Chapter 2- Super Villain and Super... Tiny?
Notes: This one has the first crimeboys fluff so I hope you enjoy it! And so sorry this chapter took so long I kept rewriting a part of it over and over again until it sounded right. I’m so excited to get more into this AU and I have a lot of things planned >:) I hope you like it! (and asks for this au are open)
CW: language
Word count: 3,165
Part 1
The smell of putrid mold flooded Tommy’s nose the moment he opened up his emergency stash. He nearly threw up at the sight, but he held it in as giant shoes passed by his hiding spot in the wall. With trembling hands he reached into the box and grabbed the single piece of moldy bread still left. He had been saving it for an emergency, but it seemed like the mold had already spread across most of it. And the sight of the hairy green streaks made bile rise up to the back of his throat.
“Fuck,” he whimpered, his stomach growling all the while.
He opened his mouth to try to take a bite but his teeth refused to clamp down. Even as his stomach weeped at not having fresh food for days he couldn’t do it. Disgusted, he took the piece of bread in his fists and chucked it out into the open. The mice he competed with would take it with no problem.
Tommy couldn’t live like this much longer. He really thought the worst part about the supervillain attack was that he’d been caught. He knew he’d have to move to a new store, but he wasn’t ready for the mall to be basically shut down for days. Even when the bookstore eventually opened back up the cafe that had been his main food source stayed shut behind wooden boards. Apparently it had been destroyed during the fight between Dream and the Blade.
Usually on days like this he’d be out before customers even started to show up. He’d hide under the tables of the cafe and wait for food to be dropped, so he could run it back to his hide out at the end of the day. It grossed him out a bit that most of it had already touched someone else’s lips, but he didn’t have room to complain. And he’d take spit over mold any day…
However, now the entire cafe was nothing more than rubble. He’d eaten the last of his still edible food supply two days before, and at that point he’d do anything for even a crumb.
In the end it was that determination that lead him out into the rows of bookshelves. He knew how dangerous it was to be out in the middle of the day when the most customers were there, but it was the least of his concerns. There were other restaurants around the mall, surely someone had brought something into the store.
Slowly he tiptoed around the base of the nearest bookshelf. The edge of it came up just enough for him to hide underneath- perfect for staying hidden from any unsuspecting humans. He held his bag impossibly tight as shadows passed by one by one. Suddenly, air whipped past his face as a pair of colorful light up sneakers stormed past. Even though he knew they couldn’t see him under the bookshelves he still got nervous as heavy thumping business shoes strolled past.
‘Breathe,’ he reminded himself, ‘It’s okay.’
As soon as the shoes disappeared from his sight he continued his trek along the edge of the bookshelf. A couple more people passed, but thankfully they were a bit farther away. And every time he watched carefully hoping they’d drop anything edible.
However, the main area wasn’t his goal; the kids area was what he wanted. As scary as kids were for someone barely palm-sized, they were more likely to have food out, and more likely to drop it. It just meant that Tommy had to make his way across the entire store to get there.
It took almost an hour before Tommy finally reached the brightly colored shelves of the children’s section. Already dozens of squealing toddlers rushed by reminding him of why he never went there in the first place. But his groaning stomach demanded he went in.
Carefully he jumped to the cover of the next set of shelves, so he could see the central area better. In the center of the room a large wooden table was decorated with fairies and dragons while all around it sat colorful bean bags. It was too cutesy for him, but something strange did catch his attention.
Sitting at the table with no kids around was an adult man. He looked to be in his twenties and his hair fell over his eyes as he stared down at the book in his hands. The long pristine coat that adorned his back looked extremely out of place against the neon pinks and blues of the children’s area. Tommy would have laughed, but he was much too focused on what the man had next to him.
He almost drooled as the guy dug out a handful of nuts from his bag and tossed them into his mouth.
Immediately, Tommy’s brain ran through a hundred different ways he could try to nab a few. The bag the nuts were in was sitting unguarded on the chair next to the man- since he was reading Tommy could just try to climb in and grab some. The only problem with that was that he needed to make sure the man kept his attention on the book. Also he’d have to worry about kids coming by and seeing him while he was out in the open.
However, his other option was to wait and see if the man would drop some. It was likely to happen, but then there was no guarantee he’d get enough for even one day.
In the end his grumbling stomach decided for him. He had to get some even if it was outrageously dangerous.
As carefully as he could he crept out from his hiding spot under the bookshelf into the open air. His eyes stayed glued to the man and with a few quick leaps he was at the table. It gave him a little bit of cover, but if the man stopped reading he was sure he’d be caught.
‘Come on Tommy,’ he exhaled, ‘You can do this.’
His eyes glanced over the room once more to make sure the coast was clear before he pulled out his borrowing hook from his bag. It was a little roughed up from his accident with the villain, but it would still do. Quietly, he threw it up until it wrapped around the nearest table leg. The scratching of the metal hook with the wood made him cringe, but luckily the man didn’t look down, he just grabbed a few more nuts from his bag.
