Work Text:
Tubbo wasn't the bravest kid on the block.
He really really wasn't. He hid from all the kids at school and if he didn't get an assignment done he'd never explain to his teachers that he hadn't a chance to do it.
Tubbo just wouldn't.
-Too many shadowy nights hunting for anything dry to sleep in, too much risk in eyes on him-
But Tommy.
Tommy stands with his hands on his hips, fingers clutching at a motherfucking hand-held lamp a mirror to the way he snarls at bullies, and is demanding-
"We are sneaking out tonight Tubbo we are leaving. Right now.”
And it's not like.. surprisingly… really. Not if you stopped to think about it.
Tommy's been pulled tight all day snapping at Wilbur and scoffing at Technoblade.
He even tossed out the lunch Phil had made for him, all angry lines and sharp glares.
The only person Tommy wasn't being impatient with was Tubbo himself.
But.
Still.
…Their placement here was shaky at best…
How far did Phil’s courtesy last?
“Hey mate, don’t worry, Everything will be official soon.”
They couldn’t just risk that.
"Tommy we can't just leave- there's rules- we-"
"Yes we can Tubbo, it's fine! Come on!"
Something softens in his stance reflected in his eyes as he breathes out and hums reassurance.
"Phil knows what I do on bad nights he won't care that you're joining me this time, come on big T for me?"
How could Tubbo ever say no?
How could anyone?
There’s anxiety, but.
But.
“If you say so, Toms, I...I trust you.”
Tommy throws his hands up into the air, nearly dropping his light as cheers in delight. Now that he's had his way, all tension is a thing of the past, he moves around the room with a bounce in his step.
From underneath his bed, he throws a wicker basket at Tubbo.
Guess Wilbur has yet to break him of that habit huh?
"I'll even let you pick the food cuz I'm just so nice and giving so very kind to my little bee boy, yes I am, go hurry!"
Tubbo has to choke down his laugh and hide his smile with a hand.
He hurries downstairs in case Tommy starts to sing about how sloooooow Tubbo was again.
They were going to have a good time, it was going to be fine, if they stayed together Phil wouldn’t kick out both of them surely?
Not 100 percent sure what to expect Tubbo (carefully, skillfully don’t wake anyone up-) robs the cabinets of various food ranging from sacks to cans that would keep in case they weren't coming back.
It's a scary thought but Tommy knows what he's doing, Tubbo just needs to keep up and be at the right place at the right time.
When he gets back to the room Tommy is playing balance beam with the sill of the window, not very effectively but he was trying.
A for effort?
Tubbo blinks when he sees that both sheets have been ripped off the beds along with the pillowcases.
"Tommy. If you break those I'm not paying for my replacement, you know."
Tommy stops whatever the fuck he's failing at doing to give Tubbo a side-eye.
"Phil is rich. I could ask him to buy me anything and he will say "Yes Tommy of course Tommy, what else can I do for you Tommy he will."
"Can you try that, and let me record that particular conversation, Toms?"
Tommy huffs playing at offense despite the way he carefully guides Tubbo closer, close enough for Tubbo to see the makeshift rope he intends for them to climb down.
Luckily it's only the second story. Childs play from the rooftops they used to hunt.
They scale down quickly.
Fireflies spring up and out of the bushes, they push their way through - little personal starlights.
The moon's out just bright enough to see the edges of the shape's blurry impressions.
Tubbo inhales the hazy hum of spring and squeezes his toes-he didn't bother grabbing his shoes-just to feel the dew between them.
Tubbo always liked the night. The perfect cover, the perfect weight between his shoulders, a bulletproof vest.
Tommy blots forward jumping off on one foot then quickly switching so the other one lands the leap, lantern clanging in the silence.
"Come on Tubbo come on, you're so slowww do you remember how slowly you move?"
He crows out-he's stopped right in a moonbeam that highlights the gleam in those electric eyes. Pinched ends relaxing over.
He looks alive.
He looks like he's freedom come down to earth with eyes set on Tubbo and Tubbo only.
Tommy has always liked the night.
Tubbo shakes himself off a bit annoyed to have to admit Tommy is right he is being slow today, he's thinking too much so he gives himself a shake and quirks his lips into a long, suffering sigh.
"You have to slow down if you want bees to land on your hand Tommy. You can't just rush around and not get-"
"Enough of your bee a ganda Tubbo, we need to gooooo, let me help you out then, just this once if you're gonna be a little bitch."
