Tom was always a laid back and kind guy. Loyal to a fault. Great at figuring out things. Always wanting to help others and striving for the best. Even with himself being in Chaotic. The real world him did many sports for fun. He was the top athlete and the star baseball player. He was childhood friends with Kaz. Who was his first friend turned to best friend. They were damn near inseparable. Sometimes they were even more than just best friends. Even if Tom had a hard time figuring out his own feelings. They had a solid bond. He enjoyed the closeness he had with Kaz. He swore a promise to always protect him. He couldn't see a life without him. They even rented an apartment together too not far from their parent's houses. They were going to explore this world and all the fun places together if they could. An exciting adventurous endeavor for the future. Nothing will stop that. He'd make sure of it.
The two of them had been busy that day with their own devices. They weren't always together. Even if they tried to be by setting up their schedules revolving around each other the best they could. Today was no different from any other. They planned to meet up at the batting cages. Tom was practicing to stay in top form. He always preferred a metal bat with some good weight behind it. A lovely polished finish with the exception of the scuff marks from repeated hits of the baseball. Kaz was busy with some more techy geeky nerd stuff. Tom was into the comic books and games and shows of anime. Yet some things just went over his head no matter how hard he tried to understand. Kaz was just better at the finer details of the inner workings of electronic and various tech. Still didn't stop Tom from enjoying the ramblings of his friend. Sometimes he rather listen to Kaz's aimless chatter than deal with the silence around him. Yet today he had to practice. He didn't want to get rusty on his techniques. Also, he was rather enjoying himself at the moment with his skill improving with each resounding hit of the ball. He was almost done with his time, and he would need to clean up as soon as he was done. He felt the buzz of excitement and adrenaline every time he exercised. Kaz would usually call him an adrenaline junkie when he would get too hyped up.
Upon finishing his training session, he cleans up and puts the equipment back where they belong. He takes a drink to cool himself off. Kaz should be arriving soon. Though... Why was Tom feeling this overwhelming sense of foreboding? He always had an inkling for things yet to pass. Even if it wasn't exactly accurate to what he thinks will happens. It was just intuition he supposes. He shakes his head to try and dismiss the feeling. He had to head to the exit to meet up with Kaz. As he makes his way, he couldn't help but here a commotion nearby. The clattering of something being slammed into the trash bins near the back. Did something fall? He is about to keep walking and ignore it until he heard a scream. He freezes however as he recognized it. Was that Kaz?! He immediately rushes his way to the exit and sprints towards the back area. He skids to a stop as he sees those two idiots from the football team throw Kaz to the ground. Those were the same two who constantly picked on Kaz. For the longest time. He didn't care too much for them. He would glare at them every time they talked down to Kaz with rude and insulting remarks. Even put up with them shoving Kaz. Tom always comforted them after. He couldn't exactly do anything to them without seeming like the aggressor. He hated it. Hated not being able to return their abuse back at them. He constantly went off on them and warned them. They laughed in his face. They knew they couldn't be touched cause by all technicality, they didn't leave any injuries. They were smart in that department on campus grounds. However. This wasn't the case for the batting cages at the park.
Seeing his friend curled up on the ground with shattered glasses discarded not too far away. The whining and tears in his eyes as he growled at his attackers. Almost hissing like a cornered animal. He wasn't for screaming because he didn't want to give those guys the satisfaction. Meaning the initial scream was one of shock and surprise. There were bits of blood splattered on the large metal bin he must have been thrown against. Kaz was never a sturdy guy and was a bit frail from rough handling. He even had several bruises already forming. The two jocks were taunting him and kicking him. All Tom could see was red. That blood was enough of a reason to finally show them exactly how he felt. In his mind, what he was about to do was justified. Taking their distraction in his favor. He rushes forward without a word. That metal bat reared back as he ran. There truly was no warning given this time. He wouldn't give them the respect for that. If they want to be underhanded and catch Kaz off guard. Then so would he.
Time seemed to slow down as Kaz saw a third figure rapidly approach them, he feared it was one of their friends late to the beat down party. His eyes widen ever so slightly as he recognized Tom. The sickening crack resounded in the narrow area as the metal bat came in contact with the star quarterback's head. The momentum damn near giving the guy whiplash as he crashed to the ground off to the side, crumpling into a heap on the concrete. His friend turning in shock only to get the air from his lungs knocked out by a follow up strike to the gut. Stumbling back and choking as he tried desperately to breathe. His vision blurred as he saw his friend on the ground with blood coming from his head. A figure shoving pass to stand between them and the ginger on the ground. A look of unbridled rage in blue eyes staring him down. An overwhelming presence of seething hate was coming off Tom. "I warned you. Time and time again. To leave Kaz the fuck alone. You and your damn friend kept laughing. Mocking me on what I was gonna do. Well. Now you found out exactly what I'm going to do to you if you don't leave, now." He spat angrily, looking close to being almost feral.
