Chapter Text
Tommy has a secret, or rather, two very large secrets attached to his back and span together around 7 meters or 23 feet. If you're unsure, this is very large, Tommy’s approximately 6 foot, making his wings almost double his height. Luckily, he was gifted with the power of tucking these wings into his back, magically, the downside is that he can’t keep them hidden for more than a few days. Here is where it gets interesting, Tommy's apartment is not 23 feet wide, and if you're thinking what I'm thinking, you understand why this is an issue. That's my short explanation, and will hopefully provide you with enough information to enter the story without being completely oblivious.
Moonlight filters though the clouded sky, providing the only light for the little and only park this side of Litend. It's empty of course, nobody goes to the park at 2.45am on a school night. Apart, of course, from Tommy, who stands in the middle of the park in jeans much too large for his thin waist and a baggy shirt with two large slits down the back, showing Tommy's pale skin. For a moment, the park settles in a comfortable silence. Only for a moment though, because Tommy then releases his wings from wherever they vanish to inside of his back when he wills them away. The weight of the wings alone should have Tommy falling backwards, but he says upright, not seeming to notice their weight at all. Possibly because he's so focused on the splitting pain running down the length of his wings, forcing him to his knees, eyes squeezed shut. It takes a while, but eventually Tommy finds his footing somewhere between agonising and burning, pushing the pain as far down as he can and focusing on the damp grass staining his knees.
Eyes watch him from the trees, though only Tommy could see them, his eyesight much better than any average person. Birds, he thinks, though maybe a squirrel or two. A few flutter down from the tree, curious, and only when they're inches from Tommy do they recognise him, letting out a series of chirps to one another and surrounding the blonde boy. All at once they're plucking at his wings, lining each feather up and removing any that are causing pain. Minutes tick by and the pain slowly reduces until only a dull thudding is left in Tommy's head. He's not sure when but at some point he lays on his stomach, cheek to the grass, and then his eyes must flicker shut because when he wakes, the sun is close to rising and a bird is pecking gently at his hand. He recognises her quickly, how could he not with the beautiful colours littering her small feathered body, a blue head, green wings and many colours filling her chest.
"Penny," Tommy greets the bird groggily as he rises to his feet and takes a moment to tuck his wings gently back into his back. He then quickly rummages around in his pocket until he finds a large bag of seed and tips it onto the earth. Many birds flutter over gratefully but Penny doesn't go for the food, simply watching with Tommy as pigeons, crows and magpies eat while the sun rises slowly. Only when the birds have all fluttered off does Penny help herself to the last of the seed.
"You'd best be off!" She squawks, before letting a beautiful trill rumble from her chest affectionately when Tommy's eyes widen significantly and he swears before turning and sprinting for his apartment. The next hour rushes by, a cold shower and wrinkled, too big clothes, followed by a small breakfast and a jog down to the village. It's 9am when he reaches the door to a glass fronted multi use building. He thinks he sees Penny's colourful reflection in the glass as he enters and a gentle bell announces his arrival. The building is beautiful, a large layout with natural light flooding through, sofas for seats and dark wooden tables filled with baked goods and drinks. The counter looks suspiciously like a bar, adding to the odd atmosphere, and the plants scattered around seem to make the place feel even more outdoorsy. Tommy loves it and is forever grateful he landed the job here.
"Tommy," A man steps forwards, blonde hair not unlike Tommy's, but he's much shorter with softer features. His name, Tommy recalls, is Phil, he's the man that interviewed him for the job almost a week ago. All smiles and laughs, it's contagious and Tommy already feels positively taking over the grogginess of sleeping on the ground in a park.
“Sir,” Tommy replies, slouching slightly to feel smaller. He takes in the Cafe again, spotting two men, or boys, behind the counter. One is almost as tall as Tommy with hair split dyed black and white. Tommy can't quite catch his eye colour but his skin is rather pale. The other boy is much less pale with brown hair and what seems to be buzzing energy as he dances around the counter, handing out plates and drinks left and right.
“Phil is fine,” the man is beaming so Tommy tries to plaster on a smile but it comes out more like a wince so instead he nods towards the counter.
“I’m gonna work with them?”
Phil nods enthusiastically, “the short one is Tubbo and the taller is Ranboo.” Odd names, Tommy notes, but doesn't think further for now. Phil continues, “They know you're working with them and are happy to help out.”
Tommy nods gratefully, heart stuttering slightly when the shorter boy, Tubbo, almost spills scorching water down himself.
