Chapter Text
Unlike the past two times, Tommy wakes up not by his own violation, but because of somebody else calling out to him. He huffs annoyed and tries to block out the irritating voice by shoving his head under the covers.
“Tommy! Tommy!” Ghostbur’s cheery voice pierces through Tommy’s ears, and even though he tries to ignore it the ghost just continues. So in the end, Tommy relents and sits up to respond to the annoying ghost.
“What!?” He shouts, angry at Ghostbur for having the balls to come in his rooms and annoy him like this. As if he wasn’t already having a shit time here.
The ghost just smiled at Tommy and shakes his head. “Nothing, I just wanted to see you!”
“You saw me just yesterday.”
“But that was yesterday!” The Ghost whines back and then quickly smiles again. Tommy sits up from his bed and rubs at his eyes.
“Great. Now you’re all clingy too.” Tommy grouches out. It would’ve been great if Ghostbur was this clingy during Tommy’s exile instead of disappearing for days on end. (It hurt so bad, being abandoned once more by an older brother. He should’ve known better than to believe Wilbur would have changed in death.)
The thought made Tommy even more irritated, glaring at Ghostbur’s cheery face as he hummed and looked at Tommy’s room.
“Get out.” Ghostbur turned to Tommy with a vacant smile and a confused hum. “I said get out!” Tommy yelled at the ghost, wanting nothing to do with this sick imitation of his brother. He just woke up and didn’t want to deal with Ghostbur’s shit, matter of fact, he didn’t want to deal with anybody.
“But I want to spend time with you.” Ghostbur said, his smile turning a bit wobbly.
“I don’t care dickhead! I don’t want to spend a single second with you!” Tommy then turned to his side so he wouldn’t have to face Ghostbur.
The ghost went silent for a while but quickly floated over to where Tommy was facing. “B-but why? Tommy, what’s wrong?”
“What’s wrong?” Tommy calmly repeated, face blank until anger overtook him again. “What’s wrong? I-I dont even know how I can explain to you that I got kidnapped by you fuckers, you don’t fucking listen to me! None of you do! You seriously expect me to just...sit still and be happy while I’m being held here against my will?”
“Tommy-“
“No! For once just listen to me! I don’t want to be here! I feel...so claustrophobic and-and I’m so stressed all the time ‘cuz I can’t leave without you guys letting me out and I haven’t been outside in so long! I feel suffocated in here, I just want...” And Tommy looks up at Ghostbur with an almost pleading expression. “I just want to leave.”
Ghostbur looks nervous and hesitant. “I-I’m sorry, I can’t let you leave. Dad said he’s just trying to help our family and keep you safe.”
Tommy’s face falls even more, utter hopeless on his face, but it’s soon masked by a glare and a scowl. “Just fucking go already.”
The ghost looks pained as he stares at his little brother, mouth opening slightly as if he was gonna say something else. But he quickly shuts up, deciding to at least respect Tommy’s wishes of him leaving. He disappears up into the ceiling, leaving Tommy alone.
——-
Once at the cabin, the ghost immediately checked his inventory for any blue. He didn’t like confrontations or feeling any emotion other than happy. It made his wound area ache and made him hurt. He didn’t like the pain sadness brought him.
Blue helps it all go away, though. Any bad emotions and pain dissolved into the blue, leaving Ghostbur feeling happy and empty again. Of course, it came with the side effect of not remembering the events that brought him those emotions. Sometimes, that was a good thing. Other times, it brewed guilt in him.
Staring at the blue dye sitting in his inventory, Ghostbur realized he didn’t want to forget about what Tommy said. Forgetting it would only bring more troubles in the future, and would probably make Tommy even more sad than he already was. More than that, he didn’t want to forget Tommy’s words. His desperation to be listened to and helped. It made Ghostbur feel awful, thinking that by using the blue he would just forget Tommy’s feelings and not listen to him. No, it would be even worse than that, because Ghostbur did listen. He understood Tommy’s emotions and opinion, he sympathized with him. If he used the blue, then that would mean that Ghostbur would be willingly choosing to forget what Tommy said, and isn’t that so much worse than not listening in the first place?
What kind of older brother does that?
He closed his inventory and instead tried to ignore the aching in his wound. Ghostbur would tolerate it for Tommy. He wants to be a family again, and that means he needs to start being a good big brother.
He wouldn’t let him down again.
