Neutrality Order (TomBoo)

S.V. - Chapter 2: Team-Building

It was massive confusion from the first 'what the hell' from Boomer, and it didn't get less confusing from there.

Even beforehand, when they all saw Seapeekay barrel in, and instead of trampling everything around him, began spotting the Syndicate and plucking them up out of harm's way as he made his way into the city. Rather than look that gift horse in the mouth, the Syndicate remained almost content to be carried like kittens in the titan's arms as he barreled through to the center of the city, and were then met with the source of all confusion.

Re-Destro was armless and defeated on the ground, and Ranboo was standing and destroying everything with one hand, long-distance. And keeping Re-Destro down and guarded was none other than Tommy.

There was no mistaking the boy at all, no matter what he was wearing, which happened to be the recognizable outfit of Blackout, sans the mask. But Tommy was standing there, on Ranboo's side, through Re-Destro screaming 'please' and surrendering his army to Ranboo, and then to Ranboo standing by Tommy and even holding his hand before collapsing. Tommy caught him and carried him over to Seapeekay, who called the boy a PRINCE, and began taking command of who did what and where to go.

It was a half-formed mess of in-and-out consciousness for the most part on more than half of them, and they found themselves at Rikiya Yotsubashi's mansion, receiving some basic medical care, and given food and plenty of space.

Techno, being the most lucid of all of them, was the unofficial watchdog for them while they recovered, and told them that Ranboo was out cold entirely. He also told them that it was no hallucination of who they saw, and Tommy was Ranboo's caretaker at the moment.

Cue another 'what the hell' from Boomer, confused silence from Karl, a quandary of the meaning of life from Punz and a half-delirious 'fuckin' called it' from Charlie before he dropped unconscious again before they could ask how. Techno, naturally, professed that he knew but didn't expect Tommy to actually be here to help, at least this soon.

Karl voiced his concern about Tommy's intentions within the Syndicate, and Techno replied that it was both Tommy's and Ranboo's business to say what it was all about, and left it at that.

Between keeping vigilant on Ranboo, Tommy came around to check on them too.

Naturally, it was awkward for both sides, but Tommy seemed genuinely concerned enough for their safety and health that they opened up at least minimally to tell him anything they didn't feel like divulging to Yotsubashi's staff. Extra supplies for themselves, certain foods, repair items for their clothing and costumes, and at Charlie's request, a new coat to replace the torn, bloodied one they had ruined.

He spent a couple of hours at a time with them, sitting and quietly mending his hoodie sleeves with hemmed-out holes for his Black Whip, listening to them talk about whatever, or sharing a small meal with them before he returned back to Ranboo's room.

After the third day, Tommy and Techno told them that Ranboo had come to for while before getting some more rest, and the next day Ranboo was just well enough to leave his room with some help and sit down to survey over how the others were faring. At the very least, better than him.

After shooting the breeze a little, Punz finally spoke up. "Can we finally address the huge elephant in the room already?" he said, gesturing to Tommy. "Because seriously. What the hell."

"And why was Seapeekay calling him 'little Prince'?" Karl put in.

"How long has he been with us?" "What if he's a spy!?"

Tommy and Ranboo looked to one another for a moment before Tommy spoke. "Would you believe me if I told you it was me BS-ing him out of three-thousand yen?"