✓Updated

Song:  River

Artist: Aurora

Have this chapter two days early :)

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Also, I wanted to ask you guys something in regards to the depiction of you. I got a comment saying that Y/N was basically an OC because I chose to offer my interpretation of you in the way of a drawing. I wanted to know if anyone else sees it as such?

I've expanded on my comment on personalised appearance in Settings for future readers but to summarize here:

The image is mostly a reference for myself. It's true that you have an appearance but it is largely left up in the air for your enjoyment. The only defining features I've mentioned are eye colour and non-human features but again are left up for you to interpret as you wish. An example of this is that I've mentioned an eye colour (purple) and that you have an unnatural skin shade but everything else is up for your choice, if you don't like the purple wings, you don't have to see purple wings. The reason I chose to give an image is that your appearance actually has a relation to the plot in a small way.

Sorry for the short rant, but your thoughts would be appreciated on the matter! <3

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• CHAPTER NINE•

| Long Needed Conversation |

Tommy couldn't help the wrongwrongwrong feeling at seeing both Technoblade and Dream step foot into what had become a safe haven for him. A secure place where he didn't have to worry about fighting, surviving, or anything that was a constant plague to his mind the last few years he had spent in the SMP Region.

He didn't spare them another glance as he took the stairs that spiralled the inside of the tree and into the treehouse, brushing off the snow from his shoulders as he did.

"You've not changed much," Technoblade comments as he steps foot in as well.

Not changed much? Tommy knew obviously Y/N and Technoblade had some sort of prior meeting, because duh, but were they full-on, proper friends? But it really shouldn't have been so much of a surprise to hear his brother had also stepped foot in here before.

"Cozy," is all Dream adds. Tommy catches him glancing around the entire place, gaze seeming to linger on Y/N's parrot companion, Tiki, who trilled at the sight of new people.

"I've had no reason to change it," she responded, that icy front from before had melted some but she wasn't completely warm either.

Perching his backside on one of the chairs, Tommy crossed his arms and lent on the table. He glanced out the window to see the wind had picked up and the was snow falling even heavier now.

Good timing, they would have been caught in that had Y/N arrived minutes later.

Techno follows Tommy's lead and sat down at the table, while Dream on the other hand stays standing, leaning back against the wall with his arms crossed. Watching, if Tommy had the guess.

Y/N squeezes his shoulder gently as she moves to stand beside him.

"So? Shall we get chatting? Let's start from the beginning, like the reason why Tommy left in the first place."

A long beat of silence where all three males shifted, unsure how or where to start. Eventually, Dream starts, beginning briefly at the creation of L'Manburg and how it was on SMP land. It makes Tommy admittedly a bit ashamed as he listens to Dream talk about how they were basically stealing his land and making it their own when they had no right to it.

Rightfully so, Dream got pissed and so the fighting began. It got heated and evolved further than it should have, people were hurt and even lost a Life because of it.

Tommy interjects on several important moments, wanting Dream to get facts right, especially when there were two separate sides of the entire ordeal.

The presidential debate and Schlatt and how Wilbur was affected by it all really seemed to make Y/N draw into herself. (So she knew Wilbur too?) That no one really recognised just how bad it got until it was too late and he was blowing up parts of L'Manburg.

Before too much damage could be done, however, Philza arrived and managed to talk Wilbur down from the worst of his psychotic break. Who once he realised what he had done, fled with only a goodbye to Philza.

Then even more stuff happens, like accidently setting George's house on fire.

"With Ranboo," Tommy finally admitted sheepishly.

"I knew it," was Dream dry response, "Idiots, the lot of you."

"It was an accident," Tommy defended, glaring up at him, "He griefed my house first, so I only wanted to get back at him! At some point, one of us unknowingly knocked over a lantern which set the place on fire. You guys all acted like I was the fucking instigator in that situation when I wasn't."

"What's wrong with a little chaos?" was Technoblades comment.

