Chapter Text
You thrash around so much that your captor immobilises your movement, you can’t even scream as even your vocal cords were immobilised. You only stare with wide eyes as Dumbledore ties you to a chair, you hope your hateful looks convey exactly how you feel and if given the choice you will absolutely kill him.
When he swishes his wand, you’re able to speak but the first thing you do is scream so loud you hurt your own eardrums too. He hexes your mouth shut, and then says with a sigh, “Miss (Y/N), you’re a smart girl, I’m only here to ask you a few questions but once I’m done I will let you get back to your friends.”
There’s still a visible angry glare on your eyes that makes him add, “I know hurting you won’t do much, so I will have to resort to old tricks and tell you that I will hurt your friends instead,” that removes your angry look instantly, it’s wiped away with concern that satisfies him, “now, if I allow you to speak you will answer me clearly and honestly because if you don’t I will hurt each of your friends.”
His words aren’t a threat, that much you can tell, it’s a promise.
So, when he counterspells the hex, your lips are glued shut and all you’re able to do is dig your nails harshly into your palm, cursing yourself for even getting caught.
You’re just grateful that Tom and your friends are safe and sound, possibly still looking for you. All Dumbledore wants are answers, and you would just give him information that won’t put your friends in danger.
“I heard you met up with Grindelwald, care to tell me what he asked you to do?” he asked calmly.
“He didn’t ask me to do anything yet.” You answer honestly.
“I don’t know why I don’t believe you.” He says, and you let out an annoyed exhale, “He just told me to be on stand in case he needed my assistance.”
“You keep saying ‘my’ as if I don’t know that you and Tom both went to meet him.” Dumbledore said, possibly to scare you but you only scoffed as you shook your head, “And you keep saying that you heard, but you don’t see me asking about the mole.”
“I can tell you who’s the mole, it’s not like knowing about it would even make you run to Grindelwald and tell him.” Dumbledore stood up, pouring tea into a fine china teacup and extending one to you.
He must be having the time of his life sipping on his tea, and placing one in front of you knowing that you won’t even be able to reach out for it with your binded body. Still, you frown at his words more than his actions and spit, “what the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“It means that you’re too much of a coward to do that, you will never betray her like that. Not again.”
There’s a heavy realisation that dawns on your mind. But you still refuse to believe it, your frown deepens and you hope with all your might that you don’t look younger to him like you feel. Like a betrayed child. Is this how she felt when you fled Aisha’s group?
“Miss Canna told me everything I needed to know.”
You hope your expression is opposite to how you feel, you look away when he looks to long at you. Gauging if you gained back your memories.
You say firmly, “Who’s Canna?”
Dumbledore sighs with exhaustion, “Miss (Y/N) I hope you don’t take me for a fool, she told me you got your memories back. I don’t know how, but what’s important is that you got them anyway.” He says, then adds while you’re absorbing everything he’s telling you due to your shock, “Does she work for him? It’s all a facade, like you and Tom pretending to be perfect students and that you’re not working together.”
He lifts the fine china again, and you zone into its rosy pattern to distract yourself from your reality.
“I know Tom is planning to do even more heinous things than Grindelwald. But since he’s more analytical, I know he will think it through and I know he will almost make it. I won’t let him, of course,” He takes a sip from the tea.
You hear the promise in his tone, “What do you want me to do?” you finally ask, looking at him.
“Disappear.” He simply says, you stare at him and wait for him to elaborate.
“Grindelwald right now is my main concern, and when I defeat him. Like the prophecy said, I don't want to concern myself about you and Tom.”
You aren’t even able to argue yourself out of this one. Dumbledore was aware of everything. He was going to stop you and Tom form your plans. While you didn’t care much for Tom’s plans, and only did it to be closer to him and because every breathing and waking moment of your life you just wanted to be reunited with him.
“You know, I’m elected to be the headmaster after Dippet retires, and he’s retiring this year.” Dumbledore adds.
After everything you did to be with Tom, now you’re told to be away from him.
There’s no question that Dumbledore would do the absolute most to hurt him. Tom was still vulnerable, he was a student at Hogwarts and you know that eventually Professor Dumbledore would be elected to be the headmaster because of how long he’s been teaching at Hogwarts and how well-liked he is.
Maybe it will happen in a few months, maybe in a year or two. You were about to enter sixth year, so every single day till graduation for Tom would be a threat under Dumbledore when he becomes Headmaster.
You don’t want that for Tom. Just because he was associated with you. He lost everything just like you did, and Hogwarts means the world for him.
