Duchenne (DSMP Superhero AU)

Chapter 16

Tommy, Tubbo, and Ranboo continued to hang out for three more weeks without too many strange occurrences. They never left the apartments together, but they played plenty of games and the time seemed to fly by.

Day after day, wake up, play games, watch movies with Wilbur, sleep and repeat. Tommy learned a lot about them all, Ranboo's fear of water, Tubbo's hidden horns, and how possessive Wilbur was of him.

Wilbur still let him do as he liked, but whenever he was close to Tommy he'd keep one eye on him at all times. He brought home gifts and stories, always asking for Tommy as soon as he got home so he could hug the blonde boy.

It was a lot gentler than Dream's obsession and seemed to be focused more on Tommy himself. Dream was obsessed with the idea of Tommy being under control, while Wilbur wanted to keep him safe no matter what.

On the bright side, every Tuesday and Thursday Techno would visit and spar with Tommy. They'd battle for fun and sometimes just to decide who would have to do jobs.

Phil was never seen or talked about around Tommy, but he overheard a couple conversations between Wilbur and Techno talking about how Phil was paranoid and tried cutting the red threads attached to him and Techno, and how dangerous it would be to take Tommy back. He was honestly sick of it at this point.

If only he could just talk to Phil himself, but the man wouldn't believe anything he tried to say.

All in all, it was all pretty normal until Seirin stumbled in the door one afternoon. He had his vigilante get up on, his mask slightly askew. Ranboo stood up and dashed to him, helping Seirin lay down on the couch. Seirin winced as he laid down, ripping the mask off. Tommy moved around to his side as Wilbur wheezed for breath. Tommy checked his throat for any injuries, his eyes widening at the familiar bruises left behind by thought strings.

Tubbo came back in with a glass of water, Wilbur taking it from him and chugging it.

"Was it Dream again?"

Tommy glanced at Wilbur with a frown as the man nodded to Tubbo.

"Yeah, he gave me hell for taking "his Huios" away."

Tommy scoffed, Ranboo coming back into the room with a first aid kit. Wilbjr waved him away, sitting up rubbing his shoulder.

"Don't worry about it Ranboo, I just have bruises this time."

"This time?"

Wilbur glanced at Tommy guiltily, taking off his coat. Tubbo chirped up, sending a disappointed look at Wilbur.

"Wilbur's been going out and fighting Dream all over the city. It's stupid but he's fucking stubborn."

Ranboo snorted, turning on the TV. He flicked to the News, pointing to it.

"Just a few minutes ago Seirin was spotted fighting the top Villain, Dream. These sightings have been piling up recently, and civilians are getting concerned. Why are the two most manipulative people in the city fighting? And does it have something to do with the disappearance of Dream's right hand man-"

Tommy turned it off as a picture of Huios popped up next to the reporter. He felt sick. He was sitting here having fun while Wilbur was getting his ass beat by Dream. Wilbur leaned over to Tommy, gently rubbing his shoulder.

"Hey Tommy, it's okay."

Tommy leaned back, leaning against the couch. He had a sad scowl on his face. He knew from experience how brutal Dream could be. If Wilbur continued this he could get seriously hurt, or... Tommy didn't want to think about the alternative.

"You can't fight Dream anymore."

Wilbur sat up, scowling.

"I am not just letting him go, I need to keep you safe."

Tommy spun around, his eyes blazing with anger. He jumped up, towering over Wilbur.

I need to keep you safe, I need to keep you safe, I need to keep you safe,

Wilbur had said that sentence so many times and despite Tommy feeling safe, he also felt smothered. It was too much protection. He was a big man, he should be able to go out and run along the rooftops as well!

"You keeping me safe is making me go nuts! Wilbur, do you really think you're helping me when I can't leave?"

Tommy advanced on Wilbur, glowing red strings lighting up around him and closing around the man. Ranboo hurried Tubbo out of the room, not wanting to get in the way.

"I can't go outside, I can't fight with you, I can't do anything without being babysat! Please Wilbur, just let me be a vigilante beside you!"

Wilbur shrank back, fear flashing in his eyes. It was only a moment, but Tommy saw it. He forced himself to calm down, the strings fading away and becoming invisible to Wilbur again. Wilbur took a deep breath, calming himself down enough to think over what Tommy had said.

"You wouldn't prefer to stay with Clay, right?"

Tommy shook his head frantically, hugging Wilbur. Tubbo and Ranboo made their way back into the room, checking if it was safe yet.

"Even if you're a prick for keeping me here you never hurt me or make me feel unsafe. You're better family than Clay ever was and I'm not leaving."

Wilbur teared up happily, squeezing Tommy in a tight hug.

"Aweeeee Tommyyyyyyyyy!"

Tommy squirmed in his grasp trying to escape.

"Fuck you bitch, you just ruined the moment!"

Tubbo laughed, relieved that they were not at each other's throats anymore. Ranboo sighed, still holding onto Tubbo for dear life. Wilbur and Tommy continued to bicker, the fight with Dream forgotten.

For now.

--<>----

Wilbur laid in bed, staring at the ceiling. He needed to think of a way for Tommy to have fun outside the apartment as well without being too anxious. He supposed he could resume taking Tommy to different places in the city, but that would mean he'd need to note where Dream was. He was usually around Districts 0 to 7 and they were a long way away, but it wouldn't hurt to be careful.

Ranboo and Tubbo were good kids, but he couldn't trust them to keep Tommy safe outside the house. Not yet.

Wilbur sighed, running his fingers through his hair. It would be so much easier to protect Tommy if Phil would just accept that the kid was a good person. But how could he prove that without getting hurt?

Charity event? Nah Phil would see that as too desperate.

Apology? Nah Phil might hurt him.

Forced bonding? Same problem as the last one.

Become a vigilante? No, it would be so much easier for Dream to find him. That and Tommy would constantly be in danger.

Gifts? Phil wouldn't accept them.

Get Techno to talk to him? Nope that hadn't worked yet and probably wouldn't yet.

Video of what Tommy acts like? Tommy wouldn't trust him.

Wilbur grumbled, rolling to his left. He'd think about it on patrol or something. For now he needed to rest.