I led Thomas down the hallway to my bedroom and quickly closed the door behind us, flopping down on my bed. He stayed near the door looking around, a small smile on his face.
“What?” I stared at him.
“I like your bedroom,” he laughed, “it’s very… you. The true you. Not the grumpy you.”
My childhood bedroom was done in all shades of blue, from arctic to denim, all of the furniture white to match the clouds, moon, and stars I had painstakingly handpainted above my bed when I was 16. The only thing that had changed from when I was small was the size of my bed. Instead of the twin I had until I was 13, there now sat a massive king size platform bed in the middle of the room, my dresser against the wall at the end of my bed with my television sitting on top of it.
“Yeah. I know,” I shrugged.
“Where… am I going to sleep?”
“Ah… I guess… you can just sleep next to me but,” I grabbed my body pillow and set it in the middle of the bed, “you stay on that side.”
“Oh my God I won’t try and touch you I promise,” he huffed, dropping his bag into my computer chair before sitting on the side of the bed, “I don’t want to do anything that will upset you. Do you… trust me?”
“No.”
“Oh,” his expression fell, “right…”
“Tommy… I do… I just…” rolling onto my stomach, I reached over and grabbed his arm, “I just really like messing with you. I’m sorry. I didn’t think about the fact that would upset you.”
“Okay,” he nodded, still not looking at me.
“Hey,” I poked him, “hey. Hey. Hey.”
“Oh my God stop,” he snorted, “it tickles. I’m just… not sure what to do with myself right now. Normally, I’m helping my parents. Instead, I’m just sorta sitting here with you. What do you normally do when you’re home like this?”
“Well, Cal and I would build snowmen, even now. Then, I’d go with Violet and Orion to this fun winter festival in Boise. I’d spend the rest of the time watching movies until Christmas. Christmas is insane around here, by the way. It’s my grammy Joanna’s birthday. You’ll get to meet her on Christmas with my grandpa Thatcher. He’s like me and uncle Connor. Anyway, then I just rest. I use being home as a chance to just… be myself. I don’t have to hide here.”
“You never had to hide around me, Aero,” he whispered, studying me, “but I know why you do. It’s okay. Remember? I already knew who you were.”
“Yeah… yeah I know,” I nodded, resting my head on my arms as I closed my eyes.
“Um… can I lay down too? I’m tired.”
“Sure,” I shifted a bit and Thomas laid on my other pillow, pulling some of the blankets around himself.
I turned my back to him, wrapping my arms around a separate pillow as I fought the urge to fall asleep, a loud yawn escaping me.
“I’m gonna take a small nap,” Thomas whispered.
“Okay.”
The sound of gentle breathing filled the room a few minutes later and I rolled over to face Thomas hesitantly. Taking a moment to enjoy the peace, I slowly studied him, a small smile on my face. Thomas was conventionally attractive, his jaw and nose sharp and angular, his smile wide and lips puffy but fitting. The freckles only spread across his nose and cheeks, two larger beauty spots on the right side under his lip and on his chin. He had red marks on either side of his nose and I realized that this had to be because he wore glasses but never around me. His hair was bright red, not deep auburn like mine, and where mine was wavy, his was coiled tightly and reaching his shoulders except for a few that liked to settle across his forehead. My favorite feature was the perfectly trimmed beard he had that framed his face.
You’re cute when you’re quiet.
Blushing at my own thoughts, I closed my eyes, resting my hand close to Thomas so that I could still sense that he was there, a fear that he would be gone when I woke up from my nap suddenly settling into my chest.
“Aero? Tommy?” Shiloh’s voice came through the door and I groaned, my eyes still closed.
“What Pa?” I called back.
“Dinner is ready. Take your time.”
“Mhm,” yawning, I cuddled back down when I realized that there was a warmth in my hand. Opening my eyes slowly, I found Thomas’ fingers laced with my own, his chest still rising and falling slowly in a deep sleep.
Oh what the…
Based on the positioning…
I grabbed him.
But he didn’t pull away.
His hand is small but rough.
I like it…
Shaking my head, I slowly let go of Thomas’ hand and kicked him gently in the shin, “Tommy? Thomas? Chip!”
“Fuckin… what?” he muttered, wiping at his mouth, “what Aero?”
“It’s dinner. We slept for like 4 hours.”
“Ah… right. We’re at your parents,” he finally opened his eyes before closing them again, “son of a bitch.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Slept in my contacts. My eyes burn. Where’s your bathroom?”
“I have my own. It’s through the door next to the closet.”
“Thanks,” he slowly climbed out of bed and grabbed two cases from his backpack before going into my bathroom.
