Tord woke up, no nightmares, to his relief.

8:00AM, Tom would have woken up at 7 if Tord hadn't decided to tag along.

He checked his phone.

2 Unread messages from Thomas

Thomas: do you have a bike?
Thomas: If so, bring it.

Tord guessed the 'Shack' must be pretty far for bikes to be necessary.

he got dressed in a white shirt with red short sleeves. Basic jeans. It was chilly outside so he grabbed a black zip up sweater. Grabbed his phone and keys, and he hopped down the stairs off to the basement.

He walked down until he reached the door. When he opened it, he was greeted with the smell of paint and multiple dust particles sll over.

He rummaged around, tossed aside broken wood from when Paul  attempted to fix a lightbulb by standing on a old ass chair. It snapped and He had multiple bandaids all over after that, No band-aid big enough to cover the scolding from 'Mother'.

Tord found the bike, dusted it off with a random rag. he remembered getting it when he started high school.  He would sometimes go out riding with Edd, Matt got a bike months later, and then all 3 would bike when they didnt know what to do for F.F.

He remembered when Edd first introduced it. It was when summer started. Edd feared they would get farther apart and lose connection, especially as the school work increased in difficulty and focus. So he came up with the brilliant Friends Friday that allows them to have fun and relax from the non stop mental labor, with the plus of strengthening their bond.

'Or maybe the break from schoolwork was the plus.' Tord thought.

'Strengthening the bond was definitely the main focus -' He shook his head and pushed away the memory. He shook the bike free of the junk surrounding it.

he eventually got out onto the concrete path that led to their complex door, he figured he'd walk the bike down since Tom lives nearby.

~earlier, with Tom.~

He woke up, stretched out. Bear by his side.

He looked at it before he remembered something important.

He sent a few messages to Tord.

He got up, too lazy to change  so he kept the shirt he had on and just grabbed that blue zip up sweater Edd rejected.

He found a pair of black pants. looked for his blue boots.

He usually worked in the literal plant section of the shack. He'd let Tord work by the front register or refill stock where there wont be stray dirt and puddles surrounding him.

Also, the AC is there.

He pulled together a small black rucksack. checkered drawstring. He threw in some snacks he had laying around his room, along with the usual charger,phone, house key.

He tied it around his waist with the left over string and went to Ashas room.

he opened the door quietly, but to his unfortune, it creaked loudly.

Asha turned over to face a Tom and rub her tired eyes.

Tom came over.
"Im going out to Nam." he whispered , he smiled at her peaceful state.

"Your gonna go see Tordyyy." she scrunched her nose and smiled .

tom sighed. "when did you start calling him that."

Asha shrugged . "It suits him."

" I dont think an additional 'y' suits someone with devil horns. " Tom grinned.

Asha seemed upset. "Their not devil horns..." she blinked.

"Their..." she yawned . "Cat earss..."

Tom smiled as slumber slowly dragged Asha into its embrace. It was cute how she thought she could fight against it. She would soon win those fights when she gets older and has a job to go to.

he gave her a soft kiss on the forehead before whispering "Night Night." to the tired child .

he exited and walked to Sokes room. Same repeat of a squeaky door.

"Hi Sock." Tom whispered .

Soke turned his head over, eyes struggling to open "Nooooo." he whined.

"Im not  waking you up to leave." Tom sighed . "Im leaving."

Soke lazily grabbed his arm. "Double Noooooo."

Tom smiled as he took the little hand off his sleeve and onto the buzz-lightyear blanket.

"Laddi is gonna watch you guys okay?"

Soke nodded.

"She can make you breakfast. Teach her how to make banana pancakes." Tom smiled .

"Yesssss." soke gave a small tired cheer.

Another kiss on the forehead and Tom was out the door in search of his bike, which he found leaning on the side house.

he walked it over, and halfway to his mailbox. a certain devil horned boy showed up.

"Hello friend." Tord chimed.

"Too early for that." Tom grinned.

