Work Text:
11:59 pm August 9th
It was a windy night. Other than the sound of Shiv closing her dresser drawer, the room was silent. Tom, though, was sitting in bed with a sweet smile tugging at his lips. He unlatched his watch, placing it next to his charging phone on the nightstand. He tapped the phone screen and leaned over to see it.
12:00 am August 10th.
11:46 pm August 9th
Shiv burst through the front door, slamming it behind her. She huffed, exhaustedly. She tossed her clutch onto the kitchen island and reached down to pull off her stilettos. Tom sauntered in the front door behind her. He closed the door gently.
“I think it could’ve gone worse?” Tom pointed out, keeping his distance.
“Sure, but I still got fucked, didn’t I?” Shiv pulled off her other shoe and tossed it on the ground.
“Yeah but it’s nothing you can’t work around, right?” Tom leaned on the kitchen island. “I mean come on. He made you… President of Domestic Operations. You should have some say in these things. I’ll have a talk with-”
Shiv walked over to Tom, placing a hand on his shoulder. He knew well enough to stop talking when she did that.
“Honey, I love you, but I’m too tired to listen to you try to kiss my ass, okay?” She got on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “You did nothing wrong tonight. There’s nothing you need to… make up for. I can handle this.” She dropped her hand from his shoulder.
“Make up-? I’m not trying to make up-”
“Yeah you uh… You do that when you think I’m mad at you. It’s cute,” she explained as she walked into their room. He watched her leave and then began to follow her.
“Are you?” Tom asked, a bit puzzled. He stood in the doorway undoing his tie.
“Sweetie you would know if I was mad at you,” Shiv chuckled. “It’s just…” She sighed, taking off one earring. “It’s just going to be ugly tomorrow,” Shiv hurriedly made her way to the bathroom.
“Remember we’re going out to dinner tomorrow night,” Tom pointed out as he slid his tie off.
“Right. Yeah. Okay,” She unzipped her dress. “What time?”
“Eight thirty.”
“Ooo that’s kind of early.”
“Early?” Tom asked as he sat at the foot of the bed. He removed his shoes, then stood to place them in the closet.
“I’ll try to get there by then.”
Tom stayed in the closet, leaning his head on the wall. He exhaled.
“Okay. Hope you can make it,” He replied in the fakest happy voice he could muster up.
12:01 am August 10th.
Tom couldn’t hold his smile back much longer. His chest was bubbling like shaken soda pop, but he kept his mouth shut so he wouldn’t overflow. He didn’t want to mention anything because he knew Shiv wasn’t in the best mood. She probably would say something that bruised his fragile ego and he wasn’t sure what the pros of mentioning this thing would bring him so he stayed quiet. He watched her get into the other side of the bed. His eyes rested upon her face expectedly. She chuckled.
“What? Why are you looking at me like that?” She turned off her lamp.
“Nothing,” Tom scooted over, wrapping an arm around her. He laid his head on her chest. “Night, honey,” he mumbled into her skin.
“It’s too hot for that tonight, Tom. I didn’t take a shower so I’m all… gross.” She wiggled from his grip. Tom let her go and went back to his original spot on the bed.
“Oh yeah sure. You still smell amazing though.”
“You did it again.”
“What? I can’t… compliment my beautiful wife?” Tom chuckled, but deep down he knew she was right. He did do that a lot– kiss up to her when he thought he was in trouble. It was a defense mechanism that had gotten him this far. He didn’t realize she had picked up on it. Usually when he did it, she would calm down or just ignore him. Now she was pointing it out and it made him uneasy. Was she going to start making fun of him for it? Just add it to the list.
“You know that’s not what I’m saying,” she sighed and leaned over, planting a kiss on Tom’s cheek. He flashed a smile before settling into the covers.
“Night Shiv,” he whispered before curling on his right side.
“Night Tom.”
