Chapter Text
Tubbo was in shambles. After failing to take out Technoblade Tubbo, Fundy, Quackity, and Ranboo decided they needed to take out Dream. Dream had so much power though, so how would they? Tubbo instantly began to think of Tommy. How Tommy always seemed to keep Dream at bay, how Dream had pushed so hard for Tommy to be exiled… Tommy was the only one Dream was scared of and if Tubbo hadn’t been so naive to think exiling Tommy would be the best course of action then maybe none of this would have happened.
“Could I be excused?” Tubbo asked. Quackity nodded.
“Of course, man,” he said. Tubbo gave a smile to the others in the room.
“Thanks, I’ll see you all later,” Tubbo said.
Tubbo ran through the make-shift tunnel and he kept running across the boards of New L’Manberg. He ran across the Prime Path and all the way to the Nether Portal.
He was going to see his best friend. He was finally going to face Tommy, he was going to see him. Tubbo had to wonder if Tommy would hate him. It would be something he’d have to deal with. Tommy had every right to hate him but… Tubbo missed the blonde, and surely he had to miss Tubbo too, right?
Tubbo giggled as he looked at all the paths that were scattered through the Nether. Tommy always did like his paths. He built them all over L’Manberg too…
“At least something didn’t change” Tubbo whispered to himself as he ran across the path. He made it to the second portal that would lead him to Logstedshire. Ghostbur had brought him there before, but Tommy wasn’t around at the time. Tubbo left before Tommy could get back. Tubbo was nervous but excited all the same. He stepped into the portal and after a moment of disorientation, he was in Logstedshire. Something felt off, though.
“Tommy?” Tubbo called but the air was so still…
Tubbo looked around and saw the original portal had been broken, almost as if to prevent someone from leaving or prevent others from arriving. Tubbo headed over to his left from the portal, seeing the crumbled walls of Logstedshire.
“What… happened?” The crater was reminiscent of what Wilbur had done to L’Manberg. “Surely his tent is still around, right?” Tubbo spoke aloud as if to assure himself the worst wasn’t true. Tubbo turned around sprinted for the white tent Tommy would stay in but only a large crater remained.
Tubbo walked back to the crater Logstedshire once stood on when the large pillar caught his eyes. Tubbo took a few steps forward looking up at the pillar.
“No… surely not” Tubbo muttered. His knees buckled and he couldn’t think straight. “Tommy… I’m- I’m so sorry” Tubbo brought his hands to his eyes desperate to stop the falling tears but he couldn’t. He did this. This was his fault if he had trusted Tommy then this wouldn’t have happened…
Tubbo eventually was able to lift himself from the ground and he slowly brought himself to return to L’Manberg.
He stood on the platform that held the small vendor shops when Ranboo came up to him, Phil who was on house arrest, stood on his balcony along with Ghostbur who was taking care of his sheep named Friend.
“Tubbo? What’s wrong? You look awful” Ranboo said. Tubbo opened his mouth to speak, but only a choked sob came out, and Ranboo was quick to bring the small boy into a hug. It wasn’t awkward since most people who had come into contact with Tubbo saw him as a younger brother.
“Ranboo…” Tubbo managed.
“Yeah?” Ranboo asked. The taller male looked to Phil who seemed to be incredibly concerned despite the fact that Tubbo was the one who put him on house arrest.
“We need- need to have a funeral,” Tubbo said.
Ranboo was caught off guard by this; he couldn’t think of anyone who had died recently.
“For who?” Ranboo asked. Tubbo latched onto the half-endermen a little tighter.
“Tommy… he- he” Ranboo’s eyes widened. What sort of trace did Tommy leave that Tubbo came to the conclusion he was dead? But it all clicked in Ranboo’s head, Tommy hadn’t been doing well recently, Ranboo knew that. So there was only one logical explanation. Ranboo hugged Tubbo much tighter than before and watched as Phil had to turn away after hearing his youngest son was dead.
“It’s gonna be okay, Tubbo,” Ranboo said. The younger boy eventually exhausted himself and fell asleep. Ranboo didn’t know if Tubbo actually had a house in L’Manberg so Ranboo brought him to Phil who didn’t hesitate to take the brunette.
“I’m sorry… About Tommy” Ranboo managed. Phil nodded as he looked at Tubbo who was so tense as he slept.
“I don’t know what to do… and I don’t know what Tubbo’s going to do…” Phil said.
“What do you mean?” Ranboo asked.
“The only constant Tubbo’s ever had in his life is Tommy, how is he going to cope with all of this?” Phil asked.
