Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

TW: Swearing, violence, mentions of blood, death/dead bodies, weapons.

AUGUST 15TH, 2038

PM 08:29:04

Ranboo stood in the elevator up to the top floor of the building, a small coin flipping through his hands as he waited. He'd flip it up, catching it, and repeating. Sometimes he'd balance it across his fingers. Then throwing it back and forth between his hands. Each time it made a small 'cling!' sound.

Looking up slightly, the floors of the building showed above the doors. 61...62...

Slowly, he reached his destination. 70.

He tossed the coin once more and caught it between two fingers in a V shape. Then he tucked it away, straightened his tie, and the doors opened. Stepping out, there was one man just outside against the wall, one of the SWAT members already there, who looked at him and turned away.

"Negotiator on site." He said into an earpiece on his helmet as he walked back down the hallway. "Repeat, negotiator on site."

Ranboo stepped forward into the hall. It was a mess, broken glass and such strewn across the floor. He stepped up to a table on the side, noticing a photo of a family on it.

TAKE

He picks up the photo to examine it.

Phillips, John
Born: 10/11/1999
Lives: 1554 Park Av. Detroit

Phillips, Caroline
Born: 05/21/2001
Lives: 1554 Park Av. Detroit

Phillips, Emma
Born: 09/02/2028
Lives: 1554 Park Av. Detroit

PUT BACK

Ranboo set the photo back down as voices were heard from down the hall. 

"No, stop...I-I...I can't leave her!"

He turned to the other side of the hall as a woman - Caroline, the mother in the photo - was being led out of the building by a SWAT member. She was in tears, and upon noticing Ranboo she pulled away and grabbed him by the shoulders.

"Oh, oh please, please, you gotta save my little girl..." The woman trailed off, looking at the LED on his temple before glancing down to the RN800 on his jacket. "Wait..." She backed off of him, letting go. "You're sending an android?"

Ranboo stood there calmly, looking almost disinterested as the SWAT member grabbed Caroline by the arm again. "Alright, ma'am. We need to go."

He carefully dragged her off again, ignoring her protests. "You can't...you can't do that! You w- why aren't you sending a real person?" She shouted at Ranboo from down the hall. He turned to watch them go, before facing forward again.

Caroline was still shouting, even as she was pulled into the elevator and the doors closed. "Don't let that thing near her! Keep that thing away from my daughter!" She screamed, sounding desperate. "KEEP IT AWAY!"

Ranboo turned to his left at the sound of weak splashing, and saw a small fish on the ground in a small puddle of water. He kneeled beside it.

DWARF GOURAMI
Trichogaster Lalius
Origin: Ganges Delta, India

LEAVE
SAVE

SAVE

He picks up the fish gently, looking at it for a moment then glancing up towards the fish tank just next to it, straightening and dropping the fish inside the water. He watched it slowly swim away before turning back to his original mission. 

FIND CAPTAIN PUNZ

He made his way back down the hallway, turning to his right. A new voice was shouting now, from a room towards the left, Ranboo noticed, as he made his way through rubble and SWAT members. 

"Why are we wasting time sending an android to negotiate?! That piece of crap could jump from the rooftop any second." Someone else said something Ranboo couldn't hear. "I DON'T GIVE A SHIT! My men are ready to step in...just give the order!"

Ranboo stepped into the room where Captain Punz was. He had been the one shouting, into a phone, the android noticed. Punz then hung up. "Fuck! I don't believe this..."

TALK

Ranboo stepped closer. "Captain Punz?"

The captain looked at him, now leaned over a desk where another man was typing furiously away at a computer. "My name is Ranboo. I'm the android sent by CyberLife."

Punz turned back to the computer, letting out a small sigh. "It's firing at everything that moves, it already shot down two of my men...we could easily get it, but they're on the edge of the balcony. If it falls," He turned to look back at Ranboo, "she falls."

DEVIANTS NAME
DEVIANTS BEHAVIOR
EMOTIONAL SHOCK
DEACTIVATION CODE

DEVIANTS NAME

"Do you know its name?" Ranboo asks.

"I haven't got a clue. Does it matter?"

"I need information to determine the best approach." The android replied.

DEVIANTS BEHAVIOR
EMOTIONAL SHOCK
DEACTIVATION CODE

DEVIANTS BEHAVIOR

Ranboo leaned just slightly to the side to try and keep the captains attention. "Do you know if it's been behaving strangely before this?"

Captain Punz let out a small agitated breath before turning and walking up to Ranboo. "Listen, saving that kid is all that matters. So either you deal with this fucking android now, or I'll take care of it."

He then walked around Ranboo and away. The android watched him.

48% PROBABILITY OF SUCCESS
EVERY SECOND COUNTS

UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED
SAVE HOSTAGE AT ALL COSTS

Ranboo turned and walked over to a fallen gun case. 

ANALYZE

He kneeled next to it, and triggered his analyzation software.

0/2 CLUES TO ANALYZE

He looked around the case and surrounding objects, finding one quickly.

CONNECTING
SYNC IN PROGRESS
SYNC DONE
COLLECTING DATA
PROCESSING DATA
100%

AMMUNITION
Velocity: 365 m/s / Energy: 659j
Bullet Weight: 115 gr / Power factor: 414k

1/2 CLUES TO ANALYZE

Looking back to the actual case, he now analyzed where the gun would have rested.

CONNECTING
SYNC IN PROGRESS
SYNC DONE
COLLECTING DATA
PROCESSING DATA
100%

MS853 BLACK HAWK
Capacity: 17 rounds (.355)
Overall: 8.5in / Barrel: 5in

2/2 CLUES TO ANALYZE

RECONSTRUCT

Ranboo straightened and backed up a step, watching his software reconstruct the scene. An outline of a figure knelt next to the outline of the weapons case, then stood with it and placed it back on the shelf above, glancing around.

DEVIANT TOOK THE FATHERS GUN

He was a step closer to understanding what happened. Turning away, he walked out of the room and back towards the general area he had came from. 

UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED
SEARCH HOSTAGE'S ROOM

The android turned to his right, and made his way over to an open door which showed a childs room, with purple decorating most of it. Stepping inside, he glanced around, scanning for something of use. Stepping up to the desk on the right wall, he noticed a tablet laying on the surface.

EXAMINE

Picking it up, he swiped right to play the video open on the screen. The screen changed to show the little girl, Emma, and a dark haired android next to her. They looked to be in a park. They were both smiling wide.

"This is Skeppy, the coolest android in the world! Say hi, Skeppy!"

"Hello."

"You're my bestie! We'll always be together!"

DEVIANTS NAME:
SKEPPY

56% PROBABILITY OF SUCCESS
INFORMATION FOUND

Ranboo set the tablet back down, turning around to look around the rest of the room. A faint tune could be heard near the bed. Stepping around it, he saw a discarded headset laying on the floor.

LISTEN

He picked it up and put it to his ear. The music was still playing loudly.

CHILD DIDN'T HEAR GUNSHOTS

59% PROBABILITY OF SUCCESS
INFORMATION FOUND

UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED
HOSTAGES ROOM SEARCHED

Ranboo gave one more short glance around the room and determined there was nothing more to learn here, promptly turning and walking out again. He went straight, dodging around the officers around him, and made his way to the living room where a body lay on the shattered coffee table. 

UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED
HOSTAGES ROOM SEARCHED
EXAMINE THE VICTIMS 

ANALYZE

Behind him, he made note of the voices around. "All units, hold positions. The negotiator's going in."

He knelt next to the corpse and began to analyze the body for clues as to what happened. 

