Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The ocean had always piqued Tommy’s interest ever since he was five. He grew up on the coast for End’s sake! It was in 'The Great Tommyinnit’s' blood to be on the water-well, according to the eleven year old that is. He had always believed that the life of a pirate was made for him, that it was in his destiny to be a part of the greatest pirate crew of all time. He would be able to explore the world by water, find treasure with his crew, and maybe even get one of those little parrots on the way. He would be able to make the ocean his home, and be able to fall asleep to the lullaby of the waves crashing against his ship every night.

This is not at all what his destiny was supposed to look like.

It was cramped. The belly of the ship he was thrown into filled to the brim with wooden barrels and about twelve weeping children, Tommy unfortunately being one of said children (though he was not weeping, big man is too big to weep) The dark stuffy air smelt of dingy alcohol and of salty water, he could hear the angry waves crash against the wood right next to his ear as well as the screams of orders from the men above the rotting wood.

Tommy couldn’t really tell how long it had been since he had been thrown into this shit hole. The only way of light being the very dim and nearly dead lamp hanging from the ceiling, the light flickering as the ship swayed back and forth. He knows he got here after the kid with the purple eyes, but before the kid with the two different colors in his hair. Though that didn’t give him much information at all, since he had never actively tried to talk with them. They were both very silent, and both shared a very frazzled look in their eyes.

Oh, but he did know that there was a new kid in the heap somewhere. The men tossed them in a while ago, though it was fairly dark so he isn’t sure where the kid is now in the crowd of kids. Maybe he can ask him about how much time has passed, since he was pretty new and should remember some things from the outside. There was also the fact that Tommy was never that good with math anyways.

Waiting for a moment of still peace, Tommy heaved himself up from his spot on the floor. Making sure to hide his makeshift knife behind a barrel (he had worked hard on that knife, he would never let any one of those men up there take it without leaving with a bite mark) Making sure his legs were working and that he did have a stable balance on the once again rocking ship, Tommy started to carefully maneuver his way around the other children on the floor, making sure to step around the fingers on the floor and murmuring and apology when he accidentally does. 

He scanned around the crowd for the new kids main features. Brown hair and horns. Brown hair and horns. Brown hair and horns. Eventually he found the kid, located in the more darker area of the ship next to a barrel and one of the younger children on this boat, both weeping, curled up into themselves. As if trying to curl into a small enough ball to just disappear. Tommy didn't blame them for trying, he had tried to do the same thing when he first came here. 

Tommy frowned. Even after all this time he still wasn’t used to the sad weeping noises the other kids would make. The crying, the begging, the empty wishes, it was all too much for 'The Great Tommyinnit' to handle. It would leave him with an achy feeling in the pit of his stomach, as if butterflies were constantly pounding at his heart and belly, and it would leave him with a few of his own tears running down his face.

Tommy was brought out of his thoughts by another violent lurch of the ship, making him suddenly sway to the side. He caught himself before he would fall, holding on to the nearest barrel to steady himself again (and also to wipe away the wet tears on his face) He looked down to see monochromatic eyes staring back up at him. Even with the dim lighting it only seemed to make their red and green eyes stand out more.

“Sorry…” Tommy muttered, furiously wiping away any stray tears left on his face. “Sorry” He said again, this time without the tears blocking his vision and with a little more confidence, urging a small smile to appear on his face.

The boy just continued staring up at him until he seemed to finally break out of his own train of thought. Suddenly looking down with a small hum of acknowledgment. He took note of the two horns poking out of their black and white hair, as well as the tail that swayed back and forth behind them. He also took notice of the purple particles floating around them, some of them making a quite vroomp sound once in a while. Oh those absolute bastards... Tommy gave a light huff of annoyance, not at the kid, but at the men running around above them.

Tommy had taken notice that most of the kids that were here were hybrids, and being hybrids, well... Tommy was positive that they couldn't really take this scenario lightly. Tommy gave a hum of acknowledgment back. The boy looked back up, eyes slightly shining brighter in the dimly lit room, Tommy's own smile growing slightly more wider and genuine. The boy quickly looked down again, though Tommy didn’t take it to seriously, the guy seemed to be naturally shy.

With a sigh, Tommy looked around again trying to find the new kid (the tossing around and his lack of sleep really messed up his sense of balance and direction) he skimmed the crowd for the new guys features, accidentally making eye contact with a pair of strikingly purple eyes staring back at him. Sucking in a quick breath Tommy quickly looking away.

It wasn't that he was particularly scared of them, it's just that they just seemed sorta... Feral... In a way that felt like they would do anything to survive. But then again, if in a dire situation, anyone would do anything. After catching his lost breath he eventually spotted the new kid in the same place as before. Waiting until he had a few seconds of stable peace he started carefully walking towards the sobbing horn guy, even with the dying lantern in the background Tommy could still see the stream of tears on their face.

Upon getting near him Tommy scooted the barrel to the side, allowing him to slide into the little space it created next to the horn guy. The new kid, now realizing the new presence next to him, looked up to him from his balled up position. Tommy scooted himself to the left, making sure to leave a comfortable gap between the two of them, as to not overwhelm the boy more. It left him being very squished against a barrel, but he was sure he would survive. Big blue eyes looked at him, irises overflowing with tears and the look of fear. Tommy had seen that look the most in his time here.

