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This was not Tommy's day it seemed. Or his night. Not saying every night was smooth sailing. So many times he'd be caught between a rock and a hard place and it wasn't easy to move that rock or that hard place.
But today was especially hard on him.
It started off simple, as every night as a vigilante would go. Petty thefts, robberies, muggings and a few drug deals later, Tommy would say he was tuckered out.
But what really hit the nail on the head was the Syndicate's appearance. BlackWing flying from above, his shadow casting on Tommy, Jubilee's thundering voice, shattering glass metres away from him as he ran, Tragedies echoing voices that messed with his head whirled and confused his muddled mind.
He was running for his life which was never easy.
They had accidentally run into each other, crossing paths while on the rooftops of the city. Some banter was thrown, a few insults and maybe a threat or two (not said by Tommy of course) and now the boy was running with his tail between his legs.
Or he was.
He was able to lose them though, he was always pretty slippery, especially with his ability to turn invisible. Frustrated most funnily enough.
His ears flattened on his head as he breathed heavily. Having stopped on a roof that managed to overlook a pretty sight of the city below. Blinding lights of colour painted the view and it helped Tommy calm his racing heart.
The black fur that grew around his eyes, working like a mask as it hid his features, he pulled his gaiter mask from his mouth a little bit a while ago and let the chill air of the night flush against his face.
His ring patterned tail wrapped around his leg as he shivered in the cold night. He needed to get home.
But exhaustion pulled on his sore limbs and he collapsed against a wall on top of a roof overlooking the city. It was quite a peaceful and oh so beautiful view with the stars above shining down on him.
It was quiet besides the wind blowing past on occasion. Although Tommy knew he had to get home before Tubbo worried, he couldn't help the way his eyes drooped and his head dropped a few times every minute.
He could close his eyes for a bit couldn't he?
Yeah, he could, he was fine.
So Tommy did that, he closed his eyes and drifted away to sleep.
—----
This was entirely unexpected on Phil's part. He didn't think he'd actually find the little vigilante, much less find said vigilante asleep on a rooftop. Incredibly careless even for the loud and annoying vigilante that they would have time to time run-ins with.
He was just flying above, keeping an eagle's eye out for anything when he spotted a form leaning against the wall. He landed and was surprised to see Red Bandit, a vigilante Raccoon hybrid with the ability to turn invisible, passed out against the wall with his knees tucked to his chest and his head resting upon his knees.
Phil stood there at the edge of the building, tilting his head slightly.
He stepped off the edge and onto the building with silent steps, his taloned feet not making a sound as he approached the boy. He slowly crouched before him, this being the closest he's ever been to the mock hero.
He tilts his head slightly again, watching the boy rise and fall as he breathes in and out. He's properly asleep.
Phil considers his next move. He could easily kill or attack the boy. Maybe find his identity out by just removing the gaiter. Maybe take him back to headquarters while he's asleep and lock him up, let the boys have some fun.
So many possibilities, so many things he could do in this moment while the man is completely vulnerable.
Phil lifts his hand, black talon nails twitching as he reaches out for his gaiter.
All stops when the boy shuffles and mumbles in his sleep.
"Nnn Tubs, it's your turn f'r the ishes… did em last time." Is what Phil could make out and it was… young. He sounded young.
How old was the Red Bandit? Phil knows his two sons had guessed around 19 to 21 years of age but with how close Phil is to the boy, he thinks the numbers may have been wrong.
He looks… young. His eyelashes flutter in the wind, his eyes could be seen moving behind his closed eyelids, seeing whatever dream he's having. His ears that poke out from little holes in his hoodie flicker here and there. He looks just… young and that makes Phil hesitate.
Have they been fighting a child this entire time? It is certainly something interesting to tell his boys when he gets back.
He takes another long look at Red before considering what to do next. Although Phil is a villain, he is not evil. Not evil enough to kill minors after all.
