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How could today get worse? Tommy had thought as Wilbur had announced the results of the election.
How could today get worse? Tommy had thought as Jay had taken the stand to make a speech, his voice booming across the crowd.
How could today get worse? Tommy had thought as they ran for their lives, through secret tunnels from the home they had fought so hard to make and protect.
How... how could today get worse? Tommy had thought one last time before the storm hit while they were running, being dragged and shouted at to keep going by Wilbur, hand in hand.
His shirt sticks awkwardly to his skin, drenched from the sudden downpour, the small demon thankful for the shitty shack Wilbur and him had managed to get together as the rain only got harder, the wind getting stronger. It seemed like it was only getting worse. The wood and dirt creaked and swayed against the strength of the storm, but thankfully showed no signs of fully giving in. That was the last thing they both needed right now.
"This fucking sucks, Wil!" A slight crack in his shout followed by a sniffle, suddenly noticing the tremble in his body as the cold and wet started to sink into his skin, the adrenaline of running starting to fade from Tommy's blood now that they were somewhat safe. He didn't even have any clean clothes with him -- only this stupid suit that mocked him now with endless 'what could've been's
"You think I don't know that?!" Wilbur's response was a harsh snap back, Tommy flinching at the outburst. "I have no idea where Blade is either, he was going to meet us!" The other continues, fist suddenly punching at the fragile walls of their house. "We lost, everything, everyone! In a matter of minutes- no SECONDS, Tommy! Don't complain to me about -- "
He zones out. He has to before the shouting gets too much. Tommy's tail whiping angrily behind him as he has to bite his own tongue and be the adult in the situation despite being younger. The air was thick with tension as Wilbur ranted and raved and cussed out the Gods and the weather and Jay and Tubbo and Quackity and anything and everything else he could list. Tommy busied himself, starting to use whatever materials he did have to dig a small hole near the back of the "house", gathering stone before then making a furnace. Throwing the last of his wood into it, he gently sighs as the fire kicks up, the shack lighting up a bit. He wonders if he should venture out now to go get some more wood for the fire tonight before the storm gets too bad.
Thoughts interrupted as there's a weight added to his shoulders suddenly, being forced back into the environment and not the tasks he wanted to busy himself and his thoughts with.
" 'ere. You got a lot damper than me on the way over here." It was Wilbur's coat placed over his shoulders, coat tails reaching the dirt under him due to the size difference between the two of them. It takes him a moment to fully come back to lucidity, the brunette crouching down next to him and adding the wood he had to the pile next to the furnace. Oh, they should be okay for the night then, with their combined materials. Which is good, great even, the last thing Tommy wanted to do was venture out into the wind and rain for some wood.
Tommy goes to speak but is cut off; "good job on getting this started. We'll need it, it seems like."
"No shit, Wilbur, fuckin' hell, got any other wise remarks?"
A shrug, "not right now. I'll keep you updated."
The demon moves himself to sit down in front of the furnace, happily clutching the burrowed coat around his shoulders as he feels warmth slowly start to return to his fingers, watching the fire flicker and dance and smelling the smoke that was somehow soothing to him. Better than the smell of wet wood he guesses.
Speaking of smoke, Tommy hears a lighter click, glancing towards the door that Wilbur was peering out of, as if he glared hard enough or looked long enough, he'd find whatever answers he needed, a cigarette between his fingers. Must've grabbed it from his coat before he gave it to Tommy. Watching the older take a drag, breathing out partly through his mouth and nose, instantly relaxing his shoulders a bit with the sigh made Tommy crave it too. Anything to feel better right now.
"Oi, gimme one," he demands, holding a hand out to Wilbur and making a grabbing motion.
"Fuck no," he snorts, not even looking back at him.
"Fuck you."
Tommy brings his hands back to himself, knees tucked up under his chin, arms wrapping around his legs into a tight ball. It was hard to keep his mind focused, keep himself lucid, the fog in his mind constantly threatening to take over fully. It only happened when too much was happening, when it was overwhelming. He'd just sit, and quickly time would pass until it was over with ---
A sudden bright flash forces a scream from Tommy's mouth, pulling the coat fully over his head to shield himself as the thunder rumbled and shook the house. His body once again trembled. He forgot he was scared of storms. Fucking great.
Tommy's scream had made Wilbur jump, quickly whipping around thinking Tommy was hurt ready to kill, only to see his frame trembling, hidden under his coat. Tommy had never really ever looked so... small and weak before. And he'd known him a long time now. A sigh, begrudgingly stomping out the cigarette he had barely started, he moves to the other's side sitting down beside him.
Feeling arms wrap around him, Tommy jumps before realizing it's only Wil. Pulling the jacket back away from his face just enough to see the other and lean against him into his arms, eagerly seeking comfort, despite his shaking body.
"Hey, it's alright." The taller coos lightly.
"Y-yeah I know it's alright! Just thunder and lightning and shit- never liked it. Always thought maybe it was like Prime being angry or something... " the blonde speaks quickly with a shaky voice, weight fully against the other by now.
"I mean, might mean It's on our side at least. If Prime is angry I mean," Wilbur tried to reassure awkwardly, earning a small snort from Tommy.
"Maybe Jay or Big Q will get struck by lightning then."
"Y'know what, Toms? I fucking hope so."
Another strike of lightning makes him shout, throwing his arms around Wilbur, face hidden into his shoulder, clinging desperately to his damp clothes, the brunette startled a moment before tightly returning the hold, gently rocking the both of them in front of the furnace. Tommy gets even closer, climbing himself into the other's lap, holding each other. Eventually deciding it was too quiet, wanting to help distract Tommy from the noises outside, Wilbur hums a tune to him, gently cooing reassurances into his ear.
Habit and nostalgia get the best of him, the song he finds himself singing ends up the L'Manberg anthem. It suddenly tastes bittersweet on his tongue as it dances off his lips and into Tommy's ears. Feeling his trembling grip, claws digging through his clothes slightly into his skin he can't help the fire that suddenly lights in his chest as he cradles him. He'd get their home back, or die trying. Tommy didn't deserve this.
"Wil?"
"Yeah?" Tommy's voice startled Wilbur from his thoughts, having thought perhaps he had dozed off against him as he often did.
"I wanna go home." The statement by itself would rattle anyone, heart twisting. But his voice shook when he spoke, claws digging a little deeper into Wilbur's skin, the body still trembling from the cold and fear as the thunder boomed outside, seemingly further away now. It takes everything for him to not leave right now, to go do something about this... not that he could even do anything, they had nothing... he'd need time.
"I know." It is a pitiful attempt at reassurance.
"When will we go home?"
"Soon."
"Soon?"
"Soon." A gentle kiss was given to the top of the blonde's head. A silent promise. He'd... figure it out.