“Fine.” You say with tears fogging your eyes.
“Perfect. I will tell Zane about our little talk, I’m sure he will arrange something for you to like your day silently.” Dumbledore says, standing up from his chair and then rounding the table to look down at you bound to your chair.
“Now tell me what is it that you’re going to do now?” He asks, with condescension vibrant and loud in his tone.
“I will live as quietly as death.” You say, looking down.
“You sure are a smart girl.” He says, then swishes his wand to let go of your bounds. Then he gestures at the dingy door of the questionable place he took you to, “now get going, do whatever you think is right.”
You almost want to scoff at his words. You think the right thing is to kill him right then and there. You were free, had your wand with you and you were strong enough to mutter an “Avada Kedavara” and flee the scene.
But who knows how many people are working with him. If Canna joined him, means he had a respectful number since she always cared about self-preservation. If you managed to kill him, then who knows what they will do to your friends, to your Tom?
With slumped shoulders, you apparate away.
You don’t instantly return to the Malfoy Manor, you had to free your heart of the heavy feelings which proved to be difficult. Even with time passing, you find yourself gaining more feelings and then exploding in a crying fit that then turns you numb. That’s when you took it as a sign to return to the Malfoy Manor.
Your hand only lifts to knock the door, but you don’t as it swings open and you’re first blinded by a bright blond head that brings you in a tight embrace along with a scream of your name.
“(Y/N)!” Abraxas’ arms are tight around your neck, and you’re so roughly pressed against his chest you feel all the oxygen sucked out of your body.
It’s so stupid that even after everything was set perfectly for you to disappear silently, you still returned just to say goodbye.
Abraxas pulls back, but before you could inhale a breath it’s Walburga and Nancy’s turn to bring you in a hug.
“Where in the world did you go?! We searched everywhere for you!” The former shouts, and the latter pulls her away to allow you to walk past the threshold of the door and in the foyer.
But your attention is stolen by all the decorations around the living room, it was decorations for someone’s birthday that much is clear. You storm your head to think if you missed any of your friends’ birthdays.
You quickly give up, knowing that that’s not the case. You point at the balloons as Orion is fussing with you about disappearing from Diagon Alley.
“Who’s birthday is it?” you ask with confusion.
Your friends exchange certain looks with each other, then the concern that was painted in their features is replaced by playfulness and happiness. As you’re observing the beautiful decorations in shades of pink and gold.
Nancy opens her mouth to speak, but she’s cut when her eyes fall on a figure behind you. Naturally, you turn to look at what she’s looking at and you're surprised to find Tom. Seeming like he just apparated to the Malfoy Manor threshold.
He looks at you with wide eyes, and then takes long steps to approach you, his palms are heavy on your shoulders as he looks down on you to check you for any injuries.
“Where were you? Where did you go?” he demands. The hold on your left shoulder is removed only for his palm to rest on your hot face, “Are you hurt?”
There are butterflies going crazy in your tummy, your joints have gone all fuzzy, your face very hot, and your mouth all dry. Still, you’re so shocked at his actions, but you have the mind to look at your friends in panic, having wishful thinking that they wouldn’t figure out your relationship with Tom. He made it so obvious, it’s like he wanted them to know it.
You can’t read Orion’s features, but you can see the realisation in Walburga and Nancy’s eyes. The former smiles teasingly as she hides her mouth with her palm, the latter’s jaw is slack but her lips are lifted in a grin.
Unable to look at their teasing smiles, you look into Tom’s forest-green eyes to get enchanted by them.
“I’m not hurt, I’m okay.” You answer, Tom lets out a sigh of relief. You think you’re off the hook for now, but he inquires firmly, “where did you go? I searched everywhere, I even went to Saint Mungo’s.”
“Saint Mungo’s? What’s that?” you ask, looking down and hoping that he would get the message of how embarrassed you were at him freely touching you like this.
“A hospital, I thought you went there.” He answered, then Abraxas added with a hint of teasing, just the right amount that only you would figure out because he was your best friend, “He was worried about you and that’s why he physically went there, even though my mother talked to them and they said they don’t have a patient with your name.”
You glance at him, and he shrugs his shoulders with a fake innocent smile.
“I’m here now, that’s all that matters.” You say, taking a hold of Tom’s right hand on your cheek and his left hand on your shoulder. You gently let go of them as the embarrassment was too much.
You didn’t mind being touched by your friends, but you couldn’t understand why if Tom did it then you would get so embarrassed.
