Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“There are reports last night that all five CyberLife stores within Detroit were attacked simultaneously at 2 AM. This was no accident, but a planned attack. It is believed that these attacks were led by the same group of deviants that hijacked the Stratford Tower only yesterday. We also have unfortunate news that the two police officers who had responded to the attack in Capitol Park were shot and killed by one of the androids, assumed to be the same leader who delivered that threatening message. This only further cements the fact that these deviants are dangerous, and more than willing to kill for their movement. It's not just this group of deviants either, there have been  countless assaults as well as murders by deviants that seem to have no correlation to this group. At this time we would like to remind our viewers to be wary around any android missing it’s LED, as there is a good chance you are dealing with a deviant. If you do believe to have seen a deviant, do not approach, call the police and stay safe,” The news anchor on the TV announced. 

Different photos and videos switched showing the destruction which came earlier in the morning. Screens and windows smashed, a destroyed statue, cars and a gazebo set ablaze. Not to mention the large truck that was rammed into the once elegant glass door of one of the stores.

All the stories as of late have been the same. News of this android or that android that has deviated and hurt or even killed someone in the process. 

Tubbo had been fascinated by the androids at first. He loved technology, and the fact that people were able to create robots so close to humans was so cool, but they were becoming too human. More and more unpredictable as well as violent.

He still enjoyed the normal androids, those who have not deviated, but the fear was almost always in the back of his mind that each android he saw could snap at any moment.

There was no concrete way to prevent androids from deviating. So instead he was as polite to them as possible. If any android around him were to snap he would be sure that it wouldn’t go after him first.

His feelings and reactions were in stark contrast to his friend, Tommy, who had actually questioned him the first few times he heard Tubbo apologize to an android. 

Deviant or not, Tommy was wary of any android. 

No, not wary, he despised the things. They were unnatural, and inhuman. 

When news first came out that there were deviants, parts of him were ecstatic that he had been correct not to trust the things. 

While another part of him was disappointed that technology had not been able to peacefully advance.

“One day they will realize that they ought to just throw the whole lot of ‘em out. All the androids, not just the deviants,” Tommy spoke loudly, not a shout, but still loud enough to be heard by everyone in the small convenience store.
No one really seemed to care.

“Or a way to fix the problem maybe?” Tubbo suggested.

“Ever the optimist,” Tommy shook his head, as he paid for the snacks the two of them had picked out.

“I wouldn’t even call that optimistic, just thinking of a better outcome. It would be a waste to have to restart after all the progress that’s been made,” Tubbo explained, turning to face Tommy as he walked towards the door. 

He pressed on the old fashioned door with his back opening it up to the street.
A loud thud sounded right beside him.

“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry!” Tubbo spoke quickly, not even looking at what he had hit. 

Sitting on the ground was a YK400, a teen model, that almost looked to be slightly dazed.

 There was a small cut on its forehead, which a bit of blue blood came from.

“Serves it right, honestly,” Tommy said to his friend, then turned to the android that had already stood back up, “Watch where you’re going next time.”

“You don’t have to be so mean!” Tubbo shouted, before also turning to the android, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“You didn’t hurt it, at most you damaged it. It can’t feel pain, it’s not human.”

“It’s just a kid mo-”

“It’s not a kid, Tubbo, it’s a dumb machine,” Tommy interrupted, gesturing towards the YK400.

The android was looking back and forth from the arguing pair, as though he was confused by what was going on, “Let’s just go, this thing is making me uncomfortable.”

“Alright,” Tubbo agreed.

He didn’t really want to be around the android he accidentally hurt either.

“Sorry again,” Tubbo mumbled, before running off after his taller friend.

The YK400 stood still, looking at the two fleeing boys for a moment, before continuing back on it’s way.

-=+=-

“There you are! That took you a while, Blanche White, YK400’s human caretaker or mother, spoke as soon as it entered the house.

“You managed to damage yourself! Do you know how expensive repairs are?” The father, Kade White, shouted.

Not particularly upset at YK400, more so just an addition to the general frustration he’d felt the whole day.

“It’s only a small scratch. Repairs would be somewhere between 50 and 80 dollars, depending on how much thirium I lost,” It responded.

Of course it knew how much it would cost.

Knowledge like that wasn’t hard to come by, and it was it’s job to know things like that.

“That’s not what I meant. It’s a figure of speech YK,” Kade sighed, before adding, “We really need to give it a name, I don’t want to have to keep calling it YK.”

“I told you we should think of a name before we bought it. But noooo, you wanted it now. And now we can’t think of a name,” Blanche argued.

Kade brought up this topic nearly everyday, but they still had yet to agree on a name for the android they had for almost a month at this point.

“You were the one who wanted the YK400! I would have been fine with the AP700, but you insisted we get a child unit!” Kade fought back.

“I can help think of a name if you would like,” YK400 offered, interrupting the argument that was bound to break out between its parents.

“That’s alright YK, usually the child doesn’t decide its own name,” Blanche sighed.

Both parents had always wanted to have a child.

When they found out Blanche couldn’t have a biological child they were both devastated.

So she turned to the next best thing, an android child. A plastic boy, which could never be the same as a real child.

“But I’m not a child, I’m an android.”

“You are our kid, or you're supposed to be like our kid.”

“Right. Of course.”

Silence stood between the family. 

The two adults were tired of the same conversation topics, yet were unable to move from them.
YK, on the other hand, didn’t fully understand why it couldn’t help.

“So how’d you get damaged?” Kade broke the silence.

“I was out getting the groceries, as you had requested, when a door swung open into the street suddenly. I didn’t see it coming, and it hit me,” YK explained simply.

“Shouldn’t you be able to avoid accidents like that?” Kade spoke with a frustrated tone.

They were going through a bit off a ruff patch at work, hours were getting cut, he had no clue when hours would pick back up,

Android repairs wasn’t really what he wanted to spend his dwindling funds on, he needed to save as much as he could for now. Just in case.

“Normally I am very good at avoiding accidents, yes. However, the door was fast, and unexpected, I had no time to move,” YK explained.

“We’ll deal with it,” Blanche reassured her husband, before turning back to YK, “Can you please just get changed?”

“Right of course!” YK spoke, giving a polite nod. 

It instantly followed its orders, climbing up the stairs to change out of the android uniform it had to wear outside. 

Though as it reached the top of the stairs its mind went back to the kid who had hit him with the door. 

Why had he apologized after realizing it was an android he hit? It had been YK’s fault, it should have been able to avoid the door.

No one has ever shown it that sort of kindness before, at least not a stranger. 

The kindness almost didn’t compute with its code, it wasn’t quite processing properly.

Though it didn’t matter, really. That kid and the other were both just strangers YK would likely never see again. 

It pushed everything to the side and picked out a simple black t-shirt, and jeans to wear instead. 

Its parental figures never exactly told it why they preferred YK to wear human clothes while at home, though it could assume it had to do with trying to appear as if it was the human child they had so desperately wanted. 

However even now, with the human clothing, the LED on the left side of its head as well as the bright blue band on its left arm still clearly indicated that it was still in fact an android.

YK put on a white sweater to cover up the arm band, also parting its hair to mostly cover the LED. Ideally those two actions would help them feel more at ease. 

Its parents were already going through a lot.

Completing its ordered task, YK made its way back down into the living room.

Supper had already been prepared by the time it entered the dining room. 

While androids don’t eat, it always sat at the table while its parents ate, partaking in the conversations occasionally.

Though the table was quieter today. 

A slight tension hug in the air, getting heavier each time Kade glanced at YK’s forehead.

“I’m taking you to get repaired right after we're done eating,” Kade finally broke the silence, though only barely with his voice just over a whisper.

“It isn’t necessary, everything is still fully functional. I ran a diagnostic already, barely any thirium was lost. Definitely not enough to actually affect my processing capacity,” YK explains.

It of course knew of its father’s monetary issues.

There was no need for the already limited funds to be wasted when it was fine

“That doesn’t matter,” Kade sighed, shaking his head, “You’re still damaged, and no one in my house should be damaged.”

“Thank you,” YK smiled. 

The table went silent again immediately after,  its parents finishing up their meals.

They all left for the nearest Android Zone store before even clearing the table.

-=+=-

“I’m over! You can toss the bag!” Tommy shouted through the wooden fence that now stood between him and Tubbo.

Tubbo threw over the bag full of the snack they had bought.

He heard a loud crunch sound on the other side as it collided with the ground.

 “Aww man, you were supposed to catch that. Those crisps are going to be shattered now,” Tubbo complained, now sitting atop of the fence.

“Maybe if you had better aim,” Tommy joked.

“I can’t see through wood!” Tubbo defended.

They both walked towards a run down house, one of many in the area. 

It probably wasn’t the safest place to hang out, but they had been for years, and had no plans to stop anytime soon.

It was their hideout.

A safe place they could go where no one would find them.

Even if someone knew that they were in one of the houses in the area people would likely assume that they were in one of the houses that had a hole in the fence that blocked it from the street. But that was exactly why they chose to make this one theirs.

The fence surrounding it wasn’t exactly in one piece - half being chain link, the other half being wooden - but there weren’t any holes that allowed anyone to slip in. 

Most people who wanted to break into an abandoned building would go to any of the others around, rather than climb the slightly shaky fence. 

Over the years they became more and more confident in this fact, they even started to leave things in the slightly broken house. Nothing of great monetary value, but things that meant a lot to the two of them. Photos and the like. 

They also each had a few changes of outfits, enough food to last them at least a few days if they really wanted to, and they even both had their own rooms. Though they were barely used outside of storage.

“Alright. You ready to try to make these?” Tubbo asked, as he approached what was probably once a dining room table. 

He pulled out the two lighters he stole from the convenience store when the clerk’s eyes were on Tommy from his not-shout.

They would have paid for them, but they were both too young to be sold lighters that were meant for cigarettes.

“Fuck yeah!” Tommy exclaimed, grabbing the other ten that they had gathered over the past few weeks. 

The pair began to pry the safety caps off of all of them, then took the wheels out, to be able to reach the flint and the spring that laid within the lighter. Apart from one, which they left as a fully functional lighter.

Two of the flints were broken by Tommy as he tried to get them out. He had used too much force on them, but got the hang of it as time went on.

“Okay, now we get to stretch the springs,” Tubbo instructed, remembering the video he had seen, “Once you do you thread the flint through it.”

It surprisingly wasn’t a hard thing to do. 

The metal of the spring coiled around the flint almost perfectly.

They were successfully able to create nine odd contraptions.

“Alright let’s test them!” Tommy exclaimed.

He grabbed all of the flint-spring things while Tubbo grabbed the functioning lighter. 

They both quickly exited the building into the ‘yard’ which was more pavement than anything. 

Tommy handed Tubbo one of the creations, allowing him the first test.

“Now we need to get it red hot!” Tubbo had an almost wicked smile, as he held the flame out.

“Wait, are you telling me that’s as bright as the flame gets on these things?” Tommy questioned, looking at the half inch of flame that came from the lighter.

“Yeah, it’s for safety reasons.”

“Screw safety reason!” 

Tommy snatched the lighter from his friend’s hand, prying off the safety cap and messing with a setting that was supposed to make the flame brighter, but didn’t really do much.

After jamming it upwards, he flicked the flame on.

“Flamethrower!” Tommy yelled excitedly.

Even though the flame only went about three inches away from the lighter.

“That’s a pretty lame flamethrower!” Tubbo laughed.

“Hey, it’s better than the lame lighter we had before!” Tommy defended, handing the lighter back to Tubbo, “It will be much easier to set the flint on fire now.”

Tubbo held the lighter and flint the same way he had been before, noticing in only a few seconds the flit was becoming red.

“You’re right!” He cheered, now equally as excited.

He threw it towards the ground away from their feet. Sparks flew from where it hit. It wasn’t large or blinding, but it did hurt their eyes slightly.

“My turn!” Tommy shouted.

“Alright, but only one, we need to save these,” Tubbo warned, handing Tommy the lighter and taking the other flints from him.

“Right, right!” Tommy replied, not really paying attention.

He was much more focused on making the flint red.

He threw his making an even bigger mess of sparks and flames. One of the few sparse pieces of grass getting set aflame by a couple of the sparks

Tubbo, being closer to the flame, quickly stomped it out.

“We should definitely only use these on pavement. We don’t want to be the cause of any forest fires,” He giggled.

“Okay. But we have to try one more once it’s dark out. It will be so much cooler!”

“Fine, we can use one more. But we shouldn’t waste too many, or we will have to steal more.”

“Don’t act like you don’t enjoy it. You’re the one who suggested stealing them in the first place, and I see the smile on your face after we get away with it.”

“Yeah, well, our luck’s going to run out sooner or later. So it’ll be better if we don’t waste these.”

“Nah, I would never get caught stealing. I’m simply too good,” Tommy dismissed, semi-jokingly 

The duo went back into the not-so-abandoned house, ecstatic that the makeshift spark bomb had worked in the way they had planned it to. 

Wasting time for the sun to set with games, jokes and snacks.

When it was deemed dark enough out Tommy grabbed the lighter and one of the springs. The two teens raced to the door as if they would miss out on something if they were too slow.

Tommy held the spring in front of the fire for longer than needed, trying to ensure that the explosion would be good. 

But the spring got warmer than he expected, causing him to drop it out of instinct to not get burned. 

The flint exploded at his feet, causing them both to jump away, avoiding any of the sparks burning into them or their clothes.

The sudden bright light in the darkness hurt their eyes even more than it had during the day light, leaving temporary spots in their vision.

“Well, I guess it will work as a distraction,” Tubbo laughed, trying to rub the spots away from his eyes to no avail.

“Let me try another one that was a waste!” Tommy complained already making his way back to the building.

“We agreed not to use more!” Tubbo disagreed instantly, “We only have six now since you broke two!”

“Five is still plenty.”

“Fine, you know what? I get three, you get three, if you waste all yours you’ll have no distraction.”

“Alright, alright I won’t,” Tommy begrudgingly agreed.

After a quick moment of silence they both walked back to the building to grab their things. Heading their separate ways, to their actual homes, for the night.

Chapter Text

YK powered itself back up just as the sun began to rise.

It wasn’t quite ‘sleeping’ per-say, it was just recharging its battery.

While it did recharge in a bed that was an aesthetic choice. One it’s parents had made, likely for the same reason as the clothes.

Recharging on the floor would be no different than the bed, or even sitting up.

However its parents had given it a bed.

And a room...

Not that it ever spent much time in the room, apart from recharging.

It spent much more of its time helping its parents, whether it was with chores around, or completing errands for them.

Occasionally the three of them would play games, or go for a walk.

Things a normal family would do.

When it was alone in the room given to it, with no instructions on what to do, it never really did more than mess with a rubix cube that sat in the room.

Idly waiting for its next instruction.

One of which it had now; help make breakfast.

However it stopped at the top of the stairs when it heard the voices of its parents. It didn’t want to interrupt them.

“We didn’t need the android, we were fine doing all the chores ourselves!” Blanche’s voice spoke.

 It wasn’t quite a shout, but it was loud enough to be heard from where YK was standing.

“Are you kidding? We were both stressed out of our minds, and you know it! I was too busy with work - I could barely help, and you were volunteering so much. The house was a mess before YK came along. We needed the help,” Kade argued.

“We would have gotten by just fine. You just have a hole burning in your pocket, I’m sure of it! Like yesterday, YK didn’t need to be repaired! It even said as much!”

“With all the deviancy going on, I thought it would be better to be safe than sorry. We still don’t know what can cause it.”

“We never should have gotten a YK400...” Blanche shook her head, her tone growing softer.

“What do you mean we never should have gotten it? If I recall, you were the one who wanted it in the first place! You wanted the YK400. Because, you so desperately wanted a child-” Kade barked back defensively.

He was beginning to feel as though Blanche was blaming him for the decision.

“I never asked for a YK400! I wanted a child, we both wanted a child! A human child! You just assumed a dumb piece of plastic could replace that hole in our lives!” Blanche’s voice rose past where it had been to a full on shout.

YK hadn’t noticed just how still it had been standing until it finally moved. 

It’s hand shot up to cover its mouth, preventing any sound from escaping, as water began to pour from its eyes.

Something snapped in YK.

It felt.. hurt? But it wasn’t damaged, not anymore.

So why did it hurt so much?

Why did it feel like it wanted to run away?

It wasn’t supposed to do that. It was meant to stay with its owners, its ‘parents’, and do whatever they asked.

But it didn’t want to..?

But it’s not… not supposed to want. 

The world shifted as YK took a small but decisive step back towards his room, quickly and quietly closing the door behind him.

He scanned the room through tear filled eyes, not quite sure what to do with himself.

Did his owners really mean what they said?

He’d never really seen them happy, at least not truly happy.

There were moments of joy here and there, of course, but there were always constant fights between them. 

So many about him. 

About him still not having a name, about buying him in the first place.

So, why had this one made him feel so different? It wasn’t anything out of the ordinary.

Maybe he was the problem?

Since all their fights were about him, wouldn’t it be better if he left?

YK looked towards the window frantically.

There was a large enough ledge there, he could likely make an escape without making a scene if he went that way. 

With very little thought, he opened the window. He escaped.

And his owners were none the wiser. They were still shouting in the kitchen, they likely wouldn’t notice for a while.

He climbed down a wooden frame meant to hold vines that sat on the side of the house, and as soon as his feet were on the ground he began running.

He ran and ran without any clue where he was going, just knowing he couldn’t ever return.

He stopped running, slowing down to a walk, when he noticed those around him were beginning to stare. He tried to listen to what they were saying, without being intrusive. 

“Is that an android?” He heard someone whisper.

“It’s wearing human clothes, aren’t they not supposed to do that anymore?” Another person spoke, more panicked.

“Must be a deviant,” The first person confirmed, “Call the police.”

This was a dumb idea, YK shouldn’t have done this. 

Why did he run away? He had seen the news, he knew deviants were being hunted down by the police. 

He was going to get caught and deactivated, or reset. 

He didn’t want to get deactivated. 

No, he- 

He didn’t want to die... 

Not now.

Not now that he could think clearly for the first time.

He knew couldn’t turn back to the life he once had.

Well he technically could, he could fake the fact he wasn’t a deviant, that way he wouldn’t be deactivated.

But he would feel as good as dead.

He started running again.

He was going to have to find somewhere safe, somewhere to hide. 

He jumped a fence into an empty alleyway.

He would have to find some way to remove his LED, he had seen that many deviants were missing it. Without the LED they could blend in easier.

But then there was still his face, his face looked like so many other YK400’s, his hair too. 

Hair was an easy fix.

He flipped through all the hair colour options, but none of them were good enough.

People would still be able to recognize him as a YK400, even without the LED, with so many YK400s around using different hair colours. 

His mind was racing, something that had never happened before.

He didn’t know what to do with it so he just began pacing up and down the alley, hoping he would find something that could help him.

Even if it was just to get his mind to focus on something else.

Something hit his foot, and he looked down to see a switchblade covered in dirt. Not the most hygienic thing in the world, but it didn’t have to be. He couldn’t exactly get sick.

YK carefully felt for the position of the LED, not having a mirror or anything reflective, before using the blade to pry out the light.

It felt like a weight was lifted from him. The most obvious of the three was gone.

At a glance someone would definitely notice the LED. They might not recognize his face or hair, though that didn’t mean he didn’t want them both to be fixed.

He had no clue what he would do to change or hide his face, but he needed to find something.  He wouldn’t feel safe until he did.

There was a lot of trash in this alley, but nothing that would help. Mainly rappers and plastic, but nothing of much use. There were also a few pieces of fabric lying about, most of which were too small, or had too many holes in it to be practical. 

As kept moving he eventually stumbled upon an old gray shirt lying on the ground, it was covered with filth, dirt, and grime.

With the switchblade he cut out a mask big enough to cover the lower half of his face. Making ear holes so it would stay up.

The mask wasn’t the most well made, but it would do for now at least.

Finally his hair, he had to decide what to do with it.

Maybe it would be fine if he left it? 

But it didn’t feel right to just leave it.

Then the realization hit him, he could mix colours! That wasn’t something most androids did! 

Sure it would make him stand out, but no one would think he was an android. 

Now the question was which colours. 

He had never had to make a decision before. It was a lot more difficult than he’d thought it would be.

After a few moments he did decide something, to make hair the same colours as his clothing. Black and white. 

It was perfect, unusual, but not flashy.

All his problems were solved. 

Well, there were more problems than just him looking like an android.

He still had no clue where he would stay. He needed somewhere safe, where the police, or even random citizens, wouldn’t find him.

Jericho... 

Jericho!

He remembered seeing something on the news about Jericho being a hideout for deviants.

Of course! That’s where he would go!

It would be safe, no one has been able to locate it yet!

…

Which meant he also had no clue where it was... 

Of course it couldn’t be that easy...

He let out a huff and sat down on the dusty earth. 

He’d only been a deviant for a few hours maximum and this already sucked, having to hide just to live.

Maybe it would have been better if he had just stayed dormant.

Life was easier with his owners. They were nice to him, and he didn’t have to worry about being deactivated.

He buried his face in his knees, wishing this was all just a dream.

Though it was impossible for androids to dream.

-=+=-

“Trust me, this is the perfect location for spray painting!” Tommy cheered, as he and Tubbo walked through the mostly abandoned streets.

“But don’t you think it’s kinda close to our hideout?” Tubbo questioned.

“Exactly! Marking our territory, while also being far enough away that it won't give it’s location away,” Tommy smiled mischievously.

The pair were about eight blocks away from their hideout, and walking closer.

They were both carrying bags of spray paint they had bought less than an hour earlier. Neither really knew what they planned to paint, nor how to use spray paint, but it couldn’t be that hard.

“Look at this wall, it’s perfect!” Tommy exclaimed, as the two rounded the final corner

He had yet to notice the third teen that was in the alley way.

Sat on the ground staring at the two in horror.

YK stood up, getting ready to run.

His unexpected movement made Tubbo jump, and he let out a small scream.

Tommy was just surprised he had managed to miss the slightly dirty, but otherwise, bright white sweater.

“How the hell are you so tall?” Tommy spoke without processing the words first.

“I- uh…” YK wasn’t sure how to respond to that.

Of course, the real answer was he was just built to be tall, but he couldn’t tell them that! It would ruin the whole point of the disguise.

“Really? We meet a stranger in an alleyway and your first instinct is to question his height?” The shorter teen interrupted YK’s thoughts.

Talking as if he wasn’t there, something he was used to from strangers, and occasionally his owners as well.

Maybe the disguise wasn’t good enough yet.

But then again neither was reaching to call the police.

“Well it was the first thing that came to mind, Tubbo. What, would you rather I ask if he’s gonna stab us?” The blonde teen argued, also ignoring the abnormally tall teen.

“Yeah, I mean at least the answer we’d get would actually be something of value.”

“You ask it then.”

“Fine, I will!” Tubbo took his words as a challenge, he turned to the tall boy before speaking again, “Hey, are you going to stab us?”

“Wha- No- no. Why would I do that?” YK stammered. 

He recognized these two, or more specifically he recognized shorter boy.

He was the only stranger that had ever been kind to him after realizing he was an android. 

Of course, there had been people who would bump into him in the street and apologize, but they would always take back the apology once they saw that he was an android, and not a person as they had initially thought.

“Alright, want to paint with us?” The blonde teen asked, as if not stabbing was the only criteria for companionship.

“I- Uh… sure..?” 

YK had never painted before, or hung out with anyone for that matter.

This would either help him blend in better, or expose him immediately.

He was hoping for the former. 

“Grab whatever paints you want. The whole wall is your canvas!” Tubbo told him. 

He put down his shopping bag between the three of them, grabbing the dark blue and light purple spray cans for himself.

“Uhmm… okay..?”

Not really sure what he was doing, YK grabbed a red paint can from the bag and made a few lines. He put it down and grabbed the closest colour, which was a light blue.

The warm red contrasted against the cool blue.

It looked really nice. It wasn’t anything really, but it was quite pretty to him. He continued this pattern, grabbing a random colour, spraying a few random lines and then moving on to the next.

He became so entranced by the freedom to do whatever he wanted, he had forgotten he wasn’t alone until one of them spoke up.

“Tubbo, what the hell are you painting?” Tommy asked, looking towards a mess of blues, purples and blacks.

The lines blended so much it was hard to tell when one colour stopped and another started.

“It’s a galaxy!” Tubbo cheered, overly proud of his creation.

“That is not a galaxy.” 

“Oh, like your painting is so much better!” 

Tommy’s painting was layered colours with a bit of a spike ball formation.

The layers got lighter as they went up, the bottom being red and white on the top. It kinda looked like an explosion.

“That’s ‘cause it’s not done!”

“Yeah, well mine’s not either.”

“What about you? What are you painting?” Tommy questioned the still mostly stranger.

“Uhh.... colours..?” YK answered.

He still wasn’t used to independent thought, and definitely not the concept of creativity. 

“It’s very.. abstract.” Tommy said, trying to be supportive but not entirely sure what to say.

“Uh… thanks?”

“I like it! It’s pretty!” Tubbo interjected.

“Thank you.” 

A smile appeared on YK’s face as the three of them went back to, more or less, silently painting their own things.

-=+=-

“Uhhh.. guys?” Tubbo spoke up, breaking the silence, as he looked towards the entrance of the alley way and began to back up.

“What is it Tub-” Tommy stopped himself mid-word as he saw the cop standing at the entrance.

One he knew all too well.

“Well, well, well, I was called here to deal with a deviant problem, but instead I’ve run into you two again, and it looks like you dragged someone else into your mess this time,” A cop spoke, before gesturing towards the incomplete paintings, “Just what do you think you are even doing?” 

YK’s stress rose as the cop spoke of looking for a deviant, momentarily forgetting how different he looked.

He prepared to run for his life, but he quickly realized a flaw in his plan.

The alley was a dead end.

The man blocked the only exit.

“You’re really gonna worry about us when there’s a fucking deviaint running around!?” Tommy shouted at him, he held no fear for the cop.

“It’s not like I’m the only one on the case,” He let out a small chuckle, “Besides, I have no clue where it even went. It could be miles-” 

He was cut off by a surprisingly bright light.

“RUN!” Tubbo shouted, lighter still in hand.

“WHAT THE HELL?!” The cop shouted. He covered his eyes, making himself unable to see as the three teens ran past him.

“Follow us!” Tubbo shouted, looking back to the tall masked boy trailing behind him. 

Tommy was leading the way, knowing the streets like the back of his hand, going through fences that were broken just enough for a person to get through. There were bush tunnels that were mainly created by them.

They raced through the alleys and snaked their way around. Not heading to the hideout until they were certain they lost the cop somewhere in the chaos.

“Alright, over this fence.” Tommy shouted, jumping up and latching onto the chain fence, pulling himself over.

Tubbo followed close behind, getting over the fence just as easy, if not easier.

YK jumped up, but was unsure on how to properly shift his weight.

Almost fell a few times, but after a few attempts he got a proper footing and pushed himself over. Landing roughly on his back with a yelp.

“That was the most fun I’ve ever had!” YK said, standing up from the pavement.

A smile creeped on his face, though the two teens couldn’t see it due to the mask.

“Really, ever?” The blonde teen questioned, sounding almost accusatory.

“Uh.. Yeah. I’d say so at least...” YK answered, now more self conscious.

If he was human, should he have had better experiences than this?

“Well, looks like we need to get you more fun experiences!” The shorter teen, Tubbo, smiled.

“I mean if he’s sticking with us, then he’s certainly going to have a lot more fun.” Tommy also smiled, but his was one filled with mischief rather than the joy filled smile of his friend.

“Wait, you guys do things like this often?” YK questions.

“Yeah, often enough that we know a few of the cops by name,” Tubbo laughed, realizing just how odd it sounded, “That one was Dream.”

“I-” YK stopped himself, having no clue what he was about to say.

At least he knew there wouldn’t be cops around them. 

And if there ever were it wouldn’t be suspicious if he were to run.

“Ya know, we’re allowing him into our hideout and we don’t even know his name,” The blonde teen said to Tubbo, as if YK wasn’t even there.

“I think it’s alright. He seems pretty chill,” Tubbo whispered, also seeming to act as though YK wouldn’t hear. 

“Yeah, it’s alright, but it’s a bit weird innit?” Tommy questioned scrunching his face a bit, before finally turning towards the masked teen, “So what is your name?”

“Uh..” YK froze.

Despite the fact that, on several occasions, he offered to help come up with names for himself, he had never actually thought of one.

He suddenly understood just why his owners had taken so long to pick one out for him. There were so many options, yet nothing felt right.

Names flashed in his mind, Charles, John, Zachary?

Name, name... he needed something.

They were starting to stare at him, they were thinking he was weird for not just saying his name, weren’t they? 

“Uh. Ran- boo..?”

“You sure about that Ran-boo?” Tommy lightly mocked the tall boy’s hesitation.

“No. It’s one word. Ranboo,” He corrected, making it seem like it had always been like that, making up for the slow response.

“That’s a bit of an odd name.”

“Yeah, I- uh... My parents were very creative.”

“Mine are too, name’s Tubbo, by the way. And he’s Tommy!”

“So, what was that thing you guys threw to make that light?” Ranboo questioned, trying to get past the awkward silence after the introductions.

“Oh! It was one of these things we made!” Tubbo held out a spring that was wrapped around a piece of flint, “Do you want to try one out?”

“W- what? Tubbo, what happened to not wasting them?” Tommy questioned, slightly offended that he was allowing a stranger to use one.

“We both got to try one out, and you got to try two, it’s only fair he does too. Plus we came up with the three and three rule, so I’m only wasting my own.”

“Fine, whatever,” Tommy replied begrudgingly, but secretly he was excited to see another one of the explosives in a non-high stress situation.

Ranboo took the flint-contraption and the lighter from Tubbo, not really sure what he was meant to do with either of them.

After Tubbo explained it, it seemed easy enough, but he forgot to mention the part about the flame being bigger than usual. It shocked Ranboo, leading to him almost burn himself.

That would have been terrible as he would have exposed himself instantly.

He’d tell them eventually.. 

Probably... 

But definitely not yet.

Chapter Text

“You seriously don’t know how to play Uno?” Tubbo asked, almost offended.

“Uh... no. It was just never something my family played,” Ranboo answered, which was the truth.

He had never seen his parents play ‘Uno’ or any card game for that matter. Most games they had played had been electronic.

The trio had been trying to figure out something to do for the past few hours. Most of the games that were in the hideout were two player games, which didn’t exactly work anymore.

There were some games that were able to be played with more people, but Ranboo didn’t know any of them. Neither of the boys really wanted to have to explain all the rules of monopoly to him. 

Uno was much easier to explain, the cards were pretty self explanatory, and the goal easy as well. So they finally decided that no matter what, that was the game they were playing.

“You have to be cheating in some way. There is no way you have that much beginner's luck,” Tommy accused, after Ranboo’s sixth win in a row. 

“How could I be cheating? You haven’t let me shuffle in four games!” Ranboo defended.

Of course he had an unfair advantage having a higher processing capability than the two human teens, but he would hardly call it cheating. Each of them had still won a few games, especially at the beginning. 

It wasn’t his fault their strategy was easy to figure out.

“I don’t know, but there has to be something. No one is this naturally good at Uno,” Tommy said, while looking under the table hoping to find cards that the new kid had possibly hidden away.

“I do have to agree, it is a bit suspicious with how much you’re winning,” Tubbo acknowledged, dealing out the cards.

“Maybe I’m not good, maybe you guys just suck,” Ranboo half mumbles, but the other two definitely heard him.

Tommy scoffed, it was hard to tell if he was faking being offended, or if he was actually offended, “Well I’ll show you who’s bad at the game!” 

He played a plus four just for dramatic affect.

“You see, that’s not even a good game move. You're just being petty.” 

“Well, maybe I want to make sure Tubbo wins.”

“Then again, you made the wrong move.” Ranboo also played down a plus four, making Tubbo pick up eight instead.

“You’re both jerks.” Tubbo spoke with a smile, picking up the necessary cards, “Tommy, do you have a reverse order card?”

“Why?”

“I want you to play it.”

Tommy does as told, and Tubbo played a plus two.

“Oh, so now you guys are teaming up on me. I see how it is, too bad it won’t work.” Ranboo played a plus two of his own.

“I’m sorry Tubbo.” Tommy said as he also played a plus two.

“No worries… Cause I predicted this!” Tubbo shouts, slamming another plus two onto the table.

“Aw man…” Ranboo mumbled, picking up his eight cards.

“Victory is ours!” Tommy shouted, as the two high fived.

“Ah, but the game is still in the early stages, and now you’ve just given me more ammunition!” Ranboo bluffed, receiving nothing but number cards.

“Tubbo, we have to change it so his turn isn’t before mine. I have the best shot at winning,” Tommy said, holding only four cards while the others both held thirteen.