Tom was always the second one to wake up. It was like clockwork for the two of them. He would wake up right around the time Shiv was in the shower. He would use the toilet and then switch places with her in the shower while she blow dried her hair. It became more like a work routine than a husband and wife waking up. If it was a weekend, Tom would make them both breakfast. If it was a work day, Shiv would leave early, grab a banana on her way out and Tom would enjoy some cereal by himself.
It was a weekday and Tom decided to get up extra early to spend time with Shiv.
Tom blinked his eyes open and started planning out his morning.
“Morning honey…” He turned over and extended his arm to feel around for Shiv. Nothing. He furrowed his brows and sat up. She wasn’t in bed, and she wasn’t in the shower; he couldn’t hear it.
Ah! She must’ve made him breakfast for the special day. He smiled to himself laying back down. It was chilly and he decided he deserved a few extra minutes of blanket warmth. He closed his eyes and sniffed a little trying to figure out what she was cooking. He really couldn’t tell. All he was picking up was his own cologne from the night before. He wanted to stay longer but his bladder had other plans. He sat up and threw the blankets off.
After he pulled on some pajama pants and went to the bathroom, he made his way out into the kitchen.
“Aaa honey you really didn’t have to-” He started. He took a look around realizing Shiv wasn’t in the kitchen and breakfast was definitely not being made. There was one less banana in the basket though. “Shiv…? Honey???” He yelled. The only response he got was his own echoed voice. He didn’t want to admit it to himself yet. He started to head up the stairs. Maybe she was hiding for a surprise? “Sweetheart…?” He continued his search but came up empty handed everywhere he looked. He slowly made his way downstairs. He looked at the counter to see a note on top of it. He walked over and sat in one of the bar stools. The disappointment was already clawing at his stomach and chest. He opened the piece of paper. It read:
Got going early. We need milk.
- S
He folded the paper again and rubbed his head. He looked down at the counter and exhaled slowly. Maybe she was planning something for later. Maybe he was being unreasonable. They were getting dinner later. Surely she would say something then. He understood that she was busy. He did expect a little more than this though. He sighed and threw the note away before heading into their room to get ready for the day.
He wore his favorite tie. It was baby blue with small navy polka dots. He wore his favorite socks. They weren’t special, but they hugged his ankles nicely. He wore his favorite watch, an Everose Gold Rolex Cellini Time. He wore his expensive cologne and brushed his teeth twice just to feel extra clean. He looked up in the mirror and sighed.
He looked nice. Nicer than usual. He wouldn’t normally admit that to himself but he was feeling good about today. He should.
It was his birthday, after all.
Tom walked into the ATN offices with his messenger bag by his hip. He nodded at some of his employees who all gave him a warm smile. They had remembered but he was their boss. He didn’t expect anything more than a warm smile from them.
Actually that’s a lie. He wanted them to throw him a party and get him donuts and balloons and coffee and he wanted them to celebrate him. He wanted to be recognized. He wanted presents! He wanted cake!
But he got nods. Pats on the shoulder. Maybe none of them remembered. Why should they? It’s not on the company calendar. He never told anyone. Why would they know?
Tom sat down at his desk with a large exhale. He picked up his phone and checked it. NO messages from anyone. Not even his parents. He exhaled and opened his phone to messages. He reread all of the ones he sent to Shiv this morning. He was really trying hard not to be so upset on his birthday but it seemed like it wasn’t going to be his day after all.
Maybe his parents were still asleep.
He was getting tired of rationalizing everything. He wanted to just be mad. But he couldn’t. He was sad. He felt like his potential anger wasn’t fair because there were probably good reasons as to why these people hadn’t said anything yet. Shiv was busy. His parents were asleep. His employees don’t know.
Now there was one person who didn’t have any excuse. This lit a small match in Tom’s chest. A smile slipped onto his face. Only 30 more minutes before he clocks in. Tom could distract himself until then.
Even if it was only half an hour, Tom found himself unable to focus. He was pacing in his office, trying to read files but ending up reading a sentence over and over in a desperate attempt to try to understand it. He groaned, throwing the file on his desk and checking his watch. He smiled and turned towards his door. He threw it open and stepped out. He buttoned his suit jacket and started making his way towards the mail room office. Greg’s office.