You don’t even understand how he could freely touch you like that. Everyone knew just how much he hated physical touch, there were many times that he slapped your friends’ hands when they touched him accidentally.
So why was it so different with you? That prospect made your face even hotter.
“Anyways, what’s with the decorations?” You ask, taking one step away from Tom as the embarrassment of him freely touching you got the best of you. He makes the distance smaller, his movement is small and minor but it’s effect is violent on you.
“Who’s birthday do you think it is?” Abraxas responds with a roll of his eyes, you turn your confused gaze to your friends as you plead them to answer you. Nancy grins wide then approaches you, holding a golden tiara, she puts it over your hair gently as she grins, “yours, of course.” she answers.
Your heartbeat accelerates, and you feel like all the breath in your chest is knocked out. The burn in your eyes is distinct and familiar. In the blink of an eye, Walburga swishes her wand and the lights in the foyer are turned off, and swishes it again to light up the candles in the big chocolate cake that Orion holds and walks carefully to you.
“Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to our lovely (Y/N)!” their singing is synchronised to your shock, and it almost makes you want to laugh that they’ve been practising this in your absence. Possibly Orion forcing them to do so after your failure in singing a perfect song in his own birthday party.
Your tears are fogging your vision, and though you thought that you have no more tears to shed. They come running down as you gasp and sob, only this time with a smile as you watch them all continue singing this song to you.
Looking up to your right when you feel Tom holding your hand, he doesn’t sing with them but he is smiling fondly in a way that steals your breath away. Knowing that you want to keep this memory forever, you tighten your hold on his hand.
When the song finishes, you shut your eyes and join your hands together close to your heart as you wish that no harm will ever come to your friends, that they continue to be happy and healthy in your absence. You wish that Tom won’t miss you that much, you wish that he will get over your departure and forget about you soon.
In one last selfish wish, you wish that your new direction in life will be slightly kinder to you.
Then you blow the candles and make a silent vow to cherish this moment forever, even when you're far away. As the flickering flames dance atop the cake, casting warm shadows across the room, you feel a sense of bittersweet joy settling in your heart.
Opening your eyes, you're met with the smiling faces of your friends, their eyes gleaming with affection and mirth. Despite the turmoil you've faced and the uncertain path ahead, this moment of pure camaraderie fills you with a newfound strength. You will do this for them, you can do it.
“Thank you, all of you,” you whisper, your voice choked with emotion. “I... I don’t know what to say.”
Nancy steps forward, wrapping you in another tight hug. “You don’t have to say anything, (Y/N).” Orion makes Walburga hold the cake, and he brings you in an embrace that you weren’t expecting but accepting gladly.
“It’s not much, but I hope you liked it.” He says once he parts away. You grin and nod, “I loved it.”
He smiles back, and then steps away to allow Abraxas to hold you from your hand and bring you to the drawing room. He sits you down, then looks over his shoulder, “Wally, tell one of the house elves to make warm butterbeer for (Y/N).”
Abraxas doesn’t get a chance to sit besides you, as Tom does that and the latter only coldly stares at him with a raised eyebrow, almost daring him to comment.
The blonde smiles awkwardly then nods, “where were you? Something happened?” he demands.
You shake your head, and come up with a convincing lie on the spot, “I’m quite alright, I was looking for you around Diagon Alley then when the smoke and commotion became too much I apparated to Zane’s place,” you stop, then glancing at Tom and hoping that he believed your lie.
His expression is unreadable, and he stays silent, all of them stay silent so you add and hope that you sound more convincing, “then after a bit, I came here.”
“Why didn’t you apparate here?” Tom asks instantly, and you know that he caught onto your lie. Your heartbeat accelerates, “I, I thought it would be strange to come here…alone.”
Tom’s gaze is sharp and you know that he didn’t believe a single word you said. But to allow you some respite, he doesn’t press further and thankfully at that time. Walburga takes the butterbeer mug from one of the house elves and hands it to you.
“Here you go, drink up.” She tells you as you accept the mug.
You take a sip then look around, hoping to distract everyone else from your lies and not to think too long about them.
“I desperately want a piece of that cake, it looks delicious.” You comment, and Orion claps then gestures to the same house elf to cut it for you.
“We didn’t know which flavour to choose, there are just so many,” Abraxas says as he sits across from you, and Nancy sits next to him. He continues, “however, dear Tom informed us about your eternal love for chocolate cake.”
