Chapter Text
Waking up to the sound of a sharp and rapid tonal sound is never a pleasant experience Tommy thought as he blinked slowly at his phone that was currently going off. Disturbing his much more pleasant slumber. With little thought, he reached over and pressed snooze, falling back to sleep shortly after.
This happened twice more before Tommy decided to move. Slowly, he raised himself into a seating position on his bed and stared straight ahead. He weighed the pros and cons in his head of skipping school and going back to bed. But he knew if he did that, he wouldn’t hear the end from it from Tubbo. Or his dad. Or his brothers. Or his mum. Or, hell, maybe even God himself.
His pushed himself from his bed with little enthusiasm, walking out his door to the shared bathroom down the hall. Which he shared with two others but know only one. Although it seemed that the spare space Tommy thought would be shared between him and his brother, went only to his brother. Stupid rock, paper, scissors.
After recovering from the unexpected brightness of the bathroom’s lights, he stared at his reflection. He had half a mind to brush his hair but opted to instead to push it back lazily with his hand. After struggling with it for a minute he turned the tap on, cold water flowing down the basin of the sink. The water felt nice against his dry skin, but it dripped down his chin, making his shirt and the sink wet.
He looked back up to his reflection, he felt more awake, but the very thought of turning back to his bed and sleeping was still very much a tempting offer. However, he made it this far and the sound of something warm to eat or drink was a lot more inviting to his dry mouth.
He stepped down the stairs and was met with a silent house. He must have slept in longer than he thought, most mornings he is greeted by his dad on his way to work or the sound of his brother cursing at the coffee machine. Although, instead of curses, he could hear the rapid sound of typing coming from the kitchen. Techno. Probably. But he doubted burglars would commit crime this early.
The kitchen, upon entering, was in fact not overrun by criminals. Though, Tommy would debate that his brother that is currently slouched over his laptop wearing nothing, but a short sleeve Tee and shorts was pretty criminal. Tommy shivered at the sight, despite himself wearing ratty pyjama pants and one of the sweaters Wilbur left behind.
Making his presence known –because he knew that if he didn’t Techno wouldn’t even know he was there- “Mornin’” He greeted simply, walking around the dining table Techno sat to the kitchen cupboards, retrieving a mug for himself. He didn’t even lift his head to acknowledge Tommy’s existence, only giving a gruff hum in response to queue he was listening. Bastards, Tommy thought.
Turning his attention away from his rather uninterested brother, Tommy stared down the coffee machine. He wasn’t a coffee by nature, or by anything really. The taste was too bitter that no amounts of sugar could salvage, but he’s heard -mostly for his brothers- that coffee is mans greatest creation. It gives one superpower, that allows the drinker to fight off sleep, along with being gifted enough energy to power a house. It exaggerated words on Wilbur’s behalf, and words that Tommy might have paraphrased.
It’s that energy that Tommy needed that morning. But the longer he stared at the machine and the longer the smell of coffee clung to his nose hairs the more unappealing coffee sounded.
Not a moment later, he caved. Turning to the tins placed beside the foul-tasting liquid maker, he pulled out a packet of powered Hot Chocolate. He nodded to himself and set about the tasks on making himself a warm, sweet and heaven blessed cup.
While he waited for the kettle to warm up, he turned back to Techno. He watched him for a moment. Maybe if he stared long enough, he would finally look at him. But as it seemed, his brother’s attention was on something much more important. Bullshit.
“Mum missed your calls.” He said, he wasn’t one to sit in silence. Silence made him uncomfortable and itchy.
Techno grumbled, not even a flicker of eye contact. “Not everyone has time to call her every day.” At least he spoke to him, that was a win in Tommy’s book. Most times when Techno was hyper focused his work, he would ignore everything and everyone until it was done. A couple of presses on the delete key and Techno continued. “Not even Phil calls her every day.”
