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Chapter Text

Tommy woke up somehow feeling more tired than when he had gone to bed. Rolling his neck, Tommy cringed at the sore ache that accompanied the stretch. Wilbur had kicked George out of his own bedroom so Tommy and Ranboo could have a bed to sleep in. Grumbling with the arrangement, George had slept on the couch in the living room while Wilbur slept on the floor of the bedroom. 

Wilbur had always been overprotective to the point of acting as a helicopter parent, so the sudden clinginess didn’t come as a huge surprise. Tommy had honestly just been glad that it seemed Wilbur had gotten any sleep. He wouldn’t have been surprised if he had woken to find Wilbur awake and keeping watch. But Wilbur was asleep. Face pressed to the carpet, long legs spread out in a position that did not look comfortable at all. 

Tommy let out a yawn, his heavy eyelids trying to close again. He shook his head, trying to get himself to wake up. Adrenaline had been running through him since Dream had broken into their house yesterday and with it now all gone he felt sore and stiff and his mind was struggling to keep up. 

Tommy glanced at Ranboo, the other boy still sleeping. He could see his leg kicking and twitching every now and again, like a dog dreaming. 

If the others were still asleep maybe he could get a few more minutes. Or maybe a couple more hours. 

Tommy sighed and stood, trying to not jostle Ranboo. 

“Hey,” Tommy whispered, poking Wilbur with his foot. “Wilbur, wake up.” 

Wilbur startled, his eyes shooting open and quickly looking around the room for danger. “What’s wrong? Are you ok?” Wilbur asked, standing too quickly for his tired limbs. Tommy grabbed his brother’s arm, keeping him upright, and shushed him lightly. 

“Quiet. Ranboo is still asleep.” 

Wilbur glanced at the sleeping boy, “Right,” he whispered, “right yeah. Sorry.” 

“It’s fine.” Tommy whispered back, moving towards the door and pulling Wilbur with him.

Once through the door Tommy closed it as quietly as he could before turning to his brother. 

“Wil-“ 

“How about some breakfast?” Wilbur interrupted, walking towards the kitchen, no longer trying to be quiet even as he passed George who still slept on the couch. Tommy grimaced, knowing what Wilbur was doing, but followed nonetheless. 

As he passed Tommy opened the curtain to one of the large windows, using the light outside to check the time. The sun was bearly raising up over the horizon. 

Wilbur began to open cupboards and the fridge, searching his friend's kitchen. Tommy joined him in the kitchen, leaving the soft light from the window. 

“Wilbur.” Tommy said, trying to put some sense of authority in his voice. Wilbur continued his search as if Tommy hadn’t spoken. 

“Geez, these two really need to go shopping…” Wilbur muttered as he rechecked everything, seemingly unable to find any kind of breakfast food. 

“Wilbur, please.” Tommy demanded, hands slamming down on the counter, cutting Wilbur off from his search of the kitchen. 

“What?” Wilbur asked sharply. 

The brothers stood glaring at each other, trying to force the other to back down, yet both held strong. 

They both heard the sound of George startling awake, rolling off the couch and muttering a curse under his breath as he hit the coffee table. Neither looked back as George stood up, kicking a blanket off his feet. He turned and saw the brothers standoff. 

“You guys good-“ 

“Go away George.” They both said, glared still trained on one another. 

“Yep, ok.” George said awkwardly, gathering his stuff and running off to Karl’s room. After he was gone Tommy spoke again. 

“You need to tell me, Wil.” Tommy said, tone cold. 

“I don’t know what you're talking about.” 

“Yes you do.” 

The staring contest held for another long moment before Tommy’s gaze softened. 

“Wilbur, please just- just tell me the truth.” 

Wilbur turned his glare to the counter and took a deep breath, after a moment he sighed, his shoulders dropping like heavy weights had been tied to his wrists and were dragging him down. 

“Tommy-“ he started, looking his brother in the eye, seeing the confusion and even desperation for answers, and he sighed again. “You weren’t supposed to find out…” Wilbur muttered.

“Find out what, Wil?” Tommy asked, the answer already sitting in the back of his mind. He wasn’t stupid after all. 

“We aren’t human Tommy. We’re from Essempii, just like Ranboo.” 

___

Teleportation between pods…tickles. At least that’s the only way Sapnap could describe it. A buzzing sensation just under the skin, not unpleasant but also not particularly wanted. Teleportation without pods was distinctly more uncomfortable. 

Sapnap coughed, soot being forced out and into the air, as he cleared his suddenly dry throat. Behind him he heard the telltale sound of flapping as Phil righted himself, staying on his feet.

Technoblade gave no indication of discomfort, at least not verbally. A glance in his direction and Sapnap could see the clenched jaw and furrow in his brow as he bit down on his pain, certainly now increased from the teleportation. 

They had made it to Earth with no problems, but also with no others from Essempii around. So they hadn’t been lucky enough to end up with Ranboo, Sapnap tried not to sigh at that. It could be worse. They could have ended up with Dream and Punz . He wasn’t looking forward to the battle that would take place when they found them. He had been good friends with the two of them, back when they were young and stupid teenagers. 

Sapnap looked around, taking in the current surroundings. It appeared to be a human bedroom. Quackity had told him about them. 

The room was a bland color and Sapnap found it utterly uninteresting. Growing up Sapnaps childhood room had been a pit surrounded by lava, constantly flowing and bright, whereas this room was solid walls a boring beige. There were framed photos, mostly of a young blond boy as he grew up, and there was a multitude of books on shelves and scattered around, in one corner there was also an earth instrument. Looking at it Sapnap could see it was a similar design to a kind of instrument on Essempii, but the name slipped his memory. He was pretty sure Quackity had one at some point. 

His eyes shifted over and he couldn’t help the grimace and slight disgust that filled him at the sight of the “bed”. Humans slept all alone on a rectangular thing , and from what Quackity had told him they were all made up of the same items typically, hardly anything unique or individual about them unlike nests. 

This one though seemed different. It was set up similar to nests on Essempii, fabrics and items building a border around a soft area for sleeping. 

As he stared, Sapnap heard Phil chirp happily. 

“It’s avian!” Phil said, pointing at the nest and moving closer to investigate. 

Sapnap hummed, agreeing with the assessment. 

Nests were built differently all across Essempii. His own were typically made up of hot rocks built up around a pit so he could feel close to the land. Coming from underground and lava, he didn’t particularly care for a soft bed. Avians on the other hand typically built a strong outer barrier with a soft inside, perfect for eggs and hatchlings, though it was clear this nest held neither of those. 

“Have any avians come to earth?” Sapnap asked Techno, his eyes moving over the rest of the room. 

Techno typed away at his communicator for a second before scrolling through a list, looking over to see if any documented avians had come to earth. 

“Huh, no.” 

Sapnap paused, “No?” 

“There’s none on the list.” 

Typically when moving planets for research or even due to an exile Essempii kept all the information. Documentation of who, what species, and so on so the information was existing, even if it most often was useless. Earth was a rather…slow planet. Research parties weren’t often done and exiles, if they survived on the planet, were still exiles. They just became forgotten memories. 

“That can't be right…” Sapnap murmured. 

“Come look for yourself.” Techno invited. 

Sapnap moved to Technos side, reading over the short list that was up on the communicator. Somewhere in the room he could hear Phil digging around. 

Sapnap read the list and found Techno was right. There were no avians to be found. 

“Strange… there has to be. Nobody is walking around Earth with wings and going unnoticed,” he muttered just before Phil let out a surprised squawk. 

Techno was at his side immediately, hand on his sword. “What’s wrong?” 

Philza didn’t respond. From underneath the bed, Phil had dug out a small box to sift through. Inside he found photos, most taken on earth cameras, but a couple clearly brought from Essempii, evident by the scenery of the background. There was also a thin children's book made of coarse paper and light leather, another item from Essempii. And underneath all of that was a bundle of feathers, very old mottled brown ones tied together with a string. Mixed in the bundle were also the soft downy feathers that would begin to sprout along a hatchling. There were only a couple and they were damaged from time. 

“These must be what the pods linked to for our transport.” Sapnap said, looking over the gathered items.

Phil was staring at a collection of the photos, with an unreadable expression aimed at one from their home planet. 

The photo consisted of a young boy, looking to be around eight years old, holding a baby, maybe only a year old.

Sapnap felt like he should recognize the children, that there was something familiar about them. Something about the boy's eyes, but he couldn’t place it. But it was clear from their reactions that Phil and Techno did recognize them. Techno took the photo out of Phil’s hand, getting a closer look and muttering something under his breath. After closer inspection, his eyes widened and he looked to Phil. 

“Is this…?” 

“It looks like it.” Phil affirmed gravely. 

“Ok, cool, so is anyone gonna fill me in or?” Sapnap asked. 

