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Long, tiring, yet satisfying days filled TommyInnit's life. L'Manberg was finally able to breathe a little, thanks to his sacrifice.
The discs.
It was always about the discs. There was nothing else that seemed to tie Tommy together with the tyrannical leader of the SMP, Dream. L'Manberg had just come at a convenient time where Dream was able to use it as a catalyst to monopolize him once more. Whats worse is that Tommy couldn't help but acknowledge that it had been a smart play from Dream; with how severely ungeared L'Manberg was, especially compared to the SMP...
He kicked a stray pebble out from his way, leaving the towering walls of blackstone that protected the land they all fought for. The day had dragged on for too long, and Tommy was happy to be able to head back home. It had only been a few days since the battle for their independence, and while they were still recuperating, things seemed to going pretty smoothly.
The sun was kissing the horizon when he reached the top step, the embassy in his sights. Quickly wiping the dirt on his royal-blue overcoat, Tommy sped up in hopes of reaching home faster, even if it was by a few seconds. The embassy did not house much, comprised of the bare essentials, a few scattered chests, and his bed. The torches burnt low as he shuffled into the home, making quick work of the bells and bucks of his uniform. It was only when he crawled into the somewhat plush beddings of his bed, eyes falling shut as the world around him grew silent did he feel something off.
Felt like he was being watched.
His eyes shot open yet he remained still on his bed, breath slowing unconsciously so he could listen to the eerie silence of his house better.
Rolling out of bed, Tommy kept his movements casual, unsuspicious, as though to keep the watchful eyes unsuspecting. Not that there was anyone watching him, of course. He was just moving slowly because he’s tired… right?
He smoothed out his wrinkled shirt, hand coming up to push stray golden locks away. Cerulean eyes lingered, yet he could see nothing in the fleeting darkness. He shuffled around, moving things around in random chests, yet it didn’t seem to scare off whoever was lurking.
Not that Tommy actually believed someone was watching him. He wasn’t scared nor paranoid…
He paused, blue eyes narrowing as he stared at the corner of his small but humble hobble hole. Shifting between the loose pebbles and spilled soot, Tommy let out a breath. There was no one there. No one was watching him... right?
Tommy swallowed thickly, heart refusing to listen to his will. He eventually returned to bed, crawling back under the sheets, pulling the blankets up and over his head. He laid on his side, knees draw up to his chest as he covered his ears with his hands. There was no one here, there was no one here! He was just… a little tired. Not paranoid.
The night passed slowly, Tommy constantly tossing and turning, unable to get comfortable. The stare felt like it was coming from every corner of his house, as though whatever entity had come to haunt him had access to seemingly every nook and cranny of his place.
The sun rising had been both a blessing and a curse for Tommy, and with a haggard sigh he rolled out of bed. He didn’t know when he had drifted off, but the eyes had finally seemed to leave by morning. He rubbed his face, trying to erase the fatigue from his complexion. There was still a lot to get done, and if either Wilbur or Tubbo—
”Tommy.”
—Or Dream saw him…
A hand unconsciously came up to the brim of his hat, pulling it lower. “Oh hey, Big Man” he replied, though he didn’t stop, instead continuing down the prime path towards L’Manberg. Dream didn’t answer, continuing to walk alongside him. There was a taunting skip in his step that rubbed Tommy the wrong way.
Realizing Dream intended to follow him the entire way, he spoke up once more. “Dream? Why you coming to L’Manberg? You’re not gonna attack us or some shit, right?”
A humoured laugh leaves from behind the porcelain mask, his steps never faltering. “No, not this time. As long as you guys stay in line there’s no reason for me to do anything.”
”It’s not like you have to watch us. I gave you my discs so that you'd leave us alone you know." Tommy didn't slow his pace, instead only speeding up. The faster he can get into L'Manberg, the faster this green bastard will leave him alone.
"Watching you? Come on, Tommy. Why would I watch you?"
Dream brushed the accusation off, yet his casual words didn't match his tone. Tommy paused, boots scuffing on the wooden planks. He did not look at the other, suddenly couldn't make eye contract with the taunting porcelain mask, with dark eyes that resembled pebbles.
Pebbles...?
Once more he could feel his heart begin to lift up into his throat, eyes shaking as Dream's words sunk in once more. The sanctuary of L'Manberg seemed so close yet so far, and instead he was outside of its walls, in the SMPs land, next to the one person who has killed him before. Next to someone who was psychotic enough to dig up his entire land and underneath his house and--
"Tommy?"
Tommy's head shot up, snapping out from his sudden spiral. "Tubbo?" He realized how furrowed his eyebrows had become when his eyes focus on his best friend, only a few feet in front of him, standing just at the threshold of their nation. "Tommy? You alright there...?" His words trail off in hesitance, eyes meeting with the smiling mask.
"Ah Tubbo! Don't mind me, I was just walking Tommy to L'Manberg" Dream waved his hands absentmindedly, head tilting in a mock smile. "I'll see you around, right Tommy?
He remained frozen in place, only snapping out of it when Tubbo placed an unsure hand on his shoulder. "You good big man? You kinda froze up for a second"
"Y-yeah, I'm fine." He brushed Tubbo off, making his way towards L'Manberg with a faster pace. For no reason in particular. There was nothing wrong, and there was also no one watching him. He was not scared, and would not get scared over something like this.
Yet as he walked deeper and deeper into L'Manberg territory, Tubbo chatting happily alongside him, Tommy couldn't help but feel familiar eyes watching him once more.