Work Text:
Once upon a time, there was a railroad line…
The Dream SMP was a dark, lonely place nowadays. Everybody worked to survive, not to live. It was like all the life and everything good in the world got sucked out of the SMP. Every soul in the city yearned for a better life, more money, more food. The town was old, barely standing– it had buildings that were about to crumble, and the Prime Path looked like it had seen better days. Vines crawled up every surface imaginable, and the harsh, cold winter wind whistled through the air. There was a railroad line at the end of the town, though. It was the only way to get out of the SMP, a railroad line that everyone knew led to Limbo.
If you ride that train to the end of the line…
Limbo was the wealthiest area of the SMP, ruled and lorded over by the one and only Captain Puffy; they say that it was an empire , full of emeralds, gold, and diamonds. Nobody ever went hungry in Limbo, they’d say. The only way to get there, however, was through the train, and nobody in the old Dream SMP had tickets. Even if they did, well. Nobody who went to Limbo ever came back . The rumors say that once someone gets on that train, they forget all about their old life.
And a lady steppin’ off a train, with a suitcase full of summertime…
The only exception to the rule, of course, was one Miss Niki Nihachu. She carried the summer with her, bringing smiles to everyone’s faces. Her and the Captain were married, polar opposites, yet their love was so strong and so potent that it influenced the very course of the seasons. Whenever Niki was around the SMP, the summer came with her. The flowers bloomed and the sun shined that much brighter. But when she was gone, on the train to Limbo, that’s when the winter cold set in. Blizzards and storms ravaging the poor town, almost like the world itself was mourning her loss.
It’s a sad tale; it’s a tragedy– but we gonna sing it anyways.
Tubbo was like most of the others in the SMP– poor, working hard. He was the son of a Muse, that one. Born with a talent like no other– the talent of song. He could sing like nobody else could, with a voice so melodious anyone listening would think it was one of the Muses. He could be seen all the time at his workplace, an old burger joint, singing his song.
La, la la la, la la la….
Nobody, not even him, knew what this song was. He just knew he needed to write it, and that it would set the weather back. Back into tune, back into time. Him and his best friend, Tommy, were an inseparable duo. They went everywhere together, did everything together. Tommy was set on finding food, while Tubbo worked on his song. He promised Tommy that it would all be worth it, in the end. That they’d live a happy, safe life– once the song was complete.
Keep your head, keep your head low…
But Tubbo and Tommy aren’t the main characters of this story. Surely, their story is well-known by now. Tommy goes to Limbo, and Tubbo travels there to save him. He looked back on his way out, and Tommy was lost. It’s a tragedy, to be sure.
But this story isn’t about that tragedy, no. This is a story of Captain Puffy and Niki Nihachu, the Lady of Limbo and the goddess of the seasons.
Way down, Limbo– way down under the ground.
Summer ended way too quickly, like it always does. Niki never stayed for long, these days. A resounding train whistle sounded out, its high-pitched noise blaring through the town.
“ Already?!” Niki yelled, “That was not six months!”
It was not, in fact, six months. It had been only two since Niki walked into the SMP. She stopped pouring out her glass of wine, chugging it down, and looked around apologetically at the group surrounding her. “I guess I’ll be seeing you all next year. You know how Puffy is,” she sighed, packing up her things.
The townspeople were sad to see her go, but there was nothing that they could do to make her stay. Whenever the train came into the station, it wouldn’t leave until the passengers were all there.
You either get to Hell or Limbo, ain’t no difference anymore!
The trip to Limbo was long, like it always was. Niki sat alone in the train, watching as the world whizzed by, and the large, looming walls of Limbo started to tower over her. As soon as she stepped off the train, there she was. Captain Puffy.
“You’re early,” Niki said, bitterness laced in her tone.
“I missed you,” the Captain said, her tone sickly sweet.
Limbo, Hell on Earth!
“Let me give you a tour of what’s changed since last you were here, my love,” Puffy smirked, walking along the roads of Limbo.
Puffy led Niki through the well-kept roads and sidewalks, talking about how they’ve grown, new facilities… all things that Niki didn’t really care to hear. Niki could distantly hear the clangs of metal on metal, and distant yelling. As they got closer to the source of the noise, they came across a field of fully-armed people, sparring. They looked tired and were sweating, but still were fighting. A man stood in front of them, barking out orders. When they noticed that Puffy was walking by, however, they all stopped what they were doing and stood at attention, their hands raised in a salute against their foreheads.
