'Many a man's reputation would not would not know his character if they met on the street.' - Elbert Hubbard
X-
"Are you sure, Tommy? We can wait if you want. Club only just got out and your detention lasts, what, fifteen more minutes?" Tubbo asked as he finished washing his hands in the sink.
"Yes, Tubbo, I'm sure. You could be home in that time and its not like it's the first I've walked home alone." Tommy answered as he leaned against the bathroom wall beside the door.
Tommy had managed to get the teacher, rather well acquainted with him at this point, to allow him to go to the bathroom despite it being past the midway point. Usually a no go since students would use the opening to leave early. Tommy couldn't help the slight pride at knowing the teacher, his prison guard, trusted him enough to bend the rule.
"Its not the walking alone part that we're worried about, Tommy. Its that its going to be dark out." Ranboo cut in, holding Tubbo's bag for him as he stared at Tommy with some clear worry, "You do realize we've lost an hour and it gets darker earlier now, right?"
"Yes, Ranboo. I'm aware." Tommy replied with an exaggerated eye roll, "I'm not a child. I can walk in the mild darkness by myself."
Both Tubbo and Ranboo looked at each other with clear doubt in their eyes which Tommy took slight offense to. He made this known by giving a loud indignant scoff and standing from the wall and flipping the pair off.
"Oh piss off. I can handle it. I'm a big man. I've been walking home in the dark since middle school." Tommy said with a firm frown on his face.
"We know. We've been walking it with you." Tubbo commented as he took his bag back from the taller teen.
"We've also had to hold your hand when you heard-"
"Aaaah! Ranboo, We Don't Need To Talk About That!" Tommy shouted and raised his hands up in a rapid 'quiet' motion.
It made the other two boys grin knowing they'd made their point.
"Look, I know you're all 'worried' and everything-" Tommy started again before either of the two could speak up, using far exaggerated air quotes on the word 'worried' for good measure, "But I can assure you, I'll be fine. In fifteen minutes you'll both be at your homes and I'll be on my way to mine. Either way, by nine we can be in call like usual."
"You wont start the game up without us?" Ranboo questioned with an amused raised brow.
Tommy let out a mock gasp of insult as a hand rose to his chest.
"Ranboo, I would- I would never. How could you even claim that I would do such a thing? Do you think I've no class? No honor? Big man innit is nothing but the epitomy of proper social and gaming protocol in regards the ridiculous claim you have just-"
"You logged in an hour ahead of us last week to start diamond hunting first." Tubbo pointed out and cutting Tommy's growing tirade off.
"Well, Big T, you see, about that-"
"And you started that horror game early two days ago to try to learn where the jumpscares were ahead of us." Ranboo added, "You had to call us because it scared you so bad you thought you were going to have a panic attack."
Tommy stared at the pair now, mouth gaping open like he was struggling to find more words but was failing to do so.
"W-well- It wasn't-"
"Just admit it, Tommy. Given the opportunity to, you would do it again." Tubbo smirked, triumphant and amused at his friend.
Tommy stammered for another moment before a smile plastered itself across his face like it held a promise.
"Yeah, your right." He admitted shamelessly.
"So." Ranboo started as he adjusted the strap of his own bag on his shoulder, "You want us to wait for you? We really can. We could just sit in the cafeteria or library and do our homework while we wait."
Tommy was shaking his head before Ranboo was even finished.
"No, that's okay. I appreciate the offer, though, really. But I'll be fine. I can beat fifteen minutes easy and then leg it back home." Tommy insisted despite the slight anxiety walking home alone in the dark brought him.
"If your sure, boss man. Just know you can call us if you need to." Tubbo assured, looking no more happy about the decision made than Tommy felt.
"If I need to I will, Tubs. I promise." Tommy nodded with his trademark smile.
As Tommy turned to leave the bathroom and head back to his detention both Tubbo and Ranboo shared a less than happy look. They knew when Tommy was faking a smile. They just wished he didn't feel he needed to with them.
