Infected

4 - Past and Present

Tommy had just entered the gym as his watch hit 2. He had made it right on time for the rest of his training. Between seeing Tubbo and going to the zoo he was in a very good mood. Sadly that mood was gone when he saw Clay standing at the entrance of the gym with his arms folded. He was in trouble, Tommy just knew it. He knew about him running off during the day, or maybe that they hadn't done training the entire time. Tommy couldn't help but start to slouch and fidget under his gaze.

"Why weren't you at the dojo," Clay demanded, he had gone to check on Tommy an hour ago.

"I- we uh- Clay please don't-" Tommy stammered, stumbling over his words.

"We took him out," Bad said, his voice sounding as happy as ever. "We needed lunch so we went out. He's already improving at his earthbending."

"For an hour," Clay asked, raising his eyebrow in suspicion.

"We got a little side tracked," Eret said, "but it wasn't Tommy's fault, it's ours."

"Just go in," Clay sighed, jerking his head back to tell Tommy to go in where Sapnap and George were. Tommy practically ran past him, he started to worry that Clay wouldn't let them train him anymore, what would happen then?

"Man, Clay is in a mood," Sapnap said as Tommy scampered over. "Sure he acts a bit overbearing sometimes, but not like that."

"He just cares...about...me," Tommy trailed off, that had been the second time he's said that today. Had they not seen Clay act that way before? For Tommy it was normal for Clay to be overprotective like that.

"Are you okay Tommy," Sapnap asked, genuinely concerned for the kid, he thought Clay would have been nicer with Tommy around, but it just seems like he's worse.

"Yeah, totally fine," Tommy said, pushing the thoughts to the back of his mind. He needed to focus on the here and now.

"Alright," Sapnap said, is this what Clay had meant by someone who listed and didn't argue with them? "We're going to walk you through some of our combos and team attacks. Then we'll go over some of the rules if you don't already know them."

"I listen to your games all the time," Tommy lied, he hadn't turned on the radio in months, but Clay didn't need to know that. "If that means anything."

"Still doesn't beat in person experience though," George said, he then sent a burst of water at Tommy and he quickly dodged it.

"Definitely not," Tommy grinned and sent a disk at George. Sapnap smiled as they began sparring, exchanging attacks and defending.

"He's good," Sapnap told Clay, "who trained that kid?"

"Eret did today, and Ant did years ago, then there's whatever training he had when he was younger," What he didn't add was that he had trained Tommy as well, not in earthbending of course, but in the little martial arts he did know.

"You want to step in here," George called as he sent another burst at Tommy, at the same time an earth disk nailed his chest and he flew back against the wall.

"Sorry," Tommy said, glancing at Clay, expecting him to say something, but he just smiled and Tommy relaxed.

"Don't apologize, that was a good shot," Sapnap said as Tommy helped George up.

"I'll be right back, be good Tommy," Clay said as his phone started buzzing.

"Do-do you mind if I ask you guys something," Tommy asked as Clay stood just outside of the gym.

"Go ahead," Sapnap said.

"How come Clay never calls you by your nickname," Tommy said.

"We don't exactly know," George said, brushing off some of the dust off of him. "He stopped a bit after he brought you in."

Sapnap elbowed him, "Not that it has anything to do with you." But what George said had already gone to his head, was there a connection between Clay taking him in and his changed behavior?

"No, of course not," George added, "it could have something to do with his si-" He stopped when he saw Clay.

"What are you guys doing?" Clay asked when he came back in, "you came here to train, not talk, Tommy."

"Sorry," He said quickly. "Can we spar, Sapnap?"

"What do you think," Sapnap grinned as he stepped back a few paces and punched the air, sending a burst of fire at Tommy.

"Alright then," Tommy brought up an earth disk next to him to block the fire, "let's go Snapchat." He jumped in the air and round kicked the disk, sending it flying past Sapnap's head as he turned to dodge it. Sapnap moved like a normal firebender, quick on his feet and with repeated, fast, attacks. Tommy on the other hand had the solidarity of an earthbender when moving the disks, but he moved much like an airbender while dodging Sapnap's attacks, and remained on the defensive, waiting for an opening to use a quick, strong blow. Tommy kept dodging, letting Sapnap wear himself out, before sending an earth disk flying toward his feet, forcing him back towards the wall.

"You're amazing. Clay, why didn't you bring this kid in earlier," Sapnap said when Tommy relaxed, a grin on his face knowing that he had actually won.

"It wasn't the right time," Clay said, "we have to go. I need to talk with Tommy." Tommy knew those words, sometimes they were good, usually they meant he had done something.

"That can wait, Tommy, you want to come with me and George to get an early dinner?" Sapnap asked.

"I-" Tommy looked between Clay and Sapnap, "I can't, maybe another day."

"But we never-" George said to Sapnap, who elbowed him to shut him up.

"Clay doesn't know that," Sapnap whispered, something was up, and he had to get Tommy away from Clay.

"Well see you guys tomorrow," Tommy said, following Clay out of the gym.

"So Eret and the others had talked to me about your training," Clay said, Tommy's heart sunk, they had probably talked about going to Airbender Island instead of the dojo. There was no way Clay would agree, not after he had gone out with them. "I told them I would think about it."

Tommy remained silent, worried about saying the wrong thing that would prevent him from going. But what Clay said wasn't a 'no'.

I am probably going to keep feeling bad for what I'm doing to Tommy this entire book. What if I told you it gets worse? No, not good, okay. Thank you all for reading and please vote and comment!

QotC: I need chapter titles, any suggestions?

Peace out benders and Minecrafters from around the world!