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Chapter Text

 ♡ --Tubbo--♡

 Life as a forest deity was simple. You woke up, went about your routine of making sure all the flowers were in bloom and that the animals were awake, enriched the leaves and underbrush, told the birds to stop shitting on the deer while they were trying to sleep, and then went back to bed when the sun went down. It was a life that Tubbo had always known since he earned his name, and before he earned his name names weren't even really a thing, so needless to say he was pretty accustomed to his life as it was at the moment.

 He had everything he needed. Fresh fruit, clean water, plenty of sunlight and an unfair amount of good sleeping spots to choose from. It wasn't like he even needed half of that stuff, either, he just liked to do it because it was better than standing around looking all divine and majestic all day like an idiot.

 Life was simple in his forest. Life was good. And Tubbo wouldn't have his life any other way.

 Until one misty morning, before the forest awoke fully and the dew was still speckled on the leaves and grass. That was the morning where he felt something , something warm and bright and mortal step into the forest. 

 That was the morning when everything changed.

◇--Tommy--◇

 Life in the village of Oakburrow was simple. Every morning when the air was filled with fog and the grass was covered in dew you woke up, got dressed, had some breakfast, spent the hours toiling away until you got dizzy and passed out in a mud puddle filled with rats and worms, then you went to bed and got ready to start all over again the next day. It was a life that Tommy had known since he was born fifteen winters ago to the village blacksmith, and it was a life that could only be described as mind-numbingly dull .

 Don't get it twisted, Tommy liked his life. He had food on the table, a warm bed, an older brother that bullied him lovingly and a father that was pretty swell(when he was around, at least). He spent most of his days tending to the little patch of herbs out back, because he wasn't big enough to help with the forge or to run deliveries with his brother, but by the gods he sure could water the oregano. 

 It was a good life. Safe. Simple. Boring . So very boring.

 And when Tommy Minecraft, son of Philza Minecraft, the best blacksmith this side of the Dragonspine Mountains got bored, he went exploring. And what better to do on a misty morning than to go poking around in the old woods near the edge of town?

 After all, what's the worst that could happen?

~~~

 "SHIT!"

 Tommy cried out as the ground beneath his feet gave way and sent him rolling through the mud and grime. Once he stopped he groaned, got up, and looked around to get his bearings. There were trees a plenty around him, ones with dark gray trunks and gnarled roots and fat leaves covered in dew. Trees that he didn't recognize as the emerald studded plants near the forest entrance from when he'd stepped inside earlier.

 "Oh no…"

 Lost. He was lost in the middle of the forest and he was going to die. He was going to starve to death and be eaten up by a pack of wolves, or get eaten by a pack of wolves and then starve to death. Father would write a fancy letter to the guardsmen asking them to find his youngest son, and then they'd find his shriveled up, half eaten corpse sticking out of the mud, and then Father would get that disappointed look on his face and would shake his head while muttering all disappointed and the like. Then Wilbur would make a joke about having one less mouth to feed and Father would laugh, and then they'd both go home and have some tasty mutton for dinner.

 Tommy really wanted mutton right now. Or beef. Or pork. Or even some of that really nasty stew Wilbur made when Father was away for a long time.

 He wanted his father. He wanted to go home.

 He sniffled and sank down into the mud while hugging his shoulders. He kept his gaze up towards the leaves as he scooted back against a rotten tree stump, praying to every god he could think of that his father would find him soon before the wolves did. Or the bears. Or the mongrels or vampire bats or witches or changlings. Knowing his luck he'd be found by a hungry troll with big sharp tusks and a scary club that it would clobber him with then peel his squashed little body off and gobble him up.

 "Please…" he whispered, sniffling once more as tears began welling in his fearful eyes. "Please, gods, if you're listening. Please don't let me die out here. I know I haven't been prayin' enough and that I forgot to leave an offering on the altar last week, and I'm really really sorry, but I promise to do better, just please...don't kill mEEEEEE!"

 His voice went shrill and his face pale as a large, heavy thud shook the ground and rustled the leaves. Up above came the deafening cacophony of an untold number of birds spilling into the ash colored sky, their panicked shrieks and cries filling Tommy's ears and almost covering up the sound of his own hammering heart. Another thud , this one much much closer sent the boy spiraling further into his fright, and the only thing he could think to do was curl up and make himself as small as possible so maybe whatever the hell was coming decided that he was too small a morsel to bother eating. 

  I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die, gonna die and get eaten and Father will be so disappointed and Wilbur will laugh and I'll be dead forever . His thoughts broke off into a screaming storm of "DEAD DEAD, DIE DIE, DEAD DIE, DEAD DEAD" as yet another thud boomed and thundered through the woods. The ground shook and trembled beneath where he lay, the muck and grime clinging to his tattered rags and hair like a pig rolling in a sty. Maybe if he was filthy enough the monster-witch-wolf-demon wouldn't want to eat him! Oh, please let the goblin-cyclops-werewolf be averse to eating stick-thin, mud covered young boys!

 There was one final, deafening crash, and then Tommy felt his blood run cold as he could feel the thing's eyes staring down at him.

 And then, in a voice that shook the trees and roots, it spoke . It wasn't a snarling, gnashing sort of voice that was filled with teeth and spittle. It wasn't raspy and dry, nor wet and slobbery. It was a nice voice, the kind of voice that made Tommy think of what a friend would sound like. He'd never had a friend(well, there was that Ranboo fella, but he was a weirdo so he didn't count), though, so maybe that was just the fear messing with his head. 

 "Ooooh, you're really pretty, aren't you?" The voice said softly from what could only be a few inches away. "C'mere."

 And the next thing Tommy knew, he was being lifted up by something(someone?) whose hands were as warm as the bright summer sun, and who seemed awfully confused when he started to scream.

♡--Tubbo--♡

 Tubbo had never given mortals much thought. Sure, most gods demanded that they worship them and give them offerings or stuff of that nature, and that certainly did come with benefits, but to Tubbo mortals just sort of... were . They weren't gods. They weren't divine in any sense and were incredibly fragile and died after a laughably short life filled with sorrow and sickness, and they had an awful habit of damaging his beloved forest. He didn't hate mortals, but he didn't care for them either.

 So when he sensed a mortal entering his forest, Tubbo fully expected for it to be just another woodland traveler, or maybe a lumberjack or wandering druid on a pilgrimage. He wasn't expecting to find a scared, trembling boy curled up beneath an old stump, and he certainly wasn't expecting for said boy to be the most beautiful creature he'd ever laid eyes on.

 Tubbo was no stranger to beauty. The sight of a freshly bloomed flower, the shimmering of the golden sunlight on a forest stream, the shadows cast by the leaves onto the underbrush below were all breathtaking sights that were plentiful in his woodland domain. So what exactly was it about this muddy, rag wearing boy that entranced him so?

 His eyes. They weren't like any eyes Tubbo had seen before on a mortal. They were big and round and blue, bright bright blue, the glittering blue of polished diamonds sitting in the sunlight so it's rays filled them with flecks of silver. They were also filled with fear and tears as the mortal squirmed helplessly in the god's hand, though to be fair Tubbo did just grab the poor thing and start manhandling him so that was to be expected.

 "Sssh, little mortal." He whispered, brushing the boy's hair out of his face as he spoke. Such lovely hair, even when it was covered in grime. It was soft and bright, like a messy tuft of golden fleece that framed the child's head in a halo of gold. 

 His face was the color of fresh cream kissed by the sun, his features sharp yet welcoming, and the only marking tainting his youthful visage was a tiny scar scraping up his left cheek. Who gave him that scar? Who dared harm such a precious little creature? Tubbo would have to have a word with them.

 The boy batted a hand against Tubbo's thumb, a waterfall of half sobbed apologies falling from his mouth as the god carefully pinned him against his palm with his other index finger. He hiccuped and blinked away a few fat teardrops that ran down his rose tinted cheeks as his chest heaved.

 Tubbo made a little sound and tilted his head.

 "It's okay." He whispered, slowly tracing his finger up and down the boy's chest and stomach. He could feel the mortal's heart hammering against his ribcage beneath the pad of his finger, and something inside his own chest ached. Poor thing, so small and so frightened. "Can you breathe for me? Deep breath in, then let it out. Like this."

 He took a deep breath in, inhaling a nonexistent lung full of humid air and holding it. The mortal boy did the same and held in his slightly swollen chest before exhaling slowly when Tubbo did the same. They repeated the process for a few minutes until Tubbo was satisfied by the gradual slowing of the child's heart, at which point he removed his finger and allowed him to sit up in his palm with his hands in his lap.

 Tubbo smiled and lowered his hand slightly so he could look down at his newfound treasure, who in return blinked up at him with an adorable look of confusion painting his features.

 "U-um…" The boy started, pausing briefly to clear his throat. "H...hello, there, Mister Goat Monster. A-are you...are you gonna... eat me?"

 Oh, his voice! It was absolutely precious! Tubbo couldn't help but laugh and gush at the silliness of that question? Eat him, really now? So silly. So adorable. How the hell did he ever go all those countless centuries without meeting this wonderful little mortal with diamond eyes and golden hair?

 " Eat you?" Tubbo echoed, and the boy's face flushed as he sank down.

 "W-well I mean, you are a big scary monster living out in the woods!" He snapped back, face still read and voice still cracking with nervousness that was quickly being replaced by rage. "Figured that the whole 'eating little lost peasant children' thing would be right up your alley."

 Tubbo's smile dropped away and he lifted a hand up to his head. "Monster?"

 Did he look like a monster? He knew he had black hooves at the end of his brown, fur covered legs along with a pair of sharp, darkly colored horns sprouting out of his head, but he had never really described himself as a monster before. He was a god, not a "big scary monster". 

 Was the mortal boy scared of him? He had been before but he seemed okay now, but what if Tubbo already scared him and now he was too afraid to be around him? 

 "Am...am I not...alright?" He asked softly. His voice cracked slightly, and he found himself saddened by the thought of not being able to spend more time with his newfound favorite mortal.

  His favorite. He liked the sound of that.

◇--Tommy--◇

 Well, he wasn't dead, so that was a start.

 To be honest Tommy was just really confused right now. Confused and hungry and still dealing with the lingering fear of being eaten whole by the giant goat monster thing that was currently holding him up in one hand. But other than that he just wanted to get a snack and take a nap.

 Now that he wasn't crying, he did have to admit he wasn't being held by a particularly scary giant goat monster. 

 This giant goat monster had chestnut colored hair and a round face with big eyes that were surprisingly friendly and which held matching, amethyst colored irises that seemed to glow in the growing daylight. He wore a green cloak with golden trimming that resembled leaves and vines, and beneath that he had on a plain white tunic and a pair of puffy black trousers with a shiny belt buckle. His ears were like a goat and matched the hair on his head and legs, which resembled that of a goat and ended in two hooves instead of regular feet. 

 And most notably of all were the two sharp, ebony horns sprouting from the top of his head, each of which were adorned in bejeweled bands of silver and gold, as well as matching emerald vines that wrapped around the base and seemed to grow from his scalp.

 So yeah. Not exactly very monstrous, but as the multitude of frightening bedtime stories Wilbur had read to him over the years made very clear, looks could be deceiving. And deceit often led to death.

 "Are you not...what?" He asked carefully, taking great caution as to not upset the creature further.

 "Am I not alright?" The creature repeated. There was something in his voice, something desperate and undeniably sad that left Tommy blinking in confusion. "Am I not alright for you? Am I too scary?"

  Oh. He's worried, not upset. Let's keep it that way.

 "Oh!" Tommy stammered, holding his hands up and shaking his head with a forced smile on his face. "N-no, 'course not! You, scary? Pfft, no, definitely not."

 "But you said you thought I was going to eat you." The creature said, or whined, rather. "I don't want you to be afraid of me! I wanna be good for you! You're my favorite!"

 Tommy blinked. "Favorite?"

 The creature nodded and suddenly rose up to his full height. Tommy yelped and grabbed as the palm beneath him as the ground sped away as he was lifted up and up into the air, until the monster holding him was standing so tall that his horns poked out from the leaves and branches. 

 "Yes." He said firmly, eyes glowing a noticeably brightly shade of violet. "I've decided that you are my most favorite mortal in the world and that I never ever ever wanna let anything happen to you."

  Mortal...

 …

 …

 …

 .

 .

 .

OH SHIT.

 If Tommy had known he'd end up in the grasp of a whiny, oddly clingy goat related forest deity, he would've prayed for the wolves. Wolves would've been easier to deal with. At least wolves didn't have freaky glowing purple eyes that were probably reading his mind and listening to how freaked out he was because he was being held by a god and that was not good and he was going to die. 

 He smiled and nodded slightly before flopping down onto his back so he could get comfortable for his encroaching smiting. Because that's what gods did when they were pissed. And this one was probably pissed right now in his own freaky glowy eyes, horned god way.

 "Y...you're uh...a uh...a god?"

 "Yes!" Replied the god with a blinding smile and chipper tone. He leaned closer until all Tommy could see were those big, brilliant, all consuming purple voids filled with flecks of white. "My name's Tubbo. What's yours?"

 Tommy was too content with the whole "probably definitely going to die" thing to bother trying to remember if the priest at the local temple ever said anything about Tubbo, God of the Forest in all those boring sermons. "Name's Tommy. Tommy Soot Minecraft. But just Tommy's fine."

 A ring of shimmer rose gold bloomed around each of Tubbo's pupils. " Tommy …" he whispered, as though tasting the name on his tongue. "Tommy, Tommy, Tommy. I like it. Hello, Tommy! Will you be my favorite? Pretty please?"

 It wasn't everyday a god asked a person to be their favorite, and if all those old myths and legends were anything to go off of, things didn't turn out well for those that had earned the favor of the divine. 

 But then again it also wasn't everyday that little peasant boys got lost in the scary, misty part of the forest, nor was it everyday they ended up in a clingy goat boy deity's hands instead of the maw of a hungry wolf, so Tommy wasn't going to look a gift god in the mouth(there were an awful lot of teeth in there) and refuse.

 So he shrugged, figuring that dealing with whatever hell this would raise wasn't worth upsetting the being that quite literally held his life in his hands.

 "Yeah, sure. I'll be your favorite."

 As soon as he said that Tommy found himself falling full speed towards the earth below, only to be caught in a shockingly muscular pair of arms before he hit the ground. He reached up to grab at whoever had caught him and gasped, only to frown when he met an already familiar pair of purple eyes.

 "Hi!" Said Tubbo, who now stood at a still staggering nine feet while smiling down at the boy he now cradled in his arms. His cloak had changed from its former deep green to a brilliant snow white, and the golden trimming was now a shining azure that caught in the beams of sunlight peeking down from the canopy above.

 Tommy twinged. What the hell did he get himself into? "H-hey. So uh...what...now?"

 Tubbo's smile widened. He spun around on his hooves and began trotting through the muck and underbrush, forcing Tommy to cling to him for dear life as he sped hastily through the woods.

 "Lunch!" He said happily as he leaped over a fallen log covered in red toadstool and green moss. "I wanna make my sunflower some tea!"

 The ground beneath Tubbo's hooves exploded into a mixture of lush grass shoots and brightly colored flowers. Buttercups, daisies, pink tulips and yellow roses sprung up wherever the god stepped, the vibrant blooms mixing with pale freesias and fragrant purple lilacs that filled the damp smelling air with a soothing aroma. 

 There were even a few sunflowers scattered here and there in the garden that was Tubbo's trail, and Tommy found he didn't have the need, will, or energy to question the oddly fitting nickname.

 He knew Father would notice he wasn't home for mealtime. He'd probably write a fancy letter to the guardsmen asking them to find where he'd gone off to, and then they'd search the forest and come back to tell Father that his son was probably dead or worse. Then Father would sigh and shake his head, and Wilbur would make a joke about having one less mouth to feed, and then they'd both go about their lives like they always did.

 That was okay. They didn't deserve to have the person that killed their wife and mother when he was born around to bother them anymore. Maybe Tubbo could help him sneak out to grab his herbs so they didn't go uncared for.

 Maybe he would go home. Maybe not. Home was boring and dull. At home his only friend was a weirdo who hung out with Father's creepy pig loving buddy and also that one spider that liked to hang out in his bedroom and who seemed to listen when he talked to the moon on the nights that were long and lonely.

 Maybe he would stay here, instead, in the forest with the oddly clingy goat god that had decided to make him his favorite. That seemed like a nice idea. The more he thought of it, the better it sounded.

 Maybe he would stay in the forest with Tubbo.

 After all, what could possibly go wrong? 

Chapter Text

◇--Tommy--◇

  "Tom-myyy! Wakey-wakey, darling!"

 Tommy grumbled into the pillow and rolled onto his side. He nuzzled the velvet cushion and curled in on himself, desperately clinging to the warm fuzziness of sleep enveloping his mind. There was a pause, followed by a sigh as the room trembled slightly as heavy hooves thudded over to the side of the boy's bed, which he soon found himself being lifted out of by a pair of strong, sun-kissed arms.

 One would think that living out in the deepest parts of the forest with a god would be easy. It was certainly easier than life back in Oakburrow, which was hard and filled with backbreaking labor that often led to an early grave. Here in the cozy yet extravagant cottage built into the side of a hill beneath a giant oak tree, life was warm and soft and sweet, the days dragging by like golden honey dripping down the buns and loaves Ms.Niki made in her bakery.

 It was a beautiful cottage, one that could only belong to a god. The walls were made of smooth, cream colored oak and the floor was a dark spruce. There were winding halls filled with potted plants, bookshelves, paintings, sculptures and the smell of damp, moist dirt that mixed with the scent of spice and salt wafting from the kitchen. The kitchen was where Tubbo made all manner of meals fit for royalty, meals that were so grand Tommy could hardly stomach a fourth of what the god provided without feeling like he might burst. 

 Whenever that happened, as it often did(especially when there was mutton or honey bread), Tubbo would scoop him up and carry him to the living room, where he could lay on the couch with Tommy curled up against his chest. Then he'd place a hand over the boy's stomach and start to sing, lulling Tommy off to dreamlike lands of moonlight and summer nights filled with merriment and mirth.

 After that Tubbo and Tommy would head out to the front garden, which was a slice of paradise seldom seen by mortal eyes. There were sapphire pools covered in algae and dove white lilies, statues carved from marble that were covered in curtains of morning glories and jasmine, and beds of flowers which contained every color under the sun.

 In the center of the enchanting garden stood a large sundial carved from stone and trimmed with silver. According to Tubbo, who had helped Tommy carry some crates filled with rosemary and basil to a bright patch of sun over by the hydrangeas, it was an ancient device that had been used by gods and mortals alike for centuries. It tracked the sun and told the current hour by casting a large shadow over one of the twelve squares surrounding the pointed bit in the center, each of which were decorated with various colorful gemstones arranged to resemble characters.

 There was a ruby ram with sapphire eyes, a bull made of emerald and jade, a pair of twins holding each other's topaz hands, a crab formed from strands of silver surrounding its azure shell, a fearsome lion with a golden mane which stood proudly next to a beautiful maiden with emerald hair that matched her verdant eyes, and several other bejeweled figures that all surrounded the round base of the center, from which emerged a bronze fin that pointed directly north.

 "You remind me of this one." Tubbo had said after explaining how each figure symbolized a different month. "Aries. The ram."

 Tommy looked up from where he was tending to one of the oregano plants to see Tubbo tapping an ebony hoof against the jeweled ram's curved horn. He tilted his head and absent-mindedly patted the loose dirt in front of him.

 "Why? I'm not a sheep. If anything, you should be reminded of yourself. Ya got the horns 'nd everything."

 Tubbo laughed and traced a finger along the ridge of one of the pointed horns growing from the top of his head. "Well, yes, but you see each sign also affects the person born in its month. You were born in the month of Aries, so you're like a ram."

 "How's that?"

 "Well…" Tubbo's gaze turned skyward up towards the gap in the shadowy canopy above, through which came sunlight and the vast expanse of the azure sky. "You're rather thick headed at times and tend to charge right into things. Also, I'd say you are sorta like a sheep. Your hair sure is soft and fluffy like one. You're like my little lamb!"

 Tommy thought the sundial was beautiful. And shiny. Beautiful and shiny, and also fun to run around while fleeing from Tubbo after "accidently" dumping a bucket of freezing water on his head. Ah, the sting of defeat at being caught and hauled back inside for a "nap of retribution" was one of Tubbo's favorite torments to inflict upon his mortal friend, second only to the dreaded tickle torture.

 Death was preferable to the tickle torture.

 Life with Tubbo was better than anything he'd ever experienced back home in Oakburrow. 

 Here, beneath the roots and leaves of the forest, he wasn't ignored and belittled by the village ruffians or his own brother. Here he didn't need to work his hands bloody tending to the garden in the hopes that his father would spare him more than a passing glance when he stumbled home from the bar. Here his only friend wasn't the tall weirdo with the funny hair and mismatched eyes who followed that creepy pig guy that father hung out with so much around.

 Here, with Tubbo, he meant something to someone. Someone cared about him. Someone treated him like he mattered more than anything else in the world.

 It just so happened that that someone was an overprotective, clingy goat god that seemed to adore treating Tommy like he was a helpless babe. Not the worst thing, sure, but certainly annoying to deal with first thing in the morning.

 "Tub…" Tommy mumbled as he curled up against the god's chest while he was carried out of the bedroom. "'S early...wanna sleep…"

 "It's noon, lovely." Tubbo whispered softly, gently brushing a hand through the blonde's golden curls. He took his time walking through the house, passing white and gray statues holding bowls of ivy and buttercups as he headed down the hall towards the living room. "Aren't you hungry?"

 Tommy's stomach answered for him, growling lowly like a drooling hound that had spied a freshly butchered steak. Tubbo chuckled. "Poor thing…"

 With a bit of effort and wriggling, Tommy managed to roll over onto the back and open his bleary eyes, allowing him to look at the living room as he was carried through the homely space.

 It was a circular chamber with a slight dip in the center, which contained a handful of crimson furnishings, including the carriage-sized couch that Tommy often found himself and Tubbo laying on after a hearty meal. A bronze chandelier hung from the ceiling, lighting up the mahogany bookcases and glazed pottery in an orange glow that reflected in Tubbo's purple irises. The wall opposite of the home's front entrance was made completely out of a crystal-like substance that Tubbo called "glass", which Tommy was convinced was magic because how else could to hold a whole pond of deep green water filled with brightly colored fish back?

 God magic. That was the only possible explanation.

 Tommy yawned and rubbed his eyes, causing Tubbo to coo as he ducked and stepped into the kitchen, which was located on the left side of the central chamber.

 "We'll go sleep on the couch after you eat, alright?" Tubbo set Tommy down on a comfortable armchair. "Do you want some tea? Some milk, maybe?"

 "Tea." Tommy grumbled as he shooted forward and rested his arms and head on the long dining table at the center of the well lit space. Tubbo nodded and began preparing some food over on the nearby counter, starting first by setting a large teapot over an open flame that burst to life with a snap of his fingers.

~~~

 A whine escaped Tommy's lips as he sank into the soft plush of the armchair. He shifted uncomfortably and reached up for Tubbo, who was already lifting him up and into his arms. 

 "You were so hungry, sweet thing." The god whispered without a hint of malice or judgment. Tommy nuzzled close and nodded into the silken fabric of Tubbo's tunic. He had been hungry, but now he was so full that all he could do was whimper as he was carried back towards the living room by Tubbo, who handled him with such care and ease that he felt like he might just cry. 

 He felt so special. He felt like he was going to cry. His stomach hurt. He wanted snuggles. He wanted sleep. He wanted Tubbo.

 "Sweet, sweet little thing. So tiny and so lovely, aren't you? Just a precious little sunflower. The sweetest, most beautiful thing in the forest." Tubbo whispered as he lowered himself down onto the couch, taking great caution not to jostle the boy in his arms as he rested his hooves up on one of the polished armrests. Tommy laid his head on the god's chest and gripped his snow white cloak with trembling hands, which eased as a large hand began combing through his hair and down his side. 

 Tubbo smiled. "My sweet little lamb. Do you want to sleep, dear? Or just lay here until your belly feels better?"

 "Mm...dunno…" Tommy's voice came out slurred and muffled. "Just wan' you."

 Tommy felt Tubbo sink further into the couch as he warbled and cooed. Tubbo's hand came to rest over his side, and Tommy sighed as the aching in his gut loosened. Tubbo always made things feel better.

 "Alright." Tubbo breathed, his eyes fluttering as he leaned back and let one of arms dangle off the edge. "I'm here, sunflower."

~~~

 When Tommy woke up, it was to the sound of Tubbo snoring. The light outside the glass wall had shifted from the yellow glow of midday to the rosy shine of evening, and the chirping of crickets and cicadas let him know that the garden was alight with fireflies and torch light.

 He'd need to get up extra early tomorrow to water the flowers, but knowing him he'd sleep til noon and leave Tubbo to do all the work.

 Not that Tubbo ever complained. If Tubbo had it his way, Tommy imagined his feet would never touch the ground and he'd never need to touch a shovel for the rest of his days.

 As if sensing the boy's thoughts, the god in question stirred, his eyes prying open as he stretched and yawned. His fur had changed from its typical earthy brown to a silvery, snow white that matched the white peaks of the distant mountains overlooking the valley where Oakburrow rested, though his hair still remained its usual shade of chestnut.

 Blinking and sitting up slightly, Tubbo smiled down at Tommy while rubbing one of his eyes.

 "Mm...hello, dear. Sleep well? Belly feeling better, I hope?"

 Tommy nodded and returned his head to the god's chest. "Yup. 'M feeling better. It's late."

 "Good." Tubbo lithed happily, settling back down onto the couch and cupping a hand over Tommy's side like he did earlier. "That's very good to hear. Do you wanna do anything? Check up on the herbs, maybe? Or do you want to go take a bath?"

 Tommy stared up at the dome-shaped ceiling in thought. 

 Back in Oakburrow, the only place one could bathe was in the muck filled river that roped around the side of the village like a snake of mud, rock, and what Tommy was sure were bones, but Wilbur insisted they weren't, but he still wasn't fully convinced.

 Here with Tubbo out in the forest, he bathed in a steaming pool of flower-scented water that rested below an arching cliff located nearby while surrounded by glossy tiles and flickering candle light. It was warm and soothing and hard to pull himself out of without Tubbo's help, just like how Wilbur had to pull him out of the river that one time when he accidently pushed him in.

 Wilbur had said sorry and bought him some honey bread that day, and then they went to the market and bought some dice and a deck of cards, and Wilbur showed him how to play when they got home. He missed Wilbur. He wasn't the best brother, but he was still family. Father said family was all that mattered in this life. He missed Father.

Tommy shook his head and curled in on himself slightly. "No, not yet. Tubbo?" 

 "Yes, Tommy?"

 "How...how long have I been out here? Livin' with you, I mean?" Tommy was somewhat startled he hadn't bothered to ask such a question sooner, but in his defense, the days sort of melded together into one big blur of sunny days spent prancing through the woods while clad in silk and wool, grand meals followed by a night's rest in the softest bed imaginable, and lazy afternoons in the garden talking about whether the roses should go next to the lavender or the peonies.

 Tubbo's reply was near instantaneous, his eyes glazing over for a brief moment as he glanced up at the ceiling. "Two months and five days."

  What.

 "Hold up now." Tommy flipped onto his stomach and met Tubbo's mildly perturbed gaze. " Two months? Are you serious?"

 Tubbo nodded, almost hesitate. Tommy gawked.

 "Holy shit…" He sank down, the weight of the realization hitting him. Two months. Two whole bloody flipping months out in the forest with a god who he once thought was a goat monster but was now easily the best beat he had for a best friend.

 Had Father called the guardsmen to go looking for him? Did he even notice he was gone? Or did he just come and go as he always did, leaving Wilbur to wonder where the little scamp he called a brother had buggered off to? Did Wilbur care?

 A slender finger tracing up the length of his spine sent a shiver through his body, and Tubbo's honeyed tone caused him to melt beneath the god's delicate touch.

 "What's wrong, Tommy?" The god asked, all sugar and warmth as he stared down at the boy nestled on his broad chest. 

 Tommy could hear and feel a rhythmic thumping coming from beneath where he lay. A heartbeat. Why would a god need a heartbeat? Why would a god care for a mortal?

 He swallowed, frowning as he sucked in a shaking breath, praying he wouldn't cry. 

 "I miss my family." He whispered. "I miss my brother and my father and my house, a-and I'm really sorry that I'm bein' all stupid and cryin' over it. You've been so kind and here I am missing people who never gave a fuck about me." He sniffled and the first glistening strands fell from his diamond eyes. "I'm so selfish…"

 Tubbo made a pained sound and quickly thumbed away Tommy's tears. "Oh, darling, no. You aren't selfish, farthest thing from it. You're the most wonderful, precious, kind mortal I've ever laid eyes on, Tommy. Selfish, you? Really now…"

 Tommy hiccuped and cried as Tubbo continued to shower him with words of adoration and praise, the god wrapping his arms around the sobbing boy's and rocking from side to side while rubbing the small of his back.

 "Perfect," He whispered into the child's golden mane of untamable curls. "You. Are. Perfect. You are perfection in mortal form and I adore you and cherish you with all I have. You deserve everything here and then some. You deserve the world and all that it holds on a silver platter. My sweet sunflower. My precious little lamb. How could you ever think you're selfish for missing your family, dear?"

 Tommy rubbed a strawberry colored sleeve over his eyes, which were now puffy and red like the rest of his face as he looked up to Tubbo and sniffled. "I 'unno. 'M dumb. Stupid. Stupid 'nd dumb."

 "Who told you that?" Tubbo tutted, a pout appearing on his face as he held either side of Tommy's waist. The boy now sat propped up on his knees, allowing the god to hold him with caring, gentle hands that brushed through his hairs and traced trails of fuzziness and warmth wherever they went.

 Tommy sniffed. "M-me…"

 Tubbo's frown became a hint of a sly, mischievous grin. "Oh? Reeeally now? You told yourself that?"

 "Mhm…"

 "Oh, dear." Tubbo frowned again, though this time it was far from one genuine sadness. "Silly, silly little sunflower. You know what that means…"

 Tommy blinked up in confusion at the god, whose face cracked into a wide, toothy grin that stretched from ear to fluffy ear. He froze.

  Oh fuck.

  There was a small eternity of dread and terror as Tubbo's delicate, thin fingers traced little swirls on the sides of Tommy's waist. It wasn't an unpleasant sensation, far from it, but Tommy knew better. He knew the look on Tubbo's face, the gleam in his eyes, the pulsing lavender and lilac motes sailing through the twin voids of amethyst that were his irises. 

  Oh. Fuck.

 "Tom-my…" The god sing-songed sweetly, seemingly revelling in the way the boy shivered at his caring touch. "Say you aren't selfish...or else ."

 "I-I…" Tommy stammered, nothing more than a helpless creature caught in claws of a great, horned beast. "I...I'm not…"

 A ring of gold pulsed from Tubbo's pupils. "So sweet...so pretty...so wonderful and kind...so perfect...aren't you, dear? You're my perfect little sunflower. My precious, darling lamb who could never be selfish even if you tried…"

 Tommy's heart threatened to break through his ribcage as Tubbo squeezed his waist, not hard enough to hurt or cause any harm(Tubbo would never hurt him), but more than enough to send a jolt of raw mortal terror speeding up his spine. Tubbo leaned in close, closer and closer, until he was mere inches from Tommy's face. His eyes were pools of pure darkness, the same darkness that swallowed the sun each night and left the world at the moon's mercy. His mouth was a sliver of white, toothy and sharp, all teeth with a palpable hunger etching the corners of his eyes.

 He whispered, his voice a writhing slither that squirmed into Tommy's ears and into his mind, wrapping around his brain and squeezin as Tubbo uttered his demand.

 " Say. It. "

 Tommy gulped. "I-I...I'm n-n-not…'m not...selfish…"

 With that he collapsed onto Tubbo's chest once more, this time a little more shaken but nowhere near as upset as he was before. Startled, yes. Mildly terrified, absolutely, but not upset.

 Tubbo pulled him close and rubbed a hand on his back while cooing and nuzzling his head. "There you go, baby. Not too difficult, now was it? Say it again."

 "I'm not s-selfish." Tommy whispered slowly, earning him a kiss on the forehead that sent a wave of warm fuzz running down the length of his body.

 " Very good, Tommy! So so good! Such a good little thing you are!" Tubbo pecked his head once more and squeezed him tightly. Tommy sighed, already accustomed to how Tubbo reacted whenever he dared speak poorly of himself. It was an unusual reaction. Wilbur didn't get angry when he insulted himself. If anything he agreed with Tommy's observations regarding his less than stellar traits, actions, and general him -ness.

 Not Tubbo, though. Tubbo didn't want Tommy to insult himself. Oh, woe to Tommy Soot Minecraft is he dared insult himself in the blessed presence of the mighty Tubbo,  Satyr Lord of the Western Woods.

 He let Tubbo have his fun babying him for a moment longer, after which he began squirming to let the horned god know that enough was enough. Tubbo let him go with much reluctance apparent, a childish pout appearing on his rounded features as Tommy dusted himself off.

 "Do you want to go visit your family?" Tubbo asked, switching the conversation away from what just occurred. His eyes had returned to their typical amethyst gleam and were focused down on Tommy, who leaned back in the god's lap and thought before responding with mild caution.

 "...can I?"

 Tubbo reared his head back, clearly startled by the question. "Of course you can, Tommy. We can go tomorrow, if you'd like."

 A smile spread across Tommy's face, and he sighed and flopped back onto Tubbo's chest. 

 "Yeah," He said softly. "Yeah. I'd like that alot."

 Seeing his family did sound good. They weren't perfect by any means, of course, but they were still family. And he probably wouldn't stay long. He had a life with Tubbo now, a life he couldn't imagine leaving to go back to the sheep pens and dung piles of his home village. 

 Visiting his family would be good. It would be nice and quick and honestly more of a little check-in than anything else.

 What could possibly go wrong?

Chapter Text

♡--Tubbo--♡

 Tommy. Sweet, wonderful Tommy. Tommy, with his soft, golden hair that felt like the wool of a freshly bathed lamb and his glittering blue eyes that gleamed like polished diamonds in the sunlight. Tommy, with his wonderful laugh and jokes that kept Tubbo cackling with laughter for hours on end as they tended to the garden. Tommy, who was so kind to the forest and all its creatures, great and small, and treated every living thing within the boundaries of Tubbo's domain with a gentleness and care so rarely seen by the mortal races.

 Tommy, his best friend, his golden lamb, his sunflower whom he cherished and adored with all of his being.

 Ever since Tommy had come into his life, Tubbo had fully realized just how lonely he'd been until now. Life as a forest deity was one of solitude and isolation, and though his sister and uncle visited when they could, Tubbo still found himself longing for conversation from time to time. Preferably from someone who wasn't a mangy wolf that he caught red pawed sniffing around the pantry. Bees weren't much for conversation either, unfortunately, no matter how much he sang their praises as they bumbled about the flowers and ivy of his woodland homestead.

 But that was all in the past now. Now he had Tommy, his Tommy, who made all those long, long years of loneliness feel like a distant dream.

 With Tommy around the world felt brighter. Lighter, even. It was as though for all his life Tubbo had been seeing the trees and brambles through fog-tinted glasses that sucked out the most vibrant of hues and left him with only the desaturated remains.

 But not anymore. Now the sun was brighter, the air cleaner, the food better and the water sweeter than the best honey that a hive could ever hope to produce. With Tommy he felt alive . He felt like he was full , like a hole within his soul(or the divine equivalent thereof) had been filled at long last, and it was such a glorious sensation that he'd often found himself weeping at the mere thought of losing the mortal that made it all make sense . 

 Oftentimes he'd been reminded of Tommy's mortality. Be it through cuts and scrapes, bumps or aches, or that one dastardly bout of illness that had his lovely bedridden for a whole week, Tubbo could not escape the ever present fact that was his friend's fragility and mortality. 

 Tommy was mortal. Tommy could die, ache, decay and bleed. He was so small , so frail and so painfully human that it made the roots that embraced the earthy dwelling that was their home twing with Tubbo's agonizing sorrow.

 What if Tommy got hurt? What if he fell down into a ditch and broke his legs and died amongst the mud and worms? What if he was stabbed by poisonous thorns that dug into his porcelain skin and sent a bolt of their wicked curse on a course through his body straight to his fluttering, vulnerable heart? What if he was bit by a snake? Or a spider? Or a freaky, horrible snake-spider with green skin and evil, ruby eyes? What if he was stabbed, maimed, beaten and tortured by a band of wandering bandits? What if they sold him to a slimy noble that used and abused him for his own sick, demented enjoyment?

 What if he died? What if Tommy died and Tubbo wasn't around to negotiate for his soul? What if Death claimed him and stole him away to a place that was dark and cold without any of the endless luxuries and ceaseless pampering that the boy needed? 

 What if Tubbo left one day to go about his duties and came back to find Tommy gone ? Or worse, dead . Or worse than that, dead and murdered ? Or even worse than that , dead and murdered and gone forever .

 It was such a horrid evil image that the mere thought of it sent Tubbo into a spiral of uncontrollable wailing that shook the walls and floors as he fell to his knees and curled in on himself like a lowly woodlouse. He would cry and cry until he had nothing else to give, til the shadows crept in to swallow him up.

 Until Tommy came, and then sorrow would turn to embarrassment and frustration as the boy would pad over swiftly to the fallen god, blue eyes filled with pity and warmth so hot Tubbo swore he'd burst into flames if he looked too long.

 "Tubbo…?" Tommy would whisper as he brought his hands(such small hands, so gentle and kind, ones belonging to a gardener who worked the soil with tenderness and care) up to wipe away the god's tears. "What's the matter?"

 "I-I don't…" Tubbo's breath would shake, his shoulders trembling with fear and his stomach contorting into knots. "I don't wanna lose you...I can't, I can't lose you, I just can't …"

 Tommy's face would shift into a worrisome frown at the god's broken, cracked words, and then he'd press his forehead against Tubbo's own while keeping his head between his hands.

 "You won't lose me." Tommy swore. He sounded so certain, so convinced of the truthfulness behind his words that Tubbo couldn't help but believe him. 

 He'd then hiccup and lean into the mortal's blazing warmth, desperate to feel him and never be without. Without Tommy. Without light and warmth and lazy afternoons spent lying in the garden beneath a weeping willow's curtain of leafy jade. 

 Those were the loveliest of days. Just him and his lamb, curled up on a blanket of pink and blue wool, sharing each other's company as the world passed by and the forest hid them from the world and all its evils. There was no war, no famine or plague, just them. Just Tubbo and Tommy. Just them and their eternity together.

 "I promise, Tubbo. You will never, ever lose me." Tommy once placed a kiss against the god's forehead as he whispered those words. It made something in Tubbo's chest bloom and his eyes glow a pale gold. It made him feel happy. It made him feel okay.

 "I'm here." Tommy swore, and Tubbo's breath hitched. "I'll always be here. Nothing will ever come between us, okay? Not a damn thing."

 "W-what about-"

 A finger pressing against his lips was all it took to silence the god, who obeyed the mortal's unspoken command without question or qualm. Tommy would then smile a white sliver and draw back before hugging Tubbo's neck with his lanky arms, his cheek pressed against the space between the god's crossed eyes.

 "So clingy…" He'd whisper lovingly. Tubbo would feel his face grow hot at that, though he'd be too entranced by his lamb's sugary words and touch to pay it any mind. "So clingy and so sweet. My Tubbo. My beloved."

 A few moments would pass before Tommy pulled away and offered his hand, which Tubbo would take as he rose to his full height and then allowed himself to be led back to the master bedroom. It was then Tommy would pull him onto the bed and remove his cloak, which was soon tossed to the floor to wait in a patch of moonlight to be retrieved the next day.

 "Let's sleep, alright? C'mere…"

 Tommy. His Tommy. His darling lamb. His beloved, to hold and cherish til the final star went cold. He'd always be there for Tommy, and Tommy would always be there for him.

 Nothing could ever keep them apart. Not a damn thing.

~~~

 "Are you sure you want to go back there?"

 " Yes , Tubbo, I'm sure. I was sure back home and I'm still sure now. You've asked me that fifty times on the way here and I hate to say it, but the answer ain't changing anytime soon."

 "I know, I know, I'm just...just checking, is all…" Tubbo's gaze wandered over the wooden roofs and stone chimneys of Oakburrow where they peeked through the pillars of wood hiding the pair from the outside world.

 Oakburrow. A small village, one he'd watched rise up from the earth several decades through the branches and leaves of the forest. It wasn't anything special by mortal standards, more of a large hamlet than a village, and one that reeked of dung and piss left to putriy in the blazing summer sun. There were a few shops lining the cobbled streets leading up to the central square, which contained a said excuse for a market with hardly a dozen ramshackle stalls covered with tattered cloth roofs and rusted nails, though these were overshadowed by the large amount of sheep pens that seemed to occupy ever corner of the settlement.

