Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

His idea was, in all reality, brilliant. 

The second Techno vanished, Dream leapt into action. He only had one shot to get this right, one chance to escape and make it back to the outside world. Quackity stormed out after threatening him for a few minutes– good, that makes things less complicated– leaving Dream alone to prepare. 

He grabs one of the many volumes off of the shelf, the book heavy in his palms. He weighs it once, twice, and nods to himself. 

Dream has one chance, and this will work. 

Considering he has almost no resources, he’s pretty confident in the plan. Dream hates part of this plan– including hiding in the hole of water he’s supposed to call a toilet– but if it works, he’ll be free. 

So he figures it’s worth a chance. Dream crouches in the water, just out of sight of the camera. He’s had months to figure out the system, months to analyze and plan and work. Quackity was a curveball, but the pain makes him stronger. 

So he waits as the sirens blare louder and louder. He waits, tense and silent, barely breathing. This is going to work. 

Sure enough, the lava recedes, magma dragging itself back with a creak. Dream holds his breath as the Warden steps in, Sam looking around the cell. 

“Dream?” He calls, anger lacing his voice. “If you are here, come out with your hands up right now.” Dream remains quiet, waiting for Sam to turn his back to him. Come on, just a little closer. Sam steps further in, almost like a lamb to the slaughter. He treks across the room, turning in a full circle. 

“Dream?” He calls, the first sign of worry lacing his voice. He turns around, dazed. Now. 

Dream springs from his hiding spot, book raised over his head. Mustering as much force as he can, he slams it down on top of the Warden’s head. Sam goes down with a yelp, head cracking against the obsidian floor. Dream takes the opportunity to practically pounce on him, ripping his helmet off. 

“Hey, Sam.” He spits, unable to suppress the grin. “I think it’s time for me to leave.” Sam opens his mouth to reply, panic sparking in his vision. Dream digs his hand into his hair, lifting his head and slamming it against the floor. Over and over, until the Warden quits twitching. Dream steps back as his body shimmers and vanishes. 

One life, taken. Dream’s nails are crusted with blood. He hums to himself, tilting his head. That’s the second person he’s killed in this cell. 

Dream takes his time crossing the lava. He steps on the other side, stretching. Without the Warden to call guards or shut down gates, he can saunter out. 

Dream smiles as he walks, breathing deep. He stops at one of the spare chests, finding extras of Sam’s supplies. He pulls the armor out, wasting no time putting it on. He keeps his hands on the axe. 

Dream walks out of the prison, as if he never left. 

Dream walks into the world, as if he owns it. 

Dream walks as if he is free, because he is. 

He pauses at the gate, breathing deeply. The air is so much fresher outside the prison, blood and lava not heavy in the air. Out here, it smells fresh, like a second chance. A new beginning. 

The world did not stop when Dream was imprisoned. In fact, it got worse. But he can use this, because Dream has decided that he is going to rise back to the top like he once was. The world can be his again. 

Dream smiles to himself, straightening up. It’s time to bring the chaos back, time to bring his plans back to life. He’s been deterred long enough, and now he has some old friends to greet. 

Dream saunters off north, a thousand plans clicking into place. It’s time for revenge, and time for control to return to his hands. 

-

It is a piercing wail, a cacophony of Tommy’s worst nightmares coming to life. A shrill cry that sends fear shivering down his spine, enough to make his hands start trembling on the spot. He has prayed every day at the Church he would never hear that awful noise, that he would be able to live his life in safety without him on his tail. 

But the prison sirens scream louder, no matter how hard Tommy tries to will them to cease. 

But they didn’t stop. The ringing echoes across the land, sending fear spiraling into his bones. It threatens to send Tommy spiraling. Because Dream is free, Dream is out of prison. 

They promised he would never get free, that he would stay there forever because that’s what he deserves. 

But no, he wasn’t there, because the sirens were still sounding. Tommy stands up sharply, backing up slowly. He’s not in exile, he’s in L’manburg, he’s safe, he’s okay, he’s safe. He buries his face in his hands, biting back a frustrated cry. 

If he had killed Dream months ago, this wouldn’t be a problem. He would never be free, because he would be dead, gone, no longer a threat. 

He hates that he wishes death on anyone, but fuck, if Dream was dead, he wouldn’t be so scared. 

Tommy stands up, swallowing thickly. As much as he wants to panic, he needs to focus. If he loses his wits, he has nothing. He will not let Dream control him, this isn’t exile, he isn’t exiled, he is welcome everywhere. 

Tommy takes a shuddering breath in. He counts to two, then exhales. He’s okay, he is calm, he’s okay. 

Tommy needs to get to Logstedshire as soon as he can. He has weapons there, things to defend himself with. He’ll be safer if he can get those back. Tommy trembles, wrapping his arms around himself. He has to force himself to be fine, he can’t spiral now. 

Having a panic attack sounded probably, honestly. He could feel himself tipping, the delicate scales of his buried trauma threatening to break and unleash what he’s been trying so hard to forget. 

But no, it was still there. It wasn’t fair, but Tommy could never let it go. Everytime he gets close, something happens, and it all comes right back to the surface, as if he never left exile. Fuck this, fuck Dream, and fuck my life. 

Tommy shuts his eyes, forcing his shoulders to relax. In, out, in, out, in, out. A rhythm, as steady as drums, something to anchor him. He opens his eyes slowly, staring at the birch trees. He counts in his head, until his heart rate finally decreases and he can move. 

Tommy takes off, racing for the Nether portal. He has no time to spare. The impending mental breakdown can wait. It has all day (probably all night, too) but Tommy only has right now to get his weapons. So he runs. 

Tommy steps lightly into the Nether Hub, doing a full three sixty. He has to remember where Logstedshire’s portal is; he knows it’s not too far. He just needs to walk right for a bit, and look for the most run down, depressing portal. Then he’ll know he’s found the right one. 

Tommy sets off in a light jog, feet thrumming gently against the surface of the cobblestone trails. He has to be careful, running in a completely straight line, lest he wants to be deep fried. Nope, not right now. 

Tommy refuses to let his mind wander, either. He’s afraid that if he thinks about all the possible outcomes for the next hour or so, he’ll freeze on the trail and start crying on the spot. Not exactly an ideal situation in the Nether, otherwise known as hell for the living. Mental breakdown can wait, he chides himself. 

Finally, he spots the portal he was looking for. Once pristine obsidian, now coated in a layer of ash, thin purple lines forming under the surface. Tommy breathes a slow sigh of relief. It appears that no one has been here yet. He would be alone, and be able to collect his weapon, and be fine. 

It would be okay, he just knew it. Blissful hope filled his gut, a strange excitement filling his gut. He knew he would be fine, if he could just get his hands on the axe. Tommy steps through the portal, glistening purple spots filling his vision. The world twisted in his view, distorting his mind briefly. Tommy shuts his eyes, shaking it off. He hates Nether travel. 

Tommy steps out of the portal, the delirium clearing as soon as he makes it into the clearing. He wastes no time looking around, instead sprinting to the beach, running along the surf. It was calm that day, the waves lapping at the sand and barely leaving a mark. If it weren’t for the circumstances, it would be beautiful. 

Tommy practically crashes into the old markers at Logstedshire, fingers scraping against wooden beams. The lanterns flicker weakly, still burning. Still burning. Perhaps Tommy should have taken that into consideration before he blindly assumed he was alone. 

But he hadn’t. Instead, Tommy drops to his knees and starts clawing away at the dirt, shoving mounds of earth aside bit by bit. He doesn’t stop, not until he sees telltale signs of stone leaking into the dirt he pulls away. Finally, he sees caramel wood peeking out from the layers of deep set dirt that surrounded it. 

Tommy slid down into the hole, ripping open the chest. He stares at its contents blanky, mind struggling to process what was inside. Nothing. It was empty, horribly, undeniably empty. 

Which meant that someone was here. Someone who knows where this chest was, who knows why Tommy would choose this spot as a place to hide his belongings. 

Dream. Dream’s here. 

Tommy clambers on top of the chest, bunching his muscle and leaping out of the crevice. He hoists himself out of the dirt. He has to get out of here. He needs to run before it’s too late, before he finds–

“Oh, Tommy!” A familiar voice pierces his thoughts, chilling him to the bone. “Fancy meeting you here. Didn’t really expect to run into you all the way out here.” Tommy turns slowly, squaring his shoulders and lifting his chin. He makes eye contact with Dream. 

“What the fuck are you doing here?” Tommy spits, practically bristling. I am not afraid. 

“Just thought I’d look for an old friend.” Dream replies easily. “And look at that, I did find you out here! Old habits die hard, don’t they?” He flashes him a grin, teeth flashing in the setting sun. 

“You aren’t welcome here.” Tommy snaps back. Dream laughs, the sound too amused for the situation at hand. 

“This is exile, Tommy.” He says sweetly. “No one cares what happens out here.” Tommy stills completely, eyes widening. The crushing truth cascades over him. Dream is right. No one cares about what happens in exile. 

He is alone. He has nowhere to go.

“Stay the fuck away from me.” Tommy stammers out, his heart beating faster in his chest. He stumbles back, trying to forge his way back to the Nether portal. If he can make it there, he’ll be safe. Dream hums to himself, slowly stalking down the hill. 

“But what fun would that be?” He asks, his voice bemused. “C’mon Tommy, that would be boring.” Tommy shifts back, trying to keep his movements subtle. Please, please, please, I can’t do this again. 

“I prefer boring.” He snaps back, barely keeping his voice from shaking, “Leave me alone.” 

“No, I don’t think so.” Dream murmurs, pacing forward. He was getting too close, sending chills down his spine. No, no, no, stay the fuck back, stay the fuck away. 

“Fuck. Off.” Tommy spits each word out, staggering away. Dream laughs. 

“Oh, Tommy. You’re so funny!” He exclaims. “I have the power over life and death. I can do whatever I want. I adhere to no one.” Tommy can’t take another word. He turns on his heel, snapping inside and sprinting to the portal. Run, run, run, don’t stop running. This isn’t exile, he doesn’t have to stay here. He can go somewhere else and be safe. 

“Oh, a chase! I do enjoy a good game of tag.” Dream’s mocking voice sounds from behind him, only urging him on. “Even if you die, I can just bring you back! Infinite lives, y’know. Not even death is safe from me.” 

Tommy runs. He can’t stop running, he needs to get out of there before Dream hurts him. Before he kills him. He will kill him, only to bring him back over and over again. A never ending cycle that Tommy would be stuck in forever. 

He can’t let that happen. He has to escape first. 

Tommy races to the portal, purple sparkles beckoning forward as if to embrace him. To hide him. He practically trips over himself falling into the portal. His vision swirls, disoriented as his reality changes. Tommy can hear Dream’s ghostly laugh, getting closer and closer to the Nether. 

Tommy tumbles into the realm, nearly falling off of the path. He yips, scrambling to his feet. He doesn’t waste time checking to see if Dream quit following him. He sprints down the narrow road, running as fast as he can to the main hub. Don’t look back, don’t think about him, it’ll be okay, don’t–

“Best keep running!” Dream’s taunting voice rings behind him, sending a fresh bolt of fear through him. No, he’s already here, he’s already right behind me. Tommy swings around a corner, ignoring the crumbling stone that tips into the lava below. Maybe falling wouldn’t be so bad. At least he would be away from Dream, probably for good. 

No. He has to spite him, he has to live. 

Tommy’s steps are muffled by the bubbling lava, the only good thing about the chase through the Nether. Maybe he would get lucky and Dream would slip, and he would have nothing to worry about ever again–

“Surprise!” Dream says cheerfully, cutting across the pathways. He stands in front of Tommy, grinning cheerfully. “You really thought you would get away, huh? Good effort!” Tommy scrambles back, spinning on his heels .

“I’m not done yet, bitch!” He screeches, throwing himself forward. Fine, find a different portal, get out of here and get to safety. Dream barks out a laugh behind him. 

“Damn, you got your spirit back! We’ll fix that soon.” Tommy sprints faster, ignoring how he was basically gasping for air, smoky fumes nearly causing him to choke. But he can’t afford that, he needs to get away. 

There! 

Tommy thinks he had been running forever, but finally, finally, a portal was right there, a haven waiting for him, safety waiting on the other side. Please, please, please. Tommy doesn’t care which portal it is. He has to get out now before Dream catches up to him. He leaps into it without a second thought. 

When he opens his eyes, he’s in Kinoko Kingdom.

Oh no. Tommy swallows, doing a full circle. Last time he was here, he got kicked out. He shouldn’t expect anything different this time, but he can’t afford to go through the portal again. Dream will just catch him. 

Tommy starts running into the forest around Kinoko, just as he hears Dream come out of the portal, laughing softly. Tommy swallows thickly, racing away from him, practically tripping over the mushrooms that littered the ground. 

He needs help. He can’t keep running much longer, his chest aches and his legs are on fire. Each breath felt like a snake squeezing his lungs, the effort of inhaling almost too much to bear. He’s almost out. He can’t keep going, he needs–

Tommy’s gaze snaps over as a flash of motion catches his vision. It wasn’t a green cloak, rather a black tunic and dark tail. 

“Sapnap!” Tommy gasps out, stumbling over to the demon. He turns, eyes narrowed in suspicion. The mistrust from the previous visit was clearly still under the surface, a lingering resentment from something Tommy couldn’t even remember. 

“Why’re you here?” He asks, hefting his axe up in an almost defensive manner. Tommy ignores his demeanor, instead charging forward and ducking behind him. Sapnap twists to look at him, opening his mouth to say something.

“H-help me.” Tommy says, struggling to catch his breath. “Please, he’s coming for m-me, I’m s-so scared–” Sapnap blinked, a thousand emotions flashing behind his eyes. 

“Who?” He prods, his voice gentler than it had been seconds ago. Tommy shudders, trying to force himself to say the name. 

“D... Dream.” He manages. “He’s–”

“Right here.” Dream cuts him off silkily, stepping out of the brush. He pauses, looking around the scenery and taking in the towering mushrooms. Sapnap tenses in front of him, taking a few steps forward. Dream’s gaze fell to a rest on Sapnap himself, a grin spreading across his face. 

“What the hell are you doing here?” Sapnap spits out before Dream can say anything. The masked man puts his hands up, an innocent demeanor overtaking his features. 

“So this is Kinoko, huh? Nice place you’ve got, Sap.” He says idly, electing to ignore his question. Tommy cowers in on himself, unable to help it. Sapnap glares at him harder, eyes cold as ice. His twitching tail was the only indicator of his unease. 

“Yes. Now get out.” He replies tersely. Dream peers over his shoulder, making eye contact with Tommy. Oh, Prime. Tommy stumbles back, pressing his spine against the mushroom tree. He could feel another terrified cry working its way up his throat. He bites it back, the small spark of defiance still left in him refusing to give Dream the satisfaction of feasting on his fears. 

“Not without Tommy, I’m afraid.” Dream says, his voice still even and horribly, horribly calm. Sapnap turns slightly, looking back at him. Tommy is frozen, unable to form a single syllable in his unyielding fear. His heart beats faster with each step Dream takes, like a great wolf closing in on its helpless prey. He is helpless, he can’t do anything to stop him from hurting him he’ll just take him away– 

Sapnap meets his gaze, understanding suddenly rippling through his expression. Tommy realizes that he does not have to explain his paralyzing terror. Because Sapnap can see it, he knows. And he has no love for Dream, he has no reason to help him. 

But the question on the tip of Tommy’s tongue is whether or not Sapnap will help him? 

He has no reason to. They’ve been on awkward terms for years, since the start of the disc wars, since the beginning of revolution, from the start. But he helped him in the first Vault, he helped him imprison Dream in the first place. 

Please, help me. 

“No.” Sapnap says curtly, turning back to Dream. “He’s on Kinoko land, he’s under our protection.” This seemed to take Dream off guard, the masked man’s guise dropping slightly. He recovers almost as quickly as he faltered. 

“Odd.” He says, clicking his tongue. He shifts slightly, haunting gaze back on Tommy. He feels exposed under his scrutiny, like his very soul is being read and ripped out of him. “Now why would you extend him amnesty? Hasn’t he caused more trouble than he’s worth?”  

“It’s none of your concern.” Sapnap says icily. Tommy flinches at Dream’s words, old cantos ringing in his mind. He takes in a shuddering breath, forcing them away. Not now. In case Sapnap changes his mind, he has to be ready to bolt. 

“Well, I’m just trying to look out for a friend–” Dream starts. Sapnap barks out a laugh, bitter loathing coating the sound. 

“We are not friends.” He practically snarls. “And I believe I made you a promise when you first went to prison. Remember that one, buddy?” 

For the first time in the entire conversation, Dream was rendered speechless. 

Tommy shakily steps closer, inching nearer to Sapnap. He can feel heat radiating off of the demon, a warning sign of his rising temper. He points his axe toward Dream, his gaze steely. 

“Get out of my kingdom right fucking now, or I will make you wish you’d never left prison.” Dream glares at him, finally giving up on his kindred facade. 

“You will come to regret this, Sapnap.” He spits, his sense of betrayal clear. “I know where your precious home is, and where–”

“Keep talking, I dare you.” Sapnap cuts him off. “I’ll cut your tongue out.” 

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He says dryly, before turning back to Tommy, a devious grin spreading across his face. “And Tommy, I’ll be seeing you soon. We have to finish our game, after all!” Tommy swallows thickly, trying to force his body to remain still. He can’t give him leverage, he can’t show him his fear. 

“Last chance.” Sapnap snaps. “Leave or die.” Dream puts his hands up, backtracking into the underbrush. 

“Fine.” He murmurs, lifting his chin, as if absorbing every detail he can. “See you around.” And with that, he vanishes, dipping into the bushes. Sapnap hesitates for a second, before stepping forward and pushing the greenery aside. 

Dream is gone, as if he’d never been there in the first place. Tommy lets out a shaky breath, somewhere between a sob and a sigh. His knees buckle and he collapses to the ground, fingers digging into the impossibly green grass. 

That was too close, he thinks, his vision spinning. The blades of grass look unreal, swimming as he tries to regain control of his senses. He hears someone sit down next to him, but can’t bring himself to look up. 

“I.. uh… are you alright?” Sapnap asks, his voice sounding far above him. Tommy shudders, breathing heavily. The reality of what almost happened was sinking in, how very close he was to returning to exile. 

To dying hundreds of times. 

“No.” Tommy chokes out. “‘M sorry, didn’t mean to intrude.” He takes in a shuddering breath, pushing himself up from the grass. He keeps his head down, refusing to look at Sapnap. 

“Don’t be sorry.” Sapnap responds immediately, his voice softer than it was earlier. Any malice was gone, instead the demon sounded awkward over anything else. “I’m… I'm glad I could help?” 

“You did.” Tommy says, steadying his breathing. “Th-thank you.” Sapnap hesitantly reaches over, tentatively laying one hand on his shoulder.  

“Do…” He starts to say, trailing off. “Do you want to stay in Kinoko?” Tommy jolts his head up, furrowing his brow. What? He tilts his head, scooting away. 

“Is this a trick?” He demands, unable to keep the suspicion from his voice. “‘Cause I really don’t have the capacity for that right now.” Sapnap shakes his head. 

“No trick.” He promises, the demon offering him a weak smile. “I just– with Dream on the loose, and what– what’s happening, I figured… you’d be safer here.” Sapnap stumbles over his words, clearly as nervous as Tommy. 

“I… Are you sure?” It’s a tempting offer, that much is certain. Sapnap would be able to protect him from Dream. But last time Tommy tried to stay in Kinoko, he ended up kicked out in hours. Then again, this time Sapnap sees why he was so… desperate. 

“Yes.” Sapnap says with no hesitation, whatever was giving him pause seeming to have vanished. “I’m sure. It’s not safe right now, and if we can offer you a sanctuary, then yes I’m certain.” Tommy worries his lip, swallowing heavily. He nods finally, giving Sapnap a small smile. 

“I would appreciate that.” He whispers. Sapnap stands up, offering him a hand. Tommy takes it, letting the demon hoist him to his feet. He points up the hill to one of the spiraling buildings, mushroom design reaching to the heavens. 

“Come on. Let’s go talk to Karl.” 

Chapter Text

Tommy follows Sapnap slowly, keeping his gaze fixed on the ground. He picks his way over the grass, doing his best not to look back behind him. His spine itches, as if someone was still watching him. He shudders, shaking himself out. 

“You still coming?” Sapnap calls, a few meters ahead. The demon had paused, gaze locked on Tommy. His expression is unreadable, the passion from the earlier argument having dissipated. 

“Yeah, just… need to catch my breath.” Tommy replies, stumbling forward. Sapnap nods, pacing closer. Tommy waves him off, not wanting his assistance. “I can walk.” 

“Got it.” The demon waits patiently for him to start moving again, beelining for the mushrooms looming in distance. Tommy doesn’t speak, and Sapnap doesn’t press him for details. He appreciates the silence. He’s nervous about what happens next, for sure. 

Will Sapnap let him stay, or is it just a guise? A fake to make him feel safe, only to kick him out again? 

(It was easier when they were at war, Tommy thinks. He thinks that everything was easier back then. One objective, and less trauma). 

“You have a nice place.” Tommy says, breaking his silence. He wasn’t lying; the kingdom was pretty. Red mushrooms shaped into houses, cherry trees in bloom, brilliant green grass, and  glistening blue streams. It was otherworldly, how untouched by war and beautiful the kingdom is.

“Thanks.” Sapnap says, unable to keep the pride out of his voice. “We’ve been working on it for a long time.” 

“It paid off.” He admires, poking one of the mushrooms with his feet. “Are you a drug nation?” 

“What?” Sapnap asks, taken off guard. “No, we just have mushrooms.”

“Probably good, considering what happened last time.” Tommy hums, walking toward the epicenter of Kinoko. Or at least, what he thought was the center of the kingdom. A fountain surrounded by trees? A classic, really.

“Wait a second, Karl is probably around here somewhere…” Sapnap says, turning in a full circle. Tommy pauses, glancing over at the demon. It was strange how all his trust was being placed in someone he once considered a mortal enemy. Now, he saved him from the very man he used to fight for. 

He was grateful, and slightly shocked at his own acceptance. At the trust he was already slowly placing in Sapnap. Strange. It probably wouldn’t last. Tommy turns to stare at the fountain, ornate sprays of water dancing around him. He waves one hand under it, the cold rushing through his hand. 

“You’re back early.” A new voice sounds behind the two of them. Tommy turns, seeing a new face. Karl stands a few meters away, eyes flashing with curiosity. Were they always that yellow? Tommy shakes it off. Not his business, not like he looked closely in the first place. 

He hasn’t had much interaction with Karl. He’d only been involved in the revolution, and even then Tommy couldn’t tell someone what side he fought on. He always seems to be gone, reappearing at the most random moments. He’s a wild card to Tommy. 

He’s not sure if he can trust him not to hand him over to Dream. And right now, he seems hostile. Tommy can feel his scrutinizing gaze, a layer of distrust layered in his eyes. 

“Ran into someone.” Sapnap says, shrugging lightly. 

“Sapnap.” Karl says, peering past him. “Is that a child?” 

“I’m not a child, you bitch—!” Tommy snaps, practically bristling.  

“Yes.” Sapnap says, ignoring Tommy’s protest. “Surprise?”

“We never talked about this.” Karl deadpans. Tommy crosses his arms, staring daggers at the other man. Well, maybe I should get ready to run. 

“It was kind of a spur of the moment decision.” Sapnap admits, almost sheepishly. 

“It was a life or death moment!” Tommy protests. Karl blinks, mouth moving silently.

“What does he mean by that?” He asks, turning back to Sapnap. “Who else did you run into?” 

“I’ll explain later.” Sapnap promises. Karl raises a brow, looking back over at Tommy. He steps back, clearing his throat. 

“Hi. Uh, I can leave if you want.” He offers immediately. It was a usual thing he said. It was usual for people to want him gone. Karl blinks, confused.  

“No, no, I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Karl says slowly, looking at Sapnap. “Am I reading the situation correctly?” 

“Tommy, I can guarantee that he’ll kill you if you leave now.” Sapnap agrees with a nod. “Even if you just camp out here for a few days, you’ll be safer and better off.” Tommy swallows heavily, words stuck in his throat. He shudders slightly. 

“You won’t contact him?” He asks, his voice small. 

“I wouldn’t have interfered if I wanted you gone.” Sapnap promises. Tommy gives him a weak smile, a small burst of relief flooding his mind. He exhales a breath he hadn’t even realized he’d been holding. 

“Agreed.” Karl says. “I trust Sapnap’s judgement on this one.” His offputting demeanor had shifted, as if he’d realized something deeper was at play. That it wasn’t like the past, that Tommy needed help more than anything. 

“Okay, so we’re keeping him?” Sapnap asks, almost hopefully. Karl sighs, nodding. 

“If he burns anything down, I’m holding you accountable.” He says, although his word lacks any bite. He turns to Tommy, a gentler expression sweeping over his demeanor. “You’ll be safe here; this entire kingdom was created to stay out of whatever Dream starts.” Tommy flashes him a grateful smile. 

“Thanks.” He manages, emotion thick in his voice. “It means a lot.” 

“Don’t mention it!” Karl responds brightly. “If Sapnap says you’re welcome, then I say you’re welcome here.” 

“I promise to be out of your hair soon.” Tommy says quickly. 

“If that’s what you want.” Karl says simply, turning back to the fountain. Tommy stands in awkward silence for a moment, before Sapnap clears his throat. 

“Right, well I’m going to show him around.” He says, beckoning Tommy to follow him. “See you later!” 

“Bye!” Karl calls, waving. “Don’t do anything stupid.”

“Already did that today, don’t you worry.” Sapnap says, his voice carrying a strange affection that Tommy hadn’t ever heard before. He couldn’t help but smirk at him. 

“You’re so smitten.” He whispers, audible enough for the demon to hear. His face flushes red in seconds, heat radiating off of him. Sapnap coughs, shaking it off. 

“Anyway, I’ll show you where you can stay.” Sapnap pipes up. “We’ve got plenty of open spaces in Kinoko.” Tommy nods, following the demon across the plaza. He glances back at the forest, shuddering slightly, cheerful demeanor wilting. He almost died there. 

But he is safe now. He has a chance to heal. Besides, he won’t be here long. Just enough to get back on his feet.

It will all turn out okay.

-

“So.” Karl says, plopping down on the couch. “Tell me the story.” Sapnap looks over at his fiance, raising a brow. 

“Of?” He asks, genuine confusion lacing his tone. Karl lets out an irritated sigh, shoving him lightly. 

“Tommy! How’d he end up here of all places?” He demands, shaking his side. Sapnap laughs, grasping his arm and pulling it over shoulders. Karl wraps his other arm over his chest, resting his head on his shoulder. 

“You’re so clingy.” Sapnap teases. Karl huffs, pushing him away and crossing his arms. 

“Fine, I won’t give you hugs.” He snaps back, tilting his chin up. 

“That’s not what I meant!” Sapnap protests. He pokes Karl’s side. “Please can I have a hug?” 

“Not until you tell me what happened with Tommy.” Karl replies with a grin. Sapnap flops against the pillows, giving Karl a faux glare. 

“Fine, fine. You drive a hard bargain.” He mutters. Karl simply shrugs, a smug smile still gleaming on his face. 

“Go on.” He gestures. “I’m waiting.” 

“Okay, so.” Sapnap sits up, demeanor turning serious. Karl leans forward and rests his chin on his hands, listening intently. “I was patrolling the edges of Kinoko, per usual, when I heard a crash. Which is… odd. Nobody ever comes out here unless they want to or are invited, y’know?” 

“Yeah.” Karl agrees. “That would be weird.” 

“So I decide to investigate, and out of nowhere, Tommy practically runs into me.” Sapnap continues. “And the kid’s a mess, practically fumbling with his words. Dream comes out not a second later and Tommy flips out.” Karl stares at him mutely, eyes flashing with confusion. 

“Why would Dream be chasing him?” He asks. “I know they don’t like each other, but…” He trails off. Sapnap shrugs. 

“I don’t know, but it wasn’t good.” He continues. The original Vault had been one thing, but Sapnap doesn’t think it would be enough for Dream to manhunt Tommy like he was. There has to be more to the story. “Dream demands that I hand over Tommy… but I couldn’t. The kid, he… you should have seen his face, he was horrified, I thought he was gonna pass out on the spot.” 

“Prime.” Karl swears, shaking his head. “You definitely did the right thing.” Sapnap hesitates before speaking again. 

“Yeah. I hope the kid decides to stay, kind of.” He replies with a small sigh. “Even if he is a magnet for trouble, whatever happened weighs heavily on him, it’s clear.” Karl nods in agreement. 

“I didn’t want to push the matter earlier.” He admits. “Mostly because I didn’t want to scare him off.” 

“Probably wise.” Sapnap says, pausing again. “I just have a weird feeling about all of this.” He says softly. Karl blinks at him, pieces coming together. He shudders slightly, ducking his head. 

“Are you worried Dream will come after us?” Karl asks, gnawing his lip. Sapnp sighs, dropping his shoulders. He shakes his head slowly. 

“I’m not sure.” He confesses. “I think… he really wants to get his hands on Tommy.” Karl pales slightly, eyes flashing with wariness. 

“That’s not good.” He mutters, hand covering his mouth as he speaks. “That’s not good at all.” Sapnap tilts his head, confused, but does not pry. He figures the fear is the same as the rest of the server; no one wants Dream anywhere near them. 

“Hey, it’ll be fine.” Sapnap reassures him as quickly as he can. “I made a promise, and I will uphold it if he threatens us.” Karl gives him a weak smile, slumping back. 

“I just don’t like the idea of him being so… focused on Kinoko.” He says quietly. “You and I both know he’ll burn this place to the ground to get his hands on Tommy, or–” Karl bites back another word, pausing mid sentence. He sighs, leaning back. “It doesn’t matter, because he’s going to come for us.”

“I won’t let him hurt anyone here, I promise.” Sapnap says, his words feeling as though they carried the weight of the world. The oath feels unwieldy; he isn’t sure he’d be able to keep it. Dream is devious, and Sapnap doesn’t doubt his abilities to best him in combat; or at least, outsmart him. And worst still, Sapnap can’t predict his next move. He could negotiate or jump straight to acting Kinoko. 

Karl doesn’t say anything, his face still pale. There’s an unspoken fear in his eyes, one that Sapnap wants to ask about desperately. But he won’t because his fiance clearly doesn’t want to tell him. Maybe later, Sapnap concedes. 

“Can I have cuddles now?” He asks, poking Karl’s arm again in an attempt to change the topic. Karl scoots closer, resting his head on his shoulder. Sapnap wraps his arm around his shoulder and holds him close. 

“Fine.” Karl whispers, his voice shaky. He grabs his hand and squeezes it gently. “I love you.” 

“Love you too.” He mumbles, closing his eyes. “It’s all gonna turn out fine.”  

-

Tommy likes Kinoko. But he isn’t sure he belongs. 

Sapnap has been checking on him frequently, making sure he’s okay. He asks him how his day is, offers to take him to the defense outpost. Tommy politely declines. He doesn’t want to see a military base, not now. 

Sapnap understands. He mentions he should try exploring the kingdom, at least wander around a bit. That he should get to know the lay of the land if he’ll be here for a while. Tommy says he will, forcing a smile on his face. 

He hates the idea of running into Dream. He knows it’s a stupid fear, but he thinks he might run into him somewhere. Even though the kingdom is actively against him, he still can’t help but feel a bolt of anxiety when he thinks about him. 

“Are you doing alright?” Sapnap asks later that evening, upon seeing that Tommy still hadn’t left his room. Tommy shrugs. 

“I don’t know.” He admits. 

“I promise you’re safe here.” Sapnap says. Tommy’s smile feels forced. He wishes he could believe him, that he could feel welcome and safe and like he belongs . 

“Thanks,” is all he says. 

-

It’s difficult to move on. Tommy has nightmares again, after so many nights of repression, of attempting to heal, it all came crashing back down on him. 

He wakes up in a cold sweat, screaming and pleading for mercy. He can still feel Dream right on his heels, as he had been about to catch him once more. Like in exile. Like two horrible days again. 

Tommy turns over, staring out the window. Kinoko lit up in front of him. It doesn’t have the aggressive glow of Las Nevadas, or the haunting embers of L’Manburg. It’s different. It feels homely, it feels warm. 

But Tommy doesn’t feel at home. He feels lost, like a burden over anything else. 

-

It’s been three days, and Tommy still hasn’t cried over what happened. 

He thought he would’ve broken by now, driven to insanity by what occurred. But instead, he sits in frosty silence, willing himself to feel anything but cold shock. 

He still doesn’t cry, even as he stares at the wall. He still doesn’t cry, when the memories threaten to overtake him. He still doesn’t cry, when he wonders what his purpose is anymore. 

He escaped Dream, but for what? Tommy doesn’t know what to do anymore. Tubbo and Ranboo were happy together, away from him. Phil and Techno hated him as a traitor. And Wilbur…

Tommy doesn’t want to think about Wilbur.

He feels guilty, as if he’s squandering this chance that Sapnap and Karl have given him. A chance to start over, or at least heal. 

But Tommy can’t bring himself to do anything, so he sits in the crushing silence alone. 

-

Kinoko Kingdom was peaceful. 

It was odd, a strange sense that Tommy had never known until now. He could wake up slowly, on his own time, without someone barking at him to get up. He doesn’t have to worry about someone barging into his house (or tent), and taking away his belongings. He doesn’t have to worry about someone holding an axe to his throat and threatening him, coercing him into acts he does not want to commit. 

It was peaceful. 

But something felt off. Like he doesn’t belong in a place so… tranquil. 

Tommy isn’t used to this. He isn’t sure how to function when war isn’t hanging over his head, when death isn’t lurking around every corner. He’s been in Kinoko for a grand total of four days, but he feels more numb than ever. As if nothing had changed one bit. 

Tommy wanders the land, mostly. He explores the sprawling kingdom, taking in every sight he can. It’s mostly mushrooms, red shrooms poking out from the ground in between tall blades of grass. They seemed to be everywhere; then again, it was named Kinoko Kingdom, and mushrooms appeared to be the brand. 

He ends up in front of the library, the spires arcing up and over the hill. Tommy stares at it, bouncing on his heels. Part of him wanted to go in, but he had a hesitance when he reached for the door. He has no idea what it was, exactly; maybe just the idea of going to talk to someone, or reading something that didn’t belong to him, or even entering a building without permission. 

But still, Tommy wants to explore it. The building is just so cool, and he has a moment where he can go look into it. What are the odds that someone is inside, anyway? And Sapnap said it was open to the public too. 

So Tommy takes a deep breath and pulls open the door. 

It’s surprisingly sparse, albeit the shelves were still filled with various volumes. The floor is coated in grass, still not blocked over by wooden planks. He gently pulls the door shut, making sure it clicks behind him. Tommy paces the library, running his hand over the books. He picks up a volume, turning it over in his hands. 

