Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Word Count: 553

" Once upon a time we had a world benign, troubles worth much more than a dime! Now, we are on the road to Hell.. these are hard times. It's a world of gods, and man! It's an old tale, from way back when. Gather around, listen in."

"Gods and men alright? We got some gods in the house tonight! See, on this road to Hell, there were a lot to die. Now there's three fine men, all dressed the same."

Ranboo, Philza Minecraft and Technoblade sat in the Void, talking quietly amongst themselves. They were surrounded by emptiness, yet still happy to be in each other's company. They were dressed in matching, all black attire. Pitch black shirts and slacks, with a black blazer and tie. 

"Now they are always speaking in the back of your mind... everybody meet, the Fates!"

"Here, on the road to Hell we have a lot to find, and a gentleman coming 'round again, with a suitcase full of summertime. GeorgeHD, by name! But if you hide that pain. I said, if you hide that pain, you'll go in time... to wear the sun doesn't shine and it's always shady. It's there you'll find the king of the mines, almighty, DreamXD."

"We got any other gods? Oh right, I almost forgot. On the road to Hell there was a broken nation, and a ghost with some tricks up his sleeve. Who could help you to your final destination, Wilbur Soot, that's me!"

"See, someone's got to tell the tale, whether or not it turns out well, maybe it will turn out this time. On the road to Hell, there's a lot to find! It's a sad song.. it's a sad tale, it's a tragedy! It's a sad story, we're gonna tell it any way!"

"Now, not everyone gets to be a god. Don't forget that times are hard, hard times in the world of men. Let me introduce you to a few of them; you can tip your hats and your wallets! Brothers and sisters, all gendered pals, to the hardest working fellows in the gods' almighty world!"

Karl Jacobs sat at a desk writing vigorously, no one has thought to inquire what.

Jack Manifold is sat playing chess with Nihachu, she’s beating him significantly.                   

Captain Puffy is sitting in a corner with Aimsey, they're both reading their separate books.

"On the road to Hell there were things to find. Like a poor boy working on a song. He's now a ghost, the same as I, and this boy was a heroes son. In these hard times, on the road to Hell. You might say the boy was touched.."

Tommy is walking around the cozy inn, quietly observing everyone while humming to himself. He smiled softly, waving at everyone as he passed by.

"'Cause he was touched by the gods themselves, give it up, for Thomas! Tommy, yes."

"Now there was one more soul on this road, a boy sneaking in from the cold! One last time, on the road to Hell. There was a young man looking for something to eat! Brother beginning again the tale, of Tommy and Tubbo!"

"It's a sad song.. but we're gonna sing it even so! It's an old song. It's an old tale from way back when. We're gonna tell it again!"

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Word Count: 1,149

Tubbo was unimaginably hungry but there were no animals in sight. He'd run away from anywhere he'd ever been, only exploring the vast world that was, the Dream SMP. He'd become a stranger to the world, to everyone he'd ever known and he'd grown so accustomed to the wind. He had only Ranboo to talk to, though it was only in his mind...

"The weather isn't like it was before.." he said out loud, knowing Ranboo could hear him somehow. "There's no spring or fall at all anymore. It's either blazing hot," he paused before mumbling, "rarely." This won a small chuckle from Ranboo. 

"Or freezing cold..." he trailed off. "Any way the wind blows." Trudging on through the snow that had already reached his calves after one week, he pulled his winter coat even tighter than it had been. 

"There is nothing you can do.. when the weather takes a turn on you." Tubbo could hear Philza now in the back of his mind. Although he agreed with Phil, he still thought it unnatural, how winters had progressively gotten worse each year. 

"You could hurry up, and hit the road?" Technoblade chimed in. So now all three of them were in his subconscious, trying to urge him to do something he wouldn't want to do.

"Any way the wind blows," Tubbo repeated, not wanting to hear what they had to say. "The winds coming up.." he added hesitantly.

"Move into town, just for one night, please?"  Ranboo tried to convince him once more. It was a pointless conversation they'd had every winter since the wars ended and the world went cold. 

"Nobody wants me around," Tubbo told him indignantly. But as he rounded the hill, he found himself in a familiar area. Even though he wanted to run away to the farthest place he could, he found he was unable to move. He was frozen in place. If he just kept on the current trail, he'd reach L'manburg very shortly. 

"Any way the wind blows.." Ranboo said softly, smile evident in his tone. It sent a shiver down Tubbo's spine. Either that or the frigid cold he'd been stuck in for a week. With that, something clicked. Tubbo was finally going back. He set forward again and the voices in his head quieted before he changed his mind.

Tubbo was taken aback by how different L'manburg was. It was so... empty. There were gaping holes in mountains, from some kind of explosions. Many of the building and monuments that used to exist were just, gone. Leveled to the ground by various weapons and explosives.

There was one building that Tubbo encountered, it seemed quite important. It was also one of the only five left standing. It was new, the sign read 'Red Poppy Inn'. This was the only building that had lights on inside. Tubbo went around to the back, in attempt to sneak in. He tested two different doors before coming across a third that had been left unlocked. He thanked the gods and slipped into the building.

After reveling in the unbelievable warmth for a moment, he found himself in some kind of hallway, lined with separate rooms. This section of the Inn was very quiet, but he could hear faint noise coming from his left. He proceeded with caution, deciding to follow the noise. As he came to the realization that he could be close to seeing the people he'd abandoned, he thought to himself and hoped Ranboo was listening.

"People turn on you, just like the wind. All these people I used to call my friends.. in the end, I'm better off alone," Tubbo thought, tempted to turn around and leave. Back out into the cold, back out on his own.

"Any way the wind blows," Ranboo told him gently, Tubbo was reassured. "When your body aches, you must lay it down." Ranboo said a little more forcefully. 

"When you're hungry, but there isn't enough for you around.. no reason you can't come back for a little bit of help," Phil told him.

Tubbo continued forward with just a bit more confidence. "Any way the wind blows," he whispered aloud.

He turned the corner and found himself in a room with four familiar people. Jack Manifold and Niki Nihachu sat in one area, engaged in a game of chess, which he could see Niki was winning. Karl Jacobs sat alone at a desk writing vigorously. Captain Puffy was curled up, face tucked into a book and there was a new person sitting next to her doing the same. Tubbo froze up for a moment but then remembered, Phil had said this was okay. 

"Anybody got a stone..?" Tubbo asked hesitantly. Everyone looked up from what they were doing and stared at him. Tubbo shrank into himself a little bit. Niki's mouth was open in shock and Karl's quill slipped from his hand, splattering ink on his page. He ducked down, quickly rummaged through his drawers, then sat back up revealing a stone.

"Gimme that?" Tubbo asked, smiling at him. Karl nodded and held it forward more. Tubbo advanced and accepted the stone with a, "Thanks."

Tubbo crouched and slipped the backpack from his shoulder. He removed the flint, along with the bucket he'd crafted. Lastly, he pulled out some of the newspaper he had. After situating the paper, he struck the stone on his flint and it caught instantly. 

Karl clapped as Tubbo looked up at him, smiling again. He added another piece of newspaper before he sat, crossing his legs. He held his hands over the fire, now crackling above the top of the bucket.

The five people joined him, gathered around this small bucket of fire. All were mainly relieved to have Tubbo back, and despite himself, he was kind of happy to be back. So they sat in silence, just keeping warm. 

Tubbo thought to himself, that he'd do anything to fill his belly full of food. He'd give anything to stay here, find a bed he could fall into, finally just take a rest. Where the weather wouldn't follow him, the cold couldn't plague him. Any way the wind blows.. he moved closer to the fire, just enjoying the presence of familiar people.

