Chapter Text
Tommy woke up alone in Wilburs office, curled in a mess of blankets, he knew it was futile yet he still looked around for his sire.
He warbled quietly, mourning his missing sire. The noise wasn’t mournful for long, stretching to a more loud pitched ‘screech’ as his nose picked up on the faint scent of fresh cut grass, his eyes widened and shone with hope.
Dream, Dream I’m here! You’ve come to get me.
He heard footsteps approaching the door, they were way too light and careful to be Dream, to be a sire searching for their distressed fledging but Tommy continued his warbles.
Dreams here, Dreams here.
But who entered wasn’t Dream, the person who opened the door was a boy probably Tommys age, with split dyed hair and mismatched eyes. Being in eyeshot Tommy noticed the grass stains on the boy’s trousers and shoes, Tommy warbled quietly in upset, fighting back frustrated tears.
Now that the boy was closer Tommy noticed he smelt much more like Wilbur than Dream, his scent had that pungent thick freshly polished leathery scent that both Wilbur and Technoblade did. Under the leather scent was a more flowery pollen scent, as well as a very garlicky scent that made Tommy’s nose sting slightly.
Ranboo shuffled slightly, watching Tommy, his eyes filled with… fright.
“Um… Mr. Wilbur?” The weird boy muttered, peering down at Tommy, a very nervous expression on his face, his scent spiking with fear and trepidation.
Tommy could hear his heartbeat pound in his chest, Tommy whined as he stared back at the boy, blinking slowly, trying to look smaller and less threatening.
“Um… hello?” The boy started, hesitantly taking a step into the office.
“Who are you?” Tommy asked, inching backwards, holding Wilburs coat tightly around him, tearing small holes with his claws.
“Um- my name’s Ranboo, I um- didn’t know Wilbur took in a vampire,” he muttered.
Tommy was fairly unsure of if he could trust the boy because of this or not, Ranboo smelt like Wilbur, said Wilburs name but what did that matter? Tommy’s been wearing Wilburs coat long enough that even he’s starting to smell like the man and all the filth that's probably in the coat.
(Not that he minded, he liked wearing the coat. It was warm and wrapped around him snuggly, and he didn’t really mind the scent of Wilbur…)
Ranboo was about Tommy’s age though so trusting him wouldn’t be dangerous, but he was someone new and even if he smelt familiar. Tommy’s instincts told him that he was safe but to not be too comfortable, so clearly something was off about Ranboo, not that his instincts let him know what was off.
He eyed Ranboo from his swaddle of blankets, slowly waking up, a headache slamming into him full force at all the new scents that suddenly flooded his senses. He could distinctly smell many many other people, all with different and clashing scents that made Tommy’s brain go fuzzy, at least with all the hunters they had the same death smell, but here it was like a clashing of sweet-sour-salt-spice and on top of natural human body odour. He whined, stuffing his face into the collar of Wilburs coat.
“Sorry, sorry- it’s probably pretty overwhelming for you huh?” Ranboo mumbled, closing the door behind him, staying in the room with Tommy.
Tommy blinked, shuffling back till he hit Wilburs desk, he watched Ranboo distrustingly, a deep frown etched on his face. He wasn’t hungry enough that he was tempted to outright attack the boy but the whispers were beginning to float around in the back of his head.
Food-food-eat-eat.
Feed us, we’re hungry.
EAT.
Tommy ignored them, or tried to, they were too annoying to ignore fully but if he could just shove them into a dark corner he can pretend they’re not literally begging him to tear out this poor kid's throat.
“Ah did you not want me to be in here? I can leave, I just thought you might like a friend, Wilburs not really a morning person so he might be a while,” Ranboo rushed out, holding his hand up in defence, stepping back to the door, making Tommy snort at his display.
“Wilbur can be really hopeless,” Ranboo added with a sigh, which only made Tommy snort louder.
After his short giggling fit at Ranboo’s comments on Wilbur, he inhaled, composing himself so he could answer Ranboos concerns, the boy was funny and he didn’t seem to be intending harm on Tommy - not that he has a good track record at reading people's intentions - so he didn’t see why he should send Ranboo away.
“You’re fine, just um- Stay over there,” Tommy replied.
With his nose buried in Wilburs coat he couldn’t smell Ranboo’s blood but that unfortunately didn’t do much to negate the need to bury his fangs into the boy's soft flesh and partake in the river of red that’d flow from his wounds.
“Are you hungry?” Ranboo suddenly asks, the sincerity and concern in his voice was far too genuine for Tommy to think of this as a trap, he stared up at Ranboo, his lips parted, revealing small sharp fangs.
Whilst his tone didn’t show any fear, his posture was anxious and closed off from what Tommy could tell, he bit his lip, he was starting to get really thirsty but he’d never let himself hurt someone else.
“I won’t hurt you, I can control it,” Tommy assured, even if Ranboo asked him to he probably wouldn’t feed from the boy seeing as he wasn’t even an adult yet, Dream told him that if he was to feed from someone unwilling to make it an adult, they were more likely to be able to recover swiftly. Of course… his sire clarified ‘ unwilling.’ Tommy shook his head, no no, even if he was willing Tommy wouldn’t feed from him he could wait for Wilbur to get here, he can be patient.
“I can-”
Tommy held up a hand to stop Ranboo from continuing, “Nope, my sire said to only drink from willing people and adults, and no offence big man but you look my age."
Ranboo blinked in surprise, “Oh- oh I mean I wasn’t- I wouldn’t- I mean- uh- n-nevermind,” He replied, his face now covered with a light dusting of red as he looked down, sitting on the ground beside the door, back against the wall heater with his knees tucked up to his chest.
