Tom's P.O.V

Once I was in my office I shut the door behind me and set my stuff on my desk before threw myself into my chair, "Fuck me..." I mumbled and looked at the stack of papers.

Tord came in and shut the door behind him, "What's your problem now? You could've hurt yourself leaving my truck like that!"

"What's my problem...?" I asked and looked up at Tord with a scowl, "My problem is that all I wanted to do was go in get some coffee and leave. But you and  Cammy had to start some kind of fued upon looking at each other. You applied that I was an object, a possession rather than a human. I'm yours? Yeah I agreed to dating you but I don't have your fucking name tattooed on my forehead, do I? And all you do is threaten people if they say something you don't like. I expected something like that from Cammy. That's the kind of person she is. But her aunt will deal with her and that's why I'm harping you and not her. Because I know Kathrine will put Cammy in her place. So now it's my job to keep you on a leash too. Because apparently you don't know how to act in public." I hissed out all at once.

Tord chewed on his lip, not knowing how to respond, "I... uh..."

"I said all I had to say to you. It's out and now you know. Let's put it behind us and get this work all knocked out. You can reflect on the lecture I gave you later. Now it's work time." Picking up a pen I quickly got to work to avoid any other conversation with Tord.

Tord got horribly quite after that. At some point I stopped working for a second just o make sure he was breathing. He sat in a chair across from me and hunched over the paper he was currently working on. He looked like a scolded puppy. Part of me felt bad for snapping at him but part of me wanted Tord to get off whatever high horse he was on. He's a sweet guy. Very nice. But he doesn't know how to control his emotions. Or to say it simply he has some anger issues. He doesn't know what emotion to use so he quickly averts it to anger. He has his good moments. He blindly uses his kindness and joy but It's like his brain can't comprehend situations fast enough to use the proper emotion. Tord is a good person. But he can be an even better person if he can grasp onto his emotions.

"Why are you staring? Aren't you the one who went on a tangent about needing to work?" Tord grumbled out.

I felt me cheeks heat up but I scoffed, "I needed a brain break. Is that so bad? I zoned out and just happened to be looking your direction."

Tord looked up from the paper, "You're a horrible liar. And I've already told you I didn't want you lying. Like it better when you're brutally honest. Why are you staring?"

I leaned back in my chair in defeat, "Just thinking about the fact that you can use some anger issue classes. Didn't want to snap at you but you don't control what comes out of your mouth more than half the time. And you wonder why I hated you for so long. You're a sweetheart but you're also the biggest asshole ever."

Tord looked at me, dumbfounded with my words, "You want me to take anger management classes? Don't you think you'd find better use of them?"

I choked on air, "Excuse you?!" I coughed out "I overexaggerate things! I have no anger issues but at least I admit to my issues. Plus I said I think you should. Didn't say I wanted you to. I do think its ideal that you think about it and make the decision yourself. If you don't think you need it, then I won't force you to do it. Just ask that you be more self aware."

Tord looked down briefly then looked up and locked eyes with me, "I'll think about it. Even though you need them more than you think."

My eye twitched and I forced a small smile, "Alrighty then, Let's get back to work."

"Actually," Tord reached over and stopped my hand from grabbing my pen, "We've been at this for a few hours. Let's get some lunch?"

I looked over at my computer to see the time. We've been working for about 4 hours now and was about to turn 1:30. Looking at the incredibly smaller pile on my desk I sighed, "Yeah I guess we can use a meal break..."

"Great!" Tord smiled, "pizza sound appetizing right now. How about you?"

I looked at Tord for a good few seconds, surprised with his mood taking a 180, "Uhh... Salad...?" I suggested.

"Okay Isn't there an Italian restaurant not to far from here? Let's go there!" Tord stood up and dusted invisible dust off his jeans.

Slowly standing up as well, I kept a weary eye on Tord, "Sure...."

Following him out of my office, the store was bristling with customers, "Aye, where y'all going?!" Elliot yelled over the crowed.

"Out for lunch!" Tord yell back.

I gave Elliot a soft smile, "Want me to bring you and Allison back something? We can all eat in my office so you can get a break?"