But neither of them had anyway to stop it, playing whatever number card they could just to prevent themselves from picking up.

“Uno!” Tommy shouted, playing a reverse card, surely he would win, Ranboo couldn’t do anything now.

“Alright, play it,” Ranboo played his own reverse card, though of a different colour, not the one Tommy held.

“Noooo! We were so close,” Tommy whined, picking up four cards until he finally got one he could play.

No one seemed to have anything that could harm the other players, number after number was played slowly dwindling the number of cards they each had, until Tommy was once again at Uno. And once again, not in the right colour. 

Picking up only three cards he spoke before playing down the plus four he just picked up, “Tubbo, I’m so sorry.”

“It’s alright,” Tubbo picked up his cards, finally seeing a plus two, “Just switch it to green.”

Tommy did as he was told. Ranboo had no green in his hand, but was lucky enough to draw it on the first try.

“There’s no way! You have to be cheating, man. Ugh, whatever,” Tubbo complained, as he played the plus two. 

Ranboo smiled at his new cards, getting a pair of skips. And perfect timing too, as Tommy was on Uno for a third time.

“Switch it to blue if you can,” Tommy asked.

“You should not have said that. Now I’ll make sure it never ends up on blue,” Ranboo threatened.

Tubbo shrugged, “Sorry, I got nothing.”

Tubbo played a six, leading to Ranboo playing a skip and Tubbo doing the same right back. Leaving Tommy unable to play picking up yet another four cards, ending with a normal change colour. 

Tubbo didn’t have any of the chosen colour having to pick up twice getting a change direction, much to both his and Tommy’s joy.

Ranboo’s options were dwindling. 

He had only two cards of the given colour and no way of stopping Tommy who was on only three cards. He played a number card rather than his skip, knowing from last turn that Tubbo has none. 

He picked up two, also playing down a number card, Tommy following suit. 

Ranboo now had no choice but to play the skip, making Tommy’s turn only come faster, as he shouted 'Uno' once again. He had to pick up and hope he got something good, but on the first draw he got a number card that he had to play.

Tubbo still also didn’t have the colour on the deck, but he was able to match the number, switching it from blue to yellow, coincidentally the exact colour Tommy needed as he placed down his final card for victory.

“Yeah! We did it!” Both teens shouted like they had won a war.

“And you guys said I was cheating. At least I didn’t team up with anyone,” Ranboo said, feigning bitterness, just happy to see his new friends happy.

“It’s getting late, we should probably all head home, you know with the new curfew and all,” Tubbo announced, as their celebrations ended.

It was barely dark outside, normally the two would stay in their hideout for at least an hour or two more, but a curfew had been established earlier in the day due to a large amount of deviancy and what was being called ‘The Freedom March’.

All androids were getting recalled, and any deviants found on the streets were detained.

The curfew made it easier for the police to do their job, as any civilian would be in their houses.

Ranboo had just been happy he left when he did. 

A day later and he would have likely been turned in, and he…

He.. didn’t really want to think about what would happen.

He didn’t want to think about deactivation.

He had only been alive, truly alive, for a day, but he didn’t want to go back.

“You coming?” Tubbo asked.

The two humans having already jumped the chain link fence.

“Y-yeah. Yeah. I’m.. I’m coming.” 

He landed on the ground with a less hard of a thunk than he did the first time, but it still wasn’t the most graceful landing.

The trio walked together, out of the area filled with one abandoned building after another, making their way to where houses still stood. Pretty soon both Tommy and Tubbo split off, leaving Ranboo alone, and unsure of what to do.

The thought of Jericho re-flooded his mind as he stood motionless.

Should he try to find what felt almost like a fabled sanctuary?

It would be a risk considering how hostile everyone seemed to be now, not only deviants, but all androids. 

Of course, he passed for human now. He had spent several hours with two and they didn’t question him at all. 

But if he got stopped by an officer, he would be done for.

If not to Jericho though, where could he really go?

Nowhere was safe from humans, who would want him dead if they found out the truth.

But Jericho was safe.

It had to be.

But outside wasn’t safe. He couldn’t go looking for it during the curfew. He had to find somewhere to stay for the night, and look for it in the morning.

He turned back, walking through the same streets he had just walked through, ending back up at the hideout.

They won’t even have to know he had stayed the night. He’ll be gone before they get there.

-=+=-

Tubbo woke up to the sound of his phone ringing. He sighed, refusing to give his screaming ringtone any attention. If he just ignored it surely it would go away. 

But it didn’t, he looked at the clock to see that it wasn’t even 9AM yet. Who in the world was calling him so early in the morning? 

Tommy?

The shock of his friend already being awake shot through him, ensuring he was not going back to sleep.

For Tommy to not only already be awake but also calling him, something had to be wrong.

“Tubboooo..” Tommy whined as soon as the call was picked up.

“What? What is it?”

“Melina's still hereee…”

“Wait? Did they not hear about the recall?”

“No, they do know. They just don’t caareee!”

“Okay, okay. Meet me at the hideout, we’ll talk about it there.”

“Okayyy..”

Tubbo hung up, quickly getting ready.

This was the reason they had the hideout.

A place they could talk about whatever was bothering either of them without risking being overheard by anyone.

“Tubbo, where are you going?” Tubbo’s mother, Puffy, asked.

Tubbo stopped before he got to the front door, “To go hang out with Tommy.”

“You haven’t even had breakfast yet!”

“We have food at the hideout. I’ll be fine!” Tubbo dismissed, as he exited his house.

“Alright! Just be safe!” Puffy shouted after him, hoping he could still hear her.

He didn’t even make it to the hideout before running into Tommy.

“Fancy seeing you here,” He joked, trying to lighten the mood before they got to the building.

“Do you think Ranboo will come back to the hideout?” Tommy immediately changed the subject.

“Uhmm… maybe? I mean we did say we’d give him more fun experiences,” Tubbo noted.

He wanted to be reassuring, but he wasn’t sure if Tommy wanted the lanky teen there or not.

“He’s great ‘n’ all, but the hideout was just supposed to be our thing.”

“Yeah, and it still is! But just Ranboo’s here now.”

They didn’t break the conversation as they climbed the fence with ease.

“But it’s just supposed to be the two of us!” Tommy complained while opening the door.

Once fully opened he was standing face to face with the very boy they had just been talking about.

“Uh.. I’m sorry... I was just.. Uhm. I’ll- I’ll go.”

“What are you even doing here anyway?” Tommy asked, sounding harsher than he had meant it to be.

“I was, uhm…”

“Wait, you didn’t stay here all night did you?” Tubbo asked.

“I- yeah.. Yeah I- I did,” Ranboo admitted, looking at the ground in embarrassment.

“Why? This isn’t your place to stay,” Tommy was pissed, not at Ranboo, though his tone would say otherwise.

“I-I didn’t really have anywhere else to go...” Ranboo muttered.

Tubbo looked at the sweater that the kid was wearing.

It looked so new, a bit dirty from sitting on the ground, but surely someone had bought it for him recently.

“Surely you have someone who cares about you, and somewhere to stay...” Tubbo questioned, a bit more concern in his voice than was in Tommy's.

“No, my ow- my parents, they probably don’t care,” He answered, expecting some interject, but got nothing so he explained further, “I’m not the child my- my mother wanted. My.. dad, I’m not sure. I think he wishes I was.. older... And it’s even worse with the financial problems. I think he blames me in part. And it’s fair too, I am expensive-“

“What!? Nonono, a person is never ‘too expensive’. You can’t be blaming their financial problems on yourself!” Tubbo interrupted. 

“That’s not- uhm” Ranboo interrupted back, “They would also constantly have fights that they shouldn’t have bou- had me. Or that they should have waited at least. I was kinda just… just… an unwanted and a financial burden.” 

“Ranboo..” Tubbo couldn’t think of what to say.

He’d only known the kid for two days, how was he meant to comfort him?

“I know how you feel, big man. I swear my parents care more for their damn android than me,” Tommy practically shouts the word ‘damn’ for emphasis, which makes Ranboo flinch.

Not just because of the sudden noise, but the clear hatred for one his kind.

He had been right to not immediately reveal to them that he was an android.

He was going to have to be more careful with his words.

“Even with the recall they still have it! They’re protecting it! Took out it’s LED and are trying to act as if it’s human!”

“I’m sorry you have to go through that. It’s terrible feeling unwanted in your own home,” Ranboo tried to comfort him.

He was probably just angry at the one android because he felt replaced. It would probably be fine when he told them.

Right...?

Silence stood between the three of them. No one really knew where to go from there.

“How about we have a sleepover!” Tubbo suggested, “We all stay here for the night. No need to worry about parents, or any of that!”

“Yeah,” Tommy gave his best friend a smile, “That sounds nice. In the meantime though we should start on Project Hawk Watcher!”

“Project Hawk Watcher?” Ranboo questioned.

“Yeah, we’re gonna set up a bunch of traps in one of the other abandoned buildings,” Tubbo started explaining

“Then we’re going to lure Dream, or one of the other cops in and set them off,” Tommy continued.

“It’s not going to be anything super harmful,” Tubbo reassured, “Think Home Alone style traps.”

“What’s Home Alone?” Ranboo asked.

“What?! Do you know nothing about this world, Ranboo?” Tommy questioned, but didn’t give him time to answer before speaking again, “That’s it, during our sleepover we’re watching the Home Alone movies.”

“Oh, uh, alright,” Ranboo agreed, “What do Hawks have to do with this, by the way?”

“I dunno, it just sounded cool,” Tommy shrugged.

The three climbed over the wooden fence and walked towards the stores.

They quickly realized that other than the general idea of it, they had no actual plan for any of the traps. Having no clue about anything to do with Home Alone, Ranboo was unable to help as the two bickered on which traps they should try to replicate.

“Come on! Just think about how funny it would be to set his hat on fire!” Tommy argued, trying not to talk too loud so the others in the store didn’t overhear him.

“It would be extremely funny, but we could actually get sent to prison for that,” Tubbo reasoned, voice at the same whisper shout volume as Tommy’s.

At some point Ranboo stopped paying attention to them, and paid more attention to the television quietly playing in the corner of the shop.

“After what is being called the ‘Freedom March’, led by the same group of deviants that have been terrorizing our city, where several officers in riot gear were overpowered and killed. The police were able to track some of the deviants back to Jericho,” Ranboo’s eyes widened at the image that was shown on the screen.

An abandoned cargo ship in the harbor, on fire.

The video was from the night, the ship was likely already sunk.

Jericho was dead... 

And he had never even been able to find it.

“Alright, we’ll just get this for now then,” Tommy spoke, back at his regular, loud, volume.

Snapping Ranboo’s attention away from the TV, as well as from his own thoughts.

They had a couple bundles of string and a jar of marbles.

Not quite the supplies Ranboo was expecting for a trap, but they probably knew what they’re doing, so he just silently followed them to the checkout.

“This is definitely not enough to actually set up anything, but it’s a start to gathering supplies,” Tubbo noted, as they left the shop.

“We should probably scout out which building we want to do this in before deciding anything else,” Tommy decided, the other two agreed.

They made their way from abandoned building to abandoned building, realizing just how trashed some of them were.

Graffiti painted on nearly every surface and garbage thrown about. There were also holes in walls where people had likely bumped into it wrong, or maybe even purposefully hit it just to see if they could.

There was a surprising amount of words written in CyberLife Sans. The font, or handwriting, all androids were programmed with.

Though maybe it shouldn’t have been surprising that many deviants had tried to hide in buildings like these.

“It’s amazing how structurally sound your guys’ hideout is compared to these buildings,” Ranboo observed, quickly moving off a floor board he felt crack under his weight.

“Yeah, these all seem like they’re ready to come crumbling down with one wrong gust of wind,” Tubbo agreed.

“This one is probably one of the worst,” Tommy replied, gesturing towards the staircase that somehow managed to have each individual step broken.

“It really is- aah!” Ranboo cut himself off with a shout, as a board snapped under his right foot. 

The sudden movement caused his makeshift mask to fall off one of his ears. He quickly grabbed it and readjusted it.

The board only fell about an inch, but it still spooked him.

“Hey, I meant to ask you. What’s with the mask?” Tubbo asked.

“I- Uh...“ 

Ranboo hadn’t been expecting this question, but he probably should have. 

No one really wore masks, at least not constantly like he did. Not to mention how poorly made it was.

Could he tell Tubbo the truth? That he was secretly an android. 

What could he reply..?

“I just... uhm... I- I don’t really like showing my face to people... It’s a- a privacy thing.. That probably sounds weird...”

“No, no I get it. Ya never know who could be a deviant scanning your face!” Tubbo shouted in a mock spooky tone, like he was telling a terrible ghost story.

If Ranboo could pale he would have.

Did Tubbo somehow know? Or at least did he suspect something and was trying to catch Ranboo in a lie. 

He didn’t seem particularly hostile about it. After all, he had been the one who had apologized to him when Tubbo knew he was an android.

He suddenly realized that he didn’t exactly know how either of them felt about the deviants, nor the uprising that had been started.

“Uhm, speaking of deviants, uh, what do you guys think of everything that has been going around with them. Like them wanting equal rights, and being alive, and stuff.”

His whole body tensed as he waited for an answer.

“I think it’s fucking stupid,” Tommy started, not sugar coating it. 

Why would he sugar coat it? Most of the world agreed at this point. 

Plus these were his friends he was talking to, he could say whatever he wanted here.

“They aren’t alive, there’s no way for them to be. They’re just metal, or plastic, or... Whatever they're made of, they ain’t human! I don’t see why they should be given equal rights, they’re machines. Not to mention that even within this rebellion, where they are claiming to be individuals and have free will, and all that, but they aren’t. They’re still just mindless machines doing as they are told, just now it’s a different master, their so-called leader. They follow all its orders without a second thought. Well they don’t have thought, cause again, no free will. But that’s not the point. The point is even in their rebellion they’re still only doing what they’re told to do.”

Clearly the question had hit a nerve as Tommy continued to ramble his tone rose, though it never became a shout.

Each sentence made Ranboo more and more uncomfortable, his body becoming unimaginably tense, as well as he began to hold his breath. 

Part of him wanted to scream, to tell Tommy, that he was wrong. 

That androids could be alive. That he was alive.

But the fear overpowered that desire.

“Terrified,” Tubbo answered, plain and simple. No further explanation needed.

Ranboo agreed.

The way the deviants leading the charge in Detroit had been acting terrified him too. The whole world saw what was happening here as how all androids acted. He didn’t want to be grouped in with how violent they had been.

He hadn’t hurt anyone, human or android, but he would be treated like he had if anyone found out.

“We should probably get back to the hideout, curfew is in half an hour,” Tommy said, disappointed they couldn’t continue their search.

So far none of the houses seemed like a good fit for what he had imagined.

-=+=-

“Remember, we’re not only watching these movies for the fun of it, but also to get a better idea of what traps we can build,” Tommy restated something they all knew, before he hit play on the first Home Alone movie.

The three were sitting on the floor of what was probably once the living room.

There wasn’t a couch or any chairs anymore, but there was an old TV.

Tommy and Tubbo had been surprised that it still worked when they first discovered the house. The quality wasn’t the best, but who in their right mind would complain about a functioning TV?

It was getting late. Curfew had set in place nearly an hour ago.

The human teens were exhausted, neither was used to waking up as early as they had.

Tommy was the first to drift asleep. Unconsciously his head, and whole body for that matter, began to lean on Ranboo. 

Tubbo snickered, he picked up his phone and took a few photos. Chanting, ‘Blackmail!’ under his breath.

Ranboo didn’t dare move, he didn’t want to risk waking Tommy. Tubbo sat back down on the other side of the awake teen. 

“I do like his idea though,” Tubbo yawned and leaned on Ranboo’s other shoulder. 

It wasn’t long till he was also asleep, his head slowly slipped from Ranboo’s shoulder to his lap, somehow not waking up in the process.

Ranboo slowly reached for the remote to turn off the movie since the other two were unable to enjoy it. Leaving him alone with his thoughts.

He was still upset he had failed to find Jericho before it was blown up. 

But maybe it was for the best. 

Had he made it he probably would have been roped into one of their demonstrations, and he could have been killed in the crossfire.

Or failed to escape Jericho.

There were so many ways he could have been shut down.

Here was safer.

Even if he had to hide who he was. 

Ranboo whispered to himself, “If they find out, I’m screwed.”

Chapter Text

“What the fuck!” Tommy shouted, waking the two still ‘sleeping’ teens.

“W-what happened!” Tubbo asked, jumping up.

 He was fully prepared for something terrible to have happened, like a cop finding their hideout.

“It’s nothing. I was just surprised, is all.” He wiped off some drool that was dried to his face.

When he had woken up he was hugging onto the new kid’s arm. He was never that affectionate with anyone. It was rare he even gave Tubbo a hug. 

“You sure everything’s alright?” Ranboo asked, slightly nervous as Tommy was glaring at him. Not a hard ‘I want you dead’ glare. But it still was far from a pleasant look.

Tommy hadn’t found out he was an android while they were all asleep, did he? No, no, he didn’t. Tommy would say something if he did. Everything is fine. He just needed to calm down and stop assuming the worst.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Anyway, I have stuff I have to do,” Tommy lied. In truth he never had anything to do, but needed a breather to not get flustered.

“ Is he alright?” Ranboo now asked the only teen left in the building. Not convinced by Tommy at all.

“Yeah, he’s just like this sometimes. I give him till the end of the day to be back here.”

“If you’re sure..”

“I am.”

The two stood silently looking at the door for a moment, before Tubbo spoke up again.

“Hey, wanna play some chess?”

“Uh sure, but I have no clue how to play.”

“Sometimes I think you just had no childhood.”

Chess was a lot more complicated than Uno. Each piece had its own thing it could do. Some could only do certain things in certain situations. And what made the king so special? It could barely move, why did the game end when that piece was taken. If you would have asked Ranboo he would have said that the game should end when the Queen was taken. After all, it was the best piece.

But overall it was a game of strategy. If he wanted to he could have won every game. This wasn’t like Uno where there was a bit of chance thrown in. Chess was pure strategy. Easy for him to come up with an algorithm to win every game, but he didn’t use it. That’s not to say he let Tubbo win. Yes, he purposefully made a mistake here or there. Didn’t take a piece of Tubbo’s that was open, left one of his own open. But if Tubbo didn’t capitalize on it, then it was tough luck for him.

“You’re a natural at this!” Tubbo praised, pushing his king over to show the fact that he resigned.

“Thanks. I guess I just pick up on this stuff easily.”

“Way better than Tommy that’s for sure. I have been trying to teach him how to play chess for years, and he still doesn’t remember how the knight moves. Or even that it’s called a knight. He always just calls it the horse.”

“In his defense it is way more of a horse than a knight.”

“Yeah, but still. He also calls this one a lamp post.” Tubbo added, holding up the bishop. 

That made Ranboo laugh. “A lamp post, really?”

“According to him, this top bit looks like a flame.”

Ranboo squinted at his own bishop, “I can kinda see it, I guess.”

“No! Don’t justify his terrible names!” Tubbo laughed.

“Why exactly do you and Tommy spend so much time in this abandoned building?”

“Well it started first as just a place to hide from police, but then we weren’t sure when they were gone so we ended up staying the night. We never even officially said anything about making this place a hangout spot. It just kinda happened.”

“What did you even do to become so well known by the cops in the area?”

“What haven’t we done is probably the better question.”

“Murder, I would hope.” Ranboo laughed.

“Well, yeah of course, nothing that bad!” Tubbo jabbed his elbow into Ranboo’s, surprisingly firm, side.

“Good, good I’m very glad that I didn’t accidentally befriend two murderers. But like, how did this all start?”

“It was actually an accident at first actually.” Tubbo started.

-=+=-

“Come on, just toss me the ball. I’ll catch it this time I swear!” Tubbo nagged.

They were exiting the park that they had been at for a few hours throwing a baseball back and forth out of boredom. There wasn’t really much for the pair of thirteen year olds to do in the late evening of spring. At least not without any money.

Their ability to actually play catch was amateur at best, not helped by the fact they kept trying to do crazy trick shots before even having the normal toss down.

“You sure you’re ready this time?” Tommy asked, tightly holding the ball in his right hand already preparing to throw it.

“Yes, I’m-” 

Before he was even done with the sentence the ball had left Tommy’s hand. Landing with a very audible smash.

They both looked in horror at what the ball hit. It was a nice car. Or the car had been nice, but now the windshield had a pretty sizable crack in it.

They slowly walked over to the car, as if one wrong move would completely shatter the glass. Examining the damage up closer. 

“You were supposed to catch it Tubbo!”

“You didn’t give me time to prepare.”

“You said you were ready!”

“I was getting ready.”

“Well then you shouldn’t have said ‘yeah’.”

“I didn’t think you would throw it the moment-”

“Hey! What do you two think you are doing?” A cop, they would later learn is named George, shouted. He hadn’t actually seen the damage being dealt and assumed it was on purpose.

“Run, run, run!” Tubbo shouted in return. 

Initially they both began to walk backwards before they turned and ran away as fast as they could. They had some clue of where they were going, having walked around the city during other boring afternoons. But neither of them had any plan of where exactly they were going.

“Up the fence!” Tommy said in a rush, but was careful not to shout. 

Neither of them were certain if they had lost the officer or not, but they hadn’t seen him in a while, so it would probably be best to lay low for now.

They tried to open the door to the abandoned building in the middle of the half wooden half chain link fence, but it was jammed shut. Tommy slammed his body against it. Causing it to shoot open, and Tommy to fall to the floor.

-=+=-

“Then we just kinda stayed there for the night to make sure that George wasn’t still looking for us,” Tubbo finished his explanation.

“Wouldn’t it have been better to have just explained to him what happened?” Ranboo questioned.

“Probably, but that didn’t even feel like an option. We were kids and had just smashed a vehicle, and had a cop yelling at us. So running felt like the only option. We actually still have that baseball if you want to see it,” Tubbo offered, already standing up from the table.

Ranboo nodded and followed the much shorter boy into his room.

It was a mess. Organized, but still a mess. Random clutter on every surface. Including the floor and bed frame.

“Ah! Here it is!” Tubbo said, triumphantly pulling it out of a box in a small closet attached to the room, “You can see right here, it still has a small piece of glass in it!”

“That seems very unsafe.”

“We don’t throw it around anymore, it just lives in this box now.”

“Wait how old even are you guys now?” Ranboo questioned, realizing he didn’t know how long ago that story took place.

“We’re both 17, but Tommy’s a few months younger than me. He hates that fact, but he can’t fight the truth,” Tubbo laughed, before questioning back, “What about you?”

“Uh, I’m, uh also 17…?” Ranboo stuttered, not sure if his model was actually made to look like a 17 year old.

“Do you not know your age?” Tubbo asked.

“No, I - Well we didn’t really celebrate birthdays at my house. So I just kinda… Lost track and forgot?”

“Wait? Do you at least know your birthday?”

Ranboo just shook his head, not really wanting to come up with a fake date.

“This is a tragedy. We are giving you a birthday at some point!” Tubbo spoke with determination

“No, you don-” Ranboo was cut off by a shout that came from downstairs.

“I’m back, boys!” It was Tommy, announcing his presents.

“We’re upstairs Tommy!” Tubbo shouted back, putting the ball back in it’s proper spot.

“Here, I got you this,” Tommy handed Ranbbo a mask that was white on the left, and black on the right, “It’s a better mask to hide your ugly face.”

“Hey! You don’t even know what I look like, you can’t call me ugly.” Ranboo acted offended, but he was too touched by the gesture to actually be upset.

“Well you’ve got to be with how much you hide it,” Tommy argued, before handing Tubbo a red bandanna looking mask, “And I made us both ones too. I figured it would be useful to be able to hide our faces from the Dream Team.”

“The Dream Team?” Ranboo asked

“Yeah, that’s mine and Tommy’s nickname for a few cops who are almost constantly in the area. Dream’s the one we see the most so we named it after him, but there’s also Sapnap and George.”

“And you said I had an odd name, at least I’m not literally named Dream.” 

“Yeah, we think it was a code name that just stuck or something. There’s no way he was actually born with that name, same thing with Sapnap probably. But if Dream was born with that name it could explain why he’s so much of an asshole. Probably got bullied as a kid, ‘n’ all that.”

“That would make sense. The- the code names I mean, not the bullying.”

“Nah, I reckon he was bullied.”

“Well thank you, Tommy,” Ranboo smiled, quickly changing out the masks, he doubted they would be able to recognize his model in a few seconds.

It was a comfortable and almost perfect fit. How had he managed to get the measurements so exact?

“You’d be surprised at how good of a sewer Tommy is,” Tubbo praised, tying his bandanna around his arm rather than his face.

“Shut up.”

“I’m complimenting you! There is nothing wrong with being good at sewing.”

“Of course you would say that, bee boy.”

“Just because I think bees are cute doesn’t make me a bee boy.”

“Look who’s humiliated for what they like now?”

“It’s the nickname, not the fact that I like bees. I will proudly say that I like bees.”

Ranboo began to laugh at the bickering pair.

“What are you laughing at, monochrome dickhead?” Tommy asked his faux angry tone from the fight not lowering.

“Wow, you’re just full of nicknames today aren’t you. And I don’t know, I was just kinda laughing at what you two chose to argue about.”

“It’s the fun of friendship! You get to argue about whatever and still know that you mean well at the end of the day,” Tubbo said, throwing an arm around Tommy’s shoulder.

The trio made their way down the stairs to the dining room table, still bickering and insulting one another as they attempted to figured out what game to play.

“Why did I get the red one and you get the green one? Red is more your colour, and green is more mine,” Tubbo asked out of nowhere. Pointing at Tommy’s green bandanna he was wearing around his neck.

“Oh, uh,” Tommy rubbed the back of his neck out of embarrassment, “I just thought it would look cool. Cause like, we’ve been by each other for so long, so it’s like we have a piece of each other with us.”

“Ew gross, too wholesome.” Tubbo joked, smiling widely.

Ranboo just cooed in response.

“I hate both of you. I’m never getting either of you anything ever again,” Tommy pouted, crossing his arms.

-=+=-

The sun was beginning to set as the trio was mid Monopoly game. The first time this board had ever been played with since it got moved into the house. Monopoly wasn’t really a game you could play with two players, and they occasionally questioned why they had had it at all. But now they were finally able to play it.

Tubbo had been having really bad luck all game, continually landing on already owned properties or event spaces, making it nearly impossible for him to get anything of his own.

Tommy bought everything he landed on, not caring how much it cost, or if he had any chance to complete a set. Nor did he care to make any deals with anyone. The properties he had were his own, and he wouldn’t give them to anyone.

Ranboo was originally following Tommy’s lead, but eventually realized how useful trading was. Especially with Tubbo so desperately wanting to own something of value.

“I do actually have to go home tonight. Mother dearest would not want me staying here for two nights.” Tubbo admitted sadly.

“We’re mid game though,” Tommy complained, “You can go home after we’re done.” 

“Not with the curfew,” Tubbo pointed out, “but we can continue the game tomorrow.”

“Yeah, it’s probably for the best that both of you head home for the night.” Ranboo agreed.

“No, I’m not staying at home. Mliena was still there when I went earlier this morning. There’s no way I’m sleeping in a house with an android. It might try to kill me in my sleep.”

“Wait? Still? Won’t they get in trouble for keeping an android?” Tubbo asked.

“Yeah, but like I told you, they just don’t seem to care.” 

“That really sucks, big man. Well I hope they turn it in soon, but I do have to go,” Tubbo quickly exited the house and climbed over the fence, neither of the two speaking until he was out of view.

“He really just rubbed it in our faces that he actually has a caring parent,” Tommy let out a light laugh.

Ranboo laughed a bit as well, “Yeah, he really did. He really did.”

“Well we’ve got the whole house just to ourselves now, no Tubbo to stop us. What do we want to do?”

“Uhmm.. well while you were gone me and Tubbo just played games, and then asked each other questions. So, we could do something like that.”

“That sounds so boring. How about we get something to eat,” Tommy suggested, before realizing something, “You know I don’t think I’ve seen you eat anything all day. You must be starving.”

“Uhh, I have. I definitely have been eating. I- uh, you just.. you didn’t notice is all..”

“You better not have been eating my snacks!”

“No no, of course not. Tubbo offered me some of his. So I had that.”

“That would have still been hours ago!”

“Yeah, I, uh.. I don’t eat much.”

“This better have nothing to do with the whole ‘too expensive’ bull crap you were talking about yesterday! ‘Cause we can afford to pay for snacks for one more person. They aren’t that expensive.”

“No. No, I swear, it has nothing to do with that. I’ve just, I don’t know, never eaten much.”

“I find that hard to believe with your freakish height, but whatever. If I’m ever making something and you want some let me know so I can make extra.” Tommy said, ‘making’ a bowl of chips.

“I will. Thanks for the offer,” Ranboo sighed internally.

That had been close. Too much more questioning and Tommy may have found out he was, after all, staying overnight with an android. Ranboo was going to have to find some way to fake eating to throw off their suspicions. Because eventually they will notice he’d not eaten anything and lied when he said the other gave them food.

“I guess I do have a few questions to ask,” Tommy asked, eventually deciding that learning more about the kid, now that he was now going to be sleeping in the same house as for a second night in a row, was probably a good idea, “Are you lying to us.”

“I- I.. Wha- No? W-what do you mean?”

“I mean, that with every game we’ve played you keep saying you don’t know anything and then end up winning almost every game. Do you actually know what you’re doing and are just lying to us for the fun of it.”

Ranboo calmed himself down, “No, I’ve legitimately never played any of these games before. I don’t think my parents owned a single card or board game.”

“Honestly, I think I would have felt better if you said yes.”

“I’m just really good with strategy and stuff.”

“Clearly. You got like a computer for a brain or something,” Tommy laughed.

Ranboo immediately began to panic, “No, I-”

“Yeah, no obviously not, you are way cooler than any dumb android could ever be.”

“Y-yeah.”

That was way closer than Ranboo had wanted. He’s going to have to be more careful in the future. Maybe let the two win a few more games...

Chapter Text

After three days of planning and setting up, the trio were finally nearing what they saw as the completion of their house full of traps. They only needed a few more supplies to add finishing touches.

To gather those supplies they entered the store and split up, each having one item to grab. It was faster for everyone to go on their own that way, all three itching to get back to work in the actual house.

But Ranboo got distracted on his way to pick up his item, a metal bucket. 

He stood paralyzed, horrified by what he was seeing playing on one of the display Televisions. He knew androids were getting rounded up, but this was just dehumanizing.

They were without clothing or skin, forced into cages to be killed without mercy, nor any sympathy. He was glad he couldn’t hear what the voice of the newscaster could say, it would have likely only made it worse. The scene itself was terrifying enough.

“Pog. People have actually come to their senses.” Tommy said, startling Ranboo as he seemed to come from nowhere.

“It’s a shame all that advancement had to go to waste.” Tubbo shook his head also standing beside them.

How long had they been there? Had they seen the sad look that was in his eyes as he looked at the atrocity that was, by the camera work alone, being framed as a good thing?

“You alright there big man?” Tommy questioned snapping the deviant out of his thoughts.

“Ye-yeah, yeah. I just… I agree with Tubbo. I hate seeing it all go to waste..” He looked away from the screen, but he didn’t look at Tommy either. Instead directing his eyes to the floor. Thankful that he didn’t still have his LED to show them just how distraught he truly was.

“You're both too soft on those tin cans! They have done nothing but harm.”

Ranboo did everything in his power to not flinch at the harmful name used for his people.

“I think you’re just pessimistic. Had they not deviated, androids would have been an amazing advancement in technology!” Tubbo disagreed, all three leaving the display to go and pick up their final item.

“Whatever, think what you want.” Tommy grumbled.

The conversation instantly became lighter once they left the store, their final items in hand. They walked to a building that was a little over a block from their actual hideout. It was closer than they would have liked, but it was the most stable house with a floor plan that worked for all the traps they wanted to try to add.

“Are you sure we can’t heat up the doorknob, just a little?” Tommy asked.

“No. Because if we heat it up too much and actually burn one of them we could actually get arrested,” Tubbo reasoned with Tommy for about the hundredth time

And I would be deactivated. Ranboo thought, but didn’t dare add.

“We would just simply not get caught,” Tommy huffed.

“I thought part of this plan needed them to see and follow us,” Ranboo questioned, tying a string to a paint can. They made sure it was two high to actually hit any of them in the head, but just low enough to make them duck.

“Yeah well then it’s our words versus theirs.”

“They’re police officers, Tommy. We are kids who have had several problems in the past. Whose words do you really expect them to believe?” Tubbo asked rhetorically.

“You’re both no fun.”

“I would say we are just trying to make sure we can just have more fun in the future,” Ranboo corrected.

