a locket of self desire

here we go again

CW: brief fear/panic, general shittiness of the foster issues, mentions of abuse

Tommy and Phil have just sat down for dinner when Phil gets the call. Tommy can tell by Phil's furrowed brow and small huffs that it's something serious.

"I want to," Phil says, "but- I can't. I have Tommy."

Tommy looks up at the sound of his name. The mention has him trembling slightly, the context making him worried that he somehow fucked something up.

But Phil gives him a small smile and he slowly relaxes. He can trust Phil.

"Okay. Okay, give me an hour? I need to talk to him. It's not- this isn't a yes. If you have another- no no I get it I do- just-"

Phil gives silent again and eventually sighs.

"Okay, thank you," Phil says, "I'll call back soon."

With those final words, he hangs up and looks across at Tommy.

"What was that?" Tommy asks immediately.

Phil hesitates.

"That was Amelia."

Tommy goes still at the name of his old social worker. A string of fear that he thinks will always be there tenses inside of him, pulling taunt. It leaves him exposed.

"You- you're- are you-"

"Tommy it wasn't about you," Phil reassures, "you're here to stay, okay."

The words have Tommy relaxing easily and he lets out a chuckle.

"Right," he says, "how could you ever get rid of a big man like me?"

Phil gives him a smile.

"A boy- your age- needs an emergency placement. I don't usually... well. He needs a place Tommy."

"Oh."

"But," Phil says, "I'm not saying yes until we have a chance to talk."

Tommy frowns.

"What's there to talk about?" he asks, "kid needs a place to stay, we got room," he insists.

It's kinda an easy solution if he thinks about it.

"Tommy, if he stays here, I'm hoping it will be a permanent placement just like for you and your brothers. That's a big change, and a lot to think about."

Oh. Right. Tommy hadn't really thought that far ahead. He stares at the table, leg bouncing as he considers.

The house has been quiet since both Techno and Wil moved out, even if Wil visits most weekends. Part of Tommy enjoys being an only child. He has the house to himself and Phil is all his. It's maybe a little selfish, but Tommy's never really had a parent who cared about him before, and sometimes it's nice to be the sole center of attention.

It does mean that Phil refuses to put up with his bullshit though. And less people means he has to do more chores. But less people also means less mess so the chores don't take as long.

But this kid, this kid needs a home. A place to stay. Tommys been there.

"What's his name?" Tommy asks.

"Ranboo," Phil says softly.

Tommy looks at him for a second.

"Well that's a shit name," he declares, "I say no, unless he's willing to change it to something cooler."

"Tommy!" Phil scolds.

"Joking, joking," Tommy replies, throwing his hands in the air to prove his innocence, "but yeah," he says, "I mean why not? House is quiet anyways."