The Royal Thief

Who knew wind went so well with the strumming of a guitar?

Tommy never did end up falling asleep, no matter how much the bed seemed to call out to him or how heavy his eyelids seemed to feel.

He's slept long enough and the day has just started, the bed can save its cry for later.

The silence in the room was different from the silence outside, more comforting and reminiscent of a home Tommy longed to forget.

Tommy's eyelids start to feel heavier, and so does his heart.

He missed his home, his parents, and even the bees that his mother would name as they passed through her garden.

He doesn't remember any of the names, but he believes they all started with a B.

A fond smile took place on his face, giggles following soon after.

Memories are peculiar things, some being sad and traumatic, while others were happy and full of laughter.

Tommy was so lost in remembering everything great he once experienced that he didn't notice the door softly creaking open and someone stepping in.

Light weaved through the open door and onto the floor, stopping at the foot of the bed the boy was sitting on.

''Tommy?''

Their voice was mostly monotone, with a hint of genuine concern and regret buried deep into the five letters placed together that Tommy had been called since birth.

He forcefully pulled himself from his well loved memories and turned his head towards them.

''Technoblade,''

The prince's name was said in a tone of happiness, showing that he wasn't feeling scared or angry towards him anymore.

A big switch from just a few days ago.

''I, uh, I heard something coming from your room so I came to check on you. Also, Phil wants to speak with you.''

''Why?''

''I didn't ask,''

Tommy's smile faltered and he shrugged his shoulders, looking away from Techno.

''Right now?''

A quiet shuffling of feet was heard as Techno walked awkwardly up to Tommy's bed.

''Yes, do you need help standing? Or are you alright?''

''I'll be alright, thank you,''

Tommy mumbled standing up and grabbing the crutches, wobbling only slightly as he took a step towards the door, Techno following cautiously.

They walk down the hall towards Phil's office, Tommy very quickly getting sick of the endless hallways in the Sleepy castle.

Before Tommy can ask when they'll get there Techno opens a door, revealing Phil who was sitting in a very worn down fancy chair.

''Tommy, great, you got here quick,''

He stood up, shooing Techno away and gesturing towards the chair in front of the desk for Tommy to sit in.

''I know you just got back, but I want to talk to you,''

Phil sounded stressed, but his face looked kind, as it always did.

''Okay..?''

Tommy's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, already starting to think the worst.

''Alright, so, first things first, what happened when you were there?''

''What do you mean?''

Phil only looked at him.

''I mean what made Eret so upset, and you so.. For lack of better words, so 'smiley'?''

He made air quotations while saying the last part of his sentence.

''Oh, well, there's an easy answer and a hard answer to that question Phil. I'll let you choose which one I say,''

The king looked at him with suspicious eyes, readjusting how he was sitting in his chair so that he could lean forward and rest his elbows on the table comfortably.

''I think I'll choose the easy answer for today, Thomas,''

Tommy smiled, leaning close to the table as well while also making sure there wasn't an awkward amount of space left in-between them.

''Some people just don't like being told the truth they've been trying to deny for months,''

There was a moment of silence after those words left his mouth, which Tommy took advantage of and began to stand, readjusting his crutches for what felt like the hundredth time and leaving the room.

He retraced his steps from earlier and eventually ended up back where he had begun, his room.

Temporary.

His temporary room.

It's not his actual room.

Tommy finally listens to his brain and retreats to his temporary bed, pulling the blankets up to his chin and adjusting his pillow.

Maybe he'll get some sleep.

.

.

.

.

.

And maybe he won't.

Sleeping isn't always in the favour of those who desire it.

Nothing is in the favour of those that actually need it.

Nevermind being fully awake and not able to sleep, Tommy curls up further into the bed, pulling the blankets over his head and silently begging to return to that peaceful daydream he experienced earlier that morning when he revisited some of his favourite memories.

He might've actually been able to sleep had the door not begun to slowly creak open, and soft footsteps make their way to his bed.

They stopped after a while and guessing by how the bed was dipping by his feet, they had sat down.

Tommy couldn't put a finger on who it was, but he had guessed that it was Phil, seeing as it would not have been Techno, and Wilbur seemed uncertain of him since he came back.

It could've been one of the brothers, but he definitely doubted it.

Tommy slowed his breath down enough that they would believe he was really sleeping.

Which they did, because they left the room shortly after.

He was alone again for a couple minutes before they returned and sat back down by his feet.

Just as he was about to accept the silence, the soft strumming of a guitar interrupted his thoughts.

Tommy searches in his thoughts to find one occasion to figure out who this was.

Until it hit him.

Wilbur used to go down to the village every Sunday and play a few songs he wrote himself.

And along with the songs, he would play a beautiful wooden guitar that was carved by one of the oldest but greatest carvers in the village.

It was calming.

Tommy's mum always adored music.

He grew up surrounded by it, and honestly?

No complaints will be spoken.

Who doesn't like music?

It began to get windy outside, which only made things better indoors.

Tommy found himself drifting off to the ear-pleasing noises of Wilbur's guitar and the wind.

Who knew wind went so well with the strumming of a guitar?

(1055 words)

(Finally got a chapter out, sorry if the ending seems rushed, it kind of was.  Nevertheless, I enjoyed writing this and hope you enjoy reading it.  Have a good day you goblins, bye!)