Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Tommy wasn't expecting to spend his summer break fighting crime, it just happened he claims. Only 4 people know the truth, and now apparently you do as well.

******

“The light where the sky meets the sea, it calls to me~”

“Stop singing and go back to fighting crime.”

“That’s rude, Tubbo. I was enjoying my time, singing to my fun disney music and you just had to-”

"You can't be serious-"

"I am making it fun!"

“Be quiet Tommy.”

"Code names~"

"Shut up, Theseus."

“Ok, fine, Tubbo. I’ll be boring and be quiet.”

Theseus didn’t need Tubbo to tell him where crime was.

He, big man, Tommy Danger Kraken Innit Beloved Underscore, could find and fight crime all by himself because of how much of a big man he was...

He glanced around from the rooftop he was on.

There was no way for him to tell where the bad guys were.

Or what they were doing.

Actually maybe he did need Tubbo.

“Tubbo!” The older boy's sigh could be heard even through the tiny earpiece Theseus was wearing.

He swore he heard Tubbo say something under his breath.

Something along the lines of, I do fucking everything for you, I swear to Prime.

“3 blocks down to your left, 4 men robbing a jewellery store, armed with knives and no guns detected.” Tubbo sounded bored like he was aware that Theseus would absolutely dominate that fight.

Theseus smiled and started heading in the direction his guy in the chair told him to go.

“Other left, Theseus.”

“I hate you.”

Theseus used his powers, which Purpled has smart-fully dubbed as ‘Red Magic Shit’, to float down to the nearest building avoiding all cameras he could.

You see, Theseus was what people would call a vigilante, and he was a good and very popular one.

The camera just loved Theseus, the feelings weren’t returned. If Theseus was seen on camera too often, it would bring too much attention to him and then he would be made to talk to Schlatt.

Lets just say last time they talked to each other Theseus threw a table out a window.

The other heroes were cool though, he would see them often and none of them hated him, that he knew of.

“Be careful Theseus, their back up seems to have shown up, 2 armed with guns.” Tubbo’s not at all worried voice filled his head. “If things go south alert me and Ranboo.”

“I believe you mean Ranboo and I, big man. And to think you’re the only one out of us 4 to have actually tried last year in classes. I’ll be fine Tubster and tell Ranboob that he won’t be needed.”

Theseus was pretty excited, guns meant he could use his powers in more advanced ways and show off more.

This was going to be fun.

Theseus turned the corner and glanced at the mess the robbers had made.

There were five of them, dressed head to toe in black clothing.

They were fighting with the window, having thrown their weapons to the ground.

Glass shards on the ground.

That would be painful.

“Clearly you guys or women, we don’t discriminate, don’t know how to properly rob a store. I mean this is a mess.”

He leaned down to pick up one of the abandoned knives.

“Theseus is here!”

“Shit.”

The robbers scattered, each turning a different way.

Theseus mentally sighed.

“Yes, I am here. Now do you surrender or shall we-”

He was cut off as one of the robbers threw a knife at his head.

Red smoke wrapped around the knife instantly and it clattered to the floor uselessly.

That was another benefit of red magic shit.

Telekinesis of whatever.

Theseus still called it red magic shit.

“That wasn’t very nice.” He crossed his arms, subconsciously stretching his neck out, prepared for a fight.

Three of the criminals came running towards him at once and he dodged all of the attacks, they weren’t very good at this.

One literally tripped while running at him.

Some people didn't know when to quit.

Theseus picked his first target and sent his red magic shit towards the man. He ran at the other two and knocked them over easily, only using his fists.

He let his powers release the man, and he dropped unconsciously to the ground.

“Who wants to go next?” He said kicking the bodies out of the way.

“Is that a challenge red fucker?” One of the idiotic thieves yelled back.

He couldn’t help but smile at the fool.

Theseus brought his hands back and sent a wave of red smoke towards the group of remaining robbers.

They all battled helplessly against the magic as it wrapped around their waists and necks, not killing anyone.

He was not a murderer.

Not anymore.

He brushed off his hands, smiling.

"Now, this is why we don't steal-"

One of the thieves snuck around behind Theseus and pushed a taser into his back, a scream was stripped from his mouth.

Electronic currents were painful.

And a direct weakness of his.

The taser was still pulsing across his back and it was starting to weaken his magic, but he kept his hold on the man's associates.

Theseus grunted, twisting his body to knee the robber in his gut.

The man crumpled easily.

"Ok... I'm going to call the cops now."

And he did.

He left the robbers in a pile on the ground.

They wouldn't be getting up any time soon.

Once he saw flashing lights a block away he left.

He climbed up a fire escape of a random building.

Theseus pulled himself onto the roof.

He let out a sigh of relief as his back touched the cold concrete roof.

His back hurt.

"Theseus are you insane?"

Theseus jumped, opening his eyes to see the top hero staring at him.

"Oh hey~"

"I asked you if you were insane!"

Dream held out his hand for Theseus to take.

Using the hand Theseus pulled himself up.

"No? I mean maybe-"

Dream sighed.

"Look Theseus, you need to be more careful."

"Careful? I had that!"

Dream shook his head.

"No, no you did not."

Tommy started to speak but was cut off.

"Look a good way for you to be more careful...”

Tommy groaned.

“I’m not joining the Hero League.”

“But-”

“Dream, I would rather chop my dick and balls off than work for Schlatt.”

Dream sighed.

“And like as cool as it would be to work with you and the rest of the Dream Team-”

Dream couldn’t hold his laugh back at the name, it was quite ridiculous.

Tommy glared at him til he stopped laughing.

“As I was saying, as cool as it would be, Jschlatt is an asshole and I will never work for that prick.”

They both knew this would be his answer, it is always his answer. No matter how many times they ask, he always refuses.

“But Theseus, you wouldn’t even really work for him-”

“You’d work for me and I’m pretty awesome.” Theseus finished off Dream’s sentence.

Yup. That’s how many times they had done this, he had memorised Dream’s whole speech.

“Ok, let's get you back to your house then.”

Theseus had never told Dream exactly where he lived but Dream knew the general direction. Even though Theseus would call Dream and most of the other heroes his friends he didn’t trust anyone with his true identity other than his 3 closest friends.

He didn’t know any of the heroes' identities either.

"Why do I need to go home?"

"You got tasered, I'm taking you home."

"But I'm fine."

"No, you're not."

Tommy sighed.

They walked for a while.

Hiding from the streets and civilian view.

It wouldn't be good to see Dream and Theseus acting like friends out in the open.

“Here’s good.” Theseus stopped abruptly, only to almost collapse and need to grab Dream’s shoulder to steady himself.

Maybe his back was hurting more than he let on.

“You sure, Theseus? I can walk you more...”

“I’m fine Big man, only needed a second.” Theseus walked a bit more easily this time as he gave Dream a wonky thumbs up. Dream pinched his nose, like most old people did.

“Whatever you say, I swear you are going to give me a heart attack one day.”

“Bye Big D!”

“I’ve told you not to call me that.”

Theseus walked slowly to the alleyway behind his shared apartment. Hosting himself up to the fire escape and being as quiet as he could, he slipped into the open window in the kitchen.

He couldn’t see any lights.

Good, they were asleep and-

“Thomas Danger Kraken Innit Underscore! We were worried sick.” Tubbo yelled at him the second he walked into the living room.

Causing Ranboo to smack his head on an open cupboard.

Good. Fits him for being so tall.

“He was, I wasn’t. I couldn’t care, just don’t die. We need your income.” Purpled sounded so unimpressed, probably being forced to stay awake to yell at Tommy for being out late.

“Can… you… just… not” Tommy collapsed onto the armchair. He couldn't help it, he felt like shit.

“Tommy!” Ranboo let out a surprised squeak and ran over to the boy. “What happened chickadee?” Tommy would yell at Ranboo later for the nickname, just because he was part avian.

It was uncalled for-

“TOMMY! Dude. No dying. We have a rule against it” Tubbo points to their wall of rules to prove his point.

“Not… dying.” Tommy took a deep, shaky breath, which didn’t help his case. “Taser.”

Is all he can get out before promptly passing out.

******

Tommy awoke to a blazing headache and pain coming from all over his body.

“It's not so fun to pass out, is it? Especially when you don’t tell your friends what happened so they think you may be dying. And then before you pass out you say one word, taser. We don’t even know if you still have your powers or-”

Tubbo was stopped by Ranboo covering his mouth with his hand.

Electronic currents really fuck with his powers, causing them to go... wonky and unreliable.

“Sorry. Power is still here.” He summons some red sparks to prove his point.

“Dream helped.”

The two relaxed at the mention of the number one hero’s name.

Niether of them liked the heroes, or the hero tower, but they trusted Dream with Tommy.

Ranboo leaned down and ran a hand through Tommy’s hair. “Ok, just tell us next time.” Tommy nods and leans into the touch.

Tubbo sighs.

"You are so much work." He muttered.

Tommy yawned.

“You have work in half an hour, by the way.” Tommy jumps up.

He ignores the shocked look Ranboo gives him.

“Shit! Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” He rushes out of the room into the bathroom.

Not too bad, the bruises could be worse.

He quickly puts on his work outfit. He is out the door in record time.

And then he runs into Purpled.

Literally.

“If you actually run maybe you’ll get there in time.” Purpled yells after him.

“Fuck you.” Purpled laughs at him and Tommy starts running.

He can’t be late again, Niki is nice but he doesn’t want to piss her off.

Tommy was lucky to get his job at Niki's, she was kind and paid well.

He runs through the streets crossing roads without looking both ways, oh how annoyed Karl would be at him.

The thought of Karl jolts Tommy back to the present, well that and the loud horn of a car.

Tommy keeps running and thinks about the heroes. Dream and the rest of ‘The Feral Boys’ as the world had named them, are really close with Theseus.

Karl or Hypnos, which is his hero name, gets annoyed with most of Tommy’s actions when it comes to being late for things, he just doesn’t want to be late.

Tommy bursts through the doors of Niki’s cafe only being 10 min late.

“I’m so sorry Niki, there was traffic and I almost got hit by a car, I was running so fast to get here and-”

“It’s fine Tommy, traffic is a bitch.”

Niki was in a good mood today.

“I know! Hi Jack.” He yells as he enters the back room causing the man to jump.

“You can’t do that Tommy.”

“Watch me dickhead.” Jack just glared at Tommy before walking out.

Rude.

“Niki… Tell Jack that he is being an asshole.”

“Jack, why are you being an arsehole?”

Jack started to protest about how he wasn’t an asshole and the rest of the day went just like that.

Tommy getting mad at Jack.

Jack yelling back and Niki laughing.

Tommy even managed to only burn one batch of cookies, it was his new record and Niki was very proud of him when he told her.

Tommy was having a good day and planned to do some vigilante shit with Purpled later so he offered to close the store up for Niki and Jack. T

he two left, thanking him.

“Jump in the cadillac, girl let's put some miles on it~” Tommy was the only one in the store so he sang along to the music on the radio as he started to clean up.

The store was only open for another half an hour anyway, so he would probably only get a couple, if any, more customers.

With one glance out the window Tommy could see a man walking towards the cafe, and sighed.

Great, Tommy thought, now I have to deal with a customer.

Tommy has learned that the customers that come late at night are normally pricks.

“Hi, are you guys still open?” The man asked.

Tommy disliked him straight away. Who wants coffee and 12am?

“Sadly we are, bitch boy.” The man laughed. “What would you like?”

He looked like a bitch boy, tall lanky mother fucker.

The man was wearing way to fancy of clothes to be in cafe, let alone in this city

“Just a cup of coffee.” He said smiling.

Tommy mentally smiled.

They still had some coffee left from the last pot.

Thank Prime.

“Oh and it’s Wilbur, not bitch boy.” The man said smiling.

Tommy was right, all customers who come in after 11pm are pricks.

“Whatever, prick.”

Tommy grabbed a cup of coffee that was probably cold by now, but he couldn’t care less.

“Enjoy your coffee, now pay and get out so I can close up.” Bitch boy laughed.

He smiled at him.

It was weird.

“Gremlin child, let me drink my coffee before you shove me out.” Wilbur tells him laughing.

“Not a child dickhead.”

“You calling me a dickhead, only proves my point,” He squints his eyes to read his name tag, “Tommy.”

Tommy glares at him.

“Ok, ok. I’ll finish it quicker.”

Wilbur chugs the rest of his coffee like a mad man and smiles at Tommy.

“Is that what you wanted?”

“Not really, bitch boy. But if it gets you to leave?”

Wilbur laughs again and Tommy motions to the door with his hands.

Wilbur pulls out some cash and leaves it on the counter.

“Thank you for the coffee, Tommy.” Wilbur calls out to him as he leaves.

“Thank you for being a prick.” Tommy finds himself calling back.

Tommy leans down to count the money and is happy with the tip Wilbur left him.

Good.

Tommy deserves a big tip because he is such a big man.

Tommy closes up the rest of the store and makes sure to lock the doors behind himself, though he finds his mind wandering back to the strange man named Wilbur.

Chapter Text

“You are 43 minutes late!” Purpled yelled the second Tommy walked through the entryway of the small 2 bedroom apartment the four of them shared.

Tommy winced.

Saying he was mad would be an understatement.

Tommy had promised to actually be on time, so in Tommy time only 10 minutes late, but it was way past Tommy time now.

“I waited for you.”

“That’s on you for waiting for me, Purps.”

Tommy rushes past Purpled, yelling at him as he does.

He enters their shared bedroom.

Changing into his Theseus outfit as he walked.

Purpled followed him.

“You should've guessed that I would be late.”

“Oh yes, it is my fault for thinking you would only be 20 minutes late when you were obviously going to be 45 minutes late. My bad.”

“Prick.”

“Idiot”

"Dumbass."

"Stupid."

"Fucker."

"Motherfucker."

Tommy sighed, glaring at Purpled.

“Look, Purps, just give me 5 minutes.”

“You get 2.”

Tommy smiled thankfully and moved to the bathroom.

Purpled wasn’t even surprised, Tommy was always late.

He just wished that the avian would at least text him.

It’s all he asks from him.

A small little text.

It isn’t much.

“Ok, I’m sorry. I was talking to the prick at the end of my shift and then it started raining and then I had to run to catch the subway…”

Tommy shouted from the bathroom as he grabbed his mask.

“Then this guy was breaking up with his girlfriend and it was ugly, like really ugly. People shouldn’t break up in public spaces."

Theseus walked out, dragging a hand through his hair.

"It makes it so awkward for us normals trying to get home before their dick roommate starts yelling at them.”

Tommy started rambling as the two climbed out the window.

Purpled sighed.

Running a hand over his masked face.

The two walked over the roofs surrounding their building for a bit.

The moon as their light.

They reached the normal split-off spot, pausing.

There was a loud, obvious click of a camera, great.

Just what the two needed, to be spotted together, talking like pals.

“Ok, Theseus, enough talking. We don’t need to make Bee deal with a vigilante mess before he even gets back from his... whatever it is.”

Tommy sighed and nodded.

Tubbo would be pissed if they made him deal with another twitter scandal involving the two of them.

“You patrol the west side, and I’ll patrol the east.”

Purpled says as soon as they get to the edge of their usual crossroads. “Don’t die.”

“I never plan it, Purps.” Purpled sighed and prayed to Prime to not take his friend yet.

****** 

Theseus jumped from rooftop to rooftop waiting for Tubbo to give him a badass mission to do.

Tubbo had returned from his extended schooling and was currently yelling at Purpled to listen to the plan and to stop patrolling overtime.

Theseus knew that Tubbo was not actually at summer school like he insisted, but he didn't want to think too hard about why Tubbo would be lying to him.

Theseus was getting bored of the yelling and decided to play with his powers a bit more.

He didn’t know much about how his powers worked but he knew 3 key things.

The first being that they come and go as they please and are very unpredictable.

The second is that they have something to do with electricity so tasers can affect his powers badly, it was not a fun week when it first happened.

The final thing is that the public really loves his powers, they seem to think they are cool.

Theseus tries to practice his magic as often as he can.

He was getting bored, where was Tubbo when he needed him? 

Something caught Theseus’ eye and he turned to look at it.

Theseus paused the second he saw that it was fire.

His sudden paused caused him to slip.

The fire was being contained though by a certain hero, Flame.

So no it wasn't a random fire, no it was Sapnap playing with him.

Dream’s best friend and partner in heroism. He was just who could lift Theseus’ mood.

“Sapnap, whatssup dude?” Theseus said as Sapnap helped him up. Sapnap laughed as he ruffled Theseus’ hair.

“Not you apparently. You good bud, that was quite a fall.” Sapnap said as if he was totally not supporting most of Theseus’ weight.

“You can’t do that to someone who is unsuspecting Sap.”

Theseus grumbles to the older man, stepping away and running a hand down his masked face.

“Could have done a lot worse than give me a concussion.”

“You have a concussion? Thes, you have to tell people when you have a concussion.”

Flame was acting like a mother hen and Theseus was not going to take it, plus the nickname Sapnap used was disgusting to him.

He was a big man and would not get referred to as ‘Thes’.

“Enough Flame, let me breathe.” He said, shrugging Sapnap’s hands from his shoulders. “If you’re here to offer what you always offer-”

“Then don’t because I, Theseus, will not accept your offer to train with the heroes because-” Sapnap cut him off, with a fake accent that sounded nothing like Theseus'.

“I disagree with everything the Hero League stands for, I disagree with everything that-”

“The evil Schlatt touches or believes in.” Flame finishes for him, laughing at Theseus’ very predictable speech.

Sapnap smiles.

“I know Theseus, you say it every time, and we all know you’ll eventually take Dream up on his offer to be his little, perfect sidekick.” Sapnap laughed at the expression on Theseus’s face. “Face it, you’ll join us one day.”

“Eww, no I don’t want to ‘join’ you guys. That sounds like the heroes are a cult… are the heroes a cult?!”

“No, Theseus, The Hero League is not a cult. If Schlatt is a cult leader we don’t have anything to do with it. Theseus, no one will force you to become a hero but you should consider it. It could keep you alive.”

Sapnap sounded serious when he spoke, unlike himself.

“We all want to keep you alive and safe, Thes. Keep that in mind.” Sapnap pulled Theseus to his side and looked him dead in his masked eyes.

“You’re so weird Sapnap. I get it. I’m awesome, but I am also a big man who can hold his own-”

“You literally fell out of the sky 5 minutes ago-”

“That’s not the point Sap, you guys don’t have to be watching me over my shoulder 24/7, it's creepy and unhelpful to both of us.”

“Theseus…”

“I can be a vigilante without the best heroes trying to protect me.” Flame sighed and ran his hand through his hair.

“Whatever you say, Theseus. Just keep in mind Dream’s offer-”

“Oh shit!” A large fire seems to have broken out across town. Sapnap turned to look at what caused Theseus' outburst.

“Wanna prove yourself, Theseus? Let's go.” The two ran towards the building that was set ablaze.

Finally, Theseus thought, this is just what he needed.

****** 

Tommy was late again.

He didn’t mean to be late but he was.

He was still thinking about the awesome fight he and Sapnap fought in, they won obviously.

He ran into the cafe to talk to Jack about how much of a dick the strange man called Wilbur was, but stopped in his tracks when he saw the bitch boy in question talking to Niki.

“Well look who it is! Gremlin child.” Wilbur said smiling once he noticed that Tommy had entered the cafe.

Tommy was about to commit several crimes, he was not a child.

“I am not a child, I am a big man who is about to punt you into the sun.” Niki laughed at his words.

“Of course you are, Tommy.” She said ruffling his hair as he walked past her, to head into the kitchen.

He hears Wilbur and Niki keep talking as he leaves but he couldn’t care less about their boring conversation.

Tommy finished putting away his things and walked out to the counter in time to shout a quick bye to Niki as she left.

He turned back to the cash register only to groan when he saw bitch boy still sitting there smiling at him.

“You have got to be kidding me.”

“Come on, Tommy. I’m not that bad.” Wilbur said laughing at the annoyed expression Tommy made.

“No, you’re worse.”

“I didn’t even do anything to you.”

“You came into a cafe at midnight and asked for coffee, and then you drank the whole cup in under ten seconds. That is what wronguns do. No sane human does that and acts like it is fucking normal.”

“Well, how about I have another coffee and drink it like a normal and sane person as you put it? Would that make you happy?”

Tommy sighed and started working towards the coffee machine.

“I would be happy if you left.” Tommy said while handing the man his coffee.

Did Tommy just say that to a paying customer?

Yes.

Is it going to bite him in his ass later on, probably.

To his surprise, Wilbur only started laughing.

“Ok, Tommy.”

Tommy sighed and walked over to take the orders of the couple that just walked in.

This was going to be a long day. He walked back to where Wilbur was previously sitting, only to find it empty.

Tommy should be happy to see the annoying man gone, but he was kind of looking forward to bullying the man for a little bit longer.

He also realises that Wilbur tipped him double what a coffee would cost.

****** 

The next day when Tommy arrives at Niki’s cafe, Wilbur is sitting in the same seat.

The same happens the next day and the day after that.

Tommy finds himself enjoying the man’s company more and more.

They would laugh and talk about random things, Wilbur would normally rant about how horrible his day was and how annoying his brother was.

Wilbur sat in the same place everyday, his smiling face always having something new to tell Tommy about.

The highlight of Tommy's day quickly became the time he spent with Wilbur.

Wilbur never failed to show up, annoy Tommy and then tip the boy way too much.

“Hey, Wil?

“Yeah, Toms?” Tommy scoffed at the nickname.

What is with people and calling him ridiculous nicknames?

“Why don't you have a life?” Wilbur coughed, laughing at Tommy's words.

"I do have a life, gremlin-"

"Nope, you always come here, every single day. Therefore you have no life."

"I have a life, I just choose for it to be my time with you."

“Wilbur-” The older man cut him off by hugging him.

Tommy sighed.

Clingy bastard.

Tommy still sunk into the hug.

Wilbur smiled into Tommy’s hair.

“I hate you, bitch boy.”

“I know you do, Tommy. I know you do.”

Wilbur pulled away and looked Tommy in his eyes.

“Now, let me drink my coffee how I want.”

“No! You drink it like a complete madman, Wil.”

Wilbur laughed and Tommy couldn’t help but smile.

Little did Tommy know that he had just let a very powerful family claim him as one of their own.

But he'll figure it out later.

Chapter Text

It had been 3 weeks since Tommy had met Wilbur and they had been some of the best weeks of his life, but as many know nothing can stay perfect for too long.

Tommy was at the beginning of the end.

It started on a rainy Tuesday morning.

Tommy was working the early morning shift which has always been his least favourite, as Wilbur would come in towards the end of his shift instead of the beginning.

Not that Tommy liked seeing that dickhead every morning.

Tommy walked to work in the pouring rain, the rain did nothing to help him other then make his hair look cooler.

He arrived at the closed cafe soaking wet and very much miserable.

He fumbled for the key to the building, and after a few painful minutes of struggling to remember where he put said key, he unlocked the building and was out of the rain.

He all but ran to the air-conditioning control panel and quickly set it to a warm temperature, he didn’t want to suffer in the cafe all morning.

He sighed as he walked around turning all the lights on and setting up the tables, he hated working the morning shift.

After the cafe looked like people could actually eat at it, he turned on the open sign and sat down behind the counter.

The early shifts were normally slow to start, so he had time to kill.

Tommy scrolled through the different social media pages until a certain one caught his eye.

A picture of Theseus and Purpled talking, said the caption, how well do the two actually know each other?.

Shit.

Tommy sent the post to Tubbo for him to see if they needed to worry.

Somehow Tubbo had the ability to take down social media posts in seconds.

Tommy never wanted to ask where Tubbo learned how to hack websites.

Though Tommy doesn't believe that they would teach it at school.

Tommy continued to scroll through his alerts when he saw a recent news story that looked like it could be important.

Something about the Syndicate fighting back against the Hero League.

Tommy couldn't help but laugh.

Fighting back?

They’re villains, it's what they do.

Tommy didn’t agree with everything Schlatt and the Heroes but the villains were killers.

Dream made sure Tommy knew this as well.

Dream told Theseus that once the Syndicate realised how powerful Theseus’ magic was, they would ask him to join their ranks.

The last time Theseus brought the Syndicate up, Dream told Theseus to never ever talk to the villains.

He claimed they could manipulate him in ways he couldn’t understand, and Theseus agreed to never talk about the villains again.

The interaction scarred Tommy more than he let on.

Dream’s face went dark and his voice turned cold, it was a scary experience.

Tommy shuddered at the memory.

Before Tommy could read more about the villains rebelling, the front door bell rang, great.

Now he had to deal with customers.

Tommy sat up straighter and glanced up at the man who had walked in.

He had bright pink hair, like Niki's and, he looked very grumpy when he saw Tommy.

“You’re not Niki.”

The pink-haired bitch spoke as if it was Tommy’s fault.

“Believe me, Pink Bitch, if i had it my way, I wouldn’t be working the early shift either.”

The name didn’t impress Pink Bitch.

“Well, what would you like?” Pink sat down and ordered a coffee with no milk.

Weirdo.

“I didn’t know Niki let children work here.”

Tommy glared at the man as he started working on the coffee.

“Well if you must know, Pinky-”

Pink Bitch raised his eyebrow at Tommy.

So Tommy, being the big man he was, poked his tongue out at him.

Pinky coughed.

“Child.”

“Pink Prick.”

The man chuckled.

Tommy finished brewing Pink’s coffee and handed it to the pink-haired man.

“So, are you actually a child?”

“Piss off, man”

“Niki hired a child to work for her, and the child won’t stop swearing at me. Unbelievable.”

Tommy was ready to yell every curse word he could think of but stopped when he saw other customers.

“We will continue this later, Pinky.”

Tommy walked over to the other customers and took their orders, Pink Bitch watching him the whole time.

Creepy fuck.

Tommy glanced at the clock and saw that Niki would be joining him soon, perfect.

Once Niki got here the morning would go quicker.

“So Pinky,” Tommy said once he was back behind the counter.

He was making some of the drinks that had been ordered.

“Yes…” Pink Bitch leaned down to read Tommy’s name tag.

It reminded Tommy of his first interaction with Wilbur.

“Tommy? Is that short for something? Thomas? Tom? To-”

“Pinky, how could Tommy be short for Tom?”

Pink Bitch shook his head.

“You never know with people, Tommy. It's Techno by the way, not Pinky.”

Tommy burst out laughing, the man whose name was revealed to be Techno just sighed at him.

“Techno? Who thinks that fucking Techno would be a good name for a human. I mean, Techno? Why, just why. What fucked up shit is going through someones head to name their child Techno?”

Techno only nodded his head in agreement.

“I think that everyday. My brother won't let me forget it either.”

Tommy was prepared to reply about how smart of a man Techno’s brother seemed to be, but then Niki walked through the door.

“Tommy! Techno! Great to see you two finally met.”

Techno and Tommy shared a look, Techno shrugged his shoulders as if to say that he had no idea what she meant either.

Niki laughed.

“You guys don’t know?”

“Niki, we have absolutely no clue what you’re talking about.” Tommy said, faking a cheerful voice to mimic Niki’s.

“Tommy, Techno is Wil’s brother.”

Oh.

“Oh.”

“What?”

Techno sounded very confused.

“You know my brother? In a good or bad way?”

Tommy caught the way he seemed to ask whether or not Techno should kill him.

Protective brother, good to know.

“You’re the bastard brother Wil always talks about!”

Tommy realised he had to explain to Techno.

He looked at Tommy before something clicked in his mind.

“I guess that makes you the gremlin child, Wil won’t shut up about.”

Tommy couldn’t stop the blush from creeping up to his collarbone.

“I swear, Wilbur comes back every morning to tell Phil and me about this new exciting thing that Tommy told him.”

The redness was up to Tommy's cheeks now.

He wasn’t embarrassed, no.

“Aww, Tech you’re embarrassing the kid.” Niki said ruffling Tommy’s hair. “I don’t think he can take the fact that Wil talks about him to his family.”

She laughed and wrapped an arm around his shoulders.

“Be quiet, Niki.” Tommy mumbled.

Techno laughed.

“I embarrassed the child, oh no.” Techno said in his monotone voice, sounding overly smug.

“Shut up the lot of you.” Tommy hissed but he couldn’t help smile.

Wilbur cares about him enough to tell his family about him.

“Now, Techno, I believe you should tell me all of the embarrassing Wilbur stories you know.”

Techno pulls a hand up to his chin to mimic a thinking expression.

“Well there was this one time where he ate sand-“

“Wilbur ate sand?” Tommy exclaims, catching the attention of some of the customers.

“Yes he did. Now hush child while I tell you the story.”

****** 

Tommy learned quickly that Techno loved telling stories, he would change his voice to match the scene and characters.

Tommy could sit and listen to the man talk for hours.

Techno’s voice had nothing on Wilbur’s deep and smooth voice.

Tommy had once told the man, while very much sleep deprived, that his voice reminded him of honey.

He didn’t live that one down for a week.

Tommy could tell that both brothers, twins actually, both liked expressing themselves through their voices.

Tommy laughed at Techno’s stories from when the two were kids and found himself wanting to meet the father of the two quickly.

“Now what in the name of Prime, are you two shits doing talking to each other?” Wilbur’s voice scared the two, causing Tommy to jump a little.

“I think the real question should be why did you think it was a good idea to eat sand?” Wilbur almost choked on his water that Niki had given him.

“Why would you tell the child that?”

“I’m not a child, Dickhead.”

Wilbur put a hand over Tommy’s mouth, pulling the boy closer to his side.

“Do you not see how badly this is going to go for me?”

Techno shrugged.

Wilbur made a choked sound.

“Did you just bite me? Tommy! That’s disgusting.”

“Don’t touch me then, Sand-Eater.”

Wilbur gasped and started pouting.

Wilbur pointed at Niki and Techno.

“You caused this. You have made the child-“

Wilbur smacks Tommy’s slowly rising hand away,

“Yes, you are a child. Niki! How could you let the two of them meet? I thought we were friends.”

Niki made a shocked expression.

“I’ll have you know, they were already talking when I entered the cafe. I didn’t do anything.”

Niki walked away to take some of the new customers' orders.

Wilbur laid his head on the cafe counter.

“That’s disgusting, big man. I haven’t cleaned that yet.”

Wilbur only replied with a mumble of words that Tommy couldn’t understand.

Tommy looked at Techno for help and the older man just shook his head.

A plan started to form in his mind. “Techno….”

“What do you want, Tommy?” Techno’s unimpressed voice answered.

Tommy turned to look at the man.

“Can you beat Wilbur up for me? I would do it but Niki said I wasn’t allowed to start fights at work.”

Techno grinned and turned to face his brother.

Wilbur sat up quickly.

“Don’t you dare, Tech. I will tell Dad if you even poke me.”

Wilbur didn’t sound very threatening.

“Techno, after everything we have been through together.”

Techno lunged at him and Wilbur let out a gut wrenching scream.

“If I come out there and you two are wrestling on the floor again, you will both be banned from ever eating here again.” Niki yelled to the two brothers from the kitchen.

“Yes, Niki.”

Wilbur and Techno both sounded terrified of her, which made Tommy laugh.

Wilbur glared at Tommy.

Techno paid and left soon after and Tommy would never admit that he was excited to see the man again.

The rest of Tommy’s shift went quickly with Wilbur’s presence and soon it was time for Tommy to head back to his apartment.

Tommy was about to pack up his things when he looked out the window.

“Shit.”

It was still pouring with rain and Tommy didn’t have an umbrella.

“Are you ok? Did something happen.” Tommy decided that Wilbur worries too much.

“It’s nothing Wil.” Wilbur didn’t look convinced. He followed Tommy’s gaze and saw what he was looking at.

“Is the mighty Tommy scared of some rain?” Wilbur said laughing.

Tommy sighed and left to go grab his stuff.

“Toms, if you want I can drive you back to your apartment.”

Tommy paused.

Would Wilbur actually drive him back to the apartment?

“Wait, really?”

Wilbur smiled, before nodding.

“Of course, Tommy. I don’t mind.”

Tommy quickly grabbed his things and ran out to the counter, to see Wilbur standing up, ready to leave.

Tommy quickly put Wilbur’s money in the cash register, with the usual insane tip.

Tommy came to stand by Wilbur and the man laughed, wrapping an arm around the younger’s shoulders.

“Let's get you home, Toms.”

The two started walking out to Wilbur’s fancy ass car.

“Bye, Niki.” Tommy yelled before they exited.

She waved back to him, eyes softening when she saw he was leaving with Wilbur.

The drive to Tommy’s apartment was full of the two singing and laughing to the music on the radio.

Wilbur looked unimpressed at the shitty apartment block they pulled up to, but didn’t say anything.

The second the two said bye, Tommy ran into the apartment and changed into his Theseus outfit.

Going out as Theseus during the day was always risky, but he wanted to do something to waste the time until his roommates got back from their days.

Tubbo would still be doing whatever he did during the day.

Tubbo would always tell Tommy that it was summer school but since Tommy did worse in most classes he doubted that that was where Tubbo actually was.

Ranboo would be at work, he had a job working for some rich mafia boss.

Well not really, but whenever Tommy asks about his job he doesn't say anything about it and awkwardly changes the subject.

Tommy decided that whatever Ranboo was doing was definitely illegal, but he couldn’t bring himself to care.

