「CLAUDIA JANE」
I had finally finished unpacking my belongings from my suitcase. I slide the suitcase across the ground and under my bed, out of sight and now out of mind. I rub my fingers over my temples, my eyes starting to ache from the lack of sleep.
I was soon interrupted by a sharp knock at the door.
Tom slowly peers around the side of the door, "May I come in?"
I nod in response and close the door of my closet.
I watch as Tom walks into the room, shutting the door behind him. He was now dressed in black trousers and a stripy button up shirt. He had left the top two buttons open, exposing part of his chest once again.
I look down at his hands, noticing he was holding the paper bag of medical supplies that I had collected for him earlier in the day. I quickly glance up at him before gently taking the bag from his hands, "Sit on the bed if you like, I'll change that dressing."
"Thanks," he obeyed my words and walked across my room to sit down on my bed. He settled himself down comfortably as I began to empty the supplies out onto the bed next to him.
We sat there in silence as he watched me prepare what I needed, his eyes burning into me. I could hear him sigh before speaking in a soft tone, "Why are you upset with me, Claudia?"
I shrug my shoulders, "I'm not, I'm just tired."
"Claudia, please," he whispered, beginning to beg, "talk to me."
I pull some bright blue latex gloves over my hands and gesture to his shirt while taking a seat on the bed beside him, "I'm ready, unbutton your shirt please."
He sighs in defeat, letting his head drop before beginning to unbutton the remaining buttons on his shirt.
"Lean back for me," I request while trying not to get distracted by his bare skin showing through his shirt which was now fully open.
He followed my instructions, leaning back onto his elbows. I decided to flash him a smile, wanting him to be comfortable in front of me. I take a seat on the bed beside him and slowly pull his shirt open a little more, his torso now on full display to me.
I could see his wound that was covered up by another white dressing, located on the bottom left-half on his stomach. I begin to undo the dressing, soon coming into contact with his wound.
The stitches held it together, the wound being at least a couple of inches long. I begin by removing the old dressing and tossing it in the bin that I had moved next to my bed. I grab an alcohol wipe and lean a little closer.
"This might sting a little, I have to make sure it stays clean," I warn Tom while looking up into his bright blue eyes, finding his gaze to already be fixated on me, watching my every move. He nods as I begin to wipe around his wound.
I could feel him wince, instantly making me feel bad. His stomach tensed up at the contact while he let out a hiss through his gritted teeth.
"I'm sorry," I was quick to apologise.
"Don't be," he laughs softly, "you'd think I'd be used to it by now."
The size of his injury made it clear to me that, however Tom managed to sustain his injury, it wasn't an accident. It had intentionally been inflicted onto him. To relieve anymore discomfort, I was quick to apply a new dressing to the wound while being careful not to hurt him.
"Is it still tender?" I ask while beginning to take the latex gloves off my hands.
He shrugs his shoulders, "Sometimes, but it's not too bad."
"I can always give you some pain relief if you need it, just try and take it easy tonight," I chuck the latex gloves into the bin and face the brunette boy.
He was still leaning back onto his elbows, maintaining eye contact with me.
"Claudia, I'm sorry for not telling you about tonight and about this," he gestures to his wound with a disappointed look. "The truth is, I just didn't know how."
I turn my body to face him, "It's okay Tom," I comfort him, "you don't have to explain."
"I didn't mean to upset you, please forgive me."
"No need," I reply reassuringly, "it's forgotten."
The corner of his mouth lifts up into a smile. Before I could think of what I was doing, I reached my hands forward and began to do up the button on his shirt for him. My actions surprised him as he watched my hands work up his shirt.
I left the top two buttons un-done, exactly like how he had them beforehand.
As I take my hands away, he thanks me while taking his bottom lip between his teeth. He leans up off his elbows and nudges me slightly with his shoulder, "Are you gonna come hang out with us tonight? I promise there isn't going to be many people, only around ten of us."
I think about it for a minute, not wanting my nerves to get the better of me.
"I don't see why not," I agree while continuing to look at him.
"Reckon you'll drink?" he asks, curiosity lacing in his voice.
I shrug my shoulders, "Yeah maybe, I might have a couple. But I'm not going to go crazy, I suppose someone will have to babysit you guys after you've had too much."
He lets out a chuckle at my words, "I apologise in advance for my actions, I plan on getting very messy."
"Well then sir, I look forward to it."
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(a/n: the image attached is what I imagine the blake family property to look like)
By the time 7:00pm had rolled around, most of the people that Tom had invited arrived with their share of alcohol in hand.
Without any surprise, Tom had well and truly managed to have a few drinks already. I sat at the table underneath the willow tree with Will across from me. During our conversation, we took turns in glancing up at the sky, admiring the beautiful colours that covered it like a canvas.
