okay the ending is questionable bc i wasn't sure how to wrap this up but i hope you like it! i really liked this concept, but if this is something you'd be sensitive to, don't read <3
you felt bad for being such a drag. tom had been so excited when he came home with small cartier bag in hand, grinning from ear to ear as he tried to hide it behind his back.
“y/n/n, darling, c’mere, love,” you leaned forward on the sofa to peek into the kitchen, his smile too contagious to not return.
“why are you looking at me like that?” you ask, closing your notebook and shuffling all your coloured pens to the side of the coffee table.
“just come here, i got you something,” you’re expecting flowers, or takeout maybe even a plane ticket to see your family. you’d only been dating for a year, and monthly anniversaries didn’t typically include big gifts simply because it wasn’t something you could afford. tom never seemed bothered by it, which was one of the many things you loved about him.
“what, did that new indian place downtown finally open?” you’re smiling when you step into the kitchen, but when you see the red bag on the counter, your heart stops, “tom?”
“uh, haz wanted to look for something for his mom for her birthday, and i got to looking around,” he’s a little nervous, tugging on his beanie so it covers his curls better, “and i know we don’t really do gifts, but i wanted to get something nice,” there’s a pang in your heart, watching him try to contain his smile as he gauges your reaction.
“here, baby, just open it,” he shuffles the bag closer to the edge of the counter where you are.
something is souring his sweetness towards you, dimming your ability to enjoy this. you’d grown up with less than most people, and had to work two jobs to put yourself through school. nothing ever came easy to you, and you weren’t used to luxury. when you and tom had frist started dating, you were worried the difference in your financial standings would be a problem, but they never were. he was so humble and down to earth, even with his rolex watches and expensive cars and pretty homes.
tentatively, you reached for the bag and hesitated to reach inside, “tom, you didn’t have to–”
“i know, but i wanted to, and i don’t want you to feel guilty about it,” he smiles softly at you, seemingly knowing how you’re feeling already.
finally, you pull out a white box, it’s long, and at first, you think he’d gotten you a necklace, but when you untie the ribbon keeping the box closed and lift the lid. inside, nestled along white silky fabric is two cartier love bracelets, one just a bit thicker than the other.
“t…” you mumble, barely registering your own voice.
“so we could both have one, i know it’s really cheesy, but i just kept thinking about us walking down the street holding hands both wearing the bracelets,” he shoves his hands into the pockets of his jeans, and your heart warms just as much as it tightens in your chest.
“tom..i don’t, i don’t know, these are…really expensive,” you won’t look at him, and you won’t look at the bracelets, instead staring at the marble of the counter.
“i know, but you never let me get you any gifts, i just wanted to do something nice, love, the money isn’t a problem–”
you sigh heavily and turn away, heading back to the living room.
“y/n, where are you going?” he asks, brows instantly pulling together when you have your back to him.
“to finish my assignment,” you say dryly.
“i’m a little confused right now,” he says, pulling his hands from his pockets, “what did i say?”
you sit back down on the couch and pull your laptop open, “nothing…nothing tom, it’s okay, i just– i have to finish this, it’s due soon.”
he shakes his head and pushes away from the counter towards you, “no, you just completely shut down, tell me what i said,”
you sigh again, your shoulders rising and falling with the inhale as you do. tom looks confused when you finally look up at him again, almost upset with you.
“what you said, about the money not being a problem, that’s the problem, tom. you–you can just go out and buy $6,000 bracelets, $6,000 is literally three months' worth of rent for me, i have to work two jobs to make that in that time, a–and i know you’re not being insensitive, but the fact that you just…have that available to you and you don’t even realize it is hard for me.”
he uncrosses his arms over his chest then uncrosses them, processing what you said, “darling, i..i never meant to make you feel…less than,” he explains, “but i’m not going to apologize for getting you a gift that tells you i love you,” he says it softly, and you know he didn’t mean any harm.
your shoulders slump, “i know, i know, it’s just…sometimes i get a reality check, that you’re a superstar and i’m barely putting myself through school.”
tom sits down next to you, his arm slinging over your shoulders, “you know, if you weren’t so stubborn, i’d help you,”
you just scowl at him, “you really are not helping your situation right now,” you grumble.
“you’re so cute when you’re mad at me,” he grins, poking your nose.
“i’m serious!” you nudge his ribs with your elbow, and after a few minutes, you can see the two of you walking down the street with matching bracelets too.
“also, it’s really admirable, you working so hard to do this for yourself, i’m proud of you, and in awe of everything you do, you know that don’t you?”
maybe some things came easier to tom than they did you, but you know he would never stop trying to understand.