The silence was loud between the two, Tommy eventually mustered the strength to move the coat from his nose, breathing in Ranboo’s scent his eyes began watering slightly as the smell of garlic hit him in waves.
“So um- my names-” before Tommy could properly introduce himself, Ranboo covered his ears in a panic, and squeezed his eyes shut, Tommy blinked his mouth slightly agape in confusion.
“Sorry- I um- I’m uh fae, we have a thing about names and stuff, it’s- it’s dumb,” Ranboo muttered, his face becoming even redder as he buried it into his knees. Tommy blinked, that’d explain why he didn’t directly offer his own blood at least… Tommy wasn’t really that knowledgeable about fae culture but they had some rules about food and not accepting it, and more rules about names and not giving them away? At least Tommy thinks that's how it works.
Tommy snorted, unable to stop the cackle of laughter that left him, “Bold of you to assume you’d get my real name anyway,” he proclaimed, but even fake names and nicknames held some form of power, he cursed quietly, that was probably what had his instincts wary of him.
Ranboo shifted uncomfortably at the prospect about to respond before Tommy cut him off, “Anyway, what would you even do with it? Should I not trust you? Because I’m pretty sure everything my sire told me only counted towards humans,” he threatened, not at all serious but his tone clearly didn’t give it away judging by how scared Ranboo looked as all the colour drained from his face.
“Um- I wouldn’t do anything with it I just-”
“I’m just pulling your leg big man, if you don’t want to know my name that’s fine,” Tommy relented, slowly crawling out of his cocoon to sit cross legged across from Ranboo with his back to Wilburs desk. He internally cringed at the awkward atmosphere he had created, Ranboo still wasn’t scared but Tommy could hear the way his heart skipped beats and his breathing was ever so slightly off, his scent too, the garlic-flower scent was drowned in anxiety and worry.
Tommy can’t blame the kid, it’s probably not every day he sits in a room with a barely adult vampire. He sighs, choosing to change the subject trying to calm Ranboo’s newfound nerves.
“How long does Wilbur normally take? He’s meant to help me find my coven,” Tommy mumbled, poorly attempting to hide his bother.
“Well…”
“Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck,” Wilbur chanted, slamming into a wall as his slid down the hallway, hopping on one foot as he slipped his shoes on clumsily.
He overslept way longer than he thought he would, normally Phil would wake him! Why else would he still live with his father at twenty-four? His bed was just so comfy and he was very much enjoying his dream, a pretty siren luring him into the deep murky waters.
But Tommy was important! Which is exactly why he is awake right now, so he can call the badlands coven, have them try to find Tommy’s coven and when they inevitably don’t he has to convince Technoblade to let him keep the little ray of sunshine.
It’d be a long shot but Technoblade absolutely has a soft spot for the kid, last night he even trilled at the kid, so really Wilbur just has to get his brother to admit he doesn’t mind the kid and Wilbur is nothing if not annoyingly good at reading his brother.
But for now, he just has to get out the door and actually make it to Tommy.
“Told you to set an alarm mate,” Phil chuckled from the kitchen.
“Uh-huh and why would I do that when I have you?” Wilbur replied, fumbling his phone out of his pocket to scroll through his contact list.
“You’re old enough to wake yourself up Wil, you’re not a kid anymore,” Phil laughed.
“Fine, whatever, I gotta go see you later,” Wilbur groaned, rolling his eyes as he found the contact he wanted.
“Say hi to Techno for me!” Wilbur called as he left the house, holding his phone to his ear, listening as the other line rang before being picked up by a tired sounding male.
“Wil? It’s like… 11am why are you calling?” A sleepy voice asked, even in the morning Bad somehow still had a higher voice than Sam.
“Hey uh there this… umm, situation, I found a fledgeling and he doesn’t have his coven and I’ll be honest I don’t think they’re alive anymore but, I want to at least try,” Wilbur responds, unlocking the car.
Something about Wilbur was that under no circumstances was he actually able to drive, but he had a basic understanding of the road rules and how hard can it be he just had to flick a few levers, push some pedals and drive in a straight line for the most part, how hard could it be?
“Right, do you have the kid’s name? Do you know his sire's name?” Bad asked, sounding more awake.
Most vampires are overly protective of fledgelings even if they’re not their own so it’s no surprise that Wilbur heard Bad shuffling about presumably getting his own clothes on as Wilbur looked over the interior of the car trying to find where the hell he’s meant to put the key.
“Passenger seat. Now,” A familiar gruff voice grunted, Wilbur looked to the door, Techno.
“Is that Techno?” Bad sneered, it was always a 50/50 if the badlands coven members would be scared or bothered by Techno, seems like today was an annoyed day though much to Wilburs dismay.
“Yeah, I think he’s secretly worried about the fledgeling,” Wilbur stage-whispered, grinning at Techno who in turn looked about ready to murder Wilbur.
“Passenger seat. Now,” Technoblade demanded, a clear snarl in his words. Wilbur begrudgingly did as he was told, moving to the passenger seat, putting his phone on speaker.
The pinkette threw a bag into the backseat, it looked weirdly full, but not heavy. Wilbur furrowed his brow, about to question it when Bad interrupted his thoughts.
“So… as I was saying, do you know the fledgeling sire’s name?” Bad asked, a snarl to his words which he tried to cover, not that it did much. The badlands coven weren’t exactly Technoblades number one supporters after all.
“Uh, he didn’t mention his sire’s name, but his name is Tommy,” Wilbur answered.
“Theseus…” Technoblade murmured, barely audible.
