after dinner, Tord thanked everyone, hugged the kids good bye, Namki hugged him with no hesitation, He looked to Tom who just sighed and joined in the hug.

It could've ended on a good note.

could've.

Tord walked towards the door.

"You don't want me to give you a ride?" Namki called from the kitchen, heating up water as she appeared to mix something in .

Tord shook his head. "I live pretty close. besides, There's still some sun out." he smiled .

The kids waved goodbye again.

And then it happened.

He didn't know what to call Namki, he wasn't sure, he felt like he'd cross the line saying 'Namki.' even if she allowed him to.

so he said it.

"Bye Ms.Ridge."

he smiled as he closed the door, walking off.

As soon as he said it Namki dropped the spoon in the pot and went still.

Tom bit his lip and walked away to his room.

Asha squeezed Sokes hand, who appeared confused at what just happened.

Tord had no idea.

~Tords house.~

He wandered in and plopped down on the couch while going through his bookbag to gather his Homework.

turned on the tv, Kitchen nightmares was on, so he just let the sound of  cheesy dramatic effects and a angry man drown out how annoying the homework was.

He eventually got it out of the way.

He remembered something.

He got up and went to the fridge.

cola bottle intact.

He silently cheered, he had forgotten about it today, But it would have failed if he brought it due to the situation.

Tord pulled out his phone to text Matt.

Tord: Matt I need you to do something tomorrow.

Matt: what is it?

Tord: gonna prank Edd.

Matt: Why???

Tord: Edd did that stupid cat face remember?

Matt: no?

Tord: Whatever meet me halfway to my house so I can give you something.

Matt: Yay! Presents!

Tord: It's not for you bud. Don't tell Edd.

Matt: Aw, but You have my word!

Tord seriously doubted that.

He sighed and went back to the couch to wait for the daily phone call from his dads.

he thought of today.
his mind eventually drifting to that note Tom got from Avery.

It was a nice comment, but Tord didn't like it.

or, something about it.

something about the sender

his eye began to sting a bit. He rubbed his eye and got up to answer the now ringing phone.

"You can stop the daily check ups." Tord sighed.

" Really? " Pat sounded disappointed. He pouted.

Tord nodded,then remembered his receiver couldn't see him. "Yeah. im okay."

" Oh. "

Tord noted how homesick his parent was. He offered a check up schedule.

"You can check every 3 days. or whenever you have one of your mom senses." he chuckled the last bit. Remembering when they went out for a walk and pat just started running home halfway through . The sink overflowed.

Pat smiled . "That's alright then."

it was silent for a minute.

Pat broke it. "How's blue?"

"I told you millions of times he has a name."

" And each time you said 'Thomas'" Pat chuckled. "Your so formal. Just like-"

He paused and thought about something.

"Nevermind."

Tord didn't question, instead just ended the call with a goodbye.

He walked into his room. not bothering to change or turn on the lights. Just climbed onto the bed and let sleep take him. The nap from earlier didn't give him energy, if anything, it made him crave for sleep more.

he...

He never really slept at night.
He tried.
it just never came.

~Morning~

He woke up.

Got dressed, grabbed his backpack, functioned like a normal human being, and he got the special item from the fridge.

He hoped Matt would keep his side of the deal.

He walked out and towards Toms house, Tom, hopped out with a brown lunch bag and walked over.

"Your up early." Tord smiled.

"For you." Tom shoved the bag to Tords chest. " Breakfast. "

Tom began to walk off like it was nothing while Tord chanted "Breakfast!" and nearly got hit by a school bus full of tiny kids.

He was about to go on a swearing fit but he saw Asha and Soke run out the house and into the bus. so he just huffed and went after Tom.

"what's the cola for?." Tom pointed. " Edd? "

Tord smiled. "You could say that."

They talked until Matt ran over apologizing for not meeting halfway. He had forgotten about Tords request.

Tord gave him a pat on the back. "If you wanna redeem yourself hurry up and give it to Edd before he sees me handing it to you. "

Matt nodded and ran off.

Tom blinked and followed as Tord sped up to watch.

"why didn't you give it to him yourself?"

" He currently has 0 trust in me and plus, Matt's innocent. "

Tom took in the info. "why didn't you send me?"

Tord chuckled "didn't want you caught in the overspray."

"'overspray'?"

and right at that moment Matt screeched as Edd was completely drowned in cola.

Tord immediately start laughing hysterically as Tom just stood in confusion, but he himself couldn't hold back from laughing a little.

Matt ran off somewhere. Edd whined Tords name.

Edd stomped his way over.

"All of this for a damn cat emoticon?!"

Tord squeaked a "nya" and just started wheezing all over again.

Edd groaned and spat out into the sidewalk.

"Salty as hell you can't even afford good cola!" he screeched.

" I put sprite and alka seltzer in there dumbass-" Tord snickered.

"What?! I Shook the bottle!"

Tord started laughing all over again.

"why would you shake a cola? " Tom questioned, honestly confused.

"To make it nice and fizzy!"

