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This is the second time this week this has happened, and frankly he was starting to get pissed off.
Tommy let out a loud groan and dragged his hands down his face. He can’t believe they’re seriously doing this again, like come on it’s literally only Wednesday. He really doesn’t want to ask Phil or Wilbur for a ride again but if he walks to school he’ll be soaked.
The day was going fairly well in all honesty, he woke up when his alarm went off, he was the first in the shower so he got hot water and took his time before Wilbur started banging on the door that is. Phil made pancakes and it was raining outside.
Something to know about Tommy, he loves the rain, especially thunderstorms. It’s the perfect weather to lie down and listen to music and take a nap. It’s the perfect weather to cuddle with Tubbo on the floor whenever he comes over. It’s not as bright outside but it’s not completely dark. It’s the perfect weather just in general, it doesn’t matter what Wilbur says.
Expect for now, right now he’s really disliking the rain.
Aiden was supposed to come pick him up along with his other friends this morning, like every morning supposedly. But it’s been twenty minutes now and there’s no sight of the red car he drives.
Tommy has been texting the group chat for a couple of minutes now but no one was answering. At this rate he might break his screen.
He was gonna be late if they don’t show up soon.
Tommy looks back at the house. He can go in and ask for a ride from Phil, maybe even Techno would drive him. They go to the same school after all.
But he doesn’t want to bother them, it’s stupid and he should’ve been ready in case they didn’t show up. Tubbo was already on the bus which already ran so Tommy couldn’t catch the bus.
He really doesn’t want to bother his foster family but it’s starting to look like he won’t even have a choice.
Someone he will bother though? Wilbur.
Tommy turns around and walks back onto the porch. The wood was damp from the holes in the overhang from carpenter bees that Phil hadn’t gotten around to fixing just yet. The porch swing started to rock slightly due from the wind from the storm.
That said wind making him damp and gross.
Tommy didn’t really like damp clothes, ether soak them or stay dry pick one for fucks sake.
Turning the handle and walking inside he could hear Phil’s keyboard from his office that was right next to the foyer. The door wasn’t shut but it was cracked in case any of the boys needed him. But it was shut enough that Phil couldn’t see Tommy walk by.
Tommy shivered from the AC blowing in the house as he shrugged off his backpack and took off his jacket, it was damp and needed to be washed anyways.
Tommy sat his backpack next to the door where Wilbur’s and Phil’s shoes laid. Techno must have already left or was getting ready to.
He won’t admit it, but he was feeling slight disappointment, it’s a common occurrence sure but it doesn’t make it hurt any less.
Making way to the stairs he looks back at Phil’s office door checking to see if he noticed that he came back in the house.
A pause in his typing, a sigh, and then resuming in what ever he was doing in there. That gave Tommy the go ahead to continue his way up the stairs.
Tommy doesn’t completely trust Phil, he’s been here for seven months now, a record really, and knows that Phil won’t hurt him or yell at him seeing as he doesn’t even yell at Wilbur when he does stupid stuff. But you can never be too careful, call it Foster Kid one-oh-one if you must.
Tommy slides into his room shutting the door with a quiet click. He makes his way to his closest and throws on a another hoodie like his other one but black instead of blue.
Tommy reaches for his to see if anyone had responded, maybe they all forgot to set their alarms? Or had the group chat muted? It wouldn’t be the first time.
Nothing.
Okay, that was okay, that was fine. They probably had the group chat muted or left those phones at home, or maybe even forgot to charge them and they’re dead. That’s fine, it wouldn’t be the first time after all.
Tommy’s door opened ”What are you still doing here?” Wilbur poked his head in “Are you trying to skip or something child? Because if so you’re not doing a very good job at it.”
Tommy rolled his eyes. “No dickhead, I just didn't want to get soaked while waiting for Aiden and his lot.”
Wilburs eyebrows furled “Tommy its eight thirteen.”
“I know.”
”School starts at eight thirty.”
“I know, are you calling me stupid or something?”
Wilbur sucked his teeth. “No Tommy, I’m just pointing out the obvious, even if they do come you’ll all be late.”
”It’s fine, they probably have the group chat muted or their phones are dead.”
Wilbur made a face at him. “All of them?”
Tommy shrugged. “It’s happened before.”
”Right, Tommy this is the second time this week, tenth time this month.”
Tommy flinches, “It happens.”
”No, Tommy, it doesn’t happen repeatedly. Look can I just come in and sit for a bit?”
“No, I’ll be late Wilbur.” Tommy crossed his arms. Seriously what does Wilbur not understand? Also wasn’t he just trying to tell Tommy he was gonna be late?
”Phil doesn’t give a shit Toms, now can I come in?”
“Do whatever you want.”
A rule in the house, that goes for everyone is that to always ask permission to go into someone else’s space unless they’re a threat to themselves or others. In that case, if Phil can’t find the key to your room everyone has the permission to break down your door. Luckily nothing has happened yet for the rule to be used.
Wilbur came in and sat on Tommy’s bed, making himself right at home. He patted the spot next to him to motion that he wants Tommy to sit next to him but Tommy isn’t a dog thank you very much so he sits on his desk chair which earns a eye roll from Wilbur.
”Right, being difficult this morning I see.”
“I’m not a dog, bitch.”
”Didn't say you were, Gremlin.”
”What do you want.”
”You can’t seriously not be noticing a pattern here.”
“What are you on about?”
Wilbur sighed and started to rub his face.
”What? What?” Tommy titled his head as his voice raised in volume, he really wanted to know what the hell Wilbur was on about.
”Okay so, last week yeah? The science project you and your mates were doing, you did that all by yourself and then that morning they picked you up right?”
