"I'm gonna go ahead," Tord told Patryk. He shot Tord a confused look as Tord let out a long sigh, "You'll see why when you get there."
—————
It wasn't long until Tom reached Stella Park, spotting a red hoodie almost immediately. He broke into a run, watching as Tord turned around to face him. Grinning, he skidded to a stop, panting."Hey."
"Hi."
A silence filled the air, Tord frowning. The commie put a hand on Tom's shoulder, voice full of concern, "Are you okay, Tom?"
"Yeah. I think I'm good," Tom smiled softly.
"So... are you sure you want to meet them? You were terrified of the thought last time because of your eyes," he murmured, staring at Tom with a look he couldn't distinguish.
"What eyes?" he joked, trying to lighten the mood.
"Tom," growled Tord, "I'm being serious."
"Yes! Yes, I'm sure," Tom promised. Tord nodded before wrapping Tom in a bear hug, squeezing him tightly. Tom hugged him back, placing his head in the crook of Tord's neck. He breathed in, noting how Tord smelt familiar, like he was... home. It was a feeling he hadn't felt in a long time, a feeling that made him relax, muscles no longer tense as he was overwhelmed with a sense of peace. He smiled, leaning into the touch as much as he could, happy.
The moment, however, was cut short by someone yelling, "Hey love birds!" Both Tom and Tord quickly retracted, Tom blushing furiously at the comment.
"Hey, Paul, Patryk!" Tord laughed, waving. Tom looked away, waiting for his face to cool down.
Tom turned his head to look at the couple, trying to hide behind Tord. "Uhm. Hi."
"It's nice to meet you, Tom," Patryk smiled, Paul waving.
"It's nice to meet you, too," he replied shyly, clutching the back of Tord's sweatshirt.
"When do you think Edd and Matt will get here?" Paul asked.
"Actually, we're already here," piped up a new voice. Tom swung his head around on instinct, turning to see what he assumed to be a happy Edd and Matt. His thoughts, however, were interrupted by Edd(?) shouting, "Jesus Christ! What's wrong with your ey...es... oh."
"H-hi," Tom stuttered awkwardly, "sorry, I know, it's kinda scary, isn't it?"
"Don't apologize, Jehovah," Tord quickly came to his rescue, turning around so he was facing the duo.
"Oh my god, the height difference," Edd broke into laughter, staring at the two. Tom blinked in confusion, cocking his head. "You and Tord. Tord is super tall and you're really short."
"I know. He's adorable, isn't he?" Tord joked, ruffling Tom's hair. Paul and Patryk join the four, waving as they introduced themselves.
"We must get to the topic at hand," Paul suddenly spoke, cutting off all previous exchanges. Tom looked down shamefully, afraid of the upcoming conversation.
"You're right," Edd nodded, focusing his gaze on Tom. "C'mon, mate, there's no reason to be ashamed."
"Uhm," Tom started awkwardly, "It's... it's my eighteenth birthday pretty soon."
"Which means?" Tord question.
"I can move out after," he replied.
"How soon?" Tord demanded, placing a hand on Tom's shoulder.
"Six more days."
"Where would you move too, though?" Patryk asked, worry flashing across his face.
"Uhm," Matt spoke up, "he could live with us. If Edd's okay with it, of course."
"Of course I am!" Edd gasped, "Ohmygod that's such a good idea! We could be... be... roomies!"
"Yeah! Roomies!" Matt joined in.
"Would..." Tom awkwardly played with his fingers, "would you be okay with that? I wouldn't be intruding?"
"Yeah, of course it'd be okay!" Edd giggled.
"But what about for the next six days? I don't want Tom with that... with that monster," Tord snarled, squeezing Tom's shoulder.
"He can stay with us until he can move in with you two," Patryk offered.
"What about my stuff?" Tom brought up the next subject. A silence filled the group, Tom shivering and rubbing his arms.
"Well... you could go back. And... I don't know, you can leave the next day?" Matt suggested, though it sounded like a question.
"Yeah, you could go back for a day, and leave with all your stuff tomorrow," Edd agreed.
"I can pick you up," nodded Paul.
"Then... it's a plan?" Tom asked.
"It's a plan," they all chorused. Edd and Matt turned around and began to walk off, and Tom assumed they were leaving for home.
Tord turned his attention towards Paul and Patryk, "I'm gonna stay a bit late and be with Tom, okay?"
"Alright, we'll see you when you get home." The couple nodded. They both turned and left, Tom and Tord watching in silence until they were out of sight.
"Did you want to talk about something?" Tom asked, shivering, turning to face the taller boy.
"I just wanted to ask what happened to your parents," Tord replied, his face softening, "but you don't have to tell me if you don't want to."
"Well, uhm. My parents were really weird," Tom laughed, embarrased, averting his gaze.
"How so?" Tord questioned.
"Uhhhh, my dad was a pineapple. My mom was a bowling ball."
"I'm sorry, what?"
"You heard me!" Tom whined, shaking from the cold, "My father got shot by a bear, and my mom died from being dropped on her head. I think. She kinda just cracked open."
"Oh," Tord said awkwardly. Tom cocked his eyebrows as he watched Tord took of his sweatshirt, revealing muscle that was showing through his long-sleeved shirt. It was huge, but it was noticeable that he was fit.
Wow.
He's kinda hot.
"Why a-are you taking off your sweatshirt, commie? It's c-cold, not hot!" Tom laughed, teeth chattering.
"Yeah, I know it's cold, yet you're wearing a short-sleeved shirt," Tord chuckled. Tom jumped in surprise when he lightly tossed the red sweatshirt to Tom, the boy barely catching it. "Wear it. You can return it tomorrow."
"Oh. Uhm, t-thanks," Tom stuttered, slipping on the much larger top. The sleeves went past his hands and went half-way to his knees, but he didn't really mind. It smelled like Tord, and Tord smelled good.
"No problem," Tord smiled at him. "Look, we ought to be going. I'll see you tomorrow, won't I?"
"Of course you will. Bye, Tord," Tom giggled, waving.
"See ya, Tom," Tord replied. Tom turned and began to walk away, rubbing the sleeve of the sweatshirt on his cheek, purring with happiness.

YOU ARE READING
Unexpected(CURRENTLY BEING REWRITTEN)
FanfictionThomas Ridge, who prefers to be called Tom, made a group chat jokingly, never expecting anyone to join. He didn't realize what effects the group chat would have on him. THIS STORY IS FROM MY AO3 ACCOUNT also, this story contains self-harm, reference...