I'm a Healer, But...

27

Tommy's pretty torn as he munches on the food Techno brought him. On one hand, he wants to throw Techno into the nest- Tommy will feel safer, Techno will be cozy, it works. On the other hand, he's not caving into this whole instinct thing yet, so he also wants to throw Techno out of his room to make it less tempting. Except Techno is his Protector, so he kind of wants him around-Especially when someone knocks on the door.Techno glances over at the door, but he's totally calm, unlike Tommy, who's tensing up and setting down his fork. It gets worse when Phil's voice calls through the door. "Tommy? Can I come in?"They both wait for a response, but Techno's eyes on him make it worse. "...yeah," he calls back, and the door opens."I was- oh, Techno?" Phil seems surprised to see him. "I thought you'd be gone by now.""Eatin' got delayed. We ended up, uh, talkin' for a bit.""Oh. I see." He glances over at Tommy. "How are you doing, Tommy?" His voice is calm and even, and it just feels condescending.He picks up the fork again, taking another bite of eggs before answering. "Fine," he says harshly. He really doesn't want Phil here. Which is... dumb and weird, because he's not, like, terrible. He's weird and pushy and he's kind of in charge of whatever the fuck is going on, but he hasn't done anything yet. He's only, like, second worst, after Wilbur. So Tommy shouldn't be so upset he's here."Techno," Phil murmurs, not nearly quiet enough for Tommy to avoid overhearing. "I told you not to hover around him too much. His instincts won't like a predator being around his nest-"Tommy slams down the fork and, in one smooth motion, stands from his desk chair, grabs Techno by the arm, and drags him so hard Techno actually stumbles, pulling him right into the pile of blankets on the bed. "I think I'm fucking fine, actually," Tommy snarks.Phil's eyes go wide, but he frowns after a moment. "Tommy, I wasn't challenging you. You don't have to do things like this to prove a point, it's not healthy to fight against your instincts- we want you to feel safe-""The only thing making me feel unsafe is you. I don't want you here. Techno can stay."He starts to protest further but stops. Phil looks them both over, his eyes stopping on the necklace dangling from Tommy's throat before looking at Techno, who seems a little uncomfortable but doesn't move from the nest. "Tommy," Phil says slowly. "Are you fine with Techno being in your nest?""Fucking... yeah? Obviously? I put him here." And it's good for his flock to be in the nest, he thinks. It's the best fucking nest in the world, why would Techno want to be anywhere else, actually?"But that's not..." He frowns more. "That's not right. If you're just getting used to your instincts, they should be screaming at you to stay away from Techno right now. I hoped sending him with meals would make you able to tolerate him, but you... you shouldn't be letting him in your nest like this.""Well, he's- he's my fucking flock, I guess, so-"Tommy freezes at the look on Phil's face. Oh. He's mad. He's mad because Techno is Phil's flock and Tommy just took him. Techno sits up in the nest, making Tommy more anxious- he's going to leave, he was Phil's first so he's going to go he said he'd protect Tommy but how is he supposed to protect Tommy from Techno's own flock-He doesn't go. He chuffs- that's how Techno called it when Tommy asked more about it earlier- and pats Tommy's head. "It's okay, shoat. You're fine."Oh. Maybe Tommy's more important because he's younger and Phil can take care of himself. Or because he's new to Techno's sounder. Or... something else, but whatever it is, Techno isn't leaving to join Phil. Which is good."You... you shouldn't be taking predators into your flock this early," Phil whispers. "You're- you're just a nestling, you should be anxious around anything that isn't your family until they settle in, let you think rationally again- if Techno is your flock, then- then something is horribly wrong.""...wow. Thanks, Phil," Techno drawls."You know that's not what I mean- there's supposed to be an order to this, that's not-""Ranboo's instincts were all messed up when we met him," he says, letting his hand drop from Tommy's hair. Tommy definitely doesn't have to stifle a grumpy noise at that." Ranboo was horribly traumatized from being a lab experiment- ""And Theseus has his own things. Look, I told you we should have kept the research from that hybrid facility in the twenties-"Phil steps closer to the nest- if Tommy was a cat hybrid, his fur would be standing on end. Phil pays him no mind, focused on his argument with Techno. "They were deliberately traumatizing hybrid children to see what it did, Techno, I didn't want to touch any of that-""But if we did, we'd at least know a little about how it could affect instincts-"That is more than fucking enough of that. "Hey, can you two shut the fuck up?" Tommy snaps. They both fall quiet. "I don't give a fuck about this instinct shit. Especially when I don't know anything about it and everyone's just talking in goddamn circles. The only thing that fucking matters is that Techno is my flock and I'm his sounder or what the fuck ever and you need to get the fuck away from my- my bed or I'm going to lose my shit. "Phil pauses, and then sighs. "At least that's normal." He takes a few steps back from the nest, and Tommy feels a little less stressed, even if he wants Phil out of the room entirely. "When you're a little less wary of me, I can tell you whatever you need to know about your instincts-""Is there not, like, a fucking book? How To Avian Instincts Three or whatever?" He doesn't want to have to learn from Phil. He's used to studying by himself, he doesn't like being taught shit, he can figure it out on his own- especially since it has to do with him. And especially because he's already fucking it up somehow.Phil frowns at his entirely fucking reasonable suggestion. "That's not exactly... well, there are books, but reading something is different from talking to someone with experience.""And when did you experience coming into your instincts, hm, Phil? Approximately three million years ago?" Tommy twists around his new ring, needing something to do with his hands to manage his anxiousness. "It is probably very different nowadays, when bird guys aren't unlocking their instincts while they run from dinosaurs- ""That wasn't even three million years ago-"Tommy just talks right over him. "And anyway considering you are a very birdy avian and I am apparently the watered down version it could be very different anyway so why should I trust you?""