Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Tommy always thought the wind was nice. The way it whipped unpredictably, indeterminably fast. The way it rushed as it was in a hurry or gently lifted leaves off of the road full of potholes on which Tommy and Tubbo spent most of their summer break. He wished he could be the wind, fast and unpredictable but instead he was stuck in Mr. Sam’s math class counting down the minutes.

Mr.Sam was better the than rest of all the teachers, but Tommy hated geometry so, he hated Mr. Sams class. Tubbo on the other hand, was a genius. He would solve equations without even the bat of an eye, he could fix anything you asked him too, AND he was good with technology. Tommy idolized him for his smarts, but where Tubbo was lacking, Tommy made up for it.

The feeling of adrenaline was what Tommy thrived for, the feeling of being alive. The feeling of being so caught up in the moment, only you and the dust covered path exist.

Tommy Watson, was a racer. A dirt bike racer. He had loved his bike in which he had named Cherry, after Tubbo telling Tommy he liked the cherry red paint on his walls. The bike was a dust covered bike, which used to shine red and white, with slick black handlebars, and red LED’s along the rims.

Tommy had loved racing in the past, but he hated it now. He couldn’t stand the smell of exhaust, the feeling of adrenaline, the feeling of being alive. All of his pride and joy was ripped away in a mere blink of an eye. When Tommy moved towns, farther than he had ever been from Tubbo.

When he had first heard the news of moving, he grabbed his bike and left off for Tubbo’s so he could race his feelings out. However, that ended in an argument. So now, Tommy is over 200 miles away from Tubbo, and 200 miles away from apologizing. 200 miles away from the race track he had loved. Tommy hadn’t picked up his bike in about 5 years. Tommy hadn’t spoken to Tubbo in five years. Tommy Watson, no longer was a racer.

——————————————————————

January 26th, 2022 was the first time Tommy had felt a bit of hope in the past 5 years. July 16th, 2022 was when Tommy’s hopes and dreams, turned to reality. Tommy had moved back to L’manburg. It’s not that Pogtopia was a bad city, it’s just Phil preferred L’manburg, and quite frankly Tommy did as well. When he had first heard the news that they were moving in to 101 Cherry Ln, L’manburg he was ecstatic. Tommy would be moving back to his home, his city.

However, like most things, happiness doesn’t last. About two months after the ‘family’ had moved in, Technoblade moved off to college and Wilbur was always in his room. Phil didn’t like talking to Tommy and likewise. It had been a year or two since the two had a conversation that didn’t end in a fight. He wanted to believe he had a good family, he wanted everything to be alright, but it never was.

Tommy was alone.
——————————————————————-

Tubbo walked hurriedly down the hallways of L’manburg High trying to catch up to his best friend, Ranboo. The tall fucker has literal trees for legs, can you blame him!? Finally after about two minutes of trying he caught up to Ranboo, gasping for air. “Man can’t you walk a tiny bit slower!? you’re like a fucking giraffe-cheetah hybrid, i can’t take this!” Tubbo stated while stomping his feet with the most dramatic look on his face. “Simply, grow” Ranboo laughed out to which Tubbo lunged forward to pull him to the ground.

When the two finally stopped arguing over who had engaged the fight they had already made it to math class. Tubbo groaned as he walked in the door and Ranboo lightly chuckled. “Tubbo, you’re being over dramatic” Ranboo said with a slight smile on his face. “No, this class sucks ass and i hope it dies.” Tubbo said with full seriousness and a stern face.

It had been about 20 minutes into the lesson when the door had creaked open. Tubbo turned, obviously more interested in the door than whatever the teacher was saying, and froze. The blonde hair, blue eyes, the bandana wrapped around his book bag. Tubbo didn’t realize he was staring until he was staring too. He quickly turned around and started to panic. By this time, Ranboo had definitely noticed something was wrong and tried to ask Tubbo what was wrong, but all he got in return was a shaking head and Tubbo murmuring to himself.

Ranboo gave up and looked back at the board expectig to see the teacher, but the teacher was at his desk with, a new kid? The blonde looked horrified to be up at the teachers desk but soon that fear got worse. The blonde had walked up to the front of the classroom next to the teacher.

“h-hi my name is Thomas Watson, i prefer Tommy though i don’t really care. I like editing and my favorite color is red.” The blo- Tommy had said almost too monotone, making Ranboo think he’d practiced it. “Alright welcome Tommy, go sit next to Tubbo and Ranboo in row 3, Ranboo raise your hand.” the teacher instructed and so he did. Upon Tommy seeing Ranboo his eyes went wide, looking between the two. He carefully made his way over and sat down.

——————————————————————

Tommy wasn’t an idiot, he knew that the teacher had told him to sit next to Ranboo and Tubbo. God, if he was nervous in front of the class, it has definitely multiplied by now. He walked over to the boy in a mask and sunglasses and murmured out a quick hello.

He could see Tubbo staring at him from the corner of his eye and briefly heard the twos conversation “Tubbo stop staring, it’s rude.” “Ran, that is Tommy.” “yes i know but you still cannot stare at him Tubs.” Tommy flinched at the nickname. The painfully familiar nickname he had given Tubbo a week before he moved away. “don’t call me that.” Tubbo turned away angrily and went back to watching the teacher. Ranboo must’ve noticed Tommy’s reaction because he turned around to face Tommy “are you alright?” “yeah big man, just not sure what i’m doing in this class to be honest.” Tommy shrugged it off with a forced laugh. “alright, let me know if i can help with anything.” Ranboo responded, turning back to Tubbo. Tommy couldn’t help but notice Ranboo was sounding quite unsure of Tommy for a second.

———————————————————————-

Lunch bell rang, and Tommy felt instant grief. He had no friends, he was going to sit alone. Tommy started lightly tapping his fingers on the side of his thigh as he walked through the hallway to the cafeteria. He could see Tubbo and Ranboo entering the lunch room but he wouldn’t bother them so he took a sharp right and made his way to the library. He enters the doors with way too many motivational posters and walked to the back corner, he didn’t even acknowledge Wilbur who was talking to the librarian.

Tommy sat down on a reading sofa and pulled out a PB&J from his bag. He was about to finish his sandwich when he looked up and saw annoyingly familiar brown eyes staring at him. “awwww is my little brother Toms eating lunch by himself?” Wilbur teased in a joking manner. “Go away Wil, and your sweater looks like shit, bitch.” Wilbur faked an offended gasp and leaned dramatically on the wall “pack it up theater kid, I want my peace” Tommy chuckled as he stared at Wilbur. Wilbur started walking away while signing and loudly informing Tommy “Phil bought you a new dirt bike, said there was a racing competition here. He thought you might like it.” Wilbur left and Tommy was stuck in his thoughts a dirt bike. A new dirt bike. AND A RACING TEAM?! Tommy was so wrapped up in his own head he didn’t see the man with a mask and glasses leave the library across the room.

