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Tommy swore as he looked at the guitar's string hanging limply from the wooden instrument. He didn't mean to break it, but it just kind of happened.
He was just trying to see what the weird pegs did. How was he supposed to know that turning them too far would snap the cable-like string? How was he supposed to know that turning the pegs would break a very noticeable and very important part of the instrument?
Realistically, he thought, there was no way for him to know. It was also just as realistic that Wilbur did tell him that would happen. Wilbur always did enjoy explaining the ins and outs of the guitar to Tommy. It was the only reason why Tommy knew how to play the basic notes.
Oh how Tommy wished he could just go back to before Phil, Techno, and Wilbur left the house.
When they left, Wilbur had put the instrument out on the coffee table in the living room. He probably planned to play it when they got back.
Tommy had no doubt that he had left it there because he trusted Tommy to not touch it. Tommy touched it anyway. He touched it and now he'd be in so much trouble.
Tommy was just getting comfortable here too. He finally felt as if he belonged somewhere and he ruined it. Of course he did, he always ruins everything nice. It's what everybody has always told him.
No one, but this family and his new friends ever believed he could keep anything nice. Even previous fosters who he thought did, didn't. It turns out this house may just be the same as those ones now. As soon as they knew what he did.
Wilbur would come into the living and see that Tommy fucked up. Then he'd tell Phil and Techno. Phil would call his social worker to come collect him and wouldn't stop techno from beating him to a bloody pulp. They would all look at him with anger and disgust in their eyes.
They'd be angry that he broke the rules. Disgusted that they allowed themselves to trust a filthy foster child. It was a look he received often from previous placements. One he had dared to hope he'd never see again.
Wilbur might even start yelling at him for destroying his property. It would most definitely sting, but he'd have to just take it. He wouldn't be able to fight back against people he knew he loved. He wouldn't be able to hurt them.
That was Tommy's mistake. He got too attached. He liked to think it wasn't his fault though. They were the first family that'd been nice to him in literal years. They were so kind and understanding.
But they most certainly will not be as kind and understanding of this blunder. Tommy is sure of it.
Wilbur had told him not to touch his guitar on day one. Had told him he was possessive over it. He even told Tommy that he almost attacked Phil for touching it years ago. If he was willing to hurt Phil for this instrument, who knows what he'd do to Tommy.
Tommy felt tears spring to his eyes. It was so stupid of him to touch that guitar. He couldn't keep his grimy hands off it now could he?
Maybe he could fix it somehow? He had no idea how to do that. Maybe he could hide it? Wilbur will find it missing and immediately blame him. He's the only one home after all.
There's nothing he can do, but wait. Waiting didn't sound fun.
He was supposed to be writing an essay right now. It was the reason he didn't go with them for ice cream. He told them he had an essay due soon and just wanted to finish it.
That wasn't technically a lie. He did have an essay and was writing it, but he got bored. He had made his way to the kitchen for a glass of water and saw the guitar sitting innocently on the coffee table. He was tempted to touch it. He did touch it. It didn't end well as he could clearly see.
That guitar is definitely not innocent.
Maybe Phil, Techno, and Wilbur would think he stayed home just to destroy the guitar. That would suck, but he knew it was a possibility. It wouldn't be the first time he was wrongly accused of something.
There was a fleeting thought that maybe, just maybe, they wouldn't think that. That they would understand it was an accident and wouldn't send him back. He nipped that bud before it had a chance to bloom. No use in getting his hopes up.
–
Tommy was shaking. He saw Phil's little grey car pull up the concrete driveway. He had heard the rumbling engine and had instinctually looked out the window.
Yep, that definitely was Phil and Co.
Tommy watched as they all climbed out of the car with big smiles on their faces. If only they knew what he'd done. Well, they would soon. They were making their way to the front door.
Maybe he could book it. Grab his book bag from his room and jump out the window. It would hurt jumping from a second story window, but it wouldn't be his first time.
The front door opened. Shit, he was out of time.
"Tommy! Did you finish that essay?" Phil ever the social guy asked with a huge grin. He was so happy. Too bad it was about to be ruined.
"Uh… Y-yeah.'' Tommy knew he sounded suspicious. If it wasn't for the fact he could hear his own voice, the slight narrowing of Techno's eyes would tell him.
"Didn't get into any trouble did you?" Techno asked while staring at him with those narrowed eyes. The same eyes that could and will narrow just a tiny bit more and become a seething glare. Tommy sweat dropped.
