Archive of Our Own ^beta

 “You’re going to fucking die, Dream,” Tommy said. The masked man was on his knees, arms held tightly by Punz and Sapnap. Several of the other server members were right behind Tommy and Tubbo, swords and axes drawn, well prepared in case Dream tried to break free.

There was no escape for him, not this time. No negotiations that could convince Tommy otherwise. Punz had the revival book knowledge as well, they’d learned. Bringing back Ranboo would be easy. They didn’t need Dream anymore.

“Tom, let me kill him,” Tubbo said lowly. Tommy looked over at his friend, the same way that he did at the start of all of this. Back when they were young and fearless and didn’t have scars littering their bodies and enough trauma to last a lifetime. 

“Go right ahead, you have the honors Tubbo,” Tommy said. Tubbo smiled at his friend, turning back to Dream and giving him a hard stare, one filled with pure hatred and absolute glee.

“I didn’t think this day would ever come, Dream,” Tubbo said, “but someone like you doesn’t deserve the satisfaction of having Tommy kill him. No, that’d be - that’d be too simple, now would it? No. It’s my turn now. For all the hell you’ve put us all through. For killing Tommy three times, for splitting us apart, for hurting me and my family, for destroying our home. This is the end.”

Tubbo breathed, smiling.

“This is checkmate.”

Tommy saw something shift in Dream’s gaze, but it was short-lived as Tubbo plunged his sword straight into Dream’s chest, blood beginning to spill from the wound and onto the cobblestone floor. Both Tommy and Tubbo watched as the light from Dream’s eyes gradually faded, his body eventually going completely limp. Sapnap and Punz released him, Dream’s body falling to the floor in a pool of blood. 

Dream was dead.

Tommy heard footsteps and turned, Wilbur behind him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“I’m proud of you,” he said, “of both of you. You finally did it, you’re finally free.”

Tommy felt emotion swell in his chest, tears blurring his vision. This time he didn’t even try to hold it back anymore, he dropped his own sword as he fell to the floor, sobbing loudly. He felt Wilbur kneel in front of him, pulling him into his arms. Tubbo and a few of the other server members followed suit, sitting down beside Tommy and joining the group hug. 

“You did it, Tommy,” he heard Sam say.

“That motherfucker is finally dead,” Quackity whispered.

“He’s gone. He’s really gone,” Sapnap mumbled.

Tommy finally relaxed in what felt like an eon, closing his eyes and just sinking into the warmth of his brother and the others. He was free. He was free.

And now he could finally start the rest of his life.

-

Tommy woke up slowly, stretching his limbs out and standing up, checking in on Shroud before going to the bathroom to brush his hair and teeth. He glanced at himself in the mirror, smiling. It had been five years since they killed Dream. Tommy’s appearance hadn’t changed that significantly since then. His hair was a bit longer, the sides kept into small braids tied to the back into a tiny ponytail. His face didn’t have as much youthful softness as it did, cheeks and jaw a little more angular now. His chin had a small bit of scruff on it. His eyes didn’t have heavy bags anymore like they used to, and they slowly became bright blue again with time. The scars on his body never fully went away, but they were healing. He was healing.

He got himself dressed for the day, wearing a white long-sleeved shirt with the sleeves pushed to his elbows, a red sweater vest over it, and his brown shorts, which had a L’manburg patch sewn onto it. He kept an allium in his pocket still, just like he had when he was younger, and wore his Prime Bell necklace. He still believed in Prime every bit as much as he did before, and those beliefs weren’t going anywhere. 

His home looked relatively the same as it always did, photographs of his loved ones hanging on the wall, potted flowers near the windowsills and empty dishes in the sink. His kitchen stayed a mess, but he was never in any real hurry to clean it up. He’d do it when he wanted to and not a moment sooner. His bed had a nice thick quilt that Tubbo, Ranboo, Puffy, and Sam all worked on for his twentieth birthday. Each cloth had different designs of cows, flowers, and his discs on them, and it kept him warm during the night, and he cherished it deeply. Shroud usually stayed in his little spider enclosure, although Tommy took him out often, letting him hang on his head or shoulder. The little spider always seemed to like it. His L’manburg uniform was kept safe in one of his chests, and although he had definitely outgrown it, he still chose to keep it as a memory. His shoes were always kept by the door, and he had to definitely get new ones soon, as they were starting to get worn down. 

He went back to his mirror, straightening up his clothes a bit. He took a deep breath in. Out. Today was a new day, and he had shit he needed to do.

He exhaled through his nose sharply and headed out the door.

-

His first order of business was the one he wanted to do the least. Although, “wanted” was a bit of a strong word. It’s not like what he was gonna do was something he was obligated to do, but even after five years he still felt the urge to do it. He walked on the Prime Path, heading towards the graveyard.

Dream’s grave didn’t have a headstone on it. No one on the server felt he deserved it, instead just burying his body and leaving it there. The only way to tell the grave belonged to him was because it was near a thick oak tree, leaving a harsh shadow on it. 

Tommy approached it carefully, kneeling down near the tree. Every year on the anniversary of the man’s death he would do this, and every time it never really felt much different. Maybe there would come a day when he didn’t feel the need to sit down and talk to Dream’s grave, but Puffy said it might help him release any lingering anger or sadness he still had left in spite of Dream’s death.

As he sat there, he trailed his fingers along the blades of grass. He tried not to think so much about the absolute hell this man had put him through. The abuse and torture he went through didn’t define him, after all. But he had to if he were to process it.

Unfortunately, there’s no guidebook on how to painlessly process trauma. You just have to allow the discomfort, allow the pain, to drift you at sea until the days become a little easier and you’re one step closer to land. 

Tommy sighed. 

“Listen, you fuck,” he said sharply, “it’s been five years since we killed you, and it’s been…it’s been easier. Not easy, the shit you put me through will never fully go away, but…I am learning to live with it. I know I’ve said this every year, but the things you put me through, I didn’t…I didn’t want to admit what it really was. I didn’t want to call it abuse. I didn’t want to believe that I had, somehow, allowed someone to do that to me. Because I’m a big man, you know? I’m tough, I’m Tommyinnit, I can survive anything! But you…you broke me, man. You tore me down, until I was bloody nothing. And now you’re gone, and I just…I want to live my life. Maybe when I’m a grumpy old shit will I finally feel completely free of what you’ve done to me, but right now it’s too early. There’s still work, painful fucking work for me to go through. Puffy tells me a lot that I need to surround myself with people who love me while also acknowledging when I need to process shit alone. And I’m trying to, I want to. I want to get better, without any of your claws hooked into my brain. It’s funny how even after death you still leave an impact on people. You sure as fuck did on me, anyways. Wherever you are, I…part of me hopes you’re suffering, for every bit as much as I suffered, but it doesn’t matter now. You’re dead and I’m still here, so get fucked. You’re never coming back. You can never hurt me or anyone else ever again. Suck it, green boy.”

Tears were falling down his face, his shoulders shaking. He sat there and allowed himself to cry, his tears falling onto his lap and the ground. Old memories came back, of exile yet again. The amount of times he tried protesting and resisting, only for Dream to blow up his shit and hit him, beating him until he was left bleeding and had no choice but to comply. How fucking bitterly alone he was, how desperately he wanted to run home to Tubbo and hold his best friend tightly, and how he knew he couldn’t because he believed Tubbo hated him.

How so much of his soul was ripped away, all because of one man. 

He didn’t deserve it, he didn’t deserve any of it. He was only a kid. 

He rubbed his eyes along his sleeve and stood up, walking away from the graveyard. His next stop was Snowchester. He had two friends he wanted to visit.

As he walked along, he saw the remains of L’manburg. He wanted to rebuild it entirely, maybe not a country anymore and definitely not the home he grew up in, but he wanted to fill up the crater with dirt and sand again, tear down the flag at the bottom and place it back up on top where it belonged and destroy the obsidian grid up above. He wanted there to be no reminder of Doomsday, of what Techno, Phil, and Dream did. He wanted it to just be a small village where his friends could live, where light and life could be again. 

However, he didn’t want to do it alone either, and despite asking the other former L’manburgians, they seemed hesitant on the project in fear of what could happen again. It wasn’t really a secret that L’manburg felt cursed, even before its final downfall.

But Tommy was never the type to give up. He never believed L’manburg was meant to stay that way forever. To him, it felt comatose – not dead, just uncertain when to awaken again. 

And screw what Techno and Phil thought. He wasn’t a child anymore, and if they tried anything again, he’d rebuild it all, over and over until they got it through their heads that L’manburg was never going to stay burned. It would remain a home for the ones who built it, a sanctuary for the ones who needed it, and a place of community for the ones who wanted it.

He’d have to send a letter to Wilbur and ask him what he should do. Wilbur would likely tell him that it’s his choice, but it wasn’t . It was their choice – Tubbo’s, Niki’s, Jack’s, Fundy’s, Eret’s, and yes even Wilbur’s choice. They all deserved a say in whether or not they wanted L’manburg to be rebuilt after all the time that had passed.

He took a breath, and continued walking to Snowchester.

-

“Papa Bee, is Uncle Tom coming today?”

“I’m not sure Michael, most likely.”

Tubbo sighed, smiling. Michael was sitting on the counter, eating one of the cookies that Ranboo had made. The child was now seven years old, able to speak a lot more. He liked to read plenty, and loved being told stories from both of his fathers. He had gotten a bit bigger, almost up to Tubbo’s hip in size, but was still really small. 

Tubbo was glad Michael loved his uncle so much. He always felt his chest warm with happiness whenever he heard his son squealing over Tommy lifting him up and spinning him around. Ranboo was sometimes too scared of doing it, out of fear he’d accidentally drop the boy, especially knowing that if he were to fall it’d be a harsher fall at that. 

Life was better now in the Beloved-Underscore home. It was rough for the first couple years, and Tubbo remembered all too well the reason why. He didn’t enjoy remembering it, but he knew at the time it’s what he had to do to get to where they were now. 

-

Tubbo didn't want to do it. He had loved Ranboo more than he was ever brave enough to admit, but he had to do it.

"Ranboo," he said slowly, "I think we need to divorce."

Ranboo's shoulders slumped, his head bowed in sadness, looking at Tubbo with those big, lovely eyes.

"Okay," he whispered.

For the first time in a long time, Tubbo wanted to cry. This wasn't supposed to be hard, so why was it?

"Not…not forever," he said, "I just…Ranboo, I need time I think. I need time to figure out who I am. I've always been a right-hand man or a president or…anything. I've never been allowed to just be me. And I need time to figure out who I am, outside of obligation or contract. I swear that when the day comes when I feel truly like myself again, I will marry you again."

Ranboo gave him a sad smile. He reached forward, cupping Tubbo's cheek.

"If… if this decision will make you happy, then that's all I want," he said. Tubbo saw tears build in his eyes, he immediately reached up to wipe them away.

"I do love you Ranboo. That won't ever change. But I need to grow up a little more. And I think…I think you do too."  

During the time after that, he had allowed himself to go to Puffy’s sessions, doing some deep soul-searching and retrospection about his life and who he was. He had to learn to finally let out all his pent-up anger and sadness and pain from all that had happened to him. He had to learn to cope with the constant burning sparks of color that flashed before his eyes when he went to sleep. 

But it wasn’t all bad. Not all of it. For the first time in years, he re-learned how to be Tubbo. He learned things about himself; that he liked gardening, liked building little playgrounds and swings and slides for Michael, liked to crochet, liked painting, and playing piano. His horns eventually fully grew in, he got himself a nice haircut so that his brunette locks weren’t in his face anymore, he grew a small bit of peach fuzz on his chin and jaw, and he even got himself an eyepatch to cover his blind eye. He finally had begun to feel happy again, genuinely happy. 

And after some time had passed, he finally healed to a point where he could spend time with Ranboo again, like they used to.

It started off slow though, the two holding a small bit of awkwardness, but taking a slight bit of comfort in it. Talking about life and what they’d been up to. One night they visited L’manburg, hanging their legs off the edge of the bridge and talking. Being honest and opening up, acknowledging how when they were young they were just kids who had no idea what they were doing. How they should’ve known better than to jump into parenthood when they weren’t even old enough, and emotionally mature enough, to know the first thing about raising a baby. They loved Michael no matter what, that would never change, but they were still just kids. They weren’t equipped to love him the way they would have if they didn’t have a mile-wide of trauma and repressed emotions anchoring on their backs, especially since at the time neither of them went to therapy to help them learn to cope with their trauma. 

Ranboo admitted he had also been going to therapy, and Tubbo nodded, having seen him a few times walking out of Puffy’s small office. 

“I missed you so much,” Ranboo had said to him. Tubbo smiled, taking one of his hands into his own, interlocking their fingers together. 

“I know,” Tubbo said. Neither spoke after that for a while.

The silence was comfortable between them. They were old enough to know that not every space had to be filled with words. Tubbo felt his heart fill with warmth, and in that moment he realized it, knew it to be true, knew that now was the best possible time to do this because while everything had changed, one thing didn’t; and that was the fact that he still loved the enderman sitting right beside him. 

“Ranboo?” Tubbo asked.

“Yeah?” 

Tubbo pulled his hand away from Ranboo’s gentle grasp, standing up for a brief moment only to get down on one knee. He heard Ranboo gasp.

“Ranboo, I ask you this again, because despite everything and all we’ve been through and how we have changed, I know one thing is absolutely for certain, which is that I love you. And I want to spend my life with you and I want to watch our son grow up, and I want to make you happy and grow old with you and all that sappy stuff. So, I ask once again…

Will you marry me?”

Tubbo looked at Ranboo, the other’s eyes sparkling with unshed tears. He reached forward, cupping both of Tubbo’s cheeks in his hands, resting his forehead against his.

“Of course,” was what he had said.

-

And so now, the pair had their second-ever wedding planned for next week, to take place not too far away from L’manburg. The other server members had already begun setting it up, although Tubbo and Ranboo purposefully tried not to look too much at it until the big day actually came.

His thoughts were shaken as he heard the doorbell to the mansion ring. Michael looked at him with those big eyes, the kid jumping off the counter to start sprinting down the hall and towards the front door. Tubbo followed behind him. As he walked he turned his head and saw Ranboo following, and he smiled.

“It’s probably Tommy,” the enderman said.

“Probably. Unless Aimsey decided to stop by for a moment.”

“Maybe, she likes to come around often.”

Tubbo shrugged. Him and the rabbit hybrid were definitely on better terms now, but even now he still felt a twinge of guilt for shoving her so harshly onto the Prime path, despite her only wanting to reach out and help. He was so cold then, so unwilling to let anyone in during the brief period of time when Ranboo was killed. Especially knowing that Aimsey was not involved. However during his time getting therapy with Puffy, him and Aimsey spoke more, having long conversations about their pasts. She learned about his execution, the sparks of red, white, yellow and blue that haunted his nightmares every single night, how multiple things built up until it all exploded, sealed with TNT falling from the sky, ending his home once and for all. He learned about Guqqie, how deeply Aimsey loved her and the deep heartache and pain she suffered when she died. Tubbo remembered squeezing her shoulder in understanding, and she had smiled back at him. Ever since then, they had grown to become close friends, earning each other’s respect and mutual trust. 

Ranboo opened the door, and there stood both Tommy and Aimsey, arguing with each other, both speaking so fast that Tubbo couldn’t quite discern what they were saying and from the look on Ranboo’s face, he wasn’t alone.

“UNCLE TOM! AUNT AIMSEY!” Michael shrieked, running forward to hug their legs. The two immediately stopped their squabble, their faces softening and returning the hug. 

“What was that all about?” Ranboo asked exasperatedly.

“Nothing important,” Tommy muttered.

“Are you sure about that?” Ranboo asked, “Seemed kind of serious.”

“It was just a petty argument Ran, don’t worry about it!” Aimsey chirped.

Tubbo laughed, giggling at the sheer ridiculousness of his two friends. He knew it likely wasn’t a real argument of any sorts, they were just being Tommy and Aimsey, but something about it reminded him that while they were all in their early twenties, none of them really lost their childish stupidity. 

Eventually Tommy and Aimsey both caved too, laughing alongside Tubbo.

After a few moments, Ranboo piped up, “Are you guys just here to hang out? You don’t need to knock, you know you’re always welcome here.”

“Oh, I came here to check on you two because someone here has to,” Tommy said with his usual snark. 

“I’m just here to tell you both that I caught word on the streets that Wilbur is coming to the wedding!” Aimsey said with excitement.

Both Tubbo and Tommy were silent for a moment. Tubbo felt both sadness and happiness at knowing Wilbur was coming to his wedding. He wanted him to, but he was never quite sure if he would actually come. Wilbur, a few months after they had killed Dream, had decided to move far away from the SMP for a while, to focus on himself. He spent a while giving his goodbyes to everyone, the last three people he had told were Tommy, Tubbo and Quackity. 

-

“Tubbo, I have something I need to tell you,” Wilbur said, “and it’s gonna be…it’s kind of hard for me to really say it…”

“Well whatever it is Wilbur, I’m sure you can tell me,” Tubbo responded gently. Despite all that had happened, between Wilbur’s shitty schemes leading to his husband losing a life (even though Ranboo had told him it was his decision alone, he couldn’t quite let go of the fact that Wilbur had still set it up), all the way back to when no one saved him at the Festival – Wilbur still gave him a home and a family. He still cared about Wilbur. He was his former leader, his almost-brother. Indeed, he’d listen. Because that’s what he did, that’s what he’d always done.

“Tubbo, you’re a good man, and I have to…I have to go away for a while. Not…not forever, but for now. Dream is gone, you and Tommy and everyone are all safe. I need to spend some time alone, away from this SMP. I’m sure you can understand,” he said.

“I think I can,” Tubbo said.

“Right, right. But for one final moment, let’s have a little fun, shall we?”

And so Wilbur and Tubbo had run around L’manburg, chasing each other over the bridge, across the holes in the ground from the explosions, sitting under a tree and Wilbur watching as a bee landed on Tubbo’s finger, the boy smiling the same smile he did all that time ago, when he was young and sixteen and still had a uniform over his shoulders. 

As the sun had begun to set, Wilbur placed a hand on Tubbo’s shoulder.