“It’s…it’s my nephews.” Phil said, his voice distant with a hint of sad regret. 

“Why would your nephews be on earth?” 

Phil heaved a sigh, “Because of Dream.” 

___

“What does that mean Wil?” Tommy asked. He wasn’t surprised, not really. But he was confused. 

“What?”

“I mean, we don’t exactly look like Ranboo.” 

“Well, yeah but, I mean neither do Dream or Punz.” 

“Ok, fair.” Tommy relented, shrugging. “But still.”

Wilbur sighed, rubbing his temple. “Look, Tommy, it's a long story.” 

Tommy hopped up and sat on the counter, then he motioned for Wilbur to continue. 

“Tommy…” 

“I want to know Wil.” Tommy insisted. 

“What do you want to know?!” 

“Why we’re here if we’re apparently aliens? How, or, why I never knew we were aliens? How come I can’t tell the difference between fuckin English and Martian?” 

Wilbur sighed. “Not martian.”

“That’s not the point!” Tommy screeched. 

“Ok, ok. I get it. You're confused and I'm sorry. Just,” Wilbur sighed and motioned for Tommy to get down from the counter. Once he had Wilbur led the pair to the couch, “Just sit down and I’ll explain…” 

___

Wilbur took a deep breath. He could feel his fingers tingling and his knees shaking slightly. Looking down he was met with miles of distance between where he stood and the forest floor. The trees were so, so tall and here at the very top he could feel how the air thinned and something about it was invigorating. His wings spread at his back, flapping lightly against the cold breeze that tickled his skin. With one more deep breath he stepped off the edge of the platform. 

For a fleeting moment all he did was fall, and as the moment grew he almost began to panic. But when his instincts kicked in, and his wings caught the air, and he flapped them, no longer falling but flying in the wide open sky, he smiled. 

He was flying. 

He was really flying. 

Wilbur had waited so long, longing to fly, to be free up in the sky with all of the other avians. 

He laughed as he soared through the air. 

Wilbur kept flying until his wings were sore and aching for a break. Reluctantly he landed back down at his home, still high in the treetops. 

Inside his uncle Philza sat in the nest in the corner, singing softly, cooing at the small bundle in his arms. As Wilbur walked in the gentle singing came to an end and Phil looked up, greeting him with a warm smile. 

“Welcome back. How was it?” 

“Amazing!” He said, cringing a moment later at how loud his voice was and saying again, quieter, “Amazing.” 

Phil laughed softly, motioning for Wilbur to come join him. Wilbur did, hopping into the nest and scooching over to his uncle's side. He grinned as he looked at the little sleeping figure Phil held. 

“Hi Tommy.” He whispered to his baby brother. Tommy’s small hand grabbed out in his sleep, trying to reach for the voice but only grabbing the cozy blanket he was swaddled in. Wilbur couldn’t help giggling at the motion. Phil passed the small bundle over to Wilbur who snuggled into the nest, getting comfortable with the weight he now held. Standing, Phil stretched, his black wings unfurling and taking up most of the space of the small room. 

“Well,” Phil started, turning to look down at his nephews, “I’ll be heading out now. I’ll see you two kids tomorrow.” 

“Bye uncle Philza!” Wilbur exclaimed, again cringing at how loud he was. He glanced down but Tommy was still fast asleep. Wilbur smiled, Tommy could sleep through anything. 

There was the sound of rushing wind and Phil was off, flying back to the freezing commune where he resided with his soulmate. Wilbur looked down and grinned at his sleeping brother. 

“When you're old enough Tommy, we’ll fly together.” He promised the sleeping child. 

Wilbur spoke quietly, not looking at Tommy as he finally told him they were avians, they were from Essempii, they were never meant to be here on earth, struggling by as orphans alone in a big strange world. 

He didn’t voice the promise out loud even as the memory of it entered his mind. It felt wrong. It felt wrong to tell Tommy of the promise he had never been able to keep. 

Besides, it wasn’t important for Tommy to hear. 

“Ya know, when Ranboo was telling me what happened, I could have screamed. I didn’t remember him after all these years, but Dream . I can’t forget him. Or Technoblade, he is our uncle after all.” 

“Wait seriously?”

“Yeah, well, he’s married to our uncle so,” Wilbur said, shrugging. 

Wilbur didn’t mean to cause any trouble. He had just wanted to fly. 

Philza and Technoblade were watching Tommy, introducing him to the child they had just adopted, a little bi-colored creature named Ranboo. 

Essempii was a fairly calm and civil planet, it had been centuries since the last war and anyone from anywhere could go to any territory freely. Mostly anyway. 

Wilbur hadn’t realized just how far he had flown until he was taken down with a net. 

He hadn’t seen it, the net was launched from behind him. When the rope hit him, it tangled around his wings mid flap, tying them off and causing him to crash down to the land below. Tears welled in Wilbur’s eyes as he skid across the rough desert floor, scraping along rocks and sharp sand. 

When he finally stopped he didn’t get a chance to try to free himself before a hand was grabbing him by the rope, pulling hard in his wings and dislodging some feathers. 

“What do we have here?” He heard a voice ask with a slight laugh. When he looked up, Wilbur could make out electric green eyes staring into his own golden brown ones. The man holding him was some years older than him, a teenager with a few scars littered across him, but a clear face. He wore the garb of a warrior and Wilbur suddenly recognized him. 

Dream , he thought the name, recoiling in on himself, trying to put any distance he could between himself and the young man. 

Each territory had its own champion that had just as much say as the royals and political leaders. They were, after all, the champions. They were powerful and often tasked with protecting their given territory. 

Dream was the raising champion for the reptilians. Fast as a viper and ten times more viscous, he wasn’t actually well liked by the other reptilians. Something about his parentage, from what Wilbur had heard. 

Phil’s husband, Technoblade, had actually sponsored Dream often. He said he saw potential in the teenage warrior. 

All Wilbur could see was a cold hatred and a strange manic glee he was unfamiliar with. 

Reptilians and avians had waged war against one another some four hundred years ago. The war had come to a close, settled by the other territories across Essempii, but the grudge was still there. There continued to be a strict rule that avians and other winged creatures were not permitted to fly on reptilian territory. The punishment was supposed to be a fine or a temporary ban on entering the territory. 

But it was well known that law was considered loose at most in the desert. 

Wilbur’s thoughts were stuttering, unsure what to do as he stared at Dream. Should he apologize? Beg forgiveness? Explain it was just an accident? 

“Dream, put the kid down. You're scaring him.” Another voice spoke. Wilbur’s eyes flitted over to the speaker for just a moment and relief instantly began to fill him. Sapnap, prince of the Badlands, was approaching. He might not have authority over the reptilian land but he was a royal, and Dream was still only a rising champion. Dream had to listen to him. 

Dream, almost reluctantly, dropped Wilbur, letting him fall back to the ground. He yelped as the impact hurt his wing, and he rolled to lay on his stomach to take any pressure off the wing. 

“Dude.” Sapnap said as he knelt down in front of Wilbur. “Are you alright?” He asked. 

Wilbur gave a quick nod, not trusting his voice to work. 

“Good, now my friend has some questions for you and then you’ll be on your way.” Sapnap helped to right Wilbur so he was sitting up. 

“What were you doing flying over reptilian land?” Dream asked, glaring down at Wilbur. 

Wilbur opened his mouth and for a second nothing came out. He shut his mouth and took a deep breath before trying again. 

“I just- I just didn’t realize how far I’d flown out.” He said. 

Dream gave a short, humorless laugh, “So you just didn’t realize that you weren’t in the forest anymore?” Wilbur nodded. 

“ Dream ,” Sapnap said.

“No, no.” He cast a grin at Wilbur. “I understand. You just didn’t notice, did you?”

“I didn’t.” Wilbur’s voice sounded very small.

Sapnap faced Dream “Hey-”

“Then obviously ,” Dream said, “There’s been a misunderstanding. Right?”

Wilbur nodded again intensely.

“You crossed me because, well, your head was in the clouds, wasn’t it?”

Wilbur had no choice but to nod along again.

“So we’re going to make sure this problem never happens again.”

“I won’t fly here again, I- I promise!” Wilbur stammered.

“Mmm,” Dream hummed, pacing as if deep in thought. “That won’t work. I mean, you said coming here was an accident, so who’s to say it won’t accidentally happen again?”

“It won’t, I promise!”

“Not good enough.”

Sapnap spoke up again, “Dream, hey. He isn’t hurting anyone.”

“He’s still not above the law,” Dream replied.

“This isn't the law .” Sapnap hissed, but Dream ignored him. 

Wilbur wanted to cry, but he didn’t want to show tears in front of this bully. His lip trembled. His heart raced in his ears. But he held back any tears.

Dream had stepped close to him now, close enough that Wilbur flinched.

