#ch.7

“I know, I’m sorry, Armie. But Y/N didn’t come home last night.” Armie turned, seeing her asleep in his bed. “Her mother and I both tried her cell but no answer. Do you have any idea where she could be? This isn’t like her. Was she supposed to stay overnight to house sit?”

“I- uh- I told her she could crash if she wanted. I’m still out of town till later. She probably fell asleep at my place.” Armie told him with a sigh as he shook Y/N’s shoulder, waking her. When she turned over to look at him, he placed his index finger to his lips signaling for her to keep quiet. “I’ll try her cell, too and see if she’ll answer. Roger,” At the sound of her father’s name her eyes grew large. “Like I said she probably fell asleep at my place reading or something.”

“Just, have her call if she answers.” Her dad says before hanging up.

"I will, no problem.” Armie hung up his phone and looked at Y/N. “Call your parents now.” Armie tells her. “I thought they knew you were staying!”

“I thought so too!” She told him, grabbing her phone and calling her parents.

On the phone with her parents she gave them the excuse of falling asleep while doing homework on his couch. She apologizes profusely as she lay in Armie’s bed with him half naked beside her. He watched her as she rolled her eyes and nodded to herself as she spoke to her parents, the phone pressed to her ear. He couldn’t help but laugh to himself here and there as she was so believable talking about being “alone” in his house.

After hanging up she got out of bed with annoyance and dressed. As she walked past the bed he grabbed her hand. “Hey,” He pulled her to sit on the edge of the bed next to him, his hand around her waist. “Text me when you get home so I know you made it safe.” He presses a soft kiss to her lips. “Don’t get too annoyed with them.” He kisses her again. “They are just trying to make sure you’re safe.”

“I know.” She kisses him back. “And I will.”

Armie couldn’t go back to sleep even though it was horribly early. He went to his garage to work when his phone chimed through his speakers, interrupting the music playing. He placed his weights back and sat up, grabbing his phone. 

Y/N>> I just got a 15 min lecture on not falling asleep at someone’s house, letting them know when I plan to stay away from home and blah blah blah.

Armie gave a laugh.

Y/N>> It was worth it tho.

Armie<< Is that right?

Y/N>> Especially when you get to fall asleep next to a man who is smart, handsome and can make you laugh till you piss yourself.

