Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Tommy can feel the gravel lodge into his feet as he runs. He can feel his skin break against the concrete floor as he is thrown to the ground. His flesh burns as the asphalt digs deep into his arms, and the blood that leaks from his hands.

“He's just like his father, doesn’t he? A dirty rat.” One of the men’s voices mocks overhead. And that's what Tommy wanted. To be like his dad. And yet the stolen sweets sit heavy in his pockets.

Tommy jumps off the ground, ducking under the large group's arms before sprinting down the road again. He can hear the sound of feet pounding behind him, but he doesn’t care; he knows he can outrun them. He has always been good at running.

Tommy groans as what's happening hits him. He lost everything all over again. His blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, even his fucking shoes. It was all in that alleyway and he just knew none of it would be there if he went back. And that was his best squatting spot yet, it had a little tin roof hung near the fire escape that kept the rain away. Tommy loved the clinks the rain would make against it.

But now it is over. No one has any mercy for the son of a villain, it's why he was alone in the first place. But soon he would make sure his father wanted him. It's why he became a villain in the first place. He is going to become one of the best, make sure his father knows his name.

He was starting out small right now. Steal candy and toys from the store, but soon he would move on to the big crimes, like stealing a car and then driving it into a fire hydrant. That would have to ruin people's days. He already was one of the biggest criminal masterminds on the streets. So many people wanted him in jail, and that's a big accomplishment for a ten-year-old.

That's what led him to this situation. He didn’t take more than a pocketful of lollipops before he left the store, thinking he was in the clear. He should have known better, known that the story keep knew who he was, known who his father was. But he was careless and walked back home without realizing the eyes that followed. And now it was time to start anew. Maybe he could get a new alley where the streets were a bit clearer. But then the issue was he would stick out like a sore thumb, making life even harder.

An angry yell rings across the street and Tommy can see the figure as it emerges from the alley jumping at him. Tommy makes a quick turn, sprinting across the lonely street and into a darker one-way road.

The lights flicker above, threatening to give out. The ground is slick and uneven, but Tommy has run on streets like this more times than he can count. By the sounds of clatter behind him he is assuming the people chasing him have not.

A small smirk breaks out on Tommy's face as he realizes he is practically home-free. He sprints through the side street coming out on the other side. The bright street lights shine as if they too are celebrating his victory.

Tommy makes a quick right running more as a precaution. He keeps running even though he feels like his lungs aren’t taking in any air until his bare feet are bloody and covered in dirt.

He only slows down when a dark shadow falls over the nearest alleyway. Tommy stutters to a stop as a large man steps in his way. The man is backlit by the street lights, making it hard to make out any details. But Tommy didn’t need to, he could tell from the long pink braid and the fluff red cloak.

This was the Blade. And he was going to kill Tommy.

Tommy can feel his chest tightens and his eyes go wide. He stumbles back a few feet. His eyes adjust to the light and he can see the perplexed look on the man's face. The man steps closer, towering over Tommy.

That was supposed to make people safe, normal people. But Tommy was a villain, one who the heroes were just waiting to get the chance to throw in a maximum security prison at best, at worst they were hoping to put him six feet under.

Footsteps ring out behind him. Tommy whips his head around only to see the group was somehow still chasing him. Tommy was cornered.

“Kid, what's happening?” The hero asks as if he doesn’t know who his father was. As if he doesn’t realize who he is. That has happened a few times. It's always been nice until the poisonous whispers flood into their ears and their kind looks turn to harsh stares. It makes sense; however, Tommy is the most powerful villain, next to his father of course. It didn’t matter that his father barely knew his name, one day he would work as the man’s right hand.

Tommy stuck his hands in his pockets, trying to cover up the stolen sweets that were overflowing from them. His heart pounded in his chest so hard he thought it might explode. He had never been caught stealing by a hero. Chased, sure, shoved, all the time, trash throwing at him, a classic. But being caught in the act, that could get him killed. The Blade would be an idol for finally finding a reason to get rid of him.

Tommy can hear the crowd's happy cheers over the fact that he had been caught. He eyed the small opening between the street and the Blades' side. A horrible desperate idea pops into his mind, and with no other plan he takes it.

He dives to the opening. He can feel the air shift around him as he rushes by the Blade. He did it, he slipped by the Blade. He has a chance at life. A smile breaks out on Tommy’s face as he takes the first step onto the other side.

That is until the arms wrap around his waist, lifting him up through the air. A startled yelp rushes from Tommy's mouth as the grip tightens. He immediately begins to struggle, kicking his feet as hard as he can at the man. It does nothing.

“Hey kid calm down, it's ok.” The Blade grunts out. But Tommy won’t stop until he is free or until he is dead. As the yells of the crowd surround him, he is assuming it would be the ladder.

Tommy kicks, yells, punches, anything to break free. It was all futile, the Blade had an iron-tight grip.

“Kid I can’t help you if you don’t talk to me,” The Blade speaks quietly. Tommy doesn’t speak as his struggles pick up and desperation.

“The Blade has him!” A woman from the group cries, victory high in her voice. Other excited yells rose through the small crowd that had formed.

Tommy expects the Blade to hand him over, and let the group give him a few bruises before shipping him off to prison. But to his surprise the Blade pulls him back a bit, shielding him away from the group.

“What are you doing?” The Blade grunts, putting a few feet in between himself and the group. The people stare in shock for a second before replies are shouted out.

“He is a thief! Just like his father!” One man spits out. Many other words are shouted, but Tommy launches onto that one. Just like his father. That was a good thing, something to be proud of. That's why he stole the stuff in the first place. But it still leaves a burning pit in his stomach, as if he will be sick.

The Blade stares at him for a moment, setting him down gently, but the man still has a tight grip on his wrist. Tommy hides from the man's eyes, kicking the rocks under his feet. He was cold and hungry. And now on top of that, he might go to jail, so his day wasn’t going great. He never even got a chance to steal that new Lego set he had been eyeing.

“Go back to what you were doing, I deal with this from here,” The Blade tells them. Tommy's heart leaps into his throat at the thought of being alone with the hero. Some people in the crowd grumble their complaints as they drag their feet away. Tommy searches desperately for anyone, but the street is deserted.

The Blades' grip loosens and Tommy stares at his hand, he could break free if he wanted. But he would need to wait for the right time.

“Kid I’m not going to hurt you alright,” The Blade begins to speak, staring into Tommy's eyes. He doesn’t look back, instead, he eyes possible exits. The street is too bare; he would never get away there. “I just want to make sure you get home safe,” The man drones on. Tommy spots his escape then, a small alleyway filled with boxes and a large fence. If he can hurry up the fence he would be home free. “So if you could just let me walk you home we could put this behind––” The Blade never gets a chance to finish as Tommy is already off like a rocket.

Tommy skips past the boxes, clinging to the wired fence with all the strength his little fingers can hold. He scampers up it quickly, ignoring the yells to stop from the Blade. He jumps over the top, landing on the ground hard.

The fence shakes as the Blade follows him, forcing Tommy to his feet as he runs further down the alleyway. It isn’t until he sees the large wall in front of him that he realizes how badly he fucked up.

He is trapped, that is until he notices the fire escape to his right. It doesn’t take more than a second for him to have already climbed the dumpster next to it, jumping towards the ladder that hangs a good five and a half feet over the trash. He just managed to grab the bar. He yanks at the ladder as hard as he can only for it to stay folded. It's stuck together.

Tommy doesn’t have time to be annoyed as he pulls himself up, feet swinging wildly trying to propel him forward. The moment he gets a footing he is off. Climbing higher and higher up the ladder. He can hear the rattle of the ladder as the Blade follows him.

“Kid stop, it's ok I just need to make sure you're ok!” The Blade yells. Tommy doesn’t believe him, climbing faster. His left foot slips off the ladder, forcing him to hold the latter in a death grip. His whole body is shaking by the time he reaches the top.

Tommy glances down the ladder for a moment. The Blade was already almost at the top. The ground was a good thirty to forty feet down. Tommy runs to the other side of the roof. Only to realize his mistake.

There is no way he could jump across the gap in the buildings. The others seemed to tower over the roof he was on. And there was no ledge to be seen. By the time the Blade gets to the top Tommy had already tried to spot any potential escapes, there were none that didn’t involve a few broken bones.

“Kid, you're going to be fine, I just need to make sure you're ok then you can go on your way alright?” The Blade’s voice is firm, but Tommy knows he is lying.

“I don’t want to go to jail!” Tommy yells at the man. Tears well up in his eyes as he takes another step back. The edge is at his heel. He looks back, an open dumpster sits at the bottom. It is filled with trash bags, almost to where it's overflowing.

“I’m not going to arrest you for taking probably five dollars worth of junk,” The Blade starts. “God I wish Phil was here,” The man whispers, Tommy still hears it, and even though he has no idea who Phil is he can assume it's someone terrifying.

The Blade takes a step forward. Tommy stares at the Blades' slow approach for a second before he makes his decision, dropping off the tower like a stone. The air whistles past his ears as he drops.