I changed my shirt quickly while he was gone and made my way into the dining room, stretching and fluffing my hair before scratching at my stomach and flopping down in a chair across from Kai, “hey Dad. Where is everyone?”
“Their houses,” Kai shrugged, “it’s just us four tonight.”
“Why were you cooking so much then?”
“Getting things ready for Christmas. Some stuff needs to be made or at least prepared early.”
“Fair enough. What are we having?”
“Shi made a vegetable biryani for you.”
“Is there enough for Chip?”
“My name is Tommy, Eeyore,” Thomas sat next to me, yawning loudly as he cleaned a pair of black, round-framed glasses on his shirt.
“I like Chip more,” I bumped him with my shoulder.
“There should be enough for Tommy too,” Shiloh called, coming into the dining room in his wheelchair, “I didn’t realize he was vegan as well or I would have made more.”
“Oh, it’s fine, Mr. Hartley,” Thomas smiled brightly, “I don’t eat much anyway.”
“We have fruit and other things I knew Aero would want so if you’re still hungry, feel free. Also, don’t call me Mr. Hartley. Shiloh is fine. Or even Shi. Same with Kai. Just call us by our names.”
“Thank you,” Thomas nodded.
Getting to my feet, I grabbed dinner for myself and Thomas, setting a bowl down in front of him before taking my seat, “Pa, what about you and Dad?”
“We ate. You guys didn’t wake up the first time I came to the door.”
“Actually,” Kai smiled, “I’m taking Shi out tonight. We’re heading to Boise for our annual trip.”
“Don’t you normally go on New Years?” I asked with my mouth full.
“God you still have the worst manners,” Kai sighed, “normally yes. But it’s full this year so we’re just going early.”
“Alright. Will you be back tomorrow?”
“We’re coming back early Christmas Day. So it’ll just be you two here until then. Can you make sure to thaw the pies in the freezer tomorrow?” Shiloh smiled, “just put them in the fridge for me.”
“Mhm,” I nodded.
“This is so good,” Thomas wiggled next to me, eating quickly, “thank you so much!”
“You’re very welcome, Tommy,” Shiloh laughed softly, “at least someone appreciates my attempts.”
“Hey!” I pouted, “I do appreciate it. This is my favorite thing you make.”
“But it’s not your favorite food,” Thomas smiled at me, “your favorite is that ramen I make. You said so yourself.”
“Sh… shut up, Chip,” I took a bite of food to hide the warmth in my cheeks.
“Never,” he shrugged.
“Well…” Kai smiled, “be good while we’re gone, boys. Aero, I picked up your prescription. Don’t forget the injection okay?”
“I know. You remember too,” I nodded.
“I have a pump, I only do the shots if it’s an emergency.”
“Can I… um…”
“Yes. You can drink as long as you don’t leave the house,” Shiloh smiled, “same rules dad used to give auntie Juni before she was 21. You’re almost 20. If we lived in the UK you’d be able to go to bars.”
“Oh that’s the same rule my dad Killian has!” Thomas laughed, “he always tells Theo “but babe! I was getting drunk in pubs at 18, why can’t Tommy drink in the house?” it was funny because Killian is about your size, Shiloh, and Theodore is probably a foot taller. I think just a bit shorter than Alder. Alder is definitely the same size as my uncle Jace.”
“Why are you so fuckin’ short then?” I laughed.
“Ah. Yeah I have an issue with my pituitary gland. I stopped growing at 14.”
“Same as Isaac,” Shiloh smiled, “he stopped growing at that age and I was always going to be tiny. I have a rare condition.”
“Blood?”
“Yes?”
“Hemophilia?”
“Um… yes,” Shiloh nodded, his eyes wide, “how the hell?”
“I love to read. Medical textbooks and things on anatomy are my favorites. I learned a lot about conditions that were once a death sentence that are now able to be managed thanks to medications. Hemophilia, diabetes, and certain STDs come up a lot. It was fascinating.”
“Why didn’t you focus on medicine?” I looked at him surprised.
“Hm… I’m not good at science. It confuses me. I’m also horrific at math. Why do you think I’m a junior in a beginning statistics class with you?”
“I just assumed you needed extra credits.”
“Nah. High school came super easy to me and thanks to my uncle Jace being the principal, I was able to test out early. But getting to college showed that uh… I’m not that smart. Just good at memorization. I don’t even think I’ll make a very good teacher to be honest. It’s not like I wanted to do that originally.”
“What did you want to do?” Kai smiled.
“Ironically? Run a cafe. Like you. But I… didn’t want to disappoint my parents. My sister teaches English and music in Japan, my dad Theo is a vet and Killian is a professor. I have an uncle who is a principal, my grandpa Lucas owned 4 mechanics shops and my Papa Adrian used to run a daycare. Uncle Gabriel… I know he works for the state of Indiana but I have no idea doing what. Aunt Cece is also a teacher. It just… seemed as if it’s what I should do and…”
“Your parents clearly love you, Tommy,” Shiloh looked at him with compassion, “I bet if you told them the truth, they’d understand.”
