Chapter Text
Tommy glares down at the lava. It's teasing him, glowing a bright and warm shade of orange, swirling around slowly and radiating heat. He just wants the heat to consume him. He's been cold for too long. He takes a deep breath, spreads his arms, and turns around with closed eyes. He smiles, feeling the heat tickle his back.
"Tommy?!"
His eyes snap open and he's shocked to see Ranboo running towards him with a panicked look in his eyes. He grimaces and wraps his arms around himself, looking at his feet. He hears Ranboo stop in front of him with quiet pants and whimpers slightly. God, he's so pathetic.
Ranboo furrows his eyebrows and puts on a gentle smile. "Tommy, can you look at me?"
The younger teen doesn't respond and only wraps his arms tighter around himself. Ranboo curses mentally. "Please, Tommy?"
With a quiet sigh, the younger teen looks at him and lets his arms fall to his side. Ranboo almost gasps out loud, but he holds it back, not wanting to frighten the younger boy. He looks horrible. His clothes are torn, his hair is dirty, he has wounds and scraps everywhere, but what shocks Ranboo the most are his eyes. They used to be so blue, full of excitement and life, but now they're just dull, almost passing as grey.
"Oh god..."
Tommy rasps out a small laugh, nothing like the shrieks of laughter he used to let out. "I guess I look pretty bad, huh?"
Ranboo nods silently and they just stare at each other for a few seconds. Ranboo then takes a small step towards him and winces as Tommy's eyes widen in panic. "Can I hug you?"
Tommy thinks it over for a minute but quickly nods afterward. He meets Ranboo halfway and soon the two teens are holding onto each other tightly, tears flowing down both of their cheeks. Tommy sniffs into the taller boy's shoulder and hums contently.
"This is nice." Ranboo's cheeks redden slightly and he grins, only tightening his grip once more.
"Well then you'll be getting a lot more hugs in the future.", he laughs quietly and Tommy huffs into his jacket. Ranboo feels Tommy start to let go, so he pulls away and smiles brightly at the smaller teen.
"So does that mean you'll visit me in Logsted?", Tommy asks silently, tilting his head. Ranboo frowns and shakes his head immediately after, making Tommy frown. The younger goes to speak, but Ranboo beats him to it.
"Do you feel at home there, Tommy?"
Tommy's breath catches in his throat and his eyes drift to the taller's eyes. The hybrid before him is smiling sadly with genuine worry in his eyes, so he decides he might as well tell the truth. Ranboo nods at him encouragingly as he goes to speak. "No... no, it's not home. Nothing ever felt like home after Schlatt was elected as president and exiled me and Wilbur from L'Manberg. I may have fought for the nation that once was mine, but it was just in hopes of it giving me the feeling of home again. And... it never did."
Ranboo nodded with a grim expression on his face. He clears his throat. "Well, if Logsted isn't home and L'Manberg isn't home either, then why don't you just make yourself a new house in a different place and make it home?"
Tommy's eyes brighten at the idea, but the spark in his eyes dulls quickly after. The boy huffs and looks at the ground, hand grabbing at the tor bandana around his neck. "I don't think I can be alone anymore. I hate it. So so much, Ranboo..."
Ranboo laughs quickly and Tommy looks up at him with furrowed eyebrows. The hybrid grins at the teen and pulls him farther away from the edge, ignoring how the boy first winces at the touch.
"Well good thing I'm coming with you then."
Tommy gapes and Ranboo laughs. "You would do that?!"
Ranboo nods and shrugs.
"L'Manberg doesn't really feel like home anyway, so why not?" The younger smiles at him brightly, the spark back in his eyes. Ranbo chuckles and rubs his neck. "Plus, you pretty much were my first friend here and, even though the prank ended badly, made me feel welcome. You just never seemed to have judged me the way others have before and I'm really grateful for that."
Ranboo swears he sees Tommy's cheeks redden, but the younger boy quickly clears his throat and steps further away from the edge and closer to Ranboo. "Well, when do we leave?"
"Tell me, Tommy, when did Dream last visit you?" Ranboo forces himself to ignore how the younger boy flinched at the admin's name.
"I left after he visited, and he said he's not gonna visit me for two days." Ranboo nods and clasps his hands together.
"Then we can leave right now! We'll both get the stuff we need from Logsted and L'Manberg and meet at the portal leading to Sam's base when we're done. Okay?" Tommy nods and starts to turn around, but Ranboo grabs his arm and makes him look at him again. "Be careful. Don't die on me now."
Tommy smiles and nods. They both turn around and run to their respective portals.
Tommy quickly grabs his Jukebox and Enderchest, also picking up some other resources and a bed. He takes one last look at Logsted and quickly steps through the portal, fearing Dream might catch him if he stayed a little longer.
Ranboo runs past the citizens of L'Manberg, ignoring their confused exclaims in his giddy state. He crashes into his house and quickly grabs useful resources, armor, backup armor for Tommy, and Tools. All his valuables are in his ender chest, so takes that with him too.
He looks around the nation as he walks back to the Nether portal, nodding at the people passing him. He watches as Tubbo and Quackity mess around in the corner of his eye and decides they would be fine. Fundy nods at him as he passed him and Ranboo continues to walk to the portal with a smile on his face. He steps through and goes to Sam's portal. Tommy's already there, waiting for him.
They smile at each other and Tommy reaches out to grab the other's hand. Ranboo takes the other teen's hand and smiles at him reassuringly, before stepping through the portal and pulling Tommy with him.
They fall into the water and Ranboo takes out a boat, climbing into it and pulling Tommy up. Tommy's legs wrap around him and he grabs behind him to wrap the younger's arms around him with a warm smile. "Hold on tight."
He hears Tommy huff behind him as the other teen begin's to speak. "I know, dickhead. This isn't the first time I've sat in a boat with someone."
Ranboo chuckles and begins to row, suppressing a smug grin when Tommy's arms hold onto him tighter.
The two travel for a while, leaving the boat after coming across more land. The two chat as they walk, laughing at each other's jokes and stories.
Tommy suddenly stops and Ranboo turns to look at him with a concerned look in his eyes. Tommy is looking around with a bright smile. Ranboo grins at seeing him be happy after a long time, and the younger turns towards him. "This could be home."
Ranboo stops and looks around him. He takes in the sounds of cows and sheep and leaves rustling and nods. "You're right. Let's stay here."
Tommy cheers and hugs him excitedly, making the older teen laugh and hold him close.
"We made it, Tommy. We're home."