He only gets about ten feet into the fall before a hand grabs him underneath his arms, and large black wings fill his peripheral vision. The Angel had arrived and now Tommy was really doomed.

Chapter Text

Tommy’s screams ring out across the air as he flails madly in the man's grasp. He grabs wildly at the arms that wrap around him as the ground gets further away. The Angle is going to drop him and he will be no more than a splat on the pavement. He knows this will be a kinder death than any that the Blade would have given, but he still can’t squash the idea that maybe he could have escaped.

Tommy doesn’t stop his struggles even as the roof gets closer. He doesn’t stop wailing even as his feet touch the ground. Confusion floods his body as the Angel lets go of him, taking a step back. His palms were up in surrender as if Tommy would fall for such a trick.

That confusion quickly turns back into fear as the Angel takes another step back, his wings shrinking against his back, revealing that Siren had arrived as well on the rooftop. A nervous chitter leaves his throat as his ear swivels on his head searching for anything he can use to escape.

Tommy’s hands shake as he stares at the others. He takes a deep breath knowing that it was most likely to be one of his last.

“Why would you do that!” The Blade yells. Tommy just shrinks further into himself.

“Please don’t drag this out,” Tommy whispers softly. He doesn’t want to die a painful death. He doesn’t want to die at all.

“What are you talking about mate?” The Angel asks. He looks genuinely confused, but Tommy can see through it. This is all a game to the man it has to be. There is no way he doesn’t know how this will play out.

“Please don’t make me say it,” Tommy whispers. Tears rush to his eyes as he stares at the group of heroes in front of him. He feels as if when he says it, it will become real. Like speaking the words will cement them into reality. As if willing them into existence even though it was already destined to happen.

“Kid, we really don’t know what you're talking about.” The Blade tells him. Tommy lets out a choked whine. They were really going to make him say it. If he could go back in time he would do whatever he can to stop the situation from happening.

“Kill me! You're going to kill me!” Tommy yells. Tears flooded from his eyes. As the words ring out in the heavy silence of the night. As soon as the words leave his lips he regrets them. The darkness seems to get heavier as the heroes digest what he has said.

Tommy watches carefully for their reactions, but only one person reacts the way he would have expected, Siren. The man's eyes narrow as a hateful glare is thrown at the boy. If looks could kill, Tommy would be more than six feet under. Siren's eyes are sharp, seemingly focused on finding every flaw and mistake that led up to Tommy's existence. It was to be expected, most people had this exact reaction to him.

What was unexpected was the way that Angel’s eyes softened, the way the Blade's body jolted back as if he was shocked.

The Angel takes a step forward, his arms outstretched as if he was trying to grab Tommy. The only difference was unlike most people, who were quick and cruel, the Angel moved slowly with exaggerated steps giving him plenty of time to get away.

Tommy flinches away from the man, just because he had a different way to trap him didn’t mean anything was going to be different. His back meets the wall, instilling in his mind how trapped he really is. He can’t stop the hiss that slips through his teeth as if it would stop the man. The Angel's eyebrows crease as he pauses his advance. The hero takes a large step back as Tommy closes his eyes waiting for something to happen.

“We would never do that, you're a kid!” The Angel exclaims he seems so genuine that Tommy almost believes it. But he wasn’t some dumb baby, he knew that it was all a lie. Siren instilled that thought as the hero rolled his eyes.

“Speak for yourself,” Siren mumbles. Tommy curls into himself, his arms desperately trying to protect his stomach just in case the man decides to attack. This comment earned the hero a harsh shoulder bump from the Blade. Tommy winced for him, he had seen the Blade spin a car over his head he had to imagine that a simple shoulder bump would leave a bruise. “Ow, what was that for man!” Siren yells.

“Boys stop fighting” The Angel hisses, watching his allies out of the corner of his eyes. “And Siren, not helpful, try to be nice alright.” He scolds. Tommy can feel his lungs tighten as Siren's glares turn harsh on him as if he is the reason the hero is getting scolded like a child.

“We are just a bit worried, kid. We won’t tell your guardians anything as long as you make it home safe. Maybe let us do a home check as well. How does that sound?” The Blade asks. Tommy can feel the tears as they crawl out of his eyes.

“Let me know if you find them.” Tommy states bitterly, looking at the ground. The Angel and Blade give each other a look that is too strange for him to understand. But apparently, he is the only one who doesn’t get it because Siren is quick to insert himself into the conversation.

“Oh no, there is no way you guys are doing this. We are taking the kid into custody and that's it, he has like a pocketful of candy nothing is going to happen to him.” Siren argues. Tommy just freezes up all over again, his ears pressed against his skull as he waits for their plan to be revealed.

“Mate, why don’t you come home with us?” The Angel asks. Tommy feels as if his throat is closing at those words. He is not supposed to go to a secondary location, that's how you get killed, everyone knows that.

Tommy needed to escape, even if it was all pointless he at least needed to try. So he ran at the heroes head-on, hoping to catch them by surprise. All it did was get him trapped in the arms of the man who seemed to hate him the most out of the heroes.

Tommy struggled in Wilbur's grip, kicking at the man's knees and elbows at his chest. Wiggling and squirming in his hold. Clawing, hissing, and biting, practically anything that could potentially free him.

“Sleep,” Siren's silver-laced voice rings pleasantly in Tommy's ears, making his eyes heavy. Maybe sleeping was a good idea.

“Wilbur, why would you do that!” The Angel yells. Tommy is not sure who Wilbur is but he doesn’t quite care at the moment.

“What he was being a little shit, besides he wasn’t going to come––” Siren's voice fades out as the world around Tommy goes dark.

****************
Tommy’s brain feels as if it had been stuffed with cotton. It felt as if someone switched out his head for a boulder while he slept, making it impossible for Tommy to lift it off the soft surface it was resting on.

That was another strange thing, it felt as if he was laying on a bed. It was warm and soft, a stark difference from the alleys he was used to. The air was light and pleasant, with no lingering smell of decomposing garbage or rats.

All in all, Tommy hoped he didn’t wake up from this dream for at least a few more minutes. He wasn’t yet brave enough to face the dark cell walls he would surely be in when he opened his eyes. But nothing ever went his way.

“You waking up mate?” A soft voice asks. Tommy's eyes flutter open on instinct. He is expecting his hands to be shackled together, a cold dingy cell, and a man hiding behind the bars that separate them.

What he wasn’t expecting was the warmly lit bedroom he was sitting in. The soft sage comforter that covered him and the soft feather pillows that rested under him. And a blond man sitting in a rocking chair across from him.

“Morning mate, Techno should be here with your breakfast soon. I just wanted to make sure you wouldn’t wake up alone.” The man tells him a soft smile on his face as he talks. The guy has shoulder-length blond hair and the beginning stages of crow's feet under his eyes. A small emerald earring swings back and forth. The shine from it is almost hypnotizing. Tommy has to shake his head in order to look away from it, his instincts chittering for him to take it. Tommy blinked dumbfounded at the man because the last he remembered he was being kidnapped by the heroes.

“Who are you?” Tommy whispers his voice horse from disuse. It scratches and burns but he wants to know, he needs to.

“Shit I forgot to introduce myself, didn’t I? Sorry about that, my name is Phil,” The man starts a smile still stuck on his face. “But you know me better as Angel.” Phil finishes.

Tommy slaps a hand over his eyes as if that will solve the problem. He has seen the Angel unmasked, which can only mean one thing. He will not be leaving this room with a pulse.

“Hey, bud it is alright. We only need to keep you here for a little while, just until we find a good home for you.” Phil tells him. Tommy is shaking so badly that the bed shakes with him. He isn’t ready to die, he doesn’t want to. He doesn’t believe one word that the hero utters, he can’t. The truth was a fickle thing and to Tommy a rare one.

The one-sided conversation halts as the door is opened. A beast of a man steps in. He has to be at least seven feet tall, red eyes, and a long pink braid. Small boxed glasses sit on his nose, and tusks poke out of his lips. The Blade had just walked into the room.

Tommy shoves himself up toward the wall, pressing himself as far away as he can. The man seems to tower over him as he sets a tray full of food down on the bed. Steam still dances off the eggs and butter sits in a little cup next to the bread. It looks better than anything Tommy has eaten in his life.

“Thanks, Techno,” Phil says. Tommy just sinks further into himself, now not only does he know the man’s face, he knows his name as well.

“I thought we agreed on no names. What are we going to do when the kid leaves and starts telling everyone who we are?” Techno asks unamused, raising his eyebrows.

“Yeah well, I decided I didn’t want to use work names in my own home. And anyways no one will believe him so it's fine,” Phil says. Tommy hates how they are talking about him as if he isn’t sitting right in front of them. But when he tries to speak his words get caught in his throat, choking on air.

So Tommy does the next best thing. A loud drawn-out hiss echoes through the room. The heroes startle before their attention is drawn back to him. Suddenly he wishes he just let them talk as Phil begins to creep closer.

