Work Text:
Tommy knew something with Sam was… off, to say the least.
One might say that leaving Tommy in a prison with his abuser was a pretty good sign that something was off; that something was not right.
And Tommy would agree! Tommy would most assuredly agree, especially after he nearly died and all that crap.
But Sam had pulled him out of the cell right before Dream could make the killing blow. He had taken Tommy back to his house, put him under bedrest, and healed Tommy up good as new.
“I’m so, so sorry,” Sam had said softly, practically begging Tommy for forgiveness, “If I had known…”
Tommy looked away. He had wanted so badly to be mad, to scream and shout, to demand to know what was going on in Sam’s head.
But he couldn’t. Because loath as Tommy was to admit it, Tommy trusted Sam, thought of him as a mentor, and ultimately couldn’t stay mad at him for trying to do his job as warden.
“It’s alright, Big Man,” Tommy said tiredly, trying to give Sam a weak smile, “I forgive you and all that crap.”
Sam had pulled Tommy into a practically bone-crushing embrace, and it wasn’t until Tommy reminded Sam that not all of his bruises were gone that Sam loosened his hold.
And so, things went back to normal.
Well… not completely back to normal.
Sam seemed concerned about Tommy’s health, even after Tommy was as good as new.
“I just don’t want you to get hurt,” he said, after Tommy proposed the idea of going back into the real world as they were eating breakfast one morning, “Especially after…”
Sam trailed off, but it didn’t particularly matter. Tommy knew what he was about to say anyway.
And Tommy understood what Sam meant, and he wouldn’t deny that it felt nice to be worried after in this way. It felt nice to know that Sam cared enough that he didn’t want Tommy to get overwhelmed, that he didn’t want Tommy to get hurt again.
But the simple truth of the matter was that Tommy wasn’t a baby, and he didn’t actually need to be coddled in this way.
“I understand that,” Tommy said, keeping his words slow and deliberate so as to not make Sam think he was being ungrateful or anything like that. Dream had never liked it when Tommy acted ungrateful. “But I’m a big man; I can handle myself.”
Sam sighed. “Promise me you’ll be careful?”
“I promise,” Tommy said, smiling slightly in the hopes of reassuring his mentor.
Sam nodded, combing back his hair with his fingers. “Okay,” he muttered, “okay, you can go.”
Tommy practically leapt out of his chair for joy.
“Thank you so much, Sam,” he gushed, “You won’t regret this; I promise that I will wear my safety coat and everything.”
Sam smiled. “I believe you Tommy,” he said, “Now, go have fun out there. Don’t do anything reckless.”
Tommy nodded. He did have a history of recklessness. He’d be sure to try to end his streak.
Tommy was reckless.
He hadn’t meant to be. Jack was being a real jerk, claiming that the hotel belonged to him when it very clearly belonged to Tommy, and Tommy’s fists thought ahead of his brain.
And Jack hadn’t even hurt him that badly! Sam Nook had stepped in before Tommy could get more than a few bruises.
That didn’t stop Sam from giving Tommy a disappointed look when Sam Nook dragged Tommy to the prison entrance like a teacher ratting out their child to a parent.
Tommy shrunk away from the look, shutting his eyes tightly. Tommy may not know a lot about Sam’s methods, but Tommy one thing Tommy did know was that disappointment always meant punishment.
The walk back to Sam’s base was completely silent, and Tommy’s anxiety grew from the minute. Was Sam going to ignore him the entire day? Because Tommy wasn’t sure if he’d be able to handle that.
When they got inside the front entryway, Tommy braced himself for whatever punishment Sam was ready to dole out now that they were in the privacy of his home.
But Sam didn’t hit, or yell, or quietly ask for Tommy’s things. Instead, he just sighed softly.
“I’m not angry with you, Tommy,” Sam said, his voice soft.
Tommy didn’t uncurl himself as he said, “But you are disappointed.”
Sam shook his head, still frowning. “I’m not disappointed,” he denied, “I’m just worried.”
Tommy sagged a little bit. “Oh,” he muttered.
Sam sighed again, leading Tommy into the living room, where they both sat down on a sofa.
