Seeing Red (TomTord)

Ch. 5 - Realize

The next morning, Tom woke up with what was probably the worst hangover he'd had in years. He couldn't remember anything from the night before, other than the fact that he had met someone... at a bar? Right?

He glanced out the window, expecting to see what one would normally see in the morning, a sunrise. But the warm orange and pink skies of dawn were long gone, replaced by the bright blue sky of day. What time even was it? He looked over at the clock - 11:30?! He had slept in that much?!

On the other side of the apartment sat the last person Tom would have expected to see that morning. That is, unless he remembered the night before. Tord had known what the key was for even without having to ask. Now here he sat, waiting for Tom in the Brit's own apartment.

Finally, the door to Tom's room opened. It appeared he hadn't even noticed that Tord was there until he was finished making himself food and eating it too. As soon as the Brit made eye contact with him, he finally spoke.

"Good morning, Tom." the communist said, an extra hint of sweetness in his voice.

"Hey Tor- wait what the hell? Tord? How in the... Why are you.... What...?"Tom asked, sounding half angry, half confused. Tord shifted slightly. He knew what was happening here, but he damn sure didn't want to admit it.

"You gave me a key last night, remember?"

"No. I don't. All I remember is that I passed out at like midnight and that I'm still hungover as hell right now. And why would I give you out of all people a key to my apartment. You tried to kill me."

"You really don't remember any of it...? Tord dropped his gaze. Of course he didn't remember. Tom was drunk last night.

Silence stretched between them for an short, but extremely uncomfortable time. A noise broke the silence - Tord's phone was ringing. He glanced at Tom, who simply turned away. With a sigh, he answered his phone.

"What." his tone was harsher than he intended. Thankfully, Pat seemed to ignore it, or perhaps he was simply used to it

"Red Leader, the other leaders are wondering.. where you are. You were supposed to meet with White Leader today, remember?"

Shit.

"Ugh. That was today? And Pat, you don't have to call me Red Leade-" the Norski's gaze cut over to stare at the back of Tom's head for a second. He knew he shouldn't be talking about this here," Also, remember, since when do I give two fucks what he thinks? I have more important things to attend to right now."

"You don't understand. You could lose you job over this right now."

"Tell him to give me a few days."

"..." the brunette seemed to be talking to someone, and judging by the sound of the voice, it was Pau, but then another voice was heard. That idiot did not just call  White Leader using his cell phone.

"He says you have two days."

"Fine."

Something in Tom's head had clicked; he wasn't sure what exactly; but it had clicked. He didn't know what that phone call had been, but he knew it meant Tord had to leave. And something about that idea upset him. A lot. But why?

Tord had said something about someone calling him "Red Leader"... why was that so familiar?

"Tom?"

"What?"

"Are you ok?" Tord asked, having finished his call. He tilted his head to the side a tiny bit. Tom wanted to reply "yes", to find a reason to be mad at the communist, something, anything. But there was nothing. After a moment of consideration, he shook his head. Noting the sudden change in Tom's mood, Tord held out his hand towards the Brit, who hesitated once again, but eventually stepped forward and took it. He let the Norski gently pull him forward to sit next to him on the couch, where he immediately curled up next to the taller male. Tord put him arm around the brunette, pulling him a little closer. He felt oddly calm about the whole thing, like Tom going to him like this was okay. And he knew why.

It was because he remembered.

Neither of them were sure when Tom had started crying, but of anyone he would have wanted to be there, he was glad it was Tord.

Wait.

What?

Why...

He knew what the communist had meant when he said "Red Leader". But he also knew that the certain person who he happened to call his boyfriend went by the name "Red". He was Red Leader to his army, but he was his Red. Tord. His love...

He loved him.

Red.

Tord.

It didn't matter. Not anymore.

He loved him.

And he wasn't gonna lose him again.

Eventually his tears slowed, and his body stopped shaking. He sat silently for a couple minutes, leaning against Tord, who was now running his right hand through the Brit's spiky brown hair. It was nearly 10 minutes before Tom spoke again.

"I'll go with you."

"What?" Tord stopped petting the alcoholic's hair.

"I know you have to leave again. B-but I can't lose you. Not again. I'll go with you."

Now he understood. Tom's reaction to remembering everything was a bit more... emotional than he expected from the Brit. He knew what it was. It was a sign of trust. Letting himself be vulnerable.

"You'd do that for me? But what about Edd and Matt?"

"I can visit, right?"