“Captain Puffy, sir!” They said, a look of respect (or was that fear?) in their eyes.
Puffy grinned, a proud smirk on her face.
“Boys, meet my wife, ” She said, introducing Niki. Niki could only stare as the soldiers all greeted her.
In the coldest time of year, why is it so hot in here?
“Puff, what’s this?” Niki asked. “Why do you need an army?”
“Love, it’s for… it’s just in case. If something… happens to you while you’re up there. You were gone for so long, and I was just worried about you.”
Lover, when you feel that fire, think of it as my desire…
“What, do you not trust them?” Niki asks, her eyebrows raised.
“ No, no, it’s not that- its just-.... You know how I get, my love. I want you to be safe, always.”
Niki pursed her lips, sighing. “That…that’s sweet of you, Puff, but-”
“Whenever you look at these soldiers, Niki, I want you to think of me. They’re protecting you, after all. Whenever you’re here, with me, they’ll be here, too. Like your personal guards,” Puffy said, interrupting Niki as she flourished her hand, displaying the fields. She could see a barrack in the back, as well.
“I can take care of myself, Puffy-” Niki tried to say once more, but was quickly cut off.
“I know you can, but I want my love to not to have to lift a single finger,” Puffy said, putting a hand on Niki’s shoulder, smiling gently. “I love you, Niki,” she said after a moment, quietly.
Lover, everything I do, I do for the sake of you.
Niki looked down.
Niki could feel Puffy’s eyes on her for a moment, but she didn’t say anything. There was silence, and then a small sigh, before Niki heard footsteps on concrete. She followed, trying to keep up. As she caught up to Puffy, the woman put her arm around Niki and started to lead her forward. “We’re not done with the tour, yet, dear,” she said, though she sounded like she was trying to be a bit more… careful with her words.
Puffy seemed to regain her pride a bit the more that they walked. She pointed out many different barracks, and life at Limbo seemed to be…fine. If not for the excessive army that Puffy was building. Puffy had ground troops, a navy (which she was personally the head of, apparently,) and even something that had to do with the air.
Niki noticed, however, that Puffy was a bit different throughout this visit. She treated Niki less like she normally did and more.. Fragile. As if she was scared that Niki would break if she pushed too hard. She would always hold Niki’s hand as they walked, and guide her across any steps they came across.
“Do you like it?” Puffy asked as she brought Niki back to her estate, a large, sprawling building covered in old vines. “Everything.”
Niki looked across at everything. The streets, while seemingly lively due to the spars and training occurring there, were empty, devoid of any life. She could see closed shutters on windows, and unkempt lawns. She could see the way that people lurked in the corners of the streets, curled up. She could see that, despite all the glamour and glory Puffy claimed that she had built up, Limbo was nothing like when she left.
“Love, what happened?” She asked, looking around.
“Oh, well… we had an increase in funding towards the army. You know how it is,” she said, sheepishly rubbing the back of her neck.
Niki sighed, looking away. She wasn’t a damsel in distress. She didn’t need an entire army to take care of her.
“It’s all for you, Niki,” said Puffy, gently – always so gently – grabbing her chin and lifting it up to meet her gaze.
“Everything I do, I do it for you. Why don’t you get that?” She asked, hurt evident in her eyes.
“Puffy, I-”
“I just want to keep you safe. ”
“Puffy, listen to me, ” Niki said, her eyes sharp and unrelenting. “I don’t need this. I don’t need a- a whole militia , an entire army just for my sake.”
“Nothing will happen to me up there. And if something does, then I can take care of myself. You’re treating me as if-... as if I can’t even do that.”
Puffy stopped for a moment, considering Niki’s words. She knew, deep down, that Niki was right. That Puffy was just overreacting. But…
Lover, what have you become?
“Love, I-... I need to keep you safe. I can’t have you away from me,” she said, her shoulders slumping down. “This is just- how I show my love for you. Please.”
Niki shakes her head. “Look outside, Puffy. Your people are hungry. Up there, in the SMP, people are hungry. They’re barely getting by.”
“I know that, but-”
“But what? ”
Puffy stopped, looking away. What was she going to say? She knew that Niki was right. But she just couldn’t back down. She couldn’t let her love get hurt. She couldn’t let Niki leave her sight.
“I want you to be safe,” she muttered. “And if you-... if you don’t want that, then- ”
Niki just didn’t understand. Puffy was doing so much for her. ( She knew she was in the wrong, but didn’t want to admit it.)
“I’ll just have to give it to someone who does. ”
The gods have forgotten the song of their love.
