barbarism (dreamnoblade)

chapter eighteen

|||Tommy POV|||

The cold night air around Tommy suffocates him. He feels like he’s being strangled by the pressure, chin trembling as the tears threaten to fall down his numb cheeks.

Tommy can feel Tubbo’s hands on his shoulder and side, holding him in a still hug. He knew Tubbo wasn’t the best at comforting, but in this moment silence was probably for the best.

Beneath the darkness above a faint glimmer of purple shimmers from the grass, reflecting off the shrubs like waves as the wind rocks them back and forth.

Technoblade’s axe.

The netherite pulses with light, a strange glow that was unique to the ore. He knew that Technoblade had put so much effort into crafting it- and seeing it be so carelessly discarded as his brother runs off with panicked tears was overwhelming for Tommy.

He wanted to chase after his older brother, to pull him into a hug and apologise for his harsh words- no matter how truthful they felt to him. He knew his brother was acting differently. The way he stutters his words, the silent talks to himself late at night, or even those ruby eyes that had dulled with stress. 

It confused him more that Wilbur acted like nothing was wrong, so at first he thought that he was overthinking it. But after that encounter he knew something else was up, something else was happening behind the scenes. Tommy didn’t know who the fuck was in on it but he hated seeing his brother so distraught.

So he places a hand on Tubbo’s, turning around to stare at him dead in the eyes. He needed answers. 

“Tubbo, what happened? How did Technoblade know who you are?” Tommy was scared, the last time his brother was this unhinged he crippled Philza. Even now, the stench of blood- his father screaming, it was too much to think about.

Tubbo’s eyes flash with hesitance, but Tommy was determined to get this information. The thought of Tubbo being hurt the same way would be too much for him.

“I-I… I saw something I shouldn’t have- it was so awful!” Tubbo shudders and withdraws his hand, eyes glistening as his brows curl into terror, “I- I saw him-”

Tommy pulls him into a hug to try and sooth Tubbo, feeling his body wrack as he hugs back. Tommy ignores the nails digging into his back, or the dampening spot on his shoulder, he would be Tubbo’s shoulder to cry on if needed.

“Take your time…” Tommy murmurs into his friend's hair, who had shrunk into his embrace like a damaged animal.

“I saw him get raped… I-I should’ve helped! I should’ve done something but I was scared! Tommy I was so terrified I didn’t know what to do-” His wails reach Tommy’s ears, and the moment he manages to process them his heartbeat starts picking up. He feels blood pump in his head, loud and painful.

Raped? There’s no way that could’ve happened. Technoblade was too careful with people to do that, he wouldn’t- 

Was that why he disappeared for three days? 

Did Wilbur know what happened to him?

“Tubbo…” Tommy stares down at his glum friend, his hair messily sticks out against his shirt, covering his head as he stares at the dirt. A part of him was guilt ridden for not realising sooner, he should’ve been there to help Technoblade, like Technoblade was to help him. He should’ve been there with Tubbo- to help everyone.

Tommy didn't feel like a good friend.

|||Dream POV|||

Dream didn't expect many things. He didn't expect for Technoblade to be acting so passive to him, or to accept his half assed apology -which he spent some time planning out- and he definitely didn't expect the pinkette to pass out next to him.