Work Text:
"You see, demons are in fact softies, but just because of the rules that other
demons made up, if you show your soft side - you will be considered weak. And
there no place for a weak demon in this world.”
- the day we met -
— Leave this town, demon! - Shouted the adults.
— Demon! Demon! Demon! - Kids threw small rocks at the blonde.
— I didn’t even hurt anyone and not going to, fuck off morons! - Growled the demon, protecting himself from the rocks at the same time.
— Language! There are kids here! - Teen got hit with a bag.
— Fuck, ow!
— Hey, what are yall doing?! - A goat boy suddenly appears in the crowd.
— Kid, why are you here? Leave, he will hurt you!
— Like I even interested in doing so...
— Leave him alone! - Goat boy kept protecting the demon.
— Why can’t you understand-
— Go away! Everyone! - Started shouting brown-haired boy, pushing people away from the demon. - Shoo!
Crowd looked at how the goat boy was defending the demon with disapproval, but eventually people started to leave. “You will regret that later”, “Don’t call for help when he’s gonna attack you” was heard from the crowd, but the goat boy ignored everything they said. He grabbed demon’s hand and started leading him out of the crowd, despite blonde’s protests. Finally, when the crowd was out of sight, goat let the demon go. Blonde continued to walk forward for a bit and then stopped, staying away from the brown-haired boy.
Goat boy stared at the demon. He had a bit long, messy hair, damaged cloak and shorts, bare feet. The boy was covered in numerous scratches, was unhealthy skinny. But what surprised the goat more is demon’s blonde, like a field full of gold wheat, hair and blue, like the sky, eyes. That was creating an interesting contrast with his red skin, full of freckles.
— Um, thank you for help, I guess. - Mumbled the demon.
— No problem. Do you have anywhere to go?
— None of your damn business. - Snapped at him blonde.
— Okay...
— Anyway, I have to go, adios.
— See ya. - Demon just chuckled on that.
Blonde turned around, looked at the brown-haired boy one last time, mumbled “thank you again” avoiding eye contact, put on hood and left. Goat boy wanted to ask his name, know him a bit better, but demon was nowhere to be seen. Maybe they would meet again.
Both hoped that they would, only demon hid that feeling away from others.
- the day, when I showed you my true self -
— Hey, goat boy!
Brown-haired boy was peacefully walking on the streets of the desert town, when he heard that. The sound was coming from the above. So, the goat looked up and noticed a familiar face of the demon, who he helped not so long ago, on the top of the tower. Goat was looking at him in confusion, pointing to himself, asking “me?”.
— Yes, yes, you. - Answered the demon. - Bet you can’t get on top of that
tower within five minutes, without any ladder. Go!
Well, that was the weirdest thing that the goat heard ever in his fourteen years. But the demon missed one thing – he was a hybrid of a mountain goat. And mountain goats are famous for their ability of climbing on almost anything. So the brown-haired boy only chuckled on that – that tower had a lot of climbing spots, so it’s not going to be that hard to climb to the top. And with that being said, not even two minutes lasted, goat boy was on the top, standing in front of the demon, who was completely speechless.
— What the fuck?! - Finally, the demon gave some response on that.
— You see, I’m the mountain goat hybrid. I can climb on almost everything. — Goat crossed his arms and looked at the demon with the smile of the winner.
— Oh, fuck off. - Said demon, irritated. He then turned around and sat at the very end of the roof. Hybrid sat next to him.
— Oh, that’s a great view up here.
— Yeah.
— Why did you challenge me anyway? - Goat looked at the blonde. Blonde in response just frowned and looked down.
— What, I can’t just do it?
— No, you can, just... Ah, nevermind. What’s your name by the way?
— Oh my god, why are you so clingy! That’s none of your damn business! - Blonde growled.
— I- Alright, whatever. - Got upset the goat and looked away. At this moment, demon finally looked at the brown-haired. Something twisted inside of his stomach when he saw the hybrid all upset. He got worried, even.
— Tommy. - Finally said demon, whispered, even.
