Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

This is the second time I've been in my mum's lab.

The first time was on "take your kid to work" day and I got to see what they do...

I didn't understand it, but I didn't dare question my mother. One of the other workers must have noticed my confused face and had explained.

She and her coworkers seemed to hurt these people because they're different. 

But the person who explained said they were just helping them and that they, the hybrids, didn't know how much they needed it. Which is why they fight back sometimes. They said it's like when I get shots at the doctors' office.

I understood but I still didn't like watching it...

This visit was different, though.

I have a fever. Meaning I can't go to school and my mom couldn't find anyone to watch me, so she had to take me with her.

So here I am.

Sitting in a room.

Alone.

And bored out of my mind.

The room I'm in just has a bunch of chairs, a coffee table with a bunch of magazines on it, and a TV in the corner with some boring adult show playing.

My mom said it's, like, a break room or something?

After a while, my head starts pounding.

Mom said she was in the next room over.... I'll go get her I guess.

She has checked up on me at least five times in the past hour. I honestly just wanted the attention those times, though.

I stand up and slowly walk to the door. I open it and look around. No one is in the room and there is a flashing red light. I see one of those doors that can only be opened with a key card thingy, but it was cracked open a small bit.

I walk over and push it open the rest of the way.

I see people on the ground. Three to be exact. They aren't moving...

I know they work with my mom, as they have the same jacket thingy with their names on it.

I'm scared, but it's not like something bad happened..... right?

They are just sleeping. 

They were just really tired and slept there..... 

Yeah, that's what happen. 

I try to convince myself of better things.

I hear some faint talking coming from the next room...

I cautiously walk to the door and open it. A large room with monitors on desks. It looks like a really big security room. I look at the people talking. They didn't notice me walk in. Not yet, anyway. They're all wearing the same cheap outfit of just a white t-shirt and shorts.

My eyes drift to someone lying by the group.

I freeze.

My mother is on the floor, her head covered in something red, and not moving.

By now the group has stopped talking.

"....m-mum?" I mumble.

I run up to her in tears and drop beside her. 

"Mom! Wake up! Please! Its not funny!!" I shake her.

No. No shes not gone... she can't be... please wake up!

I hear arguing, but I pay no attention to what they're saying.

Tears stream down my face as I hug her the best I could. I know she's gone. I just don't want to accept it.

Suddenly, something grabs my shoulder and pulls me back. I look to the source of the pulling and see a man with shortish blonde hair and blue eyes.

"Kid! The place is burning down. You need to get out of here." His voice is very calm but serious. "I'm really sorry about your mom, but we have to go. Come on." He starts to pull me in the direction the other people are going. 

If he thinks I'm leaving my mom after she just died, he's fucken insane!

I kick and scratch at the man. Once I am free of his grasp, I quickly crawl backward under a desk.

It isn't until then that I notice the huge black wings on his back.

Shitshitshit-

Suddenly, I remember the pounding headache I have that put me in this situation to begin with.

I put my bloodied hands up to my head. The pounding seems to mess with my vision as all I can see was a blur moving towards the desk I'm under.

Then everything goes black...

Did he just pass out?!

After trying to warn the about the building, he kicked and scratched at me before crawling underneath a desk and passing out. 

I reach for him and gently pull him out from underneath the desk.

I feel his forehead.

Shit. He's burning up! He must have passed out from the the fever.

"....hey, uh, Dad?" I look behind me.

My son holds up a picture, which I can only assume came from the pocket of this kid's mother, that shows the kid and her.

The kid is a bit younger than he is now. But there isn't another parent in the picture...

"....she doesn't have a ring.... I think she was a single mother, that means...." He drifts off, looking to the kid. I look back to the kid aswell.

".... he won't have anywhere to go," I finish for my son.

I stand up with the kid in my arms.

"Phil. Please don't tell me your gonna-" Someone starts.

"He can come with us," I cut the member of our group off.

"Phil, you can't just take the kid with you!" Another person argues.

"And what do you suppose I do, Dream? Leave the kid in a burning building!? Besides, he would still go into an orphanage because we killed his only parent!" I argue.

"His mother works at this stupid lab! We don't know what he thinks of us. He could kill us for all we know!" Dream argues back.

"He's a kid?! A thin and skinny kid at that! He couldn't do anything!" I defend.

"...Dad, Dream has a point. If we take him with us, he could potentially escape and rat out our spot because of what his mother had taught him." My pink-haired son states.

"I agree with Techno. It's dangerous, dad." My other son pipes in.

"We can get him on our side if we explain wh-" 

"No, Phil. We killed his mother and he knows that. What makes you think he would trust us after that?" Dream asks after cutting me off.

I look down at the boy in my arms.

One of the reasons I want him to come with us is because I felt guilty.

I'm more responsible for killing his mother... I could've stopped Techno.

I sigh, "....let's just get him outside at least."

We rush out through a back exit. 

"Okay, everyone's here. Let's go-" Sapnap's gaze lands on me. "Phil. Set the kid down. We gotta go."

I can't just leave him here!

He's just a kid...

"...no..... I can't leave him," I say.

"Phil-"

"No! What if no one finds him back here?! He's only a kid! He'll die on his own!" I exclaim.

"And we'll all die if he gets us caught!" Dream glares.

"I said I am not leaving him. That's final," I glare back.

Dream sighs, "Fine. But if we get put back into one of these hell holes again because of him, that's on you."

"Fine," I huff.

"Fine. Let's go, we're losing daylight."

We show up at the hidden village we like to call "Ayrelia". The entrance is completely hidden by a waterfall and a maze-like cave after that.

I look back down at the kid. He is sleeping peacefully all curled up in my arms. 

I know I'm not going to regret taking him.

I know it.

Chapter Text

I'm practicing my guitar in my room. 

God, I missed this thing.

I missed my old clothes, too. The ones we were given were very uncomfortable and ugly.

Of course this peace is disrupted by something.

"NO! GET AWAY!! STAY AWAY FROM ME!!!" I heard from down the hall. I quickly set my guitar aside and stand up. I rush down the hall to see what the problem is.

The room the yelling came from is the guest bedroom. It was actually supposed to be my room, but because me and Techno were constantly separated from each other in the lab, we decided to share our current room instead.

I saw Techno by the door and the kid we 'saved' a couple days ago is standing in the far corner.

"What happened?" I ask Techno.

"I saw the kid had woken up, so I tried to talk to him and he freaked out," Techno explains with a huff.

"Well, you're just shit at talking-" I start.

"WHO'S HURT!? WHAT HAPPENED!?" Dad runs into the room and immediately inspects me and Techno.

"We're fine. The kid is just scared of us," Techno explains.

Phil looks to the corner the kid was in. His panicked expression almost instantly turns into a sympathetic one.

Phil steps towards the boy. "Hey, mate, its alright. We aren't gonn-"

"No! Stay back!!" The kid says. 

Jeez. He's acting as if we just killed someone or something.

"We aren't going to get anywhere if he's scared of us like that," Techno states the obvious.

"No shit, Sherlock," I mock and look to Phil. "What if I tried? I'm technically not a hybrid," I quietly suggest.

"Could work. But be gentle," Phil steps back.

I move forward a couple steps and start talking to him, "It's alright. You don't have to be afraid of us. You can trust us." I attempt to calm him down. 

"Trust you?! Why should I?! I don't know you! A- and you killed her..." He quiets down towards the end and starts to tear up.

"Eh, she deserved it," Techno states before I elbow him in the arm. His comments makes the child mad, but he's too scared to say anything.

"Let's wait outside, Tech," Phil takes Techno to the hallway, closing the door behind them.

I look back to the kid still in the corner. "Don't mind him. He's a dick sometimes. What's your name?" I take a step closer as if it were a hostage situation.

"...Tommy," He just barely audibly mumbles.

"Well, Tommy, I'm Wilbur. I'm human like you, so you don't have to be afraid, okay?" I take another step.

"No. No! Stay there! You could be lying! Show- show me your ears!" Tommy exclaims the odd request. 

I stop and do as he says, showing my round human ears. 

"Turn around. Do a spin!" Tommy orders again.

I again follow his odd orders and spin around once. "See? I'm human," I reassure.

"Just because your not like them doesn't mean you won't hurt me!" He says in a voice with faltering confidence.

He's a smart kid. Not trusting strangers and everything.

"Okay! Okay. I'll stay here. I'll even sit down. We can talk like this. Does that sound okay?" I ask.

He nods and sits down as well in the corner he refuses to move from.

"How old are you?" I start.

"..eight..." he relaxes a bit, but not much, "..What 'bout you?" He asks back.

I'm surprised he asked something. That's a good sign, though. What isn't good is that he tenses up again after seeing my reaction.

"Fourteen, me and the pink-haired kid are the same age. His name is Technoblade," I answer in a friendly manner.

He nods slightly.

"Sorry to ask but, do you have any other family?"

He stares at me for a few seconds before looking away. Tommy shakes his head 'no' and says, "Not that I know anyway..." 

He looks like he's debating something in his head. "You can ask questions, too. You know that, right?" I say.

With that he asks, most likely, the question he was thinking of asking, "Why- why did you kill her? My m-mom," He stutters, again trying to hide his fear and sadness.

I'm taken back by the question, but I have to answer in some way that wouldn't break the small amount of trust I have with the kid.

"She, uh," I sigh, "If I told you now, you wouldn't understand or probably even believe me."

I expect him to say something like 'You killed her!' or 'I can understand!', but he stays silent.

He brings one of his hands up to his head and looks really bothered.

"You alright? Does your head hurt?" I ask with concern in my voice. He reluctantly looks at me and nods slowly before looking away again. "Do you want some medicine? It should help you feel better," I stand up from the floor, but stay in my place.

He shakes his head 'no' and sticks his tongue out.

"It's kids' stuff, so it should be flavored," I smile.

The kid perks up at this, "What flavor?"

"Grape."

"Yeah... no, thanks," He declines instantly.

"Come on! It'll help!" The strange kid tries convincing me.

"No. No medicine." I pout and glare at him from my corner.

"What if I give you a lollipop afterwards?" Will suggests.

"...what flavor?" I hesitantly ask.

"Uh... I got cherry, orange, blueberry, and bubblegum I think," Wilbur responds. 

"...I like cherry," I say more to myself than Wilbur.

"Great! The medicine should be in the bathroom down the hall," He starts to walk of the room. I cautiously follow him as he leads me down the hall. I keep looking around for the other two.

He must've noticed this as he says shortly after, "The other two shouldn't be around. You don't have to worry about them," He smiles at me.

No. I refuse to not worry. They could still kill me for all I know. 

We get to the bathroom. Wilbur opens the cabinet and looks through a few bottles before pulling out a small white one with a dinosaur on it and some big words I can't read. He pops open the cap and hands two small purple tablets to me. 

Ah, yes. Drugs. Great. 

"You eat these, and you can get a lollipop, okay?" Wilbur says.

I frown. I turn my gaze from him to the medicine in his hand.

This could literally be poisoned...

Fine. I want that candy.

I take it and chew it slowly. It actually isn't that bad, but I'm not gonna let him know that.

"Tastes like shit," I lie.

He laughs and starts walking out of the bathroom. "Come on, let's get your candy."

I perk up and excitedly follow him to what I assume is his room. He opens the door and walks in. I follow, but stop in my tracks instantly.

It's a shared room. Two beds on either side of the room and on one is a fimilar pink haired kid.

I panick and look to Wilbur. He walks to, I assume, his bedside table and starts looking through the drawers. I look back to the other boy.

He stares right back at me. 

If glares could kill..... I would most certainly be dead right now.

"Techno, stop scaring the kid," Wilbur doesn't even turn around. The hybrid, Techno, looks at his brother, rolls his eyes, and goes back to reading the book in his hands. "Also, where's Dad?" Wilbur asks.

"Living room," Techno states.

He has such a monotone voice that it's either comforting or scary. No in between. 

"Calm down, Tommy. He's not gonna hurt you." Wilbur sighs. I jump as Wilbur places a hand on my shoulder.

When the fuck did he get there!?

"Woah, woah, you okay?" He looks worried, "Just breathe, alright?"

What the fuck? 

I'm breathing pretty fast, so I try my best to calm it down. It quickens again after glancing at the other kid, so I look away rather harshly.

"Come on," Wilbur takes my hand and pulls me out of the room. "Look at me. It's alright, okay? You're fine. He won't hurt you, nor will my dad." He's kneeling in front of me with both of his hands on my shoulders.

I look back at him and nod slightly. My breathing calms down quickly after that.

"Here. You wanted cherry, right?" He holds out the red lollipop.

I take the wrapper off and pop it in my mouth. "...thanks," I say quietly.

Wilbur stands up and looks down at me. "I know you don't like him.... but, we should talk to my dad."

"...do I have to?" I look up at him.

"Yeah, but don't worry! I'll be with you. And he won't hurt you. I promise," Wilbur states.

"...pinky promise...?" I hold out my pinky.

"Yeah, of course!" He links his pinky with mine for a moment before letting go. "He should be in the living room down stairs." He starts walking down the stairs.

I follow cautiously.

Once we get to the bottom of the stairs, we turn left and walk down a hall. At the end, there's a doorway leading into a living room. Wilbur steps through, but I stay in the doorway in case I need to escape for whatever reason.

"Hey dad, I calmed the kid down," Wilbur informs the man.

I look at the man they call their dad and realize it's the same guy from the lab. He has different clothes on than before and his hair looks smooth and more taken care of.

The man looks to his son then to me. "That's great! How you feeling, mate? You had a pretty bad fever a little bit ago." He says standing up from the couch he was just sitting on. I hide behind Wilbur as he walks closer to us. 

"I gave him some medicine for his headache, but he's still scared of you and Tech," Wilbur states.The man looks saddened when he says that.

"He's not scared of you, though? Even if you're technically still a hybrid?" The man questions, looking back to the kid in front of me.

What?

Wait.

Wait- no. 

Wilbur's not human!?

Fuck.

Chapter Text

He's not human!??

They're all hybrids

They're all gonna kill me!!

"Tommy? No, wait, I'm not a hybrid! It's just genetics- or uh, by blood!" Wilbur turns around.

I try to run from them through the doorway, but I'm instantly stopped by someone. I back up and look up at them. 

Shit.

It's the pink-haired kid from earlier.

Technoblade? I think his name is.

I back into the far corner which isn't that far; Only a few feet.

Fuck. Fuckfuckfuckfuck-

He came down so I couldn't leave. They have me in a corner. They're gonna fucken kill me!

No. Nononono-

Huh? What- 

I feel.... warmth? Around me?

I open my eyes of which I didn't realize were closed. I'm on the floor against the wall and Wilbur is on the ground with me.

He's hugging me. 

Wait. Am I crying? My face is wet. 

"Calm down, please. We're not gonna do anything to you. It's alright Tommy," His words are calm and soothing as he hugs me tighter.

I relax and slightly lean into him. This is the first time in a while that I've gotten a hug that feels this nice.

"You alright now?" Wilbur asks.

I nod slightly into his shoulder. He pulls back from the hug, but keeps his left hand on my shoulder. I nervously glance between the three of them.  Technoblade is leaning in the doorway and their dad is behind Wil.

"Why are you so scared of us?" Techno asks.

He seriously asked that? What the fuck!?

"Gee, I don't know. It's not like you killed my mother or anything..." I grumble quietly. "You could kill me too..." 

"She tried to kill us, so, technically, it was self defense." Technoblade says, "Anyway, you're a kid and, even if you are an orphan, Dad won't let me kill you. And you're harmless, so it wouldn't be a very fun fight either way," He mumbles.

"I'm not harmless! I could fight you and win! Easy!" I argue with a lack of confidence.

"Sureeee," He drags out.

"Tech. Stop it," The man looks back to me, "Do you mind telling us what they told you in the lab?"

"...they said they were helping you guys... did they?" I answer and ask quietly. 

"Uh- well, they- not exactly-" The man stumbles over his words.

"No. They weren't. Your mother, and every other person there, were testing on us against our will and treated us like lab rats. They aren't good people." Techno interrupts him.

"Techno! You can just straight up say that!" Wilbur yells at him.

"What!? I'm right, aren't I?!" Techno argues.

I was going to say something, but I instantly back out. Techno seemed barely surprised by this.

"You aren't gonna deny it...?" He asks with hint of curiosity.

"Did.... did they hurt you guys?" I ask quietly. Techno was going to say something but the dad stops him with a single glare.

"What do you mean? Why would you ask that?" Wilbur asks in a concerned way.

I stay silent for a moment, "....it looked like they hurt you....at the lab..." I mumble.

Only Wilbur hears this, causing him to ask, "When did you see us in the lab?"

"It was the first time my mom brought me to work. It was take your kid to work day and I got to see what they did there..." I say a little louder so the others can hear.

"Huh, that's why you look so fimilar," Techno says, still leaning against the door frame. "I saw you that day when I went for testing." When I look at each of their faces, they each show a mix of different emotions. 

Maybe I shouldn't have asked?

"Uh... nevermind... sorry for asking..." I apologize.

"Oh, no. You don't have to apologize! Its alright, mate," The man in green states.

"Oh sor- er, uh," I look at the ground to avoid eye contact. Wilbur laughs at me, causing me to shrink in slightly.

"You understand we aren't going to hurt you though, right?" The man asks.

".......yea... I guess so...." I barely say.

"Great! And you know each of our names right?" He continues.

"....uh kinda?"

"You know Wil, then there's Technoblade, and you can call me Phil," The man smiles.

I nod slightly.

"Are you hungry? I was about to make lunch," Phil asks.

"....um, kind of...."

Wilbur stands up and offers me a hand. "Come on then! I'm starving." 

Phil gives each of us a sandwich for lunch. Afterwards, Wilbur remembers something. "Oh right, I have to meet up with Niki today. Hey, Tommy? You wanna come with me?"

I unsurely nod.

"Just make sure you both get home before dark. And make sure you know where Tommy is at all times, okay? I don't want anyone finding him and you not being there," Phil says.

"Alright, c'mon then!" Wilbur smiles. 

I put my shoes on, so does Wilbur, and we walk out the door. I'm in awe from the beautiful landscape and scenery the village is covered in. 

"And, Tommy? Please stay close to me, okay? I don't want someone else getting a hold of you," Wilbur reasons before holding out his hand for me.

I nod and place my hand in his. There are other people here than just the ones from my mom's lab. It isn't just a village, it's more of a large community. I stay close to Wilbur as we walk into the town square. Wilbur leads me into a small bakery. The sweet smell of baked goods fills the air.

"Hey Niki! Sorry, I would have gotten here sooner but I kinda got distracted," Wilbur apologies as we walk in.

"Hey, Wil! That's alright!" A kind looking woman from behind the counter, Niki, greets Wilbur. She has bleach blonde hair, round glasses, and pretty brown eyes. She has what looks like small scales on her face. She looks down at me. "Awe, is this the kid you guys took in?" She asks with a smile.

"Yeah. He's a bit scared of everyone though. It took all morning for me, alone, to gain a little bit of his trust," Wilbur laughs slightly.

"Awwe, poor kid," She comments. Niki walks around the counter and crouches in front of me. "Hi buddy! I'm Niki!" Her smile was very sweet and kind.

"...I'm Tommy," I smiles slightly. "...Are you a hybrid, too?" I ask cautiously.

"Yeah I am! Everyone here is a hybrid. I'm a mermaid," She answers enthusiastically.

"But, don't mermaids have to stay in water? Or else they, like, can't breathe or something?" I question.

"Yes, actually. You're correct on that. But as long as I keep drinking water, I'll be alright!" She answers.

I nod. She stands up straight again. "Is it just you working today?" Wilbur asks.

"Kinda, I'm watching over Tubbo for Dream, today. He's in the back," Niki gestures to the backroom.

"Hey Tommy? Why don't you play with Tubbo while I chat with Niki?" Wilbur suggests. I give him an unsure look about it. 

"He's around the same age as you, so I think you two will get along well. C'mon! I'll introduce you!" Niki starts towards the counter again.

I look at Wilbur, whom of which nods for me to go. I follow Niki into the backroom. There are boxes of ingredients and everything you would need for baking. 

"Hey Tubbo! How are the cookies looking?" Niki asks and the boy sitting at the table perks up. He has longish, fluffy brown hair with two small light brown horns poking though. He's wearing some blue jeans and a button up green shirt.

"Good! I only have three left!" He exclaims with a big smile. He looks at me and quickly hops out of his chair.

"This is Tommy. He's with Wilbur." Niki says sweetly.

"Hi!" Tubbo says very enthusiastically, "I'm Tubbo! Wanna be friends?!"

"Um, sure," I smile.

"Why don't you two finish frosting the cookies while me and Wil talk? And once you're done, come get me and I'll give you both a treat as payment!" Niki smiles.

"Okay! C'mon Tommy!" Tubbo grabs my hand and walks toward the table.

"Okay, you two have fun. I'll be out here if you need me!" Niki says as she leaves the backroom.

"I already frosted four of the cookies, but there's still three left! What color do you want?" Tubbo holds up a couple frosting bags with the tips cut.

"Can I have red?" I ask, pointing to the colored icing I want.

"Sure! You can color this cookie! I'll color this one!" Tubbo hands him a red pipeing bag and starts to frost his cookie with green icing. Tommy starts to add the icing to his cookie.

"How old are you? I'm nine!" Tubbo starts a conversation.

"I'm eight..." I respond.

"What's your favorite color? I like yellow," He continues.

"I like red."

"What kind of hybrid are you?" 

Shit.... 

It was bound to happen wasn't it?

"Oh uh, I'm... not.. a hybrid..." I mumble and nervously look a him.

Tubbo stops and looks at me with his head slightly tilted, "Wait, really!? You're completely human!?" 

"Uh, yeah..." I back up a step.

"You don't seem mean?" Tubbo looks confused.

"Mean? Why would I be mean?" Now I'm confused.

"Well, the humans from the lab are really mean to me and my brother... and Dream says that I shouldn't trust full humans... But you seem really cool so I don't care! I still wanna be friends!" Tubbo goes back to frosting the cookie.

"He's not wrong. You shouldn't exactly trust everyone..." I mumble. "You're a goat hybrid, right?"

"Yup!" He answers.

"Wait, who's Dream?" I look at him.

"Oh that's my brother's name!" 

"Oh, cool." 

Chapter Text

Tubbo and I finish frosting the cookies and walk out of the backroom to inform Niki.

"Niki!!! We're done!!" Tubbo calls out once he saw her.

"That's great! Good job you two! You guys want your treat now?" Niki praises. We both nod. "Okay, follow me!" She says.

Niki leads us back to the back room and opens the door to the refrigerator. She pulls out a container and takes off the lid, revealing four cake pops.

"Here, you both can have one," she holds the container down to our level.

Tubbo and I each take one.

"Thanks Niki!!" Tubbo says and excitedly eats his cake pop.

"Thank you," Tommy says quietly and admires it. 

"You guys enjoy them, okay?" Niki leaves the backroom, again, with the container. Probably to give one to Wilbur.

After a moment Tubbo looks at me with an odd look. "Aren't you gonna eat it?" He asks.

"Oh, uh, yeah. I've just never had one of these before. My mom doesn't let me have this much sugar," I rub the back of my neck sheepishly.

"Wait, what!? You've never had a cake pop!? You're missing out!! Try it!!" Tubbo excitedly pushes. 

I hesitantly take a bite out of the sugary treat. My eyes instantly light up. "This is so good!!" I exclaim.

"I know right!! Niki made them, so they're even better than normal ones!" Tubbo states. I quickly eat the rest of the cake pop.

Me and Tubbo chat for a little while before we hear Niki call out to us, "Tubbo! You're brother's here!!"