Being a vigilante was also highly illegal.

The final roommate was Purpled.

Purpled was in the same boat as Tommy, both grew up on the streets before they met each other as vigilantes and then again later as civilians.

The two had been friends forever and they considered each other brothers in all but blood.

Purpled also did something illegal as his work, but Tommy never asked because he knew he wouldn’t like the answer.

Theseus looked at the clock and sighed, it was way too early for any of his favourite heroes to be patrolling.

He considered his options and decided that he would just have to waste some time until something interesting happened.

Theseus knew the best way to waste time was to cause chaos, and causing chaos is what he does best.

Theseus smiled and tugged the mask over his eyes before jumping out onto the fire escape.

Once Theseus was sure that Wilbur’s car was gone, he jumped and decided that today he would be fighting some idiots.

******

Theseus stood on the edge of a random building's roof, bored out of his mind.

It had been a couple hours since Theseus had heard from one of his friends and he was starting to get restless.

There was a tiny bit of blood on his suit and it made it uncomfortable to wear.

A fight with a group of robbers had ended with Theseus covered in blood, most of it not being his own.

He was about to declare his patrol over when the sound of a gunshot caught his attention.

While guns were easy to obtain in L’Manburg, not many of the guns actually were fired.

When Theseus heard the gunshot he jumped a little, he wasn’t expecting for the gun to sound so close to him.

Theseus heard a thud and a flap of… wings?

Oh shit!

Wings.

No.

Fuck him, fuck him, was all Theseus could think.

Theseus didn’t want to turn around.

He knew who was standing behind him, The Angel of Death.

The number one villain was probably standing behind him, holding a gun.

Theseus didn’t want to know what the villain wanted, maybe if he just didn’t turn around the Syndicate’s leader would leave.

“Hello, Theseus.”

Oh Prime.

Theseus was about to get shot.

“I just want to talk.”

Theseus looked at the ground below him and debated jumping, there was a chance his powers could save him before he went splat on the ground.

A harsh chuckle was heard from behind him.

“I wouldn’t do that if I was you, Theseus.”

The Angel sounded closer this time when he spoke.

Theseus knew that he was completely fucked.

“What do you want?” Theseus’ voice sounded dark when he spoke and he realised that he would die as someone other than himself, he would die as Theseus.

Tommy’s mind went to dark places fast at the thought of dying.

Would Tubbo even notice if he was gone?

Ranboo would be relieved to have the other two all to himself.

Purpled would probably throw a party once he heard about his death.

No.

Shut up, they were his friends, they cared for him.

Theseus couldn’t think like that, he needed to figure out how to survive.

Theseus turned around slowly.

The Angel was standing very close to him.

“I just wanted to thank you.”

Now Theseus was very confused.

“Thank me? What for? I have done nothing that benefits you or the villains.” Theseus cut himself off.

He needed to shut up before he started rambling about how useless he was to the Syndicate, he didn’t need to give them more reasons to kill him.

“You would be surprised at how helpful it is to us villains when people like you clean up the petty crime off the streets.”

What?

“Huh?”

Ok, not the smartest thing he could say but it was something.

Don't blame him, he was having a hard time convincing himself that he wasn’t imagining things.

“Ok, let me get this straight, so the Angel of Death, the top villain in the country, came here to tell me personally that he was thankful for me doing what the heroes do?"

Theseus laughed.

"I think we can both agree that the idea of a villain saying that and actually meaning it, is fucking ridiculous.”

The Angel chuckled.

“Just thought I would tell you, Theseus.”

“Oh, thank you. Thank you so much for going out of your way to tell me I’m helping the villains when I am meant to be helping the heroes. It means so much to me."

Shut up. Shut up.

"Thank you so fucking much man-” The Angel cut him off by harshly grabbing his chin.

Theseus started praying to Prime.

“I think we need to remember who has more power here, Fallen One. I was just in the neighbourhood and thought I would pay you a visit."

Tommy's breaths were coming quickly.

Next time I see you, I will make sure to remember this attitude of yours, let's see how thankful I am for you then.”

The Angel dragged his finger over Theseus’ cheek.

“We wouldn’t want to kill you, Theseus; Your existence is very helpful to the Syndicate, but we will not hesitate to eliminate you if we see fit. I think that now you should go, and think about what you are going to say the next time the top villain decides to talk to you.”

The Angel turned and left, using his wings to propel himself through the air.

Theseus sat down on the edge of the building.

He was freaking out.

The Angel of Death just told him that the Syndicate wouldn’t hesitate to kill him. Theseus was panicking to say the least.

What was going to happen to him? What would the Angel do?

Theseus assumed it wouldn’t be a fast death either, they would probably kill him slowly.

The air around him became thick and suddenly it became clear to Theseus that he wasn’t breathing.

Theseus pulled his mask off of his face to try and get more air to enter his lungs, it wasn’t working.

He needed to breathe.

Theseus had dealt with his fair share of panic attacks, Ranboo had them often and he knew how to calm someone down who was having one.

Funny thing is, the steps don’t work if you are the one having the panic attack.

Theseus felt the tears fall down his cheeks, he doesn't remember how he started crying.

Everything came crashing onto him at once.

The Angel of Death told him to be careful, if he wasn’t careful he would die.

Theseus wondered if the Syndicate had been watching him.

Theseus always assumed that the villains would have looked over his file, that he guessed they had, and then they figured out he was no threat to them.

Theseus doesn’t know how long he sat there crying and panicking but he heard a thud behind him, followed by several footsteps.

He heard someone hush the others with them.

“Theseus?” Dream asked cautiously.

“Thes, are you ok?”

Theseus didn’t react, he wasn’t ok.

Theseus assumed that he couldn’t tell the heroes about the interaction.

Telling anyone would probably be crossing the new invisible rules the Syndicate had set for him to follow.

He heard a singular pair of footsteps come closer and then there was a hand on his shoulder.

“It’s okay, Thes. We’ll help you figure out whatever's going on.”

The hand on his shoulder wrapped around his shoulders and soon he was being hugged from behind.

Theseus squeezed his eyes shut, soon they would see that he wasn’t wearing his mask and then even more things would be ruined but Tommy couldn’t bring himself to care.

More footsteps were coming towards him and soon he was in the centre of a huge group hug.

Theseus may have a big problem to deal with but he couldn’t help but settle into the hug. Tommy was never more fucked then he was now.

Chapter Text

Theseus doesn’t know how long they stayed there.

It could have been hours or minutes.

Theseus guessed that all of the heroes he cared for were there.

Theseus couldn’t hide his crying for long and soon he heard someone move to see his face.

He heard a small gasp of shock once the person realised he was unmasked, but they didn’t say anything.

The person brought Theseus' face to their chest and they wiped his tears away.

“It’s okay, Theseus.”

Theseus realised that it was Hypnos talking.

The voice went quieter so that only he could hear,

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone.”

Theseus was lucky for it to have been Karl who found out.

Theseus doesn’t know what the others would do if they knew his identity but he assumes it wouldn’t be good.

He feels the bodies shift around him, hiding his face from the heroes.

There was still a slight problem though, Hypnos’ powers.

Karl had the ability to control someone's mind, erase people's memories and even erase peoples whole identities and beliefs.

Hypnos had advanced powers that the Hero League could use against Theseus and Karl wouldn’t be able to do anything about it.

Schlatt could control Hypnos and make him do things without him even knowing he was doing it, there was an incident last year…

Theseus shuddered at the thought, it was a horrible 2 months for him.

He couldn’t bring himself to think about it again.

If someone figured out that Hypnos had learnt Theseus’ civilian identity it could end up badly for the both of them.

Karl was risking a lot by hiding what he knew.

Theseus pushed himself closer to the man.

He felt someone press something into his hand and he realised it must be his mask.

Before he could do anything with it he felt Hypnos grab the ruined fabric out of his hand and quickly placed it over Theseus’ eyes.

Then running a hand through the younger's hair to make it look more natural.

“We can’t help you if you don’t tell us what’s wrong, Thes.”

He assumes it was Flame who spoke that time.

“If it was a person we would be easily able to beat them up.”

Quackity sounded way too happy to promise to beat someone up in Theseus’ name.

Quackity was an interesting hero, while his exact powers were unknown he had some sort of shapeshifting ability.

Quackity was also an avian with no wings like Theseus, but Theseus never shared to the man that he was an avian hybrid as well.

Quackity had an interesting hero name, Atlas, like the Titan who held up the sky.

Theseus hated the name and found it very unfitting for the shapeshifting avian.

Theseus was then pulled backwards and tucked tightly under someone's chin.

He knew who it was straight away, Dream. T

he man was probably wondering what had happened to Theseus and was wanting answers.

The one problem was what could Theseus tell him?

He didn’t want to anger the villains anymore, but what if they went through with their threat and killed him, no one would know what happened to the vigilante.

“Theseus..” Dream’s voice was dark and possessive when he spoke.

Theseus knew the voice well, he normally heard it when he got himself in trouble with some villain or mafia boss that he couldn’t handle.

7 months ago, when the streets of L’manburg were being attacked by a different group of villains, Theseus got himself into the middle of a big fight between the heroes and the villains.

The villains used the Feral boy's love for the vigilante against them and soon Theseus was trapped and on death's doorstep.

The villains left L’manburg later that night and would later be replaced by The Syndicate a month later.

Theseus doesn’t remember much about that night.

He does sort of remember how powerful the heroes were, all 5 of them used their powers to save Theseus and they completely destroyed the villains.

“We aren’t mad, we could never be mad with you. Can we ask what happened?” Karl’s voice sounded soft and gentle compared to Dream’s.

Theseus could only shake his head, he couldn’t tell them.

Theseus could imagine the disappointment on their faces once they realised that he couldn’t hold his own against another villain, that he is fighting a battle too big for him and they will have to clean it up for him.

He heard Dream sigh above him.

“Please, Theseus. Just tell us.” Quackity pleading for someone to do something was unlikely, so Theseus couldn’t help but be a little shocked.

He still shook his head, turning around in Dream’s lap and hiding his face in the man’s chest.

A hand soon rested at the bottom of his head and then the hand started playing with his hair.

On any other occasion Theseus would be fighting to get out of Dream’s touch but he couldn’t help but want comfort from the hero.

"We will figure this out with you. You just have to tell us what happened.”

“What’s wrong, Thes?”

“We want to help you.”

Everytime one of the heroes asked him to explain what happened, he shook his head.

Soon they stopped asking and just tried to comfort the vigilante.

Theseus doesn’t know how long they stayed there, but it felt like forever and just a few minutes to him.

Theseus knew he had to get back to his roommates soon or else they would start to worry about him.

The sun was slowly beginning to rise signalling that it was morning.

The heroes let him leave and soon Tommy was wandering the streets, wearing his spare clothes that he had hidden in alleyways around the town.

Theseus’ suit in the bottom of the backpack he wore slung across one shoulder, blood fresh on his face and sides seeping through the thin fabric he wore on his too-skinny frame.

****** 

When Tommy enters the apartment way too late for anyone to be awake, he is quickly pulled into a hug.

The tall man in front of him wouldn’t let him go despite his words of protest.

Tubbo entered soon after he heard the commotion.

“Tommy! Where were you? We were worried and you weren’t answering your phone or the comms-” Tubbo was cut off by Purpled running into the room.

“Why are you covered in blood, Tommy?”

Tubbo glanced at Tommy after Purpled’s words and then let out a scream.

“Ranboo let go of him and grab the first aid kit. Purps find where he left his goddamn suit.”

Tubbo was in full mum-friend mode.

Tubbo pulled Tommy by his wrist into the small lounge area the apartment had.

Tubbo motioned for Tommy to pull off his shirt, and once he did what Tubbo asked him to.

He winced as he felt the cool air touch the untreated wound.

Ranboo entered with the first aid kit and Tommy felt sick once he saw the alcohol he brought with it, he didn’t think his wounds were that bad.

“I’m sorry for what I’m about to do, Tommy.”

Tommy only nodded, he knew what was happening.

Tubbo grabbed a cloth and covered it in the alcohol, Tommy watched him get closer.

Tommy was surprised when he felt someone pick him up by the waist and pull them closer to them, Ranboo.

Tubbo suddenly touched the fabric to the bloody area and Tommy screamed.

It hurt so badly, only Prime would know.

“I’m so sorry, Toms. We can’t let it get infected.”

He pressed the cloth back down onto the wound and Tommy started shouting out any curse word he could think of, struggling against Ranboo’s hold.

He didn’t want to be restrained, it brought back memories of Him.

Tommy started screaming more and more.

“It’s ok, Chickadee. You’re ok.”

Ranboo tried but it didn’t work.

Tommy kept struggling and screaming.

Purpled rushed into the room, dropping Theseus’ suit as he ran.

Purpled was quickly next to Tommy and helped Ranboo quiet down the yelling boy.

The whole apartment block could probably hear them but they didn’t care, they only cared about making sure Tommy was ok.

“You might need to be faster, Tubbo. He is going to knock himself out if we aren’t careful.” Purpled shouted to be heard over Tommy’s wailing.

Tubbo only nodded.

Ranboo realised that Tubbo was shaking, Tubbo may have always been the healer out of the 4 but looking at blood made him queasy.

Ranboo moved to help Tubbo, leaving Purpled to deal with Tommy.

Soon the wound on his side and forehead were cleaned out with the alcohol, and Tubbo and Ranboo started wrapping the cuts with some of the bandages they had left.

Tommy slowly calmed down, Purpled saying soothing things every now and then to make sure the youngest was alright.

Tommy was breathing in shaking breaths which worried Tubbo but he couldn't find anymore injuries on the boy.

“Hey, Tommy. Are you good? What happened?”

"I-"

He couldn't get the words out, he gulped, taking in a shaking breath.

“I was finishing patrol and ran into the Angel of Death.” Tommy said once he had calmed down a bit. “He started talking about things and I was rude to him and he threatened to kill me and talked about how he would kill me and-”

Tommy had to stop talking, it was what had pissed the Angel off.

Ranboo looked angry and he stormed off, grabbing his phone as he did. 

Tubbo also looked mad but he stayed close to Tommy, pulling him and Purpled into a hug.

“You’re ok, Toms. We won’t let anyone from the Syndicate hurt you.”

Tommy knew Tubbo didn’t have that power but it still felt nice to know that Tubbo cared for him.

Ranboo could be heard yelling in the other room but Purpled talked over him.

“Tommy, you have work soon. Just thought I would tell you. Now, you should not go but-”

Purpled was cut off by Tommy quickly standing up.

Huh?

When did he get on the ground?

Weird.

“I have to go to work, Purps. We need the money, badly.”

They all knew that they did in fact need the money.

“No patrolling when you get back, wait for Purpled.” Tubbo yelled after him.

Tommy nodded, at least they weren’t stopping him from patrolling altogether.

Tommy quickly ran to work, he was late again. Niki was waiting for him when he arrived.

She gasped once she saw the bandage around his forehead.

“Tommy, what happened?” She said, reaching out to touch the poorly wrapped cut.

Tommy flinched away and Niki knew it must have been bad.

She looked at him with a stern look, like a parent scolding a child.

“I just tripped, Niki-” She cut him off.

“Bullshit.”

“Niki, I swear. I feel down the stairs at my apartment, they aren’t the best quality and-” She cut him off again.

“Your whole apartment isn’t the best quality, Tommy.” Tommy just nodded.

“I know.” Niki sighs and walks past him.

“My shift finishes soon. Would you mind closing up after you?” Tommy nods again.

Tommy starts his shift slowly, not much happens.

Soon it hit Tommy that Wilbur wasn’t there.

Good, Tommy didn’t like him anyway, but where was he?

Tommy’s shift went by fast as he was working with Jack but then Jack left and he was alone.

Then the doorbell chimed and a strange man walked in.

******

Clay was freaking out.

Theseus seemed terrified last night and he didn’t tell anyone what happened.

Clay only hopes that Theseus got help from his roommates.

“You need to stop pacing.”

Clay looked up to see George standing in the entryway of his room at the Hero League Tower, holding two cups of coffee.

George offered a cup to Clay, which he took quickly, drinking the whole thing in a matter of seconds.

“You shouldn’t drink coffee that quickly, you’ll get a heart attack.”

“And how horrible that would be-“

“It would be horrible, Clay.”

“So bad for the Jschlatt to lose his top hero-“

“You can’t speak that badly about the Hero League. What if they hear you?”

“I’m just worried about Theseus. What if he isn’t ok? What if he got himself in trouble and can’t do anything about it? What if he needs us to help him and we didn’t?”

“Dream, you need to calm down. Thes would tell us if he needed our help-“

“Theseus is a child, he doesn’t know what to do. We need to help him.”

“We will, Clay. We just need to wait for him.”

Clay sighed and rested his head on George’s shoulder.

“He will tell us, he’s a smart kid.”

“I know, George.” Clay looked up at George and couldn’t help but smile.

George smiled back and opened his mouth to say something but was cut off when Sapnap came running in.

“Ewww, break it up lovers. We have places to be, people to fuck.”

Clay smacked him.

“Ok. I'll be quiet. Any luck with good ol’ Thes?”

George shook his head and nudged Clay.

“This one is freaking out about him.”

Clay glared at George.

“You are freaking out and should realise that Theseus would tell you if he needs you. He loves you, like you love him.”

Clay shook his head, Theseus didn’t love him.

Theseus couldn’t love him.

If Theseus loved him he would tell Clay how to help.

He would ask for Clay’s help and he wouldn’t be-

“Enough, Clay.”

He looked up to see Karl standing in the doorway.

How dare he read his private thoughts, who did he think he was?

“Clay, as your friend I have every right to make sure you’re ok by reading your thoughts. Also, they were not private. At least try to shield your mind.”

Clay only glared at the man.

“You should go out. Get some fresh air into ya.”

When did Quackity enter the room?

“The same time I did”

Stop.

Reading.

My.

Thoughts.

Karl.

“I will not stop until you look around and realise that we all are worried about Theseus but we can’t let the other heroes know that something is up.”

Smart, they might try to hurt Theseus.

“Yes, it is smart and they won’t hurt Theseus, not on our watch.”

Get out now.

“Ok, I’ll leave your mind, Dream.”

“You should think about what Quack said, Clay.”

Quackity glared at Sapnap. 

"What? What’s wrong with Quack? I kinda like it, babe.”

“No, stop it. No boyfriend things in my room-“

“You say that like you and George haven’t..”

Sapnap made kissing sounds with his mouth, Karl and Quackity joining in soon after.

George was bright red and Karl wrapping an arm around Quackity’s waist to imitate George and Clay didn’t help.

“Out!”

“Ok ok. We’re leaving.” Sapnap said, winking.

“Seriously, try to go outside.”

“It’ll be good for you.”

Go outside and do what?

“Go to a local cafe or something, Clay.”

Get.

Out.

“Goodbye, Clay’s mind. Hello, normal angry Clay.”

Clay wanted to smack the smile off of Karl’s dumb face.

The three heroes left the room and soon it was only two.

“Go outside, Clay. The Theseus problem will still be here when you get back.”

“But, George-“

“Don’t ‘but, George’ me. You can’t solve anything without taking a break. I’ve heard that there is a nice little cafe down a couple blocks, why don’t you go buy us some lunch and then we can discuss the issues regarding Thes.”

George had that look on his face that seemed to say ‘don’t disagree with me’ so Clay didn’t.

That was why he was now walking down the streets of L’manburg trying to find the cafe George gave him instructions on how to find.

Clay had a plan, buy the food, get back to the tower as quickly as he could and find Theseus.

The cafe wasn’t bad, Prime, Clay would even say it was quite nice, but he was on a mission.

He had to get to Theseus quickly.

Clay didn’t even think before he lined up, George’s order written down on a random piece of paper.

Clay looked up when it was his turn to order and he almost gasped, there in front of him, the man he was looking for. 

Theseus.

****** 

Ranboo was furious.

They broke one of his main rules, to leave his friend out of their work. T

hat rule included Theseus, and they broke his rule so they were going to pay.

He had a call to make.

“You broke a rule, Siren.”

“What? No we didn’t, Ranboo. Be for real-“

“You said you wouldn’t hurt my friends, you hurt Theseus."

“We didn’t, Ranboo I swear.”

“So threatening to kill someone isn’t considered hurting them? Good to know.”

“Dude, we didn’t break a rule. Theseus is fine-“

“He is very much not fine, Siren.”

“Oh yeah? What? Is he traumatised? Poor little Theseus-“

“You don’t want to make me your enemy, Wil.”

“I won’t be, Ran. In fact-“

“We apologise for Siren’s words, Ranboo.” A new voice came over the phone.

“Leave Theseus out of this. He is innocent.”

Ranboo hung up.

What the fuck did Tommy get himself into?

Chapter Text

Tommy was having a boring day.

Nothing had happened and then a strange man entered the cafe.

Now, lots of strange men and women would come into the cafe, but this guy seemed different.

The man held himself differently as he walked, like he had some sort of authority in other places.

Tommy was intrigued, who was this man and why was he acting like he owned the ground he walked on?

It wasn't unlikely for this man to actually own some part of the land he was walking on, but Tommy didn’t like that idea.

How dare this man enter his (Niki’s) cafe and act like he was in charge?

The man was soon at the front of the line and he looked up at Tommy in shock.

Tommy had been getting a lot of sympathy today and several people would ask what happened.

The man looked at Tommy differently before ordering.

The strange man sat down at the counter as he waited for his order and because the world loved him, Tommy had to go over to where he was sitting, yay.

The man glanced up at Tommy and quickly looked down again, weird.

******

Clay couldn’t believe it, Theseus was standing right in front of him but now Clay had a decision to make.

Should he tell Theseus that he knew who he was?

Or keep quiet and try to befriend him as a civilian?

The second option would probably work better for him.

Clay had to talk to him, get to know him.

Clay was about to talk to Theseus when he beat him to it.

“Who sent you to come get all of this food?”

******

That was such an awkward way to start a conversation but Tommy couldn’t help it, the man interested him.

“My boyfriend and some of my friends.”

Oh.

“That’s nice, I’m more into women but you do you.”

The man smiled.

“I’ve never seen you around here before, are you from upper L’manburg?”

“I am, yeah.”

“So you’re a snobby rich dick?”

The man laughed.

“I wouldn’t say I was. I’m only there for a job, I was raised in Pogtopia.” Tommy nodded.

“Well I am from the beautiful Logstedshire.”

They both laughed at that, Logstedshire was not known for being beautiful.

“You must be a man of great culture then.” Tommy smiled and nodded.

“I could say the same about you, Mr Pogtopia.”

“It’s Clay. Not Mr Pogtopia.” 

Tommy looked at the man, the man looked back.

Tommy was silent for a while 3 seconds before he burst out laughing.

“Clay? What did you do to your parents to deserve that as a name?”

“I never actually knew my parents.”

“We have a lot more in common than I originally thought, Clay.” Clay smiled.

“What about you? What’s your name?”

“My name is so amazingly awesome.”

The man made a gesture with his hands that said continue on.

“Tommy.”

Clay stretched out his hand and Tommy took it.

“Nice to meet you, Tommy.” Clay smiled and Tommy smiled back.

“Nice to meet you, Clay.”

They let go of each other’s hands and Tommy went back to taking people's orders.

When he was finished he went back to talking to Clay.

“So Tommy.”

Tommy glanced up from writing down some of the numbers in the cafe's notebook.

“Yes, big man?” Clay smiled.

“I wanted to ask you something.”

“Well don’t go be all formal about it, you can just ask.”

“What happened to you?”

Clay gestured at his forehead.

“Oh, I tripped down the stairs at my apartment. They aren’t the best quality.” T

he lie rolled off Tommy's tongue easily and he almost felt bad about lying to his new friend but he couldn’t risk it.

“That’s not good. You’re ok now, right?”

“Oh, yeah. I’m fine. I just have roommates that freak out over everything.”

Clay nodded.

Tommy smiled, maybe this job would help him make lots of friends.

That made Tommy think of Wilbur, where was the man?

He would normally be here by now.

“You ordered a lot of food, how many people is it for?”

“Oh, well I ordered for the whole tow-” Clay cut himself off. “I ordered for all my friends, there are 5 of us in total.”

“That’s cool. I’ve always wanted a big friend group.”

“Well if I don’t annoy you that much you could always hang out with my friends and I. I’m sure they would love to meet you.”

Tommy smiled, he liked Clay.

“I’ll have to see if I can handle that after you leave, big man.”

Clay wheezed.

****** 

Wilbur was annoyed.

He was dealing with a huge crisis in the family business, his father had done some things to piss off one of their main partners and it wasn’t going to end well.

“He needed to learn.” Phil said angrily.

“That doesn’t mean you can break one of Ranboo’s rules.”

“I know, Techno.”

“Ranboo is needed for most of our plans, he is very important.” Wilbur cut in.

“He shouldn’t be friends with a cocky vigilante then.”

“Phil, I get that you're mad at Theseus but you need to calm down.”

“We could just kill him.”

All 3 of the members turned to look at Niki.

“If he is getting in our way we could just kill him. Ranboo would never know it was us.”

“We can’t lie to him, he is a walking lie detector.” Wilbur groaned. “He would figure it out within seconds.”

“We aren’t killing a child.” Techno said annoyed that they were even considering it.

“Tech, we don’t know if he is even a kid-“

“Wilbur, imagine Tommy in that position. Could you kill Tommy?”

No.

Wilbur couldn’t kill that boy.

Tommy meant the world to Wilbur and he couldn’t believe Techno just said that.

“Techno.” Niki growled at the man. “Tommy is an actual powerless child, he couldn’t defend himself against the villains, Theseus could.”

Wilbur nodded.

Techno shook his head.

“Tommy would fight back, that’s who he is.”

“You’ve met him once, Tech. I’ve known him for a year or two. He would be terrified out of his mind.”

“So would Theseus. He is still a child like Tommy!”

“Leave Tommy out of this.”

Wilbur was done, Techno had no right to bring the young boy into their conversation.

“Can you hear Tommy’s screams, Wil? Cause I can. Poor, helpless Tommy screaming and pleading for his life and then you deliver the killing blow. You would hit him on his forehead and stab him in his side. You would watch him bleed out.”

Wilbur put his hand over his ears.

“Techno, enough.” Phil said harshly. “We won’t be killing Theseus. If all goes well he will work for us and become one of us.”

“You threatened to kill him, he won’t be too happy about working with you.” Niki said being the reasonable one once again.

“That’s why we will send Siren and Blade out to meet him first.”

“No.”

“Why?”

“You will be meeting him, he needs to feel like he can talk to one of us and Phil is already out of the question, I’m unavailable half the time, so it is up to you two.” Niki said sternly.

She glared at Wilbur.

“Fine.” He mumbled back.

Niki smiled.

Wilbur looked at the time.

“Shit.”

“What?”

“I’m late to meet Tommy.”

Niki laughed.

“Go see him, Wil. We’ll finish up here for you.”

“Thanks Phil.”

Wilbur ran out of the mansion they called home and raced to Niki’s Cafe.

Wilbur’s breath caught in his throat, Tommy had a bandage on his forehead like Techno said.

Breathe Wilbur. Wil paused once he saw that sitting in his seat was none other than Clay WasTaken, aka Dream.

Fuck.

Why was Tommy talking to a hero?

Did Tommy know who he was talking to?

Tommy was smiling and laughing with the man.

******

Tommy spotted Wilbur and smiled.

“Wilbur!”

Wilbur walked up to the counter and sat next to Clay.

“Hi Tommy!”

Tommy was excited, he was waiting for Wilbur and now he had made a new friend.

“Funny seeing you here, Clay.”

Oh, they already knew each other, cool.

“It is so weird, Wilbur.”

That was random, so they don’t like each other?

“Aren’t you from Upper L’Manburg?”

“I could say the same for you.”

“What brings you into the lower parts then?”

“Just trying to get some food, George said this place had nice stuff.”

Wilbur knew who George was!

They must be friends then.

“Oh, did he now? You should tell Mr NotFound I say hi.”

“I’m sure he would be delighted to hear from you.”

Tommy was very confused, what was happening.

“Can I ask why you're here?”

Wilbur smiled and ruffled Tommy’s hair.

“I’m paying Tommy a visit.” Tommy nodded, unsure what to do.

He decided that the two didn’t like each other but he was confused about the reason.

“It was nice seeing you, Tommy.”

Tommy smiled and waved at Clay.

“Bye, Clay.”

“Goodbye, Tommy. Think about my offer.” Tommy nodded, he was definitely going to take him up on his offer to meet his friends.

Wilbur glanced up at Tommy.

“How long have you known Clay?” Wilbur sounded angry.

“Not too long.”

An hour.

“I would be careful around him, Toms.”

“Be careful? What has he done?”

“Just be cautious, he isn’t a saint.”

“No one in L’Manburg is a saint. No one in Pogtopia or Logstedshire either. To be alive right now you have to have done some sort of shady shit. We live in a time where heroes and villains fight everyday and civilians get caught up in the middle of it. Clay was nice to me and it wouldn’t hurt me to have another friend, Wilbur.”

Wilbur almost looked guilty but the look disappeared from his face quickly.

“There are better people to be friends with then, Clay.”

Tommy was mad now.

“Name someone, Wil.”

******

Wilbur was panicking.

Tommy couldn’t hang out with Dream.

Tommy couldn’t get in the middle of the war.

Tommy already was, and now he was arguing with Wilbur.

He had to do something to stop Tommy.

Tommy was in way over his head.

Wilbur knew that the Syndicate would fight for Tommy, but he didn’t want Tommy to realise who he was this way.

Tommy wouldn’t love him if he knew he was Siren.

Someone that is better to be friends with than the number 1 hero?

Not a villain.

Not Wilbur.

Why couldn’t he walk away, let Tommy be protected by Dream and his hero friends?

Wilbur couldn’t let Tommy go, Tommy was Wilbur’s sunshine, and Dream was not going to get him.

“Name a better person to hang out with than Clay? Easy Tommy.”

Tommy raised an eyebrow.

“Me.”

Tommy sighed.

“My family.”

Tommy looked confused, perfect.

“Have dinner with my family and I tomorrow, Toms. They want to meet you.”

“I’ve met Techno.”

“Then come meet Phil and say hi to Techno.”

Tommy looked torn.

Tommy seemed to decide on an answer.

“Ok.”

“Ok?”

“Yes, ok. I’ll meet your father and see Techno again tomorrow.”

Wilbur smiled.

“That’s great, Toms.”

This was perfect.

****** 

The rest of Tommy’s shift passed quickly and soon he was walking home in the coolness of the night wind.

It got dark quickly in L’Manburg, so while it was only 8pm it looked as if it was midnight.

Tommy was rushing home to do some vigilante shit with Purpled and he quickly ran into the house heading straight towards Purpled and his shared room but was stopped by Ranboo.

“Be careful out there, Tommy.”

“I will, big man. I’m always careful.”

Ranboo didn’t look like he believed him.

Tubbo entered the room.

“When do you get paid again Tommy?”

Tommy hated when Tubbo had to ask him that, it meant they were running out of money and fastly by how worried Tubbo sounded.

“In 2 more weeks.”

“Shit.”

“How bad is it, Tubs?”

“Well with rent and some money for new healing supplies, we will have very little to spend on food.” 

Very little was an understatement and they all knew it.

“We will just have to be smart with what we spend.”

“Give the money to Ranboo, Tubbo.”

“But-”

“Ranboo is better with money and we all know it.”

“It is true, Tubbo.”

“When did you even get in here, Purpled?”

“2 seconds ago.”

“When do you get paid.”

Purpled pretended to count on his fingers before looking up.

“I got paid last week.”

“Shit.”

Tommy doesn't know who said that, it could have been any of them.

“Who gets paid next?” Ranboo asked.

“I get paid next month.” Purpled said quietly.

It was the 7th of July.

“I’ll get paid properly in 2 weeks, I can try and take up more shifts at Niki’s-”

“No, Tommy, you already take way too many shifts.”

“Ranboo, what about you?”

“I don’t know how long, they kind of just pay me when they feel like it.”

Tubbo looked at Ranboo.

“What do you mean ‘when they feel like it’? When did you last get paid?”

“Ummm.”

Ranboo looked down.

“Last month?”

“Is that a question?”

Tommy hoped Ranboo was getting paid for his work.

Ranboo worked as often as Tommy did.

“No.” Ranboo didn’t sound sure.

“Ok, can we last for 2 more weeks?” Ranboo counted the money in his hands.

“Tubbo and I will go shopping tomorrow and see. We might have to eat some of the cheaper meat, Tommy.”

Tommy glanced up, that wasn’t good.

“Tommy can’t eat meat.”

“I know, Purps. He either eats the meat or he starves.”

“You can’t just tell Tommy to starve-”

‘It’s fine, Purpled. Get the meat, I’ll survive.”

Ranboo nods but he still looks sorry.

“Ready for patrol, Purps?”

“You can’t be serious. You were injured, you are not patrolling.”

Tommy walked away.

“La-la-la, I can’t hear you.”

Tommy entered the room and found his suit quickly.

“Very mature, Tommy.”

Tommy changed into his suit, wincing when it touched the wound on his side that he desperately wanted to forget about.

Theseus opened the door and saw fellow vigilante Purpled standing there, in his suit.

He looked pissed, lovely.

“Are you coming, Purps?” Purpled glared at him and pushed past the younger to reach the window.

