Tom's P.O.V

I woke with a gasp as heavy metal music blared through my phone speaker. The dawn shining through the window burned my eyes as I pushed myself out of bed. Groaning and shutting my eyes tightly, I managed to stumble out of my room.

The house was dead quiet. Everyone was still asleep. I expected as much since I have my alarm set for 5 in the morning for morning runs and coffee. Deciding to skip my bi-daily runs, I trudged my way into the kitchen to put some water to boil.

But my peace was short lived. Because if there is one thing that pisses me off with a glance, it's a messy kitchen. So as soon as I stepped into the kitchen and looked over at the sink, my eye twitched. In anger? In Annoyance? I'm not sure but a new sort of emotion coursed through my veins when I saw the dishes overfilling the sink. All nasty and grimy with yesterday's food. Matt said he would take care of it and ushered me to my room to get some rest. Saying I 'should ease up and relax' and 'let go of the little details and chores'.

I gave a peeved sigh and pushed up the sleeves of my sweater up to my elbows and pulled back my frizzy bed hair in a ponytail that spiked up. Getting to work I soaked the pans that had tougher grim to get off in soapy water and scrapped at the ones I was able to clean.

But by the time I was done, the kettle whistled loudly. Shutting off the stove to cut the high pitched whistle died down I prepared to make my fresh cup of coffee. A smile played at my lips as the aroma of freshly grounded beans mixed in the steaming water.

But the way out apartment is set up is weird. There were four entrances to the kitchen/ dinning room. One entrance led to a hallway with a bathroom and Matt and Edd's rooms. Opposite from that entrance on the other side of the kitchen led to a bathroom and mine and Tord's rooms. The third entrance between the hallways led to the living room and front door and not to forget the Fourth door we had that were glass double door that led to a rather large balcony in the dining room.

So it's only natural to feel a bit uneasy to have your back to such open area. maybe it's just me, but even in the comfort of my own home I always fear the worst. And by worst, I mean always being on edge of something happening. And it seemed like all my uneasiness was taking play as a large hand clamped down on my shoulder.

Fear shot through my body as I gasped in shock and dropped the kettle in my hand. When the kettle made contact with the floor it clanked loudy and boiling hot water splattered all-over the wooden floors and unfortunately my feet were in the splash zone of the water. A Yelp of pain passed my lips as I jumped back and accidentally full-blown elbowed the intruder behind me in the center of their chest before falling straight on my ass. The person Inhailed sharply from the blow. It wasn't a lethal blow but it's a painful one that was done with enough force to knock the wind out of them. The Intruder staggered back and lost their balance, tumbling to the ground and wheezed uncontrollably.

Slowly, I looked over my shoulder to look at my intruder. My fear was quickly replaced with a sense of relief but rage at the same time. A deadly glare and a snarl curled at my lips, "What the actual fuck, Matt?!" I screeched and fully turned and hit his shoulder repeatedly, "Don't. Fucking. Do. That. Ass. Hole. You scared the shit out of me!!!"

"A-Ah fuck... Sorry... Won't...do it... Again..." Matt wheezed and grabed my hand to get me to stop hitting him, "That hurts... Stop it..."

"Tch- good. It better hurt..." I grumbled and pushed my self off Matt and offered him a hand.

Taking my hand I hoisted Matt up and he leaned on me, still trying to regain his breath, "Oh my Jesus... Is that what dying feels like...?" He asked airily.

"Quite your whining." I hissed and pushed him back to the table behind him. But let out a grunt but I ignored him as I turned to the broom closet and limped over to get supplies to clean the mess,

Matt notice and was quick to react , "Sit down Tom. You might have burns! I'll clean it! It was my fault anyways!" He Insisted.

"Burns....?" I looked down at my bare feet only to see them bloodshot red and small blisters appearing on them, "Oh..."

Also looking at my feet, Matt gasped and covered his mouth, "Tom, those are on the brink of being second degree burns! Why was your water that hot?! I expected a first degree but it's blistering!!! Who the fuck drinks their coffee scorching hot?!?!" Matt dragged my to the dining table and sat me down. He dashed into the closet, dodging the mess on the floor and ran back a few seconds later with a mop, damp towel, some sort of gel, and medicine bottle, "Here put your feet up..." Matt was carefull and he helped and set the damp towel over my feet. I hissed in slight pain as the coolness of it made contact to my burning skin, "Hush now... It will only hurt for a little. We're gonna let that towel cool your skin down then I'll put some aloe vera on it to help soothe it further..."

