Work Text:
“Okay,” He tents his hands, feet tapping in a rapid motion against the floor. “So, Dream, what if we just, uh, ended the SMP.” Before he lets Dream get the message, he continues with, “Can we just make a stream with the title ‘ it's over, everyone's dead’ and people just stare at the Wilbur Soot starting screen for ten minutes so they can get the message?”
There’s silence, then Dream bursts out laughing, giggling as it trails off into a breathy, “ What?”
“Yeah!” Tommy grins, “Just. We're ending the SMP, it's over, it's done, I’m dead, you're dead, everyone’s fucking dead. Boom. End of the lore.”
“With no explanation?” The blond on the other side of the call wonders, a smile evident in his voice. Fond and slightly affectionate, wondrous. “Kid, what the hell is wrong with you-”
“It's a good ending!” Tommy argues, and he wishes his facecam was on so he could see Dream’s expression, “It’s a good ending. Y’know, everyone argues over; you should be dead or they should be dead and all that shit, why not give the people what they want?”
“Like, uh- Tubbo can just fucking explode everyone with his nukes? Why not bring you, Phil, and Techno back to just explode the entire server? I can set more shit on fire.” Dream is shocked into silence, and Tommy barrels forward, grin getting wider by the second. “We can do other games besides Minecraft, Dream.”
It catches the man off guard, and he chokes out a laugh, “Like, what? Sims4?”
Tommy thinks of himself as snapping his fingers into fingerguns and winking at the camera, like he's in a sitcom. “Exactly, Dream, we can all make characters! I could probably make mine look all beat up! Tubbo could wear some bomber jacket, Wilbur- wait. Wilbur hates the Sims- that's even funnier. And- and your character would look all dumb and stupid with its green hoodie ‘n shit.”
“What about Clash Royale?” Tommy wonders, and Dream snorts. That game doesn't really work like that, despite what the two of them might say.
“You can't make lore on Clash Royale, Tommy, it's like Clash of Clans. You could probably join Clans, though.”
“Wait! Clash of Clans, then. We can join up and fight each other. Tubbo and Techno could 1v1. I could fight you- oh my god, I could fight you. It would be the bow duel fight but better.”
It’s funny to think about. Every single serious, lore-esque fight on the SMP but it's turned into a silly battle on a mobile game because it would give them all a good laugh.
He outright chortles, voice cracking in his mic. “What about, I dunno, Just Dance?”
Tommy’s eyes go wide. Dream’s brain is large . “Now you get it. We could have a dance battle instead of killing each other.”
Dream bursts into laughter , snorting, “Listen, okay, so imagine you're in the pit with Technoblade, right? You're in the pit, and you're on the ground, about to fuckin’ die, and instead of killing you he just starts hitting the stanky leg.”
He lets out one of his iconic scream laughs, almost falling out of his chair. “You're about to kill me in the prison, but you just start doing the Gangnam Style.”
“That's just the SMP but rated E for everyone.” Dream's hand slams onto the table, like he's in a bar with a big jug of cold beer. “No, we gotta think big. Maybe Geometry Dash? Jetpack Joyride? Among- oh, we could do Among Us lore. That would, indeed, be funny.”
“Please, Dream,” Tommy makes a show of rolling his eyes, putting on a posh accent, “Among Us is so 2020.”
“Shut up- uh- oh, uh, Genshin Impact, we could be Genshin characters and join worlds and fight each other.”
All of those sound like good ideas, though, Tommy doesn't know how he's gonna be able to beat the shit out of the blond if he's a tiny square that can only jump over other shapes, or his character is named Xiao , or if he was some dude running around with machinery strapped to his back. “In Genshin, you can only fight with each other. I don't do charity.”
Dream cackles. “Oh god. What about Crash of Cars?”
“ Yes!” Tommy jumps in his chair. They're being so stupid, at the moment, but it's so fun. To be in a call with him and just think about the dumbest shit ever and consider being serious about it. “I could take my lamborghini and slam into you with it, in your 90’s Impala or something.”
“No, no,” The green around Dream’s icon lights up again, showing the way he stammers as he tries to think of a car model. “I’d have a ferrari. I’m pretty sure ferrari’s are better than lambo’s.”
“Eh,” Tommy becomes Debby Ryan, pushing a strand of hair behind his ear. “You'd have a Chevrolet, or a Honda Accord.”
“How do you know so many fucking car models?”
“I’m well versed in the car industry. Also I literally only named like, four.”