Now Tommy had the blood of a hero, and you know how heroes are. Sometimes, they'll abandon you, to save their people. This poor boy, with his heart, easily deceived. Some now say he is naïve to the ways of the world. But he has a way with words, and the rhythm and the rhyme. He hoped all would be well, just given time, and it isn't really because I'm kind. But his father was also mine. And I like it when we sing, while we're plucking at our strings... so I took him underneath my wing. \

And that is where he stayed. Until one day..

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Word Count: 1,777

Unbeknownst to Tubbo, Tommy had entered the room from the right. He hadn't gone up to the group yet, something was stopping him. He didn't know what it was, but this new boy seemed familiar to him. His presence tugged at something deep inside Tommy, but he couldn't see why.. Wilbur was now standing next to him. 

After another moment of the crackling fire, Wilbur whispered, "You wanna talk to him?" 

"Yes!" Tommy whisper-yelled. Then a look of uncertainty passed over his face, Wilbur put a hand on his shoulder in reassurance. 

"Go on," he said firmly. Tommy went to take a hesitant step forward, but Wilbur pulled at him. "Tommy.." he trailed off. 

The blonde boy turned to look at him. "Yes?" 

"Don't come on too strong," he said with finality, removing his hand from Tommy's shoulder. Tommy slowly made his way toward the group. None of them had acknowledged him, they were all a little bit zoned out, focused on the fire and the warmth it was providing. 

Now Tommy was closer to the group, the new person specifically, he crouched down to where he could feel the fire. He turned and looked at the brunette in wonder. Now, the feeling was stronger than it had been before. Tommy was baffled, he didn't know who this was, but it seemed like he'd known him a long time ago. 

"Come home with me?" Tommy asked, causing the mystery boy to visibly jump. Tommy sat where he was, following him with his eyes. Wilbur shook his head in his hands, exasperated that Tommy had done the exact opposite of what he'd asked. 

The goat boy sat back a bit from the fire now, looking at Tommy in bewilderment. His eyes were wide open, looking him up and down, studying him intently. His mouth fell open in shock. 

"Is it really you...?" he asked as if he knew Tommy, which puzzled him even more. 

"I don't believe I've met you, I'm Tommy!" he said, waving at him with a smile. Wilbur joined the rest of them now, Tubbo looked up at him in confusion. 

"Why is he like this?" Tubbo asked him, standing up. Tommy also stood and looked back and forth between Wilbur and the new person with curiosity. 

Wilbur looked to the floor, debating how to say it. He lowered his voice and moved closer to Tubbo so Tommy wouldn't hear him speak. He answered with a simple, "Death.." Tubbo's eyes widened in sad understanding. 

"I'm Tubbo," he said, turning to his old friend. 

"Your name, like a song I used to know," Tommy replied, sounding inquisitive. 

"A singer, is that what you are?" Tubbo asked.

"I also play the lyre," Tommy told him excitedly. 

"Oh, a liar, and a player too?" Tubbo asked smiling. "I've met a few just like you."

"Oh no, I'm not like that-" Tommy was worried he'd upset him, he didn't mean to.

"I was just- I didn't mean it," Tubbo explained, putting a hand on his shoulder. They were the same height now, Tubbo had gotten older. Tommy had stopped aging and therefore stopped growing at seventeen.

"Tell him what you're working on," Wilbur urged Tommy. Tommy whipped towards Tubbo, his eyes alight with anticipation. 

"I'm working on a song!" he eagerly told Tubbo. "It isn't finished yet, but when it's done, and when I sing it, spring will come again!" Tommy was jumping up and down.

"Come again?" Tubbo asked, doubt evident in his tone. 

"Spring will come," Tommy insisted. 

"When? I haven't seen a spring or fall since-" Tubbo stopped himself, thinking for a moment. "I can't recall." Tommy stepped forward and grabbed both of Tubbo's hands. He pulled him to a different area of the Inn, what looked like a lobby. Wilbur followed behind them, watching over.

"That's what I'm working on. A song to fix what's wrong," Tommy dropped Tubbo's hands and gestured out the giant picture window, at the snow still barreling down from the sky. "Take what's broken, make it whole. A song so beautiful," Tommy began to dance around the lobby, with Tubbo watching him intently.         

"It brings the world back into tune. Back into time," he continued, ducking behind the counter for a moment. He came back up, with his hands behind his back, and moved over to where Tubbo stood. 

"And all the flowers will bloom, when you make your life," Tommy finished, holding out a shiny key to Tubbo. It was a room key. Tubbo's eyes widened as Tommy shook it and held it forward with more insistence. Tubbo turned slowly to look at Wilbur, who only gave a little half smile. 

"Oh, he's crazy," Tubbo said, drawing out the 'Oh'. "Why, here, would I make my life?" he asked Wilbur. 

"Maybe because, we'll make you feel alive," Wilbur answered, leaning slightly forward.

"Alive?" Tubbo asked, turning back to Tommy. "That's worth a lot,"                                         

Ranboo was agreeing in the back of his head, so Tubbo decided to go for it. He took the key from Tommy's hand. "What else you got?" He asked with the biggest smile he'd had in a long time. 

Wilbur took this as his cue to leave them alone for a bit. He left to join the others again in the lounge area.

"Brother tell me if you can, whose gonna fix these broken lands? Times being what they are, hard and getting harder all the time," Tubbo asked, putting Tommy to the test. He wanted to be sure he wasn't making a mistake, running back to everything he left behind a few short years ago. 

"Brother, when I sing my song, all the rivers will sing along. They're gonna mend the banks for us and with their ores be generous. All be gathered in my hand, and this time we will withstand. The rivers gonna fix these broken lands," Tommy answered with all his confidence. Tubbo nodded in approval and sat down to ask his next question. 

"Brother tell me if you're able, who will put food on our table? Times being what they are, dark and getting darker all the time," Tubbo looked to the floor, beginning to worry just a little bit, remembering the animal scarcity from when he was in the wilderness. 

"Brother, when I sing my song, all the trees gonna sing along. Their gonna bend their branches down, to lay their fruit upon the ground. The melon and the apple, and the sugar from the cane pole. The trees gonna put food on our table," Tommy nodded definitely. He took a seat next to Tubbo, moving his chair closer, but Tubbo quickly stood up. Indignity written on his face, he began to pace the room. 

"So when you sing your song... the one you're working on. Spring will come again?" Tubbo asked, uncertainty infused in his voice.

"Yes," Tommy said, not a shroud of doubt in his tone. Tubbo thought for a second, before he came to a realization. 

"Why don't you sing it then?" He asked, now extremely close to the blonde boy. Tommy stood and stepped away, slightly embarrassed. 

"It isn't finished," he repeated. 

"Sing it." Tubbo said firmly, clearly determined. "You want this to be my home?" he asked. Tommy nodded vigorously.

"Sing the song," Tubbo finished, pulling a napkin out of his pocket to wipe his nose. Tommy shifted his weight nervously and let out a shaky breath as Tubbo took a seat once more. 

Tommy began to sing his melody. There were no real words, but he sang a little tune which consisted of many La's in secession. They sounded beautiful, and Tubbo was a little awestruck that Tommy sounded so angelic. His vocal range could go a lot higher than it used to be able to.

Suddenly, Tubbo felt a tingly feeling coming from his clasped hands. There was a faint glow radiating from them. Tubbo opened them to reveal the napkin he'd just used to wipe his nose. It was vibrating, just slightly, and there was light coming from it. 

As Tommy continued singing, the light became stronger and soon the napkin was completely engulfed by the brightness. Tubbo was looking between Tommy and his hands, he was baffled. When Tommy stopped singing and looked at Tubbo, he didn't seem as shocked. He looked mildly intrigued, which set Tubbo off even more. 

"How did you do that?!" Tubbo cried. 

Tommy's shrug was exaggerated. "I don't know- the song's not finished though," he pointed out once again. 

"Even so!" Tubbo yelled, abruptly standing and moving to where Tommy stood in the center of the room. "It can do this?" Tubbo showed Tommy what had happened to the napkin. 

