Chapter Text
Ever since the Evolution of 2100, humans had developed powers. It was something everyone was aware of and accepted even with the initial hesitancy. Some people had strong powers like teleportation or mind control but some others had weaker powers like growth and healing. There had been some tension with the stronger powers in the beginning, something about paranoia that they would try to dominate the weak, but in modern day, nobody cares if you have strong powers or not, it was like being brunette or blonde; something ordinary.
Even with powers being apparent, nobody really used them for much. They were just another part of who you were, your identity. Regardless, it’s still a big day once parents find out their child's power, like the blooming of a flower; beautiful and a development.
Tommy still remembers the day he found out his own power.
He had been young- possibly three or four at the time- when he had felt the unbearable burning. He had just been in his room, doing god knows what kids that age do when his palm started burning. At first he had ignored it, thinking it was just from rubbing his hand on the carpet too hard or something. But then it started to burn more, more harshly until it started to hurt unbearably. He had rushed into the bathroom, running it under the cold water like he had always been taught to do when he had a burn and that's what he had right, a burn? The shock when the water didn’t work and instead his palm burst into a flame is the part he will never forget.
Screaming out in shock, his dad had run into the room and taken one look at his palm before relaxing slightly.
“Oh. Oh my…” His dad whispered, grinning.
“Dad, why’s my hand on fire?!” His younger self had frantically asked.
“Toms, that's your power. Everyone has one.” His father replied, taking his hand and grabbing a cloth from the cupboard, dappening it and patting the fire out.
“Everyone?” His eyes had lit up with childish excitement.
“Everyone,” His father had clarified, “even me and your brothers.” Tommy stood there in surprise, marvelling at the new concept. “So what is my power?” He asked curiously.
“I’d assume it's fire.” Tommy continued to stare at his palm, his mouth open in childish wonder.
His dad had managed to sort it all out and he had taken him downstairs. His brothers were already down there, watching some random show on the TV in the living room. Tommy still remembers the conversation which followed.
“Boys, I think Tommy has some news for you.” His dad, Phil, ushered him forwards, an encouraging hand on his shoulder.
“My hand got set on fire!”
“He got his power.” Phil rushed to clarify after seeing the concerned faces of his older sons. They instantly rushed to ask him questions, ruffling his hair and patting his shoulder in congratulations. Tommy let the growing smile on his face show at the surprise and excitement from his brothers. He let himself be praised, let himself be as excited as them. His brothers had sat him down on the floor in a circle, it really was just a triangle ,with Phil sitting on a chair behind them. They explained their own powers, smiling at their younger brothers' excitement.
“I have extra strength.” His older brother, Techno, had explained. To prove it he crushed the now empty pop can- Tommy wasn’t allowed them yet, apparently they were drinks for older kids that weren’t good for him at his age. The can made a crunching sound as it lost all the air from inside and shrivelled up in Technos grasp. He handed the can to Tommy who just held it carefully as if he could damage it more than it already was. He let out a small gasp, looking back at Techno and frowning.
“Is that why you always win when we fight?” He just got three laughs.
“Not quite kid, don't want you to look like that can.,” Tommy frowned at that, “I hold back mostly, I'm just better.” Tommy gasped.
“Am not!”
“Am too.”
“Am not!”
“Am too.”
“Am-”
“Alright boys, settle down.” Phil interrupted their mini lighthearted squabble. Tommy stuck his tongue out in one last act of defiance, grinning as Techno did it back.
“I have mind control.” Tommy turned back to Wilbur, completely disregarded the squabble from seconds ago, filled with a whole new interest, his eyes sparkling with his wonder again. “I don't know how to prove it well though.” He admitted.
“Make dad let us have a takeaway tonight!”
“Mate, I would if you just asked, especially after today.” Tommy huffed and tried to think of something else to help Wilbur prove his powers. Looking around the living room he looked into the archway into the kitchen. He grinned.
“Make Techno pour water over himself.”
“Heh-?!”
“Boys now-” Phil tried to stop them but Wilbur was already opening his mouth.
“ Techno, pour water over yourself .” Both Wilbur and Tommy smirked as they watched Techno stand up, his eyes slightly glassy from the mind control. They watched him walk into the kitchen, grab a discarded cup and fill it up with water, proceeding to pour it over himself. As soon as all the water was gone he snapped out of his trance, turning back to Tommy and Wilbur,who were laughing at his misery, with a glint in his eyes before running straight at them. They barely managed to turn tail and run before he closed the distance between them, screaming and laughing. Phil shook his head fondly.
It was one of Tommys favourite nights.
It took Tommy a few more weeks to find out Phils power. He had been in the living room alone when the realisation had struck him that he never got to ask Phil about his power. Determined, he made his way up the stairs and into his fathers home office, knocking before he entered like he had been told to. Once he heard an affirmative shout, he opened the door into the room. The room was as plain as usual with its few bookshelves and cabinets. The only significant detail was all the photos above the desk where Phil was currently sitting. The photos were of various different stages of his and his brothers' lives up from his brothers birth, Tommys birth and to the present day. All the photos showing memories that had been made over the years like a selfie of them on the beach when Tommy was barely coherent and staging poses for the cameras hidden on roller coasters that had them laughing every time.
Tommy walked right up to Phil, tugging on his house robe for his attention.
“I never asked you what your power was.” He declared. Phil smiled gently, pulling Tommy up to sit in his lap, combing a hand through his hair.
“It's quite hard to explain, there's no official name for it. I can talk and communicate with birds.” Phil smiled as Tommy grinned at an idea that stood out.
“Do you have wings?”
Phil smiled then nodded, putting Tommy back on the floor before standing up himself. Standing in the middle of the room, he took off the green robe he always wore in winter and let out two identical wings. They were pure black but still managed to shine in the light as if they were stars in the night sky. Tommys mouth opened in shock, instantly running forward to touch the feathers, smiling when the soft texture rubbed against his hands satisfyingly. “They’re so cool!” Phil looked down at him, picking him back up, walked back to the desk and sat down again, keeping his wings out.
“Yes, they are but they’re also hard to work with. I have to stretch them regularly and keep them in order and-”
“Can you fly?!” He got interrupted by an eager Tommy. He huffed out in amusement.
“Yes, I can fly. Be useless wings if I can't.”He answered, continuing to comb his hands through Tommy's hair. Tommy smiled.
To this day, roughly 12 years later when he is currently 16, Tommy can still fully recall that night. It’s one of his favourites, always retold to him by his family every time he asks, no hesitance. After that night, he had been using his powers quite often whether it be making smores at midnight whilst having a sleepover or having a movie night or simply if they can’t get the barbeque started in the summer. The only downside is that his powers flare up uncontrollably once he gets too frustrated or annoyed like that one time he nearly set Wilbur on fire after a really bad day.Not the funnest thing to explain to Phil. Luckily it's only happened a few times but it still scares him regardless when it does so he tries to reign in any anger he feels. Best to put out the fire before it can before a forest fire, amirite?
Over the years, his family have also used their powers at times. Phil had started taking him out on flights when he was small enough to carry, soaring above the clouds and diving down for a rush of adrenaline but he had to stop once he grew taller than the man. Techno had gotten into martial arts and is a reigning champion though he tones it down whenever Tommy asks to practise with him no matter how much he tries to convince Techno he can take it. Wilbur uses his mind control rarely but when he does it’s usually harmless like convincing Phil to order a takeaway or to get out of trouble. As long as it’s not aimed at him, Tommy doesn’t care. So now at 16 nearly 17, Tommy supposes his life is going well. Up until today he guesses. Welp, what can you do?