“Is that your way of saying you watched the Cars franchise and decided you know shit?” Dream cocks an eyebrow, behind the screen, physically turning his head to the side like a curious puppy.
Tommy sighs. “You wouldn't get it, Dream.”
“Do you think we’re like Mator and McQueen?” His voice lilts on just the right side of fond, as if he's grinning with the teeth just beginning to peek out. “Who's going to be the one to say you were there too!”
“I say I’m McQueen, because I’m the main character. You're my sidekick.” Tommy analyzes his fingernails, holding up his hand in front of him. “You'd be like, I was doing something so crazy! And I’m like, Lies! You're boring, you don't do anything cool, and then you go, You were literally there too!”
Dream pushes a wrist up against his lips to muffle a laugh, eyes gleaming. “But I’m the main antagonist character. So we’re at a stalemate.”
“Oh, god,” Tommy whines, “Don't bring chess into a conversation about Cars. Here- are we Woody and Buzz, then?”
Dream gasps. “You're a genius, yes we are, we’re literally best friends.”
“Awh,” Tommy cracks a grin- he's been grinning way too much, this call. He never wants to leave. “ Awhhhh, Dreammm.”
The older blond rolls his eyes behind his mic, because all he's stating is facts. He enjoys his company, he adores talking to the kid. “Also- uh. Are we Mowgli and Baloo? Ooh, you and Wilbur are Pumba and Timon, by the way. From Lion King.”
“The meerkat and the boar? Those guys? You're so dumb. You're the biggest crimeboys enjoyer, we knows this already Dream, you don't need to be loud and proud about it.”
“Yeah,” Dream grins. “You guys are idiots, together, like them. Wait- we’re Mike and Sully, too.”
“You're so right,” Tommy nods, because Mike and Sully are best friends and also fucking dumbasses in each other’s presence. “Me and Wilbur are Marlin and the blue fish girl from Finding Nemo.”
“Based,” Dream agrees, “Real and true.”
“We can be the reindeer and the dude from Frozen, also.” It makes sense. It just works.
“Are you just naming best friend duos from Disney? Because that's what it sounds like.” He’s not gonna complain, though, because it's really sweet.
“Yeah, I am,” Tommy says, mischievously. “Me and you remind me of the fox and the rabbit from Zootopia.”
“ Oh! Judy and what’s-his-face. ” Dream remembers them, too. “Wait. I’m not- I don't wanna be a cop.”
“When you act like a bitch, you are.”
He can evision Dream shaking his head, sighing, a breathless chuckle following behind. “You are so dumb, Tom, you're- why are you like this?”
He doesn't know, but it always seems to come out around Dream. He likes making people laugh. Techno, Wilbur, Phil, everyone he's friends with, but making Dream keel over laughing at something dumb he said as a joke makes Tommy go all warm inside. Making him proud, he supposes, makes Tommy happy.
“Not sure, Dream,” Tommy leans back in his chair, kicking his feet up onto his desk. “But you have to deal with it, and that to me is very funny.”
They have those VC occurrences a lot more after that.
Dream and Tommy, both being educated in the art of YouTube algorithm, how it works, how you do well within, click so damn easily. It makes sense, obviously, because they're the same person but different fonts. Dream is like the destined big brother he was meant to have because of how similar they are.
Tommy loves asking Dream about what to do for videos, specifically he wants to know what video would do the best, what video would make the fans happy, the usual. He doesn't go to anyone else for that.
Dream is, well, special in some sort of way. Unexpected dynamic but it works so well, that honestly it should've never been unexpected in the first place. The blond is some sort of guidance for Tommy, and obviously he has lots of people for that, but Dream has a way of grabbing him by the hand and pulling him step by step.
It's almost as if he was being taught the waltz by Dream, both of his hands grabbing him gently and pulling him along as time goes on. He's been doing YouTube longer than Tommy has, and he's some sort of safe place for him, now.
He and Dream really can talk about anything and everything. Tommy has absolutely no filter around him, just like Wilbur and Techno, and just says the most random shit ever to make them laugh.
“Why is your merch so fucking shit?” Tommy blurts, pulling up a link to Dream’s merch site and pulling one of the hoodies into his cart. “The one thing people want when they buy merch is merch that doesn't look like merch, but it is.”
“I’ve literally given you a bunch of my hoodies and you said you loved them?” He shakes his head, sighing, “You're an idiot.”
“No,” It’s soft, gentle on his tongue despite the words being faux-sharp. “ You are the idiot.”
“So if I told you I’d send you one of the hoodies I’ve worn, you wouldn't take it?”