He sets it back on the shelf, turning around. He blinks, tilting his head. Something feels off. Tommy turns in a full circle, searching for the source of his unease. He walks to one of the sides, pressing his hands against the walls. What is it? He kneels down, running his hands through the grass. 

“I don’t think there are any books on the floor.” Tommy jumps, a bemused voice penetrating his thoughts. He twists around, seeing Karl leaning against the doorframe. 

“Sorry!” He yelped, scrambling to his feet. “I’ll– I didn’t mean to intrude– I’ll go–” Tommy’s words come out in a panicked frenzy, barely able to form coherent words. Karl puts his hands up, shaking his head. 

“Hey, it’s okay.” Karl says quickly. “You don’t need to leave, the library is a library for a reason.” Tommy swallows heavily, shoving his hands in his pockets to hide the trembling. You’re fine, you aren’t intruding, you’re welcome here. 

It is a foreign concept, the fact that he’s welcome somewhere. That he isn’t seen as bad news wherever he goes. That Sapnap did offer him a place to stay, even if Tommy feels deep down that he does not deserve it. 

“I just… I don’t think…” Tommy trails off words dying in his throat. Karl steps closer, hesitantly reaching over and placing a hand on his shoulder. 

“You’re okay.” Karl says quietly. “You are welcome here, okay? I know– actually, I don’t– know what’s going on, but you’re safe. You’re wanted here.” Tommy blinks up at him, unable to keep the shock from his gaze. 

“Why?” He manages to ask. “Why do you want me here? Why are you okay with having me around? Why?”  Tommy thinks he might cry. He isn’t sure what’s making him so emotional. “I’m nothing but trouble, all I do is wreck things.” Dream’s old words rung in his ears, reminding him of who he really is.

“No, Tommy, you don’t.” Karl says softly. “You aren’t trouble, you just have had a tough run. And we want you here because you need our help, and we can give it to you. Who would we be to turn you away?” Tommy sniffles, rubbing his eyes before he can burst into tears. 

“I just– I don’t feel at home.” He admits, his voice hoarse. “I feel lost, like I don’t belong.” Karl does something unexpected; he pulls Tommy into a tight embrace. 

Tommy stiffens at first, shocked. He collapses in his grip, finally letting his emotions free. He sobs as he clutches Karl, the breakdown he’d been expecting finally tearing free from his chest. Karl doesn’t say anything, just hugging him and letting him cry. 

“You’re okay.” Karl whispers. “It’s okay.” Tommy sinks to his knees, dragging the other man down with him. But he doesn’t complain, still letting him crumble. 

Tommy doesn’t know when his tears finally subsided. When he could finally start breathing again without his chest aching. When he could hear something besides his own raw sobs. 

“Sorry.” He apologized immediately, wiping his eyes in a hurried fashion. “Didn’t mean to break down like that, fuck.” 

“Tommy, you don’t need to apologize for feeling emotions.” Karl chides, albeit not unkindly. Tommy can’t help it; he laughs. 

“You sound like Puffy.” He mumbles, rubbing his eyes free of tears again. “Don’t tell me; your side job is therapy too.” Karl laughs along. 

“Something like that.” He answers. 

“I just…” Tommy starts, trailing off. “I don’t know anymore. I feel so alone, like no one could ever want me, or want to help, or just be there.” 

“Tommy…” Karl says softly, looking him in the eye. “Sapnap and I wouldn’t have offered you a place here if we weren’t sure we wanted you around. We care about you, especially seeing what Dream did– or tried to do.” Tommy sniffles again. 

“I’m just scared.” He admits. “I don’t know what will happen next, I don’t know if Dream will come–” 

“Let him come.” Karl declares. “We won’t let him hurt you, okay?” 

“Now you sound like Sapnap.” Tommy chides with another chuckle. 

“Well, he’s right.” Karl says with a shrug. “We won’t let him take a step in Kinoko.” Tommy sits in silence– although, instead of the typical awkward, uncomfortable silence it’s… neutral. It’s almost good. Tommy looks around the library, exhaling slowly. His breath is still shaky, but at least he isn’t sobbing anymore. 

“I just want to move on.” He admits finally. “But I feel like I can’t even talk about it.” 

“Well.” Karl begins, his words tender. “Recovery is a process.” Tommy sighs, slumping back against the grass. Karl lets go of him, mimicking his movement. 

“I just don’t know what to do, or where to go, or–” 

“Why don’t you start by moving here? And I mean getting out of your cooped up house and hanging out with us for a few days and see how you like it?” Karl suggests. Tommy ponders the statement for a minute, although he already knows the answer. 

“I think I would like that very much.” He responds. “Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.” Karl says brightly. He stands up, offering him a hand. “Come on. I think you need a cookie or something sweet. Chocolate is the best remedy to a traumatic breakdown.” 

“You sound like you have experience in that field.” Tommy says, only half joking. Karl laughs.

“You live, you learn.” He says cryptically. Tommy laughs again, and for the first time, it feels real . 

Chapter Text

Tommy has lived in Kinoko for six days. On that sixth day, he finally (accidentally) lit something on fire.

In his defense, it wasn’t actually his fault. Sapnap asked his help with cooking dinner, and Tommy obliged. He figures it’s the least he can do to help out, especially since they’d given him a home again. So he thinks that at least helping make dinner would be a good way to show his appreciation. 

He wonders if agreeing to help Sapnap was a mistake. He was floundering in the kitchen, mumbling to himself and pulling out the most random ingredients. He keeps casting fervent glances at the door, as if he was doing something outside the law. Tommy lifts a brow, unimpressed. 

“Do you cook often?” Tommy asks, watching Sapnap struggle to pull out one of the soup bowls. 

“Well… Technically, yes.” Sapnap answers after a moment of hesitation. 

“But?” Tommy prods, hearing the unspoken words echoing in his voice. The demon says nothing, coughing into his arm. 

“Moving on.” Sapnap says with a clap. “I want to surprise Karl and George, so let’s be quick and quiet.” Tommy lifts a brow, but doesn’t comment further on whatever is going through Sapnap’s mind. 

“Understood.” Tommy says with a salute. He dips down and opens one of the cabinets. He pulls out some bowls, placing them on the counter. Sapnap hums to himself as he lights the stove, barely batting an eye as the flame sputters to life. 

“What’re you thinking of making?” He asks, tilting his head. Sapnap had placed a pot on the stove; probably soup, if Tommy had a guess. 

“Soup.” He confirms Tommy’s suspicions with a nod. “It’s the safest option.” Tommy blinks. What. 

“Safest option for what?” He demands, mouth parting in slight shock. What on earth? Sapnap grimaces, eyes glazing over in a flashback that Tommy cannot see. He stands in awkward silence as Sapnap remembers, lips pursed.  

“Safest option to avoid committing arson.” He says finally. “I don’t want to repeat the steak incident.” 

“What steak incident?” Tommy asks, almost afraid to hear the answer. Sapnap clears his throat, clapping once. 

“Not important!” He says cheerfully. “I have utmost faith that nothing will go wrong, and everything will be great, and this soup will be amazing.” Tommy lifts a brow. 

“You sound awfully unsure there, boss man.” He observes. Sapnap laughs, although it sounds nervous over anything else. Like the classic oh haha, we’re going to die, kind of laugh. 

“I swear it’ll be fine. It would be very hard for me to light something on fire making soup.” Sapnap declares. “I mean, unless I scoot the pot over the wrong direction and I touch the fire and it jumps to the curtains.” Tommy blinks, once again dumbfounded. 

“It sounds like this isn’t the first time you’ve lit something on fire while making soup.” He points out dryly. 

“Whatever Karl said was fake.” Sapnap grumbles. “I was making pasta.” 

“Uh…I didn’t get that from Karl.” Tommy says awkwardly. “I got it from this conversation, as in, what you just said .” Sapnap grimaces again. 

“Oh.” He says with a small chuckle. “Well, uh, I promise not to do it again?” Tommy raises a brow, unimpressed with his fumbling promises. 

“Sure.” He says, patting the demon on the shoulder. “And I’ll be ready with a water bucket.” Sapnap sniffs, turning his chin to the air. 

“Unnecessary.” He declares, leaning against the stove. Tommy opens his mouth to warn him, but Sapnap shakes his head. “I made a personal vow that I would revoke my kitchen ban and prove that I am worthy of cooking once more.” 

“Sapnap, look–” Tommy starts to say. 

“But this time, I will make the perfect soup.” Sapnap continues, knocking against the pot. Tommy yelps, running forward to try and catch it. The pot clatters to the ground, the contents spilling out. Tommy jumps back, as Sapnap leaps forward. “Shit!” 

“Sapnap, look out for the–” The demon’s tail twitches ever so slightly, catching the fire. Tommy watches in horror as it catches, black turning red. “Your tail.” He deapans, facepalming. 

“Oh, for fuck’s–” Sapnap turns in a full circle, his tail brushing against the curtains hanging behind him. 

“The curtains!” Tommy yelps, tossing the water bucket on the flaming drapes. Sapnap hurriedly pats down his tail, embers smoldering to nothing. He pauses, looking at the mess they made in the kitchen. Sapnap turns, wide eyed, and locks gazes with Tommy. 

“Listen very carefully,” he says hurriedly, as if he is afraid of something, “We need to clean this up before–” 

“Sweet mother of Prime.” Tommy jumps, turning to look at the front of the kitchen. Karl stares at the mess, mouth agape. 

“Hi, Karl–” Sapnap starts. 

“Why… is the kitchen on fire.” Karl asks slowly, his voice husky. “Why are the curtains still smoldering, what did you do now? ” Tommy gets the feeling that this is not, in fact, the first time this has happened. 

“I was cooking dinner.” Sapnap says sheepishly. “And I may have gotten… panicky…and flipped out, and got irritated…” Tommy bites back a laugh. 

“With the soup or with the curtains?” Karl demands, hands on his hips. 

“Uh…” Sapnap trails off, face flushing red. “Myself?” Karl sighs, burying his head in his hands. 

“You’re banned from the kitchen for a reason, you know that, right?” He chides, sounding rather disappointed. Tommy fights back every urge to burst out laughing on the spot, every ounce of self-control being used to keep his laughter in.

“Yes…” Sapnap trails off, coughing into his arm. “I’m sorry?” He offers weakly. Karl raises a brow, looking rather unimpressed. 

“You’re sleeping on the couch.” Karl snaps, shaking his head. 

“Will you really survive that? You know you’re touch starved.” Sapnap retorts with a smirk. Karl ponders his words for a moment, harsh demeanor melting slightly. He doesn’t say anything at first. Instead, he walks over to Sapnap, his footsteps deliberate. 

“Say that again.” He says quietly. 

“You know you’re touch starved.” Sapnap says, although he sounds a little more anxious than he had a minute ago. Tommy waits with baited breath to see what happens next. He leans forward on the counter.

Karl jumps into Sapnap’s arms. 

He quite literally jumps at him, leaving Sapnap to fumble to catch him. The demon lets out an oof, nearly dropping his fiancé. He straightens up, squaring his shoulders. Tommy can see raw affection in his eyes as he holds Karl. 

Tommy snickers, sitting back. In the back of his mind, he thinks that this is perhaps one of the most wholesome environments he’s had for years. It’s just… nice. No one is fighting, and even accidents resulting in arson don’t cause a lot of issues. 

“Karl. You’re not helping your argument.” Sapnap says, carrying him out of the kitchen. 

“You’re warm. I’m cold. Sue me.” Karl mutters, arms wrapped around his neck. Tommy laughs as he follows them, resisting the urge to make fun of the two. 

“Am I still sleeping on the couch?” Sapnap asks, his voice uncharacteristically soft. Karl releases him, hopping down to the floor. 

“Maybe.” The other man proclaims. “It depends on how quickly you can clean up the mess you made.” Karl turns to Tommy, eyeing him suspiciously, although he appeared to be more bemused than anything. “You too. I swear, I can’t leave either of you alone before something ends up on fire!” 

“I swear I’m not a pyromaniac!” Tommy protests, throwing his hands up. 

“I cannot say the same.” Sapnap mutters, almost sheepishly. 

“I know.” Karl says flatly. He clears his throat, straightening up. “Whoever finishes the clean-up first gets hot chocolate.” 

“You’re on.” Tommy says with a grin, immediately turning to Sapnap. “Sorry man, I’d kill for hot chocolate.” Sapnap barks out a laugh, giving him a light shove. 

“Bold of you to assume I’d let you win.” He replies. 

“Wonderful, then you should be done in ten minutes.” Karl says with a clap. He grimaces slightly, blinking rapidly. “My head hurts, I’ll be right back.” He ducks out of the kitchen, speed walking back up the stairs. Tommy watches him go, tilting his head. Odd. Sapnap seems unfazed, already grabbing the sponge and wiping down the counter. 

“Is he okay?” Tommy asks, grabbing the second sponge. Sapnap looks over at him, slightly confused.

“Who–?” He breaks off, understanding flashing in his eyes. “Oh, you mean Karl.” 

“Yeah.” Tommy affirms, glancing back the direction he went. “Is he alright?” Sapnap hesitates before answering. 

“He’ll be okay.” He says slowly. “He gets these headaches a lot. But he’ll be fine soon, probably.” Tommy doesn’t push the subject further, because clearly it has a weight on Sapnap’s mind. He exhales, turning his attention back to cleaning.

“I’m gonna win that hot chocolate, big man.” He says with a smirk. Sapnap laughs, eyes sparking in competition. 

“Maybe in your wildest dreams.” The demon retorts, scrubbing the counter rigorously. Tommy grins, worries forgotten as he laughs alongside him. 

-

George is another person Tommy had never envisioned interacting with after the war. 

His history ran deeper, had more scars, then it did with Sapnap. Not only had Tommy fought against him physically, but also against him in the election. He had shot at him as he fled and actually hit Wilbur. And of course, there was the matter of Tommy burning George’s old house down. 

An accident of course, but still ground for the other man to hate him. Even if it did lead to Tommy getting exiled. 

But funny enough. George didn’t hate Tommy. In fact, he didn’t even seem to dislike him. He hasn’t gone out of his way to interact with him, but hasn’t expressed an intense loathing either. 

Tommy can’t take it. He has to talk to him. 

He finds George sitting cross legged on a hill, goggles resting on his head. His cape was bundled around him, looking closer to a blanket rather than a cape. He looks tired, a strange exhaustion plaguing him. 

“Hey.” Tommy says, sitting down next to him. George looks over, blinking a few times, as if broken out of a stupor. 

“Hello.” He greets, his voice soft. Tommy shifts, trying to get more comfortable on the grassy seat. And feel less awkward. 

“So… what’s new?” Tommy asks, trying to keep his voice nonchalant. 

“Not much. Besides your arrival.” George adds, a bolt of humor coloring his tone. “Nothing happens in Kinoko, really. You certainly have shaken things up.” Tommy can’t help but smile. His words contain no insult, no bite, rather a truth that makes him smirk. 

“I have a habit of doing that.” He says smugly. 

“Like when you burned down my house?” George asks bluntly. Tommy blinks, taken aback. He clears his throat awkwardly, looking away. 

“Yeah, like that.” He replies, a blush spreading across his face. 

“Honestly, I should thank you.” He says with a shrug. “It led to me getting a chance to start over, more or less.” Tommy blinks at him, slightly taken aback. He hadn’t expected those words out of George’s mouth. Damn, who knew someone would appreciate a little arson. 

“I… you’re welcome?” Tommy says, unable to keep himself from chuckling. “I never thought– huh.” George smirks, eyes glittering with amusement. The first sign of any emotion besides exhaustion, really. 

“Well, I think it’ll be nice to have someone new around here.” He says, leaning back against the grass. “Don’t get me wrong, I do love it here. Sometimes fresh blood is just what a place needs to liven it up.” Tommy darkens slightly, worrying his lip. 

“I just hope– well, I hope it doesn’t turn out like…” Like L’manburg. George shrugs, seemingly understanding the unspoken message. 

“I don’t think it will.” He mutters. “That wasn’t really your fault. The explosion and everything.” He turns, locking eyes with Tommy. “You were just a victim of circumstance.” Tommy shudders slightly at the word. They chill him to the bone, the truth ringing clear. 

“Yeah…” He replies, his voice sounding faraway. “It’s been a long time since the circumstances haven’t fucked me over.” George shrugs. 

“Maybe now is a chance for you to start healing.” He says through a yawn. “And make a new circumstance.” Tommy tilts his head, lost in thought. He’s right. Everyone keeps saying it’s a chance for him to begin again. To shake the weight that hangs on his shoulders off.

He thinks that in time he can. He thinks that one day, he’ll be able to say that he is okay. Tommy smiles to himself, glancing over at George. 

“Thanks, George.” He says, surprised at how genuine the gratitude is. “That… was really nice to hear.” To hear that he doesn’t harbor ill will toward him. That he thinks he can recover. That he thinks things will get better. 

He appreciates it more than he can put into words. George smiles back.

“Yeah, sometimes we all need to hear the truth. And I’m glad it could help.” He reclines back, pushing his goggles down. Tommy turns back and gazes across the landscape, watching as the mushrooms blend with the flowers to create a beautiful meadow. 

“So, just to confirm, you aren’t upset with me?” Tommy asks suddenly, his own anxiety nearly getting the best of him. He just needs the final affirmation, and he’ll be satisfied. 

“Just don’t light my house on fire again, and I think we’ll be just fine.” George reassures him, keeping his eyes on the field. Tommy grins, relief pulsing through him. “Besides, out of everyone in this kingdom, I think Sapnap is more likely to commit aggravated arson than you are.” 

“Good to know.” Tommy says, barking out a laugh. “You should have seen the state of the kitchen last night, let me tell you it was a mess–” Tommy launches into the story, illustrating with his hands everything that occurred. George laughs, rolling his eyes and adding his own quipps. Tommy sits back when he finishes, sides aching from laughter. 

“This is why we never let Sapnap in the kitchen.” George says, shaking his head. “It’s going in the official rulebook, just you wait.” Tommy nods sagely. 

“Probably wise. I was concerned for his safety when Karl walked in.” He agrees, grimacing at the memory. 

“Well, then,” George says, standing up, “I have some other things to attend to.” Tommy nods, turning his eyes back out across the field. “It was nice to talk to you, Tommy. I hope you find the peace you want, truly.” 

“Thanks.” Tommy says, dipping his head slightly. “It was nice to talk to you, too.” George hums a reply, turning and walking back to the courtyard. Tommy watches him go, tilting his head. Out of every Kinoko dweller, George is the most curious. He seems to have no presence, yet his words resonate with Tommy more than anyone else’s. 

And his demeanor… that surprises Tommy too. He has a weight, just like the others in the server who have seen countless wars, but there is something more. Tommy can’t place his finger on it, but it’s like he knows something he shouldn’t. 

Peculiar, truly. 

Tommy turns back to the field, watching the grass stalks whistle in the wind. It’s mesmerizing; he can see why George likes this spot. 

He stares out at it for the rest of the day, lost in his own thoughts.  

-

“Hey, do you wanna take one of the rooms in the main house?” The question is unexpected, causing Tommy to start. He turns to look at Sapnap, who’s sitting cross legged and picking flowers. For Karl, he had said. Tommy had proceeded to bully him. 

“What?” He asks, not sure he heard him correctly. 

“Well, the houses on the outskirts are mostly for visitors, y’know?” Sapnap explains. “And, well, we want to help you settle in, and thought you might like a room around George and Karl and me.” 

“I—“ Tommy hesitates before answering. Is this a good idea? He never meant to stay in Kinoko this long in the first place; but if he is being honest, he’s gotten attached. He likes it here. He likes being around Sapnap and making fun of him. He likes being around Karl and listening to his stories. He even likes being around George, his quiet presence allowing time for thought and reflection— yet still feeling as though he’s part of the community. 

Tommy likes it in Kinoko.

“You don’t have to!” Sapnap says quickly. “You’re welcome to stay in one of the houses, but if you want…” 

“That’s really nice of you.” Tommy manages to say, smiling. “I think I’d like that. To live with the rest of you.” Sapnap beams back at him, not even bothering to suppress his grin. 

“Awesome!” He says, clapping. “It’s kind of nice to have a new person around.”

“It’s nice to be welcome here.” Tommy confesses, looking around the kingdom. “If I’m being honest, I’ve forgotten what a home is.” Sapnap nods, leaning back on his hands.

“I get that.” He says quietly. “After– everything that happened– when Dream–” He breaks off, swallowing thickly. His ebony tail twitches, but he continues anyway. “I get that feeling of being lost. Not having a place to go, y’know? When the world flips on itself?” 

“Absolutely.” Tommy says. “When Tubbo exiled me… I didn’t know what to do.” Sapnap nods, staring at the ground. 

“It’s hard when your best friend turns on you.” He mumbles, almost inaudibly. Tommy’s shoulder sag; the truth of his words twisted his heart. It was funny; he and Sapnap were much more alike than he had originally thought. They both had suffered betrayals and wars and seen so much death, but they still kept going. 

“We could form a club.” Tommy jokes, unable to help himself. “Betrayed by Besties. Number of members: two.” That elicits a real laugh from the demon. 

“Only if we have cake at every meeting. Cake is worth six months of therapy, in my opinion.” Sapnap says with a small laugh. 

“Of course.” Tommy agrees solemnly. “Sweet things are the best motivator to live.” Sapnap buries his face in his hands, trying to quell his laughter.

“Oh, if only that weren’t so true.” He jokes. The two fall into silence, Sapnap still picking flowers around him while Tommy watches. He sighs softly, curling his knees to his chest. He hates thinking about exile. It’s something he still can’t bring himself to talk about, even after all this time. 

It’s just too much for him to bear. So instead, he acts like it was nothing. 

Of course, Sapnap had seen his freakout when Dream was chasing him, so he probably knows more happened than he was letting on. But so far, he hasn’t asked, so Tommy sees no point in bringing it up. 

Besides, Sapnap clearly doesn’t want to talk about him. This tiny breakdown had been enough to convince Tommy that he still had some bad blood with the man too. 

And for some reason, it just made him feel safer. It made him feel certain that Kinoko might be the place for him, that it might be a place he can call home. 

“Alright!” Sapnap says, grinning. His tail is twitching, but not the same way it had when he had brought up Dream. No, it was just him being gay for Karl, probably . “I’ve got my flowers. Wanna go back to the house and pick out a room?” Tommy grins back, jumping to his feet. 

“Hell yes.” He says, practically bouncing on the balls of his feet. “I like that idea quite a lot.” 

Chapter Text

Tommy could barely see, thick wafts of smoke and ash waving through the air. The gray fog winded around him like snakes slithering around in tall grass, leaving behind a phantom feeling as he walked through a painfully familiar crater. Blood coated the rocks and dirt behind him. The sun was hidden by clouds, wet droplets of water dripping and leaving wet spots in the torn fabric of his shirt. 

Tommy was used to the aftermath of explosions, knew how it felt when the heat slowly faded as the fires died down and left a smoking crater. It didn't mean he liked it, though. Everything around him felt dead, nothing but the crackling of sparks and his own footsteps to fill the silent void. 

No matter how much he could escape, he still felt like he was trapped in this crater, in his nightmares, a hell as personal as the void that was his limbo.

Even if he'd ran, he could never truly escape Logstedshire. 

"Tommy," an achingly familiar voice echoed from behind him. Tommy flinched, every fighting instinct in him clawing to the surface as if he were nothing more than a cornered mouse. He slowly turned around, taking a step back as he stood face to face with his tormentor.

Dream's form was twisted, an inky void leaking from behind his mask and dripping to the ground. He barely even seemed humanoid, his body deformed and twisted into a monstrous being. Every time the creature breathed, the tendrils of the void twisted and turned and made terrible squelching and cracking noises, as if just by breathing his ribs were being broken apart and sealed back together by the void. 

It felt somewhat accurate.

Nobody could do the things that Dream had done and still be human. 

The man- no, the monster stepped towards him, the void leaking from him forming a clawed hand that reached for Tommy’s head. He recoiled, suppressing a whimper as Dream's hand gently ruffled his hair, claws running through his filthy matted hair. Usually, Tommy would jump at the chance to be given physical affection, but the action only made him even more nervous. Dream wouldn't be this kind to him unless he had done something good, or if a punishment is on it's way.

"You were hiding things from me, Tommy." Dream said, another hand made of void pointing at a collection of blown up wooden chests, burnt items and pictures scattered on the stone floor. "You lied to me, broke my trust."

"I know," Tommy whispered, voice light. "I'm sorry." He added, knowing it might help lessen what was to come.

Dream tsked, tugging on Tommy’s hair before releasing him and turning away. Tommy tilted his head, wondering what creative punishment awaited him.

"You couldn't do one thing for me, could you Tommy?" Dream asked, anger building up in his voice. Tommy flinched at the change in tone, eyes widening.

"N-no!" He blurted, fumbling with his words as he felt himself struggle to breathe. 

Dream can't be angry, he's so much worse when he's angry.

"I'm sorry Dream, I swear! W-we're friends, you can trust me please I just- Dream please-"

“Oh, Tommy.” Dream practically coos, reaching forward again and tilting his chin up. Tommy so desperately wants to tear his gaze off of the thing , but he can’t wrench himself free from his clawed hand. “I’m not upset, no.” 

His grip tightens. 

“I am irritated, though.” Dream sounds like a parent scolding a misbehaving child, not angry, but just… dismayed . As if Tommy had offended him above anything else. Not broken the most important rule he had set again . 

“I’m sorry.” He tries weakly. Dream eyes him for a moment, before releasing him. He sighs, shaking his monstrous head. 

“I wish I could believe you,” he says, voice laced with sympathy that sounded all too fake, “but you keep pushing me. Surely you understand, yes?” 

Tommy nods. 

“And you know I have to punish you, yes?” 

Tommy nods again, trying to quell the pit of dread in his stomach. He doesn't trust his voice right now, if he speaks he's sure tears and pitiful whines will follow, and that would be pathetic. Dream was giving him what he deserved. The creature had placed his trust in him, he was the only one here when everyone else had rightfully left. He deserves the punishment for betraying his best- his only friend. He should take it silently and be good like Dream wants.

The creature turns away, starting to walk across the crater. Tommy follows immediately, staying only a few steps behind Dream as if he was a puppy following its owner. He pushes away the dread building up in his, the way his limbs tremble weakly and his mouth feels awfully dry. His lungs ache from inhaling the smoke of what had been his home, the lack of clean air making him feel lightheaded. Countless bruises, scabs and cuts weighed him down, and Tommy barely believed that he'll be able to stay on his feet for long.

But he can't stop, he can't rest. Dream needs to punish him, Tommy won't give him a reason to make it worse.

Dream eventually stops, and Tommy almost falls to his knees in relief. He stands at the monster's side, ignoring the urge to run, to hide, to do anything but willingly walk into this like a lamb to their slaughter.

He doesn't even dare flinch as Dream crouches down and begins to dig a hole in the rubble. It goes agonizingly slow, Dream takes his time making sure that it'll be big enough to fit… whatever he plans to make Tommy destroy this time. Tommy can't do anything but watch, digging short bitten nails into his palms and biting the skin inside his mouth. The pain is a good distraction as he waits.

Eventually, Dream stands up again, tilting his head so that Tommy can see the ink pouring out of the carved smile on his porcelain mask. 

"Inventory in the hole." Dream ordered, voice cold. 

Tommy froze, looking up at Dream. He tried to ignore the way his hands shook, how his entire body trembled just at the thought of what he was about to tell the creature. 

"I don't-I mean-my inventory.. it's- well, it's empty."

Dream tilted his head, staring at Tommy as if he was a scientist scanning over an experiment. Tommy squirmed under his gaze, still trembling. 

"Inventory in the pit." Dream repeated, slower this time. "I won't ask again."

"Dream, I don't have anything, I swear!" Tommy insisted hysterically, panic building in his chest. 

Dream grabbed one of his hands, stopping them from shaking. The void claws dig into his skin, Tommy letting out a hiss of pain as they sunk into his flesh.

"Don't lie to me." He hissed.

"I'm not!"

"Do you really think I can believe that?" Dream asked. "After you've betrayed my trust so many times?"

"Dream, I'm sorry, I swear, but I don't have anything !" Tommy yelled, tears building up in his eyes. He stared at the ground, curling around himself in an attempt to shield himself from Dream. "I'm not lying! I won't- you're my friend, I swear I won't lie to you!"

Dream's hand released his arm, instead coming to cup his cheek and force him to meet his gaze.

"I want to trust you, Toms." Dream crooned, voice softening to seem more pitying than angry. Tommy leaned into his hand, Dream's thumb moving under his eye to wipe his tears. "I really do want to believe you." 

A bit of hope desperately grew in Tommy’s gut. Dream is his friend, he had to believe him!

"But, you've made that impossible." Dream said, the warmth gone from his voice.

"Dream, I-"

"Tommy, you hid chests from me! Kept supplies under your house and for what ?" Dream hissed, and Tommy flinched at the anger in his voice, yet he couldn't think of a reply that would satisfy the beast. "How can I trust you after you keep betraying me over and over again?"

Dream released him, taking a step back and expectantly staring at Tommy. 

Tommy held onto his injured arm, digging his nails into the already wounded flesh in an effort to stop the oncoming spiral. He knew there would be consequences for this, that no matter how many times he'd apologize and repeat that he has nothing to give Dream, the monster wouldn't believe him. And why should he? Tommy had been bad, he'd betrayed his best friend over and over and didn't even have anything to give him so he can be punished like he deserves. 

The blonde takes a deep breath, staring at the ground. 

"I swear, I don't have anything in my inventory to put in the hole." He whispered, each word burning his tongue and making his throat sting.

Dream was silent for a moment.

And then he laughed.

It wasn't a long laugh, more along the lines of a short huff, but it chilled Tommy to his core. Dream grabbed his arm once more, tilting his mask so that Tommy could see the mesh of flesh and void that was his face, one bloodshot eye staring right at him.

"Why don't you go in the hole then, Tommy?"

He was pushed forward into the small crevice in the ground, choking on dust and dirt. Panic built up in his chest as he stood up and tried to claw his way out of the hole, trying desperately to find anything to help him escape. 

He knows what happens now, he knows what Dream is preparing to do.

Part of him stares at the smooth walls, impossible to climb up from, and wonders if Dream ever meant for him to put his items in here.

A stick of tnt drops to the ground.

And then another.

Tommy screams as another drops onto him, the slowly burning fuse landing on his arm and leaving a painful burn. 

Tommy screams and begs to be freed, but Dream doesn't listen, only dropping a few more sticks of the explosive material.

"Dream- please, I'm so sorry, I'll find something you can destroy Dream please just let me out-"

"Hush, Tommy." Dream's voice comes from above.

His hand is dangling over the hole, holding a lit up flint. 

"You know it's never your time to die, no?"

He drops the flint, and Tommy braces for the explosion.

-

Tommy wakes up in the bed of his new room at the end of the hallway of Sapnap and Karl's house in Kinoko, buried underneath thick warm blankets. 

It takes him a moment to register where he is, the panic from his nightmare stubbornly clinging to him. He still half expects to feel the searing pain of the explosion tearing his skin apart and burning his flesh, yet it never comes. He looks around and all he sees is the spruce walls and flooring of his new bedroom, along with some furniture and decorations sprinkled here and there. 

He turns to the lantern from the side of his bed, still lit and bathing the room in a faint orange light. It had become a recent problem of his to be unable to sleep in full darkness, it reminded him far too much of the void. He'd sheepishly told Sapnap before he went to sleep, and the demon had kindly reassured him that it was perfectly fine and gifted him the lantern. Part of Tommy is grateful he spoke up about it, he could only imagine the panic attack that would await if he woke up in a pitch black room after that nightmare.

He sits up, bringing his knees to his chest and resting his chin on them. He focuses on slowing down his breathing for a moment, trying to remember those exercises Puffy had taught him. 

Prime, he hates these nightmares. He'd been able to go a while without one, managing at least a couple hours of sleep, but of course now they come back and bite him in the ass. At least he didn't scream this time, that would've been a pain to explain to Sapnap and Karl.

The two would've probably been pretty understanding, they've been nothing but kind to him ever since he arrived at Kinoko. But he still thinks that saying "yeah, so just when I stopped screaming in my sleep, I had a really bad nightmare about the worst time in my life nobody actually knows even happened!" Would be a bit awkward.

Logically, he knows he should be going back to sleep, or at least trying to, but he finds himself climbing out of bed instead of trying to go back to the free trial of death. 

He slowly treaded through the empty hallway, navigating his way in the dark to the kitchen. Maybe a glass of water would help him get his mind off the nightmare, or at least feel more awake.

The moment he entered the dark kitchen, he was met with a pair of glowing yellow eyes.

Tommy did not scream, he simply let out a sound of surprise while scrambling to turn on the lights.

When the redstone lamp hanging from the ceiling was open, Tommy could clearly see Karl Jacobs himself sitting at the dining table, drinking a cup of what he recognized from the smell as hot chocolate.

"Tommy!" Karl exclaimed, probably surprised to see the teen downstairs in the middle of the night. 

Tommy sighed, calming himself down from the jumpscare.

"Karl, why are you drinking hot chocolate in the kitchen at-" Tommy turned to look at the clock on the counter- "Three in the morning?"

"Because I've lost control of my life." The man simply replied, taking a long sip of his drink. 

Tommy shrugged, taking a seat in the chair in front of Karl and burying his face in his arms. Karl didn't seem to mind, content with his hot chocolate, and Tommy preferred the company to being alone in his room after that damn nightmare.

"D'you want some too?" Karl offered, gesturing to his drink, and Tommy nodded.

"Uh, yeah. If it's not too much effort."

"Don't worry about it!" Karl reassured, already standing up to go find another mug in the cabinets. "So, what brings you here to drink hot chocolate at three in the morning?" Karl asked, amusement in his tone.

Tommy considered lying for a second. As much as Puffy had kept telling him that sharing his experiences with others would help him heal, he doesn't want Karl to think any differently of him because of what he went through. 

There was also the underlying fear that Karl would be like Wilbur.

The chances were low, Karl and the rest of Kinoko had shown disdain for Dream before. But then again, so had Wilbur, and now the man was calling Dream his hero.

"Had a nightmare." Tommy eventually decided on saying. He wouldn't burden Karl with any other knowledge unless he asked for it.

"Oh," Karl hummed sympathetically. "That must've been unpleasant."

"Oh it was. " Tommy muttered. "Nightmares are the fucking worst."

Karl placed a mug in front of him, a warm brown liquid swirling in the glass. Tommy whispered a small "thank you" before Karl sat down in front of him again.

"Do you wanna talk about it?" Karl offers. "Talking about that sort of stuff usually helps you feel better."

Tommy chuckles. "My therapist would love you." Karl smiles.

“Are you sure you want me to tell you the nightmare?” Tommy asks, hesitant to share the horrors that lurked in his subconscious. “Cause it’s definitely… probably would scare people…” 

“Tommy, it’s called a nightmare for a reason.” Karl says with a shrug. “Besides, I definitely have… seen things.” Tommy doesn’t pry, but nods. 

