A world where I might belong

Chapter 7

Tommy slowly wakes up. Before he opens his eyes he can already feel how heavy his body is at this moment. He also feels pressure against his left leg. He assumes this is probably Bandit lying by him. He keeps his eyes closed and keeps his breathing light and steady to make it seem like he is still sleeping. He just wants a few more minutes of peace.

He remembers everything that happened last night. Vaguely anyways. He knows he almost unalived himself. He knows Bo was there. He doesn't remember much else besides that. He really wishes that Bo was not there to see him like that. He wishes he could have just made the extra step over the edge.

He hears the door to the room open then close again. He hears footsteps come towards him and someone sits down on a creaky chair. He feels someone grab his hand and squeeze it, "Hey kiddo. It's morning now."

Bo.

Tommy just barely opens his eyes to try and see Bo. He sees a fuzzy version of him, his head dropped down staring at his hand holding his. His hair is an absolute mess.

Tommy opens his eyes fully and squeezes his hand back. Bo snaps his head up, mouth open and eyes as wide as they could possibly go. "Hey, Bo." Tommy says, voice soft and rough. His throat feels like he swallowed a bunch of dried sand and broken glass. He looks around and is very glad to see that he is in his own room, his own house.

"Kid! Oh thank Etros, are you feeling okay?!" Be says loudly, sitting on the edge of his seat, "Need me to get you anything?" Bo asks, ready to jump out of his seat. He hears Bandit purr and immediately goes up to half lay half stand on his legs.

"No thanks. My legs aren't broken." Tommy jokes. Apparently that was not quite the right move as Bo now just looks at him, looking sad.

"Kiddo. I know this is not what you probably want to talk about, but I am gonna need an explanation as to what happened last night. Could you tell me? I won't be upset, I just need to understand." Bo reassures Tommy. He is now feeling annoyed that he is being called a kid but he pushes the feeling down.

Tommy moves himself up so he is sitting upright. He takes in a deep breath, readying himself.

It will probably be okay. Bo will understand, he has to. He didn't really do it on purpose. He was on autopilot mode.

"Mearai. If I have learned anything from both you and Bo, it's that you both will hold no judgement. I am positive everything will be okay." Bandit's steady voice says to him in his head. Tommy turns to Bandit and moves them so that he is sitting on his lap.

I think you are right, Bandit. But I can't be one hundred percent sure. Tommy says back, gently stroking their fur down his back.

Tommy can't bring himself to look at Bo for what he is about to say. He sucks in a big and shaky breath and begins his speech, "Bo. The place where I am from is not a safe place. I was made to fight almost constantly for a long time. I was a founding father of a country for fucks sake!" Tommy starts to shake and some tears begin to fall down his face, " I don't want to get into many details, it's not important right now, but it left a big impact on me and it's most of the reason why you saw me the way you did last night. I'm sorry." Tommy ends his speech, hugging Bandit close and bringing his knees to his chest, trying to hide his teary face from the man next to him.

He feels a strong hand grip onto his hand that's holding his knees up to his chest. "Child, I will not blame you for what you are feeling or gone through, I don't know your story. But if I can help you, even if you just need someone to talk to, I'm all ears. You are not alone, not while you are here in Galway or when you are away from here. I am always here." Tommy moves his head slightly to look at Bo's face. He has tears in his eyes and a sincere and almost pleading look on his face.