Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Tommy keeps an emergency bag under his bed. It doesn’t hold much, only the essentials; a toothbrush, some clothes, water bottles and protein bars. His real valuables are kept safe in an ended chest. The bag only carries whats necessary for the journey if he needs to run. When he needs to run.

Tommy made Ranboo and Tubbo pack emergency bags too, they protested at first. Snowchester was a secure country, there was no need for a plan to flee. But Tommy had been insistent, desperate and had started to pack for the two of them when they wouldn’t listen. So to avoid their friend having more sleepless nights they packed their shirts, socks and good pair of hiking boots.

“Where would we even go?” Tubbo questioned, as Tommy paced round his room, ransacking the draws. 

“Anywhere.” He answered, without turning around. “Somewhere far. Far enough Dream cant find us.”

Ranboo and Tubbo share a concerned look. “Toms.” Ranboo speaks carefully, as if an off tone would be enough to spook the blonde. “Dream is in a high security prison, he’s not gonna get out.”

Tommy finally turns to them both. “Okay but what if he does dickhead.” His shoulders tense and he steps forward. “You really think Wilbur. Wilbur Soot, who keeps calling Dream his hero, isn’t gonna try anything.” His nails dig into his palms breaking the scared skin again. “Techno still owes him a favour and Sam’s already messed up with security, twice.”

Tubbo aches to step forward and place a hand on Tommy’s shoulder, but his feet stay rooted. “Tommy the walls surrounding that prison are meters thick, no person is humanly capable of getting out of that.” He tries to reassure.

“Tubbo.” Tommy groans, his face heating in frustration, he’s never been great at expressing himself, much less something as serious as this. “You weren’t there, I was locked in that cell with him for weeks. I can tell by the way he spoke, by the way he fucking stood. He knows something, something we don’t. I- I know I’m not right all the time, or even often, but I’ve never been so sure about something before. Dream is going to get out and the first thing he’s gonna do is come here. For me. For you both.” 

Tommy drags his hands down his face, he had fought in multiple wars and won his fair share. But still just the idea Dream coming for them reduces him to an anxious puddle.

”Do you remember after Wilbur blew up L’manburg?” Tommy asks with tired eyes. “You asked me if we should run away. That we had everything that mattered and we could leave if we wanted. Let the adults pick up the mess that they started and try our luck by the coast, I even promised to build us a home.”

Tubbo smiled at the bittersweet memory. “Yeah, you said you would make it the biggest house in town. I remember.”

”I think about that often Tubbo, I thought about it every night in exile. What it would’ve been like if we’d left. Would we be happier. Would we have made it to the coast like we wanted. Would Dream have hunted us then, dragged us back? Or would we finally be safe.”

Tommy eyes Ranboo and Tubbo, he’s not sure if they’re convinced. He straightens his back, in the way he was taught to do when he was soldier, in a way he hopes doesn’t seem vulnerable. “I am not going to make that same mistake again. Like you said we could leave, find somewhere safe. I have everything that matters.”

Ranboo sighs, Tommy is stubborn by nature but he can’t help but think that the fear isn’t irrational. “It wouldn’t hurt to have a plan Tubs.”

Tubbo gives him a look of surprise.

“Dream has always been a step ahead, I don’t see why we shouldn’t try to be too.” Ranboo explains.

“Oh yeah?” Tubbo questions with a raised brow. “And just where do you suggest we go then?”

…

“I do have a manor in the north.”

Chapter Text

Sam knows he’s going to die soon. It’s not hard to tell, even if his rational thinking is drowned out by the blare of emergency sirens. The horns sound so loud that he feel their vibrations in his finger tips. Technoblade looms over him, his axe drawn. The warden doubts he will be able gather himself enough to steal the upper hand. Not when all he can think of is the call of the sirens. They are deafening. But at least that means maybe Tommy will get a head start.

Two sets of feet make their way towards the exit of the prison. Wilbur’s boots crush the gravel that moats the building, Dream stands barefoot.

A God dawned in orange rags stretches his shoulders as he huffs the night air, for the first time in months.