Tommy frowned, that just made him sound clingy. He was not clingy. “Yeah okay, whatever.” He replied defensively. He stated quiet for a moment longer before he decided to speak again. This time more softly. “Have you been talking to her at all?”
Techno sighed, he pulled he glasses of with a flourish and rubbed at his eyes. His eyes finally flickered to Tommy’s. his brows pulled in involuntary, his eyes were red and glassy. How long has he been up?
“I was plannin’ on callin’ her when this was done.” He gestured lazily to his laptop, resting his head on his hand. Tommy’s brows furrowed deeper.
“How long is that going to take?” he snapped, which granted was slightly harsh, but then again, they were talking about Techno’s lack of communication to their mother.
Techno rolled his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest. “I don’t know Tommy, a week? At most.” Tommy nodded slowly; he couldn’t get too mad at Techno. But lately it felt like Tommy was a stranger in his brother’s life.
Noticing that the conversation was over, Techno turned his attention back to his important business. He kettle sounded next to Tommy, he turned and poured the hot liquid into his mug with his powered chocolate. Already the bitter smell of coffee was washed away with the sweet scent of chocolate. Tommy breathed it in as he turned to the fridge to retrieve the milk.
“Oh, Phil wanted to me to tell you that there were pancakes in the fridge. From yesterday I’m guessing.” Techno shrugged as he continued to shrug, Tommy beamed at the mention of pancakes, he pulled the fridge door open with a bit too much force. Making the contents on the shelf to rattle. But lo and behold, a small stack of pancakes sat right at his eye level.
He pulled the pancakes out first, pulling the glade ward off with, admittedly, a bit too much excitement. There were only two on the plate, but two was better than none. He wasted no time in throwing – gently, he was very gentle- into the microwave. He turned to his hot chocolate while he waited, but remembered he never took the milk out.
It was just what he needed, a mug of warm liquid chocolate and a plate of warm, buttery pancakes waiting to be eaten. He pulled his phone out and opened the latest messengers.
He read through the ones he missed when he fell asleep, which mostly consisted of a few messages of Tubbo’s aimless rambles, and a few from a couple of minutes ago, which again were from Tubbo. This time, however, he was greeting Tommy and Ranboo good morning. He sent a quick one back and left it at that. He mood shifted drastically when he saw the other new messengers. There were about fifty simultaneous massagers from the same contact in the last two hours. Tommy hasn’t even been awake that long! He read through them absentmindedly, a cold slick dread filling the pit of his stomach. Why text him now? Why couldn’t he leave him alone? He left the messengers unanswered because the microwave was beeping at him and at that moment, he really just wanted to eat something.
He pulled the steamy goodness from the microwave, and placed them, along with his mug on the table Techno sat at. He plopped down on the chair opposite to him and reached over to the butter. Techno’s attention was on him again, well his pancakes.
“They’re going to be soggy.” He had a disgusted look on his face, Tommy scoffed at him as he used the butter knife to get some butter.
“It’s not like I was going to eat the pancakes cold, Technoblade.” He dragged out the syllables on Techno’s full name, a mocking trait he recently adopted. He smeared the butter on top of one of his pancakes, but to his horror, the top layer teared, the butter refused to be acquaintance with the sugary goods. A horrified look was painted on his face as the more he tried to spread, the more dough seemed to fold over itself. He could feel Techno’s smile on him.
When his first pancake was nothing starting to crumble under the knife, he gave up, choosing to pick up the pieces and eating it. His dream of having a satisfying and delicious breakfast was chased away by this monstrosity. He didn’t bother butter the second one, he much preferred to have a whole pancake, then crumbs.
With his plate finished and his mug a few sips away Techno spoke again. “You should probably finish getting ready for school.” Tommy’s eyes flickered to the clock above Techno’s head.
“I still have thirty minutes until school starts.” Tommy stated matter of factly. Techno huffed.
“Well, yes, but your walking, right?”
