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[tcmmykane]

fashionistamaisyackerman​:

Maisy couldn’t help but giggle at his response to the time of day. She was a morning person and by that time in the morning she’s already had her jog, did some yoga, and showered. “Do you want to just come to my place? I think that will probably be the easiest.” As she speaking she’s turning to a blank page in the back of her journal and scribbling down her address.

“Oh, not in a bad way!” The woman reassures and then finishes her address off with a smiley face and ripped the page out. “It’s mainly getting all of the stuff together and then measurements and the fitting. I’ll feed you, though, don’t worry!”

𝕥𝕜~

“Yeah, as long as you promise you’re not a serial killer or nothin’.” Tommy replies with the straightest expression, even though he’s joking. He thinks he could probably take Maisy even if she was some kind of killer. He laughs after a moment, scratching at his face. “Gettin’ me up at the ass crack of dawn to come get a makeover. This is some Queer Eye shit.”

Tommy takes the paper with her address on it and looks it over before folding it neatly and putting it into his wallet, which then goes back into his pocket. “I’m just jokin’ with ya, anyway. I don’t have any idea what goes into all’a this, in case you couldn’t tell. But, shit, yeah, feed me and it’s all Gucci, baby.”

[tcmmykane]

A week in the hospital as an adult had felt like literal hell for Tommy. He protested it from the day he arrived, but he knew no amount of charm or complaining or persuasion would get him out of there even a day earlier. Rules are rules.

The first day had been full of nervous energy, Tommy arrived with Brody, meeting his mother and father in the parking lot before checking in. Everyone stayed with him until they were forced out into the surgical waiting room, then it was just waiting in silence for Tommy. And he hated every second of it with the beeping machines, the weird anesthetized scent, the shitty gown, the thin blankets. He wanted to go home before the surgery even happened.

When they wheeled him into surgery, he was left on the table listening to the staff talk about one of their recent trips to Mexico before he faded out into blissful unconsciousness. The next thing he remembers is waking in the recovery room, groggy as fuck and wondering when he’d get to see Brody, Pamela, and Tom.

The pain was more like a dull ache, a throb at his chest which felt heavy from the bandages – but, then, his whole body felt heavy. His mouth was dry and he cracked out a request to the nurse – water, and my family. He stayed awake long enough for a few small sips from the glass of ice water she brought to him but then he was out again.

When he woke once more, he was in a different room – the one where he’d be staying for the week. Brody was at his side, as much of himself on the bed as he could allow without disturbing Tommy, and Pamela was on the other side. As he peered his eyes open, he felt like he was on his deathbed or something with the way they were looking at him. His eyes were only open a crack, and his dry lips pulled upward in a little smile, “You readin’ me my last rights, Doc?”

The rest of that day is a blur for Tommy, though, because he was so heavily drugged that he could hardly make out what was going on. They wanted to ensure that his pain was managed, and it’d been a hot minute since he’d even touched drugs [thanks to Brody] that the morphine had him zonked out.

Day two was a little less intense. Tommy had a conversation with the nurses about his substance abuse issue and asked that they give him less morphine. The pain was a little more irritating from that point on, but he only pushed the button when he couldn’t stand it anymore. He thought Brody would be proud of him.

When Brody went back to work, that’s when Tommy started getting really bored. Pamela was always there, of course, and his sisters flocked in and out as well as a few friends with well-wishes and flowers. The food at the hospital sucked, but he was a heart patient and his diet was restricted. Even Brody wouldn’t bend the rules for him, which made Tommy pout substantially when the good doctor came in after work.

“Can’t even bring me a Big Mac.” He’d said, and he hadn’t even been teasing. Tommy knew, though, that Brody was just looking out for him. And Brody couldn’t be manipulated easily – the man was one of the most specialized doctors Tommy had ever met. There was nothing that could get past him.

The days dragged out, each one seeming longer than the last, but Tommy  had a chance to watch a few TV shows and read a few books. He spent a lot of time texting Brody, trying to get the man to hatch a devious plan to get him out of the hospital sooner, but it was nothing more than half-cocked ideas they might’ve tried if they were twenty years younger.