"Sounds great!" Elliot flashed a flashy smile and got back to the customer he was working with.

"You're too nice to them" Tord hummed when we left the shop.

Shoving my hands in my pocket I grumbled, "And that's a bad thing? They are my friends and best workers. They do too much for me and they deserve treats every once and a while."

"Are their paychecks not a good enough treat?" I shot Tord a glare and he smirked in response, "I'm joking. I know you value those two. They seem to carry just as much weight."

I sighed and looked ahead of me, "They do. Elliot is inventory manager and Allison is sales floor manager. The deal was they deal with customers compaints and shipping and I do the paperwork. Then all three of us fumble around with instrument repairs and classes. It doesn't help that we do shows occasionally during the day and we are thinking about starting a community orchestra. Yeah I'd say we all feel the stress. But we handle it well. Allison is an amazing organizer and I like to work on a schedule. Elliot... Elliot just kinda does what he needs to when he needs to without complaint. They only get riled up when I'm gone for too long because of my heats and they have to pick up my work as well."

"Wow so you do do more than what I expected. What's this about classes and shows? I haven't heard you talk about this before." Tord sounded genuinely interested, but did he want to listen to the chaos of my job?

"Eh... It's not important..." I sighed and saw the sign for the restaurant, "Look we're almost there..." Walking faster to keep ahead of Tord, I could feel his glare bore into the back of my head.

Quickly sitting down at a table, Tord sat across from me, "Why can't you talk to me?"

I tilted my head, "What you mean? I'm talking to you right now."

Tords eye twitched and he sighed heavily, "You know damn well what Im talking about so don't spout the clueless bullshit on me. What's your problem today? Your acting out and being a brat. It's like I'm taking care of a teenage girl on her period."

I gulped and picked up a menu, "It's nothing..."

Tord yanked the menu from my grip and glared at me, "You're doing it again. We wouldn't be having this conversation if you'd just open up to me."

Desperate to look away from Tord, I looked down at my lap with my hands clenched, "You told me you didn't want me to hide who I truly was... That I didn't have to act like someone else because I'm making myself believe things that weren't true... But the truth is, I lied to myself for so long I don't even know what I'm truly like... I've always surpressed my emotions so telling me to let them all go, I don't exactly know how to filter them. It's always been neutral or mad with me. Those are the only emotions I allowed myself to show. So I have no idea how I'm going to react to things. Trust me... I'm getting annoyed with how I'm acting too... "

I shut my eyes tightly as Tord stared at my head making me shift uncomfortably in my seat. I started to feel the irony of me saying that Tord had no grasp on emotions when in all reality i didn't have a grasp on mine. What felt like forever, Tord reached over the table and gently placed his hand on my head, "Okay see that makes more sense. All you have to do is communicate with me so we can work these things out. You have a better grasp on emotions than you think. It's all just thinking about what you say and how you say it or express it. You'll be fine. I promise..."

I smiled softly and nodded and took my menu back from Tord, "I don't doubt I'd be fine. It's just fustrating not knowing how to express what I'm feeling. It's also just odd to let loose and to stop acting. For all we know this is just who I am, and damn if it is then I'm a god damn brat that needs to shut the fuck up."

"Amen." Tord chuckled, "If you are aware of that though, then there is room to change. And I know you are open to change. So where are the fucking waiters. I'm starving."

I shook my head, "This place is packed. Ease up a bit. They'll get to us soon." Looking back at my menu, I looked over the large selections of dishes. Tord groaned and did the same.

Not even a minute passed when a waiter rushed to our table with a tired smile and set a basket of bread down, "Hello! I'm sorry for the long wait... I'm Kevin and I'll be you're waiter! Are you dinning in or to go?"

Tord was about to make a snide remark but I shut him down with a glare then smiled at the younger boy, "Oh it's fine! We are in no rush. I used to be a waiter myself so I get it. If it's not to much trouble, we're on a lunch run so we'll be taking to go."

The waiter lifted his notepad, "Not a problem at all! What can I get for you two?"

"I'll have a Eggplant Parmigiana with a tomato basil Basque and a lemonade. I'll also need two orders of stuffed manicotti with a Caeser salad and sweet teas. And Tord, sweety, did you change your mind on your order?"

