+With Tom+

Tom was able to talk to June about the situation and the woman found it okay by standards. In certain situations like these, children tend to cling onto the people who save them for awhile. Maybe in a few days she'll let got with them and find herself waiting in the orphanage for a good family to take her in under the right conditions.

June gave him her card to call her when Tika felt ready to meet with child services for help. Finally she left after shaking hands with him and wishing him a good day.

Tom came back to group to find Tika once again hiding behind Tord. He sighs and comes to stand beside Jayden. "Alright Tika, you can stay with me for the time being."

The girl seemed to brighten up at the news and started moving towards Tom. But surprisingly, again, this time she tugged Tord to come along with her.

The Norwegian man follows along with her tug until he's face to face with Tom, both of them exchanging unamused expressions.

Tika held her arms up to Tom who gladly picks her up to carry. She snuggles her head on his shoulder affectionately.

"I guess we should get going. I need to put Tika to bed to get some rest before tomorrow." He said to his friends apologetically. He didn't mean for their plans to go astray. "Sorry about earlier guys, I promise I'll make it up to you two."

"No problem, Tom." Edd said smiling at him. He understood the situation was totally different from their usual adventures so he'll give it to Tom to be able to handle something like this. Tom's an officer of the law now after all. "We can always do something else another time."

"Yeah," Matt agrees with a grin. Now that they're all in contact again, they can plan for another day.

Tom looks to Jayden apologetically too. "Sorry about tonight Jay, hopefully we can hangout another time."

"Not a problem at all," Jay says waving his hands in front of him. "There's always next time." He looks between Tom and Tika and rests his hands to his sides. "Let me drive you and the little lady back home."

"Thanks." Tom gratefully appreciated his old partner for his kind actions. He turned to follow after Jayden when he was tugged back lightly. "What?"

He looks over his shoulder to find Tika holding onto the upper part of Tord's hoodie sleeve.

Gosh, this girl was surprising them so much today.

"Mr. D-evil c-co-me too?"

"Uh, hate to break it to you princess but I live with these two at another house." Tord tells her as he separates her hand from holding his hoodie sleeve. "I don't live with Witness here."

Tom could hear the girl sniff signaling she was about to cry. Tord, still holding her hand, tried to get her to calm down before she started balling tears.

Matt sighs and scratches the back of his head unsure how to help. Until he hears Edd beside him, snickering?

"I have an idea!" Edd pipes up looking mischievous for some reason unknown to his friend Matt who had noticed his odd behavior. "Tord actually drove us here with his car. So how about we do this, Jayden can drive me and Matt home while Tord drives Tika and Tom home."

That was actually a good idea in Tom's standards for a little bit, the small part he didn't like was the plan would involve having the Commie knowing his new address. Whatever, it would be easier for Tika to be with Tord a little longer he thought.

"If you guys are okay with the plan, I don't mind as much. I just don't want Tika here to cry the whole trip." He felt bad if he makes the girl cry. Tom wanted her happy and appreciating the comfort the safety.

"I don't mind," Jayden said looking back at the group.

"Me either," Matt said some what slow as if trying to figure things out. Now he was really suspicious of Tord and Edd, especially Edd.

Tord shrugs his shoulders, "I don't really care, so everyone's good then let's head off." He pulled his car keys from his hoodie pocket and twirls them around. Tika smiles a little making the man smile a bit himself.

Tom gave his friends, Edd and Matt, a quick hug before following Tord towards his car with Tika in his arms. He took note that Tord's car hasn't changed a bit since he last saw it.

Red as it was on the outside, the inside is still neat and clean. Although he had to give Tord a certain 'look' first that meant if their was anything hentai related anywhere in the car.

Last time he was in Tord's car he found some hentai mags under his seat. Tom had to bleach his eyes with some movies and avoiding Tord all together for awhile after that incident.

"Don't worry Witness, car's clean." Tord answers rolling his eyes as he opens the driver's side of the door.