“Want one?” Wilbur nudges Dreams side, he’s lit a cigar. The smoke spins and catches on his clothes and hair, the scent will stick for while.

Dream shakes his head, not bothering to give a verbal response. His eyes scan the edges of the beach, for a rustle in the fauna that surrounds them. He had expected for the guards to arrive faster, with a boisterous blonde leading them, but the beach remains dormant. How boring.

The swing of an axe can be heard behind them. Then another god is stood at the entrance. Technoblade hands Sams trident to Dream. “We should head home now, if we don’t want to be stopped on the way back.”

Dream twirls the spear round in his fingers, adjusting to its weight. If the entertainment won’t come to him he’s more than happy to go looking for it.

“Sounds good, but we need to stop somewhere first.”

——————-

Tommy wakes to the sound of mechanical screaming.

The cry is unrelenting and he’s standing in moments. Tommy’s dirt shack isn’t far from the prison, in fact the building’s almost always in view. He frantically scans it now, looking for a familiar green friend. He knows what the siren means, the whole server does.

He’s out the door as soon as he’s dressed, emergency bag in hand. The prisons scream may be loud enough to bleed over his panting as he runs, but he’s not sure if it will reach snowchester. Hell have to warn Tubbo and Ranboo in person, he just hopes he’s fast enough to be their only visitors tonight.

Following the prime path along his hotel is the fastest way there. It’s also the way that Dreams most likely to be on. Tommy tries to think where Dream would be going. The only answer he comes up with is straight to him.

So he turns right instead, towards what’s left of l’manberg. He hopes the night is enough to conceal him from preying eyes. He’s being hunted now, he’ll have to be smart if he wants to survive the night.

It’s difficult to run through snow, his feet are numb by the time he stumbles into their mansion and he knows he’s left a trail.

“God why don’t they keep the door locked?”

“Tubbo! Ranboo!” He screams with the breath he has left from the long run.

He locks the door behind him before moving up the stairs, still crying out for his friends. It doesn’t take long for an answer.

“Tommy what’s wrong!” The two gaze down at him from the top of the stairs, still dressed in their sleep clothes. “It’s Dream. He’s out!” Tommy pants. “We have to go now, he’ll be here soon!”

Tubbo doesn’t stay to give a response, he’s trained to react quickly without question and he’s already on his knees, reaching under his bed. Ranboo moves down the stairs towards Tommy. Stopping to take the bag out of his hand, he’s concerned the boy might drop it. “What! how do you know?”

“The sirens woke me up, he’s out and he’s coming here.”

“I’ve got our shit and there are horses out front” Tubbo calls from their room before trampling down the steps after them.

“Let’s head out the back and walk round just in case.” Ranboo suggests. Both him and Tubbo have began to dawn their armour, but Tommy remains bare. He sees no point to it, it’s not like a chest plate has ever stopped Dream.

Tubbo pauses after equipping his leggings, he scans over Tommy’s form and his face lights in recall. “We have to go out front! Under the farm is Dreams armour, you need to wear that Tommy.”

“Either of you should wear it.” Tommy replies, dragging a hand through his hair. “It belongs to you.”

“We don’t have time to debate this. We both have armour on us Tommy, you’re gonna need that protection just as much as either of us.” Ranboo interjects. “If not more.”

—————————

The red stone entrance of the farm reveals itself silently. Tubbo had always had a knack for this type of stuff, Tommy thinks him and Sam would have gotten on well, if they’re had known each other better.

Tommy zones out as he tightens the netherite to his body. The metal feels hot, like someone else had just been wearing it.

Not a word is shared between the trio as the climb back up to the farm. But as Tommy goes to step out into the night ranboos arm sticks out in front of him. He’s peering round the door at their house. Tommy’s gaze follows and he sees the problem.

Wilbur is stood at the entrance of the mansion. He has a sword on his person, but for now it remains in his holster. He’s knocking at the wood and looks to be quickly becoming impatient when there is no answer.