But it was...concerning. He figured that Tommy would like living with them all again, he’d never have to be alone! They could all be one big, happy family. That wasn’t the case. Ever since Tommy first came here, he hasn’t been happy at all. Always crying, yelling, and shouting. It has not been what Ghostbur was expecting. Dad and Techno seem to not care, calling them Tommy’s temper tantrums.
Was what Tommy said back there a temper tantrum too, then?
And if it was one, should he not take it seriously?
Maybe he should just take Phil and Technoblade’s route, and ignore it until It passes. It’s the way they always treat Tommy when he’s lashing out, but its not working. It’s not working because it only makes Tommy even more sad and angry.
Ghostbur smiled a bit, floating around the house in deep thought. He won’t use Dad’s technique. He’ll listen to Tommy, he’ll try to help. And maybe then he’ll see a smile on his baby brother’s face again.
Content with his decision, Ghostbur looked up and found himself in front of the kitchen. A figure stood inside cooking something. Ghostbur approaches and smiled widely. Looks like Tubbo woke up and was making breakfast!
“Hello!” He came closer to the boy, chuckling a bit when Tubbo flinches at the sudden noise.
“Ghostbur! Never sneak up on me again.” Tubbo threatened with a wooden spoon pointed at the ghost’s face.
“Or what?” He teased back.
“I’ll bitch slap you with this spoon.” The teen bluntly answered back.
The ghost burst out laughing and Tubbo smiled back. He went back to what he was cooking and changed the topic. “Did you go see Tommy?”
“Oh, yeah.” Ghostbur said.
“You’re so lucky you’re a ghost, you know.” Tubbo spoke while pouring the batter he made into a tray. “You can just move through the ground to go to him. It’s sooo annoying having to go outside and get to the door and go downstairs and press the button. So much work.” He complains and then stops to ponder a bit. “But I guess it’s better that way. Less chance of him being able to run away or anybody else finding him.”
Ghostbur didn’t really like how Tubbo said that. It reminded him of what Tommy said. “Being held here against my will.”
Was that really what this was?
“Alright, the pancakes are done. Wanna come with me to get Tommy?” Tubbo innocently looked at Ghostbur.
“O-oh, sure!” The ghost nervously smiled back at Tubbo. “But im not sure if Tommy will want to eat with us here. When I went he just yelled at me to get out.” He looks around the kitchen, thinking back on his brother’s words. “I think he’s having a really hard time staying here, Tubbo. And I don’t know how to fix it.” He confesses to the shorter male.
Tubbo in turn just smiles at him. “That’s just how Tommy is. He’s just in a mood right now, but he’ll get over it eventually. He just doesn’t understand how dangerous the world is out there, and how safe it is here.” Ghostbur’s discomfort rises even higher at Tubbo’s words. He doesn’t know why, he just knows he doesn’t like something about what Tubbo said.
“Besides,” Ghostbur’s train of thought gets broken as Tubbo continues talking. “even if he’s angry now, I know he likes eating up here with us. Tommy doesn’t like being lonely, he can’t stand it. He won’t refuse coming up.”
But he did.
Ghostbur stood outside Tommy’s room while Tubbo spoke with Tommy inside. The minute they opened the door to Tommy, the blond glared at them and coldly demanded they leave him alone. And even though Tommy’s stare left the ghost frozen in (fear? guilt? worry?) shock, Tubbo immediately started arguing with Tommy.
“You’re being so childish right now!” Tubbo spoke as he stepped closer towards Tommy, who in turn withdrew back into a corner. “You know you need to eat!”
“I’ll eat.” Tommy snapped back. “Just leave the food here and go away and I’ll eat.”
“But I need to make sure! I need to see you eating with my own eyes!”
“What the hell man! Do you know how creepy that is? Why do you want to watch me eat so much?”
“Because I need to make sure you’re actually eating, you dick!” Tubbo’s voice grew in volume, and both Ghostbur and Tommy withdrew into themselves as a result. “I need to make sure you’re taking care of yourself because I can’t trust you enough to do even that!”
“You know what? There’s no use in telling you this anyway, because I know it’s not going to make a single fucking difference, but I’m gonna say it anyways.” Tommy hisses out, standing up a little straighter as if he’s grown back some confidence. “I’m not the weak pussy you think I am, pal. And if I do end up not wanting to eat or something, it will be all your fault won’t it? ‘Cuz it’ll be because I’m miserable here, trapped inside with nothing to do except talk to the people trapping me here, and you’re part of the reason why I’m even here! So fuck you, I’m not gonna be playing house with any of you dickheads.”