Tord looked startled at being called 'sweety' but quickly recovered, "Actually I did. I'll have a Ravioli Rustica with some fried calamari and a San pellegrino grapefruit soda."

The waiter scribbled everything down and smile brightly, "Alrighty then! We'll get this to you as soon as possible!"

When the waiter ran off I gave Tord the most disgusted look, "Calamari?"

Tord shrugged and took a bite out of the breaf, "I like squid. It tastes good." I gave a fake gag and Tord rolled his eyes, "I like what I like. Anyways, we have time to kill. How about you answer my previous questions? You said you did classes and shows? A community orchestra? You haven't told us any of this before."

I shrunk back into my seat, "Oh... That..." I played with my fingers, "like I said, it's nothing important. I just wanted to reach out to people who wanted to take up a hobby or who have a passion for music. The open stage shows is just where the employees and I really just show off our stuff. You know we all practice together, but that what our practice goes to. Small little shows that anyone is free to come watch. As for the orchestra..." I sighed, "It's just like what the name is. A community orchestra. I wanted to start an organization so people can come play. It's not a very uncommon for people to drop whatever instrument they played in highschool or college because life got to them. I just want to give those people the option to play again."

"Wow... Tom that's a very big project... Are you sure you can handle that? Running a business and classes alongside a organization?" Tord asked with concern.

I chewed the inside of my cheek, "I know I can do it. We are only struggling right now because we haven't found proper instructors to teach classes so we've been doing it ourselves. Once I find instructors, planning the community orchestra would be a lot easier. I just have to find a way to get it out into the public."

Tord smiled, "And we can help you out! I can spread the news to my mechanics. Matt can give a flyer or something to his clients and Edd can make posters or something for public advertisement. You don't have to do this all on your own. If you need help, it's not a bad thing to ask for it. I know I would be happy to help cuz It's a cool thing you want to do. Plus it promotes your business as well as yourself. This can lead to lots of business opportunities for you. Probably even job offers. You can become famous!"

"I'm not interested in making my business grow even more than it already has or making a name out of myself." I said with a frown, "I want to do this because I love music and know there's thousands of people out there who also do that don't get to play it. Not everyone plays solo for fun at home. Not everyone has a small band that do gigs. It's an organization. A club. People join because they want to do something they love. I might get high school band directors. I might get nurses and doctors. I might get students. Hell I might even get a fucking lawyer join. But it doesn't matter what their status is. They are there because they enjoy making music and want to show that to their community. I can care less about Fame. I can care less about fortune. I love to make music because that's what I'm passionate about. I run a shop because I want to help guide those who also have a passion and help them grow as the musicians they are. Whether they are striving to be famous or whether they just like playing instruments or singing, I want to be there to help them. I do what I do because music is my calling and nothing can break my love for it. Money and fame be damned. As long as I'm doing what I love I can care less if I don't make a cent off it."

Tords mouth was open slightly from shock at my rant. He clearly wasn't expecting me to go off about it, "I... I didn't know that's how much you loved your job..."

Crossing my arms, I huffed, "I've been playing music since I was a kid. Of course my world revolves around it. My dream was to play music and help others. And that's what I'm doing. My shop is all I dreamed of and the community orchestra would complete it all." I took a bread roll from the basket and shoved it into my mouth, "Forget about me. I shared more than I would've liked today. Your turn to spill."

Tord gave me an amused smile, "I already shared this morning. Plus there isn't anything deep about my connection with my job. I like cars and I like guns. So that's what I based my career off of. I got a degree in business, mechanics and engineering. Everyone already knows for my passion for my job and that's all too it. I have already made a public name of myself for my auto shop so as long as I have a steady flow of business then I'm fine. As long as I have business, then I continue doing what I love. Really that's all I asked for in life. To be happy with whatever career I made for myself."

I swallowed the mass of bread in my mouth, "Sounds like I'm the only one who doesn't know this."

