"You found me." Tom states.

"Yeah, can we talk?" You rush your words, your head jerking up the stairs.

Tom nods and pushes himself off the couch, making his way to you. He's nervous as he follows you to your room and you are, too. Tom doesn't know exactly what you're going to say, if you're still mad, which he doubts but it's in his head. He wonders if he messed it up but you, you're just worried that you're going to mess things up further because yes, you're going to relay a plan to help him out of Arthur's game but that means you need to apologize and more than that, it means you need to explain a few more things. People run when it gets dark and twisty.

"Okay," You take a deep breath as you close your door. "I'm sorry." You sniffle once, your eyes just meeting Tom's. "You're right. I-I, uh, yeah, when shit hits the fan, I fuck people because there's no talking and no one wants to talk about the shit after sex. It gets me off for a night until I can think of some bullshit or some way to sugarcoat it. And....you don't...you don't deserve that."

Tom nods, taking a seat on the edge of your bed, watching you and waiting to see if there's more before he says anything.

"I....I just," You suck on your teeth, dodging his stare. "I, really like you and," Your eyes go to the right, shame filling your expression. "It scares the hell out of me. I can fight people three times the size of me and I'm not scared. I'm scared of heights but I can face it. I, um, I'm scared of ending up like my mom but I know I won't. But...there's...." You lick your lips and pick at your nails, your eyes coming back to Tom's. "There's you. And you aren't a variable. You're a person. When I'm with you, you make my brain stall like...I don't have to be ten steps ahead of everyone all the damn time. Like.....I can breathe for the first time since....forever. So, when my mom shows up, I feel like I should have seen it coming. There was probably something and I missed it because I can breathe and I can relax and I don't have to fuckin' think with you and Tommy, it scares the hell out of me. And I took it out on you and I'm sorry because I shouldn't have. You deserve better." You croak out the last part, trying not to break all over again.

The guilt is radiating off of you but that's not what's making Tom reach out of his arm, signaling for you to come to him. It's what you just said. Tom knows how you feel about feeling vulnerable and talking but you can be with him and you admit it. You admit it with your faults and Tom had already forgiven you before you even spoke but hearing it, that makes him know he doesn't deserve better because you're better. You're a mess but everyone is a little messy.

"'S alright." Tom says, softly, you standing between his legs, your hands on his shoulders and his hands on your hips.

"I....I, um, I...." You stammer, your hands squeezing his shoulders. "I don't....wanna lose you and I'm...scared I'm gonna fuck it up."

Tom shakes his head and squeezes your hips. "You still got me." He says simply, the prettiest and smallest smile coming to his face. "'M not gonna go anywhere, I promise." Your eyes start to water and Tom pulls you closer, his arms wrapping around your waist as he looks up to you. "Cause I really like you, too and it's like I can breathe around you, too."

You let out a graceful chuckle, shaking your head before resting your forehead against his. Tom's eyes lock with yours and the smile that had formed faulters. Tom nudges your nose before kissing you softly and the smile comes right back. Your both pulled back into each other with one kiss. It's endlessly addicting and both of you are positive it would be devastating to have to go a day without it. You pull away, eyes gentle and lip between your teeth.

"Do you wanna talk about it?" Tom asks, voice kind and dulcet.

"No," You huff. "But I will."

You move out of Tom's grasp and sit beside him. You let out a breath and Tom watches you carefully, surprised you're willing to talk. You've said a lot so he's surprised but he's so proud that you'll talk. Whatever pieces of you that are supposed to be shattered, they're gluing themselves back together and maybe Tom is just someone handing you the pieces.

"Okay, where do you want me to start?" You ask.

"Whenever you want." Tom states.

"Uh...." You scratch the side of your head, scrunching your face. "Okay....Arthur is the reason my mom is back. At least, I'm pretty sure because she's dressed pretty well and even from where I was, I could tell she was high. She doesn't have any connections here anymore besides Arthur because she burned them all. There's no reason for her to come back."

"Wait," Tom shakes his head. "Your mum knows Arthur, not just you?"

"Sadly." You roll your eyes. "She was fuckin' him for drug money when she burned out everyone else. Don't really know how they met but it's Arthur and he's a slimy fuck and so is my mom so they probably just saw each other and bam. The rest is history, I guess." There's venom in your words as you lay back. "I think Arthur did it because we both fought well this past weekend."

Arthur did look pleased by Tom's fight but he didn't with your fight. Tom's getting better and so are you. You're getting closer. You get closer, you get better in the ring. That's not looking good for Arthur. He takes all the low blows and you're more than aware of it.

Tom lays back with you, pulling up one of his knees and resting the heel of his foot on the edge of the bed. "Sounds like him." Tom agrees, his eyes staring at your ceiling. "What d'you plan to do then?"

"Ignore her until she fucks off." You groan. "Sure, she's here and it sent me into a tailspin but she's not gonna fuck up anything else. She'll be gone by Monday."

After the talk you and Tom originally had about your mom, he knows you're probably right but it breaks his heart that you know that. Maybe it's better to know she won't stick around but it's heartbreaking nonetheless. As a kid, you shouldn't have had to deal with your mom leaving in order to give you this impression. You don't need your mom showing up and acting like she cares. If you're right, Arthur is paying her off. It took someone paying your mother to show up. It's disgusting.

"I'm sorry, y/n." Tom turns his head, his eyes being met with the side of your face.

"Yeah, me, too." You shake your head, glancing to him.

"That how you know Arthur?" Tom asks.

