Chapter Text
A lunch date- no, hangout, it wasn't a date. Was it? Tommy was never the greatest at reading these kinds of things but surely this was too soon to think of this as a date. A lunch hangout with the nervous yet charmingly mysterious Mr. Freeman was all it had taken to get Tommy’s thoughts in a whirl.
They realized quickly after class had ended that a coin flip wasn't going to solve a list higher than two and, amidst their struggling to decide, the ever-helpful Dr. Coomer had cast his gaze upon their list and loudly announced that both of them had put the same place unknowingly, promptly wrapping up their deliberation process with sheepish laughs.
Now as they sat in a booth in a kitschy space themed diner, a meal half-finished between them, the two of them found themselves lost in conversation. What started as awkwardly discussing the subject of today's lecture had quickly evolved into slightly personal questions, each hooked entirely on the other's words.
“How'd you end up working at a candy store, anyway? Is it a family thing or did you just get lucky with a fun job?” Gordon asked the first real question for the day, Tommy perking up as his job suddenly gained spotlight.
“Well, it uh- it used to be just Mr. and Mrs. Porter, they st-started it after they got married but because of some bu- budg- money issues they needed some uh.. extra hands,” He smiled sheepishly, slightly shaking his hands as though to say ‘I’m the hands!’ before deciding that was embarrassing, redirecting his hands to his brightly colored soda to try and use his drink as deflection.
“Really? That's kinda sweet actually, helping them with their dream and stuff. You seem really passionate about it, it's cute.” He takes a bite of his sandwich as if he hadn't just made Tommy choke on his drink, desperately trying to hide his own flushed cheeks.
“It’s n-nothing special! I like sweet foods, they're… they're like fireworks for your tongue!” Not that his metaphors and similes usually made sense but that one was confusing even for him. Trying to get the attention off him, it was his turn to ask a question. “So! H-how old is your son, is he… still little?”
“Oh! Oh yeah, uh, Josh is still pretty young, he's turning 5 in two months. He's a bit tall for his age but nothing too crazy, between me and my ex I have no idea where his height is gonna end up.” The last bit caught Tommy’s attention a bit, the raise of his eyebrows immediately noticed by Gordon. “I… hadn't brought up his mom yet, had I?”
“N-no but you don't have to um.. tell me if it's a sore subject!” Gordon simply chuckled, waving Tommy off.
“Nah, it's fine, it's not a crazy story really. We found out a month or two after we broke up that she was pregnant and agreed to co-parent, no bad blood or anything.”
“So he just has two parents but separately?”
“I guess?” He laughs again and it's music to Tommy’s ears. He's red in the face, thinking of what he could say to get Gordon to laugh more when the man’s phone buzzes. With a grimace he sets it down, fishing for his wallet from his jacket.
“Speak of the devil- or, well, devils really? His mom just texted, apparently the daycare called and Joshie’s all kinds of sick.” He sighs, leaving a handful of bills on the table. “I have to go pick him up but this was really nice, maybe we could do it again sometime?”
“Definitely! I’ll be around if… you ever want to chat! Or hang out!” Gordon smiles at him and Tommy swears he heard a choir of angels singing. It isn't until Gordon's out of sight that Tommy realizes the money he left was him sneakily covering the bill, though he does vow he'll get Gordon back for that.
Left alone, Tommy is left with the horrible realization he is absolutely, undeniably crushing on a man he's known properly for two days and a text message from Benrey demanding he come over and tell them all about it. Benrey is never going to let him hear the end of it. He's going anyway, of course, but the teasing will be relentless.