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Chapter Text

 "Oi, you motherfucker!" Tommy shouts and shields his face with his arms from the water Tubbo splashes at him.

 Tubbo laughs maniacally and switches from tormenting Tommy to attacking the tall teen that's failing to hide his wide smile.

 "Ah!" Ranboo shrieks and dashes around trying to avoid Tubbo's bombardment, only kicking up more water as they run around.

 Tommy doubles over laughing and hugs his stomach with his soaked arms. Ranboo scampers onto land and out of range of Tubbo's aqua attacks. They cheer from their safety until Tubbo begins trudging through the water towards land. Ranboo starts pleading for mercy but none of his words stall the brunette from making his way over to the over. Tommy continues to wheeze in amusement.

 It's Tommy, Tubbo, and Ranboo's spring break, and the three of them have spent the last few hours at the creek at the edge of the woods. Despite it being a warm day, the creek is devoid of anyone from the neighborhood, like it always is. The trio seem to be the only ones that come to the creek, probably due to the negative reputation that the forest that the creek borders has. Despite the beauty of the sparkling calm blue water, the small sandy bank, and the vibrant green leaves, the forest still have a variety of dark stories surrounding it. The woods are dense with trees and darken only feet into the foliage, inspiring tales of monsters, cannibals, criminals, and living evil plants. Kids, teens, and adults alike all seem to avoid the forest, except for Tommy and his friends. Not that he's complaining. Having something as great as a solitary and pretty place to hang out all to yourself is quite nice. And none of them were frightened by the tall tales or believed them. None of the three were wary of the shadows. And Tommy certainly didn't feel like something was watching him whenever he came to the creek. Totally.

 Tommy trudges through the creek, the water only reaching up to right below his knees, until he reaches the bank and exits the cool water. He takes off his red jumper with white sleeves and sets it on the blanket Ranboo had set up for a picnic earlier. Tubbo had gotten the jumper pretty wet from splashing Tommy, same his blue jeans that are rolled up to above his knees so they wouldn't get wet. So much that did him.

 "Tommy, come help me torment Ranboo!" Tubbo calls over from where Ranboo is holding a flailing Tubbo away from them with their long arms by the shorter's head.

 Tommy smiles, showing off his blue colored braces, and runs over to his two friends. The blonde leaps at Ranboo and forces all three of them to the ground, with Tommy and Tubbo on top of Ranboo. They all burst out laughing and don't bother removing themselves from the pile of bodies until Ranboo complains about his bones being crushed. Tommy rolls off of Ranboo and Tubbo into the lush green grass. He spreads his arms and legs out in a star figure and closes his eyes. Tommy hears Tubbo and Ranboo lay on his right, and together they bask in the sun. When he gets too hot, Tommy opens his eyes to a slightly darkening blue sky. 

 The blonde sits up and stretches his arms above his head. "Jeez, how long have we been here?" Tommy asks.

 Ranboo sits up and grabs his phone from the picnic blanket. "It's five thirty," they state.

 "Damn, that's six hours," Tommy breathes.

 "Uh, no that's seven," Tubbo corrects. "You just corrected by a dyslexic person."

 "What!? Shut the fuck up, man! That's not even how that works!" Tommy argues with a playful scowl. Ranboo snickers and Tommy shoots him a lighthearted glare.

 With a groan, Tommy stands from the ground and grabs his sweater from the blanket. His legs and clothes are all dry now from laying in the sun for a while. Tommy's sure they will all have sunburns, too.

 "We should probably get ready to leave," Ranboo says as they too stand up. Tubbo and Tommy nod sadly, making their tall friend smile. "You know we can always come back here, right?"

 "Yeah," Tubbo draws out the word in a groan, "but that doesn't mean we want to leave." Tommy nods in agreement.

 Ranboo sighs with a smile and starts packing. Tubbo helps put the leftover food into his backpack while Ranboo collects the garbage in a plastic grocery bag. Once everything is taken off the picnic blanket, Tommy reluctantly does his part and folds the blanket into a messy square and shoves it into Tubbo's bag. 

 "How are you so bad at folding?" Tubbo questions Tommy.

 "I'm not bad!" Tommy replies offendedly. 

 "Reeeeally?" Tubbo raises an eyebrow.

 "Fuck you, man!" Tommy flips the short brunette off with both hands, earning a dramatic gasp in response.

 "Come on guys, calm dow-," Ranboo cuts himself off and stares into the distance with wide horror filled eyes.

 "Ranboo?" Tubbo asks, stepping towards the tall brunette.

 Tommy turns around to face the woods and whatever Ranboo is looking at. He sucks in a breath when his blue eyes land on a pair of shining black eyes at the edge of the forest. Behind the eyes is a silhouette of what Tommy assumes to be its body, only shrouded in the shadows of the trees. However, there is one very crucial fact Tommy instantly realizes when Tubbo whispers his name: whatever that creature is is staring right at Tommy... and is also the closest to Tommy. Tommy's heart hammers in his chest and in his ears. This isn't the time to freak out, he tries to calm himself down, but there is a fucking monster!