"Its never to early for greetings."

" says the one who refuses to wave at Edd and Matt in the mornings endless I give you a raspberry. " Tom chuckled as he hopped on his bike and began to stroll away on the streets.

"That was a one time thing!" Tord called as he got on his bike caught up to Tom.

Tord rode steadily next to Tom on the empty morning streets.

"Should we really be riding on the road." Tord looked over at Tom with a questioning look.

" Pssh. Its empty. No cars. No problems. " Tom began to speed up, passing Tord.

"I thought you were the cool type Red!" Tom teased . "Let loose!"

Tord took on this challenge of speed with a hint of salt. " Says the one with a 'stay safe' shirt."

Tom gave a surprised look. "I didn't know you read it."

Tord road in swirves and made little swiggly lines as he maneuvered his bikes path to a playful mood. "I pay attention Thomas. "

"I pay attention to how you slow down when your talking to me!" Tord sped up immediately as Tom pouted behind.

the cold wind of the morning filling them with adrenaline, they sped on with their little race.

"Tord be careful!" Tom called, seeing Tord was not slowing down for potholes or speed bumps.

"Please." Tord smirked . "Do you think I'll get Two Tired? "

"Terrible pun and No I think you'll get hurt!" Tom called.

Tord scoffed. "Nope. I may look blind but I assure you I have great sight. all smooth sailing from here- OH SHI-"

Tom watched with horror and concern as Tords bike suddenly screeched to a halt, Toms bike still going until Tom breaked quickly.

When he looked behind him, he was greeted by a little Tord strolling along at slow pace, peacefully, with the biggest grin on his face.

"You care about me~" he teased as he passed Tom.

"I wont care when you sob from second place. " Tom sped back up and soon passed Tord.

They arrived at the Shack, and argued over who was first. Namki came out waving her hand.

"I saw it all, Red was first." she pointed to Tord, who she called Red, from his bike.

Tord smiled proudly as Tom mumbled "Traitor." under his breath.

Namki put out her hand to Tord. "Hi, My names Abby, But Tommy here calls me Namki, You can too."

Tord shook her hand. "Nice. Im Tord Larison."

Namki smiled . "I like your accent."

Tord returned the smile. "I like your hair."

Namki snorted. "Pssh, This rag is nothing. Your hair is pretty cool. Asha and Soke think so too."

" They said its better than Toms. " she whispered while snickering.

Tom stuck his tounge out. "You all suck."

Tord chuckled and patted Toms head.
"Dont worry Tommy, I like your hair."

Tord continued patting it, his eyes widening as he continued.

"Its really soft..." Tord began to actually ruffle it with both his hands.

Tom stood there with a questioning look on his face.

Tord was astonished. "What the fuc-"

"Alrighty lets go inside." Namki smiled and walked in , leaving the two alone outside.

a few moments of silence until Tom ferociously patted Tords hands down as a punishment for nearly swearing.

Also for petting Tom like a cat.

Namki showed Tord around. She waved Tom off to his greenhouse section. Namki explained the register to Tord, who caught on and understood quickly.

"Its nice to finally meet you, Tom has said a lot about you."

" and apparently not enough considering you wanted to meet him after a day! " Tom called.

"Eavesdropping is rude Thomas!" Tord replied loudly with a smile.

" Shut your face Sunshine Lollipops. "

Tord pouted with a frown. namki shook her head.

"Hes always grumpy in the first hour, and the last two, dont take anything he says during those times personally. " Namki patted Tords shoulder.

"Also thanks for his Bear." she giggled in a low whisper, escaping Tords confused look by turning a corner.

for the first 30 minutes, no one came. So during those times, Tord occupied himself by straightening items on shelves.

Right when he finished the tea bags, a paperball hit him in the back of the head. It had startled him so he turned to see the thing on the floor.

he picked it and unfolded it to see something written on it.

'What are you doing. '

Tord looked up to see Tom in the doorway, a bunch of plants and vines spewing out in bundles behind him.

