.:Still Tord's PoV:.

It was about three hours after we got to the hospital that they let us in Edd's room. I hurt me a bit to see Edd there in that bed. I knew that if I hadn't done what I did and left my friends, this wouldn't have happened. "Tord?! What are you doing here?!" Edd asked, then he noticed Paul and Patryk, "And who are they?". "They're friends, and quite frankly they just helped us save your life. Be thankful that Matt called," I said, a bit angrier than I had intended. Edd looked at Matt and seemed to forget anyone else existed. "Are you okay, Matt?" He asked. Matt only went over and hugged Edd gently before he spoke, "You're the one that got shot,". Edd wrapped his good arm around Matt, smiling, "I know, but you still could've gotten hurt,". 

Paul, Patryk and I looked at each other, smirking. "Number two couple," I said, soft enough to where only they could hear. They nodded in agreement. I then looked over at Tom. He was smiling. "Okay, lovebirds, break it up," He said, laughing. I smiled. That was the happiest Tom had been all day as far as I knew. Edd and Matt blushed, and Matt stepped away. This only caused Tom to laugh more. "Tom, sh-shut up!" Edd's face was practically a tomato now, and he reached behind his head with his good arm as if he wanted to hide in his hoodie. When he realized he didn't have a hoodie on, his face only grew redder. "Dude, your face looks like my hoodie," I laughed. "Sh-Shut up!!" Edd practically squeaked. I could tell he was thoroughly flustered. 

We were told that Edd was going to have to stay in the hospital for a while. Matt ended up staying with him, of course. We said our goodbyes, and then the rest of us got in the car to drive Tom down to his apartment. Of course, I had gone off to make a phone call when the others were discussing how we were gonna do things. I couldn't just have Tom by himself, and I knew he wouldn't let me near him when he was asleep, so I had the next best thing in mind.

When we got to the apartments, Paul and Patryk stayed in the car while I took Tom to his room. "Tord who the f*** is this?" Tord asked, gesturing to a woman in a blue, red and white uniform that stood outside the door. "This time she's one of mine," I replied. The woman stood in front of Tom, orange bangs nearly covering her face. "I am under strict orders by the Red Leader to protect you from Soleil at all costs," The woman said in a thick Irish accent. Tom turned towards me, glaring. "I don't need anyone to protect me, commie," He said. "Eh, I don't know. She won't bother you unless you need help with someone, you know, trying to kill you. Tom looked at the woman again. She looked friendly enough- aside from the large shotgun on her back and dagger in it's sheath on her belt. "...Fine, but I swear to god If she kills me you'll be sorry," Tom growled, then went into his room. "Yeah, I will," I muttered, then turned to the woman. "Don't make it seem like you're spying on him," I said. The woman nodded, and gave a salute. I saluted back, and she turned and walked quietly to her room a few doors away. I turned, leaving as well.

"He still doesn't trust you. huh?" Patryk asked as I got into the car. "I don't think he'll ever trust me completely," I replied. The Partners in Crime looked at each other, and then Patryk proceeded to drive us home. "So, Tord," I could see Paul smirk, "Patryk and I were talking while you were in there, and we both think you may have a crush on Tom,". I felt my face heat up, "What makes you think that?!" I said, sounding a bit more defensive then I had intended. "When you passed out on the way to the hospital, we heard you muttering things like 'I'm sorry Tom' or 'Tom, let me explain,'" Patryk replied. "Besides," Paul continued, "After you came back from the apartments that first time you looked real upset. We're not too convinced it was because they all had rejected your apology," I knew I was blushing now. I pulled my hoodie up to cover my face, "You both are nuts," I said simply. "What we are is right," Patryk said in reply. I thought about it for a minute, and then I realized they were right. I was in love with Tom. "...He'd never love me back anyway," I said. "So you admit it?" Paul asked. "What do you think?" I laughed a bit now, as the entire situation was kind of amusing. "You never know if you don't try," Patryk said, "I did, and look how it turned out," I laughed a bit more now. "It took me a month to convince you," I smiled. "Yeah, but still. Hey, I'm pretty much returning the favor now," Patryk replied. 

I smiled.

Things might actually get a bit better from here.

...

Emphasis on "might" , of course.