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Chapter Text

Every hero in L'Manburg new that the bench trio worked well together. It was clear to all...

"Beg me." The Blade snarled, holding Tubbo's neck, dangling the goat hybrid over the edge of the cliff. Tubbo was clawing at The Blade's arms, kicking his feet out. 

"N-never." He wheezed, lips turning blue. 

"Your funeral." The Blade shrugged, letting go.

Tubbo screamed, flailing his arms and legs. 

“Boo!” He shouted. Ranboo looked up at his computer, watching as the dot on his screen showing Tubbo’s coordinates was quickly losing altitude. 

“Tommy!” Ranboo shouted into his headset. 

“Little preoccupied at the moment, Boo.” Tommy replied, avoiding another swing from The Phantom's sword. 

“Tubbo’s falling, and he’s falling fast!” Ranboo shouted. Tommy stopped, half-assedly dodging Phantom’s swings. One clipped him in the cheek. He didn’t notice. 

“Where?” 

“The cliff.” 

Tommy scanned the area, spotting Tubbo quickly. 

“Fuck!” Tommy dove down as fast as he could, abandoning Phantom in the air. Tubbo was getting dangerously close to the ground. Tommy reached out, trying to grab Tubbo’s hands. “Stop flailing you idiot!” Tubbo went still, reaching a hand out to Tommy. 

Tommy grabbed it, pulling Tubbo into his chest. They were too close. 

The ground was getting closer. Way closer. 

Tommy wrapped his wings around Tubbo. 

“Love you, Bo.” 

“Tommy?!” 

They hit the ground hard, bouncing and sliding before hitting the side of the cliff. Tommy’s wings separated when he passed out, causing Tubbo to tumble out and roll. 

Tubbo laid there for a moment, head pounding. He looked up weakly, seeing feathers strewn about the ground. The dirt had been uprooted, as if something large had slid through it at a high speed. Which, of course, something did. 

Tubbo spotted Tommy, laying on his side, wings caked in dirt and missing patches of feathers. Tommy’s eyes were closed, a wound on his forehead bleeding profusely. 

“Tommy,” Tubbo got up on his hands and knees, crawling towards Tommy, ignoring the pain in his left wrist and shoulder. “Tommy,” Tubbo repeated, sitting on his knees and cradling Tommy’s cheek. “Tommy!” Tubbo cried. 

He felt Tommy’s neck for a pulse. It was there but weak. 

“Boo, boo I need help.” Tubbo said into his ear-piece.

“What’s wrong?” Ranboo asked, panicked undertone going unnoticed by Tubbo. 

“Tommy- we- he crashed and he won’t wake up.” Tubbo cried. “Come get us, please Boo, I need help!” 

Tubbo heard footsteps behind him. He suddenly noticed he and Tommy had both lost their masks. 

“Can you get a bit closer to me?” Ranboo asked. 

“No, Boo.” Tubbo shook his head, grabbing a spare mask from his pocket and securing it to Tommy’s face. “There’s someone behind me.” Tubbo put his hand over his mouth and nose, slowly turning around. 

Behind him stood The Blade, The Phantom, and by far the most concerning, The Crowfather. 

“It’s just you now, little goat.” The Blade taunted. Tubbo sat protectively in front of Tommy. 

“Boo, I need you. Badly.” Tubbo said through gritted teeth. 

“Alright gimme a sec, I’ll be there.” Ranboo promised. “Just stay alive.” 

“Can do, Boo.” Tubbo smirked beneath his hand. “I’m not alone. Not for long at least.” 

“Let’s see what’s under that hand of yours, shall we, brother?” The Blade turned towards The Phantom for a moment before turning back. 

“Let’s.” Phantom agreed. The two stepped past their father, advancing on Tubbo. 

There was a Vwomp sound and Ranboo appeared in front of them, shielding Tubbo and Tommy. 

“Bo, grab Wings and grab my hand.” He instructed, holding a gun of some sort towards The Blade. Tubbo did as instructed, grabbing Tommy and holding him tight, before grabbing Ranboo’s hand. 

Phantom and The Blade started running towards the three, swords out. 

A second Vwomp sound and the trio was gone. 

“Shit.” Phantom swore. “He was so injured, too. We could’ve had them both.” 

“We’ll get them next time.” The Crowfather promised, placing a hand on Phantom’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. Let’s go home.”

They didn't know they were this close.

The trio appeared in the living room of their apartment. Ranboo bent over, hands on his knees, panting.

“Tommy? Tommy? Tommy? Please, Tommy, we need you!” Tubbo begged, clutching Tommy’s shoulders. Tears were streaming down his face. “Tommy you have to be ok! You have to!” 

Ranboo put a hand on Tubbo’s shoulder. 

“He’ll be ok.” He promised. Tubbo spun around and launched himself into Ranboo’s arms. 

“It’s all my fault !” Tubbo cried, burying his face in Ranboo’s shoulder. “It’s all my fault, Ranboo!”

“It isn’t your fault.” Ranboo shook his head. “It’s not.” 

“He did this to save me ! It is my fault! It is, it is, it is !” Tubbo repeated. “I’m so sorry, Tommy!” 

“I-it’s-s not your f-f-fault.” A shaky voice piped up. 

“Tommy?!” Tubbo released Ranboo, both turning to look at Tommy, who had raised head slightly. 

“I-it’s okay-ay.” Tommy assured him. “I’ll be just fi-ine. I’ll be just fine, Tubbo…” Tommy’s eyes were drooping again. “Tubbo, you’re bleeding…” Tommy’s eyes closed again and his head hit the floor. 

Tubbo lost it. Screaming, begging Tommy to wake up again. Ranboo had to drag him away and put him in his room. 

Tubbo screamed, thrashing against Ranboo’s hold, sobbing, hyperventilating, the works. After around ten minutes, Tubbo stopped screaming, passed out in Ranboo’s arms. 

Ranboo laid him down on the bed and bandaged his head. 

Then he went on to the hard task; Tommy. 

Until Tommy woke up and hid his wings, he couldn’t go to the hospital. However, Tubbo could and Tubbo needed to . His left wrist and shoulder were definitely injured, broken and dislocated, whether Tubbo realized this or not. 

The first thing Ranboo did, was press the button on the inside of the neck of Tommy’s suit, causing it to melt away, leaving Tommy in his regular clothes. 

Ranboo hooked his arms under Tommy’s armpits and dragged him into his room. Ranboo started taking apart the nest in the corner, putting the blankets and pillows back on the bed. 

He then lifted Tommy and laid him on the bed. 

Tommy’s eyes blinked open. 

“Boo…” Tommy slurred. “Where’s Bo?” 

“He’s asleep.” Ranboo whispered. 

“‘M sorry.” Tommy whimpered. 

“For what, Toms?” Ranboo asked, leaving the room for a moment, returning with a bowl of water and a towel. 

“‘Erythin’.” Tommy replied, waving his hand vaguely. “I scared Bo.” 

“You didn’t scare him.” Ranboo assured him, keeping his voice low. “He’s just worried. He feels bad.” 

“He didn’ do anythin’.” Tommy’s face scrunched up. 

“Can you do me a favor, Toms?” 

“Mhm.” 

“Stay awake for me?” 

“I can try.” Tommy looked sadly at Ranboo. “‘M really tired, Boo.” 

“I know.” Ranboo sighed, wiping the blood off of Tommy’s face with the wet towel. “But let’s keep talkin’, ok?” 