0/4 CLUES TO ANALYZE

First, he directed his sight to the mans face. 

CONNECTING
SYNC IN PROGRESS
SYNC DONE
COLLECTING DATA
PROCESSING DATA
100%

DECEASED
PHILLIPS, JOHN
Height: 6'0" - Weight: 187.2 lbs
Estimated time of death: 07:29 pm

1/4 CLUES TO ANALYZE

Then he looked to the bullet wound on his shoulder. 

CONNECTING
SYNC IN PROGRESS
SYNC DONE
COLLECTING DATA
PROCESSING DATA
100%

.355 BULLET WOUND
Upper lung hermorrhage
Pneumothorax

2/4 CLUES TO ANALYZE

The bullet wound in his side.

CONNECTING
SYNC IN PROGRESS
SYNC DONE
COLLECTING DATA
PROCESSING DATA
100%

.355 BULLET WOUND
Left kidney perforated
Fatal abdominal trauma

3/4 CLUES TO ANALYZE

Lastly, the third bullet wound in his middle.

CONNECTING
SYNC IN PROGRESS
SYNC DONE
COLLECTING DATA
PROCESSING DATA
100%

.355 BULLET WOUND
Lower lung hemorrhage
Internal bleeding

4/4 CLUES TO ANALYZE
RECONSTRUCT CALCULATED

Ranboo straightened, starting the reconstruction. He watched the model of the man fly back up till he was calmly seated again, looking at an object he held.

FATHER WAS HOLDING SOMETHING

EVENTS ANALYZED 1/2

He turned it back again, watching the object fly to the side when the father got shot, into a dark corner he doubted anyone would have looked. 

EVENTS ANALYZED 2/2

RECONSTRUCT COMPLETED

Ranboo exited the reconstruction process, standing and turning to the right. A tablet lay there, a small blood splatter on the side. 

61% PROBABILITY OF SUCCESS
INFORMATION FOUND

TAKE

Lifting the tablet to his face, he swiped on the screen to unlock it. It still worked, evidently, as the screen came to life to show an order of a newer housekeeping android than Skeppy would be.

"Your order for the AP700 android has been registered. Cyberlife thanks you for your purchase."

Ranboo turned to look sharply back at the body of the father. 

DEVIANT WAS GOING TO BE REPLACED

66% PROBABILITY OF SUCCESS
INFORMATION FOUND

Ranboo stood and turned around just as two loud gunshots echoed, and one SWAT member by the glass doors fell backwards, body jerking with the force. 

"Holy shit! Cover me while I evacuate him." Another member said, quickly going to drag the wounded person aside. 

"Man down! I repeat, man down! Requesting immediate evac!"

Ranboo watched the two stumble away while others took their place. Once they'd passed, he crossed into the dining room area, where a wounded - and dead - police officer lay on the floor. 

ANALYZE

DPD OFFICER WAS A FIRST RESPONDER

0/3 CLUES TO ANALYZE

Ranboo looked to the mans face.

CONNECTING
SYNC IN PROGRESS
SYNC DONE
COLLECTING DATA
PROCESSING DATA
100%

DECEASED
P.O DECKART, ANTONY
Height: 5'8" - Weight: 170.5 lbs
Estimated time of death: 08:03 pm

1/3 CLUES TO ANALYZE

Ranboo next looked to the bullet wound on the mans chest.

CONNECTING
SYNC IN PROGRESS
SYNC DONE
COLLECTING DATA
PROCESSING DATA
100%

.355 BULLET WOUND
Right heart ventricle perforated
Internal bleeding

2/3 CLUES TO ANALYZE

Then he looked at his outstretched hand.

CONNECTING
SYNC IN PROGRESS
SYNC DONE
COLLECTING DATA
PROCESSING DATA
100%

GUNSHOT RESIDUE
Lead styphnate, antimony sulfide
Only one shot

3/3 CLUES TO ANALYZE

RECONSTRUCT

Ranboo reconstructed the scene, watching the model of the dead man stand and aim a gun past him. Turning his head, he saw the figures of the deviant and hostage. 

HOSTAGE WITNESSED THE SHOOTING

EVENTS ANALYZED 1/3

He moved further ahead. 

COP SHOT THE DEVIANT

EVENTS ANALYZED 2/3

He then rewound it again, watching the gun in the cops hands being flung under the table and out of sight.

WEAPON LOCATED

EVENTS ANALYZED 3/3

RECONSTRUCT COMPLETED

Ranboo exited the reconstructment again and stood, turning towards where the gun lay just out of his view.

69% PROBABILITY OF SUCCESS
INFORMATION FOUND

UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED
HOSTAGES ROOM SEARCHED
VICTIMS EXPLAINED

He walked around the table, crouching to look under and spotted the gun.

REACH

He picked up the gun. 

CONNECTING
SYNC IN PROGRESS
SYNC DONE
COLLECTING DATA
PROCESSING DATA
100%

P.L. 544-7 AMERICAN ANDROIDS ACT - 2029
Androids are strictly forbidden to carry or use any type of weapon. 

TAKE

PUT BACK

TAKE

Ranboo sticks the weapon under his belt in his pants, hooked out enough to grab it just in case it's needed. He then stood and walked around to the stove in the kitchen. 

TURN OFF

He quickly shut off the element that was boiling over whatever had been in the pot. 

FAMILY WAS ABOUT TO HAVE DINNER

Ranboo stood and walked back towards the table, looking for any more clues that could be of use. 

"That cop is alive, I saw his leg move..." Someone commented in a hushed voice. 

He stepped up to a splatter of blue android blood. 

ANALYZE

He knelt next to it, dipping two fingers in it and bringing them to his mouth to lick. 

CONNECTING
SYNC IN PROGRESS
SYNC DONE
COLLECTING DATA
PROCESSING DATA
100%

FRESH BLUE BLOOD
Model PL600 - Serial #369 911 047
Android wounded

DEVIANT MODEL
PL600

71% PROBABILITY OF SUCCESS
INFORMATION FOUND

He stood again, and stepped a foot to the side where a childs shoe was laying on the ground. Kneeling next to it, he picked it up and lifted it closer to him.

ANALYZE

CONNECTING
SYNC IN PROGRESS
SYNC DONE
COLLECTING DATA
PROCESSING DATA
100%

CHILD SIZE SHOE
Colorful model
Human blood traces

HOSTAGE COULD BE WOUNDED

76% PROBABILITY OF SUCCESS

INFORMATION FOUND

Ranboo set the shoe back down and stood, turning to the area where two officers were hiding behind a wall between two glass doors. He silently made his way over and pushed the curtain back just a bit, peeking through to see the deviant - Skeppy - holding the child - Emma - hostage. A gun was in its hands, aimed at the girls head.

SAVE HOSTAGE AT ALL COSTS
HOSTAGE LOCATED

Ranboo straightened, moving to the open door and pushed back the bit of cloth in the way, stepping out. Almost immediately there is a gun trained on him and a gunshot ran out, a short scream coming from Emma as it happened. The bullet grazed his arm as he turned to avoid a worse shot, a splatter of blue blood hitting the glass behind him.

"Stay back!" He glanced at the stain then slowly looked up to make eye contact with the deviant. "Don't come any closer or I'll jump!" The gun was still aimed directly at him.

"No! No please! I'm begging you!" Emma shrieked. 

Skeppy aimed the gun back at Emma's head. Ranboo assessed the situation, looking around. There were red and blue flashing lights coming from behind the deviant, which meant there were police down there. He could hear and see officers running up on the roofs of surrounding buildings, likely aiming to shoot the deviant but Emma making it impossible to do it safely. There was a helicopter flying in circles above them.