Your face turns hot as you glance at Tom, whose ears turn scarlet at Abraxas’ words. As you take another sip of the warm butterbeer, grateful for the distraction it provides, Walburga nods in agreement with Abraxas’ words. “Indeed, Tom spoke very highly of your fondness for chocolate cake. We couldn’t resist.”
Tom clears his throat awkwardly, his cheeks tinged with a faint blush. He looks away, and pretends that their talk is beneath him as if he isn’t scalded with shyness.
As the cake is served, you find yourself savouring each decadent bite, the rich chocolatey flavour melting on your tongue. It’s a simple indulgence, yet it brings a sense of comfort and familiarity that soothes your frayed nerves.
With each passing moment, the weight of your earlier lies begins to fade, replaced by the warmth of friendship and the camaraderie of your companions. And though the truth still lingers in the back of your mind, for now, you allow yourself to bask in the joy of the present moment, surrounded by those who care for you most.
The weight of their unwavering support washes over you, grounding you in the present. For a brief moment, you allow yourself to forget about the complexities of the future, revelling in this joy that you will never feel again.
You will appreciate it just this once, just today.
Just as the rest of the night rolls on, you feel a sense of bittersweetness. You laugh so hard that you get tears in your eyes, you smile till your lips hurt, and most importantly you don’t shy away from Tom’s touches, if you don’t initiate them yourself.
Once it’s very late, you all retreat to your rooms, but not without Abraxas whispering playfully, “I will make sure no one comes into your room tonight, in case Tom wants to give you another special birthday present.” He doesn’t take a few steps away before you swat him with your face red.
Entering your room, you're greeted by the soft glow of candlelight, casting a warm, inviting atmosphere. Your eyes widen in surprise as you notice small, carefully wrapped packages scattered across your vanity, each adorned with a handwritten note.
Curiosity piqued, you approach the vanity, a smile tugging at your lips as you pick up the first package. Unwrapping it with care, you’re met with a delicate gold butterfly necklace, the pendant shimmering in the candlelight. A note attached reads, “For when you need to spread your wings and fly - Nancy.”
Tears prickle at the corners of your eyes as you read the heartfelt message, touched by the depth of the sentiment. Setting the necklace aside, you reach for the next package. Inside, you find a leather-bound journal, its cover embossed with intricate designs. A note accompanies it, bearing the words, “For capturing the moments that matter most - Abraxas.”
Your heart swells with gratitude as you trace your fingers over the smooth surface of the journal, you eagerly reach for the next package, anticipation building in your chest. This time, you unwrap a beautifully crafted mirror, its frame ornately decorated with delicate patterns. A note rests beside it, bearing the words, “For reflecting the beauty within - Walburga.”
As you reach for the final package, you’re filled with mixed feelings. Unwrapping it carefully, you’re met with a sight that takes your breath away— an album filled with intricately drawn pictures of your friend group, each one capturing a moment of laughter and joy. A note next to it,“For preserving the memories that we hold dear - Orion.”
With a contented sigh, you settle in to admire the gifts from your friends, each one a precious token of their love and friendship. And as you reflect on the memories shared and the bonds forged, you offer a silent thanks to the universe for blessing you with such incredible friends, vowing to cherish them always.
A gentle singular knock alerts you, and before you could move to open the door for whoever’s knocking the door pushes open and Tom walks inside.
“Tom,” you call with slight surprise, then you quickly put away Walburga’s note and present. He walks closer to you, and looks down at the spread of gifts on your bed.
“Do you like any of the gifts?” he asks with a raised eyebrow, and you nod firmly, “I love them all, what’s that supposed to mean?”
“I always thought that you wanted to have a swing set,” he says making you burst out in laughter at the fond memory of you wanting to own a swing, he watches you laugh with a small smile and bright eyes, “or a pony.” he adds, and your laughter increases and you lean onto him for support as you’re unable to control your laughter.
He holds your hand that’s clutching his forearm in your laughing fit, “I do still want to own a pony.” He shakes his head at your comment, “dreadful creatures, I would prefer it if you said a hippogriff or something.”
“Well, it’s my birthday present, is it not?” you ask and cross your arms over your chest as you look up to him with a teasing look. He rolls his eyes then wraps an arm around your shoulder and brings you into your full height.
“So what you’re saying is you wouldn’t be happy with my gift?” he asks when you part.
Your lips part slightly in confusion and you search his emerald eyes, “of course I will. Tom, you could give me the ugliest rock in the world and I would still be happy.”