“What was that Techno?”
His brother didn’t respond, just scoffed and rolled his eyes as he drove.
“Hmm, well I don’t think I’ve heard of any newly turns named Tommy, do you know how old he is?”
“Don’t know how long he’s been a vampire but-”
“Kid looks seventeen, probably hasn’t been a vampire more than two month’s, barely a fully matured vampire, Wil found him in a hunter base,” Technoblade interrupted, not a shred of care in his voice as he relayed the information he knew.
For someone who acts like he hates the kid and thinks of him as a monster he was stupidly perceptive of him.
“Hunters… what would they want with a fledgeling?” A new voice asked through the phone, Skeppy, if Wilbur remembered correctly.
“They were experimenting on him, figuring out weaknesses and shit,” Wilbur answered through grit teeth, it was disgusting, the way Tommy was basically skin and bones, his body deprived of colour.
He’d noted last night the way Tommy chose to word things and pointed out Wilbur ‘had nothing over him’ the way he both trusted and distrusted Wilbur, how the kid practically forced their bodies together as they walked like he hadn’t had any contact with another person in weeks.
“Alright, we’ll meet you at… where?”
“My office,” Wilbur answered before Technoblade had the chance to give his own snide remark.
“Okay, meet you there,” Bad basically chirped, ending the call.
Wilbur turned to Technoblade a smug expression on his face, a scoff forming in his throat.
“And you’re doing what exactly?” He laughed, eyeing the bag Technoblade tossed into the backseat.
“Making sure you don’t crash,” Technoblade growled in response.
“Yeah and it has nothing to do with-”
“Continue that sentence and I will run this car off the road,” Technoblade threatened.
“‘I’ll run this car off the ro-ad’ you need more original threats, these ones are getting old,” Wilbur sneered, pouting and folding his arms with a huff like a child, staring out the window and watching as trees and houses go by.
“They still work so I don’t really care.”
“Yeah well nehh.”
“Great, I’ll be stuck with a bunch of bloodsuckers and two children,” Technoblade deadpanned.
“Two children?” Realisation dawned on Wilburs face quickly covered by a sneer, “Oh haha, very funny mr ‘I totally don’t care for this kid vampire but am forcing myself along into a situation I know I won't enjoy and-,’” the car abruptly stopped, Wilbur caught on his seatbelt, coughing and choking at the way he was launched.
“Whelp good to know they work, get out.”
“What! Why? Because I’m right and you know I’m right.”
“No, because we’re here now hurry up, kids probably awake and hungry,” Technoblade grunted, pulling the keys out, pocketing them and grabbing the bag.
Wait, was the drive really that short? Wilbur looked back out the window, actually focusing on his surroundings now to see that it was indeed his office building. Guess Technoblade knows a shortcut or something.
“What are you waiting for? An invitation?” Technoblade rolled his eyes, opening his own door and hoping out, Wilbur following suit.
They made their way to the front of the building, Wilbur scanning them in and leading them over to the elevator where they waited before entering, thankfully no one else seemed to be there meaning they could continue their lovely brotherly squabbles.
“Y’know you could just go home,” Wilbur mentioned, staring dead ahead at the doors, not even having to see Technoblade to know the look of mild offendedness and overwhelming exasperated annoyance.
“And leave you alone with a bunch of blood suckers, no thank you,” Technoblade spat in response.
“I would still be alone with a bunch of blood suckers with you present, y'know,” Wilbur replied without much thought.
Technoblade growled at Wilbur's words, not that Wilbur cared much, Technoblade was always grumbling at him, so he continued his taunts, “Pretty sure you’re just coming because you’re worried for the kid, you know I can handle a room full of vampires no sweat.”
“You get more annoying everyday.”
“And yet I’m still breathing so I must be doing something to stay on your good side,” Wilbur practically purred in response as the doors opened on their floor, Wilbur stepped out first followed by Technoblade who edged closer to Wilbur.
The floor Wilbur worked on was always busier than the others, really unfortunate for Technoblade who hated people let alone crowds.
“C’mon my office is just down here,” Wilbur hummed, he knew Technoblade knew where his office was but also knew his brother liked assurance when he was around crowds, and even sometimes enjoyed Wilburs soft voice in fact.
Wilbur opened his office door surprised at the scene before him, his personal assistant Ranboo and Tommy were huddled together on the couch, Tommy was braiding Ranboo’s hair, (little braids were strewn throughout Tommy’s own and Wilbur could practically hear the purr Technoblade held back at the scene.) Wilburs coat was still securely around Tommy’s shoulders and the younglings hadn’t even seemed to notice the brothers yet.
“You boys look like you’re having fun,” Wilbur announced, letting himself and Technoblade into the office before shutting the door, Tommy turned to look at them with a chirp.
A chirp which meant… Wilbur had no idea what it meant and Technoblade didn’t seem at all willing to tell him just by the way he looked like he was struggling to not respond to the noise. Wilbur knows Technoblade hates what he is but pushing down his instincts seemed like it did way more harm than good.
“He says hi,” Ranboo translated, fiddling nervously as his eyes rested on Technoblade.
The pair were well acquainted but Ranboo was still wary around the pinkette, with good reason of course. Though Technoblade prided himself mainly as a ‘demon’ hunter he wasn’t opposed to killing other supernaturals who got too rowdy and threatened the town. Not that Ranboo was much of a threat, he wouldn’t even hurt a fly but admittedly Technoblade was a threatening presence even on his off days.
“Oh, hello Tommy, are you hungry? I brought you some more blood,” Wilbur smiled, grabbing a blood pouch out of his bag, offering it out to Tommy.