"No! W-Why would you think that, big man?" Tommy really tried to sound normal and confident. He really was hoping he could wiggle his way out of this conversation and into his room.
Techno looked like he was going to say something, but Wilbur cut him off.
"Have you guys seen my guitar? I could've sworn I left it here." He was looking around the living room with hurried steps. He was seemingly getting more and more frantic with his searching, upturning a cushion here and there.
"Maybe you left it in your room, mate." Phil suggested while looking at Wilbur with worry in his eyes. He was probably thinking about when he had touched the instrument all those years ago.
"Maybe." Wilbur responded shortly and sprinted up the stairs two at a time.
The guitar was, in fact, in Wilbur's room. Tommy and the sense to put it there before they all got home. He was hoping he could convince them that it was there the entire time. That he wasn't the one to break the string. Even if it only managed to get him a few extra seconds, it'd be worth it.
Tommy glanced at Techno who was still staring at him with suspicion. He then looked to see that Phil had made his way to the kitchen to start dinner. Tommy suddenly decided he'd feel safer in his room.
With that thought, he quickly made his way up the stairs. He definitely didn't hesitate by Wilbur's door.
He also definitely did not hear Wilbur seemingly mumbling to himself about something. That must only mean he found the guitar and was already putting the pieces together.
–
About an hour had passed before Phil called the boys down for dinner. Tommy had been texting Ranboo and Tubbo. Texting them in hopes he would still be able to tomorrow. Who's to say Phil wouldn't want the phone back after he kicked Tommy out?
It was definitely safe to say that Tommy wasn't looking forward to dinner. He would have to sit at a table with the entire family. He'd have to see Wilbur's upset face.
Tommy waited until he heard both Wilbur and Techno's doors open and close before making his way down after them. He didn't want either of them to surprise him in the hallway. It would be a dirty move, but if they didn't want Phil finding out, it's a good one.
Tommy walked down the steps, avoiding the creaky ones. No matter how inconspicuous he tried to make himself be, Phil still managed to spot him.
He waved at Tommy to join them at the table. Poor Phil probably thought he was hesitating because he didn't know if the food was for him.
There wasn't a need for it anymore. Tommy had figured out long ago that this house would always provide him with food. Even when his grades slipped, even when he snapped and yelled.
Tommy hated how he'd gotten used to the constant meals. He wouldn't be able to handle going without a meal anymore.
"C'mon, mate. I made some spaghetti and meatballs for dinner." Phil said all chipper.
Tommy looked around the table. They were all sitting at their usual spots around the table. Techno was twirling the noodles around his fork, Wilbur was staring intensely at his plate like it personally wronged him, and Phil just got up to get something.
Tommy stopped staring and sat down at his spot. He didn't want to act suspicious after all. If he was, Wilbur would for sure know him. Maybe he already did and was holding it in.
Phil suddenly placed a plate down in front of him. Tommy didn't mean to, but he flinched at the sudden hand in his vision. Phil just smiled at him and went back to his own seat.
They all began eating their spaghetti. Well, Tommy didn't. He was too nervous and thought he'd throw it up later anyways.
"So Wilbur, what's wrong with you?" Techno said out of the blue. Wilbur's head snapped up from where he was staring at the tomato sauce on his fork. There was a certain fire in Wilbur's eyes that made Tommy know he was a little more than upset.
"Mate." Phil spoke up in a stern voice. "He'll tell us when he's ready." Phil sounded oddly parental there. That was probably what he was going for. He is their foster father after all.
"It was just a question," Techno said before turning to Tommy. " Why haven't you touched your food?" Why is Techno like this? He most likely meant no harm and was just concerned. Tommy wished Techno was better at emotions, especially at times like these.
"Not hungry." Tommy skillfully stated while averting his gaze from all of them. He suddenly felt even more uncomfortable.
Techno, unfortunately, kept staring, Phil looked at him worriedly, and Wilbur was back to glaring at his plate.
Dinner continued on like this. Tommy was feeling progressively worse as time wore on. Thankfully, but not so thankfully, Wilbur spoke up.
"The string on my guitar broke." He said sadly. Tommy felt like throwing up right then and there.
"Oh mate, we'll get you a new one." Phil got up and began patting him on the back.
"I know, but I want to know where I went wrong. I always treat her so well, but I let one of her strings break. How could I do that?" He sounded grossly close to crying. Tommy didn't know if he could handle that.
"I'm sure it was nothing you did. Things like that just happen sometimes." Phil responded while still patting Wilbur's back. Techno huffed his agreement.