“TUBBO ARE YOU NOT UNDERSTANDING WHAT IM TELLING YOU? HE RACES. ON A DIRT BIKE!” Ranboo was basically shouting at this point and Tubbo was uninterested. “I know dipshit. We used to race each other..” Tubbo trailed off. He had never told Ranboo who he had starting racing with but, guess he knows now. “what. WHAT” Ranboo was shocked “THATS WHO ‘HE’ IS!? WHY DIDNT YOU TALK TO HIM TODAY WHEN HE ENTERED CLASS, HE WAS RIGHT NEXT TO YOU!” Tubbo just shrugged and made a little hum. “he knew who i was, plus i’m not talking until he ‘talks’ to me first.” Tubbo said through gritted teeth. “why did you do air quotes around ‘talks’?” Ranboo says as he is demonstrating what Tubbo had done. “Don’t worry about it” Tubbo went back to his lunch and he and Ranboo stayed silent.

Ranboo was going to find out. First step, talk to Tommy.

Chapter Text

To be fair, this isn’t at ALL what Tommy expected when Wil had said Phill got him a new bike. Holy shit. The bike was pitch black with red rims and white tires. It looked like his old bike but inverted. He and Phil may not get on well, but the man gave killer gifts and Tommy was oh so grateful for that. He walked the bike over to the garage looking for an old can of gasoline. After 5 minutes of rummaging through junk they had no room in the house for, he had found it.

Once the bike was filled he was on his way down the road. Even if he didn’t like racing anymore, he still liked the adrenaline from being on the bike itself.

And maybe it wouldn’t hurt to go check out the old racetrack.

Tommy made his way to the outskirts of town and skid to a stop right outside of the chain fence. There it was. 10 years of his best memories still functioning and well.

He slowly rode his bike into the enclosed area and put down the kickstand. Tommy remembered the feeling of racing. The way it made everything around you matter so much less. The way it gave you the spark of adrenaline that would slowly turn into a forest fire.

The way it made his useless life fun.

Tommy was watching the next race start when he heard a familiar voice. “Ranboo I swear on my BIKE that Tommy will not be here. Stop talking about him, please.” Tubbo’s voice trailed off near the end as if he were upset. “No, he’s here I know it.” Ranboo sounded so sure of himself and it mad Tommy chuckle a little. “Listen, if he’s here great go talk to him, i’m going home.” Tubbo said as he turned around and started walking to his bike. “Okay, don’t get lost!” Ranboo shouted and then turned back to the race.

Tommy’s heart was racing at this point. Ranboo was a good 20 feet away from him, he wouldn’t see him. He was fine.

The air horn rang out through the track and all the engines muffled. The race was over. The man on the green bike shot his hands up in victory as the loud speaker announced the winner. “Folks, it looks like The Dream won again!” “It’s like no one can beat him, he’s insane out there!” The two announcers were going back and fourth about ‘The Dream.’

He was happy for the man on the bike, or the man who was now off the bike and play fighting his competition. Tommy laughed a little and turned to walk out when he accidentally bumped into someone.

“Pardon me that’s my bad, Big man.” Tommy said apologetically. He looked up and saw the guy from school that had talked to him. “I know you, you sit with me in math.” Tommy said sounding a bit annoyed. Ranboo blinked and just stared down at him for a moment before responding. “Tommy, right?” Ranboo continued after he got a nod “Did you used to race with Tubbo? he won’t tell me ANYTHING.” Tommy was a bit taken aback

“Um, yeah but uh about that.” Tommy blinked a couple of times trying to figure out what to say, “we aren’t exactly on, y’know, um speaking terms? or any terms of communication actually.” Ranboo looked a bit pale. He looked as if he was going to ask a question but quickly shut it down. “Do you still race, that’s a pretty nice bike. one of the newer models actually.” Ranboo started with Tommy watching him inspect the bike.

“No, um stopped when I moved, i suppose. Haven’t since, y’know um, Tubbo..” Tommy responded sounding a bit more sad than he intended.

“Do you want too?”

———————————-

He couldn’t stop thinking of the four words. Of course he wanted too, more than anything. He would kill to race with his ‘best friend’ again.

But he couldn’t. Not now, not later. Never would he race again until Tubbo would be next to him. It was just a question, why is he overthinking it so much?

Tommy was startled by the sudden noise of his 6:30 am clock going off and reached his hand over to shut it off. He got up, brushed his teeth and his hair, got dressed and sat on his phone for the remaining 15 minutes before school.

Right before he was about to head downstairs he looked at his outfit. A white NASA T-Shirt and black sweatpants, and his signature red converse with a bee patched ironed on to the side.

“ Tubbo these are my good shoes!” Tommy said in horror while looking at his shoes. Once bright red and perfectly clean, now filled with doodles and little notes. The one thing that stood out was the bee patch. “You’re moving away, you need to remember me somehow!” Tubbo said sounding quite proud of himself. Tommy put on the shoes and walked over to the mirror. “I quite like them better like this actually.” Tommy whispered. Tubbo and Tommy smiled, then laughed.

He was snapped out of his thoughts by Phil yelling at him to ‘hurry his ass to school.’ In about 5 minutes he was out the door and walking to school. He had contemplated taking the bike, but he didn’t want questions. So he walked his way with his headphones in.

He was about 10 minutes away from the school when he saw the familiar road sine. Sparrow Drive. Tubbo’s street.

Tommy quickly looked away and continued walking. He was about to get to the other side of the road when he heard footsteps running behind him.

Tommy is going to snap.

Chapter Text

You’ve got to be joking.

Tommy turns around to see who in the hell has this much energy at 7:00 in the morning, only to stop dead in his tracks.

That’s Tubbo alright. Yup, that’s Tubbo.

Tommy freezes up as he and Tubbo stare at each other for a minute or two. 

“So….” Tommy begins to talk “,how are you?” Tubbo blinks then walks closer to Tommy “What the hell do you want bitch?.” Tubbo sounded angrier than Tommy had ever heard before. He was quite taken aback.

”Quite literally walking to school, big man. don’t know what you mean.” Tommy says sarcastically and Tubbo stares at him in disgust. 

“Whatever.” Tubbo continues walking by Tommy, clearly annoyed. 

”TOMMY!” Tubbo yells from the block over running towards Tommy. “Tubs, my man, you have to stop screeching my name at 7 in the morning.” Tubbo laughed it off and they continued their walk to school talking about various topics from Pokémon to Minecraft.

Tommy takes a second before he speed walks up to Tubbo and says quietly, “Whenever you’re ready to apologize, we can be cool again.” Tubbo scoffed at that. “Me? I have to apoligize!? No, you have to apologize for everything you’ve ever done to me, Tommy you literally abandoned me and never reached out. 5 years, Tommy, I waited five years for you to come back to apologize.” Tubbo stopped to take a breath, “I don’t want your shitty half-assed apology. We can be ‘cool’ again when you apologize and mean it.”

