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Wilbur was acting erratic again. Tommy could tell as soon as he walked into the living room that something was off. It wasn’t surprising though, in the months of spying on the Siren Tommy learned to deal with his moods. They swayed back and forth like a storm, flipping from violent to loving on a whim. It used to scare Tommy, but he was actually pretty easy to understand. Usually the Siren tried to seem a lot more unstable than he was, putting on an act to scare the public. The only time he got truly murderous, was when his family, the rest of the Sleepy Syndicate, was in danger. But considering his powers of mind control such scenarios were extraordinarily rare.
Though Tommy knows that one day, the Siren’s ire will be on him. He went into this, full well knowing that it was going to be a suicide mission. That one day, whether it be days, months, or years down the line, that Siren will find out that his dearest protege, Theseus, is the hero Crowboy, who has been spying for years.
Did he figure it out today? Siren paced the room, tense and grinding his sharp teeth. “Is something wrong?” Tommy asked, somewhat hesitant.
He whipped his face to stare at Tommy, gray eyes softening immediately. “Nothing you need to concern yourself with. I have it under control.” Wilbur said as he sat down on the worn, green, loveseat in the corner, beckening Tommy to join him.
Tommy immediately relaxed as he walked over to snuggle with the Siren. He didn’t know, not yet.
As soon as he sat down Wilbur grabbed him and pulled Tommy to his chest, clutching tightly. This wasn’t exactly surprising, as Wilbur always got clingy when upset. Though usually he didn’t hug so tightly, so something definitely must have happened. “Is everything alright?” Wilbur nodded, teary eyed and sniffling. “Did someone get hurt?” Despite being a spy, Tommy had grown to care for everyone at the Syndicate.
“Yes,” Wilbur sniffled, running his fingers through Tommy’s hair. “We’re all ok. Everythings fine, Little blackbird. No one is going to take you away.”
“What happened?”
Wilbur’s grip got even tighter. “Those heroes. They want to take you from us. I won’t let them.”
Tommy nodded, but mentally he was freaking out. They were getting close, too close. Any more investigating and they’d find out he was a traitor. They would kill him.
There wasn’t anything to be done though. Even if he did report it, there’s no way he’d be pulled from the mission. The top hero Dream was the only one who could approve such a thing, and that was simply never going to happen. Tommy tried asking three times before, none of them succeeded.
The first time he was sympathetic but firm. “I’m sorry Tommy, it’ll take years to get someone else in, and imagine how many people will be hurt.” That day Dream was patching up a bullet wound. It was just a scrape, but spooked Tommy badly. “Besides, you’re the only one who can do this. We don’t have many powers that can counteract or nullify the Siren’s mind control, and most are already in the spotlight. It has to be you.”
The second time he brought it up was after Tubbo went missing. Tommy just wanted to be home, to mourn his friend in a place he won’t be killed for it. Dream was far more straightforward that time. “Tommy, enough of this. You want to be a hero, don’t you? Stop people from going missing like your friend? Well this is the only way to do it. Your power isn’t strong enough to let you fight as a regular superhero, but you do have a power, and it’s your duty to help people with it.” He wasn’t wrong. Nullification, or the ability to nullify other power effects, wasn’t all that strong, even with his black wings. But it still hurt to hear.
The last time Tommy asked was a month ago. Dream was done being patient. “You are a hero. Dying for others is simply part of the job. Any information that will help stop the Syndicate will save thousands of lives. Do you really think you’re more important than that? How could you be so selfish?”
So yeah, asking would probably do no good. It would just risk his clearly fragile cover further.
“I hate those heros.” Wilbur hissed. His grip was getting painful, but Tommy didn’t pull away. “They take all the super powered little birdies away from their nest, and force them to be little soldiers. How cruel.” He sighed, losing his grip as he stared down at Tommy with adoring eyes. “How old are you now?”
“20. Almost 21.” In truth he was only 17, almost 18. His fake identity had his age at three years older, but his birthday was only one day off. Easy to remember, but if someone somehow got access to his real identity it wouldn’t set off any red flags.
“So young.” Wilber purred into his blonde hair. “Young enough to manipulate, and that's all they care about. Still a kid. They’d twist you into whatever they wanted. Their little Tommy soldier.”
The hero somewhat resented that. Sure he was young, but the hero committee helped him off the street, gave him a place to stay. They cared for him for a good two years, before even enrolling him in the training program, at age 13. Even then, it’s not like he couldn’t have left if he needed to. The only reason he couldn’t leave now was because he was in the middle of an extremely volatile mission. If he left now, without any help, not only would everyone currently undercover be endangered, but the Syndicate themselves would surely track him down and kill him.
“Don’t worry Wil, I’m not easy to manipulate.” It felt wrong that Wilbur cared for him, when Tommy was only going to betray him, but he needed to be reassured right now.
“Most aren’t, but that much time as a sole influence, especially of someone so young, they can have you believing or doing anything they want you to.” Wilbur hummed, “I made a protection necklace for you. It’s enchanted, to keep you safe.”