Tommy's hiss rises, forcing the man back. “Alright mate, I won’t get any closer, sorry.” Phil apologizes.

“My father will find me.” Tommy forces the words out of his chest. He heard that it's best to let his kidnappers know that someone will notice their absence. That someone will be mad. Even if it isn’t true.

“I’m sure, kid. Phil we should let him eat come on,” Techno grumbles, opening the door. “This is unlocked if you want to wander around, but the security system won’t let you leave the premises without one of us with you.” Techno lists off. Tommy sits confused, their letting him leave the room? They can’t be, it has to be a trap. The door shuts and Tommy doesn’t hear a click.

Slowly he creeps closer to the door. Placing his ear against it to make sure that the heroes were gone. When he hears nothing he decides to test if they were telling the truth. Slowly he wiggles the doorknob, there is no resistance. He pulls it down and the door creaks open. Tommy freezes, holding his breath as he waits for something to happen, someone to yell, or hit. But it doesn’t happen, nothing does. Tommy peaks around the door only to see nothing but a few more doors and a small table at the end of the hall.

Quickly he slams the door shut. Taking a deep breath as he walks back to the bed, and the tray of food that sits on it. He stares at it for a moment, wondering what to do. Slowly he picks up the fork, and carefully brings a bit of egg towards his mouth. He eats it quickly as if someone was going to burst into his room and take it from him.

He eats so quickly that it gives him a stomach ache, but he can’t bring himself to care as he settles back into the bed. He doesn’t know what to do now. There was nothing in the room. Just a bed and nightstand. The window looked out at nothing interesting, just a concrete wall and an alleyway a few hundred feet down, impossible to escape from. Nothing to entertain him.

So Tommy watches as the light fades from the window. His knees pressed against his chest. Two more meals had been dropped off. Tommy barely touched them, fearing he would be sick if he ate so much.

Finally, the boredom grew to an impossible extent and Tommy decided that whatever punishment he would get for leaving the room would have to be better than this.

Silently he walks to the door. It had to be decently late so, if everything went well, everyone would be asleep. Tommy peels the door back, looking down the dark hallway. It's eerily quiet. Carefully he creeps through the halls, looking over his shoulder every few seconds.

He’s not sure what he is looking for, maybe just entertainment. Maybe a reason to make the others mad. He wanders through the halls, too nervous to open any doors in case someone is in the room.

He halts his exploration when he hears voices down the hall. Cautiously he looks around the corner. A large living space sits in front of him, a kitchen right next to it. There is no dividing wall, letting Tommy see the island that two people rest at, the back of their heads to him.

“He won’t be here long mate, just until we find someone willing to take him in and give him a safe place to stay,” Phil talks softly. A hand on Siren's shoulder

“He looks just like his father Dad, the same hair, the same nose, the same eyes. Phil, I can’t look into the kid's eyes without remembering how much it hurt. His father almost killed me! And now we're letting the scum's evil offspring into our home? He doesn’t want to be here either, we should just put him back where we found him. It would be better for everyone.” Siren hisses out.

Siren was the Angel's son? It makes sense. And the fight they were talking about, Tommy doesn’t remember ever hearing about it. Surely if Siren almost died it should have been all over the news. Tommy knows just about every fight his father had gotten into, and never had he heard of one so serious with the Siren. His father must have been stronger than everyone assumed, Tommy feels a spark of pride in his chest at that thought.

“Wil, he is just a kid. You need to grow up and stop blaming him for his father's mistakes.” Phil says. It seems harsh but the man speaks it so calmly, so soft and caring that it doesn’t feel that way.

Tommy is quick to scramble away as the stools scratch against the floor telling him that the two heroes are getting up. He runs to his room, paying no attention to the end of the conversation.

Tommy dives into his bed, quickly pulling up the covers as he fakes being asleep. He takes shallow breaths as footsteps ring out in the hallway. Light filters into the room as the door is cracked open.

Tommy has to put all of his efforts into making his body look relaxed. His eyelids twitch as a heavy sigh is let out by the person at the door.

“Sleep well mate,” Phil’s voice makes him twitch. Tommy can only hope that the heavy comforter hid it from the man. The door creaked closed after that, leaving Tommy alone in the darkness.

****************
Tommy wakes up to a knock at the door. Slowly he rises, rubbing the sleep sand out of his eyes. He takes his time stretching out every bone in his body making sure they all crack and pop before he gets up to open the door.

“Could you have possibly taken longer?” Techno asks. Tommy inches the door closed, only leaving a crack open.

“I can if you want?” Tommy tells him, an innocent look on his face as he stares up at the man. An annoyed look crosses over Techno's face.

“That won’t be necessary kid,” He says as he pushes the door open with his foot, practically throwing Tommy away from it. “I brought you breakfast and a little gift.” Techno tells him, setting the oatmeal and bacon down on the bed.

“Why can’t you bring me something good, like candy?” Tommy whines, poking at the oatmeal. “And stop calling me kid! I’m a big man, practically the biggest,” He announces, crossing his arms over his chest.

“First of all, Phil made that oatmeal. So there's guaranteed enough brown sugar and syrup in it for it to be considered candy. And second of all, you have yet to tell us your name so kid it is until then.” The hero states.

“It's Tommy,” He grumbles as he shoves a bit of oatmeal into his mouth. Techno was right about how sugary it was, Tommy was quick to take another bite.

“Alright Tommy, I thought you might be getting a little bored in here, so I brought you a few books,” The man sets them on the nightstand by his bed, Tommy doesn’t even spare them a second glance as he continues to eat his breakfast.

Techno leaves soon after. Tommy sits staring out the window until he comes back with lunch, flipping through the book once before he gives up.

A knock at the door alerts Tommy that Techno is back with lunch now. Slowly the door is opened and Tommy takes the moment to immediately annoy the man.

“There is nothing to do,” Tommy whines, throwing himself over the edge of the bed so that he is looking at Techno from upside down. Techno just lets out a nasally sigh before setting down the tray on the nightstand. Tommy pulls himself up to glare at the carrots and ranch that sit on the edge of the plate.

“I just brought you a book, and you haven’t even touched it yet,” Techno states, picking up the book. Tommy doesn’t even look at the book, in fact, he tries to look anywhere else. “I can get you another one if this one doesn’t seem interesting,” The hero says.

“No, it's fine.” Tommy mumbles still not looking at the man. He wrings his hands a few times, hoping desperately that Techno will drop the subject.

“Tommy, do you know how to read?” Techno asks softly. Tommy can feel his eyes well up with tears.

“Of course I do,” It feels weak even to Tommy. He didn’t even have the courage to look the man in the eyes.

“Well, in that case, I’m having trouble with this word, do you think a big man like yourself could help me?” Techno asks.

“If you don’t know it then how could I? You are like a billion years older than me.” Tommy tells the man, blinking away his tears.

“Could you try?” The hero asks. Tommy nods slowly. The book is put in front of his face as Techno points to a longer squiggle. Tommy stares at them for a while but the lines look almost identical to all the other lines on the page.

Tommy shakes his head softly. Techno looks at him for a moment before shifting his finger down the page. He points to a small three-symbol squiggle on the page. “How about this one?” Techno ask. Again Tommy shakes his head.

“Tommy I want you to answer me honestly, I won’t judge you no matter how you answer. Do you know how to read?” Techno repeats the question.

“I do!” Tommy yells. Lying through his teeth and both of them know it, but he can’t stop it. He doesn’t want to admit to the truth.

“Kid the word I just asked you to read was ‘the’”

Tommy can feel his cheeks heat up in embarrassment. He hates all of this. He hates the fact he can’t read. He hates the fact that Techno knows it. He hates the fact the reason he can’t read is because he didn’t have anyone to teach him. He hates the fact that his father hasn’t come for him. He hates the fact that he is stuck in this stupid room with these stupid heroes.

“Fine I’m stupid is that 's what you want to hear!” Tommy yells. “I can’t read! I was never taught and I didn’t bother to learn!” Tommy can feel the tears as they pour from his eyes. He jumps off the bed but has nowhere to run to so he just stands in the corner glaring at the man.

“You're not dumb kid. In fact, even from the little time I have known you, I have realized that you are far smarter than most kids your age. It's not just anyone who can escape from the Blade after all.” Techno begins. “And if you want to learn how to read I can teach you, only if you want though?”

Tommy nods slowly. There wouldn’t be any harm in it, right? It would be fine, it has to be.

“Alright wait right here for a second. I need to go grab a few things,” Techno tells him, quickly getting off the bed and leaving the room. He doesn’t take long, coming back with a small stack of thin books.

“What are those for?” Tommy asks, pointing at the books.

“For you, I think most of them are about cats and dogs. They were Wilburs from when he was learning how to read, these were his favorite.” Techno tells him. Tommy gives him a confused look before it hits him.

“Wilbur is Siren?” He questions. Techno nods.

