Chapter Text
Chanse is playing a game on his Switch while Tommy works on some music on his laptop.
He reaches over and waves to get Tommy’s attention, waiting for him to lower his headphones before asking his question.
“Why do people hurt people?” he asks and Tommy looks at him confused.
“Where did that come from?” He asks, saving and closing his laptop.
Chanse shrugs, “Was thinking about Angie.” He admits and his caregiver sighs.
“People are afraid of things that are different or that they don't understand.” He says, “And they use those differences as an excuse to be mean to others.”
“Don't they know it's wrong?” He asks confused
Tommy puts his arm around his shoulder. “They think they're justified in hurting them because in their mind the other person deserves it, or is less than.” He explains
Chanse frowns, “Angie didn’t deserve it,” He says firmly, looking up into Tommy’s eyes, “They do.”
“They do,” Tommy murmurs, cupping his cheek, “But we can’t hurt people, that would make us just as bad as them,”
The little pouts, “I wish I could’ve helped,” he mumbles, looking down dejectedly.
“You’re helping now, bud,” he promises, raising the little’s face to look up at him again, “You’re the bestest friend and big brother to her. I know you wish you could have been there then, but you’re here now.”
“Not fair.” he mutters, balling his fists
“It’s not”, he agrees,“But all we can do now is be there.”
Tears well in his eyes, “I wanna hurt them,” he admits quietly, his knuckles white, “Deserve it” he adds, starting to sound younger.
Tommy pulls him into his lap, “I know sweetheart,” he murmurs, rubbing his back, “I know,”
Chanse buries his face in his caregivers neck and cries.
Deciding to trust his gut, he pulls out his phone and calls Angela.
“Hello?” she answers on the third ring, “Is that crying?” she asks concerned
“Little Chanse,” he murmurs, “Can you talk to him? I think you’ll get through better,”
“Of course,” she says instantly, “I’m home, I can come over,”
“I bet he’d love that,” he tells her, “I’m gonna put you on speaker,”
“Chanse bud,” Tommy says louder than his phone conversation, putting the phone on speaker, “Listen to who’s here,”
“Hi buddy,” Angela coos and Chanse’s head snaps up to look at the phone
Chanse yanks the phone out of Tommy’s hand, holding it to his face, “Angie,” he whines
“Angie's on her way.” She tells him, “I'm getting in the car right now.”
“Not fair.” He tells her angrily, hitting his fist onto his thigh.
Tommy gently grabs his wrist, “We don't hit.” He tells him gently as Angela answers him.
“What's not fair bubba?” She asks him, a car horn blaring in the background.
“Everything!” He yells angrily, dropping the phone into his lap so he can use his other now empty hand to hit his lap again.
Tommy grabs his other wrist, “We don't hit.” He says again.
Chanse whines loudly, trying to pull his wrists free to hit again, the phone falling forgotten to the floor.
“Down, down, down, down!” He shouts, wiggling in Tommy's lap to get down and he wraps both his arms around Chanse, dropping his wrists.
Chanse arches his back in an attempt to free himself, whining again, tears streaming down his face. “Lemme go!” He screams and Tommy relents, releasing the little who falls to the floor.
He scrambles to the center of the room, fists balled at his sides.
Tommy grabs a throw pillow from the couch and tosses it next to the little, hoping to misdirect his fists.
And it works, Chanse angrily punches the pillow as Tommy picks his phone back up from the floor.
“Sorry, he dropped you on the floor.” He tells her frantically, taking the phone off speaker phone.
“What fuck is happening?” She asks in shock, “I've never heard him like this.”
“I don't know,” he admits worriedly, watching Chanse continue to punch the pillow, “He was playing on his Switch, and then he asked me why people hurt people out of nowhere.” he explains
“He said he was thinking about not being able to protect you,” he says quietly, “I think he's mad at himself,” he realizes
Angela sighs, “Nothing is his fault,” she says sadly, “He wasn't even there,”
“I don't think he's being rational right now,” he tells her, and she sighs.
The two sit in silence, listening to Chanse angrily punch the pillow, when she speaks up again.
“I'm here,” she tells him, “I may have sped a little,”
Tommy chuckles, hanging up the phone before standing up to open the door.
