Chapter Text
Cowering in front of the older man, Tommy’s hand was covering his bruised black eye with tears slipping down the younger’s eyes. The younger’s throat screams with pain at being squeezed and choked by the man standing before him. His mind pleading for him to beg for mercy to gain the man’s favor. The only eye left open was frightfully watching the older man’s movement. Body screaming for him to make himself as small as possible to stop the man’s brutal punishment.
“I told you to make sure this place was fucking clean! I’m the only one that brings home the money and food on the table. The least you can do is make sure the apartment isn’t a mess,” the voice huffed. Shakily, Tommy nodded his head. He knew it was Dream’s fault since the older barged into their home with dirty working shoes and dumped his workload on the table. Yet, talking back was a big no to Dream. He knew his place.
“Answer me,” Dream shouted before laughing shortly. “Don’t tell me you’ve gone deaf? I don’t need another worthless piece of shit. I can always give you back to your parents. Surely, they’ll love to have you back,” taunted the older. Tommy froze at those words. Immediately, he dropped to Dream’s feet and shook his head.
“P-Please don’t. I’m sorry. I’ll do better. Please, Dream!”
Dream looked disgusted at the pitiful sight before him. “You’re getting my shoes dirty.” Tommy let out a small cry when Dream grabbed onto his silky golden locks. The younger was sobbing from the idea of being forced to go back to his parents.
“You’re so pathetic…No one would ever want you,” Dream commented. Tearful eyes stared into those hardening emerald eyes, Tommy was about to speak until Dream kissed him. Pulling away soon after, Dream turned away and walked to exit the living room.
“You better clean up before I come out of my shower.”
With that, Dream left the room.
Any strength left for Tommy was thrown out the window when he moved in with Dream. He stood up and walked to the sink to get the dishtowel. He stopped midway when he noticed his reflection in the mirror displayed in the living room. Handprints decorated his neck with bruises on his face to accompany the abuse. The tips of his fingers reached to touch the bruise on his eye before he flinched.
No one could ever prepare him for this. Meeting Dream used to be a fantasy of him finally meeting his true love. The happiness of having a happily ever after like those fairy tales that his mom used to read him during bedtime. Those memories forever remaining bittersweet. His mother wants nothing to do with him as his father shared the same sediment. His parents claiming that he’ll forever be dead to them after he came out.
‘He was confused.’
‘He didn’t understand what he wanted.’
‘It’s just a phase.’
Was all that came from their mouths. They kicked him out with no other word.
He was only 15. He was alone. He had no one…until he met Dream.
Dream saved him. The older protected him and showed him kindness when the people on the street batted no eye on him.
Tommy loved him.
Dream abused and weaponized that love against the younger. Abused the boy’s lack of love and used it whenever he deemed to fit the situation. In no second, Tommy would be on his knees begging for forgiveness. Tommy missed the kind, tender moments when Dream treated him with tender care. Slowly, it was becoming a forgotten memory.
Turning the water on, Tommy pushed the memories to the side. At times, he debated if he should just end it all.
‘You’re being selfish…Dream loves you, and you’re being selfish.’
Tommy shut the water off and wished he could do the same to his thoughts. He’s almost 17 and looking where he is now, Tommy wishes he was never born.
With the same routine, Tommy cleaned where Dream had walked and organized the paperwork. Dream works so hard and here he was, complaining about the mistreatment. He could recall the tender moment they shared a few weeks ago.
“D-Dream, if you love me…why do you hurt me?” Dream grunted at the annoying voice ruining his sleep. He stared down at the younger. The older had gone too hard on Tommy earlier and apologized by giving the boy a bubble bath. Tommy’s body buzzing with fear. Dream moved a hand to Tommy’s curls as Tommy forced himself not to flinch. Dream hated when he flinched.
“It’s the only way you learn, Tommy. I only want what’s best for you,” Dream mumbled. “Now go to bed, I have work tomorrow.” Tommy nodded his head with a small smile. Dream’s arms wrapped securely around the younger’s waist. Tommy never felt safe in Dream’s arms.
Still, he snuggled into Dream’s chest, cherishing these soft moments between them.
All those were distant memories. Before Tommy could dwell farther on those thoughts, the sound of thunderous footsteps caught his attention. Dream had exited the shower and waiting for him. Like how they practiced, Tommy approached Dream and gave him a kiss.
Tommy squeaked at the harshness of the kiss when Dream shoved him against the wall. “You’re so cute when you’re like this,” he whispered. A shiver ran down the younger’s spine at those works. He could feel callous fingers run down to the waistband of his pants.
“D-Dream, c-can we not today? I-I-I’m tired,” Tommy tried. He pressed his hands onto Dream’s chest. The blond wasn’t letting up. Tommy cried at the torturing pain flooding his system. “Shut the fuck up,” Dream growled, “I tell you when I’m done.” Tommy trembled when Dream’s hand grasped both his wrists, pinning them over his neck. He was left to Dream’s mistreatment.