Xx-xx
With a long stretch Techno let out a yawn he'd been holding in for the past hour easily. Not that he had need to hold it in, but he didn't want to deal with the tiredness that would set in after it as his brain told him it was time for sleep. He wasn't even all that tired at the moment, but a yawn, of course, was quick to ruin that feeling.
Though, with the walk home and the slight chill in the air Techno was sure he'd wake back up before even reaching his porch. Normally his father would insist on picking him up once dark fell, especially if Wilbur wasn't with him, but today was different. The man had driven up to surprise their mother with a date while she was traveling for work the next town over.
It was their mother's birthday after all.
The twins had been left to mind themselves for the next day or so, which both were more than pleased with. Considering that their father had threatened them with never being home alone again until they were in their twenties after Wilbur had set the kitchen on fire trying to make pizza one time. Personally Techno thought they did really well at problem solving that with dousing it with baking soda since Wilbur couldn't get the extinguisher off the wall fast enough.
Now, Techno would never, no, absolutely never, say his brother was terrible in emergency situations. Not on his life would he ever say that…out loud.
In regards to things like a fire or a blackout, Wilbur was best with a chaperone. However, Techno could well, and would well, admit that when the trouble was people related, his twin was hands down the person he wanted at his side. Even when freaking out Wilbur had a way with just…dealing with people that had Techno honestly scratching his head on.
But, that was far off the topic and it was far too late into the evening for Techno to be spacing out on the doorsteps to the school.
Yep, that yawn had just about put his brain into sleep mode. Full on with wandering thoughts and blank staring into space. Luckily there wasn't anyone left at the school at this hour. It was one of the reasons why he enjoyed using the math labs so late. No students would be around to bother him as no one went near the math labs after hours and by the time he was done it was generally abandoned by all but the cleaning staff.
So, with that being the case, why was there a scrawny freshmen standing at the top step of the front stairs staring into the darkness?
It honestly wasn't Techno's problem. It wasn't. Whatever the kid was up to was his own business. Techno just wanted to go home, get whatever food Wilbur had ordered for dinner and head to his room. He didn't want to notice the way the kids shoulders were shaking in the night air. He didn't want to notice the way he fidgeted in place as he looked around at the dark where the faulty streetlamps were failing to brighten. Techno really didn't want to notice the way the kid was hugging onto his backpack as if it were a life line that-
"You waiting on someone?"
Techno was shocked to hear the words leave his mouth, but it was too late. The kid had heard him, had jumped nearly a foot in the air in fact, and was looking back at him. The kid, guessed right as a freshmen, looked spooked to all hell. His blue eyes were wide with shock and more than a bit of fear as he stared at Techno. A look that…seemed to calm as the other took in Tech's appearance. It was…not the reaction Techno usually got but, whatever.
The boy opened his mouth to speak but seemed to get stuck on a stammer before swallowing quickly and trying again.
"N-no. I, uh. I'm just…enjoying the…night?"
It was a weak attempt at best and had Techno sighing both internally and out as he dug into his pockets with one hand.
"Well, its not going to get any brighter out the more you…'enjoy' it." Techno said with an obvious lack of belief in the other's words.
The boy's face flushed red at that as he drooped his head, his blond fluffy bangs obscuring his eyes. It didn't keep Techno from being able to see his embarrassment, but that didn't seem to matter.
"Catch." Techno stated, hardly giving the other time to react as he threw the item from his pocket.
With a slight fumble the boy managed to get a hold of it before it hit the ground. The kid stared at it dumbfounded for a moment before Techno decided to speak for a fourth time.
"Click the back to turn it on." He directed before starting down the steps himself.
The kid was once more swift in trying to do as he was told, a blue beam of light alerting Techno that he'd figured it out. Good for the kid. He wasn't a complete idiot.
"Th-thank you! I didn't get your name!" The boy called out from behind, still on the top step.
