Chapter Text
One thing to note about L’manberg is that it's fucking freezing. As simple as a quick breeze, could be the equivalent of mid-winter winds. That could be a bit of an exaggeration, but who's to say? Not those weather reporters, LIKE YES JEFFERY, IT IS GOING TO BE COLD TODAY.
Tangent aside, it's to no one's surprise that it's snowing here, and that brings us to today—
Tommy shoves his second foot into his shoe, not bothering to tie his laces and pray he won’t trip. While still chewing on his poor excuse of breakfast toast, he dashes out the door. The last thing he wants to be is to be late. Unfortunately, it seems like fate has other plans, as outside it was snowing rather aggressively. Thankful for his coat and scarf, Tommy booked it for his shift.
As soon as he entered through the café door, it was safe to say, the blonde was relieved. Tommy panted heavily, adrenaline seemingly running off. “Oh look who decided to show up.” a voice said behind him. Still unable to catch his breath just yet, Tommy flipped her off in response. A snort can be heard from said voice. “I—ha—actually came early!” He said a matter of factly. The other glanced down at her watch, “Huh. Would you look at that? Never thought I’d see the day.” She said, obviously impressed. Tommy couldn’t help but grin proudly, preening in the compliment.
The feeling instantly vanished as soon as he heard the obnoxious jingle of the bells. “Um, Hi I would like to order—“ Tommy hastily tied on his monitory apron uniform. He sighed, this is going to be a long day…
——
“Order for Eloise!” The customer arrived, thanking him before tipping. His head perks up at the action. God, societal standards are so low that a tip can make him have favorite customers. Honestly, fuck the government. He was soon cut off by another customer entering. Instantly, the room immediately becomes colder. Tommy had to force himself to look away, alarm bells ringing out on how wrong this guy felt. He can’t help but be on edge, this guy just didn't sit right with him. “What can I get for you—“ He looks up, meeting the man’s eyes and then immediately shrinking. The man in front of him had electric green eyes. If he didn’t know better, he’d say the man was staring into his soul. The man slightly tilted his head, eye raised, like he's taunting him. This guy is already getting on his nerves. “What the fuck are you looking at bitch!?” Tommy spits out straightening his back as he said so. As soon as he said that, he shut his mouth in instant regret. Shit— he fucked up. He is positively screwed. He can already feel the manager’s burning eyes behind him.
———
Safe to say, his manager was not happy. He certainly had earned an earful. But to his defense! That guy was just looking for a fight, and Tommy was never one to back down. However, ‘because he deserved it’ is not a ‘valid excuse’ according to his manager. So here he is, sitting in the break room with the manager, tuning the conversation out. “You better be grateful, the customer was generous enough—“
Right... generous, “And as punishment, you’re working a double shift!” Now that got his attention, Tommy snapped his head to meet his manger’s glare “WHAT?? You can’t just do tha—“ The manager interrupts snidely, “Technically I can, since I am your manager and senior.” She said with too much cockiness with someone in her position.
He could feel his blood boiling, and before he even can snap back, he was interrupted yet again. “You value your job, do you not? If not, that can be arranged.” The threat was subtle but it did not go unnoticed. The blonde bites his tongue, fiddling with his hoodie’s string as way to avoid eye contact. She sighed, “Just try not to let this happen again.” She rested her hand on his shoulder, her eyes filled with something that can only be described as pity. “...Yes ma'am.” Tommy gritted out, not wanting to create any more of a scene. As she left, she gave one reassuring squeeze before letting go. Tommy ignored the loss of affection. Instead, he turned to face the clock, looks like his break has just ended…Fuck.
——
Soon after, the manager clocked out, leaving Tommy all alone for the rest of the shift…great. The ticks of the clock echoed through the empty store, he signed. Honestly, he doesn’t even know why the owner insists on still being open this late at night. No sane person even goes out at this time! Well, it is not like he can blame them, the famed villains own this time, roaming around, committing crimes, or whatever the fuck they do. Along with these famous criminals, heroes arrive at the scene soon after. In Tommy’s humble opinion, heroes cause just as much trouble as villains. Granted, villains have a higher body count, but still, a hero isn’t as clean as the media makes them out to be.
He sat staring at the empty store, standing up as footsteps entered the store.
