• I hope you all like my pun in my title, ride or die, get it, no? okay. just using a soft boyfriend look as a good gif
warnings: slow burn of fluff, best friends do loved trope, kind of rushed the end but oh well, and swears as per usual.
word count: 9k (lol now this is my longest).
notes: each ~ means a new day/ time skip
the block of writing in italics is a flash back
summary: you need to babysit your nephew for the weekend and you get close to Tom quite quickly, as your best friend and roommate you test the waters, with the encouragement of your nephew and sister
"When did you suddenly get a kid?" Tom joked as he opened the apartment door and chuckled to himself as he spotted you sitting on the ground with a little boy in your lap trying to leave together the not very tricky, but tricky for a three year old puzzle.
"I'm babysitting this weekend. Remember?" You told him noticing the shopping bags in Tom's hands as he dumped them on the kitchen bench. "No." Tom shook his head.
"You're hopeless." You roll your eyes and continue playing with the wooden puzzle your nephew Ryder was trying to put together.
"My sister had a business meeting out of town and wondered if I could baby sit. I swear you were there when we had that discussion." He defiantly was. It was around the time of Ryder's third birthday. You brought Tom along because your parents absolutely adored him. You two had been friends for years and your mother had always wondered why you were bringing up everywhere you went. You simply replied with, 'well he takes me to his family functions.' It was just mutual.
"Oh yeah! I remember. I forgot it was this weekend. I invited Harrison over for drinks tonight."
"That's fine. Kelsey just asked me to tell you to clean up after yourself." You run your fingers through your nephews brunette hair and his big bold greens eyes look at you and smile.
"I always do." Tom chuckled and sat on the couch opposite you and the little boy who was now cowering in your chest.
"Ryder, you know Tom. Why are you scared today?" You giggle rubbing his back. He wasn't usually like this. Maybe he just wanted used to men being around him. Kelsey's partner left her when she fell pregnant with Ryder so maybe that's why. Tom slid off the couch and at down on the ground with you to be eye level with the boy. A trick he picked up when he was talking to Paddy as a younger child. “No!" Ryder cried throwing a piece of the puzzle in Tom's direction.
Ryder was probably just being super protective of you. You were his favourite. Even at family events and gatherings, he'd always manage to sit on your lap. Even at your cousins wedding, Kelsey was the bridesmaid and gave Ryder to your parents to look after but he wasn't keen on that. You checked the time on your phone thinking he was cranky because it was nearing his nap time.
"Let's put you down for a few minutes." You suggest getting up from the floor and Ryder grabs onto your legs. One arm reaching for you and the other, well his thumb in his mouth. Tom awwed at the sight. You bent down to pick Ryder up and you carried him to your room. He didn't take up much space, so Kelsey said it was fine that you two share a bed. Kelsey left Ryder's favourite night light with you which stayed plugged in by your door as you turned the lights off for him. You weren't aware of his sudden drooling habits but your pillow was about to get sticky and wet. Leaving your bedroom, after finally putting Ryder down for a nap, which Kelsey highly encouraged, you entered the lounge room to find it being cleaned.
"What time is Harrison coming over?" You ask curiously as you notice the puzzle you were playing with was now packed up thanks to Tom. "You didn't have to do that." You thank him with a smile.
"It's all good. Probably around 8pm." Tom shrugs as he's now back on the couch.
"Could you just, I mean, I'm not telling you what to do, but could you hold off on the drinking until Ryder goes to sleep?" You sit on the other couch cushion with your feet under your legs.
"Of course, yeah, yeah, I was going to tell Harrison that anyways." Tom spoke, it was common sense not to drink alcohol around the child.
"Thank you, I just don't want Ryder learning anything inappropriate just yet." You tell him as Tom sits back on the couch. "Like, I'm happy for you, again not telling you what to do, like a drink or two, but I don't want him telling Kelsey that you past out in the floor and threw up everywhere."
"You haven't got anything to worry about, I promise." Tom told you confidently.
Ryder was probably only asleep for 20 or so minutes, just a quick 'pick me up' nap and the dude was ready to run laps around you again.
Ryder found his way to Tom on the couch who now was sporting a can of drink in his can and man spread legs.
"I have my drink too?" Ryder asked as he tried to climb atop the couch using Tom's leg to stable him. Ryder sat up next to Tom and patted Tom's legs which made Tom chuckle. Tom grew fond of the little boy.
"Yeah, I'll get you some water." You say opening the fridge door where Ryder's little sippy cup was, filled to the brim with chilled cold water and closed the fridge door giving him his bottle. The boy took his thumb out of his mouth and held the sippy cup with both hands.
"Cheers bud." Tom clinked his drink with Ryder and he smiled sucking on his bottle.
"Yummy." He spoke and leaned into Tom's knee and kept sipping on his cup. Tom gently and cautiously placed his hand a top of Ryder's body and let it sit there. You could help but take a photo of the two boys bonding together. Paw Patrol was playing and Ryder was pointing out all the colors he knew to Tom who was super impressed and expressed his ..: to Ryder.
"Woah! You know all those colors." Ryder nodded and ended up climbing on top of Tom's lap, sitting right by his groin which he didn't mind but it was going to hurt soon. You came and sat next to them, leaving a few inches in between the two of you, which is usually how you sat.
