Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Tubbo walked into school Monday morning biting his nails. He was walking quickly through the halls, barely paying any attention to where he was going. He had barely slept over the weekend, worried desperately about where his father’s file was. 

The satyr quickly shoved his bag into his locker and adjusted his beanie over his horns before walking toward his homeroom class.

He opened the door to his classroom to see Ranboo already sitting next to Tommy in the back. Tommy was doodling in his notebook, Ranboo gazing over his shoulder. Tubbo sighed and made his way to his seat across the two.

“‘Morning, Tubbo,” Ranboo said. Tommy paused for a second. 

He reluctantly brought his gaze up to the boy, giving an awkward wave and smile. Tubbo felt something twist in his stomach. He fidgeted in his seat and leaned forward.

“What’re you drawing?” He asked. Tommy instinctively covered it with his hand. Tubbo frowned.

“Oh, sorry,” Tommy apologized. He removed his hand and turned his notebook toward the other boy. It was a drawing of a costume that looked scarily familiar to Tubbo.

Tommy cleared his throat and took his notebook back, closing it. Ranboo gave Tubbo a weird look when the third boy decided not to look directly at the satyr. It caused the knot in his stomach to tighten.

It was like that the whole day, Tommy was tense every time Tubbo was near him and would never look him in the eyes. Ranboo also noticed it, giving Tubbo an almost sympathetic look. 

Finally, after school, Tubbo confronted him. He was drumming his fingers against the backpack strap he actually pulled over his shoulder. He tapped his foot in rhythm with his fingers as he waited for the bus. The vigilante walked toward him with a fast stride.

“Dude,” Tubbo’s sudden voice made Tommy jump. “What the hell?”

Tommy looked genuinely confused, but Tubbo didn’t buy it. “What d’you mean, boss man?”

He ignored the nickname the three of them gave each other. “You know what I mean. You’ve been basically ignoring me all day! You won’t look me in the eyes, this is the first time you’ve looked at me for more than eight seconds!”

Tommy’s face fell slightly. He turned to fully face the other boy. “I wasn’t trying to ignore you-”

Another lie.

Tubbo lifted his hands like he was about to push him, but exhaled sharply and brought his arms back down. “Just…what did I do wrong?”

Tommy bit the inside of his cheek. He sighed and looked away. “Nothing, Tubs, I’m sorry.”

The satyr was taken aback by the apology. He opened his mouth to say something but couldn’t make any sound. Then why, he almost said. But he didn’t. He just kept his mouth shut and looked down.

“I didn’t want to make you feel bad,” Tommy admitted. The truth. Tubbo looked up at him. “I’ve just…got a lot on my mind. I’ll try not to make you feel ignored again.”

The shorter teen smiled and lightly shoved the other’s shoulder with his fist. “Thanks, boss man.”

Tommy grabbed his bag full of gadgets and opened his window. Even if his dad grounded him, that wasn’t going to stop him from taking down Schlatt. Tubbo’s father…

Tommy shook his head and started climbing out of his room. That is, until his door opened behind him.

“Oi,” Techno’s voice came from the hall. “Dad said to stop you from sneaking out again. I would’ve made Will do it but he’s having some poetry night or something.”

Tommy stared bewildered at his older brother. Techno folded his arms as he leaned against the door frame.

“Ya gonna get back in here or do I have to drag you?”

The boy glared and pulled his bandana down. He took the leg lifted onto the windowsill back down and turned his body fully. Techno nodded approvingly.

“What’re you wearing, anyway?”

Tommy looked down at his hoodie. “My outfit.”

“ That’s what you’ve been wearing?” Techno’s voice was laced with a laugh. Tommy frowned.

“I made it myself,” he responded. He was quiet.

Techno blinked at him. “No wonder it looks like shit.”

Tommy knew that was a joke. The family always made fun of each other like that. But it stung this time. It caused him to tighten his fists and pull his lips back. He stared at his brother in silence, taking in light inhales.

Techno seemed to have noticed his little brother’s unamusement and stood up, dropping his arms.

“Look, I know it’s upsetting,” he took a step forward and placed his hand on the younger’s shoulder. “But we just don’t want you to get hurt. Being a villain isn’t as fun as you think it is. It’s dangerous and sometimes gruesome.”

Tommy didn’t reply.

“We’re only-”

“It’s because I don’t have powers, isn’t it?” Tommy snapped. He shoved Techno’s hand off him. “It’s because you think I’m useless !”

Techno took a small step back, his eyes widening with surprise. “What? No! We-”

“You all get to have these awesome gifts like most of the world, but I’m the only one with absolutely nothing special about me!”

Tommy’s voice started to get louder.

“I got you that fucking information! I was the one who found out about Schlatt’s debt! Yet you all still think I’m not capable enough for this!”

Techno’s brows knit together, shaping his eyes into a sorrowful look. Tommy started breathing faster.

“Tommy, that’s not-”

“SHUT THE FUCK UP!”

Techno staggered at his brother’s yelling. The boy’s eyes started watering and he rubbed his wrist against them to keep from crying. He wouldn’t cry. Not when he’s already seen as incapable.

He brought his goggles down from his forehead and pulled his bandana back up.

“You’ll see. I’m gonna make you guys fucking proud of me!”

With that, he took a quick move out the window, ignoring Techno’s calls. He jumped off their roof, rolling as he landed and started off into a sprint. He glanced over his shoulder and saw Techno starting to climb out of the window as well. Tommy started to speed up.

Techno yelled his name, the sounds of footsteps getting closer. 

Damn it, Tommy thought. It was foolish to think he could outrun his brother. Still, the boy kept running. 

His brother was faster and more agile than he was, but Tommy knew his weaknesses. The teen reached into his bag and grabbed four metal beads in between his fingers. With a swift turn, Tommy threw the beads down in a somehow perfect line in front of his brother.

Techno skidded as the beads made small explosions in front of him. He looked at his little brother with a shocked expression before quickly hopping over the smoke and continuing the chase. 

That gave Tommy more distance now. He was closer to the bustling streets where he could lose Techno easily. 

“Tommy– stop!” Techno gasped out, getting closer once again.

Tommy jumped suddenly, grabbing one of the lamp posts now that he was in the city borders, and swung easily onto the roof of a small shop.

Techno stopped, dumfounded. He panted heavily as he watched his little brother jump onto an eight foot tall pole and onto a building. The man huffed, looking down at the small mark left from one of Tommy’s mini grenades. He hurriedly grabbed his phone and called Wilbur. 

There were several rings until Wilbur answered.

“Dude,” his twin groaned. “I told you not to call me. We’re on in two minutes.”

“It’s about Tommy.”

“WHAT?!”

Techno heard someone shush his brother over the phone before he started talking again.

“The hell do you mean it’s about Tommy?? I thought you were watching him!”

“I was!” Techno defended. “The kid threw freaking bombs at me!”

“Bombs?”

“Something like that. They were like the size of peas. They blew up in a line in front of me. He was able to slow me down enough.”

There was a pause.

“Find him before dad beats all three of our asses.”