Tommy hesitated. “I don’t like enchantments. You know this Wil.” It was true, they often had weird effects with his powers, either not working at all, only half working, or sometimes making the enchantment stronger. Of course Wil didn’t know that part.
“Please Toms? It’ll keep you safe, and make me feel a lot better.” He pleaded. “I even got it in emerald. So you’ll match me, Techno, and Phil.” He looked so sad as he asked, like he truly was concerned. It made Tommy feel guilty.
“Alright, I’ll try it.” A mere protection spell probably just wouldn’t work. But it would at least make Wilbur happy.
The supervillian beamed. “I’m glad I’ve found a way to keep you safe, my Tommy.” He barely even loosened his grip as he pulled a necklace from his pocket. Though in reality it was more of a choker than a necklace, the chain was made out of a soft leather, with a small emerald at the front. It looked both a lot more comfortable and a lot more secure than most necklaces, and easy to keep out of the way.
“Thank you.” Tommy said as Wilbur gently placed it on his neck, clipping it in the back.
“No, thank you little blackbird.” The enchantment buzzed with power, so whatever it was clearly still had some effect. After it was on Wilbur’s grip loosened, letting Tommy lean away.
“So what does this do?” He asked, reaching up to readjust it.
“Don’t touch the necklace.” Siren commanded, power seeping into his voice.
Tommy froze against his will, eyes going wide. Wilbur’s commands didn’t work on him, ever, his nullification overpowering the mind control. But now they had full sway, something that had never happened before. The only way that would have happened was if the necklace was a power suppressant.
Fuck.
“W-Wilbur,” Tommy chuckled, trying to suppress his panic. “It’s a little tight. Can you please let me take it off?”
“Is it?” Wilbur purred, his voice much too sweet. “Because I made sure you had plenty of room. Is it actually too tight? Be honest.”
The truth was torn from his throat. “N-no, it’s comfortable.” Fuck.
“I thought so, little blackbird. Or should I say, little crow.”
Fuck.
Immediately Tommy jumped up from the loveseat and bolted. Wilbur didn’t even have to lift a finger. “Freeze Tommy.” As soon as the Siren spoke he couldn’t move an inch. Heart jackrabbiting inside his chest. “Don’t worry, I won’t hurt you. But I do need you to come here.”
Like a marionette, Tommy’s limbs moved without his permission, against his control. He tried to fight, but it did nothing. His body only led him back into the Sirens arms, the older man wearing a predatory grin.
“There we go, nice and safe.” He purred, standing up. Slowly, painfully slowly, Wilbur pulled Tommy into a suffocating hug.
“W-wilby, please,” Tommy begged softly, still frozen.
“You know how angry I was when I heard that you were our traitor? Little Theseus, my little brother. Slipping all our secrets to the Hero Committee, trying to take us down from the inside.”
Tommy was starting to shake. “Wilbur, I didn’t-”
“Silence!” Wilbur roared, Wrapping a hand around Tommy’s throat. After a few minutes of heavy silence, he finally spoke back up, though his voice was soft and low. “I wanted to tear someone’s throat out.” After one single, terrifying second, Wilbur’s hand loosened. “But not yours. Never yours, little Theseus.”
Only then did he pull out of the hug, placing his hands on a frozen Tommy’s shoulders. “Now, I’m going to let you go, but first I’m going to give you some commands. You will not take the power suppressant necklace off. You will not try to hurt yourself or any member of the syndicate. I know what those heroes train you to do, but no self sacrifice here. If you get hurt you are to let me, Techno, or Phil know as soon as possible. You are not to return to the hero committee, nor any of the official hero’s. I think that's all for now.” Wilbur chuckled softly. “Ok now, you may move and talk.”
Tommy wasn’t prepared for the feeling of control to be returned, nearly collapsing to the ground. Wilbur jumped in to grab him before he fell. “Easy, easy, I got you. I should have warned you, shouldn't I have?” Though the tone of his voice made it very clear he didn’t mind Tommy collapsing on him.
“What the fuck?” Tommy panted, his mind racing. “I have to go. Let me go.” He shoved Wilbur away, not trying to harm him, just trying to get away.
“Oh no little one, I can’t let you do that. You’re part of the family now. Even wearing our crest.” He gently brushed over the emerald. “I wanted to give you an earring, but Techno warned me that piercing your ears would be a lot harder than giving you a necklace. He was right, of course, he’s right about many things. He gave you your name of course, and I find it fitting.”
“M-my name?” Tommy stuttered, still trying to pull away. Wilbur didn’t even seem to struggle, holding him still.
“Yes yes, Theseus, a grand little hero who was betrayed by his own people. Cast off a cliff by those he served.” He cupped the back of Tommy’s neck, gently forcing his head on his shoulder. “Though in the myth there's no one to catch him. That's one thing I was glad to change.”
Tommy started to thrash and kick in the supervillain's grip. “HELP!” He screamed, full well knowing no one would come to his aid. “HELP!”
A kick to Wilbur’s knee and they both stumbled to the ground, the older man twisting him around so that Tommy wouldn’t take the brunt of the fall.
