Return

TW: blood, needles

Ranboo POV

"Tubbo!" I screamed, sliding off my horse and running down the trail. No no no no no, that wasn't supposed to happen, he wasn't supposed to get hurt, this is all my fault.

I caught him as he began to slide off his horse and sat down with him on the hard path. I cradled him in my arms and shut out everything else. I could faintly feel Tommy's hand on my shoulder as he tried to get my attention, but I ignored it. When I felt him try to loosen the tight hold I had on Tubbo, I only held tighter, afraid that someone would take him. Don't worry, I won't let them hurt you, I'll keep you safe...

(Tommy POV)

I saw Ranboo holding Tubbo and ran over to him. He seemed to be zoned out so I shook his shoulder. No response. I tried to loosen his grip on Tubbo, but he only squeezed tighter. I pulled out my communicator.

You whisper to Ph1LzA: things have gone wrong. We need some strong healing potions and lots of bandages ASAP

Ph1LzA whispers to you: k m8 be there soon

I sighed and sat down next to Ranboo, placing one hand on Tubbo. Please be okay, you just need to hold on a little bit longer...

A large shadow passed over the path and Phil landed down next to us. He put one hand on Ranboo's shoulder and shook it. Ranboo looked up and Phil gently moved Tubbo out of his lap and onto the ground. Tubbo's shirt was drenched with blood and so was Ranboo's. He lifted up Tubbos head and poured a healing potion into his mouth, gently stroking the sides of his throat until he swallowed. He repeated this a few more times until most of the bottle was gone before looking at the wound. He tore Tubbos shirt from around where the arrow had torn it and examined the deep hole in his side. The arrow was buried far and had left a large ragged hole. I winced as I watched him pull the arrow out as carefully as he could. He reached into his bag and pulled out a roll of thick plastic thread and a tool that looked like a bent needle. Tubbo winced and let out small whimpers of pain each time the needle pierced his skin, but soon the wound was sewn shut and bandaged.

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1-week time skip*

(Ranboo POV)

Something was still off. Sure Dream had been captured and put in prison. Sure Tubbo was going to be fine but would need more time to heal. The nightmares had gone. I was able to go back to living my normal life.

It felt different, not having to look over my shoulder for someone who had been there for so long. It felt different, being able to walk with Tubbo and be carefree, knowing Dream was gone.

But he wasn't. Dream wasn't gone. He was still there. Still in my head. Still controlling. He had never truly left, never truly been locked in the prison.

Too many ends had been left untied. Why had he spent so long trying to find me? What was so special about me? What was it that he knew and I didn't? What did I forget? What...did I forget...

Too many things did not match up. How convenient it would be for me to forget all of these things, yet I didn't. How convenient for me to be the only one to remember. How convenient for Dream to be the only one with the answers I was seeking and be the only one I couldn't access.

Too many ends left untied and soon things would begin to unravel. Things could fall apart. The careful balance tipped and torn. With one figure standing at the center. The only one with the answers I needed.

It felt wrong. Everything felt wrong. The thing that should have given me closure had done the complete opposite. We should have never returned.

674 words<3

a/n: one more chapter to go. what do you think will happen if Ranboo visits Dream in the prison?