A tall teenager, about 16 years old, walks into the room. He has dirty blonde hair, green eyes, and freckles. He's wearing a green hoodie and black pants. On his belt is a smiley face mask. His ears kinda look like Tubbo's, but not influenced as much by his hybrid side. So, he's a goat-ram hybrid like Tubbo.

"Dream!!!" Tubbo runs up to him and gives him a hug, "Look! Look! I made a new friend!! His name's Tommy!!" Tubbo then pulls Dream's sleeve and points to me.

Dream glares at me.

I swallow hard. 

Wilbur walks into the room and stands in front of me, shielding me from Dream's glare. Wilbur glares at Dream then looks down at me. "Its getting late. Let's head home, okay?" Wilbur suggests. I nod. Wilbur takes my hand and starts to walk out of the room.

"Awww, can't he say a little longer?" Tubbo whines.

"No, Tubbo. We have to get home too anyway," Dream says sternly.

"Aww, okay.... Bye, Tommy!!" Tubbo hugs me.

I hug him back, "Bye, Tubbo."

Dream pulls Tubbo back by his shoulder. Tubbo waves quickly as me and Wilbur leave the building. We walk inside Wilbur's house and Phil is making dinner in the kitchen.

"Hey, Wil! Hi, Tommy! How was visiting Niki?" Phil greets them.

"She's doing good. Tommy got to meet Tubbo," Wilbur replies.

"That's great. Was Dream there?" Phil asks with slight concern.

"No, Niki was babysitting him for the day. He showed up when we were about to leave, though," Wilbur sighs.

"Did he do anything?" Phil looks at Wilbur.

"Nothing more than a glare..." Wilbur responds.

"That's not too bad I guess," Phil mumbles.

There is silence for a couple seconds before I speak up, "I got to eat a cake pop!"

"Really? Was it good?" Phil asks, mirroring my cheerful mood.

"Yeah! I've never had one before! It's really good!!" I sit down at the table.

"You've never had a cake pop?" Wilbur asks.

"No, my mom never let me have that much sugar..." I grumble.

"Is there a specific reason?" Phil starts to become concerned.

"No, I don't think so. I ate lots of sugar before, but I got into a lot of trouble," I say.

"So, you are allowed sugar without having to do anything before or something happening?" Phil asks.

"Yeah? I think so?" I give him a confused look.

Phil seems relieved about that.

I look to Wilbur. "He just wants to make sure you don't have a medical condition that could hurt you without proper attention," Wilbur tries to explain. 

"Uh, okay?" I say.

We finish eating dinner and Tommy is being very clingy. Honestly, I don't mind that much. It's kind of nice to have a younger sibling figure. 

Me and Techno are twins and, sure, I'm older by a short amount of time, but it's not like Techno acts like it. If anything, I've always been more of the younger sibling. I walk into mine and Tech's room and Tommy, of course, follows. He seems to admire the room a bit. Now that Techno isn't present, anyway. I sit down on my bed and motion for Tommy to come sit with me. Of which he does.

"Who was that Dream guy? I know he's Tubbo's brother or something, but it doesn't look like you like him," Tommy asks.

"No, it isn't that. Me and Dream are friends. He's just protective of Tubbo," I say.

"Does he not like me?" Tommy looks kind of sad.

"Oh, no! It's not that! He's just-"

Techno comes through the door. "Don't lie, Wil. Yes, he doesn't like you, Tommy. He actually argued with Phil on bringing you here..... like I did," he mumbles the last part.

Tommy jumps up at his sudden appearance.

"Shut up, Techno!" I whisper-yell at him.

"What? It's the truth. He deserves to know," He sighs. "Anyway..."

He walks over to my bed and towers over Tommy, causing the child to slide back a little.

He says in the sternest, most threatening voice I have ever heard from him, "Let me get one thing straight. If you ever, and I mean ever, cause anyone, especially Wilbur or Phil to get hurt or put back into one of those labs, I will personally hunt you down and, may you hope I'm being merciful, rip you apa-" 

"TECHNO!" I instantly stand up and slightly push him away from Tommy, who is now against the wall shaking in fear.

"You can't say something like that to him! He's eight!!" I yell at him.

"I'm just making sure he gets the message," Techno shrugs.

"Look at the poor kid! I think he gets it!!" I glare.

Techno looks at Tommy behind me, sighs, rolls his eyes, and then walks over to his bed. I quickly turn back to Tommy and sit back down on the bed.

"It's alright, Tommy. Calm down," I place a hand on his shoulder and slowly move closer to him. Once I'm beside the scared kid, I wrap my arm around him. "I got you! You're okay!" I reassure him. 

He looks to me then quickly wraps his arms around me. I, obviously, hug him back and continue whispering things to calm him down.

I glare at Techno, who mouths, "He's overreacting."

To which I mouth out, "Fuck off" and I flip him off.

Being siblings, we could easily tell what the other was mouthing out.

Back to Tommy, though. He is definitely not overreacting! He, an eight year old child, was just threatened by the blood god, and/or the scariest person he's probably ever seen! The kid has every right to be mortified!

Tommy calms down a bit and is breathing at a normal pace once again. He slowly backs out from the hug, but I keep an arm around his shoulder, causing him to still be pretty close to me. He closes his eyes and leans into me. I give a silent 'awe' at this, then look to Techno.

"You shouldn't have done that, y'know. He's never gonna trust you, nor me, if you keep scaring him like that," I state.

"I'm just making sure that you and dad are safe. What's wrong with that?" Techno says as he reads from his book.

"The kid just saw his mother die in front of him, was taken away from his everyday life, and is now forced to stay with the people he was taught to be scared of. Not to mention he's fucken eight!" I yell in a quiet tone, trying not to wake up Tommy.

"Same thing happened to us Wil, and we were eleven. Not much of a difference," He grumbles.

"And you remember exactly how that felt. Why would you want that for him?!" I reason.

"..."

He went silent. Probably thinking about what I said or the voices are being loud. Most likely the latter.

"At least give him a chance? And stop scaring him? Maybe you guys will have a lot more in common than you think," I reason. 

"Fine. But I'm not letting him lie on me like you do," Techno reluctantly agrees.

"Fine."

"Oh, and he's not sleeping, just so you know."

Wait, what?

Chapter Text

I'm not asleep, though I think Wilbur thinks I am. I watch and listen to their conversation. It's not eavesdropping if they know I'm in the same room as them, right?

Wilbur seems pretty obsessed with gaining my trust for some reason.

They lost their mom, too?

I don't HAVE to bond with Techno, do I? I don't think he wants to anyway. He definitely doesn't like me as much as Wilbur or Phil.

Oh shit-

"What? No, he's asl- oh shit, he's not," Wilbur looks down at me. "Sorry Tommy, did I wake you?"

I shake my head and sit up, leaning against the wall more than on Wilbur. "I wasn't asleep at all," I say.

"Oh.... how much did you hear?" Wilbur asks.

"All of it... why?"

"Eh, no reason...." Wilbur looks at Techno

"I'm sorry about your guys' mom," I say sheepishly. 

Techno looks up from his book slightly and glares at me before looking back to the book.

"Thanks, Tommy," Wilbur smiles and pulls me into a side hug kind of thing. "I'm sorry about yours."

Why is he sorry if he was basically a part of it? And didn't they do it out of self defense? 

Either way, I don't say anything about it, scared that if I do, I would start crying like a baby.

"....what happened? If I can ask," I manage to get out as I lean back into him.

"I don't know if your old enough for a story like that," he laughs slightly.

"I'm eight years old! I can handle it!" I object.

"I'm serious, Tommy. I don't wanna upset you," Wilbur states.

"You kinda already killed my mom in front of me... I think I can handle it," I try to keep a confident tone, but it still falters slightly.

"I'm sure you can. I could tell you if you'd like. Wilbur does get emotional when telling it after all," Techno says as he walks towards Wilbur's bed.

"...okay, it- that's okay I guess." I cower slightly as he comes closer.

"Techno, I don't think that's a good idea," Wilbur attempts to intervene.

"Nonsense, he is fully capable of knowing what happened, right Tommy?" Techno looks down at me.

"Oh, Uh, yeah!"

"See, he'll be fine. Now scoot over, I wanna sit down, too," Techno waves his hand at me.

I slide closer to Wilbur and Techno sits down beside me. If I'm being honest, it's kinda scary being this close to Technoblade.

"Well, it was about.... three whole years ago. Wow, time flies. We're getting old Wilbur," Techno starts.

Wilbur scoffs as his comment.

Techno begins the story, "Anyway, we were in our old village, before this one, and we were discovered by some horrible humans, aka the government. They raided our houses and brought each of us hybrids into their trucks. Our mother tried to protect us from being taken but, because of her resistence, they shot at her..."

Techno goes silent for a moment.

"They didn't mean for it to be fatal as they needed her alive, but she died right in front of me and Wil... They, then, brought us to one of the labs or whatever, and we were held captive ever since our recent breakout," He finishes.

I hear a sniffle from beside me and looked to my left. Wilbur had a few tears trailing down his face. I quickly gave him a tight hug. He holds me tightly, almost as if I was a stuffed toy of some sort.

"Thanks, Tommy...." Wilbur mumbles. 

After a minute, he let go. Allowing me to sit back against the wall. 

"Your mom sounds nice..." I mumble.

"She was. I bet she would have loved you," Wilbur smiles, "If you don't mind me asking, what was your mom like?"

"She was really, uh, what's the word? She's like really big on rules and chores and stuff," I wave my hands around trying remember. 

"Strict?" Techno suggests.

"Yeah! She's really strict and kinda like protective. I thinks its 'cause I'm her only child or somethin'," I state.

"How was she strict?" Wilbur asks.

"She wouldn't let me do much and I had to follow, like, a lot of rules," I answer.

"Such as?" Techno questions.

"Uh, I always had to keep my room clean, homework had to be done right after school, I was never aloud to question her or have anything too sweet. She was really picky about my friends and who I'm with. Stuff like that I guess," I hold up my fingers for each reason.

"Not aloud to question her? Why's that?" Wilbur asks.

"She always got kinda mad when I asked her questions. Unless it was on homework, I didn't ask her about anything," I shrug.

"Is that why you were scared when you asked me how old I was?" Wilbur questions.

"Eh, kinda I guess..." I mumble.

"Probably a bad time to ask you, Tommy, but what happened to your dad? Has it always been you and your mom?" Techno questions.

"Techno!" Wilbur scolds.

"What? I'm curious!"

"I don't know what happened to him. I don't think I ever saw him. At least I don't remember seeing him. Mum would normally avoid anything about my dad," I answer.

I yawn, causing Wilbur to yawn as well. Techno on the other hand doesn't.

"Why do you never yawn? Like its contiguous to everyone except you?" Wilbur asks Techno.

"I'm just built different," Techno shrugs.

While they bicker, I slowly close my eyes and drift off to actual sleep this time.. 

"Well, maybe you're the weird one. Don't assume I am-" I feel weight on my arm. I look down to see the child sleeping.

"Wilbur. Get him of me before I drop kick him in self defense," I tense up and glare at Wilbur.

"Awwe, but you guys are bonding!!"

"Wilbur."

"Okay fine, geez."

Wilbur tries to gently pull Tommy away from me, but the small child grips tightly onto my shirt sleeve.

"He's like a koala. He's holding onto my shirt. Do something, Wil," I begin to panic.

"Well, I mean I could.... or I could just go get a snack and talk to you later." Wilbur stands up and starts towards the door.

"Wilbur. You. Wouldn't. Dare."

He steps outside of the doorway and closes the door after saying, "This is your chance! Have fun bonding with the gremlin, Techno!"

"TRAITOR!" I yell as I heard him run down the hall, mostly likely to tell dad.

I frown at the child.

Son of a bi-

Ok. This is getting annoying.

I've been sitting here for about five minutes and I've already lost most of my patients. Something I tend to have a lot of. I look down at the clingy kid and try to gently pull him off. When that fails, I attempt to pry his grip from my arm. I stop the moment he starts to move, afraid I had woken him.

Wait. Why do I care if he wakes up? I don't care for him... right? No. I don't. he's a stupid kid that Philza was stupid enough to keep.

Technosoft

No! You do care for him!!

Tommy!!!

Awwwweee

E

Tommy is adorable!!! 

Big brother Techno!!

No! No. I am not a big brother. Especially not to this... gremlin. Stupid voices never shut up...

Admit you love us!!

You don't mean that!

E

You love us!!

Tech no lie

E

Wait! Tommy!

Why are you guys always so loud!? 

Tommy!

Wake up tommy!

Oh no

Poor tommy :(

Techno!!!

E

Wake him up!!

Wake him up? 

I look back down at the kid. He is a bit more curled up and his grip is slightly stronger. The voices normally know more than I do. If they say to do something, more often than not it should be done. 

I exhale and gently shake him awake.

He opens his eyes rather quickly and it takes him a second to realize where he is. Once he does though, he shoots away from me.

"Sorry! I didn't mean to fall asleep on you!" He quickly apologizes.

"Yeah, you should be. I had to sit here for five whole minutes with you holding onto me like a koala," I state.

"Sorry.." He's definitely scared. He's curled up as far as he can be from me and he's looking around the room, probably for Wilbur.

I would just go over to my bed and mind my own business, but of course the voices disagree and want me to make sure he's ok.

I sigh again and ask, "You alright?"

He seems taken back by the question but answers, "Uh, yeah. Just a bad dream is all." Tommy avoids eye contact and looks visibly uncomfortable.

You should comfort him!

Technosoft!!!

E

Be nice to your little brother!!!

Get Wilbur!!

Smallinnit

I'm not good at socializing..... but I can try I guess. As long as you guys shut up, okay?

Deal

Yes!!!

Big brother Technooo

E

Let's goo!!

I just got here what's going on?

"You... wanna talk about it?" I attempt to say in an unakward way.

"Uh, I dunno... Its stupid anyway," Tommy says quietly.

"I listen to Wilbur's complaining every day. I doubt it can be worse than that," I joke.

He looks up at me, "uh... okay then..."

The small kid moves into a more comfortable position, though still distant from me.

"At first, it was just a normal dream. I think there was, like, bees or something in a flower field. But then it showed my.... uh... my mom," Tommy starts and pauses for a moment. "She... uh.. wasn't very happy. And she said some stuff.... and she was yelling at me... saying it was my fault and.... and-"

The kid chokes out a sob. 

I am most definitely going to regret this....

I sigh, for about the third time, and wrap an arm around the small child. He flinches slightly, but accepts it in a way.

".....I'm, uh, not very good at comforting.... do you want me go get Wilbur?" I offer.

".... no... it's aright. I think I bothered him enough anyway....." he laughs a bit.

"Oh, I see. So you've decided to bother me now, huh?" I tease.

The kid jumps away from my arm. "No! I- I didn't mean to- I'm sor-" 

"Hey. It's alright, kid. No need to apologize. I was joking."

"...oh. Uh, sorry...." He calms down.

"Y'know... I think Wil likes having you around," I mention.

"Why?" Tommy asks, clearly confused.

"He may be older than me by a couple minutes, but I've always acted like the older sibling. He never got a little brother to take care of, not until you showed up, anyway," I explain.

"Really!? You think Wilbur likes me? He doesn't think I'm annoying?" Tommy asks.

"No. I do," I deadpan.

"Oh, sorry..." He mumbles. He quiets at this causing an awkward silence. I look to him. He's definitely still tired as he's spaced out in a way and he's curled up hugging his knees again.

"You should go back to sleep. I'm sure Wilbur is going to have you meet more of his friends tomorrow," I suggest.

"Really? Like who?"

"Yeah. Probably Eret, Quackity, Karl, the dream team-"

"What about Tubbo?" Tommy interupts.

"Sure, you'll see him. Now go to sleep," I order.

"Okay!" and with that, he lays down and closes his eyes. Not long after you can hear light snoring coming from him.

Then I hear a camera click.

I glance towards the door to see Wilbur with a camera aimed at me. 

"Wilbur. I swear on Philza..."

"Oh, shit!" He darts out the door with me chasing not too far behind.

Ah yes. Sibling love. Always through violence.

Chapter Text

I'm bored sitting at the table when Wilbur decides to finally wake up and come downstairs.

"Morning, Wilbur. I see you decided to actually do something for the other half of the day," Phil teases.

"Mhm. I'm planning on taking Tommy out to meet some more friends," Wilbur stands beside me and smiles at me.

"Okay... but I want you boys to be careful," Phil sternly states.

"We will. C'mon Tommy!" Wilbur responds.

"But, Wil, you didn't eat anything?" Phil confronts.

"I'll get something later," Wilbur says before looking back to me. I become excited as I rush to the door. I quickly put my shoes on and lazily tie the laces. I stand and look up at Wilbur. "Pfft- you're going to trip," Wilbur laughs. "Here, let me tie them." Wilbur kneels down and ties my shoes properly.

"Wait, Wil," Techno says as he rounds the corner with a piece of paper in his hand. "Can you take this to Dream if you see him?" He hands the paper to Wilbur.

"Yeah. No problem." Wilbur opens the door and we walk out. Wilbur leads me down a different road from where we went yesterday. As we walk, I admire all of the flowers along the path. After about five minutes, someone calls Wilbur's name.

"Ayye, Wilbur!" A man in navy blue clothing and a beanie calls Wilbur over. I follow.

"Hey, Quackity! Karl! What's up?" Wilbur greets them.

The two men seem to be good friends with Wilbur. They look around Wilbur's age, too. One is a duck hybrid with a pair of golden yellow wings on his back. He has black hair, which is covered by a navy blue beanie, and he wears a navy blue zip-up jacket kind of thing. The other person was taller than the duck. He has fluffy brown hair and a multicolored sweatshirt. 

But, he doesn't look like a hybrid? Is he human, too?

"Nothing much, man. Just been selling drugs. Y'know the usual," the duck man, Quackity, shrugs.

"Oh, is this the kid you guys brought back?" The multicolored hoodie guy asks.

"Yeah! This is Tommy. Tommy, this is Karl and Quackity," Wilbur points to them. "We were in the same lab before me and Tech were transferred."

"Hey, kid. You want some drugas?" Quackity holds out a bag of something for me to take.

Drugas? Is that how you say candy in spanish?

"Drugas!!" I say as I reach for it before Wilbur pulls me back.

"The fuck, Quackity!? He's a kid!" Wilbur yells at him before turning back to me. "Never take anything from that guy." I nod and look to the other person standing with us. He looks back at me.

I kinda wanna ask him what hybrid he is... 

Is that mean? 

"Tommy, right? Nice to meet you, I'm Karl," The man smiles. He's crouching in front of me with his hand out.

I look at it for a moment before shaking it.

"Sorry if it's mean, but what kind of hybrid are you?" I ask quietly.

Karl laughs slightly. He has a unique kind of laugh. It's almost funny. In a contagious way, of course.

"It's not mean at all to ask. I'm not specifically a hybrid but I can control time," Karl answered.

"Woah, really?!" I exclaim.

"Yeah! Cool, right?" Karl smiles again.

I nod and Karl stands up again.

"Wil, he's honking adorable!" Karl states.

"Alright, we should get going. Oh, right. Have you guys seen the Dream Team anywhere today?" Wilbur asks.

"We haven't seen Dream or George, but Sapnap just left to go meet with them before we found you guys," Karl responds.

"Did he say where he's going?"

"To the playground, man," Quackity answered.

"You guys are the best," Wilbur thanks them. "C'mon, Tommy."

"Ayye, adiós perra y niñito!" Quackity called out to us. Whatever that means.

Wilbur flips him off so I mirror him and do the same. Wilbur is quick to stop me though. This makes Karl laugh again which makes me smile.

"Where are we going?" I ask as I walk beside Wilbur.

"To the playground to find Dream," Wilbur answers.

I gasp. "The playground!! Will I get to play on it?!"

"Probably. And if Dream is there, then Tubbo is most likely there aswell," Wilbur smiles at me. "And please hold my hand. I don't wanna lose you in the crowd, 'kay?" 

I nod and grip onto Wilbur's hand as he leads me to the playground. The moment I could see it, I try to run towards it. Wilbur pulls me back by my hand, though.

"Tommy! You can't just run off!" Wilbur scolds me.

We continue walking. Or, more like me dragging Wilbur and almost pulling his arm out of its socket.

"Slow down, Tommy!" Wilbur laughs, but stops when he sees Dream and his friends. "Stay close, okay?" Wilbur walks up to the group of three.

Dream looks different. The white smiley mask that was clipped to his belt before was now on his head and covering most of his face.

"TOMMY!!" I hear someone exclaim from my right. 

I turn to see Tubbo running towards me from the swings.

"Tubbo!!" I open my arms to hug him but Dream pulls Tubbo back behind him before he could.

"Dream," Wilbur coldly greets. His gaze looks like he wants to punch someone...

That's not good, right?

"Wilbur," Dream responds with the same energy. "What brings you here?" 

"This is from Techno," Wilbur harshly hands the paper to Dream.

"Ah, thanks," Dream looks from the folded piece of paper to me. "I see you're still letting him out..."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Wilbur glares daggers at Dream as the brunette slightly pulls me behind him. 

"Nothing. Just surprised you would let a human walk around. He could easily get hurt... or hurt someone else..." Dream turns to face in my direction.

I smile at him from behind Wilbur.

He scoffs causing my smile to falter. 

"Why can't you just leave him alone?!" Wilbur yells.

"Because he's a human! He's not one of us!" Dream argues. "You wouldn't understand because you're younger!" Wilbur and Dream start to argue. 

I feel a small tug on my shirt. I look to see the cause of it and see Tubbo. "C'mon! Let's go play!" He whispers.

No one is paying attention so I quickly follow Tubbo to some flower bushes by the swings. We start talking and playing with the bumblebees. I look over to Wilbur and Dream again. Dream's other two friends look like they are trying to calm him down.

One friend has longish black hair which was held out of his eyes with a white bandanna. He wears a black long-sleeved shirt with a white fire print shirt over top. He also has baggy black pants and checkered sneakers. He has two horns separating his hair and demon tail. So, a demon hybrid.

The other friend has brown hair with round white glasses placed on top of his head. He wears a blue t-shirt with a red box in the middle and some plain blue jeans. His nose has a pinker hue than a normal human's and his movements are almost soft, never jagged or sudden. Lamb hybrid I'd guess?

"Hey, Tubbo?" I ask gaining the goat's  attention. He hums and looks up from the messy flower crown in his hands. "Who are those guys? With Dream and Wilbur?"

He looks over to the older boys.

"Oh, they're Dream's friends. The demon is Sapnap and the other is George. He's actually a lamb hybrid. Dream teases him a lot for it," Tubbo enthusiastically answers.

"That's cool. Do you ever-" I start but am rudely interupted.

"Guys, look! It's the bee freak!!" Some stupid donkey hybrid yells and points toward Tubbo.

A bunch of kids start laughing.

"Awwe, did you make a flower crown? How cute!" The kid snatches the masterpiece out of Tubbo's hand and holds it up high so he can't reach. The bully is taller than Tubbo, yet shorter than me.

"Give it back!!" Tubbo complains. 

"Why? Are you gonna play dress up as well?" The kid teases as he pushes Tubbo into the dirt, causing him to look down in embarrassment.

I stand up and push the stupid kid to the ground. "Piss off, ya prick!!" I yell.

This angers the kid as he stands up and glares at me. "Who are you? A new skinny kid in town?" He mocks.

"I am actually! And if you don't leave me and my friend alone, I'll beat the shit out of you!" I threaten. 

"You? Beat me? Pfft- as if! You don't even look like a hybrid!" He scoffs.

"Yeah? That's 'cause I'm not! I'm a human! I'll bite all of you and your stupid jackass friends' fingers off!" I push the kid back again.

All the kids' eyes filled with fear once they realize what I said. Suddenly, they start screaming and running away from us. The kid that bullied Tubbo steps back and trips on basically nothing.

Ha, what an idiot.