“Alright, well, I’m sorry in advance." He mutters.

"It was, well- about my exile."

"Pogtopia?" Karl asked, tilting his head. "That place sounded quite rough, especially for someone like me who isn't a big fan of tight spaces."

"No, not Pogtopia." Tommy quickly answered. He hasn't had nightmares about that dreaded ravine for a while, not since the first weeks after Wilbur’s revival. "It was about my second exile."

"For burning George's house down?"

"Accidentally." Tommy corrected. "And, yeah. That one."

"I've never actually really told anyone what happened there." Tommy realized, vocalizing his thoughts as Karl tilted his head curiously. "I mean- I'm pretty sure Sam knows some things because Dream told him, and I've shared a couple things with Puffy in therapy… but you're the first person I'm really going to be talking about exile with."

Karl gave him a reassuring smile. "I'm honored, feel free to share as much as you want."

Tommy nodded, continuing quickly.

"Well, for most of exile, nobody really- was there. I mean, a couple people visited! It was great! It was fun, yeah.. " Tommy forced enthusiasm into his words, but decided against faking his smile when he looked at Karl's skeptical face.

"For most of exile, it was just me and Dream." 

"What was he like?" Karl asked, nervous. 

"Dream was- he was the only one who was there for me, really. He was- well, he said he was my best friend." Tommy could hear the masked man's voice in his head, repeating how much it hurt him to do the horrible things he did to his friend, how much Tommy was hurting him while he hit Tommy with his sword or forced his face underwater for a couple seconds, shoving him into the salty depths when he refused to comply.

"He was my borderline owner ." Tommy said, and watched Karl's expression morph into something horrified and disgusted.

"What the fuck. " He whispered, staring at Tommy as if he'd grown a second head. "You- what do you mean?" He asked, voice laced with concern. "What did he do to you ?"

Tommy clutched his mug, taking a big gulp of the warm sweet drink before continuing.

"We had a routine, he said he was trying to make me better." Tommy said, Karl focusing on every word with anger slowly blooming in his gaze. "I don't think he was, though. He was trying to break me."

"Break you?"

Tommy laughs. It's a dry and pained sound, but it's still considered a laugh. "I'm the key to his power on the server, his favorite toy. He says he has fun breaking me, that it's like- like he's fucking playing with his food or some shit."

"That is disgusting." Karl hissed, voice full of hatred that Tommy knew wasn't directed at him.

"He'd come everyday to visit me in exile. He'd dig a hole and ask me to put my armor in there, and then he'd make me blow it up."

"He-he has no right to do that!" Karl exclaimed.

"I didn't have a choice. If I refused.. he got creative with punishments. I still have some of the scars."

Karl remained silent, but his gaze was full of rage and sadness as he stared at Tommy. The blonde searched him for any underlying disgust or pity, yet found none. It was reassuring, in a way.

He continued to spill the horrors of what Dream had done to him.

"He'd hit me with his weapons, or his fists, or- or he'd drown me a bit, or burn me. It really depended on his mood. He always had a healing potion on hand if he left too bad of a mark, but then he'd complain about what a drain of resources and leech I was." 

"Tommy.." Karl whispered, sympathetic and sad. 

"He told me nobody cared, Karl. I fuckin' fell into his web of lies- I believed him!" Tommy exclaimed, clutching onto his hair in an attempt to stop the oncoming spiral and tears. "Nobody came to help, so I thought that he must be right!" 

"He wasn't. Of course we all cared Tommy, we care-"

"I didn't know that! I wanted to fucking die and I was certain that the rest of the server would treat it like every other day!" Tommy whined, tears now freely rolling from his cheeks as he almost devolves to hysterics in the middle of the kitchen. 

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't, I need to stop, I'll- I'm sorry I'll stop now, I just need to-" 

Tommy's babbling was cut off by a hand in his hair. 

Karl crouched to meet his eyes, and Tommy realized that the man was also crying. 

"Karl?"

"Tommy, can I hug you?"

Tommy froze and gave a slight nod, and that's all that Karl needed to wrap him in a warm embrace.

"You didn't deserve any of that, Tommy." Karl whispered as Tommy curled his fingers into the man's hoodie. Tommy melted into the embrace, the tears he had tried to hold back spilling freely as he buried his face in the crook of Karl's neck. He found it kinda funny, that it was always Karl who he had breakdowns next to, and somehow the man always knew exactly how to calm him down.

"You didn't deserve what Dream did to you. Any of it." 

"Please, he's going to come again." Tommy muttered, as if saying the phrase any louder would summon his tormentor. "He's going to come for me, he always does."

"We'll fight him, we won't let him take you." Karl whispered, voice full of optimism and conviction as he held Tommy close. "You're safe here."

"As long as I'm here, I swear he will never hurt you again." Karl said, and Tommy found himself believing him. 

Chapter Text

Tommy woke up curled up on the couch in Karl and Sapnap's house, somehow with the blanket from his room. Two empty mugs of hot chocolate sat at the coffee table in front of him. The blonde rubs at his eyes, shaking off the last remains of sleep that stubbornly clung to him, begging him to simply drift off once more and sink into the soft fabric of the couch.

As tempting as a dreamless sleep sounded, Tommy forced himself to stay awake, sitting up straight as the soft duvet pooled in his lap. He shuddered at the cold that crept around him as soon as the blanket was gone, but it helped him stay awake.

Memories of the previous night slowly trickled back to him, slipping past the sleepy fog still occupying most of his brain.

He and Karl had spoken.

Spoken about exile .

Karl had… he'd been understanding. He promised to keep Tommy safe. That's more than most people in his life had done. 

It felt strange.

It felt… good. He liked having someone who cared. He liked having someone who made him feel safe again, safe like L'Manburg had been. Like Wilbur had been. 

Karl had hugged him again, like he did back at the library. Tommy thinks it's funny, most of their interactions have ended with a breakdown and a hug. He remembers dozing off, and Karl picking him up and setting him down on the couch. He fell asleep in his hug within seconds, exhaustion having overtaken him.

Karl wasn't here now, Tommy was alone. He tilted his head, trying to think of where his friend had gone, when a strong smell hit him, and he wrinkled his nose in distaste.

"What the fuck is that?" Tommy hissed, looking over at the kitchen where George stood, a mug of what was probably coffee from the deepest pits of hell in his hands. 

"It's coffee." George said, confirming his suspicions and taking a sip of his drink calmly. Tommy stared at him in horror.

"How are you not spasming on the floor in agony right now?" Tommy asked, genuinely concerned as George took another sip of what was probably the strongest coffee known to mankind.

"Divine intervention, probably." The man mused calmly, absolutely unbothered by Tommy’s terror.

"Right." Tommy said, staring in horror and fascination as George proceeded to down the entire drink in one go, barely flinching. Tommy stood up, walking over to the kitchen and leaning against the counter. 

"Say, have you seen Karl?" He asked, hoping George might have some idea of where the man went. Tommy was usually a light sleeper, he's surprised Karl had even managed to slip away while he slept.

He thinks he started being a light sleeper back at L'Manburg, where the risk of an attack always loomed over their heads. Wilbur had them take turns to keep watch, but Tommy knew that nobody in the fifth battalion really slept in the tenser parts of the war.

It had become a bit frustrating, in Pogtopia, being unable to sleep because even if he covered his ears and hid away in the carved out space in one of the walls of the ravine that he called his room, even if he buried his head in the pillows he had and forced his eyes closed, he knew Wilbur was still awake. The man would pace around, muttering to himself and unintentionally keeping Tommy awake. 

Sometimes Tommy would creep out of his room and keep Wilbur company, make him stop pacing and come sit with him next to the fire. Tommy would talk about whatever dumb thing he'd done that day, and eventually the awkward conversations would flow into their usual banter. 

Those were the only good nights in Pogtopia, the ones where Tommy would fall asleep curled up next to Wilbur next to the fire, the ravine feeling ever so slightly less cold as they huddled together.

George cut his thoughts off by speaking up after a couple moments of hesitation. "Well.. I saw him heading to the library a few hours ago, does that help?"

Tommy nodded, grateful that George's sleep schedule was the mess that it was. Tommy had already stumbled across the man simply napping in random places around Kinoko, somehow always resting in a bed of moss and flowers and mushrooms, nature itself shifting to provide a mattress for the man. He'd be covered in his blanket cape thing, and Karl and Sapnap barely acknowledged it. Once while on a walk with Sapnap, the man offhandedly mentioned George having very vivid dreams whenever he passed out like that. From then on Tommy had wondered what the man was dreaming of whenever he twitched in his sleep, resting in his teleporting moss bed in the middle of Kinoko.

"I'm not sure I recommend going to him, though." George quickly added, Tommy tilting his head in confusion. "He said his head really hurt, he usually likes to be alone when that stuff happens."

Tommy was silent for a bit, wondering if he should just let Karl stay alone in the library, but quickly made his decision.

Whenever he or Tubbo had been unwell as kids, Wilbur had hovered over them for days , trying to make sure they had everything they needed and were as comfortable as possible. One time, Tommy had stayed outside in snow for too long, leading to him being sick for weeks. Wilbur had dragged his mattress close to the fireplace, covering it in blankets and pillows in a makeshift nest Tommy rested in. He and Tubbo kept him company the entire time, Wilbur playing his guitar and Tubbo making up stories to pass the time. Wilbur had even made hot chocolate a couple times, helping Tommy sit up so he could drink some of it with them.

Tommy had been raised to know that you shouldn't be alone when feeling unwell, and he took that lesson to heart, dammit.

"It'll be fine," Tommy reassured. "He shouldn't be alone if he's hurt, y’know?"

George shrugged. "I guess." 

Tommy turned towards the door, freezing as he heard the sound of hot water filling a glass. 

George was making another cup of coffee, the absolute madman. 

" What the fuck. " Tommy whispered, taking a few more steps towards the door. 

“Prime let me live another day, and I need caffeine to face it.” George said, his voice a deadpan.

"...Alright.." Tommy answered, stretching out the word for as long as he could before darting out of the door.

Tommy made a mental note not to ever piss off George.

-

He hates coming back through the portal.

Every time he steps back through the Inbetween’s shimmering gateway home, Karl’s head spins and he can’t see straight and he thinks he’ll throw up. 

It usually passes quickly, but not this time. Probably because he’s actively bleeding out at the same time. 

It was awful, really. Karl shudders at the newly engraved memory. He managed to avoid the Inbetween for a long time, he managed to avoid traveling for a long time, but that morning finally brought him back to his own personal hell. 

Karl could laugh; he can’t believe he used to enjoy this. 

He ended up in a dystopian society not unlike Mizu. But this time, he wasn’t Isaac or another citizen. This time he was just Karl, and ended up right in the middle of the violence. 

They’d begged him to help, so he had. He joined with the tiny resistance. Maybe it was because the teen who approached him looked painfully like Tommy. He had to protect him, he had to try and help. He couldn’t save his Tommy from Dream the first time, but maybe he could save the kid from whoever was chasing him this time. 

So Karl allied with him. He actually made friends with some of the other members. The tall kid who reminded him of Ranboo, his stutter and anxious habits all too familiar. A former guard, looking for revenge against the corrupt government that wronged him so; Karl wondered if that was how Sam felt about Dream. Faces blurred together, stories blurred together.

He only remembers the tall one because he got Karl killed. 

Karl had no idea how many days he spent wherever that was. It could have been one, it could have been weeks. Time moves differently in a tale. He guessed it was closer to weeks, based on how everything moved. One minute, it was a standard revolution (not unlike L’mamburg’s), the next, it was finding a bioweapon before the government did. 

They drew straws as to who would infiltrate. Karl, naturally got the short one. So did the tall kid. Karl strains to remember his name, but finds he can’t. Fitting, really. The true cause of his death in this world, forever nameless in his mind.

Karl doesn’t like this tale. It moves too fast, things fall apart quicker than he can process or fix them. As he follows the tall kid, he can’t help but feel off. Like he did when Ranbob was closing in for the final kill, or Sir Billiam was leading him to the Egg. Whenever a tale draws to a close, he can feel it in his bones. 

“Almost there.” The kid whispers, picking the lock hurriedly. Karl keeps his gaze fixed on the hallway, kneading his palms together. He exhales in relief as the kid reappears, holding the weapon. Or the box it was in, at least. He gestures for him to follow him, eyes wide with fear. 

Karl starts to follow him, just as an explosion throws him forward. He can’t even bring himself to scream, shock coursing through his brain. The tall kid stands a few feet away, watching fire jump toward him. He drops the weapon, throwing it toward the flames.

“I am sorry about this,” he apologizes, “but that weapon needs to be destroyed at all costs. And we need a martyr.” He runs off before Karl can say anything, leaving him alone, bleeding and covered in soot. 

He pushes himself to his feet, hacking up smoke. The weapon glows in front of him, steel box right there. He lunges for it, picking it up with little care. Karl’s probably gonna die here; but at least he can try. 

He staggers toward the nearest exit, away from the fire. He knows the chances are futile, but he can dream.

Karl freezes. There’s a guard at the end of the hall, staring him down. Black hair, tied into a neat bun. Dark eyes glittering with little remorse. Sword drawn and pointed at him. And all too familiar. 

Sapnap. Not really, of course. Like James, like Mason. Across the universe, there’s always one. 

“Hi.” Karl chokes out, his self preservation leaving him. He knows he’s about to die; no point in trying to pretend like he’s not. The guard stares at him, walking closer. Karl squares his stance, lifting his chin. 

He’s learned it’s better to face it head on, and keep it short. Not like the Masquerade. 

Sapnap— no, not Sapnap, stares coldly at him, eyes devoid of any warmth. Karl backs away, hands balled into a fist around the alleged weapon. 

“You aren’t walking away from this.” Not-Sapnap says, his voice gravelly. He even sounds like him, so painfully similar that Karl wants to break down and beg for mercy. But he can’t, because he also yearns to go home and leave this cursed dimension. “If you give that to me, I can guarantee a fair trial.” 

Karl can’t help it. He laughs in his face. 

All Sapnaps are terrible liars, he supposes. 

“There’s no justice in this universe anymore.” He says dryly. The soldier glares at him, sword still pointed at his chest. Karl knows there’s no way out. He knows he can’t escape. He’s already weak and disoriented from the explosion. 

So he does the only thing he can do.

Karl reaches out suddenly, grabbing Not-Sapnap’s sword. He yanks the blade toward him, feeling it pierce his skin. He smiles at the soldier triumphantly; he just denied him a victory. His last action in this world would be taking away this soldier’s choice of whether Karl got to live or die. 

He made it his own. 

And so Karl died. He fell to his sword, and in that moment felt nothing at all. 

But then he woke up in the Inbetween. He expected to be healed, but saw the cuts on his arms were still open and glistening with blood. He ran his hand over his face and felt the open wounds still sting at touch. He didn’t dare check his stomach, scared to know if blood was still flowing freely. 

He found he was still able to walk, and so he did. He walked across the halls, he walked past the wither rose, he walked to the portal.

He found a note waiting for him. 

Don’t stray from the path again , it reads, scrawled handwriting grinning back at him. Karl swallows thickly. It knows , he realizes with a jolt, it knows about the Other Side. 

Karl is so very tired of this. Maybe dying wouldn’t be so bad. 

He climbs through the portal slowly, gripping the obsidian with an iron hold. He’s afraid to exit this realm for once. Deep down, he knows his injuries will not be muted scars when he emerges in his library. 

And he is right. Now standing in the middle of his tiny haven, he knows he was right. Blood soaks his sweatshirt, pooling beneath his fingers. His arms are bleeding again too, the explosion wounds ripped open. 

Karl sways on his feet, his vision already starting to fail him. He shudders; if he collapses here, no one will know what happened to him. He’ll just be inexplicably down another life.

So he forces himself to walk. He has to find bandages and healing potions. He can take care of himself, he has to do this.

Karl hoists himself out of the library’s room, shaking hands clutching each rung weakly. He knows he’ll have blood to clean up later; but he can deal with that after he gets out of the room. Karl pushes the trapdoor aside, electing to ignore the crimson handprint he leaves behind. 

He stumbles onto the grass, legs shaking as he tries to keep his balance. His vision swims as he looks around, making sure the coast is clear. Karl shuts the trapdoor with his foot, unwilling to bend over and irritate the injury any further. 

He makes it two steps before his vision blacks out completely, his hound pounding. Grey swirls give way to a red tinged environment, black pressing at the edges of his peripheral. 

“Maybe I’ll just… close my eyes for a second…” Karl mumbles, ignoring the pain in his abdomen. He’d rest for a moment, then go find a healing potion, it would be fine. 

Karl was dimly aware of his knees buckling, his hands coming into contact with the ground. He doesn’t care; he’s too tired and everything hurts. 

Just resting for a second.

Karl shuts his eyes and lets darkness consume his vision.

-

The walk to the library had been fairly short. Kinoko seemed like a large place at first, but after around a week of exploring the kingdom he was certain he was able to navigate it well enough. The library wasn't too far from Karl and Sapnap's home, it only took a few minutes and Tommy was already facing the building. 

Kinoko was awfully calm as he walked, a light breeze ruffling his hair and swaying the green blades of grass and flowers on the ground. Tommy noticed the occasional patches of mushrooms too as he walked, finding it fitting. The entire kingdom was mushroom themed, it made sense they'd have some growing here. 

Tommy found the calmness a bit eerie, like everything was too perfect. To be fair to himself, whenever things get perfect for him something will always go wrong, so he can't blame himself for being wary.

Kinoko reminded him of L'Manburg, in a way. It filled him with a sense of nostalgia that dat heavily in his chest, an inescapable longing for what had once been. He remembered chasing Tubbo through fields of grass just like these, dashing through the meadows as the wind ruffled their hair and clothes. He remembered spending entire afternoons laying in the grass with his fellow L'Manburgians, learning how to make crowns of flowers from Eret or listening as Wilbur strummed a tune on his guitar. 

Sometimes Tommy would sing along, sing his own song to the flowers to help them grow strong and healthy. He didn't know if it did anything, but he had liked to tell himself it helped. 

He missed it, he really did. He missed his home before it had been ravaged by fire and the cruelty of men, when the smell of flowers and spruce trees and sounds of the river filled the air instead of smoke and screams. He misses his home before it became a smoking crater, he misses when he could call L'Manburg his home.

Tommy missed being able to proclaim with all his chest that even if the land was gone, L'Manburg remained in the hearts of its people. Tommy missed being able to state in full belief that he was L'Manburg, that every breath he took was for his family and country.

Tommy missed having a home, having that family.

As much as Tommy hopes he can have a new start again in Kinoko, where the grass is green and not charred by flame and explosions and the sky is clear without thick clouds of smoke to hide the sun, part of him doesn't know if he can have that home again. 

He shrugs off the sudden wave of sadness that had hit him the moment he stepped outside. It was quite pathetic, honestly. All he'd done was look at some grass and suddenly he was spiraling.

Fuck his nonexistent mental stability, he's at the library doors, he should stop wallowing in grief for what had been his home and find Karl. 

Tommy pushed the doors open with minimal effort, closing them behind him as he entered the library. He scanned the bookcases for any missing books, navigating the maze-like structure carefully.

"Karl?" He called, hands cupping his mouth in an effort for his yell to be heard better. He received no reply, worry building up in him slowly. "Karl, are you here?"

No reply. The library was eerily silent, not even the grass swaying under his feet to make noise. Tommy continued to walk around the building, freezing when he noticed a red droplet, harshly contrasting against the grass.

He remembered once looking over Niki's shoulder as she drew in a notepad, her bakery mostly empty. It had been close to closing hours, barely anyone showed up then, but Tommy had craved some cookies. He watched her as she drew a field of flowers, the petals of the blooming roses painted a bright red. Niki had explained that red and green are complementary colors, that when placed next to each other created the strongest contrast for each other, like placing black next to white.

Tommy had thought back to that innocent fun fact when his own blood contrasted against Dream's hoodie, the man holding an axe while comforting Tommy, promising that the punishment he had just been given was deserved. 

Tommy thought of Niki's fun fact again as droplets of blood turned larger and larger, slowly leading him to their source.

Karl's bleeding form had collapsed on the soft grass, a puddle of crimson liquid pooling around him. The man was laying on his side, hand clutching his abdomen as blood spilled from a wound Tommy didn't see. Tommy wrinkled his nose as the strong stench of rust reached him, frozen as he stared at his friend.

His hoodie had been torn to shreds. Tommy knew explosion wounds, better than anyone, and they littered Karl's arms along with bruises and cuts. He also had some sort of head wound, face stained red with blood. 

Tommy moved before he could think, falling to his knees at Karl's side and calling his name, tears building up in his eyes as his hands hovered over Karl's slumped form. He noticed the brunette's chest still rising and falling, shoulders slumping in relief as he realized the man was still alive.

A voice in Tommy’s head told him he wouldn't be for long.

"Tommy?" Karl muttered, yellow eyes squinting as they met his.

"Y-yeah, I'm here." Tommy whispered, hands shaking. 

Karl's eyes were glossed over, foggy and unfocused as the brunette stared at him. Tommy didn't know if he was lightheaded from the blood loss or something else. 

"Tommy.." Karl repeated, as if his name was the most important thing in the world. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." 

Tommy tilted his head, confused. "What do you mean?"

Karl paused for a moment, as if deep in thought. 

"The weapon…bioweapon..couldn't get it." He eventually said, his words slurred. "I promised, I promised I'd help you and the others…i'm sorry." 

Tommy stared at him in confusion. "What the fuck are you talking about? Why are you even bleeding?" 

Karl froze for a second, as if realizing something important. "Strayed..wasn't supposed to. I don't think..I wasn't supposed to stray off the path."

Tommy fished his communicator out of the pocket of his cardigan, quickly messaging Sapnap. He definitely couldn't trust whatever bullshit Karl was spewing, even if it definitely was concerning, the man was also bleeding out.

Tommyinnit whispered to Sapnap: Bitch get your ass here right now your fiance is DYING .

It didn't take long to the device to vibrate, signaling that Sapnap had replied.

Sapnap whispered to Tommyinnit: WHERE IS HERE?

Tommy froze, realizing he hadn't even told the demon where to go in his panic.

Tommy whispered to Sapnap: LIBRARY

"What're you doing?" Karl asked, confused.

"Getting your dumbass fiancé to come help." Tommy said, pocketing the communicator. 

Karl looked at him as if he'd grown a second head.

"Fiance?" He asked, and Tommy nodded. "I'm.. I don't..I don't have.. do I?" Karl looked confused, staring at Tommy blankly. 

"Yeah, your fiancé is on his way, big man." Tommy said, trying to reassure the man clearly having some sort of issue in front of him.

For a moment, things seemed to be calm. And then Karl let out a pained whine, clutching his abdomen tighter, and Tommy flinched back. He felt awfully like he had when Wilbur's body had been found, helpless and terrified as he saw the person he loved so dearly fallen on the ground in such a horrific state. He stood up, remembering how the cabin he'd stayed at for his first days in Kinoko had doubled as a clinic. It had a brewing stand, it had bandages, it had the supplies to help Karl.

Even though he didn't want to leave Karl alone, Sapnap was on his way, and he had to act now if he wanted to save the man. Eret had taught him that when stabbed in the stomach, you'll bleed out in around twenty minutes. He didn't know how long Karl had already been bleeding when he arrived, but something told him he didn't have lots of time left. 

Karl's best hope was a healing potion. Tommy had to act now.

The teen quickly got to his feet. "Stay here," he instructed the injured man. "I'm getting you a healing potion." 

Karl nodded, and Tommy turned around, only to almost fall on his face as his leg was grabbed by Karl.

"What the fuck-"

"Tommy, you have to remember.." Karl began, face fully serious. "My blood type is red."

Tommy stared at him for a moment, sighing heavily.

"Got it, big man."

-

Tommy crashed into the cabin, not even closing the door behind him as he scrambled to the cabinets. He'd made hundreds of potions before. Hell, L'Manburg was built on potions. Netherwart and a glistening melon, water bottle on the highest heat the brewing stand can offer. The recipe was engraved in his mind, Tommy already preparing the blaze powder and heating up the stand before he realized he was doing it. He ran to the barrels against the wall, fishing out a couple pieces of netherwart and a glistening melon. He dug around more for any water bottles, becoming more and more panicked as he couldn't find any. 

Seriously, who the fuck has every potion ingredient but not bottles ? 

His hand finally clutched a glass bottle, pulling it out of the barrel. Tommy was ready to sigh in relief, before he realized what bottle he had found.

A splash potion bottle. 

A rather unknown fact to those who didn't have potion knowledge past the instructions on how to make basic brews was that healing potions don't work on undead like they do for the living. In fact, healing can actually cause as much damage as a harming potion for the undead, while harming can heal them. Tommy knew this fact, and while he had no explanation for why the effects were swapped for the undead, he fucking hated it. 

He, like most who knew about this fact, barely paid attention to it, because it didn't apply to him. He was alive, not an undead!

Or at least he had thought.

A couple days after being revived, when everything felt like too much and any pain he felt would be doubled, he'd downed an entire bottle of healing potion after merely having a short fall down a hill. He remembers the sheer agony as the liquid burned his tongue, spreading through his body like wildfire as he twitched and sobbed for what felt like hours before he was able to even move again. 

He'd sworn to never repeat his mistake after that day.

But he just might have to, for Karl.

Refusing to waste time, Tommy added the netherwart to the bottle, shaking it a couple times before letting it sit over the steady heat of the blaze powder. It wasn't long before the clear water turned a dark blue, and Tommy added cut pieces of the glistening melon into the bottle. 

It wasn't long before the potion was done, glowing tauntingly at him.

Tommy turned off the heat of the brewing stand, knowing better than to make the rookie mistake of keeping such a fire hazard active, and grabbed his fresh potion, bolting out of the cabin.

Running to the library as fast as he fucking could was difficult when he was carrying a potion that if he dropped would cause him pain for hours , but he somehow managed to arrive at the library with no accident, finding Karl leaning against a bookshelf. 

At least he's sitting up, Tommy comforted himself, staring at Karl's exhausted bleeding form. He held the potion tightly in his hand, forcing himself not to shake. Even if had been a while since his revival, he knew that the pain of the healing potion might cause him to spiral again. He didn't want that, the physical and mental pain that would come when he dropped the potion on the ground. 

But Karl was bleeding. 

He'd lose a life if Tommy didn't act now.

Tommy had always given to others. He'd given his loyalty, his lives, his items, everything he had to those around him. When Tommy loved, Tommy gave. When Tommy trusted, Tommy gave. No matter how much hurt it caused him, Tommy was born to give. As much as he was considered selfish by the entire server, he would still give everything to those he loved, uncaring of what would happen to himself.

Karl will not die today, Tommy decides. He'd given his health before, his lives. A little pain didn't matter if Karl will live.

Tommy raises his hand as high as he can, and throws the bottle on the ground, watching it shatter to a million little pieces. 

Chapter Text

The first thing Tommy feels is the shock. Lightning racing through his skin as the potion takes effect. He staggers back, unable to stand too close to the effects. It was too late, of course. 

The cons of being undead, he supposes. 

It feels as though he’s being burned alive, white hot flames racing over his body. Tommy can feel tears lacing his eyes, threatening to spill over. He swallows them back, shaking his head. He can’t, he can’t, he can’t spiral. He needs to stay strong for even a little bit longer, until Sapnap arrives and he can go back to the brewing stand. It’ll be fine. 

His breath comes in short gasps, wheezing as his chest constricts with each heartbeat. Tommy closes his eyes, limbs spasming. Get it together, he tells himself, the pain will pass soon. He forces his eyes open, kneeling down next to Karl. 

The blood flow had lessened, thank Prime. His breathing had evened out as well, his pitiful gasps turning into shallow, but full, inhales. Tommy sighed in relief, grimacing as agony shot through his veins. Fuck, that healing potion did a number on him. 

Tommy hopes Sapnap will get here soon. The healing potion can only do so much, after all. 

As if on cue, the door to the library bangs open. Tommy jumps, turning suddenly. Karl’s eyes fluttered, pupils contracted. Sapnap appears from behind the corner, eyes wide with shock. 

“Karl!” He shouts, darting over. Tommy scoots back, letting the demon rush to his fiance. Karl jolts up, face paling even further. “Karl, it’s gonna be okay, it’s gonna be–” 

“No, no, no, please–” Karl gasps out, staring at Sapnap with glazed yellow eyes. Tommy steps back trying desperately to shake off the pain that came with the healing potion. He grimaces, leaning against the library’s wall. “I thought you killed me, I’m so sorry, please…”

“Karl, it’s me, Sapnap.” The demon says, kneeling down next to him. “Please, let me help you.” Karl stares blankly at him, breathing heavily. He sputters, coughing blood onto his sleeve. 

“I can’t, I don’t, who are you?” Karl whispers, eyes fluttering. “Who are you, please?” 

“Sapnap, your fiance, please, remember.” Sapnap begs softly, reaching for him. Karl bats his hand away. 

“I don’t know who you are.” He practically whimpers. “Except that you tried to kill me.” Sapnap stares at him in mute shock, completely still. Tommy swallows thickly, backing away. He needs to get a damage pot anyway, he needs to heal quickly. He leaves just as Karl passes out again, slumping back against the grass. 

Tommy excused himself, stumbling away as pain coursed through his veins. He risks a glance down at his hands, cracked with red lines from the splash potion. He sighs, missing the days where the healing potion used to help him. 

Not anymore. Not since he died thrice, and was revived. Forcibly brought back from the dead. Tommy sighs, limbs twitching from the after effects of the initial shock. He drags himself back to the spare room, reopening the brewing stand. 

It’s much harder to brew potions with shaking hands. 

Tommy finally managed to get all the ingredients together, curling his knees to his chest as he waited for the brewing to finally finish. He hums to himself, trying not to think about what just happened. Karl almost died. 

He sighs, shaking his head. He’s been in Kinoko for just over a week and someone almost died. 

Tommy watches the dark blue turn to an ugly maroon. He removes it carefully from the brewing stand, eyeing it wearily. He hates how badly these taste, but he needs one after dealing with the healing potion. He swirls it once, tilts his head back, and downs it in one go.

He bites back the bitter taste, forcing the drink to stay down. Tommy sighs, standing up and shaking the pain off. He can feel the damage potion working, the effects stitching his body back together.

Tommy steps out of the spare house, the door clicking shut behind him. He looks up, the sun’s warm rays drifting between the mushroom city. The day is too nice for the catastrophe that could have occured. That still could happen. 

Tommy treds across the path, hopping from step to step. He ignores the fountain, cheerful bubbling barely penetrating his thoughts. He opens the door to the main house, stepping inside. 

It’s kind of dark without anyone else. He can practically sense the panic in the house, the morning’s events weighing heavily on his mind. Tommy wanders over to the kitchen, seating himself at the counter. 

He isn’t sure what to do. 

It’s like Pogtopia again, when Wilbur got shot and Tommy thought he was going to die. He almost bled out the first night, but he made it through the first night. At least this time, Karl had Sapnap. Even if he freaked out on him, he still had him . And he had George… and he had Tommy. 

Karl wouldn’t have to suffer alone like Wilbur had. Like Tommy had. 

He supposed that fact made him smile. He did what he could, and he hoped to Prime it would be enough. Even if worry still clawed at his insides. 

Tommy sits up as Sapnap walks in, saying nothing as the demon sits down in front of him, hands buried in his face. 

“Is he awake?” He asks hopefully. Sapnap shakes his head once, sitting back. 

“This has never happened before.” He murmurs, almost unaware of Tommy’s presence. “It’s never been this bad.” Tommy tilts his head, furling his brow. 

“What do you mean?” Tommy asks. “This has happened before?” Sapnap nods slowly, burying his face in his hands. 

“He’ll… vanish sometimes, and reappear a few hours or days later completely frazzled. Like he didn’t know who I am or where he is. He’s never come back… bleeding out or thinking that…”

“You killed him.” Tommy finishes, exhaling slowly. “Wow. Clearly this is an ongoing issue.” Sapnap nods, the demon sagging back. 

“I don’t know what to do.” Sapnap confesses. “It’s… He never answers the question, he skirts around the issue, he just… won’t tell me the truth. And I don’t know what to do anymore.” The demon sounds on the verge of tears, voice breaking. Tommy twitches, pain racing through his hands. The damage potion was working, but the after effects of the healing potion linger. 

“It’s… you’ll…” Tommy can’t find the words that he needs to say, that he knows Sapnap needs to hear. He doesn’t know what there is to say. Instead, he reaches over and takes the demon’s hand, trying to give him a reassuring smile. 

“It’s so… it’s all too much.” Sapnap whispers. “We made Kinoko to be a safe place, but Karl shows up half dead with no explanation, and I know he won’t tell me when he does wake up.” He shudders, clearly biting back a sob. 

“It’s gonna be okay,” Tommy tries to reassure. Of course, it doesn’t seem like it will. Tommy can’t believe this happened in the first place. The worst part was that there was no explanation as to why. Sapnap is right; there is no rhyme or reason to what happened to Karl, only that it was a continuity. 

It vaguely reminds him of Wilbur, and the times where he would promise things were okay when in reality, the world was crumbling around them. Tommy swallows thickly, patting Sapnap’s hand. He desperately hopes that things will be okay, but Tommy can’t say for certain they will. 

“I just am at a loss.” Sapnap repeats, shoulders slumping. “I don’t… fuck, he still could die. The wound was so bad, his arms are all torn up, he’s a mess. He almost didn’t let me treat him. He woke up again, and freaked out again. ” He shakes his head. 

“Prime, Sapnap.” Tommy mumbles, at a loss for words. “I’m… I’m so sorry.” 

“It’s not.. It’s not anyone’s fault.” Sapnap mutters. “It can’t be helped, really. Well, it could, but he won’t tell me.” 

“I think you just need to ask him.” Tommy suggests, not unkindly. He really hopes that they can talk about it. Whatever it is is clearly hurting Karl, too. Maybe they should communicate. It might turn out better if they did. But no, people never listen, never talk, because that’s too easy. Tommy bites back a sigh at the thought. 

“Is there really a point?” Sapnap asks miserably. “He’s just going to ignore it or skirt around the issue, or just–”

“I think you need to quit worrying so much.” Tommy says, sitting back. “You can’t control what he’ll say, but no one can say that you didn’t try.” Sapnap looks away, his tail twitching fervently. 

“I don’t want to hear another lie.” He confesses, the demon slumping over again. He shakes his head, head pressed into the table. “I can’t take another lie.”

“He’ll open up eventually, right?” Tommy says hopefully. “I mean, there’s only so much he can say since he got stabbed and all.” Sapnap laughs, the sound sullen. 

“He has more scars than I can count, y’know. Not just from the explosion that cost him his first life. He has plenty of excuses he’s used before. He’ll definitely just use one again.” Sapnap says, his voice dispersant. 

