Hey what's up you guys? This is Flower1815 here bringing you my newest project and the next installment of the MLTS series, Requiem. This will be a series of one-shots showcasing the upbringing and misadventures of Edd and his friends up until the start of the actual show. This fic will mostly be a way for me to flex my personal headcanons about them and setting up sequel work for a future project, but please don't hesitate to share your thoughts on the reviews! Do you agree with some of my headcanons? Do you disagree? If so what are your own headcanons? I am curious to know and will be delighted to read them!

This particular one-shot is about how Tord and Edd first met through unlikely circumstances.

Peering out of the window of his new home, four year old Tord observed the scenery feeling both sad and confused. It was hot out, the sky a pale blue and cloudless, the sun shining brightly up above. A perfect day to head out and play.

For some strange reason he couldn't fully understand, he and his mother have moved away from home to this unfamiliar new place. They'd taken all of their stuff with them. And while he'd been excited at first to ride a plane and get more toys, Tord couldn't help but note the absence of his father in the trip. He tried several times to ask his mother about him and where they were going, but she only shushed him and told him not to worry about it.

His father hasn't been feeling well as of late, and has been going to the doctors more and more often.

A few nights ago, when his parents thought he was asleep in bed, Tord snuck out of his room to overhear their conversation. He couldn't really make out what they were saying. But they both seem so sad about something. His father pleading. And his mother… she sounded so unusually cold.

Tord can't help but blame her for his predicament.

He wants his dad here! He wants his old home! What are they even doing here?

It didn't help matters that his mother never stayed put at home ever since they moved here. She would leave him alone for hours at a time, come back for a few moments only to head out again right after.

Stuck at home, alone, with nothing to do wasn't fun.

From his window, Tord had a clear view of a little playground one block away on the other side of the street.

Since no one is here to stop him or say otherwise, Tord made the smart decision to go outside by himself. With no phone, nor keys, and even without leaving so much as a note about his whereabouts behind. He just packed a bag with a few snacks and his favorite toys and left, and out the door he went.

He was just heading for the playground to play a little while. He will be home before dark at least.

With both hands stuffed into the pockets of his black hoodie, Tord marched outside of his new home. He crossed the empty street staring sullenly at the ground, not paying much attention to his surroundings. He just walked straight forward.

Just as the playground came into view ahead of him, a new voice startled Tord and he lifted his head.

"Hello!"

A boy around his age was peeking at him from the other side of the fence into the playground. He wore a green shirt and beige shorts, and has brown hair and eyes. He beamed at Tord, staring at him expectantly.

Tord lowered his head shyly and waved back. "Hi." He mumbled.

He thought that was the end of it. Tord tried to carry on his merry way like nothing ever happened, but the moment he set foot into the playground the boy raced up to him and started to walk beside him. "I'm Edd! I love drawing, cola, and candy. What about you? Are you new or just visiting? I have never seen you before around here. Do you want to play?"

Tord stared at him blankly. Although he learned a little English from the daycare he attended back home, the boy was speaking way too fast for him to keep up and understand what he was saying. But Edd was looking at him expectantly and he figured he must've just asked him a question.

Not knowing what else to do, and unable to tell him he couldn't fully understand his language, Tord merely nodded along.

"Oh cool!" Edd exclaimed. "It's so nice to have a new friend to play with. The other kids don't like me much 'cause I always get into trouble. You don't mind, right?"

Tord nodded again, not understanding anything.

"Sweet. Since you're new I guess I can show you around. Come!" Edd grabbed his hand and tugged him to follow.

Edd took him to a swing set first.

As they played around Tord took note that the playground was practically empty with only themselves present. Not even a sign of parents around. This ignited a spark of excitement within Tord. This space is all his for the taking. He felt as though he were an explorer, or a conqueror. Maybe a Viking like the tales of old. All of this was his to play with.

Well… his and Edd's. But it's more fun if you have at least one other person to share this place with.

