That evening, Tom faced the mirror in his room, sober, smoothing the wrinkles in his suit. His dreadlocks were down, framing his jawline perfectly and strangely exuding the manly aura he'd always had.
An apathetic look on his face replaced the side smile which matched his easy-going personality that was gradually fading, little by little.
Going into Caleb's room, he found the little guy half asleep, sitting on Jerry's crossed laps on the bed as he twisted his thick dark brown hair into many simple, pretty twists that fell nicely around his face.
The lights were off, except the blinking lighthouse nightlight on the bedside table.
When Tom opened the door, light from the hallway poured in, then disappeared as he shut it behind him.
He went over to them, carefully watching his steps due to the thousands of Legos scattered all over the carpet. Meanwhile, Jerry watched him with wide eyes and angst tickling his bones as he recalled that night.
***
Tom had stopped in an alley, a block away from Jerry's house. He'd transformed back, and he'd sent Jerry into a meltdown with his request.
"You want what?!"
"Just one kiss. I promise that's it."
"Choose something else,"
"Nope, not changing my mind. You said whatever I want."
"Anything but that!"
He sighed, feigning helplessness. "Oh well, I might as well just go home and drink until I throw up that vegetable water,"
"No! Ugh, okay, fine. I-I'll kiss you." I kinda want to..
Tom turned back, imaginary tail waging behind him like an eager, expectant puppy.
Sighing in frustration, Jerry walked close enough to him, then grabbing the front of his coat in his fists, pulled him down and smashed their lips against each other.
Isn't this the first... why does it feel so familiar...
He sighed, feeling himself get lost as the simple kiss turned into a passionate waltz of their lips. His arms circled Tom's neck, pulling him ever so close.
Jesse's gonna kill me...
If he finds out.
***
As the mattress of the bed went down when Tom sat, and Jerry's breaths quickened, and so did his heartbeat.
He stuttered out, "Uh, a-are you g-going out... tonight?" Referring to the way Tom was dressed.
Tom leaned back onto his hands on the bed, eyes up at the ceiling. "No, we're having another family over for dinner."
"Oh," He finished the last twist and tied them all into a short ponytail. Then getting up, he gently put Caleb on the bed, laying the duvet over his sleeping frame. "I should probably leave then..."
"Wait," Tom pulled him back, locking him in between his legs. "You did Loess' hair, you did my brother's, don't you think it's just fair that you do mine too?"
"No, T-Tom let me go!" He whisper-yelled, pushing away, but still cautious of the sleeping kid close by.
"Come on, pretty please? Little mouse, Mousy J, Mini cupcake, Cherry Jerry?-"
"Fine, okay? Fine, I'll do your-whoa!" He was carried and placed on Tom's lap, his breathing hitched as Tom held his thighs and pulled them apart, making him kneel, and housing the dark-haired man between his legs.
"Tom-"
"Sit."
With a second of reluctance, Jerry sat on his lap, straddling him, yet trying to stay as far away from him as possible while doing just that. But Tom, being Tom, saw this and pulled him in, closer than before, his hands on his thighs but so close to his behind, so Jerry instinctually tried to back off, the result being getting held tighter.
"Can't let you go until it's done," Tom says, like it's normal to hold a friend hostage like this.
Jerry started to push away and beat at his chest, inflicting damage of 0%."Tom! Let go! I can do it without... without sitting like this!"
Hugging him, he buried his nose in the crook of his neck, inhaling the enticing scent of dew he's been craving. "Until you're done... I'm not letting go..."
"Tom, please.." The little mouse whimpered, unsure what exactly he was requesting for as the tip of Tom's nose trailed on his reddening skin, just below his collarbone.
A small sleepy sigh came from under the duvet, as the small head with sleep closed eyes peeked out. "Tommie, stop harassing Jerry, he's nice..."
Though surprised at first, they both could tell the little guy was still more asleep than not. Caleb's subconscious mind though was amazingly alert.
