Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Tommy stood on the stage, his hands bound in front of him. He wore a simple white t-shirt and sweatpants to hide how skeletal his frame was. All the other commodities wore the same. 

Tommy studied the stage in front of him, noticing scuff marks and gross gum stuck to the floor to ignore the hungry vampires staring at him, and the bidder raising his price higher and higher until there were two vampires left competing. 

"Sold to Mr. Craft for one and a half million dollars! Human 378 will be ready for pick up after payment. Next up, we have Human 379, she-" the bidder rattled off. 

Tommy swallowed thickly, and flicked his eyes to Quackity. Quackity grabbed him by the arm, and dragged him off stage. 

"Don't do anything stupid," Quackity hissed under his breath. "Mr. Craft and his coven can be vicious. Just do as you're told alright?" Tommy nodded, rubbing his wrists. They were rubbed raw from the iron cuffs. They felt unnecessary, it's not like Tommy was dumb enough to run. 

"I'll try and behave," he croaked. "I don't want to be sent back here." 

Quackity laughed at him, but it wasn't a nice laugh. "Kid, you'll be dead. The Crow Coven isn't exactly known for its mercy." Tommy shuddered. Great. 

Quackity walked to Tommy to his dorm to grab his shit, a whopping one suitcase full, and by the time he was packed Mr. Craft stood waiting in the hall. 

Mr. Craft was a shorter man then Tommy, but that didn't make him any less scary. He had an ancient vibe to him, older vampire Tommy has ever met. 

He wore casual clothes, a comfortable green cardigan and black pants to match. He had a crow cane in his left hand, but Tommy bet it was merely for looks. Vampires don't get hurt, and if they did it wasn't often. The thing that drew Tommys attention the most were giant black wings tucked behind his back that made Quackitys look laughably small. 

"Philza!" Quackity said with the fake gusto Tommy has ever heard. "How are you man, how's the kids?" 

Mr. Craft, apparently Philza, snorted. "They're alright mate. How's Las Nevadas?" 

"Thriving, it couldn't be better honestly. I didn't think you'd ever be interested in buying humans," Philza shrugged. 

"It's a lot better investment to just have one or two of them than going out hunting. What's his name?" Philza made eye contact, and Tommy stared at the ground like a lifeline. 

"His names Tommy. He's got a bit of a mouth on him, but other than that he's decently obedient. He's been chipped and vaccinated, and you can track his location and vitals on a new app we're working on," Quackity rattled off. 

"Hm," Philza sounded slightly displeased. "Wouldn't it be better to build trust if we didn't chip them like dogs? I would think asking them how they're feeling is a lot better than some expensive app just telling me," He asked idolly, but Tommy could tell he wasn't pleased.

"Oh of course, it's just for vampires who are too busy to build and maintain relationships. It's a precaution really. Trust me, Tommy will let you know if he isn't happy." Fat fucking chance. Tommy wasn't in the mood to die today, thanks. 

Tommys breathing came to a halt when Philza gently grasped his wrists and inspected the cuffs that were chafing into his skin. The air felt tense and thick like smoke. 

Philza sighed. "You know, if I were going to spend almost two million dollars on a human, I would hope they'd come in better condition." Philza took the chain that locked the two cuffs together, and snapped it with just one hand. 

"It's just precaution Phil," Quackity said trying to smoothen any ruffled feathers. "We really don't want them attacking other humans or god forbid vampires, and a lot of them get anxious on auction day." 

"I thought you said he was trained?" Philza prodded. Tommy tried not to tense as Philza placed a taloned hand on his shoulder, pushing him down the hallway. 

"He is!" Quackity reassured. "Tommy is one of our star pupils, but even the most well behaved humans act out sometimes. We can get some bolt cutters and get the shackles off, and then we can send you on your way,"

Philza shakes his head. "That's quite alright mate. We'll get them off when we get home. It's been a long night, hasn't it Tommy," 

Tommy flinched as he's directed spoken to. "Yes sir," he whispered. He didn't dare look at Phil or Quackity. 

"Alright," Quackity said nervously. "Well, here's his file. Anything and everything you need to know is in here, his blood type, his blood line, everything down to birthmarks." 

"Anything about hobbies? Interests? Favorite foods?" Phil asked, and Tommy could hear the smirk in his needling tone. Tommy really wished Philza would stop picking fights because ohmygod- 

Quackity said nothing for a moment. "We'll be sure to include those in future humans we grow and harvest. We do hope to see you again Philza," Quackity said neutrally but Tommy could tell he was pissed. Quackity held the door for them, and closed the door. Philza snorted. 

"What an ass." Philza said, stretching his wings. "How are you holding up?" Surely Philza couldn't be talking to him? Tommy flicked his eyes towards him, oh shit, he was looking at Tommy- 

Tommy's voice squeaked, "I'm alright." He whispered. Far from it actually. Tommy was content in rotting away in the dorms. 

Philza snorted again like he said something funny. "Don't worry, mate. I don't plan on feasting on your flesh until you settle in a little bit. We have a room set up for you and everything." That was nice of them. Tommy hoped the room had enough room to stretch out at least. 