——
Tommy groans in annoyance, massaging his temple at the upcoming headache. He can’t say he's surprised, this happens every time he hides his traits. Hybrid traits that are often looked down upon, it also doesn’t help that society deemed piglins hybrids specifically as ‘a danger to others,’ since historically they originated from the nether. Not to mention, one of the most feared villains is, said, hybrid. So being a lone piglin, in this day and age, is not the best plan…but the grind never stops! Luckily, forging documents is much simpler than he thought it was, though his caretakers always dismissing him may have something to do with that. Well, the joke is on them! Here he is, working in a livable waged job, a decent apartment (surprising for this city) completed with stocked meals and a working shower. Tommy huffed pridefully as he continued to work.
He was in the middle of making an order when he heard a faint ding from his back pocket. After hastily serving the steaming beverage to the customer, he dug through his pocket to pull out a cracked phone. A notification slide on the screen;
VILLAIN ALERT: Members of the criminal organization, The Syndicate, have been seen near XXXXX. Heros are now arriving at the scene-
Tommy shut off his phone, placed it on the counter, and faced down. Great, this is just my luck. “Stay safe out there,” the customer said as they exited, completely forgetting they were here. “Uh- you too,” Obvious that the other got the same message as him. Out of all criminals to be spotted nearby, it just so happens to be The Syndicate. Lovely. Not only are they the most violent villain group, but it is also the same one that the villian piglin hybrid, Nitäl belongs to. Which preferably, Tommy does not want to run into. He pushed the little voice that squeals childishly at the mere thought of another piglin near him.
Eventually, his shift does end, without any more major casualties. Wincing at the memory of this morning, the guilt still lingering in his throat. He made one more final sweep around to check everything is in order before packing and locking up. He began wrapping his scarf around his neck. His instincts whined as the cold whipped around him, Tommy took no time to just shove it down. As he began walking through the snow, he can't help this feeling of eyes on him. He hunched his back in a weak attempt to hide. He walked a bit faster, ignoring the way shadows danced in the corner of his eye. Slinking ever so closer, as if it threatened to envelop him whole.
Suddenly he came to a halt, every instinct in his body screaming. Black specks darken his sight as he feels completely paralyzed, all his muscles tensing, refusing to listen to any commands Tommy gives. He was trapped there, for what feel like an eternity, mind racing. He can feel the way his fingertips stiffen as the breeze wraps around. His mind numbs as the cold prickles his skin. Darkness seemingly welcoming him. Soon his mind can only think one thing, Cold…it’s so fucking cold…
Whatever force that he may have fallen victim to, stopped. Tommy's vision came back blurred as he tried to focus. He took a loud gasp and began coughing continuously. He could the ever-present beat of his heart that he could feel crawl up his throat. Tears formed as he gasped for air, his skin crawling at the sensation. The blonde shut his eyes as an approach to stop the world from spinning. He took one last gasp before sprinting forward, he can’t think. His body just screaming, RUN.
——
By the time he finally arrived, Tommy’s heart was pounding in his chest, almost like it was pushing to leap out. He raised his hand, shakily he inserted the key into the lock. Relieved, the blonde almost collapsed right then and there, just a little longer… He dumped his coat and everything on hand, on the floor, not bothering to even try to stay organized. He let out a shaky breath, finally being able to unveil his hybrid form. His ears sharpen and his tailed unraveled. He disregarded how he still continued to shiver despite being in the security of his house. He crawled onto his mattress, cradling himself in an all-too-thin blanket. Tommy shut his eyes, praying whatever just happened was a fluke. He can feel the effects of the adrenaline wearing off, letting pure exhaustion catch up to him. It wasn’t long before he drifted into the quiet comfort of sleep.
——
Tommy slept soundly, the winds whistling concealing the quiet chattering. The shadows fumbled closer, curiosity practically streaming out of them.
Strange creatures they are, however they were never good waiting… I suppose I can’t be too surprised, curious this one is.
It's amusing really, if not for the stormy weather, he may have had a chance.
Though he may not know it, it’d just be him working on borrowed time.
The ending stays the same.
The ending will stay the same.
Poor Tommy…he never had a chance…
It is in his best interests to go along with Fate. But Tommy was never one to go down easily, I suppose that’s something Fate and him have in common.
He’ll come around.
After all, they all do.