Chapter Text
Tord leans back in the old dorm couch, red hoodie sleeves pushed up to his elbows, a cigarette hanging lazily from his lips—unlit, for once. His sharp eyes flick to the figure now standing in the doorframe the second it steps in, a smug little smirk crawling onto his face like he'd been expecting that person all along. — Tom.
"Well well... look who finally decided to show up."
He tilts his head, studying him with that familiar mix of boredom and amusement, like he was just another puzzle he's halfway solved.
it had been a rough week—hell a rough month—for Tom. Classes were piling up, he had barely scraped through his last exam, and to top it all off, the dorm felt like a pressure cooker. Matt's endless selfies and Edd's constant cheerfulness were already irritating, but Tord? Tord was something else entirely. He seemed to take up all the space in the room without saying a word, always leaning back with that smug half-smile, sketching, reading his adult magazines or tinkering with some random project. It made Tom want to scream—and he didn't even know why.
Currently, it was late—past midnight—and the dorm was quiet. Edd was holed up in his room with a book, and Matt's faint humming from the bathroom signaled yet another late-night skincare routine. The only one left in the living room was Tord, lounging on the couch. The door slammed open. Tom stumbled in, the faint smell of alcohol clinging to him like a second skin. His jacket slid off his shoulders and landed in a heap by the door. He was tired—tired of everything. Classes, crappy days, and the constant, infuriating presence of Tord.
Tom's POV:
When I stepped in, shutting the door behind me and loosing my jacket on the floor, his voice immediatly made me feel tense, I had to be on-guard all the time in his presence, just incase. I let out a groan, wanting to tell him to fuck off, but a cigarette sounded nice.
".. lighter sounds good enough."
I walked in his direction carefully, my eyes squinting slightly as I stood right infront of him, trying to look and figure out whether he had something weird in mind, something suspicious on him, anything that could annoy me even more — but when I found nothing, I just snatched the cigarette away from his lips in a swift yet stuttering motion. Thought it would be the safest one, and pulled it up between my lips, awaiting that lighter. I didn't even care that it had been between his lips, was too tired for that bullshit.
Tord's smirk widens as Tom grabs the cigarette, watching him with an almost predatory amusement. He fishes the lighter out of his pocket, snapping it open with a flick, the tiny flame dancing to life.
"Eager, aren't we, Tom?"
He leans up, holding the lighter out for Tom, but not before letting his gaze travel over him once more—taking in the tired slouch of his shoulders, the way his hair is just a bit ruffled from the wind. He had definitly been at the bar again.
"Rough day? You look like a gust of wind could knock you over."
My eyes flickered down to the lighter he had held out, lit up, for me to light the cigarette. I took a long drag on it, before looking back at him. I had apparently decided to sit next to him, because before I could even think, I was already on my way to plunge down on the couch next to him, blowing out the smoke after I answered.
"Rough days."
I corrected him, before I let myself sink into the couch, manspreading and head falling back onto the headrest. My arms pretty much also hanged off the headrest. I stared up at the ceiling, occasionally bringing my hand up with the cigarette between my index and middle finger, to take a drag, and then let my arm lazily hang off the headrest again.
Tord chuckled at Tom's correction, taking note of how Tom ended up sitting next to him, closer than he usually would. He lets him settle in, eyes flickering over Tom's sprawled form on the couch. For a moment, he just watches Tom in silence, taking in the way his clothes are slightly disheveled, the tired expression on his face, the way his hair falls across his forehead.
It's not often Tord sees Tom this vulnerable, and Tord can't help but find it... intriguing. But he pushes the thought away, not quite willing to admit it even to himself.
Tom closed his eyes in relaxation, even tho he was sitting right next to his enemy. — I was too tired to move any limb in my body, just focused on breathing and occasionally bringing up that damn cigarette to take a drag on. The memory of Tord's lips around the cigarette, that were between my own every drag I took. I tried to brush that off tho, it didn't matter, but at the same time I relished in it. Maybe I kinda again overdid it with the alcohol, but then again, I was no lightweight. Felt my hair fall across my forehead, some strands slightly tickling and bothering me, but I barely cared to sway them away. After some silence, I had slowly decided to open my eyes again, and almost totally forgot that he was still there, and right next to me. I didn't even notice how close we actually were, until now.