"Look it's Chase!" Ryder pointed to the screen, showing you the main character he adored.
"What animal is Chase bud?" Tom asked him.
"That's right." Tom gleamed, remembering that small trip to the zoo a few months ago where Tom tried to teach Ryder about the small animals he could see including the meerkats and butterflies. Tom's hand which was placed flat on the couch, trailed over to your hand and held it in his. It was comforting. You rubbed the back his hand with your thumb, and he gave you a small smile. Ryder noticed that Tom wasn't watching the tv and frowned as he saw the two of you holding hands. Ryder slid off Tom's lap and onto the small space in between the two of you and pulled your hands apart.
"No!" He grouched and then put your hand in his. "My (Y/N)."
"Whoa dude, don't need to get jealous." Tom chuckled looking at the little boy. Tom was more jealous though. The little boy was holding both your hands as he sat on your lap. Tom was enjoying the small about of affection he was getting from you. Sure he enjoyed your company as his best friend, but he wanted more. Once the Paw Patrol episode was over, Tom suggested that he cook dinner. You looked at him weirdly.
"Y-you're cooking dinner?"
"Yeah." Tom proudly skipped into the kitchen. "How about pasta? I can do that tomato sauce my mum makes, the one you really like."
"It better be just ask good as your mothers. Her cooking skills are pretty extraordinary." You tease and he pokes his tongue out at you.
"Ryder can have pasta yeah? I googled that toddlers can. I just wanted to double check with you. Maybe Kelsey doesn't like him having pasta." Tom shrugged double checking with you was super thoughtful.
"Yeah he can have pasta. He'll literally only eat ten noodles though, so don't cook him any extra, you can just take them out of my serving." You wave off still distracted by the boy now bouncing on your lap.
"Aunty (Y/N), can I have some more pasta please?" Ryder asked as he finished off his ten strings of pasta. You twirled some pasta onto your fork, carefully carrying it to Ryder's small plate and letting it drop. "Thank you." He smiled and continued to eat the pasta which is plastic fork.
"So, is it just as good as my mother's?"
"You're almost there." You say and finish your mouthful by politely covering your mouth to swallow.
"What's it missing?" Tom asked curiously, even though he knew you were enjoying it.
"Her love." You giggle sipping on your glass of water.
"Ouch." Tom acted offended by putting his hand over his heart.
"All done!" Ryder congratulated himself. "Now can I watch Paw Patrol again?"
"Yeah bud. Let me put it back on for you." Tom spoke helping him off the chair, which you were surprised Ryder allowed that. He just needed that safety blanket of Tom's hands in case he wobbled off the chair and ran over to get the best spot of the couch, right in the middle where the two cushions meet. You cleaned up your empty places and began to clean them in the sink.
"I'll clean them." Tom told you as he walked back into the kitchen. He wasn't mad that you were cleaning them, because when you moved in you made a rule, whoever cooks the other one cleans.
"Don't be silly, you cooked." You shrug your shoulders, it was routine.
"But your nephews here, you should spend some time with him." Tom leaned against the kitchen bench, his arms crossed over.
"Tom, I've literally only got one more bowl left to wash." You say showing him the dirty bowl. The door opened giving Tom a small shock hoping Harrison had forgotten their plan to drink. Tom and Harrison joined each other on the couch on each side of Ryder. Ryder had met Harrison on a few occasions, so he knew his face quite well. Ryder knocked into his sleep mode around 8:30pm so you helped him get into your bed, you lay with him for a while, reading him a beside story about colored sheep. During the many stories you read to your nephew, you wondered what Tom and Harrison were talking about and anything at the moment would be more interesting than the hungry caterpillar.
"Can you tell me another story?" Ryder sucked on his sippy cup full of milk.
"What story?" You asked intrigued at the next book he might choose. He climbed out of the sheets and sat on top of the top sheet and crossed his leg. "You tell me a story."
"Which one buddy?" You gestured to the five books laying by you.
"Do you want to tell you a story about Aunty (Y/N) and Mommy?" You suggest and he shakes his head. Ryder got the gist of the fact that you and Kelsey were sisters, but still didn't understand the whole idea.
"About you and Uncle Tom." Ryder smiled widely. You sighed at the three year old. It was the first time Ryder had referred to Tom as his 'uncle', well technically second time, you were tucking Ryder into bed for his afternoon na at Christmas and he asked you why 'Uncle Tom' was there and your heart swelled for the boy.
"What story do you want to know?" You ask hoping the boy could give you more of an idea of a story line he might like.
"The Christmas Story?" You asked confused, unknown about a Christmas story.
"Mommy said you kissed under mistletoe." You were going to punch your sister on Sunday when she comes to pick Ryder up. You told her not to tell anyone. It wasn't the first time you guys had kissed. But you could count the times by how many fingers you've got.
"Or when you danced like a princess at Bailey's wedding." Bailey was your cousin and he recently got married to your now cousin in-law Joanne.
"You mean when Tom and I danced on the dance floor?" You questioned, there wasn't much of a story behind that, but you could make something up on the spot.
