Where are you? (DreamSMP short)

alternate ending (FINAL)

Tubbo's hands burned.

He could barely see through his tears, but he was sure that they were bleeding, his flesh ripped on the netherrack.

Warm arms were around him, not trying to make him move, just there to comfort him.  The nether portal, leading to the deceased Tommy, were behind them.  Tubbo had fell through it minues before, though his head was still reeling with the fact that his friend was dead.

My fault.

I shouldn't have sent him away.

I should have fought back against-

"Dream."  

Tubbo's eyes shot open, though all he could see was the dark red netherrack beneath him, and he didn't dare raise his head.  The figure holding him had stiffened, and Tubbo could feel eyes on him.

"Eret."  The other voice replied.  It was cold, sharp.  So Eret was with him, that meant Dream was just in front of him.  He raised his head a millimeter, seeing scuffed black boots.  

Yeah.  That's Dream all right.  All Tubbo had to do was raise his head, over a neon green hoodie and black undershirt to meet the eyes of Dream.  Well, as close as he could get.  In reality, all he would see were the blank eyes of a smiley mask staring down at him.  But he couldn't manage to do it.  He tried calming down, but his small sobs were still clearly audible.  Eret's arms tightened.

"What's going on?"  The masked male asked.

"It's Tommy.  Something happened.  I think you should see."  Eret nodded to the portal.  Dream gracefully waked to the portal.  The small draft of air made by Dream's passage brushed on Tubbo's skin, making him shiver.  The small whoosh was made, signifying that Dream had stepped through to see what happened.

Tubbo crawled, trying to free himself from Eret, to stand.  Eret reluctantly let go, standing quickly, but staying next to Tubbo.  As he tried to stand on shaky legs, his knees buckled under his own weight.  Eret grabbed his arm easily, supporting him, helping him stand.

"Hey.  Take it easy.  We can rest here for a little while longer if you need to."  Tubbo felt comforted by Eret's voice, deep and calming.  He buried his face into Eret's neck, crying gently into his shoulder.  Eret kneeled to make the action possible, hugging Tubbo securely.

Dream was in there.

Dream.

The one who was clearly a manipulator.

As much as I hate it...

I need to go back through.

I need to make sure Tommy's okay.

Even if my soul cracks.

"Eret," Tubbo whispered,  "I need to go back through."

"If that's what you think is best, I'll be with you."

After being able to stand securely on his own two feet, Tubbo walked shakily through, Eret just beside him.

The nausea of passing through dimensions was enough to make Tubbo stumble, nearly falling. He caught himself as Eret materialized beside him in a puff of purple particles.  

They had spent so long in the nether that the sun had risen, hanging in the sky.  Tubbo looked around, not seeing a floating body or a green hoodie.  He walked, Eret following silently.  Tubbo soon found what he was looking for- the compass he had dropped.  But something was wrong- it was cracked.  The glass shattered to almost a powder, the needle snapped in the middle.  It looked as if it was crushed under a heel.