Chapter Text
There was an unspoken tension between Tommy and his family after the incident, and the succulent was completely shriveled up by now. He tried to water it, but everytime he stepped close, it would die more.
Instead of dealing with any of his problems, he decided to just go downstairs and get something to eat. But, of course, facing your problems is always on the to-do list of fate.
When he came down, his entire family was sitting at the dinner table eating what seemed to be chicken. How ironic , he thought, staring at the black wings protruding from Phil's back.
Shaking his head, he hesitantly sat down in the only chair left. It was across from Phil, with Techno on his right and Wilbur on his left. Coincidentally, his back was facing a corner, but he ignores that.
His nose twitched, and he tried to smell just the food instead of his family. His ears swiveled around, subconsciously listening for intruders. All he could hear was the water in the pipes along with utensils scraping the plate.
All of a sudden, there was a loud scree e ch !, causing him to cover his ears and whimper. It just kept going, neverending, and his ears were going to explode and maybe he would finally die and be free from all this hurt-
Then it stopped. The blond kept his ears covered as he sat up, looking for the source of the sound. His family looked at him strangely. His hands lowered
"Did you guys hear that?" He whispered, everything still a bit amplified. They looked at each other, giving strange looks to one another.
"Hear what? Are you alright?" Wilbur asked, putting his knife down. The other two also wore worried faces.
"That loud noise!" Tommy said frantically. Was he going insane?
"Treasure, my ears are much better than yours, I would've heard a mouse squeak from nextdoor." Techno said, smiling.
"Yeah, chick. Nothing happened. Don't scare us like that, alright?" Phil chuckled, shaking his head.
Tommy nodded, hands shaking. While his eyes trailed down, Techno put away his earbuds and Phil retracted his nail. Wilbur smiled, a glint in his eye that wasn't there before.
—
Tommy was outside again, watching as Phil pulled weeds. The yellow dandelions didn't have any time to get away. He tore them away with a gentleness, easing them into an inescapable fate.
The blond stayed as far away as he could, not wanting to make Phil's life harder. He already caused enough problems for his family.
Phil, without looking at him, asks him, "You do understand why Will was upset yesterday, right?" And suddenly, Tommy realizes he's done something very wrong.
"Yes?" Tomy asked back, unsure himself. Phil put his tools down, dusting himself off as he stood.
He walked over to the blond, crouching in front of him. A certain look passed over his face, but was gone in a second. Reaching a hand out, he placed it on his cheek.
"Wil was just worried about you, chick. He didn't want you to leave right after we got our hands on you." Phil explained, warm smile tinged with something Tommy assumed was worry.
"Oh, that makes sense. I'm sorry." Tommy replied, feeling immense guilt. Who was he to hurt his brother? A monster, that's what.
"As much as I appreciate it, I'm not the one to apologise to." Phil stood up, holding his hand out to grab. Tommy did so, pulling with his limited strength.
They walked in through the sliding doors, instantly being met with the smell of something burning. Tommy's face scrunched in disgust, ears flicking to find the source.
The kitchen was completely smoky, and Phil told him to stay near the doors. But, he was stubborn, and walked towards the sound of arguing.
"I just wanted to cook dinner!" Wilbur shouted, sounding clearly agitated. There was a sigh.
"Wil, everyone and their mother know you can't cook for shit." Phil said, almost as if they had been over this many times before.
"But Tommy's finally home! I wanted him to feel welcome!" Wilbur's voice cracked as he continued to yell. Tommy let out a chitter, ears going back.
It was his fault.
The two came out of the smoke, window already open and airing the space out. Tommy sighed with relief, something in the back of his mind thinking one of them got hurt.
Wilbur looked surprised to see him, than instantly schooled his expression to one of neutrality. It hurt.
"Wil?" Tommy whispered, scared to make any moves.
"What? Want to ask to leave our family again?" The man smiled, leaving Tommy wide-eyed and even more guilty
"No! I came to… I came to apologise." Tommy muttered. Wilbur's face contorted in confusion, before softening.
"What I did was wrong. Especially after just reuniting. It was a shitty move on my end and I'm sorry." Tommy finished, trying to force his eyes to stay dry.
"Oh, Toms." Wilbur smiled, opening his arms, "Come here." Tommy froze, and then threw himself into his brother. The brunet made an 'oof' sound, causing Phil to giggle.
Tommy felt relief settle in his veins. He was okay, his brother forgave him. His heart stopped pounding, and his tail unfurled from around his waist.
Wilbur pulled him closer, leaning next to his ear, "If you ever say anything like that again, we will not hesitate to punish you," He spoke with finality, and Tommy froze, "understand?"
Tommy nodded quickly, not wanting a delayed answer to seem like more than it was. Wilbur smiled, and shared a look with Phil.
"Verbally, Toms. Speak when spoken to, and all that, right?" Tommy went to nod again, but then stopped himself. Prime, he needed to listen better.
"Yes, Wil. I understand."
Even despite the ugly feeling curling in his chest, Wilbur's smile made it that much better. His brother was always right, so there was no need to deny him anything.
Why would he? It was his brother, after all. Family wouldn't lie.
—
Tommy was dragged into Wilbur's hold later, and was (lovingly) forced into watching a document about killer whales.
Tommy tried to suggest moths instead, but the glare he was leveled with shut him up instantly.
He decided to just stay quiet and enjoy the warmth of the other. He also ignored how tightly the older was holding him.
Soon enough, he began to feel exhaustion rest upon his eyes. They dropped, his body following suit.
His head fell onto the chest of his brother, Wilbur's hand reaching up to mess with with his golden curls.
Just stay quiet, and you'll be fine .
I'll be fine. They wouldn't hurt me, right?.
(What is a bee to do without a queen?
What is a bee to do without a commander?
A bee serves to work.
Without work, it is nothing.
Without a purpose, He is nothing.
Death is better than living a disappointing life.)
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