"Yes." Ryder said in a 'duh' tone. Boy was already getting attitude as a three year old.
"Okay, well, Tom was sitting with me at the table, and the slow song came on, and he asked me to dance with him, and so we danced, and that's it." You say, truthfully not much of a story. You skipped the part where the two of you left the wedding to 'sign the guest book' but you actually made an early exit, to make out in Tom's car and go home early to indulge in some fast food you craved all day.
"I know you want to dance." Tom teased as he nudged your knee with his and chuckled lowly, watching you admire the other couples and family members dance of the dance floor with the newlyweds.
"N-no I don't." You stutter but deep down you know a little dance wouldn't hurt, especially with Tom.
"Well, I want to dance, please, just one slow song." Tom grinned begging you to actually do something fun at your cousins wedding. "Plus, I can see your mother giving me this look she always gives me."
"Oh that's her 'Tom's a great guy, why aren't you guys dating you." You joke pointing to your mother from the other side of the room and she gives you a small wave.
"That's the look," Tom snapped his fingers, he's glad that look finally had a name to it. Tom places your hand in his and lead you to the side of the dance floor. The ever so famous 'Can You Feel The Love Tonight' by Elton John was playing. Your arms your wrapped over Tom's shoulders and placed around his neck, your fingers holding, and Tom's were placed perfectly on your hips and waist. The two of you made eye contact for a verse of the song until you giggled, "I prefer the Lion King version." You hid you face in his neck before he could make a move on you. You noticed his eyes moving from your eyes to your lips.
"Either way, it's a great song (Y/N), you can't deny that." Tom chuckled as your placed your head over his shoulder, you jaw locking. Your mother kept trying to encourage you to do something from her arrangement of hand gestures you couldn't quite work out. You get out a small giggle and Tom worriedly spoke,
"Is everything okay? I didn't step on your feet did I?" Tom was more of a romantic than you.
"No no," you shook your head and your palm reached around his neck. "You haven't stepped in my toes..." You trail off. "...yet."
"I'll have you know I trained in dance." He raised an eyebrow, trying to one up you.
"Then why are you so worried about stepping on my toes?" You question.
"I don't want to hurt you darling." There it was again. That 'd' word that made your heart flutter every time he called you that, probably was, he called everyone that. Tom fit in really well with your family, and your aunty and uncle were always super happy that you brought Tom along to gatherings and events, it just showed how much he meant to you and how much it meant for Tom do actually attend the events.
Harrison was knocked out on the couch so there was no way he was moving anytime soon. The snores were echoing and you had no other option, not that you really mind.
"C-can I sleep in here?" You pushed Tom's door lightly, if you knew his night routine well enough, he would be in the bathroom brushing his hair or shaving (which he rarely did). "Yeah, of course."
"Thank you." You sigh shutting his bedroom door and walking over to the spare side of his bed.
"Did Ryder take up all your space?"
"The kid may be three, but his literally literally right in the middle of my bed, and I don't want to wake him up." You sigh placing your head on the spare pillow. "What are you going to do tomorrow with him?" Tom asked interested as he brushed his teeth from the bathroom, leaning in the bathroom door frame. Just his whole look was making you feel hit and flustered. The way he wore his grey trousers, a little lower than usual, showing off the elastic band to his underwear, Tom was a boxer not brief kind of guy.
"I was thinking about taking him to that children's farm, that's about twenty minutes away from here." You say turning your head and body do face his direction, leaning your arm under your head. "You are more than welcomed to come if you'd like. I'm sure he'd like some extra company." You grin.
"He'd like the extra company? Or you?" He teased, thankfully he was busy spitting the toothpaste in the sink and gargling his water to wash out his mouth to see you face turn the deepest red in has in a long time.
"You fucking tease." He chuckles turning the light to his bathroom off, leaning most of the bedroom in darkest except for the lamp sit up on the side of his bed. "I would've liked it it you had said you, but whatever."
"Oh I would definitely appreciate the company. I saw online that if we buy a family ticket it's actually cheaper-"
"Oh so now you're just using me to get cheaper tickets." He jumped into the bed next to you, throwing the blanket over you, covering your face and then bringing you into a hug.
"That's better, now I don't have you see your face, and it shuts you up." Tom teased as you struggled to get out of his grip under the sheets. In the darkest you could see his semi naked body, and decided you run your cold hands over his chest which made him jolt and let go of the covers.
"Why are you hands so cold? What the fuck (Y/N)." He said and you lay head on the same pillow as Tom's head. "Oi get off."
"No your side is warmer." You say, hopefully a good enough lie to sleep right on top of Tom. You shut you eyes and pretend your asleep for a few seconds, until Tom somehow finds a way to maneuver your body so it's next to his, as he dips his arm under your neck and shoulders, cuddling you close to his chest. You place your head on his bicep and peck muscles and discover it's a lot softer than a pillow, but like how is that possible. You feel Tom's kiss find a spot of the top of your head and he leaves them there all night. He soon turns the last light off and falls asleep himself.
The next morning you and Tom left his room, spotting Harrison and his dead weight lying on the couch with Ryder perked upon his chest, playing his a loud rattle toy and a xylophone which he kept banging.