The fear of the unknown. The fear of not knowing what will happen to them.

Tommy's brows furrowed. He wanted to comfort them, wanted to tell them that things would turn out fine. But that would tip too far into becoming a lie, and with the guys emotions taking the best of him, Tommy wasn't sure if they would accept that statement. Tommy could feel some of his own tears form in his eyes, furiously blinking them away (he felt so unhelpful right now. But he chose to at least look strong in front of the weeping kid) He sighed loud enough to get the kids attention back, it might not be the best idea, but like most of Tommy's ideas, he went with the spur of the moment.

Putting his arm up to hover for a second, he placed a comforting hand on the kid's shoulder, ignoring the small flinch that came with the action. He looked right into those sad sad eyes, with his own bright diamond blue eyes, filled with determination. With dreams. With hope.

He looked right into their eyes, and gave them the best genuine smile he could give in his tired state…

Hey there big man…”

Chapter Text

Interactions with other people play a HUGE part in a person's life, it's a commonly known fact. It's especially huge when said person is a child. Now, Tommy would say he was an inviting person to be around. Back at the village it was a normal sight to see Tommy prancing around with the other village seven year old's, talking animatedly with big hand gestures at whoever chose to be there and just listen. 

Though, that was four years ago, and in four years things can change drastically.

Tommy hasn't had an good interaction with anyone in probably years. Especially not with someone that has actively chose to have a conversation with him. Cause even though Tommy might be naïve sometimes, he knows that his loud personality isn't for everyone.

He's learned from experience.

When Tommy was first thrown into this own personal hell he was just as distressed as the other kids. He came with matted hair, torn clothes, and a heart that was defectively and sloppily put back together. He still had memories of all the fire, all the crying and the sight of ash falling in the night sky of that faithful day as he ran.

Those memories had plagued his brain for years, and they sometimes still do. Tommy understands that he was in no condition to talk to anyone back then, no condition to start up a conversation with a plastic shell of his once bright and brash personality. Things would just get too overwhelming for him comprehend without breaking down.

Thankfully Tommy got most of his old personality back over some time. He got back his assertive and stubborn side (which proved to be useful when it came to stepping up to those dickheads up on deck) But he also lost some of his most distinctive traits.

Like being able to talk to someone without acting like a complete idiot.   

Tommy was also one of the very few people able to (somewhat) move on from the shitty situation they were all thrown into. The nightmares he used to be getting every night only came back about two to three times a month, and the phantom explosions that were constantly booming in his mind dulled down to a weak but still there humming.

Others didn't seem to have experienced the same relief Tommy had gotten. Most of the kids seemed to stay to themselves, they would weep and sob themselves to sleep, their cries still being heard through the crashing waves outside. Some of the other kids who seemed to have gotten there before Tommy didn't seem to do any better. Soon, the reserved silence of all the other kids was something Tommy had gotten used to.

That didn't mean he liked the silence though. In fact, Tommy despised the silence. The silence made his brain get too loud. The quite reminded him too much of lonely, dark nights. The stillness left him alone with his thoughts.

Tommy had wanted to do something. He wanted to just reach out to the nearest person, and beg them to just- be there. To just be there for him and keep the darkness seeping into the corners of his brain away. It was a selfish request, Tommy knew that, and that made his heart seem to ache more.

He has grown since his first days here. Tommy can see that the others needed someone too, that they needed someone to just share all their stress and fears with. But who would possibly be able to do that when they were all carrying a painful amount of stress on their shoulders? He could see this. Tommy could see this whenever he looked into another's eyes, he knew what they needed.

But with all honesty, Tommy didn't know how to help. 

Right now Tommy knew he was going into uncharted territory. In the spur of the moment he seemed to forget that they were all scared children thrown in to a poorly lighten belly of a ship, and that maybe showing up next to somebody and putting a hand on them might, oh I don't know-

Terrify them. 

And frighten them Tommy did, for as soon as he put his hand on their shoulder his wrist was caught in a bruising grip by smaller hands. Tommy's eyes widened as he tried to shake his hand out of their grip, though to no avail. The guy kept his bruising grip for a few seconds before pushing Tommy's hand away. Tommy brought his hand to his chest and rubbed his wrist, wincing at the slight redness before looking up and meeting the same blue eyes, this time filled with a sort of fire.

"Don't touch me" They seethe out, their voice tipped with venom. Tommy could see the fear appearing in his shaking eyes, but as soon as it was there it was replaced by a resentful glare. Tommy internally reprimanded himself, this was not how he wanted his first impression to go.

"Sorry-" Tommy manages to mutter out with a wavered breath. He tries again.

"Sorry man, I didn't mean to startle you..." He says, it comes out as breathy and just above a whisper. The type of whisper you give after you know you've messed up. Tommy brings his hand to rub the back of his neck, an action he just randomly started doing. He ignored the sudden flair of mild pain that came with the action.

