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Chapter Text

Tommy had moved schools three years ago to join his foster brother and make the morning school drive easier for Phil. Phil had offered to allow Tommy to see his education out in his original school but being the timid new kid in the family, Tommy had declined. Now, he realises that was the worst mistake of his life so far.

Tommy had assumed that Wilbur, his foster brother, would help him out and maybe let him eat lunch with the friends that he never shut up about. He was wrong. Wilbur darted away from Tommy and towards his friends as soon as they arrived. Tommy was left standing alone at the school gates of this unfamiliar place. He watched as Wilbur whispered and laughed with his friends, he wanted to believe the glances in his direct weren’t what he immediately thought. Oh how naïve he was.

Tommy knew Wilbur wasn’t all too happy with his arrival into the Watson household. He just thought that maybe he would give him a fighting chance. Wilbur had been used to having his dad to himself for his whole life, it was just the two of them. And now Tommy had upset that balance. He was the new shiny toy in Wilbur’s eyes, and he didn’t want him.

Tommy anxiously navigated through the halls trying to find his home room class. Once he had finally arrived the room was full and he was left with one seat at the front. Right in the middle. He internally face palmed and took his seat silently.

“Good morning everyone! Hope you all had a good weekend,” the teacher began, “Our first port of call is to introduce our newest friend, Tommy.”

Tommy scoffed to himself as the teacher nodded to him to introduce himself.

“I’m Tommy, I just transferred here because of my living arrangement and I don’t know, I like games,” Tommy struggled through his awkward introduction.

He heard stifled laughs and whispering around him. The teacher not seeming to notice or care, moved on swiftly.

That day at lunch, Tommy saw one magpie perched on a tree by the gate. He sat alone looking at his lunch, avoiding the stares from everyone around him. They must never have seen a guy eat alone before. Tommy spent his lunch looking at notes the teachers of all his different classes had given him to catch up to speed. They seemed to forget that Tommy had been to a school before this, he was already caught up. He rolled his eyes and got to reading them anyway, it kept him busy. That’s all he needed, a get out of jail free card for eating alone.

He looked up from his lunch and notes at one point to see Wilbur surrounded by people, he looked to be telling an extravagant story and everyone was laughing along. He was popular, makes sense why he wouldn’t want his foster brother around now.

As Tommy left the cafeteria, he was cornered by another student, he had seen him in class. He looked up and saw what he could only describe as a devilish smile. “You’re Soot’s new foster brother aren’t you? Got a messed up head from all the time away from mommy and daddy?”

Tommy’s mouth dropped in shock. This is not what he expected. “I am but no I’m not ‘messed up.’ Now leave me alone please,” Tommy spat out. He had grown up in a group home, he knew how to hold his own.

“No. I don’t think I will actually,” The boy stood broad as his friends stood around Tommy as well.

Tommy tried peering over them in search for anyone to help him. The eyes that he landed on were Wilbur’s.

“Making friends already Tommy?” He asked.

Tommy went to reply but the boys around him replied for him, “Yeah, we’re going to be the best of friends, right Tommy?”

Tommy looked at them in fear but simply nodded to Wilbur who was already turning to leave for his next class. Tommy was left alone, again. Only this time, he had three boys standing around him.

“It’d be a shame if you got sent away, back to where you came from. You’ll be listening to us now.”

Tommy gulped and nodded as he got pushed against the locker behind him and left to fall to the ground as the boys left for their last lesson.

Tommy stayed in place for a few minutes trying to catch the breath that had been pushed from his body. He knew one thing was right, he couldn’t get sent away. Phil’s home was the best home he could ever hope for, and the last one he was going to be offered.

He picked himself up and collected his scattered notes, before heading to class as if nothing had happened. He arrived a few minutes late but being the new kid had one pro. He could be late and the teacher would understand, it was a big school after all.

As the bell rang signalling the end of Tommy’s first day, all he could feel was relief. He could go back to his current residence and sleep the stress away. He walked out of the school and his relief was instantly replaced by fear as he saw the boys walking towards him. Tommy looked for a way out but there was none, unless he wanted to draw the needless attention of running away. He already knew that wasn’t worth it.

The boys dragged him by the trees, where he had seen the magpie just hours earlier. Only this time it was anything but peaceful. The boys pushed him to the ground and gave him a few light kicks in the rib. Light was an understatement, Tommy knew he would develop bruises but he had always been the punching bag everywhere he went. He knew that it could be a lot worse.

“We heard the teachers tell you to not worry about this week’s assignments because you’re new. Now we don’t really think that’s fair, do you?” The first boy declared.