Tubbos words were laced with venom causing Tommy to internally shiver. “I have nothing to apologize for.” Tommy said as he walked away from Tubbo.

————————————————————

Tommy had sooo much to apologize for. 

Not only had he walked out on Tubbo after the fight, he also failed to check in or text at all in the past five years. That didn’t mean he was going to apologize though. 

No way in hell. It was Tubbo’s fault in the first place. 

Right?

————————————————————

“Tubbo, calm down, what happened?” Tubbo had just sat down at lunch and looked furious. “Well since you asked SO kindly,” Tubbo said through a sarcastic smile, “The blonde fucker wants me to apologize, ME! All I did was defend myself and he is over here all like ‘blah blah blah apologize to me blah blah blah’ THIS FUCKING PRICK MAN!” Tubbo had slammed his fists on the lunch table earning some weird stares. 

“Tubbo calm down people are staring.” Ranboo said quietly, hoping not to make Tubbo angrier. Tubbo sighed and sat back down, “all it takes is one tiny crash and he leaves you like you’re nothing.” 

“what.” Ranboo’s mouth was agape as he leaned in closer to Tubbo. “you heard me. We got into a fight, I crashed into him, BOOM! no more best friend.” Tubbo explained calmly. “WHAT! You crashed into him!? wh- how- what argument happened for you to crash into him?” Ranboo was still sitting shell shocked across from Tubbo. “Don’t worry about it, el oh el.”

Ranboo was definitely worrying. And he was definitely going to talk to Tommy about it later. He’s getting answers.

Chapter Text

“how the hell did you find my address.”

“I’m just that good, anyways,” Ranboo replied “what the hell happened with you and Tubbo?” Tommy stepped back inside his house and told Ranboo to get inside. He hurried in and watched as Tommy pinched the bridge of his nose.

————

“You aren’t taking this seriously Tommy! You could have died! Please stop being so reckless for the love of god!” Tubbo shrieked at Tommy

“Well maybe if you stopped being so god damn clingy you wouldn’t have to worry!” Tommy said while breathing heavily

“Tommy when will you understand i’m just trying to help you!”

“Help with what?!”

“I don’t know! Not being a suicidal mess!”

“W-what, no Tubbo, I’m not I swear!”

“NO no Tommy, I’ve seen it. Every time you get on your bike and start racing you become so reckless to the point where you could crash and you don’t even care!”

“Tubbo it’s just called having FUN.”

“We’ll talk later Tommy, good luck on your race.” He started to walk away and Tommy could feel his eyes start to tear up.

—————-

Well, awkward is definitely a way to describe this situation.

Ranboo is sitting on the edge of Tommy’s bed while he throws clothes from the floor into a hamper.

“I will ask again,” Tommy starts, “how the hell did you find my address.” Ranboo looks at him like Tommy is the intruder. “Well? I haven’t got all day man. Have my MANY wives to meet with.” He says with a smirk.

Ranboo cleared his throat, ”Right, um, i have questions-“ “About me and Tubbo, yeah yeah i know” Tommy cuts him off, “I know you were gonna ask, just had to finish the sentence for you.” He rolls his eyes

From what Tubbo had told him Tommy was horrible and a liar, so what was going on. Someone is lying to him.

“Heard you crashed or something I don’t know. Was kinda curious about it.” Ranboo said as he looked down awkwardly.

“oh.” Tommy glanced over at Ranboo and picked up something off the floor. He fiddled with it in his hand for a minute. “So Tubs told you. hah, probably got the story wrong.”

If he was shocked before, consider him dumbfounded. “Um he um-“ Ranboo coughed in his hand,” He doesn’t like being called, um, that.”

A flash of silver caught his eye from Tommy’s hand and he seemed to notice.

“Maybe not by you..” He mumbled out “He used to get all clingy when i didn’t call him that because he thought i would leave him, ironic.”

“Yeah um, what exactly happened.” Ranboo asked

————————————-

“Welcome Ladies and Gentlemen! I’m Jimmy and this is my Co-Host Karl back at another race in L’manburg! For todays lineup we have many familiar faces so without further ado lets introduce them! Drumroll please!-“

Tommy’s leg was bouncing as they heard the speakers blare names of the other contestants. Tubbo looked up at him and his eyes lit up.

“Tommy this is a BIG deal! This is your last race here and there is no way i’m letting you lose! you can count on me!” Tubbo said smiling up at Tommy

Even if Tubbo was the happiest he’d been in a while, and Tommy would hate to ruin that, he had to let Tubbo win. Go out with a memory.

“Yeah Tubs lets do this.” Tommy responded sounding less energetic than Tubbo. Tommy started to walk towards the gate when Tubbo grabbed his shoulder. “You and me, okay?”

To anyone else, that was a simple sentence. To Tommy, it meant the world.

“Always”

—————

Tommy almost laughed at the memory. The little bee pin in his hand held so many memories of skateparks and beaches. Late nights, breakdowns, fights, and racing. All in a tiny metal pin.

“Are you going to answer or..”

Tommy’s head jerked up as the voice from across his room spoke up

“Mmm, no.” Tommy replied softly “I would but I would need a lot of therapy after talking.” Tommy barked out a laugh and Ranboo slightly smiled.

“Boob boy, how can i get back into racing?”

Ranboo whipped his head over to the closet where Tommy was now holding an old helmet that looked about 3 sizes too small and a letterman jacket.

“Well you would need to go to the track and talk to Mr. Beast, but other than that I think you just show up and hope for the best.” Ranboo replied hopefully.

If Tommy gets into racing again, Ranboo thought , does that mean they can become friends again?

Tommy started laughing hysterically at what Ranboo had said. After calming down slightly he looked up at Ranboo and laughed loudly while speaking, “ANY NAME AND HE CHOSE MR. BEAST OH MY GOD-“ He weezed. “yeah yeah, i’ll talk to Jimmy later about it. How about I come to one of yours or Tubbo’s races, just to watch, y’know?”

Ranboo nodded slowly and decided to stay silent for a minute. Over a million thoughts were circling his head.

Tommy is picking up racing again, Tommy and Tubbo will talk again, Tommy is going to watch us races together, is Tommy jealous? Tommy is going to start racing again, He’s talking to Mr. Beast, Mr. Beasts name is jimmy….

“HIS NAME IS JIMMY?!”

Chapter Text

What has he gotten himself into?

Tommy is standing outside the gate of the old racetrack. Memories of blood, sweat, and many many tears flood his head. Why did he agree to come here?!

-

Ranboo is standing in the makeshift dugout under the bleachers with Tubbo, ironically, fighting. He doesn't know how he got here, all he knows is that Tubbo is yelling at him for bringing Tommy to the race.