“I really think you just need to talk to him.” Tommy says again, his voice firm. “You won’t resolve anything by moping.” Sapnap mumbles something under his breath. But he sits up nonetheless, staring blankly past Tommy. 

“You’re right.” He says finally, the demon standing up slowly. “I think I’m gonna go sit with him for a little bit. In case he does wake up.” Sapnap flashes Tommy a grateful smile, walking past. He doesn’t miss how his tail drags on the floor, clear evidence of his worry. “Thanks, Tommy. I’ll think about what you said.”

“For what it’s worth,” Tommy calls after him, “I don’t think Karl’s lying to protect himself. I think… there’s probably something else going on.” From experience with Wilbur, when he lied to protect me. Sapnap sighs, but nods anyway. 

“I just wish he knew how much I want to help him through whatever this is.” Sapnap says softly. Tommy nods, giving him a sad smile.

“Trust me, I know how that feels.” Tommy replies. Sapnap nods once, before turning down the hall and disappearing from view. Tommy sighs, shoulder sagging. He has no idea what to make of the entire morning. He buries his head in his hands, biting back a scream. 

This reminds him too much of Wilbur. Of how he would deny the truth for the alleged safety of him. How he would return to Pogtopia late in the night, random wounds littering his face, but smiling all the same with promises that things would be just fine. 

Tommy shudders, standing up. He needs a walk, this time without finding someone’s blood on the impossibly green grass. 

He pushes open the door, walking out of the house. He stares up at the sky, watching as a single cloud drifts in front of the sun, blocking out the light that shines down to the earth. 

-

Karl wakes up slowly, blinking sleep out of his eyes. Where…? He can’t bring himself to sit up, feeling pain race through his gut. He winces, staring blankly at the ceiling. Lanterns flicker above him, gentle ambience threatening to lull him back to sleep. 

He bundles into his sweatshirt– wait, not his. It was black and orange, at least he thinks it is. Probably one of Sapnap’s. He doesn’t care enough to decipher what happened; he’s too tired. 

Karl sighs, slumping back into the bed. What even happened? He isn’t sure; maybe that should be a red flag, considering he had bandages wrapped around his arm and probably got stabbed. Probably a Tales, then. 

It should be concerning that he still has injuries. The Inbetween usually healed him after one of the adventures. 

Karl shuts his eyes. He can keep sleeping, figure out what happened later. He settles with a small sigh, trying not to move and irritate his injuries. As he starts to settle, he hears the door creak open.

“Karl?” Sapnap calls softly. He sounds weary, concerned even. Weird. He hasn’t heard him this worried since the Banquet’s invite. Karl tries to focus on him, but his vision still spins and he finds that keeping his eyes open is too much of a chore. 

“Sapnap…” He mumbles, eyes fluttering. Sapnap drops his bandages, shock flashing through his eyes. 

“You… remember me?” He asks carefully. “I thought I killed you?” Karl stares at him mutely, mind racing to process what his fiance just said. 

Oh. Oh no. The dystopian world, the explosion, the guard who looked like Sapnap about to kill him– 

He has to do damage control and fast. 

“D’n’t remember that?” Karl offers weakly. “I think…nightmare… hallucination?” It was a thin excuse, at best. But he can’t tell Sapnap about time traveling or the Inbetween or anything. He already strayed from the path once. He doesn’t want to imagine what will happen next. 

But he can’t keep this secret much longer. He doesn’t know how he’ll be able to keep going like this. 

“You said I killed you.” Sapnap says again, shoulders slumping. “You pushed me away when you were bleeding out. ” Karl wants to cry, tears of frustration pricking his eyes. He reaches for his hand, trying to move without pain. 

“I’m sorry.” He says softly. “Please, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it.” I want to tell you, I do, I just can’t for your sake. Sapnap raised a brow, before sighing and taking his hand. He sits down next to him, careful not to move him. 

“You can talk to me.” The demon says gently. “Please, you can trust me with anything. Just tell me what’s going on.” Karl stares up at him, lip wobbling. He’s so tired, he wants to rest, he can’t answer questions now, not yet. 

Not ever. 

“I love you,” is all Karl can say, “Please believe me when I say I’m sorry for what I do when… when I don’t know what’s going on. I’m sorry I can’t tell you, I want to, but please believe me I love you .” 

Sapnap wraps his arm around his shoulders, pressing a kiss to his forehead. “I love you too. I… you don’t have to carry whatever this is alone.” Karl leans into his touch, eyes closing slowly. He can feel a sob building in his chest. 

“I can’t.” Karl whispers, before breaking into a cry. He clutches Sapnap’s arm, sobbing, ignoring the pain that shoots through his arms as he moves. Sapnap whispers words of reassurance into his ear, holding him close as he breaks down. 

Karl can’t remember a time where he felt this bad. Where he wanted to tell the Inbetween to fuck off forever, to leave him alone and let him live his life. He buries his face in Sapnap’s chest, trying to quell his sobbing. 

“You’re okay.” Sapnap whispers. “It’s okay.” Karl can’t find it in him to answer, too lost in his mind. He gasps for air, breaths coming in rapid pants. He blinks rapidly, trying to calm down. 

You’re okay, he tries to tell himself, you’re safe. 

“Sap… love you…” Karl says again, taking a shuddering breath. Sapnap cups his cheek, gently thumbing away the tears. 

“And I love you.” He says softly, pressing his forehead to Karl’s. “And I vowed to protect you. I won’t force you to tell me what’s going on, but I’m here for you no matter what.” 

“Thank you.” Karl whispers, shuddering slightly. “‘M sorry.” 

“Don’t be.” Sapnap says. “You’ve got a lot on your shoulders, but I promise… I promise I won’t let you sink.” Karl smiles at him, curling closer to his fiance. Sapnap rests his head on Karl’s, holding him tightly. 

“I think I’m gonna sleep now.” Karl mumbles, eyes fluttering shut. “Really… really.. Tired.” 

“That’s fine.” Sapnap murmurs. “I’ll be here when you wake up.” Karl smiles sleepily up at him, resting his head on his chest. He lets himself fall back into unconsciousness, the feeling of safety lulling him to a dreamless sleep. 

-

Tommy hadn’t meant to get up. But his nightmares had plagued him once more, and Tommy couldn’t stay in his room. He needed to walk it off. Exile, where he was alone, betrayed, left behind– 

Tommy shudders, forcing himself to walk forward. He hates these nightmares. And after the events of the day, he really could have used a restful night. But no, Prime deemed it naught, so he was up at three in the morning and trudging toward the kitchen. 

He could use some hot chocolate. Or milk, maybe. Something to help him fall asleep. Tommy pushes the door open, trying to walk quietly. Sapnap and Karl definitely needed sleep as much as he did. Can’t there be peace for five minutes? 

Decidedly not, because peace is arbitrary and it seems to run away from Tommy wherever he goes. It would be nice if, for once, things could be normal. That he could have a normal life. He was tired of the constant struggle to live. And he failed that once already, it would be nice to not die again. 

It’d be nice if everyone he cared about would stop dying. 

Tommy pushes open the door, stepping softly into the kitchen. He closed the door as silently as he could, wincing as it creaked. He turns to the counter, nearly having a heart attack as he locks eyes with another person inexplicably in the kitchen at three in the morning. 

Karl is sitting at the table, having not noticed his presence. But if he had, he showed no reaction to his appearance. Tommy steps closer, awkwardly clearing his throat. Karl blinks, as if broken out of a stupor. 

“You really shouldn’t be walking around yet.” Tommy chides, only half joking. Karl hums, yellow eyes still glazed over and distant.

“Probably not.” Karl murmurs, not even batting him an eye. He’s completely slumped against the counter, like Sapnap had been earlier. The bandages around his arm are a light pink; the bleeding might not have stopped, which was concerning. 

Tommy slides into the seat next to him, casting him a look of concern. Karl doesn’t say anything, hands folded neatly in front of him. 

“What are you doing awake?” Tommy asks, slightly surprised he’s even able to walk around. 

“I could ask you the same question.” He responds, his voice strangely dull. Tommy hasn’t ever heard him speak so mutely, without any energy or joy. He sounded depressed . 

“I asked first.” Tommy quips, crossing his arms. Karl sighs, barely reacting. 

“Nightmare. Same as normal.” He says, laughing softly. The sound is dry, devoid of any warmth. “Obviously, since I just got stabbed and all. I was really expecting a restful night.” 

“Do you want to talk about it?” Tommy asks, pursing his lips. Karl is almost completely unresponsive, yellow eyes flickering with an emotion Tommy can’t quite place. 

“It’s too hard to explain.” Karl replies simply, keeping his gaze glued to the counter. His hands shake, twitching every few seconds. Tommy can imagine that isn’t good for his arms, but doesn’t say anything. Tommy takes a deep breath, a new question blooming in his mind. 

“Then why don’t you explain what happened today?” He asks, trying to keep his voice neutral. Karl freezes, sitting up sharply. He’s silent for a long moment, not a single noise filling the tiny kitchen. 

“I… fell on a knife.” He says lamely. Tommy lifts a brow, unimpressed. That’s the shittiest lie anyone has ever told. 

“Bullshit.” Tommy snaps back, rolling his eyes. Maybe he was being too sharp, but it was the middle of the night and he just wanted to know what happened. He needed the truth, because the unknown was killing him. 

“No, no, it’s true.” Karl says wryly. “I did… fall on a knife, technically speaking.” Tommy stares at him incredulously. 

“C’mon, it’ll be better if you just tell the truth.” Tommy prods. “I mean, I shared my deepest, darkest, traumatic secret. It’s your turn.” 

“Trust me, you don’t want to hear this.” Karl says, his voice fringed with something that sounds suspiciously like panic. 

“With all due respect, I can guarantee I have been through shit too. You can talk about it, this is a safe space. We can have hot chocolate afterward.” Tommy replies in a rush. Hopefully the hot chocolate bribe works; Tommy personally would definitely agree to that deal. 

“I’ll sound crazy if I admit what’s really going on.” Karl says with a bitter laugh. “It’s nothing that can be remedied, either. No way out.” 

“I don’t think it’ll sound as crazy as falling on a knife.” Tommy observes. Karl looks at him blankly. 

“Okay, fair.” He concedes. “But I still don’t… if I stray from the path again…” Karl trails off, grip iron around the counter. Tommy stares at him mutely, doing his best to quell his confusion. He knows he shouldn’t ask the question, it would be rude to pry too much. He can keep his curiosity at bay. 

It doesn’t work. 

“Stray from the path?” Tommy asks, incredulous. “What does that mean?” Karl freezes, as if realizing what he said. 

“It’s not important.” He says in a rush. “Forget about it, it’s nothing, really.” Tommy doesn’t buy it. 

“It’s gotta mean something since you… well…” He gestures to the bandages wrapped around his arm, the healing cuts on his cheek. Karl says nothing at first. 

“I’m not supposed to tell anyone,” he breathes finally. Tommy can see the cup shaking in his grip. “But I can’t keep living like this.”

“I wasn’t supposed to tell anyone about exile.” Tommy offers, reaching over and patting his arm, careful to avoid the bandaged portions. “But I opened up, so I think you can too.” 

“It’s not that simple.” Karl says bitterly. “I… there will be consequences, if I tell someone.”

“You already got stabbed.” Tommy points out, his voice a deadpan. “I think that invalidates all other potential reactions.” Karl says nothing for a long time, staring mutely off into space. He kneads the table, worrying his lip. He shudders, turning to Tommy. 

“Fine, but I’m sorry in advance because this is gonna sound insane.” Karl begins slowly. Tommy nods curtly. 

“There are few things that sound insane anymore, trust me.” Tommy says with a grin. “I’ve been brought back from the dead, after all.” Karl laughs softly. 

“True.” He concedes. “Okay, here’s what… Here's the truth.” Karl takes a deep breath, closing his eyes as if bracing himself. “I may or may not be a time traveler, I’m kind of bound to this place called the Inbetween, and normally it heals me after every travel, but this time it didn’t–”

“What the fuck.” Tommy says hoarsely, cutting him off. “You’re right, that sounds a little insane. Please start over, slower. That is a lot of information to take in.” Karl grins slightly. 

“Yeah, thought so.” Karl deadpans. “Okay, well, I’m a time traveler. Surprise?” He chuckles slightly, as if amused. Tommy stares at him in shock. 

“That is not what I was expecting.” He admits. “But continue.” 

“I have no idea how, or why, but I can time travel. I’m kind of bound to this place called the Inbetween. I’m not sure why either, it kind of just happened.” Karl continues. “A lot of the tales, as I like to call them, end up with… erm…” He trails off, looking away. “My death, or something similar.” 

“Damn, boss man.” Tommy says, whistling. “That’s… wow. How many times have you… you know…?” Karl pauses, furrowing his brow. 

“I don't know.” He confesses finally. “But it doesn’t matter, because normally the Inbetween heals me before I show up back home. But not this time– because–” Karl stops talking instantly, as if realizing something. He sits back, mouth parting in horror. “I strayed from the path. Which I’m doing again now, oh Prime–”

“I’m sure it’ll be okay.” Tommy says, trying to reassure him. Karl shakes his head, giving him a forlorn look. 

“Don’t tell Sapnap.” Karl says, his voice urgent. “Don’t tell anyone else. With luck, the Inbetween— hopefully there will be no consequences.” Tommy swallows thickly. 

“What consequences?” He asks, almost not wanting to hear the answer. 

“I might not come home next time. Or if I do, I might be down a life because the Inbetween won’t even give me a chance to find help.” Karl says, his voice dull. “Or worse, I won’t know who any of you are.” 

“Holy shit.” Tommy mutters, blinking rapidly. He can’t lose him. Tommy was surprised at how quickly he got attached to Karl and Sapnap, but he found the idea of either of them vanishing deeply unsettling. 

He can’t lose them. Not like he lost Wilbur. 

Karl shudders, wiping his eyes. He doesn’t say anything. Tommy shakes his head, walking over and hugging him tightly. He quells his own fears, trying to provide comfort to the time traveler. It was a crazy thought, but based on the clues Sapnap had told him and the literal admission by Karl, it made sense. 

“I still think you need to tell Sapnap.” Tommy tries again. “You told me, there… it can’t get worse, right?” Karl worries his lips, slumping in Tommy’s grip. 

“I… I can’t. What if he’s upset? What if he leaves because of it?” Karl stammers, his insecurities spilling forward. “I don’t know what I’d do.” Tommy smiles reassuringly at him. 

“I don’t think he’ll leave because of that, big man.” He says confidently. “He just wants to help you, yeah? I’m sure he’d understand.” 

“What if the–” Karl asks. Tommy shakes his head, cutting him off. 

“You said it yourself, it’s a little too late for that.” He chides. “And he’s your fiance, who you said murdered you, so you at least owe him an explanation as to why. ” Karl purses his lips. 

“I can say I fell–”

“No, no you can’t.” Tommy says, facepalming. He lifts his head, locking eyes with the time traveler. “You have to be honest. It’s… he’s really worried about you.” Karl pauses, sighing heavily. 

“Yeah.” He admits finally. “You’re right. I’ll talk to him tomorrow, you’re right.” Karl leans back, resolve painting his demeanor. “He deserves to know, yeah. It’s just… I don’t know what will happen, it’s kind of terrifying.”

“Yeah, well, the worst has kind of happened already.” Tommy offers. “Besides, talking about it leads to healing. I would know, and clearly this is a traumatic event that’s been going on.” 

“True.” Karl says with a small laugh. “I just… it’s been a long run, you know? A long time of traveling and having to recover on my own, deal with these nightmares and never be able to talk about it.” 

“That was me with exile.” Tommy offers. “And I could… talk about, you know? Besides, I’m sure you have crazy stories to share.”

“That’s true.” Karl concedes with a grin. “Oh, the wild west. That’s a story.” Tommy smiles back, standing up. 

You can tell me over hot chocolate. It’s my turn to give you chocolate therapy.” 

Chapter Text

“This is a bad idea.” Karl mutters, wringing his hands together. “I shouldn’t do this.” Tommy fixes him with an incredulous look. He sighs.

“You did not spend all of last night having a mental breakdown only to not tell your fiancé what’s really going on.” Tommy says dryly. Karl sits back, worrying his lip.

“But what if—“ He starts. Tommy resists the urge to shove him over.

“No.” He says sharply. “You spent all of last night doing that, but you finally agreed to talk to him.” Karl glares at him.

“Maybe I can pass out mid sentence. Then I won’t have to explain.” He says, snapping his fingers. 

“Then I’ll just tell him and let you explain when you regain consciousness.” Tommy proclaims. Karl sighs, burying his face in his hands. 

“There’s no escape, is there?” Karl mumbles, dismayed. 

“Nope.” Tommy pops the p, smirking. “You’ll be fine, just trust that things will be fine.” Karl mumbles something under his breath, but doesn’t protest further. “Now all we have to do is wait.”

“This is horrible. Now would be a good time for a headache so I can feign ignorance or go do something else.” Karl rests his head on the table, sighing melodramatically. 

“Wait, so your headaches. Are they linked to the time traveling thing?” Tommy blurts out. Karl lifts his head.

“Yeah.” He shrugs, unbothered. “Among other side effects.” Tommy tilts his head, curious. Theoretically, he could find out on his own. It was a little known fact that he was a shapeshifter. He didn’t usually shift anything in front of people, save for a select few, like Tubbo or Wilbur. It made him self conscious, and he doesn’t like showing it off. 

But then again, he could conceivably find out more about Karl’s ability if he copied his DNA.

Tommy reaches out and takes Karl’s hand, chattering words of aimless reassurance as he focuses on duplicating whatever he is. It’s easier with physical features— Tommy could copy Tubbo’s goat horns with ease— but inherent, hidden traits were harder. He needs to be in contact with the person, especially the first time.

And decidedly the last with Karl, because the second Tommy shifts, his entire body screams in pain.

Pinpricks of fire races down his arms and through his head, each heart beat like thunder under his skin. He can feel his eyes watering, the pain so intense and constant. It refuses to yield, instead only getting worse. Tommy releases Karl’s hand with a gasp, forcing himself to focus enough to reset his own DNA structure. 

The agony ends, but he can feel the after effects. Like his cells are still trying to tear themselves apart. He shuts his eyes, a shudder racing down his spine. 

“How the fuck do you live like this?” Tommy says seconds later, locking eyes with the time traveler. 

“Live like what?” Karl asks quizzically. 

“It feels like someone is dropping nukes on my cells, what the fuck.” Tommy spits back, another aftershock rippling through his brain. 

“Wait.” Karl says, drawing back slightly. “Did you like… copy my DNA?” Tommy flashes him a nervous smile.

“I’m a shapeshifter… surprise?” He offers. Karl blinks at him. 

“Nice.” Is all he says, grinning back. “That’s pretty cool.” Tommy beams with pride, straightening up. Dream had called me a thief, he remembers suddenly, but refuses to give way to somber. Tubbo never thought he was a thief, Wilbur never thought he was a thief, and clearly Karl doesn’t care. 

“Anyway.” Tommy says, brushing the euphoria aside. “Seriously, how do you deal with that pain? It’s… awful.” Karl shrugs. 

“I honestly don’t know what you’re talking about.” He admits. Tommy stares at him, incredulous. How can he not feel his cells literally splitting apart?

“Dear Prime, it’s worse than I thought. Wait until Sapnap—“

“Why are both of you awake at this ungodly hour?” Sapnap mutters on cue, shuffling into the kitchen. “Especially you, Karl.” Karl swallows thickly, laughing nervously. 

“I couldn’t sleep.” He says in a rush. “But it’s fine, I’m feeling much better—“ Sapnap walks over, gently taking his hands. Tommy scoots back.

“We’ll need to check your arms later.” He murmurs, examining the stained bandages. 

“Yeah.” Karl replies, his voice distant. Tommy rolls his eyes, clearing his throat. 

“I think Karl has something to tell you.” He says pointedly. “About where his injuries came from.” Karl fixes him with a withering glare as Sapnap tilts his head. 

“Oh?” The demon asks, curious. 

“You’ll thank me later.” Tommy says, patting Karl’s shoulder. “Now, I’m just gonna excuse myself. Have fun!” He stands up from the counter, skipping toward the door. 

-

Karl glares after the kid, shaking his head slowly. This is such a bad idea. He can’t help but wonder how this is supposed to go well. He watches the door shut, silently planning his revenge. 

“So.” Sapnap says, sitting back. The demon had let go of his hands, gently setting them back on the counter. Karl sighs, closing his eyes. 

“Listen… I don’t know where to start, or if I want to start, or—“ He starts to ramble, feeling his pulse quicken. 

“Hey, it’s okay.” Sapnap says softly. “Take your time.” Karl swallowed thickly, shuddering. He keeps his gaze glued to the counter. He thinks that confessing had been easier than this. 

Because at least that secret didn’t have the chance of destroying the space time continuum. Or leading to his death. Or take away his memories. 

Needless to say, there was a lot more weighing on this than anything else he’d ever said. 

“Okay.” Karl begins slowly, knotting his fingers together in an attempt to stop their shaking. “Promise not to call me crazy.”

“I guarantee you I won’t.” Sapnap says, his voice still patient. Just spit it out, Karl tells himself. He sits back, bracing himself. 

“I can time travel.” Karl says in a rush. “And it’s probably gonna be the death of me.” Sapnap blinks at him, mouth parting in slight shock. 

“Repeat that?” He asks hoarsely. Karl grimaces.

“I can time travel.” He repeats. “I’ve been able to time travel  for a few months now. But it’s…it’s not good.” He admits quietly. Sapnap says nothing at first, the demon’s eyes widening.

“Time travel.” Sapnap says, his voice dull. “That’s what’s been going on this whole time.” Karl purses his lips, wrapping his arms around himself. He ignores the bolt of pain that shoots through his injuries. 

“Yeah.” Karl mutters, unable to meet his eyes. “It’s… it’s—“ He breaks off, unable to continue. It’s going to kill me. It’s making me forget. It’s destroying me.

“It’s okay.” Sapnap whispers, although his voice is tight. 

“It’s not okay.” Karl says shortly, shaking his head. “This could kill me, this will kill me—“

“Take a deep breath.” Sapnap murmurs gently. “You’re okay.”

“Stop saying it’s okay, please.” Karl snaps, feeling his heart rate elevate. It’s not okay, it’s not okay, it’s not okay. “Because it’s making me forget, and I wasn’t supposed to stray from the path but I did, and now I’m telling you which I also—“

“Karl. Look at me.” Sapnap says sternly, albeit not unkindly. He reaches over and gently takes one of Karl’s hands, unwrapping his arms from around his shoulders. “I don’t necessarily understand what’s going on, but I am here for you, okay?”

“You can’t follow me to the Inbetween. Or the Other Side, or the Tales where I die, or I watch you die—“ Karl rambles. 

“What?” Sapnap asks, interrupting him. 

“Right, yeah.” Karl mutters, ducking his head. He hadn’t wanted to explain the doppelgängers. He hadn’t wanted to explain any of this, but here he was. “All these Tales— or the time traveling— there’s doppelgängers of… everyone. But there’s always…” 

“Me.” Sapnap finishes. “Or someone who looks like me.” 

“Yeah.” Karl finishes. “And last time…” He bites his lip, the memory welling up in his mind’s eye. 

“I— whoever it was— killed you.” Sapnap says softly. “I’m so sorry.” Karl shrugs. 

“Honestly, this isn’t the first time I’ve died in a Tale. We’re probably closer to five or six.” Karl admits. Sapnap looks horrified, mouth partying ever so slightly. 

“Holy shit.” The demon mutters. “Holy shit, so you’ve—“ 

“If the Tales applied to the three lives rule, I’d be dead.” Karl finishes, his voice a deadpan. Sapnap’s grip on his hand tightens. “But the Inbetween usually heals whatever wounds I receive.”

“But last time…” Sapnap trails off, the question lingering in the air. 

“I strayed from the Path.” Karl says simply. “I disobeyed the Inbetween.” Sapnap says nothing, bowing his head. 

“Fuck, Karl.” He says finally. “I had no idea any of this was happening.”

“You were never supposed to know.” Karl replies softly. “No one but me was ever supposed to know.” But I had a breakdown in front of Tommy, and here we are.

“We’ll be fine.” Sapnap reassures, trying to sound confident, all while not letting go of his hand. “Okay? We’ll be fine.” Karl sits back slowly, a thousand thoughts crowding his mind. 

“What if we aren’t?” He asks in a hushed whisper. 

“Huh?” Sapnap tilts his head, confused.

“What if we— what if I’m not fine?” Karl’s words are shaky; he can’t bring himself to speak evenly. “What if I forget completely because I told you, what if the Inbetween kills me, what if—“ 

“We can’t worry about that right now, not until it happens.” Sapnap replies, a clearly forced smile crossing his face. He’s worried too. 

“Okay.” Karl says, bottling his fears down. He’s right. We can fix this.

“I do… need to ask.” Sapnap starts awkwardly. Karl nods, signalling him to continue. “Do you want to keep time traveling?” Karl hesitates before answering. 

Does he want to keep traveling? Karl isn’t sure. For all the negatives, he can’t help but remember the times where it wasn’t this bad. Where he wasn’t forgetting, where the Inbetween wasn’t his jailor and closer to a friend. 

But the undeniable truth was that it wasn’t anymore. Karl was no longer safe there, and he was no longer stable enough to keep time traveling. His hunger for knowledge had been quenched by the weight of forgetting.

He can’t live like this much longer. 

“No.” Karl says hoarsely. “I don’t— I don’t know if I can keep doing this.” Sapnap steps off of the chair, crossing around the counter. He gently wraps Karl in a hug, head resting on his head. 

“We’ll find a way to fix this.” The demon promises. “Okay?” 

“Okay.” Karl agrees, trying not to burst into tears on the spot. He wants so desperately to believe him, but he isn’t sure how to escape this fate.

“It’s gonna be fine, I promise.” Sapnap says, smiling with reassurance lacing his demeanor. Karl manages a weak grin in return.

“Yeah,” he says, leaning into the hug, willing his trembling to stop, “I hope so.” 

-

Tubbo didn’t expect to use his compass again.

Okay, that is a lie. Tubbo uses a compass all the time. His navigation is shit, after all. He can’t tell his left from right, it all blurs together for him. 

But he hasn’t used “Your Tommy” in months. He hasn’t pulled it out of his junk box in months, he hadn’t attempted to fix it for months, but now he had. Because Tommy was missing again, and Dream was on the loose. And Tubbo wasn’t going to let history repeat itself. 

So he took his old compass and spent hours poured over the circuit board, rewiring the red stone and centering the arrow. After days of work, it finally worked again, pointing toward east, toward Tommy .

“Come on, Ranboo.” Tubbo calls, watching the dial spin. “We haven’t got all day to find him.” 

“Micheal’s getting tired.” Ranboo snaps back, the ender hybrid hoisting the piglin higher. Micheal was attached to his back like a koala, eye fluttering shut. Tubbo bites back a sigh. The only reason they’d brought the toddler was the very reason that they were looking for Tommy in the first place. 

Dream. 

It isn’t safe anymore, not like it was when Dream was in prison. Now, he is free. Now, no one is safe. 

And of course Tommy picks now to go missing in action. Once Tubbo finds him and makes sure he’s safe, he’s going to murder him.

“We’ve been walking for hours.” Ranboo complains, setting the toddler down and stretching. His bicolor tail twitches in irritation, which Tubbo elects to ignore. 

“And we’ll keep walking until we find him.” He snaps back. “Tommy’s… we have to find him before Dream does.” Tubbo shudders, a fresh wave of guilt washing over him. It was funny how so much could have been avoided if he hadn’t exiled Tommy. 

How undamaged things would have been. How much better things would have been. 

But Tubbo can’t change the past, as much as he desires to. He can only live with his mistakes and try to grow from them. 

He thinks he has. He thinks he’s grown. But he’s still haunted by his past, and it’s something he’s learned to live with. He’s determined not to let the same thing happen again, though. 

“We’re pretty far from home, y’know.” Ranboo says, twisting around and viewing his surroundings. He stoops down and picks Micheal back up, the piglin melting back into his grasp. 

“Yeah, well, we can take the Nether route home.” Tubbo says starkly. “C’mon, Boo, we’ve got to find him.” Ranboo shifts uncomfortably, but nods anyway. 

“Yeah, I suppose. But as long as there’s no death message on the communicator, I think it’s okay.” Ranboo adds quickly. Tubbo lifts a brow. 

“There’s such thing as torture and imprisonment. Which is why we’re looking for him.” Tubbo replies, his patience running thin. Ranboo concedes his statement with a sigh, dipping his head in resignation. 

“Okay, fair. And true.” Ranboo says, hoisting the toddler onto his back. Tubbo nods sharply, turning back to the forest. He’d never been this far east before; he did have to admit he was a little nervous. 

But Tommy is worth it. He’s going to find his best friend even if it kills him. 

Tubbo stares up, watching as the trees slowly cascade into giant mushrooms; strange. Great oaks mixed with red and white spotted mushrooms, slowly opening up to somewhere new.

Tubbo notes the path is becoming more pristine as he walks, less battered and overgrown. As if this trail has been used many times. 

“Stay close.” Tubbo whispers back to Ranboo. “I think we’re about to find something.” The ender hybrid nods, holding Micheal closer. Tubbo brushes aside some low hanging branches, blinking as harsh sunlight hits his eyes. 

And then he was in an entirely new realm. 

“Holy shit.” Tubbo whispers, gazing in silent shock at the spiraling mushroom city. Grassy fields pave the way into a town, giant structures growing toward the heavens. 

The strangest part is he’s never seen it before in his life. 

“Where are we?” Ranboo asks, stepping out next to him. Tubbo shrugs, glancing back down at his compass. It’s arrow had shifted, pointing north toward one of the fields. Oh no. 

“Does that point to corpses?” Ranboo asks, voicing his thoughts. Tubbo shrugs. 

“We’ve never tested it.” He says wryly. He steps toward the field, wading through the grass. He steps high through the tendrils, practically running in the direction of his compass. He can hear laughter in the distance, getting louder and louder. It spurs him onward. 

Tubbo stiffens as he finally, finally, sees Tommy. Tommy, who’s sitting next to Sapnap. 

Sapnap, who’s tried to kill them both before. Who’s fought against him. Who’s best friends with Dream. He’s talking with Tommy, both of their backs turned to him. He can’t tell if it’s hostile or not, but he can’t help but be wary. 

Immediately, Tubbo’s brain launches into panic mode. His body moves before he can stop himself, despite Ranboo telling him to stop and assess the situation before he does anything stupid. 

Too late, Tubbo’s brand is doing stupid shit. And of course he has to stay on brand. He gently pushes Ranboo back, before racing forward, tearing through the grass. 

“Get away from Tommy, you fucking bitch!” Tubbo screeches, throwing himself at Sapnap without a second thought. The demon turns, eyes widening in shock as Tubbo tackles him, slamming him against the ground. 

Sapnap throws him off, leaping to his feet. Tommy stumbles back, shock flickering in his gaze. Tubbo yells again, ramming into Sapnap again. 

“Tubbo!” Tommy shouts, launching forward and knocking him off balance. “What the hell are you doing here? No, what the hell are you doing?” Tubbo pauses. 

“Wait.” He says, trying to piece it together. “Are you two not fighting?”

“No!” Tommy shouts back. “Why did you attack him, for Prime’s sake?” 

Maybe Tubbo should have thought it through. 

-

"Why're you out here?" Sapnap asks, walking over to where Tommy is sitting with his knees to his chest in one of Kinoko’s many fields. 

"I like sitting in the grass. It's warm." Tommy says with a smile, nudging a mushroom that poked out from the green grass.

"That seems nice." Sapnap muses, sitting down beside him.

"L'Manburg had grass." Tommy says, a sad smile on his face.

" Everywhere has grass, dumbass." Sapnap teases, but not unkindly. The demon pauses, staring aimlessly at the sky. “Thank you for getting Karl to talk to me. About the… whole…”

“It’s not a problem, really.” Tommy assures, smiling. “I hope it helps, y’know?” Sapnap sighs. 

“Me too.” Tommy agrees, reclining back. 

“I got him back upstairs, I’m hoping he stays there. I’m afraid I’ll tear open one of his injuries if he keeps moving around.” Sapnap worries his lip. “I can’t believe he’s been time traveling under my nose for months.” 

“He has some sick stories though.” Tommy offers weakly. “They’re pretty good.”

“If we ignore the part where he or someone else dies.” Sapnap says through a sigh. “I swear, I’m just—“ 

He cuts off as a brown blur streaks toward him, knocking him down the hill. Tommy leaps to his feet, hearing incoherent shouting. Tubbo? Tommy’s eyes widen, shock pulsing through his mind. 

What the hell is Tubbo doing here? And why is he attacking Sapnap? 

“Tubbo!” Tommy shrieks, running forward and throwing his friend off of the demon. Tubbo staggers back, away from Sapnap. The demon steps back, eyes flickering with mistrust. “What the hell are you doing? No, what the hell are you doing?”

“Wait. Are you two not fighting?” The goat hybrid pauses, tilting his head. Tommy glares at Tubbo, crossing his arms. What the fuck. 

“No!” Tommy shouts back. “For Prime’s sake, why are you attacking him?” Tubbo blinks, pursing his lips.  

“He thought Sapnap was going to kill you.” Ranboo steps out of the grass, holding Micheal tightly. Tommy perks up, grinning at the ender hybrid. 

“Hey, Ranboo.” He waves. “What’s new?” Ranboo shrugs. 

“Nothing. Just making sure Dream hadn’t killed you.” He sets Micheal down, the toddler immediately teetering over to Tommy. He kneels down, high fiving the piglin. 

“‘Sup, little dude?” He asks, grinning at him. Micheal sits down next to him, smiling back. 

“It’s good to see you aren’t dead.” Tubbo says. “And fuck you for scaring me.” Tommy stares at him incredulously. 

“What the fuck, big man.” He deadpans. “I was busy trying to not die when Dream got out.” 

“You could have messaged me a few days ago, since you’re clearly vibing now.” Tubbo snaps back. Tommy glares harshly back at the goat hybrid. 

“If I may—“ Ranboo opens his mouth to say something, only to fall forward suddenly with a yelp of pain. Tommy blinks, tilting his gaze up to see Karl standing over the ender hybrid, holding a stick. 

“Why are you attacking my fiancé.” Karl demands, pointing his stick at Tubbo. Tommy buries his face in his hands, trying not to laugh. Micheal is not as subtle, the toddler bursting out into loud giggles. 

“We come in peace!” Tubbo yelps, throwing his hands up. “Please don’t hit me with your stick.” 

“Karl, you should be resting.” Sapnap chides, standing up and walking over. He plucks the stick out of his grasp, wrapping his arms around his shoulders. Karl glares at him, but still melts into his grip. 

“I’m fine.” He spits back. “And it’s not my fault you keep getting into fights and I have to come out here and hit people with sticks to save you.” 

“We weren’t fighting.” Ranboo deadpans, rubbing the back of his head. “Well, I wasn’t. If you wanted to hit anyone with a stick, then hit Tubbo. He tackled Sapnap.”

“Why do you have to throw me under the bus like that?” Tubbo asks, slumping on the grass.

“Because you’re the one who attacked Sapnap, not me.” The ender hybrid retorts. 

“Sorry, Ranboo.” Karl calls. Ranboo shrugs. 

“All good.” He replies. “Not the first time I’ve been hit with a stick. Toddler and all that.” 

“Good job, Micheal.” Tommy says with a grin, high fiving the toddler again. He turns back to Tubbo. “Not that it isn’t nice to see you and all, but what are you doing in Kinoko? How did you even find it?”

“I fixed the old compass.” Tubbo says, pulling out a battered tool. Tommy peers at it, tilting his head in curiosity. 

“Is that…?”

“Your Tommy.” Tubbo finishes, tucking it in his pocket. “I never got rid of it.” 

“Probably a good thing.” Tommy says faintly. 

“Yeah, well, with Dream on the loose, I figured it would be best to try and find you.” The goat hybrid says with a small shrug. 

“I appreciate it.“ Tommy gives him a half smile. “It’s good to see you three.” 

“Nice place you’ve settled in.” Ranboo observes. “What’s the name?” 

“Kinoko Kingdom.” Sapnap supplies. “And as long as you don’t attack me again, you’re welcome here.” 

“No promises.” Tubbo says wryly. Sapnap sighs. 

“I don’t have time to argue. I’ve got to take Karl back inside anyway, please don’t burn down the Kingdom.” The demon says, guiding his fiancé toward the main house.

“I’m fine, Sapnap. Sweet Prime, it’s just a stab wound.” Karl protests. Sapnap shakes his head. 

“We aren’t arguing about this in front of the kids.” He retorts. “Come on. I’ll be back out in a few minutes.” 

“Just a stab wound, huh?” Tubbo asks the second the two vanish over the crest of the hill. “What—“

“Don’t ask.” Tommy says through a sigh, pressing two fingers against the bridge of his nose. 

“How did you end up in Kinoko, anyway?” Ranboo asks suddenly, changing the subject. Micheal stands up and waddles back over to Ranboo, plopping down in front of him. Tommy watches him go, before turning back to Ranboo. 

“Dream was chasing me.” He says flatly. “Shocker, right?” 

“Oh.” Tubbo manages. “So technically we were too late.”

“By a week and a half, give or take.” Tommy shrugs, completely unbothered. Maybe it was bad he was so numb to what had happened, or maybe it meant he was healing. Either way, he continues on with his story. “Dream pretty much chased me from Logstedshire to the Nether to Kinoko.”

“Wow.” Ranboo says, blinking. “That’s a long way.”

“No shit, Sherlock. I got enough cardio to last me a lifetime.” Tommy says with a small laugh. “Anyway, I ended up here. Dream was about to catch me, but Sapnap stepped in. He… saved me, and offered me a home.” 

"And how have things been here?" Tubbo asks, tilting his head.

"Surprisingly peaceful." Tommy admits, rubbing the back of his neck. "They've been really nice, y’know?" 

Tubbo looks around again, still processing the kingdom. Tommy understands, it's quite a lot to take in. "It looks pretty nice."

"The grass.. it's like L'Manburg." Tommy admits sheepishly, fiddling with a few green blades as a minor distraction. Tubbo seems to understand, because of course he would. He nods, the two thinking of old memories in riverbanks and fields in the shade of blackstone walls and sprawling greenery. Tommy’s been to Snowchester, as peaceful and safe as it is there, Kinoko is great at bringing back those old memories. 

Ranboo looks at the two of them with utter confusion. " Everywhere has grass," he points out.  

"But not grass .“ Tubbo points out, Tommy nodding in agreement as he plops down to sit beside Tommy and brush a hand through the grass.

"They've got drugs here too, Tubs." Tommy whispers to his friend with a mischievous glint in his eyes, pointing at one of the giant mushrooms. "Drug trees."

"Woah.." Tubbo whispers, leaning against Tommy. "D'you think if we set one of those on fire the whole kingdom gets high?"

At that moment, the door to Sapnap and Karl's home opens to a certain demon looking at them with a face that manages to be concerned and angry at the same time.

"You two are not burning down anything." He says sternly, tail flicking behind him. 

"C'mon Sapnap, I know you're a pyromaniac at heart. Join us, you know you want to." Tommy says, and Sapnap almost looks convinced. 

"...I think I'll stick to burning soup." He eventually decides, though Tommy thinks the decision pains him. It better, fucking traitor. Tommy expected better. He will be snitching on him to Karl. 

...Who probably wouldn't approve of arson.

"You burnt soup ?" Ranboo asks, tilting his head. 

"Don't ask, please don't ask." Sapnap pleads, glancing back inside. “A mention is enough to give Karl an aneurysm.”

"I was there for the great soup disaster, truly a tragedy. Those poor curtains." Tommy laments, shaking his head sadly. Tubbo laughs. 

"Did you help him burn soup?" Ranboo asks, holding Michael in his lap as the piglin plays with a flower. 

"No!" Tommy cries, right as Sapnap speaks. 

"Yes! It was him, all him. I've never seen anything wrong ever." Sapnap declares, the bastard .

"I can imagine." Tubbo says with mock sympathy.

"We're being terrorized by a feral cat." Sapnap says, and Tommy narrows his eyes. 

"I'll bite you." He threatens, flashing sharp fangs. 

"Case and point-" Sapnap begins, and Tommy jumps at him, biting his arm. Sapnap screams, flailing his arm in panic. Tommy refuses to release his grip, even as Ranboo looks terrified and Michael claps proudly. Tommy internally thanks Michael, his biggest fan. 

He's about to start spewing curses at Sapnap when a sudden calm spreads through his body, brain buffering for a second as he feels himself be lifted up. The world blurs for a second before Tommy is dropped on the soft grass, forced into awareness. Tubbo grins at him before plopping down beside him. Tommy glares at the ram for exposing his weakness like this. The absolute bastard. 

Sapnap rubs at his arm, wincing in pain. Tommy looks a bit concerned that he actually hurts him, but Sapnap laughs. "Man, that hurt."

"Never challenge the great TommyInnit." Tommy spits back. 

“As much as this is, It’s getting late.” Ranboo says, peering at the sky. The sun was arcing down, descending slowly across the horizon. “I think we need to get to the portal before the sun sets.” 

“Maybe we took too much time getting here.” Tubbo observes, laughing sheepishly. 

“And who’s fault was that—“

“Yeah, that’s fair.” Tommy interjects, trying to quell his disappointment. “You’ll visit, yeah?”

“Of course.” Tubbo replies immediately, patting his shoulder. “You can count on it.”

“Great.” Tommy says, standing up. He embraces his friends one by one. Tubbo peers over at Sapnap, a mischievous grin crossing his face. 

“By the way,” Tubbo says, a merry twinkle in his eyes. “Tommy has an off switch.” Tommy stiffens, eyes narrowed into slits. Sapnap tilts his head, curious. 

“You bitch.” He says slowly, his voice dangerously low. “I will end you for that.” Tubbo simply laughs, the goat hybrid unfazed. 

“See you later, big man.” He says with a smirk, before turning away and following Ranboo out of Kinoko.   

Chapter Text

Karl is fine. 

Sure, he got stabbed, had a breakdown, and then passed out for the entire morning, but he’s fine now. It’s not like he’s actively dying anymore. He hit Ranboo with a stick without passing out! Besides, he wants to talk to them anyway. He hasn’t seen Tubbo in forever, come to think of it. 

So he had decided the second that Sapnap shut the door to their room that he would go back downstairs. After he rested for a second, because he is, admittedly, tired. Karl swears he only shuts his eyes for a few seconds, but suddenly the sun is setting and it’s almost night. 

Maybe he was tired. 

Karl makes it halfway down the stairs before he hears voices. 

“I can’t believe you bit me.” Sapnap’s voice floats down from the entryway, bemused agitation coloring his tone. 

“Listen, it was worth it.” Tommy replies, laughing. 

“Well, now I know you have an off switch, so it won’t happen again.” Sapnap retorts. Karl descends the staircase, poking his head around the corner. 

“Who bit who now?” He asks, tilting his head. 

“I bit Sapnap.” Tommy raises his hand. “He tried to blame me for the soup incident.” Karl nods sagely. 

“Understandable.” He agrees. “I condone it.” 

“What the fuck.” Sapnap deadpans, looking utterly betrayed. “This is slander I say, utter slander.” Karl gives him a cheeky grin. 

“Yep!” He says cheerfully. “You’re also just mad because you know deep down that it was justified.” 

“No. Never.” Sapnap says, shaking his head. “Besides, Tommy has an off switch, allegedly.” 

“No, that’s a lie, it’s fake news.” Tommy declares, almost a little too quickly. “Tubbo was lying.”

“Then how’d he get you to stop biting me, huh?” Sapnap shoots back. Tommy shrugs, although he doesn’t reply. Karl sits down on their couch, watching with a lifted brow. 

“That’s a good question.” He points out. “How did he get you to stop trying to murder my fiancé?” 

“No comment.” Tommy says, turning away and crossing his arms. “I have the right to remain silent, and I am using that right.” Sapnap hums to himself, tapping his foot against the ground. His tail flicks in agitation. 

“Okay, you bit me, and then Tubbo ran forward and grabbed you like this–” Sapnap reaches toward Tommy. The teen slaps his hand, glaring at him. 

“I’ll bite you again, don’t–” Sapnap picks him quickly, hoisting him off of the ground under his arms. Tommy kicks his shin once, before dropping forward. 

“I think I found it.” The demon whispers. Karl stands up, shocked. 

“No way.” He says with a laugh. “No chance.” 

“Tommy?” Sapnap whispers, shaking him lightly. No response. 

“Oh my honk.” Karl whispers, staring incredulously as Sapnap swings toward him. Tommy is completely limp in his grip, arms flopped forward like a cat. 

“I think this is the off switch Tubbo was talking about.” Sapnap observes, setting Tommy down. The second his feet touch the floor, he reels on Sapnap, practically spitting like a feral cat. (Ironic, Karl thinks with a snort of amusement).

“Bitch, I’ll fucking kill you, I do not have an off switch thank you very much, you’re so fucking—“ Karl walks over and picks him up with ease, lifting him off the floor in the same manner Sapnap had. Almost immediately he flops like a rag doll. 

“It’s… it’s a miracle.” Sapnap says in shock. Karl hums, setting him down. 

“Fuck you.” Tommy mutters, face flushed red. “It’s not my fault Prime decided to fuck me over and give me an ‘off switch’ or whatever.”

“It’s okay, Tommy.” Sapnap reassures him, a smirk crossing his face. “You’re not the only one here with an ‘off switch.’” 

“Don’t you dare.” Karl threatens immediately, scooting away. Tommy looks up, eyes flashing with interest. 

“Do tell.” He prods Sapnap, wearing a twin conspirator grin. 

“Karl has one. It’s adorable, really.” Sapnap snickers, inching closer to him. Karl glares at him, flopping down on the couch. 

“Go away.” He mutters. 

“No.” Sapnap grins. “You should be upstairs, anyway. 

“Fine, fine, I’ll go.” Karl mutters, his face flushing with embarrassment. He moves to stand, only for Sapnap to shake his head.

“I think I need to carry you.” He says with a devil’s grin. 

“That won’t be necessary.” Karl says flatly.

“Oh. I think it is.” Tommy interjects, grinning. “I have to see this.” 

“Sapnap…” Karl says, warning fringing his tone. “Don’t you dare.” 

“Even if I have to sleep on the couch, this will be worth it.” Sapnap decides. He moved quickly, scooping Karl into his arms bridal style. 

“No, no—“ His protests are cut off quickly as he sags in Sapnap’s grip. On instinct, Karl rests his head on Sapnap’s chest, leaning into the demon’s warmth. Every time, he thinks bitterly. Although, he does love the feeling of security that accompanies being held.

“He gets really passive.” Sapnap says smugly. “Normally, he’s half asleep but it works all the time.”

“I hate you.” Karl mutters, clinging to Sapnap’s arm. He sighs, any will to fight leaving his body. Tommy snickers. 

“No you don’t.” Sapnap says, his voice smug. “You know you love me.” Karl grumbles under his breath, curling closer. 

“No. You’re the worst.” He mutters. “I’m going to smother you in your sleep.”

“You say that every time I pick you up.” Sapnap says, turning toward the stairs. “And you really need to stop walking around unless you want to split your stitches.” 

“It’s just a flesh wound.” Karl protests. 

“I found you half dead in your library.” Tommy deadpans. “That is not just a flesh wound.” 

“I lived.” Karl snaps back. 

“Barely!” Sapnap points out, exasperated. “No arguing. Come on, I’ll bring you dinner upstairs. I’m begging you, just sit still for one day.”

“Please don’t cook.” Karl asks politely. “Last time, you burnt soup.” Sapnap makes a noise of indignation, scoffing slightly. 

“Second time’s a charm.” He says. 

“Or,” Tommy pipes up, “I’ll cook and you can watch. How does that sound?” 

“Perfect.” Karl says, cutting Sapnap off. He curls closer to the warmth, wrapping his arms around Sapnap’s shoulders. 

“Great.” Sapnap concedes, the demon turning toward the stairs. “Now please, please, just rest.” Karl yawns, sagging in his grip. 

“Fine.” He mumbles. “Only for you.” Sapnap hums his thanks, kissing his forehead. 

These damn off switches, Karl thinks with a small sigh, Sapnap has too much power now. 

-

Tommy thinks that his latest nightmare was stupid. It really shouldn’t be weighing on his mind as much as it is, but of course he couldn’t stop thinking about his fucking off switch .

The funny thing about the situation was that he really doesn’t care all that much. It’s not that big of a deal, really. It wasn’t a big deal for the longest time, at least. 

Fucking exile, he thinks bitterly. Tommy stares mutely at his flickering lantern, watching the tender fire fade in and out, changing the lighting of the room every second. He sighs, blinking himself out of his trance.

It's a reflex at this point to get out of his bed and trek down to the kitchen. He knows Karl will probably be down there, fighting off his own inner demons. In the back of his mind, he wonders how long his time traveling has been going on. Weeks? Months? Longer?

It’s funny to think about the mountains everyone faces. The trauma that blankets the entire community they have, all the factions with their own beasts ravaging the edges of their minds. Tommy pushes open the door to his room, gliding down the hallway like a ghost. Being quiet seems like the respectful thing to do, even if he’s certain most of the other inhabitants of the house are awake. 

“You’re up early.” Tommy says the second he steps into the kitchen. “Up before the sun.” Karl had already set out two mugs, as if anticipating his arrival. He can smell the melted chocolate, the scent filling the room. 

“Yep.” Karl replies, shutting one of the cabinets softly. “Early bird gets the worm, I guess.” Tommy slides into his seat at the counter, grasping one of the mugs. 

“We really need to stop doing this.” Tommy says, staring at his steaming cup of hot chocolate. “Like, I love hot chocolate, but it’s three in the morning.” Karl shrugs, the time traveler completely unbothered by the mention of the ungodly hour. He stretches with a small grimace, the only indicator of any lingering pain from his injuries.  

“They’re called nightmares for a reason.” He retorts. “And this is how I cope.”

“Yeah, but it’s a bad habit.” Tommy points out. “And it gives you a fucked up sleep schedule.” Karl raises a brow. 

“Tommy, my livelihood is self-destructive time traveling.” He says dryly. “I think my sleep schedule is the least of my concerns at the moment.” 

“Fair enough,” Tommy concedes. “Recovering from trauma is more important than sleep.” Karl nods. 

“That’s–” He breaks off as he stumbles, head disappearing behind the counter. A thud follows in seconds, enough to make Tommy jump. He leaps down from his seat, scrambling over to check on him. 

“Are you alright?” He calls, looking down at Karl. The time traveler is sprawled on his back, foot caught on his own chair. He has his face buried in his hand, depressed laughter sounding from his covered mouth. 

“Yes.” Karl manages. “I just can’t believe I did that.” He sits up, pushing his chair back. He fixes it with a devastating glare, before standing up and sliding into his seat. 

“That,” Tommy says with a grin, “was hilarious.” Karl rolls his eyes.

“Yeah, sure. What if I wasn’t okay?” He demands, although his words lack any real bite.

“Then I would have woken your fiancé up to yell at you.” Tommy retorts. “And it would have been even funnier.” Karl mutters an insult behind his mug of hot chocolate. 

“Yeah, well, what’s got you up tonight?” He asks, changing the subject. “I mean, clearly it was bad enough to make you want hot chocolate at three in the morning.”

“The usual. Exile, unwanted physical ‘affection.’” Tommy spits the last word out like it’s something vile, wrinkling his nose in distaste. “It sucked after I got out. I didn’t really like it when people grabbed my hand or arm afterward. It just felt wrong.” Karl nods. 

“Prime, you are way too young to be carrying this much.” He mutters, almost to himself. Tommy shrugs. 

“I’m used to the aversion to touch thing. It’s weird, I go between being touch starved to freaking out if someone bumps into me.” Tommy thinks it stems back to the war, and the aftermath. He felt not right after it, as if his sins made him appalling and a monster. And Dream certainly didn’t help deny those claims, instead reinforcing them with unwanted input.

“I get that. I couldn’t deal with physical touch for the longest time after the Masquerade.” Karl says softly. “I don’t even know why. It’s not like anyone manhandled me, or pushed me to it, or any of that, I just felt– I watched so many people die, there was blood under my nails for days after it, and my hands just felt–”

“Unclean.” Tommy finishes. “Like you did something wrong and couldn’t get rid of the evidence.” Tommy doesn’t ask what it was, nor has he asked for the full story. Karl hadn’t mentioned the Masquerade before now, and he can assume it’s one of the nastier tales based on his current words. 

“Yeah.” Karl concures, looking at his hands. “I didn’t kill anyone, but I pulled their bodies out of the fish tank or wine barrels. And I trusted their murderer, I defended him. But he played me and killed me in the process.” He sits up, shaking his head rigorously. “I don’t know, it was just hard with Sapnap and–” He breaks off, furrowing his brow. “And… someone else.” 

Tommy doesn’t pry, no matter how much his curiosity claws at his instincts. Who, he wants to ask. Instead, he nods in understanding. 

“Dream was like that. He used to tell me how many crimes I committed, how dirty my hands were. He would, uh– hit me–” Tommy says with a nervous laugh. It’s the first time he’d said it out loud, the fact that Dream had hit him. Multiple times, actually, while berating him for being a monster and a menace. 

“Dear Prime, I thought that couldn’t get any worse.” Karl says miserably. “I– holy shit.” 

“Yeah, I remember Puffy saying that it’s illegal to hit children.” Tommy says nonchalantly. 

“Yes, that’s called child abuse.” Karl deadpans. 

“Really? That’s not what Dream said.” Tommy blinks. Well, that’s horrifying. Deep down, he knew it was wrong, everything that was happening, but in the moment he actually believed he deserved it. That his punishment was equal to the crime, that justice had somehow prevailed. 

Oh, how wrong he had been. 

“I’m going to throttle that green teletubby looking bitch the next time he shows his face around here.” Karl practically hisses out. “I don’t understand how he can sleep at night, I really don’t.” 

“I…” Tommy trails off, looking away. “I don’t know.” How can he believe he was right? How can he accept what he’s down as okay? It baffles Tommy, confuses him to no end. But he supposes some people just don’t have a conscience. 

Unless he was right and Tommy was wrong and–

No. No, he will not fall back into that mentality. Dream was wrong. Dream is wrong. Tommy is allowed to be hurt, he’s allowed to be affected, he’s allowed to work on healing. He takes in a shuddering breath. 

He should admit what his nightmare was about, come to think of it. 

“He knew about my off switch too. That’s what my nightmare was about.” Tommy says in a rush. “It’s why I… I wasn’t happy about– I don’t like it.” Karl’s eyes flicker with understanding, a dawning horror spreading through his gaze. 

“Oh.” He says, his voice hoarse. “That’s…” He trails off, pursing his lips, as if he knows what Tommy was going to say next. Is Dream’s pattern really that predictable? Tommy would laugh if it wasn’t so horrible. 

“Dream used to use it in exile.” Tommy admits finally, choosing his words carefully. “It’s… not pleasant to think about.” 

“Tommy, you’re misbehaving, that’s enough. You won’t listen? Fine.” 

Karl listens silently, his knuckles bone white around his mug. 

“If I didn’t listen, he would pick me up like that, y’know? And I don’t know what it is, but I can’t… I couldn’t fight it. It just added to the feeling of helplessness.” Tommy finishes, his words jumbled. Prime above, he hates talking about exile. He wishes he wasn’t so damn sensitive to the whole thing, but here he was. 

“I…” Karl trails off, staring at the contents of his mug blankly. “I’m so sorry.” Tommy shrugs, looking away. He hates how awkward he feels, the uncomfortable situation grating on his nerves. 

“It’s fine. I guess I’m just not used to it being used in a situation that isn’t trying to manipulate the fuck out of me.” Tommy says with a small laugh. Karl pushes his mug away, looking pale. 

“Prime.” He says, his voice colored in hopelessness. “I– we won’t–” 

“It’s… it’s not actually–” Tommy cuts him off, knowing exactly what he was going to say. Offer to not pick him up, offer to ignore the “off switch.” But strangely, he trusted Karl and Sapnap not to abuse the knowledge like Dream had. Maybe it was because Tubbo showed it to Sapnap, or maybe it was just the sheer kindness he’d been shown the past few weeks by them. 

“We really–” Karl starts to say again. Tommy shakes his head.

“It’s okay.” Tommy says with a small smile. “You guys trust me enough with your secrets, I know I can trust you with mine. Besides, it’s the only way to keep me from biting your fiancé.” Karl coughs, clearly hiding a laugh. 

“Fair.” Karl concedes, the time traveler sitting back. “I’m going to honking kill Dream.” Tommy laughs; not at the statement, but at his clear avoidance of saying fuck. The realization makes him laugh even harder, giggles wracking his body. Maybe it was the three AM buzz getting in his head, or maybe it was just funny. 

“I don’t understand,” Tommy says between wheezes, “why sometimes you say honk and sometimes you scream fuck .” Karl blinks, looking taken aback. He scoffs, which quickly de-evolves into cackling that mirrors Tommy’s own. 

“That’s– an excellent question–” He says, shaking his head. “I don’t know. It varies from day to day.” Tommy snorts, bowing his head.

“That is the stupidest reason to not swearing I’ve ever heard.” Tommy snaps back. “Just scream fuck. Come on, do it now.” Karl gives him an incredulous look. 

“Do you want me to wake Sapnap up?” He asks, raising a brow. Tommy shrugs. 

“I dunno. Maybe he’s already awake.” He suggests. “Like, maybe you tripping over the chair woke him up.”

“Don’t jinx it.” Karl says with a sigh. “But I doubt it, he could sleep through anything. He slept through–” He breaks off, looking forlorn. Tommy leans forward, curious. 

“Sleeps through what?” He prods, his bad memory senses tingling. Karl shakes his head sharply, clapping once. His yellow eyes flash, the shine a little less bright. 

“Nope, that’s enough trauma dumping for tonight.” He says decisively. “Moving on, what is it with you and the grass?” As much as Tommy would love to get into what makes grass grass, he also wants to hear the trauma storyline from Karl.

“C’mon, I trauma dumped, it’s your turn.” Tommy pouts. “Please?” Karl shakes his head.

“Nope.” He says, popping the p. “I’m not getting into that story because I’ll start bawling at three in the morning. Besides, I also ranted about time traveling already.” 

“You cried last night when you vented about time traveling.” Tommy points out, his voice a deadpan. “Is there a difference tonight?”

“I have more blood cells and a clearer head.” Karl retorts. “I’m not telling you the story, and that’s that.” Tommy sits back in his seat, a pout crossing his face. 

“Fine, then I’ll go get Sapnap up and ask him to ask you.” He threatens. Karl stands up sharply, the genuine panic on his face enough to make Tommy wonder if he crossed a line. 

“Don’t.” Karl says, his voice hoarse. “Please. I’m not ready to tell him about that yet.” 

“Then why don’t you start by telling me?” He asks tentatively. Karl worries his lip, distress clear in his eyes. It reminds Tommy of how he was talking about exile, in a way. Unsure of the damage he would cause, unsure of the reaction. He tries to give Karl a warm smile, an attempt to reassure him that it’s okay.

“I–Uh.” Tommy starts. “I know it takes time getting used to talking about these major traumatic events and shit, but Puffy always said it’s better to start getting it out instead of bottling it all in.” Karl nods numbly, sitting back down heavily. 

“Okay, well.” Karl wrings his hands together. “I guess tonight is a trauma dump night, huh?” 

“Yeah.” Tommy agrees. “And that’s okay. Chocolate is good therapy.” 

“Alright, okay.” Karl looks past Tommy, his eyes slightly unfocused. “The Wild West wasn’t– I didn’t die, but someone else did. Someone else who… looked… he looked– he–” Karl breaks off, clutching the counter. “I killed Sapnap. Not Sapnap, his name was Mason. But I killed him.”

“Oh.” Tommy says faintly. “That couldn’t have been easy.”

“I didn’t have a choice.” Karl says, although he doesn’t sound convinced. “But I got home, and that night I had a full blown breakdown after waking up from a nightmare about that. It’s amazing that Sapnap managed to sleep through it. I’m glad he did, it would have been too awkward to try and explain what happened. I guess I could have used losing my first life as an excuse since that happened around that time too, but–” He breaks off, hurried words finally stilling. 

“Prime, this sounds like psychological torture at this point.” Tommy swears. “Does the Inbetween do this on purpose? Does it know what will happen?”

“I don’t know.” Karl confesses. “I don’t think I want to know.” He stares at his drink, his hands shaking. 

“We’re both kind of disasters, aren’t we?” Tommy asks. 

“I think that’s an appropriate way to describe it, yeah.” Karl concedes, laughing softly. He shakes his head, as if pushing the memory away. “I’m not ready to tell Sapnap about that part of the Wild West. It’s– It’s bad enough he knows that one of his doppelgangers killed me. I don’t want to talk about the time I killed him.”

“That’s fair.” Tommy says with a nod. “You know it’ll be fine at the end of the day, right?” He hates that saying, but he really hopes it can provide comfort in the moment. He hated hearing it during the L’manburg war, but during exile he thinks he would have killed for someone to whisper that quiet reassurance. 

“I hope so.” Karl murmurs, so soft that Tommy strains to make out his words. “I really hope so.” 

-

Wilbur’s been looking for his brother for two weeks and three days. 

Not that he’s been counting. He’s not worried, not at all. Tommy isn’t even his real brother! Just some kid he got stupidly attached to, and now can’t find anywhere. 

He’s not frustrated, not at all. He doesn’t care! Tommy’s been acting weird around him lately, as if he’s done something wrong. He knows he’s missed the past… good amount of time, but he’s back now. 

Tommy had followed him around for a bit, but after visiting Las Nevadas, he vanished. Wilbur hadn’t worried until he didn’t reappear. He found it funny that Dream had broken out right around the time he started to worry. Wilbur can’t figure out for the life of him why the timing matched like it did. 

Maybe it was just the way Tommy got all tense when Wilbur mentioned him? Which was odd; Dream had brought him back. He had no reason not to like the man, right? Wilbur didn’t, at least. Maybe something happened when he was deadish, but surely it couldn’t have been that bad, right? 

He shakes it off, walking down Prime Path. The wooden planks echo under his feet. It was so nice to see the trees after being surrounded by concrete for literal years. He likes being alive much better than being dead. 

Wilbur had been wandering the server for the past few days, exploring all the new areas that have popped up. L’manburg is completely gone; Phil and Techno finished his work. Wilbur still wonders if it’s a good thing or not. He suspects it’s somewhere in the middle. 

He steps through the Nether portal, feeling the rush of heat as he exits the realm. He’d been following the trails, just exploring. He had hoped he would have encountered Tommy by now, but so far he was still missing. 

Wilbur blinks as harsh sunlight meets his eyes, reflecting off of the too bright snow. He shields his eyes, doing a full three sixty. Oh, he realizes, this must be Snowchester. 

He hasn’t been here yet. He’d been hoping to check it out with Tommy, but the kid vanished before they could go. Now Wilbur was here, on the outskirts of the territory, alone. 

He starts to walk toward the town, when a small building catches his eye. It’s not all that big, but still looks nice. Wilbur walks over to it, gently opening the picket gate. He can see a sign hanging in front of the door, words grinning back at him. He steps closer, narrowing nis eyes as he attempts to make them out. 

“Puffy’s Pastries… plus therapy.” He reads the words, staring at the snow covered sign. “Huh.” He’s about to knock on the door, when he hears someone clear their throat behind him. Wilbur turns, seeing a very disgruntled Puffy staring back. 

“Wilbur.” She greets coolly. “I see you found Snowchester.” 

“I did!” He says, forcing a smile across his face. “How have you been?” Puffy says nothing, instead pushing her way past him.

“What’re you doing here?” She asks bluntly. “Don’t you have somewhere else to be? Like blowing up a city?” Ouch. Clearly, not all crimes have been forgiven. Wilbur drops his smile, sighing. 

“I’m looking for Tommy.” He admits finally. “He’s been missing for a little bit, I’m just kind of worried.” Puffy raises a brow, leaning against her door. 

“He left you? That had to hurt. Probably as much as being stabbed.” Puffy quips. 

“Damn, why are you being so mean to me?” Wilbur asks, only half joking. 

“From what some people have told me, you’re not someone I really want to be engaging with.” She says. Wilbur rolls his eyes. He’s not surprised, but could people give him the benefit of the doubt? He has no plans to set anything on fire yet. 

“I just want to find Tommy.” He says finally. “Please.” Puffy turns away completely. Wilbur taps her shoulder again, his irritation boiling over. “Puffy, where the fuck is Tommy.” He says softly, reaching for his sword. The sheep hybrid looks rather unimpressed.

“I don’t know.” She deadpans. “And honestly, I wouldn’t tell you either way.” 

“What!” Wilbur exclaims, so shocked he drops his weapon. “Why?” Puffy flips the “closed” sign over her door as she steps inside. 

“Patient-therapist privacy, sorry.” She snaps. “Go bother someone else.” Wilbur opens his mouth to say more, only for the door to be slammed in his face. 

“Well.” He says to himself, blinking. “That went well.” Wilbur sighs, turning away. He wracks his brain, trying to think of someone who would know where Tommy is. He paces the sidewalk, muttering to himself in hushed tones. 

“Oh!” He snaps his fingers, standing up sharply. He knows just the people! Even if they don’t know exactly where Tommy is, he bets they’ll be willing to help look. Wilbur takes off down the path, headed for the main city. 

He’s been meaning to pay Tubbo a visit anyway. 

Chapter Text

When Tubbo woke up, he wasn't expecting a knock on the door. But life has a way of subverting his expectations, usually for the worse, so he can be forgiven for panicking a bit when Michael pulled on his sleeve with a grunt and he opened his eyes to a concerned Ranboo holding the piglin. 

"Wh'ssup?" He mumbled, peeling his face from where it was buried in his arms. He'd pulled an all nighter again, still working on plans for Snowchester. Winter is coming fast, and they live in a snowy taiga, where snow coats the ground and the days are cold all year round. Tubbo can imagine the snowstorms and freezing cold winter will bring. They'd have to make a lot of preparations for food stores and ways to keep warm. Tubbo knows Ranboo hates when he neglects sleep for work, the ender hybrid has hated his horrible self care habits since they'd met back in New L'Manburg. He still has foggy memories of Ranboo standing awkwardly in his office, recommending that Tubbo go to bed and leave the piling stacks of paperwork for the morning when he was a bit more lucid. Tubbo had ignored him then, and he still does now.

"Good morning." Ranboo says, and Tubbo smiles up at him, still barely awake. 

"Any reason why I'm being woken up?" Tubbo asks with no real bite to the question, just general curiosity. Usually Ranboo lets him sleep in when he pulls an all nighter, insisting he gets some sleep while lamenting about his fucked up sleep schedule.

"Well- uh, Wilbur’s outside and I've kinda been keeping him waiting for the past ten minutes-"

Wait a fucking second .

Tubbo scrambles to his feet, pushing past Ranboo and rushing down the stairs to the front door, where after a peek outside one of the mansion's large windows revealed that yes, his adopted brother was sitting right outside patiently. The man occasionally spared a glance at the door, but for the most part seemed content sitting at their doorstep and seemingly enjoying the view. 

Tubbo noticed Ranboo behind him, the hybrid giving him a reassuring glance as he held a curious Michael in his arms. Tubbo knew Wilbur was aware of their marriage, Ranboo letting it slip when he'd been forced to bring Michael with him to work at Wilbur's burger van while Tubbo locked himself in his workshop to repair Your Tommy. Part of him was afraid at what Wilbur would do with the knowledge of their marriage and son, but luckily for them the man didn't seem to care all that much.

Taking a deep breath, Tubbo prepares himself to open the door. He has an idea for why Wilbur would be visiting, and he'd rather just get it over with. As soon as his hand touched the doorknob with a soft rattle, scrambling was heard outside, and Tubbo opened the door to Wilbur attempting to casually stand as if he hadn't been outside for the past few minutes. Who knows how long he'd been waiting outside, honestly. 

"Tubbo!" Wilbur greets with a smile that Tubbo doesn't bother with returning. Michael is really the only one who has a positive reaction, clapping his hands with a grin as a hello that Wilbur returns with a wave. 

"Cut to the chase, Wilbur." Tubbo says, focusing on his brother instead of his son's antics. "Why are you here?"

"Oh." Wilbur sighs, a hint of disappointment in his eyes. "Alright! I was wondering if you knew where Tommy was, I haven't seen him in a while."

"He's nowhere!" Ranboo quickly says before Tubbo can even think of a reply. Wilbur tilts his head, and Tubbo rubbed the bridge of his nose in exasperation. 

"Well, I mean- maybe I've seen him.. and I just.. forgot, y’know?" Ranboo quickly corrects, and Tubbo almost faceplants, quickly speaking up before Ranboo can be even more suspicious.

"He means we haven't seen him, not since Dream escaped." He says, keeping his voice steady to avoid any further suspicion from Wilbur. He knew his brother better than Ranboo does, trusting himself to handle the situation far more than he trusts his husband. Right now he only had one goal, and it was for Wilbur to fuck off without any information on Tommy. His best friend had only begun settling in with Sapnap and Karl in their whole mushroom kingdom (Tubbo still thinks burning a mushroom to check the drug levels was necessary), Tubbo wasn't going to take this second chance from him.

"Are you sure?" Wilbur asks, staring at him with a bit of desperation. "He's been avoiding me even before that, I thought you'd at least have some idea. He.. he trusts you two far more than he trusts me right now."

As he should, Tubbo thinks bitterly, yet he kept his anger at the man to himself. He can feel shit about his broken family when his older brother isn't right there.  

"Did you check his house? The house he has.. yeah? With like.. flowers.." Ranboo asks, and Tubbo wishes he could tell the ender hybrid that he's clearly trying but that he should leave the interaction to Tubbo himself. 

"I did." Wilbur says. "He isn't there, the place seems like it's been empty for a while ."

"Tommy is always welcome in Snowchester, he knows he can come stay over whenever. So if we see him, we'll alert you. How's that sound?" Tubbo offers, internally begging that Wilbur just agree and leave so he can alert Tommy and have a very long nap. Michael's naptime will be soon anyway, Tubbo can take a page out of his son's book and pass out on the couch for a few hours. 

Wilbur seems to think over the deal for a few moments, silently deep in thought. 

"Alright!" He finally decides. "And if you see Tommy around, tell him I'm looking for him."

"We sure will!" Ranboo says, forcing his voice to be extra cheerful as if Wilbur was a particularly entitled customer at the burger van. 

"Thanks!" There's a smile on Wilbur’s face as he turns around and approaches the door. Tubbo's shoulders sag in relief and Ranboo lets out a couple vwoop sounds. 

"Well, we should probably message Kinoko to let Tommy know Wilbur is-" Ranboo begins before pausing and realizing that while he'd heard the sound of the front door opening, it never closed. Tubbo slowly turned to see Wilbur hurriedly shutting the door and the sound of feet running on snow.

"He heard me say that, didn't he."

-

Tommy thinks it's scary how things calm down in Kinoko. Maybe the mushrooms just emit drugs and the entire kingdom is high at all times, no arson is even needed. Karl had almost died just a few days ago, and already they were all back to acting as if nothing happened. As if the time traveler wasn't- well, a time traveler. 

Even with how hectic things have been in the recent few days, Tommy still finds himself curled up on the sofa next to Karl as the man downs some sweet hot chocolate. Tommy’s own glass of the warm drink is resting on the coffee table, filling the room with the sweet aroma of chocolate.

It almost stifles the terrifyingly strong smell of George's coffee from the pits of hell, that the man had drunk five whole mugs of. Tommy was almost fully certain some divine intervention was involved. Even with the goggles Tommy could feel George's eye twitching from the mass amounts of caffeine he practically inhaled. 

After cursing the kitchen with the smell of coffee and refusing to wash his fucking dishes George had promptly left to go do whatever he does most days. Tommy thinks it might just be falling asleep in random places. Terrifying, considering the amount of caffeine in the man's bloodstream. 

Sapnap had left soon after him, claiming that as the head of Kinoko's military, he had to patrol the borders. Karl had called him paranoid, but Tommy knew it was sarcastic. Karl was just as paranoid as Sapnap, just better at hiding it.

Tommy was a bit scared too, if he's going to be honest with himself. Dream is out there, planning for something . Tommy didn't know what, but he wished he knew the man as well as Dream knew him. The masked man knew everything there was to Tommy. His biggest fears, every single one of his attachments, and the best ways to make him break. Revival had only strengthened the tether keeping Dream in Tommy’s life, and part of Tommy knew that even Kinoko could never keep him safe from his tormentor forever. He knew that every time something was right, that something was good, it would be taken cruelly from his arms, every hint of safety ripped away.

Tommy didn't want that for Kinoko. He couldn't, wouldn't lose a home again. 

But he decided against burdening Karl and Sapnap with his spiraling thoughts, instead only humming a tune to himself. Wilbur used to do it, humm when he was nervous. Tommy thought it was an amusing habit, an easy tell for his brother's emotions, but he began to hate it when he'd be able to pick up Wilbur’s tired voice humming in the silent emptiness of Pogtopia, the sound bouncing off the cramped walls of the ravine. Tommy thinks it's sad yet funny how he's picked up the habit now, they really are alike.

Both him and Karl were content to sit in comfortable silence, relishing in the almost domestic scene, the sliver of a moment where nothing could go wrong.

Tommy heard footsteps outside.

"-Just let me fucking see him!" A voice Tommy could immediately recognize hissed, followed by the sounds of some struggle. Tommy perked up immediately, both him and Karl getting to their feet immediately as the door opened to reveal Sapnap, hand grabbing Wilbur’s trenchcoat by the collar.

Wilbur’s face instantly turned from enraged to relieved and overjoyed as his eyes landed on Tommy, walking forward to greet him.

“Hey Tommy! what’s new-" Wilbur began, before glaring at Karl who tried to come closer, changing from cheerful to murderous. " Get the fuck away from him. " 

To Karl's credit, he only took one step back instead of fucking running like any normal person would. 

Wilbur didn't pay the time traveler any more attention, focusing on Tommy again. "I’ve been looking all over for you!” Wilbur steps closer to Tommy, arms open in an invitation for a hug. Tommy considers it for a moment, but steps back to Karl's side, keeping eye contact with Wilbur as he does.

Wilbur stays relaxed, yet the look in his eyes betrays everything and Tommy sees his hurt. “Why did you leave?” his brother asks.

“Cause I needed space.” Tommy says simply, glaring at Wilbur.

“Why?” 

“I don’t want to talk about it." Tommy hissed. "Just go away.” 

"Great! I’ll toss him out with the trash.” Sapnap says cheerfully, earning an almost stifled chuckle from his fiancé and a grateful look from Tommy for shifting the attention off him for a second. 

Wilbur glares at the demon as if he'd just cursed his entire family and Wilbur was now going to murder him in retaliation, but he somehow calms down and turns back to Tommy with a weak smile.

“Come on, Tommy. You can talk to me about anything!” Wilbur urges, and the knowledge that Tommy can't makes him clench his jaw. There were days where Wilbur’s words were true, where Tommy could stumble into the Camarvan with even a hint of a frown and Wilbur would stop everything and sit with him as Tommy spilled whatever was weighing his heart down. 

But Pogtopia tore a rift between them. Wilbur spiraled and spiraled and Tommy couldn't do anything, could barely sit down next to him on the bad nights and lean against him, pushing through the smell of cigarette smoke and blood.

Wilbur had changed. Exchanging words with him felt less and less natural and more like a game of chess, each word having to be calculated endlessly in his head before he even thinks of speaking.

"I can't. Not about this." Tommy says simply. 

Even with Wilbur being back, Tommy still couldn't sit down and talk with him, the words his brother had uttered on his first few days back in the mortal plane pushing him away.

"Dream is my hero, Toms!" His brother announced, spreading his arms with glee as the morning wind ruffled his hair for the first time in over a decade.

It hurt, it hurt like nothing more in the world did. Wilbur was there . As Ghostbur, but he was there. He had seen exile, more than anyone he was there to see Tommy break into a hollowed shell of the boy he had been before. 

He had seen it, yet still praised Tommy’s tormentor with a smile, still called Dream his savior.

Part of Tommy wondered if Dream was right when he had called him too dramatic, exaggerating what happened in Logstedshire and falsely claiming Dream had tortured him on that beach, that the man had only been trying to help him be good.

What did it mean if even Tommy’s brother still adored Dream?

“C’mon—“ Wilbur says, eyes pleading for Tommy to speak to him like they had before everything went oh so wrong.

Tommy closed his eyes, head pounding. He can't listen to him anymore. “No! Shut the fuck up, okay?" He yells, stepping forward until he is only an inch from Wilbur’s face. His eyes flashed with an ugly mix of rage and hurt as he met his brother's surprised gaze. "I don’t want to talk about Dream—“ 

Tommy paused, realizing what he'd just said. Wilbur did too, tilting his head. 

“What? What do you mean?” Wilbur asked, genuine confusion on his face. Tommy scoffs. Of course he wouldn't understand. "What does Dream have to do with you being in Kinoko Kingdom?" 

Wilbur turns to Karl, who had silently moved to Sapnap's side. "Did you fucking brainwash him? I knew all those mushrooms were suspicious." He spits. 

"They didn't have anything to do with it!" Tommy hissed, shifting Wilbur's attention back to him. "Your hero did." 

"Again with this?" Wilbur asks, brows furrowing. "I know you don't like him because of the whole disc thing-"

"That's not-" Tommy began, but was cut off by Wilbur again.

"But you're just being ungrateful at this point!"

Tommy froze. 

"God, Tommy. How ungrateful can you be? I'm the only one who visits, who speaks to you, the only one who ever cares about you anymore. You'd have died a thousand times over if it weren't for me." 

Swallowing the instinctual apology on his tongue, Tommy felt tears drip down his face. "Shut the fuck up, you don't know anything about what he's done-"

"I do!" Wilbur spat, raising his voice for the first time in their conversation. "He brought you back , he gave you another chance at life!"

"You don't understand limbo, Toms. you barely had enough time to even begin to understand it before you were revived." Wilbur said, voice barely above a whisper. "You don't know what it's like to be trapped in your personal hell for years .

"That doesn't fucking matter right now-"

"Dream saved you, Tommy! He pulled you away from the horrors of death and back to the real world!" 

"Shut up!" Tommy yelled, voice edging on hysterical as tears fogged his vision and trickled down his face, the taste of saltwater filling his mouth. He could see Sapnap clutching the hilt of his sword, hesitantly taking a step forward. 

"He was your savior! "

"He was my abuser! " Tommy screams, throat burning with the words as Wilbur closes his mouth, eyes widening in horror and rendered speechless as the realization of what Tommy had just said. Karl stiffens, and Sapnap stares at him, flabbergasted. 

"What?" Wilbur whispers, and Tommy comes to a terrifying realization.

Wilbur didn't know.

Chapter Text

Wilbur hadn't known.

He wasn't there for the horrors of exile, he doesn’t remember what Ghostbur had seen. The look of pure horror on his brother's face was enough for Tommy to understand that. He'd been afraid, oh so afraid that he was wrong and Dream was good, that the gentle touches and whispered comforts were real and not another way to dig deeper into Tommy’s heart so the masked man could tear it apart easier. 

He had been convinced that if even Wilbur could still praise the man, then there was a chance that Dream was right about Tommy exaggerating things. That he had gotten what he deserved.

Prime, he'd even stayed up entire nights wondering if he should go right back to the prison and to Dream's arms because Tommy must be the one in the wrong, and even if not Dream still stayed when everyone else left .

But things were fine . Wilbur hadn't known, and from his reaction he probably won't be too happy when he does know. Yet Tommy had immediately had the thought that Wilbur was right and Tommy was wrong, that Dream truly was his savior and not his tormentor. 

What the hell is wrong with him?

"Tommy..." Wilbur begins, voice wobbling. "What did he do to you?"

Tommy wants to answer. Tommy wanted to keep himself as strong as he can and just say it , speak of the suffering he endured at the hands of Dream, speak so that Wilbur could know and he could see his brother again without the looming knowledge that Wilbur was willingly on his tormentor's side.

Tommy didn't speak, however.

The moment his mouth opened, he laughed.

He fell on his knees, doubling over and clutching at the matted strands of his hair as his breath came out in short cackles that never seemed to stop . Breathing hurt, inhaling felt impossible past a few tiny gasps as the hysterics continued.

He was stupid . So, so stupid. He'd been considering going back to Dream all because of a few words from Wilbur who hadn't known . It hurt so bad, but he couldn't do anything but laugh at his own idiocy as tears rolled down his face.

Tommy feels himself choking, his laughs becoming more and more strained, burning his throat as he continues to gasp for air that barely came. At one point he realized his arms moved from scratching at his scalp to his arms, nails digging into the fabric of his cardigan and deep into his skin as he curled around himself. At one point his laughs died down, yet he still couldn't bring himself to breathe as he choked on the air and his tears. He sinks to his knees, his legs unable to support himself any longer. 

There was movement in the corner of his eye, someone being pushed aside as a familiar form knelt beside him. 

"Tommy?" Karl asks softly, his tone gentle. “You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.” Tommy blinks at him, his mind still swimming. He’s distantly aware of angry words being exchanged in the background. 

“You’ve done enough damage, get out—“ 

“I didn’t know! He never told me.” 

“What were you expecting? You were fucking praising Dream, of course he isn’t going to tell you.” 

Tommy squeezes his eyes shut, feeling his chest tighten again. He can’t breathe, it’s all too much. The reality of the matter settles in like a landslide, draining him of any energy and cascading through his mind with destructive force. 

“You’re alright, you’re safe.” Karl murmurs, his voice like a lighthouse in a storm. He knows, Tommy remembers. Tommy told him about exile, he knows why this is so hard for him to process. 

How could Wilbur have not known? He was there. 

But not really. Ghostbur was there, because Wilbur had been dead. Wilbur abandoned him then, going somewhere that Tommy could not follow. He tried , and the scars would stick with him for years to come. But the fact remained: Tommy lived, Wilbur died. 

Yet now Wilbur is back, and he doesn’t know what happened. 

Tommy keeps his eyes on the floor, refusing to look up and see the mess waiting. He can still hear Wilbur and Sapnap arguing; albeit, he did tune it out. Karl’s sitting next to him, patient and reassuring. Tommy doesn’t miss the tension in his stance as he shoots worried glances toward Wilbur, though. 

“I’m–” Tommy starts to say, fumbling his words. He curls his knees close to his chest, rocking back and forth. “I’m not a-alright.” The admission is clear, although it hurts to say. It took months for him to finally say it out loud. Even through his grief, his rants, his nightmares, he never said that he wasn’t alright. 

And now, it was all crashing down at once. Everything is reaching its breaking point, and Tommy just can’t take it anymore.

“That’s okay.” Karl murmurs, pulling him into a hug. Tommy melts into the time traveler’s embrace, yet finds himself unable to cry. He can’t bring the tears forth, although his eyes burn and his chest feels like it’s about to burst.

Wilbur doesn’t know.

It hurts Tommy. It hurts him to carry this knowledge. That Wilbur hadn’t known. Selfishly, he hopes that this knowledge cuts deep. Wilbur had been praising his abuser to his face.

But he hadn’t known about that part, because he didn’t have Ghostbur’s memories. Wilbur isn’t Ghostbur, he’s Wilbur. 

Tommy shudders, his shoulders sagging. He forces himself to relax, taking in a deep breath. He can feel his chest decompressing, some of the tightness uncoiling like a spring. He gently stands up, Karl helping him to his feet. 

Wilbur and Sapnap both freeze, their argument hanging in the air. The tension is palpable; Tommy tries to ignore it, but finds that it only makes matters worse. He started this argument, he’s the problem. 

Tommy shuts his eyes, shaking the thoughts off. He is not the problem, no. It’s Wilbur, who showed up without warning. He came and ruined the peace he’d found. This is not on Tommy. 

“Tommy?” Wilbur says, his voice hoarse. “I– what happened?” 

“Will you shut up for five seconds?” Karl snaps, his voice terse. “It’s a lot, be patient and give him time.” Tommy appreciates Karl defending him, but he knows he has to do this. If not for Wilbur, but for Sapnap, who’s confusion is clear as day. 

He at least owes Sapnap an explanation, seeing as Dream was his best friend. 

He can pretend this is for the demon, and the demon alone. Not for Wilbur, because–

Who is Tommy kidding? He wants Wilbur to know, if he’s being honest. He wants Wilbur to understand why Dream is horrible, he wants Wilbur to understand that the man is not a hero, not a savior, not an angel with the holiest intentions and best of missions. 

He wants Wilbur to know the heinous crimes he’s committed. He wants Wilbur to know that Dream is the reason he had to be revived in the first place, and the ledges Dream drove him to. 

Tommy needs Wilbur to know, for his own peace of mind. Then he can truly decide if he needs to cut Wilbur off for good, or if Wilbur is truly ignorant of history and just needs to be told the truth. 

Tommy leans against Karl, grateful for the support he’s offering. He knows about exile; he can help him. He knows this is going to be hard for Tommy to say, so he appreciates the hug the time traveler is giving him. 

“Okay.” He says slowly. “Please be patient, this is gonna be… I don’t know.” Tommy shudders, the horrible memories taking forefront in his mind. He’s going to have to push through the pain that’s about to hit him, he’s going to have to suffer through the explanation because the truth must be heard. 

“Take your time.” Karl says quietly. Sapnap has come to stand next to him, glaring daggers at Wilbur. Tommy steadies his breathing, counting to ten before continuing. He can do this. 

“Do you remember anything from being Ghostbur?” Tommy asks, almost afraid to hear the answer. Wilbur shrugs, looking uncomfortable at the question. 

“Bits and pieces.” He defers, pursing his lips. 

“Okay.” Tommy says, building his story. “Well, I was… I was exiled again, at one point.” He still finds it funny he lives in the same kingdom with the person whose house he burnt down. Times change, he supposes. 

“And that exile, it was mostly just me… and Dream.” He blinks rapidly, trying to keep it together as the memories threaten to consume him. The boat, taking him away from home. His compass, doomed to break. His cobble tower, the lava, it’s never his time to die. 

Sapnap tenses, as if already guessing where this is going. Wilbur looks confused, although thankfully he doesn’t say anything. 

“Dream wasn’t good.” Tommy deadpans, unable to find any other words to say. “He tormented me. He treated me like I was prey, something to be played with instead of a person. I don’t–” Tommy breaks off, words dying in his throat. Karl hugs him tighter, and Tommy takes a deep breath. 

“Are you okay?” Karl asks softly. Tommy manages to nod, swallowing thickly. 

“Yeah.” He says, his voice cracking slightly. “But I’ll be okay. Let me just–”  He shakes his head rigorously, clearing it. He’s okay, he’s safe. He’s in Kinoko, not in exile. Sapnap and Wilbur had both gone completely silent, twin shadows crossing both of their faces. 

“Dream would– he would take my stuff, blow it up. He was trying to teach me– discipline or train me or something.” Tommy continues, choosing his words carefully. “He would beat me up when I didn’t listen. I… I have the scars.” 

Tommy finds it harder and harder to keep talking. 

“He said stuff like he was my only friend, and then would tell me how bad of a person I was. He would hurt me just because he could, then hug me and tell me he was proud of me. I never– I never knew with him.” Tommy stands up straight, and Karl lets him go. He’s been silent the whole time, another thing Tommy’s grateful for. He appreciates the silent support. 

“I don’t… It’s hard to talk about.” Tommy manages to say. “But he hurt me, he treated me like a pet.” He spits out the last word. “And I can’t– Wilbur, he abused me. He hurt me, he manipulated me, he broke me. I’m just starting to heal.” He finishes, shuddering. 

For a minute, there is total silence. Processing what Tommy has just said, the horrors he’s faced. 

“Holy shit.” Sapnap says after an eternity of silence, eyes wide. Tommy looks away, his mouth dry. 

“I’m so sorry to have not told you, I just didn’t–”

“I’m going to kill Dream.” Sapnap practically snarls, his tail lashing. “I can’t believe– who does– he abused a child.” Tommy nods, worrying his lip. 

“Yeah.” He manages lamely. “I–” He’s cut off as the demon wraps him in a hug, practically lifting him off the ground. 

“I’m so, so sorry.” Sapnap whispers. “If I had known– oh Prime, I’m so sorry.” Tommy finds he can’t say anything, emotion welling up in his throat. He bites back a sob, instead hugging him back.

“It’s not your fault.” Tommy replies softly. “You saved me from him just a few weeks ago, you’ve already done so much.” Sapnap doesn’t say anything, gone completely silent. He gently lets Tommy go, stepping back in hollow shock. Karl is quick to take his hand, whispering soft words of reassurance to him. 

“Tommy…” Wilbur says quietly. Tommy risks a glance up, his breathing unsteady. He swallows thickly, kneading his fingers against his arms. “Dream– he–”

“He’s my abuser, Wil.” Tommy manages to say. “He’s not my hero, and he– he never will be.” Wilbur looks shell shocked, as if a bomb had ben dropped directly on his head. He shakes his head, shutting his eyes. 

“I’m so sorry, I had– I didn’t know.” Wilbur says, his voice broken. “I never would have– oh dear Prime, I’m so sorry.” Tommy wishes he could say it’s alright, but finds he can’t because it isn’t okay. 

What’s been said can’t easily be undone. It can’t be undone, the damage is irreversible. And yet, Tommy knows that doesn’t mean that Wilbur can’t grow from what he’s learned. 

“It’s not alright.” Tommy begins, sighing. “But you know and– and I think you– you do care, right? You don’t think Dream is–”

“No.” Wilbur says sharply. “I don’t care that he brought me back. He hurt you, and I am going to kill him for that.”

“Get in line.” Karl mutters. 

“Tommy, I don’t know how you can forgive me for what I’ve said, oh Prime.” Wilbur runs a hand through his hair. 

“You’re right.” Tommy finds himself saying, steeling his mind and forcing himself to keep talking. “But… Wilbur, I think… I could. If you show change, y’know? As long as you don’t go running back to him and… heal.” Tommy thinks he wouldn’t be able to show this understanding if he hadn’t lived it. If he hadn’t also been extended the grace through his own mistakes. 

“I want to.” Wilbur says firmly. “I… Prime, Tommy, I don’t know how to make it up to you, or prove it to you, I–” 

“It’s okay.” Tommy cuts him off, not unkindly. “I don’t know either, but I think I just need time.” 

“Makes sense.” Wilbur says, clearly at a loss for words. He shifts from foot to foot, looking away. Tommy doesn’t know what else to say– what else he can say. 

“Alright, here’s the deal.” Sapnap says, crossing his arm. Wilbur looks up, standing at rigid attention. Tommy steps away, standing closer to Karl, who’s said almost nothing during the entire conversation. He already knew everything, anyway. 

“Yes.” Wilbur says, his voice terse. “I can leave, that’s–”

“No.” Tommy says quickly, almost on instinct. Wilbur looks over at him in surprise, genuine shock flitting across his expression. Tommy isn’t sure why, but he still trusts Wilbur and still wants him around. “It’s okay, you could stay– if Sapnap and Karl are okay with it.” Tommy elects not to elaborate on why he wants Wilbur to stay– mostly because he doesn’t know himself. 

Or, if he’s being honest, why he wants Wilbur to stay.

It’s evident he has healing to do, too. He has pent up trauma that he needs to work through, and the world is not kind to people like him. To people like Tommy. 

Kinoko is, though.

Tommy’s come to the conclusion that being in Kinoko has helped him heal. He’s been able to live without fear of being taken by Dream. He’s been able to live in peace, without the pressures the greater Essempi brings. He’s been able to live without fear of war. He’s been able to live how he wants to live. 

And despite everything that Wilbur’s done, Tommy thinks it’s time that he finds some peace, too. 

Wilbur’s just a little broken like Tommy. Like everyone. He’s done terrible things, but the war, L’manburg; it’s all gone. It’s all in the past. It’s time to move on. 

“Okay.” Sapnap begins. “I don’t like you.” Under any other circumstance, Tommy might have laughed at how blunt Sapnap is being. But not now, when so much has happened, he can barely keep his eyes up and off the floor. 

“That is apparent.” Wilbur quips, his voice a deadpan. 

“But Tommy trusts you.” Sapnap continues, ignoring what Wilbur said. “And if he thinks you can live here and not wreck anything, then I’ll allow you to stay.” Wilbur’s expression flickers with relief, only visible for seconds. But Tommy doesn’t miss it and he’s happy to have provided that semblance of assurity. 

“Thank you–” Wilbur starts to say. 

“If.” Sapnap cuts him off, the demon holding his hand up. “If Karl agrees to it.” Tommy risks a glance in Karl’s direction. His expression had barely changed the entire conversation, yellow eyes betraying nothing. The time traveler had sat in silence, and now he had to make a decision. 

Tommy thinks it’s fitting. Karl’s the one who allowed him to stay the first time; surely he would let Wilbur stay, too? 

Then again, Karl knew about exile weeks before anyone else, and he knew that Wilbur had praised Dream for months. Karl had voiced no opinion on Wilbur, not even about his commonly known controversies. 

But Wilbur is undeniably more of an issue than Tommy had been. He’s a total wildcard in general, and the more Tommy thinks, the less he could blame Karl if he decides to throw Wilbur out. 

“Alright.” Karl says, looking Wilbur square in the eye. He’s voice is neutral, no emotion betraying his thoughts leaking into his tone. “Sapnap’s right; neither of us trust you, but Tommy does. And after everything he’s told me about exile, and what you’ve said, I can’t help but wonder why.” Tommy purses his lips, but keeps his mouth shut. 

He isn’t sure, either. Maybe it’s because he knows Wilbur didn’t have enough context to truly understand what had happened. Maybe it’s the residual brotherhood he’s holding on to and wants to revive. 

Tommy decides to ignore it for now. Future Tommy can address that issue if it comes up again. 

“But, against better judgment, I also agree with Sapnap on letting you stay.” Karl finishes. “But if you do anything to endanger anyone in the kingdom, we will have a problem.” Wilbur’s shoulders visibly sag, the tenseness leaving. 

“Thank you.” Wilbur says, quietly. “And– I’m sorry.”

“Then prove it.” Karl says simply. Wilbur flinches, but only slightly. Tommy looks away, silently agreeing with Karl. He certainly hasn’t forgiven Wilbur for the things he’s said– yet. Perhaps in time, he can, but he needs to heal first. Karl claps his hands, smiling, although it doesn’t reach his eyes. “You can stay in one of the vacant houses.” 

“Thank you.” Wilbur says again. He shifts awkwardly, looking away. “I’ll just… I’ll just go pick one.” 

“I’ll come with you.” Sapnap says immediately; it’s not an offer, rather than a demand. A line in the sand, made even clearer: Wilbur is allowed in Kinoko, but he must earn the trust back before he is welcome. 

And Tommy finds he is okay with that. 

He is silent until the front door shuts, Wilbur and Sapnap gone in an equal amount of silence. Karl says nothing, hands wringing together in a first show of anxiety. 

“Are you okay?” Karl finally asks, looking over at Tommy. 

“I think…” Tommy hesitates before fully answering. “I think I’ll be fine.”

“Recovery is a process.” Karl murmurs, and Tommy agrees in his mind. Healing takes time and patience. Everyone needs to go through it, and he hopes Wilbur can come out on the other side like Tommy slowly is: okay . 

“Do you want some hot chocolate?” Karl asks quietly. Tommy nods. 

“I could use some chocolate therapy right now.” 

-

Sapnap doesn’t ask about exile again, although Tommy asks if he’s okay after all of that. Sapnap shrugs, stating how he didn’t think Dream could stoop any lower than he already had. 

He promises to keep Tommy safe, and Tommy finds that he believes him wholeheartedly. 

-

It had been a collective decision not to tell Wilbur about Karl’s time traveling.

It had been easy to make, after all; no one truly trusted him yet, and Karl certainly wasn’t comfortable around him. So Kinoko as a whole agreed to not mention it.

Tommy found it easy to shift his vocabulary, although there were moments of uncertainty when Karl vanished into his library. Lots of covering up and lies and hurried half-truths. But Wilbur had enough sense not to pry, a small relief. 

Although, there were moments where Karl didn’t make it easy. Sometimes he would randomly jump and proclaim he remembered something, Other times, he would wince over a headache. Clearly, things with the Inbetween (that’s what Tommy thinks he called it) are in a weird, limbo like state. 

Tommy doesn’t pry, either. But he does spend more time in the library. He likes it there, with the low hanging lanterns and the leather bound books. Plus, he thinks it’s good for Karl to have some company. Sapnap visits frequently, although he continues to patrol the borders– even moreso, since Wilbur arrived. 

Tommy hasn’t seen evidence of Karl time traveling since he got stabbed, but there are moments where Tommy wonders if he has. Especially on days where he’s gone for hours, reappearing from behind some corner in the library when the sun was setting. 

One day, Karl came back frazzled, yellow eyes glazed over. He hadn’t stopped muttering words under his breath, incoherent and scared. Tommy wasted no time going to find Sapnap, leading the demon to the library. 

Tommy is just glad Karl isn’t bleeding out this time.

Tommy stands back as Sapnap steps closer to his fiancé, concern written across his face. The demon murmurs something, and Karl stops pacing. 

“It’s strange.” Karl mutters, absent minded. “I haven’t forgotten as much lately. And—“ He turns to Sapnap, clear words hesitant on his tongue. “And I’ve— what happened to Quackity?” 

Sapnap blinks, the demon’s eyes flashing with an emotion that Tommy cannot read. A heaviness, one that weighs him down. The same heaviness that Sapnap bore before he found out about Karl’s time traveling. 

Tommy decides to step out of the room. This conversation is not for his ears.

-

Tommy finds he doesn’t mind hanging out with Wilbur, now that he’s shut up about Dream. The switch was incredible; his love turned the animosity the second he found out what really happened. He’s already starting to trust him a little more, slowly believing he has the best intentions at his heart of hearts. 

He also hasn’t smoked once since he’s got here; maybe it’s lack of resources, or maybe he remembered how much Tommy hates it. It’s nice though, to see him begin to heal. After everything he’s been through, maybe he’s also realized it’s time to let the past die and move on. 

Either way, he finds that even two days after being reunited with Wilbur, Tommy’s at peace. He sits with him as he works on his house, cleaning it up and dusting away the cobwebs. He tilts his head, watching as he pins up new curtains. The memory of Sapnap burning the ones in the kitchen comes to his mind, and he can’t help but laugh. 

“What?” Wilbur gives him an incredulous look. 

“Please don’t set those on fire.” He says through a chuckle. “It happens too much here.”

“Is that a thing around these parts?” Wilbur asks, cracking a grin. Tommy snickers softly. 

“You could say that.” Wilbur laughs at that, and Tommy laughs with him. 

Wilbur doesn’t set the curtains on fire. Tommy’s proud of him, because to be honest, he’s the person Tommy would have thought would have burnt something down. 

Then again, he has Sapnap to compete with. Tommy smiles to himself, snickering. Two arsonists in the same kingdom. 

-

Three days after Wilbur moved into Kinoko, he asked about the mushrooms. 

“So, is this a drug kingdom?” He asks Tommy, his voice casual. Tommy blinks at him, biting back a laugh. 

“Three.. Two…One…” He counts under his breath. 

“Stop calling Kinoko a drug kingdom!” Sapnap shouts from the other side of the courtyard. 

“There’s your answer.” Tommy says with a smirk. Wilbur narrows his eyes, humming thoughtfully. 

“You see, that’s what we said about L’manburg.” He points out. Tommy’s eyes widen at the realization. He’s right. Tommy has never thought about it that way. They’d said that about L’manburg; all part of the lie to keep their country strong in the illegal business. 

“You’re right…” He trails off, deep in thought. “Maybe Kinoko is a drug kingdom, after all.”

“No!” Sapnap shouts again. Wilbur hums again. 

“That’s what a drug dealer would say.” 

-

George had been absent for Wilbur’s arrival, but his lack of shock at his presence surprised Tommy. 

George arrives in the main house after being absent for two days. He doesn’t comment on his disappearance, and nobody asks. But he does glance over at Wilbur, who’s standing stiffly in the corner of the communal kitchen. 

George and Wilbur had an interesting relationship. They’d been at odds every single conflict, yet Wilbur never expressed a distaste for him, not like Tommy once had. They’d never been at true odds, simply rivals by circumstance. 

“Hello, Wilbur.” He greets, walking past him. “What’s new?”

“Hi, George.” Wilbur says back, his voice tense. “Not much, what’s up with you?”

“Nice to see you alive again.” George hums, ignoring his question. “You aren’t here to blow anything up, right?” Tommy flinches at his bluntness, but Wilbur simply shrugs, shaking his head. 

“I’m kind of over blowing things up.” He says simply. 

“Cool.” George replies. “Welcome to Kinoko.” 

“Thanks.” Wilbur says with a smile, relaxing. George nods back, before sweeping out of the room, leaving Tommy to wonder what the hell he just witnessed. Wilbur, in a non-aggressive conversation? A non-aggressive conversation with someone who he’s fought against for years?

Maybe anything is possible.

-

“It’s funny.” Karl says, looking over at Wilbur and Tommy, light hearted bickering barely audible over his and Sapnap’s own quiet conversation. “How the truth has a way of fixing things.”

“Yeah.” Sapnap says, watching as Tommy dumps a bottle of water on Wilbur’s head. “I guess he really isn’t that bad, once you get to know him.” 

“Yeah.” Karl agrees, observing as the two laugh it off, softly shoving each other. “I think it’s nice how everyone is getting a chance to… recover. It just feels… peaceful.” Sapnap nods in agreement, intertwining his hand with Karl’s. 

“I truly hope things will stay this way.” Sapnap says, looking over at his fiancé. He smiles fondly, resting his head on Karl’s shoulder. “I love you.” 

“And I love you.” Karl murmurs back. Sapnap can’t help but feel as though things are truly good, and that everything just feels whole, and he is home . 

-

“Can I hug you?” Wilbur asks, after being in Kinoko for five days. Five days of talking, of healing, of conversations about what had happened. Five days of planning, of recovery, of deciding to make things right. 

Tommy looks over at him, tilting his head. He barely hesitates before answering. 

“Yeah.” Tommy walks over and embraces his brother in a hug; and for the first time in a very long time, he finds he can call Wilbur his brother while smiling. 

Chapter Text

The disaster starts on a perfectly ordinary day, as most disasters have a habit of doing. It takes a nice moment and completely ruins it, leaving behind a charred waste of what once was.

“For the last time, we are not taking Tubbo’s suggestion and setting a mushroom on fire.” Karl says, turning to Tommy. He’s carrying three or four journals, bringing them back to his library from safekeeping. Tommy decided to accompany him– and pitch his case for committing arson. 

“But it would be funny.” Tommy throws out. “And you know it would be funny.”

“I don’t want to find out if setting one of the mushrooms on fire would get the kingdom high.” Karl deadpans. Tommy snickers. 

“You know your fiancé is a pyromaniac, right?” He reminds him. “I bet he would want to set one on fire.”

“As I already told you and Tubbo: no.” Sapnap shouts from behind the hill, looking up from whatever project he’s working on. 

“Come on, it would be fun!” Tommy protests, throwing his hands up. “You know you want to!” The demon gives him an incredulous look. 

“It’s like you want to die again. Karl would kill us both.” He protests, a disbelieving laugh escaping him. 

“Answer the question.” Tommy demands. “Do you want to set a mushroom on fire or not?” 

“No comment.” Sapnap says, standing up from his post at the fountain. Tommy’s grin stretches wider, and he whirls on Karl. 

“Look, even your fiancé wants to–” Tommy begins to say. 

“I didn’t say that.” 

“--Set a mushroom on fire.” He elects to ignore Sapnap’s interjection. Karl fixes him with an unimpressed look. “We have to at least try.” 

“No.” Karl says flatly. “No, we don’t.” 

“What, are you anti-drugs or something?” Tommy asks with a pout. 

“Tommy, you shouldn’t be doing drugs.” Karl points out. 

“My home nation was founded on drugs.” 

“Second that. Can confirm.” Wilbur calls out. 

“I know, but you don’t need to keep–” Karl sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. “You know what? Just don’t set a mushroom on fire.” Tommy cackles, unable to help himself. 

“Fine, fine.” He agrees between wheezes. “For now.” 

“Tommy…” Karl trails off, shaking his head. He turns around walking toward his library. “I swear, I don’t–” 

His journals clatter to the ground, some of the loose papers caught in the wind. Tommy blinks, startled by the sudden movement. 

“Karl?” He asks, looking over at the time traveler. “Are you alright?” Karl had completely frozen, shock written across his features. 

“Quackity?” He says, peering down the path. “Is that- Quackity?” Tommy follows his gaze, his heart stopping. How is he here? 

Quackity was standing a few meters down the path, right where the buildings ended and the forest began. Same dark beanie, same scar, same everything. Last Tommy had seen him, he had been in Las Nevadas. Tommy hadn’t trusted him then, and certainly wasn’t sure he should be in Kinoko. Quackity eyes flashed with an unknown emotion as he studied Karl, yellow wings twitching slightly. He looks tense, on edge, and almost… hurt. Karl steps forward, about to run toward him. 

“I don’t think–” Tommy reaches out and catches his arm. Karl shrugs him off gently. 

“He’s our other fiancé.” Karl says, beaming. “It’ll be fine.” 

What. 

How did Tommy not know this? He glances down at Karl’s hand, and lo and behold, there are two rings on his finger. 

“Oh.” He says lamely. He steps back as Sapnap comes bounding over the crest, his expression morphing from shock to joy. He sprints past Tommy, skidding to a halt next to Karl. 

“Quackity!” Sapnap exclaims, pure happiness lacing his voice. “Where have you been? We haven’t seen you for months.” 

“I know.” Quackity says, his voice strangely dull. Tommy tilts his head, unease building in the pit of his stomach. Wilbur walks over the hill, blinking as he lays eyes on Quackity. 

“Oh no,” is all he says.

Karl approaches Quackity almost hesitantly, like he might spook him. Or he isn’t there at all, and it’s a collective hallucination. Tommy almost hopes it is, that he accidentally burnt one of the mushrooms and this is the consequence. 

Sapnap opens his arms as if to hug the avian, but Quackity steps back, shaking his head curtly. Karl steps back, clearly confused. Sapnap looks over at him, then back at Quackity. 

“Q, what’s–” He asks. 

“Nothing at all.” Quackity says coldly. “It’s just funny that you think you can hug me after ditching me for months.”

“We didn’t know where you were.” Karl says quietly. “Otherwise we would have come for you.” Quackity laughs, the sound bitter and hollow. Tommy glances up at Wilbur, who’s jaw has gone rigid. 

“That’s funny! But it’s fine. I just wanted to see Kinoko.” Quackity says, holding his hand up. “For closure, mostly. To see what you built without me.” 

“What are you talking about?” Sapnap asks, clearly confused. Wilbur tenses next to him, gently tugging Tommy back. 

“This won’t end well.” Wilbur whispers softly. “I would stand back.”

“Is he going to kill them?” Tommy asks, horrified and already leaping into motion. 

“Not yet.” Wilbur replies. “Not now. But there will be yelling.” 

“So killing is on the table?” Tommy gasps out, eyes widening. Wilbur holds a finger to his lips, shaking his head once. 

“Well, I mean, you abandoned me and El Rapids to build this place, and I must say it does look nice.” Quackity says, looking around. “I can almost understand why you would want to ditch our old home for this!” 

“Wait, you aren’t making any sense.” Sapnap says, the demon confused. He holds up his hands. “This place was meant for you, too.” Quackity snorts. 

“That’s the first I’m hearing of it.” The avian snaps bitterly. 

“Didn’t I invite you?” Karl asks, tilting his head. “I could have sworn I did.” Tommy glances between him and Quackity, the avian practically glowering at him. His face twists into anger, scar distorted as he straightens up. 

“No, you fucking didn’t.” Quackity spits back, his words laced with loathing. “You must have forgotten, right?” It all clicks at once. Karl’s eyes widen, hand flying to his mouth in shock. Tommy inhales sharply, stepping back. 

“Shit.” Karl whispers. “Oh no. No, no, no, I couldn’t have.” Sapnap turns to him, stepping away. 

“You don’t– Karl, did you forget him?” Sapnap asks, an almost distraught version of awe coloring his tone. “Please tell me–”

“No, no, I couldn’t have. I haven’t forgotten anything that important, I–” Karl rambles to himself. 

“Oh, so I’m unimportant.” Quackity deadpans. “And you forgot about me.” Tommy steps back, grabbing Wilbur’s arm. Wilbur looks away, shoulders sagging. 

“I knew this wouldn’t end well.” Tommy whispers to him miserably. “I could see it in his eyes.” 

“I know.” Wilbur whispers back. 

“No! That’s not what I meant at all!” Karl cries back, shaking his head fervently. “No, you don’t understand–” 

“You’re right, I don’t.” Quackity snarls, turning away. “Thanks for confirming everything though. At least you could do that for me.” 

“Wait, please.” Karl begs. “I can explain, just–”

“Shut up.” Quackity snaps. “I don’t care, nor do I want to hear whatever half assed explanation you have. Because there is no fucking excuse for this.” 

Tommy watches Karl’s expression crumble. He reaches forward, as if to bring Quackity back, but stops. Sapnap doesn’t, instead running forward and catching the avian’s arm. 

“Please, listen to us for a second, I promise it’ll all make sense.” Quackity studies the demon for a moment, and for a shining second, Tommy thinks it’ll turn out okay. That three will be able to work it out and heal. 

“Let go of me.” Quackity yanks his arm free, disdain flickering in his gaze. “Just leave me alone. You’ve hurt me enough today.” He turns away and glides out of Kinoko, leaving behind a world of damage in his wake. 

-

“I have to tell him!” Karl gasps, sitting up against the white pillar. “I need to tell Quackity about Kinoko.” The Inbetween listens, as usual. Karl knows it can hear him, and it responds in its own strange fashion. Although, it’s silent this time. He finds that he doesn’t mind the odd lack of response to his newest statement. 

Karl walks to the portal, glancing behind him. He can make out the great tree behind him, reaching toward the sky with pristine white leaves and pearl colored branches. He feels a strange foreboding as he steps through the portal, shutting his eyes as air rushes around him. 

He exits the portal in his library, as usual. He writes his journal, as usual. He climbs his ladder, into a new home. Karl steps out of the library, breathing deep. The alcoves of the forest are safe, away from the conflict that the rest of the Essempi brought. Kinoko is away from the violence, away from the war. 

He likes it much better. He’s already lost one life; why put himself at risk in a situation where he can lose more? 

Karl feels a nagging in the back of his mind as he stares out at the construction. He narrows his eyes, confused. Something tugs the threads of his brain, giving him a headache. 

“Wasn’t I supposed to do something?” Karl murmurs to himself, furrowing his brow. He wracks his brain, but all he can conjure are fuzzy images. Three rings, yellow feathers, gold tooth. 

He shakes his head, blinking. He’s sure he’ll remember later. 

-

Tommy stares blankly at the Nether portal, not quite understanding what he just witnessed. 

Quackity was gone, his angry mumbling and all. He hadn’t said anything as Tommy trailed him to the portal, if he even noticed his presence. He just stepped through the portal, and was gone. 

And left ruins in his wake. Tommy turns and sprints back to the main kingdom, practically tripping over himself to return. He doesn’t know why he wants to go back; he can feel the storm brewing as sure as the tempest that forms overhead. Funny, it had been clear twenty minutes ago. 

“I don’t know how I forgot!” Karl’s voice is loud, echoing from the fountain. “I just did, okay? I warned you! I said the Inbetween was taking away my memory–” Tommy bursts out from the trees, skidding to a halt next to Wilbur. 

“This is not good.” Wilbur whispers to him, genuine concern in his voice. “Also, what’s the Inbetween?”

“Not now.” Tommy whispers back. He knows Wilbur is better, but if he can keep the time traveling a secret, he will until Karl’s ready to tell him. It’s not his secret to spill… although it may very well come out by accident through this argument. 

“I didn’t realize it was this fucking bad!” Sapnap shouts back, running his hands through his hair. His tail is lashing, the normally ebony color looking… oranger than usual. Tommy swallows thickly, glancing back at Karl. He’s clutching his head, looking anywhere but at Sapnap. 

“I’m sorry!” Karl snaps back. “Neither did I because I couldn’t remember!” 

“You should have told me sooner!” Sapnap throws his hands down in frustration. “You should have told me when this first started!”

“What don’t you understand about I couldn’t .” Karl says, his tone anguished. “The Inbetween would have–” 

“I don’t care about what it would have done, because clearly the memory problem is bad enough to make you forget a person you loved.” Sapnap spits back. “You didn’t just ruin it for you, you– this whole thing ruined it for me, too!” 

Silence. Utter, complete, horrible silence follows his words. Karl stares at him, mouth parted slightly. His yellow eyes, even paler than usual, flicker with understanding and guilt. He doesn’t even respond to Sapnap’s words, instead turning around and yanking the door to their house open. He steps inside without a word, slamming the door behind him. 

Shit, is all Tommy can think. 

“Wait, no, I didn’t–” Sapnap says suddenly, reaching forward. Tommy darts in front of him, despite Wilbur calling him back. 

“Give him a second.” He advises quietly. “‘Cause that might have been too far.”

“I didn’t mean it like that.” Sapnap whispers back, the demon looking away. His face is flushed with shame. 

“What did you mean?” Tommy asks, not unkindly. He doesn’t disagree that Karl should have told Sapnap much sooner, but he also understands the fear of the following consequences. Karl didn’t know what the Inbetween would do to him if he told anyone. So Tommy can’t really blame him for staying quiet about the time traveling on the same token. 

It’s just fucked up all around, he decides. 

“I don’t know.” Sapnap mutters back, his voice utterly broken. “I didn’t… I don’t…”

“Take your time.” Tommy says patiently. “I’m not moving until you figure it out, because you need to cool off before you go talk to him again.” Sapnap is silent for a moment, the demon gnawing on his lip. 

“I guess I just don’t understand.” Sapnap says finally. “How he could keep that all to himself, and not tell anyone. That he carried this secret of…” he glances at Wilbur, “ it, but it still took his memories. He does everything it asks, but it still takes everything from him.”

“Then you need to tell him that.” Tommy says firmly. “Instead of saying that he ruined everything.”

“I didn’t mean that at all.” Sapnap mutters. “Quackity should have listened to him, and I…”

“It’s no one’s fault, okay?” Tommy says firmly, patting his arm. “It’s just a fucked up situation that had really nasty consequences.” The demon doesn’t look entirely convinced, but he nods anyway.  

“Yeah.” He breathes out slowly. “I’m worried, and it’s…”

“I know.” Tommy says. He glances toward the door, stepping aside. “Okay, as long as you promise to stay calm, I’ll let you in.”

“It’s my house, y’know.” Sapnap says, slightly amused. Tommy’s glad he can bring a little humor to the situation; he thinks it’ll help everyone recover, or at least have the strength to keep going. Sapnap opens the door slowly, hesitantly crossing the threshold.

“Wow, that was actually really good.” Wilbur scampers up to stand next to Tommy, following him inside. 

“I learned from Puffy.” He says with a shrug. “Besides, I wasn’t lying about anything I said.”

“I know.” Wilbur says. “And that’s even more impressive.” Tommy can’t help but beam at him, grateful for his praise. 

“Karl?” Sapnap’s voice floats down the stairs. “Can I talk to you?” Tommy leaps up the flight, practically skipping all the steps. Please, come on, say yes, you two can be fine, just talk it out for a second. 

“No.” Karl’s voice is cold, the hurt painfully obvious. 

“Please? I’m really sorry.” Sapnap replies softly, genuine tenderness lacing his tone. Nothing meets his words, Karl clearly ignoring him. Sapnap bounces on the balls of his feet. Tommy counts in his head, waiting for the demon’s patience to run out. 

“Karl!” Sapnap knocks on the door just as Tommy reaches fifteen. “I’m sorry for yelling, come on. Please talk to me?” Wilbur and Tommy exchange a glance behind his back. The three stand in terse silence for what feels like an eternity, an imaginary clock in Tommy’s head ticking. Finally the door opens a crack.

“I don’t want to talk to anyone right now.” Karl says tightly. Tommy can see his hand trembling on the door, his eyes hooded. He moves to shut the door, but Sapnap catches it, yanking it open. 

“Please.” Sapnap says softly, although his voice is tense. “Just let me in.” Karl doesn’t seem to register either Tommy or Wilbur’s presence, instead wholly focusing on Sapnap. He stares the demon down, before nodding.

“Fine.” He steps away from the door, allowing Sapnap in. Tommy ducks in after the demon; Wilbur stays on the threshold. Wise, an easy escape if things turn sour.

“Karl, I need to know what’s going on.” Sapnap says slowly, as if not to scare him. “And… and what happened.” 

“You heard what happened.” Karl says bitterly. “I forgot, and Quackity was upset. I messed up, okay? I know I did, don’t make me feel worse than I already do.”

“That’s not the goal here.” Sapnap says, his voice rising slightly. Tommy swears he can feel the temperature of the room rising with it. Wilbur steps further away, looking mournfully down the hallway. 

“Then what is?” Karl demands. “Why can’t you leave me alone right now, huh?” 

“Because I want to make sure you’re okay.” Sapnap replies evenly. 

“Great, I’m just fine. Now leave me alone.” Karl mutters, turning away. Sapnap clenches and unclenches his fists; Tommy can practically feel the irritation rolling off of the demon.

“Clearly not since you forgot about our fiancé.” Sapnap says, painfully straightforward. Wilbur’s eyes widen almost comically as Tommy steps back. Holy shit. Karl freezes, his shoulders tensing. 

“I didn’t forget him.” Karl says, although he doesn’t sound convinced in the slightest. 

“Well, you forgot to tell him about Kinoko.” Sapnap responds. 

“Sapnap–” Tommy starts, feeling the need to interject. 

“If your goal is to make me feel worse, then you’re succeeding.” Karl says, rapidly blinking his eyes. Tommy can see the tears glistening, threatening to spill over at any second. Sapnap’s breath hitches slightly. 

“That’s not–” The demon starts to say. 

“I swear, I thought I told him!” Karl cries, his voice laced in desperation. “Please, you have to believe me–”

“We do.” Sapnap soothes, his voice dropping immediately. “I’m not mad at you, I promise.” Tommy bites his tongue, not wanting to voice his thoughts. Bullshit, based on what you just said. Karl jolts his chin up, glancing over at Sapnap. His eyes glisten with unshed tears, a clear sign to his misery. 

“You don’t have to lie.” Karl spits back, his eyes flashing with hurt. “You can be mad at me, I’m mad at me.” Tommy can’t fathom what he must be feeling now. He can’t fathom what anyone is feeling right now, save for himself. 

All he can really say is that the situation is fucked. 

“This is my cue to leave.” Wilbur whispers to Tommy. He nods, watching as exits the room. He hears the front door open moments later, indicating that he is gone. Smart decision, Tommy thinks ruefully. But he wants to be here to help Karl and Sapnap, if he can do anything at all. 

“I’m not lying.” Sapnap says softly. “I really, really, am not lying.” Karl scoffs, turning away. 

“I think I need to be alone for a minute.” He says flatly. Sapnap shakes his head. Tommy glances between the two, melting into the shadows. If Sapnap leaves, he will too. But he really thinks Karl shouldn’t be left alone right now. 

“No.” Sapnap says firmly, voicing Tommy’s thoughts. “Right now, you need someone to be around.” 

“I don’t need a babysitter.” Karl snaps. “I’m not going to do anything.” 

“I’m your fiancé.” Sapnap points out. “And I care about you. You’re hurting right now, let me help you.” 

“Like you aren’t hurting either!” Karl retorts without missing a beat. “I fucked up, I ruined everything.”

“Stop.” Sapnap pleads with him. Tommy steps closer to the door. Maybe he should go. 

“Why?” Karl asks miserably. “I’m right. I ruined it, I forgot, and–, and–” He breaks off, a choked sob escaping him. He turns away, a clear attempt to hide his tears. 

“It’s okay.” Sapnap whispers, stepping closer to him. “It’s okay–” 

“No. No. Oh, sweet Prime.” Karl whispers, cutting him off with horror written across his face. “I thought– oh dear fuck, I fucked up. This can’t be happening.” He buries his face in his hands, curling into a ball. Tommy looks at Sapnap, who nods his head to the door. His eyes are distraught, exhaustion clear. 

Oh, Prime. This really isn’t good. 

Tommy pats him on the back, before stepping toward the door. He shuts it as quietly as he can.  But the door does nothing to drown out the muffled sobs. 

-

“Do you think it’ll be okay?” Tommy asks, looking at Wilbur. He had found the revived man sitting on one of the hills, cigarette in mouth, a thoughtful expression across his face. Tommy sits down next to him as he waits for a response. 

“You’re asking the wrong person.” Wilbur says finally. “I never know when it’ll be okay or not.” He snuffs his cigarette, sticking the remains into the pocket of his coat. 

“Yeah, well, you know Quackity, which is why I’m asking.” Tommy points out. Wilbur hums, eyes glazed over. He pulls down his glasses, cleaning the smudges off of them quickly. He sighs, staring up at the sky. It’s still overcast, the threat of rain hanging over the head of the kingdom. 

“That I do.” Wilbur says through a hefty sigh. “Toms, if you want me to be honest, you won’t like the answer.” 

“I figured you would say that.” Tommy admits. “But I need to hear what you’re thinking.” Wilbur is silent for a long, drawn out moment, as if afraid to admit what’s on his mind. He shuts his eyes briefly, before turning to look back over at Tommy. 

“Quackity does not let things go, especially offenses.” Wilbur starts slowly. “And he is pissed. He was already pissed before whatever happened today happened, but this is just going to make things worse.” 

“Oh.” Tommy manages. “Do you think he’ll…?”

“Try to kill someone? Most likely.” Wilbur finishes. “Probably Karl. He’ll come after the kingdom itself too. He’s bitter, and hurting people hurt people.” Tommy stares at the grass, fingers digging into the tender earth. It looks different under the clouds, not as bright. It looks more like the grass surrounding Pogtopia instead of the grass that coated L’manburg. 

“How worried are you on a scale of one to ten?” He asks nervously. 

“Eleven.” Wilbur says instantly. “I haven’t been here long, but I understand why you’re attached. It’s nice here, and I would… I’d hate to see it, or any of the inhabitants, go.” Tommy swallows thickly, letting out a shaky breath. 

“That’s reassuring.” He says with a small laugh. Wilbur cracks a grin, although it’s numb, without any real emotion behind it. 

“I did warn you.” He says with a small laugh. “But yeah, I… I hope Quackity surprises me.” 

Tommy hopes so, too. Overhead, the sky rumbles, the distant drums of thunder shaking him out of his thoughts. Rain is clearly on the way. Wilbur looks up, narrowing his eyes. 

“Come on, let’s get back inside before we get soaked.” Wilbur stands up, offering Tommy a hand. He accepts it gratefully, gripping it tightly. He hopes he can hold onto this sliver of peace that he’s found. He doesn’t think he can let it go to waste, not again. 

Please, he prays silently, keep us safe. 

He has a feeling it won’t turn out that way, because the universe is nothing but against him. 

-

“I forgot him, I forgot who he was.” Karl’s words are slurred, his fingers knotted in his hair. Sapnap reaches for his hands, gently untangling them from his locks. He holds them tightly, afraid that if he lets go Karl will start pulling his hair again, or worse. Tears drip from his eyes, sobs shaking his entire body. Sapnap can feel his hands shaking as he holds them. 

“Deep breaths.” Sapnap says, trying not to let his own hopeless show. He runs his thumb over Karl’s hands, trying to provide some comfort. “You need to calm down.”

“I can’t!” Karl wails, yanking his hands free. Sapnap realizes, with a jolt, that some of his veins are a greyish black, as if slowly dying from the inside out. “I just admitted to our fiancé that I didn’t know who he is!” 

“Is this…?” Sapnap hates to ask, but he has to know if this could keep happening. If this forgetting was just the beginning. Karl nods, rubbing his eyes. It does little to stem his crying. 

“Y-yeah.” He stumbles over his words. “It’s– I can’t– the Inbetween–” Karl looks away, covering his mouth with his hand as another cry escapes him. Sapnap can practically feel his heart shattering in his chest. He looks so helpless, and Sapnap doesn’t know what he can do to help. 

“Did you ever… I don’t even know what to say.” Sapnap whispers. Karl shakes his head, visibly swallowing back another sob. 

“I’m so- I’m so sorry.” He chokes out. “I didn’t… I didn’t m-mean to ruin things.” 

“I shouldn’t have said that.” Sapnap replies instantly, stepping closer. “I didn’t mean that, no.” He thinks back to Tommy’s advice. Just tell him you’re worried, that you want to make sure he’s okay. 

“Then why’d you say it?” Karl asks, his voice painted in sorrow. 

“Because I lost control.” Sapnap admits, ashamed at the confession. “And I needed to blame someone, but I promise you this isn’t your fault. The Inbetween took this from us both, didn’t it?” Karl nods, lower lip quivering at the mention of the place. “I don’t blame you, and I’m so, so sorry I said that.” 

Karl opens his mouth to say something, but all that escapes him is another sob. Sapnap closes the distance between them immediately and wraps him in a hug, gently sitting him down on the bed. Karl practically melts into him, sobbing. Sapnap can feel his own tears burning at the edges of his vision. He blinks rapidly, letting them fall. 

He cries softly, too. For what the Inbetween ripped out of their hands, for no fucking reason. 

“This isn’t– it isn’t fair.” Karl gasps out, curling closer. 

“No,” Sapnap agrees, “It isn’t.” He shakes his head, feeling his tears subside. Karl’s sobs had subsided, although he hadn’t stopped crying. Sapnap can’t imagine what’s going through his head right now. He can only guess that he feels responsible for everything, and he wishes he could convince him that it truly isn’t his fault. 

“What’re we going to do?” Karl asks, his voice small. Sapnap wishes he knew, but he doesn’t. 

“I’ll try messaging him, okay?” He whispers, holding Karl closer. The time traveler nods, not lifting his tear streaked face from his shoulder. “We can fix this.” 

“I don’t know if we can .” Karl whispers hoarsely. “I think it’s too damaged to be repaired.” Sapnap doesn’t say anything for a long moment, just holding his fiancé tightly, supporting him as he breaks down. 

“Maybe.” He concedes. “But we can at least try.”

Sapnap knows Quackity isn’t a forgiving person, but he supposes he can dream for now. 

Meanwhile, Karl cries softly, until his breathing even out and his eyes shut. Sapnap feels something twist in his chest, as he cradles his fiancé. He cried himself to sleep, yet the overwhelming guilt was still written on his face. 

Part of him is angry at Quackity, for not staying and listening. Maybe it’s dumb, but he just doesn’t know the whole story. So quick to judge without knowing what’s going on under the surface. 

The more he thinks about it, the more upset he gets. Sapnap takes in a slow breath, mentally counting to five. He forces his tail to quit twitching, not wanting to wake up Karl. Instinctively, he wraps it protectively around him, wishing he could will the entire situation out of existence. Nobody deserves what’s happening, but everyone’s hurt. 

Sapnap can swallow his pride. He’ll reach out and try to fix things; if they blow up in the process, he can’t be blamed because at least he tried . 

“I’ll try and fix this, my love.” Sapnap whispers to Karl, praying to every deity that it’s not too late. 

-

Sapnap: Quackity, I really need to talk to you again. 

Sapnap: There’s something you need to know, but I can’t tell you over communicator. 

Sapnap: Please. 

Sapnap: Quackity, please.

Sapnap: …

Sapnap: Please, we love you. 

[Error: This user has blocked your messages.]

-

Quackity sets his communicator to the side, saying nothing. He turns the screen over, making sure it's facing the desk. Slowly, he stands up and pushes the door of his office open, trekking over to the viewing platform of the Space Needle. 

The wind is vicious, howling in his ears as he stares across his city– his empire. He built this entire world up without Sapnap or Karl. And if they didn’t care enough to want him around in their paradise, then he could let them go from his dream. 

He doesn’t need them. He doesn’t want to hear their half ass excuses as to what “really happened.” 

No, it’s time to let any love he has for them to die. Quackity reaches for the thin silver chain around his neck, grasping it firmly and yanking downward. He feels it snap, the two ends draping over the palm of his hand. He uncurls his fist, staring at the two golden rings laced through it. They grin back at him, as if taunting the future he lost. 

Quackity closes his eyes, bowing his head. I hope you know I will never forgive you, he thinks. He turns, mustering as much strength as he can and throwing the rings over the side of the Space Needle. He watches them fall, before turning away and walking back inside. 

He feels bare without them, but also free. Free from them, and their history. 

They’ll get what’s coming. Broken promises always have consequences, after all. 

-

“I don’t know about you,” Sapnap says as he stares at his communicator, “But I have a very bad feeling about all of this.” Wilbur shrugs. 

“In my experience, it’s best to just let things happen.” He says solemnly. “And honestly, I don’t really know what happened, but I should warn you that Quackity is really hurt.”

“I kinda got that.” Sapnap says with a sigh. “He’ll come around eventually, right?” Wilbur gives him a side eye, before turning to look back out at Kinoko Kingdom. It’s a beautiful place, really. He hopes it can stay that way. 

“I don’t know.” Wilbur says finally, shrugging again. “But if I were you, I would prepare for the worst.” Sapnap doesn’t ask any more questions after that. 

Chapter Text

A pristine castle, glowing with a faux warmness in his direction. Bone colored spires, grinning at him as he passes through its gates. Pearly pillars with shadows hanging over them as they seem to creep in on him as he walks past. 

Karl hates this place. 

He can’t believe he used to love it. He can’t believe he used to enjoy spending time in the garden. He can’t believe he never questioned anything. He can’t believe he’s bound here. 

Karl walks the halls, fingers aimlessly trailing the walls as he walks. He has an uneasy feeling, like something is about to break. Like he’s being watched, as if someone is waiting for him. 

Karl enters the main courtyard, the wither rose case grinning back at him. He furrows his brow, the uneasy feeling crescendoing. Something is wrong here. 

“Hello?” Karl calls. “Is anyone–” He breaks off, stepping back nervously. The wither flower is twisting in its case, the stem slowly extending and splitting off. Karl narrows his eyes, watching with baited breath. 

There’s a moment of silence before the inky tendrils shatter the glass case and rush toward him. 

Karl doesn’t think; he just leaps into action and runs. This is his punishment for talking about his time traveling. The Inbetween is going to keep him here because of what he said. It’s apparent, the consequences of his actions. 

Karl broke the biggest rule of this place, and now it wishes to exact its justice on him. 

Karl swings around the corner, hoping that he can reach the portal before it’s too late. He knows he has one shot to escape; then he has to destroy the library, destroy the portal. He can never return here, not if he wants to live and be free. 

His breath catches as he sees his target, his escapism. It’s so close, yet he can feel the vines right behind him, dogging his steps and threatening to overtake him. It’s too close, they are too close. Karl speeds up, but he knows deep down it was a futile endeavor. 

He can feel the vines curling around his legs, trying to drag him away from the portal, away from his home. Black thorns dig into his feet, pinpricks of pain reminding him what is at stake. Karl grits his teeth and tries to tear himself free, but finds that his struggles only cause the vines to hold him tighter. 

“Let me go!” Karl shouts, stumbling as the tendrils threaten to yank him off his feet. He stills keeps running, the familiar purple glow of the Nether portal luring him home, back to Kinoko, back to his family. 

He can’t suppress the scream that tears itself loose from his throat as the vines finally pull him down. He hits the white paved path with a thud, his head aching on contact. His gaze swims with spots, his vision blurring. 

He’s aware of the vines dragging him back, pulling him back to the dais he’d fought so hard to escape. Karl tries to stand and run again, but the grey stalks lash out and grab his arms, trying to pull them behind his back. No, no, no, this isn’t happening, he’s not going to go down like this. 

“I just want to go home, please–” He practically screams, clawing at the wither tendrils wrapping around his arms. Karl sees a note sitting a few inches from him, the writing clear even through his tears and rabid struggles. He freezes as he reads it, the misery and fear doubling. 

This is home. There is no way out. 

Karl’s struggles cease, the fight leaving his body. He slumps against the pillar, squeezing his eyes shut. He wants to scream but finds that he can barely make a noise through his resigned terror, with the knowledge that he’s doomed to stay in the Inbetween for the rest of his days, alone – 

-

Tommy wakes up clutching his chest, the phantom pain of explosions pulsing dully through him. It took him a second to register where he was, but the warm bed he rested in and the lantern bathing his room in orange light were a stark contrast to the beaches of Logstedshire. 

Tommy can still remember his shelter back then, a measly tent with an uncomfortable bed that looked more like a block of wood with wool thrown on top to try and lessen the back pain. He forces the nightmare out of his head, pushing the image of his tormentor's twisted form back into the depths of his mind where it cannot bother him. 

He thinks about going back to sleep for a moment. He could just sink into the comfortable mattress and force himself to not move until he eventually falls asleep from sheer boredom. But Tommy knows the horrors that await him in his dreams. 

He stands up and steps out of his room, electing to take his lantern with him after the smallest hint of the darkness in the hallway. He thinks it's a bit childish, but can't bring himself to care as the lantern's glow makes the shadows retreat and the halls look less like the empty void of his limbo and more like the normal house he's gotten used to. 

Karl's presence in the kitchen was expected, but a hint of tension leaves him as he catches sight of the familiar man. Tommy collapses on one of the dining table's chairs, resting his face in his arms. 

"Give me your strongest drink." Tommy mumbles sleepily, watching as Karl gets out another mug for hot chocolate. 

"You know," Karl begins, not looking up from the drinks he's preparing. "I actually met a bartender in one of my time travels, his name was John John."

"Good lad.” Tommy says with a nod. Interesting name, but bartenders are objectively cool. 

"The beloved." Karl adds, stirring the hot chocolate. 

"Lovely." Tommy hums. Sounds like Ranboo’s last name.

"He's dead." Karl finishes, setting the hot chocolate in front of him. Tommy blinks. Oh. 

"....Less lovely." He offers awkwardly. Karl shrugs.

“The Wild West was not pleasant.” He says, alluding to the duels he’d previously described. Tommy nods, sitting back in his chair. He accepts the hot chocolate gratefully. 

Karl is quiet, even more so than usual. The lamp light tells a story of guilt written across his face, tired eyes and dried tears. Tommy isn’t sure what to make of the Quackity situation, if he’s being honest. 

On the one hand, he understands why Quackity is upset. If he thought his partners abandoned him out of nowhere, Tommy would be pissed too. He’d lash out, he’d be angry. 

But at the same time, Tommy knows why it happened. He knows what’s going on under the surface. And he knows how desperately Karl wants to fix the mistake that was honestly out of his control. 

It’s a mess. Tommy’s glad he isn’t at the heart of it. 

“Are you alright?” It feels like a dumb question, but a necessary one. Especially considering they’re once again up at three in the morning, making hot chocolate and obsessing over the weight of life’s problems. 

“I’ve seen better days.” Karl admits. Tommy hums, nodding in sympathy. He can’t imagine what he’s going through right now; at least his and Sapnap’s fight resolved quickly. But the guilt over Quackity is unimaginable to Tommy. 

“That’s fair.” He murmurs, looking at his steaming mug. “At least you weren’t stabbed this time?” He offers weakly, knowing it’s not exactly an equal comparison. Karl laughs, although the sound is strained. 

“Might as well have been a knife to the heart.” He says with sigh, clasping his hands together. “I don’t– fuck. It’s fucked, that’s what it is.” Tommy nods, trying his best to understand. He never will, as much as he might try. He’s not a time traveler, he isn’t losing his memories, and he certainly isn’t engaged. 

“I’m so sorry.” Tommy offers weakly. Karl gives him a grateful smile, tired eyes flickering with gratitude. 

“It’s nothing that–well, maybe I could have prevented it, I don’t know.” Karl says, voice full of unresolved tension. “You know, in almost every Tale I’ve been in, I’ve seen a Quackity look-alike die. And yet, I think that hurts less than what happened today.” Tommy stays silent, unsure of what to say. What is there to say? Sometimes, silent solace is the only support one can offer. 

Karl’s gaze is clouded, as if lost in thought. He probably is, his unresponsiveness causing the atmosphere to go completely quiet. It’s not a placid silence, rather one with unspoken turmoil, and a dull ringing in Tommy’s ears prevents true stillness. 

Tommy doesn’t like it. The room feels stagnant. Nothing is being said, nothing is being helped. Karl’s hot chocolate sits abandoned, listless fingers curled over the handhold but without a single movement. Not even the rain penetrates the nothingness, firmly shut out by the closed windows and locked doors. 

“He hates me now.” Karl murmurs, breaking the stagnation. “And I don’t know if I can blame him.” Tommy purses his lips. No, he thinks to himself. That isn’t fair. 

“It’s not fair.” Tommy repeats himself out loud. “It really isn’t.” Karl blinks at him, clearly taken aback. 

“What?” He asks, genuine confusion lacing his tone. 

“Quackity can be mad about the whole forgetting to tell him bit, yeah.” Tommy begins, choosing his words carefully. He isn’t fully sure how to articulate his thoughts, but it isn’t fair for Karl to think the situation is wholly his fault. Quackity hates him, that’s true, but some of that hate is unwarranted. “But he also didn’t give you a chance to explain. He just assumed you– he assumed the worst.” 

“I would’ve sounded insane if I did explain.” Karl points out. He shakes his head, rubbing his temples. “You know, a few weeks ago, the only memory I had of him was the explosion in El Rapids. I thought he was a murderer, nothing more.” 

Oh. Tommy starts, slightly surprised. That changes things. It all makes sense, when he thinks about it. Why Karl hadn’t even asked about Quackity until a few days ago, just before the avian showed up. 

“But then I started looking back on my journals, and I… I don’t know, I started to remember. After I told you and Sapnap what was going on.” Karl continues. “Which doesn’t make sense, since the Inbetween should be punishing me for telling you these secrets, but instead things were getting better, until Quackity arrived.” He sighs, slumping back in his seat. 

“That’s… a lot.” Tommy admits, shifting slightly. 

“Yeah.” Karl says flatly. “I know. And I don’t know how to handle it all. But the other shoe dropped, I guess.”

“You can’t fully blame yourself.” Tommy says quietly. “It’s not all your fault.” Karl nods, although he doesn’t look convinced. Tommy knows that feeling, and knows that Karl is going to have to work through that himself. 

“Yeah.” He says. “Thanks–” Karl’s voice is cut off by the door creaking open, and a figure stepping into the main house. Tommy peers over the counter, heart thrumming in his chest. Who the hell would show up here at this hour? 

His first thought is Dream, and it scares him. Karl tenses, yellow eyes flashing warily as he stands up. Tommy swallows thickly, fingers curling into a fist. It’s fine, this is fine. 

