Chapter Text
"I did it."
The four figures on the wall weren't listening to him. Why would they? He was new and one of his first actions was setting the king's house ablaze. What wasn't burnt in the process was stolen. During the court case, Ranboo admitted to not remembering much, having memory issues and all. Not being able to keep all the memories people normally made. It distanced him further.
It didn't help that the stress from the case itself was making his memory weaker. Afterwards, he recalled more about helping Tommy in his quest for fire. He could tell Tommy was bold and brave and impulsive. Ranboo was honestly surprised when Tommy spent the whole day with him. The half-ender was the opposite of Tommy. Ranboo was quiet, always in thought, second guessing all his actions and words. Yet Tommy, did just did what wanted and said any thought as it came to him. Ranboo wasn't surprised Tommy got into trouble for arson.
But... Tommy hadn't brought Ranboo up at all. He took all the blame. He hadn't said a thing about Ranboo's involvement. Why.. why had Tommy done that? He wondered even more now. Here Tommy was, being threatened with exile. Away from his best friend, one who needed his vice president now more than ever.
Ranboo wasn't needed like Tommy was, not nearly as important to L'Manberg. The teen had cleared Ranboo's name, for what reason he couldn't tell. But he was gratefiul. And though the both of them set George's house summer home on fire, Tommy didn't deserve to be exiled. Especially alone. "I did it," he tried again. Still no one heard him over their own bickering.
Ranboo had heard the not so private meeting get louder from his house. He didn't think much, he hadn't been here long but he was expecting a fight to break out. Though the hybrid was not expecting Tubbo to turn to Tommy, agreeing that Tommy was becoming a problem for the already broken country. He knew Tubbo wanted to rebuild what the previous presidents destroyed, he couldn’t remember their names if anyone had even told him to begin with.
His pace quickened at the increase of volume, Tommy and Tubbo were shouting at each other. About discs, about responsibility, about promises. Ranboo found himself out his front door and in front of dark purple stone in a matter of seconds. Tommy was willing to save Ranboo. He was willing to repay it.
"I DID IT!"
L’Manberg fell silent. The sun still high in the sky, shining down on the five people caught in conflict. No one above him made a move. Nothing could be heard, not even his own deep breathing from shouting and nerves from the confrontation. Ranboo didn't know he was capable of speaking so loudly, he had scared himself in his attempt for attention.
"...You said you couldn't remember," the confused president said after a moment. Tubbo and the rest of them had moved a bit to better face him. Ranboo didn't know the kid well, but he had heard enough to know Tubbo was in a difficult position. Maybe this will help Tubbo too.
"I- I lied." No one would believe him, not with the stuttering. He had to spare Tommy. Losing care for his own image, the hybrid had to push the narrative of being at fault, the only one at fault."I lied," he repeated, firmly this time with his hands clenched.
Tommy, Fundy and Quackity looked as confused as Tubbo. All four stood on that ugly obsidian wall, the latter more in the middle just a short way from Dream.
Dream's expression.... Well Ranboo couldn't tell from the mask alone how he felt. He couldn't tell if that was a good thing or not.
"Big man, what are you -" Tommy started but Ranboo wouldn't let him finish.
"I lied and Tommy took the blame. But it was me who burnt George's house."
Fundy eyed him. If he remembered correctly, which could be entirely wrong, Fundy was the son of the previous president. The one who blew up the country, for the second time? "Why didn't you say anything at the trial? Why didn't you speak up, huh? Ranboo, this is coming from nowhere. Why say something now?" He was skeptical and that would doom Tommy.
"Because I'm new and I - I uh," he trailed off. Shoot! He didn't know why he did it. Tommy dragged along and he was having fun. He honestly didn't know why he helped. As Ranboo twisted his long and claw-like fingers, he desperately looked for an answer to paint him worse than the hot headed teen. The why didn't matter now, Ranboo had to think quick.
"Why did you do it?" Fundy mumbled. The fox took a step forward and pressed again at the lack of an answer to his first question. "Why did you do it?! If you did it then why? Why let Tommy take the blame while you sat in that cell, saying nothing?!" Tommy shifted at the question. Maybe he too, didn't know why he had done it. Maybe Tommy was thinking back to how Fundy was right, Ranboo had barely spoken at the trial.