Ranboo looks back to the deviant. 

NAME

"Hi, Skeppy." He shouted over the noise.

"How-"

"My name is Ranboo."

"How do you know my name?"

"I know a lot of things about you. I've come to get you out of this." He slowly began to step forward, raising his hands just slightly. 

The helicopter flew by again, a lot closer this time. Chairs and other things on the roof were pushed aside with the force.

%62 PROBABILITY OF SUCCESS
DEVIANT DESTABALIZING

SAVE HOSTAGE AT ALL COSTS
HOSTAGE LOCATED
GAIN DEVIANTS TRUST
APPROACH SLOWLY

CALM
RELEASE HOSTAGE
REASSURE SKEPPY
EMPATHIZE

REASSURE SKEPPY

Ranboo made his way over to the wounded cop near the edge of the roof slowly as he spoke. "I'm not going to hurt you. I just want to talk and find a solution."

Skeppy glared. "Talk? I don't wanna talk. It's too late for that now. It's too late..."

Ranboo didn't respond to that, having reached the cop and kneeling beside him. 

"Please...please help me..." The man whispered.

The android looked up to the deviant again. "He's losing blood. If we don't get him to a hospital, he's going to die."

"All humans die eventually. What does it matter if this one dies now?"

Ranboo shook his head. "I'm going to apply a tourniquet."

Skeppy didn't like that. "Don't touch him! Touch him and I kill you!"

IGNORE
OBEY

IGNORE

"You can't kill me. I'm not alive." Ranboo said, proceeding with helping the officer. He worked quickly and stood again. 

PUBLIC OPINION ^

He took a few steps forward before the gun was trained on him again, causing him to slow. "Are you armed?" Skeppy shouted.

LIE
TRUTH

TRUTH

"Yes." Ranboo called back. "I have a gun."

"Drop it. No sudden moves or I'll shoot."

Ranboo carefully pulls the weapon from his belt and throws it to the side, far out of reach. "There," he says, "no more gun."

71% PROBABILITY OF SUCCESS
DEVIANT STABILIZING

POSSIBLE CAUSE
EMMA AND YOU
REALISTIC
DEFECTIVE

POSSIBLE CAUSE

"They were going to replace you and you became upset. That's what happened, right?" He asked, knowing the answer.

Skeppy hesitated for a moment. "I thought I was part of the family. I thought I mattered..." It then grew more aggressive, pushing the gun into Emma's head again. "But I was just their toy, something to throw away when you're done with it..."

EMMA AND YOU
REALISTIC
BLAMING
DEFECTIVE

EMMA AND YOU

Ranboo takes another step. "I know you and Emma were very close. You think she betrayed you - but she's done nothing wrong."

"She lied to me... I thought she loved me... but I was wrong... She's just like all the other humans..."

Emma let out a small sob. "Skeppy, no..."

81% PROBABILITY OF SUCCESS
DEVIANT STABILIZING

REALISTIC
BLAMING
SYMPATHETIC
DEFECTIVE

SYMPATHETIC

"Listen, I know it's not your fault." Ranboo states, inching his way closer. "These emotions you're feeling are just errors in your software."

"No, it's not my fault... I never wanted this... I loved them, you know...but I was nothing to them...just a slave to be ordered around..." 

97% PROBABILITY OF SUCCESS
DEVIANT STABILIZING

Skeppy suddenly brought its hand to its head in frustration. "Urgggh...I can't stand that noise anymore!" It shouted. "Tell that helicopter to get out of here!"

Ranboo looks up to the helicopter.

ACCEPT
REFUSE

ACCEPT

Ranboo waves a hand to the helicopter. A second later it flew off, taking the noise and wind with it. "There. I did what you wanted."

99% PROBABILITY OF SUCCESS
DEVIANT STABILIZING

LAST CHANCE
TRUST
BLUFF
RATIONAL

TRUST

"You have to trust me, Skeppy. Let the hostage go and I promise everything will be fine." Ranboo said, not moving. He was close, moving closer could make the deviant feel threatened into acting rashly. 

"I want everyone to leave... And I wanna car! When I'm outside the city, I'll let her go!" The deviant shouted. 

SACRIFICE SELF
COMPROMISE
REFUSE

COMPROMISE

Ranboo shook his head. "That's impossible, Skeppy. Let the girl go and I promise you won't be hurt." 

Skeppy pauses. "I don't wanna die..."

SACRIFICE SELF
REASSURE
TRUTH

REASSURE

"You're not going to die." Ranboo told it, lifting his hands in a gesture of peace and inching forward one step again. "We're just going to talk. Nothing will happen to you. You have my word."

100% PROBABILITY OF SUCCESS
DEVIANT STABILIZING

Skeppy didn't immediately answer, and tension rose. "Okay...I trust you..." It set down the girl, who hurried to run to a safe distance, tripping and falling next to the pool. Ranboo took note it was her knee that was injured. She turned to watch the rest of the scene. 

As soon as she was safely out of the picture three shots rang out in quick succession, hitting the deviant's arm, side, and jaw. It fell to its knees, slowly looking up to the other android.

"You lied to me, Ranboo."

SOFTWARE INSTABILITY ^

"You lied to me..." Its voice gained a more tinny ring to it as the deviant shut down. 

Ranboo gazed upon the scene once more, hearing someone walking up behind him, before turning and leaving himself without a second glance back.

MISSION SUCCESSFUL

Chapter Text

TW: Alcohol, drugs (mentioned but not used), heavily hinted child abuse, violence, weapon (gun, not used), swearing.

This was a short chapter in the game, so I'm combining it with chapter three (Shades of Color, Markus' intro) and four (A New Home, Kara figures stuff out) to make it a more satisfying length to read.

November 5th, 2038
PM 03:24:07

MODEL TU880

SERIAL#: 579 102 694
BOIS 7.4 REVISION 0483
REBOOT...

MEMORY RESET

LOADING OS...
SYSTEM INITIALIZATION
CHECKING BIOCOMPONENTS...OK
INITIALIZING BIOSENSORS...OK
INITIALIZING AI ENGINE...OK

MEMORY STATUS...
ALL SYSTEMS OK

READY

He blinked, focusing on the scene in front of him. A little girl in a pink jacket stood in front of him, before a woman came up quickly and took her hand. "Come on Zoe, let's go." He watched the two leave, then glanced around him, catching bits of conversation happening.

"...and handles the kids' homework from elementary school up to university level."

"Wow, honey, it looks amazing... This is exactly what we need..."

"...I can't pay for that cash."

"Good afternoon! Can I help you?"

"There it is." He focuses back in front of him again, to see two men walk up. The one in the glasses smiled slightly. "It was a bit difficult getting it back in working order. It was really messed up...what did you say happened to it again?"

The second, wearing a rumpled suit with a very loosened tie, glanced around and cleared his throat. "A car hit it. Stupid accident."

"Oh. I see...anyways, it's good as new now...except that we had to reset it. Meaning we had to wipe its memory. Hope you don't mind!"

The one in the suit shook his head, waving the employee off. "That'll be fine."

The employee nodded, "Okay. Did you give it a name?"

"My son did..."

The employee looked directly at him. "TU880, register your name." He stepped aside and the suited man stepped up.

"Tubbo."

He smiled. "My name is Tubbo."

~oooOOOooo~

November 5th, 2038
AM 09:38:08

Tommy made his way down the path through the short park. Autumn turned trees towered above him, red leaves falling on the dirt and grass. Benches lined the pathway, a few with people sitting on it. As he walked, snippets of conversation could be heard.

"Would you like to go home now?"

