Pack [Eddsworld]

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

It was the afternoon, and Edd was complaining he was bored again. They hadn't been on any particularly impressive adventure in quite a while, which was quite unusual for them.

Deciding that it was as good a time as any, Tord broke the news. "There haven't been any new revelations to do with the Burning Tygers recently... Ylva and myself are returning to Norway tomorrow."

"What?" Tom gave the communist his full attention, surprised to hear the sadness in his own voice.

"It's pointless for us to be here because we're just following an endless trail of useless information... I have an army to lead." Tord added, a concerned expression ghosting across his features as he thought about how weak his army was.

"Oh, yeah, where is Ylva?" Matt blinked curiously, oblivious as always to everything going on.

"In bed, hopefully asleep by now." Edd answered for Tord, nodding in the vague direction of the attic. "Well, if you're not here for much longer, I say we go on an adventure... Just like old times, right?"

"Yeah," Tord forced a smile, "just like old times..."

~

Tom chuckled. "Wow, I can't believe that another zombie apocalypse happened, just when we needed it to."

"It's a shame Matt got bitten by that rabid squirrel, though." Tord glanced over his shoulder to watch as the ginger got dragged along by Edd.

"Really? I thought that was one of the perks." The eyeless man smirked at his companion, the two of them sharing laughter.

"Aren't either of you going to help me?!" Edd called to them with slight annoyance, narrowly avoiding being gnawed on by a foaming-at-the-mouth Matt.

They exchanged a look, barely pausing in their footsteps, before turning back and answering: "Nah."

"We could always drop him off at Eduardo's and let them deal with it." Tom suggested with a mischievous note laced in his tone, squinting against the fading sunlight at the aforementioned man's house.

"Sounds good to me!" Edd picked up the pace, grabbing Matt's wrist and not giving him a chance to bite before the doorbell rang with a Spanish guitar sting and the ginger was abandoned on the doorstep.

The remaining trio crouched behind the safety of the fence to watch as Eduardo opened the door, only for Matt to pounce on him with squeaky growls. Yells and shouts of panic emanated from the house that caused the three of them to laugh at the others' misfortune. They contentedly sauntered back inside the house, all smiling and still letting out the occasional chuckle.

It was quite late, and yet Ylva was still a no-show. Tord was undoubtedly concerned for her well-being, but the knowledge they would be leaving tomorrow helped ease his mind. Of course, he was sad to leave his friends behind after their relationship had been mended and was better than ever; he made a mental note to visit as often as possible.

"Well, I think it's about time we went to bed." Edd yawned and stretched extravagantly, taking a glance towards the clock in the hall. "Night Tom, Tor-"

"Ah, Edd, we'll take the sofa tonight." Ylva stood at the bottom of the stairs, a smile fixed in place as she blinked at the brunet.

"Wh- no, really, you should sleep in comfort for your last night here!" He shook his head insistently, despite how attractive the idea of sleeping in an actual bed sounded.

"No, I'm sure." She nudged past him to accompany Tord, not standing as close to him as usual. "We don't know what time we'll be leaving, and if it's during the night we'll be closer to the front door."

"If you're certain," Edd looked doubtfully at the girl in the pink hoodie, "see you, Ylva. It was lovely meeting you, even if the circumstances were quite odd. The two of you'd better visit sometime..."

He headed off towards his room with a wave over his shoulder. Tom watched him until the door closed, then turning his attention on the Norwegians.

"Yeah, if you leave during the night..." He paused, averting his gaze before sighing heavily. "I did enjoy your company, Sunshine. But this doesn't mean I like you, don't forget that."

Tord grinned cheekily, stepping forward and embracing the Brit in a bro-hug with a strong pat on the back. "Sure, Tom."

He pushed the communist away with a soft huff. "Bye, Tord. See you 'round, Ylva."

The pair walked into the living room, turning off the light in the hallway. Ylva insisted that Tord take the sofa because she had already slept for most of the day. She settled back into the armchair with a book in her grasp, offering a smile when she caught her companion giving her an odd look.

"What was up with you earlier, Ylva?" He rested his head on the crook of his arm, lying on his side and curling up a little so he could fit on the sofa.

"Don't worry about it, Tord. I just wasn't feeling too good." She dismissed his words with a small gesture, turning her eyes on the pages.

"Yeah, but..." Tord frowned slightly, fidgeting. "Why did you go out without me during the night?"

"I needed a some fresh air to clear my mind." She responded easily as she turned the page, no longer willing to look at him.

He knew she was lying to him. "In the middle of a storm?"

"Y-yeah, storms are relaxing to me. Something about the rain and the wild recklessness of the lightning, I think." Ylva cleared her throat, crossing one leg over the other and sinking a little into her hoodie.

He also knew he wasn't going to get anyway with his interrogation: she was stubborn. "Right... Goodnight, Ylva."

Her gaze flickered over the top of the book, slightly squinted and her eyebrows sad. "Goodnight, Tord..."

Tord rolled onto his other side, facing the backrest of the sofa. He let his eyelids slip shut against all common sense, pulling the thin blanket up to his chin. His head was a snowstorm of thoughts and worries that wouldn't shut up, so he merely lay there for a long time, breathing slowly. Finally, when his mind had calmed and his body was warm and sleepy, he dozed off comfortably.

He jolted awake to see a gun pressed coolly to his forehead.

"Sorry, Red Leader." Ylva clicked off the safety, her finger shaking on the trigger. "You're coming with me."