Tom unconsciously smoothed his hair back and composed himself before knocking on the door. He never waited for an answer. It was less of a permission request and more of a warning. He swung the door open and grinned from ear to ear only to find the room was empty. No decorations. No gifts. No Greg.
Tom felt the last string rip as his heart sank from his chest to his stomach. It sat there like a rock. He so desperately wanted to be a Roy so he could be seen but he had never been this invisible in his whole life. Especially at that moment. He slowly wandered into Greg’s office. His sadness felt so surreal. It was almost bittersweet acceptance of the fact that no one cared about him as a person.
He sat in Greg’s chair. It was nice; he could feel the indentation of where he sat. He leaned his head back and exhaled slowly. It took everything in him not to break down right there. He had already destroyed Greg’s office once; he wasn’t about to do it again. Besides, Greg wasn’t even there so Tom would have to clean up his own mess. He didn’t have the energy to do that. So he just sat in Greg’s chair, tears stinging his eyes as he tried to hold them back.
Maybe he should just go home, back to bed. He could get some rest. No one would really notice if he was gone. Greg would. But he’s not even here.
Tom reached for one of Greg’s miscellaneous candies and unwrapped it. He popped it in his mouth before standing to leave. Just as he got to the door, it opened. It opened quickly. Right in Tom’s face.
He had no time to react and his hand was on the doorknob. It smashed him right in the nose and the site started bleeding almost immediately. Tom didn’t make a noise. He didn’t swear. He didn’t cry. He accepted the situation for what it was. He groaned a bit actually, one hand slowly coming up to stop the flow from his nostrils.
“TOM!” Of course it was Greg. “Oh- Holy shit- Oh my god- I didn’t see you-!”
Tom was bent over, dripping into the carpet. He hadn’t looked up at Greg yet.
“Napkin,” he said calmly. His voice was nasally. He pinched the bridge of his nose. Greg stumbled into the room. Tom heard the rustling of many different objects and couldn’t identify what they were.
“Tom I really didn’t know I’m so so so sorry I-I-I- Fuck dude,” Greg rushed over with Kleenex from his desk. He put a hand on Tom’s back, signaling for Tom to stand up. Greg had loose Kleenex sheets in his hands and brought them to Tom’s nose. His other hand came to the back of Tom’s head. Tom tried to look up at the ceiling but Greg’s hand stopped him.
“Greg-”
“No. Trust me. Down. Look down. If you look up, it’ll block it all up. You don’t want that.”
Tom glared at him.
“Sorry. Experienced uh nose- bleeder.” He offered a warm apologetic smile that Tom couldn’t resist.
“You’re late,” Tom looked at his shoes as the Kleenex filled quickly.
“Well I had to- yknow. I had to stop on the way here and get some things- Look Tom I’m so sorry. I really tried to get here on time and I didn’t see you- I really didn’t know you were in here and I had my hands full with-”
“What things, Gregory? What things could you possibly need before you came to work?” Tom looked up. His intention was to look Greg in the eye, to intimidate him, to scold him for his tardiness, but Greg’s blue-eyed gaze wasn’t what Tom landed on. It was the bouquet of balloons behind Greg. There was a small wrapped present and a cake box on Greg’s desk now. Oh. Those things.
Tom looked back at Greg who was struggling to pull out some more tissues. Tom couldn’t help but smile. He pulled the current ones from his nose and tossed them in the bin. He removed the tissue box from Greg’s shaking hands. He took two more tissues out and plugged his nostrils with them.
“Thank you,” was all that Tom said. He didn’t really know how to feel right now. His face was throbbing, his heart was swelling. His cheeks were sore from hiding a big smile.
“I just- Huh? Thank me? What- I-”
Tom made his way over to Greg’s desk again and sat in his chair.
“Do you normally kick your door in, you fucking bulldozer?” Tom chuckled, feeling more himself and less like he was going to pass out.
