Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Tommy and Tubbo ran. He didn’t know how long they were running, but when they finally stopped, it was like the world was spinning.

Tommy’s legs were burning. He had been dragging Tubbo along behind him because he was taller and moved quicker, but he knew that they were both exhausted to their core.

They sat in a wet alleyway, not caring enough to mind getting their already ruined clothes even more dirty.

Tubbo put his hand on his chest and squeezed, taking a deep breath in. Tommy could already tell he was struggling to breathe without having to ask.

A moment of silence passed, both of them trying hard to catch their breath after running for Prime knows how long.

“Tommy… do you.. do you think we’ll be okay?” A pause. “I mean… we don’t have anywhere, anymore… and we’re only 16, Tommy! How are we supposed to do anything?!”

“I.. I don’t know Tubs. I’ll figure something out for us, okay? We can do this together, it’ll be alright.”

“But you don’t know that! We don’t know anything! We can’t do anything, Tommy! We’re barely alive teenagers, and our only source of getting by was burnt down. How the fuck do we come back from that?!”

Tubbo was exhausted, and Tommy couldn’t fault the boy for yelling at him. But Tommy was so fucking tired, physically and mentally. All he wanted was to fall over and go to sleep, but he had to stay strong. To be strong for his best friend.

“It’ll be okay Tubbo. We can get jobs, even pickpocket people if nothing! Whatever we need to survive, we can do it! Even if we’re eating fucking scraps to get by, Tubbo. We will survive.”

Tubbo looked at Tommy with something in his eye that Tommy couldn’t place before he was brought into a hug. Tubbo was sobbing into his shoulder, and Tommy couldn’t stop the tears he pushed back from falling either.

“Uh. Excuse me…” a voice calls out from in front of the two huddled up to each other, making the humans jump.

Tommy immediately sat up in front of Tubbo to put his body in between the two before showing his teeth at the man. He didn’t really have anything else, and even then, his teeth weren’t reliable.

“Uhm… sorry for scaring you?…” the stranger said. This guy is more socially awkward than Tommy’s dead mother. And she’s dead, so she’s not really good at conversations.

“What? You didn’t scare me. How much did you hear?” Tommy really couldn’t risk some fucker knowing they were homeless, and orphans at that.

“I was here the entire time…?”

They stare at each other.

“Did you… did you not see me? I was here the entire time…”

“What? Liar! No one was even so much as breathing near us, I would’ve noticed!” Tubbo shouted out from behind Tommy

“Well, you two did kinda just run into the alleyway and start doing… whatever you did… so…”

“Do you usually just not talk at all when people are experiencing something clearly not meant for other’s eyes?”

“Uh… yeah?”

…

Tommy burst out laughing and he knew Tubbo had to suppress a giggle too, but the kid just looked like he’d been dead serious!

“…Did I say anything funny?”

“Are you serious?” Tommy managed to get out of his series of laughter, wheezing and all.

“Of course I am. It happens more often than you might think it does!”

“I don’t even doubt that” Tubbo chuckles from his spot which had moved to beside Tommy.

“Uhm, I know we just met and I wouldn’t fault you guys for not agreeing, but… I did overhear your conversation and I had a similar experience with my memory which led me to being homeless for a while before I met these people and… well what im trying to say is that there’s a place you could stay at for the time being, if you want?”

The stranger breathed before continuing, “It’s just, because it’s happened to me and I don’t want either of you to get hurt— I can let you stay over at my place? You two seem so nice, and I just… I don’t want anything to happen.”

As much as Tommy thinks the guy is funny, they don’t even know their name. He threw a quick glance at Tubbo to study the other’s face, finding surprised that he seems to be thinking the same thing as him.

“Listen, Boss Man, as much as that sounds so nice, we’re not really looking forward to being kidnapped.” Tubbo said, reading Tommy’s mind like he had for him.

“Oh, that’s fine… thank’s for not, like, killing me for asking?”

“Uh… yeah… so we’re gonna go…” Tommy finally spoke. It was already dark, they shouldn’t stay out here forever, especially not when they could be kidnapped. Like they could’ve been just now.

The stranger just nodded before watching the duo get up and leave the alleyway. “Just remember the offer is always up, and if you need me, I’ll be around here or the park more often than not.” The two eyed the unfamiliar, nodding. They only dared to speak when out of eyeshot.

“Tubbo. That person was fucking weird. Who offers up their house to two homeless orphaned teenagers just because they went through something similar?”

“Tommy!” Tubbo half-heartedly yelled, “They were being nice. It’s the kindest thing anyone’s tried to do for us since even before the orphanage, at least.”

“I guess people don’t like orphans all too much. Maybe we should start burning down people’s houses who have two perfectly well parents.”

There was silence before they both burst out laughing, falling into a familiar sync of calmness. They cracked jokes all they wanted about their trauma the whole time. Tommy and Tubbo had always gotten somehow closer than they had before when they trauma-bonded, or whatever it was.

After the finally not awkward quietness had settled over the duo, Tommy settled in it a bit before speaking up. “We have to go find somewhere that we can stay. Or, we have to pull the pity card, and I hate that one… but if we need to do it, we can” Tommy mumbled to Tubbo and himself.

“We could stay in a store overnight like those one YouTube videos!”

“Tubbo, those aren’t real. No way that would work!”

“They’re literally real. I don’t know what you’re on about but you’re wrong. We can stay in the Walmart or something since it’s open 24/7!”

“Firstly, im never wrong. Secondly, ew! It’ll be all musty and shit from the people touching it with their germs. Maybe we should’ve taken that person’s offer.” Tommy grimaced

“And get absolutely kidnapped? No thanks. I think we can handle being out on the street, not like it’s the first time.” Tubbo whispered. “Also, you literally wipe your germs all over me everyday. I doubt you’re in the right to talk about germs being gross, Tommy.”

Tommy frowned at Tubbo’s words but knew there was no use denying it. They were always meant to be street kids, it seems.

Completely ignoring his last sentence, Tommy brought up a new idea “I mean, we could like… stay in an abandoned house for a little until we’re back up on our feet? When we get jobs and shit.” Tommy offered, eyes avoiding Tubbo entirely.

Tommy fidgeted with his hands for what felt like an eternity before Tubbo replied. He was only nervous because he and Tubbo both knew it wouldn’t be a good place to stay for a long while, but it was the best he could think of.