“I’m only doing this because Tubbo asked me to, Thes.”

Theseus made a pained sound.

“And here I was, thinking that you were doing this because you cared for me. I mean, you could be nice to me. Would it kill you to be nice to me, Purps?”

“Yes, it would, Theseus. It really would.”

Purpled handed Theseus an ear piece.

“Bee will kill me if you take this out.”

“But he starts yelling at me when I-”

“No singing, Theseus.” Tubbo’s voice came through the tiny device the second Theseus put it in his ear.

“But-”

“I mean it. You sing so much it gives me a headache.”

“At least I can sing, unlike Purpled over here.”

Purpled smacked him.

“Sorry, Purps, just speaking facts.”

Tubbo sighed over the ear piece.

“Try to focus, you two.”

“We always focus, Bee.”

“Yeah!” Tommy agreed with Purpled.

“Whatever, if you need back up tell me or Ranboo-”

“We go through this every time-”

“Stay together this time. Be safe.”

“We won’t be!” Purpled smiled. “Wanna cause some chaos, Theseus?”

“Nothing would make me happier, Purps.”

The two raced off to do some shit.

****** 

It was early morning when they entered the apartment and they were sneaking in as quietly as they could.

“You are so dumb!”

“Be quiet, Purps.” They were crawling on the ground to hide from a likely angry Tubbo.

“I’m just saying.”

“Where were you two?”

Oh no.

“The park.” Tommy said at the same time Purpled said, “The street.”

“The street with the park.”

“Yeah.”

“Where were you two, seriously?”

Purpled held up some of the free street food they picked up.

“Getting food.” He said happily.

“That is going to make you sick.”

“Oh well.”

Tubbo still took one of the hotdogs Ranboo entered, saw the food, grabbed one and left.

“What’s wrong with him?”

“Don’t speak with your mouth full, Tommy.”

“You’re not the boss of me.”

“Legally I am.”

Tommy poked his tongue out.

“That’s gross.”

Tommy shrugged.

“You are an actual child, Toms.”

“Am not.”

“You are only 16, that counts as a child.” Purpled cut in.

“Does not.”

“Yes it does.”

“You’re only a year older than me, Purpled.”

“I’m two years older than you.” Tubbo said, smiling. “So’s Ranboo.”

“Speaking of the tall fucker, what is up with him?”

“Problems at work?”

“Problems in the bedroom?”

Tubbo smacked Tommy on the back of his head.

“I was kidding, learn to take a joke.” Tommy said, rubbing his head.

“He is just dealing with something at work.”

Purpled high fived Tommy.

“I called it. Point to Purpled!” He yelled.

“I still think I’m right.”

Tommy ran when he saw Tubbo raise his hand again.

“I’m kidding!”

Ranboo entered the room and joined them sitting on the floor.

“Why are we sitting on the floor?” Ranboo asked, very much confused.

“Well,” Tommy started saying, “Purpled and I snuck back into the apartment so flawlessly-”

“You started arguing so I heard you-”

“Quiet, Bee boy. So anyway we entered so amazingly that we decided to sit on the ground.”

Ranboo just shook his head.

Tommy decided that he didn’t want to sit on the floor anymore so he stood up and smiled once he saw a nice pole.

The others kept talking, not paying much attention to the youngest.

Tommy climbed up a pole and soon he was in the ceiling of their small apartment, he balanced over to a pole that was above where the 3 were sitting.

Using his feet he hung himself upside down, feeling all the blood rush to his head.

Tommy loved hanging upside down, it calmed his nerves, not that he had any.

“That’s not true.” Tommy decided to chime into the conversation the 3 were having.

All of them looked confused as to where the sound had come from until Tubbo looked up.

“Tommy, I swear to Prime. You better get down from there now.”

The others looked up once they heard Tubbo’s words.

“Tommy!”

“Get down from there, Toms.”

“No, it's fun.”

Tommy started swinging to show his point.

He heard the pole creak and Tubbo sweared.

“Get down.”

“Nope.”

“Chickadee-”

“No.” Ranboo sighed.

“Tommy, please come down. What if the pole breaks.”

Tommy thought for a moment.

“Fine.”

Tubbo let out a relieved sound.

Tommy started moving to get down when the pole creaked again.

“If you could be quicker-”

“I’m trying.”

Tommy realised that the pole was going to break, so he did the best thing he could think of…

His feet let go of the pole and he came crashing to the floor.

Tommy landed in a pose similar to a spider and smiled when he saw his friends' shocked faces.

“All good."

He held up two thumbs, grinning like a madman.

“No.”

“Tommy-”

“What is wrong with you?”

Tommy shrugged.

Several things were wrong with Tommy but he couldn’t care about them now.

Tommy was with his family, and all was good.

The layer of protection and safety Tommy felt was about to come crashing down.

Chapter Text

Theseus was out on patrol when it happened.

He was fighting a group of robbers who wouldn’t give up without a fight, but neither was he.

The robbers had him surrounded and he was excited for a proper fight, his powers were itching to be used.

It was a messy break in attempt, with glass lying all over the floor and several of the robbers cut on the loose shards.

The first robber ran towards him and he quickly fired some of his ‘red magic shit’ back at them.

Several more of the criminals ran at him and soon his powers were flying around him, grabbing at different criminals until all of them were held.

“Now why don’t we discuss why we don’t rob stores.”

The robbers mumbled back to him and Theseus smiled.

He was about to tell the criminals more about how dumb they were, when a hand snaked around his unexpecting wrist.

“Hello there, Theseus.”

Guess he missed one, shit.

The hand grabbed the base of his arm and tugged in the complete opposite direction it was meant to go.

But the man didn’t stop there, he kept going until a loud snap was heard.

Theseus doesn’t think his arm was meant to make that sound.

His vision went blurry and before he could react, the man kicked him in his shins.

Theseus almost fell to the ground but stopped himself, laughing.

“You really think that’s all it takes to beat me? Break my wrist and a weak kick to my legs?”

The robber gulped.

Theseus smiled, this naive robber.

“Let’s show you how a real fight goes.”

Theseus spun around, his dominant hand laying useless at his side.

He pushed his other hand forward and magic weakly sparked out, not too helpful as he couldn’t control it as well with his left hand.

He was just going to rely on his amazing battle abilities.

“Scared of a fight, Theseus?” The robber taunted.

“You’re the one who is shaking.”

“Well without your magic to save your ass, you’re kind of useless.”

Theseus wanted to show this man that he was not useless.

He ran forward and stabbed at the man using one of his knives.

The dagger he was using was a gift from Sapnap and he cherishes it.

The man dodged the attack and quickly turned around to face him.

“That's all you got?”

“Just you wait, dick.”

Theseus lunged at the man and then faked out, leaning backwards.

The man looked confused at why he wasn’t attacked, Theseus used his confusion as a way to gain some surprise with his next stab with the dagger.

The dagger hit the robber in his chest.

Theseus smiled.

“Are you done yet?”

The man looked up, grinning like a Cheshire Cat.

“Oh Theseus, I’m just getting started.”

The man ran forward and grabbed Theseus’ newly broken wrist, twisting it more.

Prime knew how much it hurt, but this guy was using the same tricks every time.

Theseus had to use his other hand to guide his magic and it worked well enough for what he wanted to do.

After making sure the other robbers were secure, he pulled himself backwards pulling all his magic surrounding the cocky robber in front of him forwards.

Unfortunately for Theseus the man was still holding his wrist so during the fall it got twisted once again.

His arm was stinging with pain, but he had to keep fighting.

The man was back on his feet fast and he looked delightfully pissed, yay.

The robber ran forward at Theseus, and Theseus stabbed the man again with the dagger.

The cut knocked the man down but in a second the robber was back on his feet, holding a newly acquired shard of glass from the floor.

The now armed man pushed the glass into Theseus’ side, the piece sticking into him and crushing several important organs.

Well fuck. Theseus impaled the man once again with the knife, when the robber was down Theseus quickly used his magic to tie him up.

“I guess I win.”

Theseus couldn’t help but smile, serves the robber right for thinking he could beat Theseus.

The cops had already been called by some of the pedestrians watching the vigilante work so he could head off quickly.

Theseus used his now almost useless powers to jump up into a building, his powers were too weak to fly with so he had to settle for the old run and jump trick.

******

Theseus saw the apartment building in his view and let out a sigh of relief.

His wrist was really hurting and the glass was still jammed into his side.

“Stupid robbers.” He mumbled to himself as he entered through the living room window.

“Hello to you as well, Theseus.”

He jumped, pulling off his mask.

“You can’t do that to someone, Tubs. That scared me.”

Tubbo laughed.

“These lights aren’t working again… Ranboo!” Tubbo shouted for the taller to come help him work out the lights.

Tubbo may be a major science and technology nerd but Ranboo was the only one who could control the lights.

“What’s up, Tubbo?” Ranboo said from the kitchen.

“The lights aren’t working again.”

Ranboo sighed.

The tallest started to enter into the living room, moving slowly due to the inability to see.

“That is like the third time this week. We need to talk to-“

Tommy yelped, Ranboo had run into his broken wrist.

“Tommy?”

“Tommy! What happened?” T

ommy crumpled to the floor in pain, clutching his arm.

No one could see him, which helped him.

“N-n-nothing.” He stuttered out.

“Tommy, you promised to tell us whenever you get injured on patrol, small or big.“

Tubbo pointed to their walls of rules.

The walls of rules was something to help Tommy.

He grew up with rules being written on walls all around him.

Tommy knew what happened if he broke a rule back then, he shuddered at the thought.

You’re not there anymore, Tommy.

Purpled knew that Tommy wouldn’t adjust well without some things from the two’s shared past, so the wall of rules, minus the punishments that came with it, was added into the lifestyle.

The rules worked well for the youngest and he took not breaking the rules very seriously.

“Why don’t we go into the kitchen to take a little look at whatever wound you're hiding, Chickadee?”

Oh, the illusion of having choices.

Tommy knew that there wasn’t a choice to what Ranboo said so he got up and headed into the kitchen.

Tommy knew a lot about the illusion of having free choice, one of Purpled’s rules for everyone was that Tommy was always given a choice.

Purpled was always the one to come up with rules for other people to follow, most of them being there to make Tommy feel better.

Once he entered the light of the kitchen he made an awkward wave with his unbroken hand.

“Which is worse?” Tubbo being the medic once again asked, Ranboo had already left to find the first aid kit.

Tommy pointed to his hip, he had been dealing with the hand for long enough now that it didn’t bother him as much anymore.

Tubbo nodded, quickly clearing off the bench and motioning for Tommy to lie on it.

With not much grace, Tommy was lying on the bench, the chill of the bench calming his nerves, coldness was soothing to him.

Ranboo re-entered with the first aid kit, it was really just a box of supplies they had stolen, brought, and been gifted. Everything gifted was either shit quality or had been given to Theseus by one of the Feral Boys.

“Ranboo, bring that over here.” Tubbo asked the man to bring something over to him, Tommy didn’t know what it was. He felt someone run a hand through his golden hair.

“This will probably hurt a bit, Tommy. But it’ll be over quick.”

Ranboo looked at Tubbo and motioned for him to start before he realised something.

“Tubs.”

Tubbo looked up.

“We need Purpled.”

Tubbo’s eyes widened.

“Purpled!”

Tommy jumped at the loud noise near his closed eyes.

“I’m not yelling at you, Toms, don’t you worry.” Tubbo said quietly to the shivering boy before yelling again, “Purpled.”

“I’m coming. Prime! What do you want now-“ Purpled stopped talking once he saw Tommy. “What did he do now?”

“We haven’t been told yet.”

All 3 of them turned to look at Tommy.

Of course it didn’t have the effect they wanted it to as the big had his eyes closed.

Purpled walked over to where Ranboo was, replacing Ranboo’s hand with his own.

“It’ll be over soon, Red.” Purpled kissed Tommy’s forehead and Tommy couldn’t help but smile.

Purpled had some of the weirdest nicknames for him.

Then he felt a hand touch the glass and he screamed.

“It’s ok. It’s ok.”

“I’m so sorry, Tommy. I didn’t realise there was still some glass in there.”

Now that Tubbo had touched the wound there was crimson red leaking out of the youngest’s body.

Tubbo’s fingers were covered in the sticky stuff and he looked like he was going to be sick.

Tubbo went for the second time. Tubbo slowly went to touch the open cut and wiped some of the blood away from the slice.

Ranboo handed him some tweezers, and he paused before sticking them in.

“I’m so sorry, baby.”

Purpled tensed and tried everything to soothe the blond but the second Tubbo poked the wound Tommy screamed.

Everyone in that room hated when Tommy screamed.

HIs screams were a mix between crying, shouting and just breathing.

Tubbo glanced at the wound and almost puked, poor Tommy.

Tubbo carefully pulled at the shard of glass until it was almost out of the cut, trying his best to ignore the screaming boy beside him.

Ranboo was holding Tommy down to the best of his ability, trying to not hurt the boy and also not mess Tubbo up.

Soon the injury was free of glass and Purplee could use his power to heal the bloodloss.

Tommy didn’t know where he was, what was going on but he knew that if hurt.

He felt hands restrain him and someone whispered something.

He heard someone apologise before even more pain washed over his body.

Prime it hurts. Soon the pain stopped and Tommy slowly opened his eyes.

He was in his apartment.

He was with his friends.

He was ok.

“Ok, Toms. What’s next on the injury list-“

“There’s more?”

“Of course there’s more, Purpled. When has Tommy ever gotten just one injury?”

“I’ll have you know, Ranboob. I’m sure Tommy has once gotten only one-“

“Enough. Tommy, what’s next.”

“Wrist.” Tommy’s voice was quiet and raspy, like he had been screaming or something.

Tubbo nodded and moved to his bleeding wrist. 

It was definitely facing the wrong was and it seemed to be covered in the crimson red goo.

“Can I ask what happened to it?”

“Robber. Grabbed. Pulled. Hurts. Prime.” Tommy’s breaths were coming quicker.

“Ok, stay with me, baby.”

Whenever Tommy got badly injured Tubbo would call him baby, that doesn’t make Tommy feel good.

“Rather. Not.”

“No, Tommy-“

He passed out.

****** 

Tommy awoke.

He was still lying on the kitchen counter and he was surprisingly warm.

He looked down and saw he was in one of Purpled’s hoodies, he smiled.

Tommy looked around and saw his arm was bandaged up and there was a cup and pills for him to take.

He quickly drank the water to swallow the pills and realised that they were pain killers.

Tommy’s arm didn’t hurt as much as he thought it would, though it was still useless.

He tried to move it, and it just didn’t listen to him, that’s not a good sign.

With a quick jump, hop really off the countertop he walked into the living room.

Tommy knew it had to be early morning because the living room had actual light coming into it.

“You’re awake!” Tommy turned around to see Tubbo sitting in one of the arm chairs.

“Hi-“

“Tommy.”

Tommy looked down.

Tubbo stood up.

“You can’t do that.”

Tubbo walked closer.

“We were worried that your arm wasn’t going to work again. Your powers are probably fucked.”

Tubbo was right in front of Tommy now.

The older lifted the younger’s chin, so that he was forced to meet the shorter’s eyes.

“We care about you, Toms. Please just be careful next time.”

Tommy nodded and Tubbo smiled.

Tubbo pulled Tommy into a hug and Tommy easily hugged back.

There goes that illusion of free choice again.

Shut up, brain.

They aren’t letting you decide anything.

Yes they are.

If you say so…

****** 

Wilbur was excited.

He had gone home quickly to tell Phil the great news and he was excited to get to meet the boy.

Techno just smiled and told Wilbur that he was getting attached too quickly.

Wilbur responded by poking his tongue out but now he was thinking.

Was he getting attached too soon?

No.

Wilbur had already claimed Tommy.

This dinner had to happen.

Tommy was the Syndicate’s and the Syndicate’s only.

The heroes could piss off.

Wilbur had no clue what Dream wanted with Tommy but he didn’t think it would be good.

What if Dream had hurt his Tommy?

He really hoped that wasn’t the case but it would give him a good excuse to beat the man up.

Wilbur arrived at Niki’s cafe as smiled, expecting to see the happy teenager he saw everyday.

Well saying happy was an exaggeration.

Wilbur hadn’t seen Tommy yet so he sat down in his usual seat.

Niki came out from the kitchen.

“Hey, Wil!”

“Hi, Niki. Is Tommy working today?”

Wilbur knows he is.

“He is, he just will be a little late.”

“Oh?”

“He rang in to tell me. He is normally late but he is extra late today so…”

Wilbur nodded.

The two friends chattered for a bit until Tommy came bursting though the doors.

“I’m so sorry I’m late, Niki.” Tommy yelled as he ran to set his stuff down.

“It’s fine, Toms.”

“I’m still sorry.”

She smiled as he came into the front of the cafe.

“Well I'm leaving now, bye.”

“Have fun, Niki!”

Tommy yelled back after her.

Tommy headed back towards the counter, smiling once he saw that Wilbur was sitting there.

“Hi. Wilbur.”

“Hi, Tommy. Are you still coming to dinner tonight?”

Tommy nods.

Perfect.

Wilbur is so excited to introduce his sunshine to his father.

And reintroduce him to his brother.

“My father is a vegetarian so there won’t be any meat, if that’s okay with you.”

Tommy laughed, Wilbur looked confused.

“Wil, I’m a vegetarian as well.”

Wilbur perked up a bit.

“You are?” Tommy nodded.

“Yup.“

“That’s even more perfect!”

Tommy nodded again and Wilbur laughed.

Tommy started making some coffee even though Wilbur hadn’t ordered yet.

“How was your day yesterday?”

“I didn’t do much.”

He yelled at Techno for using you as an example of how he would kill an innocent vigilante, he then patrolled as Siren and then brainstormed how to get an illegal vigilante to join the Syndicate.

“How about you?”

******

“The usual.”

He patrolled as Theseus, then fought a bunch of robbers, one of them stabbed me and broke my wrist.

He is in serious pain right now.

******

Tommy started bringing Wilbur’s coffee over, then Wilbur noticed something odd.

“Tommy, everyday you bring me my coffee with your right hand, today it’s your left…”

Wilbur trailed off as he looked down at Tommy’s right arm.

The older man gasped.

Standing up to get a closer look at the arm in a makeshift cast, grabbing the younger’s wrist.

“What did you do, Toms?”

Tommy’s arm was covered in bandages and honestly it looked really uncomfortable to Wilbur.

“I tripped-“

“You said that last time, try again.”

“I accidentally fell-“

“Nope.”

“I was closing up for the night and I slammed my a hand-“

“You’ve used that one as well. I actually believed you when you said it the first time as well.”

“I was abducted by aliens-“

“Interesting, but I want the truth.”

“I-I I ummm..”

******

Tommy had an idea.

Was it a good one?

Probably not.

“I was mugged. I was on the undeground coming back from work and some jackass mugged me.”

Wilbur looked satisfied with his answer.

“Are you ok?”

“Yup all good.”

“If you say so.”

Tommy nodded.

“Now tell me about how you got abducted by aliens and it resulted in you having a broken arm.”

Tommy smiled.

“Ok so…”

******

Wilbur didn’t listen to what Tommy said, he just kept making sure that Tommy didn’t hurt his wrist anymore.

Throughout Tommy’s whole shift, Wilbur watched him.

Wilbur decided to text Phil to tell him about Tommy’s arm.

Since Phil was an avian he had what Techno and Wilbur had decided to call ‘bird instincts’ and if Phil and his bird instincts saw a kid with a broken arm, they would freak out.

Wilbur glanced down at Tommy’s wrist again.

Something about it bothered Wilbur a lot.

First of all, it was covered in blood, not blood seeping through, the bandages themselves were covered in blood.

It made Wilbur feel queasy.

The second thing that bothered Wilbur was how thin the bandages looked.

If Tommy had broken his arm like he said, Wilbur doesn’t know why he would lie about that, the bandages would not be doing anything.

“Hey, Toms?”

Tommy turned around, smiling at Wilbur.

“Yeah?”

“Can I look at your arm?”

Tommy started to say something but Wilbur spoke first.

“I just want to see it, the bandages don’t look good and….”

Tommy sighed and lifted his arm slowly to Wilbur’s outstretched hand.

Wilbur ran a hand over the kids arm, and stiffened when he heard Tommy make a muffled yelp.

Wilbur turned to look at Tommy and he quickly pulled the boy into a hug.

“Oh Tommy. You are never using the underground again.”

Tommy said something but it was muffled by the fabric of Wilbur’s sweater so it didn’t count.

“I will drive you back to your place every single day. I can’t stand the thought of you getting your arm broken by some creep on the undeground.”

Nothing of Wilbur’s gets hurt.

Tommy was very much never going to get hurt again.

“When you come over to my place for dinner I’ll help you rewrap it.”

Tommy pulled out of Wilbur’s tight hug.

“Medical supplies are expensive, Wil. I can’t use yours.”

“Tommy, I assume your first aid kit is nonexistent with what you used as a cast for your arm. I will not be satisfied until that arm is wrapped up properly and safely.”

Wilbur grabbed Tommy's shoulders, being careful of Tommy’s arm, and made them look each other in the eye.

“I care about you and I want you to be happy and healthy. I will be helping you in some way with that arm.”

Tommy nodded.

Wilbur let go of the younger’s shoulders and let him head away to take others' orders.

Wilbur smiled.

Tommy would be safe with him in a few hours.

Tommy started making some coffee behind the counter and Wilbur watched.

Wilbur couldn’t wait until he could have Tommy all to himself, well his family will want Tommy as well.

Wilbur waited as Tommy gave the customers their coffee, he watched as Tommy took someone’s order and he watched when Tommy smiled at Wilbur.

Tommy was his, not Dream’s.

“Wil.” Tommy whined as he leaned over the counter, face right in Wilbur’s.

Wilbur laughed.

“Yes, sunshine?” Tommy blushed at Wilbur’s nickname but didn’t say anything.

“Wilbur.” Tommy just said again, slightly more annoyed.

“What do you want, Gremlin?”

“So I’m not sunshine anymore? I think that’s very rude because I said one-“

Wilbur shut Tommy up by grabbing the younger’s waist and pulling him closer.

Wilbur paused once he heard the choked noise Tommy made.

“Toms… are you hurt somewhere else?”

Tommy started shaking his head.

“No. Nope. Absolutely not.”

Wilbur slowly lifted up the bottom of Tommy’s shirt.

"That's like assault or something, big man-"

“Shit.”

Tommy had more of the bloody bandages on his hips and stomach.

"Sexual assault maybe-"

“Tommy! What did you do? Was this from that guy on the underground? I swear to Prime.”

Wilbur was going to kill this mugger once he found them.

Two injuries on his kid?

Wilbur didn’t believe it.

Tommy mumbled something under his breath.

“What did you say, sweetheart?”

Wilbur grabbed Tommy’s chin to make him look at him.

“I said that I’m sorry.”

Wilbur made a wounded sound.

“Tom, Toms, Tommy, Sunshine, Gremlin. Don’t you ever be sorry for getting mugged. It wasn’t your fault. It’s not like you went up to the robber and asked him to attack you.”

Tommy nodded, turning his head away from Wilbur.

The older sighed, first time bringing his child home and he already has several injuries.

His child?

His child.

Tommy turned around to do his job while Wilbur grabbed out his phone, texting his family.

Invisible Guy: Tommy got mugged

Pink Oink: Oh no. Did his toys get stolen?

Invisible Guy: This is serious, Techno

Pink Oink: Oh so serious :)

Bird Brain: Be nice to your brother, Tech. What happened to Tommy?

Invisible Guy: He got stabbed on the subway

Bird Brain: What?

Pink Oink: Is it serious?

Invisible Guy: I swear to Prime, Tech

Bird Brain: Is he ok?

Invisible Guy: I think his wrist is hurting more

Pink Oink: Do I want to ask…

Bird Brain: Is this still because of a mugging?

Invisible Guy: The motherfucker who mugged him broke his wrist!

But like twisted the thing several times

Bird Brain: Is he ok?

Pink Oink: Is he still coming?

Invisible Guy: I’m going to help him rewrap the injuries when we get home

Bird Brain: Wait, are they not covered?

Invisible Guy: Very poorly

Pink Oink: Did he fight back against the mugger?

Not many subway robbers stab people

Invisible Guy: Idk, he does seem like he would

Bird Brain: You picked a smart one, Wil

Invisible Guy: It’s not everyday that Siren, Ghostbur and I both like someone

Invisible Guy: Last I checked you guys and a few others are the only ones he likes

Pink Oink: Has either tried to come out yet?

Invisible Guy: Ghostbur is begging to be allowed to leave and stalk Tommy, but I keep stopping him

Invisble Guy: don’t want him to scare Tommy

Bird Brain: And Siren?

Invisible Guy: I don’t want him to be anywhere near Tommy. He will try to kidnap him or something

Pink Oink: Like Phil?

Invisible Guy: Like Phil

Bird Brain: What about me?

Invisible Guy: Nothing

Pink Oink: Not a single thing

Bird Brain: You two scare me

Invisible Guy: Twin things

Bird Brain: Unbelievable.

Tommy turned around and Wilbur looked up.

The boy delivered some people their coffee and Wilbur watched him take off his apron and disappear into the back room.

The younger reappeared in his normal clothes, smiling at Wilbur.

“Ready to go, Toms?”

Tommy nodded and the two walked toward the door of the cafe.

Every part of Wilbur delighted to have the kid safe.

Tommy was a part of a family, and he wouldn’t be leaving.

No matter what.

Chapter Text

Tommy was excited to see where Wilbur and Techno lived.

He assumed it was some fancy ass place in Upper L’Manburg, but maybe they would surprise him.

As much as Tommy wanted to meet the two’s father, a part of him believed that the man would be just another snobby rich fuck.

Tommy tried everything to shut that little voice up, Phil wouldn’t be a basic, pretentious, self-entitled prick.

Whoever helped raise the two dickhead’s he saw couldn’t be boring.

“You good there, Toms?” Wilbur asked the younger, voice full of concern as always.

“You’re rich, right?”

Wilbur stopped looking at the road in front of them and turned to face the boy.

“What?”

“Well, you always tip me way to much and you have this dumb, fancy car. So you must be rich.”

“I haven’t ever thought about it-“

“That is only something a rich person would say.”

“Is not.”

“Is so. Look, Wil, I just assume that your house is going to be some huge mansion worth more money then I will ever have.”

“It is a huge house, I guess. And it’s my father who is rich, not me. If I was super rich like Phil Watson I would buy-“

“Your father is Phil Watson?” Tommy couldn’t help but shout.

Wilbur looked away.

“Maybe…”

“Then not only are you rich, you're famous too!” Wilbur smiled slightly.

“He’s the famous one, Techno and I are just sort of there.”

“Oh Prime, am I about to meet L’Manburg’s smartest investor? The man who went from nothing to everything?” Tommy said, quoting an interview that played often.

Wilbur shook his head and laughed.

“Phil hates that interview. He says it’s the one he regrets doing the most.”

“But why? It airs every third day of the week at 9:30 pm and it never fails to stay the same. I think it’s been like that since I started working at Niki’s, I normally turn the tv off every time it plays.”

“Believe me, Toms, if it is playing anywhere in a 60 meter radius from Phil, he would throw whatever he could at it. We have broken so many tvs because of him.”

“Phil seems badass.”

“Phil isn’t badass.”

“What? He has to be. He throws shit at tvs.”

“He is a rich investor who got lucky, that isn’t very badass sounding to me.”

“When I see him can I quote the interview?”

Wilbur smiled as he looked at Tommy.

He ruffled the blond’s hair.

“I would give you anything to watch you do that. You should be careful though, he might throw you out a window if you say anything from it.”

Tommy made a horrified noise.

“Throw me out the window? That’s mean. Did you know that we have a word for that? Hang on, I googled it once.”

Wilbur glanced back at the road while the kid grabbed his phone.

“Only you would know that, Toms.”

Tommy glared at the man before reading the google search.

“Defenestration is often used to describe the forceful removal of someone via a window.”

Wilbur looked at Tommy confused.

“Why?”

Tommy shrugged.

“Why did you tell me this? I now feel the need to commit defenestration. Is that how you phrase it?”

“Why don’t I defenestrate you? Then we will figure it out.”

Tommy pretended to grab at Wilbur and Wilbur started screaming.

“Tommy! No, Tommy please! We can talk about this!” He said satirically.

Wilbur swerved the car and almost crashed it into a pole.

Both of them screamed.

“Wilbur! I swear to Prime, look at the fucking road.”

Wilbur made a sharp turn around a corner and since Tommy didn’t care for his safety and didn’t have his seatbelt on, Tommy crashed into the wall.

“Oww.”

Wilbur turned to look at Tommy.

“Are you ok, Tommy?”

Tommy started to nod when they heard a loud honk come from in front of them.

They both screamed again.

“Shit.”

Wilbur spun the wheel the best he could, trying to stop them from crashing into the vehicle in front of them.

Tommy helped turn the wheel to guide them away from the oncoming car but it only made the hit slightly less brutal.

Tommy got most of the hit, with his window breaking.

He screamed.

Tommy was in pain.

Well not really, but he was a dramatic fuck.

There was glass in his old wounds.

Maybe he was in pain.

If he could just use is power-

It didn't happen, he could use it.

He was quickly losing consciousness but tried to stay awake.

******

Tommy’s screaming scared Wilbur, he couldn’t see anything.

There was blood everywhere, covering the two completely.

Well no, b

Wilbur didn’t have many cuts, as Tommy got much more of the crash than he did. He had a couple slices and most definitely had a concussion. Wilbur did the only thing he could think of at the time, he used his power to grab Tommy. His powers were interesting, they gave him random abilities at random times. With the new added boost of speed and strength from his powers Tommy was quickly in the older’s arms.

The car was still moving on its own but Wilbur wasn’t paying much attention to it, Tommy was crying in his arms.

“Toms, you're ok. We’re ok.” Wilbur pulled the boy closer to his chest, picking him up. Wilbur exited the car still holding his kid, and walked over to the other driver. The driver started yelling at Wilbur. Wilbur carefully and slowly used his powers to make the man shut up. “You hit my kid and I with your car! Do you know how rude that is? It was a green light for us and all.”

The man looked at Tommy, who was clinging to Wilbur. The man’s eyes softened and he looked back up to Wilbur. Of course Tommy made the man go soft, Tommy is adorable.

“I’m so sorry, sir.” Wilbur glared at the man, and looked behind to look at the man’s car. The car wasn’t nearly as ruined as his own so a simple lawsuit would work well for him. Wilbur handed the man his card.

“We will work this out later, I need to make sure he’s ok.” The man nodded, once again looking at Tommy. Wilbur walked away and headed toward the park outside his house. “Hey, Toms?” Tommy slowly lifted his head.

“Hi, Wilby.” Wilbur’s heart melted, why was he so cute?

“Holy fucking shit, your so adorable what the fuck?” Tommy curled closer to Wilbur, trying to get warmer. “Are you hurt anywhere?” Tommy shook his head.

“Just a bit concussed. Are you hurt?” Wilbur smiled.

“I’m fine, Sunshine. My shoulder is a bit fucked, but I’m worried about you.” Tommy looked up, slowly gaining more consciousness.

“I'm amazing, big man. Never been better!” Wilbur sighed, pulling the skinny boy closer to him. “Let’s go meet your father.” Wilbur laughed, the Tommy he knew was back.

“Ok, Tommy. Whatever you say.” Wilbur stood up with the boy in his arms.

“Put me down! Wilbur.” Tommy yelled at the man.

“We are going to my house, like you said.”

“Not like this! Put me down.” Wilbur continued walking in the direction he assumed his house was in. Several people gave the two confused looks and Wilbur assumes it’s because Tommy is covered in blood.

“Do you mind meeting them while covered in blood?” Tommy glanced down.

“I’m covered in blood?”

“That’s what happens when you get into an accident, Sunshine.” Tommy was obviously still out of it. The boy gave Wilbur a confused look, and snuggled closer to the brunette.

“Whatever you say, Wil.” He mumbled, Wilbur smiled at the innocent child in his arms.

Wilbur knew that his father would freak out once he saw the boy and himself. Technically the other car had been in the wrong, they just contributed to the incorrectness. Tommy didn’t seem to have too bad of injuries, just some cuts on his arms, the bandages he already had on being slightly damaged, and he had a big cut down the center of his beautiful, precious face.

Wilbur knew he didn’t have anything that could help his baby, so he was just trying to get them both to the house.

“We are almost there, Toms.” Tommy looked around.

“None of these houses look rich enough.” Wilbur laughed, pulling the boy into a sitting position. Wilbur motioned to the house he was vacating.

“That one, Sunshine.” Tommy’s eyes widened at the building Wilbur pointed to. Wilbur knew that the house was big, it had more rooms then he and his family could ever use. Tommy gasped as they came closer to the house.

“You live there?” Wilbur smiled and ruffled the younger’s hair.

******

Tommy was in shock. Wilbur lived in a huge house. Tommy assumed that 40 of his apartment could fit in the first floor of the house; there were 3 visible floors.

Before Tommy could spectate more about what would be on the other side of the walls, Wilbur rang the doorbell. Tommy being the coordinated person he was, jumped from Wilbur’s arms and almost fell. He quickly grabbed Wilbur’s shoulder to steady himself, but he hit Wilbur’s injured shoulder.

