[Matt Voice] Uh

He doesn’t need to look to know Matt’s cheeks are pink. 

“Edd is making breakfast.” Matt tells him, fingers never stilling their soft combing through his messy hair. “Tom is fetching coffee and donuts from that place you like downtown.”

“Mmm.” He hums, wiggling closer still. He finally peeks an eye open, heart thumping erratically at Matt’s soft smile. 

“Shall we?”

He answers by leaning up and pressing a soft kiss to his lips. When their lips part he flips onto his back to stretch before he wiggles out of the bed. Matt’s fingers brush his cheek before the redhead leaves their room, heading for the bathroom. 

Tord fumbles on the ground and winds up with one of Tom’s sweaters, and as he yanks it on steps into two random slippers - winding up with one purple and one cola print. 

As he nears the kitchen the now familiar flare of anxiety makes his heart rate stutter, but now that he’s used to it he pushes through and steps into the kitchen. The smell of bacon fills his head and helps ease the anxiety- the sight of Edd humming at the stove finishes the process. 

Content, he crosses the kitchen and slides his arms around Edd’s middle, pushing his face into the back of his shoulder and humming happily. 

“Good morning.”

“Good morning baby.” Edd beams, leaning back ever so slightly into Tord’s embrace. 

The Norwegian inhales deeply, the warm and familiar scent of Edd doing much to soothe the anxiety that forever lives in the back of his mind. Life is fragile -he’s always known that, he’s taken hundreds- and after what Stephan had done he isn’t sure that anxiety will ever leave him. 

Anxiety that something will happen to one of his boyfriends. Anxiety that this is all a dream, that he’s still screaming until his throat is raw in their bed and his mind is playing cruel tricks on him.

He inhales again and it helps him push that little voice to the back of his mind. 

“Well good morning gorgeous.” Tom’s voice pulls him the rest of the way out of his potential spiral and Tord giggles as arms wind around his back. 

The noise turns into a half shriek as Tom shoves his cold hands up the front of Tord’s sweater. 

“Tom!” 

Tom laughs delightedly, pulling him closer. 

“Ah, sweet payback.” He chuckles, tilting his head so he can press soft kisses across Tord’s cheek. 

He doesn’t know how, but Tom always seems to know when his mind is taking things in an unsavoury direction. Since he’d started seeing Veronica twice a week it was gradually becoming easier to halt those trains of thought himself- but his boyfriends helped tons as well. 

He probably would’ve had to have himself committed if it wasn’t for them. 

“What time is your appointment today?” Edd asks softly, stepping away from the stove to wind his arms around Tord, leaving the Norwegian sandwiched between him and Tom. 

Tord relaxes happily into it, heart warming. 

“One.”

“Perfect, I’ll drop you off after breakfast.” Edd offers. Before Tord can reply, Matt enters the room. 

“What time is your appointment?” He asks, and Tord blinks. 

“One.” He says again. 

“I’ll drive you, Susan just called me and had to move mine to today, it’s at one thirty.”

“Okay.” Tord agrees. 

Matt joins the hug eagerly, squeezing them all and pressing quick kisses to each of their cheeks before releasing them. Once he does, Edd scurries back to the stove so the eggs don’t burn. 

~~~~~~~~

“Good morning!” Veronica greets as Tord steps in, a warm smile on her face. He smiles back as he takes a seat on her couch. “How are we feeling today?”

“Good.” He replies honestly. “We had breakfast this morning.”

“That sounds wonderful. Any anxiety?” She asks softly, knowing very well about his kitchen door issues. 

“Yeah.” He admits. “It was easier to push through today, though.”

He thinks he sees something akin to pride in her eyes and the upward twitch of her lips.

~~~~~~~

“How did your visit with Alicia go?” Tord asks as he hears the front door open, head turning toward the noise despite the fact that he has no hope of seeing the door from his position sprawled upside down on the sofa. 

“Great.” Edd responds blandly, and silence swallows them until his head peeks down from between Tord’s legs where they’re hanging over the back of the couch. He beams down at his boyfriend. “I missed you.”

Tord grins, hands reaching up to cup Edd’s cheeks.

“I missed you too.” 

Edd leans down, fully intending to kiss Tord silly, only to withdraw with a shriek when cold hands are shoved up the back of his sweater. Tord howls with laughter as Edd writhes away from Matt, sputtering protests as Tom cackles by the door.

“Did you just have your hands in a bloody snowbank?!” Edd squawks, stumbling and falling into the armchair. Matt laughs delightedly.

“Yes.” He grins. “Eduardo and Mark are building a snowman outside.”

“Eduardo wants to talk to Tord.” Tom says after a moment, and the colour leaves Tord’s face.