Tommy was supremely bummed out that he had to spend Valentine’s day in the hospital, but Brody made it worth it. Actually, Tommy thought that Brody could make anything worth it – no matter where they were. It was the highlight of Tommy’s day, actually, seeing Brody walk into the hospital door with whatever treat he had brought for Tommy that day – new pencils, a drawing pad, paints, flowers, a stuffed animal, a cool book. The possibilities seemed endless.

Finally, Tuesday arrived, and Tommy could go home. Brody had spent the night with him at the hospital, having already taken Tuesday off to get Tommy settled, and the pair of them left together with Tom Kane pushing his son in a wheelchair that they had to fight to get Tommy to sit in. “This is bullshit.” He said more than once on their way out of the hospital.

The goodbyes in the parking lot took much longer than Tommy would have liked with Pamela offering to come and help him get settled. Tommy said no, no, thank you – he wanted some time to breathe and be alone. This was the most time he’d spent with his mother in decades, and – as much as he loved her – he needed a break. And he wanted some time with just Brody.

Tommy held Brody’s hand the whole Uber ride back to the apartment, not saying much as he watched the buildings and the people they passed on their way. Brody was weighted down with all the crap he had to bring back in from the hospital, but he refused to let Tommy help. Tommy was just grateful Brody wasn’t insisting on a wheelchair here, too. They took the elevator, and, by the time they made it to the couch, Tommy felt the pain searing through his chest.

Brody helped him get settled on the bed then left most of the stuff from the hospital on the counter in the kitchen before setting Tommy up very nicely with pillows and blankets. He was surrounded on all sides by the work he’d put on Brody’s walls, in front of him was a ridiculous TV mounted on the wall which Brody turned on before handing Tommy the remote. Brody made a neat little collection of things Tommy might need on his own side of the nightstand so that he could play nurse [or doctor] for his partner at any point. Then Brody nestled in beside him, Tommy lifting up his arm to throw around the other man’s shoulders. He exhaled a sigh of relief – because the worst was over, at least in his mind. Now, he could be pampered by the person who’d always been there before, the person who knew better than anyone how Tommy liked to spend his recovery.

Tommy turned his head to kiss Brody’s temple, his eyes closing for a moment as he thought about how grateful he was for how things had turned out – surgery or no, he had Brody back in his life, and things seemed to be falling into place. Now… to just convince Brody to take a leave of absence so he didn’t have to spend several weeks home alone.

[tcmmykane]

mrconnorandrews​:

-

“I don’t get it either, I mean, I think it makes a whole lot more sense to it more like they do in some other countries, where you pick what you want to focus on in like high school, and by college you’re only studying what your major is. I mean, I get maybe a couple like … related classes in other subjects. But not everybody needs every class.” he said. 

“Maybe so, but I was … well, a very unwanted accident. My mom made that pretty clear, and my dad was just … uninterested, really.” he explained. That was putting it very lightly, but he doubted anybody really wanted to hear the details of his mother’s extremely thinly veiled hatred of him. Narcissist’s never did well with things not going their way.

“Yeah, I mean, honestly Chloe’s my mom in every way that ever mattered.” he agreed, sipping at his own drink. “Her and Colin were the ones who were there for me when I was sick, but Chloe … I mean, I think Colin had to pry her away sometimes. He’s always been the voice of reason for both of us.”

𝕥𝕜~

Tommy laughs and nods his agreement, “I can tell you right now what it is. It’s good ole Capitalism. There’s no reason to have so many extra courses that don’t add to your degree. Why do you have to take shit like history at the college level if you’re going into molecular biology? It’s to force you into completing more credit hours and paying more to the institution. The inflation rates for higher education are astronomical in comparison to other things like rent and minimum wage.” This is something Tommy does a lot of research on, including emailing authors of scientific journals for access to their papers so he can educate himself.

Tommy runs his fingers over the stubble at his face as he listens to Colin, nodding his head. “That’s a very unfortunate circumstance to find yourself in, and it happens a lot. People wind up with kids they never really wanted, then those kids get fucked up by the treatment they receive. I’m glad you had your brother and sister.” He takes another drink from his glass. “No one could get my mom away from my side. Not even my sisters.” He offers Connor a drunk little sloppy smile. “My sisters don’t like me because I stole all the attention.” Not that he’d wanted it.