“Of course not!” He looks at his stretched out hands, eyes gleaming. He definitely would take the hoodie, but he's not going to say that.
Tommy would take the hoodie and bundle himself into the garment for weeks, just like he does with Wilbur's shit that he steals when he comes over, because they're warm and a place of comfort for Tommy. Safe places, escapes, if you will. If Tommy is sad, he pulls on one of his friend’s clothes.
Phil’s merch, Wilbur’s crewnecks, Techno’s merch- Dream’s hoodies, Tubbo’s, he loves all of them.
“Fine.” Tommy gives up, gives in. “Give me the damn thing.”
Dream grins, sharply and widely. “Done.”
Tommy has Twitter open when Dream replies to Harvey about him getting mad at people being toxic regarding the SMP. He says something about how it's meant for friends and shit, and Tommy can't help typing a TommyInnit-esque response.
@tommyinnit
i joined for clout
|
@dreamwastaken
this is a lie Thomas
|
@tommyinnit
shut up Clayton
It’s funny watching how quickly Dream jumps into the call. “You're so stupid. You joined to be with me. As my friend.”
“Lie!” Tommy snaps, feigning anger. “Lies and slander. Don't spread that shit. I joined to get popular. Not for you, you bastard."
Tommy joined to be with Dream, but that's not for him to know. Even- even if he already does, but that's not the point. “You joined because you wanted to be around your friends. Me, Sapnap, George, Bad-”
Tommy rolls his eyes in the lens of his camera, winking right after. “I just said, don't spread slander.”
“Wow! You just admit it! Come one come all, TommyInnit just admitted we’re besties.”
He wants to grab Dream by the throat, lock him in a straitjacket, and throw him off a cliff. Maybe that's too harsh, but Tommy’s fingers twitch. “We are not besties, Dream, we’re rivals.”
“Oh no,” Dream gasps, voice heightening into something more agonized, “I’m hurt. I’m absolutely scandalized.”
“Shut up, leave me alone. Blocked, reported.” Tommy clicks leave call; just to prove that he would in the first place, and immediately, Dream DM’s him before Tommy can feel any guilt:
> we are literally besties
> you can't even deny it
i hate you with a dying passion <
> omg.. i’m flattered
please leave me alone <
Tommy drags Dream into a call about two minutes after the man’s stream ends with Manatreed. “You're late. I am cracking my knuckles at you, it's geek out time.”
There's some shuffling on the other end, Dream heaving a large breath into the mic, before he chuckles. “Are you about to go onto a five minute rant about a new vlog idea you had? Or am I missing something.”
“No,” Tommy sniffs, huffing. “I am most definitely about to do that. Shut up.”
He definitely talks longer than five minutes, mainly about a vlog idea he's been bouncing around in his head for a while. He wants to fly down to Florida, meet Sapnap and Dream, and go go-karting with them; specifically because Florida is a big place for recreation and all that fun shit you do for summer.
“Would you be down to do that with me?” He grabs the Ice Cubes container next to his keyboard, clicking open the top, and throwing a peppermint cube into his mouth without a second thought. “Like, I really wanna vlog with you guys, and I think it'd be a lot of fun.”
A moment, two. “You’d go vlogging with me?” He sounds a little awed, a little surprised. Tommy doesn't know why, because of course he'd go out recording with him.
“Yeah, of course man. I can't wait to meet you.” He pops the bubble he’d been working on, the sound echoing. “It's like how I felt before I met Wilbur.”
“Big brother?” Dream asks, soft. “Like your big brother?”
“Something like that,” The younger whispers back, lips perking up.
They stay in the call for hours, after that.
The next time Tommy calls up Dream, he doesn't accept the call.
answer me, stupid <
Read
Okay. Well.
Tommy tries multiple different methods of calling Dream after he gets left on read. He calls his mobile, it goes to voicemail. He calls, he gets denied within seconds—he tries not to worry. He tries not to worry at all, but he can't help but suck in a breath and bite his lip so he doesn't cry.
It's been only a few days since they last called each other, talked about YouTube, talked about vlogging- but everytime he tries to reach out since then has been denied. He's online on Discord, he's been tweeting on his private—Dream let him, as his first follower—it isn't like he's gone off the grid.
They haven't spoken, and he misses him. He misses Dream—so, obviously, he lets him know.
DREAM !!!! answer me you stupid bitch i miss u <
Read.
He watches the bubble show up, symboling he's typing, and it disappears within seconds. He never responds after that.