It’s been nearly six months since he’d found himself on Eduardo’s doorstep. Eduardo had been genuine in his forgiveness- he hadn’t made a single negative remark toward Tord since. Not even a dirty look. On the flip side, he didn’t do anything positive either, aside from the occasional wave. 

“Did he say why?” Tord asks weakly.

Veronica was helping a lot -especially in terms of the Jon guilt, despite the fact that he couldn’t fully explain that situation- but he knows it’ll take longer than six months to stop feeling that familiar burning flare of anxiety when Eduardo is mentioned. Edd’s expression is guarded as he watches Tom for an answer. Tom shakes his head.

“No, but he promised it was civil.”

“You don’t have to go talk to him.” Matt says immediately, and Tord sighs heavily.

Deep down, he knows he doesn’t have to. He could refuse and Tom would go tell Eduardo that he wasn’t coming, and they’d move on. But he feels like he owes him this; Eduardo had listened when Tord turned up on his doorstep, the least he could do is return the favour and hear whatever he has to say- even if it’s to take back his forgiveness. 

“I know. But I think I should.”

“Okay.” Edd agrees, holding out a hand to help him up.

Once he’s on his feet Tom shucks his jacket and holds it out in offering. Tord grins, accepting the warm jacket and burrowing into it. He steps into his sneakers and steals Matt’s gloves and Edd’s hat from the bench seat by the door before stepping out into the cold. Tom murmurs a soft assurance before he closes the door. 

Eduardo is waiting by the fence, and surprise flits across his face when he spots Tord. Anxiety leaving a nasty taste in the back of his throat, he swiftly crosses the yard, shoving his hands in his pockets in an extra attempt at warmth. Snow is falling quickly, no doubt due to the storm they’d been warned of on the news this morning. As if sharing the thought, Eduardo’s gaze flicks upwards.

“Hey.” Tord says awkwardly, and Eduardo nods once.

“Hey. I wasn’t sure if you’d come.” 

“I figure I owe you that much. You heard me out when I said my piece, the least I can do is return the favour.” He explains. Eduardo nods again.

Silence swallows them for a moment as the snow falls and Eduardo studies his face, dark green thoroughly studying the lines in the Norwegian’s face. Tord’s gaze flicks to the side and his lips twitch upward ever so slightly when he catches sight of Mark in the window, determinedly pretending he isn’t watching. A full smile breaks out when Mark realizes he’s been caught and ducks behind the curtains.

“He’s watching?” Eduardo guesses, and Tord nods. “So are yours.”

Tord isn’t sure how to respond to that. He isn’t sure if it would be appropriate to look away and break whatever atmosphere has surrounded the two of them, so he doesn’t move. His hands shake slightly in his pockets, and he determinedly tells himself that it’s because of the cold and not because he’s scared of Eduardo.

“I…” Tord starts, but he doesn’t know what to say. He doesn’t even know where to begin. After a moment of hesitation his mouth shuts and he sighs softly. That seems to be enough to prompt Eduardo into speaking.

“I meant it when I said I forgive you.” He says slowly, and Tord awkwardly nods once. “At least… I thought I did. I do.” He pauses, huffing an aggravated sigh, and Tord shifts uncomfortably.

“Is everything okay?” He asks, and Eduardo nods once.

“I’ve been seeing someone. A therapist. He’s helped me work through… everything.” Eduardo admits, shoving his hands roughly into his pockets. “I meant what I said when I told you I forgave you, but he also helped me understand that I wasn’t in the right state of mind to mean that as much as I wanted to.

I forgave you because it was the right thing to do. I forgave you because I could see the guilt plain on your face like it was written in black marker. I forgave you because I didn’t want you to die guilty. I meant it.”

Understanding flashes across Tord’s face, and his posture instantly relaxes. Now that he knows why Eduardo had asked to speak to him his anxiety eases away, hands stilling in his pockets.

“I understand.”

“I’m in a better place now. I’m a lot better. There’s still a long way to go.” Eduardo’s gaze turns skyward once more, and Tord finds himself following the motion so they’re both gazing up into the dark clouds, snowflakes falling quickly across their faces.

“I know what you mean.” Tord says after a moment, and the first smile Tord has ever seen on Eduardo’s face tugs at his lips. It’s small, but it’s definitely there. It feels like a load off of Tord’s shoulders. 

“I know.” Eduardo’s gaze returns to Tord’s face, and Tord follows the movement once more. “I’ve heard you guys talking about therapy.”

“It helps.” He says lamely, and Eduardo snorts softly. Tord knows he’d understood what he meant.