Ghostbur eyes Tubbo warily as the boy’s frame shakes in anger. When the teen has remained silent for a moment too long, he tries to call out to him.
“Tubbo? Are you ok?” He whispers.
The silence grows heavier.
“Stay here with him. Or don’t. I don’t care. I’ll be back.” Tubbo sharply spoke to Ghostbur, making his way out of the door and pressing the button to close it up again.
Ghostbur stared as the door closed up, then he slowly turned to look at Tommy. His little brother looked so tired and stressed. Everybody, even Tubbo, thinks that Tommy is just acting childish and rude. But right now, Ghostbur can clearly see and realize how miserable Tommy is.
But he just doesn’t know how to help.
“Tommy?” He meekly tries to get his brother’s attention, but reluctantly continues after Tommy offers no response. “I’m sorry you feel trapped here.”
It was a genuine and simple remark, a way to try and show Tommy that he understands what the boy is saying.
But Tommy just scoffs. “No you’re not.”
Ghostbur frowns. It feels like no matter what, every-times he tries to connect with Tommy, it always ends in failure and an argument. But he doesn’t blame Tommy.
What else can he do, though? What can he do to lift Tommy’s spirits up? The boy wants to leave Techno’s cabin permanently, something that goes against Phil’s rules. He still remembered the conversation he had with Phil. His dad told him about how he and Technoblade plan to rehabilitate Tommy, making him have a little vacation away from the troubles and stress of the smp.
To Ghostbur, who saw Tommy’s growing mental decline during exile, it was a great idea! Spending some time with their family would be sure to help Tommy, and he would be safe and protected in their sights. Phil did explain that the youngest in their family would probably react badly to their idea, but he justified it by saying that the “end justified the means” and that it will all be worth it once they all become as united and happy as they once were. Who knows, maybe with the resurrection process, their family would actually be complete with Alive Wilbur. Ghostbur didn’t remember much of how he used to be during his life, but reading the books and remembering the few memories he does have, it seems like Wilbur was important to both Tommy and the rest of his family.
So no, as much as it hurt him to see Tommy like this, he wouldn’t give in to Tommy’s wishes and help him leave. His baby brother just didn’t realize how necessary this is to fix their family yet. Ghostbur remembered promising Phil that he would be a responsive older brother, that he would enforce what’s right for Tommy.
However, surely Tommy didn’t have to stay inside his room all day long. The boy only goes outside when he’s escorted to Techno’s cabin for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It isn’t a very long walk and definitely not a freeing one. Tommy is normally grabbed by the hand to make sure he wouldn’t run off.
If Tommy feels so cooped up here, maybe a day spent outside with them would let him burn off some steam and help him feel better.
“What if we go outside for a while?” Ghostbur brightens up, smile wide as he stares at Tommy’s form, trying to gauge a reaction from the boy. “That way you won’t feel as trapped here anymore. We can go play in the snow, oooh, we could have a fun family outing in the snow!”
Tommy’s head immediately snaps up and towards Ghostbur. “Outside? You mean it?”
The ghost enthusiastically nods.
“Right now?”
“Well,” Ghostbur starts, “I think we’d have to ask Dadza first.”
Tommy’s face falls, and Ghostbur tries to reassure him. “D-don’t worry! I’m sure Phil will let us!”
The blond’s expression doesn’t brighten up with the reassurance. Instead, he sighs and turns back away from the ghost. “It’s not nice to lie to people like that, Ghostbur.”
His voice was so monotone and calm it shocked Ghostbur into letting out a small “Huh?”
Behind them, the door rattled as it opened. Tubbo didn’t even wait until the the gate was entirely open, instead he just ducked his head under the moving gate to rush inside the room. In his hands laid a plate full of a stack with pancakes.
Ghost he smiled at Tubbo. “Hi again!”
Tubbo barely spared him a glance before settling his eyes on Tommy. His eyes narrowed as he approached the blond.
“Here’s your breakfast.” Tubbo spoke, voice tight and irritated. “Since you didn’t want to eat upstairs I’ll just have to make sure you eat it here.”
“Not this shit again.” Tommy muttered, and Ghostbur started feeling uncomfortable as he could already tell where this will lead. “I already told you I can eat by myself, I don’t need you watching me do it.”
“I’m not going to argue with you, Tommy.” Tubbo sternly says and frowns as Tommy laughs in response. “What are you laughing about?”