"Ran what in your god damn mind were you thinking?! This isn't a random friend you met that you invited, this is Tommy Watson! You know, the kid who left me behind for no reason! And maybe I would've thought you were smarter than this to not bring my fucking ex-bestfriend, but who knows at this point! God.." Tubbo's breathing heavily and on the verge of tears. "Tubbo, lets calm down a bit.." 

"NO! I won't calm down!" Tubbo was crying now, "You invited him to the race! Why!? To make me lose? To throw me off? I don't understand, when did you even talk to him?" Tubbo has calmed down a bit at this point and is only slightly crying.

Ranboo's heart skips a beat as he tries to answer the question "I, uhm, I-I I went to his house.." He ducks his head, ashamed, but he keeps speaking "I wanted answers, and you were being vague. It's not like he answered any better but we were talking and he said he wanted to get back into racing and I invited him to come watch, and to speak to Mr. Beast and I just thought maybe he would like to watch." Ranboo was rambling and Tubbo had started to notice he was panicking and Tubbo put a hand on his arm. 

"We'll talk after the race, but I'm not mad. It's fine, Boo" Ranboo sighed and walked to where their bikes were.

-

Tommy watched as Tubbo walked past the broken chain link fence looking back to make sure no one was following. Now, if Tommy was anyone else he would have brushed it off, but Tommy is not anyone else. He knows that route to the little meadow that Tubbo would sit at if he was upset before races. 

Tommy followed behind. He could help, maybe.

He pushed past the tall grass and found the clearing with the tree that had many years of memories and carvings. He looked at the ground and saw what he expected, Tubbo, curled in on himself and crying. 

Tommy slowly walked over and sat down next to him and Tubbo jumped at the sudden feeling next to him. He stared blankly and felt the anger festering inside of him. "Tommy. What the hell are you doing here-" Tommy cut him off without warning. "I'm not Tommy you're not Tubbo, we're Nuke and Blare. Now what's wrong." Tommy didn't bother to look over at Tubbo, he just closed his eyes and waited for Tubbo to start. 

"Tom-Blare, why are you back here? shouldn't you be with the crowd on the bleachers? Or maybe talking to my bestfriend, since you guys are apparently friends now." Tubbo rolled his eyes and Tommy couldn't help but laugh. "Nuke I'm not going to become friends with Ranboo, he's yours. I'm not taking that away." He paused and smiled sadly "I'm only here because I know you were upset. I mean, only time you came back here was when you were upset or mad at me." He could feel Tubbo glaring at his now.

"That doesn't explain why you're here, like, sitting next to me. Why do you even care anymore. You left." Tubbo was crying again, "You left me alone, you left and didn't come back. I waited everyday, hoping you would return. hoping you would race me again." he sighed and wiped his eyes. "I shouldn't be telling you this, I should fucking hate you!"

"You don't." Tommy simply said, with his head down. "You would lose all connection to your past, so you can't hate me. I know you Tubs, I know how your spunky brain works." 

Tubbo was staring at him in a state of shock, and sorrow, but mostly shock. He fumbled to speak and just stood up and reached his hand out for Tommy to grab. He hoisted Tommy up, not letting go of his hand, and started walking back towards the broken fence. The two were silent on the walk back and Tommy was just following along with anything the shorter boy did. They snuck back through the fence and Tubbo brought him away from the bleachers and into the locker room that Tommy and Tubbo called Pogtopia. Tommy started stumbling and tried to stop walking but Tubbo kept walking.

"Tubbo I don't think I'm allowed in there-" This time Tubbo cut him off. "In here my name is still Nuke and yours is still blare, do NOT use 'Tubbo' or 'Tommy'"

Tommy almost shivered with how serious Tubbo sounded and reached to open the door. He felt the warmth on his hand leave and walked through the door and stood awkwardly waiting for Tubbo to say or do something. Tubbo noticed and walked into the room and over to Jimmy. Tommy stood still, not daring to move, and scanned the room and fixed his eyes on the first three lockers. Tommy almost broke down crying when he saw his locker. Still the same obnoxious red color he loved with his racing name still plastered on the metal in those stickers you buy at the craft store. He walked over and stared at the locker and picked up the lock, not daring to forget the combination. when he and Tubbo had met. He opened the locker to see all of his stuff still there. He inspected all his stuff and that's when he saw the baby blue stuffed cow in the back of his locker. Henry was his good luck charm. He reached out to pick up the cow when someone grabbed his arm. "Don't touch this locker."

"Sorry, this is my locker?' Tommy said looking over at the tall man who was wearing a smiley mask and a green hoodie. "No it isn't, the kid who this belongs to moved away. You need to step away from the locker, now."

Tommy started laughing and the man looked confused. Others in the room were starting to look over too. Tommy's laughing had started to calm down and he looked back to the man, "Dude, people can move back to their old towns." he stopped and laughed again, "I can't this is too funny!" Tommy continued laughing and the green man looked pissed. he was about to speak when he heard his name get called. "BLARE GET OVER HERE!" 

"Coming!" Tommy said and flipped off the green man who now looked more shocked than confused. Tubbo was watching his every move and started to laugh when the taller man walked away completely shocked. 

Tommy was now standing next to Tubbo and Jimmy, who apparently was now 'Mr.Beast.' Tommy chuckled to himself and looked over to Tubbo who also looked equally in hysteria as him. Jimmy cleared his throat and spoke. 

"Heard you are racing today, it's been a while. let's see if you're still number 1 around here." Jimmy laughed and walked away. Tommy looked stunned.

"wait WHAT."

Chapter Text

so the technoblade news hit me pretty hard. i don’t have many words for it other than i need to take a break. i don’t post often so that says nothing but i’m taking a step back from social media for a while and i might come back here for whatever reason, but it won’t be for a while.

Skip this if you want it’s about cancer.
Recently my grandmother died of cancer and my grandfather has had cancer for the past couple of years. Living with the fact that they will not be at my graduation is painful, and i can’t imagine how technos family is feeling right now.

My best wishes go to his family and close friends and i hope they remain well throughout this time.

if anyone needs to talk at all about anything i will put my twitter in the notes, but there’s only so much a freshman in highschool can do lol.

Techno was the person i watched most and he was a huge comfort to me so now i have to rewatch all the streams so that’ll take a while.

Anyways, i hope all of you are all right and i hope everyone gets a goodnight sleep and stays healthy.

also techno would probably call you cringe for crying so lol

Chapter Text

So, Tommy's racing.

He will be in a race.

Against Tubbo.

This is not going to end well. 

Of course Tommy just had to agree with Jimmy. Of course he started up his bike and threw on Tubbo's extra helmet. Of course Tommy told Ranboo he was interested in racing again. 