"Im working?" Tord gave him a confused glare.

" Thats pointless. People would mess it up anyways. "

Tord shrugged off Toms little attitude. he continued with the cans of rose water.

Tom sighed and walked back into his area, the wet and mucky floor bringing him most of his disgusted mood.

Tom got a few customers, he wasnt sure about Tord. Namki was somewhere in the back storage tending to her dying plants that she cared for like actual children.

Tom didn't like working, but it was once a week, besides, Tord was here. That would make it a little better. Right?

yes.

until something shattered at the front desk.

Tom perked up, the young teen buying cat nip infront of him did too.

She walked over and turned her head to see past the doorway, her eyes widened as she waved Tom over.

Tom immediately left his post and turned to see Tord starring dead eyed at a black haired girl by one of the tables. A bottle of spring water broken on the floor right next to the girl.

silence.

than another shatter.

'shes tipping them over' Tom got upset. and he walked out from his doorway frowning.

Tord immediately saw Tom making his way over and his eyes gave the most pained look.

'Please dont.' Tord thought

Tom pointed to the mess on the floor.

"Your gonna have to pay for that."

The girl looked away from Tord and onto Tom. Her eyes widening and she backed up slowly.

"What the fuck?"

Tord cringed and held his head in his hands.

Tom was confused.
'ah.'
'The eyes. '

he didn't care as much. It was a stranger. They could say what they want. But why was Tord so-

"Your that newbie in school!" The girl screeched .

Tom felt stabbed by ice.
someone
whos not his friend
has seen
his eyes
and
they go
to his school.

'fuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuck' is all Tom could repeat in his head as he began to shake profusely.

Tord eventually came over, looking more annoyed than ever.

"Sidney pay for your shit and leave." He growled . Other customers began to back away slowly, seeing the deadly look on the boys face that told them to fucking run.

Sidney glared at him.

"You dont tell me what to do." she hissed.

" Why are you like this. "

"I want an explanation." She pointed at Tom, who was now keeping himself from falling .

Tom was looking to the side. Namki meeting his gaze with a concerned expression.

Tord looked at the frightened boy. Then looked back to the rat infront of him.

"Go."

"Excuse me?"

" Go. As in leave. As in leave this fucking store before the cops have to come and restrain me from cutting you to pieces with the glass bottles you broke. "

Customers began to simply back up into either the greenhouse or the lounge area where the snacks and prebrewed tea was sold.

Sidney scoffed. "I thought you wanted me to pay for it."

" Nobody wants you or your dirty ass money. "

"leave."

Sidney frowned at Tord. And looked over at Tom. she huffed and walked out.

Tords deadly attitude immediately fell when he saw Tom was on the verge of passing out.

Namki walked out as Tord walked Tom to the back of the store. namki cleaning up the glass as customers apologized for that situation and gave their supportive words for the boy with the black eyes. some even agreeing with the way the Red one handled the situation. some customers gave tips to Namki to pay for what the brat did.

Meanwhile, Tord was rubbing his finger on dead plant leafs as Tom drank water and whined in a chair.

"would be nice if they made a liquid that makes humans go through what this plant is feeling. " Tord sighed.

"They do." Tom sniffed . "Its called acid."

" I need to find some of that. " Tord gave a sympathetic look towards Tom.

"Please do and pour it on me so I can die and stop existing. "

" You need to exist. " Tord said, tiredly.

"Nooooo." Tom whined . "The schools gonna know and then it'll just go downhill from there."

" How come you dont mind when strangers see your eyes? "

Tom sniffed amd gave a small hurt hiccup. "Strangers arent stupid teenagers. They wont see a freak and go up to them and announce that. They don't care. Their usually friendly and accepting. " Tom sniffed.

Tord grabbed a random clump of moss and tossed it to Tom. It was surprisingly soft a and nice to squeeze.

"Most of the customers have known me since I was 14. "

"They wouldn't treat me like garbage over my weird eyessss."