 With a shaky breath, Tommy slowly steps backwards, trying to lengthen the distance between him and the creepy fucker. But the creature takes the moment Tommy is off balance to move. And by move, Tommy means move. One second, the monster is at the edge of the woods and the next in the air halfway towards Tommy. Tommy's eyes widen at the fully illuminated sight of what is the literal definition of a monster. The black eyes are surrounded by small white rims placed on a humanoid shaped head but without any hair, slits for a nose, holes for ears, medium white horns, and an overly large, demented smile that shows off too many pointed fangs. The body is almost too gross and disfigured to look at: the body itself almost looks human but the arms and legs are too long and end in long sharp claws. The smooth lime green surface (only interrupted by the occasional random dark purple spot) of the creature doesn't look exactly like skin but not scales either, somewhere in the middle. Tommy doesn't want to be killed by this thing. As the biggest most pogchamp of all men, he doesn't deserve to be murdered by this hideous creature. And it turns out he won't be.

 Just as the monster is about the land on Tommy, he feels hands shoving him to the side. And Tommy falls to the ground, helplessly watching as Ranboo takes his place. Damn those long limbs! The creature snarls, freezing Tommy's limbs, and just before it hits Ranboo's chest, the monster dissolves. Maybe that isn't the right word for it... dissipates, that's it! Only an inch from Ranboo's upper body, the creature fucking turns into a gas and floats into Ranboo instead of tearing out his throat like the thing looked like it was going to. Ranboo grunts and falls backward, Tubbo barely managing to dive an catch the tall teenager before their head hit the ground. Tommy snaps out of his frozen state and quickly crawls over to Ranboo, ingoring both the grass stains on his knees and his shaking limbs. Tubbo cradles Ranboo with a shocked expression. Tommy meets his friend's startled and panicked eyes and offers a reassuring smile before turning to look at Ranboo. Ranboo, to put it simply, looks like absolute shit. More so than usual, but he doesn't need to know that. While his eyes are closed, Tommy can see they racing all over the place from underneath his eyelids, and their skin is pale and sweaty, even though the breeze and temperature are too cool for that.

 "Wha-what just happened?" Tubbo asks quietly. "Are we hallucinating?"

 Tommy shakes his head. "I don't know, Tubs, but I don't think we are."

 Not even a second later, Ranboo's grey eyes shoot open and they quickly sit up, surprising both Tommy and Tubbo. 

 "Are you alright, big man?" Tubbo asks, worry coating every word. Neither Tommy nor Tubbo have been this concerned before, but heck, nothing like this has never happened before either. And they don't even know what the fuck just happened!

 "Ranboo?" Tommy questions when Ranboo doesn't answer.

 Ranboo turns to look at Tommy and just stares at him. Tommy feels the same feeling he was earlier, like he was being watched, but this time he is. It's unsettling, especially since Ranboo isn't always the biggest fan of prolonged eye contact.

 "Uh, Ranboo? You alright?" Tommy asks uncomfortably.

 "Mhm," Ranboo murmers quietly and shakes his head, no longer making eye contact with Tommy, which he is grateful for. "Sorry, uh, what happened?" they wonder louder. Tommy sighs in relief and he sees Tubbo's shoulders sag in the same emotion. This is their Ranboo: bad memory, apologetic, socially awkward, and not quiet.

 "I have no fucking idea," Tubbo states bluntly. Tommy tries to laugh but all that comes out is a soft and tired scoff.

 "You got that fuckin' right. There was some... monster and it jumped at me. You, um, pushed me out of the way. Thanks for that," Tommy tells Ranboo earnestly.

 "Of course, Tommy. I remember that now. I wouldn't let anything hurt you. But how did I pass out?" Ranboo cocks his head to the side, their eyes look distant and cloudier than usual.

 "I think it went inside of you," Tubbo explains. "I think you got possessed by a demon."

 Both Tommy and Ranboo look at Tubbo and wait for him to say joking or give a more reasonable explanation. But nothing comes and deep down, Tommy connects the dots. The creature definitely didn't look like some regular animal or a human. It even had demon horns! Plus, the gas it seemingly turned into would explain how it possessed Ranboo.

 "Well, I guess there really are monsters in these woods," Ranboo says and stands up. He dusts off his clothes, picks up his backpack, and slings the bag over his back.

 Tommy and Tubbo stand, too, and give Ranboo confused looks. "Why are you grabbing your stuff? You literally just fainted, sit the fuck back down!" Tubbo almost yells not in anger but worry. Tommy hums his agreement.
 "I'm fine guys, just a little tired. If I am possessed, can we figure it out in the morning? None of us know much about demon stuff anyways," Ranboo yawns and Tommy finds himself smothering one of his own.

 "I've played Phasmophobia, I know lots about demons!" Tubbo protests. Tommy chuckles and grabs his backpack.

 "I don't think that counts, Tubbo," Tommy says accusingly.

 "Well, it should," Tubbo grumbles, kicking a small stone with his sneaker. Ranboo laughs at Tubbo's dramatics, and Tubbo gives a small grin.

 "Let's go, guys!" Tommy groans and starts walking away from the forest towards the bridge that goes over the creek a little way down the bank. Tubbo and Ranboo follow the blonde.

 No one questions why they were walking a little faster than usual.

Chapter Text

 The walk to Tubbo and Ranboo's house is quieter and quick, much different than it usually would have been, but the past twenty or so minutes had not been "usual". Thankfully, when they enter the house, Tubbo's Aunt Cara was out, likely getting groceries or some adult shit, allowing Tommy and his equally disheveled friends to go upstairs and clean themselves up in relative peace. Tommy grabs a pair of grey sweatpants and a blue and white baseball tee from his duffle bag and changes out of his dirty, grass-stained clothes in the bathroom. When he's done, Tommy transfers the bathroom to Ranboo and waits outside Tubbo's bedroom until the brunette is done changing into his own pajamas: a green t-shirt with a Minecraft bee on it and darker green pair of sweatpants. When Ranboo returns sporting Garfield pants and a simple black top, Tommy and Ranboo set up their sleeping bags on the floor of Tubbo's room while Tubbo watches them from the comfort of his bed.