They played around in the playground for a little while; climbing the pirate ship themed jungle gym and going down the slide a few times. Edd kept talking to him, and although Tord didn't understand a single word coming out of his mouth he vigorously nodded along.

"Hey, wanna go grab ice cream?" Edd asked.

Tord nodded, not understanding.

He followed his new friend out of the playground and headed down the street.

The two boys walked together; one of them chatting nonstop while the other simply nodded, completely oblivious to what was being said and not participating in the one-sided conversation. At one point Tord began to wonder what it would take to get Edd to leave him alone if he couldn't even notice they didn't speak the same language, but part of him was curious to know what he'd seen in him to start up conversation and why he hasn't left him yet.

Tord didn't really understand what was going on but they went to this stand and bought ice cream. Afterwards Edd was showing him some stuff, Tord wasn't sure what though. He tried to figure out as Edd kept pointing and motioning for different areas. And somehow they arrived in this petting zoo of sorts?

Gently patting a sheep on the head, Tord looked over to see Edd trying to ride a goat around only to be knocked off onto a pile of hay. He laughed at his friend's misery and then stopped.

Friend?

When did he start to think of the other boy as his friend?

Sure they spent the whole day together goofing around, and he wouldn't stop talking, but they can't even fully understand each other! How can this possibly work? But if this really is to be his new home… then perhaps, with time, he will get the hang of it? After all it's not like he can go home to his father on his own, and he is pretty much stuck here until further notice

Tord and Edd played with the animals in the pen for hours on end without a single care in the world. It was only when long shadows were stretching across the barn that finally struck Tord and notified him of how late it's gotten. Was his mother already home? Was she frantic and looking for him with no idea where to start her search?

The grudge he held against her earlier this morning dissipated as he imagined what his dear mother might be feeling this very moment with each passing second of him all the way out here.

He needs to go home now.

Problem is that he has no idea how to get around this place or how to get back home for that matter. But maybe his new friend does…

"Home." Tord spoke gruffly.

Edd tipped his head.

Cringing, Tord tried to figure out how he can ask for help in English to get back to his house. But he hadn't learned anything useful like that yet in his classes back home. He tapped his wrist, motioning for time and how late it's gotten. He hoped Edd would understand the gesture but his brown eyes were blank with confusion.

Tord grit his teeth in frustration, and clasped his hands together in a pleading motion. "Home. Please. Now!" Those were the only set of words he could formulate that come remotely close to what he is asking of him.

Understanding dawned on Edd. "Okay! I will take you back to where we first met."

Edd began to lead the way. Relief washed over Tord. He had no choice but to follow, hoping he managed to get through to Edd at last and he wasn't about to guide him even farther away from where he needed to be.

Retracing his steps, Edd escorted Tord back the way they travelled. The sun was sinking lower and lower in the horizon. Both of them were very tired from the long walk, but Tord kept up the pace. It was nearly night now. If he gets home after the moon has already risen his mother will surely kill him.

Tord nearly cried out in glee when he spotted the playground from the distance. From here he could easily find his way back home by himself.

"I really liked playing with you today." Edd spoke up next to him. "We had a lot of fun, didn't we?"

Tord nodded along.

"You know I just realized that we spent the whole day together and you still haven't told me your name." Edd chuckled. He pointed at himself and said loudly. "Edd." He then motioned Tord in turn.

Biting back laughter, Tord understood what he was trying to get to. He tapped his own chest. "Tord."

Even though he could find his own way back home now, Edd still didn't leave his side. Tord wasn't sure if it was because he was also lost or if he merely wanted to accompany him, but either way he was thankful for his constant presence.

When his house came into view, Tord picked up speed and raced over to his doorstep. "Thank you. Good-bye!" He waved at Edd, who waved back at him with a gleeful smile and continued to walk away, presumably to his own home. Tord hoped he would see him again soon.

Taking the keys out of his backpack he hurriedly turned the knob and entered his new home. "Mamma, jeg er hjemme igjen!" He announced his presence loudly as he shut the door behind him.