Armie let out an audible laugh as he tossed his phone aside. He looked over at his beloved pup and shook his head. “I’ve dug myself in deep on this one, Arch.” He told the dog as he lay back down on the weight bench. “Way too deep.”

~~~

“How far away is this place?” Y/N asked, looking over at Armie behind the wheel of his beloved 65 mustang convertible. 

“Couple hours drive.” He tells her as he turns onto the busy road. “Why? Are you sick of me already?” He glances over as she inserts the old AUX cord cassette.

“Nope. Just wanted to know how long I get to annoy you with One Direction.” She turns the volume up.

“Oh no!” He reaches for the stereo but she grabs his hand. “We are not listening to this for two hours!” He says over the music.

“What’s that?!” She shouts as she turns it louder. “I can’t hear you over Harry’s voice!”

Armie laughs and pinches her thigh before letting his hand rest there. They went back and forth between 90s rock and her more upbeat 2000s boy band themed music. His hand either resting on her leg or wrapped up in hers as they talked and laughed the whole way to the small city Armie had his meeting.

“So what’s this meeting for exactly?” Y/N asked as they pulled into the parking lot of the two story building.

“Uh, clients of the company and as the grandson of the company’s owner, they always send me to sign deals and crap.”

“Well, in their defense, you do have a trustworthy face and the charm to match.”

“Yeah, yeah.” He rolls his eyes as she presses a kiss to his cheek. “Look, while I’m in here you go to that little store over there,” He points to the shop on the corner in walking distance. “And find you a dress for prom.”

“And if they have nothing I like?”

“They will.” He tells her, tapping her beneath the chin with an index finger. “Have fun.”

She grabs his arm and pulls him in for a slow kiss before pulling away. “Good luck.” She tells him with a smile. 

She spent the first hour and a half looking through the books in the bookstore next to the dress shop. She bought a few classics and moved on to the dress shop. Y/N tried on dress after dress. They were either too short for her liking or made her look like Dolly Parton. It was hard to find one that fit the way she liked. Standing in front of the mirror she looked over the black, form fitting black dress. It came to mid thigh with a single shoulder strap that draped over the left of her chest. 

“These shoes would look very nice with that dress, miss.” A young woman offered, holding out the pair of black heels that strapped at the ankle.

Y/N slipped them on and did a twirl in front of the mirror. “Maybe with a little updo?” She asks the young woman as she wraps her hair with a pen holding it in place.

“I think that would look lovely, sweetie.” The woman smiled at her. 

“I think it would look beautiful.” Y/N looked up into the mirror and saw Armie standing there staring at her. His eyes dragged along her reflection in the mirror, his mouth hung open

“You think so?” She asked, looking at him through the mirror.

“I think you look absolutely breathtaking.” He told her swallowing hard, the dryness in his throat seeming more prominent as he walked closer to her. 

“Really?” She asked with a head tilt and smile that made his heart race.

“I think she is going to make some boy at the prom very happy.” The worker told her as she walked to the back of the store.

“Yeah,” Armie spoke softly with a nibble to his lower lip. “Some boy at prom.” He swallowed thickly.

Y/N took another spin in front of the mirror. “I think I’ll get this one.” She told him. “I'll change into my regular clothes.”

Armie smiled. “Meet you at the car?”

“Yeah.” Y/N told him as she grabbed her heels.

She grabbed the dress and shoes from the room after changing and went to the checkout counter. “The dress and these shoes.” She tells the worker. “Thank you for all your help.”

“You are more than welcome miss.” The woman places the dress in a box then the shoes. “Here you go.” The woman placed it all in boxes. “You’re good to go, miss.”

“I didn’t even swipe my card.” Y/N looked at the worker oddly, holding her debit card in her hand.

“Oh, the man you were here with paid already. While you were in the changing room.” 

“He did?” Y/N looked back at Armie through the shop window, leaning against the car, cigarette between his lips, taking a drag. “Thank you.” She told the worker as she grabbed the boxes. As Y/N approached the car, Armie opened the trunk for her to place her boxes in. “Why’d you pay for my dress?” She asked as he took the boxes from her, placing them in his trunk.

Armie shrugged. “Just thought I’d be nice. Consider it back pay for all the time you worked in the office before you were put on payroll.” He gave her a smile as he closed the trunk.

She slid into the car next to him. “Sneaky bastard.” She smirked. “How did your meeting go?”

“Boring. I kept thinking of you slipping in and out of tight, sexy dresses.”

