Work Text:
Pine. That was the first scent he noticed. It flooded his senses, sending an electrifying rush of energy through his system that coffee never quite managed to do. If he strained his ears hard enough, he could hear the chattering of squirrels up in the treetops, the harmonies of the creeks, even the rustling of the creatures in the underbrush. Today was the day.
Letting his hand drop from its resting spot on the tree bark, he took a deep breath and stepped out from under the boughs. His communicator screen lit up, indicating that his friends were all set. Now it was just up to him.
“C’mon Shroud, let’s go get the biggest tree fit for the big man himself,” He whispered excitedly.
The spider in question clicked his chelicerae in equal enthusiasm. Leaping from Tommy’s shoulder, Shroud hurried through the snow, disappearing over the horizon. He laughed, the sound echoing through the forest. God, he forgot how good that simple action felt. Hoisting his axe over his shoulder, he began his search.
The sun was steadily arcing through the sky. Shroud had found his way back onto the crook of Tommy’s shoulder, having gotten bored of chasing mice. Tommy was getting tired too. His stamina had decreased dramatically ever since the Incident. Yet another reminder of everything Dream stole from him.
He gritted his teeth. Today was not a day to let his emotions drag him under into that all too familiar abyss. He was going to enjoy himself this Christmas. Fuck that shit. A problem for another day. Dream won’t ruin this for him. Not again.
So, after steadying himself briefly, he pushed on.
It wasn’t long before he found himself almost out of the woods. Just when he was about to give up, he rounded a corner and came face to face with the exact thing he needed. It felt like the weight of the world just got lifted off his shoulders.
“There it is! Holy shit Shroud we did it!”
He was staring up at what could only be described as the most magnificent pine tree he had ever seen. Sure, it was leaning too much to the left and it was sort of lacking in the needles department, but it was perfect to him. It was a survivor. Judging by its diameter, it’s been standing for a long time.
Smiling, Tommy shook Shroud off gently, rolled up his sleeves, and got to work.
By the time he dragged his treasure to the front of his dirt hut, he was exhausted.
“Guess who didn’t die AND came back with everything we needed!”
“You brought back a chest full of diamonds?”
“That’s a horrible way to make an entrance,”
Two voices overlapped and Tommy found himself rolling his eyes fondly. His best friends never change.
“No and yes it is,” He responded. “Do you have the goods?”
“Yep,” Ranboo answered. The taller boy had to duck to get through the oak doors, a cardboard box of miscellaneous Christmas related decorations poking out in his hands.
“Perfect. Let’s glamorize this bitch,”
“If you don’t wait for me I’m eating all the fucking cookies you dipshits,” Tubbo’s annoyed voice floated out from somewhere in the downstairs kitchen.
Tommy will forever stand firm on his belief that Tubbo would make for a killer opera singer.
“If you weren’t so slow then maybe we wouldn’t have to do this by ourselves!” Ranboo called back, the trace of a teasing smile barely visible on the corner of his lips.
The sound of footsteps thundering up cobblestone stairs was soon followed by a mop of messy brown hair. Tubbo’s annoyed expression was ruined by the sight of Michael’s sleeping face. The little piglin was strapped to the boy’s back with a light blue baby carrier. Tommy remembered knitting that for him. It had been his attempt at trying to bond with his pseudo nephew.
Elbowing Ranboo out of the way, Tubbo grabbed a string of fairy lights and began looping it around their new arboreal companion. A mischievous smile quickly replaced his previous glower.
“Last one to finish their part gets the last pick of tonight’s movies!”
“You’re on!” Tommy shot back.
At last, it was almost finished. Michael held a glowing nether star, gazing up at his dads curiously.
“On the count of three?”
“Yeah,”
“One,”
“Two,”
“Three,” they finished together, hefting up their son.
Tommy nodded in satisfaction, signaling for the others to get in front of it.
“The camera’s going off in ten, hurry up,”
“You’re the only one not in frame, get over here already,” Ranboo grinned.
“Ugh fine, but only because you asked oh so nicely,” He said good-humoredly.
Throwing his arms around their shoulders, Tommy smiled, eyes crinkling into mini crescents. The camera shutter followed by a blinding flash signaled that it was done. Pulling his hand knit scarf tighter around himself, Tommy let out a content sigh.
“Alright, let’s go back inside. It’s freezing out here,” Tubbo shivered.
“One last thing,” Ranboo said, gesturing at the twinkling ornament atop their tree. “Make a wish you guys.”
Tommy bit his lip to keep himself from giggling. Typical Ranboo. Only that dork could’ve thought to do that.
“You are so unendearing,” Tubbo snarked, although there was no real heat behind his words.
“You know you love me,”
“Sure,”
“Mhm. What about you Tommy? Are you gonna make one?”
I’ve already got everything I could wish for thanks to you guys.
Still, he stuffed his hands into his pockets and allowed himself to drink in the moment.
“Already did,”
That night, a new photo was framed and placed lovingly onto Tommy’s wall. Home Alone played in the background, accompanied by the snores and crackle of the fireplace. Hot chocolate steam rose from his porcelain mug and if Tommy cried a little at how much peace he felt? Well, that’s no one’s business but his own. Home truly was where the heart was and his belonged right here, surrounded by those he loved and those he knew loved him right back.