“Sure.” Tommy agreed. “Y’know, when I was fallin’, I thought we were both goin’ to die. I told Tubbo I l-loved h-him-m. I really thought that was it f’r me.” 

“Oh Tommy .” 

“I must’a scared Tubbo so bad. Make sure he’s ok f’r me.” Tommy asked, looking Ranboo in the eyes. 

“You’re going to make sure yourself.” Ranboo told him, wrapping a bandage around Tommy’s head. “If you fold your wings away I can get you both to the hospital.” 

Tommy scrunched up his face in concentration. After a moment, his wings disappeared. 

“Perfect timing.” Ranboo mumbled as Tubbo walked into the room. 

“Bo!” Tommy greeted, excitement slipping through the tired haze. 

“Toms!” Tubbo greeted in return. Tommy flinched at his volume, smile not wavering. 

“Tubbo keep it down. Head wounds hurt.” Ranboo chastised. 

“I have one too, dick.” Tubbo shot back. 

“Now tha’ Bo’s ‘ere we can go to the hos’ital.” Tommy cheered, words slurring more and more. 

“Yes, Toms, we can.” Ranboo agreed. “Hold onto my hand.” Tubbo and Tommy eached grabbed a hand, Tommy gripping it very weakly. 

With a Vwomp , the three of them ended up a block away from the hospital, in an alleyway. 

“Tubbo I know your shoulder is fucked up but I need help with Tommy.” Ranboo said, wrapping Tommy’s right arm around his shoulders. Tubbo grabbed his left and wrapped it around his own shoulder. 

“Walk with us, Toms.” Tubbo instructed. Tommy obeyed to the best of his abilities. 

“Shit, ‘M sorry.” Tommy mumbled, tripping on a crack in the sidewalk. 

“It’s alright, Toms.” Ranboo muttered. They turned the corner and were faced with the looming building. “Right, you two fell out of a tree and our parents are away.” 

“Right.” Tubbo agreed. 

“Righ’.” Tommy repeated. 

“We’re in and out as fast as possible.” They all nodded. “Let’s go.” The trio walked in, eyes immediately on them. “Help! My brothers fell out of a tree and they’re really hurt!” 

A nurse came running over, helping Tommy from their arms. 

“Someone get me a stretcher- are you hurt as well? Ok, someone help him, too. Hunny, are you hurt?” 

“No, I was on the ground.” 

“Ok, you can take a seat, sweetheart.” The nurse gestured to a seat in the waiting area. 

“Promise me they’ll be ok?” Ranboo asked, tears in his eyes that were 100% fake. At least that’s what he’d tell you. 

“Yes, sweetheart, they’ll be just fine.” She assured him. 

Ranboo nodded and hesitantly went to sit down, chewing on his nails.

Two hours. He sat there for two hours before they let him see his brothers. 

Tommy was asleep, head and foot bandaged. 

He didn’t say anything about his foot. Ranboo thought. 

Tubbo was awake. He was sitting cross-legged on his bed, staring at Tommy. 

“Hey, Bo.” Ranboo whispered. “How ‘ya feelin’?” 

“I’m fine.” Tubbo’s voice was barely audible. 

“Tubbo, you’re going to get so sick of hearing this, but it isn’t your fault.” Ranboo told him, placing a hand on Tubbo’s good arm. “Plus he’s going to be fine.” 

Right on cue, Tommy stirred, blinking his eyes open.

“How are you feeling, Toms?” Tubbo asked. Tommy looked at him, narrowing his eyes. 

“Like it’s not your fault.” He snapped. Tubbo flinched a little. “Sorry, Tubbo, I’m sorry.” 

“It’s ok.” 

“It’s not, but thanks for trying.” Tommy smiled. “Come here. Head hurts. Chest hurts." Tommy lifted up his shirt a bit to find his torso covered in bandages.

He beckoned for Tubbo to sit next to him. Tubbo obeyed, curling into Tommy’s side. Ranboo sat at the edge of the bed, careful not to sit on feet. 

“You thought you were gonna die.” Tubbo whispered. “Were you hoping for that?” 

“No.” Tommy answered. “But I wasn’t going to watch you die. Not when I could do something about it. Then I’d want to die. And here we are, both alive and well.” 

The timing thus far has been pretty good. 

This time…

Well…

The door opened. 

“I need to talk with you boys.” 

Chapter Text

All three boys turned towards the door. Tommy held Tubbo tighter against his aching side. 

Flanking a nurse on either side, were two police officers. 

“Yes, ma’am?” Ranboo asked. “Is there a problem?” 

“Yes, unfortunately.” She replied. “I checked out the address you gave me and it seems no children live there.” She raised an eyebrow at them. “So I did some research and found that you all ran away from foster care a few months ago.” 

The trio was at a loss for words. The nurse was in fact, correct. They had run away seven weeks ago. 

“What are you going to do to us?” Tommy spoke up, sharpening his gaze into a glare. 

“They’re going to take you back.” The nurse said. “You two are going to the station with them now and you,” She gestured to Tommy. “Will be going tomorrow, once you’re in better condition.”

“If you’re taking them you’re taking me too.” Tommy snarled, pushing himself up onto his elbows, wincing. “I won’t let you separate us.” 

Tubbo moved so he was behind Tommy, on the other side of the bed. 

“Handcuff them.” The nurse huffed, pulling something out of her pocket. 

“Let’s do this the easy way.” The officer suggested, holding out the handcuffs. Ranboo shared a look with Tommy. 

“We’re almost eighteen, just let us go.” Ranboo reasoned. 

“But you aren’t eighteen, thus you need to come with us.” The second officer said. 

“No.” Ranboo crossed his arms. The first officer sighed. 

“Fine, hard way it is.” He grabbed Ranboo’s arm, yanking him off the bed and onto the ground. The officer pinned ranboo to the ground with his knee, holding his wrists together. 

Tommy launched off the bed, knocking the officer to the floor. 

“You don’t touch them.” He growled. He heard a noise behind him and whipped around to see Tubbo pinned to the bed, trying to fight off the officer with one hand. While he was distracted, Tommy didn’t notice the nurse behind him until she plunged a needle into his neck. 

“Tommy!” Tubbo and ranboo both shouted as Tommy plummeted towards the ground. 

“Alright, kids, let’s go.” The second officer said, dragging Tubbo to stand up before pulling him towards the door. 

“You too.” The first officer said, pulling Ranboo off the floor. 

“Tommy!” Ranboo screamed, thrashing in the officer’s hold. He watched as the nurse picked Tommy up and laid him on the bed again. That was his last look before he was pulled through the door and into the hallway. 

“Please! Don’t leave him! Please! Tommy!” Tubbo sobbed. They were dragged out of the building and thrown into the back of a cop car, luckily the same one. Tubbo buried his face in Ranboo’s shoulder. 

“We’re going to be ok.” Ranboo hushed him, wishing he could reach out and rub Tubbo’s back. “Worst comes to worst we get put in another shity house. We’ll survive. We always do.”

Tommy blinked awake. His head felt fuzzy, along with the headache. 

“Bo? Boo?” He called out. The bed to his right was empty. There was no one in the room. “Bo? Boo?” He asked again, more urgently this time. 

“Hey, buddy.” Someone said. “They aren’t here right now. You’re going to see them in a few hours.” 

“Who’s there?” Tommy asked, raising his fists. The room was too dark for him to see clearly, and it looked as though it were night outside. “Show yourself.” 