Tommy shook his head, his eyes lowered. “Well, don’t worry, you can do ours,” He boomed as he and his friends dumped their homework assignments onto Tommy.

Tommy instantly started picking them up when he saw an economics assignment. “I don’t do economics, how will I do this?” Tommy whispered, fear lacing his voice.

“Just do it.”

Tommy nodded, he knew his place in this relationship already. The boys walked away high-fiving and laughing loudly. Tommy just sat in his pity. He thought it would be different here. He thought wrong.

Tommy arrived to Phil’s car as the carpark had emptied and sat in the backseat placing his backpack and his new work beside him.

“Where were you Tommy? I couldn’t see you anywhere,” Phil asked sincerely.

Tommy shifted in the seat, his ribs already causing him some discomfort. As he was about to answer with a spile of lies, Wilbur covered, “He made friends already. He was probably with them.”
Phil nodded and smiled proudly through the front view mirror. They drove home mostly in silence. Wilbur’s music playing loud enough in his earphones that the whole car could hear the low hum of it. Tommy just watched out the window in hope that school would get better.

When they got home, Tommy quickly retreated to his room and refused dinner, claiming he had been given a lot of work from the teachers to catch up on. Only half a lie, he had reasoned with himself, he wasn’t doing anything wrong.

Now three months later, his hopes had faded and his smile dulled. He was still being bullied, more and more each day. He couldn’t escape it. If he told Phil, he risked being taken away and he couldn’t do that. Wilbur had just begun to warm up to him. They went to the shops together, watched movies together. Tommy had even convinced him to play him some music. He loved it. That night Tommy recalls seeing eight magpies sat on the electricity wires outside Wilbur’s room. He had finally started to feel like he belonged in this family. And he wasn’t going to risk that just to stop some bullying.

The more that Wilbur interacted with him in school, the worse the bullying got however. So Tommy became secretive. He hadn’t realised that his wish for his foster brother to actually like him would make his life one hundred times worse. Tommy was covered in bruises, cuts and bumps. He had come accustomed to carrying a first aid kit everywhere he went just incase. Just incase his family would see, he had to hide the evidence quick.

It had gotten especially hard just before Christmas, the weather was abnormally warm and Wilbur had kept pulling at Tommy’s jumper and teasing him for not taking it off. Tommy had no choice really. There was no scacred space onhis body anymore. He imagined that if he looked himself in the mirror, there would be no space left untouched. He, of course, hadn’t in the mirror. He was too scared to realise the reality of his situation.

Christmas had quickly been and gone, and before Tommy knew it he was right back in the place he hated with his bullies. During Christmas, Tommy’s body had had time to recover and Tommy feared for his ability to survive the first day back.

Coincidentally his first day back was also the first day that Wilbur was driving the two of them to school. Tommy’s only complaint about this deal was that Wilbur had band practice after school. He didn’t want to be there any longer than he had to be.

But so Tommy sat in the lashing rain on the school steps as soon as the doors had been closed to students. Wilbur was late. His band were practicing in the gym that was accessed seperatrly to the school and although Tommy was in Wilbur’s good books now, he had been expressly told not to interrupt practice.

So Tommy just sat there alone in low spirits, his head cradled in his arms to best avoid the rain. Suddenly he hears tires skidding on the wet ground. Looking up with curiousity, he gets a face full of dirty street water as the car speeds away. Sputtering and spitting, Tommy just begins to cry.

Chapter Text

Tommy had never been a fan of his birthday. With being bounced around from home to home to group home to home to group home again, he had never celebrated. Not properly. Of course, the families he joined the lives of had acknowledged the presence of the day. But when they had children of their own to worry about and care for, they rejected the idea of joining the celebrations of Tommy’s day. Group homes were more on the ball in Tommy’s eyes, despite the neglect he suffered. They never let a child have their birthday go unnoticed, cake would be bought and handmade cards made by the other kids around them were given.

Tommy, just didn’t feel like a birthday was worthy of celebration, it was just another normal day. A normal day where he remained tortured by his bullies, their words and their actions. So when Phil and Wilbur arrived to his room on that dreaded morning, Tommy was displeased by the fact that they were carrying presents and wearing party hats.

“Happy birthday Tommy,” Phil exclaimed, a volume that was way too loud and cheery for this early in the morning. They placed the presents on Tommy’s lap and put a party hat on his head.

“How did you guys know? I didn’t say anything,” Tommy said shocked. The ‘for a reason’ was left unsaid.

Wilbur laughed, “When you arrived, we got your case file. That tends to include your birthday!”

Tommy nodded. Another reminder of the fact that he was just a guest in their family. But hey a roof over his head was a roof over his head at the end of the day. He knew Wilbur didn’t mean it maliciously, not anymore. But the truth was always an elephant in the corner. Tommy didn’t belong.

