Chapter Text
Tommy was going to jump, he honestly was tired of it, getting into an argument with his only friend, He stared for quite awhile, it was calming in the moment, but only for a moment. The wind was flowing freely and the breeze slightly cold but it didn't change the reason he was up here.Tommy carefully went from standing to sitting, hoping he wouldn't fall, not yet. He took a deep breath, his matted hair barely moving with the wind. A million different thoughts started coming to him as he zoned out looking down. “What if..What if i'm making a mistake, I shouldn’t be up here..But I really do have nothing left, Tubbo, Phil, Wilbur, hell even fucking Dream-” he paused, “fuck” he thought to himself, Dream, what would he truly think. He didn't mean to fight, him or get into an argument about hiding his stuff and he really shouldn't have and now what if Dream came back at this moment to apologize, Would dream even care or is he just fucking around again, would anyone even know, ghostbur? Tubbo? Anyone at all. He stood back up but as soon as he took his final gasp he heard it..
"Dream..?"
Tommy spoke gently, knowing that Dream wouldn't hear him since his breathing was extremely ragged on top of that his mind was spinning. He didn't want to upset Dream more but at the same time he couldn't live with himself anymore, the wind picked up it got harsher or at least that's what it felt like, Tommy could just faintly hear Dream calling out to him, he seemed worried, no.. Distressed? Screw it Tommy wasn't sure anymore he just wanted everything to go away now and the suspense was killing him. His mind was traveling everywhere and nowhere at the same time. He felt nauseous as he was slowly losing his thoughts, he went to walk forward as if he were going to dream and he ended up falling, the air going everywhere, his eyes widened as he watched his life flashed before his eyes, he was screwed the minute he was about to blink..
"TOMMY?!"
The loud splash confused Dream, who turned around and headed towards the water just to see Tommy's body. He quickly pulled back up out of the water, Dream quickly gave the boy chest compressions to spit out any water along with any extra cpr stuff he knew, which honestly wasn't much. Dream was determined to not let Tommy die. Not yet . Not now, god not now, there’s still so much he needs from the boy. After a few moments of silence and some shitty medical attention Tommy woke up.
Fuck..FUCK… Tommy shot up quickly, breathing was rapid it honestly felt like his mind was ready to give uo but all he could see in front of him was dream, the person who gave everything to him, the will to live, friendship, companionship, the truth, he was there when fucking tubbo wasnt, when Ranboo gave up sending the stupid fucking letters the moment it fucking hit him the moment that it all clicked for him, he was so tired so ready to give up so ready to end it all so why the hell is he still here, why the fuck is dream still helping him after the shit he did, after distroying the home he once cared for , for the pathetic fucking friends that said they sticked by him but instead sat there and fucking watched him get hurt, tommy took a deep breathe and tried to calm down but the emotions were too much way to much and then it all came out, tears started flowing out of blue eyes, fuck he was sorry he went and hugged dream tightly before talking. “Dream.. Damn it!! Dream, I'm so, so, so sorry!! Please forgive me honestly. I swear I didn't mean a single thing in my mind.”.
Dream looked puzzled but instead of anger like usual Dream shushed Tommy. “Ah ah ah, calm it shooting star, you're such a silly boy, this mistake is not too big and besides it over now and it won't happen again right? Besides you can't keep being an attention seeker ” Dream whispered, sweet as honey. (It was sickeningly sweet—but if it was? Tommy wouldn’t dare pay it any mind.).
Tommy was stunned, honestly he wasn't even sure why he was- this is Dream, his friend, his mentor, his brother. Yeah, that sounds right, Tommy decided to weakly nod as he sobbed, he didn't even care that he was in trouble but he needed him so badly, he needed his brother right now.
With Dream soothing him, it felt… peaceful, the most peace he’s felt in too long. This was truly something that he will cherish for eternity..This is all Dream needed. this feeling; It clicks into place too perfectly; like he’s finally found what he never realized he was missing. This is right. Perfect. .
Dream felt as the boy went silent it was like a fire drill, an annoying drill that finally shut up he was honestly grateful. Way too grateful, he lifted the boy. He was pretty light but Dream didn't expect much from it. Honestly it was just something that was a nice little bonus for the man, he walked deeper into the forest, the blonde not getting any heavier. The branches are long and thin, thick and stubby. It was honestly a mess but after a few minutes to an hour or so walking Dream finally made it to the little cottage, truly it was only clean because he was rarely home, but this was important.
He opened his door, unlocked like always as he walked in with the boy over his shoulder. He closed the food behind him and the place was clean, unnaturally clean. As if the house was freshly polished. He put Tommy down onto the floor, this was honestly meant to just help himself. Dream took off the netherite he had on and placed it onto the armor rack, then his sweater. Leaving just himself in such a casual outfit. He took off the mask, the one that he never took off around people but now he's starting to think he should take it off around Tommy more, it could build that trust he needs to keep Tommy from dying. He’s honestly not sure how Tommy can be helpful but maybe, maybe this wouldn't be so bad.. Stop. Control yourself. Do not get attached. He sighed to himself getting increasingly confused by his own self conflicting feelings. He paused and crouched down to the boy, his voice still sickeningly sweet “Tommy, dear, gotta get up real quick ill go run a bath for you but you must get up sunshine.”