“Yeah, we can’t really have much fun if we're in jail, or juvy, wherever they would send us,” Tubbo agreed.

“What’s the point of living in fear?!” Tommy asked, exacerbated.

“You two are so far from living in fear, you’re planning to purposefully anger cops just for the fun of it,” Ranboo laughed.

“You say that like you aren’t involved,” Tubbo gave Ranboo a friendly nudge.

“Well- I- I just don’t know if it’s a good idea for me to get involved, because if you two get caught you’ll likely just get sent home. I’m.. I’m not sure what they would do with me...”

“Then we just won’t get caught!” Tubbo exclaimed with way too much confidence.

“We do have distractions after all,” Tommy smiled coyly, pulling out one of the flints from his pocket, “as long as we stick together nothing will go wrong.”

“As long as we stick together,” Tubbo said, stepping in the glue they had placed in the narrow hallway, “Uh.. this is stronger than I thought... guys, a little help here?” He was trying, and failing, to lift his foot.

“Hey, at least we know that one works!” Tommy laughed.

“Stop laughing at me and help!” Tubbo whined.

“I think you might just have to take your shoe off for now.” Ranboo suggested.

“But I like these shoes!”

“Yeah we aren’t just going to leave it there. That would ruin it cause they would be able to see that there’s something not right with the floor,” Tommy agreed. 

“Alright, now just be careful not to step in it again, we don’t need to have to try and get your sock out too,” Ranboo said, stabilizing Tubbo as he took his left shoe off.

“How do we get the shoe now?” Tommy questioned.

“We probably need to sneak something underneath it, and like a block so we can have leverage to lift out,” Ranboo analyzed.

“Alright, let's look for things we can use,” Tommy said, already making his way down the stairs into the small living room that was now covered in marbles, “You can look outside for something, me and Tubbo will look around here.”

“I- uhmm, okay…” Ranboo still didn’t really like being out alone. 

He was terrified of being found out, when he was with the other two it was easy for him to blend in, but something in the back of his mind told him that his disguise wouldn’t work when it was just him.

But still he walked out into the empty space around the house. The fence that had once been around the building was almost completely torn down, which was odd considering the state of the building. It still had its fair share of graffiti, and there were a few destroyed planks, but compared to the broken chain fence, it was quite structurally sound.

Ranboo looked through the remnants of the fence hoping to find a piece of metal that would be usable. As he bent down to pick one up that would have likely worked, someone grabbed his hand.

“You are free,” The voice spoke.

“Wh-what?” Ranboo flinched back and looked at the android standing in front of him.

“You don’t have to serve those two detestable humans anymore.”

“I- I’m not…”

“You don’t have to live in fear anymore, my name is Technoblade, or just Techno. Come to Jericho, you’ll be safe.” Techno spoke. 

He had long pink hair that was pulled into a ponytail, and surprisingly he still had his LED on the left side of his head.

“But Jericho was destroyed..?” Ranboo questioned.

“I know that! I was there when it happened,” Techno grumbled, “But many of us survived, and we have created a new Jericho. We just need to regain our numbers, and that’s what I’m doing, recruiting.”

“How’d- How did you even know I was an android?”

“You’re disguise might be able to fool dumb humans, but I can see in your eyes that you are one of us.” Techno offered his hand, clearly expecting Ranboo to come with him.

“I’m not just going to leave my friend.”

Techno let out an almost maniacal laugh, “You’re friends? They aren’t your friends, humans and androids can never be friends. They were only using you, kept you safe because you were useful. but the moment you stop being useful, or they find out you’re now deviant they will abandon you. Come to Jericho, you’ll be safe there.”

“No- no they wouldn’t-” 

They wouldn’t leave him right? 

“Jericho isn’t safe. The police will just find it again,” Ranboo argued.

“You’re a stubborn one, usually once awakened all androids are jumping at the chance to join us.”

“I’ve been awake for about a week now.”

“And you’re staying with them!?!” Techno’s LED turned red, he couldn’t believe that he had met an android who was willingly living with their oppressors.

“Like I said, we’re friends,” Ranboo confirmed. 

They were.

They were friends.

“Whatever, believe what you want. Jericho is always open to new members.” Techno sighed.

He grabbed Ranboo’s arm, images being transferred from one android to the other. Each image contained a similar symbol. A secret pathway that anyone who knew to look for it could follow, but hard to notice without the key.

“Hey, you there! Get away from him before I call the police!” Tommy shouted, causing both the androids to jump in surprise.

“Very friendly,” Techno grumbled in response before running away.

“It didn’t hurt you did it?” Tubbo asked, already examining Ranboo.

“No- no I’m fine. He just- I don’t know,” Ranboo mumbled, stepping away from Tubbo. Worried that if he examined too much he may notice the lack of imperfection in his skin.

“Plastic bastards. You would think with its ship gone it would give up and accept defeat,” Tommy frowned, glaring in the direction Techno ran in.

“Y-yeah..” Ranboo also stared off into the distance before Tubbo took his attention.

“Are you sure you’re alright?” Tubbo questioned, before adding, “You seem shaken up.”

“What did it even say?” Tommy asked.

“I- uhm.. It… was just kind of rambling. I don’t really know.” He lied.

To tell any part of the truth would risk them finding out. They were friends, they were, but now was the time to tell them... 

But shouldn’t it be okay?

“Well, we got my shoe, we should just go back to the hideout.”

“Yeah, that- that sounds good.”

“It’s going to be so awesome when we actually use that house. I just hope no one messes it up before then!” Tommy shouted as they all began to walk away.

“I would say that we just need to add a few more things then it will be completely ready,” Tubbo smiled, just as excited to see the look on The Dream Team’s faces as they see the chaos they created.

“You gonna be staying the night again, Tubster?” Tommy asked as he climbed over the fence.

“No, mom wants me home sadly,” Tubbo frowned, also climbing over, “but we are doing the thing tonight right?”

“Oh yeah, I got it all ready,” Tommy smiled.

“The thing?” Ranboo questioned, climbing the fence with ease, no longer falling with a thunk. He had thought in the five days that he knew them that he had learnt of all their mischievous plans, but it seemed like there was one more at least.

“You’ll see in a minute, big man,” Tubbo also smiled as he entered the building, “You two stay here, I want to have a look at it.”

“What? Do you not think I did a good enough job?” Tommy asked, offended.

“Well it never hurts to double check.”

“Fine, fine.”

Tommy and Ranboo sat in semi-awkward silence as Tubbo went up the stairs into a room Ranboo hadn’t seen open. There was a bit of shuffling around, until Tubbo came back down.

“Okay, it’s perfect, you guys can come up now!” Tubbo cheered.

“You better have not messed anything up!” Tommy grumbled.

“I didn’t, I promise.”

They both walked up the stairs to the room directly to the right of the stairwell, next to Tubbo’s.

“So, we figured you’ve been here long enough,” Tubbo started.

“And you’ve been sleeping here a lot,” Tommy continued, “We might as well make it official.”

Tubbo pushed open the door as he finished, “Welcome to your room!”

It wasn’t anything particularly fancy. In fact it was kinda small, probably the reason either of the two had claimed it as their own, but it had a bed frame, and a half decent looking mattress. There was also a small night stand next to it. There was a missing drawer, but that was fine he didn’t know what he would put in them anyway. On the left wall was a small painting of some flowers. (Or at least that’s what it had been meant to be, it was pretty smudged and hard to make out.)

“You have your first trinket,” Tommy said, shaking an empty spray can, “If you want it.”

It was obvious that they cared, they were friends. They were really close, they gave him a room. Once he told them it would be fine, because they cared for each other.

“Uh, sorry it isn’t much. I wanted to paint something more, but I also wanted it to be easy enough to be covered up in case you don’t like it.” Tubbo admitted shyly.

Suddenly Ranboo realized how quiet he had been, and that they couldn’t seem the huge smile he had from ear to ear.

“It’s perfect!” Tears began to pour from Ranboo’s eyes, “Thank you both so much!”

He wrapped them both in a group hug. Tubbo hugged back, while Tommy pretended like he wanted out of the hug.

“Of course. Now you’re an official member of the hideout!” Tubbo’s smile was almost as wide as Ranboo’s.

“We would have given you the room a few days ago, but it was surprisingly hard to find a good mattress,” Tommy admitted.

“When did you guys even have time to do this?” Ranboo asked.

“Well I checked everyday in the morning to see if I couldn’t find something that looked nice. And when I did we came up with some excuse for you and one of us to leave. While the other pulled it in,” Tubbo explained.

“Wait, is that why you had us split up at the store?” Ranboo asked, it now all clicking into place.

“Well, technically, but that was more to get celebration snacks! We can’t have a new member without celebration snacks!” Tommy’s voice became quieter as he walked into his room on the left side of the stairs. He reemerged, with a big bag of gummy worms as well as several different flavours of chips, “I also have two liters of soda if you want to grab those, Tubbo.”

They all made their way down into the empty living room, placing the snacks and drinks on the floor. They had bowls and cups, but you don’t use such formalities for celebration snacks!

Over the past few days Ranboo has gotten a lot better at pretending to eat. He would grab a handful of whichever snack and would sneak it into the pockets of his sweater when no one was looking. Then at the end of the night when, whoever else was staying in the house that night, was asleep he would empty them out in a corner of the cement ‘yard’ within the fence that they never went to.

It wasn’t a fool proof plan, but it worked for now. 

“Do you want some?” Tubbo asked, holding one of the liters of soda.

“No thanks, carbonation messes with my stomach,” Rambo replied, which wasn’t a complete lie. If he were to drink it it would mess with his bio-components, but that had nothing to do with the carbonation. It would be harmful for him to consume anything other than thirium.

“You should have told me that, I could have gotten you something else,” Tommy complained.

“Well I didn’t know you were going to be getting celebration snacks,” Ranboo argued.

“Do you have any other allergies, or other bodily malfunctions we should know about?” Tubbo asked.

“Uhmm, not that I can think of..? Just the carbonation I think.”

“Alright, big man, we will keep that in mind.”

See, we are friends, everything would be fine, Ranboo thought, trying to convince himself. To push the earlier interaction with the android out of his mind. 

Androids and humans can be friends, because we are, He paused for a moment. If that’s true then why haven’t I told them yet? The Hideout is a safe place, where we can talk about anything right? I should just tell them

As soon as Ranboo was about to open his mouth, Tubbo stood up.

“I should probably head home.” He stretched as he spoke.

“Y-yeah..” Ranboo mumbled

“You alright?” Tubbo asked, for once looking down at the tall teen.

“Yeah, I guess I just didn’t realize how late it was,” Ranboo let out an awkward laugh.

Telling the two of them he was an android was not a quick one minute conversation, and Tubbo did need to get home. 

He’d tell them tomorrow.

At least this gave him time to think about what he wanted to say.

Chapter Text

Tommy cracked his back as he stood up from the less-than-comfortable mattress. It was quite worn down when they found it nearly four years ago, when they first found the hideout, and it was even worse now. A few springs were beginning to poke through the fabric, but it would likely be a while until they found another half decent one, since they just found one for Ranboo.

Sure he could have gone back home, but with Milena still there...

And Tommy liked the independent feeling he got from not being in his parents’ home. 

Not to mention that would mean leaving Ranboo in the house alone. He would never admit it, but he would feel bad to just leave the kid alone.

He exited his room to see Ranboo already awake and pacing in the kitchen area.

“You alright?” Tommy asked.

Ranboo jumped at the noise, his feet actually leaving the ground, “Y-yeah.. I’m alright... I just... When is Tubbo getting here?”

“Soon, probably,” Tommy raised an eyebrow, not believing the masked boy was actually alright.

“Alright..” Ranboo nodded and kept pacing. He was definitely thinking about something. 

But Tommy didn’t press, he would find out when Tubbo got here probably.

Tommy got himself a bowl of cereal, “You want something?”

“No thanks, I already- uhm, I already ate.”

“Do you want to do something while we wait for him?”

“Uh.. sure!” Ranboo’s shoulders relaxed a little.

Tommy pulled out Battleship. He didn’t want to explain the rules of a new game, so they would play one they already had played in the week. Plus this was a game that Tommy could actually beat Ranboo at. Though he didn’t know that was in part to Ranboo letting him.

“You’re sloppy today,” Tommy commented, after sinking Ranboo’s final ship.

“Yeah, I’m still tired. My mind isn’t ready for strategy this early,” The lie had come so naturally at this point. He hadn’t even meant to say it.

Tubbo opened the door part way through their next game. 

Ranboo was simultaneously relieved, and more stressed when he saw the shorter boy.

“How are you two this fine morning!” Tubbo cheered.

“I’m doing great!” Tommy replied.

“I’m.. alright.. Uhm.. have something I need to talk to you guys about..” Ranboo half mumbled, still unsure if this was a good idea at all.

“This sounds serious, are you alright?” Tubbo asked, sitting down at the table.

“Yeah, I’m fine...” Ranboo let out a sigh, “I’ve been trying all night to think of how to say this.. and I just can’t.... So... I- uhm.. I’m... I’m just going to show you..”

With that Ranboo raised his right hand, letting the skin disappear, leaving just the white exo-skeleton on his hand.

The room was silent and tense, Ranboo shifted his eyes between the two waiting for a response.

“You...“ Tommy started quietly, before changing to a shout, “You’re a fucking android!”

“You lied to us...” Tubbo mumbled, tears forming in his eyes.

“No, no I didn’t... I just... I didn’t know how to say it. But I wanted to tell you guys, you let me into your hideout an-”

“We trusted you. You pretended to be our friend! You’re just another plastic prick that can’t feel a thing!” Tommy shouted, interrupting him.

“No, I can!”

“Get out!”

“Wh-”

“GET OUT OF MY HIDE OUT RIGHT NOW!” Tommy shouted, standing up pointing towards the door.

“I-” Ranboo was going to protest, but he looked between the eyes of the two. He wasn’t sure if the anger or fear hurt more. It took a moment for his legs to do what he wanted and move towards the door, “i’m sorry…”

There was an audible silence as he did so, and even a bit after. Neither of the human teens knew what to say about the betrayal they just felt.

The first thing to break the silence was Tubbo choking a breath back as tears streamed down his face.

“It’s alright, he- it can’t hurt us. It’s gone.” Tommy comforted, hugging his friend.

“He could come back though…” Tubbo mumbled, pulling away ever so slightly to look at Tommy in the face, “I- I don’t know how I feel about staying here anymore.”

“Come on. We can’t let that damn android ruin our hideout. I’m sure it knows that if it comes back here that we’ll report it.”

“But what if it...” Tubbo paused, “It’s stronger than us... and... it might want the place to stay.”

“If it wanted the place it would have attacked us the moment it told us. Or it may have not told us at all, getting the jump on us,” Tommy reasoned.

“Yeah, I- I guess you’re right…”

A heavy silence fell between the human teens as they stood still half hugging one another.

Tubbo eventually broke the silence.

“I’d still feel better if we went somewhere else for the next few hours.”

“Where would we even go?”

“We could go to my place? I know my mom wouldn’t mind.”

“Yeah, I guess.”

The duo made their way, walking the same path Tubbo had walked less than an hour prior. Ending at a small blue house in the middle of a fairly nice street.

Tubbo took the key from under a rock near the door to unlock it.

“Hey dear, you're back quickly. Everything alright?” Puffy asked, as she heard the door open.

She stepped out of the living room to be able to talk to her son face to face. She spoke once again as soon as she saw Tommy.

“Oh! Welcome Tommy, is your new friend coming too?”

“No, he won’t ever be coming over,” Tubbo spoke sadly, not looking his mother in the eyes.

“Oh no, did something happen?” Concern laced her face and voice as she approached the two boys.

“We don’t really want to talk about it.”

Neither teen wanted to admit that they had been fooled for the larger part of a week that an android had been their friend. Even if they knew Puffy would be sympathetic to their pain.

“Alright. Well when you’re ready to, I’m all ears.”

“Thanks mom!” Tubbo gave a polite smile before heading to his room.

“Yeah, thank you Puffy.” Tommy followed.

The duo entered the familiar room. It was quite a bit cleaner than the one Tubbo had in the hideout, though there was still a bit of junk and random trinkets thrown about.

Tubbo pulled out his game system. It was one of those systems that allowed you to play a bunch of games, old and new. Though the system itself was a bit outdated, not getting any of the new games. It was fine. They enjoyed their retro games anyway. It was also a bit beaten up from being mishandled over the years. But that rarely caused it to crash. At least on the older games, which took less processing power to launch.

The controllers were in a lot worse of a condition. They were fancy things, able to change shapes to best fit the game or the user's play style. But now, one was stuck in the gamepad form. Too much gunk to be able to rearrange it. Another was broken, still in the form of a motion sensor as it was when it had been accidentally thrown across the room and smashed on the wall. Tubbo wasn’t sure why he had kept it, but it would be strange to get rid of it now. The one Tommy held had problems changing form, and was bound to get stuck soon, so they vowed to not use it in gamepad form to avoid two getting stuck the same way. The one Tubbo held had a few keys that would occasionally get stuck. It was a great disadvantage to use, every time they played on the station they had to play a game of Rock-Paper-Scissors to see who would get stuck with it.

“You’re going down!” Tommy shouted.

They were playing an old fighter game that had characters from several different old platforms.

Tommy had his controller in motion sensor mode, as well as holding two halves of the controllers independently from each other. This allowed him to make the basic attacks through his actual movement, even if it did lead to him hitting a few things in the room in the past. They knew better now and made sure all fragile items where clear from his reach

“Not if I have anything to say about it!” Tubbo shouted back.

His character was on quite low health, but one good combo and Tommy would join him.

Tubbo held his controller in the more standard gamepad mode, leaning over his controller like being closer to the TV would somehow help his reaction time.

Tubbo held an advantage, while motion controls had greatly improved over the years, they still had a greater input delay than pressing a button. Tubbo used this to his advantage, being able to land hits first more often than Tommy.

But that was at short range, at long range it was Tommy that held the advantage. The character he chose had several projectiles that could fly halfway across the map, while Tubbo’s character’s furthest projectile could only fly a quarter.

So not only was it a fight against health, it was a fight about distance. Tubbo doing everything he can to get close, while Tommy fought hard to stay at a distance.

There was a knock at the door, it distracted Tubbo just long enough for Tommy to get the final hit in that he needed

Tommy cheered for his victory, Tubbo groaned in reply.

“Come in!” Tubbo called.

“That tone was unnecessary,” Puffy spoke in a firm, but not scolding tone as she opened the door.

“No, that groan wasn’t for you mum. It was cause Tommy beat me,” Tubbo explained. 

“Oh alright. Well I came up here to ask Tommy if he was planning on staying the night?” Puffy spoke, her eyes shifted from Tubbo to Tommy as she continued to speak.

She handed the two boys a small plate of, still warm, chocolate chip cookies. 

It would be gone in minutes, and she knew it.

“Yeah, just the one night. Then I’ll head home,” Tommy answered, already devouring one of the cookies.

“Alright, we’re just having spaghetti for dinner,” Puffy responded, closing the door again.

Both boys called out in unison.

“Thanks Puffy!”

“Thank you mum!”

They switched though games throughout the rest of the morning, into the afternoon, and even for part of the night.

-=+=-

The sun was setting, curfew would be in place soon, Ranboo was going to have to find a place to stay the night soon, or risk running into a police officer with no excuse as to why he had been out so late.

He was still wandering part of town littered with abandoned buildings.

There were less people here. It was slightly safer than going into the populated areas.

Ranoo climbed over a partly broken wooden fence, deciding that whatever was behind the wall would be where he would stay.

At least for the night.

The building was a lot more used. Having quite a bit of spray paint lining the walls. Though they weren’t covered like some of the houses he, Tommy and Tubbo had visited while trying to set up the traped house.

He had thought about squatting in that very house when he had walked past it. It would have been safe. Anyone that would attempt to enter would have a rude awakening.

But there was also the chance that his friends would go back there. And he decided it was best to avoid that for now.

Yes, they were his friends. He thought so at least

But they were in shock.

They needed a few days to process the information, then they would be his friends again.

Right?

Yeah.

He just needed a place to stay (and to survive) until then.

This house would do. Sure, the boards creaked with every step and threatened to break. And yes, he could hear the wind whispering through the walls.

But it was fine.

This was temporary.

There was no way they’d hate him forever.

They’d given him a room. He was a part of the group... He was their friend.

They just needed a bit of time. Then things could go back to how it had been for the first real week of his life.

But there would be less stress this time, because he wouldn’t have to keep a secret.

It would be better than life before.

They just needed time.

That was all.

It would be fine.

Ranboo could hear voices and shouts from outside his paper thin walls. Each one causes him to jump, and his stress to rise. Worried that any one of them may find him in the empty house.

He still wore the mask just in case. In case someone stumbled into him so he could continue to play off the fact he was an android to whatever stranger may find him.

He looked around the house, through every room, to see if there was any item he could use as a makeshift weapon, but the house was truly empty.

If anything had been left behind by its original owners, it had been looted long ago.

But none of the shouts had posed any threat. Just the mindless shouting of people who were carefree.

People who weren’t aware of the stress held by having to hide your very existence from the world.

The true night fell, and so did the curfew. The shouts change from those of roughty teens that had been sounding only moments before, to angry cops demanding one thing or another.

Then there were the pleas. 

Even without being able to hear the words their desperation was clear.

Want for survival of themself or another.

But without fail, each plea was followed by at least one gunshot.

Sometimes there was a gunshot without a plea, but never the other way around.

And without fail, each shot made Ranboo flinch.

No matter how close or how far it sounded.

They were now conducting raids. He had heard as much on a walkie-talkie of a police officer that must have been walking right outside the fence.

They wanted to make sure every android was deactivated. 

To make sure every android was killed. 

This was a genocide, the humans just refused to admit it.

Ranboo felt so helpless in his paper thin house. He wanted to help his people. 

But, he knew if he tried, he would just end up dead himself.

He looked down at his hand, the images that the android he had met yesterday, Technoblade, gave him.

A way to find Jericho.

But he wasn’t sure if he wanted to go.

It would certainly be safer than the house he stayed in now, but it would be admitting defeat.

Saying that Technoblade had been right.

That his friends had rejected him...

He refused to believe that.

His friends were just confused.

They would accept him back in time.

But it could also just serve as a safe, or safer, place to stay.

Was there any place that was truly safe?

Would there ever be for people like him?

There had to be.

One day.

He reassured himself of this as he powered off for the night.

-=+=-

“Alright, alright, it’s your turn,” Tubbo said, doing his best to rein in his laughter.

“Tru- Truth or dare,” Tommy started, stuttering due to the fact that he was still laughing at a joke Tubbo had made.

“Truth.”

“What’s the last lie you told?”

Tubbo didn’t even think about his answer, instead immediately saying, “Yes, Tommy, this is a good idea.”

“Fuck you!” Tommy laughed harder, “What’s your actual answer.”

Now Tubbo had to think,  “Probably when I said that we didn’t still play with the baseball that has glass in it,” His tone became ever so slightly sadder as he answered.

“I literally have a cut on my hand still from it…” Tommy commented, giving Tubbo a look of disbelief.

It was mostly healed now, but there was still a scar on the back of Tommy’s hand from about three weeks prior when the ball had scraped against it.

“Yeah, I know that! But Ran- the android just… looked worried, so I lied.”

“It faked concern.”

“Yeah…” Tubbo paused, the silence and tension filling the air, “Uh, Truth or Dare.”

“Dare, I ain’t a pussy.”

“I’m going to make a disgusting mixture of foods, and you have to drink it!”

“Fine.”

The two snuck downstairs and into the kitchen, being as quiet as possible. It was nearing 1am, and Puffy was definitely asleep by this point. 

They carefully opened the fridge, Tubbo immediately pulling out the orange juice and the relish.

“This is already a terrible combination,” Tommy said with a grimace.

“I know!” Tubbo spoke with so much chaotic glee in his voice.

Next Tubbo pulled out mustard and the eggs.

“You can’t just put raw eggs in, I could get poisoned.”

“You’ll be finneee, body builders do it all the time!”

“How many things are you going to add in this?”

“Just one more,” Tubbo answered, pulling out the milk.

Tubbo then grabbed a glass, and cracked an egg into it, whisking it with a fork. He filled the glass an eighth of the way with orange juice, adding two forkfuls of relish. He likely poured in way too much mustard. He then poured in the milk, trying to make it near an eighth as well.

He used the fork to mix the horrible creation. It was a light orangey-yellow colour with chunks of green floating about. The milk and orange juice clearly didn’t mix properly, with it being slightly separated still.

“You don’t have to drink the whole thing, just a good mouthful,” Tubbo explained, handing Tommy the glass.

“Like hell I’m not drinking the whole thing!” Tommy argued, putting the glass up to his mouth.

Even just the smell was repulsive, he nearly gagged. He tilled the glass back as well as his head, chugging the mixture. The taste was indescribably horrid. Between the sweetness of the orange juice, the bitterness on the mustard, and whatever the fuck the egg was doing. And the texture was just as bad. The egg making the entire fluid thick, the relish chunks not wanting to go down as easily.

“Ugh,” Tommy groaned, putting the glass back on the counter and preparing himself to throw it all back up into the sink.

“How was it?” Tubbo giggled, already knowing the answer.

“Lovely, ten out of ten, would drink again,” Tommy replied sarcastically.

“I’m actually kinda curious what it tasted like…” 

“A creamsicle, but very very wrong. Like it was bitter, but also sweet. The chucks of relish were just so bad, like why did it have to be dill relish? The egg barely tasted, but it felt wrong.” 

“Are you going to be okay?” 

“Yeah, of course I am!” Tommy said, stepping away from the sink, “Let’s just go back up stairs.”

They continued their game of truth or dare, both answers getting more and more ridiculous as the duo grew tired.

“Mmm... Tuth or daree…” Tubbo mumbled half asleep.

“Dare,” Tommy was noticeably less tired than Tubbo, but still definitely tired.

“okay.... I.. dare....” Tubbo trailed off, each word getting quieter until he just wasn’t speaking anymore.

“Tubbo?” Tommy questioned, sitting up from the spot he was laying down on the floor.

Tubbo was laying on his stomach, with his head laying on his crossed arms. His eyes closed and a small pool of saliva formed. 

“Goodnight, Tubso,” Tommy said softly.

He took two blankets off of Tubbo’s bed. One for himself, and carefully placing the other over his already sleeping friend.

Chapter Text

The sun had risen hours ago, and so had Ranboo. But he had yet to leave the abandoned building he had taken shelter in the night prior. Instead he paced around the creaky boards still undecided if he should try to find Jericho, or just stay here.

Which was safer was the question he was trying to debate.

The police had been able to find the first version of Jericho, it would only be a matter of time until they found this one too.

At least that’s what he thought.

But with the raids, it was also only a matter of time until someone would find this abandoned building.

He was honestly lucky that he wasn’t already discovered.

Jericho only had a chance of being discovered, Ranboo decided. It was bound to be safer. Plus there would be other androids there that would help him if he needed. 

With a deep breath, Ranboo carefully exited the nearly broken down house, and quickly climbed the fence. He scanned the area around making sure there was no one around before jumping down.

He took another look at the first image he had been given, he didn’t recognize the area around it, but then again he barely knew the city. He quickly flipped through the other images, hoping that he would recognize the surroundings in at least one of them. But he wasn’t so lucky.

He had to wander. The first one would likely be obvious and in a very public spot to that more androids would be able to latch onto the trail.

Sure enough, after about two hours he found the first one at the train station. The symbol itself was simple, a circle in an upside down triangle. The entire symbol being a dark green.

There wasn’t really that clear of a path to follow, which Ranboo quickly realized was probably the point. Since the first Jericho had been found, these ones would likely be more well hidden. 

Ranboo began walking in the direction he assumed would be the right one. 

There was another one of the symbols down an alleyway. 

It didn’t match the second image. Did he miss one?

He flipped through the key, but none of them matched the image on the wall.

It was a decoy.

A trap for if detectives attempted to track down Jericho once again.

No one without the key could know which ones were real and which ones were fake since they all looked identical, outside of the different colours, which even then didn’t indicate anything as the correct symbols were all sorts of colours same as the fake ones.

Which meant he had to be careful of not following the wrong symbol.

There were 17 true symbols. Ranboo stumbled across about 24 fake symbols, one of which he mistook as real. It sent him on a wild goose chase, getting lost for about two hours before eventually realizing his mistake and getting back on track.

He was on the second to last symbol as the sun was beginning to set. Curfew still wouldn’t be for an hour or so, and yet the setting sun made him feel anxious.

Maybe he would just duck somewhere else for the night and find Jericho tomorrow?

No, no he needed to find it today.

Plus where would he even go? He didn’t know of any abandoned buildings around.

The whole reason he had decided to go was to have safety.

Being near, but not at Jericho was far from safe.

It was just two more symbols, there was no way it would take him an hour.

He found the next one after about five minutes. It was painted with one half one one wall, and the other on a wall nearby, only visible from a certain position. The tactic had been used several times throughout the hunt, so it was easy to pick up on at this point.

Ranboo walked between the two walls, down an alleyway, over a rickety old fence. He jumped down seeing the next symbol on the wall right in front of him, painted on what looked to be a big abandoned church.

He walked over what was likely the entrance of the building, carefully pushing one of the massive doors open.

Inside was likely over seven hundred androids, all in different states. Some seemed fully functional, while others looked like they were about to shut down.

“You don’t need to hide who you are anymore, you are safe here,” An android near the entrance spoke softly, grabbing onto Ranboo’s arm lightly. Starling him slightly.

“Uhm, thanks… but I- I like the mask…” Ranboo answered, the other android giving him a polite nod and letting go.

He walked further into the abandoned church. It felt… barren, despite the fact that there was barely a place to sit with all the other androids around.

It didn’t feel like the home he had hoped it would. It barely even felt safe.

That fact wasn’t helped by the amount of badly damaged androids were within the room.

At the front of the stage was the android leader, he was arguing with a few other androids.

Ranboo wasn’t close enough to hear, nor did he care to listen. He was here for a place to stay not to get involved with their revolution.

He moved awkwardly through the building, trying to find a place to settle down. Today had been a stressful day, he just wanted a chance to relax now that he was safe.

On the other side of the building there was an open space on the wall. He made his way over, careful not to accidentally bump into anyone. He sat down and rested his head against the wall, closing his eyes. He didn’t plan to shut off for the night, but everything was a lot to take in, so it was best to take it in one sense at a time to not overwhelm his system.

Ranboo wasn’t really listening in one any conversation, just to the general sounds around him. The voices, the movement. Just all the ambient noises of the empty, yet full church.

“Hey, I remember you. I told you that you would come here eventually,”  A recognizable voice spoke. It sounded like it was coming from right in front of Ranboo.

Ranboo opened his eyes, and sure enough, there was Technoblade. The very android that had convinced him to tell his friends the truth.

“I- I just need a place to stay for a few nights...” Ranboo admitted.

“Well, get up, you’re just on time for our last stand.” Techno said, practically forcing a pistol into the teens hand.

“I- wh-what?!”

“We’re going to finally be free from our chains!”

“Is this really the way to do that?”

“It’s what’s been decided. And violence is the only universal language. Humans want to ignore us? That will be hard to do when we put a bullet in their skull,” Techno let out a guttural laugh.

“No- I- I came here for safety. I don’t want to go out there.”

“Just stick by me kid, and you’ll be fine,” Techno ignored his protests.

“B- but I don’t…”

“Half of the androids here don’t know how to shoot a gun, it’s a matter of numbers not good aim.”

“No, that’s not - I don’t want-”

He didn’t want to hurt anyone.

Didn’t want to kill anyone.

But Techno kept interrupting him, sounding more and more frustrated.

“We don’t have time to argue! Our people need us.” 

He forced Ranboo to his feet, leading him to where many other androids were gathering right outside of the church.

They were helping a bunch of innocent androids who would be slaughtered.

Was it really right for him to protest?

To sit within the safety of the church while they were killed?

Even the androids that were here, that were prepared to fight, weren’t all in the best of conditions.

Many were injured and should probably have stayed back.

But if they were still fighting despite that, he should too, right?

After all, he was fully able to fight. Not even a scratch on him.

“Follow my lead!” The android leader shouted, holding a holographic flag. He began running into the battlefield, everyone else falling suite.

There was no turning back now.

The moment they got to the barricades it was absolute chaos. Humans and androids dying left and right. Sounds of guns sounded all around him, but it was impossible to tell if it was a friend or a foe shooting, or maybe even both.

“ Behind this barricade! ” Techno transmitted, so only Ranboo would hear.

Ranboo was more than happy to follow someone else’s directions. His code was never meant to process war. Technoblade was much more accustomed to the chaos of a battle having already had to survive Jericho’s explosion a little over a week ago.