Tommyinnit was a hungry young boy, who was trying to provide for him and his best friend.
“Is the song done yet?” He’d ask, as he went out.
“Not yet,” Tubbo replied.
I’m trying to believe that the song he’s working on is going to harbor me…
The wind was harsh, and started quickly. The rain followed soon after. He ran through the streets, his bandana pulled up to his nose and his backpack straps held tightly as the raindrops assaulted him, flinging from every which way. The pools of water underneath his feet splashed with every step he took as he tried to find something, anything in the mist. He couldn’t see, didn’t know where he was going, the rain was so thick-
“Tubbo!” He yelled out, hoping his friend would hear him.
“Tubbo!”
He did not see the storm comin’ on… the way Niki’s dark clouds rolled in from below.
It’s a tragedy, to be sure. Tommy tripped and fell before he knew it, and he could feel someone– something– grabbing at his backpack.
“Stop it!” He yelled, trying to get up to pull it back.
“That’s everything we have, bastard!” He said, pulling and pulling on the bag, but whoever it was was too strong, and he fell back onto the ground, his backpack and all that he had with Tubbo, their entire life, gone with the wind.
When he opened his eyes again, the storm had cleared up. He looked around, his heartbeat slowly returning to normal.
In front of him, he saw a woman. He had never seen her before, yet knew instantly who she was.
With that well-tailored suit, her white, curly hair cascading down her back, she was instantly recognizable.
Captain Puffy. Ruler of Limbo.
“Heya, big man. You look like you need some help.”
Tommy blinked. What?
Tommy stood back up, pulling his coat over his chest.
“I don’t- I don’t need help, I-”
“Hey, it’s okay. I won’t hurt you,” said Puffy, putting her hands up placatingly. “You don’t want help, fine. Do you want to talk about it? I can tell something happened to you just now. You look… horrible, dude.”
Tommy huffed. “I’m fine. ”
“Are you really? ” Puffy asked, raising an eyebrow. “Look, how about this?” She asked, putting her hand back to her side. “I listen to you first, and then at the end, I’ll offer you something that might help you out a bit.”
Always a pity for one so young, when poverty comes to clip your wings.
That’s how they found themselves sitting in a run-down cafe, with Tommy chowing down on a plate of pastries while explaining his story.
“Tommy, you-... live like this?” She asked, looking around. She found herself becoming more attached to the boy as time went on.
“It’s not much, this shithole, but it’s the best that we can do up here. What, you have some alternative?” Tommy asks, chuckling. Puffy hums thoughtfully, and takes another sip of her tea.
“You know, Tommy… I have an offer for you,” she says, crossing her legs as she leans over the table. “A way to get out of this shithole.”
And the choice is yours, if you’re willing to choose…
Tommy raises an eyebrow. “Oh?”
“But it’s only going to be applicable in this moment, and only to you,” Puffy says, and takes a breath before making her offer.
Seeing as you’ve got nothing to lose.
“I want you to come with me to Limbo.”
And I could use a canary.
“ ...What?” Tommy breathed out, blinking. Had he heard that right?
“Down in Limbo,” Puffy continued, “You’ll never go hungry. Always have whatever you need. I… I think it would be good for you, Tommy.”
“But- but what about-”
“Tubbo?” Puffy cut in. “The poet? ”
Wasn’t it going to be the two of us?
“Tommy, Tubbo promised you everything, didn’t he? But when push comes to shove– the boy would write you a poem when the power’s out. You were the one trying to provide for him, weren’t you?” Puffy asked, her voice filled with sympathy. She did care for him, just like she cares (cared?) for Niki. In her eyes, this was the best option.
Weren’t we birds of a feather?
Tommy bit his lip, thinking about it. He couldn’t just… leave Tubbo . But…
He was hungry. He had… nothing.
What are you gonna do when the chips are down?
Tommy didn’t know what to do. He’d survived on less before, and he could do it again. Could he?
Help yourself, to hell with the rest– even the one that loves you the best.
The Captain held out a hand, and Tommy hesitated. Puffy was promising him food. He hadn’t eaten a full meal in days. He was human, and humans had needs. He had needs.
My heart is yours– always was, always will be. It’s my gut I can’t ignore.
He took Puffy’s hand, and felt a coin press into his palm.
“Your ticket, Tommy,” Puffy said, smiling. “I’ll take care of you, over there. You’ll be stronger.”
He prayed to Lady Prime above that Tubbo wouldn’t be mad at him.
