Chapter Text
"Your fault, your fault, your fault... YOU LET HIM DO THIS TO ME"
Tubbo startled awake, gasping as his fists clenched the sheets. He had the dream again. The one where Tommy's voice rang out into the abyss, yelling at him, anger filling his voice.
Tubbo sighed, and pushed the blankets off of him, standing up. At this point, he would take Tommy getting mad at him over the... silence.
Ever since he came back from exile, about a week or two after he had visited the Smp, he didn't talk. It wasn't long after that that he donned a red sweater, and a frowning mask similar to Dream's. Now whenever someone interacted with him, he would flinch at the slightest sound, or overall just ignore them.
"Tubbo? You awake?" a sleepy voice asked, and Tubbo turned to see Ranboo, his husband, sitting up and rubbing his dual colored eyes. They had a dazed look on their face, probably due to just waking up.
Ranboo had been waking up whenever Tubbo did, always making sure he was alright. Ever since Tommy had come back from Exile the way he had, Ranboo had been his rock. They had made sure to cook breakfast on the days he hadn't even able to leave there room, and always made him go to bed whenever he fell asleep while doing research.
Tubbo knew he wasn't being fair, making his husband do almost everything, but he had been doing better lately, helping out around their home more and taking care of Micheal all the time.
However, for some reason, Ranboo had been avoiding Tommy and the topic of him as much as he could, crushing guilt and fear warring in his eyes whenever Tommy was near, and pure guilt and shame written on their face whenever Tommy was mentioned.
Tubbo wasn't sure why Ranboo blamed themselves, when Tubbo was the one who exiled him, but he supposed that didn't matter. Puffy had tried telling him over and over that he had only done what he thought was best, and nobody could blame him for that. but, really, he had given in and listened to Dream. He had exiled his best friend, despite telling him he would always be there, always by his side. 'Us against the world' he had said. so much for that.
Tubbo startled back to attention when a soft hand gently rested on his shoulder. Ranboo was watching him, their eyes inquisitive and knowing. "Another dream about Tommy?" Ranboo asked softly. "...Yeah. It's alright though, boo. Thanks for making sure." Tubbo replied, smiling gently, and watching as the worry faded a little from their eyes.
Ranboo shook their head, a soft sound coming from their throat. "No, it's my job, bee." With that, Ranboo stood up and left, leaving Tubbo to his thoughts, with one final glance towards him, leaving him by saying "I'll make breakfast and get Micheal up, you do what you need to do 'bo."
Tubbo sighed as he replanted the sweet berry bushes, wincing as he pricked his finger on one. He had been doing his daily things, replanting, checking on the animals, and checking the locks on the nuke room. They had looked like someone had scratched them to all hell, but were unable to break them. He would have to figure out who it was at some point.
He was just about to finish when he heard the snow crunch softly behind him. He turned around, expecting to see Micheal, and stopped in shock at who was there.
It was... Tommy. and behind him, ...was that Dream?? Tubbo felt himself freeze in shock at the people in front of him. He swore softly, and turned his head to make sure Ranboo wasn't close enough to see any of this. It would crush them, Tubbo knew that much.
Tubbo forced a grin on his face, smiling at Tommy. "Hey big man. I haven't seen you in quite a while, huh." he said softly, staring at the white frowning mask that covered his face. He worked hard to keep his expression neutral when he saw numerous scars on his neck and peeking out from under his mask. That bastard. He hurt Tommy.
Tubbo felt his eye twitch, but covered it up by closing his eyes and sighing. "Are you finally coming back home? Decided to hang out with us for a bit?" Tubbo asked, forcing lightheartedness into his voice.
A chuckle sounded from Dream, and Tubbo froze. "Oh Tubbo, still so, so naive. Tommy here, well, let's just say... He's Unaware of anything anyone but me says. He can't hear you, can't see, you, and most of all, has no idea who you are. Wonderful, isn't it?" Dream continued, pressing a hand onto Tommy's shoulder. Tubbo watched as Tommy flinched ever so slightly, only enough that Tubbo, who had known him forever, would notice.
