━━ TIME IS A FUNNY THING.

Almost six years ago, you had left home with your bother. You fought in your first war, fell in love, and two years later, it was ripped from you. You lost everything in a single explosion in your second war. Then, your brother becomes president, exiled his best friend, and somehow you got caught up in a web of lies.

You fought a third war, blew up your home, and fled to the tundra.

Now, almost two years later, everything was different. You had stayed with Techno for about a year, and it was safe to say you two had grown close.

You had a house built after two months, but you still spent plenty of time in Techno's house. After a year, though, you craved the feeling of being home. You had heard there were some new faces, as well as some old. In fact, you were returning there today to visit Tubbo. He had sent you a text saying he had a big announcement.

You and Ranboo were traveling back there together, as he and Tubbo had gotten extremely close in the past two years. You're surprised Ranboo hadn't moved out yet.

You let out a sigh as you emerge on the other side of the portal. "It hasn't changed a bit."

"The community house still looks terrible," Ranboo snorts.

"At this point, it's a lost cause."

A few people had tried to rebuild it, but it didn't have the same feel to it. For a community house, it felt deserted and, well, the opposite of a community.

You look to the left. L'manberg was just over the hill. You could visit your old home, see if anything was there. You almost laugh at the absurd thought; there would be nothing.

"Did you text Tubbo?" You asked Ranboo, using your chin to gesture to his phone.

"He did," Tubbo answered.

You spin around to see your brother in front of you. His hair is longer, and he's wearing a heavy wool coat and hat. It's much heavier attire than necessary for Dream's land.

For the first time since you were kids, you and Tubbo hug each other — really hug each other. In the six years of war, it was nothing like this. It was like you knew something big was coming.

"You're dressed warmly," You comment as he pulls back.

Tubbo shrugs. "It gets cold."

He turns to Ranboo, who bends down to hug him, and you laugh a bit at that. Tubbo pulls back with a smile and turns around.

"If you two will follow me."

He takes you to the left, passing Purpled's UFO (though he's moved out since), Tommy's house, and L'manberg. But the three of you agree to not look at the ruins of it. When he reaches Skeepy's and Bad's mansion, he takes a left.

As you pass by it, a larger building appears in the distance. It's made of obsidian and towers above everything, sitting in the water.

"What the hell is that?" You asked.

Tubbo shrugs. "I have no idea. Sam won't say anything. Been under construction for years."

"Sam built that?"

"Yeah."

"It's huge," Ranboo said. "It looks like some sort of... prison."

Tubbo gives Ranboo a skeptical look. "I doubt Sam would build a prison. It seems a bit excessive."

He leads you to the edge of the land, standing in front of a large tunnel.

"Do you guys have tridents?"

Ranboo and you both take out matching ones.

"Alright, try not to get too wet."

Tubbo goes first, stepping into the tunnel and throwing his trident. He disappears in seconds.

"You gonna be okay?" You asked Ranboo.

He nods, clutching his trident. "I'll only be a few seconds, plus the amour is covering most of me."

"Okay."

He gives you a playful salute before flying forward. You follow after him, tossing your trident and feeling the water propel you forward. It spits you out on the other side, and you land in a crouch, trident in hand. You brush off the few droplets of water that remained. Most of them flew right off with the speed you traveled at.

You look up to see snow-covered pine trees, and you realize why Tubbo was wearing such a heavy coat.

"Welcome to Snowchester."

"You started a new country?" You gasped as he leads you toward the spruce cabins in the back.

"It's more of a safe haven," Tubbo explained, opening the door for what you assumed was his house. It's still unfinished, but the lanterns give it a warm tone, and the fire cackles in the back. It felt like home.

"I started working on it after Doomsday. Now, there are six citizens and no presidents. I'm done with that."

"Why did you want to show us this?" Ranboo asked.

Tubbo shuffles on his feet. "I wanted to ask you both to join it," he coughs, eyes shifting to Ranboo. "I actually wanted to ask you to move in with me."

"Oh," Ranboo said. "Oh."

"We can talk about that later, and preferably not in front of my sister."

You hold your hands up in defense. "I'm deaf as far as you're aware."