“It’s just… you’re always so reckless, Tommy,” Sam said quietly, “It worries me. So many people want to kill you on this server, and you only have one life—”
“I’m sorry,” Tommy interrupted. He hated hearing Sam like this. He hated Sam sounding so worried over Tommy’s own recklessness. “It won’t happen again.”
“You promised that last time,” Sam reminded Tommy, sounding mildly exasperated.
Tommy curled in on himself more. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.
Sam smiled slightly, wrapping an arm around Tommy. Tommy leaned into the touch.
“That’s okay,” Sam said, “I forgive you.”
Tommy instantly relaxed. It was okay. Sam didn’t hate him. Sam understood that Tommy was trying his best, that Tommy was trying not to be reckless.
“But Sam Nook needs to accompany you at all times whenever you’re on your own.”
Tommy stared up at Sam in shock. “What?” he demanded, “But—”
“Tommy,” Sam pleaded softly, his gaze sharp. Tommy stopped talking, and Sam sighed again. “Please. For my peace of mind, at the very least.”
Tommy let out his own sigh, but nodded. “Fine,” he conceded, “But I’m only doing this for you, you know. I can handle the consequences of my own recklessness.”
Sam nodded. “That’s fine,” he said, “I can handle knowing that you’re only doing this for my sake.”
“Good.”
So, Tommy allowed Sam Nook to follow Tommy everywhere he went. Besides, it wasn’t so bad. It was nice to have an extra layer of protection, and Sam Nook was pretty good company, even if some of the things he said were a bit artificial and repetitive.
Still, a prickle of unease ran down Tommy’s spine every time Sam Nook watched Tommy do something over his shoulder. It reminded him just a little too much of exile, of the way Dream had only come to watch him, to keep an eye on him, to make sure that Tommy behaved.
But it was different as well, because Sam Nook never demanded Tommy’s stuff, never lied to Tommy, never told him belittling things about himself. Sam Nook was only there for Sam’s peace of mind, and Tommy was willing to handle a bit of unease for Sam’s sake.
It was the least he could do after everything Sam has done for him.
Besides, Sam Nook never interrupted Tommy and Puffy’s therapy sessions, staying behind at the door of Puffy’s office. And Puffy promised that everything said in Tommy’s sessions were one-hundred percent confidential, that nothing left the room.
It felt good, knowing that there was a place that Tommy could say things that would never be used against him. Unless, of course, Puffy tried to use those things against him, but something told Tommy that Puffy wasn’t like that.
Still, it was strange, because after every therapy session, Sam seemed to know exactly what he and Puffy had talked about.
Well, not exactly per say.
For instance, once, Tommy and Puffy talked about how sometimes Tommy felt like Dream was watching him from the corner of his bedroom whenever Tommy tried falling asleep. He and Puffy had talked about methods of helping Tommy with the phantom.
That day at dinner, Sam mentioned that he could stay in Tommy’s bedroom if it Tommy him sleep better.
It was probably a coincidence. As a matter of fact, it was definitely a coincidence, but Tommy had to admit that it was a somewhat creepy one.
Still, Tommy pushed any concerns he had out of his mind. Sam wasn’t one for spying on people, and Puffy wasn’t one for talking about Tommy’s insecurities behind his back.
Right?
Still, even Tommy had to admit that things were up when he ran into Ponk a few weeks after being rescued from the prison by Sam.
You see, Ponk was missing something rather important.
“Where’s your arm?” Tommy asked rather rudely.
He grimaced. Sam had mentioned that Tommy only ever made enemies with that sort of talk, and he would rather not worry Sam by making yet another enemy.
Ponk glared at the air. “It’s been cut off.”
Tommy stopped himself from rolling his eyes. “Who cut it off?” Tommy asked, “Do I need to kill someone for you?”
His heart sunk when Tommy remembered that Sam Nook, who was standing right next to him, probably wouldn’t allow any revenge missions. Still, it was fun to pretend that Tommy used to have the same sort freedom he had before all this crap happened.
Wait a moment. What was he even talking about? Before, Tommy had only been in danger. Now, he was constantly protected because someone finally cared about him.
After Phil, Wilbur, and Dream, finally Tommy had a mentor who actually cared.