Now, one could argue that Tommy shouldn’t have done what he did. But…
Wouldn’t you have done the same? In his shoes, in his skin.
Tommy was a hungry young boy, who wanted only to survive.
Hunger has a way with you; there’s no telling what you’re going to do when the chips are down.
Tubbo found out through the Gods that Tommy was gone one day, and vowed to get him back. He didn’t know what to do, but he knew that he had to find his friend. The two boys had a special bond, one that couldn’t be replaced. Tommy was the one inspiring Tubbo to continue on with his song, his muse– he needed Tommy, no matter what.
Here was the deal:
If the boy didn’t have a ticket (which Tubbo most certainly did not), then there was only one way to get to Limbo–
Just a telephone wire and a railroad track; keep on walking and don’t turn back.
Why do we have what they should want? My children, my children…
The train to Limbo was long. Tommy had dozed off halfway, only to wake back up to the whistle of the train and the gears straining to a stop. He perked up, looking outside. Limbo.
It.. didn't look much like what Tommy thought it would look like. The rumors said that it was an empire, full of diamonds and gold. But… it just looked like a wealthier version of the SMP. He could see groups of people out in the fields, sparring..?
As he got off of the train, he was greeted by none other than the Captain herself, smiling warmly at Tommy. “Hey there, Big T!” Puffy said. She was holding a bag in her hands, and… a sword? “Are you ready for your first day?”
We have work, and they have none.
First day? Tommy furrowed his eyebrows, confused, and tilted his head. “The fuck you mean, first day?” Tommy asked.
Puffy just laughed, handing Tommy the bag. Inside, was a suit of armor not unlike the ones that he saw the soldiers wearing just now, and he felt the sword get pressed into his hand, as well. “I said you’d be given food, but- we still have to work, don’t we?”
And our work is never done.
Wait for me, I’m coming!
The way to Limbo was hard. It was nighttime when he left the SMP, and the railroad track was littered with soldiers guarding and patrolling. There were more soldiers than usual these days, and the rumor was that the Captain had them all stationed there herself; created a whole army for some reason. Tubbo believed that it had something to do with Lady Niki.
Who are you, to think that you could walk a road that no one ever walked before?
He got to another station, one that seemed to have a guardpoint stationed there. From the small point emerged another soldier, wearing a full plate of armor and with a sword on his waist.
Tubbo tried to walk past the soldier, appearing confident and singing his song. He remembered the words of the Gods that he had talked to previously.
Don’t give your name, you don’t have one.
The guard looked at him, skeptical, but let him pass.
Tubbo continued on walking.
When Tubbo came crashing into Limbo, declaring that Tommy be returned to him, Puffy couldn’t help but laugh.
“I don’t think we’ve met before,” she said. “What’s your name?”
“Puffy, I know this boy,” a voice cut in– Niki. Puffy glanced over at her. They hadn’t talked much since their argument, and as much as Puffy liked “hanging out” with Tommy, she missed her wife. “This is Tubbo, Tommy’s best friend,” she said, gesturing to Tubbo. Puffy laughed once more.
“Tubbo, Tommy signed the deal himself, don’t you know? He couldn’t go back with you even if he wanted to,” Puffy said.
Come home with me.
“No! I won’t go anywhere without Tommy,” Tubbo said, a determined glint in his eyes.
“He’ll just be hurt up there.” Puffy glared down at Tubbo.
“Not if I have anything to say about it!”
“ You’re the one that hurt him in the first place. He came here out of his own will.”
Tubbo faltered for a moment, but then continued on. After a couple more moments of arguing, Niki stepped in, having had enough.
What are you afraid of?
“Puffy! They’re best friends. They’d do anything for each other.”
“That’s too bad, Niki-”
“You know, they have that kind of love–.... The kind of love that we had.”
Puffy stopped in her tracks, turning to look at Niki.
That boy means nothing to me.
“ Niki,” Puffy breathed out. “You-... you don’t get it. He can’t be released.”
But he means everything to him.
“Puffy, my love,” Niki says, and she hasn’t said that in a while. Puffy was almost surprised to hear it. “How much longer is it going to take for you to let him go?” she asked. Her voice sounded frustrated, serious.
How long, how long?
Puffy huffed, looking to the side. When would Niki understand? Limbo had rules.
“As long as I’m the Captain.”
“Listen, Niki-” Puffy continued. “If I let Tommy go because of some song, then- then the whole structure that I’ve built up here will collapse. How long will it take for you to understand that?”
How long, how long?
“Just as long as I’m your wife , Puffy.”