The little vampire looked hesitant between Ranboo, then to Wilbur and took a shaky step off the couch, accepting the blood gulping it down quickly.
“You drank that pretty fast, you still hungry bud?” Wilbur hummed, ruffling his hair.
“I’ll be fine,” Tommy croaked, wiping the corners of his mouth.
He always worded things just slightly off, he was obviously still hungry but stated he was fine as more of a promise he wouldn’t hurt them. Wilbur smiled, rolling up his sleeve and ignoring the look Technoblade was giving him. A look that basically screamed “you are the biggest moron I’ve ever met Wil, stop being dumb.”
Wilbur held out his wrist in offering, watching as Tommy fixated on it, biting down on his own lip.
“I- I said I’d be fine,” Tommy repeated, tearing his gaze away from the offered wrist.
“Exactly, but you’re still hungry right? C’mon let’s get you fed,” Wilbur smiled.
Tommy took a shaky breath, how is Wilbur being so casual about this? Offering his blood like it’s normal. Technoblade was in the room too, Technoblade who thought he was a monster, a killer, was it a test or something.
“I can handle my thirst fine,” Tommy answered, his glance shifting to look at Technoblade nervously who snapped his head up to meet the young vampire's gaze.
“Okay, how about we sit down, hm?” Wilbur suggested, gesturing to the couch.
Ranboo quickly shuffled over and Tommy basically buried himself into the fae’s side.
“Wilbur, he said he’s fine,” Technoblade grumbled.
“Just like when you say-”
“Wilbur.”
“Point taken,” Wilbur conceded, his hands raised, taking his seat on the couch on the other side of Tommy offering his wrist again.
“Let’s try this again, I promise you won’t hurt me, I’m offering you my blood, I’ll be fine and I’d rather you be fed properly please,” Wilbur coaxed.
Tommy was no stranger to the feeling of hunger, it was like a welcomed friend at this point, a pit that didn’t need to be filled and wouldn’t be. He really didn’t need Wilburs blood, he’d be fine existing alongside the pit of hunger, the sharp hiss at the base of his brain that insisted he just ‘go for the throat.’
“Wilbur,” Technoblade warned, still standing vigilant by the door.
“It’s alright. Tommy?”
“Um- I’m not sure if Technoblade would be happy if I did that,” Tommy answered quietly.
It was probably true, Technoblade was watching Tommy like a hawk watches a mouse, if he made one wrong move he was as good as dead and maybe that wouldn’t be so bad but Tommy didn’t want to go down in Technoblades eyes as a monster, as a thing, a cruel beast who steals away others lives because they lost their own.
Technoblade made a soft rumbling noise, acknowledgement of Tommy’s words, not in agreement but it’s not like he seemed to disagree with them either.
“Technoblade isn’t the one offering, I am, he’ll get over it,” Wilbur stated, cutting through Tommy’s thoughts like a hot knife through butter.
He watched as the offered wrist pulsed with blood, pulsing through his veins, warm blood just below the surface, just under thin layers of flesh. Skin so gentle it’d only take a touch from Tommy’s sharp fangs to piece through.
Tommy let out a short whiny warble before locking his jaw shut, reminding himself Technoblade didn’t like it when he made those noises.
“If you’re hungry, eat. Wilbur is too stubborn to back down first,” Technoblade finally grunted.
As if Technoblade’s permission somehow overruled Wilbur's, the reluctance in Tommy’s head was gone, everything in him now screaming to take what's his, to drink his fill and finally fill the pit of hunger that gnawed at him.
He swallowed thickly, holding Wilburs arm in gentle hands, running his fingers alone the soft flesh, faded scars laid on the flesh already, teeth marks and little slices causing white lines against the already pale skin.
“Is this- okay?” Tommy asked, his hands shook a little as he felt Wilbur’s pulse, steady as it always was, not a hint of fear or distrust.
“I wouldn’t offer if it wasn’t, drink your fill sunshine,” Wilbur hummed, using his free hand to comb through Tommy’s hair.
The nickname made him feel warm, spoken with as much love as Dream when he called Tommy his little moonbeam. His instincts purred as he lifted the wrist to his mouth, his fangs pressed lightly against the skin, looking up at Wilbur who nodded and continued to pet his hair.
Without much thought he sunk his fangs in, flavour unlike what he could get from the blood bags erupted in his mouth. Flowers blossoming, the tides rising and falling, the sunshine beaming down on his skin, there wasn’t really a set of words to describe the taste, maybe it was more of a feeling.
Dream’s blood was similar, it tasted more like a feeling than any flavour, tasted like love, affection, adoration. Wilbur’s was more of a distant affection, like one forced to be locked behind stone walls and castle gates, a princess trapped in a tower.
Tommy whined, forcing his teeth in deeper than he probably should, he felt Wilbur sharply inhale his heartbeat reacting the pain with a little jolt. He could see how Technoblade took a step forward only for Wilbur to shake his head at him, keeping him away.
Faintly, distant talking rang in Tommy’s ears, nothing he could really make out as he was too preoccupied lapping up the blood that poured from Wilburs wrist, a liquid promise of love and safety pouring from the man's veins.
Tommy purred, licking the last few beads of blood before pulling away satisfied as the pit of hunger was no longer present, the incessant cries for blood silenced. He looked around the room to find new figures, he flinched back into Ranboo, a snarl vibrating in the back of his voice. Vampires.
“Hello little one, how are you?” One of the vampires, a man with green hair asked, kneeling down in front of Tommy.
Tommy responded in a warble, pushing himself further into Ranboo.