"Y-you're a monster!!" He yells as shuffles backward. He eventually stands up and runs the opposite direction while screaming for his mom.

Ha! What a pussy!

I look back to Tubbo who is still on the ground looking at his flower crown. Most of the flowers are crushed and some had fellen out.

I sit down in front of Tubbo and pick it up. "It still looks pog, boss man!" I place the crown on his head where it rightfully belongs.

"Thanks," Tubbo smiles. "Were you actually going to eat their fingers?" He looks slightly concerned and disgusted.

"Ew, no! I know you guys see us humans as monsters but honestly! That's disgusting!" I exaggerate, sticking my tongue out.

"Tommy!?" Wilbur calls from behind me. "What happened? Why are the kids screaming? Are you okay?" Wilbur worriedly asks as he pulls me up off the ground. 

Dream copies Wilbur's actions and helps Tubbo up as well, along with dusting the dirt off of him. "Yeah, we're fine! I just had to scare some of those jerks away," I explain.

"What do you mean you scare them away?" Wilbur looks confused.

"He told them that he would bite off all of their fingers 'cause he's human," Tubbo explains for me.

"Why, though?" Wilbur continues to ask questions.

"Because they were being jerks to Tubbo! They called him a 'bee freak', and stole his crown, and pushed him into the dirt!" I angrily explain further.

"They what?!" Dream exclaims.

"Yeah! But I'm okay now! Tommy saved me!" Tubbo smiles.

"See, Dream? Tommy isn't a threat to Tubbo. I don't see why you won't just let them be," Wilbur sternly states.

Dream heavily sighs and takes Tubbo's hand. "C'mon, bud. We're leaving."

"Don't just ignore me," Wilbur glares.

Dream looks at Wilbur. 

"I don't because he's a no good, filthy, fucken human just like that bitch he calls his mom! And that's all he'll ever be!" Dream yells at Wilbur. "Tubbo might not have friends, but I'm not letting him hang out with a backstabbing human!"

Dream looks down at me.

"You will never be seen here as anything but a nuisance and a burden we have to deal with," Dream coldly states.

Chapter Text

What the fuck!? How much of an asshat can he be to say that to a child!?

I push Dream back away from us. I'm about to punch the dumbass but a voice stops me.

"You're such a meanie, Dream!" Tubbo yells as he pulls his hand out of Dream's grip. "Why are you so mean to my only friend!"

Right. An innocent, influensible child is present.

Dream looks dumbfounded and slightly hurt by his little brother's words.

"Tubbo... He's not your friend!" Dream argues but in a much more calm manner than he did with Wilbur.

"Yes, he is! If he isn't, then why did he chase those jerks away?!" Tubbo argues back.

"He... because he..." Dream struggles to find a reason that Tubbo would understand without specifically getting into controversy about humans and hybrids.

"Dream, let's just leave them be, Okay?" Sapnap suggests.

"Yeah, c'mon let's just go!" George agrees.

Dream sighs, "Fine.." Dream holds out his hand but Tubbo refuses to take it.

"C'mon, Tubbo," Sapnap holds out his hand for Tubbo to take instead.

"Can I say bye first?" Tubbo asks.

Sapnap nods and hums in acceptance to Tubbo's request. Tubbo turns around and looks behind me, but his face drops slightly.

"Where did Tommy go?" He asks and looks between the older kids.

What?

I turn around quickly to see no trace of Tommy.

What the fuck!? He was right here!

After Dream said that, I ran off without anyone noticing. 

At least, I don't think anyone noticed.

I'm now squeezing through the crowds in the town square. Suddenly, someone harshly pushes me onto the ground and into this almost alley-like place. It looks like it's between buildings, so it has to be an alley, right?

I stand up from the hard ground and wince at the pain on my hands and knee. I look down and see both of my hands scraped up and covered in dirt. I brush them off the best I could without it hurting. I look down at my right knee which is also scraped up. I, again, brush off the dirt. I had a trickle of blood running down my leg from the injury. 

I look back at the crowd behind me and people passing by. I look away and decide to just stay in the alley place. I wander deeper into the dark place and hide behind a big discarded box. It's full of something heavy enough to keep me from falling when I lean on it. I sit down on the cold, dusty ground.

I glance back at my hands. There are droplets of a crimson liquid in a couple spots on my palms. I feel tears prick in the corners of my eyes.

Dream is right. Isn't he?

And Techno...

I'm just a stupid, little human kid.

I'm just bothering all of them.

My mom doesn't even like me.

It's my fault she died...

If she didn't have to check up on me so many times because of the stupid attention seeker I am, she would have seen them trying to escape and she would've stopp- No.

No. It was good they escaped. 

They were treated horribly in there.

It was just my fault that I made a scene in front of them...

Again being a fucken attention seeker!

I'm such an idiot! 

By now, I have tears running down my face as my choked out sobs echo through the grey walls of the alley.

I'm fucken crying.

It's fucken pathetic!

I choke out another sob before going silent.

Footsteps... 

In the alley...

Fuck! I can't be seen!

They'll probably beat me up or something for being human! And they'll call me a baby and shit for crying.

There isn't just one person. There's two.

Fuck!! I'm screwed!

I place my slightly bloodied hand up to my mouth to silence my breathing in case they have advanced hearing. I can taste the metallic drip into my mouth slightly, but still try to stay silent.

Fuckkkk.

I lean closer into the corner created by the box and wall in an awful attempt to hide better.

"Why are we here? I wanna go home!" One of the two strangers drags out their complain.

"Because I swear I heard crying! And they sounded like a kid," the other person answers and dismisses their friend's complaints.

The first guy makes a dramatic gasp. "You SWORE!? That is not a very nice thing to do! Especially in front of this supposed kid you heard," The first guy dramatically remarks. The second guy just grumbles something and walks closer to my spot.

I try to stay as quiet as possible. I even stop breathing for a moment before realizing I need oxygen to live. I try to shuffle quietly impossibly further back into the corner but my foot hits something. Then I hear it.

The loud, echoing noise of a glass bottle being knocked over and rolling away from me on the concrete ground.

FUCK!

Maybe they didn't hear it?

"See! I told you someone was here!" The second guy states.

"Wow, I thought you were just hearing things," the first guy comments.

fuckfuckfuckfuck-

I panic as I hear them rush closer to me.I close my eyes. I feel tears escape and stream down my face.

I'm doomed, I'm doomed, I'm doomed-

They're probably gonna beat the shit out of me and its gonna hurt like hell and I'm never gonna see light again and-

"Hey! Hey, kid! Take a deep breath, okay? Please?" I hear from in front of me.

I open my eyes and look at the person; though, my vision is blurry from my tears. The man is crouching down in front of me. He reaches a hand in my direction causing me to shuffle back farther and look away.

"Oh, no, no, no. Kid! I'm not gonna hurt you! I promise! I just wanna help," the man says, pulling his hand away. "Can you please take a deep breath?"

It's not until then that I notice how rapid and shallow my breathing is. I try to calm down by taking deeper breaths, which does help slightly, but I still can't breath well, which sends me into a bigger panic.

"Hey, look at me. It's alright!" He calmly orders, causing me to shakily look up at him, "Can you count to ten with me?"

I nod slightly. 

"Great! Okay count with me, okay? 1... 2... 3..." He counts slowly. I quietly mumble along. "...7... 8... 9... 10. Great job. Feel any better?" He asks.

My breathing slows dramatically. I look towards the ground, embarrassed, and nod before wiping away the remaining tears on my face.

"Everything okay now?" He asks.

I nod again.

"That's good. What's your name?" He asks in a more friendly instead of calm mood.

"Tommy..." I mumble.

"Hi, Tommy! I'm BadBoyHalo, but you can call me Bad. And the guy behind me is my friend, Skeppy," The man introduces. I look up at them, now able to see them clearly without tears in my eyes.

The guy who had been talking to me, Bad, is a demon who looks about seventeen-ish. He has pitch black skin with fluffy hair the same shade. The darkness of it makes him hard to see in the dark alley. He has white glowing eyes and demon horns which poke out of the black and red hoodie he's wearing. He looks scary, but something about him just gives an 'I really wanna be your friend' kind of vibe. 

His friend, Skeppy, looks more human-like and a bit younger. Maybe sixteen? Fifteen if anything. He has fluffy brown hair, brown eyes, and blue diamond splotches instead of freckles. He wore a blue hoodie with a face on it. He's a diamond hybrid... interesting. They're a more rare type of hybrid.

The demon stands up and holds out a hand in front of me. I cautiously take it and he pulls me up to my feet, which causes me to wince slightly. When he lets go of my hand, he concerningly looks down at his own.

"Wait, are you bleeding!?" He asks, looking from his hand to me. I look at my hand and see blood smeared from the small scrapes.

Bad follows my gaze and gasps slightly. "Are you okay?! Let me see!" He holds out his hand for mine. I hesitantly place my hand towards him. Bad holds my hand gently as he inspects the scrapes that covered my palm. "What happened?" He asks.

"I was shoved to the ground..." I mumble. "It was unintentional, though," I add.

"Did you see his leg?" The other guy, Skeppy, cuts in.

Bad steps back slightly and looks at my bloody and dirt-covered leg. "Oh my muffin! Was that from the fall, too?" Bad exclaims. I nod slightly. "Tommy, do you have anyone to go to nearby that we can take you to?"Bad asks.

I think for a moment before shaking my head 'no'.

"How about you come with us back to our house? We can clean up your injuries and then take you back to your family, okay?" Bad suggests.

Uh, has this guy never heard of stranger danger?

I give him a skeptical look, but agreed.

Where else am I supposed to go?

Wilbur and his family probably think I'm a burden like Dream said. Especially Techno. They probably don't wanna see me right now...

And even if they don't think that, I have no idea where I ran off to, meaning I wouldn't even know my way back.

And I do not wanna even attempt to go back into that crowd.

Strangers' house is the only option.

I guess I'm getting kidnapped today...

Again...

Chapter Text

We start out of the alley.

I see the crowd and slow my pace slightly, but Bad places a reassuring hand on my shoulder, which I slightly flinch from, making me feel okay enough to continue walking with them.

We brush through the crowd and escape from the busy part of town.

"So, Tommy, care to explain why you, a seven, maybe eight, year old is alone in an alleyway crying?" Bad asks once we arrive to a quiet enough area to make conversation.

"I, uh, got lost in the crowd, and, after I got pushed to the ground, I went into the alley," I vaguely respond, hoping they'll just let it go. Thankfully they do.

Bad seems to take the hint that I don't wanna talk about it and changes the subject. "What kind of hybrid are you? What makes you unique?" Bad gives a friendly smile.

I visibly tense up.

What do I say?! 

If I say I'm human, they'll leave me here or maybe beat me up...

No, nevermind. Bad is too kind to beat me up. I dunno about the diamond guy, though.

But they'd still leave me here!

I'd never be able to find my way back!

Okay, Tommy, think.

What hybrid would fit the way I act without showing any physical properties?

Definitely not a lamb. I move to sudden for that.

What about a wolf? They can hide they're ears and stuff. Wait, no. My eyes aren't like theirs. It would give it away.

Prime dammit. What do I say!?

"Tommy?" Bad asks with a worry look lacing his face as he slightly shakes me back into reality. "You okay?"

"Oh, uh... yeah," I look to the ground. "I'm, uh, a...." I couldn't think of something that would fit my description.

"Are you the human that everyone's been talking about?" Skeppy asks. I tense even further and brace myself for any kind of remark. Verbal or physical. Maybe both. "Hey, don't worry! We aren't gonna do anything," the diamond man reasures. I look up at him and his reassuring smile.

I nod sheepishly. "How'd you know?" I ask just barely above a whisper.

"Oh, gossip spreads like wildfire around here. It's crazy how fast everyone knows anything once it gets out," Skeppy states, looking around before looking at me. "A lot of people are on edge about it, others don't believe it."

"But you're safe with us! We'll get you back home soon," Bad smiles.

Home?

Eh, I'm too tired to correct him...

We arrive at the house. 

Bad leads me in after opening the front door. Skeppy rushes in from behind us and jumps on to the couch full of neatly placed blankets and pillows. The place is very nice. Everything inside is neat and clean while pictures of the two adults, sometimes others, line parts of the walls and some shelves.

Bad pulls out a chair for me at the kitchen table and leaves around the corner to, most likely, get a medkit or something. After a minute or two, Bad comes back with a medkit just as I figured.

"Okay, let's fix your knee up first," Bad states as he kneels down in front of me.

I nod and lift my knee up slightly. Bad carefully dabs a wet cotton ball on my leg which makes the cut sting and me wince.

"Sorry, Tommy. This should clean it though, so it won't get infected," Bad apologises.

"It's okay..." I mumble.

Bad quickly, yet gently, cleans and bandages my scraped knee and hands. "And... done!" Bad says as he tucks the bandage on my hand under itself to keep it from unraveling.

I look at my now bandaged hands then back up to Bad, saying a quiet 'thank you' as he cleans up what is left of the medkit.

"Hey, Tommy, you want a cookie?" I hear from my left.

I look towards the sound to see Skeppy who has a jar of chocolate-chip cookies in his hand. He holds one out for me.

"SKEPPY! I just baked those this morning and you've already eaten half the jar!!" Bad yells at Skeppy.

Skeppy shoves another cookie into his mouth before answering. "Buh theh're so gud," He tries to say with his mouth full.

"Don't talk with your mouth full!!" Bad yells again before sighing angrily. "I am going to put this medkit away. By the time I get back, the jar better be back in the cupboard WITH cookies inside!" 

Bad walks away around the corner again. Skeppy and I look to each other once he's gone. Skeppy then takes three more cookies, leaving two in the jar, before placing the near-empty jar back in the cupboard.

He looks back to me. "You didn't see anything, right?" Skeppy's asks playfully.

I laugh a bit before answering, "Not a thing," which makes him smile. Bad comes back in the room as Skeppy shoves another cookie into his mouth and swallows it almost whole.

"Geppy! Why do you still have two cookies!?" Bad angrily askes.

"I was gonna give one to the kid! And you!" Skeppy answers, handing one of the cookies to Bad who angrily takes it and mumbles a small 'thanks' followed by something like 'you muffinhead'? Whatever that means.

Skeppy looks to me.

"Here, kid," Skeppy holds out a cookie for me to take.

"Oh, uh. No, thanks. I'm not supposed to have sugar..." I politely decline.

"Why?" Skeppy asks.

"My... mom says I can't have sugar, and I get in a lot of trouble if I do," I mumble. "So, you can have it," I smile.

Skeppy looks to Bad who looks back at him. Skeppy shrugs before biting into the cookie.

Bad turns back to me. "So, Tommy, can you explain in a bit more detail as to why you were alone in an alley?" He gently asks.

Shit... 

I guess he was gonna ask this eventually...

Do I tell him the truth? 

I guess I have to... 

I bet I'd be in huge trouble if he found out I was lying...

Here goes nothing.

"I- uh, ran away from Wilbur... and got lost," I quietly answer.

"Why did you run away?" Bad asks in a worried way.

I'm clearly hesitant to answer.

It was a stupid reason, really.

What if he gets mad because of how stupid it is and how he has to deal with me now?

"You're not gonna get in any trouble by telling me what happened. I promise. I just want to get an understanding as to how you got there in the first place," Bad reassures, almost as if he read my mind.

I quietly let out a breath before continuing my answer. "Wilbur was taking me to meet his friends and we came across Dream and his friends. Wilbur and Dream started to fight, so I went to play with Tubbo. But then, these stupid kids came and were bullying Tubbo and pushed him into the dirt and stuff, so I scared them away and then Dream came to get Tubbo. Wilbur and Dream started fighting again and Dream said that... uh..." I hesitate.

I can feel my eyes start to water, but I quickly blink a couple times to push it back. 

"Hey, it's okay. It was bad, huh? What he said?" Bad asks.

I nod.

"I'd appreciate if you could tell me what he said, but you don't have to if you don't feel up to it," Bad smiles.

I nod again before taking another breath, "He told me that I'm a no good, filthy, fucking human... just like my mom... and that I'm a burden and a nosien- nusien- nosient-" I struggle with the wierd word Dream used.

"Nusience?" Bad corrects.

I nod. 

I didn't exactly know what that word means, but I know that it's bad. I always hear the adults say it when they talk about someone. I think I know who they're talking about though because they mention my name while talking about this person. So, maybe they're a friend of mine or something.

"It's okay, Tommy, and thank you for telling me," Bad says, "Dream is... a lot of things. Quick to judge being one of them. I would know, he didn't exactly like me at first either, but now we're best friends!" 

What? 

Best friends? Best friends? With Dream!?

Oh shit.

Oh, no, no, no.

Now he's gonna tell Dream! And then he's gonna hate me even more!

"Hey, hey! Woah! Calm down! He may be my friend, but you don't need to worry! I'm taking your side! I promise," Bad reassures my panic. "I can take you back now if you want?" Bad offers.

Is Wilbur ready to see me?

Am I ready to see Wilbur?

I mean... I suppose I have to go. 

I shouldn't bother Bad anymore than I already have.

I hesitantly nod.

After Bad tells Skeepy where we are headed, we set out for the street. Bad makes me hold his hand while we walk through the crowd.

Once we get to the middle of a small clearing in the sea of people, I can hear a familiar, albeit panicked, voice.

"TOMMY!! Fuck! I'm never gonna find him!" Wilbur calls for me as he paces around.

"Wilbur!" Bad calls, causing Wilbur to look in our direction. 

Wilbur starts making his way towards Bad. Me and Wilbur make eye contact once he gets close enough. Wilbur pauses for a moment before bolting towards me.

"TOMMY! Holy shit! Never do that again!" Wilbur quickly drops to his knees to hug me but pulls away almost instantly, "Are you okay?! Where were you!? Are you- What happened to your hands!?" Wilbur inspects my bandaged up hands.

"Oh... uh, I fell... But Bad fixed me up!" I smile, although being scared Wilbur was mad.

"Are you okay?" He asks.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I answer.

Wilbur stands up and looks to Bad.

"Thank you so much, Bad! I thought someone would've done something to him. I wouldn't have found him without you," Wilbur goes on. Wilbur thanks Bad a million times before we say our goodbyes and start to walk home. We even stop at Niki's for a small treat.

Chapter Text

Wilbur and I are almost home now and I already finished the muffin Wilbur bought me from Niki's. I look to Wilbur. He hasn't let go of my hand since we left Bad. My guess is either I'm in a lot of trouble and he doesn't want me to run away again or he just doesn't realize it yet.

I wouldn't be surprised if he's mad at me for running off. Maybe I should apologize. Yeah, maybe he won't be as mad.

"Uh, Wilbur," I ask, grabbing his attention.

"Yeah? What's up?" Wilbur looks down at me.

"I- uh, I'm sorry for running off..." I quietly apologize. 

"What? Tommy... No, don't apologize. I understand why you ran off. Just don't do it again. Unless you're in danger or something and you have to, okay?" Wilbur replies.

"Okay..." I look to the ground. 

"Hey, Tommy? Can you do me a favor?" Wilbur asks, breaking the moment of silence that was between us.

I look back up at him and nod. Wilbur pulls me off to the side and kneels down in front of me with his hands on my shoulders.

"Don't listen to what Dream says. Promise me you won't. 'Cause he's gonna say some stuff in the future as well and I don't want you to listen to what isn't true. Okay? Can you promise me that?" Wilbur asks.

But... Dream's older than me. Doesn't that make him right?

Mom always said that I should listen to people who are older than me. Adults know more than a stupid kid, so they're always right.... right?

But Wilbur is older than me, too. So I should do as he says, which means making this promise.

Okay... I guess I can do that.

Man, adults are so confusing.

"Okay, I promise," I reply, causing Wilbur to stand up, grab my hand again, and continue leading me back to the house.

Once we walk into the house, Wilbur shouts out an announcement to the others that we were back; although, I don't think it was heard by anyone.

We walk into the kitchen to see Phil making some food and Techno reading a book at the kitchen table.

"Hey, Dad. I found Tommy," Wilbur greets.

Phil turns his gaze to us as his face brightens. 

"Tommy! We were so worried! What happened?" Phil exclaims in a relieved manner. I, being to shy to answer, stay quiet. 

Thankfully, Wilbur speaks up, "After he ran off, he fell and got hurt a bit. Then, Bad found him and brought him back to me."

"Hm, so he didn't try to kill or hurt anyone for something that's not their fault, unlike someone else we knew?" Techno mocks in his monotone voice while not once looking up from his book.

"Techno, please," Phil slightly scolds before continuing, "Tommy, mate, would you like some food?" He offers. 

"Oh, uh, no thanks. I think I'm just gonna go upstairs for a little bit if that's okay?" I quietly decline.

"Oh, yeah. That's fine. Just let me know when you get hungry," Phil states.

I walk up the stairs with Wilbur and we go into 'my' room. I sit on the bed while Wilbur looks out the window. 

"Hey, Wil? What's Dream normally like? Like, before I was here?" I ask.

Wilbur looks at me before smiling and sitting down beside me. "He's pretty cool, but he can be a huge dick sometimes. He's a really good fighter, too. Really powerful."

"Really?" I question. "How powerful?"

"When we escaped, he took out a shit ton of people because they were going for Tubbo," Wilbur answers.

Right, the escape. 

Was he the one that killed my mom?

"He once fought Technoblade a while back, too. Techno won, though. It was a really close battle though," Wilbur explains.

"Wow... So Techno is stronger than Dream?" I ask.

"Well, no. They are pretty much tied on that. Techno just got the win that time," Wilbur shrugs. "Sapnap and George are really cool as well. Oh, get this. Did you know George is a lamb even though he-" Wilbur asks but I cut him off.

"Oh, yeah. I know," I say. I look at Wilbur who looks at bit disappointed before adding, "Sorry for interrupting."

"Oh, no. Its alright. But how did you know?" Wilburs asks with a curious face.

"George's movements are really soft. Like they aren't jagged or sudden at all. And his nose is just a bit pinker than a normal humans," I explain. "Tubbo confirmed it as well, anyway."

"Wow. I- I'm impressed," Wilbur laughs. "How do you know about hybrids like that?"

"Oh, uh- my mom always had books and papers on hybrids and stuff. She would have me read them and she would even teach me sometimes," I smile before letting it fall. "That's when she would tell me why hybrids are bad and dangerous and stuff..." I mumble and look to the ground. 

"Why would she teach you about them?" I hear Wilbur mumble, probably asking himself than me but I still answer.

"She says it was to protect me from them. So, if I was captured, I would know they're weaknesses and how to get away from them," I start to laugh at how ironic my situation is.

"What's so funny?" Wilbur asks.

"It- she did that so that if I were in a situation like this" -I gesture around us- "I'd be able to get out, but instead of that, I'm here in the house of my 'enemies' acting like I belong," I look back to the ground and laugh slightly again.

"Tommy..." Wilbur pulls me into a hug, "you don't have to pretend."

"No, I don't belong here. I'm not supposed to be here," I slightly argue. 

"Tommy. You don't belong here. Alright, fine. But I'm glad your here," Wilbur says, giving up on fighting.

"Thanks, Wil."

It's late at night and everyone's in bed. 

I'm, instead, downstairs in the kitchen reading my book. The voices have been quiet lately, so I'm enjoying the peace while I can.

I still don't understand why Phil is so keen on protecting Tommy. 

He's a child.

And an orphan.

And a human.

He's a human-orphan child.

Not only that, but he's a child whose mother is a main operator of a hybrid lab!

This kid is going to be the death of us all.

I'm brought out of my thoughts by the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs.

They're quiet, so they can't be Philza.

Maybe Wil is sneaking out?

But they're also small, so it can't be Wilbur.

Which only leaves-

"Oh- uh- Hi, Techno..." Tommy stops in his place upon seeing me, giving me a small wave.

