Secrets and Consequences - SBI AU

6

As it turned out, getting down the stairs wasn't as hard as Tommy thought. He simply sat down and scooted down the stairs like when he was younger. Ah, the memories.

He shuffled his way to the living room, hand on a wall the whole time. The couch gave him a weird feeling, so he sat in a chair, where he was less likely to fall asleep.

"You're doing better," Techno said making Tommy jump.

"Please... please don't do that," Tommy said taking slightly ragged breaths. "I don't think I can handle much more stress or surprises at the moment."

He could tell his sincere tone surprised his older brother, but he still didn't have the energy to yell and be a b*tch to everyone. Oh well, they would have to deal with sick Tommy for a while.

"Ah, sorry." Techno shuffled away from where he had been standing near a bookshelf, moving towards the couch. Tommy knew Techno was watching him the whole time he was moving, trying to figure something or another out. "How are you feeling?"

"Like sh*t," Tommy said as he leaned back into the chair. "My head hurts, I'm hungry, I'm tired... I kinda want to sleep for a really long time."

They were quiet for a second, Techno not knowing what to say next and Tommy nearly falling asleep again. Why was he so tired? He's basically only been sleeping for the last three days.

"Tommy," he slowly blinked his eyes open, looking at Techno, "do you remember what happened? Why you were in the woods?"

Ah, so he wasn't even getting until he was better to get questioned, great.

Tommy kept quiet, making it look like he was still processing what Techno said. He kind of was, but he played it up so that he could have time to think. Did he lie and say he didn't? What kind of problems would that solve? Would it make more?

Tommy zoned out as he thought about it. If he said he didn't remember, they probably wouldn't tell him again, thinking it would cause him more stress and maybe cause him to do the same thing he did this time.

Which, to be fair, he probably would if he actually didn't remember.

After that though, they would be tense anytime he was in the room. Terrified of doing anything that would show off their whatever it was. Powers? Abilities? And then he would feel guilty for making them like that.

But if he told them that he did remember... he didn't even want to think about that. What would happen? He didn't know what he thought about it. It was bizarre to say the least. Wings, super strength, a siren? How was he supposed to comprehend this? If they had told him when he was younger this would have been so much easier. Growing up with fantasies would have been a dream come true.

"Tommy?" Techno placed a worried hand on his arm, bringing him back to the present. When had he gotten up from the couch?

Tommy flinched involuntarily at the contact and Techno pulled back, a little worry showing on his face. "Uh, sorry about that."

"No, its alright." Techno stepped away. He shifted awkwardly on his feet, unsure about something. Probably whether he should ask his question again.

Before either of them could open their mouths though, Wilbur and Phil came in. "Oh, I didn't think you'd actually make it," Wilbur said to him teasingly.

"Yeah, well, I had to sit when going down the stairs, but other than that it was fine." He had meant it to come off cocky, but it really just sounded like he was tired, which he was.

"How's your foot?" Phil asked as he walked over to him.

"My—what?" What did he mean 'how's my foot?'

"Your foot? It was bruised and looked like it was sprained when we found you." Worry now creased his father's face as well as his stance.

Tommy shifted and looked down at his feet. Only now did he notice that one of his ankles was firmly wrapped and was throbbing slightly. "Oh, that's not the best."

"Did you only just realize your foot was hurt?" Wilbur looked at him, flabbergasted. "That's like a really bad sprain at the least. How are you not in any amount of pain?"

"I guess I was preoccupied."

"With?"

Tommy could say any number of things here. Sleeping. His fever. Feeling sick as hell. Women.

He decided to tell the truth.

"Wings."

***

757 words.