Chapter Text
Tommy is used to babysitting Micheal on short notice. Ranboo and Tubbo are busy a lot so it's not uncommon for Ranboo to show up with Micheal and ask Tommy to watch him before leaving quickly. It's never been a problem, if Tommy is working when it happens Micheal just sits in one of the booths and eats a cookie or muffin that Tommy gives him. If he isn't working, Micheal and him hangout at the park or Tommy's apartment. It's gotten to the point where Tommy carries a coloring book and crayons around with him at all times. Ranboo always tries to pay him extra for the short notice but Tommy always says it's not needed, he understands that they're both busy and he's more then happy to watch Micheal. Tommy doesn't do a lot, goes to work and goes home, having Micheal around gives him a sense of purpose.
So when Ranboo and him are walking around town on Tommy's day off and Ranboo gets a call? Tommy knows he's about to be asked to babysit. Ranboo turns to him and hesitates, "Are you doing anything today?" Tommy shakes his head. "What are your opinions on villains and heroes?" That's an odd question. "I don't really care about villains as long as they leave me out of it. As for heroes? I don't like 'em. They only work for the rich people." Tommy answers easily even though he doesn't know why he's being asked this. "Cool, so if you were suddenly surrounded by villains you wouldn't like, freak out?" With furrowed brows Tommy shakes his head again.
"Nice, I need you to babysit Micheal again. No questions asked okay?" Ranboo asks, the two have long since stopped walking. Tommy nods again though he's quickly putting together the importance of those questions in his head now. Ranboo grabs his arm and suddenly they're both in a living room. A coffee table, carpet, Tv, bookshelves, the most powerful villains in the world, Micheal. "Hey Mikey. Boo said I was watching you today." Tommy says with an easy going smile. The kid lights up and runs to him shouting "Gold!" as he does.
Tommy picks him up and hugs him to his chest. "So, what are we doin' today little man?" When Micheal points and shouts 'playroom' Tommy follows his directions, completely ignoring the shocked into silence villains who just stare at him. Tommy sits Micheal down on the floor and watches him run over to a little table that has paper and crayons on it. The villain Nuke pops his head in and speaks, "Kitchens across the hall, bathroom is two doors down from it and his room is just next door. If he asks to go to the library just follow him." Tommy turns to look and nods his head seeing Zephyrus staring in bewilderment before turning back to Micheal and sitting on the floor next to him.
They don't have time to wonder why there is a civilian in their base. They have a mission and they need to do it. It only takes a second for them to all disappear into purple particles and Tommy ignores it as Micheal draws a big circle with squiggly lines, using pink, yellow and red and proudly proclaims it's 'Uncle Techno', whoever that is. They spend a lot of time drawing before Micheal gets hungry. Moving to the kitchen, Tommy makes them both Mac n Cheese with chicken strips. After they're done eating they wash up and go to the library, which is absolutely huge. Settling down on a couch, the two of them read together before Micheal climbs into Tommy's lap and leans on him as Tommy starts reading to him.
When the Syndicate come back they find the two in the library, curled up and sleeping. A book lay on the floor forgotten, Tommy on his back with Micheal laid on top of him. Whoever this civilian is they can look past him being in the base. As long as Micheal is happy with him around the kid is fine.