“Open your presents then mate,” Phil excited said, sitting at the foot of Tommy’s bed.

Tommy obliged, giving into their birthday excitement, and unwrapped his first present. The one from Wilbur. A mug with a T on it.

“So you can match with us,” Wilbur beamed. Tommy smiled, “Thank you Wilbur!”

Tommy couldn’t help but think back to the days when Wilbur hated his existence in his home. Wilbur wouldn’t drink out of anything but his W mug. And anytime Phil asked for a drink, Wilbur would make it with his corresponding P mug, giving Tommy a snide look. As if to say, We’re the family, you’re not.

Tommy smiled a genuine smile, they had come so far. Wilbur was like an actual brother to him now. He dreaded the day that he would have to leave this house.

“Open mine Tommy,” Phil smiled softly.

Tommy nodded and began unwrapping Phil’s present to him. He was met with a brown box and Phil prompted Tommy to open it. Tommy feared for the last time he had a brown box, moving day. An empty brown box facing him in the door way. He shook his negative thoughts away, the last moving day brought him here, and this box didn’t feel empty.

Tommy lifted the lid of the box and was greeted with an abundance of t-shirts. He politely smiled at Phil, “Thanks Phil.”

“Well, I noticed you always wear the same sweaters and hoodies every day. I know you refused to let me buy you new clothes in the beginning, but we’re have our own little family now,” Phil explained

Tommy knew that they were not going to see him wearing these, it was too risky in case he had a bruise or scraps. They would think that he’s been getting into fights (like his other homes always had) and send him away. Still though the gesture was kind and it warmed Tommy’s heart. Tommy hugged Phil.

“Alright, I think it’s time to head to school now Tommy,” Wilbur said from the doorway with his backpack. Tommy pulled away from Phil and couldn’t hide the frown he wore.

“And no Phil didn’t accept my idea of taking birthdays off when I was younger, there’s no hope!”

Phil scoffed and laughed ruffling Tommy’s hair, “I didn’t that’s for sure, but I am driving you guys today! We’re going out for dinner after school.”

All three of them bundled into the car and made their way to the school. And as Tommy and Wilbur walked through the familiar gates, Tommy stopped to notice the two magpies sitting together on building in front of him. He smiled, it was picturesque, the building in all of his fears and the birds that were always looming by his side.

Tommy was shaken from his thoughts by Wilbur as his best friend approached with a gift bag. “Happy birthday kiddo,” Technoblade greeted. Tommy smiled and thanked him for the well wishes. Techno handed him the bag he had been holding and Tommy smiled, “Technoblade, you really didn’t have to.”

Techno returned a pointed look, “Call me Techno kid, we’ve talked about this! And I wanted to, I live by my own rules.” Tommy couldn’t help but laugh as he walked away from the older boys towards the school. He had to put the gift bag in his locker before anyone saw him, he could not stand teachers wishing him a happy birthday at the beginning of class.

Tommy made it to his locker in record time and was putting in his combination when he was pushed into the locker, the gift bag fell from his hands at the impact he was so used to. Tommy was quickly spun around and he was face to face with his bully.

“What’s that behind you Tommy?” He said smugly.

“Nothing,” Tommy couldn’t help but stutter out his words whenever one of his bullies was around.

“Nothing,” he mocked, as he picked up the gift bag from behind Tommy and began looking through it. He picked up a flashcard and read it aloud, “‘Happy Birthday Tommy.’ Aw it’s your birthday, how sweet. ‘Wilbur only told me this morning so this is all I could get you kiddo,” His bully laughed. “Kiddo, it’s adorable, and tragic.” The bully pulled out the few bags of sweets that Techno had got him. Tommy recognised them as his favourite sweets, the ones Techno himself had introduced to him one day when he was over hanging out with Wilbur. Tommy suppressed his smile, knowing who was stood over him and preparing for the inevitable.

“Well, I don’t think you’ll be wanting these,” The bully spat as he put them in his own bag. Tommy furrowed his eyebrows and clenched his fists, but he knew better than to fight back. And as always he was right, he felt a blow to his stomach and fell to the ground. The bully stood pressure onto his arm while he was down. Enough to cause pain and let a bruise form on top of one of his many other bruises, but never enough to leave permanent damage like a break.

“So kiddo, happy birthday from me,” The bully hissed as he ripped the card from Techno up and let it rain onto Tommy, threw the gift bag at Tommy’s already hurt stomach and left.