Whatever.
Tord can see the way Tom's body relaxes, the way the tension seems to leave his shoulders as he gives in to the exhaustion. It's almost… endearing, in a way. He's used to seeing him on edge and ready to fight, but this—this quiet, weary him—is something new. He doesn't know what to make of it yet. He takes this moment of silence to study him again, eyes traveling over his profile, taking in every slight motion. The stray strand of hair that falls across his forehead. The curve of his nose. The way his lips look around that cigarette.
Tom was a bit confused, but Tord seemed to be apparently zoned out, while staring at Tom, because he didn't look away when Tom looked at him and raised a brow. Tho he seemed laid-back and calm too. Tom turned his head to face him, taking a long drag from the cigarette and blowing a few rings onto Tord's face.
I couldn't hide the smirk on my face after the blown out smoke rings had snapped him out of it, and also from pride — I wasn't really a smoker, atleast not one like him, but still was quite skilled. And that only widened my smirk in pride.
"What, Do I got sum' on my face?"
I teased to loosen the thick tension around us a little. I knew we were usually brickering, yelling or even breaking stuff when together, it was nothing new, but right now, I was too tired and drunk for that. Maybe, just for tonight, we could get along a little – even tho I thought that would be nearly impossible, it was possible on some late nights, where we actually got along. We were almost opposites, yet so similiar — we both liked music, loud music, liked violence, guns, video games and comics. We just had our own preferences maybe, in comics especially — I wasn't really into adult comics/hentai like he was in example. I still think that's weird.
He's a freak
Tord snapped out of his thoughts when Tom blew those smoke rings in his face. Was he just staring at Tom? He blinks, eyes narrowing slightly as he takes in Tom's smug expression and the little tease in his voice. He can't help but smirk in return, the usual tension and irritation between you two shifting to something lighter.
"Yeah, you look like a drunken idiot."
He quips like nothing had happened, reaching over to flick the ash off that cigarette.
"But no, nothing on your face. Just your usual annoying mug."
I playfully rolled my eyes at his words. They lacked something they'd usually have, that more annoying something. I raised a brow in response, like a sarcastic 'oh yeah? Is that so?'. It kinda felt nice, to have the usual tension and irritation loosen up a little. I was still cautious, but more relaxed than I thought. I slightly tilted my head to the side, watching intently as he reached over to grab the cigarette back, and flicked the ash off in a nearby ashtray. He didn't give it back tho, not yet atleast. My own smirk never dissapearing, just softening the slightest.
Tord had also noticed the way the usual edge was missing from your interactions. There was still some tension, but it was different - less hostile, more… playful. It was almost strange to see Tom like this, relaxed and smirking instead of bristling like a cornered cat.
He held the cigarette just out of Tom's reach, a faint smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. He took a slow drag on it, watching Tom with an almost playful glimmer in his eyes. Tord was kinda testing the waters, to see if he'd get away with it, like he let Tom get away with it so casually.
"You know, Tom, you're almost bearable when you're not being a total dick."
Damn.
I continued watching intently, especially when he still didn't give my cigarette back, and instead took a slow and long drag on it, looking back at me with that look in his eyes — he definitly did that on purpose. My eyes narrowed to his lips and the cigarette between. That cigarette, that had been between his lips, then between mine, and now back between his again, damn. The view definitly fueled something in me, but I'd never admit it, rather tried to brush it off. My smirk turned to a grin, staring back deeply.
"Could say the same about you, Tord."
I had said his name, the same way, that he had said mine. There was obvious tension, but diffirent. Still heavy, but diffirent — like both of us were suddenly okay with eachother on the outside, but on the inside we watched every breath and step the other took, like watching its prey, only that both of us were hunting.