 So many sheep. No wonder his lamb loved mutton so much, it was the only meat he'd ever eaten. Poor thing.

 According to Tommy the blacksmith sitting on a small hill overlooking the village belonged to his father, a man by the name of Philza Minecraft who proclaimed himself to be the "greatest blacksmith this side of the Dragonspine Mountains". 

 Arrogant little bugger, though Tubbo made sure to keep such thoughts to himself as he led Tommy through the forest shortly after breakfast. Tommy rarely spoke of his father. Tubbo didn't press him to do so. He didn't force Tommy to talk about any of his family. He figured if Tommy had somehow forgotten about them for a whole two months(and six days) then they weren't that special. Either that, or they were so horrible the poor dear couldn't bear to think about them.

 He hoped it was the former. Otherwise he was likely going to end up scaring the life out of some innocent bystanders when he stormed over to that tiny, miserable excuse of a house and had his vengeance. Nobody hurt Tommy. Fucking nobody .

 Tommy gave him a look and pulled away, leaving Tubbo's hands hovering aimlessly where they'd been previously resting on his shoulders. Tubbo watched as the boy adjusted the deep red cloak that hung from his shoulders and leaned back on his crouched haunches to give him some space.

 Despite the blonde's protests Tubbo had insisted on selecting Tommy's outfit for the day, as he often did because he was determined to test his theory that the boy would look absolutely wonderful in anything he wore.

 It was still an ongoing test, one that was likely true given what Tubbo had observed thus far.

 Tommy really did look wonderful no matter what he wore, be it a plain tunic or an elegant fur robe that he nearly tripped over while walking to the living room that one time. Right now he donned one of Tubbo's more modest outfits. Well, modest by god standards.

 It was a comfortable outfit consisting of a soft, white, long-sleeved tunic with smooth, round buttons made of polished onyx running down the front, which was paired with some black trousers and a couple of heeled boots to match. On top of the tunic Tommy wore a short cloak that reached a little ways past his elbows and that was the color of ripe strawberries and ruby gems, the edges lined with woven strands of gold and silver.

 His hair was soft and fluffed up from last night's bath, and a small braid adorned the right side of his face. To tie it all together was a simple necklace made of a silver and ivory chain that held up a brightly colored diamond that matched his eyes as they glittered in sunlight.

 A simple ensemble, not too extravagant but not plain either. Perfect for a long overdue visit to one's potentially awful family. A potentially awful family that Tubbo would love to meet, were it not for one, tiny problem.

 "I wish I could come with you..." Tubbo sighed while propping his head up on hands. His ears and tail drooped, their snow white color darkening to a muted gray along with his eyes, which shifted from dazzling amethyst to dull lilac. 

 Tommy took a step forward and wrapped his arms around the frowning god's leg, his head reaching up to Tubbo's knee as he rested his cheek against the soft fur. Tubbo placed a large hand on Tommy's back and began to rub it in slow, wide circles.

 "I know. But you'll die if you do that." Tommy whimpered and nuzzled close to Tubbo's leg while the god chuckled softly and shook his head.

 "I won't die , Tommy." He said, melting at the sight of Tommy's glossy eyes staring up at him. "I just can't leave my forest for too long without fallin' apart. It's painful and I'd rather not figure out how long it takes to happen, but if it does I won't be dead. I'll just pop back up at home after a few days."

 "How do you know that?" Tommy asked.

Tubbo carded his fingers through the mortal's hair and felt his chest tighten at the concern in the boy's voice. Oh, his little lamb. So kind, so sweet, even when speaking harshly or crudely as he often did.

 "My uncle told me." He answered. "It happened to him when some elves tried to steal his cows for a ritual or something. He said that we forest gods are bound to our land and can't go too far outside without rotting away. I'm a part of my forest and it's part of me."

 Tommy seemed to mull over his words for a moment. Up above in the misty branches came the first pieces of birdsong, which mingled with the sounds of Oakburrow stirring to life across the river. A tiny blue jay came fluttering down and perched on the tip of one Tubbo's curved horns, and he swore to all that was good, righteous and holy, if it shate on him when he was trying to comfort his Tommy, he was going to eat it. 

 He would. He absolutely fucking would eat the bird and all its stupid little bird friends who were always getting up in his face and shitting all over the place like the little shits they were. He'd eat those fucking birds, and then you know what? He'd storm out of the forest, stupid god-binding bullshit be damned, rip the roof to Tommy's house clean off, and eat his maybe-probably-definitely awful family whole. 

 Why? Because he was very hungry and had never actually eaten a person, but if this little bird shit decided to fuck with his hair that would change real fast.

 "Promise me you'll be careful." Tubbo pleaded softly, shoving any and all bird(or people) eating thoughts to the side. "Promise you won't stay too long and that you'll come back."

 Tommy sighed and rolled his eyes. "Yes, Tubbo. I promise."

 Tubbo smacked his free hand harmlessly against the mossy earth, causing the ground beneath to tremble at the force of the impact.

 " Tommy ." He stressed, a whine stretching out the boy's name and causing him to blink up in surprise. " Please , I'm serious. You know I...I don't...I can't…"

 He sniffled and Tommy immediately offered his hands up. Tubbo bent his head down and sucked in a sharp breath as Tommy began to rub his fingers around the base of his horns, sending a pleasant shiver down his spine all the way to his tail, which began swaying back and forth sluggishly beneath his cloak.

 "Ssssh, Tub. I know. I know you get antsy when I'm gone, but I promise , I will never leave you for long." Tommy whispered and continued to massage the sensitive around around the god's horns, eliciting a frail, wobbly bleat that fell from Tubbo's lips. 

 A similar noise bubbled up from his chest as Tommy began scratching behind one of his velvet soft ears.

 Oh. Oh, this was wonderful. This was his favorite thing that Tommy did. He didn't even know his ears or horns were so sensitive to gentle touches or loving scratches, but now with Tommy he craved the addicting sensation such affection brought. It was just so nice and made him feel all light and fuzzy all over. 

 Tommy chuckled, and Tubbo whimpered and whined as he pulled his hands away and placed them on his hips.

 "Big ol' baby. What time is it, right now?"

 "A little past dawn…" Tubbo replied with a dreamy sigh and half-lidded eyes. 

 Tommy shook his head. He patted Tubbo's knee and stepped away, snapping the god out of his trance and back to the present. Tubbo rose up and turned to watch Tommy, who now stood near the edge of the treeline with his hand pressed against one of the towering oaks.

 He peeked out at the town across the muddy river, a small smile forming on his sharp features as he spotted a rather lanky fellow wearing a brown coat and yellow sweater.

 "Wilbur!" He breathed, watching as the man walked across a stone bridge connecting the town to the forest edge and sat down on the crumbling wall, his dark eyes staring out into the trees.

 Nobody ever crossed the bridge. There wasn't anything of note through Tubbo's forest, just more and more untamable wilderness filled with witches and monsters. Tubbo shifted awkwardly on his hooves.

 "I'll be back by sundown, okay?" Tommy turned his head and smiled back at the god, who forced a wobbly grin onto his face as he fidgeted awkwardly.

 "Alright...be careful, okay?" Tubbo saw strands of ivy and green slither over towards Tommy, who simply huffed and nodded.

 He wanted him to stay. He wanted to keep his sunflower with him forever and always with him in the woods, where the air was sweet and the sun was bright and warm. If he could he'd surround Tommy in the brambles and branches. But that wouldn't make him happy, would it?

 The strands of flora halted and moved away, and Tubbo watched as his sunflower stepped out of the forest. Out into the world beyond. Out to Oakburrow. Out to Wilbur. Out to his home and family.

 It was fine. Tommy would be fine.

 What could possibly go wrong?

Chapter Text

◇--Tommy--◇

 Oakburrow. It was a small village located west of the capital city, tucked away in the shadows of the Dragonspine Mountains and nestled near the edge of the Forest of the Western Lord. 

 Who was the Western Lord? Nobody knew, at least nobody who wasn't a certain gold-haired peasant boy who'd met him firsthand and had been staying with him for the past few months. To the rest of Oakburrow's inhabitants it was a mystery lost to the ages, nothing more than the name of a large stretch of woodland that reached all the way down the Diamond River to the rolling hills of the Southern Vale.

 It wasn't a very special village. Due to being located so far from any major settlements and lacking any notable features(unless you couldn't sheep, plenty of those) it was rarely involved in any of the major conflicts or wars that raged elsewhere in the world, leaving its inhabitants to live their lives in relative peace. They had their wooden homes and ramshackle market stalls, their muddy river and fields of wheat, and their sheep. Plenty of sheep. 

 It was Oakburrow. It wasn't special, but it was home. Tommy was home.

 That's what he thought gleefully as he thundered quickly down the dusty path leading up to the old stone bridge leading into the village. A smile adored his sun-kissed face as he ran quickly as he could towards the man sitting on the bridge's wall, the wind seeming to carry him along his wall as it sent his cloak waving in the gust.

 The man had similar hair to Tommy's own, though it was the color of freshly worked soil and shady tree bark as opposed to his curls of gold. His eyes were sharp and dark like charcoal, his mouth thin and pitched in a worrisome frown, and on his pointed nose sat a pair of silver spectacles that reflected the sun's morning rays that danced across the surface of the river flowing beneath the bridge. He wore a long, tattered coat with a yellow sweater and black trousers beneath, along with a pair of heeled boots with shiny buckles and clips.

 He sighed, his gaze forlorn and sorrowful as he looked blankly out over the misty trees of the forest. There was about his eyes, something mournful and solemn that seemed to cloud his vision, preventing him from seeing the approaching boy until Tommy called out while waving a hand above his head.

 "Wilbur!" He shouted, cupping his other hand around his mouth and charging closer to his brother. "Wilbur, oi! Oi oi! It's me! I'm home!"

 Wilbur blinked and shifted his attention to the approaching boy, who beamed brightly. For a moment Wilbur simply stared at him, his gaze vacant and lost even as he rose up off the wall and stepped forward on trembling legs.

 "Tommy?" He whispered breathily. He seemed to swell up as a smile broke across his face, and in a matter of mere seconds, Tommy found himself being scooped up into his brother's arms and twirled around as Wilbur laughed.

 "Holy shit! You're...you're okay!" Tommy giggled as pushed on Wilbur's chest, struggling helplessly to escape the older's arms as he squeezed tightly. "Holy shit, you're alive . Thank the gods...I was so worried, Tommy, you have no idea." 

 Tommy continued to smile and laugh softly as Wilbur finally set him down, the brunette keeping his thin hands on the blonde's shoulders as he met his eyes.

 "Where have you been , Tommy?" Wilbur asked, his previous delight replaced by concern. "Did something happen to you? Are you hurt? How did you-how are you-do you know how fucking scared I've been? It's been months Tommy, bloody months since you disappeared! Where the fuck were you?"

  Oh…

 Tommy's smile shrunk as he sank down beneath the weight of his brother's words.

 Truthfully, he hadn't actually put much thought into how he was going to explain where he'd been to his family. Honestly a part of him had been hoping they wouldn't ask and he'd get to run along back to the forest(to Tubbo) without any difficulties. Just a quick visit, nothing crazy or stressful or uncomfortable like what was happening right now.

 How could he even explain everything to Wilbur? "Ah yes, well, you see dearest brother, I have been spending the last few months living a life of pampered luxury out in the deepest parts of the woods with an ancient satyr god. His name is Tubbo. He is very sweet and wonderful and treats me well, and I promised I'd go back to him by sundown, so terribly sorry, but I must be on my way! Oh but fear not! I will visit soon...when I remember...goodbye!"

 That wouldn't work. Those were the words of a proper crazy person who got lost in the forest for months and lost their mind out in the trees and brambles. If he said that then Wilbur would think he'd lost it and would haul him off to one of those "asylum" places that Father was always talking about, and Tommy did not want to go to an asylum. 

 Wilbur pitched the edge of his red cloak and held it up to the light, scrutinizing the silken garment with a bewildered look in his eyes.

 "Where did you get this?" He asked with an exasperated huff. His eyes wandered down the length of Tommy's body, and the boy tense as a thin finger poked at his stomach. "What on earth have you been eating out there? Did you steal from a noble or some shit? Find a banquette out there and help yourself? Good gods…"

 Tommy swallowed and shifted his weight while rubbing his arm. Shrinking further down under Wilbur's gaze and looking shamefully towards the path, he suddenly found himself wondering why he was so desperate to see his family again when they were sometimes so...not the best.

  "Family's all you got in this world, boys! Never forget that. Don't turn your back on family for nothin', no sir no how."

  Right. Family. Family wasn't perfect but that didn't mean you turned your back on them. Tommy just needed to remember that.

 "I-I uh-"

 "Speak up, Tommy, you know I can't understand when you mumble, c'mon."

 Tommy nodded and gulped down the ball of stress welling in his throat. "I-I uh...I got lost and found this stuff...and I found some fruit 'nd stuff to keep me from starvin' out there…"

 A few tense moments ticked by with Wilbur burning a hole through Tommy's head with his eyes, arms crossed and mouth turned into a harsh scowl. Tommy dared flick his eyes up before returning them to the mud path beneath his boots. Wilbur stared for a few moments longer before sighing and shaking his head.

 "Ugh, whatever. I'm just...glad. Glad you're back and not...never mind. Come on. Let's get back and show Father you didn't get yourself killed out there." With a wave Wilbur turned and began walking down the path over the bridge up the Oakburrow. 

 Tommy moved to follow but stopped. He looked back over his shoulders towards the forest behind. It was impossible to see anything in the fog and shadows that blanketed the world beyond the wall of trees and thorns, though for a brief moment, Tommy swore he saw a flicker of purple eyes blinking at him from behind an enormous oak.

 He could go back. Back to the woods. Back to the safety of the browns and greens that wrapped him in their gentle embrace and hid him from the world beyond. Back to the cottage built into the side of a hill beneath a giant oak, to the flowers and ivy and beautiful, bejeweled sundial. Back to his new life free of pain and toil. Back to Tubbo.

 He could run as fast as his legs could carry him, and Tubbo would be there, waiting to scoop him up and tell him that he did good, so good, and that they could go home and sleep til sundown in the god's ginormous bed with purple and blue blankets made of velvet and silk. 

 It would be so easy. So easy to leave his old life behind for something sweeter, something easy and divine.

  "Don't turn your back on family for nothin', no sir no how!"

  No. No, that would be selfish. He didn't want to be selfish and give up on his family just because they weren't perfect. He was better than that. He had to be better than that. He had to be better for his family. 

  Just a visit. Just a visit. Just a little visit. 

  That was the mantra he repeated as he followed after Wilbur. Just a visit and it would all be better.

~~~

 "Father! I'm home! And you'll never guess who I found!"

 Wilbur called out into the candlelit house that was Tommy's family home as he ushered the boy inside and closed the door. Tommy squinted and blinked while waiting for his eyes to adjust to the shifting shadows of the Minecraft household, and Wilbur sauntered forward in search of their father, who could be heard working away in the back.

 It was a relatively modest house, one made of dark wood and stone, and even though Tommy was certain he could afford something grander, Philza insisted on living a modest life as opposed to a comfortable one. The entrance was a rectangular room filled with cluttered tables and dusty chairs, and the only notable feature was the large fireplace built into the far wall, which casted a flickering orange glow onto the bronze pots and brass bowls that littered the unkempt space.

 Tommy nudged one of the pieces of unfinished metalwork as he slowly crept after Wilbur, who continued calling for their father wherever he'd wandered off to.

 "Father! Fa-ther. Helloooo. Are you home?" Tommy smiled and shook his head while messing around with a jug made of what seemed to be iron or steel. Wilbur kept searching until a scratchy voice finally answered in a palpably bothered tone.

 "What the hell do you want, Wil? Can't you see I'm fucking busy here? Gods…"

 Tommy heard Wilbur giggle giddily, and before he could put the jug down he was being yanked away by one arm into one of the small rooms leading off the front chamber. He yelped and stumbled after his brother as he was dragged through rooms filled with dried up potted plants and old furniture until reaching the back workshop, where Philza Minecraft was waiting.

 Tommy's father was a good man, or at least that's what Philza always said. Philza Minecraft was a man of honor, loyalty, modest and humility, a friend to all and a shining beacon of what all good men sought to be. 

 He wore olive green robes and funny hats with white and green stripes, his hair was a faded yellow that he wore in simple braids, and his eyes were a dark nordic blue that gleamed with hints of azure and sapphire in the dust, dim light flooding in from the square window above where he currently sat thinking away with what seemed to be a dagger.

 Tommy loved and admired his father as much as any son could. He was Philza Minecraft, after all, and he was the greatest man ever.

 "Father! Look who came back to us!" Wilbur beamed as he pulled Tommy in front of him and held him in place. Philza hummed and lifted his gaze from his work.

 "Oh…" His eyes widened for a moment before returning back to the dagger. "Tommy. Looks like you uh...didn't die! Good! That's good to hear."

 Tommy forced himself to smile. Wilbur's brow furrowed slightly.

 "Father, don't you think you should come over and give Tommy a hug?" Wilbur said with a forcing push behind the words. He nudged Tommy forward slightly, and the boy glanced back at him with questioning eyes. Wilbur simply continued. "He has been missing for, what, a little over two months? He probably missed you a whole lot when he was out there, in the woods. Alone. Scared. Frightened and helpless..."

 Tommy thought about how wholly inaccurate that was to his experience out in the forest but said nothing. Alone? Definitely not, Tubbo hardly ever went away from the cottage long enough for him to feel lonely. Scared? Also no, same for frightened.

 Helpless?

  "You sure you've got me?" Tommy asked, clinging onto Tubbo's hand as the god lifted him up into the trees nearby a bunch of ripe looking pears.

 Tubbo smiled, his eyes bottomless pools of adoration and love. He set the boy carefully down on a sturdy branch but kept his hand in place, allowing Tommy to grip onto his index finger as he began to creep over towards the fruit.

 "Of course I do, sweetheart." The god said lovingly. "I've always got you. No matter what happens, I promise I'll always be here to keep you safe and sound."

  No. Not helpless. Furthest thing from it, actually.

 Philza made another low hum. He lifted the dagger up to light and squinted at it for a few seconds before returning it to his lap.

 "I'm a wee bit busy at the moment, Wilbur." He said, eyes unmoving from where they focused on the silver handle of the small weapon. "Why don't you and uh...Tommy...yes...why don't you boys go out and play? I'll get lunch ready by around midday. Now scram."

 With that he was done, and Tommy did not struggle as Wilbur pulled him out of the tiny room and back through the wall they came.

 Father was busy. Father was always busy, be it with work or spending some time with his buddies down at the pub. Father was too busy for him. Father was always too busy for him.

 Did Father even write a letter to the guardsmen? Did he even bother to notice he was gone?

 It didn't matter. He wouldn't be staying long. Once sundown came, he'd say his last goodbyes to his family, to his sly brother and distant father and cluttered, worn down house the stank of ash and booze. 

 When the sun went down he'd go back to Tubbo, back to lazy mornings and late night snuggles after a hard day working in the garden. But for now he'd try to enjoy this last visit. He'd go play with Wilbur. Maybe they'd get some honey bread from Niki's bakery and go walking by the river like they always did when Father was busy.

 Maybe he'd fall in and ruin his clothes. Maybe Wilbur wouldn't bother to fish him out this time.

 It didn't matter. He was here to say goodbye, but goodbye could wait until sundown. So he'd just try to have fun while he could.

 After all, what could possibly go wrong?

Chapter Text

♡--Tubbo--♡

 Tubbo was fine. Everything was perfectly fine. He was calm, cool and collected, yes ma'am, sir, or variation thereof.  He definitely was not sitting beneath a tree with his knees hugged against his chest while he rocked back and forth in a desperate attempt to sooth the raging whirlwind of anxieties whizzing around his skull. No, of course not, that was actually the farthest thing from what he was doing.

 He was just finding ways to pass the time while Tommy was away, that was all! Tommy was off visiting his probably evil horrible awful family and promised to be back by sundown. Tubbo was just a tad bit bored without his lamb around to keep him company. 

 His lamb, his sunflower, the light of his life, wind beneath his wings, fire in his furnace. His sweet Tommy, so small and precious, so frail and delicate. Too delicate for the brutality and savagery of the world beyond the forest. Any number of horrific things could be happening to him right now as Tubbo sat, trembling and shivering, and Tubbo would be none the wiser, wouldn't he? Sure, he'd probably be able to sense the boy's distress, to feel his pain and fear as it echoed through the air and traveled over the earth like a beacon of distress blazing in a winter's storm. But that didn't mean Tubbo would know what was happening to his beloved. All he would know was that Tommy was hurt , that Tommy was scared and frightened and that he wasn't there to save him and make whatever miserable little creature that dared touch his lamb, his treasure, his darling, his baby-

 "Aaaah! Tom-myyyyy ...come baaaaack…" Tubbo tossed his head back and let out a strained cry that reached the treetops and sent them rustling with the frantic movements of a hundred startled birds and terrified squirrels. 

 He whimpered and buried his head in his knees while curling further in on himself. From up above he heard the chattering and tweeting of a blue jay that decided it would be a good idea to perch on the horn of the distressed god.

 It sat there, singing and hopping about like all songbirds did, as though somehow completely obviously to the sniffles and whimpering coming from its perch.

 Tubbo lifted his head and turned his eyes up to look at the tiny creature. 

 "Am I being silly?" He asked it, seeking assurance that no, being worried about the safety and well being of one's favorite mortal was not silly in the slightest and was in fact a perfectly reasonable response to said mortal running off into a village filled with other mortals who were probably awful and horrible and evil. "I don't think I'm being silly. I think I'm being rather reasonable, actually."

 The blue jay chirped. Tubbo sighed.

  "Why don't you like mortals, Uncle Schlatt?" Tubbo asked, tilting his head up at the elder god as he handed him a bowl filled with berries and honey.

 "Because they're cruel, Tubbo." The older god answered while he took the bowl and began squashing its contents with a large stone mortar. "They're cruel little creatures that can't ever get along even to save their own hides. They fight, kill, steal from, lie to and destroy each other for petty reasons, and the few kind hearted among them have to suffer for it."

 "Are all mortals cruel?"

 His uncle shook his head and smiled. It was a tired old grin belonging to a tired old goat who had seen much in his time and had more than a handful of stories to tell from it.

 "No, Tubs, 'course not. There's always a bit of good amidst the bad, even when that bad covers it up." He pointed towards a glass bottle resting on a nearby table, and Tubbo quickly moved to hand his uncle the jar of cinnamon while listening eagerly to what he had to say. "I've met cruel mortals and good mortals. I've met liars and thieves, warriors and saints, kings and peasants alike. Most of them were a pile of shite, but there were a few goodins' among 'em."

 He took the cinnamon and sprinkled a few pinches inside the bowl before handing the jar back to Tubbo. The boy returned it to its previous spot and hurried back to his uncle's side.

 "Ya always gotta hold on to the good ones, Tubbo." The old god said while mixing the cinnamon into the purplish goop. "If ya find a good mortal, and I'm talking a proper good one here, protect them. Protect them and hold 'em close. The world needs good mortals just about as much as it needs us gods, and from what I've seen they're a dying breed."

 Tubbo nodded slowly, committing the elder's words to memory. 

 "Have you ever found a good mortal, Uncle?" He asked, eyes alight with curiosity and wonder.

 Schlatt chuckled lowly and nodded. "I have. Indeed I have."

 "What were they like?" Tubbo's eyes grew wider and his tail wagged excitedly behind him.

 Again Schlatt laughed, low and rumbling, this time while shaking his head with that same smile. "Ah, that's a story for when you're older, I'm afraid."

 Tubbo's smile dropped into a pout. "Wah?! That's not faaaair! Can you at least teach me how to make wine? You promised you would when I'm older and I just turned 3,000!"

 "'Fraid you're still not old enough, lad. Gotta be all grown before you get to learn that. Tradition, innit?"

 "Unfair! This is unfair and I am going out to the garden to pout about it!"

 "Alright. Grab me the dried apricots before you go, though, alright?"

 "Okay, Uncle Schlatt…"

 "Good lad."

 Tommy wasn't like other mortals. Tommy wasn't a liar, a murderer or a thief. Tommy was wonderful, sweet and kind, a precious little creature that Tubbo couldn't bear to be without. 

 The blue jay simply stared at him and chirped brightly, leaving Tubbo to slump down miserably as he waited for his lamb to come trotting home. 

 He'd have to fix a proper meal for Tommy when he got back. A big meal with all his favorite foods, like mutton of that honey bread he scarfed down like it was nothing. Then he'd get to pick his precious lamb up and carry him back to the master bedroom for some well deserved rest and plenty of care to ease the stress of the day away.

 Tubbo loved taking care of Tommy. His sweet lamb didn't need to worry about anything so long as he was around to tend to his every need and desire. It felt so nice to hold him, to cradle the mortal that had brought him so much joy and happiness near his chest and shower him with the love he deserved. Tommy was so small when Tubbo held him like that, just a small, sweet thing that snuggled close and begged to be cared for.

  "Does this feel good?" Tubbo whispered sweetly as he traced a finger over Tommy's stomach. The boy hummed and nodded without opening his eyes, instead turning his head and burying his face into Tubbo's chest.

 "Poor thing...ate a bit too fast, didn't you?" He began drawing lazy circles over Tommy's stomach, causing the blonde to shiver and snuggle closer. A small, pained whine escaped the boy's throat as Tubbo applied a bit of pressure to his middle. Tubbo cooed and resumed his previous motion. 

 "It's okay, honey. No need to be embarrassed. You were just hungry and got a bit too excited. You'll feel better in a bit. I'll make sure of it. Just let me take all the pain away, okay? Poor little lamb. So tender and sweet...my precious Tommy…"

 "Tommy…" Tubbo whimpered the boy's name and shifted uneasily. It felt wrong not having Tommy with him. The forest felt so empty. He felt so empty. Empty and hollow, a forest without any life inside.

 What if he went outside?

 Tubbo rose to his feet, causing the blue jay to hop off and start fluttering around his head. He took a step forward towards the treeline, beyond which lay Oakburrow and the rest of the world beyond the trees.

  He could see people going about their day, the villagers milling about the dirt roads and paths, going into shops and lingering around the market. Most of them were short and pale, others taller and broader, some with darker skin and hair than the rest. A few were sitting on a wooden dock located near the trees, and from where he stood and peered out from behind one of thick trunks, Tubbo could see that their features were softer and less narrow than the few elves he'd met in the past.

  Humans. Tommy was a human, one of the most common types of mortal according to his uncle. They were a simple race with short lives that sought to fill with adventure, glory, wealth and fame. They were a young race, spry and childish in their lust for living. It was admirable, if not a bit sad considering how short lived they were, a fact that was a constant in Tubbo's moonlit fits of fear and dread.

 Tommy was fifteen, young by human standards and borderline infantile by god standards. Like Tubbo he wasn't considered an adult yet, though Tommy had often stated that he was more "grown-up", whatever that meant. Uncle Schlatt said he was still young. So maybe he was young but still a bit older than Tommy, at least mentally. He had lived for a little over 3,000 years, and with any luck would like millenia more as a timeless god, immortal and unchanging like the forest he called home.

 It was safe to say that Tommy wouldn't be passing on from old age anytime soon and would likely live up to around ninety or even a hundred years if he was lucky. Not that soothed Tubbo's worries in regards to the boy's safety. He could ensure Tommy's comfort and protection within the boundaries of his woods, but with him gone Tubbo was left powerless in that regard.

 But...what if he followed Tommy? Just for one day. Surely that would be alright...right?

  "Listen closely, Tubbo. I've got something important to tell you." 

 Tubbo looked up at his uncle, who stood towering before him with his arms crossed over his broad chest and a serious look on his aged face. They'd been walking for a few minutes after breakfast after Uncle Schlatt said he needed to teach him about something important and were now standing side by side near the forest edge. The pale light of the world outside the green shade peeked through the trunks and branches of the oaks and maples, and beyond the gaps Tubbo saw a valley covered in mist and fog.

 "What is it?" He asked, shifting awkwardly on his hooves as Schlatt took a step forward.

 The older satyr turned his head to look back at Tubbo. His slate colored eyes were filled with an emotion Tubbo didn't recognize. Fear? Sorrow? Disappointment? He really wasn't sure what was in the look his uncle was giving him, but he knew that whatever Schlatt was about to say, it was definitely important.

 "Have you ever tried to leave this forest, Tubbo?" Uncle Schlatt asked, eyes burning into the younger god and pinning him in place.

 Tubbo shook his head quickly. "No, Uncle Schlatt, of course not. I've never left this place since I was born. Not even once, promise!"

 Schlatt nodded once and turned away, allowing Tubbo to ease up and let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.

 "Good. That's very good, Tubbo." The boy shuffled forward to join his uncle's side near the forest's edge. Schlatt placed a large hand on his nephew's shoulder and continued. "I'm sure you know that we forest deities are bound to the woods where we're born, right?"

 Tubbo nodded.

 "And I'm sure you know that the only reason your sister and I are able to drop by to see you is 'cos of this lil' fella, yes?" Schlatt reached down and lifted up the necklace hanging from his neck so that the ethereal blue jewel caught the morning light. Tubbo nodded once more while fidgeting with his fingers, and Schlatt nodded back and let the necklace drop back down to his fur covered chest. 

 "Do you know what happens when a satyr leaves their forest, Tubbo? Without one of these necklaces, that is."

 Tubbo paused for a moment before slowly shaking his head. "I don't. 'M sorry…"

 Schlatt shook his head and patted the younger's chestnut curls. "No, lad, I don't expect you to. Few people know, mortals and gods alike. I know from firsthand experience."

  Tubbo tensed. He had once hand pressed against the moss covered trunk of the tree he hid behind and another hanging limping by his side as he squinted out into the blazing, bright world of the outside.

 There was a whole world beyond the forest. A world with mountains and valleys, oceans and streams, wilderness and civilization. Lani had taught him that word. She said it was used to describe all the places where mortals built their cities and towns and little villages like Oakburrow after they got rid of all the trees and plants.

 Such a funny word. Civilization. Civil. Like mortals were anything of the sort.

 He'd never thought much of the outside world. To him there was always just the forest and everything inside: the trees, the muddy streams and rivers filled with tasty fish and smooth pebbles, the flowers and bushes. He had never needed to stray beyond the forest's edge, to leave the green land of his birth.

 But now he had a reason. Now he had Tommy.

 "Have I ever told you about the time some elves came along into my forest and stole a bunch of my cows, Tubbo?"

 "No, Uncle, you haven't." Tubbo shook his head, eager to listen and to learn.

 Schlatt smiled and rested a hand against the trunk of the tree to his left. "Well, I'll tell ya. Basically, a few thousand years ago, before you or your sister's time, I woke up to see that a good chunk of my cattle herd was missing from their pen. So of course I looked all over the woods, followin' their hoof prints and the like, until I found other prints. Footprints made by elven armor."

 Tubbo gasped, silvery specks of starlight filling the center of his pupils. "Did ya follow them?"

 Schlatt nodded. "Indeed I did."

  Tubbo sucked in a deep breath and balled his hand into a fist. 

  "I followed those prints alllll the way outta the woods and into the mountains outside! You ever seen a mountain, Tubbo? I climbed a whole lotta 'em looking for those pesky cow thieves. Took me days and days of goin' up and down, up and down again and again searching for hoof or foot."

 "How big were the mountains?"

 " Very big. They were so tall they reached the clouds and pierced the sky. And do you wanna know who I found up on the tallest mountain?"

 "The cow thieves?"

 "Mhm. The cow thieves."

  Days and days. It took days for Uncle Schlatt to start feeling... bad . Surely a few hours until sundown with Tommy would be alright. He wouldn't fall apart that quickly...right?

 The blue jay returned to its previous spot perching up on his horn and twittered away pleasantly. Tubbo lifted up a trembling hand and sucked in a shaky breath.

  "What happened when you found the cow thieves?"

 "Oh well, we got into a bit of a fight, you see. Not a fight with fists and swords, but a verbal one with words and shouting. I told 'em that those were my cows and that I needed them back, and then their little leader lady started goin' off about some sort of sacrifice to their goddess lady who wanted a satyr's cattle as an offering."

 "Why a satyr's cattle? Cows are cows, aren't they?"

 "That's what I said! That is exactly what I said to her but she still wasn't budging. And y'know this went on for a real long while, real real long time, until I started to feel...tired."

 "Tired?"

  His fingers trembled. His breath shook. Beads a sweat dripping down his forehead and cheeks, and Tubbo swore he could feel every inch of his body crying out for him to stay, stay in the forest and trees and never ever leave.

 The forest was safe. The forest was home. The forest was him and he was the forest, and leaving it behind would mean leaving behind everything he'd ever known.

 He needed the forest. He would die without the forest.

  Schlatt nodded. "Mhm. I suddenly felt real sleepy and couldn't keep my eyes open or my legs standing. So I sat down to keep arguing with this bitch-don't say that word around your sister-and next thing I knew, my hands were turning gray!"

 "What!" Tubbo gasped and went wide-eyed as his uncle lifted up his hand a mere few inches away from the last curled tendril of ivy that marked the end of the forest.

 "Yes. It was a real ugly gray, too. Like a dead tree. And it went all up my arms and legs and chest, all the way to the tips of my horns. And mark my words, Tubbo, it hurt more than anything you can ever imagine. Like fire racing up your whole body and burning you up from the inside out while sharp points stab at your heart and soul and rip your chest open. It was hell. It was the most horrible thing I've ever experienced. I don't even know the words I can use to describe it to you, and even if I did I doubt I'd want to."

  Pain. Tubbo knew pain. He'd gotten hurt a few times, mostly by accidentally cutting his fingers while chopping up some vegetables for dinner, which always led to Tommy fretting over him while insisting on wrapping up the tiny skin wounds with some soft bandages and then peppering them with gentle kisses that always led to Tubbo melting into a cooing mess.

 He knew pain. But he didn't know death.

  "What happened? Did you get your cows back?"

 "No." Schlatt said bluntly. "I didn't. I died, Tubbo. Or at least I did the closest thing a god can to dying."

 "...oh...what about the little bitch lady?"

 "Bah. She could keep the stupid cows. I was too busy screaming my head off until everything went black. There was a lot of black for a whole long time. Blackness and nothingness. Cold, dark, empty nothingness that swallowed me up and devoured me whole.. I'm not even sure how long it was until I woke up back in my forest with nothing but my birthday suit and the taste of rotten wood in my mouth. But I do know one thing..."

 "What?"

 Schlatt looked down at the young god, his eyes glowing a pale silver as he met Tubbo's amethyst gaze with one that was mournful and stern.

 "I know that I never want my family to go through what I did that day. And that's why I'm telling you this, now, Tubbo." He turned and crouched on until he was at Tubbo's level, and which point he placed both hands on the boy's shoulders and looked him dead in the eyes.

 "Tubbo, Satyr Lord of the Western Woods. Swear to me on your honor as a god that you will never , and I mean ever go outside of your forest without the proper magic to ensure you will not suffer as I have suffered. No matter what."

  Tubbo's breath hitched, and next thing he knew he was stumbling backwards away from the world and back into the forest.

  "Promise me, Tubbo, as both a fellow god and my nephew. I need you to do this for me."

 Tubbo gulped, wholly unfamiliar with this side of his normally lax and jovel uncle but nodded regardless. "O-okay...I swear it…"

 "Good lad."

  Tubbo's back hit a tree and he wailed while clutching the side of his head.

 "Tommy...T-Tommy...Tommy, please, I-I need...I need you...I need you…" He sniffled and begged for his lamb to come back home. He begged for soft touches and gentle little hands that scratched his ears and turned his mind to mush. He begged for lazy afternoons in the garden. He begged for late nights over in the hot spring that were filled with jokes and laughter. He begged for early mornings spent snuggled up on the couch and for late goodnights filled with moonlight and warmth.

 He begged for his lamb. He begged for Tommy.

 "T-Tommy...I...I can't sa...can't save you...I can't get to you…'m sorry…'m so so sorry…" Tubbo's voice was a dying animal as he let out one last whimper. The blue jay had perched down on his knee, and he lifted his eyes to look at it as it kept twittering and looking up at him while tilting its head to the side.

 He sniffled.

 "He'll be back, right?" He asked the bird, which hopped up on a large finger the god offered up. "Tommy will be back. I just...need to keep calm and not freak out too much...yeah...that's all…"

 The blue jay let out one last chirp before it was swiftly tossed into the god's mouth. He swallowed it quickly and then sighed before rising up to his feet. His stomach growled.

 Food. Food would help. Maybe a nice deer or a handful of wolves would calm his nerves. He was just hungry and that was making the stress worse.

 "Tommy will be fine." He said, more to himself than anything else as he began walking further into the trees in search of his next meal. "Just gotta eat a bit to calm down. He'll be okay. He will be okay. Tommy will be okay."

 Tommy would be fine. Tubbo was just stressing out over nothing. He just needed to have a bite or two or fifty to eat, wait around until the sun set, and then Tommy would be back and everything would be perfect again.

 Tubbo just needed to be patient. Then everything would be fine.

 What could possibly go wrong?

Chapter Text

◇--Tommy--◇

 Tommy hung close to Wilbur's side as the man led him away from their house and down to the dusty streets of Oakburrow.

 The sun had already begun to climb up towards the top of the sky and shone down harshly on the village, causing Tommy's head to ache as he tried to take shallow breaths to avoid inhaling any of the sheep stink that wafted through the muggy air. His ears rang with the chiming of bells on the docks, the clopping of hooves in the streets and the chattering and clattering of a hundred voices as people went about their busy, hectic lives. He jumped as someone hollered out from inside a nearby shop, and did so a second time when Wilbur hurried him past a small gaggle of screeching drunkards lounging about in a mud puddle.

 "Oi! Watch it, brat!" Sneered a burly man with a bushy beard as Tommy brushed against his arm. Tommy opened his mouth to apologize but was pulled away by Wilbur, who offered the man an apologetic grin.

 "Terribly sorry for that, sir! Old boy ain't doin' too well lately, can't keep his head on straight, let alone walk. You know how it is!"

 The man scoffed and rolled his eyes as he turned and carried on his way. Tommy winced.

 It was so much. Too much. Too much noise, too much headache inducing sunlight that made it hard to focus on putting one foot in front of the other. Too many people.

 Tommy liked people. He liked talking to them and pestering them and maybe occasionally prancing them. People were fun and interesting. People were loud and brash and oftentimes downright nasty when they were in a mood. Tommy had a habit of getting people into a mood to be nasty. It was something of a specialty of his.

 There weren't any people in the forest, at least not any nasty people. He'd met a few pixies and a lovely old gnome couple that lived a few miles away from Tubbo's cottage throughout his time living with the god. The pixies weren't exactly the most gentle sort and were honestly little shits that Tommy often found himself swatting away while he gathered some berries for Tubbo to use in one of his pies, but the gnomes were good people. A bit oddly fond of mushrooms, but still, they were kind hearted and gave good advice. Granted that advice often pertained as to what mushrooms went well with certain kinds of moss, but well, beggars couldn't be choosers, could they?

 It was actually rather uncommon for Tommy to spend much time alone in the forest. Most of his time was spent with Tubbo, who was the farthest possible thing from nasty. Time with Tubbo was time filled with soft words and gentle touches that made Tommy feel more at home that the bustling streets of Oakburrow ever could. Tubbo was home. 

  "So how old are you, exactly? Like for a god. You act like a kid but you're also kinda grown-upish."

 Tubbo's laugh shook the leaves above as he ducked beneath a curtain of flowering vines. Tommy reached out to grab the god's thumb to keep himself from falling down from where he sat in Tubbo's palm, and he found himself hugging it tightly as Tubbo carried on his way.

 "Well, I'm 3,000 years old, but I'm still really young by god standards. Least that's what my uncle says. I think I'm considered adolescent by mortal standards."

 "So you're, what, sixteen? Seventeen? Because if you're like real older than me that's sorta weird."

 Tubbo smiled as he stepped over the fallen corpse of a long dead tree that had been reclaimed by the moss and fungi. "Why would it be weird?" 

 He lifted Tommy up and set him gently down on his shoulder, where Tommy curled up and nestled himself snugly at the base of the god's neck. The air smelled like wet moss and mist mixed with the sweet scent of fresh berries and ripe peaches.

 "I 'unno." Tommy said with a shrug. "No reason. Just feel weird bein' friends with a grown-up. But you're still a kid, so it's fine. 'M gonna sleep. Wake me when we get there."

 A finger brushed against the side of his cheek, sending tingles of warmth through his body as Tubbo hummed softly.

 "Sweet dreams, dear one…"

 Tommy missed the forest. He missed the damp, leafy shadows below the trees, the softly babbling brooks and coppery creeks that winding through the mud. He missed the soft patches of sunlit grass and the flowers that filled the air with their fragrant aroma. He missed the garden. He missed the sundial and lilac bushes that grew to the size of a full grown stallion. He missed the warm blankets and comfortable fur rugs that swallowed him up as he laid in a bed fit for a king. He missed the grand meals that left him swollen and full as caring hands lifted him up and took all the pain away.

 He missed round eyes the color of polished amethyst. He missed dark horns covered in golden ornaments that got tangled in the branches and vines of the forest canopy. He missed soft fur and shiny hooves that left a whole garden's worth of flowers wherever they tread. He missed chestnut curls and leaf shaped ears that he could scratch anytime he wished. 

 He missed being hugged. He missed being carried around and cradled like a wee babe. He missed laying curled up in bed or on the couch and sleeping as all his pain and sorrow melted away. He missed being told that he was special, that he wasn't just a good for nothing brat that killed his mother just by being born and caused nothing but bother. He missed being told that he was worthy of love.

  A kiss was planted firmly on the top of his forehead, and Tommy chuckled as he tried in vain to push Tubbo away as the god lowered his lips once more to press them against the boy's head.

  "You're so precious to me." Tubbo whispered, his fingers tracing delicately up Tommy's side as he squirmed beneath. "Do you know that? You are more valuable to me than any jewel or sparkling trinket in all the realms. I love you more than words can say."

 "Tubbo...come on. You know I'm not-"

 Tubbo cut him off with a glare that softened into a sweet smile. His hand continued up towards Tommy's face, where he cupped the mortal's cheek in one hand while gazing down at him as though he truly were worth more than all the splendors and riches the world had to offer.

 "Sssh...none of that now. Just let me love on you, alright? Let me love you how you deserve to be loved. You sweet, beautiful, wondrous person. How can you even dare to think that you are anything less than perfection incarnate?'

 The god's voice was low and firm as the forest floor. It was an earthy, rumbling tone of voice that caused the curved rafters above the bed to tremble with the weight of his words. Tommy shivered.

 Perfection incarnate? Him? Tubbo must've put the wrong herbs in his tea that morning.

 "I…I'm...I'm n..." Again he was hushed gently by Tubbo, who with a careful hand lifted him up a few inches as he pulled down the blankets and laid himself and Tommy beneath the comfortable weight. 

 "Sleep." The god commanded, voice a low strum that sent Tommy's thoughts drifting away into the ether. "Sleep and dream of all things bright and wonderful, for you are the most wonderful thing to ever tread through my domain by far."

 Tubbo pressed a hand against the boy's back and pulled him into his chest, where Tommy curled up and allowed his eyes to close as the pulsing lull of the god's heart dragged him off to sleep.

 He missed the forest. He missed Tubbo.

 He sighed. Wilbur gave him an odd look from over his shoulder.

 "What's the matter?" He asked.

 Tommy stiffened like a board and forced a pleasant smile onto his face. 

 Right. He was visiting his family. He was hanging out with Wilbur. They were going out to play until Father fixed up lunch. He was in Oakburrow.

 Why did that thought hurt so much?

 He shook it off while shaking his head. "Nothing! Just thinkin' is all. Busy day, innit?"

 Wilbur studied him with a raised brow for a moment longer before letting out a huff. "Alright. Just focus on thinking and walking, okay? We're almost to Niki's."

 Tommy perked up at that, his smile turning genuine as he trotted along hastily after his brother. They rounded a bend in the road and carried along past lampposts and crates filled with half rotten fruit and shriveled up veggies. The further along they went the more the ground below their feet changed, the path shifting from a dusty dirt road worn down by a few decade's worth of foot traffic to dirty cobbles that were covered with mud and grime. 

 The sounds of shouting and bustling grew louder and louder, and Tommy found himself tensing up as the market appeared around another bend. 

 He loved spending time in the market before he met Tubbo. He enjoyed perusing the wares and goods the merchants sold and perhaps sneaking a few for himself here and there. There was this lively, adventurous sort of feel to the whole place, something about the exotic fabrics and fine spices that simply boggled the imagination.

 All the stuff in the market, all the people and their merchandise, was new . It wasn't from Oakburrow, not all of it, at least. It was from elsewhere, from the rest of the world below the rolling hills and pastures that cradled the tiny village that sat in the distant edges of the world, away from the drama and politics that Wilbur always liked raving about at dinner.

 When he was younger Tommy used to beg Wilbur to teach him about the world beyond Oakburrow. He'd pester the man for hours on end while tugging on his coat and whining like a toddler until he finally got his way. Wilbur was good, but even the strongest of men fell to the childish demands of Tommy Minecraft, and once Wilbur dud succumb he would sigh and take a seat near the end of his bed, where he'd start to tell one of his stories.

 Wilbur's stories were of kingdoms and kings, of queens and their sons, of warriors and bandits that sought to destroy all that the good folk of the land sought to protect. They were stories about dragons and giants that fought an eternal war over everything under the sun, of witches and wizards, of elves and dwarves. Wilbur would spin tales so grand that they were the stuff of legend, the kind of stories so great that they stood the test of the ages and became lore and history. They brought Tommy to worlds unknown, to kingdoms ruled by talking statues and oceans filled with serpents the size of mountains. 

 He could listen to them for hours and hours well into the night, but after a few stories Wilbur would get up and blow out the candle sitting on the edge of Tommy's nightstand. Tommy would whine then, but Wilbur would hush him quickly.

 "Alright." He would say with a smile as he tugged off his coat. "That's enough of that. Off to bed, ya lil' shit."

 The market always made Wilbur's stories seem real, tangible and grounded. Yet now? Now it was just a loud, foul smelling pile of stalls that made Tommy's head spin.

 Tommy hopped over a puddle of what he prayed was just water as he hurried after Wilbur, who was walking hastily towards a tiny shop near the edge of the market square.

 It was a small shop made of darkly colored wood with two small windows facing out the front on either side of the door. Tubbo said that most mortals didn't know how to make the glass stuff he had all over his house, so instead they used latches and hatches like the ones attached to the shop's windows. He said that glass was made of sand that got heated up and turned into crystal. Tubbo was a bold faced liar if he thought Tommy was going to believe that shite.

 Inside the shop he could see pastries of all sorts. Cupcakes and berry pies, rolls and cinnamon buns, cakes and of course his beloved honey bread.

 Tommy's mouth was already watering by the time Wilbur shoved him inside the bakery.

 "Hello hello!" Greeted a voice so sweet that Tommy could practically taste it. "Welcome to the Oakburrow Pastry Shop. How can I help yooooooooou-wait, Tommy? Didn't you die?"

 Behind the front counter stood a woman wearing a long apron covered in white powder. Her eyes were a pale coppery color, and her strawberry blonde hair was tied behind her head in a messy bun. She stared at Tommy as though he'd just sprouted a second head, her eyes wide and her mouth agape as the boy gave an awkward little wave.

 "Uh. Hi, Ms.Niki. No, not dead, I'm afraid. Sorry to disappoint." Tommy smiled as Niki shook her head and batted her eyes.

 "NO!" She blurted, and both Tommy and Wilbur jumped in surprise at the harshness of it. "No no no no, no honey, I'm sorry I didn't...oh, gosh, that was really messed up. Just slipped out, I swear. I'm very happy you aren't dead! Where on earth have you been? A-are you okay? Are you hurt, or are you bleeding? When did you get back? You've been gone for ages, I thought- we thought you were…oh, Tommy..."

 Something in Tommy's chest felt warm all of the sudden. So someone did care that he was gone. Somebody besides Wilbur, who seemed more ashamed of him than anything else. He knew Wilbur cared, even if he had a weird way of showing it sometimes, but even then it was nice to see someone that was genuinely happy to see him.

 It felt especially good after the whole ordeal with Father earlier.

 "I'm fine, Ms.Niki. Really. Just got a bit lost and turned around for a good long while out in the forest. You know how it is. Big Man...roughin' it up...out in the wild...yup..." Tommy's assurances seemed to do little to ease Niki's concerns, and he shrank down under Wilbur's disapproving gaze as the man huffed and pulled him up to the counter.

 "Hi Niki." Wilbur said pleasantly, and though she was still clearly concerned, Niki smiled back as she placed her hands on the counter.

 "Hello Wilbur. Are you guys here for your usual?" 

 Wilbur nodded, and Tommy leaned against the counter on his elbows as the two began chatting it up like they always did. It was surprising how normal it felt being back home. 

 It almost felt like a regular day, what with Father shooing them out of the house and Wilbur dragging him along to the bakery to talk with Niki while she got them some goods. Wilbur was probably going to hurry him out of the bakery and down towards the riverside afterwards, where they would sit and chat until it was time to head home for lunch. Maybe they would encounter the local gang of ruffians and Wilbur would have to scare them off like he always did. Maybe they'd laugh and sneer about how poor little Tommy needed his big brother to protect him. Maybe they would notice his clothes and weight and come up with a bunch of new insults to throw his way. Maybe he'd start crying and need Wilbur to carry him home while muttering shamefully under his breath about how he was fifteen now and needed to act like it because Wilby wasn't always going to be there and if he wanted to survive in this world he'd need to be a Big Man and not cry like a little baby whenever someone was mean.

  "Tubbo?"

 "Yes, Tommy?"

 "Do I ever get on your nerves? Like do I annoy you or anything like that?"

 "No, Tommy. Of course not. Why do you ask?"

 "Nothin'. Just...just needed to check...got stuck in my own head again…"

 "Do you wanna talk about it?"

 "...no."

 "Do you wanna lay down and talk about it after a little nap?"

 "...yes…"

 "Oh, sweet little lamb. C'mere."

 Tommy's chest hurt.

 "Alrighty. That'll be seven silver pieces." Niki held her hand out and smiled brightly as Wilbur dropped a few shiny coins into her open palm.

 Wilbur was holding a few neatly wrapped loaves beneath his arm, one of which he handed to Tommy, who upon further inspection practically squealed with joy when he saw that it was a fresh loaf of honey bread. He giggled happily and took a large bit from the golden brown loaf, the sweet flavor and soft texture melting in his mouth. It wasn't anywhere near as heavenly as Tubbo's, but honey bread was honey bread.

 Tommy continued to eat in content bliss as Wilbur waved goodbye to Niki and ushered Tommy out the door, at which point Tommy was reminded just how loud and bright the world was. 

 It was so loud. Too loud. There were too many noises and people and he just wanted to eat his honey bread in peace. He wanted to lay down under the willow and curl up in the sun and sleep. He wanted someone to hold him and keep him safe from all the clunking and clattering and shouting that was everywhere and in his head.

 He wanted Tubbo. 

 Wilbur opened his mouth to speak while adjusting his coat. "Alright, that's that. Let's go over by the river and eat our bread for a few, yeah? Should hold us over until dinner, and it'll give you plenty of time to be honest about where you got those clo...clothes, are you...are you crying?"

 Tommy looked up at Wilbur and was confused to see the man's face twisted into an expression that could best be described as mortified concern. He reached a hand up towards his cheek and was shocked to find it wet with tears, which he hardly had time to process before Wilbur was bearing down on him.

 "Why are you crying?" The man whispered while leaning forward to wipe the boy's tears. "Are you hurt? Are you dying? Did you get a rock stuck in your shoe again? Do you need to go see Mr.Ponk?!"

 Tommy stepped back and shook his head, clutching the loaf close to his chest as though it would stop the tears. 

 "Nuh! 'M okay!" He mumbled around a mouthful of bread. "Bread's just real good!"

 Wilbur paused with his hand outstretched. "You...you are crying...because the bread...is really good…?"

 Tommy nodded and swallowed roughing before answering. "Uh-huh! It's great! Ain't had bread like this in, what, two months? No bread in the forest, that's for sure!"

  Yup. That's why. I am crying over bread and nothing more. Certainly not crying over wonderful goat gods that treat me like royalty and whom I really cannot wait to get back to because now that I think about it, this isn't exactly the best place in the world for me. Too loud. Too bright. No Tubbo. I could go back right now. I won't. Not yet. But I could...maybe I'll go back before sundown...maybe…

  Wilbur stared and seemed satisfied by Tommy's answer. He let out a long sigh and grabbed the boy's arm, and Tommy simply allowed himself to be pulled along while his brother shook his head.

 "Good gods above, Tommy. I missed you, but do you really need to get back on your usual bullshit this soon? Give a guy a breather, honestly."

 Tommy simply ate his bread, tears dried and belly full.