“It’s okay, they’re friends,” Ranboo promised, resting a hand on Tommy’s as he clutched onto Ranboo’s sleeve.
They didn’t seem like friends, not Tommy’s friends.
“You’re scaring him,” Technoblade stated with a growl.
“Oh, is he yours?” The vampire queried, a snark to his tone as if he already knew the answer.
How could Tommy even be Technoblades, the man isn’t even… oh-
It would explain why he doesn’t like hearing Tommy’s chirping, his warbles, his trills, explain the vampire smell laced with death and hunter. Would explain why Wilbur wasn’t afraid of Tommy, why his heartbeat didn’t falter.
“You know full well he isn’t,” Technoblade snapped.
Tommy didn’t like where this was going, he could feel as the tension in the room rised, could see Technoblade stiffen like he was holding himself back from attacking the vampire.
“Hey, Tommy, sunshine, these are the friends I was telling you about, they’ll help you find your coven,” Wilbur hummed, cupping Tommy’s face gently, looking at him with pure affection in his eyes.
“Wilbur, I don’t like this,” Tommy whined.
He shifted himself so he could curl into Wilbur, pulling Ranboo closer so he could properly sandwich himself between the two, his instincts cried danger, they weren’t his coven, the new vampires weren’t safe to be around. Ranboo and Wilbur could be in danger, they weren’t vampires, they could be hurt. Tommy gave a pitiful warning snarl, sounding more like a kitten than how he wanted but the message didn’t seem to be lost as the vampire in front of him backed up, holding his hands up.
“You heard the kid, back up,” Technoblade basically snarled, taking a step.
“You’ve never been around a vampire so young before have you? It’s showing,” the vampire hissed.
“Sam, no good will come from provoking him, Technoblade I assure you we only want to help, a child so young shouldn’t be without a family,” another vampire explained, his voice was softer and calmer than Sam’s, and more importantly he didn’t make Tommy want to run and flee and hide like Sam did.
“Techno, do you want to come over here,” Wilbur offered, both Ranboo and Tommy stiffened at that.
Tommy wanted Technoblade to be close, wanted to feel safe and protected, a needy chirp tore its way from his throat, aimed towards Technoblade, his eyes pleading for the pinkette to accept the offer.
“He wants-”
“I know Ranboo… thank you,” Technoblade huffed, cutting off the boy.
“Come on, we don’t have all day to discuss this,” Wilbur frowned, beckoning his brother.
Technoblade grumbled but pushed his way past the nicer vampire, snarling and taking his seat on the arm of the couch next to Wilbur, watching the vampires with disgust, a growl building up in his throat that was barely audible.
“Alright, so Tommy, can we have your sires name?” The nicer vampire asked, he smiled at Tommy gently and waited patiently for a response.
“That’s Bad, don’t let the name fool you, he’s a total softy,” Wilbur introduced, rubbing circles into Tommy’s palm with his thumb.
“My sire’s name is Dream…” Tommy answered quietly, curling further into Wilbur.
“Oh…” Bad muttered softly.
“And- the rest of your coven?”
“Sapnap and George,” Tommy answered, why weren’t they saying anything about them! Why can’t they just point him in a direction! Why aren’t they-
“How old are you… how long have you been a vampire, I mean,” Bad asked, his brow furrowed in worry.
“About a month maybe, time kinda gets blurry when you’re in a basement with no windows,” Tommy answered, his eyes beginning to glass over, why won’t they just tell him where Dream is? Why can’t they help, they’re here to help aren’t they?
“I see, you’re younger than we thought, off your sires blood already,” there was a grimace to Bad’s words, as if Tommy should still be drinking from Dream.
“So… where’s the kid’s sire,” Technoblade grunted.
“You know the answer to that already, don’t you Technoblade,” Sam taunted.
Tommy really didn't like what Sam's words implied, did Technoblade know something? Why hadn't he said anything?
“We could tell as soon as we stepped in the room, but you, you suppress your instincts don’t you, you hate what we are, so go on, tell the kid what you already knew from day one,” Sam continued with a hiss.
Tommy’s instincts flared, what are they talking about? What do they know? Where’s Dream? What does Technoblade know? Does Wilbur know? Who else knows? What does he need to be told?
“You leave that kid alone, get out,” Technoblade practically snarled.
“Technoblade please,” Wilbur tried, hesitantly placing a hand on Technoblades only to have it batted away.
“Tommy, I’m sorry but we can’t find your coven…” Bad admitted regretfully, hanging his head and not daring to look Tommy in the eyes.
“What- what do you mean? They’re alive right? I-”
“I’m sorry…”
It felt like a piece of Tommy shattered, that hope that he kept locked away escaped from its cage and fled, the door swinging open making a horrible squealing noise as the metal swung back and forth.
He let the frightened chirps fall from his lips, let the pained warbles crawl up his throat and flood the air.
“Wilbur,” Technoblade growled, covering his ears tightly.
“I think Ranboo’s got it,” Wilbur said softly.
Ranboo cradled Tommy close, using fae magic to slip through his mind and calm his thoughts. It was intrusive and felt weird to the young vampire but he wasn’t in a position to just force Ranboo out of his head so he dealt with it, letting Ranboo into the deepest parts of his memories, the crevices he doesn’t like to remember.
His parents leaving him, living on the streets, being found by Dream, finding out Dream was a vampire, running before he could explain himself… and then they found each other again, Tommy was calmer and Dream explained himself, offering to leave Tommy, never see each other again but Tommy didn’t want that, he loved Dream and Dream loved him.
