icing those hurt

Part 19

They're all hanging out in Sapnap and Quackity's room when Wilbur gets the idea.

They're lounging around, talking, arguing, throwing shit at each other, as Tommy rests in Sapnap's bed. It's a sight to see, the lithe, small body curled into Schlatt's jacket and buried under Sapnap's blankets, half asleep and safe. Wilbur will admit, he likes seeing Tommy covered in their hockey stuff- their jackets and hoodies and sweatshirts and jerseys.

He hopes that Tommy sees it as what it is, a badge of protection. An announcement, to anyone who looks at him: this is our kid and he is under our watch. He wants Tommy to wear them and go out in front of his asshole coach and have the man be terrified. He wants to growl at the man, Tommy is ours, you can't touch him now. Don't even try.

Of course, he can't- no one can touch an Olympic level coach. Least of all them, the players.

But the idea. Seeing Tommy shrouded in them gives Wilbur the thought-

"We should teach Tommy some hockey."

Sapnap perks up almost instantly, eyes brightening. "Wilbur, that is the best idea you've ever had. Tommy with a stick? Dude, imagine he does a figure skating routine with a hockey stick- coin that idea right now. No one else can have it."

"Figure skaters need both their arms for balance, dumbass." George sighs, but even he's got an excited gleam in his eyes. The idea appeals to him too. "A stick would just throw him off."

"Yeah, how would he do his jumps with a stick in his hand?" Schlatt asks, reaching out to flick Sapnap's head.

"Cut the jumps," Sapnap points out. "Duh. No jumps means he can hold the hockey stick, and then we might as well add a puck and a net while we're at it. His next routine is just him playing hockey in front of those dumb judges."

"Dumb?" Wilbur asks, amused.

"Yeah, if they're not giving Tommy a one hundred or whatever just off seeing him, then the system is fucked. That's why hockey is best." Sapnap nods. "We put Tommy out on the ice and every other team will just melt instantly."

"And anyone who doesn't, gets clobbered!" Quackity cheers, and it must be just a little too loud, because Tommy shifts, picking up his head, his mused hair falling into his sleepy eyes.

"Who's getting clobbered?" He yawns, entirely relaxed even amongst their general volume. "What's happened?"

"They're being dumb," Techno says gently. "Did you sleep alright?"

"Mhm," Tommy nods, stretching out a little then pulling himself back into a small ball, not unlike a warm and happy cat. "Thank you."

"It's my bed," Sapnap whines.

Tommy looks over, a little smile on his face. "Thank you, Sapnap," he indulges, and Sapnap beams.

"Boom. I won." Sapnap cheers. Techno rolls his eyes. "And I will continue to win when we teach Tommy to play hockey."

The small smile on Tommy's face drops instantly, and they all take notice.

"Hey," Wilbur shifts closer, looking to soothe. "Everything alright? You've only slept an hour, so you're not late for anything. Don't worry."

"No, I-" he stops himself, looks down at the blankets. He looks nervous- afraid for some reason. Wilbur hates that- hates that he doesn't know what Tommy is scared of. Hates that he can't immediately strike it down. "I don't know. The hockey. Maybe I shouldn't-"

"What?" Schlatt asks. "Have fun?" Quackity hits his arm. "What? The kid's coach is a fuckass. I can't speak the truth now?"

Techno ignores them, leans closer to Tommy. "You don't have to if you don't want to. It was just a suggestion to spend more time together with your friends."

And then-and this is what makes Wilbur's heart break- Tommy blinks. "Friends?" He asks, like he's simultaneously hopeful and terrified of the word.

Techno, as always, remains outwardly steady. "Yeah," he answers simply. "We're friends, Tommy."

That small smile comes back. Little beam of light peeking through. "Oh. Yeah, okay. But I don't know. I'll think about it."

"That's okay," Wilbur nods. "None of us are, or would be upset if you didn't want to, right?"

A chorus of yes's ring around the room. That makes Tommy relax back into what he was before- and Wilbur rushes to find a new conversation topic in order to keep him that way.

(word count - 731)