Chapter Text
Confetti exploded. Not exactly what he expected when he walked through the door, but he couldn’t be too surprised. As he stepped out of the cool air into the warmth of his home, he was immediately greeted with a warm and familiar embrace.
“Happy birthday, mate.”
Tommy smiled into his chest.
“Toms!” Wilbur ran over, party popper still in hand, and joined the hug. Tommy laughed.
“I missed you guys a lot.” Tommy pulled away from the hug to look behind Phil, half expecting a glimpse of pink hair. Of course, no one else was there.
Good. I don’t want to see him.
Tommy ignored the beating of his heart and shortness of breath betraying him. Phil seemed to notice his glance.
“He didn’t think you’d want to see him.” Phil said sadly, pity in his eyes. Pfft. Screw his pity. Tommy didn’t need it. He was gonna be famous . The movie he was in the middle of filming was going to be a hit, there was no way in hell it wasn’t.
Tommy shook his head.
“Good. Didn’t want to see him.” He scoffed as he threw his coat over the old coat hanger. Screw him. Tommy didn’t do anything wrong, can’t say the same for a certain someone else. Phil frowned, but didn’t say anything. Wilbur seemed to sense the discomfort.
“Come on Toms, I got Niki to make a cake.” Wilbur put his arm around his shoulder and walked him over to the kitchen.
Tommy missed Niki’s cakes. They were always his favorite, Niki always knew how to add the perfect amount of frosting. He’s been far too busy to visit home. He couldn’t complain though, he was getting everything he ever wished for. He was about to film the biggest movie of his life, he had fans stopping him in the street, asking for autographs, and he was about to start his music career, as soon as he was done filming.
The kitchen looked different from the last time he’d seen it. New carpet, new plates, and even a new microwave. He supposed that was to be expected, he hadn’t been back for months after all. But, of course, his discs were still on the wall next to the entrance to the living room. He missed being able to look at them everyday, but they really belonged here, where they were first given to him. He sat down in his favorite seat, to the left of the head of the table. His eyes drifted to the center of the table, where a beautiful red and white cake sat, with a delicately drawn “Happy Birthday Gremlin” at the top. Tommy laughed a bit at the sight, remembering the moment that nickname was given to him, until an unnerving thought crept into his mind. When was the last time someone even called him Gremlin?
“We decided to skip the candles, fitting 20 would’ve been too difficult. We didn’t want to cover up Niki’s beautiful work.” Phil smiled, happy to see his son back where he belongs.
“This is perfect, thanks Phil.” Tommy praised as Phil sat down. He missed the way Phil quirked an eyebrow.
“Phil?” He questioned, sounding a little hurt, “What happened to ‘Dad?’”
Truth be told, Tommy didn’t notice the slip up. When did he stop seeing him as a father figure? Tommy just shrugged.
“Well, you’re not really my dad,” Tommy deflected, “feels disrespectful, I guess.”
Tommy knew he was talking out of his ass. He was never opposed to calling him Dad before, it was his idea in the first place. Phil frowned, clearly feeling a bit lost. Wilbur cut in.
“Toms, I’m sure your birth father wouldn’t mind. I think he’d be happy you found a family.”
He didn’t know what he was thinking. He still saw Wilbur as his brother. What changed? What made him see Phil differently. Tommy knew the answer. How could he not?
“Family’s a strong word.” Tommy grimaced, “I mean, you’re like a father Phil, but not really.” Hurt flashed across Phil’s eyes.
“Oh.” Phil stood up, walking to the fridge.
“I’m-” Tommy didn’t know what to say, “I didn’t mean it like that, it’s just like- family’s forever an-” Wilbur cut him off.
“Are we not?” Tommy turned to face his brother.
“No- I just… Can we just stop talking about this? Whatever, you’re my dad and you’re my older brother.” Tommy conceded, done with this conversation. Phil stopped in his tracks.
“And Techno.” Phil looked at Tommy, eyes pleading. Tommy shot him a look.
“Techno is not my brother. I am done with this conversation.” He didn’t leave any room for argument, ignoring the voice in the back of his head disagreeing with him. Phil simply sighed and opened the fridge.
“I just think-” Phil stopped for a second, scanning the fridge “That’s strange…” Tommy could feel Wilbur straighten up, “I could’ve sworn there was beer-”
“Let’s cut the cake!” Wilbur cut him off, grabbing a knife from the cabinet. Phil seemed to understand what happened now.
“Wil-”
“Later.” Wilbur pleaded. Phil sighed again.
“Later.” He promised. Tommy knew Wil was having some problems, apparently just not the extent of them. He hadn’t seen Wilbur in person in a long time, after all.
“So, Toms,” Wilbur changed the subject, “Do you have a timeline for when we can record?”