“Tom are- Are you okay? You should be like- really mad at me right now.”
“Greg it’s fine,” Tom rolled his eyes, wanting to move on. It was embarrassing that Tom was in Greg’s office to begin with.
“No it’s not- You’re bleeding?! You should- Like- Eye for an eye?”
“You want me to punch you?” Tom looked up at the panicked man in front of him.
“Well- would- I mean if it made you feel better…”
Usually, Tom would’ve taken a beat to consider the offer, but he was so exhausted, he just wanted to eat cake and spend the day with his assistant.
“I’m not mad. It’s my birthday! Who’s mad on their birthday?” Tom sat forward. “How are the tissues looking?”
“It uh- It’s slowing down. Less… bloody.”
“Good. What’s all this?” Tom feigned innocence as he motioned to all of the things that Greg had brought in. He removed the tissues from his nostrils and wiped the remaining droplets of blood.
“I mean you said it yourself. It’s your birthday so…”
“You didn’t have to,” is what Tom’s mouth said. His head said ‘Yes you did’.
“Well. Is it… okay? Like it’s not too much, is it?”
Tom stood up and clasped a hand on Greg’s shoulder. The younger man flinched at the contact. Tom stared up at Greg, his own lips pursed. Greg was tense. He looked scared, leaning away from Tom. He was still expecting retaliation. Even if Tom had told him he wouldn’t. Tom didn’t always follow through with what he said though. So he showed Greg. He pulled Greg’s shoulder towards him, wrapping his arm around him. It was a half-assed side hug, with masculine patting on the back so neither confused the intent.
Greg relaxed into it, tilting his head towards Tom. He audibly deflated as he exhaled and let his worries leave with his breath.
“You’re a good egg, Greg,” Tom smiled sweetly. “A good Gregg.”
Greg grinned at the floor, avoiding eye contact.
“Haha like I haven’t heard that one before,” he chuckled.
Tom’s lips pulled into a tight smile like he wanted to laugh but didn’t allow himself. He pulled away and patted Greg’s back.
“What should we do first?” Tom asked.
“Uh… work?”
Tom rolled his eyes and waved Greg away.
“Day off. My orders.”
Greg’s eyes lit up.
“Wh- are you sure??”
“It’s my fucking birthday and we’re going to celebrate it how I want.”
Greg smiled wide and the sight of that alone was birthday present enough.
“So my question stands. What first?”
They ate cake. Ice cream cake that had melted on its journey to the office. Mint Chip ice cream cake, to be exact. Tom liked Mint Chip but Greg loved it, and Tom knew that played a part in Greg’s decision.
Tom sat in Greg’s office chair. Greg pulled up a metal folding chair from the corner. He sat across from Tom. They poked at the cake, still in the box, with forks Greg had grabbed from his apartment. It was quiet. Neither of them had anything to say. Tom was content watching Greg’s ice cream saturated lips. He was in desperate need of a napkin but it made Tom smile that Greg didn’t use one. He was a committed dork and it was, Tom hated to admit it, charming. But after a while, Tom handed him a napkin and Greg thanked him. When Tom gave it to him, Greg’s eyes fell upon Tom’s wrist. His watch, to be precise. It seems he deflated. Tom wasn’t entirely sure why, and didn’t really want to get into it either. He was thankful when Greg brought something else up.
“So,” Greg wiped his mouth. “What did Shiv get you?” He said, digging into the cake again. He really didn’t mean anything by the question. He was just trying to end the silent streak between the two of them. Tom didn’t really want to talk about this morning.
“We’re doing gifts at dinner tonight,” Tom mumbled with a full mouth. He attached a smile to it so it didn’t seem like he was hurting.
“What? No- uh” Greg smiled mischievously while poking the cake. “No birthday breakfast blowjob?” He looked up, made eye contact, and slid his fork into his mouth.