 And like that, the originally planned sleepover begins, but not with the festivities Tommy first had in mind. Instead, Tommy and Ranboo join Tubbo on the bed to begin the inevitable conversation.

 "So, uh, today was eventful, eh?" Tubbo begins in his usual awkward fashion.

 Tommy chuckles lightly without any humor behind it. "I guess you could say so." Tubbo nods and the silence looms over them once again.

 It dawns on Tommy that he could have died today. If none of them saw the demon, it could have jumped them and killed them easily. Or if Ranboo didn't push Tommy out of the way, Tommy could have gotten his throat ripped out. Or... Ranboo could have died if the demon didn't decide to fucking possess them. Guilt sits heavily on Tommy's shoulders, and he looks up at his abnormally silent friend. Typically, Ranboo would have said something completely absurd or wholesome to break the silence, but instead, he just sits staring into space, their grey eyes focused intently on Tubbo's blue and green comforter.

 "Ranboo, you okay?" Tommy asks.

 Ranboo startles and looks up at Tommy, as if the former wasn't in the room at all just a second ago. "Uh, yeah, sorry, zoned out."

 "Is the demon... saying anything to you?" Tubbo asks.

 Tommy looks at him curiously with an expression that asks "What the fuck?"

 "Hey!" Tubbo defends, "I personally have never been possessed or known anyone before this that has gotten a fucking demon up their ass!"

 Tommy would have laughed in any other situation in which those words flew out of Tubbo's mouth. Instead, Tommy says, "Yeah," quietly then looks back at Ranboo for an answer.

 If Tommy and Tubbo weren't waiting expectantly for Ranboo's answer, Tommy bets that the teen would have just gone back to zoning out like they were before. "It keeps whispering things in, like, the background of my thoughts, but I don't understand any of it," Ranboo says. "Sorry."

 "Why the fuck are you apologizing? I'm fucking sorry!" Tommy exclaims. Both Ranboo and Tubbo look at Tommy with wide, shocked eyes. "If you didn't push me out of the way, you wouldn't be in this situation."

 Ranboo's eyes soften in sympathy. "Tommy, if I didn't you might have died. Or gotten possessed instead."

 "But you could have died, too, dumbass!" Tommy practically yells.

 "Tommy's right, Ranboo," Tubbo whispers. "But, any of us could have died or gotten possessed if we were in the other's shoes, so just shut up, okay. It happened. It's shit. But we'll figure it out. Alright?" Tubbo stares determinedly at Tommy and Ranboo.

 Ranboo nods vigorously, and Tubbo whirls his whole gaze on Tommy. "Fine," Tommy agrees, "but no more self-sacrificing shit."

 "Agreed," Ranboo says, and Tubbo gives an enthusiastic thumbs up.

 Tommy chuckles a little, this time with a little more emotion.

 "Are you three here?" shouts an easily recognizable voice from downstairs.

 "Yeah, Aunt Cara!" Tubbo yells back.

 "I picked up pizza if you all want to come down and have some. I have Coke, too!" her voice is accompanied by the satisfying smell of fresh, warm pizza.

 Tommy jumps off of Tubbo's bed and sprints out of his friend's room. Both Tubbo and Ranboo right on Tommy's heels. They all run down the stairs, sounding like a particularly happy herd of elephants, and meet the delightful sight of a box of cheese pizza and a liter of Coca Cola.

 "You're the best, Puffy!" Tommy grins as Tubbo's aunt hands them plates and cups.

 "Thank you, Tommy," Puffy laughs.

 "Can we watch TV while we eat, please?" Tubbo asks, drawing out the last word.

 "Okay," Puffy answers amusedly, and Tubbo cheers.

 Tommy grabs a couple slices of pizza and fills his cup nearly to the brim with his favorite soda, sipping at the drink on the way to the living room. Tommy sits in the center of the couch. Tubbo takes a seat on Tommy's right while Ranboo sits on Tommy's left. With lots of bickering, the three, or rather two since Ranboo didn't provide much input in the movie selection debate, Avengers Endgame is put on.

 Tommy watches the entirety of the three hour long movie, finishing his food and drink within the first forty-five minutes or so. Tubbo passes out around the one hour mark, his head resting against the side of the couch and mouth slightly open. Ranboo, however, Tommy notices throughout the movie, barely blinks. And is either staring straight ahead at the action of the movie or watching Tommy out of the corners of his eyes. Tommy can only tell when it's the later when he feels the typical dread in his gut and seemingly looming presence that makes up his feeling of being watched. Thankfully, the movie distracts Tommy from it. Most of it, at least.

 And then the movie is over, and Tubbo wakes up as the credits start rolling.

 "Did I miss it?" he asks, his words slurred from sleep.

 "Yep, all the good parts, too," Tommy says.

 "Aw, man," Tubbo whines. Tommy chuckles.

 Tubbo stretches, unapologetically whacking Tommy in the face with his wrist, and stands from the couch. Tommy turns of the TV and follows suit.

 Tubbo looks curiously behind Tommy. "Come on, Ranboo. Time for bed. God knows Tommy needs his beauty sleep."

 "Hey!" Tommy complains with a joking smile. "I'm so handsome! Ranboob is the one who needs the glow up."

 "You wish you could look this good," Ranboo retorts as he stands from the couch. Tubbo snorts, and Tommy gasps in mock betrayal.

 "You're lucky I'm tired, otherwise I would fight you so much more about this," Tommy huffs and begins walking towards Tubbo's bedroom.

 "Sure, sure," Ranboo says placatingly. They and Tubbo follow after Tommy, all three of them tip-toeing silently passed Puffy's closed bedroom door so as to not wake her.

 Tommy almost collapses onto his sleeping bag, but Ranboo drags him to the bathroom across the hall from Tubbo's room so he can brush his teeth. Which he does begrudgingly. Afterwards, Ranboo has no quarrel with Tommy squirreling himself into his makeshift bed. Tubbo leaps onto his bed and throws his comforter and sheet over him while Ranboo is the only one who calmly settles themself under his blankets.

 "Night, bitches," Tommy says. The day's weight finally lays upon his like his sleeping bag yet without its comfort.  "I'm- I'm glad you're both okay."

 "Me, too," Tubbo replies from above and across the dark room.

 "I mean, I'm possessed by a demon, but other than that I'm pretty good," Ranboo says, and Tommy sputters. Tubbo laughs quietly. "Good night, guys," Ranboo tells them before the bedroom descends into silence.

 Tommy turns in his sleeping bag, and closes his eyes, falling asleep to the feeling of guilt crushing his body and the feeling of eyes boring into his back.

*****

 Tommy isn't sure what he was dreaming about, it was forgotten the moment his eyes flew open to Ranboo crouched over Tommy. Even in his haze from just waking up, Tommy knows that Ranboo isn't himself, the fucking glowing eyes instead of his friend's normal grey ones are very evident of that. And the fact that Ranboo's hands are wrapped tightly around Tommy's neck with unusually sharp nails digging into his flesh. Ranboo is choking Tommy, and the lack of air in Tommy's lungs widens his eyes and encourages the adrenaline to run through his body and react to the deadly situation.

 "Ra-boo," Tommy gasps as he tries to push Ranboo's arms off of him. Surprisingly, Ranboo holds strong, as if Tommy's efforts make no impact. "Wh-y?" Even if Ranboo is currently being puppeted by the bastard demon, why is it trying to kill Tommy?

 Ranboo gives no answer and simply squeezes a tad bit tighter. Tommy desperately gasps for air and his pushes turn to frantic clawing. He barely feels sorry for scratching his friend's bare arms as Tommy struggles for survival.

 "Pl-ease."

 Just as Tommy's vision starts to blur, a figure tackles Ranboo off of Tommy and onto the ground next to him. Tommy quickly greedily gulps down lungfuls of air, only stopping when his body is racked by intense coughing fits.

 "Ranboo! What the fuck were you doing?!" Tubbo quietly shouts. Oh, so it was Tubbo that saved Tommy, that makes sense.

 "Tubb-o, 's not Ranboo," Tommy warns between needy gasps.

 "Wha-?" Tubbo is cut off by Ranboo moving out from underneath the pin Tubbo currently has them in. When Tubbo tries to resituate himself, Ranboo shoves Tubbo off of him so hard that Tubbo's silhouetted figure seems to fly across the room by a few feet. "Shit, he's strong!" Tubbo exclaims, sounding slightly pained.

 Tommy quickly sits up and tries to free his legs from his sleeping bag. He barely makes it out as Ranboo barrels at his and strikes again: this time, Ranboo doesn't try to choke Tommy and simply aims a slash at him. Tommy rapidly brings his arms up to block the swipe and hisses in pain as three of Ranboo's new claws scratch Tommy's right arm somewhat deeply. Despite this, Tommy blindly punches in Ranboo's general direction and knows he's succeeded when his knuckles his bony flesh, Ranboo's cheekbone. Ranboo flops backwards with a grunt, and Tommy scooches away from Ranboo until his back hits the wall. Tommy cradles his arm to his chest, as the entire forearm seems to throb in pain and ooze blood. Tommy's neck, too, hurts and he feels trickles of what must be blood slowly trailing down to his collarbone.

 Suddenly, light floods the room, and Tommy's eyes are overwhelmed by it. After a few blinks, he is greeted by the sight of Tubbo by the light switch staring wide eyed at Ranboo who gazes so fiercely at their hands, as if they hold the secrets of the universe or whatever the hell just happened. Most importantly, Tommy is welcomed by the normal grey irises of Ranboo, instead of the freaky purple ones.

 "Tommy!" Tubbo exclaims hushedly, likely because his aunt is still asleep and completely unknowledgeable about all this fucking demon and possession business, and the brunette scampers over to Tommy, making a wide berth around Ranboo's hunched body in the process. Tubbo drops to his knees and looks at Tommy's arm before his neck. The wince he gives at the sight probably isn't a good thing. "Fuck," Tubbo whispers, "Um, I have some band-aids and antiseptic in the bathroom. Advil, too."

 "I need drugs," Tommy says, his words strained from having to coax them out of his throat.

 Tubbo nods and stands. He looks like he's going to run out of his bedroom, but he stops before even getting started. Rather, Tubbo looks down at Ranboo.