"Yes, Rose. Yes, I think that's enough for one day..."

"Here. L- let me help you."

"Oh! Oh, thank you dear."

The blond android continued, passing the old man and his android whom'd been speaking. His mission was to pick up some ordered parts and bring them back home.

A man and his android jogged past Tommy, who moved aside to give them more room. Near the other gate they stopped, the man kneeling over to catch his breath. Tommy continued walking past them, glancing and observing for a single moment.

"Hey. Water."

The android passes over the water bottle attached to its belt. "You have run twelve miles, and are five miles away from your goal."

Tommy watches the man toss the bottle back at his android and running off again, quick to be followed by the machine. The turned around the corner and out of sight as he reaches the end of the park, stepping out onto a sidewalk next to a street.

Currently, the crosswalk was lit up in red, and he stopped and waited as a few cars pass. The crosswalk soon lit up green instead, the cars approaching automatically slowing for people and androids to pass. Tommy made his way across, walking briskly, and continuing towards his destination.

He made sure to avoid others paths, dodging around the busy area and ignoring the protesters that shouted against androids. Walking around the fanciful statues and plants, he started down the far end, a small alleyway of sorts lined with different stores; including the one he was headed to.

Tommy marched down about three stores and turned to his left, glancing up at the large sign that read 'Bellini Parts'. Opening the door and letting himself inside, he went up to the counter where another android stood behind it. 

He placed his hand on the scanner installed into the counter, retracting his 'skin' to do so. The android in front of him spoke. "Identification verified." It then reached down below the counter and grabbed a box, setting it in front of Tommy. "Here is your order number eight-four-seven. That will be sixty-three ninety-nine. Please confirm payment."

Tommy nodded, and the blue LED on his forehead lit up yellow and flashed a moment. The android employees did the same. "Payment confirmed."

The employee let go of the box and stepped back. "Transaction complete."

Tommy took the box, tucking it under his arm and walking out of the store again. His next goal was to go back home and deliver the box. Retracing his steps, this time he made his way over to the bus stops towards the right of him. He tightened his grip around the box a tad when he noticed he would have to walk through a group of protesters. 

"What do we want?"

"WORKERS RIGHTS!"

"When do we want it?"

"NOW!"

The shouting continued, different protests all surrounding the same topic; banning androids for good. Tommy slowed to observe for a moment, and the one who seemed to be leading these protests caught sight of him.

The leader stepped in his path. "Where the fuck you going, tin can? Hmm?" Tommy made to move around him, but he stepped in his path again. "No kiddin'...hey guys, check it out, we got one of those tin cans here..."

Tommy stopped trying to move forward when the man kept stepping in his way, as the rest of the group circled around him. A harsh shove came from behind, knocking him onto the ground as the package fell from his arms.

"Look at this motherfucker. You steal our jobs, but you can't even stand up."

"Yeah, yeah!"

"Grab him!"

"Get him down!"

Tommy paused before pushing his arms under him and pushing himself up again, only for another to come up and kick his midsection, knocking him to the ground again. He stopped moving another few seconds before pushing himself back up again, only to be grabbed by the arm and yanked onto his feet once more.

"You ain't going anywhere. We're gonna fuck your bitch ass up." The leader said, switching his grip from Tommy's arm to the front of his shirt. The other protesters shouted their agreement as they watched.

"Yeah, waste it."

"Do it!"

"Alright," a police officer broke into the circle, gently shoving people to the side to get through, "that's enough. Leave it alone."

The leader didn't loosen his grip. He didn't even move. "Let us teach this bastard a lesson."

Tommy stared back into the mans eyes, LED flickering yellow. The cop looked between them again. "You damage it, I'm gonna have to fine you."

That caught the man's attention and he looked away, to the cop, before shoving Tommy back as he let go. Tommy stumbled backwards a moment before regaining his balance. 

The man turned to the officer. "They're gonna take your job next..." He said, jabbing his finger into the cops chest, "we'll see how you like it."

"Okay. Let's go, move along." The cop said to Tommy as he bent to retrieve the package he'd dropped. The cop ushered him along out of the protesters circle, and they soon began their shouting again. 

Tommy just continued to the bus stop, lining up in the androids area and waiting. He was the only one there at the moment. 

The bus came quickly,

and he waited for the door labeled 'ANDROID COMPARTMENT' to come up. It slid open, revealing multiple other androids already there. He stepped inside, standing straight and facing forward as the bus took off again.

~oooOOOooo~

November 5th, 2038
PM 04:53:07

Tubbo watched out the window as the man, who he'd learnt was named J. Schlatt, drove. He observed the buildings they passed. It had looked nice before, with shiny windows and people walking in and out of doors, but now most buildings looked abandoned or burnt down. There was only a few people visible here, usually walking a dog.

Schlatt pulled up to a small, worn down house. The paint was peeling and the colors, if there had been any, were faded to a white, lawn overgrown and windows looked in need of repair. Schlatt left the vehicle, stomping up to the porch and pausing at the door, turning to look at the android. Tubbo quickly made to follow, opening his door and shutting it behind him, walking up the front steps. Schlatt turned and opened the front door to the house, marching in and taking off his coat to hang up. Tubbo followed, turning around to gently close the door before facing Schlatt again.

The man sighed, walking into what looked to be the dining room. "You've  been gone for two weeks, so the place is a mess..." Looking around, Tubbo took note that the whole area indeed was a mess. Dishes piled in the sink, stains were noticeable on every surface, trash laid on the counters. Schlatt turned around to him again. "You do the housework, the washing, you cook the meals, and you take care of..." He trailed off, looking around. "God dammit, where the fuck's the brat gone now? MICHAEL! MICHAEL!" 

He turned around again and looked at the staircase. Tubbo followed his line of sight to see a small boy, maybe eight, sitting on the stairs clutching a small chicken plush. He noticed with interest that the childs hair was a mixture of pink and green, and his right eye was a light shade a blue, the skin surrounding it a patchy area of healed injury, a shade lighter than the rest. A scar. "Oh, there you are... That's Michael. You look after him, homework, bath, all that crap...got it?" 

Tubbo smiled down at Michael then turned back around. "Yes, Schlatt."

"Get started down here, then you do upstairs." Schlatt turned and walked away towards the living room. Michael also left, standing and darting away up the staircase. Tubbo watched the boy go until he was out of sight, then turned to the kitchen to start the cleaning.

His LED flashed a moment as he scanned the environment. Multiple yellow tags popped up, showing him different tasks to do. 

URGENT TASKS
COLLECT TRASH

OPTIONAL TASKS
COLLECT DISHES
ACTIVATE VACUUM CLEANER
CHECK THE BACKYARD

He turned to his right, where dirty dishes lay on the table. Walking over he quickly collected them, piling it on one arm and turning back to the kitchen. He noticed Michael had come back downstairs, walking quietly to the table Tubbo just left. As the android walked to the sink, the phone rang, Schlatt answering. 

"Yeah?" ... "Maybe..." ... "Depends on what you need..." ... "Yeah, yeah, I can get that." ... "Yeah, yeah, I'll bring it tomorrow." ... "Yeah, same place, you know, you know where." ... "Right."

Tubbo turned to the left, noticing a dishwasher there. Maybe he could use that?

SCAN

DISHWASHER NOT WORKING
Missing component #573BV
154 sale offers available

MISSING COMPONENT #573BV
ORDER: ..........PROCESSING
COMPONENT #573BV ORDERED

His LED flashed yellow during this, then turned back blue after. Turning around to the sink again, placing the dishes inside. 

