Chapter Text
The small boy walked tiredly along a deserted alleyway rubbing his arms for warmth, his eyebrows furrowed together in confusion, why? Because he had been trying to track down the sound of distant crying, he looked up squinting at the grey sky he sighed giving up before- shit he stumbled slightly catching himself on the nearby dumpster he looked down in confusion, his eyes widened as they landed on a child, she couldn't have been more than three, her clothes were in tatters and tears streamed down her face. He bent down helping her up, deciding to ignore the shaking in his hands “hey hey shh” he hushed trying to calm the younger. He thought about asking about the girl's parents but he wasn't oblivious it was obvious.
She had matted brown hair and several scratches over her body, who on earth left her here and how could they? He sighed, picking her up gently, she didn't protest. The walk back to his “home” wasn't far but she quickly fell asleep.
The next morning the girl he had found crying in a alleyway was giggling happily chewing on a stale pop tart he gave her huh “i think you look like a clementine” he mumurmed tucking a piece of hair out of her face, he placed his hand over the scratched watching it glow before the skin looked good as new “there we go clem, you're safe”
Beep beep beep
Smack
Tommy sighed opening his eyes, eyelids heavy he looked about before hauling himself up out of bed with a stretch he looked over to the other side of the room Clem was curled up on the pullout bed they had found dumped in the area, bit old but it did the trick, tommy slept on a largely toren up single bed but again, it did the trick. He walked out into their only other room and crossed over to the bathroom, he swiftly got changed into a black hoodie and jeans, the usual, he ran his fingers through his tangled hair, looking at himself in the mirror he stared at the dark circles, before picking up the bubblegum toothpaste courtesy to clem for that, to be fair it was only 50p.
He spat out the toothpaste and walked out into the main room,as ,much as the apartment was run down and practically falling apart, the view was amazing,it looked across the entire city, lights just beginning to dim as the sun rose over the horizon, a small frown appearing on his face as he thought about breakfast, there was only enough cereal left for one, oh well.
Tommy heard footsteps behind him turning around “g’morning tommy” clem yawned stepping beside watching the sun, her hair was shoulder length, cut by the nice older lady below them, she had already changed into a purple hoodie and black leggings, the now nine year old was still tiny compared to tommy, height becoming a focal point of teasing for both of them
“There's cereal in the cabinet go get yourself some” Tommy said ruffling her hair earning an angry slap on the wrist “i just brushed that!” she groaned shuffling over to the counter busying herself with making breakfast minutes later tommys phone began to buz, he rolled his eyes glancing over at clem who was now munching on a bowl of ‘ dream smile shaped slakes’ dream being the number one hero meant his face- or rather his mask was on just about everything, Clem laughed as tommy picked up his phone to frantic breaths
“ Red! We are coming over Nemesis got injured i- we-”
Tommy sighed “see you soon”, he hung up the phone looking at clem expectantly, she nodded silently scooping up her bowl and walking into their bedroom closing the door behind her. He slipped on his black surgical mask and hid his eyes behind his usual eye mask.
Tommy sighed at the sight once he opened the door “hurry come on” he said ushering them inside before anyone noticed, Arson sped inside Nemesis over his shoulder, Tommy recounted his knowledge on the two, Arson, able to shoot flames from his hands, an up incoming vigilante and is partner in crime Nemesis, shes renowned for flooding the streets during attacks, water powers, she's been in the system for a while if he remembers correctly.
Arson placed Nemesis on the kitchen table before standing back nervously looking at his partner. Tommy rolled his hoodie sleeves up before reaching the table, he assessed the situation focusing on the task, the bleeding was coming from her thigh and bleeding a good bit, “how did it happen?” tommy asked peering at the wound trying to figure out the best way to heal it
“I'm not sure what with,,, but dream hit her with something” tommys eyebrows raised slightly, sure the duo of vigilantes were well known but not that well known to be chased down by the top here “i'm surprised you're not injured” he remarked as he placed one hand on the wound watching as the golden glow began to show, he removed his hand showing the now healed skin “try get her to wake up” tommy said as he began clearing us the blood
“Nemesis c’mon wake up” Arson repeated a good few times before the pink haired girl began to shift, she sat up fairly quickly
“Careful you'll be dizzy from blood loss for a bit” annoyance clear in the blonds voice, a small laugh came from Arson “listen to the kid” that made tommy roll his eyes despite having his back turned from both of him “not a kid!” he said growing away the bloodied tissues
He promptly shut the door after saying goodbye to the two vigilantes, Nemesis apologising and thanking him profusely, he stared at the £20 of cash in his hand, not much but it was all Arson had on him so he accepted it telling the man it was fine.
He stared emptily at the door for a bit before sitting down on the couch with a sigh closing his eyes, the bedroom door creaked open and before he knew it Clem has her arms around him, at least as much as she could “its ok” she said quietly making tommy smile a little “i know”