Chapter Text
The door closed and it felt like the click of the gun trigger being pulled. Tubbo had left, and there was nothing they could do about what would happen. Nothing to stop the bullet from hitting its target and injuring the one he had tried so hard to protect. Fit’s fist hadn’t stopped tightening and he swore he could feel blood on his nails.
(How cruel was it that he had helped get him ready? Picked put the clothes that would be pulled off. Helped the younger in a terrible experience that he wouldn’t wish on anyone. Least of all someone he considered on the same page of Ramon in his books. It was cruel.)
“He’s just a kid ,” Phil spat, “A kid .”
“I know,” Fit replied, but his words felt empty.
Phil twisted around to Fit, face twisting up as his anger he had kept hidden from Tubbo now exploded, no target to pin it on, “A month ! You're meant to get a month before these Invites- ha!-are meant to come! It’s three weeks early and I don't even know about it!”
Fit knew that, because if Phil had known he would’ve been pulled out of bed at the crack of dawn with the stern face of Phil and a plan brewing between them. Something more than just after help.
Fit hummed, looking at the piece of paper left on the table. Tubbo had read it so much he had it memorized, so did everyone else in the room.
“Can you ask who sent it?” Fit questioned, straightening up. There was nothing they could do now about it, but maybe they could stop it from happening again. “See which of them sent it?”
Phil rolled his eyes, “If I knew that then I wouldn’t have to push back the “invite” dates four months to figure it out .”
“Could Celbit trace it?” Fit questioned, “He might have the best bet.”
Pac flinched from his side, he let a hand rest on his thigh to let him know he was there. Pac laid a hand on it, saying he knew and was here.
“Might work,” Phil said, sitting down now in a collapse then a sit. Hand dragging over his face, “I’ll-I’ll talk to him, once Tubbo get’s back.”
“He’ll be okay,” Fit promised, “He’s strong.”
“Yeah,” Pac agreed.
Phil just nodded and said nothing more. Fit didn’t either, so they sat in silence, together. Waiting.
And waited, until the sun had set.
And waited, as anxieties pledged their minds.
And waited, hoping to hear footsteps coming.
For two hours they waited without a word before Phil snapped.
He stormed off the couch as he made a lap around the room, hand pulling his hair. Panicked completely.
“It shouldn’t take this long!” Phil growled.
“Maybe…” Pac started, eyes staring at the carpet, “Maybe Tubbo is just taking a longer time back.”
“Or maybe they got more time than we thought,” Fit added, but it wasn’t a good suggestion.
Phil’s eyes darkened as he grabbed a pillow and tossed it to the wall. Pac flinched at the thud, but no one came on to check in on them. Phil steamed, shoulders raised up and wings puffed, trying to look threatening but it just made the man look small.
“Phil,” Fit called, “There's nothing we can do until he gets here.”
Hil spun around, face red as he shouted back, wings spreading out behind him like he wanted to flee. Fit didn’t blame him, he’s the one who had to deal with it too many times alone.
“That’s the problem!” He snarled, “ We are just sitting here while Toby is having the worst night of his life! And we can’t do a thing about it! Fu -!” He shocked his head, wing’s still puffed and face now drawn into a sorrow.
Fit stood, crossing the area as he placed his hands on Phil's shoulders. Phil didn’t look up, green eyes still down as he looked lost in his own memories.
“Hey,” Fit called, bringing Phil’s attention finally to him. His eyes were teary, Fit knew what he was thinking, knew that they felt as if they failed the younger they had been calling their own. That they had tried to protect. “What matters is that we're here for him, and when he comes back, we’ll help him get through it. Get through the ‘aftermath’. That’s what he needs and that’s what we’ll be here for, right?”
Phil nodded.
“Then there's nothing else we can do,” Fit replied, “So let’s just sit down, okay?”
Phil nodded, again. Fit pulled him next to Pac who held his hand and Phil grasped back. They sat for another thirty minutes before they heard the door being opened.
They all jumped up and saw as Tubbo came in, clothes looking just like how he had left and face neutral if not a little flushed. When he looked up at the adults crowding around him he looked confused, words not coming out of his mouth.
“Do you want a shower?” Pac offered, “We have it ready.”
“Or just need comfort or sleep it off,” Phil added, “Blankets and someone to guard the door if you feel you need it.”
“Uh,” Tubbo replied, face blank.
“Change of clothes?” Fit asked, “Something more comfortable and clean?”
Tubbo shook his head, “No, I’m just uh, going to head to bed. I’m really tired.”
Phil frowned, “Are you sure? We can help if you need-”
Something clicked in Tubbo’s head because all of a sudden he waved his hands and stated, “No, no, no, They didn’t touch me. We just talked, I’m okay-just tired now.”
