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Siren is filling his usual seat at the bar. His dramatic trench coat is gone for once, replaced by a blue cardigan. Tommy can place it as the one he lost a month ago. Perhaps he should just make the man one of his own. His own closet would surely appreciate his many jumpers back. Siren sips at his black coffee, his shoulders are tense. Tommy doesn't feel the silence with chatter as he usually would, Siren would hide in it if he did. No, this a battle of who will break first, and Tommy's been in silences far longer and far more painful.
"Tommy, what do I do if I find out a hero I've been fighting is a captured child?" Tommy pauses with the glass in his hand only half-way to the shelf. His shoulders tense before he takes a deep breath and relaxes himself. "That's quite the hypothetical Siren, mind expanding?" He asks, the Villain at the bar sighs into his arms. "A Hero was unmasked in front of me, he's a child, I-" He stutters, it's clear it's been eating at him. "Does he want out?" Wilbur snaps his head up. It's clearly one of those moments he's forgoing the obliviousness they usually display.
"Would you help Tommy? I don't know what to do." He whispers, his hands wring nervously.
Tommy's real age shows for a moment. His shoulders sag and he looks so much older than he's put on. "If your hero wants to leave, I'll offer my protection, if they don't, then come back and I'll help you figure it out." Siren looks him over like he's deciding if Tommy's tricking him. He must find what he wanted because he nods and stands up. "I'll deal with it." The brunette says and walks out. The bell dings as he does so. Tommy sighs and looks around his Cafe tiredly, he's been here too long. He should take a vacation. He has Quackity sleeping in his back room after a fight with Swirl, the Villain should be up soon.
Tommy turns and grins as the bells over his door ring again. "Hello, what can I do for you today?"
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"What do you want Siren?" Wasp sounds pissed, it's no surprise after what happened. Wilbur turns and looks at the boy, no longer man in his eyes. "Wasp, I need to be serious with you for a moment." Wasp looks unsteady in this conversation like he doesn't know where he stands.
"What do you mean?" He mutters, it's almost lost to the wind and mechanical buzzing.
"I have a friend, someone who isn't a hero or villain, I asked him for advice for what to do. I don't want to fight you, you don't deserve to be out here fighting criminals and putting your life in danger." Wasp is tense, ready to strike at Siren's any move. When he doesn't receive any answer he barrels on, he needs peace of mind that he at least tried.
"His neutral, he doesn't fight heroes or villains, if they don't go to him he leaves them alone. He's saved my life, he's saved heroes lives. I asked him if he would help you, and he told me if you wanted to leave, he would protect you." Wilbur declares, he can only plead Wasp accepts. The Hero's body language is tense but hesitant. "What if they're others? Would he help them too?" Wilbur's lips press at the confirmation of more. He didn't bring up the theory to Tommy in case he was wrong. "I'm sure of it." He promises, he hopes he's right. Wasp brings a hand up to his ear piece. "Lethe, grab Jamp and Surge, it's a code lavender." He speaks quickly and too the point.
Four, four children.
This is not what Wilbur thought would happen when he was brought into the family business. He'll house the extra three himself if he has too, he's already told Techno and Phil his ideas. Purple speckles dot up next to Wasp and three people appear. Lethe, a tall thin one who teleports, he's a pain in the ass to fight. And he's apparently a child. Jamp, taller than Wasp with straw blonde hair and a prominent purple scheme. He can control types of technology. Surge, a short blonde girl with angry fists and an angrier mouth, she has electric palms.
All four are children and he's hurt each and every one. And now all three are standing defensively yet are hesitant to hurt him with no context. "Code lavender? What's this prick going to help?" Jamp scowls, Wasp seems nervous yet he doesn't let his voice waver. "He said he has a friend, and any place is better than this hell hole." Wasp spits angrily and smacks at Jamp's arm. Lethe wrings his hands much like Wilbur did earlier.
"I guess he knows now?" Surge huffs, Wasp nods.
"Come with me then, he's always where he should be."
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He needs to get Wilbur to Innit street now. And if the son of a bitch behind him keeps chasing it'll only hurt him in the long run, Tommy's going to fucking skewer Sapanp if this keeps up. The fire hero is pretty cool Techno would say but right now he's ready to ask the old man a bad favor. He mutters another curse as he dodges a burst of flame. Wilbur mumbles something from his place in his older brother's arms. Techno shushes him, jumping onto another building. Only two blocks to go.
"Get back here Blade! You and Siren can't run forever!"
