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Footsteps echoed around him, sounding like boots on wood. He was running. He couldn't remember why… but Tommy knew he needed to keep running. Where was he going? Was it raining? Is that why it was so difficult to see? He kept running. Then he collided with something. Or someone. He couldn't quite tell because of the rain. He looked at them and spoke before blinking the rain away.
Opening his eyes again was a surprise. He expected to see whoever he was talking to, or clouds, or the stars that constantly hung above Logstedshire. Or his plain white tent. He'd been sleeping there a lot more often. The oak and stone was a nice break. Reminded him of home. Someone must have finally visited and done that. Tubbo maybe. But Tubbo hated him. So then... no, he'd never do that. Not for Tommy.
Tommy swung his arm to the side, ready to prop himself up off the floor only to swing at air. Looking around, he found all his familiar items, his home. Everything was exactly how he left it, how he remembered it. So it had to be a dream. Swinging out of bed Tommy's legs creaked and wobbled when he stood up. Finally, something odd among everything familiar. He walked to his chests and sat down, taking inventory of his things. It all looked the same...Tommy's pretty sure of that. When did he get home? Was he home? Or would he wake up back in exile to the same morning routine he was growing tired of?
Using the wall, Tommy stood and shoved himself back to begin walking outside. Big men like him don't stress over a little leg pain. Especially not leg pain in a stupid dream. Big men also didn't tear up when seeing everything he ever missed outside his house. The stupid carrot farm, the power tower, everything was wrapped in the warm tones and cool shadows of the sunrise. Tommy wiped his eyes quickly and got to work on his farm, first removing all of the weeds. Another odd thing. He always kept his farm tidy. His legs burned as he worked, but he didn't have time for that. That's dream Tommy's problem. It is possible to feel pain like this in dreams, right? He shrugged. Odd things happened in dreams often, like flying, ghosts talking to him, or weeds in his garden… and leg pain now. Tommy kept clearing out the weeds. Any minute now Tubbo should walk by and everything will make sense again. Everything will be just as he remembered. He can finally enjoy a nice relaxing dream.
Real Tubbo didn't want to see Tommy, but hopefully dream Tubbo would want to. Real Tubbo hadn't visited Real Tommy once, didn't even apologize for throwing him out of his home and into the arms of a monster. Who was Tommy fooling? Why would dream Tubbo want anything to do with him either? Eventually dream Tubbo would fade into memories of real Tubbo and Tommy would be alone again. Tommy wishes he was alone actually, then his insanity would be a product of his own making, not a product of horrible things happening to him. He'd just be lonely and insane, not-
"Tommy? How are you big man?"
There's a voice he recognized. The only person Tommy's wanted to see these past months. His best friend. The person he's wanted to apologize to most in the world. His sanity, though he'd never admit that out loud. The only person who stood beside him since day one. His favorite person in the whole world. The other half of this dynamic duo. Finally, there was Tubbo.
Though, Ranboo being with him was a surprise. Tommy didn't think he knew enough about Ranboo to see them in his dreams. They looked healthy? What makes an enderian healthy though…they were tall so they must be healthy. Certainly didn't have the eye bags and clothing tears that Tommy wore. Well, real Tommy. Dream Tommy happened to be wearing clean clothes. A third Odds. That's what Tommy would do, call them Odds. Like Ranboo's stupid concerned face. Why were they so concerned? Tommy's a big man, he can take care of himself just fine. He's been doing great at that-
"Tommy?"
Oh right, his dream guests were talking to him. That was Ranboo this time.
Tommy opened his mouth, ready to declare himself fine. Instead, he took in a large gulp of air and coughed instead.
Someone came up and supported his weight as he coughed. Tommy tried to shove whoever away before his legs gave up and fell onto whoever was supporting him. At least the coughing stopped. Now if Tommy could just get his weight under his feet again everything would be fine.
"Tommy? Is everything okay?"
Tommy nodded.
"Do you want to sit down?"
Tommy shook his head no.