"TV on." Came Schlatt's voice from the living room. Tubbo grabbed the dish soap and sponge, squirting some soap onto it and turned on the water, scrubbing at the dirty dishes and placing them in the basket next to the sink for them to air dry. 

He sensed someone watching him, pausing his washing to turn around and see Michael standing in the entryway to the kitchen. They started at each other for another moment until the boy turned and ran off again. Tubbo turned back to his washing, smiling gently.

It wasn't until he finished washing that Schlatt spoke again. "Tubbo!"

"Yes Schlatt?"

"Bring me a drink!"

"Right away."

"Oh man."

Tubbo shut off the running water and dried his hands, walking to the fridge and opening it. Leaning down, he reached for one of the alcoholic drinks tipped on its side, noticing the large lack of food and other beverages other than condiments and some eggs. Grabbing the alcohol and closing the fridge, he turned and brought the drink over the Schlatt. He set it down on the table, noticing he was watching a hockey match, then left again to move onto another chore. 

He noticed a small vacuum plugged into the wall near the TV. Walking towards it, he squatted and pressed a button, the machine lighting up and starting to work. He watched it cross the living room into the dining room, where Michael jumped out and into its way, playing. 

OPTIONAL TASKS
DISHES COLLECTED
ACTIVATED VACUUM CLEANER
CHECK THE BACKYARD

"Michael! You better stop that right now!" Schlatt shouted at the young boy, who immediately stopped and backed off again. "Why is he always pushin' me? Always pushin'..." 

Tubbo turned to the coffee table and saw the amount of trash on it, reaching towards it before stopping, his LED giving a small flash. 

COLLECT TRASH IN TRASH BIN

URGENT TASKS
TAKE TRASH BIN

He left to the kitchen again, picking up said bin and turning to survey how much he'd need to pick up.

COLLECT TRASH

CLEAN KITCHEN
CLEAN COUNTER
CLEAN COFFEE TABLE

He turned to the counter first, quickly knocking different beer cans, beer bottles, empty take out boxes, and old empty pizza boxes into the bin. Then he turned to the kitchen counters, doing the same. There was more pizza boxes than other things here. Then he went back to the living room to collect the beer bottles, cans, and pizza boxes sitting there. He moved quickly, and soon the bin was full and the trash was gone.

COLLECT TRASH
CLEANED KITCHEN
CLEANED COUNTER
CLEANED COFFEE TABLE

He took the trash bag out, tightening the top and setting it down next to one other sitting there, replacing the bag in the bin and placing that back in its spot before returning to the trash bags and picking them up. 

TAKE OUT THE TRASH

Tubbo marched back to the front door, placing a bag down to open it before grabbing it again, then walking down outside to the large garbage bin outside the house down by the street. 

He manuevered the bags into one hand to open the bin, dropping the bags inside then turning back to the house again.

URGENT TASKS
TOOK OUT TRASH

He took notice that there was a bus stop just one house down from theirs, a bus pulling up at that moment to pick someone up. He paused to watch for a second but didn't stay for long, quickly walking back inside and shutting the door carefully behind him.

"What the fuck, man?" He turned, but Schlatt wasn't nearby. He was fixing the TV, which had suddenly gone black. The screen flickered back to life and Schlatt sat back down to watch again.

URGENT TASKS
TOOK OUT TRASH
REPORT TO SCHLATT

He hesitated. There was more work to be done on the first floor. Tubbo decided to do that before reporting back, turning to walk through a doorway in the kitchen which led to a washing room, and another doorway into the backyard. Making his way over and outside, he walked over to the laundry hung up across a stretch of a tree and the fence. 

OPTIONAL TASKS

DISHES WASHED

ACTIVATE VACUUM CLEANER
TAKE DOWN LAUNDRY

A red laundry basket lay on its side next to the tree. Tubbo picked it up, resting it on his hip and moving to unclip the laundry and place it in the basket. Turning around, he looks to the back porch and sees Michael coming down the steps and wandering to the side. He gave the boy a small smile as he passed to go back inside.

OPTIONAL TASKS
DISHES WASHED

ACTIVATE VACUUM CLEANER
REWASH LAUNDRY

Michael sat down on a large wheel laying flat on the grass in front of the back porch, still playing with his bee plush. 

Tubbo walked over to the child and kneeled in front of him, smiling gently as he set down the laundry basket next to him. Michael held the plush just a bit closer to him, staring at the ground.

Tubbo smiled gently. "You like playing out here?"

He didn't get an answer, but Michael did glance up at him for a second. He decided to try again. "It's not very nice out. You might catch a cold, I could get you a sweater if you want."

Michael stayed quiet and looked at him again, before standing up and walking back inside. Tubbo let him leave, picking up the laundry and going back in the way he came - into the laundry room. 

The android set the basket down on the dryer and reached inside, taking clothes out and dropping them in the wash. Once everything was in, he stopped and looked around for a detergent, spotting it sitting up on a nearby shelf. He reached over and grabbed it, about to dump it in before noticing a bit of plastic sticking out the top.

Reaching in and taking it out, it was a small plastic package filled with many little clumps of a red substance. Tubbo analyzed it to know what it was.

RED ICE
Acetone, Lithium, Thirium, Toluene, Hydrochloric acid

Tubbo stared at the drug when his sensors told him someone was behind him. Turning his head slightly, a sudden hand wrapped itself around his neck and pushed him back into the shelf. His neck connected with the wood, which was so high up his feet couldn't reach the ground as he was held there. His LED flashed red in alarm. Had he been human, he wouldn't have been able to breath.

Looking up, his assailant was Schlatt, who looked definitely drunk and possibly high as well.  "You shouldn't mess around with my stuff." Schlatt said, his face close to Tubbo's. "It makes me nervous..."

Tubbo tried to nod. "I'm sorry Schlatt."

Schlatt looked down and snatched the red ice from his hands, and lifted it as he gestured to make a point. "You stay the fuck outta my business, unless you wanna piss me off...you wanna piss me off?"

Tubbo shook his head just barely. "No Schlatt."

Schlatt stared him down a moment longer before nodding, putting him down and leaving again backwards, keeping his eyes on Tubbo until he left. 

Tubbo stood and watched him go, his LED slowly turning yellow as the danger was gone. As Schlatt finally walked out completely, Tubbo's gaze lowered to see Michael, who must've witnessed the whole thing. The child also turned and left too, and Tubbo dropped his head a bit, ignoring the...something that he could've sworn was guilt, but he was a robot. A machine. He didn't feel things, much less emotions.

Straightening again, he turned back to the laundry once more and continued to finish the task, LED returning to the peaceful blue.

OPTIONAL TASKS
DISHES WASHED
ACTIVATE VACUUM CLEANER
REWASHED LAUNDRY

URGENT TASKS
TOOK OUT TRASH
REPORT TO SCHLATT

Tubbo started back towards the living room, but before making his presence known he noticed a few more things to tidy in said room. Walking over and kneeling down, he picked up the different books and a few small binders and stood, placing them on the bookshelf in the wall. Glancing once more around the house he felt he was finished, and turned back to Schlatt.

"I've made a good start down here. I'll head upstairs." He said, arms crossed behind his back.

Schlatt didn't look at him, just waved him off. "Do what you have to do but stop botherin' me."

Tubbo nodded, leaving through the kitchen, pausing once more before the stairway when he noticed Michael sitting near the window in the kitchen, playing with the stuffed chicken again. 

Changing his route for a moment, he walked over and kneeled down next to the child, smiling. "That's a pretty toy...what's it's name?" He asked softly.

Michael paused in his playing to glance up at Tubbo. The kid just sat there and didn't say anything, so after a moment Tubbo nodded and stood again, making his way back to the staircase. Reaching the top, he scanned the area to check what his tasks were.