"Yell yeah, Tom..." Tord sighed, "To be honest, you are clueless as fuck when it comes to your friends. Ever since middle school you just kinda shut yourself out. I mean yeah you went out with us and stuff but you never really made an effort to involved yourself. That's why we try so hard to pull you into things. We want you to be apart of things but you push yourself away. And we get why now, but you could've at least put yourself in just a bit. But now we know and you can stop shutting yourself out. There is nothing to hide from us anymore and hopefully you'll be more involved with everyone else now."

Bitting my lip, I nodded slowly, "Yeah... I'll definitely try harder to be a better friend. Jehovah knows I ain't the best. I don't even know where your shop is at... But I will try. I do want to be a better friend to you all..."

Tord reached over and took my hand into his, "And you're already being a better friend. You're starting to be open and that's a good first step. We'll take baby steps and I'll be there to help you through each one."

I smiled and looked down at my lap, "Thank you... For trying I mean. You don't have to help me or deal with my shit, yet you are doing it. And I really am grateful for that. I was so scared to tell anyone about me because I just chose to believe that everyone would steer clear from me. But you- all of you are so supportive and it's really not was I expecting..."

"Oh elske... Of course we support you. You're our friend and we would do anything to help or protect you." Tord lifted my hand and kissed the back of it.

The waitress cleared his throat and out of instict I yanked my hand from Tord's and had to hold back a hiss. Tord gave me a worried look as the waiter blushed, "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to scare you!"

Tord smiled slightly at the waiter, "Oh no your fine. We all set to go?"

The waiter gave a quick nod, "Yes! Your food is up at the register so when you pay the cashier would hand it to you. You two have a lovely day!"

Once the waiter left Tord looked over at me, "You okay...?"

"Yeah... Yeah I'm fine. Just... Not used to the public affection and stuff so my gaurd was down. But I'm fine. Promise." I gave Tord an assuring smile, "Let's go pay and get back to the shop. Elliot and Allison are probably starving."

Tord sighed reluctantly at my easy dismissal but didn't question it, "Elliot and Allison can wait a bit longer. I'm sure they won't starve to death." 

I smirked as I stood, "You don't know that. Allison is like a feral animal when you don't feed her." I joked

"Really now?" Tord chuckled, "Best to hurry now before she causes a havoc."

I stopped short and looked Tord in the eyes, "She knows damn well that if she causes any sort of disturbance to my shop she will pay the consequences."

Tord stood and threw an arm around my shoulders, "Ooh protective now are we? I'm sure all your employees are afraid of your wrath. A friendship between a boss and an employee can only go so far." Tord led us up to the front of the restaurant and payed for the food smiling as I dropped some cash in the tip jar.

Taking the bags of food we started to walk back to the shop. We kept a steady silence for a few minutes before Tord spoke, "What's the real reason you kept your eh... Medical problem from us?"

It took me a second to realize what 'medical problem' meant, appreciating the fact Tord didn't say monster in an open public place, "Ummm... I mean I was fucking scared. That's true. I wasn't sure how you guys react and was scared I'd loose my only friends. But to dive deeper into it, I was scared that you guys would turn against me instead of leaving. That one of you would let it leak out or that you would turn me over to a scientist. I was scared that I would be taken from my parents and be tested on. Forcefully bred with. Or used as a weapon. It's scary and didn't want it to happen."

"But your dad tests on you, no?"

I scratched my head, "I mean... yeah? I guess in a way he does. He takes blood samples to study and he ran diagnostic tests on me when I was younger. But he's never tested on me. He study's me. I feel like other than my dad's co-workers any and all other scientists would cut me open and disect me like a frog."

Tord nodded in understandment, "A valid point. I don't blame you for trying to protect yourself. It is a dangerous thing to just tell. But other than us, your parents, and your dad's workers who knows about you...?"

Shaking my head I sighed, "My dad's side of the family knows. That's only because mom's side of the family lives here in England so we can control when we see them. My dad's side on the other hand lives in America and Mexico. So there isn't much to do when I get an unexpected heat. Which is what happened. We were there for Christmas, because my dad's family celebrates it, and I had went into heat. It was a whole ass mess. Maybe one day I'll tell you the whole story."

"I would very much like to hear an embarrassing story of you. I might call your mum and ask to hear more." Tord chuckled stopping at the front of my shop.