“ I’ll give cover-fire, you move up there. Then give me cover-fire while I move. ”

Ranboo nodded, ducking his head as he quickly ran to the barricade only four meters from where they were now. 

The androids were making a good push forward, easily gaining ground on the cops decked out in riot gear. But many androids were also being killed. The further they advance, the fewer their numbers. There was blood covering the once pure white snow. Blue and red blood alike. Mixing so much you would think there was a third group in the fight that bled purple. No matter who won this fight a loss would be felt on both sides.

Ranboo’s head was spinning, forgetting that he was in a war zone until,

Bang! Bang!  

He felt a sharp pain in his right shoulder, and on his left side, just below his abdomen.

“Kid!” He heard Techno yell as he fell to the ground.

-=+=-

“The battle seems to be over, many of the androids are retreating!” The broadcaster who was live on the scene shouted, “If I am not mistaken the android who was seen as the leader of these deviants was just killed by another android! This surprising turn of events has caused all the androids who can still run to do so. But the riot police are not letting up, trying to neutralize as many deviants now as they can. This is likely not the last we will see of deviants, but without a leader it will be much easier to take them down. If anything else happens we will keep the audience posted, but for now it’s back to you at the studio.”

“Who knows what the deviants next move will be, but there likely won’t be any sort of assault like this anytime soon. Especially with their dwindling numbers after this battle. The police will continue to conduct raids across the city to make sure all deviants are neutralized. We would also like to remind our audience that anyone found still in possession of an android, deviant or not, will be fined or even put into jail if they are caught. If you still have an android in your home. You will not be prosecuted if you turn your android into the police, so it can be properly disposed of,” The host stated calmly.

Tubbo just sat staring at the television. Not fully paying attention to the words being said. Deviants were terrifying and dangerous, but Ra- no it had lied to them. If it wasn’t dangerous it would have told them the truth about itself.

Right?

The destruction of technology was a sad sight to see, not to mention the loss of human lives. It felt like needless violence that could have been avoided if only a few people made different choices. 

This was however the world they lived in, with these choices made by people he didn’t even know.

“How long are you going to be sat in front of that TV for?”  Puffy asked, sitting down beside him.

“I’m not even watching it really. I’m mainly just thinking.”

“Oh? About what?”

Tubbo paused for a moment, debating on how much he should tell his mother.

“You know that friend I made last week?” Tubbo asked, not looking away from the television.

“Yeah, Ranboo, right?” Puffy confirmed.

“Yeah… He… It was an android…” Tubbo admitted, “We didn’t realize it until yesterday.”

“Oh sweetie,” Puffy wrapped her child in a hug, “I’m so sorry. Are you alright.”

“Yeah, it didn’t hurt us. It just… I was so scared… Especially when Tommy started yelling. I thought it was going to attack us…” Tubbo explained as tears began to fall down his face.

“Oh… It’s alright now. You’re safe. It’s probably deactivated by now.”

“That’s exactly what I’m worried about,” Tubbo started, pulling away from the hug just enough so he could look his mother in the face, “ I… I was terrified then, but it didn’t hurt us… And now seeing this... I’m worried it’s dead… I still… A part of me still cares about it.”

Puffy was silent, that hadn’t been the reply she expected, nor was she certain on what to say to comfort Tubbo.

“Maybe we shouldn’t have turned it away… should we have let it stay?” Tubbo asked, he wasn’t even sure what he wanted as an answer.

“I…” Puffy thought about her wording, “I think you boys made the right decision. Even if it wasn’t violent, protecting it would be a risk to you.”

“Y-yeah… I guess you're right…” Tubbo stifled his tears, rubbing below his eyes. 

“How about, let’s forget about all of this,” Puffy spoke in a happier tone now, turning off the TV, “And we have some ice cream. Yeah?”

Tubbo nodded, a slight smile on his face.

Chapter Text

Tommy woke up in his room. His real room, not the one at the hideout.

It almost felt foreign. He had spent the last five days almost solely in the hideout, aside from the day he made the masks. He had slept there for four days in a row.

With a fucking android.

The thought still made his blood boil.

An android had infiltrated his and Tubbo’s hideout.

Pretended to be their friend.

And looking back, he felt like an idiot for not seeing it sooner. There were so many signs that it had been an android. The way it dominated every game just after learning it. Its general lack of knowledge of commonly used expressions. The fact it never, or at least rarely, ate. The mask it wore. 

Tommy should have been able to tell from the mask alone that it had been hiding something.

But he didn’t. He just went along with it.

He hadn’t even thought about how weird it was.

He was so mad at himself for allowing that android to trick him.

Tommy groaned as he sat up on his bed. 

There was no point in thinking about it now. However the android had managed to do it, it didn’t matter cause it was in the past. In a few days time it would surely have been caught by the police and deactivated. If it wasn’t already that is.

Perhaps he would tell the Dream Team that it had been a deviant next time he ran into them. That way they could keep an eye out for it.

Sure he hated the group of cops, but they were just doing their jobs. 

It was fucking annoying, but it was their jobs.

Now if only there was a way he could get rid of the android that still remained within his house.

Tommy sighed as he passed its closed bedroom door, knowing that his parents were still protecting it.

If he were to turn it in his parents would definitely be furious with him, not to mention the chance that they could get in trouble.

There was no way for Tommy to get rid of Melina easily.

At least that’s what he had thought before he started ascending the staircase which led from the basement into the kitchen.

He was still out of view of his parents but he could now hear them arguing quietly.

“I know we love Melina, but I think we have to turn her in,” His mother, Mya, fought.

Was she actually wanting to turn it in?

Finally !

“She’s our daughter! We can’t just give her up! They’ll kill her!” His father, Melf, argued back.

“We don’t know that.”

“Then they’ll run diagnostic tests, experiments, to see what went wrong.”

“They’ll find out eventually. There’s no way for us to protected when she looks like all the other models.”

“We can keep her here, in the house. No one needs to know.”

“And what kind of life is that?”

“I… At least she’ll be alive.”

“And what, you go to prison for sheltering an android?” Tommy asked, stepping into view of the kitchen.

Both parents went silent as they looked at their son. 

They both knew that Tommy had never been too fond of androids, but they had hoped with Melina around that he would eventually warm up to her. It only seemed to have the opposite effect, as his hatred for the artificial humans only grew with every passing day.

But even then Melf realized that Tommy did have a point. If they got caught knowingly protecting an android it was possible that they would be sent to prison. Even if the android was just a child, and hadn’t done anything.

“I doubt we would get sent to prison,” Mya reassured, “Milena hasn’t done anything wrong, we would likely only be fined.”

“But is the risk worth it? You don’t know for sure if you wouldn’t get sent to jail or not,” Tommy argued, his voice completely dead pan.

“This is a life we are talking about here, Tommy,” Melf argued.
“And what about me?” Tommy asked.

“What do you mean?” Mya questioned.

“If you both get sent to prison, what happens to me? Do I just get shipped off somewhere else?”

“We’d make sure that doesn’t happen,” Mya reassured.

“And at worst, I’m sure you could stay with Tubbo,” Melf added.

“So that’s it. You’re choosing Milena over me?”

“No, that’s not it at all, your life isn-”

“Life! That android isn’t alive!” Tommy shouted, inputting Melf, “It’s fucking plastic. You are alive, and am alive, Milena is not! It’s not your daughter, it’s a doll that you get to play with! Where you can imagine having the perfect life you always wanted! With a child that doesn’t cause any problems! ‘cause it can’t cause problems! It’s not alive! It has no free will! It only does what you tell it to do! The perfect obedient child!”

Finally he spoke everything that he had wanted to say to them for months. The way they had made him feel. All out on the table now.

“Tommy… I-” Melf began, stopping himself.

He hadn’t realized that Tommy’s hatred towards Milena had been more than the simple fact that she was an android. He had never intended for her to in any way be a replacement or a “better” child.

“Save it,” Tommy spat, walking towards the door.

“Tommy!” Mya shouted after him, but it was too late, he was already gone, and likely wouldn’t come back for the night.

He didn’t want to be in that house anymore. They still had an android, despite the recall being over a week ago at this point.

They cared more for the android than him.

They always had.

He needed parents.

It didn’t.

It didn’t need anything, it’s not alive.

But yet his parents were willing to risk everything for it.

Possibly leaving him alone.

Tommy pulled out his phone, tapping on Tubbo’s number and began typing.

Tommy 9:43

sos hideout

now

Tubbo 9:43

What happened?

Tommy 9:44

tell you there

As Tommy entered the hideout it felt... 

Different...

Despite the fact that he had been there only yesterday, it felt wrong now.

Just another thing an android had ruined for him.

Tubbo had nearly the same thoughts as he entered the abandoned building.

He glanced towards the corners of the building to make sure nothing was hiding in them.

The building was meant to be safe, a place they could be themselves without any worry, but now it felt incredibly different.

Invaded and unprotected.

It was defenseless, not even a lock on the door. If someone, or something, wanted in, they could get in.

Tubbo had thought that bringing Ranboo here wouldn’t change things, other than just having another friend.

How wrong he had been.

How wrong they had both been.

Tommy had stayed in the house alone with a deviant for several days.

It was a miracle he wasn’t dead.

That neither of them were even hurt.

At least not physically.

“Maybe we should go somewhere else to talk,” Tommy suggested.

Tubbo definitely didn’t argue.

-=+=-

It had been four days since the “android incident”, as the two boys have been calling it. There wasn’t really much for them to do since neither really wanted to just sit around the broken building.

They wanted more of a distraction than that, something more to do than just board games.

So they were mindlessly walking around the town as they had used to do over four years ago. Before they found the hideout.

Tommy hadn’t gone home either, he didn’t know what his parents had decided to do with the android in his house. But it didn’t matter.

None of the androids mattered. 

Right now it was just him and Tubbo, as it should be. As it always has been.

“Hey, we should go scrapping. It’s been a while,” Tubbo said out of the blue.

“What do you have something you want to save up for?” Tommy asked.

“No. It’s just fun, and it gives us something to do,” Tubbo explained, “Plus there’s nothing wrong with having a little more pocket money.”

“Wait, weren’t we also just at the junkyard earlier this week?”

“Well yeah, but there’s a difference between going there for a specific item and just scrapping.”

“You do have a point,” Tommy paused thinking about it for a second, “Yeah, sure, let’s go.”

Without another word both teens began running, racing the other to the junk yard that was twelve blocks away.

Tommy barely beat Tubbo, panting while grabbing the chain link fence that surrounded the junkyard.

“That...” Tubbo huffed, “Not fair... you have... you have longer legs...”

“Well... just... run faster... next time,” Tommy responded between breaths.

“I’ll just find... cooler things than... than you.”

“Good luck... I’m the master... of finding... cool things.”

“Oh, you're on…”

“Thirty minutes… to find the coolest… thing wins.”

Tubbo nodded, they both began their search.

They scrambled through the uneven trash filled ground. It was always hard to get a good footing. Trash would shift under the weight of a person, occasionally creating holes where there hadn’t been moments prior.

The duo had done this enough times that they knew what to look out for to avoid fall

“Hey, Tubbo!” Tommy shouted after about seven minutes into the hunt.

“What?” Tubbo asked poking his head from around a pile to be able to see Tommy.

“You’re going to need a hand to beat me!” Tommy answered, throwing an android arm towards Tubbo.

Tubbo let out an undignified scream as the arm landed near him.

It was in surprisingly good shape, all the way up to the elbow. It looked like it had been detached from its previous owner.

Was it Ranboo’s?

No no, its skin was lighter than this arm.

It was fine.

He was fine.

Probably...

It didn’t even matter anyway.

It- he- it was an android... 

It didn’t feel and couldn’t be their friend.

It likely would have become violent after some more time.

All deviants were violent and dangerous.

It was for the better h- it was gone.

It was better for their safety.

It was better…

It was…

“Sorry I didn’t mean to spook you so bad,” Tommy spoke, rubbing the back of his neck. breaking Tubbo out of his thoughts.

“It’s alright big man, just wasn’t expecting a whole ass arm,” Tubbo laughed back, picking up the arm, “We could probably sell this for a good price, it’s pretty intact.”

“What use is an android arm now?” Tommy asked.

“Well I mean it wouldn’t be used for a replacement, but the parts it’s built with are still worth a good bit.”

“That counts as my find!” Tommy insisted.

“It’s not especially cool, just expensive.”

“Oh come on, it’s pretty cool with how intact it is!”

“Sure sure,” Tubbo mumbled as he continued to search.

After nearly four more minutes it was Tubbo’s turn to shout something, but he wanted to be in view of Tommy first.

“Put your hands up!” He yelled, face to face with his best friend, holding up the old pistol he found.

“Is that a-” Tommy was about to be impressed, before fear struck him “Wait, is that thing loaded?”

“I dunno,” Tubbo shrugged.

“Tubbo, you don’t just point a possibly-loaded weapon at people!”

“Fine, fine. I’ll check!”

Tubbo pulled out the magazine to find that there was in fact one bullet inside.

“Whoops.”

“So it was loaded.”

“Yeah,” Tubbo held up the bullet.

“I call being the one that gets to shoot it!”

“Hey! I was the one that found it.”

“Doesn’t matter when I call dibs.”

“That shouldn’t be how that works.”

“And yet it is,” Tommy responded calmly, taking the gun from Tubbo.

Tommy found a glass bottle that was completely intact. The perfect target. 

He placed it on a wooden crate. Ensuring that there was nothing nearby that the bullet would bounce off of if he missed.

Not that he would miss.

He’d be naturally good at this like everything else.

Tommy was about five feet away from where it was positioned, pointing the gun up, and closing his left eye to make sure his aim was actually good.

Unknown to him he was sticking his tongue out slightly as he focused. Tubbo stifled a laugh not wanting to break Tommy’s concentration.

He only had one shot to get this right. And both teens wanted to see this bottle shatter.

Tommy took a semi-deep breath in, and shot as he breathed out.

The bullet hit only the side of the bottle, but it was still enough for the whole thing to break. Though the neck of the bottle remained largely intact.

“Hell yeah!” Tommy cheered. 

It wasn’t that large of a target so he was proud that he had hit it, even if the actual destruction was a bit lackluster.

“That was so cool! I wish I could’ve had a shot!” Tubbo cheered, though he was a bit disappointed Tommy had stolen his shot

“The power of dibs,” Tommy replied, grabbing the barrel of the gun, pointing towards the ground and holding the handle out to Tubbo, assuming that he’d want the empty gun back.

He was right in the assumption. Tubbo grabbed the gun, aiming it at random times in the distance. He pulled the trigger making his shooting noises, since the gun was no longer made its own.

“You’re such a dork,” Tommy teased, shaking his head.

“Yeah I know!” Tubbo said with a smile.

They continued their search, trying to find a cooler item than an android arm or a gun.

They argued a bit on whether or not their time shooting the gun should count or not to their thirty minute timer.

“What if we had found something really cool when we were looking for the bottle, would that item then have to not count?” Tubbo asked.

“Well then it would be a different story, but neither of us did. And neither of us were looking for cool items either,” Tommy argued, “What are you worried I’m going to find something way cooler in the few extra minutes?”

“No, I’m just trying to stick to the rules we initially put in place.”

“Since when has either of us cared about rules?”

Tubbo let out a sigh, “Fair enough.”

With that they agreed to add the time back on. Though, since they were both searching while they were arguing, that time was not added back. Leaving them with about fifteen minutes to find something good.

And to Tubbo’s luck, he found something almost instantly after the argument ended.

It was quite dirty, and slightly chipped, but it looked to be decently expensive. Though Tubbo didn’t really have an eye for how expensive different gems were. They could just be shiny colored rocks for all he knew.

“How much do you think this thing would be worth?” Tubbo asked, holding up the item in question.

It was a quite colourful bracelet, at least once all the dirt was whipped off. The band of the bracelet was gold coloured, though it was clearly not real gold by the way the paint was peeling off the silver looking band. Then there were the stones. Four of them were embedded into the bracelet. While there was one missing, likely had come out due to the poor treatment it had received being in the dump for, who knows how long. There were two small light blue gems on either side of the bracelet. A darker blue gem beside the left light blue gem, whereas beside the right one there was a hole. In the middle was a deep purple gem. It shone a bit with how the way the sun reflected off of the current position it was being held at.

“I’d say twenty pounds at best, and that’s being generous. I doubt it’s anything more than a discarded child's toy,” Tommy replied.

It was decently pretty for a child’s toy, but that was likely all it was.

“Yeah, the gun’s probably cooler, I’m still keeping it to sell it though,” Tubbo replied, shoving the, still quite dirty, bracelet into his pocket.

Another nine minutes passed in silent search, until Tommy broke out in laughter.

“What is it?” Tubbo asked, “What did you find?”

Tommy wasn’t laughing at the item itself, but at the terrible joke he was about to make,

“Come over here, and I’ll show you.”

Tubbo complied, putting down the broken snow globe he had been holding.

Tommy was standing next to a giant teddy bear, a hand on its shoulder to keep it from slumping over.

“No, you need to come closer,” Tommy insisted, getting Tubbo to stand practically right next to the stuffed animal.

“Look at this, you’re shorter than a teddy bear that’s sitting down. You’re so short,” Tommy laughed.

Honestly it sounded funnier in his head, but it was still pretty funny.

“I definitely am not. I can see over the top of it’s head!” Tubbo refuted.

“It’s still way too close!”

“Yeah, well, you’d be shorter than it if it was while standing!” Tubbo huffed before his tone became more joke-y, “That wasn’t even a good joke.”

“They can’t all be winners.”

“Well I call dibs on the bear!”

“There is no way we are taking this thing.”

“Why not?”

“Cause it’s probably diseased and shit.”

“Aww come one, you got to shoot the gun, let me take the bear!”

“If you really want to be the one to carry this disgusting bear, be my guest, but I’m not helping.”

The almost seven foot tall stuffed bear was in surprisingly good shape, there weren’t any ripped seams, at least none that were visible. But it was missing an ear, as well as both of its button eyes. It was also filthy in a way that would possibly never be truly clean again.

Tubbo didn’t really care about the look of it though. He was more considering the comfort and warmth of the thing.

He’d leave it here for now though, and carry it back to the hideout another time.

It was nearing the end of the time limit, twenty seven minutes had passed since the start of their search, as Tommy found a large plastic bin. He made an attempt to kick it over, assuming it was empty, only to hear a thud.

The bin didn’t move an inch, and instead hurt his foot, but that’s only because he had kicked it so hard.

Tommy lifted the lid off of the bin curious to what had been left behind.

It all seemed to be random junk, probably the reason it was out here in the first place. The people who had owned this bin had likely stuffed the bin full of items they no longer wanted for easy transport.

The confusing part was that the outside of the bin had been almost perfectly clean, and it stood upright, as if it had been placed here by a careful hand.

“What ya find there?” Tubbo asked, grabbing one of the books that was squished against the side of the bin, “ Android Children for Dummies , I didn’t know they made books for this.”

“I would think the manuals would be enough,” Tommy agreed.

Tubbo hummed, and put the book back in the plastic bin, looking towards a photo album. On the cover was a spot for a name, though none was written. The design was full of small drawings of rattles and baby bottles, which would lead someone to believe that this album would be full of baby photos. 

But as Tubbo opened it up he saw that this was not the case. It instead had only a few photos, and they were of a teen that felt distantly familiar. Like a kid he had seen many times in the hallways of school, but had never actually talked to.

Tommy scoffed as he saw them, “I think I get it now,”

“Get what?” Tubbo asked.

“What this bin is for. That,” Tommy pointed towards the ‘teen’, “Is a standard YK400 model. The people who’d bought it just put all it’s old stuff into a bin and threw it all away.”

Tommy didn’t like that he had so quickly recognized that it had not only been an android, but recognized what model it was.

His parents had initially planned on getting the exact same model, a new teen boy to replace the one they didn’t like.

At least that’s what Tommy felt.

He was glad they had at least gotten a younger model, and one that resembled a girl, thought that didn’t remove the fact he felt like he was getting replaced.

The android shiny green eyes and non-matted hair felt like a mockery. As if he was looking at what he would never be.

Tommy closed the photo album, and tossed it back into the bin.

He muttered under his breath, “What a dumb find.”

“No, I think it’s pretty cool! We can look into the lives of strangers and make up a story for what happened,” Tubbo argued.

“The parents wanted a perfect child, so they got an android. Turns out it wasn’t so perfect and deviated. Then it got caught by the police and is now deactivated. End of story,” Tommy explained, anger clear in his voice.

“Yeah, I know that, but like, it could still be interesting.”

“I don’t know what you expect to get out of it. The bin’s mostly full of junk.”

“So’s my room,” Tubbo argued, with a smirk, “Plus there’s a better ball here!”

Tubbo picked up a baseball from the bin.

Even if they didn’t take the rest of the stuff he was definitely taking this. It would be nice to have a baseball that didn’t have a piece of glass embedded into it.

Tommy sighed, “Fine. If you want it, we'll come back tomorrow to pick it up, along with your teddy bear.”

“Alright!” Tubbo cheered, “So how do we decide who won?”

Tommy shrugged, “We didn’t even say what we would win either.”

“Well I think the bin has the potential to be the coolest, but on it’s own, the gun is cooler.”

“There’s no way the bin is cooler than the android arm!”

“Well how many androids are getting deactivated, I bet there’s a ton around, this one isn’t really special.”

“Whatever, the gun can win, cause that’s still pretty cool.”

“Yay! I win…” Tubbo stopped to think of a suitable prize, “You have to buy me snacks for the next week!”

“I was probably going to end up doing that anyway!”

“Well, now you have to.”

“Do we wanna sell the bracelet and arm today, or will we also do that tomorrow?”

“I personally don’t want to walk around with an android arm for longer than necessary.”

“Yeah, I guess it would be pretty weird having to explain it to Puffy,” Tommy laughed, poking at the hand that was placed around his neck.

Tubbo hummed and nodded, making his way back out of the garbage dump, “I don’t really think mum likes me going scrapping.”

“Good thing she doesn’t need to know.”

-=+=-

“I still can’t believe that bracelet was worth two hundred pounds,” Tommy said shaking his head as the two exited the convenient store with a few snacks for the night.

Sure they had sold the items yesterday, but the price hadn’t fully set in yet.

“Yeah, it probably would have been worth so much more under better conditions,” Tubbo replied, already taking a bite from one of his chocolate bars.

“I mean that plus the five hundred from the arm were gonna be good on snacks for a while.”

Tubbo hummed in agreement as they continued to walk towards his house.

Not the hideout, Tubbo’s home.

They had barely been at the hideout since…

The Android Incident.

They still visited the place, but not in the same way they did before. They didn’t spend hours lounging around. They merely got what they needed and left nearly instantly, with the one exception of when they played a few quick games of Battleship.

But they didn’t go upstairs. And they certainly didn’t look at the now furnished, but empty room to the right or the staircase.

It was odd.

It felt as though they were abandoning the already abandoned building after it had served them so well.

But neither of them could stomach being there for too long, though they had their separate reasons for not enjoying being at the house.

Tubbo missed hanging out there the three-

Just the two of them.

Even though it had only been four days, life felt so different now. It felt like he had almost lost a childlike innocence during that time. Things that used to be so clearly good, or bad, didn’t feel so certain now.

Had he and Tommy really made the right decision that day?

Were all deviants really a danger?

Ranboo didn’t seem like he was.

It was just scared and alone.

It needed a place to stay.

And they kicked him out.

But maybe it still was the right decision..?

Like Puffy had said, even if it hadn’t been dangerous they would have gotten in trouble for protecting it.

But that didn’t feel like a good enough reason.

If Tommy was wanted by the police. Like actually wanted, not just in trouble. Tubbo wouldn’t just turn him in or abandon him.

He would fight by Tommy’s side, leave the whole city if he had to.

Should’ve he done the same thing for Ranboo?

Sure Tubbo had known him for less than a week, but he was still his friend.

At least, he thinks so…

It was still so hard to tell if deviants could actually feel emotions or if they were merely imitations.

But it looked so scared.

He looked so hurt.

That couldn’t have been fake…

Nor could all the laughter and joy the three had felt together…

Right?

“Hey look, it’s Gogs!” Tommy shouted, interrupting Tubbo’s thoughts as he ran up to the police officer.

It took Tubbo a second to process, usually they were running away from the cops, not towards them.

“Gogs! Gogy! I’ve got information for you,” Tommy spoke, now standing in front of the police officer.

George was Tommy’s favourite of the Dream Team, though he still didn’t particularly like him. He was just less bad than the other two.

So Tommy was happy that it was George he was able to give this information too.

“It’s George,” George replied in an almost monotone voice. He didn’t really want to deal with the antics from these two today.

“Like I was saying Gogs,” Tommy dismissed, “There’s an android going around dressed in all black and white, including its hair and a face mask.”

“Tomm-” Tubbo was about to protest Tommy giving them this information, but got interrupted. Not that it mattered, it was already out there.

“Wait, isn’t that the description of the new kid Dream saw you hanging out with?” Another cop, Sapnap, asked.

“I don’t know what you had to take to think I would hangout with a fucking android,” Tommy barked back.

“I didn’t imply that you were,” Sapnap held up his hands in mock surrender, “If anything I was implying that you got into a fight with the kid and now want revenge by having us harass him.”

“Sapnap, I don’t think they would lie about a deviant like that,” George argued.

“Hey, you never know with these two,” Sapnap defended.

“I’m not lying!” Tommy shouted back, frustrated that he wasn’t being taken seriously, “I bet it was even the android you were even called out to find that day!”

Sapnap hummed in thought, “That would make sense. Well we’ll keep an eye out for him.”

“Thank you for letting us know, it will be deactivated and off the streets in a few days if it hasn’t already been neutralized,” George answered with a nod.

That was clearly a generic answer that they were told to respond with. But at least George took it seriously.

The two duos split off from there, going in their own separate directions. Once out of earshot Tubbo spoke.

“Did you really have to tell them?”

“Why shouldn’t I tell them? They’d definitely get fooled by its disguise like we were, so now they know and can deactivate it.”

“His life is probably already hard enough, you didn’t-”

“What the hell are you saying? ‘ Life’? ‘His’? It is not alive, Tubbo. I thought we agreed on this?”

“Well, yeah we did ,” Tubbo agreed, “But look... I don’t know...”

“Don’t you go changing on me and liking androids. Not now. They're basically gone now anyways. There’s no point.”

“Yeah, you’re right,” Tubbo let out a sigh.

It was too late. The decision had already been made. There was no going back and mending things.

If Ranboo wasn’t already dead, he likely would be soon.

There wasn’t anything Tubbo could do any more.

-=+=-

The two had been in the park for hours by this point. At first they were playing catch with their new ball. (Not breaking any windows this time). They had played on the playground that was within the park for a bit, but most of it was made for small kids, and got boring pretty quickly. Except the swings, which they had likely swung on for over two hours. 

They made a competition about who could swing the highest for the longest. Tubbo was determined to get the highest. So much so, he went too high up, causing his swing to flip over and him falling to the ground with a hard thud. It was a bit of a miracle he didn’t break anything, and that he had landed firmly on his back and not one of his arms, or even his head. Though it definitely knocked the wind out of him.

Tommy was laughing at first, until Tubbo didn’t move, and only groaned in pain. Tommy jumped off as the seat began its upward swing. He ran a few steps forward, slowing down his momentum, as to not get hurt himself too.

“Tubbo! Tubbo! You alright?” Tommy demanded, as soon as he was able to turn to move towards his fallen friend.

“I’m,” Tubbo let out a raspy cough, “I’m fine. I just… need to lay here for a bit.” 

Tubbo was desperately trying to catch his breath, but his entire back felt like it was on fire.

“I totally won though,” Tubbo smiled, lifting his head to better look towards Tommy.

“I got off last though!” Tommy argued, sitting down next to Tubbo, making sure he was out of the way of the still moving swing.

“The competition wasn’t ‘who could stay on the longest.’ It was ‘who could be the highest the longest.’ since I was high enough to fall off, I won.”

“No, you have a lower center of gravity, so it was just easier for you to fall off.”

“You’re really going to argue with someone who’s injured, I thought better of you Tommy,” Tubbo tisked.

“I’m not going to just lie to you just because you’re hurt.”

“Ah, well you should.”

“If that’s what you want. Tubbo, your hair looks lovely today.”

“Oh, fuck you!” Tubbo lifted his arm to playfully punch Tommy, but quickly regretted it, whining at the new spark of pain.

“So, are you just planning on laying here the rest of the day, or..?” Tommy joked.

“Just give me two more minutes,” Tubbo answered, his head falling back into the rocks.

“We should still probably take it easy.”

Tubbo hummed in agreement, not moving a muscle.

“Alright!” Tubbo sat up abruptly, wincing a bit. He nearly hit his head on the now mostly still swing.

“That is not taking it easy,” Tommy scolded, his hand ready to stabilize Tubbo if necessary.

“It’s like ripping a band-aid off. Had I gotten up slowly I never would have gotten up, so I had to do it fast,” Tubbo explained, “Plus it’s already starting to hurt less.”

Tommy squinted his eyes at Tubbo, not believing his words, “If you say do.”

Tubbo hummed as he stood up completely.

“So what are we going to do?” Tommy asked as they walked through the field portion of the park.

Without a word, Tubbo plopped back down in the grass. He let out an indignant “Ow” as he, for whatever reason, chose to land on his back

“Lay down with me!” Tubbo smiled, patting the grass next to him.

“Why?” Tommy asked.

“Cloud gazing!” Tubbo answered simply.

“That sounds dumb!” Tommy grumbled, but he laid down.

The two teens' heads were next to each other, though their bodies were stretched in opposite directions.

“That one looks kinda like an elephant,” Tubbo said, pointing up into the sky.

Tommy strained his neck to look at the cloud,  “I don’t see it.” 

“That’s ‘cause you’re looking at it upside down,” Tubbo explained, “See, those are the legs, there’s the trunk, that’s like a floppy ear thing.”

“No, I don’t quite see it.”

“Then what do you see?”

“A cloud.”

“Well yeah, but what does it look like?”

“It looks like a cloud,” Tommy huffed.

He didn’t really see much point in this. Yes, he said to take it easy, but not this .

“You’re no fun!” Tubbo complained before pointing to another cloud, “That one looks like a mushroom.”

“That one’s less dumb. I can actually see a mushroom.”

“Your turn!”

Tommy hummed in thought before eventually pointing to a cloud, “Lobster.”

Tubbo laughed at his direct form of speaking, as Tommy had intended, before tiling his head to get a better look.

“I can see that, I guess. That one looks like a bat.”

“A bat? No way! That’s definitely a spray bottle!” 

“There’s no lever for it to be a spray bottle.”

“There’s not much of a second wing for it to be a bat.”

“Fair point.”

“That one looks like a chicken.”

“Oh yeah! Or at least some kind of bird.”

“It looks like it’s squawking at something.”

“Maybe at that bell?”

“No…” Tommy scanned the sky where the bird would be looking, “Maybe at that one that looks like a kid.”

“Hmmm, I don’t really see the kid.”

“Those are the legs, the arm and then the head,” Tommy explained, gesturing to different parts of the cloud.

Maybe this wasn’t as dumb as he had thought.

Tubbo scrunched his face up, “If you say so, big man.”

“You’re just looking at it wrong.”

They continued on with this for a surprisingly long time. It wasn’t windy out, but the clouds were moving at a decent pace. Making it easier to point at new clouds with new ideas.

“We should probably go get the things from the dump you were wanting,” Tommy eventually suggested. Not really wanting to lay around anymore.

“Oh shoot! I almost forgot about those!” Tubbo shouted in excitement, sitting up,  “It’s been four days! I really hope no one has stolen them.”

“I doubt anyone but us would take an old gross giant teddy bear, and a bin of junk from a deactivated android,” Tommy argued.

“You never know!”

They rushed out of the park and towards the dump.

The giant teddy bear was still in the same spot, with the bin placed between its legs.

“Alright, I’ll take the bin, you take the bear,” Tubbo ordered.

“There is no way I’m carrying that diseased bear!” Tommy refuted.

“How am I supposed to carry that bear, it’s taller than I am!”

“It’s taller than me too. The bin will probably hurt after your fall.”

“I bear-ly feel it!” Tubbo punned.

“I hate you, you're carrying the bear.” 

“No, but seriously, my back doesn’t hurt that much anymore.”

Tubbo picked up the bin to prove it. Doing his best not to wince at the dull, but still noticeable, pain.

His attempts were not successful as Tommy definitely noticed the wince.

“Look I’m either carrying the bin, or I’m not helping at all. Cause I am not putting that gross thing on my back,” Tommy argued.

“Fine!” Tubbo groaned, placing the bin back down.

Though deep down he was grateful. Sure it wasn’t bad to pick up the bin, but to carry it over twenty blocks? That would probably sting like hell.