He’s silent, then his cheeks turn slightly rosy and you can tell he’s nervous about what he’s going to show you next. At his nervousness, you turn slightly nervous and your heart starts beating a thousand beats per second.
Tom steps closer to you, and then takes your left hand and he exhales a shaky breath. Then in the blink of an eye, you feel weight on your ring finger. You look at it, and gasp softly at the Gaunt ring on your finger. The black gem on it shines gracefully and you look at it with awe.
“Tom!” you hiss in disbelief. Then you raise your hand higher and stare at the way the light catches magnificently at the ring.
“My uncle says it’s only for family, and I agree,” he trails, your gaze catches his eyes that are so warm and so filled with the purest feelings for you that you simply wish to curl up and die for what you’re going to do later on.
“You’re my family, and the only person in this forsaken universe that I wholeheartedly trust and love,” he says, his arms circling your waist.
Emotion overwhelms you with tears of gratitude shimmering in your eyes, you gather Tom close to your heart, you embrace him tightly and you’re unable to stop your crying fit. Tom whispers in your ear, “is it so horrendous that it makes you cry?”
You laugh in the middle of your crying at his words, though you’re unable to speak, not with your words transforming to wails whenever you try to do so. You shake your head, and force out a wobbly, “I love it.” Tom smiles, and dries your wet cheeks with his rough thumbs.
He brings you in an embrace, and you hug him back as you try to calm down your crying fit. He rubs your hair and though he doesn’t whisper anything in your ear, you’re content to hear him breathing and secretly muttering that he’s thankful.
When you relatively calm down, and that is after some considerable time. He breaks the hug, “I would just like to stress that you can never ever remove the ring,”
Before you can ask for a reasoning, he adds, “I already enchanted it that it can never leave your finger, now it belongs to you and now everyone shall know you belong to me.”
“Is that what you care about? Everyone knowing that I belong to you?” you ask, watching him pull you behind him towards the bedroom door.
“Don’t you? I for one, would rest assured that those little weasels would give up.” he says, opening the door and navigating his way outside of the manor. You’re both quiet, and your footsteps are lighter than snow against the sleek flooring of the manor.
You’re finally able to breathe normally when your shoes crunch against the cobblestones below the threshold of the Malfoy’s manor.
“Come on.” he assures you and squeezes your hand to follow him towards the gardens in the back.
As you walk through the manicured pathways, Tom’s grip on your hand tightens, almost possessively. “You have no idea how long I’ve waited for this moment,” he confesses, his voice a mix of relief and determination.
You glance at him, seeing the depth of his emotions etched in every line of his handsome face. “I can imagine,” you reply softly. “But what about you? Doesn’t it bother you that you’re bound to me like this?”
Tom stops and turns to face you, his expression serious. “Not at all. It’s what I’ve always wanted. To be bound to you, to have you by my side, forever.” His eyes search yours, seeking reassurance.
You take a deep breath, feeling the weight of his words. “Forever is a long time, Tom. Are you sure?”
“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life,” he responds without a ray of hesitation. “You’re my anchor, my sanity. With you, I feel like I can conquer the world.”
You feel a surge of emotion, a mix of fear and hope. “I just don’t want you to regret this,” you whisper.
Tom cups your face in his hands, his touch gentle. “The only thing I’d ever regret is losing you. This ring, this bond, it’s my promise to you. That no matter what happens, we’ll face it together.”
You lean into his touch, feeling the sincerity in his words. “Okay,” you say hollowly.
No matter how much you wanted his plans and dreams to come true, to stay by his side forever. It simply wouldn’t be possible, not when you and Tom are still vulnerable teenagers with a lot to lose and a lot to protect, and Dumbledore doesn’t have a single thing he wishes to protect, not even himself.
It was as if you brought a stick in a wand fight. A definite loss.
Tom leads you to walk up the hill, and under a big oak tree. It’s bark wide and it’s branches spreading wide to offer you a sense of shelter in this open space.
He takes a deep breath, looking up at the leaves rustling in the breeze. “It feels peaceful, does it not?” he says, his voice quiet.
You nod, understanding the sentiment. “It’s beautiful,” you say, trying to push away the dread gnawing at your heart.
But the dread refuses to leave. It coils tighter around your heart with every step you take, knowing the decision you’ve already made. You’re going to leave him. You have to. For his sake, and for your friends.
Tom sits down on the grass, and pulls you to sit on his lap with ease. His hand rests on the small of your back and then wraps around your waist. You allow him to hold you as the dread in your stomach intensifies. You’re lying to him, lying to the one person you love more than anything. You’re going to leave him, and it’s tearing you apart.
