Chapter Text
Waking up in darkness was not ideal for Tommy, honestly he had no clue how he came to this situation, but here he is. Feeling the familiar iron-bands around his wrist caused a spike of panic in his chest; 'WHAT THE FUCK!? HOW DID I GET HERE!? WHY AM I CHAINED TO THE WALL!?' is what rang through his mind.
He tried to remember what had happened the day before-...
First he did his usual chores, tended to his son Shroud, took him to primary school, then checked up Tubbo since the boy had still been mourning for his husband. Ghostboo stopped by constantly talking and chatting away which he glossed over more focus on fixing his new house since Bad fuckin ruined his old home.
Though near the end Ghostboo actually went quiet for a time, but afterwards he didn't remember-
"You're awake!" he flinched to see the familiar apparition standing before him, "I was worried I hit you too hard!" he giggled which caused him to growl.
"What the hell is going on Boo where am I!?"
"Well that's a silly question, your finally home, my lovely!" he went floating by as he brought the blonde into a hug. "Wha-?" he goes, "what do you mean? Was it you who brought me here?"
"Yup!" went Ghostboo, "finally came around to it! Alive me never had the guts to do it, because of all the trauma you dealt with and he didn't want to scare you. However, seeing you struggle while raising Shroud, I knew I couldn't let you live like that anymore," then he began removing the sheet showing blank soulless eyes staring right at him.
A shiver ran down his spine as he stared into those eyes, "why?"
"That's a silly answer," he giggled, "it's because I love you!"
Tommy couldn't breathe... "you already know I do too-"
"Not platonically actually," went Ghostboo, he began showing a mixture of fondness and sadness, "alive me always wanted to be with you, love you unconditionally and protect you, but he married Tubbo and though he loves the ram, he always wished it was you."
He then smiled wider, "well since death-do-us-apart has happened I can say I freely can love you! At least for both me and Alive me."
"That's... just so wrong... plus you know I am not gay, Boo," went Tommy as he began trying to break free of the chains. The ghostly apparition smile became sad, his pointed ears droop, "I know... but I want to try... though me doing this might have been the wrong way of doing it," he admits before unclipping the chains from the blonde.
"I want really want you to love me Tommy, seeing you alone and no one to lean on always made me sad and no it's not pity," he frowns, "since the first day I met you, you just seem so... perfect..." a dopey smile formed on his face like some lovestruck teenager.
'Technically he is a teenager,' Tommy thought as he nervously backed away from the ghost. "You seriously need help if you think, I'm perfect," he said as he ignored the intense stare from the ghost. He liked it better when he had the sheet on; "But you are! Tommy, you always seem so bright even when the world puts you down, your laugh is contagious, your smile always warms my heart, I can listen to you for hours and never get tired of it. I love you Tommy, so so much and if I can, I would give you the world."
This was becoming creepy and very scary to him, as of now he just wanted to get home and cuddle with his son- "WAIT!? WHERE IS SHROUD!?" he screeched causing the ghost to flinch, but the smile returned, "he's in his new room!" he then takes his hand, "let me show you! I built this home for us so come! You'll love it!" he half-dragged the blonde as Tommy began to fill a sudden wave of dread in his stomach as the ghost guided him out.
Realizing he was in the basement of the house; It was furnished and homey, like some cabin in the woods type shit, glossy floorboards, red satin couches, a side kitchen and table along with photos of Tommy and Shroud during events that happened in the Beloved Manor. Some of Ranboo and Michael, but none of Tubbo with him and his husband, however it seems like some showed a group photo of the three, but sparse; one photo showed a picture of Tommy, Ranboo and Michael together. Originally Tubbo was beside Tommy in that huddle... He was cut out.
"Do you like it? I worked three days and nights to finish this place, homey and welcoming too, I know you've been trying for a more cabin in woods aesthetic so I went by that". He twirled with the biggest of grins on his face all while Tommy was beginning to feel more nervous and unsafe by the second as he stayed in that house.
"Do you like it?" he asked a little softer as he reached to the blonde. Taking hold of him in his arms as he felt the chalky blood coat his hands, "if you don't like it, I can always make it better or bigger, anything you want me to do, I will do it love," he said.
"Stop it!" he pushed away, "this is so fuckin weird Boo, it just feel so damn wrong! You're Tubbo's husband and your just acting like two whole years didn't matter! And on top of it! I am not GAY! I don't want this Boo, this just so wrong!"
"Tommy-"
"Where is Shroud, I swear to God if you hurt my son-"
"What!? No!" he screeched, "I would never lay a hand on our boy, you know I never do that to you or him."
"He isn't yours Boo, now where is he?" he growled as the ghost began sulking, "he's in his room, playing with his brother," said Ghostboo as the blonde dashed upstairs ignoring the ghost.
"Shroud!?" he called out, "baby, where are you?!"
"Papa!" he hears turning to see familiar ruby eyes, "Mimi!" oh god!