"How do you know all this...?" I asked as Matt stood back up.

"Hmm...? Know all what?"

I pointed at my feet and then at the direction of Tord's room, "How do you know all this medical stuff? You sound like you know what you're saying. And it looks like you know what you're doing."

Matt smiled and giggled, "Well..." He pressed his finger to his lips like what he was gonna say was a secret, "I'm studying to be a nurse."

My eyes widened at the new information, "Wha- holy hecking heck why haven't you told us this yet?! How long have you been studying?!"

"For almost a year now." Matt shrugged and mopped up the water on the floor, "It's not that important really. I just wanted to change my profession. The modeling agency is very open to models studying to do something else. I wasn't planning on doing nursing school but I found out that the agency helps pays for your school as long as you're modeling throughout your studies. I saw an opportunity to do something greater in life so I decided to take it. Granted I have to model for the next two years on top of going to class, but I don't mind. It's paying for half my classes and paying me to work. I just haven't found the right time to tell you guys. It seems like you guys would laugh at me for trying, but I'm smarter than I seem. I just never really applied myself into anything before."

I shook my head and watched Matt clean up, "I never thought you were stupid... Matt out of all four of us, you had- have the highest GPA. I know you are very smart... I just... Don't know why you never applied yourself in anything. Despite making amazing grades, you always acted as if you were stupid. Why? Why shut yourself down like that?"

Matt sighed and set the mop aside, "Well... I have always been self conscious about my appearance. Ever since I was a little kid I was scared of how I presented myself." He picked up the kettle and cleaned it before putting more water to boil, "So... When people started calling me a narcissist, I refused to listen to them. But the more I heard it the more I thought 'hey if I act like a narcissist then people would see what I can be.' That's when people started to think of me as a moron. That if I was so self involved then there was no way I was paying attention at school. I would be too busy looking at myself to keep up with an education. I was still self conscious on how people saw or liked me so I just went with it... I suppose it was rather stupid of me to let others dictate and mold my life from the little they knew about me..."

I pushed myself up from the chair, ignoring the pain that seared up my legs, "Oh Matt... You should never change yourself just to fit people's thoughts about you... You should always be you and no one else, you hear? I also think it's wonderful you are studying to be a nurse. It's a good job and beats modeling any day. I never liked that job for you because I knew you could do better. And you are. It's a fine career path that can lead to lots of other opportunities. Hell maybe one day you'll find yourself being a doctor."

Matt smiled and wiped a stray tear away, "My Lord Tom you are quite the mother figure aren't you?" He giggled, "Now please sit. When we take Tord to the doctors we'll get a proper treatment for your feet. Again I'm very sorry... I didn't mean to scare you like that..."

I waved my hand off like it was nothing, "Eh don't sweat it. I'm fine. It'll bother me at work tonight, but I'll live through it."

Matt frowned, "Tom... I don't think you should be wearing tight fitted shoes with a foot injury like that... It can cause a lot more damage... I think you should call off work until you know your blisters won't burst being rubbed against rough material like that... And the... The men you told me about... I'm worried... And think you should quit."

"What?! Matt I can't take off work! Let alone quit! I already get paid so little and get so little tips! I can't afford to miss work! Guys can touch me all they want! I don't care! I need the money!" I cried out

Matt sighed and gently sat me back down, "Well if you got a better job then bartending...." He suggested, "You wouldn't be having financial problems or  pending lawsuit cases and continue to be a rape victim. I've told you once and I'll tell you again, you are a beautiful man. Very pretty. If you'd just let me take you to a photoshoot, my agent can get you some really good jobs-"

I cut Matt off with a glare, "I don't want to be a model, Matt! I've already told you this! I have no interest in it."

"But if you only give it a chance-"

"NO!" I screamed

Matt flinched at my sudden loudness and pinched the bridge of his nose, "How would you know you'd hate it if you won't try it. I'm not telling you to do this as a career. All I'm suggesting is to take a few jobs here and there to keep you up on your feet. Think of it as a part time job. I have a really good agent who would work with what you want and do everything he can do to make you feel comfortable. Please just come to one photoshoot with me and take a few pictures. If you don't like it, then I won't mention it to you again. But if you don't mind it, then take the jobs you would model for and you would be able to continue as a bartender. Sound fair?"

