#wish me luck getting to sleep with the sounds of SEX blasting lmao

[coridallasmultipass]

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[lavidademarimar]

~ Masterlist ~

Elena was stood at the bus stop where Tom would arrive. She wore a yellow sundress and sunglasses that took up half her face. As the bus pulled over, she got giddy, and started looking for him. She found him quickly, a bit disoriented, with his mobile in hand.

“Oi! Glynn-Carney!” Elena shouted. 

Tom’s head shot up in Elena’s direction, he flashed her the biggest smile he could, ran over to her, and wrapped his arms around her waist. They hugged for a while. Elena couldn’t believe how attached she felt to him already. Tom felt like a friend she hadn’t seen in years.

“Did you make it okay? Was everything the way it should have been?” Elena asked, smiling.

“Yeah, I had no problem. Love, I’m starving and craving a pint, please feed me.”

“That’s exactly the attitude we need. Let’s go to mine to drop off your things and then let’s go eat our feelings because we will get drunk and then I’ll sober you up.”

“Mate, are you flirting with me?” Tom winked. 

Elena laughed. “Do you really think that I would go for you? I would obviously go for Harry,” Elena scoffed and started walking down the street. 

Tom shook his head and followed her. Jack was playing with fire.

After eating burgers and starting on the pints, Tom and Elena headed to Place du Luxembourg, where they’d meet her friends to drink. Elena had told Tom that this was a regular occurrence when the sun was out, and every young professional who wanted to network and meet people was usually there. It was all part of the Brussels bubble. 

Carlos was sceptical of Tom when he met him, but he soon relaxed when he saw he was a good lad. Andres was also with them with his girlfriend Valerie, who lives with him, and Andrea, one of Elena’s co-workers and her best friend in Brussels. 

“Another round on me?” Tom asked. 

The group agreed and clapped for Tom, who laughed and left. They all turned to Elena, who was waiting for it. 

“Okay, if the Scot is like this one, I could be more open to this new boyfriend you have,” said Carlos.

“They’re a bit different but Tom is his best best friend. I think that says a lot, no?”

“Still doubtful,” said Andres. 

Elena took their apprehension lightly because she knew they were just looking out for her. That school group was like a big, dysfunctional family, and Carlos and Andres were the closest thing she had to an older and younger brother, respectively. 

“I, for one, can’t wait to meet him. He seems super intense and super into you,” said Andrea, sipping the last bits of her beer.

“Oi! Elena!” Tom called her to help with the beer but Andres volunteered instead, to show how they wouldn’t be total idiots this weekend.

The group scattered at about 10 pm, and Tom and Elena went to get fries and more beer before calling it a night. They were in Place Jourdan, a quiet but busy atmosphere, because the famous Maison Antoine fries were there. 

“Mate, how are these fries so good?” Tom asked, devouring the fries with Samourai sauce.

“Witchcraft,” said Elena, tipsy. 

Tom stared at her and knew it was now or never. 

“Why are you playing hard to get so stubbornly?”

Elena figured the topic would come up at some point, better now that she was drunk. If she said anything stupid, she’d apologise tomorrow and blame it on the beer.

“I’m not a monster. I just... have some intimacy issues that are my fault only and he’s…so…bloody…keen, mate,” Elena slurred those last words to create impact, but Tom just found her amusing.  “I mean, I would have to be mad not to be all over him because he’s fucking gorgeous, is totally smitten with me, and is a fantastic fuck, but we’re going at two different speeds with this. I don’t want to hurt him.”

“Well, there were bits in what you just said that I really didn’t need to know, but I understand. Jack’s very intense in general with everything he sets his eyes on. It’s why he’s where he is. He was the only one of his class to graduate with a full-time serious non-internship job, it’s why he got transferred to Shanghai, it’s why he’s living with us instead of by himself when he has the money to do it. He’s always been a long-term lad.”

“He said he was living with you because he’d blown up his savings in Shanghai,” said Elena suspiciously. 

Tom laughed. “He’s bloody frugal. He travelled through South-East Asia for two months before moving back to London and he called it blowing up his savings. Mate, those countries are bloody cheap, yeah? He didn’t blow up anything; he may have dented his savings, but I would strongly doubt that.”

Elena laughed. “You really are the best mate he could have ever asked for.”

Tom shrugged and smiled. “Jack’s my boy. I love him to bits. Now, how the fuck are you going to sober me up because I need to be dashing at 9 am tomorrow.”

“Kebab and water, let’s go,” Elena stood up. 

Tom followed her and Elena grabbed his arm and wrapped hers around it.

“I don’t want to continue drinking more water. I’m going to be sick,” Tom was pouting. 

