Tommy isn't a particularly athletic person. He never participated in any recognized sports, only survival games forced upon him by his childhood foster homes and siblings. He is fairly fast, decent at hiding, and has a higher pain tolerance than the average person. He is not, however, all that physically strong. He is lucky enough to have meat on his bones, let alone muscle. Tommy has envied people with strength before but only because he's always wanted to defend himself from the physical abuse. Now, he's wishing for strength for a whole new reason.

Tommy spent a couple of hours at the bar with Wilbur and his friends (Tommy is pretty sure they're friends, in any case, because of the way they interact with each other). By the end of the night, Wilbur was as drunk as Quackity and Charlie were when they first arrived. Jaiden seemed a little tipsy, but she was holding herself upright with only a rosy sheen across her cheeks. She promised to get Quackity and Charlie back to their places. She asked Tommy to get Wilbur back to his house, and she didn't wait around for a proper answer. Tommy didn't even get the chance to ask where that house was supposed to be. Alone in a bar with a half-conscious Wilbur, Tommy made the tactical decision to take Wilbur to the tailor shop. Wilbur has been there a few times, so he shouldn't be too scared when he wakes up in the morning. If he is, Tommy will hopefully deal with the screaming and panic prior to anyone calling the Enforcers on them.

That was the plan, anyway. Tommy is seconds away from giving up and leaving Wilbur on the side of the street. For how lanky Wilbur is, Tommy thought he was going to be a whole lot lighter. The only reason Tommy hasn't shoved Wilbur into the sidewalk is because Wilbur seems to be holding up some of his own weight to make it more bearable for Tommy. He's stumbling at every step, but he is generally moving forward with each step. Tommy would love to give Wilbur more credit, but he has been repeating the same refrain to a song for the entire time they've been walking, not switching songs or even delving into one of the verses. Under different circumstances, Tommy might have developed a positive opinion on the song, but Wilbur's slurring voice singing it over and over again makes Tommy want to tear his own ears off.

The tailor shop appears when Tommy rounds the corner, and he nearly crumples to the ground with relief. Tommy actually hits the ground when Wilbur jerks to the side too quickly for Tommy to steady himself. Tommy hisses as his knees bang against the concrete of the sidewalk. Wilbur whimpers pathetically, but Tommy isn't sure if that's because he sustained injury, the motion made him sick, or the cold is disturbing him. Tommy, frankly, doesn't care because Wilbur was the one that fell to the ground, dragging them both down.

Tommy does care enough to grab Wilbur's arm and shoulder, pulling the brunette back onto his feet as best he can. Wilbur makes more pathetic noises, and Tommy murmurs accepting words to humor Wilbur's idled brain. Wilbur throws his arm around Tommy's shoulder, hitting him so hard he stumbles forward. Tommy glares at Wilbur, but his glazed brown eyes are unseeing. Tommy rolls his eyes with a huff, adjusting Wilbur's weight one last time as they start moving across the street.

When they get to the front door, Tommy has to drop his hand from around Wilbur's waist. He reaches into his pocket to pull out his keys. The jingling seems to attract Wilbur's attention. Wilbur reaches for the keys, but Tommy pushes the right key into the lock, successfully avoiding Wilbur's hands. Tommy pushes the door. He takes the key out of the lock as Wilbur flings himself off Tommy's shoulders. He spins around the room. As Tommy reaches for the security pad, Wilbur trips over the leg of one of the couches, dropping unceremoniously into it. Tommy sighs, putting in the numbers to the code. The security system accepts the password.

Tommy turns back around to haul Wilbur off the couch. Wilbur's body turns, and he lands on his side on the ground. He nearly knocks Tommy over again. Tommy glares harshly down at his drunk friend. He thought Jaiden was the nice one of the friend group, but she clearly only pretended to be so she could dump Wilbur's drunk ass on Tommy. She didn't even give him a warning about how much collateral damage he causes all around him, not to mention how much damage he's done to himself. Tommy is probably going to have to heal Wilbur when they get upstairs. He hopes Wilbur is too drunk to notice or remember what wounds he should've had in the morning.

Tommy grabs Wilbur's shoulders. He starts pulling, and his hands slide up to Wilbur's upper arms. Tommy continues to pull, eventually reaching the base of the stairs. If he's going to heal Wilbur anyway, he might as well take the easy way. Tommy yanks Wilbur up the stairs. He hears Wilbur complain under his breath and shift, but he doesn't do a good enough job at getting away from Tommy. The blonde is able to pull Wilbur all the way up the stairs with a lot of effort but not nearly as much damage to himself.

