Chapter Text
Tom woke up before he knew why.
It wasn’t a nightmare.
It wasn’t pain.
It was that familiar, deep sensation— a soft knot in his stomach and an urgent need that didn’t have a name… until it did.
Chocolate.
He closed his eyes with a slow sigh, as if ignoring it might make it fade.
—It’s not important —he whispered to himself.
Beside him, Maverick slept on his stomach, one hand stretched out unconsciously, almost touching Tom’s belly.
The sight calmed him a little.
He didn’t want to wake him. Not for this. Not in the middle of the night.
Tom sat up slowly, one hand braced on the mattress, the other resting protectively over his belly.
The craving didn’t fade.
It grew stronger—more emotional—like his entire body was asking for something warm, sweet, familiar.
—It’s just a thought —he murmured.
But his open eyes in the dark betrayed him.
He imagined hot chocolate. Steam curling upward.
Thick sweetness.
He imagined home.
Jet, asleep at the foot of the bed, lifted his head instantly.
His eyes gleamed in the dim light as he padded closer, letting out a soft meow, as if he understood.
—Shhh… —Tom smiled tiredly—. It’s nothing, guardian.
The cat placed a paw firmly on Tom’s belly and settled there, certain, protective, like it was exactly where he belonged.
Tom let out a quiet, surrendering breath.
Maybe…
Maybe it was important after all.