With practiced hands Tommy tied the end of the rope around his waist and jumped up to grab onto the table leg. His muscles ached as he dragged himself up the rope, but after a few minutes he reached the top. The bench the man was sitting on (and that had the nuts on it) was a little below him, so he started to swing. He kicked his legs until he had enough momentum to send him flying to the bench below.
He hit it with a thud and for a moment he thought he blew it. His eyes shot up to the man, but luckily he hadn’t seemed to notice, his eyes still glued to the book.
At his new level the smell of the salt-dusted nuts was almost overwhelming. Just the thought of them made his mouth start to water. Carefully watching the man, he tiptoed closer to his open bag. The satchel was open and if he looked close enough he could see the tip of the bag of nuts sticking out.
Without a moment to spare he grabbed onto the side of the satchel and started to drag himself up. His eyes stayed glued to the man above him with each step he made. His fingers ached as he dug into the leather surface, dragging himself up until finally he reached the top.
As soon as he saw it time froze. The sight of food, actual food, lying easily in front of him felt like a blessing. His stomach growled from days of emptiness, so he didn’t make it wait any longer.
As fast as he could he shoved the nuts into his own bag. Once it was full and almost bursting from the top, he shoved two into his pockets. Then when he wasn’t sure where to put any else he shoved one into his mouth. On a normal day he would have felt humiliated by how desperate he was but his hunger overwhelmed him. Before he even knew what he was doing he was shoveling them into his mouth, eating as many as he could.
After the first few his stomach ached from fullness, but it was like he couldn’t control his own body. Every part of him was focused on the food in front of him.
So much so that when something brushed against his back his only thought was to protect the food. He seethed as he grabbed two more nuts in his hands, but before he could turn to spit at his attacker his words died in his throat.
“Damn, you’re a fighter huh?”
The sound of a deep unfamiliar voice finally snapped Tommy out of his stupor. A cold chill ran through his body, and slowly he turned his head around, dreading what he saw. Looking down at him with his hand only a few centimeters away was the man.
“Haven’t heard of a size shifter in a long time,” the man smiled, “Cool power kid.”
Tommy’s mouth gaped open in fear and confusion. He tried to back up but he couldn’t move without risking falling into the bag. His mind ran through a million different ways to try to escape but it didn’t look like he’d have a chance. He was stuck with the man on one side and his open bag on the other.
“I…” Tommy said, “Fuck I didn’t mean to- I’m sorry.”
“What do you mean you didn’t mean to,” he snorted, “Most people don’t steal on accident.”
Tommy opened his mouth to respond but it was like he’d forgotten how to speak.
“Now come on why don’t you size up so we can talk, yeah?” The man leaned down.
At that Tommy’s confusion only grew. He studied the man’s face and while he didn’t seem angry that he had caught a thief, he seemed serious. Like Tommy was supposed to understand the words coming out of his mouth.
Tommy swallowed and nervously put down the nuts he’d had in his hands. The human’s words rolled over in his head, but he wasn’t sure what to make of them.
“Yeah we can talk,”Tommy mumbled, keeping his head low, “Just let me get out of this first.”
The man nodded and waved his hand for Tommy to go. Less careful this time he jumped down from the side of the man’s bag and thumped onto the bench below. His legs ached a bit from the impact, but he knew humans well enough to know he didn’t want to see him get impatient.
“Alright now up you go,” the man waved, pointing up with his finger, “I’m not talking to a tiny delinquent.”
Tommy frowned, and glanced up to the top of the table. He could probably get up with his hook, but he’d already done more climbing in the day than he’d done in weeks. Yet the man seemed pretty serious about it, so with a sigh he pulled his hook off of his back.
He started to unravel the thread around it, but before he could get very far the man coughed to get his attention, an impatient frown on his lips.
“I said up little man,” he said, “Get big, grow up, you know- size shift.”
Tommy searched his brain for any meaning, but he couldn’t recall learning anything about what the man was talking about. He could have been speaking another language as far as Tommy was aware.
“As much as I’d love to do…that,” Tommy said, “I have no clue what you’re talking about.”
The man’s mouth drew into a tight line as he continued to stare at him. It almost felt like his eyes were a physical weight, pushing Tommy down into the ground.
“I’m not stupid kid,” the man scoffed, “I know how size shifters work. Now change to a human size already, I need to leave soon anyway.”
When the guy’s explanation met his ears Tommy finally felt the puzzle pieces fall into place.
“Oh, I’m not a…whatever you called it,” the words felt heavy on his tongue, “I’ve always been like this. Would have changed it a while ago if I could.”
“You’re joking.”
He wasn’t sure why but the dismissal made his blood turn hot. How dare some stranger tell him he was wrong when he had been the one stuck like that for his whole life.
“I’m fucking serious,” Tommy snapped, “Now will you actually talk or are you just going to keep fucking with me.”
As soon as the words left his mouth he regretted them. He wished he could swallow them back before they flitted their way up to the man’s ears. However, there wasn’t anything he could do, but wait for the inevitable anger that came with upsetting humans.
