A Test of Time (TomTord)

-Three-

Tord slammed the door to his room shut, grumbling various swears under his breath, mostly in Norwegian. He had just gotten home from school, and from another argument with Tom. He had simply arrived home, not said a word to either of his parents, then disappeared into his room, just like nearly every day since the first day of his freshman year. Neither Tom nor Tord had ever explained what any of their arguments were about, especially Tord, as the boy would retreat the the safety and solitude of his room as soon as he could each day.

"I kinda miss when he was a cute little kid, ya know..." Pat said, sighing as his gaze followed the young Norski's path.

"Teenagers will be teenagers."

"I just can't belive he's already 14. And we're what? 23? Time really does fly, doesn't it?"

"Yep. I remember when you were like that at that age."

"I was not!"

"Oh really? Do I need to call Cass? 'Cause I belive he would say otherwise."

"You're an ass."

"I know."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

-meanwhile-

Tord sighed, flopping face first onto his bed. He pulled himself under the red blanket covering the bed, scowling into the sheets. He wasn't even sure why he fought with Tom half of the time. He didn't.. really... want to...

"Tord?" A knock sounded at the door. Tord didn't move. He didn't want to deal with Pau right now, even though the brunette was just trying to help.

"Tord, I know you can hear me."

Tord now heard Pat's voice muffled outside the door as well, speaking to Pau. He then heard footsteps leading away from the door. It was quiet again, but he knew Pat was still outside his door.

"What, Pat?" Tord snapped, his aggression not really intended to be aimed at Pat himself.

"May I come in...?" Pat asked. There was almost a full minute of silence before the door slowly creaked open. Tord was already back in his place on his bed, trying to bury himself in his sheets and blanket. Pat sat on the edge of the boy's bed. He only now noticed the tears tracing his cheeks. 

"...Pat...?" Tord's voice was slightly raspy, as if he had been crying for hours, even though he had just gotten home less than half an hour before.

"Hm?"

"How do you fix a problem with someone you care about.........?"

Oh. That actually explained a lot.

"Tell me what happened."

—Earlier that day—

"I don't even know what Edd ever saw in you to let you be friends with us! All you ever do is fight with me, and you're probably just in it to hurt the others too."

"Maybe I'd be nicer if you actually gave me something to care about." Tord snapped, not even thinking about what he had just said in context with his true emotions. Both of the boys' expressions shifted for a second- Tord's to regret, and Tom's to hurt, but as quickly as they had changed, they were both back to glaring at each other. But it had been a moment, a singular, short, quick moment, of weakness, for both of them.

"Not like I ever wanted you anyway." The words tore through Tord's heart, but he wasn't sure why it hurt so much. It was like Tom has just physically slapped him. No, it was worse than that. Without another word, he turned and ran.