“One more glass, then shower, then bed,” said Elena gulping her fifth glass of water. She grabbed her phone and opened Jack’s chat. “Come on, let’s show him how sad we are without him.”

Tom smiled at her and turned to the camera and put on a pout. Elena beamed. She texted ‘We miss you! Tom is a whiny bitch who’s going to be hungover tomorrow if he doesn’t listen to me’.

Her phone vibrated with a reply. 

“He’s been probably waiting all day to hear from us,” Tom shook his head and headed into Elena’s room.

Jack: He looks done for. Doesn’t he have a meeting early tomorrow? Yer a bad influence. Elena: Hey, if the lad can’t hold his beer, it’s not my problem. Jack: hahaha that is a problem. Elena: How was your day? Jack: uneventful. Had a late work day and got home to Harry covering one of the windows with a sheet so he could paint without distractions. Elena: you should stop overthinking everything Harry does. He’s your flatmate. You need to learn to live with him and his personality. Jack: haha I like that ye separated the two. Yer right. Yer right. Elena: why don’t you work out to blow off steam? Jack: I should shag ye to blow off steam. Elena: lmao Shakespeare, I don’t think Skype sex has the same effect that punching an actual man in the face. Jack: Skype sex is awful compared to the real thing. Elena: I know. Jack: when could I go? Elena: we just got back, Jack. I’m only just getting my workload back. When you come, I want to take some days off. I can’t take them after being gone for two weeks. Jack: how about I go a weekend? Harmless. Ye don’t have to take days off, we don’t leave yer room, and then we plan a longer trip. Elena: tempting. I need to sleep. Goodnight xx Jack: Goodnight x

Tom's firm was looking into creating alliances with Brussels post-Brexit, and had sent Tom's charm and hard wits to captivate his audience before the tough negotiations began between partners.  This was also a test to see if he was a solid investment or not. Having just finished his LLM, Tom knew he had to make an impression. Elena had no doubt that Tom had swept the room off its feet as she waited for Tom outside the building he had the meeting. She was fidgety, playing with her hands. 

Tom came out with a smile on his face. "Oi!"

"I'm guessing the meeting went well?"

Tom lifted Elena and spun her around. "It went bloody amazing, mate! I was in charge of that shit. We have to celebrate."

"Your wish is my command. Our plan is: eat, go home and rest a bit, then pregame with Andie and we're going partying."

"Solid. Let's do it."

To say the night was going to be different was an understatement. Elena had drunk a bottle of wine by herself and was electric. The Massive Party Spotify playlist blasted out of Elena’s room. Andrea arrived half a bottle into the pregame and caught up quickly. Carlos saw the girls getting ready and shook his head. "I wish you good luck. You're going to need it. Don't let her lose her mobile." and left for a date. Tom laughed nervously.

The first stop was a club in the City Centre. 

"Watch your things, there's loads of pickpockets here," warned Andrea as they walked in. 

Shots of tequila ensued. Elena and Andrea followed the music with their hips and soon enough, they were surrounded by vultures. Tom got in between the girls and started dancing with them to shoo the men off. He was drunk, but he was on duty. 

When one man tried to cut him off, Elena stopped him. "We don't want to dance with you. We're together."

"Well, you can be with me," the man smiled. 

"I think it's pretty obvious that we have a thing for blondes," Elena smiled and kissed Tom in the corner of his mouth and then Andrea did the same.

"Yeah, mate, back off. They're taken," said Tom, wrapping his arms around the girls' waists.

Fortunately, he did leave. 

“Ugh, I hate having to do that shit,” said Elena, “But I do have a thing for blondes,” she giggled.


After a few hours there, they got bored and ended up in a salsa bar. The team was so drunk at this point that they didn't care they were making fools of themselves with their wannabe dancing. 

"This is the only place in Brussels where people don't automatically think I'm a good dancer because I can move my hips," she yelled in Tom's ear and laughed. 

It was 5 am when they left.

“This is so much fuuuuuuuuun!!!!!” Andrea screamed running barefoot in the street while Tom and Elena laughed at her.

The three of them landed on Elena’s bed with a thud.

Tom awoke by the sound of cooking in the kitchen. His limbs were mixed with Elena and Andrea's. The girls were spooning. He slid off quietly and went to the sink to splash cold water on his face and opened the door. Carlos looked at him and laughed. 

“I guess I should have warned you a bit more. Coffee?” Carlos was making pancakes. 

“Oh god, that’d be amazing, mate. Thanks,” said Tom, sitting on a chair so everything would stop spinning. 

He poured Tom a cup of black coffee. “How do you drink it?”