“Oh,” the man said quietly after a few seconds of uncomfortable silence, “Sorry…I wasn’t um. I didn’t know that was a thing.”
Tommy shrugged, “Yeah well I’ve never met anyone else like me so you’re not the only one. But if I could change it I would in a fucking heartbeat.”
His outburst seemed to make the older man uncomfortable and as he looked away Tommy took his chance to unravel his rope the rest of the way. The hook sat perfectly in his palm, his fingers rubbing across the grooves in the metal to soothe his anxiety. Before he could chicken out or think a little more, he threw it up so it latched onto the top of the table.
He tugged on it and while the string whined it was steady enough. The sound drew the man’s attention and while his gaze made Tommy uncomfortable, it had been a long time since anyone else had actually talked to him without trying to smush him. Briskly, he climbed up the rope until he reached the edge of the table. The man’s hand rested underneath him and while Tommy realized it was probably supposed to be reassuring like a safety net, it did nothing to soothe his nerves. When he finally pulled himself up onto the top, the tall guy crossed his arms on the table and leaned his head down.
“So,” he smiled, “Do you live here then?”
Tommy nodded half-heartedly as he flipped his hook back onto his back, “Yep don’t have much of a choice. Not like I can leave.”
“Oh yeah,” the guy hummed, “Guess that makes sense. Doesn’t explain why you’re stealing my nuts though.”
Tommy sputtered out an excuse earning soft laughter from the man. His eyebrows crinkled up in glee, and even though it was at Tommy’s expense he couldn’t bring himself to mind.
“I’m just a big man who loves nuts what can I say,” Tommy shrugged.
The man laughed again and Tommy’s heart practically sung. In a far corner of his mind he knew he should be more careful, humans weren’t to be trusted, but the guy wasn’t scary. If he wanted to he could have crushed Tommy as soon as he was caught.
“I get that,”the man said, “Although I cant say I’m much of a nut man myself.”
Tommy sat down against the rough wood and watched as the guy turned to his bag. It was strange seeing how big his hand was compared to the satchel when Tommy had struggled to even climb up its side. The human’s hand moved out of sight and then, moments later, the bag of nuts was plopped down on the table in front of him.
“Here take as many as you want I wont eat them all anyway,” he smiled, “They're kind of gross anyways.”
Without hesitation Tommy dug into the bag again, grabbing even more than before. The guy chuckled, but Tommy couldn’t bring himself to care when he’d basically saved his life. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could have gone without food. And with how many nuts he had now he’d at least be good for another week.
After he was sure he’d packed as many nuts as he could carry he sat back down, putting his now very heavy backpack onto the table. He wanted to thank the guy, but he worried about seeming too desperate. Even if he seemed nice Tommy knew not to trust humans. No matter how soft the man made him feel he couldn’t give in, and he definitely couldn’t let him know how much he was struggling.
So instead he nodded his head to the guy, trying to seem as indifferent as possible, “Thanks for the shitty nuts.”
“Ay you’re the one who’s eating them,” the man scoffed.
Tommy sputtered trying to come up with a response, but before he could reply a low mechanical hum echoed across the building.
‘Hello customers, we will be closing in 10 minutes. Please bring your final items up to the register where our cashiers will be happy to help you. Have a great night!’
The human looked up and shrugged, “Well guess I gotta head out. Need to buy this book before I leave anyway.”
“Oh,” Tommy said, “Yeah. Wouldn’t want to stop you from doing nerd shit.”
A disgustingly sweet smile crossed the man’s face and for a brief second Tommy considered biting him just to make him stop.
“Yeah yeah whatever. The books not even for me,” the guy scoffed as he threw his bag over his shoulder, “I’m Wilbur by the way.”
“Tommy.”
Wilbur nodded, a sly smile working its way across his face, “Well Tommy, it was nice to meet you. Even if you are the most useless size shifter ever.”
Immediately Tommy puffed up his chest, but before he could argue Wilbur was up from his seat. His knowing smile made Tommy wish he could throw a nut into his eye.
“See you later tiny man.”
Tommy seethed under his gaze, but he knew he’d only humiliate himself more if he tried to get down from the table to chase after him. So instead he settled for dramatically turning his back to the human. Wilbur snorted in amusement, but Tommy refused to turn around and give him any power.
A few seconds later he heard footsteps trail away leaving him alone on the table. He’d barely noticed but the store had cleared out quite a bit. Without the thrall of people he could hear the mechanical hum of the AC as it struggled to keep the building cold.
Tommy usually wasn’t out that late. He liked to be back before the closing shift turned the lights off, but it was kind of peaceful being out when it was so quiet. He inhaled the smell of old worn paper before throwing his bag over his shoulders. The weight of the nuts strained his back, but he'd find a way to get it all back.
When the fluorescent lights above finally sizzled out and he was left with only the sound of his own breath and his thoughts he finally started his trip back home.