For Wearingthestars

[doubled_speed]

I wish I wasn't alone.

The words were whispered from inside the relative safety of the tiny closet in Tommy Shepherd's bedroom in Springfield, New Jersey. Whispered because there was no way that he wanted Frank or Mary, fighting in the living room, shouting and screaming, to hear them.

I wish I wasn't alone.

Repeated as Tommy held his hands out before him in the darkness palms up. He put as much conviction behind them as he put into anything he said starting with those two words. He had found rather quickly that whatever this power of his was, it came more readily when he framed it as a wish.

I wish I wasn't alone.

He repeated a third time. Three times always seemed to be the right amount when it came to willfully using his power. Even now he could see the faint green glow of energy radiating from his hands, trying to catch his words and shape them into whate he was asking for. At school he didn't always need it three times. He could feel the energy building in his gut like a tidal wave and crashing over him when he wished the bullies would leave him alone, or that he'd actually gotten a good grade so Mary wouldn't yell at him, or that the shirt that got torn up and bloody was clean so Frank wouldn't hit him for wasting good clothes.

Now, though, the words didn't seem to catch, and after a moment of held breath, the energy faded back, leaving behind only the briefest flash of sparks and static that he had to shake out of his hands. Apparently even magic, or whatever this was, couldn't help him.

It was a stupid wish, anyway, Tommy realized as he pulled his legs up to his chest and wrapped his arms around them. And then, of course, he flinched at the sound of a breaking plate. They were getting bad tonight. He didn't want to be alone, not with them shouting like that. Sometimes it turned into Frank driving off to drink. Sometimes Mary stormed to their room and locked the door, leaving Frank on the couch. The former tended to mean Frank not coming home at all that night, and when he did the next day he smelled like booze and some other woman's perfume. The latter tended to mean Tommy couldn't sneak some breakfast in the kitchen before school, or being caught if he tried and he really didn't want to be on the receiving end of Frank's belt.

“Dammit. All I wanted was someone to talk to.”

He feels the rush of power even as he feels his body go limp and the world go dark around him. It’s a strange mix between a sneeze and passing out. When the sensation passes things are weird. For one thing, he can’t feel his body. There isn’t the cold of his room or the rough drag of his scratchy wool sweater that is too small for him or even the gnawing in his belly. No, there is just the swelling feeling of his magic, a prickly energy across his skin, and this place.

This new place is nicer than his room. There is more space. There are nerdy decorations on the wall. There are no cracks anywhere or dents from fists or broken furniture. He hates seeing how much nicer this place is than his home. But he is more interested in why his magic brought him here. And in the soft green light everything around him seems bathed in. Tommy raises his hand, or maybe just the concept of a hand, and is faced with the scary truth. His whole body is green and transparent. Okay. That is a bit weirder than normal.

Welcome, Tommy Shepherd, to the world of astral projection. And Billy Kaplan? Meet the strange, glowing ghostly boy in your room.

Comments

[wearingthestars]

She really is the realest super hero Billy knows, and he flashes her a grateful smile, stealing a hug and kiss to her cheek, nodding easily.

"...Thanks Mom. For...everything."

He's quiet letting himself back inside the room not wanting to wake Tommy if he's still asleep, unsure of how much he should let him in on just yet.

[doubled_speed]

Ah, consciousness takes a bit. It isn't too much longer, but the sound of Billy slipping around in the room gets Tommy to jar awake at last, his eyes opening as he stares at Bily. And blushes in a bit of shame.

"Sorry. Your bed is so comfortable."

[wearingthestars]

Billy freezes up apologetically, but is quick to flash Tommy a dismissive smile. "It's fine. You're exhausted, you need the rest."

He nods towards the assortment of drinks he'd brought earlier, "I brought a couple things to choose from. And uh...Mom says you're staying the night. She's talking to Cap now."

[doubled_speed]

"Your parents just kidnapping me or something?"

Still, he gets up and moves to the drinks and chips. Sits himself right down on the floor and starts into it with the greed of someone who hasn't eaten in a while.

[wearingthestars]

"Something like that," he teases with a lopsided smile, shrugging a shoulder, "So long as you want to be kidnapped."

He watches Tommy and moves to join him on the floor, helping himself to a small bit so Tommy doesn't feel weird about eating alone.

[doubled_speed]

Really, a small bit. Tommy scoffs, perhaps like Billy would with his younger siblings if they are being silly. Perhaps not. But he pushes the tray over toward Billy.

"Don't be stupid. You're fast, right? You've gotta need a lot of food. And... yeah. I just don't want to be in that place with them judging me."

He doesn't want to be behind locked doors where people might try and take his power away from him again.

"I can sleep on your floor."

[wearingthestars]

He laughs, cheeks flushing with an easy sort of smile, and he helps himself to a bit more with a knowing look. "There's still more coming."

He gaze softens a bit, and he shakes his head with his own scoff. "We can share. If...that's not weird," he amends, unsure how comfortable Tommy might be with that.

[doubled_speed]

Weird? Tommy reaches out and his hand comes to rest against Billy's arm. The touch as comforting as ever. Like he belongs here.

"Yeah, like your parents want their gay son sharing a bed with another guy."

[wearingthestars]

The touch makes him smile, though his cheek go pink at Tommy's words.

