Tords P.O.V
My body feels lighter than air, and a cool breeze dances against my skin and tickles my cheeks. I open my eyes to an old house, and my eyes move to the frame sitting on the wooden desk. "A picture of me and …" a door opens.
Her sunflower fragrance shines through the air. "Tordy!"
"M-Maria?" Tears welled in my eyes as I saw her running toward me. Her long black hair flies as she runs into me. I wrap my arms around her and desperately sob, her smile fades as she gives that little gasp.
"Am I that ugly," she laughs, "Hey, what's wrong? Come on, Tordy, you can talk to me."
Tordy. . . I haven't heard that name in years until Tamra. That's what you always used to call me. You always said my name with the biggest smile. I fell in love with your smile. I fell in love with you but it's because of me that you . . . My arms gripped her red jacket. "Maria, I'm so sorry! I let you down! I got you killed!"
“Listen to me right now,” Her fingers wiped the tears from my eyes. She used her other hand to tilt my head up. Tears fall down her own cheeks, “Please Tordy. For me?” She pulls me into her chest, and we both fall on the carpet, her hand waves, and the celeling turns into the sky. “Remember these nights? The nights we would sneak out and stare at the stars.”
“I remember. . .”
“We’d talk about who we wanna be, all the things we’d do, how we’d be more than anyone had bet on us. We were gonna make something of ourselves, and you did. Tord I’m so proud of you. I know you think everything is your fault, it is not, I promise. I’ve forgiven you won’t you forgive yourself?” Her body turns toward me, and her warm palm caresses my cheek, “You still have a life to live. Please live it, if not for yourself then for me? I’ve heard you have friends, and one of them even calls you Tordy too,” She smiles.
“Y-Yes, she is a child.”
“Is that why you avoid her?” I look away, “Thought so. You know Tordy, it's okay to let your guard down sometimes. I know you like to play stuff, but I know how sensitive you are.”
“I am not!” I pout.
“It’s what made me fall for you all the more.” My face flushes, “So, take a chance on her? Like you took a chance on me? And that Tom guy, I bet we would have gotten along.” She laughs.
“Oh yeah, so you guys could sneak in my alcohol cabinet together?”
“Come onnn! It was just that one time!” She laughs, “Paul was so mad when he caught us! And then remember when you tripped while running away?!” I start to chuckle.
“You’d never let me forget it,” I smile. The stars start to dim, and the grass around her turns dark. I sat up, “What’s going on?” I grab her, “What’s going on?!” I repeat. My pounding heart overwhelms my ears.
She looks around and worries, “I don’t have much time, Tord, you need to stay strong. She’s coming, you need to get your strength back, you need to be able to lead again-”
“Who’s coming-”
“-I know you can do it! There's not much time Tordy, please, get better. I love you,” Her forehead rested against mine.
“No, please, I can’t lose you again!”
“You're not. We just have to say goodbye for a little while. Don’t let life pass you by Tordy,”
“NO! WAIT!” The ground shook, and the sky went black, I couldn't see anything, “MARIA! WHERE ARE YOU! MARIA!”
“MARIA!” I jolted awake. My chest heaved up and down, and my body was sticky with sweat. “I-It was a dream. . .” I didn’t know if I was disappointed by that or relieved. “Who is coming?” I threw off my covers and looked down in embarrassment, “WHAT THE HELL?!”
“I’M AWAKE!” Thomas yells and jumps up from the floor.
“T-Thomas?” I looked over at him. Dark circles slept under his eyes. He was still in his uniform from yesterday. “Were you sleeping on the floor?”
“Huh? Oh um-yeah well I just thought it’d be best if I watched you last night.” His British accent stumbled.
I reclaimed my thoughts and pulled the sheets closer to me. “Thomas Thomson, why the HELL and I naked under these covers?!” He thinks hard for a moment then curses, he starts then stops. "Thomas, that is an order!"
"I uh um …" his face explodes with pink and he looks away, "I was just-you had a high fever and were burning up and so I put you in the tub but you were starting to wake up when I got you dressed and it was two in the morning and I was tired and you were acting like a child and you wouldn't eat and I didn't want to wake you up so I just I um well I just put you in bed but I went to bed but I don't know I just thought I should stay in here with you in case anything happened or you needed me and-"
"Thomas," I cut him off, just seeing his face I could tell he was preparing himself to hear an earful from me. "Thank you."
He smiles, "I didn't know you were the sentimental type Red."
I grab my pillow and throw it at his face, "Just shut up and get me some clothes!"
"Yes, sir~" He laughs. I haven't heard his laugh in so long. I must be doing something right. He throws me the clothes, "Don't worry, I'm not looking."
I quickly get dressed under the covers, I go to grab my crutches but realize they'd be no use to me with my arm. I stare down, remembering everything that happened.
Thomas peeks behind him, and we catch eyes. He sits next to me on my bed, "How do you feel about a wheelchair?" I glare at him, "So that's off the list, but you're gonna need to get around somehow. You don't happen to have any spare arms, do you?"
"I have a start of one,"
His goggles look me up and down, his lips slip into a frown. He says nothing for a while. I open my mouth to break the silence, but he beats me to it, "Tord, please stop hurting yourself."
Did I tell him?!
"Please, Tord, I know we've had our differences, but I can't lose you. I've already lost my parents, I can't lose you too. I'm sorry about what happened with your friend, I am, but you have to snap out of it. This army needs you, not me. I didn't save your skinny ass because I didn't care." A sad smile makes its way on my face, Maria's words about him replay. They would have gotten along.
"I'm sorry, you've been doing so much in my place. I just don't deserve this role, Thomas. I can't do it -" I turn away from him and stifle my cries. He lays his head on my back and hugs me, I laugh and sob all at the same time. "After everything I've done to you… why?"
