Chapter Text
Context: Ch. 4, Wilbur hasn’t been introduced yet and the emerald duo are still getting to know Tommy. This is the beginning of their protectiveness. Canon.
On rare occasions, Tommy wouldn’t be there when they come to visit.
A sign is usually nailed to the front saying how he’s on a mining trip or a generic gone traveling. The first time this happened they tried going into his shop, just for the curiosity of how he kept the place secure. An iron trapdoor and some redstone seemed to be the answer, as arrows were shot at them when they removed the trapdoor, and blocks of coal lined the entryway. None of the arrows would’ve critically hurt them, maybe graze them if they stepped in their direction, but it was just a warning.
“He’s smart, that kid. Wonder why he learned redstone.” Techno commented as he placed the trapdoor back.
They weren’t exactly disturbed by Tommy’s absence. It was always a nice break to step away from the explosions and heavy scent of grief, but it felt empty. It was a break, yes, but just physically.
There wasn’t someone to lighten up their mood with silly jokes and off-putting comments. Tommy wasn’t here to break up the monotony of people always cowering in their presence and instead look at them as friends.
They usually stay longer when this happens. Improve the hideout, memorize the terrain, and any good enough excuse to keep staying. So far it hasn’t worked, and a bitter taste stays on Phil’s tongue when they have to leave Tommy’s gifts on the beds and let them collect dust.
The protectiveness over the boy doesn’t go unnoticed by either of them, always wondering if he’ll show up the next visit. The boy could’ve been injured, or killed , and they wouldn’t know.
His comm sits empty with Tommy’s number and Phil’s slowly willing to be more aggressive with the boy when he tells them to fuck off, I don’t give my comm number to anyone .
Well, the Blood God and Angel of Death aren’t just anybody. With time, they’ll get his number and let him get used to Phil’s checkups.
—
Context: Ch.4, Alternative ending to when Wilbur goes into the hideout, Tommy is there sleeping on their bed. Not Canon.
The day started like any other; going outside to watch the sunrise. Wilbur still hasn’t found the perfect place to observe the sunrise, but he’s searching. It’s one of the few activities that keeps him preoccupied for a long duration of time.
Techno and Phil were currently out chopping wood and gathering meat. Wilbur would’ve joined, but he had a feeling he wanted to linger around the hideout and Tommy’s shop. Then again, that’s all he does every day and he might be going a little crazy from waiting for a child to pop up.
Now he heads back to the hideout, giving a quick pet to Carl, and thinking of the ways he could rearrange the hideout for the third time. He subconsciously walks over to the nest and freezes a few steps away when he notices a stranger in the nest.
The person had submerged themselves under the blankets and their blond hair with streaks of coal lay limp. The person, who was most likely a child with the fat still clinging to their cheeks, had clearly just come from the caves. Now that Wilbur notices, there’s a large bag of gems right next to the nest and some golden carrots stashed in there as well.
Taking it all in, and finally calming down as a child could not hurt him, he pieces together who this could be. And with not that much brain power used, this was the child his soulmates were talking about; Tommy.
Tommy who doesn’t seem to know how to take care of himself as his face was smeared with dirt and coal. He at least looks like he's having a peaceful sleep, his mouth slightly ajar and pupils occasionally flickering behind his eyelids.
He looked… innocent. Nothing like the stories he’s been given about him of his mischievous grin and always moving mouth. It was odd to see this side of Tommy first, an obviously rare side if his soulmates have never mentioned seeing Tommy sleeping before, but it was almost nice.
A memory he knows he’ll treasure in the future when he gets his own taste of the usual rambunctious Tommy. For now, he goes to fill a bowl of warm water and a towel so Tommy could wipe his face clean once he awakens.
Until he wakes up, Wilbur keeps guard and makes sure the child’s sleep goes undisturbed.
—
Context: Ch. 7 where Tommy leaves and SBI finds the hideout. In this scene, Techno goes to explore the entrance to the hideout and finds Tommy’s old cloak. Canon.
Despite Techno wanting to scream at the world, his head was quiet. The only thought drumming in his mind was find Tommy . At every crevice, Techno would point his lantern and wait for the light to catch on some golden hair. At every ledge, he would climb up and hope to find the sky in Tommy’s eyes.
No such thing happened.
His hope that Tommy might still be around diminished when he stopped by a stalagmite, a battered cloak hanging on its spike. A large hole was pierced through the middle like someone was trying to tug it free and then gave up.
By the looks of the arrows littered around the cave, the person most likely had no choice but to give it up. Tommy had no choice but to say goodbye to his most prized piece of clothing.
Techno lovingly unlodged the cloak from the rock and checked inside of it. Just like he predicted, pockets upon pockets lined the inside. Only one Ender pearl was found in the multitude of pockets and Techno crushed the orb in his hand. His fury was not satiated.
All this time, this cloak has been the center of each question about Tommy. Now it hangs limp in his arm, the mystery gone because Tommy was gone.