[tcmmykane]

itsamandascott​:

*

“I figure there has to be a couple good fairies in the midst of thieves and tricksters,” she joked, her smile not dropping for a moment except when she winced and moved to lean against one of the light post.  Looking at his hand, she reached out and took it, giving it a rather firm shake for such a little woman before dropping it. “I’m Amanda, nice to meet you Tommy.”

Nodding, Amanda understood the situation. She’d been there after the accident and having to replace everything because her entire purse had gone missing. “No one carries cash, which almost makes me sad? Because sometimes I love helping someone that needs something you know? Can’t do that without cash. I’m just happy that you got your wallet back. Mind if I walk with you? I’m heading the same way anyway.”

𝕥𝕜~

Tommy laughs at her comment, “I consider myself a trickster fairy.” He replies, winking at her as she shakes his hand. His gaze drops to their hands before she lets go, and he shoves both of his back into his pockets. “Firm shake there, Amanda.” He says, and he’s smiling again.

Tommy’s brows furrow a little, “Honestly, I think that’s part of the reason I stopped carrying cash. Because fuckin’ every block there’s someone panhandling. Most of ‘em, ya know, make lots of fuckin’ money on these streets. Don’t let them fool you. Are you from around here?” He asks, and he turns to take a step forward, nodding at her. “You’re more than welcome to walk with me, sweetheart.”

[tcmmykane]

irisorchids​:

-

Esmeray chuckled at the mans comment about him being irreplaceable. She waves him off with a slight eyeroll, although it’s an affectionate gesture and not an annoyed one. “You’ll have a place here when you’re ready to come back.” She assures him “Take all of the time that you need though, there’s no rush at all.” She assures him She doesn’t want him rushing recovery in fear of losing his position or anything like that. 

Even if when Tommy does come back she knows he’ll need to be on light duty and she is more than happy to accommodate those needs. Besides her father would never forgive her if his prized employee was harmed on the job instead of given adequate time to recover. Sometimes she thinks her father might have handed over the company to him if she hadn’t made the move back to the city. 

“I’ll fire someone as a tempt to fill your spot while they are gone and depending on how you feel when you are able to return to work maybe even keep him on for a bit to help out with the more daunting tasks.” She assures him wanting to make sure that he was aware she was with him through this. 

𝕥𝕜~

Tommy’s got several years of history working for Esmeray’s father. He and the man get along swimmingly, and always have. It’s part of the reason Tommy stayed put at 10 Pin for so long -- out of respect for the old man. He was like a father-figure, even though Tommy had a great dad, the man still reminded him of Tom Kane, and it was nice to talk to someone who didn’t know all the shit Tommy had done to tarnish his own name at home.

That made Esmeray like a sister, he guessed. One he’d only met recently. But he was grateful for her behavior and her understanding nature.

“Thank you.” He says, reaching out to put his hand on top of hers just for a beat. Tommy wants her to know how much it means to him that she’s been so kind and accommodating. After a moment, he leans back in his seat, eyebrow arched. “What? Y’ain’t gonna hire a woman to replace me?” He teases with a grin.

[tcmmykane]

[tcmmykane]

brodylevime​:

>> text : tom cat 😻💖 << damn >> text : tom cat 😻💖 << we gotta give them a shit review when you leave >> text : tom cat 😻💖 << i’ll do my best tbh i’m a very good and attentive doctor >> text : tom cat 😻💖 << what about monday? >> text : tom cat 😻💖 << i know it’s not super early but.  >> text : tom cat 😻💖 << hi pam. >> text : tom cat 😻💖 << you wanna see what i’m working on?  >> text : tom cat 😻💖 << super illegal too btw but it might give you something to look at >> text : tom cat 😻💖 << i’m going to stop by the library on my way out of work

