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Tommy loved living by the woods. His father often said not to go there due to the danger it held; though often in a fifteen-year-old fashion he didn´t listen to those warnings. His dad as much as he tried to make the time was always busier with running their kingdom. He was thankful for Technobalde though. His older brother would always make up some lie so that Tommy could run off with his friends. He had asked a few times on why Techno did this for him. He always said something about letting him experience being a kid. Though it was always said with seldom eyes, something Tommy could hardly understand. He never pushed too, knowing his brother was far more reserved than he. As long as he made it back a few hours before dark, and never went out too often, everything would be fine. So that is where he´d spent his free time, in the woods with the three people he only ever called friends.
¨I heard my father talking. ¨ Tubbo said from Tommy side, as he parried another hard swing from Purpled´s stick.
¨That so. ¨ Tommy grunts out, doing his best to get out of Purple´s reach.
¨He was talking to some of the other nobles, he said something about your Dad, Tom.¨
There was something odd in his friend´s tone. Tommy sparing a glance to where Tubbo was sitting at a base of a nearby tree. On a usual day Tubbo would be loudly talking with Ranboo, but today was a rare day the other boy couldn´t show up. Though Tubbo didn´t have his usual gleam in his eyes, and wasn´t loudly cheering on either boy. He was quiet. Tommy noticed the few times he caught glances at his friend. He has this sort of vacant look in his eyes. For the most part he thought nothing of it, there have been plenty of times where Tubbo was quiet due to his father upsetting him. He never liked talking about it, so just like with his brother Tommy gave him space to come to him. This time though, seeing his friend so out of him caused warning sirens to explode in his head. He didn´t have time to press further as he yelped due to a sharp pain bloomed in his hand.
¨You dick!¨ He yelled, shooting a glare at Purpled.
The other boy just rolled his eyes, ¨Should be paying attention.”
¨You put your full force into that.¨ Tommy pouted, the stick he was holding feel to the floor. Allowing him to cradle the wounded appendage close to his chest.
¨You expect me to go easy on my enemy?¨
¨I expect you to hold back when sparing with a friend.¨
Tommy sighed as he watches Purpled just shrug. He put his attention back to Tubbo who was looking down at his feet. He was about to walk over when he heard Tubbo speak.
¨Tom, you know that I don´t like my father, right?¨
His voice was small, like he wanted to say more but something was preventing him. Tubbo who always voiced his thoughts, who was equally as loud as Tommy. But when it came to himself tried to keep it in. Never liked showing when things got to him, so he deflected with a smile and a quick-witted joke. Of course, their group has known each other for a long time, but Tommy and Tubbo knew each other since they were babies. Tommy´s dad then a ruler of a small kingdom. Tubbo´s was a close advisor to Tommy´s. They are brothers in everything but blood. Especially considering Schlatt cared more about his work over his son. Tubbo grew closer to Tommy´s family, considering the King and Queen his pseudo parents. Tommy often heard how Schlatt spoke to his son, but it seemed like common knowledge to brush it under the rug. As long as Tubbo had him and his family everything would be okay.
So, it worried Tommy more that it was Tubbo who brought up his dislike for his father. Tommy glanced over at Purpled who also started to look worried.
“What did your Dad say to you.” Purpled pressed, walking over to his friends.
Something broke in Tommy when all Tubbo gave was a heartbroken look; like no matter what he said there was nothing good to it.
“I-guys please. I didn’t want anything to happen, and when he found out I overheard-” Tubbo didn’t finish his sentence, his eyes started to water.
Worry quickly turned into freezing fear. Tommy reached for Tubbo who only pulled away, like he’d burned if anyone touched him. Purpled stayed quiet, looking at the two lost. Trying to rack his own brain with what Schlatt could have possibly said that caused this reaction out of the brunette. Not really caring for what it was, just knowing that there was hell to pay for making his friend feel this way.
“Guys!” A voice rang through the clearing, all startled as Ranboo tumbled out of the near by bushes.
The tall boy was red in the face and out of breath, his usual neat clothes were disheveled. Dirt caked his knees and a few spots on his arms, tears littered his clothes. The worst of it was the tears that rolled freely from his eyes. Everyone was by his side as he tried to speak in-between breathes.