“Okay, sure… that seems like the only option we have for now, anyways.”

Tommy smiled before turning his gaze up to search for any abandoned building that wasn’t either completely falling down or swarmed with other homeless people. Tommy would not like to be attacked today, thank you very much!

They aimlessly wandered around the less rich parts of the city. They wouldn’t have had any luck finding an abandoned house in the higher up parts, and with how slim their chances already were, they weren’t going to risk it.

Tommy was looking around at a house for a tell-tale sign that it was abandoned before he was completely sure it was safe for them to go inside. If not, it’d sure be awkward.

As he was looking around it, as quick and silent as possible (because it would be awfully suspicious to anyone if a weird looking teenager was looking at their house loudly,) he only got a few signs it was abandoned before he got an off feeling in his gut.

The air suddenly went silent around them, not even a chirp of a bird or a rustle of a tree to be heard. That explains the feeling in his gut, at least… but why was it so awfully quiet now?

The air had just been filled with laughter and wind pushing its way through them, but now none of that was here. It was like the world had just stopped, seemingly for no reason.

“Tubbo, come on. I think this house will be okay.” He looks back at the other, who equally looks uneasy, but Tommy doesn’t know if it’s for the same reasons as Tommy. Nonetheless, the boy follows the taller.

Tommy walks up to the front door of the (hopefully) abandoned home, and twists the handle. If it was locked, he could just break a window from the back or something.

Thankfully, his thoughts were cut off as the door opened easily without more force than needed.

Tommy took Tubbo’s hand in his, and brought the other closer to him. They walked into the house together, and it was unsurprisingly dark.

Even if it sucked that they’d have to sit in a completely dark house until they could get fucking candles or some shit, it was better than nothing.

The inside was completely empty from any visible humans, and there was a couch perfectly in Tommy’s line of sight, lighten up by the moon light. He didn’t waste time before running to it and flopping down on it right then and there. It felt like heaven.

Tubbo had actually been normal and shut the door, locked it, and sat down his things before calmly walking to Tommy.

“Should we explore the house more in the morning? I don’t know if either of us will be able to get a job this early… especially not with the way we look, unless someone takes pity on us and ignores the very clear sign we’re teenagers.” A sigh escaped his lips when he finished talking, and tommy wordlessly made room for Tubbo to join him on the couch.

“Yeah, we should. I would do it right now, but the house is like… completely dark, you know. At least the couch is here. Without it I would be so very sad and depressed.”

“Right, Tommy.” Tubbo sleepily agrees, putting his head on Tommy’s chest when they huddle up to each other for warmth. Again, no blankets. Just each other, forever.

“I think we could probably try to steal some easy things tommorow… maybe some food, and money. Whatever we can get, really” Tommy replied to the other half of the sentence Tubbo had just said.

“At least we’re not homeless anymore, kinda. Only one more to go before we’re normal, but it might just be impossible to revive dead people.” Tubbo mumbles

Tommy huffs at Tubbo’s stupid joke, yet it brought a smile on. “I guess so. We might just be weird forever, Tubso.”

“Yeah… but I kinda prefer it, I met you because of it after all.”

The two fell asleep like that, arms around each other for a source of warmth. They left behind the strange quietness of the night that made them both uneasy, quickly forgetting when being safe with a place to sleep.

The two slept peacefully until morning. Tubbo grumbled as he blinked his eyes open, wishing he could sleep more. Tommy, in return, sighed and also opened his eyes as best as he sleepily could.

“Tommy, we have to go out to the market.” Tubbo shook him, still yawning himself.

“I don’t want to get uppp…” Tommy trailed off, his eyes fluttering close once again. Tubbo smacked the other just enough to wake him up.

“That was cruel, Tubso. I was getting my beauty sleep.”

“Right… come on, let’s go. We have to go to the market to rob some pussies!”

“So true. You speak the truth, Truth Boy. Big T. Big Truth.”

“Tommy, if you say truth one more time, im going to strangle you.”

Tommy shut his mouth, but only until they were outside. He was Tommy after all, he still needed attention and to talk anybody who would listen’s ears off.

They had each planned to circle back to the house after they both got whatever they could get their hands on, and if anything happened, to scream.

They split ways, both equally rich in experience in either robbing people or playing the poor little starving orphans.

Tommy separated from Tubbo, planning to either sneak some shit from the stands by distracting them as best as he could, or pickpocket the rich bitches. Hopefully without either of them noticing, of course.

Tommy looks over the crowd of people scrambling about in the streets, until he looks over to one obvious rich looking man. Easy bait, he thinks.

He runs up to the other, crashing into the unknown individual as if he didn’t mean to, before apologizing quickly and walking away with the man’s wallet.

Tommy ran off before the other could notice, grinning all the while. He put the wallet into his own pocket, then gradually moving towards the stands of food.

If he was lucky enough, he’d get both food and money, but he’d be okay with just one. You can’t always push your luck and expect to get everything.

Before he could get any farther than he already had, a hand grabbed his shoulder.

On instinct, he spun around and smacked the hand off of him. He looked up to see who the fuck touched him, and oh.

It was the lanky bitch he’d stolen the wallet from.

Chapter Text

Tommy stared at the man in front of him. Sure, he had just taken his wallet, but why the fuck is this bitch grabbing on him?

Tommy scowled as he viewed the other being, looking him up and down. “Why the fuck did you grab me, bitch?”

Tommy, of course, already knew the answer… but the man didn’t know that! Tommy was just a poor starving child with no reason to steal from this seemingly random person in front of him. Must’ve been someone else.

The man raised an eyebrow at the question, before speaking. “I believe you have something of mine?”

Shit. “Uh… no? No idea what you mean, mate. You should really get your eyes checked, i’m just here to buy some food.”

“Right… with my money, I presume?”

What the fuck. Tommy was very sneaky about it! How could this fucker know? “What? I’ve never seen you a day in my life, boss man. No idea what shit you’re spewing, but leave me alone. I didn’t take anything of yours.”

“You’ve got quite the mouth, child.”

“I’m not a fucking child, bitch. If anything, you’re just old as shit. I can see the wrinkles clear as day.” That was a lie, this guy didn’t look a day over 25, but who was he to speak the truth to bitch boys like him?