Tom slowed his chewing, watching the entire thing unfold. Greg removed his fork. Greg had no intention of those motions causing a tidal wave inside of Tom and that’s probably why it had such an impact. His innocence. Tom cleared his throat.
“Why would I tell you?”
“It was a joke, Tom.”
Tom felt a sting in his chest. He didn’t like being on the receiving end of that line. He was the one who was supposed to tell the jokes. Greg was the one who was supposed to be uncomfortable. Now, it was Tom whose cheeks were pink and it was Tom who was unable to form a response.
“I know, dickhead. I was joking too,” Tom internally cringed but realized that was the only adequate response that didn’t involve him admitting that he hadn’t even really paid attention to what Greg had said but rather was distracted by his lips that were a little bit pinker than usual due to the roughness of the napkin. “What did you get me?” Tom changed the subject as he reached for the wrapped box.
“Oh! Uh. It’s- Nothi- Don’t even- I don’t think you’ll-” Greg grabbed the box before Tom could get to it.
“Come on now. Don’t be a tease, Gregory.”
“It’s stupid. You won’t like it,” He mumbled, placing the box in his lap. Tom smirked and stood up. He walked over to Greg’s side and leaned against the desk. He clasped his hands in front of him.
“Why are you being shy, Greg?”
“It- I’m just not a good gift giver, okay?”
“Well, let me be the judge of that.”
“No.”
“Come on. If I hate it, we can go shopping and get something else. Okay?” Tom extended his hand. Greg eyed it. He looked down at the box. “Please?” He whispered in the most pathetic tone he had ever mustered up in his life. Greg’s eyelashes fluttered as he made eye contact with Tom. He exhaled, no match to Tom’s pouting. He placed the box in Tom’s hand and nervously watched him unwrap and open it. He bit at some skin around his thumb, trying to gauge Tom’s reaction. There was nothing. Greg whined softly and stood up.
“Look I’m sorry I didn’t know-” He started, rubbing his forehead.
Tom was looking down at an Everose Gold Rolex Cellini Time. The one he was currently wearing; his favorite of all time. Yes, he owned it already but something about the shine of this one, made tears prickle his eyes. Who is he kidding? It wasn’t the shine. It was the fact that Greg got it for him.
That watch was $15,000. He usually teased Greg a lot for being cheap, but he had understood why. I mean he had started with nothing. Tom had bought him suits, meals, accessories. But that was the first time Greg had got him something real. And it was beautiful. He pursed his lips, blinking quickly.
“You bastard,” He whispered softly.
“I’m so sorry. I really didn’t know you had it.”
“Greg…”
“Tom I’m really sorry I’ll get you something else-”
“Greg.”
“What do you want? Anything. I’ll- How about a-a tie o-or I’ll cover your dinner with Shiv tonight-”
“Greg, it’s perfect.”
“Maybe I could- Wh- Huh? P-Perfect? But you-?” He pointed to Tom’s wrist.
Tom set the box down on the desk. He shrugged so the sleeves of his suit went up a bit and his wrist was revealed. He started taking off his watch.
“You need a new one anyway, don’t you? The one Kendall bought you doesn’t work.”
“He didn’t- Tom what are you doing?” Greg watched as Tom placed his old watch on the desk. He pulled the new one from the box. It was silent as he turned it over in his hand. There was an engraving in the back. It read:
I have done everything that I should, but the outcome is in the hand of fortune.
Tom looked up at Greg. Greg was pink with embarrassment and kept his eyes focused on the watch.
“I-It’s a quote f-from-” Greg started.
“Nero” They said in unison. It fell quiet again. Greg made eye contact with Tom for the first time since he had opened the box. Tom couldn’t help but stare. His chest was pounding, the pain in his face had faded. He was solely focused on Greg’s gaze. How it burned into his own eyes. Tom usually ignored it when he felt that way. He didn’t want to dive too deep into introspection because he was terrified of what he might discover. This time, he couldn’t ignore the anchor tied to his heart strings, pulling them deep underwater. Greg looked away first.