"Oi! You love birds better fix this kid some food." Harrison groans as he's trying to keep Ryder company on the ground. Ryder still seems to be clashing around some rattle toys in Harrison's face, which isn't helping his throbbing hang over headache.
"I'm sure you could've made him toast." You chuckled pulling the cereal out of the cupboard, ignoring Harrison's 'love bird' comment.
"I meant me you idiots." Harrison sighed from the couch. Ryder heard the new word and was super excited to use it repeatedly.
"What's Idiot?" Ryder asked pulling the skin of Harrison's chest. You now realized that Ryder must've made his way up the couch and found a comfortable on Harrison's chest whilst you were asleep in Tom's room. He probably saw a familiar face and stayed with Harrison. You asked distracting him from the new word Harrison just taught him.
"Hey Ryder, corn flakes or coco pops?" You offer showing him the two boxes, hoping he knew what one he wanted by the color of the box rather than the name.
"Is that even a question." Tom chuckled behind you and Ryder's ears perked up at the sound of coco pops. He climbed of Harrison's chest, pressing on his ribs harshly as cams waddling over to you. You placed a small handful of coco pops in the bowl, which no milk which is the way he liked it, and Ryder sat down on the kitchen floor and ate the brown crispy cereal.
"You're crazy dude," Tom chuckled pouring milk in his cereal but decided to join the boy on the floor. You made yourself a cup of coffee the way you liked it, and sat down too, half of your body practically on top of Tom. You leaned into the side of his body, one of Tom's hands behind your back, rubbing soft circles against your skin, and the other hand, held his spoon for his cereal which balanced against his knee as he had his legs crossed.
After Ryder slowly ate his breakfast and Tom teased him the whole time for not having milk, and Harrison complains about that lack of service and love he was receiving on the couch, you helped Ryder choose and outfit for the day. Kelsey had pack a pair of overalls and a long sleeved striped top which you through was cute for the farm, as well as a warm puffer jacket and small blue gumboots which would complete his look. You just knew the overalls might be a pain if he needs to go to the toilet, so just in case you packed a pair of jeans in your small handbag, it took up most the room but you wanted to be safe rather than sorry.
"Hey, look at you! Ready for the farm!"
"Yes Uncle Tom! Let's go." He cheered leaving the room and playing with the zipper on his puffer jacket.
"Woah, Uncle Tom, that's new." Tom gave you a 'is it okay that he calls me that' look.
"Let's see if he'll let us hold hands today." You jokingly tease but Tom wouldn't want anything more than to hold your hand.
You had paid for the entry tickets and had decided to walk down the path of the farm, finding a good range of animals for Ryder to see. Ryder expressed his excitement in the car about the cows he wanted to see, and wanted to milk them (he was too young to milk them, even if he was sitting on your lap) but he was offered to pat them and he was okay with that.
You began walking down the stoned path, Ryder holding one of your hands and the other Tom's and you'd swing him occasionally, letting out a squeal of joy each time.
"Aunty (Y/N), I need to go potty." Ryder cried a little pulling your arm.
"Yeah okay, let's go find a toilet." You tell Ryder giving Tom a look so 'let's find the toilet quick because this kid isn't going to hold on for long'. It was a look of panic.
"There were bathrooms by the entrance." Tom pointed to where they might be and Ryder looked up to the two adults. You reach for the toilet block in a few minutes and Ryder reached over to Tom yanked his pants a little.
"Can Tom take me?" He asked now holding Tom's hand.
"Of course bud, let's go." Tom spoke excitedly. It wasn't that you weren't uncomfortable with Tom taking Ryder, it was just new to you. When you took Ryder to the zoo a few months back he didn't dare even hold Tom's hand, but now they were best buddies, except for the fact Ryder didn't like Tom holding your hand yesterday. You weren't going to tell the three year old that you and Tom shared a bed.
"I did it (Y/N)! I went and peed with Tom."
"That's great squirt." You smile proudly at him as he runs over to where you were waiting under a tree. You pick him up and win him around.
"How about as a good reward for going to the toilet, you can get a small gift here."
"Yes." Hs gleamed excitedly as you put him down ready to go look at some more animals.
"You didn't have you do that, thank you though." You say thankfully to Tom, rubbing your hand up and down his arm, stopped at his wrist and giving his hand a small light squeeze.
"Oh it was nothing, we had a good chat, didn't we bud?" Tom spoke now standing next to you. Ryder noticed your interlocked hands.
"Yep." Ryder nodded and you looked at the two boys confusingly. You weren't going to question their 'locker room talk' but you had an idea of their topic of discussion.
"Let's go see the sheep!" Ryder ran down the path. He's running was probably your walking speed so it was easy to catch up with him. His gum boots splashed around in the small puddles on the way to the sheep pen.
"They're so fluffy." He gleamed running up to the wooden pen and peeking in the gaps between the wood. Ryder reached out his hand and patted the sheep softly. Tom let go of your hand and bent down to Ryder's level.
"Do you want to sit on the fence and see them?" Ryder's face lit up with excitement and nodded quickly as Tom lifted him up slowly and gently, holding him as Ryder's feet where placing on the top of the wooden fence.
