Chapter Text
Tommy had always had a hard life almost as far back as he could remember. He didn’t have many people in his life who supported him. His mother? Dead. Father? Alcoholic. Brothers? Absent. Well, most of the time at least.
Tommy was seven when his mother died. A fatal car crash on a rainy night and suddenly their perfect family was in shambles.
It had started with his father, a hard-working man who did his best to provide for his family. He had originally at least tried to be there for his kids right after it happened, but it was almost impossible for him. He had quickly devolved into a habit of drinking his problems away, spending money carelessly on alcohol just to get the slightest taste of bliss. He’d wake up early and get home late, the stench of liquor clinging to him.
The next to fall was Tommy’s oldest brother, Techno. He was 12 when their mother passed. He showed signs beforehand of his own problems arising but nobody took much notice. Soon, it had begun with a closed door leading into his room. Rare conversations that were cut short by him losing focus. One-word responses and once in a blue moon sightings of him were common. He had 3 locations, which were the house, school, and a fencing club that some rich people sponsored. The only person he ever communicated with was his twin brother Wilbur and even that was a stretch.
Speaking of which, this twin brother was one of Tommy’s family members who held out the longest before he inevitably fell. Wilbur had started as normal, taking care of Tommy while his dad worked. Eventually, however, the stress had caught up to him, and the only attention Tommy received from him was harsh words and glares. Of course, he had his twin brother to calm him down when he behaved too rashly.
Tommy didn’t know when he fell. He didn’t even know if he fell.
His mother’s death was horrifying, but his family falling apart might have been what turned him into what he was.
Tommy never had a negative consequence according to anybody else. He was perfect. He was homeschooled since the incident, so he saw an opportunity at his young age. By age 9 he could cook for himself, which was quite impressive considering his mother was the only one who knew how to make good food.
And if you said he was learning from one of his older brother’s childhood friends he’d say you were a liar.
By age 10 he could sew, which wasn’t an impressive hobby to the common eye until he was able to patch up his brother’s ripped shirt after a particularly nasty fight with a classmate. He had also started learning how to clean the house and what chores needed to be done, which had originally been done by a pitying neighbor before they moved.
It was by age 11 that Tommy found out about first aid, a rather helpful skill. He started taking careful care of the house himself, rather than relying on somebody else. He could go grocery shopping with stolen money from his dad’s wallet and started working harder on his classes so he would be ahead of everybody else.
By age 12 he had started helping out a kind man named Sam with mowing his lawn for a few bucks here and there. Sam had shown him his business, which was a mobile mechanic repair as well as a welding shop. Tommy knew then, that he was ready to quit mowing lawns for cheap bucks and take a part-time job with Sam.
And that’s what Tommy did. And he never regretted that decision.
—
An alarm clock blared in his ear.
Tommy groaned, fist pounding down faintly on his bedside table until the ringing stopped. He peeled himself out of the bed, rubbing his eyes tiredly as he stumbled to his bathroom. After a warm shower that left his skin pink, he threw on a navy blue sweater with a sheep on the front and baggy jeans. He put on his gold anklet, a valuable hidden from everybody, and made sure to style his hair with careful and practiced movements.
After all, he is nothing if not perfect.
He went downstairs, footsteps quiet on wooden floors. He stepped into the kitchen, going through his practiced movements of making breakfast. His dad was currently staying at a colleague’s place after a trip to the bar, which left him making food for just his brothers.
Surely, an hour after Tommy came downstairs two pairs of footsteps were making their way towards the room. Tommy knew how they were, they would be silent for the day unless Wilbur wanted to start another argument with him.
After “That Night” Wilbur hadn’t tried to cause problems with Tommy while he was in the kitchen however.
Tommy put down plates on the small dining table for 4, however only 3 had food. Wilbur and Techno had already seated themselves, Wilbur looking too tired to speak and Techno his usual stoic self.