“Oh… right” Ranboo was new to all of this, he didn’t know what Tubbo and Tommy had been through before all of this. It was a mess… “For now we let him grieve… we’ll prepare a funeral location, make it look nice,” Ranboo said.
“It’s a good start,” Phil said.
“Would it be okay to ask you to take care of him?” Ranboo asked.
“I’ve been taking care of him since I found him on the side of the road. He’s gonna be alright” Phil said. Ranboo nodded. Ranboo left to inform Fundy and Quackity of the situation.
Once the other two knew, they were heartbroken.
“Where’s Tubbo?” Fundy asked.
“He’s with Phil, he wore himself out crying, so he’s asleep,” Ranboo said.
“Tommy was pretty much all Tubbo cared about…” Quackity said.
“The one thing Tubbo really cared about” Fundy added.
The three stood in silence before Fundy clapped his hands together.
“We should handle the funeral set up… Tubbo shouldn’t have to,” Fundy said. Ranboo and Quackity nodded. Even though it was late they got started. They made a cobblestone grave since it was Tommy’s favorite block, they planted flowers in the area and set up a simple speaking podium for those who wanted to speak.
They bordered the grave with a stone brick fence, they made it look as nice as they could, and since there were flowers some bees had made their way over by morning.
The place looked like something Tommy and Tubbo would make together…
“It’s… chaotic” Ranboo said.
“They were chaotic,” Fundy said, a hint of pride in his voice.
“I just hope it’s good enough,” Quackity said.
Ranboo, Fundy, and Quackity returned to L’Manberg where they found Tubbo leaving Phil’s house.
“Hey, gang,” Tubbo said, trying to sound a little more upbeat.
“Tubbo, how are you feeling?” Quackity asked.
“I’ll be alright, Big Q, don’t worry… but I think- is it alright if I take today off?” Tubbo asked. The guilt he felt was evident.
“Of course. You’re welcome to take as much time as you need” Ranboo comforted.
“Thanks” Tubbo responded and walked away. Walking down toward the docks he’d built. Phil stood in the doorway.
“Is he gonna be alright?” Fundy asked.
“I don’t know,” Phil said.
Tommy often wondered what someone would think if they found the ruins of Logstedshire and he chalked it up to they wouldn’t care. The only person who cares about him Dream… wait- no, Dream is not his friend. Right? Tommy always got confused when he spoke about Dream. Dream was just watching him. Dream didn’t actually care, he just pretended he did to keep Tommy down. Those were the facts. His friends were Ranboo, Quackity, Fundy, Niki, Ghostbur, Phil, Techno -though temporarily- and… and Tubbo.
God, Tommy missed Tubbo more than anything. He just wanted to see Tubbo again, and sometimes when Tommy was feeling especially shitty he’d sneak down into the little bunker he’d made under Techno’s house and stare at the pictures of Tubbo Big Q gave him.
It was the most comforting feeling he had.
“Tommy,” said the boy looked up seeing his eldest brother standing in front of him.
“Huh?” He asked.
“We have to make a run into L’Manberg,” Techno said.
“What? Why?” Tommy asked. Fear and hope mixed into one.
“I need to look for my weapons and you need to help me look for any kind of leverage we can use against Dream and L’Manberg” Tommy nodded.
“Fine. But remember the agreement” Tommy said.
“Nothing that would upset Tubbo, I remember,” Techno said. Tommy nodded. He geared up and stepped into the Nether Portal.
Tubbo sighed as he looked out across the water, the group of dogs he had that chilled by the docks were sleeping in the sun. Tubbo found himself hating the sun… he felt as if it shouldn’t be shining right now. Not now when the one true light in this world had been snuffed out. Tubbo was angry, with himself, with Dream and maybe with Tommy too…
“Why’d I have to do that to you? It wasn’t right… you didn’t deserve it” Tubbo muttered. He tried to hold back his sorrows but the tears slipped from his eyes and he couldn’t stop it.
Tubbo couldn’t sit on the docks any longer and he stood up and walked around L’Manberg until he came to a spot that he had never seen before.
A grave.
Tubbo assumed that last night Fundy, Quackity, and Ranboo all got together to make this. Tubbo managed a smile at how much the three cared.
He walked forward and chuckled at the cobblestone grave.
Here lies the Hero of L’Manberg
Rest In Peace, Tommy Innit
Brother, Son, and Friend
Tubbo almost choked as he broke down again. He shouldn’t have been exiled… Tubbo allowed himself to be manipulated and now his best friend was gone…
This was his fault.
“Tubbo?” Tubbo stood up straight clearing his eyes of tears and turning to see Fundy.
“Hey,” Tubbo said.