"Well you did." They ground out. Glaring at Tommy one more time before curling back into a ball again, making sure to scoot farther from Tommy, making the gap between them seem impossibly bigger. Tommy stared at the space for a few long seconds before giving a defeated sigh. Shifting so he was pushed further into the barrel at his side, like an invisible force was closing in on him, telling him to just go.

Tommy didn't listen.

It stayed like that for a handful of very awkward minutes. With the horn guy curled up in his own world, and Tommy uncomfortably pushed against a wooden barrel, his chin resting on his scraped knees. The sound of the waves outside and the creaking of the wood taunting Tommy endlessly. Tommy hummed a quite tune to himself, something to keep him occupied while he wallowed in his defeat. He was halfway through making up a backup plan before the horn guy looked back up again, giving him a pointed stare.

"What is it that you want?" They asked questionably. Tommy was taken aback at the sudden start of a conversation, staring back with shock evident in his eyes, which in return horn guy raised a brow and huffed at him. Ultimately breaking Tommy out of his shock. They continued to stare at him, waiting for an answer as Tommy tries to gather his thoughts. 

"Well-" Tommy cleared his throat, which earned him another huff. 

"Uh well, I just remembered you were new here y'know. So I just wanted to try and find you... And uh, well I saw you crying so I just thought you might want to talk somebody... Or somethin..." It was rushed, and Tommy was doing random hand gestures and scratching the back of his neck. But it relived some of the weight on Tommy's shoulders.

All they did was stare back at Tommy like he'd grown two heads. Eventually the silence between them became deafening, and Tommy shrunk (a little, big men like him can't shrink) under their gaze. Tommy begged for something to break the ice, for something to happen and stop such an awkward encounter.

Tommy's prayer was answered when a particularly large wave caused him to slam his head against the side of the barrel.

"Ow what the shit?!" Tommy cried. Cradling the side of his head while glaring daggers at the wooden object. His outburst gained a few confused glances his direction but he chose not to notice or care, instead focused on flipping off the damn barrel like it was the bane of his existence. 

However, Tommy did choose to notice the quite giggles and terribly held back laughter coming from beside him. Snapping his head to look at the suspect he is met with the sight of horn guy, trying and ultimately failing at keeping a fit of laughs in. Hands covering his mouth and cheeks puffed and red. Tommy gives a whine of betrayal, horn guy lets another laugh slip, then gives up entirely. 

"It's not funny..." Tommy groaned back. He feigned anger, making sure to keep his guard up. But inside, locked away in the secure confinements of his heart, Tommy was thrilled to be able to make someone laugh, even at the expense of his own pain. Tommy could see a glimpse of their eyes through their curtain of bangs, shining with a new sense of life. It might be small, but to Tommy it's a hell of an accomplishment. A small smile grew on his lips, and soon that smile turned into a giggle, then an uncontrollable laughter. 

It was these moments that Tommy loved. It was these moments, the good moments in this shitty room, that made the horrible world around him seem to fade. To where it was just him and horn guy, laughing at such a small thing, but not caring at all. It made his chest warm up, and the annoying patter of the butterflies in his chest stop. It made the uncomfortable floor he was sitting on seemingly bearable and the stomping of feet above more quite. It made him feel happy.

"It was pretty funny, you got to admit." Horn guy chuckled out as their fit of laughter began to die down. The hair was out of his eyes now, and Tommy could now fully see his face in all its detail. Its most prominent feature being the bright smile on their face, which made Tommy's heart swell with pride, almost painfully. He didn't care though.

"Yeah yeah," Tommy replied. His cheeks were starting to hurt from sporting such a huge grin. This was the most Tommy had laughed in a long long time, and he suspected it was the same with horn guy. He flipped horn guy of half heartedly, receiving another huff, but this time holding a more playful tone. Tommy's grin grew impossibly wider. A few comfortable seconds pass by, and horn guy clears his throat, gaining Tommy's attention.

"Um by the way, I'm sorry about your wrist. I didn't mean to be that aggressive." He whispers, though to Tommy it's loud and clear. Bright blue eyes catch how horn guys demeanor seemed to change, their shoulders lowering and eyes shifting to look at their hands on their lap, as if waiting to get reprimanded. 

"Oh no it's okay! I was the one who had it coming anyways. It doesn't even hurt anymore, really!" Tommy assured panickily, showing his once red wrist in hopes to calm down his new friend's (would they count as friends now? Tommy had forgotten how friendships worked) worries. Exhaling once the tension in their shoulders gave way and a tiny smile appeared on their face again. "Oh and um, I'm Tommy by the way." He gave a boyish grin, awkwardly putting a hand out to horn guy.

Horn guy looked at the hand apprehensively for what Tommy would say felt like hours. Linking with their much smaller hands horn guy gave an experimental shake, which Tommy enthusiastically returned. It continued like that for a good minute, with them both violently shaking each others hand, each taking turns to try and outdo one another in their antics. Both their smiles grew, and the world around them seemed to fade once more.

Looking up at each other their now shining eyes locked once more. Horn guy gave one more violent shake of their intertwined hands, wrist flopping around, almost like a rag dolls. Their smiles both grew identically wider.

"And I'm Tubbo"