Tommy would try anyway, as always. His stare was blank but he was always polite when he spoke. “Good morning, you two. Is there anything you need from the store while I’m out?”
Sounds of forks and knives scraping over plates were the only response besides the smallest of a glance from Wilbur. Tommy mentally sighed, although he already knew this was going to be the answer but he still tried, as always. And as soon as they finished eating Tommy took their plates to the sink as they ran off for school.
Tommy himself grabbed his backpack, as well as the sticky note on the fridge of groceries that he needed before leaving. Tommy walked his way down to his workplace, knowing that at least his boss after work would be able to drive him to the supermarket since his dad wasn’t here.
He unlocked the door with a raccoon key chain before stepping into his workplace and going to the back room. His boss looked up at him when the door opened, pulling up his welding mask to see Tommy better. “Hey Tommy! You're here early, what’s the rush?”
Tommy shrugs “Didn’t have to deal with my dad today, so it gave me more time to come bother you.” He always felt more comfortable with his boss, Sam, around. With him, he didn’t have to be perfect since he knew most things about Tommy’s life anyhow from late-night projects. He was somewhat of Tommy’s parental figure, along with his husband, Ponk. “And I wanted to go to the grocery store later, thought I’d compensate for the gas price with free labor.” He gave jazz hands nearing the end of his sentence.
Sam grins and shakes his head with a chuckle “Whatever, kiddo. You want to help me out with this project?”
Tommy nods excitedly, practically throwing himself on a chair. “What are you making, big man?” He asked. Tommy couldn’t tell what parts were supposed to go where but it looked like some sort of trapdoor.
“A customer wanted a hidden entrance for their basement. Apparently, they bought an expensive item from an auction and are keeping it there. I have the door here because I’m finishing up the lock mechanism but I need your assistance with the hinges on the frame.” Sam explained, nudging Tommy towards the filing cabinet drawers that were filled with different metal pieces.
“They’re not from this district, are they? I really don’t think people in this part of town care for auctions. Those are for tories.”
Sam shook his head, Tommy dug through a specific drawer until he found the box of spring door hinges, taking out 2 and putting on his fire-resistant jacket hanging over the top of the cabinet. He wandered over to where the frame sat on the table and motioned for Sam to give him the door as he grabbed his mask and welding machine. As Sam finished up the lock, he handed Tommy the door, moving on to melting woods metal in another area of the room. Tommy slid the door into place with the frame, grabbing a filler rod as well after putting on his gloves.
“Apparently they’re from district 2. You know how those kinds of people are.” Sam commented.
Tommy started by marking off where the areas he would need to cut out from the door and frame would be, being bothered slightly by the way the hinges would stick out. He used the abrasive wheel to cut out the sections, slotting the hinges into place. He then went over them with the welding machine and filler rod, sealing them into place before using an angle grinder to clean it up. After, he sorted his work station as Sam came over with the key, which was finished solidifying in a silicone mold.
Tommy grinned playfully, “You and your husband live in district 6, that is only a few away.” He gets a light-hearted punch to the shoulder in reply.
Tommy has Sam finish up the work as Tommy starts working on a different project. “How are your brothers doing? Treating you well?” Sam asked, casting a glance at Tommy. Sam knew about Tommy’s situation and wasn’t very pleased to hear that his family was just about in shambles. He always told Tommy that if he needed anything, he and Ponk were there for him, which Tommy knew although he never actually needed it besides simple errands.
Tommy shrugged “They’re doing alright, I suppose. They weren’t pissed off at everything and everyone this morning. Dad stayed over at a friend’s house last night so I didn’t have to make as much breakfast, thank fuck.”
Sam nodded, looking only slightly pleased with the answer. “It’s good that they’re not bothering you. And you should take care of yourself instead of that sorry excuse of a man.” Sam glared at the project nearing the end of his statement.
Tommy smiled, knowing Sam only meant well towards him. “How’s the husband? Anything happening up at the tower?” He asked. Ponk worked as a healer at the Heroes Tower, making a ton of money but stayed down in the middle districts for the most part.
