"I Promise"

Chapter 1 (Only chapter)

They sat on the bench looking at the world around them. "Promise me you will never betray me Tubbo." Tommy whispered, just loud enough for Tubbo to hear. Each word growing more quiet forcing Tubbo to strain to hear him.

"Tommy, you know that I can't promise that," Tubbo spoke just loud enough to shatter the quiet unease that Tommy's statement created. "I have to make a decision that would be right for L'manburg, I cannot let L'manburg fall because of your actions Tommy." With each syllable, both felt the frustration in Tubbo grow. Tommy slammed his hands down onto the light oak beneath him and forced himself up, each step a small stumble forward, stuttering nervously over movements rather than words. Tubbo sighed. "What am I supposed to do?" Both fell silent. Tommy turned away, still unsure of his actions and how it would affect him tomorrow. He refused to voice his concerns, and walked away.

Exile day; it seemed to pass all too quickly, and still much too slow. Tommy knew that what he did was wrong, but exile? It seemed so extreme. The wooden bridge under him creaked with each step, the noise somehow grated on his ears. It didn't bug him in the past but it felt overwhelming to his senses today.

"How is any of this fair!?" Tommy could feel his pulse speeding up with each word.

The pounding in his chest grounding him in the moment, and he paused for a second. Dream; everyone let Dream's crimes pass without punishment. Panic shook through him, forcing out his train of thought.

"Think of all the things Dream has done!" he called without thinking.

Still no one had the strength to answer.

"Dream has done nothing for L'manburg at all! He only ever tried to tear it apart-" Tommy felt himself struggle with the words, knowing that throwing others into the line of fire, couldn't save him, not now.

"-But as soon as I burn down our enemies house you plan to exile me. O-o-or Wilbur, he blew up L'manburg! So you tell me, HUH, YOU TELL ME WHICH IS WORSE-" Stuttering over his words, forced his anxiety to grow, aggression building.

Tubbo noticed the others beginning to shift uncomfortably as Tommy spoke louder and louder by the second.

"TOMMY!" Tubbo felt heat building behind his eyes forcing him to rub the palms of his hands against them, in desperate need of the momentary pressure. "You've done so much more than just that..." Tubbo felt his throat tighten as his voice began to crack ever so slightly. "Can't you see, L'manburg is suffering because of you. You've gone too far and I can't let you keep doing these things." The exhaustion in his voice hung heavy in the air. Everything felt weighted and tight, if he could run without being judged he would.

"Tubbo I-I'm sorry..." Tommy felt heat rush to his cheeks in a strange combination of embarrassment and panic. He paused, knowing he still had a little more time. Just enough to maybe let his friend remember him, in a better way then he would now. "Meet me at the bench in 10 minutes." He said it with confidence, but his legs shook under him as he walked past everyone. For a moment fearing he would be forced back, not allowed his final minutes due to his outburst, but everyone let him pass by, only the judgement in their eyes causing him to stumble.

Tommy could hear the crunching of dry grass behind him, letting him know someone was coming up the hill. "Why did you call me up here Tommy...?" Tubbo's words echoed something too close to betrayal for Tommy to be able to handle them. Edging a heartbreak neither wanted to address.

"I just wanted to tell you that-" Guilt, Tommy felt so much guilt. The need to defend himself grew weaker as he heard his own panicked voice manipulate his friend. "If I was in your position I wouldn't exile you. Just think of all the times we had together... Tubbo, you are my best friend, I don't know what I'm going to do without you." His voice shook with unease. There was no going back, no convincing that could change anything.