You never said I couldn't be the next Dream

Chapter 4: when?

~~~Tommy POV~~~

I sat on the beach looking over the water, I didn't know how long I had with Punz until I was sent off to my new trainer. I never said this out loud but I liked Punz, he was chill and seemed like a cool person, but he wasn't my friend.

I dung my hands into the sand, being on the beach was only reminded of what they did to me, how they left me. Punz was next to me, he was reading a book, I knew he wanted to talk. I wasn't ready for human interaction just yet, maybe later. The wind blew softly, I took in a deep breath as I closed my eyes, I wish I could stay here.

"When I was on the island, in exile, I used to wake up in the water. Almost drowning to my death each time, I was always facing the way back to L'manburg. What I thought was my home, a place where I could be safe. I was sleeping walking to L'manburg. I didn't ask for much, only for them to visit me every once and awhile.'' I opened my eyes and looked over to Punz, his face was towards the sea, I knew he was listening though.

"I'm sorry they did that to you-" I cut him off as anger bubbled in me.

"I don't need your pity!" I growled, just like the rest! Only caring when you have nothing!

"That wasn't pity Tommy, that was respect."

~~~Punz POV~~~~

One of the hard things about Tommy is that he has a hard time seeing the difference between pity and empathy, because of that he doesn't ask for help like he should. I didn't get mad at him for it though, he had it rough, and this was the first time he had ever opened up to me. So I only watched his face as he tried to work out the difference between the two.

He was a smart kid, but he often let his emotion take over, which isn't bad. But in seten times, that's his downfall, I knew for a fact that Dream would take this to his avenged. I was worried about that, but Dream paid me to not ask questions, so I won't ask them.

"When will I be leaving to train with Purpled?"

"Don't know. When Dream comes to get you I guess." I shrugged as I answered. He only nodded and turned his head back to the ocean. After a bit, he got up and walked away, I followed not that far behind him. Why did the world give him a hard hand of cards? He had more scars on his arm then I could count. I remember asking him where they were from, he only said the past.

"Tommy," He didn't look at me, he only hummed in response.

"Why did you burn down George's house?" He stopped, he didn't move for a minute until he shafted his feet a bit and spoke.

"I didn't mean to......" With that he walked off. Tommy, what happened to you?

~~~Ranboo POV~~~

I walked through the Nether, sweat dripping down my chin from the heat of the lava. I held my book closely to my chest, it held a new note for Tommy. It's been a while, Tubbo hasn't made any move to visit Tommy, so it was just me, and Dream. I made it to the portal that led to Tommy's presion, when I went through everything was gone. All of it. I looked in my book to see if I went through the right portal, This is the right one!

"Then where is everything?" I walked around to see if I could find anything, I went to the beach where I found a chest, in it was a single book. I shoved it in my jacket and left, in fear of running into Dream. When I made it back to my home, I locked the doors and went into my room. With a small candle to light the room, I read the book.

"Dear Ranboo,

I'm sorry to say that if you are reading this. I'm dead. I couldn't do it in exile anymore, no one cared. I was alone and cold, maybe I deserve it, I'm not sure. All I know is that I don't want to live anymore, I want to sleep, because when I'm asleep I don't feel pain. Only the comfort of darkness, I'm sorry Ranboo. Thank you for being my only friend.

Your Friend,

Tommyinnit"

I couldn't believe it, Tommy killed himself! When? How? Where? How I was going to tell everyone? How was I going to tell Tubbo?!

YOUR FAULT YOU DID THIS! YOU YOU YOU

"Wait, no! I didn't!" The voices only got louder and one question repeated in my head. Could I have saved him?