A nurse stepped out from the shadow, smiling sweetly. 

“We’re going to discharge you in the morning.” She said. 

“Which is when?” 

“Three hours.” 

“I need to see my brothers. Now.” Tommy demanded. “Where are they?” 

“They aren’t here.” She replied. “They left a bit ago.” 

“Where the hell are they?” 

“You don’t remember? They took them to the police station.” 

The memories were coming back to Tommy now; the fighting with the officers. 

“Take me to them.” 

“It isn’t time for that yet.” The nurse said, pulling out a needle. “Just a few more hours.” 

“Don’t come near me with that.” 

“It’ll make the time pass faster.” She assured him. “I promise.” 

“No.” 

She lunged at him, stabbing his arm. 

“Fucking bitch!” Tommy shrieked, punching her in the face. She stumbled back, clutching her nose. “How dare you…” Tommy trailed off as his head hit the pillow, asleep.

Tubbo and Ranboo were pulled out of the car and pushed into the building. They were led through the halls before being shoved into a cell. Again, thankfully, together. 

“You ok, Boo?” Tubbo sniffed, glancing at Ranboo. 

“I’m ok.” Ranboo whispered. “They’re gonna bring him here soon.” 

“They better.” 

“I’d teleport us outta here but I’m too tired. Out of charge.” Ranboo sounded so dejected, hopeless. 

“That’s ok. We’ll be fine.” Tubbo asserted. 

“God I wish Tommy was here. He’d find a way to make everything better.” 

“He’d make us laugh.” 

“Yeha, Bo, he would.”

A few hours later, the door to the cell opened, waking Tubbo and Ranboo up. 

“Tommy!” They both cheered. Tommy smiled at them before collapsing to his knees. 

“Hey guys.” Tommy grit out. 

“You alright?” Ranboo asked, crouching down next to Tommy. 

“I’m fine, just hard to stand on a broken ankle .” Tommy shot a glare to the officer that was walking away. “And my ribs hurt, but I’m ok.” He wanted to embrace his pseudo-brothers but they all had handcuffs on, making that impossible. 

“This all my fault.” Tubbo whispered. 

“No, Bo, it isn’t.” Tommy hushed him, ducking his head to meet the goat hybrid’s downcast eyes. “It’s the Blade’s fault. Duh.” Tubbo laughed slightly. 

“Alright, let’s get you on the bed.” Ranboo interrupted. After some struggle, Tommy ended up on the bed, sitting against the wall. Tubbo curled into his side again, and Ranboo sat at the end of the bed. 

The three fell asleep like this, contentedly.

“Wake up.” Someone yelled at them. The three woke up simultaneously, Tubbo falling off the bed. 

“Oh, it’s you.” Tubbo said from the floor, voice dripping with venom. 

“Yes, it’s me. Who else would it have been?” Standing in front of the trio, stood their social worker. 

“We didn’t think about that.” Tommy retorted. “But I guess you didn’t think that halloween was last month? If the makeup is anything to go by.” Tommy smirked as Tubbo and Ranboo started laughing. 

“Let’s go.” The woman seethed. “I’ve found a home for you.” 

“Oh whoop-de-doo. The one we had was fine.” Ranboo snapped. 

“Speaking of, you’re going to have to tell us where that is if you want your stuff back.” She added turning on her heels and walking down the hall. 

“Follow her.” An officer instructed. 

“Toms can’t walk.” Tubbo pointed out. 

“I’ll be fine, Bo.” Tommy replied, leaning his weight on his right foot. “Let’s go.” Tubbo and Ranboo walked slowly, so as not to leave Tommy behind as he limped. 

The three made it to a room with a table in the middle, four chairs (one occupied by their social worker), and a large mirror on the wall. 

Tubbo, Ranboo, and Tommy slumped into the seats. An officer came over to them and transferred their handcuffs to be attached to the table, giving them free use of one arm each. 

“Let’s start with where you were staying.” The social worker began. 

“No small talk first? You’re no fun.” Tommy fake-pouted. 

“Where was it?” 

“Why should we tell you?” 

“You’re going to this house whether you want to or not. Whether you have clothes and some of your belongings is up to you.” 

“Fine. Our address was *address of apartment*.” Tubbo sighed. “Happy?” 

“Someone will collect your things shortly.” She said, nodding at the mirror. "Now, you two are very lucky. Very very lucky. For everything you've done you should be going to juvenile detention and then prison."

"For what ?" Tommy cried. "We didn’t do anything wrong!"

"Jesus, Tommy, lower your voice. And you did do something wrong. Several things, actually." She pulled out a file.

“Let’s check, shall we?” She smirked at them. “Running away on multiple accounts, possession and usage of a fake ID, vandalism, theft, and assaulting an officer.” She read off, closing the file. She smirked again, seeing how all three of the boys made no moves to deny the accusations.

“So you found another place for us to stay?” Ranboo finally spoke up. 

“Yes.” 

“So when do we leave?” 

“You want to go meet them now?” 

“Why not?” Tommy shrugged. He jangled the cuffs around, making noise, until an officer opened the door and unlocked them, another officer unlocked Tubbo and Ranboo’s cuffs. The trio followed their social worker towards the door.

“Kid, wait.” Tommy turned around. The cop grabbed his wrists and handcuffed them back together. 

“Hey! Why do I have to have them?” Tommy shrieked. 

“Because you attacked an officer earlier.” The social worker answered. “Let’s go.” The trio begrudgingly followed, still keeping a slow pace for Tommy. 

They made it to another door fairly quickly, the social worker pushing the door open. Inside stood three normal looking people. A short blonde man, a woman with short brown hair, and another man with curly black hair. 

“Why’re there three…?” Ranboo asked.

Chapter Text

Tommy blinked at them, his concussion making it hard to think straight. 

“That’s a good question, Boo.” Tubbo agreed, side-eyeing the three adults. 

No one spoke up. The social worker was shifting from foot to foot anxiously. 

“Hey mate, I’m Phil.” Phil spoke up, stepping forward. 

“I’m Karen.” The woman said. 

“And I’m Rob.” The final man spoke up. 

“These are Toby, Ranboo, and Tommy.” The social worker introduced. “Now, I have some…news for you three.” She turned to face the trio of boys. “You three…are going to be…” She took a deep breath and squeezed her eyes shut. “Separated.” 

“What?!” All three boys shouted. 

“You can’t do that-”

“You promised-”

“We need each other!” 

“Look I understand you three are upset but it was this or prison ! Would you rather go to prison?” The social worker snapped. The boys went silent. “Thought so. Toby, you’re with Karen, Ranboo you’re with Rob, and Tommy, you’re with Phil.” 

“That’s just it? We just go?” Tubbo asked, taking a step back. 

“Pretty much.” The social worker shrugged. There was a knock at the door. It opened and two people carrying boxes entered. “Ah yes, your things are here. Look, you guys say goodbye and pack your things, we’ll be out there.” 

Tubbo and Ranboo nodded, watching the adults leave the room. Tommy leant heavily against the door and slid down. 

“I’m so fucking sorry.” He whispered. “I shoulda done somethin’.” 

“No, Toms, there was nothing to be done.” Tubbo sat next to him and rested his head on Tommy’s shoulder. Ranboo sat on Tommy’s other side. 

“Look, we still have our earpieces right? We can figure out how to meet up again.” Ranboo promised. 

“We should pack.” Tommy said, pushing up off the floor. “We have to go.” 