URGENT TASKS
TIDY SCHLATT'S ROOM
TIDY MICHAEL'S ROOM

OPTIONAL TASKS
CLEAN BATHROOM

Tubbo stepped into the first room, which looked to belong to Schlatt. 

TIDY SCHLATT'S ROOM
MAKE BED
CLEAN MESS
VENTILATE ROOM

He started with the mess, picking up objects off the floor and setting them out of the way, then tidying the mess of papers and books and other things so it looked more organized. Turning to the bed, he quickly took the blankets and gave a sharp yank, setting them straight and flat across the mattress. Hearing footsteps, he glanced to the door for a second to see Michael walking carefully down the hall, before going back to the task at hand.

Finishing the bed, he began to tidy the garbage of snacks and empty alcohol bottles on the bedside tables and the desk at the far end of the room. Coming back around to the right side, he finished cleaning the garbage from every surface and threw the collected trash out. 

Then he moved over to the window, staring for a moment before tucking his hands under the bottom ledge and lifting it up so air could get in better. 

TIDY SCHLATT'S ROOM
MADE BED
CLEAN MESS
VENTILATED ROOM

Noticing some papers on a dresser next to the window he stepped over and picked them up, organizing them into a neater pile. As he did so a few fell out of his loose grip and to the floor. Tubbo paused, setting down the pile and crouching to pick the fallen pages up.

He slowed as he saw what was on the front. He stared at it, LED flashing yellow as he glanced out the doorway, making connections quickly. But he soon ignored it, setting the paper back in the pile, continuing his organizing and pushing them to the side so they were neat and out of the way. 

TIDY SCHLATT'S ROOM
MADE BED
CLEANED MESS
VENTILATED ROOM

Technically, his task was done. But he could spot a few other things he could make neater. He stepped to the right bedside table, noticing a bottle of prescription pills sitting on its side. Picking it up, he glanced at the label and analyzed it.

ANTIDEPRESSANT
Contains Tianeptine
Risk of behavioral disorders

Tubbo quickly opened the drawer of the table to set the pills inside, unsure if Schlatt would be mad for him touching these after the incident during the laundry. He again slowed his movements when he opened the drawer, laying the pill bottle down next to a small handgun. Quickening his movements once more, he shut the drawer and turned away. 

With nothing else to do, he decided to leave the room and move on to the next task. Stepping out the door, he was immediately shoved back by Schlatt, who was leaving what seemed to be the bathroom.

"Watch it," the man growled, stalking off back downstairs. Tubbo watched him go silently.

OPTIONAL TASKS
CLEAN BATHROOM
CLEAN BATHROOM

He stepped into the first bathroom, one which Schlatt just left, and made quick work of cleaning it. He was done quickly, and closed the door behind him, walking down to the second bathroom down the hall.

CLEAN BATHROOM
ARRANGE BOTTLES
STORE DIRTY CLOTHES

Tubbo knelt next to the bathtub, quickly organizing the array of shampoo, conditioner, and body washes so they were neatly in line next to the wall. Then he turned to the laundry basket right behind him, quickly throwing the dirty clothes laid on the floor into said basket and shutting the lid. 

CLEAN BATHROOM
ARRANGED BOTTLES
STORED DIRTY CLOTHES
MOP FLOOR

The android stood and turned to the door, seeing the mop sitting just behind it. He walked over and grabbed it, pushing it back and forth across the floor, leaving the tiles clean and shiny. Satisfied with his work, he set the mop back and left the bathroom.

CLEAN BATHROOM
ARRANGED BOTTLES
STORED DIRTY CLOTHES
MOPPED FLOOR

OPTIONAL TASKS
CLEANED BATHROOM
CLEANED BATHROOM

URGENT TASKS
TIDIED SCHLATT'S ROOM
TIDY MICHAEL'S ROOM

He looked at the door straight across from him. A few child-made drawings in what looked like crayon decorated the bottom of the door, and Tubbo smiled at the sight. Stepping forward he gently pushed the door open, peeking inside.

Michael glanced up in alarm from his spot laying on his stomach on the floor, and quickly scrambled up and backwards into a small play tent made of spare sheets and fairy lights in the corner. 

Tubbo gave the boy a soft smile he hoped seemed friendly. "I just want to tidy your room a little." He told the child, stepping in further and letting the door swing shut. "I only need two minutes. Is that okay, Michael?"

TIDY MICHAEL'S ROOM
MAKE BED
VENTILATE ROOM

Michael didn't answer, which Tubbo expected, so he stepped further in and set to work. He made quick work of tidying, picking up a few toys and books on the floor to put away, making the bed, and opening the window. He paused there to lean out the window just a bit, noticing how one could drop to the overhang roof below and make it to the sidewalk without much trouble...

Pushing that thought away quickly he leant back again, turning to observe the room and noting that everything seemed put away. Perhaps he could get something out of Michael now?

TIDIED MICHAEL'S ROOM

URGENT TASKS
TIDIED SCHLATT'S ROOM
TIDIED MICHAEL'S ROOM
TALK TO MICHAEL

Tubbo stepped over to the entrance of the kids little makeshift tent, kneeling down a little ways from him. He waited a short moment to think of something to say.

"I'm sure we used to be friends before I was reset." He started gently. "Maybe we can be friends again."

Michael paused in his playing with the chicken, glancing at Tubbo for a small moment and looking just slightly more welcome to his presence.

The android decided this would be a chance to continue. "Your father said you chose my name. Tubbo, it's nice. How did you choose it?"

The child stayed quiet and mostly kept his eyes to the ground. Tubbo waited patiently a bit longer before thinking that perhaps Michael wasn't going to speak. "You're very quiet. I hope I don't scare you."

Michael suddenly crawled out of his space, chicken still in his small clutch, and ran past him. Tubbo turned with him to watch, hoping he hadn't said anything wrong, when Michael stopped and turned around to run back and press something small into his hand. Then the child ran back out of the room. Tubbo heard his steps quickly down the hall and steps, then looked at his hand.

A small, bronze key sat in his palm.

Tubbo stood up, looking up to try and spot where the key would go, and noticed an apparently locked box on the young boys dresser.

Stepping over, he gave the key a try and it worked, easily opening the lid up. Inside lay a few objects, small things that a child like Michael would normally be attached to at his age.

Slowly, Tubbo went through each object, carefully setting them to the side. A pressed four leafed clover; a picture of Schlatt, a woman Tubbo assumed to be his wife, and...a child. A completely different child from Michael, though. He set it aside and moved on, and picked up the next thing - a stack of childrens drawings. 

Tubbo smiled gently, but the smile quickly dropped again when he saw what the picture was of. It was Michael, in his blue overalls and bee-themed sweater, but he was crying. His right eye was covered in red- blood, Tubbo realized with a shock of...something rushing through him. Was that how he ended up with his scar?

He moved onto the next picture. It was of Michael again, this time Schlatt was stood next to him. The blood was gone but where it had been was drawn in with a lighter color, to represent the large mark left behind. Schlatt stood beside, drawn in his black suit, an angry look on his face. The two were holding hands.

The next picture there were three figures. Tubbo was in it this time. Michael was stood to the side, looking sad, while Schlatt yelled at the drawing of Tubbo. 

The picture after that, only Tubbo and Michael were drawn. Michael was drawn crying again, and Tubbo was on the ground, his entire arm ripped off and blue drawn around it - blue blood.

The android quickly figured out what Michael was telling him by sharing his key, LED flashing yellow and red. There was never a car. Tubbo had been fixed and reset because Schlatt was abusive, and had beaten Tubbo enough he'd needed to get nearly remade.

