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There was ringing in his ears, everything was drowned out. As he stared at the scene in front of him, god why was there so many people here? He hid his hand behind his back as he clenched it. Biting his lips as he took everything in.
He had no fucking clue what was happening. All he knew was that Techno and him were leaving and suddenly the community building was blown up. Dream had already been there, along with the people he followed.
It made him sick to think that Dream was still out, that Dream could still get him. It had kept him up at night, there was no stopping that. He would always expect to see the man in the shadows, sometimes he did see Dream there. That's what scared him the most.
Techno was near him, that much he could make out. But there were so many people. God Tubbo was there! That had made his heart in a way, he hadn't seen Tubbo since he had exiled him. He couldn't tell if he was angry at Tubbo or if he was longing for his friend.
Tommy blinked slowly, glancing to everyone. Everyone had varying expressions on their face. He could see Niki from the background, anger and fury clear in her face. It had shocked him a bit seeing at how she was directing it at him. Tubbo was staring at him expressionless, not a emotion on his face. He hates to admit that hurt a lot. He'd even rather Tubbo be angry at him. That's a lie, he couldn't handle Tubbo being angry at him still.
A hand on his back brought him out of his thoughts. He glanced to Techno, he couldn't tell what the man was feeling. A mask covering his face, though he was shifting on his feet. His hand was on his sword as well, preparing for the battle that may happen.
He glanced to where Dream stood. Finally back tuning back into the conversation, "-you did this Tommy! Speak up I saw you do it! Are you just not going to say anything?!"
He pursed his lips as he shifted on his feet. Whispering faintly, "What?"
Dream scoffed, "Of course you weren't listening, I mean is anyone really surprised?" There was a pause in the sentence, as if waiting for someone to protest. The silence that followed had make his heart snap. Dream let out a snicker before continuing on, "Well on that's just sad. But Tommy you have to take responsibility for this, or are you going to do what you always do? Hell you're not even suppose to be here Tommy! I could kill you right now if I wanted to!"
He took a step back on instinct, before retorting right back at the man. "I didn't fucking do this! Stop blaming me or some shit, besides fuck you! God you know that I didn't do this Dream-"
"Tommy please just admit it, I don't know if I can handle you lying-."
He snapped his head to Tubbo. His heart shattering into a million pieces. His eyes going wide, swallowing the lump in his throat. "You don't know shit! You don't know anything- what the fuck?! Are you seriously believing Dream over me?!"
Tubbo just looked away, he could only find a trace on guilt in his eyes, before it had disappeared as if was never there. "And you think you're trustworthy Tommy? Dream has followed through with his promise-"
"What and you think exile was a fucking vacation or some shit huh?"
The silence was a bit too loud for his liking. Before Tubbo had slowly responded, "I know you being away from us was tough but Tommy we had no other choice!"
He gritted his teeth, "Don't you fucking say that, you don't know shit of what happened to me in exile!"
Someone scoffed in the crowd, with a glance he could tell it was Niki. "Tommy you're being over dramatic, besides after everything you had done, you deserved it! After every single thing-"
Before he could even respond someone else was talking. Jack had added onto Niki, "Tommy you know you deserved it! After what you had done to me when I had visited you?! You never even fucking apologized."
He paused to look at Jack and Niki, he would've snapped back but there was something more than angry on their face. It was sadness, pure anguish. It had made him stop for a second, as he was all too familiar with that feeling, god did he really do something wrong? It wasn't that hard to believe-
He shook his head suddenly what was he thinking? He glanced back to Dream, ignoring the guilt for not apologizing to them. "You can't blame this all on me Dream! What about all you've done to me?! Have you ever told anyone what a shitty person you are?!"
Dream responded instantly, "I was your friend Tommy! I tried to help you but...well Tommy you betrayed me! All I wanted to ever do was help you Tommy." His eyes went wide as he let out a shaky breath. Dream couldn't be possibly be doing this.
Techno coughed as he spoke up, daring to go against Dream's statement. "I don't know much but I do know that is a lie. Tommy is terrified of you Dream, besides I mean I see the way you talk about Tommy, like he's some thing. That you need to keep in possession. Dream you're not Tommy's friend, no matter what you both say."