Whatever he thought it's just another race Tommy repeated it in his mind for what felt like his hours. Slowly he brought his hands to the back of neck and dug his fingernails in, ignoring the blood that seeped down. His hands felt clammy and his breath was quickening with every passing second. He tried to calm himself down but it led to no avail. Breathe Breathe Breath breathebreathebreatheBREATHE. He's done this plenty of times why was he freaking out? it's just another race, nothing big about it. Get on the bike, three laps, done. Tommy paced the empty locker room and eventually calmed himself down enough to look in the mirror. He looked exhausted and he could see the blood under his fingers and on the back of his neck on his face. Tommy walked to the bathroom and washed his hands, he wasn't about to go out looking like a whole crime scene. He turned on the faucet and let the cold water rush over his now sweaty hands. He relished in the feeling for a moment before splashing water at his face and placing his hands on the side of the sink. Tommy looked at his reflection one last time before booking it out to the race course. 

And if Ranboo heard any of that, he sure as hell was not going to act like it. 

-

"Tubbo, this is the most serious I've ever been! This is important!" A seven year old sandy haired boy exclaimed to his best friend with a pout. "Yeah! We have to be remembered somehow!" The other kid, rivaling in age, replied. "We if we did something like fire! We could entire the track and the crowd would go 'BOOM!' Wouldn't that be super cool, Toms!. "Yeah!" The two boys continued to plot names for the next week until they found the perfect ones.

Nuke and Blare.

-

Tubbo was only being nice, they are not friends. 

One nice thing and he expects their friendship to just come back. 

God, he wishes it was that easy.

They can’t be friends again. Not after everything Tommy had done. Not after he left him. Tubbo hated Tommy, there was nothing else to it. He despised him.

The way he thought he could just casually follow him back to “their” spot. Where Tommy would sit and complain about Wilbur and Techno not including him in their “big kid” activities, and Tommy would listen about Tubbo’s dad. Under their sturdy oak tree that they have fallen out of and climbed and jumped off of for 8 years.

Tubbo felt sick. There was no more comfort, only awkwardness and uncomfortableness. 

Tommy and Tubbo, Nuke and Blare.

In the racing world, Nuke and Blare were inseparable and could never be torn away by any force. The two that never fought and never were mad at each other.

Nuke and Blare. The iconic duo, no longer existed and wouldn’t ever again.

—————

”Wilbur is entering highschool, Tubs! Isn’t that cool?” a starry eyed Tommy excitedly shared with and equally as starry eyed Tubbo.

”I can’t wait for us to go to highschool together!”

Even if Tommy already knew he wouldn’t enter highschool with Tubbo, he wouldn’t dare crush the others dreams.

—————

Tommy was standing beside Ranboo in the gate. Tubbo was a bit ahead, and Tommy wasn’t too upset about it.

Ranboo, however, was. 

Tubbo and Ranboo always stood together and we’re announced together. Nuke and Ender. Originally, Ranboo wanted to match names with Tubbo, but the latter refused. Explaining that it was personal.

The sudden blast of noise that came from the speakers of the complex suddenly boomed with Jimmy’s voice. 

The same spiel about how ‘another race is about to begin!’ and ‘how excited everyone must be!’ Ranboo had zoned out for most of it but a different announcement caught his attention.

”And today, folks, we have a special surprise.” Jimmy said, tone falling mock serious. “An older racer that only the OG’s would know has reappeared.” 

Karl spoke up next, leaning closer to the mic. “Yes! Could he be entering his racing lifestyle after years of being missing?” Jimmy laughed slightly and continued the sentence. “Ladies and gents without further ado, let’s introduce tonight’s racers!” 

The crowed was cheering, and Tommy would be lying if he said he didn’t miss it.

The names of duos and trios were called and each racer was introduced with their own quirky tag lines. Suddenly, Tommy heard a similar catch line. 

“Ladies and gents, these next racers will be sure to blow your mind.” Jimmy paused and some in the audience gasped loudly before cheering loudly. 

“Our favorite clingy duo, Nuke and Blare!” Jimmy announced with enthusiasm laced in his voice.

Tommy froze before he felt a push on his back. He turned and saw Ranboo with a smile and a thumbs up ushering him forward to where Tubbo was.

He approached cautiously and breathed shakily for a second before Tubbo grabbed his arm and started his bike. Tommy followed suit and quickly sped off with Tubbo. 

The crowds cheers had not faltered once since their names were called, and when they exited, it only got louder.

Tubbo was a slight bit ahead of him, which Tommy personally took as a challenge and sped up to pull ahead.

They had a legacy to live up to.

Tommy pulled ahead and skidded to a stop in front of Tubbo and grabbed his hand and raised it before hugging him tightly. 

Even if it was all just an act, Tommy felt content. He felt confident that Tubbo would be fine with what was happening.

Tubbo caught on quickly to what Tommy was doing and started smacking ‘Tommy’s’ helmet lightly. The crowed was still blaring and claps and whistles could be heard for miles. 

Tubbo only felt rage.

—————

Tommy remembers the first time their names were announced together as a duo. The clingy duo was originally made by Sam. Their math teacher.

Tubbo and Tommy were always close so they went along with it. Nuke and Blare were the clingy duo. They were inseparable on the track and the off.

The first time Jimmy had announced their names together instead of separately. They were the first duo of the Esempii racing committee.

They were Nuke and Blare. They were the package deal of Esempii.

Tommy hates that he ruined it.

He loved the way he and his best friend were noticed for their friendship, but Tubbo had a new best friend now and Tommy wasn’t going to ruin it. 

He was doing one final race as a bid farewell.

—————

Not long after the crowd had died down, Ranboo was called out as Ender. Getting the same applause as he and Tommy.

Tubbo wanted so badly to walk over to Ran, but he had an act to put up. He had to be the second half of the infamous clingy duo. 

Instead, he held his gloved hand in a half heart shape and waited for Ranboo to reciprocate.

When he eventually did, Tubbo turned and lined up next to Tommy in the starting gate, waiting for the countdown that Jimmy would give shortly.

Once he heard the booming voices of the two announcers counting down, he shook out his nerves and watched the red light turn green.

He was free.

Chapter Text

Tubbo still remembers the day that things changed for the worse.

January 3rd, 2014

When the decorations from the New Years party two nights ago were still up on the front porch. The streamers and lights that were still up from Christmas, and if you looked hard enough, there could be a halloween decoration too.

Glass bottles were in shards on the ground. Some were unopened and some were spilling upon the kitchen tile.

Stepping in the house was like stepping into a minefield, one wrong step and everything goes wrong.

If Tubbo had stepped on the creaky stair accidentally and awoke Schlatt, he would stay quiet and wait for his consequence.

If he had made dinner wrong, or set the table in the wrong order.

If he had done poorly on his english tests in school or if he had missed his curfew by only a minute.

The man who was supposed to be his father, would hit.

Tubbo would go to school with bruises on his arms and his face swollen, covered in cheap make up. He would tell the innocent boy that had checked on him that he was, in fact, okay.

Tommy didn’t believe him, but Phil wouldn’t help.

