#but before I do anything shady I'd better resolve TyrDom's whole Situation lmao

[hel-phoenyx]

New Year's Eve (?), part 12

An ongoing story with @corneille-but-not-the-author and @soupedepates

Sigh.

In the end, we couldn't plan anything before the end of February. Because Tyr had to finish his thesis. Vacation is over for him.

heh. Since the deadline is in June, his doctorate is soon to be over, so he has less work. I guess working at Kriss' also helps him dial down the perfectionnism.

Yeah, because he still hasn't come back to his flat. Brynja visits him sometimes, brings him the mail. An angel of a woman, that one. It enrages me even more to see what she's enduring.

I can't take the file over because of personal relationship. But I know Amandine is taking care of it, and even though I don't like her much (honestly, there's no colleagues I like.) I trust her to know what Brynja's living.

There's that new one muted recently, also. A complete wet rag, but at least he doesn't stay much in my way. Everyone has started to kinda bully him, I didn't join in because I had other things to take care of, so I guess now he stays more near me.

His name is fucking unprononceable, even if I'm used to those of my family. So many generations living under my roof one has to have a very typical Syrian name.

Anyway. I just got out of a patrol with Sigismund. Fucker is on leave after that. Guess he was needed. He can"t function well anymore, and the fact he doesn't know it is worrying. Walpurgis almost forced him to take those days off. I'm jealous, because last time I got injured badly I had to come back the morning after, but I don't think mister kidnapped with mental health in shambles is the right target to aim for, right now.

He doesn't deny anymore Domhildr is his girlfriend.

I can't say that to Tyr. I promised to stop meddling in. But I feel very angry on his behalf. Ironic, after so much time trying to separate both. But hey. I guess if I didn't succeed in almost ten years, it's not an unresolved crush that will separate those two.

I'll wait and see, and try to uphold my end of the bargain. I promised.

You don't betray promises made to family members.

So we're finally having our seven squad meeting, and I have to keep silent on any news on that bitch.

Oh, yeah, still haven't forgiven the outing. The rumor hasn't died down. It won't ever. But now some of the yonger cops come see me and ask if I can be their... I don't know. Gay mentor ? In the police ?

I can't tell them I joined in because I am in the perfect position to be a mole for my anarchocommunist groups. They still believe in the fascist militia's values. It's enraging.

Sun is low, we are in February after that. Hector and Aarni are talking about something I don't care about, and Thorfinn is next to me looking at me with their unreadable eyes. We're just waiting on Tyr, Gustav and Brynja, that shouldn't take long.

Speaking of the devil, there they are. Tyr is holding Brynja's gloved hand. A new necklace shines on her neck. Right. Valentines' was a few days ago. I suppose they made it official.

Good for them.

"Tyyyyyyr ! Shouts Aarni when they come at ears' range. Finally out of your cave, my man ?"

"Not quite, he smiles, a bit weakly. Gustav and Kriss want to supervise me while I finish my thesis for good. They're also helping me look in teaching positions."

"Right, with a doctorate, you can do a lot of things, smiles Hector. Soon enough I will call you doctor Tyr. Sexy, not gonna lie."

Brynja pouts.

"Hey, com'on, don't steal my boyfriend..."

So they did make it official.

I am the only one seeing Hector's jaw drop a few quarters of inches. He's still smiling, tho.

"Far from me that idea !"

"I think Tyr is big enough to be shared anyway, laughs Gustav. Plus there's still... Well, the four you-know-who's."

He throws me a stern look saying that, and I just shrug. Don't want to hear about that, but I promised. I promised.

That's also the moment Tyr spots me.

His eyes get colder.

"'evening, Fenrir."

"Hello to you too. Glad to see you're doing better."

His eyes squint.

"Not because of you."

....

I probably deserve that, but still.

"Alright, alright, no tension today, interjects Thorfinn the voice of reason. Let's go to the bar and get wasted, I already called that good old Galmar. He told me he doesn't want to see a catfight. Honestly, me neither."

"You place so little trust in me, Tyr sighs. But you're right. Let's go."

He places himself at the other side of the group, Brynja still at his arm, talking softly with him. This the first time I see him in person since New Year, last time we talked it was on Kriss' phone, I didn't expect better.

It still hurts.