"Harassing? Nah, I'm not harassing him, bud. If I was, I'd do something like this,"
He suddenly kissed Jerry in the corner of his lips, then smoothly licked the soft, warm lips apart, making way for his tongue to enter, which it didn't get to do because Jerry jerked his head away, screaming hell internally.
"T-Tom..! " He whined, glaring at the other's chest as if it had done an unforgivable act, unable to look into the eyes of this heart-violating kisser.
Tom smirked, subtly licking his lips. "See, Cal? Now that would be harassment."
Low murmurs of sleep can be heard from him. "Huh, no the duckies won't shit in the bath... they eat bubbles..."
Tom chuckled lightheartedly, then looked at his little mouse. "Better start now, little mouse,"
Jerry sighed, as he got busy with Tom's lengthy dreadlocks.
Surprisingly, Tom didn't try anything naughty while he did them. He just quietly hugged him.
Though Jerry appreciated that fact, he couldn't help wondering...
He made the locks into a braided half pony, letting the rest fall down his back. By the time he was done, it was as if Tom had fallen asleep on his shoulder. "Done."
"Tan temprano... " He murmured, then opened his eyes. "It's perfect."
"You haven't even seen it,"
"Yeah, but you did it, so..."
Jerry rolls his eyes and gets off of him. "If that's all I'll be leaving now."
"What if that's not all?"
"I'm not your personal maid, Tom." He put on his sneakers and took his satchel from the desk. It was a cold evening, so he wasn't wearing as much as he usually does. Jesse had given him his coat, and as much as it drowned Jerry's miniature figure, he found it comforting to wear.
"Lamentablemente no," He got up as well. "Shall I escort you out?"
"Your British accent is scary." The shorter boy opened the door and headed out with the taller following behind.
They were about descending the stairs when the doorbell was rang. Both paused on the stairs, watching Tom's aunt and uncle, dressed as elegantly as ever, walked to the door and opened it.
There was a collective exchange of faux smiles and regards, then the guests entered. A dignified looking man, a woman looking no less respectable than him hung unto his arm. A girl and a boy followed behind, of equal heights.
"Oh, so it's not a business kind of dinner?" Jerry asked, starting to clinb down again, Tom followed behind.
"Kind of..." Tom hummed. "They're scheming to wed me to that bitch."
"Ah, that makes sense."
"If I'm not able to kill her before it happens, please shoot me at the altar."
Jerry smiled, "Or I could kidnap you?"
Tom returned the smile. "Quiero besarte tan mal..."
"Hm?"
"I said, please do."
"Mhm..." He suspected Tom had said something else, but didn't understand Spanish.
They got to the bottom of the chairs and couldn't leave because of the boy, about the same age as Tom, blocking the door. Compared to the others he was more simply dressed and his frameless rectangular lens portrayed a smart guy, which he was. "Hi!"
"Move, Vic." Tom's expression sank into apathy, he looked at him with dull, dead eyes.
"Geez, won't even let me talk to him?"
"Not a chance."
"You're such an ass..." His eyes moved to Jerry. "And you're adorable. I'm Victor Lào. Nice to meet you."
"Uhm, yeah I-I'm Jerry."
"Now that didn't hurt, Tom. Did it?"
He crossed his arms. "Yes. Yes it did."
"Oh, Jeremiah, you're still here..." Annabelle sent her husband a side glance, and he returned it. "Why don't you stay for dinner, dear? We have enough to go around."
Dear? Tom furrowed his eyebrows. These two are up to something.
"Uhm, I -" Jerry stuttered, unsure what to do, he peeked at Tom, who silently replied with a slight shrug and nod. He turned back to the woman. "I guess I c-could..."
Suddenly, Jerry was snatched from his arms being pulled away. "This is great! I get to spend an evening with you, Jerjer!"
Tom literally growled. I hate you Victor.