Dream took care of him, brought him food, blankets, held him close and invited him a warm place to stay for the winter, Tommy met his roommates and whilst he was wary at first, warmed up to the pair.
He was offered a life with them, an eternal life. He took it. Turned under a moonlit sky, the stars shining down on them approvingly. Dream taught Tommy lessons, taught him how to be a vampire, and fed him. It was perfect.
Then the hunters came to town, it was fine, they didn’t know Dream’s coven were vampires and they liked Tommy, called him a little spitfire, said he’d make a great monster hunter. Course he declined, monster hunting isn’t really his style after all, they told him tales of monsters they’d slain, festivals they’ve been to. Tommy loved it, they always put such magic into the stories they told, he loved listening to them.
And then he was revealed, a kid that looked too monstrous to be dubbed human by the hunters on the streets, his blood painting them red, the horror in his eyes, Tommy couldn’t stand by.
“Stop! Stop PLEASE!” Tommy sobbed, the hunter swung his sword and Tommy flinched, this was it, he was going to die.
“Kid, get away, that thing is a beast, it doesn’t even look human.”
“But- he’s scared,” Tommy cried, the boy watched with wide frightened eyes, tears leaking from the corners and dripping down his face.
“No one wants to die lad, but it’s a monster, no better than a bloodsucker.”
“Bloodsucker?” Tommy asked, his voice wavering, when they said monsters he thought-
“Vampires, no better than this fella, fuckers will drain a little thing like you without a care.”
“Now c’mon Tommy, you gotta step aside, trust me, it’s for the best.”
“I thought you only hunted monsters?”
“What do you think vampires are, kid?”
“They look and act like humans… don't they?” Tommy asked, they hated his kind? Maybe he could show them that they aren’t all that bad, yeah, he’ll do that.
“Fuckers are still monsters. Demons with human forms.”
“What am I then?” Tommy asked, letting the blue fall from his eyes, they shined red, tiny short fangs beginning to show on display as he looked at the hunter.
His grand plan didn’t work, because of course it didn’t, the hunter swung at Tommy, bringing his blade down. Tommy stared up in betrayal, the hunter who once looked at him with pity and amusement now looked at him with disdain and… terror, he was scared- scared of Tommy.
So Tommy ran, he doesn’t know what happened to the other kid, he doesn’t want to know. He ran to Dream, crying and scared. Dream almost left to tear their throats out then and there but Tommy stopped him, he didn’t want revenge, he just wanted to be held, to be close to Dream.
Then came the incident in the forest, Dream and Tommy normally wandered through the forest, Dream sharing his infinite wisdom, telling Tommy how he convinced George to leave his fancy life of silver platers and servants who wait on you hand and foot. How he and Sapnap were the sneakiest thieves Old Essempi had ever seen, how he stole from George’s father once, how furious the man was when he caught Dream.
It was nice, just listening to his sire speak, and then came the hunters, they were unfamiliar than the ones Tommy knew. They ran. The forest was thick and if you didn’t know it well enough you were as good as a missing person, a reason why Dream and his coven had it to themselves most of the time.
The hunters didn’t relent though, chasing them through the undergrowth and through brambles.
“OVER THERE!” One of them shouted.
Dream growled, pulling Tommy along, they sent out a message to Sapnap and George, short and sweet. “We’ll be late home, hunters are in the woods don’t worry though we will be coming home,” they didn’t get a response, which wasn’t normal, not that they had much time to think it over as the hunters gained on them with some kind of inhumane speed, like they knew the forest itself, probably brought the shortcuts from a loose lipped fae.
“Moonbeam, I need you to be brave for me okay, stay here,” Dream hummed, tucking Tommy away beneath a tree root, it was surrounded by bushes and thistles, no one would go looking for Tommy there.
“Dream please, don’t leave, stay with me,” Tommy cried in response, warbling softly.
“Moonbeam, I promised I’d always protect you, and like hell I’d break it,” Dream replied, touching their foreheads.
Love-Love-Mine-Mine
“I love you moonbeam.”
“I love you too, Dream.”
Tommy waited, and waited, under the tree roots, poking at spores with a stick, letting the bugs crawl over his hands as he dug them into the dirt.
The forest was quiet, when was Dream coming back? He leaned against the tree, dirt and bark falling into his hair, he was bored and lonely.
The link faltered, distress calls ringing in Tommy’s head leading him into a panic.
Dream’s in danger! Dream’s in danger!
Tommy took off, adrenalin flooding his system, he knows he should listen to Dream, stay put but his sire was in danger, he was hurt, he was-
Dream laid on the forest floor, bodies scattered around him, the place reeked of blood, Dreams blood, human blood. Just, blood.
Tommy picked up his sire, flinging one of his arms around his own shoulders, dragging Dream away from the scene, they had to get out of the forest, get Dream back to George and Sapnap, get him healed.
The snap of a twig echoed far too close for comfort and Tommy snarled it was the first time he made a noise like that, a drive to protect his sire dragging it out of him.
“Silver poisoning. Looks nasty.”
Tommy snarled again, pulling Dream closer to himself, his sire groaned in pain and Tommy trilled softly as an apology. He had to protect Dream, had to look after his sire as he does Tommy.
“He won't live without help y’know.”
Tommy glared at the hunter, pulling his lip back in threat.
“Tell you what, we can heal up your uh, brother or whatever and you, little bloodsucker, can come with us.”
Tommy wasn’t stupid, he saw the obvious stupidity in the offer, but that was barely a melody in the back of his head as a whole orchestra started up, he could save Dream, his sire would be okay!
