Chapter Text
The teachers at the camp were super nice today, which was a bit strange– usually, they complain about how energetic and loud Tommy is– but it was nice nonetheless. All the kids were doing a special activity, and instead of joining in on what looked like arts and crafts, Tommy got to sit in the play area and play with miss Clementine.
It was fun! Miss Clementine was really good at doing the voices and when the storyline of the world they had created together ran a little flat, she was always ready to add a bit more thrill. They waged wars and built nations all while everyone else lamely coloured cards across the room.
When all the kids were done with their crafting, Tommy got to go back to hanging out with Tubbo! He asked what they were doing while he was playing and Tubbo shoved a brightly coloured card into his hands.
Tommy observed it in awe, before trying his hardest to read the front. He was really good at reading– at least that’s what Techno said– it’s just that Tubbo’s handwriting was really hard to read. “What’s father’s day, Tubso?” He asked, handing the card back.
“It’s the day when you celebrate your dad.” At the look of confusion on his best friend’s face, Tubbo added, “you know? Like how Schlatt is my dad, cause he takes care of me and I live with him.”
Tommy nodded as if he understood. Sure, he had met Schlatt before when he dropped Tubbo off at his place for a playdate, but he didn’t really get it. Tommy wasn’t entirely sure he had a dad.
That was probably why he didn't have to make a card with everyone else. Miss Clementine probably sat with him because she didn't have a dad either. Maybe they could form a club together— a no-dads club! That could probably be a lot of fun, Tommy liked playing Miss Clementine a lot.
Dropping the thought entirely– because dads didn’t seem all too important now that Tommy had solved the mystery– he dragged Tubbo towards the building blocks where the two of them played until Tommy’s name was called.
Looking up, Tommy saw that half the kids who had been there before were gone, meaning it was likely pickup time. He waved bye to Tubbo before rushing to the front. Technoblade was standing there awkwardly before he spotted Tommy and made his way over to the blonde and picked him up in greeting. “Hey little Theseus, how’d it go?”
“It was fun! I got to sit with Miss Clementine because the other kids were making cards for their dads. I’m thinking of makin’ a no-dads club, do you want to join, Tech?” Techno’s face got all squeezed up at Tommy’s words as if he had bitten into something really sour. “Do you have a dad? ‘Cus you can’t join if you do, that’s why it’s just me and Miss Clem right now. Because we didn’t make cards with everyone else.”
“How about,” Techno started, walking toward the ice cream shop across from Tommy’s daycare. “We go get a treat?” Tommy cheered and for the second time that day he pushed the whole dad situation to the back of his brain.
It wasn’t until later that evening, as Tommy was sitting at the table watching Techno place dinner on the table that the blonde remembered. “Tubbo said that Schlatt was his dad.” Techno paused where he was pouring Tommy’s drink before turning to face the kid. “Why don’t I have a dad, Tech?”
Techno sighed, sitting down across from Tommy. “You do have a dad, kid.” Tommy’s eyes widened at the news, this was going to be bad news for his reputation at the no-dads club. He’d probably have to leave the club to Miss Clementine, he really hopes that she can find other members, he would really hate for her to be alone.
“How come I don’t know him?” Tommy asked, reaching for his fork. Techno made baked potatoes, and while the man made his speciality so often that it was referred to as his speciality it was an absolute staple for Tommy’s happiness.
“You do know him, Tommy,” Techno drawled before sighing. “You know, uh the picture of the blonde man that looks kinda like you that’s in my room?” He asked and Tommy shook his head in agreeance, Techno really liked that picture. So much so that he taped it to the backside of his bedframe and wouldn’t let anyone look at it. The fact that Tommy saw it once was a pure coincidence— he wasn’t snooping. “That’s your dad.”
Tommy scrunched up his nose, trying to make sense of Techno’s words. “That’s your dad though, Tech.”
Techno laughed, although it was hard for Tommy to hear the humour behind it. If anything, Techno seemed a little bitter about it. “Yeah, kid, we have the same dad.” The blonde paused momentarily at the information- having the same dad as Techno would make them brothers. That was kinda cool but it wasn't really what Tommy wanted.
“I don’t want him to be my dad, Tech, I don't like that!” Tommy pouted. “Tubs said that Schlatt’s his dad because they live together. I don’t live with him! I live with you. Why can’t you be my dad Tech?”
Techno’s face did that whole scrunching up, possibly constipated, thing again and Tommy was starting to get really worried about him. “I can’t be your dad, Theseus,” Techno said and it felt like Tommy’s entire childhood dreams were being crushed— an exaggeration but now that he wasn’t in the no-dads club he really didn’t want to go back. Tommy’s face must do the whole scrunching up, possibly constipated thing too because Techno looks a little concerned.
Tommy watches in confusion as Techno stands up and makes his way to the blonde’s side of the table. Tommy turns around in his chair so that he’s facing Techno properly. The man squats down so he’s at face level with Tommy.
“Why not?” Tommy asks quietly— something not even he was aware he could be. “I don’t even know picture guy! I know you tons and– why not?” Techno leaned forward, cupping his face which was something he only did when Tommy was sad. And even though he wasn’t sad, because he was a big man, Tommy leaned into the touch.
“That’s just not how it works.” This is the exact moment Tommy knew it was time to bring out the waterworks, it was a foolproof plan! A mumbled oh no from Techno made the kid know his plan was working perfectly. “Don’t cry, Thes. It’s okay.”
“I want you to be my dad.” And maybe he was pushing it with the puppy eyes he was sending but he was going to get what he wants no matter what. “Please.”
Techno sighed before pushing their foreheads together. “You’re a pain.” The pink-haired man wiped a few tears from the kid’s face before pulling back so that brown eyes met blue. “I’ll be your dad if you really want me to,” Techno said begrudgingly.
Tommy’s face broke out in a wide smile. The no-dads club was no longer a part of the great TommyInnit's life.