Just out of Reach, but Never out of Sight
Phil enters Dad mode, the Twins argue some more and Tommy takes a moment to breathe after the intense day he's had. They're all doing fine.
Mostly.....
Chapter 13 : Distance
Ch 1, ch 2, ch 3, ch 4, ch 5, ch 6, ch 7 , ch 8, ch 9, ch 10, ch 11, ch 12 cw: loneliness, arguing, reminiscing
wc: 3286
Disclaimer! This story is based on the characters of the Dream SMP and not the real life content creators. Anything that occurs in this story is purely fiction and should be treated as such. Thank you.
･ ｡ﾟ☆: . . ･ ｡ﾟ☆ : ☽ .* ･ ｡ﾟ☆: . .
Confrontation- not Philzas’ favourite thing in the world, but not something he was un-familiar with.
As a single Dad with twin teenage boys, it’s unavoidable that certain actions and behaviours require a ‘stern talking to’ from time to time. He’d picked up books over the years with developmental phases and strategies to help navigate certain topics for Wilbur and Technoblade's lives; to be better equipped for those situations. Unfortunately, none of those books had prepared him for tonight’s uneasy conversation.
“So, does someone want to explain to me why you both bailed on school this afternoon?” Phil asked his sons expectantly, his chin resting on intertwined fingers, propped up by his elbows on his desk.
His sons sat across from him in his office, neither brother looking at the other, yet mirroring each other perfectly, with both their arms crossed tightly as they sat in silence. He’d come home to Technoblade sulking on the couch, with Tommy and Wilbur nowhere in sight.
Technoblade was fiddling with one of his pen knives, twirling it between his fingers rapidly, his face stone cold as he focused on the blade, the living room a mess. Phil was just relieved he wasn’t throwing it around the house for a change.
Since Technoblade’s call, Phil had left work early, deeming the situation a family emergency. With how the teen had sounded over the phone, Phil’s concern for Tommy's well-being, left alone with Technoblade, was on high alert. He knew the pinket wasn’t fond of the young blond, but since he didn’t seem to know Tommy had a house key, it sounded like he was in full protection mode and ready to throw hands. At least Technoblade had called him before doing anything too rash...
Before Phil even had a chance to ask the teen what had transpired, a ping from their family group chat alerted him and Technoblade to their phones. Phil whipped out his phone, reading the text before Technoblade had even registered the alert, the message instantly confirming his suspicions.
Wilbur: We need to talk about Techno and Tommy.
Phil quickly texted back as Technoblade placed the blade down uncaringly with a thunk on the coffee table and grabbed his phone.
Phil: Where’s Tommy?
Wilbur: We’re just walking to the park now. He’s okay, but a bit shaken up.
Phil sighed at least somewhat relieved Tommy was fine, but the annoyed scoff from Technoblade signalled the teen had now seen the texts.
Phil: Drop Tommy off and make sure he’s okay. Then I want you home immediately to discuss this.
“Dad I-” Technoblade started to argue when he saw the messages, but was immediately cut off by his father.
“Not a word from you until your brother gets home.” Phil scolded. “You both have some explaining to do.”
Phil didn’t wait for a response as he left his son to seethe in the living room. He had to mentally prepare for the coming conversation.
A short while later, Wilbur arrived back from the park and he too was silenced when he went to argue who’s fault it was for the recent events. Phil only wanted to hear this once, not through multiple bouts of whining of ‘who did what’. The blond beckoned both of his sons into his office and took a seat at his desk facing two chairs opposite him, noticing the mood change the moment both twins were in the room together. They hadn’t been this tense since they were little kids arguing over chocolate versus strawberry ice cream.
“Well?” Phil asked when neither of his boys answered. “What happened?”
“It’s all his fault!” Wilbur accused, breaking the silence as he jerked his head in Technoblade’s direction. “He basically terrorised Tommy for eating a snack.”
“He was IN our house, taking OUR stuff, when WE weren’t there!” Technoblade spat back, sharply glaring at his twin. “What was I supposed to think? He’s cleaning the shelves?!”
“He has a key!” Wilbur insisted, venom in his tone as he faced his brother slowly on the swivel chair, Technoblade rolling his eyes as he did. “Dad told us he gave one to Tommy weeks ago! You weren’t paying attention and tormented Tommy!”
“I did not torment the kid!” Technoblade spat annoyedly, as he folded his arms tightly across his chest. “Rough them up? Sure, but torment them? Not even close.”
“That’s not an explanation and you KNOW IT!”
“BOYS!” Phil shouted, silencing the twins as the tension began to escalate. “Blaming each other still doesn’t explain why you left school in the first place.”