“In that case, how about we get to the cabin and enjoy that hot tub?” She raises a brow.

They drove thirty minutes down the little highway to the cabin. It was secluded in a wooded area outside the small city. After looking around the little one room cabin Y/N and Armie changed into swimsuits and climbed into the hot tub that overlooked the beautiful wooded area. They sipped on champagne as they talked, relaxing in the heated water. 

"It's absolutely gorgeous out here." She stood walking across the hottub, leaning on the side of.

"It sure is." Armie spoke as he stood behind her, sliding his arms around her body. 

Y/N leans back against his chest, reaching a hand behind his neck. “Thank you for taking me on this little trip.”

“You know how much I adore being with you.” He pressed a kiss to her temple. “And I will say, you look incredible in that dress.”

“Thank you again for buying it for me.” She turns in his arms, sliding her hands around his neck. 

Armie placed his hand on her face. "Anything you want, my girl." He pulls her close and nuzzles her nose with his. "Just say the words." He pressed his lips to hers in a deep lasting kiss. One kiss blended into another; his hands wrapped around her body holding her as close to his body as he could. He pulled away and stared deep into her eyes, he could tell she wanted something. He knew that look in her eyes. “What is it, baby?” He whispered over her lips. Y/N stared into his eyes, bringing a hand to his face, letting her fingers caress over the light 5 o’clock shady that was barely appearing on his face. Armie pulled her by the hand, out of the hot tub and into the small cabin. Stopping just outside of the bedroom door he looked back at her, her hand in his as he kissed the back of her hand. “Are you sure?” She nodded in anticipation. 

She walks closer to him. "I want you." She tells him with confidence.

Her lips were on his and that's all he needed. That was all the consent it took. He carefully backed her up till her legs touched the bed. Armie's hands working the strings of her bikini dropping the items of clothing till she stood bare in front of him. He laid her back on the bed carefully as he lowered himself to the floor at her feet. Kissing up her legs he watched her closely to make sure she was still okay. He kissed up her body leaving little marks as he made his way to her lips, ridding himself of his swimsuit in the process.

His hands caress over her body, feeling every inch of her. He nudges her legs apart as he settles fully on top of her. He can feel her wetness on himself as she lifts a leg on his hip. He reached between them and lined himself up at her entrance. He feels her tense slightly. “Are you okay?” He whispers, looking down at her. She nods as she takes a breath. He takes her hand and laces their fingers together, pushing her hands up the bed a little. He starts to slide into her and with his face hovering over hers and he hears her whine slightly and sees her wince. “Relax your hips.” He tells her softly in her ear as he kisses beneath. “Take a breath and relax, baby.” He feels her take another deep breath as he pushes into her more. “It’ll only hurt for a few minutes.” She nods, he feels her squeeze his hand hard as he bottoms out inside of her. He kissed the side of her face as she adjusted her hips, her legs hitched over his waist. He feels the dampness of tears. He lifts up his face and looks down at her, seeing tears sliding down the corner of her eyes. “Do you want me to stop?” She shakes her head and presses a kiss to his lips. ‘Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.” She breathes out.

“Tell me when you’re ready.”

“I’m ready.”

As he starts to move his hips, he releases her hands, and she immediately grabs ahold to his back. Her fingers gripping the skin, her knuckles white. He kisses her slow and passionately as he begins moving at a steady pace. 

Her lips find his shoulders and neck as she brings her hand to his hair giving a gentle pull. “Armie,” She gasped and he changed his angle a little. 

He looks up at her, her head back on the pillow, eyes shut, mouth open in bliss. He kissed the hollow of her neck and brought his hand to her throat, his thumb at her pulse point. He gave a soft squeeze. He felt her legs go higher on his waist, her hands dragging down his back. She was tight around him, unbearably so. He felt his orgasm teetering on the edge since he first slid inside of her. She was so wet for him that the hot drench of her tightness was enough to make him blow right then and there. Somehow, he managed to hold off. Keeping the rhythm slower so as to not hurt her. 

Y/N held on to him, the feeling of fullness inside her was the best feeling in the world to her at that moment. The burn quickly easing to pleasure as he moved himself. She gasped feeling him every time he bottomed out. The way he held her so close made her heart skip a beat. He kept the body together, touching every area he could grip. The sound of his labored breath in her ear had her wanting to pull him through her. To be closer than they already were.

