The Rockrose and the Thistle

I wake and hear you calling (and up those cliffs I climb)

Tommy awoke, bleary-eyed and with a world's worth of exhaustion behind his eyes. Maybe even more, he no longer had the ability to tell. The bed was cold beside him, the hairs on his arms standing on end. He placed a foot to the cold, stone floor, before putting down his other foot. He curled his fingers around the edge of the cot before heaving himself up. His legs shivered and shook under his weight as Tommy fell against the doorframe. With a grunt, he picked up the cane Phil had given to him before working his way to the ladder.

"Fuck you, old man..." Tommy muttered as he held the cane under his arm and climbed carefully up the ladder. Thankfully, he'd lost none of his lower body strength. Tommy opened the trapdoor, throwing the cane up before pulling himself through, his body trembling with the effort. He hated feeling this weak.

"Oh, you're up!" Ranboo said excitedly, looking up from the couch where he was reading some book. Tommy only glared, picking up the cane. It was beautifully carved, with a curved crow's gilded beak as the handle. "You getting around okay?"

"I'm hobbling around like I'm ancient!" Tommy shot back, limping over to the couch before flopping over Ranboo's legs, looking up at him. "What do you think, Ranboob?" Ranboo only sighed, setting his book to the side.

"Well, Phil Techno and Wil are out. They should be back soon. They might let us get going soon, I heard them talking about it!" Tommy only sighed. He'd waited for so long to get the go-ahead from any of them that they could go back to L'Manberg. To see if Tommy's sacrifice was worth it.

It better have had fucking worked, or Tommy would drag Tubbo back himself and give him a piece of his mind. He could hardly walk, let alone fight! Phil had promised that it would get better, but like hell he'd believe him. At least Phil got fucking wings.

"So what were you reading?" Tommy asked, suddenly finding himself very bored. Normally, he would've asked to spar or watch Ranboo practice his magic, but he was too weak to spar and deemed "too weak" to go outside without one of the "adults" watching him. Like him and Ranboo weren't fucking adults already.

"Oh, it was about restoration magic. I don't think there's a way to permanently fix your legs, but there might be something to help! Then you can still be an adventurer, with Tubbo! I was actually hoping I could come along." Ranboo laughed, scratching the back of his neck. "I mean, I have some healing magic and a bunch of health potions, so I figured I could be useful..." He trailed off, looking at his clawed hands.

"If Tubbo likes you, then sure Big R. But only if Tubbo likes you, if he doesn't like you then... I dunno if I can be friends with you." Ranboo blinked, his tail curling curiously.

"We're friends?"

"NO!" Tommy sputtered. "Only if Tubbo think's you're a good friend. He probably will, he's always telling me how I'm "not trusting enough" or some bullshit like that." He muttered, though his tone was flecked with affection. Gods he missed Tubbo.

"What was the Matron like? All the stories say she's nice, but kinda ruthless. But you got to meet her, right? What was she like?" Tommy sighed, trying to remember her image.

"Well she's Phil's wife. She's fuckin huge man, I dunno. She was nice, I guess. I think that white crow that Phil has is hers."

"Wait, they're married?" Ranboo exclaimed in surprise, jostling Tommy who was still laying his head in Ranboo's lap. Tommy nodded.

"Apparently. Honestly, big ups to him. He was able to marry Death herself, stars above." Ranboo whistled, turning his head upwards.

"Phil married Death. Is that how he was able to live for so long? Him and Techno?" Tommy shrugged, sitting up to lean against Ranboo weakly.