Tord's Perspective

At one point near two PM, Tom poked his head in and waved. "It's almost lunch time, if you'd like to join me." He offered and helped me get out of the crawlspace. "Yes please, I was stupid to skip breakfast." I said and stared at the man who was gently holding me, due to the fact that I had just attempted to crawl out with one arm and I wasn't stable. "Everyone makes mistakes." He dismissed my comment and let go of me once I had better footing. I awkwardly took my hands off of him, though he didn't seem to notice my embarrassment. "Do you have a break any time soon?" I asked hopefully and sat down in the chair across from his. I crossed my legs and watched as he sat down. "Tord, I have a question." He said and sat up properly. "I'm listening Jehova." I said and thanked the soldiers who brought food to us. They both saluted to me and then Tom before walking away while keeping form. "Well, both of us are behaving differently than before you woke up from a coma of course. I'm more understanding of the stress you were under as Red Leader, and you're now more understanding of the pain I felt when you wrongly tortured me." He spoke calmly but clearly. He had really worked to improve his speaking, because usually he would mutter or just not say anything.

"So with that, we've treated each other differently as well. I've tried to be more open to you, and I've brought us closer together in multiple ways. What are you doing and feeling? You've been reacting very uncharacteristically, and I'm curious as to what you're thinking and feeling." He spoke openly and I sighed. I had no idea what my thoughts and feelings were, because I'm not really in touch with my feelings. "Well.. I'm trying to respect you more and let you rule the way you think is right. And as for feelings, I'm not really sure. I don't hate you like before, because you've changed so much. I do enjoy spending time with you though, that's why I asked if you had a break." I told him and nervously shifted. I'm not used to talking about my feelings. Tom stared at me and thought about my words for a moment. "I have a break in about an hour, what did you have in mind?" He asked and began eating the fish stew in front of him. I awkwardly looked away and shrugged. "Well, I have something in mind. You'll see." He said confidently. That made me both nervous and excited.

I ate in silence and drooled at the flavors of the grilled chicken salad in front of me. Tom seemed to curiously stare at me as we ate, but I didn't meet eyes with the Brit. "Tord, what do you think our relationship is right now?" He asked as small-talk. I looked up from my half-eaten meal. "I have no idea." I admitted honestly and ate another fork-full of salad. "Hm." He hummed in response and finished his meal. "Well I think that we're growing closer." He shared his thoughts and glanced at the sides we had been provided with. I followed his gaze to the two dishes of white rice with steamed vegetables. He took the side and set his empty dishes back on the tray. I continued to eat until my dish was empty, then following Tom's actions. "Have you got a time in your schedule for working out?" I asked and poured the provided sauce onto my food. It was creamed garlic sauce, which seemed to pair well with the meal I was eating. I took a bite and turned my gaze to the man across from me who was also eating.

His digital eyes seemed to reflect his silence, staring at his food to avoid speaking. Maybe I struck a nerve. I didn't bother to attempt small talk for the remainder of the meal, leaving the man alone. Once our dishes were piled onto the tray, Tom poured out the tea we had been given. He slid a full cup of the hot liquid over me and watched in disgust as I dumped sugar into it. "Tea is supposed to cleanse the palette, not give you a sugar high." He snipped and I snorted at his agitation. "Well sorry Tom, I guess I'm doing it the American way." I scoffed and chugged the heavily sweetened tea. He glared at me as he drank his tea the "proper way". I set down my tea with a smug grin and stared at the pissed Brit. "Why-? You ruined perfectly good tea-." He muttered angrily and I rolled my eyes. I playfully stuck my tongue out in defiance and watched as Tom's anger faded away. Laughing and trying to cover his mouth. I smiled at the amused reaction and watched as he struggled to compose himself. "I didn't expect that at all-." He chuckled and took a deep breath. "I enjoy your company, Tord." He said with a friendly smile. I returned the smile and set my empty teacup on the tray.

"I'll bring the dishes to the kitchen and come right back." I told him and got up, hearing Tom snicker. "What?" I asked cluelessly. "You have one arm, remember?" He reminded me and got up. Oh. I sighed and glanced down at my nub of an arm. "C'mon, we can take it together." He said and picked up the tray. He began walking to the door and I opened the door for him. We walked through the halls together and I stuffed my hand into the comfortable pocket of the black jeans. "So why don't you have your robotic arm anyways?" Tom asked and looked over to me. "Well, I got a rash from it, so Pat took it off for me. It's probably being worked on and polished." I told him and tensed when I heard people running in the halls. Matt sped around the corner before abruptly slamming into me, causing both him and I to fall down. Matt yelped when Edd then piled on, seemingly losing the game of chase that they were playing. Now with two bodies piled on top of me, each heavier than Ringo by at least fifty times, I groaned and attempted to shove off the two men. They were both giggling like schoolgirls, and I was being crushed under their weight.