“Armie,” Her voice was shaky as she tried to speak. 

He nuzzled her nose with his. “It's okay, let go.” 

When that coil snapped, his name fell from her lips over and over again as her body confused beneath him. He rocked his his, working her through her orgasm as his own hit him like a wave. “Oh, fuck, Y/N!” He moaned as he came hard inside her. 

He kissed her softly, peppering her face with kisses and nips till she had come down from her high. His head lay on her chest as she carded her fingers through his hair. Nothing could be heard except a deep breath every so often.

 “I think every girl should lose their virginity to you.” 

"Oh yeah?" He chuckled, eyes still closed. 

"It was perfect." She told him as he lifted his head and looked at her with his chin on her chest. “This just proved I made the right decision.”

He pushed her hair from her face as he slid off of her and settled next to her. "Are you okay?" 

"It hurts a little, but I’ll be okay." She nestled into his chest, wrapping her arms around his middle. “That was so amazing, Armie. Thank you.”

The town is filled with people and carriages and stands and it looks like too many people are in one single place. The sound is starting to be heard and Hinata can already know it will make the ground tremble. She looks at Naruto, worried.

“Don’t worry, it has the best security you could find. The Beast Tamers all gather here, you know? We haven’t had an issue since it started.”

Sai edges towards her, “I will be right beside you, my lady.”

Hinata can even feel Shino’s eyes on her and she sits back with a small smile. “I-I understand.”

Naruto comes to her, grabs both her hands on his, “I’ll be with you.”

And that is enough to make Hinata relax.

⁂⁂⁂

They don’t enter through the same way everyone else does. Their carriage deviates and enters a more calm environment, with more stern looking people around. 

Hinata doesn't know if she prefers this somber looking entrance or the colorful and loud one. At least she can see they take their work seriously, as even when Naruto comes and talks to them -Shino in tow-, the guards check every nook and cranny of their entourage. 

Sakura waves at Hinata from her spot. She is standing right under another carriage window, where Hinata can glance another spiky blonde head that smiles immediately after making contact with her. Lord Minato remains seated and doesn't come out. Much like herself. 

Naruto is chatting with a high-ranking looking man and rests his hands inside the sleeves of his kimono. He looks relaxed, and Hinata tries to remind herself that she shouldn't burden him on this trip. 

He did say this whole ordeal wouldn’t be a problem.

They get off right inside the stadium where the demonstrations take place. The carriages get lost in the distance, with a number of servants inside, who will prepare their chambers where they will rest. Naruto and his group will go up the stairs and mingle with the other Beast Tamers inside, as well as every other high-ranking noble who wants a slice of whatever they had. 

Naruto is unimpressed with everyone attending this show.

His father follows behind, with Hinata right beside him. Sakura, Shino and Sai follow closely, beside them, behind them. They look as alert as ever, and even more professional and menacing than usual. Hinata keeps her head held high, her shoulders rolled back and her eyes glued to Naruto’s back. She can see from the corner of her eyes the people around them. Eyes following their group, and Hinata shudders as their eyes don’t seem to blink. 

“Lord Naruto,” a man bellows. Breaking the formal ambience that surrounds the place. Hinata can see Naruto tensing and she knows he dislikes the man. He is large and comes straight to Naruto, without a care to the people around him. His eyes are beaded and they zoom in on Hinata, and she has to force herself to keep her eyes on Naruto. 

Naruto moves to stand in front of her, a slight change of his feet, and Hinata lets out a breath she didn’t know she was holding. 

“What a lovely wife,” shares the man and Hinata can’t help the uncomfortable feeling that overcomes her. Naruto says nothing, staring down at the man whose eyes show no sign of shame. “I would love to have a chat with the lord, if you could be so kind as to come with me. Of course, your wife is also invited, I have the most exquisite of foods at my disposal, I assure you.”

“I have yet to greet my fellow Beast Tamers, Lord Graff, I’m sure you understand.”

The man pouts his lips and tries to look behind Naruto, “I’m sure your lovely wife could come wait with me as you make your rounds, my lord.”

