The Performer and his Chaperon (Tordtom)

𝔄 𝔖𝔱𝔯𝔦𝔨𝔢 𝔱𝔬 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔈𝔶𝔢

3rd POV

Cars sped down a crowded highway, filled with flashing lights and loud sounds.

Loud sounds of crowds screaming, cheering, and cameras flashing were the loudest sound of the area. Tom looked at Tord, stress clouding his eyes.

"Hey don't worry, you got this." Tord smiled, resting a hand atop of Tom's  cold and sweaty one.

"No, I don't." Tom said looking out the window.

"This is a red carpet specifically for actors. I've usually only been to ones with more people, so the crowd pays no mind to me."

"But here.." Tom said, dragging on the last part.

" You may doubt yourself but I KNOW you will do great." Tord reassured Tom, squeezing his hand slightly.

Tom didn't respond, too focused on the red path out the window that was colored in a magnificent ruby red. Golden bars holding back the crowd while outlining the carpet, making it stand out even more.

He nodded to the driver, waiting to be escorted by Tord. 

Tord kissed Tom's knuckles, smiled and got out of the car, circling back around to Tom's side to open the door. 

Tord opened the door for Tom, letting him get a wave of screams and cheers as he stepped out, his checkered shoes standing out against the carpet.

Tom walked away from the car and stepped onto the carpet. Paparazzi flashed their cameras and Tom held a confident, strong stroll as the walked down the carpet, stopping in front of a white board, smiling as other actors rushed over to him, bombarding him with celebration along with personal questions.

Tom held his confident pose throughout the whole red walk, stopping every minute or so to pose for another man or woman holding a camera.

Once Tom had finished going down the red carpet, they both were invited to dinner which they gladly attended, ate, and headed off to the ending carpet walk, inviting all the actors/actresses to walk down the carpet one last time.

As Tom was walking down the carpet for the last time, with Tord trailing behind him, something felt off.

Tom continued walking but got a sense that something bad might happen. Despite the horrible feeling, he kept going, without telling Tord anything.

Out of nowhere, someone had gotten over the security and was running straight towards Tom, fist ready at the go. Someone screamed. A actor yelped.

POW

Tord had jumped in front of Tom, blocking the punch, hitting himself instead. Tom gasped.

"Fuck.." Tord staggered backwards, holding his face. The man who had punched Tord was pulled back by security, cursing as he got dragged away.

"Tord-!" Tom rushed over and helped him to keep his balance, while hugging him at the same time.

"What- why would you do that? Are you oka-" Tom stopped talking and pulled back to examine Tord's face.

"Shit." Tom whispered as he saw a large, open cut on Tord's forehead, spewing more blood every second. 

"We are leaving. Now." Tom said, in a stern but heavily worried tone.

Tom carefully led Tord to the car, helping Tord inside and slamming the door behind him. He bit his lip in worry.

"Drive to my house. Now." Tom instructed the driver, who nodded, starting the engine and quickly backing out of the area, then speeding down the street. 

Once, they reached Tom's house, the two quickly got out and Tom dragged Tord through the front door to his living room couch. He sat down, motioning Tord to sit with him.

Tom directed all his attention to Tord.

" How much does it hurt..?" Tom said, cupping Tord's face in his hands. Tord winced. 

"Okay. I'll get you patched up. You're gonna be okay. You're gonna be okay. You're gonna be oka-" Tom repeated,looking around for his first aid-kit, gripping Tord's hand tightly as tear sliding down his cheek.

Tord hushed him, pressing a finger to Tom's lips.

"I'm gonna be okay Tom. It's okay." Tord smiled, interlocking fingers with Tom, then pulled him into a hug.

Tom slightly nodded, letting another couple tears roll down his face as he was being held by Tord.

Tord softly pulled back and smiled at Tom, who was still sniffling.

"Let me go get the band-aids." Tom cracked a sad smile and went over to the kitchen, were he grabbed a box and went to go sit down.

"Okay let me just.." Tom said, removing a rubber band from his wrist and tying Tord hair up.

Tom smiled and laughed, making Tord chuckle.

"Stay still!" Tom giggled as he started putting band-aids all over Tord's face.

"Heyyy!" Tord smiled, putting a band-aid on Tom's face.

Tom removed the band-aid and placed it on his cheek, then got another and put it on Tord's hurt mark.

"There you go! All better." Tom smiled, leaning foward to hug Tord, which he returned. 

Tord softly caressed Tom's head and started humming quietly, pulling Tom into his lap while Tom smiled. Tom felt comfort in Tord's arms. 

He felt himself falling asleep, and let it happen.

Tord smiled down at Tom, who was starting to sleep.

Tord wrapped a blanket around the two and hummed until he lulled himself to sleep. 

The two quietly slept in each other's embrace, hearts beating in unison.