Tom couldn't help but smile to himself as he walked along the streets of Bree, his feet faltering slightly in their step as the alcohol he had consumed that night took effect. He was headed home after a night of drinking at the Pony, although one much different than he was used to.
It was cold, though not overly so, as Tom hunched his shoulders forward and hugged his arms, rubbing his hands up and down them in an attempt to create some warmth. His smile deepened at this, as the memory of how it felt to be hugged flooded back into his mind.
He had been really trying to get his life in order since he spent that night in the cells. He wasn't drinking nearly as much, for a start, but when he did he drank to enjoy the night rather than forget it.
Tom even managed to find a new job, tonight of all nights no less, and one which he was excited to start in more ways than one.
But that wasn't even the best part of his evening.
He had allowed himself to open up with another person, one who he couldn't stop thinking about.
The young man didn't know what his future would bring.
But for now, he was happy and excited to find out for the first time since he could remember.