I don't try anything that would end in failure. I just listen to the conversations. Everyone in the group somehow avoids me, anyway.

"I got an invite for Qamar's marriage, says Hector to Aarni with a smile. Was surprised, since we only know each other through mom, but it's a good occasion to get out; You got one too, Tyr ?"

Said Tyr shrughs.

"Kriss got one, so I guess I did. Haven't checked my mail in a while, tho."

"You did, actually. Also, Qamar said you could bring a plus one, since you guys are very close...."

"Oh, lucky, groans Hector. I wanted to drag in Aarni."

"Ew weddings."

"Just to annoy her."

"Ew Hector."

I don't listen. Marriage in Muslim traditions is very big and more often than not a lot of people are invited while knowing the bride from afar. Also, the Lulea are rich af, so they can drop money in those kind of festivities. My parents may be in, I don't know. I won't.

"I'll have to find a costume, continues Hector shrugging. You're in for suit shopping, Tyr ?"

"I'll see about that. But I'd better go with someone my size, no offense..."

"Bitch ?!?"

Yeah, yeah, just say to our face you'd rather go with that guy, I get it. I promised, once again, but it doesn't make me happy. Thinking about him helping you dress and choosing the color of your suit is making me want to puke. But hey, I wouldn't be here anyway, so there's absolutely no reason to subject myself to that kind of torture-

"Tyr ?! I haven't see you in two months !!!"

.... Tell me the world is fucking kidding me.

There's two people in front of us. One, small, with braces around they knees. Brown-skinned, with a lot more grey hair than last time I saw them. Happier, too.

The second one...

The second one....

Tyr steps forward with an astonished face.

"Kaizarz ? I.... Didn't expect to see you like this...."

Instantly everyone turns towards me with warning-filled eyes.

I don't move.

I am statufied.

The last time I saw you, you were next to my friend in an hospital bed. Holding what was left of his hand, eyes full of tears, yet I couldn't believe you were there before me.

The first time I saw you it was back in elementary. I was held by a detention, and when I got out I saw Tyr that promised me to wait for me playing football with you in a corner of the school I couldn't go in.

I couldn't believe you were there before me.

All there years I have hated you for always being the first.

Today I am the first one. I had priority. An he stills leaves us to come near him, Brynja on his arm.

He still

He still hasn't noticed me.

"Shit, says Oli with wide eyes, where were you, man ? Do you know the number of calls I left on your phone ?"

"Uh, yeah, I noticed... Sorry. Kriss told me I needed to disconnect. She took care of the news."

"Yeah, thanks for her, she took care of that diligently. Well, uh, I don't think Domhildr took her calls..."

He frowns.

"..... Expected."

That guy extends a hand. He's trying to put it on his shoulder, I'm sure of it.

Get

Get

Get

"Get the fuck away from there, asshole."

Couldn't restrain myself.

The giant asshole finally notices me. His face scrunches up on something that looks like both embarassment and discontent. The others are staring at me, and I see Hector extending a hand to stop me. Stop me from what ? Hitting him ? I won't.

Even if I'm dying to land a fist on his damn cleft lip.

The only one who hasn't moved is Tyr.

He slowly turns around.

His eyes

His eyes are the coldest I ever seen.

His voice is even colder.

"Do me a favor, Fenrir. Be a good boy and mind your own damn business."

He makes a sign of the finger, with his prosthetic hand. The classic one for "turn around".

I can't do anything else than shut up and retract myself.

I am a tall man. Yet, in front of those cold eyes

I feel so tiny.

The conversation carries on. They're talking about Domhildr now. Her new boyfriend. The fact she still hasn't tried to recontact Tyr. That he didn't, either. That they were happy to see him again, and, should we tell her that he's now at his sister's ? No, apparently. If she wants news, she can ask them from Kriss, not sure if she wants to see him, anyway. That she looks happier.

Qamar's wedding. Him asking Tyr if they want to go suit shopping together, Hector grimacing but giving them his blessing, how can he be so calm. Brynja doing her little lighthearted joking about their relationships and the fact she will soon not be the only lady in his heart. Oli asking how many plus ones they're bringing now.

That sort of thing.

Gustav is looking at me in disapproval. The other chime in the conversation. They look happy, together.

When they're all ignoring me.