“I know for a fact I don’t have wrinkles. And if I do, it’ll probably come from you. You’ve aged me 20 years just by the few words we’ve shared already.”

Why’s this guy speak so fucking weirdly? He speaks like an old rich bitch. Look at Tommy go, rhyming and shit!

“Whatever bitch boy. Anyways! I didn’t steal shit from you, or whatever you’re on about. If you’ll excuse me, I think I have bread to buy and bitches to fuck.”

The older scowled at Tommy from his last sentence, and Tommy just grinned.

“You’re a strange child. And I know you took my wallet, bitch. I’m gonna get it back whether you like it or not.”

“Did you just call me a child and a bitch in the same sentence? If I am a so called child, calling a poor starving little kid a bitch should not be in your best interest. I’ll get the cops on you, just you wait.”

The man cackled. “And what? Tell them you stole my wallet and I insulted you because of it?”

“I didn’t steal the god damn wallet!” Tommy exclaimed. It was getting annoying how this prick was right.

“Sure you didn’t. You’re quite the believable fella, aren’t you?”

“Even if I did steal it, which I didn’t, a rich guy like you wouldn’t even be bothered by it. It couldn’t have even put a dent in your wallet!” Tommy turned to walk away and go home.

“You’re right, it wouldn’t, but I still know you took it. No use in denying it!” He called, watching Tommy go home with burning eyes.

Tubbo had made a friend!

He was chatting with this guy named Schlatt, who had bought him a couple of stuff. Said he could tell he was starving or whatever, Tubbo didn’t really care of his reasonings.

The guy turned out to be pretty funny, showing off his workouts he could do. He made Tubbo laugh a lot more than he usually does. Tommy would like him, too!

Currently, they’re discussing their interests while they go shopping together. Tubbo had just talked about bee’s and how they function for half of the time, but the older didn’t mind, and even chimed in with questions every once and awhile!

“All i’m saying is that the bee movie seems like it’s not the best for showing off how bee’s work.” Schlatt had said.

“It doesn’t! The bee even has a romantic interest in a human. I prefer the bee documentaries, but again, no one watches them with me.”

“I’d watch it with you, Tubbo. If you invite me over one day, or you come over to my house, we can do a movie marathon.”

“I’d like that! I’m going to be looking forward to it if we end up going over to one of each other’s houses in the future.”

Talking to the man felt like he could be free of responsibilities, even though he still had lots of them.

Tubbo would say this was a successful day, and apparently the man was filthy rich, so… Tubbo didn’t exactly feel right exploiting his money but not exactly wrong either, per se.

Tubbo talked about Tommy, his favorite moments with the boy and even some of his favorite quotes he’s heard from the man. Schlatt had talked about a friend of his who apparently reminded him of Tommy, and Tubbo was inclined to agree.

“Tommy isn’t the best at social situations, he gets caught up in the moment or something and insults everyone there…” Tubbo had said, trying to describe the other human’s habit as best as he could.

“Wilbur’s like that also. Although he’s mostly condescending, I don’t think he means it. He’s one of my best mates, and if you excuse that tiny fact, he’s a real good guy.”

“It’s the same for Tommy as well! Most people can’t understand how he’s my best friend, but he’s one of the most loyal and best person I’ve ever met.”

“I suppose they’re the same way in that sense. People truly don’t understand anything until they’re in the situation themselves, only then do they regret their words.”

“True, boss man. You speak in a so-piss-ta-cate-id manner.” Tubbo sounded out the words, “I’d like to speak like you, one day!”

“First you have to know how to say the words, Tubbo.” He chuckled and ruffled the smaller’s hair. “You’ll get there one day.”

“I’m basically already at your level of word-ness. Matter of fact, im surpassing you!” Tubbo suddenly declared, pointing his finger at Schlatt’s face.

The other simply smiled at Tubbo. “You are the king of words.”

“So true! You will make an excellent word-er.”

“Word is barely sounding like a word anymore…” he said, sighing at the amount of times the word has been said. It just happened to be said again there.

Tubbo laughed at the man’s sigh, poking at the other to annoy him. It worked, because shortly they were chasing and running from each other, ignoring the weird stares it got them.

Tubbo eventually said goodbye, catching his breath and hoping they’d cross paths again in the future.

“I’ll let you meet Tommy next time we see each other!” Tubbo had called out, walking away with a toothy grin on his face.

“We’ll see! I’ll even think about bringing Wilbur along with me!” Schlatt called back, waving at Tubbo.

Tubbo went home with a smile on his face and enough food to last them a week or two. In his humble opinion, today had been great! More than great even.

When Tubbo finally got home, Tommy had already searched through the entire house while they had the light for it.

He hadn’t found anything too important, just noted where the bedrooms and bathrooms were.

It wouldn’t be that hard to manage, and if they learned well enough… they could even possibly try to get the power back on without having to pay for it.

Tubbo had a passion for learning shit like that, having already connected their fridge to some sort of power thing he’d explained to him one day but Tommy only half listened.

“Tommy! You’ll never guess what I got!” Tubbo ran over to the boy lying on the ground, holding up a bag of… whatever he had.

Tommy groaned, and propped himself up on his elbows. “What you got there, big man?”

“Food! And some other things. I met some rich guy and he took pity or something on me, but he actually turned out to be pretty cool!”

“That’s nice, Tubso. I met some prick who accused me of stealing his wallet.”

Tubbo looked at the wallet besides the human and gave Tommy an unimpressed look. “You did, though.”

“I mean, yeah… but he was rich, he didn’t even need it!”

Tubbo sighed. “How much is in it?” He said, sitting down the bag of food and other things they could use around the house.

“Like a few hundred in cash. Who even carries around that much if you’re not rich?”

“True… it should be enough for us to get by, right? I got us some food already and some other things we could be using around the house, so we’ll be okay for at least a month.”

“Yeah! And you can build whatever weird shit you want, we probably could afford the parts.”

“It’s not weird shit, Tommy! It’s things that we’ll need! But, you’re right. We can buy the things I need for it…”

“Whatever you say, bee boy. Don’t even think about making some shit that could blow our house up.” Tommy gives a joking glare at Tubbo, who returns the look.

“I wasn’t even going to.” He lies, quickly changing the topic. “Anyways, since we have a working fridge… do you want to help me put our food away?”