He expected his mother to frantically rush him and pick him up in her arms, tears in her face, expressing how much she'd missed him and how worried she was when she returned home and didn't find him. Maybe even a scolding. Anything to show she still cared about him and his wellbeing.

But all the lights were off and there was no sign of life in his home.

Tord hung his head in disappointment, his hands clenched into fists.

His mother had never made it home. She was still out working, none the wiser to the fact that he had left without her permission and spent the whole day out in town with a stranger. She didn't notice he was gone. She was never worried for him.

A deep anguish settled in the pit of Tord's gut. Even though he spent the whole day out he wasn't feeling very hungry. He was more tired than anything else, and he sluggishly dragged himself to his bedroom upstairs.

He threw himself onto his bed and buried his face in his pillow.

He wants to go back to his old home. He wants his dad here with him. And he wants his old mom back. The kind and affectionate mom who would watch over him fondly, play games with him, and tuck him to bed.

Why were both his parents gone? What happened to them?

Tord felt the urge cry. Tears welled up in his eyes at the thought that things won't ever be the same as it once was.

All of the sudden he heard a loud banging coming from his window. At first he ignored it, thinking it must be debris from the wind but then the banging came again. Repeatedly.

Wiping his tears on his sleeve, Tord jumped off the bed to investigate.

His eyes widened with surprise when he found Edd looking out from the window across from him in the neighboring house, holding a handful of pebbles in his hand. Edd waved at him and motioned him to open his window.

Tord complied and leaned his head out.

"Looks like we live right next to each other. Great, huh?" Edd yelled.

Tord didn't understand what he said but he was relieved to see his new friend so soon. He was in desperate need of some company right now.

Edd ducked out of frame for a few seconds before he returned with a blue device in his hands. He made a swinging motion with it.

Understanding at once, Tord braced himself to catch it as Edd tossed the device over to him from across the window. Tord snagged the device in his hands and turned it over carefully. He recognized that it was a walkie-talkie and immediately pressed one of the orange buttons on the side. "Hello?"

"It works! Great! This way we can talk to each other whenever we want without the whole neighborhood hearing us." Edd's distorted voice came through the static. If Tord had a hard time understanding him before, he was completely clueless now.

He turned to the window where Edd still stands and shook his head and shrugged his shoulders.

"You don't understand much of what I say, do you?" Edd questioned.

Tord shook his head. "Some little." He said, awkwardly and slowly, as if struggling to pull the words from his memory bit by bit. "Much hard speak."

Edd pursed his lips deep in thought.

He pointed at Tord. Then to the inside of his own house. He ducked out of frame for a second to lift up a toy.

They may not understand each other but the invitation was clear as day.

Want to come over and play?

Warmth flooded through Tord, his heart swelled, and his sadness was pushed aside for the time being as he hurried over to his friend's house. With Edd, at least, Tord could forget about his troubles and just have fun without a care in the world.

He's really fortunate that he found him.

Maybe Tord isn't as alone as he first thought...

Fun fact about this one-shot; it is loosely based on my own personal experience living in Norway for the very first time. I was about nine years old and there was a petting zoo beside my house and i decide to go there one morning right before leaving to this event with my family. I didn't know a lick of English, much less Norwegian, and somehow I managed to befriend this Norwegian kid who wouldn't stop following me around and talking to me. I had no idea what he was saying, and somehow i ended up leaving the petting zoo with him to eat ice cream down the street. It's only after like two hours passed that I realized "oh shit i had an event to go to and my mother is probably wondering where i am" XD So i ask the kid in broken english, exactly like tord does, to bring me back home huahuahua. Good thing i can look back to it now and laugh cause i was so scared when i returned home to a crying mother and police cars all around my house.

But anyways, thank you guys so much for your support; I really appreciate it! I hope you guys enjoyed the first one-shot, and I'll see ya'll later! ;)