Schlatt had tried to be a good dad. He had tried his god damn hardest, but he couldn’t do it.

Every time he looked into the innocent eyes of his eight year old son, so full of joy and forgiveness, he only felt anger.

The boy was so sweet and kind. He loved his life with his best friend racing their scooters up and down the driveway.

The boy was so full of life.

That boy had taken a life as well.

——————

December 24, 2006.

A businessman mourns the death of his wife. At the same time, he is expected to celebrate the thing that killed her.

The baby in his arms had finally stopped crying after hours and hours of unreasonable noise. Leaving Schlatt and the doctors a tad bit irritated.

Schlatt had his gaze fixed on the small boys sleeping face, mesmerized in the way that it looked like her.

He would continue to care for his child for as long as he could. 

He would do it for her.

——————

September 24th, 2011.

”Daddy!”

Schlatt had snapped his head to the door where the quickening footsteps were getting louder.

Seconds later an out of breath Tubbo appeared with a paper in his hand, looking as though it had been through hell.

In the crumpled paper, Schlatt could hardly make out the words. Something about a dance?

”Champ, do they still do the stupid dance things?” Schlatt had asked Tubbo with a dumbfounded expression.

”Its a mom and son dance, but, um, I don’t know who…” Tubbo was breathing choppily but continued. “Since I don’t know where mom is, um, could you, um, go with me.”

And how could schlatt say no?

—————-

August 26th, 2016

”C’mon out kid, i won’t hurt ya.” A far too familiar drunken voice called out. Tubbo was frozen in fear. This wasn’t supposed to be happening. Not right now. Not right after he left.

It had only been a month since Tommy had moved and even though they fought last time, he’d give anything to be with him right now.

He was afraid and he needed him. He needed him to stick up to his dad and bullies at school. He needed him to tell him the random facts about dirt biking.

He needed his best friend.

”Don’t make this difficult, Tubbo. You know what will happen.” Schlatt was in the same room.

Glass shattered. Tubbo flinched.

Tubbo was found.

——————

Septemeber 5th, 2016

Tubbo couldn’t race anymore. Not without him.

He didn’t find the same adrenaline rush as before. He didn’t hear the laughter of the other 10 year old rush through the track. It was just despair.

The crowd had wondered where the second half of the duo had gone, or why the remaining one had lacked energy.

When Tubbo stopped showing up to races, the crowd understood.

——————-

October 9th, 2018

About a month into seventh grade the loneliness had fully set in.

Nobody talked to him, he didn’t talk to anyone. He didn’t want more friends, not after Tommy.

Tubbo was adopted earlier in the year by Puffy, who was coincidentally a teenage therapist.

She would often worry for Tubbo and how little he talked to people. He rarely talked to Puffy for the first six months. 

When he finally did, Puffy encouraged him to keep voicing his opinion on things. Wether it be what’s for dinner, or random politic business on the T.V. 

Puffy also had a client around the same age as Tubbo.

A twelve year old kid who grew up in the town but had never been allowed outside to meet people. His parents were obsessive.

Tubbo had met him once. When Puffy would do online meetings, Tubbo would walk into the room to peek and would see the kid every week.

However, that kid also went to his middle school, and had multiple classes with him.

They never talked, just acknowledged each others existence.

That was until a teacher had paired them for a science project. Tubbo had especially liked science, Ranboo did not. He didn’t understand the meaning of different chemicals or the periodic table.

Tubbo could recite the entire table with ease and was top of his class. Ranboo was especially glad he was paired with him.

After the three weeks they were give to complete the project, the two had become friends. Ranboo came over to see Puffy and then hang out with Tubbo for the night.

Tubbo would ride pedal bikes to Ranboo’s house after school.

They we’re inseparable. Tubbo had noticed the similarities in his two best friends. 

They both wanted to make Tubbo happy no matter what. So far, Ranboo was succeeding but he couldn’t ever replace Tommy.

Tubbo was waiting for him.

———————

November 24th, 2019.

Tubbo had taught Ranboo how to ride a dirt bike, he had introduced him to Jimmy, and had dismissed the questions about the locker next to Tubbo’s.

Ranboo was always curious and Tubbo couldn’t blame him. Who hides their old best friend from their new one? Tubbo does.

He swore to himself that Ranboo wouldn’t be caught up in his and Tommy’s drama, ever.

He had briefly mentioned Tommy when Ranboo had questioned why he wouldn’t match aliases with him. 

Ranboo wanted them to be named Bee and Boo, but Tubbo was still waiting and even if he wanted, he couldn’t change his alias. 

It was theirs. Blare and Nuke were the only names they would ever know. Sure, there were duo and trio names that they were in, but they were first. The clingy duo, as Jimmy would call them before races or what Mr. Sam would call them in their math class.

He wasn’t going to throw that away.

———————

June 26th, 2020.

Tubbo was loosing hope. It had been four  years. Tommy was still gone. He hadn’t heard from him and he hadn’t heard from Phil either. 

Tubbo was also starting to regret their fight. He knew it was wrong, he knew it was dangerous to crash Tommy, but he was being reckless and Tubbo had a point to prove. 

Tommy didn’t brace when he was falling. Tommy didn’t even flinch. He was going to let himself fall.

Tubbo had watched. Watched as Tommy hit then ground, horrifyingly still. He wasn’t getting up. He wasn’t moving. Tubbo doesn’t remember most of the event other than hitting Tommy’s bike and yelling for him when he stopped moving.

Tubbo had rushed to Tommy to check on him. To see if he had died. 

The boy was breathing but he wasn’t waking up, and that was all Tubbo wanted. He wanted him to wake up so he could yell at him and apologize for everything and to hug him and not let go.

It only hit Tubbo when he saw Tommy get carried away in a stretcher. He remembers getting in Phil’s car and rushing to the hospital. He remembers Tommy waking up.

He remembers the argument, he remembers getting pulled away by Wilbur and Phil and he remembers crying as Tommy turned to Techno sobbing.

He remembers never apologizing.

He remembers Tommy never apologizing either.

———————

September 25th, 2022.

Tommy was in all but two of his classes. Wasn’t that just perfect?!

They had only spoken at the race and Tubbo still didn’t forgive him. Even if he was nice about it, there was no way he would forgive him.

The years and years of recklessness and the amount of time Tubbo and Tommy would spend consoling each other after races because one of them could’ve gotten hurt. 

Tommy didn’t apologize, nor did he forgive Tubbo for nearly killing him, but he was still his best friend. The only one who was ever there for him. 

After moving away, Techno had stopped talking to him and left for university and Wilbur went off doing god knows what. He only ever had Tubbo.

He still wanted Tubbo by his side, so just like the every year since he moved, he would wait.

He would wait for Tubbo to come back.

——————

Ranboo was still confused. He had no clue what was happening between Tommy and Tubbo. Were they friends? Were they enemies? Were they just acquaintances?

Ranboo was so confused and both of them were extremely vague.

