Tubbo starts to become someone he doesn't want to be, and he does anything to reverse his fate.

      Or, people expect an ulterior motive out of a little manipulated kid.

"I'm so proud of you."

Tubbo stood stiffly in front of a crooked mirror, Schlatt's hand on his shoulder. He ran his fingers across the suffocating lime green tie around his neck.

He wanted to throw up.

At least it wasn't red.

The suit was too tight, way too tight even for Tubbo, who was quite skinny. The black fabric seemed to grab him by the neck and choke him as he sucked in his stomach. He wondered where the suit had come from. He wondered if it used to be Schlatt's.

"This is a new era, Tubbo. A new era with you and me. With you as my right-hand man."

Tubbo could hardly look at himself. He looked like Schlatt. He looked exactly like him.

"Come here and give me a hug."

Tubbo's eyes widened slightly as he felt Schlatt's arms wrap around him. At first the hug was nice and warm. Tubbo hadn't hugged somebody for so long, and he craved the touch.

And then Schlatt squeezed tighter, making Tubbo's ribs crack. This didn't feel nice. It didn't feel nice at all. It felt dangerous and his skin crawled with repulsion. Tubbo felt so vulnerable as he started to gasp for breath, tears beginning to form in his eyes. Tubbo could only squeeze his eyes shut as he pleaded silently for it to stop.

Tubbo used to love hugs. But now he hated them. He wouldn't hug anyone ever again, just please make it stop-

Schlatt finally let go, and Tubbo nearly collapsed to the floor.

"Good job, Tubbo. I'm proud of you."

Tubbo was shaking and gasping for air. He had never felt so taken advantage of in his life. But it was just a hug, right? Schlatt was just trying to give him a hug...

But Tubbo remembered Schlatt's stinging hand across his cheek. He remembered the blaring flash of pain.

Everything was so confusing. Tubbo couldn't handle all the stimuli. He didn't know if Schlatt was safe. Was Schlatt safe?

What was safe?

"What's wrong? Do you need another hug?"

He whimpered, shaking his head vigorously, a burst of panic making him shoot up. No, no, no he didn't want another hug, he never wanted another hug again, he didn't anyone to touch him again-

Tubbo scrambled up, feet clacking on the cold tiles as he stumbled out of the White House. He burst out the doors, the cool air hitting his face. He looked up to the sky, breathing in and out.

He didn't remember hugs feeling so wrong.

Why did he feel so violated?

He bit his lip, refusing to let himself cry. Tears simmered in his eyes. He stayed there for what seemed like an eternity, getting lost in the clear light blue sky as he tried to stop trembling. Light brown hair fell into his face.

Suddenly, he heard a soft buzzing sound circling around his ear. He turned to the noise, spotting a little yellow and black striped bee flying happily in circles around his head. He felt a small smile spread across his face as he felt the tiny bee nuzzle his cheek.

"Hi." Tubbo's voice was soft, almost breaking, but he still smiled. He hadn't seen a bee in so long. They seemed to be naturally repulsed away from Manburg. Maybe they could sense the sadness. Bees were smart like that. That's why Tubbo loved them.

It suddenly flitted away, racing forward and then stopping for a moment, turning back like it was leading Tubbo somewhere.

"Hey, where are you going?" The little bee buzzed happily, darting forward again. Tubbo jogged after it, giggling.

The bee looped and whizzed through the wooden streets, Tubbo stumbling behind it. His suit jacket became unbuttoned, flying behind him. He stretched his arms out like an airplane, laughing as he tottled through Manburg and into the Dream SMP.

The sun shone down on the boy as his giggles echoed through the empty town. His hair was ruffled, his tie was hanging loose and crooked, and his white polo shirt was untucked. He was messy and out of order.

And he felt free.

The bee rounded a corner abruptly, and Tubbo raced after it. He froze as he saw the bee float over to a small yellow sunflower clutched in a young boy's hand. Tubbo's breath caught in his throat.