“It does.” He agrees. “Look, Tord, I just wanted to tell you I forgive you. Sincerely. I forgive you. Edd was right when we fought, I didn’t know anything about you- and I still don’t. You’ve been through some fucked up shit, that ordeal with that Stephan guy painted a clear enough picture.”

At the mention of Stephan Tord’s stomach lurches unpleasantly, but he bites on his tongue to keep from speaking. 

“I understand that it was an accident. We both forgive you.”

Tord takes a deep, steadying breath. Unintended, a smile pulls at his lips.

“Thank you.” His voice is barely a whisper, and Eduardo nods slightly. “I don’t deserve your forgiveness-” Eduardo interrupts, voice firm, before he can continue that train of thought.

“Yes you do.” 

And Tord stops. Unbidden, Veronica’s voice passes through his mind. 

You have to let yourself be forgiven. You have to believe you deserve to be forgiven.

Taking another deep breath he nods once.

“Okay. Okay, you’re right. Thank you for forgiving me.”

The smile returns to Eduardo’s face, this time a little bigger.

“You’re welcome.” 

“Don’t forget the cookies!” Mark’s voice hollers from the doorway, and both turn just in time for the door to slam shut. Huffing a soft laugh, Eduardo rolls his eyes. He stoops, grabbing a plastic bag with a tupperware container inside it from the snow.

“Mark has been on a baking rampage this year.” He says, holding out the bag to Tord. “We wanted to share the riches. I thought it might mean more if I gave them to you instead of the others.”

Tord takes it, peeking inside to see an array of cookies through the clear lid of the container. His smile widens, almost hurting his cheeks.

“Thank you.” He says again, and Eduardo reaches over the fence to lightly squeeze Tord’s shoulder. 

“Enjoy. I’m going to head back inside.” Is all he says. 

Tord watches in stunned silence as Eduardo treks back toward his front door. The man glances back as he opens the door, and the two lock gazes for a moment. He nods once, and disappears through the door.

On autopilot Tord turns and makes his way back across the lawn, his original tracks through the snow completely gone, covered by fresh snow while he’d spoken to their neighbour. The door is pulled open by Tom before Tord can even reach for the handle.

“What did he want?” Matt asks before Tom can do more than open his mouth.

Still slightly bewildered from the unexpected exchange Tord lifts his arm, and all three of his boyfriends look to the bag.

“He gave us cookies.” He says. “And forgave me.”