Ranboo would question and they would answer with ‘Don’t worry about it’ or ‘He did something a while back and i can’t forgive him.’

What was he supposed to gather with that?! They sure couldn’t figure out an answer with those responses. 

He wants to know what caused his best friend and friend (??) to split up. He wanted to know why he was being left behind. Was he going to be replaced by the person he was meant to replace. 

Did Tubbo even like him anymore? 

In his mind, he was unwanted and he was going to be forgotten.

Chapter Text

Tommy felt alive. There was no feeling like racing at the side of his best friend.

The smell of oil and gasoline crashing over him. The way the crowd would cheer his alias and would clap for their duo. The way Tubbo wasn’t fucking crashing him.

Now, he had a lot of regrets. In hindsight, Fighting Tubbo before a race wasn’t the best idea. However that gives no excuse for Tubbo to crash into him.

It had been six years since the incident and not once had he been apologized to.

He was owed an apology from Tubbo, and one way or another he would get it.

Granted, he had never apologized either. But he still deserved one.

Tommy hadn’t realized he had zoned out until he realized how slow he was going. He snapped his head to the side when the sound of an engine came his way. He quickly swerved and his breathing picked up.

It was, of course, Tubbo that had swung by urging him to speed up, and who was Tommy to disagree.

The wind rushing past his helmet and the feeling of his hoodie getting pushed into his skin was what he lived for. The forgotten feeling was suddenly back and Tommy was not complaining.

The twists and turns of the track came with ease as Tommy quickly passed most other competitors until it was just him and Tubbo.

Tommy felt trapped, cornered almost. He wouldn’t let himself lose, but Tubbo deserved to win. Win against Tommy again, that is.

The final stretch of the track approached and Tommy sped up his bike to its limit. Tubbo followed suit and they were neck and neck. 

Then, a horrible idea struck him. Tommy was known for being a reckless rider, it was what started him and Tubbo’s end.

But he was going through with his plan no matter what.

”Tubbo!” Tommy yelled over the revving of engines.

”What!”

”Im going to do something reckless!”

“Don’t you dare! Tommy I swear to go-“

“Try not to hit me!”

Tommy slightly laughed as he saw Tubbo slouch.

Slowly, he hoisted him self to put his feet of the seat of the bike. He turned the accelerator to all the way and let go of the handle bars. He stood proudly as if he were meant to be there.

Hands raised high in the sky while cheering and clapping from the stands erupt. 

Tommy pumped his fists a couple times before sitting back down on his feet and speeding for the finish line. He knew Tubbo would beat him but hey, at least he had fun.

He was right about his assumption. When he crossed the finish line, Tubbo was already there and already off his bike.

Tommy jumped off his bike and jumped to hug Tubbo, gaining many ‘aw’s’ from the crowd. 

Tubbo picked up Tommy’s and spun him around a couple times before promptly dropping him on his ass.

Tommy was beaming. He had forgotten how fun this was. All of the excitement and exhilaration from just a couple people and a dirt track made him regret staying away.

Of course, nothing lasts forever.

———-

“Tommy Watson, mind telling me where you were at,” Phil checked his watch,” 1 in the morning.”

Tommy should’ve known better. Even if Phil didn’t pay attention to him he always knew if someone was sneaking in.

Before Tommy, Wilbur would sneak out and come back early morning and would always be caught by Phil. Techno didn’t sneak out much, but same as Wilbur he was caught as well.

It must run in the family.

”I was with friends.” Tommy wasn’t going to elaborate and Phil knew that. Tommy was stubborn, too stubborn.

”Toms, which friends?”

“y’know, the ones i’m friends with.” 

With that being done and out of the way with, Tommy bolted upstairs hearing the footsteps of his ‘dad’ behind him. He quickly rushed into his room and locked the door.

Phil was knocking angrily on the door waiting for it to open but Tommy wasn’t giving up that easily. He would sit there all night if necessary.

Finally, after about twenty minutes he heard Phil mutter something and walk away. He didn’t unlock his door but he relaxed into his bed and fell asleep with his shoes still on.

———-

Tommy wanted to die. 

No sane person wakes up at 6:30 am and actually enjoys their day.

He rubbed at his eyes and sat up grabbing his phone, quickly hitting snooze on his alarm.

He laid in bed scrolling through his phone until his second alarm notified that is was time to actually wake up.

He stood up and stretched before walking to the bathroom to get ready. 

Upon entering, he looked at himself in the mirror inspecting every detail.

Tommy was never the type to love how he looked. Quite frankly, he hated himself.

He hated the way his teeth looked and the way they were slightly yellow. He hated his droopy eyes and pale skin. 

He hated how he looked in general.

No matter how much he tried, he always got stuck looking in the mirror. Trying to picture what he would look like if he wasn’t himself.

Tommy finally lost eye contact with his reflection and brushed his teeth. He then brushed his hair and walked back to his room.

He wasn’t a fashionista, or whatever Tubbo used to call it, but he wasn’t horrible with style.

He slipped on a tan-ish sweater that Phil had bought him last year and black jeans. 

He rolled up his sleeves, just to check the style, and immediately put them back down. 

That wouldn’t be the best choice for him, not now anyways.

He walked downstairs and out the front door. He hopped on his bike and checked the time.

7:02. 

School started at 7:30 and he would be early. So he did what anyone would do.

Tommy revved his bike before speeding off down the road. 

He went around the neighborhood and through the city before entering the strip of land that no one touches or rarely comes out to. He rode freely, testing his speed and listening to music.

He came to a stop and pulled out his phone checking the time.

7:23.

Shit.

He didn’t care how many laws he broke because if he didn’t break them he would be late. 

Sure, jail is scary but being late for Sam’s class could be considered worse.

He entered the city and winded through streets until he pulled up to the front of his school. He locked up his bike and basically sprinted in, barely making first bell.

He sat down in his seat and slumped, sighing. Before he heard giggling to his left.

He turned to see Ranboo laughing at him.

”What.”

”You have leaves in your hair man, might wanna fix that.”

”Fuck.”

Tommy slumped in his chair even more before running his hands though his hair, pulling out leaves and fixing the unevenness. Ranboo was still laughing and Tommy couldn’t help but smile.

The second bell rang and Tubbo walked in sitting beside Ranboo. He muttered his hello’s and turned to Tommy.

“You look like shit.”

”Thank you. I seriously appreciate that.”

Tubbo smirked and Tommy rolled his eyes at him. He reached into his bag and pulled out his computer and opened up a new doc so he could write notes. Sam had finally started class.

————— 

Tommy was basically asleep in his chair. Sam wouldn’t stop talking. Sure, it’s his job but he wouldn’t stop. 

He groaned quietly and continued typing his notes. Quickly getting bored he switch over to his email and saw an unopened message from…Tubbo.

He glanced over to see the boy looking as drained as he was and opened the message.

