Stolen Chances

Chapter Ten

Wilbur walked him back to his apartment in stunted silence. The older man tried to start conversations, but they were shot down or ignored by the younger. Arriving outside the complex, Wilbur finally looked over the old brick building, barely disguised judgment hidden in his eyes. Tommy only scoffed before walking inside, cutting off any goodbyes the older was trying to say.

The lights to the apartment were off, Tubbo and Ranboo were both still at their internship with Sam. He landed on the couch with a groan staring over the place. Tubbo's laptop was sitting on top of the coffee table, the screen asleep. Pulling the device onto his lap, he moved the mouse pad waking the device up before loading up the search engine.

'Craft Family'

'Does Paradise Burger sell Mac n Cheese?'

'Paradise food truck menu'

'What's actually in the Wilburger?'

'Crime Gang SBI'

He was an hour into scrolling through vague police reports and citizen rumors when the pair returned home, walking into the barely lit room before turning on the lights. Tommy cleared the laptop screen before standing up. "Uh, hey, boys."

The pair gave him an odd look, surprised by him being home, "Hey, Tommy?" Ranboo greeted as Tubbo placed his keys to the apartment on the counter.

Tommy cleared his throat, hoping to hide the raspiness in his voice, "How was work?"

Concern immediately took over Ranboo's features, "What's wrong with your voice?"

"What are you doing at home, Tommy?" Tubbo asked instead.

Tommy only shrugged, "Live here, big man," he joked, but Tubbo fixed him with an unrelenting glare.

"Tommy."

"What?"

"What?" Tubbo parroted, "You've been acting weird all week dude, what's going on?"

Tommy fought the urge to curl in on himself, "Nothing, man, just been tired."

"Why do you keep coming home late at night?" Tubbo asked.

"I work the late shift?" Tommy deflected.

Tubbo only rolled his eyes at this, "Tommy," Ranboo picked up, "We barely see you anymore, man. You keep showing up early in the morning and leaving before we wake up. That can't be healthy."

Tommy bristled at this; didn't he and Ranboo just have this conversation? "I've been working a lot, big man, sorry I can't exactly hang out." He held his head up, giving an annoyed look at Ranboo before silence fell over the two.

"What happened to your neck?" Tubbo asked, something accusatory in his tone.

Tommy's hand shot to his throat, adjusting the hoodie, "Nothing."

"Those look like handprints..." Ranboo pointed out, worry evident in his voice.

"I got mugged on my way to work, okay? But I'm alright, the guy left me alone after."

"You got mugged? Tommy, you need to be more careful, dude. We can't afford something happening to you." Tubbo ranted, drawing all eyes back to him.

"What?" Tommy's voice was cold.

"What if you got hurt, Tommy?" Completely ignoring the worrying noises coming from Ranboo, Tubbo stepped into the living room to face Tommy. "We can't afford that man-"

"The hospital bill or the rent?" Tommy challenged.

Both Tubbo and Ranboo stiffened at this.

"What do you mean, Tommy?" Tubbo asked with a glare.