TOM WACHOWSKI.

⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀adventure is out there, but it’s better with you, @vetsaltruismx . ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀

[TOM WACHOWSKI. @fatherofspeed]

⠀
⠀ ⠀ ❛ It's all about the choices we make. You're gonna make some good ones, and, knowing you, you're gonna make some bad ones. But... as long as you remember to listen to your heart, you're gonna make the right choice when it 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵. ❜
⠀
⠀

[TOM WACHOWSKI. @fatherofspeed]

Yeah. Yeah, sure. Why not… yeah…

[MILES “TAILS” PROWER @milestails_p]

Is that a yes?

[TOM WACHOWSKI. @fatherofspeed]

Please. Kid. I’m beggin’ you.

[MILES “TAILS” PROWER @milestails_p]

Hey dad…did you drink…

67 cans of beer?

[TOM WACHOWSKI. @fatherofspeed]

He’s resorted to day drinking.

Sonic hasn’t stopped talking about ‘67’ for several days now.

[TOM WACHOWSKI. @fatherofspeed]

Approaching @ultimtelifefrmx.

“Hey, bud. I was gonna go do some construction in the backyard—you wanna come and help out?”

[TOM WACHOWSKI. @fatherofspeed]

“Anyway—uh, make sure the other boys behave today, yeah? I’ve got a full day.” Can’t really pull out for emergencies.

Mrs. Alder needed help with her car, and the Browns’ cow just gave birth.,.

In short, people needed him.

[TOM WACHOWSKI. @fatherofspeed]

“Yeah? Good.” He hums. Their conversations didn’t involve much speaking. Shadow was a hedgehog of very few words. Something he realized early on.

But spending time with him always made him notice new things.

That plushie, for example. Since the moment he received it,

[— 𝑺𝑯𝑨𝑫𝑶𝑾. @ultimtelifefrmx]

« since that day. It’s unclear whether the gravity of that gesture is fully understood.

　❝. . Cozy.❞ He murmurs.

[TOM WACHOWSKI. @fatherofspeed]

The same blond hair and blue eyes… Tom knew.

He takes the mug. Then hands it over to Shadow.

“You’re a good kid, Shadow.”

Patting him on the shoulder once his hand is free.

…

Then realizing that might be awkward for the other, so he slowly retracts it.

[TOM WACHOWSKI. @fatherofspeed]

Chuckling, crossing his arms.

“Sonic and Tails came to me with a whole powerpoint presentation about how they needed to build one. Said that it was extremely important.”

He knew what it was for.

Rather, /who/ it was for.

[TOM WACHOWSKI. @fatherofspeed]

He notes the two mugs. Smiling.

Standing by the counter, in silence. It was 6AM. Birds were chirping outside. Just an hour before he clocks in for work.

“How are you liking it?” He asks. Gesturing to outside, at the new addition to the house. The treehouse.

[— 𝑺𝑯𝑨𝑫𝑶𝑾. @ultimtelifefrmx]

An ear turns at the sound before he looks over towards the noise.

Coffee is in fact brewing. Two mugs waiting aside.

He’s stood right in front of the counter. Had been watching the pot fill. .

[TOM WACHOWSKI. @fatherofspeed]

Walking into the kitchen…

Oh, @ultimtelifefrmx ‘s here too.

“Hey, bud. Got coffee brewing?”

[MILES “TAILS” PROWER @milestails_p]

ssshakes

He's gonna go watch How to Train Your Dragon Today!!!

[TOM WACHOWSKI. @fatherofspeed]

Glad he’s having fun.

…

( Sonic has already finished half of his popcorn… and is now asking his Dad for more. )

[MILES “TAILS” PROWER @milestails_p]

(Chattering and chirps filling the silence of the theater.

They went in early before the adverts start playing.)

[TOM WACHOWSKI. @fatherofspeed]

( …A smile appears on his face. He reaches behind Shadow, placing a hand by his shoulder. )

Bud, that’s a puppy. A baby dog.

[— 𝑺𝑯𝑨𝑫𝑶𝑾. @ultimtelifefrmx]

（ Wandering out the door with the bowl of water, placing it on the porch step for a. . small puppy.

That’s not a cat. ）

[TOM WACHOWSKI. @fatherofspeed]

Always so perceptive…

“It’s not that serious,” He assures him. “It just happens from time to time. I must’ve strained myself too hard today.”

His wife was going to be upset…

[‍ ‍ ‍ 𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗗𝗢𝗪 @ULTlMATECHAOS]

His ever-permanent scowl only seems to worsen at Tom's casual response. Why is he dismissing the pain that he is obviously experiencing?

"... You're hurt."