Tom opened the back passenger door to let Tika sit down and buckle up. Then he opened the passenger side up front and sat down in his seat with his own belt buckled.

Tord started the engine and got the car moving onto the road. "So what's the address?"

"I'll just tell you where to turn, just listen and focus on the road." Tom really didn't want to say his address to a Tord for multiply reasons. He can already feel a tickle in his throat now that he was somewhat alone with he guy he loves.

Tika kicked her legs back and forth in her seat while listening to her guardians' conversation front time to time. Smiling to herself as she gets to go home with the both of them.

Soon she's swaying to the tune of the music playing softly on the car's radio. Tika watches the scene go by quietly not to bother her guardians in front.

"Okay, make a right here and my place is the condominium at the corner of the block."

Tord turned he wheel when he reached the turn. His eyes widen a little seeing the big, and tall apartment complex in the distance. "You live there?"

"Yeah," Tom response not sounding that impressed. "Working with the police force gave me enough to move out from my old apartment to something a little more bigger. The view from my apartment makes it worth living there."

Tika makes a small 'o' with her mouth as they come to park in the lot owned by the complex. "He-re?"

Tom looks back and nods, "Yeah Tika, this is my home and yours too for the time being." He then turns to the door and opens it to head out.

Tord follows his example to see to it Tom and Tika make it to the door of the building before driving back to the house.

The three of them group up and start walking for the entrance. Tika holding onto Tom's hand as she curiously looks around their surroundings as if trying to commit it to a memory.

"We'll be heading up from here." Tom tells Tord pushing the glass door open a bit. "You should start heading home Commie."

"Worried about me, Witness?" Tord teases, stuffing his hands in his hoodie pocket. His expression looking playful to Tika.

"Hpmf, as if." The officer opens the door fully to bring himself in with Tika. "Come on dear, let's head up."

Tika took a couple of steps to follow the British man, but when she noticed the Norwegian man not following, she put her steps to a halt.

Tom stopped when she did since they were holding hands. He looks back at her confused, "Tika?"

She looks up at him before looking back and pointing at Tord. "Co-ome? Mr. D-evil?"

Tika wanted Tord to come with them to his apartment. 'Don't tell me she wants Tord to stay too...' He looks to Tord still watching them, almost seemingly lost for some reason.

"Tord?"

At the sound of his name, the man looks directly into Tom's eyes, silver meeting complete darkness. It sent a small chill up Tom's spine by the way Tord looked at him so seriously.

"Hm?" Tord hums acknowledging the sound of his name coming from Tom.

Tom had to hold back the flowers wanting to be coughed out. He shouldn't expose himself after hiding it for so long from this man before him.

"Do you mind staying the night?"

Surprise, surprise, the devilish man gave him a blank look for a moment before coming back to his senses. "Why do you ask?"

Tom gestures his head in Tika's direction. The girl holding the law enforcer's hand, longingly looking up to him hopeful. "She doesn't seem to want one of our company but the both of us. As much as I disagree with letting you stay over... I'll allow it for her."

The gun fanatic gave it some thought, eyes drifting to the floor. Perhaps he could, for the girl. He couldn't explain it but he felt the need to protect her, he just doesn't know why yet. On the plus side he can continue annoying Tom a bit more while it lasts.

"I'll stay, just let me text Edd and Matt I won't be coming home tonight."

Tika smiles up at him so warmly he could have sworn his heart melted. Where had seen that kind of smile before? Who did it come from?

He quickly shakes the thought away and pulls out his cellphone. Tom watching as he comes over them with his phone in hand.

"Lead the way, Thomas."

"It's Tom," He scoffs when Tord decided to call him by his full name again. The light hair brunet leads his two guests down the hall, pass the receptionist counter who greets Tom with a friendly hello.