And then they locked Tommy up, and Tommy was stuck there for days, being thrown slabs of meat, the hunters sharing smug looks as they watched Tommy lick the blood off them and gnaw on them.
Day after day Tommy was sliced open, observed, poked, fed, and received broken limbs. All to save his sire, so it was okay.
It should have been okay but then Bad said- Bad implied… Dream wasn’t alive Dream was gone, Tommy sat and waited and let himself be used, abused and tortured all for nothing. He was alone again, back to being some stupid street rat no one wants, a useless member of society. And now he’s a vampire, a blood sucker, a monster people fear.
A hand rested on his and he looked up to see Ranboo.
“I can take the pain away if you want,” Ranboo offered.
Tommy shook his head, he wanted to remember Dream, he wanted to be able to honour his sire, live to see what he couldn't, an age of peace between those dubbed as monsters and those dubbed as human-enough.
“Thank you Ranboo,” Wilbur hummed, turning Tommy’s head, and cupping his cheek.
“It’s not much but you could stay with us, you can meet our dad, he’d love to meet you y’know, little sunshine,” Wilbur offered.
“I- I don’t-” Tommy’s gaze shifted over to Technoblade who watched Tommy with hesitant concern quickly masked by a bored and slightly annoyed gaze when he noticed Tommy’s eyes shift to focus on him.
“I’m not kicking a kid out to the streets,” Technoblade grunted, looking away from Tommy.
Tommy flung himself into Wilburs arms, holding him tightly, “I’d like that… please.”
“Oh course, my sweet little sunshine.”
Wilbur pressed a kiss into Tommy’s nest of curls, holding him tightly.
"Now, Technoblade brought you a gift, blankets and clothes I think," Wilbur smirked, looking at his brother and the bag he still held.
Tommy's mouth made a small 'o' shape, "Thank you Technoblade."
Technoblade flushed handing the bag to Tommy, "It doesn't matter, you shouldn't be walking around in a hospital down and Wilburs filthy coat."
"HEY!" Wilbur hissed, hitting his brother and pouting, "You're just mad cause he likes me more."
"Whatever you say Wilbur."
Tommy’s life returned to somewhat normalcy after that, he lived with Wilbur, was tasked with waking him up every morning, even when he didn’t have work - Phil said it’s a ‘good habit’ for Wilbur to have - but more often than not it ended in Wilbur coaxing Tommy into the bed with him so they could cuddle.
Wilbur was as clingy as a sire to their newly turned, Tommy can’t help but feel a little sad that Wilbur isn’t a vampire, he found out that Wilbur was some kind of a fuckin’ siren, or a ‘fish dude’ as Tommy so eloquently put it.
Sometimes he’d sing Tommy songs and weave magic into them, Tommy could practically see the melodies that Wilbur created dancing through the air in careful choreography. Tommy would fall asleep next to Wilbur, tucked into his side without a worry or concern plaguing his mind.
Technoblade was still cold to Tommy but would sometimes invite him over to the sitting room if he saw that Tommy was lingering in the doorway. Tommy kept his distance, opting to sit on a different seat than Technoblade even if his instincts cried for him to snuggle against the older vampire, he didn’t want to overstep boundaries Technoblade obviously had.
Phil was Tommy’s new favourite, a fae like Ranboo, he had bird wings though which was pretty cool, sometimes he’d let Tommy help preen them, Tommy would carefully card his fingers through the shiny black feathers that reflected blues and greens, looking for pin feathers ready to free. Plucking out old feathers that have already served their time.
Whilst he helped Phil with his wings, the man would reward him with tales of a young adventurer that Tommy strongly suspects is just Phil, not that the old man admits it. A tale of a young boy who slayed a dragon, fell in love with a beautiful woman, someone destiny decided not to be, they were separated, one stuck in the mortal plain unaging and the other a being forced to watch over her lover, their souls stuck forever apart. It was a sad story but Tommy enjoyed it all the same, he liked the way Phil would weave stories, like a spider spinning silk into their master-crafted web.
It was nice, Tommy enjoyed it, but realistically he wouldn’t be able to stay forever, Technoblade wasn’t comfortable around vampires and already let Tommy stay for well over a week. This was his home, not Tommy’s.
Eventually he’d turn eighteen and he’d leave then, maybe he’d leave earlier, maybe he could see Wilbur and Phil… and Technoblade around town. Maybe he could run, find a new town, have a new beginning.
He rested his head down on his pillow, these were thoughts for a Tommy who wasn’t tired out of his mind, he could think it through in the morning when he inevitably ended up in Wilburs arms, held close to the brunette. Safe.
His eyes fluttered shut, sleep sounded nice…
When Tommy opened his eyes he didn’t know where he was, some empty looking place, dark too. Not dark like no light but dark like everything was covered in a thick layer of black making it hard to tell walls from the floor and ceiling, if there even were walls and a ceiling in… wherever Tommy was.
“Hello my little moonbeam,” the warm words of Tommy’s sire drifted to his ears, Tommy twitched, looking around the dark space.
“Dream?” Tommy squeaked, an elated smile on his face.
“Hey bud, where have you been my little moonbeam?” Dream crooned, opening his arms which Tommy ran over too, pushing himself up against Dream, he was real. Tommy could feel him.
“You’re safe, you’re okay!” Tommy chirped.
Dream frowned, his hand stopping to rest on Tommy’s head. The younger let out a questioning noise as he looked up at Dream, a sorrowful look in his eyes as he pushed Tommy’s head back to his chest.
“I’m so proud of you little moonbeam,” Dream began, his voice was quiet and missing that joyful undertone he normally had addressing Tommy.