“Do you want to go to the living room to read? It might be good for you to leave this room for a bit.” Techno says. Tommy shrugs, which the hero must take as a yes as he is quick to walk out the door. Tommy followed quickly, the halls seemed different in the light. More warm and homely than how it looked in the dark.

The living room was fancy. It had a large white couch and a big tv mounted on the wall. A big plant sat in the corner, and next to it hung a large group of photos. Tommy can see the younger face of Techno. A few photos with both him and another young boy, who he was assuming was Wilbur.

Techno sits on the couch. Patiently waiting for Tommy to join him, he does cautiously siting a good distance away from the man. Techno’s eyes narrow a bit.

“Are you going to be able to see the pages from that far?” Techno asks. Tommy scrunches up his nose as he nods. Techno shrugs before opening the book. He begins explaining the sounds each letter makes and how to sound them out.

Tommy squints, trying to make out the small print. His head starts to hurt after five minutes of it. Slowly he scooches an inch closer. Watching Techno wearily for his reaction. There is none, in fact, he seems to open himself up a bit more, allowing Tommy a better look at the book from his new seat.

Tommy can see the pictures and the symbols better now. They sit there for hours slowly reading through each book, learning each symbol sound and the words they can make. Tommy doesn’t think he has ever smiled harder than when he reads a sentence on his own, Techno even gives him a high five.

But the joy fades when footsteps come from down the hall. Tommy’s head whips up from the book as he stares at the opening into the living room. Wilbur walks inside with a smile on his face as he looks at something in his hands.

“Techno you will never guess what I found,” Wilbur exclaims, finally looking up from what he was holding. His smile turns into a scowl the moment his eyes meet Tommy’s. A large glare from the hero forces Tommy to look down, staring at his hands.

“Why isn’t he in the room?” Wilbur snarls out.

“Wil he isn’t a prison,” Techno answers calmly, only a slight hint of anger in his voice. Wilbur rolls his eyes, before turning around.

“You will see me when he is back in his room,” Wilbur sneered, walking back down the hall. Tommy feels himself tense. He just ruined the mood for everyone, and there is no way Techno won’t be mad at him for that.

“Don’t worry kid, he just needs some time to warm up to you,” Techno tells him. “Come on it's getting late, we should get dinner started.” Techno gets up, cracking his back as he walks to the kitchen.

Tommy isn’t much help with dinner, watching silently from the island as Techno hurries around. He can’t seem to shake the way Wilbur looked at him out of his mind. The pure disgust and hatred in his eyes was something he was used to, a sense of familiarity came with it. But it was odd how different he acted compared to the other two heroes that treated Tommy with such gentle words and soft glances.

Tommy just wasn’t sure what he did wrong.

Chapter Text

Soon it became a schedule, every night Techno came with a new book. Every day the lesson was a little harder, or Tommy was asked to read a little more than before. Slowly but surely he learned. After a week he was able to read a whole page without having to ask for Techno’s help.

That wasn’t the only thing to change though. Phil had now taken to bringing him out of his room, with promises of sweets or movies. Tommy didn’t know so many movies existed, he snuck into the theater a few times and watched a couple. But there were thousands out there, all different. So far Tommy liked the animated ones best.

Phil promised him they would watch one tonight, and that he got popcorn for them. Tommy had smelled popcorn, so he wasn’t sure he would like it based on the strong chemical smell it gave off. But Phil said it was good.

The knock on his door came earlier than usual. Tommy looks at the clock and the small hand is still an hour away from twelve. His eyes flickered back to the door as a voice rang out.

“Tommy, can I come in?” Phil asks.

“Yeah,” Tommy answers quickly, scrambling out of bed. The door opens slowly as Phil enters. A large smile on the man's face that Tommy had learned meant something good. The last time he had that look on his face was when he gave Tommy a bag full of candy. A small smile snuck its way onto his own face.

“Mate, do you want to help me with lunch?” Phil says. Tommy nods, jumping ahead of the man and running towards the kitchen. He has done this a few times now and it was always fun. Phil plays soft music while they work, or while he works and Tommy watches and occasionally mixes something.

Tommy almost trips over his feet as he halts suddenly. Sitting in the living room is Wilbur. The man still despises Tommy, not that he had done anything to change the situation. Whenever they are in the same room, he hides until Wilbur notices him and leaves. It goes much of the same today as it would any day.

Wilbur looks up from the computer that sits in his lap, rolling his eyes as he sees Tommy. The hero shuts his laptop quickly, getting off the couch and stomping in the other direction as Tommy stands frozen in the doorway.

“Don’t worry mate, he’ll come around,” Phil tells him, ruffling his hair as he walks by. That was something new as well. The heroes were casual with their affection. It was always small pats on the bag and messing up Tommy's hair, nothing that hurt. At first, Tommy turned it away, but quickly he started to lean into it. He knew it wouldn’t last. Hell, he heard Phil say it in the kitchen with Wilbur, he was only here until they found somewhere to put him. He couldn’t get used to it.

Slowly Tommy follows Phil the rest of the way to the kitchen, dragging his feet. Phil busies himself by running around the kitchen, pulling out bowls and plates.

“I was thinking you could use some fresh air lately, so I thought it might be nice to have a little picnic in the backyard. How does that sound?” Phil asks. Tommy’s eyes seem to double in size as his eyebrows go shooting up. He hadn’t been allowed out yet. Only around the house.

Maybe he could escape? Run fast and far, hoping that the heroes would just let him. Maybe that was Phil’s plan, just like Wilbur said the first night, dump him somewhere and leave. He is not their problem, they can get rid of him just as easily as they picked him up.

“Sure, that sounds nice,” Tommy answers, wringing his fingers together as he does. Phil smiles at him.

“Perfect, also I was thinking we could make some cookies and sandwiches for lunch,” Phil tells him as he fishes through the fridge.

“As long as I get the extra dough when we are done,” Tommy tells the hero. Phil laughs before promising. They made brownies the night before and Tommy thought it was the strangest thing for Phil to offer him the dough-filled spoon until he tried it. It had to be one of the best things he had ever had, the brownies were good but the dough was better.

It doesn’t take long for the kitchen to become a mess of spilled flour, dough, and melted butter. But Phil never gets mad, even as the dough slips from Tommy's hand, or as the hero's elbow knocks over the bag of flour. He takes it on the chin and laughs at every mistake. Tommy quickly finds himself laughing along.

When the cookies have been rolled and set in the oven, Phil sends Tommy to sit on a stool with a large mixing bowl and a spoon. Tommy scrapes the bowl clean, eating the extra batter from the spoon as he does. By the time the bowl is practically spotless, the sandwiches are ready and the kitchen is mostly clean.

“Just a few more minutes on the cookies and then we should be good to go.” Phil tells him, turning the oven light on. “Do you want to watch them rise?” He asks. Tommy gives him a confused look.

“What do you mean?” He questions.

“The cookies,” Phil says gesturing to the oven. “When you heat up the dough it spreads out. If you want you can watch it with the oven light on.”

Tommy nods as he gets up. Plopping himself right in front of the small window of the oven. He watches as the dough seems to slowly grow taller before it folds into itself, spreading out along the pan. After ten minutes they had almost completely flattened, some even melting into each other.

“All right they should be ready now,” Phil tells him, putting on oven mitts as he does. Tommy scurries away from the oven door as the hero walks over. The rush of hot air carries the sweet smell of sugar and chocolate. It rushes to fill the house.

“Alright mate let’s pack these up and then we can go,” Phil says as he puts the cookies on the cooling rack, taking a few to put with the sandwiches. Tommy follows Phil as he walks into a part of the house Tommy had never seen before. It seems to be a simple storage room, filled to the brim with boxes and knick-knacks. Phil grabs a large folded blanket from one of the closer boxes. He hands it to Tommy as he walks back to the kitchen to pick up the food.

“The backyard isn’t too big, but it has some nice tall trees that we can eat under,” Phil explains as he opens another door Tommy has yet to open, revealing an elevator. Phil grabs his phone from his pocket and presses it against a small pad next to the up and down buttons. A small approval sound rings out before Phil presses the down button. Tommy stares at the pad confused about why the man would need it. Phil looks at him, seeming to understand his confusion as he begins to explain. “It's just for security, it's a little dangerous to let anyone have direct access to a hero's home, it just works both ways.”

Tommy nods as the elevator doors open, a happy ringing noise sounds out as they do. Quickly the two-step in, and Phil clicks the button to the first floor. Tommy flinches as the elevator jolts. He widens his stance, raising his arms a little as if to protect himself from a fall. His eyes go wide as he can feel their descent.

“Bud it's ok, the elevator won’t fail.” Phil tells him sensing the boy's panic.

“You don’t know that!” Tommy yells as he tenses his legs further preparing for the worst. The elevator dings again as the top lights up, broadcasting that they have reached the first floor. He doesn’t think he has ever run faster. As soon as the doors opened he was out of the death trap in a flash.

