The moment Danny laid eyes on Tommy, his mood immediately lightened. The smaller man glanced at him shortly before sitting down; this was something Dan was use to. His friend was definitely strange, and he didn’t really understand why, but that was alright. He didn’t need to understand. Tommy just was the way he was, and that was alright too. But what Dan did know was that other people often tried to change Tommy, or to manipulate him because of how he acts and what he can do. And that was not alright. “Hey big guy! I’m glad to see you’re looking alright. They haven’t fucked with you too much, right?” Dan attempted to make his tone at least somewhat light-hearted, but he couldn’t help but grow more serious at the end.
“Macaroni necklaces eh? Your father, I'm sure he'd like one.” Tommy continued to fidget in his seat, but Dan’s gaze remained steady. He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t already thinking about his father. About how much he wanted to wring his neck.
“You know what, Tommy, you’re right.” He paused to look back at the camera, only disdain in his fierce glare. “If only the friendly man behind the camera would let me give it to him personally.” Dan smiled a devious smile before turning to look back at his buddy.
“Do you think making a bomb would count as 'arts and crafts' eh? I'd make a special one just for our favorite lieutenant…”
Dan grinned at that, leaning farther back in his chair. “Now that is something I’d love to help you with.” Before he even had the chance to continue onward with the conversation, the dark skinned girl, the one with the wings, walked over and grabbed Tommy. Danny tensed and sat up, his jaw clenching. What kind of a person just goes up to someone and does that?
“Hay sweetie, getting hit on first thing! I'm impressed! And one who looks after himself too!” Dan didn’t like her tone, the way she spoke. It sounded like she thought she was entitled to something, that she was above them. His nostrils flared as he glowered at her, sustaining the ferocious scowl for quite a while, occasionally narrowing his eyes. She was standing close to the silent one, the one Dan said hi to earlier. They had ties.
After a few seconds, Dan returned his gaze to Tommy and leaned forward so his arms were on the table. “Hey, I want you to have this.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out one of the protein bars covered in silver, reflective wrapping. “And I want you to eat all of it, can you do that for me big guy?” His voice was genuine, and although some would consider it patronizing. Dan knew that Tommy could understand him, but not to what extent. He was just naive when it came to the behaviors of people like Tommy. “If we’re going to get out of here, it’s going to be an uphill battle. You need to keep your strength up, and the shit they feed us isn’t enough. Plus, it tastes better than the garbage on the platter we get everyday.” With that, he leaned back in his chair and turned to the others, his arms crossed. “Listen, you fuck with him, you fuck with me, capiche?” His low voice was stern, like he was scolding a group of children. And he meant it; anyone who screwed with Tommy had to get through him first.