Paint The World Red With Me (An Eddsworld Tord x Reader)

Chapter 8: My New Asshole Boss

Now I know there's no romance yet really, but it's coming, I promise!

☆☆☆

Tord's office showed exactly what type of person he was. When you first enter the room, you're plunged into dimness. The only light came from a small lamp on his desk and the red curtains behind it. A red rug led from the door to the desk, offsetting the black marble floors. Two large bookshelves were pressed on the walls, filled with new and old books.

The desk itself was huge, made of the same dark mahogany as the doors. The surface was littered with stacks of papers and files, writing utensils scattered across, and a pistol sat by an ashtray. His chair was huge and red, while the two visitor's chairs were much smaller and made of black leather.

He stamped out his cigar in the tray as I walked in.

"Ah good, the uniform fits."

Right, the uniform. It was sitting on the bed of my quarters when I got there. Like the other uniforms, it had a red turtleneck sweater and a navy overcoat.  But unlike those, it also had a matching navy pencil skirt and brown high heeled boots that reached my knees. I tugged at the skirt. Being in a uniform that wasn't grey felt....dirty.

"Yeah, but why is mind different?"

"I wanted it to be clear that you weren't a soldier. You also won't be getting any weapons, in case you're dumb enough to try something."

Well fuck.

"Now sit down. It's time to get to work."

***

I spent all day doing the shitty paperwork that Tord didn't want to do. Whenever he told me to write something down, I had to drop whatever I was doing and write it on the notepad given to me.

Sighing constantly, I looked at the now organized desk. It was the last thing I had to do for the day. I stretched and stood.

"(F/N), where do you think you're going?"

Blinking my tired (E/C) eyes, I glared.

"I'm done for the day."

He hummed and looked at the desk.

"I don't think so. I said you could be done when the desk is completely organized."

"Are you senile? It's clearly-"

I was cut off when he swiped two stacks of papers off the desk. They mixed together and flew to the floor. I just stood there as he grinned.

"Well? Get to it."

He stood and went to the door, but froze when I mumbled.

"What was that?"

"I said you're aN ASS!"

A hand found itself around my throat and lifted me into the air. I tried to rip it off. My fingers were hopeless against the smooth metal of his arm. Eventually I tired myself out. I dropped limply. The fingers released their grip so I hit the floor.

"Talk to me like that again, and the punishment will be worse. Remember your place, bitch."

With that, he was gone. Leaving me to pick up the mess and stack it back to how it was before. 

***

Paul and Pat were at their same table for dinner. I tilted my head at the horrified looks they gave me when I sat down with my dinner.

"What the hell are you guys looking at?"

Pat was the first to break his trance.

"(F/N), your neck..."

Paul soon regained his senses.

"The fuck happened?"

My neck? What about my neck? I reached up and gently touched my neck, immediately hissing in pain. The fuck?!

Pat took out his phone and handed it to me. I changed it to the camera and put on selfie mode. My mouth went dry and my stomach twisted into knots.

There on my neck was a big purple bruise in the shape of a hand. Despite myself, I felt tears sting the corners of my eyes. I wanted to be anywhere but here. I wanted to be back with the boys.

That thought was like a punch to the gut. I wanted to be back with the boys? I did. I wanted to be back in the living room, sandwiched on the couch between Edd, Matt, and Tom. To feel the lively warmth that filled the room along with laughter from the TV. Swapping sarcastic jabs with Tom as he sipped from his flask. In the short week I had known them, they became my family.

Tears slipped down my cheeks in waterfalls. I felt Pat wrap his arms around me and stand me up. Him and Paul led me to a nearby bathroom. Paul quickly grabbed paper towels while Pat comforted me.

I couldn't stop at that point. The tears kept coming, and the two men helped me through it. Soon my face was dry and stung. My cheeks were red and puffy, my lips cracked. Pat ran a hand through my hair.

"Let's get you to your room. You need some sleep."

Once in my room, I curled into the soft mattress. The blankets were pulled up over me, then the light flicked off. After the door closed, I heard muffled voices. Paul, Pat, and I recognized Tord's.

"Is she ok?"

"You tell us! The poor girl has bruises on her neck and had a breakdown! If Paul and me weren't there, she could've had a panic attack and passed out."

"Pat's right. What did you do to her? Did you assault her?"

"What?! You guys don't seriously think I'd stoop that low?"

Silence. Then a groan from Tord.

"Look, I did not assault her. Sexually. She back talked me."

"So you physically harmed her?"

"Paul, you of all people should know that I can't let anyone think I'm weak."

"That still gives you no right to do that kind of damage!"

"But Pat-"

"No buts. If either of us find out you're abusing her again, you're in for it."

Tord replied back, but I was too exhausted to make it out. I passed out into a dreamless sleep.