“I’ll do that, mate. Don’t worry,” he stood up again slowly to fetch milk and sugar.

“Did Andrea come back with you guys last night?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Trying to see how many pancakes I have to make,” said Carlos.

“Mate, that’s so kind of you,” said Tom.

“Yes. But, it’s also kind of part of our agreement. Elena makes our food for the week with the condition that I take care of the weekends if we’re both in.”

“What? That’s an amazing arrangement. You are aware you won, right?”

“I am aware I won. Besides, there’s no arrangement for desserts, and she loves baking.”

“Mate, you’re a bloody role model. Cheers to you.”

“Thanks, man.”

“So… what about this Jack person? He’s your best friend, no? What’s his deal with Elena?”

Tom laughed. “I figured this would happen sooner or later.”

“Sooner, because she’ll tell me off if she hears me.”

“Mate, I know it seems strange and that they’re mental, but I’ve never seen my mate like that. He was absolutely head over heels for Elena. I understand it, obviously, because she’s great, but I never imagined it would be that intense, that quickly.”

Carlos was trying to decide if he was satisfied with that answer. “I don’t know.”

“I understand.”

“No, dude, I don’t think you do. Jack’s your friend from university, no? I’ve known Elena since 2006. I’ve seen the parade of morons. One right after another. And we’ve always taken care of her, and lately she was making sound choices again, but she goes away for two weeks and now she’s dating some guy that she knows nothing about? I don’t know. She’s like my sister. You have to see where I’m coming from.”

Tom nodded. “I do see where you’re coming from, and I can see why you would suspect, but just give him a chance, yeah? He’s a great lad. If you don’t think he’s worthy, then she’ll dump him and it’ll be a funny story later. Just don’t tell him I said that.”

Carlos laughed. “I think you’re a good guy.”

“Thanks, mate. I appreciate it. Now, should I wake up these women? I’m starving.”

"Ellie, Andie, wake up. Brekkie's done," Tom's voice was soft. 

The girls groaned. They were rough. Really rough.

Carlos laughed as soon as he saw them leave Elena's bedroom. 

"I take it was a fun night," he said.

"You had better made all the bacon we had," said Elena, looking disgusting, honestly. Her mascara smeared, her hair, greasy, and in a bun.

"I did. Sit. Eat."

The group ate slowly, trying to savour the food and not get sick afterwards, but it would prove to be a challenge. 

Elena had mysterious bruises in her legs and Andrea's feet were filthy. They agreed that a shower could do them good. Andrea used Elena's and Ellie went to Carlos'. 

Tom had, unsurprisingly, texts from Jack.

Jack: how was last night?


Jack: bloody hell I saw her Instagram stories. How bad was it?


Jack: should I be worried?


Jack: should I just try to forget her?


Jack: this is unhealthy.  


Jack: I'm losing my bloody mind.

Tom rang Jack. 

"Hey," Jack sounded defeated.

"Mate, you have got to stop. It is unhealthy, but because you're not keeping it together. You knew this would be difficult. She has a life here. Nothing bad happened last night. We partied and the three of us collapsed on her bed at 5 am. She could have had any guy last night and she turned them all down. Give her a break and stop pushing her. You're going to end up driving her away."

A heavy sigh was heard on the other end. "Yer right."

"Of course I'm bloody right. We have to talk when I get back, but you have to trust me when I tell you that you need to stop pushing so much," Tom said, shaking his head, concerned. 

Andrea turned off the water. 

"Mate, I've to go before it gets suspicious. We'll talk tomorrow."

"Aye, all right," Jack said.

Andrea, Tom, and Elena, all showered, were lied on Elena's bed watching Casablanca. 

"This is such a bloody amazing film," said Elena.

"A great way to do hungover Saturdays," said Andrea. 

"After we're done, would you like to get some air? Walk around?" asked Tom. 

Andrea and Elena looked at each other and nodded. 

"Nothing too extreme, though," said Elena. 

"Maybe walk around and settle in a park somewhere?" asked Andrea.

"That sounds pretty good," said Tom as he reached for his mobile, "Selfie to prove we made it."

Elena and Andrea turned and smiled. 

"You can send that to Jack so he sees the people I've slept with this weekend," said Elena, half-joking, half-serious.

Andrea laughed and Tom shook his head. Elena knew Jack as well as he knew her. 

"I'll leave it in my Instagram," said Tom. He tagged the girls and captioned it 'Barely alive in Brussels thanks to these two. #DidISalsaLastNight'

His phone vibrated immediately. He immediately assumed it was Jack, but he was surprised.

Harry: Mate. Harry: Mate, who's the fit bird that's with you and Elena?

Tom shook his head. He knew where this would go.