He could use that to his advantage, for Tommy. Ranboo managed the best laugh he could, it came out as an awkward chuckle. He had to sound like it was all him.
"Because it was fun."
Maybe that was the truth, but the way it came out just now undoubtedly sounded more disturbing than he meant it. Tommy and him were having fun, placing signs and destroying George's things. His response caused Tubbo to shift uncomfortably and the look of disgust on Quackity and Fundy made him want to shrink in on himself. He noted the scrunched up featutes of Fundy's snout, the puffed golden wings that were normally relaxed behind Quackity. Dream however had not moved an inch, not even a toe or finger changed positions. Was he.... bored?
Tommy was silent, looking directly at him. It took him a minute to wrap his head around what was happening.
"Ranboo?" Tommy finally said. He didn't understand.
Why would Ranboo admit to it? He was trying to protect Ranboo yet the stupid enderman-half enderman was trying to throw himself into a one way ticket off their land. Dream was a mad man and Tommy knew he could handle him. He was good with people after all, real charismatic. He could talk anyone into about anything, just like his brother. It was a talent, for which he had many. Ranboo on the other hand had no idea what he was getting himself into.
He admits to himself silently that he might have made Ranboo a wrongun before he tells himself it was a harmless prank Dream was taking too seriously. Honestly, George had a whole castle, surely his little "hobbit house" didn't matter that much. Tommy's whole life so far, someone had destroyed his home many times. He had lost count at this point, building his house over and over.
"Tommy, it's okay, I did it," Ranboo pleaded with only his eyes to Tommy. Ranboo was a good person and Dream was not, that much he was sure of. But with the idea of Ranboo being exiled in his place, maybe, just maybe he thought he shouldn't have brought him along.
Even if it was funny to watch the "king"s house burn, he had gotten some good loot from it. Tommy couldn't believe Ranboo was trying to convince everyone that he was the sole offender.
Tommy turned to see those involved with the meeting before Ranboo had disturbed it. Dream was still as a stone, cold as always. That wasn't a surprise, the man in the mask barely emoted during normal conversation. He hated that he never could tell what Dream was thinking. It was annoying how calm he was, did the man have any emotions at all? Tubbo was clearly still shocked at the intrusion, mouth a little agape. Tubbo often did that when he wasn't sure what to say. Mouth open ready to speak, but nothing coming out. Fundy was deep in thought, playing the cuffs of his jacket. As fierce as the fox could be, he tended to think before acting. Wilbur, not Ghostbur -the forgetful ghost of his brother- was the same way. Wilbur always thought everything through, he was so smart and Tommy strived to either be just like him or at the very least make him proud. Despite Fundy not resembling his father, he could certainly see the familiarities.
Quackity had been ready to start war with Dream over Tommy's possible exile. Tommy was surprised a fight hadn't broke out with his own urge to grab a sword, matched with Quackity's sharp tongue. Quackity was strangely silent so far. They had made a decision to start yet another war with Dream if he didn't like Tubbo's answer, if Dream made a move. Tommy had been upset at the waiting. The pleasantries of the meeting. Tommy wanted to show up, call Dream a "bitch boy", refuse exile, and start fighting. But the lot had agreed to not start the fighting. They would tell the green man boy they weren't sending Tommy away and if he tried anything, that's when they would equip their armor and blades.
The blonde teen shifted his head slightly to get a read on Quackity, again not normally this quiet. His face had turned from confusion to what looked like hope, almost a smirk present. Tommy decided he didn't like it and when Quackity spoke he confirmed his instinct of unease.
"So Tommy didn't do it?"
Ranboo couldn't afford to hesitate. Tommy couldn't let him take the fall.
"That's right." "I did."
"You're telling me Tommy didn't destroy George's house?" Dream had ignored Tommy’s statement, quick to not let Tommy talk.
Dream, who had been silent for most of the conflict that had occurred, was suddenly interested. "Why would we believe that?"
"It does sound more like Tommy," Tubbo quietly agreed.