The district Tommy and his family live in was 9, not necessarily seen as middle class but close. Sam and Ponk lived in the 6th, though they owned a penthouse in the 1st district near the Heroes Tower and other properties around the city of L’manburg. The larger the number, the lower the class.
“He’s doing alright, business for him isn’t too busy right now. However, he did have to treat Ignatius after his fight with Rosethorn last week. Those thorns really are as big a deal as the media makes them out to be.” Sam mentioned, smirking as Tommy snorted a laugh.
Neither of the duo really liked heroes. Hell, Ponk worked for heroes and didn’t like them. It was something about gaining intel on them or whatever he said. Tommy was like 90 percent sure they sold drugs to kids, though when confronted would deny it.
Tommy didn’t care either way, he would sell drugs too if he could get them. Even with his job paying him slightly more than minimum wage he still didn’t make enough to support 2 high school students and an alcoholic. He should probably force his brothers to get jobs soon, although he probably won’t because they don’t listen to him. Maybe he should do something less legal? A lot of people make good money from that. Perhaps become a pickpocket? He steals a lot of his father’s money, although he’s normally too drunk to notice. What if he sells drugs like he thinks his boss does? High risk, though. Maybe be a villain? Doesn’t sound too terribly hard.
Tommy put down his project, turning to his boss who was engrossed in his work. “What’s your opinion on villains?” Tommy asked out of nowhere.
Sam spluttered, coughing and having to put his gear down to look at Tommy fully as he took off his mask. “Huh?”
Tommy blinked at him, “What’s. Your. Opinion. On. Villains?”
“Uh..” Sam glanced off to the side before looking back at Tommy. “I think they have their reasons for doing what they do, even if they have awful ideas. Why are you bringing this up?”
Tommy shrugged, pulling his mask back down and turning back to the project he was working on. His teenage brain started talking before he registered what he was saying. “I don’t know. Was thinking about becoming one, for something to do besides work and clean all day.”
Sam was still looking at him with a strange expression, but he eventually pulled his mask back down. “I think if you became a villain, you would be my favorite.” He said, going back to work.
Tommy hummed, tuning back in on the project in front of him. Sam at some point went to the front at the chime of a customer coming in and telling Tommy he was going to be out while he replaced a client's tires, leaving him to his own devices.
Tommy’s thoughts stewed now that his boss was away.
Heroes were probably the worst of the city, being more of celebrities than heroes. Tommy thinks he would be able to get them to actually do their job. But then, Tommy didn’t have a power. But countless villains and vigilantes hid their powers for years and did just fine.
Ew, vigilantes. They were such nosy people. They had good intent sure, but come on man, I’m not trying to let you see where I live so law enforcement can come knocking at my door the next day asking what my connection to you was. Not to mention they get into hero-villain fights stupidly and end up only causing more harm than good, with heroes targeting them rather than villains.
Yeah, Tommy may have to become a villain.
Eventually, Tommy neared the end of his shift, taking off his jacket and packing his stuff up as Sam stepped into the back room. Tommy turned to him, silent for a long moment before speaking,.“I think I want to be a villain. Not the bad kind who hurt civilians but I want to be a villain.” Tommy trusted Sam, he could tell him anything, he had to remind himself.
San looked slightly surprised, “And you’re 100 percent sure about this? It’s a lot of responsibility for someone your age and would be challenging.”
Tommy nodded. “I’ve thought about it for a while. I want to be a villain.”
It was silent for a moment before Sam gestured towards the door that led to “Sam’s cave” as Ponk called it, which was rarely ever used, grabbing his stuff. “Come with me.”
Tommy blinked, slightly surprised Sam wasn’t gonna just immediately call the mental hospital for Tommy. But he should’ve known Sam wouldn’t care. He gathered his stuff, following Sam inside.
