Chapter Text
Since the emotional episode from Tommy a few months ago with Techno and Wilbur there. Phil always tried to include Tommy in with them. And Tommy…Tommy didn’t know how to feel. He tried it at first, thinking that was what would make him happier, but all he felt was awkward. Wilbur practically ignored him, only glancing at him like a bomb about to explode. Techno asked him a few questions every now and then but that was it. The effort was somewhat appreciated but it just felt awkward. Phil tried to include him with the 3 of them but it only made it feel forced and awkward for everyone. And it only proved to make Tommy annoyed. Phil kept trying to include him but after all that Tommy just didn’t want to be included anymore if that was the result. Why spend time with people who barely want to talk to him and clearly would rather be anywhere else? He would rather spend time with people who make him feel wanted and cared for, like Ranboo or Tubbo. And so he did.
He spent time with Ranboo and Tubbo, with either one of them or both of them. And it was great, he could laugh with them and be happy. He wanted them around and they wanted him around. They all had their emotional moments together, so now they’re practically certified friends for life.
Ranboo talked about his previous school and while Tommy and Tubbo reassured the crying teen they both secretly and wordlessly promised to each other that if anyone messed with the taller teen they would regret it for the rest of their lives. But they hugged and promised that they would keep the taller safe and would fist fight anyone if they tried anything, and they kept that promise too. They told him that he wasn’t a burden and how they would happily defend him no matter what.
Tubbo had his moments too, Ranboo and Tommy were at his house and they stayed up late. Really late. Like nearly 8 in the morning late and the sun was starting to rise. And being up that late, the brain is tired and filters are gone and so the mouth moves on its own. Tubbo didn’t break down crying like Ranboo did, he sat there with blank, unfeeling eyes staring at a brownish stain on the cream carpet floor of his room. Talking about how he had frequent nightmares, how he had nightmares of his biological father coming into his room and Tubbo wasn’t able to move. Had nightmares about his adopted family leaving him to rot and how Ranboo and Tommy would realize the boy was useless and leave him for dead in the middle of the road. How he was scared that the both of them would get too close to each other and leave Tubbo behind. Tommy and Ranboo didn’t say a thing, they didn’t need to, their silent tears for their friend was enough. Their aching hearts were enough, they didn’t whisper assurances, nor did they hug that night. But they held his hand and stayed, they stayed the night and stayed by his side. They stayed while the boy lashed out in anger the next morning having realized what he said and they stayed while the teen apologized with a watery voice and fearful eyes. And that was all Tubbo had wanted. Someone to stay.
They all had their moments together and separately telling each other secrets and fears they wouldn’t dare whisper to others. And they comforted each other, maybe not fully understanding it but knowing their friend is in pain and is hurting and doing what they can to help.
And it wasn’t until the last month of their junior year something happened.
Tommy was begrudgingly with his family at the store. He didn't want to be there, he wanted to go to Ranboo’s house because he has popcorn and all three of them usually hang out there after school every Wednesday. But of course Phil roped him into ‘family time’ and Tommy wasn’t happy about it. So he sulked around the store with them, getting a few snacks he wanted and ignoring Wilbur’s attempts at talking to him. He didn’t want his flimsy attempts at talking with him like he knew him. He didn’t want the false closeness that Wilbur tried to achieve by asking questions about school or what his plans are for the future. Techno he could somewhat tolerate, he wasn’t trying to be close or act close, he just kept mostly to Phil or Wilbur, which he appreciated in a weird way. He just wanted them to stop talking to him, because he gave up trying to get close to them and he doesn’t want them around to pretend. As Wilbur and Phil bothered him he snuck some snacks into their shopping cart while Phil wasn’t looking. Hey, if he was pressured into shopping at least he’s going to get some snacks for him and his friends.
He didn’t realize that by ignoring Wilbur he lit a fire under the man. Mostly because he was ignoring him and somewhat trying to appreciate Techno’s distance. And subtly acknowledging that Techno actually listened to him after their talk.
“...fucking hell Tommy, were trying to talk to you at least fucking listen!”
Tommy snarled at him, glaring, “I don’t want to fucking talk to you, you fuckin bastards! I don’t want to be here anyways.”