Tom sighed and then something came into his thoughts.

" Where's matt? " Tom looked at Tord. who shrugged. Edd was wringing out his clothes and was too preoccupied to care.

Before anyone could panic, Matt came back with no trace of fake cola and the same striped sweater and jeans from the morning.

Everyone blinked.

"How are you no longer soaked." Edd glared.

Matt held a finger to his mouth. "I got soaked in something?"

Edd grumbled something and walked back towards his house. "I'm blaming my tardiness on you Larison!" he yelled before continuing his angry march.

Tom sighed. "How do you do those types  of
things Matt-"

Matt was gone.

Tord patted Tom on the back.

"We call those 'Matt Mysteries'."

" I can see why. "

~~~

Tom walked through the halls with his protective Tord, who he begged not to act all intimidating, obviously, his wishes did not come through.

Tom was only a tad anxious, most of it disappeared yesterday. they were heading to 3rd Mod. Everyone tried to act casual but they were failing miserably. students who weren't here Monday found out about Toms eyes the hard way.

Tom nudged  Tord with his elbow

"Hey." He smiled. " Between you and me, I think your scaring them off. " Tom joked

Tord joined in the teasing. "Right." He rolled his eyes, smiling . "Its definitely little ol' me and not your void eyed self."

Tom gave a little attitude. "I'm sorry I thought my void eyes were 'beautiful.'?"

Tord groaned. "This is why I don't compliment people."

Tom laughed. "You don't compliment people because your shyyy."

Tord gave an amused look. "I could drown you in compliments and you wouldn't even know."

" Is that a threat? "

"Maybe." Tord walked past Tom , who was starting at him with a hint of confusion.

"wait what?" Tom called, not thinking he heard right.

Tord sighed and turned to look at Tom. "Your so pure you literally have no idea when someone is flirting with you." 

and he walked off.

Tom blinked.

He raised his hand to the side of his face.

it felt warm.

'what the fuck? ' he thought.

~~

Tord wanted to leave as soon as possible

what the fuck did he just say?

He ran off to 3rd Mod,

'I totally just fucked up my relationship with him.'

He sat down and began to mentally dig his grave for when Tom actually fucking kills him.

So he held his breath when Tom walked in.

Tom had a confused and lost look on his face

He sat down next to Tord and looked at him.

He stuck his tounge out and pouted because of how Tord involuntary flustered Tom.

Tord smiled.

'Still the same.'

the class came and went. The teacher gave Tord waste from the shredder, a bunch of strips of paper that Tord was supposed to throw out but instead used as a distraction to make tiny stars and flick them at Toms face 3 at a time.

the first time he did it Tom glared at him as Tord slowly held up a tiny 'Ka-Pow!' sign, Tom couldn't hold back from laughing.

They left the class, now littered with tiny stars, the teacher picked them up and put them in a little mason jar.

Tord couldn't help but notice a small squealing chattering from a small group of 3 girls. As soon as Tom passed by one quieted down quickly.

'Avery.'

Tord got a feeling in his gut.

He didn't like it

He hated it.

He gradually got upset until his eyes started to sting again.

As soon as he put his focus to them and pushed away the thought of Avery they settled down.

"Are you okay?"

Tord looked up, Tom had his hand on Tords arm, that was rubbing his eyes. The other slightly lowered.

"I'm fine, my eyes are just acting up."

Tom have an unsure look, and then gave a suspicious "Okayyy." Not believing that Tords health was A-OK.

they went to lunch,Edd seemed happier with Tord, He tossed an apple his way.

"Guys I need a partner for the stupid cafe thingggg." Tom whined.

" I could be your partnerrr. " Tord whispered to Tom with a teasing smile.

"I have some great blackmail material but I'm nice enough not to use it." Tom harshly replied , remembering his first day's morning.

Tord held up his hands in defense.

He screamed at himself mentally.

'what the actual fuck are you saying out there-'

He calmed himself down with some leftover blueberries from breakfast as Matt and Edd went back and forth on candidates.

Tom once again, confused on Tord again.

Edd noticed how quiet the two were, just as he was gonna say something, the bell went off signalling 4th Mod.

they all got up and went to their classes.

~~

Tord thought about earlier.

Avery.

his eyes didn't sting.

He seemed to always draw someone as a bird, What bird would Avery be?

A crow?

No. Sidney was a crow.

Sidney. was a crow because she was a threat to tom.

Avery was kind and sweet.

But Avery,

something about her kindness was threatening.

her kindness,

her kindness to Tom.

was threatening.

Sidney was a harsh threat to Tom.

Avery was an affectionate threat to Tom.

Tord walked straight into realization

Avery.

Is a crow

his eyes began to sting.

=====================================
Notes

not much to say actually.
sorry this is kind of late.

I'm not sure if I got the effect i wanted for the last bit about Avery.

But uh...
if i tell me if you were like

"WOAh-"

um ok
I love you all

I'm drunk on air here's a chapter -

thanks for reading and following the development of this story!
cya next chapter!
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