Tommy looked down to see Tubbo holding a red poppy; a gorgeous crimson flower. He looked at it in wonder and gestured, asking to hold it. Tubbo nodded and Tommy removed it from his hands. He held it close to his face, marveling at its beauty. Fresh, as if it had just been picked from the ground. Which would have been physically impossible in this weather. 

"You have to finish it!" Tubbo told him, a look of newfound hope took over his facial expression. 

"I know!" Tommy cried in excitement. Tubbo backed up, still looking at Tommy, mischief painted his eyes. 

"Brother tell me, with sheep all dead, how can we craft a comfy bed? Times being what they are, hard and getting harder all the time." Tubbo laughed, knowing Tommy likely already had beds plenty for everyone. Tommy smiled, catching onto the joke, he decided to play into his silly question. 

"Brother, when i sing my song, all the birds gonna sing along! They'll come flying from all around, to lay their feathers on the ground! And we'll lie down, wipe off that frown!" Tommy yelled now, grabbing Tubbo's hands again and dancing around the room with him. All the while, Tubbo had his head thrown back with laughter. "The pillow beneath our heads, the birds' gonna craft a comfy bed," Tommy chuckled with him.

"And the trees gonna put food on our table," Tubbo looked at Tommy, smiling brightly. Tommy smiled back at him, still grasping his hands even though they'd stopped dancing. 

"And the rivers, are gonna fix these broken lands.." Tommy reassured Tubbo, swinging their hands up and down. Tubbo couldn't help it, he wrapped his arms tightly around the other boy, pulling him in for a hug. 

They were both smiling. Tommy, happy to be in the company of this mystery person who made him feel so... alive again. Tubbo, relieved to have his best friend back, at last.  

Chapter Text

Word Count: 629

Later on, Tommy was sitting at the counter in the lobby, spinning in his chair. He'd been trying to add to his song, add actual lyrics for a change, but he was stuck. The words weren't coming to him. So instead, he sat. Humming the melody he'd sang for Tubbo earlier that day. As his spinning slowed, he saw Wilbur entering the room. He stopped abruptly, waving to him with a smile. 

"Where'd you get that melody?" Wilbur inquired. Tommy gave one of his exaggerated shrugs.

"I don't know, it came to me.. as if I'd known it all along." Tommy stood and sat instead, on top of the counter, so his feet dangled over the front. 

"You have," Wilbur pointed out, joining him on top of the counter. "It's.. an old song."

"A song of love from long ago, long time since I heard it though.." Wilbur turned to Tommy, who'd been watching him steadily.

"You've heard that melody before?" Tommy asked, taken aback.

"Sure," Wilbur said shortly.

"Tell me more," Tommy urged him, shifting closer.  

Wilbur thought carefully before he spoke again. "Remember the tale I told you once, about the gods?"

"Which ones?" Tommy asked with a small chuckle.

"DreamXD and GeorgeHD. Remember how it used to be their love that made the world go round?" Wilbur implored.

"Yeah, I remember now. But that was long ago," Tommy seemed puzzled by this thought.

"Tell it again though," Wilbur insisted. So, Tommy recited the story he'd heard a lot growing up with his brothers and father. Of course he didn't remember these times, but Wilbur had told him countless times after death as well.

"King of shadows. King of shades. DreamXD was king, of the Netherworld. But he fell in love with a wonderful man, who walked up above in the luscious green fields. He fell in love with GeorgeHD. Who would gather his flowers in the light of the sun. DreamXD took him home, to become his king. Where the sun never shone, on anyone..." Tommy told the story, suddenly becoming quite sad, as he recognized the unfairness of what DreamXD had done to GeorgeHD.

"Go on," Wilbur urged him. 

"This man loved him, and the kingdom they shared. But without him above, not one flower would grow. So DreamXD agreed that for half of each year, he would stay with him there, in his world down below. But the other half, he could walk in the sun and the sun in turn burned twice as bright. Which is where the seasons come from.. and with them the cycle, of the seeds and the sickle, and the lives of the people. The birds and their flight..." Tommy trailed off as he had come to a realization. He looked at Wilbur, eyes wide open in amazement.

"Singing.." Wilbur prompted him with a smile.

"La la la la la la la..." Tommy sang his little melody. 

"Down below and up above," Wilbur said slowly, as he stood from the counter. Tommy repeated his melody in a higher pitch. 

"In harmony and rhythm," Wilbur continued, smiling softly at the blonde boy.

Tommy repeated the melody once again, in its original sound, he stood up as well.

"The gods sang a song of love.." Wilbur declared, moving to look out the picture window. As Tommy proceeded to join him, he sang the melody one last time, but this time lower than the original pitch.

"And the world sang it with them," Wilbur finished, smiling at the snow, falling softer now. There was a pause, a moment of silence, before Wilbur turned to Tommy again. 

"But that was long ago, before we were on this road!" Wilbur exclaimed much louder, before abruptly leaving. Tommy looked at him in confusion.

Chapter Text

Word Count: 1,377

[5 Months Later]

"On the road to Hell.. there is a lot of waiting," Wilbur said to the small group gathered in the lobby. Every survivor left in L'manburg was waiting in the same place, for the same thing. 

"Waiting..." Tubbo replied, staring anxiously at the snow outside that seemed to be melting now. He couldn't be sure if it was real or just wishful thinking. 

"Everybody waiting on this man," Wilbur said, shaking his head in distress. "Cursing the man who keeps him below."

"All this waiting, driving me crazy," Puffy added, beginning to pace. 

"Crazy," Aimsey agreed with her from the rug she sat on.

"That suitcase better be packed to the brim.." Tubbo said in annoyance. One of the worst winters yet and he was a month late. It really was just getting worse, and that worried everyone. 

"He's never early! Always late.." Tommy declared mournfully, joining his friend at the window. 

Wilbur got up and gathered everyone's attention. He cleared his throat before speaking, "These days he never stays for long.. but the good things come to those who wait-"

Just then there came a knock at the door, everyone immediately brightened and jumped to their feet. "Here he comes!" Wilbur cried joyously, rushing to open the door.

"Well, it's like he said, I'm an outdoor guy!" GeorgeHD announced, entering in the most majestic way possible. "And you're late, again.." Wilbur scolded him. 

"Married to the king of the Netherworld," GeorgeHD reminded, fixing Wilbur with the most dramatic look. Outside, the others could see the snow was now completely gone, they gave a triumphant cheer. 

"He'd forgot a little thing called Spring.." Wilbur crossed his arms defiantly. 

"Are you wondering where I've been?" GeorgeHD taunted the others.

"Yeah!" Aimsey and Niki both cried.

"Where you been?" Karl asked pointedly. 

Tubbo stepped in front of everyone, also crossing his arms. "I'm wondering," he declared. GeorgeHD moved forward, got right in Tubbo's face, causing him to lean back ever so slightly. 

"Been to Hell and back again," he proclaimed, emphasizing Hell.

He moved on from Tubbo, now addressing everyone in the room. "But like my mama said, brother, when you're down you're down. When you're up you're up. If you aren't six feet underground, you're livin' it up on top!" 

Opening his pack, he pulled out various juices, some adult, some not. It was more than the Inn had seen for quite some time. All they'd had in recent weeks was water. 

"Let's not talk about hard times, pour the wine, it's summertime!" GeorgeHD hollered, raising a bottle of wine. 

"Right now, we're livin' it!" GeorgeHD declared with a smile as he grabbed a wine glass and began to pour.

"How are we livin' it?" Everyone shouted in unison, minus Tubbo and Wilbur.

"Livin' it, livin' it up!" GeorgeHD answered. "Oh brother, right here we're livin' it."

More gathered around, accepting glasses of juice and wine. 

"Where are we livin' it?" Tommy asked enthusiastically.