“We’ve got to find a way to keep that head of yours out of the clouds,” he said, nodding as though he had said something conclusive and insightful.

“I- I’ll pay better attention! I’ll never fly here again, I promise!”

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you don’t have the choice.”

“What the hell are you threatening the kid with?” Sapnap demanded.

“An avian can’t fly where it doesn’t belong if it doesn’t have wings.”

“No!” Wilbur gasped.

Dream reached out towards Wilbur’s wings. Maybe it was a cruel joke he never intended to follow up on, maybe it was a coldhearted threat. Either way, it made fear lurch in Wilbur’s chest, and in that wave of panic, he flailed his arms about-

-and clawed Dream in the face.

Wilbur made a noise of sheer panic and got to his feet, stumbling away.

He stared at Dream, waiting for a reaction.

Dream touched the scratch Wilbur had left on his face and looked at the glistening green it left on his claws.

“Oh,” he said.

Wilbur had to look away when Dream’s expression became a twisted, curious, genuine smile, unlike the fake and teasing ones from before.

He had to get out. He had to leave. His wing ached, his body ached, but he had to try.

“You threatened the kid, what did you expect?” Sapnap exclaimed.

Wilbur ran - limped, rather - clawing blindly at the binds on his wings until he felt them come loose, his wings free again, and took off. Shakily, Unsteadily.

It hurt and his uncle would never have let him fly when his wings felt this bad.. 

The breeze on his face made his cheeks, now wet with tears, cold.

“ Kid ?” Dream called out to him from the ground. “ That was a challenge! ”

Wilbur flew fast, wind roaring in his ears, matching Dreams yells. 

“So…we had to leave cause you scratched Dream?” Tommy asked, confused and perhaps annoyed even. 

“Technically, yeah.” Wilbur sighed. If he had run into anyone else this wouldn’t have happened. If he had jsut paid attention thsi wouldn’t have happened. If things had just been different. 

“He was right, it was a challenge. Not one I meant to propose but… that doesn’t change the fact it was.” 

“So he wanted to fight a kid? For scratching him?” 

Wilbur nodded. When Tommy scoffed he looked at his brother, head tilted in confusion.

“This guy is pathetic.” 

Wilbur gave a sad smile, “things like that happen all the time on Essempii.” 

“People fight kids?” Wilbur nodded. “Guess earth isn’t the worst place to grow up…” Tommy muttered. 

“Yeah…” Wilbur said, not sure if that was true. 

When Wilbur got home he didn’t even reach the nest before collapsing on the floor and sobbing. Tommy wasn't home yet so Wilbur laid there alone, shaking, terrified that Dream would appear in the doorway and make good on his threat. 

But hours passed, and when no more tears would come and the light had gotten low and Dream was still nowhere to be seen, Wilbur dragged himself to the nest, curling up and letting himself fall into a fitful sleep. 

When he awoke it was from hands holding his shoulders and shaking him with an urgency. 

Wilbur startled awake, eyes meeting his uncle’s frightened gaze. 

“Wilbur,” Phil held Wilbur’s shoulders, holding intense eye contact, “Wilbur what did you do? What did you do Wil?!” 

“I don’t-“ Wilbur tried to say, fear gripping him, “I don’t know! What’s going on!?” 

Phil raised a message on his communicator, a public one spread across the planet. As he read Wilbur’s fear grew, tearing into him viciously. 

Dream Wastaken accepts the challenge proposed by Wilbur Soot  

Wilbur’s eyes grew wide and he looked at Phil completely lost for words. 

“Did you challenge him?! Wilbur, did you challenge Dream?!” Phil asked urgently. 

“I don’t- I- I don’t know!” 

“What happened!” 

“He said he was gonna cut off my wings! I didn’t mean to, I just- I’m scared!” 

Phil put his hands on the boy’s shoulders. “Wilbur,” he said. “Wilbur, you need to tell me if you challenged him.”

Wilbur’s eyes filled with tears and his words came out between sobs. “He thought I did, but I didn’t mean to, I- Please don’t be mad at me, Uncle Philza. Please-”

“I’m not mad at you. Just…”

“I didn’t do it on purpose.”

“I know.”

“He’s gonna hurt me. M-my wings, he said-”

“Hey,” Phil said, forcing gentleness into his voice as he embraced the child. “We’re gonna fix this, alright?”

Wilbur drew breaths in hiccuping sobs. Despite not wanting to alert his brother in the other room, he couldn’t keep his crying quiet.

“I’m scared.”

“I’m taking you to Techno’s,” Phil decided. “He’ll be able to help us out. Okay?”

Wilbur nodded.

Phil gently laid a sleeping Tommy in the nest, swaddling him in blankets before standing and pulling Wilbur along with him to the door. 

“What about Tommy?” Wilbur asked past sniffles, tears still falling down his cheeks. 

Phil turned and wiped the tears from Wilbur’s face. “He’ll be fine. I don’t want to wake him.” Phil explained. 

“That seems irresponsible.” Tommy said, interrupting Wilbur. 

“What?” 

“Well, you left me alone? As, like, a baby?” Tommy said, shrugging. “That sounds grossly irresponsible.” 

“Ok, yeah considering…” Wilbur shook his head, “yeah, it was. But we were both panicking, Tom!” 

“Yeah, yeah, I know, just. I hope that doesn’t happen again in this story.” 

Wilbur sighed, “Can I continue now?” 

“You may.” Tommy waved him on. 

Techno was staring at the message with a grimace by the time Wilbur and Phil got there. 

Techno looked at them and Wilbur couldn’t stop his hands from shaking as he saw a deep fear in the man’s expression. 

“What happened?” He said, voice soft. At his side he held a sleeping child who he cradled gently, grip tightening occasionally before seeming to remember what he was holding. 

“Dream threatened him and he clawed him. It was self defense, he didn’t mean any harm.” Phil explained, tone desperate. 

“Phil you know that doesn’t change anything.” Techno said, voice matching Phil’s 

“Well can’t we explain that! Retract it somehow? Dream wouldn’t fight a child!” The last words died on Phil’s tongue as Techno grimaced. 

“Phil…” 

“There has to be something.” Phil whispered. 

The next few hours were spent in desperate conversation and silent despair. By the end, it seemed there was nothing they could do and Wilbur would have to accept the challenge. 

When Wilbur flew home it was slow and sorrowful. He hung low to the ground, his vision hazy and thoughts clouded. But as he neared his home he almost dropped from the air as he froze, taking in the open door and quiet humming tune emanating from the small home, accompanied by little giggles. 

Wilbur landed and walked to the door slowly. The song paused as his steps across the wood platform let out creaking noises. He pulled the door open a touch more and gasped at the sight that greeted him. 

Sitting in the nest was Dream, an almost gentle smile on his face that sent a chill down Wilbur’s spine. He had resumed his humming tune again, it sounded like a child’s lullaby but not one Wilbur recognized. 

Wilbur could see Tommy was awake, his bright blue eyes staring up at Dream as he laughed, small hands reaching out for the teenager. 

Wilbur stood in the doorway, unsure what to do. He wanted to grab Tommy and run but his legs refused to approach Dream any closer. 

“Hey kid,” Dream said, not bothering to look up at Wilbur. “Cute brother you got, what’s his name?” 

“T…Tommy.” Wilbur was able to stutter out. 

Dream chuckled softly, “Hi Tommy.” He greeted, waving to the baby he held. 

“What are you…?” 

“I came to say hi.” Dream said, finally raising his gaze to Wilbur. “But you weren’t here. And Tommy here was all alone so, I thought I would just wait for you.” He cradled Tommy close, smiling down at him, sharp teeth glistening. It reminded Wilbur of a predator staring at its prey, a snake ready to swallow a baby bird. 

“Okay… well. You can, you can go now-“ 

“Come sit next to me.” Dream said. Wilbur hesitated a moment before taking slow steps to Dream. Once he was close enough to touch him he dropped to the floor, siting criss-cross right next to him. They all sat in silence for a long moment before Dream was humming again. 

It took awhile for Wilbur to find his voice, scared and shaking next to the teenager who held his baby brother. 

“You wouldn’t fight a kid… would you?” He asked in a quiet voice. 

“I already accepted didn't I?” Dream responded almost happily. 

Wilbur gulped. 

“But, ya know, there is another way to get out of this.” Dream started, glancing at Wilbur. 

Wilbur looked up hopefully. He made eye contact with Dream and his hope shriveled at the malicious glint in his eye. 

“How?” He got himself to ask. 

“You could leave.” 

“What?” 

“You could leave. Take some stuff,” he waved around the small home, “your brother,” he nodded to Tommy, “and you could go to another planet. If you leave, you won’t die.” 

Wilbur went silent and stared out into his home. The light outside was slowly dimming, casting an orangey gold glow across the floor from the open door. 