Tommy’s eyes watered. He hated himself for almost crying at this. He never cried at school in front of people, he saved it for his room. It wasn’t worth the added teasing. But this was special, and it was ruined. Tommy sat up and picked up the torn pieces of the card from Techno and put them into the gift bag which he stuffed instantly into his locker through shaky hands.

He went about the rest of his day as if nothing had happened, the only lasting knowledge were two new bruises and a constant shake of his hand. At lunch, Wilbur and Techno joined him with three cupcakes.

“I thought you’d have those sweets ripped open and almost finished by now,” Techno joked as they sat down. Tommy’s eyes widened and he laughed nervously.

“Don’t worry I am just messing with you, keep them for a rainy day,” Techno smiled. Tommy smiled weakly back.

“Happy birthday to-” Tommy quickly stood and covered Wilbur’s mouth, ignoring the table digging into his stomach.

“Please don’t,” He said seriously.

Wilbur held his hands up in a mock surrender and Tommy sat back down, “Thank you.”

Wilbur smiled and handed Tommy his cupcake. They sat joking around for the rest of lunch and eating their cupcakes. Tommy allowing himself enjoy the festivities. He smiled at the two magpies sat outside the window. He couldn’t help but feel like they were watching over him.

The rest of the day passed easily with no hiccups and when the final bell rang Tommy darted out of the school to Phil’s car. Wilbur arrived a few minutes later, waving goodbye to his friends. Tommy stuck his tongue out at him.

“I know it’s late notice but do any of your friends want to come Tommy?” Phil asked, leaving the car engine turned off. Tommy instantly shook his head.

“You guys hang out all the time at school, are you sure?” Wilbur pushed.

“No!” Tommy exclaimed, “They’re just busy tonight is all.”

Phil and Wilbur were stunned but quickly recovered and the drive to dinner began. Tommy sat in the back seat looking down at his still shaky hand.

When they arrived at the restaurant, Tommy smiled. It was the restaurant that they had gone to on his first night. Phil had burnt the dinner that night, Wilbur was grumpy and they had all decided that going out was their best bet. Tonight they walked inside together, instead of Wilbur dragging his feet behind them. Yet again Tommy saw his two magpies and smiled more, they were the only friends that he wanted to take to dinner.

For old time’s sake, Tommy ordered the meal that he ordered that first night, nachos and nuggets. An unlikely pairing but he loved it. Their food arrived and Tommy and Wilbur got started eating while Phil looked at his boys with love, only a father could have.

“Tommy?” Phil started, “I have one more present for you.”

Tommy looked up at Phil and took his fork down from his mouth, “It really is ok, I didn’t expect anything.”

“I think you’ll like it,” Wilbur smiled, instantly realising what his dad was about to do. He had known it was coming, just not when or if he would be there for it.

Phil pulled out an envelope and handed it to Tommy, “Just open it.”

Tommy looked between then confused but did what he was told, opening the envelope and pulling out the papers inside. He read the top line of the first page, Will you be a part of this family? Tommy’s hands shook as he read more, Please let us adopt you.

Tommy looked between the two again as tears welled in his eye.

“If you don’t want to, it’s completely ok Tommy. We just really love you and you would make our family whole,” Phil blurted.

Tommy shook his head laughing, “Of course! I would love to be a part of this family!”

“Don’t be stupid Tommy, you are already a part of this family. You have been ever since you arrived,” Wilbur promised and he pulled Tommy in for a hug. Tommy hugged back, nothing could ruin this day anymore. He had a family now.

Chapter Text

One year and a lot of paperwork later, today was the day. Today Tommy was officially being adopted. Phil had pulled some strings and got the adoption hearing pulled up as soon as he possibly could.

Tommy couldn’t help but smile the whole morning as he put on the shirt and trousers that Phil had gotten him especially for the hearing. He had pushed for a short sleeved shirt because of the heat at this time of the year but Tommy had relented and convinced Phil to let him get a long sleeve shirt. He claimed it would make him look and feel smarter. Tommy looked at his wall that had collected memories of the last two years, movie tickets, notes from Phil when he was working early shifts, his taped up birthday card from Techno. So what he didn’t have friends, he had a family now.

The two piled into the car and started their journey to the courthouse. Tommy looked out the window humming to the music on the radio, he saw a mischief of magpies. He immediately sat up and counted them, eight magpies flying right by their car as if they were escorting him to his adoption. Tommy took his eyes off the magpies as he heard a notification sound, he pulled his phone out and saw a text. I can’t believe you will officially be my brother today Tommy, although I believe you have been my brother for life – we just found you late! Good luck today, I wish I could be there to celebrate with you and dad! Wilbur

Tommy’s smile faded a miniscule amount. He wished Wilbur was there too but he had moved away for university a month ago. He and Techno had rented an apartment together. It was a shame Wilbur couldn’t be there and Tommy knew that he wouldn’t but he still hoped and wished for it the whole way to the courthouse.