“I thought you could take me.” He said simply, picking at the crumbs left on his plate and licking off a ball of butter that stuck to his finger. Techno looked back up to him.
“Ah, no. Like I said Tommy, I don’t have time for, like anything.” He articulated slowly. He was looking at Tommy like he was dumb.
They stared at each other, techno quirking his eyebrow at him before he dropped his daze to once again return to his laptop screen. Tommy huffed out an annoyed breath.
He placed his arms atop the dinner table, the wood was cool against his forearms, it made him shiver. “What about your fencing classes?” He pressed, when Techno looked back up, with an annoyed frown on his face, Tommy was already looking at him.
“What about it?” He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Tommy sighed and rolled his eyes.
“I just mean, surely you don’t have enough time to balance this,” he gestured to Techno a laptop, because if were to be completely honest, he didn’t have the faintest clue on what Techno was doing. “And your fencing lessons or training.”
Techno’s gaze flickered away sheeplessly. “I’m not doing lessons right now.” he mumbled, Tommy stared at him.
“What do you mean you’re not doing lessons!?” he shrieked, Techno winced at the volume.
“Tommy.” Tommy’s mouth slammed shut. Techno rubbed the lengths of his face with exhaustion. “I’m still doing fencing, just not the lesson at the moment.”
Tommy continued to stare; he was confused now. He waited, patiently, for Techno to continue.
Techno shot a glare towards Tommy’s finger tapping and signed. “I’m- just trying to focus my attention on this.”
“Yeah, I’m well aware of that.” Tommy scoffed; he got an unimpressed glare in response.
“Sorry” He mumbled. “Okay, but for the past week all you’ve been doing is this, and you said that your still training?” He paused, Techno nodded, slowly. “So, when, exactly, do you do your training?”
“When everyone sleeping?” He stated it as a question, but Tommy knew he was unsure of his response to that. Which wasn’t very positive, nor quiet.
“You train for at least 4 hours! Estimated!” He leaned across the table, his mouth hanging open. “Okay wait, so your train when everyone is asleep? So that’s at least like eleven,” Techno nodded slowly again in response, Tommy frowned at him. “But how come I don’t hear you? I’m pretty sure I would be able to hear your attacking a tree in the middle of the night.” Shockingly, Techno laughed, he ran his hand through his hair as he leaned back in his chair.
“I don’t train here Tommy. I go to the gym.” Tommy stared at him.
“That’s at least a ten-minute drive.” Tommy stated, Techno shrugged picking up his mug and taking a sip.
“It clears my head a bit.” He was acting very casually. Tommy didn’t like it.
“Do you, like, get any sleep?” Tommy asked, still staring at his brother with horror. Techno shrugged. And Tommy did not like that response.
“Does dad know?” He asked, Techno shook his head, a frown playing at his lips. “What about Wil?” He shook his head again, he shifted in his seat, Techno was starting to look annoyed.
“I haven’t told them because it doesn’t concern them. I’m a fully capable adult, Tommy.” Techno stated sharply, Tommy laughed humourlessly.
“Yes, it does! It’s effecting your health.” Techno shot him a harsh glare; Tommy brushed it off. “And if you’re a so call ‘capable adult’ you would know that!” He sat back against his seat aggressively and crossed his arms over his chest.
“I know my limits.” He replied defensively. Tommy huffed out a breath and titled his head.
“I don’t think you do.” He snapped, he watched Techno’s face shift and continued, a bit more softly. “Do I need to remind you of last year, Techno?” he was entering dangerous waters now. A topic his family have all agreed to never mention, but Tommy felt in that moment he needed to remind too. Call it blatant impulsiveness.
“No, Tommy. You do not.” Techno said in-between clenched teeth. Tommy sighed, his body going limp in the chair. He tore his daze away from Techno’s, turning to instead to look at the last of his hot chocolate, watching the chocolate skate through the light brown liquid.