A collective sigh of relief sweeps through the room, and Tom pulls the Norwegian into his arms as he flicks the door shut. Tord melts into the embrace, tears burning his eyes. Edd joins them, easing the bag from stiff fingers to set it on the bench by the door before joining the hug, and Matt is mere moments behind.

~~~~~~~~

“Over here!” Patryk’s voice calls as Tord steps into the cafe, and he smiles widely at the sight of his friends. All too familiar relief floods his veins as they beam at him, happy and safe from harm. 

“We ordered you a coffee.” Paul says as Tord slides into the booth across from them, and Tord takes a moment to bask in their presence as he murmurs a thanks.

He really doesn’t know where he’d be without them- and even a year after killing Stephan he doesn’t think that feeling will ever leave him. Without the two men in front of him he doubts he would still be alive- and he doubts the same for his boyfriends. Somehow amidst all the bullshit he’d put them through -all the bullshit they’d been through together in the Red Army- he’d found two of the most loyal men on this earth.

And somehow they’d been loyal to him, even in the moments where he hadn’t deserved it. Even when they’d almost been killed in Hawaii- even when they’d all nearly frozen and starved to death hiding in the Peruvian mountains they’d never wavered. They’d never left his side.

And even though things are different now, he knows they never will. 

“I’m sorry I missed last week.” He eventually says, referring to their weekly sunday brunch at this diner. “The damn car broke down Saturday night, and Tom needed it to see Mabel on Sunday.”

“Sunday?” Paul asks, arching a brow. “I thought it’s usually Fridays.”

“It is, she had a family emergency and had to cancel, but she didn’t want to miss a session so she rescheduled to Sunday.” Tord explains.

“Welcome back, boys.” Their usual waitress Eileen greets with a wide smile as she approaches the table, their drinks on a tray balanced on her left hand. “We missed you last week. Are we getting the usual again?”

“Yes please.” Tord replies as she sets their coffees down in front of them, leaving a fresh pot next to it. She quickly writes their orders on her notepad.

“Won’t be long.” She promises.

Once she’s gone, Tord turns back to his friends. Slightly uneasy his left hand lifts to play with the fingers of his right, and he doesn’t miss the way his boys follow the movement with their eyes. Neither dares to say a word after last time they’d mentioned his arm. After a tense moment he sighs.

“I’m going to tell the boys about my arm. And my… my face.”

“That’s great, Tord.” Patryk says earnestly, reaching his hand across the table to lightly cover Tord’s. Paul mimics the action.

“We’re proud of you.” He says, and Tord relaxes significantly, slumping back into the cushions of the booth.

“It seems almost stupid that I’ve waited so long.” Tord admits, and both shake their heads quickly, protesting in his defence. He chuckles softly. “Poor phrasing. It seems silly.” He amends.

“They won’t care.” Paul assures him, and Tord nods slowly. Paul shares a quick glance with Patryk. “We wouldn’t either, if you wish to take that rubbish off.”

Tord hesitates. He’s spent so long now with half of his face and one of his arms hidden behind faux skin- he isn’t sure if he can go back. His right hand lifts almost absently, fingers trailing slowly down his cheek. 

“I almost… forget what I really look like.” Tord admits slowly. “How cold my hand really is.”

At that Patryk laughs softly. 

“You’re a genius, I don’t think there’s anything you couldn’t do if you set your mind to it.” He says, and Tord cracks a small smile. “I’m not surprised they haven’t noticed; if I hadn’t helped Paul pull you out of the wreckage and seen the damage with my own eyes I would never in a million years guess that something had happened to you.”

“That my arm isn’t… human?” Tord mutters, lifting his right hand and flexing his fingers. He knows it isn’t real flesh, but it looks and moves just the same as his left hand. 

“If you don’t want to tell them you don’t have to.” Paul says, a complete contrast to his words the last time they’d spoken of his arm and face.

“Since the time of secrets has passed," Paul begins. "Do they know yet?" He asks, gently tapping his index finger on Tord's right arm where it lies on the table, and Tord yanks it back defensively.

"No. It's a fine lie, they don't need to know."

"Lie?"

Tord back pedals.

"Omission of truth!" He hisses, holding the arm tighter.

The two men share a glance.

"So they don't know about your face either?" Patryk asks gently, and Tord scowls.

"There's nothing wrong with my face!" He growls, and the two share another look.

They shrug slightly, recognizing that he's all but commanding them to back down, and they nod their heads.

"If you say so, sir."

Tord considers for a moment. Silence swallows them as Eileen returns, setting their plates in front of them with a cheery grin before she leaves to tend to her other tables. Paul and Patryk wait patiently as Tord debates his options, quietly digging into their tater tots.

“No.” Tord eventually says, dropping his arm to grab his fork and spear a sausage. “I likely won’t remove the disguise for good, but I at least want to tell them. I know every part of each of them, it’s only fair they can say the same.”

Paul and Patryk try not to show it, but Tord sees the flash of pride in their eyes and it further cements his decision.

~~~~~~~~~

He thought it would take him a few days to find the words, but the opportunity greets him as soon as he gets home. His boyfriends are all in the living room, sprawled across the sofa and armchair while Insane Zombie Pirates from Hell 9 plays on the tv. 

“Hey babe, how was brunch?” Tom asks as Tord leans down for a kiss. Tord smiles against the other man's lips.

“Great.” He says honestly. “I actually wanted to talk to you guys about something.”

Matt immediately pauses the movie and all eyes are on him. In spite of himself, his face heats up.

“What’s up?” Edd asks.

“Is everything okay?” Matt pipes up, and Tord quickly nods.

“Everything is fine.” He takes a few steps forward so he’s in the middle of the room and takes a seat on the floor. 

Three sets of curious eyes follow him as he crosses his legs. Slowly he lifts the hem of his hoodie -black and white checker print that he’d swiped from Tom’s closet before heading out this morning- and he sets it aside. His tee shirt is quick to follow, dropping to the floor atop the hoodie.

“Um… Tord?” Tom asks slowly.

The Norwegian clears his throat and takes a deep breath.

“I have something I’d like to tell you all. It’s nothing huge, I just… haven’t been entirely honest with any of you.”

Edd is the first to slide to the floor to sit in front of Tord, crossing his own legs. Slowly Tom and Matt follow his example, leaving them all seated in a loose circle. 

“You’re freaking me out a little.” Edd admits, and Tord shakes his head quickly.

“It’s nothing bad, I promise.” He assures them all, and the stiff set of their shoulders eases slightly as all three exhale a soft breath. “I’m just a little anxious.”

“You can tell us anything.” Matt says softly. Tord smiles.

“I know.” 

He takes a deep breath, allowing himself a moment to hype himself up for this. He decides before he reveals his secret he should explain a little bit so they aren’t confused- so they don’t think something has happened since Stephan.

“After the incident with the robot… when it blew up… I was injured.”

Guilt flickers across Tom’s face but he quickly pushes it away; he knows he was forgiven a long time ago. Beating himself up over it only hurts himself and his boyfriends.