“You don’t have to keep it. It’s dumb,” Greg kicked some dust on the floor.
He reached to take it, but Tom pulled it away. He never took his eyes off of Greg. Instead, he slid it on his wrist.
“You’re dumb. For thinking this is dumb. This is… really nice, Greg.”
“But you have one.”
Tom turned around, picking up the old watch he set on the desk. He motioned at Greg, waving him forward. Greg stepped closer. Tom rolled his eyes and reached down, grabbing Greg’s hand. It was sweaty. Tom didn’t expect anything less. But on top of sweating, it was also trembling. The cuticles were a haystack, skin poking out everywhere. Nervous habit. Tom was guilty of it too, but he kept the skin clean. The contact of their hands like that was nothing new but it still felt different. Even Greg sucked in a small gasp as Tom began to slide the old watch onto Greg’s bare wrist. Greg’s cheeks went from pink to red. He went to pull his hand away.
“Tom no- That’s yours-”
“Duh. I’m giving it to you.”
“What? Why?”
“Will you just shut up and let me be nice for once?” He glanced up at him with a smile. Greg’s eyes met his and the taller man relaxed; he even smiled back. Tom adjusted the watchband to Greg’s size. It fit perfectly, like a glass slipper. Greg watched Tom’s fingers dance around his wrist, fascinated by the fluid movements. When all was said and done, Tom didn’t let go of Greg’s hand. They made eye contact again. Greg inhaled softly, not moving a muscle. Something was thick in the air. Something was strong. Something was pulling the two of them together. They could feel it.
Tom slowly began to bring Greg’s hand higher. He bowed his head forward placing the most gentle of kisses on Greg’s knuckle as if it were the 1800s and Greg was a princess at a ball. It was soft, but it got the point across.
“Thank you, Greg,” Tom whispered as he lowered Greg’s hand.
“S-Sure- Yeah- I mean, happy birthday dude,” His voice cracked. Tom laughed, whole heartedly.
“It looks good on you,” Tom nodded to Greg’s wrist. “Now we match.”
Greg gave a lopsided smile but no real response. His skin burned, reminiscing in the moments before. He extended his fingers, flexing his whole hand trying to get rid of the incessant tingle that was spreading to his arm at this point. He sat in his chair, embarrassed about how weak his knees were.
The rest of the day seemed to go by quickly. They weren’t entirely sure what to do. They hadn’t realized how much of their lives had been centered around work. They tried shopping, but got bored. They went to Central Park but got bored. They eventually settled down at a bar towards the end of their day. It was a small pub and there weren’t a lot of people there, considering it was the later half of lunch hours.
“I’ve got to be home at 6. To get ready for dinner at 8:30,” Tom checked his new watch with a smile as they sat at the bar. Greg waved down the bartender and got two beers.
“Why do you need that long to get ready?”
“You think that’s long?”
“I mean. Yeah you can just wear that.”
“I- Gregory… I have got to knock some fashion sense into you.”
“What? It’s nice!”
“It’s a work suit!”
Greg rolled his eyes and took a sip of his beer. He smiled into the bottle.
“How’s your face?”
Tom chuckled a little bit.
“Forgot about it,” he pressed his cold bottle to his nose. He hissed at first but settled into it.
“No black eyes so that’s good,” Greg pointed out.
“Mm,” Tom took a swig. His phone buzzed. He looked down at it. It was Shiv.
S: Hey honey. I totally forgot about our reservations tonight. We should take a raincheck. I won’t be home until later. Maybe you could cook something for when I get home?
Tom’s face visibly drained of color. He had been wondering all day: why hadn’t Shiv said anything? She hadn’t even mentioned his birthday. She wasn’t there in the morning and this was the first text he had received from her all day. It was in that moment that he fully understood:
She forgot.
His own wife had forgotten his birthday. He felt he would make an ass out of both of them if he reminded her. He didn’t want to seem like a kid wanting attention. Technically, no one owed him anything but a simple Happy birthday would be nice. Now she had canceled his birthday dinner at his favorite restaurant and didn’t even offer to make it up to him. He dropped his phone on the counter and started pounding back the beer.
