Chapter Text
“Since you’re in here already, sit down or something.”
Tommy wishes he could say no, he’s done learning and seeing more hurt. He just wants to curl into his blankets instead of realizing the kids he lives with all have severe issues that clearly aren’t being healed or treated. Tommy scratches himself but the pain releases little, why does Techno do this? He hopes it’s that, because the alternatives are usually worse, he looks in her eyes, trying to find some explanation, some response her lips would never give.
“You’re staring.”
“Right, sorry.”
Tommy shakes his head and tries to calm down but he can’t help it.
“It’s okay, I’m used to it.”
“I haven’t been sleeping a lot lately either. It’s Wilbur.”
Tommy doesn’t know why he admits it or what he’s admitting exactly but either Techno is good at hiding her facial expressions, which he has noticed lately, or she has the least faint idea of what he’s mentioning. Techno cocks her head to the side, a strip of her hair getting in her face. She hadn’t braided it or put it in ponytails today and he can notice. It’s long and slightly messy, and the pink has clearly been dyed recently because it looks so soft and pure like cotton candy and-
“What about him?”
Tommy shrugs.
“Him and Phil fight.”
“Has that been stressing you out?”
Not that part exactly but Tommy refuses to say that so he awkwardly nods.
“Well, Phil doesn’t like Wilbur’s friends.”
Tommy nods yet again, he’s been aware of that information for a while but he isn’t sure where exactly it fits. Who is Wilbur hanging around?
“I told you there’s some kids at our school that are bad crowd.”
Oh, oh no. Wilbur wouldn’t buy from Dream, would he? It’s Tommy’s worst nightmare, or well, he’s not even sure anymore. He hadn’t thought to consider that in the list of thoughts called “spiraling over Wilbur’s drug addiction” or “worrying on whether Dream or his gang will get themselves involved in my life again”. He shakes himself roughly, hoping to get out the extra energy, though mostly anxiety, out of his limbs. Techno seems to notice as she purses her lips and gives him a glare.
“You haven’t met them have you?”
Tommy reminds himself he’s a good liar and he shakes his head decisively. Techno seems to mostly believe this as she nods.
“I’m assuming you’ve heard- just how crazy they can be.”
Heard says little and he fears he got out easy, considering Quackity’s speech. Then again, why would he trust Alexis?
“And who is he friends with?”
“Hmm?”
It doesn’t help cement his lie but Tommy really, really needs to know. He needs to get his brother out, even as every cell tells him it’s ridiculous and that he’ll just dig himself deeper. He needs to do it himself, for his brother and for their wellbeing.
“I’ve heard about them, want to put a face to Wilbur’s evil friends.”
When Techno gives her answer, the only thing Tommy can think of is “oh fuck.”