tangled up~ [TomTord]

High standards.

Tom strode around the town. Most who saw him fell in love straight away. Even those who 'hated' him.

Everyone would try to steal his heart. But none would succeed. He was a prize to everyone. The one person you needed to trust you to become anything over a simple towns person.

Everyday another person would offer him something for his love. Everytime they were refused. Then they were ridiculed until it happened again. And the cycle continued.

Tom would never admit it but there was someone who he had his eyes on. But he didn't want to accept it himself. One boy always stood in the trees behind his house. Outside his window. The boy was scruffy. His hair stuck up all the time but a very distinctive style let it slip by. Two pointed hair-horns. Tom would often watch him when he was there. He never knew the boy didn't even know of him yet. But they were both young...

So he kept walking. Looking at the people who gawked at his almost 'perfect' features. He was making his way back home. But he kind of didn't want to. The boy hadn't been there for days.. And he wished to see him again. And maybe say hello.. So instead of going home he went to the forest. Small twigs decorating his sky blue coat as he brushed past the old and tough trees that filled the land. His hopes were high and his face had a small smile platered on it. His head filled with thoughts. The trees were comforting. Like family. Thats when he understood why the boy would come here. The gentle tune of small birds was soft to hear and calming. The small stream to the right of him letting out an almost silent trickling noise. As quiet as can be. He made his way to a fallen tree and perched ontop of it. The boy used to come around here and climb the maple tree that was tall and sturdy, and right behind him. He was so interested and focused on the floor level he didn't notice the crinkle of leaves as another human made their way to the maple and began to climb up. They were surprised to see another person in the trees. He was normally the only one there. Tom finally realised he wasn't alone when a large maple leaf fluttered down to the ground. He picked it up and checked it over. There was definitely something smeared on it but he couldn't tell if it was sap or another fluid. It was definitely not gross though. Tom slipped down to the forest floor and leaned onto the trunk of the fallen tree. He felt safe here. And soon he saw the rabbits sniffing around the patches of clover that flourished in the darker and cooler space. Tom was surprised with this as he thought surely the plants would need more light. But the forest had its reasons and no one could ask. A few more leaves fell from the Maple. All of them with smaller smears on. Tom collected them all and looked over them. The fluid was more recent. As he wiped some onto his finger his eyes widened. The fluid was red. Blood red. He looked up finally just before another leaf fell onto his face. He blew it off before reaching for it and holding it aswell. He squinted at the top of the tree when he finally saw movement. He fully opened his eyes and got up. Startling some wildlife that had gotten rather close. He made his way to the bottom of the Maple and peered up. He had a serious face on this time.. When he saw nothing else he decided he had no other choice. He grabbed onto the lowest branch and propped a foot on the trunk. He used to climb trees alot as a child so this was natural for him. He soon clambered up. Hissing whenever a small branch whipped his face or arms. Soon he made it near the top and was taking a moment to breathe when a small face peeked out from the top. Tom panicked and felt himself slip of the branch. Clinging on before he fully lost balance. He straightened himself up and let out a deep breath. He looked up again and the face was still there. This time snickering at him. He huffed angrily at it and began to climb up further. Making it to the branch below where he saw the face. He stopped again and reached up an arm. His hand brushed against something that was softer then bark and leaf. He felt himself want to pull it down but if it was what he thought it was it was probably not best to do. So instead he reached up again and this time was met by something else. Something more firm but just as soft. It gripped onto him and he soon identified it. A small childlike hand. He felt curiosity grow and gently tugged on it. Seeing what the reaction would be. He heard a little squeak as he finally loosened his grip.