This time though, Techno didn't respond. He gave a noncommittal wave at best without looking back as he made his way towards his own home. All that calmness he'd felt from his solo study time was now ruined by the ball of stress that rested in his chest. It…admittedly wasn't the worse he'd felt it, but…it was still unpleasant.
Techno totally didn't turn to look to where the beam of light was headed off to. He wasn't, of course, checking to see that the kid was actually leaving the school. Why would he? Techno didn't care if some random freshmen managed to get home or not.
According to the rumors Techno kidnapped and ate people he ran into after nightfall.
Xx-xx
It had been several days since Tommy had been give the hand sized flashlight to walk home with. Something that, admittedly, he'd had to use a few more times that week as well. He still hadn't run into the person who had given it to him though. He was starting to worry that he'd not be able to return it actually.
It wasn't like he didn't know who it was that this point. After all, with a description of 'long pink hair' there was already a small pool of who that could be. In fact, it was whole whopping pool of two, and the person Tommy had dealt with certainly wasn't Niki. He'd met her once while trying out for theater.
He'd only needed to ask around for barely five minutes before he was swamped with a worlds worth of knowledge on the student in question.
'Oh, that sounds like Techno. Long pink hair and fangs he can only hide by not speaking or opening his mouth in public.'
'Did you notice if they had red eyes? Cus that would totally be Techno. It's because he drinks blood.'
'No, that's why his hair is pink. Did you get it confused?'
'Idiots, his eyes are red because he sacrifices small animals to demons for better vision.'
'Are you serious? I thought it was to get better grades without studying.'
'I thought he sacrificed small children for his grades and animals for his eyes?'
'Stop mixing them all together. If he was killing so many things the police would be after him by now'
'Where do you think all the 'transferred out' students went? We had like, four this year already and Techno topped his grades in both lit and math.'
'Okay, but if that were true there would be reports.'
'Not if he pays off the cops. I heard his family is loaded and he uses his money to get away with, like, so many things.'
'He doesn't always kill them. I heard he sent someone to the hospital last year just so he could steal their blood without anyone noticing. The kid was so scared he promised not to tell a soul and just, moved away.'
To say it had been less than helpful was…well, far too obvious a statement to make.
Still, he at least got a name out of all that. Techno. Techno Craft. To be honest it almost sounded familiar to Tommy but he couldn't place it. For now at least.
So, with a name and…rough understanding that he was…'dangerous'? Tommy tried to make a plan on how to find the guy. Staying after school, regardless of intention to stay behind or not, hadn't helped. So now, Tommy would have to go about it the old fashion way.
Asking around and hoping no one decided to toss him into another locker while they gossiped about the guy.
Xx-xx
"Techno, are you going to be staying late again?" Wilbur asked as he peeked his head into the almost empty math lab.
There, third row back, was his brother. Papers out and waiting as he raised a hand up in a 'wait a moment' gesture while he finished scribbling something down. Wil took the moment to step into the room, the door barely closing when the other finally looked up.
"Not too late, but yea. I want to get ahead on this since there's like, three major projects coming up. I don't want to have all this other work to do on the side. Like some people." Techno answered with a slight smirk as he stared pointedly at his brother.
Wilbur snickered as he rolled his eyes.
"Well, luckily some people aren't trying for straight 'A's in everything."
"You could at least try for a gentle 'B'."
"Dick. I'll have you know I managed to pull up to a B+ in math this semester." Wilbur laughed out as he reached his brother's table and tossed one of his own papers back at him.
"Is that a new record high?" Techno teased as he attempted to catch the paper, undeterred by the attempted distraction.
"Hey, I've 'A's before!"
"I'm talking since grade school, Wil."
"You little-" Wilbur started before he moved to slide around the desk to attack his brother fully.
Techno was faster and held up his advanced statistics book like it was some kind of protective totem. It seemed to work as Wilbur pulled back with a dramatic flair, clutching his heart.
"Ah! My only weakness! The concepts of probability in case controlled testing environments!" Wil cried out as he not so carefully landed across a desk behind him.