“I just don’t want you to burn yourself out.” Tommy spoke quietly, he sounded like a little kid, he hated it, but the thought of Techno relapsing was terrifying. The images of Techno laying pale and sweaty on a hospital bed was engraved so deeply in his mind. He’s had nightmares of hospital Techno. And now, looking at the puffy red eyes, the dried and cracked lips and deep blue eye bags. The memories seem to return clearer.
Techno released a long-drawn-out breath, most of the tension and fight leaving his body.
“Yeah, yeah I know.” When Tommy looked back to Techno, his gaze was distant, he seemed to be in the same place Tommy was. He turned his head slightly to look back at Tommy and smiled. “At least I’m having a break now?” Tommy huffed out a pathetic laugh, a matching smile growing on his face.
“Yeah, about time.” He picked pressed his index finger on his plate, picking up crumbs. The sound of typing didn’t return and when he looked up, Techno’s attention was on his movement. He smiled to himself, his eyes darting to above Techno.
“Drive me to school.” He looked sharply at Techno, he blinked back. “Extend your brake for another couple of minutes. I think it’s the least you could do.” He smiled softly at Techno, but his heart was racing. He could turn him down, turn him down and turn back to his screen. Shutting himself off from the world and killing himself in the process. He waited anxiously for Techno reply. His leg bouncing up and down beneath the table.
Techno was silent, he eyes flickered to his screen, and Tommy was preparing himself for the refusal, when Techno’s brown eyes met his blue. He nodded, a small smile on his face. “Yeah, okay. Sure” Techno closed his laptop, the first time Tommy’s seen him do it all week. His face broke out in a full-blown grin.
He jumped up from his chair, “Okay! Just let me get changed really quick.” He picked up his dishes and with no gentleness placed them in the sink. They both winced at the sound it caused. They looked at each other and smile like idiots.
Techno’s soft chuckle followed him up the stairs into his room.
____
Despite the day not beginning for another ten minutes, the hallways were ablaze with students. It made Tommy’s skin buzz, there was something about the energy that was emitted from large crowds that made Tommy feel electric and alive.
He strolled down the hallway with his head held high, a large smile on his face and greeting anyone that would meet his eye. A giddy feeling rose in his chest when they would greet back. Although he caught a few distrained looks thrown his way, someone must have pissed in their cereal this morning, he thought has he tipped his head towards a particularly large group of people who had that exact look.
He made it to his locker without a hitch and a pip in his step. He went about the process on mulling over his timetable for the day and sorting his lose notes into their only folder he has for school. How he manages to never lose them, is lost on him.
He heard a clatter to the locker next to him, followed by a huff. He peaked by his locker door, spotting Tubbo leaning against a locker, facing the in front of him.
He smiled at the boy, despite him not seeing it. “Morning Tubzo!” he slammed his locker door with a little too much enthusiasm. Tubbo flinched beside him, and he winced, sending a quick sorry. Tubbo turned to look at him, a hard glare.
“Your way to chipper for seven o’clock in the morning.” Tubbo grumbled, turning to lean his shoulder instead against the locker to face Tommy.
“Actually,” Tommy started, pulling his phone out from his pocket. “It’s seven twenty.” Tubbo did not look amused.
“I could kill you, right now, and no one would know.” He deadpanned; tommy sputtered.
“The whole hallway would know!”
Tubbo shrugged, “I can make it look like an accident.” They stared at each other, before Tubbo’s face broke into a grin. Tommy, at that moment didn’t know if that was a comforting grin. He laughed nervously, Tubbo giggling to himself.
“Ah, anyway,” Tommy quirked an eyebrow at Tubbo, his eyes darting down the hallway. “Have you heard from Ranboo? He hasn’t said anything since end of school yesterday.”
Tommy huffed at him, patting him on the shoulder. “Give him a break Big T, he’s probably busy or something.” Tubbo still looked unsure.