“Alright, we will take the stairs next time.” Phil declares as he leads Tommy toward the exit. Tommy nods excessively, he doesn’t care how sore his legs would be after walking up the stairs, as long as he wasn’t in that death trap again.

Finally, Phil opens the last door, revealing bright sunlight. Trees towered over him, waving in the cool breeze. A large brick wall surrounds them, blocking out the view of the street. Tommy wanders around the backyard while Phil sets up the blanket. A small cluster of dandelions rests in one corner. Tommy plucks one, giggling as the seeds fly from it the second he picks it up.

“Tommy come eat,” Phil calls him over. Tommy comes running. When they finished eating Tommy lays down on his back, soaking up the warm sun like a lizard. “I was thinking we could watch a movie tonight, how does that sound?” Phil says as he pulls out two cookies, handing one to Tommy.

“Good, which one are we going to watch?” Tommy asks.

“I’m not sure, probably something animated,” Phil tells them. The two quickly fall into a pleasant silence. Tommy's large raccoon ears twitched at every chirping from the birds that rest in the trees above and the scurrying of the squirrels in the leaves below.

They sit outside until the sun starts to sink into the sky and the air begins to chill. Slowly Phil rises from where he rested on the tree. Cracking his back out as he did.

“Alright mate, we should probably head back inside,” Phil tells, beginning to pack up the food.

“No, I want to stay out here, it's nice,” Tommy whines. He picks at the grass underneath him, peeling it apart as he does.

“We can come back out soon. But if we don’t head up now we won’t get to watch a movie before bedtime.” Phil tells him. Tommy slowly gets up following after Phil.

“I don’t have a bedtime! I’m a big man, I don’t need one!” Tommy argues. They go a different way in the hall, ending up at a staircase.

“Mhm and why is it then that you pass out at nine o’clock sharp every night after Techno reads with you?” Phil questions.

“I don’t have to explain myself to you.” Tommy crosses his arms as he talks. Phil laughs at him, causing Tommy to sigh as he uncrosses his arms to grab onto the railing. They had a long climb ahead of them.

By the time they get to the twentieth floor, both of them are out of breath, but Tommy doesn’t care because it was better than being stuck in the elevator death trap.

“Alright I’ll go order pizza, why don’t you get settled on the couch.” Phil tells him going towards the kitchen typing something on his phone. Tommy nods, heading into the living room. A shine catches Tommy's eyes making him freeze. There sitting on the shelf next to the tv is something new, something that sparkles.

A small golden bracelet lays innocently on the shelf. Tommy can feel the shift in his mind as he looks at it. He needs it. There is nothing more to it. He needs it in his den, stuffed safely in his blankets. But he can't, it's not his, and surely he would get put in jail for stealing it, then it would be even harder for his dad to get him back.

“Hey, Tommy are you alright?” Phil asks as he walks in, shaking Tommy from his thoughts. The boy nods before moving to sit on the couch. Phil gives him a strange look before he settles onto the couch as well.

“I ordered a cheese pizza, it should be here soon. But we can start the movie while we wait.” Phil explains.

“Sounds good,” Tommy says, not really listening to the man. He continues to listen absent-mindedly as Phil lists off the movies they can watch, simply nodding along as his eyes flicker back to the small bracelet. He tries not to make it obvious, but he can tell Phil notices something is wrong.

Eventually, Phil picks a movie himself, not getting much input from Tommy. But Tommy can’t even watch the movie. His brain is yelling at him in a way it never has before. He can’t take his eyes off the shiny piece of jewelry for more than a minute.

He can practically see it in his den already, tucked nicely in with the fluff blankets. It would glimmer in the sun and sparkly from the nightlight Phil gave him at night. He could place it over the drab corners of his room, making it less boring. It would be perfect.

But he can’t. He can’t steal it. It's not his and if he takes something from the heroes there could be dire consequences, and Tommy doesn’t want to go to jail. It would be impossible to show his father how evil he was from jail.

“Did you like the movie?” Phil asks. Tommy jolts, he didn’t even realize it had ended. Tommy glances at the black screen before making eye contact with Phil again.

“Yeah… I really liked the main character,” The words stumble out of his mouth quickly. He doesn’t even know the main character's name, let alone their personality. But luckily it seems like the right thing to say as Phil's tense look lights a little. A small smile forms on the hero's face.

“It's awfully late mate, why don’t you head to bed.” Phil tells him. Tommy nods as he gets off the couch stretching his back out before he makes his way to bed. It doesn’t take long for him to get into his pajamas and under the covers, settling in for a long rest.

But the issues come in the first ten minutes of trying to sleep. The bed feels empty and cold. No matter how many blankets he piles on himself it doesn’t help. No matter how many times he tosses and turns it still feels desolate.

After an hour goes by Tommy gets desperate. He is tired, his eyes are heavy and his head is foggy, but he can’t fall asleep. Even after he runs a few laps around his room, his brain refuses to be silent.

Something in his head cries for the bracelet, making him feel almost incomplete.

After three hours awake the decision feels more rational. He could just take it and put it back in the morning, it would be fine. Slowly Tommy sneaks out of bed, careful to make sure no noise can be heard. He presses his ears against the door, straining to hear any noises. When he hears nothing he turns the knob.

Tommy opens the door slowly making sure that it doesn’t squeak. Slowly he creeps through the dark halls. It doesn’t take long for him to get to the living room. He doesn’t linger, quickly picking up the bracelet before he speeds away back to his room.

His stomach is heavy with guilt as he tucks the bracelet into the blankets, sitting down next to it. But he still can’t sleep. Now the shame of it all keeps him up. His stomach feels the same as the time he found out that they don’t make green burger buns for St Patrick's Day.

It takes him hours to fall into a restless sleep. Even still he tosses and turns the whole time.

A knock at the door wakes Tommy, it feels like he barely closed his eyes. “Tommy, do you want breakfast?” Techno’s voice sounds through the door. Tommy responds with a mumbled, tired, guilty, yes.

The door opens quickly as Techno walks in with a bowl of cereal. “Hey kid, you don’t look like you have slept well,” Techno tells him. Tommy gives the man a half-hearted glare.

Techno moves to sit on the bed, Tommy’s eyes widen in fear as he realizes the hero is sitting right next to the necklace, practically touching it. He can only watch in horror as the bed shifts, and the bracelet shifts, hitting against Techno's fingers.

Techno looks confused as he pulls it out from its half-tucked hiding spot. “Oh, I was wondering where that went.” Techno mumbles as he holds up the bracelet.

“I’m sorry!” Tommy yells, tears streaming down his face. “I don’t know what happened but I couldn’t sleep ‘nd then I took it but then I couldn’t sleep ‘gain because I felt bad––” He rambled, hoping desperately that Techno would forgive him.

“Hey it's okay, slow down kid,” Techno interrupts. “Was it your instincts that were bothering you, because if so you can have it, I have enough as it is I don’t mind sharing,” The hero tells him, trying desperately to slow the crying down.

“What's that?” Tommy asks, sniffling, tears still leaking out but at a slower pace now.

“What? Instincts?” Techno asks Tommy nods. “It's something all hybrids experience. Mine are similar to yours actually. I like to hoard shiny things as well.” Techno explains. “Do you see my tusks,” He asks, peeling back his bottom lip. Tommy nods. “Those are what show I’m a piglin, just like your ears.” Techno carefully runs a hand over Tommy's ears as if to drive in the point. “Our instincts are a part of us, just as much as anything else. And sometimes they need special things to calm down, like gold, or a soft stuffed animal.”

“So the tiny voice in my head is normal,” Tommy asks.

“The most normal,” Techno answers. “Hold on, I need to text Phil,” The hero tells him, grabbing his phone out of his pocket typing a few words on it before he puts it back. “Phil is going to come in here with his laptop, and we are going to get you a bunch of stuff for your hoard, how does that sound?” Techno explains.

“Shiny shit?” Tommy asks. Techno snorts.

“Yeah, loads of shiny shit. Maybe some soft shit too. Really whatever you want.”

After hours of scrolling, Tommy had a cart full of gems, jewels, and even two stuffed animals. Phil said they would be arriving any day now and it would be like a second Christmas when they come. Tommy thinks he would have had to have a first Christmas for that to be possible, but he still can’t wait.

Chapter Text

The next few days consisted of box after box being delivered downstairs. Each one is a new surprise. Tommy can’t wipe the smile off his face as his den fills up with his new hoard. Shiny jewelry, soft stuffed animals, and fun glow in the dark stars that Techno sticks on his ceiling. He never thought he would own much, let alone a whole room full. He just hopes that when his father comes he can keep it.

Tommy wakes up slowly. Soft lighting flickers in through his curtains as he rises. It's dark enough in the room for the glow in the dark stars to still give off a dim light. Usually, Techno would have knocked on his door by now, getting him for breakfast.

Tommy stumbles out of bed. Fiddling with the golden bracelet Techno gave him. He doesn’t even bother dressing in day clothes as he wanders out the door, a yawn on his lips as he does. He hears the racket in the kitchen before he sees it. Loud fast paced footsteps stomped through the house and voices echoed through the house.