“Shit, Tommy! Why did you jump!” Wilbur half yelled at the younger.

“I didn’t want to be in your arms when I met your family.” Tommy hissed back. Wilbur opened his mouth to reply but stopped when the door opened. Techno stood in the doorway, saw the two covered in blood and sighed.

“Phil! Wilbur and the kid are covered in blood.” Techno said, sounding very unimpressed. There was a loud crash.

“What? You better be joking, Techno. If I come down there-“ The man who Tommy guessed was Phil paused once he saw them. Tommy wondered what he saw. Probably a random kid covered in blood holding onto his son, who was also covered in blood. Not the best first impression. “Hi Wilbur’s friend. Hi Wilbur. Can I ask why you’re covered in blood?” Tommy didn’t know what to say so he let Wilbur do the talking.

“Well, you see… we kind of got in an accident.”

“Wilbur! Are you both okay?” Phil rushed forward and decided that Tommy looked more injured. He reached forward and touched the cut on Tommy’s forehead. “That looks painful. Where did you get into an accident?”

“A couple blocks from Niki’s”

“Did you walk from Niki’s to here?”

“Maybe.”

“While he is injured like that?”

“Hey, I’m injured as well.” Phil looked inconvenienced.

“Really? Where?” Tommy knew the answer so he decided to speak up.

“His shoulder.”

“Yeah my shoulder!” Phil sighed and rubbed his forehead.

“What did you do to your precious shoulder, Wil?” Techno grabbed Tommy’s uninjured arm and pulled him closer.

“You ok?” Techno whispered to the child, Tommy nodded. “Good. Now grab some popcorn and enjoy watching the show unfold, this can get messy fast.” Techno put his arm around Tommy, and while Tommy had no idea that it was such a big thing for Techno to do, he smiled. Tommy leaned into the touch, watching the conversation unfold in front of him.

“It wasn’t my fault! The other car was in the wrong.”

“Were you even looking at the road?”

“Yes! Of course!” Wilbur said at the same time Tommy said,

“Nope, he was trying to stop me from defenestrating him!” Phil looked at Tommy and his eyes seemed bluer once he saw how Techno had an arm around him.

“Defenestrating?” Techno’s voice sounded as monotone as it always did.

“Forcefully throw someone out a window or something.” Wilbur muttered under his breath. Phil laughed.

“Did you succeed?” Techno asked, seeming as if he actually wanted to know if Tommy could beat his brother.

“I tried to but then he crashed the car.” Wilbur started arguing straight away.

“It was not my fault!”

“Was so.” Before Wilbur could reply, Phil spoke up.

“Hey, Tommy? We might want to look at the cut on your head, it seems pretty nasty.” Tommy nodded, which made the cut open up more, sending a new wave of blood down into his face. Tommy felt Techno’s arm tighten around him.

“Shit, I didn’t realise that it was that bad.” Wilbur said, looking at Tommy. Soon he was being led into the huge house. He tried to catch a glimpse of the interior in the mansion but he was quickly pulled into a bathroom.

“So Wil said you had other injuries, obviously I was going to tell him, Wilbur.” Techno said once Wilbur smacked him. “Where are they?” Tommy points to his wrist as it was more visible.

“And his waist.” Tommy glared at Wilbur. “Don’t bother hiding any more injuries, we will find them.” Tommy couldn’t decide if that was a threat or not. Tommy didn’t have time to argue as he suddenly felt a rough hand touch the wound on his side.

“Fucking hell. Warn someone before you do that, big man.” Tommy tried to hide his scream but Techno caught it.

“Wounds are allowed to hurt, Thomas.” Tommy couldn’t see where Techno was, so he just closed his eyes. “I’ll need your help for this, Phil.” Wilbur made a shocked sound.

“I can help, Tech!”

“No-“

“I help with all of your wounds! Let me help Tommy.” Techno sighed. Phil decided to talk instead.

“Look Mate, we are more experienced with stab wounds then you are-“

“Bullshit.”

“Wilbur! Don’t you want his wounds to be healed quickly?”

“Yes?” Wilbur sounded annoyed.

“Well then let us do this.” Before Wilbur could say anything else Tommy decided to speak up.

“Hey umm guys? Yeah well this is really hurting…” The second Tommy spoked up he felt faint. He heard someone rush to his side. Tommy leaned against the person, he was totally fine, just needed a minute.

“Tommy! What hurts the most?” Tommy had no idea who was talking but he guessed it would be Phil. He pointed to his head as it was the most painful thing for him at the moment.

Tommy felt a cold cloth pressed to his head, and soon he was lying down on the floor. Tommy wasn’t in too much pain, he just wanted them to stop arguing. Tommy also wanted to have some food as he hadn’t eaten in a few days because he knew he would get some kind of food at Wilbur’s house.

Techno and Phil were talking quietly to each other but he wasn’t listening to them. Wilbur was comforting Tommy.

“I’m so sorry about the car accident, Toms.”

“Not your fault.” Tommy would shake his head to prove his point but it would hurt him too much. Wilbur ran a hand through Tommy’s hair.

“You’re just saying that.”

“Am not.” Tommy grumbled, unaware that their conversation caught Phil and Techno’s attention. The two smiled at how happy Wil seemed talking to Tommy.

“You got hurt and it’s all my fault.” Wilbur carefully traced the cut on Tommy’s face. Even though Tommy hadn’t seen it, he knows that it starts at the top of the left side of his face and cuts across his nose, ending at his right cheek. Tommy hisses slightly but soon realises that it doesn’t hurt as much anymore, they must have used some healing potions. Tommy had never seen a healing potion in person, as they cost a lot of money, which he didn’t have.

“No, I was hurt before I saw you today. Not your fault.” Tommy leaned closer to Wilbur and Phil didn’t miss how it made his son smile.

“Why were you hurt again?” Techno broke the peace the 2 had made. Fuck, Tommy thought, what was his lie?

“He was mugged, Tech.” Wilbur, his saviour, said. Techno laughed.

“I was just wondering, Wil. No need to get all defensive.” Wilbur frowned at the man.

“Did you want him to relive what was probably a traumatic event?”

“It wasn’t traumatic.”

“See, even the kid agrees with me.”

“What do you mean it wasn’t traumatic?” Getting stabbed isn’t traumatic.” Tommy opened his mouth to reply but at that exact moment Techno decided to touch his arm. Tommy let out a slight

scream.

“Be careful, Techno. No need to hurt the kid.” Phil sounded calm but the twins knew that he was secretly worried about Tommy’s injuries.

“Sorry, kid.”

“Not a kid, Pinky.” Techno laughed slightly.

“Whatever you say, Tommy.” Techno started to work on unwrapping Tommy’s arm. Tommy pulled his uninjured arm over his mouth to muffle his cries of pain. “This isn’t going to be fun, kid.”

“Not. A. Kid.” Tommy muttered between his pain.

“I’m going to have to reset it.”

“No.”

“No?”

“Don’t reset Tommy's arm.” Techno sighed.

“Wil-“

“Resetting arms hurts. I know that it does.” Phil couldn’t hide his laugh.

“That is funny, Mate.” Wilbur threw something at Phil. Techno decided, for some reason only Prime would know, that the element of surprise would work best in terms of fixing Tommy’s arm.

Tommy couldn’t help the scream that came from his mouth. Wilbur smacked Techno lightly, not wanting to harm Tommy in the process. Techno then realised that Tommy’s wrist was also fucked so he probably should fix it as well. Tommy screamed again.

Wilbur had had enough. He grabbed Tommy, pulling him away from Techno, and pulled the boy closer to his chest.

“I did what I had to do, Wil.” Wilbur ignored Techno, and pulled the sniffling boy closer to him. Wilbur whispered calming words to Tommy as Phil argued with Techno.

“He wasn’t expecting it.”

“So? He seems fine.”

“Wil isn’t fine.”

“This isn’t about Wilbur.”

“Tommy is just a kid, he hasn’t been through what me and you have.”

“It may not be the same but he has definitely been through something. You can tell by how he acts.” Phil started to shake his head. “Plus, no one sane would be friends with Wilbur.” Techno raised his voice so Wilbur could hear him.

“Fuck off, Techno.” Tommy decided to pay attention to the conversation at that moment and smiled. “You back with us, Toms?” Tommy nodded, moving to sit up in Wilbur’s arms.

“Fuck you, Techno.” Tommy said, now sitting in Wilbur’s lap.

“It’s hard to take you seriously when you're sitting in Wil’s lap.” Tommy glared at Techno.

“Ok ok. Let’s get you both bandaged up and then we can eat.” Phil stopped a fight from breaking out. After the two were finished being fixed up, they walked into a huge ass dinning room.

“You are rich!” Wilbur sighed and Phil laughed.

“Not really, Mate.”

“But you’re the amazing Phil Watson, who went from nothing-“ Wilbur put a hand over Tommy’s mouth.

“Oh Prime no.”

“Stop it, Wilbur. I want to see how this goes.” Wilbur reluctantly moved his hand from Tommy’s mouth per Techno’s request.

“To everything. He is one of the smartest investors to exist and everyone should follow in his footsteps.” Phil looked torn between throwing something at Tommy or jumping a cliff.

“Unbelievable. You know about that horrible thing?”

“That horrible thing plays so often I have it memorised!” Tommy pretended to sound super cheerful.

“You little shit.” Phil sounded unimpressed.

“But Phil, I want to learn how I too can be smarter with my money.”

“Wilbur, how much do you care about this child?”

“He’s all yours.”

“No! Wil.” Tommy pushed himself closer to Wilbur, while Phil smiled and grabbed a random book. Phil then proceeded to throw said book at Tommy and Wilbur. Techno burst out laughing.

“Ok enough. Dinner should be ready now.” Techno decided to speak up. Tommy paused. Wilbur had said that Phil was Vegetarian so he would be fine on the meat side but Tommy knew he wouldn’t be able to eat much. He felt guilty getting somewhat decent food while his roommates would be getting the crappy meat they could afford. “I didn’t know what you would like so I cooked some basic things. Wilbur said you were a vegetarian, which I am as well.”

“How are you a vegetarian? You’re broke.” Tommy just nodded.

“It doesn’t work well, big man.” Everyone knew that having eating preferences would cost a lot of money and it screws several hybrids over.

Tommy turned around to see the huge dining table and almost gasped at all the food on it, Tommy had never seen so much in one place. Wilbur put a hand on the younger’s shoulder and guided him over to a seat.

“I hope you enjoy it, Tommy.” Phil sat down as the twins grabbed at whatever food they wanted. Tommy grabbed some small things and he felt sick at the idea of eating any of it. The Watsons made some conversation as they are, with Tommy chiming in every now and then. Tommy successfully ate everything on his plate, unaware of the looks the family was sharing above his head. Why was he eating so little? Is he ok?

Soon Tommy was heading back to his apartment. Wilbur offered to drive him back in Phil’s car, and he accepted. They two sang along to random songs on the radio and quickly they arrived at his apartment.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, right?” Wilbur smiled.

“I will come every single day you work, Sunshine.”

“Night, Wil.“

“Night, Tommy.”

When Tommy entered his apartment he quickly realised that none of his roommates were home. Tommy sighed. He was excited to talk to them. Tommy decided to get some light patrolling done.

******

Theseus was getting bored, he hadn’t seen any criminals in a while.

“Thes!” Theseus turned around at the sound of the familiar voice. “You’re alive!” Theseus headed towards the voice. “I’m allowed to say that, Dream. Ow. Stop elbowing me.” Theseus smiled as he came across the heroes in an alleyway.

“Hi Theseus!” Hypnos saw him first. Theseus waved at Karl. Dream looked up from where he was elbowing Quackity and once he saw Theseus he ran forward and hugged the boy.

“You scared me.”

“Well, he scared us. But sure, make it all about Dream.” Glitch smacked Flame on the head. “Motherfucker.”

“Hi Dream.” Dream pulled Theseus even closer to him.

“Are you ok?” Theseus nodded. Dream grabbed Theseus’ chin and made him look into the others' masked eyes. “Are you sure?”

“Positive, big D.”

“I’ve told you to not call me that.”

“And I didn’t listen.”

“Hate to break up this little family reunion but I want some Theseus hugs.” Flame cut in.

“Piss off, Sapnap.” Sapnap made an offended sound.

“That is so rude of you to say, Dreamy.” Dream let go of Theseus to smack Flame for calling him ‘Dreamy’. Theseus took the opportunity to go stand by the other heroes.

“Hi.” Glitch quickly pulled Theseus into a hug. Thesues sighed and leaned into the touch. The sound of Dream and Flame fighting could be heard around them. Theseus said hi to the others and he made sure to leave Flame till last.

“Finally. You saw everyone else before me and now-“ Theseus cut him if by hugging the hero. “It’s good to see you, Thes.” They let go of each other and Theseus looked at his feet once he saw the look the other heroes were giving him.

“Theseus…” He looked up slowly. “Do you want to tell us what happened? You don’t have to. We are here if you need us.” Karl spoke softly to him.

“You are just a kid and if it is something vigilante wise we will try our best to help.” Glitch spoke next.

“And if it is personal, then don’t hesitate to tell us who to beat up.” Sapnap poked Quackity. Karl couldn’t help but laugh.

“It’s fine, guys. All figured out now.” Liar, his brain yelled at him. They looked unconvinced but let it slide. Soon they were joking and patrolling together. Theseus couldn’t stop the smile from appearing on his masked face. He truly loved the Feral Boys. Theseus was having one of the best nights of his life, completely unaware that the Syndicate had planned out his fate already. Completely unaware that his two of his roommates were barging for his life. All that mattered was how happy he was now, tomorrow something big was happening.

Chapter Text

Purpled and Theseus were perched on the rooftop of their apartment.

“Purpled” The older sighed.

“What do you want, Thes?”

“This is boring. Can’t we just go without Tubbo.”

“He gets mad when we don’t have someone watching over us.”

“But Ranboo could do it.”

“No.” Ranboo chimed in, shouting from their apartment window.”

“But-“

“He said no, Theseus.” Purpled spoke up.

“Hurry up Tubbo.” Theseus mumbled. Purpled smiled.

“Why don’t we do something to pass the time.”

“I have literally been asking you to do that this whole time but when you say it-“

“We could go get ice-cream.”

“How is it any different from fighting crime? We are more likely to get injured getting ice-cream than defeating the worst and evilest criminals in L’Manburg.”

“Who is the worst and evilest criminal you can think of, Thes?”

“Umm…”

“No one, cause we stopped them all.”

“Without Bee!”

“I heard that, dick.” Tubbo said over the earpiece. Because Purpled and Theseus were such manly men they definitely didn’t scream. Ranboo laughed, his voice joining in through the device.

“Can we go now?” Theseus whined.

“So impatient.” Tubbo joked.

“You’re like an actual child.” Purpled ruffled his hair.

“I am not!” Theseus crossed his arms to prove his point.

“You look like you’re throwing a tantrum.”

“Fuck you, Jackass.”

“No thank you, child.” Theseus pulled at his own hair, this was going to be a long patrol.

****** 

Purpled had separated from him an hour or two ago and Bee followed soon after. Purpled and Theseus didn’t actually do much crime fighting so Ranboo told them to split up. Tubbo decided that Purpled needed more supervision than Theseus did. Theseus had been very successful in his work, he had no injuries so far which was beating his own record for going the longest without getting injured.

Theseus felt that he was doing well enough to deserve a small break. Just a tiny rest sitting on top of some building. Theseus found a building that looked tall enough, and with help from his newly fixed powers he was ready to take his break. His powers weren’t working perfectly but they were better, which pleased Tubbo who said his powers would probably be back to working normally in a week or two.

As Theseus started his break he also started to think. He didn’t know if he was meant to take breaks, but who was there to tell him off? He was an illegal vigilante, no one was in charge of him. Times like these made Theseus happy to have not become a hero.

Not all heroes were the same as his friends. Not all heroes would work with vigilantes. Theseus knew what some of the heroes could be like. A prime example would be Jschlatt and while Schlatt wasn’t actually a hero, he was the head of the heroes. Schlatt was a rich businessman who outbidded some other rich businessmen for control of the Hero League.

Schlatt had manifested his power at the age of 17 and it had put him in the spotlight for a while. He had the power of luck. He could guess lottery numbers, pick winning teams, anything you could gamble on Jschlatt would win. Several people wanted Schlatt’s power for themselves, so Schlatt demanded to be protected. Sadly for Theseus, it worked. The vigilantes, who are now mostly dead, rose up to protect the teen. Of course when Schlatt became the head of the Heroes he made a rule that all vigilantes who didn’t listen to him would be killed. Every popular vigilante was killed within a week.

So Jshlatt made the academy, a place where heroes could be trained. From what Theseus had been told, it was a nice place where you could make friends for life. After you reached a certain age you would be considered to become a hero. Flame once told Theseus that he told another hero that ‘Jschlatt could go and fucking die’ and he was almost out of the academy.

Thesues was an exception to the rules. If another hero offered to take an academy member, civilian or vigilante as a sidekick or trainee, they would automatically get to skip the academy. Dream constently offered for Theseus to train as his apprentice, which Theseus always declined. That didn’t stop Theseus from training with the Feral Boys though.

He had even once met Schlatt. Theseus quickly realised that he was an alcoholic but that didn’t stop him from getting completely pissed off at the man. Glitch always tells him that he would never even see Schlatt but Theseus can’t take that chance. Theseus knows that all the heroes want is for him to be safe, and it just happens to be that the only way they can think of is for Theseus to become a hero.

Thesues thought about his situation with the Syndicate. If he became a hero in training he would never have to deal with the Syndicate alone. He knows that the heroes would protect him against the villains if he told them what happened, but he can’t bring himself to let his friends see that vulnerable state he was in. Before Theseus could really think about the decision he felt someone touch his shoulder. He quickly grabbed that persons wrist, twisting it over enough to hurt but not enough to break it.

“Easy there, Thes. It’s just me.” Thesues looked up and saw Dream standing in front of him. He quickly let go of the others wrist. “That was some nice form you had.”

“Dream.”

“Maybe use more strength next time.”

“Dream.”

“I mean it didn’t effect me so-“

“Dream.”

“Hmm? Oh yes. What can I do for you, Theseus.”

“You can’t do that.” Thesues smacked Dream.

“Do what?” Theseus was getting annoyed now.

“You. Can’t. Do. That. Dickhead.” Dream laughed and Thesues lunged, knocking both of them to the ground.

“That all you got, Thes?” Thesues jumped up quickly and Dream followed. “You gonna fight me?”

“Prick.” Thesues decided that to make it a fair fight for Dream he wouldn’t use his powers, as his powers helped him more in a fight then Dream’s did. He ran at Dream and kicked out his legs. Dream fell down but grabbed onto Thesues so he came with him. Dream laughed again.

“It’s good to see you too, buddy.” Theseus hit Dream on his head. The two, now both lying on the floor, turned around once they heard laughing from behind them.

“Aren’t you two, ya know? Meant to fight for a living.”

“Fuck off, Sap.” Thesues gritted out.

“That was so lame. You guys fight like a pair of toddlers.” Sapnap made fake punches with his fists.

“Did not. If we fought you we would beat you easily” Dream sat up and pulled Thesues up as well, moving so the vigilante could lean against him.

“I’d like to see that, Dreamy.”

“We would like to see it too!” Thesues turned to see the other Feral Boys standing on the other side of the roof. Theseus sighed and moved closer to Dream.

“We have to beat him up now, don’t we.” Dream smiled and stood up, he offered a hand to Theseus.

“Oh Thesues, we are going to kick his ass.” Theseus returned the smiled and quickly stood up. Sapnap took a step back.

“I was joking. Guys.” Theseus and Dream stepped closer to Flame.

“On 3?” Dream turned to look at Theseus.

“Sounds good.” Dream nodded.

“Wait.” Sapnap tried to cut in.

“1.”

“We can talk about this.”

“2.”

“I don’t think we can, Sapnap.”

“Dream!”

“3!” Soon all the heroes were joining in on the fighting. Theseus was proud to say he didn’t loose the most, Flame definitely did. Towards the end of their practice fighting, Theseus heard a camera click.

“Shit.” The 6 of them scattered quickly, each moving to different sides of the roof. Sapnap, Quackity and Karl on one, Glitch and Dream on the other. Theseus decided that jumping off the roof was his best bet. “Theseus you idiot.” Theseus heard one of the heroes sigh above him.

He quickly ducked into the window of the building he was now on, and he sighed in relief once he realised it was just an empty office block.

Theseus listened as the heroes talked to the civilians who saw them. There was a flash near his face and Theseus freaked out. Why were they still taking photos? He crouched down to hide from the window and hissed in pain as he placed his hand on a broken cup. He relaxed once he heard the civilians walk away. Theseus wondered if the heroes were going to leave or come find him. He looked down at the slowly growing cut on his hand, it wasn’t too bad he decided.

Theseus froze once he heard someone drop onto the roof above him.

“Theseus? You in here, Thes?” Theseus stayed hidden behind the cabinet, happy to have an opportunity to scare one of the heroes. Quackity turned around the corner and Theseus jumped out.

“Boo.”

“¡Puta madre! ¿Que chingados te pasa? Pendejo.”Theseus burst out laughing. “Has de andar de pinche payaso.” Karl entered and saw Theseus doubled over laughing and Quackity yelling in Spanish, Hypnos sighed.

“What did you do, Thes?” Sapnap entered through the door behind Karl. Dream and Glitch followed soon after. Dream walked up to Theseus and grabbed his face.

“You good?” Theseus nodded, well nodded the best he could with Dream holding his chin. “Civilians cause a lot of shit.” Dream pulled Theseus to his side.

“Is it that bad?” The heroes looked at the clueless vigilante.

“Theseus, there is a video and several photos of the top 5 heroes training with a highly illegal vigilante.” Karl explained.

“Oh.”

“Don’t blame yourself, Thes. It has happened several times before.” Glitch continued for Hypnos.

“It has?” Theseus was pretty sure he wasn’t the only one who said that.

“Not just with you, Theseus. It has happened to all of us. You kinda just make it worse.” Theseus put his head down.

“Sorry.” Theseus muttered, Flame lifted his chin.

“Don’t be sorry, Thes. You have done nothing wrong.”

“You’re practically perfect.” Theseus shook his head. He wasn’t perfect, he just fucked up one of the best things in his shitty life.

“What does this mean for us?” The heroes all looked at Dream after Theseus’ words. Dream sighed and glanced at Glitch.

“Well, I know you’re going to hate this but-“

“I’m not becoming a hero.”

“Theseus, it is the only way for this to disappear quickly and easily.” Theseus paused, did he want to become a hero? No. Was he about to? No.

“I can’t become a hero, Dream.”

“Look, Thes, we all want what’s best for you-“ Dream paused. “Are you bleeding?”

“No…?”

“Holy shit, Theseus.” All the heroes were looking over Theseus, trying to figure out where Dream saw blood.

“On his hand!” Everyone looked at Sapnap. “I wanted to be the first to find it.”

“I found it first.” Dream decided to speak up. Karl reach forward and grabbed Theseus’ hand.

“What did you do to it?” Theseus used his other hand to point at the broken cup.

“Did you break the cup?” Glitch asked cautiously.

“Of course not. Why the fuck would I break a cup?” Glitch shrugged.

“You never know with teenagers.” Quackity laughed.

“He’s a kid.”

“A teenager is technically a kid.” Glitch argued back. Theseus sighed and glared at Hypnos. Karl smiled back at him.

“It isn’t too bad of a cut. You’ll just have to head back to the Hero Tower with us and-“

“No fucking way.”

“I have never even seen Jschlatt in the tower, you’ll be fine.” Before Theseus could argue more, Dream grabbed his shoulders.

“Your powers still fucked?” Theseus nodded, they weren’t working the best. Dream smiled under his mask. Without any warning Theseus was levitating in the air.

“What the fuck?”

“Have you never seen Quackity’s full powers?” Glitch asked and Theseus realised that he was floating as well.

“I though you shapeshifted.” Theseus tried to turn around to find Quackity but Karl stopped him.

“Let’s let Quack do his thing.”

“Don’t call me Quack, Jacobs.” Karl made an offended noise. They all started rising higher and higher.

“Quackity! There is a ceiling.” Flame yelled out, Flame then went flying out the window. “You shit.” Flame shouted from the outside.

Karl grabbed onto Theseus and soon after they were flying through the air, over L’Manburg. Theseus saw the Hero Tower quite quickly. Quackity used his power to push them closer to the tall building.

The Hero Tower was a huge building in the center of Upper L’Manburg. From what Theseus had been told, it was 142 stories tall and it had several underground floors. The first 50 floors were offices. The next were the academy. The final 20 we’re living quarters for the heroes. Because the Feral Boys were the top heroes they got several floors to share.

Glitch once told Theseus that it originally was a floor each but they decided to combined to be closer to eachother. Theseus couldn’t imagine what it would be like to live in the tower.

The very top floor was Jschlatt’s office, a room which Theseus had been in before. He remembers the office to be very blande and full of alcohol.

They entered through an open window on one of the floors the heroes occupied. Theseus hadn’t seen the heroes floor before and was interested to see how rich the Hero League actually was.

Theseus was flabbergasted. The first section of the floor was bigger than his whole apartment.

“Ok Thes, let’s get your hand sorted out.” Karl grabbed his other hand and dragged him over to the kitchen.

“You live here?” Sapnap laughed and ruffled his hair.

“You could as well, Thes.” Theseus glared at Flame. “Just saying.” Theseus mimicked biting off the hero’s finger. Sapnap laughed again.

Karl grabbed some bandages and other assorted healing supplies and headed back towards them. Hypnos was a much more skilled healer then Tubbo, he worked quickly and efficiently. Soon his hand was wrapped up and ready to be used again.

Theseus flexed his hand.

“This is good work, Hypnos. Where did you learn to do it?” Theseus noticed how Karl tensed at the use of his hero name. Quackity, Karl and Sapnap had told him several times to call them by their civilian names but he still doesn’t.

Dream and Glitch had never told him their real names and he never asked. No one ever asked him about his civilian life, which he was thankful for. The only things they knew about civilian Theseus was that he had 3 roommates, was under 18 and that he didn’t know his parents.

Karl is a lot more open with the vigilante, wanting him to know the real Karl not Hypnos. Quackity didn’t give a fuck about the difference between his hero and civilian self. He makes sure Atlas is as much Quackity as Quackity is Atlas. Sapnap is an idiot. He introduced himself as Sapnap when they first met and didn’t even try to correct himself.

“It is a part of the academy training.” All of the Feral Boys went to the academy and graduated top of their class. The academy was split into speperate classes for different powers, skill level and just intelligence. You are then assigned a room with one person from each power class. The Heroes who pass are normally all from the same room.

The Feral Boys were roommates. It’s why they are so close. Most of them had been at the academy since they were 12 years old. Whatever age you manifest is the age you can apply to the academy. But you can only start training to become a hero once your 17 or older. Theseus doesn’t know if that would affect him training under Dream but it’s not like he would ever become a hero.

“No, taking one first aid class is part of the academy training, taking the course, which Karl did, is a choice.” Quackity yelled from across the room. Theseus turned around to see Quackity standing on the dinning table, acting as if he normally stood up there.

“What the fuck?”

“It’s normal, don’t worry your little head about it, Theseus.” Glitch chimed in from the living room.

“How is that normal?”

"Sapnap and Quackity have this game of 'the floor is lava' and Quackity is a little paranoid." Karl told.

"Is he winning or loosing?" Karl shrugged.

"We don't really know.."

"He is loosing." Sapnap yelled from across the room.

"Yup, just what I thought, he is loosing." Karl nodded, pretending to have known this the whole time.

"How is he loosing?"

"He likes being up high 24/7."

"Oh?"

"We are pretty sure it is an avian thing."

"That ain't an avian thing but whatever you say."

"How do you know that, Thes?"

“Oh well, you see…” The heroes looked at him, motioning for him to continue. “I’m an avian.” 

“You’re an avian! I should of known. Do you have wings?" Theseus shook his head. "You are so similar to me! Perfect.” Quackity yelled from the table.

“So you’re an avian?” Glitch asked from the couch. Theseus nodded. “That makes sense.” Quackity ran out the room, yelling for Dream.

“What the fuck?”

Glitch motioned for Theseus to come sit on the couch with him. Theseus walked over and laid his head in George’s lap, the hero laughed. Theseus felt Glitch run a hand through Theseus’ tangled hair, carefully tugging at the knots.

The rest of the Feral Boys soon joined them sitting in the living room. Theseus heard them start to talk but he didn’t pay them any attention. He decided to rest his eyes for a second. The words around him got muffled. Theseus tried to listen.

“You going to tell him?” Sounded like Dream

“I can’t, he will feel betrayed.” Maybe that was Dream.

“It isn’t like you went chasing him.” No, that was probably Dream.

“I guess you’re right.” That was Dream.

“He is so precious.” That didn’t sound like Dream.

“I know, George.” Who the fuck is George?

“Does he really know Siren?” What are they talking about now? The villains?

“He knows his civilian form.” That sounded like Dream again.

“You should keep an eye on him.” He felt a hand leave his hair and could help but let out a small whine at the loss of comfort. He heard someone laugh and soon the hand was back in his hair.

“Are we prepared to go to war?” He heard a sinister chuckle.

“For him? Definitely.” That was definitely Dream. Dream! You know how you get dreams? Sleep. Sleep sounds really nice to Theseus right now. Theseus wanted to sleep.

“Sleep well Theseus, you’re safe here.” Theseus liked that idea so he curled closer to whoever was next to him.

“Us versus the Syndicate? We will win. For Tommy.”

****** 

Wilbur was worried. Tommy was late. That wasn’t unheard of but he was really late, 4 hours and 37 minutes late to be exact. Niki was getting worried as well. She kept glancing at the time.

Wilbur assumes that Tommy is fine, just slept past his alarm or some other thing that he will tell Wilbur about once he finally shows up to work.

“He’ll be fine, Niki.” She sighed.

“I know, it’s just normally he calls or at least is only a few hours late. 4 hours?”

“I’m sure he’s fine.”

“Oh he will be fine, if he was robbed he would whoop the robbers arse. I just wish he would be on time for once.”

“Is he always late?”

“He is bad, Wil. He is like Phil 2.0.”

“How can he be worse than Phil, Phil normally doesn’t even show up.” Niki made a gesture with her hands.

“Do you see him?”

“Ok, fair point.” She smiled, turning to make some coffee for Wilbur.

Wilbur was going to text Tommy for the hundredth time that morning when the boy ran through the doors of Niki’s. Wilbur was standing in an instant.

“Tommy! You’re ok. Are you ok?” Wilbur grabbed the boy, pulling him into a hug.

“I’m fine, Wil. I just slept in-“

“You, Tommy Innit slept past your 3 alarms? I didn’t think it would be possible.”

“I wasn’t at my apartment, dickhead.”

“Where were you then?” Wilbur was confused, why wasn’t he at his own place?

“If you have to know, I was at my friend's house.” Wilbur released Tommy from his arms and watched as the younger walked towards Niki. “I’m sorry I’m late, Niki.” Niki smiled.

“It’s alright, Tommy. At least I know that you’re actually sleeping.”

“I didn’t realise you had friends, Tommy.” Tommy sighed.

“You’re still on this?”

“Well I just don’t…” Something hit Wilbur. “Were you with Clay?”

“Was I with Clay? Wilbur! So what if I was, you shouldn’t care.”

“He is dangerous, Tommy.”

“I wasn’t at his house, chill.” Wilbur relaxed at Tommy’s words. “For the love of Prime. That shouldn’t bother you.”

“He isn’t a good person, Sunshine.” Tommy glanced up at the sound of Wilbur’s tone, his breathing heavier than it was moments ago.

“I’m allowed to have my own friends, Wilbur.” Wilbur laughed.

“Oh Toms, I just want you to be safe.” Tommy glared at the man.

“I wasn’t with Clay.” Wilbur smiled. “But I will be soon.” Wilbur’s smile fell.

“What! Tommy-“

“Wilbur! I am the one in control of my friends, let me be.” Tommy was breathing abnormally fast and Wilbur noticed quickly.

“Oh Sunshine. I’m so sorry. Everything is alright.” Wilbur moved to touch Tommy’s shoulder. The blond moved away.

“Don’t. Touch. Me.” Wilbur was angry now, how dare Dream be with his Sunshine.

“Tommy, please listen to me. I worry about you, Darling.” Tommy glanced up at the man, raising his eyebrow.

“Darling?”

“Oh shush. What I’m trying to say is that I know Clay and his friends, they aren’t good people, Toms.” Tommy nodded, not wanting to piss Wilbur off.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Wilbur smiled again, happy that Tommy was listening to him.

“Now what friends were you with if it wasn’t Clay? I still don’t think you have friends.”

“I have friends!“

“Name some.”

“Well there is my roommates.”

“Oooh, who are they.”

“Well there is Purpled-“

“Who names a kid Purpled?”

“There is Tubbo-“

“I know a Tubbo.”

“Stop interrupting me, dick.” Wilbur smiled.

“And Ranboo-“ Wilbur spat out his coffee.

“You know Ranboo?” They asked at the same time.

“Tall, enderman hybrid, has heterochromia, did I mention how fucking tall he is?” Tommy smiled.

“You know Ranboo!”

“I didn’t realise you were his roommate. That must mean that Tubbo is-“

“You know Tubbo!”

