The Cicada

r/slash reference

I feel my cheeks heat up with embarrassment. I put my hand on his own and squeeze his hand. I smile at him. "No problem man, seriously. You're doing me a major solid."

"Well, what are friends for?"

I stand in the kitchen, absentmindedly listening to a podcast while I wash the dishes from Dinner. Tord had cooked, as per our agreement, but was giving Maisie a bath which left dishes to me. I'm not complaining, repetitive tasks allow me to just zone out and just have my thoughts entertain me.

I'm kinda weird like that.

For the first two days I was here, (and able to function and help out around the place) Tord showed me the ropes of cooking, cleaning, playing with Maisie and the sort. It went pretty well! It's been a week since then, and Maisie's gotten a bit better with letting Tord leave for work. She still gets upset and wants him to stay, but she isn't sneaking into the car with him anymore!

It's the little things.

I listened to the podcast host speak as autoplay played another episode. "Welcome to R/slash where OP finds out that her partner has been putting slugs in her food!!" I listen intensely to the story, my interest piqued by the odd title. Like slugs????? ACTUAL SLUGS?????

I eventually finish the dishes and stay in the kitchen, listening closely. I cover my mouth with my hand as the story continues. God, he isn't joking. Why would the boyfriend decide to blend SLUGS into her food??? "Jesus fucking christ."

"Hey, language, remember?"

I jump and turn to face Tord. "Huh? Oh, yeah sorry."

Tord shrugs. "It's fine, Maisie's in bed."

"Oh yeah? This early?"

"Guess so." Tord looks around awkwardly. "So uh...I got a call today. Someone wanted to talk to you."

I pause the podcast episode. "Me? I mean...my phone did get smashed but...nevermind. Who was it? What was it about?"

"It was some lady? Pat? She wanted to talk to you about someone named Jon? Apparently he passed and-...the funeral is this weekend."

I freeze, looking down at the counter. "...Right."

"I'm sorry for your loss, Tom." Tord said kindly. He stepped beside me and pat my shoulder. "I can take off work and watch Maisie so you can go."

I shrug. "You can do whatever. I'll-...I'll figure this out."

Tord nods and eyes me almost expectantly. "...Were you close to him?"

I nod quietly, looking away from him. "It's fine. I'll just call Pat back later." I mumble, trying not to break down. Tord knows! About Jon, about Pat-...He knows about everything, right? He has to know!

"...Pat said that it was an accident. Car accident."

I look up at him, trying to read his face. I pause, noting the closeness between us both.

I haven't been with anyone in two years.

Fuck, that's a sudden realization to have. It's been two whole years since I've been intimate with another person. And that wasn't even a real relationship! It was a fucking hookup! A hookup would be nice right about now. Just something to distract me.

Distractions.

"Tom?" I'm pulled out of my thoughts as Tord tilts his head and speaks to me. "Want a drink?"

I pause, still shocked from being pulled out of my thoughts. "...Drink?"

"Yeah? I have whiskey, vodka..."

"I thought you didn't want me to drink?"

Tord chuckles. "I meant that I didn't want you to drink while watching Maisie."

"Ah." I think for a moment, then sigh and shake my head. "I'll pass. I'm gonna head out."

Tord nods a bit solemnly. "Yeah, cool okay uh...Where to? Mind if I tag along?"

I wince and put on my large, red jacket. "Nah, I'm good. Lone wolf, y'know? Probably just gonna see where the night takes me, maybe see Pat. See ya." I wave him off and head out, walking down the street to the nearest bar.

<><><>

Tord watches Tom leave, a frown on his face. 1st off, turning down drinks with him is FINE, okay? It's FINE. It's not like he's mad or anything. But 2nd? Why act so secretive about all of this? Tom's been staying here for 2 weeks! That should be enough time that has passed for him to at least tell Tord something!

Why was he in Tord's garage all covered in blood? Clearly Jon was the man who passed, and Tom must blame himself for it, right? So what happened? Was it even a car accident?

Something isn't adding up here, and Tord's gonna find out what it is.

He quickly called Kim and Katya again and they came over to keep an eye on Maisie, then Tord got dressed and headed down the path Tom went down. He walked along the snowy, London streets, his eyes darting around as he tried to search for any sign of Tom. He soon found himself standing in front of a pub.

He is looking for Tom, after all.

Tord went inside.

He approaches the bouncer. "Hey."

The bouncer blocks the entrance. "Sorry, sir. There's been a fight inside, bar needs to be evacuated." He eyes Tord for a moment, and Tord soon recognizes the man.

"Hey Paul, it's been a while." Tord raises his brow. "A fight?" It took maybe an hour for Tord to head out to look for Tom, Maybe Tom got into a fight in that time? "What happened?"

Paul shrugs. "Some chick saw her ex and started screaming at him. scratched up his face with her long ass nails. Almost hit him with her stiletto. Apparently she had a pregnancy scare or something? She just started screaming at him. Calling him an abuser? The poor guy looked like a deer in headlights, even before they saw each other. Not a good day for him, I don't think."

Tord frowns, his heart(?) sinking in his chest. Is it Tom? Who does this chick think she is? Is she connected to the accident with Jon, as well? "What did the guy look like?"

Paul raises his brow. "Why do you ask? Are you looking for someone?"

"Yeah," Tord nods. "My height, spikey hair, dark eyes? Seen him?"

Paul winced a bit, and his face turns grim. "Lots of piercings? Wearing a red coat?"

Tord nods, and Paul sighs. "That's the guy. He's in the back with a doctor who happened to be here. Come on in. He could use a friend right about now."