— What? - Goat suddenly looked at the blonde. Demon did the opposite.
— Tommy. - He repeated. - Are you deaf or what?
— I don’t think so. - Hybrid smiled. - My name’s Tubbo by the way.
— What a stupid name. - Brown-haired boy just rolled his eyes and chuckled.
— Said someone, whose name is Tomathy.
— Oi, bitch! - Tommy pushed him.
But he pushed too hard, Tubbo fell off the roof. Tommy caught him just in time and then helped him to get back on the roof.
— Oh my god, I’m sorry, I’m so, so sorry, I didn’t mean to- - Babbled the blonde, grabbing Tubbo by his shoulders, looking at him with scared and worried eyes, on the verge of tears.
— Hey, it’s okay, it’s okay, I forgive you, calm down. - Brown-haired boy got out of his shock and grabbed Tommys hand, looking in his eyes. - It’s okay.
They sat like this for another couple of seconds, and then something clicked in demon’s brain and he suddenly moved back, getting all grumpy. Tubbo chuckled and pat Tommy’s head, getting numerous angry noises and insults from him.
-the day i told you the truth-
— So, do you have anywhere to go? You didn’t answer that question when we met for the first time, maybe you’ll answer it now at least?
Boys got close in the last couple of days, and were walking down the market, getting a lot of disapproval looks.
— You’re so clingy, oh my god. - Tommy growled. Tubbo meanwhile kept staring at him with raised eyebrows, waiting for an answer. - No. - Demon gave
up.
— No?! You lived on the streets this whole time?!
— Gosh, I’m doing that for a year already, I don’t care.
— For a year?! Tommy, you are living with me now. Do you even have parents?
— Wh- Of course I do. And I’m not going to live with you. You are... stinky.
— I’m stinky? I’m not stinky, you are! When was the last time you showered?
— The fuck? I smell good!
— Well, I’d doubt that! Anyway, if you have parents, why are you here then? - Tommy just pulled a long face after that question.
— And where’s yours then?
— I’m an orphan.
— Oh... Um, sorry-
— Eh, it’s whatever - He shrugged. - But you are living with me. And you getting a proper shower. Stinky.
— Fuck off! I can’t even stay in one place for long, and let me just say I’ve been here for too long already.
— Why’s that?
— None of your business. And don’t even try to get an answer from me, it’s not gonna work. - Tubbo just sighed on that.
— You are going to my house tonight anyway. And I don’t accept any “no”s.
— Don’t complain that you lost your house later then... - Whispered blonde. The goat didn’t hear that.
It was getting dark, so Tubbo was leading demon to his abode, even if the demon kept protesting. The whole time they were going home they kept getting weird looks, and it felt like whispers got louder. While Tubbo ignored all of this, Tommy couldn’t do that. He was ready to fight every single one of these people, but what kept him in line was his goat friend, who was pulling his arm from time to time.
Finally, they got to the house. There was a sign on the door, which had poorly written “tubo’s hous :)” on it. Tommy considered it silly. Inside the house wasn’t very big, but it was very cozy. There were only two rooms – guest room, which was also a kitchen, bedroom and the hall, and bathroom, in which Tubbo immediately put Tommy to get a shower. Meanwhile the goat boy himself went to cook something.
Half an hour later, Tommy finally got out of the bathroom, food was ready by that time. Tubbo got two wooden bowls, and poured some soup in them. Then he gave one of the bowls to Tommy.
— What is that? - Asked demon while picking in the liquid with spoon.
— Mushroom soup.
— Ew. - Blonde grimaced
— Stop ewing, start eating. You look like a stick.
— Meh-meh-meh you look like a stick meh-meh-meh. - Mocked him Tommy. Tubbo hit him with a spoon after that, and demon silently started eating his
soup.
After they was done with soup, Tubbo got two buns and gave one to Tommy. Demon took it, and started slowly chewing on it, lost in his thoughts.
— You good? - Got him out of trance brown-hired boy. Demon took a deep breath.