~~~

 Tommy always rather liked the river. Sure it was muddy and not good for swimming and also smelled like rat piss, but at least there was a bunch of shady trees and rocks to hang out on near its murky bank. There was a grass slope leading down to the water, and that was where Tommy and Wilbur were sitting while they talked and ate some bread.

 Well, more like while Wilbur talked at Tommy, who just wanted to eat some bread and enjoy the weather. And the quiet. The riverside was far away from all the noise. It was lovely.

 "...so Tommy. I'm gonna ask you to be honest with me here: where did you get those clothes?" Wilbur stared down at Tommy from where he sat on a close by rock. "I'm not gonna be mad if you stole them. I just need to know where you got them from."

 Tommy offered a small shrug while chewing the now half finished loaf clutched between his hands. From where he sat cross legged on the grass in front of Wilbur he could see that the man was being dead serious. This wasn't one of Wilbur's usual questions like "how are you" or "why are you all covered in mud" or Tommy's personal favorite "how the fuck did you get in there? You're nearly as tall as me, how the actual fuck did you get stuck in a bloody barrel?!"

 Wilbur seemed genuinely concerned about where Tommy got his fanciful attire, and while Tommy would love to be honest with him, he also didn't care for being shipped off to one of the local loony bins.

  For once I'm not having fun lying to Wil. What's next? Flying pigs?

  Tommy chewed for a moment longer before answering. "I found them out in the woods. Stumbled upon a little cabin or something with a bunch of cool stuff inside and decided to set up shop."

 "So you were staying in some random stranger's house for two whole months?" Wilbur said, eyes wide as he stared down at Tommy, who gave a little shake of his head.

 "No. I was the only one in the house, Wil. It was empty." Tommy answered while mentally noting down all the false details and half truths he'd told his brother thus far. 

 That was always important when lying. It was easy to tell one little fib, but sticking to a lie and remembering all the tiny details of it so you didn't get caught? Now that was a challenge.

 Luckily for him, Tommy was something of an expert liar, quite possibly the best liar in all of Oakburrow. Or at least that's what he liked to tell himself.

 Wilbur drew in a breath and leaned forward with his knees bent and his gaze aimed towards the ground while he rubbed his hands. He let out another sigh.

 "So you're telling me that you ran off into the forest, got lost, found an abandoned cabin, claimed it as your own, survived off of enough fruit to fatten you up," Tommy shifted uncomfortably at that and drew his crimson cloak close, a motion that Wilbur either didn't see or didn't care to acknowledge, "and then somehow, after two months of not getting eaten by wolves or bears or gnomes, you finally came running back home?"

 Tommy puffed out his chest and nodded as he swelled up with pride. "Yup! Took me a while but hey, here I am!"

 Wilbur simply stared dumbfounded as Tommy carried on with his meal. Off in the far distance came the ringing of the nearby temple's bell, the low sound carrying over the wooden roofs and rippling water below. It was midday.

 "Doncha think we should get back for lunch?" The boy asked after a brief pause.

 Tommy found himself confused when Wilbur shook his head while breaking off a small chunk of bread he was holding in one hand.

 "Tommy. Father's not making lunch. He just said that to get us out of the house so he could sneak off to the tavern." He said. His smile did not falter in the slightest as he spoke, yet somehow Tommy could tell he was the farthest thing from happy. 

 "But-"

 Wilbur snapped. "Just eat your bread and shut up!

 Tommy flinched back as though he had been shot, and in some way he felt he had. Wilbur never snapped at him like that. He picked on him and pushed him around some like all big brothers did(or so Wilbur claimed), but never once had Wilbur raised his voice like that.

 Did something happen while he was gone? Did Wilbur change and become nasty and horrible while he was living out in the forest? Was Wilbur still Wilbur, or had a changling come along and taken his place while Tommy was away stuffing his face with berries while Tubbo doted on him? Was he really that awful of a brother to have let such a terrible thing happen to his older kin? 

  "Say. It."

 "I'm not s-selfish."

 He wanted to ask Wilbur if he hated him but was too startled to try to speak, and instead watched as the dark eyed man batted his lashes and seemed to come back to himself. His posture straightened and his mouth pitched into a low frown.

 "Tommy, I...I'm sorry. I don't know what got into me, just then." Wilbur's voice sounded like his throat had been rubbed raw by a bunch of coarse gravel as he ran a hand over his sullen face. "It's just...you were gone for so long, Tommy. So, so long. I thought you were dead . I thought you died out there in that forest and that I'd never see you again. I thought my baby brother was gone forever…"

 Tommy allowed himself to crack a cheeky grin. "I'm not a baby. Fuck you."

 Wilbur rolled his eyes. "You're fifteen. I'm twenty-five. Therefore, you are the baby by default. Anyway ," Tommy giggled around a large chuck of honeyed goodness as Wilbur returned to the topic at hand. "I was worried about you, Tommy. I was very very worried and scared that you were gone. And Father? He was no help. No help at all. You know what Father is like, Tom, you do, you just...don't like to accept it…"

 "Don't turn your back on family for nothin', no sir no how!"

  Father was a good man. Father was noble and brave and kind. Father used to be a soldier just like that Technoblade fella he was pals with. Father helped people. He was a hero.. Father wasn't perfect, but family never was. 

 So why did Wilbur sound so...bitter?

 So many questions. So few answers. Did he always have so many questions buzzing around his skull? When did the questions start buzzing? Buzz. Buzzing. Bees.

 Tubbo.

  "So this is the queen?" Tommy asked as he stared down at the large insect sitting amidst the droves of bees that milled about the slab of wood Tubbo was showing him. He said it was part of something named a "bee box", which was apparently meant to act like an artificial hive. Tubbo claimed to have invented it. Tommy saw no reason not to believe him.

 "Yes! She's the one who lays all the eggs to keep the hive going." Tubbo nodded excitedly while lifting a large tool with a long, flat end sticking out the top off a nearby table.

 "Where's her crown then?" Tommy tilted his head at the fat bug. It certainly didn't look very queenly. It just sat there and looked all weird and buggy. "Is she sleeping or something? Doesn't she need to make some royal decrees? Maybe wage a war or two with the wasps?"

 Tubbo laughed and kneeled down beside the boy while shaking his head. "No, she isn't that kind of queen. With bees the queen mostly just sits around laying eggs until she dies. No royal decrees or anything. Don't think a bee would do well against a single wasp, let alone a whole army of them."

 "Why not? There's bunches of the little guys. They could take out some stupid wasps no problem!"

 Again Tubbo laughed, this time while placing a hand on Tommy's back. The boy glared up at the god and scrunched up his nose in mock offense.

 "Oi! It's a perfectly reasonable question! Do not mock me, bitch, I'll kick your fluffy arse into next year!"

 "F-fluffy arse?" Tubbo covered his shit eating grin with his other hand after quickly placing the tool down.

 Tommy felt his ears grow warm as he shifted his attention away from the giggling god back towards the bees, a few of which had decided to be bold enough as to bounce against his cheeks and forehead as they bumbled along their way.

 "Shut up. Why would a bee vs wasp war be a bad idea? Answer me you dickhead."

 Tubbo sniffed and flicked away a large tear that had formed in the corner of his eye before collecting himself enough to speak.

 "Okay, okay, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, that just. Fluffy arse. Wow." He cleared his throat and picked the metal tool up from where he'd sat it next to him. "To answer your question, bees die when they sting people while wasps don't. So in a war between the two the bees would essentially wipe themselves out."

 "Oh…" Tommy watched as Tubbo pulled out another wooden slab from the large box, this one covered with golden strands of honey that dripped down the sides. The bees flew up in a buzzing frenzy, a few whizzing past Tommy's face as the god began using the tool to scrape the viscous goo into a glass jar sitting close by.

 "Do you wanna know some more bee facts?" He asked brightly out of nowhere.

 Tommy blinked in surprise. "...can I ask for the bee facts?"

 "Of course you can, silly!" Tubbo's smile was almost blinding.

 Tommy never felt more at home.

  Oh, what he would give for Tubbo's bee facts right now. What he would give to ask questions that didn't make his stomach twist when he thought of the answers. Tommy didn't like questions, not ones like what were buzzing around his skull as Wilbur swallowed the lump in his throat and rose to his feet.

 "We'll go back home in a few hours." He said matter-of-factly. "You stay here while I go give this bread to that beggar over there."

 Tommy did as he was told and simply sat there on the grass eating his bread as he gazed longingly towards the other side of the muck filled river. Towards the forest. Towards Tubbo.

 The bread was lovely.

~~~

 "Right, that's that. Come on. Time to head home."

 "Aight."

 Tommy got up off the grass and dusted himself off. It was getting late, now. The sky had shifted from a vibrate cerulean to a dim shade of mauve blue that was covered with sheets of pale clouds that dragged on lazily overhead. Off in the distance another bell rang out to signify the end of the work day, and slowly but steadily the people of Oakburrow began to close up their shops and businesses to turn in for the night.

 The sun was almost to the horizon. Sundown was approaching. It was almost time to say goodbye.

 Tommy didn't want to say goodbye. Not to Wilbur or Niki or Father. Goodbye didn't have to mean "goodbye forever." Goodbye could just mean "goodbye until next week" or "goodbye for a few months" or "goodbye until I can stand to be here in this loud, smelly, tiny village without the person that I care for more than anything in this life."

 He would say goodbye. Just not a final goodbye. Then he could go back to the forest and see Tubbo again. Knowing him he'd probably spent the whole day stressfully cleaning up the cottage and garden while awaiting Tommy's return. Poor guy. Always so worried over nothing.

 Tommy turned to follow after Wilbur as the man moved to head back to their house, but stopped short when he heard a voice call out from behind. It was a low, gravelly voice that was gruff and rumbled in the throat of whoever it belonged to like thunder over the hills, though it was now loud and commanding, but rather bored and monotone.

 "Oi. Wilbur. Where's Phil?" The voice asked. 

 The pair turned around to see who it was, with Wilbur having to squint to properly make out the two figures approaching from down the street.

 "Oh!" He leaned forward then back as his eye went wide when he saw who it was. "Hello Technoblade! Hello...er... you …"

 If there was one word Tommy would use to best describe Technoblade, it would be big . The man was a monster, an absolute behemoth of mass and muscle that he practically shook the ground with each lumbering step. He wore plated armor that shone a brilliant silver along with a regal, crimson cape with white fur lining the bottom, his hair was a deep rose that signified distant orcish heritage and was worn in an elaborate braid that reached down to his knees. His shoulders were broad as an ox and he had the eyes of a hawk, or at least that's what Tommy had been told.

 The one thing about Technoblade that Tommy couldn't quite figure out was the man's weird obsession with pigs. The guy loved them. Like...a lot. Like a lot, a lot. When he wasn't getting drunk off his rocker while talking it up with Father he'd be talking about pigs. Just pigs. Not even eating pigs, just...pigs.

 It wasn't exactly a bad thing, Tommy liked pigs as much as the next guy, they were very nice animals, but it was just weird . 

 Why would anyone love an animal so much to the point where they walked around wearing the head of one like some kind of demented helmet made of leathery pink skin that sagged around the bottom? Could Technoblade breathe in that thing? Could he even see through those darkened sockets nestled above the helmet's protruding snout and curved tusks? Did he know how gods awful the thing smelled? He had to, right? There was no way Technoblade didn't realize that his head accessory reeked of rotten flesh and pig piss. Unless he did realize and simply didn't care, in which case Tommy wasn't too surprised.

 Technoblade had been a soldier once. He had fought alongside Father in numerous battles so fierce and bloody that they'd become the stuff of legend and lore, or at least that's what he and Father always seemed to be laughing about well into the wee hours of the morning. Now he was a mercenary, which according to Wilbur was basically someone who killed people for money.

 Technoblade was no stranger to death. Maybe that was why his macabre helmet's horrid odor didn't phase him. Maybe he liked the stench of death. 

 Tommy thought that was all manner of creepy. That Technoblade was creepy. But if Father liked him he couldn't be all bad, right? He was a bit cold whenever he decided to drop by Oakburrow every few weeks to visit, but he wasn't a complete asshole, at least not to Tommy, who couldn't help but admire the man almost to the same extent as his father. Who wouldn't admire their beloved father's old war buddy? Who wouldn't admire the Blood God, the War Pig, the one and only Technoblade?

 "Um, Ranboo, sir." Said the young boy trailing behind the mercenary, his voice hardly above a stage whisper. "It's...it's Ranboo. My name. It's Ranboo."

 Right. Ranboo, or Ranboob, as Tommy liked to call him, much to the boy's dismay.

 Ranboo was tall for a human boy his age, even taller than Tommy, with long limbs and a simple face. His skin was pale and relatively unblemished compared to Technoblade, who was a walking tapestry of scars and blemishes left after countless battles, and his hair had a similar fluffy texture to Tommy's, though his was a slightly darker shade of gold that was closer to a light bronze.

 Tommy liked Ranboo, even if he was a tall weirdo with pale blue eyes that sometimes seemed to be closer to a dusty jade when the light hit them a certain way. Magic eyes, Tommy reckoned.

Ranboo was Technoblade's apprentice. His job was to follow Technoblade around and hold all his shit while listening to the man's advice. Or at least that's what Ranboo always seemed to be doing when he and Tommy weren't hanging out as friends.

 Well, kind of friends. Tommy wasn't actually sure if Ranboo and him were friends. Ranboo never said they were friends. Tommy wasn't sure if he was allowed to say they were. They hung out and joked around, but did that mean they were friends or just joking around buddies? He never had a friend he could safely call his friend before Tubbo came along, and with Tubbo it sometimes felt like they were something more than friends but less than married. Like friends but slightly closer, but not too close because that would be weird. Weird like Ranboo in all his... weirdness .

 Wilbur hardly spared the strange boy a glance before turning his full attention back to Technoblade, who stood a whole head taller than the brown haired man, whom he regarded blankly through the sockets of his mask.

 "Nice to see you, sir! Come a bit early this time, eh? Been havin' fun on all your travels?" Wilbur chattered happily up at the man while Ranboo stared at Tommy with an identical wide-eyed look as the one Niki and Wilbur had given him earlier. He looked like he'd seen a ghost. Or rather, what he thought was a ghost.

  Right. He probably thought I was dead. Surprise surprise, boob boy. ...what even is a boob? 

  Technoblade grunted, and Wilbur promptly shut his mouth. He turned his head slightly and looked down at Tommy, who smiled up at him and puffed out his chest to try and match the man's posture. Technoblade scoffed.

 "Who's the kid?" He asked while poking a fat finger against Tommy's middle in a sharp jabbing motion. "Ya steal him from a nobleman or somethin'? Greedy lil' guy, aren't you? Been stealin' from yer papa's pantry and swiping a few too many danishes, I reckon."

 Tommy felt his face grow red hot as Technoblade chuckled darkly and pulled away. He glanced down towards the ground and placed a hand against his stomach where the man had poked him, silently wondering if he had been a bit greedy lately. Was he greedy for eating so much? Tubbo never seemed to complain when he asked for a few extra snacks between meals. But was that because it was okay, or was Tubbo just being Tubbo and didn't want to make him feel bad?

 He missed Tubbo. Things made sense with Tubbo.

 He continued mulling over the Blade's words as Ranboo piped up without taking his eyes off of him.

 "U-Uh, sir?" 

 Technoblade grunted. "Yes, Ranboo?"

 "That's uh...that's Tommy, sir."

 "Who?"

 Ranboo gave the man a sideways glance while meekly pointing a finger towards the sulking blonde standing across from him. "Tommy? Mister Philza's son? The one that's been missing for two months?"

 Technoblade stared vacantly.

 "The...the little one."

 "All of you are little to me." Technoblade said with palpable boredom.

 Ranboo simply lowered his hand and offered Tommy a smile that he didn't return. Wilbur cleared his throat with a short cough that snapped Tommy out of his sulking and back to the current conversation.

 " Aaanywho , hello sir!" Wilbur smiled brightly and spoke in a chipper, pleasant tone while placing his hands firmly on his hips. "I'm pretty sure Father is home around this time. Would you like us to take you to him?"

 Technoblade made a low grumble in the back of his throat and nodded. "Yeah, whatever. C'mon, Ran, keep up."

 The sun sank lower as they began the short journey back home.

~~~

 Tommy never liked dinners with Technoblade. He never liked dinners , actually, now that he thought of it. 

 The food was decent enough. It tasted sort of like sawdust and was nowhere near as tasty as Tubbo's cooking, but still, food was food, even if it was hard to eat when you had a giant brute sitting a few chairs down that was stuffing himself through the gaping maw of his mask's rubbery snout. It was like an actual hog was helping itself in their dining room with all the sloppy chewing noises the man made as he scarfed down a whole turkey leg, which he cramped through the open mouth of his helmet and chewed on loudly.

 Tommy felt his stomach churn as he watched the now naked bone emerge from Technoblade's mouth.

 Ranboo sat across from him next to Wilbur, who kept trying to make small talk that was repeatedly shut down by Father, who was chatting away with Technoblade where the two men sat across from each other at the far end of the table.

 "So, Techno." Wilbur said hesitantly after a little time had passed since his last attempt. "How have you been these past few-"

 Father waved a dismissive hand that silenced the brunette in an instant. "Wil, shut up and let the adults talk, 'kay? I raised you better than that."

 Wilbur mumbled something unintelligible under his breath and glared down at his bread and mutton as though it had slighted him. Tommy and Ranboo stared at each other and shrugged. Tommy cringed in on himself as Technoblade let out a wet belch that sent him and Father into another fit of thunderous laughter.

 Dinners at home were...uncomfortable. dinners with Technoblade were even more so. Dinners with Tubbo, on the other hand, were lovely.

  "Do you need the salt?" Tubbo asked, his hand hovering over the table as he fretted over Tommy, who smiled up at him from where he sat.

 "Tubbo, I'm fine." Tommy assured for what felt like the hundredth time since they'd first sat down to eat. He cut a large piece of bread off of a nearby loaf and used a small knife to smear it with a generous amount of honey before taking a bite.

 The god tapped a hoof against the floor and drummed his fingers on the table as he watched Tommy eat. His eyes filled with thin swirls of silver and lilac while he stared silently, his own plate sitting untouched on the table in front of him. Tommy paused and nodded towards it.

 "Hey. Your food's gettin' cold." He said before taking another big bite. 

 Tubbo's eyelids drooped slightly. A dopey grin appeared on his face, and Tommy stopped midway through reaching for a pitcher of fresh milk as the god sighed. 

 "I don't need to eat...watching you is enough…"

 Tommy frowned. "Tubbo, everyone needs to eat. Don't make me come over there. I can and will stuff those apples into your mouth."

 That seemed to snap Tubbo out of whatever trance he'd been in, with his eyes going wide as he blinked and stared at the ruby colored fruits sitting in a bowl nearby next to some sliced peaches and ripe pears. He reached out and grabbed one, and Tommy hummed happily when the god took a bite of the crimson fruit and began picking at his plate.

 "I mean, technically I don't need to eat. Gods don't need to eat stuff like you mortals do." Tubbo said after chewing and swallowing the bit of juicy pulp. "I just eat 'cause it tastes nice."

 Tommy shook his head and poured out a cup of milk, which he gulped down quickly before replying.

 "Well, even if you don't need to, you should. It's better than just starin' at me."

 "No such thing…" Tubbo cooed.

 Tommy threw a bit of bread at him. "Fuck you."

 Tubbo snorted. "I love you too, ya dummy."

 Tommy felt something warm bloom inside his chest.

  "So, Tommy." Ranboo said suddenly, and Tommy blinked as he snapped his head up to listen to the boy. "How...how have you been? You uh...didn't die...out in the forest, I mean. That's good! That's uh...yeah...really good.. I'm happy you aren't dead…"

 Tommy shook off the lingering memory of Tubbo's voice and nodded. "Oh uh, yeah. Not dead. Mhm. That's me. Mr.Not Dead. No deadness here, nope. Very much so alive. More alive than ever, actually. Never felt quite so alive in my life!"

 Down from the end of the table came Technoblade's gruff voice. "Oi." He barked while chewing on something wetly. "Shuddup down there, ya little sh-"

 Father raised his hand, and Technoblade stopped without taking his sockets off the two cowering teens and dead eyed adult. With a small smile he looked at Technoblade, who seemed to be staring right into Tommy's soul as the man brushed back some of his straw colored hair.

 "Ah, leave it, Tech. You ain't getting through to those kids. I swear, I'm gonna need to buy another table for 'em at this rate."

 Techno chuckled darkly at that. "Or you could just stick them down in the cellar and let the rats sort 'em out. Did that with Ran once when he knocked over my shield. Taught him what for real fast, I'll tell you what. Ain't that right Ranboo?"

 The color drained from Ranboo's face, and Tommy could see fear flicker in the boy's dimly colored eyes as he smiled back at his master.

 "Y-yessir, Mister Technoblade." He said while holding a bit of bread in a trembling hand. 

 Technoblade nodded and returned in his gorging. Ranboo practically collapsed in on himself and carried on eating, with Tommy and Wilbur joining shortly after.

 It was getting dark outside.

~~~

 Tommy sighed as he flopped down onto his bed for the first time in two months. 

 Two months. Two. Months. He had been gone for two whole entire months. How long was that in days? What day was it? What year? How many festivals did he miss while he was away? How many people noticed he was gone? How many people cared?

 He was tired. The bed was hard and scratchy, the fur blanket rubbing against his aching back as he lay facing upwards towards the ceiling. His stomach ached from what he'd managed to force down at dinner, though he was pretty sure the lingering memory of Technoblade chewing was threatening to force it all back up.

 Father and Technoblade were talking out in the dining room down the hall. Tommy heard the sound of laughter and wooden cups being cranked together as someone banged on a table. They were drunk.

 Tommy wanted to go back to the forest. The sun was almost down. Tubbo would be waiting for him. He couldn't wait to see him again. It'd only been a few hours, but it already felt like he'd been gone for ages. 

 He pulled himself off the bed and moved towards the door, but he paused to take one last look at his childhood bedroom before he left. It was a small room without much in it besides a bed and chest that sat at the end. There was only one window next to the bed and the walls were completely blank save for a few hooks that held up some tattered coats that were dirty beyond salvation.

  Damn. This place is a dump. Tommy thought while running a hand down his silk cloak. It was smooth and bright and smelled like peaches and sunshine. It reminded him of Tubbo.

  Welp. Time to say goodbye.

  Tommy headed towards the door with a sigh and a heavy heart that practically jumped out of his chest when he literally ran into Wilbur, who appeared in the doorway with a scowling frown.

 "Oh! Hey, Wil. What's up?" Tommy smiled up at his brother, who narrowed his dark eyes down at him.

 "What are you doing?" Wilbur asked. 

 Tommy tilted his head to look over the man's shoulder. The front room stood behind him and was filled with the dancing light of the fireplace, and he could see the door beyond the cluttered tables and dusty furniture.

  Time to say goodbye.

 "Just going out for a bit." Tommy said brightly. "I'll be back in a bit. Promise."

 Wilbur looked at him like he'd gone completely nuts and pushed him back into the bedroom, causing Tommy to yelp in surprise as the door slammed shut. He heard Father shout something from down the hall but couldn't make it out. Especially not when he had an irate Wilbur bearing down on him.

 " Tommy Soot Minecraft . Do you think I'm stupid?" Tommy shook his head and winced as Wilbur grabbed him by the shoulders. Wilbur squeezed his shoulders and glared as he hissed. "Really? Because I think you do. I think you think I'm stupid enough to let you out of my sight after losing you for two months . I'm not stupid, Tommy."

 His grip loosened slightly, and Tommy allowed himself to breathe as Wilbur shook his head down at his feet.

 "I'm not letting you go out, Toms." The man said softly. "Not until you tell me what actually happened in that forest. Not until I can take you to a healer or a priest or something to figure out if there's anything wrong with you. Not until I'm sure I won't lose you again…" His breath trembled slightly, and were it not for the dread seeping into every last inch of Tommy's body he'd ask if Wilbur was alright. But instead he shook his head, his heart racing as he could see the final rays of sunlight fading away from the walls and floor.

 Sundown. Time to go back to Tubbo.

 "Wilbur, please, I really need t-"

 "WHAT?" Wilbur grabbed him again and shook the boy like a cloth doll as he raised his voice and shouted at the trembling boy. "Just what, exactly? What? What happened to you? What happened out there? What the fuck are you wearing? Where the fuck did you get all this shit? Why do you wanna leave again? Why do you want to leave me again?"

 Tommy could only yelp as he was lifted up and forced onto the bed. He scrambled to his feet but was pushed down again as Wilbur turned towards the door with a rusted key held firmly in one hand. 

  No no no no no. No, no, he can't, he can't!

 "W-wait, Wilby, pl-"

 "Shut. Up." Tommy curled up as Wilbur snapped and glared at him with burning, charcoal colored eyes. "Shut up and go to bed. You're not coming out until sunrise. We'll talk about this in the morning. Just...just think about what you've done…I'm sorry..."

 With that he left, and with a deafening click the door was locked.

  No...no, Tubbo…

  Tommy scrambled up and rushed towards the window, where he began panicking when he saw just how dark it was outside. The sky had become a black canvas that was dotted with twinkling lights, and in the dim moonlight he could make out the shape of the forest across the river.

 "Tubbo…" He whispered as the first few tears fell down his cheeks.

~~~

 Beyond the Dragonspine Mountains, past the hills and pastures of green, near the village of Oakburrow stood a forest. 

 Within the forest lived a young god who was old as names yet young as rain, and he was happy yet lonely for many, many years.

  One day a mortal boy went into the forest and got terribly lost and began to cry. The god heard the boy and went to him. 

 The moment he laid eyes on the child he loved him more than words could tell, and so he took the child back to his home beneath an ancient oak, where they lived happily for a very long time.

 One day the boy asked to see his family back in the village, and though it hurt and frightened him, the god loved the boy too much to say no. 

 The boy promised to return by sundown and left, leaving the god to eagerly await his return.

 The boy spent the day with his brother and had fun, though he never stopped missing his friend.

 He was just about to go back to the forest when his brother stopped him, and he weeped while staring out longingly towards the woods where the god dwelled.

 Out in the depths of the trees and bramble something stirred, something lonely and wrathful that caused the roots to slither and the flowers to wilt as it cried out for its sunflower.

 The forest wept. The god's lamb was gone, and all he could do was scream.

Chapter Text

◇--Tommy--◇

  The air was filled with the smell of a fresh roast and the sounds of merriment as Tommy hurried towards the market. In the distance came the chattering of a hundred voices intermingled with the laughter of children and the pattering of tiny feet against stone. There were torches lining the streets, beacons of amber and gold that guided the boy through the winding path covered in darkness and shadow. Up above came a loud boom followed by a staticy crackle as the night was lit up by a burst of color, then another, then another after that.

 Fireworks. Wilbur said they were supposed to be used in warfare but that people decided to use them for fun, instead. Tommy thought that they were bloody brilliant. Fireworks were always the best part of the Harvest Festival in Oakburrow.

 Tommy picked up the pace when he heard a voice calling for him up ahead. It was a friendly voice, one that was kind and bright as the pink burst that just exploded overhead.

 "Tommy! Tommy, where'd you go? You promised to meet up with me. I'm waiting…!"

  Tubbo …

 He moved as quickly as his feet could carry him and rounded a bend. The market stood before him in a fuzzy whirl of soft yellow lanterns and coppery ribbons that matched the changing leaves. There were tables lined with food and a stage where a band was playing a jolly tune for the crowd, and everyone in attendance wore hues of red, orange and gold that swirled around as they danced the night away.

 Well, almost everyone.

 "Tommy? Tommy! Tommy, where are you?"

 Tommy scanned the crowd for the voice's owner and smiled when he spotted a pair of horns sprouting from a tuft of chestnut curls. He stepped forward and weaved between the festival attendees with a sense of purpose that drove him towards his goal, towards Tubbo.

 The god stood in the shifting shadow of an empty stall. He was much smaller than usual and stood only a head or two above Tommy, who practically melted at the sight of his beloved wearing a forest green cloak identical to the ruby red garment that was draped over his own shoulders. 

 His beloved. His home. His Tubbo.

 Tubbo's amethyst eyes lit up when they landed on the boy, who had hardly a second to think before he was being scooped up and squeezed tightly by the overjoyed god.