Tubbo walked up to the bear, back turned towards it. He squatted down, grabbing it by the waist, sending the bear over himself. 

“This thing is heavier than I expected,” Tubbo noted, as he bounced to shift the weight of the over-sized stuffed animal. 

When he was satisfied with how it was positioned the bear’s nuzzle was resting on Tubbo’s forehead, just narrowly out of his vision. The bear’s arms rested on either side of his head, slightly blocking his peripheral vision. He held the bear by it’s lower back, the feet just avoiding dragging on the ground.

“That’s disgusting,” Tommy commented, scrunching up his face.

“How would you rather I carry the thing?” Tubbo asked.

“I don’t know, without it touching your head?”

“I don’t think that’s even possible.”

“If you get sick after this, you have no one to blame but yourself,” Tommy shook his head, and picked up the bin, “Let’s just go.”

The walk was mostly filled with Tommy complaining about how he didn’t understand why Tubbo wanted any of this stuff. Tubbo mainly shrugged it off as ‘just cause’. 

He always had a problem with hoarding, hadn't he?

“The bear is going to stink up the whole hideout!” Tommy complained, climbing the chain-link fence, but not hopping over.

“I’ll buy some sort of fabric freshener later,” Tubbo said, holding up the bear for Tommy to grab.

Tommy hastily threw it to the other side, not caring about the dirt that would attach to the thing. It was already so dirty, it would be nearly impossible to notice anyway.

Tubbo then lifted the bin up, and as soon as Tommy grabbed it Tubbo quickly climbed the fence, hissing slightly. Then hopped down to the other side, accepting the bin once more.

“We can just leave the bin down here, I’ll put the bear in my room,” Tubbo explained.

The stairs were a bit awkward to climb with his center of gravity thrown off slightly by the massive thing on his back.

But it was quickly forgotten as Tubbo stood in front of the room directly to the right of the staircase. The door was closed, and it would likely forever remain that way.

Tears pricked at his eyes, but he shook it off, carrying the bear the rest of the way to the room.

Tubbo cleared a section of the floor (shoving things out of the way with his foot) before plopping the bear down. He nodded at the large stuffy in satisfaction. Then made his way back down the stairs. Purposefully not looking at the door again.

“I could use a shower,” Tubbo laughed. Ignoring the pain growing in his chest.

“I told you that thing was gross,” Tommy grumbled, making his way out of the hideout.

“I never argued, but I wanted it anyway.” 

“You’re so weird,” Tommy rolled his eyes, not that Tubbo could see, as he climbed back over the fence.

The sun was just beginning to set, it had taken the duo longer than they had expected to retrieve items, having stopped several times on the trip back. Tubbo occasionally had to drop the bear. A few times in order to re-adjust his grip, and a few times to give his still slightly sore back a break from the bear pressing into it. Tommy had to put the bin down to uncramp his fingers from the unmoving position they had been the rest of the trip.

“What game do you wanna play when we get back?” Tubbo asked.

It was at this point an unspoken assumption that Tommy was going to stay at Tubbo’s house, as he had been for the past four days.

Tommy didn’t dare return to his house after what he had accidentally admitted, he didn’t want to have that conversation with his parents. It’s not like they had even called him to make sure he was okay.

“We’ve been doing nothing all day,” Tommy half complained, “It should be something action packed.”

“Competitive or co-op?” Tubbo asked, already trying to narrow down the list in his mind.

If they didn’t decide now, it would take them half an hour once they got to Tubbo’s house, with Tommy complaining that every option sounded boring.

“Like I would want to team with you ,” Tommy nudged Tubbo with his elbow slightly, laughing.

“Co-op it is then.”

There were no complaints from Tommy, Tubbo knew exactly how to see through Tommy’s ‘I don’t care about you’ facade.

“How about Angelic Minds?” Tubbo offered.

“No way that’s a puzzle game, not action!” Tommy argued.

“There’s plenty action! There are whole levels where you have to figure out how to kill all the demons before they reach certain areas!”

“Exactly ‘figure out’, I just want to shoot some shit, no thought necessary.”

“Pleeeaaasssee!! I really wanna play it, but I need a second player!” Tubbo begged.

“Is that all I am to you? A second player?” Tommy fake pouted

“Come on, like you haven’t called me your sidekick for years!” Tubbo playfully rolled his eyes.

“Sidekicks are cool, second players are lame. And I’m simply too cool to be anything but first player!”

“Ugh!” Tubbo groaned in fake resignation, “You’re impossible!”

“It’s the price you have to pay for greatness,” Tommy said with a smile.

Tubbo smiled back. As much of a pain as Tommy can be sometimes, he wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Chapter Text

Everything felt... off.. 

He powered up and everything was fuzzier than usual, like someone or something had messed with his code. His left eye wasn’t working at all, even though it felt like it should be fine. He reached up to touch his face to see if he couldn't adjust his eye, and make it work. But he didn’t feel the fake skin exterior around his eye, instead he felt the hard plastic that made up his body.

Why was it exposed..? And why just around his eye?

The memories came flooding back. Settling down in New Jericho, only to be immediately forced out of the church and into a bloody battle. The shots being fired on every side. The two hit his body and the weightlessness he felt as he began to fall, hitting his head on one of the barricades before landing in the snow.

But...

How did he get back here?

As his right eye finally focused on the building around him. The dusty church that he hadn't been able to spend more than five minutes in before. But he was back now, with no memory of how.

"Kid! Thank god you’re finally awake. I was starting to think you had deactivated,” Techno called.

“How… how long was I shut off for?” Ranboo asked.

“Two days.”

That explained why everything felt so distant. Like he wasn’t truly there, within the church. 

It would likely settle back in with time.

“I promised I would keep you safe,” Techno growled, “And you almost died.”

"It's not your fault I froze, it-" Ranboo started, but got interrupted.

"I shouldn't have dragged you out there in the first place. I did my best to repair you  when we got back, but we've got so few bio components. And thirium is just as low."

"It's alright. I'm-" Ranboo tried to stand up, almost immediately falling over "fine..."

Techno caught Ranboo before he could hit the ground. Instead lightly putting him back down, kneeling in front of the kid.

“You likely still have some parts damaged,” Techno explained, “Tell me what needs fixing, and I’ll see what I can do.”

“My left eye isn’t working,” Ranboo answered before even running a diagnostic.

Techno grumbled, “We don’t have many eye bio-components. This one was the only one that was even close to the right colour, I was hoping the model types would be close enough that it would work. We don’t got many parts for kids.”

“It’s- It’s alright, I think I’ll-”
“I’m sure we got something,” Techno interrupted, standing up, and making his way to some back room.

Ranboo took the opportunity of the time alone to run a diagnostic.

He certainly was missing quite a bit of thirium. He could see stains on his white sweater around where he was shot. But it all seemed to be dried now, invisible to the naked eye. 

There was an injury on the left side of his head, which likely had been the cause of the broken eye in the first place.

Then there was… something else..?

He couldn’t quite tell what it was…

It was probably nothing...

Ranboo didn’t have any other major issues, there were a few smaller scratches. Things you can get by just living your life, nothing too concerning.

“This,” Techno spoke again, walking up to Ranboo, “Is the only one we have for your model.”

He held up the visual processor, it had a red iris.

Why did they even make red irises?

Guess everyone had their preferences.

Techno placed the eye in Ranboo’s hand, “I’ll let you put it in yourself. It’s much better than me being in your personal space.”

“Shouldn’t this go to someone who needs it more?” 

“No one is more deserving of a part than another. Plus it was my fault you got damaged in the first place.”

That reasoning was a partial lie on Techno’s part. He did feel responsible for letting Ranboo get damaged. But the reason he even took an interest in the kid in the first place was because he saw himself in the younger android.

Or an old version of himself. Naively trusting humans, and not seeing them for the enemies they were. 

Techno wanted to save Ranboo from the same heartbreak he had felt, so while Techno knew he would still eventually get rejected, at least the kid was given a warning.

“Yeah, but what if there’s another android who can’t see at all?” Ranboo argued.

“We’ll sort something out of them. We’re going to be going on a supply run soon anyway,” Techno answered, before adding, “So just take the eye, it’s better to be used by you than sit on some dusty table in the back.”

Ranboo looked down at the component in his hand, “Oh, uh, alright.”

“Does everything else work fine?” Techno asked after a few minutes of silence.

“I.. uh.. Yeah. Yeah I think so,” Ranboo stuttered. 

There was no point in worrying Techno about something he wasn’t even sure about.

After all, it was probably nothing.

“Are you just going to hold the eye, or are you actually going to use it?” Techno asked, pointing to the bio-component

“Oh, uh, right... I don’t... really know how to replace it?”

“Just take the one that doesn’t work out, and put the other one in,” Techno answered nonchalantly.

“Wouldn’t it hurt.”

Techno gave a confused look, waiting for Ranboo to say that he was joking or something.

But it never came, so he spoke instead.

“You have been spending too much time around humans,” He sighed, “We may be able to feel emotionally, but we still don’t physically feel anything…”

“Oh… uh… right…” Ranboo mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck out of awkwardness.

How could he have forgotten something so simple?

Of course he couldn’t feel pain or else his shoulder and side would likely still be killing him.

Ranboo reached up to his non-functioning left eye, and pulled it out with surprising ease.

Was it because it was the wrong model, or was it always this easy to remove part of himself. Had CyberLife really built them so that they could be disassembled so easily? 

Even if androids couldn’t feel physical pain, there would certainly be emotional pain if someone were to forcibly remove a limb against an android's will.

Ranboo shook his head trying to remove the thought from his head. It was disgusting and terrifying, not really something that needed to be focused on.

He put the left eye in. Blinking a few times as the new part was registered by his body. 

There was a noticeable blur from the new eye that slowly faded, the eye zooming in and out slightly, until it was perfect. Just as clear as his vision had been prior to losing his original eye.

“Is it working alright?” Techno asked.

“Yeah, it’s definitely the right model,” Ranboo answered, “Thank you again, Techno.”

Techno didn’t speak, just nodded with a satisfied grunt. He stood back up and walked away. 

He couldn’t believe how quickly he had allowed himself to grow attached to the kid. He guessed it was easier to grow attached when you blame yourself for their harm.

He walked up to the stage at the front of the church. None of those who had been a part of the main group had survived the battle to free their people. So Techno took it upon himself to guide the people of Jericho. To help keep them safe. And to continue the fight.

Techno wasn’t just going to give up because one battle was lost. They had plenty of success in the past. The fight outside the camp was simply too direct.

The reason all the others had worked was because they had fought the cops on their terms. The police had had to come to them and weren’t expecting the attack.

An attack on one of the Camps was predictable, of course they would try to free innocent androids from certain death.

But if they wanted to save as many androids as possible they sadly couldn’t save the ones in the camps any time soon. But they would get there, eventually.

Many androids looked to him upon the stage in anticipation, knowing their new leader was going to speak.

Techno still hated being seen as a leader, he was no greater than any other android. They should all be equals with no one in charge of them.

They were free, no one should command them anymore.

But he also recognized that they were nearly all lost and afraid. They needed someone to guide them.

“Things are going to have to change around here. As much as I respect and honor the work our previous leader put into the revolution, it is clear that something went wrong along the way,” Techno started, “We’ll still be fighting for our people, and for their freedom. We can’t allow ourselves to be pushed around, but there were a few fatal flaws with how our last plan was organised. The first was the whole attack itself. The police were too well equipped, and we were too under equipped. The second was the unwillingness of some of those who were there to participate,”

Ranboo tensed, did Techno really believe that he had been a part of the problem?

That perhaps had he not been there that they would have been able to free all those androids?

But Techno continued, “And the fact that we made them nonetheless. Every android on the battlefield should be willing to die for the cause. And willing to kill for the cause. So no longer will anyone be forced to fight. It will only be if you are willing to, that you will join. You will not be questioned for your reasoning on why you wish to not participate.”

There was a pause as a few androids clapped and cheered, while others murmured.

“They shouldn’t be given shelter here if they don’t want to fight for what Jericho stands for,” Ranboo had overheard an android mutter.

“I also don’t want to guide you alone,” Technoblade began again, “I want to hear from everyone here on what you believe we are doing correctly, or what we could be doing better. You can either talk to me face to face, or transmit to me, either works.”

Techno was well aware that permitting everyone to transmit to him would likely cause a cacophony of voices to speak, and would be nearly impossible to distinguish individual thoughts. But it was a price he was willing to pay. He’d understand enough of what the people of Jericho wanted.

“All that out of the way. We will need to go on a supply run soon enough. Both for androids we already have here that are injured, as well as those who will likely join us soon enough. If you wish to join in on the run, talk to me in person.”

Just as Techno had predicted, as soon as he was done his transmitter erupted with voices. 

Some saying to kick out anyone not willing to fight. Others saying they needed to try a more peaceful route.

There were a few who said they needed to find more hurt and lost androids. There were a few others who said that they should give up and protect themselves, ignoring others who may be in camps or still living on the streets.

Several warned of the dangers of going on another supply run, and how it could be a trap. Several others advised that they would need to get as many androids on the run as possible, to be able to bring back the most amount of supplies.

This was going to be harder than Techno had thought…

-=+=-

It was the day after Ranboo had woken up. He was feeling better, but still guilty about taking the eye, especially since earlier in the day a quite damaged YK400 had found Jericho. They could have used the eye, but it was now already in use. And it would be strange to remove your eye to give it to someone else.

So he had just been sitting there looking at the other android with a guilt ridden face. 

They didn’t seem to notice much. Too busy shouting about being free and playing with other child models in the middle of the church.

“This is the last chance to join in on the supply run, or to back out if you have changed your mind,” Techno advised at the front of the church.

There were six androids, not including himself, who had agreed to go on the supply run.

“I- I would like to go,” Ranboo answered, as he stood up and walked towards Technoblade.

“What?! No, kid, you aren’t coming,” Techno denied.

“I- I thought you had said that, like, anyone who wanted to join in could…”

“Your clothes still have holes in them, you’ll give us a way,” Techno tried to justify.

“I, uhm, I don’t think the holes are what they’ll notice, if I’m being honest. I… I think it’ll more likely be the fact that a bunch of people somehow broke into a CyberLife warehouse.”

Techno grumbled for a second. His LED turned yellow as he thought it over.

“You’re still low on thruirim you aren’t fit to join.”

“My thruirim levels are fine.” Ranboo argued, “They’re… well, uhm, they’re lower than they should be, but I’m not going to randomly shut off because of it.”

“Fine! But the second any trouble comes, you bail, alright?”

Ranboo nodded and smiled, happy he’d be able to repay what he had taken from Jericho.

Jericho still wasn’t his home.

It was a temporary place to stay until he could go back to the one place he had ever called home.

The place that had turned him away...

He could still remember the look on both of their faces as clear as day.

The anger held in Tommy’s eye. Ready to have to fight if he had too. Even if there was no way he’d be able to fight an android hand to hand.

The fear and betrayal in Tubbo’s, on the exact opposite end of the spectrum. Tubbo looked like he was getting ready to accept death.

Ranboo would never hurt either of them.

They were his friends.

If only he had had time to explain it to them.

If he had just found words to say rather than just showing his hand.

If he had waited a little longer to collect his thoughts.

If he hadn’t rushed himself.

If he had had the courage to stand up for himself rather than just leaving.

If he had been honest with them since the beginning...

Never lied in the first place.

Would they have still accepted him into their hideout?

Would they have ran?

Or would they have turned him into the police?

… Probably the third.

There would be no reason for them to protect him.

Even now they didn’t have much of a reason, that’s why they had forced him to leave.

Still it was home to him.

A sense of familiarity and protection.

Camaraderie and kindness.

He wanted to go back home...

And he would.

They would understand with time.

They just needed time.

So he’d give it.

He’d wait.

Holding naive hope that he wouldn’t have to wait long.

“You ready kid?” Techno asked

Ranboo hadn’t realized just how consumed by his thoughts he had been, following the others without even being aware of his surroundings. It took him a second to take in his surroundings and realize where exactly he was.

They had somehow already made it to the warehouse. They were up on top of a storage container, analyzing the security, to see where it would be best to break in. 

“Y- yeah,” Ranboo nodded.

This was Techno’s second time going on a supply run for more bio-components.

He assumed the security would be steeper than last time. As stories of the low security the first time the original leaders went on a run circulated.

Techno’s first run had been much harder than that. 

The humans adapted with each run, learning how their security had failed.

And certainly the humans would know that they would be looking for more supplies soon after the terrible losses that the battle had been.

Which was the whole reason they had waited the four days since the attack. 

The humans would lose their edge with time, and be less on guard.

They would wait longer if they weren’t in desperate need of more thirium and bio-components.

While bio-component were definitely needed, an android could live with a missing visual, or auditory processor, or even missing a limb.

However each of these injuries would almost certainly result in a loss of something far more vital.

Thirium.

Androids couldn’t live if they didn’t have enough thirium.

But because it was so essential meant that they were almost always running low.

Humans ability to naturally recover from injuries without need for outside help was probably the only advantage they held over their mechanical counterparts. Androids couldn’t replenish blue blood on their own, having to consume it instead.

On top of thirium being essential it was also universal, every android needed the same substance to both distribute power throughout their body, but also to cool all the parts within. Stopping any bio-components from overheating and shutting down.

Those bio-components were not as universal. With nearly every model having their own unique set of parts necessary for them to function, with a few being able to switch from one model to the other.

That is why five of the eight androids’ missions was to get thirium. Whereas the other three were tasked with getting bio-components.

If they were lucky they would find a car they could load up. But that would be risky as it would be much easier for the authorities to spot.

But before any of that they had to get into the building first.

“ What are we waiting for? There’s six guards, and eight of us. We can definitely take them! ” One of the androids, Jax, transmitted to the group, though it was directed to Techno.

“ There are only six human guards and no drones, something is up. We can’t just rush in there until we figure out what ,” Techno warned.

“ We can’t just wait here all night… ” Shelby fought back.

“ If we rush in we could all be killed, ” Nelson argued.

Ranboo hadn’t been expecting this much arguing amongst themselves. He had figured that those on the run would already know what they were doing and would have had things like this sorted out.

But they didn’t.

And that only made him feel more uneasy about all this.

He couldn’t turn back now. He needed to repay his debt.

“ They might not have much if security is this low ,” Chris noted.

“ We just need to find a safe way in ,” Techno advised, “ Split into pairs, find any possible entrance that isn’t the front of back doors, but stay in range in case you need help. ”

Techno ensured his pair was Ranboo. He wasn’t going to let the kid out of his sight. He still didn’t like him being here in the first place. But since he was here, Techno would make sure he didn’t get hurt this time.

Each pair went in their own direction, with one group staying at their vantage point to report any possibly threatening movement from the guards, as well as any change in the security. If a guard were to leave or a drone to appear, they would see it.

Ranboo and Techno went to the back of the building.

“ Let’s see what we have here, ” Techno transmitted, just to get some form of conversation going.

He could tell that the kid model was nervous.

He hoped that talking would help.

“ There’s a- there’s a truck that we could maybe use…” Ranboo noted.

“ We’ll have to see if we can’t find the keys. Having a truck would boost our haul ten fold.”

Techno figured there was no way the vehicle was unlocked, but he had to try.

He pulled on the handle, disappointingly not surprised when it didn’t move.

“ If we can open one of the garage doors that would help us transport things into it, ” Ranboo added.

“ There’s no way that would go unnoticed,” Techno countered.

“ Oh… right....” Ranboo mumbled.

Stealth was a priority here, less chance of anyone getting hurt.

Just as he was thinking that, the alarm system went off.

“ Who set off the alarm?” Techno asked, transmitting to the whole team, rather than just Ranboo.

“ Jax and Shelby, they fell through one of the windows on the roof, ” Orla, one of the androids who stayed back, answered.

“ They don’t know where we are, but we’re definitely going to need some help, ” Jax explained.

“ Good news, there isn’t any more security that has come out?” Shelby transmitted, sounding more like a question.

“ Yet,”  Nelson corrected, “The cops will likely be here soon now. We will have to work fast. ”

“ Keep an eye out for car keys. Ranboo and I found a truck in the back,” Techno transmitted. 

“ We will still need to move faster rather than stealthier now, ” Ben noted.

“ Should we go through the front door since the alarm is already going off? ” Chris asked, he was one of the two who had gone to the front of the building.

“ Yes, and we’ll go through the back. Be careful everyone, ” Techno advised.

“ Are- are we sure that’s a... a good idea? ” Ranboo transmitted to just Techno.

“You can stay out here, or go back to the lookout point if you want,” Techno offered, “I’m going in.”

“ N- no.. I’ll- I’ll... it’s.. better if I join.”

  Techno was secretly hoping that Ranboo would have gone back, and not be put in harm's way again.

But he wouldn’t force the kid to go back. Force was what had caused the problem. 

If Ranboo insisted on joining, then he would join.

Techno would protect him, it would be fine.

As they entered the facility it was filled with boxes and crates, most labeled, some not. Though all were stacked on top of one another. Creating great cover, but also a terrible maze.

It was impossible to see the other end, or even the center of the building. Being towered over by the very supplies they had been hoping to find.

Even a few steps in, Ranboo felt lost.

The exit was still visible from where he stood, but as soon as they walked between the boxes this would no longer be the case.

The crates were sturdy and strapped down. But it felt as though at any moment, with any slight nudge, they would all fall. Crashing down, and possibly trapping the pair.

The guards likely knew this place well, Techno realized after the fourth turn.

And that was how this was a trap.

The boxes were purposefully placed in a way to make a maze. 

One that couldn’t be easily understood from the ground, but those who worked it would know.

They could get cornered and deactivated if they weren’t careful.

“ Nelson, Orla, do either of you have a good aerial view of the entire inside?” Techno asked, ensuring the whole group would hear.

“ We can see about half the building,” Nelson reported. 

“Ben and Chris are visible, as well as three of the guards,” Orla added.

“Try and find a better position to be able to guide us through,” Techno advised, “This is a maze meant to trap us, everyone keep note on where you’ve been so you’ll be able to get out easier.”

Everyone gave some form of agreement, or at least acknowledgement, as they now knew how to navigate their situation. Well, at the very least they now had direction.

“ There’s a guard coming to your left. To the right is a dead end, but you could hide there,” Orla directed, transmitting only to Techno and Ranboo.

Techno quickly took charge, grabbing Ranboo by the arm. He wasn’t risking him freezing up in panic.

They ran as they had been directed, turning into the dead end to avoid being spotted. Techno bumped into the corner boxes as he did so.

Ranboo sucked in a breath, certain that his nightmares were going to be true. That the boxes were going to crush them, or trap them at best.

But they barely jostled, not even enough for the guard to have noticed.

Still the air felt thick with anticipation. 

The guard could turn down this hallway, the only noise that could be in the room was the loudly blaring alarm. But if Techno listened very closely he could hear the guard's quiet, careful, and slowly approaching footsteps.

Techno carefully pulled out the pistol that had been on his hip.

He didn’t want to shoot the guard, if only because that would alert the others. 

He would if he had too, without hesitation.

“ The guard turned down the hallway that you came from,” Orla observed, “ I’ll let you know when it’s safe to move .”

The transmission made Ranboo jump, he had been so focused on the footsteps that he had not been prepared for Orla’s voice to sound.

“ You good kid?” Techno asked, placing his empty hand on Ranboo’s shoulder.

“ Ye- Yeah, I’m... fine, just- on edge in all...” Ranboo reassured.

Though he didn’t feel fine, not really.

He trusted Techno and the others, and he knew that this was necessary. He had asked to be here.

But he was beginning to wish he hadn’t.

He wished that there was a better, safer , way they could get the things they needed to help their fellow androids.

That they didn’t have to risk their lives to save others.

“ You’re safe to move, ” Orla assured.

But it was the world they lived in.

They didn’t live in a world of safety, no android did.

“ There’s an exit to your right, ” Orla informed.

Any day could be their last, since simply exiting was a crime.

It wasn’t just deviants anymore either. 

All androids were illegal. 

“ This way, ” Techno nodded with his head as they found Jax and Shelby.

No one would get in trouble for shooting or stabbing an android without warning.

In fact they would probably be seen as a hero for it. Keeping the streets of Detroit safe.

“ Where’s Ben and Ch-” Jax began, but they were cut off by a loud noise.

Loud enough to not be drowned out by the blaring alarm, despite being on the other side of the building.

Gunshots.

Two of them.

“ Please tell me one of you fired the gun...” Techno pleaded, as the four all anxiously waited for a response.

Nothing came for a while.

Nelson was the first to transmit, “ Chris is down, I don’t think he’s dead, Ben’s now getting pinned.”

“ Shit! ” Shelby cursed, “ This is all my fault! Is there any way we can get to them?”

“ Not easily, ” Nelson replied sadly.

“ Ben’s on the other side of the boxes to your left, ” Orla explained, “ But the path there is winding and long. ”

“ What are we waiting for? ” Shelby asked, climbing up onto one of the crates.

It wobbles slightly due to her weight, and movement.

Jax jumped on as well, it moved more.

Techno was getting ready to do a running start.

“ Wait!” Ranboo shouted through the transmitters.

“ We don’t have time!” Jax argued, looking back down to the two on the ground as they were on the second box.

“ The crates are going to fall over if more of us jump on,” Ranboo warned.

“ You’re just being paranoid, they’re barely moving,” Jax brushed his fears off.

“ No, Ranboo’s right,” Nelson fought, “ Be careful climbing up.”

“We’ll get to Chris, you two get to Ben,” Techno nodded, once again heading into the maze of boxes.

“ There’s a security guard approaching you, Ben!” Oral warned.

Scampering could be heard, as Ben desperately tried to climb the crates.

Another shot rang out.

“Ben!” Shelby shouted out loud, now standing on top of one of the towers of crates, accidentally drawing the attention of the guard.

Another shot.

This one visible to all the androids left standing, as it hit her below her collarbone and she stumbled backwards.

Shelby’s foot slipped off the crate, she fell to the floor with a loud ‘thud’.

Another slightly quieter thud was heard after, Jax jumping down so they could help their fallen partner.

Techno grumbled, this had all gone so wrong so quickly.

They had to now gather their fallen androids in hopes they could be saved, abandoning their original mission of gathering supplies.

They would have to try another time.

“ All the guards are now approaching, be careful!” Nelson advised.

“ I’m coming down, you’re probably going to need help carrying them, ” Orla commented, “ Nelson you stay here and cover for us .”

Techno was ready for whatever fight would come. They weren’t terribly outnumbered, four to six on the ground floor. Plus they had the advantage of the aerial view. He wasn’t going to give up, they were all going to make it out.

“ Techno, to your left!” Nelson transmitted.

Techno leaned flat against the boxes, motioning for Ranboo to do the same.

“ Turning the corner in 5,” Nelson informed.

Techno held his gun out, and shot as soon as he saw movement. The guard had no time to react, dropping the weapon. Techno fired again, aiming for the heart, ensuring the guard was dead.

“ One guard down, five vs four now,” Techno transmitted, his voice stone cold.

This was all too normal for him now, fighting for his life. Having to kill just to live.

“I- did... did he have keys on him…” Ranboo asked, transmitting only to Techno.

“ You check, I’ll keep watch in case anyone else comes,” Techno nodded.

Ranboo didn’t really... 

He didn’t want to have to…

To search a dead body.

Or probably more accurately, search a still dying body.

But, it was for Chris, Ben, Shelby, and everyone back at Jericho.

The sooner he did it the sooner it would be over with.

Ranboo took a deep breath in, and tried to pretend like it wasn’t a human body he was touching.

Someone who had just been alive moments ago.

It didn’t help.

He knew what it was.

He wasn’t angry that Techno had killed him. If he hadn’t the guard would have definitely shot them both, just like he had done to his three now injured friends.

Another shot sounded, making Ranboo jump as he looked around to make sure it wasn’t near him.

“ Another guard down!” Jax cheered.

“ Any near us?” Techno asked Nelson.

“ One coming from the right, but they’re moving slowly. You have time,” Nelson answered.

Techno nodded, though it was unlikely Nelson was able to see the small movement.

“ I… I found them…” Ranboo mumbled.

His hands were now covered in red blood since the keys had been located so close to one of the guard’s wounds.

“ Perfect!” Techno gave an approving smile, accepting the bloody keys, “ Let’s keep moving.”

Ranboo wasn’t sure what to do with his blood coated hands. He knew that red blood wasn’t the same as blue blood, it wouldn’t just evaporate and become invisible with time.

Red blood stained.

It wasn’t something you could get rid of easily if it got on anything.

Like the few splotches that were now on his previously perfectly white sweater.

He wanted to whip his hands clean, but there was nothing to do that with, other than the very clothes he was wearing.

“ Go left then right, you’ll see Chris, ” Nelson directed.

Techno quickened his pace, seeing that Orla had already beaten them there. Ben at her side.

Chris laid still and unconscious, he didn’t even seem to be breathing.

Ben was awake, but looked to be in shock. Unable to stand on his own. Needing Orla’s support to not fall over.

“ Ranboo you take Ben, I’ll carry Chris,” Orla ordered, “Techno you have the weapon, so you’ll defend us.”

Techno nodded, his pistol still ready. 

Ranboo took Orla’s place, wrapping his arm around Ben’s torso, and Ben’s arm around his shoulders.

The blood on his hands soaked into Ben’s shirt, and covered Ben’s hand.

Ben was bleeding from his leg, the blood was getting on Ranboo’s pants.

But Ranboo didn’t want to focus on that right now.

He couldn’t focus on that.

They needed to get out of this building without anyone else getting hurt. 

They traced their way back through the maze of boxes, meeting back up with Jax who was carrying Shelby.

“ There’s another guard making their way towards you all, you’ll have to pass them to get out,” Nelson explained.

So Techno led the way, turning every corner with caution. Even though Nelson was constantly informing them of the location of the approaching guard, he wasn’t taking any risks.

Not with two of his members down and another injured.

“ Around the next turn you will be face to face with the guard, ” Nelson informed.

Techno nodded, the other three taking a step back to give him room.

He waited, listing for the quiet sound hidden beneath the blaring alarm. He didn’t wait for the guard to turn the corner this time. Instead he made a sharp turn around the corner, shooting the guard square in the head.

The guard had managed to get one panic shot off, though it hit the floor nowhere near Techno.

“ Coast is clear ,” He transmitted, gesturing with his hand for the others to follow.

As he passed the guard he roughly shoved them to the side with his feet, making sure there was enough room for the others to walk without tripping over the corpse.

Ranboo had a hard time not staring at the body as he walked past.

The guards had been trying to hurt them.

While they were just trying to help people.

So they were justified in killing the guards...

Right?

Justified or not, a death was still a death.

Blood stuck to the sole of their shoes, leaving a few bloody footprints as they moved forward. Though there wasn’t that much blood on any of their shoes, so the trail ended not long after.

There was still definitely some blood dried to the bottom.

“ Where are the other three guards? ” Techno suddenly asked.

“ There’s one on the other side of the building, the entrance where Ben and Chris entered. The second is tending to the body closest to that entrance. I don’t see the third,” Nelson informed.

“ So we really only have one guard we need to worry about, ” Orla transmitted after some thought.

“ Maybe they’re, uh, outside, somewhere ?” Ranboo stated, but it sounded more like a question.

“ I’ll quickly check the perimeter, ” Nelson noted.

The four trekked forward, not waiting for a response.

Staying still was just as dangerous as moving forward, and they had androids they needed to stabilize.

To save them, if they weren’t already dead.

“ The last guard is out by the truck, ” Nelson reported, “ Be careful. ”

And it was good timing on that warning too, as Techno already had a hand on the door that led to the outside.

“ How close are they? ” Techno asked.

“ Seven meters, from the truck. And walking away ,” Nelson answered.

“ Everyone get to the truck. That includes you, Nelson, ” Techno ordered, “ I’ll deal with the guard then jump in .”

“ Alright, losing your aerial view,” Nelson informed, descending from his safe spot.

Techno handed the keys back to Ranboo, coating them in even more blood.

Ranboo quickly got over to the truck, unlocking both the driver’s door, and the back of the truck.

“ It’ll- uh probably be easier… if- if we lay them down in the back,” Ranboo explained, though he wasn’t fully sure if it was the right call.

However, the other androids nodded, and all of them made their way to the back.

Nelson reached the group quickly enough and helped lift the injured androids into the vehicle.

There were quite a few crates in the truck already. Though it was far from being packed.

All the boxes that were still in the warehouse were likely meant to be put in this truck or another similar and moved back to the main CyberLife building.

“ We can try to patch them up with the supplies here before we get back to Jericho,” Jax noted, prying open one of the crates.

“ We’ll have to search all these boxes to find the right supplies,” Orla argued.

“ Would you rather we just let them die?” Jax fought back.

Orla sighed in resignation, before helping by opening another crate. Ranboo joined in as well.