>> text: brody🧸💖<< What about tomorrow? Since you’re such a good and attentive doctor >> text: brody🧸💖<< Yeah I wanna see what you’re working on >> text: brody🧸💖<< Who tf am I gonna tell ? The cops? >> text: brody🧸💖<< Yeah get me a good book. I finished the one you brought in with us on Tuesday >> text: brody🧸💖<< Love you, babe 😘

[tcmmykane]

brodylevime​:

>> text : tom cat 😻💖 << oh no! i’m sorry babe! i forgot to put the do not disturb sign up >> text : tom cat 😻💖 << want me to call down there and bother them a little? >> text : tom cat 😻💖 << can’t expect you to heal up if they keep waking you up all the time.  >> text : tom cat 😻💖 << how you doing? you need my netflix logins and stuff? >> text : tom cat 😻💖 << i’m gonna try and leave early

>> text: brody🧸💖<< Oh! And the room service is a fuckin’ joke >> text: brody🧸💖<< Only call if you can convince them to let me leave before Tuesday >> text: brody🧸💖<< I’m fine, Ma fell asleep in the chair, and I hate bein in a hospital bed >> text: brody🧸💖<< What’s new?

[tcmmykane]

@brodylevime

>> text: brody🧸💖<< I’m giving this hotel a 1 start rating >> text: brody🧸💖<< The staff keep coming in and waking me up >> text: brody🧸💖<< And I’m not allowed to get out of bed on my own or I’ll “pop my sutures” >> text: brody🧸💖<< 🙄🙄

[tcmmykane]

mrconnorandrews​:

-

Connor grinned, “Thanks, man.” he said before shrugging, “Yeah, I mean, I like learning but it has to be something interesting. Like, I can do math alright, but it’s boring as crap. I know some people like it, but that’s just not how my brain works.” he explained. He was very glad to be out of the world of core subjects now. “Colin was thirteen when I was born, and Chloe was ten. I was very much an accident.” he said bluntly, “But it worked out for me, cause they basically raised me when my parents had no interest.” 

He pondered that question for a moment, “I think that once you’re able to recognize it’s not a good way of living, that means you’re ready to find something healthier. Might not be easy, but there really is something to the whole concept that recognizing the problem is the first step to fixing it. It tends to work better if you can replace a habit with something better for you then just trying to end it completely, so it’s a lot better if you’re able to really think about how you do want to live your life, what you actually like, what would make you happy. Sometimes that’s easier to figure out with somebody else, which is one place my future job comes in to play.” he pointed out.

He smiled, “Chloe still likes to baby me when she can. I guess they kind of needed me to be more independent when I was little, once I was about two or three, the nanny was only there while my siblings were in school. But she’s honestly always been more like a mom to me, I think she’d be a lot happier now if I let her take care of me. She was always been protective but she sort of … freaked out a lot when I got sick.”

𝕥𝕜~

Tommy laughs, “Math’s not so bad.” He says, but he’s never found it difficult. “Though I don’t understand, to this day, why they push it so hard when most people don’t use anything beyond basic multiplication and addition, maybe some percentages and fractions, in their day-to-day lives, ya know?” He shrugs, lifts his glass for another drink then laughs when he’s putting it back down. “The youngest is usually an accident. I was, too, man.” But he’d been born sick and his mother had coddled him his whole life, always telling him he was her little surprise.

Tommy nods his head, not mentioning that a lot of people don’t get to that point before their lifestyles take them out. It makes him feel sick, a little, but maybe that’s something. Maybe that is a step in the right direction in itself. He smiles at Connor and raises his glass. “Cheers to that, bro. You’re a wise young man.”

Tommy swallows another swig from his glass and sets it back on the coaster, listening to Connor speak. “Of course, she freaked out. You said she practically raised you. You’re like her first baby. She was probably terrified of what would happen.”

[tcmmykane]

younghoax​:

• 𝕁𝕆ℝ𝔻𝔸ℕ • 𝕄𝕆𝕆ℝ𝔼 ✁

“Y’should’ve croaked but… now you won’t?” He asks, squinting as he tries to understand - because dodging death is one thing, but defeating it is another. Far more permanent. J’s seen enough fuckin’ death already. He cracks a smile though, hand leaving Tommy’s chest to catch the side of his neck instead. He ducks, presses his mouth to the man’s briefly. “You’re cool as shit, man.”