Y/N tsked lightly, tugging on his ear, "Hush, nows not the time."

Technoblade grunted and bat her hand away from him so he could rub the abused area.

Dream and Tommy continued to the point of Tommy's exile.

"...You thought exiling a kid would teach him to grow up?"

Dream only shrugged, "I was pissed, he mocked my deceased horse who I loved very much and I was at my wit's end. I wanted to be petty."

Y/N only hummed, face neutral so none of them could read what she might be thinking or feeling at Dream's words, "Okay, I suppose while largely flawed, you have the right considering it is your land."

Tommy only felt a slight sting at that but he also knows, from what he revealed before this, that she didn't support his exile.

"Still, considering he's a minor, you're reactions should have been more mature even with all the stuff that had gone down."

There it was.

she continued: "And ou should have gone to Phil, I know for a fact he would have been a good mediator. He's a father, suitable and fair punishment is kind of his forte after having pretty much raised four kids."

Again, Dream shrugged but it a more agreeing manor this time, "You're right."

Wow, Tommy's impressed. Technoblade cocked a brow, also looking impressed.

"What?" They could hear the scowl Dream had, "I might be a dick but I'm not an oblivious one. I know what I did was stupid but can you really blame me after what the bunch of you had done?"

"Touche," Tommy ruffled his hair and avoided eye contact.

There was a long beat of silence which was only broken by Tiki chirping for attention from Y/N. She dragged a finger down Tiki's back.

"Then Tommy, not wanting to stay in Logstedshire, ran straight towards me," Y/N mused, fiddling with her earring.

"Yeah," he nodded.

"It's a strange coincidence," Technoblade frowned, "That it just so happened to be you of all people."

"The world works in mysteries ways, Techno," a smirk tugged at the corner of her lips, "You of all people should know that."

What did she mean by that? Tommy glanced back and forth between Y/N and Technoblade when the pink-haired hybrid met her eyes and neither said anything for a long pregnant pause.

"...I suppose you're right," he finally voiced, a look in his eyes that Tommy rarely ever saw. Technoblade knew exactly what Y/N was talking about.

The conversation continued but soon enough Dream made a dickish comment and of course Tommy can't help but retaliate—

They argue for a bit, rehashing old beef and long past fights. But in the end, they just stew in silence, glaring at one another.

Then Tommy remembered that it wasn't only him and Dream in the room. His cheeks heated up as he awkwardly glanced at Technoblade and Y/N.

Y/N was the one to speak next, muttering with a cocked brow, "Done bickering like children?"

Tommy flushed and sunk into his seat, mumbling a small apology, which clearly surprises Technoblade and Dream. Tommy doesn't really blame them, he never used to just back down. But he's grown, not just while with Y/N. Exile taught Tommy some things, even if he hated the entirety of it.

(Even if he was prone to arguing back as he had just done with Dream. Whoops. Gotta work on not letting others rile him up that easily.)

"Look, my only rules while you're here, is respect and no fighting. A civil conversation works perfectly well in all situations," Y/N turned to look pointedly at Dream and Techno, "As far as you both are concerned, this is Tommy's home too and I won't take any disrespect or vulgarity to either of us. I won't have a problem throwing you out."

Technoblade, who hadn't made a peep since before Dream and Tommy began arguing, nodded, "I wouldn't expect anything else from you."

Y/N eyed Technoblade for a moment, a flicker of...amusement? flashed across her eyes but it was gone as soon as it arrived. Her eyes then moved to Dream, who shifted.

Dream sighed but nodded also, "I promise."

Well, Tommy's impressed, he could count on one hand the amount of time he's seen Dream agree to something civilly. The masked man always had a flair for dramatics.

Rubbing his arm, Tommy glanced Dream's way, "Sorry for some of the things I said. You're just such a dick I can't help it."

Dream snorted, but he could hear the smirk in his voice, "And you're a brat."

There was a fond amusement to his voice.

Tommy supposed it was something.