 "Ranboo?" A pause. "Are you back?"

 "Yes," Ranboo says quietly. Tommy sees something clear drop from Ranboo's face, and he realizes that Ranboo is crying.

 Without putting too much pressure on his arm, Tommy crawls over to Ranboo and cautiously leans into them like a one-sided hug. "I'm alright, big man. Caught me off guard with those glowy eyes of yours, though," Tommy tries to joke but it falls flat as Ranboo looks up at Tommy.

 Ranboo's eyes are puffy and slightly red. Silent sobs shake his shoulders gently. "I hurt you," Ranboo says, guilt consuming ever word.

 "No," Tommy asserts, "the fucking demon did. Unless you've aways have purple eyes and super strength." Ranboo's eyes trail down to Tommy's neck, and they flinch. Before they can look at Tommy's arm, Tommy hides it from view. "Stop it, I'm fine. And it's not your fault. Okay?"

 After a second, Ranboo reluctantly nods. "But I'm still sorry. To both of you," Ranboo says and looks up at Tubbo.

 Oh, right, shit, Tubbo got fucking thrown across the room.

 "Just a couple of bruises, boss man. I've gotten worse before from fucking trees," Tubbo reassures.

 Tommy stands. "We'll figure this all out, but right now, I need to get high."

 Tubbo scoffs halfheartedly and leads the way out of the bedroom. The three of them quietly enter the bathroom, having to squeeze a bit, and help patch Tommy up. Tommy avoids looking in the mirror after catching his reflection for the first time: his neck is littered with bruises and small pricks leaking small streams of blood that have unfortunately stained his shirt. His arm looks a little better: the three slash marks spread from below his elbow to his just above his wrist and aren't as deep as the blood makes out to be.

 But Tubbo cleans off all the blood, and Ranboo gently wraps Tommy arm and neck in gauze, securing it with medical tape. Tommy helps put bruise cream on Tubbo's back where there are a  couple of bruises from the impact, and Ranboo rubs a little on his cheek where Tommy punched him, although Tubbo said it probably won't bruise thanks to Tommy's lack of strength. Tommy almost have him another bruise in retaliation.

 The three of them put the first aid kit back in the sink cabinet after Tommy gulps down two advil with some tap water, and head back to Tubbo's bedroom. For the second time that sleepover, the three of them settle back in their beds, and none of them can help but have an additional banket of unease covering them. They'll figure out how to hide and explain their sudden development of bruises and fucking claw marks in the morning, but will they figure out what is happening with Ranboo? Whatever the fuck possessed him? How to help get it out? Tommy hopes so.

 But as he hopes and fails to fall back asleep, he doubts it'll all go the way they want it to.

Chapter Text

 Waking up the next morning was no difficult task. While Tommy doesn't necessarily remember falling asleep-- he felt like he was just staring at the ceiling the entire night-- opening his eyes to sunlight streaming in through the curtains doesn't feel like he's being forced from a deep sleep or pleasant dream like usual. The opposite actually. Tommy feels like he's in the middle of a waking nightmare, which he might as well be with what's happening to Ranboo.

 Ranboo! Tommy bolts upright, nearly giving himself whiplash with how quickly he sits up. With worried eyes, Tommy turns to look at Ranboo to see... his friend staring up at the ceiling of Tubbo's room. Ranboo's eyes are tired but their own, not the glowing orbs of some demon possessing him. Tommy breathes a quiet sigh of relief and ignores looking down at his bandaged arm at the memory of last night that flashes through his mind.

 "Morning, big man," Tommy murmurs to Ranboo, quieter than he usually would be on the morning after a sleepover with his two best friends. But Tommy for once listens to the part of him that tells him Ranboo might need some more calmness than normal.

 Ranboo blinks and turns his head to look at Tommy. As Ranboo's eyes meet Tommy's, Tommy sees just how utterly exhausted they are. Looks like they got absolutely no sleep. And no break from the terrible situation that plagues him.

 "Morning, Tommy," Ranboo replies, their voice rough from disuse. He sits up, brushing his hair with his hand before running their palm down their face.

 "You look like shit, Ran," Tommy admits in the kindest tone he can muster despite the statement. Yes, while Tommy may be trying to not be obnoxious as usual because of the fucking demon inside of his friend, but you can't change a man in one day.

 Ranboo chuckles hoarsely. "Thanks, Tommy. I feel like it, too." They pause. "I couldn't sleep at all. I kept thinking about what... what I did. And the demon thing just wouldn't stop whispering in the back of my head."

 Tommy exits his sleeping bag and plops himself next to Ranboo. "Hey, I already told you that it wasn't your fault about what happened last night. That wasn't you," Tommy leans slightly into Ranboo, an invitation for comfort. "Can you understand the demon?" Tommy can't help but question.

 Ranboo shakes his head no as they hesitantly lean into Tommy a little. "No, I still don't know what it's saying. It's like the words are jumbled together. Like they're on top of one another. I just... I just know it wants something. Not sure what, though."

 "That... that sounds like shit, man," Tommy admits glumly. "But we'll find a way to exorcise this demon fucker and help you. Me, Tubbo, and you. The three musketeers like always."

 Ranboo gives a small grateful smile and leans his head onto Tommy's shoulder. And because he's a big man who cares about his friends, Tommy lets Ranboo soak in his body warmth and take advantage of the comfort Tommy offered.