Tommy gawked as soon as Sam opened the door. The walls were lined with weapons and there were gadgets and fabric strewn throughout the room, contrasting Sam’s put-together shop. But the thing that caught his eye was a slightly glowing trident hooked on the wall, and Tommy stepped up to it without thinking. Sam didn’t say anything, letting Tommy run his fingers over the tealish grey smooth weapon to the gold fabric of the handle. This trident wasn’t just any, it was a villain’s, the Warden’s trident. The same Warden who stabbed top heroes through the chest and was known for being merciless no matter the role of the person in the hero-villain-vigilante world.
A firm but gentle hand landed on his shoulder and Tommy looked up to see Sam standing behind him looking at him with something fond in his eyes. “You like it?” He asked, looking hesitant to ask the question.
Tommy grinned, catching Sam’s eyes “like it? It’s so cool! Holy fuck you’re THE Warden!” Tommy looked at Sam with stars in his eyes like a child who had just met his favorite hero.
Sam chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck as his hand fell, as did Tommy’s from the trident. “Thanks, didn’t know you were such a big fan.” He teased, his ears still slightly pink from Tommy’s obvious admiration of the villain.
Tommy registered the comment quickly, snapping out of it and crossing his arms while turning away “Who me? Never. I actually hate you. You and your stupid fucking alias. You’re my least favorite villain. Die in a ditch, bitch.” He spat, lying through his teeth as Sam laughed.
Sam patted him on the shoulder with a fond sigh, “Whatever you say, kiddo. You can go look around, I don’t mind.” And Tommy didn’t need to be told twice, searching through the room. Sam watched him fondly from his desk as Tommy messed around with gadgets, every so often explaining to Tommy what they did.
Soon enough, however, Tommy remembered that Sam needed to drive him to the store so they headed out, hopping in Sam’s truck. They sang to the radio the entire ride there, and the shopping trip was pretty uneventful.
Eventually, when they were driving home, Sam spoke up. “So you're serious about becoming a villain?”
Tommy scoffed with no real bite to it “Third time you're asking me this, and third time I’ll say yes.”
San nodded, smiling. “I can get you gear, and if you send me costume ideas I can get somebody to make it for you.”
Tommy nodded, letting the silence stay for a moment before smiling back at Sam “Thanks, for everything. Not just all this villain stuff.”
Sam looked fondly over at Tommy as he pulled into the empty driveway. “Anytime. And if anybody bothers you I’ll give them something to remember.”
Tommy hopped out with that, taking his grocery bags out of the trunk “Stop being such a sap, go back to your husband and tory lifestyle!”
Sam laughed but drove off with a wave, and Tommy found himself alone again inside the house. Tommy started working on dinner after putting the groceries away, knowing the twins would be home soon.
And sure enough, dinner was done by the time Wilbur and Techno came back. Sitting at the table, Tommy didn’t dare mention the idea to them. “How was your day?”
Techno didn’t respond as always but Wilbur rolled his eyes. Oh, so it was one of these days. “I don’t have to tell you anything about my day.” Wilbur sneered, although eating the food anyhow.
Tommy nodded, keeping his polite smile plastered on his face as he continued eating. Nobody said anything for the rest of the meal, and eventually the other two went up to their rooms. Tommy cleaned up after dinner, sweeping the floors and cleaning the kitchen.
When he went to his room, he started working on his costume design. He didn’t want something complex but something stylish and flexible.
His design was a crimson red fitted long-sleeved turtleneck, with a black jacket for cold weather, if the shirt was too bright for a certain occasion. He added black cargo pants to allow him to move freely and many pockets for any weapons. His face and hair would be concealed by a black balaclava and a short cape that would cover his head and sides of it. He designed charcoal colored boots to make him look taller and older than he actually was and finally finished off by designing a belt to hold weapons and items.
He snapped a quick photo of it and sent it to Sam, before quickly falling asleep. Yeah, today had been an eventful day and he was excited for tomorrow.