Standing next to his son was a very familiar child, the boy had been missing for weeks since the death of Ranboo. Apparently he was stolen from his bedroom by Sapnap and was never seen again. "Michael?" he whispered as the boys quickly hugged him, terrified and shaken by the whole ordeal. Then again Michael has been living with his dead father for the past five months, he would be scared too.
"How beautiful," he heard seeing the apparition watching them with a loving look on his features, "your such a natural father."
The boys whimpered at the sight of being, which caused the ghost to frown, "I never mean to scare them, but I guess me looking like this does that to children," he then goes to nearby door and opens it to reveal it to be a closet. Taking out a sweater and quickly covers the open wound that symbolizes his death, "is that better?" he asked looking for approval as the boys held tighter to Tommy.
None spoke a word as the male waited, his smile still present and loving despite the circumstance. Then somewhere in the house, a clock chimed signaling it was 6 o'clock "oh! I better get started on dinner then, why not you get comfortable, I'll make some rabbit stew just for you guys, maybe even bake a cake! After all we should celebrate, the whole family is finally together." He quickly descend the stairs as he gave the blonde a lasting look, "take your time, love, we have all the time in the world," he sings leaving the three alone in the hallway terrified of what is to come.
Tommy quickly guided the boys into the room locking it inside as he turned to them both, "Mimi, what's wrong with Dada? Why is he see-through?" his heart clenched at that question. The boy had no clue what happened to his father, but it was obvious he was terrified of the being who stood in for him. "He's-" how can he explain this to a five year old? Pretty sure Tubbo would kill him if he told the boy Ranboo was dead. "I don't know kiddo," he whispered as he kneel down sitting beside the door as the boys crawled over and find sanctuary within his arms. Tears began forming in his eyes, but he kept them from falling not wishing to make the boys feel any worse than they already are.
Meanwhile Ghostboo was thrilled, his heart- well soul sung praises, he felt content and complete now that his family was together now. Though he did feel guilty for excluding Tubbo since he really did care for the brunette, but he just wanted it to be only him, Tommy, and their boys. This home was theirs, he ensured to make this place safe and secured away from prying eyes and no maniac hunting his lovely boys down. So far from the SMP, but not far enough for the citizens to go looking for them, he knows some will try and find them. Despite what everyone says, one way or another, they care for Tommy and the boys.
They WILL go looking, but as long as Ghostboo keeps showing up and not be suspicious he should be in the clear. "Almost forgot the cake," he sings as he began bring out the ingredients for the cake, "Tommy likes strawberries so let's add some strawberries," he mutters to himself. A smile still present on his fanged lips as he began mixing, he hummed a soft tune as he heard footsteps above, "they must be playing."
He couldn't wait for the days onwards, it's just him, his children, and his lovely partner, he hopes to woo him. Yes, Tommy may not be gay, but he was willing to try to change his mind, may not be right, but he couldn't wait anymore.
Maybe he could wait after all, he didn't want Tommy to outright hate him. That would be terrible and painful, the idea of his lovely hating him scared Ghostboo. So he'll take him on little dates or spend time with them all as a family; when he was alive and still married to Tubbo, he recalls how rare it was to have family time with the ram. He was always working in his workshop, always came home late, and never had actual time for a date. He recalled how lonely he was in that mansion... Why did he even purchase that thing? It was such a terrible idea, but he guess it had to do with the guilt he felt for not fully loving Tubbo.
He did love Tubbo, but THAT relationship was more platonic than a usual marriage, and his heart always cried out whenever he was around Tommy or seen Tommy. It ate at him inside when he realized this, but that was the truth.
"No more sad thoughts!" he said, "family is here, they're finally together, and I am so grateful they are here with me," his smile returned and he then placed the batter he had been stirring for the past minute into a cake pan and began placing it in the oven.
He silently squeal with joy at the mere thought of them enjoy their first home-cooked meal, "now to call them down~" he floated towards the stairs with glee, "Tommy, Michael, Shroud~ Dinner time~"
Silence.
"..."
No footsteps, "Tommy? Shroud? Michael?" he called again floating to the second floor as he made clear to the door. "Hello? Sweethearts?" he went as he grabbed the knob. Locked.
"Oh..." maybe it was too early?
He had forgotten the appropriate time for meals so he had a hard time feeding Michael at first. Eventually he had manage to get a book about home life and made a schedule so he could know when breakfast, lunch, and dinner was available.
"Darling?" that felt so good to say, "it's dinner time, please come down," he knows Tommy must be starving, the boy had not eaten since he dropped off Shroud at Primary School; the blonde had a habit to go without and the boys had lunch seven hours ago so he was sure they were hungry.
A shuffle began to form as he heard the door click and opened revealing a grey-blue orb peeking out the crack. He smiled feeling at ease to know his beloved didn't run; he had an inkling suspicious that the blonde will plan to escape, but he is happy to know he didn't run. "Dinner's ready love, come down, I also have cake ready... well almost ready," he went as the blonde stood quiet for a time before he heard more shuffling behind him. "Mimi?" Oh! Were their children asleep? He didn't mean to wake them, "I'm hungry Papa," he heard Shroud say causing him to smile at their voice.