“Yes Tommy, I know them both.”

“What a small world.”

“A very small world.” Tommy was too close to the villains, Wilbur is surprised Tommy wasn’t in Ranboo’s list of terms and conditions he had before he became a member of the Syndicate.

Wilbur does recall Tubbo telling Ranboo something about someone named Tommy once, but it was a long time ago. It was back when Tubbo was just a hacker they called in every now and then, he is now the Syndicate’s main hacker.

The rest of the shift passed in a blur. Wilbur drove Tommy back to his apartment and watched as he entered the building. Wilbur felt all of himself settle, happy knowing his Sunshine was safe. Wilbur was having trouble fighting Ghostbur now, he was getting desperate to meet the boy he saw through Wilbur’s mind. One day, Wilbur told his mind, one day you can meet him properly.

 ******

Tommy entered the apartment and smiled once he remembered he would be alone. Tommy ran to his jacket he had hanging up in his and Purpled’s room. He reached into the pocket and grabbed the receipt he saved from a few weeks ago. After a bit of digging he found the piece of paper.

Tommy read the messy but organised handwriting on the paper.

‘In case you ever want to see me again, 609 456 2846’

Tommy pulled his phone out of his pocket. Fuck what Wilbur said, he could make the right decisions. He dialed the number.

“Hello, this is Clay speaking!”

“Hey Clay, it’s me Tommy-“

“Tommy! I’m so glad you considered my offer. Are you not sick of me yet?”

“Quite the opposite, Clay.”

“Are you asking to hang out, Tommy?”

“Maybe-“

“Yes! I’m so excited to see you again.”

“Me too.”

“You can meet my friends!”

“I thought you were joking about that.”

“Me and my friends are hanging out in a couple days at this abandoned theatre down in Pogtopia, wanna come?”

“Definitely, big man.” Tommy could hear Clay smile over the phone.

“Great! I’ll tell them.”

“Sounds good.” Tommy went to hang up but paused when he heard Clay start talking again.

“Hey Tommy?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m glad you called me.” Tommy paused, trying to think of what to say.

“You know what? I am actually real fucking glad I called as well.” He hung up.

Screw Wilbur. Clay couldn’t be dangerous. Maybe Wilbur was dangerous… Wilbur? Dangerous? Not possible. Tommy was fine. Clay would be nice to him. Right?

Chapter Text

“So we get to meet him?”

“Well, yes but-”

“Let's go! Karl, Quackity we get to meet Theseus!” Sapnap yelled to his friends. Karl turned to face his boyfriend.

“We have already met Theseus, Sap.” Karl looked at the man in confusion, George walked in. Dream smiled as George came closer to him, wrapping his arms around his partner's waist.

“What is Sapnap on about now?” George whispered.

“Tommy called.”

“Oh?”

“He wants to meet you guys.”

“This should be fun.” Dream sighed.

“We will need fake names!” Sapnap declared.

“Obviously. I swear your mind is like 3 beats behind everyone else's, Sap. Like we all had thought-'' Sapnap pushed his finger into Dream’s lips, shushing him.

“I will be the great…” Sapnap paused.

“Don’t have a name yet?”

“Shut up, George. You have it easy.”

“Well, maybe it was smart to not tell a random vigilante my real name.” Sapnap made and offended noise.

“He isn’t a random vigilante, he is our vigilante.”

“You do know that you made absolutely no sense, right?” Sapnap smacked George.

“You understand what I mean, right Clay?”

“He wasn’t ours then, Sapnap. He was basically a stranger.”

“A stranger we had orders to kill.” Quackity chimed in.

“Well we certainly killed him.” The 5 laughed. It was silent for a while until Karl spoke up.

“What is he like? Tommy I mean, I’ve met Theseus.” Everyone turned to Dream, waiting for his answer.

“I.. I guess he is kinda the same. A little less cocky, yells more, always ready to start a fight. Tommy is exactly how I would imagine him to be but he is also so different, he is awkward about certain things, he is friends with villains and he is more outgoing as Tommy then as Theseus.” Dream couldn’t even begin to explain how similar but different Theseus’ civilian form was.

“This is going to be awesome!” Sapnap basically yelled.

“When and where is this meeting happening?” Karl asked.

“Friday, the old theatre in Pogtopia.”

“The one where Quackity-” Sapnap started to say.

“No. Nothing happened at the old theatre in Pogtopia that involves me, Sapnap, nothing.”

“-Got super-” Quackity tackled Sapnap, yelling in Spanish as he did so.

“We finally get to see him.” George said, adoringly. Dream nodded, they were going to get their vigilante to trust them, and then reveal the truth.

He couldn’t wait to see the look on Siren’s face when he took his child from under his nose. Tommy wouldn’t be the Syndicate’s newest member, if this went well Theseus would be the newest hero. Everything was going according to the plan, Dream smirked.

******

Theseus was minding his own business when someone threw an axe past him. Now, Thesues wasn’t planning on fighting The Blade while on patrol today but Prime had other plans.

“Theseus.” He sounded unimpressed, this was going to be fun. Theseus was collecting runnins with the leader of the Syndicate like it was his life goal, it really wasn’t.

“The Blade! Whatsup man? How's ya life been?” He didn’t get a response, might as well get this over with then. Theseus turned around and locked eyes with The Blade.

“You. Are. A. Child.” Theseus glared at the villain, how dare he say that to bigman Theseus.

“I’ll have you know that I am absolutely-” The Blade walked up to Theseus and grabbed his throat. That's two for two of the top villains that Theseus has pissed off, go him.

“Listen here, Theseus. I am here on behalf of the Syndicate.” Theseus looked up at the man, confusion showing on his masked face. The Blade released his grip on Theseus’ throat. “It is requested that you join the Syndicate’s ranks and-”

“Hold the fuck up. You want me to join the Syndicate? The same organisation that’s leader threatened to kill me, and now apparently wants me to join them. Look, Blade. I ain’t gonna ever join you guys.”

“You should consider it Theseus, it could really help you.”

“Do I look like I need help?”

“Yes.”

“No, I don’t. I’m fine without the Syndicate’s interference, like how i’m fine without the Hero League’s interference. Why can’t you all just leave me the fuck alone.” Theseus threw his hands up to show his point. The Blade looked taken back.

“The Hero League has approached you?” Theseus nodded, completely forgetting who he was talking to.

“Several times, become a hero's apprentice blah blah, join us and work for Jschlatt, blah blah blah, all that sort of shit.” Theseus mocked the heroes. It hit Theseus that he was talking the The Blade, oh fuck.

“If you don't like the heroes, why don’t you become a villain? If you hate Jschlatt as much as you seem to, just join us.”

“I don’t mind the heroes, they are fine. Much better than the villains.” Blade laughed.

“Believe me, Theseus, we are way better.” Theseus didn’t agree. “You just wait and see. You are already so similar to us, you just need a little push.

“You kill, you rob, you cause chaos for the sake of it. How are we similar?” The Blade laughed, smiling slightly.

“Consider joining us, we would love to have you on our side.” The Blade walked past Theseus toward the exit of the roof. “Imagine actually fighting for your rights, you wouldn’t have a fucking clue if you join the heroes.” The Blade started walking down the stairs, Theseus chased after him.

“What do you mean by that?” The Blade sighed and kept walking.

“Your life will be controlled if you join the heroes, at least we let you choose when you work and where you live.”

“But the heroes’ lives aren’t that bad, some even like how it is.” The Blade laughed and turned to face the vigilante, walking down the stairs backwards.

“Who told you that?”

“Dream.” He stopped.

“What? You know Dream? Like personally?”

“Yeah…?” The Blade grabbed Theseus’ shoulders.

“Dream is horrible, he is worse than the Syndicate, and that's saying a lot.” It was Theseus’ turn to laugh.

“Dream is not horrible, Blade. You are horrible.” The Blade shook his head.

“Try to think about it, Theseus.” The Blade turned back around and walked faster, nearing the edge of the stairwell.

“Why?” Theseus called out to the villain. The man faced him.

“Why? Why not?”

“No. Why? Is it because of my powers? Is it because I am a threat to the Syndicate? Is it because I piss you guys off that much?” Theseus was closer to Blade then he realised and froze once The Blade grabbed his arm, pulling him down the last steps.

“We don’t care about any of that stuff, though your powers do interest us all quite a bit. We want you to join us because you are a kid with no clue what you are doing. Being a vigilante could cost you your life.”

“I am not a kid. I have been doing this for a while now and even before I was a vigilante I was fighting for my life every single day. I became a vigilante to stop stuff like that happening to other kids, the heroes and the villains annoying me was not part of my plan.” The Blade looks at Theseus with sympathy in his eyes.

“Look kid, we know at some point you will join us, you don’t want us to force you.”

“How does that make you any better than the heroes? Forcing me? What are you going to do? Kidnap me and make me sign a contract stating that I will work for you?” Theseus took a step away from Blade once he saw the villain smile.

“Oh Theseus, we would do so much worse.” Blade leaned down so his face was equal height with Theseus’. “We know how to make people work for us. With your powers the type they are.” Blade clicked his tongue. “Your powers could be the one way we defeat the heroes. Just remember, magical powers are easily manipulated into harming the person in control of them. We would really hate to do it to you.” The Blade walked out of the building's front door, leaving Theseus all alone.

Theseus was so confused. What did the villains want with his powers? Theseus didn’t even understand them himself half of the time. He had never heard of someone's powers being used against them, could the villains really do that?

******

Tommy was proud of himself. He was officially early to work today. Admittedly it was because he didn't sleep at all, too busy thinking about his powers and what Blade had told him. Tommy hadn’t told Tubbo or Ranboo about his encounter, thinking they would tell him to be more careful around the villains, but Tommy was determined to figure out if his powers could be used against him that easily like Blade said.

Despite Tommy being early Wilbur was already sitting in his usual seat, a man with pink hair sat next to him.

“Do you think we could get him to agree to it?” Wilbur’s voice sounded worried, Techno shook his head.

“He is stubborn, Wil. Might take some convincing…”

“No.”

“I’m just saying, one conversation with him and poof, he is on our side.”

“If he is really a kid like you said I would not feel super comfortable using this on him.”

“When has a kid ever stopped you? Tommy exists.”

“Why must you always bring him into this?”

“Wil, I-”

“No, he is innocent, the other guy asked for this to happen.”

“So you’ll do it?”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Good. Now, we should talk about the gift he has.”

“Can we control it?”

“Wil-’ Niki cut them off as she saw Tommy.

“Hey Tommy.” Niki called out to him, smiling at how pleased with himself the younger looked. The twins turned to look at Tommy, but he paid them no attention.

“Niki! I am early today. How shocking is that.” Niki ruffled his hair as he walked past.

“So shocking! I don’t think you have ever been early.” Tommy nodded. Tommy turned and saw Wilbur and Techno looking at him oddly.

“Hi Techno.”

“Hello Tommy.” Techno replied in his usual monotone voice.

“Since you are here early, Toms, do you mind if I head out now?” Tommy shook his head at Niki’s question.

“It’s fine, Niki. See you later.” He shouted to her as she left. She waved to him and the twins.

Tommy turned around and started making coffee, assuming that the flow of customers would start soon. Wilbur made a noise that sounded like a dying cat.

“You say hi to Niki, you say hi to Techno but not me? Where is my hello, Tommy? You should be so happy to see me. I am the one you care about most.” Techno laughed at his brother.

“He said hi to me before you, and you think you’re the favourite.” Tommy refilled both the twins cups with the steaming liquid. Techno nodded his head in a silent thanks.

“You fill up my coffee, but no hello?” Tommy looked Wilbur dead in the eyes.

“How was your week, Techno?” Wilbur’s mouth opened and closed several times before he squeaked something out.

“What?”

“My week was fine, Tommy. Thank you for asking. How was yours?”

“Very boring.”

“That doesn’t sound fun.”

“It really wasn’t.” Wilbur’s head looked between the two as they spoke before he made a decision.

“Tommy!” Wilbur’s voice was loud and slightly on the darker side, which caused Tommy to jump. Tommy turned his head to glare at the man. Techno laughed.

“Good job, Wil. Scare the child into talking to you, that’ll work.” Wilbur smacked his brother, turning back to Tommy.

“Have anything you would like to tell me, Toms?”

“Techno.” Techno hummed.

“Yes, child.”

“Do you hear that annoying thing in the wind?”

“Oh yeah, it's like a bug or something.”

“Like it’s a phantom.” Tommy failed to notice how both of the twins paused at his words, they shared a look. Techno recovered quickly, continuing to bully his brother.

“Let's hope the wind changes and blows whatever it is away.”

“Unbelievable. Talk. To. Me.” Wilbur yelled, snapping his fingers in Tommy’s face. When that failed he reached over the counter and yanked Tommy’s arm.

“Oww!” Tommy was now squished into the counter, being forced to look up at Wilbur. “Yes?”

“What do you say to me?” Tommy glared but Wilbur was persistent, pushing Tommy away slightly only to pull him into the counter quickly.

“Hello.” Wilbur smiled. “Dickhead.” The older smacked him into the bench again. “Happy now?” Techno laughed.

“That was too funny. Wilbur just got so worked up over you not saying hello to him? Think of the power you have, Tommy.” An idea started to form in his head, Wilbur was so fucked now. But before he could piss the man off, a huge wave of customers entered the cafe. Tommy groaned, he forgot he had to actually do the work.

Tommy took people's orders in record time, quickly rejoining the brothers in their corner of the bench.

“So Techno, I heard you had a brother.”

“Really? I didn’t know that.”

“Fuck you both.”

******

The rest of Tommy’s shift was filled with jokes and laughter, soon he was nearing the end of it.

“Wilbur gets really jealous doesn’t he, Tech?” Tommy pretended to not notice how the nickname made the pinkette melt.

“I do not, Tommy.”

“You so do, Wilbur-” Techno pulled Tommy closer, hoisting him over the bench so Tommy was now sitting half on the counter and half in the man’s lap.

"Why don’t we leave this one alone, Thomas.” Techno’s voice was deep, as he tried to stop the younger from starting something he couldn’t finish. Tommy ignored the man, squirming to get out his grip, Techno’s arm tightened around his waist. “Thomas-”

“Jealous Wilbur. Wilbur is so jealous. Jealousy doesn’t look good on you Wilbur-” Wilbur snatched Tommy out of Techno’s hands. A startled yelp ripped from Tommy’s throat.

Wilbur set Tommy down on top of the counter, staring at the kid. Tommy shivered under his gaze, he looked away. Wilbur placed his hands on the back of the younger’s neck, forcing him to meet his eyes.

“What did you say, Tommy?” Tommy sucked in a sharp breath, squirming underneath Wilbur’s words. “Come on. What did you say, baby?”

“Wil-” Wilbur clicked his tongue, and Tommy saw Techno turn his head around quickly. “Mate, now is not the time.” What the fuck? Tommy was very confused. The bell chimed but no one paid attention to it, they really should have.

“This seems like a great time, Tech.” Wilbur’s grip tightened on Tommy. Techno turned to Tommy.

“What the fuck is happening, Wilbur.” Wilbur grabbed Tommy’s chin.

“Just proving that I am not the jealous type.”

“How the fuck does this prove anything. You are just-”

“Enough Thomas.” Tommy turned to look at Techno. “Let go of him, Mate. We have talked about this.” Wilbur pulled Tommy into a hug, glaring at his brother.

“Fine.” Wilbur released Tommy and he stayed seated on the bench, very concerned about what just happened.

“What. The. Fuck?” All 3 heads to the voice, each with a different reaction.

“Clay!” Tommy jumped off the counter to see the man. At the same time the brothers shared a look.

“Get him the fuck out of here.”

“Good to see you, Technoblade.” Techno stiffened at the name.

“What are ya doing here, Clay?” Techno asked cautiously, eyeing how Clay had an arm around the kid’s shoulder’s.

Techno saw Wilbur relax and assumed he was back to being himself. Wilbut tensed up quickly once he saw who was here.

“Just picking Tommy up.”

“Picking him up? No.” Wilbur said angrily.

“Wilbur-”

“No, Tommy. I told you to not be around him.”

“And I didn’t listen.”

“Kind of rude of you to control who he is friends with, Wilbur.” Clay chimed in, very unhelpfully.

“When it comes to you, I have every right.”

“Tommy, you should consider not going with Clay.” Techno said to the boy.

“Not you too.” Clay pulled Tommy closer, keeping him far away from Wilbur. Wilbur glared at the hero.

“I suggest you leave, Clay.” Clay smiled.

“Okay then. Tommy grab your stuff, we’re leaving.” Tommy walked to the counter. Wilbur laughed.

“No, Tommy.” Tommy paused.

“Wilbur, you don’t get to control this.”

“Oh but I do, Toms.” Wilbur turned to face Clay. “He is not going anywhere with you.”

“You can’t stop me.” Tommy shouted, turning to grab his belongings.

“Tommy, you will not be leaving with anyone but me.” Wilbur glared at Clay. “Or Techno, or Niki. Clay isn’t on that list.”

Tommy walked to go stand by Clay but Techno stopped him by putting a hand on his shoulder.

“Thomas, trust me, this will not go well for you.” Tommy shrugged his hand off.

“It’ll go fine, trust me, Techno.” Clay started towards the door, Tommy following quickly. “Bye Techno. Bye Wilbur.”

“Tommy! Stop.” Tommy ignored Wilbur, exited out the door.

“Was that?” Niki asked as she entered.

“Tommy leaving with Dream? Yup.” Niki gasped, this was not good.

******

“You have to be rich.”

“I never said I wasn’t, Tommy.”

“But you said-”

“That I was from Pogtopia, yes. My job just pays well.” Tommy examined the rest of Clay’s car, it was as fancy as Wilbur’s old one. The man was yet to get another car after the accident.

“What do you do?”

“Work for rich dicks.”

“So you work for yourself?” Clay smacked him. “Ok, an even richer dick then you. Who could that possibly be…” Tommy gasped. “Do you work for Schlatt?” Clay choked on his drink.

“What?”

“Well, he is a dick and super rich.”

“You shouldn’t go around stating that.”

“So you do work for him. Do you do stuff at the tower?” Tommy wanted to find more out but fate had other plans.

“We are here.”

“Oh! I used to go to this place all the time with my friends.” Clay smiled, knowing exactly what he was talking about.

“Oh yeah?”

“It was so fun! Most of my favourite memories with them are here! We stopped going after Quac-” Tommy stopped himself, coughing to cover it up. Tommy really was that clueless. “Someone got injured.”

“Do you miss going here with them?” Tommy nods, and Clay feels his heartbreak, he didn’t realise that this place meant anything to the vigilante. “You should tell them that.” Tommy shook his head, the heroes wouldn’t care.

“What are your friends like?” Clay laughed.

“They are going to love you, just wait and see.” They exited the car and walked into the abandoned theatre’s doors. There was already 4 people in the room.

“Finally, dude. We have been waiting forever.” The man who shouted walked up to Tommy. “You must be Tommy, nice to meet you, I’m Carl, with a C.”

“Oi! I’m Carl with a C!” Another man yelled at him. Clay shook his head at his friends' antics. None of them could come up with nicknames. Guess Dream was doing this himself then.

“That’s Nick.” He pointed to Sapnap. “Alex.” Quackity. “And that is… George.” He quickly moved his hand to point at his boyfriend. Karl came up from his seat to help Dream come up with a nickname for him.

“I’m Carl with a C.” Clay facepalmed, Prime please save him.

“I’m George!” George told him, Tommy shook his hand.

“I guess I’m Nick then.” Sapnap glared at Clay.

“You guess? That makes so much sense.” Sapnap smiled at Tommy's words.

“I don’t want to be Alex.” Clay metally sighed.

“Well to fucking bad because that is what your parents named you, Alex.” Clay couldn't be bothered to deal with this, Sapnap scoffed.

“Haha, Alex.”

“Be quiet, you are called Nick.” Clay grabbed Tommy’s shoulders, walking over to his boyfriend.

“It’s nice to meet you, Tommy.”

“I don’t know if I think the same yet, bigman.” George smiled and Clay knew that he was happy to talk to Theseus like this.

“Bigman?” George had to ask.

“It's what he does.” Tommy nodded. Sapnap and Quackity walked over to them.

“We have decided-” Sapnap started.

“That I will be Nick.” Quackity cut in.

“And I will be Alex!” Dream sighed.

“Okay…?” Poor Tommy.

“So what is on the agenda today, Clay?” Karl asked as he joined them.

“Well, Carl with a C, I think we should cause some chaos.” The others, including Tommy, smiled.

“What did you have in mind?” George inquired.

“Some light crimes, nothing that will annoy the Hero League.”

“Well that's a shame, pissing off the Hero League is what I’m best at.” Clay laughed, knowing Tommy was not lying.

“We’ll see what happens, Tommy.”

******

Tommy entered his apartment block as quietly as he could, it was past the time for it to be considered normal and he knew that if one of his roommates saw him they would be pissed. They had a rule, no going out later than curfew alone or as a civilian, he broke that rule tonight.

Tommy needed the rules. He grew up in a place where everyday was a new challenge, everyday taught him new skills, everyday someone was killed. He remembers his first day, he was only 7 and he was told that The Backrooms were where he would find hope and family, he instead leant how to kill, how to fight and how to do so many things a kid should never witness.

Purpled was in the class above Tommy and they became fast friends, one slight problem was that you were not allowed to have friends in The Backrooms. It was a miracle they never had to fight against each other.

Tommy first killed someone two days before his 8th birthday, he recalls them begging for their life. But if Tommy didn’t deliver the killing blow he would of being stabbed himself, that's how The Backrooms worked, betrayal and killing.

Tommy was lucky to have escaped the Backrooms when he did. He basically had a normal childhood after that, other than the fact that he could kill anyone easily and had no parents.

He doesn’t know if The Backrooms are still operating but he reckons they are. Tubbo and Ranboo don’t know much about Purpled and his shared past but they know it was traumatic for the two of them, and they know it has something to do with why Tommy hates Schlatt so much.

Tommy slowly opened the door to the apartment they rented and gasped when he saw all 3 of his roommates standing there.

“Hi?” He waved awkwardly.

“Where were you?” Purpled spoke first, grabbing Tommy and pulling him so he met the others eyes.

“Out-”

“With who?” Ranboo asked.

“Some friends I met at work.”

“You’ve never mentioned these people. How do we know you’re not lying?”

“Ask your good buddy Wilbur Watson.”

“What?” Tubbo sounded surprised. “You know Wilbur.”

“Met him at work.”

“Does he know that you know us?” Tommy shrugged, he didn’t need to tell them anything about his work life, they never shared their own.

“This is important, Red.”

“Why? I met people at work and hung out with them. You didn’t care when I went to his house for dinner last week.”

“That was his house you went to?” Tommy nodded. “Were you hanging out with him right now?” Tommy shook his head.

“Nope.” Tubbo sighed.

“Then who the fuck were you with?” Ranboo asked.

“Wilbur’s nemesis.” Tubbo rubbed circles on his forehead.

“Who? Do you mean-”

“Clay? Yup.”

“Tommy-”

“Don’t you dare tell me he is a bad person as well, it is bad enough with Wilbur and Techno doing it.”

“Clay isn’t who you think he is.”

“Oh yeah? Why should I care?”

“Just be careful Red, it is all we are asking.” Tommy stormed past them.

“I’m going to bed.” He didn’t need to hear this again, not twice in one day. Tommy changed into some loose clothes and flopped down onto his shared bed. He heard the door open and felt the bed dip under the newly added weight as Purpled laid down next to him.

“Are you mad at me Red?” Tommy shook his head and turned over, cuddling close to the body heat Purpled put off, that was the only reason he was cuddling with him. Purpled smiled and put his arms around Tommy’s back, rubbing circles on the tense spots.

“Not mad, just want to make my own choices for once.” Purpled froze.

“Oh baby, we will always let you choose, we just want you to know what you are choosing.” Tommy didn’t reply, he instead buried his head in the crook of Purpled’s neck, hiding himself from the world. Tommy kept replaying his interaction with Wilbur from earlier, something about it bugged him.

“Goodnight, Purps.”

“Sleep well, Red.”

Tommy wouldn’t sleep well that night, or the night after that. Tommy didn’t sleep for most of the following week, but we will get into why later.

Chapter Text

Theseus wasn’t feeling his best. Money was low, and he was forced to go against his hybrid trait and eat chicken. He was basically committing cannibalism. Theseus didn’t blame his roommates though, it was his genetics he should be blaming.

Purpled convinced him to come out on patrol but he couldn’t stand up straight for more then 10 minutes without feeling the need to pass out. This had happened to Theseus several times before, so this wasn’t unheard of, but he still hated whenever it happened. Despite the large amount of money Wilbur left every time he tipped him it still wasn’t enough for him to eat properly fulfilling his avian and other hybrid needs.

“Come on, Red. Have some fun.”

“I can’t have fun when it feels like my head is about to split in half.”

“Thes-”

“Lets just get this over with.” Purpled grabbed his wrist.

“If you aren’t feeling up to this, then you don’t have to come.” Theseus shook his head, he could survive one patrol, he was fine.

“I’m doing this, don’t try to stop me.” Purpled sighed.

“Theseus be careful please.”

“I’m always careful, Purps.”

“I’m being serious. If you think you are going to pass out please tell me.”

“I promise to maybe tell you if I think I am about to pass out.”

“Fuck you, Thes.”

“Oh come one, what do you expect from me?“

“For you to be sane for once in your fucking life.”

“Fair enough.”

“Well, don’t keep me waiting then.” Theseus smiled, he would pretend to be okay for Purpled. Theseus started following Purpled.

“What is the plan for today? Cause some chaos?”

“Cause some chaos.” Purpled nodded. “And stop bad guys.”

“Obviously, I mean it is-” Purpled jumped off the side of the roof to shut him up. “Real mature, Purps.”

******

Theseus could’t stop coughing, there was smoke everywhere. The building was up in flames, and he was trapped wiht no escape. He was down on his knees, still inside the final room he went into. He was just trying to save some people from a house fire and now here he was, a member of the Syndicate infront of him.

“Are you hurt?” The villain knelt down infront of him. Theseus moved back once she started to reach towards him. “I’m not going to hurt you, you’re just a kid.”

“I don’t believe you.” He gritted out, he didn’t trust any of the villains he had met and Destiny was not about to be the first one he did. She had a look of sympathy in her eyes, pathetic.

“No one is immune to smoke, I wouldn’t want you to die from it in your lungs. It wouldn’t be a very good way of murdering someone” She had a sinister smile on her unmasked lips. “I prefer other methods of killing.” Theseus moved further away from her.

“Well I would prefer to stay alive, Destiny.”

“Would you? From what Angel has told me, you were set on committing suicide instead of talking to him.”

“That was one time, and you can’t prove it. Plus he is very annoying, are you telling me you have never thought about it while talking to him?”

“I recall The Blade telling me that you also-”

“Okay okay, talking to villains makes me want to die. I would just say I’m antisocial.” She smiled.

“Oh really?”

“Yup, I just think that villains shouldn’t be talked to.”

“You’re talking to me though?”

“Well that doesn’t count.”

“Why?”

“Because I say so.”

“How young are you exactly?”

“I’ll have you know that I am such a bigman-”

“B-bigman?”

“Yes, it is a very common word, Destiny. Now as I was saying, I am not a child or something.”

“Look, you remind me of someone, Theseus. I won’t kill you today because it will not solve shit, but I will consider it next time.”

“Lets hope there isn’t a next time.”

“We will have to see. I mean, it would be a shame to kill you when we need you to work for us.”

“Again, why do you want me to work for you? Like there is nothing interesting about me.” He threw his hands up to prove his point.

“You certainly are interesting, Theseus. But the main reason we want you is-” A beam crashed down behind them. “Go. Run. Leave this building.” Destiny turned around and grabbed the beam.

“I would say see you next time, but there is no next time right?” Theseus turned and prepared to jump out the window. “Have fun working for the fucking villains.

“Right…wait, wait! Tommy?” She ran to the edge, trying to catch a glimpse of the vigilante. “No, no, no. Please. He can’t be him. No. Oh poor Tommy. No. This is… what? Tommy is Theseus? I-I have to tell Wil right? No, I can’t. Wilbur-” She sucked in a sharp breath, a cry forcing its way out of her mouth. “Wilbur can never know.” She sighed, this was not going to be good.

******

Tommy stumbled through the front doors of Niki’s, head feeling light and his body failing to listen to himself. Tommy noticed how empty the cafe was and assumed it was because of how late it was.

Tommy’s favourite time to work was the night shift, as not many people came into the cafe after 10pm. Well, everyone except Wilbur.

“Hey, Wil.” The older looked up at Tommy. “Has Niki left yet?” Wilbur shook his head. At the mention of her name Niki poked her head out from the back, her eyes looking glossy.

“Hey, Tommy. How was your day?”

“It was the usual, boring and long. Now I have to deal with Wilbur which seems unfair.” She laughed.

“Yup, super unfair. It’s not like I deal with him on a daily basis as well.”

“This is about me, Niki. Let me have this one.”

“Okay.” She walked past him and ruffled his hair as she went. “I was just about to head off, you fine closing up?”

“I’ll stay with him, Niki.” Wilbur reassured her.

“Thanks, Wilbur. Keep out of trouble, Tommy.”

“I always do!” Niki smiled, and at the time Tommy had no idea why it seemed so sad.

“I wish I could believe that Tom.” Wilbur laughed.

“He is always getting into trouble.”

“Shut up, Sand Boy.” Niki laughed as she exited the store. Tommy looked around, there was no one in the cafe now, but him and Wilbur.

“No.. Niki come back, don't leave me with the child.”

“Such a shame.” Tommy laughed at Wilbur.

“It really is a shame, Toms. So did you actually go outside today?”

“Shut up. You don’t do anything either, you spend your whole day at this cafe.”

“Well I wouldn’t but someone has decided to never tell me when he works, so I never know when I should come here.”

“You don’t have to come here everyday.” Wilbur smiled.

“But I do and I will.”

“Of course you will, now is that coffee you are drinking or have you actually tried something different?”

“Coffee is good.”

“Not when it is all you drink.”

“You say that like you haven’t drunk it before.”

“Oh, believe me I have.”

“So I don’t see why you are saying I shouldn’t drink it.”

“You’re older, you are meant to be more mature.”

“That’s a mean assumption.”

“So you think I’m maturer? I agree.”

“Okay shut up. I am so mature it isn’t funny.”

“I don’t believe you. Only drinking coffee makes you less mature.”

“I disagree.”

“And if it fails?” Tommy sang.

“Burr, that's why we need it.” Wilbur finished the line, laughing.

“Stop singing Hamilton and answer me.”

“You are the one who started the Hamilton song.”

“Ok so you agree that-“

“I completely disagree with you.”

“Whatever you say, Bitch Boy.”

“Get me some more coffee, Gremlin.” Tommy glared at the man but proceeded to get him some coffee. “So anyway, I was wondering if you would want to come over for dinner again soon? My father certainly liked meeting you and Techno is just Techno.”

“That would be really cool, Wilbur. When did you have in mind?”

“Hmmm, maybe some time next week.”

“That works for me.”

“Oh I knew it would, you don’t do anything after your shift.”

“I so do stuff.”

“Name something, Tommy. I don’t think you can.” Tommy could name something, but he knew it wouldn’t be a good thing to tell Wilbur.

“I…”

“Yes? Come on. You have to do something.”

“Well, I mean I can’t just-“

A new wave of nausea hit Tommy and soon he was running into the empty cafe kitchen. Tommy didn’t stop to think about what to tell Wilbur, he ran until he found the sink. Tommy heard someone run in after him. Tommy gagged as he felt something push its way up his throat.

He felt someone grip his shoulders, steadying his wobbly form.

“Tommy! Are you okay?” Tommy would have replied if his body didn’t decide at that moment to make him throw up. He heard Wilbur gasp, and soon there was a hand in his hair. “You’re okay, Toms. I promise you, I’m here.”

Tommy felt tears run down his cheeks, he wasn’t crying, his eyes were just watering. He puked again.

Tommy vomited several more times, and Wilbur stayed there the whole time. Not once leaving his side and after Tommy felt like he had finished puking his guts out, Wilbur sat with Tommy on the ground.

“What’s wrong Tommy? Are you sick?” Tommy shook his head, moving closer to Wilbur.

“Not sick. Hybrid traits going all crazy.”

“You’re a hybrid?” Tommy nodded and shook his head.

“Well I’m an avian but also-“

“You’re an avian? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I had no reason to. Plus avians are very uncommon and aren’t always liked.”

“Avians are liked!”

“Nope, we always get associated with The Angel.” Tommy rested his head on Wilbur’s chest and the man continued running a hand through the younger’s hair.

“So what do you mean by them going crazy?” Wilbur quoted Tommy’s words from before.

“Well with money and all I’ve had to commit several crimes.” Wilbur raised an eyebrow at him. “Buy eating another bird.”

“But that is super messed up, and it wrecks your gut.”

“…yes. How do you know all of this?”

“Well you see, Phil is-“ Tommy stopped paying attention, his thoughts on the new pounding in his head.

“Wilbur.”

“Yes?”

“Wilbur, I don’t feel so good.”

“What’s wrong? Do you need to puke or?”

“No, I guess I don’t…” Tommy stopped talking as he felt his head get heavier.