Techno's going to start working on his endurance, he's clearly been slacking, or maybe it's because Wilbur is heavy as hell for some reason. The usual chill at the bass of his neck he gets when arriving at the street is so very welcomed. Techno's ready to drop and have Tommy beat Sapnap's ass but he won't make the blonde come for them again. He really needs to call Phil, if Dream hadn't crushed his comm this would have been a lot easier. He drops down in front of the quaint coffee shop and one of his knees buckle. He corrects himself quickly but Sapnap is upon him, a pair of magic suppressing handcuffs ready when Tommy steps outside.
He looks between a horrified Sapnap and his bleeding friends before his eyes slant at the hero. "Is there a problem on my street?" He asks, a warning edge. It seems they do teach the newbies about Innit Street, Techno was worried they weren't after last time. "Uh, nope Mr. Innit, no problem at all just was on patrol." It's clearly a lie considering yet Tommy does nothing but hum. It's kinda funny, Sapnap looks older than Tommy with the beard but Techno knows better. "Then you best be getting back to that, don't you agree?" He asks politely. Sapnap nods rapidly, glancing between the the two, well three but Wilbur's out. He skirts off into the darkness, to be seen again inconveniently.
Tommy turns to look at him and his irritation melts off to reveal concern. "Oh Blade, where's Angel? Did you call him?" He frets and reaches out to take the heavily injured. Wilbur groans in pain as he's jostled and Tommy takes over for shushing him. "Dream crushed our Comms, I figured you were my best bet." He mutters and holds open the door for the other man. They walk in, it's quiet, only Ranboo and Tubbo behind the counter. There's a hero passed out in one of the booths, probably wrapped up in bandages under his suit.
Tommy unceremoniously dumps Wilbur in Ranboo's arms, Tubbo immediately having to join in to hold him up too. The blonde chucks a phone at Techno and motions his employees to the back room where he fixes anyone injured.
"Call Angel, I don't need a dangerous worried villain running about like a headless chicken looking for his," He pauses as glances to Ranboo and Tubbo watching them. "Friends." He decides and the door closes behind him. When Phil picks up he's loud and obviously worried as hell. "Yeah yeah, I got him to Tommy, he's fixing him up now. - No yeah, he'll be fine you know nobody dies on Tommy's watch." He glances at the door as the employee duo comes back out, blood gone from their hands.
"Of course, just get over to Innit street quick, Tommy was ready to give me an ear full for not calling you if Dream hadn't crushed my mic." He hangs up and looks at the two expectantly. They share a look from their place tight together far from him, and he remembers he's a villain covered in blood (they can't even see the look he was sending them oh primes). He clears his throat and ignores the way they jump. "Is Tommy helping him?" He finally says. Tubbo walks forward and places his hands on the counter as he tilts his head. The brunettes hair falls off one side to show a wide bloodshot eye, toxic green gleaming in the soft lighting.
"Your little friend will be just fine, you already know that." He mutters as a hiss. Ah, he's still touchy from his time as a hero. Techno nods and looks over as Tommy walks back out. He's cleaning blood off his hands with a rag and his eyes are hard set. "Siren will be fine Blade, did you contact Angel?" As if summoned the other villain drops down outside and rushes inside hurriedly.
The blonde holds Techno's face, turning it this way and that before he looks to Tommy. The man just watches them with a knowing glint in his eye. "He'll be fine after a bit more rest, I on the other hand have a busy day tomorrow. Ranboo! You have night shift and make sure to call Purpled, I am going the fuck to bed." The split colored boy nods while his boss goes into a door, he steps up to the counter next to Tubbo.
Techno and Phil sit down a few places from the hero, as they wait for Wilbur to wake up the younger explains what happened to his father.
It's a quiet night.
-----
Purpled groans and his forehead falls forward to thump against the counter repeatedly. But Tommy moves and a thick forearm prevents any injuries.
Tommy, Purpled doesn't know what to think of the other blonde. He's competent at least, keeps a successful running business and he provides the whole group with anything they could need. If he thinks too hard he might even call him an older brother, more experienced and knowledgeable about both weird and useful things. Purpled had an older brother once, he'd say the two are similar. Tommy is still a fucking enigma though, he looks only 22 at most. He's also apparently powerful as fuck.
Purpled's only seen him fight once and yet it's obvious, a Villain (Casino? He can never remember his name) was flung into the front glass windows, happens occasionally. Tommy had then smashed the other Villain into the ground with apparent brute strength. Casino hung out for a few hours after, turns out the jester is pretty fun company when he's not trying to cut your head off.