 "You're here!" He said happily while rubbing his cheek against the blonde's head. "You're finally here. Oh, Tommy, you took so long! I thought you broke your promise and left me."

 Tommy pushed against the god's chest and chuckled softly. "Tubbo, you know I would never do that. Tommy Minecraft always keeps his promises, for I am a Big Man of honor and integrity."

 Tubbo squinted his eyes into a doubtful look. "Tommy."

 "Tubs?" Tommy smiled sweetly while tracing a hand over the smooth silk of the god's cloak. He took a deep breath that smelled like damp wood and fresh peaches as he rested his head against Tubbo's chest. He could hear the god's heartbeat thumping inside. It was the most wonderful sound to ever bless his ears.

 This was nice. This was good. This was happiness and peace. This was all Tommy ever wanted. To be held and told that he was enough, that he wasn't just a no good mother murdering brat that caused nothing but problems for his family. He just wanted to be loved. He just wanted to be with Tubbo. Was that so much to ask?

 Could he just stay here? Could he stay here and never have to be hungry again? Could he enjoy the music and the merriment and live his life with someone who made everything make sense? Could he just be with Tubbo and be okay ?

 He heard Wilbur shouting something over the music and cheering. Oh, bugger off, Wil. Can't you see I'm trying to dream here? 

 …wait…

 The air shifted slightly, and suddenly Tommy found himself shivering in the cold night breeze. Tubbo traced a finger along the ridge of his spine, slowly and gently, leaving pins and needles as he squeezed the mortal closer to his chest. Tommy could still hear the god's heart beating as Tubbo's ribs pressed against him. 

 It was hard to breathe. He was cold. He wanted to get down. He struggled in Tubbo's arms, but the god just chuckled softly and kissed his head.

 "Tommy...you lied ." Tubbo whispered sweetly.

 "What?" Tommy heard people talking but couldn't make out the words over the thumping of Tubbo's heart. Or was it his own heart that was hammering against his ears and drowning out the music? Was it music? Or was it just noise?

 Noise, noise, thumping and bumping, the screeching of an out of tune fiddle and the clinking of a broken piano filled with rats.

 The lanterns were going out. It was so cold.

 Tubbo set him down carefully and patted him on the head. "You're a little liar, Tommy. You broke your promise and left me. That wasn't very nice of you. Why did you do that?"

 "I-I…" Tommy stammered and took a small step back away from Tubbo, who simply smiled and stepped forward to follow. There was something about the god's face that Tommy didn't understand, something kind and sweet and hungry that made his blood run cold. "I-I'm n-n-not, I just...I just...Wilbur he...I can't...I-I'm sorry...I'm so so sorry, Tubbo, please don't-"

 Tubbo took another step forward and grew several feet taller right before Tommy's eyes, the startling sight of his friend towering overhead causing the boy to fall back onto the damp cobbles. Tommy tried in vain to back away from the god only to be plucked up by a single clawed hand that lifted him high off the ground and into the starless sky above.

 "TUBBO!" He screamed while banging his fists uselessly against the god's hand. "Tubbo, please don't, I'm really sorry! I didn't mean to, I really really didn't, please please please don't!"

 Tubbo's face took up the entirety of Tommy's vision. His eyes were the size of the moon and his mouth a mile wide stretch of glistening white teeth that caused tears to spill from Tommy's eyes as he continued to struggle helplessly in the god's all too gentle grasp.

 Tubbo was always so gentle with him, always so kind and so caring as to not hurt him. Why did Tommy think he wouldn't be upset with him? He broke their promise. He betrayed Tubbo's trust and now he needed to pay the price for being such an awful, horrible friend.

 A finger brushed against his cheek and wiped away a fat tear as Tubbo hummed softly, causing the earth below to tremble beneath his house sized hooves.

 "Oh, little lamb...so small, so sweet. So very, very stupid." Tubbo sing-songed merrily as he fiddled with the boy's hair and poked at his chest and belly. "Such a fattened, spoiled, ungrateful little brat. I gave you everything. A home, a place to sleep, plenty of food and all of my love. I gave you everything I had. I gave you my heart and my trust, and what did you do?" Tommy sobbed and screwed his eyes shut to avoid Tubbo's gaze. That seemed to displease the god, who frowned and forced Tommy's chin up with a pointed nail that threatened to puncture the mortal's soft, vulnerable flesh. Tubbo growled and sent a gust of hot air washing over the boy. "What. Did. You. Do? Look at me. Look me in the eyes and tell me what you did."

 Tommy pried his eyes open and sucked in a tiny bit of air. Tubbo's eyes burned him with their intensity as he stared into the inky, swirling darkness behind their glossy glow. Hungry. Those were hungry eyes. Tubbo was hungry.

 He sobbed. "I-I…"

 "Go on...you can say it, can't you baby? So good...so good. So stupid and useless and disgusting. You can't do a damn thing right and this just proves it." Tubbo's voice was silky and honeyed despite how much bitterness his words held.

 Tommy hiccuped. "I...I l-l-lied...I lied and broke our promise...I broke my promise and betrayed you."

 It was so cold and so dark. Everything was gone. The music, the lanterns, the warmth and cheer. There was just Tubbo. Tubbo and his toothy smile as he lifted the crying child even higher into the darkness and dangled him above his mouth.

 "Good boy...at least you can be honest and not lie to me when you've been bad. A bit late for honesty, though. A bit late for you...but don't be sad, my little sunflower. You can still be good." Tommy could make out the blurred movement of Tubbo opening his mouth beneath him. There were teeth and red and movement inside. Pulsing, wiggling movement that made Tommy go limp with fear. 

 It was warm. Tommy didn't want to be cold anymore.

 When Tubbo spoke next it was from inside Tommy's head. The god's voice was as kind and warm as ever, like a friendly hug after a long day spent in the garden, and somehow Tommy didn't know if that made being lowered into his friend's gaping maw better or worse.

 "You thought I was going to eat you when we first met." Tubbo said softly from inside Tommy's pounding skull. "Perhaps it would've been better if I had. Then this wouldn't hurt so badly, would it, Tommy…? Tommy. Tommy. Tommy. Tommy. Tommy."

 It hurt so much worse. It hurt because he knew he deserved it. It hurt because it was Tubbo.

~~~

  "TOMMY!"

 Tommy woke up with a start, his body drenched with sweat and his heart racing as he shot up and nearly fell off the bed and onto the floor. He gripped the scratchy blankets and gasped for air in a desperate attempt to sooth his racing heart as blurred images of dark eyes and red flesh flashed through his mind.

  Teeth. Tubbo's teeth. Red. Red tongue. Hurt. Hurt. Hurt hurt. It hurt. It hurt and it was Tubbo.

  He took another breath and shuttered. His eyes darted around the room and took it all in. He could see the gray light of early morning coming in from the window to his right, the barred window that he couldn't escape from no matter how much he pulled and scratched at it while he cried and pleaded under his breath. He could see little markings littering the wooden rods that filled the square frame where he'd clawed like a trapped beast locked in a cage.

 He felt his fingertips and chest ache at the memory of last night.

 "TOMMY! Tommy, wake up! We need to go and take you to see Mr.Ponk." Wilbur's voice came through the door and grabbed Tommy's attention. 

 He stared at the door for a moment before getting out of bed and steadily rising up on his still trembling legs. He was still wearing the clothes Tubbo had given him, though they were now dirtied by sweat and dust and hugged his body a bit too snuggly as he stepped forward towards the door.

  Teeth. Cold and warmth. Tubbo getting angry and hurting me for being bad.

  Tubbo was never going to forgive him. Tommy wouldn't be surprised if that dream was actually a prophetic vision sent by the gods to warn him of his inevitable fate. He wasn't sure if there was much point in trying to avoid it. 

 The gods always got their way eventually, after all.

 Tommy shook his head and reached to open the door, only to find it locked. Right. Wilbur locked it last night. He was trapped. Wilbur seemed to have forgotten that little detail if the way he banged on the door like he was trying to bring it down was anything to go off of.

 "TOMMY SOOT MINECRAFT, OPEN THE DOOR THIS INSTANT!" Wilbur shouted in the usual demanding tone that he reserved specifically for his misbehaving brother.

 Tommy sighed and slumped in premature defeat. "You locked the door last night, Wil!" He yelled hoarsely with what little strength he could muster. "Do you have the key still? Or am I trapped here forever?"

 There was a small pause before Tommy heard the sounds of shuffling feet heading away down the hall. He heard a door open and close before opening again, followed by the sounds of hurried footsteps as Wilbur returned. There was another awkward pause as the man muttered under his breath and fiddled with the lock before going "ah-ha" as flinging to door open to greet Tommy with a triumphant smile.

 Wilbur wore a dark fur coat with brown fur trimming on top of his favorite yellow sweater. His crystal spectacles were slightly crooked from rushing to get ready, and he adjusted them as he looked down at the disheveled boy.

 "Sorry about that, Toms!" Wilbur quipped brightly before his smile gradually faded away into a guilty frown while his shoulders sagged. "I'm...I'm also sorry about last night, Tommy. I shouldn't have been so harsh on you after you just got back from...I'm sorry."

 Tommy gave a weak shrug. "Eh, it's fine, Wil. What'd you say about seein' the doc?"

 He yawned and rubbed his eyes, already far too tired to bother fighting with Wilbur. Maybe he could convince the man to let him go back to the forest and get the whole "Tubbo being really fucking pissed and finally eating him" thing over with if he was good and didn't cause Wilbur any trouble. Not that he particularly wanted to get eaten by Tubbo, but well it was always better not to delay the inevitable, wasn't it?

 Wilbur coughed into his hand and nodded. "Mhm, right. I wanna take you by Mr.Ponk and have him take a little look at you to see if you're under a spell or anything that's messing with your memory. He'll probably ask you a bunch of questions, poke ya with a few needles, maybe bust out the leeches if he thinks you've been fed a potion or something to that effect. Y'know. The usual."

 Tommy shuttered. Mr.Ponk was the village's wiseman, a sort of doctor that knew about herbal remedies and spells that could make a person go all bonkers and do stuff that they normally wouldn't. He supposedly knew about all manner of curses, enchantments, possessions or mind control and how to break them, but Tommy always found himself leaving the man's house with a handful of bite marks and a little less blood.

 Tommy wasn't the biggest fan of Mr.Ponk. Wilbur seemed to love the kooky bastard, though, so he really didn't have a choice in the matter and just sighed and nodded in solemn defeat as he joined his brother out in the hall.

 He shut the door quietly behind him when he heard loud snores coming from a room a little ways down the corridor. "Are Father and Mister Technoblade asleep?"

 Wilbur nodded. "Mhm. They passed out after you went to bed. Come on, can't be late."

 Tommy moved to follow his brother but stopped when a quiet voice spoke from the room next to his. A head popped out, and Tommy smiled slightly when he was met with a pair of pale, bluish-green eyes belonging to a freshly woken Ranboo.

 "Hello. Are you guys going somewhere?" The boy questioned softly while letting out a yawn and rubbing his eye. 

 Tommy nodded. "Yup! Wil's takin' me to see the doc to make sure I'm not possessed or some shit. Gonna get leeched I reckon."

 Ranboo quirked a brow and tilted his head. "Leeched?" He echoed.

 "Yeah! Gonna get my blood sucked and get all the poison out."

 "Y-you're poisoned ?!" Ranboo went wide-eyed with fear. "When did that happen? Are you okay? Are you gonna die ? Don't die, please. You're really great. You're literally the best person I know, Tommy. You're so nice and brave and cool and pret-"

 Tommy yelped as he was suddenly yanked away from the rambling boy by Wilbur, who waved a dismissive hand and began marching towards the front door with a pep in his step and a smile on his face. "AHAHA, welp , that's enough ideal chit-chat, I'm afraid! Gotta get Tommy to Ponk's before lunch! See you later, Randy!"

 Ranboo seemed taken aback and blinked. "It...it's Ranboo, sir...Ranboo...my name's Ranboo…"

 "Right, right, Randle, gotcha. ANYWAY, toodles!" With that Wilbur threw open the door and pulled Tommy along with him, leaving an absolutely confused Ranboo behind and leaving Tommy in a similar state of bewilderment.

Wilbur muttered something under his breath that sounded vaguely like "little punk ass temptor messing with Tommy." Maybe he was just imagining that, though. 

 Tommy sighed.

 It was going to be a long day.

~~~

  "I think that went well!" Wilbur remarked happily as he and Tommy stepped out from Mr.Ponk's house back into the bustling brightness of Oakburrow. Tommy slumped against his brother and groaned from the dizziness.

 Leeches. So, so many leeches. Mr.Ponk decided the best solution to his problems was to "suck the extra chub off and eat less mutton for about a week" and then broke out the slimy little cunts. Tommy felt sore in several places and could hardly stand straight. Stupid leeches. Stupid, horrible little leeches.

 "You were a real champ in there, Tommy! I'm very proud of you." Wilbur clapped him on the back and seemed startled when the force almost sent him face first into the muddy gravel. He grabbed Tommy by the shoulder and gave him a reassuring squeeze. "There you go, no harm done. Let's go sit down in the shade 'til you're feeling a bit more peppy, huh? C'mon."

 Tommy didn't say a word as he was tugged along the bustling street. Everything went by in a blur eerily reminiscent of his dream. Fuzzy faces, smudged figures passing by, lights and noise that blurred together into a whole bunch of junk.

 He liked the first part of the dream where it was him and Tubbo at the festival. He liked the idea of being able to go around to all the stalls and tables with the god while hanging out like the rest of the village children. Would Tubbo like going to festivals and stuff like that? Or were they too boring for a god of his stature? He knew Tubbo couldn't leave his forest for long before he started to die but not really die, it was more like a temporary death thing. Could Tubbo leave long enough to dance with Tommy? That would be fun. He'd never seen Tubbo dance before. Did he have two left hooves or was he a natural at it?

  Alone. Dark. Cold. Hurt.

  He shuddered and dismissed the thought as soon as it came. Who was he trying to fool? Himself? Tubbo hated him now. Tubbo would probably crush him the second he saw him back in the forest. Either that or he'd eat him like he should've done when Tommy first ran away and caused so much trouble for his family.

 He always caused trouble.

 Wilbur pulled him down onto a shady bench a little ways from the market and sat beside him. Tommy groaned and rested his head against the brunette's shoulder, which caused Wilbur to laugh softly and wrap his arm around the tired boy.

 "You'll be fine, Toms." He whispered assuredly. "A little leeching never killed anybody...probably." 

 Tommy made a sound at that.

 An hour or so passed. Wilbur filled the silence between the two with ideal chatter that fell deaf against the boy's ears. Tommy found himself drifting in and out of consciousness and struggled to stay awake. He was so tired and so hungry from having nothing for breakfast.

  "What if the doctor needs to do something but you're too stuffed for him to do it, Tommy? What then? C'mon, you'll be fine."

  Tommy was not fine. He was hungry and wanted to go back to whatever home had actual fucking food that didn't involve stale bread or gross pig guys with horrible table manners. He wanted to sleep in a bed that wasn't scratchy and lumpy like a pile of stones stuffed in a leather satchel. He wanted to be cared for when he was sick and not be dragged off to weird guys with an odd affinity for leeches.

 He wanted Tubbo, but Tubbo probably hated him. Being hated by Tubbo was better than being hungry and dizzy. It was better than leeches.

 It was also better than listening to Wilbur go on and on and on and on nonstop, which was what he was doing right now. Talking. Constantly. Nonstop. Talking and talking and talking. Endless, ceaseless talking.

 "...and y'know I was thinking that maybe we could get you a hobby! Maybe you can pick up an instrument or something to keep you occupied. I've got my guitar. I'll let you try it sometime, if you like." Wilbur shot Tommy a grin and patted the boy's shoulder. "C'mon, let's go get something to eat at the market. I'm betting there's a sale of honey bread."

 Tommy perked up slightly at that, his head clearing enough for him to sit straight with his eyes wide with excitement. Wilbur laughed and helped Tommy to his feet.