“Stay with me Toms. Let me call Dad, he’ll know what to do.” Tommy heard Wilbur grab out his phone. “Hey Phil… I have a slight problem… I’m with Tommy right now and you see he just told me that he isn’t feeling the best… Why is this a problem? Well he said it has something to do with him being an avian-“ Tommy heard Phil shout.

“What?”

“Yup, now he is about to pass out or something, I think you need to come down here… Niki’s… the kitchen… okay see you soon.” Tommy glanced up at Wilbur. “You’ll be okay, Phil and Techno are coming.”

“Okay.” Tommy’s voice sounded small and quieter than usual. Wilbur smiled down at him.

“You never even gave me my coffee.”

“I always find a way to avoid doing my job.”

“You certainly do Gremlin Child.”

“Wilbur-“

“You’re fine, okay? Stay with me, please.”

“Wilby.” Tommy saw Wilbur look at him in shock as he closed his eyes, slowly losing constantly.

“You better not die so I can tease you about that later.” There was a loud slam from the entrance of the cafe. Followed by two pairs of footsteps. The last thing Tommy saw was Phil and Techno running into the kitchen saying something, but then he passed out.

******

When Tommy awoke the first thing he noticed was that something was moving under him, and he doesn’t mean like an animal, no this thing was breathing. Now, Tommy doesn’t usually have things against breathing but this was annoying. He heard people talking around him and tried to listen into the conversation.

“I’m surprised I couldn’t see any wings.” Was that Wilbur? It sounded like it was coming from under him, that made more sense.

“Not all avians have wings, and some develop them later in life.” Phil Watson, the man himself.

“Do you think he has some?“

“Wings? I don’t know, Mate. You’ll have to ask him once he wakes up.”

“Oh, so he is going to wake up. That’s good, since no one thought they should fucking tell me!”

“Wilbur-“

“You told Techno!”

“I was just in the room when he was stressing about it.” Techno sounded unimpressed as usual.

“Techno was simply there, Tommy will be fine.”

“Good.”

“‘Mate you need to calm down, you’ll wake him up.”

“Don’t I want him to wake up?”

“Let him sleep, Wil.”

“He isn’t sleeping, he fainted.” Wilbur ran a hand through Tommy’s hair.

“Fainting is basically sleep.”

“Don’t tell Wilbur that, Techno. He will call fainting significant sleep.”

“Thanks for the advice, Tech.”

“Tommy called me that the other day.”

“He is making you soft, Technoblade. I called it.”

“He is making you soft as well, Wilbur.” Tommy gave up on listening to the conversation and started to move slightly, letting the others know he was waking up.

“Looks like you didn’t have to do anything.” Tommy felt someone lean closer to him.

“Morning Tommy.” Tommy grumbled a morning back to Wilbur. He heard Phil laugh.

“Are you feeling any better?” Tommy nodded, he didn’t feel as if he was going to pass out at any second anymore. He called that better.

“Feeling a lot less shity.” He heard Techno chuckle, and soon hands grabbed his wrists and he was being pulled into a seating position, head firmly under Wilbur’s chin.

“You should have told me that you weren’t feeling well.”

“I was perfectly fine.”

“You vomited.”

“Well obviously not then but I was fine before.”

“So you’re an avian?” Phil asked.

“Yup.”

“Well that explains why you are a vegetarian.” Tommy nodded. “You know, I’m an avian as well.” Tommy sat up quickly, turning to look at the man.

“Wait really?” Phil smiled and Tommy moved out of Wilbur’s arms, ignoring the offended sound he made. Tommy repositioned himself so he was directly in front of Phil. “Tell me everything!

I’ve never met another avian hybrid!” Quackity didn’t count. Tommy unknowingly sat in the perfect spot for Techno to check if he had wings.

“Well Mate, I don’t know too much but avians are pretty cool.” Tommy ignored the new coolness on his back, probably just the wind.

“That is so unhelpful it isn’t funny.” He gasped. “Do you have wings?” Phil smiled and nodded. “That is so fucking cool.

“Do you not?” Tommy shook his head. “There is still a chance that you’ll develop them.”

“I thought you had to be born with wings.” Phil’s smile widened.

“No avian is born with wings.”

“Really? How did you get your wings then?”

“Most avians get them anytime between the age of 10 to 25.”

“So I could still get wings?”

“Do you want wings?” Tommy froze, did he want wings? He would have to hide them everyday. They would be annoying during his time as Theseus.

“I don’t think I do.”

“Sadly it is something you have no control over.” Phil glanced at Techno. “But they are pretty cool once you have them.”

“Don’t listen to Phil, he dislikes his wings and doesn’t want to say anything.” Techno told Tommy.

“That is not true, Techno. My wings are awesome.”

“Your wings look like every single avian's wings.”

“Yeah, you don’t have fun wings, they are just boring and black.” Wilbur agreed.

“My wings are amazing, end of conversation.” Phil glared at his sons.

“They aren’t but-“

“Let’s let Phil have this one, Wil.” Techno put his hands on Tommy’s shoulders, pulling back until Tommy’s head was in the olders lap.

“Hi Techno.”

“Hello Tommy.” Tommy glanced over at Wilbur and laughed once he saw him pouting. Techno turned to look at his twin and sighed. “Wilbur, for the love of Prime.”

“I want to cuddle, Tommy!” Tommy smiled at the thought of the brothers arguing over who got to hug him.

“Too bad, I got him first.” Techno smiled at Wilbur. Phil sighed.

“I’m sorry in advance Tommy.” Tommy was about to ask what Phil meant when Techno grabbed him, setting him down in his lap. Wilbur glared.

“Give me Tommy back.” Techno shook his head.

“How about no?” Wilbur looked pissed.

“Tommy! Why don’t you come over here? You don’t even like Techno.”

“He was just severely sick, Wil, don’t make him move too much.” Phil cut in, making him seem like the only one who cares for Tommy’s safety.

“I’m fine, Phil.” Tommy assured the man.

“Yeah, he’s fine Phil.” Wilbur mimicked Tommy’s accent poorly.

“You didn’t even need to try and mimic that, your accent is so similar-“

“So we can do this.”

“Be careful of Tommy.”

“Yeah yeah, whatever.” Wilbur prepared to launch himself at Techno but paused once Techno’s phone rang. “Is that going to be important?” Techno glanced at the caller ID and nodded. “Is it…?” Techno nodded again. “Fuck.”

Techno passed Tommy over to Phil. Tommy glanced up at Phil. Phil looked down at him, a sad smile on his face.

“Wil come with me, Phil stay with Tommy.” Phil nodded and Wilbur came over and gave Tommy a kiss on his forehead.

“I’ll see you at the cafe tomorrow, okay?” Tommy nodded, unsure what he was meant to say. The two brothers left the room quickly, leaving Phil with a very confused Tommy.

“What the fuck?” Phil laughed.

“They just have to deal with something. Are you feeling well enough to walk?” Tommy nodded and stood up slowly, holding onto Phil’s arm for his life. “Do you want me to drive you back to

your apartment?”

“Sure.” Phil walked with Tommy over to the new fancy car that Wilbur had gotten after he crashed the other one.

Tommy sat in the back of the car, so he could lie down while Phil drove. Tommy knew that it was probably illegal but oh well.

As Tommy sat down he noticed Phil’s wings. They were bigger than he expected. They definitely weren’t boring like Techno and Wilbur said. They were black and glossy. They reminded Tommy of someone else’s wings but he couldn’t remember who.

The car ride was silent and soon they were outside Tommy’s apartment, how Phil knew where he lived would remain a mystery to him.

“Thanks Phil.”

“Anytime. Be careful and tell me if you have any questions about avian stuff.” Tommy nodded and exited the car, walking towards his apartment building.

Tommy entered the entryway of his house and noticed that it was still early enough for his roommates to be asleep. Tommy sat down on the couch, being as careful as he could to not wake anyone up.

Tommy wondered what Techno and Wilbur were doing. Probably something to do with the family business. Tommy thought about Phil and how his wings looked so similar to someone’s but he didn’t know any avians other than…..

No.

No.

Holy shit. What? Phil is him? No.

Fucking hell. If Tommy’s thoughts were correct that means that…

Phil is the fucking Angel.

Tommy was so screwed.

“Shit.”

Chapter Text

Tommy decided that the smartest thing for him to do would be to never see Phil again. Tommy wondered if Wilbur knew that his father was the Angel of Death. Who was he kidding, of course Wilbur knew. Wilbur probably helped Phil. Techno as well.

Tommy couldn’t bring himself to ignore the man, so when Wilbur came to the cafe he talked to him. Tommy knew that he was acting differently around Wilbur but if the man noticed he didn’t say anything. Wilbur probably didn’t care enough about him, his brain helpfully suggested.

“Are you feeling better, Toms?” Tommy snapped himself out of his thoughts at Wilbur’s words.

“Yeah, I'm fine.” Tommy winced at how faked his voice sounded.

“You sure? I can ask Niki to cut your shift shorter-”

“There is no need for that, Wilbur.”

“She won’t mind, Tommy. She’ll want you to be ok.”

“I said I was fine, Wilbur.” Tommy said through gritted teeth. “Let me be.”

“I’m just offering. Are you sure that you’re okay? You sound-”

“I know how I sound, Wilbur.” Tommy hissed, not sure where this anger had come from.

“Dude, lighten up.”

“That is hella hypocritical coming from you, Wilbur.” Wilbur glanced down, knowing Tommy was right. “Look, I’m fine. End of the conversation.”

“I can’t help but worry, you fainted!”

“And I’m fine now, get over it.”

“It was yesterday.” Wilbur threw his hands up to prove his point, Tommy just thought it made him look stupid. “Fainting isn’t something small that you can joke about, Tommy.”

“I was the one who fainted so I think I know more about fainting then you.” Wilbur glared at Tommy. "I wasn't making a joke."

“You are acting like it is incredibly normal for you to just pass out.” Tommy shrugged, and Wilbur made a shocked expression. “It isn’t, right? Please tell me you don’t faint often.”

“It is normal.”

“Normal people don’t faint and call it normal.”

“I thought you would of realised that I am not fucking normal.” Tommy almost screamed. Wilbur was so clueless. Niki watched the two of them fight from a distance.

“Tommy-”

“No! You need to fucking listen to me. I am not going to make a big deal about fainting because it isn’t.” Tommy turned around, refusing to look the man in his eyes.

“I know that!”

“You expect me to believe that? You don’t seem to know anything.” WIlbur sucked in a sharp breath, his facial expression looked pained. “There is no normal in L’Manburg. You could ask everyone in this cafe what they considered normal, and they would all give you a different answer.”

“That isn’t the point I’m trying to make.”

“Then enlighten me, Wilbur. What is the point?”

“You don’t care for yourself.” Tommy whipped his head around to face Wilbur, unaware of the eyes watching them. Tommy laughed.

“I don’t? Yeah no shit.” Wilbur sighed.

“I’m just looking out for you-”

“I don’t need someone to look out for me. I’ve been doing pretty fucking fine on my own.”

“You aren't on your own! You have Tubbo and Ranboo!” Tommy glared at him. “Yeah, I asked them about you. You have people looking out for you at your house, I’m just trying to do it while I’m here.” You are going to ruin this amazing thing, his brain told him. Tommy should have listened.

“Ever consider the fact that I don’t want you to?”

“You don’t mean that, and I know that you enjoy talking to me.”

“Can you hear yourself right now? You sound like a stuck up dick. I don’t want or need you in my life. Fuck off.” Yes you do, stop talking Tommy. His brain wasn’t being very helpful.

“I disagree.”

“Well thank you for telling me, arsehole.” Shut up, his brain yelled at him.

“Tommy, you need to calm down. I’m just trying to help.”

“You are going in circles! I don’t need you to help me, so piss off.”

“No.” Tommy locked eyes with Wilbur. “I’m not leaving.”

“You two need to shut up.” Niki decided to intervene. “The whole cafe doesn’t need to hear about your petty argument.” Tommy and Wilbur glanced around and saw the whole cafe watching them.

“Were we that loud?” Wilbur almost whispered.

“Yeah, you were. You are being way too pushy.” She pointed at Wilbur. She turned to face Tommy. “And you are too scared to admit that you want Wilbur to care for you.”

“Am not.” Tommy said, crossing his arms. Niki glared at him, he looked down at the ground.

“Apologise to each other.” When neither of them moved she yelled at them, “Now!” Several people in the cafe went to resume their conversations, some continued watching them. Enjoying the show dickheads, Tommy wnated to scream at them.

“I’m sorry, Tommy.”

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever.” Niki nudged him. “Okay fine, I’m sorry. There. Are you happy?”

“Did you mean it?”

“No.” Niki smacked him. “Sure.” She glared at him. “Yes, bloody hell.”

“You two need to get over yourselves. You ain’t fucking perfect, but the whole cafe doesn’t have to hear about it.” She threw her hands up, and glanced around at everyone. “They didn’t even have a choice, you guys were being so loud.”

“Sorry, Niki.” Tommy said quietly.

“Sorry.” Wilbur mumbled after him.

“Now get back to work, Tommy. And Wilbur?”

“Yeah?”

“Leave him alone.” Wilbur nodded and Tommy went to greet some customers who had entered the cafe. “He needs some space.”

“I just want to help him.”

“I know, he is so young.”

“Have you told Phil about his relationship with Dream?” Wilbur shook his head. “If I see that man in here again I will kick him out.”

“You can’t really do that, Niki.”

“It’s my cafe, I can do what I fucking want.” Wilbur sighed.

“Tommy wouldn’t forgive you.”

“He would, I’ve known him for longer than you. Remember that.”

“Tommy doesn’t seem like the forgiving type.”

“Believe me, he isn’t. He used to be super close with this one guy, I can’t remember his name, but then he did something and now he refuses to even speak his name.”

“Really?”

“Yup, it was horrible. Tommy was a mess for weeks after.” Wilbur sucked in a breath. “Don’t screw him over, Wilbur, he won’t forgive you.”

“So telling him that I’m-” Niki smacked him.

“There is no need to shout that.”

“Would he forgive me for it though?” Niki paused, turning to look at poor, not so innocent Tommy. She nodded slowly.

“He wouldn’t care after a while.”

******

That was the biggest lie Tommy had ever heard. Of course he was listening to their conversation, he couldn't help it. Tommy would never forgive Wilbur for being friends with the villains. Never forgive or forget. He couldn’t ignore it forever.

He would have to tell Wilbur at some point. Would that involve telling him about his secret? Would Wilbur rat him out to Phil?

“Tommy.”

“Yeah?” Tommy turned and saw Wilbur waving him over. “What do you want, Wil?”

“So we are back to you calling me Wilbur? What happened to Wilby?”

“I have never called you that.”

“That isn’t true.”

“I haven’t, dickhead.”

“Apparently you don’t remember what happened after you almost fainted.” Tommy’s eyes widened.

“What?” Wilbur smirked. “No. No!”

“It’s okay Toms. You can call me Wilby.”

“Fuck you.” Tommy turned around, refilling Wilbur’s cup of coffee. “I will never ever call you that.”

“Awwww, but you should.” Tommy gave Wilbur the newly filled cup of coffee. “Thank you, Gremlin Child.” Wilbur ruffled Tommy's hair. Tommy lunged to bite the man's finger off.

“Not a child.”

The door rang, signalling that someone had entered.

“Whatever you say. Hey so I was thinking…” Wilbur paused, his expression turning deadly. “Clay. George. What brings you here.” Tommy turned to look in the same direction Wilbur was looking. That would be why he looked pissed.

“George!” Tommy moved from his spot behind the counter to hug the man. George smiled and pulled him into a hug.

“Hey Tommy.” Tommy turned to look at Clay, who was glaring at Wilbur. Tommy waved a hand in the older’s face. Clay turned and looked at the boy, putting a hand around his shoulders. Wilbur stood up walking towards the men.

“If your not going to listen to me-“

“I’m not.” Tommy said, forcing as much cheerfulness as he could into his voice.

“As I was saying, if you aren’t going to listen to me, then at least be careful. You never know what diseases they could have.”

“I think you would have more, Wilbur.” Clay hissed at the man.

“Whatever.” Wilbur waved his hand to dismiss Clay’s words. “What a pleasure to see you again, George.”

“Such a pleasure. Tell Technoblade I say hi.” Wilbur started to walk towards Niki.

“I won’t.” He left Tommy alone with the two heroes.

“What are you guys doing here?” Clay laughed.

“Are you not happy to see us, Tommy?”

“No, I am but why are you here?”

“Just wanted to say hi.” George smiled.

“Is that the only reason?” The two exchanged a look.

“Well we maybe wanted to… umm..”

“Piss Wilbur off?”

“Yeah.” Clay nodded, agreeing with him.

“Do you guys want anything? Or are you going to leave?”

“No, we will stay.” George glanced at Wilbur, smirking when he noticed that the villain was watching them. “What do you have?”

“Have you never been to a cafe before?” Clay laughed.

******

“You don’t have to be that creepy, Wil.” Niki was being as careful as she could. She didn’t want to accidentally reveal Tommy’s secret to Wilbur.

“He greeted Glitch by name. By name, Niki!” She sighed, how was she supposed to help Tommy out of this? “How does he know so many heroes?”

“2 isn’t normally considered ‘so many’ but whatever you say.” Wilbur glared at her.

“That’s it. I’m going back over there.” She grabbed Wilbur’s arm.

“No you’re not.” Wilbur started to protest. “Wilbur, you have to let him do this.”

“They’re the fucking heroes! I have to stop them from screwing over Tommy.”

“You don’t know that they want to do that.”

“They obviously want to. Why else would they be here?”

“Maybe because they are actually friends with Tommy? Look Wil, you have to realise that they aren’t always heroes.”

“I guess you’re right.”

“Now, don’t you have better things to worry about?” Wilbur gave him a confused look. “Figure out what you’re going to do about Theseus.” Wilbur didn’t notice how her voice caught on his name.

“Yeah. Tell me when he," Wilbur pointed to Tommy, "leaves.” Niki nodded. Wilbur exited the cafe.

******

“Do you want us to take you home, Tommy?” Tommy glanced at the time. He only had a few minutes until his shift ended.

“Sure, let me tell Niki that I’m done with my shift.” Clay nodded. Tommy walked over to Niki. “I’m going to leave now, you fine waiting for Jack alone?”

“Have fun with your friends and don't worry, I’ll be fine, Tommy.” Tommy turned to leave. “Wait!”

“What's up, Niki?”

“I-I just be careful.” Tommy opened his mouth to tell her that she didn’t need to worry and that Clay was fine, but she spoke first. “I don’t just mean Clay, be careful tonight.” Tommy nodded.

“I am always careful, as you know my middle is basically careful, Niki.”

“I’m serious.”

“And I am careful.” She sighed. “Bye, Niki.”

“Goodbye, Tommy.” He walked back over to Clay and George.

“Ready to go now, Tom?” Tommy smiled and waved to Niki. She didn’t notice as she was typing away on her phone. Clay and George made small conversation during the drive to his apartment. Tommy tuned most of it out, choosing to focus more on the landscapes they went past. Clay decided to go a different way then Tommy normally would and he was in slight awe at how pretty the town looked.

“How do you know Wilbur, Tommy?” Tommy glanced at Clay.

“I met him at the cafe, why?”

“I was just wondering if you were like actually friends with him.”

“I guess I am.” George tensed. “Why is that a problem? Why do you hate each other so much?”

“We don’t hate each other.” Clay assured him.

“It is just mutual disliking.” George cut in.

“That sounds like total bullshit.” Clay sighed. Tommy glared at him. “Well it does.”

“Wilbur just has a bad impact on others around him.”

“Have you been around him?”

“That isn’t the point, Tommy.” Tommy made a ‘go on’ motion with his hands and George continued. “We don’t want him to hurt you.”

“For someone who hates Wilbur you sure sound a lot like him.” Tommy realised they were getting close to his apartment.

“Maybe he sounds like us, ever think of that, Theseus-” Tommy turned to stare at Clay, how the actual fuck did he know that.

“WHAT?”

“Tommy I-”

“YOU JUST CALLED ME THESEUS! YOU SHOULDN’T FUCKING KNOW THAT.”

“Tommy, calm down.”

"I CAN'T CALM DOWN! Why do you know that."

"Look, Tommy-"

"So I'm Tommy now? Who the fuck are you guys?” Clay sighed.

“Theseus, my name is Dream, this is Glitch.’ Tommy froze. “Is that what you wanted to hear?”

“What the fuck.” There was silence for a few seconds. “Did you know the whole time?”

“I noticed the second I saw you.”

“How?”

“You had the same aura in civillain form as your vigilante form.”

“Huh?”

“It is part of Dream’s power, being able to tell people apart by their ‘auras’ as he puts it.” George explained. Clay stopped the car in front of his apartment building, but no one glanced at the doors.

“So Nick, Alex and Carl..” Tommy laughed once he saw them nod. “They suck at making up fake names.”

“They didn’t even do it themselves, I had to.” Tommy smiled. “Are you mad at us, Thes?” Tommy shook his head.

“Nah, I can’t be mad at you. I might need some space though.”

“We understand. We’ll see you soon, right?”

“Yup, see you later.” Tommy exited the car and entered his apartment block. It was quiet in the hallway and it freaked Tommy out. The second Tommy opened the door to his apartment he heard shouting.

“He isn’t even here!” Tommy saw Tubbo pacing and Ranboo freaking out, unsure what to do with his panicking friend.

“I know, Tubbo. That doesn’t mean you can yell at him when he gets back-” Ranboo tried to reason with him. Tommy wondered who they were talking about.

“I will do whatever I want. He doesn’t pull his weight around here.” Ranboo turned and locked eyes with Tommy, he stared to shake his hands vigorously, trying to tell Tommy something. Tommy gave him a confused look.

“Tubbo, now isn’t the time to-” Ranboo started but was cut off once Tubbo saw Tommy.

“Look who it is. Mr I’m not going to bother working hard and get paid enough to accommodate myself.”

“What the fuck are you on about Tubbo?” Tommy asked, very confused. What had he done to Tubbo now?”

“Look, we all know that you spend too much time as a vigilante and you never work. Face it.” That wasn’t even slightly true, Tommy worked every time he could.

“What? So you are making things up now? Why? Do you need a reason to yell at me? I can give you several.” Tommy was yelling back.

“Tubbo-”

“Shut up Ranboo.” Tubbo snapped at Ranboo. “I’m only telling you the truth. You are only here because Purpled felt bad for you.”

“I met Purpled first, dickhead. You and I were friends before you even knew who Purpled was.”

“And apparently I am the one lying.” Tommy glared at Tubbo. “What did the Rooms do to you to make you lose all common sense?” Tommy almost choked.

“Tubbo, enough. That was too far.” Ranboo was almost begging now.

“I don’t think it was far enough. I thought Ranboo was the one with memory problems?”

“Leave him out of this. Tubbo you are the only person to tell people everything wrong with them, and then act like you were being nice doing it.”

“Some people need their flaws pointed out for them. You are one of them.” Tubbo smirked.

“At least I make money, you just spend all day at that stupid summer school, wasting your time and life.”

"I am only there so once I graduate I can make more money then you ever would."

"Please, everyone knows that you aren't in summer school. Admit it. Where the fuck do you go everyday, Tubbo?"

“I’m surprised you survived the Back Rooms, Tommy. I would have killed you first if I was there.” Tommy laughed.

“I think you are forgetting that you can’t fucking fight, Tubbo.”

“You couldn’t either back then.”

“I would've still killed you in a heartbeat.”

"You had to have done something to survive. I mean look at you, you're weak."

"I'm a lot stronger then you."

'What did you do? Bribe the guards? Oh wait, thats right. You were broke."

"I didn't bribe the guards using money, Tubbo."

"Oh, so what did you use then? Your body?" Tommy's breath caught in his throat.

“ENOUGH!” Ranboo shouted, now standing on the coffee table. He grabbed Tubbo’s arm, pulling him away from the slowly breaking down Tommy. “We are leaving and you both need to think about what you have just said to each other.” Ranboo pushed Tubbo through the front door, slamming it behind them.

Tommy couldn’t fight the tears that fell out of his eyes. Tubbo seemed to have meant everything he said, and that scared Tommy. Was he really that useless to Tubbo? Of course you are, his brain happily supplied.

Tommy really was useless, he knew the top villains identity and he couldn’t even tell the heroes. Wilbur probably hated him. Techno- Technoblade. Techno was the Blade, how could he be so stupid. Dream even called him that. Wait, did the heroes know the villain's real identities? That is probably why they hate each other so much, they were meant to kill each other.

So, Tommy now knew the villains and heroes identities. Well that was just fucking great for him. Tommy was the worst vigilante ever, he couldn’t even tell the villain's friend to piss off.

Wilbur… he was interesting. Tommy wondered why he was even talking to him. Tommy was boring and annoying, Tubbo said so. Tommy didn’t realise but he had walked into the kitchen, he kept walking around in circles.

Tommy couldn’t even realise when he was talking to the heroes. He was close to them and he couldn't even figure out that they were right in front of him. Tommy. Was. Fucking. Useless.

Tommy cried out in pain. He had run into the door frame, knocking his hand on a dagger that was left on the bench.

“Stupid Purpled, leaving his stupid knives, where stupid me could touch them.” His hand was leaking blood. Tommy sighed. He was so annoying, no one liked him. Tommy gripped Purpled’s dagger in his hand. He was a burden to his friends. The knife scraped his hand. No one cared for him. Stab. Ranboo picked Tubbo over him. Cut. He was useless. Stab. He probably looked like a fucking mess, crying and bleeding.

The doorbell rang. Now who would want to talk to him. It's probably meant for Tubbo or Ranboo. Tommy walked angrily towards the door, hand limp at his side. He swung the door open.

“What do you want….?”

“Tommy?” Wilbur shouted, barging into the apartment. “What the fuck happened to you?”

Chapter Text

Wilbur walked towards Tommy’s apartment, wanting to make sure they weren’t fighting. He heard muffled cries from inside the house, weird. Wilbur rang the doorbell, waiting awkwardly for someone to open the door. After Niki had texted him to tell him that Tommy had left, he had quickly asked for Tommy’s address. 

The door opened slowly and Wilbur’s heart broke once he saw Tommy’s tear stained face. Why had his Sunshine been crying? What the fuck did the heroes say to him?

“What do you want….?” Tommy sounded like something inside of him had snapped. His poor Sunshine. Wilbur glanced behind Tommy, eyes locking onto the blood on the kitchen counter.

“Tommy?” Wilbur saw Tommy’s hand, blood dripping from the many wounds littering his skin. “What the fuck happened to you?” Wilbur grabbed Tommy’s uninjured wrist, pulling him closer to him. Tommy grabbed his hand back quickly.

“Nothing that involves you, Wilbur.” Tommy tried to sound angry, but it came out sad and vulnerable instead.

“Darling, you are hurt, I think that involves me.” Tommy looked like he was torn between shouting at Wilbur or hugging him, Wilbur hoped for the latter. 

“I’m not hurt.” Tommy said, crossing his arms. Wilbur pretended to not notice how careful Tommy was with placing his hands.

“I disagree, Love.” Tommy scoffed at the nickname. “You are clearly babying that wrist of yours.”

“Am not.” Wilbur looked Tommy dead in the eyes. “Okay fine, it is just a few cuts.”

“A few cuts? Your hand is covered in blood.” Wilbur walked into Tommy’s apartment, glancing at blood on the kitchen counter. Tommy followed behind him, silently. Wilbur wanted to scream, how could he let this happen to Tommy? He should have never trusted Dream to protect his child. 

Wilbur told Tommy to sit on the very dusty looking couch, and tried to find some sort of medical supplies to help him. He made sure to not look at the pool of blood, not trusting himself to just go and kill Dream if he saw it in closer detail. After what felt like hours he opened one of the cabinets above the kitchen, and grabbed what looked like a first aid kit. He quickly rushed into the living room and noticed that Tommy was sitting very calmly. 

“Do you want to tell me what happened?” Tommy shook his head. Wilbur sighed, he knew Tommy was going to be difficult. He grabbed Tommy’s arm, turning it over carefully.

Wilbur grabbed a cloth and slowly rubbed the blood away. He could spot at least 5 different cuts on Tommy’s hand and it made him feel sick. Dream would pay for this, no one got to hurt his sunshine and get away with it.

“You can talk to me, darling.” Tommy shook his head again. Wilbur grabbed some of the bandages from the half empty first aid kit. Wilbur didn’t want to think about what had caused it to not be full of all the necessities that were very much needed in a house full of what seemed like reckless teens. Wilbur carefully wrapped the bandage around Tommy’s hand, making sure to cover every cut several times before tying it off. 

Once Wilbur was sure that the bandages wouldn’t fall off Tommy's hand, he put the younger’s hand down. Wilbur reached up and cupped Tommy’s face, Wilbur noted how Tommy refused to look at him. Tommy was crying silent tears and it broke Wilbur’s heart. 

Dream was going to die, slowly. Wilbur knew that once he told his family they would be happy to assist in killing the man. Wilbur could only imagine how much fun Techno would have thinking of different ways to torture the hero. He was going to pay for ever laying a hand on Tommy. Later, he would kill Dream later. Tommy was what matters most now. Wilbur glanced up and noticed that Tommy’s lips were moving.

“What did you say, love?” Tommy glared at him before repeating himself.

“Why are you here, Wilbur?” Wilbur smiled softly.

“I just wanted to make sure you were okay.” Wilbur gestured to Tommy’s hand. “And it turns out you weren’t.”

“But why do you even care? I yelled at you and was rude and I-” Tommy stopped talking after a sob escaped his lips. Wilbur grabbed Tommy’s shoulder’s and brought the boy down into his lap. Tommy was crying fully now and Wilbur did his best to comfort him.

“I will always care for you, Toms.” Wilbur rubbed circles on Tommy’s back. “Nothing you can do can change that.” Tommy hugged closer to Wilbur, making Wilbur smile. Maybe Dream could hurt Tommy every now and then if it made Tommy this clingy. Wilbur knew it was sick and twisted but Tommy’s body sitting perfectly in his arms, needing Wilbur to comfort him, Tommy being helpless and needing Wilbur was an amazing feeling.

No, his brain screamed at him, you can’t think like that. Ever! Wilbur shook his head clear of thoughts like that, Tommy was hurt, Dream will pay. He doesn’t like this. No. How dare Dream do this, he isn’t enjoying it. Wilbur isn’t insane. He will kill Dream for this, for Tommy.

“I highly doubt that.” Tommy mumbled, and Wilbur froze. Did he say that outloud? No. Tommy was referring to his comment about always caring about him. Wait. That is still a problem.

“Tommy, sunshine, whatever could you mean by that?”

“I-I… Nothing.” Tommy was keeping secrets now? Wilbur would figure those out after he killed Dream. Comfort Tommy first, kill Dream, then talk to Tommy. That was his plan.

“Okay, love.” Wilbur was here for Tommy and he would be forever, nothing Dream could do would stop that.

******

Tommy watched as Wilbur left. Now, Tommy was not going to stay in bed like Wilbur suggested and he was also not going to rest his hand. Tommy had work to do, even if he was missing some people who normally did it with him. 

Purpled wasn’t home yet and it was stressing Tommy out. Where was he? Is he hurt? What is he doing? Does he know why Tubbo is mad at him?

Tommy sighed and decided that he would patrol anyway, screw the rules. Tommy changed quickly and soon it was Theseus alone in the apartment. Theseus walked towards the window and felt as if the rules were mocking him.

“Oh fuck you, stupid rules.” Theseus leapt out the window, feeling as if he could commit murder. Theseus needed to get his mind off everything he was thinking. The best way to do it? Patrol, obviously. Now this would have worked perfectly, had he not been outside his apartment for 10 minutes and then ran into the 3 leaders of the Syndicate. 

The 3 villains watched Theseus approach. Theseus wasn’t excited to meet the final leader. Siren was known for being uncontrollable and completely unpredictable, he definitely wouldn’t get mad at Theseus and try to kill him, no way.

“I don’t want to talk to you.” Theseus shouted at the villains, refusing to cross onto the building they were standing on.

“But Theseus, we want to talk to you.” Siren whined back to him. Theseus sighed, this wasn’t going to be fun.

“Tell me why the fuck I would want to ever talk to you villains.” Blade raised an eyebrow. “Don’t look at me like that, Blade. Now tell me, please.”

“We aren’t here to fight you.” 

“Well that Prime for that. I would win by the way. Keep that in mind.” The Angel smiled at him.

“Look mate, we are just going to be very forward with you-”

“I highly doubt that.” Siren laughed. Maybe Theseus could deal with the villain if he laughed at his jokes.

“Theseus we would like to offer you a spot in the Syndicate.” Theseus waited for them to laugh it off, say it was a joke. BUt he knew that the villains wouldn’t joke about this, about anything. Theseus decided he had to be the one to laugh. Theseus smiled to himself once he saw Technoblade sigh, serves him right.

“You. Think.” He bursts out laughing. “You think that I would join you? Ha. So hilarious man.”

“We aren’t lying, we want you to work for us.”

“You think that I would join you? The evil psychotic villains who kill and fight with heroes? No fucking way. You act like you are helping the community when all you do is lie and make people's lives living hell. I will never, ever join you willingly.”