"Look at the baby sheep," Tom pointed out to Ryder with one hand and the other one holding him from falling back or forwards. "It's a baby, like you." Tom chuckled and Ryder let out a giggle.
"Nooooo." He shook his head. You couldn't help but take a photo of the two boys in front of you.
"What's a baby sheep called Ryder, you know this." You refer back to the wooden animal puzzle you completed yesterday with him.
"A lamb buddy." You hold but a small giggle. "But close though." Tom bites his lip from laughing at the small boy trying his hardest. You pull your phone out of your pocket again and take a photo of the two boys smiling at the camera, mentally taking note that you'd make this photo the photo of your lock screen later. After Ryder got bored of the sheep, which he was convinced they were all called Shaun, Tom carried him over to the next set of farm animals which were chickens, ducks and geese. You have the farmer a small donation of a few dollars in his box and he gave you a small bucket of animal feed, which was just seeds.
"Do you want to feed the chickens?" You ask Ryder as Tom places him on the ground. You enter the pen and help Ryder roll up his sleeves a little more and place a small amount of feed in his hands as a small chicken comes over to him and pecks the seeds right out of his hands. As you were squatting down, you could feel another animal on your side, the curious duck began eating seed out of your bucket.
"No, shoo!" Ryder stomped his foot and scared the duck which flapped his wings and made a large quack. Ryder hid his face into your jacket as you put your arm around the small boy.
"Hey hey, it's okay. He was just hungry." You soothingly say, your face giving him a look of sorry. The boy was scared.
"How about we move onto the rabbits and see if they would like some seeds?" You suggest pointing to the rabbits on the other end of the pen.
"Ryder I'm carrying the seeds, bud. I can't carry you too." You sigh knowing that's not the answer the boy wanted. Tom takes the bucket of seed out of your hand and you mange do lift the boy up, trying not to get his muddy shoes on your jeans. Too late. You carry the boy over to the other side of the pen, as he quivered in your chest hiding from the ducks. "Do you want me to put you down?" He shook his head and gave Tom a 'I'm sorry' look.
"Ducks are idiots." Ryder mumbled quietly knowing he wasn't allowed to say that new word Harrison taught him but he found it appropriate fo describe the duck that flapped his wings and scared him.
"It's okay, I've got this." He mumbled to you as he bent down on the ground and fed the rabbits which were around him.
"Look, Tom's feeding the rabbits, do you want to try?" You offer and Ryder crosses his arms and turns into your shoulder. You wanted to laugh but you couldn't, you didn't want to push it in case he blew out a tantrum. A farmer, one of the workers in a flannel shirts and jeans came over to the three of you.
"Hey buddy, I saw you feed the chickens before and you did such a good job." She smiled over the side of the fence.
"Yeah, that was you wasn't it." You encourage bouncing Ryder on your hip.
"I have a special job for you, would you like to feed my rabbits, a special carrot?" She pulled out a baby carrot from her pocket and Ryder's face lit up. This lady had done this a least a thousand times. Ryder reached out his hand and you instructed him to say 'thank you' but he let out a small,
"Ta." As the stranger, the lady gave him a small baby carrot and you bent down to the ground, Ryder still on your hip as he tried to feed the rabbits. Tom got up and took a photo for your and leaned against the fence.
"You guys are a cute family." The farmer gleamed.
"O-oh we uh, thanks?" Honestly, Tom didn't know what to say. "It's actually her nephew. We're just babysitting him." Tom told her truthfully.
"It's okay, it happens often." Tom waved her off. You were to distracted by Ryder and the rabbits by his feet to listen into Tom and the ladies conversation. "But the two of you, how long of you guys been together?"
"Oh we uh, we're friends." Tom bit his lip looking down at the hay on the ground, kicking it a little.
"Well, she doesn't see it that way. The way her eyes light up every time you look at her, that's love boy." She pats Tom's shoulder, "she's a keeper." She didn't know your sexuality, but by the way you looked at Tom, she knew you were more than interested at the boy. You looked up from Ryder to where Tom was standing and gave him a big smile, and he saw it. It your eyes, the look the lady was just talking about.
You spent a while in the gift shop, Ryder spent the whole time deciding on whether to get a sheep toy or a cow toy. After a while of him deciding, Tom offered to pay for the cow toy so he got both, because you had already offered to get him one as a gift. Ryder fell asleep the second you buckled him into his car seat. You sat in the passenger seat, just as exhausted as your nephew. Tom started the car and on the straight road, you offered you his hand to take by just simply putting his hand out flat over the console and you grasped your hand light in his and brought it over to your leg where it stayed for the whole car trip.
Tom helped you open the door as you carried your nephew, who was still asleep, into the apartment and lay him on your bed. You took his muddy shoes off and placed them at the end of the bed.
"Keep sleeping baby, it's okay. You had a big day." You sooth, placing a kiss on your nephews head and allowing him to keep sleeping some more before you began to prepare, well even think about dinner. You helped the boy out of his thick coat that was probably over heating his body and lay in on top of him rather than the doona blanket. As per usual, you let a small gap in the door and it's door frame in case Ryder got up earlier and wanted to find you. Tom had already crashed on the couch. You kicked off your shoes and let out a low chuckle. You hoped on the couch, laying your head in his lap and kicking your legs up, using up the rest of the space on the couch.