“You always were the strong one.” Tubbo rubbed his eyes with his palms, trying to get rid of the tears. 

“I try.” Tommy muttered. Tommy started separating their clothes into piles, not very accurately, mind you. Some of their shirts and hoodies got put into someone else’s pile. Definitely by accident. Tommy stuffed their clothes into the little backpacks they had while Ranboo took care of the electronics. 

Ten minutes later, the adults returned. 

“Time to go boys.” The social worker said, no remorse in her voice. Tommy wrapped his arms around Tubbo and Ranboo’s shoulders, letting them rest their heads on his shoulders while they helped him walk. 

“Toby, you’re coming with me.” Karen said, smiling sweetly. Tubbo pulled Tommy and Ranboo into a final embrace, squeezing with his good arm. 

“Bye guys.” He whimpered. 

“By, Bo.” Tommy whispered. 

“By, Bo.” Ranboo parroted. 

Tubbo pulled away and walked over to the car, getting in the back. He watched through the window as the car drove off, away from his brothers. 

“Ranboo, you’re with me.” Rob said. Ranboo made sure Tommy was safe to stand on his own before walking towards the car and getting in the back. 

“Tommy, we have to go.” Phil said, gently. Tommy didn’t answer. The dam was breaking, Tommy’s eyes were filling with tears as he watched Tubbo and Ranboo drive away in completely different directions. “Tommy?” Tommy blinked and suddenly Phil’s face was level with his. “You ok mate?” 

Tommy pushed past him with a scowl and walked towards the car, trying to hide his limp. 

“Alright.” Phil shrugged, opening the door for Tommy. Tommy climbed in the backseat and curled up, pulling his knees to his chest. He kept one arm curled around his backpack next to him. Phil got in the front and they drove off. 

Tommy was oblivious to Phil talking to him, staring out the window and trying not to cry. 

Eventually the car stopped, startling Tommy. 

“We’re here, mate.” Phil said, exiting the car and opening the door for Tommy. Tommy glared at him, holding his backpack to his chest as tight as possible. 

Phil led him up the steps of your classic blue two story suburban house. Phil held the door open, allowing Tommy in first. 

“Boys!” Phil called. Two sets of footsteps were heard on the stairs and soon after, two boys appeared. 

One was tall with curly brown hair, a yellow sweater, and round black glasses. The other was also tall, with long pink hair, and a white blouse. 

“This is Wilbur, and that’s Techno. Boys, this is Tommy.” Phil grinned at them. 

“Hello!” Wilbur greeted, cheerfully smiling at Tommy. “Dad, can I show him around?” 

“Sure, Wilbur.” Phil agreed. Wilbur beckoned for Tommy to follow him. Tommy, having nothing better to do, followed Wilbur back up the stairs. 

“This is my room, this is Techno’s room, that’s Phil’s room, and this is your room.” Wilbur pushed the door open. “Oh and the door at the end of the hallway is the bathroom.”

Tommy’s room was sparsely furnished, consisting of a bed, a dresser, and a desk with a chair. 

“I’ll let you unpack.” Wilbur closed the door behind him. 

Tommy locked the door and shoved the chair under the handle. He stepped back away from the door, staring at the door. He didn’t know when he started to shake. He didn’t know when he started to cry. 

He grabbed his backpack and slid down the wall, rooting around for his earpiece. 

“Please, Boo, I need you.” Tommy whimpered. Ranboo didn’t answer him. Ranboo must not have taken his earpiece out yet. “Boo please. Please, Boo. Please answer me. I need you.” 

Tommy couldn’t breathe. He gasped for breath, rocking back and forth with his knees pulled to his chest. Eventually he fell asleep, slipping to the side so he was now on the floor.

Tommy woke up to knocking on his door. 

“Hey Toms, it’s dinnertime. Dad wants you to come eat with us so he can go over the rules.” 

Who was that? Oh right, Wilbur. Tommy slowly stood up, tucking the earpiece in his pocket, just in case someone needed him. He moved the chair out of the way and unlocked the door. Wilbur had left, leaving Tommy to find his way to the kitchen. 

“Hello, Tommy.” Phil greeted. “You can head right through there to the dining room. Wilbur should have set the table already.” Tommy walked through the archway in the kitchen and into the dining room. The table had six chairs, but four of them had plates and silverware in front of them. 

“Take any seat you want.” Wilbur said, appearing out of nowhere. 

Tommy sat down in the farthest chair from the head of the table that still had a plate. Wilbur sat next to him and Techno sat across from Wilbur. 

Phil entered a minute later, holding a bowl of pasta and a bowl of red sauce. 

“I thought simple spaghetti would be best for the first night.” He said. Tommy didn’t acknowledge him. They passed the bowl around the table. Tommy didn’t put any on his plate. He had no appetite. After a few minutes of uncomfortable silence, Phil spoke up. “I want to talk about the rules, ok?” 

Tommy shrugged, not looking up from the plate in front of him. 

“Ok, great. Wilbur, would you like to start?” Phil suggested. 

“Sure, please knock before entering my room, and if I’m not in there please don’t go in there either. Please don’t touch my things.” Wilbur said. Tommy made no move to show he was listening, but they continued on. 

“Same here.” Techno agreed. “Don’t touch my stuff.” 

“Please stay out of my office without permission, and please knock before entering my room. That’s more of a ‘if I’m changing’ thing, you’re always welcome in my room.” Phil added. “What about you, Toms?” 

“Don’t call me that.” Tommy growled. 

“Don’t call you ‘Toms’?” Wilbur clarified. 

“Don’t call me that.” Tommy repeated. “And stay out of my room. Don’t touch my stuff. Ever. Under any circumstances.” Just then, the earpiece in Tommy’s pocket buzzed, meaning someone was talking. 

Tommy shot up and ran back up the stairs, pulling the earpiece out and shoving it in his ear. 

“Bo? Boo?” He asked desperately. 

“Toms?” 

“Bo!” Tommy locked the door and replaced the chair in front of it, falling onto the bed. “Are you ok? How are you doing?” 

“I’m ok.” Tubbo replied. Tommy wanted to cry. “I miss you guys.” 

“I miss you too, Bo.” 

“Had a panic attack earlier.” Tubbo blurted. 

“Are you ok?” Tommy asked, concern evident in his voice. 

“Yeah, I’m ok now. Just wanted to talk to you. How’re things so far?” 

“Fine. I live with other boys now. You might be replaced. Family made me have dinner with them.” Tommy laughed. “They all looked so upset when I didn’t say anything. They called me Toms.” 

“What’d you do?” 

“Yelled at them of course. No one calls me that but you guys.” Tommy smiled to himself. “What about you? What’s goin’ on over there?” 

“Nothin’ much. No other kids here. Just Karen. She wanted me to have dinner too but I didn’t go.” Tubbo replied. There was a crackle over the line. The sound of someone joining.

“Boo!” Both boys shouted. 

“Toms! Bo!” Ranboo shouted back. “I was hoping you’d be able to talk!” 

“How ya’ doin’, Boo?” Tommy asked. 

“Doin’ ok, Toms. Miss you.” 

“We miss you too.” Tubbo chimed in. “Got any other kids there?”

“No, just me, Bob, and his wife.” Ranboo replied. 

“There are two boys here.” Tommy said. There was a knock at the door. “I gotta go, talk to you guys later.” 

“Go to bed, Tommy. We’ll talk to you tomorrow.” Tubbo said. 

“Fine, you go to bed too.” Tommy shot back, grinning. 

“Night.”

“Night.”

“Night.” Tommy pulled the earpiece out and turned towards the door. “What?” He snapped, moving the chair out of the way and unlocking the door. Wilbur was standing there when he opened it. “What?” Tommy repeated, glaring at Wilbur. 

“Didn’t know you had a phone. Or friends.” Wilbur smirked. 

“I don’t have friends.” Tommy glared at him. 

“Then who were you talking to?” 

“My brothers.” Wilbur’s smile fell away. “Yeah.” Tommy smirked at him. “Your dad didn’t tell you that, did he?” 

“No, I-I’m sorry.” Wilbur stammered. 

“Well what did you want?” 

“Dad wanted me to check on you. You kinda just ran off there.” Wilbur rubbed the back of his neck anxiously. 

“Got a call.” 

“From who?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know.” 

“We would, actually.” Another voice interjected. Techno. 

“I was talking to my brother, if you must know.” Tommy fixed his glare on Techno.

“What’s his name?” Wilbur asked, smiling sweetly, genuinely curious. 

“That’s for me to know.” Tommy snapped. 

“Alright, that’s fine.” Wilbur said, seeing Tommy wasn’t going to back down. 

“Great.” Tommy slammed the door in Wilbur’s face. Wilbur and Techno looked at each other before Wilbur raced down the stairs and into the kitchen where Phil was cleaning up. 

“Does Tommy have brothers?” Wilbur asked. Phil looked up from his dishes. 

“I didn’t think so but after today I’m less sure.” Phil answered. 

“That’s vague.” 

“There were two other boys there. Ranboo and Toby. They seemed pretty close.” Phil frowned. “But no, he doesn’t have any brothers.” 

“What happened to the other boys?” 

“Went with other people.” Phil turned back to the dishes.

Chapter Text

Tommy woke up to knocking at his door again. 

“Go away. I’m sleeping.” He said, covering his face with a pillow. There was another knock. “Bo I swear to god if that’s you-” Then it hit him. He isn’t home. “Who the hell is it?” He snapped, sitting up. 

“It’s Techno. It’s breakfast.” Techno replied. 

“Not hungry. Go away.” That was a lie. Tommy was very hungry. He hadn’t eaten in like three days at this point. But Tommy was never known for his healthy eating habits. 

“I don’t believe you. Let’s go.” 

“What if I don’t want to, prick?” 

“Oh my god just come downstairs.” 

“Or what?” 

“Or I’ll drag you out.” 

“Whatever.” Tommy grabbed his earpiece off the nightstand and shoved it in his pocket. He moved the chair and opened the door. Techno was gone. He stomped down the stairs and into the dining room. He flopped down into the same chair as last time, crossing his arms and scowling at the table. 

“Look who it is.” Wilbur joked, sitting across from him. “Sorry about last night.”

“Whatever.” Tommy didn’t look up from the table. 

“Sorry about your friends.” Wilbur said, fidgeting with his hands. “Dad told me what happened yesterday.” 

“They aren’t my friends, they’re my brothers. And that’s none of your fucking business.” Tommy snapped, looking up at Wilbur. Just then, Phil and Techno entered, carrying a plate of pancakes and a bowl of fruit. 

“Good morning, Tommy.” Phil smiled at him. Tommy kept his glare pointed at Wilbur who was squirming uncomfortably. “How’d you sleep?” 

“Fine, considering that I’m not in my own home anymore.” Tommy finally looked away from Wilbur and at Phil instead. Same galre, different target. “Why do you need me to be down here?” 

“I like to have family dinners in this house.” Phil replied, seemingly unfazed by Tommy’s glare. Tommy laughed sarcastically. 

“I’m not a part of this family.” He scoffed. 

“You could be, if you wanted.” 

“What makes you think I want that?” 

“Nothing, but you haven’t eaten since arriving here. You need to eat.” Phil said coolly. 

“Not hungry.” Tommy shrugged. 

“I find that hard to believe.” Phil smiled at him again. “Have a pancake and I’ll leave you alone. Deal?” 

“Whatever.” Tommy grabbed a pancake and tore a piece off, shoving it in his mouth. 

“I was thinking about taking you shopping today.”

“No.” 

“Tommy, you need some new things.” 

“Like what?” 

“Toothbrush, toothpaste, clothes.” Phil listed off. “Just, things.” 

“I have clothes and there’s no way I’d use a toothbrush.” Tommy spat, standing up. “Oh, and I will never be part of your family. That’s a bold assumption for you to make, seeing as you’re the reason I’ve been taken from my real family. You’re an asshole. Fuck you.” 

With that, Tommy stormed out and back up to his room, slamming the door with all the force he could. 

He needed to get the hell out of here.

He checked each window in his room carefully, attempting to push it up. Each window opened about two inches, not nearly enough for him to escape. He would have to wait to check the rest later. 

His earpiece hadn’t buzzed all day, and it was starting to worry him. 

“Toby? Ranboo?” He asked, inserting the earpiece into his ear. No answer. “Damn.” He put it back in his pocket and laid down on the bed. 

This was turning out to be a shit day. Plus, Tommy could feel that familiar itch in the back of his skull. 

Nest.

And along side it;

Fly . 

A wonderful combination when he couldn’t do either of them. There were barely enough supplies for a nest in here and even if there were, he didn’t trust the others not to enter his room when he wasn’t in it. 

However, if he ignored it long enough, the urge to nest would only get worse until he had no choice. He would rather avoid that, seeing as it was extremely annoying and uncomfortable. 

He sighed and started gathering his clothes and blankets into his arms. He made his nest on the ground behind the door so when the door opened, it wouldn’t be visible. 

Soon enough, the nest was done. The walls were made up of a combination of Tubbo, Ranboo, and his own clothes, as well as the blankets and pillows from the bed. There wasn’t anything to be done about the ache in his back. He needed to keep his wings hidden for as long as possible. 

There was a knock on his door. The grumpy avian crawled out of his nest and opened the door. 

“Hey mate, Wilbur, Techno, and I have something to do. We should be back in an hour or so.” Phil said. “Is that ok?” 

“I don’t care.” 

“Just wanted to let you know. Please don’t leave the house, but if you do, there are security cameras everywhere. I’ll know.” 

“Ok. Bye.” 

“Bye, To-” Tommy slammed the door in his face, locked it, and returned to his nest. There goes the idea of flying. Or sneaking out. 

His earpiece buzzed. He shoved it in his ear. 

“Yo?” 

“Toms?” 

“That’s me. How’re you doing, Ranboo?” 

“I’m doing ok. You?” 

“Not so great, if I’m honest.” He heard the front door close and rushed to the window. Phil, Wilbur, and Techno were all getting in the car he had arrived in. “I need to fly. And I’m nesting.” 

“Oh.” 

“Yeah.” 

“Any idea how you’re going to get out?” Ranboo asked. 

“No. Phil said there’s cameras out there. And all the windows in my room only open an inch or two. You?” 

“Yeah. I could get out easily.” 

“Then why don’t you?” 

“If I leave, they’re going to know I’m going to go to one of you, so they’ll be way more careful with you two.” Ranboo explained. “Grab your suit- don’t put it on, just hold it- and walk around your whole house.” 

“Ok…?” Tommy grabbed his suit- which at the moment was just a little button- and opened his door. 

“The suit has a tracker. I’ll get a map of your house this way.” 