“When could we come back?” Wilbur asked, voice small. 

“Hmm,” Dream thought for a moment, “I guess never. Unless you wanted to finish the challenge.” Dream stated. “As long as I’m around, I guess you could never come back.” 

Wilbur’s wings instinctively wrapped around himself, trying to warm the cold that filled him. 

“But this is my home…” 

Dream reached out and patted Wilbur on the back in mock comfort. When Dreams hands grazed Wilbur’s wings he couldn’t help the tremor that ran through him. 

“Not anymore.” 

“Jesus man.” Tommy said, his voice strangely distant to Wilbur’s ears. He shook his head, trying to focus again but his mind felt hazy. 

Tommy asked a question but Wilbur couldn’t make out the words. 

“What?” 

“I said, what happened after that?”

“Oh, well, uh…I gathered some of our items and, and left.” 

“Just…left?” Tommy asked. 

“Yeah. I flew you to the teleportation bay and, fled. I just put in a random planet and took us through.” 

“Wilbur?” 

“Hm?” He glanced at his brother who was fidgety. 

“What, what happened to your wings?” 

“Oh… right. Yeah.” 

Wilbur took a shaky breath. His back ached and he rolled his shoulder, flinching at the feeling. 

“Wilbur, it’s fine, you don’t have to tell me…” Tommy said at his side, but the words were jumbled in Wilbur’s ears. 

Wilbur’s voice grew quiet, his eyes distant. Tommy spoke inaudibly at his side. He could feel a hand on his shoulder, shaking him softly as he murmured, his voice too low to hear. The weight at Wilbur’s side left, Tommy walking away and letting Wilbur murmur to himself.

Tommy was fast asleep on the cold ground. His brother had always been able to sleep like a rock no matter where they were. Wil ran a clawed hand through his brother's soft curly hair. Tommy was still young, so young that he had no claws on his hands and feet, no feathers growing along his body, and no wings though there were small nubs on his back showing they were coming in. It was too bad they would never get to fully develop. 

The people of Essempii were built to adapt quickly, growing up in a certain environment, your body would grow to fit that area's conditions even if you were born to be something else entirely. Tommy was meant to have wings and feathers and claws and he was meant to fly freely in the sky high above everything, but on Earth that would never happen. His body would change, adapt, blend in with the humans. 

Wilbur on the other hand was too old for that. He still had puberty yes, but his body had already grown into the avian he was born to be. But he couldn’t be that here on earth. So he had to change. 

Wilbur didn’t want to go too far from Tommy, just in case any of these aliens, these humans, came around, but he went a suitable distance away. He didn’t want to wake Tommy up. 

Avian's claws were sharp, built for rending flesh, but Wilbur never anticipated that his claws would be tearing through his own. 

It took several tries before he built up the resolve to do it. When he finally did he had to bite down hard on his tongue. With blood filling his mouth he sank his talons deeper in at the base of his right wing. The angle was awkward, and if it weren’t for the searing pain in his back he would feel the dull ache in his shoulder that came from the bend. 

Warm blood pooled down his back, making his hand slick, as he tore through flesh and muscle until he reached bone. Wilbur thanked everything he had been taught to believe in that he couldn’t see it. As the pain fueled tears began to slip down his face he doubted he even would have been able to make anything out if he could see it. He needed to stop crying. He needed to be able to see if someone was coming. He needed to protect Tommy. 

Wilbur took a deep breath, desperately trying to calm himself like uncle Philza had taught him, but as he dug in again, feeling everything under his claws rip, he couldn’t stop the tears. 

The pain was making him dizzy. Or was that the blood loss? He wasn’t sure. Either way he knew that if he wanted to finish this and stop the blood he would have to hurry. Otherwise he would pass out and end up bleeding out in a random alley, leaving Tommy all alone on an alien planet. 

Gritting his teeth Wilbur grabbed the bone and twisted it as he pulled away from his body. He heard a pop and tearing noise before the agony flooded in. A noise escaped him before he bit harder on his tongue, almost positive he bit a piece of it off. That must be the reason he tasted so much of his own blood. 

After more excruciating minutes, the bloodied wing slipped out of Wilbur’s soaking hand, laying limply on the ground behind him. Eyes spinning, breath coming in short gasps, bloody spit dripping from between his lips, the tears still falling down his face mixing with it as everything dripped to pool under his chin, Wilbur reached back and felt what was left of his wing. Connected to his back, wet downy feathers still attached, was nothing more than an open stump. Fingers ghosting over it, he felt the meat inside, the cross sections of tendons and muscle. His back and legs were dripping with his own blood and he could feel more of it still pouring out. 

Wilbur’s vision went dark for a moment. He needed to stop the bleeding. 

The left wing would have to wait for tomorrow night. He couldn’t risk losing any more blood tonight. 

In the end the stump was just big enough for Wilbur to haphazardly make a tourniquet for the bleeding. With that, and the balled up cloak that he firmly pressed against the opening, he had made it through the night. Did he feel like shit? Absolutely. But there was also an almost sickening, brief feeling of pride that he had been able to do it. 

Of course that feeling completely died when his eyes cleared and he saw it. Not able to help it he had thrown up when he finally saw the dismembered wing laying on the pavement. When he built up the courage to touch it, the limb had gone cold and stiff. That had brought his tears back with more force then even when he was maiming himself. 

Wilbur could accept the idea of never flying again. It was for his brother and his own safety after all. But the reality of it was different. He could still flap and move the wing he still had, though doing so sent burning pain through him, moving the muscles that he had just torn through. It felt so different, only having one wing. He had seen other, much older avians who only possessed one, or had even lost both. Cutting off wings had been common during war, taking trophies as well as making sure any winged creature wouldn’t be capable of an escape via the air. But Wilbur was no soldier. He had never even thought he would be forced to go through that pain. 

The physical pain would pass. Even as he sat through the night, holding to his conciseness with a white knuckle grip, exhausted and letting out small sorrowful chirps of agony, he knew that with time the feeling would pass. But the thought, the knowledge that he would never fly again, that seemed like beyond everything else, it would be his undoing. 

It had been years, and over those years Wilbur was strict with Tommy. Too strict some might say and he knew that but he had no choice. 

Tommy was not allowed to walk anywhere because what if he was attacked or kidnapped and because of that he was found out? Tommy was never allowed to swim or even be shirtless in public because what would people say to strange undeveloped wing nubs that still sat useless on his back? Tommy was never allowed to spend the night at a friend's house, or even spend time with anyone really unless Wilbur was there to supervise because what if…? What if something happened? 

Wilbur had to think of everything. Had to keep Tommy under tight control because if he didn’t he didn’t know what would happen and that terrified him. After everything he had done he could not risk it. 

He had sacrificed a part of himself, changed everything he was, who he was, all for Tommy. So he could not risk anything . 

But even with how hard he tried, something had to go wrong. 

He should have figured that, thought of that. He had always thought of the what ifs of what could go wrong on earth. He had never thought of something going wrong on Essempii and ruining everything he had done. 

Was it all for nothing? 

There was an ache in his back, muscles for limbs he had long since lost, hidden and discarded in that alley along with human trash and filth. 

Gazing through the window, Wilbur longed to fly for even just one more moment. 

___

Ranboo woke up to a hand on his shoulder, shaking him lightly. As he opened his eyes he was greeted by Tommy. The other boy had a troubled look on his face, expression uncomfortable and skin pale and clammy. 

“Tommy? Are you ok?” 

Tommy opened his mouth before closing it and looking away. He took a deep breath and steeled himself. 

“I’m fine. I just came to wake you up.” 

“Alright… are we leaving soon?” 

Tommy paused, “I think so.” He eventually responded. Tommy shook his head lightly, pulling himself from whatever daze he seemed caught in and he gave Ranboo a small smile. “I’m gonna go to the bathroom, just head out to the living room whenever.” 

Ranboo nodded and with that Tommy left the room. 

It took awhile for Ranboo to pull himself from the strange nest, but when he did he approached the door connected to the rest of the home slowly. With a deep breath he turned the knob and joined the others. 

Tommy was sitting, his leg bouncing up and down with great speed, while his brother was standing by the window, his gaze cast out to the vast sky. Noticing him, Tommy waved him over. 

Ranboo sat with Tommy, waiting. They sat on the same place they ate dinner the night before, the empty bowls still on the tabletop. 

He wasn’t sure what the plan was now. He wasn’t sure how or even if they could get away from Dream. He wasn’t even sure if he wanted to keep trying. The idea of giving up sickened Ranboo, but was he giving up? 

He was tired and when he really thought about it, he was angry, even. Did he want to run away, again? He wasn’t sure. 

Ranboo was on the brink, trapped between two decisions with no idea how to choose. He could run, bring Tommy and Wilbur and hope they all get away from Dream, or he could turn and face the fangs that were ready to close around his throat. 