God. His hands shook at the idea. He had heard rumors from others of how painful being taken from. That's why most of the kinder vampires take blood via needle, instead of being taken from directly. 

Philza distracted him from his line of thought when he opened the back seat to a limbo, and wow it was nice. It smelt of rich leather and alcoholic beverages. Tommy sat on a bench, and surprisingly Philza let him sit quite a bit away. Philza ruffled through some cabinets and grabbed a blanket or two, some water, and some snacks. 

Tommy tried not to look too longingly at them. Those were for Philza. Tommy was surprised when Philza tucked the blankets around him. Tommy hadn't been tucked in in his life. He thought that was just rumors. 

"When was the last you ate?" Philza asked as he handed him salted nuts and raisins. Philza sat across from him, his leg over the other. 

Tommy shrugged, and ate the peanuts. "I'm not sure." He murmured. "Couldn't eat this morning." Mostly from nerves, but also because he was on a time crunch to get ready. Meals were good, but that's when they bothered to feed them. They were calorie dense, but meals were maybe a once a day affair if that. 

Philza hmmed again, and Tommy was starting to understand that wasn't a good thing. Philza knocked on the divider window. "Yeah Bossman?" A bald man asked. 

"Jack, do you think we can stop by a McDonald's or something?" 

"Got it, sir. Any requests?" Phil glanced at Tommy, and then shrugged. "Whatever you think Tommy would like." Philza smiled, but it wasn't a mean or cruel smile. It was a soft, eager smile. "I'm about to change your world, kiddo. Ever have mcdonalds?" Tommy shook his head. 

Philza was a lot nicer than Tommy thought he would be. Though, to be fair it was just first impressions. Tommy had learned that vampires would show their true colors weeks if not days of initially being bought. 

Tommy was trying really, really hard not to doze off. Tommy hesitantly let his guard down, because Philza was occupied looking at his phone. It was so warm and comfortable, and even though the peanuts weren't filling, they eased the sharp hunger pains. 

Tommy was just about to drop off, when the limo pulled to a stop. There was no way they were home already. Tommy sat up fully, feeling slightly uneased. 

The divider rolled down again, and a weird square box with colorful font, and a  up with a lid. "Here you are sir, I thought it might be wise to get him a kids meal," 

"Thanks, Jack." Philza took the food from him, and passed the food to Tommy. 

Tommy hesitantly opened the box, and his stomach roared at the smell. He immediately dug into the cheeseburger, and it was cheap, and greasy, and so fucking good. He scarfed down the burger, and quickly followed the fries and chicken nuggets. Never had he tasted something so divine. Tommy missed the concerned looks Philza was giving him. 

Tommy was quickly corrected when he tasted the drink. It was so sweet and bubbly. He'd heard of soda before, but never had the opportunity to try it before. 

Tommy sighed in content and leaned back, when he noticed a bit of plastic. He pulled it out, and saw a tiny brown toy that barely fit in the size of his palms. He ripped open the plastic and in his hands was a little brown cow. It was cheaply made, and Tommy probably wasn't going to be able to keep it. 

"What's his name?" Philza asked, and Tommy looked up, slightly startled. Tommy sighed, and rubbed the brown coat. "Henry, I think Henry's a good name." Tommy went to hand him to Philza. "You can change it if you want." 

"Nah mate, you can keep it." Tommy looked up at him with bewilderment. "Really?" Tommy asked, tucking the toy close to his chest. 

"Yeah, mate. How many toys do you have? I can get you some more later on." Tommy shrugged. He didn't have any. "Um. Henry." 

Philza hummed again, and Tommy felt uneasy. "I don't- I don't need any toys." Tommy said, putting Hen- the toy aside. "I'm a big man, toys are for kids." 

"Aren't you a kid?" Tommy shook his head. "If I'm old enough for auction, I'm old enough not to have toys." 

"Oh yeah? How old are you?" Tommy shrugged. "Sixteen." 

Philza laughed at him, and Tommy hunched in on himself. Philza chuckled, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I'm not laughing at you. Sixteen just means you're a baby compared to my sons, and my sons have at least an entire bookshelf worthy of toys. I even have a toy or two, and im as old as dirt. It's alright if you want to keep it."

Tommy hesitantly tucked the toy very close to his chest. 

They lapsed into comfortable silence. Tommy held the toy, feeling its texture. It was nice having a toy. Philza didn't seem so bad, and so far he seemed pretty honest. Tommy was hesitant to ask, but in the worst case scenario he learned not to ask questions. 

"Does it hurt?" Tommy asks suddenly. 

Philza looked up from his phone. "Does what hurt?" 

Tommy gestured vaguely with his hand. "You know, the um. The biting. The whole process." Philza blinked at him. 

"Oh mate, you don't have to worry about that until you're twenty one at least. These next five years are for building trust and getting you healthy." That didn't answer his question, but Tommy sighed. At least that was a problem for another time. 

"Okay, thank you Mr. Craft." 

"Call me Phil." 