“Oof,” Wilbur grunted, wrapping his arms round Tommy, who was still desperately trying to escape. “Easy, easy, calm.”
It wasn’t the same as the absolute paralysis from before, but Tommy’s limbs still fell limp, out of his control. A haziness crossed over his mind, making it hard to think, yet still completely aware. His throat let out a whine as he was trying desperately not to cry.
“There we go, much better.” Wilbur purred as he sat back up, sitting Tommy in his lap. The hero’s head rolled, resting awkwardly on his shoulder. “See, nice and safe.”
Tommy swallowed back a sob. “When- When are you going to kill me?”
“Oh, no no no!” Wilbur’s grip tightened. “I don’t want to kill you, I want to help you. I didn’t lie about the necklace, it is for protection. It’s to protect you from yourself, and from those vicious heroes who only want to hurt you.”
“I don’t need protecting.” His voice cracked. “I need to protect others. I have powers, it’s my duty.” It’s what he was told, all throughout childhood. Those with power protect those without. Even as an orphan with nothing to his name, the mere presence of wings on his back meant Tommy had a duty to help others, even at the cost of his own life.
Wilbur laughed. “Is that what those heroes told you? Then tell me, little blackbird, why aren’t they the ones out in the field? Why aren’t the top heroes the ones doing dangerous undercover work. Why do they send out little kids to do their dirty work? I know you’re a child.” He hissed that last statement.
“I’m 20-”
“How old are you? Tell the truth.”
“17” Tommy blurted out, before he could stop himself.
“I’ve already read your file.” He hummed, brushing his hands through Tommy’s blonde hair. “You’re still so young. So malleable. They got into your head and made you a little soldier. We were planning to get you anyway, after Tubbo asked about you, but we had no idea you were so close. Practically on a silver platter.”
The hero's breath hitched. “You have Tubbo?”
Wilbur nodded sympathetically. “Yes, he’s with his father now.”
“His father abandoned him!” Tommy spat, knowing the story well. Tubbo was left on a doorstep at only a month old. The person who found him gave him over to the hero committee as soon as they saw the horns on his head. He was Tommy’s closest friend, and Tommy was devastated when Tubbo went missing a few months before.
The Siren’s grip got tighter. “No. He was stolen from his father, and abused for his powers. Just like you.” Wilbur sighed. “But you don’t have to worry about that now, Tubbo is right where he belongs. And so are you.”
“I don’t belong here!” Tommy yelled, gaining some control of his body back. Not enough to pull away, but enough to look at the walls instead of Siren’s adoring face.
“You don’t? Let me guess, you belong with the heroes.” He asked in a mocking tone.
Still, Tommy hardened his resolve. “Yes. Yes I do.”
This earned a laugh. “Well, those little heroes made the mistake of handing you over to me. Tell me little Theseus, how long did they have you for?”
“S-seven years.” Or at least, almost seven years. Tommy wasn’t sure the exact date he was taken in, too ill and scared to really keep track. But he remembers it was cold, yet it was before any snowfall. And currently it’s autumn. So if not seven years to the date, then close enough.
“Seven years huh? Seven years of brainwashing, seven years of getting into your head and warping your mind.” Wilbur sounded genuinely remorseful at this. “You know the cure for brainwashing?”
Tommy was too scared to answer. Wilbur continued anyway.
“Rehabilitation of course.” The hero immediately shuttered at the word. Wil rushed to reassure him. “Oh no, nothing like that. I know what the heroes do to people they want to rehabilitate. Lock them up, drug them, force them to fight at heros. No blackbird, nothing like that. We want you to recover.”
“I don’t need to be healed!” He snarled, thrashing weakly. The command had mostly worn off by then, but his limbs were heavy and tired. He didn’t stand a chance against Siren even at full strength, but he couldn’t bear to just lay there.
Wilbur actually frowned at this. “You don’t even know how sick you are. How much they’ve hurt you. But that’s ok, big brother Wilby will help with that.” That nickname was only spoken in fear or weakness, and twisted at Tommy’s heart now. “Those heroes had you for seven years. Now that you’re ours I think it’s only fair that we get the same amount of time, don’t you?”
His heart dropped to his feet. “No.”
Wilbur grinned, sharp teeth vicious. “Oh yes. For seven years they had you all to themselves. Can you blame me for being jealous over my little brother? You’re mine now. I should get to keep you for equally as long. Doesn’t that sound nice?”
Tommy sobbed, but tried to stay calm. “And after seven years? Will you let me go?” It sounded like an eternity, but at least there might be an end, no matter how far in the future.
He nodded earnestly “Of course dear, after seven years you’re free to leave us forever. I won’t let you go back to the heroes, but you certainly won’t have to stay.” His grin widened. “Though by then I hardly doubt you’d even want to leave.”
Tommy started to sob. Wilbur just held him tighter, rocking him back and forth in a soothing motion. “We’re family after all. And if it takes you seven years to learn that lesson, then it takes seven years. But don’t worry, I will be by your side the entire time, my little blackbird.”