“Oh, ok.” He walked around the whole house, checking each window along the way. They all only opened about two inches. He even went into Techno, Wilbur, and Phil’s rooms. 

“Now go outside and walk around the house.” 

“But there’s cameras.” 

“Yeah, so don’t run away. Just walk around the perimeter.” 

“Is the tracker not showing up on a map? Like Google Maps or something?” 

“It is. This just gives me a better idea.” 

“How far apart are we?” 

“A few miles.” 

“And Tubbo?” Tommy asked as he opened the door and stepped outside. 

“Also a few miles.” Tommy hummed and started walking around the perimeter. He spotted the cameras fairly easily, making sure to stare at each one. Once he completed the task, he went back inside and into the kitchen. “Boo?” 

“Yeah?” 

“The pantry has bird seed.” Tommy said, pulling it down. “I didn’t see any birds outside. Or inside.” 

“Maybe one’s an avian like you?” 

“None of them have wings.” 

“Well you’re hiding yours, right? Maybe they’re hiding theirs.” 

“Hm.” Tommy hummed and grabbed the bag. “Well I want some.” Ranboo laughed.

“Of course you do.” 

Tommy grabbed the bread and peanut butter as well. 

“Have you been eating, Ranboo?” Tommy asked, voice serious. 

“I had breakfast this morning.” Ranboo replied. 

“Good.” Tommy put the peanut butter on the bread and sprinkled some bird seed on top. “If Tubbo hasn’t been eating, which I suspect he hasn’t, I’m going to rip his fucking throat out.” 

“Who’s throat are you going to rip out?” Tubbo asked, joining the call as well.

“Yours if you haven’t been eating.” Tommy said. 

“I had a sandwich earlier.” Tubbo said, vaguely. 

“What kind?”

“Turkey.” 

“When?” 

“Earlier.” 

“Go get a snack, Bo.” Tommy instructed. 

“Have you been eating?” Tubbo deflected. 

“I’m eating right now. Now go get food or I will kill you.” 

“I thought you said you’d-”

“Food. Now.” 

“Fine, fine.” Tubbo could be heard walking downstairs and opening a fridge. “I’m grabbing some leftovers.” 

“It’s for your own good, Bo.” Ranboo said. “We can’t have you starving on us.” 

“Yeah yeah.” 

“We should make a plan to get the hell out of here.” Tommy said, taking another bite of his sandwich. He started putting away the sandwich making materials.

“Yeah.” 

“Tubbo, do the windows in your house have locks?” Tommy asked. 

“No.” 

“So you two can get out easily?” 

“Yep.”

“Any time.”

“So I’m the one who needs a real plan, huh?” 

“Yeah.” Ranboo sighed. “You’re pretty good at causing chaos.” 

“I could just fuck something up and get out the front door.” Speaking of the front door, “Shit they’re back, got to go.” Tommy pulled the earpiece out and shoved it in his pocket without saying goodbye. It hurt but it had to be done. 

“Oh, hey Tommy.” Wilbur smiled at him as Tommy walked out of the kitchen. Tommy didn’t answer, simply walking past, going towards the stairs. 

“Saw you went outside earlier.” Techno commented.

“Who cares?” 

“Just wanted to know why.” Techno shrugged. 

“Wanted to get a feel for the house.” Tommy replied. “Was curious.” 

“A little weird, you know? A little suspicious.” 

“‘K.” Tommy walked up the stairs. 

“Hey Techno, what’s that?” Wilbur asked, picking something up off the ground. 

“It looks like an air-pod.” Techno replied. 

“Tommy dropped it.” Wilbur said. “Dad, look what Tommy dropped.” Wilbur held the device out to Phil, who had just walked through the door. 

“What is that?” Phil picked it up out of Wilbur’s hand and squinted at it. “Looks like some sort of communicator.” Phil shrugged. “Hey Tommy! Come down here for a minute!” 

Tommy’s door was heard slamming open. 

“What do you wa -” Tommy stopped talking when he saw what was in Phil’s hand. He stared at it wide-eyed. “Give it back.” 

“First tell us what it is.”

Chapter Text

Tommy stared at the device. Phil, Wilbur, and Techno stared at Tommy. 

“Look, it’s not dangerous. I swear. I just need it back. Please.” Tommy held up his hands in a placating gesture. 

“Why do you want it back so badly?” Techno asked. 

“I need it.” Tommy replied simply. “Just, please give it back. I’ll play nice. I promise.” 

“What is it?” Phil asked. 

“It’s…basically a phone.” Tommy replied, wincing at his own words. 

“What do you do with it?” Phil looked from the device to Tommy, who, in this moment, looked very scared. 

“I use it to talk to my brothers.” Tommy said carefully. 

“Your file said you’re an only child.” Phil raised his eyebrow. Tommy suddenly looked mad again. 

“They aren’t my real brothers.” Tommy said through gritted teeth. “I don’t have any real siblings. But we’ve known each other since we were all like six.” 

“You’ve all run away from every foster home together?” 

“...Yes.” 

“Then why would I give this back to you?” 

“Because I need it.” Tommy pleaded, stepping down the first few steps. “Please, Phil. Please.” 

“Tommy, I’m sorry. Truly. But you can’t have this if it means you’re going to run away with them.” Tommy’s face fell. He looked distraught. “I’m very sorry.” Phil dropped the device on the ground. 

“Please, Phil, don’t-” Phil stepped on the device. It sparked and crackled before going silent. Tommy screamed. “No! No, no, no!” Tears immediately started pouring down his face. “Why would you do that? I-I needed that! I needed them! How could you-” Tommy turned on his heels and bolted back up the stairs, sobbing . 

“I’m sorry, Tommy.” Phil said to the empty stairs. It had to be done. 

When Tubbo heard new voices coming from Tommy’s end of the call, he started getting worried.

When he heard them call out to Tommy, he was getting really worried. 

Ranboo voiced his worries and Tubbo agreed with him. 

Something was not ok.  

Then they heard Tommy pleading, begging someone for something. Begging for something back. 

Then they finally put two and two together. Tommy’s foster family had found his earpiece. 

“I use it to talk to my brothers.”

“Your file said you’re an only child.”

“They aren’t my real brothers. I don’t have any real siblings. But we’ve known each other since we were all like six.” 

“You’ve all run away from every foster home together?” 

“...Yes.” 

“Then why would I give this back to you?” 

“Because I need it. Please, Phil. Please.” 

“Tommy, I’m sorry. Truly. But you can’t have this if it means you’re going to run away with them. I’m very sorry.” 

“Please, Phil, don’t-”

Tommy’s line went dead. 

“Tommy?” Ranboo asked. 

“Toms?” Tubbo cried. 

Tommy didn’t answer. 

“Bo, we need to go get him.” Ranboo asserted. 

“Yeah. We need to get the fuck out of here.” Tubbo sniffed. 

“In a few days, Bo. Let me make a plan.”

Tommy didn’t leave his room for the next few days. Phil came to the door several times to apologize. Tommy didn’t listen. He stayed curled up in his nest all day, letting his wings curl around him just for the sake of feeling the feathers on his skin. 

“Mate,” There was a knock at the door. “You haven’t eaten in days, you need to eat something.” 

“Fuck off.” 

“I’m sorry for what I did. But you understand, don’t you?” 

“Fuck you.” 

“I’m leaving some food here for you. And some water. Please have some water.” 