Tommy leaves Wilbur at the top of the stairs. He drops Wilbur's arms, letting them flop down above his head. Tommy crosses his arms over his chest. He has successfully gotten Wilbur up here, but this was as far as Tommy's plan went. He didn't actually think he would make it this far. Tommy looks around. There are the chairs and desks of the other tailors. There's a huge pile of clothes that need to be worked on. Tommy's eyes settle on his own thick blanket and pillows on the ground in the corner. Tommy grumbles, realizing he's going to have to give up his own bed. Tommy looks down at Wilbur. He nudges the brunette with his foot. Wilbur's eyes are lightly shut and his lips twitch. Tommy snarls at him. "Lucky bastard."

Tommy reaches back down to pull Wilbur. His clothes slide easily across the wooden floorboards, making Tommy's jobs incredibly easy. Getting Wilbur on the blanket is a harder task. Tommy has to lift Wilbur's body up, dragging more of it onto the blanket and then pulling the blanket back out underneath Wilbur. It is a long process. Near the end, Tommy realizes he hasn't taken Wilbur's shoes off. In the spirit of keeping his sleeping quarters as clean as possible, Tommy is forced to tug them off. He tried being careful at first, but whatever Wilbur drank completely knocked him out. Tommy gives up on gentleness, instead pulling Wilbur's shoes with enough force that he falls down on his butt when he gets them off, both times.

Despite the hardship, Tommy is able to get Wilbur's entire body lying on the blanket with his head cushioned by a pillow. Tommy brings his own blanket to cover Wilbur's body. The brunette snuggles into the pillow, a loose hand gripping the edge of the blanket. Tommy huffs, but he can't help smiling imperceptibly. He doesn't mind too much. At least Wilbur looks comfortable.

Tommy's smile immediately drops when he feels a third heartbeat, one that isn't his and isn't Wilbur's. Tommy whirls around, searching the second floor for the source of the heartbeat. His answer doesn't try hiding from him. Shadow Girl stands in the corner of the room, the shadows around her parting just enough to give her form substance. She has her hands wrapped around her stomach. Tommy cannot see her eyes from this far away, but he can physically feel her gaze settling across his shoulders like a noose being tightened.

Shadow Girl takes a step forward. Tommy's breath gets stuck in his throat. He slides down from a squat to being on his knees. One hand brushes against the ground to help steady him, but the other one raises up, revealing how badly Tommy is shaking. Shadow Girl stops moving, her body language shifting. She's either noticed Tommy's shaking or...

It's one thing for villains to know about Tommy. He made the choice of healing Phantasm and Nymph. He made the choice to accept a deal with both of them that involved making them suits. He made the deal with Shadow Girl to make her suit all on his own, and he's the one that forced Phantasm to let him heal Shadow Girl when he learned she was injured. Tommy has made his choice to involve himself in the world of supervillains, regardless of how little he believes in their cause. Tommy will risk his own life as he sees fit.

It is entirely different for Wilbur to be caught up in all of this. Wilbur never got a choice. He just decided that Tommy looked a little lonely. He thought spending time with Tommy was a fair deal when he selflessly saved Tommy's life. All Wilbur has ever been to Tommy was kind and welcoming. Wilbur doesn't deserve to be punished for the decisions Tommy made or the ones he knows he'll inevitably make again. He should have pushed Wilbur away even with the deal binding them together, but Tommy didn't because when all is said and done, Wilbur makes Tommy happy, an incredible and rare feat. Tommy held tightly to Wilbur, and now... Tommy can't bear the thought of Wilbur getting caught up in all of this.

Shadow Girl continues moving toward him. Instead of pushing past him to get to Wilbur, she bends down onto her shins in front of him. She puts her hands on her thighs, staring at him with a serious expression. Tommy draws his hand back, letting it drop down to his side. Shadow Girl doesn't seem to notice, her eyes locked on his. "Thank you for saving my life."

Her words remind Tommy of the weight in his stomach. Although fear is also making a home there, this weight is the debt Shadow Girl owes him for saving her life. Tommy had nearly forgotten about in between his merriment at the bar with Wilbur's friends, the complicated walk to the tailor shop, and his current heart-pounding anxiety as he mulls over everything Shadow Girl could do to Wilbur. She now knows that he has healing powers, though her master knew long before she did. Regardless, she could take Wilbur to force him to heal for the Syndicate. She could tell Phantasm or Nemesis about this. She could even go to Azrael or Wither, and Tommy really doesn't want that to happen.

"I might have caused you more pain," Tommy murmurs. Even in the situation right now, Tommy loathes the sound of Shadow Girl's screams as his powers infiltrate her body, attempting to heal it and causing additional pain in the process. Tommy really doesn't have to listen to it again, and he hopes Shadow Girl feels the same way.