"Are you sure?"
Tommy wished he could shove Ranboo's concerned face away. Tommy nodded instead, a glare with it.
"What are you doing right now?" Tubbo's hand came into view. Ranboo must have been holding Tommy up then.
Tommy took the hand and was pulled towards Tubbo like Tommy weighed nothing. When did Tubbo get stronger than Tommy? Fourth Odds. How many until he should be concerned? Maybe that was just a dream Tubbo skill.
Tommy showed off his weed free carrot patch, puffing up his chest along with it.
"Looks great boss man! Should we break for lunch? We can eat on the bench." Tubbo started walking slowly as he spoke.
Tommy nodded, comfortable to lean a little more weight on Tubbo as they walked. His legs really felt like they were burning, or like they were being squeezed tightly. He realized he was shuffling instead of taking big steps. He also noticed it felt like someone stabbed him in the back. Repeatedly. Every shuffle sent a new pain up his spine. Tommy glared at his barely moving legs. What was wrong with him? It was his dream, he should be able to make this pain magically go away. So why wouldn't it? Fifth Odds. Maybe someone's hung his legs over lava after dragging him across the grass and hot netherrack in reality. That would explain it, back to four Odds. Or maybe someone's tied his legs, then stuck them through the nether portal at his exile, and his back is laying awkwardly on the grass a step below the manmade portal.
Tubbo said something. When did they sit down on the bench?
Tommy leaned back on the bench and melted. The sun was high in the sky now and had perfectly warmed the wood as if specifically to provide instant relief to his back pain. Stretching his legs out and putting his weight on his heels finally lessened the pain in his legs.
Tommy must have sighed loudly because he heard Tubbo giggle beside him. Tommy glared at his best friend in response and Tubbo laughed louder.
"Better?"
Tommy nodded reluctantly. He felt so much better. Building this bench was a good idea. Fuck what anyone ever said about it, this one moment made this bench worth it. Well, anytime he could listen to his disks here with Tubbo was worth it. He should have grabbed one, for old times sake.
Tubbo handed Tommy a sandwich. When did he get a sandwich?
Ranboo sat on the other side of Tommy. When did they get here?!? Better question, where had they gone until now?
Tommy watched Tubbo take a bite of his sandwich before Tommy ate his own. Must have been pork. Or chicken. Either way, it went down easy and tasted much better than the shit D- better than the shit he was eating in exile. It tasted real. Tasted like someone thought of his preferences, thought of him in general.
Tommy was a big man. He was not going to cry. Not over a fucking sandwich.
Everything felt so perfect. What a cruel dream. How dare his mind give him the perfect escape he desired.
"Shit Ranboo, what did you put in these sandwiches?" Tubbo chuckled. He did that when he was…
"Normal sandwich stuff, why- oh."
Tommy made blurry eye contact with his best friend. Tubbo was crying. Tommy didn't cry, but Tubbo did. Tommy wrapped an arm around Tubbo. He knew it would make Tubbo feel better. And if it made Tommy feel better too, no one had to know.
They all ate in silence, watching the sun lower turning the sky orange. It would be pink in no time.
"I'm so sorry Tommy."
Tommy looked at Tubbo. Why was he sorry? Tommy tried to ask that, but now he's not sure he even said anything.
Tubbo stared at Tommy a moment longer. Was he thinking? Was he waiting for a response?
Tommy tried to speak again. Did it work this time?
Tubbo finally spoke. "Are you having a hard time speaking big man?"
Tommy felt his face flush as he looked away, shaking his head no. He didn't struggle with anything! Loneliness maybe, but that's because he was exiled! Of course he was lonely! That didn't mean he was struggling speaking! He loved to talk! This clearly wasn't the right time to talk, that was it. Words didn't lodge themselves in his throat and air wasn't held in his lugs. That would be stupid and inaccurate. He didn't want to talk right now. Clearly. It's a dream still, probably, so it wouldn't matter.
Why would dream Tubbo be sorry? Fifth Odds.