“I’m not leaving just yet, I have a few more people to say my goodbyes too. But, Tubbo?” the former president asked.

“Yes, Wilbur?” he said.

Wilbur, standing tall under the golden sun, with relaxed shoulders and a proud smile, said:

“You were the best president L’manburg had ever had.”

And he said goodbye, squeezing Tubbo’s shoulder, and walking away. And Tubbo, now alone, kneeled onto the grass and cried. Because finally, someone had told him one of the things he so desperately needed to hear.

-

“I am happy that he’s coming,” Tubbo smiled, looking at Tommy. He saw emotions flicker in his friend’s eyes. Ranboo and Aimsey noticed it too.

“Tommy, are – are you alright?” Ranboo asked. Michael looked up at his uncle in concern, hugging his leg.

Tommy took a deep breath and nodded, Aimsey placing her hand on his shoulder.

“I just missed him so much,” Tommy said slowly. The three nodded. Tubbo reached forward, taking one of Tommy’s hands and squeezing it lightly.

“You should ask him if he plans on moving back to the SMP,” Aimsey said, “he might agree. It has been five years, after all.”

“Or better yet, tell him how much you missed him, maybe,” Ranboo said, “it couldn’t hurt. He’s probably feeling better enough now that, well...I don’t want to make assumptions, but he might be able to hear it from you without the guilt tearing away at him, you know?”

“Maybe, I guess. I hope he is feeling better, he deserves to. He has the right to be far away from the SMP. I guess there’s still that part of me that wants him to stay because well…we’re all getting older, and I want to be able to one day be as old as Phil and know that Wilbur’s close by,” Tommy mumbled. 

“He’s your family,” Aimsey said kindly.

“Yeah, he is,” Tommy smiled.

Michael broke the tension. “Uncle Wil is coming! Yay!”

They all laughed.

-

The four young adults were sitting on the couch, Michael on the floor playing with one of his trains.

“The wedding is gonna be fu – frickin’ chaotic,” Tommy said.

“I don’t think so,” Ranboo said, “I mean, maybe, but it feels more like someone will steal the cake or dunk mine or Tubbo’s face into it or something.”

Upon hearing that, Aimsey looked at Tommy and gave him a wide smirk. Tommy looked back at her and said, “Shut the heck up, Aims.”

“I didn’t say anything,” she said innocently.

“I know what you were thinking though.” he retorted.

“Maybe,” Aimsey grinned. Tommy rolled his eyes.

Aimsey turned to Tubbo. “Is there anyone you didn’t invite?” she asked.

“I mean, um…the only people we really didn’t invite were some of the Badlands group, and Phil and Techno,” Tubbo said. Aimsey nodded.

Tubbo and Techno never fully became friends, even after he had housed him temporarily when Dream broke out of prison. Tubbo had to play the game right, had to be perfect and forgiving and a little saint, just to ensure that Techno wouldn’t hurt him again. The truce didn’t last, because the moment Tubbo had discovered that Techno’s actions led to Ranboo’s death, he had stormed out of the Arctic, taking Michael with him, choosing instead to live in Eret’s castle for a while. Techno’s protection was not worth his own ignorance. Not to mention that because of him, both his and Tommy’s lives were in even more danger. 

During Tubbo’s time with Eret, the two bonded more, reminiscing over L’manburg and Eret had cried when remembering their betrayal. Tubbo had shrugged and said it didn’t matter in the end because L’manburg was always doomed.

“No,” Eret said, “don’t ever say that. That was your home, Tubbo. You grew up there. You loved it and worked so hard to protect it. Even after Wilbur died, you still kept going when you shouldn’t have had to. You’re one of the toughest people on this server, and that’s extremely honorable. You’re braver than I ever was.”

After Dream was finally killed, Tubbo confronted Techno. Because if there was a hill that Tubbo was going to die on, it would be that Techno would not get the final word on the things he did. It took a few weeks of gaining his courage and swallowing his anxiety, but he finally did it.

Tubbo gave him an icy glare. “You can have your home, your dogs, your friends. You can laugh about anarchy and tearing down governments, but god forbid that I, or anyone I care about, create a government at all. No one asked you to stay in L’manburg, Techno. No one would’ve complained if you had enough of it and wanted to run off to make your little commune in the snowy woods. But no, of course not. You can’t claim ignorance about our plans on November 16th, because you were right there, you heard us. But you still got enraged over something that we were going to do anyways. And in your petty anger, you set off Withers! You shot fireworks! Do you even know how much shit I’ve gone through because of those fireworks? Can you imagine how many times I see them in my nightmares, because of you? Ah yes Technoblade, the man who bows to no one except a tyrannical dictator. I am forever half-blind and half-deaf because of you. This scar on my face is because of you. And then after we tried to make you pay consequences for your actions, you decide to team up with Dream! And you decide to take your dogs and attack us at night, before the twenty-four hours were fully up. Who cares about fairness when it’s you behind the crossbow, with your finger on the trigger? And so you and Dream ripped away mine and Tommy’s home. That was our home! We grew up there! That was the last remnant any of us had of Wilbur at the time! All of our documents, all of our homes and pets were fucking burned to ash because of you! We lost everything that night! Imagine if I took one of my nukes and blasted it straight at your home and killed your entire hound army, I don’t think you’d appreciate it that much. But see that’s the thing about you; you receive a slap on the wrist and I receive hell at my doorstep. I am not allowed to have anything, because all you’ll do is take it from me. You will walk to Snowchester with the Syndicate, and search me like I committed a literal crime instead of just trying to live in a home that I made, and then after you’ll get yourself into prison and help break Dream out because fuck morality, right? Fuck Tommy and Ranboo for ever believing in you, and fuck me for hoping you wouldn’t ever go so low as to team up with him again! All the apologies in the world will never, ever undo all the shit you did. My husband fucking died because of you, and even though he is back now, that doesn’t change that. Both me and Tommy were almost killed by Dream because of you. So you can live comfortably without a scratch on you, but I have to live with a million scars, several of which you can’t see. And the shit you did will never, ever be okay. And I can’t forgive you for it.”

Techno gave him a hard stare, completely speechless. Tubbo huffed, turned around, and began walking away with no other words spoken.

Tubbo didn’t regret what he said, nor would he have ever considered taking it back. He meant every word. 

He looked up to Ranboo, who gave a small smile. Ranboo had left the Syndicate shortly after he had been revived, and permanently moved out of the Arctic and into the Mansion, just as it should’ve been from the start. While Ranboo respected Techno for at least wanting to bring him back, he also couldn’t quite forgive him for releasing Dream. 

Tommy sighed and said, “I knew Techno wouldn’t come, and it’s fine if you don’t want him to Tubbs, but I don’t know. A part of me wishes he would.”

“I know, Tommy,” Tubbo said, “but even if we had invited him, I really doubt he would’ve shown up. Big celebrations like that aren’t really his thing.”

“Yeah…” Tommy trailed off. 

“Wait, if Wilbur is coming,” Ranboo said, “then wouldn’t that mean all of the original members of L’manburg will be in one spot again?”

Aimsey smiled, and nodded. 

“Man, that’s gonna feel really fu – frickin’ weird,” Tommy said.

“Yeah, it will,” Tubbo agreed.

The four of them continued to talk for another hour or so, before Tommy stood up and decided he was going to go to Sam to pay him a visit, and Aimsey eventually left as well, saying they had to meet up with Eret for lunch. Tubbo, Ranboo and Michael waved them both goodbye, the Underscore-Beloved family settling back comfortably in their home.

“I know you’re nervous about the wedding,” Ranboo said.

“Well…nervous is sort of an understatement,” Tubbo said, “I am just anxious that something bad will happen again, because everytime there’s been a celebration on this server of any kind, something bad always happens.” To me , was left unspoken by him. But both of them knew.

“I know,” Ranboo said, “I know that anxiety won’t really ever go away for you. And it’s okay, it’s okay to be anxious about that.” He walked up to Tubbo, cupping his cheek and leaning in, pressing a kiss to his head.

“I know that Dream has been dead for a long time, and Schlatt has been dead for an even longer time, but it’s just that I can’t seem to get it out of my head yet,” Tubbo said, sounding defeated.

“I know, Tubbo. A lot of my anxieties haven’t left either. Do you need some time to be alone, or do you want me to stay with you?” Ranboo asked gently.

“I think I need to walk around the SMP a bit. I’ll be back in about thirty minutes,” Tubbo said, going to the closet to grab his shoes. 

“Alright, dear. Just let me know when you come home, I’ll be up in our room writing,” Ranboo said. Tubbo smiled at him, god did he love him . 

He tightened the laces on his shoes, gave Ranboo a quick kiss on the cheek, and headed out the door.

-

In a small kingdom not too far away, light seeped in through the curtains of a bedroom, creating a soft puddle of gold on the floor and a bit on the bed. Six rings were placed together on the nightstand next to it, and three bodies were cuddled together on the bed, soft snores coming from one of them. 

Quackity blearily opened his eyes, feeling Karl’s head on his chest and Sapnap’s burly arm draped over them both. He smiled, and thanked all the gods up above that, once again, he had not woken up cold and alone in his room in Las Nevadas, and instead nestled in the comfort and warmth of his husbands.

They had been married for about three years now. In the wake of Dream’s death, the entire SMP faced a visit from someone whom most of them had never even thought of – Lady Death herself (or, as Phil called her, Kristin.) 

She was rightfully angered over the fact that DreamXD had given the mortals the revival book, and thus she had to take it upon herself to set the world back to proper order.

Which, hilariously, meant XD had been demoted, and another god had taken his place. Most of XD’s power was stripped from him, and was now on twenty-four hour watch from none other than George. 

This new God of Chaos was named Drista, and she was far more likable than XD, in Quackity’s opinion. She dropped by every now and then to visit Tommy. She also is the reason Quackity now understood why Karl had become the way he was that night.

-

Drista had appeared before Quackity and Sapnap, the two ex-lovers living with the aftermath of Dream’s death. 

“What do you want?” Quackity asked, with no hostility in his tone, just genuine curiosity.

“Where’s your boyfriend? The brown-haired one?” Drista asked.

“I don’t fucking know,” Sapnap said, tired and sad, “I would hope he’s asleep back at home, but he’s gone so often now that I can’t always tell…”

Drista narrowed her eyes at both of them, before softening her gaze.

“Neither of you know, don’t you?” she asked.

“Know what?” they said in unison.

“The truth about Karl? You both loved him, or you still do. Geez, my brother was good at keeping his secrets. Look, what if I were to tell you that there’s a way to get him back to how he was before?”

“How he was before? Look Drista, last time I checked he was cold and an asshole to me. It’s almost as if he had forgotten who I was!” Quackity glared, his tone rising.

Drista rolled her eyes. “Look, idiot. It’s because he did forget. Did neither of you seriously bother looking in his library?”

“He keeps it hidden!” Sapnap exclaimed, “I want to respect his privacy.”

Drista sighed. “Screw this, I’m taking the three of you to what used to be my brother’s secret little world.”

With a snap of her fingers, Quackity, Sapnap, and Karl (the latter of which was unconscious, and also wearing an odd white and gray version of his regular hoodie) were transported to an odd plane of reality with fluffy clouds and mist and a ginormous ticking clock. It looked almost ethereal, like a type of heaven, but also suspicious.

“This,” Drista said, “is what used to be my brother’s world. Your boyfriend has been here before. It’s because he is a time traveller.”

Quackity’s and Sapnap’s eyes widened. Drista smiled.

“Didn’t expect that, huh? Yeah, time travel is possible in this world. But it can only be given by a god. Your boyfriend here got caught up in it, because my brother lied to him and made him believe that he was saving you, the people he met in his travels, and the future of this world, by fixing certain timelines. But those timelines were never really fixed, you know? No, what happened instead was that it actually caused more problems. You see, just because time travel is possible in this world doesn’t exactly mean it should happen. The thing is that time travel messes with the internal, and external mechanics of things. Because your boyfriend travelled so many times, he started forgetting who he was, and who you were. Which means,” she said, looking at Quackity, “he actually did forget you. Or at least, he forgot he loved you and the good times you shared.”

Quackity’s shoulders dropped, staring at his sleeping former love on the ground. Guilt and regret crawled inside, burrowing deep into his resentment-filled heart. Drista continued on.

“But alongside forgetting the people close to him, he also unintentionally caused a small glitch in this world. By that, I mean an odd phenomena, a virus basically, spawned into this world due to his traveling. When the laws of this world are broken, it can cause evil things to manifest. You may have come across a giant red Egg. Legends will say that the Egg was always part of this world, since the beginning of time, which is untrue. Your boyfriend time travelling made it true, altering the history of this world altogether. The only way the world can be fixed is if his time traveling abilities are ripped away from him and the memories of his travels are shared.”

Quackity stared up at Drista.

“So…he never actually hated me to begin with?” he asked. Drista nodded.

“I have all of his forgotten memories withheld, and I can promise you that he never stopped loving you. He went through the pain of forgetting himself and forgetting you, because he loved you so much that he didn’t want a future where you both were unhappy.”

Quackity tried searching for the bitter hatred and anger he once held inside for the sleeping brunette on the ground made of gentle pink clouds. But he couldn’t find it. All he felt was sadness, and a twinge of that old familiar love. 

Carefully, he walked up beside Karl’s sleeping form, sitting on his knees beside him. Hesitantly, he reached out, carding his fingers gingerly through Karl’s hair.

Oh Karl , he thought to himself, I am so sorry.

“You said the only way he can have his old memories back is if he shares it with someone?” Sapnap asked Drista.

“Yes,” she said, “and his time traveling abilities need to be erased. If both things are done, then the natural order of this world will return to as it should be. Is that something you want to do?”

“Yes, please,” Quackity said, standing up.

“I want our fiance back” Sapnap said.

“Alright,” Drista said.

With a wave of her hand, Karl’s body was lifted into the air, light erupting from his mind, streams of consciousness and memories flooding itself into Quackity’s and Sapnap’s minds as well. Quackity was suddenly hit with everything Karl had seen and done during his travels ; the people he met, the places he’d seen, the things he did and his countless efforts to save everyone. His thoughts of the two people he loved back home that he couldn’t fully remember but knew existed. It was overwhelming, Quackity felt like this information was wrapping around his soul and extending to his entire being. He felt as though the universe itself let out an exhale of breath.

Karl was gently lowered to the ground, his hoodie returned to its normal multicolored mess. The moment his back touched the ground, the three of them were transported back to the normal world, in Kinoko Kingdom. Drista was now gone.

Quackity looked at Sapnap with uncertainty, the two slowly walking forward and approaching Karl, sitting on either side of him.

Karl eventually stirred, his eyes slowly opening, looking up at his two loves beside him.

“Sapnap? Quackity?” he asked. He tried sitting up, but clutched his head in pain.

“Hey, slow down there man,” Sapnap said softly.

“What the…honk happened?” Karl asked, “I remember…wait. Dream’s dead, isn’t he?”

“Yeah, that motherfucker is finally gone,” Quackity said. Karl looked up at him.

“Quackity, I…” Karl started. Realization flashed across his eyes, and with no warning, threw his arms around Quackity, sobs erupting from him.

“I’m so sorry, Q. I didn’t…I didn’t mean those horrible things I had said to you, I promise. I just wanted everyone to be safe, and –”

“Hey, hey, it’s okay now. You can stop, we’re okay. Sap and I, we know the things you did.”

“You...but how? That’s impossible, there’s no way you could’ve–”

“Drista told us,” Sapnap chimed in, “she shared your memories with us, and the timeline is fixed and you won’t be able to time travel anymore, but we’re free now, Karl. You’re free. And you remember.”

Karl took a moment to process it all, before exhaling a bittersweet laugh, and burying his face into Quackity’s collarbone. Sapnap came from behind, wrapping his arms around Karl’s middle, hugging him tight, the three of them locked in a gentle embrace.

Quackity buried his face into Karl’s soft brunette hair, feeling some of the ice in his heart melt a little more. For a moment, he felt just as he did all that time ago when it was just the three of them and El Rapids, when they were engaged and in love. 

“I love you. So much,” he heard Karl whisper to both of them.

Quackity felt his chest well up, and for the first time in a long time, he cried, hugging his fiances as close to him as possible, never letting go.

And he wouldn’t let go, not ever again.

-

And so here the three of them were now, resting under the covers of their shared bed. Quackity still worked at Las Nevadas, but he wasn’t killing himself over it anymore. Home is where the heart was, and his heart belonged here, with his husbands and with the beautiful home they had. Karl still had to take painkillers every now and then to cope with his headaches from having his memories back (the human mind can only handle the processing of so many memories at once) but aside from that he was the same beautiful, wonderful man that Quackity had fallen in love with. As for Sapnap, he was the same as always, if perhaps a bit more mellowed out now that things on the SMP were less tense. Quackity didn’t bind his small duck wings behind his back anymore, letting them flutter freely out of the small holes in his shirts. Sap and Karl preferred it that way, helping to take care of his wings and preen them. There was no better feeling than returning home from the casino and his husbands were there to run their soft hands through his wings, smoothing out the tension and making him feel more loved than he already did. 

Everything was finally as Quackity wanted it to be, and he was finally the happiest he’d ever been.

Unfortunately, he was also hungry and both of his husbands had the habit of sleeping in.

Gently, he nudged at both of them.

“Karl? Sap? You guys gotta wake up, I want to make breakfast for us,” Quackity said.

Neither of them budged. Quackity let out a huff and decided to pull out his expert strategy.

He leaned in closely, kissing everywhere all over Karl’s face; his cheeks, his nose, his eyelids, even sneaking a kiss on his neck – and that was enough to nudge him awake. Karl yawned, rubbing at his eyes before opening them, sighing out a, “Mornin’, Q”, and leaning in to give him a proper kiss on the lips.

“Good morning, mi corazón ,” Quackity smiled.

“Is Sap still asleep?” Karl asked.

“Yeah, we should wake him up,” Quackity laughed.

The two leaned over to their third, pressing kisses on his face as well. Sapnap’s chest rumbled in a purr as he chuckled, immediately waking up. Sapnap and Quackity properly kissed each other, and Karl and Sapnap did the same. The three put on their individual wedding rings and got out of bed, heading downstairs to start breakfast.