"You're literally always aware of half the shit that goes on."

You're silent at that.

"But anyway," Tubbo continues. "You don't have to decide now. I just wanted to mention it. You know, show you around."

"I'll definitely consider it."

Ranboo smiles. "Me too."

"(Y/N)," Tubbo calls. "Can I speak to you in private?"

"Oh, sure."

Tubbo leads you upstairs, closing the door behind you two.

"What's up?"

"I want your advice on something."

"Oh, that's a first."

Tubbo rolls his eyes. "If you can stop with the sarcastic comments, that is."

"Fine," You relent. "(Y/N) the wise is at your service. What do you need?"

Tubbo looks like he's going to call you out on the name but doesn't. "You've been in love before."

"Yeah?"

"If Wilbur was still here, do you think you would've married him? Would you have wanted to?"

"That's an uh interesting question, Tubs," You laugh nervously. Three years ago, your answer would've been yes. But now? Wilbur was a ghost of your past. And yet, the answer still came easy to you.

"Yeah. I would have."

"I think I want to propose to Ranboo."

"Really?" You asked excitedly. "Oh my god, that's great!"

"Yeah," He sighs. "But what if it's too sudden? Or... or something happens before."

"Don't be like me," You said. "Don't be afraid to go after what you want. It's better to have it for a short time than to never have had it at all."

Tubbo's afraid he'll die.

"Tomorrow then. I'll ask tomorrow."

You pull your brother in for another quick hug. You never thought he'd be the one to get engaged first.

"Make sure I'm the best man." You wink.

"Always."

You and Tubbo walk back downstairs, and you slip past the two, leaving to talk about Tubbo's earlier offer. When you step outside, a chilly breeze wraps itself around you. Smoke piles out of the chimneys of the other houses in the area, and you can hear the crashing of ocean waves. It was beautiful and calming. Your feet crunch in the snow as you head back to the tunnel.

The change in weather is drastic on the other side. It's still cold, but not as freezing as Snowchester. The grass is dead, but at least you can see it. You pass the large obsidian building, shuttering a bit at the sight of it. What a strange thing to appear in a few years.

You head back towards the direction of the community house, but that's not where you're heading.

The dirt shack looks the same as it had earlier, the oak doors open and welcoming. You step past them, lightly knocking.

"Tommy?"

"(Y/N)?"

A blond head peeks around the corner, and you're expecting a bright smile and blazing blue eyes, but Tommy is frowning.

"I didn't know you were visiting," he said.

"Yeah, um, Tubbo invited me. He wanted to show Ranboo and me something."

"Oh, Ranboo's here too?"

"Yeah."

Tommy doesn't say anything else, and you can pick up on the waves of anxiety rolling off of him. He really did take after Wilbur.

"You okay?" You asked softly.

"Yeah," Tommy answered. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"You don't have to be."

God, he remembers those words. He remembers when you first said it to him after his brother screamed at him. It's the first time he saw you as someone more than Wilbur's little crush. He saw you as someone he could look up to.

And just like before, he lets himself break down. He steps out of his bedroom and hands you a crumpled letter.

Tommy, my old pal.

It's been a while, hasn't it? One? Two years? Time sure does fly in paradise. I hope you've been well since I left. Give my regards to everyone that I couldn't visit. I'm sure you all miss me dearly.
Almost as much as I miss you! Oh what fun we had. I bet you thought I was done — that this little game was over. It's not. I still have your discs, I play them every now and then.
Are you ready to dance one last time? I am. I don't need to be specific, you'll know it when you see it. There's a boat awaiting you on shore.
Come see me Wednesday. You and Tubbo ALONE. If anyone else shows up, the discs are gone forever.

Your old friend, Dream :)

Dream. You had all left him in the past. He was never seen or heard from again after the Doomsday war, and you all thought maybe that was it. Perhaps he was really gone. You were happy about that... to an extent. Sometimes you dreamt that he would appear at your door and whisk you away to somewhere better. You always woke up just the same.

You had wanted to tell yourself that his departure hadn't affected you as much as it did, but you knew it had. You knew that somewhere — some part of you had felt for him. You had felt for him in ways you shouldn't have. But the hearts want what it wants, doesn't it?