"Livin' it up on top!" GeorgeHD told him with a wink. GeorgeHD took a seat in one of the big velvet chairs, already on his second glass of wine.

"Who makes the summer sun shine bright??" GeorgeHD inquired, not waiting for an answer. "That's right, GeorgeHD!" He answered himself, gulping more wine. 

"Who makes the fruit of the vine get ripe?" He actually questioned this time, his words slurring just slightly. 

"GeorgeHD!" Everyone shouted, again, the two brunettes stayed out.

"That's me," he confirmed with a little giggle. "Who makes the flowers bloom again, in spite of a man?" 

"You do!" Tommy replied. GeorgeHD downed the final contents of his second glass. 

"Who's doing the best he can? GeorgeHD, that's who!" he said, standing to pour a third glass.

"Now some may say the weather isn't the way it used to be.. lemme tell you something that my mama said to me," he said indignantly. "You take what you can get, and you make the most of it.. so right now we're livin' it!"

"How are we livin' it?" Jack asked.

"Livin' it, livin' it up!" GeorgeHD paused to sip on his third glass. He stopped, with a satisfied sigh and then, "Oh brother, right here, we're livin' it."

"Where are we livin' it?" Aimsey asked, excitement on her face. 

"Livin' it up on top," GeorgeHD told her, definitely. 

"It was summertime on the road to Hell.." Wilbur, who was off in a corner muttered to himself. "There was a boy, who had once run away."

"You might say it was in spite of himself that this young man decided to stay," Wilbur shifted in place and looked at those surrounding him, laughing and having fun again. 

"Who said times are hard?!" GeorgeHD cried. He had finished his third glass now and was looking like he wanted to get a fourth. When he stood, he tripped a little on his way to the counter. 

Louder now, Wilbur announced, "The flowers bloomed, and the fruits got ripe.. and brother, for a moment there," he paused. 

"Anybody want a drink?" GeorgeHD asked mischievously, his fourth glass successfully filled. Everyone raised their glasses, with a cheer, in response. 

"The world came back to life!!" Wilbur finished, finally giving in and pouring himself a small glass of wine. 

There was a series of cheering, yelling, laughing as everyone danced around the lobby. Tommy put a music disc on and everyone simply enjoyed themselves, reveling in the fact that summer had finally come. Even Tubbo eventually gave in and accepted some juice from Tommy with a chuckle. There wasn't a single frown in that lobby, everyone felt alive again. Tommy grabbed Tubbo by the hands and spun him around the room, Tubbo couldn't contain his laughter after that.

"Up on top, we don't have much, but we're-" GeorgeHD was cut off by everyone who shouted, "Livin' it, livin' it up!" 

"Just enough to fill our cups," he declared, looking at the glass he was currently refilling for the sixth time. 

"Livin' it up on top," Wilbur agreed with a smile, he held his glass out to GeorgeHD. 

GeorgeHD handed him the entire bottle, exclaiming, "Brother, pass that bottle around! We're livin' it, livin' it up!"

"Let the poet bless this round," Wilbur added, playfully. Everyone's gaze shifted over to Tommy, who cowered sheepishly. He soon went to refill his cup of juice and everyone cheered him on. 

"Yeah, Tommy!" Tubbo gave him a clap on the back. Tommy moved a chair to the center of the room and stood on it with dignity. He cleared his throat and raised his newly filled glass.

"To the patron, yes. Of all of this!" Tommy paused, gesturing to the wonderful weather outside the picture window. "GeorgeHD!" 

"Here, here!" Everyone else contributed.

"Who has finally returned to us, with drinks, enough to share. Asking nothing in return except that we should live, and learn to live as brothers in this life and to trust that he will provide. If no one takes too much, there will always be enough. He will always fill our cups," Tommy looked to GeorgeHD with a smile.

"I will," GeorgeHD agreed with a steady nod. 

"And we will always raise them up," Tommy continued, doing just that. "To the world we dream about, and the one we live in now.." Everyone took a moment to enjoy the beautiful words that were said, raising their glasses and nodding in agreement. Then Tommy jumped down from the chair. 

"'Cause right now, we're livin' it!" He yelled, everyone was ready to party again.

"How are we livin' it?" Tubbo questioned him.

"Livin' it, livin' it up!" Tommy exclaimed, taking Tubbo's free hand and swinging it high in the air. 

"Brother, right here we're livin' it," Tommy declared. 

"Where are we livin' it?" GeorgeHD asked him, smiling wide. 

"Listen here!" Tommy yelled, grabbing everyone's attention "I'll tell you where we're livin' it:" Everyone leaned in, in anticipation.

"Up on top!" Tommy shouted, he jumped back onto his chair, throwing his arms out in the most theatrical way possible. "Up on top!" Everyone repeated.

"Livin' it up and we're not gonna stop," Wilbur reassured everyone. 

"Livin' it up on top!" Everyone shouted before breaking off into wild bouts of laughter. 

Chapter Text

Word Count: 795

"Tommy was a poor boy, but he had a gift to give. He could make you see how the world could be, in spite of the way that it is... And Tubbo was a young man, but he'd seen how the world was.. when he gave in, he caved in spite of himself, in need of Tommy's friendship."

Tubbo and Tommy were on top of one of the highest hills. They were laying on their backs, side by side, gazing at the fading clouds. Enjoying the new found warmth, they were utterly happy. Tommy's eyes were closed, but Tubbo turned his head to look at the blonde boy. It was a completely different Tommy, yet in so many ways he was the same. Tubbo felt an overwhelming sense of relief that he had something familiar. He'd lost his husband, lost his child... but here he was with his best friend since they were just children, and he was happy again. Truly, and he was happy it was Summer. Tubbo sat up then, and turned so he was facing Tommy.

"I was alone so long.. I didn't even know that I was lonely. Out in the cold so long, I didn't even know that I was cold," Tubbo said softly. Tommy sat up and looked at him with a sad smile. "Turn my collar to the wind, this is how it's always been."

"All I've ever known is how to hold my own, but now I wanna hold you too.." Tubbo smiled back at him, tears slipping from his eyes. He stood up, offering a hand to help Tommy do the same. Tommy accepted and shifted so he was closer to Tubbo, keeping their hands clasped together. 

"To keep you safe from harm, is all that it would take to keep me happy. Everything bright and warm, and shining like it never did before.." Tubbo lifted Tommy's hand, now holding it in both of his, as if making a promise. "And for a moment I forget, just how dark and cold it gets.."

Tommy was now rubbing circles on Tubbo's back with his free hand in an attempt to reassure him. Tubbo looked directly at him before pulling him into a tight hug.

"All I've ever known is how to hold my own," he paused to sniffle. "But now I wanna hold you- now I wanna hold you close." He squeezed just a little tighter. 

"I don't wanna ever have to let you go, I just wanna hold you tight, I don't wanna go back to the lonely life-" Tubbo cut himself off with a sob before burying his face in the crook of Tommy's neck.

Tommy rubbed his back, up and down for a moment as Tubbo cried freely, holding onto Tommy as tight as he could. The ghost wasn't bothered by it he simply wanted to comfort his new found friend, whom he already cherished deeply.  

"I don't know how or why, or who am I that I should get to hold you? When I saw you huddled up by the fire, it's like I'd known you all along.." Tommy trailed off, knowing he didn't make any sense. Tubbo raised his head, wiping the tears from his eyes. 

"I knew you before we met, and I don't even know you yet," Tommy declared with a chuckle. Then he gave Tubbo the most sincere look, " All I know is you're someone I have always known." 

"All I know is you're someone I have always known," Tubbo repeated in agreement. 

"Now I wanna hold you," Tommy said.

"Hold you close," Tubbo finished for him. 

"I don't wanna ever have to let you go," they both said in unison. 

