dozing off

The sun was rising, the first beams of blinding light cutting through the air, casting a reflection over the unusually tranquil lakes. Oftentimes the lakes were scenes of bloodshed and tears, pain and loss for every side. Nobody was ever a true winner, fights were never just a one time thing. The losing side would always come back to regain what they lost, only for both sides to lose even more.

There was never a true good or a true evil, life is more complex than that, nobody is perfect, everyone has ulterior motives. The thing that Tommy had learned as he grew was that he can't trust anyone.

But overlooking the peaceful sunrise, he couldn't help but feel like that wasn't true. Looking at his scarred and calloused hands, Tommy took note at how slender his fingers were, perfect for holding someone's hand, perfect for cupping their cheek and face.

Even those who weren't entirely human were made for similar interactions. Even those who seemed to be the worst of the worst. Tommy had seen Dream, back before everything had gone entirely downhill, his hands, while rough and calloused, covered in various scars, were soft and surprisingly gentle. It was surprising a pair of hands like that belonged to such a horrid person. Tommy wondered if Dream used to hold others close with those hands, the same ones used to beat him to death in the prison.

Tommy shook the thought away, tears threatening to break the mask he always keeps up. What was it that Puffy had said? It's okay to show emotion? The thought comforted him, and he let the tears slide down his face, and despite the pain of the memories, Tommy smiled. Puffy would be proud of him.

The atmosphere around Tommy was calming, as he sat on the bench he used to play his beloved music discs at with Tubbo, back before all the wars, back when he was young, still allowed to be a kid.

This was the most comfortable Tommy had been in a long while, and while basking in the warm summer sun, the all too young boy slept into a relaxing sleep.

When Tommy's eyes fluttered open, he felt something soft curled up against him, and a familiar song playing. In his dazed state, he felt no worry, this feeling was familiar, and felt so right. The blonde boy slowly turned his head towards the presence against him, and saw a sleeping Tubbo up against him.

The boy's face looked so calm, so peaceful, as Tommy took in his surroundings. Tubbo's face was half-covered in burn scars, and a beautiful ring rested on one of his horns. There was a flower crown resting on his head, braided from freshly picked alliums.

As Tommy became more aware of his surroundings, he felt a small weight on his head, and using his free hand, realized he had a flower crown as well.

He snapped to full attention when he recognized the melody playing. It was Wait. Tommy looked to the smaller boy beside him, still asleep against him, softly snoring. Normally, Tommy would wake Tubbo up and call him annoying, but today was different. It felt special. So he let Tubbo rest.

Some time passed, the sun almost at its peak, grey clouds slowly gathering, threatening to rain on this perfect moment. Tommy didn't mind, however. Even if it were to rain, Tommy wanted this moment to last forever.

Shortly after, Tommy heard soft footsteps coming up the path, and he looked over, careful to not wake the boy asleep against him.

It wasn't someone he expected to see, someone he normally wouldn't want to see during a moment like this, but he didn't sense any malice coming from the figure gradually approaching.

"Be quiet!" Tommy whisper-shouted, gesturing towards Tubbo, who was still sleeping on his shoulder.

The person smiled softly and gently approached the bench, careful to not make a sound. They meticulously placed a small box besides Tommy, a single white tulip on it.

"Happy birthday, Big T," they said tenderly, and they returned to the path and continued on their way.

Confused by the interaction, all Tommy could muster the courage to say was "Thank you, Jack."

Jack turned back and gave a small salute. "Expect many more gifts today, Big Man."

Despite being impatient, Tommy decided he would wait for his best friend to awake, so he could open the present with him, just like they used to do.

Very shortly after, two familiar faces showed up. Puffy, with her hands behind her back, and Niki, who was holding a flower pot with an orange tulip in it.

"Happy birthday!" The pair whispered as they walked by, being careful as to not wake up Tubbo, and Puffy handed another box to Tommy, an oxeye daisy resting on it, similar to the white tulip on the gift from Jack.

Many others passed by, most not saying a word, but everyone gave Tommy a single flower.

It was almost nightfall, and Tubbo was still asleep. Tommy felt a pang of sadness, knowing his friend must be struggling if he was sleeping through an entire day.

Only a few people hadn't shown, and some of them were in prison. They were the people Tommy expected to show up the most, and he feared that they had forgotten his birthday.

Sam showed up as the sun was starting to set, and handed Tommy three different flowers before leaving without a word.

The sun was beginning to set, and Tommy had given into the sadness of his birthday being forgotten by the people closest to him, when Tubbo stirred against him and looked up at him sleepily. "Happy birthday Big Man."

Tommy smiled, "Thank you, Tubbo."

Another voice rang out, "Happy birthday, Tommy!" and several other voices followed suit.

Tommy whipped his head around as Tubbo quietly laughed beside him. Tears quickly rushed to his eyes, and just like at the beginning of the day, Tommy didn't try to hide them.

The final people had arrived, each with their own flower and present, and one holding a large cake decorated in fondant flowers of various types.

Tommy jumped up off the bench and right into the arms of Philza, who wrapped his wings around Tommy in return.

When he was ready, he let go of the older man and turned to face the other two arrivals.

Ranboo was holding a cake, his tail twitching out of anxiety, and Wilbur was standing there with a soft smile, one that Tommy hadn't seen in years.

Wiping the tears from his face, Tommy finally spoke, his voice raspy from the crying and lack of talking throughout the day. "Thank you. Thank you so much."