Once they parked, Phil and Tommy entered the building hand in hand. Tommy couldn’t stop the big smile that wouldn’t leave his face even if he tried. They signed in and went to wait outside their courtroom. Phil paced around, in an excited yet nervous anticipation. Tommy didn’t blame him, adopting is a scary thing for parent and child alike. Tommy stood looking at the other younger kids running around him with the teddy bears that the courthouse gave children, he smiled and wished that they would also reach the day he had been gifted, he hoped it would be sooner for them. Tommy then turned and inspected a painting on the wall.

He felt a tap on his shoulder not too long afterwards and turned expecting Phil to be there, ready to usher Tommy in. But when he turned around he was greeted by Wilbur grinning ear to ear and Techno stood awkward – but happily – behind him. Tommy gasped and jumped into Wilbur’s arms giving him the biggest hug that he could muster up.

“You said you couldn’t make it,” Tommy said backing up and hitting Wilbur lightly on the shoulder.

“I can go if you want,” He sarcastically offered, pointing at the door.

“No! Definitely not! You drove all the way here, it would be wrong of me,” Tommy laughed.

“Well I forced Techno to drive but still a very true sentiment, he wouldn’t want to drive up here for nothing,” Wilbur smiled.

“This is not nothing,” Techno said from behind Wilbur.

Tommy’s attention turned to Techno, who he also gave a huge hug to. Once they pulled away, Techno pulled out a big bag of sweets, “For after the hearing ok?”

Tommy nodded enthusiastically.

Tommy looked to Wilbur again, “I still can’t believe that you are actually here!”

“It’s not every day that my brother gets adopted,” Wilbur beamed.

After the hearing the group burst out of the courthouse, respectfully obviously, and as soon as they were all outside they cheered and hugged one another.

“You’re home Tommy! You’re home,” Wilbur hugged him close, tears threatening to smile from both of their eyes.

“Now let’s celebrate!” Phil exclaimed and they dispersed into their cars and made their way to the very restaurant where every big event of Tommy’s new life had taken place.

They sat around the table smiling and laughing together. Tommy smiled the whole evening, even when they got home his smile didn’t falter. Wilbur and Techno had decided to stay overnight. While Phil had retired to bed before his early shift in the morning, the three sat up the whole night, watching any movie they could find that interested them all. They ate the sweets Techno had brought along and raided the cupboards for more treats.

As the morning sun rose, Tommy bid farewell to his dad, the others having fallen asleep hours prior. Tommy looked out as his father drove off and his eyes fell on two magpies whistling in the garden. Tommy waved at them fondly as he would wave at any other person that he knew. The magpies were there and he liked their company, it felt safe.

Chapter Text

Tommy smiled every morning when he woke up. His life was good now, he had a dad and a brother. Still no friends and still bullying every day at school, but he finally had a home and wasn’t worried about where he would end up next. That was all he could asked for.

Part of Tommy’s morning ritual was feeding the magpies that he so loved, some days only one would arrive, others a whole mischief would graciously eat his offerings. This morning was no different as Tommy opened the front door ready to get the bus to school, and saw two magpies sat idle on the garden wall. Tommy smiled and wished them a good morning. He scattered some bird food on the grass and they instantly began pecking at it, joined by five more. Tommy smiled, he hadn’t seen as many magpies as seven in a while. His crew was here and he bid them farewell, heading for the bus.

At school his regular, unchosen routine continued too. A parallel of sorts, he felt, his routine with the magpies in his life was fond and enjoyable, and this one, well, it was anything but that. He was pushed against his locker and had his books dumped on the ground not even five minutes after entering the building.

But today had gotten far worse than usual, far quicker than usual. At lunch, Tommy had been dragged to the trees that he remembered from his first day at that school. They had claimed that they were fed up of him and wanted him gone, but now he was an official part of the Watson’s family that wasn’t going to happen. Tommy knew that with Wilbur and Techno gone that the assaults were going to become increasingly He was pushed to the ground and kicked and punched a lot harder. His head spun as he sat up watching them leave.

Tommy was found at the end of lunch, by one of his classmates. He was still on the ground under the trees throwing up. The classmate brought him to the nurse and returned to class. Tommy laid on the bed in the nurse’s office holding his stomach for the rest of the day. He was just glad that he wasn’t throwing up anymore.

When the nurse asked he lied and said that he probably had food poisoning and he refused to let them call Phil at work. So when the day came to an end, Tommy gathered his belongings with aching arms and made his way home on his own.