His crystal blue eyes stared hopefully at Tubbo, his light blonde hair waving in the wind. For a few moments, they just stared at each other, the bee forgotten.

"Hello, Tubbo."

He noticed Wilbur speaking to him, but he couldn't stop staring at Tommy. He clutched the little yellow flower like it was a lifeline, looking at Tubbo wistfully. He noticed Tubbo's new clothes and his eyes cracked. He tore his eyes away from him, staring intently at the ground, emotionless. Tubbo's heart sank.

"Tommy?"

"Tubbo, we have a deal to make with you." Wilbur stepped in front of Tommy, blocking him from Tubbo like he was shielding him. Tommy continued to look down at his shoes.

"W-where did you guys go? How did you get here- how did-"

Wilbur ignored his questions, speaking in a clear and emotionless tone, like he was speaking to the enemy. Not to his friend. Not to someone who had fought alongside him.

"Tubbo, do you like Schlatt?"

"I-" Tubbo felt chills shiver up his spine. There it was again. The paranoia. He felt like everything he said or did was being monitored, Schlatt always watching. "W-what do you mean?"

"Do you like Schlatt? Does he treat you well?"

Tubbo's eyes darted about, panicked. Tommy lifted his head up slightly, and he caught Tubbo's gaze. Something in his eyes made Tubbo break.

You're safe here.

Go ahead.

"No, Wilbur, not very much. Not very much at all, Wilbur. I don't like him, I don't like him, I don't like him-"

Something inside of him released, all of his walls crashing down. He felt like he wanted to cry from the relief. He could speak his mind, he could say anything he wanted to, nothing was stopping him, he was his own person.

Tommy rushed forward, eyes widening, but Wilbur held him back with one arm. "Then I need you to do something for me."

Tubbo nodded quickly, trying to wipe away his tears. Wilbur continued. "I need you to join us. I need you to be our spy on the inside. Can you do that?"

"I- Yes. Yes, I can do that" Tubbo stood up straighter, a smile spreading across his face. "I can do that."

"Good." Wilbur gave him a curt nod, keeping his features emotionless. But Tommy's eyes were twinkling. "I knew you would join us, Tubbo. You're a smart kid. You know how to tell who will come out on top." He turned away.

"I'm glad that I won't have to kill you."

Tubbo felt hurt. This wasn't the regular Wilbur. The regular Wilbur treated him like a younger brother, like a part of the family. But now he felt like a stranger.

Did Wilbur not trust him?

His eyes widened.

Did Tommy not trust him?

Of course they didn't trust him.

When the time came, he was too afraid.

But he trusted them.

Tubbo caught Tommy's eyes again. He looked like he wanted to do something, like he was about to rush forward, but apprehension stopped him.

"Let's go, Tommy." Wilbur grabbed his arm, pulling him along. Tommy looked back one last time at Tubbo before shaking Wilbur off.

He ran towards Tubbo, then froze. Tubbo looked up to him in shock. He suddenly pressed the tiny flower into Tubbo's palm. It was soft, it's petals slightly frayed.

"Tommy!"

Tommy flashed a quick, small smile. It was filled with not exactly forgiveness, or happiness. It was an assurance. It was a goodbye.

But it was also a promise that he would see him again.

Tommy turned back, running after Wilbur. Tubbo noticed that there wasn't the usual clunky communicator on their wrists.

So that's why.

A little bit of tension released in his chest and he watched as they disappeared into the forest once again.

Tubbo looked at the tiny flower, a burst of bright yellow sunshine, and smiled softly. It was slightly crushed, and the stem was split, but it was still beautiful.

It would take time to mend their friendship. They hadn't completely forgiven each other yet. But they both knew that they would always find a way back to each other.

A smile wasn't much.

But it was enough.

Tubbo tucked the sunflower into his breast pocket, near his heart. He patted it lightly, the petals bouncing up and down.

Sometimes just a smile is enough.