Chapter Text
Tommy sat alone at a table in Niki and Puffy’s bakery having a hot drink of tea. It was nice to get out of the castle during tea time- The tea was relaxing. He enjoyed the quiet in the bakery, listening to the soft chatter of Niki and Puffy behind the counter, the smell of the pastries on the counter. Tomorrow was his 14th birthday! In the quiet of the bakery, he thought about what he would be doing. For certain, he was sure he wasn’t going to attend any fancy parties made for him, so he brushed the thought aside. He doesn’t even like those parties anyways. He sat in the peaceful silence for a few seconds more. But of course, all good things must come to an end eventually. The door bells chimed.
His lovely personal knight, Hannah Rose, entered the building, “You’re majesty, we must be going soon. His majesty will get mad if we are not at the castle on time.” She supplied.
“If he even notices…” Tommy mumbled.
If Hannah heard, she did not comment on it, but the small noticeable scrunch in her eyebrows might have suggested she did. Hannah was Captain of the guard, assigned to the position when the previous captain, Puffy, had stepped down to run the bakery with her girlfriend, Niki. Her rank is right behind Technoblade. She was assigned to watch over Tommy when Tommy was a child.
Tommy suddenly remembered something. He picked up a box from the table.
“Here you go, Hannah!” He handed her the box, “It’s an arctic roll, my favorite! I thought you could have it so you can enjoy it tonight.”
Hannah took the box gratefully, “Thank you, your majesty-”
“Tommy’s just fine. I’ve fucking told you for years already!”
“Well, at least I have respect.” (“oi! What's that supposed to mean!?”) “Tommy, then. Thank you! This is so sweet.”
Hannah smiled. Tommy always thought her smile was sweeter than the arctic roll. Niki and Puffy came out of the back room to say goodbye. They gave their farewells, and Hannah and Tommy exited the bakery- The arctic roll secure in Hannah’s arms. Hannah and Tommy began their trek back to the castle.
A figure bumped into Hannah, “Ah! Shit, sorry, I didn’t see where I was going.”
Hannah was able to catch a glimpse of purple before the figure ran off. No words were exchanged between Hannah and Tommy after that. Just a mere shrug. They continued their way to the castle. When they entered, Tommy wasn’t surprised to find out that none of his family noticed when he arrived, let alone when he left in the first place. In the thirteen (almost fourteen) years of his life, Tommy had grown used to the neglectance he faced from his family.
His mother had died shortly after she had given birth to Tommy, and in a stage of grief, Phil, the king, needed someone to blame. There was no one else to blame but Tommy. Techno and Wilbur couldn’t do anything else but blame Tommy as well. Whenever they left on trips, they left Tommy behind. Anything they did as a family, they left Tommy behind. Hannah stepped up to be his family, for she knew that his real family would not. Hannah told him the story before.
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Hannah was 14 at the time- Already serving the king as a knight as she was one of the best warriors in the kingdom. Quick, confident, strong, and smart.
“Royal Knight Rose, my family and I have business to attend to in another Kingdom. I am leaving the youngest child here in your hands.” The king had told her.
Hannah was enraged. Why wouldn’t they take Prince Tommy with them? And why would they refer to him as “child”? Do they have no respect for him? There would be nothing wrong with bringing Tommy. He didn’t cry as long as he was occupied!
But she didn’t let her anger show, “Of course, your majesty. Prince Tommy will be safe in my care.” Hannah bowed.
With those words, Phil dismissed the knight. Hannah walked down the halls to Tommy’s room with clenched fists. How dare the king leave behind a defenseless baby. I will make sure nothing bad ever happens to this child. Even if it costs me my life.
--
Countless years passed and whenever the royal family left to attend a business meeting, Tommy was always left behind in Hannah’s care, no matter how old he became. But Tommy didn’t mind. He enjoyed Hannah’s care and company and would much rather be with her than in a meeting where his family ignored him. Maybe one day he’d go, but not now.
Hannah led him down the halls into the safety of his room. He thanked her, and invited her inside. Hannah pondered it for a moment… Should she really be inside the prince’s room when she has duties to fulfill? She is the Captain of the Guard, afterall. But… She had nothing to lose. She could easily leave if disaster struck, and seeing as tomorrow was Tommy’s birthday, she could stay a while. What was the worst that could happen?