Tubbo went to reach for his sword, off to the side, but froze when he heard Dream chuckle. "Well now, don't be hasty. After all, you wouldn't want anyone to get involved in this, would you? You would hate to watch your best friend kill you. Or would you defy the odds and kill him first? After all, you did exile him. Who knows what else you would do." Tubbo growled quietly, his ears flattening against his head in anger. He started forward, ready to beat the crap out of Dream, but froze when he heard what Dream said.
"Oh Tommy... Kill him." Tubbo froze, breath catching in his throat as Tommy looked up, mask catching the light and making him appear as if he was glowing.
Next thing he knew, Tommy was sprinting towards him, sword in hand, armor on, and Tubbo knew he was fucked. He dodged out of the way as Tommy slashed at him, just barely missing. Tubbo glanced back, pulling out his shield and looking at Dream. He was grinning, a flash of maniac light glinting from a crack in his mask, revealing a bit of his eye.
Tubbo swore as an arrow landed inches away from him, and winced as another landed in his leg. He rolled away, swearing as the snow pushed the arrow in more. He jumped back on his feet, grunting as he pulled the arrow out. "Tommy, I'm not gonna hurt you, big man. Please don't do this."
Tubbo hated this. It brought him back to when he exiled Tommy, the yelling and arguing that ensued. Sure, this was different, but they were both getting hurt, either way. Tubbo wasn't a naturally violent person. He preferred talking things out. Even in the midst of war, he always tried to stay out of conflict. He could probably win if he had to, but he didn't want to fight Tommy.
Tubbo let out a groan, the air whooshing out of him, as Tommy suddenly delivered a kick to his stomach. He stumbled, almost falling over before he steadied himself. He jumps to the side as Tommy throws a punch. He winced at the pain in his leg and stomach. Tubbo looked round for something to help, but only saw Dream, cackling in the background. He attempts to grab Tommy in a bear hug, to keep him from attacking, but had to slide back as Tommy slashed the sword at him.
"Shit." Tubbo hissed, swiping at the sweat beading on his brow. It's had been too long since he'd fought. He was running out of energy very quickly. This would be over soon, one way or another.
"Tommy, please. I don't want to hurt you!" He pleaded. Tommy showed no signs of listening, only swiping at him with his sword again. Tubbo heard a crack, and distantly realized it came from himself. He coughed, the taste of blood and sweat mixing in his mouth. As if from distance, Tubbo felt a second powerful kick to his chest. He fell backward, hitting the snowy ground with a resounding thud.
Tubbo watched as Tommy placed a foot on his chest, pressing down and pinning him to the ground. He notices his ears ringing as Tommy points the sword at his face. He could try and escape, but he doesn't have that kind of energy. He smiled, a tear slipping out, and waited for the inevitable blow, the strike that would take his final life.
Tubbo frowned when nothing happened. He opened his eyes cautiously, trying to figure out what was going on, and saw Tommy frozen in place, sword inches from his chest, confusion and recognition flickering in his eyes.
Tommy looked down, stared at Tubbo, and let out a soft gasp.
"Tubbo? what are you... where am I? What happened? Dream was-" Tommy whispered, his voice crackly from disuse, and his words were cutting each other off.
Tubbo saw Dream move in the background. Dream let out a disappointed sigh, and shook his head.
"Oh Tommy. You just had to do that. I guess we'll see how killing you works for obedience. As for you, Tubbo, I would recommend keeping an eye on Micheal. Wouldn't want a... accident to happen, now would we?"
Dream chuckled, and vanished with Tommy leaving nothing but ender particles left behind.
Tubbo breathed out shakily, then froze.
How did Dream know about Micheal? Only Tommy, Ran and I know about them so far. Wait... Oh no. Dream knows what Tommy knows. Crap. The nukes.
Tubbo paled, his panic growing. What was he gonna do? Tubbo swore softly, wincing as he pulled himself up, and started gingerly walking back to his house to fill Ranboo in.