Stopping abruptly as my faced paled, "You wouldn't dare..."

Tord gave me a challenging look, "Oh I do dare..."

I gulped and pointed an accusing finger at Tord, "Then I just have to talk to Pat!!"

"I think the fuck not!!"

The store door opened and Allison stepped out, "Can you two stop yelling?!" She hissed, "There is a class going on and you are disturbing it!" Her eyes landed on the bags of take out food in our hands and her eyes widened and sparked, "Oh forget what I said!! Yell all you want!! Just give me the food!!"

Tord and I both stepped to the side as Allison launched herself at us, barely missing us she tripped and fell over the sidewalk. The passerby people giving her dirty looks as the stepped around or over her. Giving the people the same glare, Tord handed me the bags he carried and helped Allison up to her feet, "So much energy in a little body..." He grumbled.

Allison's face was flushed with embarrassment and a small bruise formed around a fresh cut on her chin. Opening her mouth to say something, she caught gaze of the disappointed look I gave her. Her mouth clamped shut and looked down at her feet clearly silently scolding herself. Sighing softly I nudged her with my elbow, "Hey, let's get you inside to clean that cut. We don't want it to get infect now..." Allison gave a slight nod and trudged her way back inside.

Watching her walk inside, Tord barely spared me a glance, "Jesus Christ Tom. They fear your disappointment like a child fears their parents disappointment."

I gave Tord a nonchalant shrug, "I mean... I am older than them. They were fresh out of high school when they started working for me. I guess I do serve some sort of perantel figure to them. I do a lot for them. Some things their parents never even done for them."

"You're only like 2 years older than them." Tord deadpanned.

"Fine. An older sibling then." I huffed and marched into the shop and heard Tord chuckle lightly behind me as he followed me in.

Since we left about an hour ago the shop has calmed down immensely. Only few people roamed around in the CD section. Behind the main counter Elliot had Allison's face in his hands, squishing her cheeks with an angry look, "What happened?! Who hurt you?! Who the fuck do I need to murder?! Tell me!!"

Tord snorted, "yandere much?"

Elliot dropped his hands and his cheeks flushed pink. I shot Tord a playful glare, "You know... You don't really have the right to say that to Elliot because you are tiers above him on being a yandere."

Tord's face also tinted a light shade of pink and Allison giggled, "I knew Elliot watched anime but a big buff guy like you, Tord? Really? You knew about this?" She asked me.

Nodding I smiled, "Yep. I have known Tord for a majority of my life. He is an anime freak."

"HEY!!" Tord yelled his face dark red in embarrassment, "You have no right making fun of me or my interests!" 

I set down the bags and the counter I looked up at Tord with a hand on his chest and the other on his cheek, "Awww I'm not making fun of you, sweety. I actually find some animes rather interesting. I just don't like that hentai shit you read." I stuck out my tongue at the end to show my disliking in it.

Elliot looked us two with confusion, "Sweety....?"

"They're dating." Allison mumbled to Elliot and his mouth dropped open in shock.

Tord rolled his eyes ignoring the other two, "I read what I like to read. Is that an issue?"

"Just because I don't like it doesn't mean you can't read it. I don't find the appeal in it but I can't stop you. Why would I? It's not like you're gonna make me do anything that you read..." I ping of panic went through me, "You won't... Right...?" Allison gagged in the background with Elliot still trying to comprehend our relationship.

Noticing my sudden panic, Tord shook his head quickly, "I would never do anything without your consent. Never would I break your trust like that."

"But you do... Want to... Do those things to me..." I whispered and looked at Tord intently with worried eyes. He hesitated and looked away. I gulped and turned around quickly, "Let's eat!! Come on now we've been slacking off for a while and we have to get more work done today!! Come Allison, I still need to clean that cut." Grabbing the bags of take out I hurried off to my office.

Tord groaned, "God damnit now he's going to ignore more for God knows how long!"

Allison shrugged, "That's your problem to fix. I'm sure he'll come around sooner or later." She walked off to the office leaving Tord and Elliot.