“Techno did you pack your extra mask?” Phil's voice bounces off the walls as Tommy enters the kitchen. Suitcases sit half-full in the kitchen as Phil scrambles around them.

“What's happening?” Tommy asks, making Phil freeze.

“Shit Tommy, I am so sorry but me and Techno have to leave for a few days for work. You’ll be ok with Wilbur though,” Phil tells him, walking closer to the boy. “Don’t worry, I made Wilbur promise to be nice,” The hero whispers.

“Do you have to go?” Tommy whines, he can feel the tears burn in his eyes as the world-shattering news is dumped on him. He has to be alone with someone who hates him. Alone with someone who wants to take all of his nice things away. Alone with someone whose dream is to kill his father.

Phil and Techno were his shields from Wilbur's glares and harsh words. Without them, he isn’t sure what he will do. His only protectors are leaving him for the wolves. A whine threatens to slip through his teeth, and Tommy can barely swallow it down.

“I’m sorry bud, but we will be back before you know it. Don’t worry. If you want to talk to us you can get Wilbur and he will be able to call us,” Phil tells him, Tommy can hear the hope in his voice. The last thing Tommy will do is ask Wilbur for anything, he would much prefer hiding away in his room until they get back.

“Who knows maybe you and Wil can get closer,” Phil says. Tommy gives the man a glare, making him laugh. “Try for me, alright mate,” The man's hand ruffles his hair as he goes back to folding a shirt before tossing it into the suitcase.

Tommy stares at the man for a few minutes before he comes to a decision. “If you have to leave… then when you get back you have to promise to bring the sweets down from the top shelf so I can have them whenever.” Tommy speaks slowly making sure Phil hears every word of his demands.

“I’ll think about it you little shit,” Phil laughs as he talks, his voice airy. Tommy nods sharply, taking that answer to be a yes.

Tommy climbs on the counter, reaching for the cereal that was just out of reach. He could feel his fingers graze the box, but not quite able to grasp it. Tommy stretches as far as he can, his face scrunched up in focus. His finger hits it back an inch, he stands on his tippy toes. He is so close he can almost taste the stupid fake marshmallows.

“Alright, kid, that's enough of that.” Techno’s voice comes from behind him as he is suddenly up in the air. Tommy whines as he is dragged from the counter, Techno pinning him with one arm against his chest, while he uses the other to grab the luck charms box.

“I could have done it myself.” Tommy grumbled, crossing his arms as Techno sets him down.

“You would have fallen off and cracked your head open.” Techno holds out the cereal. Tommy groans as he grabs it, his nose scrunched up in anger.

“Would not have!” He yells.

“Sure runt, just eat your cereal.” Techno tells him as he walks over to help Phil finish packing. Tommy mutters under his breath as he grabs a bowl, angrily pouring the cereal into it as he gives the hero a death stare.

By the time he is done with his breakfast, the two heroes have finished packing. Tommy frowns as he gets up from his spot at the table. His eyes are watery as he watches the two of them drag their bags to the elevator.

“Oh mate, it's ok, we will only be gone for a little while.” Phil tells him, realizing his distress. He is quickly pulled into a hug. Tommy lets the tears fall as he grabs onto the hero.

“I don’t want to be alone,” Tommy sniffles.

“Aw bud, you won’t be, remember? Wilbur will be with you,” Phil tells him as if that would bring him any peace of mind. Tommy sobs harder into Phil's shirt.

“But he’s a bitch,” Tommy says in between heaving sobs. Phil chuckles a bit at that, earning him a light slap from Tommy.

“I know he can be, but I asked him to try. So maybe if he tries with you, you could try with him?” Phil asks. Tommy pouts through tear-filled eyes at the man. “Please, only if he is nice to you. If he is a bitch then you can be even bitcher, how about that?”

Tommy gives him a serious nod. He can do that. If Wilbur is nice, he can be too. And if not, well he was known to be a little terror on the streets, so Wilbur will have a lot on his hands.

“Thanks mate,” Phil gives him one last hug before he steps away, letting Techno say goodbye.

“Bye kid,” Techno tells him, ruffling his hair. Tommy slaps his hand out of the way, with a shape glare. And with that, they're gone. Tommy has lost his protection, left alone in the lion's den.

Tommy is quick to return to his room. Hiding away where Wilbur can’t see him. Tommy knows he said he would be nice, but if he just hides from the hero the entire time, then he wouldn’t have to be. And he won’t be being mean, so his master plan was flawless.

So Tommy stays in his room all day, not even leaving when his stomach cramps in hunger. By midday, he had read every book that Techno had given him at least twice. By dinner time he swears he has them memorized word for word. Tommy sticks his head out the window that night, trying to see something interesting as the boredom quickly catches up to him.

There was nothing to look at, other than an empty dumpster and a few cans rattling on the ground. He could hear the city though. He heard the sirens and the annoyed honks. The wind as it tunnels through the buildings and the happy chatter of people going about their lives.

Tommy entertained himself by making stories for them all. A siren from a fire truck was now running to help a kitten out of a tree. A particularly rambunctious laugh was now someone finding out that they got into their dream school and is now going out to celebrate. He entertained himself this way until even the city dimmed, sounds getting whisked away on the wind, barely reaching his window.

Tommy closed the window carefully before crawling into bed. If he sleeps now at least he won’t be bored. Slowly he settles in curling into his newest stuffed animal, a little brown and white cow. Tommy buries his nose into the soft fluff on top of the cow's head as his world fades to black.

****************
Tommy wakes up in pain. His stomach is empty, far emptier than it had been since he got here. He had gotten used to the three meals a day and the afternoon snacks Phil had made for him. But now the only thing he had eaten in the past twenty-four hours was a bowl of lucky charms.

He grumbles as he gets out of bed, pressing his ear to the door. When he hears nothing he leaves quietly. Walking down the hall on high alert. He freezes when he hears the sound of typing in the living room.

Tommy takes a deep breath as he listens, wondering if he should just go back to his room and sleep off the hunger. Eventually, his stomach wins the battle. Tommy rolls out his back before speed walking through the room. Hardly glancing at Wilbur, who sits at the table looking at boring charts.

Neither of them speak as Tommy walks to the cabinets, opening one and grimacing when he realizes all the good sugary cereals are on the top shelf, far out of his reach. Tommy frowns as he grabs the box of bland wheat cereal that old people like Phil eat, but it's the only thing he’s got.

He grabs it, quickly retreating back into his room with the box. Tommy spent the day much like the last, listening to the world outside and rereading the books Techno left him with. Tommy was proud to say he could almost understand every word in the short stories, he couldn’t wait to show off to Techno when he comes back.

Tommy sits in the room for most of the day, his energy building up to a constant annoying buzz. He needed to leave. He needs to walk around and see something other than the same four walls. So he makes up his mind just because he leaves his room, doesn’t mean he has to see Wilbur, he’ll just be careful not to bump into him.

Tommy slips out of his room for the second time today. Tiptoeing through the halls. He can hear a voice in a room he has yet to be in. Tommy carefully presses his ear against the door, listening to the conversation.

“Please just make sure he is ok. I’m not asking you to be best friends with the kid, but you need to have some sympathy he’s terrified of you and your only amplifying his fear by ignoring him,” Phil's dampened voice rings through the door.

“Fine,” Wilbur's voice is clearer and far more annoyed than Phil's worried tone. Tommy backpedals after that, staring at his feet as he wanders toward the kitchen. Maybe he should try as well, only if Wilbur does first of course. For now though, Tommy collected an armful of snacks to hide away. He also grabbed the entire thing of apple juice boxes as he goes.

Tommy stocks them under his bed. Covering them with a light blanket for safekeeping. Before he too slips under the covers, closing his eyes as sleep takes him slowly.

****************
Tommy almost fell out of bed when the knock rang out across his room. He looks out the window to see that the sun had barely touched the sky. It was far too early to be awake, and no one was home to knock on the door except Wilbur.

Tommy eyes the door suspiciously, waiting for the shoe to drop. But nothing happens. There is no sound from outside either. Carefully Tommy gets out of bed, creeping towards the door. He looks under the crack to see a shadow. Something was still outside. Tommy drawls his head away from the floor as if something would jump at him.

But after sitting there for a few minutes and nothing changes he checks again. Pressing his head against the floor, he sees the same shadow. Only now he realizes it's not a person, but rather an object.

Tommy pushes the door open freezing when he sees the plate of eggs and toast, along with a small piece of paper.

He drags the food in, setting it down on the bed before he grabs the note. He unfolds it carefully. It takes him a minute to decipher the handwriting, he has yet to read anything other than printed words so it is much harder reading something handwritten.

It only has a few sentences, there are some words Tommy has never seen before. Slowly he sounds them out reading the letter as he does. It simply reads, ‘Phil wanted to let you know that Techno and he will be home tomorrow. And if you want, you could go out to eat when they get back.’