Decorating his property, Dream let go of Tommy’s wrists once the boy’s neck was shown with marks. Tommy thought it was over until he was spun around. Tommy felt tears rising when Dream slammed his hips into the table. A pitiful cry escaped the trembling boy. Tommy wanted Dream to stop, yet Dream always got what he wanted.
He once told Dream that it was rape when Dream forced him to have sex. However, the older twisted that idea. Told him that he could never be a rapist. They were dating. He told the vulnerable boy that consent didn't matter since they were dating.
Just like everything else, Tommy believed him.
At times like these, Tommy imagined he was somewhere else. He’ll dissociate from reality and daydream about the ‘what ifs’.
‘What if someone came through the door to save him?’
‘What if there’s someone out there that would love him?’
However, none of that happened. No one would come to save him. Everyone else ignored the sounds that came from their apartment. Dream made sure no one would ever intervene.
“Don’t tell me you’re broken now,” Dream mocked. Tommy didn’t answer Dream’s taunting words. It upset the older. Tommy cried at the bruising grip on his hair. Tommy’s hand reached to grab onto Dream’s wrist. “Finally, that got your attention. I want you to feel this whole thing.”
Tommy didn’t realize Dream had undressed him. The younger couldn’t do anything but scream at the incursion.
“It hurts!” Tommy sobbed when Dream gave him no minute of relaxation. His lower half felt as if he was being torn apart. Dream slammed his hips against his pelvis with no hint of letting up. Tommy used to believe that sex was only soft and loving when he allowed Dream to take his virginity.
Except he was wrong.
At times, he used to believe that Dream was switched out with an evil doubleganger.
“Just shut up and enjoy it, Thomas!” Dream was searching for that one spot to force the boy into pleasure. Tommy whimpered at the harsh meeting of skin until a certain sound was forced out of his trembling lips.
“That’s it, enjoy it, Tommy,” Dream cooed. He continued slamming the tip of his cock against the one spot that had Tommy at his mercy. The younger couldn’t bite down the moans and whines that escaped him. The brutal pace was becoming too much.
“Don’t you see, Tommy? You belong to me! Your body, mind, and soul are mine. No one wants you. I’m the only one that loves you!” Tommy cried when he was forced over the cliff of ecstasy. He had cummed already from the abuse on his prostate. Fingernails dug into the wooden table with forceable thrust, Tommy started to shake from under the man as he continued to force himself inside.
“Say it, Tommy! Say you belong to me!”
Those words were nothing of a request but a command. Tommy wanted this torture to end. A squeaked dropped from the blond when Dream grasped onto his bruised neck. “Say it!” He squeezed it harder as the boy was losing oxygen. The lights of the dining room were becoming too bright. The splotchy spots becoming known. Terrified, the boy yelled out the only words that would entertain the man.
“I’m yours! I belong to you,” he answered weakly. The boy took huge gulps of air when the older removed his hands. He barely realized that Dream had filled him with his seed. When the younger didn’t move from the table, he noticed that Dream had pulled out.
“Go shower, you’re fucking filthy. Just a common whore,” Dream huffed. He left the younger to his mess. Weakly, Tommy made his way to the bathroom. He didn’t care that Dream’s disgusting seed was dripping from his ass. It made him want to cry. He entered the shower after feeling his dirty clothes.
The warm water relaxed his joints and muscles. Once the water hit his face, Tommy couldn’t control the sobs that slipped out. He slid down the tile wall and pulled his knees into his chest. He cried at the pain from today. Dream never made it easier.
None of this was becoming easier for him. Those fairytales were lies. Happily ever afters would never be real. No one was going to save him from this life. Still, he knew no one would ever want him. Dream made that clear to him. No one was ever going to want a broken boy.
A thunderous knock snapped him out of his thoughts. In fear of another punishment, if he doesn’t exit the shower, he turned the water off once he cleaned himself off. He ignored the blood that went down the drain. It was pretty normal for Dream to hurt him.
Tommy stopped in front of the shower to catch sight of himself. The younger wanted to vomit. All the bruises painting his body like a canvas. Tommy wants to scrub them away, yet Dream would always replace them.
When he exited the shower dressed, Dream was waiting for him in bed. “You take forever to shower. You’re acting ungrateful, Tommy. May I remind you who pays the bills here?” Tommy stared at the floor before answering.
“I-I’m sorry. I won’t waste water again.” Dream didn’t say a word about his apology as he was more focused on whatever he was looking at on his phone. Tommy slid into bed beside the older man. He stopped himself from whimpering in pain from his backside. Dream didn’t care as he pulled the younger into his arms. Tommy stopped himself from flinching from the small gesture. It was becoming a habit of the younger flinching at any given movement.