A variety of blues, purples and oranges, making the atmosphere truly calming and mesmerising.
"I tell you what, nothing compares to being back home," Will spoke after taking another swig of beer out of his glass.
"I bet you missed it while being away," I replied, leaning on my elbows, "I know I sure did when I was in and out of military hospitals."
Will nodded in agreement, "I missed it like hell, I was almost scared that I would forget what home looked like."
(a/n: in this version, Will hasn't met his wife or had his kids yet, something to look out for in upcoming chapters though!)
I hold of glass of gin up to my lips, quickly taking a sip before placing my glass back down on the table in front of me, "It's almost like you can feel it slipping away from your memory, but not completely, right? It all came flooding back when I got home."
"Couldn't agree with you more," Will responded, his features looking even more soft and gentle in the light.
The boys had set up the fire up at some point during the day which Tom was sitting around with a few of his old school friends that he had invited. He mentioned before they got here just how excited he was to catch up with everyone, especially since it had been so long since he saw them last.
Someone had brought the radio out from the lounge room, sitting it down on a bench that Will had brought with him. The only noise being heard was the chatter and music blaring from the radio.
Will gestures towards Tom, "Reckon he's drunk yet?"
I turn my glance over to where Tom was having a conversation with a small group of his friends that were standing around each other. He held a beer in one hand while his other hand was shoved in his trouser pocket. I could hear him sharing stories and telling jokes with the other guys.
I smiled at the sight of him, liking the fact that he looked to be in his element and enjoying himself.
I shrug before turning my gaze back to Will, "Give him a couple more hours and he'll be a goner if he sticks to his word."
Will chuckles at my comment, quickly chugging the rest of his beer, "We'll see."
"What about you?" I question out of curiosity, "you don't wanna get too tipsy tonight?"
He screws up his face in a funny way, giving thought to my statement, "Ooo, I dont know. It's not very often that I get absolutely shit-faced."
"Well," I start, running my fingers over the top of my glass, "if you do wanna let your hair down and keep drinking then go for it, I don't plan on drinking very much anyway so I can look out for you if you want."
Will squints his eyes slightly, "Are you sure? I wouldn't wanna be a pain in the ass."
"You wouldn't be, I don't mind," I reply with a small smile, "besides, Anne is trusting me to look after things here so you wouldn't be holding me back from anything."
He returns the smile leans his head back in defeat, "Alright, thank you. You're a gem."
I laugh to myself before taking another small sip of my drink. The beautiful colours of the sky were still the same, however seeming to be more pastel compared to before after looking at them for a few more seconds.
Will began to stand from his spot at the table, "I'll be back, just going to get a refill." He shakes the glass slightly in his hand.
"All good." I respond, beginning to play with some of the leaves that had fallen down onto the wooden table from the branches above.
It was only a couple seconds later that I felt someone take a seat next to me. I look up to be met with the familiar piercing blue eyes of Tom.
"Hey you," he flashes me a warm smile, "everything alright?"
I nodded and returned the smile, taking in how visibly good his features looked in the dusk light.
"Yeah all good," I clarified, "having a good time?"
Tom looks around the backyard for a few short seconds before turning his gaze towards me again, "Yeah I'm enjoying myself so far, it's been great catching up with everyone."
"I'm glad, you're friends seem great." I reply, not being able to stop the smile on my lips while being around him.
I found Tom's presence to be both calming and soothing. I couldn't help but think about him, even when he was sitting down right next to me. I take my bottom lip between my teeth, realising how much of an affect he's having on me already.
"You're not too sore?" I trail off, not wanting to bring up his injury completely.
He takes a sip of his drink before shrugging his shoulders, "Meh, it's not too bad, a little tender."
"I'll give you some painkillers before you go to bed if you want, just to be on the safe side." I speak softly, still looking into his eyes, "It'll probably help with the massive hangover you'll have tomorrow if you're still planning on getting messy." I laugh while quoting his words from earlier on.
He instantly grins in amusement; a playful look also being plastered on his face. "If you can deal with my drunken ass by then."
"I'm sure I'll be able to manage."
I look up and see Will starting to return to the table with a new drink in his hand.
"Come on old man," Tom teases when he sees Will, "you've gotta keep up with us."
Will playfully rolls his eyes while sitting back down at his original place across the table, "Yeah, yeah, okay. Claudia said I should let my hair down, and I shall. So watch out."
Tom looks in my direction with raised eyebrows and a smirk on his face, "Did she just?"
"I'm a bad influence." I laugh while burying my face in my hands.
©lilacsnid
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2020