A large smile grows on Tommy's face as he reads it. Not only are they getting back soon, he is going to be able to go out with them. They hadn’t done more than go into the backyard yet. And Wilbur made him breakfast. Maybe that means he is going to be nice to Tommy now, but that means that he has to be nice to Wilbur as well, which might be harder than he thought.

Tommy eats the eggs as he thinks of what he can do to be nice to the hero. He didn’t have many talents, he could make a small craft. Techno had been trying to teach him how to make paper cranes, but that was not good enough. He needs something that shows Wilbur he is trying to be better, a crudely folded piece of paper isn’t going to do that. If Wilbur made him breakfast, then maybe he can make lunch. That's it, it's the perfect way to say thank you, and possibly sorry.

This then leads Tommy to another problem, he can’t make much. Techno told him he wasn’t allowed to use the stove, not like he knew how to anyways, he didn’t know how to work the oven either. He could microwave something but that didn’t feel thoughtful. That's when the perfect thing hit him. He knew what he was going to make.

Tommy spends the next few hours waiting. His ears swivel at every small noise, he just hopes Wilbur doesn’t make his lunch before he gets a chance to. When lunchtime comes around, Tommy’s plan unfolds.

He cracks the door open, listening for Wilbur. When he hears soft music coming from the room he found last night he knows he is in the clear. He runs to the kitchen, racing around to find what he needs. He pulls bread out of the cupboards, and jelly from the fridge. He was only missing one ingredient.

Tommy drags a chair over from the kitchen table, climbing on top of it in order to reach the top shelf. He climbs onto the chair, grabbing the peanut butter from the top shelf as he does. Slowly Tommy climbs down, not bothering to close the cabinet or put the chair away.

Tommy makes the peanut butter and jelly sandwich as nicely as he can. Spreading the peanut butter carefully, making sure it won’t seep out of the sides and get Wilbur's hands all sticky. He even cuts the crust off. By the end, he has two sandwiches to choose from. He takes the one that looks worse, leaving a note with the perfect sandwich.

The note is short with sloppy handwriting. The lettering is far bigger than the note Wilbur wrote, taking up at least three lines.

‘I’m sorry for whatever I did to upset you.’

Tommy left it next to the plate, hoping that Wilbur realizes it's for him and also can read his handwriting. He can’t wait to tell Techno when he gets back. Not only did he read so much without help, but he also wrote his first note! A large smile forms on his face at the thought of it.

Tommy takes his sandwich back to his room, eatting slowly as he listens to the noises of the city. By the time he is done, the boredom hits him hard. He has barely left his room in the past forty-eight hours, and he has nothing to keep him entertained.

If he can sneak out tonight and watch tv in the living room, then he will at least have a change of scenery. With that in mind, Tommy hops onto his bed, grabbing a book as he does. He has only read this one three times, so maybe it would seem as repetitive as the others have been.

Tommy sneaks out the moment the house goes silent. It's dark out so he is assuming Wilbur is in bed. A yawn escapes his mouth as he walks through the halls. It is far past his usual bedtime, but he thinks that if he stayed in that room for another hour he would go crazy.

A scrap causes him to pause. It sounded like it came from the kitchen, but that would be impossible Wilbur should be asleep. It had to be the pipes. Tommy counties, convincing himself that it was nothing.

It wasn’t nothing, Wilbur was there sitting in the kitchen eatting a bowl of ice cream. Tommy stops dead in his tracks. Like a deer in headlights, he freezes, hoping that if he didn’t move Wilbur wouldn’t notice him.

Slowly Tommy takes a step back, praying that Wilbur won’t notice him if he sneaks away. He takes another step back, only to feel his heel press against something. A thud rings out across the silent room. He turns quickly to see the table behind him, before whipping his head back around to see Wilbur’s eyes on his own.

Wilbur seems to shutter from the eye contact, causing Tommy to look down. Wilbur looks at his bowl of ice cream before looking back at the boy. Tommy’s heart pounds. There is no door dividing them now. No, he has to stare at Wilbur's hateful glares without the usual scolding from Phil and Techno. Tommy already has an apology on his tongue, but he never gets a chance to say it.

“You want some ice cream kid?” He asks, gesturing to the bowl in his hand as he does. Tommy stares at him suspiciously for a second before he opens his mouth.

“Depends, what flavor is it?” Tommy questions. He has always been defeated by his own sweet tooth, now included.

“Mint chocolate chip,” Siren tells him, gesturing to the container. Tommy couldn’t read it. To him, it was just a bunch of squiggles on a box, but now that it's in the lighting he can see the bright green container.

Tommy nods carefully. Wilbur gestured to the seat next to him. “Come sit kid, I’ll get you a bowl,” Wilbur tells him as he gets up himself. Tommy sits down, watching Wilbur warily as the man searches the kitchen before coming back empty-handed. “Alright Tommy don’t tell Phil about this, but we’re out of bowls so you can eat from the carton.” He says as he hands Tommy the half-filled tub of ice cream with a small spoon sticking out from it. They dissolve into an uncomfortable silence from there. It is only broken by the occasional scrapping of a spoon.

Wilbur lets out a sigh after a few minutes, making Tommy tense up. “Listen I know I have been less than accommodating to you since you have come here,” Wilbur pauses.

“Yeah you have been a bit of a dick,” Tommy mutters, slapping a hand over his face as he realizes what he said.

“I deserved that. But I’m so sorry about it. I was blaming you for your father's mistakes and that’s in no way right. I really am sorry, and I will do whatever I can to make it up to you,” Wilbur tells him. Tommy nods along as the man talks an idea popping into his head. He still wants to watch something on the TV maybe now Wilbur can watch it with him.

“Can we watch some TV?” Tommy asks. A light smile shows up on Wilbur's face as he nods, taking his ice cream to the couch with him.

When Phil and Techno get home the next morning, they come home to a silent house. At first, it was a bit worrying, that was until they walked past the couch and the sleeping forms of Wilbur and Tommy came into view. Both of them passed out curled up on the couch. Wilbur still had the TV’s remote in his hand.

A new frame is on the wall before they even wake up, the photo in it causes a light-hearted fight as Tommy argues that he was too evil to ever do something as soft as snuggling with a dickhead such as Wilbur.

Chapter Text

Tommy woke up to a soft laugh. And a loud shush rings out after it. Tommy blinks his eyes open slowly. It's warmer than usual, and his bed is far more squishy than it normally is. Tommy yawns, slowly coming into the land of the living.

“They are going to be pissed at you,” Techno’s voice is soft, not quite a whisper but close.

“I don’t care.” Phil's voice has an upbeat tone to it, and Tommy can tell he is smirking. Tommy turns his head to the sound of their voices. Phil is standing on a small step ladder, fixing a crooked photo while Techno watches. Tommy squinted at it, he didn’t recognize this one.

The pillow under him slipped a bit, causing Tommy to turn his head back. Only the pillow was not a pillow, rather it was a sweater. A sweater that was worn by Wilbur. Tommy's head goes shooting up as he realizes. His ears fold backward on themself, expressing his rage.

“You didn’t see anything.” Tommy hisses out to the others.

“I think it's a little late for that mate,” Phil tells him, stepping down from the small ladder. Revealing what was in the newest photo. Tommy can feel his eyes go wide at the sight of it. It's him and Wilbur asleep on the couch, curled up next to each other.

“That's photoshopped, I am the evilest villain on the planet I would never be caught dead snuggling with dick head,” Tommy declares, crossing his arms as he speaks. Phil's smile fades a little towards the end of the sentence.

“Come on mate, anyways you haven’t even said hi to us no need to bicker,” Phil tells him. Tommy gets off the couch quickly at the reminder, hugging Phil quickly before jumping towards Techno who ruffles his hair.

Wilbur wakes up from the commotion, getting up to greet his father and brother after Tommy. They settle into their own morning routine after that, Phil and Techno go to unpack while Wilbur leaves to get ready for the day. Tommy sits on the couch with a bowl of cereal. The TV is soft background noise as he eats.

Tommy pays no mind to it as the news lady drones on about the weather, he doesn’t know what humidity is so why should he care that it's high today? He doesn’t care until she is cut off mid sentence as the camera shifts. A small breaking news rolls across the top as the guy sitting at the desk looks past the camera with wide eyes, nodding along to someone Tommy can’t see.

“Top villain Plage has been killed,” The man begins. Tommy's eyes go wide as a clip shows up on the TV, its helicopter footage. The video circles around a destroyed area; it's fuzzy and the camera work is slightly shaky. Fire and rubble surround something in the center of it all. It isn’t until the camera zooms in that Tommy recognizes what's in the center of the destruction.

A body. Not just anybody, his fathers. The same black and gray suit that he has chased after, tears running down his face as he cries for his father to stop. To take Tommy with him, to notice he has a son. The man never even turned around. The same suit that he used to collect thrown-out cloth to try and replicate. The same man that was always a force in his life, even if he was never a part of it.