“Yeah, but he’s normally at school by now.” He worried his lip; Tommy titled his head at him and turned to face him fully.
“Tubbo relax,” He placed his palms on Tubbo’s shoulder, looking him in the eyes and trying for his most reassuring smile. “We’ve known the weirdo for less than a week. So, let’s not make assumptions.” Tubbo stared in his eyes, his eyebrows drawing in.
“Who are you and what have you done with my best friend?”
“I can be level-headed!” Tommy exclaimed.
“Yeah, and I can past my third period test without cheating.” Tubbo said straight-faced, Tommy frowned, Tubbo following suite. “Sorry, I’m not cheating, I actually studied.” Tommy continued to stare, Tubbo’s gaze flittering around to look anywhere but at him, he sighed. “Oh-kay! I might have a cheat sheet I’m going to use.” He paused and looked up at Tommy. “That’s it.” He whispered. Tommy nodded, smiling down at him.
“You know, if you need any help, all you have to do is ask.”
“With what? Cheating? Tommy, I think we are both fully aware that I am more than capable at cheating.” Tommy laughed, shaking his head at his friend.
“Fellas!”
They looked up and down the hall, seeing Quackity walking towards them.
“Big Q!” Tommy called, waving at him. Tubbo nodded his greetings.
“Just the two I was looking for.” Qauckity said when he was stationed in front of them.
“And what do we owe the pleasure?” Tommy rubbed his hands together, an eager gleam in his eye.
“I was just wondering if you’ve seen Ranboo this morning.” Tommy deflated, Tubbo piped in.
“Oh, no sorry Big Q. We haven’t seen him yet. Why were you looking for him?”
“Speech.” Qauckity replied simply, looking annoyed. He sighed, “Well if you see him, make sure to tell him I needed his speech, yesterday.”
“Ah, yeah, sure thing.” Tommy and Tubbo’s exchanged a look, Tubbo shrugging his shoulder subtly.
“Oh, ah, before I go-“ They turned back to Qauckity, who was looking a little unsure about himself. He turned his full attention to Tubbo, he sent a quick look towards Tommy before looking back at Qauckity.
“Hate to ask this,” He paused and his voice dropping to a near whisper. “But do you reckon you could supply me your dads’ number?” Tubbo reeled back sharply.
“Why?” He asked with a bite.
Qauckity chuckled nervously, looking down the halls briefly before looking back to Tubbo. “Well, I’ve heard that your dad, um, y’know, has supplied people before.” Tommy saw the moment Tubbo’s eyes flashed red. His eyes clouded over, leaving a cold, icy stare. His eyebrow twitched on occasion, but other than that it was like his face was frozen in time. Tommy had only seen him react like this on odd occasions, the events that follow always differ. But he knows for a fact it ends in disaster.
Before Quackity could feel the cold, hard rage of Tubbo. Tommy stood forward.
“Quackity, what the fuck is wrong with you?” He felt the sudden urge to spit in his face for emphasis, but he still had some respect for the older boy. “Your stepping way over line, buddy.”
Quackity backed up, lifting his hands in the air in false surrender. “Geez, calm down Tommy.” He chuckled nervously, rubbing the back his neck, looking between Tommy and Tubbo. “I don’t see what’s the problem?” He asked stupidly.
It was Tubbo who spoke up, eerily calm. “The problem, Big Q, is that you’re asking me to give you my father number, for drugs.” The stare Tubbo was sending Quackity only promised murder. He laughed, cold and rough. “What gave you the impression that I would be willing to give you access to unsafe drugs?”
Quackity’s eyebrow raised in interest. Tommy really did not like that look. “So, you’re telling me, you will supply me with ‘safer’ drugs?” He worn a mischievous smile, and Tommy really wanted to punch him in the face.
“No, Quackity, it means I’m going to give you any drugs.” Tubbo snapped, looking repulsed.