Why would the sandwich have tasted so good? Sixth Odds. Should he be getting worried?
Ranboo tapped Tommy's shoulder. How long ago had Tommy stopped listening? The sunset was now pink.
"It's okay. This happens to me too." Ranboo started.
Tommy glared. This was not happening to him.
"Not that it's happening to you… but when it happens to me, I have a system with Tubbo to still communicate. Nods for yes, shakes for no, shrugs for maybe, those are pretty easy to start with."
Tommy nodded. Maybe this was happening to him.
"Some of the more complicated questions need more than a yes or no though so-" Ranboo stood up. "If I'm hurt, I'll point at where the pain is and put my fist on my palm like a hammer or a knife stab. Or if I'm okay, I'll give a thumbs up." Ranboo went over a couple of more communicative signs, like danger and safe before sitting down.
Tommy practiced the signals a couple of times, earning nods from Tubbo and Ranboo when they understood him.
"Well, how are you feeling big man?" Tubbo asked.
Tommy gave a thumbs up.
"That's good, you scared the daylights out of Ran last night. Glad you're doing better now."
Tommy ran into Ranboo last night?
"You were pretty panicked. Did something happen at exile? I mean it's exile… but anything major that made you run? Of course you don't have to tell us anything specific right now, but you rambled so much last night I'm not sure what was going on. So yes or no, did something bad happen at exile?" Tubbo had that concerned look on his face again.
Of course something bad had happened at exile. It was exile! Everything that happened was bad! Tommy nodded twice.
"I'm so sorry Tommy, I never should-" Tubbo shook his head. "I will apologize later. Are you hurt?"
Tommy slowly shook his head no. This… when did he run into Ranboo? Tommy remembered… exile… being alone. The tower. He… no he didn't want to die. He wanted his best friend back. He wanted to be free. Tommy remembered jumping into the water. He remembered running… his boots hitting the grass like the devil was on his heels. His legs had hurt then… like he ran a marathon. The fall must have hurt more than Tommy thought. He ran into something as he reached L'manberg… was that Ranboo? What had he said after that? He remembers speaking for a while, apologizing and begging to see Tubbo. Ranboo walked away somewhere and Tommy followed. He remembered finally seeing Tubbo and apologizing for everything he ever did. Begging to be friends again. Tubbo had tried speaking then. Tommy kept talking. He remembered a lot more talking. Tommy and Tubbo had talked a lot… but Tommy was exhausted and really wanted to go home. That must have been what happened yesterday… The Odds were odd because this was reality. His leg hurt because he jumped and ran, his garden had weeds because no one was there to care for it, and his friends really did miss him.
"The sunset is… really nice." Tubbo choked out.
Tommy looked up. Something fell from Tommy's face. The sunset really was beautiful.
He had escaped exile. He was free.
The sunset turned a beautiful purple as the sky darkened to let the stars shine.
Ranboo spoke first, "We should get you back home Tommy, before the mobs come out."
Tommy nodded. He wanted to sleep.
Tubbo offered him a hand up.
He grabbed his hand and readjusted his weight, pain causing him to let go of Tubbo's hand. Right, his legs hurt like hell. He really shouldn't have run all the way to L'manberg or spent all day plucking weeds. Shit his legs really hurt. Tommy pointed at his legs and then looked at Tubbo before making the stabbing motion Ranboo showed him. He repeated it two more times.
"Your legs hurt a lot?" Ranboo asked.
Tommy nodded at them. They hurt like a bitch. He wasn't too big to admit that now. Not now that he has a real problem to get fixed.
Tubbo knelt in front of Tommy. "Bad as in you can't walk?"
Tommy shook his head no.
"Bad as in it's going to suck to walk?"
Tommy nodded his head.
"Do you want to walk to your bed?"
Tommy nodded.
"Should you walk to your bed?" Of course it was Ranboo who thought of that.
Tommy sighed and shook his head no. He knew he shouldn't, but he really wanted to. It felt good to be free finally. He couldn't give up his freedom so soon.