"Thank you, Phil." 

Chapter Text

Tommy eventually lost the battle to sleep, but sue him. They drove for fucking ever, the meal sat warm on his stomach, and he could relax around Phil. The guy seemed genuine enough, and even if he was lying to Tommy's face it was a good idea to get some sleep in before he was brutally torn into. 

He started to wake when the car came to a stop, but Phil shushed him. Phil easily lifted him up like he was a bag of peas. 

“Phil, I can walk.” Tommy grumbled, rubbing his eyes. The little cow plush sat comfortably on his chest. 

“Hush, let me enjoy this. I haven't been able to carry a child for literally centuries, I've missed it.” Tommy grumbled a little more, but eventually settled against Phil. Sleep started to drag him under again, and the sudden warmth of the house wasn't helping. Phil swayed gently with Tommy in his arms, and Tommy couldn't help but enjoy it. It's been so long since he's been held. 

He was pretty sure the last time he was held was at the auctions nursery by one the caretakers, but he was put down at the age of four and never picked up again. He was too old to be picked up, they said. He was too old for hugs. He'd forgotten how safe it felt, even if it was in the arms of a vampire. 

He was about to drop off again when he heard a soft gasp and the soft pitter patter of feet against the tiled marble floor. “Is that him?” Tommy flinched when he felt a calloused hand rest against his cheek. He blearily looked up to see a brown haired vampire with a cozy looking turtleneck on. 

Tommy grumbled and buried his face into Phil's chest. Phil awarded him with a soft chuckle. “Yeah, his names Tommy. He's a gift to you, Wil. I'm still trying to find a suitable human for Techno, but I recently got a call from the badlands. They have an anxious teenager that could use some help.” 

“Is getting an anxious teenager for a socially awkward guy a good idea?” Phil snorted. 

“I think when Ranboo settles in, they're gonna bounce off one another's energy. I talked to Bad and they say when he's not scared shitless he has a rather dry sense of humor. Let's not worry about him right now though, let's get this one settled in first.” 

Tommy started to wake up more when Phil fucking passed him to Wil. “Oh I know,” Wilbur cooed. “You're so tired and grumpy.” Tommy huffed. First it was nice but now it is getting a little annoying. He was being talked to like a baby. 

“Bitch.” Tommy grumbled, not really thinking about what he was saying. He was tired damn it. Wilbur laughed, full heartedly. “Oh you're just a precious thing aren't you? I almost don't want to drink from you. Well, maybe a little sip wouldn't hurt.” Tommy made a low anxious noise in his throat. He didn't want that. 

“Ah ah, Wil don't you dare. Not until he's twenty one at least. We're still getting donated blood, so there's no need for that. ” Phil said displeased. “I know I know.” Wilbur grumbled. 

“Go ahead and get him settled in your nest. Tomorrow I'd like him to get those shackles off and a full health exam done. I read his files on the way over and it's mentioned he can have the tendency to faint every great once in a while, and I want to know what that's about.” 

“They didn't investigate it?” 

“No, apparently not. It doesn't happen too often but the fact that it happens at all is concerning.” 

You guys fucking talk too much. Tommy thought drowsily, burying his face in Wilburs chest. Both of them laughed at him. Shit, he said that outloud. 

“Alright, eepy sleepy man. Let's get you off to bed.” Fucking finally. 

“Night Wilbur,” 

“Night dad.” 

They walked for ages. Seriously, how big was the house? Tommy dozed off, warm and comfortable. He could hear a door softly creak open. A couple seconds later he was gently placed down on the softest most comfortable bed he's ever dreamed off. 

A soft content exhale escaped from his lips. He should've gone to auction sooner if he knew he was going to be able to sleep on literal clouds. Wilbur hummed a soft melody as he got the covers out from underneath him, and buried him up to his chin in a goose feather duvet. 

The was a shift in weight on the other side of the bed. He felt a careful hand card through his hair. “I'm happy to have you, sunshine.” He said quietly. 

“Having Phil and Techno is nice, but it's nice having a friend.”

Tommy just grunted. “Blood bag, innit?” He murmured. He was just supposed to be a meal for them, wasn't he? 

“No. Well, yes, but-” Wilbur started, and then stopped looking for the words to say. “Dad thought it would be a good idea for my social anxiety and depression to get a friend, but because we're so out in the middle of nowhere it's kinda hard to meet people.” Tommy hummed. 

“You were a two for one deal, dad gets to save money on blood, and I get a friend to keep my company. Doesn't that sound nice?” 

Tommy nodded. “Haven't had a friend before.” Tommy said with his eyes closed. “‘s nice.” Wilbur chuckled gently. 

“It is. If you have any problems, you can come to me okay? Even if it's a thing where you don't want to give blood, we'll figure something out.” Tommy snorted to himself, disbelieving. Yeah right. No one would spend almost two million dollars on a human and not eat them. 

“You don't believe me,” Wilbur continued on. “But that's okay, one day you will. For now, get some rest. You have a big day tomorrow.” 

Tommy was more than happy to obey. Sleep came quickly.