Angela doesn't even acknowledge him, rushing straight to the middle of the living room and crouching in front of Chanse.
“Chansey,” she calls gently and his head snaps up to look at her.
Without saying a word he launches himself into her, knocking them both over as he hugs her, sobbing.
“Woah,” she says, surprised, wrapping her arms around the little who’s now lying on top of her, “I got you baby,” she coos, rubbing his back.
The two stay like that for a long time as Chanse slowly calms down, hiccuping as he lays limply on top of Angela.
“Angie loves you so much bubs, but you’re heavy,” she jokes, looking up to Tommy for help.
He carefully lifts the little as she sits up, helping to lift him into her lap once she gets up on the couch.
“There we go,” she murmurs, running her fingers through his hair as he lays against her chest, “Are you sleepy bubba?”
Chanse whines, clutching onto her shirt. “I’m not going anywhere,” she promises, “Just checking in.”
“Do you know how old you are?” she asks gently, knowing he’s usually pretty in tune with his age, even when it’s out of range.
“Four.” he mumbles, wiping his nose with his arm.
Tommy grimaces, walking over with a box of tissues and helping the little blow his nose.
“There we go,” he murmurs, wiping his face, “There’s my baby’s pretty face.”
“Are you feeling better, honey?” he asks Chanse gently, cupping his face,
He nods slowly, “I sorry dada,” he mumbles, reaching for him.
Tommy looks at him in shock, pulling him out of Angela’s lap and into his own. Angela grinning proudly at the two boys.
“You’re ok honey, you just had a lot of big emotions, huh?” he tells him gently, “I’m not upset,”
Chanse hums, reaching out to hold Angela’s hand. “Sorry Angie” he says and she squeezes his hand.
“There is nothing for you to apologize for, sweet boy,” she assures, kissing his temple.
He shakes his head, “Angie hurt, I no stop,” he tells her sadly.
She sighs, scooting into Tommy’s side so they can hold him together. “You’ve done everything you can to help me and keep me safe. You’re the best friend I could ever have.” she tells him honestly, playing with his hair again.
“You’ve kept your Angie so safe,” she promises him, “I wouldn’t be as happy as I am without you,”
Chanse, holds his pinky out to her, “Pinky?” he asks hesitantly
Angela immediately holds her pinky out and wraps it with his, “Pinky” she says firmly.
He sighs, leaning into Tommy. “Tommy?” he asks quietly.
“Yes, Chanse?” he answers, snaking his arm around him.
“Is dada ok to call?” he questions nervously and Tommy chuckles.
“Of course it is bubba, I’m honored to be your dada,” he says honestly, smiling down at him.
Chanse smiles back, “Dada too baby when older,” he explains and Tommy nods in understanding.
“You’re still brainstorming?” he jokes and Chanse nods
“But I four so dada ok,” he states.
Tommy leans over and kisses his forehead, “You can call me dada when you’re nine too,” he tells the little, but he scrunches his nose.
“Probly no,” he says, before rapidly changing the topic.
“Angie ok?” Chanse confirms, squeezing her hand.
She smiles softly at him, “I’m ok,” she assures, squeezing his hand back.
“Stay sleep?” he asks hopefully and she laughs,
“I need to call Amanda to let her know, but I can stay.” she confirms,
Chanse cheers, looking up at Tommy with puppydog eyes, “Movie?” he pleads and the man sighs.
“Get ready for bed and we can watch a movie,” he confirms and Chanse runs off to his room to change.
“I’ll get you clothes too. Call Amanda, she's probably worrying,” Tommy tells her and she nods
“Thanks Tommy,” she says, walking towards the kitchen and calling Amanda.
She answers on the first ring, “Is he ok?” she asks concerned and Angela laughs.
“He’s ok,” she assures, “He asked me to sleep over,”
“Are you ok to stay?” Amanda asks and she sighs,
“I’m ok, but I’m gonna drop the second I walk into the apartment.” she admits.
“That isn’t what ok sounds like, baby. I can come pick you up.” Amanda insists
“I need to be here for him,” Angela asserts, “You can pick me up in the morning, but he needs me.”
Amanda sighs, “I trust you,” she says honestly, “And I’ll be there for you in the morning.”
“I love you Amanda,” she murmurs, “Thank you,”
“I love you too,”