He felt his heart pulse with hope. I mean Techno had stood up for him! It wasn't much but that's all he has for himself now. He hadn't even told Techno much yet Techno had already knew so much, he knew what Dream was like. Techno was just supposed to be his business partner, yet why was he doing this for him? This was more than business partners wasn't it? He could even say friends.
He gulped before replying, "I didn't do jackshit to betray you! I'm also not your friend asshole, never was and never will be."
He glanced all around him, before recognizing a few people in the crowd. Directing his attention at Bad, surely he saw what Dream had done. Or a little bit atleast. "Bad you saw what Dream did right?! You had saw him! I know you did you were there-" He cut himself off to glance to Bad. Who was glancing between Dream and him. Shifting on his feet but still not saying a word.
"Bad?"
Bad just backed away slightly, a guilty look in his face. All his hopes were crushed in that moment, because why didn't Bad say something? Bad had always stood up and if he wasn't standing up for him what was this saying about him? Did Bad not even want to stand up for him, to debunk what Dream had said. It felt like shit, he was so close yet so far. He fucking hated it, he fucking hated everyone.
"Fuck you Bad! You know what he did to me, yet why aren't you saying anything? Please Bad you're my only hope. Bad please-"
Dream had let out a laugh before continuing on. "So not one person can back you up Tommy? So not only are you lying but you're not even suppose to be here..." Dream paused to look right back at him, "Honestly Tommy this is pathetic."
He shouted, trying to get everything out he wanted to say. "I have not stood by some of you just for you to not do the same for me! I've done everything you've all wanted! I've fucking done everything, please why aren't you helping me here?"
Jack chimed in, "So what? You were a cause of a lot of problems, that inconvenienced a lot of us? So fucking what if you've helped us once or twice, it doesn't matter Tommy. It doesn't matter Tommy because you're a shit person and the problem, you are the problem of the server."
He didn't start problems! He...well he doesn't think he has? I mean it was Dream wasn't it? Dream had tried to steal his discs he had manipulated him and is a shitty person. He could say that right now, but why weren't the words coming out of his mouth. Maybe it was because it was admitting out loud what Dream had done to him and he doesn't know if he is ready for that.
As a last hope he looked towards Tubbo, was looking a bit more conflicted. Before speaking as if he knew, "Tommy...I thought you were dead. But you were off with Techno. Was this just some part of a stupid fucking plan of yours? Did you mean to do that?! I had thought my bestfriend had died!"
He couldn't stop himself from shouting back at him, "I did try! I did fucking try, alright Tubbo?! I just lived and stumbled upon Techno...You should know I wouldn't fake this! You should- nevermind."
Tubbo's eyes were glazed over, as he shouted right back at him. "So why didn't you come here Tommy?!" He could faintly hear Tubbo whisper, "Tommy you promised me you wouldn't become-"
He snarled, "You think you would've let me back? Would you have really let me in Mr. President?!" Before snapping back at Tubbo, "You had made your own promise didn't you Tubbo? I could say the same about you, so don't you fucking say-"
Dream cut him off, coughing as he blankly stared at him. "Well Tommy there is two options here," Techno had made a step towards him his hand pulling the sword out of his hilt. Dream must've noticed but he still continued, "You can either be killed, which I'd be willing to help you with." He clenched his fist, death would be a better option than most things. Beside it wasn't like he was against death- although that sounded wrong.
He coughed as he spoke up, "Or?"
Something had changed in Dream. As he leaned towards him, he could almost imagine the cold grin on the mans face. "Or you can go to the prison, where you'll stay for an indefinite amount of time." He froze, that sounded horrible. That sounded something out of his nightmare, "I don't know about you but that does sound better than death, then again I'm for either one."
Techno was completely in front of him now. A small growl coming out of him, "Sorry but I'll have to decline this. You know both options are unfair. So I'll offer you a new one, you get to let us leave huh?" Techno was challenging someone to protest him, few would ever think about that. Dream was one of those few however.
"Techno this is between Tommy and me. I can offer you everything that Tommy doesn't have, so why don't you let this one go alright?" Dream had finished, sounding a bit to pleading, though one could barely tell.