— Have you heard that... That we, demons, eat people like you? - He suddenly said.
— Uh, yeah, but since you haven’t laid even a finger on me, I think that it’s bullshit-
— No. It’s true. - Tommy interrupted him. - Demons really do eat people like you. - He looked away.
— Oh.
— Yeah. - Demon sighed – I mean, demons under thirteen don’t eat your kind. But the second demon turns thirteen, they get their first prey. There a whole ass ceremony for that. - He let out a bitter chuckle. - Even kids under thirteen attends on these ceremonies.
— Have you-
— Yes, I’ve been on these ceremonies. - Tommy interrupted him again. - Always hated them. Other kids were excited as fuck, they always talked how they can’t wait to grow up to kill a goat hybrid on their own. Or maybe some of them are just very good liars.
— Liars?
— You see, demons are in fact softies, but just because of the rules that other demons made up, if you show your soft side - you will be considered weak. And there no place for a weak demon in this world.
— And... What happens to the “weak”? - Tubbo asked with hesitation.
— They get killed. And if you on your own ceremony and you can’t kill a goat, your parents kill you, and if your parents can’t kill you, they get killed and you get a second chance. And if you still can’t kill that damn goat, you get killed.
— Do parents really don’t love their children at all?...
— Oh, no, they do. They love them a lot. That’s the rules. If your kid weak, then there’s no place for them in this world.
— Wait- How old are you?
— Fourteen.
— And you said that you live on the streets for a year now-
— On the streets of different towns, yes. I ran away.
— Why?
— You didn’t get it yet or what? I would be dead by now! I hated these ceremonies; I couldn’t imagine myself taking place of these thirteen-year-old kids, killing an innocent child who was taken from their family. I didn’t want to die. I don’t want to die.
— Oh... You also said earlier that you can’t stay in the same place for too long. Why’s that?
— Because I’m getting chased basically. You see, if your kid runs away the night before ceremony, you have to search for the kid until they are eighteen years old. So, I have four years to go.
— And who’s searching?
— Police and parents themselves. They are going through the whole towns, searching in every single corner. And the fact that I’m in that town like what, for a week? Bad, very bad. It’s gonna be even worse if they find us together. You just... You just will be dead. I... I don’t want you to get hurt, Tubbo. - Tommy looked at his friend for the first time during this conversation. Worry was in his eyes. - I feel like this is the day when they find us. - Goat boy sighed.
— Everything will be okay Tommy. You'll live, I'll live. If they will find us -we'll run. Everything will be okay.
With these words, Tubbo hugged his friend, keep saying “everything will be okay” and patting his back. Tommy was processing the hug, but eventually he hugged him back, burying his face in brown-haired boy’s shoulder. They fell asleep.
In the early morning another demon appeared in the town. He was looking for something. For someone. At some point he found a little group of people and approached them with photo of someone in hand.
— Hello. Have you by any chance saw this little brat around here? - Demon showed photo of Tommy.
— Um, yeah, he’s always going around with that goat boy.
— With a goat boy? Interesting...
— I think that goat led him to his house yesterday... I heard a bit of their conversation at the market. I think goat’s name is Tubbo...
— Hm... Do you know by any chance where does that goat live?
— Yes, his house is behind the chapel, near market. You’ll know that it’s his house.
— Thank you very much. - Said the man and started looking for that chapel near market.
-the day we ran away-
Tubbo woke up very early today. Something deep inside of him was saying that something bad is going to happen. Maybe Tommy was right. This is the day when they find him. But brown-haired boy kept trying to get that thought away from his head. Probably nothing is going to happen. But what if-
He got interrupted by the knock in the door. Tubbo felt like whole world just shattered in little pieces. He slowly approached the door, took a deep breath and
opened it.
Oh no.
There stood another demon. An adult. A policeman, even.
— Well, hello there little goat. Where are you hiding your friend?
— W-what friend? - Demon chuckled and took a step forward. Tubbo took a step back.