"Because you're a brother to me." He grabs my hand and holds it up, "You were there for me, and now I'm here for you no matter how long it takes."
"I hate you," I cry at him.
"I hate you too, buddy," he ruffles my hair, then picks me up. "Now you're eating breakfast."
"You're not carrying me!"
"What's that? Sorry, I can't understand you through that thick accent. Damn brits, am I right?"
I sat in my private dining hall, soldiers served our meals, and took off silver lids. Thomas nervously looked down at his plate, I grabbed the silverware and put it in my lap. "T-Thanks," he whispers. I sighed before taking my first bite, Thomas stared at me, I didn't realize how hungry I was till I tasted it. My mouth watered as I quickly took more bites. I heard him giggle. I realized what a mess I was making. I cleared my throat and wiped my mouth. "Has there been any threats to the base recently?" He choked on his water, hearing my question.
"A yellow base was blown up and we have a new general on base-but I'm still filling your position eight now, if you wanna know more you're gonna have to keep getting better and take it back."
"I think I'll just let you have it Thomas, you do a pretty good job."
His mouth dropped, "What?! No! Tord, you can't do that! I couldn't even be responsible for my homework. I can't do this much longer!" He desperately tries to convince me.
I laugh, "Alright, I'll do my best then."
His eyes notice the table settings next to us, "So do you usually have company or what?"
"No. Just today," I responded, cutting my food. Edd walks from behind Thomas, Matt turns the corner holding Tamras hand.
"DADDY!" She screams and lunges into him, the whole table moves, and Thomas jumps off of his seat, holding her tight.
"PRINCESS!" She wraps her little arms around his neck, "Tord?"
"I decided to give you a small vacation," I shrug. Matt and Edd joined me at the table. They both worried about me and asked how I was doing. And I was finally able to tell them I was doing better.
Tamra waddles over to me with her hair in pigtails. She wears a blue dress. Her horns look at me with curiosity. "Thank y-you for letting me c-come back Tordy. I-I made this for you , but Daddy said I should give it to y-you in p-person." She hands me a piece of paper. It's a picture of the three of us drawn by a child. She drew me with a smiley face. She drew me. . .
I couldn't help the smile that the picture drew on my face, "This is beautiful…" I looked down at her, "Thank you so much Tamra, would you like to come home now?" She furiously nodded up and down. Thomas looked at me with absolute admiration. "Welcome hom--OOF" She flies into me and puts her little hands on my face, and she hugs me.
"Y-Your the best T-Tordy," I wrapped my arms around her innocent body.
"I'll do whatever it takes to protect you. I promise." I'll make Maria proud. No one will ever be together with the people I love ever again.
"Have I ever told you I make a mean mechanic?" Sadie grins. She looked down at my missing arm, "I may or may not have all the parts you're looking for," she winked and pulled out my blueprint. "You'll be so happy I fixed her up for you. You'll forget I took this," she grins.
"Thank you," I smile back. I didn't realize how much I've missed this. How much better it would make me feel to just have all of them here. How much I care about all of them. Even Tamra.
Tom's P.O.V
*An hour later*
Tammy told me all about everything she did with her favorite uncles. All the adventures she went on with Tommy bear and all about her new dress. Her little hands grabbed my cheeks as she looked at me in all seriousness, "A-And then Tommy Bear saved me from my tower!!" She makes little explosion sounds through her chubby cheeks as her hair twirls. "The tower e-exploded just as he saved me!" She falls back as I catch her, "Yeah! J-Just like that!" She giggles and runs to Tord.
She stops and stares, "Uncle Tordy?"
He looks down at her, "Can you please take me to go l-look at flowers today?"
"I told her it's your call," I note.
He sits down to be more at her level, "Okay, princess." She jumps up and down and runs out of the room cheering.
"Princess? Uncle Tord is really coming around, huh?"
"Maybe I am," he huffs.
"I gotta go run some errands commie, you good if I go? Sadie and Matt are gonna meet you here."
"I'm good," he reassures. "But don't take too long, I'll need someone to make sure Sadie doesn't blow me up." He shutters.
"I'll do my best commie," I walk into the main hall with a smile glued to my face. I can't believe he did all this.
"Tom!" Tyler waves. "I just saw Tamra. When did she get back?"
"As it would turn out, communists do have hearts. Big Red had her flown in this morning. Matt, Edd, and Saide are here too. Has there been any word from Paul or Pat?"
"No-but where their estimated location is, we wouldn't have communicated with them. They should be in a dead zone right about now."
"Okay," I handed him a clipboard, "Could you take care of these for me?"
"Sure thing, Blue! See ya!" He skips off, and I head to the bathroom. Sweat runs down my face, Tamra sure is fast, I already regret racing her. I lean over the sink and splash the cold water over my face. The light over me flickered, and I looked up. "I'll have to tell Tyler it needs to be changed -"
*Click*
The stall behind me creaked, I turned off the sink and wiped my hands on my pants. "Hello, Sweetheart~"
I froze.
My heart stopped.
I heard the stall open, and I looked at the mirror in front of me. The black door revealed a monster. A dark red that stained nearly her whole face burns. She wore her black uniform "N-Natasha-"
"Still stuttering after all this time?"
Panicked, I furiously patted myself down, SHIT! I took out all my weapons when I was playing with Tamra. I have nothing on me! My back hit the sink, and I clenched my hands, “T-This isn’t possible! You died!” I yell.
A wide grin spreads across her red lips, “Oh love, haven’t you learned by now? The Black Army always wins. I always win.”
“THIS ISN’T REAL!” I scream. My hands shake, and I close my eyes tight, this isn’t real, this isn’t real, this isn’t real, this isn’t real, she’s dead! She died! Pull yourself together!
“Tom?”
“E-Edd.” I open my eyes.