’Stop taking notes and sleep dumbass. You look like youre gonna pass out.’

1-file attached

Tommy opened the file and looked over at Tubbo again.

He just gave him all the notes for todays lesson.

What the fuck.

Tommy groaned in annoyance.

What the fuck were they?

Chapter Text

Tommy wakes up Saturday morning with multiple messages from Ranboo asking where he was, Was he supposed to be somewhere? The more he thought, nothing came to mind.

He thought back to any conversation that they had when it clicked. It was plan day. 

Tommy jumped out of bed and threw on his closest outfit he could find, quickly brushed his hair, and rushed out to the garage to start his bike. 

In no time at all he had arrived at Ranboo’s place and gave a couple knocks on the front door. 

The door swung open to show a confused, and very irritated, Tubbo.

”Why the fuck are you here?”

—————

Now, Ranboo wouldn’t admit that the idea was bad. In hindsight he probably should have told at least one of them, but then all three of them wouldn’t be there.

In between the arguing taking place in Ranboo’s room, a throat clearing silenced the bickering boys.

Both turned their heads towards the other as he stood up.

”Okay I get it, you hate each other,” Tubbo let out a snort, “However, there is no way i’m putting up with this for the rest of the year.”

Tommy sighed as he shoved a hand into his hair. Tubbo blankly stared at Ranboo then flickered his gaze between Tommy and Ranboo nervously.

The silence in the room was overwhelming. It was as if all motion had stopped, leaving just the three to exist. 

“I’m cool with it.” 

Tubbo turned his head to Tommy as fast as he could while Ranboo followed suit. 

Ranboo smiled and nodded for him to go on. 

Tommy stuttered before silencing again.

“I mean, if i’m coming back to racing someone has to keep the clingy duo alive I guess.”

Tubbo sighed heavily as he tucked his head into his hand, then broke out into small laughter.

Ranboos face contorted from one of excitement to concern.

“Um, Tubbo?”

Tubbo let out a choked sob as he shook his head.

”No.” His voice cracked as he spoke. “No, no you don’t-“

He brought his head up to face Tommy, tear lines streaming down his face.

”You don’t get to leave, then come back and act like nothing changed! Tommy, I missed you. Everyday.” 

He stepped forward slightly, closing more of the distance between them leaving just enough for his arms to gesture wildly.

”And Ill be the first to say that I fucked up, I’m sorry alright. I went to far,” He sucked in a sharp breath, “And I want to move on from you, hell I left Freddie and Eryn to move on.”

Tommy’s attention snapped at the mention of their old friend group. Surely he hadn’t actually left them, right?

“No, Tubbo, you didn’t-“

”No! Tommy I did.” The look of anger in Tubbo’s eyes was unmatched, a burning flame refusing to be ceased. 

The tears in his eyes had turned to pure rage as he spoke, nothing holding him back from the years of pain that had built up.

”Tommy I waited for you. I waited everyday at the track hoping you would show, but you didn’t. You disappeared Tommy, you didn’t tell me.” Tubbo’s voice trailed off into nothing but sadness as he stepped forwards and wrapped his arms around Tommy.

Tommy flinched as the boy put his arms around him, slowly closing his own around the other.

”It’s alright.”

Tubbo shook his head rapidly in the other boys chest. “No, because I almost killed you.”

Tommy sighed as he held the boy tighter.

”It was my fault for the fight, okay? Phil didn’t like the track so we moved for ‘business reasons.’” Tommy admitted quietly.

“He was scared I would get hurt and used you as an example for why I needed to leave, he didn’t know about our fight.”

Tubbo gave a muttered okay before he broke down in Tommy’s arms for the first time in 6 years.

————

Now if Ranboo had a nickel for every time his best friend yelled at his other best friend and then it ended in them hugging and crying, he’d have one nickel.  Not a lot but it’s weird it happened at all.

He sat silently on the edge of the bed as the two others cried in each other’s arms until Tubbo pulled away.

Ranboo flashed him a quick smile before breaking the silence. 

“So wait, fill me in, im so confused.”

Tommy laughed loudly and Tubbo snickered into his hand.

Between Tommy’s breathless laughs, he turned to Tubbo and spoke. “You never told him?!” He continued laughing as the other boy shook his head.

”No! I thought you did!”

Both boys crumpled into piles on the floor laughing while Ranboo stood, still confused but now slightly concerned.

After the two had calmed down they took turns explaining. After they were done Ranboo stared for a couple seconds before questioning them both.

“So let me get this straight. You angered him with a fight before you moved?” Tommy made a hum of agreement. 

“And you crashed into him, why?”

Tubbo coughed and muttered a response.

”What?”

”I don’t know.” Tubbo replied, extremely calm for such a sensitive topic for the two. “I was mad I guess, I really don’t know.”

Tommy hummed in acknowledgment while Ranboo sighed.

”Okay, what now.”

Both Tubbo and Tommy looked at each other with eyebrows furrowed slightly, horrified to say the wrong thing.

”Well-“

”Um-“

Both boys cut themselves off as they spoke in unison. Tubbo quickly took initiative.

”Um, yeah I think it’s best to just be friendly for right now. I’m still fucking pissed at you boss man, but I don’t hate you as much.”

”Well that’s a start, anyways Mario Kart anyone?”

All agreed and hurried to set the game up while yells and laughter rang through the house.

——————

“Thomas.”

Tommy froze as Wilbur turned on the light to the kitchen. Normally it would be fine, but considering he was sneaking through the window at two in the morning it was not fine.

”Wow, fancy seeing you here! Since when did you live here?” Tommy joked accusingly as Wilbur’s face twisted into one of confusion.

”Thomas, what are you doing.”

Tommy groaned as he finally stepped off of the counter and onto the tile of the kitchen with a not so soft landing.

”If you must know, i’m returning ‘home’ from a friends house.” Tommy said matter of factly. 

“Thomas, we’re you out partying? You don’t have to lie to me.” Wilbur almost laughed at the teens scrunched up face.

”Wil, I have like two friends. Why would I go to a party?”

”You never know!”

Tommy rolled his eyes as he pushed past Wilbur so he could walk upstairs to his room, away from the human trivia.

”Goodnight Toms!” He heard Wilbur call after him.

”Yeah goodnight.”

He closed his door silently and walked over to his bed and landed face first in the duvet. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and harshly placed it on the bedside table without plugging it in. 

That was a morning Tommy issue, and all he wanted right now was to sleep.

As he drifted off to sleep he heard his phone buzz, not caring to look at it until the morning.

———————

Waiting until morning was definitely a mistake.

Tommy had forgotten he signed up for more races and was now scheduled to race Dream, whoever the fuck that was, and The Captain, which again who is that?

A more awake Tommy would have been able to comprehend that new people definitely joined since he left, but he couldn’t help but hope that some of the originals were still there.

He just had to wait and find out, at exactly eleven at night.

——————