"What are you doing awake?" I ask with a slight glare. 

Primes, I feel like a parent...

Wait, this is what Phil goes through everyday?

Ugh, its awful!

"I couldn't sleep, so I was going to see if I could get some water..." Tommy answers quietly.

I sigh, "Glasses are in the top, far left cupboard." I look back to my book.

It's quiet for a moment before I hear Tommy sit across from me at the table. I look over my book at him and see no cup near him on the table. I then look behind me at the cupboard where the cups are.

Oh. Right. 

He's a child.

Children are short.

"Do you need help reaching the cupboard?" I look back at him.

"What? No! Of course not. I'm a big man and I'm tall enough. I'm just not thirsty anymore," Tommy claims.

"Really?" I ask, unamused, causing him to give a little 'yup' in confirmation.

I place my book down and walk over to the cup filled cabinet. I grab a cup and fill it with water for Tommy. I sit back down at the table and give Tommy his water. Tommy looks from the water to me then back to the water before taking a drink of it.

"Thanks," I hear him mumble.

"I thought you weren't thirsty?" I tease. 

"You went through all that trouble to get it, so..." Tommy comes up with an excuse. "I might as well drink it."

"It's okay to ask for help sometimes, y'know," I say without looking away from my book.

We sit in silence for minute or two before Tommy speaks up, "Hey, Techno?"

I hum in acknowledgment.

"How did you guys escape?" He asks.

I lower my book slightly and glare at him, "Why do you wanna know?"

What's he trying to do? Get information for his mom or-

Oh wait, his mom's dead.

"I dunno..." He takes another sip of water. 

"Are you trying to be a spy and get information for someone or something?" I tease.

"What? No! I was- I was just curious. I- you don't have to answer! It was just-" the kid stutters at the accusation. "Nevermind. Forget I asked."

I sigh and pick up my book again. Might as well say something. It's not like he's gonna get out with me around anyway.

"We had people sneaking notes in and out. Then, we eventually started sneaking the kids out. After a while, we made our big escape. We barely made it out. If it wasn't for your mother being distracted that day, we wouldn't have made it," I shrug.

Tommy visibly tenses as he just stares at the water in his cup.

"What's wrong?" I raise a brow.

"I- uh... I think I was.. the distraction..." Tommy mumbles and avoids eye contact.

What?

I lower my book back down. "What do you mean?" I ask.

"I was the reason my mom was distracted... I kept bugging her because of my stupid fever for attention... meaning it- it's my fault she's dead," Tommy explains in an almost choked up manner. 

So... Tommy is the reason we escaped?

Hm.. guess he's not as useless as I figured. 

Tommy looks up at me. "But you guys escaped, so that's good, right?" 

"Yeah, that's great. It was hell in there..." I state.

"But if I hadn't been so dramatic then you guys wouldn't have to deal with me, right?" He asks. 

I think about it for a moment before nodding. 

"Guess I'm a screw-up both ways," Tommy laughs slightly before biting the inside of his mouth. "Everything bad is my fault..." Tommy mumbles. 

"That's not true," I state, "As much as I hate to admit it, you actually make things better here."

Tommy lightly scoffs, "Like what?" 

"Wilbur is a lot happier. Like I told you, he's always wanted a little brother."

"But he's in a fight with Dream because of me," Tommy dismisses.

"Phil has always wanted another son," I claim.

"Yeah, but I'm kind of a bad kid and a disappointment or whatever and the whole town looks down on him now," Tommy disagrees. 

"What about Tubbo?" I question.

"What 'bout him?" Tommy asks.

"He has a friend. Tubbo doesn't normally have friends. Especially ones that stand up for him," I answer.

"Yeah, but- but he-" Tommy sighs. "Fine, you win."

"Oh, yay. Didn't know we were playing a game," I tease and pick up my book again. "Things are better with you here, Tom. No matter how much I hate it."

Tommy stands up and walks over to the sink. He reaches his hand over to place his cup in it and walks towards me. 

He stands there for a moment before quickly hugging me and mumbling a quick, "thanks". Then he runs back upstairs and, hopefully, to bed. 

Strange kid...

Chapter Text

I walk down the stairs and see Techno in the kitchen like last night.

Did he even go to bed at all?

Where's Wilbur and Phil?

"Morning, Tommy," Techno greets me. 

I walk in and sit down at the table. "Morning, Techno. Where's Wilbur and Phil? Is it too early or..."

"They had to go out somewhere for something. They told me to babysit you," Techno informs me. "Here, I made you some toast." Techno slides a napkin with two pieces of buttered toast on it closer to me. "As fun as babysitting you sounds, I have things to do today, so once your done eating, get dressed and meet me back down here."

Wow. Okay?

"Thanks," I say before taking a bite.

Wait a second. 

Babysitting!?

I do not need babysat!

"Wait! What do you mean babysitting?! I'm a big man and I don't need someone always watching me!" I argue after swallowing a piece of toast in my mouth.

"I'd beg to differ," Techno states.

About ten minutes later and I'm heading outside with Techno. We start walking out into the crowd.

Techno doesn't make me hold his hand like Wilbur does. I guess he just doesn't care as much if I get lost. I mean that's pretty fair. He never liked me to begin with, so why would he now?

I accidentally trip on my poorly tied shoe laces causing me to look away for a moment. I look back to where I last seen Techno but he isn't there. I begin to lightly panic before a firm hand grabs my arm. I look up and see Techno glance at me before looking up.

"Stay close. I'll get in a lot of trouble for losing you like Wilbur did," Techno says as he pulls me in front of him. He holds onto my right shoulder as we pass through the crowd.

We stop at a building labeled "Sam's Forgery". Inside is a bunch of swords and metal, and there is a creeper hybrid who seems to run the place polishing up an axe. He gives me a lollipop and Techno talks to him about his sword for a little while before we leave. 

The road we are in now isn't as crowded as the main road was. While walking, I notice how everyone seems to look at Techno and me. A lot of them are whispering to the person or people next to them.

Suddenly, Techno stops walking, causing me to bump into him.

"I'm going inside to talk to... an old friend really quick. You can't come in here, so stay right here. Do not go anywhere," Techno states very clear. 

I nod and watch him go inside a building. I stand there for a couple minutes before a kid approaches me. He's a bit older than me. Maybe eleven or twelve. He was taller than me by a couple inches.

"Hey! Why are you hanging out with that freak?" He asks.

"Huh? Who?" I ask, early confused.

What freak? 

Wait, is Tubbo around?!

Do I have to scare another jackass away again?

"Technoblade! He's weird and a freak! Why are you with him?" The kid answers.

By now some other kids, probably his friends, are surrounding me.

"Techno? He's not a freak! Why would he be?" I glare at the kid. "Shut the fuck up!" I yell at him.

"Your defending the insane, voice-hearing freak of the villiage?" Another kid questions as if I'm insane. 

"Yeah! I am! So fuck off!" I yell at them.

"Or what? What are you gonna do about it?" A kid to my right asks with a smirk.

Time to use the kids' trauma against them.

"I'll fucken kill you! I'm human! So I'll get my human friends to kill you!" I threaten.

I'm lying, though. 

I don't actually have friends. 

But they don't know that.

The original kid speaks up, "Oh, yeah? Well, how are you gonna tell them if you're too hurt to talk?" He looks to the kids behind me, "Hold him down."

The kids behind me grab my arms. I try to get out of their grip but they're too strong. Especially when there's, like, three of them holding me. 

"What the Fuck!! LET ME GO!!" I yell at them. I look back to the fucker in front of me.

"This'll be fun," The kid says before balling his up into a fist, pulling it back, and throwing it right at my face. He hits my left jaw. Before I can even register how bad it hurts, another punch goes right into my gut.

This continues for three more punches before I'm dropped to the ground by the kids. 

"-ON'T GO NEAR HIM OR I'LL MAKE YOU ALL ORPHANS!!" I hear someone familiar yell from above me.

I look up at Techno. He looks back down at me. "You alright?" He asks. 

Uh, I think? 

Ow, yeah, no, nevermind.

I'm not.

I still nod anyway, though.

Techno grabs my arm and tries to pull me up, but pain stings throughout my entire arm causing me yelp slightly. Techno sighs, "Come on. Let's get you back to the house." Techno helps me up in a more gentle and careful manner. 

Once we get to the house, Techno sits me down on the couch while he sits on the coffee table in front of me.

"Let me see," Techno holds onto my chin and tilts my head to the right. "How bad does it hurt?" He asks.

"Not too bad," I say. I'm not exactly lying. It doesn't hurt as bad anymore.

"Okay. Let me see your arm," Techno let's go of my chin and grabs my wrist. I roll up my left sleeve to reveal an awful dark colored bruise.

What the fuck!?

He didn't even punch me there.

What kind of hybrid was the kid holding me?! 

Techno sighs again, "Phil is gonna kill me," He mumbles.

"Sorry..." I apologize.

"For what? I should be apologizing to you for leaving you there?" Techno asks as he gently rolls down my sleeve.

"You might get in trouble because I was too much of a pussy to defend myself," I explain.

"Theres no way you could've fought those kids. They were older and a lot stronger," Techno reasons. 

"Nah, I could've taken them," I tell him.

"Sure," Techno drags out.

"And, uh, Techno?"

"Yeah?"

"The- uh, the kids said something about you being a voice-hearing freak of the villiage or something?" I quietly state.

Techno pauses and goes silent for a moment before finally speaking. "Is- is that why they picked on you?" He quietly asks.

"Well, no. They beat me up because I threaten to tell my 'human friends' to kill them for calling you a freak and all," I explain, using my fingers as air quotes. 

Techno looks up from the ground to me. "You defended me? Why?"

"Because."

"...just because?"

"Just because."

I smile and Techno almost smiles back. 

"Wait, you threatened to tell your human friends to kill them?" He asks after realizing that small detail.

"Oh, uh, yeah. It didn't work..." I say. Then, quickly adding, "I don't actually have human friends like that."

He scoffs slightly, "Now you see why you need a babysitter?"

I end up making Tommy some hot chocolate. I tear off part of the packet and pour the powder into a mug. I take the tea kettle and pour hot water into the the mug until it's half full, then I pour milk in the rest of the way. To top it off, a small handful of marshmallows.

Perfect.

Who makes hot chocolate with water?!

Aweee he got marshmallows for Tommy!!!

Why water?? Its just milk!

Stfu guys! It has milk and water! Stop fucken arguing!!!

Tommy will love it!

I can't do one thing without them arguing, can I?

I take the perfect hot chocolate to the living room and hand it to Tommy. "Be careful, it's hot," I say before he could take a sip.

Tommy sets the cup on the table and picks up another crayon to color with. The front door opens and is followed by, "We're home!" Which is said by Phil.

"We're in the living room," I call loud enough for them to hear without actually yelling.

Dad and Wilbur walk into the living room. By now, the punch that landed on Tommy's face had developed a bruise on the left side of his jaw and cheek even though we put ice on it. We also put a bandaid on his nose to cover a scab from when he was dropped. He doesn't need it but it looks funny on him.

"What's with the plaster?" Wilbur asks. Tommy turns to look at them and they both gasp.

"What happened!?" Dad exclaims as he examines Tommy's face.

"It was my fault. I left him alone for a couple minutes and-" I take the fault and try to explain but Tommy interrupts me.

"No, it's not! I made them mad! And I didn't even fight back, so it's my fault," Tommy argues.

"You couldn't fight back," I correct.

Wilbur, Dad, and I go out to the hallway to talk and leave Tommy to draw and drink his hot chocolate in the living room.

"What happened? You were supposed to watch him!" Phil lightly scolds.

"I was! I had things to do in town, so I took him with me. I had to talk to Quackity, but he was in his dad's bar. I didn't want to lose Tommy in a place like that, so I told him to stay outside and to not go anywhere," I explain. 

"Then why does he have bruises?" Wilbur asks.

"Some kids saw him with me and bullied him for it. I heard him scream and when I ran out, some older kids were holding him down and beating the shit out of him," I answer.

"How bad is it?" Dad gives a concerned look.

"The kid who was punching him wasn't too strong. The only damage he left was the bruise on Tommy's face. Tommy's arm is a lot worse. The kid holding him held him so tight, his upper arm is mostly bruised," I report. "Shouldn't take too long to heal, I hope."

"So... you seem to be getting closer to Tommy. Worrying about him and all," Wilbur smirks as he teases.

"No. I don't care for him at all. But if he had gotten anymore hurt, I would've gotten my ass kicked!" I say a bit louder than I intended.

"Don't be so loud! He might hear you!" Wilbur whisper yells.

"It's okay," Tommy appears from the living room. "I don't mind that Techno doesn't like me. You can't really force him to."

"See? Look what you did!" Wilbur whispers again.

"Honestly, Wil. It's okay. A lot of kids don't like me at home, so it's not much different," Tommy states.

"Is that why you protected Tubbo from the bullies?" Wilbur questions.

"Yeah, Tubbo just doesn't deserve to feel like that. I can see why I would, but Tubbo definitely doesn't," Tommy says confidently.

Phil speaks up this time, "Did you have any other friends back at home?" 

"Yeah! I had one... I think," Tommy looks to the ground for a moment, "His name was James. He was kinda rude and didn't really hang out with me. But he still said we were friends," Tommy shrugs.

"He doesn't seem like a good friend," I state.

"I know. But he was all I had after I lost my other one."

"Other one?" Phil questions.

"I had a friend before him. They were actually.... a hybrid," Tommy states and avoids eye contact. 

"You were friends with a hybrid?" I ask with hint of suspicion. Tommy just has a guilty look on his face as he nods.

"After a while, I became friends with James and I introduced them to each other," Tommy begins to mumble. "And then my hybrid friend dissapeared one day and James said they betrayed me or something like that..." 

Dad, Wil, and I glance between each other. Dad and Wil had sympathetic expressions.

So, Tommy hates hybrids because one was said to have "betrayed" him?

"I don't think they actually betrayed me, though... They were too nice for that and they even trusted me with knowing that they were a hybrid," Tommy goes silent for couple seconds. "I think James might have told my mom..." Tommy looks back up at us with a guilty look.

Phil places a hand on Tommy's shoulder and kneels down a bit. "Hey, Tommy. It's okay. I'm sure your friend is okay, somewhere," Phil lies. 

The kid Tommy is talking about is probably dead. 

"They're not. I know they aren't," Tommy's eyes start to tear up.

"Why don't you go color and play with Wilbur while I make dinner, okay? Are you hungry?" Phil asks with a calming smile.

Tommy nods.

"Okay, go play. I'll call you guys for dinner," Phil states.

Tommy walks off with Wilbur to the living room. Dad walks off to the kitchen. I follow him to help out with dinner.

Chapter Text

It's been about two weeks since Tommy was basically surprise adopted against his will. 

He and Tubbo continue to hang out even through Dream very much disagrees and hates the idea of a human and hybrid being friends.

He's gotten closer to Niki and he was able to hang out with Quackity and Karl, too. Karl even showed him how his abilities work. He was so excited during it. Tommy also got to see Bad and Skeppy once or twice when walking through town.

I think he's beginning to like it here. 

So, I have the brilliant idea for me and Techno to take Tommy outside the Ayrelia walls to get some fresh air and take in the scenery..... without Phil's knowledge.

We are currently walking underneath the trees when Techno decides to speak up. "This is such a bad idea, Wilbur. We are going to be in so much trouble when Phil finds out," he states from beside me.

"If he finds out, Techno. If," I correct.

"When," he deadpans.

We look to Tommy who is walking in front of us by a good bit. He's far enough that he could get a running start but not enough for him to actually get away if we chase him.

"What if Tommy tries to run away? He'll rat out our spot and then what? We suffer in labs again?" Techno questions.

I respond with an easy answer, "He wouldn't. He might be a kid, but he's smart. He knows he has nowhere to go and he doesn't even know where he could get help before we catch him," I wave my hand aimlessly. "Besides, I don't think he wants to leave anyway. I think he likes it here. And, either way, with the way you threatened him, I very much doubt he would test anything," I finish. 

"If you say so. You know him better than me," Techno mumbles with a sigh.

I can escape!

I'm pretty sure I've been in these woods before! From here, I can easily run through the trees and get to the police station!

Wait, is this a good idea?

I mean, what are the pros and cons of escaping?

Pros:

I can get away from Techno who absolutely hates me.

I can get back to everyday life as a human kid. 

I can get back to school. Eh maybe that's a con. School wouldn't be too bad if the teachers were nicer and the students weren't absolute dicks.

I can.... that's about it..

Okay... Cons:

I would be chased by Techno and Wilbur.

Wilbur would be really mad at me. 

I'd find out if Techno's threat was empty or not.

There's the possibility that I get lost and die out here all alone because I was wrong about the woods.

If I do escape successfully, people would shame me for protecting hybrids if they, one, find out they took me and, two, I didn't say where their hideout was.

I don't want them to be found; they shouldn't go back to the labs. What if I accidentally say where they are and they all get hunted down?

Then they would hurt everyone.... Wilbur, Techno, Niki, Karl, Quackity, Bad and Skeppy, Tubbo... TUBBO!

NO, NO, NO! I cant let anything happen to him!

Okay there are way too many more Cons than Pros. I'm not escaping.

I look at where I am and see a baby cow and his mother in a small field just outside the trees.

He's adorable!!

"TOMMY!" I faintly hear behind me, as I quickly run to him.

"Hi! Ohmygosh, you're adorable!!" I exclaim. 

The mother doesn't seem to mind me being near her child all that much. She looks at me and exhales before going back to eating grass.

Odd. But whatever.

The baby cow's fur is so soft!

"I should name you! What about... Henry!?" I ask. The little cow jumps around a bit. He seems to be in a playful mood. We jump around and chase each other for a couple minutes. Almost like playing tag.

Wait! Wilbur and Techno have to see him!

I look towards the woods and call out, "Wilbur! Techno!" 

Surely they would have chased me after I ran off, right?

I bring my hands to mouth and call again, "WILBUR! TECHNO!" 

Still no answer.

Either something's wrong or they brought me out here just so I would run off and they could leave me to die. 

No, they wouldn't. They're smarter than that because I know where they're hideout is. I could easily get them all killed with a simple sentence to the right person. 

Wow, that's... a lot of power.

I should probably look for them...

Or I could escape now? 

No. More Cons than Pros. 

Not worth the risk.

So, they seriously didn't chase me or anything? 

Something has to be wrong. Techno was keeping a severely close eye on me and I'm pretty sure I heard him yell my name shortly after running off.

What could be wrong, though?

I look towards the woods for a short while longer before Henry lightly headbutts my hand.

I turn to look at him. "I'm sorry, Henry. I gotta go. But I'll be back again sometime, I promise!" I pat his head.

I say a quick goodbye and 'thank you' to his mother as well before running back into the woods to look for Wilbur and Techno. It's not long before I hear yelling in the distance, causing me run towards it. I stop at the unexpected scene.

Hybrid hunters are attacking Wilbur and Techno.

Wilbur is being held back by two of them while Techno tries to fight another two.

"Hey, kiddo, what are you doing here? It's dangerous," The fifth hunter notices me.

"Wait, doesn't he kinda look like that missing kid everyone's been looking for?" One of the men holding Wilbur down comments.

What?

Missing kid?

I mean, I'm missing, but-

Hold up, people are looking for me?

Why?

Everyone hated me at home...

And my mom is dead so...

What the fuck?

I notice the fifth hunter growing closer to me causing me to break from my thoughts. I quickly back up and run away as the hunter chases me. In the tense and panicking moment, the first thing that comes to mind was 'climb a tree'.

So, that's what I do.

I find a tree with enough branches to climb and scramble my way up it.

"What the-? Kid! Come down! You'll fall and get hurt!" The hunter tries to reason with me.

I look around and notice acorns attached to the leaves and branches. I pick a couple and look back down at the hunter. I throw them as hard as I can at him.

"GAH! WHAT THE FUCK!?" The hunter exclaims, stepping back from the tree.

I look back at Techno and Wilbur. They're too far away for me to throw things at the those hunters from here. My eyes drift to the tree trunk closest to them. My gaze follows the tree upward to the long branches. The branches are close to the tree I'm in. I quickly climb higher and reach out for the branch. When I jump over to it, I almost fall in the process, but I'm able to catch myself.

"Be careful!!" I hear a worried Wilbur yell.

"Ha! Imagine that! A hybrid 'caring' for a human boy!" One of the hunters holding Wilbur mocks.

The good thing about this new tree I'm in is that it's a pine tree. Meaning instead of acorns, there's pinecones.

I grab one and sock the hunter right in the eye.

"AH! FUCK!" He yells, letting go of Wilbur and bringing one of his hands up to his eye.

I throw another pinecone. This time, I aim for the certain part of a man that hurts like hell when hit.

Right in the crotch.

He doubles over onto the floor after being hit.

Bullseye!

Wilbur let's out a laugh, but the hunter hits him in the head for it. I replicate the action and hit the hunter in the head with a pinecone.

I start to throw the surprisingly great weapons at the hunters attacking Technoblade and distract them enough for Techno to beat the shit out of them. The other guys that were holding Wilbur down leave him and start to attack Technoblade. A guy tries to shoot him with this crossbow-dart thingy, but I throw a pinecone so he misses the shot.

"What the fuck, kid!? We're trying to help you!" The hunter yells.

"FUCK YOU GUYS!" I yell as I flip them off.

Techno eventually takes them all down. Knocking them out cold on the ground. 

"Fuck yeah!!" I celebrate, lifting my arms up in the air.

Although it doesn't last long as I lose my balance on the branch and fall towards the ground.

Shit-

I knock out the last hunter.

You should kill them off :)

BLOOD!!!

Blood for the blood god!

How much you wanna bet Tommy's gonna fall out of the tree?

Tommy's gonna fall!!

No he won't! He's a big man!

I look up at Tommy. He starts to celebrate but loses balance and starts to fall.

Of course.

I quickly run towards him. I hold my arms out and just barely reach him in time.

Holy shit, is he light!

I could tell that he's skin and bones but honestly, did his mom even feed him?

As I'm falling out of the tree, I miss all the branches except for one hitting my left arm, which hurt like a bitch even though it's mostly healed. I brace myself for straight impact with the ground, but instead I'm met with arms softening my fall.

"You okay?" Whoever caught me asks. 

"Yeah, are you?" I ask, realizing I might've hurt them. I look up and see Techno. 

"You're lighter than a bag of grapes. I think I'm fine," Techno deadpans and sets me down. "We should go back before Phil goes home to an empty house," He suggests.

"Tommy!" Wilbur hugs me. "Are you okay?! Why didn't you run!? And why on Earth did try to fucken climb between trees!? You could've gotten so hurt!" Wilbur scolds.

"Get away from that kid!" We hear from beside us. We turn and see one of the men waking up. He was hurt, so it's not like he was going to get up or anything. "Come here, kid," He says.

"What? Why would I do that? Your a stranger. Stranger danger," I state the obvious.

"Kid, look. I can take you back to the police station. I can get you back to your normal life. Back to having a normal childhood," He offers.

Back to normal?

I take a couple steps towards him. Wilbur is about to intervene, but Techno stops him and decides to let whatever this is play out.

"People have been worried sick," He puts his hand inside his pocket, causing me to step back, but he pulls out a folded piece of paper and hands it to me. I take it and unfold it. 

A missing child poster for Thomathy Innit Simons.

I look back at the man. "You can go with me and get away from those God awful hyrbids," He says, glaring to the hybrid brothers behind me. I don't even have to look to know that they're glaring back.

I fold the poster back up and put it into my pocket. "Piss off! You can't even do your stupid fucken job right," I glare.

"Are you sure about that, kid," I hear from behind me. I turn and see another one of the men awake and aiming a crossbow at Techno.

"TECHNO!!" I quickly jump towards Techno, hugging him. I feel a pinch in my arm. 

