The Alliance (TomTord Fanfic) (#Wattys2017)

Chapter 19

Todd kept his head down as he walked around this base aimlessly. His mind was clouded with way too many thoughts, including the event that happened yesterday. It really drained him of emotion and actual energy, leaving him stumbling and not being able to think clearly without breaking down in tears.
Unlike the other two leaders, Todd wasn't scared of showing his emotions to his navy and his soldiers. He felt like the forces he gained were all a family, almost. So of course, multiple soldiers let him have the day off and took his spot. He wanted to let Parker off the hook, but he only responded with a no.

Speaking of his right hand man, Todd had stopped walking and looked around to where he was. He was at the beginning of the bunker hallway, where him and his troops slept and lived. He looked to his right to see Parker's bunker door, and decided that maybe he could help him since he was going through the same pain as he was.
Todd walked up to the door and nervously knocked three times. Surprisingly, after a few minutes, Parker opened the door. Todd's face fell more than it was already. His friend had black circles under his eyes, indicating lack of sleep, messed up and frizzy hair, and even a seemingly bloody bandage wrapped around his arm. Todd couldn't blame the guy if he cut, he was surprised he didn't do the action apon himself soon enough.

"Commander Red? What is it?" Parker asked, his voice cracking slightly. He coughed to clear it up as Todd looked down again.
"I just... I needed to talk to you. I think you're the only person who knows how I feel about this." Todd said. "And you don't need to call me that right now." He added, meaning by the Commander Red title he held. Parker slowly nodded and let him into his bunker. Todd walked in and sat down on the bed. To his surprise, the room was straightened up and not a mess.

"Why did you clean this place up?"
"Well... work's the only thing keeping my mind off this stuff... that's why I won't stop working at all." Parker explained and sat next to his friend. Yes, he was his soldier, but the two knew each other ever since Todd went to train for the army.
"I can see why... I don't blame ya, bud." Todd couldn't help but put a chuckle at the end of his sentence, but it sounded forced and fake. Parker just nodded and looked down. Todd pulled his knees up to his chest and pushed his face into them, pulling his glasses up. Yes, the world was blurry without them, but he just wanted to wipe his eyes. Probably because he started to notice tears forming in them, which he didn't want to fall.

As pulled his face back to rub his eyes, he looked over to Parker, who had grabbed a pillow and his face stuffed in it. Todd listened closely, only to hear a faint sobbing noise come from him. He sighed slightly and hugged Parker, making his glasses slide down back on his nose.
"Hey, calm down, bud. It'll be ok." Todd tried to help his friend out, but he gained no response. After a few minutes, Parker pulled his face back from his pillow and wiped his eyes. Todd got a look at him. The area around his eyes was bright red, and his hazel eyes themselves were bloodshot. They even seemed to be a duller color than before, but Todd just told himself he was just being crazy.

"I know you miss him. I do too. Those damn leaders are going to pay. First, I'll fucking rip Tom's eyes out and stab him in the chest, then I'll slit Tord's throat." Todd's eyes narrowed as he imagined his enemies die slowly under his feet. He started to laugh slightly, and Parker joined in with a chuckle before wiping his eyes of tears again.
"You better, or I'll do it for ya." Parker smiled slightly and Todd grinned like a child. The two said a few laughs before Todd waved his goodbyes and left the bunker, heading back to his own place.