The Fire In Our Hearts (TomTord)

Candle Fire

As the four males arrived at Edd, Matt, and Tom's house Edd gently pulled a hesitant Tord into the building. "I'll go make some tea! Then we can talk." Edd said and scurried off with Matt in tow. Tord stood awkwardly by the coat stand until Tom waved him over.

Tom led Tord down the hallway, not sure why exactly he had called over the shorter male.

Deciding he had to say something, Tom asked Tord "So, did you miss us?" and almost immediately regretted it. Tord looked to the side, the slightest hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I guess I have" Tom smiled to himself, but made sure Tord couldn't see it.

"Since you've been gone Matt has only gotten more forgetful" Tom told Tord and chuckled, opening the door to his room. The door caught something and pulled it off a shelf.

The object landed with a metallic clang, and blue tinted metal glinted in the dark room. Two pairs of eyes turned towards it.

Tom knelt down and picked it up, finding the light switch on the wall with his hand at the same time.

Tom examined what he was holding and turned, revealing the harpoon to Tord's wide eyes. That was a mistake.

Tord reeled back and sprinted down the hallway. "Tord!" Tom called, dropping the harpoon and running after him. Tom ran into the living room and was greeted by Matt and Edd's concerned eyes. "Tom, what happened?" Edd asked, looking over at Matt.

Matt was crouched by the couch saying "it's okay. Please come out".

"I... I accidentally picked up and showed Tord the harpoon I tried to stab him with, back when our house...caught fire" Tom awkwardly explained to Edd.

Unexpectedly, Tord jumped up from behind the couch "I should go!" He said and tried rushing to the door. Instead Tom grabbed him by the arm, "No, explain".

Tord sat on the couch, defeated, and put his head in his hands. Without making eye contact with anyone, he began. "I have pyromania."

He took a sharp breath in, "I did set the house on fire but I swear it was an accident! I was just trying to burn some paper I was holding. I was in the backyard, and I stepped on something sharp and accidentally let go"

"My foot had started to bleed and I didn't realize the house had caught fire until I looked up again. By then it was too late so I ran to the front to see if you guys were okay. Then... You know..." He trailed off and Tom felt pangs of guilt in his chest.

Tord took his hands away from his face but still wouldn't make eye contact. "I spent three years in a correctional facility for my pyromania, sadistic attitude, and being an overall asshole. Then, I lived with some old friends for two years before buying my own house."

They all sat in silence before Matt awkwardly said, "wow". At that point Edd stood up and once again wrapped Tord in a tight hug.

"Edd?" Tord asked. "I really missed you!!" Edd cried happily as Matt joined in on the hug "same!".

Tom defiantly looked away, not wanting to seem exited to see Tord as well "yeah, I guess I missed you too" and finally joined the group hug.

"Seems I'm in a bit of a tight spot" the squished Norski said and Edd burst into laughter, until the four of them eventually collapsed to the ground.