(Tom's POV)

I stay silent at the table as the other three eat. I feel empty. There's no voice to keep me company. My mind wanders into the weirdest places. Would it hurt if I stabbed my eye socket? What if I stuck an ice cube in there? I'm dark and weird, I know. (Oh god, I hate the beginning of this chapter)

Maybe I could convince Tord to throw an ice cube in there. My gaze shifts over from the ice cube dispenser in the fridge to Tord. He's staring at me. I unintentionally lick my bottom lip and he immediately looks away.

"So Tom," Edd started out, getting my attention.
"How do you feel?" He talks like a cliché therapist. I roll my 'eyes' at him and answer with the current thought in my mind.
"I kinda want to see what it would feel like to have an ice cube in my eye." I tell him blankly. He looks at me with a 'what the fuck?' expression. I shrug back at him. He sighs and rubs the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger.

"Okay welp!" He clasps his hands together. "Tord, I'm assigning you to watch over Tom and make sure he's actually taking care of himself. Also make sure that he, in fact, doesn't do weird crap like an ice cube in his eye!" Tord stares at him, the stare gradually turning into a glare.

"And why should I? I hate his guts and he won't listen to me," Edd looks over to me and I give him a thumbs up in confirmation. He sighs and started to speak once more before Matt shushes him.

"Guys, just listen to Edd..." the rest gets drowned out when my exhaustion finally catches up to me. My eye lids fall slightly, covering half my sight. A lead-like heaviness plaguing them, urging me to sleep. My brain and thoughts so muddled that I hum my own lullaby out loud. Quietly, not noticeable enough for others to care.

I carefully lean down on the table, cushioning my head in my thick-hoodie-covered arms. The drowsy temptation to slip into unconsciousness captures me in its grasp as I close my eyes fully. I slip into my long wanted slumber as my humming comes to a stop.

(Tord's POV)

I listen 'intently' to Edd's ranting as I notice Tom. He's fallen fast asleep. Again.

I sigh quietly, hoping he doesn't have another nightmare. Edd pauses his rambling and follows my line of sight to the small Jehovah's witness. I look back at Edd and speak as quietly as I can.

"What should I do with him?"
"Just...bring him to the couch, or something." I nod and carefully stand up, letting the chair push back with a slight scrape. I quietly walk over to Tom and pick him up, bridal style. I carry him over to the couch and lay his head on one of the throw pillows. His body promptly ignores the pillow and instead curls up like a cat.

I lean forward, towards him, and place a light kiss on his forehead...oh shit.

What the fuck- why the fuck did I do that?! My face burns up immediately and I scramble away from the sleeping beauty- I mean beast. Not beauty. Nope, not beauty. Ugh, I'm an idiot.

(Tom's POV)

"Hello host," I look up at my demon.
"I missed you," I tell him quietly. He hums in slight agreement.
"And why's that Tommy gun?" I give a small scoff.
"Tommy gun? That's a new one," I say with a smirk, going straight back to my neutral face of indifference.
"Answer the question," he says in a somewhat commanding tone.
"You're much easier to deal with than the other voice."

"A panic attack?" He comments in mild surprise whilst searching through my memories. I hum in confirmation. He sighs and continues to go deeper and farther back.

"Tried eating..." Kov mutters quietly.
"Why couldn't I eat?" I ask, hoping for answers.
"You got used to human flesh." He said as if it was normal. "Real food is now unnatural to your body."
"I can thank you for that," I reply with a sarcastic chuckle.

"You cut without the healing," I don't respond, I just chew the inside of my cheek. He continues to comment on random things, not really expecting an answer.

"How have you been?" I ask him out of the blue, as if we were old friends that had not seen each other in a long time.
"To be completely honest, it's been boring for me."
"What do you even do in your free time? You don't talk about yourself that much." He smacks his lips, and turns to look at me in the familiar void-like mind scape.
"There really isn't much to do. You are the sole reason why I exist." He gives a small sigh. I look at him expectantly for more information.

"You really want to know about me?" I nod. He gives a small chuckle and continues on.
"Well, what do you wish to know?"
"...do you have a real name?" I ask hesitantly.
"...yes, I do, but you've already chosen a name for me. I don't care enough for a new name."

"Huh," I breath out after a long pause (I was very tempted to make myself uncomfortable by writing 'after a pregnant pause').
"Y'know, this is nice. Talking like friends, I mean." I say with a chuckle. Kov giggles back.
"I don't really want you to leave. Can we call off the stupid deal?" He sighs quietly before responding.

"Of course, host, it was your choice in the first place. But..." he crawls to me, a bit too close for comfort.
"I still want you to claim him. You know, as a small trade for me being nice for now." He says with a mischievous smirk.
"Why the fuck," I bury my face in my hands. "You're the worst, you know that?" I say with a muffled groan.
"How rude! I provide you with a fifth sense, and this is how you treat me?" He whines in mock offense.
"Is that the argument you'll use every time I complain about you?"
"Yes," He replies, sticking his tongue out.

"Fuck you,"
"No thanks,"

We continue to chat for a bit before Kov suddenly stops.
"What's wrong?"

"You're waking up,"

A/n:

wow that beginning is bad.
Also Drunken_Void
...
I LOVE YOUR FANART!!! I can't believe that you would create such good art for this shit story, but THANK YOU!

Please follow them, they have great art and they deserve the followers!
You can see the fanart in their "My Eddsworld 'art'" book.

also
2k+ views. (holy shit thank y'all)
what a great start to the new year, amiright—