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Tubbo wakes up at the sound of Michael weeping quietly. He charges over, bringing the small child into his arms, rocking him back to sleep.
“Shh,” Tubbo whispers. “You’ve got to get good sleep for later on. We’re staying up to midnight, Michael.”
Michael does fall back to sleep, but Tubbo takes the moment to decide that he’s going to stay up now and prepare for the morning. Tommy had offered to be a guide for the holiday and was apparently going to show up at his home “at the ass crack of dawn”. Typically, Tubbo would call it as a bluff, but Tommy has displayed a headfast determination with celebrating holidays recently that makes him reconsider.
Ranboo was also going to be there, which he knew would be exciting for Michael.
Things have really changed for them since Dream surrendered, and they had managed to get him to revive Ranboo. Even though he was alive again, he and Tubbo had much to work through, including just getting Ranboo used to life again and feeling proper again.
Tommy’s again been a guide in that area.
They’ve already introduced him to Michael again, and while Tubbo’s sure that Michael can sense the differences, the two get along well. It makes Tubbo feel at ease, feel almost like everything can go back to the way it used to be.
Shortly later, Tommy knocks on the front door, and Tubbo lets him in, Michael trailing behind him. “Hey, Tubs!” he cheers, wrapping him in a quick hug before leaning down to pick up Michael. He places the little piglin on his back “You and little Mikey ready to celebrate New Years Eve?”
“We’re ready!”
Michael kicks his feet happily, and they make their way out of the house. Along the way over to Tommy’s, they stumble on Ranboo, who brightens up when he sees them.
Michael’s clamoring off Tommy’s back in lightning speed, and Ranboo meets that effort by rushing forward to pick him up, spinning him high in the air. The sounds of Michael giggling and Ranboo’s cooing fills Tubbo with a warmth that is familiar, a warmth that months ago, he had thought was lost.
They make it back over to Tommy’s house. The outside of the ugly cobblestone house is covered in flowers, and some of the blocks are switched out, signifying the importance of the holiday. Tubbo lets this be and doesn’t start an argument, mostly to be polite for the holiday. However, he does make an internal note that next year, he should help Tommy decorate.
Tommy’s first step to celebrating the holiday is to drink. Michael only gets some honey and water, but the rest of them drink a light amount of alcohol, just enough to feel a light buzz and to feel the alcohol warm them up in the winter cold.
Tubbo isn’t much of a drinker anymore, and the heavy, burning taste makes him feel glad that he’s past that time now. He gulps it down.
“I’ve made some treats,” Ranboo says. He pulls them out of his bag, rummaging through it to reveal dishes and pans. “I had a feeling we would drink, and it’s best not to do that on an empty stomach.”
“Such a mother hen,” Tubbo laughs. Despite this, he finds himself really appreciative of the gesture and of the thought.
Tommy, however, is scowling. Tubbo sees his fists clench. “How dare you?” he barks. “I prepared food! That was supposed to my epic contribution.”
“We can still eat it!” Ranboo attempts to calm him down, laying out the food he had brought. “See, all the food I brought is dessert.”
The cakes, pies, and cookies he lays out on dishes is enough to make Tubbo drool, longing for the sugary sweets. He reaches his hand out to grab a singular cookie, munching on it before either of the boys can stop him.
“That’s so good,” Tubbo says, through a mouthful. “Ranboo, you’re an excellent baker.”
Ranboo smiles, looking pleased with himself.
“Stop being all mushy,” Tommy complains, crossing his arms. “You never tell me I’m good at cooking even when I make my bomb-ass stew and give you my carrots.”
“Your food is awesome too,” Tubbo says. “You can even prove it.” He gestures toward Tommy, referring to his food.
Tommy lays out his food as well, almost buffet style. In comparison to Ranboo, he brought more hearty meals, something that would definitely help their hunger. Throughout the day, they could make through their way through the food.
Michael eats Tommy’s food first, which is almost sacred.
They spend the day eating, talking, sharing stories, and playing with Michael. Being able to spend this much time together has been so fun, even when Ranboo and Tommy playfully accuse him of contributing nothing: “My presence is a gift!”
As the sky turns dark, they make their way outside the house. Tubbo makes sure that Michael’s wearing a cozy sweater, preparing him for the cold. They lay down on the grass.
Tommy presents one of his last plans. “Let’s make resolutions,” he says. “I heard from Jack that it’s a good way to reflect and think about what we want to do for next years.”
“Is this the same as like a birthday wish, where it’s supposed to be secret?”
Tubbo’s question comes from the fact that he’s sure his resolution will somehow be really personal. He still struggles to be open and vulnerable, and he’s not sure that will ever change.
They all agree that it can stay a secret, which gives him the comfort required to really stop and think. In comparison to a wish, a resolution requires picking out a problem, typically a fault from one’s self.
His thoughts are interrupted by the distant sound of fireworks being launched into the sky. He hears Michael squeal, and looking up towards the direction of Jack Manifold’s hotel, once owned by Tommy, reveals the blues, pinks, and greens exploding into the night sky. The vibrant colors stand out, and he grabs Michael, letting the kid sit upon his head so he can get a better look at the fireworks.
“That damn Manifold,” Tommy seethes, having been reminded of the stolen hotel.
“Let him be,” Ranboo says. “You wouldn’t have done all that.” He gestures towards the fireworks.
They continue watching the fireworks. Tubbo looks down at his communicator, noticing the time. A couple minutes till twelve.
As he watches the colors continue to explode and the sounds of his friends and son around him, Tubbo feels content.
Maybe things would be different. It was hard to imagine coming out of that hell unscathed, but they were alive. They could feel the breeze in the air and feel anything and everything.
He thinks of his resolution.
Tubbo thinks it’s time. It’s time to heal and let go of all the pain and hurt. Of course it would take an active effort to do so, and this year, he promises to himself to work on recovery, to work on his marriage, and to work towards a brighter future.
He squeezes in closer to Ranboo, who gives him a slight smile.
“It’s almost midnight!” Tommy cheers, keeping an eye on his communicator. “59, 58, 57…”
Tommy keeps counting down. Jack’s firework show is reaching its close, the final fireworks being bigger and more colorful. It’s harder to hear Tommy through it, but he manages.
“...2, 1! Happy New Year!”
“Happy New Year,” Tubbo echoes, smiling when he hears Ranboo join in and Michael making noises, yawning interrupting him.
Tubbo turns to Ranboo. The colors are lighting up his face and he looks beautiful. He leans in closer and presses a kiss to his cheek. “Happy New Year,” he says again, softer.
He’s already making great progress with his resolution, he thinks.