Edd carefully got off of the ginger clumsily splayed on me, and then pulled Matt off of me. "Owwwwwie! I hurt my nose!" Matt whined and Edd looked at his nose. "You're okay, but let's go get some ice on it okay? And sorry Tord-." Edd apologized to me before helping Matt up. He then helped me get up as well, giving me an affectionate hug. "How are you?" He asked as Matt whined about his bruised nose. "Oh, I'm okay. Just hanging with Tom." I told him and Edd looked over at Matt who was holding his nose. "Nice. Well, I better get some ice on Matt's nose before he throws a toddler tantrum. Bye bye!" He said and gently wrapped an arm around Matt, guiding him to the kitchen. Matt seemed to stop whining, in true Matt fashion. I rolled my eyes and looked at Tom who was still holding the tray full of stuff. "Well, better you than me." He stated and continued walking. I followed him into the kitchen and watched as staff immediately took away the tray from his hands. "What did you uh.. Have in mind anyways? For the break?" I asked curiously and Tom playfully grinned.

"You won't know until you experience it, Tord." He told me and I huffed. "Tell me now Jehova." I demanded and followed him through the halls. "And why should I?" He posed defiantly and laughed when I lightly hit his arm. If he wouldn't tell me, I guess I'll have to wait and be surprised. "Trust me, you'll love it." He told me and I rolled my eyes before flicking him. "I don't trust you, so I have no idea if I'll like it." I remarked as a sort of pout. Yes I was excited, but I needed to keep it cool. And it's true, I didn't fully trust him. Once we arrived at his office, I voted to simply wait across from him as he filed through paperwork and talked on the radio. I waited eagerly and stared at the clock, practically jumping in my seat once it had been an hour. Tom laughed at this and got up, holding out his hand to me. "Come on Tord, let's get to the surprise activity. First, we have to change." He told me and I leapt out of my seat to join him. He offered his hand, and I gladly took it. I was so excited that it was embarrassing.

I was then brought to his closet and given a suit, which I examined with a tilted head. What did I need a suit for? It was a nice suit that seemed to be for formal events, with a fabric rose in the pocket and a tie. I began to change into the outfit regardless of Tom's complaints. Tom changed in the bathroom and I waited impatiently, making noises and knocking on the door just to bother him. Once he came out, I could feel my face heating up on its own. He looked really handsome and put together like this. He had slicked his hair back with gel and was looking very attractive with his suit. He had a sleek navy blue suit with his angel pin, as well as low-heeled shoes that fit his form. Tom seemed to notice my attraction and looked away, his cheeks turning a hue of light pink. "Let's go to the surprise Tord, since you're just so excited." He said with a friendly smile and held out his hand. I hesitantly took his hand, my face getting redder as he gently rubbed my hand with his thumb. I walked with him through the halls and glanced at him, confused as he stopped in the completely empty lunch room. The tables were even put away, so it was left as one big empty space.

He brought me to the center and disconnected our hands, walking a few feet away from me before bowing politely. "May I have this dance?" He asked and held out his hand to me once more. I tried not to laugh at the oddness of the situation and took his hand into mine. "But there's no music Thomas." I pointed out and allowed him to pull me closer, resting a hand on my waist. "Says who? I've got music." He said with a grin and I narrowed my eyes, baffled as to what he was doing. I heard music slowly start up as we began dancing, which seemed so stupidly cheesy. A few people walked into the room, and I tensed as more and more entered. It was embarrassing to think that they were watching us dance. I could see my two fathers dancing together, and others joined as well for fun. "Is this the surprise-?" i asked, a bit irritated. Tom grinned and held me closer as we moved. "Yes it is, do you like it?" He asked and I huffed as he gently rubbed my hand. "This isn't even a proper dancing position-." I grumbled and Thomas let go of my hand, placing it on my back.

I rested my hand on his shoulder and tried to shake off my anxiety, seeming as I was being watched by most of the base. I relaxed a bit as he guided my head into the soft dip in his neck. "Is this better?" He asked softly and I slowly nodded. It was nice and calming, but there was still a part of me that was drowning in social anxiety. "Are you alright? Your heart is going awfully fast." He asked worriedly and I sighed. "I'm fine." I muttered and felt a hand tap my shoulder. I opened my eyes and turned to see Paul offering his hand. "Wanna dance kiddo?" He asked and I glanced at Tom for a sort of reaction or permission. He didn't seem to care and simply released his hold on me. I took Paul's hand and smiled as he lead me into a slow dance. I looked back at Tom to see that Edd had begun dancing with him.

I returned my gaze to Paul and smiled sweetly at him. He returned the smile and kissed my forehead. "This is a fun little event hm? Blue Angel suggested it." He told me and I nodded in agreement. "It'd be nicer if he had told me beforehand-." I huffed and Paul chuckled. "Well is it okay? You don't need to go and hide somewhere?" He asked and I rested my hand on his shoulder. "No, I'm okay." I assured him and slow-danced with him. This was a fun little impromptu event, but I still feel annoyed at Thomas for not telling me beforehand.