Sai is right beside her, but the moment Lord Graff takes a step to get a better look, Naruto grabs him by the arm and squeezes. “Do not be impolite,” he smiles. 

Lord Graff scoffs in surprise, as if the mere thought of him being impolite was ridiculous. “Oh, Lord Naruto, please, I am but trying to be-”

“Naruto,” a monotone voice greets, and Naruto’s head whips around. His stance relaxes, his eyes shine and his face changes immediately into the boyish smile Hinata knows. 

“Gaara!” he greets, motions for him to come closer. His body remains a wall between Lord Graff and his wife and the moment Gaara comes closer his own guards move the lord out of the way. There are two of them, a man with purple face paint that looks at Lord Graff with disgust and a blonde woman that stands next to the other guard with her arms crossed. Gaara doesn’t acknowledge the man who was on his spot before. 

Naruto brings his arm around Hinata, pushes her towards him, “My wife,” he presents and Gaara looks at her. He is tall, though not as tall as Naruto, although Hinata has to look up anyways. His hair is dark red and all around his eyes he has a thick layer of eyeliner that contrasts with his pale skin, he looks menacing, and the way his face shows no emotion at all is even more intimidating. But Naruto is right beside her and Gaara is the only person he wanted to introduce to her, so Hinata bows and pinches herself to get her words out. 

“My n-name is Hinata U-u-uzumaki… It’s a p-pleasure to m-meet y-you.” 

Nobody around her says anything. But she wants to die. She can feel the shame rising inside of her and the tears prickling at her eyes, but Gaara remains impassive and he bows to her.

“The pleasure is all mine. My name is Gaara of the desert, I’m glad to finally meet you.” He gives her a smile. A tiny smile, the barest of movements of the corners of his mouth, but Hinata sees it, and she understands immediately that his friendship with Naruto is real and true. 

Naruto moves his hand up and down her back, and he kisses the top of her head before turning to Gaara, “Do you mind taking her and my dad as I make the rounds?” He whispers. 

“Of course,” says Gaara, with the same tone he has had through all their conversation. 

Hinata worries whether someone has seen Naruto’s impromptu show of affection but she realizes immediately that it’s unlikely. Naruto and Gaara cover her front, Sai covers her side, Shino is at her back and Lord Minato with Sakura stand opposite him, all with their eyes away from them. 

“Shino, you come with me.” Naruto pushes Hinata to Sai, “I’ll be right back.” 

Sakura comes right beside her and Lord Minato covers now her back. Hinata is starting to realize that she’s being overly protected by everyone. 

As Gaara brings them towards one side of the room Hinata realizes that everyone brings a couple of guards with them and they -her- do not look out of place at all. Naruto walks away with Lord Graff -who’s already chatting away- and makes a beeline for a group in the distance. 

“What a fucking prick,” hisses Gaara’s male guard.

“I said we let Lord Naruto have a go at him, one punch is all he’ll need,” the blonde smiles. 

Sakura is the one who comes in with the common sense. "You both know he can't do that," she sighs. 

But the blonde just scoffs, "Who's gonna stop him, though? The Ten-tails?" She mocks. The male guard chimes in with another witty remark and Sakura starts bickering back. 

Hinata glances at them, nervous, but Sai looks used to this and Gaara stops in front of her while pointing towards a chair. "Care for a refreshment or some food?" 

Hinata shakes her head no, doesn't say anything out of shame and ducks her head to make herself look smaller. All habits she wishes she stopped doing. 

"Don't worry about them," Gaara continues, "they love to banter with whoever is nearby. I don't usually fall for their shenanigans though, so they always go extra hard with people who do. Sakura is used to this." Hinata sits and whispers a thank you she wishes is soft enough to get lost. But Gaara answers back, sits beside her and crosses his legs, leaning forwards. And Hinata realizes he's looking at her. "They are my brother and sister," his hand raises towards them, pointing to them in turns, "the one with the face paint is Kankuro, the blonde one is Temari. They've known Naruto for as long as me." He turns to her again, "if there's anything I can help you with, be it answering questions or doing something for you, please don't hesitate to ask."

Hinata tenses, because although Gaara has been nothing but nice and respectful she can't bring herself to say or do anything but nod and stare in front of her. 

And she hates it.

⁂⁂⁂

Naruto doesn’t come back and Lord Minato has stood and walked away to greet the people who came near them a few times already. Lord Gaara has remained unmoving and the only sound Hinata can hear nearby is the still ongoing conversation Kankuro, Temari and Sakura have going on a few meters from them. Sai has remained a few meters apart, closer to her and Lord Gaara, but still able to chime in when the group asks him a question or he feels the need to share something to their talk.

