one foot in front of the other // open

[truce.]

[align=center][div style="width: 430px; text-align: justify; font-family: verdana; font-size: 6pt; letter-spacing: 2.5px; word-spacing: 0px; line-height: 12px; color: #000"]Tom had missed the moment Finn ever took his first steps. In fact, he missed many moments before that as well, and afterwards. Finn barely knew his father’s face, Tommy absent from his three year old’s life for longer than he’d been in it. But, it’d never been what Tom had wanted - only now did he feel safe enough to associate himself with Tara and Finn again. Before Alfred’s death, his former wife and his son would have targets on their heads if seen around Tom.

Perhaps that was why he felt obliged to take such good care of his niece and nephew - maybe he could experience what he should’ve experienced with his own son. And so, Tom lounged back on the sofa, book in his lap and glasses resting on the bridge of his nose. But, he wasn’t focused on the book. Instead, eyes curiously watched as little Tommy - the baby that Eddie had named after him - seemed to bounce feebly on the spot before he began to take a few small steps towards Blake. Tom frowned, though lips threatened to twitch into the tiniest of smiles.

❝ Did I just imagine that or somethin’? ❞ He questioned before leaning forwards to gently pinch little Tommy’s cheek. ❝ He’s gonna be a stealthy one when he’s no more knee-high to a grasshopper. ❞ Eyes soon darted up as Freddie passed a remark, Tom’s features shriveling up before he sat up straight. ❝ And with remarks like that, soon you’ll be unconscious on the floor. Like when you’re shitfaced. ❞ Although gruff words came across as harsh and threatening, Tommy’s words were no genuine threat. His humor was just a little… warped.

Besides, if he was really genuinely angry, then he'd strike silently.