He wasn’t sure if he could, wasn’t sure if he was brave enough for that. His fathers were always brave, always stood their ground and fought tooth and nail for any and everything. Ranboo wasn’t like that. 

Ranboo heaved a sigh. 

A part of him wanted to just give himself over to Dream and hope his family was ok. But he was smarter than that. It was too late for no one to get hurt anymore. 

One of Tommy’s human friends came out and spoke to Wilbur, his language sounds garbled to Ranboos ears. There were similarities, he knew there was. It was almost as if if he just listened closer, strained his ears a bit, he might be able to make out the words. But it was useless. The language was beyond him. 

Tommy seemed to notice Ranboo’s ears droop lower and spoke to him quietly, translating the words for him. 

“Ok, so what now?” Tommy repeated what the one man said. 

“I think we gotta get going now.” Wilbur responded. 

“To where?” Another one asked. 

“I’m… I’m not sure.” 

After that the conversation seemed to fall quiet, the humans all lost in thought about what to do. Ranboo was also silent, his thoughts stewing, unsure of what path to take. Beside him Tommy seemed ready to speak, tell him something, but he didn’t perk up to listen. If Tommy wanted to talk, he could. 

The adults in the corner resumed conversation in low hush voices, and now Ranboo was less interested in what they were saying. 

That was until Tommy tapped him on the arm, gently pulling him up from the couch to stand as the three approached. 

“Alright, we’re gonna get back out to the car and get onto the road. Karl has a friend that we might be able to go to.” 

“We’re telling another person about aliens?” Tommy asked. 

“No. He has a summer house he’s not using and Karl has permission to stay there. He’s just gonna call him and say he’s gonna be there for a bit.” 

“How long is a bit?” 

“Hopefully long.” Wilbur said, moving to grab a blanket once again from Karl. “Hopefully until Dream forgets we exist.” 

“He doesn’t seem the kind to forget very easily…” Tommy muttered. 

“We’ll wait.” Wilbur assured, “As long as it takes.” 

Ranboo glared down at the floor. He didn’t want to wait. For all he knew, everyone he loved could be dead. There was no point in waiting. 

Ranboo sear shot up at the sound of distant noise, feet running down a hall, distant screams, the slamming of doors. The others didn’t hear it. A laughter rung out, a familiar one. 

He should tell them. Dream was coming, he was there and he could very well kill them. Ranboo kept his mouth shut. 

He was tired of waiting. 

When the door was smashed in, splintering and scattering across the floor, Ranboo was the only one to not react. He felt a hand wrap around his wrist and recognized the feel of Tommy’s small hand and soft skin. Ranboos skin was very similar, soft, unmarred. It had been at least. But he could still feel the wounds on his face, pulling at his skin roughly. 

Tommy yanked him back, pulling him away from their assailants. Wilbur came to stand before them, blocking them, protecting them from Dream, while their friends stood frozen on the sidelines, scared and unsure what to do. 

His eyes glared out at Dream and Punz, resenting them both, hating them in a way he never had before. He was so tired of waiting, of running, of hoping to make it out safe. A growl was building in the back of his throat and his claws longed to dig into something. 

But as his eyes traveled between the two, he paused, eyes widening. 

When his eyes fell on Tubbo, hands bound behind his back, Ranboo stopped breathing. Green blood was dried to his skin, providing a cover to just how bad the injuries were, but Ranboo could still see it all. Chunks of flesh taken out, one of his eyes discolored from a gash that tore through it, one of his horns was missing, the same as the ear on the same side of his head. He could see the labored breathing, the tense fear that filled him, causing him to be as taut as a bow string. Their eyes met and Ranboo felt his breath come back as a feeling he was unfamiliar with filled him to the core. 

Ranboo was on the brink, and the sight of his soulmate tipped him over the edge, and the decision was made for him. 

Ranboo had always been a pacifist, even with his fathers training he never thought himself capable of harming another creature. 

Yet seeing his maimed soulmate proved that wrong. He wouldn’t run away, not again. 

A feral growl, a noise he had never made before, tore from Ranboo as he leapt at Dream, long limbs easily moving past Tommy and Wilbur who blocked him, trying to protect him. He didn’t freeze, didn’t hesitate, to sink sharp claws into flesh and tear. He reveled in the warmth under his hand as bright blood began to pool. Dream still smiled, bearing his teeth in a feral grin and for once Ranboo could understand it. Understand why Dream smiled, why his fathers competed in those animalistic competitions. 

Because it was fun . 

A blade pierced his shoulder and Ranboo howled, reeling back at Punz and dragging his claws down the man’s arm to the hand that held the blade. Punz pulled back with a hiss. 

Ranboo felt razors dig into his arm and glanced to see Dream biting down to the bone. Again he felt a blade stab through him and almost crumpled as Punz dug into his leg. He couldn’t do this, he couldn’t win, not against two trained warriors. 

“Hey!” A voice screeched before the loud clang of something metal connecting with Punz’s head, knocking him back and pulling the blade from Ranboo’s leg. Tommy hit Punz again with the item, not stopping for a moment to keep bashing at the man’s head, tripping him on the furniture until Punz was laying on the ground and gold blood was flying, shining in the low light. 

Apparently even with training, mad bashing with a blunt object would win. 

With Punz no longer interfering, Ranboo turned back to Dream, who pulled and ripped until a large piece of Ranboo’s arm came off. Strangely it didn’t hurt, at least, at the moment it didn’t hurt. Ranboo had more important things to focus on than pain. 

Just like Tubbo and Tommy, Ranboo tackled Dream, making sure to sink claws in on any skin he could get to, holding the smaller man, not allowing him to escape. The two hissed and growled and clawed at one another, blood mixing on the floor and on their clothes and bodies as they wrestled each other on the floor. Ranboo could hear white noise, voices and screams melding together in a cacophony of sound that sent an electric hum through his body. Breathing in deep before the air was knocked out of him, Ranboo could smell the thick scent of blood filling the air. Dream kicked him in the gut and he retaliated with claws. 

Dream was trying to push him away, to get distance, maybe even to go and get Tommy off of Punz before he smashed his skull since, off of the banging, Tommy hadn’t let up in his attack. But Ranboo didn’t allow it. Dream would not get away from him, would not hurt Tommy or Tubbo or anyone he cared about ever again. 

Finally in the struggle Ranboo pinned Dream to the ground and felt the man’s claws in his face again, pulling at and reopening the gashes Tommy had tried so hard to treat. Staring at him, at Dream, Ranboo could only feel hate and anger for everything the man had done to him. All because he was pathetic, all because of a grudge, because he lost a match against Ranboo’s father, a man leagues above him. 

Opening his mouth wide, his jaw unhinged as he lowered to sink his teeth around Dreams head. With wild hissing that sent spit flying, Dream tried to press into the ground, tried to get away from Ranboo before a strong large hand grabbed Ranboo by the hair and pried the younger boy off of him. 

Immediately Ranboo writhed in the grip, blindly scratching at the hand that held him, hissing with a wild ferocity. 

“Ran, calm down,” he heard a powerful voice speak, tone soothing and comforting. Hope rising Ranboo looked up at who held him and a broad smile broke out across his face. He could see Technoblade smiling as well. 

“Dad!” Ranboo yelled, pulling his claws from his fathers rough skin. 

Taking in the scene, Ranboo could see Phil holding Punz, his hands already restrained behind his back, head bleeding badly and looking dizzy. Sapnap had rushed to Tubbo, checking him over, flaming as he saw the deep wounds that littered most of his son's body before having to retreat and help with Dream and Punz. 

Techno let Ranboo down, silently urging him to go to his soulmate as he took to restraining Dream before he could rise. 

Without any hesitancy, Ranboo was at Tubbo's side, comforting clicks coming from him as he looked his soulmate over. The wounds were severe. There was nothing that could be done for his horn and ear and even with medical attention the scars would most likely never fade, never fully at least. There would always be a reminder marred into Tubbos skin. 

“Tubbo…” 

“I’m ok.” He said, voice hoarse. Tubbo took a deep breath and related the phrase, more sure this time, “I’m ok.”  

Using his blood soaked claws Ranboo broke the rope tying Tubbos wrists. Finally unbound Tubbo slumped against Ranboo, his exhaustion clear. 

Ranboo held him for a long moment, small clicking sounds still escaping him. He didn’t mind the blood, thick and metallic, that rubbed off on him. He was already covered in an ugly mix of royal purple and electric green, more blood hardly bothered him. 

At the scent of smoke and a gentle touch on his shoulder Ranboo lifted his gaze and saw Sapnap. The man was ablaze yet clearly holding strong to keep the heat at bay. Ranboo nodded to the man and gave Tubbo one more nuzzle before retreating, letting the two reunite. 