For some odd reason, Ponk stared Sam Nook in the eyes and said, “Sam did.”
What.
There was no way. There was no way Sam would do something like cut off Ponks arm. There was no way Sam would do that.
Right?
Tommy chuckled nervously. “Haha, funny joke, that was a—”
“It wasn’t a joke,” Ponk interrupted, his glare darkening, “Sam’s changing, Tommy, and I’m not sure it’s for the better.”
Tommy frowned, glancing up at Sam Nook, who seemed to be reaching for his trident.
“What are you talking about, big man?”
Ponk sighed. “Can we talk about this somewhere else? Away from… you know.”
Ponk jerked his head toward Sam Nook, and Tommy glanced up at the android uncertainly.
Sam Nook immediately held an arm out in front of Tommy. “I AM IN CHARGE OF PROTECTING TOMMYINNIT FROM ANY POTENTIAL THREAT BY CHARGE OF AWESAMDUDE,” he said, “YOU ARE A POTENTIAL THREAT. PLEASE LEAVE.”
Ponk smiled bitterly. “Of course, I am. Well, if you ever change your mind, you know where I live.”
Tommy watched with nausea rolling in his stomach as Ponk walked away.
For the rest of the day, the question couldn’t get out of Tommy’s mind. Had Sam really done such a thing? Why? Weren’t Sam and Ponk close?
Sam kept giving Tommy careful glances at the dinner table that night, but Tommy didn’t bring it up, instead loudly talking about how Michael seemed to be having an especially good time gardening with Ranboo.
Still, Ponk’s words never left Tommy’s mind the entire time.
“Sam’s changing, Tommy, and I’m not sure it’s for the better.”
Tommy snuck away that night.
Sam had gone away to do warden work for some reason, so Tommy used the opening to sneak past Sam Nook (which was not actually all that easy) and track down Ponk, who was at his base.
Maybe this was stupid, going to visit Ponk when he was basically fully on the Eggpire’s side. But Tommy needed answers, and Ponk didn’t seem too inclined to attack him in their earlier run-in.
Sure enough, Ponk didn’t attack on sight when Tommy appeared at his front door.
“You made it,” Ponk whispered, looking around as though Tommy had certainly been followed. Frankly, Tommy thought that was stupid, but he did allow himself to be ushered into the base like he was some sort of spy visiting the enemy base.
“Alright, big man, what the hell is going on?” Tommy demanded, “Why the heck did Sam cut off your arm?”
Ponk grimaced. “I stole access books,” he said, “for the prison.”
“So he cut off your arm?”
Ponk grabbed Tommy by the shoulder, and Tommy let out a startled yelp.
“Tommy, you need to listen to me,” Ponk said, his voice rushed, “You can’t trust Sam. He’s changing… he’s letting the power get to his head. I don’t know what he’s been telling you, but—”
Tommy jerked away. “No,” he said, willing his voice not to waver, “Sam’s only trying to protect me; he cares—”
“I thought Sam cared about me too, once,” Ponk said grimly.
Tommy grabbed his hair, tugging at it. The pain was grounding. “No, no, no,” he muttered, “You’re wrong. You have to be wrong.” He glared at Ponk suspiciously. “How do I know you’re not lying to me? How do I know you’re not trying to trick me so that your Eggpire can go ahead and kill me?”
Ponk sighed. “Tommy, if I wanted to kill you; I could do it right now.”
“You’re missing an arm,” Tommy said bluntly.
“That is ableist,” Ponk snapped, “I’m still perfectly capable of throwing a trident into your chest.”
Tommy flinched, taking a large step back.
Prime, Sam was right; Tommy was too brash, too reckless; now he was going to get killed for it; Prime, he should’ve just stayed home—
Ponk sighed. “I never said I’d actually do it, man.”
Tommy left Ponk’s base feeling incredibly unsettled.
Tommy snuck back into Sam’s base successfully. Still, he made sure to carefully creep back into his bedroom, hoping he didn’t wake Sam up if he happened to be back from whatever he was doing at the prison.
Tommy entered his bedroom and closed the door safely behind him. Letting out a sigh of relief, he turned around, ready to crawl into bed and pretend none of this ever happened.