Tord chuckled, noticing the way Tom's gaze flickered to his lips on the cigarette, the way Tom's eyes narrowed. He knew damn well what he was doing, and seeing his reactions only fueled it further.
"Careful, Tom, you almost sound like you're giving me a compliment."
He exhaled, the smoke swirling around him. His smirk grew, watching Tom intently as the tension between them grew stronger. There was something… different about this exchange. Something more than their usual squabbling and insults.
This had to be a damn game.
They both moved, talked and breathed with precise action, sharp yet cautious. Even tho it seemed like they were so relaxed in the current moment, they both knew that they were more careful than noticeable. And they both felt that, now heavy, and diffirent tension, diffirent to their usual brickering and hitting, and unusual just talking about stuff they had in common that no one else understood.
Tom clenched his jaw, grinning again even more. He still hadn't given the cigarette back, even tho it was his, I had just smoked it.
"Oh, wouldn't you like that now, tord."
I again bit back, the same way he had done, playing this little back-and-forth game. His name started rolling off my tongue almost too casual, yet felt like poison —
the kind of poison you'd get addicted to.
Tord chuckled, taking another slow drag with that damn smirk on his face. This was odd — the casual banter, the way Tom said his name, the almost flirtatious tone in his voice. He was used to the animosity, the fighting, the constant insults. But this? This was… different. It felt like uncharted territory.
"Maybe I would."
He exhaled the smoke before continuing, his voice a low rumble.
"Not used to hearing you say my name without venom in your voice."
That fucker.
I raised both of my brows now, to such honesty. He was right after all, I only spit out his name when I had something hateful to say during arguments or squabbling. He on the other hand, would always try to annoy me by saying my name, and all the damn time. I couldn't stand it to just watch him take such slow and long drags while staring deep into my eyes. He was doing that on purpose. I lazily clenched my hand, before reaching over and grabbing the cigarette away from him.
"What, miss it already?"
I smirked, leaning back again, and now taking a very slow and long drag on the cigarette instead, while not daring to move my eyes off of him, basicially copying that deep look he had in his eyes while doing the same.
Basicially mocking, or not.
Tord narrowed his eyes, watching him take the cigarette away from him. A part of him wanted to snatch it back, but he also couldn't deny that this little game was... interesting, to say the least. He could see the challenge in Tom's gaze as he leaned back and took a slow, deliberate drag.
It was provoking.
"Watch it, smartass."
He leaned closer, his eyes fixed on Tom's, and a smirk on his lips.
"I was just getting comfortable with you actually being enjoyable for once."
Oh god.
I almost chuckled, grinning wider, and damn letting him lean closer. We were already sitting damn close, I wouldn't ever usually sit right next to him. Sitting down in his presence was hard enough already, usually atleast. But that didn't mean that something broke, that didn't mean that I didn't care. I actually still watched him very intently, very focused on every move he made, every breath he took, everything. And I was sure he was as cautious, sharp yet careful with his next steps. I took another long drag, letting it fill my lungs for a moment before blowing it lazily out my nose and mouth. My eyes still locked on his.
"Is that so."
I hate him.
Tord's smirk deepened, enjoying the way Tom was handling this little game. He could tell Tom was still on guard, still watching him closely. He was doing the same with him, taking in every little movement, every expression. It was almost like a cat and mouse game, but with... different motives.
"Don't sound so surprised."
He leaned closer still, closing the distance between them even more. His voice dropped to a low whisper.
"For once, you're not being a pain in my ass."
Shit.
I didn't know what kind of game this was, but it felt dangerous. He still leaned closer, closing the distance between us, and for some reason I didn't feel the need to push him away just yet, didn't feel the need to yell at him to move away, just watched carefully, incase he would do something suspicious. His voice dropped to a low whisper as he spoke, and I found it... somewhat amusing. I brought the cigarette up and left it hanging lazily between my lips. Why did I do that?
"Thought you liked it."
Tom sarcastically teased, but not too much of a provoking, rather playful instead. As if still testing the waters a little more.