He gets it; J never minded the way his scars looked. It was more about having to remember how they got there every time he caught a glance. The tattoos turned stories about scars into stories of redemption.

Jordan decides to match him, pulling his own shirt over his head and leaving it somewhere close to Tommy’s. The scar he wants to share is covered again in ink so he repeats his previous action of taking the man’s hand, pressing it to his side. It’s not just a dent in his skin that’s the most immediately obvious thing this time though, and before he can explain, he takes Tommy’s other hand too, mirroring it on the other side of his body. It’s hard to tell without the comparison, but it’s a notch that’s more prominent this time. The scar is still there, beneath the ink, but the way his rib juts out just slightly distracts from the smooth feel of the scar.

“Marco’s family are pretty fucked,” he explains. “He’s only the way he is ‘cause his old man was worse.” J’s hands drop and he settles back into the couch. “Before I left the city, shit got intense, but I got out and he…” Another shrug. “You get it.”

𝕥𝕜~

Tommy laughs loudly then nods his head, “Yeah, somethin’ like that. And there were plenty’a good years of me tryin’. For lack of a better phrase for it.” He replies, shrugging. He may as well be candid. He didn’t care for a long, long time if he lived or died. He still doesn’t, if he’s honest with himself. The kiss surprises him, but Jordan’s full of surprises, and, man, if he doesn’t like that. “Yeah, I fuckin’ am, aren’t I?” He laughs, and it’s high-pitched, so he really means it.

“You gotta lotta tattoos, man.” Tommy remarks as J removes his shirt. Tommy’s got a lot, too, but he thinks Jordan has him beat, and he likes looking at the canvas. He allows his hand to be moved, letting his fingers rub over the scar, moving his hand along until his thumb grazes it, too. Tommy leans his head down, tilting it so that he can see the way Jordan’s rib pokes out. He lifts his gaze to meet Jordan’s again.

“Bet you been through some fuckin’ shit, man. Why you still fuckin’ around with him?” Tommy searches Jordan’s face, wondering how deep the rabbit hole goes – how much J is willing to share. “I mean, it’s not my place, but I don’t get it.”

[tcmmykane]

itsamandascott​:

*

Amanda hadn’t even opened the wallet, it wasn’t her business to know what was inside though if she had lost Tommy in the crowd that would have been a different story. She would have peeked to see if there was and ID so she could at the very least make her way to his place to drop it off.

“Getting a new ID is a pain, I don’t blame you I had to do it once when my wallet got stolen on the subway along with my badge to get into my building.” Amanda remembered that was just a pain in the ass all around. “Oh it’s not a problem, I’m usually the same way and it’s super busy today so I understand.  I’m just glad I caught up to you and you were going the same direction I’m heading.”

𝕥𝕜~

“You’re a rare find in New York, sweetheart.” Tommy says, folding his arms across his chest as he regards the young woman. At her age, he’s not certain what he would’ve done if he were in the same situation. Probably he would’ve looked for cash then left it somewhere, someone else’s problem. “I’m Tommy, by the way.” He says, and he thrusts his hand out for her.

With his other hand, Tommy pats his jacket pocket and keys click together inside the silky lined pocket. “I got my badge for my building on my keychain, luckily.” It’s not really small enough for that, but Tommy’s lost it one too many times and where there’s a will, there’s a way. “I’d also have had to fuckin’ cancel my debit card, and who the fuck carries cash these days? I’d’ve been fucked.”

[tcmmykane]

irisorchids​:

-

Esmeray smiles when Tommy assures her that she isn’t overstepping her bounds in anyways. “Yeah you had told me.” She tells him, referring back to the conversation that they had when he had first confined in her about his medical condition.

She continued to sign and initial the paper before standing up and walking over to the printer “I’ll have to make a copy for our records.” She informs him before running it through the copier. She leans against it before looking at Tommy. She isn’t going to overwhelm him with how she hopes that he heals quickly and all that jazz. She knows that Tommy is much like her in the sense of he isn’t one for peoples pity or worry. 