“Of course not.” Tommy says, sarcasm dripping in his voice. He moves to the bag and carries it into the kitchen, placing it down on the counter.

For an abandoned house, it’s really well put together. It’s not the biggest thing, but it’s not too small either. It’s got everything they could ask for.

Tubbo walked over with Tommy, and he leans on the counter as he starts retelling his experiences with the man named ‘Schlatt.’

They put away their newly acquired food and whatever other things Tubbo had managed to get, including lights and such.

With their blankets they had finally gotten, and the comfort that they have a safe space to wake up in, they huddle up together in a warm bed, going to sleep with laughter in the air.

A month had passed, and they had done nothing but hang out with Schlatt and work their asses off to finally get jobs.

Tubbo had picked up an easy job in a flower shop with a pink-haired girl named Niki, who had apparently not minded the 17 year old working there.

Tommy, on the other hand, had wanted to learn how to fight people for… whatever reason. What does one do in that situation? He clearly join’s the vampire hunter’s organization.

He had heard of them before obviously, but he hadn’t thought of joining them.

In all honesty, he hadn’t expected them to accept his application to be a trainee. When he got the email back a week later, he’d even forgot about it.

“Tubbo! I fucking got the email back!” Tommy ran into the living room, shoving his broken phone screen into Tubbo’s face.

“Really? I’m shocked they want a weakling like you…”

“Oi, cunt! I’m not fucking weak!”

“I will smack you upside down with this pillow, Thomas.” Tubbo glared at the other human, threatening to pick up the pillow right by him.

“You probably should warn someone when you’re about to hit them,” Tommy said, picking up one of his own pillows and smacking Tubbo with it. “I’ll hit you first!”

“That’s it. You were warned!” Tommy heard Tubbo yell at him before he was smacked right across the face with Tubbo’s bee plushie before he swapped for the bigger pillow.

Tommy retaliates with another swift move of his white pillow, hearing the ‘thunk’ before running away, dropping his pillow on the ground. “I’ll have the last hit, bitch boy!” he said, looking back at Tubbo, who is most definitely about to chase him.

“Come back here, Tommy!” Tubbo screams at him, dashing across their home in order to catch Tommy.

Tommy senses Tubbo on the back of his tail, and runs outside and shuts the door before the kid can get to him. He doesn’t stop running, though.

Tubbo sighs as the door is shut in his face, catching his breath a bit before calmly turning the door handle.

“Oh Tommy!” Tubbo called out, searching the crowded huddle of people. It was a little less crowded than before, having the rush die down, but nonetheless still crowded.

When he spotted a mop of blonde hair running in between people, he immediately started running after him.

Tommy seemed to be running to the park, apparently. Why was the place familiar? Probably nothing too important. It was like any other park in the world.  (Probably. Tubbo hasn’t seen one since he was 5.)

Snapped out of his thoughts, Tubbo’s eyes widened as Tommy for some reason couldn’t fucking dodge people.

“Tommy! Watch out!” Tubbo called out, still chasing after him. They’d been getting looks from the other people for a while now, but he didn’t care.

Tommy turned back, a look of confusion on his face before he absolutely face plummeted into some random guy.

Tommy turned around, still running as Tubbo calls out to him. He grins, knowing the boy would never get the last hit.

When Tubbo calls for him to watch out, his grin shifts into confusion. He tried to see what the human meant, but was met with falling straight on his ass.

He had smushed his face into the other’s chest before he fell, which hurt his nose like hell.

He looked up, and saw the two tone bitch from the beginning. Tommy didn’t even notice they were half black and half white (literally) until now.

Tubbo had finally caught up, panting and sitting down in the sand next to Tommy.

“Oh! It’s you two again!” The half and half bitch said, looking at Tubbo and him.

“I knew I was forgetting something!” Tubbo looked like he’d just solved his life problems and won the lottery when he said that, looking at the guy and Tommy.

“…what?” Tommy had panted out, huffing. The running around people and the entire block with Tubbo following him all the while had really made him exhausted.

“The stranger from when we were totally and utterly homeless! They said we could meet them here or something along the lines of that. I totally forgot.” Tubbo explained, reciting his very poor memory.

“Oh. That’s where it was from.”

“Exactly! I knew you forgot too. I’m not the only one with horrible memory, then!”

“I don’t have horrible memory, bitch. I’m just gathering too much information everyday because im cool like that, so my brain forgets things to make more room. Obviously.”

The stranger clears their throat, making the two aware they were still there. “Uhm… yeah. I did say that, well, something along the lines of it… I think!”

The two stare at the stranger. The stranger gulps and awkwardly plays with his hands.

“Right… well, you can call me Ranboo. If you want?” The stranger finally introduced themselves, but what kind of fucking name is Ranboo ? Its almost worst than the guy at the orphanages name, which was… like… Dickfart or something. Tommy doesn’t remember.

“Nice to meet you, then?” Tubbo says, equally as awkward as Ranboo was. Not Tommy though, he was the best man and could never be awkward.

“Boob boy. Do you like boobs, Ranboob? Do you have a girlfriend?”

“I like men. And my name is Ranb oo , not Ran boob .”

“Oh. Well. That’s nice. Tubbo likes men too. Get along?” Tommy takes it back, he is definitely awkward.

“Tommy stop outting me to random people!” Tubbo slapped him lightly.

Tommy looked at his best friend, betrayed. His head is bleeding because of Tubbo. How dare he? Instead of voicing his lovely thoughts, he goes for a question. “The fuck is an outting?”

Ranboo giggles, while Tubbo grins. “It’s when you tell people I’m gay, fuck face.”

“Oh.”

Tommy and Tubbo burst out laughing, which Ranboo joins in on after a moment. They’re all having the time of their lives, when a stupid fucking bitch with a mop of brown hair appears.

“Hello, wallet stealer and others! How do you do?” Mr. Dickwad sits down next to them, and Tommy immediately scowls at the man.

“No idea what you’re talking about. Told you I didn’t steal it, bitch.” Tommy said, irritation leaking into his voice (when is it not?) even though he did, in fact, steal the guys wallet.

The man only smiles, the sly bitch. “Whatever you say, Wallet Stealer.”

“Do you like tormenting little starving orphan kids?” Tubbo asks, standing up for Tommy.