“Just… talked?” Fit repeated, looking to Phil who held the same expression on his face.
“Yes,” Tubbo said, “Nothing… like that. I promise, I’m just tired, okay?”
“Alright,” Phil replied, “But would you like one of us to stay the night?”
“I’m good, honestly,” Tubbo said, just heading to bed to pass out. I’ll, uh, explain tomorrow, but okay. Alright?”
“Okay,” Fit said as Tubbo looked grateful and rushed upstairs towards his own bed.
Fit, Pac, and Phil all looked at one another with the same expression of curiosity and concern. Nothing was said then, but they all were on the same page. It had taken Pac some time to understand, from his place in the capital, but now Fit couldn’t be more grateful that they were on the same page for this. Tubbo needed them all.
“I’ll stay,” Fit offered, “I’ll tell Ramon so he knows and come back and crash on the couch, just in case.”
Phil nodded his approval. “I’ll trust we’ll be back at nine?”
“I can’t,” Pac said with a frown, “I’ll be late but I can bring coffee?”
“The good kind?” Fit asked to make sure as Pac nodded.
“Excused,” Phil started with a smile, but there was a heavy weight to it. Fit knew why, he carried the same. Pac bid his goodbyes and Phil and Fit did at the door.
Fit woke up the next day with his arm over his face and the bright sun. He was almost expecting Ramon to shut the window since he knew Fit didn’t like being woken up too early yet. Ramon liked having a few hours without his watchful eye on his experiments before Fit realized he wasn’t there. He was on a couch in Tubbo’s room.
The memories of last night flooded into his head and Fit sat up, feeling groggy. He stretched and wrinkled his nose at his clothes he slept in. He argued to himself if it was so wrong to use Tubbo’s shower before deciding that yes, that was what he was going to do.
It was surprising to open up the cabinets, which Fit and Phil himself had been using to cook, and still find the food replenished. He wondered which Peacekeeper kept them up or if it was someone else.
Regardless, It was a surprise to finish snaking on a bar and not only Phil arrived as promised, but Tubbo up as well. Looking well rested and more energized then he had seen him within the week he had been living here.
Tubbo looked at them both a little nervous but came down in new clothes. Fit saw that they had a little while until Pac came but he looked to Phil and knew they needed to settle whatever this situation was.
“So, Tubbo,” Fit started, seeing the boy look up and realizing the tone which meant ‘serious topic’, “Can you explain what happened last night?”
Tubbo nodded, before his face looked a little odd as if he was trying to figure something out. “Uh, while it’s a little hard to say what happened last night when it started a little sooner.”
“Started?” Phil pressed.
Tubbo nodded, “His name is Fred,”
Fit hadn’t heard of him, it didn't comfort him. He noticed Phil also looked confused, Fred was not on the list of invitees. He wondered if it was an allis.
“And, well, when I was chosen as a tribute when I got to my room the first night, I had a note.” Tubbo started his story, “and some tips on the games.”
“Tips?” Fit said, “You aren’t mean to-”
“I know,” Tubbo replied, “But they were better than whatever Aypeirre gave me and they were nice to me. And they kept giving me good advice and-”
“-and so you talked and last night was the first time that they showed you who they were,” Phil put together.
Fit hissed through his teeth, “Tubbo, I know you might think they're their your friend, but you have to understand they don’t want just a friendship with you-”
“Well, yeah,” Tubbo replied with a frown, “But he’s taking time to figure it out and I agreed so-”
“Tubbo, Tubbo, Tubbo,” Fit said, pressing a hand to his face. He hadn’t realized how far this had already gone. The trust already given, he thought maybe this would be easier but nah.
“Toby,” Phil said, using the affectionate nickname, “I know you might think that your friends and that they are there for you, but they aren’t. They are using you.”
Tubbo frowned deeper, “No? They wouldn't gain anything from me?”
Phil sighed, “They could ask for more of you, and you’ll feel as if you have to give it to them. But it’s a manipulation tactic, and I don’t want-”
“Oh, OH-” Tubbo shook his head, waving his hands, “No no, that’s not what's happening! I promise.”
Fit sighed, “Tubbo this isn’t okay-”
“It’s not that.” Tubbo insisted.
But before Phil or Fit could grill him more on what he meant, a knock sounded on the door. Pac then poked his head threw and brightened when he saw Tubbo was awake. He grinned and pushed the door open the rest of the way with his foot as he presented four cups of hot coffee.
“You're the best,” Fit said when Pac handed him his cup and Pac blushed. Phil got one and Tubbo did too, but he put a lot of sugar and creamer in it. It made Fit smile because he saw Ramon do the same when he had it the first time.
