A/N: First of all, thank you so much to those of you that reviewed! I hope that you'll continue to read this story and still love where it's heading. I have to say, I had a lot of trouble getting this chapter to really flow.. Usually, I can just type away but when I added Thomas into the whole mix, it seemed like I sort of got stuck. Anyway, I hope this chapter doesn't suck. R/R All comments and criticism are welcomed and much appreciated!
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Three loads of laundry, thirty-two text-messages, two cups of coffee, and a shower later, Craig Tucker felt as if he were on top of the world. After trying for two hours straight to convince Thomas that it was indeed a good idea for them to get together as soon as possible, it seemed that his efforts had finally payed off. Via text, he was insistently invited to come hang out at the blond's new apartment, directions included. Thomas had finally caved in. Not only had he caved, he insisted on making Craig breakfast, lunch, and if they were still hanging out by the evening, dinner. If that kid was good at anything (other than being completely amazing, of course) it was cooking and baking.
Once upon a time, Thomas had even expressed to Craig his interest in seeking out a career in the culinary arts. However, due to his overwhelming case of tourette's, his outbursts and his tics, he knew that dream was a far away one. Honestly, Craig didn't see what the big deal was... The profanity that uncontrollably spilled from Tom's lips were in the end, just words; just a part of the blond boy who was overall, so very fucking sweet. It was really what brought out his charm and honestly, that charm is what brought Craig here... to apartment number 3214.
Raising a fist, Craig knocked on the door twice before taking a step back and shoving both hands into his jean pockets. While he waited, he made sure to take note of everything; the silence of the off-street that this complex was on, the calming scenery, the little old man that shuffled down the sidewalk... Giving a soft sigh, he adverted his dark blues back to the door and nearly let out a shriek when his hues met with the soft olive of Thomas' own. Instinctively, his right hand was quickly pulled from his pocket, exposing his slender middle finger as he shoved it towards the other's face. Thomas merely blinked a couple of times at his friend before reaching out and gently coaxing that middle finger down with his own hand, an unsure smile blooming on his timid features. "Craig..."
"Thomas..." Monotonous and without emotion, as always. He raised a brow and eased his hand down, shoving it back into his jean pocket while he waited to be invited in. Thomas only stared for a moment longer before shaking his head as if he had been in a trance.
"Come in. I was -FUCKING SHIT- just making breakfast..." Obviously embarrassed of his tics, he instantly raised a hand to his mouth, his face flushing a light pink. Craig's serious facade quickly broke at the sudden familiarity and he leaned in, draping an arm around the blond as he made his way through the door, kicking it closed with his foot after.
It was small..Really small. It looked as if everything was connected to one room aside from the bathroom, but all seemed cozy. Inspecting the tidy atmosphere, the raven-haired male leaned all of his weight against his friend as he politely slipped off his shoes; He would hate to dirty that white carpet.. "It's nice..." Shifting nervously out of Craig's grasp, Tom ran his fingers through his blond locks, his olive's casting downward towards the ground. So timid.. Always so sad-looking..
"Ah, thanks...My mom, she -DICK LICKING CUNT- s..she helped me get out on my own. I've been taking college classes online and -ASS CHAP- getting my life...to-together.." Craig studied Tom's face as he spoke, all the while chewing on the inside of his bottom lip. For whatever reason, the kid just didn't look happy about being out on his own. He looked fucking miserable. "Uh... I have to -COCK- check on the food. Make yourself at.." Thomas paused and closed his eyes, his whole body twitching a bit as he swallowed hard. Holy Shit.. He was controlling himself.. "Home.." Shooting an awkward smile towards Craig, the blond quickly turned his back on him and darted towards the kitchen, instantly becoming lost in view.
Dark blue hues blinked several times after Tom had disappeared, Craig's jaw dropping about an inch in his complete awe for the other who was currently cooking his breakfast. Why was he here again? Really.. It had slipped his mind. Surely, it was to engage in the company of such an amazing guy, to soak up some of those amazing rays and bask in it's glory. Well, sure. He wanted that, but was that the MAIN reason why he was here? God damn it...No. "Thomas? Hey..." His voice, almost panicked (which was more emotion than he had displayed within a week for sure) cracked as he took quick strides in the direction of the kitchen, stopping only when the blond was in view. Craig hated to waste time on anything, especially matters that concerned his ego or well being. "Do you think I'm deep?" Awkward..."I mean. Do you think I have depth.. like, I'm interesting?"
Tom's face scrunched at the question, his brows furrowing almost completely together as he muttered a near-silent curse. He was lucky that his back was facing Craig because surely, the darker-haired male would have taken that face in offense. "Sure.." It was all he replied before peeking a glance over his shoulder, trying to swallow another rising tic. The darker haired male seemed unsatisfied by this answer and it showed in the way his hands were tensing into fists and releasing. Was he holding back the urge to flip him off? "Well, what I...meant was.."
Craig Tucker...was anything but uninteresting. Well, to Tom at least. Hell, after years of having forced time together with him, he had learned many things. Many, maaany things. For instance, Craig couldn't cook, he couldn't sing, he knew almost everything there was to know about the cartoon, Red Racer, squeaked when he sneezed but grumbled when he laughed. Tucker was a pessimist and more than likely obsessive compulsive, but around the right people, he could brighten a room with his presence alone. He was shy about his smile, could intimidate anyone with just a glance, and Jesus, did he have the most intense blue eyes Tom had ever seen... Those traits, not all of them but most, defiantly qualified Craig as having depth.
"Tom...Earth To Thomas."
"FUCKING SHIT!" The blond jumped at the closeness of that monotone voice, having not even noticed that he had been spacing out for several long seconds. Craig was now by his side, so close, he could hear him breathing.
"Your eggs are burning."
"Cock sucking whore...Jesus.." In seconds, Thomas was pulling the skillet from the stove and setting it on an unlit burner, his hands covering his flushing face. "Sorry. I...I.." He swallowed hard again to gain self control. "Spaced."
Craig's head tilted and he resorted to chewing on his bottom lip for a few seconds before letting a soft sigh release through his pursed lips. "No need to cry about it. Fuck.. It's okay.."
"You're radiant, Craig.." It just came out. All on its own. Radiant...RADIANT? Was that the best he could really come up with? Olive's glanced past splayed fingers before those slender hands dropped all together. "Really -SHITFUCKER- I don't know why you...worry."
A moment of silence passed in an intense staring contest. Tucker's face never once cracked whereas Tom's...well, he was trying his very best just to stay quiet which made him come off looking overly distraught. Finally, all silence was broken when a noisy tic sounded from the blond's mouth. He sighed in his usual embarrassment, turning his back to tend to the overcooked eggs. They were too burnt to be saved and because of this, he couldn't pretend to be distracted by them any longer. "Craig?" What an awkward moment this was turning out to be indeed. He needed something, anything to make things less tense. "Want to -FUCK- I mean..." Tom's face was burning by this point, his ears felt as if they were on fire. He turned to face the other who seemed amused, a rare grin spreading over his chapped lips. "IMEANDOYOUWANTTODOMYLAUNDRY!?" He screamed out in one breath, his eyes squeezed tightly shut.
Despite his insides squirming for more explanation as to why Tom thought he was radiant, Craig couldn't help that itch that was tickling at his palms. The word laundry, the thought of laundry... Tom's laundry. Yes... Yes... He smiled wide, showing off his braces before both hands came up in front of him to display his lengthy middle digits. "Fuck breakfast...I thought you'd never ask..."