Tom: Elena's best friend here. Her name is Andrea. Harry: I am going to Brussels next week. I need to meet her. Tom: Mate, please don't come before Jack. Are you mental? Harry:  Shit, you're right. When's he going? Tom: I think late next week? You can ask him. Harry: I don't want to get punched on a Saturday. I'm rough as fuck. Tom: Don't be a wanker then. Wait for him to come. Harry: What's she like? Tom: She's well cool, mate. I like her a lot. Harry: Are you going to take her from me? Tom: See you tomorrow, Harold.

Harry kept texting Tom during the day, and Tom ignored him. 

Tom and Elena were stood waiting for the bus that would take Tom to the airport. 

“When will you come visit?” Tom asked. 

Elena shrugged. 

“So, you’re not going to come to London until you and Jack have figured out what the fuck you’ll be doing?”

Elena shrugged. “Can you see me going to London and not seeing him and just visiting you?”

“Well, you’re my mate, so yeah. Harry and Fionn would love to see you too,” Tom hit her playfully on the shoulder.

“Do you know your friend?”

Silence.

The bus parked and its doors opened. 

Tom turned to Elena and smiled. “Mate, I’ve absolutely loved this weekend. Please, think about coming soon. I have to get you pissed now and run barefoot on the streets of London,” Tom smiled the most genuine smile ever and Elena’s heart melted. He was a cutie.

“Enough with your charm! Go away!” Elena pushed him away. Tom laughed and came closer for a hug. 

“See you soon then?” Tom kissed her cheek, grabbed his bag and got on the bus. She smiled and waved.

Tom made his way into the flat and Harry and Jack were waiting for him. They stood up quickly and Tom groaned.

“Let me at least go to the loo,” said Tom, shaking his head. 

“A brew, mate?” asked Harry.

“Make it a beer if you are going to harass me,” said Tom as he closed the bathroom door. 

“A beer sounds nice. Jack, you want one?” asked Harry as he made his way to the refrigerator and took out two beers.

“Aye, please,” said Jack.

Tom came back to the living room/kitchen area wearing black shorts and a white t-shirt. “All right. We’ll start with you because I have more information.” “What did she say?” asked Jack, almost in pain. 

“She did admit she had some intimacy issues, but she said she likes you. You just need to realise that you’re not going at the same speed. Back off a bit. You said you wanted to try long-distance, so bloody try long-distance, not ‘ohmygodIneedtoseeyounowimmediatelywhencanIgo’, because you’re going to drive her off. I invited her to come here and she doesn’t want to until you two have reached some sort of balance, whatever she meant by that.”

“Maybe she’s not as into me as I am her,” Jack sighed. 

“Well, mate, that’s obvious,” Harry laughed.

Jack punched him in the shoulder. “Why are ye here again?”

Harry smiled. “Elena’s fit friend.”

Jack rolled his eyes at Harry. 

“She said you’re gorgeous, smitten with her, and -this is a direct quote-, a fantastic fuck, but-.”

Harry jumped on Jack. “That’s my boy! Well done, my good sir!”

Jack laughed nervously and loosened up a bit. “So, back off a bit. Should I cancel the ticket?”

“No, mate, I don’t think you have to. That’s in two weeks, no?”

“Ten days.”

“Well, I’m thinking that if you play your cards right starting today, when you go you’ll have the desired effect.”

“Okay. So I back off.”

“You back off, just a wee bit, mate. Let her miss you. Let her come to you.”

“Okay. I can do that.”

“Mate, if this goes well, you can fantastically fuck her brains out when you go. It’s a win-win,” Harry smiled. 

Tom turned to Harry. “Okay, what do you want to know?”

“Does she have a boyfriend?”

“No.”

“Great, because Harry Styles is going to be her boyfriend. What’s she like?”

“I told you, mate. She’s well cool. She’s our age, younger than Elena. They work together in DG CONNECT. Real easygoing, sharp brain. I don’t know if she’ll go for you.”

“Hey! What’s that supposed to mean?” Harry faked indignation. 

“Well, you two decided to set your eyes on women smarter than you, eh? Deal with the consequences.”

“I’m going to go to Brussels to sweep that girl off her feet,” Harry said confidently.

“If ye go to Brussels before I do, Harry, I swear to god…” Jack couldn’t even finish the sentence.

“Relax, mate. I’m your boy, yeah? If anything, I need you to go first, so you can meet her and start throwing compliments my way as I know you can,” Harry smiled at that last bit. 

Jack laughed and shook his head. 

“Lads, I’m starving. Pizza?”

“Mate, I’ve left the game recording. Want to watch it?” Harry asked.

They agreed.

NEXT: All bets are off