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]

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."

[doubled_speed]

Hit it off straight away. Yeah, Billy's a pretty magnetic personality.

"He's good to you, right? I don't have to, like, electrify him or something? Because big and green is sorta Hulk territory. Even if he's Skrull."

[wearingthestars]

"Well his code name is Hulkling, but he's a sweetheart, I promise. Better than I deserve," Billy assures. "Even with everything he's been through today he was still real concerned with making sure I took care of you. So...yeah. He's a keeper."

[doubled_speed]

"Sounds like it," Tommy agrees.

Out in the hall there the sound of floorboards creaking, just moments before there's a knock on the door and Billy's father's voice.

"Boys? I brought the pizza rolls. Can I come in?"

Tommy is stiff for a moment before pulling back from Billy. "It's okay with me if it's okay with you.

[wearingthestars]

Head turning, Billy hesitates a moment to look to Tommy, feeling bad that he felt the need to pull away, but he smiles and nods.

"Yeah, sure, Dad."

[doubled_speed]

Jeff comes in with the prompting and yea, there's the plate of pizza rolls. Which, when Tommy smells them, has his eyes go wide. Is that really a thing?

"Those smell good. What are they?"

"Pizza rolls," Jeff answers as he holds the plate out to Tommy. "And we're going to figure out what to make for dinner too. Is there anything you're allergic to, Tommy?"

Tommy is looking over the snacks in a bit of shock, but he shakes his head.

"Alright then. Billy, opinions on dinner?"

[wearingthestars]

"They'll be super hot inside," Billy cautions, given it seems Tommy's never had one before, "So be careful."

He considers a moment before offering a vague- "Pasta maybe? Something filling. Even with the snacks I think both of us are going to be super hungry. Dad's a good cook. You should like almost anything he makes."

[doubled_speed]

"Yeah, I don't mind that ravioli in the cans stuff," Tommy admits.

There is no hiding the soft look of sympathy on Jeff's face. The brief look says 'has anyone even made him pasta before?

"Alright then. I'll make plenty. And garlic bread. And a nice salad," Jeff agrees, and offers them both a nod before walking back out. And Tommy? Tommy takes a bite of a pizza roll. After which he of course curses because WOW that hurts.

"Super hot!"

[wearingthestars]

The admission earns a look from Billy as well, echoing his father's, and he's quick to nod along with the proposed menu. A nice home made meal is just what Tommy needs. Something to show him he's cared for.

He winces then when Tommy takes a bite, half laughing at the obvious over eagerness despite the warning. "It's molten cheese!"

[doubled_speed]

And grease. Don't forget the grease. Tommy is actively fanning his mouth now, because wow, that was too much. But then he gets ahold of himself and... Fuck, he smiles.

"Should have listened to your warning."

[wearingthestars]

Returning the smile, Billy pushes a drink towards him, taking a pizza roll and biting off an edge with a practiced smirk.

"It's part of the pizza roll deal. Everyone needs to have their mouths scalded at least."

[doubled_speed]

At least the drink is nice, and Tommy sighs at it. This is all so very nice. And he definitely eats more of the pizza rolls. This is good. This is better than good.

"You've got a good family, Billy. Your parents are way better than mine."

[wearingthestars]

It's the sort of remark that makes Billy feel both content and guilty at the same time. It still feels unfair that their lives should have gone so differently, but he nods in agreement. He's got a good family, and he knows he's lucky to have it.

"If you stick around you can meet the twins. They might chance your mind a little."