Tommy felt increasingly sick. It was a miracle he was still holding his breakfast down.
What could he even do in this situation? He couldn't just own up. He'd be thrown out for sure then. They didn't know it was him. They didn't know he was the one to hurt Wilbur.
"You alright, Tommy?" Technoblade was looking at him again. Tommy felt himself cracking a bit.
"Tommy? You look a little pale. Did you catch something?" Phil was the one to speak then. His words seemed to make Wilbur pop his head up to see what they meant.
Wilbur's eyes widened when he took in Tommy's face. He looked worried. He looked like he forgot about what happened to his guitar.
Wilbur looked like cared more about him than his guitar. That was all Tommy needed to break down and start crying.
"Whoa, mate!" Phil reached towards him. Tommy flinched away and ignored the hurt look that briefly flashed across Phil's face.
"I-I'm sorry!" Tommy hiccuped as he scrubbed the tears from his eyes. He desperately wanted to stop crying, but he was thinking about how this time tomorrow, he'd be in some new house. He'd be far away from here.
"Tommy, what happened?" Phil was more cautious this time as he moved closer. He rubbed his back similar to how he rubbed Wilbur's. This only made Tommy cry more.
Tommy caught a glimpse of Wilbur staring sadly at him and Phil with a hand half extended towards them. Techno was also looking, but instead he had a constipated look on his face.
Tommy suddenly felt extremely guilty. Here he was making the family he just hurt feel bad for him. He didn't deserve this.
"I did it! I fucking broke the string." Tommy couldn't stop himself. Even if he wanted to, he probably wouldn't. Letting it out felt better than keeping it to himself. At least the guilt wouldn't weigh him down like a 1,000 kilo weight.
Tommy risked a glance at the family. Because that's what they are. A family. Without him. He'll never be a part of this family.
When he had risked the look, they all looked confused? He just spilled his secret and they have the nerve to be confused?
"Do something about it! I broke a rule! Hit me or kick me out!" He really didn't mean that. He did a lot of things he didn't mean to do today.
"Oh mate," Phil had that stupid sad look on again. "I would never. It was an accident. I'm sure Wilbur isn't that upset about it either." He said that as he was looking at the quivering form of Wilbur. Wilbur looked like he was going to cry again. That's not pog.
"Y-Yeah, I don't mind too much. I would have liked for you to tell me, but I'm not that mad." Wilbur had gotten out of his seat and made his way over to Tommy. He wrapped his arms around Tommy and squeezed.
They all sat just how they were for a few quiet minutes. It was nice. Tommy was still waiting for the other shoe to drop, but couldn't stop himself as he relaxed into the hug.
"Well that was a lot of excitement," Phil began. "Why don't we clean up a bit and watch a movie? Wind down a bit before bed?" That… That actually sounded nice.
Tommy found himself nodding his head.
–
In the span of 10 minutes, Tommy found himself on the couch sandwiched between Wilbur and the armrest. Even though Tommy broke his instrument, Wilbur had insisted they still sat next to each other. Techno sat on the other side of Wilbur and Phil sat on his old man recliner.
They all decided to just pick a random movie. They ended up picking Avatar. It's one he's seen once before, but he doesn't mind rewatching it. It's actually quite nice once you get past the fact the producers have yet to release the second movie. I mean seriously, it's been over a decade.
Tommy found himself slowly leaning onto Wilbur. He blamed it on the fact he was just tired. He wasn't looking for any reassurances or anything like that.
Wilbur had made sure to have a quick talk with Tommy about what happened. He wanted to make sure Tommy knew it wasn't right to touch it, but that he wasn't mad. He knew it was an accident and that Tommy wouldn't do it again.
Wilbur also made sure to tell Tommy that the strings could be and would be replaced. It wasn't too difficult to do.
He had even offered to teach Tommy how to restring the guitar. Even offered to teach him how to use the little valve things. Of course Tommy took him up on the offer. He definitely agreed out of guilt and not because he was excited.
Phil had decided it was necessary to tell Tommy multiple times over that he'd never willingly send him back. That Tommy is part of the family just as much as he himself is.
And for the first time ever, Tommy felt truly comfortable enough to wear his heart on his sleeve. He felt comfortable enough to cry and show joy in front of them.
And if on Tommy's next birthday, there was a new photograph added to the mantle where a teary eyed family legally had a new member, no one needed to know. Well, everybody needed to know. Everybody needed to know that Tommy Careful Danger Kraken Innit-Craft, was officially adopted into a loving family.