He honestly didn't know if Techno would agree. I mean...it was hard to tell. Because Dream was right, he barely offered Techno anything. He had even said he was only doing this for his disc, Techno was doing to get back at L'manberg. Dream would probably offer help to Techno, something he couldn't bear to do.
Despite that Techno had responded just as guarded. "I'll have to decline that Dream, you know Tommy and I have a business partnership going on around here. I couldn't let that fall apart." He won't lie and say the reasoning hurt, but Techno had looked to him once more before responding. "Besides Tommy's my friend of currently, so there is no way he's going to whatever you're offering. You can try and protest."
Techno had let his sword out of his hilt, holding it in front of him. A grin on his face as his sword shined in the light. Tilting his head at Dream, "That is of course if you're willing to fight me that is." Techno let out a loud laugh, "We both know how well that turned out for you last time though of course."
That seemed to strike a nerve in Dream, as he snarled at Techno. Pulling out an axe pointing it straight towards Techno before glancing to Tommy, "You're going to let him do this Tommy? He's going to hurt himself because you won't-"
Before he could dwell on it Techno cut him off, "Don't you dare speak to Tommy, I don't know what you're trying to do but it won't work."
Dream completely ignored him, just continuing to blame him. "He's going to be fighting all of us Tommy. You seriously think he can face all of them? That's on you if you think that."
His eyes went wide, how did everyone agree to that? They agreed to fight Techno, all of them?! There was no fucking way that they would. I mean even Techno wouldn't be able to take all of them, he'd just be setting Techno up for failure. Or worse, death.
Techno seemed to sense his thoughts as he spoke up suddenly, "Tommy I don't care how many people I'm fighting. I'd fight the world for you Tommy, I'd fight all of them for you Tommy! Don't just surrender to him!" There was panic in his voice that made him pause.
He whispered so only Techno could hear him, "But not even you can face all of them Techno, please I don't want you to get hurt for me- god I don't deserve it! I can't let them hurt you when I could just agree alright? Techno please-"
Techno had faltered for a second before responding just as determined, "Tommy you're my bestfriend, as embarrassing that is to say. I will and would fight the world for you, it doesn't matter what I have to do. Tommy you deserve to be safe alright? You don't deserve what he is offering you, you deserve so much more. You deserve to be free...you deserve more to be stuck in a prison!"
That was all he ever wanted to hear. After all Dream would say to him, Dream had told him many times that nobody cared for him. But Techno is willing to do this for him...but he's reminded of the situation. Techno didn't deserve the pain that he would go through for him.
With that in mind he took a few steps forward, only being stopped by Techno's hand on his shoulder. He bit his lip, trying to ignore how his eyesight was blurring. Whispering faintly, "Please Techno let me do this for you. You've done so much for me, just let me do this alright? I'll be back soon ok? It won't be forever...hopefully."
Before Techno could respond a few people started sprinting at them. Techno let go of him in shock to focus on the people around him, holding up his sword at him. He ignored how they were surrounded.
His eyes went wide as he saw someone jump down, straight down at Techno. He barely had a second to warn him, "Techno-!"
But it was too late as someone had a grip on Techno, before being shook off. Though there were more people jumping at Techno that he couldn't do anything. It was only a matter of seconds before Techno was restrained, still struggling to get out. Before snapping his head towards him.
"Tommy run!"
Before he could even think that over someone was gripping his shoulders tightly, he could hear them laugh slightly. He tried to move, but he was easily retrained. He was weak, that only one person was able to do that, he was then reminded it was because of who they were? He had knew...
"Nice try Tommy," Dream whispered into his ear, before pulling away. Grinning down at him, "It was a nice try you know? Clearly it wasn't enough of course. You'll have a fun time in prison though..." There was something way too sinister about that, of course Dream was always sinister.
He whispered to himself, "What if I don't want to go to prison?"
Dream snorted whispering back, "It's not like you have a choice though do you? Besides how long could it be?"
Techno had shouted, trying to grab his attention. "Tommy run!" Grumbling at the people who were holding him back, "Let him go Dream! For god sake Dream just let it go this once alright?!" He was clearly pleading and everyone could tell. He swore he saw a tear slip down Techno's face.
