𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐨𝐝𝐬 | 𝐦𝐜𝐲𝐭

𝟎𝟕 | 𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐦

Ch. 7—covenant

Between the fact that his brother stank of sulfur, and the ring of ash left behind on the balcony, Tommy wasn't initially surprised as to why Tubbo seemed on the verge of tears. Still, he seemed to fight it off and instead started speaking in short, stuttering bursts of words that Tommy couldn't quite comprehend, but he got the gist of it. 

"Tommy, Schlatt said—he said he wants you to join us as well o-or else he'll kill them, he'll kill everyone, just like how—" He blurted before Tommy cut him off, reaching his hand out to grip his shoulder. 

"Tubbo, calm down. As powerful as Jschlatt is, he can't just wipe out a whole race, besides, that's what we're here for! To uh...to protect everyone, I guess." Not that they need it. He ended the last part off on a bitterish note. Tubbo's eyes brightened, ever so slightly as he continued rambling. How passionate he sounded about the whole ordeal shocked him quite a bit. 

"Exactly! That's all they care about. Techno, Bad—all of them just want to use us. They never stop by to chat otherwise, we're only ever recognized if someone needs something, otherwise, we're just treated like little kids who can't think for themselves! Schlatt can change that, Tommy!" He put up a convincing argument...if it weren't for Tommy's vast knowledge on the man in question. Jschlatt was a cold, manipulative bastard that only cared for himself. He was a genius at deception and getting any number of poor idiots to do what he wanted. And by what Tubbo was telling him...

He'd been brainwashed as well. 

"Tubbo. What makes you think he isn't just using you as well?" He asked slowly, letting his words drag. Tubbo swiftly shook his head and continued to rock back and forth on the balls of his feet. 

"I don't know how to explain it, I think I just kind of...know. I don't think he'd be as sincere to me if he was trying to use me for his own personal gain and besides, what makes you think that I'd be stupid enough to fall for that?" He deflected the question easily, catching Tommy off guard. 

Tommy didn't know how to tell him that that was just what he wanted him to think. He wanted desperately to explain that Tubbo was being manipulated and used, again, but he didn't have the heart to. His brother just seemed so...eerily happy. Was that the word? Or would he say unhinged instead? 

"He said, as long as we follow his lead, we'll be real gods, gods that people kneel and tremble in the presence of. Don't you want that, Tommy? Don't you want some respect?" He was starting to get a little pushier now, nervously tugging at the edges of his sleeves and growing more fidgety by the minute. On one hand, joining Jschlatt might prove to be a horrible, horrible idea. but then again...

Tommy was a god. 

He could convince Tubbo to return to his side. And with both of them, the Demon Race could have a chance to rebel. Jschlatt's power was unmatched by any mortal, so by that logic, if he and Tubbo helped to overthrow him, they would have even a sliver of a chance.

There was no risk for either of them, the hell was Schlatt gonna do? Kill two people that can't die? Hurt two people whose wounds heal as fast as they are gained? Challenge two immortals with infinite power? Tommy knew for a fact that even he was not that stupid, however, he had to keep it all under wraps. If anyone else were to find out, he'd be a goner—not physically speaking, of course, but still a goner in the sense that he wouldn't be allowed back in the Underworld for treason. 

It made his shoulders feel heavy, knowing that he'd be lying to the one person he'd never lied to in his entire life, but at the same time...

It was just to keep him safe.

Right?

"You—you're right. I think, yeah. It is kind of infuriating to be babied and talked down to. I guess if Jschlatt can help with that..." He trailed off and watched with mild discomfort as Tubbo perked up and took his hand. 

"Great! There's a gateway just to the East of here, we'll get there early and then you can make a good first impression! Let's go!" He started dragging Tommy along, stopping occasionally so he could catch up before bidding farewell to Technoblade, which earned them only a perked eyebrow and a few confused looks as they made a hasty exit. 

He still couldn't stop the guilty feeling in his chest, one that seeped up his throat and made it hard to speak and breathe. What if, after all this, Tubbo didn't trust him anymore? What if he didn't trust anyone anymore? He knew betrayal was coming, he could feel it in his bones, but Tubbo didn't know that, did he? 

His brother looked back at him with bright, proud eyes. 

And for once,

Tommy couldn't meet Tubbo's gaze. 

A/N: Sorry for the short chapter, everyone! I didn't want to put a lot of filler conversation or plot, it's gonna get better again over this week :)