I look at the cause of it, seeing an odd looking pink dart. I pull it out and look at the guy.

"That's all you got!? Some stupid fucken Nerf gun and a pretty pink dart?! You guys are so fucken stupid if you think you can just fucken hurt them like that and get away with it! That's REALLY fucken stupid actually! And if you think I'm going with you fuckers then you guys are fucken mental! And- and..." I quickly cuss them out before feeling really dizzy. 

I look back at Techno and Wilbur.

I can see a blurry Wilbur running towards me.

Then everything goes black.

Wilbur catches Tommy before he falls to the ground. I look at the guy who tried to shoot me and see him struggling to reload his crossbow. I step on the crossbow, breaking it, and knock the guy out again.

"Let's go, Wil," I state looking back at him. He tries to stand up with Tommy in his arms, but almost drops Tommy in the process. I kneel down and take Tommy into my own arms. "I got him. You alright?"

"Yeah. My arms are just a bit sore," Wilbur states, "Let's get home."

After a while, we make it back to the house, but by then it's dark out, meaning we are about to be in even more trouble. We walk up to our house. Wilbur opens the door, letting us walk in.

"Mind telling me where the fuck you three have been?" Phil glares as he crosses his arms.

"Hi, Dad..." Wilbur starts, "We're sorry but Tommy-"

Phil begins to scold us, "I don't give a shit if Tommy wanted something, the fact that you left the house without my knowledge, leaving me worried sick about where on fucken Earth my children were! No note, No message. Nothing! Where even is Tommy anyway? He-" 

"Dad! He's right here," I state and step towards him, showing Tommy asleep in my arms and concerningly pale.

His face switches from stern and scolding to worry and concern. "What happened? Is he okay?!" Phil stresses.

"He's fine. It was just some type of tranquilizer or weakening dart," I state.

"WHAT?! Where the fuck were you!?" Phil exclaims, looking between the two of us.

"Wilbur can explain. I'm taking Tommy upstairs," I state before taking my leave up the stairs as Phil begins to ask Wilbur a lot of questions.

I would've just put Tommy in his designated room, but the door is closed and I don't want to accidentally drop Tommy trying to open it. I instead take him into my and Wil's room. Wilbur's bed is really messy so I just place Tommy in my comfortable and neat bed. As I'm about to pull the covers over him, I notice a folded piece of paper in Tommy's pocket. I gently take the paper out and frown after unfolding it.

The missing child poster.

I pull the covers over Tommy and walk back downstairs.

"-ecause Tommy was throwing the pinecones at them! And after Techno took them all out, Tommy lost his balance and fell out of the tree-" Wilbur explains quite dramatically as I walk into the kitchen. I calmly sit down at the table.

Wilbur stops talking and looks over to me as if saying 'sorry'. To which I say, "Continue, I don't mind." Wilbur then finishes the story.

Phil brings his hand to his face, "Why were you even out there to begin with?" 

"It was Wilbur's idea," I state. "Said it was 'to get some fresh air' or something like that."

"Wilbur you know better than to just go outside the walls!" Phil scolds.

I interrupt him, "Dad, it was my fault as much as his, but we have a bigger issue than that." I take the poster and place it on the table, showing them. "Someone's been looking for him."

Phil and Wilbur aren't phased by this. 

"Okay? He's a child who went missing. What's so odd about people looking for him, mate?" Phil asks.

"Who would put this up?" I roll my eyes at their still unphazed faces, "According to Tommy's stories, no one in his town cares about him and everyone thought he was a freak. He has no living family other than potentially his dad who Tommy doesn't even remember seeing."

Phil and Wilbur think about it for a moment before understanding how odd it is.

"I mean, what? A town absolutely hates the boy and wants nothing but to get rid of him, but the moment he suddenly goes missing, people suddenly care enough to look for him?" I ask.

Phil speaks up, "Well, people are like that. They hate someone then the moment something happens to that person, they are suddenly best friends. It's probably just for those people who want to look good in front of everyone else," He sighs.

"Not Tommy's town. Those people didn't give a shit about Tommy at all," Wilbur says. "They wouldn't care what happened to him."

"How would you know?" Phil looks to his eldest son.

"One of the scientists were actually pretty nice. I talked to her a lot. She explained how no one likes this one young blonde boy, because he's really loud and disruptive towards everyone," Wilbur explains.

"Wow you can talk to girls?" I tease.

"Shut up, Techno. You can't talk to anyone!" Wil glares.

"Boys, please," Phil scolds.

Chapter Text

I slowly wake up to see Wilbur asleep in a bed across from me. He's really far away. I sit up in the bed that I'm in. It's really comfortable and the blankets are softer than Wilbur's.

Who's bed is this? 

Techno's? 

Why am I in Techno's bed! 

He's gonna kill me!

I quickly slide out of his bed and try to make it look as neat as possible. It doesn't look great at all and definitely looks like a child had done it, but hopefully Techno will think it was Wilbur and won't kill me for it.

I look over at Wilbur who is sleeping, spread out all over his bed. I walk over to him and reach for his shoulder, but I stop. 

I probably shouldn't wake him. 

What if he gets mad?

Wilbur definitely isn't a morning person and gets mad at Techno and Phil for waking him up.

I look towards the window and notice it's dark out. I step back and turn towards the bedroom door. I walk downstairs. A light is on in the living room. That's weird. I quietly walk in and see Techno sitting on the couch reading a book in the dim light the lamp was producing.

"Do you ever go to bed?" I ask, approaching him.

"Do you ever get a full nights sleep?" Techno asks back, slightly glancing at me as I walk closer.

I dismissively hum as I sit down on the couch by him. "Where's Phil?" 

"He went to bed around thirty minutes ago," Techno answers as he closes and places his book on the table. "How are you feeling?"

"Uh, I'm a bit dizzy and my arm feels really annoying, but that's it," I answer. 

"Not surprised your skin would be irritated," Techno hums.

"Irri- irratot- tated-" I attempt to repeat the word.

"Irritated," Techno corrects. "It's an adult term for your arm feeling 'annoying'."

"I remember something pinching my arm and then cussing some of those guys out," I state.

"That's what happened," Techno confirms.

I look up at Techno. "Did I scare that guy with my intimidation!?" I ask with confidence.

Techno scoffs, "Yeah. You really scared him." I let out a small 'yes!' in celebration of being the big man I am. "Why did you come downstairs," Techno looks down at me.

"I felt alone," I hesitantly answer after looking away from him.

"Is Wil not up there?"

"Yeah, he is, but I didn't wanna wake him up," I shrug. "I didn't want him to get mad at me like he does with you and Phil when you guys wake him up."

"Wilbur wouldn't be mad if you woke him up. Especially if you wanted to sleep in his bed. He'd gladly let you," Techno rolls his eyes. "then he'd suffocate you with affection," He scoffs.

"Really?" I doubtfully ask.

"Yeah. He loves you to bits," Techno sighs.

"Eh, still. Didn't wanna risk it."

"Well, what do you want me to do about it?" Techno huffs.

I give him a confused look, "I dunno. I didn't ask you to do anything. So, nothing?"

He sighs, "Alright. Let's get you back to bed." He stands up. I copy him before with both walk back up the stairs. Once we get upstairs, I follow Techno into his and Wilbur's room. I start walking over to Wilbur's bed but stop at the sound of Techno's voice, "What are you doing?"

"Going to Wilbur's bed?" I answer as if he couldn't see me doing so himself. The room may be really dark but Techno could definitely still see me with his hybrid side. Cool hybrids, like Techno, have advanced senses like sight and hearing. Really poggers in my opinion.

"Go back to my bed," He states.

"Why?"

Techno pauses for a second, "Because Wilbur snores. You don't want to hear that all night."

I mean, he isn't lying. You could probably hear his snores from the next room over. 

"Did you try to make my bed?" Techno ask as he looks at his poorly made bed.

"Uh... yeah... sorry it's not very good," I apologize.

"That's alright," he says, "Now, come on. Get in bed."

I walk over to Techno's bed and get settled in before asking him, "Why are you being so nice to me?" 

Heh?

I'm not being nice to him, I'm simply treating him like a normal person? A normal child if anything.

I give him a confused look, although I doubt he could see it, "What do you mean?" I ask.

"You hated me since I got here, but now your being nice. Almost like you don't hate me anymore. It's weird," he explains.

"Your right. I didn't like you," I state the fact. "Still don't."

"Okay. Just making sure," He says before turning onto his side and closing his eyes.

He seems oddly comforted by me stating that fact. 

Odd.

Is this kid okay?

He was just comforted by someone telling him that they don't like him.

And he's an eight year old.

The hell?

Whatever, I'm too tired to really think to much into it.

I look down at my bed.

Oh.

Dammit, where do I sleep now?

This kid is definitely irritating me as much as his arm probably is him.

I sigh and end up lying next the kid.

This is so stupid. 

I better wake up before Wilbur because he's going to go ballistic if he see's this. (Spoiler: I didn't)

He would go on about how me and Tommy are bonding and how we are basically brothers now. (Spoiler: he did)

Maybe it wouldn't be so bad.

Wilbur took me to Niki's bakery. They've been talking about prime knows what outside of the cafe for a while now.

It's boring as fuck.

I look out into the street and spot a fimiliar mop of fluffy brown hair. I quickly run over to him.

"Tubbo!" I yell, giving him a hug. "What's up, big man!"

"Tommy! Guess what!?" Tubbo excitedly exclaims.

"What?"

"I'm going outside the walls!! Isn't that so cool!" Tubbo answers with wall bouncing energy.

What?

Outside the walls!?

No, no, no. That's not cool at all!

"Tubbo, that's- you really shouldn't-" I try to warn the boy but am interupted by his own excitement.

"I can't wait!" He grins, "It'll be my first time outside in, like, so long!"

"Hey, Tommy! What are you doing around here?" Sapnap asks as he walks up to us.

"Uh, I'm with Wilbur. He's with Niki right now," I look up at him.

Tubbo gasps. "Sapnap!! Can Tommy come with us?! It'll be so much fun!"

What!? No! They can't go out there!

But... if I go with them, maybe I can warn Dream or someone.

Yeah! I can do that!

"No, I don't think-" Dream starts.

"Come on, Dream! This is Tubbo's first time being outside in a long time! He'll have a lot more fun with Tommy there," George reasons in his british accent.

"C'mon, Dream. It'll be fine," Sapnap states. "And remember what we talked about," He whispers.

Dream looks at Tubbo's happy face and sighs at his two friends. "Fine. He can come," He grumbles.

Tubbo starts celebrating while Sapnap looks back to me. "Why don't you go ask Wilbur and let him know?" 

I nod and run back to Niki and Wilbur.

It'll be fine! If anything, I can protect them! Just like I protected Techno and Wilbur!

"Wil!" I exclaim, coming closer to him. "Can I go with Tubbo and the Dream Team to... uh the playground?" I ask.

If he knew, he wouldn't let me go outside the walls, then I couldn't protect them.

"Sure, as long as you be careful stay with the Dream Team," Wilbur states.

"Thanks, Wilbur!" I say before turning to leave.

"And, Tommy!" Wilbur starts, "Don't forget about our promise!" He smiles.

"I know. I won't," I say as I run back towards Tubbo. "I can go!" 

"Yes! Let's go!" Tubbo exclaims causing our little group to head towards the exit of their little town.

I talk with Tubbo most of the time before he starts talking to Sapnap. We are almost out of the maze which is pretty bad. George joins in on Tubbo and Sapnap's conversation as I walk up to Dream.

"Dream, we should-" I start to warn him.

"Shut! I don't care!" He hisses at me.

"But Dream, Tubbo-" I try again.

"I do not care! Shut it!" He snaps. "You shouldn't even be here..." he grumbles.

I not going to get anywhere with him.

I decide to give up and fall back to talk with the others again.

"Hey, Tommy, didn't you say something about us not going out here?" Tubbo asks. "I kinda interupted you. Sorry," he apologises.

"Uh, yeah. Me and Techno and Wilbur were out here yesterday and we ran into hunters. We had to fight them off," I state with worry. By now we are outside and under the trees from yesterday.

"There hasn't been a hunter sighting in over three months," George states.

"Yeah, that's not exactly something to joke about," Sapnap says.

"No! I'm not kidding! There's hunters out here!" I say louder this time and stopping in front of them.

"Tommy! Would you shut the fuck up!?" Dream yells from in front of us. "There are no hunters out here!"

"Yes, there are! I got-"

"Over here!" We hear.

Oh, shit.

Oh, shit-

"Sapnap, George, grab the kids!" Dream yells before lunging at the hunters.

Sapnap pulls me and Tubbo behind him. George holds onto Tubbo's shoulders from behind while Sapnap holds onto my arm, blocking the front of us. I hear Dream fighting the hunters. I try to look at what's going on, but Sapnap blocks my view of the fight. 

Tubbo looks horrified and panicked beside me. "Tubbo?" I say as I shake his shoulder slightly. 

"Tommy, are- I- I don't wanna get put back in the lab," he states with a shaky voice.

"I know. You're not going back there. I promise. We're gonna get out of this," I reassure him. He nods and gives me a small smile in thanks.

I spot a hunter loading on of those stupid crossbow thingies. I wriggle my way out of Sapnap's grip and quickly bolt towards the hunter. I grab the crossbow and pull it down before he shoots, causing the dart to go into the ground instead of Dream.

I smile at how my plan worked, but it immediately disappears once the hunter grabs me. Sapnap runs towards us but stops once another hunter steps beside us and points their loaded crossbow at him.

"Not another step closer," they threaten.

"Heh, this ones gonna get us a lot of money," The hunter holding me states.

"DON'T GET SHOT!!" I yell as I kick and struggle to get somewhat out of the man's grip.

"Shut up!" His grip tightens.

By now, Dream is back by George and holding onto Tubbo.

One of the other hunters speak up. "Is that the kid everyone's been looking for? He's surprisingly skinny," They comment.

"I say we take the two young ones and get out of here," another suggests.

Tubbo panics at that and holds onto Dream tighter. I look at Sapnap. His eyes look bolder than normal and... he has his hand behind his back? Huh? Dream glances at him causing Sapnap to nod. 

Oh, fuck- wait!

Dream quickly stands in front of Tubbo as Sapnap throws a glowing like ball at the ground causing everyone to immediately fly back. The man's grip on me loosens and I tumble backward from the blast. Someone grabs me and we run back to Aurelia.

Chapter Text

We run through the maze after making sure no one was following us, making all the twists and turns. We move far too fast for me to understand if we were going left or right. Eventually we get back to safety inside of the hidden community. Unfortunetly, three adults and two children running full speed into the villiage can cause quite a bit of attention.

I look up and see Wilbur running towards us. "Tommy! Where the fuck were you guys!?" He yells.

"Wha- outside the walls. What do you mean?" Sapnap asks while catching his breath. "Didn't Tommy ask you if he could come with us?" 

"What!?" Wilbur exclaims, "He said you were going to the playground! When I went there, I didn't see anyone! And outside the fucking walls!? There's hunters out there!"

Dream exhales and looks at him, "Yeah! We know now! It wasn't reported and" -Dream turns to look at me with a raging expression- "apparently someone knew about it and didn't think to fucking warn us!!" He yells.

"I-I tried! But you didn't-" I try to speak up but I'm immediately shot down by Dream yelling again.

"Do you even know what could've happened!? We could've been captured or fucking killed! Tubbo could've been hurt or fucking killed!!" Dream rages as he shouts his rant. "We should've just fucken left you there!" 

"Dream! Don't yell! It's not his fault! He tried to tell me!" Tubbo tries to reason. Dream looks at him and instantly becomes worried.

"What happened to your hand?!" He exclaims.

Tubbo holds out his hand to reveal a small burn. "Uh, I- I dunno, but it doesn't hurt that much!" Anyone could tell Tubbo was lying.

Dream growls through his teeth. "SEE!? This is exactly why we shouldn't have humans around!" He yells.

"Dream, don't-" Wilbur tries to intervene.

"NO! He cannot be trusted!! For all we fucking know, he could've planned it! He lied to you and didn't even think of the consequences that could've happened because of his fucking actions!!" Dream screams at Wilbur. "Once again, you wouldn't understand because you're just a fucking kid!"

Wilbur takes a step back and looks between me and Dream before his expression turns from concerned and worry to anger and disappointment. He didn't say another word in my defense.

"Come on, Tom," Wilbur takes my wrist.

Fuck- Wilbur's taking his side?

No, nononono-

He hates me.

He's gonna hurt me. 

They're gonna-

I yank my arm out of his hold and take a step back with tears in my eyes threatening to fall. I look between the two before turning. I run back towards the woods where we ran in from. I hear footsteps following behind me causing me to run faster to hopefully lose whoever they are. I keep running until I'm met with a cave. 

Not a cave.

The maze.

I look back once before running into the ominous, barely-lit cave. I run through the tunnels trying to remember which way we came from when running in.

Left, left, right, dead end.

I turn around.

Left, right, left, right, right, dead end.

I turn around again.

Left, right, right, left, dead end.

Fuck!

I'm never going to get through this maze!!

I punch the cracked stone wall in frustration a couple times before clutching my hands and dropping to my knees. I let the tears I held back earlier fall and stream down my face. I move to the nearby corner. I bring my knees up to my chest, hugging them, and let everything out.

I'm such an idiot.

Why did I lie to Wilbur!?

If I would've fucken told him that they were going outside the walls, then he could've convinced Dream. 

No one listens to stupid kids.

Then they wouldn't have gotten hurt.

Then Tubbo wouldn't have gotten hurt!

Why do I have to be so fucken stupid!?

And none of this would've happened if I hadn't been so dramatic.

I'm such an attention-seeker.

They have a good reason to hate me.

Everyone in town hates me.

All of the hybrids hate me.

Phil, Techno, and Wilbur hate me.

Even Tubbo hates me.

Dream is right, I'm just a nusien, nosin-

I can't even think words right!

That's how much of an idiot I am!

I've been sobbing for about ten minutes by now when I hear footsteps stop in front of me. 

"Hello?" They say, looking down at me.

I jump and look up just enough to see their shoes. They're wearing some very worn down converse's and a tail wraps around their leg. A hyrbid.

"Go away!" I say with a voice crack as I try to wipe away any proof that I've been crying.

"Are you okay?" They ask.

"Didn't you hear me?! Go away!" I lash out swatting my hand at him causing them to step back.

"Why?"

"Because I'm a fucking human! Now leave before I... kill you or somethin'..." I threaten.

They step back, but seem to hesitate on leaving. "I- um, I don't know where to go..." they state in a sheepish and shy state.

"Take a right, two lefts, two rights, another two lefts, and another right. You'll be back at the villiage with all the other hybrids where you belong," I deadpan. 

I don't know how to exit this place but I know where I started.

The person just stands there for a moment before they sit next to me, bringing their knees close to their chest, against the wall. I slightly turn my head to look at them.

It's a young boy who's a bit older than me. Like, ten years old? Maybe nine. His skin is snow white on one side while the other is pitch black kinda like Bad's is. His hair is fluffy and split between black and white like his skin. He has freckles across his face that are the opposite color on each side. His eyes are different colors as well. One red and one green. It's kinda like Christmas colors. He has small horns and a tail with some fluff that flicks around when he moves it. I think he's part enderman and something else. That's cool.

"I don't like being alone..." He admits. "And I have a bad memory. I'd get lost." He turns to look at me.

"Fuckin' Pussy," I mumble and look away.

We sit in silence for a moment before, "I'm Ranboo."

I look at him. He gives me an awkward smile.

"I'm Tommy..."

"Why are you crying?" Ranboo asks.

"Crying!? I wasn't crying!" I immediately deny. "Big men don't cry! You need to get your fucken eyes checked!" 

"Okay... if you don't wanna talk about it, then that's fine," Ranboo quietly mumbles.

"It's just-" I start after a couple seconds of silence. "I'm a huge problem and- and everyone hates me no matter where I go because I constantly fuck shit up! And I'm such an attention-seeker because if I hadn't been so dramatic I wouldn't even be in this situation in the first place and I almost got my friend killed and- and I just- I can't- I don't know-" I let it all out. 

Ranboo places a hand on my back, "Hey, it's okay. You seem really cool to me." 

"Yeah, I just met you, like, less than five minutes ago," I mumble into my arms.

"Well, yeah... but that's all the time I need to piece together that your a really cool person!" He smiles.

"That's stupid," I let out a muffled laugh. "Thanks, Ranboob."

"It's Ranboo," He corrects.

"Ranboo. Ranboob. Same thing."

"Whatever..." He rolls his eyes.

We talk for a little while. Well, mostly me teasing him about his name until we hear a yell echo through the maze tunnels.

"TOMMY!?" 

I quickly stand up and yell back.

"TUBBO?!" 

"TOMMY! WHERE ARE YOU?!"

"OVER HERE!" 

Running footsteps can be heard getting closer to the dead end me and Ranboo are in. 

Tubbo turns around the corner and immediately lights up and runs towards me. "Tommy!!" He yells.

"Tubbo!" I race up to him, meeting him in the middle. 

Tubbo headbutts me in the chest once he was close enough. "Ow? What the fuck!" I laugh. 

Tubbo pulls back and hugs me severely tight. "It's a goat thing," he says into my shirt. 

I hug him back. "Wait, why are you here?"

Tubbo hugs me impossibly tighter as he answers, "I thought you would be mad at me," Tubbo looks up at me, "I'm so sorry for not listening and not saying anything and letting you get in trouble and being a really bad friend!"

"Wha-? Tubbo, if anything you should be mad at me! I barely warned Dream and you could've been killed!" I tell him. "You're not a bad friend at all! I'm the bad friend!! It was all my fault, not yours!"

"What!? No! Your the best friend I've ever had! Which I guess I haven't had very many, but your still the best!" Tubbo smiles. 

An odd enderman-like noise comes from behind me.

Oh right. 

Ranboob is still here.

I pull away from the hug and move to Tubbo's side so he can see Ranboo, who is now standing awkwardly in front of us.

"Tubbo, this is Ranboob. Ranboob this is Tubbo," I introduce them to each other. 

"Oh. Ranboo? I know you! You were always at the playground. I wanted to talk to you but when I went near you, you, like, disapeared," Tubbo laughs.

"Oh, sorry. I get really shy around people..." Ranboo apologises.

"Wait, so you guys know each other?" I ask.

"In a way," Ranboo states.

"Uh, okay? Anyway, what should we-" I start but cut myself off when I hear unfamiliar talking as if a group was in the maze.

No one is supposed to be in the maze?

We glance at each other before quietly walking to the corner. We hide there and listen in.

There are a couple people walking through. They don't sound like hybrids and if they were than at least one of them would have heard us by now.

"I think they're hunters," I state to Tubbo and Ranboo. They instantly tense up and panic slightly. "Don't worry. We'll be fine," I reassure.

"Why are we looking for this stupid kid anyway?" One of the hunters asks the group.

"Are you fucking stupid?!" Another scolds as they hit the previous hunter on, what sounds like, the head.

"The blondie was used in some important and expensive experiment," Another informs.

"Who... who are they talking about?" I whisper, looking back to the other two. "Dream? He's blonde right?" 

"Kinda. He has a some dirty blonde in his hair, but Dream isn't a kid. I think they're talking about you, Tommy," Tubbo states.

"What? No, there's no way. I was never in an experiment," I disagree.

"Shut up and listen!" Ranboo whisper yells.

"Who would experiment on a human child?" One asks.

"I dunno much, but apparently his parents," He stops for a moment before adding, "Pun intended."

Okay, that definitely can't be me then because I don't even know my dad and my mom wouldn't do something like that... right?

"I swear to Prime, Jeremy," another scolds. "Just fill us in without another one of your stupid ass puns."