Pac settled down as he asked, “So, how’s it going?”
“Nothing much,” Tubbo replied as he nodded to Fit and Phil, “Just being integrated because they think I’m being groomed.”
Pac’s eyebrows rose, “Groomed? Like-”
“Yes,” Phil said, setting his cup of coffee down after he took a long sip, “Since Toby has yet to inform us why someone would be interested in friendship with him when they barely knew him in the first place it’s suspicious.”
“Ah,” Pac said, drumming his fingers on the table before looking at Tubbo, “And you say?”
“That it’s fine .” Tubbo insisted. “I’m not being manipulated into anything I don’t want- they aren’t sure yet either. We both know about it and are learning together, but we are friends and he has helped me.”
“Who is it?” Pac pressed.
“His name’s Fred.”
“Fred?” Pac asked, frowning deeply. Fit was sure now that it was an allis because if Pac had any idea of anyone, it would be him. Pac tutted, “I don’t know anyone by that name.”
“Well you wouldn’t,” Tubbo explained, and now everyone at the table paused and leaned in, “I named them that.”
Phil narrowed his eyes, “What do you mean you named him?”
“Yeah,” Fit agreed, feeling very concerned.
Tubbo paused, hand coming up to push back the hair that hung in front of his face as it scrunched up in thought. He took a moment before explaining, “I don’t know their original name, I don’t think he had one-because, well, they're a peacekeeper.”
Fit’s brain halted. He leaned back, and wondered if it was possible he had misheard. Had merely just pretended to hear something absurd that wasn’t real. But Tubbo’s face was honest and Fit felt as if some things started to be pieced together.
He didn’t like it, they were guards, faceless beings who kept them imprisoned-and yet, Tubbo had found some way to break into one of them and find a friend.
“A peacekeeper,” Phil repeated.
“Wow,” Pac muttered, “That’s… I didn't even know they could talk?”
Tubbo made a face, “Well, more like we were writing letters but… uh,”
“Letters.” Fit replied, rubbing his face. “You were writing letters to a peacekeeper?”
“They wrote first,” Tubbo pointed out, which didn;t help his case, “But yes, and flowers.”
Fit looked up at him, “He gave you flowers?”
“He likes them! And so do I!” Tubbo replied hands up.
“Ooh,” Pac said nodding, a smirk on his face as he winked at Tubbo, “I see, little forbidden romance!”
“I-”
“Tubbo this isn’t a rebellious teen stage you need,” Fit said exasperated, “Literally getting involved with a peacekeeper doesn’t qualify as rebellious teen stage .”
“That’s not-” Tubbo tried to say.
“But the peacekeeper approaches you first?” Phil said, voice still cold.
“Well, I mean, I guess?” Tubbo said, face twisting up. “It was just like tips like I told you, but then the letters got longer and then I guess we saw each other as friends and-”
“He gave you tips on the games?” Pac asked, they had forgotten to mention that first.
“Yes, they gave me advice and encouragement.” Tubbo said, then turned his head to the side, away from the trio as he played with the string on his hoodie as he said quietly, “Honestly? He was the only reason I made it through the games. They said they’d wait for me, they were the only one who was worth fighting for then, and I did. I won, just so that I wouldn’t lose him. So… so yes I care, and I know they do too.”
Fit took that carefully, took that this relationship was deeper and more complicated then just advice and maybe teen feelings. This was the reason why Tubbo was here in the first place, this was what he had been fighting for the last hours of the game. Pulling away everything that made him continue on, and it was the name of Fred and hope.
It was peacekeeper who didn’t speaker who made him fight for life. Fit looked to Phil and saw that there was uncertainty in his gaze and distrust, and Fit understood it. Knew that they hated the Capital’s guards and workers who intrapped them here, were a threat to keep them in line-but this wasn’t just them against the Capital. This was something more.
Tubbo cared and so did Fred. There was something there that had broken the barrier between victor and peacekeeper. A change of loyalties.
If Fred had broken the rules to help Tubbo, then it already showed where his loyalties were lying. Showed they weren't as loyal to the Capital as the Capital wanted. It didn’t mean Fit liked the situation, but it showed that Tubbo was telling the truth that something was there.
(If it turned out their first guesses were right, and Fred was just another white bastard like the rest, then Fit would make him burn .)
“You guys have to promise me though,” Tubbo was saying, “You can’t let anyone know about this. I don’t want them to get in trouble and lose them.”
“Of course!” Pac promised immediately.
Fit gave a nod, “I won’t say anything.”
He didn't want to promise, not unless something went wrong, but he’ll break Tubbo’s trust if it meant to keep him safe. If only it came to that.