“Maybe we should make breakfast for George and Tina as well,” Sapnap said.

“Yeah, we should!” Karl said happily.

“What should we make? French toast?” Quackity asked.

“That, and I was thinking we make some eggs and sausage with Karl’s special strawberry yogurt,” Sapnap said. At the mention of the yogurt, Karl beamed and nodded.

“I’m sure they will appreciate it a lot, mi almo ,” Quackity said softly. He pulled out one of the cast-iron pans from the drawer near the oven, setting it onto the stove and cutting a small bit of butter, letting it simmer and melt onto the pan. Karl and Sapnap prepared the bread and batter. The bread they had was fresh and perfect, cut into thick slices, perfect for a small kingdom of five (plus one demoted god.) 

While cooking, Quackity felt Sapnap’s arms slip around his waist, the demon hybrid placing a kiss into the space between his neck and shoulder.

“Thanks for waking me up earlier, honey,” he purred. Quackity’s face heated up.

“Yeah yeah, it was the only way to get you up, you big lump,” he said with fake annoyance.

“Yeah, but you love me,” Sapnap smirked. Quackity reached his hand behind Sapnap's hair, lightly scratching at his scalp. The demon hybrid sighed and buried his face into Quackity’s shoulder.

“Yeah, I do. A lot,” Quackity said warmly. 

“Hey hey, scoot over Sap, I wanna love on Q!” Karl whined, lightly shoving Sapnap out of the way. Both him and Quackity laughed, Karl taking Sapnap’s place and pressing kisses on Quackity’s cheek and the side of his jaw.

“Karl, oh my god,” Quackity laughed. The affection from his husbands always made his heart soar, especially in the mornings when the world was still waking up, and the three of them were in their pajamas.

They continued on with making breakfast, making sure to cook for George and Tina as well. It was the weekend, meaning that Quackity was in no hurry to get ready to go to Las Nevadas. While he lived in Kinoko Kingdom, Las Nevadas was still his weekly job. He only worked four days a week now, reserving the other three days for his loves. It was fine that way. Sam still worked there, as did Foolish, and about a year prior, Tommy had come to him asking if he could work there part-time. Quackity agreed, only because he knew Tommy would keep pestering him about it if he said no (and also because he loved the kid and didn’t mind his company.) Although, he had a sneaking suspicion that Sam was cutting Tommy a small percentage of his paycheck every month. Quackity wasn’t gonna argue with Sam on that, since he knew of the man’s fondness for Tommy and willingness to spoil him a little. Quackity never gave the kid more work than was necessary, and didn’t get upset if he didn’t finish a task. He knew Tommy got distracted at times, and he accommodated it, usually having Sam or Foolish finish the work that Tommy didn’t. They never seemed to mind.

Quackity was shaken from his thoughts when he heard a knock on the door.

“I’ll get it!” Sapnap exclaimed, running. When he opened the door, Tina was there.

“Good morning!” she smiled, giving Sapnap a hug. She approached Karl and hugged him too. “I’m guessing you guys are making breakfast for everyone again?” she asked.

“Yep, we are,” Quackity smiled. Tina went up to him and gave him a hug as well.

“If you’d like me to, I can deliver the food to George and XD,” she offered.

“Nah, Tina. We were planning on dragging him out of bed,” Sapnap said. She nodded.

“What are you guys gonna do today anyways?” she asked.

“Well,” Quackity began, “I was going to check in on a few people, and then ask Niki how the baking is going for Tubbo’s and Ranboo’s wedding.”

“Oh yeah, that’s a good idea! What about you two?” Tina asked, shifting her gaze towards Sapnap and Karl.

“Eh, not much. Maybe clean the house a little, if I’ll be honest,” Sapnap shrugged.

“And I was going to take care of the gardens and our barn a bit,” Karl said.

“Well, I was gonna go hang out with Hannah a bit,” Tina said.

“Don’t you mean ‘go on a date’?” Sapnap teased.

“Shush! It’s not my fault that I like her and think she’s gorgeous,” Tina huffed.

“I mean, you are her girlfriend, so yes it is your fault,” Karl smirked. Tina rolled her eyes playfully.

“You three are the actual worst,” she said with no real bite to it.

“Hey, hey! Don’t drag me into this,” Quackity said with fake annoyance. The other three in the room laughed, and Quackity eventually gave in and laughed alongside him. It felt good to be silly and happy early in the morning.

After the food was finished, the four of them helped set the table with plates and glass cups and silverware, and headed outside to walk the forty feet or so to George’s humble abode.

As usual, when they reached his house and entered his bedroom, he was asleep. XD was curled up like a ball on his chest, the tiny god snoozing away, his massive form now condensed to about five inches high. George’s room always appeared something fresh out of a fairytale almost, with a large king-sized bed that was much too big for him and the most absolutely lavish, plush bedding anyone had ever seen. His desk was white wood with golden knobs on the drawers, his mirror shiny. George had long thrown away the constant reminders and notes on his mirror begging him to recognize his surroundings as reality. His constant sleep had improved, and it was getting a little easier for him now. Sometimes he still struggled, but his friends would be there for him. 

Tina approached him first, carefully nudging him.

“Hey,” she said gently, “wake up, George! We made breakfast for you.”

George gave a small noise in his throat, similar to a groan, reaching up to his face to rub at his eyes. XD woke up immediately and started flying about, his tiny wings beating like a hummingbird. 

“Oh, it’s you four again,” XD grumbled.

Sapnap rolled his eyes. “You say that like we don’t do this a lot.”

“Besides, we made breakfast again, you asshole,” Quackity glared. Quackity still didn’t like XD much, and had never been one to bite his tongue. Especially now that the god was demoted, he really had no power. If he tried anything, Drista would come down to probably smite him. 

XD sunk down to the mattress in silent anger as George sat upwards, stretching, a few bones popping here and there. He looked at his four friends in the room, giving them a sleepy smile.

“Good morning,” he yawned. 

“Hey George, we made breakfast for you,” Karl smiled.

“Alright, alright, just give me and XD like…five minutes,” George said, “I promise I’ll be at your guys’ house soon.”

The four others nodded, and exited the room.

While returning back to his home, Quackity noticed a crow flying overhead. Seeing as how crows were never in Kinoko Kingdom, that could only mean one thing; Wilbur had sent mail.

After he had left, Wilbur tried to send mail to everyone close to him at least once every few weeks or so. Quackity got letters sometimes from him, just him writing about what he had been up to. It was nice to know his old friend was doing better. Quackity remembered their last interaction before Wilbur had left…

-

“I have to go away, Big Q.”

Quackity stared at him.

“Why? Dream is gone, Tommy is safe. Isn’t that what you wanted?”

“Of course, but…” Wilbur began, “this place, the DreamSMP, it’s – it’s not healthy for me, man. I can’t be better here. And I know I have hurt you, and Tommy, and everyone I’ve cared about. Even if everyone forgave me, I can’t forgive myself here. I need to be away from here for a while, and I don’t know when I will come back, if I come back at all.”

Quackity’s shoulders slumped. Sure, him and Wilbur fought a lot and they pissed each other off in a multitude of ways, (not to mention there was a part of Quackity still infuriated about the incident with Ranboo and Tubbo) but he didn’t hate him. He didn’t want him to leave. Despite the bickering and arguments, there was a rare type of understanding between the two that dated as far back as the elections. It was a type of camaraderie that was jumbled and messy, but still existed.

Quackity looked at Wilbur square in the eye.

“If you’re leaving, then make sure everyone knows where you are going. That’d be really shitty if you didn’t tell them,” he said flatly.

Wilbur gave a weak smile. “Wouldn’t dream of it,” he said, “but, Quackity?”

“What?” he asked.

“I need you to promise me one thing, which is that when I am gone, that you watch out for Tommy. He’s a strong kid, but now that Dream’s gone I am not sure how he will manage. Just check in on him every now and then, please. I – I wish I could be there for him, but given the circumstances, I –”

“Wilbur,” Quackity cut him off, placing his hand cautiously on his shoulder, “of course I will do that. You’re not the only person on this server who loves Tommy, you should know that by now.”

“I know, but…I worry about him all the time,” Wilbur said quietly.

Quackity understood how Wilbur felt. There was a piece of his own heart that always felt the same way towards not only Tommy, but Tubbo as well. Living under a shitty dictator did that, it made Quackity take blows that were meant for Tubbo and to this day he couldn’t imagine how much that impacted him. 

“I’ll take care of him,” Quackity promised. Wilbur looked up at him and nodded, before stepping closer and wrapping his arms around Quackity. Quackity tensed for a moment, not expecting the sudden affection, but accepted it, hugging Wilbur back. 

“Your country is still shit, by the way,” Wilbur said with no real bite behind his words.

“So was L’manburg, you fucking asshole,” Quackity rolled his eyes, not being entirely serious either.  

Both men laughed a little, before departing from their embrace.

“Quackity, there’s one last thing I have to ask of you,” Wilbur said. Quackity quirked an eyebrow at him, curious as to what this request was.

Wilbur sighed. 

“I want you to actually live your life,” he said, “Dream is gone, Schlatt’s been gone for ages now, I really doubt there will be much conflict on the server anymore. Go marry those two special people, or fall in love with new ones. Get a dog or something. Just do something with your life that isn’t killing yourself over this place. If I am leaving to try and be happier, then you have to try to do the same. You’re not above happiness, Quackity.”

Quackity stood there, shoulders slumped. A part of him knew Wilbur was right, but…he still hated the truth. Even though he poured his entire heart and soul into Las Nevadas, the end result was a bleak and empty country, topped off with spite and anguish. 

But really only someone like Wilbur could be the one to say that to him. Wilbur, more than anyone, knew what it meant to destroy themselves over a country that was born out of love.

“Okay, Wilbur,” Quackity said slowly. Wilbur smiled.

“Then…I suppose this is goodbye?” the brunette said.

“I guess so,” Quackity said.

“Then…fairwell, Big Q,” Wilbur said. He turned his heel and began to walk away. He only got a few yards away before stopping, and turned around.

“Quackity?” he asked.

“Yeah?” 

Wilbur beamed, warmth in his eyes.

“Thank you. For everything.”

-

It wasn’t long before all members of Kinoko Kingdom were in Quackity’s dining room, eating their breakfast happily. He laughed at Sapnap’s jokes and kissed Karl’s cheek when he was happy over everyone enjoying his strawberry yogurt. 

When breakfast was finished, George gave XD a stare and within a blink of an eye, the entire table was cleared and all dishes were automatically cleaned and returned to the cabinets. Quackity had to suppress a laugh at how funny it was that all it took for XD to bend to George’s will was for the sleepy man to give the god a puppy dog look. 

Tina and George left the house, leaving the husbands to their own devices.

“I’ll put on my gardening clothes,” Karl said, “I did say earlier I wanted to clean the barn and take care of the garden, so…”

“Hold on, not before you give me and Q some lovin’” Sapnap smirked, pulling Karl in by the hips and giving him a sweet kiss on the lips. Karl giggled, wandering over to Quackity to place his hands on his cheeks to kiss him as well. Quackity held Karl’s waist, their kiss quick but gentle. When they pulled apart, Quackity cupped his husband’s cheek in his hands.

“I love you,” he said, “I love you both so much.”

“We love you too,” Sapnap said, his wedding band on his finger glimmering in the light. He walked over to Quackity, carefully pulling him from Karl’s arms before dipping him, pressing a kiss to his cheek and neck. Quackity laughed, the kisses tickling him a little, his wings fluttering from the affection. But Sapnap didn’t stop with the kisses, his lips pressed to Quackity’s neck, almost like he was trying to –

“Woah woah, hey!” Quackity laughed, placing his hand on Sapnap’s face and lightly pushing him away, “pump the brakes Sap, we’ll have time for that later.”

Both Karl and Sapnap laughed as Sapnap pulled Quackity up to his feet again before placing one final kiss into his hair.

“Okay Q,” he said. 

No matter how long they’d been married for, Quackity still never quite got used to how good it felt when his husbands loved on him and kissed him. And if he was being honest with himself, he didn’t want to get used to it. He wanted every kiss to feel like the first ones from all that time ago, to leave him as breathless and red-faced as it did when they were younger. 

Karl left the room to go back upstairs to get dressed, and Sapnap went with him so he could make their bed and clean the room up a little. Quackity remembered he had to go to the mailbox, so went outside to open it, and pulled out the letter that he remembered from earlier. He went back inside, opening it up.

Quackity,

I have decided that I will be coming back home in a week. I have sent letters out to the others already. I hope you are well.

-W

Quackity closed the letter, smiling. He was happy his old friend would be returning. Hopefully he’ll be back in time for Tubbo’s and Ranboo’s wedding. 

He put the letter into his pocket, going upstairs to join his husbands. When he told them that Wilbur would be coming back, they both nodded with lukewarm acknowledgement and acceptance. Quackity didn’t mind, neither of his husbands were close enough friends with Wilbur to care either way. 

If there’s anyone he knew would be really happy about such news, it’d be Tommy. Hopefully Tommy would remember to check his mailbox.

-

Ranboo sat at his desk, writing in his journal comfortably. He settled Michael down for a nap a few minutes earlier, and was waiting for Tubbo’s return. 

So much had changed over the past five years, really. Ranboo felt like time just sped up after Dream died. 

He had left the Syndicate not too long after being revived, telling Techno bluntly that it wasn’t worth being a part of anymore. The piglin hybrid had snorted in bemusement, letting Ranboo leave despite clearly not wanting him to. He had packed up his belongings and left the north, moving permanently into his and Tubbo’s mansion.

He remembered that day when Techno had helped Dream escape the prison. There was a lot of yelling and flashing colors. He saw Dream stare up at Tommy and before he could think, he ran, racing to protect his best friend. Dream had smiled at him and Ranboo had felt intense pain as Dream cut his throat deeply with the borrowed dagger from Techno. Then darkness washed over him.

Death was unpleasant. Tommy wasn’t wrong before when he said it was traumatizing and awful.

Ranboo had sat on a singular block in the middle of a vast ocean, for what felt like forever. He had no idea how long he was dead for, really. At least not until he felt life breathe into himself again as he was pulled from that dreadful place and he was returned to life by Punz. 

-

“Ranboo? Ranboo! Wake up! Please!”

Ranboo groaned. Was it another dream? Another hope that he was with his family again? Please not again. He had suffered enough already. He missed his family. He missed his son.

He opened his eyes despite that.

Tubbo and Tommy were staring at him, tears in their eyes. Punz was a few feet away.

“You’re not real. You can’t be.”

“Ranboo –”

“No! Stop it!” he yelled, backing up on the stone floor, tears falling down his face, “I’m tired of these dreams! I’m tired of seeing the people I care about and then they’re gone when I wake up! I can’t go through it again!”

Punz sighed, approaching him with a dagger.

“If this is a dream,” Punz said, “then why does this hurt?” he asked, using the end of the dagger to lightly prick Ranboo’s skin. Tommy and Tubbo snapped at Punz for such actions, Punz shrugging. Ranboo hissed in pain, his tail lashing, but he looked at the small prick on his arm and saw a small bit of blood.

He couldn’t bleed when he was dead. He could feel pain but couldn’t bleed.

Was he actually…?

“Tommy…? Tubbo…? Are you actually real?” he asked, voice laced with desperation.

“Yeah big man, we are here. We killed Dream. He’s gone. We are free,” Tommy said slowly. 

Ranboo sat up, taking in the fact he was alive. He held his hands out in front of him, feeling his body, his face. He breathed and the oxygen in his lungs felt cool and real. 

He was alive. He was alive.  

“Tommy, Tubbo!” he lunged, reaching forward and pulling them into his arms, tears falling down his face and burning his cheeks. 

“You should’ve been here when we killed Dream,” Tubbo said, “I was the one that did it Ranboo, I killed that fucker straight up.”

“And he’s not coming back either,” Punz said, “I know that definitely. I’ll contact Drista and give the book back to her. No one on the server will need to be revived anymore. I don’t think any more wars will break out now.”

“Thank you. For bringing me back,” Ranboo said.

Punz shrugged. “Don’t thank me, thank them. They wanted Dream dead first so that he couldn’t kill you again. And now you’re back and can actually live without worrying if that bastard will come after you or not.”

“And…is Michael – ?”

“Michael is safe,” Tubbo said, “I hid him in the secret bunker when I heard the prison alarms go off. He’s at home, waiting for us.”

For the first time in a long time, Ranboo felt himself gently purr in happiness. His family was alive and he was alive too. And that’s all that mattered. 

-

Ever since then, and especially during the time when he and Tubbo were apart, he worked on himself. It took him dying to realize that choosing not to choose wasn’t a choice. That not picking sides was ironically already picking a side, and that was the side of inaction. Of inevitable betrayal. 

It’s not like Ranboo meant harm by it. He is an enderman, avoiding conflict is built into his genes. But that didn’t make matters better. He wasn’t above consequences for the mistakes he had made. 

He had asked quite a few people around the server what really happened before he joined, and so many didn’t want to give a direct answer. Ranboo believed that the truth was too painful to retell. Maybe it was.

That was, until Eret told him.

The stories Eret told breathed of life, of dances at sunset in L’manburg. Not the L’manburg that Ranboo knew — shattered, broken, beaten down L’manburg — but of underdogs, of fearless fighters who were few but brave, standing strong even in the face of betrayal. 

Tubbo. Tommy.

Eret had told Ranboo that Tubbo and Tommy were bright, fearless kids once. They were spunky and silly and played games and laughed and did everything that kids did. Their uniforms were too big for their small bodies but it didn’t matter to them because they were grateful they got to be part of something bigger than themselves. 

They didn’t know what would happen, then.

None of them knew. 

It deeply grieved Ranboo to know that nothing he could do would help. The only cure to pain like that was time and work, and he knew both Tommy and Tubbo had to work through a great number of it alone.

That’s not to say it was all bad, though. After Dream died, both of them slowly confided in him more. Tubbo especially, which made Ranboo happy. It helped strengthen their relationship, to have fewer secrets between them. Ranboo told Tubbo about his Enderwalk state, how it was something he neither could explain nor control, and how oddly it stopped when Dream died, leaving him to assume Dream had been controlling him somehow. Tubbo gripped his hand gently then, telling him that he knew Ranboo was good, and only ever wanted to do the right thing. He told Tommy shortly after too, and Tommy looked like he was about to cry, hugging Ranboo tightly. The pain of Dream’s control was too familiar to both of them, and they held each other. 