Puffy sighed, then turned back to Tubbo, who had been watching the entire ordeal with bated breath.
“Okay, Tubbo. Here’s the deal. Whatever song you sang for Niki– sing that to me, too. I want to see just how powerful this song of yours is.”
Make me laugh, make me weep. Make the Captain feel young again!
Tubbo nodded, taking a deep breath. This was it. He had to do this– for Tommy.
He took out his lyre, and began to sing.
“Cap’n of war… cap’n of death. Puffy was the Captain of Limbo…”
“Oh? It’s about me?” Puffy asked, grinning. “Well… go on, then.”
But, she fell in love with a beautiful lady…
Captain Puffy was wandering the roads of the SMP, on one of her visits from Limbo. It was a beautiful day: the sun was shining brightly on the pavement, the flowers all seemed to be in bloom.
She passed by the hustle and bustle, waving and greeting those that crossed her. Puffy was much younger than she is now, more carefree.
There, sitting by herself–... was her.
She fell in love with Niki, who was gathering flowers in the light of the sun.
Ever since the first time she saw Niki– with her pink hair that always seemed to have leaves and flowers sticking out of it; her brown eyes, always shining with joy to see Puffy; the wads of flowers spilling out of her hands, flowing onto her green dress– ever since she saw her the first time, she had been in love.
Hopelessly, desperately in love.
She tried to keep it under wraps, of course, building up a friendship with the woman, but it was hard– especially when her hands shook and her voice seemed to go from the strong, commanding voice she had in the army to almost meek, stuttering with every sentence.
She went on more and more trips up to the SMP to see her. They spent hours in that garden, laughing and talking and wondering if the other shared their feelings.
It was, unsurprisingly, Puffy that had made the first move. With a bouquet of forget-me-nots, roses, and sunflowers that she had scrounged around basically the whole city to find, she went up to Niki’s garden and gave them to her, her palms damp with sweat that she hoped Niki wouldn’t notice.
Niki was teaching her about flowers, slowly but surely, and Puffy wanted to express her thanks. And her love.
“For-...for you,” she said, handing them over. Gods above, give me strength.
Niki took the flowers, looking at them carefully. She didn’t say anything, for a moment, and Puffy thought that she would be better off just turning into dust and collapsing right there.
“Where-... where did you get that melody?” Puffy asked, her voice surprised, but also tinged with… fear?
Niki looked at her with a look that she couldn’t understand.
“Let him finish, Puffy.”
And you didn’t know how, and you didn’t know why…
Niki smiled.
Niki laughed.
Niki ran.
Puffy was on the ground before she knew it, wrapped in an embrace of love and warmth and laughter from a voice that sounded oddly like hers.
But you knew that you wanted to take her home. It was like you were holding the world when you held her.
After the laughing was over, they sat on the grass, entangled in each other, just taking it all in. Niki hadn’t looked this pretty before, had she? She was always pretty, but this… it seemed moreso. Like she was glowing.
Niki’s head was against Puffy’s chest as they sat against a tree in the garden, just staring at each other. Nobody said a word for a few moments.
And there were no words for the way that you felt, so.. You opened your mouth and you started to sing.
“La, la la la la la la…” Puffy said, looking down. She didn’t know where the tune had come from. Her soul. The Gods, maybe. Who knows. All that Puffy could comprehend at that moment was that she loved the woman sitting with her. That this song was the proof, the result, of that love.
La, la, la, la, la la la…
“La, la la la la la la…” Niki echoed, looking up at her, smiling. All Niki knew is that she would follow Puffy wherever she went. That she loved this woman, and that this song…
This song was the song of their love.
Puffy looked at Niki, the memories flashing through her head. When had they gone this far? What happened to the Puffy and Niki from before…?
Niki was looking at her with the same eyes, the same thoughts.
And what has become of the heart of that woman? Now that the woman is Captain?
Puffy took Niki back with her to Limbo, and… they were happy, for a while. It was the same as it was in the city. They still had a garden for themselves; they spent their days walking through the path, and building a life for themselves.
See how she labors beneath that load…
Niki was hurt.
Niki was hurt, and it was all Puffy’s fault.
Puffy wasn’t there. She had been off somewhere, it didn’t matter anymore because Niki was hurt–
Niki was alone, her back turned. There wasn’t any way she would’ve been able to notice– and if she did, the attacker was too fast for her to react.
Standing by her bedside in the manor, something changed in Puffy.
“I’m sorry, Niki. I should’ve–.. I should’ve been there,” she said.
