Partners [Eddworld High School AU]

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This story is getting so much support hh thank you guys 💙💙 (Also I had to use Google translate, so sorry if it's kinda off at the Norweigian parts.)
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Tom felt vulnerable. He didn't want this to happen.

He was sitting on his bed, shirtless, while Tord looked over his bruises he had gotten from his father. Tom winced as he felt fingers ghosting over the dark spots on his back.

"Tom, you need to stay with someone. Come to my house, and we'll get you help tomorrow at school." Tord said softly.

"I can't. He won't let me. I'm better off here."

"Tom, I will get you out of this house one way or another. So cooperate, or I'll call the police."

Tom stayed silent. That would be worse. He didn't need this to happen, he didn't need help. He had been going along just fine for years, why did it have to go and get all messed up-

"Tom, breath!"

He looked up, tears dripping down his cheeks. His head hurt, his stomach hurt, and he felt like he could throw up.

"Get a hold of yourself, please. Look, I know we don't know each other very well, and we normally want nothing to do with each other, but just listen to me. You can stay at my place until you're safe." Tord explained quickly. Tom thought for a moment, before hesitantly nodding.

Soon, they were each wearing backpacks, and crawling out of the window. Tom's heart was racing. Was he really doing this? Was he finally getting away from his father?

"C'mon." Tord took his hand, running off. Tom barely managed to stumble along with him, numb.

"Okay, head upstairs." He got pushed into Tord's house and towards the bedroom. He slowly made his way up the stairs, listening to the conversation happening in the kitchen.

"Vi trenger å hjelpe ham!"

"Du vet ikke engang hvem han er, vi kan ikke bare la en fremmed være i huset vårt -"

"Han er ikke en fremmed! Han er min venn, han trenger hjelp!"

The words faded as he got farther away. Tom stepped into the familiar room, walking over to the corner and sitting against the wall. He pulled his knees up to his chest, whimpering and burying his face in his arms.

Footsteps walked towards him, and paused. Something sat next to him, making him tense. A pair of arms wrapped around him.

"Du kommer til å bli bra ... Jeg lover. Jeg holder deg trygg... I promise. Let's work on this project." Tom lifted his head slightly, and saw Tord smiling softly at him. Sighing, he allowed himself to relax as they started the story.
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"Alright, who wants to present first?" The teacher clasped his hands together, looking around the room. A couple hesitant hands rose, making him smile.

"Alright, Tom and Tord! Come on up here." The boys stood up, weaving through the desks as they went to the front of the room. The teacher walked back to his desk, and the room went silent.

"Um... Well.." Tom cleared his throat a bit, looking over at Tord. The Norwegian took a silent deep breath, motioning for Tom to do the same.

"O-our story is about a boy, who... wants to be himself." Tom let out the breath, handing a couple papers to Tord.

"There was once a boy. He grew up in a place where being a man was the top priority..."
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"... 'Mother, my name is not Michael anymore. I am now Michele.' The boy stared at his mom in the eyes, waiting for her reaction."

"His mother reached out to him, placing a gentle hand on his face. 'Oh, dear... You can be whoever you want to be. You don't need to hide... or run away... or hurt yourself... Just be yourself. Do what you want to do.' She pulled him into a tight embrace, starting her son's new life as her daughter."

Tom and Tord looked up from their papers, looking over the students. They were all silent, the only noise coming from the class next door. The first person to move was the teacher, who stood and applauded them. Tom grinned a little, looking over at Tord. He looked almost as surprised as most of the kids did. Soon, the room was filled with clapping.

"Boys, that was amazing. Let me take the papers so I can grade them." The teacher walked up to them, gently taking the papers as they went back to their seats.

"Okay, who's next?"
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"Tom, I'm very sorry you had to go through that... But I promise, we will get you help." The counseler placed a hand on Tom's shoulder, looking him dead in the eyes. "Thank you for talking with me about this. I wouldn't want you to get hurt any further than you have."

Tom scrubbed at his eyes, wiping away the tears that were threatening to spill.

"Thank you..."
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"I told you so."

Edd smirked at Tom, making the shorter boy blush.

"Sh-shut up!!"

"Told him what?" Tord couldn't help but grin a bit, looking over at Edd.

"Oh, just that you two were going to get together." He snickered a bit.

"I SAID SHUT UP!!" Tom covered his face, groaning a bit.

"Oh, c'mon, honey, it's okay." Tord emphasized the word honey, knowing Tom hates pet names. Before the brunette could respond, he wrapped his arms around his boyfriend's shoulders, pressing their lips together.

Maybe it was a good thing that Edd was right. Just this once.

~End~