Tommy also told him the full extent of what happened when he was exiled. Ranboo likely knew the most of it out of everyone, but he didn’t know all of it. And what he heard from Tommy was nothing short of horrifying. How Dream did more than beat him and bruise him. That Dream convinced him no one loved him, that he didn’t deserve anyone in L’manburg, that Dream was his only friend, that he’d never abandon him no matter what and – for a brief several moments – convinced Tommy that his life wasn’t worth the fight. 

It made Ranboo feel sick to his stomach. He held Tommy close to his chest, nuzzling into his hair and telling him over and over that he was his best friend and he did love him and he would never shut him out or tell him he wasn’t worth it. He felt a few tears seep into his shirt from Tommy, but he ignored them, just focusing on comforting his friend.

His hair had grown longer, reaching slightly past his shoulders and he hardly ever wore his crown anymore. He also outgrew his old suit and instead went for warm, comfy clothing. In Snowchester he’d wear protective gear so that the snow didn’t harm his skin, usually carrying his umbrella with him. His cloak had fur on the inside, keeping him comfortable. In any other place that's warm, he would wear just a shirt and long trousers. Michael liked to tie ribbons on his tail, and he didn’t mind much. His wedding ring from all that time ago was always on his finger, except at night before him and Tubbo went to sleep. 

In the time between then and now, Ranboo learned the truth of himself and his heritage; he was an Ender-born prince, born to two loving mothers who were the guardians of the End realm. He had somehow forgotten who he was when he stumbled out of the End and into the Overworld, wandering aimlessly until he found the place he currently resides in. It wasn’t long after Dream died that he remembered, and he sent a letter to his mothers, telling them that he was okay and that he loved them and where he was. Tubbo, Foolish and Sam worked together to create an End portal (extracting the Ender pearls successfully without harming his own kind, thank goodness) and Ranboo had stepped through the other side, greeting his parents for the first time in years. 

They kissed his cheeks and embraced him, settling him down in their castle hearing all about him and his adventures. He told them everything, how he was under control by the worst person to have ever lived, how he met Tommy first and became his best friend, and fell in love with Tubbo and married him. His mothers were saddened and angered by what Dream had done, but grateful that their son was alive and safe. They explained how they tried desperately to search for him, but to no avail. Unfortunately, no one knew the answer. 

After his visit, he said he’d send letters through his counsel as much as he could, and would visit them a few times per month, as he was still a father and had a baby back home to watch after. His mothers nodded in agreement, overjoyed that they were grandparents.

“Ranboo, I’m home!” he heard Tubbo shout. Ranboo put down his quill, standing up and running down the steps of their too-big home, to his darling Tubbo. He saw Tubbo sitting by the front door, taking off his snow boots and coat and putting them away, and he walked over to him.

“Hey, how was your walk?” Ranboo asked.

“It was good. I feel a lot better now,” Tubbo smiled.

Ranboo cupped Tubbo’s face in his hands, kissing him warmly. Tubbo wrapped his arms around him. 

Oh, how Ranboo loved him.

They separated, walking towards the living room together, shoulders brushing every few steps. 

-

Sam scratched at Fran’s ears, humming a little tune to himself as he made some sandwiches. Tommy already messaged him on his communicator that he’d be coming over, so Sam wanted to treat the boy to some food, especially since he bothered to come all this way to Sam’s home.

After Dream died, for nearly a year Sam didn’t know what to do with himself. The prison seemed useless now, since Techno stayed in the north and no one else on the server committed the same kind of horrendous crimes that Dream did. Sam felt useless and alone. If he wasn’t the Warden anymore, then what was he really? What was his purpose? 

Needless to say, he spent a long time trying to find out. He took up other projects, working on the bank with Hannah and Boomer, and helping Tommy and Jack with the hotel if he ever needed to. The two of them were now co-owners of the hotel, and while they still occasionally bickered, it wasn’t nearly as bad as it was before.

Sam Nook was still fully operational, Sam sometimes upgrading him just to be sure that he was fully functional and running. Tommy appreciated it, especially knowing that Sam still worked for Quackity and couldn’t always be there to help.

He upgraded Ponk’s arm as well, making sure it still worked. He owed it to them, and more. Him and Ponk stayed on neutral terms now, but nothing between them was ever gonna be the same as it once was. It hurt a lot, but Sam couldn’t blame them for it. He never once did. Ponk at the very least trusted him enough to tweak and fix the robotic arm when needed. Sometimes Sam still believed that trust was more than he really deserved.

His relationship with Tommy had shifted quite a bit over the years. For the longest time, he could only ever love and protect the boy from the other room, thinking of himself as unlovable and unworthy to be anything even tangentially close to a father. But after Dream died, it became a little easier.

It’s not like he never wanted Tommy to know the truth; but he didn’t know how the kid would react. Him and Tommy had a bit of a rocky history (especially after the boy was killed by Dream in the prison all that time ago. It still made Sam’s blood boil when he remembered,) but things settled a little more when Sam aided Tommy in capturing and killing Dream once and for all. In fact, Sam worked with Quackity, Punz, Eret, Wilbur, and a few others to round up everyone and search for the bastard. Sam had sworn to himself he’d never allow Dream to lay a finger on Tommy ever again.

After they all buried him, Sam spat on his grave, harboring few words except bitterness and the repressed anger he felt but never could say. But inside, there was a sense of peace.

At least Tommy was safe. That’s all that mattered.

In the time between then and now, Sam gathered up the strength to speak more to Tommy. It eased his heart knowing Tommy was slowly healing. He offered Tommy multiple times that if he ever needed a place to stay at, he had Sam’s base. He gave Tommy the coordinates and promised him that no matter what time of night it was, if Tommy rang the bell, Sam would always answer.

He knew Tommy would primarily go to Snowchester to stay with Tubbo and Ranboo, and Sam didn’t mind. He was happy in fact, that Tommy had friends who loved him who were close enough to his home that he could walk and be there in about ten minutes.

But, the first time Tommy rang the bell to his base, it was almost one in the morning and Sam was exhausted. Fran’s tail was wagging with excitement and he was surprised when he looked through his security cameras that he built to see that Tommy was there at all. He let him in, and the two shared warm cocoa that Sam made, and allowed Tommy to rest in his guest bedroom.

Sam thought that would be the end of it. But no.

There was a second time, third time, fourth time. Many more times that Tommy came by when the nightmares crept into his mind and he couldn’t unsee the remainder of a green smile echoing in his head. Each time, him and Sam grew closer and Sam gave comfort when permitted. He lightly gripped Tommy’s hand, hugged him, read to him books to help him fall asleep. Anything to soothe Tommy and help him feel safe. 

-

There was one night, sometime after the first anniversary of Dream’s death, where Sam caught Tommy staring a bit too uncomfortably long at the prison. He approached him, making his presence known.

“Tommy?” he asked. Tommy turned towards him, a small smile playing at his lips.

“Hey there Sam,” he said, “nice night out, eh?”

“Tommy, why are you…?” he asked, gaze flicking towards the prison.

Tommy sighed, shoulders sagging.

“Sometimes,” he began, “I remember when I was was trapped in there, Sam. And I was screaming out, hoping you’d come save me. And I forgive you now, but at the time I was so scared. I was fucking frightened. And then he killed me, Sam! He killed me! I was alone and scared. And I don’t know. I guess standing here and seeing the prison helps remind me that I’m not there anymore. That Dream is fucking dead now, that he can’t get me anymore.”

Sam felt his eyes grow wet at the memory. The guilt still followed him all the way back from when he didn’t save Tommy. It was easily the worst three days of his life. The grief engulfed him, seeing the bloodied and beaten corpse of the boy he grew attached to, and seeing the man who committed it laughing. Sam wanted nothing more than to kill Dream himself to get revenge for Tommy’s murder, but more than once he heard the boy’s words in the back of his mind telling him not to, because Dream could still bring back Wilbur.

“I’m just happy you’re safe, Tommy,” Sam said, an unintentional weight poured into his words.

Tommy’s gaze met his, and Sam could see how tired the boy was. Fighting off trauma after trauma was not an easy task, especially since on more than one occasion, he seemed to be the center point.

An old anger burned inside of Sam when he remembered how Dream fucked this boy up, how he laughed and laughed anytime – and everytime – he brought any modicum of pain to Tommy’s life.

Sam exhaled. He wasn’t going to lose his temper over someone who was now dead. 

“Thank you, Sam,” Tommy said gently, smiling a little.

Sam felt his chest warm over. He wanted to tell the truth. 

He had to.

“Tommy…” he started nervously, “there’s something I feel I should tell you.”

Tommy’s head tilted a little. “What?” he asked.

Sam eyed the grass, anxiety starting to thrum. How was Tommy going to react to the truth? That Sam saw him almost as his son since as far back as when Dream was imprisoned? 

No. He needed to give Tommy more credit than that. The boy was older now. He deserved to know. 

And so he proceeded to tell Tommy the entire truth. How when Dream was imprisoned and Tommy was building his hotel, Sam started to grow attached to him. How when Tommy died, Sam had to break the news to everyone and how deeply crushed his heart and soul were. How he broke the rules of the prison to aid Quackity out of a desire for revenge against what Dream did to Tommy. How he destroyed himself and buried himself inside the dark, cruel walls of Pandora’s Vault to make sure Dream wouldn’t escape. For Tommy.

When he finished, Tommy looked at him with widened eyes.

Sam looked down and waited for rejection, for something to break.

It never came.

He felt Tommy’s small hand touch his much larger one, and he snapped his gaze to him.

Tommy’s eyes were soft.

“You’re a fucken’ idiot, Sam” he said with no bite behind it, “you did all of that for me?”

Sam nodded.

Tommy leaned against him, resting his head on his shoulder.

“I wish you had told me sooner,” Tommy said, “all I want is for people to be honest with me. Aside from Wilbur, Tubbo, Ranboo, and Quackity…I didn’t think anyone really cared about me anymore. At least back then, it’s not so bad now. I thought I was just a fucking…walking storm on the server. That I wasn’t worth being cared about.”

“No, please don’t say that,” Sam gently begged, “people love you so much on this server, Tommy…”

A pause.

“...I love you. You’re like a son to me.”

Tommy froze, his eyes widened. Sam felt his breath catch in his throat.

Sam almost wanted to take it back, but he wouldn’t. Not ever. He meant what he said.

With no words spoken, Tommy reached down and took Sam’s hand. Tommy’s hands were much smaller than his, fingers littered with scars. 

He squeezed Sam’s hand, as a silent confirmation that he understood. That he was processing what he had said.

The two sat there in silence for a few minutes, Sam looking at Tommy and trying to gauge his reaction. Sometimes, Sam wished he could look inside the boy’s head and see what was there. What he was thinking. What he felt. Just so that Sam could know how to better take care of this boy and love him in every way he deserved.

Finally, Tommy spoke.

“You know,” he said, “I always wished Phil was my dad. Wilbur would talk about him so much, especially in L’manburg. Both Phil and Techno were like legends, it was fucking awesome. Me, Tubbo and Fundy would fall asleep to stories about them. But then Phil killed Wilbur. And they teamed up with Dream to destroy L’manburg. And they both helped him escape prison. I don’t know, I guess…I guess I was so hung up on how amazing I thought they were that I didn’t see what was happening right in front of me. Sometimes great people aren’t so great once you know them long enough.”

Sam stayed quiet. Tommy continued.

“I still care about both of them, even despite everything. But it’s not the same as it was when I was younger. They’re not the cool people Wilbur told me about. They are just flawed, kinda scummy people at times.”

Tommy looked at Sam, smiling a little.

“I don’t mind being your kid, Sam,” he said, eyes bright.

Sam felt his emotions overwhelm him, and he grabbed Tommy and pulled him to his chest, hugging him tightly. He felt Tommy’s arms wrap around his back.

It was an acknowledgement. A part of Sam knew Tommy would never fully see him as his father, especially since the boy was now a young adult, but it didn’t matter to him. What mattered was that he had told the truth. That Tommy knew, and had accepted it.

-

Sam heard a ring on the alarm system tied to his base. He looked down at his communicator, where Tommy messaged him that he had arrived. Fran was barking, tail wagging. He smiled, approaching the door and pulling the lever to pull down the redstone wall.

“Hey Sam,” Tommy said, smiling.

“Come on in,” Sam said, Fran right by his heels.

–

Punz didn’t really do the whole mercenary business anymore.

There wasn’t much of a point to it, especially after he betrayed the guy who was paying him. 

And said guy is now buried six feet fucking under.

As he should.

Punz walked around in his house, looking at his old weapons. He kept them sharp, in case any threat ever dared to pop up. But it’s been five years, and so far, nothing has happened.

The problem had died the moment Dream did.

Punz sighed, tying his shoulder-length hair back into a shitty ponytail. Even though he wasn’t a mercenary anymore, he still did things around the server. He’d help Tommy take care of the Prime Path, and began to take up gardening. He also helped Sam shut down the prison, as it was pretty much useless now.

But even still, Punz still felt the sins of his past actions crawl on his back. The actions he committed before he saved Tommy and Tubbo all that time ago.

It couldn’t be helped, really. Punz wasn’t a good man. 

Sometimes, he still believed he wasn’t.

For a while he could do jobs and kill and slaughter without batting an eye. Hell, he killed Wilbur twice.

But he supposed something changed in his mind when he realized that Dream was going to trap Tommy in that prison and kill the kid’s best friend.

Punz wasn’t stupid; he knew that’s what the plan was. He remembered when Dream told him every gritty detail.

The plan would’ve been to keep Tommy locked up in the prison. A dark, isolated place where Dream could do whatever he wanted to him for all eternity. Dream would never let him die, ever. He would hire Punz to be one of the guards, and the two of them would’ve kept a kid – a kid – trapped in there forever.

That’s where Punz finally broke and turned his back on Dream.

He helped Sam and Sapnap get Dream into the prison, and he thought it’d all be fine.

Until Dream got out. 

When he heard the prison alarms go off, he immediately rushed to find Tommy. Amongst all the chaos and hell, Dream slipped by thanks to Techno and Phil, and Dream had stolen armor from someone on the server. Punz guessed it was him, since Dream knew where to find his extra armor that he kept stashed in his house.

For the next few weeks afterwards, Punz had to watch Tommy and Tubbo like a hawk to make sure Dream wasn’t secretly lurking around and spying on them. Tommy was frightened out of his mind, hyperventilating and panicking. Tubbo was stone-cold and silent.

He promised both of them that he’d keep them safe.

He intended on keeping that promise.

Because despite how much of a bastard he was, he wasn’t going to give up on the two kids he softened up to. 

And so he allowed them to stay in his house, including Tubbo’s son Michael. His home was big enough for them, and he told them they could stay as long as they needed. He knew Tommy’s first choice would’ve been to stay with Wilbur, but the man slept in his shitty burger van and last time Punz checked, he was not at all skilled in combat.

And he spent several nights on little to no sleep, guarding the kids and keeping a sharp watch out for Dream. He set up traps near every door and window in his house, even ones that would pour milk on him if he tried using an invisibility potion. Dream would have to kill him if he wanted to get to Tommy or Tubbo.

During those nights, he thought about every possible gruesome way he could kill Dream. How nice it would be to take one of his daggers and rip the man from throat to abdomen, letting him choke on his own blood and die alone and unloved.

But he knew that rightfully, Dream wasn’t his kill to make. That belonged to Tommy and Tubbo.

After about the first week of guarding the kids at night, a few of the other server members offered to do the same as well. Quackity, Sam, Hannah, Eret, Sapnap, Puffy. Hell, even people who weren’t there as long, like Michael McChill, Seapeakay, and Boomer offered to help. 

Punz owed them his gratitude and more. 

And so the server took turns in protecting Tommy and Tubbo (and little Michael) whilst also tracking down Dream and figuring out where to find him.

It only took about three weeks to find him. Punz ended up leading the search team.

He didn’t want to bring Tommy or Tubbo, but he knew that because Wilbur was alive and Punz could revive Ranboo, there would be no hesitation, or second chances. Dream would fucking die.

And when he did, when Tubbo drove the sword into his chest, Punz felt something akin to pride . They did it. The kids who helped change something in his heart were alive and finally got their revenge against the man who made their lives hell. 

No one wanted to carry Dream’s corpse back to the server, but Punz chose to, only on the condition that Dream would get no ceremony, no headstone. He’d just be buried in the dirt with all the bugs and larvae and his flesh would rot there.

He felt nothing when he put Dream’s body in the grave. No sadness, no remorse, nothing. 

His parting words to Dream were nothing more than “Hope you rot.”

The aftermath of it all was Punz trying to figure out what to do with his life. Wilbur thanked him (albeit hesitantly) for protecting Tommy and Tubbo, and Punz apologized to him for when he used to be on Dream’s side. They weren’t friends and never would be, but at least it was settled.

He started visiting Purpled more frequently. The younger boy was bitter and annoyed at first, but after a long time, started warming up to Punz’s visits. Purpled didn’t work for Las Nevadas anymore, and Punz helped him rebuild his UFO home that Quackity destroyed. 

Punz didn’t know if his visits encouraged Purpled to do so or if the younger boy did it of his own volition, but slowly Purpled started talking to the other server members again. Punz caught Purpled talking to Tommy once or twice, assuming that the two were rekindling their old friendship. 

He never asked the kid about it, knowing that he’d deny it. 

He was just happy things were getting better.

Sometimes if he was bored or in a good mood with nothing better to do, he’d lay on the couch in his home and smoke some of the weed he started growing. He didn’t plan on making a business out of it, since he didn’t care much for money anymore. It was relaxing for him to rest on his couch, the plant-induced effects helping him sleep better at night. Before, he hadn’t realized how bad his insomnia had become. His nights had become a lot better after he started using the plant.

Sometimes when he sat in his house, he thought about the things he did when he was still a mercenary. How everything, no matter how bad or morally unjust it was, was worth the money he got.

Sometimes he still didn’t believe he was a good man, even despite the actual good things he did.