"Suddenly there's sunlight, bright and warm," Tubbo said turning from Tommy, but intertwining their hands again. Now they watched as the sun sank lower in the sky. Witnessing the sky erupt into a beautiful pink and orange, the sun started to dip below the tree line. The two friends took a seat on the grass, now their hands were on the ground in between them, still laced together.

"Say that you'll be here forever, say that the wind won't change on us..." Tubbo requested, his voice barely above a whisper. "Say that we'll stay with each other and it will always be like this." 

"I'm gonna hold you forever," Tommy insisted. "The wind will never change on us, as long as we stay with each other.." Tommy turned to look at Tubbo once more.

"Then it will always be like this," he said with finality. Tommy laid his head on Tubbo's shoulder, and in turn, Tubbo rested his head on top of Tommy's. There they stayed, on the hill watching the sun set on a beautiful summer night. 

Chapter Text

Word Count: 1,124

[4 months later]

On the road to Hell, you were pulled on back...

A select few were gathered in the lobby, sharing lemonade and fresh picked fruit. When suddenly the sky darkened, everyone's faces turned somber as they knew what was coming.

"Oh, come on!" GeorgeHD cried.

By a man comin' up from way down below.

"That was not six months!" he yelled, standing in a fit of frustration.

"Better go get your suitcase packed, guess it's time to go," Wilbur said coldly. He'd been anticipating this since GeorgeHD stepped through that door.

He's gonna follow that man to the end of the line, 'cause the king of the mine is coming to call.

"Did you ever wonder what it's like on the underside, on the yonder side, on the other side of his wall?" Tommy whispered to Tubbo. A look of alarm passed the brunettes face, but he realized it was only the ghost's curiosity. 

"Follow that dollar for a long way down," Wilbur said, moving to join the two. GeorgeHD was busy running around, gathering his items, to pay them any attention. "Far away from the poorhouse door."

"You either get to Hell or to Nethertown, not much of a difference anymore. Way down, Nethertown, way down under the ground." Wilbur was now crouching down so he was face to face with the younger boys. He put one hand to the ground, as if feeling for something.

He took a seat on the floor and Tommy shifted closer as he sensed a story was coming. Wilbur pushed up his glasses and cleared his throat.

"Hound dogs howl and the whistle blow, don't try nothing they will attack. Everybody tryin' to get a ticket to go, but those who go they don't come back.. They're goin' way down, Nethertown-"

"Way down under the ground!" Tommy cut him off, catching on now. Tubbo smiled at him. All three stood up now and went to fetch those who weren't already in the lobby. Soon enough, everyone was together again. 

GeorgeHD was pacing but he didn't look anxious, he looked as if he was trying to contain his anger. 

"Winter's nigh and summer's over, listening for that dreadful sound. My husbands knock upon that door, to bring me home to Nethertown. Way down, Nethertown, way down under the ground!" GeorgeHD rambled, showing his rage now.

"Down there it's a bunch of stiffs! Brother, I'll be bored to death," GeorgeHD continued as he took a seat, head in his hand. "Gonna have to import some stuff, just to entertain myself. Give me morphine in a tin! Give me a crate of the fruit of the vine. Takes a lot of medicine, to make it through the wintertime!"

"Way down, Nethertown, way down under the ground," Wilbur finished indifferently. 

All of a sudden, Tommy and Tubbo heard the voice in the back of their heads. They showed no reaction, and neither knew the other also heard it, but it was there nonetheless.

"Every little penny in the wishing well, every little nickel on the drum. All them shiny little heads and tails!" It was Technoblade's voice, he sounded delighted to be poking fun at DreamXD and his kingdom. "Where do you think they come from? They come from-" 

Now all three Fates, Technoblade, Ranboo and Philza said the same thing, "Way down, Nethertown, way down under the ground."

Wilbur was now in the center of the room, everyone's attention was on him. "Everybody hungry, everybody tired! Everybody slaves by the sweat of his brow! The wage is nothing and the work is hard, it's a graveyard in Nethertown!"

"Way down, Nethertown! Way down under the ground!" Tommy took it upon himself to jump on top of the counter as he finished Wilbur's sentence.

He extended his hand and Tubbo ran over, accepting it. With incredible strength, and Tubbo jumping, Tommy pulled him on top of the counter as well. The goat boy grabbed Tommy by both hands, they began shaking side to side in some sort of dance. There was no music, they just wanted to live it up before winter came once again. 

"Mr. XD is a mean old boss," Wilbur went on. 

"With a silver whistle and a golden scale!" GeorgeHD added from his chair. "And eye for an eye!" he yelled. 

"And he weighs the cost," Wilbur finished indignantly. He did not have nearly as much enthusiasm. 

"A lie for a lie!" GeorgeHD stood this time, joining Wilbur in the middle.

"And your soul for sale-" Wilbur muttered, moving ever so slightly back from GeorgeHD. 

"Sold!" Everyone else yelled at once.

"To the king on the chromium throne," GeorgeHD waved a hand dismissively. 

"Thrown!" Tommy cried, jumping off the counter. Tubbo stayed put, crossing his arms.

"To the bottom of a sing-sing cell," GeorgeHD said. Tommy looked almost excited, not picking up on the evident sarcasm.

"Where the little wheels squeal and the big wheel groans," Wilbur put a hand on Tommy's shoulder. "And you better forget about your wishing well."

A look of realization passed across the blonde boys face and he looked down in embarrassment. 

"Way down, Nethertown! Way down under the ground," GeorgeHD gave Tommy a half-hearted pat on the back. Then a gust of wind so powerful came, it shook the picture window. The sky was even darker, it looked like snow would come at any minute.

"On the road to Hell, the times are hard," Wilbur's voice trailed off as the lights began to flicker. He slowly made his way to the front window.

"The trees are shaking..." he took a long pause. Finally, he let out a shaky breath and declared, "and a man steps out."

Everybody looked, and everybody saw, it was the same man they'd been singing about. His green cloak flowing around him, the mask grinning back menacingly at everyone looking through the window. He took slow, calculated steps, a beat in between every single one. The golden orbs revolved the golden rings that crossed over his face. 

Soon enough there was a knock at the door. GeorgeHD hurried to open it, but he did not step out of the way to allow the being inside.

DreamXD was greeted with a scowl. "You're early," GeorgeHD declared, voice dripping with malice.

"I missed you," came the booming voice of the god, it filled the entire lobby. DreamXD reached a gloved hand out to his husband, caressing his cheek. GeorgeHD turned indignantly. 

"Mr. XD is a mighty king, must be makin' some mighty big deals." Tommy and Tubbo could hear Technoblade again. "Seems like he owns everything."

"Kinda makes you wonder how it feels..." Tubbo murmured to himself. So quiet, only Tommy could hear, but he didn't inquire.

Chapter Text

Word Count: 282

With GeorgeHD gone, the cold came on.                                                                                           

Tommy and Tubbo were the only ones left in the lobby. The ghost was pacing back and forth as Tubbo sat on the counter, legs dangling over the side.                                               

"He came too soon," Tommy said, shaking his head. "He came for him too soon. It's not supposed to be like this."                                                                                                                 

Tubbo gave him a look of sympathy. "Well.. till someone brings the world back into tune, this is how it is," he stood and crossed to Tommy. He pulled him in for a hug, stopping his pacing momentarily.                                                                                                         

Tommy had a gift to give.                                                                                                                   

Tommy drew back from the hug and disappeared behind the counter, when he reappeared he was holding a pen and his notebook. He made toward the side room that was for him and Wilbur only.

"Hey, where are you going?" Tubbo asked gently.                                                                     

Touched by the gods is what he was.                                                                                                 

"I have to finish the song," Tommy replied.                                                                                   

"Finish it quick," Tubbo urged him. "The wind is changing. There's a storm coming on!" Tubbo called, leaning slightly over the counter as Tommy entered the room, closing the door behind him.

