momentous.

  tommy’s gonna play this one cool, not gonna rush into the family ( or pseudo-family, or almost-pseduo-extradimensional-family ) introductions, because...well.  because, honestly ??  he’s tired of it.  and he didn’t know lorna all that well back in his world, so what would the point be, of making a big deal out of it ??  that’s a rhetorical question -- there is no point.  

time for a confession -- “ you know, that party wasn’t actually all bad. ”  tommy still hates the costume, and he’s seen a couple pictures of himself in it since the event, and...well.  yikes.  honest to god, yikes.  but he had fun, and fun's something that's been missing in his life for a minute or two.  tommy's fingers rap against the nearest service at an almost insane pace, his foot taps out a frantic rhythm, too.  

alright, maybe that’s got a laugh out of him. not that billy wants to encourage tommy here, but he’s kinda surprised he hasn’t been suplexed already. no complaining, totally loves being in one piece. but this isn’t exactly a typical family road trip. plus tommy’s the kinda terrifying who could get away with it before billy even blinked. “ already lost the element of surprise, dude. just make all the floors outta trampolines, i’d bounce back alright. ” billy teases, but he could stand to earn a couple brownie points, as a freakin’ reality warper, and shoves the rest of the fries at his brother. “ for the record, this is still one of the less weird universes. so. family luck is coming through. ” a pause, just a beat. “ and, y’know. I could try boot you back home, if you wanted. no promises, but i’d get it. ”

tommy doesn’t question the good will, just slides the fries closer, drowns them in ketchup, and then digs the hell in.  things come to a screeching halt, though, at the next part.  it’s...not a totally off-base offer.  it sounds like the offer tommy’s been hedging for.  except tommy isn’t actually hedging for any kinda answer, he’s just talking for the sake of talking.  tommy shakes his head quick, shoves the fries back billy’s way like they’re some kinda peace offering.  

tommy’s quiet for a few seconds, uncharacteristically thoughtful.  he doesn’t want to rush this introduction, exactly.  or maybe he doesn’t even want to make this introduction.  he crosses his arms over his chest and leans a shoulder against the wall.  “ so you’re the guy, huh ?? ”  good, good.  keep it vague, keep it light, keep it a little bit creepy.  “ you don’t look like the one i know.  the guy i know is like. old as shit.  crows’ feet, whatnot.  pietro, right ?? ” 

“ oh, wow. ”  tommy drops down on his haunches to see the little girl more clearly.  in the interest of looking more friendly, he pushes his goggles up on top of the shock of white hair and smiles.  there’s a quick wave to match.  “ that’s a cute kid, ” he says, looking up at the grown man and giving another, slighter smile.  “ i’m tommy, ” he introduces, offering the little girl a high five.  secret identities have never been of much interest to tommy, truthfully, so why start now ??

if life were a loony toons show, smoke would follow with how quickly tommy screeches to a halt.  instead, he just stumbles half a step and gazes up in wonder.  tommy’d never call it wonder; he has some self respect.  but the woman, diana so far as he’s heard, is high above his head, but she moves so quickly that it’s jarring.  maybe not speedster fast, but sure as shit not snail slow.

[ harry → tommy ]: nah you’re fine everyone expects me to have big scary dude bouncers [ harry → tommy ]: it’s why my bouncers are even better [ harry → tommy ]: don’t tempt them [ harry → tommy ]: give me an hour and you can wear whatever you want for the rest of the night

[ harry → tommy ]: my awesome bouncers are pretty badass [ harry → tommy ]: they’re both woman and they could definitely stop you [ harry → tommy ]: c’mon, wear the costume for a little while it’s not gonna hurt

[ harry → tommy ]: gross please don’t call me harold [ harry → tommy ]: i dunno you’d be surprised [ harry → tommy ]: uh sorry man my bouncers are under strict instructions not to let anyone in who’s not in costume [ harry → tommy ]: spare me you’d look great i’m getting you a costume

♣ for a bitching text / @shphrdspeed​

[ harry → tommy ]: are you coming to the party i told you about [ harry → tommy ]: it’d be nice to have one person come because they /want/ to be there

“I was never an only child. I was the youngest, actually. I can’t imagine being completely alone.”

It’s not quite true. Gabby had imagined it, after losing her sisters and Laura was considering sending her away. But she’d never truly had to experience it. Frankly, she hoped she never would. “As for reality warpers… Well, they’re definitely super powerful. Hang on. What do you mean ‘weird universes’?”

if billy’s honest, tommy was for the most part tuned out about two songs and a plate of fries ago. not that he doesn’t care, really, but y’know. heard it once, heard it a million times. “ y’know you’re just straight up handing me snitch material, right? gonna break mom’s heart if she hears all that. ” empty threat, but come on. about everyone in their team had some kind of weird family thing going on, a sudden twin is like – alright, maybe it’s something. and just maybe, billy feels a little guilty for tommy being along for the ride on this one. by accident. freaky twin column just keeps getting bigger. “ ‘sides, this place isn’t too freaky. sure, there’s a sonic movie with creepy human teeth, but hey. paint you blue and you’ll fit right in. ”