Chapter Text
Tubbo flew just slightly above the cities buildings.
It was a rather peaceful night. Tubbo usually took advantage of these nights by flying above the city to feel the wind blow through his hair and to stretch out his wings. The noise of honking cars and faint chatter was just slightly out of earshot from where Tubbo flew - a small hum escaping his throat.
His earpiece crackled slightly before a voice was heard; “Feelin’ giddy big T?”
Tubbo poorly tried to stifle a giggle at Tommy’s tone.
Tommy was always more on edge of the two. Tommy’s paranoia and heightened senses were both a blessing and a curse - with Tommy saying they’re a blessing and Tubbo somewhat trying to convince Tommy they’re a curse. With how Tommy reacts whenever minor blogs posts pics of Tubbo in his attire, he's pretty sure that Tommy will die of cardiac arrest at the ripe age of seventeen.
“Well, yeah! We rarely have quiet days like these!” Tubbo said, rotating slightly to where his back was facing the city below and he was looking up at the night sky.
The only thing Tubbo hated about living in the city, was that it had such a bad night-sky view. The only thing that could match the brightness of the lights below was the moon and a few stars - but even those could barely be seen from behind the dark gray clouds above.
“I wouldn’t lower my guard T, you’ve been gaining a lot more attention lately. You might have to lay low for a bit,” Tommy suggested, the sound of nervous tapping could be heard from the other side of the earpiece.
(This is exactly why Tubbo calls Tommy’s paranoia a curse.)
Sure, vigilantes weren’t exactly legal to be allowed but that didn’t stop Tubbo and a lot of other vigilantes. “Okay, now you gotta relax bossman. We’re fine. I’m fine! Besides, it’s just a few measly articles from some blogs and no-name websites. And I have been laying low, for your information” Tubbo said, trying to comfort his friend.
Tommy let out a sigh and Tubbo knew that Tommy wasn't comforted and was doing that thing where he was curling his fingers in and out repeatedly, a nervous habit that Tommy gained a few months back. “I know-I—“ Tommy stumbled over his words slightly. “—I just don’t want you getting caught,” Tommy mumbled causing Tubbo to laugh loudly.
“Awh, big man’s getting all soft—“
“You know what actually? I don’t give a shit if you get caught. Fuck you. Die,” Tommy said, not even letting Tubbo finish his sentence, causing the teen to laugh harder as he clutched the sides of his stomach. Suddenly the sound of hasty clicks could be heard, which signaled Tubbo that Tommy found something. “There’s a robbery happening at the bank on hemp street,” Tommy said. “Police have been contacted but they’ll only be able to reach there in thirty minutes. Dudes got a couple of hostages as well,” He informed.
“Not exactly a lay low kind of night as you hoped, huh?” Tubbo said as he quickly checked his gear.
“Shut up,” Tommy said, with obviously no venom behind the remark.
“I’m heading over there right now,” Tubbo said before adjusting his wings slightly lower, to where they would make him fly faster. “How many does he have?” Tubbo questioned, the bank coming into view.
“About—oh shit!”
“What? What’s up?” Tubbo asked landing on the bank’s steps before a man in a security uniform flew past right him.
The man rolled down the street before hitting the sidewalk. Tubbo went to take a step towards the man before Tommy’s urgent voice crackled through his earpiece.
“Tubbo, get out of there now! That’s the guy who broke out last week!” Tommy shouted and Tubbo’s eyes widened as he turned to see Merman; a criminal with the ability to manipulate water who was taken down by the hero Awesamdude.
Merman made eye contact with Tubbo and the teen quickly flew out the way as water in the form of a spike flew towards him. Tubbo let out a sigh of relief as the man from earlier quickly scrambled out of the way. “Not only are the police coming but so are a couple of heros'!” Tommy warned.
“Okay, so I’ll try to stall this guy as long as I can—“
“Tubbo, that’s stupid! The most dangerous thing you’ve done up to this point was go up to a guy who had a gun!” Tommy argued.
