Why Me? |EDDSWORLD X READER |FF| HIATUS

{Chapter 53|vulnerable}

I will never forget the moment
they told me your heart had stopped.
Even though mine broke in that second,
it strangely kept beating.

"Grandma..." Tord's grip around the sheets of the bed tightens, "I...I don't know what to do..."

"What's wrong, sweetheart?" Susan gently takes Tord's quivering hand in her soft and warm ones.

"...It'll sound stupid."

"Nothing is ever stupid. You think of what the other person will think first which then makes it stupid. But Tord, it's me, Grandma. If it's something you're scared about then it's not stupid to me."

Tord lets out a deep sigh, "Nightmares. They're coming back."

"What are they about, darling?"

"D-Dad...my biological father. I just remember the time that he went up and left me all alone. I thought I accepted the fact that you might not be with us for long but...I...I don't know. I don't know what to do."

Susan moves, trying to sit up straight but showing obvious signs of struggle.

"G-Grandma? What are you doing?"

"I'm trying to give you a hug, dear. But I can't seem to with all the wires attached to me." Susan lets out a wheezily chuckle.

Tord gives her a confused look but ends up slowly putting himself unto Susan's warm embrace.

"That's it. There you go..." Susan lays her chin on top of her grandson's head.
"Do you hear that heartbeat, dear? Just focus on that. I'm okay, you're okay, we're okay."

Tord's tensed shoulders drop, letting out a sigh of relief as Susan begins to hum a small melody while patting his back gently.

Tord hated showing vulnerability. It made him feel weak and small, scared that if he did, he'll get judged and disliked for it. But with Grandmother Susan...it was different. He can be afraid, he can be worried, he can drop all the heavy armor of expectations whenever she's around.

But when she's gone?

Then...