“Don’t push us Theseus, we would hate to make you do something unwillingly.” Theseus’ breath hitched in his throat.

“What?”

“Oh please, don’t scare the child Blade. We want you to join us willingly, as then you will trust us a lot more but Theseus we are doing this to protect you.” Siren sounded like he actually cared , his brain told him. Theseus quickly pushed the thought away.

“Protect me? Protect me from what? Dream? The heroes?”

“Well yes, but we actually mean Schlatt.”

“Schlatt?” Theseus watched The Angel open his mouth to say more but stopped him. “Don’t answer that. Look I don’t care what you say I am not joining you today or tomorrow or when you ask for the 20th time. So, Fuck off.” Theseus then jumped down into the alley, running away from the villains.

“I’ve got this.” Theseus heard Siren tell the others. A soft thud followed his words. Shit.

Theseus knew that Siren would catch up to him eventually, so he had to loose him quickly. He had the upper hand as he was familiar with the city and he was betting on Siren not knowing his way around. Theseus turned round a corner and soon he was in front of Niki’s cafe. 

Theseus hadn’t planned on passing the cafe but his brain had other plans. He heard Siren pause behind him.

“You are not going in there, you little shit.” Theseus felt a hand yank him backwards and then he did the worse thing he could do, he followed his instincts. 

Theseus ran into the cafe, well he broke the window of the cafe. He knew that the store would be empty as Niki would have closed it an hour earlier. He heard Siren yelling behind him. Theseus jumped of the counter and ran into the kitchen. 

“Oh dear Prime, did I really just break into the place I work at? Oh shit. Oh fucking hell.” Theseus whisper yellled to himself, happy that Siren couldn’t hear him.

“Get out of there Theseus, I am not going to hurt you.” Theseus quickly opened the back door and ran out into the back alleyway. Theseus ran in a random direction, not caring where he was going. 

Theseus knew that Siren was following him. Theseus also knew that Siren wasn’t running as fast as he could, he was saving his energy.

“ STOP .” Theseus’ brain told him to stop, to obey the very scary man, but obviously he wasn’t going to listen to his brain. It wasn’t until Theseus realised that Siren wasn’t chasing him anymore did Theseus realise what he had done. 

“Oh fuck.” Theseus turned to look at Siren, whose mouth was hanging open. “Uhh hi?”

“How did you do that?” Siren snapped at him, rushing forward and grabbing his chin. “What did you do?”

“I didn’t do shit. Your stupid power is just broken.” Siren gasped.

“My power is not broken. It just doesn’t affect you… but that only happens to Phil and Tech-” Siren cut himself off. “Nevermind.”

“Oh don’t stop, why don’t you continue and tell me more about the villain’s identities and secrets with you power.” Theseus smiled.

“ Shut up .” 

“That doesn’t work, bigman. We know this already.” Wilbur released him from his grip and covered his ears.

“ Shut up, shut up, shut up .”

“No can do, this is to much fun.”

“ Be quiet, Theseus. ” Theseus was glad that didn’t work.

“So now you are trying to ruin my freedom of speech, that is very rude.”

“If you don’t shut up I will not hesitate to kill you .”

“But Siren, we were bonding over how useless your power is.” Theseus mocked Siren’s whiny voice from earlier. He knew he was definitely testing the boundaries but couldn’t bring himself to care. If Siren kills him he won’t have to deal with Tubbo. 

“My powers are not useless!” Siren crossed his arms and stamped his foot. Theseus raise his eyebrow at the villain.

“Whatever.” Theseus turned and walked away from Siren.

“Wait! Theseus.” He didn’t turn around to face the villain, he kept walking. “You should consider our offer.”

“I am not going to work for you, dickhead.” Siren laughed.

“I bet you will.”

“No, I won’t.” Theseus turned to face the villain. “Now leave me the fuck alone.”

“No!” Siren said way to cheerfully for Theseus’ liking. “Let me come with you.”

“To patrol?”

“Yeah. Come on, Theseus.”

“Why?”

“Why why?”

“What do you want?”

“I just want to see how you work.”

“How I work? That sounds like bullshit.”

“It probably is but you don’t know that.”

“Fine, but don’t annoy me.”

“I think you are the annoying one.” Theseus walked away from the villain, if he was lucky Siren would get bored and leave him alone after a while. “Where are we going?”

“Up to the top of the buildings, you can get a better view of the city that way.” Theseus jumped onto the fire escape on the side of some random building and started to climb, Siren close behind him.

“Is that what you normally do? Look for crime?”

“No.”  Theseus was hoping Siren would get the hint and stop talking about it but of course the villain couldn’t read social cues.

“Well why aren’t you doing what you normally do? Is it me?”

“I wish it was.” Theseus grumbled.

“Oh?” Theseus sighed, he shouldn’t be telling Siren this.

“I got in a fight with my friend who helps me.” He said quietly.

“I’m sorry.” Siren actually sounded sincere. Theseus shrugged.

“It doesn’t matter.” Theseus pulled himself up onto the room of the building and looked around. He spotted what looked like a decent robbery and decided to point it out to the villain. “Over there, that is where we go.” Siren nodded.

“How do we get there?”

“I don’t know about you, but I plan on flying.” Theseus ran over to the edge of the roof and projected his powers forward, pushing himself onto the next building. He looked back and saw Siren frozen in place. “You coming?”

“How the fuck did you just do that?”

“Magic.” Siren glared at him and jumped onto the next building. “That’s a boring way to do that.”

“Shut up.”

“Nope.” Siren sighed. Thesues ran over to the next building, Siren following him. Soon they made it to the scene of the crime, there were several robbers trying and failing to rob a supermarket. “Are you going to fight them? Or just watch me do it?”

“I think you need all the help you can get.” Theseus didn’t bother answering him and instead ran into the store. Siren sighed, he wasn’t planning on fighting crime today.

“Look who it is.” One of the robbers shouted at Theseus when he entered the store. “The big bad Theseus.” Siren walked in behind him.

“Oh shit.” The robbers scattered quickly.

“That is so unfair. I am way more scary than Siren!” Theseus shouted at them. Siren laughed.

“You really aren’t Theseus.” 

“Shut up.”

“What is going on?” One of the civilians mumbled and Siren almost laughed once he heard it. It must be an odd sight for the public, a vigilante known as the hero's close friend talking with a villain as if he was a normal person. 

“You deal with the robbers, I’ll get the civilians out.” Theseus told Siren and he couldn’t be more grateful. Civilians don’t always like him, some do and some don’t. Siren went around the back and found the very bad criminals hiding together.

“You suck at this.” Siren told the robbers and they didn’t even disagree with him. Theseus came into the room and that is when the criminals decided to fight back. One of them threw a knife at Theseus, while several others ran over to him and tried to break Siren’s legs. Siren easily fought them off, he watched as they tried once again to fight him.

“Are you even trying?” Theseus yelled at the criminals trying to fight him. Theseus had most of the robbers tied up in red strings and Siren couldn’t help but be impressed. Siren watched as Theseus’ magic grabbed the bandits attacking him and tied them up. “That should hold them until the police come.” Siren nodded, following the vigilante out of the building.

“How did you do that?”

“Do what? Tie them up?” Siren nodded again. “It was basically all my powers, they kind do what they think best suits the situation.”

“What are your powers again?” 

“I don’t really know, they are just red magic shit.” Siren laughed. “What are your powers, Siren?”

“Well I have my voice, obviously.” Theseus nodded.

“Obviously.”

“I also have like little enhancements to my other skills.”

“Really? That sounds so cool dude. Are you stronger and faster and shit?”

“It depends on the situation, Theseus.” Siren paused. “Theseus is so long, do I have to call you that all the time?”

“It's my name, bigman.”

“Whatever, I’m giving you a nickname. What do the heroes call you?” Theseus sighed before mumbling.

“Thes.”

“Oh that sucks. I think something like Theo would work better. I’m going to call you Theo now.”

“Of course you are. Can you finish talking about your powers, Siren.”

“I sure can, Theo. So if I am in a situation where I need extra strength or I need to be quicker I normally gain those skills.”

“Normally?”

“Sometimes I don’t get anything or I get the wrong thing.”

“That sounds like it sucks.”

“I would agree with you but the power has saved my life and countless others before.”

“I thought you killed people for a living, why would you care about saving people?” Theseus looked to the ground, not wanting to hear the answer.

“Theo, look at me.” Theseus looked up. “I have never killed someone who didn’t either deserve it or tried to kill me first. The Syndicate aren’t as bad as you think they are.” 

“That doesn’t make any sense. You guys are killers! That is what Dream told me.” Theseus yelled.

“Oh Theseus, Dream is a lair.” Theseus couldn’t deal with this.

“Aaarrrggg!” 

“Is that not what you wanted to hear?”

“Fuck you.”

“Theseus-”

“No, no. Go away.”

“I’m sorry I said that Theo, I just-”

“Leave me alone, Siren. Just get the hell away from me.” Siren sighed and reluctantly walked away from the vigilante.

“I’m sorry, Theo. I will see you again soon.” Theseus heard the villain turn away and soon he was alone once again. Theseus decided to head back to his apartment, there was no need for him to piss someone else off. Theseus crept into the apartment as quietly as he could. There was no signs of anyone being home-

“Tommy.” Theseus turned around quickly and saw Ranboo watching him. He pulled off his mask and waved awkwardly.

“Hi Ranboo. Nice weather we are having, right?”

“Do you realise how dumb it is to patrol while you are mad?”

“I’m not mad.”

“Oh, so you yelled at Tubbo because you were happy?”

“He started the yelling. I was minding my own fucking buisness when he decided to be a prick and just-” Someone put a hand over Tommy’s mouth, silencing him. Tommy struggled against the hand.

“Hi there Red. Don’t even think about biting my hand.” Tommy relaxed once he realised it was only Purpled behind him. “You were shouting and nearly woke up Tubbo. We really don’t want to wake him up.” How dare they be thinking about Tubbo over him, he was just as important as him. 

“Tommy we care about you too and what Tubbo said wasn’t right but he is the first priority right now.” Ranboo tried to sound soothing but it only made Tommy more mad. Tommy started struggling against Purpled’s hand more.

“That isn’t what he meant, Red.” Purpled sighed, holding Tommy closer to him. “He only yelled because he was stressed. And before you say how that is bullshit just think about how you were when you had an assignment due. Tubbo didn’t mean any of it, Red.”

“This isn’t helping him, Purpled.”

“I know. Look Tommy, just sleep it off.” Ranboo gasped.

“You can’t just say that to him.” Ranboo almost shouted.

“Yeah, I can. Sleep it off Red, it won’t be here in the morning.” Purpled removed his hand.

“Promise?” Tommy asked quietly.

“I promise.” Tommy nodded and walked to his room leaving the two slightly more stable roommates together.

Tommy knew that Tubbo wouldn't forget the fight, so he didn't either. Tommy changed into some lighter clothes and tried to sleep, wanting to leave the whole day behind him but he couldn't. He needed some sort of plan, deal with Siren, then Tubbo... and maybe Niki. He did kinda just break into her cafe. She doesn't know that though, his brain reminded him. Somehow Tommy doubted that, Niki knew everything. Okay so deal with Niki, then Siren and finally Tubbo.

Maybe pushing his friend to last on his list wasn't smart but Tommy had no one to run his plan by so it would have to work. Don't fuck this up, Tommy. And he really hoped he wouldn't, he didn't need to end his holidays by creating a war, with himself and Tubbo or the villains, neither sounded good. No wars, we can't handle a war and school work. And if that wasn't the most true thing Tommy had ever thought.

Chapter Text

Tommy was bored out of his mind. The cafe wasn’t empty per say it was just missing its character. Niki had told Tommy that some fight had happened and the cafe ended up in the middle of it.

Tommy wondered if she knew that it was his fault. When Niki had first told him she looked like she was expecting him to confess, and he almost did. Tommy couldn’t stop the ‘I’m sorry’ from escaping his mouth and it seemed to please her. 

Now obviously he didn’t think she actually knew his identity or the fact that it was all his fault, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that she knew more than she was telling him.

The door had gotten fixed before Tommy’s shift, which meant that he still had to work, yay for him. The news had spread that the cafe had been in the middle of a fight and unsurprisingly not many people wanted to eat there, except for Ranboo and probably Wilbur.

Ranboo had followed Tommy to the cafe and was trying his best to get Tommy to listen to him. Tommy wasn’t trying to ignore the tall hybrid, he just didn’t want to talk about the other night.

Tubbo hadn’t made any move to apologise to him, which was fair, everything Tubbo said was right. Tommy knew that they were going to push past the fight and pretend that nothing happened, that was what they always did. 

Tommy just wished that one day it would change, that one day they would stop keeping secrets from each other. Maybe one day he would learn of what Tubbo did during his free time. One day he would tell them how he feels. One day he would have Tubbo apologise for everything he has said. Maybe one day he would get to feel loved by his friends. 

“Tommy.” Ranboo tried for the fifth time. Tommy pretended to not hear him, instead focusing on refilling the coffee machine. 

He wasn’t really mad at Ranboo, he just had other things to focus on. One of the things being what the hell Ranboo’s job was. 

Tommy had a pretty good idea of what the older man did for his work, he just wanted to be sure. Tommy knew that it had to be something illegal for Ranboo to be so secretive about it, no one could have a job that they did all day and then not talk about it if it wasn’t slightly against the law.

While Ranboo kept quiet about his definitely illegal job, he wasn’t quiet about his hybrid genes and powers. Ranboo was one of the most rare hybrid types, an enderman. His powers involved him having the ability to teleport and partially control someone’s mind.

I wasn’t really controlling their mind, Ranboo would always tell him, I was just making their mind think that there was something more important to be focusing on. Ranboo also had to be maintaining eye contact while controlling them, some enderman thing.

 Now, obviously being a hybrid isn’t uncommon but being one with powers that may or may not come from your hybrid gene is almost unheard of. 

Only a few people are known for having powers like that. Those people being Siren, Ranboo and Lethe. Tommy didn’t know much about Lethe, other than the fact that he is probably an enderman hybrid with powers almost identical to Ranboo’s.

Tommy didn’t want to be that person who jumped to conclusions but… Ranboo had to be Lethe, it was the only thing that could make sense! The powers and the definitely illegal job, all point to him being some type of villain and Tommy didn’t think that Ranboo could be Siren.

It had been almost two months since Tommy had figured out Ranboo’s identity and he still didn’t know how to tell him. Now that Tommy knew it was so obvious, every lie Ranboo told, every time Theseusinteracted with Lethe (which was twice). 

It was safe to say Ranboo sucked at lying. But Tommy never called him out, he was waiting for Ranboo to tell him. 

“Tommy, could you just listen to me for a fucking second.” Ranboo grabbed Tommy’s arm as the younger walked past. Tommy knew it had to be bad if Ranboo was swearing. He paused and turned to look the other in the eye. Ranboo sighed of what seemed like relief. “Look Tommy, Tubbo is just too stubborn to apologise to you and Purpled is being himself but I still want to talk to you.” 

“Then talk.” Ranboo’s eyes widened in surprise, it was fair, Tommy noted, normally it takes longer for himself to actually speak after something happens with one of the roommates. 

“Tommy I swear I am so sorry, and Tubbo is too even though he won’t say it. He didn’t mean any of those things and we weren’t siding with him I promise.” Ranboo gripped Tommy’s arm tighter. “I love you Tommy and we both know that you know that.” Tommy nodded, not wanting to speak. 

Ranboo smiled and pulled Tommy into a hug, deciding that his silence was Tommy’s way of giving forgiveness. You forgive way to easily, his brain told him.

“I have to head to work now, but I’ll see you when you get home, okay?” Tommy nodded again. Ranboo walked towards the door. The small bell above the door chimed as Wilbur entered the cafe. 

Wilbur looked shocked at Ranboo’s presence but he quickly recovered as he locked eyes with the enderman hybrid. Ranboo quickly rushed out of the cafe, not sparing Tommy a glance. 

Wilbur walked over to Tommy, smiling. He dramatically threw himself into one of the chairs infront of the younger. Wilbur looked up at Tommy and sighed.

“What the fuck is wrong with you, dickhead?” Tommy slightly yelled over his shoulder, turning around to focus on making Wilbur’s over complicated coffee order.

“Oh so many things, child. So many things that you could never understand.”

“If you don’t want to talk about it, then don’t. I don’t care-“

“No no. Hush child.”

“Not a child.”

“I’m just thinking about the fact that I talked to Dream last night.” Tommy froze, why was Wilbur talking to a hero? What does it have to do with him? Tommy kept facing towards the coffee machine, not trusting his facial expressions.

“Were you now?” Tommy’s voice shook as he spoke.

“Yes I was, and you see that hero had some interesting things to say.” What did Wilbur know? What had Dream told him? 

“What about?” Tommy tried to keep his voice calm and steady, he was very much failing.

“Oh you know.”

“Actually I don’t know, Wilbur.”

“It appears you do know, Tommy.” Tommy pretended to be confused and honestly he actually was, Wilbur couldn’t know. “See Dream had something very peculiar to say about you.” 

Tommy felt his heart stop. Did the hero sell him out to the villain's friend? Would Dream do that to him? What was Tommy thinking, of course Dream would do that to him, he is a hero after all.

“Really?” Tommy choked out. “That’s funny- cause I-I don’t think I’ve ever- uhh ever met him.”

“Oh? My bad then.” Wilbur told him so casually, acting as if he didn’t just scare the living shit out of Tommy. “Now this question is totally unrelated, so don’t worry.” Somehow Tommy doubted that. “Did you ever manifest, Tommy?”

And for the second time that night Tommy felt like the world was holding its breath, waiting for his answer. If Tommy told Wilbur that he manifested, he could tell his brother or his father and Tommy could end up killed. 

And even though it may not seem like it, Tommy did it enjoy living (sometimes). So it would be a shame for him to end up dead because he trusted a random stranger he met in a coffee shop.

“I did not… ever” Tommy mumbled quietly. He hated how weak it made him sound. It wasn’t uncommon for people to not manifest, but those without any types of abilities were harder to find. 

Tommy couldn’t imagine a life where he never manifested. It would have forced him to live his life differently. Tommy used his magic almost everyday. He used it to help him to simple chores and even just to play games. 

Wilbur looked shocked at Tommy’s words, his mouth opened and closed a couple of times before he finally settled on what to say.

“I-I am so sorry, Toms. I didn’t realise.” Tommy shrugged, pretending to not care. Which was funny because Tommy didn’t care. So technically he was pretending to pretend he didn’t care.

Tommy finally finished making Wilbur’s order and turned to hand it to the man, but a hand grabbing his wrist stopped him. 

“Tommy. I was just trying to figure something out, I didn’t mean to offend you. I know that talking about powers can be a touching subject for some people.” 

“Did you know…” Tommy said after a second, “that one of the villains broke into here last night. Niki told me about it.” Tommy felt Wilbur tense, and he smiled slightly. He definitely had hit a nerve. “I could have lost my job. I could have lost my main source of food. I could have lost Niki. I could have lost you for Prime’s sake.”

Wilbur looked heartbroken at his words. Good, Tommy thought, maybe Wilbur would tell his family to leave Theseus alone. Tommy knew that he was thinking of Siren. Tommy wondered if Wilbur knew Siren’s identity.

“Wilbur I don’t want to lose you-“ The older cut him off with a hug. 

“I know Tommy.” Wilbur whispered into his hair. “I know.”

Haha, Tommy was such a great actor. Now obviously Tommy didn’t really want to lose the older man but this was the best way to get him off of his back. 

“Do you know Wilbur? Have you ever had to encounter a villain?”

“I-“

“Do you know what it is like to live in constant fear? Knowing that you have little chance of making it to the next day?” Wilbur made no movements, he stared at his feet. “Cause I do.”

“Tommy I can’t control what you have been through!”

“So stop acting like you can then.”

“I’m trying to make sure you don’t have to go through that again.”

“What do you think ‘that’ is? Cause I don’t think-“

“Tommy. I’m protecting you from Dre-Clay! Don’t you want me to protect you?”

“I don’t need you, Wilbur.” 

“You may not need me but you want me.” Tommy started to shake his head. “Admit it.” Tommy kept shaking his head, pausing once Wilbur grabbed his chin. 

“I haven’t wanted something in a long time, Wil.” 

“Tommy-“

“I was never allowed to. You can’t just come in here and change everything I was taught.” Wilbur narrowed his eyes, but somehow Tommy knew it wasn’t directed at him. 

“I’m going to kill whoever raised you.”

“I don’t think you have the emotional capability to kill someone, Wilbur.” 

“I do and I will. Just give me a name.” Tommy sighed.

“I’m not going to do that.”

“Why not? Did you enjoy what happened to you as a child? If you did then I am not getting those vibes from you.”

“Did you just say vibes?”

“Tommy-“

“Holy shit you said vibes. You are such an Old Man.”

“I am not!”

“I’m Wilbur Watson and I say vibes unironically.” Tommy paused until he realised what he said. “Your name is Wilbur Watson? Wait. What is your middle name?”

“….Soot.” Tommy burst out laughing.

“Wilbur Soot Watson. You were super unlucky in the name compartment.”

“Can you just shut your mouth.”

“No.” Wilbur sighed. “What did you do to Phil to make him give you a name like that? Techno has a weird name as well, like you guys must of really pissed Phil off once you were born.”

“Techno’s name is weirder.” Wilbur pointed out.

“That is true, but at least his isn’t Wilbur Soot Watson.”

“What’s your name then?” Tommy stopped laughing. “Oh? So it isn’t funny when it’s about you? That's good to know.”

“My name is Tommy Danger Kraken Innit Beloved Underscore.” Tommy smiled at Wilbur’s gaping mouth. “You look like a fish, big man.”

“What? Hang on. Can you say that again but slower?”

“Tommy, or Thomas if you are old, Danger, because my middle name is danger, Kraken, like the fish or whatever, Innit, Beloved, Underscore.” 

Tommy walked over to the counter and started taking someone's order. Wilbur kept talking to him, ignoring the fact that Tommy was still working.

“Wait, so is your last name Underscore?” Tommy shook his head.

“Nope! It’s Innit Beloved Underscore.”

“Like, all 3?” Tommy nodded. “Wait, isn’t Beloved…?”

“Ranboo’s last name? Yeah it is.” Tommy smiled.

“Wait. And is Underscore?”

“Tubbo’s? Yup.”

“Okay but why are they in your name? Are you related to them?”

“No, it just kind of happened and-“

“Wilbur.” Wilbur turned around quickly at the sound of his name.

“Hey Techno.” Tommy looked up from the person whose order he was taking after Wilbur spoke.

“Techno!” The man laughed.

“Hi Tommy. Hello Wilbur.”

“What are you doing here, Tech?” Wilbur asked.

“There is an issue with the,” Techno gestured at the window of the cafe that was still slightly broken. They are talking about you, his brain told him. “Situation and Phil wants your help.”

What could Wilbur do to help them? What was Wilbur being asked to do?

“Ok, let me say goodbye to Tommy.” Wilbur turned to look at the younger. “Look Sunshine I am so sorry but I have to go now.”

“It’s fine, Wil. Have fun with whatever you are doing.” Wilbur nodded and turned to leave.

“Nice seeing you again, kid.” 

“Not a kid.”

“Whatever you say, Tommy.” 

Tommy watched the two of them leave. Tommy tried to ignore the pain in his heart. He went back to work and soon he was nearing the end of his shift.

Niki joined him a few minutes after Wilbur left. 

"I'm happy you got to meet Wilbur." Niki told him.

"I think I'm happy I did as well." 

And that was true, Tommy was very lucky to have met the older man. Maybe he regretted getting that close to Wilbur but that didn't mean he was going to stop being his friend. 

The rest of Tommy's shift went by quickly and as he was preparing to leave a familar face entered the cafe.

"Sapnap?" Tommy half yelled as he launched himself at the man.

"Hey, Thes." Sapnap whisper to him, making sure no one could hear. "Good to see you again, right?"

"Yeah totally, big man." Sapnap smiled and ruffled his hair. Tommy quickly ducked out of the way, he turned to glance at Niki. She was on the phone with someone.

"... another one... yeah... makes it 3... I know, Wilbur...no point... up to him... don't you dare." Tommy wondered who Niki was talking about, probably Jack or someone.

"Earth to Tommy, hello?"

"Sorry, Sap. I wasn't-"

"Listening?" Tommy nodded. "Yeah, you do that sometimes."

"I do?"

"Yup, drives Dream crazy."

"It does?"

"It makes him think that he said something wrong."

"But he never does anything wrong, Well..."

"I am so telling Clay you said that."

"Oh no, now I have to deal with a mad Clay, whatever will I do."

"I would recommend running, it normally works best for me."

"I doubt that would work for me."

"Isn't that what you have been doing your whole life? Running from the heroes?"

"Well yes, but-"

"Come hang out with us."

"That was a very random thing to say, Flame."

"So, what do ya say? Shall we go piss off some heroes?" Tommy laughed.

"Are you forgetting that you are a hero?"

"Totally. Lets head off."

"Okay, okay." Tommy turned to face Niki again. "I'm leaving now, Niki."

She pulled her phone away form her ear and smiled at him.

"See you later, Tommy." She called out to him. Sapnap put an arm around his shoulders, guiding him towards the door.

"Everyone is going to be so excited to see you." 

"I saw you guys like 3 days ago."

"Hush, Theseus." Sapnap pasued as he looked Tommy up and down. "Actually, can you become..." He made a gesture with his hands.

"Theseus?"

"Yeah..? Cause I think everyone was going to be doing some training and bascially being heroes."

"Sure! I will just have to kick your arse."

"You will not."

"I always do, Flame."

"That is so untrue." Tommy laughed and jumped up onto a rooftop. "Meet us at the theatre, Thes."

"Will do." Tommy saluted Sapnap as he ran. The hero's laughter followed him home and quickly Theseus was nearing the old theatre. 

He was excited to see his friends again, they hadn't talked in a bit and it was getting on his nerves.

Theseus knew that the heroes wouldn't be mad at him as they had no reason to be, but he couldn't help but worry. What if they no longer liked him. What if-

"Oi, Theseus. You gonna just stand there?" A slightly sharp object hit the back of Theseus' head. Theseus turned around to see Glitch staring at him.

Theseus glanced around for the weapon George used. His gaze landing on a book.

"Did you just throw a book at me?" Theseus crouched down and gasped once he saw what book it was. "You threw the book of Prime at me!"

"Oh yes it is such a big deal that I threw the Twitch TOS at you." Theseus fake gasped at him. Glitch laughed.

"Hey Theseus!" Theseus could help the big smiled that came over his face, it would be covered by his mask anyway.

"Big Q! Karl! How are ya?"

"Good good, Thes." Quackity told him, reaching out to ruffle his hair. Theseus squacked and ducked out of Quackity's reach.

"How 'bout you, Karl?" Karl waved his hands around. Theseus raised an eyebrow.

"Ignore him." Theseus jumped. George laughed. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you."

"Warn someone before you do that, Glitchy Bitch." Quackity burst out laughing.

"I- What?" George coughed out.

"He called you Glitchy Bitch, get fucked George."

"Shut it, Quackity."

"I don't think I will, in fact I shall do the opposite." Quackity proceeded to make fun of George for several minutes but Theseus started tuning it out after he talked about how Goerge was fucking Dream, he didn't really want to hear that. 

Instead Theseus focused on Karl. Theseus could tell something was wrong with the hero. Karl was normally always talking and being super kind. Theseus watched as Karl awkwardly looked at the ground, not meeting anyones eyes. There was something bothering his friend and Theseus was going to figure out what it was. 

The vigilnate walked silently over to where Karl stood. Karl glanced at Theseus and sighed. Theseus laughed.

"What is up with you, Karl?" The man shrugged, but Theseus noticed how he looked at the other heroes before speaking.

"Have you noticed anything weird recently?"

"Like what?"

"Like people acting different to themselves, like something is forcing them to be something they aren't. People being weird and off and not them. Friends or people you are close to being different, acting as if you are the worst thing to happen to them, ever."

"I-" Tubbo. "No, I don't think so." TUBBO. "Why?" TUBBO!

"Nothing, Thes. Everything is just fine." Karl started to walk away but Theseus stopped him. He quickly grabbed the heroes wrist.

"No, it isn't nothing. What the fuck is happening if you are asking me this?"

"You know... that night right?" Theseus felt his heart stop, was Karl actually about to talk about this, right now? "The night where, Schlatt and the old villains and the-the." Karl was breathing fast and Theseus quickly cut him off.

"I-I yeah I know."

"I think it is happening again, but worse-"

"No."

"-and I think he has a plan this time for what he wants to do and..." Theseus wasn't listening, was Schlatt really trying to use Karl's power again?

"Your joking right? This is some joke and you are going to say haha, its /j right?" Karl shook his head, and Theseus couldn't help but let a few tears fall. 

Tubbo, his brain whispered to him and Theseus paused. Tubbo. What would Schlatt want with Tubbo other than... Fuck.

"I'm sorry, Tommy-"

"You promised that it would never happen again!"

"I can't control Schlatt. You know that."

"How long?"

"What?"

"How long have you known he was trying to do it again?"

"Theseus-"

"How long Karl? Answer the fucking question."

"A week or so." Theseus stepped backwards after Karl answered his question. "I tried to stop him."

"I know you did. This is just so fucking stupid."

"It is." Karl agreed with him.

"How is it fair that he just gets to control your power? Control people?"

"Tommy, it isn't fair."

"Of course it isn't, it is bullshit. And it ruins lives."

"Your live was kind of already ruined when it happened, Thes." Theseus choked on air. "That was a joke. I'm joking." Karl said quickly.

"What are you two talking about?" Glitch called out to them.

"Women." Theseus yelled to the other two cheerfully.

"Yes, so many... Women." Karl called back.

"The most women ever." Karl made a noise of agreement, though it sounded more like a dying cat.

"If you say so." Quackity said, turning back to tell Geroge how he was such a bitch. "You spend all your time with your little boyfriend and not me! I think I should be your top priority, at all times-"

"So how fucked would you say we are, K?"

"If you haven't seen anything unusual recently we should be fine." Tell him about Tubbo, his brain told him. But what if Tubbo did just hate him? And he actually meant everything he said?

"Well I can't think of anytime recently that had me confused, bigman. Plus, who is Schlatt targeting this time? We have no proof that it will be the same people as last time."

"That's correct, Thes. But I don't see who esle it could be, unless someone pissed him off recently."

"So we are either fucked or..?"

"We could be fine."

"But we aren't, are we?"

"Yeah, I say its a 89% chance we are getting screwed over here."

"Oh for Prime's sake."

"Well there is no need for you to curse on Prime's holy name." Theseus turned around to see Sapnap watching him with crossed arms.

"Oh, hey Sapnap."

"Hey Thes, Hello Karl." Sapnap glanced behind him to see Karl who was trying to hide. "Don't worry, I didn't hear what is 'screwing you guys over' as Karl put it." Theseus let out a breath of relief at that.

"Hello everyone." Dream yelled as he ran past them. Everyone started yelling at once.

"Dream!"

"Where have you been, Dickhead?"

"Where are you going?"

"Hey Dreamy Poo."

The last one came from Sapnap.

Dream turned around to glance at them.

"Well are you guys coming?"

"That is a weird thing to ask a minor, Dream." Theseus yelled out to him.

"Oh shut it, Tommy." The use of his real name shocked Tommy slightly, but he quickly recovered.

"Where would we be going?" Quackity asked.

"Well I believe Sapnap told Theseus we would be training, so..." Dream trailed off after his teammates groaned at his words. "Hey blame Sapnap and not me."

"No! Do not blame this on me. I only told Thes that we were training because Dream forced me to tell him that."

"Whatever, lets go train." Dream said way to cheerfully for Theseus' liking.

******

Several small injuries later, the Feral Boys and the vigilante were finshing up their training.

"And then I punched him in the nose!"

"You did not punch me in the nose, Quackity. You tried to and then missed and hit me in my chest."

"Short!" Theseus yelled from his spot on the ground.

The heroes were currently telling stories from their days in the academy as they cooled down.

"I basically punched him in the nose."

"You say that like it has some sort of power."

"It does, Clay. No one else has ever even succeeded in punching you before." Sapnap said jokingly.

"Hey, I have so punched Dream before." Theseus claimed. 

"I think everyone here has punched me before, Sap." Sapnap started to disagree but Dream spoke up again. "You punch me a lot."

"I would like to state that I have never punched Dream." Karl called out. "On purpose." He muttered under his breath. All of the Feral Boys started laughing.

"What?" Theseus asked, feeling very concerned.

"So you know how we all were roommates right?" George asked him, continuing after Theseus nodded. "Every room is based on skill level. But that skill isn't like power skill, it's actually fighting ability. Now Dream and Sapnap were the most similar fighters so they got paired together at first, and were later followed by me and the Quackity. But for a while The Academy were trying to find someone with a higher fighting level then average to join our group. 'A room shall have 5 members' was what we were always told."

"Anway," Dream said, taking over the storytelling as George was getting off track. "They looked for ages but eventually found Karl. Obviously Karl had a special power that didn't fall under any of the power classes so they focused on his fighting ability instead. After making him fight against some of the highest fighters then deemened him the right level of ability to join us."

"When they first took me into the part of the academy I would be staying at, I still thought that it was part of the training. So when they knocked and entered the apartment and Dream scared the living shit out of me I punched him, staight in the jaw."

