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]

"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."

[doubled_speed]

"Two sets of twins in one family? You guys are just lucky. Or maybe unlucky."

Still, it is what it is. And he wants to hear about it. But more than that he wants more of this food.

"So, you joined a group of heroes. Can't say I expected that."

[wearingthestars]

"That at least is just genetics. But yeah, pretty...unlikely, I guess. Statistically speaking."

Billy laughs, and nods, palming at the back of his neck. "I know. It doesn't really fit with my whole...coward thing, does it?" He flushes and shrugs a shoulder, "I like it though...helping people. It feels good."

[doubled_speed]

"You started running toward, rather than away," Tommy smirks. Good kid. Wasn't that what he said the guy should do? Good.

"Wish I was as confident in my magic as you seem to be in your speed."

[wearingthestars]

"You looked pretty confident today," Billy offers, but he thinks he understands, "Maybe...now that you can use it for yourself you'll be able to figure out what all you're capable of. But...what you did today was amazing."

[doubled_speed]

Had he? Perhaps it had just been the pressure to perform.

"I haven't had a chance to practice my magic since I... sorta spelled myself out of your memory. I couldn't risk letting those people know what I could do. And they only ever turned off power dampeners when I was using my other powers. So I couldn't so it."

But training his electricity had definitely crystallized his will to a far greater degree. And all the time alone and imagining things had definitely improved his visualization. side effects.

"You were far more amazing."

[wearingthestars]

Billy shrugs off the compliment. He doesn't feel particularly amazing today. Not after everything that had happened. His thoughts turn back to Teddy's Mom, to all the ways he might have saved her, and he tries to pointedly distance himself from that for now.

"It wasn't my best day. You were definitely our stand out hero. But maybe if you join the team for real you'll get to see more of what I can do."

[doubled_speed]

What? Tommy hardly considers himself a stand out hero.

"Just because a guy can make blades out of lightning people think he's a hero. I hurt people, Billy. I hurt a lot of people. That's why they put me where I was."

That and the place wanted to use him.

[wearingthestars]

"It was an accident," Billy insists, despite, well...not really knowing too much about the inciting incident. But it doesn't stop his belief. "And that place was- not right. We're going to make sure they don't get to hurt you or anyone else. That's not what juvie's supposed to be."