“Do you remember our birthdays when we were little? How we always had chocolate cake?” Tom asks, a nostalgic smile on his lips.
You smile despite yourself, recalling the memory. “My favourite. I always wanted the biggest piece.”
“And I let you have it,” he chuckles. “Every year.”
You nod, leaning your head against his shoulder. “It was worth it to see you happy.” he whispers, playing with your fingers.
Tom’s hand strokes your back gently. “And the fights you used to have over the swings at the park? You were so competitive.”
You laugh softly, the sound mingling with the ever-present dread. “We always ended up arguing with the other kids.”
He grins. “And you were always the one to defend me, even if it meant getting into trouble.”
You feel a pang in your heart, remembering how fiercely you protected him. “I couldn’t stand to see you upset.”
Tom’s eyes soften as he looks at you. “And the time you accidentally pushed me on the pavement, and I injured my knee open? Victoria was so mad.”
“I was terrified,” you recall, “she scolded me for an hour.”
“But then she made us both hot chocolate and bandaged me up,” Tom adds, a fond smile on his face. “She was always looking out for us.”
You want to hold onto these memories, these moments of simple happiness. You want to stay in this moment forever, wrapped in his arms, but the dread is unrelenting. “I hope we can have more times like that,” you manage to say, your voice trembling.
“We will,” Tom promises, his voice filled with conviction. “I’ll make sure of it.”
As you sit under the oak tree, his arms around you, you try to savour the warmth and comfort of his embrace, even as the dread continues to gnaw at your heart. The decision you’ve made looms over you, like a dark cloud on the horizon.
“I’m craving some hot chocolate, now that you mentioned it.” you lie, moving to stand up and away from him.
Tom raises an eyebrow, “we can ask the house elves.” his hold on you tightening and stopping you from leaving. “No, Victoria taught me her special recipe, and I do not want to share it.” you say with a shake of your head and a giggle.
His hold loosens, “alright then, we both shall go.” he says, moving to stand up, you push him to sit back down, straddling his hips and shaking your head, “I won’t even share it with you.”
“I will close my eyes.” he argues, you’re persistent as you add, “I also want to go to the loo, just give me five minutes and I will be back before you know it.”
“Twenty minutes is an awfully long time, I could read a book in five minutes.” you roll your eyes playfully, “I believe that you’re being dramatic.” you say, unable to stop your giggle. Before he could argue some more, you cup his face and bring him in a chaste kiss that he immediately deepens.
You lose yourself in the kiss, pouring all your love and fear into it. It's passionate, desperate, and filled with unspoken promises. His hands travel up your waist, his thumbs right under your bosoms and he pushes you closer to him swiftly that your chests were moulding together.
His kiss becomes more urgent, seeking and exploring every inch of your mouth, leaving you breathless and craving more. You respond eagerly, your fingers tangling in his hair, pulling him closer as your tongues dance together.
Though when his right hand cups your bosom, and his left cups your bum you break the kiss. Resting your forehead against his as you both recollect your breath.
“I’ll be back before you know it.” you whisper, you stand up and he finally allows you.
“And I’ll start counting.” he says with a playful smile. You stand over him, gazing into his brilliant forest green eyes, and taking in the way the moonlight shines lovingly on his pale skin.
You wonder how he could look at you with that look, and how is it even possible for you to love someone so much that you’re willing to put yourself through decades of torture just to witness one smile of him.
“Something wrong?” Tom asks, standing up abruptly to cup your face and wipe your tears that you didn’t even realise were spilling. You breathe out shakily, “No, everything is perfectly fine.” you say, taking ahold of his hands and holding them.
“Why are you crying then?” he asks, concern painting his features.
“You said it yourself, I’ve always been a crybaby.” you say, and pull him for a peck. When you part, you sniffle and turn around.
“I’ll be back in five.”
“I started counting,” he says, you turn around to stare at him one last time. But the more you looked at him, and the more he looked back at you with those pure feelings in his eyes, the more you wanted to stay and the harder your departure is.
So you force a smile one last time, and then turn to face forward.
Behind you, you hear Tom’s quiet voice. “I love you,” he confesses, the words carrying through the night air, wrapping around you like a warm embrace.
You don’t turn back. You can’t. But his words echo in your mind, giving you strength as you disappear into the darkness, knowing that you’ve left behind the only people who genuinely and deeply care for you in this world.