The writing and publishing of this chapter was delayed due to unforeseen circumstances that I cannot disclose for personal reasons. Thank you for your patience, and happy reading!

(In simpler terms: Shit happened, don't wanna talk about it, sorry for the late update! Hope you enjoy!)

Tubbo wasn't quite sure what he was doing.

Logically, inviting someone hiding from the police to have tea with you isn't the wisest decision. But, well, sympathy must've gotten the better of him, he supposed.

Tommy was loud. Much louder than he'd seemed at first, when he was all trembling and fear. Now that he'd relaxed a bit, he was incredibly chatty. There was no pause, no silence, just constant conversation. It was honestly a nice change of pace. The talking and laughter that filled the air was enjoyable, and Tubbo found himself having fun for the first time in a while.

Tommy was a bit rough around the edges. But he was incredibly optimistic and confident for someone who had been living on the streets for a week. Apparently he'd gotten by from stealing trash- like a raccoon, although he'd become irritated when Tubbo pointed out the comparison. "I am NOT a fucking raccoon!" He fumed, and Tubbo just chuckled. "Whatever you say, bossman."

Tubbo found that he got along with Tommy really well. It was a bit awkward, at first, but once they'd gotten over the initial "I don't know you but you helped me out so we're cool" tension, they'd become fast friends.

Friends? Is that what we are now? Tubbo wondered. I've only known this guy for what, half an hour? Do we qualify as friends?

"What's your name, by the way? I never really asked. And you already know my name, so really, it's only fair that I know yours, innit?" Tommy said.

Tubbo was shaken out of his thoughts. Right, he'd never told Tommy his name. How could he be wondering if they were friends if Tommy didn't even know his name?

"Sorry," Tubbo said sheepishly, "I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Toby- everyone calls me Tubbo."

"What's your story, Tubbo?" Tommy asked.

"W-what do you mean, bossman?"

"I mean," Tommy continued, "What's your story? Why'd you help a poor boy like me out? What's your goal? Your endgame?"

"Well-"

Just then, the bell on the door rang, indicating it was opened. Both the boys looked across the counter. Two men walked in the shop, both of whom Tubbo knew.

"Hey, Tubbo! Who's this?" Phil asked, his gaze on Tommy.

"Oh, it's, uh-"

"I'm Tommy!" Tommy said, narrowing his eyes. "Who are you?"

Phil didn't seem to mind the suspicion. "I'm Phil, and this is Techno. I own this flower shop."

"I didn't know that you had friends. Well, outside of Ranboo." Technoblade commented. Tubbo stiffened.

"Wow, you really had to go there, huh?" Tubbo joked. His voice was light with a sour undertone. "Gee, thanks Techno."

Techno blinked, perhaps realizing what he said. "Wait, no, that's not what I-"

"What brings you here, mate?" Phil asked Tommy. The boy looked at Tubbo nervously.

"Hey, Phil, where did you go today?" Tubbo tried to change the topic, but Phil just raised an eyebrow at him.

"Tubbo. Where did this child come from?"

Ignoring Tommy's protests of "I'm not a fucking child!", Tubbo chewed the inside of his cheek as he tried and failed to come up with a good excuse. Maybe if I just throw a bunch of shitty excuses at him, one of them will work out?

"He's, uh, my... English tutor." Tubbo said. "Y-yeah, he's my English tutor! And, uh, I invited him to have tea because, y'know, it's the polite thing to do... when someone is teaching you English."

"If he's your English tutor then why does he look like you picked him up off the streets?" Techno deadpanned.

"Because... ah... well-"

"Oh my god," Phil rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Tell me you didn't."

"Uhh..."

Techno barked out a laugh. "You totally picked this kid up off the streets!"

Tubbo turned pink. "Well, what was I supposed to do? The police were after him!"

Techno's face grew serious instantly. Phil sighed. Tubbo knew that that would get them to understand, even if there was a chance they would turn Tommy in. But he knew they wouldn't.

Not after they helped him the same way.

"What'd this loser do to piss off the cops?" Techno interrupted the silence with a snort.

"Ran away from home." Tommy said with his arms crossed.

"And the police were chasing you? No offense, but why would they waste their time like that when they could be doing something they enjoy, like kicking babies and hitting the elderly?"

Tubbo blinked. "Hey, yeah... why were they after you?"

In Tommy's pocket, though no one could see, a hand clutched the crinkled missing child poster. And on the poster was bold writing that said "If you have any information regarding Tommy's whereabouts, please contact his legal guardian, Mayor Dream."

A darkened room that stretched on for miles.

A porcelain grin that looked nothing like a smile.

Red vines that consumed every bit of your free will.

Loud crowding voices that make you feel ill.

This is all that he remembered.

His every thought had been dismembered.

Somewhere, deep down, his heart flickered with hope.

Even though his mind was gone...

His tears burned his cheeks.

At least one person made it out.

I hope Tommy never sees me again.