“Puffy, it’s okay. I promise. I know how to take care of myself; I’ve been in my fair share of fights. It’ll be fine,” Niki said, her voice soothing as always.
Puffy shook her head.
…Afraid to look up, and afraid to let go.
The attacker was caught and taken care of. Niki was in recovery– it really wasn’t anything too deep or fatal, but Puffy was worried.
After that day, things seemed to change around Limbo.
Puffy vowed to never see Niki hurt again, and the army was even more funded than normal. Everybody who came down to Limbo was enlisted, at least for a little while. Just to make sure she was safe.
Niki didn’t stay for a long time up in the SMP, not anymore. It wasn’t safe up there, Puffy would tell her. Niki could get hurt again.
But what she doesn’t know is that what she’s defending…
“Puffy?” Niki asked, looking up at her. She had that look in her eyes again. Puffy couldn’t tell what it was. Niki had always been better at feelings than her.
Puffy couldn’t stand it. She looked away, letting Tubbo finish.
There had been something swirling in those eyes, eyes Puffy had been lost in time and time again. She was never one for understanding looks like that, and something about that thought hurt something deep in her heart.
She'd never really understood Niki lately, never made the effort to. When things got hard, Puffy pushed herself into her work, but what of Niki?
She'd left her, time and time again. Because Puffy couldn’t see that Niki could.. Take care of herself. Sure, she got hurt once, but… Niki was strong.
Puffy had spent so much time feeling alone, she hadn't even noticed she'd done the same to the woman she loved.
…Is already gone.
Where is your pleasure? Where is your youth?
“I’m sorry,” Puffy blurted out, taking Niki’s hands in hers. “I-I shouldn’t have- I-...” She mumbled, unsure of what to say but wanting to say it all.
“Puffy,” Niki said, smiling in the way that Puffy could’ve sworn she only saw while they were in the gardens.
“It’s okay.”
Where is the woman with her arms outstretched? To the woman she loves… with nothing to lose.
As if by impulse, Puffy reached out and hugged Niki, embracing her, taking her in. She still smelled like flowers.
Her shoulders shook, and she relaxed for the first time in a long time.
Singing la, la la la la, la la la…
“....La, la la la, la la la…” Puffy said, only for her and Niki to hear.
“La… la, la la, la la la..” Niki responded, singing the same tune as they always had. They sang together, harmonizing with each other as Tubbo finished his song.
Niki took Puffy’s hands in her own, and they began to dance. Waltzing to the tune of Tubbo’s song, to their own love.
The two turned to Tubbo and Tommy, who had appeared from within one of the training halls and ran up to Tubbo, embracing him. The two boys were talking about promises, about leaving.
Right.
They still had to deal with that.
And so.. The poor boy asked the Captain.
“Can we go?” Tubbo said, one arm around Tommy.
And this is how she answered:
“I-... I don’t know.”
Even after all of that– even after the song that brought back her love.. Puffy still had a region to rule. If she let them go, then everyone would want to go.
What she needed… was a condition.
“Tubbo… you can go, but only like this: You can’t look behind you, and he cannot speak or let you know he is there. You cannot hold his hand, and you will only have to trust that he is there.”
“But- but why? ” Tommy asked.
“It’s.. a trial,” Puffy responded.
Niki shot Puffy a look, but conceded. She knew that this would be the only way that Puffy could let them go. Hopefully, they will make it back to the SMP, alive and well.
Tubbo and Tommy set off on their journey back up to the SMP, out of Limbo. It wouldn’t be easy, and it wouldn’t have a happy ending. But.. their story isn’t the story that is being told.
“Think they’ll make it?” Niki asked, staring ahead as their backs slowly started to fade from view.
“...I don’t know,” Puffy replied once more, looking away. She knew that it would be near impossible, but she hoped.
“Puffy, you… you let them go,” Niki said.
“I let them try.”
Niki sighed, looking away for a moment, and then back at Puffy. She took Puffy’s chin between her fingers, tilting Puffy’s head up to look at her.
“And what about you and I? Are… are we going to try again?”
The question was a loaded one. Puffy wanted to try again, to rekindle the love that they had back then.
But…
“It’s time for spring,” Puffy said. “We’ll try again next fall.”
To try again, Puffy had to let go. She’d let Niki go back to the SMP, for the entire time she was supposed to. Then, after… they would try again. They’d make it work. Puffy just had to wait until then.
“Will you wait for me?” Niki asked, her eyes full of hope.
“I will.”