...he's got a point," Techno says, and Phil squawks in offense. "No, listen, Phil- you're, uh, the closest thing the world's got to a pure avian hybrid in... probably at least a thousand years. He's a modern hybrid. It could be totally different and we wouldn't know.""Wilbur and Fundy-""-are directly descended from you. They're over a hundred generations off from modern hybrids. If you're so worried about Theseus, we should be lookin' into more recent science.""Just buy me a fucking book," Tommy hisses. They both ignore him.Phil tilts his head as he thinks. "Well, I doubt we'd be able to hire a specialist, short of kidnapping one and bringing them here-""Are you fucking kidding me- "Techno pats Tommy's shoulder, clearly trying to quiet him down. He only does so out of consideration, because he is so fucking kind to his flock, honestly, Techno should appreciate him so much. "I think we should bring the kids by. Ranboo's got first hand experience with this kind of thing, so maybe he'd have some idea of what's goin' on.""What kind of fucking name is Ranboo anyway."Phil considers it, and lets out a long sigh. "Well, at least neither of them are predators. And it'd probably be good for Tommy to spend some time with kids around his age... especially since he's so bothered by spending time with old folks like us-" Phil looks a little too amused at his own joke-Wait. "Are you trying to set up a fucking playdate for me? I'm basically a fucking adult, you-"Techno chuffs, and Tommy groans in annoyance. "We're not settin' up a playdate. We're bringin' over someone with experience dealin' with comin' into their instincts after they were stunted. An enderman isn't goin' to be the same as an avian, but it's somethin'."Tommy sinks back into his nest, crossing his arms. He doesn't want to hang out with kids his age. It would be weird. He hasn't been around someone his age, other than passing them on the street, since he was literally eight years old. He's used to adults, he's not used to the kind of shit he used to see on TV, teenage besties who were fucking awful to each other or whatever-Then again, that's just sitcoms. Real life is probably pretty different. But it's still not something he wants to get involved with. Especially since- "What kind of fucking kids do the Syndicate just hang out with?""You," Techno says, and Tommy sputters in offense. "And Ranboo and his husband.""...his what- you said they were my age!"Phil chuckles. "They're both seventeen, actually. And it's not legal yet, but they insist they're married.""Something about tax benefits, even though neither of them pay taxes," Techno says, amused. Tommy's clearly missing out on the joke.He doesn't like this at all. But as much as he likes his nest, he's feeling too cooped up- haha, coop, oh that's so annoying he doesn't want to be making bird puns in his head- so seeing someone besides Phil would probably be a good thing. Plus, maybe this Ranboo guy will tell them to go fuck themselves and that Tommy isn't a freak with fucked up instincts or whatever. "Fine," he grumbles. "Bring on the weirdos."Phil lights up, like Tommy just gave him permission to... adopt him or something. Whatever, he's excited. "Oh, good. I'll call them right away, see when they're free.""It's about time for them to visit again anyway," Techno says, starting to sit up, and it sets Tommy's heart racing for some reason. He doesn't want Techno to leave the nest, not yet-He reaches out, grabbing him by the arm without thinking. Techno looks at him, raising an eyebrow, and Tommy flushes, letting go. It's harder than it should be. At Techno's curious look, he just shrugs.Phil lets out a coo. "Techno- stay here a little longer, won't you? You're Tommy's first flock member, he'll want you around for at least a few hours."Tommy hunches up his shoulders. "It's fine, you can fucking go, I'm not that fucking clingy- ""It's fine," Techno says, leaning back into the nest. "I almost dragged you to my hoard when you gave me that crown, I understand.""No, it's fine. Go, go-" He weakly tries to shove Techno out of the nest, but he doesn't even roll over. Tommy isn't even putting his full strength into it- he can't. He doesn't want Techno to go. He has to stay right here instead of going into the rest of the house full of people Tommy can't trust."It's okay, it's okay," Phil coos again. "Don't fight your instincts, your first flock member is special. Oh, I'm jealous, I was so sure it would be me-"Tommy stifles down a bird noise that tries to escape to display his annoyance. "Shut up. He's not even- I think I've done this before."The room goes quiet, and he immediately regrets mentioning that. Why did he, even? It's not like he knows. It's just that he has a vague memory of chirping at... somebody, when he was really little. It's not like it matters."Would that be your family?" Phil asks quietly.Tommy slowly shakes his head. "No. I don't have- I've never had a family. I just think, uh... I don't know. I don't remember. Probably someone from a foster home or something.""A foster-" Phil cuts himself off sharply. "I see. I'm going to- have a good rest of your day, Tommy. Techno, stay here-""I wasn't goin' anywhere," Techno huffs, suddenly seeming agitated. "I'm stayin' right here."Tommy almost chirps at Techno promising to stay- but the energy of the room is off. He just said something very, very fucking wrong....did he never mention he was an orphan before?