"Tommy," You breathe out. "What are you gonna do?"

He runs a hand through his hair, tugging at the ends. "Go? I mean, do I have a choice? I have to do this."

"You don't."

"I do!" He protests. "I have to prove that all the fighting for the discs was worth it. I have to prove that everything I've done wasn't for nothing. If I let them go... I wouldn't forgive myself for what I did."

"Nobody blames you."

"That's not true. I blame myself. And this might be my only chance to take Dream down."

"That's tomorrow! Are you insane?"

Tommy shakes his head, opening his Enderchest with a flick of his wrist. He pulls out the Axe of Peace, red mist falling from the tip of it. Cracks and scratches line the edges of it, worn with age.

"I have prepared since Dream left. Two fucking years (Y/N). Tubbo and I both have."

"He was gonna propose to Ranboo tomorrow," You said with a shake of your head. "He was scared to in case he died. I told him to do it."

Tommy's face falls. He wants to tell you that Tubbo still can, that they'll make it back after this, but even he's not so sure.

"I'm going to get those discs back or die trying."

...

"Oh, Bad!" Tommy shouts, waving to the demon. "Oh my God, he's waiting along the path for us. Wait, is everyone waiting for us?"

He squints ahead, making out the shapes of all of his friends. A smile blossoms across his face as he grabs Tubbo's arm and points. "Yeah, they are!"

"Oh my god! They are!" Tubbo grinned.

"Bad! Hey, Bad!" Tommy calls out, coming to a stop in front of him.

Bad smiles. "Hello."

"If I die tonight, it has been an honor knowing you and spending time with you. So please will you give us a good little swear. Say fuck, please."

Tubbo pushes past Tommy. "Could you say frick at least?"

Bad shakes his head. "I don't think so."

"Please, we might die. Can you just drop a piss? Please?"

"For us?" Tubbo begs.

"I'll give you one last language, okay? Before you go."

Tommy rolls his eyes, walking away with arms crossed.

"Language!" Bad yells and neither boy will deny the way it comforts them.

Tommy turns toward the door of the flower shop. "Ranboo!"

The enderboy dips his head in greeting. "Hey, guys."

"You've been the best minute man anyone could ask for. Except for the memory problems. But you're still the best minute man." Tubbo hugs him tightly, and Ranboo pats his head in response since he was too tall to do much else with his arms. Tubbo pulls back, nodding at him and letting Tommy speak.

"Ranboo, you were the only one who knew what I was going through in exile. It's been an honor — even though I've not known you for that long — to spend time with you."

"It's been an honor, Tommy. Come back safe."

The blond looks at the brunet. "We will."

"Your notes are so legible, so legible," Tubbo whispered.

Tommy turns to the next person. The girl gives him a smile, pushing a piece of pink hair out of her face.

"Hi Niki," Tommy said. "I know we haven't always been on the best terms, and now more than ever. But thank you for everything. You've always been there even after all the shit that's happened."

"It's really nice of you to come all the way out here," Tubbo added. Niki had moved after the Doomsday war, and no one really blamed her. She used to visit a lot in the first year, but at some point, there was nothing to come back to.

The pink-haired girl hugs both boys tightly. "Good luck."

They step back, and Captain Puffy steps forward. She swings her backpack around and tosses them multiple golden apples.

"You don't need luck," She said. "I know you'll come back."

Tubbo smiles widely. "Thanks, Puffy."

She nods her white and rainbow hair bouncing behind her. They turn to the next person, a deer hybrid. The upper half of his face looked like it had been dipped in blue and gold chains hanging from his antlers. White spots acted as freckles on his cheeks, and he gave the two boys a bow.

"Callahan," Tommy starts.

"You never talk," Tubbo finished.

"But you're still pretty cool."

Tommy and Tubbo thank a few others, shaking hands as they walk further down the path. It's all so surreal. It felt like a goodbye, and though everyone said they'd return, he felt like no one really believed that.

Tommy stops in front of a boy with chocolate skin and a lava-colored face mask. "Hello, Ponk. On the first day of this server, you actually started this disc saga. When we went and burned down your lemon tree."