Tubbo felt another shock of something go through him. Michael wasn't safe here. Neither was he. Had he been reset because Schlatt took it out on him, or had Tubbo figured this out last time and tried to defend the child and failing?

He didn't know. 

He did know he couldn't afford to fail this time.

Gathering the different papers and clover, he placed them back in the box, careful to lock it again. He left the key in the slot for Michael to find again, Schlatt didn't act like he'd care enough to examine the kids room and find it.

He left the bedroom, shutting the door and walking back downstairs, his prior mission of going to Schlatt for new orders coming back. Halfway down the staircase, Schlatt started speaking, and Tubbo slowed to look up and watch what was happening.

Michael was at the table with his chicken. Schlatt was walking up to him. "What are you doing?"

"I...I'm playing..." Came Michael's answer. That was the first Tubbo had heard him speak. His LED flashed yellow again, something seemed off about what was happening.

"You're playing..." Schlatt scoffed, walking around to the other side of the table. "I know what you're thinking...you think your dad's a lowlife...huh? Fucking loser? ...Can't get a job, take care of his family?" He'd made it all the way around, back to Tubbo and facing Michael. "Don't you think I tried to make things work?"

Tubbo could hear the danger in his voice as it got louder. 

Schlatt walked back around to Michael's side. The child set down his stuffed chicken. "But whatever I do, when someone comes along they just FUCK IT ALL UP!" The man grabbed the empty chair in front of him and threw it to the side. Tubbo stepped back as it harshly hit the floor just next to the staircase. 

Schlatt stepped closer to Michael. "I know what you think of me...you hate me...you hate me, don't you?" 

Michael had tried to stumble backwards out of the chair as Schlatt reached forward quickly, the chair being knocked over as the man grabbed Michael under his arms and lifted him up just above his head. Tubbo's LED was flashing red as the man shook the child, yelling now. "SAY IT! YOU HATE ME!" 

Michael had begun to silently cry, and just as Tubbo had taken another step down the stairs, Schlatt started to set him back down on the floor with a distraught look. "God what am I doing? I'm sorry honey, I'm sorry...I'm sorry...you know I love you, don't you?...you know I love you..."

Michael stood frozen as Schlatt apologized, head resting on the childs chest, and he made eye contact with Tubbo. Tubbo was still unmoving on the staircase, watching and trying to figure out what was pushing inside his chest as Schlatt moved to hold Michael in a hug.

All he could really try figure out was how he was going to get this kid out of the house for good.

Chapter Text

TW: Swearing, violence, mention of gambling (very loose, could be interpreted as something else), mention of explosion, taking medicine (not much detail).

November 5th, 2038
AM 9:58:07

The bus came to a slow stop next to one of the stations in the neighborhood, the door opening and a blonde android stepping out. Tommy made it to the sidewalk and turned to the left as the bus took off again, walking forward towards his destination.

Turning up a large driveway, he made his way towards the doorway of the old brick mansion. It was surrounded by perfectly manicured bushes and trees, the driveway itself having two small stone pillars lining it at the entry, lanterns on top to light up in the dark. 

Tommy stepped up to the doorway, slowing a second as the door opened on its own.

"Alarm deactivated. Welcome home, Tommy."

The front room was dark other than the light streaming in from the windows before the lights automatically turned on. Tommy set the box he carried on the small table pushed against the wall, then stepped forward and knelt next to the bird cage. Opening the cage door and reaching in, he carefully picked up the two robotic birds one by one and turned them on, closing the door again after.

Then, hanging up his coat on the coat rack, checked his tasks again.

TAKE CARE OF WILBUR
WAKE WILBUR UPSTAIRS

Tommy went up the staircase, onto a small landing above the front entry. There were a few different instruments laying against the walls, and music sheets of more hung up like paintings. He stepped through another doorway which led to a small landing above the next room, a large living/dining room area, and turned to the right until he was met with another doorway. It slid open silently, letting him in, and slid shut again after he stepped inside.

The room inside was very dark, he couldn't make much out of the darkness. He walked across the room and opened the curtains with a large 'whoosh', then turned to see Wilbur now awake in his bed.

The man let out a small groan at the sudden light, throwing an arm over his eyes. Tommy smiled. "Good morning, Wilbur."

"Good mornin'." Wil grunted, sitting up in his bed. 

"It's ten AM. The weather's partly cloudy, fifty-four degrees, eighty percent humidity, with a strong possibility of afternoon showers."

Wilbur snorted, giving Tommy a small grin. "Sounds like a good day to spend in bed." He said, pushing himself to lean up against the headboard.

Tommy smirked slightly, walking to the mans bedside to pick up his medicine. "I did go to pick up the parts you ordered."

"Oh yeah, I'd forgotten." He paused. "That's the difference between us, huh, Toms? You never forget."

Tommy rolled his eyes. "Give me your hand, Wilbur."

Wil gave a cheeky grin. "No."

"William." Tommy frowned, giving in to the playful banter.

He huffed slightly and did as asked. Tommy counted out the needed amount of meds from the few bottles, helping the man by giving him water to down them. Once finished he started closing the bottles and putting them in their designated spots.

Wilbur sighed. "Just opened my eyes and already needed help functioning. Humans are so fragile. We break down so easily but go through so much effort to keep us going."

Tommy shrugged slightly. "I'd assume to some people it's worth it to see them around longer. Or to them worth it stay longer." 

A hand grabbing his shoulder caught his attention, gently tugging him to turning to face Wilbur more. "Hey, what happened to your clothes?" The brunette asked, concern etched in his expression.

"Nothing," Tommy told him, "just some protesters in the street, Wil."

He scowled, letting go. "What a bunch of idiots. They think they can stop progress by roughing up a few androids? I hope they didn't harm you."

Tommy smiled reassuringly. "Nah, can't hurt Big Man Tommy. Just pushed me around a bit. I'm fine." He finished reorganizing the medicine bottles. "Okay, time for you to shower."

He carried the man into the connected bathroom and closed the door behind him, letting him do what he needed to. As Wilbur did that, he remade the bed and grabbed the wheelchair from the other side, pushing it around to the door of the bathroom. Wil gave a two patterned knock on the door, letting Tommy know he was done, and the android came in to help him into the chair.

Wilbur scowled just slightly at the thing. "Hate that I need to use it. Makes me feel useless, can't even walk down the stairs." He stubbornly swat Tommy away from the handles like always, pushing himself out of the room.

Tommy followed. "Well, it isn't the wheelchair's fault you where caught in an explosion."

He rolled his eyes. "No, you're right. I can be petty though."

The android chuckled, helping him onto the latch attached to the wall meant to carry the chair down the staircase. "Yes, you can."

"Anything special on the agenda today?" Wil asked as they went down the staircase.

"Yes, there's the opening of your latest creation at the Modern Art and Music Museum. The director's left you four messages asking to confirm your attendance."

"I haven't decided yet. We'll see about that later."

Tommy nodded. They reached the bottom and he helped Wilbur off the latch there, and the man quickly pushed himself forward again. "What else?"

"Just your usual fanmail. I've already answered."

"Any news from Fundy?"

Tommy paused. "..No, Wil. I could call him, if you'd like?"

Wilbur slowed for a moment. "No. No, don't bother."

They reached the living room, Wilbur wheeling around to the dining table as Tommy stepped to a doorway on the left leading to the kitchen. "I'm starving."

"Well, your breakfast is ready. Bacon and egg just the way you like them."

"Thank you, Toms."

"You're welcome."

