Work Text:
‘Tik tok tik tok tik tok’
The clock on the wall continued to tick in the dim office. The wall’s all a dark shade of red, making the room feel darker than it was. In the middle of the room sat Red Leader, shifting through the documents on his desk. News reports, hostage information, costs of building repairs. He looked miserable.
He was miserable.
He let out a sigh and ran his fingers through his hair. His head was throbbing, every time he blinked he was hit with another wave of pain. But he couldn't rest, so much had happened in the past week and there was so much work to be done. He knew this all too well. He had to keep working. He had to-
A knock on the door was heard. It was a very specific kind of knock. He knew who it was.
“Come in Thomas.” He raised his voice, making sure he could be heard through the door. Tom opened the door, he looked just as tired as Tord.
Tom nodded his head to Tord, “Sir.”
“Do you have any updates on the issue with the rebellion?” It had been plaguing everyone's thoughts for weeks. The rebellion was starting to take back small pieces of property, one at a time. Not only was this happening, but one of the more important rebels had disappeared. No one knew where he went. He didn’t seem to be playing any part in the push back coming from the rebellion, but this was someone Tord knew personally. He needed to keep track of him.
“No sir, the army is doing everything they can to hold them back…And Matt and I haven’t caught wind of Edd yet…”
“Thank you, Thomas…” Tord hunched over in his chair, his face resting in the palm of one of his hands.
“Sir?” Tom paused, looking back to the door before asking in a hushed tone, “If you need me to leave I can-”
Tord’s eyes shot back up to Tom’s, cutting the man off, “Please don’t… I…”
The words ‘I need you’ almost leaving his lips, but he stopped himself at the last second, and turned to look away again. Tom looked at him, he knew what he was trying to convey. Tom walked over to the Red Leader, standing side by side to the man sitting in his chair.
Tom extended his hand out to Tord. It was a small action. Tord shifted his tired eyes, staring at the extended hand. He let out a small huff of exhaustion, deciding to give into the small gesture of comfort, slowly bringing his hand out, just enough to find the others. His hand loosely clung to Tom's and he gave a little squeeze.
Tom squeezed back as a way to show reassurance. And as the two held hands behind the desk, Red Leader felt something. Trust. Complete and utter trust. He trusted Tom, and Tom trusted him. But after those long few years of the two having a strained relationship it felt like that trust would never come back. But it did.
“Thomas…” Tord said, hesitant.
“Yes sir?”
Tord looked Tom in the eyes, giving a weak, but genuine smile, “...Can I have a hug?”
“... If that’s what you want sir.” Tom’s voice struggled to stay in a formal tone, he knew too well how Tord was feeling. He was feeling it himself. Maybe they both needed this.
“Please…” Tord whispered.
After a moment of hesitation, the two slowly embraced. They could hear each other's heart beats. They could feel the deep shuddering inhale of relief that they both took. They could have this moment, this small moment, where it felt like there was someone who actually cared.
Another moment passed.
“Tom…” Tord spoke first, still holding onto Tom.
Tom’s digital eyes stayed closed, “Yes sir?”
“We really don't need to keep this to ourselves anymore.”
“I know…”
“We don't have to hide, it’s not like anyone will judge us here, I am in charge after all..”
Tom’s visor flicked for a second before he opened them, “I know sir…”
Tord pulled away from the hug, it was as if he was doing it against his own will, “But we aren’t going to do that, are we?” Tom gave a bit of a guilty look, he shook his head. Even if no one here would care, it would leave them seeming vulnerable to their enemies. Them having an open relationship would damage everything. Tord didn’t know what he would do if he lost Tom because of it going public.
“We are pretty pathetic aren't we.”
Tom let out a small sad huff of amusement, "Definitely."
Tord looked back to his desk, his exhaustion weighing even heavier now.
“God, why did Edd have to be such a fool? I was just trying to help, why can't he see that?” He thought to himself out loud.
“You know Edd, nothing stands between him and his cola, even if it’s the ingredients in it killing him over time.” Tom gives a sad, reminiscent smile.
“Well seeing how long he's been drinking them, I guess I shouldn't be surprised that he ended up going crazy.”
The two share a chuckle, the humor lightening the mood, even if only a little.
‘Nock nock’
Tom and Tord’s attentions shift to the door.
“Red Leader, I’ve come to remind you that your 4 o clock meeting starts in 30 minutes.” Patryk's muffled voice could be heard coming through the other side of the door.
“Oh, yes, thank you Patryk, I will be out in 10 minutes.”
Tom’s gaze shifts back to Tord, “I guess I should be going now.”
“Yeah…”
Tom walks over to the door, but before opening it, he turns back.
“If you ever need anything sir, I’m here.”
“Thank you.”
Tom turns the doorknob.
“And Thomas?”
“Yes sir?”
“You don't need to call me sir when it’s just us.”
Tom smiles, “ Okay, Tord.”
Tord stares at the ceiling as the click of the door closing can be heard. He should really get ready for his meeting.