 After a few minutes of peaceful silence-- perhaps the last they'll get-- Tubbo stirs up on his bed. The brunette shifts in his sleep, turning and grumbling before popping up like a meerkat Tommy has seen on nature documentaries. Tubbo groans and grumbles as he rubs his eyes and stretches his arms above his head. His hair is messy and sticks up in practically all places on his head. He blinks, then blinks again before turning and looking at Tommy and Ranboo. Wordlessly, he tumbles out of his bed wit the grace of a toddler and crawls over to Ranboo and Tommy. He grumbles again as he throws himself at the two of them, tackling all of them to the ground, and snuggling between them.

 Tommy rolls his eyes while Ranboo laughs. Tubbo snorts defensively. "What you get for waking up before me," he murmurs sleepily.

 "That's what you get for sleeping in like a lazy bum, Tubso," Tommy refutes, earning a head to his stomach. Tubbo mutters incoherently and snuggles further into Ranboo and Tommy. Tommy can't help but smile softly at Tubbo's morning clinginess. Ranboo too smiles at their friend. 

 The three of them cuddle and eventually doze off again until they wake up a couple hours later to the front door closing, a sign that Tubbo's aunt has left for work. Reluctantly, the three of them rise up, disentangling themself from their comfortable arrangement of bodies, lanky limbs, and blankets. They change into new clothes, rewrap and effectively hide bandages, and grab a quick breakfast consisting of blueberries, a leftover slice of pizza, and a glass of Coke before heading out to a place none of them would have thought they'd visit during their spring break: the library.

 Now, usually Tommy would never have gone to the library unless he absolutely had to or Tubbo and Ranboo wanted to meet there for a get together. He'd never actually go there to sit down and read. Tommy is more of a doer than a reader, although that doesn't translate to homework unfortunately for him and his teachers. But Tubbo had the idea that there might be books at the library that know more about demons and what to do with them than the internet. Ranboo seconded this idea by saying that they have computers there, too, which might be better for research than their phones. Tommy had to reluctantly agree with their suggestions, although he really just wanted to get this demon out of his friend and out of their lives. 

 And so, Tommy, Tubbo, and Ranboo go to the library. Once there, Tubbo goes to the computers to do research there despite him being the one to suggest books. Ranboo instead goes to find books, with him being the one out of the three who actually goes to the library to read the most. Nerd. Tommy, not knowing what else to do, or how to help, goes with Ranboo and serves as a book holder. Ranboo uses Tommy's arms to hold books they consider useful, ones they want to flip through and skim, or ones they simply need to move out of the way to reach another. Nonetheless, Tommy is an excellent book holder, and by the time Ranboo is done abusing Tommy's totally muscled and strong arms with sharp corners and weights of varying degrees, they have a total of... three suitable books. Yeah, the modern public library didn't have many options on demons and being possessed by one other than fantasy novels with subplots of romance. Not especially credible. The three books that they did manage to find were the most factual looking books on demons (mythical and religious ones mostly) the library had to offer. 

 Somewhat defeated because Tommy and Ranboo are seventy percent sure that Ranboo isn't possessed by Satan, the two of them return to Tubbo with their finds. As Tommy plops the books onto the table and flops into one of the chairs beside the computer Tubbo occupies, Ranboo taking the other, Tubbo turns to them excitedly. "Guys, people, boss men, boss people, bosses. Why did I want to use books? The internet is so much better."

 Tommy groans in annoyance. "Just tell us what you found, Tubbo."

 "Right right. Okay, so Wikipedia say-."

 "Wikipedia?" Ranboo interrupts with a raise eyebrow. 

 "Shut up and don't interrupt. It has the most information, plus everything else was a priest or something. Anyways, Wikipedia says that 'A demon is a malevolent supernational entity.'"

 "Obviously," Tommy mutters. Tubbo shoots him a glare, and Tommy effectively quiets.

 "Wikipedia also says that an exorcism 'is the religious or spiritual practice of evicting demons, jinns, or other malevolent spiritual entities from a person, or an area, that is believed to be possessed.' So all we need to do it exorcise the demon from Ranboo!" Tubbo beams as if he's found the answer to the universe.

 "And how do we do that?" Ranboo asks skeptically. 

 "Well," Tubbo says drawing out the word, "typically you'd want to get in touch with a priest or someone holy. They have the experience and procedures to do an exorcism."

 "No," Ranboo states immediately, his voice devoid of any emotion. "No one else can know."

 Tommy looks at Ranboo confused and a little worried. "Ran, I think it would be-."

 "No,"  Ranboo practically snarls, and Tommy's eyes widen in surprise. Ranboo never snaps at him. Even when Ranboo's angry, he doesn't lash out at Tommy or Tubbo. This... this isn't Ranboo.

 "It's talking to you isn't it?" Tubbo asks the question at the forefront of Tommy's mind.

 Ranboo glares at Tubbo, his eyes briefly flashing purple. Ranboo's hands tighten on the chair, and Tommy instinctively sits further upward. Danger starts to radiate off of Ranboo as the demon obviously wrestles for control of his friend. Tommy doesn't know what to do if it takes control of Ranboo again. Last night Tommy had been caught off guard, but Ranboo's strength had dwarfed Tommy and Tubbo's combined. Tommy wouldn't be able to handle Ranboo, protect Tubbo, and avoid Ranboo hurting anyone else in the library. 