Sure, he saved Tommy and Tubbo, but what if he hadn’t? Was there some other, fucked up world where he didn’t snap out of it faster and betrayed them? Where he still sided with Dream?

He shuddered uncomfortably at the thought.

He wasn’t a good man. But aiding in killing two kids was where he drew the line. 

He could commit every type of atrocity imaginable, and he already had in some aspects. But ripping Tommy away from having an actual life and killing Tubbo was too grim for him to think of committing. 

He wasn’t a good man. But he had standards regardless.

Even when his mind was fucked up by the Egg and he had heard that Tommy died in the prison, he felt a pang of anguish knowing that the kid he tried to save died anyways. Even the Egg couldn’t fully stop him from caring about Tommy.

He wasn’t a good man. But he still cared .

Punz sighed, looking at himself in the mirror. He was older, and a little less selfish. His grayish-blue eyes were a little drowsy, but still bright. He didn’t wear his belt holster where his dagger and ender pearls were anymore, those items kept safe in his ender chest. He resorted to just his worn, gray hoodie and a simple black pair of shorts. He wasn’t a threatening mercenary anymore, nor an ally to Dream. 

Just a man.

With a small smile, he exited his home, heading towards Kinoko Kingdom.

-

“I am happy you came by to visit,” Puffy said. Niki sat across from her in her home, cup of tea in her hand.

“Of course I would,” Niki said, “I get lonely if I am home for too long.”

“Do you feel less lonely now?” Puffy asked. Niki smiled. They both knew the answer to that.

“I always feel less lonely when I’m with you.”

Puffy nodded, taking a sip from her own cup of tea.

The two had repaired their relationship since Dream died. It took a long time though, and they had barely begun dating again. Puffy didn’t know Niki as well, and Niki didn’t know Puffy as well.

Niki had come to Puffy after leaving the Syndicate, crying and panicking that she’d be alone again, and that breaking away from the Syndicate was one of the hardest things she had to do. Despite the toxic environment that it was, and despite her dependence on the Syndicate to fill the hole in her heart that L’manburg left behind, she knew it was the best action to take. 

She was so angry and tired. She was tired of not feeling like she belonged anywhere.

She was angry at herself for everything she’d done, for joining with Technoblade, for nearly killing Tommy, for not reaching out to Jack, for being angry at Wilbur for being dead, for desperately reaching for something that had blown up right before her eyes. 

She didn’t want to be angry. She wanted to be home.

But what was home anyways? She tried searching for it ever since L’manburg was destroyed.

Her empty caverns of a home she carved out reminded her too much of Pogtopia sometimes. The Syndicate were kind to her, but Phil had killed Wilbur and Techno destroyed her home. 

Did she have a home anywhere?

The universe was funny, as it was cruel. It gave her a home, it gave her a family, it gave her something to protect and fight for, but it was all just as easily ripped away. And in her sorrow-filled heart, her anger swelled and she wanted to take it all out on anyone – Tommy, being the biggest one.

Oh Tommy…

Her sweet younger brother, who had such bright blue eyes and a wide smile when L’manburg was still around. 

How those eyes had darkened when she saw him again during the Green Festival. After Dream died, she backed away in horror and nausea when she learned the truth of what had been done to Tommy. 

It was the same eyes she saw reflected in hers when she looked in the mirror.

Maybe if she’d looked a little longer, she’d have realized sooner just how far she had spiraled. 

-

“Tommy, can I talk to you?” she asked. The blonde boy looked at her, sitting on the edge of L’manburg, legs dangling off the cliff.

“Sure,” he said. She sat down beside him, hands clasped together.

It had been two months since Wilbur had left. Her goodbye to him hurt and she’d miss him more than she could ever explain, but at least her dearest friend was safe somewhere.

“I…” she started, but immediately she felt her chest grow heavy and the tears rise up as her emotions all crashed back to her.

“I am sorry, Tommy. I am so, so sorry,” she cried.

He looked at her confused. “For what?” he asked.

“I tried to kill you!” she admitted, “Jack and I, we…we had planned to launch one of Tubbo’s nukes in your direction and kill you and we were…I was so angry at the time. I just wanted to be angry at someone for taking my home and my best friend away from me, and I took it out on you. And I should’ve never, ever even thought of doing that. And I am so happy the plan had failed. I hated you at the time Tommy, but I think if you had died, I would’ve probably fallen apart even more. I just…” she stumbled off. 

She looked at him. His eyes were wide. Did he really not know that’s what their plan was this whole time? Or did he not know she was involved?

Tears streaming down her face, she gently took one of Tommy’s hands, holding it in both of hers.

“I don’t expect you to forgive me, ever,” she said, “and I don’t want you to either. I should never have done that, it’s not excusable. I tried to hurt you. I tried to hurt my family. I am sorry.”

Tommy’s eyes softened. He reached his arms around her into a side hug, her head nestled against his shoulder.

“I know you don’t want my forgiveness Niki, but you have it anyways,” he said, “you’re still my friend and I still care about you.”

“But why? I tried to hurt you! I don’t deserve your forgiveness, Tommy.”

She felt him shrug.

“It’s all about not giving up on the people you care about, right? I still care about you, I know that when Wilbur died it all went to shit. I don’t give up on people I love. Not you, not Wilbur, nobody. And I think…I don’t know…maybe you want to do better?” he asked.

“I do, Tommy,” she said, “I have said and done things I never should have, I wanted to just be angry at everyone for a while. When Wilbur came back, I didn’t know what to do anymore. And after he spoke to me a while ago, I feel ready to finally move on.”

“I think things will start to be okay.”

“Yeah, I think so too.”

After that, she put in more effort to be happier. She reached out to all the original members of L’manburg and stayed in close contact with them. Even Eret, because despite their betrayal, they were a part of L’manburg too. She repaired her friendship with Jack and the two had plenty of nights where they would sit at one of the balconies of the Innit-Manifold hotel, drinking and chatting. She built a house not too far from Puffy’s, so that the two could be close and she’d at least have company.

She started baking again, and it filled her heart with bittersweet memories that slowly stopped hurting as much as they once did. She and Puffy started speaking to each other again and those old emotions fluttered in her belly, causing her cheeks to warm whenever she saw the sheep hybrid. Puffy was kind and Niki didn’t deserve her. She never did. Puffy took care of her in a way that Niki failed to do for herself for what felt like an eon. Puffy wasn’t perfect, but she didn’t ever have to be. She was enough as she was, with her fluffy dual-colored hair and lithe but muscular body. 

She had spoken to Wilbur before he left, and even though his apology was filled with things he really didn’t need to be sorry for, she understood what he meant. She assured him that even though she was angry, she was learning to let go of it, and that he wronged her the least, that her grievances with him were not at all as many as what he had spoken of, that she had only ever been truly angry at him for leaving her in L’manburg when Schlatt was still president, and lying about not blowing up L’manburg when he ultimately did. She saw his tears and embraced him, telling him that he deserved to be happy and that she forgave him. 

“You’re my best friend, Niki. I hope you know that.”

“I know,” she had said.

When he left it hurt dearly but she still wrote to him a lot, asking him if he was eating well and taking care of himself. She intuitively knew Wilbur was being honest in his responses, telling her that he was trying his best. And really, that’s all she needed.

“You’re staring off into space, are you okay?” Puffy asked.

Niki looked up at her and nodded.

“I’m just having memories right now,” she said.

Puffy kissed her head before sitting down beside her. 

“Do you wanna talk about it?” she asked.

“Not really,” Niki said, “it’s nothing new and nothing concerning. I am just happy things are better now.”

Puffy beamed at her, and Niki saw stars in her eyes.

“I know you miss Wilbur,” Puffy said, “but I think he’ll come back soon. I do want to ask him if he’s open to a few sessions with me. Just to be sure he’s okay.”

“You’re very kind, Puffy,” Niki smiled. Puffy blushed.

“Yeah, well I try to be. It’s my job, after all.”

“But you’re more than that. You’re hard-working, you care about everyone, you are compassionate, reasonable…and I care about you.”

Puffy smiled.

“I care about you too, Niki,” she said.

The two of them continued to talk to each other for another hour before Niki kissed Puffy’s cheek goodbye, walking home. She expected Quackity to show up later to check in on the wedding cake, as she knew the party after the official ceremony was going to be hosted at Las Nevadas. Her plan was to make a three-layer strawberry and vanilla cake, and she wanted to make it just right for Tubbo and Ranboo.

As she approached her home, she saw the flag for her mailbox was up, meaning she had received a letter from Wilbur. She ran to it, opening the mailbox and pulling out the letter inside. She practically ripped it open, nearly getting a papercut in the process. She read the letter to herself, her heart racing.

Niki,

I am returning in a week. I miss you a lot and I think it’s time for me to come home. I have sent letters to everyone else as well.

-W

She felt her heart fill with excitement and happiness. Wilbur was coming home? And just in time for Tubbo’s and Ranboo’s wedding too! She had to make preparations immediately, maybe make those cinnamon cakes that Wilbur loved so much. 

Yeah, she’d do that for him.

She walked into her house, pulling her big recipe book in one of her cupboards out and placing it on the counter, flipping through pages until she found the one on cinnamon cakes. Taped to the page was a small photo of her and Wilbur in their L’manburg uniforms. She had kept that photo safe in her enderchest, as she did with most of her photographs and important items. Her original recipe book was destroyed during Doomsday, but thankfully her memory was sharp and she wrote down all the recipes in her new book. 

She did have her work cut out for her, as she also was assigned to make the pastries and cake for Tubbo’s and Ranboo’s wedding, but she didn’t mind doing something special for her friend when he came back.

It would all be alright.

-

As Aimsey said goodbye and left the castle, Eret took a breath. They enjoyed the young girl’s company, as she was both kind and strong. She was an honored knight of the castle, despite her duties being incredibly minimal nowadays. Aimsey liked to come by once a week to have tea with them, and they always obliged. Eret had a habit of telling the same stories over and over of how L’manburg was formed, how Schlatt came to power, how everyone banned together to defeat him, and so on until the story would inevitably reach the present. Aimsey didn’t mind much, as she valued the history of the SMP every bit as much as Eret did. 

Eret themself had not changed all that much in the past five years. Their brown hair had grown out so now it reached their shoulders and they oftentimes tied it back into a ponytail with a red ribbon. They also wore more dresses and skirts now, enjoying the euphoria it gave them. It made them feel pretty.

Foolish oftentimes came to visit, when he wasn’t busy building his next big project. The two connected more, Foolish eventually telling Eret the full story of their unlikely friendship. Eret was once an immortal just like Foolish and before they joined the SMP and became part of L’manburg, they were a protector of an enchanted forest somewhere very far away. They met Foolish and the two bonded immediately, hunting down enemies like the Wither cult and others. However, they had also done extremely awful things, killing innocents in the name of the greater good and slaughtering entire villages for it. Foolish struggled explaining the next part, but he had made it sound like Eret gave up their memories and mortality to DreamXD in exchange for a normal life somewhere else, where they could start over and forget about the atrocities they had committed, and Foolish had spent literal years searching for them. And in that time, Foolish learned to redeem himself, become a better man. 

To Eret, the story would’ve sounded more interesting if they had remembered it. But they didn’t. Regardless, Foolish was kind and patient and the two spent a few nights hanging out at the castle, sometimes dancing together to some songs on the jukebox. Love was a strong word and Eret knew they weren’t in love with Foolish, but they loved him nonetheless. There was a difference. The two were close due to their shared past, and they liked to be in each other’s company. Eret found Foolish to be genuine, a friend that they had needed and never knew they already had.

As for Dream, Eret didn’t miss him. When Eret had guarded Tommy and Tubbo during the time when Dream was out of prison, they saw Tommy shaking and having nightmares. Eret would dampen a cloth and place it on Tommy’s forehead, to let him sleep more peacefully. There were a few times where Eret allowed both boys to sleep beside them on their large king-sized bed, and every time, Eret would wake up in the middle of the night to see the boys curled into each other, protectively. It warmed their heart to know Tommy and Tubbo loved each other so dearly, even after all that had happened.

It took a while after Dream had died for Eret to know the full truth of what happened to Tommy when he had been exiled, and when they learned, they felt an anger simmering in their chest and it almost frightened them. Tommy was gentle, Tommy was kind and good. How could anyone ever have done what Dream did to him and be proud of it?

There were several things Eret didn’t have the answers to, and that was one of them. 

Eret stared outside the castle courtyard and looked at the SMP. The sun was a little further than at the top of the sky, meaning it was past noon already. 

During the visit, Aimsey told them that Wilbur was coming back. Eret’s eyes had widened, surprised that Wilbur even wanted to come back. Eret had remembered the first time they had seen him since he was revived, wandering the SMP with a white streak in his hair and tired eyes. Eret had felt that clawing feeling inside to reach out, to approach Wilbur and talk to him, but would he have wanted to talk to them? It’s not like Eret ever apologized to Wilbur for what they had done. Eret had spent countless nights lying awake wracked with guilt believing that they would never get the chance to apologize to the one person they should’ve apologized to. 

When L’manburg was still new, Eret had remembered staying by Wilbur’s side and the two of them raising Fundy together and looking after Tommy and Tubbo. Eret had held Fundy in their arms, looking at him. Even back then, Fundy looked like his father, with soft brown eyes and fluffy hair. 

They were like a family, all of them. And Eret stabbed Wilbur in the back for it.

But eventually, they did get around to apologizing to Wilbur. And Eret would never forget that day either.

-

“...Wilbur?” Eret asked. They saw Wilbur wandering around the museum, staring up at the recreation of the van.

“Oh, hello Eret,” Wilbur said. Dream had died only a few days prior, and yet despite that the two had barely spoken before, during, or after it.

“It’s nice to see you here,” Eret said gently, feeling slightly awkward. They had been hoping for a moment like this for so long, reciting the exact words to say, but now their head was empty.

“Did you make this, by chance?” Wilbur asked.

“Yes,” Eret said, “I built the entire museum. I don’t want the SMP’s history to go to waste. And that includes L’manburg.”

They saw Wilbur smile a little, albeit sadly.

“I am grateful you chose to do this,” he said softly.

“You should’ve been the one to have made it,” Eret said, looking up at the van replica, “L’manburg was wonderful and now it’s gone and you weren’t here. I don’t…I didn’t deserve to recreate it in this museum.”

“I am grateful nonetheless,” Wilbur said, then sighed. “You were part of L’manburg too. Its legacy rests with you as well.”

“And yet I betrayed you,” Eret said, voice shaking.

“I know. I was there, Eret,” Wilbur said with an uncertain emotion.

“I’ve…” Eret began, “I’ve waited countless weeks and months to tell you that I…” they said, feeling tears start to fall from their eyes, “I am sorry, Wilbur. I am so sorry for betraying you, betraying you all. It was my fault entirely. Dream promised me kingship in exchange for betraying you, and I took it. And I cannot ever take it back. You don’t need to forgive me, Wilbur. I don’t expect you to. But I need you to know that I fully regret what I have done.”

Wilbur looked at them, his eyes soft.

“It’s okay, Eret,” he said, “I forgive you. I am sorry that you had to wait so long, but…I can see you’ve changed.”

“Please don’t apologize to me for that, Wilbur,” Eret said, “don’t apologize to me for anything. You owe me nothing. I should’ve apologized before you died.”

“Yes, but” Wilbur said, “I forgive you anyways.”

Eret walked to Wilbur, pulling him into their arms.

“Thank you, thank you so much,” Eret breathed.

Wilbur hummed in response, returning their embrace.

After they let go of each other, Eret smiled.

“I am so happy that you’re still here, Wilbur,” they said, “you are welcome at my castle whenever you wish.”

Wilbur’s face fell, proceeding to tell Eret that he was going to leave the server in a few days, uncertain if he would return. Eret listened, feeling somewhat regretful that their conversation hadn’t happened sooner.

“If,” Eret started, “if you feel like you’re better off elsewhere to become a better person, then it’s not my right to stop you. But others might try,” they said, thinking of Tommy.

Wilbur nodded.

“I know,” he said, “but if I leave, I won’t feel guilty. I have to do it, otherwise I’ll be trapped here in a pit and reminded of my own mistakes. I can’t forgive myself here, Eret. Dream wanted to control Tommy, and Dream is dead now. As long as Tommy, and the people I care about are safe, then I have no regrets.”

Eret nodded.

“Then be well, my friend,” they said, “take care of yourself while you are gone. I promise to write to you.”

“Thank you, Eret,” Wilbur said.

“Of course.”

-

After Wilbur had left, Eret reached out to Fundy, to try and get the young fox hybrid to move back to the SMP. He was reluctant at first, having just seen his father and dealing with the aftermath, but Eret assured him that Fundy was welcome. He eventually moved back to the SMP, building a home not too far from the castle.

Eret knew Fundy missed his father, even despite the long period of time where the two had minimal (or, in the case of Wilbur’s death) no contact. His ears lowered sometimes when talking about Wilbur, his tail brushing the ground slightly. The two did reconcile when Wilbur had spoken to Fundy, explaining to him why he refused to speak to him when Schlatt was president, assuming Fundy actually did disown him as his father and was on the side of the man who exiled Wilbur and Tommy. Fundy felt saddened by that, realizing that Wilbur actually never knew that he was really serving as a spy on Pogtopia’s behalf. 

While the two did reconcile and Fundy was willing to call himself Wilbur’s son again, Fundy couldn’t forgive Wilbur for ignoring him upon his revival and Wilbur couldn’t fully forgive Fundy for not telling him the truth sooner.

Eret didn’t argue with that, as both of them still had sore spots that never fully soothed themselves. They were just happy that they could relinquish past grudges and move on. Not all things could be forgiven, but it was okay. They were okay.

Eret checked in on Tommy and Tubbo as well, and the two nowadays seemed fine. Michael was getting bigger and smarter all the time and the little piglin was now seven years old. Anytime Tubbo and Ranboo came by with their son, Michael would hug Eret’s legs and tell them all the amazing things he’d been learning about, oftentimes going in detail about his make-believe adventures where he slayed dragons and saved princesses. Michael was an endearing little lad. 