Phil narrowed his eyes, ”I won’t tell anyone about Fred.”
Tubbo looked relieved then at the promises. He relaxed in the chair as he nodded more to himself than anything else.
“Does this mean we can have breakfast?” Pac was saying, “Because I’m starving .”
“I’ll get started then,” Phil said.
“Oo, what are you thinking?” Pac asked, eyes bright at the mention of food.
“Pancakes?” Phil asked, looking into the cupboard for the mix.
“I’m all for it,” Fit replied, standing up to help.
“Sure,” Tubbo agreed, getting the table set up.
Fit leaned over to Phil as he set up the pan and Fit added water to the pancake mix. Fit glanced over to Phil.
“I’ve already talked to Celbit,” Phil whispered to him, “He says he needs the invite first before he can find out who sent it. Find out ‘Fred’s’ actual name.”
Fit hummed, stunning now, “You’ll keep it quiet? Tubbo won’t react well if anything gets out.”
“I will,” Phil promised, “But I’d rather know this ‘Fred’ than be in the unknown.”
Fit sighed, he knew Tubbo wasn’t his kid but damnit he felt that protective urge over him anyways. “Just be careful, I don’t think Fred will like being investigated into and if Celbit gets the word of him things might go wrong.”
Phil puffed his wings up defensively and frowned, “I’ve gotten better, and besides, what Celbit doesn’t know yet won’t kill him. His own curiosity and Tubbo’s would be a bad combination.”
Fit would agree, but not for what they could accomplish together like two smart minded people would, but what Celbit would drag Tubbo into if he got the chance. Tubbo was a troublemaker by himself; he didn't need help getting into something he couldn’t get out of.
“I’ll keep him occupied,” Fit promised as he set down the bowl to Phil, “I’m going to get Ramon for this breakfast, I’ll be back.”
Phil gave a wave as Fit left, thoughts swelling up. BUt he pushed them to the back of his mind, he had other times to dwell on them.
Ramon came with Fit for the pancakes at Tubbo’s, which were delicious. Phil had to leave after but Fit saw him swipe the invite off of the table with Tubbo’s eyes seeing. The rest of the day they played games. It was fun, and when they tried to play a more tactical game with Fit and Pac on one team while Ramon and Tubbo were on the other-Fit didn’t want to say how badly they lost. From then on it was firmly declared that Ramon and Tubbo couldn’t team together.
When it got closer to the afternoon they watched a movie. It was a cheesy comical movie about an island and two groups surviving on them. It was apparently meant to be something serious like a horror movie but the characters being humorous instead, decided to do everything the opposite of what was meant to be done. Apparently they created a cult with a gas mask and chanted to one another in codes. The end was that they didn’t end up leaving the island and just stayed there making fun of whoever put them there.
(Fit thinks the most he laughed was at the ‘evil eye dictator’ who despaired every time he talked the players would yell up at him and make jokes and ignore him. It was hilarious, Fit promised to watch it again because of how hard he laughed.)
“So do we want to watch the sequel before dinner or after dinner?” Pac asked with a grin.
“There's a sequel?” Tubbo asked from the floor, he had fallen there after he had a laughing fit from the scene of a loud character asking the dictator eye how he ate and the pained expression of the dictator eye. Fit didn’t even know there could be such expression from a single eye.
“Yup,” Ramon said, popping his ‘p’. He scrolled down the list of movies they were allowed to see and showed the next one. It was called the curse of the island.
“Oh man I don’t know if my lungs can handle it,” Tubbo said.
Fit snorted, “Well I have to go anyway so I guess your lungs can get a break.”
“You have to go?” Pac said, looking sad.
Fit waved his hand, “Just a little thing for Cellbit, but tomorrow we can watch it, yeah?”
“Oh, okay,” Pac replied, expression understanding but still some wariness held in it. Fit knew he had a complicated relationship with the man, Fit didn't blame him, it was hard sometimes to interact with Pac if phantom pains of his arm were harder to deal with a certain day or the scar tissue would tighten. A small reminder of the past.
(But Pac understood a lot of things now, better than he did before. He had started to see what the Capital was and not what he had been manipulated into thinking it had been. It had taken Fit a long time to show it to Pac, and for the man to understand, but he had. It made Fit love him even more.)
“Where are you going?” Tubbo asked, rightfully curious.
“Just around the block,” Fit lied. “Ramon, I expect you to be in bed when I get back.”
Ramon rolled his eyes but agreed. Pac and Tubbo waved him goodbye as he slipped out the door. Once the door shut, his face fell from its smile into a firm pressed line. He took a breath before heading to Cellbit, for whatever he was going to be asked to do next.
He would do anything to protect his family.