"You're really good with him Tom." You mumble looking up at him.
"I've had practice," He smiled down at you.
"If I'm not awake in twenty minutes, shake me awake." You say shutting your eyes shut as Tom's hand carefully caressed your hair and moves it out of your face.
"Will do darling." He whispered even though you're most definitely asleep. Tom couldn't help but stay awake. He wasn't as tired as you, but you had asked him to wake you up in twenty minutes, so he had to be up. Tom glanced over at your sleeping figure. He let out a small sigh of relief and a small chuckle followed. He doesn't even know how lucky he got with you in his life. You were his best friend, each other's wedding dates, car pool buddies, everything. He thought about taking it too the next stage, would things be different? Would things change? How would you feel about it? Deep down he knew you wanted more too. Somewhere in him, maybe his gut, was it a gut feeling? He didn't want to say anything whilst Ryder was here, just in case. Tom was definitely physically attracted to you, that was a given, but he was more attracted to your soul. The way you radiated positive energy to everyone you spoke to, and the way you hugged everyone you just met like you had known them for years, how you always told him to drive safe when he left even if it was only going to the shops and back, how you preferred a pub crawl than a club, or spending your Saturday night painting your nails, and he loved the way you respected his family like they were part of your own. He's parents had practically adopted you, they cooked an extra serving of food every time you came over. You were honestly his dream girl.
Tom pulled out his phone and played around on his Instagram, seeing what was new and seeing if you had posted anything. Not yet. He felt you stir in your sleep and slowly rub your eyes.
"Did you let me over sleep?"
"Nah you were asleep for 19 minutes and 27 seconds." Tom joked and acted like he was looking at the time. You were probably only out for no more than ten minutes.
"You dork." You laugh sitting up and stretching your arms and then wrapped them around Tom's neck.
"Your thighs are comforter than your chest."
"I'll keep that in mind next time you want to sleep in my bed." That next time would probably be tonight if you were be honest. You looked at him in the eyes, and he placed a soft kiss on the top of your nose. You had always enjoyed the affection you received from Tom.
"Ryder's probably going to wake up soon, what do you feel like for dinner?" You offer to cook.
"Honestly, I feel like noodles from that chinese place we always order from."
"Oh that's a good choice." You agree, to lazy to cook at the moment.
"Do you still want sweet and sour noodles and fried rice? I could get some orange chicken for Ryder." Tom suggested and it's just the small things you appreciate.
"Yeah, he'd probably just eat the rice." You say, your hand trails along the back of his neck and down the side of his shoulder. His skin was extremely soft and smooth at the moment. It was glowing. Tom felt the sparks flying from your fingers as you trailed them down his clothed skin.
"Let me order it." Tom chokes out as he opens up the Uber Eats app on his phone. Ryder wakes up a short time later and comes to try and find you with tears in his eyes. "Oh squirt, what happened?"
"I had a bad dream." He pouted, his lower lip quivering.
"Oh baby, it's okay." You pick him up and cradle him in your chest. "How about we go have a bath, and maybe play with some bubbles?" You suggest hoping to get the child's mind off the bad dream he had. Ryder nods slowly agreeing. "And Uncle Tom come too?"
"Yeah, Uncle Tom can come too." You speak to Tom in his direction.
"I'll be there in a minute bud." Tom says as he waves over your shoulder and you take your nephew to the bathroom.
He was amazed by the amount of bubbles that were created in the bath, and the smell of your fruity body wash that smelt like oranges which he likes, so he kept squirting the liquid into the bottle and wasting it. Tom came into the bathroom with the pajamas Ryder wore the night before in your bed and you were ever so thankful.
"I didn't want hip drip dropping all over the floor boards." Tom said and placed the clothes by the bath. You blew some bubbles in Ryder's face as Tom washed his hair and made different hair styles in the boys hair for his own entertainment. Tom now understood how that lady at the farm could've mistaken the three of you as a family. You and Ryder shared a similar facial structure and his eyes were a very similar color to yours. The only thing he and Ryder had in common was their brown curls, which he assumed had come from Ryder's father, not that he ever met him but brown hair was common in the area you guys lived in. The curls Tom had were definitely lighter than Ryder's.
"Tom look!" He pointed to his little willy.
"Dude, you gotta put that away. Only special girls are allowed to see that." You slap Tom's arm and glare at him, not wanting to have this conversation with your nephew at the age of three.
"Do you have one?" Ryder asked curiously, as his dad wasn't around maybe he wanted to know if other people had one too.
"Yeah I have one bud." Tom chuckled loudly.
"I can't believe you're having this conversation with him." You mumble quietly as your nephew continues to chat about his little penis to Tom who finds it super humorous. Tom lifts Ryder out of the bath and helps him dry him off with the fluffy warm towel and helped him into his pajamas covered in trains and trucks. His hair was still wet but you didn't mind that. You helps him into his slippers before running into the lounge room just as the door bell goes off, signaling the delivery man had arrived with the Chinese food Tom ordered.
