Home? A place where I can go…
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‘I can’t believe I gave Tom a lesbian love story… thank god for his ignorance.’
Edwards thought, burring his head in his hands. Sighing in relief he put the book away, hoping no one else noticed.
This whole… wrong timeline shenanigans is honestly kind of… stupid really. Edwards doesn’t normally believe in all that, wibbly wobbly, timey wimey, stuff.
But here he is, helping out the boy of 1924 fitting in with a world he isn’t used to. It’s amazing really, talking to someone who knew his uncle before the whole.. mount Todd haunts really.
Ever since laying his eyes at the boy.. wearing an old uniform he himself used to wear… it just… clicked in his head that Tom is right in front of him.
It should be impossible… but the boy is living proof that he’s definitely from 1924.
He’s got the 20’s slang, the dietary habits. Heck! He even remembers how the area used to look before the haunts. How in the heck is Edwards going to tell him that the book he read is a queer love story-.
“Hey Edwards, we’re all done here.” An old friend told him as Tom stood beside Edwards. “How did the signing go?” The old man asks.
“It went surprisingly well, he’s well behaved, written his signature.. albeit a bit messy but a signature nonetheless.” The old sherif told him.
“… I thought you said you have neat handwriting, what happened?” Edwards asked. “It’s my signature…? My handwriting and signature have always been differently written.” He told the adults, shrugging his shoulders.
“… least it’s better than a cursive signature.” The sheriff comments, chuckling to himself. “He’s not gonna like Lilian’s signature then.” He whispers to Edwards. “She writes in cursive? Even though she’s five?!” He asks. “Yeah, papa and Tim taught her cursive.”
Edwards shook his head wide eyed before coughing. “We should be going now, we’re going to grab a new leg brace and some medication and we’ll be on our way.” He told the sheriff, who blinked and shrugged.
“Fair enough, drive home safely.. the hauntings in these areas are a bit intense.” The sheriff warns, the two walked out the building towards Edwards truck, then Tom spoke up.
“Hey Edwards, is there another book like the one you got me?” Tom asks, making the man turn with a look of pure dread. “… why?” He asks, trying hard not to overthink it.
“Is it bad to read? Cause I can get you a new one if you hate it-.”
“What no, I like it.” Tom says staring at Edwards like he has a third head. “You-… you do? Genuinely??” He asks, curious as to why he thinks that.
“Really. The romance is amazing, it didn’t feel fake, the characters knew each other for a couple of days deciding they’re firm friends before finding their feeling for each other. And to top it off? It’s real! Genuinely real!”
Tom told Edwards, expressing his love for how the story is. It… genuinely surprised Edwards how much he loves the book, he then guess this is how future story writers are born.
“All I’m wondering if there’s one with no errors, .” He asks politely, skimming through the pages of the book.
Edwards coughed awkwardly at that. “Uh… the writer intended that” He told him, hands clasped together when Tom stopped at the middle of the page. “… really?”
“Yep… it’s an inspiration of witchcraft practice along with some ‘real historical’ stuff in it.” He air quotes. “As well as… queer romance… also known as gay.”
Tom blinked, turned back to the book, turned it on its back, then back at Edwards with a raised eyebrow. “… so they’re both girls?”
“Yep.”
“Intentionally?”
The old man nods.
“And they’re both dating, like… instead of boy, girl… it’s girl, girl? Type dating” He asks once more, closing the book. “… yes.” Edwards confirmed.
“… huh, no wonder there’s so many she and hers on this book.” He says, staring at the cover. “Cool, based on a true story.” He shrugs, going back to reading.
Edwards stared. Flabbergasted. Jaw dropped, eye twitching. Flabbergasted. “.. w- wait a minute, your not… disgusted?” Edwards asks, shocked beyond relief. Tom stared at Edwards with an arched brow the man assumes.
“Well.. no. I don’t really understand it but, papa told me to never, ever judge others based on their life… plus I saw two ladies kiss behind pastor jame’s church.”
… this kid keeps surprising him more ways than not, in the end Edwards shook his head with a huff. “Your bluffing aren’t you?” He asks, helping Tom in the truck.
“Nope, they’re genuinely dating. They’re also really nice and understanding.” Tom informs nonchalantly, buckling himself in. “.. unbelievable, did they tell you or..?”
“They told me, people like trusting me.” Edwards hums at that, blinking and nodding. “You’re a secret keeper?” He asks, hopping in the driver seat.
“Only if I have to be or depending on the secret, there’s some things I still refuse to share.. but I can trust you with this one.” Tom told him, going back to read the book. Edwards shook his head and started the truck, sighing in relief.
Knowing there’s at least a few good individual back then. “Never once had I thought there’s actual historical gays in the world, yet here we are.”
“Promise me you won’t tell anyone else?” He asks, a pleading look on his face. “… aight, I‘lil keep this between us.” He promised.
Putting his own seatbelt on and starting the truck. “I’m impressed you knew how to use a belt buckle.” Edwards comments.
“I watched you do yours every time you left and… I just copied.” Tom shrugs. Edwards chuckled, shaking his head in amusement.
“Alright, last stop is the chemist and we’re out of here.”
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Almost there!
Aaaand yes I brought back the 1920’s lesbian couple again for this story, why? … cause I do what I want. And you can’t stop me-!
(Not so different after all) <- here is where the lesbians had showed up and I apologise if it’s a bit… choppy? I dunno
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