“Woah what did the text say?” Greg chuckled.
“Bartender!” Tom waved his hand. “Hi yeah I need your strongest whiskey straight up.”
“Seriously Tom, did something happen?”
“Fuck off Greg.”
“Wh- Excuse you?”
“Shiv canceled dinner.”
“What??”
“Yup. You know, she hasn’t said a word to me about my birthday? Not a single thing. She left before I woke up. She forgot Greg.”
“Bullshit. I’m sure she’s just… really busy.”
“She forgot. Just like everyone else.”
“I didn’t.”
Tom chuckled softly. He looked over at Greg as the bartender set down the glass of whiskey. He reached over and placed his hand on Greg’s arm, just above his watch. He left it there for a moment.
“Now let’s get shitfaced,” Tom smiled.
“Wh-”
“My birthday, my rules.”
Greg chuckled and shrugged.
“Fuck it.”
Tom laughed at Greg.
“Yes exactly, Gregory! Fuck it!” He raised his glass and clinked it against Greg’s hoisted beer bottle. “To broken noses and ice cream cake!”
“To broken noses and ice cream cake!” Greg repeated.
So they drank. They drank a lot. Shots. Beer. Fruity. Strong. They played darts and billiards. They sucked at both, barely being able to see straight, but they sure laughed their asses off. Tom’s wheeze triggered more of Greg’s noiseless cackles and it went on like that for minutes at a time. For once in their fucked up lives, they felt free. They felt like nothing was resting on their shoulders. They felt like everything was being washed away by jungle juice and the occasional glass of water. They were finally kicked to the curb at around 9pm.
“DUUUDE!” Tom stumbled off the sidewalk.
“Don’t- Don’t dude me! That was all your fault!” Greg’s shirt was half untucked.
“You made me do it!”
“I said double dog dare!”
“Seeeee? Preer-Pree-Pr-Preer pessure!”
“PREER PESSURE!” Greg repeated. They both laughed in unison. Greg latched on to the fence next to him as Tom doubled over. They finally caught their breath and began their journey towards someplace. Any place. They didn’t entirely know where they were going. They were both sort of on autopilot. They arrived at Tom’s babbling about some story from their past. They giggled as they approached the door.
“This is meeee,” Tom smiled up at Greg. “Hey hey hey Greggg.”
“Mm?” He swayed as he stood. Tom stewed in silence for a bit. Greg seemed tired. Tom’s thoughts sobered him up a bit before he said:
“Thank you.”
Greg snickered and nodded. “You’re w- Wait for what? I got you something you already have?” He laughed but Tom didn’t join in.
“Thank you for the best birthday ever.”
“Best??? Oh come on man I don’t think-”
“I mean it. I’m serious. I had a really good time,” Tom leaned against the wall. “I always have a good time with you.”
“Same. Always, dude.”
Greg finally looked over at Tom, making eye contact. Greg took a step closer. He still had a goofy grin plastered on his lips.
“What? Why are you looking at me like that?” Greg inquired.
Tom almost went cross-eyed as he looked up at Greg in adoration. He was glowing at this point.
“Greg when we met, do you remember what I asked you?”
“Uhhh dunno something about like… don’t bother you if I have questions I don’t-”
“You said you would get me something else for my birthday, right? Since I already have this watch?”
“Oh! Yeah man! Anything you want. You name it I got it- You got it-”
“Greg, I want you to kiss me.”
Greg stopped swaying. He stopped his roaming eyes and stared at Tom. He didn’t move. He didn’t breathe. For a split second, he stayed, statue-like.
“Haha funny,” he shook his head and went back to swinging his leg back and forth. He giggled softly. “Very funny, dude.”
“I mean it. That’s what I want for my birthday.”
“Tom I- I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Please.”
Greg’s gaze shifted between Tom’s two eyes, trying to figure out if he was serious.
