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Techno wouldn’t say that it was a particularly bad day when it all happened. If anything, it was completely bland. He had gone to school and had fencing practice that ended early. He ended up watching the theatre kids rehearse because he was meant to be Wilbur’s ride home.
The only thing out of place was the fact that Phil was on a work trip that had been extended till the end of the week. Oh, and the fact that Techno didn’t see Tommy, his foster brother, throughout the day at school was a bit strange.
Ever since Tommy had deemed Techno and Wilbur to be safe enough, the blonde had been extremely clingy. And Techno would never tell anybody but he was a little concerned at the lack of the loud blond throughout his day.
So maybe instead of going straight to his room and doing his homework like he usually would do, he made his way to the opposite side of the hall and knocked on Tommy's door. The teen typically was quick to open the door, likely one of the lasting effects of being in the system for as long as he was. So when Tommy didn’t open his door, Techno freaked out slightly, not that he tell anyone ever .
Opening the door, forgoing the main rule of the house, he surveyed the room only to find that it was empty. he looked around briefly for any signs of where the team could be, it was unlike Tommy to go places without telling anyone. His eyes caught sight of a few sheets of paper lying on the desk in the corner. And while this is a normal sight for any other desk in the house, Tommy typically kept his space neat.
Walking forward, because if he going to disobey the privacy rule, he was going to go in hard. Skimming over the first few sentences of the top sheet, his eyes widened.
I think I'll miss this, writing. Breathing words onto paper and being certain about it. I was never going to leave a note back then, I didn't care enough. I still don't think I care now but this is more for you guys than it is for me.
It’s apparent that you tried to care, or at least some of you tried to. I appreciate the fact that you tried, and I appreciate that you tolerated me, to begin with. I just can't do it anymore, you know?
I can't stay in that goddamned house and pretend that it doesn't hurt that it's filled with love that I'll never truly receive. I appreciate your attempts to love me and I'm sorry that I wasn't ever worthy of them.
Beyond missing writing, I guess I'll miss you guys too. I hadn't realised how much it would hurt to part with you guys despite the fact that you’ll probably move on by next week. If you do take the time to read through this, thank you for everything.
i love you
.
Worry fills Techno’s veins and he flips to the second page. This one is addressed to Wilbur and has childish little doodles in the margin as if it’s not a suicide note.
Wilbur,
Thank you for everything. For seeing me, for understanding, for being kind. I'd say we’re like brothers but at this point, I think that bit is more dead than I am.
I want, I need you to know that you helped, that even though we as a collective aren’t ending on bad terms, I understand why you said what you said. I need you to know that I’m not mad at you and that this is not your fault in the slightest.
You’re a good person and what happened between us the last time we truly spoke was not an actual reflection of your character. I don’t think you did anything wrong but in case you need it, I forgive you.
I’m glad to have met you and I hope in some life we can meet again under better circumstances.
Techno takes a deep breath and looks at the next page.
Philza Minecraft
Best and Bravest Man Ever, I am so sorry to put this on your track record. I sincerely hope you’re not looking to foster again anytime soon because a kid dying under your care will maybe fuck your reputation. Not that it’s your fault or anything, very far from your fault in fact!
We are getting off track! I am going to kill myself :D !! Maybe I am already dead, who the fuck knows?
Okay, maybe it’s unfair how Wilbur gets a slightly serious note and you get absolute rubbish, but to be fair I’ve rewritten this twelve times and I’m so tired.
I guess that’s it, innit? I’m tired.
Anyways, thank you. You were the closest thing to a dad I’ve had and you’ve always made me feel welcome. It was nice to experience your love.
I kinda wish you were here, one last hug before I go. I’m kind of glad you’re not here though, I don’t think I could handle your comfort right now. Sorry, dad.
Techno feels nothing but anguish as he quickly reads the last page. It’s the shortest and it stops abruptly.
Hey, Tech!
I'm probably dead now so that's poggers. You were kind of shit to me, I don't blame you though, I understand that I'm not the easiest to get along with , so I don't think you’ll mind much but it felt wrong to write the other’s notes and not write one for you.
I don't think I've ever told you this, but you’re probably the coolest person I've met (don't tell Phil). I admire you a lot about you and it would have been nice to get to know you more if you had hated me less.
