Work Text:
Everyone assumes that Matt is too dumb to know when he's being talked down to or berated. But he did. He noticed every time someone talked to him slowly, let out a sigh or rolled their eyes at him in annoyance. He never got used to it even though it happened all the time. Even his friends Tom and Edd the only people who treated him nicely would occasionally slip up. He was forgetful and ditsy and knew more about the latest fashion trends than anything "useful". He didn't see why this was grounds for how he was treated.
Then Tord moved in and while not very social he was extremely smart. He seemed to enjoy teaching others new things and with Matt that was all the time. The Norwegian often helped him with budgeting his buying and tried to explain things in a way that was fun for Matt. Matt would often watch as Tord worked in his lab being careful not to touch anything. Tord often tried to explain what he was working on. Matt understood the basic concept like a gun that erases people's memories but never anything beyond that.
Tord geninually seemed to enjoy his company hanging out if Edd was busy. This confused Matt. Why would someone as smart as him waste his time with a dumb blonde? Maybe he just wanted to make himself feel that much smarter than everyone by having the constant reminder of what the bottom of the barrel looked like. Matt didn't want to assume dad intentions on the Norwegian's part but he was just so used to only being a pity case that it always haunted the back of his mind whenever they hung out. It was usually worse when the other would show off his latest invention. Like he was secretly showing off what he knew Matt would never be capable of.
Even when they were playing video games Matt would usually lose and on the rare occasion he did win it felt like it only happened because Tord went easy on him out of pity. Tord tried to give him feedback on how he could improve but Matt wanted to do it on his own. He knew it was petty as Tord was just trying to help but Matt's negative thinking would get the better of him.
Matt hated that his mind was playing these kinds of tricks on him. He had been friends with Tord for several months before this started he should know him better than this by now. Or maybe Tord was finally showing his true colors after gaining the trust of the person who was the easiest to take advantage of. It was another thing people assumed he was too dumb to realize was happening. But he did and the sad part was he so badly wanted to be of use that he often didn't care. Matt shock that thought out of his head. Tord wanted friends like anyone else. However, once he became a well-known inventor he could befriend people closer to his skill level and would no longer need Matt.
Matt decided that he should enjoy Tord's company while he still could. He refused to test Tord's inventions not wanting to just be a genie pig. He had to put back up his walls in order to protect himself. Just a few weeks after he tried to distance himself from the Norwegian Tord decided to talk to him instead of working in silence like he usually did.
"Is something up Matt? You haven't been yourself recently." Tord stated still focusing on the machine.
Was he really being so obvious that even Tord could tell? Matt bit his lip wondering if he should just tell him about his worries. It was definitely worth a shot even at the risk of being proven right. "Why do you enjoy hanging out with me so much? Isn't someone as dumb as me just a waste of your time?" He sounded sadder then he intended.
"You're energetic and funny. And I honestly don't care if you're not as traditionally as smart as most that doesn't mean you don't have things you bring to the table. I don't see why something dumb like that should affect our friendship." Tord stated like it was obvious.
"But you keep showing off your inventions and only let me win game nights when you go easy on then try to tell me how I can improve after I started getting frustrated. I know you only keep me around as a constant reminder of how much smarter you are than everyone. Trying to take advantage of my kindness." He spat. He couldn't keep it down any longer. He just couldn't understand why Tord even cared about his feelings.
Tord actually looked up from what he was working on to give him a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry if I made you feel like that. I never meant to make you feel lesser. I guess I was so excited so off my hard work to someone I didn't think of how it would make you feel. And I will admit I can get extremely competitive while playing video games. I'll try to be better about that. But when have I ever taken advantage of your kindness?"
He never did so but Matt let his past experiences cloud his mind and almost ruin their friendship. He was crying now. God, he really was stupid. He tried to apologize but all that came out was pathetic sobbing. He knew Tord wasn't like that but he didn't want to get hurt in the future. Besides why would anyone care about dumb slow blonde. Tord got him to sit down.
"Are you really that used to being mistreated?" He asked sounding dumbfounded. Matt just nodded.
"You won't forget about me once you become successful right?" He choked out.
"Of course not. You should know that I don't care that much about fame or money. Besides your high-end clothing will certainly be in stores all around the world in no time." Tord stated.
Matt wiped the tears from his eyes. "You really think so?"
"I know it. You just have to stop letting how others see you get you. You can be something great and prove all of those naysayers wrong." Tord encouraged.
Matt hugged him tight and Tord hugged him back rubbing his back. He couldn't believe how wrong he was about the other's intentions but was glad he was. Tord was always so geninually himself. Maybe he could learn a thing or two.
"I'll always be here for you." Tord reassured. Matt muttered a thank you against the other's back.