When he stood Sapnap filled the space he left, wrapping his son up in a warm embrace. Limping away Ranboo went to where Wilbur and Tommy stood with his fathers. 

Tommy was flecked with gold, the shining blood splattered across his face and hair. His hands shook slightly, but he was composed. Looking at him, Ranboo could see a brave warrior, a reflection of Philza. 

“Tommy, are you alright?” Ranboo asked as he approached. Tommy turned to him and saw the deep wound in his leg and immediately put a hand out, grabbing Ranboo and helping to support him. 

“Yeah, yeah I’m fine. Are you alright?” 

Ranboo accepted the help, grateful to take the weight off his injury. “Eh, I’ve been better.” He replied jokingly. “Yeah, I’m alright.” 

___

Tommy was breathing hard, holding the lamp in a white knuckle grip when Wilbur pulled him off of Punz. The dragon-like man didn’t try to get up, staring up with hazy eyes, he didn’t even resist when a winged man grabbed his hands and restrained him. 

“Tommy, are you alright?” Wilbur asked, grabbing his brother’s face and examining him. 

Tommy licked his lips, tasting blood that he knew wasn’t his. “Uhhh…” he glanced over at Punz and the bird man. “Yeah, yeah I’m fine.” 

“Why did you do that?” Wilbur asked, still fervently checking Tommy for injury. 

“Because Ranboo needed help.” Tommy stated. 

“He could have killed you!” 

Tommy glanced at the clearly concussed man and raised his eyebrows at Wilbur, shrugging a bit. 

“I’m serious Tommy.” Wilbur said. 

“I’m fine Wil.” Tommy assured, pulling away from Wilbur’s hands. 

When he did his eyes traveled to the man who had restrained Punz. The winged man was staring with wide eyes at the pair. 

Tommy looked at the man with dark wings and long tangles of blond hair, tousled from flying. The man was glancing at Wilbur, who hadn’t noticed his gaze yet. 

“Wil,” Tommy said to get his attention.

When Wilbur looked at the man, he froze. A wave of emotion - something between exhaustion and a feeling Tommy couldn’t quite place - crossed over Wilbur’s face.

“Phil,” said Wilbur in a voice that sounded like a sigh of relief.

“Phil?” Tommy repeated. 

Phil chuckled. “Yeah, I don’t expect you to recognize me, Tommy. You two… you’ve both grown so much.”

Phil looked ready to get closer and embrace him, but Wilbur stood still. He smiled, though.

Wilbur shrugged. “Well, it’s been over ten years.”

A few moments passed.

With a shuddering breath, Wilbur started toward Phil and hugged him.

It sent Phil back a few paces. He laughed, “It’s really good to see you, kid.”

He carefully placed his hand in the center of Wilbur’s back, pressing the fabric of his clothes down, barely showing the wingless nubs at his back. 

Tommy might have been staring at Phil. The longer he looked, the more his mind effortlessly dove into the depths of his memory. The sound of Phil’s laughter, his crooked, comforting smiles, his dark wings moving as he laughed, all brought Tommy somewhere else. He remembered dappled sunlight glinting through trees and the smell of something like pines, feathers tucking his skin and a song, the words long gone, being softly sung to him. If he focused too hard on the sensation, it was gone, like a dream he couldn’t place. 

Wilbur let go of Phil after a long time.

“You have so much to catch me up on,” Phil said to both Wilbur and Tommy.

Wilbur nodded in response. “Yeah. Yeah, we do.”

When Tommy noticed Phil was approaching him, he stammered, “Hi. Um, Wil told me about you. A couple of hours ago, I mean.”

Phil opened his hand and gestured to the bent lamp in Tommy’s hand that he had completely forgotten about.

“I- oh,” Tommy said, realizing his grip on it was so strong that his knuckles were white.

He handed the lamp to Phil. His hand hurt from how tight he was holding it.

Phil tossed it off to the side, shattering the bulb that had somehow remained intact up until that point.

“It’s good to see you.” Phil said, his voice shaky. It pulled at something in Tommy’s heart, tempting long forgotten memories to resurface again. 

“You…you too.” Tommy said, his voice quiet yet certain. 

“Tommy, are you alright?” He heard Ranboo ask as he approached, limping heavily though his concern was on Tommy rather than himself. Tommy was quick to help his friend. 

“Yeah, yeah I’m fine. Are you alright?” 

“Eh, I’ve been better.” He replied jokingly before assuring, “Yeah, I’m alright.” 

Phil’s attention turned to Ranboo and Tommy let out a sigh of relief. The man’s piercing gaze had begun to be too much for him to handle. 

“Well that was… a lot.” Tommy said, chuckling a bit. 

“Yeah it was, wasn't it?” Ranboo agreed, also laughing. 

“I mean you,” Tommy let out a breath, “you really just kinda went for it.” 

“I could say the same thing about you,” Ranboo laughed more, cringing in pain but still smiling. 

“Yeah, guess we both had some repressed anger to take out.” 

The pair smiled at each other, not minding any pain in their bodies, or the adrenaline running through their veins, or the blood soaking and staining their clothes. 

“Ranboo,” Phil started, “I’m glad you met Tommy.” 

“Me too,” Ranboo replied, “but, how do you know Tommy?” 

“It’s a long story.” Phil said. 

“Oh yeah, he’s my uncle apparently.” Tommy stated. Ranboo’s eyes widened and he looked back and forth between the two. 

“Hmm, well, ok then.” He said, blindsided a bit by the fact. 

“Here.” Phil said, holding out his arm and moving to take Tommy’s position so he could hold and support his son. 

___

Sapnap could hear the others talking but continued to hold his son close. After a long moment Tubbo stirred in his embrace and pulled back. 

“Dad, I’m ok.” 

Sapnap didn’t speak, he couldn’t. He trusted Tubbo, he believed him, but looking at him, seeing what Dream and Punz had done, he just couldn’t. 

“Let’s join the others.” Tubbo said, smiling. It was the same smile Sapnap had always seen but with marred flesh and green stained teeth from blood that had dripped in his mouth, it was changed. 

“Let’s go dad.” Tubbo repeated. Finally Sapnap nodded and helped his son stand. 

With slow, hobbling steps, the pair joined the others. Tubbo was taking shallow breaths, biting down on any pain he felt. 

Phil stood with the kids, holding Ranboo close, as well as his nephews, his wings spread out from under his cloak in an attempt to wrap around them all. As they approached the little blond one spoke. 

“Are you Tubbo?” Tommy asked. Tubbo nodded, glancing at his father and Ranboo, clearly questioning who this was. 

“I’m Tommy,” the boy continued. “I helped Ranboo here on earth. He told me about you.” 

Ranboo nodded, smiling brightly. “He’s my friend Tubbo.” 

“Oh, uh, hello.” Tubbo replied, smiling at the blond boy. 

“Do you want some help?” Tommy asked, already moving to help support Tubbo. 

“Yeah, thanks.” Tubbo said, accepting Tommy’s help, his arm around the boys shoulder, holding some of Tubbos weight. The two smiled at each other, and Sapnap could see they would be fast friends. 

As he walked away Sapnap heard them still talking. 

“Sorry about the blood.” Tubbo apologized. 

“It’s cool, I’ve been dealing with weird blood a lot recently.” 

Chuckling, Sapnap left the teens, the three young adults all happy, and moved to where Technoblade stood over their prisoners. Dream and Punz were both sitting on the floor, hands and feet bound. They tried to look nonchalant, but Sapanp had been friends with them once, he could see under the mask. 

Dreams hands were shaking, fear still coursing through him from when Ranboo was close to biting his head off, while Punz mostly seemed dazed from the head trauma. Where he would typically be comforting his husband and reassuring him he sat, eyes unfocused, swaying slightly, a thick trail of gold blood oozing down from his matted and wet hair.

“Dream. I finally understand why you and Punz don’t have any kids.” Sapnap said. “I mean, come on man! What is with you and actively trying to kill several kids?! Why is this a pattern of behavior for you!?”

Dream thought for a moment, glancing at Punz for support. His husband just shrugged. 

“Eh.” Dream responded, also shrugging.

“That…that is so not an answer dude.” 

Sapnap sighed and turned away from the two to face Phil and Techno. 

“So…” Sapnap was about to speak when his eyes traveled to a door that was cracked open. Beyond the threshold he could see two aliens peeking out at them all. 

Phil glanced at where he was looking, “Maybe we should talk to them first.” Phil suggested. 

“Yeah.” 

“Oh! Uh…it’s ok guys!” Wilbur yelled back to them, motioning them over, not wanting to leave his uncle. 

The two humans emerged slowly, eyes widening as they took in the wreckage. 

“Our apartment!?” One yelled, while the other was at a loss for words. 