Tommy seemed so much happier, which made Eret happy in return. He sometimes brought up Wilbur and how deeply he missed him, but still sent him letters all the time. Eret would listen to those discussions with a quiet understanding. Tommy loved him as his brother, Eret loved Wilbur as an old friend. Regardless of what Wilbur might personally believe, he was loved . Not just by Tommy and Eret, but everyone who was close to him and saw him to his core. They’d all wait, no matter how long, for their friend to come home.

Eret, above all else, hoped Wilbur was happy. He had been through a lot, as they all had. They hoped Wilbur had found peace where he was now and that when he returned to the SMP, the playful spark would be back in his eyes and he’d stay there, amidst the company of his family and friends for the rest of his days and the past would become nothing more than a distant memory.

-

Technoblade didn’t do much these days.

His life in the Arctic was quiet; no Butcher Army to chase him, no governments to shut down. The voices in his mind tormenting him less and less over the years.

It was quiet. But it was lonely.

To this day he still couldn’t understand why Ranboo and Niki just left the way they did. They had both told him that they didn’t want to be part of the Syndicate anymore and out of respect for them, he let them go. But he always wondered if there was a deeper reason.

People on the server were never honest with him.

Except they were, Tommy had told him several times already.

All his time on that server was spent on destroying governments and showing the members the wrath of a god, and he had hoped that anyone could see his vision, the point in his actions.

And for a brief amount of time, Ranboo and Niki did. Until they didn’t and left the Arctic forever.

Phil was his only friend left in the world. Phil had been his friend for centuries, the only person who knew him completely, and never doubted him. 

Techno never needed anyone else anyways. Better to have one true friend than ten false ones.

That didn’t stop a certain blonde-haired boy from visiting him though.

Techno knew the look in Tommy’s eyes whenever the boy visited him. Whatever the opposite of childish wonder and innocence was, it was that.

It was also pity. Techno loathed him for it.

Techno didn’t want anyone’s pity, and certainly not Tommy’s. The boy who destroyed their friendship in a minute and made everyone in L’manburg pay for it.

Whenever Tommy spoke to him, Techno would grumble and be quiet. He didn’t want to listen to Tommy anymore. However, he never stayed away for long. No matter how hard he tried, Techno couldn’t make Tommy leave.

Tommy was stubborn.

That was the only thing both of them had in common.

They weren’t brothers, they were barely friends.

Tommy could’ve been his brother, if he had just stayed .

But whenever Techno thought of that, he also remembered when Tubbo screamed and yelled at him for all his grievances during the time L’manburg was around, and even after.

That was the only time anyone ever got the final word in any argument against Techno.

Techno strived on being proud, of being correct, of always having the upper hand and having enough Wither skulls and TNT to take down any government or person that dared to stand against him or pose a threat.

Until Tubbo.

It’s not like Tubbo changed his mind, but it did make Techno sit and think on it.

Techno felt sobered by Tubbo’s words. He had to give the little tyrant this, his scathing tongue could rip anyone to shreds. He knew who Tubbo got it from too, since Wilbur was also the same way.

For the first time in possibly his life, it made Techno wonder why .

Why did anyone ever see the value in L’manburg? Why did that tiny little country with terrible leaders, a country that was doomed from the start and ripped friendships apart, matter so much? What was so magnificent about it that people were willing to die for it repeatedly?

Techno just couldn’t understand.

Friendships and people were worth dying for, not government or politics.

But something inside of him echoed back that maybe the people in L’manburg were friends, and they were fighting for each other.

The same way Techno would’ve given up his one and only life for Phil.

Techno’s thoughts were shaken as he heard happy barking outside. 

Tommy was here. The hounds were greeting him, as they couldn’t ever forget his scent or the fact that he raised most of them alongside Techno.

Techno felt a minor surge of anger. Why couldn’t Tommy just stay away?

Without any knocking, Tommy barged in as he usually did.

“Hello Techno” he said politely.

“Get out of my house, Tommy,” Techno grunted.

“No,” Tommy refused.

Techno sighed.

“You’re a lonely fuck out here and aside from Phil you don’t have company. Besides, Phil is boring and old.”

“He at least listens to me when I tell him to leave,” Techno retorted.

“And besides,” Tommy sat down on the couch, “I know you’d never come to visit me, and I like walking here.”

“Heh? You live in a dirt home that will probably collapse in on itself any day now, and you expect me to visit you?” Techno said.

“My home is actually fucking nice, thank you very much,” Tommy said matter-of-factly, “it has flowers and pictures and my discs and everything a big man could want.”

“You and your stupid discs…” Techno insulted. Tommy’s gaze grew bitter for a moment.

“Listen, I don’t care what you think of my discs,” Tommy said, “but they’re mine. The same way how your home is yours, your axe is yours, your dogs are yours.”

“Those discs have no value, Tommy. The same way L’manburg didn’t either,” Techno fired back. Tommy stood up, his eyes blazing.

“Never EVER talk about L’manburg in that way, you fucking asshole. It was my home! It was Wilbur and Tubbo’s home! How many times do I have to tell you that before it gets through your thick fucking skull?” Tommy said, his voice raised but not quite shouting yet either.

“Stop holding onto L’manburg so much! It was a country founded through greed and tyranny and the fact that you still hold onto it after all this time is the more ridiculous part of all of it,” Techno boomed. Tommy glared at him, inhaling sharply and filled with anger. But after a moment, Tommy took a deep breath.

“You will never understand…” Tommy trailed off.

“It took you five years to figure that out?” Techno mocked.

“I want you to understand, but you’re filled with so many…contradictions…that it’s impossible to get through,” Tommy said.

“I’m the one with contradictions? Tell that to yourself in the mirror. You wanted freedom for so long and yet you were always willing to die for a country that proved over and over it hated you and would prefer you dead.”

“It was my home , Techno,” Tommy pressed, “that you destroyed. I would’ve rather you just destroyed my house instead of the home that Wilbur and I built. L’manburg was never evil, you just refuse to believe otherwise.”

“All governments are evil, regardless of the goodness of its citizens,” Techno said.

“And that’s where you’re wrong!” Tommy exclaimed, “L’manburg only became corrupt because of fucking Schlatt! That’s why we asked for your help in the first place. One of the rules of L’manburg before he came to power was to use your words instead of your weapons. L’manburg refused violence. It was good. We never hurt anyone –”

“Your friends Quackity and Tubbo hurt ME! They tried to kill and execute me! Don’t sit there and try to justify your country’s existence. If Schlatt was the only bad president you had, then why was your friend Tubbo even worse than him?” Techno snapped.

“Said by the stupid pig man who followed Schlatt’s orders on a whim and killed my best friend for all to see! Tubbo lost a fucking EYE because of you!” 

“The voices told me –”

“I don’t want to hear your fucking excuses!” Tommy shouted, piercing his dagger into the wooden table in front of him.

The two glared at each other for a moment, Techno’s rage reflected in the fire behind Tommy’s eyes.

Techno in that moment realized another thing they had in common; their anger was the same.

Tommy huffed, sitting back down on the couch.

“This is why you’re alone, Techno,” Tommy said, “you’re never going to see anything from anyone else’s perspective. When everything is said and done with, it’s only you and your convictions.”

“I have been around far longer than most people,” Techno said, “the rules I play by are fair enough without you fighting me on it.”

“Sometimes the rules are outdated and should be argued against, you prick,” Tommy muttered.

“You’re not worth my anger anymore Tommy, you guys killed Dream and there’s no governments anymore to destroy. The fact you think you can change my mind is laughable.”

“Honestly, it’s moreso your mind doesn’t want to be changed. You’re afraid of changing yourself because that means admitting that you’ve been wrong before and have hurt other people,” Tommy said.

“Anytime I hurt anyone, it’s either because I was protecting myself or they deserved it,” Techno argued.

“And yet you still hurt Tubbo. He didn’t deserve it, and you could’ve easily given him half your enderpearls and gotten both of you out of there, but no. The most violent way is the easiest one, eh?”

Techno opened his mouth to point out that the voices told him to do it, but didn’t want Tommy to pierce a dent into his coffee table again.

Tommy looked at him with pity, like Techno was a sad little child who was stupider than everyone else, blind to any sort of reality that everyone else lived in.

Techno hated him.

“A part of me will always wish you had changed,” Tommy said, “no matter how hard I try not to, a part of me will always see you as a brother. You protected me when I needed it, but you destroyed my home when I begged you not to. There are some things I will never forgive, and your cruelty will always be one of them,” Tommy said with temperance.

Techno didn’t respond to that, instead watching numbly as Tommy put back on his jacket and walked out the door, leaving Techno.

He was alone again.

His soul felt like ice.

-

As Tommy walked back home, he still felt the anger burn in his heart.

He felt that he would always owe Techno his gratitude for protecting him when he needed it, but Techno was also not kind . His goodness came with a price always, and that was unrelenting loyalty, even when he was wrong.

And Tommy never played by those rules. He always believed what Wilbur believed, to trust your own rules and to do the right thing even when it was hard to do so.

He loved Techno, and always would, but that admiration from his youth faded with time, especially after Dream died and Tommy finally had the time and space to process everything that Techno had done, to both him and his family.

Tommy didn’t like holding grudges, and sometime between exile to Dream’s death, he didn’t care any longer what happened to him. He didn’t care if he was brutally murdered or held prisoner in Pandora’s Vault for no one to see or hear from ever again.

But he never, ever , stopped caring what happened to his family.

And the thing was, Techno hurt his family in some of the most painful ways imaginable. Tubbo’s severe injuries that could never be fully healed, no matter how many potions were applied. Ranboo’s dead pets and lost items. All of his friends’ homes were destroyed. 

Forgiveness was hard. Tommy was incredibly forgiving when he was younger, partially because he had no choice. If he didn’t forgive, he risked being beaten and bruised and punished more. But as he got older, he realized he owed forgiveness to no one. He could care about people truly and deeply but still not forgive everyone for everything they do. 

He sighed to himself as he returned home, the sun setting over the horizon. He noticed that his mailbox was flagged, and he opened it, a single letter inside.

He knew who sent it immediately, as there was no other person in the entire world it could be from.

He ripped it open sloppily, nearly ripping the letter itself, unfolding it and holding it while walking inside the small home, settling himself on his bed to read it.

Tommy,

I plan to return to the SMP next week. I feel well enough now to come home. I hope you are also well.

-W

Tommy’s heart was racing. So what Aimsey had said earlier was true, then. Wilbur really was coming home.

He smiled, feeling his eyes grow misty. He had missed his brother a lot. When Wilbur had left the SMP, Tommy understood why he did. Wilbur traveled using a ship that Tommy helped him build, and as that ship disappeared into the distance, Tommy had fallen to his knees and cried. 

Within the time Wilbur had been gone, Tommy understood that their relationship was not healthy. That Wilbur was not good at keeping promises, had lied to him in front of his face, and in the end could never protect him from Dream, even if he had all the armor and weapons in the world. Dream was too dangerous, too skilled as a fighter to lose against Wilbur of all people, who believed in peace and using words to solve any conflict.

But none of that made Tommy ever stop loving Wilbur, only wanting him to be better.

And Tommy was, if nothing else, happy that Wilbur felt healthy and happy enough to return home. Hopefully their brotherhood could continue on, not as a leader and follower, but as equals who stood next to each other. That they could converse as family should, reminiscing over the good and the bad, and grateful that they both changed as people.

He entered his house, opening Shroud’s enclosure to pick him up and put him on his shoulder. He felt Shroud tap his front legs happily.

“Hello little guy” Tommy cooed, “did you miss me?”

Shroud didn’t answer because he didn’t understand, but that was okay. Tommy always had a soft spot for his pets. He had an idea in his head to build a small sanctuary for animals for a while, but didn’t know where to build it. He contemplated building it in Logstedshire, but…the thought always made him hold his breath.

The idea behind it was to turn a place with haunting, traumatic memories and turn it into something beautiful, but that was heavy territory to approach, even now. Tommy never visited Logstedshire because even after five years, going near that place made him tremble with anxiety. Which meant it was still untouched, his long suicide tower still standing, his tent still there, his blown-up home still there. Sometimes it still smelled of gunpowder.

Or maybe that was the PTSD. Who knows.

Tommy sighed, pulling out some food for himself. For the first two or so years after Dream died, eating was a difficult task for him. But it got easier, thanks to Sam’s gentle encouragement. 

He got some bread and fruit on a plate, sitting down and eating it. He looked at Shroud, who was still sitting comfortably on his shoulder. He reached his finger up to pet the little spider. He felt Shroud crawl up to nestle into his hair, which he never minded. Sometimes he’d ask Eryn to babysit Shroud when he spent a week or two at Tubbo’s and Ranboo’s home. His old friend never cared much, making sure Shroud had plenty of flies and insects to feast on.

Eryn was a wanderer, just as he’d always been. Tommy only saw him during the warm months of the year, the demon hybrid choosing to go somewhere a bit nicer for the winter. It was springtime now in the SMP, so Eryn had been hanging around not too far away from Kinoko Kingdom in his own private hideout, probably spending more time with his adoptive brother Sapnap.

Tommy finished up his food, putting his plate in the sink. He carefully took Shroud off his head and put him back in his enclosure. Tommy walked to his small photo wall near the back of his house. The pictures of him and Tubbo, him and Wilbur, all the original L’manburgians together...he missed those times. 

Sighing, he stepped back outside to water his plants. He had flowers of all sorts in his garden. Alliums, sunflowers, chrysanthemums, tulips, peonies. Ranboo had helped him make his garden, and it was a side hobby he enjoyed. Sometimes he still sang to the flowers, though not as often as when he was younger. 

When he finished, he went back into the house, kicking off his shoes to finally rest. His muscles were buzzing from walking all day, and he made sure to have some water. 

Next week was gonna be hectic.

–

The evening before the wedding…

–

Tommy had been taking care of his garden when he saw a tall figure in the distance, wandering slowly over to him. As the figure got closer, he noticed familiar brown curls with a white streak, big circular glasses and a nervous smile.

Wilbur was finally home.

Before he could even think, Tommy jumped to his feet and sprinted, running as fast as he could. He barreled into Wilbur at full force, knocking the two of them over onto the Prime Path. He heard Wilbur laugh when they landed, a soft chuckle escaping his lips.

“Oh Tommy, I’ve missed you so much,” he said, hugging him tight.

“Yeah you prick, you’ve been gone too long,” Tommy said, nuzzling into his brother’s chest. He felt a few tears shed from his eyes into the fabric of Wilbur’s sweater, but he didn’t care.

Wilbur rested his chin on Tommy’s head, familiarizing himself with the soft blonde curls. 

“You’ve grown up so much, big man. You got a little ponytail, eh?” Wilbur teased lightly.

“Wanted to grow my hair out. ‘M not a child anymore,” Tommy huffed.

Wilbur noticed the L’manburg patch on Tommy’s brown shorts, feeling a wave of emotion fall over him. 

“Did you sew that yourself?” he asked.

“Of course. L’manburg is still my home. My real home,” Tommy said.

Wilbur felt a tear or two slip out. The fact Tommy still loved and cherished L’manburg after all this time, years after it had fallen…it meant more to him than words could describe.

Tommy let go of him, pulling him to his feet.

“I’ve also gotten taller,” he said proudly.

“Yeah, only by an inch or two. You’re still shorter than me,” Wilbur laughed, ruffling Tommy’s hair.

“Oi!” Tommy shouted, lightly battering Wilbur’s hand away. Wilbur moved his hand to Tommy’s shoulder instead.

“So tell me, how’ve you been?”

Tommy smiled. “I’ve been working on my garden, hanging out with Tubbo and Ranboo, cleaning up the Prime Path, clearing out weeds and dead ground around L’manburg. Plenty of cool stuff.”

Wilbur nodded, “You’ve been pretty busy then, aye Tommy?”

“Very busy! But…it’s good for me, Wil. Keeps my mind distracted from well…everything.”

Wilbur smiled sadly, knowing that Tommy was referring to Dream.

“Tommy, I still…feel awful about what had happened. I mean, if I hadn’t let Phil kill me that day…”

“Wilbur, stop it. It’s been years and we are still here. And honestly…I don’t think you could’ve protected me from Dream anyways. He was a sick, fucked up bastard, and he wanted to isolate me as much as he could so that I could be his little plaything. He knew how to fight, and you didn’t. You would’ve likely died trying to protect me from him,” Tommy said gently.

Wilbur nodded. Sometimes the guilt still ate at him, knowing that while he was stuck in limbo, Tommy had been physically and emotionally abused by that monster.

“I’m still trying to forgive myself…” Wilbur said honestly.

“I know, Wil. I know,” Tommy looked at him with understanding. 

Wilbur shook his head, trying to get those thoughts away. What mattered was that he was here with Tommy.

“Show me what you’ve done to your house, I wanna see it,” he said.

“It’s pretty fucking cool, what I’ve done. Spruced it up a little, except not with spruce logs, those don’t work with my house…” Tommy rambled.

Wilbur listened to him talk, smiling with a feeling of ease in his chest. When he originally left the SMP, of course he hesitated. A part of him knew Tommy wanted him there, but he refused to admit it to himself. He was too caught up in his need to be something to other people, to give every breath of air and beat of his heart to other people, just so that they’d want him to stick around. And he knew it wasn’t good for him. And that’s why he had to leave, to escape from the toxicity that plagued him when he was in the SMP.

But now he was a little older and wiser. He had grown to accept his past mistakes.

But not exactly himself. 

Self acceptance was a tricky thing for him, always. His sense of self cracked when Eret betrayed them, and shattered when Schlatt took over L’manburg and threw him and Tommy into exile. If he had only kicked out Wilbur, he would’ve been fine. Maybe not great, but fine. 

But Tommy?

That bastard had no right to kick the kid out of his own home, the one he gave up two lives for to protect. It had broken something in Wilbur, that if even he couldn’t protect his family, what use was he to anyone?

And he withered away as the weeks rolled on, and let himself be killed by his father because he truly believed his own life wasn’t worth it anymore. That if he couldn’t protect Tommy, Tubbo, his son, Niki, Jack…if he couldn’t save them from tyranny, then he deserved to die, and to take L’manburg with himself.