Purpled stops slamming his head when it's obvious Tommy isn't moving. He looks straight up and the older man is only watching him curiously. "I see you're trying to give yourself brain damage? Any thoughts on that left in there?" Drista snorts from his left. Purpled elbows her, he smirks as she yelps almost falling off her seat. "He's trying to research universities, he wants to go for a pastry degree or something." Tubbo chirps from behind the counter with Tommy, then he frowns when the little metal cube he's been working on shocks him. He aggressively wiggles his hand to get the stinging off. "Where's Ranboo?" Drista asks, Tubbo shrugs. "Down in the cellar, he's interested in the library down there."
"Pastry?"
Purpled looks back and finds Tommy with surprise on his face, odd on the wiser man. "Yeah, I've always liked to bake." Tommy tilts his head this way and that. "Alright then, what schools are you looking at? Let's see what has the most graduates."
Purpled should feel confused, but Tommy is a whirlwind of experience and kindness.
They spend the next hour going over it. Purpled is buzzing for mail the next month.
He gets accepted.
------
Phil will admit to being a little panicked right now. The fight is not going well and the heroes seem to know to stop all attempts of moving the fight to Innit street. It was a mistake to plan an attack while they weren't completely healed, the Heroes seem to have forged into bigger teams. Brute force.
Tommy won't know if they don't get to his tagged area, Phil's torn between flying to the man to get him here (which might not even work cuz while Tommy likes them more than others he's strictly neutral ground and fighting heroes not on his street will bring trouble for him) or he could stay with his sons and potentially have one of them be maimed without him. But Tommy could save them so easily.
The answer is more simple when put that way.
He takes off in Innit streets direction, fucking Dream of all people starts following him and throwing balls of pure energy to at least slow him down. It gives Phil the perfect excuse. "Don't think I don't know Angel! I'm not afraid of some random guy!" That's a shame, you've had a 4 year career by being afraid Dream. That glorious Cafe comes into sight, bright red has never looked so gorgeous. He dive bombs right when that tingle shudders through his wings, he sees Tommy's tall figure looking around outside his shop.
He pulls back up and instantly Tommy pulls him close for inspection, he's never held like Tommy holds him, like he's the most important thing in the universe. Tommy holds oddly gently for such a gruff man.
"Angel." The older blond whispers before Dream drops down and holds out a hand. Floating above it is one of his energy balls, his mask looks between the two before settling on Tommy. "Citizen, do not help this criminal or you will be charged with assistance to his crimes." Tommy snorts despite the situation, he moves Phil for the winged blond to stand behind him, wings curled up to avoid such a large target. "You know where you are?" He asks instead.
Dream scoffs as he rolls his eyes. "I know perfectly well where I am, this is my city." He scowls at the other. "Then you know-" He's cut off as Ranboo walks out with a little smile, rubix cube clutched closely. Tubbo following with his own cozy little grin, a cup in hand. They both freeze at the sight of Dream, the hero laughs mockingly as the two bolt behind Tommy. Tubbo sneers at the lime green figure, Ranboo nervously fiddling his hands. "You really are pathetic, seeing a villain cower is expected, never a hero. But then again I guess you aren't heroes anymore." Tommy huffs and raises his arms up to take attention off them. "It's none of your business what they are or who they associate with, Villains are on the same coin as Heroes. Now I'll ask you once to leave my street." He grunts at him.
Phil leanes up closer and whispers to Tommy. "Wil and Tech are still fighting elsewhere, I had to get you though." The human block freezes at this new information. "I've just been told I'm needed elsewhere. Go away or I make you, don't make me repeat history asswipe." Ranboo and Tubbo blink stupidly before giggling. Dream laughs again (like it's a fucking joke and Tommy wouldnxt gut him if Tubbo and Ranboo werent here) and angles his hand, setting off the ball and making it race at them. Tommy reaches out and catches it, after a few seconds of assumed eye-contact with the hero the blond crushes it in his grip.
A few drops of blood drips off his hand that he whips for blood to spray the sidewalk. Tommy strides over to Dream. He grabs the collar of his green hoodie, and throws. Tommy will give him that the other blonde is a top hero for a reason and stops himself from eating pavement. "Come here." He practically growls and grabs Dream again. He holds, Mask to Face, before slamming his head into him.
The metal cracks half-way down, the stunned hero can't stop him next when he slaps him into the ground. He doesn't stop though, he knows what this bastard has done to his family. Dream scrambles for purchase as he grabs at Tommy, his new head injury making his grip weak. It does nothing to stop him as he yet again slams the hero into the pavement. Blood spray decorates that perfectly white mask. "Pathetic." Tommy growls and the hero whimpers as his head bounces off the wall. "Now go." Dream fails to stand for a few moments, falling into an alley before another bang is heard.