The other surveyed the damage: bright and shimmering blood on each surface, shattered belongings on the floor, and the furniture all toppled. “ Dude, ” he murmured, rubbing his face with his hand. “Not again!”

“Again?” Tommy repeated him

Wilbur cringed, “I’m so sorry guys, I, I don’t know…” 

“Hello,” Sapnap spoke up, walking up to the humans with his hands up. 

The two paused, looking between Sapnap and Wilbur. 

“You…you speak English?” One asked. 

“Yes, I had a very good teacher, though I do apologize for any mistakes. English wasn’t his favored language.” 

“What does that mean?” The other asked. 

“He found a language called Spanish to be his favorite.” Sapnap said, smiling fondly as he remembered Quackity speaking the odd language, singing quiet songs to a young Tubbo in the foreign tongue. “Anyway, you are?” 

They glanced at each other and one stepped forward a couple inches, “I’m Karl. This is George.” 

“Karl, George,” Sapnap started, addressing both, “I’m sorry for the trouble caused. We'll all be on our way soon and you can put this whole mess behind you.” 

“I’ll, uh, I’ll help clean up.” Wilbur said, still seemingly unwilling to leave Phil’s side even as he took a small step away. 

Sapnap glanced at Wilbur, then to Phil. In their native language he spoke. 

“You will be leaving with us right? You and your brother?” He asked Wilbur. Phil nodded, his decision clear but Wilbur looked confused. 

“I- what?” 

“You two are coming home.” Phil assured him. 

“But, I thought…” Wilbur started, his gaze moving to Dream. For a moment Sapnap could see that scared little kid in the desert and he couldn’t help but wonder how he had ever forgotten the incident.  

“Dream won’t be a threat anymore. You can come home.” 

“Home…” Wilbur muttered quietly. 

“What?” Tommy asked. 

“Well, you want to, right?” Phil asked, his voice hopeful. 

“Uhh…” 

“Yes.” Wilbur said earnestly. “I want to go home.” 

“Wilbur, I don’t…” Tommy didn’t seem sure what to say. 

“It’s where you two belong.” Phil affirmed. 

“Hey, hi, yeah uh what are you guys saying?” Karl asked, waving to grab everyone’s attention again. 

“Oh, right, you guys can’t understand us,” Wilbur said.

“Care to translate?” George asked.

“Well,” Wilbur said, clasping his hands together. “Philza - my uncle - is asking us to come home. To his planet. Where we’re from.”

George and Karl were silent for a moment.

“You’re from a different planet?” Karl asked.

“It’s a long story.”

George asked, “And are you going back?”

Wilbur looked at Tommy to answer. “I think it’ll be a good thing. It’s home for us. We’re finally going home.”

Tommy said nothing, a look of concentration on his face.

Wilbur waited for a response, casting glances back at Tommy as he started to pick up the wreckage of his friends’ home.

Karl sighed. “That’s… a lot to take in.”

Sapnap cleared his throat. The whole situation was awkward and tense and he wasn’t quite sure what move to make, but he knew he wanted to help with something. “Would you like me to help you put your home back together?” he asked Karl and George, but mostly just Karl. In his strange, small, human way, that one was cute. Attractive, even. “I’m not from here, so you’ll have to tell me where to put things, but I can help.”

“That’d be great,” Karl said. “Um… hmm. Dunno what to start with.”

As Sapnap followed Karl and George’s instructions, but mostly just Karl’s, he overheard the other conversation in the room.

“I only remember a little of Essempii, I don’t know…,” said Tommy to Wilbur, trailing off.

“What do you remember?” asked Wilbur.

There was a pause. At Karl’s request, Sapnap was sweeping up the shards of broken glass from the strange contraption Karl had called a “lamp.”

After a while, Tommy spoke. “I remember being happy.”

“Well,” Philza said slowly. “Do you have an answer yet, or do you need a few more minutes to decide?”

Tommy replied. “I’ll go.”

Sapnap smiled as he brushed away the shards on the floor. Glancing at his comrades he could see the boy's family members also smiling. 

The humans' apartment had been thoroughly wrecked in the altercation, but even with a language barrier between most of them they were able to assist in cleaning the place a bit. 

Phil stood supporting Ranboo off at the side, trying to stay out of the way, and Tubbo sat at their feet, exhausted and too injured to help. Techno also stood to the side, keeping a tight grip on Dream and Punz. Glancing at them Sapnap could feel anger as well as a deep sense of pity that sat on his core. When Dream caught his gaze he glared before turning sharply away. 

Tommy and Wilbur were able to help more, not needing instructions, already knowing how the apartment had been structured before the attack. 

Once it was cleaned as well as they could get it, leaving behind only the stains of vibrant colored blood and any item broken beyond repair, they prepared to leave. 

While Sapnap handed out the little spherical crystals, Wilbur and Tommy said their goodbyes. 

“You're leaving now?” Karl asked, “What about all your stuff at your house?” 

Wilbur shrugged, “Tommy, is there anything you think you need?” 

Tommy clearly thought for a moment. “Well, there’s a lot of stuff there that I like but… I don’t know. I don’t think I need any of it.” 

The four all exchanged hugs and farewells. 

“Alright, well, we can grab your stuff and bring it here. I don’t care if you're on an alien planet, you have to come visit us.” George said playfully and they all laughed, agreeing with the sentiment. 

“We will, don’t worry.” Wilbur assured. 

Sapnap walked over, two crystals in hand. 

“Are you two ready?” He asked, holding out the little travel crystals. Wilbur nodded, confident and assured in his decision. Tommy was more hesitant, but still nodded. Sapnap handed out the items and smiled at them. Then he turned to the humans and addressed them. 

“I’m sorry for all the trouble caused.” 

“It’s fine really,” Karl assured. 

“Yeah, we’ve had weird stuff happen before so, it’s cool.” 

Sapnap smiled and held out his hand. Taking turns George and Karl shook his hand, the contact lingering for just a with Karl. 

With a final goodbye, everyone from Essempii gathered, crystal in hand. 

“So, how does this work?” Tommy asked. 

“You're gonna set it on the ground and stomp on it to crush it.” Sapnap explained. “If this first one doesn’t work I’ll give you another to try again.” 

Tommy nodded, looking at his brother and his friends. Techno wnet first, crushing the crystal at the same moment as their prisoners. All three of them disappeared in a moment of heated air. Then Phil, Ranboo and Wilbur went. Again, all of the crystals worked perfectly. Then with a deep breath, Tommy followed Tubbos lead. As the last two disappeared, Sapnap threw one last look to the humans before crunching his own and disappearing in a haze of electric air and a buzzing under his skin. 

___

Tommy felt a tingling sensation run throughout his body and his knees almost gave out. He righted himself and tried to not jostle Tubbo and as he did so breathed in deeply. He paused. Something about the air felt different in his lungs and he breathed again a smile spreading across his face as he did. 

For the first time in his life it felt like he could truly breathe. Like the air finally wasn’t muffled under a layer of fabric that was trying to choke him out. Tommy could see Wilbur felt it too. Could see the effect it had on his brother. His eyes, alight with joy and life, made him look like another person, someone who felt alive for the first time in their life. 

Wilbur had a hand on his shoulder, holding him close, while he continued to support Tubbo. Phil, his uncle, helped Ranboo, and Technoblade and Sapnap led them all through, dragging Punz and Dream with them. 

Tubbo snickered at Tommy’s awe as he took everything in. 

“You’ll get used to it.” He said, smiling at Tommy. “Welcome home.” 

Tommy grinned back at him. As they walked further out two others approached them. Tommy took each one in separately, seeing the differences and oddities of each person. The first he saw wore a crown on their head and their eyes were stark white, possibly glowing but in the bright light Tommy couldn’t tell. They looked fairly human aside from the eyes. 

The other was distinctly not human in any way, shape, or form. A terrifyingly tall, pitch black figure that seemed to bend at too many places as it approached. Tommy hadn’t realized he had stopped walking until Wilbur gave him a small push. 

Tubbo quietly laughed and told Tommy, his voice quiet, “That’s Bad. Don’t worry, a lot of people are scared of him.” 

“Bad?” 

“Mhm, he’s my grandpa.” 

Tommy looked between the two shocked, causing Tubbo to laugh again. 

“I’m adopted.” He explained. 

“Ah.” 

Sapnap and Technoblade came to a stop in front of the two, forcing the rest of the group to halt. They both bowed shortly and the other two returned it in kind. 

“I see you have these two in custody. Good work.” 

“You weren’t doubting us were you?” Sapnap asked, his tone teasing. 

“Of course not,” Bad replied happily. His bright eyes moved over the group, though Tommy couldn’t tell exactly where he was looking with the lack of pupils. But he felt when the eyes roved over him, a chill going down his spine. When they moved to Tubbo at his side they widened before squinting into what Tommy could figure to be a glare. 