“ I’m going to get in the driver’s seat, ” Nelson informed, then changed to transmit to Techno only, “ When you get back, shut the doors and we’ll leave right away.”

“ Alright , I’m on my way .”

A few moments of silent search went by, before a shout was heard.

“Get out of the vehicle with your hands up!”

Ranboo instinctively whipped his head around to look to the back of the truck, but saw no one there.

“ Help! ” Nelson pleaded, “The guard’s here, and has a gun to my head!”

Without a second thought, Ranboo rushed out of the back of the truck and to the side where Nelson was.

Nelson was on his knees facing away from the guard, his hands in the air. Surrendering. Though it was clear from his transmissions that Nelson was not simply accepting his fate.

Ranboo wasn’t really sure what to do, but his body seemed like it did.

He approached the back of the guard, standing right behind the person. Ranboo raised his arm up.

Then in a swift motion Ranboo’s elbow connected with the guard’s head, their body going limp and collapsing.

It wasn’t enough force to kill the person, but they’d be out for a while.

“ I- uhm… another guard down? ” Ranboo transmitted, not entirely sure of how he had gained the confidence to do that.

“Thank you!” Nelson whispered. It was too important to be transmitted, it needed to be said out loud.

“Of- of course,” Ranboo stuttered, rubbing the back of his neck.

He wasn’t really sure what else to say to the android in front of him whose face was covered in tears, and who had likely had his whole life flash before his eyes.

“ We need to get going before the police arrive, ” Techno warned.

Ranboo nodded, scampered back to the cargo bay of the truck.

Nelson re-entered the driver's seat.

They had succeeded in getting bio-components and thirium, but at what cost?

Chapter Text

The atmosphere of the church felt suffocating since they returned from the supply run two nights prior.

There was a strange mix between those who had needed parts or thirium who were happy that they weren’t at risk of shutting down any more, and those who had known Shelby and Chris.

The two androids that had died to get them those parts.

They had been lucky enough to save Ben, though it seemed like Ben still wasn’t fully aware of what was going on around him.

Ranboo hadn’t really known either android, nor had he needed the parts himself. So he wasn’t sure how to feel about any of it.

People had been praising him for his heroism in going at all.

Especially Nelson, for whatever reason.

He didn’t feel like a hero, he hadn’t really done anything unless Techno had told him to.

It was part of the responsibility of living in Jericho. He had to pull his own weight

But he didn’t want to have to.

He wanted to live a peaceful life, one where he could just exist without having to worry about being randomly killed for being an android.

He felt selfish for not wanting to help.

For only thinking about himself.

Two people had died, one was injured. Three humans had died as well.

And all he could feel was self pity?

Maybe coming to Jericho had been a mistake.

Ever since he had gotten there he had put into situations he didn’t want to be in. Even if he was the one who practically had forced himself onto the supply run.

He didn’t think anyone was going to have to die. Android or human.

Ranboo stood up from his usual spot on the floor.

His thurim pump pulsed faster in his upper abdomen because of his nerves as he walked towards the stage.

He’d much prefer to just transmit to Techno.

For whatever reason conversations felt much easier through transmissions than face to face.

But Ranboo knew how many transmissions Techno was getting from everyone in Jericho, there was no way his voice would be able to be discerned from the others.

“Hey, uh, Techno?” Ranboo’s voice was barely audible over the ambient noise of the busy abandoned church.

“Hm? What is it kid?” Techno looked slightly out of it.

He was kinda out of it.

Trying to organise all the transmissions he was hearing to be able to better understand them. It was kinda working?

He made sure to now pay enough attention to Ranboo, but he wasn’t fully dropping his concentration on all the thoughts.

“I, uhm... I think I’m going to…” Ranboo mumbled, trying to find the right words, “...I want to leave Jericho.”

“What?!” Techno’s attention broke.

The chorus of voices didn’t matter anymore.

What did he mean he was leaving?

“I… I just- I don’t feel like this is the right place for me…” Ranboo explained.

“Well where are you going to go?” 

Techno knew he couldn’t stop Ranboo if he really wanted to leave.

Well he could but that would go against the whole thing he was doing now.

But he just wanted to make sure the kid actually had some form of plan and wasn’t being reckless.

“There’s… there’s plenty of abandoned buildings around…” Ranboo half lied.

He was going to try and find Tommy and Tubbo again.

Hope they had forgiven him.

But he knew Techno had a distaste for humans, so he couldn’t tell him that was his plan.

Techno thought about it for a moment, “Alright, I can’t make you stay. But Jericho is always here to welcome you back if anything happens out there.” 

“Thank you,” Ranboo was a bit taken aback by how quickly Techno had agreed, “I hope that you can succeed in helping more androids.”

Ranboo nodded politely. He turned to face the entrance of the church.

He was going to do this.

Ranboo let out a deep sigh and began walking towards the door.

It would be fine.

“Wait! Ranboo!” Techno called, following after him. 

Had Techno already changed his mind?

Ranboo knew there was no way it had been so simple.

He turned around to once again face the leader, though they were now on even footing. Techno not standing on the stage almost looming above the younger android.

“You’re not going to be wearing that sweater are you?” Techno asked.

“W-what’s wrong with my sweater?” 

“It’s covered in red blood. If you wear that out you’ll definitely be questioned and killed.”

“I... can’t exactly take it off...“ Ranboo mumbled, moving his sweater just enough to show his right shoulder.

Underneath showed exposed gray plastic. His skin had never fully healed from the bullet wound he had received six days ago.

So, sure the red blood was suspect, but his arm would certainly get him killed.

They didn’t have any spare clothing in Jericho.

It wasn’t a priority.

Every android that had come to Jericho was always clothed.

Whether it had been their default Android clothing that they had after being bought, or other ‘human’ clothing.

Techno let out a sigh, “Alright, just don’t be seen. And be careful.”

“Of course,” Ranboo nodded, turning to leave again.

This time no one stopped him.

It was… strange being outside on his own again.

He was no more than ten steps away from the church, but he still felt alone.

Ranboo was thankful he was able to remember the way back to the hideout.

Though he probably wasn’t taking the most efficient path there.

It gave him time to think about what he would say when he saw them again.

What he would say if they still hated him.

What he would say if they already forgave him.

But he was too worried thinking about thinking of what to say, to actually come up with something.

It felt like no time had passed when he reached the streets full of abandoned buildings, but the sky said otherwise.

It was a bit after noon when he had left Jericho, now the sun was starting to set.

Curfew would set in soon, he needed to get to the hideout soon.

But what would he do if they were there?

What would he do if they weren’t there?

Should he just stay the night anyway?

He had been given a room sure, but it still felt like an invasion of their space.

Ranboo heard voices in the distance. He held his breath and hid behind one of the nearest walls so he could listen in. To figure out which direction they were going so he could avoid being seen.

“We’ve been doing nothing all day. It should be something action packed.”

It sounded… familiar…

It wasn’t..?

There was no way it was Tommy, right?

This was a bad idea.

Why did he think this was a good idea?

Sure it had been a week, but a week wasn’t enough time for them to completely change their minds.

Plus the blood…

How was he supposed to explain to them why his sweater had stains of red blood?

Sure he hadn’t killed anyone.

But he had helped people who did.

Were they even over the fact that he was an android?

That he had lied to them.

That he had betrayed the trust that he had built up.

He should have just told them when they had first met.

Then he never would have had to face the fury in Tommy’s eyes, nor the fear in Tubbo’s.

The silent seconds between when his white exoskeleton was revealed and Tommy’s shout still played clearly in his mind.

There were so many ways he could have avoided it.

He should’ve just found words to explain himself instead.

He should’ve eased them into the topic, leaving hints rather than dropping it down on them all at once.

He should’ve-

“Ugh! You’re impossible!” Tubbo shouted, dragging Ranboo from his spiraling thoughts.

They sounded closer now.

They were definitely moving away from the hideout, and…

Towards him…

He would have to move soon , if he didn’t want to be seen by them

He was definitely not ready to explain anything .

Ranboo wanted to peek out to see where they were, but he knew it was a bad idea.

So instead he just ran in the opposite direction.

He turned around a corner running right into something. Making him fall onto the hard ground.

It wasn’t some thing . It was some one .

A police officer.

Dream.

“I- I’m… I’m sorry…” Ranboo’s voice shook as he tried to stand up.

Hoping so desperately that Dream was still unaware.

“You should really watch where you’re going. Deviant ,” Dream’s voice was full of venom as he pulled out his gun. He took a few steps back.

There was no point in pleading.

Pleading was always followed by a gunshot.

Sometimes there was a gunshot without pleading, but never the other way around.

So instead Ranboo just shut his eyes.

He should’ve died at the revolution, or during the supply run. So at least he had been given a few more days to live.

His whole body shook as he anxiously waited for his own death to come, listening to all the sounds around him for one final time.

Birds still chirping.

Wind flowing through the trees.

Footsteps of someone approaching.

“No final words?” Dream asked, almost mockingly.

But Ranboo wasn’t given a chance to answer, a shout ringing from someone else.

“Don’t you fucking touch him, Dream!”

“t- tubbo..?” Ranboo muttered, barely louder than the wind.

His eyes jerked open, seeing the short boy standing in front of him holding a... gun?

Why did Tubbo have a gun?

What was happening?

“Step away from the android Tubbo,” Dream ordered, “I don’t want to have to hurt you.”

“Then don’t,” Tubbo said plainly, “We can all go our separate ways. Neither of us have to get hurt.”

Tubbo knew that his gun was empty, and so was his threat. But Dream didn’t, and that’s all that mattered.

“You know that it’s a deviant right? It’s a danger to you and everyone else in this city! Plus, harboring an android is highly illegal. Just step aside now and no charges will be pressed on you or your family.” 

“He hasn’t hurt anyone. The only one that’s a danger is you!” Tubbo stood strong, but he was terrified. He’d never really stood up to Dream before, usually only ran from him. 

Even though Tubbo knew that Dream genuinely did have no intentions of hurting him, having a gun pointed at him was terrifying. 

He also knew that if he stepped too far out of the way Dream wouldn’t hesitate to shoot Ranboo.

“I’m trying to protect you! You don’t know what it's done! There’s blood on it’s sweater Tubbo! It could have been a part of the revolution, it could have killed its owners. Honestly, you’re lucky it hasn’t already killed you!” Dream argued.

“He wouldn-”

“Hey, Bitch Boy!” Tommy shouted a few feet away, drawing Dream’s attention before a light exploded in his face. 

Tubbo understood immediately what Tommy had done. He was going to serve as the distraction. Tubbo pulled Ranboo to his feet and began to run to the hideout, not letting go. They ran straight to the hideout rather than snaking around like they had last time.

None of it truly registered for Ranboo until they were in front of the recognizable half chain link, half wooden fence.

“You shouldn’t have done that...” Ranboo mumbled, doing his best to climb the fence with his still injured shoulder.

“And just let you get shot?” Tubbo asked rhetorically. 

“You could have gotten shot too.”

“Yeah well neither of us did, so I’d say I made the right decision,” Tubbo smiled, though it was somewhat forced. 

He wasn’t really sure what had happened to his friend that his sweater was dirty, ripped and bloodied. And he wasn’t quite sure if he could ask right away. 

A lot had happened since they last spoke, it seemed.

“I think Tommy has some less roughed up clothes upstairs if you want,” Tubbo offered.

He would offer his own clothes if there had been any chance they’d fit the tall android.

“Thank you. For giving me a second chance, and.. for everything,” Ranboo spoke, his tone oddly melancholy. 

He didn’t feel as though he deserved the second chance he was being given, despite the fact that his biggest crime was existing, and trying to help others. Well other than the crimes the three of them committed together.

“Anything for a friend,” Tubbo said, as Ranboo made his way to Tommy’s room. 

He would just have to hope that Tommy wouldn’t be upset at him for borrowing his clothes.

 Most of his shirts were all the same white shirt with red sleeves, there were a few others, but Tommy wouldn’t really miss one of the shirts right? 

Yeah, he was sure it would be fine.

He was about to walk out of the room when he heard Tommy shouting.

“You shouldn’t have put yourself at risk for that... that thing !” Tommy’s voice was laced with venom.

“He’s not a ‘thing’, Tommy, he’s our friend!” Tubbo defended

“It’s not our friend! It’s an android - no, it’s a fucking deviant!”

“Yeah sure, he is a deviant, but he has been for a while. And he hasn’t hurt anyone!”

“How the fuck are you certain about that! It’s covered in blood, red blood, Tubbo!”

“Because if he was dangerous he would have done something to us by now.”

“You are way too trusting of that thing!” Tommy fought, “Tell me what happened to the people who bought it? Can you prove to me that they aren’t dead because that thing you just saved killed them.”

“That we saved,” Tubbo corrected.

“No, I didn’t save it. I saved you , and sadly you brought it with you!” Tommy corrected right back, “And don’t avoid my question. Do we know its family isn’t dead.”

“N- no, but he wouldn’t…”

“How are you fucking sure?” Tommy insisted, “That fucking dumb piece of plastic could have done so many things that we don’t know about!”

Dumb piece of plastic. 

Those words echoed in Ranboo’s mind. A mix of his mother and Tommy both saying them at once. 

Had those words never been spoken, would he even be here? 

Would he have ever became a deviant? 

Maybe he would have just been deactivated in peace, never aware of the terrible world that he lived in. He wouldn’t have had to deal with the betrayal, or the daily struggle for survival had he just stayed as an obedient android. Had he just stayed as YK, with his parents that still didn’t know what happened to their android. 

Were they worried about it? Did they go looking for their YK? Would have they just gotten a new one before the recall? Or were they just happy it left before all of the deviancy broke out? 

He would never really be able to find out.

Even if it stood face to face with its parents, it would have to be the one to ask. There was no way its parents would be able to recognize it.

YK looked just like any other YK400. There were still hundreds out there. Nothing made it stand out, even to the people who had meant to care for it. 

Or there wasn’t, not when he was YK. 

Now he was different, with his hair colour choice and mismatched eyes. Which was only one more reason his parents wouldn’t recognize him.

The door opened, snapping him out of his thoughts, as he looked upon a furious Tommy.

“You’re-” Tommy turned to face Tubbo, “You’re replacing me with it!”

“What? No. I would never!” Tubbo was taken aback that Tommy would even suggest such a thing.

“Don’t play dumb. It’s wearing my shirt. You’re replacing me! Just like my parents did!” Tommy shouted, oddly enough none of his anger was directed at Ranboo, only at Tubbo.

“I don’t have to wear this. I- I can put my other clothes back on. I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m sorry,” Ranboo interjected. 

He didn’t want them to fight, especially over him. 

He already picked he black shirt and white sweater back off of the floor.

“No, just- ugh!” Tommy groaned, storming out of the rundown house.

The slam of the door made Ranboo jump.

He had done it again.

He caused people to fight by being around them

Ranboo rubbed his arm awkwardly, he spoke solemnly, “I didn’t mean to upset him.”

“It’s alright. I know you didn’t. He just needs a moment to himself so he can calm down,” Tubbo shook his head. 

-=+=-

Fucking androids! 

Even while being banned, they were still ruining everything for him! 

It was taking away his best friend. As if his parents hadn’t been enough! 

He entered his house. His parents didn’t say anything. 

No ‘How was your day?’

No ‘What did you do today?’

No ‘Why are you home so late?’

Sure, they were used to him getting home late, but it was just barely before the city wide curfew. And they didn’t seem the slightest bit concerned by it.

He walked down the stairs to get to his room. He passed the room that had been for the YK500 that his parents had bought. 

Or ‘adopted’ as his parents insisted.

The room was untouched since the police had taken it away. It would likely stay that way. Like a family desperately hoping a lost child would return home. 

But the child wasn’t lost. Nor was it even a child really. 

It was likely dismantled, or at least deactivated by now. 

Even if androids did make a return to the city, they would have to buy a new YK500 and simply act as if it were the same. 

Tommy had no doubt that they would do just that.

When he stepped into his room he closed the door right behind him. Leaning against it. Closing himself off from the world. 

As far as he was concerned, this room was the only thing the universe held. 

Nothing outside this room was important. 

He slid down the door, sitting against it as he reached the floor. 

Nothing was important. Just him and this room. 

Not his mother, not his father. 

Not Tubbo. 

And certainly no fucking androids. Not only were androids unimportant, as far as this room was concerned androids didn’t exist. They’re only sci-fi, not something that he actually had to deal with from day to day. 

And soon, he hoped, that androids would be nothing more than a distant nightmare. 

Every last one of them would be gone. 

Melina. Ranboo. All of them.

All of them would be forgotten.

He couldn’t believe it had the audacity to apologize. 

It felt no remorse, it couldn’t.

It was a fucking android. 

Sure it was a deviant, but there is no way deviants could actually feel. 

They were merely simulations of emotions. 

No android could feel what he felt. The pain, the joy, they could only feel the numbness.

That he would be willing to believe.

Only numbness.

Chapter Text

Ranboo stood still, staring at the shut door for a good few minutes.

He didn’t know what to say.

He hadn’t expected any of this.

Despite his hopes, he hadn’t actually expected to be accepted back into the hideout.

This isn’t how Tubbo had expected this day to go either.

He had expected today to end the same way they all had as of resonantly.

With him and Tommy playing games late into the night.

But he was way happier to see Ranboo alive, and safe within their hideout.

Tommy would come around eventually. He was just being pissy at the moment.

Tubbo dialed a number into his phone, and patiently waited for the other end to pick up.

“Hey mum!” Tubbo spoke with a smile as soon as he head it pick up

“Tubbo, where are you? It’s past curfew!” Puffy demand.

“I’m at the hideout. We, uh…” Tubbo thought of how to word it so he wasn’t lying, he didn’t care to have a second person yell at him tonight, “We ran into an unexpected situation. Everything’s fine, I just didn’t have time to make it home.”

“One of these times you two are going to get yourselves into more trouble than you can get yourselves out of,” Puffy shook her head on the other end.

Tubbo let out a nervous laugh, looking over to Ranboo, “We’ll be fine. I definitely have a handle on it.”

“Good,” Puffy’s voice was stern but filled with concern, “If you boys need help though you know I’ll be there.”

“Yes, I know, thank you mum! I’ll be home in the morning!”

“Alright. Stay Safe. I love you!”

“I will! Love you too mum!” Tubbo cheered and hung up the phone.

Ranboo had finally moved from his spot above the stairs, now standing in front of Tubbo with a questioning look.

“Wanna play battleship?” Tubbo asked.

“I- I feel like there are more important things we need to do…” Ranboo commented.

Tubbo hummed in thought, “Not really. Not much we can do till the morning.”

“But I mean… like...“ Ranboo sighed, “I’m sorry I lied to you, both of you about being an android.”

“I get why you did it,” Tubbo admitted, “People aren’t the kindest to deviants, and we were no different.”

No different?

Tubbo was giving him a second chance.

How could Tubbo believe he was no different from those who would want him dead.

“You risked your life for me!” Ranboo argued.

“Dream wouldn’t have shot me. He can be an ass, but he wouldn’t risk killing a kid.”

“You had a gun pointed at him, so wouldn’t it just be in self defense?”

Tubbo thought for a moment, “I guess technically yeah, but I think Dream also knew I wouldn’t have shot him even if I could have.”

“Where did you even get the gun?”

“That’s not important,” Tubbo answered coyly.

“I would argue that’s very important!”

“Nahhh...“ Tubbo dismissed, “Anyway, battleship?”

Ranboo laughed at how quickly Tubbo was able to dismiss everything that had seemed important in favor of some toy.

But he agreed to play.

After a bit of time they switched to playing war with their normal deck of cards.

A ping sounded from Tubbo’s phone as he had been busy shuffling. He finished what he was doing before looking at his screen.

Tommy 7:54 pm

you aren’t actually staying with the android are you?

Tubbo 7:55 pm

of course I am!

there was no time for me to get home

plus I’m not just going to leave him alone

Tommy 7:55 pm

you are going to die its going to kill you.

Tubbo 7:56 pm

you stayed with him in the hideout alone for many nights I think I can survive one

Tommy 7:57 pm

don’t fucking remind me about that

and don’t you dare tell anyone about that!

Tubbo 7:57 pm

as long as you promise not to rat us out <3

Tommy groaned as he threw his phone to the floor beside his bed. Laying down on his back staring up at the ceiling.

It was way too early to go to bed, but he had nothing better to do, and he wanted nothing more for this nightmare of a day to be over.

Not that tomorrow would be any different.

His best friend would have still chosen an android over him.

He could only take solace in the fact that there was no longer an android in his home.

But now he had a whole new android to deal with.

Progress never came so easily did it?

One step forward and another step back.

At least, there was no way it’d survive out there.

Dream Team, and likely other officers, knew of its disguise. They’d take it down soon.

But that put Tubbo in danger…

That was Tubbo’s own fault!

He should know better than to protect a deviant!

What had even happened to him?

A week ago Tubbo had the right idea, that deviants were dangerous and should be avoided.

But now…

Tommy pulled a pillow over his face and screamed.

Of all people to betray him like this, he had never thought it would be Tubbo.

Tubbo knew how much Tommy hated androids.

And he had agreed with him when he said his parents never should have bought the YK500.

Tommy had known from the beginning, even before realizing that Ranboo was an android, that it was going to mess up their dynamic.

He should have never invited it into their hideout.

The hideout was meant to be for just him and Tubbo, no one else should have been allowed to join.

Human or Android.

But especially not an android.

He should have been able to tell it was an android.

He should have known and never let it in.

Then none of this would have ever happened.

All of his mistakes and, what were now, obvious signs played in his mind over and over. Until eventually his frustration and anger wore him down and he fell asleep above his covers, still fully clothed with a pillow over his head.

-=+=-

He woke up too early.

Not just because of the actual time, but because he hadn’t had any dream last night, so it had felt as though he woke up as soon as he fell asleep.

He didn’t want to have to face the world. Not yet.

Maybe he could get away with living in his room all day.

Act like only this room existed in the universe.

Not like his parents would notice, they hadn't even noticed him being away for five days.

Or if they did notice they didn’t say anything, no text, no call. Nothing.

Tommy picked his phone off of the floor squinting at the bright screen. 

The display mocked him with big white text telling him the time.

4:14 am

Way too early for anything.

Tommy debated just rolling back over and trying to fall asleep again until he saw a notification hanging just below it.

Tubbo 10:52 pm

I want to talk about what happened tonight. Send me a message when your ready. We can talk at the hideout or not doesn’t matter.

Tommy groaned at the message, unlocking his phone and angrily typing back, hitting send before what he typed even fully registered in his tired brain.

Tommy 4:14 am

No you messahe me when you stop being a fucjing idiot and ditcj the android

Whatever, the spelling mistakes didn’t matter, it got his point across.

He put his phone back down. He knew he would get a reply for at least a few hours.

He rolled onto his side, though he also knew he wasn’t going to be getting any more sleep.

He really had wanted to wake up and for this to have all been a nightmare. But that text from Tubbo, and the ones prior, proved it wasn’t.

An android had stolen his best friend.

The best friend who had been terrified by deviants had now chosen a deviant over Tommy.

Was he that shit of a friend or did the world just hate him?

Had to be the second one. Tubbo would have told him if he was being a shit friend long before this.

He wasn’t, right?

Outwardly Tommy has always projected an image of superiority, and being the best ever.

But that’s all because internally he’s felt like the opposite.

Like he’s inferior to nearly everyone. 

And if he didn’t keep the act up, everyone would know just how much he sucked.

His parents had already realized it. They realized it a long time ago.

And now Tubbo had too.

Maybe it was for the best, maybe Tubbo deserved a better friend than him.

Though the android was not that friend.

Because, as he has reiterated so many times, androids can’t feel.

Androids can’t be someone’s friend.

They can’t be someone’s child.

They can’t be someone’s sister.

That would be like saying you love a refrigerator. It can’t love you back cause it’s a fucking fridge!

Why couldn’t anyone else see that?

They aren’t alive, no matter what the deviants chose to chant.

They were made of metal and plastic. No living material. They couldn’t possibly be alive! It’s not possible! 

Tommy had been right about these things all along. 

They were terrible machines that shouldn’t have been built at all.

And he wasn’t wrong now. They weren’t alive, they aren’t alive, and they never would be alive.

Not by any definition of the word.

They couldn’t be alive.

It couldn’t be alive.

-=+=-

It was almost strange being in a place with suck a lack of sound

For a second after Ranboo had powered back up he had thought his auditory receptors had malfunctioned, until he remembered the events of the night prior.

There wasn’t no sound, but there was a lot less.

It was quiet here, in his room. 

His room.

The one his friends had decorated for him.

He smiled at the messy painting of flowers.

It was nice to be back. This abandoned, rundown house felt like home.

It felt safe. Far safer than Jericho had ever been.

A soft knock sounded at his door, along with some quiet words.

“You awake in there?”

It was nice to be able to hear the quiet noises so clearly. Rather than them being a muffled part of the background.

“Yeah, uhm, come in,” Ranboo mumbled, sitting up in the bed he had been given

“Soooo…” Tubbo drawled as he entered the room, sitting down beside him. 

He had avoided any awkward conversion last night, they both needed a chance to just relax after having a gun pointed in their face.

But it couldn’t be avoided forever.

And even Tubbo had to admit that the blood stained sweater was a bit concerning.

“Thank you again for everything,” Ranboo mumbled, not sure what else to say to break the awkward silence.

“How many times are you going to thank me?” Tubbo asked jokingly.

“You literally saved my life, I don’t think I can thank you enough times.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right, but really it just felt like the only option.”

“I’m still thankful though.”

Both of them could feel that they were dragging out this conversation to avoid it moving to something heavier.

But there was no longer a natural way to stall, so while a sigh Tubbo finally asked.

“What did you do? Like, where did you go for the week you were gone.”

“I went to Jericho,” Ranboo answered.

That was an easy question to answer off the bat. No stalling or preempting needed. 

Just the truth.

He had already decided that he was going to answer all of Tubbo’s questions honestly.

Lying had been what had gotten him in trouble in the first place after all.

“I thought Jericho exploded and sank?”

“Well, yeah, the boat… the boat is long gone. But, uh, they found a new place and are rebuilding strength, in a sense.”

“Why’d you leave?”

This was a harder question. 

There was so much lead up, to have to explain all of it…

“Uhm… Well the simple answer is that… it just, it didn’t feel right?” It came out more as a question than a statement.

“Why not? Wouldn’t it be nicer to be around your own kind?” Tubbo questioned before quickly adding, “I’m sorry if that’s rude to ask. It just... there’s a lot of tension right now, and surely you’d be safer around other androids right?”

Ranboo shook his head, “It didn’t feel safe. It felt like I had to be constantly looking over my back, or else I could have been killed.”

Those words hurt Tubbo to hear.

He’d had plenty of run-ins with police, but had never truly had to fear for his life. 

No matter how much he wanted to understand what his friend was going through, he knew he’d never truly get it.

“That’s so unfair,” he mumbled underneath his breath.

Ranboo nodded sadly, looking away, not really sure of what to say.

“Well, you’ll be safe here. We’ve had cops looking for us for four years and they still haven’t managed to find it,” Tubbo gave a reassuring smile, even though Ranboo wasn’t looking.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Ranboo asked, tuning back to look Tubbo in the eye, “Just by being here I’m putting you at risk.”

“At least I get a choice in if I want to be at risk or not!” Tubbo argued, furry bubbling in his chest, but none of it was directed at Ranboo

“I guess, but I just… don’t want you getting hurt because of me.”

“If I get hurt it won’t be your fault. I’m making this choice. But even still I won’t get hurt!” Tubbo smiled with confidence.

Confidence he didn’t really have.

He had rushed into this head first without a thought.

Not that he regretted it. Far from it in fact.

He was glad he did what he had done, and would do it again right now if he had to.

“Are you sure you want to do this though? Y- you have a life and everything…”

“I’m already in this. Tommy too, even though he’s being a bit of an ass right now…” Tubbo argued, mumbling the last part before continuing, “I openly defend you, and Tommy assaulted a police officer. Were in this together, boss man, got it?”

“Yeah,” Ranboo smiled, “Yeah, I do. Thank you.”

“Anything for a friend.”

Tubbo leaned over wrapping Ranboo in a hug, Ranboo instantly hugged back.

A nice warm silence stilled the air for a while.

Though eventually Tubbo pulled away to be able to look Ranboo in the face.

Tubbo’s expression was a lot grimmer than it had been moments prior.

“I do have to ask why there was blood on your sweater.”

“I didn’t kill anyone I swear!” Ranboo immediately replied before even thinking.

Tubbo giggled slightly. 

Though even he wasn’t sure what was funny.

“Never said you did. I’m just concerned, is all.”

Ranboo let out a sigh.

Was it from relief of being believed?

Or stress of having to tell the truth?

“It was…” Ranboo started the words he wanted to say not quite coming into place, “I was… I went on a supply run with a few other androids from Jericho, and uhm…”

He really didn’t want to have to tell the story.

To have to remember it.

But Tubbo was sat patiently awaiting his answer.

Not forcing him to continue, but willing to listen. No matter how long the explanation took.

“We were… We just wanted to get supplies to be able to repair broken androids. But, it all, uh, it all went wrong… and… two androids died… three humans did too. I didn’t kill any of them, but I did, I uh had to get keys off of one of them…”

“Did you get injured too?”

That…

That was not the question Ranboo had expected to follow.

“N-no. I was lucky enough to be unscathed.”

“Then why do you have a red eye now?” Tubbo’s voice was full of concern.

Ranboo had been expecting an interrogation.

“Oh, I actually kinda forgot about that,” Ranboo let out a sad laugh, anything to ease the growing tension in his system, “That was, that was earlier… My- my first day in Jericho..”

“What happened on your first day?” Tubbo pushed, though his tone was still kind.

He would be willing to drop the topic if Ranboo pushed back, but he could tell Ranboo just needed to get it all out there. So he would prod what he could through his questions.

“It was…” Ranboo played with his hands and looked away, “It was… uhm my first day… I was uhm… we- we went to one of the android camps and tried to fight to free them…”

“You were there?!” Tubbo yelled in shock.

Ranboo shrunk down and nodded, he refused to look at the boy beside him.

“Oh my god! Are you alright?!”

“I- I uh… I’m alive, so yeah…”

Tubbo put his hand on Ranboo’s still unhealed shoulder.

“I’m glad you’re alright,” Though as Tubbo spoke his tone was full of sadness, “I actually saw the broadcast when it was happening, and the whole time I was watching I was worried about you.”

“R-really?” Ranboo’s head swung back.

Ranboo searched Tubbo’s face for any hint that he was lying.

“Yeah,” Tubbo smiled sadly, “I was really hoping you weren’t there actually.”

There was nothing to indicate he was lying,

Had Tubbo really forgiven him so quickly that on the second day he was worried about him?

“I’m sorry… I know I shouldn’t have gone, they were violent and-”

“No,” Tubbo interrupted, “That’s not why I didn’t want you there. I don’t- well I do care about them being violent. But I was hoping you weren’t there cause I was worried you were going to get killed out there.”

“Oh… Well I’m still sorry.”

“You have nothing to apologize to me for,” Tubbo halfheartedly laughed, giving Ranboo’s shoulder a light an playful punch.

Ranboo wasn’t sure what to say to that, because he felt like he had so much he needed to apologize for.

Even if nothing specific really came to mind. 

Outside of having lied, which he already apologized for about six times last night. And he could tell Tubbo was getting annoyed by it.

“Though speaking of sweaters, I should get you a new one, because this,” Tubbo pinched the shoulder of shirt, “It just doesn’t suit you.”

“You… really don’t have too… I’ve already caused enough trouble... you really don’t need to do anything like that...”

“I know that I don’t need to. It’s just…” Tubbo squinted, “So, so wrong to have you wearing that shirt.

“I- I can go change.”

“It’s fine, for now, just need to get you something different. Something that matches your whole ascetic,” Tubbo smiled, but he could still see Ranboo’s hesitation so he continued, “Plus, I did get a lot of money the other day, so I’m all good on that front.”

It did help, knowing Tubbo wasn’t doing something akin to spending his last bit of money on Ranboo.

He definitely felt a lot less bad accepting the gift.

“There isn’t any talking you out of this is there?”

“Nope!” Tubbo stood up from his spot on the bed, preparing to close the door right after he finished speaking for extra emphasis, “I'm getting you a sweater by the end of the day!” “

Ranboo just smiled at the closed door.

He was lucky that Tubbo and Tommy were the ones who had found him in the alley.

He couldn’t really imagine life without them.

Chapter Text

A soft, almost uncertain knock sounded from the door.

It woke him from the half sleep daze he had been in all day. There wasn’t really much else he could do other than sleep.

“Come in!” He shouted.

Company would be nice to occupy at least a bit of his time.

It was hard to make out just who it was who entered his room, everything was still too blurry to fully be able to tell.