He could take him back to base, question him, ask him why he started being a vigilante when he's only a kid. Phil is thoroughly curious now and he knows his boys will be as well.
It isn't until another gust of cold wind that tells the incoming of winter, Phil watches as the boy shivers where he sleeps, his eyebrows furrow at the sudden influx of cold temperature and Phil's heart aches at seeing it.
He sighs.
Why does he always have a soft spot for kids?
Phil shuffles until he's sitting beside the kid who mumbles and tilts his head a little but overall does not wake up.
Phil's massive crow wings expand behind the boy and drape over his shoulders like a blanket. His arm follows and grabs his shoulder, tugging the boy close. The boy's head drops to the man's shoulder and he unconsciously leans into Phil.
The kid feels cold, which is worrying and light. Taking a closer look, his lean and skinny visage is also worrying. Does he also not sleep well?
So overall, Phil now has a well known vigilante passed out, tired and too light to be healthy, leaning on him in his sleep. On top of a roof looking over the city. Definitely one of Phil's strangest nights, he might say.
At least the view is nice.
He knows his boys will worry if he isn't home soon but he's somewhat comfortable right now and the calming presence of the vigilante beside him, wearing a red and black suit is enough that even the famed BlackWing, closes his eyes for rest.
—-------
Tommy groans as he shuffles, he's warm and comfortable, sort of. His thigh is feeling a little sore where it's pressed against whatever hard surface he's on but he's leaning on a warm soft surface that he could probably ignore the pain.
He's surrounded in warmth like a blanket and he sighs silently as he sinks back in.
But then there's a shuffle that grazes his arm and light peaks in through the darkness. Tommy scrunches his face up, annoyed by the light that is now disturbing his sleep.
He blinks his eyes open for a second to see what the deal is and he's met with a strange sight.
Why is he surrounded by feathers?
Black as void feathers make up most of his vision besides the little bits of light now peaking through. Tommy is… thoroughly confused.
Wasn't he patrolling last night?
Oh shit he was patrolling.
He got chased by the Syndicate and lost them.
Then stopped at a roof where he fell asleep.
Tommy is a fucking idiot.
How the hell did he think it was a good idea to fall asleep on a roof? He could have freezed to death or worse, gotten himself caught.
But he isn't freezing, he isn't even cold. He's warm and comfortable
Did he get found by a giant bird? Is that what the feathers are from?
He feels a slight breath disturb his hair and realises belatedly a heavy object resting atop his own head. Breathing slowly in and out. His ears almost twitch at each breath that escapes and lightly dances over it.
He also realises whatever or whoever has him is holding him close. An arm wrapped around his shoulder, Tommy leaning heavily on them.
Slowly, Tommy tilts his head up to see who in the world this person is.
The answer may shock you.
It's fucking BlackWing.
One of the top villains of the city and one of the leaders of the Syndicate is asleep beside. Head resting heavily on his head. Whilst Tommy is leaning heavily on him.
What the fuck?
Did they find him and take him somewhere? Where is he? It's hard to see when most of his vision is just black feathers and the villain beside him.
And why the hell is he here?
Tommy is distraught with confusion, his muscles so tense he doesn't realise BlackWing has shuffled and is slowly waking up until he's staring into icy blue eyes that stare back.
The man blinks slowly down at him before yawning.
"Oh, morning Red Bandit." The man slurs, reaching a hand to rub at his eye which couldn't be comfortable with the mask on his face.
But Tommy can't concentrate on that, he's concentrating on the fact BlackWing is awake and has a hold on him. Besides being incredibly warm and comfortable, it all fades as his blood fills with ice as cold as fear.
The hold now being more suffocating with him being surrounded on all sides.
He needs to get the fuck out of here.
But how is that possible when his body has randomly locked itself and he can't move?
He needs to move, he needs to run, he needs to escape.
But it seems he won't need to as BlackWing moves first.
BlackWings wing opens from where it's surrounded Tommy and blinding light fills his eyes. Tommy scrunches them close, blinking blearily at morning light.