Tommy was terrified to see the damage caused but he knew he had to take a look and tend to the wounds. Once he got home, he made his way to the bathroom and inspected the damage looking back at him in the mirror. Tears silently fell down his face as he mended himself. The only solace he had was that Phil wouldn’t be home until it was well into the night and he was in bed trying to sleep.

The evening was still warm and Tommy had painstakingly patched himself up the best he could. With his free house, he had decided to put one of the t-shirts from Phil on his last birthday to use. He smiled at the memories from that day. He loved wearing these t-shirts, it was a shame only he got to see them.

Tommy cooked himself some pasta for dinner and sat on the couch surfing the channels to find the perfect show. He had taken some painkillers and finally felt a bit of soothing from the pain. Once he was settled he began to eat. That was until he heard keys in the door and the Wilbur’s voice easing throughout the house like he had never been gone.

“Hunny, I’m home,” Wilbur bellowed with a joyous tone.

Tommy’s eyes widened as the fear set in. Blood had been starting to leak through his bandages and there was no hope for him to hide them or any of the bruises and gashes that he had left unmarked.

He hurriedly tried to cover himself in a blanket, spilling his dinner right onto the carpet as he did so.

Wilbur walked through the door and instantly looked between Tommy and the fallen pasta.

“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to scare you. I thought dad had told you I was coming home for the weekend,” Wilbur laughed. Tommy just looked at him like a deer in the headlights.

Wilbur nodded exaggeratedly, “I see now that he forgot. My god is he getting old or what.”

Tommy forced a laugh joining Wilbur’s own and nodded softly.

“Let’s get this cleaned up then!” Wilbur held his hand out to Tommy and Tommy shook his head quickly. Too quickly.

“Come on Tommy, it’ll stain!” Wilbur insisted, grabbing the blanket and pulling it off of Tommy. Tommy paled.

“Tommy,” Wilbur pleaded, “What happened?”

Tommy shook his head and curled in on himself. Tears began to fall, “You weren’t meant to find out, nobody was meant to find out.” Tommy spoke to nobody in particular.

Wilbur took a seat beside Tommy and pulled the boy towards him, “Who did this to you?”

“They were never my friends Wilbur,” Tommy choked and cried into his brothers chest. Wilbur’s mouth dropped at the realisation, “You mean they were hurting you? All this time?”

Tommy nodded and cried harder.

“Oh my. Oh Tommy, I’m so sorry! How did I not notice this?” Wilbur cried, tears falling from his eyes into Tommy’s hair.

“It got worse when you and Techno left,” Tommy whispered through intermittent gasps.

Wilbur shook his head and held Tommy close. How could he let this happen to his brother, right under his nose.

“When did it start Tommy?” Wilbur asked even though he already knew the answer, he just had to confirm it. He prayed that he was wrong.

Tommy looked up at Wilbur with quivering lips, “First day.” It was all he could manage to say. He looked at Wilbur, his brother looked broken, distraught. He caused this. Wilbur nodded sadly and rubbed his brother’s back.

“That’s why you were always in hoodies wasn’t it? To hide it.”

Tommy nodded angrily wiping away his tears. “I’m sorry Wilbur, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

 “You have nothing to be sorry for Tommy,” Wilbur’s heart broke for his brother, “Why did you hide it? You could have told us, we could have fixed this for you.” Wilbur looked at him desperately.

“I didn’t want to be sent away, I liked it here. Even when you didn’t want me,” Tommy sniffled.

More tears flooded Wilbur’s eyes, “I’m so sorry I made you feel like I didn’t want you Tommy, I have regretted it every single day. I promise, dad would never have sent you away.”

Tommy nodded and crashed further into Wilbur. Wilbur held him as close as he could ever hold someone.

The brother’s spent the rest of the night holding each other and crying softly. The pasta remained on the floor, it didn’t concern them anymore. Other things in life are more important. Phil arrived home and was greeted with crying sons, an injured son, a fallen bowl of pasta and a vow to never let his son’s get hurt again.

Chapter Text

 Ever since the night of Tommy’s revealed secret, Wilbur had decided to opt for the study from home programme that his college offered. He couldn’t let his little brother get hurt like that again, he had to be there ready to protect him. They had filled Phil in on the not so new development in Tommy’s life over warm tea and shared tears.

Phil had instantly reported the bullies to the school, despite Tommy’s protests. Wilbur had helped convince Tommy by reminding him that if they didn’t, the bullies would hurt him more or just move onto their next target. Tommy had agreed to give them the names and the next day at the morning bell, they were escorted to the principal’s office and suspended. When Tommy shared the news at home Wilbur and Phil were less than pleased, confusing Tommy massively.