 "I-it's okay, Boo," Tubbo hurries to say. "We can do it ourselves. It's just- we'd have to do a few steps. But it's doable."

 The tension eases from Ranboo's shoulders, and his expression softens. "I-ok. Sorry, I don't know what came over me."

 Tommy refrains from replying that he knows, and instead suggests that the three of them go back to Tubbo's place and get on with their impromptu exorcism. Tubbo prints the instructions to the exorcism before logging off the computer, and Tommy checks out the books they found using Ranboo's library card. Meanwhile, Ranboo follows them, looking dazed but at the same time laser focused... on Tommy. It's like Ranboo is only noticing Tommy with everything else fading into the background for him. Weird....

 After grabbing a bag for the three books and couple printed Wikipedia and WikiHow pages, Tommy grabs Ranboo's sleeve with his free hand and guides his dazed friend out of the library with Tubbo trailing on Ranboo's other side, looking at him worriedly. The three of them once again walk back to Tubbo and Ranboo's house, the silence deafening as they think about what's to come next: the exorcism of the demon that's fucking possessing Ranboo.

 Tommy can only hope it'll work.

Chapter Text

 All the materials they need are right in Tubbo's aunt's kitchen, thankfully. Tommy grabs a container of salt and some spare candles from her pantry and the lighter from one of the numerous kitchen drawers. The candles aren't really necessary, but Tubbo thought they would help with the mood. Priorities, even in the middle of times like these, apparently. With the salt, candles, and lighter, Tommy walks upstairs to Tubbo's bedroom where Ranboo and Tubbo should be getting things ready for the exorcism.

 And that's exactly what he finds them doing. Inside Tubbo's room, Tommy's friends are pushing furniture, clothes, and clutter alike out of the way so that they have space on the floor. Tommy sets the stuff on Tubbo's desk before helping them with the rest. When they're done, Tubbo pulls out the multiple papers they printed from the library.

 "Okay," Tubbo begins, "there's a variety of ways that we can do this. I say we go the safe route and make a magic circle."

 "Magic circle?" Tommy asks because knows absolutely nothing about magic or exorcisms or demons, and he's so out of his leagues, but he has to help Ranboo. 

 Tubbo points at the salt Tommy hd set at the desk. "It's what the salt is for. It'll protect us once the demon leaves Ranboo." Tommy hums in understanding.

 "What are the candles for?" Ranboo asks confused, his voice quieter than usual. 

 Tubbo and Tommy look at each other before turning back to Ranboo. "Mood," they answer bluntly at the same time.

 Ranboo lets out a strained laugh. "You have no idea how funny and creepy that was."

 "Oh trust us, we know," Tommy gives a grin as he starts lighting the candles and setting them around the room. He hopes that they don't make a mess. Wax sucks to get off of things. Don't ask how Tommy knows that.

 Once he's lit all the candles and set them far away from flammable stuff, Tommy turns around to see Tubbo pointing at a spot for Ranboo to sit on the floor. As Ranboo does, Tubbo waves Tommy over.

 "We're going to make the circle now. Once we do, we should be protected from the demon," Tubbo says, looking at the papers. He looks up at Tommy and nods. Tommy grabs the salt, crouches, and starts pouring it down around him and Tubbo. 

 Tommy doesn't get far before chaos erupts before his very eyes.

 In a flash, Ranboo lunges forward, his face twisted into a snarl. Their eyes radiate a menacing and inhuman purple that sends chills of terror shooting down Tommy's spine as Ranboo rushes at them. A surprised cry leaves Tommy's throat as he instinctively pushes Tubbo behind him. But Ranboo doesn't go for them first. They go for the circle. With a vulgar growl that screams anything other than the Ranboo Tommy knows, Ranboo swipes away the salt, disrupting the magic circle. Grains of salt seem to fly all over the place as Ranboo makes a mess of their only hope of freeing him from the very evil that controls him right now.

 "Ranboo!" Tommy shouts, and whatever is infecting his friend looks up at him. Tommy freezes as a sadistic smile spreads across Ranboo's face, showing off sharper teeth and pure malicious intent. "Leave Ranboo alone!" Tommy grunts and rushes at Ranboo. He tackles Ranboo to the floor, making sure he doesn't actually hurt him. When he pulls back, Ranboo is blinking profusely up at Tommy.

 "Tommy?" Ranboo questions, a confused look on his face. A sudden look of dawning realization crosses their face. "Did it..." he trails off, but Tommy knows what he was going to ask, so Tommy nods. "Shit," Ranboo breathes.

 Tommy carefully gets off Ranboo and steps back, allowing his friend to stand up. They brush their clothes off, and look apologetically at Tommy and Tubbo who finally stares at the two of them in shock. Tommy holds a hand up before Ranboo can even open his mouth to apologize. "Don't say you're sorry," Tommy states bluntly. "It's not your fault."

 Tubbo nods in agreement. "Yeah, you didn't really ask to be possessed by a fuckin' demon or whatever's in you right now," he says as he grabs the papers he's must ave dropped in all the calamity. Tubbo, too, picks up the salt container, shaking it to check if there's any left inside. There's a faint shuffle. "There should be enough to fix the circle," Tubbo informs them, looking up and meeting both Tommy and Ranboo's gazes. Tubbo's eyes flicker just to Ranboo's. "If you want to still go through with this, that is."

