Calling Tom

[shyboy86]

Shy turns onto his side and watches TJ sleeping, the man's breathing slow and steady. It's comforting to have someone warm next to him, someone who cares about him and is willing to help. He reaches over and pushes aside some hair that's fallen over TJ's face. Shy can't help seeing Orlando when he looks at him, and that makes him feel awful, not

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[nosaint_justme]

Tom was walking across campus to grab a late lunch when his phone rang. Pulling it out he smiled to see Shy's number, the last time they had talked his friend had been happy and it seemed things were finally getting better between he and Will. "Hello sweetheart, how are you." He answered with a chuckle, dodging a couple of students blocking the sidewalk, deep into a discussion. "I don't how the weather is up in Maine, but Boston is sweltering today. Of course you like the heat so you're probably thrilled."

[shyboy86]

"Hey, Tom," Shy said, trying to sound upbeat but failing miserably. "Do you have time to talk?"

[nosaint_justme]

Years of training allowed Tom to hear pain that people tried to cover up, but that was hardly needed with Shy, the raw desolation was plain in his friend's voice. His smile faded immediately and his features softened with love and compassion. "What's wrong, sweetheart? Whatever it is, I'm right here and if you need me I can be there this afternoon." Even though Shy was his ex-lover, Tom knew Dev wouldn't mind him going to the man if he needed him.

[shyboy86]

Shy's heart ached when he heard the concern in Tom's voice. He would love nothing more than for Tom to rescue him, but he couldn't ask that.

"No, you don't need to come out. I just needed to hear your voice. I..." He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "I'm not with Orlando anymore."

[nosaint_justme]

"Oh, Shy, sweetheart." Tom's voice was deep and filled with sadness. "Come to Boston, Shy. You can stay with Dev and I or if it makes you uncomfortable, you can stay in the apartment above the pub while you figure things out." The offer was made with no hesitation on his part, whatever else had been, Shy was a friend and needed support and love now more than ever.

[shyboy86]

"I don't...I don't want to intrude," Shy said, his voice breaking. "I just... I'm with a friend now but I don't know if I should stay here. I don't know what to do."

[nosaint_justme]

"Shy, I told you a long time ago that if anything happened you could come to me." Tom bit back a sigh. "Just because I'm married now doesn't change the fact that I made you a promise. Besides, that's what friends are for, to lean on when you need a little help." He smiled slightly. "Now, get your ass to the airport and I'll have a ticket waiting on you. Dev and I will pick you up at Logan and tonight you'll stay with us. Tomorrow...well, let's let tomorrow worry about itself for now, just get here and let your friends take care of you tonight, okay?"

[shyboy86]

Shy felt so relieved to have the decision taken out of his hands. "All right, let me see if my friend will take me to the airport," he said. "Thank you, Tom." Something occurred to him then. "Shit, I promised that I'd stay and help him with something. I can't leave today. I won't leave him in a bind."

[nosaint_justme]

"Okay, Shy." Tom had to smile at how grown up his friend sounded now compared to when they'd first met. He wasn't sure that Shy even realized how much he'd changed. "In that case I'll leave the ticket until later and you can let me know when you'll be ready to come. Oh wait. Do you need us to drive up and get you so you don't have to send Neko as cargo?"

[shyboy86]

Of all the things that would make him break down, Shy didn't think it would be the mention of his cat. He started crying as he explained to Tom that he left her behind on the island to stay with her friends. "I thought it would be the best thing for her," he sniffed. "I just packed up my stuff and left."

[nosaint_justme]

"Oh baby." Tom said softly, wishing he was there to hold Shy. "I'm coming up today. You just tell me where you are and Dev and I will drive up."

[shyboy86]

Shy started to protest Tom going to any trouble, but he suddenly doesn't have the energy. "I'm in Lubec," Shy sniffed, giving Tom the address for TJ's house.

[nosaint_justme]

"We'll be there as soon as we can, sweetheart." Tom said confidently. "I'll call you when we leave Boston and again from the road." He hoped Dev would agree to go with him, but wasn't sure what his husband's work schedule was like for the rest of the week. For himself he could get his TA to take his class and office hours day after tomorrow. "You just hang on, sweetheart and stay with your friend, okay?"

[shyboy86]

"Thanks, Tom," Shy said, the tightness in his chest easing up a little bit. "I'm sorry to be such a pain."

[nosaint_justme]

"You aren't a pain, sweetheart." Tom said with a tender smile. "That's what friends do."

[shyboy86]

"Well, thank you, anyway," Shy said. "I feel a little better."