Tommy stepped into the kitchen and towards the silver platter sitting on the kitchen island. Quickly gathering up what was left, setting the plate in the middle of the tray and placing the teapot in the corner, he picked up the tray and walked back over to the living room. 

Wilbur looked over again when the door slid open, smiling widely at Tommy as he brought over the food and placed it in front of the man. He laid out the utensils and poured the tea into the cup, before taking what was remaining and unneeded and putting it back on the tray to be cleaned up later.

"Thank you, Tommy. Television," Wilbur looked forwards again as the TV in front of the table flickered on, a news channel showing. 

As Tommy finished with the breakfast, Wilbur turned his attention to him again. "Why don't you find something to do while I finish my breakfast?"

"Okay, Wilbur." Tommy nodded, walking off to the rest of the living room.

He glanced around, scanning his options. There was the bookshelves; Wilbur had recommended he read Macbeth recently. There was also chess, though it was two-player; he could play against himself but that takes something out of it. 

Tommy looked towards the piano sitting in the corner of the room, Wilbur's favorite guitar leaning on the wall next to it. Smiling slightly, he walked over, seating himself on the piano bench and placing his hands on the keys. 

Then, he played. 

He wasn't sure what song he was playing. Maybe it wasn't one. He closed his eyes, listening to the music, swaying with it as it drifted. It made him...feel something. He wasn't sure what, or if it was possible. 

A light strum of a guitar joined him, and he opened his eyes again to see Wilbur had come over and picked up his own instrument, starting to play with him. They shared a smile and continued. They kept it lasting for a few minutes, then Wilbur stopped strumming with him and he slowed his playing down to an ending.

They sat in silence a moment before Wilbur spoke up. "Something's changed in the way you play...sometime's I think you have more humanity than most humans..."

Before Tommy could ask about it, Wil continued. "One day, I won't be here to take care of you. You'll have to protect yourself, make your own choices. Decide who you are, and wanna become...this world doesn't like those who are different, Tom. Don't let anyone tell you who you should be." Then he grinned. "Let's go to the studio."

Tommy opened his mouth to ask what that was about, but Wilbur was already wheeling around. "I won't wait for you, you know!"

Tommy rolled his eyes, standing as well. "You can barely reach a light switch, Wil, you have to wait for me." Walking over to the door that was already opened, Wilbur wheeling through, and following into his music studio in the next room.

It was a large, relatively open space, with two of the three walls being mostly windows, as well as the roof. There were a few shelves with who knows how many binders (Tommy knew, Wil just told him off whenever he specified to sarcastic comments). There were also multiple desks holding blank and filled out sheet paper, different writing tools, and instruments laying here and there waiting to be played again.

Wilbur wheeled over to his corner, a small specific desk area with his current song project laying on the surface waiting. He settled his guitar properly across his lap, laying out the sheet paper better, and began to strum.

Tommy, in the meantime, listened as he tidied a few things around. Scattered note sheets, binders missing or fallen out, placing the newly bought guitar parts in its spot to be opened later. He organized what he could, then stood and gave Wilburs music his full attention until he was needed again.

Wilbur finished what he had, slowly and quietly finishing his strumming, then looked up to Tommy again, gently throwing his bangs back in place with a shake of his head. "So? What's your verdict, Toms?"

Tommy hummed, walking closer. "I wouldn't be the best judge, I- you would be better, but there is...something about it, I can't really...define...I guess I like it." He finished.

Wilbur grinned at that, though Tommy wasn't sure why. "A fair response. I don't have much to say anymore, I've written so much there's little more I can write without repeating something." He paused, then held the guitar out to Tommy. "Why don't you try? Let's see if you got any talent with a guitar, go on."

Tommy's eyes widened. "Guitar? But, what I...playing what?"

Wilbur shrugged, shoving the instrument into his hands and pulling away again. "Whatever you want. Anything you want. Just play, like you did with the piano earlier."

Tommy paused a moment longer before pulling one of the nearby chairs over and sitting down, gingerly holding the instrument in his hands. He glanced around for something to play, not sure what to do, and his eyes landed on some of Wilburs older sheet music from years ago.

He remembered what it was, so he placed his fingers on the right chords and started to strum.

When he finished the song, he looked back at Wilbur, who was staring at him with a thoughtful look. "That's a perfect copy, of reality. Of the past. But creating isn't about replicating the world, it's about interpreting it, improving it, showing something you see."

Tommy could've sworn he felt nervous. "Wilby, I don't...think I can do that...it's not in my program...I..."

Wilbur smiled softly, leaning forwards again. "You can. Like with the piano, don't think about it. Just do it."

Tommy looked back down, closing his eyes. He thought about...humanity. Wilbur mentioned it earlier after they'd played together. It was witnessed on the TV. He saw it in the protesters that morning. He started to strum, fingers moving across the frets quickly, strumming loudly. And he thought about hope, the way Wilbur would treat him and how it differed from other people he's seen and met. His song became slower, calmer. Less chords, quieter strums, softer notes.

He slowed to a finish, pausing a moment before opening his eyes and looking at Wilbur, who was staring back with an open smile. "Oh my god..."

Before he could continue, the door opened, and both of them turned to see Fundy walking in, looking skittish. "Hey, dad."

Wilbur looked surprised, wheeling forwards as Tommy stood and set the guitar safely against the desk. "Fundy, I didn't hear you come in."

"Ah, I was in the neighborhood, thought I'd stop by...it's been a while, right?"

Wilbur narrowed his eyes at him. "You alright? You don't look so good."

Fundy nodded, not meeting either of their gazes. "Oh, yeah, yeah, I'm fine...hey, listen, uh...I need some cash, dad."

"Again?" Wilbur frowned. "What happened to the money I just gave you?"

"Uh well, it just goes, you know?"

Wil nodded, lowering his gaze slightly. "Yeah...you're at it again, aren't you?"

Fundy quickly shook his head. "No, no, no, I swear it's not that..."

Wilbur frowned further, wheeling forward again. "Don't lie to me, Fundy."

"What difference does it make?!" Fundy shouted, tense and angry suddenly. "I just need some cash, that's all!"

Wil paused, thinking. He glanced at Tommy, who looked back, not saying anything. "Sorry, the answer's no."

"What?" Fundy looked confused and offended, almost. "Why?"

"You know why."

He scoffed, turning to Tommy. "Yeah, yeah...I think I do know why." He stepped slowly towards the android. "You'd rather take care of your plastic toy here than your own son, eh? Tell me, dad," He spat the word like venom, "What's it got that I don't? It's smarter? More obedient?" He jabbed his finger into Tommy's chest with each sentence. "Not like me, right? But you know what? This thing is not your son. It's a fucking MACHINE!" Fundy shouted, shoving Tommy by the shoulders backwards. He stumbled, catching himself on the desk and grabbing the guitar before it could fall and break.

"Fundy, that's enough!" Wilbur yelled, coming forward and grabbing his arm. "Enough!"

Fundy ripped his arm from Wil's hold, stalking back to the door. "You don't care about anything except yourself and your goddamn music. You've never loved anyone. You've never loved me, dad...you never loved me." He said, stomping back out the room and away from them. 

Wilbur sighed, bowing his head and burying his face in his hands. Tommy looked between Wil and the door Fundy disappeared through, confused at the sensation the interaction left in his chest.

Chapter Text

Sorry, guys, but I'm orphaning this fic. Anyone who would like to continue it, feel free to take the inspo or the chapters themselves tbh. I want to continue this but I've fallen out of the MCYT/DSMP fandom and have for a while now, and I feel bad just leaving it like this. So, I'll orphan it. Sorry again.