You're (Not) My Hero | TomTord

Chapter 18

15 January

Turns out that it wasn't a pulled stitch, it was just over movement. Patryck cleaned up Tord's arm and rewrapped it.

Dinner was late because Paul didn't get home until seven. Tord was okay with that, especially since his appetite wasn't completely back. The family ate and Tord went up to bed.

He lay down, staring at the baby monitor. He wasn't actually tired.

But as he started to drift off, a clank could be heard against his window.

He sat up and checked his phone. It was 10:38. He went over to his window.

"Tom?" he called out. The boy in blue turned around and looked up.

"Hi," he said. Tord looked back at the baby monitor. He popped out the screen and sat on the sill.

"Can you climb trees?" Tord asked. Tom looked at the tree that was behind him.

"I don't fucking know," he called up. Tord rolled his eyes.

Tord hopped off his window sill and grabbed onto the branch that was in front of his window. He shimmied himself towards the trunk.

"Get up here!" he whisper yelled. Tom started to climb the tree. He was slow at first, but made it up.

"Can we go in?" Tom asked, gesturing towards Tord's window. He shook his head.

"Baby monitor," he said. Tom looked confused.

"My parents want to make sure I'm not moving around at night," Tord explained. Tom nodded.

"I'm sorry," he said. Tord watched him closely, leaning against the trunk.

"Why?"

"Don't be dumb, Tord. I'm sorry for all the shit I said. I really didn't mean it," he said.

"I...I realize." Tord nodded.

"You forgive me?"

"I never blamed you." Tord looked at Tom. Tom clutched his fists.

"Why? I blamed you for hurting me even if it was my fault. Why don't you blame me?" Tom sighed. Tord watched him.

"I could never blame you, Tom," Tord whispered.

"Why not?" Tom shook his head.

"Because I still love you," Tord said, his voice small. Tom's eyes widened.