“Maybe,” he sighed, “but I don’t know…”
“You’re 19. If you’re unsure you could always take time off school,” Kai slowly started to clear the dining table, “it wouldn’t be the end of the world. If you never went back, you could still own a business. Shiloh did.”
“Really?” Thomas looked at Shiloh in surprise.
“Mhm. I dropped out of college because Kai made my dream to be a baker come true. Now, I run a bookshop and have published multiple cookbooks, a few children's books, and a romance series. I accomplished all of that with only an AS in geographical science. You have to have an AA by now right?”
“Mhm. In literature.”
“That’s more than enough. Think about what you want from your life, not what others want. Anyway,” Shiloh stretched, “that’s enough of being philosophical with a kid that isn’t ours. We’ll head out now. Be good. Take care of the house. If you drink, don’t leave the house okay?”
“We won’t,” I smiled.
“Good. Love you, Aero.”
“Love you both.”
Kai and Shiloh both gave me a hug and after Kai fluffed Thomas’ hair they left. I began washing the dishes and Thomas joined me, taking them from me so that he could dry them.
“Thank you,” I whispered, embarrassed.
“You’re welcome.”
We finished the dishes in a comfortable silence, Thomas clearly lost in thought before we made our way to the living room.
“I really like this house,” he smiled, looking around.
“It’ll be mine someday,” I smiled back, “my parents are planning to move in with my grandparents to take care of them as soon as I graduate. Then, I’ll take over the bookshop and hire someone to run the front of the cafe for me. I already know how to bake everything and do the orders and stuff. I used to work for my parents during high school.”
“How many bedrooms does this place have?”
“5. There’s an acre of land off the back. We used to have two mini goats, a dog, and a farm cat. But they’ve all passed and my parents couldn’t bring themselves to replace them.”
“Sounds like my parents. We had two dogs when I was little, Brodie and Flora, but my dads were heartbroken when we lost them. Even though Theo is a vet, he won’t get anymore for them. Plus they like to travel.”
“My parents too,” I laughed, “so… what do you want to do now?”
“Movie?”
“Sure.”
We watched a movie quietly, sharing a blanket even though I was a full cushion away from him, wanting to have my space as always. There was a sudden surging sound and the house went black, the power going out.
“Oh, what the fuck?” I sighed, getting up and grabbing my phone, turning on my flashlight, “dammit.”
“Is this normal?” Thomas called from his spot.
“Sometimes,” opening the front door, I looked down the block and realized that all of the other houses were also without power, “it’s every house. It must be because of the snow.”
“It’s going to get freezing in here,” he sighed softly, coming over and placing a hand on my shoulder, “I don’t see well at all in the dark. I’m sorry to touch you but I don’t want to fall.”
“Here,” reaching up, I took his hand and laced my fingers with his, “let’s just go to my room. It’ll be warmer if we grab as many blankets as we can and get in bed.”
“Okay.”
I led Thomas back to my room and left him on the bed, running through the house to grab as many blankets as I could find, the cold starting to leak into the house. Tossing them onto the bed, I climbed in next to Thomas, my teeth chattering.
“That cold?” Thomas whispered.
“Yes,” I shivered.
“Do… do you want to cuddle? You can hold me and… it’ll keep us warm. It’s just to keep us warm…”
“I…”
“I know how you feel about touch, Sparrow, but I’m not trying to take advantage of the cold. It would be bad if we got sick.”
“Okay,” I whispered and rolled onto my side, tucking myself around Thomas, one arm sliding under his neck and the other tightly around his waist, my knees matching with his, “you’re… um… you fit really well here…”
“I… noticed that too,” he covered one of my hands with his own.
My awkwardness slowly faded the longer we lay there, Thomas humming softly as he played with my hand, making me smile and I buried my face into his hair.
“Aero?” Thomas laughed.
“Shh.”
“Oh come on! It’s so dark and quiet.”
“I know. I love it. You broke the peace.”
He huffed softly and I laughed, squeezing him tightly, “Sparrow! Too tight!”
“I… don’t want to let go,” I muttered, “Tommy…”
“Aero?” He looked at me over his shoulder, hard to see in the dark.
“Yes?”
“Can I… No. I’m going to have to leave you eventually. Go back to Indiana.”
“I… know.”
Thomas went quiet again and I cuddled closer, my forehead against the nape of his neck.
I don’t want him to leave.
Maybe…
I can go to Indiana.
Delilah always wanted to take over the stores.
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