“Did you have a nice walk?” Sam asked, sitting at a chair in the corner of Tommy’s bedroom.
Tommy’s blood went cold.
“What?” Tommy’s voice came out as a high-pitched squeak, and Tommy forced himself not to press his back against the door.
“Did you have a nice walk?” Sam asked again, standing up from where he was sitting, “Because you had to foolishly sneak out of the base for some reason, so I’m assuming it was a midnight walk.”
Sam knew where Tommy had been; Tommy could tell by the way he was speaking. Sam would probably appreciate it if Tommy just came clean now.
Tommy closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
“I just was just visiting Ponk,” Tommy confessed, looking down at his dirty shoes.
Sam sighed. “And why was that?” he asked, sounding horribly disappointed.
Except Sam never got disappointed. He was only worried. He was only worried for Tommy’s safety.
“Because…” Tommy hesitated, not sure if he wanted to tell Sam the real reason. But what other reason could he give that wouldn’t make Tommy sound even more reckless? “Because he said you cut off his arm, and I wanted to know why.”
Sam sighed again. “I understand that you would be… concerned after hearing something like that, but why didn’t you just come to me?” His voice was soft, as always, but there was an underlying tone of hurt that was never there before. “Wouldn’t that have been safer than going to Ponk, of all people?”
“I thought you liked Ponk,” Tommy argued.
“That was before he joined the Eggpire and stole the access books for the prison.” Sam crossed his arms. “He’s dangerous, Tommy. He was trying to free Dream.”
Tommy’s heart skipped a beat. “What?” he whispered, his voice cracking.
“Don’t you understand why I had to do it?” Sam asked, “I had to stop him from freeing Dream. Do you want Dream to escape?”
“No, of course not,” Tommy said weakly. Of course, he didn’t want Dream to escape. Of course, he didn’t want that. That was the last thing he wanted.
“Then you need to trust me, Tommy,” Sam said quietly, “How am I supposed to trust you if you don’t trust me?”
Tommy swallowed. “I do trust you, Sam—" Why did that feel like such a lie? “—you’re right, I was just being foolish.”
Sam gently grabbed Tommy’s shoulder. “That’s alright,” he said softly, “I forgive you, but I can’t trust you anymore.”
Tommy’s heart stuttered.
“What?”
“You can’t leave your room for the rest of the week,” Sam said, his voice cold, “I’ll be locking the doors at all times as an extra precaution.”
Tommy’s heart hammered against his chest. No, he couldn’t do this; he couldn’t be alone. It was one thing while he was recovering; tommy hadn’t wanted to see people, then. But now he did want to see people. He didn’t want to be trapped.
“No, Sam, you can’t—”
“You’ll find that I can,” Sam said coldly, “I’m only doing this because I want to protect you, Tommy. You’re becoming a danger to yourself.”
Tommy couldn’t breathe. “Please, I’ll be better, I’ll be better, but you can’t-I can’t—”
“You said that before, remember?” Sam’s voice was softer now, “You said you wouldn’t be reckless, and then you snuck out. I can’t just let that slide.”
“I know I was reckless,” Tommy pleaded, “But Sam—”
“Tommy, I thought you said you trusted me,” Sam said, sounding hurt again.
Tommy felt all the fight drain from his body. “You’re right,” Tommy said quietly, “I’m sorry.”
Sam smiled softly, ruffling Tommy’s hair. “As long as you understand.”
Tommy swallowed. “I do.”
“Good.”
Tommy’s first therapy session with Puffy after he was released was… interesting.
“I missed you last week,” Puffy said gently, “I hope you had a good vacation with Sam.”
…vacation. Right.
Something about all this just simply didn’t sit right with Tommy.
“Puffy…” Tommy began slowly, “Let’s just say, theoretically, that in Pogtpia, Wilbur would sometimes… lock me in my room, telling me it was for my protection. Is that… I don’t know, abuse or whatever you called it?”
Puffy nodded. “Yes, that is abuse. Regardless of his attentions, keeping you locked up is still abuse.”
Tommy’s stomach churned. Surely Sam couldn’t be an abuser. Surely Tommy had just read the situation wrong.
He tried again.