I gulped as I thought about it. Honestly I could really use the money. I live paycheck to paycheck. All the bartenders at the bar do. We all have flatmates or are married and all pitch in to pay rent. It would be nice to be able to carry extra cash around for once... "Okay. I'll try it..."

Matt beamed, "Oh great!! I'll call right now and see when we can go in! Ugh he's gonna love you, Tom! I just know it!" He squealed.

"Why are you yelling...?" The sound of a voice carried on from on of the hallways.

I never seen Matt's mood change so quickly and so dramatically before. His happy smile curled into a snarl and his eyes sharpened with anger, "The fuck you want, Edd?" Matt said his name with so much venom that Satan would be shuttering.

Edd trudged his way into the kitchen with a sigh, "I was just asking a simple question.... Why Is the floor wet...?" He asked stopping before he could step in it.

"I'm a klutz is all." I answered quickly before Matt was given the chance to talk, "I was in the splash zone and burned my feet but I'm fine. And Matt was just happy because I agreed to letting him drag me to one of his photoshoots."

"But it's not like it's any of you problem now is it, Edd?" Matt seethed, "It's not like you have to be known of Tom's business. Wheasle your way in but I'll kick you right back out."

I gently placed a hand on Matt's to calm him down and Edd crossed his arms, "Look I've already apologized to Tom. And I hope you're okay like you say you are, Tom. And it's good you are going to try a different career. Just wish it wasn't modeling. That's a lot of men you'll be around."

"Oi! What is that supposed to fucking mean?!" Matt growled, "Tom would be working with me so you can sit the fuck down and keep to yourself, alright!"

"All I'm saying is that Tom picks dangerous jobs!" Edd yelled back. There was a distant cough that was unheard by the two and barely heard by me. I thought nothing of it and let this little show play out in front of me.

"Any and every job can be made out to be dangerous!!" Matt shouted, "A cop could be shot!! A business man can get run over! Pilots can crash a plane! Captains can sink a ship! Any job can be dangerous Edd!! You never know what's going to happen!!"

"I just don't like the idea of Tom doing something like that! Okay?!" Edd threw up his hands.

There was another cough and this time I heard it clearly. Slowly getting up I made my way to Tord's room, unseen by the two arguing. There was another cough. This one a lot more harsher. I sighing I picked up some medicine bottles, a cool wet towel, and a cup of water from the bathroom before limping to Tord's room.

Knocking on the door before I entered the room, I came to sight of a sweaty Tord sprawled across the bed with the sheets kicked off him. Shutting the door behind me I clicked on the ceiling fan, "Good morning, Tord..." I hummed and set the objects in my hands down on the dresser by the door.

"Mornin'..." Tord said weakly as he watched me limp my way to his windows and pulled the curtains back to let the early morning light in, "What's... Wrong...?" He slurred out.

I looked over my shoulder, "What's do you mean what's wrong?" I picked the things back up and moved to sit on the edge of the bed next to Tord, opening pill bottles and filing liquid medicine into the oral syringes.

Tord coughed and pointed at my bandaged feet, "You're limpin'..."

I followed the directions of Tord's point and sighed, "I had dropped boiling water on my feet... I'm fine though. Now let's sit up so you can take some medicine... It's no doctor prescription like you'll get later today, but it will help make you feel a bit better..." Tord gave a feeble nod and I helped him sit up with some pillows behind his back.

I pressed the oral syringe to Tord's mouth until he opened it slightly for me to inject the bitter cherry flavors liquid into his mouth. Scrunching his nose in disgust Tord gagged at the taste, "I know it's nasty..." I sighed and placed some pills in Tord's hand, "I'll give you water here in a bit to wash the taste down..."

Tord sighed and tilted back his head, dropping the pills into his mouth and taking that water from me, taking a gulp to wash the pills down and a few more to rid of the lingering taste of bitter cherries. After drowning the entire cup, he handed it back to me, "What are they gonna do at the hospital...?" He asked and slowly rolled to his side to face me properly.