The twins rolled their eyes and turned away from each other as Phil spoke, the fire dimming but not fizzling out. “Now please, answer the question.”
There was a brief silence before Wilbur spoke up again.
“Technoblade left lunch at home and went back to get some because he wouldn’t have any food from the cafeteria. He was taking too long and not answering any of my calls, so I panicked and left school only to get home and find Tommy cowering on the couch.”
“Hey, it was you who bet me to run home and get lunch-” Technoblade countered as he continued. “And I’m glad I did because the little thief was taking our stuff. Besides, you thought there was a snake and trashed the living room.”
“YOU SAID THERE WAS SNAKE!” Wilbur yelled back, pointing an accusatory finger at his brother, “I THOUGHT SOMEONE GOT BITTEN BECAUSE YOU DIDN’T REPLY!”
“I said it auto corrected.” Technoblade stated innocently, as Wilbur seethed beside him. “Besides, you're missing the point. Tommy was in the house without permission, taking OUR STUFF!”
Technoblade, tired of this losing battle with his twin, turned to Phil, almost pleading with his father. “Don’t you think that’s sus?”
“HE HAS A KEY IDIOT!” Wilbur shouted at his brother, flailing his arms wildly, gaining his brother's attention back with a sharp glare. “What part of ‘Phil gave him permission’ don’t you understand?”
“The part where he didn’t tell anyone he-”
“ENOUGH!” Phil shouted, cutting both teens off before they could escalate the argument any further, as he dropped his voice back down to a calmer tone. “Enough.”
He loved his boys dearly, but this was getting ridiculous.
“Arguing over this is not going to solve anything, so let’s get straight to the point.”
The twins silenced themselves, neither happy but neither daring to push Phil's limits in the moment from their fathers sternness. Phil took a deep breath, as he focused his thoughts.
‘Address the main issue, acknowledge their intentions, encourage the next best course of action.’
“Wilbur, I appreciate your concern for Tommy, but you can’t skip out on school even when you think something is wrong. If you thought there was a snake at home or any kind of emergency, you should have let me know first instead of sneaking off to check.”
Wilbur nodded slightly in understanding, but clearly frustrated by the statement.
“I will be calling the school to explain the reason for your absence, but you will most likely be facing detention for sneaking off during school hours.” Phil explained, in which Wilbur groaned but didn’t say anything more.
“As for you Technoblade, leaving school for a bet is un-excuseable as you should know better.” Phil expressed, as Technoblade looked away sourly. “While I’ve been lenient over both your shenanigans in the past, your actions have resulted in far bigger consequences than you intended with Tommy’s involvement.”
“My actions?” Technoblade challenged, arms uncrossing as the teen leaned forward stiffly. “You realise had I not come home, we could have been robbed by some scruffy thirteen year old?”
“I understand your concerns about Tommy-” Phil assured quickly as he realised where this was going. “But as I said on the phone, I gave Tommy a key. I know he’s been coming over when we’re not home.”
“And you’re okay with that?” Technoblade asked, genuine concern and frustration painted across the teen’s face.
“Yes, I am.” Phil responded calmly, as his son sat and stared at him convolutedly. “I admit, I should have made sure you knew and understood why I gave Tommy a key instead of just assuming you knew, but threatening Tommy was not the way to go about it.”
“But he acted like he was caught doing something wrong!” Technoblade argued insistently. “If he had permission to be there, why act suspicious if he had nothing to hide?”
“The point is Technoblade,” Phil cut the pinket off, holding his hands up placatingly, before the teen could spiral further. “I understand your apprehension towards Tommy, but you have to understand he hasn’t led a normal life. We know that he's been through some sort of abuse in the past, one that makes him act strange, but Wilbur and I are doing everything we can to help Tommy feel more comfortable here.”
Wilbur nodded in agreement, as he quietly listened to Phil speak. “Your apprehension and trust issues towards him are negatively impacting that and I’m asking you to stop.”
Technoblade didn’t like that answer.
“But what about our stuff going missing?” The teen insisted almost desperately. “Don’t you care that this might be some elaborate plan to steal all our stuff and Tommy is just playing the long game?”
Phil sighed, his patience beginning to thin at his son's insistence. Technoblade had always been very protective of what was his. If he cared about something deeply, he became overprotective when something opposed it- especially when it came to family. He loved his son for caring so much, truly; but it made it difficult when they weren’t all on the same page.