“Okay, but say he genuinely, really just wanted to protect me,” Tommy insisted, “Say that it was my own fault that he had to do it.”
“Abuse is abuse, regardless the circumstances surrounding it,” Puffy said firmly, “There’s nothing you could ever do that warrants that kind of treatment.”
Tommy glanced at the floor, drumming his fingers against his knee. Sam couldn’t be an abuser. He couldn’t be.
“Is there anything you’d like to tell me?” Puffy asked gently, not demanding, only welcoming.
Sam sounded like that when Tommy didn’t worry him. Sam must not be abusive. The circumstances were different. Puffy would agree if Tommy told her all the details.
Tommy shook his head. “No, nothing at all.”
“Do you think I’m abusive, Tommy?” Sam asked quietly as they watched tv on the couch that night.
Tommy stiffened. “What?” he asked, his voice coming off far more high-pitched than Tommy would’ve preferred.
Sam’s old around Tommy’s shoulders tightened, and Tommy forced himself not to panic.
“You asked Puffy if what I did to you was abusive,” Sam said, “So, clearly, you had concerns, at the very least.”
Horror filled Tommy’s entire body, and he stilled completely, hardly daring to breathe.
“How, how do you know that?” Tommy whispered, “Those are confidential; you’re not supposed to know; did Puffy tell you?”
“The how doesn’t matter,” Sam said calmly, “I’m only concerned about you Tommy; I only want to make you happy.”
Tommy gaped, trying to wrap his mind around what was happening. “Puffy did tell you, didn’t she?” It was the only conclusion that could possibly make sense, the only explanation. “That-that was private.”
“I’d prefer it if you didn’t talk about me behind my back, Tommy,” Sam said quietly, sounding hurt, “I’ve told you before. If you have concerns, you can come straight to me.”
Tommy didn’t like it when Sam felt hurt. Tommy didn’t like it when Sam got worried.
Tommy didn’t like it when Sam locked him in his room, when Sam looked into his personal fears, when Sam Nook watched him like a hawk.
“Fine,” Tommy said, his voice raising in volume, “Fine! Why are you treating me this way, Sam? Because Puffy says it’s abusive, and Ponk says you’ve changed, and I don’t know what to think anymore.”
Tommy wasn’t sure what he expected from Sam, but the look of pure heartbreak on his face was certainly not one of them. Wilbur and Dream would’ve responded in anger, not like this.
“I care about you,” Sam said, “I just want to keep you safe.”
“You… you locked me in my room,” Tommy gasped, forcing himself to take deep breaths, “I’m freaking claustrophobic.”
Sam held Tommy closer to him, and Tommy didn’t resist the motion.
“I’m sorry, but it was the only way to protect you,” Sam said softly, “You’re always so reckless, you never think before you speak. It’s going to get you killed one day.”
“Everyone dies eventually, Sam,” Tommy said quietly, “I’d prefer to do it on my own terms.”
“I’d prefer you not do it until you’re old and gray,” Sam replied.
“You can’t keep me sheltered forever; I’m my own man, you know,” Tommy protested, albeit weakly.
“Tommy.” Sam’s voice was sterner.
Tommy should shut up, and he almost did.
But there was something in his tone that reminded him of the way Wilbur used to try to shut him up, the way Dream used to shut him up.
And so Tommy jumped to his feet instead.
“No,” he said quietly, forcing himself to keep speaking unless he fall silent and wasn’t allowed to speak anymore, “No, no, no, this isn’t right. This isn’t, this isn’t screwing right.”
Sam stood up, reaching for Tommy, and Tommy took a step back.
“I’m leaving,” Tommy said, trying to steady his voice, “I’m leaving, don’t try to follow me, don’t try to track me, because I’m leaving, and you can’t force me to stay, because you’re not my dad, and I’m not exiled by law, and I’m a free man, and I can go where I please.”
“Tom—”
“No!” Tommy shouted, spinning around and heading toward the door, “You can’t—”
Tommy bumped into something, causing him to stumble backwards. Sam Nook was standing in front of him, and Tommy barely had time to let out a startled shout as Nook grabbed him firmly by the wrists like he was some prisoner about to be escorted to prison.