"I envy the light," Shadow Girl softly admits, her body language and tone implying she's revealing some huge weakness. Tommy already knew the light poisoned her, but he realizes she isn't admitting that right now. She's admitting that she wants to be part of the light despite her powers keeping her away from it. "I wish to be part of it, but the light will always shun me."

The shadows around Shadow Girl part enough that he can see the vague outline of her facial features. He wouldn't be able to recognize her civilian form in a crowd, but he can see how brilliantly bright her expression is despite the shadows clinging to her like shy toddlers to their parents' legs. There is a beautiful smile curving across her lips, reminding Tommy of the word 'victory.' Her hand falls onto his hand, squeezing his fingers gently. The wonder and kindness in her eyes is so prominent that Tommy can't bring himself to pull away even when her touch reminds him of the additional heartbeats in the room with him. "It was painful, yes, but it was also glorious. I was moved by the golden light. It didn't shun me. I owe you so much more than just my life. I got to experience the sunshine."

"His safety," Tommy chokes out, eyes widening as an opportunity presents itself to him. Shadow Girl startles, clearly not expecting Tommy to answer so quickly. She tilts her expression in confusion. Tommy pulls his hand away from her, shifting to gesture at Wilbur. "All I want is his safety. He isn't a part of this- any of this shit. All he is... he's just... fuck it, he's my friend... He's my friend and only that."

Shadow Girl looks over at Wilbur. She wears a conflicted expression on her face. Tommy feels tears threaten his eyes. He hasn't cried this much since he was a little kid, but now he feels like he's doing it all the time. He really doesn't want Wilbur to get hurt because of him. This isn't like all the people Tommy has ignored the suffering of. This is someone who he would directly cause the pain of. This is someone who is important to Tommy.

"I promise not to harm him or put him in harm's way," Shadow Girl swears. The weight in Tommy's stomach lifts as their debt is settled. Tommy heaves out a heavy breath. He lets fresh air fill up his body, chasing away the dredges of anxiety in his body.

Tommy peers up from his breathing. Shadow Girl is waiting patiently, her stare still as kind as it was when she first parted the shadows across her face. Tommy's attention slides away from her to his desk. He might as well take care of business now while Shadow Girl is here.

Tommy stands up. This startles Shadow Girl. She rises up into a squat, prepared to move with him. Tommy waves a hand at her, walking around her body. He doesn't want to leave Wilbur alone, but he doesn't want Shadow Girl messing around with his stuff. He has to trust the deal she struck with her. She can't harm Wilbur, Tommy reminds himself as he opens up the box beside his desk. Instead of the materials Phantasm brought him, there is a fully made suit waiting for someone to put it on. Tommy carefully lifts up all of the pieces. Shadow Girl looks at the costume in astonishment. She lifts onto her feet, not sparing a glance to Wilbur, reaching his side in a matter of seconds. She takes the costume into her hands. Tommy watches Shadow Girl spin around with the costume in her hands. Tommy taps her shoulder, directing her to the bathroom. She rushes over with a thankful smile over her shoulder.

Tommy looks over at Wilbur. The brunette is completely out. His chest lifts and falls with deep breaths. His heartbeat is slow against the back of Tommy's fingertips. He looks peaceful in the street lamp that comes through the window across the makeshift sleeping area. Tommy huffs, rolling his eyes. He hopes Wilbur knows that he was willing to bargain with a supervillain for his safety. If that doesn't prove how important Wilbur is to him, Tommy isn't sure what will.

The bathroom door swings open on creaky hinges. Tommy turns away from Wilbur to find Shadow Girl standing in the doorway, the darkness of the bathroom framing her. She moves deeper into the room, her cloak swishing around her. Her Netherite booties do muffle the sound like Tommy designed. The fitted clothing and armor seem to fit her body well, though Tommy has trouble deciding with how the shadows flit around her like living beings. Shadow Girls spin around. When she stops, she tucks her thumbs underneath her belt, flaring her fingers out. She shifts her body, modeling the outfit for Tommy like he's about to photograph her.

Dang, should Tommy have been photographing his masterpieces? He should probably start. Not right now, of course, not with Wilbur literally sleeping off his alcohol intake in the corner, but at a later date. He should get Phantasm to take all the photographs. Tommy thinks Nemesis would do a better job at taking photos, but he still doesn't like or trust her.

"I feel like a true villain now!" Shadow Girl exclaims, righting herself. She steps toward Tommy, standing near him with a smile on her face that almost makes the shadows around her and the hood over her head useless. "Thank you."

"Remember our deal... both of them," Tommy reminds her, rolling his eyes. He isn't able to avoid the prideful flush that spans across his cheeks, but if he pretends it doesn't exist, Shadow Girl probably will, too.