“I didn’t like being with the hunters but then this guy named Wilbur came and he saved me and…” Tommy trailed off, even being this close to Dream he couldn’t feel the bond, the string of love-love-mine-mine.
Tommy trilled quietly, a sad noise which Dream echoed. Noticing more, he found that he couldn’t smell Dreams' scent, freshly cut grass and a more hidden tangy scent, not at all present even as Tommy buries his face into the fabric of his sires hoodie.
He forced out a desperate-scared-please into the non-existent bond, looking up at Dreams face a pleading, hopeful look in his eyes, Dream just smiled, shaking his head making it clear he had no idea what Tommy tried to communicate.
Dream always knew what Tommy felt even without the bond. But he didn’t right now, he didn’t pull Tommy closer and whisper words of affection into his hair, he didn’t purr lovingly or let out his annoyingly delightful wheezing laughter that sounds like a tea kettle. And it hurt Tommy let out a quiet desperate warble.
His sire just smiled, running his hands through Tommy’s hair. He looked down on Tommy pitifully, he never looked at Tommy like that. But Tommy couldn’t find it in himself to be angry, he was with his sire, even if his sire wasn’t really there, even if Tommy was slowly coming to that conclusion no matter how much it pained him.
He reached for Dream, his sire took the hand and cupped it to his face, he felt so real, Tommy could feel him, his skin under his finger tips, his hand wrapped around Tommy’s. Yet he couldn’t ceny the truth, no matter how much he wanted to believe otherwise.
“It’s not real is it…” Tommy choked back tears, he wanted it to be real, he gripped Dream's hoodie, burying his face into his sires chest, wetting it with tears.
“It can be, if you want it to be,” Dream replied quietly, resting his head on Tommy’s, his chest rumbling gently.
Tommy smiled, he did, he wanted this to be real but…
He also really liked living and being with Wilbur, with Phil, even with Technoblade even when he’d scowl at Tommy, growling if the boy got too close. He knew it was all a front, Technoblade wouldn’t hurt him, but Tommy wouldn’t push, he’d wait for Technoblade, they have forever after all.
“I do, but, I’ll see you in the real world, y’know?” Tommy replied.
Dream smiled sadly, not responding, yet without words the communication was clear. This was a goodbye. A broken bond only ever meant two things, Tommy was abandoned or… his coven wasn’t alive, and Dream would never leave Tommy behind. His moonbeam.
“I love you moonbeam,” Dream muttered, pressing a soft kiss into Tommy’s curls.
“I love you too Dream,” Tommy replied, letting a tear slip down his cheek.
As he felt the world fading around him he stubbornly refused to say his goodbyes, this wasn’t a goodbye, it won't be the last time, it can't be-
In the thickness of the fog he could feel himself falling, drowning in an ocean of his own thoughts, desperately wishing someone, anyone, Dream would pull him from the tide. He flailed, Dreams there, he can’t leave him, he doesn’t want to leave his sire, he wants-
“Moonbeam,” Dreams call shot through the thick fog of his brain, “Goodbye.”
Tommy made a sad noise, if this was the final chance…
“Goodbye… Dream”
Tommy woke to damp cheeks and a series of warbles, chirps and cries stuck in his throat. Strong arms tightened their hold on him, Tommy chirped in question, looking up to find Technoblade.
He expected to see Phil, maybe Wilbur but not Technoblade.
“Bad dream?” He asked, his tone gave no emotion away, his eyes focused on a book, keeping one arm around Tommy something that once might have been threatening but now felt more like a promise of safety.
“Yeah… something like that,” Tommy muttered in response, curling further into Technoblade eyes straining to try to read the book, but it looked boring so Tommy just settled for being in the older vampire’s presence.
“What’s your plan from here?” Technoblade grumbled, running a hand through the golden tangles of Tommys hair.
“Dunno, I don’t suppose I'm welcome here am I?” Tommy mumbled half-joking, leaning into the gentle touches.
Technoblade hummed in thought, putting his book down to watch Tommy with thoughtful eyes.
“Wilbur would enjoy your company, he likes you,” Technoblade answered, dodging the real question they both knew was beneath Tommy’s words.
“But you don’t like vampires, and this is your home, your family,” Tommy replied, forcing back tears that threatened to overflow.
He desperately wanted to stay, close to Technoblade, close to Wilbur, tucked under Phil’s wing. Wanted to drink Wilburs blood again, be offered it, listen to Wilburs heartbeat as it didn’t even falter even when Tommy is snarling like he’s feral.
He wants to hear Wilbur call him his little sunshine, hear tales of old and new from Phil, listen from around corners as Technoblade complains to Wilbur or Phil about his book and its lousy worldbuilding.
But this was Technoblades home before it was ever Tommy’s, he was staying for convenience, he’d have to leave eventually whether or not he’s ready.
“I don’t,” Technoblade stated, his mouth slightly agape as he planned out his next words.
“But you’re not that bad, if you wanted you could stay,” Technoblade muttered, his eyes were soft, close to Dream’s looks of love and affection but… different, Technoblade had hints of sorrow trapped behind bars of love and curtains of affection but still undeniably there.
Tommy trilled softly, “Right here?”
“Right there Theseus,” Technoblade mumbled into his hair, an action Dream would make often, whenever he got clingy trying to drown himself in Tommy’s scent, maybe that's what Technoblade was doing.
“If you ever change your mind…”
“I won’t,” Technoblade stated, pulling Tommy closer with his unoccupied arm.
A promise of protection, love and devotion was shared between them, Tommy could feel a pull at the back of his head, his instincts purring and trilling excitedly.
confusion-love-affection- mine