“I would assume so.” Matt says slowly, clearly confused. “You were in an explosion.”

As if realizing the issue with what he’d said his gaze rakes quickly over Tord. In his peripheral Tord see’s Edd’s gaze following the same path as Matt’s. 

“Injured how?” Tom asks.

“My face was-” His voice falters slightly, right hand lifting so his fingers can just barely touch what he knows is scar tissue. He swallows. “This part of my face is- is scar tissue.” He forces out, fingertips tracing an area he’s long since memorized. 

He can see the confusion clear on their faces.

“But…” Edd says softly. He doesn’t continue, head tilting slightly to the side.

“My arm…” Tord makes himself continue, moving his hand from his face to hold it out between them. “It’s not human.”

“I don’t follow.” Tom admits.

“I’m a good inventor.” Tord hedges. At the look of confusion on their faces, Tord takes a steadying breath. “I didn’t want any of you to see me like that- I hated looking in the mirror. Hated seeing what I was, what I’d done to myself- the evidence of what I’d done to the three of you. So I covered it up. I… Invented what is essentially a false skin to cover up my- my flaws.”

Slowly Tom reaches out, and when he grasps Tord’s right hand he lets him. Slow fingers trail up his arm to his shoulder and then back down.

“It feels real.” Tom finally says, and Tord nods.

“It’s supposed to.” He agrees. He flexes his fingers. “I can still feel everything.” Tord answers their unspoken question. “What lies beneath might as well be human.”

“Can we see?” Edd is the one to ask, and Tord isn’t surprised. 

“Yes.”

Slowly he reaches up with his left hand, fingertips tracing the skin of his shoulder to find the seam that he knows from memory is there. His fingers dig in and he pulls. All three of his boyfriends watch in shock as a thin layer that looks unquestionably like skin is peeled down, revealing red and grey metal. 

He lets the false skin fall to the floor, and flexes his fingers once more. The skin of his shoulder is marred by scars where skin meets metal, the skin forever an ugly red. His arm is sleek and smooth, an improved version of the original arm he’d taken from the robot to attach as a temporary solution.

Where it meets skin the metal is a deep red, the band stretching only an inch or so away from skin before the arm turns a deep, steel grey. Plates of metal shift minutely as he moves his arm, all flexing together in a near perfect approximation of the human arm. There’s another red ring at the base of his wrist about an inch wide, and the palm of his hand is the same red colour. His fingers match the steel grey of his arm.

This time Matt is the first to move, hands lifting and question clear on his face. Tord nods in encouragement, moving his hand toward the redhead, and Matt’s hands are gentle when he grasps it. 

“I expected it to be cold.” He admits as he draws it closer, fingers sliding slowly up Tord’s palm to his wrist, and Tord shakes his head.

“It’s designed to match my body temperature.” 

“It’s kind of incredible, Tord.” Tom says, and Edd nods earnestly.

“You’re incredible.”

Tord’s breath catches in his chest even as a smile pulls at his lips. Edd gently claims Tord’s hand from Matt, tracing his own patterns across the metal, green eyes sparkling in fascination. Tom is last to take it, and he presses a soft kiss to the Norwegian’s palm.

“Don’t ever feel like you have to hide this from us.” Tom says, and Tord’s smile widens.

“Okay.”

“Can we see your face?” Edd asks gently, and Tord swallows his nerves to nod once. 

“Of course.”

He lifts his right hand this time, trembling with nerves as his fingers slide along his jaw, hooking just barely behind his ear. He pushes and prods until the seam comes loose, and with a deep breath he pulls it off. It falls to the carpet next to the skin from his arm.

He squeezes his eyes shut as it falls, scared to see their reactions- he knows they’ll love him no matter what, but he can’t overcome the small voice in his head telling him they’ll be disgusted by the scars painting the side of his face. He takes a deep, trembling breath, and almost jumps out of his skin when soft hands meet his face.

His eyes open on sheer instinct, locking instantly with bright green hardly an inch from his own. He swallows, and Edd smiles so beautifully Tord briefly loses his breath.

“You’re beautiful.” He says earnestly, and tears burn Tord’s eyes. A smile pulls at his lips and he swallows thickly.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.” Come two voices from opposite sides. Edd huffs a breathless laugh and lunges forward to slot their lips together.

A soft whimper escapes Tord as Edd’s thumb gently traces the largest of his scars, spanning from the edge of his jaw to the corner of his eye. He presses back into the kiss without hesitation, hands lifting to cover Edd’s. 

