Neutrality Order (TomBoo)

L.R. - Chapter 9

Ranboo could FEEL Techno's judgemental stare in the back of his head, grousing to himself as he sipped his drink at the bar. He refused to contribute to the asshole's fun-poking and pointedly ignored him. That became infinitely more difficult when Techno dared to sit next to him at the bar.

"So," Techno said quietly to not catch the attention of the others, "you still keeping your boy toy a secret from the others?"

Ranboo gave him a death glare from behind Father's fingers. "Yes, and if it DOES get around, I'll know whose ugly face to decay first," he hissed. Techno shrugged a little.

"Your choice," he said. "They're still wondering where Schlatt went. Few actually buy that 'it wasn't working out' bullshit you gave."

"It was the truth," Ranboo replied. "Tommy's fate isn't their business. It's mine."

Techno rolled his eyes. "You can't keep him stashed back there like hiding a puppy from your folks," he said sensibly. "One way or the other, he's gotta be let out."

Ranboo said nothing, going back to sipping his drink and doing his best to ignore Techno, waiting until he was finished before rolling his shoulders. "I think it's about time," he said, turning his head to face Wilbur, who was still bound and looking even more like a pissed-off Pomeranian than ever. Techno wisely kept his distance in case Ranboo did something stupid like let the rabid kid out.

"Let's discuss you, Wilbur."

《===========================》

Tommy finished his character profile on Ranboo, sitting back to look at it properly. Accurate drawings, neater handwriting...it would be the first entry in his planned Villain Analysis notebook soon enough.

'If only he'd let me take a closer look at the others in the Syndicate,' he thought almost petulantly with a huff. So far he'd only seen Techno, Punz, Michael, and Schlatt, but right now, any spread on Schlatt would be a waste of paper. He settled on Techno next, going to a clean sheet of paper and biting his lip as he attempted to recall some form of detail from the scarred man, getting a general idea before his pencil paused on the paper.

Something was about to happen, he thought, right before something DID.

He heard both the literal and onomatopoeic SMASH of the building being broken open, dropping everything and hitting the floor with how strong the tremor was, comparable to an earthquake. When the shaking stopped, he could hear loud voices from the door leading to the bar, several of which sounded familiar. His eyes widened, realizing that here on day four, help had arrived.

Tommy froze in place, hands flexing with indecision before he grabbed the finished spread on Ranboo and carefully folded it up, putting it into his pocket before rushing out of the bedroom and over to the hall door, trying it and finding it locked.

One good Smash of his own would break it down, he thought, his hands balling into fists. Help was just on the other side of the door.

Help, or a convenient excuse to ditch your sins?

He could hear Crow Father talking, police being let in from the main stairwell, the villains protesting, and Ranboo barking orders to Niki before falling silent. Tommy bit his lip hard, hands shaking violently at his sides as he leaned against the door, gritting his teeth. A lack of fighting meant the villains -and Ranboo- were restrained. Nothing was stopping him.

"Where is he right now?" came Crow Father's voice. "And where is Young Tommy?"

I'm right here, Tommy cried in his head, his lips parting but unable to just say something. What WOULD he say, when he came out unrestrained, completely uninjured, well-fed, well-rested, fine. Would they know? Would they find out?