“Kiss me. A-And- And pretend like- I’m the only person in the world. Bec-Because I always feel like I’m j-just a side character.”
“Tom, you’re drunk.”
“Fuck you, you’re drunk too.”
“Yeah but you’re like plastered.”
“I want to be seen, Gregory. Is that… Is that too much to ask for?”
Greg sighed, looking away. He traced small shapes on the floor with his foot.
“No. No, not at all.”
“So kiss me,” Tom repeated.
“There are other ways-”
“Kiss me.”
“I don’t think-”
“Kiss me.”
“You’re my boss.”
“Fucking kiss me.”
“Tom-”
“Kiss me kiss me kiss me kiss me kiss me kiss m-”
Tom was cut off by Greg slamming a sloppy wet kiss to his lips. Tom gasped at first when he finally did it. It was like a perfect release. Like a cold glass of water after dying of thirst in a heatwave. Like lying in your bed after a 9 hour work day. The tension between the two of them shattered as their teeth clashed. It was a god awful kiss but that wasn’t the point. It was the fact that it happened that was the most rewarding. Tom pulled back first. He gasped for a breath and looked up at Greg. His cheeks were pink. Greg looked like he had just been caught robbing a bank; mortified. He gulped.
“I shouldn’t have done that,” Greg whispered.
“Shh,” Tom closed his eyes, reveling in the euphoria. He brought his fingers up to his lips, feeling the bruise forming. “Again.”
“What?”
“Again, Gregory. Kiss me again,” He opened his eyes. He took Greg by the lapels. Instead of waiting for Greg to work up the courage, he kissed him. Once he took control, the kiss was much more enjoyable. Greg’s arm snaked around Tom’s torso, resting on his lower back. One of Tom’s hands left Greg’s jacket and came to his jawline, cupping the side of his face. Greg groaned softly into Tom’s mouth. Tom disconnected again to say something. Before he could, Greg stole another short kiss. Tom smiled into it.
“You sick fuck, you’re enjoying this,” He whispered.
“Am I not supposed to?”
“It’s my birthday kiss.”
“But you said-”
“Shut up,” He kissed him again, hand sliding into the back of Greg’s hair. He pressed a series of small chaste kisses to his lips. “Inside.”
“Wha-?” Greg mumbled, dizzy for multiple reasons.
“Inside…” Tom walked backwards, still holding on to the back of Greg’s head. He reached behind him and jiggled the door knob. It didn’t budge. “Fuck…” He kissed Greg again, before letting him go. Greg, however, didn’t separate. He instead placed soft kisses down Tom’s neck. Tom closed his eyes for a moment soaking the feeling in. He shook his head to gain back his train of thought. He got his keys out and slid them into the lock. He wiggled the door open. He grabbed Greg by the jacket and pulled him into the foyer. He pressed him against the wall inside, his lips finding Greg’s again. The two of them moaned in unison.
It was then that the main light was switched on. Neither of them had touched it. Tom furrowed his brow, pulling away from Greg. He turned towards the light. Both Tom and Greg gasped.
There, in the kitchen and living room stood more people than they could’ve ever imagined. Everyone from the news division at ATN, his parents, Kendall, Roman, Connor, Willa, Gerri, Frank, Karl, Logan and at the head of them all, Shiv. She was holding a cake that said “Happy Birthday”. Their eyes and mouths were wider than the sea. Roman had his hand over his mouth trying his best not to lose it. There were balloons and streamers and banners everywhere. Everyone was frozen. The silence was pounding in everyone’s ears until someone in the back coughed to break it all up.
The cake slid off of the plate Shiv was holding and landed on the floor with a splat. The cake was an ice cream cake. Vanilla ice cream cake, to be exact. Tom liked vanilla but Shiv loved it, and Tom knew that played a part in Shiv’s decision.
Tom liked chocolate. No one ever asked him what he liked. Although, he wasn’t particularly a picky person. He didn’t dislike many things. But at the top of that short list was:
- Surprise Parties