Ryder sits on the floor with his plate you made for him, a small amount of rice and four pieces of orange chicken, cut up in bite size pieces for the toddler mouth to chew on with his soft teeth. Ryder was too distracted by the fantastic work of Hiccup in How To Train Your Dragon, a movie Ryder definitely was going to fall asleep to in a few moments, to even notice the fact you and Tom were cuddled up to each other on the couch. You head in his chest like the night before, his arm around your waist, his thumb and fingers gently caressing your waist. The small glances the two of you made, seemed to be normal, but to Harrison or anyone else who may have been around, would say that the glances meant something more. You did end up moving Ryder to your bed again once he had fallen asleep, he didn't stir this time, or wake up. Dude was out like a light. You came back to the couch where Tom was lounging and resumed your previous position. He was wearing that ever so warm black hoodie he owned, the hood over his head, giving you the most absolutely softest boyfriend look of all time. "What time's Kelsey coming over tomorrow?" Tom asked you, noticing your eyes about to drop and wanted to get out a little more information out of you.
"I think right after breakfast she told me on Friday." You yawn trying to think back to the conversation.
"Does that mean you're back to sleeping in your bed?" Tom mumbled quietly.
"I like your bed. It has you in it."
"Sounds like every fuck boys pick up like ever." Tom laughed at your tired and slurred speech.
"And you'd miss me too much." You stats blushing and Tom's cheeks turn blush as you spoke the truth.
"Who else is going to crush my rib cage when I sleep?" Tom spoke and you lifted your head off his chest.
"I'm trying to sleep, shut up." You roll your eyes and Tom suggests that you go to his bed and he'll meet you there shortly. Getting up from your spot, the night shirt you wore the night before was still in Tom's room, thankfully because you didn't want to go to yours do grabs yours and accidentally wake up Ryder.
Tom came to his room shortly, stripping down to his trousers once more and gently sliding into bed. "Thought you'd never come to bed?"
"And leave my pretty best friend all alone in my bed, no way." Tom chuckled, reaching his arm out for you to move into his arms space and cuddle the side of his body. Your hand lay on his bare chest again, feeling his heart beat faster and faster, when it should be slowing down. You used the cold weather as an excuse that his heart was beating faster to allow warm blood to flow through his body faster.
The next morning, your sister knocked at the perfect time. You were trying to make Ryder a sustainable breakfast of a slice of toast, some blueberries and a sippy cup full of milk.
Ryder was calm and honestly your favourite kid in the world, he was super easy to look after except for the almost-tantrum at the farm yesterday. Kelsey wanted to stay for a while because the trip to your house from the airport when she got back this morning seemed longer than usual so she needed a tea to relax. Ryder tried telling his mother about the exciting trip to the farm, the bubble bath and the new word he learnt which you and Tom both denied that he learn it from either of you. Kelsey turned to her son after looking at her watch that laid against her wrist.
"Why don't you show (Y/N) how do pack your bag like a big boy?" Kelsey smiled at her son who was holding your leg tightly not wanting to leave you and Tom. "Yeah, come on. Let's go pack your bag." You smile and Ryder follows you into your room where his stuff was. Tom say on the same couch as your sister Kelsey and she gave Tom a look as he noticed.
"Wh-What? Is there something on my face? Is there something wrong with your tea? You said one sugar right?" Tom asked worriedly hoping he hadn't upset his future in-laws, if he could even call her that.
"She has you wrapped around your finger, I swear." Kelsey mumbled sipping on her tea. "I see the way you two look at each other, it's like your two seventeen year old kids who say that they 'like' each other." Kelsey chuckled and Tom raised an eyebrow. "She's been waiting for a while now?"
"For you to ask her out." Tom choked on his drink. "Why else you do you think she takes you everywhere she goes?"
"Other than that doofus." Kelsey agreed but tried to push Tom a little more.
"Ding ding ding!" Kelsey exasperated. "She's been hung up about you since you guys were like, fifteen. I thought you had more brain cells than that." She truthfully told him.
"I-I have brain cells." Tom groaned frustratedly crossing his arms.
"Tell her tonight how you feel. For gods lake Tom, do it for yourself. It would put us all out of our misery." Kelsey laughed snapping her fingers, "remember at, Logan's, that's you'd cousin yeah? He was turning 21 and everyone was there. You and (Y/N) had disappeared to 'sign the guest book'." Kelsey used her fingers as index quotation marks, "your brother, Harry, yeah?" Tom nodded. "He asked me if you had finally asked her out yet. Everyone, literally everyone, thinks you guys would be great together. Just bite the bullet and ask her on a date, not that you guys need to date, just fuck and get it over with, get married settle down, have kids, get a nice white picket fence, you deserve this, you deserve her. You know you need her in your life," Kelsey dropped some wisdom on him way to early in the morning. "You guys are like an old married couple, it's super cute." Tom hated that 'c' word, cute is something you describe a baby body suit or a little girl's scribbled drawing. Not a relationship, but he didn't mind it.
"I-I think I get it." Tom mumbled sipping on his tea hoping for you not to walk out on this conversation.