Once the paper is copied she hands him back the original “It’ll be tough to find someone to fill your shoes while you’re gone.” She informs him even though she’s sure he already knows that. Of course she’s only messing with him, no guilt trip in her voice at all however. 

𝕥𝕜~

Tommy sits a little anxiously, trying to ease the discomfort he feels in the air – though it might just be in his head. He’s always found these situations more than a little uncomfortable. It brings back too many memories, and he’s already dreading the week-long stint in the hospital. He offers her a sheepish little smile, “Yeah, go ahead. Do what you gotta do. I know there’s a lotta legalities to it and whatnot.” He sniffs, then, scratching at his ear.

When Esmeray hands Tommy back the papers, he straightens them a little and then looks up at her. “I might not be back to my regular self for up to three months. Just want to make that clear up front.” He’s no spring chicken, after all. He’s been unkind to this body. “But I’ll be back to work in six.” A pause, “Hopefully.” Tommy offers her another crooked grin, “Sure it will… I’m fuckin’ irreplaceable, ain’t I?”

[tcmmykane]

fashionistamaisyackerman​:

Maisy hums lightly in thought as she scribbles his name on to the space in her planner for Saturday. That would give her plenty of time to finish the suit design that she was working on yesterday and it gave her the extra boost that she needed. “Can you do around eightish on Saturday?” She questions, shifting from one foot to another with a grin. 

“It’s going to be a bit of a long process,” she begins to warn, “but don’t worry – it’ll totally be worth it!” That much she was sure of, even if it would take some time to get there.

𝕥𝕜~

Tommy watches her as she scratches his name down, his brows raise, “Eight in the morning?” He nearly chokes, but he can do it -- he will do it, for Brody. “Yeah, I can manage that. Where we gonna meet up?’ He needs to know how long it’ll take him to get there, what time he’s going to have to wake up.

His brows drop, furrowing, “What? A long process?” He’s only slightly offended, but he figures he should take her word for it when she says that it’ll be worth it. “What’re you gonna do to me?”

[tcmmykane]

stella-lunden​:

☆✮☆

“Nothing like that.” She just gives him a shrug. “You don’t have to tell me- I’m just curious. But I get it.” She thinks it’s good to know this sort of thing about your friends, but to be fair, she and Tommy had only just started talking to each other not too long ago. There’s just things you don’t go around admitting to people, and this was one of them. Unless it was a meeting, where you’re expected to share with strangers- something that never sat right with her. 

“Sure, to an extent. Can’t go around making too many bad choices though- I’ve heard bankruptcy’s a bitch.” Stella laughs at his next question, “I’m just glad my mom didn’t give me a really weird name.” She stubs out her cigarette too, putting on a pensive look. “Honestly? I think I’m gonna clock out. ‘Cause it’s not that busy and I’m not the one closing and I can do whatever the fuck I want.” There’s a bit of a laugh when she repeats his words. “Did you have any big plans for tonight? Besides stopping brawls, I mean.”

𝕥𝕜~

Tommy let’s his gaze drift over her, like he’s drinking her in. He thinks about it for a moment, weighs out what he can and can’t say – at least by his own rules. He scratches at the stubble on his face and offers Stella another one of those grins, “You name it, I’ve probably tried it, and likely had a problem with it at some point in time.” He just likes to swap them out occasionally. But that’s more than Stella needs to know. He doesn’t need her looking at him any differently.

“Bankruptcy worked out pretty well for 45.” He says, face scrunching a little – you never know how you can joke about that stuff with. “Yeah, you are lucky there. I got a sister named Olive. You know how much shit she got growing up? Stella’s a pretty name. It suits you.” Tommy smiles again, a little wider and more genuine this time. She truly amuses him. “I do not have any big plans. Maybe we can do somethin’ together since you’re clockin’ out and all?”

[tcmmykane]

admeto​:

-

Several somethings.