And Tommy is already reaching out to snag Tubbo's hand before he finishes speaking, freezing for just a second right above contact, a fearful flex of fingertips.
Tubbo completes the motion.
They both pretend that Tommy didn’t hesitate at all.
Tubbo squeezes Tommy's hand and lets him hold on as tight as he wants as they begin to walk.
It's akin to nights even darker than this, lost in the pull and push as they ducked through crowds as they pinpointed the most empty-headed dandy.
Tubbo almost wants to check his own pockets even knowing he didn't have anything of note in them
Tommy lights the stupid lantern even though they don't need it.
Clouds have moved out of the moon's light so everything around them brightens up in its full glory, hanging gentle above them, caught in its shroud.
Tommy talks, laughs, and sings, flip-flopping through topics like a Canary and Tubbo listens. For some reason, all his words have sunk away into a general hum.
It's not a bad thing, it's peaceful and everything he needs to say rests in his palm.
Tommy takes him down a path he's never seen before.
Tubbo doesn't stop but Tommy drops the hum and switches to a whisper, "It's all good I won't get lost, been here lots of times."
Quick as a shiver, he's back to rambling- loud and carelessly as if he never ceased.
Tubbo grins, pushing into Tommy's shoulders with his own.
They both understood how stupid it was to follow blindly, but there was no need for the worry, Tubbo has the only guild he'd walk blindfolded with.
"Do you trust me enough for this, kiddo? Take my hand."
Tubbo inhales sharply and shakes his head to be rid of that voice dripping honey.
Lets the glide of his best friend's words latch him back safely at this moment.
Soon enough the sound of water rushes through the canopy and Tommy breaks free from him to rush into a small clearing.
Tubbo follows after- not daring to let him out of sight.
And gasps when he sees it.
The break in the woods isn't wide open, it's tucked away from sight.
Soft blades of grass poke out of ferns in various spots, and a large tree with drooping limbs cast shadows in-between streaks of moonlight.
A massive log, tall enough that Tubbo would have to climb over Tommy to get to the top lies felled on its side. Moss grows around its edges.
Behind it, the water rushes now with a hint of a roar.
Tommy sets his light down on a jet of stone next to the log and looks back at Tubbo, fingers twisting into his sleeves.
Tubbo blinks and feels the smile that breaks through his face, sees it in the way Tommy relaxes in the way his best friend slumps against the rough bark.
"I love it Tommy I love it so much! This is amazing!?" Tubbo steps around the space in a circle- already picturing how he could enhance the sight with what he could build here.
His mind has woken up.
A woodshed over there, a treehouse?! Maybe some planters? Tomatoes?
There was so much! It was perfect!
"Tommy?!"
Tommy grins, ducking his head down shyly-dismissively he mutters "Yeah whatever there's a waterfall down the way...you can kinda hear it..if you listen.."
There's the slightest hitch to his words, a thin waver, a break in the stage.
Tubbo is more than honored, it's rare even for him, who knew Tommy inside and out to see this sort of behavior.
Tubbo opens and closes his mouth unsure how to express the swirling mix of joy and love and- you love me, I love you. Always you and me-
burning up in a blaze inside his chest.
Doing this just for me it's not needed so kind how did I ever get you back? How are we here right now?
Tommy snags the basket away from Tubbo, expression switching back into a confident grin (a subtle warning), and starts setting down the food, picking out his favorites and putting them closest to himself first.
"Soooo...do you wanna have a picnic then?"
The way he looks at Tubbo is more than enough of a request already sitting down close enough to bump knees with Tommy eagerly grabbing a treat to stuff his face with. The taste blooms sweeter than any meal had for weeks, unable to handle the revolting concept of being full.
At this point, he might just be able to end that streak sooner than he thought.
The stars peek out above them.
"I was thinking...if you're okay with it, this place is begging for a treehouse Tommy.. absolutely begging."
A head rests against his shoulder a breathy laugh rumbles from it.
"Whatever you want tubbs, just keep returning to it."
Tubbo brings his arm up to rest on Tommy's shoulder watching a leaf drift down landing on the grass without a sound.
"Keep bringing me here, and I'll make alive Toms."
Tommy curls closer snuggling into his jacket already starting to fall away into dreams so much more drained then he let on.
Tubbo smiles more than content to be conjure ideas on his vigil.
They will always love the night.