Self-consciously I pushed hair from Tord's face and dabbed away the sweat with a hand towel, "They'll probably just see how dire the situation is and prescribe the right medicine to you. I'm guessing some sort of antibiotic. They'll also probably give us a list of directions to make sure you get better faster and properly." I hummed and set the towel down, "Why are you so nervous to go to the hospital...?"

Tord went silent, only his weazing breath heard. I just stared at him waiting for an answer as he kept his eyes low to keep from coming to contact with mine. We stayed like this for a good few minutes before Tord shifted so his back was to me, "I already told you... I have a big price on my head for my death... A bounty poster with my face posted everywhere we go... I will most definitely get sent to prison for the acts of crimes I have committed... And I hate hospitals... I spent so much time in one to heal my scars from the explosion... And they still aren't completely healed... Will never be completely healed... Nearly a year of being bounded to a bed... Months of constant pain... Days of surgery... Hours of physical therapy... I just don't like them... They bring back all that pain and suffering..."

The room went silent again, so heavy with tension that not even a pair of scissors could cut through it. Tord had his eyes closed, focusing on his breathing. I sat there looked down at him with a feeling I couldn't quite put my finger on. It was like remorse but also feeling no sympathy what so ever. I felt bad but I also didn't care how he felt, "You deserved it..." I finally spoke. Tord's eyes popped open and his body became tense, "You really did deserve it... You attempted to kill three people just to get what you wanted... You succeeded in killing a helpless neighbor... I don't regret what I did Tord... Do I feel bad? Yeah I caused you a lot of damage. But I genuinely don't regret what I did. You deserved everything you got. You could've easily left... You could've told us what you were doing. Edd wouldn't care. He'd be happy to give you what's rightfully yours. If I said anything he'd probably tie me down so I wouldn't do anything to get in your way. You could've gone about this so many ways, but you had to do it the most destructive way... Every single cut and scar of yours will be the reminder of your mistake. A mistake I hope you learned from."

I let out a small huff when I finished my small rant setting us in another unbearable silence. Tord's quiet wheezes and the rumble of the ceiling fan providing the little noises to the quietness of the room.

I didn't have to look at Tord to know he was staring at me. I could feel his gaze bore into my head. It made me squirm uncomfortably in my seat, but I did my best to ignore the act and pulled at the loose threads in my sweater.

"I regret everything...." Tord drawled out.

Lifting my head slightly, I looked at Tord with hooded lids, "Yeah fucking right you do... All your life you were always doing something that harmed others. It's a joke to hear you say you have any remorse for all the bullshit you've pulled in your life."

Tord's dull, tired, grey eyes looked deep into my pitch black ones, "Honestly Tom... I am trying to make amends for my ruthless behavior... I realize I am a bad person... But at least I took knowledge of it and want to be better. For myself and for those around me..." He let out a soft shaky sigh and weakly pushed himself up into a sitting position, "I know I have caused so much destruction so far in my life... I killed countless of people... Caused so many traumatic experience to engrave into memories. I grew up as a problem child. I made a career out of being a dictator. Never in my life had I made anything easy for people. But I want to change... I so badly want to be a better person..." Tord weakly clutched the sheets, "Damnit Thomas... I gave up my life's work to create a new one... I want to make people smile... Not cry in fear.... I want to be looked at as a friend... Not as a enemy... I don't want to be a bad guy anymore.... I don't want people to scream and run from me anymore... I don't want people flinching every time I speak... I don't want people to be afraid to talk to me..." Tord looked at me with tears daring to fall from his eyes, "I want... I want my friends again... I want people to be with... I want to feel loved again...."

As soon as that last statement left Tord's lips, I felt my voice get caught in my throat. The man I knew to be cocky, rude, and violent looked completely vulnerable and lost. Like I child that just had everything he ever known taken from him. I tried to muster up anything to say but I couldn't find myself to form any words.

"You don't need to rack your brain to find a response..." Tord mumbled, "I get it... You don't trust me... I don't blame you..."

I shook my head a bit and swallowed the lump in my throat "Tord... That's not-"

"Don't try to make up excuses!" Tord said angrily and started to cough harshly.

I flinched at his raised voice but was quick to move as I pushed the small hand towel into Tord's hands. He pressed the cloth to his mouth as he coughed. Sighing silently, I placed my hand on Tord's back and rubbed it gently.