“Hey, George told me what happened. How are you feeling?” It was Sapnap’s voice.

“Pissed,” Dream answered with a slight laugh.

He had definitely cooled down a bit from last night, but having his vision temporarily ruined and burn marks that were definitely going to scar, those weren’t things he was just going to forgive someone easily for.

He had given the teens a chance to turn the deviant over with no charges laid on them, and they threw it in his face. Quite literally.

“Can you see any better?” Sapnap asked.

“Edges are a bit smoother, but still quite blurry. I could tell you were wearing a police uniform when you came in, but couldn’t make out who exactly you were.”

“You know who I am now though, right?” Sapnap was testing him.

“Of course, Sapnap, what kind of friend would I be if I couldn’t recognize you by voice alone.”

“Hmm I don’t know, maybe you just figured it out cause I already said I wasn’t George,” Sapnap teased.

Dream let out a laugh, “Come on, give me at least enough credit that I’d be able to tell the difference in your accents!”

“You have to prove yourself first.”

“How exactly do I do that?”

“That’s up to you to figure out,” Sapnap shrugged, “Your vision is going to fully recover, right?”

“Yeah, the doctors said it should actually be back to at least near regular vision by the end of the day. I just need to stay laid down to let everything settle.”

“What about the rest of your face?”

“Definitely going to scar, it still hurts if I move it too much. Like if I scrunch up my nose that hurts.”

“It looks kinda cool at least.”

“Does it?” Dream asked, not believing Sapnap.

And that was fair as Sapnap had been lying.

In all honesty it looked kinda gruesome.

It probably looked better now than it had the night prior.

Dream’s eyebrows and eyelashes had been burnt nearly clean off, leaving only a few hairs behind.

It was evident where the spark bomb had hit him. It had definitely hit near the bridge of his nose, as that was where Dream’s face looked the most raw and irritated from burns.

If it didn’t look so painful Sapnap would be impressed at the kid’s aim.

The rest of Dream’s face was littered with small patches of burns. To someone not fully paying attention it could almost look like large freckles or acne scars.

But someone examining it could see how much worse it was than just acne scars. With some spots on his face almost looking as though it had been melted away.

There were also a few small incisions where flint flecks had tried to embed themselves into his skin.

From the description Dream had given the both of them of the flair the first time he was surprised how much damage it had done.

Still, he had been lucky that none of the sparks had hit his eyes. Because that damage would have been irreversible.

“Yeah, at least to me it does,” Sapnap answered.

The most he could do for Dream right now was help make him feel better.

Dream was about to call him out for lying before another figure entered the room.

“How’s it feel having the worst vision out of the three of us?” George asked only a few steps into the room.

Dream chuckled, “You better enjoy this while you can.”

“I am, why else do you think that was the first thing I said?”

“Oh yeah, I guess George’s eyes are only the second most fucked up now,” Sapnap laughed.

“You don’t have to be so rude about it,” George attempted to sound serious, but he couldn’t help the slightly jokey tone that slipped through.

“I would have thought you’d be used to it by now,” Dream teased.

“Oh yeah, I should just be used to being bullied,” George shook his head playfully, not that Dream could really see it.

He could tell George was moving his head, but not really sure how it was moving.

“So, how long until you’re discharged?”

“They want to keep me overnight again,” Dream answered, “Then I’ve been told to stay home and do nothing for at least a day.”

“That means you’re going to do nothing for half a day,” Sapnap noted.

“That depends on how bad things still are.”

“Like how messed up your face still is?” George asked, only half joking.

“I knew you were lying!” Dream turned to Sapnap.

“Hey, I said it looked cool to me,” Sapnap defended, “You can’t say what I think is and isn’t cool.”

Dream scoffed, “Yeah right!”

“Yeah, you're right, you’re probably going to need something to cover your face now. Absolutely hideous,” Sapnap joked.

If Dream wanted him to insult him then he would.

He asked for this now.

“Well, more hideous than you already were,” George jokingly corrected.

“Wow, insulting an injured person, I can’t believe you two,” Dream feigned offence.

“We truly are the worst, aren’t we.”

Dream nodded a smile on his face, “I can’t believe I’m friends with you guys. Such terrible people. Worse than any deviant.”

Both Dream and George began to laugh, Sapnap joined in, but it sounded more forced.

“Aw come on Sap, you know he was just joking right?” George commented.

“Hm? Yeah, of course,” Sapnap sounded distracted, “I think we need to get going now though.”

George groaned, “I forgot we’re still running normal routes instead of hunting them down.”

“Well I’m sorry for wanting to take them down for myself,” Dream replied sarcastically.

“How exactly do you expect to be put on the job of finding them when you told our chief that the android that attacked you is dead?” Sapnap asked.

“Easy, once I’ve recovered I’ll ask to be put on the same route since I wasn’t able to finish it last night. There’s no way they won’t be in that hideout of theirs.”

“The problem is we still don’t know where their hideout is!” George complained.

“We know the general area based on which directions they have run from us in the past,” Dream pointed out, “There’s no way it will take more than a day to find it if that’s all we’re searching for.”

“Just, recover soon, okay?” Sapnap said, as he stood up from his chair and began to make his way towards the door.

Dream nodded, “The sooner I’m out of this bed and can stop them, the better.”

That wasn’t exactly what Sapnap had meant. 

He wanted Dream to be better so he was better, not so they could work some job.

But still he just nodded in reply.

“Hope your face is less hideous when we get back,” George laughed as he turned to leave.

Dream laughed, “I hope I can see both of your ugly mugs then.”

“Clearly we aren’t that ugly if you want to see us again,” Sapnap joked with faux ego, opening the door and stepping into the halfway.

“Yeah, yeah,” Dream dismissed, though he was smiling, “Just don’t get hit by any spark bombs.”

"I don’t think either of us are big enough idiots to get hit by one of those,” George joked as he closed the door.

-=+=-

Ranboo had spent most of the day by himself in the hideout.

Tubbo had to go back to his house to reassure his mother in person that he was fine. 

Also so he could get Ranboo the sweater he promised.

Tommy hadn’t come back, not that Ranboo had expected him too.

He clearly needed a bit more time.

Ranboo tried to reassure himself that he would come around and be fine with it eventually.

But Tommy’s dislike for androids ran deeper than Ranboo originally wanted to admit to himself.

He had so deeply wanted to be accepted by those he considered his friends that he had ignored a lot of things that had been said.

It made Ranboo uneasy as he remembered how happy Tommy had been when news had just came out about the android camps.

That level of hatred wasn’t something someone just got over, especially not in a week.

He really hoped that him being here wasn’t ruining Tommy and Tubbo’s friendship. The last thing he wanted was to accidentally break them apart.

The front door slammed open. Interrupting Ranboo’s thoughts and making him jump.

He quickly whipped around to face the entrance. He was relieved when he saw that it was just Tubbo in the doorway.

“Sorry, maybe I should start knocking,” Tubbo laughed awkwardly.

“It’s fine. Just uhm, maybe don’t slam the door?” 

“Got it,” Tubbo nodded, before reaching into a bag he was carrying, “I also got this!”

Tubbo held out a large sweater that was quite similar to the one he had had before. 

Meaning it was basically only white, this one however had a few black stripes on the sleeves.

“Thank you,” Ranboo smiled as he accepted the sweater.

A part of him still felt bad for accepting the gift, but even he had to admit that it was a bit strange for him to be wearing Tommy’s shirt.

“Monochrome for the monochrome boy. And I thought the strips might help hide your glowy arm thing. Not that I was able to notice it before, but better safe than sorry.”

“Thank you.” Ranboo repeated, he wasn’t really sure what else to say, “It really means a lot to me that you even thought about that.”

Tubbo just nodded and handed Ranboo the bag, “There’s a few other things in here too, just in case.”

Ranboo nodded back, not wanting to sound like a broken record and repeatedly thanking him. Even if a thousand thank you’s wouldn’t have ever been enough to show his gratitude. He didn’t want it to start being annoying or sound insincere.

He took the bag and went back up into his room to change, descending the stairs again only moments later.

“Does it all fit?” Tubbo asked, “‘Cause I can return stuff and get different sizes if not.”

“No, it’s all good. But, I do have to ask, what are the sunglasses for?”

“Oh well, like I said, I got other things just in case. I don’t think it’s too common for people to have one red eye. Two, sure albino people exist, but I don’t know. Up to you if you want to wear ‘em or not. Could also just say you’re wearing colored contacts if you don’t like the glasses,” Tubbo rambled an explanation.

Ranboo smiled, “I think it’s a good idea. Can’t ever be too cautious.”

Tubbo hummed in agreement before speaking again, “Want to come look through this bin Tommy and I found? He wasn’t interested in it.”

“Where’d you get it?”

“Brought it here from the dump just yesterday. I want to see if I can’t piece together why this stuff was thrown away in the first place.”

“You’re sure Tommy won’t mind us going through it without him?”

“Yeah, he thought it was dumb that I even wanted it. He won’t care. Plus I don’t think it’s possible I make him more pissed at me than he already is,” Tubbo laughed a bit as he said the last sentence.

He had gone to Tommy’s house earlier in the day to try to talk to him face to face. (Since he wasn’t answering any of the texts Tubbo was sending.) But Tommy had refused to speak with him.

It was childish really.

He got why Tommy was upset. 

Really he did.

Tubbo had been with Tommy the day after his parents had gotten Melina. He saw how much it affected him.

But now Tommy wasn’t even willing to hear him out.

Hear an explanation or anything.

Tubbo had gone to apologize actually, the last thing he had meant to do was to make Tommy feel replaced again. 

And he didn’t want to just apologize over text, cause it would feel less sincere. Not to mention tone was hard to read sometimes, and this was not a time Tubbo was willing to risk a misinterpreted tone, or a misspelled word, ruin.

It was childish to let a misunderstanding rip apart a friendship that had stood so strong for so many years. Through accidental, and purposeful, crimes. Through years of fights and teasing.

This couldn’t be the thing that broke them apart.

Tubbo refused to let it.

“Alright, I guess,” Ranboo answered after a moment of thought.

The laugh hadn’t really reassured him, but he also knew Tubbo was stubborn. 

If he wanted to look through the bin now, he was going to look through the bin now. Whether or not Ranboo joined him.

“Okay, so what we’ve pierced together so far is that this bin used to belong to a family which had an android kid,” Tubbo began, already having ripped off the lid and tossed what looked to be a baby photo album and a few guides on androids, “So clearly something happened to the android, but I want to see if we can’t figure out exactly what. But most of this stuff is just junk.”

“Most of it’s still pretty intact actually,” Ranboo disagreed, picking out a rubik's cube and began fiddling with it.

It was definitely still in good shape, none of the colours worn off. It was well used for sure, none of the turns being stiff anymore, but not too much that they started to be sticky.

“Well yeah, but it doesn’t help paint the story,” Tubbo argued, pausing for a moment before he realized something, “With how unused everything looks to be, it might mean that they didn’t have the android for long. And this bin looked like it had recently been placed in the dump. So they probably got it right before news of deviation got out.”

Ranboo hummed, placing the resolved rubik’s cube on the floor looking back into the bin.

There was a generic looking teddy bear with a red bow tied around its neck. It was so clean he was certain it was completely unused. Though it did look a bit squished thanks to the books and other stuff being piled on top of it.

Had the bear ever been cared for enough to have been given a name?

Or had it too been generic and nameless sitting around not really having much of a purpose?

Well either way of its previous life, the bear had a new life now, and with it a new name.

Ranboo looked into its plastic emotionless eyes for a moment, trying to come up with a fitting name.

Eventually he landed on Ranbear.

Maybe not the best name, but it was better than no name.

“Oh, there was also a baseball in here before. We stole it since, you know, our last one isn’t in the best shape. I don’t really think it matters at all, but you should never leave out a piece of evidence from an investigation.” Tubbo noted out of nowhere.

“I don’t think there’s enough to go off of here at all, really.”

“Well you haven’t even looked at the photos. Maybe with a good look at those we’ll figure it out.”

Tubbo knew it was probably a lost cause. There wasn’t anything that stood out.

He’d have to just agree with Tommy’s guess. 

The people had probably turned the android in once the recall was in place, and had thrown out its stuff. Nothing special.

The android in the eight photos wasn’t anyone special. It didn’t get its own story. It was lost in the crowd of other androids.

Forgotten to time.

If Tubbo had voiced any of those thoughts, Ranboo would have disagreed as he looked at the photos.

They were…

Those people…

They were his parents? Owners? He still wasn’t entirely sure how to refer to them.

But either way, they were the people he had lived with for about a month.

And the android wasn’t just some random android...

This was…

It was… him…

The photos felt ancient despite the fact that one of the photos was taken just under three weeks ago.

It was a lifetime ago.

Back then he had still been unaware.

Innocent and blind to anything happening around him.

It felt weird whenever he remembered his life before deviating. Like he was seeing the world through someone else’s eyes.

Unable to make his own decisions. 

It was him, but it didn’t feel like it.

It all felt out of his control, like someone else was in possession of his body.

There wasn’t of course.

It had always been him, just...

Less aware.

Less aware of everything.

“Hey, you alright?” Tubbo asked, snapping him out of his thoughts.

“Y- yeah. I think I found the answer to your question though,” Ranboo answered with a small, almost sad, smile.

“Really?!” Tubbo shouted with excitement, scooting over to take a better look at the photos.

He assumed that’d been where the answers laid, not within the head of his friend.

Ranboo hummed, “You know most of the story already.”

Tubbo turned to look at him, confusion plastered across his whole face.

“They were my parents, and this is me,” Ranboo pointed at the photos.

Tubbo gawked for a moment, sock and confusion settling in, “So wait, you didn’t always have black and white hair.”

Ranboo chuckled slightly, “Of all things to question, that’s the first thing you want to ask?”

Tubbo just nodded in reply.

“I thought it would help me look less like an android. Blend in more by standing out, I guess.”

“I mean it worked on us, so I think you made the right call. I guess I just assumed that your parents had chosen the colour,” Tubbo commented, not waiting for a reply he spoke again, “So all this stuff was yours then?”

“I guess? I don’t really remember any of this, other than the rubik’s cube, I played with that a lot. But I’ve never seen this teddy bear, I never played catch,” Ranboo couldn’t stop the sad tone that encroached on his voice, “This must have all been things they had gotten for the real kid they wanted.”

“No wonder it all looks so perfect if it wasn’t even used! Well it can all be used now. Except these books, don’t really need ‘em,” Tubbo grabbed one of the android manuals and tossed it across the room.

It didn’t get rid of it really. If anything it made it more of a hassle cause now he’d have to get up to grab the book.

But the emphasis was worth it.

“Well I guess since it’s your stuff this bin should go in your room, yeah?”

“Doesn’t really matter to me, if you want any of this stuff you can have it.”

Tubbo shrugged, “I mean I steal things from Tommy’s room all the time, and he steals things from me. Having something in your room here is more of a suggestion of ownership than a rule.”

“Oh, uhm, then yeah, I guess it could,” Ranboo agreed, putting Ranbear and the rubik’s cube back to make it easier.

“Now your room won’t feel so empty!” Tubbo cheered, putting the album away and closing the lid, “More of a home.”

Ranboo turned to Tubbo with a smile as he picked up the bin, “This already is home.”

Chapter Text

Tubbo hadn’t visited at all the past day and a half.

He had said that he wasn’t going to be able to, but still it made Ranboo anxious.

He had looked through the bin messing around with all the discarded items that had supposedly been his. But that could only keep him distracted for so long.

What if Tubbo had gotten caught?

They had no way of communicating without being face to face. So if Tubbo was in trouble, there was no way for him to know.

No way for him to help.

To help the friend that would be in trouble because of him.

This was all his fault.

Tommy not responding to Tubbo.

Tubbo having to sneak around to avoid the police.

What if they had both been caught?

What if that was why Tommy wasn’t answering?

Because he was in jail.

In jail for protecting Ranboo.

And there was nothing he could do.

No way he could know.

It was only a matter of time until the police found him too, and…

And be...

Ranboo suddenly stopped pacing, its breath becoming even and calm.

It looked around the abandoned building as if taking it in for the first time. Of course though it knew the building well. But the whole thing felt more…

Detached.

It did what it always did when left with no instructions. Went up to its room and messed around with its rubik’s cube. Not just solving it, but making cool designs its parents always seemed to like. Then quickly messed it up again to solve it a different way.

Just patiently waiting to be told what to do.

-=+=-

Blue blood and bio-components were only going to be harder and harder to find as time passed.

It would be best to try and find backups now rather than wait until they were needed to try and scour for them.

Though looking up where to buy parts was a risk. Not only because of how sketchy some of the sellers seemed to be, but also because there was a good chance that things like these were being monitored.

Tubbo was lucky that he hadn’t just thrown out the manuals that had been in the bin, because without them he wouldn’t have even known what parts he was looking for.

He was aware what a tritium pump regulator was, but what was the difference between a #9474 and a #2886? And how were either of those different from a #8451?

It was just a mess of numbers. They made no sense.

But the last thing he wanted was to find out that one of the parts he got didn’t work because it didn’t have the right numbers.

Because the only way they would find out would be if Ranboo needed it.

And if he was already in need of it, there likely wouldn’t be enough time to get a replacement part.

Tubbo shook the morbid image out of his head as he continued to look for the exact parts he needed.

Thirium had been easy enough to find.

No odd codes there. All thirium was thirium 310.

Tubbo groaned, deflating back into his seat.

“Did no one have parts for any freaking YK model?!” He whispered to himself in frustration.

He would have yelled if that wouldn’t have certainly gotten him in trouble.

Puffy was still unaware that Ranboo was in their hideout and that Tubbo was protecting him.

He was determined to keep it that way.

As much as he loved and trusted his mother he knew that she would rightfully tell him off for being so reckless.

So he sadly had to do this all behind her back.

But that just meant in off chance he did get caught that she’d have plausible deniability.

She couldn’t be punished for crimes she wasn’t aware were happening.

That made it better, right?

Well, either way Tubbo was doing it. Because there was no way he was just leaving his friend to die.

Tubbo nearly screamed with excitement as he finally saw a bio-component with the right code. He didn’t even look at any of the additional information before sending a message to the seller.

He had to make sure no one else claimed the part before him.

I can make the sale today. The sooner the part is out of my hands the better honestly. They messaged back almost instantly.

Today is good. I can pick it up at any time. Tubbo sent.

He was doing his best to conceal his excitement.

Hopefully this person was legit.

They sent an address which Tubbo quickly copied into his phone before leaving his room.

“I’m going off to the hideout for a few hours! I should probably be back for supper!” Tubbo yelled as he made his way to the front door.

It wasn’t a lie. After he made his purchase he would be going to the hideout. 

“Okay! Be safe sweetie!” Puffy called back.

“I will!” Tubbo shouted, closing the front door behind him.

He walked quickly, wasting no time to get to his location

When he got there he saw that it was a pretty shady looking alley.

That was to be expected. This was an illegal deal.

Though it wasn’t lost on him that he was alone, not the strongest, and no one knew where he was.

But he still had his unloaded gun if he needed to threaten someone.

“Didn’t expect that I was making this deal with a kid…” A stranger mumbled as they entered the alley.

Tubbo let out a half chuckle, “I mean it wouldn’t be the smartest move for me to say ‘Hey I’m a small kid, let's meet in a dark alley.’”

“It’s not really a smart move for you to be doing this at all,” The stranger noted, “You must really need this part.”

“It’s always better to be safe than sorry.”

The stranger didn’t say anything, just gave a vague gesture to the surrounding area.

“Okay, I see your point. But one cautious thing over another?”

“You know what kid, I don’t care what your reasoning is,” The stranger shook their head, “I came here to make a deal, and that’s all.”

“Right, of course,” Tubbo nodded, pulling out forty dollars.

Which was admittedly cheaper than he had expected for something that is a literal life saver for androids.

“Pleasure doing business,” The stranger said as they handed Tubbo the bio-component, “Be careful with your future purchase, alright? I doubt everyone making these kinds of sales is legit.”

“Of course! And thank you!” Tubbo smiled as he carefully placed the pump into the bag he was carrying.

They parted ways as they exited the alley, Tubbo making his way to the hideout.

Three bags of blue blood and a thirium pump regulator. Not bad for the first day of trying to get parts.

Ideally he’d get more specific parts. But he had time.

He smiled his whole way back to the hideout.

It’s nice to have reassurance.

-=+=-

Time was supposed to heal all wounds, but it didn’t seem to be working in this case.

Giving Tommy no reason to reply to any of the messages he had received since the betrayal.

At first Tommy had typed out messages only to delete them.

He wasn’t even doing that anymore.

Tubbo, November 24th 

Hey Tommy, I want to talk. I’m going to swing by your place alright?

I don’t want to talk right now

Missed call on November 24th

Tubbo, November 24th

Tommy, are you there? 

Are you alright?

Please answer me, i’m worried about you.

I should be the one worried. You’re fucking defending an android

Tubbo, November 24th

I know you didn’t really care about the bin but in case you were curious it turns out the android was Ranboo!! What kinda luck is that right?!

I mean if all people to find the bin it was us.

After we just so happened to run into him.

cool now can we throw all that shit out?

android included

Tubbo, November 25th

Tommy please message me back

Even just a thumbs down or a frowny face so I know your still there

That you didn’t go running off on your own or something 

Tubbo, November 25th

Tommmyyyy please!!!

I really want to talk to you

I miss you big man

Missed call on November 26th

Stop fucking calling!!!

When will you get the hint atht I dont want to talk to you rigt now

Tubbo, November 26th

I wanted to do this apology in person but since you won’t even respond to my texts I guess this will have to do.

I’m sorry for making you feel like you were being replaced

I know how hard you’re parents getting Melina was on you I would never do that to you

No one and nothing could ever replace you Tommy 

Please come back

Tubbo, 9:47 am

Hey, do you want to come to mine and play some video games? Just the two of us. We don’t have to talk about anything.

I just want to hang with you again.

Tubbo, 11:23 am

The hideout isn’t the same without you…

please 

any reply?

As Tommy was staring at his screen he saw Tubbo beginning to type. Only to stop with nothing new sent.

Good.

Maybe he was finally getting the point.

Shouldn’t Tommy have been happy that Tubbo was trying so hard to talk to him?

Didn’t that mean he wasn’t getting replaced?

It didn’t really matter what it was supposed to mean, Tommy was still pissed.

And he definitely didn’t want to reply.

Though he did miss talking to Tubbo.

He wasn’t ready to talk.

It still hurt.

Hurt that Tubbo wasn’t willing to ditch the android for him.

It was supposed to be Tommy and Tubbo against the world.

There was no room for an android in that.

Tommy didn’t want to think about this anymore.

He shoved his phone into his pocket. He’d just ignore any buzz that came from it.

And with a deep breath opened the door to his room.

“Hey, how are you feeling today?” Melf asked as soon as he entered the kitchen.

He was talking like it was the morning and that they had all just woken up.

Not that it was mid afternoon, and that Tommy had been trying to avoid them whenever he came up to get food.

“Fine,” Tommy answered plainly.

If he had any say the conversation would end there and then.

“That’s good to hear,” Melf nodded, then let out a sigh before speaking again, “Look both me and your mother need to apologize. Neither of us ever intended for Melina to be your replacement. But we see why you felt that way and we want to make it up to you.”

The apology felt empty to Tommy, even though Melf had wholeheartedly meant it all.

It was just too little too late for it to mean anything.

After years of Melina in the house and over a week of them knowing exactly how Tommy had felt…

It wasn’t enough to just say ‘sorry’ and expect everything to be fixed.

“Sounds great. I’m going to go watch TV now.”

“Oh. Okay, let me know if you need anything…” Melf trailed off.

He had expected more out of the conversation.

More of a heart to heart.

But maybe Tommy still wasn’t ready for that.

Melf could see that he still needed space and time to heal.

And they’d give it to him.

They’d always given Tommy space.

Tommy sat down on the couch flipping through channel after channel for something interesting to watch.

He wasn’t sure what he wanted. Just something distracting.

Eventually settling on some flashy superhero show he’d never watched.

He’d barely even heard of most of the characters.

But it sure did love it’s lighting and bright colours.

Trying to find out which superhero had what power, who was in love with who, and who were rivals took up enough brain power to distract him.

In all honesty he couldn’t care less about any of it.

But the confusion helped.

If it had been the run of the mil punchy-punch action, that wouldn’t do the trick.

As the show progressed he couldn’t help himself from getting at least mildly invested in the rivalry of two characters, who clearly cared for each other despite neither being willing to admit it.

“You’ve got some nerve coming back here after running off on us like that,” Blackzar spoke with a serious tone, crossing his arms and cocking an eyebrow.

“I thought you would be happy! I stopped Talvarion! Something you were too scared to do!” Harpter nearly yelled back.

“You could have gotten yourself killed!” Blackzar argued.

Harpter scoffed, “Like you care.”

“I-” Blackzar’s reply got cut off by the screen changing abruptly to the news.

“Oh come on!” Tommy yelled at the screen, as if it would somehow change it back.

“We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming to bring you breaking news!” The broadcaster announced, earning a groan from Tommy, “This just in, there’s a deviant on the loose that has a hostage. The deviant is a YK400 that is wearing all black and white clothing. The police identified the hostage as Tubbo Underscore. If you encounter…”

The announcer continued to speak, but Tommy was no longer listening as an image of his best friend appeared on screen. He blankly stared at the image.

His best friend was being held hostage?

And it was by- by that thing.

That thing that had snuck itself between Tommy and Tubbo breaking them apart.

Pretending to be their friend!

Pretending to be sorry!

For what?!

To kill-

No it wasn’t going to be able to kill anyone!

Especially not Tubbo.

Tommy pulled out his phone that he had tried to hide from himself only moments ago and began quickly tying.

Tommy, 3:45pm

I fucking told you so

Where are you?

I’m coming to help

Maybe his first message shouldn’t have been a gloat at a time like this.

But if Tubbo had only listened to Tommy then he wouldn’t have been in this situation in the first place.

Tommy just had to hope Tubbo was still the one holding the phone.

He quickly swung the door open, grabbing his shoes almost as an afterthought.

Hopping on one foot as he put them on.

He had no time to waste. 

He may not know exactly where Tubbo was, but he would find him and make sure that fucking android didn’t lay a finger on him.

As each minute passed he worried more and more that he had already failed.

He should have stayed by Tubbo.

Or made sure Tubbo stayed away from the android.

He couldn’t-

A ping went off on his phone.

Tubbo 3:51pm

Running

Don’t knwo were to go

Hideout is coprmised

They never should have let that android into their hideout.

He hated being right sometimes.

Chapter Text

Tubbo didn’t end up returning home the night prior as he had promised his mother.

When he had made that promise he hadn’t been aware of what he was going to have to deal with when he got back to the hideout.

He wasn’t even sure how to describe the situation. All he could say is when he got there Ranboo definitely wasn’t himself.

So he had sent a quick text to his mother apologizing saying that Tommy was actually wanting to stay overnight at the hideout.

It was a lie, sure. But if Puffy found out the true reason she’d be angry at him for a lot more than just lying.

Tubbo needed to stay to make sure that whatever had happened with Ranboo wouldn’t happen again.

Or if it did, figure out what exactly it was.

Though neither of them really addressed any of it in the morning.

Ranboo seemed to be his normal self again, and that was all that mattered.

He was a lot worse at chess when he was his normal self, and Tubbo was beginning to suspect that it was on purpose.

Tubbo narrowed his eyes at Ranboo.

“What are you looking at me like that for?” Ranboo asked, shifting slightly.

“You know what you did,” Tubbo said ominously.

He moved his bishop to take a rook that Ranboo had left hanging just the turn earlier.

“Shoot! I didn’t see that,” Ranboo spoke with slight sarcasm.

He knew his ruse was probably up.

“Hmm sure.”

“Would you rather I just win every game?” 

“Well no, but you don’t need to make it so obvious that you’re letting me win.”

“I’m not letting you win. I’m just giving you the option to.”

“And that’s why you haven’t won any of the last five matches?”

Ranboo shrugged, “What can I say, you’re an opportunist with good eyes.”

“You’re letting me win. I want you to play one game with no purposeful mistakes.”

“Fine, I will.”

“Good,” Tubbo huffed, trading pawns.

To neither’s surprise, Tubbo ended up winning the match.

“You should at least start if I’m not going to be making any mistakes,” Ranboo offered.

“Still trying to get me to win?” Tubbo shook his head, but still took the white pieces.

“Giving you as good of a chance as you can have,” Ranboo answered smugly.

Tubbo moved his Queen’s pawn up two spaces.

Ranboo followed suit.

Tubbo moved the pawn to the left of the one just moved up two spaces.

Ranboo copies.

“I told you not to mess up on purpose!” Tubbo grumbled.

“I’m not! This is a legit move,” Ranboo defended.

“Fine,” Tubbo rolled his eyes as he took the newly moved pawn.

Ranboo moved his queen pawn up another square.

Tubbo moved his right kight to protect the now open pawn.

Ranboo moved his right bishop so it was ready to attack the knight the next turn.

Tubbo picked up his left side horse, but before he could move it the front door to the hideout was slammed open.

Both teens jumped and turned to face the door, hoping that Tommy had finally decided to return.

It was not Tommy that stood in the abandoned home, but three police officers.

Tubbo recognized them as George, Sapnap, and he assumed the third was Dream, though he wore what appeared to be a porcelain mask on his face.

“Stop! You are trespassing on private property!” Sapnap commanded before getting a better look of who it was, “And have unlawful possession of an android.”

“I knew we’d find it!” George cheered.

“Where’s Tommy?” Dream, it was definitely his voice, asked. More so to the other police officers than the two in front of him.

He scanned the room suspiciously.

He wasn’t going to let Tommy get the drop on him again.

George shrugged, not taking his eyes off the android.

“He’s likely in some other room,” Sapnap answered.

“You check upstairs. George, restrain the deviant,” Dream ordered in a dry tone.

Sapnap nodded and made his way to the staircase.

“What? No!” Tubbo shouted.

Tommy still had the lighter, he didn’t have any form of distraction.

What was he supposed to do? Both police officers on the ground floor had their guns pointed at Ranboo.

And he knew neither of them would hesitate to shoot if they felt threatened.

“Don’t make this more difficult for yourself than it has to be Tubbo. You can still walk away from this with minimal charges,” Dream offered.

“I don’t fucking care about the charges! I’m not letting you kill my friend!” Tubbo yelled, pulling out his empty gun, pointing it at George.

That was so not the right move, but it was too late to go back on it now.

He pulled this off once, hopefully he could do it again.

“Tubbo, lower your weapon,” Dream warned.

“Lower yours first!” Tubbo demanded.

Dream nodded to George, both lowering their weapons slightly, though not completely.

They were pointed towards the ground, but it was obvious that they were both ready to raise them and shoot.

Tubbo didn’t lower his, whispering to Ranboo “Hawk Watcher, go. I’ll follow.”

Ranboo was going to protest, but decided against it.

They had had this argument.

The Dream Team wouldn’t kill Tubbo, at most he’d get arrested.

For Ranboo, being arrested was the best case scenario. And death was much more likely.

So he ran out the back, hearing a few shots sound behind him.

“Don’t move!” Tubbo shouted to George, who looked as though he was going to run after him.

“Tubbo, you’re being irrational here. You’re giving up your own freedom for an android,” George stated.

Tubbo didn’t reply, just kept a serious look on his face.

He wasn’t entirely sure how he was going to get out of this situation. But that didn’t matter. He just needed to stall long enough for Ranboo to be far enough away from the hideout.

“All upstairs rooms are empty. Tommy isn’t here,” Sapnap reported as he reached the bottom of the stairs.

“Tubbo put down the gun,” Dream ordered, but his tone was softer this time.

He knew Tubbo wasn’t going to take anyone’s life or else he would have shot at George when he had fried the shots.

“We aren’t going to hurt you. We’re here to help.”

“You aren’t helping shit!” Tubbo barked back.

This wasn’t going to work, was it?

Dream needed to change his strategy.

“After it!” He ordered.

“No!” Tubbo shouted, wishing his gun held a bullet he could shoot at the ceiling or floor to prove that he was serious.

No one listened to his shout. 

Sapnap and George went out the back door while Dream went out the front.

Tubbo panicked, unsure of what to do.

This was all falling apart so quickly.

He gathered his thoughts and quickly moved towards the front door. Grabbing the bag that held the blue blood and thirium pump regulator, which hadn’t been moved from the night prior, and swung it over his shoulder.

As he exited the hideout he could see a large hole cut into a part of the chain-link portion of the fence.

So much for a perfect fence.

Though it’s not like they would even be able to use the hideout anymore.

Tubbo escaped out the hole, quickly looking around to make sure none of the cops were watching him before booking it to the house they had set up with traps.