Tord's P.O.V

As we watched Allison leave, Elliot opened his mouth to speak but I was quick to cut him short, "No Allison wasn't lying. Tom and I are in fact dating. It's only been a day or so. No we've never been intament before. And no I wouldn't hurt your boss. I care too much to hurt him. And I would never do anything without consent. That's a vow I made to myself. He is safe with me and nothing would hurt him. Did I answer all your questions?"

Elliot coughed awkwardly, "Yeah you did... All but one... Is... Is Tom hiding something from us...? He always disappearing and comes back with a believable excuse. I'm starting to worry for him. Is he sick...?"

I tensed at his words and gave Elliot a reassuring smile, "No Tom isn't sick. But it's not my place to tell things about him that he doesn't wish for people to know."

"If he doesn't want people to know, why do you know?" Elliot shot at me.

"I found out by accident. Tom wasn't happy but that's why he trusts me so much." I sent a darkest glare I could muster at Elliot, "And you WILL NOT ask him." I warned dangerously, "Tom is entitled to his own secrets and will tell in his own time. If I found out you tried to wheasle your way in I wont hesitate to tie you to the back of my truck and drag you all through London." Elliot nodded quickly and I slapped my hand down on Elliot's back, "Great. Now let's go eat. I'm starving." Pushing Elliot forward he stumbled his way to the office with me hot on his heels.

Opening the door I stepped in after Elliot and came to the sight of food spread across Tom's desk and Allison in a chair with Tom leaning over her with a lightly bloodied cotton ball in hand, "About time you two came in. What were you talking about?" Tom drawed as he put butterfly bandages on Allison's chin.

Elliot cleared his throat, "N-Nothing!"

Tom looked past Elliot at over at me, I just shrugged knowing I was gonna tell Tom later. Giving a slow nod Tom sighed, "Well then better sit down an eat. Allison has been dying to dig in."

"Hell yeah I am! I'm hungryyyy!" She whined loudly.

"Amen girl." I agreed and sat down gabbing my plate.

Smiling slightly Tom allowed Allison to get her plate and she cheered and pulled it close to her. Looking over at Elliot I tilted my head, "Aren't you gonna eat..? You sounded excited about it when we left."

Elliot forced a smile, "Yeah of course I'm gonna eat." He pulled up a chair and got his own plate.

Sitting down we all are in silence until I broke the silence, "So about that show you guys are doing... What are y'all playing....?"

Allison and Elliot shared a look before looking at Tom, "Yeah what are we playing...? You haven't talked about what pieces we are doing." Elliot hummed and shoved food in his mouth.

Shrugging nonchalantly, Tom picked at his food with his fork, "Honestly I haven't thought too much about it. I've been... Occupied lately. But I'll let you guys know by tomorrow. For sure it's gonna be something we've worked on before. I won't throw a new piece at you now."

The two sighed in relief at not needing to learn more music and continued to talk to Tom about what they should play.  I smiled softly watching Tom scratch at his head trying to reason with his employees requests. Even with pitch black eyes, I could tell Tom was trying to look anywhere but at their faces. After years of being around him, I found interest in at looking at them. Plus his eyes are just so captivating. They're odd and freaky at first sight but they just grow on you... Its like looking at the night sky. The way light reflects off them makes it look like bright shining stars.

But that's not the only thing attractive about Tom. People never confronted Tom  since he always kept a nasty glare on his face that told people to stay away. But the rare times Tom did smile at school, it always caught someone's attention. Especially mine. His smile is so bright and just so pretty. Curving his lips in the most beautiful way ever. Tom's smile showed off his braces and that made him unsecure. But I till this day thought Tom looked stunning with braces. Everything about Tom is beautiful. His blacker than black eyes. His small button nose. High and prominent cheek bones. Rose pink plump lips. His dark brown silky hair. Tom is like a doll. It takes a second to register that he is even a boy.

That's just how delicate his features are. I thought it was all genes because he resembles his mother who is also a beautiful woman, but also looked nothing like his parents. So now I wonder if Tom would look the same if he didn't get into that accident as a child. Would he resemble his father more? Would he look like a good mix between the two? Would he still have those eyes? Probably not. Would not getting into an accident make Tom be a total different person from what he is now? Would he have a different personality? Would he love music so much? Would he have a different career? Would he be married by now?

