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Exile is terrible.
No. No it's not. Well, it is. But it could be worse. At least Tommy has Dream. At least he's not alone.
But...Tommy is greedy. He wants more than Dream. He wants Tubbo and the rest of L'manburg. He wants Technoblade and Phil. He wants-
"Hello Tommy!"
Tommy gasps, spinning around. There by the portal is-is-
"Are you real? Ghostbur?" He whispers, stepping forward. He shivers suddenly feeling cold.
Ghostbur tilts his head, the ever present smile on his face dimming slightly.
"Well, I think so? I certainly hope I am! I'm me! Are you okay, sunshine?"
No, Tommy wants to say. No I'm not. Wilby, I'm really not .
But...but…
"Where- you left. Ghostbur where were you?" He steps back, crossing his arms. He ignores how it feels more like he's hugging himself than expressing anger.
The smile dims more and Tommy feels the guilt twist heavy in his stomach.
"I...don't know what you mean? Oh! I went to see Technoblade! He-"
"You ditched me! There was- you were supposed to come for the party! The stupid fucking party , Ghostbur!"
The confusion grows for a moment before the expression clears.
"Oh! Oh! Oh, sweetheart I'm so sorry! I must have misunderstood! Dream said you didn't want me there and that he was going to deliver the letters. I guess he meant I was supposed to go back?" Ghostbur is frowning now, a heartbroken expression on his face. "I really am very sorry. But, I'm sure you still had lots of fun right? You can tell me all about it!"
"Wait-Wait. What- Ghostbur what do you mean Dream took the letters? Did- do you mean the invitations?"
Ghostbur nods.
Tommy can't breathe.
"What?" He manages to croak out.
That- but Dream said-
"No-no. You-you're remembering wrong. He said you delivered them! You're wrong!" Tommy steps forward, suddenly furious. Ready for a fight.
Ghostbur does not give him one. "Oh. Maybe I am. I don't have the best memory. I'm very sorry, Tommy. Maybe we could throw another party?"
It's the easy acceptance that drains Tommy's fury. It's too similar. This- all of it, it's-
You're remembering wrong, Tommy. Are you sure that's what happened? Did you just make yourself think that's what occurred?
...The shame hits him just as fast as the realization.
"Tommy?" Ghostbur says again. Then, "Sweetheart?" His tone is gentle when he sees the tears brewing in Tommy's eyes.
"I-I don't…" Tommy shakes his head slowly.
"Oh, baby. Come here." Tommy doesn't hesitate to fall into his brother's arms. Not after months of being deprived of this very thing. Not even anger could keep him from a Wilby hug.
Ghostbur seems to understand what Tommy needs without the boy needing to say it. The hug is tight, unyielding. Tommy is enveloped in the smell of dye, flowers, sheep, and something that is just pure Wilbur. Wilbur . Not Ghostbur. Because they are one in the same, even now. This is Tommy's brother.
He can't hold back anymore. Tommy sobs.
Ghostbur doesn't react. He doesn't pull away. Doesn't gasp or cry out or ask Tommy what's wrong. He just hums and sways and let's Tommy drench his sweater in snot and tears.
It's perfect.
When the sobs trickle out to hiccups and stuffy sniffles, Ghostbur finally speaks.
"Tommy? I don't think you're happy here."
Tommy...shakes his head. He can't say it. That would be too much of a betrayal to Dream. But Tommy isn't. He's not happy. And Tommy could never lie to Ghostbur.
Ghostbur, sweet, wonderful Ghostbur simply runs a hand through Tommy's hair and hums again.
"Okay. That's okay. Come on."
Then, he's pulling Tommy forward. Closer to the portal.
"W-Wil-?" The old name stutters before Tommy realizes it. Ghostbur doesn't react to the slip. He just shoots Tommy another gentle Ghostbur smile.
"It's okay, sweetheart. You aren't happy here so we're going to someplace that will make you happy."
"I can't go to L'manburg. I'm exiled." The words are bitter on his tongue but they are still true. And Tommy can't lie to his Ghostbur.