She sat down on his desk chair, “So Toms, what do you want to do for your birthday?”
Tommy sat on his bed, “I want to go to town. The King is probably going to host a gala, but not for me. This happens every year.”
How could Hannah forget? Every year on Tommy’s birthday, King Philza hosts a banquet, not for Tommy, but for Kristen. The late queen. Hannah could understand why he would host a gala for the queen, but… Tommy was still forgotten. Over half of the kingdom doesn’t know he exists. Maybe the entirety of the kingdom if she was being honest. Every year since Tommy was five, during the ball, the two of them would sneak out to go to the city. Yes, it was dangerous for the Captain of the Guard to leave the castle with such a large amount of people, but she made a promise that she was not going to break. She cares about the boy sitting in bed, who lost his family before he even got to know them. She cares about the boy who loves arctic rolls and tea in the quiet setting of a sweet bakery even when he is brash and loud when only she is watching. She cares about Tommy Innit, not so much Prince Tomathy Minecraft. She stopped caring for the Prince when Tommy was 7.
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“Prince Tomathy, come back!” The poor captain shouted across the halls.
The royal family once again had left on a trip, leaving behind the 7 year old boy in the care of the Captain. The once laughing seven year old stopped and turned to look at her. Hannah wondered why he stopped so abruptly and if she did anything wrong- concerned etched on her face.
“You can call me Tommy, Hannah,” He stated, a smile forming on his face. “I don’t really like being called a prince.”
Hannah was left stunned. Being a prince would be any seven year old’s dream! Buy Toma- Tommy no longer wanted to be one? If it was Tommy’s wish, then Hannah would oblige. Still, Hannah could not help but wonder why he no longer wanted to be a prince. With that final thought, she broke out of her daze as Tommy began running down the halls again, Hannah trying to catch him.
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It was a memory she held deeply in her heart. Even at the age of seven, Tommy already knew what he wanted to be. Of course, he couldn’t just leave the castle, that wouldn’t be the most convenient thing in the world. She snorted at the thought in her brain. Tommy gave her a questioning look. She waved it off. Thirteen years of hanging out together really taught them how to communicate with just looks and hand gestures. Really shows how far they have come. And how long Tommy has been ignored.
Hannah pushed that out of her mind. Now it was time for Tommy. She had a gift ready, and was so absolutely delighted to give it to him. Previous years, she had given him consumable and short lasting gifts… Like a coloring book or some sweets. Short lasting as they are, Tommy was always, always grateful for them. But this year, it would be something special. And she already knew Tommy would love it. It was safely tucked away in her bedroom (she got her own room as the captain of the guard), where no one but her could find it. Not unless you tear the place up but who was really going to tear up the Captain’s room? Not many people unless looking for information, but that was taken up with the General, Technoblade, not the captain.
With Technoblade being the General, he certainly gave the Captain a lot of slack and free time. He deemed her a worthy opponent- seeing as he had still bested her in their spars, she had put up a challenge, and made their fight last for a while. Of course, the captain still had her duties, but Technoblade handled most things. Even when she tried to help him, he’d brush her off and send her to do something else. Part of her hoped it was because he knew she needed to watch over Tommy, but she wouldn’t be surprised if it wasn’t.
A voice broke her out of her thoughts, “What do you want to do when we get to the village?” Tommy asked
“Puffy and Niki’s bakery?”
“No shit! We always go.”
“Watch your language, child.”
“I’M NOT A CHILD-”
“Shush. You’re barely going to be fourteen tomorrow, still a child.” Hannah laughed.
Tommy was practically steaming with rage, but he didn’t respond. Instead, he crossed his arms and glared at her. Hannah waited.
10…
9…
8..
6…
5…
4…
3…
2..
1.
…
“Still not a child.” Tommy grumbled.
Hannah stood up and ruffled his hair, Tommy gawking in fake annoyance. She then swiftly departed. She would be back later, but she had things she needed to do for the time being. Tommy watched her depart with a weird, but good feeling about tomorrow.
Maybe. Just maybe. Tomorrow will be different. Not just walking around the village, but actually something new.
As Tommy stared out the window in thought, his mind saw purple, but just for a flash. Nothing more.
Just maybe.