Chapter 2
Pain
(Let's hope I can actually get this done this time)
(A/N: Yes, the symptoms were inspired by Wings of change for Kirby, but I don't wish to copy the story directly, so, yeah.)
After a heavy slap from Tommy and scolding from Philza, it was normal for about four days. Tommy's back only got worse, soothed by ice packs that Philza helped with. It was day five where it finally hit. Tommy had been training outside with Techno, being taught a roundhouse kick combined with a sword slash. Halfway through, Tommy was beside Techno coming inside, Techno with a hidden worried look.
"Philza, it's starting to hurt…"
Philza immediately checked Tommy's back. Philza told Techno to go find Wilbur outside. Veins pulsated around two blank circles. He muttered curse words as he got Tommy into a bed, knowing Tommy would get sick and the pain. He quickly brought a bucket of ice that was filled with cold water bottles and ice packs. Tommy groaned, pressing his head between his knees. Philza sat beside him, helping Tommy get his shirt off. It would need to happen if Tommy wanted the wings to grow properly. Philza murmured to himself quietly about what to do, while Tommy pressed his forehead against an ice pack to try and distract himself from the pain.
"Philza, it hurts so much…" Tommy groaned, and Philza turned back to Tommy's back. The stubs were close to popping through. Philza grabbed a cloth from the kitchen and a bucket of warm water. He waited for them to pop through, preparing his ears for a scream.
Philza had expected a normal Tommy scream, forgetting the lungs on his child. The father figure carefully wiped away the blood from the stubs, careful to not injure Tommy furthur. Tommy's breathing was heavy from the loud-than-a-siren-close-up scream that he had just emitted. Tears pricked his eyes from the pain. He shook violently from the pain. Philza double checked the spots. The nubs had grown slightly, only about two centimeters long. This was going to be long. The door burst open as the two twin like boys ran in, concerned at the scream. They took one look and immediately understood. The two rushed around to both sides and immediately began helping, Wilbur making sure Tommy wasn't burning up too much and Techno keeping Tommy's breathing even. Philza smiled gratefully at the two. Then returned his focus to Tommy.
His wings were slowly spreading, signs that they were like Philza's. Feathery and light. Philza sighed. It would only be worse like this. But it was good for now. Tommy settled, and the wings began to grow at a slow pace, not as painful as before. Tommy settled with talking to Techno and Wilbur, and that was when Philza decided to go downstairs to see if Tommy would eat something, like a small snack or something.
And then the surges happened.
Tommy screamed, and it was louder than the first, shockingly. Cracks sounded through the air as cells expanded and the bones settled, and Philza hurried to Tommy's side, cold rag in hand, and ice in the other. He pressed it carefully onto Tommy, around the wings, cleaning away any blood or skin that had been torn off in the process. Tommy was burning up, hot to touch, and Wilbur hurriedly pressed another cold cloth on his forehead. Philza carefully measured his wings. They were about two feet long now. Another six to go. Philza watched Tommy for any signs of blacking out, or passing out. Possibly throwing up. Philza's own wings twitched in the shear stress. Tommy was just too young for this! If Dream hadn't stolen the discs maybe Tommy's mind and body wouldn't be trying to grow so quickly, and he wouldn't go through this pain. He wouldn't have gone through dozens of wars and battles. It had taken months to adjust to all of the scars on Tommy's back, stomach, chest, legs, arms, neck, some on his face, hands, feet, fingers, toes, everywhere. That's why when Tommy had been brought home, Philza had had to block the front door and every other exit, such as windows, the backdoor, the underground tunnel that Tommy had dug in an attempt to run off and end Dream then. Tommy had thankfully gotten self control. But it had taken a while. Philza resurfaced his mind as another surge occurred, with Techno and Wilbur holding Tommy from standing and destroying something. Tommy fought against them, anger and pain in his eyes, like he was succumbing to a buried anger. Tommy attempted to breath, listening to Wilbur and Techno holding him down when he tried to escape. Philza continued checking Tommy's wings. They had mostly developed after hours of screaming and whimpers. Tommy wasn't strong enough to wrestle with his two older brothers, let alone move. Philza sighed.
"Don't worry, Toms, it's almost over." Philza reassured him, resting a hand on the teens shoulder. Tommy whimpered again. Philza pressed the cold cloth against Tommy's back, cooling the heat that was emerging out of nowhere. Tommy sighed in relief, the cold giving a form of relief from the pain. The wings twitched, and they all winced at a weak yell, Tommy's voice hoarse from screaming. The feathers began to spread, cracks sounding through the air as they did. "Almost, hang in there." Philza carefully checked the feathers, to make sure nothing had become distorted when spreading. Philza smiled. It was over.
"Alright Toms, be careful, but you can sleep now." Philza reassured Tommy.
Tommy nodded, before slumping forward, his face landing in the pillow, and falling asleep in about six seconds.