Chapter Text
Tommy didn’t understand why he was being sent back. He had been good, hadn’t he? He didn’t think he had been too much trouble, he didn’t ask for anything outside the basic necessities. So why was he being sent away? It didn’t make sense.
Well it didn’t matter now. He was leaving the Craft house whether he liked it or not. He had already packed his bags and there was no going back.
He held his stuffed cow – Henry, Wilbur had won it for him at a carnival they went to – close to his chest, waiting for Da- Philza to come get him to leave. There was a knock at the door and Tommy assumed it meant for him to leave. He picked up his backpack of stuff – albeit not much, he did have more than when he came but that was because of Wilbur and Techno – and walked out.
“Ready to go mate?” Philza asked, something distant in his eyes. “Yeah, I guess.” Tommy scoffed, pushing past Philza into the living room. He was greeted by the tear filled eyes of Wilbur accompanied by a sorrowful look on Techno’s face.
Tommy thought that the tears in his eyes would fall if he looked up at the older boys. Wilbur rushed forward towards him and hugged him as tight as humanly possible. He tried not to pay attention to the muffled crying of Wilbur.
Wilbur – although hesitant – let go of Tommy and whispered into his ear, “Good luck sunshine, I promise we’ll meet again.” As soon as Tommy was out of Wilbur’s grasp Techno hugged him so tight Tommy thought in a few minutes he’d stop breathing.
Even though he and Wilbur were a lot closer Tommy was quite close with Techno. He could recall countless nights of Tommy waking from a nightmare, crying, and Techno would just walk in, sit either on the bed or the floor, and read from his Greek Mythology book. Or when Techno would let him braid his long, pink hair, weaving small flowers into the braid.
Tommy let a few tears slip from his eyes whilst in Techno’s grasp. He clutched onto the back of Techno’s shirt just a bit tighter.
“It’s time to go Tommy.” Philza said. Tommy knew what that meant. He hesitantly let go of Techno and wiped his face clean of tears. Wilbur and Techno grabbed his hands and walked him outside, Philza led him to the white SUV and he hopped into the back seat.
He turned around to look back at the boys he had called brothers for about 11 months. (Getting sent back near Christmas was truly a curse. Techno and Wilbur had gushed about how excited they were to spend the cold holiday with Tommy.) He supposed they didn’t notice him because he saw Wilbur, face in his hands, sobbing and Techno trying to hold back the tears, failing and also sobbing.
Tommy turned back around, he didn’t want to see Wilbur and Techno cry. He knew it’d be all over if he did. “You alright mate?” Philza asked, looking at him through the rear view mirror. Tommy only nodded, fearing a verbal response would result to him crying
They arrived at the orphanage and Tommy completely ignored Philza when he tried to say goodbye, he would rather just sleep and ignore everything.
/ / / /
Tommy was bored to say the least. Ms. Arias had put him in the time-out room for punching a kid for laughing about how he still hasn’t gotten a permanent home. It was self defense really. Ms. Arias walked into the time-out room with a small smile on her face, clipboard in hand – wait but that meant– “You’re going to a new home Thomas.” She chimed. “Pack your things up and meet me at my office.” She walked out of the room, leaving the door open. Her red heels clicked throughout the halls as she left.
No fucking way. He had just gotten back from a home less than two days ago! Reluctantly he left the room and grabbed the things he had out – which wasn’t much, just Henry and a shirt he changed out of last night. He still hadn’t gotten out of PJ’s – and walked over to Ms. Arias’ office.
Once he was outside the room he heard muffled voices and internally groaned. He really didn’t want to go to this new home. He had gotten lucky with how nice the Craft house was. The house before was brutal – though typical – and had filed down Tommy’s horns completely. (which were still pretty short) and put him in uncomfortable clothing that forced him to hide his wings and tail.
He walked inside the room slowly and internally cursed at the creak of the door. When he walked inside he saw a man – black hair, the front being held back by a white bandana, around 6 feet tall, and- pointed ears? Eh, who was Tommy to judge –
“Ah, Thomas you’re here, come over and meet your new foster father.” Ms. Arias said, beckoning him over with her hand. Tommy walked over slowly, hugging onto Henry tightly. (Maybe he was a bit childish for 13 year old but he had trauma so who gives a fuck) “Thomas this is Mr. Halo” `''Just- Just Sapnap is fine” The ravenette interrupted, not in a rude way of course. “Oh, I apologize Mr. Sapnap,” Ms. Arias said, giving a nervous smile. Tommy didn’t know why.
“Okay then, all that needs to be done is for you to sign here and you’ll be on your way!” Ms. Arias said cheerfully, handing her clipboard and a pen over to Sapnap. She pulled Tommy closer to her and whispered into his ear. “ Behave and try to not be brat you understand? I think you two will get along.” Tommy felt a shiver run up his spine. He hated whenever Ms. Arias talked like that. Like he was prone to mess up.
Mr. Sapnap walked him to his car. It was a small black suv with tinted windows. Once inside it was black leather stitched with orange. Tommy couldn’t lie, it was a nice car. “Ok kid, wanna go get some food?” Mr. Sapnap asked, looking to his side where Tommy sat in the passenger seat. “Uhm… yes please.” Tommy said, voice quiet. He didn’t want Mr. Sapnap to think he had no manners. He had learned the hard way that if you want anything you need to give people respect. Especially your elders.