Dream was unpredictable. Tommy allowed the older to hold him. “Good night, Tommy. I love you.” Those three words made Tommy want to forgive everything bad the older did to him today, yet he knew somewhere deep down, he knew it was a lie. Tommy smiled small, “I love you too, Dream. Good night.”
Tommy allowed himself to fall asleep in Dream’s arms. He welcomed the darkness that allowed him to escape this dreadful nightmare.
When Tommy woke up, he was greeted by a note on the nightstand. Tommy rose up and picked up the little letter. He opened it to see the message from Dream.
‘Running low on groceries. Go get food before I get home. :)’
Tommy saw at least two twenties sitting beside the lamp. Excitement lit the boy’s core, he was rarely allowed outside without Dream accompanying him. Dream had said it was for his safety. Just like everything else, Tommy believed it.
He stopped complaining about the possessive nature of his boyfriend after Dream forced him to learn his place. Dream had the final word in everything he did. Tommy knew Dream was making up for last night by letting him go get groceries today.
A smile stayed on the boy’s lips when he got dressed. He was sure to wear a scarf as he went to the mirror to see that the swelling was going down. It was barely noticeable unless you looked closely at it.
Tommy left the apartment without Dream standing beside him. He noticed that the door to the vacant apartment was open. Boxes were sitting inside. Tommy didn't know that someone finally bought the neighboring apartment. It would be nice to have a neighbor.
The younger started to walk out and saw the moving van unloading boxes. Still, Tommy couldn’t see the owner of those items. The blond ignored it and headed to the grocery store. He’s only been to the store with Dream. Tommy watched families and people walk around with little care in the world.
Tommy wishes he could be like them, yet that wish was selfish.
The younger grabbed a cart and started to walk around the store. Tommy was busy getting the items he knew they’ll need when he stopped at the eggs aisle. He didn’t notice his mistake when he bumped into someone.
“Watch where you’re going, kid,” the man barked. Tommy flinched when the older grabbed the younger’s arm. “I-I didn’t–”
“I-I-I! Hurry up and spit out what you’re saying.” Tommy felt tears rise in his eyes. The man’s bruising grasp wasn’t letting go. “I-I’m sorry! I just–” The man looked irritated at his excuses. “I’ll make sure you’re sorry.” He rose his fist to punch the blond. Tommy was about to beg for the man to let go and not hurt him when a voice spoke up.
“Hitting a kid? That’s pathetic,” the voice spoke. Tommy saw the hand grabbing onto the man’s wrist. The stranger twisted the man’s wrist to let go of the boy’s wrist. Tommy almost fell back when he took his standing. Blue eyes snapped to see the sight of his protector. The stranger was blessed with brunet curls with coffee brown eyes. He was wearing a brown overcoat with a pair of circle glasses perched on his nose. The man growled at the brunet.
“Shut up, you hippie. That little shit shoved into me.”
The stranger scoffed at the excuse before glaring. “I watched from afar and saw that he wasn’t even doing anything. I suggest you leave before I call security,” he threatens. The man scoffed before leaving. The stranger shakes his head at the man’s antics until he turns to face the younger.
“Hey, are you okay?” His voice was soft like butter when it wasn't filled with anger or distaste. It took a second for Tommy to realize that he was talking to him. A small blush danced along the younger’s cheeks.
“I-I’m good. Thank you. I’m sorry if I caused too much trouble,” Tommy shuffled on the balls of his feet. The stranger just smiles warmly at him. “It’s no problem. I couldn’t stand and watch a jerk be harsh to you, sunshine.” Tommy felt a warm feeling in his stomach at the pet name. Dream rarely called him any pet names.
The stranger rubbed the back of his neck before speaking. “I’m Wilbur Soot.” He extended a hand to the younger. It wouldn’t be a big deal if he speaks to this stranger.
“I’m Tommy.”
Wilbur shook the younger’s hand. Tommy felt warmness in his senses at the man’s presence. Tommy blushed lightly at the thought of those arms hugging him. He shouldn’t be thinking like that. They were shaking hands while they stared into each other’s eyes. Tommy stopped shaking his hand when he gazes down.
“I shouldn’t be wasting more of your time. I need to get going…” Tommy apologized. Wilbur smiled, “It was nothing. I hope we see each other again.”
Tommy knew it was unlikely of them to ever see each other like this, but he enjoyed the sentiment.
Later that evening, Wilbur arrived home from the store and approached the door of his new apartment room. He stopped when he noticed the neighboring door. He wonders what his neighbors are like. He entered his apartment with a joyful look on his face.
Ready to start a new chapter in his life.
Wilbur didn’t know that a familiar blond was living next door to him with a silent plea to save him from his nightmare.