"I'm Crazy, but you Like That"

Chapter 18

Tom grabbed a soft hold of (Y/N)'s hand before rushing outside to see Tord's giant robot. The robot stood tall, blocking out the sun as the man inside looked down on the two small figures that were (Y/N) and Tom, who looked up at him. Tord examined the expressions on Tom and (Y/N)'s face. The blue-hooded man had a look of concern and slight anger spread across his face.

"Why are you doing this!" he screamed, hoping the norsk could hear him, despite the robot being significantly taller than him and even the house.

"I made a promise," Tord retorted, his voice boomed through hidden speakers, "And I plan to keep my word,"

(Y/N) continued to hide her face in the soft fabric of Tom's sweater, but she kept her ears open to hear the words Tord had said. "But what about us? What about (Y/N)!"

Tord's breath hitched at the mention of the girl's name. Once again, he couldn't seem to go through with his initial plan without his heart going against him.

"You're making the same mistake you did back then! When will you learn that you can't have it both ways!" Tom pointed his finger at the man that sat in the cockpit of the giant robot. The man who was, unknowingly, starting to throw any chance of redemption out the window. "When will you start thinking about someone other than yourself!"

The norsk lowered his head down, biting his lip as he began to second guess his decision. Was he really making the right choice? His light blue eyes glance to look down at the silent figure that was (Y/N). "Think about someone other than myself?" he muttered.

"What's going on?" a voice exclaimed.

Everyone turned their heads to spot Edd and Matt, both with confused looks on their faces as they stared at the giant robot that stood on their lawn. "And, can someone care to explain what... that is?" Edd pointed at the robot.

An exasperated sigh left Tom's lips as he reluctantly let go of (Y/N). Who gave him a smile, reassuring him that she was better. "Tord's robot. That's was that is."

Edd's eyes glanced up at the robot once more, squinting his eyes a bit, seeing Tord behind the red-colored window. It was something he didn't expect to be seeing today. Nevertheless, he quickly adapted to the situation.

Tord ignored the boy's conversation and turned his attention to (Y/N). A small breath escaped his lips as he leaned back in his chair, running his fingers through his hair. "Why do you have to make everything so difficult," he whispered, though he froze once he heard his voice being echoed back through the speakers.

All eyes were now on Tord. All of them now curious as to what he was talking about. "Who makes everything difficult?" Matt exclaimed, hands cupped to project his voice. Tord fixed his sitting position and feigned ignorance.

"Uh, did I say something?"

"Yeah, yeah you did," Tom retorted back.

Tord let out a shaky laugh, "A-Are you sure?"

"Yep, pretty sure," Edd joined in.

"Are you absolutely sure?"

"Yes! We're sure!" Tord once again froze.

(Y/N) rubbed the bridge of her nose, her mind pondering why she was confronting this man in the first place. Though, she didn't know that a wash of relief had washed over the norsk's body. "(Y-Y/N)... I'm--"

The girl held a hand up, "Don't think of weaseling your way out of this again. Tell us what's going on," (Y/N) lowered her hand, laying at her side. "Why are you doing this? We deserve to know," Tord's shoulder slumped, he couldn't keep this secret any longer. More so, he shouldn't have kept this secret as long as he had.

"I... need to tell you guys something," Tord looked away from the small group. "Something, that I should have told you a long, long time ago,"

Everyone in the group directed their full attention to the norsk that was looking away from them. But even then, they could see the regret that clouded his eyes. A common expression for the man to feel, especially after having come back. "I wasn't successful at making it big in the city, well, not in the way I would've hoped,"

(Y/N) bit her lip. She knew about Tord's dreams to make it big. The countless nights that he would wake her up in the middle of the night, just to tell her about the newest invention he had created. And all the while, (Y/N) would lay her head on her pillow and watch the man passionately explain his interests as she watched him with compassion.

"In reality, I had joined the army and, a few years back, I was promoted," Tord tightened his grip at the painful memory, back when he was brainwashed, "Promoted... to leader of the army. And I made them a promise. That promise being that I would make the world a better place... once I take over it,"

The gang's eyes widened at the norsk's words. None of them were prepared for the confession that Tord had given. One that sounded to be a fable, something that could never possibly happen, but they all knew Tord too well.

He was never one to lie in moments like these.

That was something they could all agree with.

"Why didn't you tell us?" (Y/N) yelled, her voice laced with deep concern and slight regret. "Why do you keep pushing m- us, away?"

Tord looked down at the ground once more. His mind repeating the same word over and over again, Idiot. And he believed it. He was an idiot for not depending on the people who had helped him through so much. There they were, right in front of him, most of them welcoming him with open arms and yet. Tord pushed them away and now, he was about to lose the one thing he had longed for.

An actual relationship and the friendship he once had with the group of four. So, why? Why was it so hard for him to stop what he was doing? How is it that the army is more important than his friends, but at the same time, not.

"Tord, please," (Y/N) whined, tired of the man's silence. She wanted answers and she didn't care if what he said wasn't at all what she wanted to hear. She just wanted the truth, whether it was painful or not. "Just, tell us what you really want," (Y/N)'s hands were clenched into fists. "So that we can stop this game!"

A feeling of shock ran through Tord's body. "G-game?" His eyes went wide. What game? "What are you talking about? What game?"

(Y/N) bit her lip, taking in a shaky breath before calming her nerves and speaking, "All those times we had. The ones where we were closer than ever... was that all an act?"

It felt as though a knife had been plunged through his heart, was this really what (Y/N) thought? That everything they did together was just an act? Well, Tord couldn't blame them. The way things have gone, it was understandable for them to think that he was putting on a mask for them. But this was far from the truth. So, so far from the truth.

"No, no," Tord shook his head, "It was never an act. If anything, it was the most real thing I felt since I left for the city," the man opened the cockpit's red window shield. He was careful to slide down the robot, though he didn't expect to fall mid-way. Luckily for him, Edd was there to help him out.

He let out a small chuckle, "Thanks, Edd." The brunette gave him a thumbs up as he helped the norsk back on to his feet. Tord turned his attention to (Y/N), who looked back at him with glossy eyes. He put his hand out, waiting for the girl to take it. Though he didn't have much hope of it happening. "I know I'm an idiot for not tell you guys anything sooner and I know I don't deserve anothe--"

The feeling of his body being pushed back cut him off. He heard the light sobs that came from (Y/N). Who had wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face in his chest. Tord could only place his hands on the girl's back and lightly pet her hair. "Just, shut up,"

Tord was shocked by the girl's words, but he kept his mouth shut and enjoyed the small moment.