Techno rolled his eyes with a short laugh.
"Hardly your 'only' weakness is it?" He asked with a grin.
Wilbur raised his head to return the look before sitting back up.
"How long you think you'll be?" He asked, smile still on his face as he made himself comfortable.
"Dunno. If I wasn't distracted, I'd guess maybe an hour, hour and a half?"
Wil had raised his hands up in surrender at the obvious jab, laughing as he slid off the desk now.
"Well, I know when I'm not wanted… Unless, I am wanted?" Wilbur looked at his brother with his best attempt at 'puppy eyes' which had Techno tempted to rolls his own once more.
"You're wanted, Wil. Just not here."
Another gasp from Wilbur as he pulled the most offended look he could manage.
"Techno, you keep saying things like that and I will cry."
"No you wont. You haven't cried on command properly once yet."
"I can start now." Wilbur replied as he crossed his arms.
Techno wasn't…technically wrong. Wilbur had tricks to crying when he needed to, but, to just do so on an open mental command? He was still working on that. So what if for now he needed to secretly pinch himself or think of sad kittens and puppies for a minute to get the tears going. He never failed a performance yet. Well, not since freshmen year…and that one blunder in his sophomore one. But, those were beside the point.
"Just head on home Wilbur, I'll see you there." Techno was already waving him off as he used his other hand to readjust what Wil had touched.
"You sure? Dadza will worry." Wil asked with a slight frown.
"Dadza always worries." Techno tossed back with a light chuckle, "I'll be home soon. Just as soon as I finish this."
Wilbur sighed as he crossed his arms, smile dropping.
"He's worried your overworking it you know….making up for a lack of social-"
"Wilbur, stop." Techno sighed himself now, this time with exasperation, as he looked to his brother, "I know you, mom and dad are worried, but I'm fine. Really. This is literally just about my grades."
Wilbur didn't feel in any way convinced, but he'd had this talk with his brother before. From the tone being used he already knew he wasn't going to gain ground on it right now. Besides, it was best not to fight while still in school.
"Okay, fine. I'll head home. But if dad insists on coming to pick you up again I'm not going to stop him." Wilbur confirmed before it was even brought up.
"You never do." Techno replied in a 'yea, I sort of figured that' tone.
Wilbur lingered for a minute or so longer before turning for the door. Techno wasn't going to say more while here and honestly, Wilbur didn't know what else to say. They'd argued this point a thousand times. Without anything new to add to the verbal ring there was no point in rehashing the same concerns over and over to someone who just…failed to see the point.
He wasn't going to stop trying, of course not. But Wilbur really needed to try to find a new angle. He needed something…different.
Xx-xx
Tommy was at a loss. He couldn't find anything, or rather, anyone willing or able to tell him where this 'Techno' guy was. If anything he just received more warnings to keep his distance. Tommy didn't really get what the problem was.
Okay so, the number and…type or rumors going around were perhaps a bit concerning. But, Tommy had had his own share of rumors go around before. He knew not to take everything at face value. Which he was surprised few people here seemed to be doing considering how many of those rumors seemed to be blood related.
Even with that though, Tommy knew better. Or, at least he knew different. After all, one of the rumors he'd been warned about was that Techno was the kind of person who only helped others for a price. And that price could range from a few dollars to…okay so the top price had been a soul, but more realistically it had been liked to like, a car or something. Though one person had stated that Techno had once offered to take notes for someone in exchange for their hand. Which, disconcertingly had three witnesses apparently.
But, if that were true then why had Tommy been given the flashlight? Without being charged, ransomed, or extorted. Hell, he hadn't even been told a name. Tommy had to figure that out himself. This person, whoever it was, didn't seem the type to charge someone for help. If anything….well, if anything Tommy thought he just sounded…shy.
Really, Tommy could relate to that.