"Wind comes up," Ranboo voiced in Tubbo's mind.                                                                       

"We need food," Tubbo pointed out meekly. "We need firewood!"                                           

Tommy and Tubbo~                                                                                                                           

"Did you hear me, Tommy?" He asked, now behind the counter and up closer to the door.                                                                                                                                                             

Poor boy working on a song.                                                                                                              

"Tommy!" Tubbo cried louder, resting one hand on the door.                                                   

Young man looking for something to eat.                                                                                         

"Okay, finish it." Tubbo said after a long moment in silence. His hand slid from the door and he turned to leave the lobby.                                                                                                 

Under a gathering storm.

Chapter Text

Word Count: 523

Now Tommy was locked in this room by himself. He had Wilbur's guitar, solely because he found it more inspiring than his own. He was plucking away, staring blankly at the few lyrics he'd written after talking to Wilbur. He was trying to find strings that fit, strings that made sense to him, but was becoming mildly aggravated at the failure to do so. He removed the strap from around him and set the instrument down as gently as he could. Sighing in frustration, his head dropped to his hands. He sat that way in complete silence for about five minutes. Finally, taking a deep breath, he glanced at the guitar again. 

He picked it up gingerly, not thinking about the lyrics or the chords. He knew that if he thought about it, he'd get worked up all over again. So he took another deep breath and just played the first thing that came to him, a single chord. Then he began to sing the lyrics he had previously written.

"King of silver. King of gold, and everything glittering under the ground. DreamXD is king of oil and coal." Tommy paused every now and then, plucking a new chord, but now he began to form a strumming pattern. He started easing into the music, started to feel it all around him. He continued to sing his written down lyrics. "And the riches that flow, where those rivers are found. But for half of the year with GeorgeHD gone, his loneliness moves in him crude and black. He thinks of his husband in the arms of the sun and jealousy fuels him and feeds him and fills him, with doubt that he'll ever come, dread that he'll never come. Doubt that his lover, will ever come back." 

Now is when his pre-written lyrics ran out. He paused momentarily, changing the the strumming pattern, adding more plain strings to enhance the melody. He was too invested in the song to stop now; he made the quick decision to freestyle.

"King of mortar. King of bricks. The River Styx is a river of stones and DreamXD lays them high and thick, with a dozen hands that are not his own. With a dozen hands, he builds a wall around all the riches he digs from the Earth. The pickaxe flashes, the shovel falls and crashing and pounding, as rivers surround him and drown out the sound of the song he once heard.. la la la la la la la," Tommy stood from his chair now, continuing to strum, he sang his melody repeatedly. Changing the speed, changing the pitch to match the guitar chords.

When he'd felt it complete, he let the strumming fade off. He set the guitar down once more and took a seat again. Sitting alone in the silence, reveling in the music he still sensed vibrating around him. He found the chords he'd needed simply by following where his fingers took him. He didn't believe the song was quite right, but he had new insight. He picked up his pen and began writing vigorously, drawing from his previous lyrics, melody and chords.

Chapter Text

Word Count: 1,987

[Back in the Netherworld]

Everyone was rushing around in a flurry, desperately trying to fulfill their tasks. A few were collecting resources such as iron and stone. Others were stacking, working on support. As DreamXD reentered his kingdom, GeorgeHD trailing behind, the music of clanks and clangs rang out around them. As the workers became aware of DreamXD's returning presence, they started up their chant.

"Low, keep your head, keep your head low. Oh, you gotta keep your head low. If you wanna keep your head, oh, you gotta keep your head low," Everyone bellowed in time with each other. As they continued, the clink of pickaxes and shovels created a sort of background music. "Keep your head, keep your head low. Oh, you gotta keep your head low. If you wanna keep your head, oh, you gotta keep your head low."

"In the coldest time of year, why is it so hot down here?" GeorgeHD snarled. "Hotter than a crucible. It ain't right and it ain't natural!"

As they walked they had to navigate the countless holes in the ground, filled with scalding lava or leading to other caves below. There had been enough incidents of workers falling into the chasms, imagine the disaster if GeorgeHD were to fall in one.

"Lover, you were gone so long. Lover, I was lonesome. So I built a foundry in the ground beneath your feet." DreamXD explained, expertly avoiding the craters. It was almost as if he were dancing around them. "Here, I fashioned things of steel, oil drums and automobiles. Then I kept the furnace fed, with some help from the dead." 

DreamXD turned to face his husband now, grabbing him by both hands. "Lover, when you feel that fire, think of it as... my desire. Think of it as my desire for you!" Then they continued on to their house in the center of everything. GeorgeHD scowling as DreamXD wouldn't let go of his hand.                                                                           

"Low, keep your head, keep your head low," the workers kept their chant strong. 

Tubbo had just woken up from a nap. The heavy snow was coming down more violently now, worse than when he first came to the Inn. He decided to see if Tommy was in the lobby. He'd been worried for his friends in recent weeks, shut away in the small room scarcely leaving, even to eat. However, when he entered the room, the blonde was nowhere to be seen. But there was another ghost, standing stoically at the picture window. His arms were crossed behind his back, as if waiting for something to happen. 

"Is it finished?" the shorter boy asked, joining him by the window. The faint sound of Tommy singing his melody floated from the back of the room, behind the counter.

"Not yet," Wilbur answered shortly. Tubbo shook his head in discouragement.

"Looking high, and looking low for the food and firewood I know we need to find.." Tubbo stated, worry in his tone. "I am keeping one eye on the sky and trying to trust, that the song he's working on is gonna shelter us.. from the wind."

Wilbur and Tubbo looked at each other now, the ghost was actually beginning to look skeptical. 

They'd made it to their house, GeorgeHD closing the door behind them. He blinked his eyes, trying to adjust to the dimness of the building. He stomped over to the blinds, yanking them closed. Then he whirled on DreamXD.

"In the darkest time of year, why is it so bright down here?" GeorgeHD cried out, flailing his arms in frustration. "Brighter than a carnival. It ain't right and it ain't natural!"

"Lover, you were gone so long. Lover, I was lonesome. So I laid a power grid in the ground on which you stood. Wasn't it electrifying? When I made the neon shine!" As DreamXD kept talking, he was taking slow calculated steps towards the other man. "Silver screen, cathode ray, brighter than the light of day!"DreamXD reached GeorgeHD and gently grabbed his chin.

Turning his face to the side, he left a burning kiss on his cheek. He brought GeorgeHD's gaze back to meet his own.                     

"Lover, when you see that glare, think of it as my despair.. think of it as my despair for you!" DreamXD released his husband and turned to leave the house, presumably to check on the workers. GeorgeHD did not move to follow, only huffing as he watched him go.

"I can't find the tune," Tommy muttered, getting caught up in the chords again. He'd shut out everything around him, locked the door now so not even Wilbur could enter.

"Tommy," Wilbur called from the other side of the door, but the ghost boy was not listening. He was too wrapped up in his song to hear.

"I can't feel the rhythm!" Tommy stood and began to pace in frustration.                             

"Tommy!" Wilbur tried again, not very hopeful.

"DreamXD is deafened by a river of stones," Tommy was rambling, muttering on about the stuff he knew and what he had to find out. 

"Poor boy working on a song," Wilbur whispered, shaking his head as he turned to leave the lobby.

"GeorgeHD's blinded by a river of wine... living in an oblivion!" Tommy cried. He did not see the storm coming on...

Tommy took a seat again and continued talking, trying to find where his song should go next. "His black gold flows in the world down below and his dark clouds roll in the one up above!" He said, reaching a realization.

"Now, that is why we are on this road, and the seasons are wrong, and the wind is so strong!" Tommy yelled, jumping up from his chair again. "That's why times are so hard, it's because of the gods! The gods have forgotten the song of their love."                                     

Then he sang his melody again.