All the while, Tord types away on his phone. One text sent to Edd. Another being sent to Matt and the last sent to a group chat he had with his best friends and parental figures, Paul and Patryck. The one sent to Edd sent his current situation. Matt was given where he was staying the night.

What he sent to Paul and Patryck were something else, related to his army for his own personal matters.

They all got on the elevator, Tom pressing the second button from the top. The elevator ride silent besides the sound of the machine taking them up the building.

Little did Tord know, Tika was actually looking at his hand he had left hanging by his side while the other remained in his hoodie pocket. She really wanted to hold his hand again.

Tika carefully reached for Tord's hand and lightly held onto it. Tord felt the cold touch of her fingers hold his free hand, making him look down at her. She shyly avoids his gaze as if she did something wrong yet Tord doesn't seem to mind at all.

The girl could only smile as he returns a reassuring squeeze.

Ding

The elevator stops, the doors parting open to let them out. Tom led the two of them down the hall to a blue colored door. A metal playing attached beside the door with the labeled room number and a removable plating for the name of the occupant.

Room: 570
Thomas Thompson

Tom pulled out his keeps from his pocket to unlock the door. He pushes it open as he walks through.

Tord and Tika were met with the sight of a fairly clean and neat room. Tord for one didn't expect to see it so clean knowing his old flatmate's habit of leaving his room messy per say. Smirnoff bottles laying on the floor and some of his hoodies and tee shirts left about. Tom's new place displayed some changes about him in a new way.

"Tord," Tom said looking over his shoulder once he got his shoes off. "I'll get you a pillow and a blanket. You'll be sleeping on the couch."

"What?" Tord said not really sounding pleased with the arrangement. "With an apartment this big you don't have another bedroom for guests?"

"That room is going to be for Tika's stay with me. If you have a problem with that, then I suggest you head home." Tom answers without a moments hesitation. He looks forward moving towards the living room. "Tika, come with me. We should get you cleaned up first before I let you go to bed."

"Ok-ay."

Tord watch them leave from his sights as they go upstairs. He scratched the back of his head and sighs. Might as well get comfortable since he's staying the night.

Meanwhile, Tom brought Tika to the bathroom to get her cleaned up. He opened the cabinet to pull out a mid size towel, then got it wet under the sink.

"Here, wipe yourself down with this while I find you something wearable for bed."

Tika accepts the wet towel from Tom with a nod. Staring at it until she heard the door to the bathroom close behind him.

Carefully she took off her ruined rags of a dress and started wiping herself down. She made sure to carefully go around the new bandages that paramedics placed around her body.

Tom rummaged through his closet, in his room, trying to find something for Tika to wear.

"Maybe this will do, I don't really wear this tee shirt much anymore. Plus it's long enough to be like a night dress for her..." He said to himself as he backs out of his closet.

"Really, Witness?"

Tom looks to the doorway of his room to find Tord leaning against the frame with his arms crossed.

"Don't you have anything pretty for a girl like her to wear?" Tord said almost teasingly amused.

Tom scoffs as he lets his old shirt hang on his arm. "It's just for tonight, Commie. I'll buy her a proper set of pajamas tomorrow." His eyes narrow a bit still watching Tord just stay there standing in the doorway. He walks up to him and stops. "Move."

Tord smirks, but none the less moves out of the way for Tom. "Where's the pillow and blanket?"

"I'll get it once I'm done taking care of Tika." Tom leaves it at that as he goes to the bathroom door. He knocks a couple of time. "Tika, I have your pjs for the night. We'll go shopping tomorrow to get you some proper clothes."

The two adults watch as he door parts open slightly, shielding Tika's body as she pokes her head out. Tom offers her the big shirt which she takes and closes the door. It opens back up once she got their shirt back on.

Tord and Tom smile as the shirt did well for a temporary night set for her to sleep in. Tom picks her up and approves.

"Now let's tuck you in."

Tord follows Tom to the guest room, a pretty simple room, but pretty with a view. The walls are a lavender color with a comfy queen size bed positioned to the left of the room. A desk near the large, not to mention wide window to the right, closet to the left of it.