“Things have been disappearing since before we even met Tommy and the garage incident revealed that it’s mice.” Wilbur spoke, sharing his stance on the topic. “If you hadn’t noticed, less things have been going missing as of late thanks to the mouse traps and when things have moved or been tampered with, Tommy literally asks about them the next time he visits.”
Technoblade is about to argue with his twin before Phil interjects. “What Wilbur means is, Tommy is just curious. He’s never been in a position where he can safely ask questions without being reprimanded for it before. It’s why he explores things on his own first before coming to ask us about it. He just needs someone he can feel safe with.”
“We just want to protect Tommy,” Wilbur adds at the end of Phil' s sentence, gaining both his brother and fathers attention. “Like how you protect us.”
Technoblade flicks his gaze to Phil who offers him a reassuring smile, as the older watches him closely. The teen takes a moment to process the information, Phil quietly hoping it would stick in his overprotective son's head. His face is blank, slightly unnerving for most who don’t know Technoblade, but Phil sees the way his gaze softens. It’s so minute that most would miss it, but the father knows he’s at least somewhat gotten through to his son. He reaches across the table, leaning over to rest a hand on Techno’s own where it loosens its grip on the arm rest instinctually.
“I just ask, you give Tommy a chance.”
The room quietens, the mood settling for the first time that afternoon as the family of three simply take in the weight of the conversation. The setting sun seeps in through the gaps of the curtain, basking the room in a soft glow as the house seems to breathe, the tension slipping away.
“I’ll think about it.” Technoblade replies, as he adjusts the glasses on his nose. Wilbur physically relaxes next to his twin as Phil smiles, giving Technoblades hand a reassuring squeeze.
“Thank you.”
Guess he didn’t need a book after all.
･ ｡ﾟ☆: *. .* ･ ｡ﾟ☆ : ☽ .* ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *. .*
Tommy sat at the base platform of the playground, quietly watching the ants at his feet marching on by. He hated ants, but somehow watching them at Bean size made them less annoying and more admirable. No fear that his massive feet were nearby, just busy getting on with the hand life dealt them. Hard working and never quitting.
Surviving- just like he was.
Wilbur had left a while ago, Phil apparently home early and calling a family meeting. Tommy didn’t really want to go back yet. Before he even moved into the Crafts’ house, he had kept his distance during ‘stern talks’. Even though he shouldn’t have cared whether he eavesdropped or not, the Borrower had never liked hearing Beans argue. There was yelling and often screaming which hurt his ears, and he definitely didn’t want to hear the Crafts argue. Especially since it was likely they were going to be arguing about him. Wilbur had assured him he had nothing to worry about, but it was never just that simple.
It had never been like that in the colony when it came to Tommy. Why would it be any different now? The best thing he could do for the moment was give the Crafts space. He’d text Phil later tonight, apologise for the disruption he caused and wait a few days for things to cool off. That usually worked well in the colony. If he stayed away long enough, when he did eventually reappear, usually whatever he did to make them mad had been forgotten and replaced by something less worse. He’s pretty sure Human Beans worked similarly in that line of thinking.
For now though, the park was his safe space. He still had a couple hours of light left before it was dark, so Tommy figured he’d just chill on the playground until then. It was different without Wilbur there. Last time, they’d run around and created a fake country, making up terms and laws neither of them understood and just had fun. It was loud, colourful, fun. Now it was quiet, but Tommy didn’t mind.
The trees rustled softly in the afternoon breeze, the slow setting sun illuminating the park with a gentle glow as it warmed the boy's skin. He could hear laughing in the distance as Bean children made their way home from school, but it was far enough away it didn’t worry Tommy. The peaceful atmosphere couldn’t help but relax the Shifter, as he breathed and sighed deeply, content to just exist in the moment. He spent the time admiring his surroundings, letting his mind wander.
The lush green grass that stretched on and on, the bubbling fountain, splashing water up and down its sides, winding paths that led anywhere and everywhere down different twists and turns. His shifting ability allowed him to experience new horizons only very few Borrowers would ever see a glimpse of in their lifetime. A gift he may not understand, but a gift nonetheless, and an ability that allowed him to do so much more than ever thought possible. With this in mind, Tommy hopped up and set forth down the path that winded past the tree line at a leisurely pace.
It was vastly different to how he’d felt the first time he had hid there. No need to be alert for Wilbur or Phil following him this time. Just him and a nice afternoon in the park. As he walked, he noticed the many big houses in the distance where the park ended and suburbia began. Much like the Crafts’ place, houses were set in rows down the street, some with elaborate gardens while others were simplistic. Some houses had fences for privacy and others were wide open, but for a change- they didn’t feel daunting.