“Tommy, I’m getting tired of your attitude lately.” Wilbur calls to the windows above the door, the lights are on. He knows they’re close.

“Can you blame a man for being concerned when his little brothers bed is empty in the middle of the night?” Wilbur bangs at the door again, his tone sounds amused, but Tommy knows how quick he is to anger.

He let’s out a disappointed sigh and stands back from the door. “Okay Toms have it your way.” He looks over his shoulder to an approaching figure and then Technoblade is by his side.

The door is kicked open in a single motion and the pair invade the house.

Tubbo grabs Ranboos hand and gestures for Tommy to follow. As they slip into the stables, Tommy hopes they’re being quiet, but it’s hard to tell when he’s panicking. He can’t hear the rattle of metal, as he straps himself into a saddle, or the horses annoyed huff at being woken. He only hears his own heartbeat in his neck, it feels like it’s getting louder. He wonders if Technoblade hears it too.

There’s only two horses, Tubbo and Ranboo share so Tommy sits alone. They trot out the pen just as Wilbur and Techno remerge, having not found their prey inside. Tubbo kicks into a gallup, he doesn’t stick around long enough to hear a bow draw.

His horse follows automatically, Tommy’s grateful that he doesn’t have to direct much. He’s too busy peering over his shoulder, towards the shrinking figures of his two brothers. The forest that surrounds snowchester is too thick for an arrow to hit, but Tommy can still hear Wilbur bellowing for him to come back.

He doesn’t sound amused anymore. No, he’s angry now.

Chapter Text

When Tommy lived in the artic, on the rare days when techno was being clingy, he’d be brought out hunting. The brute would work in any terrain, be it in blasting heat or open plains. Tommy would swear he’d saw him trailing in with a hen of chicken slung over his shoulder from a snow storm once. But it was on one of these trips he had learnt his brother did have a preference for the hunt.

“The night always makes it more exciting.” Techno ignores the crows, as he scans the treetops for prey.

“Why’s that?” Tommy indulged, bored already of the what he’s sure will become a long trip.

“Well sure it’s easier to catch something if it’s sleeping. But that’s not the fun part.” The brute walks ahead, a distinctive gangle of gold jewellery missing. It’s weird to see his pointed ears without the tokens of wealth, but Techno explained to Tommy that this element of stealth is vital.

“No, it’s about the prey that’s awake. The ones that know they’re vulnerable, even at night.” He mutters in a low voice, Technos spotted something in the trees.

“They scare so easily.” A Robin sits unsuspecting on a branch.

“But they always look so surprised when I catch them.” A crossbow is drawn preloaded, he only has to aim.

“Animals never really emote in a way I can perceive, they always look so blank.” The Robin teeters it’s head before pecking at a feather, preening.

“But the ones at night have this bulging white in their eyes. An abrupt fear of the beasts wrath, because they where so sure they’d found a foolproof way to avoid it.”

The leaver of the bow falls and the wire ripples, slinging an arrow forward. “To avoid me.”

The Robin drops onto the forest floor. It’s so tiny that the arrow piercing it obscures most of it’s body.

“It makes them look human.”

Techno doesn’t bother to pick up the twitching carcass, only bending down to retrieve his arrow. The body is too small to eat. He doesn’t even keep it as scraps for the dogs.

“You’re so fuckin creepy man.” Tommy follows behind, he tries not to look at the dead song bird.

————————

“We need to ditch these horses.” Tommy calls out to the others. They’ve been riding for about an hour now. They should nearly be off l’manberg soil.

“What, why?” Ranboo can’t think of a good reason to slow the journey AWAY from a murderous convict.

“Techno’s got hounds.” Tommy explains. “They could track us at a range of a fair few miles sure. But two horses this big? There’s gonna be a clear scent trail wherever we go.”

“What makes you think Technos the one after us?” Tubbo questions. “I thought Dream would be tailing us right now.”

“If Dream’s hunting us, techno’s joining him.” Tommy answers.

“How can you be so sure?” Tubbo lifts at his fringe, trying to get a better view of their route.