Tom carries Tika to the bed and settled her down gently.

"S-sta-y?" She questions after Tom pulls the sheets over her. Tika even grabs at his sleeve tightly.

"You'll see me in the morning Tika, don't worry." He assures her soothing her nerves. Tom leans down and places a soft kiss at the crown of her head.

Tord watches from the doorway like he did earlier when he went to Tom's room. His eyes settled on the caring scene before him as his childhood rival lulls the girl to sleep.

A small and simple lullaby is sung for the girl, her good eye slowly falling close as Tom runs his hand through her hair carefully.

It's dark, but rest assured...
The stars are up above for your guidance~

Worry not dear child,
They will lead you to safety...

Tom stops singing his small lullaby at the soft breathing of the sleeping girl, Tom goes back to the door where Tord looks ready to fall asleep as well.

"Hey," Tom nudges him lightly on the arm.

"Hm?" The poor norski already looking half asleep.

Rolling his eyes, Tom leads Tord by the arm back down to the couch in the living room. He sits the Norwegian man down on the arm chair before going to set up the couch.

Once he does that, Tom fixes the pillows on the couch, then going over to the closet to pull out a white blanket to cover the other with. When he gets everything set up, he pulls Tord to the couch and lays him down.

"So much for me not taking care of you." He sighs as he pulls the blanket up under Tord's chin. "You're a lot of work, you know that?"

The barely awake man in red hardly responds as he lets his hooded eyes fall close to sleep.

The officer merely shakes his head, watching Tord sleeping for a moment longer. He brings his hand up to Tord's cheek lightly, careful not to wake the sleeping man.

He knows Tord can be a heavy sleeper but it's always good to be cautious.

"Why did you have to happen to me..."

His voice barely even a whisper as he takes a chance. He leans down and places a light kiss to his crush's forehead.

"Good night, Commie. Sweet dreams."

~+Later in the Night: With Tika+~

Tika slowly woke up to the sound of humming. She sits up slowly on her bed and runs at her good eye. Then she looks to her bedroom door to find it parted open slightly.

"H-ello?"

Carefully she get off the bed and follows the sound of humming. She goes through the open door quietly and looks through the glass railing to find Tord awake, sitting on the armchair humming to himself.

Tika leaves her spot to go downstairs to be with Tord seeing as they were now both awake.

"Mr. D-Devil?"

Tord opens his eyes to see her looking at him from the bottom of the stairs. "Princess, come here."

She didn't hesitate to go over to him at the allowance. When she made it over to him, Tord picked her up and sat her on his lap facing her.

"Why are you up? It's late?"

"Why a-are you?"

Tord smirks softly, "I asked first."

Tika fiddles with her fingers looking down, "I heard humming..."

The man's eyes soften at the answer, "Forgive me, I didn't mean to wake you." He had woken up from a nightmare, so he thought he could calm down by humming to himself for a little while before going back to sleep.

"I-It's okay," Tika replies as she now meets Tord's eyes again. "So why a-re you?"

"A nightmare," Tord tells her simply. "I don't usually get them but it's been awhile. I was humming so I could relax for awhile before going back to sleep."

"Oh..."

Tord smiles a bit and pats her back, "Want to camp out with me, princess? I don't have the best bed, but this arm chair will seem to do. The couch doesn't seem to like me anyways."

Happily, she nods in answer. She lays against Tord's chest hugging a small pillow that he hands her. Tord them pulls up the white blanket to cover them up.

"Sweet dreams, Princess."

"Mhhm..." She hums after yawning.

Tord continues humming for awhile longer, patting Tika's back in a soft rhythm.

The sound of his heart lulling the girl back to sleep with a smile.

'Good night.'

XxxX

Another chapter, a sweet one for a night's rest for both parties.

-BlueCipher0

Fanart for Today, thank you so much^^

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