Tommy waited for the footsteps to disappear before he moved. He opened the door and grabbed the water before shutting the door again. He guzzled the water down and crawled back into the nest, wrapping his wings tightly around himself and falling asleep.

“So we’ll meet at the park at midnight?” Tubbo asked. 

“Sounds good.” Ranboo agreed. 

“Then we get Tommy.” 

“No, Bo, we have to make a better plan first.” Ranboo sighed. “Tommy’s house has cameras and if they catch us using our powers, they’ll put two and two together and our identities will be revealed.” 

“Yeah, yeah, I know.” Tubbo deflated. “I just want to go get him. At least we can still talk to each other.” 

“We’ll get him soon enough.” 

A few hours later, Ranboo and Tubbo had their backpacks on their shoulders, opening their bedroom windows and hopping out. 

The two took pre-planned, back alley routes towards the park in the center of the city. 

“You almost here, Tubbo?” 

“Are you already there?” 

“Yeah.” 

“I’m almost there.” 

Tubbo turned a few more corners before being faced with the park. Sitting under the shelter in the center, on a bench, was Ranboo. 

Tubbo ran up to him, hugging him from behind. 

“Boo!” 

“Bo!” 

Ranboo turned around and pulled Tubbo into a hug. 

“I missed you!” Tubbo cried, burying his face in Ranboo’s shoulder. 

“I missed you too.” 

“Let’s never do this again.” 

“Agreed. Now let’s go find somewhere to stay where we won’t be found.” Ranboo stood up, pulling Tubbo along with him. 

“Tommy, I need to talk to you.” Phil said from outside the door. 

“No.” Tommy mumbled, snuggling farther into his nest. 

“Toby and Ranboo ran away last night.” Tommy’s eyes shot open. He hid his wings quickly and ran to open the door. 

“They did?” He looked absolutely ecstatic. 

“Yes, last night.” Phil didn’t match Tommy’s excitement in the least. “That isn’t a good thing, Tommy. They could get hurt, or lost. You know them better than anyone, where do you think they went?” Tommy laughed, hard. 

“You, first of all, think I know where they are, and second of all, think that even if I did, I would tell you where they are ?” Tommy wheezed, doubling over laughing. “Abso-fucking-lutely not!” Tommy went to close the door but Phil put his foot in the way. 

“This is serious, Tommy.” Wilbur and Techno had gathered in the hallway to watch the conversation at this point. 

“You think I’m not serious?” Tommy’s smile fell away to a glare. 

“You are laughing.” Wilbur pointed out. 

“They could be in danger, Tommy.” Phil reiterated. “Any information you have could be useful.” 

“Let me start with the fact they aren’t helpless. They aren’t in danger. They can handle themselves better than anyone I’ve ever met.” Tommy’s eyes bore holes through Phil’s skull. “Then let me continue with how I would never sell them out, even if I knew something. I don’t know where they went and there’s no way for me to find out since you destroyed my only form of communication with them. So fuck off.” Tommy shut the door in Phil’s face. 

“Great job, boys.” Tommy whispered to himself, snuggling into his nest again.

“Do you think they’re going to come looking for him?” Wilbur asked, leaning back on the couch.

“How would they find him?” Techno wondered aloud. 

“I’m not too worried about it.” Phil confessed. “But one of us has to be here at all times. Just to make sure he doesn’t run off.”

“He never leaves his room.” Wilbur scoffed. “How the hell would he run off?” 

“I don’t want to find out.” Phil answered, standing up. “Techno and I are busy tonight so you need to stay here tonight.” 

“Alright.” 

“Make sure to give him food and water.” Techno smirked. 

“Ha ha, but seriously, Wil, leave something to eat outside his door with a glass of water.” Phil interjected. 

“Yeah, yeah, I can do that.” Wilbur nodded. “Have fun.” Wilbur went back upstairs while Techno and Phil went to get ready to leave.  

“I have a plan.” Ranboo said, sitting up. 

“Oh?” Tubbo mumbled, still half asleep. 

“To get Tommy back.” That woke Tubbo up. 

“Well? What is it?” He asked. 

“One of us causes some sort of chaos downstairs while the other breaks one of Tommy’s windows and lets Tommy out.” Ranboo shrugged. 

“It took you a whole week to come up with that?” 

“We’ve been on the run for like a day and a half.” 

“Yeah but we were stuck in those homes for like five days before that.” 

“Do you have a better plan?” 

“Not at the moment.” Tubbo replied. “What if you teleport into Tommy’s room and teleport out quickly?” 

“Tubbo, you really think I didn’t think of that?” Ranboo rolled his eyes. “It’s too small of a space. If I fuck it up and they see me, our identities will be exposed and there will be nowhere for us to hide. I can’t do that to us.” 

“But we need To-”

“Tommy wouldn’t want me to risk our safety and I know you know that.” 

“...You’re right.” Tubbo sighed, laying back down. “Sorry.” 

“Don’t apologize, Bo. I know you just want Tommy to be ok.” 

The two had been staying in an abandoned car. Dangerous, yes, but they needed somewhere to sleep. 

“When do you think we should go get him?” 

“I’m thinking we slowly make our way towards the house. We have to keep moving anyway.” Ranboo said, laying back down in the seat.

“We’re coming, Tommy.”

“Tommy, I brought you a sandwich. And a glass of water.” Wilbur said, knocking on the door. 

Tommy hadn’t eaten since Phil crushed his earpiece 5 days ago and he was really feeling it. His stomach ached and burned, contracting painfully. He knew he should eat, if not for himself then for his brothers, but he couldn’t bring himself to eat. 

He pulled his arms tighter around his stomach as it spasmed again. 

“Please eat something.” Wilbur sighed, setting the plate and the glass of water down. “I’ll be downstairs, just so you know.” He turned and walked back down the stairs. 

Tommy uncurled himself from his ball, still tightly holding his stomach, and crawled towards the door. He managed to open it, grabbing the water before closing it again. 

He chugged the glass, which did little to help his aching stomach, before returning to the nest. 

He was tempted to retrieve the sandwich, but another painful spasm stomped out all desire to eat, even if lack of food was causing the pain. 

He didn’t know how much time had passed just staring into space, but at some point

A rock flew through his window.

Chapter Text

Wilbur looked up when Phil and Techno walked through the door, soaking wet

“Did he eat?” Phil asked, not even bothering to say hello.

“No.” Wilbur shook his head. “He drank the water, though. How was the mission?” 

“It went well.” Techno replied, shrugging off his cloak and rolling it up. “Mundane. But who am I to complain about a boring night when you’ve been here doing nothing the whole time?”

Suddenly, a car alarm went off. Then another, and another, and another. Just as Wilbur was standing up to investigate with Phil and Techno, a rock flew through the window, hitting Wilbur in the forehead. 

Distantly a crash could be heard from upstairs.

Tommy looked up weakly when the rock crashed through his window. It was a fairly large rock and it had shattered the entire window. 

Following the rock shortly after, was a person. A person with two toned hair. 

“Boo.” Tommy breathed, a smile settling into his tired face. 

“Hey, Tommy.” Rambo whispered, crouching down in front of Tommy and cupping his cheek. “You aren’t lookin’ too great. When was the last time you ate?” 

“After Phil crushed my earpiece.” Tommy answered, leaning into Ranboo’s touch. 

“Tommy, that was five days ago !” Ranboo whisper-yelled. 

“Oh.”

“Yeah, now I’m gonna pack your stuff so we can get out of here.” Ranboo stood up, taking his hand off Tommy’s face. Tommy whined and curled back into a ball. 