Tubbo closed his eyes tightly at that memory. That night wasn’t exactly the most pleasant night. “And?” Tubbo asked, trying to shrug off his now discomfort.
“And!?” Tommy exclaimed. “I had to stitch up a close call bullet wound!” He said.
“This is water, not bullets,” Tubbo shot back.
“I don’t give a shit, Tubbo! The second that water touches your wings, you’re vulnerable! Your escape is thrown out the window!” Tommy shouted. “This isn’t your fight. Leave it for the heroes,” Tommy said.
“You know I can’t do that bossman,” Tubbo said, glancing over at a window next to him. There was a few hostages, some were tied and others were huddled up. He couldn’t leave now that he’s given them hope - it’d be a dick move.
Tommy let out a rough sigh. “I know,” He admitted. Tubbo pressed the button on his suit, shrinking himself down to bee-size as he flew inside the building, landing on the chandelier. (Once this was all over Tubbo is so gonna gush over this stating that he has the best guy in the chair, ever.)
“What’s the plan bossman?” Tubbo asked.
“The guy obviously has weaknesses with his power, right? Find any nearby water and try to toss it out. Once you get rid of his main source to use his abilities then he’s just your regular run-of-the-mill, big guy,” Tommy said.
Tubbo nodded. “Got it. Get rid of the water and then beat the shit outta him,” He said and Tommy laughed.
“Yeah, about so,” Tommy humored.
Tubbo flew off the chandelier making his way around the floor. “What’s his limit?” He asked.
“I think he can only get water when it’s like a good five meters away,” Tommy said. “Lucky for you there are about three water jugs within his distance. Any other water sources are far enough from him,” He said.
Tubbo quickly moved the water jugs to places further from the criminals' reach or poured them out the window. “Okay, big T!” Tommy applauded. “You got fifteen to ten minutes before the police show up - don’t know about the heroes though, so make sure you’re ready to run once given the chance to,” He said.
Tubbo nodded even though he knew Tommy couldn’t see him. “Alright,” He whispered before pressing the button on his side again and growing to his full size. “You know, you’d think for a recently escaped convict, they wouldn’t throw themselves into crime a week of escaping,” Tubbo said, thankful that his voice changer was on.
Merman snapped around to look at Tubbo. “You must be Honeybee,” the man said, cracking his knuckles. “I’ve heard a lot about you from some inmates,” he said with a chuckle.
“All good things I hope,” Tubbo said as he could hear Tommy freaking out in his ear. Tubbo glanced over at the hostages and almost visibly relaxed once he saw that none of them were hurt.
The man tossed his head back with a loud cackle, “sure, man."
Merman then thrust his hand out.
Nothing happened.
The criminal repeated the action but still, nothing happened.
“What? All dried out, man?” Tubbo said, snickering slightly.
Merman snarled slightly before running towards Tubbo with a raised arm. Tubbo dodged the punch and grabbed the convict's arm, slamming the criminals back on the marble floor earning a wince or two from a few hostages.
“Yeah Tubbo!” Tommy cheered.
Tubbo raised his fist and then punched Merman. With the metal encasing Tubbo’s wrists, and his overall abilities that enhanced his strength, the punch was pretty heavy - causing Merman to get knocked unconscious fairly quickly.
“Couldn’t have done it without ya, man,” Tubbo said softly.
Tubbo then turned to the hostages. He was only able to untie one and almost untie another before a hero showed up; The heroine Rose. The two locked eyes and he watched as Rose's eyes widened. Tubbos' breath caught in his throat, swallowing down his nerves before hastily pressing the button on his side and quickly leaving.
“Wait—!”
Rose’s pleads fell on deaf ears as Tubbo continued on.
“Holy shit. Tubbo! You just took down your first actual supervillain!” Tommy exclaimed, a smile evident in his voice.
Tubbo let out an exhale that was a mix of disbelief and joy - the corner of his lips twitching into a smile. “Yeah. Yeah! I-I guess I did!” He said.
As Tubbo crawled through the window of their apartment complex, he was met with a tight hug from Tommy. The hybrids' slightly feathered cheeks brushing against Tubbo’s skin, causing the teen to chuckle softly. Tommy then pulled away giving Tubbo a better look at the proud and happy look the avian hybrid had on.
“You were so good out there man! And-and that was your first supervillain, your first actual takedown!” Tommy gushed over, pulling away from Tubbo but keeping his grip tight on Tubbo’s shoulders. “He was running at you and you saw the opening and just slammed that fucker on the ground and-and then punched the living shit out of him!” He exclaimed.
Tubbo chuckled as he took off his cloth mask and yellow-tinted goggles.
Maybe he shouldn’t have been surprised at the name the criminal called him, Tubbo’s get-up does slightly resemble a bee, and his powers are bee-like. Maybe Tubbo could use the name - it sounded kinda cool.
“Well it wouldn’t have been possible if not for your latest tool!” Tubbo said, pushing his finger against Tommy’s shoulder blade causing the taller teen to wave his hand dismissively in embarrassment. “Seriously man! This is like the third time you had to remake this and it worked this time!” Tubbo said with a large grin.
“Come on, man. That’s all your ability, it’s just to help you control it,” Tommy said, rubbing the back of his neck.
Then Tommy’s eyes seemed to darken slightly. “He-he referred to you with a superhero name. He knew about you from inmates,” Tommy said, his shoulders hunching over slightly. “Maybe I was right about you laying low,” Tommy muttered.
“Tommy. Tommy, look at me, I’m fine. I’m okay. I wasn’t caught and I wasn’t hurt. And I got a hero name,” Tubbo comforted, and Tommy smiled softly at the last bit. “Look, I’m still gonna go out and go to that internship tomorrow - it’s a good opportunity that we can’t let go just because of one villain,” Tubbo said.
Tommy exhaled softly, “you’re right, you’re right,” he said, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Your file is on the counter, and I laid out some good clothes for you to wear to the internship,” Tommy said.
“My file?” Tubbo asked lifting Tommy’s hands off his shoulders. Tommy walked over to the kitchen table as Tubbo walked towards the counter. “Thomas Smith?” He said once he opened the file, “Bland name, innit?”
Tommy shrugged as he sat down on a chair. “Well, if the rumors of Sapnap and George returning to their hero work is true, then you can’t exactly walk into the biggest hero headquarters with the name Tubbo, looking exactly like the best friend of a certain number one villain’s younger brother," Tommy stated. "Besides you picked out the bland name Thomas, yourself,” He pointed out.
“Jeez, you really took all the precautions didn’t you?” Tubbo asked folding his arms over his chest. Tommy let out a small chuckle. “No need to be so nervous, bossman. And hey, if I get the job, then we can go out and celebrate!” He said.
Tommy slowly reached up to touch the small feathers on his cheeks just in front of his ears. “Really? Won’t these be, ya know, a big hint that I’m related to. . . him?” Tommy asked.
Tubbo’s eyes softened sadly. Tommy used to take great pride in his physical mutations. They were once something Tommy used to boast about, to show off being related to his older brother - the number three hero. Now? It was a reminder of being related to the biggest villain.
“Your mask should be big enough to cover them and we can sign while we’re out,” Tubbo suggested softly. “Besides, since we dyed your hair, you can barely see the resemblance,” He comforted as Tommy reached up to brush his fingers against his raven-dyed hair.
Tommy smiled slightly. “Okay, now you’re getting me all hyped up!” He exclaimed. “You should probably head to bed, big man. You got a big day ahead of ya,” He said patting Tubbo on his back.
“Yeah,” Tubbo agreed with a nod.