"Okay, okay. Fine. They did something with his blood as a baby and now they were just waiting until he was old enough or they had a breakthrough to finish it," He explains, "It's something about taking hybrid abilities or even gaining them. He didn't go into detail, but with the kid being missing and seen with the hybrids, they sent us in groups to go get him."

I... what!?

No, there is no way my mom would ever do that!

And, again, I've never even seen my dad.

"So, who's trying to get the kid if his mom's dead?"

"His dad, I guess," He answers, "Pretty fucked up if you ask me but we're getting paid, so... we're off to find Thomathy Innit Simons!"

What...?

No, nonono-

My dad is dead. 

He- they aren't talking about me.

They can't be!

"Holy shit, Tommy," I hear Tubbo mumble. "Why didn't you tell us about that?"

"I- The- They're not talking about me. They can't be," I deny it. "They're not looking for me or anything. It's a different Thomathy! I have a common name!"

"Tommy, now's not the time. We can think about it later, we should get out of here before they-" 

"Did you hear that?" One of the hunters asks.

"Someone's here."

Chapter Text

The hunters slowly and cautiously walk towards us.

"Run!" Tubbo yells and we bolt down the opposite way. Tubbo starts to turn down the correct way back to the villiage before I yank him back by his shirt.

"We can't just go back! They'll follow us and that'll put everyone in danger!" I say as I pull them both down another way. 

"But what about us?!" Tubbo exclaims.

"We- we'll figure it out!" I decide as I lead them down another tunnel. We take another turn but end up at a dead end.

"What do we do?!" Tubbo asks.

The hunters' footsteps and yelling can be heard growing closer.

"I- I don't know!" I say with a shakey voice.

We watch in horror as the light from the hunter's torches grow bigger.

"Wait! I can teleport!" Ranboo suddenly speaks up. "That's how I got here in the first place."

"WHAT!?" Me and Tubbo exclaim in unison causing Ranboo to wince back a bit.

"You bring that up now!?" I scold.

"I'm sorry! I have really bad memory loss!!" He exclaims. The hunters grow closer by the second. "Hold my hand! Quick!"

Tubbo takes one of his hands, but I hesitate. "I dunno, boob man. At least take me to dinner fir-" I start to joke but Tubbo smacks me on the back of my head. 

"Not the time, Tommy!" Tubbo scolds.

"Right, right. Sorry," I apologize before taking Ranboo's hand.

There's an odd flash of purple particles around us causing me to close my eyes. When I open them again, I have to blink multiple times to adjust to the new lighting.

Tubbo grabs our hands. "Come on! We have to tell someone!" Tubbo says before running and dragging us towards the Dream Team who seem to be arguing. Once we're in front of them, we all try to explain at once causing our words to blend together and be ineffective.

"Hey, one at a time! Tubbo, what happened?" George speaks up.

"There's hunters in the maze!" Tubbo reports, "They're in a bunch of groups and they're after Tomm-"

Suddenly an explosion goes off, gaining everyone's attention. Everyone looks towards the maze and sees multiple people running through.

Not just people.

Hunters.

Everything turns to chaos. Most people are running away, others are trying to save their children or friends. There's people screaming and yelling.

"George!" Dream yells. George quickly grabs us and takes us behind one of the buildings while Dream and Sapnap try to fend off the hunters.

"Are you okay?" The brunette asks once we're safe. Me and Ranboo nod. George looks around in panic. "Where's Tubbo!?" He asks as he stands up and continues to look around.

Oddly enough, the fighting goes quiet and a loud voice can be heard.

"We are here for only one person, or kid: Tomathy Innit Simons. We know you're here, so come out right now and no one will get hurt," they announce.

My face turns pale as I seemingly stare at nothing. 

"Let me rephrase that: If you don't come out and surrender, we are going to start killing each and every one of these hybrids you seem to care about," it taunts the threat.

I look at George, as he is the 'adult' here, and silently ask him what to do. He looks back at me. He shakes his head and brings a finger to his lips.

A gunshot is heard, making me jump and some people scream. One screaming person stands out. Tubbo. I quickly stand up and peek around the corner. There are hybrids, probably the closest ones the hunters could grab, lined up on their knees. One lays dead as one of the men moves towards the next.

Tubbo.

Tubbo's in line.

Tubbo's gonna die.

Another gunshot vibrates the ground.

Tubbo is next in line now.

I hear him scream again as the hunter places a gun against the back of his head. George grabs my shoulder and pulls me back. I quickly shake his hold off of me and look back at them.

"S- stay he- here," I say, my voice shakey as ever. I'm trembling as I quickly run out in front of them. "DO- DONT KILL HIM!!" I yell out. 

The hunter pulls the gun away from Tubbo as another hunter grabs me and ties my hands together awfully tight in front of me. "We got what we need! Let the others know so we can get out of here!!" The man that tied my hands yells.

I look back at Tubbo. He looks at me with pure terror in his eyes and tears streaming down his face. 'I'm sorry,' I mouth out, hoping he can understand. My eyes dart to the dark green character moving swiftly towards Tubbo. 

Dream.

Shit- wait!

"DREAM DON'T-" I try to yell but I'm yanked forward from the hunter pulling on my tied hands. 

"Shut it, brat!" He snaps. I look up to see Dream being shot with a pink dart instead of a bullet and falling to the ground. 

"DREAM!!" Tubbo yells, but before he can run to his brother, Sapnap graps him and holds him back. Tubbo continues to scream and cry but eventually gives up and sobs into Sapnap's shirt.

"Take the confident one with us for some spare cash," the presumed 'leader' states. The hunters run over to tie up Dream's hands aswell and take him with us through the maze. 

Other groups meet with the group me and Dream are in causing the escape probability to lower significantly.

Well, fuck.

Shortly after we got out of the maze, me and Dream were thrown into the back of a truck. We've been driving for about 45 minutes now by my guess. Most of the time, I've just been curled up in the far corner. 

Dream stirs slightly as he awakes. He opens his eyes with a groan, "Ughh, what the fuck?" He wakes up quickly after realizing where we are. He shoots up from his laying position and looks around. His eyes land on me. "Tommy?! Where the fuck are we? What did you do!?" He glares.

Before I can say anything, Dream notices his hands are tied and begins to grow angry. He starts pounding on the doors, placing dents into the steel metal. 

The loud sounds cause me to hug my knees and curl up further against the wall. "Would you stop?!" I yell at him.

"YOU! SHUT THE FUCK UP!! IT'S YOUR FAULT WE'RE HERE! IT'S YOUR FAULT ANY OF THIS HAPPENED!!" Dream rages and blames me.

"I- I know..." I mumble. "I know it's my fault. Everyone's made that obvious, but you shouldn't have gone after Tubbo like that. They weren't gonna kill him."

"You don't know that," he growls.

"They wanted me and me only," I sigh. "They had me so they didn't have a reason to hurt Tubbo."

Dream sits back down along the middle of the wall in front of me. "Why would they want a useless screw-up like you?" He grumbles and looks towards the locked doors.

"Don't get your hopes up," I state, hugging my knees tighter, "My blood was used in some experiment my mom was involved with and planned," I say with tears in my eyes.

I never really had a minute to think about the situation until now...

It's fucked up...

It's really fucked up...

Dream looks in my direction. He doesn't say anything and I don't need to look at him to know he was speechless and staring at me.

I continue spilling my thoughts like the tears spilling down my face, "That's why she was so protective of me. That's why she yelled at me for asking questions. She didn't want me to know. She didn't want me to fight against her. My mom didn't actually want me. I'm just some stupid fucken experiment," I mumble with a few choked out sobs.

While I basically have a complete mental breakdown like the attention-seeker I am, Dream sits a few feet away from me in complete shock.

"I..." He eventually speaks up, "..know a thing or two about experiments." His gaze falls to the ground as he sighs, "The reason I don't like you and treat you the way I do is because I don't want to risk Tubbo being put back into one of those labs and going through the major stuff I had to go through."

"I know..." I mutter.

"I'm... I'm sorry."

"Why?" I turn my head to look at him with confusion. "I don't blame you for anything and you have a valid reason for what you did?" I look towards my shoes as I slightly pick at the laces Wilbur tied earlier that day. "Plus you're older, so... you're right anyway."

"What?" Dream gives me a lost and confused look.

"It was one of my... mom's rules. The older are wiser or something like that..." I mumble the explanation.

"That's bullshit. Adults barely know what they're doing half the time," Dream states before sighing and placing his head in his hands. "I'm seriously sorry for the way I act and being hypocritical."

I look back towards him and tilt my head still in my arms. "What do you mean 'hypocritical'?"

Dream brings his head up again and places it against the wall of metal behind him. "I.... I had a human a human friend once...."

"You did?" 

He sighs, "Yeah... But he was a dick and a backstabber. He's the reason me and Tubbo were put into the lab in the first place," Dream explains.

I hum. "I had a friend like that... he basically killed my hybrid friend," I state. "Or... I guess I did. I don't really know anymore."

"You had a hybrid friend?" Dream questions, giving me a flashback to the night I told Techno, Wilbur, and Phil.

Damn, I really miss them right now...

"Yeah. I was friends with them for a while, then I made a new friend, who I didn't know was an asshole back then, and I introduced them to each other. My hybrid friend went missing not too long after because fucken James told my mom about them," I angrily grumble. "Then my mom and him told me that my only real friend betrayed me and stuff...."

Dream exhales slightly and looks at his tied up hands.

"It's my fault they're dead now... because I'm a screw-up just like you said. You're right," I choke out. "Everyone's right. Techno, those stupid kids, everyone." I place my head on my knees and grip onto my hair, pulling at it slightly.

I hear shuffling from Dream moving about. Then, something grabs onto my wrists. I look up as dream pries my hands away from my hair and closer to him.

"What?" I glare at him.

"You're bleeding," Dream picks at the ropes.

"Ow!" I wince at the rope brushing against the rubbed-raw skin.

"Sorry..." Dream apologises as he slowly but surely picks at and untangles the knots in the ropes. After a couple minutes, 'ow's, and apologies, Dream actually gets through the ropes and they drop to the ground. 

"Thanks," I rub my wrists a bit but look back at Dream, "What about yours? Are you bleeding?"

"No, mine aren't anywhere as tight as yours were," he answers. "Which is quite concerning," Dream adds.

"Here, I can try to get it!" I say and quickly grab the ropes on his wrists trying to untie them. After a minute of me trying, Dream starts telling me which parts to move and we eventually untie it completely. "Yes! We did it!!" I celebrate.

"Yeah, but you did it. I just gave a couple tips," Dream says, smiling at me. I smile back, but his smile falters into a sad look, causing mine to falter as well.

Dream quickly wraps his arms around me, pulling me closer to him, and into a tight hug.

"I'm so sorry," he apologizes over and over. "You're a really good friend for Tubbo," He finishes. 

"Don't say your sorry," I start to cry again.

"Why? What's wrong?" He asks.

"Then- then I feel b- bad," I say in a cracking voice. "I- I'm scared..." I whisper in a barely audible voice as I grip onto Dream's sweatshirt.

Dream hugs me tighter and places his chin on top of my head as I sob into his stupidly green sweatshirt, "It's okay. We'll get out of here and I'll make sure you can hang out with Tubbo whenever you want," Dream comforts.

The truck is pulled into a sudden stop, causing Dream and I to slam into the closest wall, but Dream shields me from the hit.

"What the fuck?" I hear Dream mutter as he looks around and eventually towards the doors. He let's go of me and places me in the corner before turning around, facing the door. "Stay behind me," Dream orders.

There's the sound of someone fiddling with the lock on the other side of the door for a moment before both doors forcefully fly open.

Chapter Text

The truck doors slam open. I quickly close my eyes and cover them to avoid being blinded by the light flooding in from outside.

"C'mon! Get out of the damn truck!" Someone yells.

I open my eyes back up and adjust to the light as Dream glares at them, but he quickly stops and smiles once he sees who they are. He rushes to get out of the truck. Dream practically jumps to hug one of the people.

Hug? Wait-

I look closer at the person Dream is hugging. They have brown hair, a beard, and large ram horns on the side of their head.

Wait- a hybrid?!

The ram hybrid is hugging Dream back very tightly and kissing the top of Dream's head as he mumbles comforing things to him.

Is that Dream's dad?

They seem... close.

Wish I still had a dad...

Well, I guess I do...

But he's, like, kind of a dick and trying to do this experiment on me so...

"C'mon, Tommy! Let's go!" The other figure exclaims.

I look at who it is only to see someone I really didn't expect.

Philza.

Why would he be here?

Probably to get Dream back.

I should probably get out of the truck...

I crawl towards the exit of the truck. Once I'm close enough, two arms quickly grab and drag me out of the vehicle into a tight hold.

"Are you okay?! I was so worried about you!" Phil exclaims as he hugs me tight and close.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine, Phil," I say. "Why are you here?" I give him a confused look.

"To save you of course! You think I'd just let my son get taken away into another lab?!" Phil exclaims, almost insulted by the question.

Son? 

But... Wil and Techno weren't taken.

Is he talking about me?

No... he can't be... right?

"Hate to break this up," Dream's dad starts, "but we need to get out of here. We're dangerously close to another lab and we don't want to risk someone seeing us." 

Phil sets me down on the ground and wraps one of his wings around behind me. "I agree we should get out of here, but-" I zone out of the conversation. I look behind phil's wing and beside the truck. Five men, the same that killed the two hybrids and threatened to kill Tubbo, lay dead on the ground. 

I look up slightly at the movement in the woods. Multiple figures are running towards us. One aims a crossbow at me and shoots. I hold my arms up in defences, causing the dart to hit my arm again. 

I quickly turn around, "Run!" I manage to say before my surroundings fade into black fuzziness. 

Tommy just passed out! 

What the fuck!?

Wait, pink dart- Hunters! FUCK!

"We have to go! Now!" I state, looking back to my dad. "Get Tommy and let's go!" 

Schlatt grabs my arm and starts to pull me in a direction I'm guessing they came from. I look back at Phil. By the time he tries to pick Tommy up, the hunters are already there. 

Schlatt quickly jumps forward and grabs Phil's shirt, pulling him back, before his wing could get shot by one of the pink darts. Schlatt drags me and Phil into the woods, leaving Tommy to fend for himself.

The hunters don't chase us back. I guess they really did only want Tommy...

We run back to Ayrelia. Well, more like me and Dad having to drag Phil with us as he kept trying to go back for Tommy. I don't blame him, though. But it's a stupid idea when there are so many of them and only few of us. His bird instincts must be putting him through hell right now.

We run in and I quickly engulf Sapnap and George into a tight hug as soon as I see them.

"Holy shit, Dream! Are you okay!?" Sapnap asks, pulling away from the hug.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm perfectly fine," I answer with a laugh.

"DREAM!" I hear a small voice call before a short figure headbutts into my side for a hug.

"Tubbo, buddy! Are you okay? They didn't hurt you after they got me, right?" I ask, kneeling down to hug the kid back.

"No! They just took you and Tommy. Sapnap grabbed me and watched over me while you werr gone and I was so scared that you were gonna be stuck there forever and I wasn't ever gonna to see you again and- and-" Tubbo begins to tear up.

"Nononono, it's okay! I'm okay! I'm right here!" I hug him tighter as I comfort the boy. "I'm so glad your safe."

"I'm glad your okay, too!" Tubbo says before realizing and pulling away from the hug, "Wait- where's Tommy?!"

I sigh, "The men grabbed him before we could bring him with us. I'm sorry, bud."

"WHAT!? But- Did you even try to save him!? I know you hate him, but you can't just f-fucking leave him!" Tubbo grows angry with me as he hesitates to say the swear word he most likely learned from Tommy.

"Tubbo! I-" I exhale, "I'm sorry for how I treated him. He's your friend and I should have seen how much you care for him. But we genuinely wanted and tried to save him," I state and apologize for my behavior.

"Really?" Tubbo asks.

"Really."

"But the experiment!! They wanted Tommy for his blood or something and what if they hurt him like they hurt us!? Or- or what if I never see him again!? Or what if they- they k-" Tubbo spirals, tearing up again.

"Tubbo!" I interupt him before he can even fully process the thought he was about to say, "I know about the experiment and everything. Tommy told me all of it," I reassure my brother. "We're gonna get him back, okay? And everything is going to be just fine." Tubbo nods and hugs me again.

"DREAM WAS-FUCKEN-TAKEN!" I hear my name being yelled. I quickly stand up and see Wilbur and Technoblade charging at me.

Wilbur marches up to me and pushes me back before grabing the collar of my sweatshirt. "Where the fuck is my little brother?" He hisses through his teeth.

It's kinda embarrassing that a fourteen-year-old is almost taller than me but that's besides the point.

"The men shot him with one of those darts. By the time we tried to save him the men were already there," I quickly explain, looking Wilbur dead in the eye in attempt of convincing him I'm not lying. "You can ask your dad. I swear!" I add after he furrows his eyebrows further.

"Liar." Wilbur raises his hand and clenches it into a fist before pulling it back.

"I promise! We need to get him back!" I yell causing Wilbur to lower his fist slightly. 

"Why do you care? You couldn't give a shit less if he was dead or not an hour ago," Techno deadpans with a glare.

"They're clearly desperate for Tommy and it has to be for a bad reason," I state. Wilbur's grip on my collar loosens enough for me to step back.

"Did Tommy tell you?" Tubbo asks, looking up at me.

I look towards my little brother, "yeah, he told me everything. Don't worry." I smile reassuringly.

"What do you mean 'everything'?" Techno glares as I look back up at him. "What happened?"

"When me, Tommy, and Ranboo were in the maze, we heard a group of hunters talking," Tubbo explains, "They talked about why they were after Tommy. It's because his parents used his blood in some experiment and if it goes right, then it can like give hybrid abilities to people-" 

"Or take them," I state.

"Yeah! And Tommy's dad is alive! He's the one that sent the groups looking for him. They needed Tommy because he's old enough now to, like, finish the experiment," Tubbo finishes and looks up at me. I gently ruffle his hair and place my hand on his shoulder.

"So, that's why their looking for him?" Techno questions before taking a piece of paper out of his pocket and unfolding it. He shows it to me, revealing a missing child poster for Tommy. "Everyone hated him back in his old villiage and his mom is dead, so we were wondering who would be looking for him," Techno states. 

"Yeah," I huff, "This- this is really fucked up."

"So, that's why Tommy's mom was so strict?" Wilbur asks with fear and concern for Tommy in his eyes. "Because he was in some experiment?"

"Yeah... about that," I sigh, "He kinda had a small breakdown about his mom in the truck while explaining all of it to me..."

"Exactly how desperate are they for Tommy?" Techno asks.

"Like, not giving two shits that the three of us probably really wanted hybrids ran off without anyone following us, or tieing his ropes so tight that his wrists were bleeding and rubbed raw kind of desperate," I state. "I got them off of him, don't worry," I add.

"Shit...what do we do?" Wilbur looks between us.

"If the experiment was made with Tommy's blood and they are severely desperate to get him back," I state my thoughts, "then my guess is that they made some type of break-through or they need him for some type of test," I stop for a moment, eyes going wide, "or a reaction."

"But- if they need him for a reaction, then wouldn't they be testing taking or giving hybrid things on... no, you can't be serious, you don't think..." Wilbur worriedly looks between me and Techno. "They wouldn't- not on a kid! Not on a human kid."

"Sorry to break it to you, Wil, but those people don't give a shit who it is," Techno states.

"What will happen if it works?" Wilbur asks.

We all look at each other after realizing how bad the situation is.

"DREAM! Come on! There's a town meeting," Puffy, my aunt, calls me over. "You too, Techno and Wilbur! Your father wants you there, too."

Fuck.

I slowly wake up. 

Everything hurts.

Especially my arm.

God dammit!

My arm just finished healing from that stupid bully and now I got fucken shot again!

I open my eyes slowly only to shut them again because of the brightness of the room. I open my eyes again, but with a hand over them as I flutter my eyes, trying to adjust.

What happened?

Me and Dream were in a truck...

Dream yelled at me and I told him all about the stupid experiment...

Then he helped me and was really nice for whatever reason...

The truck stopped...

There was Phil and some other guy...

Then I got shot and told them to-

WAIT! PHIL AND DREAM!

I quickly look around. I'm in a white room, no wonder it was so bright, and I'm wearing white clothes instead of my normal clothes.

The clothes are the same white shirt and shorts that Phil and everyone were wearing when they broke out...

Geez, how long ago was that?

Feels like years.

I'm sitting on a bed with a thin white sheet over it. On one of the room's walls is a heavy duty metal door and in the corner opposite of me is a camera pointed towards me.

What do I do?

I curl up into the far corner of the bed. 

What can I do?

Chapter Text

I've been in this room for a while now. I've decided five minutes in that I hate it and I have no intention in changing that opinion anytime soon. The entire time I've just been scared and confused.

I don't know where I am.

I don't know how long I've been in here.

I don't know what's going to happen to me or my friends.

The door to my room clicks from the outside. There's beeping and then the door opens. Two men enter and approach me. I don't get to see much of their black clothing before they grab my arm and drag me out of the room. I punch and kick in attempt to loosen the men's grip, but it does absolutely nothing. They drag me into a room. I don't pay attention to it as I keep focusing on being a thorn in their sides.

"Be gentle!" A voice says, "Let him go! Now!"

The men let go of me, causing me to fall to the ground and hurt my knees.

"Tommy, my boy."

I look up at the person infront of me. He has very short, almost balding, darkish hair and blue eyes. Like mine, but darker. Scarier. He's wearing a lab coat over a dark green shirt and black pants.

"My goodness! How I've missed you, son! You've gotten much bigger since I last saw you! My, it's been, what? Seven years now since I last saw you?" He exclaims, looking down at me with a smile.

"W-where the fuck am I? And who the fuck are you?" I nervously confront.

"You've got a mouth on you, don't you? I suppose you'd get that from me. You're home, son," He states, "with me, you're father.

"No, I-" I think for a moment.

My home with mum is gone.

I don't belong with the hybrids in their home.

This definitely isn't my home.

"I don't have a home..." I state.

"Don't have a home? Of course you do! Right here, with me!" He tries to reason but I don't listen to any of it.

"No! Fuck off!" I yell, starting to stand up. "You're not my dad! And- and your hurting my friends! And even if you are my dad, you're a really shity one!" 

My "dad's" smile falters, before giving the cold command, "Lock him up."

The men from before grab me again and shove me onto a chair. I try to kick and struggle but the men eventually tie me down in the docter-like chair, meaning they win the mini battle we just had. They cheated, though, so technically I still win.

"Your 'friends'? They aren't your friends," He laughs. "At least, not for long, that is."

Huh?

"After they find out what you did? Ha! Why would they want to be friends?"

"What- what do you mean? I didn't do anything," I deny.

"Oh, really? You didn't do anything? So, you didn't lead us right into your 'friends' nest?" He asks as he pulls a remote from his pocket. He presses a button and a projector projects a map on the screen with a route leading directly to the hyrbid community. "They are going to hate you once they find out."

"How- how do you...?" My sentence runs cold as a start to think of how much danger they are in now.

"Your tracker," he plainly states.

"My what?"

"Tracker. I had it chipped just underneath your skin between your neck and right shoulder," He explains. "I added it shortly after taking some of your blood for the experiment."

I look at him in disbelief and disgust.

There was something underneath my skin!? 

"What? You really think I would trust your mother to pull her side of the deal?" He scoffs. "That selfish bitch only wanted everything for herself! The discovery, the credit, the money, the fame," he lists. "She wanted it all to herself. But me? Toms, I just want to help people."

"Help?" I question.

"Yes! Help! If this experiment works then it could help so many people! Think of it, Toms. This could cure incurable diseases! Like dementia or, hell, even cancer!" He expresses.

What? How would it do that?

They kill people so other people can live?

What kind of good is that?!