”Yeah?”
”Last month you had an English essay due and you came to Techno and me about it and then Carson asked to see it and heavily resembled yours and you were annoyed by that but they still picked you up right?”
”Yes?”
“And again last month you came to me and told me how they let you have the aux cord and invited you to hang out after school but then asked you to some favors for them, yeah?”
Tommy was starting to get agitated. “Wilbur, what are you on about?”
Wilbur held his hands up in mock defence, “I’m getting there, I’m getting there.”
”Well make it quick.”
”Patience, child.”
”I’m not a child!”
“Two weeks ago, you didn’t do anything for them right?”
“Seriously Wilbur-“ Wilbur cut Tommy off
”Yes or no.”
”No, I didn’t.” Seriously! What was Wilbur trying to get at?
“And they didn’t pick you up at all for school.”
”Right.” Tommy started to bounce his leg.
”This week, have you done any favors for them?”
”No.”
”And they haven’t picked up or hung out with you this week?”
Tommy bit his lip, “Yesterday they picked me up.”
”Wasn’t Tubbo riding with them yesterday?”
”Well yeah.”
”That’s why they picked you Tommy, because Tubbo was there to remind them.”
”Wilbur what are you getting at?”
Wilbur huffed out a sigh and dragged his fingers through his hair. “They’re using you Tommy.”
“What?” Tommy squawked. “There’s no way! They’re my mates, they love spending time with me!” Tommy’s fist clenched as his leg started to bounce faster. He didn’t want to believe that his brother was right but at the same time it made sense
“Tommy, they don’t love you, they don’t love Tommy who passionate about everything, they don’t love Tommy who knows way too much about music disks because of an hyper fixation. They love the Tommy whos compliant and eager to please and will do anything for his “friends”, they love the Tommy who bites back at anyone speaking negatively of his friends.”
”Wilbur.” Tommy’s vision started to blur. Fuck, fuck! He didn’t want to cry in front of Wilbur. Big men don’t cry, so he can’t cry, well he can but not in front of Wilbur.
Wilbur stood up and made his way across the room to Tommy, placing his hands on Tommy’s shoulders and crouching down.
Tears started to fall down on Tommy face, Tommy breathing started to quicken.
“Tommy’s you’re a wonderful kid, but they don’t see that.”
“Wilbur please.” Wilbur gripped Tommy’s shoulders to ground him.
”Tommy they love you for what you do, not for who you are.” And Wilbur was right Tommy realized.
Wilbur had hit the nail on the head. He was right, just so, so right. They never paid attention to Tommy unless Tubbo or Ranboo brought attention to Tommy first or they needed something done.
They only picked him up like they agreed to when it was convenient for them, they always came to vent to Tommy about their issues expecting Tommy to give advice or do something about them.
They only want Tommy when they need Tommy.
Holy shit, Wilbur was right.
Tommy started to openly sob, falling off the desk chair and into Wilburs arms. Tommy deep down thought so but never said it, because saying it it loud made it real.
Wilbur held his brother tightly and started to gently rock him, Wilbur knew how he felt, Wilbur knew what he was going through because he went through the same thing before Tommy came and Techno was the one to help him realize it.
Speaking of Techno, the Pinkette was standing by the door, looking ready to go.
”Is everything okay in here?” Tommy let out a whine at that, not wanting Techno to see him like this.
Wilbur responded so Tommy didn’t have to “No actually, can you tell dad We’re stay home today? You can take the car, my keys are on the kitchen table.”
Techno nodded in response and made his way downstairs.
“You don’t have to stay home Wil, I’ll be fine.”
Wilbur let one arm go off of Tommy to flick his forehead, Tommy hissed at the motion.
”No you stupid child, I’m staying here with you today, I want a day off of school anyways.”
Tommy shoved his face back into Wilbur’s neck, secretly he didn’t want Wilbur to go anywhere today.
“By the sounds of it, all three of you are staying home today.” Phil appeared at the door frame with Techno behind him. “Can we come in, mate?” Tommy nodded his head while still face first in Wilburs sweater, afraid if he opens his mouth to speak he would start sobbing again.
“Techno told me you were upset, you want to talk about it?” Tommy shook his head.
Techno reached down to pick Tommy up. Usually Wilbur would fight his twin on stealing Tommy but made no argument to not upset Tommy.
“I want to watch a movie and you don’t have a tv in here.”
Tommy just wrapped his arms around Techno.
All three of them gave each other a look and began to file out the youngest’s room and made their way downstairs.
When Tommy was sat down on the couch he looked outside to see it was still raining. He took out his phone to check the weather apparently it was supposed to rain all day until tonight at eight. While checking the weather Tommy got a text from the group chat.
omg tommy were so sorry!! We forgot to pick you up :((
I feel awful about it, can you forgive us?
Its fine
Okay!! Phew!! Anyways we have a math quiz today, can I borrow your notes?
Im not coming, no ride
Carson isn’t here yet, I can text him and let him know to pick you up? :)
No thanks I’m staying at home today
Oh okay, can you send me pictures of your notes then?
My book bag got wet and everything in it is wet too when I was waiting for you this morning
Tommy waited for a couple of moments for a response but none came, Wilbur really was right.
Shutting off his phone Tommy paid attention to the his brothers arguing over rather they should watch Netflix or Hulu while Phil was in the kitchen doing god knows what.
He kicked his shoes off and curled up on the corner of the couch and then reached behind him to steal the blanket he wrapped himself up before one of the twins could steal it.
Sure, maybe he didn’t have a friend group where he “belonged” but he now knows for sure that he has a family to belong to.