“Quit hogging him.” Matt protests, and both men laugh into the kiss, breaking it for their foreheads to meet. Green eyes regard him with unabashed affection, and he swoops down to kiss him once more before he sits back, allowing Matt to grab him.

Matt draws him over, forcing Tord onto his knees in front of him, and Matt rises to the same position. His fingers are gentle as they trace his scars, and the affectionate smile never leaves his lips. Love is clear in his eyes, and Tord sags slightly into him. Gently Matt turns his head, leaning in to kiss every single scar, smiling against his skin even as tears overflow and slip easily down his cheeks.

“Are you okay?” Matt murmurs into his skin, and Tord nods earnestly.

“So okay.” 

Matt smiles wider and leans up, making sure to meet Tord’s gaze.

“You’re perfect.”

Tord’s breath catches again. Before he can reply Matt is capturing his lips in a gentle kiss, and Tord is practically falling into him. A strong arm wraps around his waist to keep him upright while Matt’s other hand remains gently upon his cheek.

When they pull back he smiles once more, and then Tom’s arms are winding tightly around him from behind. Tord laughs softly, breathlessly, sagging back against Tom’s chest.

“Guess it’s my turn to tell you how perfect you are.” He murmurs, and Tord’s heart squeezes.

He really has the best boyfriends in the world. Gently Tom turns him so Tord is straddling his lap. His land lifts to cup the Norwegian’s face, and Tord whimpers softly as he tips his head into it, eyes fluttering shut. His hand lifts to hold Tom’s hand where it is as he opens his eyes, and he almost closes them again, unprepared for the look in Tom’s eyes.

“You’re lovely.” Tom murmurs, and Tord’s cheeks flush a light pink. “You’re spectacular. Absolutely beautiful.”

“Thank you.” Tord whispers, and Tom’s grin widens.

“C’mere.” He murmurs, drawing Tord down slowly with the hand on his cheek. Tord goes willingly, sighing softly when their lips brush. “Tell us you’re beautiful. Want to make sure you believe it.”

Tord’s breath hitches, blush darkening. Swallowing thickly, he whispers back.

“I’m beautiful.”

Tom rewards him with a sweet kiss.

“You are.” He agrees before reconnecting their lips, and Tord sags into him.

All of this time he’d spent worrying that they’d hate his scars, but he should’ve known. All of the other things they’d accepted about him, he should’ve known they wouldn’t even bat an eyelash at his face and arm. 

Their kiss breaks only when Edd and Matt grow impatient and crowd in, turning the kiss into a clumsy group hug that quickly turns into a heap of limbs on the floor when they lose their balance. Laughter fills the house as the four of them wiggle into more comfortable positions, sprawled awkwardly on the floor with their movie long forgotten, and Tord mentally thanks every deity he can think of that he gets to have this.

~~~~~~

“Do you think she’ll remember us?” Edd asks, hand seeking Tords. He lifts their hands to press a soft kiss to the band of red circling his wrist, and Tord takes the opportunity to slip their hands and press a kiss to the gold band on Edd’s finger.

“If she’s still here.”

“Come on slow pokes!” Matt calls from the door several dozen feet away, Tom’s laughter following as he’s dragged inside. 

Tord and Edd take their time, walking slowly up the stone path to the front door. Just like last time a gust of air conditioning greets them, earning a sigh of relief from Edd. He removes his sunglasses to tuck them into the collar of his gaudy floral print shirt, beaming at his husband. His eyes flick over the room, skimming quickly over marble pillars and brown wall trimming to rest upon the ornate circular fountain in the centre of the room.

“I found Matt.” Tord chuckles and Edd follows his gaze to the right, recognizing the lounge area almost instantly. It’s furnished with the same white couches and black tables that Edd remembers, and sure enough the missing members of their set are at the dessert table.

Tom is filling a few glasses with juice from the jug at one end of the table, while Matt has a handful of cookies and is perched by the chocolate fountain on the opposite end of the table.

Laughing delightedly Edd lightly tugs Tord’s hand, steering them toward the check in desk set off to the left of the entrance. Behind the desk is a familiar blonde, hair styled into low braids instead of the pigtails she’d had last time they’d seen her. She looks up, as if sensing their approach, and recognition flashes across her eyes.

“Well well well, if it isn’t Tord and Edd.” She grins, immediately setting aside her book. “Welcome back, boys. It’s been a long time.”

“Too long.” Tord agrees. 

He startles slightly when a hand touches his shoulder, and Tom laughs softly as he sets a cup of juice on the desk in front of Tord. Another follows for Edd. He glances up, only now taking note of the blonde woman.

“Oh, Guinevere! Hey!” Tom greets, and she laughs softly.

“Welcome back!” Guinevere drags her keyboard closer and quickly begins tapping away. “Give me one second and I’ll get you four checked in!”

While she types and scans room cards, Matt approaches from the buffet and holds out a few cookies- an offering his husbands don’t hesitate to accept. Edd leans his head on Matt’s shoulder while he munches, and Tom fusses with the front of Tord’s own horrible gaudy flower print shirt that Edd had insisted he buy. You have to get one so we can all match he’d insisted, and Tord hadn’t been able to resist.

“You buttoned it wrong.” Tom snickers as he fixes it, and Tord grumbles idly, giving up his faux grumpy ruse only when Tom presses a sweet kiss to his cheek.

“Alright, so I just need your wrists for your executive bands, we can sign a few forms and you’re all set!” Guinevere announces, regaining their attention.

She’s swift as she attaches the gold bands to their wrists, and once they all have a band she hands them each a small stack of papers. While they sign them she activates the keycards, circles their accommodations on a map, and slides a paper with a list of activities scheduled for the week printed upon it into the bundle.

Once the sheets are all signed she collects them, staples them together, and hands them the small bundle she’d prepared.

“Alright, you’re all set for your stay. You’re in a different building this time, but just like your last stay we offer a complimentary shuttle service for our Executive guests and they’re available any time. There’s a pool behind your building, and the indoor pool is in building six. I circled your building on the map, and there's a list of activities we’re offering this week in there for you as well.”

“Thank you!” 

“You’re quite welcome. I’ll call ahead and have a tray of cookies sent to your room.” Guinevere winks at Matt and the redhead sheepishly giggles.

“Thank you.”