“But this is what we want isn’t it? They were punished, they’re gone,” Tommy announced.

Phil shook his head, refusing to speak for fear of being too angry. He couldn’t let his children see that, he had to be level headed for them.

“They should have been expelled at the very least! You’re not safe there when they come back,” Wilbur predicted.

Tommy frowned, he hadn’t thought about it that way, “Dad what do we do then?”

Phil sighed, “The decision was already made, you are moving school. I’ve had everything transferred since you finally told us. We didn’t notice at home, we should have and I’m so sorry that we didn’t Tommy. You deserved better. But in school, they did it right in front of teachers who turned a blind eye. You weren’t safe going back there with or without those scums.”

Tommy smiled lightly, “You mean, I really am moving schools? It isn’t too much hassle?”

“Nothing will ever be too much hassle for you Tommy,” Phil replied, hugging Tommy close, “I would move mountains for you.”

The next day, Tommy was off to his new school, his injuries were beginning to fade and Wilbur and Phil had given him the confidence to not hide himself. The bruises and scars tell a story, a story of the past. And it will stay in the past, where it belongs. He sat proudly in Wilbur’s passenger seat, wearing his favourite t-shirt listening to Wilbur ramble on about his newest facts that he had learned. He looked back towards his house and saw nine magpies picking at the bird food that he had scattered upon his departure for school. It felt like a good omen.

And so, now Tommy stood between a new set of gates scared for what was lying ahead of him. He didn’t get a safety net here, he knew nobody. Tommy walked silently to his new locker and put his unneeded books inside. He was scared, first days are hard and he did not want a repeat of the last time. The rest of his life was looking up, all he needed was for his school life to follow suit.

Tommy entered his new homeroom and saw a seat free at the back by the window, things were already looking up. Tommy took his seat and smiled seeing two magpies out the window, they were still with him. He was actually excited now, maybe he would finish out the year with a friend or two.

Tommy was broken from his thoughts by a tall boy tapping his shoulder. He looked up and braced himself, maybe he was wrong.

“Hi, you’re new right? I’m Ranboo,” The boy smiled taking a seat next to Tommy. Tommy let out a breath that he hadn’t realised he was holding in.

“Yeah, first day. Hi I’m Tommy,” Tommy replied.

“Did you just move here? We don’t usually get many new people in the middle of the year,” Ranboo started the conversation.

Tommy froze, even though he wasn’t as ashamed of what happened as he had been before, telling someone – especially someone – he didn’t know was daunting. “I had to leave my other school, it wasn’t a nice place.”

Ranboo nodded, “I’m sorry about that, that really sucks. But hey, it’ll be better here. Trust me! You can hang out with me and some of my friends if you want. I know the first day can be pretty hard.”

Tommy smiled, “Thanks man.”

The boys spoke together in hushed tones for the rest of homeroom and Tommy was becoming content in his new school already. The people here were nicer, the teachers didn’t act like he knew nothing because he was new. It was a comfortable place to be.

At lunch, Ranboo waved Tommy over to his table where they and two others were sat. Tommy sat down with them and was introduced to Tubbo and Niki. He hit it off with the group right away and he was even confident enough to tell them he had been bullied, and was a foster kid. He didn’t forget to include the part where he now had a really great family, who he loved. His new friends had promised to keep him safe from any mean kids, not that there were many in this school so they said. Tommy couldn’t help but feel whole, he had a family, friends and as he looked out of the window of his new cafeteria, he had his magpies by his side.

When the school day ended, Tommy said his goodbyes to his friends and ran to find Wilbur who had promised to pick him up today. Hopping into the car, Tommy felt euphoric, even throughout his many ups and downs, he had ended up here. If it never got any better, he would still be happy. Because he didn’t think it could get better than this. This was amazing.

“How was today? Are people nice? You can move again if you think there’s going to be issues! Dad won’t mind at all,” Wilbur pestered, worry lacing his expression.

“Wilbur calm down. Today was really, really good,” Tommy emphasised the really’s looking directly at Wilbur, “I made three friends, I think they are going to be my best friends!”

Wilbur smiled and leaned over to hug his brother before starting their journey home, “I’m really proud of you Tommy.”

Tommy rolled his eyes, “I made some friends, it’s nothing to be proud of Wilbur.”

“No, it is. It’s hard to try again when something bad happens, but you, you’re like a boomerang and you bounced back. So how dare I tell my brother that I am proud,” Wilbur stated grandly causing Tommy to laugh.

“Ok Wilbur, thank you for whatever that was. I think this place is going to be really good,” Tommy smiled.