Dream had just leaned forward, leaning against his head. A part of his crooned at the affection another part was suffocating, about how much he had hated it. Because it was Dream and Dream had hurt him- god he needs to stop doing this.
"Listen Techno I'm going to let you off free alright? Besides you'll forget about Tommy in no time....maybe I'll even let you visit him in prison. Just remember that Tommy had this coming, he isn't just getting thrown into prison for no reason-"
Techno had shouted right back at the man, fury clear in his eyes. "You are throwing him in there for no reason! Of course Tommy has made mistakes but he shouldn't be thrown into the prison because of that! This is just a game to you, you have some weird obsession with Tommy. You always want his disc and now you're making him go to a prison?!" He looked to the people around him. Yelling in their face, his voice filled with disbelief.
"You can surely tell that he's lying to you right?! He is just using you, he is just going to go against you at some point! You're just letting this happen?! You're letting him throw Tommy in whatever the fuck he has done? Surely not!" Though the silence had answered Techno's pleading, a sudden realization shook through Techno. As he frantically tried to move, looking right at him.
Dream had jolted before leading him to what was surely the prison, as the voices were getting more and more quiet. Though he could still hear Techno's yelling, he thought he heard a sob from Techno.
"Tommy I'll be back for you!" Techno had screamed, his voice hoarse. He didn't doubt it, there was a promise in his words, something engraved in stone. Besides did he ever doubt Techno? Techno was his brother. "I swear I will be back! Please Tommy wait for me! Please Tommy-." He could faintly hear Techno shout in the distance, "I'll never forget, I'll come back!!"
He hates it that it hurt him so much to leave Techno. It made him wish that Techno could have just committed to them only being business partners, where there wouldn't be as much pain. It was hurting them both so much.
But then he is reminded of everything Techno is to him. How Techno had helped him through exile, making sure Dream wouldn't lay a hand on him. Techno who would show him his pets. Or when they were baking together. Or when Techno had taught him things no had never taught him. With tying his shoes to all the way teaching him how to fight better.
He had been a lot of Techno he can recognize now though. He was able to soothe Techno's raging voices. He had been able to calm Techno, while also trying to help the man stray away from violence. He had stayed by Techno when he had stayed up all night long, waiting for when Phil would arrive. It was a long process.
Though none of it matters though does it? There would be no more memories, honestly there may not be another chance for them. They were so close though, so close that it hurt. They were so close to being happy, staying in the tundra and being a family. Though it was gone now, the idea had done nothing but make his stomach twist. It was painful that it may not be possible for them anymore, to be happy with each other.
Tears were streaming down his face, moving a hand to wipe his tears. As he closed his eyes for a moment, "We could have had it all."
Dream let out a sharp laugh, as he could barely pay attention. As his heart was wilting. "There is no way he's going to be able to save you Tommy." Dream let out a manic laugh as something came to him.
"He's going to wish he had never met you," He let out a choked sob. Dream continued, "He is bound for failure. Though it is sad I suppose, it did seem like he cared about you. Though that was your fault wasn't it?"
He had just repeated himself as if he was a broken record. "We could have had it all." Clutching onto his shirt with an iron tight grip. Before whispering to himself, "God I'm so sorry Techno."
He could feel the smile that was appearing on Dream's face. "Tommy, there is no escape to this prison." Dream snorted as if he had thought about something funny. "What did Wilbur say before? Eret maybe too? It's been a while."
He knew the words before they came out of Dream's mouth.
"It was never meant to be."
Something huge came into view, an imposing building. That was as tall as the clouds, it made shivers go down his spine. His eyes wide as he let another sob out, how the hell was he going to do this?"
Dream had gripped onto his shoulders tighter, "This is Pandora's Vault Tommy." The man gestured to the building, before looking down at him. "Or better known as the impenetrable prison."
Tommy's only hope was Techno, though how long he could believe that, he didn't know.
Somewhere someone was preparing, preparing to fulfill the promise he had made.
Somewhere else someone was dealing with the mess he had made, as he was the one who had blew it up.
Maybe it would've been for the better if they hadn't met each other, to stop the pain that was filling their hearts. The anguish that resided within them. Then again the anguish was worth it, for each other. They were family and this time they wouldn't give up.
They will have it all, how long til that will happen, no one knows.