 "Of course I want to do this!" Ranboo clenches his fists as they tremble at his side. "I'm sick and tired of this... this thing controlling me. I-it feels like there's this constant whispering in the back of my head. And no matter what I do, no matter how much I yell at it, it won't shut up," Ranboo's eyes are furrowed, and his face enraged. It's more anger than Tommy thinks he's ever seen Ranboo show.

 Tubbo nods, a look of steely determination taking over the concern that was on his face. "Then let's do this. Let's exorcise the fuck out of this demon."

 Tommy nods and grins. "Hell yeah!"

 Ranboo offers a faint smile, one of shaky yet unwavering bravery.

 Tubbo grabs Tommy's hand and pulls him back into the center of the wrecked circle. He squats down and fills in the destroyed portions of the circle with the little remaining salt. When the container runs out of salt, Tubbo sets it aside and stands. Tubbo clears his throat before shuffling the papers in his hand. He makes eye contact with Ranboo who nods. So Tubbo begins. He recites prayers and spells that several sources on the internet said were good for getting rid of demons. Tommy has too much faith in the internet. Blame society and the rise of technology for that.

 While Tommy has never really dealt with magic or the supernatural before, he honestly thought that he'd feel... something when the circle was completed. Like a surge of power or a zap of electricity down the spine. A weight. A sense. Maybe even a literal force field that appears around him and Tubbo. But Tommy didn't feel or see anything. That should have been the first sign something wasn't right.

 The second sign was much more obvious, unfortunately.

 As Tubbo's prayers and spells came to an end, Ranboo's eyes began glowing again. This time, though, his eyes are completely black with purple dripping down from them like miscolored tears. Tommy has to hold himself back to rushing to Ranboo's side when they open their mouth and unleash an inhuman screech. Ranboo's body trembles violently as a green smoky figure claws its way out of Ranboo's open mouth. Taloned hands plant themselves on Ranboo's shoulders as it heaves its body from Ranboo's throat. The demon lets out a shriek that sends shivers down Tommy's spine. He watches as the shadows look like they're being blown away from Ranboo. It must be the exorcism forcing the demon from Ranboo's body.

 A flare of hope brightens in Tommy's chest. It's going to work. The demon is going to leave Ranboo and all their lives, and they can spend the rest of their lives forgetting the problems it caused and teh trauma it likely inflicted. 

 The hope only last a minute as the demon releases another frightening shriek and launches itself towards Tommy.

 Tommy thought there would be a magical barrier protecting himself and Tubbo from the demon. That's why it was there after all. But the demon sails through the air without any resistance. Tommy can barely take a step back before the demon lands on his chest, throwing him backwards and down onto the floor. Tommy cries out at claws dig into his ribs and shoulders. The demon seems to sneer up above Tommy's face before it leans forward and pushes into his mouth and nose. Tommy gags as the smoke begins to crawl down his throat and trickles into his nostrils. His eyes widen and his body jerks as his airways are clogged and overtaken. The smoke tastes and smells like ash and decay. It's overwhelming.

 Tommy's hands claw at his throat, face, and chest, as if that can stop the demon from infecting him. He gasps and struggles for air as the demon fully enters his lungs, spreading throughout the rest of his body. His body seizes and a strangled cry slips past his lips. Hands that aren't his own hold his arms down while another pair cradle his head. Tommy can distantly hear voices, but they're muffled, as if he's underwater.

 "T-"

 "Tom-"

 "Tommy!"

 Tommy lurches up, gasping. He's sure that if his arms weren't being held down, they would have been flailing all over the place. His wide eyes flit all around, seeing everything with a newfound clarity. They land on Tubbo who leans beside him, holding his arms down. Tubbo looks at Tommy relieved, although still slightly panicked, when Tommy locks onto him. 

 "Oh, holy shit, Tommy," Tubbo breathes, leaning his forehead against Tommy's. "That scared the shit out of me, Tommy. Are you okay?"

 "W-what the hell happened?" Tommy rasps, even though he knows. It's just like all the details are fuzzy.

 "The demon it... got you," Ranboo whispers from behind Tommy. He must be the one that was holding Tommy's head. Fingers card through Tommy's hair, and he leans into the familiar comforting touch.

 "B-but the circle," Tommy coughs, the taste of ash lingering on his tongue. 

 Tubbo shakes his head. "There must have been a spot where the salt didn't touch. I'm sorry, Tommy."

 "It's not your fault, Tubso," Tommy says full-heartedly.

 "How do you feel, Tommy?" Ranboo asks. "Is it... saying anything?"

 "I'm fine. Just disoriented and foggy." Tommy shakes his head. "It's... silent." Tommy's head is never silent, but while his thoughts are chaotically racing around, his new companion is not making any noise at all. It just feels like there's a void in the back of his mind. Like he knows that someone or something should be there, but isn't. At least not right now.

 Ranboo hums and hugs Tommy from behind. Tommy sinks into the embrace gratefully. Tubbo huffs and quickly joins the hug as well, squeezing both Tommy and Ranboo tightly.

 After a few moments of somewhat tense silence, Tommy asks playfully. "Does this mean I'm possessed by an creepy ass demon now?"

 Tubbo punches his arm, and Ranboo noogies Tommy. Tommy squirms but doesn't try and leave their hug. It's comforting amongst everything. 

 "We'll figure this out again," Tubbo says. "Do another exorcism, whatever it takes. We'll get rid of this fucking thing."

 Tommy nods, but something deep down in his mind seethes sinisterly.

 Not going to happen.