Tommyinnit Oneshots (With SBI) (Book 2)

I Don't Want To See You Hurt (SBI)(3/?)

Wilbur POV

"You're orphans, then?" The question was sharp, like the edge of a knife. Wilbur shifted closer to Tommy, finally looking the man in the eyes.

"Yes. We... we never knew our parents," the brunette admitted. His eyes traced around the room, a habit he had picked up. You can tell a lot about people by their environment. Surprisingly, the room itself didn't offer much. There were no decorations or anything to offer any kind of warmth. It was plain, with streaks of old paint peeling off the walls. Wilbur could only think of it as a cell. Shaking his head, he knew he shouldn't think like that. This was their home now.

"I'm sorry to hear that. The world we live in... it can be unforgiving." the man stood up, finding his way to Tommy. Kneeling before him, he offered a smile. "He looks a little cold."

"I-I am," Tommy shivered. 

Wilbur wrapped an arm around him, looking towards the man, "We've been traveling for weeks."

The man nodded, "Niki, why don't you help Tommy get settled. I'm sure he wouldn't mind some food either."

Tommy grinned, opening his mouth to pipe up, but Wilbur grabbed his arm. "I'd rather stay with him if it's all the same to you."

There was a shift in the room at his words. The man stood up straight, his eyes narrowing on the older, "I want to speak to you alone. To... make sure you know the rules here."

Niki walked towards the brothers, hesitating slightly, "I'll take good care of him, Wilbur. I swear." She smiled sweetly, making a small notion towards her leader. Her eyes were stern, speaking the words that she couldn't say. "Besides, Schlatt would never let anything happen to any of us."

That only made Wilbur more stubborn, "I don't think-"

"Please Wil?" Tommy perked up. Wilbur studied his face, taking note of his pale skin and trembling arms. When was the last time he really got a good meal? 

Relucantly, he sighed, "Fine. But if anything happens to him... It's on you."

Niki shivered before nodding. She held her hand out to the younger, just as gentle as before. Tommy didn't hesitate to take it, allowing the older to lead him out of the room. Wilbur bit back a feeling of jealousy. He hated when Tommy left his sight.

Schlatt chuckled, "You sure are protective."

"You would be too if he was all you had left," Wilbur commented, attempting to be as polite as possible. 

Leaning against the wall, Schlatt thought for a moment. "I had a brother once. Probably about the same age as yours." His smile only seemed to grow as he thought about it. "They probably would have been really good friends too."

"What happened to him?"

Schlatt's eyes shifted towards him. Wilbur took a step back, about to apologize. "The Antartic Empire happened. They turned him against me. Those bastards convinced my little brother that we were the ones in the wrong. That what we were fighting for wasn't freedom." A new fire seemed to burn in his eyes.

Wilbur chose his words carefully, "He's... fighting against you?"

"Against his will, yes." His eyes turned back to the younger. "And we won't stop until that empire is burned to the ground."

Something about the way he said it gave Wilbur a strange feeling. Revenge? That's what they were fighting for? Freedom... how could it become so twisted? "I... uh... Look maybe we-" he paused. "Maybe you could tell me more about this enemy?" His heart began to pound in his chest.

"The Antartic Empire is filled with nothing but selfish bastards. They take what they want and offer no mercy. They've killed hundreds of us..." His eyes fell on Wilbur. "You've never met one, have you?" The brunette shook his head, only seeming to make Schlatt smile more. "Don't trust them. No matter what they say."

Wilbur didn't understand, "I doubt I'll ever meet one."

Schlatt was silent for a moment. Taking a deep breath, he considered his words. "We welcome everyone here, regardless of age. And well we supply a home... Something must be given in return." He locked eyes on Wilbur. "Everyone must fight."

Wilbur froze at his words, "Fight?"

"We'll train you and supply everything-"

"We're kids!" Wilbur exclaimed, his eyes wide. 

"And we're in a war," he folded his arms. He sat down at his desk once more, pushing a few items aside. He revealed a map, pointing to a mark on the map. "And we're close. We're so close to winning!"

Wilbur made a move towards the door, "Thanks for the offer, but I am not about to join a war. Thanks but no thanks." But as soon as his hand touched the door handle, Schlatt's words stopped him.

"Where are you going to go? You really going to drag your little brother all the way back? I'm sure there was a reason you left. Reliving that... Is that really better?"

Wilbur hated how arrogant his words were. Suddenly he was a fly in a spider's web. No where to go. No better options.

"But here, you'll be taken care of. You can be a part of a community."

"You mean a war," the brunette muttered. "There's no room for a community here."

Schlatt's eyes narrowed, "You're mighty quick to judge."

Wilbur tightened his grip on the door handle before pausing. This didn't just effect him. He had a little brother to worry about and take care of. His hand fell from the handle as he turned towards the leader, "What if it's just me? Keep Tommy out of it and I'll train harder than any of your men."

The man leaned back, thinking thoughtfully. But Wilbur saw he was hardly thinking at all. "And what? Your brother gets the special treatment? What kind of message will that send to everyone else?"

"When they see how young he is, they'll understand."

"No, they won't. They'll start asking.  And that is something I can't afford. They'll start thinking they have choices that they can't have."

Wilbur couldn't believe his ears, "They... they don't have a choice."

"And neither do you." Schlatt stood up, a smile on his face. "You will begin training in the morning. And your brother will join the younger groups. Once your ready, you'll join the ranks and begin fighting for what we believe in."

"Revenge?"

"Exactly," he placed a hand on Wilbur's shoulder. "And the sooner you accept that, the better off you'll be here."

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