“You sound just like Phil. ‘I’m not going to argue with you’.” He mimicked Tubbo with a high pitched voice. “Just shut up and leave me alone already.”
Ghostbur floats closer to the pair to try to de-escalate the argument while it’s barely starting, but Tubbo has other plans.
“Hey!” Tommy cries out as Tubbo quickly knelt down next to him and held his wrists tightly to the side with one arm, his body effectively trapping Tommy’s against the wall. “What the hell-!”
“Eat.” Tubbo says with no real emotion, eyes blown wide and cold as they stared down at Tommy. His hand went to grab the fork and stabbed it through the stack of pancakes, tearing it apart to take out a piece for Tommy. Once the fork was effectively loaded with the food, Tubbo placed it near Tommy’s face. “Eat, or I’ll just feed it to you.”
Tommy struggled harshly and moved his head from side to side, mouth pressed tightly closed to avoid the fork being pushed against his lips. “I just want to make sure you eat, I need you to be healthy. I need you to be *safe*.” Ghostbur stood in shock at the scene, never before having seen Tubbo move in such a forceful manner. But when he was able to see Tommy softy crying, his state of shock broke and instead a protective feeling overtook him. “So eat or else I’ll-!”
“Stop!”
Ghostbur pushed himself in between Tommy and Tubbo, making sure Tommy is safely tucked behind his back.
“Ghostbur? What are you doing?” The anger in Tubbo’s eyes drained away into pure confusion and curiosity, eyes wide as he tilted his head to the side. It made Ghostbur remember that Tubbo was no threat. Ghostbur visibly relaxed as he stared at Tubbo.
“I-I’m sorry. But Tommy is already scared and sad...I really don’t think you forcefully feeding him is going to help.” He explained. He tried to make it as peaceful and kind as he could, he didn’t want to set Tubbo off again or start a argument.
“Hmmm.” Tubbo looked behind Ghostbur’s shoulder. His eyes seemed to soften as he glanced at Tommy’s face. “Well, I guess you’re kind of right. But he was the one who provoked me! If he had just listened to me the first time and ate then I wouldn’t have gotten angry!” He tried to defend himself.
Ghostbur could hear Tommy sputter behind him. He continued on talking to Tubbo. “I’m sure he’ll eat by himself, he just wants some time alone is all!” Ghostbur smiles in excitement. “Oh! How about we let Tommy eat his breakfast here? I have something I want to talk to you about!”
Tubbo raises an eyebrow at Ghostbur. “What kind of thing?”
“It’s about Tommy.” Ghostbur replies, Tommy behind him suddenly going quiet.
The younger brunet nodded in understanding. But his eyes widened as he looked at Tommy. “But I need to make sure he actually eats.”
His voice turned a lot more colder when he said that.
“I’ll eat!” Tommy responds back. It catches Ghostbur off guard, but Ghostbur still is happy at his brother’s loudness. Looks like he figured out that the thing Ghostbur wants to talk to Tubbo about is the possibility of him going outside for a while. “I promise I will!”
“Tommy...” Tubbo whispers. He chews on his lips in thought and finally makes his decision. “Fine, but I’ll come back and when I do this plate better be empty. Or else I’m cooking up another stack and feeding it to you for real.”
Tommy nods rapidly and looks over at Ghostbur. The ghost nods back at Tommy, then stares at Tubbo.
“Alright, meet you in the cabin!” He laughs joyfully as he turns invisible and floats through the roof of the room into the cabin upstairs. He ignores the annoyed shouts from Tubbo and instead starts thinking.
He’s sure that it will be easy to convince Tubbo. Sure, the teen is very much concerned about keeping Tommy safe and so he would probably be against Tommy going outside so soon, but he also cares about Tommy’s emotional well-being. It was clear to see, especially with what happened back in Tommy’s room. Tubbo looked so angry, so angry that it was like he snapped. Tommy’s physical safety is something he takes very seriously, so it makes sense why he became so scary back then. It still wasn’t a pretty sight to see. And when Ghostbur told Tubbo about how Tubbo was freaking Tommy out, one glance at Tommy’s crying face was enough to get Tubbo to back off.
With some convincing, Tubbo will easily agree that an outing would do Tommy some good.
The ones that would be harder to convince would be Phil and Technoblade, but Ghostbur is certain that they will come around.
They all just want to see Tommy smile, after all. Even if just for a short bit.