Once Tord's fit subsided, I let my hand sit on his back as the other sat on top of his leg, "You shouldn't raise your voice like that... You'll make your situation even more worse than it is... You shouldn't even be speaking right now..." Tord responded with a small grunt. Rolling my eyes I continued to talk, "Anyways, you shouldn't cut people off like that. It's rude. You didn't even know what I was going to say. Didn't give me a chance to. It's not that I don't trust you Tord... I mean I don't. I really don't trust you. I have every right not to. I might've showed great hatred for you in the past, but I learned to grow up. Not hold any grudges. You aren't the only one who is trying to improve their personality. Even you have to agree I'm not the same person I was last time you saw me. How could I try not to reconnect with an old friend that is clearly trying hard?"

Tord still held the cloth to his mouth as I have him a soft smile. His temperature seemed to spike up as his face slowly went red and he looked away from me. My smile fell and I rubbed his back again, "You okay? Wait- That's a stupid question... I should be asking... What can I do to help? Need more medicine...? A cool towel to damp your forehead? That should ease your temperature."

"You're so fucking dense..." Tord mumbled through the cloth.

My hand slipped from his back, "Excuse you?"

Tord glanced at me, "You heard me just fine..."

Tightening my jaw and self consciously sitting up straighter, I snarled out, "Who gave you the fucking right-"

Being cut off short by the door opening. Both Tord and I looked back at Matt who stuck his head in. His eyes zeroed down on me and a faint smirk pulled at his lips, "So that's were you got off to... Not a surprise..." He hummed and stepped inside, "Good morning Tord, I hope you are feeling a bit better this morning. They do say sleep is the best medicine."

Tord shrugged and finally pulled the cloth from his mouth, showing small droplets of blood, "Fine... I suppose... Could definitely be better..."

"Definitely indeed." Matt hummed and walked up to us. He propped his elbow on my shoulder and leaned on it gently, "This means we should head out to the hospital here in a bit."

Tord let out a groan and Matt snickered, "You'll be fine... I'm sure Tom has reassured you plenty of times already."

Matt looked down at me with a smug smile. Letting out a silent sigh I gave him a nod, "Yeah I guess I did... Anyways, you done arguing with Edd?" I asked and Matt's entire mood dropped.

"Sure... Let's say that... Bastard doesn't know when to shut it..."

Tord looked between us, "... I missed something... Didn't I...?"

Matt forced a smile, "Don't worry about it. It's nothing big. Just some friendly banter." He clapped his hands together, "Well we should get ready to head out. I'll get Edd to come assist you in getting ready. Come now, Tom. Lets get some bandages on your feet before we go."

I shared a look with Tord. His look showing confusion. Mine showing calmness with a knowing smile, "Well I should get going before Matt blows another fuse." I hummed and stood, cringing at the pain in my feet.

Matt took hold of my elbow to insure a steady balance, "Don't worry Tord. You'll be up and healthy again soon." He assured and led me out of the room.

As soon as he shut the door behind us, Matt nudged me and chuckled, "The sexual tension in the room was unbearable."

I choked on my breath and coughed, "What?! No! Oh my Jehovah Matt, Tord does not think of me like that! I'm nothing but a past enemy to him!"

Matt stopped and looked at me with a 'are you stupid?' look, "How fucking dense are you?"

Slapping my hand against my face, I let out a strangled growl, "Why do you all insist me on calling me dense? I'm not. I just know for a fact that Tord is a bit delusional. Having a temperature as high as his is, of course he's going to say some things he doesn't mean. I might have some feelings for Tord, but I know he doesn't feel the same. He's already stated that he wants nothing more than just to be friends with me."

"Okay... I'm going to pretend that's not true. I see you two together. I always thought you'd be cute as a couple. I think it's because both of you have some kind of wall of defense." Matt sighed, "That or... Tord has feelings for you and doesn't like that fact or doesn't know how to handle them so he always seemed to come out as hostile and rude."

I let Matt's words sink in before I shook my head in denial, "Thanks for the theories, but let's face it. We both know Tord isn't gay. Or even bi. He has no interest in me. Now... we should hurry if we want to get to the hospital..." Pushing myself away from Matt, I stumbled over to my room.

"Whatever you say, love... But the day you start dating, I'll be saying I thought of you so..." Matt hummed and followed me to my room, stopping by the bathroom to get the first aid kit.