“He told me himself. The night always makes the chase more exciting.”

They abandon their horses near a stream, sending them into a run heading in the opposite direction.

Water flows down the shallow brook, the hum of gentle splashes accompanied by the rustle of the three teens pulling off their socks and shoes.

Tommy pokes an experimental toe in, ‘Oh.’ He thinks. ‘That’s fuckin freezing.’

He steps into the river fully, feeling the water push him forward. He wrings his hands to avoid a groan.

“I am not stepping in that.” Tubbo deadpans, giving Tommy an unimpressed look.

“It’s not like we have a lot of choice Tubbo.” Ranboo’s rolled up his trousers and steps in warily.

“If you’re a pussy, simply say that.” Tommy shouts at him, splashing around confidently to prove his point.

“It’s like 3 am. I’m hungry and tired, I’m not gonna be cold too.” Tubbo turns his nose up, he’ll settle for walking on the rocks next to them.

“Oh really, It’s a bit late for that. Don’t you think?” Tommy lowers himself in the water, a cunning smile blooming on his face.

“What does that mean?” Tubbo pulls back his bangs, freeing his line of sight, but a splash of freezing water is thrown onto his face, instantly blocking it again.

Tommy almost collapse back in laughter, while Ranboo tries to make himself less visible.

“You think that’s funny, you blonde bitch.” Tubbo marches into the stream, fear of the cold replaced by murderous intent.

Tommy shrieks, diving behind Ranboo. “Save me Boo, a small child is trying to knife me.”

“Tommy please don’t involve me in this.” Ranboo inches away from his husband, hes learnt the dangers of being lured into a false sense of security with the teen.

Tubbo lurches forward with an angry cry, nocking Ranboo over and aiming for Tommy too. But the boy is too agile and takes off down the stream screaming in victory.

Tubbos quick to follow, promises of revenge accompanied by excited giggling. Ranboo jogs after them both sad that he’s now wet, he wasn’t even involved.
At this pace they’ll make it out of l’manberg by sunrise.

————————————-

When they can feel their trite feet collapsing, that’s when they allow themselves to rest. Not for long, of course, none of the teens can shake the fear of being watched. But for now they find refuge under a willow, by a clearing. They light no fire in fear of attracting attention through the smoke. They have only each other’s company for warmth.

Tommy’s thankful it isn’t raining. His eyes are heavy and his head foggy from emotional strain. He turns to study his friends, they lay as peacefully as possible on the forest floor. Ranboo holds on to Tubbo’s arm in his sleep, whilst Tubbo rests his head on Ranboo’s chest. Something crawls under Tommy’s skin at their carefree closeness, and suddenly he feels colder.

He leans back, focusing on the sound of wind swayed leaves. It’s peaceful for a moment. To be so far away from everyone, to be breathing in cold air at illegally early hours of the day. Tommy’s stands quietly to not disturb nearby light sleepers. Pushing aside the natural curtains of the willow to step out into the clearing.

The suns just rising.

He can’t look away from it. From the colours that fade into clouds and mark the open sky. Wilbur used to tell him when he was little, that when artists died God let them paint the sunrise. That’s why they’re so beautiful, because hey have a piece of soul weaved into each one. That that’s why he calls Tommy his ‘sunshine’.

He wonders if Wilburs watching the sunrise. There’s a good chance he is, the mans never had the best sleeping habits.

He wonders where Will could be watching it from. Who’s he watching it with. Phil? Techno? … Dream?

He wonders what type of artist Will would describe from this morning. Would Wilbur even say these things to him anymore, would Tommy even let him. He can’t help but be envious of his former self, who had captured his brothers adoration so effortlessly and wholly. Who had, without attempt, been so violently idolised as to be equated with a sunrise as beautiful as this.

Soon the thrushes and Robins begin to stir and chatter their morning melodies.

He’ll have to wake Tubbo and Ranboo soon, they still an ocean to cross before they can sleep soundly.

But for now he lets himself stay and watch the sunrise. Just for a little bit longer.