— he enjoyed seeing. his favourite people in one place.
he follows after her. “it was a hobby at one point, maybe thought it could have been something. . .” shoulders lift in a shrug.
“this is more fun anyways. he’s gonna be excited to have another person to show off to.”
“i think my opinions have some weight and legitimacy behind them,” tommy defends lightly, his skull made of something stubborn, as they all are.
“promise i won’t let a drop of anything get near you,” he assures the new pet like a normal being. “and p wouldn’t let that happen —
her smirk grows. “like you. . . 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 to you. right.”
but as she watches him with the tiny creature, a more genuine smile forms. how cute. “so, just don’t spill food on the kittens, and you’ll be fine. she likes you.”
at the mention of dinner at his sister’s —
— to you either. between us two—or three, i can take the blows.”
he assists with what he can bring in one arm, the other cradling the purring ball. thomas mirrors her nod with his own and a pleased smile. being around his nephew with paige in attendance was always something —
like the weakened man he becomes around her he almost loses his train of thought at her soft lips, already hoping for another, which she provides.
“they’re not. . .” he takes a second to think it over. “okay, well, contrary to your belief, ryker isn’t a loser. he’s cool, like —
“that’s a good thing, don’t you think? you don’t always keep the best company.” smirking faintly as her lips find tommy’s, paige hums.
“i mean. . . your friends are losers.” she gives him a peck, then pulls back to pet the kitten, who sits surprisingly still in the strange —
— me.” pleased smile.
he gently rocks back and forth, like he was holding a baby. he doesn’t have much experience with pets. “is it really? me too. joan and i were never the same after the oatmeal thing.”
“𝘸𝘦 are going over to george’s for dinner. i’ve been recruited to —
— body twisting to avoid a face full of fur. free arm catching her waist. “i’ll get you one from space, if you want?”
“are you free for the day? you should come with me.”
“that’s exciting.” he smiles wickedly, hoping for the dawn of that day.
“your taste is rubbing off on me, i think.” when he approaches her he’s got one of the cats in tow. whether the pet enjoyed his grasp or not was subjective. “which one do i have right now?”
he leans in, —
thomas spoils her, truly. it isn’t lost on her that some men might stop making an effort after so long in a relationship. but not him. she adores the ruffian more than she can put into words—the way he reserves this softer side for her.
“you’re going to give that man a —
— candy’s from germany. and there is a ring, actually, from turkey. somewhere there. i swear the lady selling it had a third eye and was probably a hundred years old. she said it was lucky. maybe you’ll be stuck with some handsome bloke for the rest of your life.”
“well, since you’re begging me to, i’ll keep it ‘til i can’t stand it.” he’s kidding. he’d walk into the sun for her if she asked.
“they’re cute, p. real fluffy.” he’s creeping towards them again in hopes of snatching one up.
tommy smiles to himself as he glances at —
“i think you should keep it like that for a bit if it doesn’t bug you this summer.”
her nose scrunches at the mention of her cousin, eyes on tommy. “𝘦𝘸, no. one ryker is enough. besides, storm is a girl. the bigger one is a boy. shade,” she explains.
“but clawing rowle’s —
— her beginning to inspect the souvenirs, confident she’ll enjoy his curated picks.
“just a couple things. mum and i were going toe to toe on who could spend the longest at the shops. dad hated it, so i loved it,” he snickers.
“the scarves are from spain and most of the —
“you think so?” a hand flies up to his head once more as he queries, half-serious. “i was going to chop it, honestly, but if you say so. . .”
happily, he follows her in, trusting her guidance while his field of view occupies itself on her. his gaze only breaks at the mention —
they’re hopeless, honestly. it’s nice to know that they’re on the same page though. their opinions are the only ones that matter here. tommy’s lips find hers, and she fights a dumb smile as she returns his kiss.
𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯?
—
— crouches, approaching the two cautiously. “maybe these two can come claw his face off. did you name them tommy and ryker?”
remembering the gifts still hanging from his arm, tommy shoots up to hold out the bag for her. “the trip was alright. dad was annoying as hell, mum —