    Hinata realizes that neither Kankuro nor Temari have said anything at Sai’s crude way of speaking, and Hinata soon realizes it’s because they talk that way too. Speaking what they think without wondering first how that will affect the people around them. Kankuro especially has even smirked at Sai’s words.

    They have talked gossip and guarding strategies and lords and news and Hinata has absorbed all the knowledge with guilt. 

    Lord Gaara has remained next to her, sharing his thoughts every once in a while but she has only been able to answer with yes and no and the need to talk is only making it harder for her to do so. She wants to ask and share things and smile and have a good time. Lord Minato is near her, Sai and Sakura are near her. She feels safe, so why?

    Why can’t she just mutter a simple answer longer than one word? Why can’t she smile lightly and ask a question enough to keep their conversation going? Hinata bites her lower lip, feeling the turning of her stomach as she feels shame coursing through her body. 

    Just ask anything. Anything. Anything, anything, anything at all. 

    It takes Hinata an embarrassing amount of courage to raise her head and turn her head slightly to Gaara, who catches her movement but remains still. The fact that he is nice to her makes this even worse.

    She will stutter, she knows. She doesn’t want to, but she will. Feels it in the way her mouth refuses to open, in the way her tongue feels heavy and locked. She will stutter and she will hate it. So it stands to reason that she remains silent. 

    So she does.

    Lord Minato stands again and moves away from the group, talks with a man before coming back, drink in hand. He stands right in front of her and offers the cup, Hinata reaches out and grabs it out of habit. He has shared with her drink after drink of tea in their classes, fewer as they shared more time together. As she started feeling more confident in his presence.

    He gave her an excuse to remain silent. 

    “I think it’s time I go get Naruto away from everyone,” Lord Minato says. His voice calm and soothing. “He should be bored out of his mind by now.”

    Lord Gaara nods, scans the room looking for Naruto, but the amount of people makes it difficult for him to do so. 

    “I’ll be back as soon as I find him, okay?” 

    Hinata stares at her cup, now resting in her lap and she raises her head. He’s looking directly at her, reassuring her. She nods her head, keeps it down, and feels disgraceful. 

    “Ye-ye-yes,” she manages to say. Lord Minato’s hand raises and pats her shoulder, and that tells her enough. He was worried. 

    Hinata remains as composed as she can. Back straight, head held high, and although her eyes are focused on the cup on her hands, she wants to at least appear confident. 

    Naruto will be back in a minute. It’s that thought that gives her a surge of self-assurance she grabs and holds onto. It’s the cup in her hands that warms her cold skin that she grounds herself with and it’s Sai’s feet moving in front of her as he moves to be beside her that Hinata focuses. 

    “L-l-lord Gaara?” She asks. Hating every sound that leaves her mouth, looking straight ahead to the sea of people in fear of seeing pity in his eyes.

    “Yes, my lady?” 

    He’s coming back in a minute. He’s coming back in a minute. 

    “Why… h-haven’t you d-d-done a round like the o-o-other Beast T-t-tamers?”

    She tenses, as worry starts to wash over her body. But whatever, she tried, she talked and asked and at least did something about their conversations. Even if he didn’t answer, even if he ignored her. She did it. And that’s what mattered to her. 

    There is a second of silence that freezes Hinata completely. Until Kankuro’s husky voice lets out a controlled laugh.

    “Because he’s the One-Tail,” he mocks. He and Temari are now closer to them than before, as Sakura left with Lord Minato. 

    “Because his allegiances are already set in stone,” Temari adds with a smirk.

    It’s obvious by their tone and glances at Lord Gaara that they want to get a rise out of him. But Lord Gaara stares them down. “I believe the question was directed at me.” He remains impassive and calm, and Hinata is in awe at his composure. 

    Kankuro snorts, “Oh, come on!” 

    But Gaara ignores him. “As my brother and sister shared,” he starts, giving them a bored look, “I don’t really gain anything by doing rounds. My friendship with Naruto is very well-known throughout the clans.”

    “Everyone and their mothers know that Gaara listens to whatever Naruto says,” Kankuro looks at Temari, shaking his head in confusion, and Temari mimics him.