You face him and turns her head. "Nope. I knew about him but I never met him until after my mom was long gone. You ready for this bit of the story?" Tom quirks a brow but nods. "Ian? The guy I owe money to? Yeah, he had a brother who worked for Arthur. Same shit as you. He was threatened and so he told Ian because shit like that scares a person. So, Ian knows I'm good with tech, he tells me he'll let me off the hook if I can pin Arthur for this shit. I agree because that's a fuck ton better than being in debt to a scumbag like Ian and I mean, Arthur's a piece of shit anyway. We get this plan that I'll hit up Arthur's office and Ian's brother will distract him. Arthur got a tip, probably from someone in the office and Ian's brother had a choice. His life or mine. So he pins me down with Arthur and Arthur brands me."

"So, you tried to prove what he was doing with his fighters? That's what happened?" Tom's eyes scan your face and you nod.

"Yeah, uh, I don't like Arthur anyway, obviously but he sells his boxers. He uses them and sells them if they lose so yeah. I got caught though, Ian's brother's lost, he was gone the next day and no one's seen or heard from him since. Ian doubled my debt. Arthur knew I wouldn't go to the cops because what the hell am I gonna say? I was illegally hacking into one of Chicago's finest computer's in his own office so he branded me? Yeah, not a good idea."

Tom's stomach drops as he listens to you recount the events. He knows. Arthur showed him what's on the laptop. It's an auction. He does sell his boxers and Tom knew but actually hearing you say it, hearing you say it happened, that's something else. Tom hoped that it was some twisted scare tactic but you've just crushed that small bit of hope. People don't disappear.

"Why not just tell them what you know?" Tom tries to reason, him trying to keep his mind from wandering and freaking out too much.

"Arthur probably transferred everything to a hard drive elsewhere until he knew it was safe, that I wouldn't say shit. And.....uh...he kind of.....miight have....more....on...me." You trail off.

Tom's eyes narrow as he stares at you. "What else is there?"

"So....you saw Travis." You look away from him, his stare making you fiddle with your fingers.

"Yeah, yeah I did. What happened?" Tom loses the shocked tone, switching to one of apathy.

"Remember when I said he could have been extraordinary?"

"Yeah," Tom nods, moving to his side and using one of his hands to hold his head up. "'Bout hockey."

"Yeah," You look to him. "He was." You sit up and chew your cheek, your jaw squaring as you face Tom. "He found out he had a spine condition. It's where his spine narrows in his lower back. People can't play professional sports with it because it's a liability. If the spine gets hit right, that's it. Ya know? Well," You roll your eyes. "My dad didn't know because why the hell would a kid need their spine x-rayed? So, when they did a physical for the Hawks, they found it and my brother was able to get this doctor to lie for him. Proof we're siblings, I guess. Talk anyone into anything if we try hard enough." Your words drip with snark and venom. "So, he goes to play for the Blackhawks. The dream. He did it. Until a year later when someone body checked him into the boards and that was it. Everything got stripped. Insurance, career, paychecks, his ability to walk. The money he had saved went to medical bills and it didn't take long before they piled up. And he's in constant pain. Constant pain means painkillers. He needs narcotics. They're expressive."

"What'd you do?" Tom's tone is low and touched with hints of worry.

"I got involved with Ian and started dealing. I had to make the money and I had to get Travis his meds. You do for family and desperate people do desperate things. My dad was pulling overtime every time he could but he was union. If there wasn't work, there wasn't work. His boss and co-workers let him take extra shifts when they could but it wasn't enough. So, I...I did what I had to."

"What happened?" Tom reaches out to you, his fingers lightly tapping your knee. His heart is aching with everything you're saying and he just wants you to know he's there and it's okay.

"Arthur caught me dealing. His nephew or something had gotten into drugs so he was tracking down who was selling to him. It was me because that's my life." You scoff. "He had one of his employees buy from me with a wire and shit and he had photos. It's another reason he knows I wouldn't go to the cops over the burn. He's got blackmail."

"Why wouldn't he just turn you in after you broke into his office?"

You were afraid of that question. You're pretty sure you know why but it's not something you're ready to get into. Before, you never had any intention on telling Tom every single detail but this bit especially. However, your mind has changed because Tom just takes everything in. He absorbs it all like a sponge and just lets it be. It's comforting, just not comforting enough to let you tell him now. You'll tell him, just when you don't need to explain a thousand different things at the same time. So, you opt for a response that isn't a lie.

"I think he's saving it for when he needs it. He didn't need it then. I can do whatever I want but the second I start talking to cops, that's when he'll flip."

This is all a lot for Tom take in. He knew it was going to be bad and complicated but he really didn't expect to get it all at once. Everything seems to be connected and Tom's head is just spinning so he can only imagine how you're feeling. You've been involved with a lot for years it seems and he gets it. The more he finds out the more he understands why you snap and why you're afraid of letting people in. He's almost certain he wouldn't last if he were in your position. He felt like he could crumble just from Arthur alone, let alone everything else you're dealing with. You're unbelievably resilient.

"Where's that leave you then?" Tom asks.

"I have to have everything on Arthur. If I can get everything, what he has on me, won't matter." Your expression is harsh, full of determination.

An all too familiar feeling comes to Tom's stomach, one that says you're onto something and it'll be a lot to handle but he pushes it away because you wouldn't have that expression or be telling him that if you didn't need him. So, Tom sits up, feet planting on the floor. "Okay, whatever you need. I'll help."

"Funny you should say that." You grin, moving off the bed and going to your desk. You look to Tom, a glint in your eyes as Tom just watches you in curiosity and slight amusement at your sudden change. "I have a plan."