Down with the King- Dream SMP

16- Tubbo

WARNING: Mild use of alcohol

He stayed in the library until the tingling sensation of his foot falling asleep hit him full force. Stretching, he got up from his chair and gathered his books in his arms, planning to drop them off by his room before heading down to the kitchens to find something to eat. As it turned out, there wasn't much for council members to do and even less for Tubbo as he was confined to the castle. At least the other council members could go out into town. Tubbo wished more than anything that he could leave the castle and see his friends just once, but Dream had forbidden it.

Walking out of the huge library, he passed by Ranboo sitting at a desk.

"Hey Ranboo," he smiled. "Whatcha writing?"

"N-nothing," Ranboo exclaimed, slamming his book shut and tucking it away. "How are you doing, Tubbo?"

"Alright," he replied, confused by Ranboo's behavior, but it wasn't his business to pry. "Have you eaten lunch yet?"

"No," Ranboo shook his head.

"Would you like to join me?"

"Sure!"

After stopping by Tubbo's room, the pair made their way down to the kitchens where the cooks prepared them lunch.

"Got any big plans for the week?" Tubbo asked as he bit into a turkey sandwich.

"Well, BadBoyHalo invited me and a few others to Skeppy's house later this week," Ranboo mentioned. "We're having a 'Welcome Home' party for him."

"Sounds like fun," he grinned, but it was forced. He couldn't help but feel bitter that the others had the freedom to come and go as they pleased.

"You know, I could try speaking to Dream and see if he'd grant you temporary permission to leave," Ranboo suggested. "You could come to the party with us!"

"I'd love that," he said. "But I doubt Dream will change his mind."

Just as they were speaking, the king himself entered the kitchen followed closely by George and Sapnap. The three of them were laughing about something and the sight shocked Tubbo to his core.

"Hello Tubbo, Ranboo," the king nodded towards them with a smile. "Tubbo, you look like you've seen a ghost."

Tubbo quickly looked away, embarrassed that they'd caught him staring. He couldn't help it. The sight of Dream and his friends acting so normal... it was unnerving. Surely that couldn't be the same man who threatened the lives of his friends and murdered his leader, could it? Moreover, how could a man who had committed such despicable acts even be capable of feeling carefree at all?

"Dream!" Ranboo said with a smile. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure," Dream nodded, taking a seat at the table with them. Sapnap and George followed suit, still cackling about whatever it was they'd been talking about before.

"Guys, shut up!" Dream grinned, shoving them both. "I'm trying to have a conversation!"

"Okay, okay," George nodded. "Sapnap, you heard the man. Shut up."

The two of them dissolved into laughter and Dream shrugged.

"You'll have to excuse them. What can I do for you, Ranboo?"

"A few of us were going to go to Skeppy and BadBoyHalo's house later this week to have a welcome home party for Skeppy," Ranboo explained. "I know you said that Tubbo isn't allowed to leave the castle, but couldn't you grant him special permission just this once? We'd love for our newest council member to be there."