During his time away, he picked up a shitty job at a gas station, working a 9-5 for a while and watching several people come and go, wanting apple slices or cookies or whatever, and accepting letters from anyone who wanted to send them. Most of the time those letters were from Tommy, but he got letters from Tubbo, Fundy, Ranboo, Niki, Eret, Quackity, and Phil.

If there was one thing he was happy about, it’s that he refused to leave the SMP until Dream was dead, and it was absolutely certain he would not come back. Wilbur didn’t exactly trust Punz, but he let go of the fact Punz took one of his lives, since the blonde-haired mercenary didn’t want to bring Dream back anyways. He could at least count on Tommy to be safer, and that if he left, he wouldn’t return to his brother’s corpse infested with maggots and rot.

“Here’s my house. Kinda looks fuckin’ cool now, huh Wil?” Tommy asked.

Wilbur laughed.

“Your house has always looked nice Tommy, I don’t know what you’re on about,” Wilbur said. Tommy gawked at him in disbelief.

“My home was a shithole for the longest time, and then after we killed Dream, I finally had the time to make it actually look like a home instead of, well…just a place I slept in,” he said, that last part a bit solemnly.

Wilbur nodded.

“Well, I think it looks very nice now. The flowers help it look inviting,” he said.

“Thank you. Ranboo helped me pick them out.”

“Did he now? How’s him and Tubbo doing anyways?” Wilbur asked.

“Pretty good. Michael is seven years old now, and while you were gone, they divorced for a bit, but are getting married…” Tommy looked at his calendar, “...tomorrow, actually.”

Wilbur’s eyes widened. He knew they were getting married, but it slipped his mind due to the long journey back to the SMP.

“Oh yeah, right right. I’m so happy for them. Does…do they both want me to be there? I don’t want to intrude,” Wilbur said nervously.

“Yeah, they both want you there. Just between us, Tubbo kinda missed you,” Tommy whispered.

Wilbur’s chest felt warm.

“I’m happy. I missed him too. I missed all of you,” he said.

“My house is quite small, so I prepared you a room at the Innit-Manifold hotel, where we offer the most amazing comfort and cleanliness, that no other shit hotel can possibly dream of exceeding,” Tommy said proudly.

Wilbur laughed again. It was always like Tommy to cheer him up, and even now he still had a twinge of that childlike pride in him. It made Wilbur happy, to know the years were kind to Tommy.

“I am sure it’s a nice hotel. Would you mind giving me a grand tour, perhaps?” Wilbur asked.

“It’s not just ‘nice’ Wil, it’s amazing! Never underestimate mine and Jack’s efforts!” Tommy said.

The two walked the short distance from Tommy’s house to the hotel, Wilbur staring up at the tall red and white building, now tinged with some blue.

The blue reminded Wilbur of a piece of himself that had been missing for years now.

He shook his head.

“Here,” Tommy said, “is the front entrance. And if you come inside…”

Tommy opened the doors up, revealing a decently-sized lobby with a large portrait of him and Jack behind the front desk. No one was really working there, except for Sam Nook, who was just idly mopping the floors.

“Sam Nook!” Tommy said, hugging the robot, “Wilbur has returned.”

“Uh…hello again, Sam Nook,” Wilbur said.

“It is very nice to see you again, Wilbur Soot. Tommyinnit had been expecting your arrival for a while now!”

“Shush, Sam! Look, can you pause a bit on the mopping? I wanted to show Wilbur around for a bit,” Tommy requested.

“Yes, of course Tommyinnit! My system will be on sleep mode. Wake me up when you’re done with the tour.”

Wilbur saw the robot’s eyes dim, Tommy grabbing his arm to show him around.

“I’ll show you where your room will be. I put it on the first floor so your knees won’t hurt going up and down the stairs.”

“I’m not that old, Tommy. I’m only twenty-nine years old now. And besides, I can just take the elevator,” he huffed.

“I thought you said you were forty.”

“Yeah, because I was dead for what felt like forever, Tommy. Physically I’m now twenty-nine, but mentally I’m older,” Wilbur said, “I thought you could figure that out on your own.”

Tommy rolled his eyes.

“Yeah, suit yourself old man,” he teased.

Wilbur sighed. Tommy knew for a while now that limbo didn’t age him physically, he was just messing with him on purpose.

“Well I’ll give you this, putting my room on the first floor saves me the trouble of taking the elevator down,” Wilbur smiled.

They eventually made it to his room, Tommy using his key card to open the door.

It was a nice room, with a window to the outside, matching nightstands with lamps on either side of the queen-sized bed, a bathroom with a tub and shower, dual sinks, and a functional toilet. Everything a person would expect from a nice hotel.

“If this doesn’t suffice, I don’t know what will,” Tommy said.

“It’s more than enough,” Wilbur grinned, “thank you, Tommy.”

“Here’s your key, don’t lose it otherwise you’ll make me upset,” Tommy said with no real threat underneath.

“Hold on, aren’t you going to make me pay to stay here?” Wilbur asked.

“Er…family discount,” Tommy rushed out. Wilbur reached a hand out, ruffling Tommy’s hair.

“You’re too kind. Thank you,” he said warmly.

“Hey, why don’t I invite everyone here?” Tommy asked.

“Like…the entire server?” Wilbur said, confused.

“No, no! Like…Tubbo, Ranboo, Niki, Jack, Fundy, Eret. Maybe Big Q too. They are the people who missed you the most, Wilbur.”

“You can if you want, Tommy.”

“I know I can, but this is about you, Wil,” Tommy insisted.

Wilbur thought for a moment. He hadn’t seen his friends and family in so long, he almost forgot what it felt like to have their company. Despite five years being nothing on the decade he spent while in limbo, it still felt weird knowing that he’d finally see everyone again.

“Of course I want to see them. Invite them over,” Wilbur finally replied.

Tommy nodded, pulling out his communicator and sending messages to the people he mentioned.

“In the meantime,” Tommy said, “let’s er…go to L’manburg.”

Wilbur nodded.

-

When they reached L’manburg, Wilbur smiled at the progress Tommy had made on the land. The obsidian grid was being slowly broken down, the area around the land had flowers everywhere, and he noticed at the bottom that Tommy had started filling in the crater, and had moved the flag up on top, where it rightfully belonged.

Wilbur could sense Tommy’s nervousness.

“I um…” Tommy began, “I wanted to…rebuild it. But I didn’t want to do it unless all the original members agreed to it. It could be ours again, Wil. Dream is gone and I don’t think Techno will try anything anymore and if he does, I will rebuild it as many times as it takes. I don’t care, L’manburg is our home.”

Wilbur smiled.

“I think that’s a wonderful idea, Tommy. Maybe…if we rebuild L’manburg, you could be president?”

It was partially a joke, but the sentiment remained the same. Wilbur remembered his words from years ago. 

You’re never gonna be president, Tommy.

But this time, a part of him actually kind of liked the idea of Tommy being a leader. He was the kind of leader L’manburg had always needed – tough, kind, loved with his whole heart, and fought with an unmatched ferocity for his beliefs. 

“No more presidents, Wilbur,” Tommy said, “we would all work together, be a little commune and take care of each other without one singular person to make the rules. Besides, I don’t really think I’d make the best president anymore. I don’t think that sort of role ever fit me.”

“Maybe back then, no. But you’ve grown up, Tommy. You’re…well you’re far smarter than I was when L’manburg was built,” Wilbur said.

“Thanks, but I am standing in my choice, Wil. I don’t want a leadership role, not anymore. I want a free life where I can be happy and not have to worry all the time. Besides, as much as I love L’manburg, I think the role of presidency is a bit haunted.”

Wilbur nodded with understanding. It’s not like L’manburg was cursed, but he understood why people would see it that way. And why Tommy wanted to steer away from the weight and burdens of presidency. The three times someone was president, it didn’t end well. Tubbo tried his best, Wilbur knew that, but not even the world’s greatest leader could have saved everyone from what happened on Doomsday that year. 

It made his soul ache, knowing that no one could’ve truly saved L’manburg.

But it was never too late to rebuild it. Better, stronger, happier.

“You’re right, Tommy. Things…can’t stay the way they were when L’manburg was still around. But even without a presidency role, maybe you should be in charge of rebuilding it.”

“You mean plan out the land and the houses and everything?”

“Yeah! We can build a river, put in plenty of trees and flowers, pour all of our care into it, and you can help tell us what to do.”

“I guess that’s not a bad idea. But we still need everyone to be on board for it first, Wil.”

“Of course,” Wilbur smiled.

“Hey!” they both heard a voice call out. They turned, and saw a whole group of people walking towards them. Tubbo, Ranboo, Niki, Eret, Fundy, Jack, and Quackity.

Wilbur felt his heart pound in his throat. How would everyone treat him? Would they be okay with seeing him? All the emotions he had left behind had suddenly hit him at full force, and he felt the edges of an anxiety attack steering close.

Tommy noticed. Tommy always notices.

“Wilbur, look at me,” Tommy said. Wilbur looked at his brother.

“Breathe, big man. It’s going to be okay,” Tommy said softly. Wilbur took a deep breath, trying to calm down.

As the group approached them, Wilbur smiled at the familiar faces.

“It’s so good to see you again, Wilbur,” Niki said, hugging him.

“I missed you so much, Niki” Wilbur breathed, returning her embrace.

“Had a long journey, Wilbur?” Eret asked.

“Yeah…it was a couple days of traveling,” Wilbur said.

“Tom, did you show him the hotel room we prepared for him?” Jack asked.

“Oh you mean the one I decorated all nicely for him?” Tommy retorted.

“Aye you prick, I actually cleaned the room! All you did was tell Sam Nook to do your chores for you!”

“Hey, shut up you two,” Quackity glared at both of them. Wilbur laughed.

“And how are you, Big Q?” Wilbur asked.

“Pretty good, Tommy works for me part-time.”

“Yeah, I heard in the letters. Hopefully you’re not overworking him.”

“Pfft, as if I could even try to do that. No, all he does is clean some tables and dishes. It’s not heavy labor, Wilbur. I leave that to Sam and Foolish to do.”

Wilbur smiled.

“Thanks, Quackity.”

“Yeah yeah, don’t mention it.”

Wilbur turned to Fundy. His boy, in some ways, looked exactly the same and completely different from the last time he saw him. Fundy wore a different outfit now, his fluffy auburn hair shorter, and he was a bit more muscular. But he looked healthy, and that’s all that mattered.

“Hello, Fundy.”

“Hey…dad.”

Wilbur felt overwhelmed with emotion for his son at being called “dad” again, he pulled Fundy into a tight hug.

“I’m so proud of you, my little champion. I love you,” Wilbur whispered into Fundy’s ear.

“...love you too, dad.”

Wilbur smiled, ruffling his son’s red hair, scratching his fox ears, before pulling away.

He got hugged by Ranboo, and looked at Tubbo.

“So…the wedding is tomorrow?” He asked.

“Yeah, it’s gonna be hosted in the SMP and then the afterparty will be at the Innit-Manifold hotel,” Tubbo said.

“I’m so happy. For both of you. You’re so…grown up,” Wilbur smiled.

“If you want to come, you can,” Ranboo said.

“Then I will.”

Tubbo and Ranboo both smiled. Wilbur approached both of them, embracing them both.

Ranboo looked at Tubbo with warmth, returning Wilbur’s embrace. Tubbo did the same.

Wilbur let go of the both of them, feeling emotions well up in his chest again.

“I’m sorry everyone, I uh…this is all a bit much,” he said a bit shakily.

Eret looked at him with concern.

“You alright, old friend?” they asked.

Wilbur took a breath. 

“I am, I just…missed you all so much,” he said, hoping everyone could understand the weight behind his words.

He saw looks of understanding from all of them. He reached to Niki, taking her hand in his and gently squeezing it, to help calm his anxiety. She squeezed back.

He felt…almost right. Like everything was okay, that he was finally connected to his family again. That he could safely express himself.

But something was still missing. What was it? What was the part of him that would make him feel complete? He had been trying to figure it out for years, and it seemed that the piece of him that would allow him to feel whole was possibly gone forever.

He shook his head, brushing the thoughts away.

All of them eventually walked to the hotel, Wilbur conversing with them as much as he could, feeling emotion after emotion go through him. The sheer joy of being with the people he loved was unfathomable. 

Eventually the sun went down. Tubbo and Ranboo were the first to say their goodbyes. Tommy hugged them both, which made Wilbur smile. He was happy those three were close, even after all this time. Wilbur embraced them too.

“I’ll be sure to be there tomorrow,” he said.

“Thank you, Wilbur,” Ranboo smiled.

“Try to wear something nice,” Tubbo said.

“Of course I will. It’s a special day tomorrow,” Wilbur chuckled.

He heard Tommy whisper something to Tubbo, but he didn’t quite make it out. Tubbo decided to stay a bit longer, and Ranboo left.

As Ranboo left, Quackity eventually left too, heading towards Kinoko Kingdom. Before he left, he clapped Wilbur’s shoulder.

“Welcome home, man,” Quackity smiled.

“Thank you, Big Q,” Wilbur said in earnest. 

After he left, Tommy clapped.

“Alright, I need to tell all of you something, now that we’re here.”

Jack and Fundy looked at him in confusion.

“Mind elaborating, Tommy?” Eret asked.

Wilbur froze, knowing what he was going to ask.

“Look, I…I thought about this for a while, and now that Wilbur is back, this is finally my chance. We all know that we were the original members of L’manburg, that it is our home, that we fought for, and…some of us even died for it. And I know, I know that Schlatt and Dream and…Techno…all brought it down, but we have a chance to put it back together! It’s our home! So what I wanted to ask all of you was…do you want to work with me to rebuild L’manburg?” Tommy said, eyes filled with hope.

Everyone looked at each other.

“Tom, are you sure that’s a good idea?” Jack asked.

“Of course I am! I have been working everyday to slowly clean up the crater, and now that you’re all here, we can work together to make it ours again.”

Eret smiled.

“I think,” they said, “it’s a brilliant idea, Tommy. If you truly want to make L’manburg a home again, then I will help you rebuild it.”

Tommy smiled.

“I think I want to help too,” Niki said, “I have spent a long time trying to really have a home again, and…L’manburg was the only home I ever truly had. So, I’ll help you.”

“Tommy, you know how I feel,” Tubbo said, “even though Snowchester is my home now, L’manburg was my home too. And I think Michael would love to see the place that Ranboo and I tell stories to him about, fully rebuilt again.”

Jack nodded, silently agreeing.

“I was born there,” Fundy said, “and I…nothing has ever really felt like home since. When it was originally destroyed, I didn’t care. I felt like there was nothing left for me, but…I think I am ready for it to be home again.”

Everyone’s eyes turned to Wilbur.

“This all goes down to you, Wil,” Tommy said.

Wilbur sighed. 

“Of course I want L’manburg to be rebuilt,” he said, “and…I am sorry. I am genuinely sorry for what I did then. You all deserved a home to be proud of, and I…didn’t do what I should’ve. For any of you.”

Niki put her hand on his shoulder.

“You did what you could, Wilbur,” she said, “and we’re all still here now.”

“What do you all think of meeting at the bridge in L’manburg tomorrow, and talking about our plans to rebuild it?” Tommy asked.

Everyone nodded.

“I’ll be there, of course,” Tubbo said, “but not for long, since it’s still my wedding.”

“Relax, Tubbo. I’ll make sure to keep the meeting after the wedding. The party goes till about 9:00 at night, right?”

“Yeah. I can change back into my regular clothes after the party and go to L’manburg. Michael will be asleep by then.”

Wilbur saw Tommy nod, realizing that the wedding schedule was planned so that Michael would be able to not go to bed too late. Oh Tubbo, such a good father.

Everyone also agreed to the time to meet together, which made Wilbur happy. The conversation wrapped up, and everyone started heading home. Tommy still stayed for a bit.

“Shouldn’t you be going home too, Tommy?” Wilbur asked.

“Just wanted to ask you…are you okay?” Tommy asked.

“I feel a lot happier now,” he said, “seeing everyone, being with everyone…it was nice.”

“Well now that you’re back home, you’ll see them a lot more often, aye?” Tommy smiled.

Wilbur nodded.

Tommy came up to him, wrapping his arms around him in a tight hug.

“I missed you so much, Wil. Welcome home,” he said.

“I missed you too, Tommy. Go home and rest well,” Wilbur smiled.

Tommy nodded, pulling away and saying goodnight to him before walking away to his home, which wasn’t too far away.

Wilbur exhaled, walking into the hotel, going into his room and settling in for the night.

-

“Fucking hell Tubbo, you suck at tying a bow,” Tommy scoffed.

Tubbo laughed. Tommy was helping him tie his bowtie on his tuxedo. Tommy knew how to sew, so it was not a surprise that he knew what he was doing.

Ranboo was on the far side of the hotel, having Niki help him get ready. Tubbo’s chest was thrumming with anxiety and excitement. In just under an hour, the bells would chime and he’d be walking down the aisle to finally marry his beloved. The SMP had been well-prepared, with chairs lining the aisle, ribbons tied around the trees, alliums and tulips tied into the ribbons. Tubbo had seen it before being rushed to the hotel by Tommy. Michael was being taken care of by Eret, and Tubbo had seen his baby’s outfit. Michael was dressed up so adorably, with a long, white-sleeved shirt with a bowtie, tucked into his black trousers. Michael was going to be the flower boy, walking in front of Ranboo while Tubbo waited at the top of the aisle for him. Some last-minute arrangements were made, where Wilbur would play the piano during the ceremony. Tubbo didn’t question how Wilbur knew any type of wedding song, since Wilbur was musically gifted and likely knew every song in existence. 

As Tommy finished tying his bow, Tubbo smiled.

“Aren’t you excited, big man?” he asked.

“Of course I am! Not everyday your best friend gets married, and it’s an actual ceremony and everything,” Tommy laughed.

“I honestly never thought this day would happen,” Tubbo sighed. And it’s true, he didn’t. He never thought he’d get to have a big wedding day. When they were teens, him and Ranboo originally got married in the L’manburg courthouse. Just a quick signing of documents. There were no bells, no one to share that moment with.

And now they were in their twenties, getting a second chance and having the type of wedding most people could only dream of.

Aimsey peaked her head in the room, grinning.

“Five minutes, guys!” she said. 