Tommy’s heart sinks. He continues calling, but eventually; getting denied over and over, getting told no through phone with no voice really got in his head.
i’m sorry for bothering you. If IAm. if i'm not? FUCK YOU!!!!!! <
He asks Wilbur about it, and the only thing he says is Just tell him. He’ll listen to you.
Dream calls him back, and Tommy scrambles to accept the ringing. “Dream!”
“Tommy!” He sounds breathless, “Kid, I’m sorry, I didn't mean to ghost you. I had some work regarding music and I was working and I- I was gonna respond to your text, but I got distracted and-”
“Dream,” he sighs, relaxing into his chair, slumping down. “You don't need to apologize. I was probably the idiot for getting all worked up. But- uh. I sent you voicemails and stuff and I called you, too.”
“Oh.” Dream stutters, surprised. “Sorry, I mass delete voicemails, and I’ve been getting a lot of spam-”
“Lots of excuses, Dream,” Tommy teases, taking a hand up and cupping his own cheek, leaning on it. “Just admit you don't want me anymore.”
Dream’s eye roll is so prominent, he's positive he can hear it happen. “Tommy,” Dream clamors, voice sharpening and deepening into something more serious, “I’m being for real, I’m sorry for ghosting.”
Tommy sighs, cocking his head. “It's alright, man. I wasn’t that worried. Ignore the spam.”
“Wilbur told me you were worried enough to ask around if he was talking to anyone else.” He accuses, gentle. “Oh, Tommy.”
“Traitor,” Tommy adds under his breath. That bastard, prick. “He wasn't supposed to tell you about that.”
“Sure he wasn't,” Knuckles crack on the other end of the call, chair creaking. “I hope you know that I’m not angry, or sad, or mad. At you, at least.”
“I know,” He shakes his head, shifting in his chair. “Can we talk about Minecraft now? I have strategies for MCC and I want to get another win, so, deal with me for the next thirty minutes and we’ll see if you want me gone then.”
“Too late,” Dream grins, “I’m already pulling up the doc.”
Dream’s Monster drink-themed kart crashes into his, slamming the both of them into the blocked up tires lining the sides of the track. “Fuck you!”
Sapnap’s Sonic kart whizzes past the both of them, the Go-Pro attached to the back of the vehicle staring straight at him. The brunet driving barely gets time to turn around quickly and grin at them mischievously. Tommy growls.
“You're gonna get me killed-”
“I didn't even do anything! Get out of the way!”
“ You stuck me here!”
Both of them move the karts at the same time, ramming into each other with a force that's not needed, and it's surprising the track supervisor hasn't yelled at them to move along already. Tommy swears, hissing through his teeth as the bumper of his kart gets hit by the sides of Dream’s own. “Bro, what are you doing?”
Dream giggles, twisting his steering wheel all the way to the left, hitting Tommy’s New England Patriots kart from the side once more, for the thousandth time. “I’m stopping you! I’m letting Sap win.”
“Simp,” Tommy mutters under his breath, turning the wheel to zoom forward, baring a teeth-filled grin when Dream is left in the dust. His success is short-lived.
Sapnap ended up winning, by a long shot. Which, Tommy thinks, is really stupid, because Dream sabotaged him the entire time; the only positive from the win is that last place had to buy everyone slushies. Tommy beat Dream, so when an ice cold cherry slushie is pushed into his grasp, all Tommy does is give Dream a smug smile.
“You little shit,” Dream says, around his straw. Sapnap sits down next to Tommy, crossing his legs and pushing his side into the blond’s hip bones. Tommy leans his head on his shoulder, just to get on Dream’s jealousy nerves. “Don't act like you won. Me and Sapnap are still babysitting you, anyway.”
“I moved out,” Tommy hums, tilting his head, but Sapnap pats his head, watching his curls fluff up.
“Doesn’t change the fact you're still a kid,” He swivels his head to face him, frowning with a roll of his eyes. “We are in charge of you, Wilbur said so.”
“He said, and I quote, Please don't let him die.” Dream sighs. He stares at his hands, and Tommy almost laughs, because he looks like that one meme.
“I’m not letting you go back to England,” The man next to him declares loudly, slinging an arm around his shoulder. “I won't let you.”
Tommy has gotten unreasonably attached to both Dream and Sapnap while staying in Florida. While it's America and they're American, he thinks he's willing to sacrifice that fact for his friends, because the hugs that greeted him when his plane landed were enough to keep him grounded.
And Tommy? Tommy’s completely okay with that.