"It hurt like a bitch as well." Dream grumbled.

"You deserved it." Karl said smiling softly.

"Okay but why is that so funny?" Theseus spoke, feeling like he was missing something important.

"Well Sapnap watched me punch Clay and in all his 14 year old glory shouted, 'Oh Prime, you must marry me good sir'. It was very funny." Theseus laughed slightly at that.

"You asked someone to marry you because they hit your best friend?"

"Yup he did, and I obviously then threatened to punch him as well and he started drooling."

"I so did not, Karl."

"You so did, Sapnap."

"Did you forgive him?" Theseus asked Clay.

"Yup, I told him he had good form."

"Because I had amazing form."

"You really did."

"You guys are so boring, I mean you get punched and then you just forgive the guy-" A gun shot made Theseus stop talking.

"Shit." Another few gunshots followed.

"Stay here, Theseus."

"But I can help you guys."

"I'm sorry, Thes. Just lay low for a bit. It is probably nothing."

"Then let me come."

"No."

"Dream-"

"No means no, sorry Theseus." The heroes rushed off to deal with the fight and left Theseus feeling very sorry for himself.

Theseus did listen to their advice to try and stay out of trouble for a bit. He made sure he was careful but he couldn't help but feel like he was being watched.

After walking for a few block he came to a conclusion, someone or something was following him and he didn't know why.

There was probably several explainations for why someone was chasing after a vigilnate but none of them would be good.

"So, you gonna reveal thy self or shall I do it."

"You used thy wrong, Theseus." Oh shit, it was Blade. Tommy was so fucked, yay.

"Does it matter? Thy or not, you shall state while thy is following me." Theseus stalled as he grabbed his dagger out from its pocket.

"Are you even trying to use it correctly?"

"Nope." Theseus turned and pointed the dagger at the Blade throat. "Now, what the fuck do you want?"

"I'm just here to offer-"

"Nope, nope no no no. Not again. Fuck off." Theseus pointed down a random street. "Goodbye."

"Look Theseus-"

"No no no, you and your stupid offer may leave, and never come back. Fuck you, fuck the Syndicate." 

"You don't know what you are denying."

"Please don't explain it to me. I don't need to hear it. In fact I don't need the Syndicate, I don't at all."

"You don't need the Syndicate?" The Blade laugh sounded like a serial killer's and honeslty that was fitting for the man. "Theseus, I could beat you in a fight right now, I'd probably break all of your bones, kid."

"Not a kid, dick."

******

This kid was going to be the death of Technoblade.

"That is what you are choosing to argue against? Of course you are." Techno shook his head in disbelief. "Okay kid, if you don't believe me then how about I prove it."

"What?" Theseus said quietly.

"WHAT?" Wilbur's yelled echoed in his ear piece. "You aren't about to do what I think you are, right?" When Techno didn't reply his brother shrieked. "Techno, don't you dare fight him."

"You're going to fight me?" The poor kid sounded slightly terrified but Techno had no time to think about that. "Bring it, Bitch."

"You are swearing at me seconds before you die. Is that really how you want to die, kid?"

"Honestly, yeah. Gotta die as myself right. No other way." That sounded way to mature for a kid to be saying and Techno almost stopped in his tracks, was this kid actually going to die at Techno's hands? No. But would Techno pretend he was about to? Yes.

"Technoblade! You are not about to kill this vigilnate. We all agreed-"

"To hell with what we agreed on, Wil." Techno muttered under his breath, making sure Theseus couldn't hear him before continuing. "Relax, Wilbur. I'm not about to kill him, maybe some slight scarring at worst."

"Techno..."

"He'll be fine." Techno raised his voice after yelling at his brother, looking at Theseus before speaking to him. "So ya ready, kid?"

"I am not a kid, prick." Theseus ran at him. 

Techno didn't say this usually but he was impressed with the kid's fighting. Theseus made sure to always watch his back, while maintaining good composer in the front. He had exellent form and in a different scenario where they were just sparring for fun, Techno would of been praising him and giving him limited corrects.

Now obviously Techno would pefer to think that the kid was just a natural fighter, but no one was this good with some sort of training. So this kid probably had some trauma, unless he was training under Dream but Techno couldn't see his childhood best friend taking on an apprentice.

The kid relied more on his actually fighting then his powers but everytime he would fall behind and get in an unwanted position he would use his powers to save himself. It was a smart move and it impressed Technoblade more then he would ever admit.

After fighting the kid for a bit Techno noticed his weakness, he was always waiting for the next punch. Not paying attention to anything else other then guarding himself and getting hits. 

Techno easily over powered the kid after noticing his flaw.

After the kid was trapped in Techno's grip he spoke.

"You have great form, kid. But you have a noticable weakness."

"Fuck you." The kid hissed, fighting to his dying breath, Techno noted.

"Now kid is that the kind of behaviour you think the Syndictae will tolerate?"

"Don't care."

"You will care though, one day." Techno couldn't help but punch the kid once, to show him whose in charge. He wasn't expecting the kid to get a nose bleed.

Blood for the Blood God

Kill him

We want blood

Finish him

Bye bye Theseus

Don't do it

Kill him

I want blood

Destroy him

Don't do it Blade

Blood

Blood

L

Give us blood

Blood for the Blood God

End him

Blood

L

Once the voices were in his head they wouldn't leave until they got what they wanted. Techno recalls nothing after the first punch or the third or the seventeenth. The first thing he remembers after he finsihed destroying the child is the voices feeling satisfied and his brother screaming at him to get off the kid.

"TECHNO! Listen to me, this isn't you. Don't kill him, please."

Techno realised what he had done quickly. He glanced down and saw Theseus' unconsious body.

"Fuck."

"Are you there? Techno?"

"I am, fuck Wil. Is he even breathing?"

"I don't know Tech but you have to go."

"What?"

"The other vigilnate, the one who is named after a fucking colour or something is headed your way. Come meet me here." Techno didn't have to be told twice and he was quickly heading over to Wilbur's hiding spot. 

"Hey Wil-"

"Shhhh. The other one is there now." Techno quickly turned to look at the scene infornt of him, watching as the new vigilnate gapsed in horror at his friends body.

"No Red, stay with me please. Don't be dead, don't be dead." There was silence for a few seconds while he checked his pulse. "Okay, okay. You aren't dead. I can work with that. Please don't be dying either, Red. That would not be good."

"Why are they all named fucking colours." Wilbur half yelled the screen.

"What?"

"Did you not hear? The magenta one or whatever called him Red. Why can't then have normal names like Wilbur or Tommy or Phil-"

"First of all you need to stop naming everyone you care about and second of all Wilbur is not normal. At all."

"It could be."

"It isn't."

"You say that like Technoblade is a normal name."

"I never claimed it was."

"Good, cause it isn't."

"I know, Wil."

"Okay, lets get you back." They were cut off by the vigilnate talking again. "I'm sure the married couple will be delighted to see you like this. Ranboo will probably have a heart attack." The twins glanced at eachother.

"Ranboo..."

"Oh for fucks sake, Techno!"

"How will we convince Ranboo to not quit after this?"

"Ranboo won't quit... right?"

"We cannot loose Lethe, Wilbur."

"I know that. How can we stop him from finding out this was us? I mean we could like blame the heroes or-"

"Ranboo isn’t stupid."

"I wasn't saying he was."

"I mean, he will not fall for that, Wilbur."

"He might."

"He won't."

"This is going to go down so well with, Tubbo." Purpled started talking again. "I mean he was freaking out once he realised what he said to you yesterday. He almost started crying when Ranboo told him you were at work and he couldn't go see you. He is acting as if he doesn't even remeber it, Red. I think it was bad whatever happened at his school that day." Tubbo's name made both of the villains pause.

"And Tubbo as well. We can't loose our hacker and one of our coworkers on the same night!"

"We will figure it out, Techie. Well Phil will."

"Dad is going to be pissed."

"Well of course he is. You almost killed one of our potential allies."

"He seems fine!" Wilbur glanced back and the screen and noticed that the two vigilnates were gone.

"At least he is getting some type of medical attention now. Hopefully."

"Lets go back to the house, there is no need to stay here any more."

"You know that Dad isn't going to be too mad with you, right? It wasn't your fault. It was the voices."

"I know, Wil. I just can't help but think I screwed up."

"Oh you screwed up, but that doesn't matter ." Wilbur glanced at his phone and smiled at the message that waited him. "Bolt and Destiny had fun with their little adventure downtown, apparently 'distracting the heroes was a blast'."

"Did they stuff up and almost kill the vigilnate they are meant to recruit."

"I don't think so. Let me check."

"Wilbur-"

"No, I don't think they did, sorry Tech."

"Darn it."

"Don't worry about it Tech. Maybe this was the push he needed and now he will be willing to join us.

He was not. Not one bit.

Chapter Text

Hands clasp around his neck, locking him into place. Punch after punch hits him in the face. His powers refusing to respond.

He could fight back, if he tried. But he doesn't. He lets it happen. 

Where had it all gone wrong? Why had he decided to challenge him?

Punch. Make it stop, his brain begs. Another punch. Why didn't he listen to the heroes? Punch. Will this ever end?

There is no telling if it ever will. He vaguely remembers that he has a panic button, in case shit like this happens. But he can't remember where it is.

His mind slowly creates a plan. Find the button, then alert Purpled, then pass out. But DO NOT DIE. 

He wanted it to be time for the last step now. Passing out would be a blessing.

He couldn't die, he was to good to simply die.

The punches are coming quicker now, not much of a break between them.

He needs to work quickly, he needs Purpled. Now.

His hands are trapped under him, so he prays to whatever god would listen that the button is somewhere behind him.

The sudden movement he creates by trying to move his hands sends a new wave of pain through his body, he keep pushing.

A small lump on his gloves, he presses it and hopes it work. 

He hears someone speaking in his ear.

"Theseus? Was that an accident?" Tubbo! He was talking to him again, thats nice. "Tommy? I need an answer please." His friends voice sounded more panicked now, he wondered why.

"Did you get an  answer, Tubs?" A new voice that sounded further away spoke.

"No I-I didn't. Ranboo you try, maybe he is still mad at me."

"Hey, Theseus. We kind of need you to tell us what happened. Are you okay." Silly Ranboo, he obviously couldn't reply while he was getting punched over and over. "He isn't answering me either."

"PURPLED." Tubbo seemed mad, or scared. "TOMMY NEEDS HELP." That isn't true, he is fine, right? Another punch hits him.

He hears muffled yelling and soon Tubbo is speaking into his ears again.

"Okay, we are tracking your location, try your best to stay away, Toms." There is more muffled speaking. "Well I hope your awake, oh god, what if he's dead?" Tubbo makes a wounded sound, he wants to comfort his friend. "What if his last memory of me is when I yelled at him?"

"It won't be, Tommy isn't dying. He probably accidently clicked the button. He will be-"

"Don't say he'll be fine, if he is actually fine he would be speaking right now."

"Tubbo. Listen closely." The only sound he can hear now is the punches. "He's breathing, he's fine."

He hears Tubbo exhale through the mic.

"Purpled's on his way, Chickadee."

They fall silent in his ears. He is finding it harder to breath, he needs to ground himself somehow.

He waits for the next punch, and the punch after that.

The next punch is near, he knows this. But there is no next punch, only a singular word.

"Fuck." Followed by his worst nightmare. "Wil."

Just pass out, he tells his body. Don't make me listen to this.

There is a hand feeling his pulse, it is gentle.

The hand is removed once it realises that he is breathing.

He feels the warmth from the person's body leave his side and it soon replaced by someone else.

"No Red, stay with me please. Don't be dead, don't be dead." Another hand touches his wrist. "Okay, okay. You aren't dead. I can work with that. Please don't be dying either, Red. That would not be good."

He knows that voice.

"Okay, lets get you back."  His friend half whispers to him. "I'm sure the married couple will be delighted to see you like this. Ranboo will probably have a heart attack."

Thats all Tommy remembers from that night, he cannot remember why The Blade Techno decided he wanted to murder him. 

He wishes he remembers more, that's all he wants. So maybe he wouldn't be so useless.

Maybe he realised your identity, his brain supplied, it would make sense for him to want to kill you after knowing that. Shut up, he told it.

Wilbur was there, he also know that. But Tommy can't recall why he didn't see the man. Tommy suspects that Wilbur wouldn't be able to stay hidden for long, or stay hidden from him.

He was probably on some sort of comms system with Techno, but it makes no sense why he would be the one helping the villain.

Wilbur wasn't a villain, Tommy knows that Wilbur could never be a villain. The older man probably didn't even manifest.

Stop lying to yourself.

Purpled left him an hour ago with simple instructions.

"Do not leave, or else I will kill you. I mean that!"

Tommy didn't doubt his friend for a second, but he just wanted to head to out and see the world, and also go to work. He wasn't going to work yet anyway.

He was walking around the streets of L'Manburg with no destination in mind. He just needed to get out of the apartment and think about his new bits of information.

It was shocking how much he had learned in the past day.

Tommy decided to start with the things he knew for certain, Schlatt was controlling people by using Karl's power, again. Karl had no way of stopping him. Schlatt ruined Tommy's life last time he tried to use Hypnos' power. Techno tried to kill him. Purpled saved him.

Purpled saves him alot. Tommy would probably be dead with Purpled.

It was always Purpled and Tommy against the world. Purpled and Tommy against the Backrooms. Purpled and Tommy against Schlatt, the first time. Then Ranboo and Tubbo came and things changed.

But it will always end up as purpled and him. He just hopes Tubbo and Ranboo stick around for a while. 

He turns to the stuff he thinks he knows. Schlatt was screwing with him, again. Tubbo was involved. He was going to have to talk to Tubbo. Karl's power will work easier on him. He was so fucked.

Now obviously Tommy wasn't ignoring the idea of talking to Tubbo, he was just pushing it to the side. Talking to Tubbo meant telling his friend that Schlatt was trying to kill him, again.

Tommy didn't know if Tubbo could take hearing the news that his father former boss was mind controlling him. Plus, Tommy didn't even know if his theory was correct.

Schlatt had put Tubbo through some shit. He used Tubbo's power against him, forcing him to work under his control. 

Tommy knows that Tubbo tried his best to block out his father's abuse, so mentioning to him that his father is mind controlling him might not be the best idea.

When he first met Tubbo he had just left the Backrooms. He was heading into the hero tower to try and contact someone about what the Backrooms did when he saw Schlatt yelling at Tubbo. He decided straight away that he was going to help the kid, no matter the cost.

After he gained Tubbo's trust he convinced him to leave his father.

While trying to leave the building, which was put on lock down after Tubbo went missing from his cage, they ran into a hysteric Ranboo. Tubbo and Tommy looked at each other and without a second thought they grabbed Ranboo and brought him out with them. Ranboo introduced himself after he calmed down, and soon Tubbo, Ranboo and Tommy were all heading back to his apartment. Purpled took one look at the kids Tommy brought home with him and he knew that they were never going to leave each other.

Now, years later they are still friends. 

Tommy knew that he should be delighted to know that Tubbo didn't actually hate him, but how could he be happy when his friend wasn't in control of his own mind.

He knows he has to tell Tubbo, but maybe he could just tell Tubbo later. Later as in after he has dealt with the problem.

Tommy glanced down at his phone and realised that work was a thing that he was meant to be doing.

He sighed and started to walk towards Niki's cafe.

******

Maybe showing up to work with a black eye and bruised neck was a bad idea, maybe it would inform Wilbur of his identity, but Tommy was done caring about that.

What was the worst Wilbur could do? Kill him?

Death would be a reward after everything he had been through. He would miss his friends, though. Prime, he would even miss Wilbur. 

Tommy had no idea that Wilbur would be happy to hear that Tommy was the vigilante he was befriending, Tommy didn't know that Wilbur was trying to find a way to tell him that he was a villain. Tommy wasn't aware that Wilbur was currently trying to convince his brother and father to let him tell Tommy everything.

"Sup Tommy boy."

"Hi Jack." Tommy watched Jack look at the bruises on his face before turning away, obviously disgusted by them him. "Niki working today?"

"Nope! And I'm leaving soon, you down to just chill here today?" Tommy nodded, wincing slightly after he touched his bruises. "Cool, now come help me frost some cupcakes."

"I'm not meant to-" Tommy wasn't allowed to frost cupcakes after he threw icing at Tubbo, it was only three times.

"It's fine, Tommy, no one will know."

"But Niki said-"

"What Niki doesn't know won't hurt her."

"I'm pretty sure Niki knows everything."

"So true, kid, so true."

"We are basically the same age, Manifold."

"I'm so much older then you."

"Are not."

"Whatever you say, kiddo."

"HEY!"

Working with Jack was always fun. Jack seemed to know that Tommy wouldn't want to talk about the marks on his face, and instead spend the rest of his own shift cheering the younger up.

"Lets ice the cupcakes so they all look like penises."

"Niki will kill you if you do that." Tommy said through his laughter.

******

"I gaurentee no one in the cafe right now has had sex in the past week." Jack said randomly as he walked past him.

"What?" Tommy burst out laughing.

******

"I've decided that I'm going to find the love of my life today."

"How, Jack? Enlighten me.'

"Well, I'm going to ask everyone in here on a date."

"Even the people who are on dates already?"

"Especially those people. They just need the brillaint Jack Manifold to ask them out, so they can see that there is no one better then me."

"That won't work."

"Oh it will, cause if they say no I'm going to threaten to kill them if they don't go with me."

"Jack?!" Jack laughed at Tommy's expression. "You can't be serious."

"Oh I am, watch this."

******

When it was time for Jack to leave, he told Tommy several times that if he wanted to he could close up early. But Tommy didn't. He kept working until the end of his shift.

The shift wasn't as slow as he assumed it would be. He had several people talk to him, probably out of pity.

Now normally Tommy hates getting any type of pity, but he does loves the extra tips his injuries got him.

And when Tommy finally made it back into his bed, a few minutes before anyone else came home, did he realise that he never saw Wilbur that day.

Tommy assumed the man was just busy, its not like Wilbur came into the cafe everyday (he did).

He is bored with you now that he knows you never manifested, his brain informs him. Tommy dismissed the thought quickly.

Wilbur said he didn't care about it, he wouldn't stop talking to him because he was powerless to him... right?

He knew he was being ridiculous, he would head to work tomorrow and Wilbur would be there.

Except when he headed to work the next day, even after Ranboo told him to stay inside, Wilbur wasn't there.

He's probably busy, he has other things to occupy his time with. It's only fair that they get done before he comes to see Tommy. 

Tommy had no idea what other things Wilbur was doing, but they weren't making it easier for Wilbur to see him.

After the third day with no sign of Wilbur did Tommy realise that he was right, Wilbur was done with him now that he knew that he never manifested.

He was better off without Wilbur, he knew that he was. But why did he miss him so much? 

Wilbur didn't want to see him, but Tommy wanted the man he saw as an older brother back.

You have others who do want to see you, his brain whispered, there are people who want you to join them.

Even though he should have, Tommy kept out hope that Wilbur would show up at Niki's one day.

Three days without seeing Wilbur became five, then seven, then ten, then thirteen.

He decided that his brain was right, people out there wanted him. 

Tommy had finally gotten his suit back from Purpled and was allowed to go on patrol. But Theseus wasn't just about to go on patrol, he was going to tell the heroes that he would join them. He was going to go sell his soul to Schlatt so that he wouldn't have to ever see Wilbur again.

If Wilbur told him to stay away from the heroes then he would do the opposite, he would join them.

Maybe it was a bad idea, but maybe it was him being super smart.

Theseus headed towards the tower, not paying much attention to the streets below him.

He jumped from rooftop to rooftop, wondering if this really was his best idea.

He knew that he would regret this later on, he would probably regret joining them the second he did it. But he was just so tired.

Tired of missing Wilbur, tired of not feeling cared for. Even though Purpled tried his hardest to make him feel loved it wasn't enough. It would never be enough. Your selfish, his brain whispers.

The heroes could be enough. Sure, they weren't Wilbur, or Phil and Techno but they cared for him. That should be all he needs.

"You spend a lot of your time doing that?" Theseus almost gasped once he heard the voice he knows so well. Is that really him? After he's been ignoring Tommy he comes to speak to him as a vigilante-

He turned around quickly and stopped his thoughts. 

It wasn't Wilbur, it was Siren.

Siren who was bend over the railing like it was the sturdiest thing in the world.

"You ignoring me, Theo?" Theseus vaguly remembered that he was asked a question.

"Doing what?" He asked, trying not to show his disapointment in his voice. Why did Siren sound so much like Wilbur? Could he be the villain? No, he can't be, right?

"Walking all angrily and thinking. You should know to never trust your thoughts after nine pm."

"I'm not angry."

"Never said you were, Theo, just said you were walking like you were." Siren leaned against one of the poles on the rooftop they were currently standing on. "But since you said that, I assume you are." The villain rasied an eyebrow and leaned forward onto his hands. "What's got you all angry, kid."

"I'm not a kid, and I'm not angry."

"He said, like a liar."

"You're more annoying when you aren't trying to kill me." Siren fake gasped. "Lets go back to that."

"You see, but I don't want to kill you."

"Well apparently that doesn't apply to all of the villains." Siren made a confused noise. "Oh? Did Blade not tell you? Well I mean I hoped I would get mentioned after he used me like a punching bag. Can you thank him for that, I never got the chance to after I passed out."

"That wasn't him."

"Oh so I'm blind? I'm not a bloody idiot, Siren."

"No, I mean that he had no control over himself when that happened."

"Ehhh?"

"He has these voices in his head, he calls them chat, and they can take over his mind, making him more powerful. But they also demand blood." Theseus laughed.

"That was the best lie you could come up with? He hears voices in his head? Good one, Siren."

"Its not a lie. You know what? I'll prove it to you." Theseus crossed his arms and looked at the villain. In the back of his mind he realised that he was out here for a reason, he was meant to be doing something. "The Blade hears voices, and he isn't crazy. That should work."

"You can't lie when you use your power."

"I know that."

"So he actually thinks he has these voices?"

"It is a side effect of his strength."

"What?"

"They are a part of his power."

"Of fucking course they are. Why can't he just have super strength, why does he have voices in his fucking head?"

"Calm down, Theo."

"How am I meant to calm down when you just told me the reason I got beaten up by one of the strongest super humans ever is because his 'chat' told him to?"

"I'm just stating facts, also he isn't exactly human."

"Well I don't need to hear these facts, and I don't care if he's a hybrid or if he's human. Just let me keep hating him." But Theseus didn't hate Techno, not at all. He didn't even hate the man after he punched him. With the added information that he couldn't even control it happening, he just wanted to hug the man instead.

"You don't hate him, do you?" One question, one simple question. Theseus shook his head. He turned his body away, so that he didn't have to look at villain as he spoke.

"I could never hate someone for something they can't control." A tear slipped out of his eye as he thought about the Backrooms. People he was friends with, trying to kill him because if they didn't they wouldn't live to see the next day. He had no choice when he slit his friends throats, them or himself. He wanted to pick them, he knew it was the right thing to do, but he was selfish. He wanted to live. Was that so wrong?

He heard shifting as the villain walked around to see his face. Once Siren saw the tears he cooed softly.

"Oh darling, what terrible things have you been through?" Theseus said nothing as the man crouched down so he was the same height as the vigilante. He stayed silent as Siren wiped away the few stray tears. "You shouldn't keep your feeling bottled up, Theo."

The villain reached forward slowly, making sure that Theseus knew what he was about to do to give him time to push him away. Theseus stayed still as Siren wrapped his arms around him. He heard Siren let out a breath after he slowly relaxed into the hug.

Siren's hug reminds him of his last time he saw Wilbur. Thirteen days ago he was happy, he had even seen Techno again. But now, he was breaking. Theseus thought he deserves some comfort, even if it is coming from a villain.

"We would protect you, you know. If you joined us we would kill whoever hurt you." Theseus smiled slightly at Siren. "Actually, I think I'm going to kill them anyway, you must of been young when they..." Siren stopped once he realised he had no clue what had happened to Theseus. 

The villain looked at Theseus expectantly and sighed once he shook his head. Siren wiped the remaining tears from Theseus' face before wrapping an arm around the shorter's shoulders.

"You can tell me, Theo. What have you been through? Who made you feel like you weren't't good enough?" Theseus rested his head on the villain's shoulder. This is wrong, his brain shouted at him, Don't trust him.

More silence came over them, Theseus' cries died out long ago. Siren gave up and broke the silence.

"Well if you aren't going to tell me then I'll just have to kill ever one you have ever talked to." Theseus let out a shocked laugh. "I know, very suprising, I can be funny."

"I wouldn't call that funny, bigman."

"Well I would, I would call it very funny." The villain looked over Theseus' body, making sure he was uninjuried. "One more question before you head off to do whatever mission in on your mind."

"Shoot."

"You wouldn't happen to know Lethe? Like personally?"

"You're asking about Ranboo." It wasn't a question, it was a statement. Siren nodded.

"I am."

"What do you want me to say then? You must know by now that I'm close with him, so just ask your fucking question."

"How do you know him?"

"I saved him." Theseus walked towards the edge of the roof, preparing to jump to the next building. A hand was placed on his shoulder.

"How?"

"That is for him to tell you, and only him." He jumped. The hand on his shoulder tried to grab him, but he was to fast and was onto the next rooftop in seconds. He heard Siren yell out a familar yell after him, and it was only after he had reached the next block did he realise why the shouting was bringing back memories.

"Come back, darling." Siren shouted at him.

"Come back, sunshine." Wilbur had told him one afternoon.

"I just want to know more about you, Theo." The villain said softly.

"I'm still learning stuff about you, Toms." Wilbur had whispered one night in the cafe.

"Forget what I said about Ranboo."

"You know Ranboo?"

"Theseus please, don't leave me here with no answers."

"Your answers are all bullshit, Tommy."

"Our offer still stands."

"The offer to come to dinner is still there."

"See you soon, Theo"

"Look Sunshine I am so sorry but I have to go now. I'll see you tomorrow yeah?"  The last words Wilbur had spoken to Tommy.

But why was Siren making him think of... Wilbur?

It couldn't be, right?

They did have the same mannerisms. Their accents were basically identical. Theseus had confused Siren for Wilbur minutes ago.

That made no sense.

But at the same time it was obvious

Could Wilbur be Siren?

No.

But it was the only answer that could work.

Family members who were also villains.

Helping Techno with the Theseus situation.

Wilbur is Siren.

Siren is Wilbur.

And he was a vigilnate that they both wanted dead.

"FUCK!" Theseus crashed onto his knees.

One of his closest friends is actually the villain in his story? This couldn't be happening. Wilbur couldn't be...?

But he was. And that meant one thing, Tommy was fucked.

"Wilbur is Siren." He said quietly. "Wilbur is Siren." He spoke to the floor. "WILBUR IS SIREN!" He shouted to the world.

He couldn't stay here, he has to go. But where to go?

He quickly stands up, ignoring the dizzy feeling in his head.

He steps onto the building's fire escape and walks down to the pavement, 

Where is he headed? The place he was meant to go anyway. The reason he put on Theseus' suit.

He slowed down his pace as he pasted civilians on the street. None of them spared him a glance. He just looked like some weird guy wearing a hoodie and a mask to them. Obviously they didn't keep up with the news.

He knew the path to The Tower well. He ducked through back alleyways and over rooftops. 

He could do this, he could be a picture perfect hero.

A part of him held back. Siren Wilbur offered you a family, a happy life. Why couldn't he just except the offer. He would get to be with Phil and Techno and-

He came out here to except Dream's offer, not the villains.

The tower came into his view and he smiled. This was it. Time for him to sign away all of his free will and choices, yay.

But he would become happy. He would have The Feral boys. He would make money (That was the only plus side he could think of). 

He was doing this, it would make everything better if he just did what he was mean to do, he would make others happy.

Theseus also had a plan to kill Schlatt and destroy the Hero League from the inside, but that would come later.

"You're going to do something you regret, Fallen One." Theseus definitely didn't loose his footing on the slippery rooftop he was standing on, shut up. He knew who was behind him, only one person called him that stupid name.

"Ahhh, shit!" He yelled slightly. "You motherfucker!" He screamed at the man. The Angel raised his hands in surrender.

"You really shouldn't go to the heroes, Theseus."

"Why would you fucking care? Just let me do this, please." Theseus didn't waste time question how the man knew what his plan was.

"Because The Syndicate still wants you on our side. You are a powerful being, we would benefit from your help."

"Well I'm not going to join you. I would pick the heroes over you everytime if I could." Theseus sighed, and mumbled under his breath, "Even if it means throwing away my freedom."

"Why become a hero then?" Well shit, of course Phil heard him, he was never a quiet whisperer. "What is in it for you if you do sell your soul away?"

"Money." The Angel laughed. "Lots and lots of money."

"The heroes don't make that much money, mate."

"Are you saying that you make more?"

"I'm saying that if you worked for us you would make triple of what the heroes make."

"Whatever."

"It isn't whatever actually. In fact it is important." Phil looked at the vigilnate and pinched his nose. "How about I make you an offer?"

"What would this offer be entailing?"

"You keep doing whatever it is you do as a vigilante, and we pay you for it."

"...no."

"Theseus-"

"That is basically the same as me working for you! You know, I don't understand why you care if I flush my beliefs down the drain to work for some mindless heroes. It doesn't even change anything for you."

"Oh but it does Theseus, you see convinving a vigilnate to work for us is much easier then a hero."

"I'm. Not. Joining. You. Ever."

"Oh but you might."

"Oh but I will not. Look Phil- Fuck." Theseus realised his slip up once the villain raised his eyebrow.

"So you know my identity?'

"No."

"I think you do, Fallen One."

"Stop calling me that."

"Give me your name."

"Fuck no."

"Then I will not stop." Theseus glared at Phil. "Do you kow the other's identities? I assume you do." Theseus started to shake his head. "Come on."

"Fine! Your Phil Watson. Blade is Technoblade Watson. Lethe is Ranboo Beloved." Now that Tommy had started talking he couldn't stop, he didn't realise he knew this many peoples identities. "Destiny is Niki Nihachu. And Siren is Wilbur Soot Watson."

"You know Wil's middle name?" Theseus ignored how that meant he was right about Wilbur and all the others.

"He is a very talkative guy." Phil laughed.

"He sure is." The villain paused for a second, obviously trying to figure out what to say next. "You missed out a name."

"Pardon?"

"You never told me the identity of Theseus."

"I'm not going to fall for that." He saw Phil smile. "Oh fuck you, you picked a dumb thing to call me."

"I gave you a named based off of your own one."

"Shut it."

"How much money do you make a month, Theseus?"

"Not much."

"A number answer would be nice."

"I don't know, a thousand at most." Normally less.

"What would you say if we offered to pay you two thousand eveytime you patrol?" 

"What the fuck?" Theseus' eyes widened. "That is a decent bit of money, are you insane? Cause like no offense but that's insane."

"Yes. Now this wouldn't technically count as working for us. Its more like a tip of some sorts, thanking you for patrolling."

"That's fucking crazy, Phil." He watched as he older man smiled at the use of his proper name.

"There is a couple catches though." Theseus mentally sighed, of course there was something.

"I figured as much. What are they?"

"You cannot join the heroes."

"Fair."

"You don't fight against any of The Syndicate members unless they attack you first."

"Also fair."

"You will only take the money if it is handed to you by Wil, Techno or me. No one else."

"That makes sense."

"If you have discovered some major crimes happening, you must tell us so we can help you or tell you to stay out of it."

"How about I don't do that and deal with it myself and you just never know about the things I do?"

"You tell us after you deal with it then."

"Fine."

"You can't push any of us away while you are out here. If we decide to stay with you while you are on patrol we are staying with you until you finish up or we decided to leave."

"Come on, man. Let me have some freedom."

"You have more freedom then you would as a hero."

"Touché."

"When the time comes for the big battle against the Hero League you either stay out of it or fight with us."

"That is total bullshit!"

"Come on Theseus, it is fair."

"No its not. I'm not saying yes to that."

"So you were planning on fighting with the heroes?"

"Well not exactly but-"

"Were you planing on fighting with anyone?" Theseus sighed and shook his head.

"I never even thought about when the time would happen. I kind of forgot that at some point you guys would have to loose to the heroes."

"We don't plan on loosing."

"Sure you don't but someone has to, and the heroes have numbers."

"So? We have brains and powers."

"Numbers always over powers skill. One guy with a powerful gift can't win against ten people all attacking him at once."

"Who taught you that?" 

"No one." Dream. 

"Well its bullshit. If the gifted person is smart enough, they can hold them off for long enough for back up to arrive or for the ten people to get too tired to fight."

"That is also kind of bullshit."

"Look Theseus, all I'm asking is that when that final battle happens you consider it, okay?"

"Fine, dickhead."

"Next rule, you'll actually listen to us and try to not piss us off all the time."

"Nope."

"Theseus, please."

"I will, sometimes."

"Is that the best I'm going to get?"

"Yup."

"Of course it is. You are to take this phone so you can tell us when you are patrolling." The villain pulled a metal rectangle out of his pocket. Phil should have just said 'take this tracking device so we can know where you are and what you are doing at all times', who does the villain think he is?

"No."

"Theseus, how do you expect us to pay you if you don't tell us when you patrol?"

"Well ok, but-"

"We won't use the phone to track you."