Ponk chuckles lightly."It's been a while since then. We go back a long time."

"It's been an honor knowing you and spending time with you. You've always been so nice to me. And you actually helped me get like half these Gapples. Thank you so much, Ponk."

"You're welcome, Tommy. You're welcome. Always be there for you," He said before adding. "Half the time."

Tommy gives him a funny look. "Okay. Thanks. Thank you."

Tubbo turns away, looking to the next person. His smile doubles in size when he sees the boy with green hair and a gas mask. "Sam!"

"Hello, my friends!" Sam greets, waving his hand.

"You have been so unbelievably helpful. You've taught me so much. We drained the ocean..." Tubbo trails off as Tommy turns around.

A familiar face is running towards him, golden duck wings spread out.

"Big Q! Big Q!" Tommy shouts.

"Tommy! Tommy!" He replies.

"Big Q, It has been such an honor working with you and annoying George that one time. He's not here, is he?" Tommy asked, looking around.

Quackity rolls his eyes. "He's sleeping."

Tommy frowns at that but quickly perks up. "Big Q, you have been one of my closest friends here. If I go down tonight, you will carry on my legacy."

"Of course, Tommy. It will be a pleasure." Quackity holds a fist out, and Tommy bumps it. "Bye, Tommy."

"Bye, Quackity," He turns sharply on his heels to where Sam and Tubbo are waiting. "Goodbye, Sam."

"Tommy, take this," Sam said, handing him a glass bottle with a murky liquid.

"What is this?" Tommy asked before his lips form an 'o' shape. "Oh, drugs! Thank you."

"It'll help us against Dream," Tubbo explained. "Resistance Four is—"

"Oh, I know my drugs. I know drugs."

"Tommy knows his drug, Tubbo," Sam tuts.

"All right!" Tubbo relents, putting his hands up in defense.

Sam bows. "Best of luck."

"Thanks, Sam," The two reply before carrying on. At the end, there are three more figures. The first wears a crown and cape, hiding behind their sunglasses.

"Eret, you actually have caused so much pain and so many problems," Tommy starts. "When we first spoke, I thought you had a really cool voice, and it was so deceptive."

"And then you have betrayed us, but then you came back," Tubbo chimed in.

Tommy nods, holding his hand out to Eret. "You kind of came back, and you helped me. So thank you, Eret. Thank you."

Eret shakes Tommy's hand. "I know I've wronged you, but I want to see you succeed, and I think you have the power to do it."

"Eret, you know what?" Tommy pulls them closer. "Between us three, you've always been the real king."

Eret smiles. "Thank you, Tommy."

"Bye, Eret! Bye!" Tubbo waves.

"I'll see you later, my friend."

Jack steps up next, saluting the two. "Stay safe out there, big man. You two, bee boy."

The duo laughs in response, drawing Jack into a group hug. In the past two years, Jack had been one of the few people who remained here, and they had grown close. He was one of the first people to move into Snowchester and even helped Tubbo build nukes to protect it.

"We'll be back, bald man."

Under normal circumstances, Jack would call out Tommy for the childish name, but he doesn't. Instead, he smiles solemnly and waves them to the last person.

"Hi, (Y/N)," Tubbo said.

"Hey." You shrug off your backpack, unzipping it and grabbing two shimmering apples. You put one in both of their hands. "Both of you come back here in one piece, okay?"

Tubbo nods, grabbing your shoulders and hugging you. "I promise." He only hopes he won't break it. He didn't want to imagine what would happen if he didn't. He was the last family you had left. If he died... he doesn't want to think about that.

Tommy watches from the side. His eyes are watery when he realizes you were the last person and the closest thing he had to family left. No dad, no brothers, no mom to wish him off. Phil and Techno didn't even know Tommy was walking to his death, and even if they did, would they care?

"I love you," You said to Tubbo.

"I love you too."

It's the second time you've said that to Tubbo in his entire life. The first time was when he was first born, and you held him in your arms, but he didn't remember that time. Both of your eyes begin tearing up, and Tubbo starts laughing as he wipes them away.

"I'll be okay."

"I know. Trust me, I know."

You turn towards Tommy, pulling him into a crushing embrace.