The Royal Thief

The big fight.

He was soon softly shaken awake by the kind lady that helped him with his injuries when he first fell asleep.

She poked around at his foot to make sure nothing was broken for the last time before she gave him a wooden cane to aid him in walking and sending him out into the hallway, where Wilbur was waiting for him.

''Hey kid, I've been told to ask you if you wish to accompany me and my family for dinner in five minutes?''

Tommy leaned on the cane, slightly embarrassed and shook his head, he was hungry, but not nearly hungry enough to sit in a room and eat dinner with the royal family, it'd feel like he was intruding.

He wasn't even meant to be in this castle, why were they being so nice to him?

He terrorizes their village all day every day, stealing food, freeing animals that were to be slaughtered, and so on.

He must've zoned out and worried Wilbur as the next thing he knew he was in the castle's dining room, sitting in a chair with Wilbur standing nearby, hand on Tommy's shoulder.

A plate of steaming roast chicken, potatoes and cut-up carrots was set in front of him as the younger twin of the two princes walked off to his own seat, the smell and lack of Wilbur's hand on his shoulder causing him to zone back in.

He blinked and stared at the food, it was a lot, and everyone kept sneaking glances at him, especially Techno.

The next time Techno looked at him, Tommy stared back, starting a staring contest he was not planning on giving up.

''Techno, Tommy, especially Tommy, eat, stop staring at each other.''

Tommy tears his eyes away from him, staring back at his food, reaching up to grab the small silver fork that shined in the light from the chandelier above the table.

He hovered it above his plate, unsure of what to start with, he hasn't had this much food in a while.

He usually stuck to apples or any other fruit, as it was easy to steal and he knew that there were always more fruit trees, so he never felt bad.

Tommy swallowed and set the fork back down, his stomach rumbling with nerves and hunger, yet he himself didn't feel hungry.

''Why aren't you eating Tommy?''

Phil questioned, concerned by the young thief's attitude.

Tommy didn't even look up, wrapping his arms around his stomach.

''Tommy?''

The king began to stand, looking at his sons, silently telling them to leave.

And leave they did, basically forcing Tommy to bathe in awkwardness and anxiety.

He swallowed, looking away from his food, watching Wilbur and Techno walk out of the large doors that lead to the dining room.

''You need to eat Tommy.''

Phil said in a soft, but stern voice.

''I'm not hungry.''

He mumbled, attempting to avoid any and all eye contact.

''Tommy.''

Phil walked over to him, crouching so he could match Tommy's height while he was sitting.

''I'm fine.''

He spat, crossing his arms and looking in the other direction.

''I'm not really asking a question Thomas, Niki said that you looked like you hadn't eaten in three weeks! Food is important! Please Tommy, eat.''

The king pulled Tommy's plate towards him until he had to stop because he didn't want it to be in his lap.

''Now, I won't force you if you're not comfortable, I'm just worried about you.''

''Why? Why are you worried about me? It's not like you're my dad!''

He snapped his head towards Phil, tears beginning to form in his eyes, but Tommy wouldn't let them flow.

The king's eyes widened as he looked down and sighed.

''Do you want an apple? We've got plenty, and you don't even need to steal them.''

Tommy wiped his semi-wet eyes and nodded.

''Okay.''

Phil smiled even though Tommy couldn't see it, and walked off to the kitchen to get a single apple.

Tommy sat and waited for him, the cushioned chair he was sitting in ironically becoming uncomfortable.

Minutes passed like seconds and soon Phil returned with an apple, handing it to Tommy and walking back to sit in his chair.

Tommy thanked him and began taking bites out of the sweet, crisp, beautiful red fruit.

He soon finished and sighed in slight relief, not feeling quite as hungry as before.

He wiped his sticky lips with a napkin and began tapping his fingers on the polished dark oak table, boredom replacing every other feeling he felt in that single night, and that was impressive seeing as there were many, many, feelings that were felt tonight.

Phil looked over at him, frowning slightly at the full plate of food, but replacing the frown with a grin once he saw the finished apple core sitting on a napkin near the younger boy's plate.

''So, Tommy,''

He began, causing Tommy to look over at him.

''Would you like to see your room?''

His eyes widened as he placed his hands on the table and shoved himself up, forgetting about his twisted ankle and wincing slightly in pain.

''I have a room? You must mean one of the guest chambers right? Or the dungeon?''

Phil stood up as well, rushing over to Tommy to help him stand, rolling his eyes slightly at the last part of the younger boy's sentence.

''The original plan was to just put you in a guest room until we could find someone to take you in, but..''

He paused, smiling.

''We found someone sooner than we thought.''

Tommy looked at him, a quick look of confusion flashing over his face before one of realization soon took its place.

''No, no, you can't take me in, I'll be fine just living wherever my feet take me.''

Words rushed out of his mouth as he took the cane Phil picked up out of his hand and let go of the king's shoulder, which he had grabbed in an attempt to stabilize himself.

''Why can't I take you in? You have to steal to eat, and you don't have a family to go home to.''

Tommy winced, tears pricking his eyes as he shoved Phil away from him.

''You're right. I don't have a family to go home to, but whose fault is that, huh? Tell me whose fault it is.''

He hissed, limping towards the door.

''I know you don't want to stay, but you're not in any condition to steal stuff and run away right now! And you're still a kid! How old are you again, Tommy?''

Tommy paused at the door, seething with anger.

''Fifteen, but I'm fine, and I'm not. A. Kid.''

Phil walked back over to him.

''You are, and will be until you turn eighteen.''

He said sternly, his face still showing the same concerned expression as it was before.

''Let me take care of you Tommy, I know you hate the idea of living in the castle, but where else are you meant to go? The abandoned cabin that's far into the woods? You'd die Tommy!''

''I'd rather die than spend another day with you and your asshole family!''

Tommy yelled, throwing open the door and walking down the halls, looking for an exit as Phil called after him.

(1220 words)