"Low, keep your head, keep your head low. Oh, you gotta keep your head low. If you wanna keep your head, oh, you gotta keep your head low. Keep your head, keep your head low. Oh, you gotta keep your head low. If you wanna keep your head," over and over again, the workers called, never quitting.

Tubbo was alone in his room, laying on the bed and staring at the ceiling. He began talking out loud, in other words, talking and hoping Ranboo would hear. 

"Looking low and looking high, there is no food left inside," he said. 

"It's hard enough to feed yourself-" Ranboo's voice was comforting in the back of his mind.

"Let alone somebody else," Technoblade cut in.

"I'm trying to believe that the song he's working on is gonna harbor me!" Tubbo cried.                                                                                                                                                           

"From the wind," Ranboo's finished.                                                                                                 

"The wind," Phil echoed.                                                                                                                     

"The wind," Technoblade finished.                                                                                                   

Tubbo was a hungry young man.

Tubbo sat up abruptly, he knew what he had to do. First he put on the thick pants he'd been wearing when he discovered the Inn, then a long sleeve shirt over his short one. He grabbed his boots from under the desk and began to lace them up; then he retrieved his winter coat from the back of the closet. After gathering his gloves and backpack, he was ready to leave. He would brave the frigid cold, in search of food. Someone had to do it it, he was going to take the responsibility. After all, he was used to the cold. He made the last minute decision to grab his bow and quiver, just to be safe.        

He didn't want anyone to know he was going, they would certainly convince him out of it. So he snuck out the back door, just as he had when he upon discovering the Inn for the first time. Leaving it unlocked again, he set on his way to find some sort of food.                                                

After almost 2 hours of searching he was quite far from L'manburg and the Inn. He'd found next to nothing. Everything he did come across was so close to dying, it couldn't be salvaged. The snow had already grown to reach his calves in the time he'd been out. He stumbled through the heavy snow, carrying the armful of wheat and beetroot he had been able to harvest, with almost a dozen potatoes packed in his bag. He'd found no animals, rendering his bow useless.                                                                                                               

Just then he tripped over something buried in the snow. He fell instantly forward, the precious plants flying from his grasp. By the time he gained strength to stand up again, the wind was dragging the food away. The food he'd spent hours searching for and digging from the frozen ground. He ran helplessly after them as a huge gust of wind struck and pulled them further away.                                                                                                                                             

"Give that back!" he cried. The wind only got stronger in response.                                                         

He was no stranger to the wind.                                                                                                         

"It's everything we have!" The plants were long gone now and Tubbo came to realize he couldn't see even five feet in front of him. The wind was whipping around, blowing snow in every direction. He collapsed again, battered by the brutal cold.                                                               

But he had not seen nothing,                                                                                                             

"Tommy!" Tubbo screamed as the cold began to sting his face.                                             

Like the mighty storm he got caught in...                                                                                           

"Tommy! Shelter us!" he shouted in agony, overwhelmed by the roar of the wind closing in on him.                                                                                                                             

Only took a minute, but the wrath of the gods was in it.                                                                 

"Harbor me!" his eyes were welling with tears as he came to the realization that he was going to die in this storm. No chance to say goodbye, here he would die, where no one could hear him calling out. The tears burned, they were warmer than his body was. He curled up in the snow and accepted fate as he slowly lost feeling in all his limbs.

DreamXD was standing on the balcony, looking out upon his kingdom, observing his henchmen hard at work. No one could see it, but under the mask he had a twisted grin displayed. The door opened from behind and someone joined him. He didn't turn, but there was only one person it could be.                                                                                                 

"Every year it's getting worse. Nethertown, Hell on Earth! Did you think I'd be impressed with this neon necropolis?" GeorgeHD questioned, his voice incredulous. "Lover, what have you become? Coal cars and oil drums, warehouse walls and factory floors. I don't know you anymore. In the meantime up above the harvest dies and people starve, oceans rise and overflow. It ain't right, and it ain't natural!"                                   

Now DreamXD did turn around. His husband's face was serious. Not entirely mad, but also.. disappointed? Worried? DreamXD was not pleased.                                                         

"Lover, everything I do, I do it for the love of you," the god replied in his booming voice. The voice he never used with GeorgeHD. DreamXD advanced on the brunette but he backed up, slight fear in his eyes. That didn't stopped DreamXD. "If you don't even want my love, I'll give it to someone who does. Someone grateful for their fate, someone who appreciates the comforts of a gilded cage. Who doesn't try to fly away the moment Mother Nature calls. Someone who could love these walls, that hold them close and keep them safe and think of them as my embrace."                         

DreamXD stormed past the brunette, back into the house. Then he exited the house entirely. GeorgeHD watched from the balcony as he walked past workers, still shouting their chant.

"Low, keep your head, keep your head low," they called as DreamXD charged away from them. He turned and faced the house now, and the workers quieted.                               

"Think of them as my embrace, of you." DreamXD's voice filled the cavern, GeorgeHD flinched at the incredible volume. Then, with the whirl of his cape, he'd disappeared. Back to the Above. GeorgeHD shook his head in worry of what was to come.

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Word Count: 801

Tubbo had lost all hope, he didn't even know how long he'd lain there frozen. He couldn't feel a thing now; curled in on himself, reveling in the faint warmth provided by his own breath which slowed by the second. Just then, something changed and the wind just stopped. He heard nothing at all, but he felt a presence. He slowly attempted to lift his head only to find he couldn't. It stung when he tried to move. 

"Hey, Little Songbird, give me a song. I'm a busy man and I can't stay long," Tubbo heard, he instantly recognized the gravely, thundering voice of DreamXD. As if he weren't cold enough, he felt his blood turn to ice. He heard the being start to circle him, yet he could only remain motionless. The snow crunched underfoot, echoing around him in the eerie silence, slow and ominous. The God continued to speak. "I got clients to call, I got orders to fill. I got walls to build, I got riots the quell. They're giving me Hell back in the Netherworld." 

Tubbo heard as the footsteps got closer, stopping near his head. There was a WHOOOSH and the being was crouching to study him. DreamXD gently slipped a hand under Tubbo's chin, lifting it so the boy's pitiful gaze met his own. Tubbo closed his eyes in bliss as his body was overcome with overwhelming warmth. The pain melted away and he opened his eyes, now clouded with confused gratitude. Looking at the magnificent man, he was entranced, hanging on every word.

"Hey, Little Songbird, cat got your tongue? Always a pity for one so witty and young. When poverty comes to clip your wings and knock the wind right out of your lungs." DreamXD inched closer, heat was radiating from him. Tubbo leaned in and their faces were close to touching. "Hey, nobody sings on empty." 

DreamXD dropped Tubbo carelessly back into the snow, but he was warm again. He strained until he was in a sitting position. He thought to himself for a moment, how strange it was for DreamXD to personally seek him. but one thing he knew in his dazed state was that he wanted to keep this warmth forever. He was willing to do anything for DreamXD to get just that.

"I want a nice soft place to land.... I wanna lie down forever," he said, voice dripping with desperation. 

"Hey, Little Songbird, you've got something fine. I've got an offer you shouldn't decline. The choice is yours if you're willing to choose, seeing as you've got nothing to lose and I could use a canary," DreamXD drawled. Tubbo was following the movement with his eyes, tempted by the comforting, lulling tone.

"Suddenly, nothing it as it was. Where are you now, Tommy?" Tubbo was thinking out loud without even realizing the words were streaming out. "Wasn't it gonna be the two of us...? Weren't we birds of a feather?"

As Tubbo thought of his best friend once more, tears stung his eyes. He was faced with a life-changing choice. Not one that he completely understood, but it surely involved never seeing Tommy again. DreamXD was suddenly close to Tubbo again, leaning down so he was eye level. He lightly cupped Tubbo's face, wiping his tears with a gentle gloved hand.