~~~~~~~~

“I think we have everyone in the world beat for the perfect honeymoon.” Edd sighs happily as he floats through the pool on his back.

Tord grins at him from where he’s seated on the edge of the pool, watching his husbands splash around. It had been a great idea to come to the indoor pool; with the late hour the entire building was empty except for the four of them. Just like they’d wanted.

“I’m glad you think so.”

“I know so.” Matt scoffs, and Tom chuckles.

“And best husbands.” He adds, earning laughs from the others.

“Agreed.”

“There’s a zipline on the other side of the resort.” Tord says after a moment. “I might go over tomorrow, if you guys are interested.”

The other three immediately agree, and Tord’s smile widens. Slowly he flops back onto the tile ground, allowing himself a moment to simply bask in this experience. The last time they’d been to this resort had been one of the happiest experiences of his life, and now here they are again, married and spending their honeymoon goofing off in a pool with plans to zipline.

His hand lifts so he can admire his ring- something he does probably ten times a day. According to the court papers Tord is married to Tom and Edd to Matt, but it was a necessary formality; only spouse have visiting rights in hospitals, and they don’t have the luxury of pretending that that someday won’t be an issue. This way none of them will be shut out from each other in the event of emergencies.

Feeling hands on his knees Tord pushes himself up onto his elbows, meeting Matt’s gaze.

“Hello husband.” He greets, and a thrill runs through Tord. He’ll never tire of that.

“Hello husband.” He returns with a grin, leaning up to capture Matt’s lips in a kiss.

“Deep in thought?” Matt prompts, dragging himself out of the water enough that he can rest his elbows on Tord’s knees. 