“It might not be in one piece, but I’m glad you're all back.” Bad said to Sapnap and Techno before turning his attention to the two captives. 

“You understand that by harming and kidnapping Tubbo, my grandson, the son of Prince Sapnap-“ 

“ Your dad is a prince? ” Tommy whispered to Tubbo. 

“ Tommy shut up! ” Wilbur whispered as Tubbo nodded. 

“You committed treason.”  

“Treason?” Dream asked, genuinely surprised, like he was just realizing something. 

“You harmed a member of the royal family. Several members. Of several royal families.” 

Dream and Punz remained quiet. 

“You set a bomb under Erets seat at the bonding ceremony,” Eret nodded, still clearly upset about that, “and as I just said, you harmed Tubbo, my grandson.” 

“I actually forgot Tubbo was a part of a  royal family…” Dream whispered to Punz 

“Well I am, bitch!” Tubbo piped up. 

“Tubbo!” Bad and Sapnap scolded him

“Yeah bitch!” Tommy yelled, high fiving Tubbo. 

“Tommy!” Wilbur snapped. 

“I’m so glad we have the same swears.” Tommy quietly said, giddy, to Tubbo. 

“I feel like it was a bad idea for you two to meet…” Wilbur muttered. 

“Yes…well,” Bad continued, “You two have committed treason, acts of terrorism, and I’m sure if we cared to look further there would be plenty more egregious acts. But the other royals and I have decided that those two are more than enough.” Bad paused dramatically. “So, Dream and Punz Wastaken-“

“Your guy's last name is Wastaken !?” Tommy yelled, Wilbur slapping a hand over his brother's mouth to silence him. Bad's gaze moved to him again, a confused tilt to his head. 

“You…you two have been exiled.” He finished with far less decorum. After clearing his throat, Bad continued, his voice commanding again. “Dream Wastaken, for all of your crimes, you and your husband have been exiled from Essempii. Armed police will escort you to your home where you will be allowed to gather your things, then you will be transported to a random planet in the galaxy.”

Dream and Punz both looked lost, unsure how to react to the noise. For once Dream wasn’t smiling. Tommy glanced over at the sound of footsteps and watched as a group of others approached. They were all different heights, with different features sticking out from their matching armor, clinking against the swords they carried. 

“ Is that your guy’s police ?” Tommy whispered to Tubbo who only nodded in return. Tommy opened his mouth to say more but realized that as the group approached, everyone had fallen silent. 

Tommy couldn’t help but to cower slightly at the large man you led the way. He walked stiffly, some injury hidden under his uniform, and a sharp glare to accompany the soft hissing that grew louder at his approach. 

“Dream, Punz,” he said, deep voice low and angry. “It’s time to go.” 

Dream scoffed, though, it sounded forced. “Why bother with all of this?” He asked, turning to Bad. “Why not just kill us?” 

“If that’s what you prefer we can certainly make that happen.” Bad stated. This whole time he had been talking Tommy hadn’t seen a mouth. It seemed he just didn’t need to use it to speak. 

Bad’s mouth opened for the first time in the conversation, spreading into a smile and exposing a wide maw of blood stained teeth, seemingly traveling down the whole expanse of his throat and shining like broken glass. Tommy saw Dream tense, nervously swallowing and even Tommy couldn’t stop himself from gulping at the sight. 

“Dream…” Punz quietly whispered, his body leaning towards his husband in a protective manner. Dream stayed silent for a long moment, debating his options. With an almost silent exhale, his shoulders dropped and he stared up at Bad with a sorrowful expression. 

“Fine… fine. We’ll go.” He muttered. 

Dream and Punz didn’t resist when the large man escorted both of them away, holding their bound hands and walking quickly off. Once they were out of ear shot everyone seemed to breathe easier. 

“ Who was that ?” Tommy whispered to Tubbo. 

“Awesam, he’s the head of police. Punz stabbed him recently so… he’s a little upset.” 

“Understandable.” 

“Now,” Bad spoke again, his voice carrying a joyful note. “Everyone is home so now we celebrate!” He said, clapping his hands together. “Skeppy, is everything set?” He asked, his white-eyed gaze turning to a bag at his side. 

From said bag emerged what to Tommy’s eyes looked to be a giant blue gem in a sharp humanish form. The gem crawled up Bad’s torso and up into his shoulder. 

“What the…” Tommy muttered, casting a confused glance at Wilbur. 

The gem settled on Bad’s shoulder and lifted his wrist, a small screen appearing, hovering over the device on his wrist. It almost looked like a watch from what Tommy could see. 

“Yeah, it’s all set up.” Skeppy said, his voice apathetic. 

“You could at least sound excited” Bad chastised. Skeppy shrugged and Bad sighed, his eyes turning away from the small person. “And we have two others who will be joining us?” He asked, looking between Wilbur and Tommy, and Phil. 

“Yes. Bad, these are my nephews, Wilbur and Tommy.” Phil replied, motioning to both of them. 

Tommy gave a small wave with one hand while Wilbur quietly said, “Hello.” 

Again Bad smiled, but it wasn’t an ominous threading one like before. “It’s very nice to meet you two. Now, Ponk will be looking you all over and as soon as your all able, we have a feast ready.” Bad turned and began leading them all away. 

Tommy paused for a moment. 

“Are you ok Tommy?” Wilbur asked. 

Tommy took a deep breath, “Yeah, yeah I think I’m ok.” 

Tubbo smiled at the brothers and gave Tommy a small nudge to get the trio walking with the others. 

___

Clawed hands carded through black and white hair, gently pulling knots loose, prepping the long duel colored locks to be braided. Ranboo purred as his father gently took his clean hair and twisted strips together into braids. 

Techno sat next to Ranboo, his hair already done in several long pink braids. 

“Can’t forget this,” Philza said, reaching over Ranboos shoulder, two black feathers in hand, “both of you.” 

Techno took both, tying one to his own hair and the other to Ranboos. 

“Perfect.” Techno said looking Ranboo straight in the eye. 

A knock sounded out from the door and the family all perked up, listening to the yell from the other side. 

“Ranboo? You in there?” Tubbo called. 

Ranboo grinned and stood, pulling his fathers into a tight hug before retreating to the door. He felt their eyes on him as he left, could feel their worry, but it only made him laugh under his breath. They didn’t need to worry. He walked tall, carrying himself at his full height despite his healing injuries. 

Pulling the door open he was met with Tubbo smiling up at him. 

“Are you ready?” Tubbo asked, eyes obscured behind hair, a big grin gracing his scarred face. 

“Yeah,” Ranboo replied happily, leaving the home with his soulmate. 

Walking with Tubbo, a smile refused to leave his lips as he walked, still feeling a dull ache in his healing leg, something he knew would pass with time. 

___

Tommy rolled out of his bed, startled and wrapped up in his blanket as his brother screamed his name and banged on his door. 

“Tommy! Tommy get up, your friends are here!” Wilbur yelled 

“I’m up! I’m up! Would you stop yelling!” Tommy screamed back, trying to get untangled from the sheets and blankets that filled the nest. 

It had been more comfortable than he had thought it would be. 

Tommy took his time getting ready, knowing his friends would wait for him. After he was dressed and his messy hair had been somewhat tamed, he left the room. Wilbur was making breakfast, talking to Ranboo and Tubbo who both snacked on the food already finished cooking. 

“Hey guys!” Tommy said, joining them. 

“Hey!” They both greeted him. 

“So, what are we doing?” 

“I want you to come see the allium fields! And you have to meet Manifold and Niachu!” Ranboo exclaimed. 

“There’s a tournament going on today! You have to see these champion battles, they’re awesome!” Tubbo added excitedly. 

Tommy grinned as the two went on to gush about their ideas, proposing more things to Tommy as they came to mind, ecstatic to show him everything their planet had to offer. 

“Awesome! I’ll go grab my bag!” He said laughing. 

“Tommy!” Wilbur stopped him from running back off, “After some food, ok?” Wilbur turned with the last of breakfast done. Tommy sat and filled his plate, him and his friends all devouring the food. Wilbur seemed to enjoy the food he cooked, he filled his plate and ate in a manner Tommy had never seen before, happy to stuff his face for once, and Tommy smiled. 

Once all the food was devoured the three teens rose. At the door, bag at his side, Tommy tunred to Wilbur, still in the kitchen and now cleaning every dish. 

“Are you sure you don’t need help Wil?” 

“I’m sure Toms, go have fun.” 

Tommy smiled, “Alright, thanks Wilbur.” His brother nodded, waving to the trio as they left. Once the door had closed behind him, Tommy took a deep breath, grinning up at the clear sky of Essempii. 

“Tommy! Are you coming!” Ranboo called back, him and Tubbo already making their way further down the street. 

“Yeah! I’m coming!” Tommy yelled, running to his friends.