Both Tubbo and Tommy laughed. Aimsey was the maid of honor (and only bridesmaid) for the wedding, and she chose to wear a suit and tie instead of a dress, but her hair was curled, and there were matching flower barrette clips in front of her ears. She looked really nice.

She quickly closed the door, leaving the two of them alone again.

“You know,” Tommy said, “I never thought this day would come either. But…I am happy. For you, and for Ranboo. You both…mean the world to me.”

Tubbo put his hand on his friend’s shoulder.

“You and Ranboo will always be the closest people to me. I’m happy you’re both in my life,” he said with genuine happiness.

Tommy smiled, hugging Tubbo.

“You ready?” he asked.

“Definitely,” Tubbo said.

-

Ranboo was buzzing with anxiety. It was time for him to walk down the aisle, to marry his beloved Tubbo. 

“You look lovely,” Niki said. 

“Thank you,” Ranboo replied. He was wearing a similar outfit to what he knew Tubbo was wearing, except his suit jacket was white and the ends of it went down to his knees, designed to be wavy and look almost like a skirt. It suited him better than a standard wedding outfit. His trousers were really long, fitting for his tall form and were black. He wore a crown on his head, gifted to him by his mothers, embedded with jewels from the End. The crown had a veil on it, and in his hands were a bouquet of tulips and alliums, his and Tubbo’s favorite flowers. 

“Papa! Papa!” Michael squealed, running into the room and hugging his father’s legs.

“Oh I know Mikey, you’re excited too, huh? Excited to see your dad soon?” Ranboo asked, laughing at his son’s excitement. 

Niki took his hand, Michael following them outside the hotel, going to the main SMP. Niki eventually walked ahead, taking her seat by the aisle. Up ahead, Wilbur was playing the piano elegantly, his fingers flying off the keys like magic. Ranboo held Michael’s hand, waiting as his friends walked down the aisle, taking their time. Tommy was linked arms with Aimsey, him as best man and her as maid of honor. Jack was at the top of the aisle, with a book in his hands, waiting to be the one to marry Ranboo and Tubbo. The rest of the server were in the seats, waiting diligently for Ranboo to appear so they could stand in honor of him.

And Tubbo, oh his sweet Tubbo…

Tubbo’s hair was styled so that it was curlier than normal, choosing not to wear his eyepatch, letting his blind eye be seen. He was clean-shaven, smiling, his small goat tail wagging in excitement and he was the most beautiful thing Ranboo had ever seen.

“Okay Michael, remember how it was practiced. You walk down the aisle and throw flowers to make way for me, okay?” Ranboo whispered to his son.

Michael nodded, trotting down the aisle and throwing flower petals from his tiny basket. All the guests stood up, welcoming Ranboo as Wilbur played the standard wedding theme on the piano.

Ranboo walked slowly, his eyes flipping between Michael, Tommy and Aimsey, Jack, and Tubbo. Quackity, Karl, and Sapnap were beaming at him, the three of them holding hands. Eryn was standing next to Sapnap, raising a fist up in excitement. Eret was beside Fundy and Niki, looking proud. Michael, Sam, Ponk, and Punz were standing in the same row, quiet and seemingly happy. Purpled’s gaze was neutral, mostly wanting to get to the afterparty as soon as possible. 

Everything was right. 

He took his place beside Tubbo, Jack smiling at both of them. Wilbur stopped playing, standing up for them out of respect. Tommy and Aimsey were a few feet away, Tommy holding Michael in his arms.

Jack cleared his throat.

“Today we are gathered in celebration of the union of two amazing people. Ranboo the Beloved, and Tubbo Underscore. Their love truly knows no bounds, as they decided to get married a second time.”

Ranboo heard some chuckles in the audience.

Jack continued.

“But as we all know, love doesn’t come without hardships. We all know what happened on the server. Just five years ago, we defeated the greatest evil the server has ever known, and today we are here, all factions in peace. Ranboo and Tubbo had to fight to get here, as Dream tried to ruthlessly tear them apart. And so today, we honor them and their bravery and amazing resilience to stay together. Whether you are a friend, family, or just an ally, you are appreciated for simply being here on this beautiful day. And now, we will begin the vows.”

Ranboo turned to Tubbo, taking both his hands in his own.

Jack looked at Ranboo.

“Do you, Ranboo the Beloved, take Tubbo to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, from this day, till your very last?”

Ranboo beamed, cupping Tubbo’s face.

“I do.”

Jack smiled, facing Tubbo.

“And do you, Tubbo Underscore, take Ranboo to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, from this day, till your very last?”

“I do.”

Jack turned to the audience.

“And does any asshole want to object to this marriage?”

The crowd was silent.

“Very well then,” Jack said, “may the ring-bearer step forward? Or rather, show up?”

In a poof, Drista appeared.

“I wasn’t gonna forget, Manifold,” she said. In her hands was a small box. She opened it up, and inside were two rings. Both bands were made of End crystals, the gem on one an amethyst, and the other an emerald. Both Ranboo and Tubbo took the other’s rings, placing them on their ring fingers.

Drista smiled, and just as quickly as she appeared, she disappeared.

“By the power vested in me, Jack Manifold, I now pronounce you husbands! You may now kiss each other.”

Ranboo threw his bouquet to the crowd as Tubbo gripped him by the waist and effortlessly dipped him, sealing their marriage with a kiss.

Everyone cheered and applauded, Tommy’s eyes brimmed with tears, Michael snorting and squealing with happiness.

“I love you,” Ranboo said. Tubbo kissed him again.

“I love you too.”

Tommy and Aimsey rushed to them, hugging them in a group hug. 

As the excitement slowly quieted down, everyone began moving to the hotel. Ranboo’s hand never left Tubbo’s, their rings gleaming in the sunlight.

The hotel was lavishly decorated, with a large table filled with drinks and food. Everyone started to dig in, enjoying themselves and making conversation with each other. Tommy wandered around, soaking in the happiness for his friends and the positivity between the rest of the server. He found Sam.

“Oi Sam!” Tommy waved, approaching him. Sam’s eyes softened upon seeing him.

“Was that ceremony fucking cool, or what?” he asked.

“Very proud of you and your friends, Tommy,” Sam said. Sam reached a hand out, gently ruffling Tommy’s hair.

“Yeah, thanks old man.”

“Love you, kid,” Sam said with warmth. Tommy smiled at him.

“I know,” he said back, giving Sam a quick hug before walking away.

-

Meanwhile, Wilbur was distracted by a crow outside the building. He quickly left without anyone noticing, and outside was Philza.

“Hey, Phil,” Wilbur said.

Phil’s arms were crossed, disappointed.

“Why didn’t you come see me and Techno yesterday when you came home?” he asked.

“Look Phil, I care about you, but being away from the server made me realize something really important,” Wilbur said, “and that is that you are not a good person, or a good father.”

Phil’s gaze narrowed.

“Wil, everything I did back then was for the greater good, and you know that,” he said in a scolding tone.

“So killing me was for the greater good? Got it,” Wilbur said, annoyed.

“Don’t give me that,” Phil argued, “you begged me to kill you.”

“We’ve been over this Phil,” Wilbur said, “you could’ve done anything else, and yet went with the worst possible option. And not only that, because this isn’t just about me, but you hurt Tommy. You hurt my friends. I can’t forgive that, even if you want me to.”

Phil looked away, “You’re stubborn, just like your mother.”

Wilbur rolled his eyes, “No, I am stubborn like you. You refuse to see past your own nose because you think you know better.”

“Techno and I did what we had to Wil, we destroyed L’manburg because it was ruining other people’s lives!”

“You never lived there!” Wilbur shouted, “You never knew what Tommy and I worked so hard trying to protect! You only saw it when it got bad, when I got bad. You never saw the good parts, when we were all happy. You made my friends pay the price for my fuckups!”

Phil stood, angry but quiet.

“Go away, Phil,” Wilbur ordered, “I want to enjoy this day, and I refuse to have you dampen it by arguing. I will visit in a few days, but let me have this, alright?”

Phil huffed.

“Very well,” he said, “farewell, Wilbur.”

As Phil walked away, his broken wings trailing the ground, Wilbur huffed, turning to return to the party.

-

“The ceremony was really nice,” Quackity said.

“Not nearly as nice as yours,” Tubbo said, trying to be humble.

“Shut up,” Quackity said light-heartedly, “it’s your wedding, man! You can say yours is better than mine!”

“But yours actually was nice, Big Q,” Tubbo said, “it was big and nice and gorgeous.”

“Well thank you, but don’t let my happiness get in the way of yours,” Quackity smiled, “it’s your big day Tubbo, enjoy yourself!”

Tubbo looked at Ranboo and Tommy, dancing with Michael on the dancefloor.

“I am,” he said happily.

Eventually the floor cleared to allow Ranboo and Tubbo their first official dance as husbands. Tubbo saw Wilbur walk over to stand next to Tommy, and he smiled. He took Ranboo’s hand in one of his own, his other hand on Ranboo’s waist as Ranboo put his hand on Tubbo’s shoulder. They slow-danced together, savoring each other’s warmth and company in this gentle, peaceful moment. It felt almost like nothing else in the world existed, just them and only them. 

“This is perfect,” Ranboo said, his chest erupting soft purrs. 

“It very much is,” Tubbo said, lightly squeezing Ranboo’s hand.

After they danced, other couples and friends went onto the dance floor too. Quackity, Karl, and Sapnap, Hannah and Tina, Niki and Puffy, George very lazily dancing with DreamXD. Eryn was smirking while dancing with Purpled, the latter rolling his eyes and lightly shoving him. Punz was making heart-eyes at Sam Nook for some reason. Sam and Foolish making conversation. Wilbur and Tommy dancing together. Aimsey spinning Michael around.

Tubbo smiled at all his friends and family. Eventually, Tommy walked away from Wilbur.

“Hey Tubbo, mind if we talk on the balcony?”

Tubbo nodded, “Of course.”

The two of them went up the elevator, going to a private balcony.

“What’s up, Tom, are you okay?” Tubbo asked.

“Yeah I am fine, I just. Was reflecting and all that, and I just wanted to say that…I’m really proud of us,” Tommy smiled.

Tubbo sighed happily.

“I am too,” he said, “I…I really thought for the longest time, we would never get to live to see our twenties. I thought my story would end with me being killed by Dream, and for a while I even accepted it. But…he’s gone, and we are here, and I am the happiest I have ever been.”

“Yeah,” Tommy said, “it’s insane to think about. We grew up a lot, man. We changed so much, and we are so much happier now.”

“If I could have one wish, it’d be to spend the rest of my life this happy,” Tubbo said.

“That’s a pretty simple wish,” Tommy smiled, “but I understand what you mean. Being happy just seems like such a basic wish, but…for us, happiness was never guaranteed for so long.”

“Our lives were so fucked,” Tubbo said harshly, “I can’t imagine telling my younger self that eventually, his life would get monumentally better. I don’t think he’d have believed me anyways.”

“I don’t either,” Tommy said, “when I was in exile, I never thought anything would get better. I was so…ready to die. But a part of me wanted to hold on. And I did.”

Tommy reached over to Tubbo, holding his hand.

“We are here, and we have the rest of our lives together. And that’s fucking amazing,” Tommy said.

“It is, it really is,” Tubbo grinned.

Tommy looked at him.

“You know I love you a lot, right? And that I am so proud of both of us?”

Tubbo’s heart swelled.

“I love you too, Tommy. You’re the greatest friend anyone could ever have.”

Tommy sighs.

“Let’s go back inside, I’m sure Ranboo is wondering where the hell we went,” he laughed.

“Yeah, let’s go,” Tubbo said.

-

The party continued on, Sam and Foolish eventually bringing out the cake for everyone to dig into. Tubbo and Ranboo gave the first slice to Michael out of love, before cutting their own pieces and going to their table and enjoying themselves. Everyone else quickly dug in, enjoying the cake. Tommy glared at Eryn, noticing the demon hybrid wanted to start a food fight.

“Come on Tom, you’re no fun!” Eryn groaned.

“This isn’t the time or place Eryn,” Tommy shook his head.

“Oi, it’s not everyday there’s a massive cake on the server.”

“How about this Eryn; when everyone is done, and no one wants seconds, I’ll take it back to my house and we’ll plan a day for a food fight, alright? And I’ll invite our friends,” Tommy said.

“Fine, have it your way,” Eryn conceded, smiling a little. 

Wilbur was enjoying his slice of caking, talking to Niki and Fundy.

“Did you rebuild your bakery, Niki?” he asked.

“Yeah, and I actually have been enjoying it again,” she smiled.

“I’m glad,” he said, “and what about you, Fundy?”

“I’ve been…living near Seapeekay. He’s the only other fox hybrid on the server, and he’s good company,” Fundy said, “I’ve also been spending time with Eret. They help me feel better.”

Wilbur smiled, ruffling his son’s hair.

“I’m so proud of you,” he grinned.

“Yeah yeah, thanks dad,” Fundy said, lightly pushing away Wilbur’s hands. Niki giggled.

“It’s really nice to see you happy, Wilbur,” she said.

“I am, I really am,” Wilbur said. He looked at Tommy, talking to Tubbo, Ranboo, Aimsey, Purpled, and Eryn. The kids on the server, even though none of them were really kids anymore. It made Wilbur’s heart swell knowing his brother had so many friends now, people who loved him and helped take care of him.

He would always miss the days when Tommy was fifteen, clinging to his jacket and coming to him when he scraped his knees. He wasn’t a baby then of course, but Wilbur protected him. Even at such a delicate age, Tommy was so brave and good and kind. He didn’t know pain or fear yet, and Wilbur in some ways wished it could’ve stayed that way a bit longer. 

But he was proud of who Tommy became. Happier, healthier, loved by friends. Still kind and gentle and brave. Wilbur was amazed at how far Tommy had come in just five years. 

He was proud of all of them.

-

As the party drew to a close, Tommy waved goodbye and gave hugs to several of his friends. He had a drink or two in his system still, but he wasn’t fully drunk. Ranboo left with Michael to go back to Snowchester and get him ready for bed. The others went to their homes, the last one to leave being Sam. Sam pressed a kiss to Tommy’s head, wishing him a good night. Tommy gave him a hug, thanking him for coming to the wedding. 

He turned, and saw the L’manburgians waiting, all of them changed back into their regular clothes.

“Are we ready to go?” he asked.

All of them agreed, and the seven of them began walking over to L’manburg.

During the walk, they talked and laughed, some of them mildly intoxicated still from the festivities. It was a fun atmosphere, happiness radiating off all of them in waves.

As they approached the bridge, Tommy looked out at the night sky. Stars shone down on them, the moon illuminating the bridge. 

Tommy laughed, realizing this was really not the best time for them to come here to discuss reconstruction plans. Everyone was too busy talking and laughing. He looked at Wilbur, and the taller man was relaxed, his eyes filled with mirth and warmth. Wilbur looked back at him, smiling.

Wilbur was caught up in the moment, talking with the people in the very place where this all started. He forgot his worries and insecurities that still remained, soaking in the time he was spending with the people he held so dear to him. They were okay with him, okay with talking to him and spending time with him. Their eyes didn’t hold resentment or anger, they were filled with happiness and amusement.

He felt like…he was forgiving himself, forgiving his past actions. 

Suddenly, he heard a very familiar voice in his head.

Wilbur? Do you hear me?

His eyes widened. Was that…?

Ghostbur? What are you doing here? I thought you were dead?

I was, but I am here now.

But…how?

A long time ago, our mother came to me. She told me that there was only one way for you to feel whole again. And that was if you achieved self-acceptance, and self-forgiveness. And that feeling you had just now? You achieved it. You unlocked the barrier in limbo, and I was able to find you again. I…am the self-love you had lost when you died all that time ago. And so we will be one again, Wilbur. You’ll finally feel whole again.

You mean you’re going to merge into me?

Yes. You won’t hear me anymore, but I am you and you are me, and the love I hold for you is the love you hold for yourself. You spent so long wondering why you didn’t feel complete, and it’s because I wasn’t one with you. I am so happy, Wilbur. I am happy that you finally found what you were searching for. Thank you.

Wilbur felt a cold press on his forehead, and a surge of warmth flooded into him, overwhelming his senses. His vision went white for a moment, and when he was finally able to see again, he felt so much love and happiness that it overwhelmed him, causing tears to come flowing down his face.

For the first time in possibly his entire life, he felt complete.

His family noticed his tears.

“Wilbur, are you okay?” Niki asked.

He placed his hand over his chest.

“Ghostbur, I…I felt him,” he said.

Tommy’s eyes widened.

“I thought…I thought he was dead?” Tommy asked. Wilbur shook his head.

“No, he was, but…he merged into me. We are..one again. I am whole again,” he said, crying with happiness, “because I finally accepted myself, all of myself.”

Tommy’s eyes brimmed with tears, reaching to hug Wilbur. Then Tubbo. Then Niki. Eventually, all of the L’manburgians were standing on the bridge in a large group hug. Comfortable silence hung over them.

“I’m so happy,” Wilbur said, “I’m so happy you’re all here, that we are all safe, that…things are better.”

Tommy smiled.

“You’re loved, Wil. You really, truly are,” he said.

They eventually all let go, looking out across the bridge. Tomorrow the real work would start, with them planning out the rebuild. This was what it was all about, really. Them as family, working together to protect and care for each other. This was what Tommy had wanted for so long, was to have his family together, and to be at peace. 

Wilbur was smiling.

Niki and Fundy were laughing.

Eret was talking to Jack, pride in their eyes.

Tommy was holding onto Tubbo’s hand.

Tommy felt truly, unbelievably happy. He could never imagine that things could be this good, and he had a feeling in his heart that it would stay good. That Wilbur would stay, that L’manburg would be rebuilt, that he would stick by his friends, and Tubbo and Ranboo would watch Michael grow up.

Everything was truly as it should be.

And so, hand in hand, Tommy and Tubbo departed from the group, running up the Prime Path to the bench by Tommy’s house. Tommy pulled out Cat, and inserted it into the jukebox, the familiar notes and tunes playing all around them.

And Tommy and Tubbo danced and danced and danced some more, happy and truly at peace.

For the universe loved them, because they all were love.

THE END