Duchenne (DSMP Superhero AU)

Chapter 42

Someone knocked on the door of the Minecraft house. Tommy turned to face the door, watching it. Like he could see what was on the other side. Wilbur let go of him, watching the door. He whispered to Tommy, who only nodded. Techno and Phil watched as Wilbur opened the door, one of his hands clenched into a fist in case he needed to protect Tommy.

Ranboo and Tubbo stood on the doorstep. Wilbur adjusted his glasses, smiling at them with as much happiness he could muster.

"Hey guys, what's up?"

Tubbo looked away, folding his arms. Ranboo sent him a look then glanced back at Wilbur, his eyebrows furrowed in worry.

"Is Tommy here? Dream just sent out a video of him beating up Theseus."

Wilbur's smile dropped, turning back to the inside of the house where Tommy was. Tommy picked up the paper pad, scribbling down a sentence.

Don't let Tubbo in. Tubbo hates us.

Wilbur wasn't sure who "us" was, but he'd shrug it off for now. He turned back to Tubbo and Ranboo, glaring at Tubbo.

"Yes, Tommy is here. Tubbo, however, can't come in."

Tubbo glanced up at Wilbur with wide eyes, his mouth falling open. Ranboo shrugged and made his way inside, leaving Tubbo on the doorstep. Tubbo spluttered, trying to push his way inside.

"What??? Tommy! Tommy I know I upset you, but we're still friends, right?"

Wilbur held him at the door, letting him see Tommy as he stared up at Ranboo. Still covered in his own blood with white hair. Ranboo cupped Tommy's cheek, speaking quietly to him while they stood there. Tubbo waited for the angry push away. He waited for Tommy to do something.

All Tommy did was keep staring at Ranboo, deliberately avoiding eye contact. Wilbur pushed Tubbo out of the house, including a bit of force so that the bee hybrid would stumble back. Tubbo looked up at him, scared.

"What happened to Tommy? What did Dream do? Or... did you do this?"

Wilbur bit the inside of his cheek, controlling his temper. Tubbo was just a kid, he wasn't going to punch him. That little voice in his head snickered, whispering to him.

You know that Jack was just 19. He was a kid too.

Wilbur ignored it, gritting his teeth as he blocked the door.

"Go home Tubbo. Ranboo can tell you about Tommy, but you are not welcome here."

Tubbo glared at him before running off, his wings sprouting from his back as he flew back to the apartment. He didn't even care if anyone saw.

----<>----

Tubbo was mad. He had one little argument with his friend, and he wasn't allowed to see him? What the hell was his problem? Tubbo just wanted to protect Tommy. That's all he wanted. Tubbo could bet that Wilbur was thinking the same thing. So was Dream. What about Tommy made everyone want to protect him? What about Tommy made him special? It wasn't like he was the only person in L'manburg used strings, Tubbo could talk to Dream if he wanted strings.

He got back to the apartment and slammed the door open, running to his room and flopping onto his bed. He screamed into his pillows, his screams dissolving into sobs.

He just wanted to know if Tommy was okay. He rolled over, staring up at the ceiling. It wasn't like he said anything bad, right?

He laid there, stuck in his thoughts for a while longer until Ranboo came in. Tubbo hadn't even heard him enter the apartment, so he jumped when he looked over and saw the ender hybrid standing there. Ranboo rubbed his arm, looking down at Tubbo on the bed.

"Hey Tubbo."

Tubbo snorted, staring up at him.

"Hey Ranboo. How is Tommy doing?"

Ranboo shrugged, sitting on the bed next to Tubbo.

"He's alright."

Tubbo glanced at the door, half expecting Tommy to come back in.

"Well, where is he?"

Ranboo didn't respond. Tubbo sat up, staring directly at Ranboo. Ranboo squirmed.

"Where is he Ranboo?"

"He's... staying with Phil. Tommy's not coming back to the apartment."

Tubbo scoffed. Tommy had to come back. He left all his stuff here. Ranboo seemed to read his thoughts as he continued.

"Techno is coming over to get Tommy's things, but we can choose what to do with his vigilante stuff."

Tubbo frowned. Tommy loved being a vigilante. Why would he not want what allowed him to be one?

"Ranboo, tell me everything that happened."

Ranboo glanced away from Tubbo instantly. That was a lying gesture. Ranboo used that gesture when talking about the syndicate base. About how well Wilbur was doing. Any time Tubbo and Ranboo had talked about Wilbur, he'd always done that look.

"How much do you actually know, Ranboo Enderrex?"

Ranboo glanced back at Tubbo, a panicked look that was carefully covered with confusion.

"What do you mean Tubbo?"

"I mean, how many secrets are you actually keeping? Do you know where the Syndicate base is?"

Ranboo nodded hesitantly. Tubbo pressed on.

"Is Wilbur actually better now?"

Ranboo shook his head.

"Is Tommy okay?"

Ranboo shook his head.

"Is there any other secrets I'm missing?"

Ranboo nodded.

"Do you even care about me?"

Ranboo hesitated, looking away again. Tubbo scowled, getting off his bed and storming to the door. Ranboo got up to follow him, trying to explain himself as Bee(?) stormed out the door.

"Tubbo, it's just the way you phrased that question! Of course I care about you, but they're secrets for a reason."

Bee(?) ignored him, grabbing his coat and heading to the door of the apartment. Ranboo dashed to him, hugging him from behind and picking him up off the floor.

"Please Tubbo, listen to me!"

Bee(?) let his wings free, flashing them in Ranboo's face. Surprised, Ranboo staggered back as he let go of him. Bee(?) stared down at him, sighing.

"Sorry Ran, I can't stay here."

"Where are you going?"

Bee(?) shrugged, opening the apartment door.

"To either Dream or my Dad. I'll decide on the bus."