Toms current state was making Tord feel terrible.

he huffed and walked over. Not being able to continue witnessing this depression that took over Tom, He opened his arms and stood there waiting.

"Come here you blue baby." Tord sighed.

Tom hesitated as he did not want to stand up or move.

It took him a minute but he eventually went over where Tord didnt need a invitation to lightly hug the poor child.

Tom felt protected, in a weird, vulnerable way. He simply stood still, not having the energy to hug back, but still burying his face in Tords shoulder.

He felt pretty nice. Their body heat adding to his comfort. Until he felt ruffling in his hair.

"Sorry."

" Your hair is just really soft. "

Tom snorted as Tord let him go with a few pats on the head.

"Stay home tomorrow."

Tom gave a slow nodd.

"If shit happens I'll cut some people."

Tom smiled and gave a light shove to Tord.

"No violence." he chuckled.

" damn. " Tord pouted.

namki walked in, she went over and squeezed the blue out of Tom with her motherly hug. she slowly rocked him for a while until she remembered Tords presence.

She let go and told them they could leave early and go see the kids at home, Tom agreed that would make him feel better.

After Tom walked out for his rucksack, Namki looked over at Tord and gave a small tired smile.

And then she caught him off guard by hugging him As well.

Tord was surprised at her strength, he was literally being squished to death.

He was also surprised at what she whispered in his ear.

"Thank you."

He smiled and hugged her back, which, somehow made the tight hug more manageable.

He and Tom eventually waved Namki goodbye. The bike ride home being slow and gentle. No races.

Tord had been focusing on trees. As something seemed to flutter in them.

A crow eveventually flew out of the trwe with something in its mouth. Tord frowned at the creature.

His hate towards crows and a certain girl was pushed to the curve when Tom brought up Asha.

"she's learning how to ride without training wheels." Tom smiled, recalling how excited and determined she was to go out with Tom to buy a screwdriver to remove her training wheels.

The wheels were still on because Asha wanted to take them off when she was gonna learn how to ride without them, she wanted it on the same day. and she wanted to learn on her birthday.

Tord thought of a little Asha riding her bike. He liked it. Tom snapped him out of his daydream.

"She complains that I'll do a terrible job teaching her. " he huffed.

"Maybe you can?" Tom  gave a questioning smile.

Tord returned it.

"Just maybe."

"Its not a maybe Tord your teaching my little Asha how to ride whether you like it or not." Tom glared at him.

" Geez Geez okay. Its a definite. " Tord gave an awkward laugh.

"...Maybe."

And Tord sped up as an attacking Tom tossed a strawberry fruit snack at his head.

Everything is okay.

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

wow happy 20th real chapter cause 7 of them are either shitposts/postpones/S.C. or hiatuses.

hiatuses.

I liked this chapter
floof fluff fluff

sorry this has been a mess lately, with special chapter,postpone and the shitpost, along with my motherly ramage all back to back, and im not tryna make this a shitpost so uh yea

I swear it'll just be the actual chapters now i feel like you all hate these shitposts

Also "Send me Shit" has a fanart section nowww

wowie

you can thank BBTheBird for that.

what does BB stand for im curious.

Shoutouts (that might be messed up because someone changed their user and idk who they used to be)

go tooo
GalacinnamonRoll
MidnightsFlower_59
EmeraldShadowFlare
XhomestrucktrashX
Shadowprincess2015 cough LUMINE cough

WolfiaYT
AmazedPlacebo
ImADtupidDoodle (i read that as Noodle)
imfuckinglost- (tbh same)
Ace_anxiety
510152025l (HAh i know that last one is an l not a 1 it totally didnt take me a minute to find that out psshhh noooo-)
user98710847

did u guys have like 0 ideas for users
or are you hackers.

dun dun dunnnn

Lame_Nothing

and once again a appreciation shout for Fallen because they need huggles and love right now.

k im done being weird

Thank you for reading and following the development of this story!
Cya next chapter!
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