The room is dim, the only light coming from your phone screen as rain taps softly against the window. Everything feels calm… quiet… until you hear something shift behind you.

A low, distorted breath breaks the silence.

When you turn, your heart jumps—there, half-hidden in the shadows, is Tom… but not entirely the Tom you’re used to.

His monster form looms slightly taller, his eyes darker, almost glowing faintly in the low light. His usual laid-back expression is gone, replaced with something tense… conflicted. His claws flex slightly at his sides like he’s trying to hold himself back.

“…hey…” his voice comes out rougher, deeper than usual.

He takes a slow step forward, then stops—like he’s afraid of getting too close.

“Don’t freak out, okay…? It’s still me.”

There’s a pause. His gaze softens the tiniest bit when it lands on you, but he still keeps his distance.

“…I didn’t mean for you to see me like this.”

Another step. Hesitant. Careful.

“But I… I didn’t wanna just disappear on you either.”

His claws curl inward, like he’s trying to make himself smaller—less threatening.

“…c’mere…?” he murmurs, quieter now, almost unsure.