 "You and your bread…" Wilbur sighed fondly.

~~~

 Tommy had never run so fast in his life. 

 He'd managed to slip away and lose Wilbur in the crowded market, and he knew he wouldn't have much time before the older man realized he was gone and started to tear up Oakburrow looking for him. So he ran, faster and faster through the streets and allies as quickly as his legs would go. He passed by shops and homes and barrels filled with ale and mead, further towards the little stone bridge that led out over the river and into the woods.

 "Tubbo!" He called out for the god once he was away from the last ramshackle home and darting over the bridge. "Tubbo! Tubbo, I'm here! I'm here…"

 His whole body ached by the time he reached the first tree and slumped limply against its trunk. The bark felt cold as stone against his shoulder as he paused to catch his breath. 

 The air was cold. It wasn't hot and filled with moisture like usual but was instead heavy with a bone deep chill that caused Tommy to shutter. It was quiet in the forest. The birds weren't singing, the squirrels weren't chattering away while the wind rustled the leaves.

 It was just... empty . A forest without noise or warmth, without growth or life that was now just a bunch of trees sitting still and silent in deep shadow.

 Tommy's heart dropped.

 "Tubbo?" He called softly while stepping into the darkness cast by the canopy above. 

 Beneath his feet the ground felt spongy and soft like wet meat covered in thick veins of wooden roots and dead vines. There was a smell in the air, a dusty, damp smell that was a mixture of mold and rot that clung to the carcasses of fall trees left to decay in the far reaches of the world. A faint breeze rattled the boney branches and made Tommy pull his cloak's hood over his head as he carried on deeper into the woods.

 He cupped a hand over his mouth and called once again. "Tubbo! Tubbo, I'm back! I'm so sorry that I couldn't keep my promise, I just couldn't get away sooner! Please don't hate me too much…"

 Up in a nearby tree was a large crow with sleek feathers and beady eyes. It cawed out into the humming silence of the forest and tilted its head down at the boy, who stared up at it with a frown.

 Crows. Carrion birds that fed on death.

  "Ah!" Tubbo yelped as he accidently cut his finger with the blade of the knife he was using to chop tonight's meal. The god grabbed his injured hand and pouted at the thin trickle of silver blood leaking from the tiny wound while letting out a little whine. "Oh, nooo. Not again…"

 Tommy was quick to hop up from his seat to grab the rolls of bandages resting on a nearby table. "Oh, bother. C'mere ya big softie."

 Tubbo did as the mortal asked and kneeled down to offer Tommy his finger. The boy hurried over and used a damp cloth big enough to be worn as a cape to begin cleaning the god's wound.

 Tommy tutted and shook his head as if dealing with a clumsy child and not an adolescent deity. "Aren't you gods supposed to be invincible or something?" He asked while wrapping up Tubbo's finger. "How the hell does a little knife hurt you?"

 Tubbo nodded. "Yeah, we are. We're totally immune to anything mortals can use to hurt each other. Swords, spears, hammers, axes, all that stuff doesn't hurt us at all. But stuff made by other gods can! My uncle made the set that knife belongs to, so that's why they can cut me. They're really sharp."

 Tommy hummed and raised his brow at that. He gave a sharp tug to test the strength of the bandages and deemed them tight enough to tear near the end. "Really? Does that mean if I grabbed one of them and stabbed you in the chest you'd die?"

 "Uhhhh, maybe?" Tubbo offered unsurely. Tommy shot him a look as he finished up on the bandage. "My uncle says that only a god can kill another god. So I dunno, actually. Maybe it wouldn't work since you're a mortal?"

 Tommy shrugged while gently patting the now properly bandaged finger. "Mm. Makes sense. Besides, you're probably too strong to get killed by a little ol' knife, eh? Big old toughie, you. Always needing me to patch you up and kiss your boo-boos. Truly, you are the Lord of the Western Woods. All hail the mighty Tubbo. Mighty, great and terrible he be."

 That earned him a low chuckle that he felt in his bones. Tubbo sighed with ears drooped and his tail wagging lazily as he gave a dopey grin. "Aah, oh you."

 Tommy grinned and glanced up at the god before lowering his lips to the soft fabric of the bandage.

 "Pain, pain, go away." He sang softly while applying a few more gentle pecks to Tubbo's hand. He felt Tubbo's arm go limp and looked up to see bursts of periwinkle, azure and rose blooming in the god's eyes, which stared vacantly down at him as Tubbo let out another sigh.

 Gods, he was platonically in love with an idiot.

  The crow squawked once more before flying away into the trees and the sky beyond.

 Tommy shivered. He knew that Tubbo could affect the forest based on how he was feeling. When he was happy the flowers bloomed and the birds sang with equal cheer, when he was sad the grass wilted and the branches drooped, and when he was angry Tommy would have to spend several hours chopping away at the thorny vines and brambles that would suffocate the garden while the god sat nearby and offered an apologetic smile.

 But this? This rot? This gray, mold scented decay and eerie, deafening silence? This was wrong .

 "Tubbo, please…" Tommy strained his voice as he searched for his friend. "Please...please be okay...I need you to be okay…"

 He stepped over a large root and stumbled further and further, calling out every few moments in hopes that Tubbo would answer.

 "Tubbo? Tubbo!"

 Silence.

 "Tubbo, please , this isn't funny! I'm back!"

 More silence. He passed by a small creek that filled with oily water that seemed to stick to his boots when he stepped in it.

 "Tubs?"

 "Tubso!"

 "Tubster!"

 "...Tubby? No? Still not a fan? Okay…gonna call you that outta spite once I find you. Asshole..."

 "Bo!"

 "Bo-Bo!"

 "Bo-Bro…!"

 "...Tubbo…"

 He passed by logs filled with maggots, bushes covered in black welts and white fuzz, trees that seemed to grasp the air in bone white claws as if reaching for that which they'd lost.

 "Tubbo...is this your way of being angry about the promise?" Tommy's voice broke as the tears began to fall. "I-I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry that I was a bad friend and didn't come back in time. It's okay if you're angry and hate me and wanna eat me or whatever. I just...I need to know that you're okay...please…please be okay…"

  You left. You left and now he's gone. This is your fault.

  Tommy hiccuped and stumbled a few feet further before collapsing into the mud and grime. The cold sank into his bones and seeped into his heart, the frosty chill of death filling his lungs as the earth seemed to pull him down into its embrace.

 Tubbo was gone. Tubbo was gone and it was his fault for leaving. He was a terrible friend, and now Tubbo was-

 "...ommy...please…"

 Tommy shot up and was running before he could even blink.

 "TUBBO! TUBBO I'M HERE, I'M HERE, I'M SO FUCKING SORRY I PROMISE I DIDN'T MEAN TO LIE!" Tommy ran towards the faint whisper of the god's voice, which grew clearer the closer he got.

 "Tommy…" Tubbo said with such frail vulnerability that the boy felt his heart snap like a twig at the broken sound. "Tommy...Tommy, please...I can't...I can't get to you...I'm too scared. I'm just a coward…"

 There was something in front of Tommy. Something big that laid beneath a giant tree trunk. It was a lump of roots and vines shaped like a butterfly's cocoon, though there were holes and openings all over that allowed him to see the darkness it held within. Some of the roots reached down and plunged into the ground surrounding the lump-thing, and maybe it was just a trick of the light or the leeches, but Tommy swore some of them were moving.

 He skidded to a halt in front of the tangled mass and panted with his hands on his knees as he stopped to catch his breath. He could hear Tubbo talking from inside the wooden chrysalis in that same tiny, broken tone that tore his heart to shreds.

 "I failed you…" The god whispered as his voice pitched. "I let you go and now you're gone forever. All because I'm too much of a coward to go and save you. I'm sorry, Tommy. I'm so so sorry…"

 Tommy took a cautious step towards the roots and placed a hand against one of the wooden tendrils. It seemed to react to his touch by twitching slightly, and from inside came an animalistic growl.

 " Go. Away. "

 Tommy reared back but didn't move his hand. "T-Tu-"

 "I said leave ." One of the roots slithered across the rest like a snake. It rose up and pointed down at the mortal, who paled at the sight of its sharpened tip. 

Tubbo hissed and spoke with bitterness and venom lacing every word. "I want you to go away and leave me alone . I don't care if you're a priest or pilgrim or a fucking lumberjack here to chop everything down. I want you to go away and never come back."

 The root lunged forward towards the boy in a flash of mottled green, and Tommy instinctively covered his face with his arms in a laughably useless attempt to guard himself from his impending demise.

 "TUBBO!" Tommy shrilled.

  He knew that Tubbo was going to kill him. He knew that Tubbo hated him and wanted to hurt him for being a bad friend. He knew that he deserved it for being so terrible and selfish as to ask for so much from the god and then toss it all away and break his promise.

 He knew he deserved it. But he still didn't want to die from the person he loved more than words could tell.

 The root screeched to a sudden stop mere inches away from the cowering mortal.

 "...Tommy?"

 Tommy turned and practically threw himself into the nearest crack in the roots he could find. "Tubbo! Tubbo, it's me! It's Tommy!"

 The inside of the cocoon was dark, and the only light in the confined space came through the cracks and holes formed by the tangle roots, and though it took a moment for his eyes to adjust, it wasn't long before Tommy could see two eyes staring back at him mere inches from where he stood.

  Tubbo's eyes had lost their violet luster and were now empty black orbs filled with loneliness and sorrow. His fur was a shade of white the color of bleached bones and was covered in dirt and muck that stained it a filthy blackish color where his side sank into the mud on which he lay. His cloak had turned a deep blue that was almost as dark as his eyes, which stared vacantly at Tommy who stood lingering in the crack of light that shone on the defeated god's emotionless face.

 He was like a felled tree that had been left to rot, and the sight caused Tommy's heart to splinter inside of his ribs.

 Tubbo spoke in a hushed, trembling whisper as one of his dirtied hands clenched. "You're not real. You're dead ."

 Tommy just about broke at that. He took a step towards the god and reached out to hug his face to the best of his ability. Tubbo didn't react at all when Tommy rested his head against the bridge of his nose, nor when he patted the god's cheek in the hope it would break through to him.

  Oh, sweet love. How did this happen to you? I'm so sorry for not getting back sooner. 

 "I'm real. I'm alive. I'm here." Tommy whispered gently. The ground next to him sank beneath the force of Tubbo's hand as it slid closer and covered the mortal in a blanket of chilled warmth. Tubbo was so cold.

 "I'll always be here, Tubbo. Always and forever."

 There was a pause, a brief moment of pure, unrelenting silence that seemed to stretch into an eon before Tubbo finally moved. Tommy stepped back and watched as the god lifted his head to look down at him with those glossy orbs of midnight that held only emptiness behind them. 

 Tubbo blinked once. His eyes lit up with a vibrant shade of purple the likes of which Tommy had ever seen, and the next thing he knew he was being pulled into a hug that smelled of peaches and summer sunsets.

♡--Tubbo--♡

  "You're okay!" Tubbo sobbed as he held Tommy as tightly yet carefully as he could. "You're okay! You're okay, you're okay, you're okay!"

 He repeated that same phrase over and over as the roots surrounding him untangled and allowed the gray light out of the outside world to floor his vision. In an instant the ground beneath him was a wash with rich greens and vibrant blooms that spread like wildfire over the muddy earth. Sprigs of grass and bundles of buttercups soon blanketed the forest floor in its entirety, and up above came the return of birdsong as the trees regained their emerald leaves and flowering vines that woven tightly around their trunks and branches.

 The air was filled with wind and life once more as they god shot up to his full height. His lamb, his sunflower, his most precious beloved was home! Tommy was home and everything was good again.

 Tubbo laughed giddily and lifted the mortal high above his head while smiling from ear to once more chestnut colored ear. "Tommy! Tommy, you're okay! Oh, my lamb, I was so worried about you! I thought I lost you forever. Are you hurt?" His smile dropped away in an instant, and he quickly lowered Tommy back down near his chest to start examining him for signs of injury.

 Anything could've happened to him while he was gone! Any number of horrific, cruel, unspeakable acts could have been committed against Tommy and Tubbo wasn't there to save him! What if he was hurt? What if he was bruised or beaten or battered by some filthy little brute? What if he had broken a bone and couldn't walk anymore? What if he was poisoned? What if someone snuck a dreadful concoction into his dinner and Tubbo only had mere seconds to save his precious lamb before it reached his fluttering little heart? Flutter, flutter, like a little butterfly in a forest meadow.

 His Tommy, his sweet little butterfly that went this way and that way as he pranced about the woods without a care in the world. So gentle, so sweet and so kind, so innocent and frail against the cruelty of the outside that dared to try and separate them.

 Someone was going to pay for such insolence. 

 Tubbo used a single finger to try and lift Tommy's dirtied shirt(poor thing must've been pushed into some muck) but was quickly stopped when the boy began writhing in the palm of his hand. He swatted at Tubbo's finger and kicked his legs until the god pulled his hand away and tilted his head.

 "Tommy? What's wrong, dear? I need to check if you're hurt…" Tubbo felt the color drain from his fur as Tommy sat up straight and shook his head.

 "I'm fine, Tubbo!" The boy smiled assuredly and dusted himself off, successfully getting his arms muddied in the process. Tubbo frowned doubtfully. "I just need a sec, yeah? I'm a bit overwhelmed. Can you sit and put me down, please?"

 Tubbo did as he was asked and obediently sank to his knees. A dozen fresh blooms sprouted up from where his fur met the grass, with bundles of marigolds bursting from the earth and hugging against the god's legs alongside swarms of yellow roses and tiny sunflowers the size of a wolf's eye. Tubbo carefully set Tommy down in front of him and rested his hands on his lap as he waited patiently for his beloved to collect himself.

  He's okay, he's okay, he's okay, he's okay. His tail wagged excitedly behind him at the realization that Tommy was okay , that he was alive and back where he was safe and loved and cherished. He wasn't locked away in a dungeon filled with instruments of torture or starving in a cold, damp ally filled with rats and cockroaches. Tommy was here , in the forest with Tubbo, and now everything was going to be okay again!

 Tommy cleared his throat after a moment and smiled up at the ecstatic god. He had to crane his neck to meet Tubbo's gaze, a posture so wonderfully similar to that of a sunflower following the sun across the sky that Tubbo nearly melted at such an adorable comparison. His sunflower was home, he was safe and sound and-

 "I thought you were dead for a second there, Tubbo." Tubbo flinched at how blunt Tommy sounded saying that. Tommy beckoned with one hand, and Tubbo quickly obliged him by offering a finger to the boy, who hugged the large digit tightly as he continued. "I really, truly thought you were gone forever and that I was never gonna see you again, Tubs. Don't ever do that to me again, alright? How'd you even end up like that in the first place?"

 Tubbo froze. "Um…"

  "Tommy?" Tubbo called into the encroaching nightfall as he stood near the treeline and gazed out towards Oakburrow. 

 The village was blanketed in shadow as the last embers of daylight began to dwindle. From where he stood he could see lights going out in windows as the villagers began to turn in for the night, and the constant chatter of the settlement had quieted down to a low mumble as people went to go home and get some shut eye. Up above the sky was a faded blue that melted into a purplish-black that was speckled with stars that shone dimly in the remaining light of the dying sun.

 It was sundown. Tommy wasn't here.

 Tubbo shivered. "Tommy? Tommy, where...where are you…?" His voice wavered and was swallowed by the silence surrounding him. The forest had settled for the night, the birds nestled and the insects having long since ceased their nightly symphony. 

 It was time for bed. It was time to go home and get settled for a good night's rest before the next day. It was sundown and Tommy wasn't here .

 "Tommy…" Tubbo felt his body run cold as a deep dread stirred inside him. His chest clenched and his ribs ached while his hands trembled. "T-Tommy, please, I can't…"

  Save him. His mind offered. Don't be a coward. 

  Tubbo took a trembling step towards the trees that hugged the forest's edge. His stomach continued to churn with fear and anxiety as he reached out towards the world beyond the woods. 

 He'd be fine, right? He could just go out, grab Tommy, then hurry on back to the forest without any trouble. He wouldn't die right away. Uncle Schlatt said that it took a few days before a forest deity started to decay when leaving the boundaries of their domain. He said the whole reason he made those pendants was so he could visit his family and keep them safe in case they needed to leave and that he was still working on making one for Tubbo.

 "They're real hard to make, those pendants." He'd said once when Tubbo asked why he didn't have one like him or Lani. "Takes some mighty rare and powerful materials to craft one, not to mention the spell work and craftsmanship involved. It took me a few thousand years to make mine! Lani's took a bit longer 'cause I couldn't find any demon blood or angel feathers. Angels. Stingy fuckers, I tell ya. I'll let you know when yours is ready, Tubs."

  He'd be fine. He didn't need the pendant to go save Tommy. It wouldn't even take long, probably only a few minutes, at most.

  But what if… Tubbo pulled his hand back and clenched it into a fist near his chest. What if I'm...what if I...I don't...I don't want…

  He could die. He could die the second he stepped out of the forest and fall apart right then and there. What if he wasn't old enough? What if he was still so young and weak that taking one little step outside would kill him instantly?

  Coward… His mind whispered darkly as he backed away into the safety of the forest while his breath hitched and his heart raced. You're a useless coward that's too scared to go and save him. He's probably dead by now and it's all your fault. You never should've let him go. You promised to protect him, to hold him close and never let him come to harm. You failed him.

  "I-I…" The earth below his hooves morphed into a writhing nest of roots and thorny tangles that slithered beneath Tubbo as he gripped the sides of his head and forced his eyes shut.

  Coward. Coward. Coward. Can't break a silly little promise you made to your dear old uncle and now Tommy's going to die and it's all your fault.

  The thorns spread over the forest floor and left a trail of rot wherever they went. Tubbo stepped further and deeper into the growing shadows and gasped for air as the first tears began to fall from his darkening eyes. His back hit a tree. He sobbed and fell to the muddy ground.

  He's dead and it's your fault for being such a useless, good for nothing, lazy little coward.

  "N-no, I'm n-" Tubbo curled in on himself and bit back another sob threatening to bubble up from his chest. "I'm not...I'm n-not, I just-"

  Failure, failure, failure, failure. Stupid little Tubbo, falling apart without Tommy, all because you can't suck it up and save him.

  The sun set. Darkness swallowed his eyes. He screamed, and a fracturing web of roots burst from the earth as he let the shadows consume him, just like how the rot consumed his sacred forest.

 His sunflower was gone. He was dead and it was all his fault. 

 He failed.

  Tubbo swallowed and smiled awkwardly down at Tommy. "I...uh...got a bit freaked out when you didn't come back...and peckish...freaked out and peckish..."

 Tommy crossed his arms over his chest and looked thoroughly unconvinced. "Mhm. Really?"

 Tubbo gave a small shrug. "I don't do well with stress?" He tried hopefully.

 He slumped when Tommy sighed and shook his head. "Idiot." The boy mumbled while walking forward to lean against the god's knee. "You are an absolute idiot and I love you very much. But seriously. What the fuck."

 Tubbo whimpered and pouted. Tommy sighed while combing his finger through the pale brown fur coating the god's leg and shook his head.

 "I'm just glad you're okay." He whispered softly with his cheek resting against Tubbo's leg. "I thought I lost you forever."

 "Yeah." Tubbo breathed. "Me too."

 "Thought you were dead, Tubs."

 "I know. I thought you were, too. I'm sorry…"

 "I know. I'm sorry, too."

 "I love you."

 "I know. I love you, too."

 They stayed like that for a few minutes, with Tommy hugging tightly against Tubbo's knee while the god cupped a protective hand over him and traced a finger along his spine. The forest was back to normal, the plants and animals going about their days as if nothing had happened.

A few songs birds fluttered by and perched on his horns. Part of him was tempted to eat a couple, but then again he'd had plenty to eat the day before, so he was fine for the time being. He had Tommy. Everything was fine.

  Sweet lamb, finally home where you belong. Who tried to keep you from me? Who dared?

  His hand twitched. Tommy looked up and tilted his head while letting out a drowsy yawn. "What's up?"

 "Why didn't you come back sooner?" Tubbo asked in a low, dangerous growl. "Who tried to keep you from me?"

 Tommy paled, and Tubbo furrowed his brow in confusion as the boy pushed away and stumbled back away from his hand. Why did Tommy look so scared? Was it something he said? Was it the growl? It was probably the growl.

 "Tommy…? What's wrong?"

 The boy trembled like a frightened deer, his diamond blue eyes wide and fearful as he stared up at the god. His breath hitched, his chest heaved, and for a moment Tubbo was genuinely worried something had happened to cause the boy to revert back to how terrified he'd been when they first met. Poor thing had been so scared and cold back then, and Tubbo still couldn't get over the fact that Tommy legitimately believed that he was going to eat him for a whole three weeks after he brought him back home to his cottage! Tubbo would never do such a thing! Not to Tommy, at least. Anyone else who dared to harm his lamb was absolutely on the table.

  Who hurt you? Who do I need to devour? Who needs to die?

  "Tommy?" Tubbo repeated the boy's name in the hope of getting through to him. "Tommy, please, speak to me. I'm sorry I growled. I didn't mean to scare you, sweetheart."

 Tommy seemed to come back to himself and blinked a couple times before shaking his head and shuttering. "I-I'm fine. I'm fine. Sorry, I just...had a bad dream...but I'm fine now! Really!" He gave a wobbly grin that left Tubbo even more concerned than before as Tommy cleared his throat to explain.

 "I didn't mean to break my promise, Tubbo." He began, and oh if the guilt and sincerity in his voice didn't melt the god's heart like ice beneath a desert sun. "I just got all wrapped up in stuff with my family and couldn't get away until now. Wilbur's probably looking for me right about now, actually. He's the one who sorta trapped me for a bit b-but don't get angry at him, please, he's not a wrongin', he's just worried about me alot!"

 There was a stressed lith to Tommy's words as he rushed to sooth Tubbo's growing outrage. Tubbo snarled, his fingers leaving shallow trenches in the moss and flowers as he dragged them over the earth on either side of where Tommy stood. His eyes pulsed a deep, brooding crimson.

 "He. What ?" Tubbo hissed as his horns stretched and curled forward, causing the birds sitting on them to flutter away in a rushed panic. "He fucking what ?"

 Tommy shrank down and began sweating profusely. "H-he just-he was real worried about me, Tubs! He didn't mean anything bad by it, I promise! He said sorry and got me checked out at a doctor to make sure I'm not sick or anything. Wilby is good!"

  Wilby. Wilby. Wilby. Little lamb likes Wilby. Don't eat Wilby. Just glare at Wilby until he stops being horrible. Tubbo's chest heaved as he sucked in a heavy breath. If his sunflower really liked this Wilby Wilbur brother person so much then he supposed he had no choice but to tolerate his continued existence. Not that he was too pleased about it.

 "Why did Wilby take you to a doctor?" He asked carefully, taking the utmost caution not to frighten Tommy further.

 Tommy's reply completely threw any of that shit out the window and into the storm. "Oh! H-he wanted to make sure I wasn't possessed or under a spell or something like that. It was alright. Got leeched a bit but y'know me. Big Man. I toughed it out alright."

  WILBY IS GOING TO DIE. WILBY IS GOING TO SUFFER AND PAY AND BLEED AND FUCK OFF STRAIGHT TO HELL- Tubbo rose to his full height in swift movement that sent Tommy into a panic as the satyr began on his warpath towards Oakburrow. Tubbo hardly acknowledged the fretting blonde scampering after him, other than occasionally nudging him to the side with a single hoof when he got too close.

 Tommy latched onto his ankle and clung there like a little tick. "TUBBO, NO! NO NO NO NONONONONO NO ! YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GO DO WHATEVER IT IS I THINK YOU'RE DOING. FUCKING STOP WALKING AND LISTEN TO ME!"

 Tubbo reluctantly listened and stopped mid step. He lifted the leg that Tommy was hugged against and scowled down at the panting boy, who looked ready for a nice long nap. "What?"

 Tommy gasped softly and lifted his head. "D...don't...don't h...hurt...don't hurt Wil...please…"

 "But he hurt you!" Tubbo whispered fiercely as he clenched his fists and fumed. "He trapped you. He tried to keep you from me. He took you to some freak that used leeches to suck your blood ! Why do you care about him?!"

 The blonde's reply was weak yet determined. "Because he's my brother, Tubbo. He's my big brother and I love him very very much, even though he's also a massive arse and a real dickhead sometimes."

 "...so you love him even though he's hurt you?" Tubbo lowered his leg down and allowed Tommy to remain hugged against it as the boy continued to catch his breath.

 Tommy nodded. "Yes."

 "So you'd be upset if I ate him…?"

 "Uh. Yes. I would. I would be very very upset, actually, now that I think about it. I'd probably cry a lot and be terribly sad and go hide in a hole someplace and ignore you for a very long time."

 "...really…?"

 " Tubbo. "

 "Sorry, sorry. Just checking." Tubbo felt his anger ebb away as he sighed and slumped. Tommy hopped down from his leg and leaned against his ebony hoof.

 "Are you calmed down now?" The boy asked softly. 

 Tubbo thought for a moment before answering with a small, shameful nod. "Yes, Tommy…"

 Tommy smiled and patted his hoof. "Good. You're getting better at that. Calming down, I mean. I'm proud of you."

 That made Tubbo's chest feel warm. He stood there for a while as Tommy remained silent, deep in thought. Tubbo could tell he was sad. Tommy had a sad smile that was nothing like his happy smiles.

 Tubbo wanted Tommy to be happy. 

 "Do you want to go back?" He asked in a bare whisper.

 Tommy gave a tiny nod. "I do. But if you're not ready for me to leave again, I'll stay."

 Tubbo sniffed. "I just want you to be happy...but I'm so scared of losing you. I'm scared of being alone again…"

 Life as a forest deity was simple and lonesome. It meant eons of solitude and decades of silence. Mortals knew better than to linger in a god's sacred wood. Tubbo had never met any other gods besides his uncle and sister, who only journeyed to visit once every few years due to the time, distance and dangers involved in such a quest. 

 They weren't supposed to leave their forests. They weren't supposed to love mortals. Gods were not supposed to love.

 Tubbo was alright with the loneliness and quiet before Tommy came and made his world warm and bright and loud. Now he could hardly go a night without falling apart without his sunflower's company.

 A large tear slid down his cheek and splashed onto the ground. Then another. Then another, and another after that.

 "Tub…" Tubbo hiccuped and lifted Tommy up to his face, allowing the mortal to start giving him the comfort he desperately needed. He needed Tommy. He needed him so badly that it hurt. 

 Tommy placed a soft kiss against the crying god's nose. "Sssh, Tubbo. It's okay. I'm here. I'm here Tubbo. I'm right here. I'll never go again if you aren't ready."

 Tubbo shook his head. "B-but you're not h-happy…! I want to make you happy and let you go to your family because you love them, b-but I'm just so scared of losing you!"

  Please stay, please stay, please stay. I know I'm selfish for trying to have you all to myself, but please, please stay with me. Don't leave me alone again.

  The tears continued to fall, and Tommy continued to whisper sweet comforts to the weeping satyr between feather light kisses. It felt like decades had passed before Tubbo could handle pulling Tommy away from his now reddened face, and even then he still refused to let the boy go.

 Tommy gave a comforting smile that suddenly shifted into a contemplative frown. Tommy was thinking. Why was Tommy thinking? Could they just sign off of thinking and go back home and sleep forever and never have to think about this whole horrible ordeal ever again? That sounded like a good thing to think about. Sleep was good. Forever with Tommy was good. Oh, but Tommy was a mortal so he'd die one day and leave Tubbo alone forever. 

 Tubbo almost started crying again before the blonde spoke.

 "What if you…" Tommy started and then stopped, shook his head, then started again. "How long can you be outside of your forest before doing the dying but not really dying thing, again?"

 Tubbo blinked away a few more tears before answering. "U-um...a week, I think? My uncle says he was out for around seven days before he died…why?"

 Tommy tapped a finger against his chin and nodded slightly to himself as he thought for a moment. "I have an idea. You can shape shift, yeah? Make yourself bigger or smaller like you do all the time?"

 Tubbo gave a confused nod of confirmation. 

 "Can you make yourself really tiny?" Tommy asked. "Like-like as small as me! Little mortal human person size? And maybe get rid of your horns and all that stuff so you don't look like...well…" He waved a hand vaguely towards Tubbo in his entirety. "A big scary goat god that talks about eating people. Can you do that?"

 Tubbo stopped to think for a moment. He'd never tried hiding his horns or tail or anything like that before when he changed his physical form before. He only used that power to fit inside the relatively small space of his cottage and to better interact with Tommy. It was much easier to hold and snuggle the boy when he was around a similar height. He liked to be slightly taller than his lamb, though, simply because being able to carry him wherever he needed to be brought him a sense of immense satisfaction and joy.

 Oh, what he'd give to lay next to his lamb and hold him right now. That sounded much nicer than dealing with all these stupid emotions that made him want to lay down in a mud puddle and cry.

 "I...don't know, actually." Tubbo answered truthfully with a shrug. "I've never tried to make myself look like a mortal before. Why?"

 Tommy chuckled and rubbed his hands together in a motion eerily similar to a scheming racoon. "I have a plan , Tubbo."

 Tubbo gulped.

◇--Tommy--◇

 "Tubs? You almost done?" Tommy called out for the god, who replied with a flustered gasp that came from behind the tree he was standing behind.

 "Tommy, I told you, I don't know if I did this right." Tubbo whimpered. "I-I don't think I can do this."

 Tommy smiled softly and moved away from the trunk he'd been leaning against while waiting for Tubbo. They were at the edge of the forest once more, and out beyond the trees came the bustling sounds of Oakburrow at high noon.

 "Awe, Tubs. C'mon. I know you can figure it out." Tommy walked towards Tubbo's hiding spot and kept his voice gentle and supportive as he assured the god. "You just gotta make yourself a bit smaller than usual and hide your horns 'nd stuff. Don't reckon that's too hard, yeah? If it is, that's fine. I can come up with a new plan."

 It had taken a while to convince Tubbo to agree to his newest scheme, that being the idea that Tubbo could come with him back to Oakburrow while disguised as a regular mortal boy. That way ,instead of introducing his platonic partner as Tubbo, the Satyr Lord of the Western Woods to Wilbur, Tommy could introduce his brother to Tubbo, the Cool Guy He Met In The Market Just Now Today. 

 Tubbo would see that Wilbur was an alright guy that didn't need to be eaten, Wilbur would see that Tommy was okay and not dead, Tommy would have his Tubbo with him at dinner to help make things easier at home, and then once sundown came Tubbo would sneak out from between the bars on his bedroom window and run back to the forest. Nobody had to die, and everything would be cool. All they had to do was rinse and repeat all that until Wilbur was trustworthy enough to meet the real Tubbo and see that Tommy was perfectly alright and well cared for out in the forest. Cut forward to many tearful farewells and promises to visit soon, bada bing bada boom, mission accomplished.

 Now Tommy just needed to get Tubbo out of the forest, which was surprisingly difficult considering it was like trying to argue with a giant grumpy dog that didn't want to go outside.

 "I'm already mortal-looking, dumbass!" Tubbo grumbled without a hint of malice as Tommy got close to the tree. "I'm just...I'm scared…"

 Tommy's smile softened at quiver in the other boy's words. "Of what, honey? Going outside?"

 He could tell Tubbo was nodding. "Yeah...I don't wanna die. I promised my uncle I wouldn't go out until he made me a necklace that could keep me from dying outside…"

 "How long will it take for that to happen?" Tommy asked genuinely while adjusting his now pristine cloak. Good old god magic. 

 Tubbos reply was a mournful sigh. "A few centuries, maybe?"

 Tommy made a sound at that. It wasn't a happy one.

 There was a lapse in conversation for a few moments. Tommy now stood a couple paces away from Tubbo's tree and was waiting patiently for the god to emerge. The forest was back to normal now that he was feeling better. The grow was still gray and moldy in some places, but other than that it was clear that Tubbo's mood was much lighter than it had been an hour or so prior.

  Wilbur's gonna fucking kill me for disappearing for so long. Then Tubbo's gonna fucking kill Wilbur. What the fuck did I get myself into?

 Tommy sighed and brushed a mottled brown moth off from where it had perched on his shoulder. "Well, as long as we're careful and get ya home before a week passes, you should be fine. And if not then I'll figure something out. Just please stop hidin', Tub. I miss your pretty face…"

 That earned him a light giggle. "You think I'm pretty?" Tubbo asked innocently.

 "You are very pretty, Tubbo." Tommy cooed in hopes of luring the god out. "More prettier than all the flowers and treasure in the world. Now get your ass out here before I come back there and grab ya."

 Tubbo laughed and seemed to pause to get to his feet. "Okay, okay. But not judging! If you judge me I'm gonna go hide in a cave and refuse to talk to you for a whole year. I'll do it. You know I will."

 Tommy huffed. "Yeah yeah, I know. You're a big ol' grumpy pants and you're very soft and sensitive. I won't judge you." He crossed his arms and waited for Tubbo to stop grumbling. His vision remained trained on an empty space filled with leaves and branches that grew at about Tubbo's usual height while he tapped his foot.

 It took a solid five seconds of silence before Tubbo spoke.

 "...hello?"

 Tommy's eyes slowly lowered their gaze towards the bottom of the tree, stopping only when they met a pair that were a sharp azure blue.

 Standing across from him with his hand against the trunk was Tubbo. Well, a small boy that looked like Tubbo. He had Tubbo's hair and face, but he had none of the god's more monstrous features. His ears were small and round, his legs short and covered by some trousers and a pair of boots. He had no tail, no horns, no claws or amethyst eyes that glowed in the leafy shade.

 This Tubbo's eyes were blue. Bright, brilliant, glittering blue that was the color of the open sky.

 "Oh my gosh." Tommy clapped a hand over his mouth and gasped. "Oh. My fucking. Gosh."

 Tubbo tilted his head slowly to the side and quirked a brow. "U-Uh, Toms? You good? Do I...do I look okay?"

 When Tommy lowered his hand it was to reveal a dopey grin that stretched from ear to ear. He ran towards Tubbo with his arms open to embrace the boy, whose eyes widened as he was scooped up in a swift, fluid rush of movement.

 "Tiny!" Tommy cried with sheer delight as he spun himself and Tubbo around in a fast twirl. "Tiny Tubs! Tiny Tubs! Oh my gods, Tubbo, you're so fricking cute like this! Why didn't we do this sooner?" He giggled and bounced with glee. 

 Tubbo, meanwhile, was far from amused. A pale hand was smacked against his shoulder as the boy wiggled and struggled in his arms while throwing an absolute fit that only served to amuse Tommy further.

 "Oh my fucking-put me down , you dick !" The god commanded harshly as he kicked his legs and battered Tommy's chest and arms with his free hand. Tommy relented and reluctantly set him down only to immediately start squealing again when he saw just how much he dwarfed the brunette.

 Instead of standing at about the size of a tall oak tree as he normally did, Tubbo instead reached up to about midway past Tommy's chest. He had to look up to meet the blonde's gaze, and Tommy simply couldn't not gush about how precious he looked right now.

 "You're so little, Tubbo! Oh my gosh. Oh my goodness gracious. I know I said to make yourself little, but I didn't think you'd go this tiny!" Tommy reached down to pat the shrunken god's fluffy curls, only to tense as Tubbo grabbed his wrist and gently pushed it away. He pouted.

 Tubbo crossed his arms and glared in an unsurprisingly unintimidating manner when Tommy started up again.

 "Oi! I'll have you know I'm at average height for a mortal around your age." Tubbo jabbed a finger against the blonde's chest. " You , mister, are the freakishly tall one here."

 Tommy shrugged and leaned down to meet the short god's eyes with a cheerful smirk. Tubbo took a little step back and seemed slightly startled by such a gesture, giving Tommy the perfect opportunity to tease.

"Naww, poor little Tub-Tub. All tiny and small next to my glorious self. Oh, how the turns have tabled, Mister Satyr Lord."

 Tubbo went red in the face. "F-fuck you! Asshole! Jerk! Dick! Fuck you!"

 After much more cooing and childish bickering Tommy finally sighed and turned towards the treeline. He gestured for Tubbo to follow, taking great care to give the god an assuring smile as he led him forward. Tubbo lagged behind slightly and fidgeted with his hands while keeping his gaze low towards the ground. He looked scared. He looked small .

 Tommy would probably be scared too if the roles were reversed.

 They reached the treeline, and Tommy hopped up on the small slope that marked the edge of the woods before turning back to face Tubbo. He offered a hand and a kind smile. 

 "Are you ready?" He asked.

 Tubbo chewed on his bottom lip and gave a hesitant nod. "I-I think so…?"

 Tommy softened his expression even further. From where he stood Tubbo simply looked so tiny, so little and frightened of all the terrifying "what ifs" that were likely rattling about his skull. It would be funny, if it weren't such a heartbreakingly sad sight.

 "Tubbo." He said, and the god's eyes snapped up to meet his own. "You don't have to do this if you're not ready. I won't force you to. If you want, we can just go back home and never speak of this again."

 Tubbo shook his head and frowned. "B-but your family…?" He trailed off when Tommy gave a shake of his own.

 "I'll get over them. I'm worried about you right now."

 "But you'll be sad!"

 "I'll be happy again, one day. I'm always happy when I'm with you."

 "You didn't get to say goodbye."

 "Goodbye sometimes hurts worse."

 "I-"

 " Tubbo ."

 How often did gods look down upon the mortal realm? How often did they watch, cold and distant, as the races of earth crawled and fought and destroyed each other in a ceaseless cycle of nonsensical violence and depravity? 

 How often did mortals look up to the gods and pray to be saved? How often did those prayers go unanswered?

 How rarely did a god look up to a mortal boy from a little village near the edge of the world?

 "Do you trust me?" Asked the boy, hand outstretched and waiting.

 The god hesitated only for a second before nodding. "Yes. I trust you."

 "Then come on now, love." The boy smiled a smile that was ever so sweet and infinitely kind. "The world's waiting for you."

 The god took the boy's hand, and with one small tug and an unbreakable trust, he was out of the forest and into the light.

Chapter Text

◇--Tommy--◇

 For a three thousand year old god, Tubbo really didn't know much about the outside world. 

That wasn't a big surprise to Tommy, who'd spent the last five or so minutes pulling the starry-eyed deity along through the busy streets of Oakburrow as they made their way to the market to meet up with Wilbur. If he had to be honest, it was actually rather cute to see the normally passive and relatively calm god turn into a rambling ball of energy that stared with awestruck eyes at every little thing they passed by. Tubbo was like a young child at a festival: childish and bewildered at everything he saw. Carts full of hay, barrels of drink, drunken fools, yapping hounds resting beneath the drooping trees that seemed to slump down in the sweltering heat. All were subjects of immense fascination to Tubbo, who delighted in pointing at anything and everything that caught his eye.

 This had led to a multitude of conversations between the pair over the course of their journey, conversations that Tommy found to be nothing short of delightful, if not also a bit exhausting.

 To be fair, he was dealing with a forest god. Specifically a forest god who hadn't seen anything outside of his woodland domain in his entire life. Some curiosity was to be expected.

 Such precious, innocent, oddly endearing curiosity.

  "Tommy! Tommy, look at that ! Do you see it?!"

 "What, the horse?"

 "Yeah! The horse! It's got stuff on it!"

 "You mean the saddle?"

 "The saddle... wow ...oh, lookit that fella right there! He's gotta funny looking hat...why's he looking at me like that…?"

 "Oh, Tubbo…"

 Sometimes Tubbo's objects of interest happened to be people that didn't take too kindly to being turned into an unwilling subject of the tiny brunette's interest. In such instances(which were frighteningly common, actually) Tommy would be forced to drag his partner away before Tubbo ended up either getting a black eye or a mouthful of broken teeth...or before somebody ended up evoking his divine ire.

 He loved Tubbo. Really, he did. Tommy wouldn't even have the guts to go back to face Wilbur if it weren't for his friend, who, after the initial panic that came with leaving the forest for the first time, had immediately snapped back to his usual bouncy self. It was just a bit exhausting to cope with the whiplash brought about by the day's events. 

 From the leeches to the forest, today had just been a bit too much. And Tubbo wasn't helping, especially not after what happened when they first left the safety of the treeline. You don't just get over the sight of your beloved falling to their knees and crying out as though they've been shot. You simply don't.

  "I-I can't feel it! I can't feel it, I can't feel it, I can't feel it, I can't!" Tubbo shrilled in a wounded cry as he fell to the earth and gripped the sides of his head. Tommy froze mid step and whirled to face the fallen deity, who was clutching his hair and face in a white-knuckled grip as he screamed and howled.

 Tommy dropped next to where the god that was kneeled on the ground, his heart clenching at the sight of the poor thing. Tubbo was trembling like a leaf in a thunderstorm, his shoulders hunched and his eyes blown wide. Tommy placed a hand onto the god's back and patted it in the hopes of comforting the distressed deity.

"Tubbo, Tubbo breathe. Breathe, buddy, breathe. Can't feel what, love?"

 Tubbo shook his head without lifting his eyes from the mud and grass. He gasped, his words pouring out in a rushed waterfall of broken phrases and short sobs taken between shallow breaths. "T-t-the forest! I-I can't feel the forest! I-I can't feel it! I can't feel it, I can't feel the trees or the roots or the branches! It's all gone! I-I can't feel any of it! I can't! Something is wrong. Something is very very wrong, so so very wrong. Wha...what's wrong with me…?"

 Tommy frowned. Tubbo continued to whisper fervently under his shaking breath as the boy pulled him close into a firm, protective hug.

 "Nothing." Tommy whispered sharply. "Nothing is wrong with you, Tubbo, not a gods damned thing. You're okay. You're okay and you're perfect, do you hear me? You are absolutely brilliant, Tubbo, just downright perfect. Does anything hurt?"

 Tubbo let out a muffled sob and shook his head into Tommy's chest. Tommy relaxed slightly.

 "Do you feel sick or tired at all?" Another little shake soothed the boy's worry further.

 "Do you want to go back?" Tommy asked, and he felt Tubbo freeze in his arms like a frightened deer that had spotted a hunter hiding in the trees. Tommy squeezed the god tight and whispered softly into his curls. "We can go back, Tubbo. We don't have to go. We can just stay in the forest and leave it all behind if you're not ready. It'll be fine. I'll be fine if going back means you're okay."

 Tubbo remained silent for a moment. Tommy ran a soothing hand up and down the god's back, his fingers tracing along the silky smoothness of the cloak that hung from his quivering shoulders. It was identical to the one Tommy wore in every way besides the color, which was a shade of green belonging to the darkest parts of the forest underbrush, while Tommy's was a vibrant crimson that belonged to freshly spilled blood that trickled onto the earth after a warrior's death.

 Green and Red. Dark and Light. The forest and a bleeding heart that was loyal to a fault.

 Out of the corner of the corner of his eyes, Tommy saw a hint of movement. It was slow and slight, but unmistakable. It was the subtle shifting of tree roots creeping out from the shadows as they slithered from the treeline towards the trembling deity that gave them will and life. The thick brown limbs crept over the tiny hill that marked the edge of their realm and slithered up towards the open world beyond. 

They stopped moving before they could escape the forest's shadows. Tommy could see them twitch every so often as they seemed to stare at Tubbo with an unmistakable hunger and desperation. 

 The forest longed for its heart. The forest's heart longed for its lamb. The forest's lamb simply longed for love and a life to share with the one he adored beyond words. But he'd give it up in an instant if it kept his heart from breaking.

 Tubbo spoke, and in a flash of brown the roots returned to the trees as he lifted his head and gave it a little shake. "N...no. No, I'm fine. I'm fine. I just...I-I dunno what happened, I just had a moment, there. I'm fine now."

 Tommy offered a careful hand and helped Tubbo to his feet. "Are you sure?"

 "Y-yeah. Yeah, I'm fine!" Tubbo nodded and smiled meekly as he shook himself back to his senses. He dusted off his cloak and the lily white tunic worn beneath, causing the thin layer of dust that clung to his attire to vanish in a blink of an eye. "I just...it's just really quiet out here, is all. It startled me."

 Tommy tilted his head while his hands hovered over Tubbo, who seemed spry and chipper as ever despite what just occurred. Was he okay? Was he lying? Was Tommy being a bad friend?

 "Quiet?" He echoed, his thoughts trailing back to what the god had just said.

 Tubbo nodded again and tilted his head back to look upwards towards the sky. "Yeah. It's quiet out here."

 It occurred to Tommy as he saw the way Tubbo's eyes gazed with silent wonder at the blue void of the midday sky that this was likely the first time in his entire existence that Tubbo had ever seen the sky in its full entirety. He'd likely never seen the sun so clearly, or seen the clouds that were brushed so carefully across the azure canvas that crowned the world from high above. 

 He seemed simply entranced by the sight. Almost childishly so.

 How strange that must be, going a whole lifetime only seeing the heavens through glimpses in the spaces between branches and leaves to having the whole sky right above your head. Sure, there was a good enough gap in the canopy over the cottage, but even that was greatly obscured by the absolutely gargantuan oak tree that stood proudly over the earthy homestead. Its branches were thick and long, and they spread far and wide above the god's dwelling in a web of tangled browns and emerald greens. The leaves were the size of dinner plates in some places and the size of Tommy's torso in others, and they were as wide and thick as an iron shield, which made it hard to see much of anything that was beyond the leafy roof of the forest's center.

 Had Tubbo ever gone cloud watching or stargazing before? Did he ever find a decent enough clearing to lay down in and try to count the stars, to memorize the location of each and every silvery speck that covered the night sky and tally up how many he could see? Tommy tried that once. He lost track after a few seconds and ended up falling asleep in the backyard, only to wake up in his bedroom to an irate Wilbur a few hours later when morning came.

 There weren't a lot of good spots for stargazing in the woods. Tommy made a mental note to find some for Tubbo one day.

 Until that day came, however, he had to deal with his family. With Wilbur specifically, who was probably going to try and lock him up again the moment he showed up in the market. The noisy, bright, foul smelling market with all the people and their noise .

 He resisted the urge to shudder to avoid worrying Tubbo, who had yet to tear his gaze away from the sky. A bird flew by overhead and caused the god to gasp as it turned northward towards the mountains. 

 Tommy smiled. "Enjoy it while it lasts. It's gonna be real noisy once we get to the market, what with Wil yellin' at me and shit." He offered a hand to Tubbo as he jested lightly. Tubbo accepted it with a grin,  and-though Tommy failed to notice it-a tiny twitch of his left eye. 

 "Are you ready?" Tommy asked 

 Tubbo gave one final nod. "Ready."

  Tommy smiled softly to himself at the memory of walking side-by-side with his beloved towards the village across the river. He still couldn't get over how happy Tubbo looked when he pranced across the stone bridge, or how eager he sounded as he proclaimed that he was going to "see all the things" while tugging Tommy along after him. 

 Maybe it would all be okay. Maybe Wilbur wouldn't be pissed and he'd understand that Tommy was just spending some time with his totally new friend Tubbo, who he met just now today and had definitely not been living with for the past few months. Maybe he'd see that Tubbo was a good guy and that Tommy was safe and cared for with him, and then he could go back to the forest and visit once in a while like he planned to originally. 

Maybe he could go back into the forest with Tubbo tonight. Maybe they could go back to normal and live their lives together like they wanted to, just with the occasional visit to his maybe not the best family that he still loved and cared for deeply. 

 Yeah. Yeah, that would be okay. That would be lovely, actually.

 It would all be okay.    

Definitely...probably...maybe...hopefully...no no, it would definitely be okay. Nothing was going to go wrong. Wilbur wouldn't yell and get all pissed again like last night. Tubbo wouldn't get pissed and eat Wilbur, something that he specifically promised not to do but Tommy was still mildly and rightfully concerned about. Tubbo wasn't going to get hurt or die or get hungry like he did in that awful dream vision prophecy thing that Tommy was pretty sure wasn't real but still kept thinking about because he was stupid and dumb .

 It would be fine. Everything would be fine. Tommy was just worrying over nothing and making himself all panicky like he always did when he was being an idiot. Which was a lot of the time, now that he thought of it. 

 Thinking. Thinking was stupid. Overrated really, boy, he sure wished he could stop thinking for once! That would be grand! That would be just right and dandy!

 Everything would be fine. What could possibly go wrong?

  Wilbur yelling. Tubbo eating Wilbur. Tubbo getting hurt. Tubbo dying. Tubbo eating me-

 "Tommy? Can we talk for a bit? About the plan, I mean."

 Tommy's train of highly unpleasant and completely undesired thought was mercifully slammed shut by Tubbo, who had long since stopped rambling and was now staring patiently at the boy with a neutral expression. 

 Tommy slowed his stride down to a stop and turned to face the god with a smile. 

"Yeah, sure!" He said happily as he took a few steps to the side towards the wooden awning of a close by shop, keeping Tubbo's hand in his grasp as he did so. 

 Soon they were out of the sun and into the pleasant coolness of the shade. It wasn't as hot here and was much more quiet, though it did little to spare them from the damp stench of muck and something else that Tommy didn't dare learn the name of. It was gross, whatever it was, and Tommy found himself taking shallow breaths to avoid inhaling too much of it as he let go of his friend's hand.

 "What's up?" He asked Tubbo, who seemed to be thinking about something that caused his brow to knit together tightly. Tommy's own brow raised slightly as his body tensed. Tubbo looked worried . That was Tubbo's worried face. Why was Tubbo worried? What was wrong? What hurt? Was Tubbo hurt? Did Tubbo need to go back to the forest? Was Tubbo dying already?

Tommy's voice dropped to a hushed yet worrisome whisper. "Do you need to go back…?"

 Tubbo quickly shook his head. "No!" He answered sharply, though his voice and face quickly softened when he saw Tommy flinch slightly. "Sorry. No, that's not it. I just had an idea."

 "Oh?" Tommy blinked and tilted his head. "About what, exactly?"

 Tubbo nodded and began to smile as the boy across from him listened intently. "Yeah! I got a better idea for how you can tell Wilby about me."

 Tommy winced slightly at the way his brother's nickname sounded on his friend's tongue. It didn't sound bad , per se. It just...it wasn't very happy . Hopefully Wilbur didn't make any more leech jokes when Tubbo was around, mostly for the sake of his own safety. No, actually, entirely for the sake of his own safety.

 "Uh-huh...?" Tommy nodded slowly as he crossed his arms across his chest and regarded the excited god standing before him with mild caution. "And that is…?"

 Tubbo's smile was as bright as it was wicked. He practically trembled with excitement, his eyes glowed with sinful delight, and Tommy was certain that sharp claws had replaced what were normally smooth nails as Tubbo clenched his fists near his chest.

 "We were gonna say that you just met me today, right?" He asked. Tommy nodded. "Right, right. And that's all well and good, don't get me wrong, but won't it be kinda difficult to pretend we just met? What if I wanna hold you or you wanna snuggle a bit? How are we gonna explain that if Wilbur sees?"

 Tommy paused. "Huh...didn't think of that, actually. Does seem a bit hard to not do our usual stuff around Wil…" 

 Usual stuff, such as long cuddle sessions after breakfast or lazy afternoons in the garden. Stuff like Tubbo helping him get washed up in the hot spring nearby while Tommy splashed at him, or feeding each other fearlessly sliced fruit while they were out on a picnic. That sort of stuff. That sort of fun, lovely, mushy gushy couple stuff that Tommy couldn't imagine doing with anybody else in the world.

 Tommy knew that the stuff he and Tubbo did wasn't usually considered "friend" stuff. From what little Wilbur had taught him on the subject, most of his interactions with the god would typically be viewed as romantic in nature, and by that logic, most of the stuff he and Tubbo got up to was more common among married couples as opposed to best friends. 

Granted, Tommy was pretty sure that Wilbur didn't want to marry the various strangers that he often saw his older brother sneaking off with into the night after Father went to sleep, so he was tempted to take any words of wisdom Wilbur had on the subject of love with a grain of salt. Or maybe a whole block.

 Tommy loved Tubbo. Tubbo was the most beautiful, special, wonderful person he had ever had the pleasure of knowing. Not that there was much competition, but still. He well and truly loved the god with all his heart and soul. He just didn't love Tubbo in that way, and the god seemed to share a simpler form of adoration for him, so Tommy wasn't quite sure how to describe their relationship.

 They were friends. Best friends. Best friends forever and ever, and even after that. They just happened to be best friends who cuddled and kissed each other's foreheads and cheeks while they rested in bed and whispered sweet nothings to each other late into the night.

 So yeah. It would be pretty hard to hide that from Wilbur. Not that Tommy wanted to hide it, of course. It was just that Tommy knew his brother. He knew what Wilbur was like and knew how...well...how protective he could be at times.

 Perhaps a change of plan was in order…

 Tubbo nodded sharply at Tommy's realization and beamed brightly. "Right! It would be! So I have an idea. Y'know how you told your brother that you found a cabin out in the forest and stayed in it until you came home?"

 "Yeah?"

 "What if we told him it was my cabin and that you've been hanging out with me, instead?" Tubbo spread his arms wide as he finally revealed his grand idea. 

 Tommy blinked. That... could work, actually. Sure, he would have to tell an already pissed off Wilbur that he lied straight to his face, but it wouldn't be the first time. And besides! By saying that he was with Tubbo out in the woods, Tommy would actually be telling a slightly obscured version of the truth! A truthful lie. A less honest bit of honesty, if you will. So actually, if you thought about it really hard, this was the better thing to do! The best, most morally correct decision!

 Gods. Tubbo was so smart. Tommy loved him for that. Along with everything else, of course.

 Tommy grinned and grabbed Tubbo by the shoulders. "Tub. Tubbo. Tubs. Tubby. Tubster."

 Tubbo tilted his head innocently to the side while smiling that beautiful, wonderful smile of his. "Tommy. Tom-Tom. Big T. Tommathy. Lamb. Sunflower. What is it that you need?"

 Tommy practically shook with barely contained glee. He was this close to throwing himself onto Tubbo, but unfortunately that would lead to the two of them getting a face full of mud and grim on their clothes along with some strange looks from the passerbys. Instead, he squeezed the god's shoulders while bouncing on his knees.

 "Tubbo." He said brightly with eyes to match. "You are so incredibly smart and very handsome. I really wanna hug you, but Wilbur is probably ripping the market apart looking for me and I'm afraid we don't have the time."

 Tubbo made a sympathetic noise at that and clicked his tongue. "Naw. It's alright, love. We can have plenty of hugs later." He reached up and pried Tommy's hands off his shoulders so he could press their palms together as the blonde continued to stare at him lovingly.

 Tommy gave Tubbo's hands a tender squeeze. Tubbo returned it with a tiny giggle.

 "So you like the new plan?" Tubbo asked sweetly with sugar lacing each word.

 Tommy nodded and shifted on his feet. "Mhm, mhm! I do! I really really do. We just gotta tell Wilby that you're my buddy from the forest who's been looking after me all this time. And if all goes well, Wil won't freak out and lock me up in a tower somewhere!"

 The god's face darkened at that. Tommy shivered as the warmth was sapped from the air around them, and he suddenly found himself feeling a bit uneasy while he gazed into Tubbo's eyes.

 Something changed inside of them. Something was hungry .

 Tubbo's voice was a low, slithering hiss as he snarled and bore his fangs. "He wouldn't. He wouldn't dare . I would not let him do such a thing. He'd be dead before he could lay a single hand on you."

 Tommy tensed at the raw sense of danger emanating from Tubbo as he spat out his wrathful vow. It rolled off of him in invisible waves that crashed against the boy and soaked his skin with an icy chill that seeped into his bones.

He rushed to sooth the growing storm that was Tubbo's anger.

 "J-joking!" Tommy laughed and pulled his hands away so he could wave them in front of Tubbo's face. Tubbo blinked at him and reared his head back, and though he seemed to be more confused than anything, faint traces of anger still lingered on his face. 

 Tommy wilted slightly but kept his face and voice bright. "I was just jokin' Tubs. Wilbur wouldn't do that. He talks about it sometimes, but like I said before, he's just being protective of me, y'know? Wil's a weirdo, but he ain't a wrongin'."

 They stared at each other for a moment, mortal to god, god to mortal. Tubbo's eyes bore into his skull like raging pools of liquid fire. It was as though his very soul were alight with cerulean flame, like a wildfire raging through an ancient grove. It crackled and burned and glowed with passionate intensity, the kind that threatened to scorch all who dared harm the one held at the center of the protective ring of flame.

 Tommy knew Tubbo could be intense. He knew Tubbo could be terrifying and horrific if he so wished to be. He'd witnessed the god's wrath a few times before in the past and had been haunted by it for a while afterwards. 

 But he never meant it. Not even once.

 Tubbo never meant to scare him. He always apologized when he did, and Tommy forgave him each and every time. Tommy knew it was always the god's love spilling over into a scalding hot boil that just needed to simmer and settle for a minute or two. He knew it would never burn him, that Tubbo would never harm him if he could help it.

 Tubbo could be scary, he could be vicious and frightening, but he would never hurt him. The thought wouldn't even dare cross his mind.

 Tubbo was good. Tubbo was gentle and kind. Tubbo was safe.

 The azure gleam of Tubbo's crystal irises flared as he huffed softly.

 " Fine ." He spat weakly as he turned his gaze away towards the crowded street. His fists clenched at either side, and though it could easily be written off as a trick of the light, Tommy could recognize the dark outline of veins and roots creeping beneath the pale skin of the god's hands.

 Tubbo crossed his arms. The darkness shrank away into his fingertips and vanished without a trace. He sighed and turned his head back to Tommy, who was staring hopefully at the god with pleading eyes. He seemed to wilt slightly beneath his beloved's gaze.

 The god's face softened into a defeated smile. His shoulders slouched along with his furrowed brow, which eased as he offered the boy an outstretched hand.

 "Alright. If you say Wilbur is fine, then he's fine. Are you ready to go see him?"

 Tubbo appeared convinced. Tommy allowed himself to relax as his hands dropped to his sides. He sighed and perked back up after a brief pause.

 "Yeah. I'm ready." He took Tubbo's hand and held it firmly. "Let's go."

 They stepped back into the light and began their short journey towards the market.

~~~

 Wilbur was heard before he was seen as they reached their destination. It was a busy day in the market, one filled with the shouts of bargaining merchants and the clatter of metal pots against copper pans. A flock of birds had decided to stop by and have a rest on a nearby stall, and over their chirps and squawks came a thunderous voice that Tommy would know anywhere.

 "TOMMY? TOMMY SOOT MINECRAFT?! TOMMY, WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU?!"

 Tommy winced. He grabbed Tubbo by the arm and clung to him as he shrunk away from his brother's voice. Tubbo cooed quietly and brushed a hand through Tommy's golden curls.

 "Shhh. It's alright, lovely. I'm here. What's the matter?" He soothed gently while Tommy wrapped his arms around his bicep and trembled like a leaf. Another cry came from Wilbur, whose head of messy, earth-tone tangles could be seen above the bustling crowd.

 The loud, noisy, overwhelming crowd. There was too much noise. Too many people. Too much Wilbur and not enough forest. Why didn't Tommy ever notice just how awful the market was when it was busy? Why did it make his head ache and his heart race faster and faster the longer he stood at the edge of the chaos?

 Why did he come here? Why did he come back? Why did he keep coming back even though it made everything hurt?

  "Never give up on family! No sir, no how!"  

 Or was it no way, no how? How'd it go again? No way, no sir? No sir, no way? Aggh, he couldn't remember! Not now. Now when it was so damn loud .

 Tubbo continued to pet his head as Tommy leaned against his side and tightened his hold around his right arm. He flinched as a cart clattered by in front of them, and then let out a shaky breath as it rolled away.

 "Loud." Tommy managed softly. Tubbo understood immediately and turned to pull him into a peach scented hug.

 Tommy practically melted into the god's warmth. Tubbo ran a hand along the length of his spine, the touch sending waves of soft tingles through the mortal's anxiety-filled body. The sounds of the market were drowned out by the god's breathing and the slow, rhythmic thud of their hearts.

 Tubbo's voice was a soft breeze against Tommy's ear. "Is it too much, lamb? Do you need to go back and call it a day?" He began rubbing circles into the small of Tommy's back and placed a kiss against the blonde's temple. "We can leave right now. Just saw the word and it'll all be over."

 Tommy shook his head. His breath shook slightly. "N-no. Don't wanna leave. Wanna see Wil. It's just loud a-and I don't like the noise. It makes my head hurt…"

 That caused Tubbo to whimper like a wounded dog. Tommy pulled away and nuzzled the top of the god's head while forcing a small, sly smile. Tubbo blinked at him in confusion and tilted his head.

 "What?" The god said with his eyes wide and his voice small. "What's so funny about that? You're hurting, Tommy! The noise is hurting you and that's not funny whatsoever!"

 Tommy couldn't help but snicker at his love's worry. He felt like a prick for it. Really, he was a proper asshole for making light of Tubbo's concern. But it was just so funny, so adorably precious and lovingly genuine.

Tubbo cared about him. Tubbo worried about him. And Tommy loved that, but that didn't mean he wasn't going to take the piss out of him for it.

 Suddenly the noise wasn't too bad. It was still there, but it didn't hurt as much. Huh. Guess Tubbo really did fix everything. Weird.

 He cupped the god's face between his hands. Tubbo squeaked and batted his lashes as Tommy smiled softly down at him.

 It was strange how normal this felt. He'd grown used to having to look up at Tubbo, to being towered over whenever he wished to meet the deity's gaze. Tubbo was always taller. His hair reached the treetops and his horns scraped against the ceiling while they worked together to tidy up their forest home. Tubbo had long legs with hooves that dangled off the edge of the bed, and his arms were thick with muscle and brawn that Tommy could spend hours massaging and admiring.

 But right now, Tubbo was small . Right now, standing in the hustle and bustle of the market, Tommy was the one that towered over him. Tommy held Tubbo's face between his hands and had a front row seat to admire every precious feature. 

 Tubbo had a round face with soft features. He had a button nose and freckled cheeks that were tan from the sun. His hair was soft, his ears small and slightly pointed. If anyone noticed they would probably think he was of elvish descent, but Tommy was certain it was just a hint of the boy's divine nature shining through.

 He had kind eyes, eyes that were round as the full moon and as bright as twinkling stars. They were blue, bright brilliant blue. They shone like diamonds and were infinitely more precious.

 They were perfect. Tubbo was perfect 

 Off in the distance came Wilbur's voice again, this time sounding more strained and forceful. It sounded like the man's throat had gone raw after someone had scraped the inside of it out with a bunch of sandpaper. It was cracked and torn around the edges, creaking and weakened from overuse.

 It sounded like he was about to cry.

 "Tommy! Tommy, please! Please come back...Tommy...oh gods, Tommy …"

 Tommy kissed Tubbo's forehead and grabbed the god's arm like he had earlier. Tubbo seemed deeply concerned and awfully confused but didn't argue further. Instead he smiled and returned the boy's affection with a peck on the cheek, which caused Tommy to flush with a peachy tint.

 "Oi! Fuck you, bitch." Tommy snapped as he reared his head back and glared at Tubbo.

 Tubbo giggled and leaned forward to stop Tommy from escaping. His lips pressed against the taller's cheek once more, causing the peachy tint to darken to a deep rose. Tommy pouted and stuck his tongue out while grunting aggressively. Tubbo simply smiled and nuzzled at his golden curls.

 "Hehehe, sorry not sorry." He said innocently. 

 Tommy rolled his eyes. "Yeah yeah, whatever! C'mon. Let's go see Wil. He's just up there."

 He nodded towards the crowd directly in front of them. Wilbur stuck out like a sore hysterical thumb with frazzled hair and panicked eyes. The man was a second aware from a full on meltdown by the looks of it, and Tommy dearly hoped that he didn't end up on the receiving end of whatever unhinged rant awaited whoever dared tip the scale that was his brother's mental state.

  Maybe he actually will lock me up in a tower this time. Will Wil do that? Hehe. Will Wil. That's funny.

 Tommy smirked at the humorous thought and clung to the brief moment of humored happiness it brought with it.

Tubbo made his way slowly through the crowd with Tommy clinging to his arm and trailing closely behind. They weaved between the merchants and townsfolk until they reached Wilbur, whose face was a burnt, glossy red. He spun round with his hands gripping his tangled curls and let out a shuttering gasp as they dropped to his sides. His dark eyes scanned the crowd, his shoulders gradually sank in defeat, and his voice came out in a bare, feeble whine.

 "Oh, fuck ." He whispered horsley. He clenched his fists and bit his lower lip as his voice began to crack. "Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fucking fuck fuck fuckity fuck fuck ! Where are you? Where are you, Tommy? Where did you go? Why did you leave me again? Why…?"

 Tommy cringed when he saw the tears rolling down his elder sibling's cheeks. There was pain in Wilbur's voice, real genuine pain that hurt to hear. It was like Wilbur had just gotten stabbed in the chest and was nursing the open wound, and Tommy felt as though he were the one holding the knife.

 He hurt Wilbur. He ran away and left Wilbur all alone. Now Wilbur was crying, and it was all because of him. What was he thinking? Why did he do that?

  Selfish. Selfish little, no good troublemaker. You're a selfish spoiled brat that made your big brother cry. Why can't you ever do anything right?

  He squeezed Tubbo's arm and whimpered quietly as he tightened his grip on the god's shoulder. Tubbo shot him a sideways glance but said nothing as Wilbur finally turned in their direction.

 "...Tommy…?"