But, relate or not that wasn't helping Tommy to find the person he was after. Sure, he could try to hand the thing over to the office and have them page the guy down to get it, but it wasn't just about returning it to the other. No. Tommy wanted to hand it back. He wanted to thank him properly. He just…he wanted to properly meet the person that so many people were adamant on calling a demon or devil just for some pink hair and red eyes.
Just because he was a little bit different.
Tommy nearly stumbled over his own feet as he halted sharply. He'd heard something. A voice. It was a deep voice and part of him froze thinking that it might be Jared and his friends returning to the school to mess around. They'd done it before. They'd found Tommy before too.
It hadn't been a fun time.
Holding his breath Tommy dared to inch his way to the wall where he heard the sound from. If he was careful enough and it was Jared, then he could find a place to duck down until the other passed. If it wasn't Jared then…great. Tommy wouldn't need to hide at all.
The feeling of relief that filled Tommy at seeing decidedly not Jared was truly immense. He didn't feel like he could handle a third go around today. But, better than all that, he did recognize the person it was. After all, there were only two pink haired students in the school. Once more, this was certainly not Niki.
Off near the shrubs that lead away along the sidewalk from the school, knelt none other than Techno. The guy was actually a bit bigger than Tommy had first realized, being able to better make him out in the daylight. Or what was left of it.
Techno was on one knee and currently…seemed to be talking baby talk to the bush. Tommy hesitated to walk up, unsure if he'd be…interrupting something. Rumors or no, no one wanted to be snuck up on while doing something like that.
Though, it was just as he was having that thought that Tommy heard a second sound. This one much smaller and far more high pitched. He recognized it by the second time round. A meow. Or a mewl more like. It was clearly from a smaller cat.
As Tommy watched, now feeling too awkward to approach after having stared for so long, as Techno carefully shushed the creature. His hands had been fussing in the bush and now pulled free a small speckled looking kitten. The poor thing was crying out in distress even as Techno cooed and rocked it, reaching into his bag with his free hand. After a moment or so Techno pulled out a small baggy and tugged it open with his teeth. Offering whatever food was inside to the little thing.
Tommy couldn't even help the dropping of his jaw, even if only slight, as he watched the presumably 'lethal and savage animal sacrificing monster' feed and sooth a tiny fur baby before setting it back down and leaving a small helping of said snack for it on the ground. As Techno stepped away from the kitten Tommy was further left in aw of the fact that the mother cat just…just strolled out of the bush. It gave its child a small licking before looking at Techno with a decidedly lacking sense of hostility.
"Looks like she got away from you today, huh, 'Mo-mo?'" Techno stated, talking to the cat.
Said cat just stared at him back before going back to grooming her kitten.
It was…some sort of surreal.
It didn't last long though.
Tommy's heart almost leapt out of his chest as a car horn honked not to far from where he was standing. Instinctively he dropped to his knees behind the bush, his heart racing. Peeking out to see who it was Tommy watched as a somewhat old looking car rolled up to Techno. Inside there was a blond haired man with what Tommy could only assume was some kind of green and white hat.
He couldn't hear from this distance and with his heart pounding in his ears, but he could see the man was smiling warmly at Techno. The pinkett in question rolling his eyes in turn before offering a soft sort of smile back before climbing into the empty passenger seat. The two seemed to chat for a moment before taking off.
Tommy watched them leave and stared for an extra minute after they were gone. No one was going to believe this. Even if Tubbo and Ranboo had believed him about the flashlight-
He…he had entirely forgotten he needed return the flashlight. It was still in his pocket.
Xx-xx-xx
"I'm telling you guys, that man is as soft as they come." Tommy insisted the next day as he sat beside Tubbo and Ranboo just outside the schools front doors, "I mean, he was baby talking to a kitten for fucks sake!"
"Allegedly." Tubbo stated as he ate his bagel looking entirely unimpressed.
"No, but like, really he was. Why would I make that up?" Tommy insisted with some manner of stress.
"He's got a point Tubbo. If he wanted to start a rumor about the guy it'd be a lot easier to get one like, 'I saw him stealing candy from a baby' or something to stick." Ranboo said, doing what was probably the worst impression of Tommy that he'd done yet.