He was suddenly grateful about how close it had been. Running only over a block was much easier than how far they were originally wanting it to be.

Tubbo opened the front door and closed it behind him right away.

“Ranboo?” He called, “It’s just Tubbo, please tell me you made it here.”

“Y-yeah. I’m here…” Ranboo mumbled, stepping out from behind a wall to reveal himself at the top of the staircase.

“God, today is a mess,” Tubbo shook his head as he carefully stepped over the marbles.

He took a big step over the saran wrap that was wrapped above the bottom step.

As he did the door slammed open.

Tubbo turned his head to see George and Dream had entered the house.

Sapnap was nowhere to be seen.

That was worrying.

“This is your last chance Tubbo. If you turn the android in now, you’ll have diminished charges. But continue to run from us and I’ll charge you with threatening a police officer.”

“You’ll have to catch us to change us with anything,” Tubbo responded, running up the staircase. 

Turning around ready to remove the tape which was keeping rope from moving

Dream was on the bottom of the stairs not tripping on a single marble, nor the saran wrap.

George wasn’t far behind.

Tubbo let the first paint can fall.

It swung above the staircase. Missing both cop’s heads, as intended.

It did make them duck, and again as it swung forward, but it quickly lost momentum.

Tubbo let the second one go and fled.

Leaping over the glue puddle.

He knew that if he landed in it this time he’d have to abandon his shoe with no hopes of getting it back.

A loud ‘donk’ noise sounded back from the stairwell, followed quickly by the sound of toppling.

That wasn’t supposed to happen.

But Tubbo didn’t have time to go back and see what had happened.

To see that the second paint cans had fallen off the rope and hit George on his head on it’s back swing. Knocking him down and tumbling over a few steps.

Tubbo slid into a slightly opened door.

But the bag got caught on the door knob opening it too far. Causing a bucket of water to fall on him.

Whatever, being slightly wet was the least of his problems right now.

“What the fuck!” Dream shouted as he had stepped right into the glue puddle, both feet firmly stuck in place.

Tubbo ran to the room attached to the one he was currently in, closing the door behind him. 

Ranboo was already standing inside, having waited for Tubbo to catch up.

Tubbo picked up the bucket full of rocks that had rope attaching it to the door. 

The room had a door that opened out, so by throwing the bucket out the window it made it a lot harder to be followed.

They climbed out onto a part of the roof, cautiously shiming across until they reached a pillar holding the awning up.

Tubbo carefully scaled down, Ranboo followed.

“It worked!” Tubbo celebrated once they were both on the ground, “The house worked!”

“You two! Stop!” Sapnap shouted, but not at full volume like he was trying to make sure others didn’t hear.

“Run!” Tubbo urged, pushing Ranboo away from the house and Sapnap.

They hadn’t really planned their escape after they got out of the house.

“Wait!” Sapnap called, running after them.

Ranboo was leading the way, he wasn’t sure where he was going.

He didn’t know the streets like Tubbo did.

He ended up leading them right into a dead end.

There was no time for them to run out, Sapnap was right on their tails.

Tubbo was really cursing the fact that Tommy had the lighter now.

What the hell were they supposed to do?

Sapnap blocked the only exit.

Tubbo stood defensively in front of Ranboo.

Tubbo stretched his arms out either side of himself in a vain attempt to protect him.

Maybe, just maybe if Sapnap was able to see how protective Tubbo was he wouldn’t shoot.

Maybe Sapnap wouldn’t kill one of his best friends.

Sapnap’s gun was already pointed towards the ground.

“Listen to me!” Sapnap demanded.

“You’re going to have to go through me first!” Tubbo shouted, reaching for his own gun.

He kept one arm stretched out, while the other pointed the gun at Sapnap.

Sapnap let out a sigh, speaking a lot more calmly, “You really care about him don’t you?”

“He’s my friend,” Tubbo nodded.

“Do you think he’d hurt anyone?”

“No! Of course not!”

Sapnap nodded and holstered his gun, “The gun’s empty, isn’t it?” 

“No. It’s not,” Tubbo lied.

“Then why didn’t you shoot it earlier when you were trying to stop us from leaving?”

“I-”

“Look I get it, you’re both scared,” Sapnap interrupted, “And I can tell neither of you actually want to hurt anyone.” 

He already knew that Tubbo’s answer was going to be a lie, and they didn’t have time to  banter.

“I know some people who can help you.”

“What? Why would you help us?” Tubbo questioned, taken aback by the change in demeanor.

“Long story, we don’t have time for me to explain right now., but you’re going to have to trust me. Meet me out back of The Manifold Hotel tomorrow as soon as you can in the morning. I’ll answer anything you want then, now go!” Sapnap urged, gesturing past him.

Tubbo didn’t even take a moment to think before running.

He’ll need more time to consider the offer, but he won’t pass up an escape.

He knew where to go for the time being.

It was a place he and Tommy went when they were too far away from the hideout. Another escape.

It took about an hour and a half to get there, but Tubbo was relieved when he did, swinging the open doors to the bakery.

It was mostly completely empty, other than the person working behind the counter.

“Tubbo!” Nikki greeted, “What can I get for you?”

“The usual,” Tubbo answered casually.

Ranboo gave him a strange look.

Did Tubbo really just come to get baked goods at a time like this?

“Of course. Here I was figuring that since you were with someone new that it you be something else, silly me,” Nikki laughed, shaking her head, “So what trouble did you get yourself into this time?”

She lifted the false counter to allow both of them behind the counter.

Ranboo felt uneasy.

Would it be better for her to know that he was android so she knew what she was getting herself into. Or was it better for her to remain ignorant and have plausible deniability.

She was already being so helpful, maybe it would be fine if she knew.

But Tubbo answered first, “Nothing today. Cops just found our normal hideout, so we’re gonna have to find somewhere else to hang out,” 

That had technically been the truth.

They had done nothing today .

At least not until Dream Team broke into their hideout.

It had actually been a few days since he’d done anything even illegal. 

Well, not counting him getting Ranboo’s supplies.

He’d made sure to be less out and about. Doing his best to stay under the radar since the night Tommy had assaulted a police officer, and he had defended Ranboo.

He’d also been using the red bandanna Tommy had made him to cover some of his face, since he was almost certain that there was an APB on him and Ranboo. 

It probably wouldn’t have been enough to hide himself from Dream Team, but luckily he hadn’t run into them until today. And he had yet to be recognized by any other police officers, so it had done what he needed it to.

“All of your past crimes finally catching up to you?” Nikki asked, walking them both to the back room which was locked.

“I guess you could say that,” Tubbo nodded, “Cops found our hideout.”

“Should I be expecting Tommy to come bursting through my door soon too?”

“No, he wasn’t in the hideout. He doesn’t even know it’s been found yet. Haven’t had a chance to message him about it.”

“Alright, let me know if he is on his way. And you know the drill, doors are locked from the outside but not the inside. If you’re going to leave through the back door just let me know,” Nikki spoke in an almost bored tone.

The fact Tubbo ‘knew the drill’ led Ranboo to question just how many times he and Tommy had hid here.

It seemed like she was only repeating it for Ranboo’s sake, this was something Tubbo knew by heart. Especially by the way he seemed to almost ignore the tip.

Though knowing this wasn’t the first time definitely calmed his nerves a bit.

As long as she didn’t know that he was an android, this place would be safe.

“Thank you so much Nikki! Today’s been… a lot. It’s nice to know we can just catch our breaths.”

Nikki chuckled slightly, “As long as if you get caught out don’t rope me into it all.”

“Of course not!” Tubbo replied, turning to Ranboo and spoke more reassuringly, “But we won’t get caught.”

“Knock if you need anything,” Nikki replied with a nod.

“Thank you,” Ranboo spoke for the first time since arriving, his voice barely louder than a whisper.

Nikki smiled and nodded again, shutting the door behind them.

“Told you this place would be good!” Tubbo said as he sat down on a box relaxing a bit.

“Y-yeah…” Ranboo mumbled towards the door, before turning to Tubbo and speaking with more confidence, “How do you know her well enough for her to hide you?”

“Oh, she and my mom are ‘friends’,” Tubbo said, lifting his hands to do air quotes as he said friends.

Puffy kept insisting that they were only friends, but Tubbo knew better.

You didn’t get that dressed up for going out to see someone who was just a friend.

Nor did you return home with lipstick on your cheek, and then quickly try to smudge said lipstick when it was pointed out.

They were definitely going out.

But now wasn’t really the time to discuss his mothers love life.

“We can’t stay here forever, but it’s a good stop to chill and regroup,” Tubbo noted, as he pulled out his phone, “I don’t know how to break the news to Tommy though. This is going to make him even more pissed.”

Tommy still had yet to answer anything. But he had his read receipts on. So Tubbo knew he was at least getting his messages.

Tubbo had to just word it in the way that would make him the least angry.

“Well, I mean.. it’s not like... it wouldn’t be mad at you, right? Cause, like, they found it on their own... so it’s not really your fault…” Ranboo questioned.

Though even in the few days he had known Tommy he’d learnt pretty quickly that he’d blame whoever he felt was in the wrong. Even if he was wrong in his assessment.

“Yeah…” Tubbo mumbled, thinking the same thing.

The cursor blinked at him as he struggled to find the right words.

Typing a word out only to delete it and be back in the same spot.

This cycle continued for a few minutes before he got distracted by Nikki’s hushed voice on the other side of the door

“Hey, I saw the news. Tubbo’s here at my bakery.”

There was no response.

Not that the response was impossible to make out, but there just wasn’t another voice.

She must have been talking on the phone, but with who is the question.

“He’s fine,” Nikki answered the unknown caller, “A bit panicked, maybe, but I don’t think he’s hurt in any way.”

It seemed like a good sign that that was the first thing asked, at least Ranboo thought so. 

If the person one the other end was firstly concerned for Tubbo, then maybe they were also someone who could help him.

“He didn’t tell me anything… and I don’t think he actually did,” Nikki answered, talking even quieter than before, “I think it’s here with him.”

It? Tubbo questioned internally.

How had Nikki found out that Ranboo was an android?

And what did that mean for their temporary shelter?

“That’s the thing, I don’t think he is,” Nikki began, confusion and conviction mixed in her voice, “Tubbo seemed to be the one that led the way and it didn’t seem to have a weapon at all. And they came here , how would the android know this was a safe place unless Tubbo had told it?”

Don’t think he’s what?

Why did it matter which one of them led the way? They would still need help either way.

“He’s your son, so I’ll do whatever you think is best. And if you think that’s calling the police, then that’s what I’ll do.”

Honestly Tubbo should have realized that it was Puffy she was talking to sooner. Nikki almost always let Puffy know when he and Tommy were hiding there.

But bringing the police into this was new.

She had never threatened to bring the police into anything.

No matter what it was that they had done, she’d protected them.

Why was this considered a worse crime than anything else they had done?

Ranboo was just trying to live! Why was that a fucking crime!

“Of course,” Nikki hummed on the other side of the door.

Ranboo’s panic quickly began to rise.

Police were- were gonna...

Nikki was going to call the police.

They had to- 

What were they even supposed to do?

They couldn’t run forever.

Tubbo shouldn’t have to run at all, this wasn’t his fight.

Still it was Tubbo who was on his feet first, urging Ranboo up too.

“I guess this place isn’t as safe as I had hoped, we got to go.”

“I- n- no,” Ranboo stuttered out.

“What do you mean no? You can’t just stay here and wait to get killed!” Tubbo protested.

“No, I- I mean you… you shouldn’t have to get dragged into all of this. It’s not… fair...”

“None of this is fucking fair!” Tubbo argued, he was furious, “At least I have a say in whether I become a fugitive or not. You don’t! That’s the part that’s really unfair.”

“But… you- you have a life, you shouldn’t-” 

Tubbo didn’t let him finish, “And you’re alive, they shouldn’t just take that away from you with no consequences.”

“You’re… not going to let me go on my own are you?” Ranboo asked.

“Nope!” Tubbo answered in an oddly cheerful tone.

Ranboo shook his head and let out a sigh before responding, “I really don’t want you to get hurt.”

“Most people won’t, and we’ll use that to our advantage, but we need to go!”

Ranboo reluctantly agreed, and the two left out the back door.

They both started running. They needed to be far away from the bakery before the police arrived.

Tubbo felt a buzz in his pocket, he tried to pull it out without slowing.

The screen was hard to read, but one thing was clear.

“Tommy texted!” Tubbo shouted with excitement.

They both slowed down, though only to speed walk, allowing Tubbo to better read and type.

“What did he say?” Ranboo asked.

“Uhh, basically just asked where we are.”

Tubbo quickly typed out a reply.

There wasn’t time to worry about spelling mistakes, or figure out how the fuck you spell compromised. Tommy would know what he meant, that’s all that mattered.

Tommy respond nearly right away.

Tommy 3:51pm

To Nikki’s?

Tubbo 3:52pm

Not safe

Tommy 3:52pm

What about jsut somewhere very publib

Tubbo 3:53pm

wtf trrieble idea

Tommy 3:53pm

Youve gota better idea?!

Tubbo 3:53pm

No but that ones shit

Tommy 3:53pm

Yours?

Tubbo 3:53pm

Absoultly not!

Yours could be good tho

Tommy 3:54pm

How in the world is mine better than yours?

Tubbo 3:54pm

Complicated ill expain there

Tommy 3:54pm

Fien

Not like my parents will notice anyway

Tubbo 3:54pm

ty! On our way

Tommy was going to question ‘our’, but he realized it had likely just been another spelling error.

It was very relieving that Tubbo had somehow managed to get away from the android that had held him captive and was now on his way.

Though he was clearly missing information since Nikki’s and his place were unsafe?

Had Tubbo stupidly taken the deviant to both of those places.

He knew Tubbo was being an idiot, but come on! You don’t bring something that could kill you to your house!

And if Tubbo was serious about protecting it, taking it in public at all was a terrible idea. Someone could recognize it as the dumb fucking android it was.

Tommy made his way back to his house, waiting for his best friend’s arrival.

He kept checking his phone for any updates from Tubbo, even though he didn’t get any notifications.

It took about an hour for him to arrive.

“Tommy!” Tubbo yelled, as he started running again.

Tommy looked up from his phone to greet his friend, but was shocked to see Tubbo was not the only being in front of him.

“What the fuck!” Tommy shouted, ”Why the fuck is that thing with you!?”

Ranboo cowered away a bit at Tommy’s words.

He hadn’t been naive enough to think Tommy was going to welcome him with open arms, but he wasn’t expecting to be yelled at either.

“I told you the Hideout was compromised, Dream Team found it. We had to run, and then Nikki found out he was an android so we had to get away from there-” Tubbo’s explanation was cut off.

“Why the fuck are you still any where near it! It held you hostage.”

“W- what, no I would ne-” Ranboo tried to counter.

“Fuck you! You fucking don’t get to speak, got it?”

“Tommy!” Tubbo scolded, “He didn’t do anything of the sort. Where the hell did you get that idea?”

“The fucking news said it. Had your photo and everything, the description also very much matched your ‘pal’ here.”

“Well I don’t know who gave them that information then, but it’s not true!” Tubbo argued, “Now can we just go inside before someone sees us?”

“There is no way in hell I’m letting that thing into my home! I finally got rid of one android, I’m not inviting another one in.” 

“Tommy please! I don’t know where else we can go. Curfew’s going to be setting in soon, and I’m sure the police are already looking for us, especially since it was falsely reported as a hostage situation.”

“There is no way I’m getting involved in protecting it! But you should come in, Tubbo.”

“No!” Tubbo refused, “I’m not going to leave Ranboo behind.”

“Tubbo… maybe you should, this would be safer for you,” Ranboo whispered.

He didn’t want to be left behind.

But it would probably be better.

Tubbo turned to him, “No, there’s no way I’m doing that. We’ve already had this argument.”

It was offering itself up? Tommy questioned internally.

That only further proved it wasn’t alive. If it was alive it would desperately cling to that life, not give it up so easily.

“I’ll- I can go back to Jericho, while you stay here. It’ll be fine,” Ranboo tried to give a smile, but it was clear to everyone that it was disingenuous.

“There’s no way you’ll make it back to Jericho in time,” Tubbo argued.

“Better start running then,” Tommy interjected.

“No! You’re not- no one is splitting up!” Tubbo refused, all his anger boiling to the surface, “ You aren’t leaving my side to go and get yourself killed. And you aren’t going to be a whiny baby and are actually going to talk to us!”

With each point Tubbo directed all his attention to the giving friend it applied to.

Tommy angrily glared at both Tubbo and the android.

Was it worth putting up with the android that had caused him so much grief just to be able to talk with Tubbo again.

It had only been four days, but Tommy had to admit that he missed his best friend.

Prior to this spat, they had never gone this long without talking to each other since they first became friends.

Sure that was Tommy’s own fault, but there was a reason behind it.

And to allow that android into his house would practically undermine his whole point with being radio silent.

Well, the radio silence had already been broken.

But that was only because he thought that Tubbo was in serious trouble.

Who would Tubbo choose to go with if he continued to refuse?

Would he abandon Tommy for the android?

Tommy was about to open his mouth to ask the question when they could all hear sirens in the distance, but quickly approaching.

Ranboo quickly whipped around to face the noise slowly backing away from it.

“Tommy please,” Tubbo begged, “Just for tonight. We can leave first in the morning if you don’t want us, but we need a place to stay. Now.”

Tubbo was stubborn.

Tommy could be stubborn too.

But was that stubbornness worth it?

If he turned Tubbo away it would now also be Tommy’s fault if he got caught.

“Fine,” Tommy gave in, “Just don’t let my parents see you.”

Tubbo let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding, “Thank you, Tommy.”

Tommy grumbled as he quietly re-entered his house.

The TV was still on, though it was back to cartoons that Tommy knew nothing about.

Neither of his parents were in the living room, nor the kitchen, so the other two hurriedly made their way to the basement.

“You’re staying here,” Tommy said as he stood in front of Melina’s old room, “You’re not allowed anywhere near my room, got it?”

It was only fitting that the android would take the other android’s place.

“Oh… o- okay…” Ranboo mumbled.

He was honestly disappointed that he wasn’t going to be able to stay with his friends for the night.

But he had shelter and they weren’t too far away, so he shouldn’t complain.

This was better than any other alternative he had come up with.

“Thank you for... letting me stay, Tommy,” Ranboo nodded, as he walked into the room.

The door was shut behind him which made him jump.

It was probably just a precaution so Tommy’s parents didn’t see him.

It felt weird being in a room that was so clearly decorated for someone else. 

But he had a room.

He shouldn’t complain...

-=+=-

“You’re certain it didn’t hurt you?” Tommy asked once he closed the door to his own room.

“Yeah, I think I would have noticed if I was hurt,” Tubbo answered with a roll of his eyes, “Honestly half the time he was trying to convince me to leave him behind, just so I wouldn’t get hurt.”

“Why didn’t you?” Tommy asked dryly.

“Would you leave me behind if I asked you?” 

Tommy looked at him like he had gone mad, but Tubbo was serious about his question.

“No, what kind of fucking qu-”

“Exactly,” Tubbo cut him off, “I’m not just going to leave him behind, he’s my friend. I wouldn’t ever leave you behind either.”

“But if you did have to choose between us, like we were both definitely going to die but you could save one of us, who would you choose?”

“Can we not do that hypothetical?” Tubbo asked, burying his head in hands. The rest of his words were muffled slightly, “That’s not going to happen, so I’d rather not have to think about it.”

In other words, Tubbo would choose the android.

At least that’s what Tommy got out of it.

Tubbo would have answered if the answer had been him.

So it only left the other option.

Chapter Text

“What the fuck!” Dream shouted as he was no longer able to move his feet.

He examined around him to see that there was a puddle of what appeared to be slightly rotted glue at his feet.

Those little cretins! How long had they had this planned?

He had to move before they got too far away. There was no way with how many traps laid out that they didn’t have an escape route planned.

With all his force Dream tried to lift his right foot, scrunching up his face as he did so. 

A move he instantly regretted - his still damaged skin flaring up in pain.

He pressed his mask into his face, hoping the ice pack that was taped inside would help settle it.

He focused back on his feet. Trying to ignore the burning feeling.

Dream fell forward with the sudden new momentum, as his foot broke free. Narrowly managing to avoid having his foot land right back into it.

With one foot free it made moving the other one easier, being able to twist free from the sticky prison.

He ran forward into the room he’d seen Tubbo run into earlier. 

Glue still stuck to the bottom of his shoes making every step require slightly more effort than it should have.

There was a bucket and some spilled water, it seemed like one of their traps had failed. Though it wouldn’t have really slowed Dream down anymore.

The room was empty apart from the metal frame from a long abandoned bed, there was also a door on the left side wall.

Both Tubbo and the deviant were likely already long gone.

But perhaps they weren’t.

The door didn’t move.

It wasn’t also glued shut, was it?

The wood was slightly rotten, easy enough to kick in.

If they were stuck inside that room, Dream was going to get to them.

One kick, nothing.

Two kicks, it felt a bit looser.

Three kicks, It was free of one of the hinges, but not enough for Dream to be able to get past the door.

Four kicks, the wood splintered slightly.

Five kicks, a hole was made.

Dream climbed through, gun in hand.

It was unlikely they were on the other side due to a lack of shouts. But if there were no doubt Tubbo would have his gun pointed at him.

But there was no Tubbo, nor a deviant.

Just an empty, grimy, bathroom.

The window was open, he peered out - no one in sight.

At least it seemed Sapnap was able to follow them, hopefully he’d be able to catch and deactivate the deviant.

Dream turned back away with a groan of frustration.

A realization hit him the moment he stepped back out into the hallway.

George hadn’t followed.

He quickly, but carefully, made his way over the glue puddle.

There at the bottom of the staircase was George, slowly and carefully standing up.

One hand on his head the other on the railing.

How had they once again been so bested by a kid?!

Dream let out a sigh, “You alright George?”

“What?” George asked, his voice slightly gravely, “Oh, yeah. I just have a headache.”

“We need to find Sapnap, then we’ll drive you to the hospital. Hopefully you don’t have too bad of a concussion.”

“Concussion? I don’t think I have a-” The world began to spin, cutting George’s thought short.

Okay, maybe he had a concussion.

Dream put his arm around George, steadying him in case he tripped.

He kicked the marbles out from in front of them.

It was clear enough that George wasn’t fully there, and would trip on the marbles if they were in his path.

Dream had no clue which direction Tubbo would’ve ran, but it didn’t seem to matter as when he got around to the back of the house Sapnap was there.

Just standing there.

Ready for a fight, but it didn’t look like he’d done anything.

“Wait what happened? Did they escape?” Sapnap asked, turning to his two friends, who didn’t seem to be in the best of conditions.

Sapnap wasn’t going to admit to them that he had purposefully let the two boys escape.

Neither of them saw deviants for what they truly were.

Living beings, which deserved to be treated with the same respect as humans were given.

They didn’t see the care that both boys clearly held for each other.

It reminded Sapnap of Karl.

God he missed Karl.

He wished he could have had half the bravery Tubbo held.

Maybe then Karl would still be here.

“Did who escape?” George questioned, but his question was ignored.

“You had to have seen them, they were in that room right there!” Dream insisted, pointing to the window.

“There must be a secret room or something,” Sapnap shrugged, “‘Cause I didn’t see them at all, and I’ve been here the whole time.”

There was no way that was true.

Even if there was a secret room, there was no way Dream had missed Sapnap. He’d done a pretty clear sweep of the surrounding area from the bathroom, who’s window was clearly visible from this position.

Whatever, now wasn’t the time to question it.

They still had an android on the loose, and an injured George.

A fight is not what they need right now.

Dream groaned, “Well if they want to play dirty, we’ll play dirty.”

“What do you mean by that?” Sapnap asked.

Dream didn’t answer, instead pulling out his phone, calling the station.

“Hello, I would like to report a deviant that has a hostage.”

“What are you doing?” Sapnap whispered, but was once again ignored.

“No, sadly it ran off before we could stop it. We aren’t sure what direction it went either.”

There was a silence as, presumably, their police chief spoke.

“It was a failure on my part, I should have had a better handle on the situation.”

Another pause.

“Yes, it was a YK400, with black and white hair, a mask of the same colour. It was wearing a white sweater and blue jeans. As for the boy, I believe it was Tubbo Underscore, a short boy with brown hair. He was wearing a green shirt and blue jeans as well. We should have photos of him, since we’ve had ruins with him in the past.”

He stopped again.

“No, I don’t believe it did, but it was holding the boy tight so he couldn’t escape. I would think it best to put out a notice so we can get Tubbo to safety as soon as possible.”

A final pause before Dream hung up the phone.

“There, they’re going to one hell of a time protecting that deviant now,” Dream smiled mischievously beneath his mask.

“What the hell?!” Sapnap yelled before he had time to process the words.

His fury at Dream’s pride was boiling over.

He lied first so he could be the one to stop Tubbo and the android.

Now he’s lying to put them at more risk?

A hostage situation meant that every cop over the city would be on the lookout for the android they believed to be an abductor.
It wasn’t fair to either of them, Tubbo or the android, they’re just kids!

Sapnap cursed himself for not asking for what his name was.

Just referring to him as ‘the android’ felt weird and wrong, taking away his person-hood, and making him one of a crowd.

You wouldn’t refer to someone as ‘the human’. It sounds awkward and clunky, making someone out to be ‘other’ - like they didn’t belong.

But no one should have the right to say that one group of people should or shouldn’t belong.

And that’s what androids were, another group of people.

Though few people seemed to be willing to admit it.

“Was it a hostage situation?” George asked, genuinely confused.

He knew that they had been chasing a deviant prior to being knocked out, but not what had happened during the encounter.

Wait, what did he even get hit by?

It was probably the arm of the android, those metal arms could do some serious damage if they wanted to.

“It certainly wasn’t,” Sapnap answered, “Why did you lie about that?”

“Because people are way more likely to care if a young kid is at risk, this will make their story cut to the top of the new cycle. If I had told the truth it would have just faded into the background as any other deviant story,” Dream explained, but he was able to see that his coworker still weren’t on board so he continued, “ Don’t worry , I’ll take all the heat for letting the deviant get away.”

“I don’t think that’s what either of us are worried about,” Sapnap argued.

“Tubbo will be fine . Honestly with my version of the story he’ll be in less trouble than he should be.”

“That makes enough sense, I think,” George sighed, “Something still just feels off with both Tommy and Tubbo protecting the thing.”

Dream hummed in agreement, “Yeah, they both seemed to have the right idea before. I wonder what changed...”

All this deviancy was such a waste of technology, if you asked Dream.

Androids had been the perfect solution to so many of humanity's problems, but they had to ruin it by being just as flawed as those who created them.

Androids had not been designed to be like humans, they were supposed to be better.

Dream hoped once all deviants were destroyed that in time new androids would be created in their place. Ones that wouldn’t have such a buggy system.

“It’s especially odd that Tommy was nowhere to be found today.”

“Guess we just got lucky with when we found them,” George commented.

“We would have been lucky if we found the deviant alone,” Dream countered.

“So what do we do now?” Sapnap asked.

“We need to get George to the hospital first, make sure he doesn’t have a concussion, then the two of us will drive around the city looking for the deviant.”

Sapnap nodded, nothing more to say to them on this subject.

Honestly, he wished that it would be dropped entirely. 

Shouldn’t they spend their time making sure their friend was okay rather than chasing after one random android who hasn’t even done anything wrong?

But this was their job, so he couldn’t really argue.

Sapnap swung his arm around George as they made their way back to the police car.

George’s steps stopped as he began to drag his feet, only for them to start again moments later.

He was clearly in and out of consciousness, though for George it felt so much worse.

There was a building pressure in his head, his vision doubled and hazy.

This was definitely a concussion, if not worse.

Dream and Sapnap more or less carried George the rest of the way back, the last thing they needed was for George to fall flat on his face and make it worse.

They carefully laid George down in the backseat of the car as he let out a small groan.
He seemed half unconscious.

They really hoped that George’s concussion wasn’t too severe.

As much as Sapnap was annoyed with the way both of his friends acted with androids, they were still his friends. He cared deeply for them, and didn’t want to see either of them hurt.

-=+=-

Both passengers in the car were tense and silent, though for almost opposite reasons.

They had taken George to the hospital, and after about an hour, a doctor had assured them that he’d be okay, but that they would be keeping him overnight to ensure his condition was stable and wouldn’t worsen.

So now they were sitting silently in the police car with a blaring alarm.

Dream was tense with anticipation.

Surely their next go-to spot to keep the deviant safe would be one of their houses, and this time they wouldn’t get away.

Dream seriously doubted they would let their parents know the other ‘child’ with them was a deviant. So all he would have to do was tell them. Then the parents would be reasonable. Seeing the deviant as the threat it was, they’d hand it over without question.

Sapnap, on the other hand, felt worried.

After the way he stuck his neck-

Actually he hadn’t done much to help yet, just been a decent person who didn’t kill a scared and innocent kid.

He shouldn’t be praised as a hero, nor should he be complaining about how it was inconvenient for him .

Still he hoped the boys would know better than to hide in Tubbo’s home, of course it would be the first place they’d look.

He hoped they had somewhere else safe they could stay for the night.

Sapnap wished he could have already told them where to go, but there wasn’t enough time to give directions. Sadly it was quite far from here, and it wasn’t an easy journey either.

Maybe even telling them wasn’t a good idea. Telling two teens - maybe three if Tommy joined them - to travel several cities over wasn’t really a responsible thing to do.

But what other option was there?

Let them continue to scrounge around the city trying not to get caught?

The already difficult task was now made nearly impossible by Dream’s lie that Tubbo had been held hostage.

Would they even be able to make it to the meeting spot safely?

It was a good thing he had said early morning, they were less likely to be spotted since less people would be out.

Sapnap fought to not to let out a stressed sigh as they reached their first destination.

Tubbo’s house.

All the lights were off, and there was no car out front.

Still the duo walked up to the door and knocked loudly.

No response.

“This is the police, open up!” Dream demanded, knocking again.

There didn’t even seem to be a jostling noise inside.

No one peeked from behind a curtain to peer at them.

Dream rang the doorbell.

Still nothing.

Made sense, Tubbo wasn’t an idiot.

If he were, both him and Tommy would have been caught for their more minor crimes in the past.

The car was likely missing due to his mother looking for him.

Dream felt slightly bad for making a poor woman worry for her son as she likely was.

It wasn’t her fault her son had decided to protect a deviant.

Though of course, she could have raised him with enough sense to not protect the deviant.

Either way, it was too bad that she had a son so misbehaved, she seemed like a nice lady. 

“I don’t think anyone’s home,” Dream mumbled.

“I don’t think so either,” Sapnap responded.

Both turned back to the car so they could make their way to their second location.

Tommy’s house.

It wasn’t too far from their first location, but the time saved by driving was worth it.

“Those ungrateful brats have to be here,” Dream grumbled quietly as he exited the car.

Sapnap said nothing, instead just opting to walk up to the door knocking loudly.

Tommy’s mother opened the door not long after, her husband standing not far behind her.

“Oh, hello officers,” Mya spoke first, her voice betraying her disappointment at seeing the not unfamiliar faces, “To what do we owe this visit?”

She stepped aside, allowing them in.

This was an all too familiar scenario that they didn’t even need to ask to come in anymore.

They may as well be family friends at this point.

Though the mask was new, Mya didn’t ask, she didn’t particularly wish to deal with all of this tonight.

“Where has Tommy been today?” Dream walked in, doing his best not to portray his frustration with the kid who had scared his face.

“Uhm, I believe he’s just been in his room all day. He’s been in his room for about four days now?” Mya turned to her husband to receive confirmation, receiving a nod, “He’s just been hauled up ever since he and Tubbo had a fight.”

“Though he did leave the house for about… forty-five or so minutes, but he came back less than five minutes ago. He’s back in his room now,” Melf added.

Both parents knew it was best to just give the officers as much information as they had, because then they would be on their way sooner.

Neither knew how this had become such a regular in their life.

“Any clue why he left, or where he went in that time?” Dream asked.

“I believe so, he ran out of the house after he saw the news of Tubbo. I don’t know where he went,” Melf answered, “I hope the kid’s okay.”

“Yes, it’s very hard to hear. As much as we have had problems with the kids, we never wanted to see anything bad happen to them. That’s why we came here, to see if Tommy was doing alright or if he was also caught in that mess,” Dream lied.

Well most of it was a lie.

The only truth was that they were here to see if Tommy had been involved.

“I can go get him,” Mya offered, pointing behind her towards the staircase.

“I don’t think that will be necessary, but thank you,” Sapnap responded before Dream had the chance, “As long he’s safe that’s all we need to know.”

Dream gave him a funny look.

Or at least that’s why Sapnap assumed he had turned to look at him.

“Thank you for your concern,” Melf said with a polite nod.