"Of course! I'll get you the credits soon. I got you the materials. I'll help you out if you're ever in a pinch with the heroes," Shadow Girl lists off the contents of their original deal. Shadow Girl would do all of that, and Tommy would get her the suit. "I'm also sticking to the other deal. I won't do anything to your friend. Is there anything else you want, though? You saved my life and let me see the light."

"What else could I ask for?" Tommy raises an eyebrow. She's already paying him. She's giving him protection. She's not going to do anything to Wilbur. Tommy doesn't have any other desires.

"A new place to stay, one that villains don't know about. Keep your work and personal life separate. I could get you an actual bed! It would be super easy to do that. I would even assemble it for you! Or maybe unlimited flowers," Shadow Girl offers, sounding completely serious.

Tommy opens his mouth slightly. In the end, he shakes his head. He doesn't need any of that. If he did, he would get it for himself. Although... "Where the fuck would you get unlimited flowers from?"

"Oh! I like growing plants. I would grow all the flowers you could want. Maybe unlimited was a hyperbole, but I could get you a whole lot!" Shadow Girl explains to him, grabbing the edge of her cloak to play with it. Tommy didn't account for her habits, but he isn't here to tell his customers what they should or shouldn't do with the costumes after they claim ownership. Plus, he thinks this makes him a better tailor, preemptively meeting his customer's unspoken desires.

"How do you grow plants... they eat sunlight, don't they?" Tommy asks.

"No, they use sunlight to make the nutrients they need. Sunlight is like the oven, not the food itself," Shadow Girl explains that first before she answers his question. "Light is only my weakness when I'm covered in shadows. In my civilian life, I'm able to walk around in the light at the expense of being unable to summon my shadowy aura until I'm standing in thick enough darkness."

"Huh. You actually like the light, don't you?" Tommy feels a little uneasy about how willingly Shadow Girl told him that. While he might be a non-threat to other supervillains, his healing powers do have a harmful effect on her, if only a mental one.

"I do," Shadow Girl chirps. Tommy squints in confusion. He vaguely remembers Shadow Girl saying that she likes light earlier, but he was focused on Wilbur. He didn't process it then, so he's processing it now. Rather unsuccessfully, he might add.

Shadow Girl notices his confusion. She pushes her hand in front of her like she's holding an imaginary ball, meeting Tommy's eyes. "I have a theory about where superpowers come from. At the cost of giving people strength, it is our powers that limit us from achieving our greatest ambitions. I love the light, but I'm weakened by it. Phantasm can hide himself- going invisible, phasing into objects, piggybacking in people's heads- but he wants to be an individual independent from the people around him."

"What about me? How do I fit into your theory?" Tommy asks. Shadow Girl's theory is the opposite of Tommy's belief that powers come from a person's desire. It is close to Phantasm's idea about powers being a reflection of the person with the power, but Shadow Girl makes it seem like it's a funhouse reflection.

"You have the power to heal. This allows you to help people. But your healing powers also keep you from forming and maintaining meaningful relationships with people as you can never be sure if they're just using you," Shadow Girl hypothesizes.

Tommy laughs bitterly. She barely knows Tommy, but she's pretty spot-on. Though, Tommy's shitty personality could also be the reason for his lack of connections. Tommy shakes his head, letting his laughter fade away. "The theory makes sense for you, me, and Phantasm, but what about other people?"

"I don't know anyone else well enough to make that call. I've been spending time with Nemesis, so I have a few ideas, but nothing that makes complete sense," Shadow Girl answers with a shrug, running into the same problem Tommy had when he was trying to explain his theory to Phantasm. "What made you so curious?"

"Phantasm told me to interact with more people in order to confirm for myself the purpose behind my powers," Tommy shrugs. "I think that was just a convoluted-ass way of Phantasm telling me to get some friends."

"My mentor can be like that," Shadow Girl laughs. Her eyes are almost sparkling when she looks at Tommy. "You're doing both, though, aren't you?"

Tommy doesn't answer. He instead looks over his shoulder out the window at the rising moon, "You should probably leave."

Shadow Girl nods, looking out the window. She steps toward the dark corner of the room. She turns around at the last moment, waving at Tommy. "Thank you again for the suit... and for saving my life... and letting me see the sunshine even in this form."

"Remember our deal... and my credits!" Tommy waves his fist. Shadow Girl's giggles fade away as she steps into the shadow. Her heartbeat disappears as soon as her body does.

Tommy walks over to the source of the remaining heartbeat. He sits down on his butt on the edge of the blanket. He puts his hand on top of the way Wilbur is using to hold onto the thinner blanket. Tommy smiles to himself, looking away. Phantasm might have told him to interact with people with powers, but Wilbur is the friend Tommy has chosen to make. How ironic.