Tommy was so excited to record Wilbur’s music, maybe as excited as Wilbur was. He still remembered the first time he heard him play. He fell in love at the first note.
“Soon,” He promised, “Filming is starting soon, so not until after that.” Wilbur smiled.
Tommy had been so busy with everything. He barely had enough free time to cook a proper meal, let alone record an album. But he knew how important this was to Wilbur, and he would be damned if he ever let him down.
“Didn’t you just finish filming that tv show?” Phil questioned.
“Yup,” Tommy started, “No breaks for me, I guess.” He chuckled a bit. Phil looked concerned.
“Mate, just be careful with yourself”
Tommy looked at him with a questioning glance.
“What do you mean?”
Phil and Wilbur shared a look, clearly unsure of what to say next. Phil continued.
“Well, you seem like you’ve been really busy. Haven’t even had time to call us and we’ve all been a little worried.” Phil admitted, unease dripping into his tone, like he was walking on eggshells. Tommy bristled.
“Of course I’ve been busy. I’m finally getting everything I wanted.” Of course he brings this up again. Every time he ambushes him with his “concern.” Tommy is fine . He doesn’t need anyone to worry about him. Phil and Wilbur share another look.
“We’re just concerned for your health, Tommy. And Techno-” Tommy didn’t give him the chance to finish.
“Stop talking about him!” Tommy exploded, “If he cared so much about me he wouldn’t have embarrassed me like that on live TV!”
“Guys, let’s all calm-” Wilbur tried to butt in.
“No!” Tommy exclaimed, “He doesn’t get to pretend to care about me now!” Phil gasped.
“Pretend? Tommy what are you on about?” Disbelief and hurt were evident in his tone.
“Oh, so it’s just a coincidence that you reach out to me as I’m about to film the biggest movie of my life?” He wouldn’t back down, not to this. He was warned about people trying to get things from him now that he was gaining fame, it just hurt that it was Phil of all people.
“I’ve been reaching out, you’re the one who said you needed space!” Phil shot back, pain morphing into anger.
“You’re the one who took Techno’s side!” Tommy stood up, anger overflowing in his veins.
“I never took his side, I didn’t take either side!”
“Maybe that’s the problem , Phil!”
“You weren’t in the right, Tommy! Techno wasn’t either, but at least he admits it!” Phil was raging, Tommy’s never seen him this angry before.
“Fuck off, Phil.” Tommy got up from his chair. “I don’t need you.”
“Tommy, please stop! We can talk this out!” Wilbur pleaded, stepping in his way.
“No! We can't, Will!” Tommy whipped around to face him. “You don’t get to come crawling back as soon as I get what I’ve been working towards for years ! I’ve made a life for myself that doesn’t involve you, so leave me the fuck alone!”
Tommy starts to leave the kitchen when Phil yells.
“Tommy you get back here this instant!”
He stops for a second, not giving him the satisfaction of turning around.
“We are family, Tommy. I know you’re mad at Tech-” Phil stops as he sees Tommy tense. “I know you’re mad at him . He’s not happy with himself either. But that’s not an excuse to accuse us of not caring about you when we’ve tried to be there for you as much as you’ve let us.”
The sound of Phil’s footsteps echoed throughout the silent room as he reached out to his youngest. Tommy finally turned around to face him with a deep breath.
“I’m done, Phil. I don’t need you anymore.” He turned around again, heading straight to the door.
“Tommy.”
He kept walking.
“ Tommy!”
He’s not his father anymore, don’t turn around .
“GOD DAMN IT TOMMY!” Phil yelled, pounding his fist on the archway connecting the two rooms.
A crash echoed through the house, and a gasp from Wilbur.
“Phil…” Wilbur trailed off, “The discs…”
Tommy stopped. It felt like all the air had been sucked out of him. Please no, not the discs. At that, Tommy whipped back around, eyes blown wide. He ran back to the kitchen, pushing past Phil, who was still standing in the archway.
He turned the corner to see his nightmare come true. His discs were crushed. Completely broken apart lying on the floor. Bits of purple and green scattered across the hard wooden floor. He could see his broken reflection in a large black piece laying at his feet. Tears clouded his vision.
They're just discs, from a family who doesn’t care about you anymore. Why are you crying?
He gathered himself. Don’t let them see you cry . He turned back to Phil, cold as stone. The old blond’s face was frozen in shock, still staring at the destroyed gifts on the floor. Tommy took a deep breath, preparing himself.
“Fuck you, Phil. I never want to see you again.”
Phil finally ripped his gaze from the shattered pieces on the floor to stare his son in the eyes, if he can even call him that anymore. He opened his mouth, in preparation to say something, but Tommy pushed past him before he could get a word out. His hand trembled as he grabbed his coat, putting it on to brace the cold. One last withering glance was given to Phil before he walked out the door. Back out into the cold.
What was the moment?