“Nah, that’s my brother.” The man shrugs, and continues on like that wasn’t weird as fuck to say. Only Tubbo and Tommy were allowed to say shit like that!

“Oh, hello Ranboo!” The ugly fuck waves at Ranboo, who looks startled to be addressed. They wave back awkwardly, not saying anything.

“How the fuck do you two know each other?” Tubbo speaks up, sounding more and more like Tommy everyday. Tommy is like a proud parent, watching their child grow up.

“I’m pleased you ask!” Stranger said, clapping his hands together before continuing on. “I helped Ranboo out when he was just an itty bitty baby! Me and them go way back.”

“It’s true, I guess…” Ranboo said, looking like he was contemplating their own existence. Tommy wouldn’t doubt that they were.

There was a moment of silence before Tommy spoke up, being the amazing guy he was, to cure the air of the awkwardness.

“That sucks. Poor you, Ranboob. Come over to my house, no strangers allowed,” he glared at the bitch beside him “and we’ll treat you much, much better. Come now, no time to waste!” Tommy said, getting up.

He ignored the sand on his pants, not caring enough. They’d get dirty again soon anyways, no use in caring for a little bit of sand.

Tommy looked back briefly at the three people he was just sitting with, confused at their baffled expressions. He just shrugged and walked off. “Suit yourself, I guess?” He questioned, wanting to go home and sleep already.

He could hear people getting up and muttered curse words but he didn’t look back, instead he was heading straight for his home— hoping the stranger wouldn’t follow, at least.

Chapter Text

Tommy didn’t look back as he walked to his house.

He didn’t neee to look back. He was exhausted, mentally and physically. Maybe even socially, too.

The idea of dealing with Ranboo and that smug bitch with the sharp tongue made him want to hurl himself into ongoing traffic. So no, he wasn’t looking back. Everyone else could fuck off for all he cared.

He walked the cracked pavement back towards their temporary home, eyes flickering to everything that moved in his line of sight.

The sun had started its slow decent, the sky bleeding into an orange hue. It felt too quiet for Tommy, it bothered him.

It was an eerie type of quiet, like the one when they had first found the house.

Tommy simply shoved his hands into his pockets and picked up his pace, hoping the quietness wouldn’t follow him.

He decided to change his path, in need of a couple fights— maybe even training for the hunters organization.

The alley reeked of the metallic scent of blood and rain mixed together into one, but Wilbur couldn’t help but like it that way. It reminded him of home, for some odd reason.

The streetlight flickered, casting his shadow long and thin behind him, his coat swaying like it has a mind of its own.

Technoblade was crouched against someone far smaller than him, two fingers gently pressed to their neck.

“They’re alive,” Techno muttered, looking up at Wilbur, his red eyes bright against the dark of the night. “Although barely.”

Wilbur huffed, rolling his eyes at his brother. “You were supposed to be subtle, Techno.”

“I didn’t bite them!”

“I fear crushing their windpipe is chasing the line to being worse, or better, who knows?”

Technoblade stood up, brushing off his clothes like the blood had tainted them, even though they’ve been stained with red multiple times before. “They were a hunter.”

“You can’t go around almost killing everyone, especially not kids, Techno. Hunter or not.”

“If they’re trying to kill us, why is it not fair we cannot do the same to them?”

A pause. The air was thick with death, anger, and another emotion Wilbur could not place all at once.

Wilbur turned towards the skyline, watching the faint glow of street lights and candles. “They’re recruiting more and more children, barely trained at that. This one was lucky it crossed our paths while we were in a good mood, Prime forbid if it got in the way of someone else’s.”

Techno shrugged, looking as casual as one can be. “If they keep sending kids out, maybe they’ll run out. Maybe they’ll learn their lesson, and somebody will finally take them down.”

Wilbur hummed, stepping over the fallen hunter. His boots slid across concrete, making a sound with each step he took. A beat later, Technoblade followed his older brother, their footsteps melting into the city noise.

Nobody noticed the teenager watching them from the shadows, who had only gotten a blurry view. He was wide eyed, shocked from the scene he’d just saw.

Tommy leaned on the wall for support as he felt the nausea coming up his throat, heartbeat thundering in his chest.

Even if Tommy had applied and gotten accepted into the hunters organization, the realization that vampire’s were real and most definitely a threat without training never dawned on him. He’d been wandering the streets alone almost everyday since the orphanage burnt down, and in those days he could’ve been eaten, nobody would ever know.

Tommy needed that training more than ever right now, and he’d be damned if he wasn’t going to get it. He’d protect Tubbo, hell, even Ranboo.

The training compound for the hunting organization was a re-purposed subway station, gutted and reinforced with steel and sweat, with mats everywhere. It was cold, echoing, and full of secrets behind everyone who crossed it, including Tommy.

Tommy had only been a trainee for a week or so, but already the place was slightly terrifying to him. Not that he’d admit that, of course!

Tommy stood on one of the mats, panting, bruised and bloody.

Opposite him was Eryn, his trainer and a 18 year old who had already passed initiation, a full fledged hunter.

“You’re hesitating.” Eryn said, continuing to knock Tommy down despite already doing that five times in the past hour. “You’ll get yourself killed if you don’t fix that.”

Tommy spat blood on the ground beside him, and swung again. “I’m not fucking hesitating , I’m thinking! ” 

“Well, then stop. It gets you killed faster.”

When Tommy was about to retaliate, a blow connected, a solid punch to Tommy’s ribs. Prime… it hurt like hell! He reeled, his breath knocked out of him.

His instructor, Hannah, blew her whistle. “Enough!” She strode between them, boots clacking in silence. “Tommy, you’re fast, sure, but if you can’t land a hit, it won’t matter.”

Tommy grit his teeth. “I can land a hit!”

“Then prove it.” She said, before tossing him a wooden stake. “Next exercise: precision.”

Tommy and Eryn moved to the other chamber, where there were rows of pale painted mannequins, with hearts marked by faded red circles.

Tommy lined up his shot, arm burning all the while, and threw. The stake fucking missed! The word was just against him, because he totally would’ve made that under any other circumstance.

“Again, Tommy.”

By his 5th try, the stake had (finally) lodged into the mannequins heart, a small clatter of applause sounded from behind him, from a hallway above.