“Hey man,” He raised his arms up again and sighed. “Look man, I promised the guys that I would be able to provide for the get together tonight. So cut me some lack alright?”
“Oh, oh yeah, of course. Because that makes everything so much better.” Tubbo’s words were practically dripping with sarcasm. If this was any other situation, Tommy would laugh. But all he could do is stare death towards the boy he had so much respect for.
He hated this, hated that Quackity forced Tubbo in this situation. This whole exchange is making him uncomfortable; he could imagine what it was doing to Tubbo.
“Quackity, what you’re asking right now? So inappropriate. For so many reasons.” Quackity looked confused, he looked back at Tubbo and seemed to finally feel the weight of his words. He deflated, stepping forwards towards Tubbo.
“Hey Tubbo man, I-I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking.” Tommy manoeuvred himself to stand in-between Tubbo and Qauckity.
“I think you should go, Qauckity.” Tommy said, looking down at the shorter boy. He liked that he had the height advantage, it made him feel powerful.
Quackity looked up at him, then to Tubbo with mournful eyes, before he nodded curtly and swiftly turned down the hallway. He walked with his hands in his pocket, using his beanie to obstruct his embarrassed face from his fellow classmates.
Tommy watched him go and heard Tubbo realise a big shaky breath. He swivelled his head around, his eyes racking over Tubbo’s face. “You okay, Tubbo?” he whispered.
Tubbo looked up, giving him a weak smile. “Yeah, bossman.” He sighed again, dragging his hand over his face. “God, Quackity is such a dick.” He pushed out a weak laugh, Tommy followed, leaning back against the lockers.
“Yeah, major dick.” They stayed in tentative silence. Tommy staying by Tubbo’s side while he tried to calm his shaky hands. It wasn’t until the first warning bell for the day sounded that they began to move again.
“I have to go, otherwise Mr Star is going to write me up.” He sighed mock wistfully. “If only he had as much admiration for me, as I do for him.” Thankfully, Tubbo laughed at his poor attempt at a joke. “Come get you for break?” He knew he didn’t have to ask; it has always been a routine to walk together to the cafeteria. But Tubbo nodded anyway.
Tommy patted his friend on his shoulder and walking in the direction of his way to his homeroom.
When he entered, he greeted his teacher, making sure to annoy him for his own entertainment and made his way to his seat.
He pulled his phone out, seeing unread messengers’ notifications. Upon opening, he very quickly wished he ignored the notification. The bastard from this morning had texted him again. This time a bit more ferociously. They all read basically the same. Don’t ignore me, Tommy. I saw you read this. You bailed on me. And then I have a favour to ask. Tommy narrowed his eyebrows at that. His interest, against his better judgement, peaked. But for whatever he was about to be asked to do, he knew he was putting himself in danger. So, he texted back. The first time in a month and a half. He hoped after the first two weeks that he wouldn’t have to deal with him anymore.
Sorry, Dream. But I have plans.
It was risky, but he knew that he couldn’t hurt him. He can threaten, but threats mean nothing if there are filled with nothing.
His phone vibrates twice in his hand, his stomach flies to his throat at the action. But it settled slightly when he saw that Tubbo texted him as well. Ignoring the message from Dream, he opened Tubbo’s instead.
Beeboi
ranboo hasnt come in for homeroom. he hasnt answered any of my texts ither.
Tommy cursed to himself, earning the person next to him to send him a glare, he sent an apologetic smile to them and turned back to his phone.
He was planning on asking Ranboo if he wanted to hang out with him and Tubbo over the weekend. Tubbo’s idea. But now with the influx of Dreams messengers, and his ominous ‘favour’ he was going to use it has his excuse. Now though, with Ranboo radio silent, Tommy was left exposed.
Slowly, he opened Dreams message.
Creepy Bastard
No, you don’t.
Tommy shivered, shutting his phone off and squeezed his eye close, tight.
“Fuck.” He whispered.