"Hey, Little Songbird, let me guess, he's some kind of poet and he's penniless. Give him your hand, he'll give you his hand-to-mouth. He'll write you a song when the power's out. Hey, why not fly South for the Winter?" DreamXD's voice was melodic, hypnotizing. It made Tubbo want to trust him, do anything he asked.

DreamXD stood once more, Tubbo leaned and fell forward slightly, craving the feeling. The being circled again, speaking even slower. "Hey, Little Songbird, look all around you. See how the vipers and vultures surround you and they'll take you down, they'll pick you clean. If you stick around such a desperate scene.."

The God extended his hand and Tubbo didn't hesitate to accept. DreamXD pulled the brunette closer to him and Tubbo couldn't fight it, he wanted to keep warm. DreamXD leaned down to whisper against his ear. "See, people get mean when the chips are down."

Songbird versus Rattlesnake..

DreamXD cradled Tubbo with one arm, but waved the other in a flourish, allowing a small slip of paper to appear. Tubbo looked at it, bleary-eyed, and was unable to comprehend what the God was offering to him. 

"What is it?" He asked meekly.

Tubbo was a hungry, young man. 

"Your ticket," DreamXD answered shortly.

And DreamXD gave him a choice to make.

Without a second thought, Tubbo compulsively reached out and snatched the ticket. Under the mask, DreamXD unfurled a hideous grin from his lips. 

A ticket to the Netherworld...

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Wilbur knew something was off, he hadn't seen Tubbo for hours. Recently he'd been in the lobby every so often to check on Tommy... but he hadn't been by since yesterday. Wilbur had only one option, he had to pay a visit to those who saw everything. With a bit of concentration and a wave of his hand, Wilbur was in the void. Technoblade, Philza Minecraft and Ranboo seemed to be waiting for him.

"I don't have long, what's happened to Tubbo?" Wilbur demanded, his face was set. 

"Life ain't easy, life ain't fair. A boy's gotta fight for his rightful share." Ranboo shared regretfully, his expression was solemn which only server to worry Wilbur more. "What you gonna do when the chips are down? Now that the chips are down..."

"What you gonna do when the chips are down? Now that the chips are down." The other two fates echoed.

"What does that mean? You're not being straight with me." Wilbur replied, trying to keep his voice level.

"Help yourself, to Hell with the rest. Even the one who loves you best." Technoblade added, his eyes glinting dangerously. He was being evasive and Wilbur was becoming less patient. "What you gonna do when the chips are down? Now that the chips are down"

Technoblade broke off with a chuckle as once again, the other two repeated his last two sentences.

"Oh, my aching heart..." Philza cut himself off, with a sharp intake of breath. Wilbur was growing more concerned as his time dwindled, it took everything he had not to scream at them. "What you gonna do when the chips are down? Now that the chips are down.."

"Take what you can, give if you must," Technoblade drawled. 

"Ain't nobody but yourself to trust." They all chimed in unison. "What you gonna do when the chips are down? Now that the chips are down."

"What you gonna do when the chips are down!? Now that the chips are down!" Wilbur burst out, stomping his foot down in frustration. He was furious, why did they have to speak in riddles? It was now clear to see that Tubbo was in danger, and the fates knew, yet they wouldn't give him actual information. He wanted a real answer, but of course they couldn't give him that. He wasn't in the headspace for deciphering.

"Aim for the heart, shoot to kill. If you don't do it then the other one will..." Philza told him, trying to be more clear. But Wilbur was too panicked to focus. 

"The first shall be first, and the last shall be last. Cast your eyes to Heaven, you get a knife in the BACK!" Ranboo spoke slowly. Wilbur was starting to reach an understanding, but he didn't want it to be true...

"Nobody's righteous, nobody's proud. Nobody's innocent, now that the chips are down." Technoblade warned, then it clicked. Wilbur dropped to his knees, his face whitening. It couldn't be true.. Tubbo would never.. would he?

"Now that the," Ranboo said.

"Now that the," Technoblade repeated.

"Now that the," Philza said once more. Really drilling it into Wilbur's head, what they were trying to tell him.

"Now that the," they all said together.

"Now that the chips are down." Wilbur finished hopelessly, looking up at the solemn faces surrounding him. Then, with a gasp, he was ripped from the void and deposited back in the hotel lobby.

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Word Count: 661

"Tommy.. My heart it hurts. The decision is quite weighty.. it's my gut I can't ignore. Tommy, I'm hungry. Oh, my heart, it aches to say, but the God will have his way." Tubbo called, knowing his best friend couldn't hear him. "Oh, the way is dark and long. I'm already gone! I'm gone..."

DreamXD put an arm around Tubbo as the brunette blinked tears from his eyes. With a swish of his cape, they were gone, leaving only the blistering snowfall.

. . .

Wilbur was slumped in a chair, still shocked from the news he'd found out. All he could manage was the soft, disbelieving shake of his head. Why would Tubbo accept an offer from the king of the Netherworld? Why would DreamXD want him? The God must have manipulated the boy, that had to be it. Wilbur was resting his head in his hands when he heard the voices in his mind.

"Go ahead and lay the blame, talk of virtue, talk of sin," Ranboo said calmly, but Wilbur could sense the underlying pain.

"Wouldn't you have done the same? In his shoes, in his skin?" Technoblade asked. "You can have your principles, when you've got a bellyful." 

Wilbur was slowly coming to understand what they were saying. To Tubbo, he hadn't had a choice, had he?

"Hunger has a way with you, there's no telling what you're gonna do," Philza explained. Wilbur was finally in agreeance. "When the chips are down."

"Now that the chips are down," all three Fates said with finality. 

"What are you gonna do when the chips are down?" Wilbur spoke slowly and quietly. He tried to keep his voice from breaking. "Now that the chips are down.."

. . . 

Wilbur had been sitting in the chair for hours, he couldn't bring himself to move. He was still in absolute shock. He looked up when all of a sudden the side door opened up and Tommy stepped out. 

"Wilbur!" He cried, running over to his older brother. Wilbur stood up, a big smile plastered on his face. 

"Hey, the big artiste! Aren't you working on your masterpiece?" He asked, playing off his frustration with some difficulty. 

"Where is Tubbo?" Tommy asked, scanning the lobby.

"Brother, what do you care?" Wilbur answered with his own question. "You'll find another muse somewhere."

Wilbur waved a hand dismissively, Tommy was confused by his behavior.

"Where is he?" Tommy asked with more force. 

"Why you wanna know?" Wilbur questioned firmly. Tommy was growing worried, Wilbur was actually.. scaring him.

"Wherever he is... is where I'll go!" Tommy declared. Wilbur gave pause, he didn't want to do this to Tommy. Not the new, innocent Tommy, who saw nothing but good in the world.

"Well, what if I said he's down below..?" He asked gently.

"Down below?" Tommy was beyond puzzled now.

"Down below," Wilbur repeated. "Six-feet-under-the-ground below. He called your name before he went but, I guess you weren't listening..."

"No," Tommy sounded desperate. His knees buckled and he stumbled a bit, but Wilbur caught him, setting him back upright. 

"So, just how far would you go for him..?" Wilbur inquired.

"To the end of time!" Tommy told him defiantly. "To the end of the Earth!"

"You got a ticket?" Wilbur pointed out coldly.

"No," Tommy responded softly.

"Yeah, I didn't think so," the older man scoffed. Then he looked over at Tommy, debating whether he wanted to do this to him.. this was a really bad idea, but he couldn't help himself. He stepped closer to the other boy, "'Course there is another way... but nah, I ain't supposed to say." 

"Another way?" Tommy asked eagerly. 

"Around the back," Wilbur said shortly, looking around cautiously. "But that ain't easy walkin', Jack. It ain't for the sensitive of soul. So, do you really wanna go?"

"With all my heart." Tommy said, sounding determined.

"With all your heart..?" Wilbur sized him up, a look of skepticism on his features. "Well, that's a start."