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"Stop acting like you're so high and mighty, you caused this!"
Wilbur felt anger build up, clawing at his throat. "I caused this? You're the one who was too busy being all reckless and rebellious to even consider someone else's feelings for once in your goddamn life!" He shouted back.
"This is your fault! You're the one who said I need to stand up for myself! You think I didn't consider your feelings?! The consequences?" Tommy shouted.
The man raised his voice slightly, matching the boy's tone. "I didn't mean go pick a fight with some random-ass kid! You can't blame your shit on me!"
He watched with rising emotion as Tommy's face flashed with hurt that was quickly replaced by defiance.
"You think I started it?! You think I just walked up to him and punched him? He's been going at me for months, but the second I fight back I'm the bad guy?!"
Wilbur wanted to grab a pillow and scream into it. "I'm sorry that I didn't want you to get hurt even worse! You have no self preservation, it's a wonder you're still standing!"
"Why do you even fucking care?!" He practically screeched, Wilbur nearly winced at the volume. "It's none of your business, Wilbur! It doesn't involve you, me getting hurt doesn't fucking matter!"
"Of course it matters, Tom!" His voice nearly wavered. "What the hell is wrong with you to think it doesn't? Why do you think I'm so terrible? What did I do?"
Tommy seethed, tears gathering before he willed them away. "I'm not having this conversation with you right now. You need to stop acting like you're the boss of me, I can take care of myself!"
Wilbur scoffed, leaning close, not noticing Tommy taking steps backwards with a scared expression.
"Well, Tommy, I hate to break it to you, but I am the boss of you, because, unfortunately, I am your guardian now."
He regretted the words as soon as they left his tongue.
Tommy flinched like he'd been hit, taking more steps back. Wilbur finally noticed the tear tracks on the boys face.
He caused those.
He felt sick.
He swallowed thickly. Clearing his throat, he barely managed out words, looking away so he didn't have to see Tommy's tear stained face. "Go lay down, you need to stay off your leg."
Tommy's eyes stayed glued on Wilbur's expression, carefully controlled as always. His breath hitched, the icy words repeating in his head.
He snapped his head down to the floor as Wilbur clenched his fists tightly, preparing himself. He couldn't stop the flinch as Wilbur pointed suddenly to the couch, closing his eyes tightly.
Wilbur stood stock-still as his eyes flickered over Tommy's face with horror.
"Tommy, please," He choked out, "Just go sit down."
Tommy turned and ran for the stairs, limping the whole way and dragging his leg behind him as best he could, uncaring of the pain burning through him.
Wilbur yelped and followed after him once his brain caught up. "Tommy! You're gonna hurt yourself more!"
He got to the top step and was immediately greeted by Tommy's slamming bedroom door. He muffled a sob, letting his head thump against the wood.
"Tommy, please." He whispered, knowing it was lost to the muffled cries on the other side of the door.
He slid down the wood til he hit the floor, legs aching at the motion. He wanted to break down, he made his kid cry. That was what Tommy was now. His kid.
And god if that thought didn't terrify and excite him. He wished he could go back in time, shove the bitter words down his throat, and never allow them to leave his tongue. How could he let Tommy think that gaining custody of him was a burden? The hardest and most rewarding thing he's ever done, and he went and fucked it up.
He cried.
He turned himself around, back to Tommy's door, rested his head on his knees, and sobbed.
God, how could he fuck up so bad? If he could think before he speaks once in his goddamn life, this wouldn't have happened. His dad always said he had a sharp tongue that cut faster than he could sheath it. Guess he was right after all. He let out a bitter chuckle, the sound wet and croaky.
He wiped his face aggressively with his arm, scrubbing a hand down his face harshly. He choked, pushing his palms into his eyes.
"Toms," he breathed, "God I fucked up. I'm such a dumbass, I'm not cut out for this."
He nearly fell backwards as the door opened behind him, catching himself as his breath stuttered.
He quickly stood up, looking at Tommy, his boy. He had red-rimmed eyes and tear tracks that Wilbur desperately wanted to wipe away.
Tommy averted his gaze. "I -uh, I heard you crying."
Wilbur looked down at him, years still falling freely down his face.
"Oh, toms, " he breathed out, "my sweet boy."
Tommy looked to the floor, foot hovering awkwardly above the ground as he rested his weight against the doorframe
"My darling boy, my beautiful child." Wilbur sobbed, reaching his hands out, hovering Tommy's face before dropping them as realized Tommy might not want to be touched right now.
"I didn't mean to make you cry," Tommy mumbled softly, breathy and wet with tears. "I never want to hurt you. I'm so sorry, wil, I don't deserve you."
Wilbur could've gotten stabbed at that moment and felt nothing. Nothing he'd ever felt before could ever prepare him for the pain of seeing his child's tear-soaked face beg for forgiveness.
"Oh, toms," He couldn't stop himself anymore, he reached out and grabbed the boy's hand, pressing the back of it to his lips, words a murmur against his skin. "God, you've got it all wrong."
"Tommy," He closed his eyes as he spoke, "I never wanted kids. I never wanted that kind of life, I just– I hated the idea of someone relying on me, I felt like I couldn't be enough for them. I've never had someone need me before, and, god, just the thought of that scared the shit out of me. But now I have that. And, to be honest, it still scares the shit out of me."
"I've always known I was gonna fuck it up somehow, but when I looked at you after getting that call, I knew that I'd do whatever it took. I knew that I'd make a million mistakes, but, Tommy, when you fell asleep on my shoulder that night after you cried to me, I knew that we'd be okay. It would all be worth it, no matter what shit got in the way."
"Tommy, I never wanted kids, I still don't." He took a breath, "I just want you. You're my world, you're all that I need in life. I could live in a dirty alleyway and as long as I saw you smile, I would be a happy, happy man."
Tommy squeezed his eyes shut, years streaming past his lash line. Wilbur reached out and cupped his face, wiping the tears away with such a gentle love that Tommy cried harder. He leaned into Wilbur's palm.
"Tommy, I'm so fucking sorry for what I said, I promise I meant none of it." He rested his forehead against Tommy's. "Maybe it's selfish, but becoming your guardian was the best thing that's ever happened to me. Signing those papers was the best decision I ever made; never even had to think about or question it."
The boy let out a sob, pulling back before crashing into Wilbur's chest, arms going over his shoulders and around the man's neck, he buried his face into his jacket.
Wilbur shushed him softly, reaching up a hand to bury itself in Tommy's blond curls, untangling them gently.
"You're my baby now," He murmured next to his ear, "And I wouldn't trade that for anything."
Tommy let out another strangled sob. "I love you. I love you so much."
Wilbur teared up all over again. "I love you too, toms. I don't think I ever knew what love was until I met you."
After the boy had cried himself out, slumped in Wilbur's arms, draped on his lap, Wilbur ran his hand through Tommy's hair. Tommy let out a little snore and snuggled closer. Wilbur smiled, cupping the boy's face with his free hand and stroking a thumb over his cheekbone, "Oh, darling."
He knew there was more to talk about, more to figure out. Tommy's foot needed to be wrapped and elevated. He needed to call the school and explain the situation, but Wilbur knew one thing.
"We'll be okay."