Monsters start at coffee

The peace after the storm

The photo had Tord's shadow falling upon an animalistic monster whose only resemblance to Tom was its black eyes. Its expression was terrifying, anger and sorrow mixed into a single face. Tom's tail, no, the animal's - that wasn't him anymore - was bigger and fuller, as well as his horns and ears, scales covering all of his body. He didn't look human at this point, double his size, walking on all fours.

Tom seemed rather shocked when seeing the photo, and Tord wondered what the other was thinking. In a moment of panic, the norwegian used a tranquilizer on the monster. Hybrid was a word he preferred to use because it seemed less dehumanizing, although he wasn't really sure. He used the opportunity to take the blood needed. His back hurt, and the shock he had when thrown on the wall added to the hits he received from Tom resulted in some unpleasant sensations. This time, calming him down didn't work, probably because "he wasn't there".

Tom fell down almost immediately when given the tranquilizer. That's something important to know, you never know what's gonna happen, right? Tord makes a mental note to study the substance later. Anyways, when there's an asleep monster-man-hybrid-whatever in the middle of your bedroom, the first instinct you have is to get it to a bed to rest. And that is what he had done, wondering if Tom would panic when waking up.

Back to the present. He didn't panic. Not externally, at least.

- That's what I looked like? - Tom burst out a few seconds after being shown the photo.

- Yeah. Pretty terrifying, don't you think?

- I guess so. I could enroll in a horror film like this. - His face turned into a yawn.

- Still tired?

Tom didn't answer, instead laying on the bed again and covering himself with the covers. Looks like he won't be waking up soon.

Glancing at the clock, it marked roughly 1 pm. They didn't have lunch, but he isn't hungry at all and doesn't want to wake the other up. Tord decides to start analyzing the blood he'd gotten earlier. It was black. This was already a bad sign.

He thinks about the possibilities. Imagine using this to make people into living weapons? It's cruel, but maybe it would work. His ultimate dream has always been to be a known inventor. But he hasn't done anything remarkable until now, and society only wants the best. And Tord's not the best. His mind is conflicted. Before any of that though, it's needed an antidote. He's not leaving his roommate to die. Would he die though? He's just assumed that, since the rat died, but it's clear Tom's stronger than a weak rat. And, honestly, most people. The man turned into some creature and is doing (kinda) fine. Compared to what he expected to happen, of course, because he looked like he was feeling like shit.

He worked for some time until Tom woke up again.

- You up, sleepyhead?

- huh? - Tom seemed utterly confused, looking around the room, eyes pausing on Tord. He let out a low sigh and slurred a lazy "what time is it".

- Roughly 3 pm. Are you hungry?

- I'm starving. Why did you let me sleep in your bed anyways? - his usual sharp tone returned.

- Well, you looked so peaceful sleeping, I couldn't just wake you up.

The hybrid stared, maybe waiting for a laugh or a punchline. Usually Tord would laugh and say something along the lines of "just kidding. You looked ridiculous in that position", but he was so, so tired that just saying the truth felt easier.

Tord stared back. He didn't know what to say, it's not like they are used to having actual conversations that don't involve insulting each other. They had uncomfortable eye contact until Tom got up from bed: