Chapter Text
"Tommy, you need to get up."
Tommy groaned. He was not pleased to wake up to Ranboo.
Yawning, Tommy asked, "Has Tubbo gone yet?"
"Uh-huh, it's almost ten." Ranboo replied. Tommy cracked open his eyes.
"You okay? You worked really late last night-" Ranboo asked him from across the room, folding some sheets.
The sun was shining bright in Tommy's eyes. He looked across their small apartment, with Tubbo's and Ranboo's beds closer to the window than his. Actually, it wasn't that small. Probably the size of the kitchen back at the cafe Tommy works at. Tommy liked the name of the cafe. Clementine's Cafe. When Hannah went to him for name ideas, he picked that one out and she actually liked it. Technically it was her cafe, but Tommy liked to consider it their cafe.
Tommy waved his hand. "Yeah, yeah, I'm fine." He finally said, lost in his thoughts.
If it was ten, then he would be fine. One hour until his shift started, so he should probably get up now. He wouldn't be late though.
Tubbo had left without even saying goodbye, how very rude of him. Tommy also happened to remember he didn't have to work his morning shift today. Tommy was tempted to fall back asleep, but he didn't.
Tubbo spent his most of his waking hours at that stupid fuckin' building with Sam. Learning about technology and all that shit.
Meanwhile, Ranboo and Tommy had some of the most boring jobs in the world. Ranboo worked at a toy shop, and Tommy works at a cafe. The cafe was right in the middle of the city they lived in. The cafe wasn't too far, and the walk was only about ten minutes. But the thing was, there were a lot of villain - hero fights nearby. Tommy shuddered at his memory of meeting a hero. They had only stopped by for a small drink, but they were one of the most famous people in the city. Tommy never worked the noon shift again. Even though he worked the night shift, sometimes he did the one right before noon.
Yawning a second time, he stood up and picked out a red and white sweater for today. He staggered over to the kitchen area, oddly tired. Opening the fridge, he saw it was.. very, very empty.
Tommy shouted to Ranboo, who just plopped down on the old orange couch. "Do we need to go shopping again?!"
Ranboo looked up at him. "I mean probably, but why do you need to shout? I'm right here y'know."
"Sorry, sorry." Tommy grinned, obviously not sorry. He let it show in his face.
Grabbing what was left of the milk, Tommy found the cereal was also running low. He would probably go shopping while Tubbo and Ranboo worked. He didn't have a shift in the morning today anyway.
"Do you smell that?" Ranboo asked, scrunching up his face.
Tommy nodded. Looking around, Tommy couldn't pinpoint the smell. Ranboo pointed to Tommy. Tommy made an offended face and pretended to be hurt.
"Ranboo, you're so rude, how could y-"
Ranboo glared. He explained, "The milk. We've had that for like, two months? It smells sour."
Tommy watched him scrunch up his face again. Can't be all that bad, Tommy thought. Tommy opened the cap and gagged.
"Oh that's fuckin awful."
Tommy decided he didn't need breakfast for today. They probably didn't have much else to eat anyway.
Looking across the messy room, Tommy realised he had nothing to do. He threw out the milk and went over to the couch where Ranboo was. He slumped into the couch beside Ranboo, and yawned again.
"Ranboo, when's your shift again?" Tommy asked, the words sounding whiny. Tommy had to try very hard not to fall asleep. God, why was he so tired?
"Uhh, one o'clock I think, why?"
"I was going to go shop or something, didn't really want to be alone, but I dunno."
"Oh- well, there goes those plans."
Ranboo laughed slightly, and Tommy made a reach for the remote. Ranboo snatched it out of his hand.
"Hey!! I was going to play-"
Ranboo gestured for him to shut up. Of course, being the pog person he was, he wasn't going to.
"Everything you watch ends up in me missing my shift."
Offended, Tommy screeched, "No it doesn't!? Excuse you."
"But it does? I either fall asleep out of boredom, or it's actually good, and I don't watch the time-"
"Fine, you pick something then!"
"I- okay."
Ranboo picked out the most boring thing to watch. Ever. Even Tubbo would probably agree. Tommy looked over at the empty desk crammed with random things. Tommy grinned. Standing up, he grabbed a sticky note. He scribbled 'bee boy' and put it on top of the keyboard that has probably been deconstructed and reconstructed many times. The small desk featured a mouse, keyboard, and monitor that the three of them were supposed to share. Instead, it was basically Tubbo's at this point. Ranboo glanced up from the movie he was watching to stare at him.
"What are you looking at, bitch boy." Tommy complained.
"Tommy, what are you doing." Ranboo sighed.
Tommy laughed, replying with "Nothing.."
Ranboo stood up, sighing some more. He took one look at the post-it.
"What is THAT!?" He exclaimed, breaking into a fit of laughter.
"What d'you mean! I ju-"
"It's like - runes, I can't even read it -?"
Tommy frowned. He turned his back on Ranboo and walked back to the kitchen. Ranboo continued laughing for a little bit while Tommy got himself lunch.
▽△▽
Ranboo got ready for his shift, while also mentally preparing himself to see a lot of children. Wailing their eyes out or not, almost all of the five year old children that walked into the shop were annoying. Heading out the door, he found Tommy following him.
"Wait - where are you going?" Ranboo asked, raking his memory for Tommy mentioning having another shift.
"We have no food, remember?"
Whoops. Ranboo had completely forgotten.
"Okay."
Walking together, Ranboo and Tommy made their way over to the stairs. They chatted happily while descending. On the third flight, Tommy tripped and fell on the stairs. Crashing right into Ranboo, the taller boy let out an inhuman screech, and suddenly was sitting on the floor of the first flight. Ranboo looked around, confused, while Tommy stared at him oddly. They sat on the carpet floor for a while. Ranboo recalled the churning feeling in his stomach right before he.. teleported? There was the screech he let out, and purple coloured specks around him and Tommy.
"What the fuck just happened, Ranboo," Tommy finally asked.
"I- I don't know." Ranboo confessed, shrugging his shoulders.
Tommy let out a dramatic gasp. "Don't tell me.. you discovered your powers before me??" He sounded hurt, but Ranboo knew it was fake.
"I mean, maybe? I have no idea what just happened, so-"
Tommy turned away from him. "You traitor, Ranboo." He could hear the admiration in Tommy's voice when he said this, even though he chose to ignore it.
Ranboo couldn't help but smile. Even if he was panicking, just because you know, he discovered he could teleport, but Tommy's jealousy was funny to him.
Laughing, Ranboo got up and held out his hand to Tommy. Tommy turned around and got up without Ranboo.
Tommy stuck his tongue out at Ranboo and ran out the apartment lobby's front doors.
Well, there goes Tommy. Ranboo walked out the doors, making a turn to walk to his toy shop.
▽△▽
Running out the doors, Tommy went straight to the supermarket. "Stupid Ranboo, discovering his powers," Tommy thought, on his way there.
Very suddenly, Tommy heard a colossal boom. Looking to the source of the noise, Tommy instantly recognised the location.
That was where Tubbo was. Pulling out his phone, Tommy ran towards the Tech builders centre. Tommy hurriedly mashed the keyboard on his phone.
Tubvo ar uou oka
Tommy was too worried (though he'll never admit it), to care about typos now. His only goal as of right now was to get to Tubbo.
Tommy's heart calmed down when his phone buzzed again.
Yeah big man Im alright
Tommy was so relieved. Sighing, and stopping to catch a breath, Tommy texted back
Wtf happened
get over here
Dont tell me what to do bee boy
Despite what he said, Tommy was going to go meet with Tubbo. Luckily, Tommy was not too far from the building Tubbo worked at. Or, had worked at. It had been blown to smithereens, so Tommy assumed Tubbo wouldn't be able to work there for a while, if at all.
Tommy finally arrived in front of the smoking remains of the building. Panting, He stood up straight.
"Down to business. H- what just happened here."
Tubbo shifted his gaze down to the floor. Letting out a sharp exhale, Tubbo started explaining.
"So.. I've had my powers for a while. I can explode things, y'know? I went, Pog, and started working on it, just so I wouldn't accidentally blow up our home. But I just.. never told you? Sorry big man."
Tommy didn't know how to feel. What was with Ranboo and Tubbo suddenly having powers? How come he didn't have his yet?"
Tommy scowled. He responded, not letting the jealousy and anger show in his voice, "Did you know Ranboob has powers too?"
If he didn't, Tommy would feel slightly better. But only slightly.
Tubbo gasped, "Really? What are they?"
Tommy was somewhat surprised, but told him anyway. "He can like, teleport and shit. I don't know if he can do anything else."
Tubbo's eyes sparkled with amazement. "That's so cool! Holy shit! And you? What are your powers?"
Narrowing his eyes, Tommy asked just to be sure. "..You're mocking me."
Tubbo shook his hands in the air. "What? No, no- I was just asking?"
"You're mocking me, Tubbo!"
"I'm not? I genuinely wasn't, Tommy?"
So either he really didn't know, or was pretending. Tommy sighed, "..I don't have powers, Tubbo."
Tubbo's eyes widened. Tubbo came closer to him, and patted him on the back.
"Sorry. I didn't know.. But hey! You'll get them soon enough! Look on the bright side, come on!"
Tubbo pulled him into a light hug. Pushing him away, Tommy turned on his heels and left. His pace sped up, until he was running.
Not quite knowing why, he ran all the way to the supermarket. Pausing to catch his breath, he stood up tall. He walked in and looked at the clock. He should have enough time to shop before returning to the apartment. He went around gathering the things they would eat and need. He was constantly checking the time. Finally finishing, he went to the registers. Paying, he looked at the television news report that was playing nearby.
"Local villain, 'Elytra', has been spotted near the middle of town recently. Stay clear of the area if you can - stay safe. Tuning out, your local reporters."
Tommy froze after hearing that.
"Sir? Sir! Are you okay?"
Looking back to the cashier, Tommy nodded.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm alright.. just thinking."
"Alright, well, here's your bags. Thank you for shopping here!"
Tommy waved to the cashier, wishing him a good day. Walking out the doors with his grocery bags, he debated about going to work at the cafe today. He was going up the stairs to his apartment when he finally decided to go. He needed the money, especially since Tubbo probably lost his job. They weren't terribly poor, but they weren't exactly rich either. He opened the apartment door to see that Ranboo and Tubbo were already there waiting for him. Tommy looked away from Tubbo awkwardly, while Ranboo looked between the two, trying to understand what happened. Ranboo was sitting on the floor, while Tubbo was fiddling with something at his computer. Ranboo was first to break the silence between the two.
"Did you two fight again?"
Tubbo and Tommy looked at him and nodded.
Ranboo sighed and asked them, "..Was it the powers?"
Tubbo and Tommy nodded again, a bitter taste coming upon Tommy's tongue. Tommy realised a few seconds later.
"You knew, Ranboo?!" He screamed in disbelief, pointing at him.
Ranboo looked down and nodded.
"Well, I wasn't sure if Tubbo wanted to tell you, so I didn't either." Ranboo told him, looking back up at Tommy.
"..Sorry big man." Tubbo finally chimed in, looking up from his computer.
Tommy didn't really like that much eye contact.
"I guess I'm sorry too. Shouldn't have gotten so angry with you two suddenly revealing powers.."
Tommy gazed off into the window. Shaking his head, he unpacked the bags. Checking the clock now and then, he prepared to go out for his shift. He decided he didn't want Tubbo and Ranboo to worry, he didn't tell them about the news report he saw earlier. Slipping on his shoes and jacket, he grabbed his backpack and waved bye to Tubbo and Ranboo. He raced down the stairs, and walked out the door. He took off on the sidewalk, wanting to get inside the cafe as soon as possible. At least there shouldn't be as many customers today, if any. Nobody would stop for a drink if there were villain sightings nearby, right?