Dream went into the bathroom leaving Tommy while doing so Tommy was now starting to stir awake, feeling dizzy and barely hearing anything that dream just spoke to him. He stretched around and blinked a few times, his eyes look around cautiously, it smelt sweet and like oak, it wasn't a new smell but it still smelt fresh enough, he blinked a few more times to see dream walk towards him tommy froze his mind was just about to race again until dream spoke. “Tommy I just finished filling up the bath, go relax, ill give you a towel after you're done, I just need to tidy some stuff up, okay?” Once Tommy was completely awake, processed everything Dream told him he went to the bath, leaving some crumbs of dirt following, Dream would have to clean that up later.
"Fuck," Tommy groaned, "This is so weird..This is weird, theres no way this isn’t some sick dream..Right..?" Tommy undresses and goes into the bath. The water was a soothing sensation, a tiny thing that helped, but the amount of dirt and grime on him that he saw rising in the water turned into a feeling of disgust. As the amount of blood and grime from scars, dirt, and sand came off. He immersed his entire body, leaving just his nose above the water to breathe. Tommy felt a little better but as he shifted his focus to the water around him, he felt disgusting, he felt like throwing up. He couldn't relax anymore and got to his feet slowly, tearing up as he felt his hair, it was heavy and matted. He began to cry, Tommy felt so dirty, so filthy. This was it; he wasn't getting better. His focus shifted to his breathing, he couldn't even bare the way his breath sounded, it was so different, he doesn't even know how that's possible but what he can tell he's not the same kid that started in exile, he was about to fall into another spiral until Dream knocked and walked in looking down with a towel and some casual clothes for once.
“Are you done yet?” The voice was calm, still no anger, no idea if the man was truly upset or not, he just truly wanted to know if he was okay, was Tommy okay? “Nnn-no sorry, I uh–uhmm I–I didn't get far..” Tommy was hesitant, the silence was loud, was he always this nervous, this cautious, when was this common? Tommy sighed softly “I dont..think my hairs washable boss man” he let out a stupid chuckle, the one he does when the situation feels tense.. Dream only hummed at it, hummed at the answer he got as if he wasn't expecting that answer Dream spoke up carefully “well, im gonna need you to face the wall so i can try and cut your hair evenly and then i’ll let you finish up your.. Things..”
The boy turned around quickly, he hadn't seen dream face just yet but he was curious, also curious on Why wasn't Dream wearing their mask? He couldn't remember much from earlier, he disregarded it as he felt hands grip his hair. It felt odd having someone else touch his hair in a gentle way, especially Dream. The older one hummed in question; he was thinking about the length. He was originally going to ask how Tommy wanted his hair done, but it didn't matter all too much. Dream took whatever shampoo and conditioner he could and tried saving what he could. After an hour or so of just repeating washing and brushing his hair and deep cleaning, he was able to save some, understandably not most. He grabbed the scissors and started cutting. Tommy's hair was jagged and messy, but it's nothing that was ugly or unbearable.
“Alright Star, you're all set for today; just wash your body, and your clothes will be on the toilet seat.” With that Dream left, Tommy sighed, The tense feeling stayed around the room, it was big, at least to the blonde. He knew this was only the beginning of something more. However this was good enough right now. He finished washing up and decided to finally dry himself off and actually get ready.
For the first time, in such a long time, he finally looks at himself, seeing the major difference in everything now. He wore a loose red-and-black baseball tee, its sleeves cut just above the elbows and hanging easy against their frame. The fabric looked worn-in, casual, the kind of shirt meant for movement more than to show. Their joggers sat low and baggy, a dark blue that pooled slightly at the ankles. This was so different; despite being skinnier than normal due to the lack of food, he decided he was gonna get himself back on track.
He left the bathroom closing the door behind him; this was new, the house was so clean. As he zoned off admiring the room, Dream walked back in.
“Tom? You good there, man?” The voice was gentle, almost careful in its approach. Tommy flinched at the sound of it, too familiar, too calm. It grated against the unease crawling beneath his skin. “Yeah! Yeah, no—no, I’m good,” he said quickly, the words tumbling out with a nervous edge. “What’s going on now?” His voice betrayed him, thin and uncertain. He didn’t wait for an answer. Something in the air had shifted, and when he finally looked—really looked—at Dream, the words caught in his throat. The man’s face was smooth. Unscarred. Not a mark where there should’ve been dozens. It was wrong. Too perfect, too polished, too human . Tommy stared. He couldn’t help himself. His gaze locked on Dream’s eyes—pitch black, rimmed with an unnatural green that shimmered faintly under the light. They were unnerving, alien in their stillness. Even the freckles dusting his cheeks looked deliberate, as if someone had painted them there with a careful hand. He didn’t speak. He didn’t move. He just stared, silently willing himself to ignore the voice screaming in the back of his mind.