"I know, baby. We're going somewhere else. Come on."
Tommy should protest...right? Or resist? Tell Ghostbur he doesn't want to leave? But all he finds himself saying is-
"Can I bring Mushroom Henry?"
The smile Tommy receives is almost blinding in its joy. "Of course. Where is she?"
Once they have Mushroom Henry on a lead, they are back in front of the portal. It shimmers enticingly, whispers of the world in-between beckoning them forward. Tommy grips Ghostbur's hand with one of his own, the other guiding Mushroom Henry.
He looks to his brother who is quick to send him another reassuring smile. Then. Ghostbur steps forward. Pulling Tommy and Mushroom Henry along behind him.
The hiss of the portal echos louder and louder for half a moment-
A snap and a pop echoes out. Then, nothing.
Waves crash against an abandoned beach. Logsteadshire empty once more.
***
"Tommy! Smile!"
Tommy glances up just in time for a familiar click.
"Ghostbur? Why are you taking pictures of me?" Tommy frowns.
Ghostbur giggles, and sits down beside Tommy. "Why not? You're my Tommy! I want to take all the pictures of you!" He wraps his arms around Tommy pulling him into a hug.
Tommy squawks, trying to ward the ghost off. "Ah! Ghostbur, stop! You're gonna fuck up my crown!"
"Aww, but I want to hug my baby!"
"Wilby…" Tommy whines. That does the trick and Ghostbur releases him after one more squeeze.
"I'm sorry, sunshine. I can't help it! You look so cute sitting in the sun! My little sunflower. Making flower crowns."
Tommy ducks his face to hide the pleased smile that appears on his face.
They had moved to this meadow months ago and every day since then has been a dream come true for Tommy. Just him and his brother, playing games and petting the wild cattle and doing whatever they'd like. Even Mushroom Henry seems happier. She and Friend are often seen grazing together, finding comfort in each other's silent presence. A mirror image of their owners in this moment as Tommy loops flower stems and Ghostbur watches.
Tommy finishes the crown. It's a simple one this time. Just daisies and cornflowers. Still, he offers it to Ghostbur, hoping the spirit will still like it.
He's not disappointed. Ghostbur gasps like Tommy just handed him something precious.
"This is for me?" The awe in Ghostbur's tone is almost too much. Tommy feels his cheeks heating up as he glances away. Trying to hide the pleased curl to his lips.
"Big man, I make you flower crowns all the time! What are you talking about?" Tommy snorts.
"Yes you do and I love all of them! Oh, thank you sweetheart! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Ghostbur wastes no time to place it upon his head, before practically tackling Tommy for another hug.
"Aaahhh! Get off! That's it, I'm taking the crown back-"
"Nooooooo!" Ghostbur wails, drawing the word out like Tommy just threatened to kick his dog. He covers his head, trying to defend against Tommy's half-hearted attempts to steal the crown back.
They tumble in the grass, shrieking with laughter.
Neither of them notice Ghostbur's comm lighting up, over and over. A stream of messages going unread. All in response to a photograph of Tommy sitting cross-legged in a meadow. The sunlight hitting his hair just right, making it shine gold. Flower petals and daisy chains scattered around his form as blue-stained fingers pause in their delicate task of tying flower stems. The blue ink is a stark contrast to Tommy's pale skin. Patches of it stain his arms and clothes and even his face.
A face that holds an expression of nothing but love and trust as Tommy stares up past the camera. A hint of sweetness from an otherwise loud and brash young boy, but only just. Only an image. A small taste of the real thing.
The photograph is only the most recent of many images sent to this group chat. With the replies growing increasingly more aggressive as time has gone on.
The comm lights up. Again and again.
:Tell me where you are. Where are you hiding him.:
:Ghostbur this isn't funny.:
:Where is my runt?!:
:Mate tell me where you are right now. No more games.:
:Ghostbur baby I love you please come home..:
:Give me my RUNT GHOSTBUR:
:Ghostbur if you don't tell me where you two are you will be so fucking grounded I swear to your mother.:
:GHOSTBUR!: