Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was a normal school day.

A totally, boring, normal school day.

His teacher, Sam, lectured Tommy’s world history class. Tommy had to hold back an entire groan. Just a few more years, just a few more years. Tommy had to remind himself before he killed everyone in this school and then himself.

Ok that was harsh, but if you had to sit through 60 minutes of the in depth lecture about the bubonic plague, you would be salty too.

His friend, Tubbo, was more than happy to listen to the long boring lecture. He had longer brown hair that covered his eyes, he also had facial features that were similar to a goats but Tommy never said anything. It was the same about another kid in their school, his name was Fundy. His features always reminded Tommy of a fox’s. Maybe it was just his eyes or the way he could sneak up on you silently. Either way it was weird.

Tommy meant to lay his head peacefully on the table and take a nap, but he may have hit his head too hard. He jolted back in the chair clutching his forehead that now stings.

“Shit.” Tommy muttered.

“Is there a problem, Thomas?” Professor Sam stopped mid lecture and was now staring at Tommy like the other kids in the class.

Tubbo gave him a questionable look from beside him.

“I’m fine, just hit my head on the table.” Tommy quickly replied.

Sam looked unamused. “Is my lecture that boring for you?”

Tommy felt annoyed and responded a little more snarky than he should have, “yeah, it is actually. We went over this last week, why are you still teaching us this?”

Sam looked surprised at the comment. “I’m teaching my class how I want.” He replied calmly. “Can we continue?”

“I dunno, can you?” Tommy leaned back in his chair, he was in a mood for a fight and poor Sam had to deal with it.

Sam sighed, the poor man looked exhausted. “Please, we have some more topics to cover in this chapter.”

“Well, maybe I don’t care about the stupid plague. I think this is pointless.” Tommy spat back, Tubbo nudged him to get him to quit.

“Thomas-“ Sam was cut off by Tommy again.

“I think you want to give us more work than we can already deal with. I don’t want to be cramped in this tiny room! I want to actually learn about something that I’ll use in the future!” Tommy stood from his seat.

Tubbo nudged him harder and glared. “Tommy-“

“There will never be a stupid plague again, we have the technology to deal with it. So why are we all this mourning this dumb concept-“ This time Tommy was cut off by Sam.

“Outside.” Sam’s voice startled everyone. “Now.”

Tommy froze in place, he’s gotten in trouble many times. Not a lot by Sam, but it was still there.

Tommy groaned and walked out of the classroom.

Great. Just Great.

Sam followed shortly after, in a calm manner. It terrified Tommy. “Go ahead. Just send me to Puffys already.”

Sam sighed. “Is everything okay at home?”

Tommy rolled his eyes, he’s heard this lecture one too many times. “Yes everything’s fine. I’m getting 3 meals a day and I’m very attended to.”

“How’s Wilbur? Is he still taking care of you?” Sam asked a little worried.

“Why wouldn’t he be? He’s my brother.” Tommy half scoffed. Of course Wilbur was caring for him, no one else was going to provide for him.

Sam sighed. “He just got graduated college right? He’s too young to take care of you.” Tommy knew where this was heading. “Maybe you should move back in with your parents-“

“No.” Tommy cut Sam off. “That’s none of your business. I’ll show myself to Puffy’s office.” Tommy snarked before striding away.

He walked all the way to Puffy’s office and knocked twice. “Come in.” A angelic voice came from inside.

Tommy opened the door and he could see the disappointment radiate off of Puffy the moment he stepped in. “Again?” She sighed.

Tommy nodded guilty and sat in the chair in front of her.

“Tommy that’s the 5th time this week. I don’t want to have to call Wilbur again.” Puffy frowned.

Puffy was one of the few people who actually cared for Tommy in this world, besides Tubbo and Wilbur.

“Oh Puffy, please don’t.” Tommy begged. “Wilbur’s already worn out. Just give me detention or something again.”

“Tommy, there’s only a number of times I can accept you disrupting class. It’s not really that bad, is it?” Puffy asked, not condescending but genuine.

Tommy shook his head and looked down.

Puffy let another sigh escape her. “I’ll send you off with a warning. But next time you get in trouble I’m going to have to call Wilbur again.” She looked just as sad about it as Tommy was.

He nodded. “I understand, Puffy.” He stood up from the chair. “Thank you.”

She smiled. “Come see me sometime, when you aren’t in trouble.” She put emphasis on the ‘aren’t’.

Tommy nodded again and let himself give her a slight smile. He left the room and started walking towards Professor Sam’s class again. Tommy noticed another kid in the hall, which was weird because the school was strict on letting people out during class.

He was tall and lanky, he had dirty blonde hair that almost covered his eyes. He wore a grey shirt with ripped jeans and a black jacket that looked much newer than Tommy’s red sweatshirt. He looked kind though, he gave Tommy a glance and quickly looked away.

Tommy passed him without a second thought, why waste time observing this nobody? It was pointless.

Then a scream screamed sounded through the school. The Boy and Tommy stopped, they gave eachother a concerned glance.

Tommy froze, the scream was not of happiness, and not an overly dramatic scream. It was full of terror.

Tommy heard crashing come from outside, he looked out the hallway windows with the boy. They were on the second floor.

Tommy watched as some people stumbled towards the school doors with greyish skin. The did not walk normally and tripped after almost every step. These people.. no these were not people. They were inhuman. They groaned and some even bleed from the head. The clawed at a few passing students who also shrieked. Tommy watched as they bite through a girls shoulder and surrounded her.

Tommy let a gasp escape him. “What the hell is that?!” He did not keep his voice calm.

The Boy beside him hushed him. “Let’s go hide, they could find us. Let’s wait for authorities.” The boy grabbed his arm and tried to run.

“Wait, we need to tell other people!” Tommy pulled away, the boy frowned.

“They must’ve heard the screaming, we can hide in the bathroom. Block up the doors.” They dirty blonde was panicking.

Tommy could sense his anxiety rise. “Go hide in the bathroom. I’ll warn my class and get my friend. I’ll come back for you.”

“How will I know it’s you?” They Boy was anxious and seemed concerned to let Tommy go.

Tommy held up his fingers to form a two. “Two knocks. Not one, not three. Two.”

The Boy nodded and Tommy held out his hand. “I’ll come back for you, I promise.” He barely knew the boy but the boy’s fear was radiating off on him. He felt clingier than usual.

The Boy took his hand and shook it. “Goodluck.”

Tommy dramatically saluted, the salute he gave to his brother after saying he has homework, and ran away. He quickly rushed to Professor Sam’s class. He opened the doors but no one was inside. It was empty.

He looked turned around but was confronted with another person… no this wasn’t a person. They looked dead, and they had blood streaming from their mouth. The Color was Faded Into a nasty gray and they reached to claw for Tommy. Tommy kicked the undead person back and sprinted down the hall.

“Tommy?” A shriek came from behind him and Tommy froze when he heard his name.

He spun around and was faced with Tubbo running to him. No.. he wasn’t running to Tommy. He was running away from the crowd of undead behind him.

“Tubbo!” Tommy yelled back. “Come on!” He waited but his legs desperately told him to run away from the crowd of undead.

Tommy held out his hand which was soon enough engulfed with Tubbos. They sprinted down the hall.

“We just have to get to the boys bathroom! I have a weird lanky kid waiting there! We can make-“ Tommy was in the middle of his sentence when he tumbled to the ground.

One of the undead had caught onto Tubbo leg which sent him and Tommy both flying into the ground.

Tubbo shrieked as the undead covered him.

“Come on, Tubbo! We have to go! We’re so close!” Tommy tried to pick up his friend but an undead pulled him back.

Tubbo yelped. “The fucker bit me!” He kicked one of the undead in the face.

Tommy had picked Tubbo up and started carrying him down the hall. He was significantly slower now, but Tommy had to get them to the other boy who was waiting.

“I can walk you dense-“ he erupted into a fit of coughs and Tommy saw blood from his mouth.

“You said, they bit you?” Tommy asked, knowing this all too well. The Zombie Apocalypse.

Tubbos face went pale and he understood. “Yeah.. they did.”

Tommy shook away the thought. There was a loud growling from behind them.

Wait..

They weren’t growling. They were speaking. Tommy blocked the sound out. He had to focus on getting his friend to safety.

“Do you hear that?” Tubbo asked, he looked ill.

“Hear what?” Tommy tried his best to play dumb, he thought the effects of being bit were a lot slower in the movies.

Tubbo paused to listen. “They’re saying.. find.. blade?” Tubbo coughed again and his skin looked grayer. “Find a blade..” he repeated.

“Stay with me, Tubbs.” Tommy demanded but it sounded more like a plea.

Suddenly Tommy’s legs have out beneath him. He was not strong. It was a surprise he could carry Tubbo for that long.

Tommy collapsed and they both fell.

“Tubbo? Tubbo!” Tommy called and shook his friend lying next to him.

Tubbo was limp but he was breathing. “Go.. find… find the blade. That’s what they’re saying.”

Tommy heard it louder now the growling was full words in the same sentence.

“Find the blade.” They muttered between themselves. “Find the blade!” They growled.

“Go Tommy. If you want to survive, you need to leave!” He begged.

Tommy shook his head, “Not without you.” He felt tears rising in his eyes but he bit them down. Not here. Not now.

“Go!” Tubbo yelled again and this time Tommy obeyed.

Maybe it was out of fear of the undead approaching, maybe it was out of fear for his life. But something told him if he didn’t leave that second, Tubbo would kill him before any dead person did.

Tommy made it to the bathroom, he silently apologized to Tubbo and knocked twice.

The door opened and Tommy gave a sigh of relief. “You’re still alive.” Tommy felt relieved and was pulled inside by the lanky boy.

“We need to go.” The boy said, still panicking.

Tommy nodded. “There’s window but we’re on the second story.”

“And theres zombies below.” The boy chimed in.

Tommy cringed. “Don’t call them that.”

“Why Not?” The lanky boy frowned.

“It sounds dumb. Just call them.. the undead.” Tommy came stuttered out.

The Boy sighed. “Theres undead below.”

Tommy frowned. How would they get out?

“We just have to take our chances then.” Tommy responded blandly.

The Boy looked at him like he suggested they slay a dragon. “Are you Crazy?”

Tommy shrugged. “Maybe.” He just watched his best friend die, anyone would be a little delusional after that.

The Boy sighed. “What’s your name then? If you’re about to get me killed I want to come haunt you.”

Tommy let himself smile at that, he hadn’t realized he was scowling the whole time. “Tommy. What about you? Maybe I want to haunt you if I die.”

The Boy let out a small but pained laugh. “My names Ranboo.”

“Okay, Ranboob.” Tommy stuck out his tongue and opened the window.

“Actually it’s Ranboo-“ they boy tried to correct him but Tommy jumped out the window.

He landed funny on his leg but the adrenaline was coursing though him.

Ranboo jumped down after him and gasped. “You’re insane.”

“No time, let’s go.” Tommy grabbed Ranboos wrist and started running.

Luckily his house was not too far from the school, they were just about to run inside when a voice called. It was a young man, Tommy turned to look and he was dressed in green.

“You kids! Hurry! Get inside!” He seemed scared for them and Tommy noticed the approaching undead crowd.

Tommy hesitated. Wilbur was in here, but what if he saw something he didn’t want to see? What if he was dead too? Ranboo tugged at his wrist.

“Come on, we can make it.” Ranboo started running toward the man in green.

Tommy did not want to see his brother dead. He couldn’t. So he ran toward the green man too.

It was irrational but Tommy was desperate. It was better to assume Wilbur was dead than to hopelessly try and find him dead.

“Im Sorry, Wil.” He muttered, tears really threatening to spill now.

Chapter Text

Tommy and Ranboo rushed inside the green mans house and he closed the door behind them and locked it. He walked over to a window and looked inside.

Oh please don’t be a killer, Tommy silently prayed.

“I don’t think they saw you two, where are you boys coming from?” The green man lifted an eyebrow, he didn’t look like a murderer.

“School.” Ranboo said.

“Park.” Tommy lied.

Tommy glared at Ranboo and the boy flushed.

“Park.” Ranboo lied.

“School.” Tommy corrected himself.

The two boys looked down embarrassed.

The Green man just laughed. Ok, calling him ‘the green man’ just sounds ominous. He wore a green bucket hat and a green sweater. So technically he was green but not a sickly green as you might’ve thought.

“I’m Phil.” He held out his hand.

Tommy shook it. He’s never met his neighbors but Wilbur was very social with them.

“Do you-“ Tommy stopped himself.

The man raised another eyebrow. “Go on.” Phil had a curious tone in his voice.

Tommy paused. He felt almost ill. “Is my brother here..?”

Phil titled his head slightly before the realization spread across his face. “You’re Wilbur’s boy.” The man stated and Tommy nodded. The man frowned to the younger. “I saw him leave his house after the sirens sounded on the news.”

“Why didn’t our school tell us about this?” Ranboo cut in.

“Where was he going?” Tommy ignored Ranboo, he was desperate to find Wilbur.

The man blinked a few times. “The school didn’t evacuate you?”

Ranboo shook his head and Tommy couldn’t wait any longer. “Where was Wilbur going?” He repeated himself.

Phil shrugged. “I thought he was on his way to pick you up from school.”

Tommy sucked a breath in. Wilbur was looking for him, he was at that school overrun with the undead. Tommy tried to move but the adrenaline must’ve warn off and their was a sharp pain in his ankle, his legs buckled and he fell to the ground. Phil rushed to his side and Ranboo flinched, he took immediate defense in front of Tommy.

“I won’t hurt him. I let you guys in. You’re safe.” Phil reassured and Ranboo glanced back to Tommy. Tommy gave a nod.

Ranboo moved to let Phil examine Tommys leg. He hummed before giving a straight answer. “It’s sprained.”

Tommy laid his head back on the floor and groaned. “I’m fine. I have to go find Wil. He’s waiting for me.” He tried to get up but Phil pushed him back down.

“Stay off it. What did you two do?” Phils fingers poked at Tommy’s ankle and he flinched.

“We jumped out a window?” Ranboo said more like a question than an answer. Phil gave them a horrified look.

He gathered himself again and sighed. “I have two guest rooms, I boarded up the windows earlier when the news sirens sounded. You should be safe but just in case, yell for me immediately if something happens.” He stared at the both and they nodded.

Tommy tried to get up again but was pushed back to the ground. “Like I said, lay off your ankle. You will stay in the bed. Alright?”

Tommy was hesitant about answering, he was planning to leave the second he got the chance but his ankle was aching. “Alright! Alright.” He groaned and Phil picked him up.

He showed Ranboo where the rooms were and then took Tommy to his own room. He laid him on the bed, “Stay put. I’ll be back with ice for your ankle, okay mate?”

Tommy nodded. Phil left the room.

Was Wilbur really at the highschool searching for him? If so.. he’s dead. No one made it out alive, just him and Ranboo. There was no possible way to get out.. even Tubbo couldn’t get out.

Tommy held back the tears for his deceased friend.

Wilbur..

Tommy was forced to assume he was dead, but if he wasn’t.. if he left the house, he could be out there. He could be alive! Tommy knew it wasn’t true but part of him wanted to hope.

That’s when the tears spilled. No. Wilbur was dead. He would never rub circles into Tommys back ever again, or ruffle his golden hair. He’d never hear his brother sing the music he’d written for countless of girls who didn’t deserve him. He was caring, he was sensitive, he was talented, he was perfect. And now he’s dead.

Tommy cried out, a pained sound escaped his throat and he clamped his hands over his mouth and Phil had entered the room again with an ice pack. He didn’t acknowledge Tommy was crying, but if he did he didn’t say anything. He remained silent and kept his eyes on the floor. He placed the ice pack over Tommy’s injured foot and left shortly after.

That night was filled with countless of nightmares, of Tubbo dying. Then he saw Wil. Standing there with his brown curls bouncing over his fake glasses. He smiled to Tommy and opened his arms asking to be embraced. Then Tommy woke with a start.

There was banging at the front door. Tommy’s heart froze. It was quick and loud knocking. Tommy’s heart sped up and he got up from his bed. His ankle was instantly reminded of his injury but he didn’t care, he made his way to the guest bedroom door and opened it.

Phil had reached the front door before Tommy could. He held a bat in his hands, and he spoke to the stranger. Tommy couldn’t hear what they were saying, but Phil wasn’t swinging the bat so it couldn’t be an undead.

Tommy stood in the doorway do his bedroom door and waited, he hadn’t noticed the ran from outside. It must’ve started after he fell asleep.

“Hurry. Come inside before they see you.” Phil said and pulled the stranger in.

This was not a stranger. Tommy couldn’t believe who he was looking at. The Brown curls were drenched with rain and his trench coat was dripping water onto Phil’s nice carpet.

“Wil..?” Tommys voice cracked.

Wilbur looked over to the doorway of the guest bedroom where Tommy was standing. “Tommy!” He yelled before running to Tommy and knocking him off his feet.

Tommy clutched on Wilbur and hugged him tighter than he had ever hugged his brother. He began to sob into the already wet chest of Wilburs shirt. “I-I thought you were dead.” Tommy was crying, not very pretty but who pretty cries during a zombie apocalypse?

“Toms.” Wilburs hands ran through Tommy’s blonde curls. “Toms, I was so scared. I couldn’t find you.”

Tommy’s heart dropped. “You went to the school?” His suspicions were confirmed.

Wilbur nodded. “I had to find you. I couldn’t live with myself if you died, Toms.” He sounded sad, like he had also believed his brother was dead for hours.

Wilbur pulled Tommy tighter into his chest and Tommy yelped this time, remembering the pain in his ankle. Wilbur looked scared and pulled away from the boy, scanning every detail for a sign of an injury.

“Did you get bit?” He sounded worried but Tommy shook his head.

“Oi, I thought I told you to stay off that ankle.” Phil sighed. “You’re going to make it worse.”

Wilburs eyes shot to Tommy’s ankles, however the now purple ankle shouldn’t have been noticeable under his long jeans.

Wilbur looked back at Tommy with a puzzled look. “What happened?”

“I jumped out a window.” Tommy narrowed his eyes. “Of the school.”

Wilbur processed this for a moment. “Tommy, all of your classes are on the second floor.” His voice was filled with worry and warning. Tommy was in for a lecture later.

Tommy faked a yawn. “Ah, it is the middle of the night. I’m quite tired. Night, Wil.” He tried to exit the conversation but Phil stopped him.

“You two are sharing a room anyway, I only have two guest bedrooms and my office.” Phil looked exhausted.

“Wilbur doesn’t mind sleeping on the floor. Right, Wil?” Tommy gave a smirk to his older brother who gaped at him

Wilbur chuckled and ruffled Tommys hair. “You little gremlin. Come on, let’s get you off your foot.”

They said a quick goodnight to Phil and went back to the guest bedroom Tommy was staying in. Tommy sat back down on the bed, feeling relieved when the pressure was taken off his foot. Wilbur took off his wet trench coat and sat next to him. “Right or left?”

“Left.” Tommy responded and narrowed his eyes.

Wilbur rolled up the left side of Tommys jeans and Tommy flinched at the exposure of touch. His ankle was bruised purple and was swollen. Wilbur sighed, oh no. Here comes the lecture. “What were you thinking?”

“I was thinking of surviving.” Tommy mumbled, barely audible.

Wilbur took one of Phil’s smaller pillows and propped Tommy’s foot up against it. “You could’ve broken it. Was there no other way out?”

Tommy shook his head. “I would’ve gotten bit, like-..” Tommy fell silent.

Wilbur grabbed arm and rubbed it. “What happened?” He asked carefully.

Tommy choked back tears again. “Tubbo.. I went back to save him but he got bit.” Tommy bit into his tongue so hard he tasted some blood.

“Toms..” Wilbur frowned and was about to speak again.

“Blade.” Tommy mumbled.

Wilbur tilted his head. “Pardon?”

“They said.. find the Blade.” Tommy furrowed his brows. “They were telling me to.”

Wilbur looked concerned now. “The zombies?”

“The undead.” Tommy corrected him. “They told me to.”

Wilbur looked worried. “Tommy, they don’t speak? They only growl and groan.”

“But.. Tubbo heard it! He told me to find the Blade!” Tommy reasoned, he wasn’t crazy.

“Calm down, I believe you. You said that Tubbo got bit? Was this before or after?” Wilbur rubbed Tommys arm and he relaxed slightly.

“After.” Tommy mumbled.

Wilbur nodded. “I believe you. One of my friends, Jack. He came with me to find you. He got bit.” Tommy was surprised, he looked up to meet Wil’s warm eyes. “He said he needed a blade.”

“But- but why can I hear them? I haven’t been bit, I would be dead by now if I had.” Tommy was confused and rolled up his sleeves for confirmation he didn’t get bit by the undead.

Wilbur shook his head, confused aswell. “I don’t know, Toms.” He pushed Tommy’s golden hair out of his eyes.

“Maybe we should get some rest, we need to figure out what to do next in the morning.” Wilbur laid down next to Tommy and cradled the boy to his chest.

Tommy relaxed in his brothers arms, physical touch was his love language and Wilbur knew this.

“Isn’t it obvious?” Tommy sighed. “We survive.”

Chapter Text

Tommy woke up in another fit of thrashing around, this time big arms grabbed him. Tommy panicked.

“Help!” He cried out. “Help me!” He sobbed as he was sure the undead had found him.

“Toms, Toms it’s okay.” A calming voice hushed him. “It’s just me, it’s me.”

Tommy desperately opened his eyes as he stared into the warm ones of Wilburs. Tommy was breathing rapidly and Wilbur clutched him to his chest.

“Hey, hey it’s okay.” Wilbur calmed Tommy. “It was a just a dream.”

Tommys breathing slowed but he still clutched onto Wilburs yellow sweater. His eyes scanned the room for any sign of the undead or intrusion.

“What was it about?” Wilburs voice slightly hummed as he rocked Tommy back and forth.

Tommy took a shaky breath before muttering, “Tubbo.”

Wilbur paused and stroked Tommys hair. “I get them too.”

“What?” Tommy asked automatically, the shock barely setting in.

Wilbur only continued to play with the blonde tuft of hair. “Dreams. I get them too.” Wilburs voice was soft. It was early morning and the sun was peaking through the boarded up windows. “Sometimes they’re about Mom and Dad.”

Tommy froze at hearing that. They don’t talk about their parents anymore. Tommy was too young to remember them but Wilbur did not have a good relationship with their parents. Wilbur always told Tommy that Mom was nice and sweet, and she always knew what to say. She died when Tommy was born, Wilbur never blamed Tommy though. Their Father did, which caused fights between the two. Wilbur told Tommy that one night their dad went driving and got in a bad crash.

That’s when Wilbur and Tommy were moved to foster care, Tommy did remember that. Wilbur was 14, but Tommy was only 7. They were separated a few times, most of the time because Tommy was a ‘problem child’. Wilbur always found his way back to Tommy though, running away from every foster home he was placed in that wasn’t with Tommy. Eventually Wilbur was old enough to take care of himself and he brought Tommy with him.

That’s how they ended up where they are in the post zombie apocalypse.

“I’m sorry.” Tommy apologized.

Wilbur hesitated. “Tommy you have nothing to apologize for.” He comforted the boy.

“I’m still sorry.” Tommy mumbled and buried his face into his brothers chest.

Wilbur hugged Tommy close to his chest once more before pushing him away. “Come on, stop being clingy.” Wilbur laughed. “I’m hungry, what about you?”

Tommy rolled his eyes and got up from the bed. “We’re in a zombie apocalypse, idiot. We should ration food.”

“Fine, then let’s go ‘ration’ food.” Wilbur mocked and stood up from the bed aswell.

They walked into the kitchen occasionally pushing eachother playfully. They were met with Phil who was already pouring cereal.

“Morning, Boys.” He smiled.

“Hey, Phil.” Wilbur said as social as ever. The two have known eachother for years. Well they were more acquaintances, seeing as the two were neighbors.

Tommy had no idea this man had ever existed before the zombie apocalypse though. Tommy didn’t question it.

“Cereal?” Phil asked pulling out two more bowls.

“Where’s Ranboo?” Tommy asked, Wilbur sent him a questioning look.

Phil hummed and started to pour more cereal into the other bowls. “Still asleep.”

“Who’s Ranboo?” Wilbur cut in.

Tommy scoffed. “He’s my friend.”

“You never spoke about him?” Wilbur was right, Tommy always spoke about his friends. He was quite talkative.

Tommy paused. “Fine, I met him yesterday. He was there when we found out about the entire zombie apocalypse thing.”

“He’s in your class?” Wilbur questioned raising an eyebrow.

“No, I passed by him in the hall.” Tommy said as Phil handed the pair their cereal.

Wilbur had a look of alarm on his face. “Why were you in the hall?”

Tommys Heart dropped. He fucked up. “Er- Professor Sam wanted to praise me on getting all the questions on his test right.” Tommy quickly lied.

“You hate World History. Did you get in trouble again? Why didn’t Puffy call me?” Wilbur was already scolding Tommy.

Tommy sighed and came clean. “Fine, I may have proved to Sam that his class was boring and he got mad. Puffy promised not to call you again.” Tommy started to eat his cereal.

“Tommy! I’ve already gotten 3 phone calls from the school.” Wilbur sighed. “How hard is it to stay out of trouble?”

Tommy took defense, “He was giving a lecture that was going on for an hour, Wilbur!”

Wilbur placed his face in his hands and took a deep breath. “That’s his job, Toms.”

Tommy felt guilty for making Wilbur stressed out. “Whatever. It was boring.” He looked away and continued eating his cereal.

The Trio sat in silence for a while before Ranboo emerged from the second guest bedroom. Wilbur eyed the boy suspiciously and looked him up and down. Ranboo looked to Tommy, he was confused.

Tommy sighed. “Ranboo, this is my brother, Wilbur.”

“Nice to meet you.” Wilbur held out his hand.

Ranboo stared at the hand, confused. “You too? I’m Ranboo.”

Wilbur hummed. “So I’ve heard.”

Ranboo made his way over to Phil and Phil handed him another bowl of cereal. “Sleep well?”

Ranboo nodded and opened his mouth to respond but there was a loud bang on the door.

Tommy and Wilbur exchanged looks, Phil made his way to the door with his bat. He unlocked the door and opened it, there was a bloodied blonde man in a green hoodie. He was bent over, clutching his stomach.

“Help.. please help me.” The man croaked, his voice was hoarse.

“Hurry, get inside.” Phil pulled him in and closed the door.

He dropped his bat and helped the man to the couch. Ranboo stared at the man puzzled, he looked to Tommy and Tommy shrugged.

“Wilbur, come with me. I need towels and some first aid stuff. I have some in the hall closet. Tommy, Ranboo, watch him please.” Phil and Wilbur hurriedly rushed out the room.

Tommy got up from his seat, “don’t.” Ranboo warned him.

“Why not?” Tommy frowned.

“I-.. I don’t know. But I’ve seen him somewhere before.” Ranboo said cautiously.

Tommy looked back over to the man, he was unconscious. “He’s not even awake, what’s the worst he could do?”

Ranboo remained silent and Tommy couched down by the couch where the man was breathing slowly. Tommy studied his face, under all the dried blood, there were freckles. He had blonde, matted, hair and his green hoodie was stained with blood. The weird thing was, Tommy wasn’t sure if it was the mans own blood or someone else’s..

Tommy turned around to look at Ranboo, “hey, Ranboo.. come check this-“

Tommy was knocked to the ground by a powerful force, there was sharp pain in the back of his head and a loud ringing sound.

There was no sound but the constant ringing, but Tommy was able to look up and see the man now standing behind him. He was holding a bat and Ranboo was yelling something Tommy couldn’t hear. He clutched his head and Wilbur rushed back into the room. The blonde man was smirking and then suddenly Tommy could hear again.

“Ommy!- Tommy!” Wilbur was yelling but the blonde placed a hand to his ear.

“Survivors. 4 of them.” He spoke and there was movement outside the windows.

Tommy sat up and clutched his head. It was pounding and warm fluid was running down his neck. “Who are you?” Tommy gasped.

The man smirked down to Tommy. “You’re still awake?” The man looked impressed. “Call me Dream.” He looked amused, he twirled the bat in his hands. Wilbur stood in the doorway, he rushed to charge at Dream but Dream kicked him to the floor. Wilbur grunted.

“It was nice meeting you, Tommy? Right?” Tommy squinted as the throbbing in his head got worse. “If you survive, come find me. You’ve got quite the pain tolerance, you remind me of someone I once knew.” He smirked and suddenly for the first time, Tommy noticed the flames spreading from the outside in.

The man calmly walked out of the door before pulling a liquid substance and dousing the entrance.

Tommy was still clutching his head but he stood up, Wilbur had gotten up from the floor and helped Tommy up too. Ranboo looked like he was panicking and Phil had just come with an first aid kit. “What’s going on?!”

“No time to explain.” Wilbur put an arm under Tommys waist. “We need to get out.” Wilbur started walking, and Tommy could tell Wilbur was slowed down with him.

“I can walk.” Tommy said pushing himself off Wilbur, his head still pounding.

Wilbur looked hurt but nodded and they ran to the windows. Wilbur began to pry at the boards on the window, Tommy tried to help. The smoke filled into the room and Wilbur erupted into a fit of coughs.

“It’s no use, try another room.” Wilbur lowered himself on the ground and Tommy stumbled a bit.

Ranboo and Phil were trying to calm the fire at the entrance but to no help.

Tommy desperately clawed at the boards, ignoring Wilbur. He wasn’t the best at being obedient anyway.

Tommy was slowly beginning to panic as the air seemed to get thinner, Wilbur was weakly tugging the boards and Ranboo had collapsed, mostly due to panic. Phil was by his side and picked him up.

“We need to find another way out.” Phil held the lanky boy in his arms.

“Don’t you have a back door?” Tommy started to cough as smoke filled his lungs. The heat was unbearable and Tommy was sweating so much his shirt was drenched.

“Its boarded up too, I only left the front door unboarded.” Phil sighed.

Tommy cursed under his breath and took Wilburs arm, he placed his arm under his brother and his brothers arm over his shoulder. He tried to carry his brother but collapsed under the weight. He stumbled to the ground. Just because he had a high pain tolerance, did not mean he was strong.

Tommy’s vision started to blur and he laid on the ground. This is it, he thought. This is how I die. He closed his eyes and let smoke fill his lungs as his head pounded.

“Hey. Come on.” Someone with a monotonous voice shook him.

Tommys eyes darted open and there was a man with long pink hair and a red hoodie, shaking him. He began to break away at the boards on Phil’s living room windows, he was incredibly strong.

Tommy stood up and the man raised an eyebrow, not expecting him to stand for more than 6 minutes.

“Who are you?” Tommy choked out.

The man smirked. “Technoblade. My
name’s Technoblade.”

Chapter Text

They were able to get everyone out with Technoblade’s help. Wilbur was laying on the grass, still coughing. Phil was tending to Ranboo, and Tommy was struggling to stand.

After clarifying they’re safe, Tommy collapsed. Technoblade raised an eyebrow at this and Wilbur had sat up from where he was laying. He crawled to Tommy and started to shake him.

“Toms? Toms, you okay?” Wilbur said softly.

The ringing sound in Tommy’s ear was still there, he put a hand to where he was hit in the head and pulled away. There was warm red liquid on his hand. Wilbur gasped and Technoblade stood in shock.

“When did that happen?” The pink haired man asked, his voice full of curiosity.

Tommy groaned and laid his head back, against the soft grass.

“Dream.” Ranboo’s voice was soft, he was awake now. “He hit him with Phil’s bat. I think he meant to knock him out.”

Technoblade eyed Ranboo and hummed. “I’m surprised you’re still awake. You probably have a concussion.” Technoblade crouched next to Tommy.

Wilbur quickly moved to block the boy from the man who saved their lives. Technoblade looked amused.

“We should get going, the undead will be here before long. They’re attracted to lights and sound.” Technoblade wrapped a hand under Tommy’s neck and Wilbur glared.

“Get away from him.” Wilbur snarked, hostility rising in his voice.

Technoblade huffed. “And I suppose you’re going to carry him?”

Wilbur thought about it for a moment and sighed, letting the man pick Tommy up.

“I can walk.” Tommy groaned, it sounded almost pathetic. “It doesn’t even hurt.”

Technoblade readjusted the boy in his arms. “You don’t feel the pain but you’re body does. You have a high pain tolerance but you’re body wouldn’t make it more than a few steps with the smoke inhalation and your concussion.”

Tommy felt dumb but he didn’t continue the conversation.

“Where are you taking us?” Ranboo asked, probably still panicked.

Technoblade hummed. “Somewhere safe.”

“How do we know you’re not lying?” Wilbur glared, the tension slowly rising.

Tommy’s head felt fuzzy and he could barely keep up with the conversation. “You’re name is weird.”

Technoblade left out a huff that must’ve been a laugh. “You can just call me Techno.”

Techno.

Technoblade.

Blade.

…

Blade.

Tommy let out a gasp and suddenly he was more alert than ever. “Blade.” His own voice scared him.

Techno looked at him confused and Tommy stared in disbelief. “You’re the blade.”

Techno looked shocked and dropped Tommy, Tommy let out a yelp as he hit the ground. Wilbur rushed to Tommy’s side and placed himself between the man and the boy.

“Who are you?” Techno glared down at Tommy.

Tommy held his back which he was dropped on, it ached but not bad. “I’m Tommy.” His voice was sarcastic.

“How did you find me?” Techno’s eyes were watching Tommy carefully, observing his every move.

“Actually you found us.” Tommys voice was more sarcastic than his first respond. “They told me to find you.”

Techno hesitated before biting back with more spite. “Who? Dream? Schlatt?”

“Wha- what does Schlatt have to do with this?” Tommy was confused at the sudden mention of the President.

“Do you work with them? Is that why you baited me into saving you?” Tommy could’ve sworn Techno’s gaze pierced through his skin.

“No!” Tommy hissed. “They didn’t tell me, the undead did!” Tommy’s back was aching more.

Techno seemed to lower his guard but his eyes didn’t leave Tommy, finally he spoke again. “Leave.”

“What?” Tommys voice seemed to drop in disappointment.

“I didn’t see you, you didn’t see me. Leave.” Techno turned, marking his decision final.

Tommy was conflicted, he found the person Tubbo told him too. He found the person the undead were looking for. Now he was leaving?

Tommy searched for a reason to stop him but came up empty. “No. No you need to explain!” Tommy felt desperate.

Techno ignored him and started walking away, Wilbur stood up and scoffed. “It’s fine, Toms. He’s a coward. We don’t need him.”

This stopped Techno and he turned around. “What did you call me?”

Tommy could feel the hostility emitting from Techno. “I called you a coward.” Wilbur mocked Techno.

All time seemed to stop as Techno flew forward, his fist colliding with Wilbur’s jaw. Wilbur stumbled back and held his face in one hand, his eyes hinted he was about to strike and Tommy stood up and placed himself between the two.

“Stop it!” He yelled, slightly wobbling back and forth. He didn’t feel any pain but his body felt like it would give out under all the weight. He looked to Wilbur, “you, stop it.” Then he looked to Techno. “And you, explain.”

Techno hesitated and sighed. “Not here.”

“Why not?” Tommy didn’t mean to sound rude, but Techno didn’t seem to notice.

“Because it’s personal. I can lead you all back to my base, but I’ll decide who stays and doesn’t.” Techno started walking away.

That’s fair, Tommy meant to say but instead he collapsed to the ground. Wilbur instantly went to Tommy’s side and picked him up, he glared at Techno who had turned around to help.

Tommy didn’t remember the path to the base, he wasn’t even sure if he was conscious for any of it. The next thing he knew, he was laying in a bed with blue sheets. He sat up but was pushed back down by Techno.

“Don’t sit up with a concussion. Hasn’t anyone ever told you that?” Techno huffed and looked away.

Wilbur and Ranboo were also in the room. “Where’s Phil?” Tommy asked first, he had grown attached to the old man.

Okay, he wasn’t old. But he was old enough.

“He’s on first watch, the brunette’s supposed to be up there too.” Techno glared at Wilbur, who was standing anxiously by Tommy.

Wilbur scoffed. “Like I would leave you alone with my little brother.”

Techno rolled his eyes.

Tommy spoke again. “Explain. You knew what I was talking about, right?”

Techno looked uneasy. “Straight to the point, ey?”

Tommy nodded.

“Fine, I’ll tell you. Yes, I’m the blade.” Techno said and Tommy wanted to reply snarky saying ‘I got that much’ but he didn’t. “I’ll keep it short, Dream and Schlatt are looking for me.”

“Why? You’re nothing special.” Wilbur voice was condescending.

Techno didn’t take alarm though, “My blood is what started the virus. It was used to make the dead… well, undead.”

Tommy didn’t know what he expected but it was not that. “How did you find us?”

“I followed Dream, he was looking for me but I was following him the entire time. I was just about to kill him too before his friends showed up. There were two of them but I didn’t see their faces.” Techno responded casually.

“The orientation!” Ranboo suddenly exclaimed from the corner.

Everyone turned to look at the boy who blushed heavily.

“T-thats where I know Dream from. The Orientation video from our school.” Ranboo looked to Tommy.

“The one with President Schlatt?” Tommy never paid attention to those.

Ranboo nodded. “Dream is always in the back. I didn’t recognize him at first.”

Techno agreed with this. “Dream is a bounty hunter for Schlatt.”

“And, he’s hunting you.” Tommy said, connecting the dots. “But why?”

Techno looked amused. “Because I escaped. So they sent the zombie apocalypse to find me.”

“That’s why they’re saying to ‘find blade’ it’s wired into their brain.. no. Instinct.” Tommy said suddenly feeling lighter. “But why can I hear them?”

This caught Techno off guard and he looked puzzled for a moment. “You have a high pain tolerance.”

“So?” Tommy sounded defensive, he almost was.

“You can hear them.” Techno tried to make sense to Tommy but he was lost.

Tommy was still confused. “Yeah?”

Techno sighed. “You’re like me.”

Tommy froze, what does that mean. He wanted to ask a million questions but Techno spoke first.

“If you aren’t careful, they’ll use you too.” Techno responded not caring to give an explanation.

“Wait, what does that mean? Can you hear them too?” Tommy asked but Techno stood up.

He didn’t care to explain. He left the room, leaving Tommy in shock.

Chapter Text

Things in Techno’s base weren’t bad. Techno insisted that they keep patrols with at least two people on watch, which didn’t bother Tommy. That was until it was his turn to be on patrol with the blade alone.

Things were awkward at first, they sat in silence with weapons in hand. Techno had supplied anyone on patrol with a gun, Tommy didn’t know much about them except they could kill someone in an instant. He felt weird wielding one himself.

The Blade did not move from his spot, sometimes he would stare Tommy down. Tommy wanted to ask him a million questions but instead he settled for one.

“Can you hear them?” Tommy asked, his voice slightly trembled at the silence breaking.

Techno’s eyes wondered off him and let out a small chuckle. “That’s what you’re worried about?”

Tommy shrugged. “That’s the only thing I want to ask.”

“You could’ve asked me how to stop the virus or what I meant when I told you we were alike, but you’re worried about if I can hear them?” Techno seemed amused.

“I want to make sure I’m not crazy, so let’s start out easy. Can you hear them too?” Tommy want confirmation, sure Techno had implied it before. But that wasn’t the same as confirming it.

Techno laughed again before nodding. “Yeah I can hear them, but they’re made from my blood. It would be crazy if I didn’t hear them.”

Tommy thought about this. “Why can I hear them then? Are we some kind of long lost brothers?” Tommy attempted to joke but it sounded more serious than he meant it.

“Nah, then your brother would hear them too. I think you’re just like me somehow.” The pink haired man responded as vague as ever.

Tommy rolled his eyes. “How?”

“You’re pain tolerance was the first hint. I have one too. I stabbed myself in the hand before and I didn’t even realize it until I looked at it.” Techno’s eyes scanned the field, looking for movement but to no avail.

“That’s insane. I feel pain, it’s just higher than normal.” Tommy’s voice was filled with sarcasm.

Techno hummed. “You feel it when you’re aware of it, you were bleeding from the head but you didn’t feel it until you looked at the blood on your hands.”

Tommy stared in shock, he was right. He knew he was hit in the head but he didn’t feel any physical pain, just the ringing in his ears.

“How did they find out you were.. special?” Tommy didn’t mean to sound dumb in the moment, but he didn’t know what to call Techno.

“I prefer the word abnormal.” Techno corrected him. “I didn’t try and get help for my weird pain tolerance, instead I started hearing these voices. At first they started as little thoughts and soon they developed their own personalities and became a problem.”

“So you went to get help?” Tommy’s interest was peaked.

Techno nodded. “I went to a doctor, his name was Karl. He tried to help me but had never seen a case like mine before, he ran tests and eventually got President Schlatt involved.”

Tommy felt uneasy. “But I’ve never heard voices before.”

Techno shook his head. “I didn’t develop them until I was 19, how old are you?”

“17..” Tommy practically whispered.

“I can’t protect you. No matter what you do, you can’t get help. If they find out you’re like me, they’ll use you to start or stop another virus. You just have to endure them.” Techno’s voice had changed from lighthearted to serious.

Tommy nodded. “What happens if I don’t develop them?”

Techno hesitated before responding in full monotone. “Then you’re lucky.”

The two sat in silence again, tension was high. Tommy was left with his thoughts there before moving onto the next question.

“How do we stop the virus?” Tommy asked, his voice back to a tremble.

“That’s easy.” Techno responded and looked up at the sky. “You kill me.”

Tommy was not sure what he expected, but it wasn’t that. “What?”

“My blood started this, once I’m dead it’ll die off too.” Techno closed his eyes, Tommy doubted he dropped his guard.

“So, someone kills you and it stops? Just like that?” Tommy asked, almost too good to be true.

It was.

Technos eyes shot open again, glaring holes into Tommys eyes. “Don’t get any ideas, I don’t want to die yet. I haven’t had a chance to live.”

That made sense. He only look in his early twenties but he sounded a million years older.

Then something flickered in the distance, there was someone approaching. No.. there were multiple people approaching. Like a wave at a concert, they practically tripped over each other.

However, these weren’t people.

“Undead.” Techno whispered and held up his gun.

Tommy did the same but he had no idea how to operate one. He preferred a bat or a sword, something easy to swing.

The undead were approaching fast and Technoblade shot some of the undead up front. They were maybe fifteen feet away before Techno yelled, “Climb the ladder! We have a better chance up high.”

Tommy did what he was told because he was getting nowhere by helplessly shooting the zombies. The undead were closer by the time he was halfway up close and Techno grunted.

Tommy looked down to where Techno should’ve been right behind him, he was further down the ladder. An undead had grabbed his ankle and Techno was trying to kick it away in a panicked manner.

Tommy did the only thing reasonable. Reckless, but reasonable. He jumped down from the ladder and used the gun he had to hit the undead away from Techno.

Techno sat there shocked at the sudden sword-gun wielding teenager, but he climbed the ladder. Tommy wasn’t enough to keep the undead off of him very long though, like he said it was reckless. Even he would admit that. He felt the dead cold hands claw at his back and he suddenly dropped the gun and sprinted for the ladder again.

Techno held out his hand and Tommy grabbed it, being practically lifted onto the porch of the house on stilts.

Technos base was big, but it was just a mere house. A farmhouse in the middle of nowhere, on stilts. It was weird but convenient.

He was hauled up on the porch and he laid there gasping for breath.

“Why?” Techno breathed out.

“What?” Tommy was confused.

Techno stared at him like he didn’t recognize the blonde boy. “Why did you save me?”

Thats a dumb question, Tommy wanted to say. Instead, he held his tongue and responded more simplistic. “Because you’re a human too. You deserve a chance to live.”

Techno was not convinced. “You could’ve saved the entire world right there. Why didn’t you kill me?”

“Because, I haven’t had a chance to live yet either.” It sounded dumb, but Tommy didn’t care. “I’m going to find a cure, without killing.”

Techno scoffed. “That’s impossible. There is no cure.”

Tommy hummed. “Maybe, but I’m gonna find one.”

Techno only stared at the Boy. He said nothing. Tommy said nothing. They sat in silence. Not uncomfortable silence, just silence.

Just silence.

Until the silence was broken by Techno examining the boy. “Did you get bit?”

Tommy had forgotten about that, suddenly he panicked. “I don’t know, but they definitely touched my back. I would be dead by now if they bit me, right?” He looked to Techno for reassurance.

“Turn around.” Techno said and Tommy obeyed.

Techno sucked a breath in. “They definitely got your back. But no bites, just clawed.”

“I don’t feel any pain.” Tommy stated, silently admitting Techno was right about the pain tolerance.

“I think it’s better if you don’t, come on. Let’s get you fixed up. We can put Ranboo and Wilbur on the next patrol.” Techno helped Tommy stand up, even though he didn’t need help.

They walked inside and he let Techno tend to his wounds he didn’t acknowledge. Techno wrapped bandages around his chest and hummed again.

“How do you plan to find a cure, Theseus?” Techno said, giving Tommy yet another nickname.

Theseus? Toms? These people gotta stop naming strays before they get attached.

“I don’t know yet, maybe like a vaccine. If we can inject the virus into the bloodstream, maybe the body would build up an immune system.” Tommy thought hard while Techno finished the bandages around his chest.

“That’s smart. It could work, but the only place that has that information is in Washington. With Schlatt.” Techno quickly shut down his idea.

Tommy didn’t stop though. “Then we go to Washington, all of us. We steal the information and create a vaccine!” Tommy felt hopeful.

Techno shook his head. “Even if that worked, you can’t heal whats already dead.”

“What if they weren’t dead. What if they just got bit, or they haven’t succumbed to the virus yet! We could save them!” Tommy smiled, it could work. It was perfect. Almost too perfect.

Techno seemed to run out of ways to counter him, he sighed. “That.. could work.”

“We could save so many people!” Tommy’s smile was practically radiating off him.

Techno was lost for words and he smiled. “I almost believe it.”

That’s all Tommy needed, it was enough to feel seen and heard. Now he had hope.

Hope is what he needed.

Chapter Text

Tommy and Techno went away at theorizing about the cure for the virus. However, theorizing and completing are two very different things.

They were on patrol, sitting in the field by the ladder, this time with no sign of the undead to threaten them.

“We could go to Washington. It’d be so easy.” Tommy practically begged Techno.

Techno shook his head and denied the boy. “We don’t have enough people, who would stay here and guard the house?”

“Then we go! Me and you. Ranboo, Phil, and Wilbur could watch over things here.” Tommy countered quickly.

“We would be dead as soon as we get to Washington. Schlatt isn’t stupid, he has body guards.” Techno explained.

Tommy sighed. “We’re dead anyway, we might as well try.”

Techno frowned and ruffled the blonde boy’s hair. “Besides, Wilbur would never let you go on a mission without him.”

“Then we take Wilbur.” The blonde looked annoyed at Techno ruffling his hair but he said nothing.

“That only leaves Ranboo and Phil.” Techno pointed out.

Tommy looked defeated.

Suddenly there was a scream. A shrill terrified scream.

Tommy sat up right with a sword in hand, because Techno had learned he was better with handheld weapons than long distance. Techno raised his own gun to the sound.

“Help!” There was a women’s voice, desperate. “Please help us!”

“Inside. Now.” Technos voice sounded and he looked over to the blonde.

Well.. where the blonde should’ve been.

Tommy was running halfway across the field, he was running to the sound of the women screaming. The only thing in Tommy’s impulsive mind at the time, was the need to help the woman.

He rushed into the woods that surrounded the field and looked around. His eyes landed on a women with soft pink hair hugging a limp boy in her arms, she was shielding him with her body. There was an uneasy amount of undead approaching and Tommy’s eyes landed on one more boy about Wilbur’s age. They had curly brown hair and sunglasses. They were defending the woman and the boy from the undead.

Tommy rushed into the action and swung his sword at the nearest undead, drawing the attention away from the trio.

“Hey! I’m here to help!” Tommy could’ve sworn his voice sounded older than he was.

“Please..” The pink haired women begged, “you have to save him.”

Tommy looked down to the unconscious boy with blonde hair, he had a blood stained purple hoodie. Tommy doubted he went down without fighting.

“Did he get bit?” Tommy asked cautiously. If he was bit he was a lost cause, but Tommy couldn’t just leave him. Even if he was infected.

Fortunately, the women shook her head, “We were killing off these zombies until this maniac came in and stabbed my brother!”

The brunette took immediate defense. “I thought he was an undead attacking you! I was trying to save your life! Sue me!”

“I could very well sue you! For attempted murder! Or manslaughter!” The girls voice was bitter.

Tommy crouched down next to the other blonde. He was breathing, slowly but he was fine. Tommy looked back over to the man in sunglasses. He had a crack in his sunglasses and his jaw was turning purple. Tommy almost let himself laugh at the sight of a wounded teenager punching a grown man in the face.

“How long ago did he get stabbed?” Tommy asked quickly.

“Maybe 20 minutes ago, we’ve been fighting the zombies off. He only just passed out though..” the girls voice wondered.

Blood loss, Tommy guessed in his head.

Then out of no where Techno came through the trees.

“Tommy! What were you thinking?!” Techno sounded worried.

Tommy felt guilty but there was no time to apologize. “Can you take this boy back to camp? He needs help.”

Techno’s eyes scattered across the forest as he stared at the newcomers. Tommy could’ve sworn there was a flicker of recognition in the brunettes eyes as he looked at Technoblade.

Techno nodded and picked the boy up. The Girl looked like she wanted to fight back but decided against it.

“Might as well get them all back. Hurry up, before the undead come back.” Techno said monotonously and left in a hurry.

Tommy followed as the other two followed quickly after.

They made their way back to the house on stilts in no time and soon enough the boy was being treated. Wilbur was scolding Tommy for running off into danger, Techno had outted him the second they got back.

After being scolded and sitting through a long lecture, Wilbur engulfed Tommy into a hug. The two embraced and the girl looked slightly jealous.

“Are you two siblings?” She asked, narrowing her eyes.

Tommy nodded. “This is Wilbur, my older brother. I’m Tommy.” He introduced himself.

The Girl looked hesitant before revealing her identity. “My names Niki. My brother’s name is Grayson, but he prefers to be called Purpled.”

Tommy almost laughed, Purpled was a dumb name but he was sure the woman would’ve stabbed him for saying so. Instead he kept his mouth shut and looked to the brunette in the corner.

They had taken off their sunglasses and looked cautiously to Niki. Tommy was sure if they moved Niki would’ve tried to kill them.

“What’s your name?” Wilbur blurted out and the other brunette looked up towards him.

“I’m Eret..” They stared at Wilbur suspiciously.

Niki scoffed. “You kill harmless children often?”

“He’s not dead.” Techno’s voice came from the doorway. “Phil’s fixing him up.” He walked over to Tommy and Wilbur and sat down on the couch next to them.

Eret’s eyes swung over to Techno and they stared him down like he might just try and stab him too. “Who are you?” He asked.

“Technoblade.” Techno responded and Tommy kicked his feet on Techno’s legs and laid against Wilbur’s shoulder.

Tommy stretched out. “He’s practically my other brother.”

Technoblade raised an eyebrow. “How?”

“You said it yourself, we’re the same.”Tommy smiled.

“That doesn’t mean- nevermind.” Techno sighed, giving in.

Wilbur let himself chuckle and Tommy followed soon after.

Eret stared cautiously. “What does that mean? You two are the ‘same’.”

Techno shot Tommy a quick look that meant ‘shut up’.

“It means they like to team up on me.” Wilbur covered for the two of them and let out another laugh.

Eret did not look convinced and Tommy couldn’t place why they were so suspicious of them. He saved their life, they should be grateful.

“Purpled does that.” Niki smiled to them. “He makes me play minecraft and always teams up against me.”

Wilbur smiled back. “It must be a sibling thing.”

The two kept a light conversation flowing between them and Tommy let his mind wonder back to the vaccine that occupied his thoughts nowadays. He counted the people in the room.

Wilbur, one. Techno, two. Niki, three. Eret, four. Himself, five.

That was not including Ranboo, Phil, and Purpled in the other room.

Tommy felt the realization hit him and he sat up more straight. He stared at Techno, letting the hope flow off of his body.

Techno looked over to him and immediately understood. “No.” Techno whispered.

“But there’s enough people!” Tommy shouted a little louder than he intended, everyone in the room was now staring at the two.

“No.” Techno said once more.

Wilbur tilted his head. “What’s going on?”

Tommy opened his mouth but Technos eyes shot daggers in his chest.

“Please.” Tommy begged. “We have enough people.”

Techno looked doubtful and scanned the room.

Niki was also confused. “Enough people for what?”

Techno sighed, Tommy figured it was too big of a secret to keep now. “Tommy wants to go to Washington to find a cure.”

Wilbur looked taken aback. “No. That’s too dangerous.”

“But Wil-“ Tommy tried to explain but Wilbur cut him off.

“No. I won’t let you go.” Wilbur seemed bent about this.

Tommy sunk back into the couch, before Eret responded.

“I’ll go. I’ll go with him.” Eret looked more confident on this than anything they’ve said so far.

Tommy felt hopeful again. “Wilbur, you can come. You can make sure I don’t get hurt. That still leaves Niki, Purpled, Ranboo, and Phil protecting the house!”

Wilbur still looked doubtful but he relaxed a bit more at the thought of going with them.

“I haven’t agreed on this yet.” Techno stated, shooting Tommy down once more.

Tommy felt the anger that only a vengeful teenage boy could hold. “I’m going, you can’t stop me. You can either come with me or stay here.” Tommy had to do this. For Tubbo.

Techno looked surprised by the response, he debated with himself for a long moment before responding.

“I don’t know what to do with you, Tommy.” He sighed.

“Does that mean you’re coming?” Tommy hated to admit it but they couldn’t do this without Techno.

Techno met Tommy’s eyes. “Tomorrow Morning. We can find a car to take us to Washington.”

Tommy felt ecstatic at the approval. He wanted to jump and scream but Instead he shifted away from Wilbur and hugged Techno.

“Thanks, Blade.” He smiled and Tommy could’ve sworn he saw Techno smile too.

“You’re a mess, Theseus.” Techno huffed.

After the approval had been set, Techno left the room to go talk to Phil about their plan. Not long after, Ranboo entered the room and had taken Technos place.

“He’s from our school.” Ranboo said, mostly to Tommy.

“What?” Tommy was surprised, just how many of his schoolmates had he not recognized?

Ranboo nodded. “Grayson, he’s in our grade. He’s in a bunch of my classes. He’s pretty popular.”

Tommy scoffed. No wonder he hadn’t paid attention to him, he didn’t hang out with ‘popular kids’. Only losers like him and Tubbo.

Ranboo shook his head, reading Tommy’s mind. “He’s not popular that way. He’s popular as in, everyone knows him. He’s smart and social.”

Tommy was taken aback by this. He remembered he had seen the name Grayson in his school before. He saw it on the science fair poster Tubbo had showed him. Tubbo had gotten third place, but in first was someone named Grayson. Tommy remembered making fun of the name at the time and getting a long lecture from Tubbo, which he didn’t pay attention too.

“Yeah, he won first place in the science fair last year.” Tommy said, recalling the memory.

“He what?!” Niki practically bolted from the couch. “He told me he lost!”

Tommy tilted his head. “Why would he say that?”

Suddenly as if on cue, Purpled emerged from the room. He was walking as if his stab wound was merely a scratch.

“Grayson I swear!-“ Niki had already started scolding the boy who looked confused and his eyes landed on Ranboo and Tommy.

“Where are we?” He asked suspiciously and glared at Eret.

Niki did not hear the question, if she did she didn’t show it. “Why didn’t you tell me you won the science fair?!”

Purpled look embarrassed as if he had been exposed on the spot, which he had. “I- uh- didn’t want you making a big deal out of it?” He said, he wasn’t lying either. He was being completely truthful.

“You little!- what else are you keeping from me?!” Niki sounded furious and Purpled looked intimated even if he was a foot taller than her.

He thought for it, searching through all his accomplishments probably. “I won the Tennis state tournament, I’m first in my grade, and my gpa is 4. Should I go on?”

Niki looked liked she might start throwing knives any second at Purpled. Even Tommy felt sympathy for the boy.

“Why would you lie to me about all of this?” Niki sighed, disappointed.

Purpled only gave a look that must’ve been amusement. “To keep your standards low.” The response would’ve triggered Niki again but Purpled quickly changed the subject. “I recognize you.” He looked to Ranboo.

Ranboo nodded. “We’re in the same first period.”

Purpled nodded and looked over to Tommy. Tommy met his abnormally purple eyes, he thought about asking him about it but decided against it.

“And you, you’re the troublemaker kid.” Purpled’s response was blunt and had hit Tommy hard.

Wilbur looked irritated now. “Please tell me that not everyone calls you that?” Wilbur glared in Tommy’s direction.

Tommy nervously laughed. “Oh, is that the Blade calling me? I gotta go! Nice seeing you again Purpled!” Tommy quickly left the room before Wilbur could shout at him.

Ok, so maybe being known as the troublemaker kid at your school wasn’t the best thing.

But hey, what could you do about it?

Chapter Text

It was early in the morning, but Tommy couldn’t be more awake. Washington was just hours away in a car, first they had to find a car.

Wilbur, Eret, Tommy, and Techno were getting ready to leave for Washington. Wilbur of course, had his complaints.

“I don’t think this is a good idea, Toms.” Wilbur yawned. “How are we even supposed to find a car?”

“Down the street, a bunch a cars were abandoned. We just move past the woods.” Techno walked out the front door and climbed the small ladder, quickly followed by his team.

Tommy smirked to Wilbur and sped up his walking to walk next to Techno. “Exactly.” Tommy glanced towards the Blade, which he earned half a smile in return.

Wilbur was annoyed by this action and had his own private conversation with Eret in the back, which was probably Wilbur venting to Eret.

Tommy and Techno walked in the field in silence, but that wasn’t long lasting before Tommy broke it. “What exactly are we looking for in Washington?”

Techno looked thrown off guard but he quickly rebounded. “Blood vials, something with the virus in it.”

This didn’t answer Tommy’s question but he pretended it did. Soon enough they were walking in the woods, where Tommy had first found Niki and Eret.

Tommy glanced back behind him to Eret and Wilbur having their own conversation. He decided now would be the perfect time to butt in. “Hey Wilbur, stop being a bitch.” He smirked.

Wilbur looked annoyed. “Go away you gremlin. The adults are talking.”

Tommy almost lunged for him but Techno spoke before he could. “There, up ahead.” He pointed and Tommy looked in that direction.

There was an opening from the Woods, That led onto a street. Tommy’s attention diverted from Wilbur and he made a beeline for the street.

“Tommy!” Wilbur called and ran after him. “Careful, you might get hit..” Wilbur’s voice trailed as they stood in the opening.

There were no cars zooming by as you would expect on a street. Instead there were abandon cars everywhere, some in the middle of the road, others laying in the ditch.

“Woah.” Tommy started walking towards a blue car with a cracked window.

He glanced inside and for a spilt moment he saw someone, then an undead lunged for Tommy. Tommy gasped and kicked him off. The undead woman tried to claw at him but there was a loud bang and she fell to the ground, motionless again. Tommy looked behind him to see Techno holding his gun.

“Get your sword out. It’s better you hold a weapon. Same to you two.” Techno said and started searching the cars.

Eret and Wilbur both pulled out their own weapons. Eret had his machete that they first found him with and Wilbur had his own gun, smaller than Technos but just as effective.

Tommy pulled out his own sword, because prime knows that he can’t use a gun for the life of him. He looked back into the blue car, there was no one else. He sat in the driver seat and tried to start it. No, Tommy has never driven a car. But he’s seen Wilbur do it plenty of times. How hard could it be?

He looked at the key, still in the keyhole and tried to twist it. The car did not start. Tommy groaned and twisted it again.

Nothing.

Tommy hit the steering wheel in anger and climbed out.

“I found one!” Wilbur called and Tommy made his way over to Wilbur.

He was in the drivers seat of a light Gray car, which seemed full of life. Tommy hurriedly climbed in the backseat, the seat seemed cleaner than Tommy himself.

“Let me drive.” Techno said, Wilbur looked as if he might object but then glanced in the mirror at Tommy.

He climbed out of the drivers seat and got into the back with Tommy. “What? You afraid I might bond with Techno instead of you?” Tommy teased and Wilbur punched him in the arm.

“Not at all. I had no idea where we’re going.” Wilbur said, which might’ve been true but Tommy knew better.

Eret got in the front and soon enough the car took off. There were a lot of bumps but Tommy didn’t mind, it was relieving to be in a car again. Tommy glanced over to Wilbur who seemed at peace too. The blonde took the opportunity to stretch out across the backseat and lay in Wilbur’s lap.

Wilbur looked annoyed at the boy but rested his hand in the blonde’s hair. Tommy closed his eyes and he would’ve sworn he didn’t fall asleep, but soon enough there was a voice in his ear.

“Come on, Tommy.” Tubbo was there, “wake up!” Tubbo smiled.

Tommy bolted awake with a gasp.

Wilbur was there, “Sorry, Toms. I didn’t mean to scare you.” He frowned.

Tommy looked around, they must be in Washington because Techno and Eret were now standing outside the car. Tommy and Wilbur both climbed out the backseat.

“Why are we in the middle of nowhere?” Tommy asked but it was more of a city than nowhere.

“We have to walk the rest of the way.” Techno replied and started walking down the street of the now abandoned city.

Tommy reluctantly followed.

The walk was long and exhausting but it was well worth it. When they arrived at the building, it looked like a normal doctors office. If a doctors office had about 12 guards, each armed with guns. Yeah. Not so normal.

Techno kept approaching though, the men raised their guns but Techno held up a hand. In his hand, he had a card pass.

“Technoblade. I’m here to see Dr. Karl Jacobs.” Techno’s voice was calm.

The men hesitated and one spoke, he was short with black hair almost covering his eye. “What about the rest of them?”

“They’re my companions.” Techno said, the man seemed intimated but only nodded and led them into the building.

It was bigger on the inside than it was the out. There was a long hall, that consisted of dead plants and some elevator doors. The man pushed one and the elevator doors opened instantly. Tommy was surprised they worked but he had to remind himself, this place wasn’t abandoned like 95% of the rest of the world.

They stepped inside and once the elevator doors closed, silence filled the small room. Now, Tommy had been claustrophobic in the past. He always took the stairs in these types of scenarios, but this was the only option. He closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths, soon enough the doors opened once more and Tommy was the first out.

Luckily, no one took notice of this and the short man led them to an office. That was when Techno used his knee to slam it into the shorter’s back. He was knocked to the ground and looked up at the group, Tommy didn’t notice how young the man was, maybe his early 20s, there was fear in his eyes but Techno punched him in the side of the face. His body went limp.

Tommy freaked out but Techno laid a hand on his shoulder. “Just unconscious, we can’t go in Karl’s room or he’ll tell Dream we’re here immediately. We need to find Schlatt’s office.”

Suddenly a familiar voice rang out, “Now, why would you want to do that?”

Tommy recognized it immediately and turned around the man in green. Dream.

Tommy hadn’t noticed it before but the man had green eyes, and a sickening smile. He seemed like a completely different person than he met, not too long ago.

“Dream.” Techno’s voice rang out and Tommy felt something touch his throats

He looked down to see a blade pressed against it, a hand rested on his shoulder too.

“Eret?” Tommy saw the brunettes guilt-filled face. “What’re you doing?”

Dream’s smile widened. “You met your other end, Eret. You’ll be rewarded kindly.”

Eret looked away and he mutter a small, “Sorry, Tommy.”

Techno and Wilbur were each stunned and Dream lunged for them. Tommy kicked Eret’s shin and escaped his grasp. He ran for Dream and the bigger man threw him aside. Tommy stumbled a bit on his side before hitting something that gave way once he collided with it.

Tommy felt cold air and reached for something to grab onto. He gasped as he opened his eyes again. He was hanging onto the broken window, 6 stories up. Tommy gasped and he brought his other hand to grab the window, he felt pressure cut into his palm.

Suddenly there were hands pulling him back into the room, he looked up to see Techno and Wilbur groaned.

“He’s gone!” Wilbur threw down his gun.

Tommy was breathing heavily on the floor as he assured himself he was not dangling six stories up. He grounded himself again and focused his fear and attention to the elephant in the room.

Eret stood frozen, Dream was nowhere to be found. Tommy leapt at the brunette in sunglasses started screaming, Techno had caught him and held him back.

“Traitor! You traitor!” He cries out and struggled against Techno’s grip. “You were going to kill me! I hate you!” The guilt flashed across Eret’s face again and Wilbur sighed.

“Toms, calm down. What do we do with him?” Wilbur picked up his gun, defensively again.

Techno had gotten Tommy to stop struggling and glared at Eret. “This is your one chance, leave or I’ll murder you myself.”

Eret took the hint and sprinted down the hall. Tommy glanced around the room and Techno let go of Tommy.

“Where’s Dream?” Tommy searched frantically and Techno’s hand laid on his shoulder.

“He got away when I came to save you.” Techno seemed calm about it, too calm.

Tommy was taken aback. “Why did you save me?”

Techno smiled slightly again, “Because you haven’t had your chance to live yet either. I might as well try to find a cure.”

“Thanks, Big man.” Tommy smiled but quickly felt pessimistic again. “But now where do we get the vials?”

Techno smiled. “In Jacobs office.”

Tommy blinked. “What?”

“I wanted to kill Schlatt while we were here, but Dream ruined my plan.” Techno smiled and walked into the office.

Karl Jacobs was no where to be seen, just a very messy desks with papers. Techno opened a drawer which several blood vials rolled around in. Techno grabbed them in placed them in a small bag they brought with them.

They walked out of the building and back into the elevator. Tommy closed his eyes, waiting for the doors to burst open again and help him escape this hell of a box.

It never came.

Tommy opened his eyes. “What’s going on?”

Techno stared at the buttons. “They shut off the elevator.”

Tommy glanced around, they were trapped inside the elevator. Tommy was pretty sure he’d rather be back holding the onto the window. He gripped his shirt.

“Does that mean we’re stuck?” Wilbur asked.

“Yep.” Techno responded and examined the buttons.

Tommy clutch the bar in the elevator for support but still let out a shaky breath.

“Tommy?” Wilbur looked over. “Are you okay?”

Tommy tried to speak but let out a shaky inhale, he collapsed to the ground and stared at the doors clutching his chest.

“Toms!” Wilbur rushed to his side and knelt down. The realization dawned on Wilbur’s face. “Shit, You’re claustrophobic.”

Wilbur had known this before, when Tommy got trapped in a closet when they were younger. They never played hide and seek again after that.

“He’s what?!” Techno’s voice held alarm.

Tommy gasped for air and clutched his chest, things were tight. They were small. Too small.

“Toms, breathe with me.” Wilbur gave a big inhale and Tommy could only follow halfway. “Toms, I know you’re scared but we’re going to get out.”

Tears escaped Tommy’s eyes, in times like these, he’s reminded he’s only a child.

Techno forced open the elevator door. “Come on, we can drop on this floor. We’ll just take the stairs.”

Wilbur and Techno had to hurl Tommy from the floor and lower him onto the next level, Tommy felt helpless. Tommy was now, on the ground, safe. He was clutching onto Wilbur’s jacket, still hyperventilating.

“Sh, Toms. It’s okay. You’re okay.” Wilbur hushed him and cradled the boy to his chest.

“So..” Techno started. “You can fight a wave of undead and dangle from 6 stories up, but you’re scared of small spaces?”

Tommy nodded and hid his face.

“I didn’t say it was bad.” Techno quickly said, “Everyone is scared of something.”

Tommy mumbled from Wilbur’s jacket. “What are you scared of?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Techno laughed. “I’m scared of dying.”

Then it dawned of Tommy, right. He knew that. “I forgot.” He muttered out.

“Can you stand?” Techno asked.

“I got him.” Wilbur said before Tommy could respond. “He was going to say yes but then forget how to walk. He does this when this happens.”

Techno let out a huff and Tommy flushed. “I would not.”

Wilbur laughed. “You would too! All the time!”

Tommy rolled his eyes and Wilbur picked him up. Wilbur was strong enough to pick the lanky boy up, he didn’t do it often though according to him ‘the boy would become spoiled’.

They walked down the flight of stairs, Tommy laid his head on Wilburs shoulder.

“Let’s go out the back, the guards will notice their friend didn’t come back soon enough.” Techno stated and Wilbur followed.

Soon enough, a cold breeze hit Tommy. They walked a length more before Tommy was placed in the backseat. Tommy laid, miserably in Wilburs lap again and the car started to life. There was an uncomfortable silence before Techno spoke again.

“You know, I never liked Eret.” He smiled.

Tommy let out a laugh. “Yeah, he was kinda quiet wasn’t he?”

Techno nodded.

“Tommy! You’re bleeding.” Wilbur pulled Tommy’s hand to closer to inspect it.

Tommy glanced at it, it was a clean slice with lots of blood coming out. When did he do that?

Oh.

The window, right.

“The window, it broke and I grabbed onto the ledge. There must’ve been glass, or the ledge I grabbed was glass? Either way I cut myself on it.” Tommy shrugged like it was no big deal.

Wilbur stared horrified.

Techno huffed and looked at them in the review mirror. “That’s the pain tolerance talking again.”

Wilbur sighed and ripped a piece of cloth in the car’s backseat, that must’ve been an old children’s blanket, and he wrapped it around Tommy’s hand.

“Rest, Toms. Home is a couple hours away.” Wilbur whispered and Tommy automatically closed his eyes.

There was no pain, there was no fear. Only peace with his two brothers. Yeah.

Peace.

Chapter Text

They arrived back at their base, and it wasn’t long before Niki was questioning where Eret was. She didn’t seem too surprised when Techno told her what happened and instead seemed relieved.

Purpled had no opinions about it and had gotten quite close to Ranboo. No. Tommy was not jealous. He never gets jealous. He’s a big man with mature feelings. But at the same time he wanted to stab Purpled.

Techno and Phil weren’t seen a lot, they were working on a vaccine and everytime Tommy asked how it was going they ushered him out of the room. He was annoyed, the only thing he was able to do to be helpful was take patrols.

He took mornings, evenings, and nights. Wilbur suggested he shouldn’t take so many but it was the only thing Tommy could help out with. If he stopped taking patrols he would feel useless.

It early morning, Tommy hadn’t slept and Wilbur offered to take this patrol with him.

“You can go back in, you know.” Tommy kept his eyes trained on the field ahead of him.

Wilbur shook his head. “There has to be at least two people on patrol. You know the rules.”

“Send purpled in then.” Tommy could tell by Wilburs voice he was tired, Tommy’s own body felt exhausted but he couldn’t sleep. Even if he tried.

“Nah, we’ll just have brother bonding time.” Wilbur yawned.

Tommy sighed. “Then at least lay down, you’re obviously tired.”

Wilbur hesitated, probably about to argue before giving in and laying on his back in the field. Tommy watched the early break of sun come into the world, filling it with orange. Tommy smiled, things were at peace.

Then it wasn’t.

There were people, running at them. These weren’t people though, they were undead.

“Wilbur.” Tommy said, standing up. “Wilbur! Hurry! Up the ladder!” Tommy yelled and awoke his brother from his slumber.

Wilbur was sluggish and did not understand the urgency of the situation of the running undead hurdling toward them. They approached at a alarming rate and Tommy pushed Wilbur up the ladder.

“Tommy, what’s going on?” Wilbur asked finally breaking out of his sluggish climb up the ladder and reached the top.

Tommy pulled out his own sword and swung it at the zombies in the range of a few feet. “There’s not enough time!” Tommy slashed some more of the undead before too many ran towards him at once.

Tommy turned and sprinted onto the ladder, one of the undead grabbed his leg and pulled him down. He fell backwards onto the herd of undead, he fell on top of some and others clawed at him. Tommy screamed as he felt teeth sink into his arm and he screamed and kicked.

This was it.

Tommy was dying, the same fate as his friend Tubbo.

Goodbye cruel world.

Then before he could finish saying his goodbyes while the zombies clawed at him, gunfire erupted and zombies fell over. Techno had pulled Tommy from his death and slung him across his shoulder. Tommy’s eyes lazily drifted up to Wilbur who was shooting zombies. Techno did not have his gun on him, Wilbur had done the shooting.

Tommy felt relief and then quickly realized there was no help for him. He was one of the undead now, it would only take a few minutes.

Techno carried him up the ladder and laid him on the deck. Pain erupted into Tommy’s body and he clenched his teeth.

“Toms! Toms, look at me!” Wilbur begged and searched his arms.

Tommy’s eyes trained on his bitten arm though, it was turning green and purple. It was bruising fast.

“Shit.” Tommy mumbled and laid his head back.

Wilbur made Tommy lift his head but Tommy’s mind was filled with cotton and he could not think. He looked around, things were starting to glow. Words echoed in his mind but he shook them away. They came back louder.

‘Find the blade’, they said.

Tommy screamed out as more pain erupted into his arms. He had always had a high pain tolerance, but this was worse than anything he’s felt before.

“Help.” Tommy begged his brother who clutched his hand next to him. “I’m dying.” Tommy started to sob.

“No you aren’t. No you aren’t, Toms.” Wilbur sounded like he was on the verge of tears.

It felt like there was millions of pounds on his chest, Tommy struggled in agony. He clutched Wilburs arm for support, Wilburs eyes were now spilling tears, everything felt like it was in slow motion. Tommy’s eyes wondered to Techno who had rushed back outside, Tommy didn’t remember him going inside. He was holding something, a syringe.

Tommy’s head felt light and his vision got blurry, the light of sun seemed ten times brighter than normal and small dots clouded his vision.

He was dead. He was sure of it. There was no way to survive once an undead bit you, he probably joined them against his will. He was probably trying to kill Wilbur right now.

When Tommy opened his eyes, he was in a meadow. Not a field like the one that surrounded Technos house, he was in a flower meadow.

There were bees hovering above small flowers and Tommy found himself searching his bitten arm. Nothing was there, no bite marks, nothing.

“Hello?” Tommy called out, in desperation. “Please! Someone help me!”

“No need to be afraid.” A small, familiar voice said behind him. “You can rest, Tommy.”

Tommy turned around, he saw his smaller brunette friend behind him. Tubbo.

Tubbo smiled. “It’s been awhile.”

“I’m dead.” The words fell out of Tommy’s mouth, they weighed millions.

Tubbo smiled sadly. “You are.”

Tommy shook his head. “No, I don’t want to be dead.”

“None of us do. It’s just the way of life.” Tubbo’s eyes left Tommy and focused on a bee that landed on his shoulder.

“Get me out.” Tommy said, fear arising in his voice. “I need to get back to Wilbur and Techno!”

Tubbo hushed him and grabbed his arm. “Theres so much to show you, Tommy. Theres no lectures here, there’s no school. Just happiness.”

Tommy felt tempted into the paradise. He longed to be with his friend again, to make fun of teachers and play video games. However, he pulled away.

“I’m sorry, Tubbo.” Tommy felt the pain in his own voice. “I need to get back.”

Tubbo frowned. “There’s no way back, Tommy.”

“I need to get back!” Tommy dropped to the ground and started digging at the soil.

“Tommy! The plants!” Tubbo gasped but Tommy kept digging.

A sound, much like wind going through wind chimes, erupted into the universe. Tommy stood back up, Tubbo was not here anymore.

Tommy was standing in a street now, full of houses. Wait.. Tommy recognized this street. It was his street. He heard laughter come from one of the house, he walked inside.

“Stop it! You’ll make me drop them!” A woman’s voice laughed.

“Just one! Pleasee.” Phils voice said and Tommy peaked inside the kitchen.

A woman with long black hair was holding a tray of cookies while Phil was holding her waist from behind her.

Tommy was confused, he’s never seen this lady before. They were smiling though, they were happy.

“Tommy!” He heard a voice call him.

Tommy’s head whipped around, he wasn’t in the house that smelled of cookies anymore. He was in a dark void.

Nothing was here.

He heard the voice again. “Tommy, come on. Wake up.” This voice was more monotone but still sounded stressed.

Tommy looked around. “Who are you?”

“Tommy, please. Please wake up.” The voice cracked and Tommy’s own breathing quickened.

He clutched his chest as pain erupted into his body. “I don’t know who you are! Where am I?” Fog filled his head and he felt like he might pass out.

“Tommy!” The voice yelled once more and Tommy’s eyes opened in a start.

It was not dark anymore, he was laying in a room with a bright light. His breathing was quick and pain filled his entire right arm.

“Oh my god, Tommy.” His brothers voice said and hugged him.

Tommy’s eyes focused, there were people in the room. Phil, Techno, and Wilbur. There was no Tubbo, there was no Woman with black hair. He was back home.

Relief filled his body and his head hit the bed that he was laying on.

“How.. am I alive?” Tommy breathes out, pain was biting his right arm.

“We used the cure.” Techno said, Running a hand through the Blondes hair.

Tommy’s eyes strained to look at him. “You said there wasn’t a cure.”

“We found one. With your help, Tommy.” Techno smiled, “We couldn’t have done it if you didn’t convince us to go to Washington.”

Tommy looked at his right arm, it was no longer green and purple. However, big bite marks scarred his arm. It still hurt like hell.

“I don’t understand.” Tommy mumbled and Phil chuckled.

“Maybe you should just rest, Mate.” Phil smiled and Tommy remembered the lady.

Tommy tried to sit up but buckled under the weight, he hissed in pain before looking back at Phil. “I saw her.”

“Who?” Phil seemed confused.

“She had black hair, and she made you cookies. She seemed kind.” Tommy clutched his arm.

Phil looked like he’d seen a ghost, which Tommy was sure that he, himself had. “You met Kristin?”

Tommy shrugged. “I saw her, and you.”

“Tommy, how did you see that?” Phil was confused and took a step back.

“I also saw Tubbo.” Tommy’s voice choked when he said that. “I- I saw him.” Tears filled his eyes.

Wilburs thumb stroked Tommy’s cheek. “How, Toms?”

“I died. I did. Tubbo said I died.” Tears spilled from Tommy’s eyes and he started to sob. “He wanted me to stay, I said I couldn’t.”

Wilbur hugged him, the gesture brought Tommy pain but he didn’t mind. He sobbed into his brothers chest.

“I miss him.” Tommys breaths were ragged and Wilbur rubbed circles into his back.

Wilbur hushed him. “I know, Toms. Please try to rest. I’ll be here when you wake up.”

Tommy didn’t doubt Wilbur but he didn’t want to sleep, he was afraid he would see the boy in his dreams again. The Boy that haunted him day and night. His best friend who died, his friend who he missed deeply.

Tommy listened to Wilbur though, he felt weak and his eyes closed automatically. He focused on the hand rubbing circles into his hair.

Then a deep sleep overtook him.

Chapter Text

“Are you sure? You’re still weak.” Techno’s arm held Tommy up behind his back.

Tommy nodded, his body felt like it might collapse. “I need to get back to patrol as soon as possible.”

“That’s not healthy.” Techno said in a monotonous voice but he still helped Tommy outside his bedroom.

Niki and Wilbur were chatting in the living room, while Ranboo was asleep. The sun was just breaking into the room.

“Toms? You shouldn’t be up.” Wilbur said diverting his attention away from Niki.

Tommy went to respond but Techno spoke quicker than he could. “He wants to see his sword.”

“I wanted to go on patrol.” Tommy corrected.

“You’re still too weak, Just try out your sword for now.” Techno steadied him and helped him outside to the deck.

The house on stilts was peaceful, there Tommy’s sword laid. Just where he left it after getting bit, Tommy broke away from Techno and picked up the blade. It weighed heavy in his right arm, heavier than before. Tommy struggled to raise it.

“Try your other arm.” Techno instructed.

Tommy obeyed and switched the sword to his left hand, it was lighter as if it weighed nothing. Tommy frowned. “I can’t fight with my left arm, I’m right handed.”

“Then it’s settled. You can’t fight.” Wilbur and Niki had followed them outside, Wilbur crossed his arms. “It’s safer anyway.”

“No way!” Tommy’s voice was harsh and Wilbur looked surprised at the sudden attitude. “I have to fight. I need to help.”

Techno took the sword from Tommy’s hands. “You can’t fight with your right arm, it’s weaker since the venom was spread there.”

Tommy huffed, “Then how will I help?”

Techno ruffled his hair and smiled. “You stay alive.”

“That’s not enough.” Tommy pushed the bigger man away from him and the boy stumbled.

“Careful.” Techno warned and Tommy regained his balance.

Tommy groaned. “I just want to help.”

Wilbur hummed. “You could just use a gun.”

“That’s still heavy, and I doubt he could use it.” Techno stated and Tommy agreed with him.

“What about a bow?” Niki spoke up.

Wilbur looked confused. “A bow?”

“Yeah! I could teach him to use a bow and arrow.” Niki smiled to Tommy. “You saved my life, I could repay you.”

Tommy contemplated it, it wasn’t a bad deal. “Fine, I’ll take what I can get.” Tommy decided, accepting the deal.

Niki’s face lit up and she smiled widely. “Great! I’ll go get my bow and we can practice!” She exclaimed and then disappeared inside.

When Niki came back outside, she had a bow slung around her shoulder and a pack of arrows.

“We can shoot some of the undead in the field.” Niki smiled and handed Tommy the bow.

The bow was lighter than a gun, and Tommy had no trouble picking up the bow like the sword. He still preferred the sword, but hey, what could you do about it?

“Let’s get started then, shall we?” Niki smirked and Tommy felt a shiver go down his spine.

“Yes ma’am.” He quickly responded, slightly scared of the woman.

The Woman smiled at the sudden politeness and climbed down the ladder. Tommy looked to Techno who judged him to follow her, he quickly climbed down the ladder. For a small girl, she could move fast. And he means, fast. Tommy followed Niki through the field until she came to a sudden stop.

“Undead, they’re approaching.” She smiled and handed the arrows to Tommy. “Shoot them.”

“What?” Tommy asked dumbfounded. “What about teaching me?”

The Girl smiled. “I am teaching you. Now hurry before they get here.” Niki closed her eyes and Tommy panicked.

He fumbled with the arrows and put it beside the bow, he held it up. Tommy had only seen this done in movies, but the zombies were getting closer and he had no time to figure it out. He let an arrow fly, it hit an undead in the thigh and the undead stumbled to the ground, causing a bunch zombies to fall to the ground.

Tommy smiled widely. “I hit it!”

“You have good aim.” Niki grinned. “But you better be quick.”

Tommy was confused at what she meant, he looked up and saw that the zombies were getting back up.

“Shit.” Tommy mumbled and grabbed the arrow again. He let another fly.

It missed.

Tommy panicked again and grabbed another arrow, it fell out of his hand and fell onto the grass.

“Hurry.” Niki warned and Tommy saw the zombies were closer.

He grabbed yet another arrow from the arrow pouch and concentrated on the undead approaching. He let the arrow fly, this time it hit the zombie in the shoulder. Tommy had no time to revel in his victory. The undead tumbled over eachother but were getting closer and closer by the second.

“I can’t do it!” Tommy cried out and niki took the bow quickly.

Niki shot arrows after arrows and eventually there were no undead standing.

“Woah.” Tommy breathed out. “That was amazing”

Niki smiled. “Sorry for putting you on the spot, it’s the best way to learn. You did good.” She gave a thumbs up.

“I don’t think so..” Tommy looked away. “I missed a lot of arrows.”

Niki giggled. “It’s your first try, atleast you hit. Come on, let’s go retrieve the arrows.”

Tommy nodded glumly and walked over to the undead. He started taking the arrows out of the dead’s heads, when he noticed something.

A zombie, now motionless, had slicked back brown hair and he looked like he was wearing a suit. Tommy let his curiosity get the better of him and he tilted the dead zombie back, to get a glimpse of his face. He looked familiar.. almost like, the President.

Wait..

He didn’t look like the President, he was the President. Schlatt had a piece of paper pinned to his suit. Tommy was revolted but it was too late to turn back now, he grabbed it. The paper read,

‘You can’t escape. I know where you are. :) -Dream’

Tommy let a gasp escape him and he jumped back, dropping the paper.

“Tommy? What’s wrong?” She frowned and looked over. Her eyes widened and she froze. “No.. that can’t be him.”

Tommy was on the verge of screaming but he kept calm. “Dream. He killed him. He sent him.”

Niki gave Tommy a wild look but kept calm. “We need to get back. Now.” Niki said, the urgency in her voice rising.

Tommy nodded. “Agreed.”

They darted away, leaving the arrows behind with the dead.

“Techno!” Tommy cried out and climbed the ladder quickly.

Techno ran outside. “What’s wrong?! What happened? Are you hurt?” Techno surveyed him and Tommy couldn’t manage any words.

He felt the heat build up behind his forehead and let out a bunch of tears. “He’s coming. He’s coming for us.”

Techno pulled Tommy into a hug. “Who? Who’s coming?”

“Dream. He killed Schlatt.” Tommy felt his breaths speed up and he sobbed into Technos arms.

“Shh. It’s okay. You’re alright. Im here.” Techno comforted.

Tommy only nodded and believed him. It was the only thing he could do at the time.

Chapter Text

A few days had passed since seeing Schlatt, Tommy couldn’t get the image out of his head. Their President was dead in their yard.

Niki had gone back to collect the arrows separately, while Tommy laid in bed. He didn’t think about rising.

“Toms?” Wilburs voice came from the doorway. “Do you feel okay?”

Physically, Tommy felt fine, but moving seemed out of his willpower right now. Wilbur moved from the doorway and sat on the bed next to Tommy.

“Are you hungry?” Wilbur asked and Tommy shook his head glumly. Wilbur frowned and they sat in silence for what seemed like forever.

Suddenly there were voices yelling from the kitchen, this made Tommy sit up. Wilbur also seemed intrigued.

“On the ground!” Technos voice yelled and Wilbur pushed himself from the bed. Tommy quickly followed.

When they emerged from the room, there were two men laying their weapons down and they laid on the ground.

“Check them for more weapons.” Techno instructed Purpled and Phil.

They started searching the two men, one man had white goggles on and brown hair. He had brown eyes that looked to the other man in fear. The other man seemed calm, he had black hair and a bandanna that was tied across his forehead.

“Nothing.” Purpled responded and Phil shook his head.

“Nothing here either.” Phil looked to Techno. “What do you think?”

The man in goggles frowned. “We just need a place to stay, we’ve been running for miles.”

“Shut up.” Techno growled, he looked away from the two.

Phil frowned too, “Tech, just for tonight. Let them stay.”

Techno eyed them suspiciously and tangled his pink hair out of a braid. “Tonight only.” Techno said and left the room.

Tommy helped one of the men up, the one with black hair seemed to have red eyes, which is impossible. Tommy quickly realized they were an amber red, not just blood red.

“Thanks.” The man’s teeth were sharp, but not abnormally. Like he was born to kill.

Tommy gulped a bit nervous. “I’m Tommy.” He held out his hand.

“Sapnap.” The man shook it. “This is George, we come from Washington.”

Tommy took alert at this, but Phil took no mind. “Washington’s a long ways away.”

“And it’s getting dark, we needed a place to stay.” George said, adjusting his goggles.

Sapnap nodded, “Thank you.” He smiled and George also smiled. “For your hospitality.”

Tommy almost shuddered at that, it’s like the way they said it, he had a bad feeling. Usually his bad feelings were right, Wilbur laid a hand on Tommy tense back and Tommy flinched.

“Come on, Toms. Let’s go talk to Techno.” Wilbur led the blonde boy away.

Tommy’s eyes did not leave the amber ones of the man with almost fangs. Sapnap kept his eyes on the blonde boy as well. They were evil.

“I don’t like this.” Tommy mumbled as soon as they were out of sight.

Wilbur knocked on the door of Technos room. “Just one night.”

One night, Tommy reminded himself.

Techno opened the door, his pink hair still a mess from messing with it. He let out a huff and stepped aside, letting them in the room.

Technos room was nice and clean, it had many books and paper stacks. Tommy wanted to believe he was a college student or a writer before the apocalypse. However, that would be something Tommy would never know.

“Your hairs all tangled and shit.” Tommy pointed out and Techno looked annoyed.

“Thanks.” He responded and sat back at the desk.

Wilbur made himself comfy on the floor, Tommy followed before asking, “Can I braid it back?”

Techno took surprise at this and studied him for a moment. “Sure.” He sighed and got up from the desk, sitting next to them on the floor.

Tommy busied himself with his pink hair, it was soft and almost natural. He would’ve believed it too if Tommy couldn’t see the brown roots growing in. He carefully separated the hair into three sections and started braiding.

It wasn’t until he finished the braid that he heard the screams of commotion.

“How loud are they?” Techno huffed and Tommy stopped and listened.

“This isn’t right.” Tommy breathed out. “No one should be up.”

Techno thought for a moment. “Ranboo might be awake still, he hangs out in the living room when he gets insomnia.”

Tommy listened for a bit more before he heard a blood hurling scream, he bolted from where he was sitting and ran out the door. Wilbur and Techno quickly followed.

In the living room, the boy was slaying on the ground in a pool of blood.

“Ranboo!” Tommy screamed out and tried to run to him.

“Not so fast.” The amber eyes shone again. He had a long sword, Tommy in his younger days would’ve called the sword a ninja sword. He now knew better that this was a katana.

Sapnap was guarding Ranboo’s motionless body with his sword, he smirked and his sharp teeth echoed to Tommy. Behind him, George walked out from the kitchen.

“Food’s been destroyed, just like Dream wanted.” George stretched his arms.

“Dream?” Tommy breathed out and Sapnap smirked.

He swung the sword in his hands and his eyes shifted to Techno. “Not a step, Blade. Or we’ll kill the boy ourselves.”

Ranboo already seemed dead but there was a faint breathing motion that suggested he might be alive. Techno clenched his fist but kept still.

“We’ll be leaving now, nice meeting you. Tommy, right?” Sapnap smiled and looked back to George.

“A pleasure.” George snarked and sounded sarcastic.

Sapnap backed up slowly, sword still guarding Ranboo. “Come on, Gogy. Off we go.”

Then as quickly as they appeared, they left. Tommy rushed to his friend, Ranboo was not moving.

“Ranboo! You son of a bitch! Look at me!” He screamed, Ranboo opened an eye lazily and searched Tommy expression.

Ranboo could not speak, Tommy saw the wound for the first time. It was a slice on his throat, bleeding out quickly. Ranboo would not live through this.

Tommy cried. “Ranboo please. I can’t lose you and Tubbo.” Tommy gripped the boy and the boy seemed to frown.

There was nothing Ranboo could do though, he only closed his eyes and stopped moving. Tommy screamed, he cried louder than when he saw Schlatt. This was a warning, a bigger warning than Schlatt.

Techno bowed his head and Wilbur ran into the he kitchen. “Shit!” He yelled.

Tommy hugged the boy and hiccuped.

“The Food, it’s all gone or burned.” Wilbur said coming back into the room.

Technos eyes widened. “All of it?”

Wilbur nodded. “Nothing left.”

Techno nodded and hauled Tommy back up. Tommy cried, reaching for the boy but was guided back to his room by Wilbur and Techno. Wilbur stayed with him but Techno left soon after.

Tommy had no idea how long had passed, hours, days. They were all the same.

His stomach got weak, he wanted food but he couldn’t even get up. Tommy laid in bed, minutes felt like hours and hours felt like days. Tommy did not have any sense of time in his room. Wilbur and Techno would visit, Wilbur would hold the boy in his arms and Techno would talk to Tommy. Tommy did not hear what he said, he could only think of his lost friend.

His friend that he had met in the hallway, his friend that had helped him out of the school. They were in this together from the very beginning, now Tommy was alone.

So no, Tommy couldn’t focus on anything besides the boy. Even hunger gnawing at his stomach.

One day, Techno came inside his room. “Purpled and Niki went out to look for food.” Techno said, it must’ve been a few days. They wouldn’t wait weeks to get food.

Tommy looked up to Techno, he did not attempt to smile or make a snarky joke. He only stared. Techno frowned.

“You know, I do care about you.” Techno said, this surprised Tommy.

He opened his mouth to speak but all that came out was a sob.

“I miss him.” Tommy cried and Techno hugged him.

“I know. Me too.” He comforted the boy but Tommy only sobbed harder into his shoulder.

Tommy gripped Technos shirt, almost tearing into his back. “I’m hungry.” He mumbled.

Techno frowned. “I know.”

Tommy felt weaker and weaker as hours went by. His entire body seemed to give out and his arm could not even lift itself. There was pain in his stomach, and his arm.

“He’s weaker.” Techno said from outside the door.

“It’s the infection. He won’t survive long unless he’s healthy.” Phils voice came out too.

Techno paced back and fourth. “Are Niki and Purpled back yet?”

There was silence, “No, not yet.”

“No word?” Techno’s voice was quicker and more urgent than Phil’s.

“Not a word.” Tommy could tell his voice was turned in a frown.

They stopped talking, or maybe Tommy fell asleep. He could not tell what’s real, what’s fake anymore. Only that he was tired, only that he was hungry. Only that he missed his friend.

Chapter Text

The pain in Tommy’s stomach only grew, he tossed and turned. He begged for food.

He only received hugs and water and the occasional, “Hang in there, Toms.” From Wilbur.

Tommy’s arm was numb now, he could not feel or move it. His head spun everytime he was awake before black dots clouded his vision.

Tommy was sleeping when they arrived, he heard shouts of joy and someone came into his room. He stirred when the door opened, Techno stood in the doorway ans his smile was wide.

“Niki and Purpled are back, they have food.” Techno grinned and Tommy felt joy overcome him, however he couldn’t push himself to get up. Techno noticed this and his grin turned into a frown. “Stay there, I’ll be right back.”

Tommy tried to reach for him, he tried to call or beg him to not leave him by himself, nothing happened. Not an arm lift, not a strangled cry. Tommy could only hear his small breaths, in and out. In and out.

It was a long before Techno came back into the room, at least that’s what Tommy thought. Time was weird when you couldn’t think, was this a side effect of the cure? Tommy couldn’t tell anymore. Techno came back not long after, he was holding a plate, whatever was on the plate was quickly devoured by Tommy as he found his energy once more.

Tommy was sure it must’ve been a sandwich but he was so hungry it could’ve been a raw rabbit for all he cared. Techno raised and eyebrow amused at how fast Tommy choked the food down.

Tommy coughed and squinted. “What?” He looked to Techno who only hummed and looked away.

“Nothing.” Techno said unamused.

Days followed and Tommy was on patrol again, he recovered enough but his arm still ached. It was nothing he couldn’t shake though. Tommy noticed the scarred bite marks get redder and irritated as days passed, he ignored it though.

It wasn’t until Tommy and Purpled were on patrol that it became a problem.

Tommy kept his eyes trained on the field, head turning at every movement of the grass or when a bird flew by. Purpled was the one to break the silence. “You should get that checked out.”

Tommy didn’t understand what he had meant at first. “What do you mean?”

“Your arm.” Purpled’s eyes looked over to Tommy. “I saw the other day, you went to reach for cereal in cabinet and your sleeve rolled up. It looks bad.”

Tommy had to hide his surprise. Tommy and Purpled had barely spoken, all he knew was that this kid was insanely smart. Apparently insanely observant too.

Purpled held out his hand. “Let me see it.”

Tommy huffed and offered his arm to Purpled, He rolled up the sleeve and sucked in a breath. “It might be getting infected again.”

Tommy looked over, his arm was more than just red now. It was bruising again, Tommy also cringed at the sight. “Shit, I guess I have to tell Techno now.” He sighed, that was the last thing he wanted to do.

“Only if you don’t want to die.” Purpled said sarcastically and Tommy punched him in the arm. Tommy flinched at the ache that went through his infected arm.

Purpled noticed this and frowned. “Let’s get you to Techno, I’m sure the field will watch itself for a few minutes.”

Tommy nodded and stood up, they walked back inside and Tommy walked into Techno’s room. Purpled didn’t follow but Tommy was positive he was waiting outside the door. Techno was sitting at his very messy desk, Tommy fidgeted with the hem of his shirt. “Hey, uh- Tech?”

Techno looked up, he hadn’t noticed Tommy entered the room previously. “Yeah?” He leaned back in his chair, relaxing his posture.

Tommy wasn’t sure where to start, he didn’t know whether to build up or just lay it out. “I don’t know how to explain it-“ Tommy began and Techno’s eyebrows knitted together.

“What’s wrong, Tommy?” Techno stood up from the desk.

Tommy sighed. “I think you better see for yourself.” He rolled up his sleeve and exposed the bruised scar.

Techno’s eyes widened and he rushed to Tommy, he examined his arm. “What happened?”

Tommy shrugged. “Purpled thinks it’s infected.”

“Do you feel sick?” Techno placed a hand to his forehead and Tommy rolled his eyes.

“I feel fine.” Tommy assured him but Techno was not convinced.

Techno led Tommy to his bed and sat him down. Tommy was annoyed with being babied but he let this pass, Techno might kill him if he didn’t. Techno examined and poked at the arm, eventually he called Phil into the room to get a second opinion.

“We could give him another dose of the vaccine.” Phil suggested but it was quickly rejected by Techno.

“It wouldn’t work, it’d increase his chances of dying.” Techno explained, Tommy flinched at the word ‘dying’ but no one realized.

Phil only sighed and agreed. “So what can we do?”

Techno looked bothered by this question, “There’s only one thing we can do.”

“What do you mean by that?” Tommy spoke up cautiously.

Both of the men’s eyes turned to him and Tommy looked concerned. “What does that mean, Techno?” He repeated himself.

“It means we have to go back to Washington.” Techno didn’t meet Tommy’s eyes.

Tommy did not like their last visit to Washington where he was trapped in an elevator, keep in mind he was claustrophobic. “Why?” He asked, his voice sounding so small.

“We need more vials of my blood, if we could get you unmodified samples in your system it might wash out the infection.” Techno explained.

“When do we leave?” Tommy closed his eyes and let out a sigh.

Techno hummed. “You’re not coming.”

Tommy’s eyes widened. “What?”

“You’re injured, you wouldn’t be any help.” Techno looked guilty but quickly covered it up as if guilt was a foreign language.

“That’s not fair!” Tommy exclaimed.

Techno’s eyes glanced back to Tommy, they burned through his skull. “Fine, give me a reason or incident you’d be helpful in.”

Tommy was taken aback and he scanned his head for something, anything. “Dream. He would be distracted by me.”

“Which is why we aren’t taking you. There’s no guarantee he’d be there anyway.” Techno countered.

Tommy desperately tried to come up with a reason, he stammered over himself. “But that warning! It was meant for me, I have every right to go on this mission as you do.”

“I have more of a right, they took my blood. They experimented on me. And now they want to kill me.” Techno’s eyes burned into Tommy’s soul and deep down, Tommy knew he was right.

Tommy stared back at Techno and looked away. “You have to let me go.”

“I don’t have to do anything.” Techno out emphasis on the ‘have’.

Tommy felt the anger boil inside him. “So who would you take?”

“Wilbur, it shouldn’t be a big mission. An in and out.” Techno broke their gaze and organized some papers on his messy desk.

“So what? I’m supposed to sit here and do nothing?” Tommy stood up, Techno did not glance back to the boy.

Techno kept his eyes trained on his papers. “Exactly.” His monotonous voice filled Tommy with even more anger than he already had.

Tommy sucked in a breath and groaned in a fit of outrage. He stormed out of the room and slammed his own door shut. Sure, this may look like a tantrum of any teenage girl, but this was serious. This meant a lot to Tommy and Techno denied him the right to help.

Tommy refused to come out and eat, meaning he would get in another argument with Techno. Just speaking to him might provoke the blonde on another outrage.

Wilbur came in and out to give him food, Tommy was not depressed. He was merely upset about his Inconvenience, bad luck if you will.

Eventually Wilbur came to tell him that he was leaving. Tommy already knew why, him and Techno were going to Washington. Tommy was too upset to say goodbye to Wilbur, he only mourned his own loss.

Wilbur was upset by the lack of response but the time came for him to leave, Tommy wanted to scream and throw another tantrum. He refrained.

It wasn’t until a few hours after Wilbur and Techno had left, Tommy got a great idea. A wonderful, a rebellious idea. Techno had no right keeping him trapped away in this house like Rapunzel, he had left. He did not have any authority over Tommy now. Tommy could simply escape.

He would go to Washington by himself.

Tommy loved this idea, the best yet. His plan was to be set in motion immediately if he wanted to catch up with Wilbur and Techno. He made sure to grab his bow and arrows that niki had given him and propped up a few pillows to make it look like he was sleeping.

This was not the first time he had snuck out, he did it quite frequently before the world ended. Wilbur got mad at him a lot for that.

Tommy walked into the living room, no one was there. Tommy almost laughed, this was too easy. He exited the house and climbed down the ladder of the house on stilts. Then he trailed off into the woods, Tommy felt like running. He was free, by himself and no one could stop him. The Adrenaline was coursing through his veins and he made his way to the street of abandoned cars.

Tommy didn’t have his drivers license, but so what? The world had ended, laws didn’t matter.

He started checking every car until he found one that started up, he put his foot on the accelerator and the car took off immediately. Tommy was jolted forward and he gasped, driving a car was a lot harder than it looked but sooner it became easier.

He was as free as a bird now, he just escaped his cage, and we was off to Washington.

If only it were that easy.

Chapter Text

Before you ask, Tommyinnit did NOT crash the car. He simply parked it.

Into a tree.

But it didn’t matter, he had found his way to Washington and now he was standing in front of the once guarded building. There were no more guards, Tommy didn’t know whether they all found the sense to quit or if they all died at the same time, but they were no more.

Tommy tried not to think too much about it and snuck into the building without a second thought of the missing guards. He listened carefully as he made his way down the corridor, there were voices but they quickly hushed themselves as Tommy drew nearer. He knew it might’ve been Dream or one of the missing guards but his curiosity got the better of him and he peaked inside.

Suddenly a figure charged at him and pushed him up against the wall with a tremendous amount of force. Tommy yelped when the sudden force hit his infected arm.

“Tommy?” The monotonous voice breathed out and Tommy only whimpered at the ongoing pain in his arm. Techno noticed this and let go of him.

“Why’s Tommy here?” Wilbur rushed to Tommys side and rolled up his sleeve to check his arm.

Techno glared over to Tommy. “That’s a good question.”

Tommy laughed nervously and shooed his older brother away from his arm. “I came by myself?”

“Tommy!” Wilbur scolded him. “This is dangerous!”

Tommy scoffed. “It’s not like anyone was keeping me from doing so. I walked straight through the living room and left.”

“We shouldn’t have to keep constant surveillance on you.” Techno sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

Tommy shrugged. “Doesn’t matter now, does it? I’m here and you have to let me help.”

“I don’t have to do anything. You’ll wait in our car.” Techno said monotonously and waved him away.

Tommy was about to protest but Wilbur put an arm on his shoulder instead. “Come on, Tech. Just let him stay, we could use one more person.”

“He’s injured-“ Techno began but Wilbur cut him off.

“He’s staying.” Wilbur demanded.

Techno looked taken aback at the sudden defiance from Wilbur of all people. “I am risking my life to save him-“

“And I’m not? He’s my little brother and I’ll decide what to do with him. He’s staying.” Wilbur put his arm protectively around Tommy.

Techno scoffed and strided ahead of them. Tommy took the opportunity to speak to Wilbur.

“Thanks Wil.” He mumbled and Wilbur smiled.

“Anytime, Toms. Just don’t get hurt, promise?” Wilbur held out his pinkie.

Tommy scoffed and shoved it away. “I’m already hurt, dumbass.”

Wilbur sighed. “Then just be careful.”

“Fine.” Tommy half heartedly agreed.

Techno had walked into some random room but apparently he knew where he was going. Wilbur and Tommy waited outside for what felt like eternity. It wasn’t until Techno came out that Tommy started to internally celebrate.

“I got the vials, now we just need to get out of here-“ Technos as cut off by a slowed down clap.

Tommy’s head swung in the direction of the sudden noise. Dream was standing in his green attire, clapping his hands. “Well done, blade. You actually manage to find a cure.”

Techno pushed himself protectively in front of the two brothers.

“Ah, Tommy! Did you get my gift?” Dream smiled. “Schlatt got annoying, bossing me around and all that.”

Tommy flinched at the mention of the dead president, that mysteriously showed up at their base.

“What do you want Dream?” Techno glared, retrieving his gun from the sling around his back.

“Careful there, I think this apocalypse has gone on long enough. I’m here to end it.” Dream pulled out his own gun.

Techno raised his to shoot at Dream but the green man made no attempt to move.

“You do know you aren’t Karl’s first patient. Right?” Dream hummed and Techno froze.

Tommy remembered Techno talking about how he was the only one with this magical blood or some shit but apparently Tommy had it too. And now Dream’s saying he wasn’t even the first.

“What?” Techno’s voice was small and his eyes were wide.

Dream nodded and kept his voice almost in a sing-song voice. “There was one, his name was Callahan. We made the right choice and killed him off to begin with. Then the second one, her name was Hannah. She was driven insane by the voices, she almost killed poor Karl! We had to put her in a mental hospital.” Dream sighed. “She had so much potential.”

Techno dropped his gun and staggered. Tommy guessed the voices were going wild at this sudden news.

“No. Nono. You’re lying.” Techno squinted and kept clutching his head.

Dream smirked. “And then you came, you were stronger than the others and handled it better. You were the first success.” Dream raised gun and fixed it on Techno. Techno didn’t seem to notice, as he was lost in his own world.

Tommy quickly retrieved his bow from his back and pulled an arrow back. He pushed Techno to the floor and let the arrow fly into Dream’s shoulder. A loud bang went off and there was ringing in Tommy’s ears as he fell to the floor.

Liquid, there was warm liquid coming from Tommy’s stomach. Tommy coughed but lifted himself up long enough to retrieve another arrow from the pouch. Dream had pulled the arrow out of his shoulder in outrage and was saying something that Tommy couldn’t hear over the ringing. Dream was now raising his gun to Tommy again but Tommy was faster. He let the arrow fly and almost gagged as it hit Dream in the head, flawlessly. Dream fell to the ground and didn’t move to get up again. Tommy only hoped he was dead and collapsed back to the safety of the ground.

There was a pain in his stomach, it felt like a million volcanos had just erupted inside of him. Tommy looked down at his stomach at the red liquid spilling from the wound. Tommy wasn’t used to pain, he had a high pain tolerance. But the liquid seemed to make him weaker by the second.

Wilbur had rushed over to him and was shouting words he couldn’t hear over the ringing in his ears. When his ears did finally adjust, he could hear Wilbur saying things like,

“It’s okay, Toms. I’m here.”

Or

“Keep your eyes open, look at me.”

Tommy just wanted to sleep, he just wanted to lay down in his bed and go to sleep. He didn’t care about this apocalypse anymore, he was through with the zombie nightmare he was apparently living.

He just wanted his brothers. Just Wilbur and Techno. That’s what he wanted.

He was about to close his eyes to rest before another hand grabbed him and lifted him up into his arms. Tommy’s curiosity apparently outweighed his pain and he opened his eyes. Techno was hugging him close to his chest, his pink hair a mess from the straining he did and he mumbled something. Tommy just barely caught it before slipping into unconsciousness.

“We did it, Theseus. We can save so many people, just like you wanted.”

Then everything was black, there was no Tubbo this time. There was no Kristin. Only sleep and that reassured Tommy.

Chapter Text

They did end up helping people in the end.

It wasn’t the entire world yet, of course. Who do you think they are? The government? Techno would kill himself if he was even associated with the government.

Tommy met a few people though. A guy named Ponk, what a weird name. He had been bitten and was lying in the road when Tommy and Techno found him. They were able to get him back and quickly use the cure. To their relief, it worked. Ponk was grateful and while he was recovering he told stories of his cat, her name was Bella, and his husband.

However, there was one conversation that settled Tommy’s entire opinion on the man.

“You know, my husband likes history.” Ponk smiled and stretched his arms.

Tommy was taken aback by this. “You have a husband?”

Ponk nodded. “His name is Sam, he’s probably freaking out right now.” The petite man laughed.

Tommy cringed at this. “He doesn’t happen to be a teacher, does he?”

Ponk’s smile grew. “He is! Do you know him?”

Tommy recalled his old teacher, Sam. He lectured his World History class the day the apocalypse started, Tommy honestly was grateful. Because of the Zombie Apocalypse, he wouldn’t have to sit through another 60 minute lecture.

“Nope.” Tommy quickly lied and that marked the end of the conversation.

After awhile, Ponk left. Then another man came. They also managed to save him, but not with the cure this time. This idiot blew up his car and Niki found him. Apparently him and Niki were old friends but Tommy didn’t trust him. Who the fuck is named Jack Manifold anyway?

Tommy didn’t spend a lot of time with him but he left soon enough.

It didn’t happen until weeks after the incident, weeks after everything was getting better. He healed up nicely with the help of Phil and thanks to his high pain tolerance, he didn’t feel a thing after waking up.

It wasn’t until he was hanging out with Techno one day when he heard it.

“I’m just saying, if Burger King offered more coupons I would buy more from-“ Tommy was ranting while Techno read one of his dumb greek books.

“Why are you still talking about Burger King?” Techno flipped a page.

Tommy rolled his eyes, how could he not see how important this it? “Because Big Man, Burger King is overpriced and their burgers aren’t even that good.”

Techno hummed and made no further move to reply.

Tommy repositioned to hang upside down from the couch, he also may have kicked Techno in the process. He closed his eyes letting the blood rush to his head.

“Blood.”

Tommy opened his eyes and looked up to Techno. “What did you say?”

Techno turned his attention away from his book and met Tommy’s eyes. “I didn’t say anything?”

Tommy frowned. “I heard you, you said something.”

“Maybe it’s the blood going to your head, sit up right before you pass out.” Techno waved Tommy off and went back to his book.

Tommy obeyed and repositioned himself next to Techno.

“Kill.”

Tommy swung his head around where he heard the voice. Someone definitely spoke.

“Tommy?” Techno wasn’t reading his book anymore. “Do you feel alright?”

Tommy couldn’t breathe, someone had spoke. He knew it, he wasn’t crazy or insane. He heard someone speak.

“I need- I need to go lay down.” Tommy stammered out and stumbled to get up.

He rushed out of the living room and into the hallway when he bumped into Wilbur.

“Toms? Are you okay?” Wilbur put a hand on Tommy’s arm.

“Kill, blood. Blood. Blood.”

The voice repeated, Tommy couldn’t breathe. He needed to get out.

He pushed past Wilbur and rushed into his room, ignoring the shouts from his older brother. Tommy held his hands over his ears. Why won’t the voice stop? Who was speaking? He had so many questions.

“Weak. Pathetic.”

“Who are you?!” Tommy questioned the ominous voice.

“Who are you?” The voice asked back, mockingly.

Tommy clutched his head. “Get out! Get out of my head!”

Then there was a hand on his shoulder. “Tommy, maybe you should lay down.”

This voice was soft, it was warm. It belonged to his brother, Wilbur.

Tommy looked up at his older brother, brown curls pushed to the side. Tommy realized he was over exaggerating his breathing and quickly calmed down. The voice didn’t say anything else or mimic him again. It was silent.

“Toms?” Wilbur’s voice rang out again and he put a hand to his brothers forehead. “Lay down.”

Tommy nodded and sat down on his bed, Wilbur followed and pulled him close to his chest. Tommy felt protected in his older brothers arms, he didn’t know who had spoken to him. For now, he was safe. For now.

Unfortunately, that was short lived.

“I’ll be right back, Toms.” Wilbur said in a low whisper.

Tommy clung back to Wilbur. “No- nonono. Please stay. Please” Tommy begged.

Wilbur frowned and pulled himself from Tommy. “It’ll only take a second.” He promised and left the room.

Tommy waited, he waited in silence. He knew it was coming, he just hoped Wilbur could return before it did.

“Leave” the voice returned.

Tommy felt his breathing pick up again. “What?” His voice was small.

“Find the man in red.”

Tommy looked around, he was absolutely insane. No one was here, no one was speaking. This was all in his head.

“He can help.”

Tommy succumbed, he didn’t have the energy to fight this voice. He could only make sad excuses.

“What about Wilbur?”

“You’re dangerous. You might hurt him.”

Tommy frowned, he could never hurt Wilbur. Not Wilbur. Never Wilbur-

“Leave”

It’s pathetic, sure. But that’s what Tommy did. He left, climbing out his window and jumping without a second thought. He couldn’t tell if this was a fever Dream or not, he was absolutely out of his mind. If it was even his anymore.

He walked, he walked, and he walked for ages. His legs ached and his breath was ragged leaving his throat hoarse. He didn’t know what time it was but the sun had just started to rise, he must’ve been walking for hours. The voices didn’t speak again, he expected them to help him find this man in red but he seemed to have a path photographed in his memory.

It wasn’t until his legs gave out when he couldn’t walk anymore.

“Weak.” One voice mumbled.

“Pathetic.” Another shouted.

Voices stammered over each other but Tommy could only make out a few words at a time.

“You’re a little young to be here by yourself.” A voice said, however this one was not in his head as he first suspected.

He strained to pick himself off the ground and look up at the man. He was wearing a black hoodie with a red outline. He smiled and offered a hand to Tommy.

“What brings you here?” The man seemed kind, he seemed nice.

“The voices, they told me to find you.” Tommy breathed out.

Something changed in the mans eyes. He faltered but covered it up quickly, Tommy noticed it though.

“Voices?” The man questioned. “Describe them to me.”

Tommy had to think about this, they were evil. Mean, bad intent. But this man wouldn’t know that, Tommy would just sound insane.

“Tell me your name first.” Tommy demanded.

The man in red smiled. “My friends call me Bad. What about you?”

“Tommy.”

“Well, Tommy. These voices, are they demanding?” Bad questioned and Tommy tensed at this.

“How do you know?” Tommy’s voice was soft, barely above a whisper.

Bad hummed. “I had a friend who studied something similar. He was very experienced, maybe I can help you.”

“Help” the voice repeated and Tommy’s suspicions rose.

“Who was this friend?” Tommy questioned.

“You wouldn’t know him.” Bad smiles and met his eyes. “His name was Dream.”

Tommy now understood, this man was bad news. He needed to leave, he needed to get out.

Tommy got up from the ground, legs aching. “I need to go, my brothers will be looking for me.” He breathed out and turned away.

“Leaving so soon?” A hand pressed down on Tommy’s shoulder and he tried to push away.

Suddenly there was a pounding at his head, he was on the ground again.. when did that happen? Spots danced in his vision, then it went to black.

Chapter Text

When Tommy wakes up it’s cold. It’s cold and dark and alone. The walls of the dark room almost touched Tommy’s shoulders.

He shuttered, small spaces were not his forte. Dark small spaces were even worse. Tommy could feel his breathing pick up as the room around him starts to swirl. Where was he? How did he get here?

“Small, Bad. Bad place.” The voices swarmed inside his head.

Where was he? What’s going on? Where are Techno and Wilbur? Thoughts swirled in his head faster than he could process them. Tommy started to pull against the chair he was tied to. He pulled, and he pulled. His wrists started to burn but his panicking hadn’t subdued.

“Not a Fan of small rooms?” A voice came from the dark, causing Tommy to freeze in his place.

“W-where am I?” Tommy met the Man’s eyes and they were a familiar red shade. “Bad?”

Bad smiled at the recognition. “Don’t worry, you don’t need to know anything yet.”

Tommy was about to open his mouth to respond when his kidnapper pulled out a syringe. Tommy began to panic again and squirm around in his chair. Bad only smirked and reassured him.

“Don’t worry, just a little blood.” Bad untied one of his wrists and Tommy viciously pulled away. Bad sighed and pulled out another syringe. “I’d hate to do this.” He watched Bad inject the needle into his arm and some fluid pass from the syringe in his arm.

Tommy kept fighting but he felt the will to fight fade out from beneath him. He watched Bad stick another needle in him and tape an IV in. He faintly remembered seeing blood fill the syringe before black spots danced his vision and everything went to black.

Tommy was no longer cold, his skin was hot. He burned. He was in fire. Tommyinnit was on fire.

His skin was hot to the touch, Tommy couldn’t breathe. He needed water, where was water?

..

Where was he?

Tommy felt cold hands touch the back of his head and he flinched back. Bad. Bad was here. He was going to kill Tommy, or sedate him again. Or he might even take more blood for whatever twisted plan he had.

“He’s burning, Techno.” A familiar voice spoke.

This voice was not Bad’s. He was fine, he was safe. But where was he? Tommy lazily opened his eyes, there was light now. But he was still tied to the chair.

Tommy groaned and tried to move, his eyes adjusted and focused on his two brothers. Wilbur and Techno.

Why were Wilbur and Techno here? Why was he here? What’s going on?

“Wil.. bur?” Tommy choked out and Wilbur turned to look at him.

“Hey, hey it’s okay Toms. We’re gonna get you out of here.” Wilbur hushed him and placed a hand to his cheek.

His hands were cold, his skin was so warm. He was so hot.

Tommy choked. “I’m so hot, Wil.”

Wilbur made a pained noise and only held Tommy’s face in his hands. “I know, Toms. I know.” He looked like he was holding back tears.

Techno made an annoyed sound and put the gun he was holding, up. “He’s gone, took the blood with him.”

Wilbur shook his head. “I don’t care about that right now, let’s just get Tommy out.”

“You should care, he took your brothers blood. Tommy and I have the same blood.” Techno sounded serious. “He could release another zombie apocalypse on us, or worse, a variant.”

“What would a variant do?” Wilbur’s voice sounded small.

Techno hummed. “Faster, deadlier, worse.”

Wilbur frowned. “He’s just- he’s so hot, Tech.” Wilbur sounded pained by this.

Tommy didn’t know why, but he wanted to sleep. He felt dizzy and like everything was drained from him.

Techno walked over to him and felt his forehead. He retracted his hand immediately as if Tommy’s skin had burned him.

Techno pulled out a knife and cut the ropes that tugged his skin. Tommy felt relieved as soon as it no longer cut into his skin, but now he was expected to stay upright in his seat. That was not what Tommy’s body had in mind.

As soon as the bounds came undone he fell straight to the ground, fortunately Techno was there to catch him.

“Dying. We’re dying.” A voice mumbled.

“This is it.” Another.

“Dead.’” And another

“E” and another and another.

Tommy couldn’t think. Other voices clouded his head that weren’t his.

“I’m dying, Tech.” Tommy mumbled and Techno made a choking sound.

“No.. no you aren’t, Toms.” Techno reassured him and picked him up. “We need to get out of here.” He instructed Wilbur.

Tommy was hot, oh prime he was burning. He couldn’t think.

“You’re lying.” Tommy stated.

Techno sucked in a breath and hesitated. “I’m not.” He lied.

Liars. I’m dying, Tommy thought. He was dying. Death. That’s that.

Tubbo, Tommy thought.

Ranboo, Tommy thought.

A place with them. A place with them both. To be home.

But that wasn’t his home. No. No he had to stop thinking like that. Home was here.

Home was with Wilbur.

Home was with Techno.

Tommy felt his eyes start to slowly fall shut.

“Tommy don’t close your eyes.” Techno shook him and began to walk at an alarming rate.

Tommy couldn’t care, he just wanted to sleep. Sleep had been good to him. Not like this.

Tommy vaguely remembered Wilbur telling him something before passing out once more.

When Tommy woke up he was drowning. He was in water, he was drowning. He coughed, he coughed out the water in his lungs. It flooded him and pulled him under, he couldn’t get out. He was stuck. He couldn’t breathe.

Tommy gasped and woke up, he wasn’t drowning but now he was coughing. His throat was sore and itchy. He squinted and Wilbur was beside him on the bed. Techno rushed in as soon as Tommy awoke in a coughing fit.

“Tommy, I need blood.” Techno explained and held a syringe.

Tommy began to panic. “No.. no you can’t do that. Please.” Tommy begged his voice raspy.

“Tommy, I’m sorry. I can’t get a vaccine for the variant unless I have your specific blood.” Techno sounded genuinely upset.

Tommy pulled away but Wilbur had restrained him.

“I’m sorry, Toms.” Wilbur kissed him on the head and Techno taped an IV in his arm.

Tommy vaguely remembered Bad enclosing him in the small room and taking his blood. His blood! Without consent or permission.

Tommy thrashed against Techno, he couldn’t see anyone anymore just the small room and Bad.

“G-get away! Bad, leave me alone!” Tommy screamed, his voice was dry.

“Bad?” Wilbur appeared in his vision again and questioned. Then his expression soften. “He- he hurt you.” Wilbur stated and Tommy whimpered.

Techno pulled the IV from his arm. “There, it’s over.”

Tommy was tugged into Wilbur’s chest in a bone crushing hug. “He won’t get you again. I’ll kill him.” Wilbur promised. He vowed. He secured.

Tommy felt dots dance his vision again. He was tired. So much blood was taken from him in the past day. He had no more to spare and he still burned.

Sleep.

Tommy could think of nothing but sleep.

So he let sleep encase him.

Chapter Text

Tommy squinted. It was bright.

Wait.. when had he opened his eyes?

He looked around, it was really bright. The sun was glaring down on him as if he committed some federal war crime. Tommy groaned and turned his gaze away from the sun. His hands rested in soft blades of grass. This place felt nostalgic. This place felt familiar. As if he had been here before.

He had been here before.

“Welcome back, Tommy.” That voice.. Tommy’s head turned instantly to face his friend, Tubbo.

But Tubbo was dead.

“Am I dead..?” Tommy asked, his voice getting smaller by the second.

“Not yet. How are you?” Tubbo sat next to him. Soft brown hair getting tangled in the breeze.

Tommy is hesitant. He’s hesitant about responding. He’s hesitant about thinking.

No voices were heard, they weren’t invading his head. Everything was so.. peaceful.

“I miss you.” Tubbo said, not caring for an answer to his previous question.

Tommy brought his knees to his chest. “I know.” He mumbled.

Tubbo seemed saddened. “I promise you, nothing bad will happen here. You could.. you could stay.”

Tommy held his hand to his mouth to stop a sob from tearing its way out of his throat.

“We could be happy, it’s nice here. I’m lonely.. I miss hearing you talk bad about Sam.” Tubbo laughed. “I miss your laugh and your company.” Tubbo looked sad. Tommy hated how genuine he sounded. “I miss you.”

Tommy wanted to respond. He really did.

“Tommy.” Tubbos voice broke. “Please stay here with me, please.”

Tommy opened his mouth to assure Tubbo he wasn’t leaving. Then he froze.

Wilbur.

Techno.

Tommy wanted to scream, it would be so easy to just say yes and be happy. But those fuckers. He couldn’t leave them. He just couldn’t.

“I’m so so sorry, Tubbo.” A sob escaped Tommy’s mouth as he brought his hands to his ears. He couldn’t listen to Tubbo anymore. He couldn’t listen to anything. He needed to get back. Back to Techno, back to Wilbur. Just back.

When Tommy opened his eyes again, he wasn’t in the nice meadow. It was dark.

No longer was the blaring sun blinding his view, now he was in the dark. Now it was cold. Now he felt small.

A hand rested aim his shoulder causing Tommy to flinch up. His eyes met soft grey ones.

Ranboo.

His friend.

“Ranboo..?” Tommy asked, he missed his friend. His missed him dearly.

Ranboo smiled, he looked tired. “I don’t like it here, Tommy. I’m sad. I’m alone.”

Tommy only mentally agreed. He felt the same from only being here for a few seconds.

“I-I miss the outside. I miss the world and the light. Even the stupid zombies.” Ranboo’s voice shook. “Everything is dark.”

Tommy went to respond but remained silent. He couldn’t speak, it was a trap. If he spoke he would be guilted to staying here. He needed to get back, Tommy reminded himself.

“You don’t have to be afraid, I won’t lie to you.” Ranboo assured him. “I’m scared too.”

Tommy wanted to hug his friend, he wanted to assure him it would be okay even if it was a lie.

“We were.. we were in this together from the start. Right? You could stay with me.. if you choose to.” Ranboo smiled but it was still sad.

Tommy opened his mouth to respond. Maybe to tell Ranboo to fuck off. Maybe to take his offer. But only a strangled whimper came out.

A sore sob escaped his throat and Tommy couldn’t help the overwhelming sadness flowing out of him. “I’m sorry” Tommy repeated a couple times. “I’m sorry I can’t stay.”

If Ranboo said anything, Tommy couldn’t hear him.

“I need to stay- I need to stay for Wilbur.” Tommy muttered and clutched his arms.

Ranboo only smiled. He didn’t get mad or upset at Tommy. He just smiled that fucking smile. “I understand.” He muttered.

Then Ranboo faded, he dissolved. The world shifted and Tommy saw stars.

If Tommy didn’t know better he would’ve thought he was in space. But of course, he knew better.

He was on a cliff. Great option, Tommy internally cursed the world. Then Tommy froze.

A smile stared back at him. Green. The Monster from his dreams, the person he sought to kill. Dream stares back at him.

Tommy bit his tongue. The last thing he wanted to do is talk to Dream.

“How are you?” Dream calmly asked.

“Better. Now that you’re dead.” Tommy spat and Dream looked unimpressed.

Dream studied him carefully. “What was your life like before the apocalypse?” Tommy went to respond but Dream beat him to it. “What’s your life like now?”

Tommy glared. “What do you want, Dream?”

“Are you happy?” Dream avoided his question and continued with his trivia.

“Why do you care?!” Tommy shot back and Dream only hummed.

Dream’s smile fell. “Am I not allowed to?”

“I hate you! I’m glad you’re dead!” Tommy yelled, a growl escaping his chest.

Dream only stared at him and said no more. He dissolved just as Ranboo did.

Tommy was now alone on the cliff.
He could see the bottom, there was water. A fall from this height would surely kill him.

Maybe that’s what he wanted, he wanted an escape. Away from his friends, away from reality. He was done.

Tommy closed his eyes, it was so simple. He began to lean off and the wind engulfed him as he fell towards the water at an alarming rate.

His body broke through the surface of the water and water rushed around him. It dragged him under the inescapable surface forcing him to choke on the water filling his throat. He was dying. He was dying and nothing would save him. Nothin-

“Tommy!”

Wilburs voice woke him from his slumber and he coughed rapidly.

“I’m drowning- help- water it’s- it’s everywhere-“ Tommy panicked stumbling to get the words out.

Wilbur shushed him. “You’re okay, sunshine. It’s okay. I’m here.” Wilbur pulled him close to his chest and Tommy sobbed.

“I’m drowning.” Tommy sobbed harder.

“You’re safe.” Techno reassured him.

When did Techno get here? Tommy didn’t care. Maybe he was here all along. Maybe he just walked in. Tommy couldn’t care less. He was safe.

Safe from Tubbo.

Save from Ranboo.

Safe from Dream.

Safe in his brothers arms, and that’s how he’s determined to keep it.

Chapter Text

Days eventually past, the only thing Tommy could think of was Ranboo.

The only person he could think of was Ranboo.

Tommy hadn’t spoken since his waking up from his ‘fever dream’ Techno liked to call it.

It wasn’t a fever dream.

They were there. It was real. Tubbo was real, his meadow was real. Ranboo was real and his lightless void was real.

And Dream.

Dream was real.

That thought scared Tommy the most.

Regardless if they were real or not (which they were) his only thought was Ranboo. Every second he could only think of his dead friend.

Tommy wanted to cry, he wanted to scream and whine like a baby. He was better than this though, so he remained silent.

No one visited him much anymore, maybe it’s because Tommy purposely avoided everyone. He stayed alone, except for when Wilbur came in and out to check on his little brother. Wilbur came in with food every few hours and then came in at night to sleep with the younger.

Wilbur still talks to him even though he knows he won’t get an answer in return. It wasn’t anything to complicated or contradicting. It was more of “The weather is nice today, Toms.” or “Techno is being an idiot as usual.”

Small talk, like things were somehow okay.

Like there wasn’t a zombie apocalypse going on in the outside world.

Tommy wasn’t sure if he was still sick or not, but he feels like he’s about to topple over every second he lives without Ranboo here.

Wilbur had told the blonde that he was no longer sick, but Tommy didn’t believe him.

The voices would mutter things every now and then. Never good things.

They constantly wanted him to leave, they yearned for Ranboo. They didn’t want to be on this plane of existence.

Tommy wasn’t sure if he wanted to either.

One day, Tommy was taking his daily walk outside like Wilbur had instructed him to do. He stared off the porch of the house on stilts.

‘Ranboo.’ One whispered.
‘Join him. Void void.’ Another yelled.
‘E’ One muttered.
‘Void’
‘Voidvoidvoid’
‘Voidddd’
‘Void’ They chanted.

It made Tommy sick, but at the same time, he was thrilled.

Excited even.

To leave, he thought. To leave and join Ranboo. To be with Ranboo once again.

He leaned over the wooden railing of the house on stilts.

Just a little further, he urged himself.

He climbed the fence until only his legs were keeping him safe on the railings. The wind rushed against his face leaving it pink in return. Tommy could jump. He could jump and be done with it all.

He could be done with it all. He repeated in his mind.

Tommy looked down and thought of the water. The Cliff. And of Dream. He began to lean off imagining harsh water below the surface.

Then a rough hand grabbed his arm and yanked him away from the edge. Tommy internally cursed as he stumbled off the edge into his brothers warm arms.

Wilbur was crying.

Why was Wilbur crying?

“Why would you do that?!” Wilbur shouted and held Tommy’s face in his hands. “Why the hell would you do that to me, Tommy?!”

Tommy didn’t know what to say, he stunned.

Then he felt tears trickle their way into his eyes and began to pour.

“I’m sorry.” He spoke, his voice rough for the lack of use. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” He repeated and cried.

Wilbur hugged him tighter, afraid he might disappear if he let go.

Tommy was afraid of that too.

“Toms.” He started quietly. “I love you. I love you so much more than you know. That’s why I’m going to stay with you. Okay? Can you stay with me?” He asked.

Tommy wasn’t sure if he was asking Tommy to stay physically by his side or stay alive for him. Either way, Tommy didn’t mind.

He nodded. “I’ll stay, Wilbur.” He agreed and more tears ran their red streaks down his rough face.

Wilbur hugged him once more and they both stood up, Wilbur lead him all they way inside and back into their shared bedroom. They laid on the bed, Tommys head on his brothers chest and Wilburs hand running through the blonde curls.

They were in silence until Tommy broke it.

“I miss Ranboo..” He said quietly.

Wilbur stayed silent for a moment before responding. “I know.”

Tommy started to cry again, he felt like a baby who needed their mother. He felt like a child.

But to be fair, wasn’t he a child? He was 17, he was supposed to be in school still.

He was supposed to be making fun of Professor Sam and getting in trouble by Puffy.

He was a child, okay? There he admits it!

Regardless of the acceptance, he still cried. His brother only rubbed circles into his back and played with his blonde curls.

He had Wilbur.

He needed to live for Wilbur.

And like that, he fell asleep once again.

This time no dreams of Tubbo filled his head.

Chapter Text

The following weeks, Tommy didn’t leave his room all that much.

Wilbur said he was depressed, Tommy wouldn’t say that. He just wasn’t happy. That didn’t mean he was depressed.

…

Right?

Speaking of Wilbur, he refused to leave the younger’s side, despite Tommy telling him he was overreacting.

Tommy wasn’t happy.

That didn’t mean he was sad.

Ok, maybe he was a little sad. He missed ranboo and cried nightly. He remembered Dream and Ranboo. Sometimes he wished they would just go away. Others he wished he stayed.

The voices only got worse.

They screamed and thrashed in his head until Tommy could only hold his ears and sob. Wilbur said nothing though. Not until one night they were both laying in bed, awake but not speaking.

“You know..” Wilbur began, this startled Tommy. He assumed the brunette had long fallen asleep. “You can talk to me. About the dreams.”

Tommy hadn’t expected this, he didn’t know what to say. “What’s there to talk about?”

Wilbur hummed. “Dunno, but I’d listen.”

Tommy contemplated this, he could trust Wilbur. The question was, could he trust himself? The answer is unclear, it’ll always be unclear. Tommy gave in though, what has he got to lose?

“It starts with Tubbo.” Tommy began. “It always starts with Tubbo.”

Wilbur didn’t reply and Tommy took this as a message to keep going.

“He always- he wants me to stay. I think that means to die. I almost said yes a few times. He just- he always sounds so sad.” Tommys voice broke. “I miss him.”

“Oh, Toms.” Wilbur pulled hin closer to his chest in a half hug.

Tommy cleared his throat. “Then Ranboo was there. He was lonely and honest with me. Just like before.” Tommy felt tears threatening to pour over his eyes. “I think I miss him more.”

Tommy shook away the thought of Ranboo and the endless void, but that didn’t stop the tears from escaping his eyes.

“This time, Dream was there.”

Wilbur froze, but remained silent. A protective hand latched onto Tommy’s arm.

“He didn’t want me to stay. At least I don’t think he did.. he just wanted to know how I was.. then I fell.” Tommy still remembered the rush of water filling his throat. “I was drowning.” His voice was barely above a whisper.

Then Tommy sobbed. Wilbur could do nothing more but sit there and comfort him.

The next morning, the strangest thing happened.

Techno walked into the room, not having seen Tommy in days. He only stared, Wilbur shifted slightly under Tommy, still in a deep sleep.

Tommy gave a questioning look.

“Come outside with me.” He grunted and left.

Tommy was utterly confused to say the least. Wilbur would be mad if he left, but it’s not like he’d disobey Techno.

He crawled out of the bed, careful to not wake the grumpy brunette, and hurried after Techno.

He followed Techno all the way to the field. He was standing there like some kind of serious Naruto sensei, not that Tommy had ever watched Naruto in his life.

“What do you value in life?” His voice was rough.

Tommy stared, confused by the sudden question. “What?”

“I said, what do you value in life?” He repeated, glancing at the blonde boy.

Tommy doesn’t respond, he doesn’t know what he values. He’s just grateful to be alive at this point.

“Answer me, Tommy.” Techno sounded serious.

Tommy hurried together a single trained thought. “I don’t know.”

Techno seemed unamused with the response. “You better find out.”

Tommy felt hurt. What did he expect? Tommy was 17 and had almost died like 12 times! What does Techno want from him?

Tommy was about to get upset when Techno spoke again. “It’s easier to control the voices, when you’re able to remind yourself what you value.”

Tommy starts thinking harder, if that was possible. What does he value? Why is he still here? He valued Tubbo but you see how well that went, he valued Ranboo and that also went south. So why-

Then Tommy froze.

The reason, the exact reason he gave Tubbo and Ranboo as to why he can’t stay.

Wilbur.

He values Wilbur.

“Wilbur..” Tommy cried softly. “I value Wilbur.”

Techno seemed pleased, Tommy thought of his entire journey and how he got here.

“And you! I value you and Wilbur.” Tommy felt out of breath all of a sudden, for no reason at all.

A look of intrigue flashed across Techno’s monotonous face. “Is that all?”

Tommy thought harder. No, that wasn’t all. It couldn’t be. He values so much.

Ranboo and Tubbo were dead, but not forgotten.

“I value the memory of my friends, the ones I lost. And the ones I have.” Tommy nodded, that sounded right.

Techno was satisfied. “Do you still hear them?”

Tommy paused. “Them..? As in the voices?”

Techno nodded.

“Sometimes.” Tommy lied, but quickly broke. “All the time.”

“Do you hear them now?” Technos voice was soft.

…

It was silent.

What?

Where did they go? Tommy could’ve sworn they were just here. Did they just- disappear?

“No.” Tommy smiled for the first time in weeks. “No they’re gone.” He laughs for the first time since the apocalypse.

It takes a few more days for the voices to coax themselves back into Tommy’s conscience. Once inside, they screamed. They pounded against Tommy’s head and forced themselves into every one of his thoughts. Tommy tried to think of his values but it seemed as if the voices at gotten stronger since exiling them.

Wilbur was on patrol with Techno, both gone.

Tommy wanted to scream but they wouldn’t let him, almost as if they controlled his every move.

..

Maybe they did.

He needed to leave, get out. Somewhere open, Tommy thought. Somewhere to clear his head.

Tommy looked to the window, his body moved on its own and he was unlocking the locks. He slid the window open and pushed himself out, landing awkwardly on his foot.

The pain was brutal, but the voices were worse.

He stumbled for fresh air, running for what seemed like ages. His only thought was to get out. To get away.

Peace.

He needed peace.

He tripped over a bulky branch and face planted into the dirt of the forest. Tommy coughed and tried to stand but he felt weak.

That’s all he was anyway.

Weak.

The voices muttered other things telling him to get up but he just couldn’t.

He’s cold.

And tired.

Black dots began to swarm his vision and left not a voice behind.

Chapter Text

The light was bright.

And warm.

There were voices, but Tommy couldn’t make anything out. They felt fuzzy and his ears felt like they were made of cotton.

The voices got louder, closer. Tommy, still not being able to make out anything they said.

Suddenly a rush of warmth filled his face, a hand had grabbed his face. It was soft and not in an aggressive way, almost a worried way. This was still enough to push Tommy to alarm.

He opened his eyes, the morning sun had been too much to handle at first, being too bright. Once his eyes adjusted to the morning sun, thoughts swarm Tommy’s head.

Where was he?

How did he get here?

What time was it?

Who was trying to talk to him?

And fuck.

Why couldn’t he feel his hands?

Tommy’s breathing began to pick up and panic filled his chest, mind, and body. He was shivering, Tommy couldn’t tell if it was from fear or the cold.

Maybe both.

“Toms. Toms, you’re okay. You’re okay, don’t worry.” The voice was soft and sounded like it belonged anywhere but the zombie apocalypse.

Wilbur was the only one who called him Toms. That must mean he’s safe. Tommy isn’t an idiot though, his mind could be playing tricks on him, giving him the false hope that he isn’t in mortal danger around every corner.

His vision still hadn’t cleared all the way when he felt warmth again. A word sprang to his mind which he quickly pushed away.

Home.

He could’ve been home. He might’ve been home. But where even was he? He’s so tired.

Tommy fought to stay awake but he must’ve lost consciousness somewhere in between panicking and freezing.

“Hey, Tommy?” A soft but strict voice woke him up.

He panicked slightly and opened his eyes, his vision had come back to him. Techno was seated on the bed beside him.

Tommy was no longer cold, but his fingers just felt like they were melted ice cubes.

“Can you hear me?” Technos voice was not condescending, softer than Tommy had ever heard it.

Tommy nodded sleepily.

Techno looked disturbed, like he was struggling to get something out. Maybe he was afraid it might hurt Tommy. Maybe he was going to tell Tommy he would soon enough die.

That how he felt anyway.

Techno seemingly found the right words and began his sentence. “I value you too, you know.” A short gasp escaped Tommy but he quickly quieted down noticing Techno’s surprise at this. “You mean a lot to me, Tommy. We’re family now, okay? No running away or dying. It hurts Wilbur.”

Techno paused. Dramatic bitch.

“And it hurts me.”

Ok. That was a low blow. A sore sob escaped Tommy lips as he pushed himself upward out if the bed and latched himself onto Techno. Techno hugged him like he was the only thing that mattered in the world.

Maybe to Techno, he was.

The next morning, Tommy was laying in bed. Shrugging off another dreamless sleep.

He heard talking from outside his door, Wilbur and Techno.

“He’s getting worse.” Techno.

“Well what do you suggest? We take him to a hospital? News flash! Its the apocalypse!” That was definitely Wilbur.

“It’s not just his physical health, Wilbur. The voices, they’re getting bad. Really bad. Thats why he disappeared two nights ago.”

“I don’t understand. What are you suggesting?” Wilbur sounded more confused than hurt.

“We need to relocate. Get at least a symbolism of society. Somewhere in the city.” Techno said calmly, which started to panic Tommy.

The voices started swarming his head.

‘Haha they’re getting rid of you.’
‘Knew it would’ve come.’
‘E’
‘Should’ve expected this.’
‘Byebye!’

Tommy struggled to get out of bed and ended up getting tangled in bedsheets and tripping, resulting in going head first to the floor.

Wilbur and Techno must’ve heard this, because the voices outside the door stopped. The ones in his head didn’t.

Tommy’s breathing was incredibly fast, and he felt like he might give himself a heart attack.

Out.

Tommy’s only though was out.

The voice still swarmed his head, growing louder and louder without hesitation and no remorse.

“Shut up!” Tommy yelled and a hand rested on his wrist.

Tommy pushed against it, shoving it harder than he ever thought he could’ve. Another hand, a firmer grip, grabbed both his shoulders. Tommy struggled fantastically against them and even ended up kicking the figure (person?) in the stomach. Tommy felt the hands falter and he took the opportunity to scramble to his feet and start running. A foot launched out though, causing him to trip. Tommy was stunned and the pair of hands held him against the ground.

“Careful, Techno!” A voice called.

“I’m trying! He’s desperate to get away!” Techno called back.

Tommy focused on the person holding him against the ground, it was Techno. Tommy felt himself visibly slump but his chest did not stop frantically heaving.

“Wilbur, get over here.” Techno looked to his right, where Wilbur was crouched.

He must’ve been the first hand that grabbed him.

Wilbur made his way to the pair and held Tommy’s face in his hands.

Tommy’s face was wet with tears. When did he start crying?

“Toms, look at me. It’s okay, you’re okay. You’re having a panic attack. I’m here. You’re okay.” Wilbur’s voice was soft.

Tommy could breathe once more, listening to Wilbur alone.

Technos grip softened and eventually let go.

And just like that, Tommy was calm once more. The tears still streaming down his face but the panic no longer in his chest.

Chapter Text

The episodes continued the following week. Weeks.

Well, Tommy wasn’t sure he could call them episodes. To be honest, he didn’t know the correct term.

It started with the voices and then he would be set off into an almost feral state. He would panic and Wilbur or Techno would come calm him down.

Despite the episodes, Tommy has been allowed out more. It wasn’t that he wasn’t allowed out before, but no one ever trusted him on a rescue or restocking missions.

There was one outing that stuck with Tommy.

It was a muggy day. It had rained the previous day and the skies threatened to spill over again with more droplets of rain. That really set the mood, eh?

Techno, for some reason, specifically wanted Tommy for a raid. The plan was to go to a downtown abandoned supermarket and get what they needed and leave. That was the plan.

And Tommy followed that plan greatly. Amazing even. It wasn’t until he was inside the store that he had forgotten the main rule Techno had made him vow to follow.

-if you ever come into contact with another human, run.

Tommy was looking at chips aisle, scanning through the bags looking for one that hadn’t already expired. He heard a whimper of pain through another aisle.

Tommy’s brillant idea was to go investigate, laying in the middle of aisle was a boy with brown hair and a headband. It had a weird pattern and the boys face was scrunched up in pain.

“Are you alright?” Tommy’s brain acted on autopilot.

The Boy’s eyes shot wide open in fear and he pushed himself further away.

“I’ll stab you.” He muttered. “Won’t hesitate.”

It was then that Tommy noticed the stab wound in his leg.

“Shit, let me help you.” Tommy breathed out and grabbed his medic kit that Techno packed in his backpack.

Speaking of Techno, where was he?

Tommy quickly shooed the thought away, focusing on the injured boy.

Tommy crouched beside the boy who still looked weary, but let Tommy get closer regardless.

“What’s your name?” The boy asked, voice barely above a whisper.

Tommy grabbed bandages from his medic kit. “Tommy. Yours?”

“Billzo.” The boy muttered.

Billzo looked around Tommy’s age, possibly a little younger. Tommy only hummed and wrapped the bandages around his leg.

“How’d you get this?” Tommy asked after finishing.

Billzo looked weary still but no longer threatening to stab him. “My friend Aimsey and I were raiding a gas station a little further from here and we got ambushed by some fuckers.” He sighed. “Aims and I got separated and I got a knife thrown at me as I made my fabulous escape.”

Tommy had to bite back a laugh, but a small giggle escaped from him. “Well you better go find your friend, I gotta find mine.”

Billzo nodded and Tommy offered him his hand. Billzo accepted it and Tommy helped the boy to his feet.

“Sounds good. See you around?” Billzo smiled, knowing full well that they’d never see each other again.

Tommy smiled back, all too knowing. “Sure.” Billzo turned to leave but Tommy’s own thought betrayed him. “Hey, Bill?”

Billzo glanced backwards. “Yeah?”

Tommy took a deep breath and let out the bugging thought. “You remind me of someone I used to know.”

Billzo didn’t question who it was. He didn’t pry one bit. Probably knew the pain of losing someone just as much as Tommy. “Were they good?”

Tommy laughed. “The best person I ever knew.”

And with that Billzo smiled and left.

It was true.

Ranboo was the best person Tommy knew. And Tommy had a good feeling that in another life Ranboo and Billzo would’ve been best friends. He just knew it.

He met up with Techno again after that, and no. He didn’t mention Billzo. Techno didn’t need to know.