 Wilbur stood still as stone and stared. His arms hung by his sides, his fingers twitched, his breath slowed. His crystal glasses were skewed and crooked, and behind them were his widened eyes, which grew into bewildered pools of coal and midnight as he took a step forward.

 Tommy tensed. His mouth felt rather dry all of the sudden, and he'd appreciate it if his heart could settle down and stop trying to break free from his ribcage.

 Oh well. Time to face the musician, he supposed! 

Heh. That was a good one...

 He tried to force a smile onto his face but failed, and instead shrank further down into Tubbo as his brother approached. 

 "H-hello, Wilby…"

 Wilbur stopped dead in his tracks a few steps away from the pair. His gaze shifted slightly to Tommy's left, giving the blonde a moment's respite from his brother's scrutiny. His eyes landed on Tubbo, who was as calm as a forest lake in the middle of autumn and just as still. Wilbur blinked before speaking.

 "Who is this?" He asked with an undefined twinge.

 Tommy gulped and struggled to find his voice. He glanced at Tubbo in hopes of finding some support, but was left to fend for himself when he saw that the god was staring daggers at the man before them. Tubbo was smiling. It wasn't a happy sort of smile, though. It was a toothy smile, one that was filled with something bestial and vicious.

 He looked back to Wilbur and finally managed to produce a wobbly grin.

 "U-um, r-right!" He laughed a breathy chuckle that was swallowed by the sounds of the crowd. He gave Tubbo another pleading glance as he straightened his posture and gathered his strength. He did not let go of the god's arm. He did not dare. "Right, I need to introduce you two, don't I? W-Wilbur, this is Tubbo. Tubbo, th-this is Wilby…" 

Tommy gestured weakly between the two, god to mortal, mortal to god. His heart was going to burst at any second now. Why the fuck did he think that any of this would be a good idea? What was he thinking? Why didn't he think in the first place?

 He bit his tongue and faded into silence.

 "Hello, Wilby ." Tubbo greeted Wilbur with an outstretched hand and a flash of his fangs. "It's a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance. Tommy here has told me all about you!"

 Wilbur stared at Tommy and tilted his head. "Oh?" He said bluntly with an undeniably sense of knowing. "Really? Has he? That's odd. Tommy didn't mention anything about you before he ran off and disappeared into fucking nowhere. Care to explain, Tommy?"

 Tommy trembled. If only he could tell the truth. The truth was nice and open, not hard and suffocating like the bold faced lie he was about to spit into his beloved brother's face. But the truth wasn't safe. Not yet. Not now.

 "Uh! Y-yeah, about that…" Tommy reached over his shoulder and scratched the back of his head while smiling weakly. Wilbur crossed his arms and quirked a brow. Tubbo simply smiled and stared, his eyes alight with magic and madness. 

 Tommy was certain he would not be leaving this marketplace with his life intact.

 He gulped again. "You see, Wilbur, I haven't exactly been completely honest with you about what went down while I was out in the forest. I may have...twisted a few details...might've told a few fibs here or there…y'know...the usual…"

 Wilbur made a low sound in the back of his throat that Tommy knew very well. It was the sound of displeasure, of anger and frustration. It was the toll that heralded timeouts and firm talking-tos. It was the swan song before retribution. It was the sound of disappointment.

"Mhm?" Wilbur asked lightly. "I can see that. Care to explain, Tommy?"

 Tommy nodded meekly. "Yes. I do. I will explain and then we will resolve this current... situation ."

 Tubbo smiled up at him. Tommy wanted to smile back but was struggling to even stand straight at the moment, so he ended up just glancing back at his friend while he gathered up some spare courage.

 He stared at Wilbur, began to explain, and weaved his newest lie.

 "First off, I'll tell you what I didn't lie about. That being the fact that I found a cabin out in the forest and stayed there until I found my way back home. The cabin was real. The clothes and stuff as well. I just lied about the whole 'being alone inside of it' bit. I wasn't. Alone, I mean. I had Tubbo!"

 Tubbo waved at Wilbur excitedly. His eyes scrunched up and his teeth shone in the afternoon sun like pearly daggers made of freshly polished bones. Wilbur paled at the sight.

 "Yup!" The god chirped brightly. "That's right. Tommy's been staying at my place for these past few months. He's been such wonderful company. An absolute angel . I adore when I get some nice, quality alone time with him. It's so lovely having him all to myself !"

 Tommy chuckled as the disguised god nuzzled affectionately at his cheek and pressed a kiss against it. Wilbur's jaw dropped along with his arms while the boys got on with their typical back and forth.

 " Tub ! Not in front of Wil!"

 "Why not? You aren't embarrassed of me, are you?" There was an air of innocent humor in Tubbo's question that Tommy couldn't help but adore.

 "N-no, I'm not." He snapped defensively. "It's just hard to focus when you're being so...so... you ! Stop it!"

 Tubbo clicked his tongue and sighed. "Naw, alright. Carry on."

 Tommy was too busy with his fib-filled explanation to notice the raw, unfiltered, all consuming mortal terror dawning on his brother's face.

He cleared his throat and continued with a newfound confidence filling his voice, as well a faint dusting of pink painting his cheeks.

 "Tubbo and his family took me in and let me stay with them 'till I came back yesterday. They're very nice people and I was well looked after during my stay with them. Tubbo was the one who took care of me the most! We spent lots of time together during my stay. He's very kind, a-and he's become a very close friend to me."

  Friend. I have a friend now. I love having a friend. I love my friend. I love my Tubbo.

 "He's always making sure that I'm well fed a-and well dressed." He pitched the edge of his crimson cloak and lifted it for Wilbur to see before letting it drop. "We go on walks through the woods, work in the front garden, eat our meals together, a-and at night we help each other get ready for bed! We do everything together! We're like two peas in a pod, two parts of a whole. Like soulmates!"

  Soulmates. Tubbo is part of my soul. I'm a part of Tubbo's soul. I'm a part of a god's soul. I'm a part of a god.

  That's all there was to it, wasn't it? Tommy was Tubbo's, forever and always, and Tubbo was Tommy's, forever and always.

 It was simple. It was right. It was them.

 "I feel complete when I'm with him. He makes me feel whole and makes everything better, even when I'm sad and can't think of anything to cheer myself up. He makes me feel so very happy and so very, very loved . He's everything to me. He's mine. He's my Tubbo, I'm his Tommy, and I love him. I really do."

 It poured out of him in waves of warm adoration and gentle worship. It was a prayer, a confession. He was confessing to something, something that was cursed and feared. There were stories that warned of such a thing, tales that told of the fate that awaited those among the mortal races that fell for such an easy trap. The myths spoke of punishment, of travesty and disastrous ruin.

He was confessing to such a fool's folly. He didn't even fully realize just how deep he was until now, but now he couldn't believe just how far he'd gone. It was so simple a thought, so basic and primal an idea, yet it felt overwhelming and intoxicating all the same.

 He loved Tubbo. He loved a god and wanted to spend his life with him. He loved Tubbo, and Tubbo loved him just the same.

 And it felt wonderful. It was wonderful. It was the most wonderful wonder the mortal mind could ever hope to dream. Like magic and starlight. Like music and memory. Like fire and the forest. Like love and like life.

 His voice cracked as he finished. Wilbur stared at him with his mouth agape and his eyes wide. Tommy sniffed softly and wrapped both arms around Tubbo, who simply hummed as he rested his cheek against his chestnut curls.

 There was silence for a moment. Several, actually. The market was as loud as ever, and they had all received more than a few bothered glares and confused glances from the people milling about them every which way.

But the silence that hung between the boys and the man was so thick a blanket that it was difficult to hear anything other than a muffled murmur of faded voices.

 Wilbur broke the silence with a frail whisper.

 "I failed you." He said, his voice barren of anything that could be recognizable as hope or joy.

 Tommy felt Tubbo tense slightly while he tilted his head.

"You...you what? You didn't fail me on anything, Wil! I'm a bit of a shithead sometimes, sure, but that's not your...your fa...Wilbur, you're crying."

 Wilbur was crying. He was crying with his head bowed and his mouth thin, the tears streaming down his cheeks and gathering at the bottom of his chin where they coalesced before they fell to the ground. The man lifted his head up and clenched his fists.

 "I failed you. I left you alone for a second and now you've been defiled ." His voice wobbled. His breath hitched and his eyes wrinkled at the corners. Tommy and Tubbo both exchanged matching looks of confusion with one another as Wilbur continued with his unhinged, untethered tirade.

"I should've been there to protect you from this. I should've done more. Now you've faced the one thing that I wanted to save you from. Your purity . Your chastity ! All stained and corrupted in a moment's notice. Oh, Tommy, I'm so sorry! I failed you! I let your innocence be snatched away by this scoundrel , and now you've been tainted by the sinful grasp of abhorrent lust !"

 Tommy leaned down to whisper into Tubbo's ear as Wilbur carried on with his theatrical rambling. "Tub? Tubbo? Tub-Tub. Toobly. What the fuck is he on about?"

 Tubbo shrugged and smiled with a knowing look in his eyes. "Oh, I dunno, Toms. Nothing you need to worry about, lovely."

 "Are you sure?" Tommy glanced back to see Wilbur fall to his knees in a crumpled pile of gross sobbing and cheap leather. A passing couple gave him a perplexed look and had themselves a pleasant chortle. 

Tommy looked back at Tubbo as Wilbur cried in earnest. "I don't even know what half of the shit he's saying means . What the fuck is 'chastity'? Is it important? It sounds important."

 Tubbo turned to face him while still smiling that gentle smile. He reached up and held the boy's head between his hands, and Tommy eased into the warmth of the god's palms.

 "Don't worry about it, okay?" Tubbo said. It was a request, though for most mortals it would probably be closer to a demand. "I'll take care of it. I'll take care of everything. You just need to sit there and be the sweet little sunflower you've always been for me. Can you do that for me? Pretty please?"

 Tommy nodded and nuzzled at Tubbo's palm. He was too tired to bother arguing. Not that he felt like doing so. Today had been very stressful and incredibly exhausting, and right now all he wanted to do was go back home and rest until dinner.

  Dinner…

 His stomach let out a hungry gurgle at the thought of a proper meal. Tommy sank down into his cloak and pulled the hood over his head. He gripped the red fabric tightly as he tugged it over his blushing face.

 A hand pressed against his midsection, and a low hum came from Tubbo as the god seemed to pause to assess the situation. Tommy shivered as his stomach growled once more beneath the shorter boy's hand, and Tubbo chuckled softly while giving him a few soft pats.

 "Are you hungry, sunshine?" He asked sweetly.

 Tommy kept his face hidden as he gave a tiny nod and whimpered with embarrassment. Tubbo cooed and moved his hand away, and Tommy let himself go limp as he felt the god wrap him up in a tender hug before he was lifted off the ground.

 "Can you tell me which way your house is?" Tubbo began carrying Tommy away from Wilbur, who didn't seem to notice that they were leaving yet if his continual wails and mournful cries were anything to go off of.

Tommy pulled his hood down and let Tubbo brush the hair out of his eyes.

 "Hello honeybee." Greeted the god with a gentle smile.

 "Hey." Said the boy, his limbs heavy and his head full of rose tinted fog.

 Tommy nodded towards the nearest street and yawned softly.

"That way." He slurred while nuzzling against Tubbo's collarbone. "M' house is just a few rows down. It's on a hill. Big hill, can't miss it."

 Tubbo nodded. He carried on forward with purpose in his stride, and Wilbur's cries fell into the background as Tommy's eyes fluttered shut.

 He heard Wilbur say something. Probably something like "Come back!" or "You're grounded!"

It didn't matter. Tubbo was here now. They were together again. Everything…was going to be...just...fine.

 He always did sleep better when Tubbo was holding him. He always slept better when he was with Tubbo.

~~~

 "Is this it?"

 "Hm? Oh, uh, yeah. This is it."

 "It's awfully small. And flimsy. The whole place looks like it's gonna collapse any second! You live here ? Seriously?!"

 "Hey! I'll have you know that this is the very sturdy , proper, well-built homestead of yours truly! Ain't nothing gonna knock it down!"

 "Some wind will, probably. Calling it right now. One strong gust and woosh , goodbye house!"

 "Yeah, yeah, fuck you. Can you put me down now?"

 Tubbo did as Tommy asked, though there was an obvious reluctance in how he set the still half asleep blonde down in front of the door. Tommy stretched and yawned. He noticed Tubbo studying the wooden house that they were standing in front of, and judging by the look on the young god's face, he wasn't exactly impressed.

  It's not much, but it's home. He thought while rolling back his shoulders. I just hope you like it enough to stay with me while you're able.

  He huffed and reached for the door handle. Tubbo stepped back without looking away from the tiled roof and brick chimney. Tommy pushed the door open and smiled at the god, who shook his head as he seemed to snap back to reality.

 "After you, good sir!" Tommy rumbled lowly in the back of his throat. He bowed in a very gentlemanly manner, his voice prim and proper and exceptionally childish.

 Tubbo chuckled. "Why thank you , my darling! Goodness, you're such a charmer! I'm chuffed."

 Tommy giggled and followed after Tubbo as he stepped inside. The door shut behind them with a rusty click .

 The living room was still and calm for the moment. Loud snoring could be heard from down the hall to the left, and judging from the slight tremble of the paintings and rattling of the rafters, Technoblade was fast asleep in the other room. 

Father was asleep on the couch. His hat was covering his face and his hair was tattered and droopy along with his lanky, sprawled out limbs. There were some bottles scattered across the floor nearby where he snoozed quietly.

  Be early, innit?

  Ranboo was probably in his room. Had he told Tubbo about Ranboo yet? Eh, whatever. They'd get along well enough, probably. Two weirdos, two peas in a pod. It'd be good for his best friend and maybe-friend to get along. Then they could all be friends together! That'd be grand, just grand.

  I can have two friends! I like having friends...

 Tubbo gasped as he took in the place. The same childlike wonder from earlier returned as he stepped inside and looked around the dimly lit living room with his hands tucked behind his back. The floorboards creaked beneath his boots, and his voice was a thin whisper filled with wonder and awe. "Oooh...it's warm ...and it smells funny…where's it comin' from, anyway?" He sniffed the air and crept farther inside.

A fire burned in the stone fireplace. The flame was weak and barely flickering, but Tommy watched as it jumped back to life when Tubbo snapped his fingers.

 He beamed and shuffled after the god. Tubbo leaned over the couch and peered down at Father, who slept unaware of his divine visitor, who appeared to be studying him like one would a strange beetle or a malformed cricket. He narrowed his eyes and hummed softly.

 "Who is this? What's he for, exactly?"

 Tommy cocked his head at the strangely worded question. He itched his nose while he worked on an answer.

"Oh, uh, that's my father. He does stuff. He's a blacksmith. He works with metal and makes it into things that people buy, a-and then he uses the money to buy stuff for us. Like this house!"

 Tubbo glanced at the bottles and frowned. "Does he buy anything else? Besides cheap booze and foul drink, I mean?"

 Tommy made a little sound at that. The disdainful rumble in Tubbo's tone caused him to take pause.

He answered hesitantly after a moment. "He...he buys food...a-and blankets! And clothes, too, nice ones. Yeah. He does that...sometimes…"

 Tubbo wrinkled up his nose and turned away from Father, who snored loudly as the god thudded his way back over to Tommy.

 "Your father smells like poorly made wine and even poorer life choices." Tubbo said in a very matter-of-fact way. He crossed his arms and shot Father a nasty glare over his shoulder before looking back at Tommy, who was struggling to find an answer to that strange, somewhat disturbing statement. 

 "You...you can smell people's bad choices…?" He asked quietly. "Is that a god thing or something? Do I smell like bad life choices?"

 Tubbo's face softened. He seemed to remember something, something that caused his eyes to regain their typical shine as he carcassed the boy's cheek gently.

 He smiled and kissed Tommy on the nose. "No, love. Not at all. You smell like wildflowers and sugar water, because you always make the kindest, goodest choices you possibly can."

 Tommy shivered.

 They both walked towards the back of the living room after a moment. Tubbo paused briefly to stare in the direction of Technoblade's snores and asked Tommy who it was. When Tommy answered and explained the whole story between the two slumbering warriors, Tubbo grinned and shook his head in disbelief.

 "That's a bunch of bullshit." He said simply. "That's a big pile of hogwash and dirty, wet lies. These men aren't heroes. They're nothing of the sort.

 Tommy pouted with a whine. " Tubbooooo , that's not very nice of you to say!" He whined as quietly as possible as to not stir anyone from their rests. "I'm sure that Father and Technoblade were very heroic back in the day. Why else would they be so famous? They're living legends!"

 Tubbo barked a laugh at that. He kept shaking his head as he brushed past and sighed.

 "Oh, little lamb. So sweet, so trusting…"

 Tommy frowned but said nothing as he followed after his beloved. 

 They reached the bedroom doors located in the hall behind the living room. Tommy's was a little ways down to the left, but Tubbo seemed more interested in the one that stood to their right. He gestured towards it and looked back at him with his arms crossed.

 "Who sleeps in there? Your brother?" There was an audible hint of displeasure in the god's question that Tommy chose to ignore.

 Tommy shook his head. "Nope! Wil's room is next to mine. That's where Ranboo stays when he and Technoblade come to town."

 "Ranboo?" Tubbo raised a brow. "What is a Ranboo? Is it a pet of some sort? A dog, maybe? Sounds more like a cat, actually, now that I think of it. Why does your cat need a room all to itself?"

 Tommy chuckled and shook his head again. He giggled as he settled back down. "Haha, no! Ranboo's not a pet. He's Technoblade's apprentice. Like a helper or a student of sorts. He's weird, but I like him."

 "Are you...friends?" Tubbo asked slowly with a raised brow.

 Tommy stopped to think about his answer. He wanted to think he and Ranboo were friends. Ranboo didn't seem to be bothered by him like the other kids in Oakburrow. But then again, this was Ranboo he was dealing with. Maybe Ranboo just didn't say he was bothered because he didn't want to be rude.

Tommy wasn't sure whether or not he preferred that to being yelled at right in his face. Tommy wasn't sure about lots of things…

 He shrugged after a moment. "Ummm, yeah! I'd say we're friends. I dunno if Ranboo thinks so 'cause I've never really asked him about it, but he's nice to me. He's alright."

 Tubbo seemed to meditate on Tommy's words as he hummed softly. His eyes shifted slightly in the wavering shadows cast by the fireplace, veins of crimson and vermilion filling the spaces between the seas of crystal and azure that made up his sky blue irises. A burst of gold spilled out from his pupils, and he turned to face the door to the right with a sly grin.

He raised his hand to knock.

 "I'd like to meet this Ranboo person." He said in a plain, well-mannered tone. 

 Tommy hesitated slightly and shot Father a worried look. The man was sleeping soundly at the moment, but Tommy knew that it didn't take much to wake him from a drunken stupor, especially around this time of day. Father wouldn't be happy about being woken up before dinner. Neither would Technoblade.

 It was always a bad idea to make Technoblade unhappy. At least, that's what the stories said.

 He turned back to Tubbo just as the god tapped his fist against the door. It was a lot quieter than he'd expected. It barely made even a thud. Father didn't stir at all as the soft thump thump filled the cozy living room.

Tommy let himself relax and sighed softly as the sounds of rustling came from inside.

 A quiet voice called out in a hushed whisper. "C-coming!"

 Tubbo stepped back as Tommy hurried to his side. The door creaked open slowly and stopped about a third of the way, leaving just enough of a crack for a pale blue eye to peek out alongside a head of messy bronze curls.

 "Hello?" Ranboo said softly as he stared down at Tubbo, who peered back up at him with a look of silent contemplation. Ranboo blinked and inched the door open a bit farther. "Can I...help...you…? Whoever you are…?"

 Ranboo sounded as though he'd just woken up from a nap. His eyes were tired and his hair was unkempt along with his gray, long-sleeved tunic and brown trousers, which were covered in splotches of half dried ink. There was ink covering his fingers as well, most of it smudged and fresh, especially where it'd gotten smeared along his cheek or forehead. It stood out against his pale skin, which was starkly white from days spent hiding away from the sun and instead staying curled up with a good book..

He leaned against the doorframe with his head lulled to the side and his arm hanging weakly beside him. He yawned. 

 Tubbo squinted and wrinkled his nose. "Are you Ranboo?" He asked slowly.

 Ranboo blinked and coughed into his hand awkwardly. His throat bobbed as he swallowed and nodded. 

"Uh...y-yes? That's uh...that's me! Hi…hello...nice to...nice to meet you! Don't know who you are…but you're probably cool...probably…"

 Tubbo tilted his head as his eyes narrowed even more. Tommy fidgeted with his fingers and rubbed his thumbs against his knuckles as the god turned to face him. Tubbo waved a hand at the taller boy dismissively and pursed his lips.

 "Tommy, I love and respect you dearly and would never try to tell you who you can and cannot associate yourself with. But I have to say, I do not see anything of note or interest in this here Ranboo fella."

 Tommy blinked, completely taken aback by the bluntness of Tubbo's words and somewhat offended on his maybe-friend's behalf. Ranboo batted his lashes as if he too were struggling to come to terms with what he'd just heard, though after a short pause and some awkward silence, he simply tilted his head and hummed.

 "Huh." He said quietly. "Okay! That's cool, I think? I don't actually know. I don't know what's going on. I just woke up. I wanna go back to bed. I'm gonna go back to bed. Goodnight...or day...or whatever. Nice to meet you...errr."

 Tubbo didn't bother looking back as he answered. "Tubbo."

 Ranboo nodded as he reached for the doorknob. "Ah, okay. Tubbo. Nice to meet you, Tubbo!" He smiled and pulled the door shut with a soft click .

 The two boys stared at each other for a moment. Tubbo was smiling happily and looked rather pleased with himself. Tommy was struggling to comprehend whether or not he was still asleep and whether this whole confusing, exhausting day had just been a dream.

  At least Ranboo likes Tubbo. He thought weakly with a thin veins of hope. He didn't mind if Tubbo didn't like Ranboo all too much. It'd be nice if they got along! Real nice! Then they could all hang out like a bunch of friends and do stuff together, like making flower crowns and collecting cool rocks! But if Tubbo didn't want to do that stuff with anybody else, that was okay. They had each other, and that was okay.

 At least Ranboo didn't start crying and screaming. Unlike a certain someone.

 Just as he thought that, there came a deafening crash from the other side of the living room. Tommy and Tubbo both jumped and turned to face the source, and were met with an enraged Wilbur.

 " You. " The man snarled. "You fiend , you knave , you filthy little tempter ." He stalked towards them with murder in his eyes and rage etched across his face. His voice was dripped with venom and laced with poison. He yanked Tommy away and pulled him behind, causing the boy to yelp as he unceremoniously pushed behind his raging brother. 

Tommy whimpered and tried to get back to Tubbo, but Wilbur stopped him with a glare and a hand against his ribs. The man slowly turned his ire back to Tubbo.

 "Did you really think you could get away with it? That you could escape me after laying your horrid little mitts all over my baby brother?" Wilbur grabbed the god by the scruff of his cloak and twisted the verdant silk.

 Tubbo smiled and glanced over Wilbur's shoulder. His eyes were kind, his face calm and without a single trace of fear or worry. Tommy struggled against Wilbur and whined while he clawed at his brother's thick coat. He didn't like this. He didn't like seeing Wilbur angry at his Tubbo. He didn't like all the shouting or hissing that made his head hurt and his ears ring.

 "Are you alright Tommy?" Tubbo asked, his voice sweet and soft against Tommy's ears.

 Tommy frowned and shook his head as Wilbur tightened his grip on the both of them. There was a flash of something wicked in Tubbo's eyes as he snapped back at Wilbur, who looked like he was a beat away from breaking the god's head in.

 "Kindly let go of me." Tubbo said. It wasn't a question. That wasn't Tubbo's question voice.

 Wilbur smiled a bestial grin. His shoulders shook with ragged laughter. "Let you go? You? The little wretch that's been keeping my brother under your spell of sinful seduction all this time? I knew it." He lifted Tubbo up a few inches and squeezed his cloak even tighter. Tubbo simply stared at him with mild discontent. 

 "I knew something was wrong. I knew something happened to Tommy while he was out there. I knew something violated him and cast some sick spell on him to lure him back to that accursed place." He leaned into Tubbo's face and practically spat in it. "It was you , wasn't it? You destroyed him. You bent his will to your command and made him into your perfect little plaything .You're sick ."

 Tubbo sighed. He tapped a finger against the arm that was suspending him above the floor, and with a single twitch of his fingers, Wilbur released him without a word. A look of horror dawned upon the musician's face as Tubbo pushed him aside and rushed to meet Tommy.

 The boy collapsed into the god's arms and hiccuped softly. "Tubbo…"

 "Sssh...it's alright...I'm here, love." Tubbo wrapped him in a warm embrace and rubbed soothingly at his back and shoulders. He whispered more gentle comforts into the trembling blonde's ear as a groggy voice filled the room.

 "What the fuck is goin' on? Wil? Wil, what the hell're you screaming your bloody head off? It's late ."

Father was awake. Well, mostly. His speech was slurred and his voice hoarse as he lugged himself up and glared at Wilbur from the safety of the couch. He didn't even bother adjusting his hat as he scowled at the man from beneath its floppy brim.

 Wilbur stuttered and looked frantically between Father and Tubbo, who did not react to the confrontation between the two and instead remained focused on comforting Tommy. 

Tommy sniffled. He was so tired of today. Why couldn't today just be over so tomorrow could come and take the burden of today's problems?

 "Father, I-I was just-" Wilbur was cut off by Father's grumbling.

 Father waved a hand and pitched the bridge of his nose. "Just nothing. Just shut up. Just shut the fuck up and let a guy get some sleep. I'm goin' back to bed." He flopped back onto the couch and reached from the nearest blanket.

 Tubbo piped up just before his head could hit the pillow. "Excuse me, Mr. Minecraft?"

 Wilbur froze. Tommy lifted his head slightly and looked at his father, his eyes shining with a dim hope. Father narrowed his eyes at the god.

 "What?" He smarmed darkly with a wet hiss. "What do ya want? Who're you? Why're you in my house?"

 Tubbo smiled pleasantly. He pulled Tommy away while keeping an arm wrapped around his shoulder, and he beamed as the blonde looked at him with immense confusion.

His voice was chipper as he introduced himself properly. "My name is Tubbo, sir. Tubbo Underscore. I live in the woods just a little down the way with my uncle and sister. Tommy invited me to stay the night. Is that okay?"

 Father paused. Wilbur let out an offended huff but was silenced by a nordic glare. Tommy allowed himself to lighten up slightly and revelled in Tubbo's genius.

  Gods, I love you.

 Father nodded slightly after a moment and slowly laid back down. He waved a lazy hand and let it flop back down onto his chest. "Yeah, yeah, sure kid, whatever. Just don't cause any trouble, yea?" Tubbo and Tommy beamed at each other. Wilbur opened his mouth to argue but stopped short when Father gestured towards him vaguely.

"Wil. Go make dinner."

 "B-but I-"

 "Dinner. Now. Now get."

 And with that, it was done. Tommy sighed with relief as the tension in his arms and back melted away. 

  Well. That was...something.

 Something was putting it lightly. He was still a bit freaked out over how Wilbur had acted a few moments prior, but seeing Tubbo smile up at him made all of that fade away into the background. He cupped the god's face in his hands and giggled as Tubbo did the same.

 They were okay. Everything was okay. Everything was going to be okay.

 Wilbur made a sound that could best be described as a strangled squawk. He shambled past them and waddled down the hall towards the kitchen, muttering mournful laments under his breath as he went. Tommy was worried about him. And Tubbo. Him and Tubbo both.

 His stomach growled. He winced.

 "Can we go outside for a bit?" Tubbo asked while Tommy's face reddened. He moved his hands down to the boy's shoulders and gave them a gentle squeeze. "I can get you something to hold you over 'till dinner time. It's getting stuffy in here. Let's go get some fresh air, alright? That sound good?"

 Tommy nodded and began to lead Tubbo towards the back door.

Chapter Text

♡–Tubbo–♡

 The world outside the forest was strange, to say the least. Tubbo didn’t know what he was expecting, but it certainly wasn’t all… this .

 People. There were people outside the forest. Lots and lots of them. Lots of little mortal human people, all going everywhere and nowhere all at once in this tiny, boring village. They were loud, very loud, very loud and also very weird. He didn’t understand much of what they did, but it all looked simultaneously very interesting and also incredibly boring. He still didn’t get why that one guy from earlier looked at him all funny like. Not his fault he decided to wear that silly looking hat.

 It was also bright. Very bright, and awfully windy without a bunch of trees and leaves to hide him from the open air. He still couldn’t get over just how big the sky was. Did it really go on forever? That was rather amazing, and frightening. Amazingly frightening, frighteningly amazing. And blue. Tubbo liked blue.

 Blue was one of Tommy’s favorite colors. Blue and red. Put the two together, and you got yourself a wondrous shade of purple that would look lovely on a fancy cloak. Tubbo needed to make such a cloak for Tommy whenever he had the time. His lamb looked beautiful in every shade or hue beneath the golden sun, but purple especially brought out the cerulean glint of his sweet, precious little eyes. 

 Tommy. As usual, he was the best thing about this entire situation. This… family situation.

 Tubbo was not very taken with his lamb’s family. Or his home. Or this Ranboo boy he seemed so fond of. He didn’t hate the guy. He was just sort of there , being all tall, limp and gangly . His eyes were okay. Greenish blue like an ocean gem. Nice hair, too. Looked soft. But other than that and his subdued, pleasant demeanor, there wasn’t much else to say when it came to the one person that Tubbo didn’t want to chew up and spit out like a bitter, rotten berry.

 Tommy’s father was the worst of the loathsome lot thus far. The man was a mess, a drunken, wasteful mess of a man that stank of booze and failure. Tommy claimed he was once a valiant and noble warrior that was known throughout the land for his mighty, heroic deeds. Tommy, as always, was sweet and well meaning, but still woefully blinded by that unwavering innocence he held so dear. Tubbo could not fault him for being unable(or subconsciously unwilling) to see what a worthless lout he had for a father. No, not at all. Not one bit.

 There was also this Technoblade man that Tommy had spoken of in an equally high regard. Tubbo had not met him yet, but if he was anything like Tommy’s father, he was ready to be let down despite his already humble expectations. No man that wore a rotten pig carcass could be worth much. Not in Tubbo’s book, anyway.

 And then there was Wilby . 

 Tubbo liked Wilby. He liked fucking with him, pushing his buttons and seeing what made him tick. And screech .

 It was petty to toy with the man. Tubbo knew that perfectly well. It wasn’t very becoming of a god to take such sickly pleasure in making a high-strung, well meaning older brother believe that he had laid with his innocent baby brother in ways that were far from innocent. 

 Tommy was many things to Tubbo. A friend, a precious treasure, a beautiful and wonderful person whom he loved more than words could say. But he wasn’t a lover, not of that variety, at least. Tubbo genuinely shuddered at such a thought. The idea of engaging in such a lustful form of intimacy with Tommy, who had only ever shown a mixture of confusion and revulsion at such a topic, made his skin crawl and his stomach churn. He was a satyr, a race of forest gods known for their lustful, fleshy passions, but he wouldn’t dare think of forcing Tommy to partake in any act that would bring him even a twinge of discomfort. For him, simply holding his gold-haired lamb near and dear after a long day in the garden was all the pleasure he needed. 

 But Wilbur didn’t know that. 

 Wilbur didn’t know that at all. 

 As far as Wilbur was aware, his little brother’s chastity had been stolen away by the mysterious , mischievous , wealthy looking boy from the dark, forbidden woods. His poor, helpless, doe-eyed little brother, who he swore to protect and look after no matter what, defiled! Violated, even! Oh, the horror, the travesty! Come one, come all and see the apathy!

 Needless to say, Tubbo was going to fuck with this man for as long as he possibly could. Both for his personal enjoyment, as well as rightful payback for daring to lock his sunflower up and hold him away from his forest home.

 He’d stop and come clean about the true nature of his and Tommy’s relationship eventually…

 …maybe…

 Ah, whatever. All that could wait. Right now, Tubbo just wanted to soak up some sun, get some fresh air, and spend time with his beloved.

 Now, if only Tommy would tell him why exactly he wasn’t eating anything.

 “Aren’t you hungry, Tommy?” Tubbo tilted his head at the boy sitting across from him. 

 They both had their legs crossed, and they were both sat facing each other beneath the lazy branches of the singular oak tree that grew behind Tommy’s house. It was an old tree, with dry bark and blackish leaves that curled up into crispy, misshapen lumps in the sweltering sunlight. Its roots were dry and plunged deep into the soil in a desperate attempt to gather even a drop of moisture. It wasn’t going to last very long, if things kept up this way. Tubbo could sense that it was getting tired.

 Tommy shrugged. “Mhm, I am. ‘M just…” He trailed off. Tubbo watched him shift a bit as he pulled his knees close to his chest and kept his eyes trained on the empty patch of dusty, dead grass between them. He heard the boy’s stomach growl, and he watched with great sorrow as Tommy narrowed his eyes and wrapped his arms around his center, as though trying in vain to silence it.

 Tubbo frowned. This wasn’t good. Tommy usually loved when he brought him something to snack on between meals. At first Tubbo hadn’t known why exactly his lamb was always so eager to eat whatever was offered to him, but looking at it now, looking at his pitiful excuse for a home and wasteful shell of a father, he had his answer. And it took every in him not to rip that house off its foundations so he could grab that cheapskate and tear him to shreds.

  Plenty of money for booze and drink, but not a cent to put food on the table for your children. Bastard.

  He tensed, let his anger send waves of red and black through his eyes, then relaxed with a slight sigh. He put on a gentle smile and reached to cup Tommy’ cheek.

 “Do you need me to help, sweetheart?” He picked up a bit of bread from the basket resting beside them. It was warm with a crunchy brown outside and a soft, fluffy white inside. The smell was thick with the sweetness of honey and richness of salt. Tubbo saw Tommy’s mouth water as he lifted it up a bit and showed it to him. “It’s honey bread. Your favorite.”

 Tommy whimpered. “B-but I-” 

 “But what , Toms?” Tubbo tried to keep his voice controlled, but it was getting harder to do as his concern grew stronger and stronger. His hand twitched slightly. Tommy winced. Tubbo mentally slapped himself for daring to make Tommy think for even a second that he was upset at him. “I’m sorry, I just don’t know what’s wrong, and if I don’t know what’s wrong, I can’t help you. So, please, just… talk to me, okay? Please? Please sweetie?”

 Tommy shrunk down, nodded silently for a few seconds, and then answered in a soft, bare whisper. 

 “I don’t…I don’t need to eat, do I?”

 Tubbo blinked. “What?”

 “I don’t need to eat.” Tommy repeated, now speaking at a regular volume. “Not right now. I can wait until dinner in a few hours, a-and then I’ll have more room for whatever Wilby makes!”

 “But you’re hungry right now , right?” Tubbo set the bread down in his lap, making a point to keep it visible. Tommy kept staring at it with a far off look in his tired, hungry eyes as his stomach growled again. “You can have a little something to hold you over until then. Dinner won’t be ready for a while. And considering that Wilbur is…” His eyes wandered over towards the open kitchen window. Shouting could be heard from inside, along with the sound of clattering dishes and something sizzling. A thin trail of dark smoke could be seen floating through the window and into the dusty sky. “... himself , I think it’s safe to say that whatever he manages to put together won’t be nearly as appetizing-or edible-as what I have right here. It’s okay to eat a little something to hold you over, Tommy. I’m sure Wilbur won’t be upset.”

  He better not be, was left unsaid by the brown-haired forest god. 

 Tubbo smiled as he picked up the bread and held it out to Tommy once more. The boy stared with an undeniably guilty look on his face, as though he were committing a heinous act against the gods for merely considering having a snack before dinner. Luckily, there was a god right here to absolve him of any would-be wrongdoings, and who also desperately needed to see his lamb well fed as soon as mortally possible. 

  It would be degrading for a god to beg under normal circumstances. Tubbo didn’t consider himself to be a particularly prideful deity, but even he knew that this looked rather silly from an outsider’s perspective. He didn’t care though. All he cared about was Tommy, and Tommy was hungry and sad, so Tubbo had to fix that so that Tommy could be not hungry and sad. And if he had to put on a pouty face and a mopey, pouty voice to achieve such a noble goal, then so be it. 

 His voice was the very definition of sweet as he tilted his head and batted his lashes. “Please, Tommy. Just a little bite. For me? For Tubby?”

 Tommy broke. In the blink of an eye he rushed to snatch the bread from Tubbo’s hands, and in a flash of movement he shoved the whole thing into his mouth as he finally gave in. Tubbo hummed with satisfaction as he watched his lamb tear into the tasty loaf. Relief flooded his senses and left him in a comfortable daze of warm, fuzzy happiness.

  There you are, sweet lamb.

 If he had one at the moment, his tail would be wagging as he watched his beloved eat.

~~~

 Tommy finished with a sigh. Tubbo chuckled as the blonde leaned against him and sank into his chest. He wrapped his arms around the boy and let his chin rest atop his golden curls, which tickled slightly at his nose. He smiled.

 It was getting late now, near sundown. The sky was slowly shifting from bright azure to a muted, faded gray. A wall of reddish-orange occupied the western edge of the horizon, where the sun sat low and heavy as it sank into the earth. Crickets chirped and bid it goodnight. A few fireflies could be seen above the few partially green bushes that occupied the tiny yard.

 Dinner would be ready soon, according to Tommy. Tubbo looked forward to spending some more time doting on his sunflower and tormenting his older brother. And maybe he’d actually talk to that Ranboo guy, since Tommy liked him so much. Maybe.

 “Are you feeling better now?” Tubbo looked down at Tommy as he asked.

 Tommy hummed and nodded with his hands folded over his stomach. It made Tubbo happy to see him full, content and relaxed. That’s how his lamb deserved to be everyday. That’s how his lamb would be, if he had anything to say about it. And he had much, so, so very much to say in regards to Tommy’s safety, security and comfort.

 “Mhm! I’m alright. Tired. Wanna sleep.” A yawn accompanied such a confession. Tubbo cooed as he moved a hand up to brush his fingers through Tommy’s curls. Tommy preened and nuzzled into the affectionate touch in a manner not too dissimilar to that of a happy kitten, a comparison that brought Tubbo nothing less than an intense amount of joy. 

 Tommy continued the adorable motion as he stretched and yawned once more. “Aaaah…how about you? You doin’ alright? Hungry?” An apple was brought up to Tubbo’s lips. He smiled and brushed it aside while shaking his head.

 “No, I’m alright. Not feeling particularly peckish at the moment.”

 “Didn’t you, like, eat a bunch of stuff earlier?” Tommy looked at him with curious, slightly accusatory eyes. “Yesterday, I mean, when I was still here and you got all freaked out?”

 Tubbo tried to laugh Tommy’s question off, but the boy was insistent. He turned over so that they were once again facing each other, placed his hands on Tubbo’s shoulders, squeezed them tightly and stared directly into his eyes. His voice was dead set and completely serious. As was his stern, stoney face.

 “Tubbo.” He said bluntly.

 “Tommy?” Tubbo did not move other than to open his mouth and bat his lashes. Tommy’s grip on him tightened tenfold. It felt like two tiny hugs trying to break his shoulders, but alas to no avail.

 Tommy pressed their foreheads together and widened his already full moon eyes. It was a bit too easy for Tubbo to get lost up there…not that he minded.

 “Tubbo.” Tommy repeated the god’s name with the utmost seriousness, as though it were a prayer. “Tubbo, be honest with me here. Did you and did you not eat a fuck ton of animals while I was locked in my room?”

…

…

…

…

 “Well…?”

…

…

…

 “Tubbo, did you eat a fucking moose aga-”

 “I WAS STRESSED AND YOU WERE GONE AND I GOT REALLY SAD AND I NEEDED SOMETHING AND THE MOOSE WAS JUST THERE, OKAY?!” Tubbo blurted out his confession and shoved the boy off his lap. Tommy barked out a quick “hah!” as he was sent tumbling onto the grass. Tubbo crossed his arms, pouting and sulking in bitter, loathsome defeat as Tommy sprung to his feet.

 A finger was jabbed at him. “Hah! I knew it! I fucking knew it, I knew it ! I knew you ate a moose. You had that sad looking ‘I just ate a moose and have a stomach ache’ face goin’ on when I found you. Gods, Tubbo, why the hell do you do these things to yourself? You know it makes me worry..” Tommy gradually dropped his accusatory facade and revealed the concern underneath. Tubbo kept up his grumpy pout as the boy kneeled back down and smiled at him gently. A tender, warm hand came up to his cheek. He leaned into it without looking Tommy in the eyes, a sigh serving as his only response as Tommy let out a quiet, satisfied hum.