    “But…” Hinata feels more comfortable now, seeing as Lord Gaara waits and listens and doesn’t bring attention to anything else but her actual question. “Then w-w-why does L-Lord Naruto makes t-the r-rounds?”

    “Because he’s the Nine-Tails,” Kankuro shares. His antics with Temari dying off as Gaara didn’t fall for them. “He’s powerful as fuck, and everyone wants in on that.”

    “Both physically and politically,” Temari adds, “in a way, Gaara is better off than every other Beast Tamer because of Lord Naruto.”

    Hinata scans the room again, trying to find his blonde head. If he was nearer she would find him immediately. He towers over everyone here. 

    “He usually does the rounds to let me and Lord Minato get out of them. People will find him anyway, so he mingles, does what’s expected of him and then comes back.” He turns to her, “though he usually lets people wait for him, I guess he was eager now to get it over with and not expose you too much.”

    Temari smiles at her, and Hinata blushes, “Don’t worry, Lady Hinata, we can pull off the don’t-you-dare-come-near-us mean look.”

    “Kind of experts at it,” laughs Kankuro.

When he forces himself to look in Tommy’s direction, Tommy’s staring at Wilbur. He can’t decipher the expression on the other teen’s face, but it’s a far cry from troubled. He has to wonder what Wilbur told Tommy today.

“Hey,” Ranboo mutters. He looks down at his plate, cutting into the pork slowly. “Are you okay?”

Tommy turns back toward him. In his peripheral vision, he can see a large grin spread across Tommy’s face. He wonders if Tommy is brainwashed somehow, then retracts that thought. There’s no way Wilbur has that kind of power.

Dream’s words come back to him. “I’m not controlling you, I don’t have that kind of power. Wilbur, maybe, but he’s not interested in you, he’s interested in Tommy.” Ranboo shudders at the memory. It’s unlikely that Wilbur was able to pull anything sinister in the one day they’ve all been split up.

“Yeah,” Tommy says. “Wilbur and I had a long conversation and he cleared some things up for me.”

“Did he hypnotize you?” Ranboo asks. He hadn’t intended on asking that, and immediately winces. It’s a stupid question; Wilbur’s only human, it’s not like he actually wants to hurt his brother.

“What?” Tommy scoffs. “What are you on about Ranboo?”

“Honestly, I don’t know.”

“Not to be...well, okay, I mean to be blunt and offensive, but I’m not you and Wilbur’s not Dream. I’m sorry Dream hurt you, but Wilbur didn’t do anything, we literally just talked.”

“What’d you talk about?”

“You’re awfully nosy, aren’t you?” Tommy sounds defensive. Ranboo lets out a sigh. “Okay, okay. Sorry. I’m still shaken up, we went out to gather sand and gunpowder. Mostly sand.”

“And?”

“Before I answer, are you going to tell me what you and Dream did today? Did he hypnotize you?”

“No.” Ranboo offers a smile. “He and I literally just talked, as well.”

“Wilbur apologized to me,” Tommy says in a rush. “He said he thought that by dying, he was doing me a favor. He didn’t realize things for me had gotten so bad.”

“Do you believe him?”

“He was crying, Ranboo. Wilbur never cries. He normally doesn’t really talk the way he did earlier. Like, I think he actually meant it when he said we can be brothers again.”

“You trust him?” Ranboo tilts his head. “One conversation is all it takes?”

“You’re seriously getting on my nerves here,” Tommy grumbles. “What did you and Dream do today? You’re on edge for some reason, what happened?”

Ranboo isn’t sure what he’s allowed to say or not say, but then again, he and Tommy are in this situation together. If they’re going to be each other’s only friends, he might as well start being honest.

“Apparently I’ve been helping Dream a lot longer than I realized,” Ranboo whispers. “I’ve been out here before, digging up something for him.”

“Stop being cryptic and tell me what’s going on. Jesus, I’m tired of secrets.”

“Dream and Wilbur want to go to the end,” Ranboo says. “They want some dragon that’s in there. They both want to use us to get it into this world.”

“So...” At least Tommy looks pale. Ranboo’s glad that Tommy isn’t taking this news lightly, it gives him hope that Tommy isn’t completely falling for Wilbur’s...whatever Wilbur is doing. “So what Wilbur said earlier makes sense now.”

“What?”

“What he said to me makes sense. He said when all this is over, and it’s time to let everything go.”

“Tommy, they’re going to end the world. Why aren’t you panicking?”

“Ranboo, I’m fucking exhausted, mate. I’m tired of fighting with people, I’m tired of being used as everyone’s punching bag, and I’m tired, in general. So yeah, I want it all to end. I’m a child and I’ve already lived through more than everyone even cares about. Dragons aren’t ideal, and of course I don’t want anyone to get hurt, but I don’t have anything to go back to.”

“What about Tubbo? Or Puff-”

