Business bay

Chapter 3: Healing in the Bay

Tommy woke up to the soft sound of leaves rustling in the wind and the distant hammering of Luke working on yet another build. It had been weeks since he had returned to Business Bay, and though his body was still weak from his time in exile, he felt stronger every day. Stronger because, for the first time in months, he was surrounded by his boys.

The room around him smelled of fresh wood and sunlight filtered through the small windows. Luke had insisted on building Tommy his own place near the edge of the Bay, a little cabin close enough to everyone but with enough space to relax. It wasn't the grandest structure in the Bay—Luke reserved those for his towers and defenses—but it was home.

"Oi, you're up!" Bitzel's voice cut through the peaceful morning, and before Tommy could respond, Bitzel burst through the door with his usual chaotic energy.

"Geez, mate," Tommy grumbled, sitting up in bed. "Ever heard of knocking?"

Bitzel grinned, his trap bag slung over his shoulder. "Knocking's for chumps. I've got traps to check."

Tommy rolled his eyes but smiled. "What's the damage?"

Bitzel dropped a handful of wires and pressure plates on the floor with a mischievous smirk. "Resetting some of the perimeter traps. Don't worry, none of them are lethal... yet."

Tommy chuckled, feeling that familiar warmth in his chest. It was good to be home, even if that meant living in constant fear of stepping on one of Bitzel's traps.

"You're gonna kill someone with those one day, you know," Tommy muttered, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. His body still ached, the months of exile leaving their mark, but he was getting there. Slowly.

"Nah," Bitzel said, waving his hand dismissively. "I know where they all are. I'll be fine."

Tommy gave him a skeptical look, but before he could reply, there was a knock at the door—an actual knock this time.

Wisp entered, his calm demeanor instantly filling the room with a different kind of energy. "Tommy," he said, giving a nod. "How are you feeling today?"

Tommy shrugged, standing up and stretching his stiff muscles. "Getting there. Bitzel's traps might be the end of me, though."

Wisp smiled knowingly. "I've got something for that."

From the pouch on his belt, Wisp pulled out a small vial filled with a glowing green liquid. "It's a healing potion I've been working on. Should help with the fatigue."

Tommy took the vial, eyeing it suspiciously. "You sure this won't turn me into a frog or something?"

Wisp chuckled softly. "I promise. It'll help. I've also been brewing up a few things for the nightmares."

Tommy stiffened for a moment but quickly tried to play it off. "Nightmares? Pfft, I don't have those. I'm TommyInnit, mate."

Wisp didn't push, simply giving him a small smile as he handed over the vial. "Drink up. And take it easy today."

The day passed lazily, with Tommy wandering around Business Bay, watching the others go about their business. Luke was up on scaffolding, building yet another defensive wall, his focus intense as he hammered away at wooden beams. The guy never stopped building, and Tommy marveled at how much the Bay had grown since he'd left.

"Oi, Luke!" Tommy called, leaning against one of the support beams.

Luke paused, looking down from his perch. "What's up?"

"Don't you ever take a break?"

Luke grinned, his hands covered in sawdust. "No rest for the wicked, mate. Gotta make sure the Bay's ready for anything. You know, just in case someone trips one of Bitzel's traps and starts a war."

Tommy laughed. "Fair point."

As the day went on, Tommy found himself drawn to the old training grounds near the edge of the Bay. His sword had been hanging on the wall of his cabin since he returned, untouched. But now, with his body slowly healing, he felt the urge to test his strength again.

He found Axel sitting on a log near the sparring grounds, his red eyes half-closed, lost in thought. The dragon hybrid had been strangely calm today, his usual chaotic energy dialed back.

Tommy grabbed his sword from the rack and walked over. "Fancy a round?"

Axel's eyes flickered open, and he raised an eyebrow. "You sure you're ready for that?"

Tommy grinned, twirling his sword. "I've had worse."

Axel stood, stretching his powerful wings out behind him before cracking his knuckles. "Alright then. But don't blame me if you can't get out of bed tomorrow."

The sparring session was brief, but it reminded Tommy of how much he had missed the fight, the thrill of testing his limits. Axel, as always, was relentless, but he took it easy on Tommy, making sure not to push him too hard. Even so, by the end of it, Tommy was panting, his muscles screaming in protest.

Axel sheathed his sword, clapping Tommy on the back. "Not bad for someone who just got out of exile."

Tommy wheezed, leaning on his sword for support. "I'll take that as a compliment."

They shared a laugh before sitting down in the grass, watching the sunset over the Bay. The silence between them was comfortable, filled with the unspoken bond of brothers who had fought side by side too many times to count.

"You're getting stronger," Axel said, his voice softer now. "Won't be long before you're back to full strength."

Tommy nodded, staring out at the horizon. "Yeah. And then... we're gonna take it all back."

Axel grinned, his red eyes glowing faintly in the fading light. "We'll be ready. Just say the word."

As night fell, the Bay became quieter, the fires burning low as the stars filled the sky. Tommy sat with his boys around the campfire, listening to their stories, their laughter, their plans for the future. It was a strange kind of peace, the kind he hadn't felt in a long time.

They were all there—Axel, Deo, Wisp, Luke, Bitzel. His brothers. His family.

For the first time in months, Tommy felt whole again.

Tomorrow, there would be more sparring. More building. More plans. And soon, the world would know that Business Bay was back in full force. But tonight... tonight was just for them.