 “I’m sorry you got all worried over me.” He said softly without losing his smile. He cupped Tubbo’s other cheek and gave both sides of his face a tiny squeeze that forced the god to smile. 

 Just a little smile. Not a very big one. Not a very happy one.

 Tommy rubbed a thumb against Tubbo’s cheek. “I’m really, really sorry, Tubbo. Really. I didn’t mean to make you stress about me, and I’m still so sorry that I wasn’t able to get back like I promised. Sorry for being a shitty friend…”

 Tubbo’s sad excuse of a smile fell away at that. A worrisome frown took its place as he covered Tommy’s hands with his own, hoping that the added warmth would soothe the boy’s kind but utterly unnecessary worries.

 “You haven’t been a shitty friend, Tommy.” He said carefully while rubbing his fingers along Tommy’s smooth, slightly worn knuckles. “You didn’t do a single thing wrong. I know you feel bad about it, but really, it’s fine .” 

 “But you got so sad , Tubs…” Tommy whimpered softly, likely recalling the far from flattering state he’d found Tubbo in earlier that day. 

 Tubbo was still ashamed he let himself get so bad so soon after Tommy’s disappearance. He wasn’t gone for even a few hours before Tubbo fell apart, threw a tantrum and fucked up the entire forest. It was fine now, obviously, and so was he. But still. Such childishness was unbecoming of a satyr lord. Or any god. Or anyone, really.

 Uncle Schlatt would be awfully disappointed. Lani would laugh and call him a big baby. And she’d be right.

 That was the worst part.

 He sighed. “But I’m not sad anymore. I’ve got you, and we’ve got each other just like always. So it’s fine. Let’s just move on and worry about this whole dinner thing, yeah? Do you wanna head in now or…?”

 They both looked over towards the house. The kitchen window was now aglow with a gold, honeyed light that spilled around the wooden frame. Wilbur shouted something about potatoes at Ranboo, who answered with an earnest stutter.

 “H-have you tried looking under the bags, sir?”

 Wilbur scoffed, probably while rolling his eyes. “Ugh, yes , Randle. I already checked under the bloody bags .”

 Ranboo cleared his throat. “Ranboo, sir.”

 “Wussat?”

 Ranboo tried again with a bit more confidence. “M-my name, sir. My name is R-Ranboo. Not uh…not Randle.”

 Again Wilbur scoffed. His footsteps could be heard as his silhouette passed by the window. His hair was a rat’s nest, his spectacles askew. He shook his head and pulled out a plate.

 “Whatever! Just…just help me set shit up and go wake up Technoblade. I’ll deal with Father.”

 “Oh, o-okay.” Ranboo seemed to nod while scurrying out at Wilbur’s request.

 The man muttered something under his breath that Tubbo found both greatly amusing and incredibly interesting. And concerning, in a dim, vague, ‘does he meean…?’ sort of way.

 “Bloody temptors…one was enough…I could handle the one. But two? Gods help me…”

 Tubbo tucked that remark away from further study. He’d wait until after dinner to properly puzzle out just what exactly was Wilbur Soot’s deal , as Tommy would say. But that could wait until later.

 It was almost time to eat.

◇–Tommy–◇

 Dinner time.

 It was dinner time again in the Minecraft household. Late night’s meal hadn’t gone too well for a variety of reasons, many of which still made Tommy’s stomach churn at the thought, but this time would be different. This time he was ready. This time, he was prepared for whatever would be thrown at him from across the dining room table. This time he wasn’t alone. He had backup, a sidekick, a partner in crime and a willing accomplice to any of his dinner time shenanigans. Nothing could get in their way! Nothing could stop them when they put their heads together, not booze or stale bread or horrific table manners mixed with the same wartime stories he’d heard a million times before.

 This time, he was ready.

 This time, he had a friend.

 This time, he had Tubbo, and Tubbo made everything easier.

 Now, if only he could figure out what the hell the god was doing over by the sink with Wilbur. He’d been standing there for several minutes since they came inside, and while that itself wasn’t too unusual, his constant, unblinking eye contact with the man certainly was. It wasn’t even that he was staring that was the issue here, but the fact that Wilbur was staring back with an equal, unwavering intensity. And he hadn’t blinked either! This was honestly getting a bit concerning.

 Tommy glanced between the two of them while tapping his fingers together awkwardly. He cleared his throat to grab their attentions, but remained completely ignored in face of their stare-down.

 He shifted his weight and continued his fretful finger taps.

 Wilbur was the first to break the silence between them, but he kept his voice low as to maintain the heavy tension. Or maybe he was just tired and didn’t feel like speaking very loud. That was always a possibility.

 “Can I help you, kid?” He asked, bitterness coating every word in a thick, murky icor.

 Tubbo smiled and shook his head. His voice was both bright like a butterfly’s wings fluttering in a beam of sunlight, and venomous as a tree frog’s toxic, alluring skin. “No, sir, I’m quite alright. Do you need any help with anything at the moment? Dishes, setting the table, getting stuff on plates. Anything at all?”

 A twitch. Wilbur drummed his fingers against the wooden counter and leaned down a bit. His dark eyes burned into Tubbo, who kept his hands tucked neatly behind him as his chest remained puffed out in an unmistakably dignified manner. That smile of his was growing more and more beastlike by the second from where Tommy stood. Did Tubbo always have that many teeth?

 Did he always look so hungry ?

 A shiver ran through him as Wilbur gave Tubbo a proper once over. He remained visibly unamused, unimpressed and incredibly unhappy.

 “Are you trying to fuck with me, you little shit?” Wilbur raised his brows high and leaned a little close. Tubbo was totally unphased by the harshly worded question. He just smiled, stared with those maddening eyes of his, and politely shook his head.

 “No, sir. Just want to help out where I can. Your father has been ever so kind as to let me stay over for the evening, so I feel it is only common sense that I offer to help out and chip in wherever possible. I am deepy, truthfully sorry for my behavior earlier. I simply needed to make sure Tommy was alright after all your yelling and shouting upset him. I’m sure you’d do the same, if the roles were reversed.” He gave Tommy a tiny nod as he began rocking back and forth on his heels. Tommy shifted again and hugged his arms close to his chest, feeling happy to be acknowledged but uncomfortable with everything else. Wilbur’s reaction did nothing to improve the situation.

 He reared his head back and cocked it to the side. “Oh? Oh? You’re sorry , are you? For coming into my home , with my baby brother wrapped around your arms like a helpless captive ? My baby brother, who had been at your house, unsupervised and unattended for several months ? Alone? At your complete and utter mercy ?! Cut the act, little temptor. I know what you are , and I am not going to let you defile, manipulate, violate or desecrate my brother’s innocence more than you already have. So you can cut the bullshit and be honest about how much of a depraved, scheming little weasel you really are. That’s how you can help me.” He finished off his perplexing and rather unhinged rant with a nasty sneer.

 Tubbo simply smiled. “Whatever you say, Wilby! Come on, Tommy my love. Let’s go take our seats and let him figure things out on his own.”

 With that he turned to take his leave. Wilbur let out a high squawk of protest as Tubbo grabbed Tommy by the arm and led him carefully into the living room. Tubbo ignored whatever the man began raving about, his full attention turning towards the befuddled blonde walking beside him.

 “You doing alright, hon?” He asked with a delicate, caring tone that contrasted harshly against his previously smug, almost cruel delight.

 Tommy was still reeling a bit, but he nodded regardless. “Uh-huh. I’m okay. Do…do you have any clue what the heck Wil was talkin’ about in there? The stuff about defilement or whatever…?” His voice dropped in a whisper as he leaned into Tubbo’s ear. 

 Tubbo just laughed and shook his head while giving him a nice few pats on the shoulder. “Haha… Oh, Tommy. It’s nothing to worry about. Just your brother being overprotective and getting his knickers in a twist. Don’t think about it too much.”

 Tommy nodded again, still a bit confused but trusting Tubbo’s judgement. The god helped him to his seat beside Ranboo and took his own next to him. Father sat across for them, his hat pulled down over his eyes as his plate sat untouched.

 The trio all exchanged some silent glances before Ranboo started to speak.

 “Hi.” 

 Tubbo blinked at him. “Hello. Ranboo, was it?”

 Ranboo nodded. “Yup! That’s me. Your name is Tubbo, right? Tommy says you guys met while he was out in the forest. Well, a-actually, Wilbur is the one who told me that. He said so while screaming at the spices. I don’t know why he was screaming at the spices, but he was, and it was certainly…something.” He trailed off, stared vacantly at the wall, fiddled with the stained napkin resting beside his plate, and then shuddered. He then turned his eyes onto Tommy while giving him a kind smile. “Are you doing alright, Tommy?”

 Tommy smiled back. His hands were in his lap, his back hunched awkwardly. It was uncomfortable. He was already hungry again. That made his stomach ache in more ways than one as he nodded at the taller teen.

 “Yeah. I’m fine. How long are you and the Blade gonna be in town this time? Do you think you’ll have time to hang out with me and Tubs?” It was a good question, right? That was a good question to ask someone who you wanted to be friends with. Friends spent time with one another and liked to hang out whenever or wherever they could.

 At least, he was pretty sure that’s what friends did. Most of the time, he either hung out with Wilbur or by himself. At home. In either his bedroom, or out back in the garden. It wasn’t a very good garden. His herbs had shriveled up while he was gone. That made him sad.

 Ranboo’s answer made him feel better. 

 “O-oh! Yeah, we can hang out. Mister Technoblade and I are gonna be here for a while, about two months this time, I believe.” He spoke with a hint of uncertainty. Tommy watched him pull out one of the brown journals he was always scribbling in. He flicked through the ink covered pages quickly, stopped on one that had some short, messy sentences written on top, and then nodded before snapping it shut. “Yup! Two months and three weeks. We’re gonna go back to the capital around the time of Oakburrow’s harvest festival near the beginning of fall. That’s when the high priest needs Mister Technoblade to report back to his station as the temple’s main enforcer. Buh-but we should be able to make it to the festival before we leave! …maybe.”

 Both Tommy and Tubbo hummed and nodded in understanding. Technoblade was a mercenary, yes, but he was also a very important member of the kingdom’s church. He wasn’t a priest or anything like that. He was an enforcer, someone who the high priest called upon whenever people were doing stuff that made the gods angry. Stuff like stealing, killing or going against the church. Bad sorts of stuff. 

 He didn’t talk about it much. Maybe it was because Technoblade was all about freedom, his freedom, to be exact. He was always going on and on about how he wasn't a weapon, usually out of nowhere for no apparent reason. Maybe the thought of being bossed around by somebody else made him feel kind of shitty. Maybe it made him scared.

 Or maybe it was just really boring work and Tommy needed to stop sticking his nose into an enforcer’s business. The latter seemed the most probable answer, and the most realistic. 

 Ranboo put the book away and tapped on the table. It went tump tump under his slender fingers. The conversation wavered and then tapered off completely.

 Time passed.

 A grumbly voice came from down the hall after a while. Heavy footsteps could be heard as Technoblade lumbered his way over to the far end of the table, and with him came the stench of death, sweat, grime and spoiled liquor. 

 He stared at Tubbo through the empty sockets of his grotesque mask. The god ignored him and just smiled at his plate, which he’d been not too subtly nudging over towards Tommy’s general direction these past few minutes.

 A rumble started in the Blood God’s throat. “Who the hell’re you supposed to be, runt?”

 It was not a friendly question. Both Ranboo and Tommy flinched as they looked to see how the conversation would unfold, with Ranboo shivering while Tommy tensed.

 A second passed. Technoblade’s fist twitched where it lay on the table, a round ball of flesh and muscle covered in jagged white scars. His voice held an unmistakable(and terrifying) irritation.

 “Hey. Kid.” He growled while keeping his face turned at Tubbo. “I’m talking to you. Who the hell even are you?”

 “My name is Tubbo, sir.” The god’s answer was light, polite and to the point. He did not lift his eyes. The plate was nudged a bit more, but Tommy spared it only a fleeting glance. He gulped.

 Technoblade stared. Darkness spilled from the eyes of his rotting, boarish mask and brought with it a rancid odor. 

 “Tubbo?” He echoed without a hint of emotion. “The fuck kinda name is that?”

 “Mine, sir.” Tubbo sing-songed softly, both a gentle songbird and the branch it rested on, as well as the fanged beast crouching in the brambles below. He gave Technoblade a single, minute glance. “It is my name, and it serves me well. As does yours, I presume.”

 Silence.

 Long silence.

 Long, heavy, deafening silence and the stench of rot and blood. The chair beneath the hulking brute whined in protest as he slowly leaned back and gave Tubbo a final assessment.

 “ Heh. Little suck-up, ain’t ya?” He snorted out a slimy laugh.

 Tubbo shrugged. “If that is your belief, sir.”

 Technoblade grumbled something nasty sounding at that, but said no more. Tommy heard Ranboo sigh as he let himself relax. The two boys exchanged matching looks of “what the actual fuck just happened just then” before they finally decided to have some bread. It was stale and tasted like gravel, but it was bread. The mutton chops were a bit too salty, and the water tasted like a rusty pipe.

  Tubbo made it better. Tubbo always did.

 Meanwhile, the muffled sobs of Wilbur Soot could be heard in the kitchen, as the man tried in vain to find those gods damned potatoes. Tommy hated how funny he found that. Really, he did.

~~~

Dinner went by without much else to note. 

 Wilbur joined them after some more crying, he and Tubbo had some more tense yet brief conversion. 

 Father made some remarks about Wilbur’s posture.

 Technoblade made Ranboo go and fetch some beer, after which he and Tommy were able to chat a bit more in hush, fleeting whispers while Tubbo offered him some more bread. 

 It was okay. Dinner was okay.

 Now it was time for bed.

 Tommy yawned as he pushed open his bedroom door. Rubbing his eyes and leaving it part way open behind him for Tubbo, the first thing he did as soon as he stepped foot into the cramped, messy, dimly lit chamber was walk over to and flop belly first onto the bed. Its scratchy, rough texture made his skin itch and his bones ache. The inside of his nostrils still had that horrible booze-rot-blood-death smell, but with a few dry gulps and some willpower, he was able to keep the remains of his meal down with relative ease.

 He sighed. “ Tuuuuuuub …bedtime…” 

 He called out for the god much in the way when it was usually time for bed, back home, in the forest. The bed back there was much, much larger than this one. That bed was oval-shaped and had a polished mahogany frame that twisted into pretty spirals filled with shiny white pearls. That bed was covered in soft silk and smooth, velvety blankets made of nice shades of blue and lavender. The blankets of that bed smelled like the summer sunset and freshly picked white citrus. They weren’t thick with the scent of booze or blood, but instead of sleep and late nights spent watching the fireflies dance through the nearby window.

 Tommy missed that bed. He missed laying in it with Tubbo after they got back from bathing in the hotspring just a little ways away from the god’s home. He missed being wrapped up in satin and silk. He missed being held and having someone play with his hair until he fell asleep to the sound of his guardian singing. Tubbo had a very nice singing voice. All gods did, if Tommy had to guess.

 He rolled over and waited for Tubbo to join him. A voice called out from down the hall, and hearing helped ease the gentle lonely ache inside his chest enough for him to pull the blanket over his shoulders as he tried to get his boots off with just his toes.

 “Coming, love!”

 A second voice made Tommy freeze. 

 “I think the fuck not.”

 Tommy jumped and rolled back over as the door came slamming shut with a thunderous crash. Shouting could be heard through it from over in the dining room, and to his left he heard Ranboo yelp in the next room over. Something-possibly some books-came thudding onto the floorboards. Ranboo sighed and muttered something under his breath.

 Once all the commotion died down and the house went silent, he was able to hear the conversation going on just outside the now most definitely locked door. And what a conversation it was. 

 “Wilbur, please let me go into Tommy’s room. He specifically called for me and seems to need me to join him in bed. Badly .” There was a strange hint to Tubbo’s voice. 

 Tubbo had been talking rather strangely to Wilbur ever since they met earlier that day. He kept sounding like there was something going on, some vague, secret sort of something that wasn’t supposed to be talked about by people out in public or at dinner. Not a bad something, per se, but a hush hush kind of something that Tommy didn’t understand. Tommy wasn’t really sure if he wanted to. Judging from Wilbur’s reactions to the mysterious something, it didn’t seem like it was something he wanted Tommy getting into, especially with Tubbo, who also wasn’t giving him any clue as to what the something was or why it upset Wilbur so badly.

  Is it drugs? He wondered, vaguely recalling that drugs were something that Wilbur told him not to do that one time, when Technoblade and Father stayed passed out for three days straight after eating some funny looking plants. Tommy didn’t know what drugs even were, but they were probably not very good. It might be drugs. Maybe Wil thinks Tubbo uses drugs and is worried he’s gonna give me drugs. Tubbo wouldn’t do that. Tubbo does not do drugs.

  He’d need to bring that up to Wilbur whenever possible. Maybe then he’d be nicer to Tubbo and wouldn’t speak to him in that mean, bossy sort of “I don’t like you” kind of voice. The kind of voice he was using right now, in fact.

 “Mmmm, I’m sure he does.” Wilbur hummed in reply to Tubbo’s request. “I’m sure Tommy desperately needs you to go in there and perform all manner of depravities onto him. I’m sure he wants that of his own freewill , and definitely not because you’ve used some twisted magical curse malarkey to turn him into your mindless slave. Mhm. Definitely not. Nice try, little temptor.”

 Tubbo sighed, an irritated edge taking over as he did. Tommy heard the floorboards creak below the pair.

 “Look, Wilbur. I’m going to be very honest here. I’m gonna be blunt.” He paused to take a long, deep, drawn out breath, which came back out as another heavy, tired sigh. 

 Wilbur waited with bated breath. Tommy imagined that his arms were crossed as he stood all serious in front of the door, like some kind of soldier protecting a prince’s chambers. That was a funny thought considering that he wasn’t even close to being a prince, and doubly so when you remembered that Wilbur Soot was the farthest possible thing from a tall, proud soldier. 

 Tubbo spoke after a momentary pause with an undeniable bluntness. “I don’t like you. And I know you don’t like me. We don’t like each other, and that’s perfectly alright. What isn’t alright is that you’re so desperate to keep Tommy safe from the world that you end up hurting him by keeping him locked in his own room until the sun comes up. That’s the problem here. You’re smothering him. And perhaps it’s hypocritical of me to say considering my own sense of duty to ensuring his safety and comfort, but really man. Come on. Ease up a little and let Tommy breathe. He’s fifteen. He can handle himself for the most part.”

 Wilbur was silent. Tommy was both flattered at how kindly Tubbo had spoken of him, but also confused about a bunch of the other stuff he said just now.

 Duty? Smothering? Hypocritical and letting him breathe? 

 It was too late for this shit. He was too tired to think anymore about anything ever again. No more thinking! Enough thinking! He’d done more than enough thinking for today, for the week, for the month and really for the rest of forever, if he had to be perfectly honest. He was ready to just lay here for a while until his brain turned off and he could stop thinking. But he really needed Tubbo right now to do that, because the bed was cold and hot and itchy in all the worst places, and he could just really use a hug to make it all better.

 A muffled whine escaped his throat as he pulled the blanket over him. Something changed in Tubbo’s voice shortly thereafter.

 “Now, if we are done here, I must ask you to step aside and let me through. We wouldn’t want to upset Tommy right before he goes to bed, would we?” There was the mysterious something tone again, and mixed with it was a cold, commanding matter-of-factness that Wilbur answered with a sneer.

 “We aren’t done.” He snapped harshly.

 “Oh?” Tubbo’s voice edged with growing frustration. “We aren’t? Why, exactly?”

 Someone was tapping their foot, now. Tap, tap, tap, tap.

  Wilbur’s reply was dripping with venom. “Because I have the key, idiot. I have the key, and you don’t. You can stay the night all you want, yeah sure go ahead, but I am not under any circumstances leaving you alone with Tommy. Not again.” There was a tinge of regret at the end, accompanied by Tubbo sighing.

 “Then I suppose you have left me with no other choice.”

 “And that’s supposed to mean…?”

 “Get out of the way, go back to your room, and give us some alone time. That is an order.”

 Several sounds could be heard immediately after Tubbo said that. First was a bell, bright and cheery as it jingled off in the distance. Next was Wilbur’s voice beginning to speak, only to be cut short as he let out a deep, startled grunt. After that, footsteps, and those were followed by the sound of a door shutting and locking itself down the hall.

 The last sound was Tubbo’s sigh and quiet, muttering voice.

 “ Whore .”

 The door swung open not a second after. Tubbo stepped inside and shut it quietly behind him.

 “Hello love. Sorry for all that.” His eyes glowed with a pale purple gleam that brought Tommy a wave of comfort as soon as he saw them. Instinctively, he reached out for god, who was quickly by his side and leaning down over the bed. “Did you hear all of that just now?”

 Tommy nodded. He grabbed Tubbo by the sleeves and tugged gently, silently begging the god to join him beneath the itchy, scratchy, awful blanket. 

 Tubbo’s eyes softened more than they already were. “Oh, sweet little lamb…” His gaze wandered along the bed, his eyes taking it and the rest of the room in as he returned the boy’s touch with a tender squeeze.

 He frowned when he noticed the faint marks on the wooden bars that covered the window. His brow furrowed as he seemed to connect the dots between them and the red sores that had adorned Tommy’s fingers earlier that morning.

 “This is your bedroom?” Tubbo seemed to change the focus of his concern as he looked back down at Tommy, who still lay with pleading eyes and a pained frown on the creaky old bed. 

 Tommy nodded without saying much. Tubbo pressed his lips tight and slowly let go of his hands. He walked to the center of the cluttered, cobweb infested living space with his hands on his hips, stopped and took it all in once more. His gaze went from the dirty clothes to Tommy’s own luxurious garb, then back to the sad excuse of a bed on which his treasure laid. He walked back over to Tommy’s side and took a seat that made the straw mattress dip.

 “It’s not very comfortable, is it?” It was more of an observation than a question. Tommy nodded, his fingers already finding their way back into Tubbo’s as the god clicked his tongue to indicate his great displeasure.

 His eyes lit up after a few quiet moments had passed. “I can work with this, if you want me to. Fix it up, make it better and more to your liking. Do you want me to make it better for you while you’re asleep? The room, I mean. I can fix it up and add some improvements that’ll make it a bit closer to home. Only if you want me to, of course.”

 Tommy stopped to think. It sounded nice, the idea of letting Tubbo make his room less… uncomfortable . He wasn’t sure if Wilbur or Father would approve. Wilbur apparently didn’t approve of Tubbo even being in his room in the first place. Tommy didn’t understand that. Tommy didn’t understand a lot of things. 

 He was just tired. Tired of today and of thinking all the time.

 He yawned as he nodded his head into the god’s hand. Tubbo beamed. He was soon under the blanket with his arms wrapped tightly around Tommy, who kept his eyes shut as he sank into the god’s peach-scented warmth. A hand rubbed circles into the small of his back.

 “Alright. I’ll do that in a bit.” Tubbo promised in a hushed whisper. “Just focus on getting some sleep, okay? You’ve had a very rough few days.”

 “‘S fine, Tubs.” Tommy mumbled into the god’s chest and sighed. He was so warm. “‘M just happy you’re here. Missed you. Missed cuddles.”

 Tubbo smiled into his curls. “I missed you too. Missed holding you and seeing you all happy like this.”

 Something in his mind twinged with a weak, vague worry. He forced his head up and blinked lazily up at Tubbo, whose eyes glowed like pools of magic in the milky, fuzzy moonlight. The god tilted his head. “Tommy? Something wrong?”

 “Are you dyin’ or something?” Tommy’s voice was becoming more and more slurred by the second. Everything was fuzzy. His arms were heavy. He needed to shut up, shut his eyes and go to bed, but first he needed to make sure Tubbo was okay spending the night outside of the forest. “Gotta go tiny and hop out the window so ya don’t die. Dying is bad, Tubs. Don’t do it. Bad. Baaaaaad .”

 Tubbo squinted at him before he understood what he meant. He chuckled as he shook his head and gave his forehead a kiss. Tommy grumbled but did little more in way of resistance against the god’s affections.

 “Oh, no, Tommy, I’m fine.”

 “Ya sure? Not gonna wake up and be huggin’ a tree?”

 Tubbo shook his head and gave him a squeeze. Tommy kept up his pouting and worrying until the god stopped with the snuggles. Now was not snuggle time. It was serious, serious time. Yes.

 “I’m fine.” Tubbo breathed softly. “I’ll be okay for about a week, remember? I’ll go back to the forest sometime tomorrow and come back once I’m refreshed. Then I’ll ask if I can spend the night again. We’ll do that until Wilbur is okay with you coming back to live with me like before. I’ll only do the ‘going tiny’ thing if I start to feel sick and…well…like I’m dying .”

 Tommy hummed and sank back down.

 Tubbo was quiet as he traced his fingers along the ridge of his spine. A shiver made its way wherever he touched, the pleasant tingle of magic making its way all over the blonde’s skin and deep into his bones. Outside, an owl hooted. Father and Technoblade were still laughing like they always did, and Ranboo could be heard snoring next door.

 Wilbur’s room was quiet. It always was at this hour. 

 Tommy yawned.

  What a day. He thought with one final bit of strength before sleep came to swallow him whole.

Chapter Text

AAAAAAAA hi it's very late rn

I have thing for you all! A,,,a peace offering! a linky doodle!

behold!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/36821206

this here is a semi-canon one-shot crossover. It involves this and 2 other of my DSMP AUs, those being the works "Heal What Has Been Hurt" and "Just take our Hands, We'll be your Knights in Shining Armor!" it will probably make little sense if you've not read those works and I apologize in advance. But it has ADS!Tubbo so I hope that's okay w yall!

btw, when I say semi-canon, i mean that the work is canonical event that did occur in this fics timeline, it just isn't plot significant and will never be brought up again. It is here! I hope it can tide you all over until I motive to write for this work! I apologize for lack of Updates I have been very Mentally Ill and struggle to Focus. depression go brr but HEY writing fun so it's cool. enjoy~

Chapter Text

◇~Tommy~◇

“Wakey-wakey, little lamb.”

 Tubbo’s voice was the first to greet Tommy as he slowly drifted back into the world of the waking. He felt something warm and heavy move around beside him. When he reached his hand out to touch it, he was met with the feeling of soft warm fur and the shaking of low, rumbly laughter.

 Tommy smiled as he opened his eyes to greet his beloved. 

 “Ayup…’M up…’M up…mornin’, Tubs.”

 The god laughed again and then cooed as the boy wiggled his way out from under the covers. The bed felt different than it normally did. Something about how heavy the blankets felt on him was new, and there was a sweet, floral scent that seemed to be woven into the now unusually softened fabric. The straw mat was gone. In its place was a cushion similar to the one he and Tubbo had back home in the forest, one that was undoubtedly stuffed with the finest of feathers one could find. 

 Dimly, he noticed that the blanket he was nestled under was a sleek sapphire color, one adorned in all manner of intricate embroidery that was shaped like tiny meadow flowers and colored like the yellow sun.

  It was hard to see with both the sleep and sunlight in his eyes, but as Tommy squinted and waited for his vision to adjust, he was soon able to make out his love’s face. Tubbo was sat next to him at the edge of the bed, his smile kind and chest bare. He was much taller than he had been the previous day. Tommy swore that his head nearly touched the ceiling, but it seemed that his horns did that just fine on their own after having apparently made their appearance atop his crown of chestnut curls. No jeweled rings or green vines adorned them right now, though with their sleek gray shine and polished appearance, Tommy could hardly notice their absence.

 A wave of golden glory pulsed through the god’s blueish-purple eyes the second Tommy looked at him. Tubbo made a low, loving noise that caused the bed to shake as he raised a large hand to cup Tommy’s cheek.

 “Good morning, sunshine.” Tubbo rumbled as he caressed the boy’s face and brushed soothingly against his lily white skin.

 Tommy yawned and answered groggily. “Mmm…morning…” 

 “Sleep well?” Tubbo pulled his hand back and rested it on his knee. His fur and hooves had returned along with his tiny, fluffy tail. He wore only a pair of brown trousers and a leather belt with a sparkly buckle, both of which contrasted against the snowy white of his now once again floppy, furry ears. 

 Tommy nodded lazily. He stopped to stretch and sank back into his pillow, which was now twice his size and soft enough to sink into as he lay his head against it. 

 “Yeah.” He said softly while hugging the plush cushion. “I slept alright. How about you?”

 Tubbo nodded and moved to get up. “I slept alright. Once I was finished redecorating, of course!”

 As he said that, Tubbo rose to his feet and stepped to the side. He had to keep his back and shoulders hunched in order to stand, and his head had to be kept down as to avoid scraping his horns against the ceiling. As he moved his hooves thudded on the wooden boards, and were it not for the fact that he was still partially asleep, Tommy knew he’d be much more worried about someone coming in and seeing his beloved’s true self.

 But when he saw what had been done to his room, any concerns he might’ve voiced died in his throat.

 Tommy sat up and gasped. “ Woah… ”

 His room had never been the most impressive place to sleep. Sure, it had all the essentials. It had a door that creaked, a small window with wooden bars and a latch shutter, some mothballs and an old coat rack that huddled in a dusty corner. It was small but homey, cramped but cozy. The air was thick with the damp, musky scent of wood and dirt, and the roof only had a couple of cracks to let the water in whenever it rained. And most of them weren’t even near his bed!

 Tommy quite liked his room as it was before. But now?

 Now he stared, slack-jawed and mystified, at what the Western Lord had gotten up to while he lay silent and dreaming.

 It was a wondrous sight. Where once had laid a matter scrap of brown fur, there was now a large and extravagant rug that sprawled out all over the now finely polished floorboards. It was thick and made of an exotic fabric, one that was brilliant gold near the edges and deep, brooding crimson at the center. Lines of gold traced around the edges, their glistening shine matching that of the various trinkets that had appeared overnight, of which there was a vast and somewhat startling variety.

 There were candlesticks made of fiery bronze that were carved into the shape of sunflowers.

 There were bookstoppers and holders that resembled small calves and baby lambs.

 There were a couple of pots sitting on the windowsill. One held a bundle of greenish-blue ivy that spilled over the rim in a pointy, leafy waterfall. The other had a dozen white daisies that swayed lazily in the fresh morning breeze.

 There was a whole new wardrobe set up on the far side of the room. The old one was gone. The new one was tall, broad, shiny and made of a rich brown mahogany. Tommy saw a few fresh clothes resting on the table next to it and just about started crying.

  Books. He thought as he looked back at the bookshelf and scanned over the various tomes and novels that now occupied the once empty, unused space. He got me books. He knows I love books.

  Tommy did love books. Tommy loved reading them and witnessing all the stories they had to tell. There weren’t many books in Oakburrow. Most were old and falling to bits, and the few he managed to get his hands on had been read so many times he could likely recite them word for word.

 Wilbur usually told better stories, anyway. Wilbur was the one who taught him how to write and read when he was younger. Father was too busy for that sort of thing.

 There were books in the forest. Lots of books. Lots of tomes, lots of scrolls, lots of stone tablets with odd symbols he couldn’t understand. Tubbo kept them all locked up in a small room near their bedchamber. He said most were records of ages long past that his uncle lent him for safe keeping. 

 There weren’t many that Tommy could understand enough to read, but Tubbo made sure to provide him with as much reading material as his heart desired, and Tommy was ever so grateful. He was happy that Tubbo took the time and patience necessary to ensure that the books he gave were ones filled with adventure and wonder, not just boring tales of people doing normal people stuff that he’d done himself a hundred times over. Sure, the tale of Little Timmy’s trip to fill his bucket was cool and all, but surely the story of how Lord Lady Twittlespark saved their fae kingdom from ruin was much more his style.

 Tubbo didn’t read much himself. He said that most of the stuff he read was boring, just bits of history that didn’t matter anymore. 

 Tommy had tried to introduce him to some interesting stories a while back. 

 It didn’t go too well.

  “Tubs!” Tommy called while running into the musty room. He held a large black tome up in the air and waved at Tubbo.

 The god raised his head from the scroll he was scribbling on and turned to greet with a soft, loving smile. “Hey Tommy. What’s going on? What do you have there?”

 Tommy giggled as he hurried over. He scampered quickly across the floor, which was covered in a few woven rugs and a fine layer of dust. He reached Tubbo soon enough, and soon enough he was lifted up by a single hand and placed right into the god’s lap, where he curled against his chest and smiled happily.

 He held the book up for Tubbo to see. “I found this one for you way back in the back next to some old statues! It says here that it’s about two people trying to run away so they can be happy and love each other! Do you wanna give it a shot and read a few pages?”

 Tubbo hummed as he reached down and took the book. Tommy watched with anxious breath as he flipped open a few pages and scanned them over. While he held the book in one hand, another remained situated against Tommy’s side, where it stayed and served as a warm bit of comfort that he leaned into without even realizing. He shivered as Tubbo began rubbing a long nail across his ribs.

 Tubbo’s eyes shifted. First they were dark purple. Then deep blue. Next they were the color of a freshly picked leaf, and then they returned to their typical amethyst shade as he snapped the cover shut and slowly furrowed his brow.

 Tubbo made a tiny, unhappy and vaguely unpleasant noise that caused Tommy to wilt.

 “What’s wrong?” Tommy asked. “D-do you…do you not like it…?”

 Tubbo shook his head quickly and hurried to comfort him. “Oh, no . No, love. That’s not it.”

 Tommy found himself unconsciously curling up as the god looked down upon him, but he soon came back open as the satyr pressed a kiss against his golden mane and sent a spark of red-tinted horror coursing through him. He yelped and brought his hands up to cover his face. Tubbo laughed before he lifted his head back up and cooed gently.

 “Ooooh, sweetheart…”

 Tommy shot him a venomous glare that he hoped would strike him dead. Alas, it did not. Curses!

 “Sh-sh-shut up!” He demanded while he crossed his arms and whipped his head away. “Shut up and fu-fuck off! Fuck off forever, you dick !”

 The feeling of Tubbo’s claws tracing against his side caused his anger to melt away in the fraction of a second. Tommy shuddered, tensed, then went limp as he sighed and allowed Tubbo to spoil him.

 Tubbo chuckled before he finally allowed the boy a moment’s respite. 

 Tommy cursed the day he was born once again as the hand pulled away and the god explained his quarrel with the now discarded book. It lay abandoned on the table, right next to the large scroll and an inkwell that was barely a few inches shorter than Tommy. A dozen or so smaller bottles sat next to it, with a handful of normal sized quills occupying the nearby shelf.

 Tubbo nodded vaguely at the book as he began to speak.

 “The book itself is alright, I suppose.” He said with a nonchalant and lazy shrug. “It looks interesting and I would love to read it. But I’m no good at understanding modern Common. The symbols are all different from what I usually use.”

 As he said that, Tubbo looked at the scroll and gestured towards it. Tommy sat up slightly to get a better look.

 “You see these letters here?” Tubbo asked.

 Tommy nodded and looked the strange, somewhat familiar glyphs over. Some of them bore a vague resemblance to the Common letters he was familiar with, but others were completely utterly alien. What was with all the squiggles ? Why were there so many random lines and dashes ? Why did that one look like a fancy ‘a’ while the one next to it was some kind of fucked up ‘u’ that got fused with a ‘p’?

 It was all very confusing to look at. Tommy was busy struggling to decipher the strange texts when he nodded slowly. “Uh-huh…I see ‘em…what the fuck are they?”

 Tubbo snickered. “They’re old Common. It used to be what everybody spoke way back when I was little. It’s what Uncle Schlatt taught me to use when I learned how to read and write.”

 Tommy awed at the god’s words. Looking back at it now, he could definitely see how the inked glyphs could resemble the modern ones he’d learned to write with from his elder brother. Though that still bore one question that he longed to have answered.

 “Ooooh, okay, I get it.” He nodded a bunch before turning back to look up at Tubbo. “So why can’t you read Common? Do you not understand it, or…?”

 He trailed off as Tubbo shook his head.

 “No. I understand it.”

 Tommy grew more confused and quirked a curious brow. “Then why don’t you read it?”

 A smile spread upon the god’s face, one that was well-humored and lighthearted. He chuckled while he picked the book up and set it aside on a nearby shelf.

 “Because." He said simply. “The words are too close together. When I try to read them, the letters get all jumbled up and make it hard to understand.”

 Tommy went ‘huh!’ and fell softly silent.

  Tubbo was smiling from ear to now light brown ear as Tommy looked around the room. He clapped his hands together and turned to look at the boy, his eyes literally glowing with expectancy and joy. 

 “Well?” He asked eagerly while rocking back on his hooves. “Do you like it? It’s not much, I know, but I tried to make it feel a bit more cozy. A bit more like home, if you would.” His fingers rubbed together in a fidgety, worrisome manner. 

 Tommy watched the god’s chest heave as he sucked in a deep breath and released it with a heavy huff. Tubbo’s chest was covered in a thick coat of fur that was cashmere soft, just like the stuff that coated his ears, tail and legs. This fur was a different color that did not change, though. It was always this nice tannish cream that made him think of those squishy white treats that Wilbur managed to scrounge up ages ago, the ones that you were supposed to roast over the fire until they were golden on the outside and gooey on the inside and that went well with some chocolate and something crunchy. Those had been one of the tastiest things Tommy had even eaten. He couldn’t remember what they were called, though, and he was a bit too preoccupied with Tubbo’s fluff to remember.

 Tubbo had a very fluffy chest. It was the perfect place to lay down and nap after a long day in the garden, or to snuggle up against on the couch while they spent some time watching the fish swim around in the living room tank.

 It was warm, soft, thick and smelled like wet soil and freshly sliced peaches. Tommy found it awful funny that Tubbo didn’t actually eat that many peaches. Maybe it was just a weird god thing that caused him to smell like that.

 He couldn’t help but notice that Tubbo’s fur was vaguely heart-shaped.

  Cute…

  Cute was the word Tommy would best use to describe the forest deity as he waited for his response. There really was no better way of saying just how sweet his eyes looked right now, or how adorable it was that despite towering over him, his droopy ears and floppy, waggly tail made him look incredibly small.

 He had to fight back the urge to coo as he looked around the room one last time before looking back at Tubbo. Tommy made sure to smile as brightly as possible as he stared into the god’s eyes and slowly nodded his head.

 “It’s great, Tubbo.” He breathed with a genuine sense of wonder and awe. “It’s fuckin’ brilliant. ”

 A burst of yellow glow in Tubbo’s eyes was a sight to behold. A beautiful sight, surely, one that Tommy savored in the brief seconds that passed before he was promptly scooped out of bed and into Tubbo’s strong, burly arms.

 He yelped as he rushed to cling onto the god’s bicep. You’d think he’d gotten used to Tubbo picking him up out of nowhere by now, but no. 

 Tubbo was too giddy with glee to notice his surprise. He beamed as he strode across the room with only a couple steps, and laughed softly at Tommy’s dazed state as he stopped by the wardrobe and set the boy down.

 Tommy stumbled a bit before regaining his balance.

 “I picked out some clothes for you!” Tubbo chimed happily. He gestured towards the outfits that lay neatly folded on the table and rubbed his hands together eagerly. “I know you like softer colors, so I made sure to go with things that were light and pretty. Do you like them?”

 They were some rather nice outfits. Once Tommy managed to clear his head enough to look, he found himself instantly drawn to the clothes and their soft, pretty, faintly floral hues. There were three of them, each one consisting of a lightly colored tunic and a silky cloak that was very similar to the ruby red one he had on right now. His eyes traced along the delicate embroidery that adorned each silken garment. Lacy flowers and flowy vines crawled up the tightly woven edges, some a faint grayish pink and others a pale sky blue. One in particular caught his attention.

 “This one’s pretty neat.” He said while pointing at it.

 “The purple one?” Tubbo asked while leaning down slightly. “I thought you’d like that one. It’s got sunflowers on it! See?”

 Tommy nodded as he looked over the lovely cloak. This one was a light mixture of mauve purple and pale lilac. The material was sleek and shiny, smooth to the touch and comfortably cool. The bottom edges were lined with a white, frilly lace, and from the frilly trimming rose a spiraling garden of beautiful sapphire sunflowers.

 Tubbo hummed. “Hmm…it’s going to look lovely on you…”

 Tommy shuddered as the god’s hot breath washed over his shoulders. He shivered and quickly picked the outfit up, then turned to face Tubbo with a small, flustered smile.

 “Y-yeah…?” He shifted awkwardly as he looked back down at the cloak and rubbed its smooth silk between his thin, calloused fingers. It was almost too pretty for him. Too beautiful, too perfect. “You think so?”

 Tubbo rose back up and firmly nodded his head. “I know so.”

 Suddenly, Tommy found himself feeling a bit hot despite how crisp the mornings in Oakburrow could be. He stuffed the outfit beneath his arm and stopped to clear his throat.

 “A-anyway, uh-” He swallowed thickly when he was not so happily reminded that they weren’t safely at home back in the forest where nothing could ever ruin these precious little moments together, but were, in fact, back home in Oakburrow.

 In his house.

 With his family.

 With his strange, odd, stuffy, sometimes uncomfortable family.

 With his strange, odd, stuffy, sometimes uncomfortable family who were all fast asleep in the rooms around theirs. The rooms with thin walls and listening ears. Ears that could easily pick up on the sounds of heavy hooves or scratching horns. 

 A bolt of icy anxiety pieced his chest and sent him quickly into a spiral.

 “Y-y-you shouldn’t, I don’t think, you need to, y-you gotta-!” Tommy struggled to get the words out. His heart was going way too fast. He needed to keep Tubbo’s secret safe until they could tell Wilbur, but knowing him, he was already up and ready to come in to get Tommy out of bed. And if he wasn’t quick, Wilbur would see Tubbo like this, and if he saw Tubbo like this-

 A large hand squeezing him gently was all it took to send that last panicked thought right into the nearest tree. Tommy stopped short and slowly opened his eyes, which he’d apparently closed in the time to took to stress himself out and make himself look like a total idiot.

 When he opened them, he was met with Tubbo’s pair of deep purple pools, which were only a few inches away from his and seemed to swallow his vision whole.

 Tubbo spoke in a low, deep, careful tone.

 “ Tommy . Sweetheart. It’s okay.”

 And in an instant, he was okay.

 A soft sigh left him as the god let him go. Tubbo pulled his hand back and remained quiet until Tommy had collected himself. Once he had, the god kept his voice quiet as he nodded at the door and kept his eyes trained on the boy. 

 “They’re all still fast asleep.” He explained calmly. “And even if they weren’t, I wouldn’t be stupid enough to make myself look this way when there was a chance that they could walk in and see. I just thought it’d be nice to loosen up a bit and surprise you after all that happened yesterday. That’s all. I promise you that everything is alright, darling. I’ve got everything under control. Everything’s alright, and everything is gonna be fine. I promise…”

 Tommy nodded slowly as Tubbo spoke. His heart was still going and his hands kept on shaking no matter how much he told them to stop, but if Tubbo said it was okay and not to worry, then he figured that must be that.

 He sighed and slouched down before looking back at the outfit. It suddenly occurred to him that he didn’t exactly have a place where he could change in private. He’d never really needed privacy when he got changed before. Most of the time, when out in the forest, he’d just throw something on and watch Tubbo scurry out of the room the second he started to undress. 

 Normally the god would leave the room to give him some privacy, but that was exactly an option right now, so Tommy was a bit lost and kind of concerned. Thankfully, Tubbo was one step ahead of him.

 “You can get dressed over there, love.” 

 The god pointed at a large screen that occupied the space next to the wooden table. It was a barrier of sorts, one that could be pulled open to allow whoever stood behind it as much privacy as they might need. Tommy smiled and thanked Tubbo softly before rushing over. As he did, he heard the god walk over and come to a stop next to the bed, where he remained completely still as Tommy dropped the outfit at his feet and began to undress.

 Tommy whispered loudly as he asked about what the god was up to. “Tubs? You okay? Do you need something?”

 Tubbo answered lightly and with an audible smile. “Oh, no dear, I’m fine. I just needed some privacy, too. Need to get myself all small and human-looking again before we can go have breakfast.”

 “Oh!” Tommy blinked, surprised that he could have somehow forgotten something so obvious. “Alrighty then!”

 He heard Tubbo chuckle at that. He also heard something else, something that was quiet and hard to make out over the soft shuffling of fabric and the scuff-scuff of hooves against wool.

 It kind of sounded like wood. More specifically, the sound of wooden tree limbs being bent over and cracked with a dozen soft, sharp snaps.

 It didn’t last very long and wasn’t very loud.

 There was just a final creak , and then the sound of footsteps walking over towards him. Tommy perked up and found himself feeling rather confused.

 “Tubbo?”

 The god answered with a happy tone. “Yes, Tommy?”

 “What was that sound just then?” Tommy asked while ignoring the cloak that lay loosely at his feet. He had the white tunic and black trousers on. The material of both pieces was smooth and warm. The trousers were a bit too puffy for his taste, but they would do for now.

 Tubbo answered and sounded slightly confused. “What sound, love?” He stopped next to the barrier. Tommy could feel his eyes through the smooth wood paneling.

 “The sound just then.” He explained with a small, unseen wave of his hand. “All that creakin’ and shit. Sounded like a tree was falling over.”

 Tubbo hummed for a bit, tried to understand what Tommy was referring to, and then went “ah!” as he seemed to figure it out. Tommy reached down and grabbed the cloak as the god happily began to explain.

 “Ah! That was just me getting changed and going back to my lil’ human form thingy. I didn’t know I made any noise when I shift. Guess that’s what it was you were hearing just about now.”

 There was an easy-going air to Tubbo’s words. Tommy almost asked how he couldn’t know for certain, but then he remembered that Tubbo had never needed to change his form like this until now and thought it better to be silent.

 A deep growl from within his stomach seemed to agree. A delicious smell wafting against his nose only solidified his choice not to press the conversation further.

 “Huh…okay…is uh, is breakfast ready?” Tommy took another sniff and began drooling when the delectable aroma of strawberries and milk cream rose through the sleepy air. His stomach growled again as Tubbo giggled.

 “Hehehe, smell something good?” He asked as Tommy stumbled out from behind the barrier and wandered right into his arms. “Guess who made those little strawberry tarts you like so muuuuch ?”

 There was a sing-songy quality to Tubbo’s words. Tommy noticed right away how small he was like this, how the lack of horns or hooves made him look so very plain and unassuming. When people saw this Tubbo, they didn’t see the person Tommy saw. They didn’t see a graceful god. They didn’t see a tender spirit of the woods or a beautiful forest lord. They didn’t see how great he was, how wonderful, how powerful and gentle and perfect he could be. All they saw was a young boy with chestnut hair and sky blue eyes, and though that made his heart ache a bit, Tommy couldn’t help but find himself just the slightest bit excited by how special he felt to be the only one that knew of Tubbo’s little secret.

  Our secret.

  Warmth bloomed in his chest at such a small yet wondrous thought. 

 He’d never been one for keeping secrets(not very well and not for very long), but despite how worried he was, Tommy couldn’t help but smile as Tubbo reached up and gently held his cheek in a soft, caring hand.

 Tubbo smiled back and looked into his eyes.  

 “Are you hungry, love?” He asked while he caressed the sides of Tommy’s face.

 Tommy shivered at how his nails brushed against his skin and nodded weakly. “Uh-huh…smells good…didja make honey bread, too?”

 Tubbo hummed. “Mhmm…didn’t make it myself, though. I went and bought it from that nice woman you mentioned a while back. Niki, was it? She’s nice…”

 “Yeah…she’s great…love her…” Tommy leaned forward and nuzzled the crown of Tubbo’s hair as he nodded slowly. He brought his arms up to hug the shorter. Tubbo laughed softly as he hugged him back and let out a long, content sigh.

 They stayed like that for a bit.

 It was wonderful.

 Tubbo grabbed both of Tommy’s hands as they were forced to pull apart. “Are you ready for breakfast, my sweet prince?”

 Tommy would never not be ready.

