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Tommy loved the sea more than anything.
It was hard to describe why, but he'd always felt a connection to it. He took every chance he got to go to the beach just drenching himself in the waves that crashed into the shore. He'd find the prettiest seashells and, if he was lucky enough that the tides were low enough, he'd dive into the water and swim along with the fishes, smiling as they swirled around him.
He loved the ocean.
Sadly, not everyone thought the same as him.
He had seen the townsfolk of his city cry out words of rage at the sea, building large walls around it to try and prevent people from ever going inside. He watched everyone walk past the beautiful view of the sun setting on the shore, indifferent to the way it reflected on the water. They all had a vendetta against the sea, and Tommy didn't have a clue why.
And Tommy didn't really care either. It wasn't as though the people who lived there were nice to him. No, those people were and he could count them on one of his hands. They were also known for being shunned by the others for actually liking the ocean, for some stupid reason.
(Once, Tommy wanted to try and fight a guy who had gone into Niki's shop and refused to pay in full price for the baked goods he bought, mocking her as he left. The Baker told him not to though, they had agreed to this life a long while ago)
They were also the only thing that Tommy had, which he could call family. They had given him shelter, food and were always there to lend him a helping hand (even when he insisted that he didn't need it) He had Niki, Sam, Puffy, and Tubbo. He didn't need anyone else to give him company.
That was also why Tommy didn't have anyone to really try and stop him from going into the ocean whenever he wanted to and could. The only thing he really had to look out for was the guards and they were easy to escape and hide from (they were really bad at their jobs)
It was one of these times where Tommy was trailing on the shore of the beach, searching for any new seashells he could add to his collection, that he heard a crash unlike the usual crashing of waves.
He glanced over and didn't see anyone else on the shore with him. It would be surprising if that were the case. Tommy has never seen anyone go near the beach, and parents drive their children's curious eyes away from it. Nobody who wasn't busy cared enough about him to try and come all the way to the beach for this-
The same sound was made and it was from right behind him.
He jerked his head to turn behind him only to come face to face with the chest of a man. He stumbled back and looked up, terrified of whoever had come to drag him away from his favourite spot. Sapphire blue eyes met ruby red ones.
The man was tall, even compared to all the adults he had seen. He would other over them if they ever came face to face. He had long, pink hair that flowed down up until his waist, as though he had never cut it a single day of his life. He looked strong. And really fucking scary-
"...Hello," The stranger said, crossing his arms, "You shouldn't be here, should you?"
Tommy's face flushed red and he gave the other a glare, "Fuck off, bitch. You can't tell me what to do,"
The raises his hands in a placating manner, an amused smile barely gracing his lips, "I wasn't saying anything about you leaving,"
Tommy pauses, looking at the man with a stunned look, "Really?"
The man nodded, with a small chuckle, "In fact, I wanted to go into the water with me. I have something cool to show you,"
"Wha-" Tommy cut himself off, calming himself down a bit before he continued, "...what is it?"
"You'll just have to wait and see," The man easily answered.
Tommy knew he shouldn't have gone with the man. It was also funny how obvious it was that the whole thing was a trap, Tommy could almost laugh at it. But sadly, he was young and naive ("That was just 6 months ago," a voice calming comment) and so, in all his excitement, Tommy went along with the man.
He didn't know what he expected, but he didn't expect to be brought to a sunken ship. Its mass was still mostly out of water and it was cracked down right through the middle, like lightning had stuck right down its center.
Tommy absolutely loved it, screaming in joy the moment he saw it, the man flinching at the sudden shrill sound before he gave a huff, "You really like this, huh?"
"Is that even a question?" Tommy asked, turning to look at the man with wide starry eyes, "Yes, I fucking do!"
The man hummed, "...makes sense, you were always fascinated with humans and their weird stuff…"
Tommy froze in his spot at that. That…that didn't sound right. He knew it was grammatically correct and shit, and it was definitely English. But it made it sound like he was talking about another species. As though the man was another species.
He stumbled back with nervous laughter, looking away, "...I think it's time I head back home, big man-"
"But you don't have a home," He stated, giving him a confused look, "..Do you?"
Tommy scowled at him, taking another step back, "How the fuck did you know that?"
"...Tommy," He flinches at the use of his own name, but tries to force himself to listen as the man looks nervously at Tommy, "Do you know who I am?"
Tommy hesitated, before he answered, "... no, why the fuck should I?"
"Tommy, just-" He grabs Tommy's arm and gives a light tug, "Come with me, it'll all make sense,"
"Absolutely not, you fucking wrongun," Tommy growled, pulling against the grip, "I'm not going anywhere-"
"Tommy, please ," The man interrupts, looking more and more nervous, "You don't have clue how much we missed you, but we did,"
Tommy didn't know why, but he didn't enjoy seeing the man so frazzled and out of his element (how does he know that-), so without even knowing it, Tommy gives a small kid and lets the man pull him gently along.
They reach the water and slowly begin to descend into it, but Tommy doesn't feel the need to run away onto dry land. He always loved the sea, what was the harm in going back in one more time? So they go deeper and deeper until they're both completely enveloped by the sea, the currents flowing around them with a gentleness he never knew in the town.
Tommy pauses and looks at the other to see that where his legs once were, a red tail has now taken its place, the scales shimmering under the light of the sun. He looks down at himself and sees that he has gone through the same things, a blue tail with glittering scales taking the place of his legs.
"...Techno?" Tommy gently asks, looking up at the other, "How come I forgot literally everything?"
Techno sighed in relief and swam up to Tommy to rest his forehead against his own, "... We'll ask Phil about it later. For now, I think it's time we head home,"
"...I'm sorry I made you worry," Tommy mumbled closing his eyes as he felt himself being pulled into a hug, "I didn't mean to make you all worried like that,"
"It's fine, Theseus," Techno replies, resting his head atop him, "You're coming home with me,"
".. That's sounds like a meme,"
"Tommy, shut up,"