Sleepover

Tubbo's house reeked of alcohol and cigars. "Don't mind the smell, my father likes to drink whenever he can." Tubbo apologized, Tommy nodding.

When they entered, the smell increased in strength, and there was a whiff of some mold scattered around the house. Tommy scrunched up his nose and nearly gagged.

"Sorry." Tubbo said.

"So, when's your other friend coming over?" Tommy asked.

"Probably in a minute or two. I don't really think this is the best place for us to hang out though, there's nearly something for you to trip over every step you make. It might be best if we hung out outside."

"That might be good." Tommy agreed. Tubbo walked him outside then started talking.

"My friend's name's Ranboo. And he's kinda weird for a human, but he's a good friend." Tubbo said.

They talked for a minute or two when Tommy heard some rustling in the bushes and a scent he'd never smelt before. He stood up and stared in the direction of the scent.

"That must be him." Tubbo said. "Ranboo!"

Tommy flinched at the volume of Tubbo's tone, but he must not have noticed.

"Who's this?" The man in the bushes asked cautiously. His voice was deep and monotone, and there was a small screech after the words. It was somewhat cute, like a cat's, but it also sounded distorted.

"Oh right! Ranboo, this is Tommy, Tommy, Ranboo."

"Hi." Tommy greeted.

"Oh, hi!" He stepped forward, and paused. Then asked. "What's with the mask?"

". . . It's because I have Optophobia, a fear of opening my eyes."

"So that's what it means!" Tubbo jumped.

"This mask helps with the fear."

"Why are you scared of opening your eyes?" Tubbo asked.

Tommy opened his mouth, paused, and started to shuffle nervously.

"You don't have to say." Ranboo jumped in.

Tommy's breathing sped up.

As time passed, Tommy learned not to bring up his parents' corpses into his mind, as well as Phil, Techno, and Wil. But sometimes, the images came to mind, and he'd have a panic attack. It would always happen when that question was asked. Why are you scared of opening your eyes?

First it was his Dad, then his Mom, both in the positions he'd found them in when he was five. Then Phil, the white bubbles, then the bloody wings falling. Techno was next, his head being snapped, the sickening crunch of bones shattering. Wilbur was last, blue blood covering his sweater and his mouth.

Tommy didn't know when it happened, but he was on the ground in the fetal position crying. He could feel Tubbo's hand on his shoulder.

"Tommy?" Tubbo asked, but Tommy didn't acknowledge the words.

"What's wrong with him?"

"Tommy, it's going to be fine." Tubbo's voice rang through Tommy's head, then he remembered where he heard the voice, in one of the dreams he'd had. He heard Tubbo say, "It's fine, all good things must come to an end."

"But what am I without you?" Tommy asked.

"Yourself." Then Tubbo would walk to the man in a mask, awaiting his doom.

"Ranboo, go get help." Tubbo ordered.

"No. . ."Tommy tried to calm down. "It's fine. . ."

"No you're not." Ranboo objected.

"This has happened before, I just wait it out. . ."

"Tommy, you're having a panic attack, waiting this out is not good for your mental health." Tubbo explained.

"But look. . . It's almost passed. . ." Tommy stopped crying, and sat up to prove his point.

Immediately Tubbo fell onto his knees and hugged Tommy. He didn't know why, but it helped a lot.

Something furry flapped at Tommy's face, he grabbed it and heard a yelp come from Tubbo. Tommy let go, savoring the touch of the fluffy object. "What was that?"

A small squeak came from Ranboo as he asked. "You haven't told him?"

"I was afraid," Tubbo responded.

"Tell me what?" Tommy wondered, curious.

. . .

"If you won't tell him I will." Ranboo offered.

"I'd like that."

"That was Tubbo's ear, he's a goat hybrid." Ranboo explained nervously.

Tommy stared blankly. That was what they were afraid of? Tommy not being okay with hybrids?

"That's fine, my dad's an avian, and my cousin is a boar hybrid." Tommy heard a sigh come from Tubbo.

Tubbo then came back and hugged Tommy, pulling Ranboo in.

They stayed like that for a good minute, but a bird had to ruin the fun and give a big poop on Tommy's head.

Tommy sprung up, both Tubbo and Ranboo yelping. "I'm gonna kill that bird." Tommy muttered.

"Isn't your Uncle going to be offended if you kill one of his companions?" Tubbo asked.

"He'll understand when he finds out how much pain and suffering they caused me." Tommy grumbled, Ranboo wheezing.

"God, now that I hear wheezing from someone else, it sounds so much more like dying." Tommy laughed.

"I know right?" Tubbo agreed, which only made Ranboo wheeze harder.

"Stop. . . Stop making me laugh. . . Please!" Ranboo pleaded.

"You know, my family would do this to me all the time. . . Now I know why."

". . . Okay- Ranboo- please, I'm kinda getting worried. Can you breathe?" Tubbo asked once Ranboo wouldn't stop. He tried, it was obvious with him making those strained pauses and gasps.

"You okay, Ranboo?" Tommy questioned.

"Y-yeah. . ."Ranboo finally managed to stop.

"Shit! I forgot what time it was!" Tubbo yelled.

"Is it getting dark?" Tommy asked.

"You could say that. Mobs are already spawning." Tubbo replied, anxious. "You may have to stay here for the night."

"But Phil'll get worried."

"If you're fine with walking home with mobs chasing you, you can leave, but I would have you stay even if you could see."

Tommy sighed.

"It'll be a party, you, me, and Ranboo, all together."

"Fine." Tommy decided.

They got their beds ready and slept.