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He spent the morning alone.
Unlike his friends, Tommy doesn’t have any family to celebrate Christmas with. The only thing Tommy really got out of the holiday was a reminder of his lack of kindred and overall loneliness.
It’s been like this for the majority of his life, so he isn’t quite mad about it anymore. Probably still a bit bitter, but nowhere near as bad as it used to be.
God he used to be so jealous of all the families around him.
Tommy’s mom had passed by overdose when he was around eight years old and his dad had just never been in the picture.
The man was called and asked if he wanted to take guardianship of the blonde, but he had supposedly rejected it leading to Tommy being sent into foster care.
When the blonde teen had finally started looking for the mystery man who was supposed to be his father, at the age of fourteen, he had realized he was too late. The man had died two years previous to Tommy’s search, it had been a suicide.
That was pretty hard on him. He wondered what it would’ve been like if his father had taken custody. If his father had wanted him.
Would the man still be alive? He didn’t know and frankly he didn’t really want to.
The point is he’s just a sad runaway sixteen year old alone on Christmas, and he pretty much hates the season in its entirety because he’s of that fact.
Tubbo, Ranboo, Jack, and Purpled were all celebrating with family. It hurts that he can’t be apart of it, but he understands.
Tubbo’s with his super cool dad named Schlatt and his aunt Puffy.
Ranboo has his dad, Sam. He also has his other parent named Ponk and a cat who the taller teen called Enderpearl.
Even though his parents are out of town Jack will still be celebrating Christmas with his little brother Harry, who’s really funny, and Niki.
Last person he could’ve hung out with is Purpled, but he mentioned he would be with his older brother and sister, Punz and Hanna.
He wonders if the Crafts would let him crash at there cafe for the day. They’ve always been pretty welcoming if not a bit nosy.
Tommy told them he’s nineteen to try and get them off his back, but that only seemed to make them more protective.
Would the ramifications of hanging around them be worth getting rid of this ache in his chest?
Yes.
Absolutely.
Tommy walks out of his apartment building and towards the homey cafe across the street.
The big sign over the store reads the Crafty Cafe. Not very original considering their last name, but at least they tried.
As he walks in the bell rings above his head. Theres a man behind the counter.
“Heh? If you want something you’ll have to go somewhere else, it’s Christmas. That means we’re closed like most places.” The man turns around and blinks. “Oh, hullo.”
“Hey Techno.” Tommy waves hesitantly.
Techno narrows his eyes and tilts his head.“Did you need something Tommy?”
“No, not really. Just wanted somewhere to chill.” The blonde shrugged.
“Are you not going to be chilling with your family?” The pink haired man sighed.
The question made Tommy wince a little. “Don’t think that’s any of your business is it big man?” He snickered.
Techno must’ve seen the brief flash of hurt in the blonde’s eyes because he nods. “Guess you’re right. You sure you’re just here to chill? Because if that’s all I kind of have to kick you out and head home. Christmas you know?”
“I don’t know.” Tommy snaps before he can even really think his words through. He regrets them almost immediately. “Sorry, sorry… I was going to ask if maybe I could hang around you guys for today. Just for fun you know? Being with you lot is slightly less boring than hanging around my apartment today so I figured I’d ask. You don’t have to like, say yes. I don’t care either way.”
He did actually care, quite the bit actually.
He didn’t want to be alone again, not for today.
Techno sighs exasperatedly before pulling his phone out of his pocket. “Let me ask Phil.”
“Yeah, whatever.” Tommy’s tone remained noncommittal, unreadable really.
The phone only has to ring thrice before the older blonde picks up.
He wishes he had attentive parents who would drop just about anything if he called. He wanted to be loved like that.
His foster placements were never like that. Most barely even acknowledged his existence and when they did it rarely ended well.
He ran away from foster care for a reason after all.
They weren’t going to find a real home for him, so he decided to do it all on his own.
The blonde barely registered Phil and Techno’s brief greetings and little tidbits of conversation before Techno got them beck on track to why he called.
Tommy can’t really hear what Phil is saying in response, the phone isn’t on speaker which was annoying.
“Tommy’s asking me if he can stay around at our house to celebrate Christmas. Apparently he’s not going to be with any family this year.”
“Yes Phil, Tommy as in the mysterious child living in the apartments across from the cafe alone Tommy.”
“Oi! Thought I already told you wronguns I’m nineteen bitch!” Tommy interrupted.
Techno didn’t do much more than spare Tommy a glance at the small outburst.
“Alright, I’ll let him know.”
If it wasn’t so cold Tommy might’ve started to sweat with his growing anticipation.
“Yep, bye dad. See you in a bit.” Techno hung up the phone after that.
The tall and rather intimidating man turned to face Tommy. “You can come. I’m pretty much finished here, so we can head out now if you’ve got everything.”
“I’m ready.” Tommy nods.
Techno hums in acknowledgment before setting a hand on Tommy’s shoulder and guiding him towards the door.
“Thanks Techno, I appreciate this.”
The taller shakes his head. “You’ve got nothing to thank me for kid.”