#dont want u guys to misinterpret the “ask of consent” part i mean it in the way that the roys would never speak that way

[rometabss]

rewatching the "would u kiss me? if i asked you?" tomgreg scene and well we all know tomgreg gay whatever but the gist of it is tom trying to adopt roy language. i mean hes trying to get in, find a spot at the table, and he tries by getting logan a gift to win him over/show him his appreciation, but also he's trying to not only become adjusted to the environment but also seamlessly fit in. and he knows the roys use sexual language to assert dominance.

so atp he hears logan tell shiv that he will have greg as his competition, and he feels threatened obviously. so, he immediately gives logan the gift and then, proceeds to go tease greg and play it off as friendliness, including the kissing lines.

the problem is kissing, while it can be rough, is just commonly associated with tenderness, its something soft. this type of language doesn't carry threat or violence in its use, as opposed to the violent use of fucking, handjobs, blowjobs, etc. the mere use of kissing instead of fucking immediately sets him apart from the roys, he doesnt have that inherent violent business sexuality to him.

also, the fact that they're starting w the deal with lawrence, a gay man, and the characters constantly paint this sexually violent images in regards to him and express sex as little metaphorical favours they'll do to win him over.

sex to them is violent and forceful and a business strategy and a mere threat that doesn't actually get carried out. and tom tries to replicate that, but a kiss is not sex, sex is rough and ugly and a kiss is soft and graceful, and he starts off with an ask of consent and tries to save it with the luring threat of forcefulness but it falls flat, he already revealed his true nature.