Through It All ~ Dream Team SMP ✅

->Seventeen<-

Tubbo hadn't stopped shaking. My own tears had dried a few hours ago, but it didn't stop the insurmountable pit that had formed in my stomach. And an overwhelming feeling of emptiness. I laid a comforting hand on my best friend's shoulder and gave him a sad smile he didn't return. I didn't blame him. It took me so much effort to even quirk my lips upward slightly.

Sap, Dream, George and whatever army they had mustered would be here soon. We had our own soldiers of course, but it wouldn't match them. We could be sure of that.

After the initial happiness at Tubbo's safety, we'd barely exchanged any words. Wilbur, Niki, Eret, Fundy, Tubbo, and I were sat in Will's makeshift office in the Palace. We were supposed to be contemplating the best defence for the inevitable attack, but no one had the heart to speak.

"Can I be honest? Just for a moment..." All eyes swivelled to Fundy as he broke the piercing silence.

"Of course," Wilbur replied earnestly, looking at his brother sadly.

"I-... I'm scared." I let out a dry chuckle.

"If you're not scared, you're not human." That was all I thought to add to the conversation.

"Tommy's right. But I need you to look past your fear and to the future. History is happening right here, before our eyes. We may get no choice in who lives, who dies, or who's left to tell our stories, but we have to try. We're not throwing away our shot at freedom." Wilbur bowed his head as he spoke quietly. Tubbo stared at the brunette with admiration. I knew how much my best friend looked up to him. I knew how much I  looked up to him.

"Well said," Nikki replied, barely whispering as she laid her head on the beanie-wearing man's shoulder. Fundy's fear didn't seem to have dispelled. The younger Soot was systematically clenching and unclenching his fists. He looked like the simple movement was all that was keeping him grounded. It probably was.

I watched Eret lift the brunette's chin with two fingers and whisper words of encouragement I didn't hear. Fundy seemed to perk up immediately, but as he did so, I noticed Eret slump, a flash of guilt gracing his face.

That was one thing I'd noticed. Eret had been rather quiet. Anytime the topic of fighting was brought up, he'd hide his face and fiddle, biting his nails. He's probably just nervous. The only reason it stood out to me was because of how I knew him to be strong, relaxed and calm. But then again, this was war. War changes people.

"I need to send a letter." The man in question spoke, his slow, deep voice trickling through the air like honey. I liked Eret's voice. It was so calming. It's like every time he talked he sweetened the oxygen I took in with some kind of relaxant. I couldn't help but feel at ease around him. Wilbur nodded his approval at the statement. Maybe this could be my chance to try and find out why he's so nervous and help him!

"I'll go too." I grinned at Eret. The sunglasses adorned man looked mildly disgruntled. He slowly rotated his neck before sighing.

"Okay." He muttered.

I noticed how taught his posture was as we walked down the carpeted corridor to his room. When we arrived, I hovered in the doorway, unsure as to whether I should go in. I don't know why I was surprised at how neat his room was, but I was. His bed was made and his mahogany desk was clean, save for a hastily scribbled paragraph on a scrap of parchment. I assumed this was his letter.

"Who's that for?" I inquired.

"No one." I physically recoiled as he snapped at me. Normally I would have confronted him about his tone of voice, but I reminded myself he was stressed and decided against it. Best to make a joke out of it, that always calms me down.

"Someone really special then, huh?" I laughed as he sealed the envelope with a wax seal. Eret looked over at me. I couldn't see his eyes due to his sunglasses, but I had a pretty decent inkling that they were narrowed considerably. He seemed to contemplate my statement for a moment, before answering carefully.

"Uh... You could say that." He flicked his pen over the envelope with pretty, looping handwriting.

"Oooooh, what's their name?" I decided to push it further, make is funny to put him at ease. Eret didn't answer me this time, tracing the lettering of the name he had written with a sad look on his face. It was at this point I decided to actually enter the room and peer over his shoulder at the name.

I only caught sight of a calligraphic 'D' before Eret snatched the letter to his chest aggressively, frowning at me.

"That's none of your business, Innitson." He never usually called me by my last name. I felt like I had struck a nerve. That's not what I wanted at all! I was trying to help.

"I- sorry man, I just-" I retreated, holding my hands up.

"Just get out." He commanded, lowly. I didn't need telling twice. The power his voice held... It scared me. It was unsettling.

I trudged back to Wilbur's office, figuring I had nothing better to do. Who could Eret be sending a letter to? Odds were it was a friend of his I didn't know. Made sense.

I pushed the door open and entered. I cursed as I tumbled over the change from carpet to wood, taking a moment to regain my balance. I looked up to find Wil and Niki staring at me with faint amusement.

"Uh hey... Wilbur... I was just looking for Tubbo." I stuttered, feeling like I was put on the spot.

"Tubbo's out on the balcony." He pointed to the French Windows that were slightly ajar.

"Thanks..." I mumbled, walking past them, face aflame with embarrassment.

I went outside and saw the brunette boy resting his head on his arms, leaning against the ballistrades that separated him from falling. I regarded him with pity. The poor boy wasn't equipped for this. I felt guilty at that moment. I'd dragged him into this. It's my fault he was here, and he was suffering. I did this.

But I didn't voice those thoughts out loud. I walked over and engulfed him in a friendly hug, taking the boy by surprise.

"T-Tommy!" He spluttered.

"Sorry," I replied sheepishly.

"It's okay." He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck

We stood in silence for a few minutes.

"Hey, Tubbs?"

"Yeah?"

"We still have each other."