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Today’s the day.
Today Tommy was going to achieve the one thing he had made it his life mission to achieve.
Beating Techno at UNO.
It was surprisingly hard and the only thing the fifteen year old was unable to beat Techno at. Techno, obviously, would disagree heavily. But who cared what Techno thought? Tommy was more important and thus, he was always right.
Which was another thing Techno might heavily disagree upon.
“I’m going to order a hit on you,” Tommy grumbled as Techno placed down his last card, winning the sixty fourth game in a row.
“Hmmm nah,” the other replied, gathering the cards for another round.
“When I’m head of this organization, I’m gonna put you in the dungeons.”
“Tommy we don’t have dungeons and it’s another decade or two? Maybe? Until you’re taking over your dad as the head.”
“I can wait,” Tommy smiled sweetly, his tone equally as fake. Techno, used to Tommy’s antics, chuckled softly.
It was true however. Tommy was not due to take over the Syndicate anytime soon and he couldn’t wait. Techno was his bodyguard and although he would never admit it, Techno was most definitely like a brother to Tommy.
But for now, he did not need to worry about the mafia and its crimes. What he did need to worry about is how Techno managed to beat him at Every. Single. Game.
After the eighty first game, countless accusations of cheating, and Tommy launching himself at Techno in a rage at least twice, did the boy finally accept defeat for the day.
As the blond began gathering up the cards to shuffle once more before putting them away, the back of his neck began to prickle. Techno seemed to notice how the air in the room changed, sitting upright as Tommy looked around, eyes and ears alert.
If Tommy strained his ears he could hear hushed whispers right outside his door. Techno reached into his pocket taking out a tiny pistol that the boy knew was not there minutes prior.
He too reached under his bed, taking out a dagger gifted to him by his mother. He then proceeded to drop it in shock as the people on the other side of the door knocked three times. Loudly.
“What the fuck ,” Tommy squawked as Techno moved to the side of the door. He indicated to the boy to keep quiet and move out of the way, the blond complying.
“Who’s there?” Techno barked, pistol in position.
“Uhm—” Tommy knew that voice, “Mr. Techno? It’s me, Ranboo, I have some um— bad— news.”
“What’s the password?” the man asked, eyes squinted in suspicion.
There were multiple types of passwords to enter a room, especially when you show up uninvited like Ranboo. For cases like ‘Hey! I’ve got a gun to my back.’ or ‘Hey! I have cookies with me.’
Tommy hoped Ranboo had cookies.
“Erm— blueberries on a windowsill.”
Now he better have cookies.
Techno sighed in relief, putting the gun down before opening the door. Ranboo entered, followed by a guard who, although a familiar face, their name was unknown to Tommy.
“We have a situation,” Ranboo began, “there was supposed to be an exchange with the Vines organization. Phil decided to go himself.”
Tommy’s heart dropped into his stomach, his mind putting two and two together with Ranboo’s grim expression.
“What happened,” Tommy said fearfully.
“It was an ambush. We received communication that Phil, while alive, is at a great risk. But, in the absence of the now captured leader, we have to promote and um— instate, at least temporarily, Tommy as the current leader.”
Tommy felt like his stomach fell to his feet along with his heart.
“But Tommy’s a kid!” Techno said, pointing at him, “he’s barely sixteen and you guys wanna put him up as leader?”
“It’s how the rules go,” Ranboo said regretfully, “and you know how everyone is about the rules.”
“I have to— take decisions,” Tommy said slowly, “as the leader of the Syndicate—? And dad is held hostage by the other organization and— and— I have to handle that—?”
“Yes and yes,” Ranboo and the guard behind him nodded.
Tommy stepped back, the overwhelming reality of everything crashing into him like a tidal wave. He was supposed to have decades of training before being able to lead the Syndicate. His dad was supposed to be untouchable and safe. He was fifteen for god’s sake.
He couldn’t breathe, every single possibility where he could fuck up and probably lose his dad forever if he hasn’t already running into him like a bus full of anvils.
“Tommy? Hey kid— breathe,” Techno’s voice broke through the haze of Tommy’s panic, his vision coming back into focus.
“Te—Tech—?” Tommy mumbled.
“Yeah, kid it’s me, now I need you to breathe okay? Breathe on count c’mon, one two three four, five six seven eight.”
Tommy followed the count, slowly gathering himself. Ranboo and the guard had left now, leaving only him and Techno in the room. Tears welled up in Tommy’s eyes, still incredibly overwhelmed.
“Hey hey hey, I know it’s a lot to take in and it shouldn’t even be a burden on your shoulders,” Techno said, rubbing Tommy’s back, “it’s your duty to lead the Syndicate in Phil’s absence like today and trust me, your decisions and plans will bring him back. They won’t kill him okay? As terrible as it sounds, Phil is valuable and killing him is asking for an outcome they are not prepared for.”
“I’m not ready, Techno,” Tommy said, voice thick with panic, “I don’t know what I’m gonna do! I’m anything but ready.”
“Phil made you his second in command for a reason, because he knows you’re capable of leading this organization well.”
“I thought I was second in command because I was his son,” Tommy said, wiping the tears from his face, “y’know nepotism .”
“Well, nepotism definitely plays a factor,” Techno admitted, “but Phil is sensible and he’s raised you and tutored you to become a phenomenal leader.”
Tommy sniffled, looking at the other with watery eyes.
“Those loyal to Phil are fiercely loyal to you, starting with me,” Techno continued, “so when you go out there and plan how to get Phil back, even if you say ‘Let’s just charge into their base!! That will definitely go well,’ they will follow without question. Although maybe I’d question it for your own safety.”
Tommy laughed at that, looking down at his hands.
“So, um—” Tommy cleared his throat, “what the fuck do we have to do to bring my dad back
and
get revenge on those guys.”