“Ranboo-”
“Tommy your dad!” Ranboo sobbed out, reaching for his friend. “There-there was an attack. Your dad and Technoblade-”
The ground might as well swallowed Tommy whole, his heart felt like it stopped and dropped to the pit of his stomach. He could hardly say anything as he looked over to Tubbo who looked just as horrified. He looked at Tommy and in the mix of all fear there was so much guilt.
That’s when Tommy knew that Tubbo knew, that he had known from when he overheard his father. As much as he wanted anger to boil over and to take it out on someone. Just so he could make the fear and confusion he felt go away, lessen even. Anything just so he wouldn’t have to feel this. The fear of possibly losing his family, the grief that wants to take over and break him. But all he saw when looked at Tubbo was his other brother. Who was just as scared and confused as him.
Tubbo shook his head, arms wrapping around himself as he started to step away from the group. If only he spoke up, if only the threat Schlatt made on Tommy’s life wasn’t hung on his head. Phil would understand, understand that he was protecting Tommy. Tommy who shared his family with him. Tommy who showed Tubbo what it’s like to be loved, and not tossed aside. He didn’t want this; he didn’t want to have to choose between anyone’s lives. His dad made him. Why didn’t he speak up sooner?
“They are in bad shape; your brother is in worse as he protected your mom.” Ranboo continued clearly too busy with sharing the news and not his friends’ reactions.
“Ranboo.” Purpled spoke up, grabbing his friend's shaking hands in hopes of calming him down. “Were you hurt?”
Ranboo shook his head. “I was told to run by Grian. No one knew where Tommy was, and he told me to go find him.”
Purpled nodded, looking over to the other two. Purpled wasn’t close to anyone but Tommy in the royal family; Tubbo to the same extent. He is the son of a merchant who took up shop in a blooming kingdom. Born and raised in Endcrest, the same as the three around him. He can’t say when or where he made friends with a prince, the royal advisor son’s and the heir of the Beloved Dukedom. He was the odd one out in every way, but that hardly matter with these three.
His father would tell him stories of kingdoms falling due to greedy, arrogant royals. But King Philza and Queen Kristin always ruled with kindness. The few times he was invited into the castle he’d catch glimpses of the royal family. Technoblade, heir to the throne, was an amazing older brother who never said no to any of their childish acts. King Philza who ruled with kindness and fairness but could be as cold as the freezing winter. Taught Purpled how to properly use a sword, and then talked to his father about training him to be a knight. Queen Kristin who ruled with grace, but commanded respect. Who personally went out to comfort the kids of her kingdom’s fallen soldiers.
Their Kingdom’s royalty was a fair and kind people, loved by all. Tommy seemed to be what melded it all together, always greeting and talking with their citizens. The beloved crowned prince, the true jewel of the royal family. Even as he complained about his studies, he worked hard. Knowing the odds of him being king was low, but wanting to be the second hand his brother deserved. So, hearing that there was an attack on them, not just because he is one of their citizens but as someone who is a friend. It made him angry, filled with a hatred he never felt before. He couldn’t let that get to him, not now. He was training to be the head knight for the Craft family. Never admitting out loud he never wanted to be far from his friends, always there to protect them. To keep them as safe as they made him feel. Tommy, Tubbo and Ranboo needed an anchor. Especially the first two, especially since they now all know who planned the attack.
Both looked a wrecked, Tubbo shaking with guilt and fear. Tommy who looked conflicted, not sure if he should run to him or punch him. He wasn’t going to interfere with that instead he gave his attention to Ranboo.
“What happened with Tommy and Tubbo?” Ranboo asks, struggling to get off the floor.
“We’ll have to explain later. For now, did Grain say anything else?” Purpled grunted, as he hauled Ranboo off the ground; try to move him to the base of a nearby tree.
“He said to find Tommy, I don’t know what is happening back at the castle. We can’t go back, if-if Technoblade and Philza-” Ranboo starts before he cuts himself off with a stuttering sob.
Purpled lets his friend cry, settling him down gently. He takes a seat next to him, his brain racing trying to come up with a plan. He looks over to the two other royals, Tubbo was tucked into Tommy’s arms. Both holding each other like the sky will fall if either of them let go. That’s good, he thinks. No matter the outcome of this, if Schlatt comes out on top, if the Craft family manages to take back the throne. There will be blood, they will need each other