"Come on..." he heard as his beloved opened the door wider revealing tired and puffy eyes.
'Were they crying? Oh no, why were they sad? Did something happened?' his thoughts were interrupted as his beloved went pass him. His children followed behind which caused him to purr softly at this. Floating behind them as they went to the kitchen, table was nicely prepared, a nice pot of rabbit stew on a towel, bread prepared and fresh. "Go ahead and help yourselves, I'll go check on the cake," he beams as he floated towards the oven preparing the pull out the pan.
Tommy helped the boys sit down and serve them not wishing they grow hungry. Though he really didn't want to eat, the sheer thought of food made his stomach twist and encouraging the ghost was also not on his list. So he sat watching the boys eat ravenously which eased his worries a bit, though now he had to plan, he couldn't stay here. Tubbo and Puffy would be worried and he was sure Michael wanted to go home.
"Tommy," he internally groaned as he casted his eyes to the ghost, "darling why aren't you eating? We have plenty, I even made sure to make extra," he said putting the cake down as he seated himself beside him. His skin pricked at the cold feeling and caused his body to shiver slightly at his presence. "Not hungry," he went trying to scoot away from the male, "don't lie love," he freeze, "you have not eaten anything since breakfast, you need to eat something now," he looked disappointed as he started scolding the blonde, trying to convince he should eat and not ignore his needs, "I don't need to eat all the time Gh- Boo so stop pestering me," he hissed noticed the uneasy looks on the boys. The ghost look really angry, but he kept his lips shut and simply began serving him despite his protest.
After dinner Ghostboo cleaned up and put everything away (even the food Tommy didn't eat) then encouraged the three to play a game, though no one wanted to play, it discouraged the male, but he shelved that idea for another day.
"I'm tired Mimi," went Michael earning a yawn from Shroud as well, "oh right! you two have school tomorrow! Let's get you ready to bed," he gestured the two whom now seem wide awake with fear. Tommy quickly moved trying to encourage Michael and Shroud to speed it up in hopes they not be touched by the ghost. The two quickly zoomed away and seek refuge in their bedroom as Tommy began helping them be ready.
It caused the ghost to sulk more, but he watched with glee as his beloved worked with them so tenderly. It warmed his soul and made him fall in love all over again as the blonde act so natural with their children. "Night night Mimi," went Michael as he was tucked in his new bed, "nighty night Papa," said Shroud as he curled under the covers. Tommy stood there for a bit seemingly reluctant to leave, "come on love, I'll show you to the bedroom."
The blonde slowly walked backwards before finally turning to the ghost. Leaving the room in silence as Ghostboo closed the door, "this way~" he purrs taking ahold of his hand.
Guiding him around as his tail wags gleefully oblivious of the blonde's face began to slowly morph into fear.
"Wait, where-"
"We share a bedroom love," he went as he opened the door at the end. It was the master's bedroom walls painted red with white banisters, decorated with a mahogany bedframe that looked more for royalty than a normal bed frame. "Ghost don't need s-sleep," the pitch in his voice went higher causing the male to turn to see a fearful looking Tommy.
"Yes, but I like it, makes me feel normal and I like the idea of sharing a bed with you," he smiled as he brought the blonde to the a dresser cabinet, "I have some clothes just for you, so go ahead and pick any, I have to go lock up," he quickly flew out leaving the blonde alone. Tommy was trembling feeling extremely unsafe now that he was alone, without the children to prevent any mishaps from happening he didn't know what the Ghost would do to him. 'I can find another place to sleep- no, he won't let me leave his side, pretty sure he'll just carry me,' he thought, 'I really don't want him near me.'
"All done love," he flinched, "oh you haven't changed yet, that's okay take your time." The apparition then went towards the window and proceed to twist the knobs; Tommy shifted around the same spot knowing he'll have to do it anyway.
Quickly he pulled out some over-sized t-shirt and sweats putting them on quickly before the ghost turned. He didn't want to be half-naked with them behind him.
"All done?" the ghost asked, "good!" he then began making way to one side of the bed, Tommy stared at his side, feeling sick at the thought of sharing a bed with this... thing...
"What's wrong? Is there something on the sheets? Do you want something else or-"
"Why do I have to share a bed with you?" he asked.
Ghostboo sat quietly, his soulless eyes staring at Tommy became unbearable, it caused his skin to crawl and prickle by the uneasy silence that pierced the room. "I only wanted us to cuddle a little," once again begins to sulk, "Endermen like cuddles, we usually cuddle with our mates when falling asleep, I maybe a ghost, but I am still an enderman Tommy."
"We're not mates and for the last time, I am not gay," he growled.
"I... I know... I still want love you though," he smiled.