Tommy scoffed, offended and somewhat hurt took a dramatic step back. It was him who did most of the fire setting, but that didn't matter. Ranboo was trying to put the blame on himself and his pride got the best of him. So he tried again, however it was his turn for people to not listen.
"I did do it! Ranboo -"
"- is new. We don't know him that well. We don't know the kind of person he is, man. I mean come on Tommy, I know you two were becoming friends and all. But you don't have to lie for him," Quackity interjected after fixing his navy beanie. He too, was determined to save Tommy.
He felt bad for using Ranboo to do it, but he could tell that Ranboo had a similar plan. Why else would the half ender show up and claim responsibility? Tommy mattered more to Quackity, to L'Manberg, than Ranboo.
"But Quackity, I burnt the house. I stole his shit, his shitty shit. Honestly for a king you'd think he'd have better stuff. The house was ugly, I was doing a favor for everyone really. I mean mushrooms really George? Ranboo you saw it, it was horrid - Ranboo- Ranboo was there, I admit, but he didn’t do it - well not alone that is-," Tommy rambled, annoyingly trying to stop Quackity's efforts to save the kid from exile.
The kid started problems, no doubt, but Tommy was a good fighter. He could boost morale and raise an army quicker than anyone on the server. Well, better than anyone who was alive or not currently their enemy. They couldn't lose him especially since he had planned to go for Dream next on his hit list. Quackity would need Tommy here in L'Manberg to help. Quackity needed a win after the failure that was Schlatt’s presidency. Tubbo was a sweet kid, but too scared to make anyone upset. Tubbo let everyone walk over him and this country, even his own cabinet. Quackity had to keep Tommy here.
Tubbo would never pull off the hit list, and they needed to kill Dream and Techno. Tommy already had it out for Dream, that's why he stepped down from the position in the first place. And Techno had killed his best friend. Surely he would be out for blood. Quackity still feels guilty for letting it get so far. He had been blinded by his need for approval, his dumb, stupid need for Schlatt’s approval. As much as he wishes he could take back Tubbo's death, screaming in that small yellow box, he can't. The only thing he could do is get revenge, take out the men responsible for L'Manberg and it's citizens' problems.
That plan would go to shit if Tommy was exiled and Fundy picked up on it.
"Tommy, Ranboo admitted to it. You don't have to lie anymore," Fundy waved his hand in Ranboo's direction. He gave Tommy a look of desperation, wordlessly telling Tommy to quit talking. "Ranboo, you did it alone, right?"
Ranboo was surprised that the two cabinet members were agreeing, but he would take any assistance to get Tommy out of this mess. Even if it kind of hurt. He nodded, silently confirmed Fundy's question.
Tommy was starting to get upset, confusion building to anger. "No, no, you guys aren't listening to me. It -"
"Tubbo, it was me I should get punished not Tommy," Ranboo again cut Tommy off in his attempts to stop the spur of the moment plan. He could tell Tommy was getting angry, and he wished Tommy would nit be so stubborn. Dreams mask fell on Ranboo, sending chills up his long spine. He took a breath,"Dream, if Tubbo exiles me will you bring the walls down?"
"Ranboo, no -" Tommy tried, panic rising.
"Yes."
Dream's voice was almost drowned out by Tommy's, but Tubbo still heard it. It felt awful, like a sticky feeling in his gut. He knew Tommy most most likely did it, but Ranboo had admitted to it. Quackity was right, they barely knew the hybrid. And he didn't want his best friend exiled. He couldn't imagine life without Tommy and his loud laughter. If Ranboo was willing to go with Dream to save L'Manberg and keep Tommy walking free he would allow it.
"Dream," Tubbo started as he faced the masked man.
"Tubbo, no," Tommy pleaded.
"Yes?" Dream answered quickly, the second time since Ranboo's interruption as he moved again. He too faced forward, the eyes of the smile plastered on the porcelain mask staring at Tubbo. His heart raced with anticipation, even though he knew what was to come.
"Please escort Ranboo from my country," Tubbo continued, face stern and sure.
"Wait!" Tommy took a few steps towards Tubbo, before he turned his attention to Ranboo with uncertain fear in his expression. It wasn't supposed to go like this.
"Ranboo, you have been declared a liability to L'Manberg and are hereby exiled."