TWs: Loss of a loved one, past near-death experience, blood mention, insomnia, and worrying/anxiousness. Stay safe :)

"I'm sorry," Tom started, "what?"

Arthur sighed, "Your mother had entrusted me with documents pertaining to your family's... curse, telling me that once she died, I should destroy them immediately."

Tom opened his mouth to say something, but no sound came. He only stood in shock as he listened to the older.

"I was so close to destroying them, but..." Arthur gritted his teeth, "The Red General had other plans. He took the documents from me as he watched me nearly bleed out then and there. He would've done anything to get his hands on those papers, even if it meant killing his friend."

Tom still said nothing, clenching his fists as he felt his insides boiling. His anger wasn't directed toward Arthur; it was more toward the Red General, who was thankfully dead.

"I'm sorry for your loss." The taller spoke softly.

The bassist glanced up at him, "Do you... know what killed her?"

Arthur hesitated to answer that, his gaze wandering.

"Please." Tom nearly pleaded, almost begging to know what killed his mother.

"It's-" There was a pause as Arthur took a deep breath, "It's more like who killed her than what killed her."

Tom froze for a moment, "You mean...?"

A short nod from Arthur gave him all he needed to know.

Tears welled up in Tom's eyes, looking like a starry night was placed in his voids. He blinked, letting the small comets roll down his cheeks.

Arthur was silent, letting the smaller cry quietly. He wasn't the best at comforting others, opting to stand off to the side awkwardly.

"If it helps..." He spoke up, "I have stories about your mother when we were in school."

With a wavering voice, Tom gave him a short smile, "Thanks..."

Arthur nodded, still feeling guilt clawing at his heart, "Uh- let's continue, shall we?"

The taller continued walking, Tom frowning as he followed behind.

Larry seemed to be doing well. There was nothing to note, and he appeared to be okay. The doctors still didn't know when he was going to wake up.

The look on Arthur's face told Tom that he was suspicious of something, but the older left before he could question what it was.

Tom shrugged it off, opting to go home since Arthur was done talking to him.

Instead of going to his apartment, he decided to go to Matt's, knowing the ginger was at his uncle's.

Tom was still waiting on a former apology from Bing. He knows what he did, even if it happened seven years ago.

Walking inside Matt's apartment, he was instantly bombarded with the aroma of vanilla and gingerbread, probably to cover up the smell of the ginger's fridge, which most likely had bags of blood in it.

He wandered over to one of the walls, peering at the pictures displayed. It was a wonder how no one realized he had feelings for Matt; he was literally glancing his way in almost every portrait.

But he also understood that he was different. No one could ever discern where his gaze would stare. It was a mystery.

He was sometimes thankful for it. It would've been an awkward conversation to have if anyone found him staring at Matt, especially if the ginger in question saw him.

It made him wince at how obvious he was about his infatuation, but it was good that the others were oblivious.

Stepping into Matt's room, Tom sighed at the sight of the floor as soon as he walked in.

'He really needs to clean his room.' He thought as he stepped over a pile of clothes and avoided the novelty toys that were lying around.

The bassist huffed as he fell onto the bed face first, slowly relaxing as he contemplated his day.

"Larry will be back in shape before you know it, Uncle Bing," Matt stated as he gave him a cup of tea.

"I hope you're right..." He mumbled as he lightly held onto the cup, curling further into his sofa with his fluffiest blanket around him.

"I'm always right." Matt grinned.

Bing didn't respond to that, only rolling his eyes at his nephew's antics.

When the ginger looked at the time, his eyes widened, "Ah, I have to get going- I promised Tommy we were going to spend the evening at my place."

Bing raised an eyebrow, "'Tommy'...?"

"Yes, he's my uh-" Matt averted his gaze, "Friend. Totally unrelated to another friend I have."

His uncle slowly sipped his tea, not believing him, "If you say so..."

"I do say so." He nodded, "I'll text you later, Uncle Bing!"

"Be safe, kid."

Matt practically ran home, wanting to get there at the time he promised.

Of course, he was running a little late as he waited for the lift.