"Well, you have two options then. Option one," Tubbo held up a single finger, "you can let Ranboo and I carry you back to your bed. Option two," Tubbo held up two fingers, "we can burry you under the bench to sleep."
Tommy made a horrified face. There's no way they would just leave him under the bench all night. That's insane.
"What kind of idea is the second option?" Ranboo finally said what Tommy was thinking.
Tommy pointed at Ranboo and nodded vigorously.
Tubbo laughed. "Well he shouldn't walk so he could just sleep here on the bench but that would get cold, so if we burry him a little under the ground then everything should be fine! No mob would notice him and whose going to think to dig under the bench to find Tommy? He's never hidden there before!"
"No. I won't let you do that."
"Aw come on! I'll even bring his bed over to the hole first!"
"Then he'd have dirt all over his bed!"
Tommy nodded. He was agreeing with Ranboo a lot this conversation.
"I'd clean it!"
Ranboo sighed.
Tubbo faced Tommy again. "Up to you big man. Hold up one finger for us to carry you and two to have us bring the bed to you."
"And then putting the bed in a pit, don't forget that part."
Tommy held up one finger. He was not sleeping in some dirty ditch tonight.
Carrying him was surprisingly easy. Although, Tommy was much happier when he got to lay in his bed. It was sickeningly sweet how Tubbo tucked him into the blankets like Tommy always did before sleeping. Tommy would call him clingy if he could. He'd have to invent a signal for that later with Ranboo. It felt useful. Maybe a swear or two while he was at it. Speaking of, where was Ranboo? Ranboo must have excused himself at some point as Tommy couldn't find him and Tubbo didn't seem worried. Tubbo went around the room making sure everything was in order before he knelt by the bed.
"Need anything else big man?"
Tommy shook his head no.
"Okay, I'll let you sleep." Tubbo stood up.
Tommy grabbed his hand.
"Tommy?"
Curse his tongue for not working. He didn't want to be alone. How was he supposed to say that? Would the signal for 'danger' work?
"Do you want water?"
Tommy shook his head.
"Do you want more lights on?"
Tommy shook his head again, harder.
"Less lights?"
Tommy shook his head many times.
"Let me see if you have any signs laying around."
Tommy nodded.
Tubbo didn't move but chuckled. "You're going to have to let go of my hand first."
Tommy dramatically tossed Tubbo's hand away. Tommy was not clingy like Tubbo. It was just warm in his bed. Not at all embarrassed. Tommy didn't get embarrassed.
Tubbo returned with a sign and a marker and held them out towards Tommy.
Writing, as it turned out, was harder than speaking. It was just a singular word, it shouldn't be that difficult. Sure, it was a very vulnerable word, a very embarrassing question to ask, but not difficult to write. Besides, Tommy Innit was a big man who did NOT get embarrassed. He wrote the word and shoved it at Tubbo.
"I can stay. Do you want me to sleepover?" Tubbo asked, putting the sign to the side.
Tommy nodded, getting himself comfortable in bed and leaving room for Tubbo.
He saw Tubbo walk to the other side of the room, grab a blanket and then type into his communicator. Of course, why didn't Tommy think to use his communicator? Did he even have it on him? Tommy relaxed into his bed and closed his eyes. He heard Tubbo laugh and felt a weight added to the bed.
"Goodnight Tommy."
Tommy sat up in his bed and stretched. He felt better than he had the past couple of weeks. The green server menace being locked behind bars really took a weight off his shoulders. Things finally felt peaceful. Tommy shuffled his legs to hang over the side of his bed, he'd need to wash his sheets soon. He leaned over and grabbed his favorite cane from the side of his bed- Tommy had carved it with Tubbo giving him things to carve on the sides- before standing up and walking outside.
The sun greeted him, showing the shadow of his friends approaching.
"Hey big man, what's the plan today?" Tubbo called, Ranboo trailing behind.
"Whatever we want!" Tommy cheered.