This wasn’t right.
Tommy snapped out of it with a blink, as if shaking off a thick fog. “Sorry—sorry, what was that, Dream?” Dream let out a quiet sigh, more patient than annoyed. “I said I’ll be out for a little while,” he repeated, voice low and even. “Things might feel a little... off while I’m gone. Just explore the house if you want, but stay out of the basement and my room.”
Tommy's eyes drifted down the hallway. Two doors stood out from the rest—both closed. One near the stairs, the other tucked further away at the end of the hall. In a house full of open thresholds and sunlit rooms, the shut doors felt deliberate. Watching, almost. Dream followed his gaze. “That one’s my room,” he said, nodding toward the far door. “And the basement’s just down there,” he added, jerking his chin slightly toward the other.
“Those two are off-limits. Everything else is fine.” Tommy nodded, though the unease in his chest hadn’t lifted. The way Dream said it—like the house had rules it expected him to follow, sent a quiet chill up his spine. “Right,” he muttered, eyes flicking back to Dream’s face. Still perfect. Still wrong. Dream offered a half-smile before turning toward the front door. “See you soon, Tom.” And then he was gone, leaving Tommy alone with the house and its two silent, shut doors.
The silence in the house settled heavily around Tommy once Dream left. It wasn't the kind of silence that felt peaceful or earned. It was the thick, humming kind—the kind that felt like it was listening. He moved slowly through the hall, eyes flicking over each open doorway like they might bite. Every time he stepped across a threshold, he braced himself for something bad: a bloodstain, a trap, some horror just waiting to prove his gut right.
But room after room, the house defied him. It was… clean. Not overly sterile, not suspiciously perfect—just clean. Lived-in, but tidy. There was dust on the bookshelves, a few scattered pillows that hadn't been fluffed. The kitchen smelled faintly of tea and something sweet. Even the bathroom was mundane, down to the half-used soap.
Tommy squinted at a coat rack like it was hiding a monster. It was, in fact, just a coat rack. He opened every cupboard expecting a severed hand. He found dishware instead. The paranoia didn't fade. If anything, it got worse. The normalcy was oppressive in its own way, like the house was pretending. Like it had dressed up for him. Eventually, he found the room that had to be his.
The bed was made neatly. A folded sweater lay at the foot, soft and new, and a small pile of other clothes sat on the dresser—his size, down to the exact fit. Even shoes in the corner, the same kind he'd worn out in exile, scuffed and familiar, only newer. Too new. That part didn't surprise him much. Not really. It was Dream, after all. The man had always known too much. On the bed sat a small envelope. His name was written on the front in soft, slanted handwriting. He opened it.
" My dear Starlight, This is just a new teddy bear for you. I went out to get some food and pay a visit to L'Manberg to let them know you've changed locations—so if they want to visit, they'll have to message me on the communicators. I left a camera for you in the bottom drawer of your closet so you can film and everything. Again, just—no basement. And no going into my room. But rest assured, you'll see the basement when it's not so horrendous. "
—Dream
Tommy didn't like that. Not one bit. He read the line again: "you'll see the basement when it's not so horrendous." It clawed at his nerves, but the more he stared at the note, the less he knew what to do with it. He glanced over to the chair near the bed. Sitting there, propped up like it was waiting, was a stuffed bear. Soft brown fur, glassy eyes. Nothing scary about it.
Still, he grabbed it like it might disappear if he didn't, and tucked it under his arm. It felt… oddly solid. Comforting, even. So he took it with him. He carried it like a shield as he resumed his slow, uncertain wandering through Dream's too-quiet, too-clean house. Each new room was a test. And each time, the house passed with flying colors.
Which only made it worse.
After a long while, Dream finally came back and Tommy just seemed to be drawing. Dream brought back veggies and some soup along with some dessert. "I'm back, I got cake and some food from Nikki's bakery and some fresh soup and stuff Phil made. He just got done from being under house arrest. Honestly, no idea why–" While Dream was talking about L'Manberg, Tommy really was just hungry, so he just kinda took a bowl of soup and started going ham at it, making a mess and going for maybe one or two veggies. And once he finished, he realized the mess he made, and the idea that he was in exile came back like a brick and he panicked, already on his knees begging and starting to cry.
Dream smiled .
Tommy watched as Dream took a deep breath and cleaned up the small mess “Get your teddy bear and just head to bed, Tom. We'll go over manners tomorrow; it's getting late.” Tommy nodded and quickly hurried. He sat down on his bed and contemplated whether he should close or leave the door open. He got under the covers and just sighed, contemplating whether he truly knew what he was doing. He started thinking about Tubbo and Phil, and he tried to remember bits and pieces of the conversation, but he truly couldn't. He was about to cry until he heard Dream say from the hallway “night, starlight. I love you.” And that hit Tommy hard, saying the words back cautiously "love you too" As the night progressed, his thoughts eased enough to fall asleep.