Us Against the World

Replacement

The sun was barely visible on the horizon. Tommy squinted as he looked forward in the sun's direction, hoping to get to town before nightfall. His head was pounding from the amount of stress he was feeling. He massaged his temples attempting to alleviate at least a bit of the pain.

His arms lower to rest at his sides when he arrives at the edge of the forest. A voice makes him jump and he turns his head slightly to meet Dream's eyes.

"Funny seeing you here," Dream says plainly.

"Could say the same. I'm looking for Schlatt."

Dream hums in response and gestures for Tommy to follow him. They end up at the White House, and through the large windows Tommy can see Schlatt sitting at a large desk with a book in one hand and a dumbbell in the other. Of course. The next few minutes are spent navigating through the building to Schlatt's office in utter silence apart from the two pairs of steps.

Dream knocks at the doors to the office and enters at the permission of Schlatt.

"Tommy! Interesting seeing you this evening," Schlatt says through clenched teeth. "How's Toby?"

"You bastard! What did you do to him?!" Tommy strides forward, anger sending sparks through every step that lands. Schlatt sits in place, showing that he was still processing the situation. Realization dawned, and he smiled with low eyes.

"So he tried then?"

"Yeah, he tried to fucking kill me! Because of you Schlatt."

Schlatt simply stared at Tommy, his expression almost fully changing to pity as he waited for Tommy to say anything else.

"Leave him alone."

"Oh, no. He can't back out now. Also if Toby runs, he'll be hunted and we both know we have some good hunters I could easily hire," Schlatt's shit eating grin was as bright as ever as Tommy became engulfed with rage.

Tommy's hands reached across the desk and gripped the tousled collar beneath Schlatt's neck.

"You are a fucking moron. Do you know how much bullshit he's already been through? And you have the nerve to use it to your advantage and th- and then kill him! Fucking kill him once you're done with him?! You are a sick bastard who deserves to rot in the depths of hell, Schlatt."

Tommy spits the words with venom he'd never consumed before, his blood boiling over into his already hot temper. His eyes are crazed with hatred and Dream stands to the side watching, ready for if Tommy attempts anything too rash. Schlatt simply laughs at him and mocks him.

"Aw, Tommy that stings," Schlatt chuckles. "We all go to hell! So, I might as well enjoy my time before it, no? So what if he's got trauma- you and his other "friends" caused it anyway!"

Tommy steps back, clearly offended by the last sentence.

"HA! You don't realise it do you, Thomas? That boy has been downcast and led along like a lamb by you for the entirety of his time here! Sure, you say you care and all and he acts as if it's all fine, but is it really, Tommy?"

Schlatt doesn't wait for an invitation to continue, but he takes pleasure in seeing Tommy's face turn from offense to realization and disbelief. His chest lights up and it only fuels him further.

"You're his problem, Tommy! Why do you think he didn't have any problem with the idea? 'If I kill Tommy, I won't be weak anymore!' It's pathetic. Even more pathetic that you didn't realize what you were doing to the poor boy!" Schlatt turns his tone to one of fake pity, "You made him try to kill you."

"Let me do it instead."

Schlatt's taken aback by the sudden suggestion.

"Sorry, what?"

"Let me take his place. Kill me instead and let Toby live with my family or wherever he wants."

He sits back in consideration for a good moment and promptly asks, "What's in it for me?"

A/N

[Sorry for a short chapter, it's mostly a filler. Also thank you for almost two hundred reads holy shit! I hope y'all like it so far]