— Y’know. Blonde hair. Blue eyes. - Demon kept moving forward and Tubbo kept stepping back. - Sleeping on your couch. - Tubbo gulped. Demon smirked. - Listen here, kid, you are waking up this brat and coming with me. Understood?
At this very moment, Tubbo grabs a poker, that was behind his back and, and knocks out the man. With light speed he’s got his bag, bundle with gold and some buns, putting it all in the bag. Then goes to wake up Tommy.
— Five more minutes...
— What five more minutes Tommy?! They found us, idiot! - Tommy got up immediately.
— What do you fucking mean they found us? - He looked behind goat’s shoulder. - Did you fucking kill him?!
— No, I just knocked him out. Come on, let’s get outta here. - Tubbo grabbed blonde’s arm and ran. Tommy put his hood on.
They ran. Ran without any breaks. Ran through crowds. Ran to town’s exit. Ran away from that town. Eventually they found a cart, that was going in another town. Without second thought they jumped on that cart. Finally, they can rest. Lungs were burning, taste of blood in mouth, heart was beating like crazy. They felt like they are going to die.
— I'm sorry. - suddenly said Tommy shortly after they started feeling better.
— Sorry for what? - Tubbo looked at him with confusion.
— Sorry that you lost your house because of me. - He hugged his lap, both with arms and tail. Tubbo, on the other hand, got closer and hugged him.
— It’s not your fault that you, demons, have these dumb and disgusting rules. We are still alive, nothing else matters. - Tommy hugged him back. - Are you hungry? I have some buns. - The only answer he got was silent “mhm”.
-and now we are safe-
It’s been 3 years since their runaway, both were seventeen by now. They no longer stayed in towns for too long, always on the go. Nobody found them – they were too fast for them. Tubbo bought Tommy new clothes, and for himself too, of course. He also bought Tommy a green bandana. The same day Tommy gave Tubbo red bandana.
— Let me guess, you stole it?
— I didn’t steal it. I took it for free.
— Right. But thank you.
They were a walking trouble. Not a single one town had a chance to stop them. Especially at that moment, when Tubbo was out of money. There was no time to earn some or they are risking being caught. But there was time for stealing. And with these conditions Tubbo started stealing too. Oh, sorry, taking things for free.
Only one thing remained the same – weird looks and whispers behind their backs. That Tubbo is a “poor thing” and Tommy is “just gaining his trust to kill him in the end”. Tubbo got tired of this, so sometimes he would let Tommy go wild, and he never felt regret doing so. It’s so funny to look how seventeen years old demon makes adults turn into a small ball of fear just using words. He’s never going to get tired from this.
What was good is that there was one year to go. One more year - and Tommy is free. And there will be no need in travelling from town to town every single day. No need in jumping in random carts. And the demon would be finally able to sleep peacefully at night. No more constant fear for their lives.
And here were they, laying on the hay on another random cart, and god knew where is this cart going.
— Where are we going to live after you’ll be free from all of this?
— I don’t know. We’ll see.
— Hm. Fair. - Tubbo chuckled. - Let me guess, I’m going to work and earn money, and you’ll just continue to steal shit, are you?
— I don’t steal, I take things for free.
— Right, how could I forget.
— I know right. Do you have holes in your head or something?
— I don’t think I do.
— Well, I’d doubt that.
— Shut up, Tomathy.
— I’m going to beat the shit out of you. - Tubbo laughted.
— Aw c’mon, no need to pretend that you all angry and shit, I know that you are in fact just a white fluffy bunny. - Brown-haired boy patted his demon friend.
— I’m not a fucking bunny! - Blonde threw hay at him.
— Alright, this is a war-
That day finally came. Tommy is eighteen. He’s free. They’re free.
They sat in pub, drinking lemonade that they bought using someone’s money that they stole. They were celebrating and Tommy’s birthday, and their freedom.
— For our friendship! - Raised his glass Tubbo.
— For our freedom! - Raised his glass Tommy.
Cheers. Spilled lemonade. Loud laughter. Freedom.
-and now we are happy and free-