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Snow fell in blankets. Logs cracked in the fire. A polar bear slept soundly by his feet as he read an old book. Techno was at peace despite the recent events.
Ranboo’s death.
He’d been hunting down Dream for two weeks before deciding to let it go for a while. He’ll go on another hunt soon with his pack of canines, but for now he needed rest and prepare for his next move. Getting the revive book from Dream was one thing but keeping a watchful eye on several countries in case of a rising government was his top priority. Niki had been reporting any activities in Snowchester, and thankfully all is peaceful there, yet eerily quiet. Techno made a mental note to investigate the place for anything suspicious sometime soon. He doesn’t doubt they’re hiding something under all those log cabins.
…
Tommy trailed behind Wilbur as they tread through thick snow. He doesn’t know why Wilbur asked him to come along but being around him felt nostalgic. He grinned to himself thinking back to all the good times they had. Before L’Manburg.
“What are you grinning for?” Wilbur poked.
“Oh nothing. Where are we going again?”
“To see Phil.”
“Why?”
“Because I need to speak with him.”
“Why?”
Wilbur groaned in annoyance, “I just need to ask him about something.”
“Wh—”
Wilbur turned and firmly placed a hand on Tommy’s shoulder, gripping it tightly with a threatening yet playful smile. “Say ‘why’ one more time.” But it didn’t feel playful to Tommy.
Tommy’s eyes went dull for a moment before he smiled cheekily and chuckled. “I’m just messing with you, lighten up man.” He brushed Wilbur’s hand off his shoulder then continued to walk in front of him. Now that he knew where they were headed, he was more confident to lead the way. He doesn’t like to be the one chasing after people. It’s just not who he is.
Wilbur fell into step behind him and didn’t say another word. Tommy was hoping he’d chuckle along with him. It’s not fun when Wilbur gets serious or too harsh about anything. It only gave him flashbacks to the darker times.
…
Two log cabins came into view. A red figure stood outside. Tommy had to squint to make out the familiar long pink hair and red cape.
“Is that Techno?” Wilbur questioned, sounding to be in disbelief.
“Techno!”
“Technoblade!”
Tommy flailed his arms in the air to gain the man’s attention while Wilbur raised a single arm above his head. Tommy thought it was quite a weak attempt but opted to not voice his opinion.
“Yo!” Techno greeted them.
Tommy never forgot the last time he saw Techno. How could he. Techno was bailing Dream out of prison. The one man Tommy feared most. His mouth went dry as he remembered the countless times he was beaten to death, then revived, then beaten over and over again. He remembered his last encounter with Dream at his place from exile, being chased until—
“Hey Techno, how have you been? Is Phil around?”
Wilbur’s sudden outburst caused Tommy’s heart to skip a beat.
“I’m fine. Phil’s just in his house.”
“Ok, thanks” Wilbur rushed up the stairs leading the cabin. Tommy saluted jokingly to Techno and followed after Wilbur once more.
Wilbur knocked on the door and a few seconds later Phil opened the door and greeted them with a surprised expression. “Will? Tommy?”
“Hey big man!” Tommy’s face lit up at the sight of Phil well and safe. Dream threatened him with the death of Phil before, and he hopes he’ll never lose him. Phil promised he wouldn’t let Dream lay a hand on him.
“What brings you here?” Phil asked, tilting his head slightly.
“Phil, I need to speak with you. May I come in?”
Phil nodded and gestured for Wilbur and Tommy to join him inside.
“Uh Tommy, could you wait out here, with Techno? Please don’t ask why.”
Tommy raised a brow at him before shrugging, “Fine, fine. Hey Techno!”
Wilbur entered the cabin and Phil closed the door behind him.
…
Techno was sitting on the steps with one of his many wolves sitting next to him. Tommy sat one step above him. Asserting his big man dominance as per usual.
“So… What’s up? Killed anymore people?”
Techno simply hummed in response. Tommy couldn’t tell if it meant yes or no. He hoped he meant no, but he had slight doubt.
Tommy looked out to the surrounding forest. Snow fell in small clumps off branches. “Was that forest always there?” Tommy asked.
“Dunno.”
“I swear there wasn’t a single tree in sight when I moved here for a while.”
“You mean trespassed?” Techno corrected him.
Tommy rolled his eyes, “Is my basement still down there?”
“Unfortunately. Still haven’t filled it in but since you’ve reminded me, I’ll make sure to when you leave.”
Tommy dramatically gasped in betrayal. “Techno, you wouldn’t do that. What about all the good times we had?”