It made Tommy cringe and he knew that dumb shit was enjoying the sight of his pain. He always did. Though…he at least appreciated the half back up.
"Just because it would stick easier doesn't mean Tommy would go that road. I mean, this is Tommy we're talking about. If he could get someone to believe that the schools Antichrist was secretly Mary Poppins he'd do it." Tubbo pointed out.
"Firstly, ouch." Tommy huffed as he crossed his arms, "And secondly…damn you have a point."
Tubbo laughed at that as Ranboo let out a wheeze, clapping his hand on Tommy's arms.
"You- you are- you are the- the worst advocate for yourself." Ranboo stated between bursts of laughter.
"Screw you both. I'm not lying!" Tommy insisted as he slapped Ranboo's hand away.
"Okay, so, if you're telling the truth, prove it." Tubbo challenged with a grin once he got himself back under control.
"Prov- How am I supposed to do that?!" Tommy asked with a flail of his own arms.
"Dunno, Boss man. Seems like a you problem if I'm honest." Tubbo informed him with a shit eating grin.
"Well, its going to be your problem soon you short shitter. When I get that proof, whatever it is, you're going to have to give me a full fucking apology." Tommy stated firmly as he pointed into Tubbo's face, earning a swat from the other.
"If-" Ranboo started before having to take in a fresh breath to make sure he'd not start laughing again, "If you need proof, why not just go ask his brother?"
Tommy stopped dead still as he looked to Ranboo with pure shock and confusion on his face.
"I'm sorry, his what?"
"His…brother? Did…did you not know he had one?" Ranboo questioned with a raised brow.
"I- w-well, the rumors never mentioned one!" Tommy defended quickly as Tubbo was already starting to laugh again.
"Y-you- Did you not think to ask about anything other than the rumors?" Tubbo asked as he snorted into his hand at the sheer thought of the obvious gap in Tommy's 'investigation'.
"It-it's just not something that came up! You'd think if the man was as bad as they say then his brother would, I dunno, but just as?" Tommy once more tried to defend even as his face heated up with embarrassment.
Okay so…maybe he'd tunnel visioned a bit. But, he really really hadn't heard a thing about the guy having a brother. Or, any family relation if he was honest.
"Dude, you tried out for theater, how did you not know though?" Ranboo had gone on, snapping Tommy back to the moment.
"What does that have to do with anything?" Tommy questioned as his brow furrowed even deeper.
"Dude, the Junior that ran the auditions for the singers? You know Wilbur Craft." Ranboo emphasized with a wide grin that showed even under his mask.
Tommy opened his mouth to speak before snapping it shut again. Was...was that the dudes name? Was it really? He'd met the guy during the auditions, same as with Niki. He'd even had a word or two with him sense for stage directions. How did he not know his name? His full fucking name?
More over, how could the two of them be related? Techno was treated as the actual Antichrist of the school. With actual chants apparently being made to ward him off. Wilbur? That man lived to be in the spot like. He was loud when surrounded by people, he seemed to live and thrive on the spotlight from just what Tommy had seen in practice and the auditions alone.
"How the hell is that dramatic fuck related to Techno?" Tommy blurted out before he could stop himself.
That had both Tubbo and Ranboo going once more, wheezing and falling over each other and decidedly not giving Tommy his answer.
Xx-xx
Tommy stood off to the side of the stage fidgeting in place as he watched the practice going on. It wasn't a day for his set to be rehearsed and so technically he wasn't due to be there. But, he wasn't exactly here for show work.
He'd waited all of school anxiously in order to get into the theater at the end of the day. He'd considered trying to locate the other through the day, but, considering what his search for Techno had gotten him he opted to just wait. After all, he knew without a doubt that Wilbur would be here. At least for one hour every day the theater kids were given use of the stage area to practice with. Mostly to get the freshmen up to par before performance season came around.