“No, no, no, no,” Tommy whispered, “You can’t do this, you can’t do this, please…”
Sam grabbed Tommy firmly by the shoulder from behind, and Sam Nook let go of Tommy’s wrists. They were going to bruise; Tommy realized dully. Sam Nook had held onto them too tightly.
“You’re not leaving,” Sam said, his voice colder, “It’s safer for you in here.”
Tommy was vaguely aware of tears running down his cheeks, but he was too focused on spinning away from Sam’s grasp.
“I’m not your screwing prisoner!” Tommy shouted, his voice getting choked on a sob, “You can’t… you can’t do this!”
“I can,” Sam said, his voice getting more and more warden-like at the second, “And I will.”
Tommy scowled massaging his bruised wrists. “No, you won’t.”
And with that, Tommy sprinted down the hall back toward his bedroom, slamming the door behind him. Tommy couldn’t lock the door on his own (another sign that something had gone wrong), but he could hold it down by force.
So, with his back firmly holding the door in place, Tommy fumbled for his communicator sitting in his pocket and dialed the first person he could think of.
“Tommy?” Puffy’s voice asked over the communicator, sounding confused.
“Puffy,” Tommy gasped, trying to breathe, “It’s Sam, it’s Sam. You said it was abuse, right? You said locking someone up was abuse, right?”
“Oh my god,” Puffy said, her voice coated with disbelief. “Sam?”
Tommy let out a startled shout as he felt someone trying to open the door. Tommy put all of his weight in opposition against them.
“Puffy, you need to get me out, he won’t let me leave, please—”
“Oh my god, don’t worry Tommy, we’re coming—”
Tommy cried out as the door was forcibly opened, causing him to collapse onto the floor. Sam Nook, as it turned out, was a strong android, because he wrestled his communicator out of Tommy’s hands quicker than Tommy could even try to struggle.
Hopelessness flooded Tommy as he saw Sam Nook crush the communicator in his hands, and tears burned at the corners of his eyes.
Sam locked Tommy in his room again. Tommy couldn’t even bring himself to be surprised.
“You’ll understand one day,” Sam had said quietly from behind the door.
“I’ll understand never,” Tommy snapped, trying to sound strong even though tears were pouring down his face, “I trusted you.”
“I still care about you Tommy,” Sam argued, “I’m not like—”
“It doesn’t matter,” Tommy interrupted, “Just screw off.”
Sam left. Tommy continued sobbing like a baby.
This wasn’t fair. He trusted Sam. He trusted him.
And now he was alone.
He must’ve fallen asleep, because the next thing Tommy knew, he heard the sound of shouting. Someone was banging their fists against the door, and Tommy instantly jumped to his feet.
“Tommy?” Puffy’s voice emerged from the outside of the door, “Tommy, are you in there?”
“Yes!” Tommy shouted, “Yes, it’s me!”
The shouting probably wasn’t necessary, but his relief made it impossible to do anything but.
“Okay, Tommy,” Puffy said, “Take a few steps back; I’m coming in there for you.”
Tommy obeyed, and he screamed when the door was practically exploded out of the way. He took a few steps back.
Puffy emerged from the rubble of the once-door, staring at Tommy with a strange look. “Tommy?”
“Puffy?” he asked, his voice cracking.
Puffy smiled. “Yeah, Tommy. It’s me. Foolish is fighting Sam right now. How about we get out of here, huh?”
And Tommy didn’t trust her, per say; Tommy honestly wasn’t sure if he’d have the capacity to trust anyone ever again. But he so wanted to leave.
So he took her hand.
Puffy smiled more brightly than the stars themselves, and she led him back out of the base. Tommy forced himself to look away from Sam Nook lying on the floor, wires sticking out of his synthetic body. Tommy tried to ignore Sam shouting at Foolish, instead clutching onto Puffy’s hand all the more tightly.
When they were outside, Tommy practically cried from relief.
“You’re safe now,” Puffy promised, “You’re safe.”
And maybe Tommy didn’t believe her, as Puffy led him away from yet another home of tears and heartbreak, but one day, he would realize it was true.
Because Tommy was safe, truly safe. Not in a prison disguised as a home, but free to make his own choices with people who properly loved and supported him by his side.
And it felt good.