TWs: Hospital/scars mention, the same cliff, graves/death of a loved one, not remembering, self-deprecation/insecurities, and falling off a (small) bridge. Stay safe :)

After a few weeks of recovery, the three were released from the hospital. Not without scars, of course.

Before they decided to go back to England, Pau told Tord there was one more place he would like to visit.

Everyone, except Pat, was wary when Pau brought them to the army base. Then the others were confused when he showed them a path leading up to a cliff.

Pau stopped when he stood across from the grave, turning to Tord, "I'm sorry I didn't show you this place sooner. I just couldn't bring myself to do it."

The taller stood aside, allowing Tord to see the grave. The Norsk stood frozen for a moment as he stared silently at the inscription.

Then he slowly sat on the ground, tears streaming down his face.

"Mamma..." He whispered.

Pau kneeled beside him, comforting Tord the best he could.

Tom looked at the scene, empathy lacing his features. He glanced around the scenery, feeling tranquil for once. His void eyes then landed on another grave not too far from them.

This piqued his interest, so he decided to investigate. Edd and Matt noticed him walking off, so they decided to follow him.

Theresa
'I want to go out with a BOOM, not a BANG- explosions are so much cooler, y'know?'

When Tom read the inscription, he froze. That name looked familiar to him, but why? It was a fairly common name.

"Who's Theresa?" Edd asked behind Tom.

Pau noticed them gathered around the other grave, deciding to speak on it, "She was a friend of Snefrid."

Edd and Matt nodded and left it at that, but Tom decided to ask a question, "What did she look like?"

Everyone looked at him, even Tord peeking up a bit.

"Uh- Tom?" Edd looked at him in concern, "Why do you want to know?"

"I don't know- I just have to," Tom replied, looking at Pau.

Pau glanced around as he hesitated to answer, "She looked like she could've been a relative of yours."

Tom said nothing, opting to walk away. He heard some of the others calling after him, but he ignored them.

The others watched him leave, Pau sighing afterward, "Damn it..."

"I'll go get him," Matt spoke, walking in the direction Tom went.

Tom's wounded leg was getting tired, so he chose to rest on a stone bridge that arched over a river. He sat on the railing where his feet dangled off, deciding to reflect.

Now he knew what it was like to be Matt- he couldn't remember anything about his parents.

Specifically, his parents.

It was like his parents were cut off from him.

He wished it was the same with his aunt and uncle.

Matt watched the bassist for a bit, admiring his beauty. He didn't usually call anyone beautiful except himself, but that was because he was insecure and needed validation. Tom made the ginger want to focus on his natural beauty more.

Matt walked up, leaning against the railing, "Hey."

Tom jumped, not expecting anyone to follow him, especially Matt.

"May I?" The taller gestured to the railing.

"Oh, sure." Tom slid over, allowing Matt to join him on the bridge.

"So, what happened?"

The shorter frowned, not exactly knowing the answer to that.

Matt looked at him, "Well, how about we start with what's on your mind?"

Tom sighed, "Don't you hate it when you can't remember?"

"All the time." Matt nodded.

"I can't remember my parents- I can remember bits and pieces, such as the song my mom sang to me, but it's all a blur." Tom huffed.

"Do you have any gifts from them?"

"What? Why do you ask?"

"I always save things from our adventures. You didn't think I had all that junk in my room just to- well- collect, did you?"

Tom looked at him, shocked he never noticed.

"I was also asking because some items can tell a story; you just have to look closely to see it." Matt smiled.

Tom chuckled, "No matter how many times I look at Tommy Bear, I'm pretty sure he isn't gonna tell me."

"Your teddy bear is named Tommy Bear?" Matt grinned.

"...No."

"That's so cute!"

Tom covered his reddened face in his hands, groaning loudly as Matt laughed.

The duo calmed down, opting to watch the winding river.

"We should head back before the others get worried," Matt spoke.

"Yeah, but it's more peaceful here than with Tord," Tom replied.

"Be nice, Tom." Matt rolled his eyes as he placed his hand on the railing.

"I'll be nice when he's not an asshole." The bassist hummed as he unknowingly placed his hand on Matt's.

They both froze at the contact, suddenly feeling a sense of déjà vu.

Matt glimpsed at him, "I admire your beauty."

Tom looked at him, red-faced and wide-eyed, "Do you need glasses? I look like shit."

"I think you look beautiful." Matt fully turned to him, feeling a burst of confidence.

"Really?" Tom analyzed him, hoping it wasn't a joke.

"Mhm, everyone has their own natural beauty-" The ginger was feeling bold, so he took the bassist's hand and kissed it softly, "But yours is my favorite."

'I really hope I'm not dreaming.' Tom thought to himself as he stared at the other.

Matt started to get worried when Tom didn't respond, only stared at him.

"Can you pinch me?" The shorter asked.

Matt blinked, "Uhm- okay?"

The taller pinched Tom on the arm, prompting a small 'ow' from him.

"Okay, good, I thought I was dreaming..." Tom sighed in relief as he looked up at Matt.

"You dream about me?" Matt smirked.

"Oh, shut up." Tom rolled his eyes, pushing Matt.

"Woah-!"

Matt was close to the railing's edge, so he ended up falling into the river, taking Tom with him since they were still holding hands.

The river was shallow, so they were able to pull themselves out of the water effortlessly. They collapsed beside each other, out of breath.

"Is your leg okay?" Matt inquired.

"Yeah..." Tom uttered.

There was a pause.

"Matt?"

"Yes?"

Tom hesitated, "Would you like to... hang out with me sometime?"

Matt grinned teasingly, "Like a date?"

The shorter grunted, "...Yes."

"There's your answer."

"Why are you two soaking wet?" Edd asked, looking at the duo as they returned.

"Fell off a bridge," Tom replied.

"What?" Edd looked at him in concern.

"It was a small one, don't worry." His friend voiced.

"Okay- Matt, did you put on sunscreen after you got out of the water?"

"Of course I did," Matt enunciated, still rubbing sunscreen on his face.

"Good; is everyone ready to go?"

Tom hesitated, glancing at the grave of his mother, "There's one more thing I need to do."

Walking up to the grave, Tom knelt as he pulled something off his keychain.

"I don't use this anymore- it's mainly just a keepsake now," Tom spoke as he placed his first guitar pick by his mother's grave, "With some kind of miracle, it might be here next time I visit."

He stood up, peering down at the grave.

"Goodbye, Mom."