A familiar voice range out. “Good form, for a baby like you!”

Tommy turned around as fast as he could to see the bitch who had just called him a baby. Of fucking course it was the bitch he had stolen the wallet from! He stood there watching him, an unreadable expression plastered on his face.

“You again? Fuck off me, bitch.” Tommy scowled at the other.

The man only smiled at the insult. “You’re improving, bravo.”

Tommy picked up the nearest stake, holding it up in the man’s direction. “Keep talking like that, and that mannequin won’t be the only thing with its heart plunged out.”

“You wouldn’t be the first to try.”

Schlatt’s house was… not what Tubbo was expecting, to say the least.

It wasn’t a mansion, despite what the man’s wallet implied, although he probably wouldn’t be shocked to find out this is just one of his many houses.

It was tucked into a quiet cul-de-sac, shaded with trees, and even looked cozy. It looked weirdly normal, in Tubbo’s humble opinion.

Tubbo knocked twice, and Schlatt opened the door with a beer in hand and a cat rubbing his ankles. “Took you long enough.”

“I didn’t wanna be rude.” Tubbo said, stepping inside and immediately inside and being hit with the smell of cigars and old wood. “It’s more normal than I imagined, very nice!”

“People always expect a dungeon of some sort. Vampires don’t live in castles anymore, kid.”

Tubbo paused, “…What?”

Schlatt froze in the middle of sipping his drink. “What?”

“You said vampires…”

“That’s crazy. I said, uh, scampires*. Scammers. Like bankers, same thing.”

Tubbo did not look like he believed him one bit, and he narrowed his eyes. “Right.”

“Don’t question it, Tubbo. You’ll live longer.” Schlatt led him into the living room, showing him around a bit. “I got snacks if you want some, but don’t eat them all.”

Tubbo settled onto the couch, noticing all of the odd assortment of taxidermy and antique clocks that adorned the walls. “You’re weird. Odd, even.”

“I’m cultured*. There’s a difference.”

They fell into a smooth lull of conversations, the slip up long forgotten. Eventually, Tubbo had fallen asleep somewhere along the way. Schlatt hadn’t made a move to stop him, just letting the boy rest on him.

Tommy crossed the street and ducked into a narrow alley behind a couple of shops, until he found the metal door and knocked three times in the pattern they taught him, and stepped into the cool, dim light of the Hunter headquarters.

“Back late, Tommy.” Hannah called out from across the room, flipping a dagger in her hand.

“I was chasing someone. Didn’t get caught, cause im built different like that.” He said, grinning.

“You smell like sweat and a bruised ego.”

“Compliment noted. Thank you, madam.”

It had been a week since his training session with Eryn, and he’d improved. In no time, he’d be a fully fledged hunter!

He was snapped out of his thoughts when Hannah rolled her eyes and tossed him a practice stake. “Warm up, then spar with Beck. I want to see if you’ve improved on your sloppy foot work.”

Tommy groaned as he prepared for her to criticize him, but moved to the mat anyways.

Training was what mattered now, not anything else. Not weird strangers. Not Tubbo spending time with some older guy who had way too much money. Not—

His thoughts dropped after he took a stance. Everything else melted away, except for the adrenaline he got from training.

Tommy’s muscles ached, bruises blossomed down his arms like violets, and his signature T-shirt was damp with sweat and old blood. He’d have to get that clean one day, cuz that’s fucking gross.

As he ducked under Beck’s swing and swung back with a sharp jab to the ribs, the thrill of the movement made him feel alive in a way that sleeping on the ground and stealing wallets never had. It removed all worries from him.

Beck stumbled back, clutching the side where Tommy had hit him. “You’re improving,” he huffed before continuing, possibly catching his breath. “Still an asshole, though.”

Tommy grinned with all of his teeth, “Yeah. Can’t have everything.” He said as he winced from his busted lip.

Hannah had signaled the end of the match with a single clap. “Better, Tommy! You’re still sloppy, but you’re not dying in under 10 seconds anymore, and an improvement is still an improvement.”

Tommy bent over, hands on his knees. He took a deep breath, happy that it didn’t hurt like it did before. The knowledge he wasn’t completely useless anymore sent a wave of satisfaction over him.

The thought of Tubbo dying to a blood sucker made his blood boil. No one was going to harm Tubbo, he’d protect the boy. He’d make sure he didn’t end up like Tommy or anyone else who was bound for death.

Tubbo woke up curled under a heavy throw blanket, half draped over Schlatt’s couch. He blinked his eyes groggily, still half asleep.

The man had left himself at one point, and the house was eerily quiet except for the faint sound of clicking clocks.

He sat up, stretched, and looked around. A note was on the kitchen table, in a handwriting he could only assume was Schlatt’s.

“Hi Tub. Went out, food’s in fridge. Don’t touch the antique daggers unless you want tetanus.

— J.S”

Tubbo blinked, and then grinned. He wandered into the kitchen, opening the fridge. He was half-surprised when he found it actually packed with food, for some reason expecting blood after the “vampires-don’t-live-in-castles” slip.

He’d try not to think about it too hard. Schlatt could be weird, yes, but he wasn’t dangerous. Tubbo believes if he wanted him dead, he’d have plenty of opportunities already. And he was still alive and kicking, no?

As he was grabbing a soda (sprite was the best flavor), something shiny caught his eye. On the edge of the counter sat a framed photo, old and yellowed. Schlatt, looking exactly the same as he did now, stood next to someone with black hair and a blue beanie on. The edges were frayed, like it had been handled too many times. Tubbo reached out but didn’t touch it.

Then he noticed something else. Behind the fridge, slightly ajar, was a basement door.

Tubbo hesitated. Every part of his brain was telling him not to open it, but he was curious. What could a boy do?

The stairs creaked as he stepped down, one slow foot at a time. The air shifted colder, thick with the scent of iron and age. The basement wasn’t what he expected—there were no coffins or chains. But there were books. Dozens. Hundreds. All about Prime knows what.

Tubbo swallowed hard.

Then he heard a voice behind him. “You know, if you wanted a tour, you could’ve asked.”

Tubbo jumped, spinning on his heel. Schlatt was standing at the top of the stairs, leaning on the railing with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

Tubbo forced a laugh. “Just… got curious.”