"I don't think they're worried about that with you," he assures with a flustered laugh, "They haven't done a random pop in like they do when Teddy's over."

[doubled_speed]

"Yeah, well, I was sorta sleeping, wasn't I? And what, I'm not good enough for their baby boy? Or is it the mirror thing? Gotta say, some people are narcissists. They'd totally go in for that."

But Billy's a good boy, so totally not. So Tommy keeps eating.

[wearingthestars]

He laughs, flush spreading and he shakes his head. "Maybe they just trust me not to want to cheat on Teddy. But it's probably the face twin thing." Or the possible real twin thing, but Billy thinks it's best not to mention that for now. That might be Mom's story to tell.

"If sharing an issue though, I can bunk in my kid brothers' room. Mom's sending them out for the night."

[doubled_speed]

And how was he ever going to get Tommy to agree to a blood test if he didn't mention? But he doesn't care.

"I... would feel safer if you were close. I feel like I should be. Is that... okay with you?"

[wearingthestars]

That is a hurdle he'll need to address before too long.

Billy smiles easily and nods. "Yeah, of course. I'd feel better about it too," he assures, reaching for a drink. "...I'm really sorry it took so long for us to actually find each other Tommy, but...I'm so glad you're really here."

[doubled_speed]

"I did sort of keep you from it," Tommy answers, a bit nervous. And sounding ashamed. "My parents, they... signed me away. This juvie place came to talk to them, while the lawyer was preparing for the trial. And he must have talked them into it. And the lawyer too. Got convinced to plead guilty, but it was an accident. They locked me up and my parents signed me over to that place. I haven't seen them since. I think... I think technically someone there might be my legal guardian."

And he's terrified. The could come and take him away again. But he won't let htem. He doesn't care if it's a disappointment to Billy. He'll fight back. He'd rather die than be there.

[wearingthestars]

Brow creasing, Billy reaches to link an arm with Tommy, shifting closer. "I uh...I kind of explained some of it to Mom," he admits, worried Tommy might see that as a breach of trust, "She says she's going to do everything she can. She's got a whole...plan in the works. And I know you don't know her that well, but when Rebecca Kaplan sets her mind to something, she gets it. We're not going to let them hurt you, or take you away."

[doubled_speed]

"If you think she's good enough to stop it, then... I'll trust her."

Tommy does seem nervous about it, though. Perhaps he shouldn't be, but he is. People keep betraying him. Except for Billy.

[wearingthestars]

"She's on the phone chewing out Captain America right now, so if anyone can..." He offers a small smile, considering a moment before broaching the more uncomfortable side of things. "Um, if you think you'd be up for it though, she thinks a few um...tests might help things? Like blood or DNA tests? Dad might even be able to do it here if that's less- Um...you don't have to decide right now or anything, but...yeah..."

[doubled_speed]

Chewing out who? Tommy is left staring in shock. But then he's looking at Billy very, very seriously. Because, um, wait, back it up.

"Why would blood or DNA tests help anything? Because you've got to have a damn good reason for me to accept needles anywhere near my body."

[wearingthestars]

"Um..." His eyes skirt away, trying to remember his mother's want to not get Tommy's hopes up. "There's...a small chance- and, either way, they're going to do everything they can- but um...there is an actual possibility that you might really maybe be...my brother. Maybe." Did he say maybe too many times? Billy flushes uncertainly. "As in actually a Kaplan."

[doubled_speed]

That... Tommy doesn't even dare to hope. The part of him that hopes has long since died.

"And you're getting your hopes up that I am," Tommy says. "Because of stuff they said, or because of what the Super Skrull and Vision said?"

Tommy doesn't know that hoping is worth it. But... he maybe shifts to lean against Billy, just a little.

[wearingthestars]

"Because of stuff Mom told me. I don't wanna tell you all of it, she'll want to talk to you about it if it's true. But..." He gives a guilty sort of smile. "...I'm there for you no matter. Whether we're brothers now, or in some other life, or just...in our hearts." Okay. Cheesy. Yup. He winces at that one. "But...I kind of feel like it's a real possibility. And if it is true, then it makes it a hell of a lot easier for Mom and Dad to make sure no one tries to take you a way."

[doubled_speed]

That's... almost hope inducing. But Tommy can't just let that feeling stand. He's allergic.

"You're made of cheese. Better hope your boyfriend is lactose intolerant. Because that cheese could kill him otherwise."

[wearingthestars]

There's a bashful laugh, and Billy shrugs, "He's pretty cheesy himself. We're a good match." He hums then in consideration, thinking back over their day. "...I guess that means I'm dating an alien prince now. That's...not the weirdest thing that's happened to me, shockingly."

[doubled_speed]

"You're dating an alien prince. Some geeks have all the luck," Tommy agrees, leaning in a bit more so his head is on Billy's shoulder. "Does he go to school with you? How did you meet? How long have you been dating? Details, man."

[wearingthestars]

It feels so natural, this easily familiarity, like they've known each other all their lives. And yet there's so much Tommy doesn't know. Billy smiles a bit shyly, it's not a story he's really got to tell before now.

"He does, yeah, but as far as I knew he didn't really know I existed. Which he tells me is pretty far from the truth, actually, which...I still don't really believe." Someone like Teddy noticing him? "But uh...Iron Lad showed up one day, and was looking for people from the failsafe list to help, and...heh. We kind of hit it off straight away."