A small puff escaped his lips as he huffed for air, opening his apartment door. On his way to his room, he made sure to check that all his portraits were straight.

He didn't expect to see a figure lying on his bed face first.

"Tommy?" Matt spoke quietly, walking across the room toward his bed and stepping over the mess on the floor.

Tom had his arms around one of Matt's pillows, cuddling it. He had a habit of grabbing the closest thing to him when he was asleep, which the ginger found endearing.

Slowly sitting on the bed, Matt drifted his hand across an exposed area of Tom's back, making him shiver at the touch.

"Your hands are fucking cold," Tom muttered, slowly opening his eyes to gaze at his boyfriend.

"Sorry..." Matt smiled apologetically as he lay down with him, pulling the shorter one closer despite his fingers being cold.

Tom let go of the pillow he was cuddling, instead nestling his head on the taller's chest.

They were silent as they held each other, Matt closing his eyes as he burrowed his face in Tom's hair.

His eyes opened when he felt Tom prod him.

"Aren't you forgetting something?" He asked, frowning up at him.

"Uh..." Matt winced, "You know I'm bad at this game."

Tom rolled his eyes, "You can't sleep with contacts, Mattie."

"Oh, right." The ginger hummed, "How do you know that?"

"I saw the directions in the bathroom."

"Those directions are in the cabinet... why were you rummaging in my bathroom cabinets?"

"I was looking for headache medicine." Tom shrugged.

"Mm, makes sense." Matt nodded, remembering he had to deal with a hungover Tom.

Tord was working late that night, blueprinting and planning every possibility that came to his mind. It was far past midnight, and he dealt with everything quietly so as not to alert his roommates.

He always had nights like these where he would stay up for hours at a time. His record was a week and a half before Pat had intervened and demanded he slept.

He was on his sixth cup of coffee, his fingers shaking lightly as he labeled the parts on a blueprint he had before moving the material into his view, shining the overhead light so he could see what he was working with.

'That bolt needs to be put there... I need a different screw size for that.' He moved the material around before grabbing a screwdriver.

"Tord?" A voice spoke, making Tord jolt out of his thoughts as he dropped the tool.

"Ah- uh, Edd?" Tord glanced behind him, peering at the taller, "How'd you get in here?"

"You gave me a spare key," Edd said.

"Oh," Tord hummed, "That I did."

"What are you still doing up?" The brunet came closer, gazing at the blueprints on his desk.

"I'm working." The Norsk picked up the screwdriver, getting ready to continue.

"This late?" Edd's eyes widened, "Are you crazy?"

"I tried to take over the world by spreading communism. Of course, I'm crazy." Tord stated.

Edd rolled his eyes, smacking the screwdriver out of Tord's hand, "You're going to bed."

"I can't- I have to finish this by... today." Tord had to glance at the time.

"Why today? It's not like anything will happen if you don't finish it."

"Don't jinx it."

"I thought you didn't believe in jinxes and karma..."

Tord was silent as he stared at the blueprints with a tired gaze, prompting Edd to look at him worriedly.

"Is this about the Black Army?" Edd asked softly.

"Kind of." Tord sighed, "I'm just worried about Pau. He's barely said anything after I told him about the Black Army."

Edd gazed at him, slowly wrapping his arm around him, "Maybe he needs time to process the news."

"Maybe... but it's just paining me that I can't help him." Tord slumped forward into Edd's arms, burrowing into the grey fabric of his shirt.

The taller one enveloped the shorter one in his arms, softly kissing his forehead, "I know..."

The Norsk felt Edd pick him up, Tord gasping as he held onto Edd's shoulders, "Agh, E-Edd!"

Edd chuckled, "Calm down; I'm not going to drop you."

The brunette carried him to the bed, laying him down gently.

"See? You're fine." Edd spoke as he stood up.

Tord huffed, feeling his face flush as Edd lay down beside him. He took his metal arm off, placing it on the bedside table along with his eyepatch.

"Now, go to bed." Edd smiled, placing another kiss on his forehead.

The shorter grumbled under his breath before nestling close to the taller, finally able to sleep.