“Curiosity killed the cat, kid.”

“But satisfaction brought it back, right?”

Schlatt didn’t answer, only descended the stairs one slow step at a time. His smile had faded into something unreadable, and Tubbo found himself clutching the soda can a little tighter.

For a long moment, they just stood there, surrounded by dust and quiet. Then, Schlatt broke the silence.

“You ever think about what it’d be like to never be afraid again?” He asked suddenly.

Tubbo blinked. “What?”

“Never sleeping on the cold, wet floor. Never feeling the pit of hunger growing in your stomach. Never having to worry if your best friend’s gonna be there tomorrow. Just… power. Forever.”

Tubbo felt his throat tighten. He didn’t know what the man was talking about, but he was nervous. “Are you saying you’re—“

“I’m saying,” Schlatt interrupted softly, “that I’ve been alone for a long time. And I think I’m tired of it.”

The tension in the air crackled like static. Tubbo didn’t know what to say. The words wouldn’t come. And then, Schlatt just patted his shoulder and turned to leave.

“Come upstairs when you’re ready. Dinner’s still hot.”

Tubbo stood there for a moment longer, heart hammering in his chest. He wasn’t ready.

But part of him wondered if he ever would be.

Chapter Text

The morning came bitter and grey, rain steadily coming down, threatening to storm. It made everything feel heavier than it should have, with Tubbo sat at Schlatt’s kitchen table, bowl of cereal in front of him.

Tubbo started blankly outside of the window, tapping his fingers into a rhythm he had learned somewhere along the way.

Yesterdays conversation looped in his head. He groaned as he thought the words over, trying to figure out the meaning behind them.

“You ever think about what it’d be like to never be afraid again?” The man had asked.

Tubbo shivered, even though he wasn’t cold.

Schlatt didn’t mention it again after that, continuing on like normal. He had been laughing normally, joking and cursing, and tossing Tubbo a soft blanket when he had accidentally yawned too loud.

Even so, Tubbo’s appetite had disappeared. Something about his smile in that moment, the way he used his body language, carrying himself like he was a king— it all bothered Tubbo.

He needed air. He called into silence that he was going out, not expecting a response.

Tubbo had been staying with Schlatt for a while to keep him company while Tommy was training for hunting vampires, whatever he was doing kept him pretty busy usually.

Tubbo never had liked being alone for a long time, so he opted for staying with someone else for a bit.

Tubbo pulled his hoodie over his head as he stepped into the cold misty air. He wanted out of his thoughts, and going on a walk seemed perfect for that.

Tommy’s knuckles were bleeding again. This had been, what, maybe the third time this week?

Hannah had politely corrected his punches each time, but there always seemed to be something slightly off about them.

Tommy, in all honesty, didn’t think there was supposed to be a specific way you had to punch. As long as you punched hard it would work.

His boss seemed to think different about that, scowling at him. He had dropped it after that, but not before showing his very vivid annoyance.

Training was getting harder and harder, more difficult to fix whatever the fuck was wrong with his stances, punches, or anything else.

Tommy wanted to scream. He wanted to run laps around the entire town until his legs were burning and there was puke coming up from his stomach, throwing up all over the smug look on Eryn’s face.

But Tommy couldn’t do that. All he could do was train. So, instead, he sat on the edge of the mat, muttering under his breath as he tried his best not to snap at anyone.

Tommy had to remind himself why he was doing this multiple times. He had to remember Tubbo crying into his arms on multiple occasions, then sticking up for each other whenever the other was being bullied. He remembered Tubbo, and that’s what kept him going.

Tubbo found himself in an old park by a river. The one he and Tommy had gone to whenever they first ran away together, needing to just get space from everyone else.

Everything was the same, even after all these years.

The swings were still rusted, the bench still had that one board missing, and it still creaked when you sat down.

Tubbo practically collapsed onto the bench, and sighed. He stared out into the water, watching the ducks swim by with their ducklings.

He pulled out his phone, snapping a picture. He contemplated sending it to Tommy, staring at his contact for a long moment.

No messages from the other, no calls, not even a hint that the other was thinking about him. What could he expect? Tubbo hadn’t exactly communicated with the other either, he couldn’t blame him. It would be hypocritical.

What would Tubbo even say?

“Hey. The guy who I thought was human might be a vampire and immortal. I’m weirded out with myself because I can’t hate the guy. Hope Hunter boot camp is going okay, lol.”

Tubbo let his head fall back onto the bench with a groan, deciding against everything until the boy messages him first.

An unfamiliar voice rang out in the air, gruff and gravelly. “Hey, kid.”

Tubbo’s head snapped up to the direction the voice came from and saw a man leaning near the fence, soaked from the rain. His eyes glinting an odd way in the dull light, and his smile being too sharp for a casual one.

“Isn’t too cold of a day to be sitting here, all alone?” The stranger said, totally not kidnapper like. Tubbo wouldn’t doubt if the guy had a fucking white van too.

Tubbo stood up quickly, paranoid or not, he wanted out. “I’m fine.”

“You smell of someone’s project. Unless you’ve got a mark on you? If you don’t, you’ve just gotta be a real unlucky fella.” The man commented, tilting his head in an unnatural way.

Tubbo didn’t have time to process the sentence before he bolted, legs moving on their own.

The man didn’t follow, but he laughed. The sound rang out in the air, following him all the way home.

Tommy had been taking a short break when the emergency bell rang.

It wasn’t rang often, saved for situations that were less ideal, like death.

Hunters scrambled to get up, shouts echoed admits the chaos. Hannah was already giving orders by the time Tommy had gotten over to where she was.

“What happened?” Tommy asked.

“Someone got tailed,” she said. “Kid. Maybe new. He didn’t come back through the usual channels, and was last pinned by the old river.”

Tommy’s blood froze as he tried to rationalize with himself. The only person he could fit in that description was Tubbo, and the old river? Their old river, at that? It didn’t settle his nerves one bit.

“I’m going.” He said, grabbing his things before she could say no.

“Tommy—“

“Look, I know that area. You need eyes fast? I’m your guy. You want to waste time because you think im too new to do this? Fine. I’ll sit on my ass.” Tommy snapped.

Hannah didn’t stop him. She had a worried look in her eyes, but tossed him a stake anyways. “Be quick. In and out, you are not to be doing combat unless necessary.”