Ranboo glanced at the avian with sympathy when he whimpered, clutching his stomach tightly again. 

Ranboo grabbed Tommy’s backpack and started shoving his things into it. Most of those things, unfortunately, were made into the nest Tommy was currently laying in. 

Ranboo picked Tommy up and set him on the bed, taking the clothes from the nest. 

“Can you walk?” Ranboo asked, putting the last of the clothes in the backpack. Tommy shook his head. “That’s alright. I’m going to just teleport us out of here.” 

“Sorry, Boo.” Tommy whispered. 

“For what?” 

“Not eating. It’s hypocritical of me.” 

“That it is.” Ranboo agreed, helping Tommy sit up and put one of his arms around Ranboo’s shoulders. “We’re gonna teleport out of here in three… two… one…”

Wilbur staggered backwards, holding his head.

“Fuck!” He cried.

“Are you ok, Wilbur?” Phil asked, pulling Wilbur’s hand away from his forehead. There was a large gash on Wilbur’s forehead. “Sit down and stay here, we’re going to see what’s going on.” Wilbur nodded and Phil turned back to Techno. 

Techno flung the door open, re-affixing his cape to his shoulders. Phil followed him out the door. The pair’s eyes immediately fell on the child in the middle of the street. He was grinning, tossing a rock up in the air. It was too dark, even with the flashing car lights, to see the boy’s face.

“What are you doing?” Phil shouted at him. The car alarms were still going off around them, lights flashing. 

“Helping a couple friends.” Tubbo shrugged, chucking the rock at Phil. Phil expected this, stepping to the side just in time. What he did not expect, however, was for the rock to explode. 

His vision went white for a moment. He blinked his eyes open again. 

“Tubbo.” He breathed. Tubbo had engaged his suit, mask now covering his smirk. Techno pulled out a mask of his own to cover his face. 

“There’s no need for that, Technoblade .” Tubbo snarled. “Or for you, Phil . Or should I say, The Blade and The Crowfather.” Phil paled. 

“How did you-” 

“I have my ways.” Tubbo chucked another rock at them. Phil’s wings unfurled and he launched himself into the sky, pushing Techno out of the rock’s flight path. The rock flew through the open door, exploding on the floor. Wilbur, startled, jumped off the couch and ran to the door. 

“Tubbo?” He cried, covering his face with his hands. 

“Wilbur.” Tubbo greeted. Wilbur looked at him in confusion for a moment before his face contorted in horror. “More popularly known as, Phantom .”

“Fuck.” Wilbur’s forehead was still dripping blood as he walked out of the door. Tubbo threw another rock at Wilbur. 

Before Wilbur could react, something large crashed into him. Phil wrapped his wings around Wilbur, pushing them both to the ground. Tubbo’s rock whizzed over their heads, exploding on the staircase. 

Tubbo realized too late that he didn’t know where Techno had gone.

Ranboo and Tommy materialized at the end of the street, out of view of Tommy’s foster family. 

“You ok, Toms?” Ranboo asked, holding Tommy upright as he leaned to the left. Tommy mumbled something distractedly, eyes trained on something down the street. 

Tubbo was now on the ground, The Blade towering over him. 

“Tubbo.” Tommy whispered, unfurling his wings. 

“Not right now, Tommy. I’ll help him.” Ranboo promised. “You’re too weak.” 

“‘M not weak, bitch.” Tommy shot back with as much venom as he could muster. 

“You haven’t eaten in days.” Ranboo scoffed. “You can’t stand on your own.” Ranboo engaged his suit, helped Tommy to the ground, and teleported away. 

Tommy pulled his suit out of his pocket, stuck it to his neck, and engaged it. He was going to listen to Ranboo, unless he felt they needed help. 

Something large smacked into Tubbo’s back, knocking the wind out of him and causing him to fall forward onto the ground. Something hard pressed into his back- a boot most likely- making it harder to breathe. 

Tubbo wheezed and squirmed under the weight. 

“I’ve got you again, Tubbo.” Blade snarled. Tubbo hoped Ranboo had gotten Tommy and that they were ok. 

That thought didn’t last long as the weight on his back was lifted and he could breathe again. He pushed himself onto his hands and knees and looked to his right. 

Ranboo was teleporting in different directions, avoiding and disorienting Techno. 

We should bring him out more often . Tubbo thought, smiling to himself. He knew that wasn’t a real option, Ranboo would run out of energy soon and he would be stuck out here. 

Speaking of, Ranboo’s teleports were getting shorter and shorter, leaving him within the range of Techno’s spear. 

Tubbo stood up and was immediately faced with Phantom who took no time in delivering a swift punch to Tubbo’s nose. 

Tubbo staggered back, clutching his nose. Blood was seeping into his mask, making it wet and harder to breathe through. 

Tubbo swung out blindly, his fist connecting with the side of Phantom’s head. 

Wilbur punched Tubbo in the stomach. Tubbo folded inward, falling to his knees. 

“Fuck.” He gasped. Wilbur kicked him in the chest, sending him sprawling backwards. 

Ranboo stopped teleporting, dizzy and out of breath. If he had to guess, he had one more in him, enough to get them out of here. But Tubbo was on the ground, far out of reach. 

Techno grabbed him by his shoulders and headbutted him. Ranboo stumbled away and fell on his butt. He was not as experienced as the others. Nor was he as skilled in fighting. 

He stood up and readied himself in a fighting stance, fists out, waiting for Techno’s next hit. 

The hit never came. 

Tommy watched his friends fight. He was getting increasingly concerned as he watched Tubbo fall to Phantom with Ranboo going down just moments later.

He prayed they would get up on their own, he was in no condition to fight right now, but when they didn’t, he didn’t wait any longer. 

He launched himself with as much force as he could muster, flying high into the sky. He let himself fall, gaining speed quickly. 

Tubbo was the most pressing concern, he decided. He angled his descent towards Tubbo, opening his wings at the last second. 

His wings slowed his fall enough for him to put his feet out and collide with Phantom, sending him rolling down the street a few feet. 

“Theseus!” Tubbo cheered. His shouting drew Ranboo’s attention away from Techno long enough for Techno to get a good hit or two in. 

Phil watched from the doorway with curiosity. He didn’t particularly enjoy getting involved with the Bench Trio, especially when his boys were handling it. And if they got beat up a bit in the process, so be it. 

Tommy grabbed a knife from his pocket and threw it at an unsuspecting Techno. It lodged in his arm. 

Techno cried out and ceased in his assault on Ranboo. His grip on his spear loosened, allowing Tommy to pull it from his hands and hold it at Phantom’s throat. 

“Boo, get us the fuck out of here.” Tommy growled. 

Techno made to charge at Tommy, but Tommy moved the spear to be facing him instead.

Before Techno or Wilbur could move, Ranboo grabbed Tubbo’s hand and Tommy’s shoulder and teleported back up the street into a bush. 

“Boo, ‘m gonna pass out.” Tommy muttered, suddenly dizzy and wobbly on his feet again. Ranboo held his arm out just in time for Tommy to drop face first towards the ground. 

“Tubbo go grab his backpack from the street.” Ranboo ordered. Tubbo nodded, running off into the street cautiously, so as not to be spotted. 

He returned shortly and the trio started back towards the car they’d been staying in, dragging Tommy’s dead weight along with them. 

They were finally reunited. 

This time, they would not get caught.