Glued

Core

"Hah! You can't even defend yourself! Not without that stupid british boy. You're weak!"

"Weak!"

"Loser!"

"Poor Toby, he can't even defend himself!"

"Poor guy, must've sucked to be a loser like you huh?!"

Insulting words, impaled his sensitive heart. Those words that he's heard of so many times, felt like knives stabbing his chest repeatedly. As time went on, it got worst. His wound started bleeding abnormally, he couldn't patch it up, couldn't keep it in. But he met Tommy, who he thought will change everything.

But ended up making it worse.

But it wasn't like I never appreciated him, it's just— sometimes he can go across the line. Where in jokes that he makes are starting to become hurtful, and the amount of times he protected me was starting to get too used.

Tubbo felt like he was one to be protected, like he was weak and frail. He was so hopeful, a ray of light shined in his dark path, but not long after it appeared, it quickly vanished.

"Did they hurt you again?! Those bastards never learn!" Tommy shouted angrily as he offered a hand to Tubbo. "Are you alright?"

I wasn't in need of your pity, Tommy. I was perfectly fine, I didn't need your help. You're just out here acting like your a hero to me, when I'm sick of you saving me when I don't need you.

Tubbo accepted his offer, "I'm fine— I'm used to it now, so it hurts less. I don't really mind."

"HUH?!" Tommy gasped with pure shock, "WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DON'T MIND?! YOU'LL LET THOSE BASTARDS HURT YO—"

"Tommy, stop it." Tubbo interrupted suddenly in a defeated tone, completely silencing Tommy.

"I'm used to this lifestyle now, Tommy. Don't act like this is the first time this happened. You've seen me in these situations before, you've witnessed it for far too long."

"Wh-" Tommy got cut off, his mind clouded with frustration, "But that doesn't mean you can let them do this to you, it's obviously wrong."

"I know." Tubbo responded in a calm manner, "It's common sense. They'd stop if they get tired. I can just let them do whatever they want to me until they've had enough. You think a simple repeated threat can make them back off? No. It never worked in the first place. It was just to take them off temporarily, it wouldn't affect them in any way."

Tommy was completely speechless, but he knew Tubbo had a point. All his threats, never really worked. No matter how intimidating he becomes, it wouldn't stop bullies from coming after Tubbo, they never hit a weak spot of theirs yet.

"—without that blonde kid acting tough who's a friend of yours, you're nothing. Nothing but weak!"

But what they said was true though. It wasn't a bluff, it was a fact. Yes, he was nothing without Tommy.

Truth hurts, doesn't it?

Memories of Tommy protecting Tubbo haunted him, he wants it to stop, yet he can't do it on command. He begged and cried for it to stop, even if it was him all along who was bringing it all back, and eventually, he stopped it. He took deep breaths, and laid flat on his bed.

"I just want to, forget about it. Please. Leave me alone. Just this fucking once. I want to rest, please.."

A ring on his phone woke him up from his thoughts, it was a message from Ranboo.

Ranboo: You alright man? You're not responding to my texts.

With a simple text like that, Tubbo broke down and cried.

Ranboo: Hey Tubbo, you alright? I've sent my messages a few hours ago and you're still not responding.

Well I've sure heard that a million times before.

Tubbo picked up his phone, with both hands shaking. He breathed in and out, trying to calm himself down.

Tubbo: Yeah, I'm fine. Just need to cool myself for a while.

I'm fine huh. I've lied to myself again.

Ranboo: Alright, if you need me for company, I'm here.

Tubbo didn't bother to respond and left him hanging, he wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone at all, he just wanted to be alone.. for now.

Ever since they were kids, they've been good friends. But inside the both of them was a core of hatred and selfishness, slowly growing bigger as times flies by. They ignored the signs of a toxic relationship for so many times, even the people around them thought it was strange. Since it was always the aggressive Tommy, teasing Tubbo. Wouldn't that make him any different from the bullies?

But surprisingly, Tubbo lets it slide. Tommy was the only friend who understood him and sticked by his side, like they were glued to each other.