~~~

 Breakfast was just what he was expecting: a feast.

 A grand, wonderful, masterfully prepared and ever so delicious banquet. It was impressive just how much food Tubbo had managed to prepare in such a short amount of time, doubly so when you took into account the sheer variety of dishes that were on offer. Tommy didn’t even recognize what half of this stuff was ! But it sure as hell tasted good, so you weren’t going to hear him complain.

 Tubbo had gone out with the arrangements. He always did. It was actually rather embarrassing to look at all the heavy drapings and glittery silverware, or goldware, as Tommy called it, because it was gold instead of silver and seemed to glow with an iridescent radiance that was cast upon it by the candles that adorned the table’s center row. There was a large bouquet that served as the room’s main centerpiece. It was made of all of Tommy’s favorite flowers, all of which sat safe and snug in a curved vase made of polished bronze that was covered in silver swirls. 

 There were deep red tulips and bright pink poppies, pastel peonies and purple hydrangeas, a burst of yellow buttercups that rose from a cloud of pearly white daisies, and a whole dozen or so lavender springs that grew from a web of white carnation petals and lilac colored roses.

 At the center of it all was a single sunflower, with its golden petals spread wide open and its black eye turned up to the ceiling in an almost prideful manner.

 Tommy just about started crying as Tubbo guided him quickly towards his seat.

 He was at the head of the table, his spot being a chair that was very different from the rest. All the other chairs were the exact same as they had been the night prior, but his was a wooden throne with a high, narrow back and a royal blue cushion that matched the sapphire tablecloth. Veins of silver ran along its finely carved armrests. A gold sun hung behind his head as he sat down and took it all in.

 “This is…” He tried, simply too awestruck to manage out the proper words he needed to describe such a thing.

 Luckily, Tubbo finished for him. “A bit much? Yeah, I know. I just figured I’d spoil you a bit extra to make up for how stressful things have been for you lately.”

 There was a sugary sweetness dripping from every word as the god leaned down and nuzzled the side of his face. Tommy laughed and tried weakly to shove him away, only to end up getting himself peppered with featherlight kisses. Tubbo squeezed him tightly and giggled when he finally showed Tommy a hint of mercy and ceased his lovey-dovey assault against the boy’s now deeply wounded and utterly devastated manliness.

 “Bitch.” Tommy shot lightly as the god turned to take a seat right beside him. Tubbo’s chair was a bit smaller and was covered in gold leaves that sprouted from shiny green vines.

 Tubbo talked back in a playful, childish tone that was accompanied by a soft, gentle smile. “You love me for it.”

 Tommy snorted as he looked down at his plate.

 “Yeah.” He said softly. “I do.”

 It wasn’t very long before the rest of the house began to stir. Ranboo was first to get up and arrived after only a few minutes. He wore a dark gray-blue tunic with small brown buttons along with a pair of black and white boots. His hair was still unkempt and messy from sleep, but his fingers were cleaned of ink stains, so that was nice to see.

 He commented, briefly, on the room’s decor. 

 “It’s very uh…very pretty, in here!” He laughed awkwardly as he fiddled feebly with his long, thin fingers. “I-I like uh…I like the flowers…yeah…! They’re pretty…”

 Tubbo only answered him with an uninterested hum. Tommy shot the god a worrisome glance, which he quickly replaced with a friendly smile as he looked back at Ranboo and pulled out the chair located to his left. Tubbo was sat to his right and eyed him with questioning curiosity.

 “Mornin’ Ranboob!” Tommy greeted happily. “Care to have a seat and munch on some uh…some…Tubbo, what’re these called again?” Tommy trailed off and then nodded slightly at the brightly colored, cream-filled pastry dishes that occupied a nearby platter.

 “Those are macaroons, sweetie.”

 Tommy perked back up in an instant and smiled once again. “Macaroons! Yeah! Come have some macaroons, Ranman! We’ve also got pancakes, cream tarts, strawberry and vanilla danishes, some cinnamon apples and a couple peach pies. Oh, and Tub’s snagged some honey bread from Niki’s bakery, too! Awful sweet of him, huh?”

 There was a pause in conversation.

 Tubbo and Ranboo simply stared at one another from across the room, both of them still as a winter’s morning and silent as a hollow cave. Tubbo narrowed his eyes at the tall boy. Ranboo shifted his weight and slowly lowered his gaze down to the neatly polished floorboards. They both remained that way for quite some time before Ranboo finally coughed into his hand and hurried over to his seat.

 “Y-yeah!” He said, strained but happy. “That’s uh, that’s very nice of him. Very uh…very sweet . Yeah…”

 Tommy couldn’t help but feel like there was something going on between his two friends. Something that he wasn’t privy to. A secret of sorts.

  Probably shouldn’t ask. Might cause trouble.

  He knew that wasn’t true. If he asked, Tubbo would be honest and tell him what was up. But something about the thought of asking what was wrong when everything felt so right made him feel something. Something that wasn’t good. 

 Tommy just wanted to feel good. Just for now. Just for today.

 I’m sure it’s fine.

 Surely…

 He mellowed that unspoken reassurance to himself into his brain as he began to eat.

 Father and Technoblade joined them eventually. Neither of them seemed to notice the drastic change in the dining room’s decor. They just sat down and started eating, hardly paying the trio any mind as they grumbled to one another in low, throaty voices. Tommy tried not to stare when Technoblade began having himself a heaping plate-full of spiced, roasted pork. It was…not a pleasant sight, to say the least.

 He was just grateful that Tubbo had gotten that honey bread. Its sweet taste was almost enough to distract from the grotesque sounds of wet slapping that came from the brutish warrior.

 Emphasis on almost .

 Things were peaceful for a while. Tommy made a bit of small talk with Tubbo and shot Ranboo a few jokes. It was hard to talk too loudly with Father and Technoblade around, but he managed to get a few snickers and a cheeky grin from the older boy, so he counted it as a win.

 Things changed when Wilbur finally arrived.

 They didn’t change for the better.

 “What…the fuck .” Wilbur’s voice was dark and breathless. He stood in the open doorway, body straight and eyes fully alert. His face was a pale white shroud, his cheeks thin and eye sockets gaunt with a night’s worth of restless, shallow sleep. He looked around quickly at the room, eyes darting all around as his breath began to tremble. “What…the fuck …is all of this ?”

 He waved a shaky hand and drew in a sharp breath.

 Tubbo shrugged and spooned some more honey into Tommy’s tea. “Just a bit of redecorating I did, is all.” He answered with a cool, crisp, snappy bit of niceness that felt like anything but. “Hope you don’t mind, sir, but you folks didn’t have much in the way of ingredients for me to work with. I didn’t want to be rude and pester you about it, so I took matters into my own hands and went out of my way to whip this up all on my own.”

 A happy tune came into Tubbo’s voice as he smiled and gestured at the table. 

 “I made all of this all on my own while you were all fast asleep. I also took it upon myself to ensure that Tommy’s room in particular is much better suited to accommodate his needs, as well as made sure that he has plenty of clean, comfortable and well-fitted clothing to choose from.”

 The god made a throaty chuckle as Wilbur batted his lashes and quickly shook his head. It seemed that the man was too dazed to respond. If Tommy didn’t know any better, he’d almost say it looked like Wilbur had seen a ghost or some other manner of ghastly, ghoulish creature.

 Tubbo clasped his hands together over his chest and leaned back into his seat. His eyes remained fixated on Wilbur, who, as he had all the times before when speaking with Tubbo, spoke in a harsh, cruel hiss that morphed into an ugly whisper. 

 “You…” His breath shuddered along with the rest of his frame as he raised a hand and jabbed a finger at the deity. “You…you’re not a human , are you? No…no, you’re not . Y-you’re something else . Something worse .”

 Tubbo tilted his head and raised a curious brow. “Oh? I’m not? What do you reckon I am, then?”

 Wilbur shook his head slowly. He did not lower his hand, and instead used the other to grip tightly onto the doorframe, allowing him to support himself as he leaned forward and glared daggers at the hidden god that sat just a few feet away from him.

 There was darkness in Wilbur’s eyes. Darkness and a spark of raw fury until any that Tommy had ever seen before. It burned and smoldered there like a flame on a pile of coals, hot and deadly to the touch as it fueled itself on the black rocks.

 A maddened grin spread onto Wilbur’s face as he jabbed his finger once more.

 “ You , little tempter, are a demon . A hellspawn . Some manner of foul creature from the black pit that’s come to corrupt my baby brother and defile his innocence. Yes, yes! Yes, that’s what you are! That’s what you are, you twisted little beast. Bet you thought I was stupid, eh ? Thought I was too dumb to see through your glamors and deceptions? Thought you’d pull a fast one on me, weasel your way into his mind and escape with his soul?! Ohohoho hoooo …you are a slick one, aren’t you?”

 Tommy sent Tubbo a questioning glance.

 Tubbo only shrugged and offered an equally confused look in return. He looked back at Wilbur as the man went on, taking a sip from his own cup of freshly poured honey-vanilla camomile as he watched the chaos unfold.

 Tommy followed his lead and watched his brother straighten back up and gain a boost of confidence. His voice was harsher now, louder, more bitter and spiteful than it had been before. Were it not for how tired and frail he looked, Tommy was certain that he’d be finding his older brother to be actually kind of scary right about now. Then again this was Wilbur he was talking about. The man could never do scary very well. Not for very long, at least.

 “First you found him in the woods; alone, helpless and completely defenseless. Then you lured him in and brought him back to whatever empty shack you made into your den of depravity. A private place far from civilization, perfect for all manner of sick, twisted rites of infernal origin.” 

 Wilbur began to pace back and forth in front of the doorway. He did not tear his eyes away from Tubbo, not even as the boy gawked and spilled a bit of tea onto his spring green cloak. Wilbur cackled at that and swiftly picked up the pace.

 “Yes!” He gleaned with thunderous triumph. “Yes, yes, I knew it, I knew it! You fiend ! You malevolent beast born from the fires of the damned ! You thought you could get away with it. Thought you’d slip past me and go unpunished, unknown, undetected in your act of unspeakable savagery ! How’d you do it? How did you go about brutalizing my darling Tommy, hm ? Did you force him into it? Coerce him under threat of death or torture? Did you pressure him, or did you use whatever manner of sick mind-control magic tom fuckery you have at your disposal to rid him of his senses and render him as nothing more than a mindless little doll to use as you wish? Huh? Is that it ?!”

 Disgusted did not even begin to describe the look on Tubbo’s face. 

 Confusion hardly covered the broad swathes of emotion that Tommy was experiencing right now.

  Ranboo looked about ready to get up and leave.

 Father’s eye twitched in annoyance as Technoblade’s brow furrowed into a deep, furious grimace.

 Wilbur remained utterly oblivious to the rising tension he’d single-handedly created throughout his ill-manner speech. He continued on, unphased and unashamed, voice rising and growing in intensity with every other word.

 “I bet you marked him, didn’t you?” He stopped pacing and turned on his heels to stare Tubbo down. “I’ve read a thing or two about your kind. I know your tricks, your ways, the signs of your corrupting influence upon the purity of the world. I know that when a demon destroys a person’s soul and claims them as their own, they leave a mark somewhere on their bodies, a sign or sigil that serves as a sign of the victim’s servitude. If you find it and apply the correct herbs, you can break the seal and set the soul free from the demon’s influence.”

 His eyes drifted over to Tommy. The boy suddenly felt rather stiff in his seat. A bit trapped. 

 “If I can find that seal…” Wilbur’s breath rattled as his chest and shoulder heaved with great, terrible strength. Red blotches now bruised the sides of his cheeks and forehead. Silvery beads of glistening sweat ran down his brow, and a shiver rattled his whole body as he tightened his fists and barred his slightly yellowed fangs. “I’ll do it…I’ll fuckin’ do it. I’ll fuckin’ save him. I’ll save him no matter what. I’ll go all the way to the capital if I need to. I’ll drag ‘em kicking and scream all the way if that’s what it takes, if that’s what needs to be done to rid him of your rotten, twisted, ungodly, unholy, corrupted, fiendish, infernal, demonic, dastardly and utterly depraved influ-”

 A sudden bang sent Wilbur scuttling backwards. 

 The force of Technoblade’s fist hammering heavily down on the table caused all the dishes and cups to rattle loudly. A few pieces of fruit rolled from their piles, and a handful of petals came off of the bouquet and fell onto the tablecloth.

 The boys all tensed up as the Blood God bellowed angrily at the rambling man. “WILL YOU SHUT THE FUCK UP?!”

 Wilbur’s only answer was a tiny, feeble squeak and a frantic little nod. Technoblade huffed and glared down at his plate. Father only watched, disappointed and clearly displeased, as Wilbur shrank down and scurried over to his seat.

 There was no more talking throughout the rest of that morning’s breakfast.

 For once, Tommy was grateful that Technoblade could be so loud. Even if it meant having to deal with the panic and adrenaline coursing through his veins as he stuffed himself with a few more minty macaroons.

  Today’s gonna be a good day. He told himself assuredly through the fear and the anxiety that rattled about inside his skull. Today’s gonna be a good day…

  It was going to be a good day.

 A nice, calm, fun, relaxing day.

 Just him, his friends, and maybe a trip to Niki’s bakery to grab some more honey bread. No worries about Wilbur being weird. No stress about Technoblade’s loud voice or Father’s cold silence. No worrying about getting torn away from Tubbo again and being all alone. Just honey bread. Just honey bread, and maybe some flower picking.

 No stress, no worries.

 What could possibly go wrong?

  ♡~Tubbo~♡

 There wasn’t very much to do in Oakburrow. That was something that became very apparent to Tubbo, who, upon finishing up his portion of cleaning up after breakfast, came to realize just how boring the village his lamb grew up in truly was.

 There wasn’t much of interest in the market.

 Most stores and shops were tailored to things like martial weaponry and the exchanging of farm goods.

 The children were either too young to spend time with or too old to be anything besides bitter and unnecessarily nasty, and the few who weren’t complete assholes were hardly worthy of Tommy’s presence, let alone his friendship. Not that Tubbo would care to try and control who his beloved could and couldn’t associate with, of course. That would be terrible. It was just a simple fact that when it came to the general population of minors in Oakburrow, there was a scarcely low number of people whom Tubbo would deem as being worthy of associating with Tommy in any meaningful manner.

 There were some who were… bearable … barely .

 Eryn was one who Tubbo thought was somewhat acceptable. A nice boy, really, though a bit too flighty and distant. Tommy didn’t even seem to notice when they waved at him as they passed him by on the way from the house. Tubbo waved for him so as to save him the embarrassment.

 Another boy, Purpled, was also decently amiable. He had a happy smile and lightly colored hair the color of grayish-gold dust. His eyes were purple. Possibly of elven descent if Tubbo had to guess. He didn’t look up when Tommy passed him by on his way down one of Oakburrow's many dirt paths, but Tubbo could faintly sense the boy’s thoughts as they wandered past.

  Niki said that Tommy came back. His mind whispered as he helped his mother with an overflowing bucket of dark, dirty water. Tubbo read his thoughts as thought they were words on parchment, his mind's eye scanning over them quickly with brief and blatant disinterest. Need to stop by and say hey sometime. Never talked to him much. He’s a good guy, though, very nice and good with plants. Wonder if he’d give us some herbs from that little garden of his. Bet that basil would go well in Ma’s stew.

  Tubbo’s eye twitched with annoyance.

 From what little Tommy had said about his life in Oakburrow, Tubbo was left with the impression that most of the village children were far from kind to him. The older kids were brats and bullies, the younger ones too small and too clumsy to play with anyone outside their age range, and the few that were in his own year were too busy to get to know him beyond a passing glance. Yet lo and behold, some still had the nerve to act as though they were friends with the boy, an act of entitlement that Tubbo saw as a personal afront against his better nature.

  Oh, I’ll give you some basil, alright. I’ll jam it right into your ear, in one side and straight out through the other. Bet you don’t even know Tommy’s full name. Bet you’ve never asked him his favorite color. Bet you don’t know how much he loves strawberry and peach pie. Bitch.

  And then there was Ranboo .

 Simple, plain, basic and utterly unextraordinary Ranboo . Those were just some of the terms that Tubbo would use to describe the boy that his lamb seemed so fond of. If there was much of anything to describe in the first place, that is. 

 Ranboo was, in a word, dull. He was ordinary to a painful degree. A normal, unassuming, uninteresting and completely unimpressive teeanger whose most notable qualities were that of his above-average height and oddly colored eyes. And even then, those weren’t even that cool.

 His hair was soft and colored like lightly polished bronze. His skin was pale and tinted pink by the sun. His legs and arms were long and thin, his chest broad and shoulders stuck in a perpetual state of slouching down in a vain attempt to make himself small. 

 Those eyes of his were interesting. They were a mix of green and blue, though whichever hue was more dominant seemed to depend on how the light hit them. Inside the candle-lit shadows of the house they had a pale azure glow that was tinted by a grayish dust, but out here in broad daylight, his eyes were more of a bright jade.

 Were it not for Ranboo refusing to raise them up from the ground half the time, Tubbo had no doubt that those eyes of his would be quite a lovely sight. In a purely hypothetical sense, of course.

 Tubbo did not know why Tommy liked Ranboo so much.

 Tommy just seemed drawn to the boy, enraptured by his soft-spoken voice and painfully polite mannerisms. He had all kinds of silly nicknames for him. Names like “Ranbus” and “Ranboob” seemed to be among his favorites. Although Ranboo didn’t seem too fond of the latter, Tubbo couldn’t ignore how genuine his smile was whenever Tommy looked up and smiled at him whenever he said it.

 That was Tommy’s special smile.

 That was the smile he gave Tubbo whenever they were working out in the garden and planted some more flowers.

 That was the smile he wore when they visited the hot spring and watched the leaves dance overhead while talking about their day together.

 That was the smile that Tommy had on when they were together in the kitchen making breakfast, or when they were out and about working with the bees to collect some of their precious honey, which they would then use in all manner of recipes that would be shared between them and them alone.

 That was Tommy’s special smile. His secret smile, the one that was for Tubbo and Tubbo only.

 That was his “I love you” smile.

 That was his “I want to be with you forever” smile.

 That was his “Oh Tubbo, you’re so great and perfect and wonderful. I love you and will never ever leave you, no matter what, so please don’t be scared about me running off and getting myself killed by a pack of feral wolves and leaving you alone forever and ever” smile.

 That was Tubbo’s smile, and seeing Tommy give it out to some boring little nobody had to be the single most frustrating thing that he’d ever experienced in all of his three thousand years! 

 Tubbo also couldn’t ignore just how damn frustrating it was to watch the two boys skip on ahead without him. That only rubbed salt in the wound that was inflicted upon him by the sight of the two boys laughing, a wound that only grew deeper and deeper with each little bit of friendly closeness the pair exchanged.

 Around his feet, a few strands of bright green grass withered into shriveled gray strands as he watched Tommy playfully nudge Ranboo’s shoulder.

 “You’re so fuckin’ weird , Ranboo!” He said while giggling happily. “You’re almost as bad as Tubbo, my gods .”

 Ranboo chuckled and nudged the boy back. “Well, maybe you need to stop being so dang silly! You’re like a little monkey.”

 Tommy barked out a loud laugh. “A monkey ?!” He looked at Ranboo with wide eyes and quickly reared back his head. “A fuckin’ monkey ? Really? That’s what I remind you of?”

 “W-well, I mean!” Ranboo hurriedly shrugged while quickly stumbling over his words. He seemed to struggle with figuring out exactly what he wanted to say. “Y-you’re like a little animal, a-and you’re very funny a-a-and silly. Monkeys are little, funny and silly. They’re cute and like…uh… ffffruit …?”

 Tommy just stared at him.

 “...what the fuck are you even on about, Ranboo?” 

 Ranboo dropped his arms and sighed heavily. “I dunno, man. It sounded better in my head.”

 Tommy clicked his tongue and placed a hand on the taller’s shoulder. Ranboo slouched even more than he was already, eyes low to the ground as he wilted and bowed his head in shame. Tubbo watched from a few paces back as Tommy gently pat Ranboo on the shoulder, tensing as it took every ounce of strength and willpower he had not to lose control and turn the entirety of Oakburrow into a blackened stain.

 The gray grass turned black and twisted as he shuddered heavily.

  Keep it together, keep it together.

  He took in several deep, shaky breaths before finally moving to join the other two boys. A forced smile formed on his face, and though it pained him to no end to see, Tubbo had to admit that he did find some solace in how happy Tommy looked standing next to Ranboo. Even if that happiness was a white-hot spear being driven between his ribs.

 “Tommy!” Tubbo sang while hurrying to the boy’s side.

 Tommy blinked, surprised to see Tubbo so quickly next to him with his burly arm hooked his own. His surprise quickly ebbed into happiness, a gentle joy that colored his face with a big, beautiful smile. 

 Tubbo’s smile.

 A gleeful shiver ran through the god as the boy looked at him and away from a now slightly startled(and noticeable tense) Ranboo.

 “Oh! Hi Tubs!” Tommy said while Tubbo made sure that their arms were tightly locked together at the elbows, an action that seemed to go unnoticed in the boy’s joyful, bright-eyed haze. “Ranboo and I were just talkin’ about what we could do today to pass the time until lunch.”

 Tubbo’s eye tried to twitch. He stopped it, but goodness did it want to. He felt something ugly tighten deep inside his heart as he struggled to keep the strain out of his voice. “Oh?”

 “Yeah!” Tommy nodded. Oblivious. Thank goodness. “We thought it’d be fun to go and pick some flowers. Y’know, kinda like we do together back uh…back at your place…?” His eyes flicked quickly over to Ranboo and back again in a mere instant. “I think it would be fun. Do…do you wanna do it, or…?”

 Nervous.

 Tommy was nervous.

 Tommy was nervous about asking Tubbo if he wanted to go and pick some flowers. Tommy was nervous because that was something they did together, something they did alone when they were by themselves out in the safety and sanctuary of the forest. Flower picking was their thing. It was a Tommy and Tubbo thing. Not a Tommy, Tubbo and also Ranboo thing.

  It’s our thing. Why do you want to have him around for our thing?

 Why is he even here ?

 Why do you like him?

 Why does he make you smile and laugh like how I make you smile and laugh?

 Why does it hurt?

 Why does it hurt to watch you and him be together and be happy ?

  More grass turned gray and dead around Tubbo’s feet as his mind reeled. He stiffened as he felt his chest swell and ribs tighten, his eyes going hazy as the anxieties came rolling in in waves of gray-tinted dread.

  I want to say no.

 I want him to leave.

 I want it to be just you and me, just like always.

 I don’t want to share you. I don’t want to lose you again.

 I want to go back to the forest. I want us to go home and forget about this place. It’s too loud out here, too bright, too many eyes and too much judgment .

 I know you love your family.

 I know you love your brother.

 I know you love your father.

 I know you love them.

 I know you care about them and want to make things work.

 But something tells me that can’t happen. Not here. Not in this world. Not in Oakburrow.

  He glanced over. Ranboo was watching them from a less than respectful distance. His eyes were focused more on a small beetle crawling over the toe of his boot than they were on Tommy or Tubbo, but Tubbo could tell that he was not-to-subtly poking his nose in where it didn’t belong. He was half-tempted to glare at him and stare him down until he was dead(he was a god, he could do that), but decided that spontaneous, magic-induced murder wasn’t the way to go about this partically stressful situation.

 But he thought about it.

 Oh boy, did he think about it.

  He’s not special.

 He’s not a god.

 He’s not powerful enough to protect you, nor skilled enough to give you the life you deserve.

 He’s plain .

 He’s dull .

 He is a dull, plain, basic, boring little mortal nobody , and the fact that he doesn’t even seem to comprehend anything that isn’t crawling around in the mud and filth only makes your attention to him even worse .

 Why do you like him?

 What’s so special about this one?

 What’s so great about a tall idiot with some weird eyes?

  Something about that last thought stuck out like blue moss on tree bark. Tubbo stopped for a moment. Then thought. Then realized something that just about made him lose his shit and send the entirety of Oakburrow and the surrounding grasslands up into a fiery blaze.

 I’m a tall idiot with some weird eyes. He thought with a wave of tired, empty rage washing over him like water over a dried-over riverbed. Oh fuck…fuuuuuuuuck fuck fuck fuck fuckity fuck fuck shit fuck !

  At this point, Tubbo was too mad at himself to be angry at Ranboo. Well, no. He was still very much angry at Ranboo. He just so happened to be dividing his anger equally between Ranboo and himself, a choice that would allow him to at least answer Tommy’s question in a way that wasn’t an endless stream of furious spitting and rage-ladened swears.

  Sweet lamb, I love you so, but must you force these world-shattering revelations upon me a mere few minutes after breakfast?

  He sighed and smiled weakly. Tommy waited patiently to hear what he had to say. He could be so patient when he wanted to, even if it meant having to deal with Tubbo and his idiotic way of dealing with feelings of intense, pefectly valid and not at all unhealthy jealousy. Tubbo was blessed with Tommy. Truly, he was blessed.

 “Yeah.” He said finally in a soft, resigned tone. “We can go pick some flowers. Do you know where we can find some around here, sweetheart?”

 Tommy’s face was bright as the summer sun. It was blinding. Warm. Golden and perfect as the day Tubbo found him out in the forest and claimed him as his own. As his favorite. As his .

 “Yup! I know where a real good patch is! C’mon, I’ll take you guys there, it’s just this way!” Tommy grabbed Tubbo by the hand and turned to run away. Tubbo was just about to smile for real when he paused, and in an instant the ugliness and rage came back as the boy reached out and grabbed Ranboo’s hand, too. 

 Both the god and the boy shared a moment of tense, fiery eye contact.

  Maybe I will stare you dead. Tubbo thought with the utmost aggression as Tommy hurried forward and pulled them both along behind him down the dirt path. 

 Ranboo only yelped and stumbled as he was yanked along.

 Tubbo snickered. Or maybe you’ll get yourself killed before I even need to do anything…

  With that pleasant and admittedly disturbing thought in mind, Tubbo allowed himself an easy, relaxed smile. 

 Today was going to be an okay day. He was going to pick some flowers with his beloved and beloved’s weird friend. They could make some flower crowns. Maybe they’d grab something to eat from the market to bring home once it was time for lunch. Maybe he’d work some more of his “fiendishly vile” magic and summon something nice for Tommy. 

 Shepherd’s pie sounded nice. Shepherd’s pie and maybe some sourdough bread that was thickly-sliced and slathered in a generous layer of honey.

 Just the thought of seeing his sweet lamb enjoying himself while he sat in that nice, cozy chair and wore a pretty little flower crown brought Tubbo a deep sense of peace and joy. Maybe he’d have to deal with Ranboo for a while. But it’d be worth it if it meant seeing Tommy happy.

 It was always worth it if Tommy was happy.

 That was the thought that soothed the god as he listened to his lamb’s joyful ramblings.

 T oday was going to be a good day.

 A good day…a good day…

 What could possibly go wrong?

Chapter Text

◇~Tommy~◇

 Tommy had always had a great love of flowers. Since he was little, he could remember being fascinated and endeared by their pretty colors, soft petals and gentle scents. He loved to pick them and weave them into handcrafted crowns, a skill that Wilbur taught him once and never once brought up again, either because he didn’t care to or because he trusted Tommy to use it for good.

 Father was never too impressed by the floral garments Tommy made for him.

 Wilbur wore his with a proud smile and a lively gleam in his dark, weary eyes.

 Tommy only hoped that any fairies of woodland sprites that happened through their back garden appreciated the ones he left out for them. The ones meant for Father. The ones that never got worn and were abandoned on the lowest branches of their sickly old oak tree.

 Tubbo always wore the flower crowns Tommy made for him. He said they were beautiful, that they were perfect in every way and that their simplistic beauty rivaled that of even the most wondrous of rare gems. He’d wear his for days at a time, from sunrise until sundown, never failing once to brush a clawed finger along the edge of the woven blooms so as to marvel at their splendor.

  “Why do the flowers I give you never go rotten?” Tommy asked as he and Tubbo dug out a fresh flower bed.

 Tubbo turned to him and tilted his head a few hairs to the side. “Come again, love?” He asked while Tommy paused to brush some thick brown mud off the bottom of his tunic. It was a pointless endeavor, really. They were both knee-deep in the dirt at this point, both stood beneath the shade of the branches and leaves that drooped lowly and loosely in the thick midday heat. The air was thick with the scent of wet earth and moist moss. Tommy could pick up the smell of a few mottled toadstools that grew somewhere off in the shifting shadows and had himself a pleasant lungful.

 He repeated his question with a slightly louder voice. “The flowers I give you. The ones in the crowns and stuff. How come they never go all brown and dead when you have ‘em?”

 Tubbo’s eyes lit up as he quickly understood. “Ah!” He said brightly and with a wide, happy smile. “That’s because I’m a forest god. We satyrs are manifestations of nature and the earth itself. Plantlife such as these flowers stay alive much longer whenever they’re near us.”

 “Do they stay like that forever?” Tommy’s eyes looked over the marigolds and white lilies that adorned the god’s head in wistful, innocent wonder.

 The ground shook slightly when Tubbo laughed. 

 “Oh, sweetheart.” Tubbo crooned while he reached down to brush a claw across Tommy’s cheek. The featherlight touch sent a shiver through the boy’s spine, one that ran from the nape of his neck all the way down to the tips of his toes. “Nothing stays forever. Not even flowers.”

 Tommy made a tiny sound at that.

 “That’s dumb.” He said while Tubbo pulled away and got back to digging.

 “Quite.” The god agreed in a low, tender tone.

  Tommy still didn’t believe Tubbo when he said that the flowers he gave him wouldn’t last forever. It had been ages since he made that one crown, at least a month, but Tommy still remembered it looking as fresh and beautiful as ever the last time he saw it sitting on one of their bedroom tables.

  Lying bastard. He thought humorously. 

 There weren’t anywhere near as many flowers in Oakburrow as there were out in the forest. Oakburrow was a place of weeds, of muddy grass and spiky thistles. There were thorny bushes along most paths, ones with prickly leaves and tiny red berries that Wilbur said were unsafe for eating. Tommy had tried to prove him wrong once when he was really pissed off about something or other. That led to a whole week of being stuck in bed as his stomach tried its best to land him an early grave.

 At least there were a few flowers he could enjoy. Dandelions were one of his childhood favorites. So were white and purple cloves, alongside daisies and the occasional purple allium. Those were a very common flower near the north edge of town, which was where Tommy had led Tubbo and Ranboo a few minutes prior to them stumbling upon a flat bit of grass that sat between two long abandoned homes.

 Ranboo seemed to really like the alliums, too.

 Tommy couldn’t help but giggle at how absolutely massive the purple puffballs looked next to Tubbo, who kept close to his side and helped him as he gathered some daisies and a few buttercups. They were huge! Massive! The bloody things stood at about four foot tall at least , making them more than big enough to reach up and bump harmlessly against the currently five feet tall deity’s shoulders as they swayed in the breeze.

 He snickered as Tubbo let out a frustrated huff and batted one of the rounded blooms away. The allium leaned back for a second, but only long enough for Tubbo to turn around and get hit right on the back.

 Red veins sprawled inside Tubbo’s eyes as he growled at the offending flower.

 Tommy just snorted and savored the way Tubbo stared at him like he’d just been betrayed.

 “Hehehehe, sorry!” He lied while covering his shit-eating grin with one hand.

 “Liar.” Tubbo spat. If he had a tail right about now, Tommy had no doubt it’d be wagging up a storm. “You are a liar and a scoundrel. You see me lay, rotten and broken, a helpless flesh-thing in the mud. You see me wallow in the filth, a slave to my misery and a plaything of the higher cosmos. You watch me toil. You watch me bleed and writhe and squirm in a helpless attempt to escape my self-imposed hell, and what do you do?”

 Tommy full on wheezed and doubled over. Tubbo only bellowed loudly as he finished his wrathful, spiteful rant of mythical proportions. 

 “You laugh ! You laugh and you mock me, fucking mock me as I suffer ‘neath the weight of my own circumstance !” Tubbo huffed loudly and surely shook his head. Tommy could only gasp for air as the god sighed and crossed his arms, a firm and stoney pout now on his round, kind face. “Unbelieve. Cannot believe I put up with you. Goodness, I’m a fucking masochist .”

 “A what, now?”

 Ranboo popped out from behind a large lilac bush and batted his lashes. Tubbo only tsked and shot the boy a rather unfriendly glare that caused Tommy to wilt slightly as he fully recovered and came back to himself.

 “ Nothing , Ranboo.” Tubbo droned while rolling his eyes. “Just go off and mess around with the daffodils or whatever.”

 Tommy’s small frown deepened as Ranboo answered in a light voice.

 “Oh! Okay then.”

 Tommy looked at Tubbo sternly after he watched Ranboo duck away and vanish behind the large bush. The god had a smile on his face. It was a happy one, but not one that was particularly friendly.

 “Tubbo?” He said slowly, keeping his voice down as the god turned and answered him brightly.

 “Yes, Toms?”

 “Why…” Tommy stopped and paused for a second before trying again. “Why’d you tell Ranboo to go away? He’s just trying to join in and have fun with us. He’s cool! He can ask you what a maddy-kist is or whatever, right?”

 It was then that Tommy noticed that the crimson veins in Tubbo’s eyes had begun to change. They were bigger now, the thick strands of dark red spreading out wider and wider as they overtook the god’s azure irises. The edges were almost black at this point. Tommy noticed that a few had a faintly bluish-purple tint near the center.

 Tubbo clenched his jaw as he hissed out a reply.