Tommy can barely see the news report through his tears, but he can’t take his eyes off of it, he can’t take his eyes off his father's body. He can see the puddle of blood that surrounds the man, it seems to cover the area. He walks towards the TV on shaky knees watching it as closely as he can. He waits for the man's chest to rise, for the newsman to say that it was a mistake and that the man is still alive. But it doesn’t happen.

The man can’t be dead. He can die before he makes everything up to Tommy. He can’t die and leave him more alone than he already was. His whole life centered around a man who never acknowledged he existed, and now he never would.

A sob racks through Tommy's body as his knees give out. The newsman talks about how the city has found peace but Tommy has never felt more lost. The worst part about it all is Tommy isn’t even sure what he is mourning, his childhood or the man himself.

An angry yell slips from his throat. He feels lost, so very lost and he doesn’t even know the cause. Because to him the man on the screen was never his father and yet he was all Tommy focused his life around.

Wilbur rushes in quickly after the yell. “What's wrong–” He pauses when he sees what's on the TV. “Shit!” Wilbur curses, as he dives for the remote. He turns the TV off but the damage is already done.

Wilbur wraps Tommy in a hug, whispering soft words as he holds him. Tommy hiccups loudly, his tears not slowing down.

“Why,” Tommy rasps. Wilbur’s words slow to a stop at the simple word. Tommy can feel his head shift a bit.

“Why what Toms?” Wilbur asks carefully.

“Why did this happen? Why did I never get to meet him, why did he never want to meet me,” Tommy cries, his words getting more desperate as they continue. His breath gets shorter with each passing second and he can feel his head begin to spin. He can feel Wilbur tense as he realizes.

“Tommy, you need to breathe,” Wilbur tells him desperately. “Here match my breath,” he says as he takes an exaggerated breath. Tommy tries, he really does, but it doesn’t work. He hiccups and stutters, not getting in enough air.

“Tommy you need to breathe.” Tommy can feel the power behind the words, forcing his body to take in a large gulp of air. His breathing slows back to a normal pace. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.” Wilbur whispers as he rocks Tommy back and forth.

Tommy can hear the footsteps as Techno and Phil walk in. They pause before rushing towards him. Phil scoops him up into his arms, wrapping his wings around the boy and shielding him from the world. He can hear Wilbur mumble something, but he doesn’t have the energy to figure out what he is saying, he just wants to meet his father once. And he still can.

“Phil please, please you have to talk to him for me. You can do that, right? Please, I just want to talk to him one time. I need to.” Tommy begs with tears in his eyes. Phil's eyes are wide in shock as he nods slowly.

“Yeah… I can do that if you want me to,” Phil tells him hesitantly. Tommy wipes his tears away as he stares at the man. Phil sits down, bringing Tommy down with him. Tommy watches closely as the man closes his eyes for a moment before opening them again.

His eyes were pure white, not a slit of color in them. They seemed to glow the more Tommy looked at them. The scariest thing is the fact that Phil doesn’t blink. The three sit in bated breath as Phil talks to the dead.

After a few minutes, Phil comes back. He seems frazzled as he looks around the room.

“Did you talk to him? Where is he? Why isn’t he here, I thought that's how this worked. I thought I could talk to him.” Words tumble out of Tommy's mouth as he inches closer to Phil.

Phil hesitates, opening his mouth before closing it again. “He– he didn’t want to talk,” The anger in Phil’s voice made it seem like that wasn’t the only thing he said.

Tommy can feel the tears as they well up in his eyes all over again. Phil opens his arms inviting Tommy into the comfort. His wings wrap around Tommy, leaving him in a kind darkness as he grieves. Gently Phil rocks him like a baby, luring Tommy into a soft sleep. His energy was depleted from the emotional turmoil and it had finally caught up with him. Leading him into the warm arms of sleep.

****************
Tommy wakes up on the couch again, this time surrounded by the heroes. The three of them sat around him, Wilbur and Phil in the armchairs while Techno sat on the ground in front of him. Tommy sits there for a minute, soaking it in, they didn’t leave him. They were here with him when everyone else left, but they didn’t have to be. They could have left him on the rooftop where they found him weeks ago, but they didn’t.

They sit quietly until Techno glances back at him. “Hey kid, how are you feeling?” Techno asks him. Tommy can only shrug, not quite feeling up to talking yet. “That's alright,” Techno tells him. They launch into a comforting silence again as Tommy slowly processes everything. The silence stays for a few more minutes until Phil breaks it.

“Mate, if you're up to it I did promise you we could go out for a treat when me and Tech got back. Do you still want to? It might help you take your mind off everything.” The hero asks. It takes him a minute to think about it before he nods, it would be good to have a bit of a distraction.

“How about we go to that ice cream place down the street? It's supposed to be good,” Wilbur suggested. Tommy nods with the rest of them, slowly getting off the couch.

Leaving the building is a quiet event. They take Tommy down the stairs instead of the elevator. Leading him the opposite way from the backyard. Through a winding hall and a revolving door. And for the first time in weeks, Tommy enters the city.

It feels the exact same as he did the day he was taken. The air was warm, not a cloud in the sky. A simple breeze cut through the building, tickling Tommy's face. It was normal, a normal he never thought he would miss as much as he has. For the first time since the news came out a small smile crept onto his face and the weight in his chest loosened.

The ice cream shop is only a few blocks away. Tommy recognizes it, he had run by it more than a few times he even thought about stealing a cone. But stealing ice cream was a lot harder than stealing candy. A large pastel pink sign hangs above the door.

Tommy wrings his hands at the thought of having to order himself. The nerves eat him up the moment he steps inside. Phil glances at him before glazing back up at the counter.

“Do you want me to order for you?” Phil asks, Tommy nods excessively. “What flavor do you want?” He asks. Tommy points to a chocolate one with little marshmallows in it. Phil nods before walking up to the counter, Tommy hides behind his legs hoping he was hidden enough that the worker wouldn’t notice who he was.

The heroes order quickly, Phil handing Tommy his as they walk outside to sit. Wilbur talks to Techno and Phil about their time away as Tommy sits silently listening to the conversation. It isn’t until everyone is almost finished with their ice cream that he builds up the courage to ask something.

“What happens now?” He asks, making the other's heads whip towards him. The three share a quick look and Tommy's nerves worsen. He doesn’t want to go back on the streets, he doesn’t want to be alone again.

“Do you want to stay with us?” Wilbur asks. Tommy can feel his brain halt for a second. It is what he wanted, he didn’t want to leave. But now that he is offered it he doesn't know. He is not sure what he lives for anymore, not sure if he was even supposed to live for his father's approval.

“I don’t know, can I think about it?” Tommy asks, staring at the ground.

“Absolutely, take as much time as you need mate,” Phil tells him, patting his back gently. By the time they finish their ice cream, the sky is darkening.

“Alright mate, you have had a long day. Why don’t we go home and get you ready for bed?” Phil tells him. Tommy nods as he gets up with the rest of them. He takes a deep breath of the cooling air as he walks.

“Can we do this again?” Tommy asks.

“Anytime you like,” Techno promises. With that they get home Tommy settles into bed slowly his eyes are heavy by the time Phil cracks open the door.

“Goodnight Tommy sleep well,” Phil whispers, and with that, Tommy falls into a deep sleep.

****************
Tommy was watching the news again, something felt wrong this time. It was an unsettled feeling deep in his gut. He was alone, much like he was the last time he watched the news. This time he paid close attention to it, waiting for something to go wrong.

And low and behold something did go wrong. Just like before the weather lady was cut off mid-sentence only for the breaking news font to scroll across the bottom of the TV. Tommy watched in horror as a sickly similar report was read out, but this time instead of his father's body showing up on TV it was the heroes. Three of them, in the same suits he had seen on his last night on the streets.

“Beloved heroes, Angel, Siren, and The Blade have been found dead. We are not yet sure what the cause of their death is at this time–” The man's voice fades as a ringing takes over Tommy’s ears.

Tommy felt like he was going to be sick, this can’t be real. He can’t lose them too, there's no way. He can’t breathe, he can’t tear his eyes away from their motionless bodies. An agonizing scream ripped from his throat, filled with sadness, anger, and fear.

Hands shake his shoulders, but he just tries to shove them away, yelling until his throat aches as he watches the TV. His whole body shakes as a sob falls from his lips. The hands shake him harder this time, making him close his eyes.

But when he opens his eyes it's dark. He’s not in the living room anymore, he is back in his own bedroom. Phil stands in front of him, pulling him into a hug as soon as he sees that he is awake. Wilbur and Techno stand off to the side watching him with fearful eyes.

“You're ok, it was only a dream. You are alright.” Phil comforts him, gently rubbing circles on his back.

“I don’t want you to leave. I don’t want to be alone,” Tommy cries out, grabbing onto Phil's shirt as he does.

“Never, I promise we will be here whenever you need us,” Wilbur says, putting a hand on his head.

“I want to stay. Please let me stay,” Tommy whispers.

“Forever,” Techno promises.