I researched Theseus at some point, you were right
Techno wipes away the tears in his eyes and rushes towards the front door.
Tommy is not scared of heights, he’s not . He doesn’t mind being so high that the people look like ants, doesn’t mind hanging out on the mountain that everyone in this godforsaken town loves so much.
He doesn’t mind it when Techno, his current foster brother, takes to calling him Theseus. Techno didn’t quite like him at first. That was okay, Tommy knows he doesn’t like change. He’s grown to learn quite a few things about the pink-haired teen, the most prominent fact being how much he likes things staying the same. Being called Theseus feels like acceptance.
This is until Tommy takes the time to research the myth because he actually cares about the other’s interests . And listen, acceptance is great or whatever but Theseus… isn’t that great of a person. And as hard as Tommy tries to be good to others it hurts. He understands that both he and the hero have a tendency to be rash about certain things but not much else makes sense to him.
None of that really matters at the moment. It’s beside the point, at the moment he doesn’t care— not about Techno and shitty nicknames and not about being a good person. Tommy could be Theseus if they wanted him to be, he could play the best fucking Theseus they had ever seen.
Back to the main point, Tommy’s not afraid of heights. Even as he’s peering over the edge of this stupid fucking mountain, he can’t find it in himself to be afraid. He came up here for a reason. Tommy could relate himself to Theseus if he wanted to. Playing the hero only to fall.
And maybe it was dumb, to play the hero . It's not really something he ever does. He had learned pretty quickly in the system to look out for himself first. Others don’t really matter when your livelihood is on the line.
He wasn’t quite sure what had gotten into him.
Okay, maybe it started with Wilbur, his other foster brother. Wilbur had taken to him a lot faster than Techno had, and his nicknames were never spat out harshly— only ever taunting calls of gremlin and on softer nights, sunshine .
Maybe Wil was a little sad about whatever the fuck the seventeen-year-old had decided to be sad about. And maybe Tommy had tried to cheer the brunette up and maybe that lead to only pissing Wilbur off. It wasn’t like the blonde knew what was going to happen! As stated previously, he never really looked out for people other than himself, it wasn’t his fault he was so shit at it.
So yeah, Tommy wasn’t afraid of heights, but he knew that someone would have to be his Lycomedes. He knew that he would be his Lycomedes.
It was really a shame, this foster family had been lovely. They truly felt like family, sure there were moments of exclusion but that was bound to happen! Tommy wasn’t one of them, he was never actually one of the Crafts. Peering over the edge, Tommy is certain that he'd never find family here.
He should just call his social worker, step back and leave. But Tommy's not afraid of heights.
He leans forward, breathing in the fresh air. A shout of his name makes him jolt away from the edge. Turning back, he can see Techno running towards him. His eyes widen slightly, Tommy really hadn’t expected Techno to be his Lycomedes, the teen had way too many aspirations to ruin it and murder his foster brother.
Techno’s pink locks are a mess, his usual neatly platted braid is all out of sorts. He’s also breathing heavily which was not something Tommy thought the teen could do, Techno was too physically fit for his lungs to ever show a sign of struggle. “What are you doing up here, Tommy?” Techno asks but Tommy knows that he read the note by the way he doesn’t call him by that shitty nickname.
“I’m going to kill myself,” Tommy says bluntly and Techno winces. It’s probably really scarring to see your foster brother kill himself, especially so young, right? Tommy can imagine how that might suck, maybe it sucks as much as the way he’s been treated lately. Maybe they deserve it.
Techno raises his hands and took a step forward as if approaching a feral animal. Tommy would probably scoff if he were so tired. And isn’t that the kicker, he’s far more tired than any twelve-year-old should be. “Why don’t we just,” Techno pauses mid-sentence, glancing towards the edge. “Please just come home, Tommy.”
Tommy wants to laugh, home . It had never been home, not to him. As much as they could play pretend, it was never for him. “Sure,” the blonde said, sparing a glance back and relishing in the way Techno tensed. This is getting a little fucked up, Techno doesn’t need this on his conscious and there would always be other homes. “Let’s go home.”
He feels the breeze calling him back as he turns away from the edge and walks closer to Techno. There is no warmth found in the hug he’s pulled into. Sure, maybe the Crafts would try harder now but there would always be other homes. There would always be other chances.