✓ Updated

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• CHAPTER SIXTEEN•

° L'Manburg °

Standing before the SMP Hub had a range of mixed emotions rise up inside Tommy. A large part of him was...relieved—to see a familiar sight again after so long, but he was also loathing the idea of stepping through and into the land he had once called home.

Who would he see first?

The thought of Tubbo brought pain, Tommy felt panic rise up at even the thought of coming face to face with Tubbo the moment he stepped through.

What about dad? He was on house arrest if Tommy remembered correctly. Could Tommy go see him first?

"Bruh," Technoblade eyed the portal hesitantly, "I didn't think this one through. They gonna try kill me again?"

Dream snorted, "No. I made it clear what would happen if they tried to do something like that again."

Tommy's vividly reminded of the fact Tubbo helped organise Technoblade's fucking execution.

It left a sour taste in his mouth. A bitter thing that tainted his already wavering emotions at the thought of stepping through.

Y/N stepped up beside him, poking his shoulder gently, "Hey."

Tommy looked to her, seeing that slight assuring curl of her lips, "One step at a time and focus on the present. It'll get easier after each."

Nodding, Tommy took a breath and stepped through.

The fresh air of the overworld felt great in his lung for the first time in two days.

(Tommy had never spent more than a few hours in the Nether before, let alone two whole fucking days—or the equivalent since the Nether didn't exactly have a day and night cycle.)

The community house is the first building he sees and he took another breath at the sight of it.

"Where do you want to go first?" Dream questioned.

Without a doubt, Tommy answered, "Dad."

"Philza it is then," Dream turned on his heels and began to lead the way.

They don't get far before a familiar face appears.

Quackity.

The group of four all stop short. Tommy noticed the new addition of a scar on Quackity's face, cutting across his cheek and brow, just missing his left eye.

Quackity's gaze hones in on Technoblade and a tense silence settled. Then his dark eyes flickered to Tommy.

"Move along Quackity," Dream ordered.

Teeth clenched, Quackity said nothing as he did as ordered.

Technoblade breathed a sigh of relief, "As much as I like a fight, thanks."

Dream gave a jerky nod, "No problem."

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The tall black and white coloured male hybrid turned at their approach, his mismatch red and green eyes locking onto their forms.

Oh, oh, you realise quickly this is the Enderman hybrid Tommy had spoken to you about. You stifle an excited grin.

He, Ranboo, if you were recalling correctly, perked up at the sight of Tommy.

"Tommy!" He smiles, "I'm glad to see you're okay."

Tommy gave him a thumbs up, "Good to see you too, Ranboo."

"I'm happy to see you're in good health!" Ranboo shuffled, slinking closer. His eyes turned onto you in confusion, "Hi, I don't think we've met?"

"Hello," you smiled, which he returned, "You must be Ranboo, Tommy told me about you. I'm Y/N."

Ranboo flustered, "R-Really?"

Tommy coughed awkwardly and you chuckled, "It's lovely to meet you."

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You admired the architecture as you ventured through L'Manburg and eventually Dream led you all to a building.

Before you could even reach the door it was ripped open to reveal a wide, misty-eyed Philza, who darted out and encapsulated Tommy into a tight hug.

"Dad!" Tommy gasped breathlessly, all the air forced from his lungs at the grip Philza had on him.

"Tommy!" Philza choked out, bordering on a sob and immediately Tommy's eyes watered, he buried his face into Philza's shoulder, trembling.

You pursed your lips, fingers absently tracing patterns on your trident, feeling just a dash awkward but happy nonetheless at the reunion.

When Philza finally pulled back, cupping Tommy's head to look him over, his next words are: "You idiot."

Tommy, red-eyed as well, glared, "Shut up," but his words were weak, no bit behind them.

Philza sighed and finally stepped back, then his eyes turned onto you where they widened in bewilderment, "Y/N?"

You waved, "Heya Phil."

You squeak as Philza drags you into a hug. You release your trident in your surprise and flail about awkwardly before wrapping your arms around Philza.

Thankfully someone seemed to have caught your trident since you didn't hear it hit the ground.

"God, Y/N," He pulled back, hands on your shoulders, "It's been a while."

"It's not like I didn't write! Besides you came and visited like three months ago!" You argued.

"Bruh, you wrote to dad but not me?" Came Technoblade's deadpan voice.

Flustered and embarrassed, you grin sheepishly, waving your hands in an attempt to placate Technoblade, "Sorry, sorry. You were always on the move and Philza is always so much easier to get a hold of because of his crows!"

Philza laughed, dragging a hand through his hair, utter relief on his face, "Let me guess, Tommy ended up running into you, right?"

You nodded, "Yes."

Philza turned back to Tommy, dragging him back into his arms again ignoring his son's complaint at all the affection, "Fuck, I don't think I've ever felt so relieved about something in my life."

He glanced towards Dream next, "Thanks."

Dream nodded, shoving his hands into his pockets, "No problem. Besides, I wouldn't have found him had it not been for Techno."

Technoblade threw a smirk Dream's way, "Yeah, you're pretty useless."

Dream just sighed in annoyance and you could feel the eye roll he gave in response, "Whatever."