Tord's smirk grew wider at Tom's sarcastic little tease. He was starting to enjoy this — whatever this was. The banter, the tension, the proximity. It was... unusual. Exciting. He couldn't deny the fact that he was finding Tom just slightly entertaining — and that was something he rarely felt.
"Maybe I do. When you're actually quiet for once."
His gaze flicked down to the cigarette between your lips, before meeting your eyes again. His voice lowered even more, practically a growl.
"Or when you have other things to keep your mouth occupied... "
What does that mean?
Tom tilted his head the slightest to the side, raising his brows in a mock of feeling offended, which he wasn't really, it was all just a game they were currently playing after all, to see who would lose first.
I had to bite back a chuckle, because for some reason, I actually started to find this entertaining, even the slightest, whatever this was, but obviously would I never admit that out loud. I rolled the cigarette between my lips, letting it swing from straight ahead to a lazy tilt. A lazy practiced move. The way he worded out his last words, sounded almost flirty, like an undertone, of implying to something else perhaps aswell — but I didn't want to read into it too much, might ruin the moment or sum'.. yet still I couldn't keep shut, and had to tease him about it instead, perhaps to distract my own self from it.
"Other things, huh."
He watched intently as Tom toyed with the cigarette, the lazy tilt of his head, the way his lips curved around the damn thing. It was... distracting. He didn't really care to make a lewd comment, connecting his thoughts. A part of him wanted to reach over and snatch it away, to take it for himself, but he held back. For now.
"Yeah, other things. You know... things that would keep your mouth so occupied, you wouldn't have time to spew smartass comments."
Tord leaned even closer, his eyes locked on Tom's as he lowered his voice even more, practically a whisper.
That was.. eh, weird? Whatever.
Tom still watched intently, while they sat on this couch, a grin on Tom's face while the cigarette lazily hung off almost at the corner of his lip.
Tord's words were definitly on purpose, wanting to imply or hint at something, but I wouldn't let him win, wouldn't let him know that I even read too much into it, or thought about it the slightest bit too much to actually mess, and or distract me in any way. My eyes were still locked on his as he kept leaning closer, like he was definitly testing the waters, looking how closer he could actually get away with, or maybe he just did and didn't think about it too much, making me look dumb overthinking it. And I am surprised at myself, because this actually felt nice, felt comforting in a way, felt quiet and as if we were somewhat getting along. A total diffirence to our usual banter. And damn, I let him too, that's honestly a huge thing, because I definitly barely would ever let him this close, letting him talk with me like that, and or talking with him at all like this.
What's up with me today?
Tord didn't miss the way Tom's grin widened at his words, the way he didn't react in the way he usually expected Tom to — defensive, bristling. No. The way Tom looked now, with the damn cigarette in his mouth, the lazy smile on his lips, the way he let him close. How the hell was this happening.
He continued to lean in, close enough now that his voice was barely a whisper, just a hint of a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth.
"Like I said. Occupied with something better."
I should move.
He was dangerously close now, and I knew he did that on purpose, but I also knew that he probably just wanted to take the cigarette back or something, or probably just wanted to rile me up, and maybe got a little lost while leaning in closer and closer. With him this close, it almost felt intimate, as I would never ever let him this close, and never would he move this close himself without reason. His words confused me a little,
'occupied with something better"'–could be understood in many diffirent ways,
it was very subtle tho, you really would have to pay attention to it — because he could either mean, what he'd usually mean: rather keeping shut than talking, or he was being a disgusting pervert. Going from the context, it was probably what made more sense for him to say, but the thought of him meaning it the other way just appeared in my mind. That was because he just had to repeat himself in such a implying tone, like damn. But hell, did it even matter?
"Mhmm..?"
Tord was so close now that he could practically feel Tom's breath on him, could see the faintest hint of uncertainty in his eyes — but Tom still didn't pull away. His eyes flickered to the cigarette, to his lips, to his eyes. He could see that Tom was thinking, that Tom was a little confused by the multi-meanings of his choice of words, but he couldn't resist seeing how far he could push this.