The quarterback on the ground was barely able to even push himself up enough to get a look at who attacked him. His vision doubled and blurred as the figure with the bat faded in and out. A slight haze was clearing from his vision but there was so much pain as his head felt like was going to explode. The faint feeling of something warm and wet dripping from a large split on the side of his head. The searing pain of barely being able to remain conscious. "T-Tom...?" Was all he was able to manage. His friend beside him stared in horror at the brutality this ebony haired guy could do. "What... What the fuck man!?" He shouted at Tom. "If you don't take your friend and leave. I will make sure you end up just like him." He said taking a menacing step forward. "So... Sick and tired of you verbally abusing my friend. My Kaz!" He snapped. "What did he ever do to you two, for you to hate him so much!?" He questioned as he continued his approach while clenching the bat and twirling it as if he was winding up for another strike.
At this point the one with the bruised ego had managed to right his concussed friend. He tried to speak but he couldn't find the words to defend himself. It was just fun to constantly shit on the redhead. He was a fanatic fanboy for some demon guy from a stupid card game. So obsessed with the game, he would talk crazy stories about it. Going on and on as if those monsters actually existed. He was just all around crazy! Though. This would not be a good answer to give Tom in the moment. He also couldn't properly think due to how insane this situation is currently. His friend's blood was on this dude's baseball bat! Even splattered slightly across his face. In this moment, Tom looked to be the insane crazy one. Just how long has Tom been waiting for the day to exact retribution on them? He always thought Majors was bluffing all those times. To see that he wasn't was terrifying. He stumbles backwards while supporting his friend.
"Well?" Tom asked with a venom. The jock shook his head. "Really? Not even going to defend yourself?" Tom snorts. His sneer morphs into a snarl as Kaz manages to shuffle to his feet. "I'm going to make both of you regret being born." Tom said as he was about to rush them, only to be stopped by Kaz clumsily latching around his waist in a failed attempt to go after him. Tom paused mid-swing and just glared at the two. Feeling Kaz cling to his clothes as he tried to stay steady. It brought Tom out of his bloodlust. The bat slowly lowering to the side, allowing the jock to hobble off with his now unconscious friend. "I won't let you go next time..." Tom says lowly.
Tom knows he can get overprotective to a point of acts of violence. He just tries to control himself. He isn't the kind of person who just goes around causing problems. His rage only truly comes out when in dire situations of needing to protect those he loves. He loves Kaz, loves him enough to exact vengeance upon others who hurt him. Kaz's touch would be the only thing to really hold him back from doing the unthinkable. Tom has to take deep breaths to calm himself. Focusing on the ginger clinging to his back. He drops the now dented metal bat and reaches a hand back to hold Kaz's arm. He turns to help Kaz stand up. Holding him close and running one hand through his hair and down his back. He brings them to be leaning against a wall so he can fully support Kaz's weight. "Everything is going to be alright. I told you... I will always protect you." He says hugging him closer. Anything to help soothe his friend.
After Kaz calms down. Tom picks at his clothes to pull them up and look him over. So many bruises already half formed from the abuse. A large gash on his side and several scrapes. He notices the blood on Kaz's fist. Did he throw a punch? Tom doesn't exactly remember cause all he saw was red in the moment. One of the bullies may have had a bit of blood coming from their nose. He couldn't be sure. He was so focused on protecting Kaz to really notice or care. With a heavy sigh at the analysis of his friend's condition. He picks up Kaz's busted glasses. Tom will need to lead Kaz home by the hand or just carry him. Probably carrying him would be a better choice given Kaz's current mental state. He was shaken up bad. He also looks annoyed and even guilty. Annoyed for getting jumped by those damn thugs or maybe the pain he was currently feeling. The guilty look was probably due to him having to once again be a burden to Tom. At least that's how Kaz felt. Tom knew his line of thinking and voices a correction. "You will never be a burden, Kaz." He says giving a soft kiss to his forehead after making him look up enough. "Let me carry you home. Okay?" He says softly. Kaz nodding before wrapping his arms around Tom's shoulders. A timid "Sorry." Leaves Kaz. "Don't be sorry. I'll take care of you. Like I always have." Tom reassures. He manages to put his bat into its carry bag. Looping it over one of his shoulders unobstructed by Kaz's arms. He easily picks Kaz up and carries him. One hand against his back and the other under his legs. He makes sure he has a good hold on him and makes their way back to their apartment.
He will and forever always protect the person who means the world to him. Even if it means getting his hands dirty from time to time. Hopefully the message sinks in that nobody messes with the one he cherishes most.