“Wilbur?” Karl stage whispers, bewildered. “What are you doing here?” Tommy blinks, shock coursing through his veins. What. That is an excellent question, the more he thinks about it. 

Wilbur stands awkwardly in the kitchen’s threshold, flashing a nervous smile in Tommy’s direction. He clears his throat, shifting from foot to foot. 

“Oh,” Wilbur says lamely. “I didn’t expect anyone else up at this hour.” Tommy can’t help it; he barks out a laugh, only to quickly cover his mouth for fear of waking anyone else up by accident. 

“It’s a regular occurrence at this point.” Karl deadpans. “Want some hot chocolate?” 

“That’d be nice, actually.” Wilbur answers, almost sheepishly. 

“No problem.” Karl says, his bright tone sounding forced. Tommy thinks it’s not Wilbur, but the residual Quackity issue lingering even after he talked about it. 

“What’re you doing up?” Tommy asks, turning to Wilbur. He slides into a seat next to him, fingers drumming an indescribable rhythm against the counter. 

“Nightmare. Limbo.” Wilbur says tersely. “Lots of trains, but none of them would stop for me. The usual.” Oh. Tommy had never really processed Wilbur’s limbo. He’s sure Wilbur told him about it; guiltily, he imagines he tuned out most of his words, chalking it up to rambling about nothing in particular. 

He never thought about the trauma Wilbur might be carrying. Which is stupid, consdering Tommy’s died too. He’s seen limbo, and he knows what it can do to a person. 

“Limbo?” Karl asks, tilting his head as he sets the hot chocolate in front of Wilbur. “I’ve heard it mentioned a few times, but I’m not clear on what it is.” 

“It’s basically where you go when you die.” Wilbur informs him, accepting the drink. “I think. At least, everyone who’s died has gone there so far. It kinda sucks; your worst fear is where you get stuck for eternity.”

“Mine was a void.” Tommy says, raising his hand. “And don’t forget how weird time works.”

“Right.” Wilbur nods to him. “I was there for thirteen and a half years.” Karl blinks at him, mouth parting slightly. 

“Damn,” is all he says. 

“Pretty much.” Wilbur affirms. “I was certainly not expecting that when I died. It was quite a shock, let me tell you that much.” 

“That’s one way to describe it.” Tommy grumbles, leaning forward on the counter. “I was not expecting that when I died. I kinda thought there would be a choir of angels, like the whole heaven thing.”

“Tommy, I don’t know if you would have gotten into heaven.” Wilbur says, shoving him lightly. Tommy gives him an exaggerated eye roll, pushing him back.

“One can dream, you know! It isn’t nice to squash those.” He chides, voice lacking any bite. 

“Dear Prime.” Karl says, sounding miserable. “You guys need professional help. Hot chocolate therapy isn’t enough for this case.” 

“I’m already getting it.” Tommy says proudly. Wilbur quiets suddenly, looking away. Tommy tilts his head, confused. What just happened? He nudges him lightly, trying to give him a reassuring smile. “You okay?”

“No, when am I ever?” Wilbur quips back, eyes twinkling briefly with humor. He sighs, shaking his head. “I don’t really– I don’t know how to describe it, the mood drop that is.”

“That’s okay.” Tommy reassures. “It’s three in the morning, no one is really coherent.” Wilbur hesitates, but only briefly before launching into an explanation. 

“I’ve been thinking about contacting Puffy. For therapy.” Wilbur admits. “She kinda… doesn’t like me, though.” Tommy shrugs.

“I think you need the therapy, man.” He says bluntly. “Even if she doesn’t like you, she could still help you.” Wilbur hums, wringing his hands together. 

“I suppose,” he murmurs, not quite convinced. “I think it’ll help, y’know? I’m just kinda nervous about the whole thing.”

“That’s fair.” Tommy agrees. “I had a really hard time at first, too. But it does help, I promise.” Wilbur smiles softly, also the skepticism in his eyes remains. 

“I’ll try.” He says finally. “I’ll contact Puffy tomorrow and see if she’d be willing to help.” 

“I’m proud of you, Wil.” Tommy says with a grin. “At least someone here can admit he needs therapy.” 

“I heard that.” Karl deapans, crossing his arms. Tommy gives him a pointed look, not a single apology present in his mind.

“Good, that was a direct callout.” He replies with a smirk. Karl shoots him a withering glare. 

“You know the situation is complicated–” Karl begins to say, only for a small cough to draw his attention off of Tommy. 

“Hello?” Sapnap stands at the stairway’s end, looking slightly confused. Tommy bites back a laugh at the irony. Apparently, this is the morning everyone decides to be away for some reason. Wilbur gives him a small wave as the demon walks in, slightly dazed. 

“You’re awake, too?” Tommy asks, surprised. Sapnap nods, slumping down in the seat next to Karl. 

“I hate nightmares. And I hate Dream.” He complains, sighing. Karl pats his back. 

“You and everyone else here.” He says, grinning slightly. Sapnap is less amused, sighing again and burying his face in his arms. 

“Okay, is everyone awake?” Tommy demands, looking around the kitchen. 

“Everyone except George.” Sapnap offers, not looking up from the counter. 

“I’ll get you some hot chocolate, you’ll feel better.” Karl offers, sliding off his seat. Sapnap mumbles his thanks. He looks up suddenly, brow furrowed as if he is just taking in the scene in front of him. 

“Why are you all awake at this ungodly hour?” He asks, looking at all three of them in turn. Tommy shrugs. 

“Nightmares.” He says simply. Sapnap nods in understanding. 

“We’re just a hot chocolate trauma dump club at this point.” Karl says with a small laugh. 

“Can we move the meetings to a reasonable hour?” Sapnap asks. 

“No, three in the morning is the tradition.” Tommy replies quickly. “Besides, the filters go away and we get all the tea.” Sapnap snorts, but doesn’t argue his claim. 

“The tea being major traumatic events, so we’re all on the same page.” Karl quips. Sapnap doesn’t question it, instead gratefully accepting his hot chocolate. 

“Is this just a thing now?” Wilbur asks. 

“I think Tommy and I have been insomniac hot chocolate enjoyers for a month now.” Karl supplies. 

“Ah, the exile nightmare.” Tommy says, his voice laced with fake gratitude. “The only good thing that came out of that whole shebang.” Wilbur blinks, chuckling nervously. Karl and Sapnap exchange a glance, neither of them saying anything. “You can laugh at that, by the way.” Tommy says quickly. 

“You need therapy.” He says after a moment of silence. 

“Jokes on you, I’m already getting it.” Tommy retorts, finger gunning him. 

“...Touche.” Wilbur mutters, sipping his hot chocolate without further comment. 

Chapter Text

“Here,” Karl proclaims loudly, holding up a sheet of paper, “is the list of people who are banned from the kitchen.” Tommy looks up, mildly interested. He’d seen Karl writing furiously on a document earlier; but Tommy had chalked it up to a time travel affair, not a ban list. 

“I am putting it where everyone can see it.” Karl continues, pinning the list to the wall. “Heed it. If your name is on this list, and I catch you cooking, there will be a problem.” Tommy glances over at it, seeing two names written in big letters, red ink not fully dried. 

“It just says Wilbur and Sapnap.” Tommy points out. Karl nods in affirmation. 

“One of them blew up a country. I don’t want that to happen to the kitchen.” He replies, crossing his arms. “The other one lit pasta on fire.” 

“Fair.” Tommy concedes. “Keep them out of my kitchen.” 

“That’s what I thought.” Karl says, grinning slightly. 

“Am I still banned from the kitchen?” Sapnap complains, sticking his head out from one of the other rooms. “I only burnt pasta once—“

“And you proceeded to burn soup.” Tommy reminds him quickly. Sapnap shoots him a withering glare.

“Technically, I burnt the curtains.” The demon retorts.

“That’s not helping your case.” Karl deadpans, throwing a forlorn glance at the charred curtains. 

“Okay, but at least I didn’t blow up a country.” Sapnap says. “I think that gets me some brownie points.” 

“Do people really still talk about the sixteenth?” Wilbur asks, having shown no reaction to any of the previous statements. Tommy punches him lightly, rolling his eyes.

“Yes, dumbass, it’s kind of a big deal still.” He says shortly. “It’s hard to forget, oh I don’t know, an entire country blowing up.” Wilbur stays silent for a moment, brow furrowed in thought.

“Okay, fair.” He concedes finally. “I can see how that would be memorable.” 

“Moving on.” Karl says, his voice stiff. “If someone sets anything on fire, like a mushroom— Tommy, I’m looking at you— that will also be a problem.” 

“What if—“ Tommy starts to protest. 

“No.” Karl deadpans. “No, the kingdom does not want to collectively get high.” 

“Or maybe you just don’t want to get high and everyone else wants to see what happens.” Tommy says tentatively, grinning. 

“Seconded.” Wilbur says, raising his hand. “What’s the worst that could happen?” Karl lifts a brow. 

“I mean…” Sapnap starts, almost sheepishly. “I just like lighting things on fire.” Karl buries his face in his hands. 

“Yeah!” Tommy jumps up from his seat, cackling. “We finally got the arsonist on board!” 

“At least have the decency to wait until I’m out .” Karl mutters. “Please.” 

“No promises.” Tommy says with a smirk. Karl sighs, but ceases his protests. 

“You have to admit, it would be funny.” Sapnap points out, walking over and taking his fiancé’s hand, before engulfing him in a full hug. 

“I don’t like the idea of blacking out.” Karl deadpans. “And having no reconciliation of what happened.” He says the last words pointedly. 

“Oh.” Tommy says lamely, the pieces clicking together. “Understandable.” Sapnap hums in agreement, the demon whispering something in his fiancé’s ear. Karl gives him an incredulous look, before snickering. 

“No.” He says through a laugh. “Well, actually…” Karl turns to look at Tommy and Wilbur. 

“What?” Tommy asks, bouncing on the balls of his feet. Are they actually going to get approval for the arson? 

“You realize the house would probably catch on fire, right?” Karl asks, looking back up Sapnap. 

“It’s a solution!” The demon protests, his eyes twinkling. 

“Nope, still a no.” Karl says, shaking his head. “No mushroom arson in this kingdom.”

“Damn.” Sapnap sighs melodramatically. “I tried.” Tommy elects not to push the issue any further. At least, not today. 

“Why are there so many arsonists in this very flammable kingdom?” Karl asks, bemused. “It seems like an accident waiting to happen.” 

“Moving on.” Sapnap declares. “Who wants hot chocolate? That sounds like a good idea.” 

“What do you think, Tommy?” Karl asks, “Should we let him in the kitchen or not?” Tommy studies the demon, scrutinizing him through narrowed eyes. 

“On the one hand, I’d be worried about another fire.” Tommy starts, earning an indignant protest from Sapnap, “on the other hand, I’m a sucker for hot chocolate.”

“Wise words.” Karl says, nodding solemnly. “Let’s see—“ 

“Or I could make it while you three argue about arson.” Wilbur pipes up, four mugs sitting on the table. Tommy blinks at him, mildly shocked. 

“You didn’t burn it down.” Karl whispers, mostly to himself. “It’s a miracle. Maybe I should rethink my ban list.” 

“Will you take me off of it?” Sapnap asks hopefully. 

“No.” 

-

Cool water rinses over his hands, yet the chill hardly bothers him. It’s almost comforting.

The red slides off of his fingers, mixing in with the crystalline water. Dream barely bats an eye, simply turning over his hands as the red washes away. 

It’s funny how nice it is outside of the prison. The salty air from the sea provides clear thoughts, gentle waves lapping at the prison’s shore. L’manburg is to his back; or what’s left of it. Dream thinks it’s funny how the prisoners are left subject to a place that has been lost to time.

Dream stands up slowly, taking his time to stretch and observe the distant horizon. The sun is rising, orange rays shining over a ghost town. He smiles to himself, adjusting his cracked porcelain mask as the dawn washes over him.

He thinks it’s funny how easy it was to extract revenge and further his plan. Two birds with one very bloody stone.

Dream’s first move, after finding Punz, was taking back the Vault. He had that built, and it was only fair he took it back. Sam hadn’t been as big of an issue as he thought initially. 

All it took was a little torture and one death, and Sam promised to stay out of his business (or help, if Dream demands it. But he thinks Punz will suffice). He expected as much, to be honest. Sam is a follower, and his spine only stays rigid if he has someone to back him up.

Now that he had control of the prison, it was time to move on. 

It’s funny how useful having a god on his side is; or at least, a god who wants to see the world burn. He’s had information for literal years, and he finally gets to act on it. Dream smiles to himself, turning toward Prime Path.

It’s time for him to pay Kinoko a visit. 

-

“So strange,” Sapnap murmurs as he stares at his communicator. “Not good at all.” 

“What’s up?” Karl asks, peering over. Sapnap elects not to tease him about having his own communicator . The subject is too serious.

“Sam lost another life.” He murmurs. “And I can’t help but have a bad feeling about it.”

-

No. 

At first, Tommy is certain it’s a nightmare. That he’s asleep, and he’ll wake up in a few minutes at the climax, and then he’ll go downstairs and get hot chocolate. That’s what always happens, right?

Except he doesn’t wake up. Tommy’s still standing on the outskirts of Kinoko’s territory, walking past the library, lost in thought. He had looked up and he was there.

Dream is in Kinoko. Dream is in Kinoko.

He can’t be here. Sapnap had promised he would never make it in Kinoko. But here Dream is, standing at the edge of the cobblestone path, observing the mushrooms and tulips that pave the walkway. 

And Tommy is frozen.

He can’t move, he can’t run. He’s like a deer caught in headlights; he can see his end right in front of him, yet he can’t leap out of the way. 

Dream looks up, his mask betraying nothing. He pulls the hood to his sweatshirt down, a slow smile crossing his face. He already has armor, Tommy realizes in horror. He hadn’t noticed that in their last encounter; maybe he had been too blinded by fear, but he could have sworn that he didn’t.

It’s only been a couple of weeks, how is he already armed to the teeth? 

Tommy swallows back a fearful cry, instead straightening his spine. Dream is not welcome here. No one is going to hand him over, not like exile. 

He does not have to be afraid of him anymore. 

Tommy clenches his fists. As much as he wants to run— he probably should— he cannot beat his fear unless he faces it.

He always found that idea stupid. But he’ll take Puffy’s advice, because she’s the therapist. 

“What are you doing here?” Tommy breathes, stumbling back. Dream says nothing at first, picking his way down the trail. He doesn’t stop until he’s a few meters away, close enough that he could grab him if he wanted. 

“Visiting.” Dream says smoothly. “Saying hi to some friends.” Tommy summons his courage, taking in a shuddering breath. He is not welcome here, this is Tommy’s home. 

“You don’t have any here.” Tommy replies curtly. “Get out.” Dream laughs, the sound hollow. 

“Well, I thought we were friends.” Dream says shortly. 

“The key word is was.” Tommy spits, stepping back again. “And I don’t even think we were friends. All you ever did was hurt me, asshole.” Dream tilts his head, as if he’s actually baffled by the accusation thrown at him. 

“I was the only one who was there for you.” Dream says, a strange warmth coating his tone. It makes Tommy shudder. 

“That’s not true.” He protests weakly. He knows it isn’t true, but he can’t admit it. He can’t give Dream any leverage. 

“Isn’t it, though?” The masked man asks. “Where was Sapnap? Karl? Wilbur? Oh, that’s right— Wilbur was dead.” Tommy bristles at the comment. 

“Well, they didn’t beat me up like you did.” Tommy regrets his words the second they leave his mouth. Dream’s demeanor darkens in seconds. He knows I’m right, Tommy thinks with bitter triumph, and it’s making him mad. 

Maybe he should have thought that statement through. It felt good to say, but Tommy can feel anxiety creeping up on him. 

“Your imagination is so active.” Dream says silkily. “I don’t remember that.” Tommy snorts, shaking his head. 

“Nice try. You won’t gaslight me this time, prick.” He straightens up, crossing his arms. “Can you just leave me alone?”

“You are a burden to Kinoko.” Dream says softly, although Tommy doesn’t miss the note of irritation coloring his voice. 

“No, but you are.” Tommy retorts sharply. “Just fuck off, you’re making a fool of yourself.”

“Tommy.” Dream says, his voice dangerously quiet. “That’s enough of this game.” He begins to pace closer, and Tommy can feel his heart beating faster and faster. Oh, no. He may have overstepped, he might have gone too far, and now he’s going to pay the price.  

“Stay away from me.” Tommy hisses, staggering back. He’s far too close for comfort, and so is the wall behind him. He swallows thickly, forcing his chin to stay up as he stares back at Dream. No fear, no fear, no fear. 

That’s a lie. Tommy’s terrified. He wants to scream for help, but he can’t show fear. 

“I think you’ve spent enough time burdening Kinoko, haven’t you?” Dream coos. “Why don’t you come with me and leave them alone?”

If Dream had said that to him a week ago, Tommy would have believed him. He would have disappeared silently, walking out of the kingdom at his side.

But times changed. 

Sapnap and Karl want him here. Wilbur wants him here. Even George, with his black coffee and cryptic comments, wants him around. 

Tommy’s found a home, and he isn’t going to let it be taken away from him so easily. He lifts his chin, narrowing his eyes.

“Go fuck yourself.” He spits at his feet. Dream’s smile finally drops. He says nothing as he steps closer, forcing Tommy to keep backing up. Oh Prime. 

“I wasn’t asking, Tommy.” Dream says softly. “We’re leaving right now. I’ve got a new… home ready and everything.” Tommy flinches back, his heart thundering in his chest.

“I don’t want a new home, I like it here.” He retorts. “Just go away and accept that you lost.” Dream lashes out, sudden as a viper. His hand closes around Tommy’s arm, and he begins to drag him away. 

“Let me go!” Tommy screeches, slamming his free hand against Dream’s iron grip, twisting in a desperate attempt to free himself. 

“We’re going home, Tommy—“ Dream starts to say. Tommy bites back another scream, thrashing in his grip. Please, please, I can’t do this again, 

“Let him go.” Tommy turns his head as a new voice penetrates his panic. 

“Karl Jacobs!” Dream exclaims, his sinister smile returning. Tommy stumbles back as he lets go, pressing himself against the wall. 

Never again, he promises himself, glaring at Dream. He’s already home.

-

Karl knew that shit was about to hit the fan the second he saw that damn green hoodie in his peripheral vision. He had turned so fast that he nearly tripped. Dear Prime. 

Don’t get him wrong, he loves having more people in Kinoko. He’s just tired of all the assholes coming to visit instead of Tubbo or Ranboo or someone who doesn’t want revenge. He hears Tommy scream, jolting him out of his thoughts. He has to act now. 

“Let him go!” Karl marches over, calling Dream’s attention. The masked man turns away from Tommy, releasing his arm as his demeanor shifts immediately. Karl glares at him, leveling his chin.

“Karl Jacobs!” Dream says brightly, as if greeting an old friend. “How are you?”

“Fine.” He says tersely. “Why don’t you step away from Tommy.” He phrases it as a demand, rather than leaving any room for it to be a question. Dream raises his palms, pacing back. Karl takes that moment to step forward, planting himself firmly between Dream and Tommy.

“So hostile!” He says with a small laugh. “I haven’t even done anything but say hello to an old friend.” Karl lifts a brow. He can practically feel Tommy trembling behind him, fear radiating from him. 

“Tommy, go inside.” Karl says tersely. “Go find Sapnap.” He doesn’t bother to hide his disdain for Dream, making sure the masked man knows full well the measure of his hate. He steps closer as Tommy gives him a grateful glance, pushing himself away and racing toward the main house. 

Dream makes a move to follow him. Karl darts in front of him, giving him a death glare. “Not a fucking chance,” he spits, planting his stance. Dream tilts his head quizzically. 

“Now this is interesting.” He muses. “I don’t believe I’ve given you a real reason to hate me, have I?” Karl scoffs, unable to keep himself from laughing at the utter bullshit. 

“Sapnap’s told me everything.” He says. “And Tommy told me even more.” Karl resists the urge to punch him in the face; he knows it would be a losing battle. Dream has weapons; he doesn’t. But Sapnap does, so all Karl has to do is stall. 

“Ah, Tommy.” Dream shakes his head. “You know how kids are, always stretching the—“ 

“Stop.” Karl says, holding his hand up. “Don’t make yourself look stupid. Just shut up and accept you have no allies here.” 

“Hmm.” Dream steps closer, a shadow crossing his face. “I figured that much.” Karl feels a ripple of unease run down his spine. He forces his gaze to stay up, silently defying him. “I’ve got a question for you.”

“Spit it out.” Karl replies coolly. “I can’t promise a response.”  

“How’s the Inbetween been treating you lately, Karl?” Dream asks, his voice so casual that the comment nearly flies over his head. Karl freezes, a horrible silence cascading over his mind. No . He can’t know. There’s no way. 

Unless — 

Unless — 

No. No, it doesn’t work, no, no, no .

A god told him, probably. A god, probably the same one who fucked over his life in the first place.

“What?” Karl asks hoarsely, struggling to regain his mental balance. 

“Y’know, the Inbetween.” Dream says brightly. “Or the Other Side; a little birdie told me you strayed from the path.” 

No .

He thinks he might have a panic attack. He can feel the fear rising in his chest, the understanding washing over him. Someone told him.

Someone told the most dangerous man in the Essempi he can time travel. Someone told the man who abused a child without any regret that he can time travel. Someone told the architect behind doomsday that he can time travel.  

Karl has no idea what he’ll do with that information. 

Dream is a dangerous man to make an enemy out of. 

And Karl did that. 

Dream knows he can time travel. 

Oh, fuck.

“I—“ Karl starts to say. Dream smirks, his smug demeanor only adding to Karl’s anxiety. He exhales shakily, clenching his fists.

“Based on your reaction, I’d say it hasn’t been great.” The masked man says with faux sympathy. “I’m guessing you haven’t really wanted to go back. Understandable, understandable.”

 “Who told you?” Karl asks through gritted teeth. Dream grins, his elation clear.

“I would tell you, but it’s more to leave you guessing.” He says gleefully. Karl studies him, stepping back. This is not good.

“What do you want from me?” He demands, practically bristling. Dream waits before answering, letting an eternity drag out. He smiles, his sinister demeanor rolling off him in waves. 

“Nothing.” He says silkily. “Yet.” Karl feels a bolt of fear in his chest as Dream utters the second word. He knows he can’t show it; any weakness would be suicide. 

“Stay away from me.” He spits. “Whatever you want, I won’t give you.” Dream smiles, humming. 

“I figured you say that.” He says softly. “We’ll see what happens, I suppose.” Karl doesn’t want to know what his plans are. He can only hope that they never come to pass. 

“Dream, what the hell are you doing here?” Sapnap comes flying out of nowhere, hitting Dream with the bunt of his… frying pan? Oh, he must have been trying to cook. Karl staggers back, relief pulsing through him. Thank Prime. Dream straightens up, stepping away. 

“Just saying hello.” He says smoothly, clearly electing to ignore the kitchen utensil. “Visiting some friends.” Tommy glares at him, standing next to Karl. He looks up at him, gaze twisting to one of concern.

“Are you okay?” He whispers. Karl shakes his head, mouthing “later” back at him. 

“No one here is your friend.” Wilbur stands next to Sapnap, having appeared out of almost nowhere. Utter hate glistens in his eyes as he stares at Dream. It was funny how quickly he changed from loving him to despising him.

Karl thinks it’s nice that justice prevailed for once.

“Well.” Dream says, crossing his arms. “That’s not nice.” 

“Get out.” Sapnap says curtly. “Now.” Dream huffs. 

“Can’t a guy say hello?” He asks. Karl rolls his eyes, his irritation rising. 

“Not you.” Karl pipes up. “You heard my fiancé; get out.” Sapnap stiffens, and Karl realizes what he just revealed. Something that should have remained a secret from him, at least for now. Great, more leverage. 

“Fiancé, oh?” Dream tilts his head. “That’s new. Am I invited to the wedding?”

“No.” Sapnap says bluntly. “You aren’t welcome here. Get that through your skull and get out.” Dream looks over the demon’s shoulder, the mask concealing any expression. Yet Karl can feel his gaze crawling under his skin, as if seeing into his soul. 

“Fine.” He says finally, as if he had a choice. “I’ll take my leave, then.” 

“Then what are you waiting for?” Wilbur snaps. “Get the fuck out.” Dream casts a look back toward him and Tommy. Karl glares at him back, anger surging in his chest. This man will not have any victory over me or my family.

“I’m sure I’ll be seeing you shortly.” Dream says, smirking. Karl glares at him, still standing in front of Tommy. Sapnap clutches his axe tighter. 

“Over my dead body.” Karl snaps. “Get out of my kingdom.” 

“Bold of you to assume I was talking to Tommy.” Dream says, turning away.

“Oh, fuck off.“ Tommy says tartly, practically bristling. “Just ‘cause you don’t have anyone who loves you doesn’t mean you can threaten *my* loved ones and get away with it.” 

“Damn.” Wilbur whistles. “That had to hurt.” Dream says nothing, although his demeanor shifts into something darker as he turns away. Karl watches as he stalks into the forest, green cloak vanishing into the ocean of emerald. 

“Who does he think he is?” Sapnap snarls as soon as he’s gone, not letting go of his frying pan. “To think he can show up here and threaten Tommy like that?” Karl is silent, his senses fading out as he processes what happened.

Dream knows he can time travel.

Dream knows he can time travel.

Dream knows—

“—arl? Karl! Look… stay…—“ Someone is speaking to him. Karl can’t understand what they’re saying. All can see is the Inbetween, and Dream, and all he can feel is fear, bone crushing and endless terror, because Dream knows he can time travel.

Karl looks up, his vision fuzzy. How did he end up on the ground? Wasn’t he standing? He can’t breathe, his chest feels too heavy to move. 

“Karl, look at me, take a deep breath, okay?” He can hear what the person is saying, but not understand. He’s going to die. Dream is going to kill him.  

Karl’s fingers dig into the grass, a feeble attempt to drag himself out of this panic. He has to believe it’ll all be okay, it’s going to be okay. 

He feels a tender touch against his face. 

“Karl, please, say something.” Sapnap’s speaking to him, one hand against his cheek. “Come back, we’re right here.” Karl blinks, his breath hitching. 

“Sorry.” He says faintly. “Didn’t mean to freak out on you.”

“It’s okay.” Sapnap reassures, helping him to his feet. Karl leans against him, embracing his warmth. He needs to feel secure now, after what just happened. Karl looks up at Sapnap, exhaling slowly. 

He has to tell him. Tommy is giving him that concerned look again, anxiety written all over his face. Karl can’t keep this a secret, even if he wanted to. He shuts his eyes briefly, counting to five in his head. 

“He knows I can time travel.” Karl says in a rush, spitting the words out like they’re vile. The realization hits him again, but he refuses to spiral. “Shit, shit, this is bad.” 

“No. How… no.” Sapnap is at a loss for words, shock written across his face. Tommy tenses, eyes widening. Karl nods, looking at the ground. There is no way this ends well. 

“Wait.” Wilbur blinks, his jaw dropping. “You can time travel? “

“Damnit.” Karl buries his face in his hands. “The Inbetween is going to kill me for this.”

Chapter Text

Sapnap finds Karl staring listlessly at the wall, yellow eyes glazed over. After suffering through explaining everything to Wilbur, he’d excused himself from the conversation. Tommy had told him to go find Sapnap, saying that he could finish talking to Wilbur. 

“Okay, so we have a time traveler now. That’s new.” Wilbur had said after Karl left. 

“Yeah, at least you didn’t find out by finding him bleeding out in his library.” Tommy deadpanned. Wilbur stared at him incredulously. 

“What?” 

Sapnap took that opportunity to go after Karl, following him back to the main house. He hadn’t even bothered to shut doors as he walked away; clearly he’d been majorly impacted by whatever Dream said. Sapnap clenches his fists at the thought, a thousand threats and ideas of how to murder him. 

He could plan murder later; first, he has to make sure his fiancé is okay. 

“Karl?” Sapnap calls, stepping into their room. “Are you–” He breaks off, seeing him curled up on the bed, back to him. He walks over to the bedside, sitting down on the edge. Karl doesn’t respond, not even moving. 

“Hey.” Sapnap murmurs. “You’re okay.” Karl finally rolls over, looking up at him. He looks so hopeless, and Sapnap has no idea what to say to help him. 

“It’s funny, did you know after I told you about my time traveling I remembered more things?” Karl says softly. “Like Quackity. I remembered him. Not that it did any good in the end. Hell, none of this has been good. I thought– I thought it would be okay.”

“No, no, don’t talk like that.” Sapnap replies, scooting closer. Karl sits up, his movements slow. 

“Sorry.” He mutters. “I just– it’s not looking good, right now. And Dream– he’s going to come for us.” 

“I’m not going to let him hurt you.” Sapnap says immediately. “If I’d known what he said back there, I’d have killed him on the spot.” Karl shrugs. 

“He would’ve gotten away. He always does.” He looks away, resigned. “We can’t stop what’s about to happen. He’s going to come for us.” He repeats the words again, yet they sound so much worse the second time. Maybe it’s because deep down, Sapnap isn’t certain he can beat Dream. 

He doesn’t know if he can keep his friends– his family– safe. 

Sapnap’s used to failing people; it happens too much. He watched his dads fall apart, and despite his best efforts, it collapsed in his hands. He watched Dream destroy himself for power, and had no choice but to cut him off and accept that he wasn’t the man he used to know. 

He watched Quackity walk away forever, declaring that he hates them. 

Sapnap failed them. He failed to preserve what he had, and he failed to save them. 

He can’t fail Karl. 

“Can I hug you?” Sapnap asks. Karl nods, and Sapnap pulls him closer, a thousand emotions pooling in his chest. They sit in silence for an eternity, the gravity of the situation weighing on their shoulders. 

Dream knowing about the time travel is a terrifying prospect. 

But Sapnap is not going to let that break what he has, damnit. Karl sits close, hair cascading in front of his eyes and hiding his expression. Sapnap sighs, pulling as much confidence from his heart as he can. He needs to be strong and reassuring, he can do this. 

“Hey.” Sapnap whispers, brushing a strand of hair out of his eyes. “It’s gonna be okay, okay?” Karl nods, although he doesn’t look convinced. 

“Yeah.” He says, his voice deprived of any conviction. Sapnap rests his head on Karl’s wrapping his arms fully around his partner. He hates seeing him like this, so tired and stressed. He just wants to help him however he can, and that’s what he’ll do.

“I love you, okay?” Sapnap murmurs. “It’s all gonna be fine.” 

“I love you, too.” Karl replies. Sapnap doesn’t miss how he ignores the second part of his statement; he instead chooses to hold his fiancé close and try and promise himself to hold on to the good things he still has. 

- 

Quackity takes pride in Las Nevadas. 

He literally built it up from nothing. His own hands brought it up from the crest of the earth, quite literally. He destroyed the mountain that this used to be, instead turning it into a desert. He built his casino empire, first out of love, and then out of the idea of being self-reliant. 

He doesn’t need anyone!

He doesn’t need Charlie, he doesn’t need Purpled, he doesn’t need Sapnap, he doesn’t need Karl. 

Although, Quackity misses Charlie. He’ll never admit how much that death impacted him. And then how he left. 

Quackity failed him. He did everything to try and train him and make sure he was ready for the world and its challenges, but it did nothing in the end because Purpled still stabbed him and pushed him into lava. 

Quackity sighs, shaking his head to clear it. It doesn’t matter, it doesn’t matter. 

He can’t afford to wallow in his grief right now. There’s too much work to be done. He has a city to run, after all. 

As much as Quackity desires a break, he knows he can’t get one. He wants to curl up and cry, he wants to stand up and scream, and he wants to kill everyone who’s hurt him. 

But those are all just hypothetical, and chances are he won’t do any of those things. Quackity might have very little going for him, but he at least knows that acting out of anger would probably kill whatever good he has left.

But does he have anything left, really? 

Quackity ponders this as he walks around Las Nevadas, the city asleep. It’s midday; nobody visits until night. Until then, it simply remains in slumber, waiting to erupt with its night scene. The lights would come on, and the gambling would begin. Money would be won and lost, and Quackity would profit. 

The same cycle, every day. This is the life he’s chosen. He’s choosing to leave everyone else behind, because all that happens with attachment is more pain. 

Quackity leans against one of the pillars of the church, eyeing the horizon. He can see clouds sweeping over, threatening to downpour snow on his city. He doesn’t mind, not that much. Personally, he thinks snow is fine, but it tends to be a deterrent to business. 

But when he sees an all too familiar figure on the horizon, he wishes it was a blizzard. He does not have the patience to deal with anyone, especially not the man sauntering into his city. Quackity wastes no time fumbling for a weapon; his paranoia ensured that he had something on him at all times. He grasps his axe, exiting his city to meet him halfway. 

He doesn’t want Dream to set foot in Las Nevadas. 

Dream slows his pace as Quackity approaches, standing still. His mask is unblemished, as if he cleaned it and restored it. Funny, considering how many times it was broken in prison, how easily it was returned to pristine condition. Interesting. 

“You have nerve showing up here, I’ll give you that.” Quackity says with a mirthless laugh, deciding it is best to make the first move. It puts him in the position of power; invaluable when dealing with Dream. “What the hell are you doing in Las Nevadas, Dream.”

“I’m not here looking for a fight.” Dream says easily. “Just here to talk.” Quackity glares at him. 

“Why would you want to talk to me?” He asks, a note of genuine curiosity flitting into his voice. After everything that happened, he would have thought Dream would’ve stayed as far away as he could. But no, he is here , and Quackity wants to know why. 

He’s prepared to fight, should he be looking for revenge, but he isn’t sure he can beat Dream on his own. Especially given how it took an entire team to take him down the first time.

“I have a business proposition.” Dream continues. “Besides, if I wanted to kill you, I would have already.” Quackity glowers at him, but doesn’t refute the claim. He can’t, because it’s true. The fight would have long since broken out if he was really here for revenge. 

“Fine. What do you want?” Quackity demands, skipping pleasantries. He hates Dream; that’s no secret. But he’s also a smart businessman, and businessmen suck it up and listen to every deal thrown their direction. So he can be quiet and listen to what he has to say. 

Who knows? Maybe Dream will actually say something beneficial to him. Quackity’s learned it’s best not to shut doors on opportunities, even if he would much rather shove a knife through the other’s heart. 

“Word has it that you and your fiancés are done.” Dream says easily, as if he is talking about the weather. Quackity bristles, hefting his axe up and pointing it at the masked man’s neck. Maybe murder is still on the table. 

“Tread carefully.” He says slowly, words layered in venom. 

“Like I said, I’m not here to start a fight.” Dream says, putting his hands up. He sounds completely unconcerned, ignoring how death faces him down. 

“Then what are you here for?” Dream smiles, the old scheming smile that Quackity had been so used to seeing before Pandora. It seems that prison changed little, and that he was still the same person he was before. 

Quackity knows he has to be careful, yet he finds himself morbidly intrigued by his next words.