"And that's all because of you, Toms!" He smiles. It's an ugly smile. It's not calming like Phil's, or warm like Wilbur's, or even tranquil like Techno's. "I don't understand why your mother thought you were so useless. You're brilliant! Getting caught by the hybrids? Genius. You're a smart boy, Toms," He praises and ruffles my hair, not that I can stop it.

I hate it.

The way he ruffles my hair is in no way anything like the way Wilbur or Phil does. 

Or did... I guess.

Not warm or welcoming. Cold and rough.

I look at him like he's insane, which honestly could be debated as true. He frowns, "What? I thought you liked being the center of attention. You always have."

"What's gonna happen?" I manage to ask.

"I'm going to finish the experiment, of course. We recently had a huge break through, which is the reason we were so desperate to get you back. We'll run some tests and see if the expected reaction occurs," He states.

"No! Not about me! About my- my friends," I glare.

"Wow, how selfless of you, caring about these- these things that absolutely hate you," He comments. "But, to answer your question, we're going to capture them and continue our research on them like before," he shrugs.

He walks beside the chair I'm in and looks down at a table just outside of my view.

He picks up something shiney before smiling and saying, "Now hold still, and this won't hurt one bit."

After my supposed "dad" gives me two shots in my arm with some odd colored liquids, the two men drag me back to my room and not-so-gently throw me into it.

I try to escape, but the heavy metal door slams in my face. I pound on the doors multiple times and yell as loud as I can before looking around my room for anything to help me escape, but there's nothing useful. I stand up and stumble towards the bed. I climb up on top of it and curl up in the corner. I choke out a sob as tears run down my face.

I wish Phil was here...

Or Wilbur...

Or even Techno.

They would know what to do.

They could save me.

I just want someone to save me...

Anyone...

Wait- no.

That's being selfish. 

They probably went through so much worse in the lab!

I don't deserve to be saved.

This- this is just karma...

Yeah, karma. 

Because I defended my mom and the lab.

Because I killed my hybrid friend.

Because they had to deal with me.

It's just karma.

I don't feel so good.

It's been a couple hours and now my head is throbbing. I can't see very well either. I'm still in the corner of the cheap old bed. It's really hard to stay awake, but I don't want the bad guys to do anything to me while I'm asleep.

Is this what the hybrids had to go through?

The restlessness and pain.

Is this what Tubbo had to go through?

No wonder he was so scared to be put back into one of these places.

Now I feel bad for trying to defend my mom...

I try to get up but everything hurts way too much. I can't even move an centimeter without having to move back. Instead, I decide to just lay down on my right side, which is still severely painful, but I manage. No matter how hard I fight against it, sleep somehow overtakes me even with the tremendous pain.

"Okay, Wilbur... so, let me get this straight. Tommy, the human eight year old, a litteral child, was used and taken for an experiment that could possibly take away our abilities as hybrids or give them to people. And you want us, a couple of shitty teenagers, to break in and get Tommy back because the adults won't listen and aren't gonna do shit?" Sapnap rants off what me, Dream, and, not so much, Techno had just explained to him, George, Karl, and Quackity.

If we're going to save Tommy, we have to get all the help we can.

"Uh," I look towards Dream and Techno then back to them, "Yup. That's about it," I state.

"What the fuck..?" George mumbles under his breath.

The four of them look at each other and whisper slightly before looking back to us.

"What's the plan?" Sapnap asks as they all smile in confirmation that they are all in on whatever probably god-awful plan they are expecting.

"Alright, here's what we need," Dream takes a piece of paper with scribbles listed on it out of his hoodie pocket and hands it to Quackity who open it as the others look over his shoulders to read aswell. 

"Why do we need so much alchohol?" Karl asks as he looks up from the list.

Sapnap answers with a knowing smile before Dream, "To make bombs and molotovs, I presume?" 

Dream nods and hums. "How else do you expect us to get in? Pick the lock?" Dream smiles. Karl playfully rolls his eyes.

"Yeah, I can get this stuff pretty easily. My dad won't even notice," Quackity comments as he pockets the paper.

"We also need someone who can hack into the lab's security and maintenance system," Techno states.

"Mhm," Dream hums. "George has that covered, right?" 

"Yup!" George nods.

"As long as he doesn't fall asleep," Dream snickers.

"Shut up, Dream," George glares.

"So, why do you need me?" Karl asks.

"You can control time, right?" I question. "I was there when you showed Tommy."

"Yeah, why do you need it?" Karl skeptically looks between me and Dream.

"We'll need your ability to find Tommy quicker and, if something goes wrong, it counts as a back-up plan," I answer.

"Plus, the more the merrier, right?" Dream adds. "You can't leave one of the three lovebirds out, now can you?" He teases. 

"Oh, shut up! You had to bring Gogy!" Sapnap laughs. 

"We need him for code, dumbass!" Dream defends.

"You know damn well you can hack into it yourself," Sapnap rolls his eyes.

"Shut it, Snapmap," Dream snaps.

"Piss baby."

"Ugly bitch."

"Hardened cla-"

"Okay! That's enough you two!" I break.. whatever that was... up before it can escalate further.

"Meet by the maze entrance about an hour before midnight. Sound good?" Techno speaks up. "We can make bombs and explain the plan on the way there. Its a long walk."

"Yeah, but someone make sure to wake up sleeping beauty over her- OW!" Sapnap starts but is hit by George.

"SHUT UP! THAT WAS ONE PRIMEDAMN TIME!" He yells.

Karl and Quackity laugh and agree before dragging Sapnap back home while Dream takes George.

"Night, Wil. Night, Tech," Dream says over George's rants about him sleeping in.

"Night, Dream," I say before walking back home with Techno.

Chapter Text

I watch through the camera as my 'son' curls up on the bed. 

The serums seem to be doing something. He seems to be in pain, which is something none-the-less. Although, it would be nice to actually see some point or hint of the experiment actually reacting or catching on.

Suddenly, the monitors cut off. I grab the mouse and refresh the screen, though it doesn't do anything. The screens cut back on to show three hyrbids standing in front one of the outside cameras. One with a white bandana, one with oddly large, white sunglasses, and another with a white smiley mask. The lighting is oddly good for it being almost midnight and pitch black outside.

"We've been lead to believe that you dumbasses have something of ours," the masked one, most likely a leader of theirs, starts. "If you do not surrender and hand over the boy, then we will have no other choice than to attack," He informs.

They want him back?

How could anyone want something as annoying and useless as Thomas?

"I wanna see white flags outside your base by tomorrow at dawn, or you are dead!" He yells before the cameras shut back off again.

I'm shocked to say the least. 

I turn to one of the security guards by the door. "I want men to be on all exits and have someone assigned to fix the system," I order. 

I look back to the moniters as he nods and exits the room. 

"They are not taking my hard earned acomplishment."

Dream, George, and Sapnap make their way back to me, Karl, and Quackity's hiding place behind some bushes.

"What now?" I ask as they sit down.

"We wait," Dream answers.

"What?! What do you mean we wait?!" I question, "Prime knows what they could be doing to him in there! He could be dying or even dead by now!"

Dream sighs, "They have until dawn to give Tommy back or we kill them all. So, we have about five to six hours."

"That is far too long, Dream!" I argue, "They could kill him before then! Hell! They could be killing him right now!"

"They wouldn't kill him," Techno chimes into the conversation. "Tommy is their only hope in this experiment working. I mean, where else are they gonna find a very mentally destroyed and obedient child? The only way Tommy would die is if this experiment they're putting him through kills him," Techno shrugs.

"WHAT!?" I exclaim louder than intended.

"Calm down," Dream starts, "Those entitled asshats are most definitely not going to just hand Tommy over, so, while we wait for dawn, we should prepare for the fight. That means we rest, train, and go over the plan so we can fight our best and not have any slip-ups."

"Fine," I huff, "Then, when do we get Tommy back?" 

"Me and you will go find Tommy shortly after Quackity throws the first bomb," Karl informs. "Once we get in, George will keep an eye on us through the security cameras while Dream, Sapnap, and Techno fight the security guys."

"Okay, but still. Do we really have to wait that long?" I groan.

"Yes, for safety precautions," Dream states. "Might I remind you that we aren't supposed to be doing this in the first place? If this goes wrong, our parents will not only murder us for sneaking out and doing this, but also failing and getting hurt."

"My parents would not let me hear the end of it," Sapnap laughs as he lays back against a tree.

"Wait until they tell Bad," George snickers while typing something on his laptop.

"Oh, don't remind me!" Sapnap holds a hand over his face. "He's gonna be so pissed."

"I'm sure you'll be fine!" Karl says as he leans against Sapnap. 

Sapnap sighes and wraps an arm around Karl. "Yeah, after he's gets done with his two hour brotherly lecture."

"Hey! Make room for me!" Quackity says before falling on top of Sapnap and Karl, moving himself to be in the middle. "I want hugs, too," He muffles into Karl's multicolored hoodie. 

"Alright, lovebirds, don't give away our spot," Dream rolls his eyes.

I sigh and cross my arms. "I'm sure he'll be fine, Wil," Techno not-so-reasurely says to me.

"Yeah, I hope so."

You know how I said 'Everything hurts' before?

Yeah, that was nothing compared to how bad everything hurts now.

Its been hours and now my back feels as if knives are stabbing and ribbing into my skin and tearing it apart. I'm so focused on the pain, that I don't notice someone walking into the room until they start talking. 

"Hello, Thomas! How are you feeling?" My 'dad' asks as he walks closer.

I shoot my eyes open and quickly sit up, which sends even more pain to my already nauseating head ache and causes my head to spin. When I see a hand reaching out for me, I back crawl backwards away from it. My back brushes along the wall causing an excruciating pain to shoot through by entire back torso. I let out a small yelp followed by a whimper.

"Aw, Thomas, are you in pain? I'm so sorry, Toms," he says.

"Fuck off," I hiss.

"Now, you may hear some commotion outside your room here some time soon," He ignores my profanity and continues he continues. "Some hybrids think that they'll be getting you back," He scoffs.

Now that catches my attention.

"Really?" I ask in a weak voice.

He looks towards me and grabs the sides of my face. "Oh, don't worry, Toms. I won't let them take this from us!" He speaks in a tone you would talk to animals with. "I won't let them take you. I promise!" 

He let's go of my face and starts to walk towards the door. 

"And besides, you aren't worth saving anyway. They just don't want anything to happen to their own kind," he states before he leaves and locks me back in here.

He... is kinda right.

Why would they save me?

Definitely not just to save me.

They would want me to go through this so I could see what it's like and I would stop defending the bad people.

Or maybe I just deserve it.

They're probably going to take a while just so I suffer longer. 

That reminds me of the pain in my back again. Dammit.

I'll just have to wait and see what they do with me.

George puts in some final coding before giving a thumbs up towards Quackity, signaling for him to prepare to throw the first bomb. Quackity is on bomb duty while Dream, Sapnap, and Techno fight offensively. Me and Karl are going to go get Tommy, and George is going to keep track of everything through the lab's security cameras and files.

The sun starts to rise. 

Dream walks infront of one of the security cameras. George hacks the computer systems to show that camera just like he did when they first threatened them.

"Last chance!" Dream yells. He waits a minute before raising his hand and letting it drop.

"Now!" George says. 

Quackity throws the first of many bombs and molotovs towards the main doors. Techno and Sapnap run out to join Dream in the fight. 

"Alright, you guys are up," George orders, causing me and Karl to run towards a back exit.

Me and Karl enter the building when George talks to us through the communication device.

"Comm. check. Golden Retreivers, do you copy? Over."

"We copy," Karl states into the walkie-talkie. 

"I didn't agree to that code name," I mumble.

"It's a perfectly good name, Wilbur!" Karl says. "Your just jealous that Techno came up with it."

We run through the halls searching for Tommy in each door. The floors and walls shake with each bomb Quackity sets off and all the fighting. We turn a corner and are met with two guards in front of a heavy duty metal door.

Bingo.

A guard quickly pulls out his gun and is about to shoot me causing me to step back and close my eyes. But, instead of a gunshot, I'm met with the sound of two bodies colapsing on the ground. I open my eyes back up and see Karl standing over the two bodies. 

"Guess time is on our side," He says and moves towards the door.

"That was awful. Never say anything like that again," I state before noticing the keypad on the door.

"Golden Retrivers to Mad Max. Over," Karl calls into the walkie-talkie. 

"I hate that name, yes? What's up? Over," George responds.

"Can you override this keypad in front of us? Over," Karl asks.

"Uh.... yeah, I see you guys now. Give me a minute," George states. "And... alright it should be unlocked. Also, give Tommy and hug for me. He's gonna need it. Over."

"Thanks, and we will. Over," Karl states before clipping the walkie-talkie back onto his belt. "Let's go." We open the door and drag it wider. I rush into the oddly white room. 

Our rooms were never white?

I notice the only bit of color in the room. I should be happy because Tommy would be the only color, but that's not the case.

The color that catches my eyes is red.

Maroon red.

Blood red.

The red soaks the thin white sheet over a small figure facing towards the wall. I can hear choked up sobs and cries. I instantly rush to the bed's side. 

"Tommy?" I gently touch his shoulder, but he harshly flinches away, then winces at his own movement and let's out a small pain-filled whimper. "Tommy, it's Wilbur, okay? You're safe now. Can I help you move closer to me?"

"W- wilbu-r?" He tries to say through sobs and tries to move his head but stops immediately. 

"Here, I'm gonna help you, okay? You're gonna be okay, I promise," I say with a not so confident voice. I slide my hands underneath him and slowly turn him towards me. I hold him in my arms beside the bed. He let's out another small cry when I hold him close. "I know. I know. I'm sorry, Tommy," I apologize. 

It's not until then that I completely realize and take in the new features that are causing Tommy to lose so much blood.

Animal-like ears covering Tommy's golden blonde hair in the red liquid. Two boney, messed up wings on his back. Both wings are loosing a decent amount of feathers, and they definitely don't look like they're in the right place. No wonder he's in so much pain.

"E- everything hurts, Wil. And it's so cold," He cries in an awfully rough and hoarse voice.

"I- I know, bud. We're gonna get you out of here, okay?" I reassure. "Karl, hand me the banket." Karl takes the blanket off the bed and helps me gently wrap it around Tommy. 

"Holy prime..." He mumbles as he manovers the blanket around Tommy's new, but broken, wings. Tommy winces more but tries not to move much.

"Karl?" Tommy mumbles.

"Yeah, I'm right here, Tommy," Karl responds in a soft voice. "I'll be with you just not in your view, okay?" Tommy nods but seems to instantly regret it. "I'm gonna talk to George. Try to get him in a position to be carried," Karl suggests as he unclips the walkie-talkie.

"Tommy, buddy, I need you to do two things for me, okay?" I ask. "First, I need you to lean into me. I'm going to have to carry you, okay? I know it's going to hurt, but can you do that?" 

Tommy mumbles a small 'yes' before leaning into me as I pick him up slowly.

"Sorry, but you're doing so good! We're gonna head back outside and we're gonna meet with George, yeah?" I shakily sigh. "You're doing good. The second thing I need you to do is stay awake. Don't close your eyes for too long, alright?" Tommy nods.

Me and Karl step out into the hallway again and we go back the way we came from. 

"Where do we go from here?" I ask.

"I thought you were keeping track?!" Karl questions. I groan, but before I can say anything, Karl disapears for a moment before returning. "This way," he says. I follow him and we make it back outside safely.

"You still awake, Tommy?" I ask, looking down at him as we approach George. 

"Y-yeah..."

"Okay, good job, buddy," I smile to calm him, and maybe even me, even though he can't see it.

I sit down on the ground by George and set Tommy down in front of me. George notices the blood and his face immediately fills with horror. 

"Holy shit- What happened?" George asks.

"They did the experiment," is all I answer before going back to calming Tommy. "It'll all be over soon and we're gonna take you back home and everything will be fine, yeah? You're gonna be okay."

"N-no don't-" Tommy tries to explain through his tears. "They know where it is- it's not safe-"

"How would they know where it is if we killed the guys who knew?" George asks more to Wilbur than Tommy.

"Tracker. There's a tr- tracker. In my skin," Tommy struggles to talk.

A what?!

What the fuck!?

Chapter Text

There's a what!?

Why in the name of church prime would they put a tracker into a child as if he's a dog!? 

"Why the fuck would they do that?!" I look to Karl.

"They- He didn't trust my mom with some d-deal," Tommy answers.

"That- okay... Tommy, do you know where it is?" Wilbur asks.

"It's between my right shoulder and neck," He mumbles. "I'm really sorry! I- I ruined your guys' home and- I'm really really sorry-" Tommy breaks down in apologies and more sobs.

"Tommy, no, no, no. It's okay. You didn't know," Wilbur comforts. "It's not your fault, okay? It's not your fault." 

Wilbur pulls the blanket off of his shoulder slightly. Right where Tommy said, there is a small bump just underneath a layer or two of his skin.

"We have to take it out. If we don't, Tommy could be in even more danger," I state. Wilbur sighs and nods. 

I see Quackity running up to us in the corner of my eye. "You guys got Tommy?!" He smiles but it drops once he sees the boy. "Holy shit..."

"There's a tracker in Tommy's skin. We have to remove it," Wilbur states as he grabs a dry rag from Quackity's bag of bomb amd molotov supplies. "Okay, Tommy, when we go to take it out, you'll have to bite down on this, okay?" Tommy nods.

Quackity sits down and sorts through his bag, looking at the different achohol bottles' labels until he takes one completely out of the bag. "Here. We can use this to clean it once we're done," he states as he grabs another dry rag.

"Okay, we just-" Wilbur starts.

"Here," Karl says holding out a scalpel.

"Where'd you get that?" I ask.

"I stopped time to run in and grab one," he answers.

"Okay, thanks," Wilbur takes the sharp surgical tool. "Quackity, you ready?" Quackity holds up the now alchohol-soaked rag. "Tommy, are you ready?" Tommy nods and Karl helps put the dry rag into his mouth so he wouldn't have to move as much. Wilbur takes a breath before saying, "Okay, here's goes."

Wilbur carefully cuts around the tracker, making sure not to cut too deep. Tommy tenses up completely, but tries not to move or make too much noise. Wilbur eventually pulls the tracker out. "I got it," he states. "Quack-"

"On it," Quackity says as he places the rag on the new wound. Tommy winces at the touch. "Lo siento, pequeño patito dorado," Quackity apologises.

"Hey, you're doing so good, buddy," Wilbur tries to comfort. "You're being so brave and so strong, Tommy." 

I look back to my laptop. I've been trying to get into Tommy's file. It's under a shit-ton of security. I give it a couple more tries before it actually opens.

Ha! Let's see Dream do something like that!

Okay, let's see here...

Age, eight years old...

Birthday, April 9th. Huh. I'll have to tell Wilbur that later.

Height, weight, blah, blah, blah....

Oh, what's this? 

'Experiment 1NN17'?

That'd be about the experiment, right?

Okay... let's see... 

'Must not consume C¹²H²²O¹¹.'?

What? Isn't that sugar?

'C¹²H²²O¹¹ damages the process and can result in deformities'.

Holy shit- no wonder his wings look all busted!

I turn towards Wilbur, "Wilbur, you have to lo-" I'm cut off by Techno and Sapnap running over.

"Okay. Most of the bad guys are dead and the building's gonna blow in about five minutes, so we might wanna get moving. Like, now," Sapnap reports and suggests.

"Where's Dream?" Karl asks.

"Right here," Dream says as he slams Tommy's tied-up 'dad' onto the ground with a thud and a crack. His body is all mangled and multiple things look broken, but he's still alive. "I just thought it would be fun to do a little something with him," Dream smiles. "Hey, Quackity, mind passing me a bomb?" 

Quackity tosses one of the smaller robotic bombs to Dream who catches it. 

"Thanks." He ties it to the dickhead's belt before starting the timer. "Welp, I think we're done here," Dream says brushing his hands together to clap off the dirt.

Sapnap looks down at Tommy. His face drops as he notices the blood covered blanket. "What- what happened?" He asks.

"I'll tell you guys later," Wilbur says as he picks Tommy back up before apologizing for the pain, again. "Remember to stay awake, okay?" Wilbur reminds him.

We start walking away from the lab and back towards the community. After three to four minutes, we hear a loud explosion behind us. I look back and see nothing but smoke floating upward from the direction of the lab.

After a while, we're almost back home. Only ten or so minutes more of walking. We've been mostly silent during the walk home, other than Wilbur saying comforting things to Tommy every now and again or Techno and Dream occasionally offering to carry Tommy instead only for Wilbur to decline.

Well, it's been silent until now. 

"Tommy?! Tommy, you're still awake, right?" Wilbur frantically asks after checking if Tommy was asleep for the fiftieth time in the past hour. Tommy doesn't respond this time. "Tommy?! Wake up! Please?!" 

Everyone panics as we rush back home with Tommy's life on the line.

Tommy is now in the infirmary.

I'm outside his room with Techno waiting for any word on if he's alright or not. 

Suddenly, Phil rushes in and over to me and Techno. "What on earth were you two-" He cuts himself off as I look up at him with tear tracks covering my face like blood on a murder scene. Phil sits down on other side of me and brings me into a hug. "What's wrong?" He gently asks.

"Tom- He- he's hurt and he went through hell-" I try to explain.

Phil moves to look at Techno, who says, "Tommy lost a lot of blood and he fell asleep on the way here. It sent us all into a panic."

Phil looks back to me, "he'll be okay. He's... he's a tough kid," Phil laughs. 

"P- promise?" 

"Promise."

I wake on my side in a bed with white sheets. I quickly sit up and look around only to realize I'm in a hospital-like room and thankfully not the lab.

But... why am I here?

Shouldn't I be with the hyrbids? We were walking back to the hyrbids' home.

Maybe... they left me?

Probably because of the tracker or- no, they took that out?

Maybe they thought I was dead, so they left me, then someone else found me and brought me to a human hospital?

What if Wilbur got angry because I closed my eyes for too long?

I didn't mean to fall asleep...

There's something scratchy under my shirt, so I left it up slightly to see bandages wrapping around my entire torso. There's also a patch taped onto my right shoulder where the tracker was. My back is still sore, but it's no where near as bad as it was before I fell asleep.

I pull my shirt back down and look around the room.

The room just looks like a normal hospital room. There's some cabinets, medical stuff, an IV tube with blood is in my arm- wait, what the fuck? I didn't lose that much blood did I? I catch my reflection in a mirror on one of the walls, and my breath hitches. 

There are two fuzzy, weird-raccoon-looking ears on my head and two awful looking wings behind me.

Why the fuck is that on me!?

Why are they attached to me?!

I open up the- my? wings and look at them from there. They're white but look a bit stained with red and there are natural red accents around the bottom.

They look nothing like Phil's wings.

Hell, based on what I know, they don't look like normal avian wings. They're all messed up and losing feathers. I look back at the mirror.

And how can I be two hybrids at once?

Two messed up ones, at that!

I- I'm not even a hybrid...

I'm- I'm a monster.

I- I don't belong here! What if the humans put me back into a lab?! 

Then what?!

They keep putting different things into me, and I become even more of a monster!?

The door opens, causing my head to shoot in that direction. 

Wilbur.

Wilbur's in the doorway. 

He seems shocked and almost happy. 

Is he happy I'm like this?

That I'm a monster?

His face falls as he quickly rushes over to sit next to me.

"Tommy! Hey, hey, it's okay. You're okay," Wilbur reassures as he takes me in his arms. "What's wrong?"

"I- I'm a monste-r," I stutter out with a voice crack as my eyes quickly tear up.

Wilbur's eyes widen with concern and maybe a little hurt. "No, nonono- you're not a monster! Why would you be a monster? Because your like us?" 