Tommy ignores it and turns back to them. "Get in the Cafe, it seems I have to gather my boys." Tommy does care about them. So much more than they know and to live in this avoidance any longer will only bring issues. He'll have to make his move.
Tommy would call himself a calm lad, he doesn't actually get angry often, he doesn't have breakdowns constantly, and the only emotion he shows consistently he likes to think is love. Those three Villains he'll call friends, and those four mess teenagers he calls his family. (The Villains are family too not that he'll admit that to a cooing Wilbur.)
He stays out of their business unless invited in, and Phil leaving his sons to get him means it's urgent. They know he'll get into shit for this, they wouldn't call on him for a papercut. But when he gets to the zone where 8 fucking heroes are on Techno and Wilbur, the two bloody and Wilbur with a definitely broken arm Tommy's a little pissed off.
"HEY!" He booms and analyzes the situation, 8 heroes against 2 villains, he understands the Syndicate is high on the list but not for this type of attention. They're like, the fourth scariest group. "Think you're so fucking strong beating up two boys, 8 old fucks you are!" His shouting has their attention so he keeps it up as his boys finally look over at him. Techno's ponytail has been cut shorter and uneven. Wilbur's hair is bloody from where he was probably thrown, the gore flushed over them makes the blond even madder. "Pricks! Innit streets for all and to see you stopping that is disgusting!" That finally makes them stop everything and freeze.
They probably recognize him now, golden blonde hair, bright blue eyes, wearing a black apron. This is Mr. Innit, the myth who crushed the hero foundation years ago until appeased with his street and Cafe. Rumors of him are thrown all over new recruits, and now he's marching toward them with a very pissed off look on his face.
Azahar, the fox hero, he's still in training. The young man is shifting nervously like he wants to bolt but doesn't want to abandon his position. No one can really blame him when the same urge claws at them. Finally Tommy is shoving them, he grabs arms and hero suits and swings them around. 404 groans as Swirl lands on him, the younger man pushing an elbow into his stomach. Tommy doesn't pay attention to them, his focus is on his boys.
Techno clutching his thigh, Wilbur barely seeing through the blood in his eyes. The blond rushes to catch Wilbur as he suddenly slumps forward. Tommy wrestles the wild power of strength he'd collected early on, he heaves Wilbur over his shoulder as gently as possible. Techno leans heavily on him, limping the way back to Tommy's Cafe. Wilbur groans when Tommy stumbles to catch Techno. When they finally make it to the Cafe Phil is upon them. Ranboo stutters out apologies about Phil not listening that he needs rest. "It's fine Ran, close up shop, I've got a meeting to plan."
-------
The next week Tommy is hardly seen, cooped up in the basement of the shop. It's worrying of course but Ranboo, Tubbo, and Drista keep the cafe running in his absence. Only Wilbur occasions can drag him out. For his part he looks no worse for wear and he acts normal. His only explanation being from complicated plans.
On February 4th, Sunday morning, Tommy walks down the street.
It's a casual stroll to the hero quarters building, an obnoxious thing in the middle of the city. He stops in front of it, it's early in the day, not many people around. The Cafe is closed, Purpled is in class hours away while the three teens are home asleep. Tommy entrusted his brother Wilbur (prime had the brunette squealed when Tommy conceded) to sleepover in the living room. He'll protect them if reputation doesn't.
Tommy tilts his head at the building. He swore it off years ago, promised himself to keep his nose out of things. But they also aren't keeping their end of the deal. Tommy Innit, free to do whatever he wishes as long as he doesn't return to his past ways. No heroes up his ass and a quiet life alone.
He's such a social creature though and can't keep to himself. This is giving up peace where he no longer fights for his life or sanity everyday. Tommy hasn't fought for his life in so long though, a thousand years at least. No more fights for freedom. Yet now his family needs protection and that's what he delivers. His street is no longer safe and his family no longer relaxes at his bar counter for leisure, an issue. "You had a good run I'll admit, but this is too much." He tells the open air. Maybe he also misses it, that rush for blood. If maybe today, he would be free from life. That day has never come, and it might never.
"Attacking my kids, especially as they're alone and vulnerable, such a bitch move on your part honestly." He says idly, "I should have done this when my littles came to me, if just for all our peace of mind. But I didn't and that was a mistake I will ignore no longer." It was a mistake, that much is obvious. They've forgotten how seriously to take Mr. Innit. Here is his gentle reminder. Has he been too soft on them? Such carelessness, a word he'd never describe himself with. But something he'd consider the action, careless.
Placing a hand on the wall he smiles at the rushing wind twirling around him.
"Bye bye."
Hopefully they won't need to be reminded again.