▽△▽
Tommy was very, very wrong. There were a lot of people inside already, wanting drinks and hanging around. Nobody wanted to go out onto the streets, so they hung out in the cafe, chatting amongst themselves. Tommy was not happy when he saw the amount of people crowded inside. Probably about 30 more than usual. Which was a lot, especially since there weren't usually many people to begin with. Tommy spotted one of the usual customers, working away while taking an occasional break to sip his coffee. Squeezing past the vast amounts of people, he got behind the counter. He couldn't count the number of times he said 'Hello welcome to Clementine's Cafe, may I take your order?'. There were a few annoying customers, but it wasn't that bad after most people got their drink. There weren't many people just coming in, because of villain sightings. Just the same people hanging around.
The mass amounts of people took a long time to clear, since most were too scared to go onto the streets for more than a second. Finally being able to shoo them all away, he cleaned the cafe up and gathered his things. Leaving the cafe, he locked the door securely and turned away.
Sighing on his way back home, he was exhausted. Passing by an alleyway, he heard a cracking noise. Peering back into the alley, he saw nothing but a few bins, with some rubbish off to the side. Probably just a raccoon, Tommy thought, smiling to himself. He liked raccoons. There were a ton of raccoons and such around. Nobody bothered to do anything about it, so they just stayed in the city's alleyways. More clatters and bangs. Tommy kept walking, but he could still hear the raccoon. There was some shouting in the distance. There was a much louder crack, like a gunshot. Tommy whipped around, mentally preparing himself for what he might see. Mentally preparing to run.
Holy shit. It was- Specs, one of the most popular heroes around. Plus, he was fighting.. a villain? Tommy couldn't tell who that was, since they were wearing all black. Tommy mustered up the courage to run away, to not stand and watch.
"Run away! Go!" Specs shouted at him, sparing him a glance.
Tommy knew he had to run.
Why wouldn't he run?
Instead, he just.. stood there. Watching. Rooted to the spot on the sidewalk.
"GO! Why won't you just run?!" Specs kept shouting. He was technically sacrificing his life for Tommy's, but that's what heroes do, isn't it?
Tommy backed up a little bit, almost tripping. He watched as Specs gasped, and Tommy felt an earth-shattering rumble. He gasped for air. He felt the damage be dealt. He fell for.. almost ever.
▽△▽
"Hello? Are you awake?"
A woman that he didn't recognise was speaking to him. Was he.. dead? His head hurt a lot.
Opening his eyes, a kind looking woman with nice hibiscus pink hair was leaning over him.
"Am I.. dead?" He asked in between shaky breaths.
"Well uh.. we were going to tell you what happened later, let you heal up a bit first."
Tommy thought for a bit.
"We?" Tommy asked, looking around his surroundings as he sat up. This place was bigger than his apartment, and much nicer (and cleaner) too. There were some potted plants, beds, and there were cabinets in the corner. He was in a bed, but definitely not his bed, back in the apartment. Shit. Tubbo and Ranboo were probably worried sick, especially with the hold up from the cafe, let alone this. He hopped out of bed, and felt his legs immediately give away. The woman helped back into the bed, telling him he still needed to heal.
"Well, there are more people I'm working with, but they aren't here right now." She told him, giving him a smile.
"Where am I?" He asked, staring directly at her. He studied her face, feeling a sense of familiarity. But he couldn't quite figure it out.
"Um.. well, I can't exactly tell you that right now. Sorry."
Tommy frowned upon her response. He slumped back into his pillows, wondering why his body was so sore. Tommy opened his mouth to speak again, but was cut off this time.
"I know you have lots of questions, but you need rest."
Tommy wanted to shout that he didn't need rest, and march out of this room he was being kept in. But when she told him that, Tommy realised just how tired he was. But he really needed to get to Tubbo and Ranboo, let them know he was okay, and, and-
Tommy fell asleep.