“You stealing my things?”
“What’s yours is mine, and what’s mine is mine.”
“You betrayed me, Tommy. I thought you were better than that. I gave you my ‘axe of peace’ as a sign of friendship, and you used it against me.”
The memory still haunted Tommy. Everyone surrounding him and Techno in a destroyed community house. It wasn’t even his fault.
“I said I’d fight every last one of them. I was willing to fight for you… They were the ones who casted you out. I took you in, despite your trespassing— but still. Why did you betray me?”
Tommy didn’t mean for the small talk to turn into a whole confession. He was grateful to be taken in, to be hidden and protected from Dream after he left exile. But he also hated Techno for blowing up his home. Sometimes the good moments outweigh the bad. Yet all the guilt just builds up and scale tips more. He betrayed him, yes. Does he regret it?
“Techno… How was I supposed to stand by and let you kill my best friend?”
Techno sighed and stood up and turned to face Tommy. “Maybe he was your friend at one point, but face it Tommy, you made the wrong choice and because of that Dream has control over everything now. I warned you.”
Tears began welling in Tommy’s eyes. He looked away to rub them. “I know, I fucked up. I’m a mess. I’m the reason people get hurt.” He stood up and turned back to Techno, brows furrowed, eyes stinging red, but he doesn’t falter. “But I’m not a coward. I’m going to kill Dream, no strings attached. And I don’t care if you stand with him, I’ll fucking kill you too. And then that dumb polar bear of yours.”
Techno’s eyes widen with shock. After a moment then two he grins and places a hand on Tommy’s head, ruffling his blonde curls. “Good answer.”
Tommy looked up at him with confusion. “What?”
“I’m not looking for forgiveness after all that I’ve done. As much as I enjoyed our wars, I’m a changed man now. What I strive for is the same thing everyone else wants. Peace.”
“If that were true then why did you have to help Dream escape?”
“Well, I did owe him a favour… And like you said, you’re going to kill him.”
“So?”
“So, I’d like to see you win” Techno grinned.
Tommy wiped his eyes again to rid them of the remaining tears. “You’re a bitch… Still gonna come back for Steve after I’m done with Dream—”
“Don’t even dare.”
Tommy laughed, and Techno chuckled along.
…
“They’re taking too long… Wanna barge in with me?”
“I’ll pass”
“Suit yourself.” Tommy walked over to Phil’s door. As he reaches for the handle, he could hear the conversation inside.
“Will, is there anyone you’ve been meaning to apologise to?” Phil’s voice was slightly muffled on the other side of the door, but Tommy could make out footsteps coming closer.
Wilbur opens the door and Tommy steps back in surprise. Did he come out here to apologise to him?
“Tommy…”
Tommy never thought Wilbur would ever apologise for everything he put him through. He left Tommy alone and even after Wilbur was revived, he was the same careless prick. But maybe something in him did change.
“I need to speak with Technoblade. Can you stay with Phil, inside for a bit?”
His spirits were crushed in seconds. He should’ve expected this, yet he wanted to scream.
“Sure, take your time.” He entered Phil’s house and Wilbur joined Techno in his basement.
“Hey Phil, it’s been a while.”
“Yeah, mate. How have you been holding up?” Phil gestured for Tommy to sit. When he does, Phil offers him a warm beverage that smells of honey and sunshine. It reminds him of Tubbo and the good ol’ days watching the sun set on his bench.
“Better. Still worried about when Dream will show up again though.”
“That’s ok. You’re not alone.”
“I know” Tommy takes a sip of his drink and fails to stop the beaming smile that grows on his face from the swirling sweetness.
“So, what did you talk about with Techno?” Phil took a seat across from him. Tommy feels like it’s another therapy session.
“Oh the usual. Told him I was going to kill his bear after I finished with Dream.”
Phil laughed sheepishly. “Your charisma never ceases to amaze me. You’ll never quit picking fights, will you?”
“Nope” Tommy answered, popping the ‘p’. “Though peace in the server sounds nice, if there aren’t mini wars here and there it’s gonna feel like a wasteland, you know?”
“Mini wars?” Phil raised a brow.
“Yeah, wars with no killing. I’m sick of putting lives on the line, I just want to have fun being myself.”
Phil nodded. “I agree. You’re only 18 and you’ve been through more than anyone should have experienced at your age… Dream is wrong about a lot of things, but if there’s one thing I agree with him on, is that Tubbo was not a reliable president.”
Tommy opened his mouth to refute, but Phil put up a hand to silence him.