Tommy very well knew he should be more concerned about his surroundings. He was in a Bean neighbourhood in broad daylight, just strolling about the park- to any sane Borrower, that was their worst nightmare come true. But for Tommy? Well, he looked just like any other Bean.
Nothing towered above him and he could see so much more from his current height than the ground. Nothing could possibly sneak up on you like predators could in the wild or walls. There was just wide open space, and Tommy couldn’t help but smile.
When was the last time he was outside on his own and actually liked it?
As crazy as it was, Tommy felt at peace and wanted to savour the moment as long as it would last. Perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to take a little longer to get home.
It was a big park afterall.
He wandered the park, following the path in a massive loop, until he made it back to the playground where he started. He’d seen a couple of different ones as he’d walked, and true to the Crafts’ words, each one had different coloured slides. He knew he’d finished a full lap when he came upon his playground with the red slide and giddily bounded up to it, running over and dashing up the platform to the top of the slide.
It gave him a great view of where he’d walked, and he could even spot a few of the other playgrounds in the distance. One of them now had a family of five at it, two parents and three kids clambering across the play equipment, shouting and laughing playfully as they rushed about in a game of chase. Tommy smiled longingly as he watched the group muck about. Hopefully one day Technoblade would accept him and then he, Wilbur and Phil could all do a day out together. One big happy fam– uh, group.
…
Yeah one big happy group of friends. Things would work out. They had been going better here for Tommy than anywhere else he’d tried. He just had to be patient and allow time for everyone to adjust.
Tommy’s pocket vibrated, signalling a new message on his phone, and the blond quickly slipped it out to check.
One new message from Phil.
Philza: Hey Mate, just checking in. Are you doing alright? Spoke with Wilbur and Techno and have straightened things out so you don’t have to worry about anything like that happening again.
‘Good old Phil.’ Tommy thought as he smiled, texting back.
BIG MAN INNIT: Hey Phil, Yeah I’m okay. Took a walk through the park and will head home soon.
Philza: I’m sorry your visit got cut short. You’re welcome to come back if home is a bit too much still. Wilbur and I were going to watch a movie tonight. You’re welcome to join us.
“Still thinking of my well being even after everything, huh Phil.” Tommy said aloud fondly, as he read the elder’s text.
He could go back, but the afternoon's events still felt too fresh to invade their space so soon. Even if Phil was well meaning, he didn’t know how well the talk really went with the twins, so it was best to keep his distance like planned.
BIG MAN INNIT: Thanks Phil, but I’m okay. I’ll come home shortly and probably watch a movie on my own instead. Might be a while before my next visit.
Philza: Understandable mate. You’re always welcome here anytime. Look after yourself and text when you’re back home within the walls😉
“If only you knew, old man.” Tommy chuckled unsure, as he read the last line, sending back a quick ‘thank you’ before turning the phone off. The screen went black, allowing the glass to mirror the Shifter's own reflection back in the dark surface.
‘Perhaps one day.’ He thought as he pocketed his phone, making his way off the playground to start the trek back home.
‘But I think movie night viewed on the top shelf is best for today.
･ ｡ﾟ☆: *. .* ･ ｡ﾟ☆ : ☽ .* ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *. .*
Tommy is doing fine. He's just had too many angry experiences targeted at him to go for potentially another lol. I've got some nice stuff planned for chapter 14 so the lonely times won't last much longer ;3
Thank you to @dingbatnix for beta reading. I'm sorry for the torturous chapters that will be coming soon to be read but I love you and you're feedback is wonderful and invaluable! Everyone should go and read their stuff fyi if you haven't already ;3
Okay quick life update: Life is a bit rocky atm😅 chapter 14 may end up getting a slight delayed release as I'm currently preparing to leave my job and begin full time study. Part of the prep I've been doing the last month or so is writing a full booklet of how to do my job when I leave because there is literally no one else who knows how to do it, and I'm trying to do the kind thing and make it as simple a transition as I can.
This booklet is like 50 pages long though and covers so far 58 different topics and I'm not even finished yet. So as you can imagine, all my writing efforts have been on this damn procedures book leaving me a little lack luster with wanting to write in my free time and drained from the energy of life and work.
However, the progress I have been making when I'm up to writing jornos is going great and once I've got this work stuff sorted should be able to dive back into my writing again (I have so many ideas just waiting for me to write them, I'm so excited!)
Thanks to everyone who's been really supportive of my health lately and I really appreciate you all being so understanding. It's another chapter of my life closing and another one beginning and having you along for the ride means the world to me <3
Much love as always and I'll catch ya on the next chapter ;3
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✨Thanks for reading! <3✨