All these questions ran through my head. Would Tom even be friends with who is friends with now? Would Tom and I even meet and become friends? It's a scary what if thought. Because I can't imagine Tom being anyone different than the way he is right now.

"Tord...? Sweety are you alright...?" Tom shook my shoulders, pulling me from my thoughts. I looked into Tom's worried eyes and I decided, Tom might be a difficult and odd person to deal with but I wouldn't want him any other way, "Tord answer me..." Tom whined

I cracked a smile, "I'm fine. I was just thinking. No need to worry." Again Tom is a difficult person but I know he can change for the better. He can't force himself to be someone he's not forever. It's time he shows his true colors. Even if that means he acts completely childish at times.

"you hardly ate anything! You can't tell me you are fine! You were complaining that you were starving earlier. Are you feeling sick? I can take you home to lie down for a bit? I can handle the rest here. It's not like there is much more to do anyways." Tom rambled on feeling my forehead for a temprature.

"Thomas I'm fine. Promise." I chuckled and held Tom's hand, "I got side tracked looking at you is all."

Tom blushed and pulled back his hand, "Don't play jokes Tord. It's not nice."

"But it's true. I can never loose interest of the sight of you. There is always something to learn about you and I find that interesting. It keeps me on my toes."

Tom chewed his lip and threw himself in his chair, "Allison and Elliot already went back to work. Finish eating and I'll continue the paperwork." He mumbled

Frowning I propped my elbow on the table and rested my chin on my palm of my hand, "Why do you hate getting compliments? You always change the subject or agrue against it. You should know by now that everything I tell you is true."

Tom fiddled with his fingers, "I'm not used to it is all. I'm not sure how to respond to it so... Yeah... It's easier to disregard it. Plus I don't see what you see in me."

Sighing I sat up straight, "Well I suggest you get used to it, love. Because I'm gonna compliment you a lot. Because everything you do is so fucking cute. Even when you got mad I thought it was cute and a bit sexy to see that flare in your pretty black eyes."

Tom smiled a bit and nodded, "I'll.. try my best to accept them..."

"Good. Because I want you to start think positively about yourself. It's would boost your confidence by a lot. Now I am still starving and ready to eat."

Tom giggled and picked up his own to start working again, "You eat like a cow. Where does all that food go?"

I shrugged, "I work out a lot so I burn it all off most of the time. But eating helps boost energy and performance." I said through a mouthful of food.

Tom made a face at me for talking with a full mouth, "Do you think working out would help with me?"

I swallowed my food, "Well everyone has a different body type. I have lots of energy and stamina so I need to get it out somehow. Based on your body shape and eating habits, working out will help keep you fit and healthy but to be honest you are slim. No you aren't skinny or muscular, but for your body type you are a good size. You will loose some weight but that's not going to change your body much."

Tom narrowed his eyes at me, "What are you trying to imply Tord?"

"All I'm saying is that you have naturally curvy and bigger body. It's not something to be ashamed of or self conscious about. All your weight really resides in your hips and thighs but you have a good body. You just aren't seeing it that way. I think what going on is that you see other men their bodies. While you have more of a feminine body. Many guys have a feminine body, yours is just more noticeable and that makes you self conscious knowing you have a woman's body shape while being a male. Am I right?" I asked. Tom looked down at his lap and gave me a stiff nod, "Look Tom, you just need to learn how to accept yourself. You are never going to feel comfortable with your body if you don't. If you want I'll take you to the gym with me. But I just want you to know that you are gorgeous. And one day hopefully soon you'll also see your own beauty and feel better with yourself." I lifted Tom's head, "But in order to feel confident with yourself, you need to do things that make you uncomfortable. Understood?"

"I understand..." Tom sighed.

Smiling I kissed Tom's forehead, "Now, let's finish up here so we can head home."

Tom blushed at my action, "You aren't gonna finish eating...?"

"I can multitask. I'm good with my hands." I winked and picked up my pen, "I think it's best you keep that in mind." Tom's cheeks went bright red and he kicked my shin from under the table. I just laughed and started up on the little work Tom and I had left.