“If you let me finish. The reason I say that is because Tubbo didn’t think twice before exiling you. And that made me think, if he was willing to exile his best friend, what would he do to me if I did something on my own accord. He had me under house arrest after all.”
It’s true Tubbo went to the extreme for a simple crime of burning someone’s house down, but he was doing his best after being given the position of president out of the blue. “He wanted the best for L’Manburg. I don’t hate him for what he did. I only blame myself causing him so much trouble. But all is forgiven, we’re fine.”
“So, what do you plan to do now?”
Tommy smirked confidently. “Easy. Kill Dream and save everyone. Then kill Techno’s bear.”
“Why do you hate Steve so much, mate?”
“’Cuz it’s funny, innit?”
Phil shook his head with a tired smile.
“Tommy!” Wilbur called from outside.
Tommy resisted any ounce of hope he had for Wilbur. It’s not gonna happen. It’s not gonna happen. He walked to the door and opened it. Wilbur was waiting at the bottom of the steps with that all-too-familiar smile Tommy learned to hate so much. “We going?” he asked.
“Yeah, more people to see.”
What about me.
“Thanks to Phil I know what I need to do to fix things.”
I’m right here.
“C’mon man, hurry up.”
TURN AROUND
…
Tommy and Wilbur travelled through the nether back to the Community House. From there Wilbur had Tommy follow him to find Jack Manifold. Something about apologising for something…
They walked along the prime path through Tommy’s home. Tommy stopped and looked towards where L’Manburg once stood. It’s all rubble and bedrock now. Remnants of Dreams Doomsday machine still stretched above, now covered in vines from mother nature reclaiming her land.
“Tommy? We don’t have time for sightseeing—”
“Wilbur.”
“L’Manburg is gone, and honestly good riddance—”
“Wilbur.”
“Say ‘that’ hole was Dreams doing huh? He did a much better job than I ever could—”
“Wilbur!”
Tommy hurt when Wilbur only gave him the side-eye. He needed him to fully face him.
“What’s your deal? Is it a sore topic now? I know you miss L’Manburg, but there’s other things worth more than that shithole. We got the burger-van and Quackity to worry abo—”
“Wilbur! Fucking Hell Look At Me.”
Wilbur finally turned to him. And well, he’s speechless. Tommy has a chance, so why can’t he speak. A bubble forms in his throat and Tommy feels like he’s choking. Words he’s bottled up for so long, are now clogging his windpipes. He finds that he can still move his legs. He stalked towards Wilbur and grabs the sides of his trench coat, tugging them as if it’ll release all the things he wants to say. After struggling for a moment, he stares into Wilbur’s eyes and his met with… Sadness? Regret? Tommy expected to be met with more ignorance, why else would he be avoiding him like this. He attempts to speak again and finds it slightly easier to breathe.
“You ruined my life. That stupid stunt you pulled. Do you not care? I’ve followed you since the very beginning… And this is the thanks I get!? While you chose to run away and die, I’ve lived to protect L’Manburg. I lived to keep your legacy alive. I lived for you. And now you are back and not one time did you let me speak.” Tommy pushes Wilbur away and he stumbles with his footing.
“Tommy I—”
“I’m not done! I was so sure that this time around you’d just settle down. But then you started the burger-van and I don’t know what to think anymore.” Tommy was on the verge of tears, he wanted to get away. “Phil said you should apologise and make amends for what you did, right? Am I not deserving of an apology?”
“Yes! Yes, you are Tommy. Its just, I thought no amount of words could make up for everything.”
“Liar! If could have just said something earlier. You saw I was waiting, and you shoved right passed me…”
Wilbur didn’t speak.
“If you really have nothing to tell me, then you can do the bloody burger-van on your own.”
Wilbur needs to speak up.
“Don’t come looking for me when you blow up this one.” Tommy turned away; arms crossed. “Now get off of my property. I’m done taking the fall for you.”
Wilbur reaches out for Tommy, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry for being ignorant. Give me chance to make it up to you, please. I swear I’ll never take advantage of your loyalty again, Toms.”
Tommy turned to look at him.
“Can I hug you?” Wilbur asked him. Tommy couldn’t remember the last time someone had asked to hug him.
Tommy hesitated before he nodded. Warm arms wrapped around him and he burrowed his head in the crook of Wilbur’s neck, leaning into the touch. “It’s gonna take a lot of primes and answers in order for me to forgive you, you know that?”
“Yeah, yeah… child” Wilbur chuckled.