Through It All ~ Dream Team SMP ✅

->Ten<-

I stared in awe at the building I was in. It was made from a cozy-looking wood and everything about it screamed homely. A comforting smell of cinnamon and cloves encircled me upon entry. Even at the late hour, the orphanage, as Phil described it, was a bustle of sound. Warm laughter resonated from the twisting stairs that drew the eyes upon entry. The blonde man who'd lead me here, spread his arms with a smile, gesturing around him.

"Now, how about that tea?"

Phil was a godsend. That's the only way I could describe him. I sat at a large, polished oak table, nursing a cup of peppermint tea, wrapping my fingers around the mug to let the warmth leech into them. I had been so lucky to run into him. From the minute we got to his "Children's home" he'd provided me with extra clothing for warmth, food, a drink, and even addressed my injuries. He hadn't asked why I was in the street in the middle of the night. He simply helped. I'd found a genuinely nice person in a corrupted city.

"How old are you, Tommy?" He asked. I looked up from my position, hunched over my drink.

"Oh, I'm sixteen," I answered. Something about his easy-going presence put me at ease.

"You'll fit right in with us here then. You can stay as long as you need, whether it's one night or one year. Everyone is welcome, we won't ask about your background. I'm just here to look after you all." Phil smiled. I couldn't help but return the gesture.

"Thank you. Ever since I got here... Well, I haven't been treated the best. I'm glad I found someone who actually cares about my wellbeing..." I confessed, truthfully.

"I'm happy to help. Now, it's quite late, and you look exhausted. I'll get you a bed prepared, and we can talk more in the morning. You'll have to share a room if that's okay..." The blonde man commented.

"Uh, yeah, that's fine..." I wasn't actually so sure about this, but in all my time in L'Manberg, my one friend was an adult revolutionary. Maybe I needed to meet some people of my own age.

That reminded me. Wilbur. Where was he? Was he okay? Was he even alive?

I sighed, draining the last dregs of my tea. I hated how cold and uncaring I felt, but I really just wanted to worry about him in the morning after I was rested. I was dragged back to reality by a short boy with almost artificial orange hair scurrying past. I watched Phil catch his arm.

"Scott, can you go tell Toby to sort out the spare bed in his room please?" The smaller boy eyed me curiously, blue irises lingering on the cuts on my face, before nodding and running up the stairs.

"Come on, Tommy, let's get you some rest now." I felt like I was being mildly treated like a young child, but I allowed Phil to lead me up a few flights of stairs, too worn out to protest against the placid patronisation. I nearly liked the feeling of being told everything explicitly and being looked after. It made me feel comfortable. Like I was back home. With my family.

I wondered how they were doing back on the farm. Were they worried about me? Had news of the robbery spread to the Outer yet to them? George had said they would notify my family of my sentence... I wonder if he'd done it yet, and if my parents were sitting up late by the fireplace, either crying or wondering where they went wrong with me. I was shocked to find tears in my eyes as I thought of home. I missed it. I'd come here to seek a better future. And I'd found only evil. The only people I could trust were... Well, who could I trust?

I hadn't known Phil long enough, even though he had taken me in and looked after me so far. Wilbur had been decent to me, but at the same time, I saw him kill someone in front of me, and do so with a smile. Skeppy and The Blade, obviously I couldn't trust. And I didn't know anyone else.

I realised I'd stopped in the middle of the corridor, and I felt my cheeks heat up at the sight of Phil waiting patiently for me, a comforting smile on his face. He was quite a smiley guy.

"You okay?" He asked kindly.

"I- I don't really know..." That was all I managed to say. The blonde man's face dropped, and he walked over, giving my shoulder a quick squeeze.

"Don't worry, get some rest now, and then some proper breakfast tomorrow, and we can work things out. You can stay here, or you can go home... If you have a home..." He trailed off, awkwardly at the last part.

"No, I do have a home, but it's far away. In the city, I'm all alone." I sighed.

"Well, not for much longer, you have all of us now. Anyway, this will be your room for however long you need it. Usually, breakfast is pretty early, but I'll save some in case you want to sleep in." Phil gestured to the spruce door in front of him. I nodded.

I placed my hand on the smooth wood, and pushed, suddenly slightly nervous to meet the other children. Just relax. They're probably fine, I'm just paranoid. I tried to calm myself. It didn't really work. Phil bid me goodnight and closed the door behind me.

I examined my room. There were two single beds pushed against opposite walls. Next to each one was a small, roughly craved nightstand with a gas lamp on. One was empty save the lamp, while the other had books piled upon it, impossibly high. It wasn't a large room, but it had space enough to comfortably move around. There was a long, thin window set into the back wall, and a thin beam of moonlight was spilling onto the ground through the glass. I walked over and tugged the flimsy curtain over it. I exhaled slowly in the darkness and collapsed onto the bed on the left, that had the empty nightstand, assuming it to be my own.

I lay there for a few minutes, calming myself by running my fingers over the woven blankets, feeling every stitch touch my skin. I felt... Safe. I allowed a smile to creep onto my face as I relished the comfort and happiness I felt at that moment. Sure, I missed my family, I was scared for if the Kingsguard found me, I was worried for Wilbur. But I let go of it all, in just that moment. I ignored all my emotions and just was. If only for a minute.

My serenity was shattered by the door creaking open slightly. An aflame candle lit the way, the glow of light bobbing up and down with movement. I could only see their silhouette, but they seemed smaller than me and were humming happily. They turned, having closed the door, and spotted me on the bed. The figure set the candle down, after lighting the lamp on his nightstand, yes, it was definitely a he. He continued humming as he walked over to me, and I saw him for the first time as his face flashed in a patch of light.

The boy looked about my age. He was definitely shorter than me, with a mop of straight brown hair cascading over his forehead and neck. His cheeks were tinted slightly pink and he had striking blue eyes. His forest green shirt was buttoned incorrectly, but it kind of suited his, what I assumed to be laid back, style.

"You must be my new roomie!" He sounded very enthusiastic to see me. I might have partially l shared his joy, had I not been exhausted. "I thought you might want a drink, so I've got you a glass of water." He smiled, leaning over and handing it to me.

"Thanks." I mustered, stifling a yawn.

"I'm Toby, by the way, but my friends call me Tubbo." He introduced himself to me.

"What do I call you?" I asked quietly.

"It's really up to you." He rocked back and forth on his heels, happily.

"Well, Tubbo sounds cool, so I guess that works. My name's Tommy."

"It's nice to meet you, Tommy. I'll leave you to sleep, I probably should too. I hope we can be friends."

Honestly, I hoped so too.