The pair ended up going to a McDonalds and eating in the car rather than inside, which was a bit odd to Tommy. But he wouldn’t judge. “It’s ‘cause of my ears.” Mr. Sapnap commented, seemingly reading Tommy’s thoughts. “People freak out over them, kind of stupid but whatever keeps the waters calm.” Tommy stayed quiet, only nodding. He had food in his mouth so he didn’t wanna be disrespectful.
After eating Mr. Sapnap had asked if Tommy was tired or if he wanted to start looking for clothes and things for his room. He decided even if he was sleepy he wasn’t necessarily tired so he agreed and Mr. Sapnap took him to a shopping mall. Tommy didn’t pay attention to the lingering eyes that watched him and Mr. Sapnap, looking primarily towards Mr. Sapnap’s ears and towards Tommy’s horns, wings, and tail.
First they entered a clothing shop. “Okay, pick out 10 outfits minimum. So you can get more. That means shirt, pants, shoes, socks, accessories, etc.” Mr. Sapnap instructed, Tommy ignored the small smile growing on his face.
Tommy walked around the store picking up items along the way. So far he had ten shirts, seven pants, and a pair of shoes. The shirts were just plain T-shirts and a loose fitting tank-top. As for the pants they were all loose fitting, different shades of blue, and two black pairs. The pair of shoes were red, high top converse. He was currently going through more of the pants section, staying close to the sales. He didn’t want to drain Mr. Sapnap of his money and make it look like he was greedy.
In the end Tommy had ten outfits. He had gotten a few accessories such as necklaces, bracelets, two belts, two jackets, two hoodies, and a small pack of earrings. He had been planning to pierce his ears for a while now so he’d just do it in the new home.
Next on they’re planned adventure was furniture. Mr. Sapnap had informed him that he had gotten Tommy a bed and desk but didn’t want to get decorations Tommy didn’t like. Tommy was hesitant picking things up. It didn’t feel natural. Every home had always either said flat out no or said that what he grabbed was too much. But over a bit of time he got more comfortable. He grabbed two vinyl discs (a green one named Cat and a purple and white striped one named Mellohi), some fake vines, and Mr. Sapnap dropped a pack of LED lights Tommy had seen in the beginning.
By the time they were done it was around dinner time and they were both completely wiped of any and all energy. Mr. Sapnap said he didn’t feel like cooking tonight so they ate Panda Express at the food court. It was honestly quite good for Tommy’s first time. Tommy still noticed the stares they were given but ignored it.
When the pair arrived at Mr. Sapnap’s home he was… surprised to say the least. Most houses he had been to (besides the Craft’s) were run down apartments with three bedrooms max, all cramped up with other foster kids. But Mr. Sapnap’s was… well it was huge. Four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a living room, kitchen, and dining room. It was a penthouse on top of a tower Tommy didn’t bother seeing the name of. He was in too much awe to care.
When Tommy asked how the bags and stuff were to get up here – afraid it was some kind of trick, cruel but not unusual – Mr. Sapnap said that someone would be bringing it up in a moment.
Once the bags arrived – delivered by someone Tommy thought looked way too fancy – Mr. Sapnap helped him decorate his room. Tommy’s room was the second door to the right, and honestly very spacious. “You’re thirteen, I’m not gonna coop you up in some tiny room when I have big rooms that are empty.” Mr. Sapnap had told him, as Tommy dropped his backpack in awe. (Tommy seemed to be doing that a lot)
After setting everything up it was around 9:30 pm and Mr. Sapnap said that they still had stuff they needed to do that they’d do tomorrow and to get some rest. Tommy practically crashed onto his bed. It was the most comfortable bed he had ever been on. The young demon hybrid fell into the best sleep he had experienced since before becoming an orphan.
/ / / /
Staring at Tommy was his mother but… different. Her hair was slightly messier, her nails longer, coated with red paint, her dress was a bit wrinkled and the red ribbon that tied her hair back in a half up half down hairstyle was gone, letting her locks of blond hair cascade down her back. It was a bit eerie, but Tommy didn’t care. It was his mother.
He rushed up to her and wrapped his scrawny arms around her lower waist, only to be shoved away violently. Why?... Why did she push him away? His mother’s once bright, sky blue eyes were now a dull gray, glaring down at him. “No son of mine will ever be a demon.” She hissed. Tommy was sobbing. She started to walk away and Tommy chased after her. He didn’t want to lose her again. No, not again.
/ / / /
Tommy shot up from his position on his bed, promptly hitting the back of his head against the back. As if knowing what was happening Mr. Sapnap walked into his room, knocking first. He looked at the distraught boy and slowly made his way over. Not wanting to scare Tommy.
“Can I get close to you?” Mr. Sapnap breathed. Tommy only nodded, he didn’t have the energy to speak right now. Slowly, Mr. Sapnap sat on the foot of the bed. “Do you want me to hug you?” Tommy didn’t reply this time, instead moving towards Mr- Sapnap and enveloping him in a tearful hug. Sapnap hugged back as Tommy hiccupped through choked sobs.
Tommy fell asleep to the quiet reassurances that he was alright and safe by Sapnap.