Ryder had left your place a few hours ago. Tom had managed to get a load of washing done and packed it away. He washed your sheets that Ryder had slept, and drooled on, as well as some other pieces of clothes which lay around. The apartment had a peaceful silence, especially after Tom turned his tap off after brushing his teeth at the night and came and joined you in his bed.
"You don't need to answer this, but what did Kelsey say to you before she left." You asked intrigued and Tom knew this question was coming up.
"Just stuff." Tom shrugged, he hated lying to you.
"Okay?" He was taken back.
"Yeah, Okay. If you don't want to tell me, it's alright," you say and caress his cheek as the two of you lay on the same pillow. Reserve psychology.
"She told me I was being daft."
"About us, about how much of an old married couple she reminds us of."
"She's not even married."
"She meant our parents." Tom settled on. If he could be in a relationship like his own parents, he would be thrilled. Your parents were just as good. The next question was not the question you thought he would've asked you next.
"H-have you ever thought about kids in your future?" Tom tried to avoid your eyes that watch him closely, as he rolled onto his side and brushed a few strands of hair off your face tucking it behind your ear.
"M-me? I've thought about it once or twice." You shrug. "Kelsey was born to be a mom though. She's so good, I'm just happy to be Ryder's aunt." You truthfully told your best friend, you'd be lying to yourself that when you first held Ryder in the hospital after Kelsey had just given birth, Tom was there with you, and there was the smallest part of you which pictured yourself in the future with a child of your own, half you, half Tom.
"H-have you thought about a future with me?" Tom carefully asks, trying to ask the right questions before one of you fell asleep.
"Yeah, my best friend who's next to me every step of the way." You said putting a hand on his shoulder. Did Tom just get friend zoned for life.
"O-oh." He darted his eyes to anywhere but your face. Kelsey was wrong.
"My best friend, who although will probably a daft husband would still be my best friend." You giggle hopefully saying daft would help him connect the dots.
"I'd be a great husband." Tom after offended. He truely would be. Nothing would change in your relationship you had with him, maybe more kissing and a few pieces of additional jewelry added to your ring finger if all goes well. Starting a new chapter with your best friend, felt like, it felt normal and safe.
"Aha. Prove it." You challenged leaning closer to Tom's face if that was even possible. Tom's hand moved to your lower back under the sheets and pulled you on top of him.
"Prove to you that I'd be a good husband?" Tom questioned as he placed a soft his on your lips. First he had to kiss you, ask you out on a date, label the relationship, re-introduce each other to your parents, love each other, get engaged and then married, and then he could prove he was a good husband. But maybe those steps made him the best husband. Tom could tell by the way your lips moved on his, not your first your first kiss together, but maybe one of your firsts as a couple, knew that he was on the right track. Everyone was right. His parents, your parent, and even your sister Kelsey. Tom pulled his lips off yours and sensed your face glowing even in the dark.
"Challenge accepted." He squeezed your hand in his and you let out a giggle. He's hand felt safe in yours, and the additional touches over the weekend definitely helped. Tom just needed that extra push, and so did you.
"Let's talk more about this tomorrow Tom." You mumble against his lips, sliding down his chest a few inches trying to find the super cozy spot your head loved to lay on.
"That's okay. We can talk more tomorrow. I love you though, just thought I should say that seeing I've put everything on the line."
"I love you too, more than anything. More than Ryder." You mumble, placing a quick kiss on his chest and shut your eyes. Tom hand ran up and down your back, a touch, a feeling you had learn to grow to love over the years and a feeling which felt all too well over the weekend.
"And can the ring barer, Ryder please come up with the rings." Ryder who had just turned six slid off his pew in the church and walked over with two simple gold rings you and Tom picked out a few months ago.
"She looks like a princess." Ryder whispered in Tom's ear as he bent down to collect your soon-to-be ring out of Ryder's hand. "I'll take good care of her I promise."
"I'm sorry for not letting you hold her hand when I was three." Ryder mumbled smiling at Tom who let out a smile and rubbed the boys arm as you watched the two in front of you discuss that day on the couch when he yelled out 'Nooo'. "Apology accepted bud." Tom fist pumped the little boy and you laughed at the two of them with a tear in you eye. You gave Ryder a tilted smile and you bent down to his eye level where Tom also still was.
"You can still protect me Ryder, you'll always be my number one boy." You let him know with a kiss on his cheek with he goes do wipe off but doesn't. He seems okay and no longer nervous with the fact 100's of people were watching him at the alter with your future rings in his hands. You kind of had your nephew to thank, because if it wasn't for him and that weekend, you don't know where you'd be. You promised Ryder, if you were to have kids, you'd name the first boy after him. But for now, you were happy with your two boys, your lock screen still hadn't changed in all those years. It was still Tom and Ryder at the zoo with the sheep. Once the ceremony was over, and you and Tom left the church, and continued into your reception, where your first song as a married couple was 'Can You Feel The Love Tonight' and your mother almost sobbed when she heard the turn begin to play. Everything felt right, everything fit like that wooden puzzle Ryder brought home on that weekend he stayed at yours. All it took as your sister to talk some sense into your best friend, and your nephew to realize how much you loved dancing at weddings. And here you were, at yours, with your best friend by your side, and a 1000 comments of, 'its about time'.
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