They made the travel back to their base, Techno, none the wiser.

Once the got back, Wilbur engulfed Tommy in a hug.

“You’re clingy.” Tommy mumbled into Wilbur’s yellow sweater.

“Yeah? I guess you don’t want to hear my new song then.” Wilbur teased and Tommy felt the exhaustion from the day sneak into him.

Tommy yawned. “Come on, bitch boy.”

They walked back to their room and Wilbur grabbed his guitar.

Wilbur started strumming the cords softly and Tommy made himself comfortable on the bed.

He began to sing something, it was soft and quiet but Tommy had a feeling it was written to be shouted. Tommy liked it, the lyrics were lovely. Even if he was tired and barely comprehended it, he did catch on to it being something about perfume?

Then Tommy fell asleep.

The sun.

When did Tommy get outside?

Wait.

Panic filled Tommy, something wasn’t right. What’s going on?

“Tommy!” A high pitched voice exclaimed, it was familiar and scary.

Tommy opened his eyes, were they closed?

Tubbo was staring back at him, Tommy was scared. He shouldn’t be scared, this was his friend. His best friend even!

Or was.

Tommy felt guilty, he didn’t want to feel this way. Especially not for Tubbo.

“H-hey, Tubs.” The nickname came out easily.

Tubbo looked sad. That didn’t look right on him. Tommy hated seeing Tubbo sad. It was because of him, wasn’t it?

“How are you?” Tommy felt himself longing to talk to his best friend again. To rant about Professor Sam’s class. He would do anything for it back.

“Tommy- Tommy please-“ Tubbo began to beg. “I can’t ask anymore! Just stay! Stay here with me! Please!” Tubbo sobbed.

Tommy was shocked, Tubbo hated crying. “Please stay.” He begged. “I can’t do it anymore- I can’t- I won’t-“

Tommy wanted him to stop, stop crying. Stop begging. Stop acting like-

Like a child.

..

When did Tommy start becoming the mature one? He felt guilty. He felt guilty that he was getting older and Tubbo wasn’t. It wasn’t fair, it wasn’t fair to Tubbo and it wasn’t fair to him.

“Stay. You have to stay! I can’t take another second here alone!-“

“Okay! I’ll stay!” Tommy gasped out, he’d do anything to make Tubbo stop begging. To make Tubbo stop crying.

He felt a pain in his chest as Tubbo smiled. Tommy felt bad. Like really bad. He felt sick. He might throw up- he might- he might just-

Tommy was being shaken awake by a panicked Wilbur.

“Tommy!” Wilbur practically screamed out.

Once seeing Tommy’s eyes fly open he pulled the blonde close to his chest.

“You stopped breathing!- you were sleeping and then you just- you just stopped breathing!” Wilbur was crying.

Wait..

Wilbur was crying?

What’s going on?

Tommy’s head was fuzzy and he still felt bad.

“Tommy..?” Wilbur asked taking a look at the boy.

Tommy felt like his skin was melting and he felt sick to his stomach.

“TECHNO!” Wilbur screamed louder than Tommy’s ever heard him scream.

Techno rushed in a few moments later.

“What’s wrong?- What is it?” Techno stammered out.

“He’s sick- please Tech- we gotta take him somewhere else. Anywhere else!” Wilbur begged and held the burning boy closer to his chest.

Techno took in the sight of the two. “Okay. Okay, we’ll leave.” Techno sighed, but it wasn’t one of dread and more of relief. “I’ll go get everyone.”

“He’s burning, Tech.” Wilbur’s voice was broken.

“Get him in the car, there should still be one from our latest expedition. I’ll be down in a sec, I gotta tell Phil to find another car for Him, Purpled, and Niki.” Techno said and quickly left the room.

Wilbur picked Tommy up, Tommy feeling sicker at the movement and Wilbur didn’t even bother to pack anything before leaving the house immediately.

What about his guitar?

Or his beanie?

Or his-

His-

Tommy’s mind went blank. He couldn’t think. Before he knew it, he was in the backseat of the car, head resting in Wilbur’s lap.

The car started moving and that signaled Tommy that Techno must’ve joined them in the car, taking the front seat.

Tommy was starting to get Aquatinted with the black dots that liked to swarm his vision. Everything felt hot as things went black.

Chapter Text

Tommy’s head was pounding.

Where was he?

He squinted and recognized his brother, Wilbur, next to him.

“Hey, Toms. How are you feeling?” The brunette’s smile was warm.

“Where are we?” Tommy grumbled out.

“Washington.” Wilbur said unfazed.

Tommy sat up immediately, “What do you mean? We gotta get out of here!” Tommy whisper-yelled.

“Tommy, Tommy relax.” Wilbur calmed him. “The entire place is abandoned, no one’s here.”

Tommy stared in shock. “What about all the guards?”

Wilbur shrugged. “Disappeared.”

Tommy scoffed. “Yeah right. Come on, tell me where we really are.”

Wilbur’s expression softened. “I’m not lying, Toms.”

And he wasn’t.

The following days, Tommy spent trying to find some sign of life in the facility.

The building was completely devoid of life. There was nothing but Tommy and his friends.

Tommy does feel better.

The voices were still present but not as loud as before. He was beginning to really feel better.

Purpled and Niki have their own room, as do Phil and Techno. Wilbur shared with Tommy, on his choice of course. As if the two could ever be separated.

One night, the voices got especially bad. Tommy decided a walk was long overdue. He was careful to avoid waking up Wilbur as he snuck out of the room. The night was calm, the giant windows also made the entire walk more interesting.

Then a noise.

Tommy’s head spun around to a fake plant swaying as if someone had run past it. Tommy’s eyebrows furrowed as he carefully made his way to the swaying plant.

Suddenly a short man charged for Tommy, Tommy let out a scream as a hand comes to his mouth.

“Shut up!” The man whispered harshly. He held a gun in his hand and his eyes looked full of hatred.

Thoughts swarmed Tommy’s head. How did he get here? How come they couldn’t find them? Had he been watching them? If so, for how long?

“Into the elevator.” The man’s face was scrunched up and he held the gun, pointed to Tommy’s chest. Tommy only obeyed and walked into the elevator, just down the hall.

Once in the elevator, Tommy’s chest began to tighten. Not from fear of being killed, but how small the elevator seemed in that moment. Tommy pushed himself against the elevator wall, trying to somehow make the room somehow seem bigger.

They reached the very top floor before long, Tommy rushed to get out and tripped and fell.

“Are you ok?-“ a flash of sympathy crossed the man’s face and he held out his hand. Tommy ignored it and pushed himself to his feet.

Tommy focused on the man, scanning his features. He looked almost familiar.

Then it hit Tommy.

The Boy. The boy that Techno had knocked unconscious when they first came here. The short boy who Tommy assumed to be in his early 20s. The Boy.

He seemed so much older now, Tommy had barely recognized him. He looked almost in pain, but not the physical pain.

“My name’s Quackity.” The boy, Quackity apparently, said. His voice was soft, there didn’t seem to be malice behind it.

Tommy swallowed. “I’m not telling you my name.”

Quackity laughed softly. “Smart kid.”

Tommy bit down the fighting urge to say ‘I’m not a kid.’ But only because the man was holding a gun in hand.

Tommy begged and prayed, for Wilbur to wake up and notice he’s gone. If Wilbur could just get Techno, Tommy would be fine. He might live.

Tommy had already started saying goodbye. There’s no way Wilbur would notice he’s missing, it’s the middle of the night. He shouldn’t be missing in the first place, he should be in bed, next to Wilbur.

“You know Karl, right?” Quackity spoke softly, turning towards one of the giant windows. “That’s who the pink guy wanted to see when you all first came here.”

Tommy stayed silent. Determined to stay alive and not say something that would get him shot.

“He was my fiancé. I also had another one, his name was Sapnap.” Quackity smiled solemnly.

Tommy recognized the name. Sapnap was one of Dream’s friends. Sapnap destroyed their food. Sapnap almost killed Tommy.

Quackity went on. “Karl was bitten early on, not long before you showed up the first time. Sap died from a gunshot wound shortly after.”

Must’ve been after him and goggles ambushed us then, Tommy thought mockingly to himself.

Quackity began to brokenly sob, Tommy hadn’t felt more awkward since meeting Techno. The Boy, seemed heartbroken and beaten down by the world. Tommy wished to help, oh prime how he wished he could do something. Anything.

Tommy opened his mouth to speak but Quackity held out the gun in his direction.

“Take it.” Quackity struggled to say. “Take it, remember me.”

Tommy stared at the gun. “What are you talking about?” He mumbled, barely audible.

“Remember me! Remember me because no one else will..” Quackity’s face was red with tears, broken sobs escaped his throat.

“Okay- okay I’ll remember you.” Tommy hadn’t been sure what Quackity meant. He didn’t know what remembering him would do, but anything to save the boys sobs.

“Thank you..” Quackity muttered.

Quackity stood and walked to the edge of the hall, he stared out of a broken window.

Tommy felt a sudden urge of panic, but he wasn’t sure what for. “Hey- what are you-“ Tommy couldn’t finish his sentence because the boy had stepped onto the edge of the window.

He flashed Tommy a smile.

Then he jumped.

Tommy felt a scream come out of his lungs and he rushed to the boy. But it was too late.

The boy had taken his own life.

All Quackity wanted was for someone to remember him.

Tommy started to sob, the boy had died and Tommy just watched. Tommy could’ve stopped him, he could’ve acted faster. He could’ve noticed where the conversation was heading sooner. But he didn’t.

And now it was too late.

“I’ll remember you.” Tommy sobbed, his voice was hoarse and scratchy now. “I promise I’ll remember you.”

Of course he’d remember Quackity.

How could he forget a thing like that?

Tommy shakily stood up and stumbled his way carelessly to the elevator. He collapsed inside not caring whether it closed or not. The small room had no effect on him.

“Quackity..” He whispered. The name felt wrong on his tongue.

Tommy sobbed harder.

He deserved to live, and he took it away. He took away his own life.

Tommy continued to replay the scene in his head until his mind screamed at him to stop. Funnily enough, the voices were silent.

Tommy hysterically laughed at this, how could he not? Out of all the times, the voices were silent. Of course they were!

Tommy felt joy, he felt joy the voices were gone but at the same time he wanted to scream and cry and kick because the world had just taken someone who wasn’t at risk. The world had taken someone who had so much more life to live. The world had taken a stranger from him.

The world had taken family from him.

The world had taken friends from him.

The world had even taken enemies from him.

But now the world had taken a complete an utter stranger from him.

Tommy laughed? He may have sobbed. He couldn’t tell anymore.

What could the world take next? What could the world possibly take from him next?

Tommy wished they’d kill him off and be done with it.

..

Maybe that’s how Quackity felt.

Tommy was crying once more, but the elevator doors opened.

“Tommy!” A voice screamed out and brought him into their arms.

“Toms, I was so worried- I woke up and you weren’t there! I just- Tommy are you alright?” Tommy recognized the voice belonged to Wilbur.

No. Tommy wasn’t alright.

He only continued to sob in his older brothers arms.

Tommy wasn’t sure if he could handle being alright anymore:

Not after Tubbo.

Not after Ranboo.

Not after Quackity.

Chapter Text

Tommy dreamt that night.

He dreamt of Quackity.

He was back at the broken window.

“You can stay, Tommy.” Quackity stared at Tommy, eyes devoid of any emotion or life. “You could stay here.”

“No.” Tommy’s voice was small as he avoided meeting Quackity’s eyes. He avoided looking at the boy he could’ve saved.

Quackity tensed up. “Tommy you will stay. You have to stay here!” Quackity yelled and Tommy felt the air pushed out of him.

He darted down the hallway, the world swirled and swayed beneath him. It felt like the entire world had ripped and Tommy felt himself let out a gasp.

Then he was in the meadow.

The meadow was beginning to seem like a scene from a horror movie. He hated this meadow. And he hated Tubbo.

Tubbo was smiling.

Prime, Tommy hated Tubbo.

Tubbo opened his mouth to speak. He opened his mouth to ask. But Tommy refused. Tommy refused to be guilted and tricked again.

“Shut up! Go away!” Tommy yelled and stood up.

He wasn’t able to run though, he couldn’t get away. His legs just wouldn’t move.

Ranboo appeared next to Tubbo.

“Tommy, please stay. It could be so easy.” Ranboo looked pleading.

“Tommy you’d be so happy.” Tubbo’s reached for Tommy and Tommy finally found the will in his legs to run.

He sprinted away.

He need to get out.

He has to get out.

He had to get away from Tubbo and Ranboo. He needed to leave.

The world was ripped underneath him again. Tommy might’ve thrown up from all the motion if this had been in the real world.

Tommy knew better than that.

It wasn’t real, this was not the real world.

This was a dream.

Because in the real world, Tubbo and Ranboo are dead.

Quackity appeared next to Tommy once more.

And in the real world Quackity took his own life.

“Tommy, you don’t understand. You don’t understand how happy I am here. I can see Sap and Karl again.” Quackity smiled. “You could see Tubbo and Ranboo again.” His voice was softer.

And Quackity was right.

If Tommy stayed, he could see Tubbo and Ranboo again.

..

No.

No, Tommy had to decline. They’re tricking him. They wanted him to stay. If he stayed, he would die. Tommy couldn’t die.

Wilbur needed him.

Techno needed him.

“No!” Tommy screamed at Quackity. “I’m not staying so just leave me alone!” Tommy snapped at Quackity.

Quackity looked like he was on the verge of snapping aswell but Tommy jolted awake.

His breathing was heavy and he coughed.

He was awake.

Tommy was overjoyed, he was awake and he was in the real world. He was fine, everything was fine-

Tommy sniffed the air.

Why did it smell like smoke?

Tommy coughed again.

What?

A scream broke the silence in air, this woke Wilbur up beside him too. Tommy rushed up and darted out the door.

Wilbur called out from behind him, but Tommy ignored his brother and continued running down the hall. He came upon Techno’s door and swung it open.

Inside, Techno was struggling to fight against a boy with goggles.

Wait..

That was George, the man who ambushed their base along with Sapnap.

Tommy panicked as Techno tried to push George off of him. George was sobbing and screaming.

“You killed him! You killed him and now I’ll kill you!” His voice was harsh and filled with hatred. “Damn you! Damn you for killing him! You deserve to die!”

George pulled out a knife and lodged it into Techno’s chest. Tommy let out a scream and charged at the man with goggles, knocking him off of Techno.

Tommy quickly grabbed a gun from Techno’s nightstand and held it to George.

“You’ve got the wrong guy! I killed Dream!” Tommy yelled, without any regret. “I killed him! Shot an arrow right through his chest!”

Tommy steadied the gun on George’s head.

George was frozen but his eyes shot daggers through Tommy’s chest. “Fuck you.” George stuttered out.

Tommy felt the urge to laugh but composed himself. “I could say the same to you.” He scoffed and fired the gun.

George’s body went limp and fell to the ground, lifeless.

Tommy dropped the gun and rushed to Techno’s side. He grabbed Techno’s hand.

“Tech- Tech- hang on- We’ll get you out of here!” Tommy coughed, the smoke was getting thicker and thicker.

Techno’s eyes were getting foggy but he insisted on staring at Tommy. “Tommy, you need to get out.”

“No! I won’t leave you!” Tommy screamed, he clutched tighter onto Techno’s hand.

“The buildings on fire, you gotta get out.” Techno coughed too, but his was filled with blood.

Tommy felt tears rush to his eyes. “You can’t die, you haven’t had your chance to live yet, Techno.”

Techno smiled. How dare he smile, Tommy thought as the tears overflowed his eyes and poured on his face. “I’ve had my chance to live. I met you.”

Tommy cried harder. “No! No you haven’t! You’re going to stay! We’ll get out!”

Techno paused. “I’m afraid this is it. Goodbye, Tommy.” Techno squeezed his hand once more.

Tommy was about to ask what he meant by that before strong arms wrapped around him and dragged him out of the room.

“No!” Tommy screamed repeatedly and struggled against the arms.

Tommy kicked and screamed the entire time as he was dragged down the stairs and out of the building. He sobbed and screamed Techno’s name.

Tommy was hit with a flush of cold air as he was set down on the pavement in front of the building. Tommy erupted into a rapid fit of coughs and gags, then another pair of arms hugged him.

Tommy looked up to see Phil. Phil was crying too.

“It’s okay.” Phil whispered and Tommy looked up to see Wilbur beside him too.

“No it’s not.” Tommy cried. “Technos gone! He’s gone and we let him die! He wouldn’t have let us die!”

Phil hugged him once more. “We did everything we could’ve done, Toms.”

Tommy cried, it feels like all he does is cry nowadays. But now he was sobbing. Sobbing for a friend.

Sobbing for a brother.

He was sobbing for family.

“Techno..” Tommy whimpered.

Phil only whispered small comforting words and Wilbur rubbed circles in his back.

Two figures ran up to them, both breathing uncontrollably and out of breath.

“The dead- they’re not here.” Purpled breathed out.

“There’s none, anywhere! All the ones we found are dead, that’s millions of them.” Niki was panting.

“What happened to them?” Wilbur questioned.

Tommy knew the answer.

He’s known the answer since meeting Techno, Techno had told him what would happen to the dead once he died.

“They’re dead.” Tommy stared at the pair. “And they aren’t coming back.”

Chapter Text

The next days were confusing to say the least.

The apocalypse ended, there were no more zombies. No more threats. It was time to take what’s left of the world and rebuild it with trauma and knowledge they gained.

Phil wanted to go back to Techno’s house and live there, it was unlikely the world would ever be the same again for a long time. The world might never even be the same again.

Purpled wanted to go back to school, he wanted to help rebuild a part of the world and find his friends who survived. Niki of course, went with him.

For Wilbur and Tommy, they conflicted.

“I want to go back to Techno’s house.” Tommy declared finally, Phil’s face brightened.

Wilbur looked more hesitant than Tommy. “Are you sure? What about the voices?”

“I can handle them.” Tommy declared and then softened at the look on Wilbur’s face. “We can handle them.” Tommy corrected himself.

Wilbur still seemed hesitant but ruffled Tommy’s hair. “Alright, kid.”

Phil smiled and seemed content with the response.

The word ‘family’ popped into Tommy’s mind.

Yeah, it kinda was like one.

They made the long journey back to Techno’s house. Tommy still felt a pang of sadness everytime he thought of Techno. Well it was more of a crushing feeling than a pang, but Tommy would never admit it was anything more.

Once back at the house on stilts, Tommy surveyed the landscape. Wilbur accompanied him.

He thought of all those who lost their lives during the apocalypse. During the end of the world.

Tubbo, his best friend before the apocalypse. The brightest boy he ever knew, who would listen to him complain about Professor Sam. The boy who’s brown hair covered his eyes. The boy who reminded him of a goat in a way. He died from a zombie bite in the school.

Dream, personally his worst enemy. The man in green. The haunted smile that posses his dreams. He helped start the apocalypse. Tommy killed him with an arrow in Washington.

Ranboo, his other best friend. Only knowing eachother for a short time, but surviving the apocalypse together. Starting the apocalypse together and sadly they couldn’t end it together. Ranboo was the lanky kid Tommy found weird at the start. The kid who locked himself in the school bathroom awaiting Tommy’s knocks. The kid who’s dirty blonde hair almost covered his eyes due to its length. Sapnap had killed Ranboo when George and him ambushed their base.

Quackity, the short man who Techno had knocked unconscious when they first arrived. The man who had two fiancés. The man who lost them both due to the end of the world. The man who took his life while Tommy watched. Quackity died after jumping out a window.

Techno, his brother. He felt like one anyway. Techno had been there close to the beginning and ended it. His blood was like Tommy’s. It started and ended the apocalypse. Techno was the closest Tommy would ever get to someone understanding the voices. Because, Techno understood. Techno had the voices too. And Tommy would miss him the most. George stabbed Techno, and they had to leave him behind in the burning building.

George, Techno’s murderer. Tommy didn’t care for remembering him all that much but he thought he might as well. Maybe the goggled man did it out of grief, maybe he did it out of desperation. Regardless, George killed Techno, and Tommy killed George.

The world had ended, but they also saved it. No one would ever know what actually happened, no one would ever know that Techno died to stop the end of the world. Something tells Tommy he’d prefer it that way.

Tommy glanced to Wilbur, Wilbur smiled back.

Tommy still had his brother, his brother was alive. That was the goal from the start, wasn’t it?

Tommy smiled solemnly to the brunette.

“He would be proud.” Wilbur whispered.

Tommy rushed to hug his brother before the sobs could escape his throat.

“I know.”

And Techno was.

Tommy and Wilbur would never know though.

The end of the world had came and passed. What was left of it would be rebuilt in the following decades.

Because it took maybe a year to tear the entire world down, now it’ll take forever to fix it.

But Tommy didn’t care, he was safe. Wilbur was safe.

That’s how they’d keep it.