“Just about the loves of my life.” Tord replies. Matt grins, ducking his head to press a to the middle of Tord’s thigh.

~~~~~~~~

Edd is waiting in the car for him like he promised when Tord steps out the door for the final time. He takes a deep breath, and it’s almost freeing. It’s been almost a decade, but he’s finally done with therapy. Veronica’s card is in his pocket, a reminder that if he needs her later on she’s there, but for the first time in years he feels confident that he won’t.

Edd greets him with a warm smile as Tord climbs into the car, eyes crinkling at the corners. He leans across the centre console to steal a kiss, and Edd chuckles softly into the kiss.

“Does that mean we get kisses?” Matt pipes up from the back, and Tord pulls back in surprise.

Before he can react Tom’s lips are pressing to his, and Matt is squawking a playful protest. Edd laughs as he edges the car out of the parking space he’d chosen, and Matt claims Tord’s lips in a quick kiss before they fall back into their seats.

“I’m proud of you.” Tom says, reaching forward to squeeze Tord’s shoulder. 

It had been a long road -and not an easy one- but they’d all made the effort to press through. Now, all on the other side of therapy, they feel better than ever. Tord had gone the longest, stopping after almost a decade. Edd had been around seven years, Tom and Matt around six. 

“Thank you.” Tord grins genuinely.

“Paul and Patryk are at the house setting up for the barbeque, Mark and Eduardo joined them right as we were heading out.”

“Perfect, I’ve been looking forward to this all week.”

Things with Eduardo and Mark had been slow moving, but had a definite upward curve after Eduardo and Tord had spoken that day in the snow. They’d transitioned from occasional awkward waves to good mornings, trading occasional containers of baked goods and hovering by the recycling bins to chat for a moment in the morning.

From there came invites to barbeques, going on walks with coffees, and meeting Paul and Patryk.

Now all eight of them get together alternating weekends for dinner, rotating houses each week. 

When they pull into the driveway they can already hear Mark’s laughter from the backyard- a welcome sound to come home to. With wide smiles they all filter into the backyard. While Edd beelines to Paul and Patryk at the grill, Tom on his heels, Matt heads straight for Mark. Before Tord can do much more than stop to appreciate the view of his family Eduardo is at his side.

He holds out a cup -a rum and coke that Eduardo will swear up and down wasn’t made with diet coke and Tord will pretend to believe him- and Tord gratefully takes it.

“Congrats.” Eduardo says softly, and Tord bumps their shoulders together lightly.

“Thank you.” 

They fall silent once more, happy to watch their family goof off. Mark shrieks slightly as Patryk drops an ice cube down his shirt, and Paul throws his head back to cackle as Tom immediately throws the other brunet under the bus. Tord ducks behind Eduardo as the hose is picked up by the blond, just barely dodging the stream of water headed their way. 

Eduardo is less lucky.

Mark throws back his head and laughs, allowing Edd to wrestle the hose from his hands.

“Sorry babe!”

“He doesn’t sound very sorry.” Tord pipes up over Eduardo’s shoulder, and the other man chuckles softly.

“No, he doesn’t.” He glances over his shoulder to meet his friend's gaze. “Might be time for some revenge.”

Tord’s eyes flick to Edd as he hoses down Paul and Patryk and he grins wider. Edd laughs jovially, screeching as Matt and Tom approach on either side. Tord allows himself to watch his husbands, taking in the grey peppering through their hair and the crows feet by their eyes. God, he’s still so in love with them.

“I’m in.” He finally answers.

That’s all Eduardo needs to take off, beelining to Mark. The blond shrieks the second he spots his husband, turning on his heel to bail. While Eduardo chases him down Tord heads straight for Edd, swerving around Tom’s slow approach. Edd squawks in surprise as Tord’s hands cover his own.

“Tord!” He cries, and Tom and Matt dart forward.

With all three of them working together they manage to get the hose free, and Tord whirls right in time to see Eduardo with his arms around Mark. The blonds cheeks are flushed red with laughter as he pitifully struggles in Eduardo’s arms, and the other man laughs delightedly.

“Hose us!” He calls, and Tord doesn’t hesitate to soak them both.

Attention absorbed by their neighbours he doesn’t see Paul and Patryk until it’s too late and his arms are being grabbed. Tom grabs the hose and before Tord can even take a breath to protest he’s being soaked to the bone.

“This is a mutiny!” Tord squawks through his laughter.

The hose doesn’t get put away until long after the grass is soaked and everyone is thoroughly drenched, water dripping from their hair and clothes. While Tom wraps the hose up Matt wanders inside for towels. Patryk follows Matt inside to grab plates and cutlery from the kitchen, while Eduardo and Mark begin opening containers of salads and condiments on the picnic table.

Paul and Edd head right for the grill -this time to actually cook the burgers and sausages they’d bought- leaving Tord to lean up against the wall and take in the view. He never thought he’d get here.

He never thought he’d escape from under the thumb of the Red Army.

He takes in a deep breath, beaming as Matt presses a kiss to his cheek and shoves a towel into his face. As he dries his hair his gaze follows Matt through the yard, taking in the laughter filling their backyard as towels are handed out.

He never thought he’d get to have this, but he’s so glad he can. 

They’d had to overcome more obstacles than most people to get here, straining themselves and pushing themselves to their limits and even beyond to get through it together, but now that they’re on the other side he knows it was all worth it.

Looking back on it, he wouldn’t change a damn thing. He’d learned a lot from Veronica, but he’d learned even more from his family. He’d learned he was worthy of love, he was worthy of forgiveness. Eduardo rejoins him, offering another cup, and Tord chuckles as he takes it.

“Not diet?” He teases, and Eduardo smirks into his own cup.

“Of course not.” 

They’ve all come a long way since Tord had been lead astray by his armies ambitions, but now he knows the importance of learning to forgive and forget.

He nudges Eduardo’s shoulder gently.

“Cheers.” He murmurs, and the other man doesn’t hesitate to tap their cups together. Tord takes a swig, and almost cringes at the taste of diet coke. He chuckles softly, and the knowing gleam in Eduardo’s eyes says everything he needs to know.