When he finally is able to register his surroundings, he finds a familiar sight. He's on the roof, the same roof and the same spot he was when he first sat here the night before.
But that makes no sense. Why is he still here when he was vulnerable? When would it have been so easy to end him or take him back to their base to be locked away? Why fall asleep beside him, keep him warm through the night?
Just why?
"Red? You there, mate?" He hears come from the man beside him, snapping out of his panic thoughts to meet the eyes of the villain he's still leaning on.
"I…" Tommy starts but he does not continue. What is he supposed to say? What's he supposed to do? He wants out of the hold BlackWing had on him but he doesn't know if BlackWing will even let him go.
It seems though, that his questions and thoughts must be obvious as BlackWong begins to speak.
"Ya know, it was quite a shock to find you here. Asleep and exposed. I could have easily killed you or taken you with me but I didn't."
And he did, he didn't take Tommy with him. Tommy just wants to know why that is.
"Why?" He asks, voice croaky with early morning use and maybe hints of fear coursing through him not enabling him to speak.
"Hmm, not a hundred percent sure but I do know this." He turns to Tommy, a talon finger rising to his face only to gently skin under the hem of Tommy's mask. Tommy stiffens at the contact, knowing with just a flick of BlackWings hand, he could remove the mask and reveal Tommy's identity.
But he didn't, he stared intently into Tommy's baby blue eyes.
"You are young, aren't you Red? Not even an adult yet. I haven't removed your mask but from up close it's pretty obvious."
Is it obvious? Tommy didn't really think so but maybe it is. He still doesn't get why that changes things though.
"I know you're wondering why that changes things."
What the fuck?! Is he a mind reader now?
"The Syndicate works under a moral code Red. We may be villains but we do not hurt children." Before Tommy can respond about not being a child, he's pulled into an embrace.
BlackWong cupping the back of his head, his other hand wrapped around his back torso, as Tommy is pressed into his chest.
Tommy's heart jumps at the sudden action and he still can't understand why he won't move.
"But that also means another thing Red. I will have to tell others of this change of information and it's up to them what they will do with it. Either it makes things easier or harder for you, it depends. But what I will tell you Red, is you won't be in any danger with me. You are a young man pulled into life and death situations, of your own choosing, of course. But remember this-"
He pulls back from Tommy and cups both his cheeks with both hands, Tommy being able to move a little and grabbing at the man's wrists.
"Things will change, a lot of things will change. Just make sure you're prepared for it, okay?"
Tommy swallows and nods stiffly in the man's hands. Looking into icy blue eyes that hold a softness is strangely entrancing. He has in now way hurt Tommy. However it doesn't mean Tommy's anxiety is not on edge.
He just still won't fucking move like he wants to.
The man hums and pulls Tommy into another hug before standing, leaving Tommy kneeling on the ground. He watches the man walk to the edge of the building, wings catching the light of morning sun that rises from behind the pair.
"Oh and one more thing." BlackWing turns to him, a smile dancing on his lips as he folds his arms.
"Make sure to get more sleep, alright mate? I know you're smart and I know you would never have fallen asleep up here by choice. If you don't want a repeat of this, please sleep more. And eat for goodness sake, you're skinnier than a pole."
Now he just sounds like a scolding parent, which for Tommy, is compared to his friend Ranboo who does the same thing.
He doesn't even want to think of the lecture he'll get from those two when he gets back. Maybe he shouldn't have broken his comm.
Tommy just ends up nodding at the man who gives one more satisfied smile before he falls off the building. Not even a moment later, Tommy watches as a blur of black races up from the building as BlackWing takes to the sky
It's only when BlackWing is just a blur in the distance does his body kick into action. Fucking finally.
He stands on shaking legs and takes off in the direction of home.
Adrenaline picking up with his heart rate and shock as he runs as fast as he can back to his apartment.
His roommates are gonna kill him but he's got a hell of a story to tell.