"N-no! I- I'm not like you! I- I'm not a hybrid, a-and I'm not a human," I explain, "so, so- I'm a monster."

"You're not a monster, Tommy," Wilbur pulls me closer, "You're just Tommy."

The door opens again, but this time it's Philza who stands in the doorway. Upon seeing me and Wilbur, he quickly walks to my other side. "Tommy? Hey, it's alright, me and Wilbur are right here," Phil reassures as he places a calming hand on my left shoulder. 

Eventually, I calm down and completely lean into Wilbur. It's been, what, two-ish days since I've last seen him? I couldn't keep track of time in that stupid white room.

"How are you feeling?" Phil asks.

I sniff and rub my eyes again before answering, "A lot better than before." Then I remember I fell asleep when Wilbur said not to.

Fuck- He's gonna be mad!

"I'm so sorry, Wilbur!" I panic and look up at him, "I didn't mean to fall asleep! I promise! I just- I'm sorry-" 

"Tommy! Tommy, it's okay!" Wilbur insists, "You don't have to apologize for anything! It wasn't your fault! You even stayed awake much longer than I expected you to," he smiles.

I take a breath and mumble an "okay" before relaxing back into Wilbur's hold.

Phil sighs, "Your poor wings..."

I glance back at them. I look to Phil's behind him, then back to mine. "They look nothing like yours..." I mumble.

"That's okay, mate. Yours are just unique," Phil smiles, "We'll figure it all out together, yeah?" I nod. "Wilbur, can you get Techno? I left him in the waiting room," Phil asks. "I'll stay with Tommy."

Wilbur dramatically sighs, "Fineee," he rolls his eyes. "I'll be right back, Tommy." Wilbur lets go of me and leaves the room. 

Why didn't Phil go get Techno himself?

Is he mad at me?

What if he's mad at me and just didn't want to yell at me in front of his son.

I look towards Phil. Before I know it, he pulls me towards him, being careful with the IV still in my arm, and into a hug. 

"Now I have you all to myself," Phil says, "You have no idea how worried I was about you!"

"What?" I question, "Why would you be worried about a some random, stupid kid like me?"

"Your not 'some random, stupid kid', Tommy," Phil states. "And it's my job to worry about my sons."

"But... I'm not your son?" I look at him with a confused look.

Phil pulls away slightly, but holds onto my shoulders, gently in order not to hurt my right shoulder, and gives me a serious look.

Did I say something wrong?

Is he gonna yell at me!?

"Tommy, I see you as my own son whether you like it or not," Phil states. "And I will worry about you until the day I die."

He... he sees me as his son?

But-

"But- my wings don't look like yours, and-"

"That doesn't matter. You became my son shortly after I brought you home for the first time without wings," he smiles.

...what?

But- but that was so long ago!

He- He cares?

I quickly barge into the man to tightly hug him. Phil wraps his arms back around me.

"Thanks, Phil..." I mumble.

"Of course, mate."

We sit there for a minute or two, before the door opens with Techno and Wilbur entering the room. Wilbur sits back down on the bed while Techno just stands there awkwardly and gives a small wave.

"Guess where I found Techno," Wilbur speaks up.

Phil hums questioningly while I answer, "Sparring?"

"Good guess, but no," Wilbur smirks. "I found him stressing and pacing about Tommy," he teases.

"Shut up, Wil, or, so help me, I will drop every single one of your picks into your guitar," Techno threatens.

"You wouldn't fucken dare," Wilbur glares back which causes them to start arguing.

I tense up slightly and curl into Phil more. Phil places a hand in my hair before looking to his other sons. "Boys, stop bickering or I will craft a belt once we get home," He scolds.

Both boys shut up. Techno walks over to sit on the edge of the bed. He reaches his hand over and ruffles my hair like Phil and Wilbur, except his feels different, almost unique in Techno's own Techno-way.

"So, do you like me now?" I laugh slightly as I ask.

Techno scoffs, "If you're not going to be disappointed, than yeah, a little bit." He waits a moment before looking to my hair and adding, "Mostly because of your golden hair," he moves to sit closer and reaches out for it again.

Heh, I'll take it.

I lean into Techno's hand as Phil closes his wings around the four of us, pulling us closer together.

Chapter Text

"Yeah.... this definitely isn't good."

Dr. Pink, or Ponk maybe? Is looking over me and my new wings and ears and stuff.

"With the information that George provided me, the sugar he consumed caused the deformations in his wings and a part of his left ear," Dr. Ponk informs Phil.

"How would sugar affect that?" Phil asks with a confused look.

"Tommy, here, has naturally low blood sugar. When they took his blood as a baby, he must have had a lower blood sugar. So, when they finished it and gave it to him now, his higher blood sugar didn't mix and work as well as it should've," the docter explains. "Although, that is just my best logical theory according to the given information." Dr. Ponk looks to Phil and asks, "Philza, mind if I speak with you outside the room for a moment?" 

Phil looks to me, "Will you be okay alone in here?" 

"Yeah," I answer before Phil nods and leaves the room with Dr. Ponk.

Dr. Ponk pulls the door behind him but it doesn't fully close, leaving a small crack for sound to escape through. They talk quietly, but with these new ear things, I can hear them perfectly.

I can hear Wilbur and Techno quickly stand up from their seats. "Is he okay?" Wilbur asks.

"He's perfectly fine. Don't worry," Dr. Ponk reassures, "He's just a little sore and little traumatized. I wanted to talk to you about his hybrid side, but I didn't want to freak him out or discourage him."

"Okay? What is it?" Phil asks.

"Well, there's good news and there's bad news. Which would you like to hear first?" He asks.

"Bad," Techno speaks up before Wilbur or Phil.

Dr. Ponk sighs, "His wings aren't going to form right even after being fully healed, which means he won't be able to fly or use them properly. At the right angle, he might be able to glide, but that is all he would be able to do."

What? 

If I can't fucken fly then what the fuck is the point of having wings?!

I can only GLidE!

That's bullshit...

"The good news is, because it causes him no pain, discomfort, or endangerment towards his health, we don't need to remove them," Dr. Ponk reports.

Phil sighs in relief.

Why? 

What would be so bad about removing my wings? 

They don't even work!

"What's so bad about removing his wings?" Wilbur asks as if reading my mind through the wall. "They don't work anyway?"

"Yes, but it is a very painful and unpleasant process to remove an avian's wings. Not just for the docters, but the patient as well," The doctor answers.

"Oh.." Wilbur mumbles.

"About his hybrid instincts, there isn't enough information to tell whether or not this will allow him to have any as this all new to us docters," Ponk informs. "But other than that, he's been healing just fine and quite quickly in the past twelve hours. He should be okay to go home with you guys," I can hear the smile in their voice. "Just keep him fed and well rested, then bring him back in a week or two to make sure nothing else comes up and everything should be fine."

"Thanks, Ponk. You're the best," Phil states before there are footsteps going down the hall. Phil walks back into the room with Wilbur and Techno trailing behind him. Wilbur walks towards me to give me a quick hug. 

"So... I can't fly?" I ask and look towards Phil who looks severely confused and concerned. "The door was cracked and you guys were talking kind of loud."

"We weren't talking loud. I think that's just your raccoon ears working," Techno comments with a scoff.

I roll my eyes and look back to Philza. He sighs, "No, you can't fly, you can glide, but even then it's severely dangerous because you have to get the right angle.

"Well, that would've been a little helpful when I fell out of that damn tree," I grumble.

Phil snorts, but tries, and fails, to conceal his laugh. Phil looks towards his watch. "Oh, it's about dinner time by now. We should start heading home then, huh?" Phil questions.

Techno lifts me off of the docter's table thingy and gently sets me on the ground. "Yes, please," I say.

"Okay- Wait a damn minute! You haven't eaten anything in, like, three days?!" Phil exclaims as he starts to panic causing Wilbur and Techno start laughing.

"What are you laughing at?" I ask and look up at them.

"Phil's bird brain is kicking in," Wilbur snorts. 

"He's gonna be all mother bird over Tommy now that he has wings," Techno comments. 

"Oh, shit! Do you thinks he's gonna do the nest thing?!" Wilbur asks and looks at Techno with a smile. 

"Oh, nooo. Not the nest!" Techno laughs. 

"Shut up! Both of you, you little shits! At least I don't horde all the gold in the house," Phil states as he lightly hits them in the head. "Come on, Tommy. We're getting you some food."

"Yeah, but then you steal all the shiney things," Wilbur teases. "Like my fucken pen! I still haven't got that back!" 

"Shut," Phil playfully scolds before focusing on trying to get Tommy out of the room and back home. I just watch as they bicker back and forth while we walk home. 

"Wait, what about Tommy?" Wilbur asks, "What if he has insticts?! He'd be an avian and a raccoon!" 

"Oh, shit. Welp, say goodbye to your things, Wil," Techno ruffles my hair. "We're gonna have a little theif on our hands."

"Awww, I just got new picks!" Wilbur complains.

Phil chuckles, "Now you'll see what I had to deal with while you guys were growing up."

"We weren't that bad!" Wilbur states.

"Oh, yes you were!" Phil denies, "not a single shiney yellow thing was left anywhere in the house except for your guys' room."

Tommy just laughs with his family.

Family?

Family.

I'm basically finished with the food Phil frantically gave me as if I was going to die when I yawn. 

"Tired, mate?" Phil asks.

"No! I don't get tired," I deny.

Phil chuckles, "Alright, if you say so. But you should probably head to bed. You need rest to heal up," Phil suggests. I take my last bite before standing up with my plate in hand. I walk over to the sink where Phil takes the plate out of my hold. "You head upstairs and get settled, yeah? I'll be up in a minute to help you out with your wings," Phil smiles. 

"Okay..." I mumble before heading upstairs. Once in the hallway, I stand outside of Techno and Wilbur's room. 

Should I knock? 

Or should I just go to the other room?

Uhhh... it sounds quiet in there...

Maybe their sleeping already.

Nevermind, I'll just go in the other room.

I walk into the spare room, which Wilbur claims to be mine. I change into some pajamas and hop onto my bed. I fall to lay on my back, which hurts a bit with how sore my wings are, but it doesn't hurt that bad.

How does Phil sleep with wings?

It's uncomfortable as fuck.

I shouldn't be complaining...

Everything could be worse. 

What if they hadn't saved me from the lab?

I probably would've been dead or something. 

What if Phil just left me at the old lab?

Where would I be, then?

Would I have been tested on like this?

I'd probably be put into and orphanage or whatever that is. 

Mom used to threaten to bring me there.

I never knew what it meant though.

It kind of sounds like orphans. 

Techno uses that word a lot, so maybe I'll ask him tomorrow.

If Phil didn't take me with him, then I wouldn't have been able to meet Tubbo, or Wilbur, or Karl, or Quackity, or even Bad.

Man, my life was boring before this!

"Thomathy Innit Minecraft!" Phil scolds, causing me to jump, as he walks into the room. "What on earth do you think you're doing!?"

"Wha- I didn't-" 

"Stop lying on your wings! That is severely bad for them!" Phil quickly lifts me up into a sitting position and looks over my wings.

"They're fine! It's not like it matters anyway," I grumble.

"Yes, it does, Tommy," Phil sighs, "Now, look. You're supposed to sleep on your side with wings. Well, technically you're supposed to sleep in a nest..." Phil informs.

"A nest?" I question.

"Like a circle of blankets and pillows and things. I'll show you how to make one sometime," Phil explains.

I slip under the covers and lay on my side, instead of on my back, facing Phil. "There. That better?" I ask.

"Yes. Much better," Phil states as he pulls the covers over my head.

"Hey!" I yelp and pull them back down so I can see him as he chuckles.

Phil ruffles my hair and stands up. "Goodnight, Tommy," He smiles before he turns to leave the room.

"Uh, Phil..." I quietly say, gaining his attention. 

He turns around, "Yeah, mate?"

"I- uh... never mind," I shrink into the bed. 

"Alright," Phil says with a bit of a concerned look. "If you need anything, don't be afraid to wake up Wilbur, Techno, or I," He states.

"Okay. Thanks, Phil," I say before curling up and closing my eyes. I hear Phil walk out of the room and gently close the door behind him.

I'm playing with Tubbo in a garden of flowers. Tubbo's trying to teach me how to make a flower crown. After messing up and having the crown fall apart for the fifth time, I throw it down, "Ugh, I'll never be able to do it."

"You just have to try harder," Tubbo rolls his eyes.

I look to my right and notice a stick. I pick it up and bring it in front of us, "Look, Tubbo! A swor-" 

"OW! TOMMY!" Tubbo cries as the sword hits him, cutting into his arm "Stop! I'm sorry!"

Sword?! 

But- it was just a stick!?

Something grabs my arm and pulls me up to my feet. I look behind me as they start dragging me away from Tubbo. 

Phil? 

The man that looks like Phil throws me out in front of him. 

"What the fuck, Tommy!? WHY THE FUCK WOULD YOU HURT TUBBO!?" Phil yells.

"Wha- I- no! I didn't- it was just a stick and it-" I stutter out a broken explanation.

Phil sighs and looks at me with disappointment and anger, "This is exactly why we shouldn't have even brought you here, you fucken monster," Phil states before shoving me back. 

What?!

But- you said I wasn-

Something catches me, though. I look up and see Wilbur and Techno holding onto me.

"Techno! Wilbur! I-" 

"Shut it!" They snapped in unison. 

What the fuck?!

I didn't know twins could actually do that!

What's going on?!

Wilbur and Techno tighten their grip on me and drag me forward. 

"Thomas! My boy!" A voice rings out. "I see you discovered I was right," he laughs.

No-

Nononono-

I don't wanna go back!!

"Thomas," He threatens, "you look at your father when he is speaking to you," He grabs my chin and makes me look up at him. He's holding a syringe with a new colored liquid. Different than the other two he gave me. He slowly moves it closer to me.

"NO! GET AWAY!" I screech as I try to get out of his grip. After that deeming useless, I resort to biting his hand, causing him to let go.

"Ugh- you fucking brat!" He growls and raises his hand up. 

Oh fuck-

It quickly comes down right at me.

Chapter Text

I shoot awake in my bed with tears falling from my eyes. I quickly sit up and look around the room.

It's dark, but I can still see?

That's weird...

I realize I'm in my room in Phil's house and calm down slightly. I try to take deeper breaths, but the adrenaline keeps my breathing a little shallow. The window shows that it's still night time. I slide out of the bed and stand up only to realize how bad I'm shaking. My legs feel as if they're going to collapse. I take a deep breath and try to ignore it as I walk towards the bedroom door.

Once outside the bedroom, I notice Wilbur and Techno's room. The door is closed, so I try to sneak past it without making any noise. Just as I think I did a good job and I'm about to make it to the stairs, a voice comes from behind me and throws those thoughts out the window.

"Tommy," a familiar monotone voice states, causing me to jump and turn around quick enough to make me dizzy. Techno stands there in a plain white t-shirt and pink shorts. 

Kinda funny seeing him in that considering how serious he normally is and looks.

"Hey, Techno... buddy," I greet, "what're you up to?"

"You really can't have a full night's sleep, can you?" He questions as he walks closer and kneels in front of me, "What's wrong this time, buddy?" He asks in a gently tone. It's almost weird hearing him like this.

"Uh, it was just a bad dream," I answer as if it's nothing, "Not a big deal."

Techno sighs, "I can tell you were crying, which means it was a big deal," He states. "Do you wanna talk about it?"

"Uh, no-" I say, but my voice cracks, causing me to look towards the ground to avoid eye contact, "Not- not really."

"That's okay," Techno says. "Do you want to sleep in our room?" He offers.

"Can I?" I look up at him with hopeful eyes.

"Of course. C'mon," Techno stands up and places a hand on my back as we walk into his and Wilbur's room. "Do you want to sleep in my bed or Wilbur's?" He asks. I look towards Wilbur's bed. He's peacefully asleep and spread about his bed, snoring away. 

Yeah... Techno's right. Wilbur snores way to loud.

"Can I sleep in your bed?" I ask and look back to Techno. "If your okay with that."

"Yeah, no problem," Techno says and walks over to his bed. "It's his snoring, isn't it?" He whispers as I climb up onto his bed. I laugh, but quickly cover my mouth and look to Wilbur, hoping I didn't wake him. "Don't worry. He can sleep through just about anything," Techno rolls his eyes and even slightly smiles at me. 

I smile back. "His snoring is so fucking loud," I snicker. I lay down on my side like Phil said to do and Techno pulls the covers over me before lying down next to me on top of the blankets. "Why aren't you under the covers?" I question.

"I don't normally sleep under them," he answers. 

"But then you'll be cold!" I quietly argue.

"I'll be fine," he chuckles.

"No, you won't!" I huff. "I thought piglins liked warmth."

"We do."

"So why don't you go under the covers?" I glare.

He sighs and shuffles his way under the blankets. "There. Better?"

"Yup," I say before pulling the covers over my shoulders and curling up into the warmth of the bed.

Was that mean? 

I kind of bossed him around...

What if he doesn't like me as much because of that?

"Hey, Techno?" I ask. Techno hums in response. "Do... you still wish Phil wouldn't have taken me? Like, would you still leave me behind?"

Techno stills for a moment before opening his eyes and looking at me. "I was stupid to even think about leaving you there, Tommy," He states with a sad and genuine tone. "If I had that choice now, I would kill to bring you back home."

Does he really mean that?

Or is he just saying that...?

"Why do you ask?" Techno questions.

"Oh, uh- I've just been thinking about some things since I got back from... from the..." my sentence drifts off as I curl up further. Techno moves his arms around me and pulls and me into a hug. 

"It's alright. You're never going back there. I won't let that happen," He states. "I promise. And don't think about us leaving you because we didn't. And thank prime we took you because if we didn't, then we wouldn't have a troublemaker child running around to take care of and protect."

Techno laughs a bit, which confuses me.

"Tommy, if you weren't here, then I would only have one brother. A stupid and overdramatic one at that," Techno says with a fake disgust. "Can you imagine? Having to tell people that my brother is that snoring idiot over there?"

I let out a muffled laugh into Techno's shirt. "Yeah, now you get to brag about me?" I joke.

"Yeah! I get to tell people that the Tommy innit is my little brother," Techno goes on. "I bet everyone will be so jealous."

I laugh again, "Since when did you get good at making people feel better? Last time you tried, you kinda sucked at it."

"To be fair, the last time I comforted you, I basically said I didn't like you," Techno scoffs. "And you seemed comforted by it."

"Fine. But still, when did you know how to do that?"

"Wilbur may, or may not, have been giving me some tips," Techno smiles.

"Maybe he should give you some fashion tips as well," I tease.

"And you ruined it," Techno rolls his eyes and let's go of me.

"I- what!? No, I didn't!" I protest and pull on one of his arms. "Technooo-"

I woke up in Techno's bed alone. Neither Techno nor Wilbur were in the room with me. So, I got up and left the room to find them. I walk down stairs to hear Phil talking. I peek around the corner of the living room and see Phil and some guy in a suit talking. I hide around the corner and listen in.

"Phil, do you know why I started this community?" The suited man asks. Phil is about to respond but the man interupts him. "I started this so hybrids could have a place to relax and be safe from the dangers out there. I built this community so my daughter could be safe," he emphasizes. "We welcomed you and your family, yet you bring a human here and having that said human cause that much trouble is far too risky," he states. "I'm sure you understand."

Phil tries to hide the glare he sends the man.

"I made this place for hybrids, and hybrids only," the man glares back.

Phil spits back, "That's the thing-" But I interupt them.

I walk in, in hopes of lowering the tension, and walk towards Phil. "Phil? Where did Techno and Wilbur go?" I ask before eyeing the man in the suit. He's some type of hybrid, but I can't exactly tell which one. I step closer to Phil. 

"Tommy's not exactly human anymore," Phil grumbles at the man, who is now staring at me, in a quiet tone, probably so I wouldn't hear. Phil then looks towards me with a kind smile. "I sent them to buy some things from the market," Phil answers.

"Who's that guy?" I quietly ask as I glare at him. "What's he want?"

"This is Mr. Taylor. He's the founder of this community," Phil answers. "And we were just talking about some boring adult things. Why don't you head upstairs and change using some of Wilbur's clothes? Then, once you come down, I'll make you some breakfast," Phil suggests. 

I nod and walk out of the room.

I watch Tommy leave the room and look back to Mr. Taylor.

"You two seem close. Too close," He comments. "And since when was he a hybrid. A tribrid at that."

I sigh, "Long story, short... his own father tested and experimented on him. Those were the results," I glare at him.

Mr. Taylor's face shows many emotions, including slight pity and horror, as he processes what I've said.

"He's one of us now. I don't plan on leaving him. He's been abandoned multiple times, in multiple different ways, and I do not plan on adding to that long list," I declare with another glare and venom in my voice.

He thinks about it for a moment before saying, "You can keep him."

I brighten up instantly and my shoulders lift as if multiple heavy weights have been detached from them.

"-as long," He adds, "as he doesn't cause any more trouble or endangers the community."

"Oh, thank you! Of course he won't! Thank you so much," I smile and thank him as he stands for me to show him to the door. "I promise you won't regret this!" I say after him before closing the front door.

I turn around to see a figure duck around a corner. 

"Tommy?" I question with some authority in my voice, though, not enough to completely panic Tommy. 

"Sorry..." He steps out and looks up at me. He hasn't changed his clothes meaning he was mostly likely there the whole time. "Am I making trouble for you?" He asks.

Techno would properly scold Tommy for his improper English. 

"Of course not," I answer. "Everything is all under control."

"Okay..." Tommy mumbles.

"Why didn't you go change?"

"I wanted to see what you guys were talking about," he answers, then adds, "And I didn't want Wilbur to be mad because of the clothes I picked."

I chuckle lightly, "Wilbur would be in major trouble if he were mad at you for something small like that. Besides, I told you to do it. C'mon, I'll help you out."

I take Tommy upstairs and tried to help him pick out some clothes, but none where able to fit over his wings. So, I decide to grab one of Wilbur's old sweaters. Back when we thought he was going to have wings...

I hand Tommy a sweater more his size but with holes in the back for his wings. "Where'd you get this?" Tommy asks as he holds it up to look at it. 

"A box we moved to the attic. When we were expecting Wilbur and Techno all those years ago, we thought at least one of them would have wings. So we made some clothes for them to grow into," I explain. "I'm surprised by how much the community saved from our old house."

Tommy hums and pulls the sweater over his head. He tries to pull his hands out of the sleeves, but the sleeves are too long, making me smile.

"Here. Let me help you," I take his hand and roll up the sleeves so they fit properly. "There."

"Thanks," Tommy smiles, but it faulters as he looks at his hands and the sleeves.

"What's wrong," I ask.

"Why... why didn't you leave me?"

"Wha- what?" I'm confused.

Why would he ask that?

"Why do you keep me even if I make so many problems and can't do anything right?" Tommy asks further and looks up at me with sad and confused eyes.

"No, no, no, everyone causes problems. The ones you make are no worse than the ones Wilbur causes, and I still have Wilbur, don't I?" I reason. "And you do so much right. You make everything better, okay?" 

Tommy looks to the ground and shrugs.

"And to answer your question..." I kneel down infront of him and hold onto his shoulders, causing him to look at me. "If I'm being honest, I just had a feeling in my gut that I wouldn't regret it." 

Tommy looks away. 

"And you know what, Tommy?

I didn't. 

And I still don't regret what I did."

I hear a sniffle come from Tommy. I gently place a hand on the side of his face and move his head to face me. Tears fill his eyes as he looks at me and shrinks in on himself slightly.

"Tommy, you are one of the best things to have ever happened to me. One of the best people to ever come into my life," I smile.

"R-really?" Tommy's voice cracks as tears slip from his eyes.

I pull him into a much needed hug. "Of course. I wouldn't lie to you, mate."

"Thanks, Da- Phil."