"Mhmm. Something better..."
He repeated, his smirk growing. His eyes lowered to Tom's lips again, lingering, taking in every little movement, every slight flinch. What was this...
Shit.
Tom still watched intently, focused on Tord like as if he had to be studied and analyzed. The way Tord repeated his words again, now sparked something through Tom —
Apparently my second-thought was right. And that only got approved even more when I noticed the way his eyes lowered to my lips more than once, lingering longer than they should, especially for an enemy. And still, for some reason, I let him. What I did do tho, is slightly lean back, when he was seriously getting dangerously close, but he had only leaned in even more, so that didn't do anything. I felt his warm breath slightly brush my skin. My breath probably stuttered for a second.
Will he take the damn cigarette now or not?!
I knew he was just provoking, teasing, pushing, just to get a kick out of this. But damn, I was too drunk for this, I just needed one more push and I would throw that cigarette away.
"Hmm? What do you got in mind?"
I wouldn't give in so easily tho, hah, he'd wish. No way would I lose this little game of ours.
no. fucking. way.
Tord smirked at the way Tom leaned back, the way his breath stuttered. He could see that Tom was trying to keep his cool, trying to keep this little game going. But damn if he wasn't getting impatient. He could feel the heat radiating off Tom, the tension building between you both. And when he asked him so casually, in that sarcastic tone, it just made his smirk widen even more.
"Oh, I can think of a few things..."
Just take the damn cigarette already.
I chuckled low, trying to hide the uncertainity in my thoughts, and how nervous I was getting, because it didn't feel like just a game anymore. I was really on the edge here, only holding back incase that this was, indeed, just a little tease of his, to get a kick out of. I swallowed hard, slowly bringing my hand up to the cigarette, that hung lazily off the corner between my lips, taking it between two fingers, before bringing it between his lips. But I didn't let go of the cigarette, pressing my fingers against his lips. A smirk grew on my lips while I watched.
If this was still a game, then the next point goes to me.
"Good for you then, because I can too."
Tord couldn't help the way his eyes darkened as Tom's fingers touched his lips, the way his words sent a jolt through him. Damnit, why was this affecting him so much? Why was he so focused on Tom, his mouth, those damn lips?! A part of him knew he should pull back, that this was getting out of hand, that he was playing with fire.
But at the moment, he didn't care. He was too focused on the feeling of Tom's fingers against his lips, and the way Tom was looking at him. only him.
"Is that so?"
Tord's voice was low, rough.
Just did, you motherfucker.
"Just did."
My smirk turned to a provoking innocent smile, that he did just to mock him. Eyes flicked down to Tord's lips, – finally looking away from his eyes before yet again quickly looking back.
I waited until he took a long intoxicating drag, with my slim and cold fingers still pressed against his lips, while holding the cigarette between them, and then slowly pulling the cigarette out of his mouth. Now I leaned in closer, bold and daring, playing along his little game, and as I had said before: not gonna give in that easily.
But there was something, something in our little game right now, that sparked something through me over and over. And it wasn't just amusement. My eyes had flicked down to linger on his lips again, this time longer as I leaned in even more, slightly tilting my head and a provoking grin on my face.
He watched, transfixed, as Tom mocked him with that goddamn innocent smile. His heart thumped so hard, it was all he could hear. And when he slowly leaned in, that cocky grin on Tom's face, his breath hitched.
Goddamnit, why was this turning him on so much. Tom was supposed to be an enemy, for god's sake. He was supposed to hate Tom. So why...
He leaned forward to meet Tom halfway, his eyes flickering to Tom's lips aswell, so close.
I was getting more nervous by the second, at the way he hadn't moved away, but instead leaned in even more to close the last remaining space.
Maybe this wasn't JUST a game anymore. Maybe this was something long and loud unspoken in the thick tension that always lingered around them. Maybe it was always there, and just came out to show when no one else could see, hidden away from the world.
CLIFFHANGER✌🏼