A Bird Without Wings (SBI AU)

Chapter 14- Too Young To Understand

Tommy POV

"My wings had been my life. My pride and joy. The one thing that made sense in my life. I figured nothing could ever take them away. Until..." Ranboo sighed, taking a deep breath. "Until we ran out of money... My dad lost his job after my mom passed away. And suddenly he was never the same. Suddenly he was drinking and never coming home. He just kept spending money until there was nothing left."

"What does that have to do-" Tommy began, not understanding.

Ranboo shook his head, "Just listen Tommy... please." The blonde nodded, biting his tongue. "I had to find some way to get money, but I was just a kid. I didn't know any better." He closed his eyes, fidgeting with his hand.

Tommy bit his lip, hoping he wasn't making the boy uncomfortable. That was the last thing he wanted to do. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. It's okay." he said gently, not wanting to seem pushy at all.

"No I- Puffy says I need to talk to people about it... and I trust you. I feel like I need to tell you." Ranboo shook his head firmly. He took a deep breath before continuing. "I-I started plucking my own feathers..."

Tommy's eyes widened. "You..."

"I was desperate! I had to do something and people will pay anything for feathers... especially feathers of my kind." Ranboo exclaimed, pleading with Tommy not to judge him. "And for a long time that worked. It was enough money to live on for the most part." he paused, "Until it wasn't. One night my father came home demanding more. I-I begged him to get a job, to help me pay for it... and..." he shook his head, clenching his hand in a fist. "He hit me." he spoke, his voice not louder than a whisper.

Tommy gasped, unable to stop himself from reacting. "That's horrible... I'm so sorry-"

"He told me that if I couldn't pay for it, he would take my wings... According to him I didn't deserve them because I was a horrible son." he closed his eyes. "I was eight." Tears dripped from the boy's eyes as he relieved the memories. He continued on, despite how much he clearly didn't want to. "And-d he... he did exactly what he said he was going to do."

Tommy had never wanted to hug someone so bad in his life. He moved closer Ranboo, not daring to touch him. He didn't want to overstep any boundaries. 

Ranboo sobbed, his hands covering his face. "I can remember every part of it. Every piece being ripped out. I've never felt so much pain in my life... and I-I have never felt so broken." 

"Can I..." Tommy began, holding out his arms as an invitation. He wanted to comfort the boy so badly.

Ranboo looked at him with glassy eyes, not even hesitating before jumping into his arms. Tommy held him close, making sure to be as gently as possible. "I'm so sorry you had to go through all that." he whispered, still trying to wrap his brain around it. "And I- oh god I had no idea." Tommy said, sheading a few of his own tears.

Ranboo clung to the blonde, craving the comfort the boy gave him. It had been so long since anyone had actually taken the time to love him. 

"Thank you..." Ranboo murmured, his sobs finally calming down to sniffs. He yawned as the exhaustion gripped his body.

"Of course." Tommy smiled sadly, not loosening his grip. "I'll always be here for you."

Ranboo smiled gratefully, yawning once more before sleep took over. 

Tommy sighed, wishing him only happy dreams. Ranboo deserved so much better, and Tommy was hoping he would be enough to help him.

All Tommy could think about was Ranboo.

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Hope you liked it!

Hope you have a wonderful day!

-Snowy