“Once they’re not going to overtake me in the best friend race, it’s perfect,” Wilbur joked.

Tommy scoffed and teased his brother, “They already have, Ranboo gives better hugs than you by a mile!”

Wilbur gasped, “How dare you say something so horrendous to me! Your brother! And to think I was bringing you for dinner. I think I’ll just go home and wallow in pity!”
Tommy smiled brightly, “No, no we need food before you throw a pity party!”

Wilbur laughed as they continued the drive to the restaurant.

When they arrived, Phil was standing outside the door of the restaurant that they all held so dearly to their hearts. Tommy zoomed out of the car and crashed into Phil giving him the biggest hug possible.

“Good day?” Phil chuckled.

“The best, thank you dad!”

The family of three walked into the restaurant, listening to Tommy talk about all of his new friends and his classes. They were all beyond happy, it was a night of complete bliss.

Chapter Text

Tommy had been in his new school for a few months now. He had settled in easily, which wasn’t hard because he had found the best friends that a boy could ask for. His injuries were completely healed, of course some had left him with scars but he liked to like and say he fought of any animal that came to his head in the moment. The list, as it stood, sat with a bear, a tiger, a lion, a crocodile, a T-Rex and a massive snake. It always made his friends chuckle beside him when he went on about these elaborate and impossible ways for him to gain some of his scars.

One day, Tommy had invited his friends over for a party, a birthday party. This was the first birthday party that Tommy had hosted for himself. He was so excited. Phil and Tommy had gone to the shop days before and bought any party prop and banner they could find. Phil was determined to give his son the birthday he deserved. Tommy had non stop talked about how excited he was and how he wanted all of his friends there.

Techno and Wilbur had arrived first. Wilbur had gone back to college a month after Tommy started at his new school, content that his brother was in a safe and caring environment this time around. Tommy launched at both of them giving them big bear hugs and then without missing a beat showed them all of his favourite decorations and party favours.

A small while later, Tommy’s three best friends arrived, a gift carefully tucked under each of their arms. Tommy pulled them inside and introduced them to his family.

The party was taken outside and Tommy sat with his best friends, Wilbur by his side and Techno was hovering by Phil to make sure he was doing the barbeque right. He had had one too many bad burgers in his time.

“Techno, come join the fun stop being old like Phil,” Wilbur shouted over. Phil popped his head up innocently at the sound of his name as Techno took a seat beside Phil.

Tommy was having the time of his life, laughing and joking with his brother and his new found family. He hadn’t realised how much he needed people who cared and loved him until then.

After eating their food, Phil began cleaning up as the party began drawing to a close. Tommy looked up to the tree that he had hung a bird feeder on and smiled at the two magpies perched pecking at his creation.

“Hello captins,” Techno and Ranboo said simultaneously.

Tommy looked at them confused, “Why did you greet them like that?”

“Oh please don’t get Techno started on his weird magpie superstitions,” Wilbur groaned.

Ranboo smiled, “Well magpies are symbols of good and bad luck, there’s a while rhyme about how many mean what! So by showing the magpies respect you help ward off bad luck!”

Techno nodded and Tommy’s mouth drops, “What is the rhyme?”

Techno and Ranboo smiled at each other and began reciting it together.

“One for sorrow,

Two for joy,

Three for a girl,

Four for a buy,

Five for silver,

Six for gold,

Seven for a secret, never to be told,

Eight for a wish,

Nine for a time of joyous bliss,

And ten for a kiss.”

Tommy was bewildered, all this time, seeing all these magpies around him, he had thought they were protecting him and sending him good omens. He was halfway to being correct. The magpies were predicting the course of his life so to say.

“Well, I think it’s all rubbish! Birds can’t decide if you have good or bad luck,” Wilbur commented lamely.

Tommy shook his head, “They have been predicting what’s going to happen in my life since I moved here Wilbur. That can’t be a coincidence.”

This time it was Wilbur’s turn to look at Tommy in awe, “What do you mean? What did they predict?”

“I saw one magpie the day I started at your school, the day the bullying started. I saw two on my first birthday here and that was one of my happiest days at that time. Eight flew with me to the courthouse, I wished the whole way there that you would come. Seven magpies ate my bird feed the day you found out about what was going on. And I saw nine the day that I met all my friends,” Tommy explained smiling.
Wilbur’s mouth dropped in shock and hugged his brother, “I guess Techno’s superstitions aren’t rubbish.”

Techno rolled his eyes laughing, “Yeah thanks man.”

Tommy enjoyed the end to his perfect birthday with a chocolate birthday cake and all of his friends singing happy birthday, even the magpies chirped along. Tommy was home, and all of his family was there, people and birds alike.