“Tubbo’s got you, and Puffy has a life outside of me. No one needs me. You’re the one who has something to lose in this. If you want to sneak away, I won’t stop you, but I’m not going with you.”

“Tommy, you know this is classic villainy, right?” Ranboo swallows.

“Tell me more about what you did. Do you know what you helped Dream out with? What was it you dug out?”

“Oh.” Ranboo looks down again. “I dug out a hole that leads straight to a lit end portal. Apparently, I helped put you in this position. From exile, to being trapped in the prison, and now this.”

“So you call me wanting to stay with my brother villainy, but you helped hurt me, and you somehow don’t see the hypocrisy here?” Tommy laughs sardonically. “That makes us both villains, Ran.”

“Tommy I’m sorry.”

“Save it. I’m not going to hold it against you forever, I just want you to really think about this. You can’t sit on a moral pedestal and call the rest of us out when you contributed to my death.”

Ranboo falls silent as he reaches back behind him. He grabs the book Dream gave him earlier and wordlessly hands it over to Tommy. “Read the last page,” Ranboo mumbles, as his only response.

Tommy does, flipping through the pages silently until he reaches the last page. He reads the common words carefully; Ranboo can see his eyes flickering back and forth as he studies what’s written. After what feels like ages, Tommy finally looks up, handing the book back.

“So you knew.”

“Tommy, I had no idea.”

“You knew,” Tommy repeats firmly. “You fucking knew the whole time what was going on. You knew that Dream and Wilbur were working together, you knew that Wilbur was coming back, and you fucking knew about the dragon. You knew!”

“I don’t remember! I swear I don’t remember this!”

“What do you think Tubbo’s going to say if this falls into his hands? What do you think Puffy and Sam and Quackity are going to say? You knew. They’re not going to buy memory loss this time because this is your handwriting. Including the ender bits.”

Ranboo’s shoulders slump. Tommy’s right. He hates that Tommy’s right. The proof is literally in his hands, and destroying it isn’t going to do much either, because now Tommy knows.

“We have to warn Tubbo.”

Tommy points the tines of his fork in Ranboo’s direction. “We can’t tell them. We’re here now, and regardless of how you or me personally feel about this situation, we’re not getting out of this. Personally, I’m past the point of caring, and I know some part of you, whether you remember or not, wants this. Instead of marrying my best friend, you should marry your unconscious self and come to terms with this.”

Tommy is smart. Ranboo knows he’s smart, and Ranboo also knows Tommy’s right. It only contributes to how smart the stupid ass is. Ranboo can’t remember though, it’s like some part of him is blocked. After what he’d seen today, Ranboo can feel that mental wall in place, and he doesn’t know how to access it. Neither does Dream, apparently.

“I don’t know how to remember,” Ranboo admits. “I don’t know how to access those memories.”

“I can smack you upside the head with a brick,” offers Tommy with a snort. “Seriously. You were talking about hypnosis earlier, maybe it can be used for good instead of evil.”

“I don’t want to be evil.”

“Think it’s a little late for that, bud.” Tommy doesn’t sound angry, at least. Ranboo had expected Tommy to yell and storm off, but he’s still sitting by Ranboo, and now offering help. He doesn’t understand this.

“Why aren’t you mad at me?”

“Why should I be? Because you helped Dream? Wilbur quoted Lord of the Rings at me and I fell into his arms sobbing. You could probably offer a hug and I’d burst into tears. This is how fucked I am.”

“I feel the same,” Ranboo admits. He forces out a short laugh. “Dream was admittedly really nice to me.”

“He can be your friend then. I don’t want him anywhere near me for awhile.”

“We’re both really fucked up, aren’t we?”

“Yeah man, that’s the conversation we’re having. We’re fucked up because we’re considering helping the two strongest villains of the server launch an apocalypse. If that doesn’t scream fucked up, I don’t know what does.”

“Tubbo...” Ranboo shakes his head. “I have to see him one last time at least.”

Tommy looks over his shoulder. The two adults are engaged in quiet conversation, and they look as if they’re falling asleep. Tommy looks around the cabin and spots a couple of potions in the corner. The color tells him they’re potions of weakness.

“Not tonight,” he whispers. “Another night, soon. We can drug those two and I’ll help you sneak out for the night. You can meet up with Tubbo, I’ll even give you a note from me. But it’s all gotta be before sunup, because I don’t want to lose Wilbur’s trust and faith in me, alright?”

Ranboo nods. He’s apprehensive about this whole thing, but he’s also strangely reassured with the vague knowledge that everything will be okay.

He doesn’t know why he’s feeling that now, though.