But Bee doesn’t put it to words because it feels too real even confessing to a stranger about the family waiting for her. Stella would be furious she wasn’t answering her phone, Eric would be concerned, and sweet little Vic would be fast asleep with not a care in the world. Little scenarios, imagining them in their day to day lives at any moment - how could she possibly hope to tell him about it? How were there ever enough words to describe how terrifying it felt every second every day knowing how much they meant to her? She couldn’t even admit it to herself much less a man that reminds her of the dead.

So she shrugs, she listens to him instead and takes a drag of her cigarette.

Being infertile wasn’t so bad, she used to joke to her brother. She’d passed out high on something and woke up to those blue eyes, that raw terror only she’d ever seen. Oh how Archie’s hands shook. Oh how his voice broke as he told her how it was his fault for not getting to her soon enough. ‘I wanted an abortion anyways. Have to live up to your stupid little nickname don’t I? Though I’m not as chaste as Artemis.’ She had laughed and he had cried. Betrice always figured it was because of the fact she’d nearly died in his arms but now, especially today, she understood.

Archie mourned her choice being ripped from her.

“Life doesn’t accept apologies, why should I?” Betrice smiles though, flicking ash and meeting his gaze. “Fun? Why that’s simple. I hunt down any and every angle that will let me grind the lives of cruel men under my heels. That’s just my day job, Tommy.”

“How about you? What thrills you?”

𝕥𝕜~

Of course, Tommy expects nothing wholly truthful or forthcoming about this woman’s background given she was ready and willing to give him a fake name. She’s also only given him a nickname, which he assumes is fair enough, but that leaves him with little anticipation for what she’ll tell him.

It's sign enough that she’s in her head, thinking about it. Maybe it doesn’t need to be verbalized.

“To absolve others of guilt, of course.” He replies with a little smile. “Isn’t that the whole purpose of an apology?” He shrugs then, scratching at the back of his head, laughing a little when Bee says what she does. “Now, that’s surprisingly unsurprising.” Tommy’s not worried, of course. He’s not a man worth her time or scrutiny. “Sounds like something off’a Leverage.”

Bee asks him what thrills him, and he thinks quietly for a moment. There’s not much anymore that really gets him going. The drugs don’t even do it for him anymore. And, so, with a somber little smile, he lifts up his shoulders and lets them drop again. “Guess I’m trying to figure that out.”

[tcmmykane]

mrconnorandrews​:

-

He nodded quickly, “That’s why I don’t mind the PHD thing, school kind of bored me when I was younger, but now that I can choose what I’m studying, I actually enjoy it. I mean, grad school is a lot, but it’s mostly a fun challenge.” he explained. Most people didn’t understand willingly taking on all the extra schoolwork, but psychology was interesting and if he could help people with it, that was all the better. “Oh, you’re closer to my brother’s age then.” he said with a grin, “Colin says I’m a baby too, so I guess it comes with the territory.” he added with a small shrug.

“Oh, true. I should have thought of that.” he said before taking his phone back. “Maybe, I guess it’s really about what keeps you going. I just don’t tend to give up on anything, even when I probably should. My sister says I hit two and then I just never grew out of the ‘I can do it myself’ stage.” he said, a small smile on his face as he pictured the fondly frustrated tone of voice she usually said that in. 

𝕥𝕜~

“I respect you for that, man.” Tommy says and there’s a little bit of reverence in his voice. Because he does respect it. It’s a route he should have taken himself, but he didn’t. He gave up where Connor kept going. That’s admirable in Tommy’s book. “I’m glad you’re at a point where you can actually enjoy what you’re learning about. I know that undergrad shit can be a bitch.” He laughs when Connor says Tommy’s close to his brother’s age. “Oh, yeah? That’s… yeah, that’s an age gap. My oldest sister is only nine years my senior.”

Tommy shrugs, “What if what keeps you going is a really shit way of living?” He asks, eyebrows curving with the question. He thinks of addicts – people like himself. Not that he’s going to freely speak about that, but talking about it in hypotheticals never hurt. “I like that. I tried that with my mom, but she wasn’t having it. I was babied. Total opposite of you, I guess.” His eyes cast over the younger man’s face, and he smiles just a little. “You’re real close with your sister, huh?”