“We were just looking for you… Ranboo and Quackity gathered everyone closest to Tommy for the funeral… minus a couple who can’t come or couldn’t make it” Fundy explained. Tubbo nodded.
Tubbo waited at Tommy’s grave as Fundy went to give Ranboo and Quackity the go-ahead. The people who were attending were Ranboo, Fundy, Quackity, Tubbo, Niki, Jack Manifold, Ghostbur, Phil, and Karl.
“I tried to get Vikk to come but he said he didn’t want to,” Fundy said. Tubbo managed a light chuckle.
“Figures” the bitterness was clear.
“But we managed to get the ones that matter” Fundy reminded.
One by one people went up and said a few words, Niki, Phil, Quackity, Ranboo. Those who wanted to and those who could bring up the courage to all went and finally, it was up to Tubbo.
“You don’t have to do this” Quackity said. Tubbo shook his head, he had tears in his eyes all for the one he missed so dearly.
“I do… he was my best friend,” Tubbo said. He slowly made his way up to the small podium where he looked out at everyone. From where he stood he could see the van. He could imagine the scene, with the large black obsidian walls and Dream’s gaze resting on Tubbo. He shook it off, now wasn’t the time to think about that.
“You got this Tubbo,” Niki said softly. Tubbo managed a smile.
“Tommy… meant a lot to me, he was kinda the only thing I ever really cared about apart from a few other things” Tubbo took a deep breath in an attempt to steady himself.
Tommy and Techno were walking down the path, invisibility potions affecting their bodies, no one could see them. Techno was saying something about his weapons probably being with Tubbo. Tommy could only think about how he couldn’t see Tubbo anywhere. Where was he?
Tommy could hear faint chatter just a ways past L’Manberg and he left Techno’s side. In hindsight, it was probably an awful idea. Tommy’s eyes caught sight of a few people gathered at what looked like a cobblestone grave. Tommy wasn’t sure who died. As he got closer he noticed Tubbo on the podium talking about whoever it was. Tubbo looked so broken, like what he was saying was sincere but so remote it almost seemed like he was reading a script.
“I think the biggest regret I have was exiling him… I was- I was… it was stupid” Tubbo said. “I should have trusted him more, I should’ve fought by his side and I shouldn’t have sent him on his own… Tommy never should have had to be all on his own like that” Tubbo said.
Tommy was confused, why was there a grave? Why did Tubbo think he died!?
“I finally worked up the courage to go see Tommy just last night and I… I was too late. I don’t want to set this as a memorial of his death, I want it to represent his life. Chaotic, loud, exciting, kind… and so full of hope” Tubbo said. Tommy felt his heartbreak, Tubbo came to Logstedshire for whatever reason and saw the damage and… and the pillar. Tubbo must’ve thought that Tommy had jumped.
“Tommy deserved a lot more than he got…” Tubbo said. He finally couldn’t keep it together and Tommy watched his best friend break down and then there was a collective gasp and everyone was staring at Tommy. He looked at his hands and sure enough, he was visible. This was really bad timing…
“Hey…” he said. He took a step back, his eyes darted to Ranboo, then to Niki, Fundy, Quackity, and finally at Tubbo. Tubbo looked so surprised and confused.
Where’s Dream?
No, Tommy doesn’t need Dream. Tommy looked back to Tubbo and watched as the brunette’s face turned to one of joy.
“T-Tommy!” He stuttered and hopped off the podium and approached the blonde enveloping him in a hug. “I- I thought you were dead I- I finally went to visit you and-” Tommy pulled away slightly from the hug feeling a sense of confusion. There was obviously still confusion in the air as he stood in front of what he assumed to be his grave. “Tommy?” Tubbo asked softly. Part of Tommy wanted to be angry with Tubbo, that side of him that had been broken down from exile and wasn’t totally there. The rest of him that was repaired from spending time with Technoblade just wanted to hug Tubbo, to hold him, and maybe cry. But not here.
“Tubbo, we need to talk” is what Tommy settled on and Tubbo nodded quickly turning back to the others. Ranboo, Fundy, and Quackity all gave a thumbs up before Tubbo turned away back towards Tommy.
“Come with me,” Tubbo said. He brought Tommy to L’Manberg where the podium was. Tubbo opened up a hole just behind the president’s chair, Tommy noticed how the sign that displayed his name as VP hadn’t changed.
Tubbo dropped down into a room made of obsidian.
“No one will be able to eavesdrop here, and you won’t be in danger here,” Tubbo said. Tommy nodded as he dropped down as well. Ladders were attached to the wall so it was possible to get out as well.
Tommy and Tubbo sat on the floor across from each other.
