Sweet Dreams

THE STORY

[CONTINUATION]

~We left off with Tommy choosing to either ask Dream for a duel or to surrender. And the readers chose to ask him for a duel.
~Of course, it's a bargain between Dream and Tommy, before Dream agrees on these terms; Dream wins: Tommy dies. Tommy wins: Dream is banished.

Snippet:
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[He clutches his hand, staring back at the admin with the equal feeling of poison in his own blue eyes; "I challenge you to a duel.".

The reaction was quicker than he anticipated, with both Tubbo and Phil screaming for him in startled fear

It starts with a choked, "WHAT-!?", and he could tell that was Tubbo, his Best Friend, as the sounds of arrows falling from his grip. A hand grips his wrist, almost tugging him backwards. It was larger than normal, a telltale sign that was Techno, his older brother. Just as these things were happening, another scream echoed from his right, "TOMS-!?". Ah, that must be Philza, his father.

They were understandably concerned for him, especially Tubbo.

But was there any other choices he could've picked that wouldn't resulted in the children's death?

Dream's reaction was...interesting, so to speak. He narrowed his eyes towards him, but a gleam of sick nostalgia reflects in them. "Oh...?", he utters out, the edges of his lips curl upwards into a smirk. Clearly, he remembers that day well. That makes thing easier, Tommy decides.]

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~No one is happy about this of course, but nothing can be done. So Tommy makes sure that everyone (AND I MEAN EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY) promises him that they'd take care of the children should something happen to him. They do promise him, if not a little reluctant (mainly from Tubbo.) Tommy comforts Clara and Michael, having them promise him and each other to look after one another.
~Fatherinnit moment with Clara

Snippet:
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[As though the world listened to him, a tug from his coat broke him out of his thoughts. He looks down to see the wide and bright eyes of his daughter, staring right back at him. "Papa..?", she calls to him, her lips wobbling from the fear that followed her; yet Tommy could see she was worried for him too.

"Hey buns.", he greets back, getting on his knees and pulling her close to his chest, arms wrapped around her small frame as the little girl melts into his embrace.

"What's going on Papa?", she asks him and Tommy almost stills; he hasn't heard that kind of tone since he got poisoned. The worry and fear that laced her voice, a mix of confusion follows afterwards, and it ends with a tinge of hope; perhaps hope that all these bad things happening will end soon? That everyone will be okay when this ends?

Tommy could tell her that, that they would go home to their cottage in the dense forest, looking after their crops and animals, playing out in the field during sunny afternoons and singing songs underneath the moonlight. They could go home with Michael, her unofficial big brother, and the rest of her family. They could spend their days in peace as they all grow up and grow old together, living in a household full of laughter and love.