Wilbur glared right back at him as Techno just looked somewhat awkward, and frankly a bit annoyed at Wilbur, “Tommy we are fucking trying! At least give us a chance!”
Tommy scoffed, “Why the hell should I? Why do I have to be the bigger person huh?! Why do I have to give you a chance?! Fuck! I’ve given you tons of chances over the years! I invited you to every event I ever participated in! I went to your fucking concerts Wilbur! At one point I even participated in so many clubs I was suffering from burnout halfway through the year! Just to give you all a fucking chance to come to me to fucking talk to me! But none of you took it! I’m done inviting you all to shit! I’m done trying to do shit with you all!”
“Then why the fuck did you even throw your fucking fit in the first place!?”
“BECAUSE I WAS HURT ALRIGHT?!”
Wilburs mouth shut with a click of his jaw as Tommy continued, “Because I was hurt and I just couldn’t take it anymore! I was so angry! And I still am fucking angry! After all these years only now after I made all of you guilty are you trying to be close to me! I wanted you all to be there for me for so fucking long ! But you never were! And that day you acted all worried for me and I got mad because who the fuck do you think you are trying to be all fuckin worried for me when you hadn’t even talked to me in years! And then all I could think of is how much it hurt for you all to just ignore me! How you all just started shutting me out after I did that get my mark and I was lonely for so fucking long!”
People around them stopped shopping, watching the boy’s outburst as Wilbur, Phil, and Techno stood frozen, Tommy kept going, no tears in his eyes, no wavering in his voice, no anger remaining, just something mournful and melancholy, “And I don’t need you guys anymore, I don’t want you guys anymore. I have my friends who may not have been there since the beginning but were there when it mattered. And I know, for a fact, that they will be with me no matter what. I guarantee it.”
Tommy felt a wave of calm and ease fall over him. The tension in his chest finally released, his words catching the feelings in his chest. A small smile attached to his lips. He glanced at his phone to his friends who were texting him every 3 seconds. He glanced at Wilbur, Techno, and Phil, he grabbed his snacks from the cart and waved them bye. He didn’t feel spiteful nor did he feel angry. He doesn’t care for their opinion, he doesn’t care about what they want for him. He will be happy, and he will be happy with his friends. The ones he loves unconditionally and wholeheartedly and who love him back.
Tommy texted his friends as he walked away and to the self checkout. Saying he would need a ride to hang out. And after a bit of complaining, Tommy announced he was bringing snacks. They came for him pretty quickly after that.
Later he would tell his friends what happened, later he would process his emotions. Later they would talk, and have serious conversations about soulmarks and soulmates. And after those serious conversations they would watch Shrek because all 3 needed a soft fun filled cushion to lessen the pressure in the room after talking about soulmates and the fact they aren't soul bonded. Nothing would change too much, but they would be closer, closer after deeming that soul marks don’t define their relationship and closeness. Closer because they don't need those marks to know that their friendship isn’t fragile.
Techno hummed as he watched Tommy walk away, he punched Wilbur in the shoulder, not too hard but hard enough to get him out of his shocked stupor, in turn getting their dad out of it as well.
“Ow! What the fuck Techno!”
The pink haired male huffed, “That's what you deserve. You push too hard. And you don't know how to act like a kind person to people. I’m honestly more surprised you didn't expect this than at Tom’s behavior.”
Wilbur glared at him while Phil gave a smile to them both, neither talking because they both knew Techno wasn’t done, “You both push too hard in different directions. And you both are somehow completely wrong.”
Wilbur scoffed, “Like you know any better.”
Techno punched Wilbur in the arm a bit harder, making him cry out and rub the sore spot, “I do know better. Because I actually talked to him a few months ago like a normal person. I had my moment with Tommy. You both need your own.”
Wilbur scoffed but Techno knew he was thinking about it. He knows when Wilbur is cranky and hurt he just acts like a major douche.
Techno walked away, taking the cart from Phil’s hands and taking the lead, “Come on nerds, we're still on the search for some Toaster Waffles to have later tonight.” He saw that neither of them were moving and rolled his eyes, “While Phil is still breathing, come onnnn.”
Phil laughed lightly before gently grabbing Wilbur to walk alongside them. They had serious conversations that needed to be held, actions that needed observation and questions that needed answers. But they would address it another day.