Neutrality Order (TomBoo)

L.R. - Chapter 2

It was an unspoken arrangement that apparently Tubbo had with the others after the full story of the mall incident was made known to Class 1-A: Tommy didn't go anywhere in a crowded public place alone.

It was also an arrangement that they didn't think Tommy knew about, but oh god, did he.

Not that he didn't APPRECIATE it, mind, but sometimes he wanted to just be by himself to think without someone tagging along. So far he'd been to the movie theater (with Eryn in the back seat, and he found out about it after Dark Shadow began throwing popcorn at the screen and was asked to leave), the arcade (Eret SWORE he was there on her own until Puffy and Fundy hurried up and said they lost sight of Tommy before they realized he was there), and even the park (after spotting several animals looking at him intensely and he got it in his head to look for George and found him half-hiding behind a tree).

So when he had a home-bound weekend, he savored the feeling of solitude in his own habitat....until his mother had to pick up a shift on Saturday evening and he was left REALLY alone.

Great. Now he was lonely.

The constant messages on his phone from everyone in the 1-A chatbox didn't count, he thought as he gave a thumbs-up emoji to Tubbo when he asked if he was okay...for the fifth time since breakfast.

He loved his friends, he really did, but honestly, he was appreciating Wilbur more and more for putting himself on 'ignore' after screaming in all caps in the chat about how they were blowing up his phone. He debated doing the same but knew he'd have half of 1-A kicking his mother's door down in full hero costume.

The urge to get out and DO something became overwhelming, and it was the final straw he needed to grab his jacket and take an evening walk into town, maybe for some overly-sugary coffee drink at the cafe. He was due for a cheat day, anyway. So he grabbed his phone, his portable charger, locked the house, and took a jog down the street, mostly to compensate for the calories he was about to indulge.

The town was lively for a Saturday evening, making it easy for Tommy to blend in and pray none of his classmates were following him. He tugged his hood over his head to keep the covert nature of his evening cafe crawl going and found his destination, slipping inside. It was cozy and pleasant, the aroma of coffee and pastries livening his senses and lightening his mood. He stood in line for his turn, peering at the menu and making a quick debate over his choices before it was finally his turn, stepping up to the counter.

"Hi! I'll have a mocha-caramel blended drink, with whipped cream and chocolate syrup. Oh, and one of the cinnamon buns, please."

The barista nodded, putting in the order. "Alright then," she said, looking just to Tommy's right. "And for you?"

Tommy opened his mouth to ask 'for who?' when a horribly familiar voice spoke at his side.

"Coffee, black. Sesame flatbread."

"Great! 1824 yen, please."

Tommy slowly turned his head to his right, seeing a familiar frame of black and white split hair peeking out of a black hoodie. His jaw dropped, frozen in place until a hand on his shoulder -pinky out- almost made him jump.

"I paid last time," Ranboo said, somehow managing to sound both playful and pissed about it. "Your turn, sweetie." The hand tightened around Tommy's shoulder, prompting the boy to quickly delve into his pocket and take out his wallet -Crow Father themed, go figure- and take out the money to pay out the amount. The barista took the money and returned the change, telling them their orders would be delivered shortly. Ranboo led the still-stiff Tommy to the tiny cafe table, sitting himself down and lacing his fingers together before resting his hands on the table. "Well?" he prompted.