Just as Tommy knew he'd be, Wilbur was present. He rarely missed a practice, but Tommy half suspected that it was to hang out with his friends half the time. Not that Tommy cared. He just needed an opening to speak to the other. Preferable when it didn't look like he was actively assessing someone's set.
"Ok, stop. Stop. Before you fall." Wilbur called out, making Tommy look up at the stage to the person being spoken to.
It was a somewhat short blond girl who was currently wearing a gown from costumes. She'd been doing some rendition of…something. Tommy wasn't paying much attention if he was honest. But even he could see the dress was an easy size too large for her.
"Did they not find anything smaller?" Wilbur asked with actual genuine worry if his expression was anything to go by.
The girl shook her head in place of a verbal reply, looking flustered from having been interrupted.
"Well, we can't have you perform in that. It'll be far too easy to trip in. Go find Eret and ask if they can help stitch it up." Wilbur directed, pointing off to where the costumes were handled, "We'll run your lines again once that's finished. If we have to wait until tomorrow then fine. I'd rather be safe about this, yeah?"
The girl nodded awkwardly before lifting the large skirt and heading off to where she'd been told. Tommy felt for her, really. He'd been in a similar spot once. Nothing is more embarrassing than having your line practice cut like that. Its not usually intentional, but that didn't make the feeling go away.
But, that was beside the point. This was the perfect opening. Tommy just….he just…need to walk up. Yeah. He just, needed to walk up to the top theater musician and then…ask if his brother is really the Antichrist of the school, but than also a secret 'kitten-smitten softie'.
Tommy debated briefly if this was really worth getting proof.
It wasn't about proof though. Not for him. No. He was…he was doing this for Techno. To find out who he really was and to prove what he knew to be true as…being true. He'd seen Techno was kind. That man didn't deserve the slander he was receiving.
"Um…excuse me."
Tommy felt as every muscle in his body tense up as the tall brunette turned to face him. A smile was quick to grace the older boys face as he seemed to recognize him.
"Hello, Tommy. Do you have a set today?" Wilbur asked as he quickly looked down to a paper, presumably one used to help him keep track of the practices.
"I-uh, no. Not today." Tommy stammered as he felt his mouth go dry.
He hadn't had this sort of issue talking to the other before. Though, before now the most they talked about was 'does this role work for you?' or 'If I say the line this way, does it still work?' and things like that. It really was much harder to manage a conversation when he knew where he needed it to go.
"Did you need help with something? Is it about the role? If your having second thoughts there's still time to-"
"No! N-no, its nothing like that. The role is fine. It's, um..Its sort of, unrelated to acting?" Tommy tried to curve gently.
Wilbur tilted his head at this, his face showing one of almost amused concern.
"Ok…ay?"
"Its…well…do you have a brother?" Tommy started with.
Easy enough if not a bit embarrassing to admit to the mans face that he had no idea. It certainly seemed to have startled the other as well. The amused look on Wilbur's face fell into something more akin to legitimate concern. These was something else there as well, but Tommy couldn't place it.
"I do. A twin brother. My Older." He replied with a nod, a slight waver to his voice as he seemed to be bracing for whatever Tommy was going to say next.
"Twin? Like, actual twin?"
Wilbur nodded, not seemingly amused anymore by Tommy's blatant surprise.
"W-well, is it, uh..is it true that-" Tommy couldn't seem to find how he wanted to word his question, and each false start seemed to be putting Wilbur more on edge.
He just, needed to spit it out. No matter how awkward it was. Tommy was a big man, he could do this.
"Is it true that Techno like, baby chatters to kittens after school?"
…
…
Wilbur burst into a laugh at was so full and light and genuinely tickled by what Tommy had said that Tommy himself couldn't help but laugh along with him. The two kept going for what felt like ages before Wilbur managed to pull himself together. Tears in his eyes and beaming with joy Wilbur looked at Tommy as if he'd just given him something precious.
"Yes. Techno absolutely 'baby chatters' at kittens after school."