“Where do we start?” Tubbo asked. His nervous tone was clear.
“You exiled me,” Tommy said. Tubbo nodded.
“Has to be the worst decision I’ve ever made… I should have trusted your plan…” Tubbo admitted.
“So… you regret it?” Tommy asked. Tubbo nodded again barely able to keep his gaze locked with Tommy’s. Tommy was the first to turn away. “I admit, I was being a little selfish… I could have at least consulted you” Tommy said.
“Exile was harsh… it’s not like you haven’t done something like arson before” Tubbo joked and Tommy managed to laugh along with it. “If Wilbur was in charge he… he wouldn’t have exiled you,” Tubbo said.
“Remember when I said I didn’t want you to be president?” Tubbo nodded.
“It wasn’t because I didn’t think you would do good… it was because I knew it would separate us and with everything in my being I- I didn’t want that to happen,” Tommy said.
“I should have visited you,” Tubbo said.
“You could have at least made some apology for not showing up to my party,” Tommy said.
“Why? You didn’t invite me” Tubbo said.
“What do you mean? Of course, I did. I sent Ghostbur to send invites. I invited everyone hell, I think I even invited Eret.” Tommy said.
“I never got an invite” Tubbo insisted.
“Dream even said he saw Ghostbur tell you about it. Face to face!” Tommy said.
“I haven’t spoken to Ghostbur in some time now, I guess the last time I spoke to him was this morning as I tried to explain why we were gathering but-” Tubbo sighed. “What’s going on?” Tubbo asked.
“Dream also said you burned the compass” Tubbo’s eyes shot open.
“No!” Tubbo said. He rarely raised his voice but this got Tommy to listen. “I would never intentionally get rid of that compass… it meant so much to me. When I lost it I- I didn’t know what to do.” Tubbo looked Tommy right in the eyes as he spoke.
“I don’t know what to think anymore…” Tommy said he ran a hand through his messy blonde hair.
“You’re trusting Dream over me?” Tubbo asked.
“No! Maybe… I just- every time I think about Dream I get all confused… Tubbo, he was the only one who ever really visited me and- and…” Tommy let out a frustrated sigh and Tubbo seemed to be piecing things together.
“Tommy, look at me… Is there anything that you can remember Drea saying that doesn’t match up with what other people said?” Tubbo asked. Tommy closed his eyes for a moment and nodded.
“Phil and Ranboo also said they didn’t get invites… Ghostbur said Dream asked for the invites and then told Ghostbur to go on a walk… Dream said he was the only one who cared about me but Ranboo said he was my friend, he gave me things to help since he felt grateful I helped him in the trial… and- and the compass thing… Dream destroyed Logstedshire too” Tommy recalled.
“Tommy, look at me” Tubbo instructed.
“Yeah?” Tommy asked as his blue eyes met Tubbo’s.
“No matter what happens, from here on out, I’m gonna keep coming back to you. I’m gonna be so clingy you’re not gonna know what to do with me. Where are you staying as of right now?” Tubbo asked.
“With uh… well, you see…” Tommy stuttered and Tubbo couldn’t help but giggle.
“Technoblade?” Tubbo asked. Tommy nodded.
“Yeah” he answered.
“It’s a good thing that Techno isn’t really the priority now… Dream is” Tubbo explained. Tommy nodded.
“Tommy, when the time comes, would you be interested in some minor terrorism to take down Dream?” Tubbo joked.
“Tubbo, I am a huge fan of minor terrorism,” Tommy said and the two laughed.
“I swear I’m not gonna betray you like that again… I’ll try to keep regular visits… preferably when Techno isn’t around since he might kill me”
“Oh… speaking of Technoblade he’s here… in L’Manberg. We’re looking for his items and some leverage to help us get my discs back” Tubbo nodded. He moved over to the Ender Chest that resided in the corner of the bunker.
“Do you want the disc you gave me back?” Tubbo asked. Tommy shook his head.
“No, that one belongs with you” Tommy answered. Tubbo nodded and pulled out a crossbow.
“Take this. It’s Dream’s” Tubbo said.
“Holy shit…” Tommy muttered. Tubbo smiled.
“Thank you, Tubbo. I’ll let Techno know about this. He’ll be glad. Uneasy, but glad” Tommy said. Tubbo chuckled and gave Tommy a hug.
“I’m glad you’re okay, big man,” Tubbo said.
“You too” Tommy hesitated. “Tubbo?” Tommy said.
“Yeah, Toms?”
“M’sorry” Tommy said softly and Tubbo hugged him.
“You have nothing to apologize for” Tubbo assured. “Tommy, it’s gonna be okay” Tubbo assured.