Tommy didn’t answer, not even sparing her a glance back before he was gone.

Tubbo slammed the door behind him, locking it three times. He was paranoid.

Tubbo didn’t dare to move until he heard the noise, turning around to find it coming from the basement.

In all honesty, he shouldn’t even be peaking down there. He wasn’t allowed, he knew, but that just made his curiosity grow.

He could of turned back, yes, but be didn’t. He took one step down the stairs, then two. The air grew colder and denser as he began his decent.

When he reached the bottom of the stairs, his eyes landed on it.

A figure, bound and trembling. It was slumped in a rusted metal chair, chained in silver. The skin on their face was stretched and gray, mouth parted just enough to reveal a pair of fangs.

It was a vampire, no doubt about it.

Tubbo took a shaky step backwards, terrified. “What the hell?” He stumbled out, voice nothing above a whisper.

Schlatt’s voice sounded out from behind him, low and tired. Tubbo hadn’t even heard him come in.

“I told you not to come in here, didn’t I?”

Tubbo spun, heart in his throat. He took a big gulp, hoping the man before him wouldn’t fucking eat him alive with his glare.

Schlatt stood halfway down the staircase, with one hand on the railing, and his free hand holding an empty beer bottle.

Schlatt didn’t look angry. Tubbo doesn’t think he’s seen Schlatt angry in his presence, if he’s being truthful. But the man looked… disappointed. Resigned.

“What the fuck is that?!” Tubbo hissed, pointing in the general direction of the… thing in the basement. “Are you— why— what are you doing to it?!”

“Feeding it. Starving it. Same thing, depending on the day,” Schlatt muttered with a wave of his hand, coming the rest of the way down the staircase.

Tubbo felt like the walls were closing in. “Are you a vampire?”

Schlatt didn’t flinch. If anything, he almost looked sad. “Yes.”

“You lied to me!”

“I never lied,” Schlatt said calmly, walking past him. “I joked. There’s a difference. You laughed.” Schlatt paused, setting his gaze on Tubbo. “I would never lie to you, Tubbo.”

Tubbo’s hands curled into fists, adrenaline threatening to ware off any minute now. “You let me live here, sleep here… even eat here! All this time! Why didn’t you tell me?!”

“Because I knew you’d run. I knew you’d be afraid of me, and that’s the last thing I want, Tubs.” Schlatt turned to face the other, a look of regret on his face, if Tubbo had to guess. “I didn’t bring you here to hurt you, Tubbo. I brought you here to keep you safe!”

“I never asked you to do that.”

“No,” Schlatt agreed, his voice low. “But I wanted to. I’d do anything to keep you safe.”

Tubbo’s adrenaline was wearing off, and he wanted to get out of here quickly. “I’m leaving.” He gulped, and as he turned, he noticed Schlatt made no move to stop him. It both hurt and made him happy at the same time.

His adrenaline was almost completely out now, and when he made a too quick of a turn to run up the steps, his vision blurred.

The air swam. His knees gave out. The concrete was too far away, his vision going black at the edges.

He only halfway managed to catch himself, his palms scratching harshly at the floor before he collapsed. He bit his tongue accidentally while falling, and it tasted almost metallic.

Schlatt was crouched besides him, looking distraught as he inspected Tubbo. He looked like he was fighting himself before he spoke, voice low and comforting, despite his words.

“Someone tried to mark you. Just a scratch, enough venom to rot you slow. It’s in your bloodstream now…” Schlatt looked at Tubbo and sighed, voice oddly calm.

Tubbo was wheezing now, his lungs feeling like rocks every time he tried to take a breath in. His heartbeat was slower, off. Fluttering, failing. It scared him. He didn’t want to die!

“I don’t want to die. Don’t… don’t touch me. Please.”

“I’m sorry, Tubbo. I can’t not touch you, kid,” Schlatt said, pity in his facial expression yet voice firm. “You’re mine, okay? I’ll save you, don’t worry.”

Tubbo flinched. He didn’t like the implications of that. His best friend was a vampire hunter, for fucks sake! He won’t get to say goodbye!

“I didn’t say yes! N..no! Please!” Tubbo stuttered out, tears falling from his face, wetting his cheek.

“I know, I know… shh…” Schlatt comforted him, wiping a tear off of his cheek. But he never backed off. “I’m sorry, but you don’t get a choice when death is arriving rather quickly, Tubbo. It’s got one hand around your neck already.”

Tubbo could no longer form words, he was just sobbing. Each breath he took still felt like he was dragging a knife in his lungs.

“I’m sorry, I’ll try to be quick. Close your eyes.” Schlatt whispered, rubbing his cheek.

Tubbo closed his eyes, sleep was calling for him. It was hard to resist.

Then, the pain came. It wasn’t like a needle or how other people described it. Nothing could ever describe the pain he was feeling, it wasn’t like anything human. It burned, even.

It was ancient, primal, deep.

Schlatt’s fangs pierced just below Tubbo’s collarbone, making due with what he could. The bite was slow, practiced. That wasn’t enough to dull the fire that followed.

Tubbo screamed, he hadn’t even realized he was doing it until his throat was hoarse.

His body seized as venom ignited beneath his skin, his bones hurt. Sleep was still calling for him, but his back was arching off the ground uncomfortably.

Schlatt held him through it, one arm bracing Tubbo’s shoulders, the other across his waist. He cradled Tubbo, and drank without restraint. It was just enough to thin his blood and make room for his own, nothing for feeding.

He pulled back. His mouth was smeared with a crimson liquid, and his eyes were glossy. “It’s okay, you’re okay.” Schlatt tried to calm Tubbo down. “We’re almost done, and then you can sleep, okay?”

Schlatt dragged his fang across his wrist, letting blood leak out. He held it out in front of Tubbo’s mouth. “Drink.”

Tubbo choked, coughed, and fought it for a second before another part of him gave in, swallowing it in gulps. It felt weird going down his throat, disgusting. It felt wrong, yet at the same time, it felt right.

His fingers gripped Schlatt’s jacket subconsciously, feeling safe in his hold. He didn’t understand why, but sleep was pulling on him much more than it was before, and it was getting hard to resist.

The last thing Tubbo heard before everything went black was Schlatt kissing his forehead, whispering his name.