“I’ll just,” Tommy waves vaguely towards the boys and Phil nods with a smile. Once Tommy is out of earshot Phil mutters, “he is definitely not eighteen.” Tommy catches it with his unusually great hearing but ignores it and trots up to the counter.
“Alright? I’m Tommy.”
Both boys look up suddenly before breaking out into grins. Why is everyone so happy? Tommy returns the smile, hopefully believably.
“Niki saw you come in, she's just getting you a T-shirt,” Tubbo smiles, holding out a hand for Tommy to shake. Tommy takes it, wandering where the boy learnt such a gesture but moving on and looking at their shirts. Both wear a light brown T-shirt with the words ‘The Pub,’ written on in a basic font. Tommy isn't sure how he noticed that Tubbo’s busy hair seems to be hiding something on his head, but not the matching tops they’re all wearing. He finds it pretty funny.
After a moment of awkward silence, Tommy opens his mouth, instantly regretting it. “Who the fuck names a cafe, ‘The Pub?’”
Silence follows the question before both boys tumble into a fit of laughter, Tommy uses the few moments to search his surroundings once again. He knows there is a gym here, living space and a few offices for rent, all much too expensive for him. He assumes they're accessible by the large lift to the left of the counter.
A pink haired girl appears from the door behind the bar, labelled ‘Staff Only.’ She holds out the shirt to Tommy with a smile.
“Hi Tommy, I’m Niki!” Tommy notices the German accent first, and then the way she holds herself, as if trying to hide the fact that she can handle herself quite efficiently going by the muscles hidden under her jumper. Tommy takes the shirt and thanks Niki before slipping away to change into it. When he gets back, another man is on the floor with a brown Pub shirt. He too has pink hair, much longer than Niki’s and thrown into a messy bun any girl (or boy) would be jealous of.
It takes 20 minutes for Tubbo and Ranboo to show Tommy around, mainly because they keep speaking over each other. Tommy takes the time to study the boys more in depth. Tubbo is definitely hiding something under his hair, but it isn't unusual for people to be born with a set of horns or other animalistic body parts. He also understands the desire to hide them, especially in this part of the city, people aren't exactly understanding.
Ranboo is a completely different story. Tommy quickly catches onto the glamour on Ranboo, it shimmers slightly purple over his skin, and doesn't falter the entire time they're working. This means Ranboo is both extremely powerful and has something very important to hide. A glamour is something most magical beings can perform, but the being must maintain focus, or the glamour vanishes. It's a simple magic, but to be held for hours is a challenge, the most Tommy could manage would be to change his hair or eye colours, and even that would only last an hour before he was inevitably distracted.
Phil shows no signs of being magical, he's most likely mortal, along with Technoblade and Niki, though Tommy knows better than to assume. He quickly catches onto small magics being used around the cafe too, the lift is definitely not mortal made, the glass shimmers and remains perfectly clean, even when it's raining.
“So,” Tommy turns to Tubbo, halfway through an order, “how old are you?”
“I’m 17, Ran is 18,” Tubbo supplies.
“So, you're in college?” Tommy is careful, making his way to the question he wants to ask.
“Yes.”
“Ranboo?”
“Didn't go to college.”
Tommy waits to figure out how to phrase the question. “You go to college.” Pause. “Magical?” Technically, it's rude to ask if somebody is magical, but Tommy doesn't really care and Tubbo seems pretty chill.
“Yep, though i’m no pro,” Tubbo then opens his palm and a pink flower sprouts out of it, vines winding around his hand and rapping up his arm.
“Plantarum,” Tommy nods.
“Yes, I specialised in it, I'm no good at anything else.” Tubbo shrugs and the plant seems to vanish. Tommy notices after this, that wherever Tubbo wanders, every plant in the room seems to follow, flowers tilting to face him, leaves shuddering excitedly when he passes. He's powerful, and seems oblivious.
Tommy is magical. Though what he specialises in is unknown, his lack of education doesn't help. Being 16 and living alone is not rare in Litend. A lot of parents, especially from Magical bloodlines died in the last war, Tommy’s parents included, not that he remembers them.
Working behind the counter is tricky, but after 8 hours of it, Tommy has it nailed and feels pretty satisfied when he leaves, walking down the soon to be dark streets back to his apartment. It's rush hour, so the streets are packed and the sky is filled with holograms. He stops under a very specific image. Philza. He's the most known of the magical beings in all of Litend with huge black wings, a plague mask and a natural talent for catching bad guys. Beside him is The Blade, red cape and scull mask with a huge short-sword strapped to his back. Between them is a little kid, pumping his fist to the air. Tommy scoffs, they probably took that picture without even glancing at the kid.