Niki and Jack had to go. They were both worried, especially Niki, but Wilbur reassured them that he'd still be there for Tubbo, as well as his family, Ranboo, and Tommy. It did still take a lot of talking to subside her worry, though.
"-Make sure to call or text me, and if you need anything I can come up any time. I'm only a few hours away," Niki said, hugging Tubbo tightly.
"Ok, I will," Tubbo replied. Niki didn't stop hugging him until Tommy pointed out that she was strangling him, and she apologized profusely.
"Same with me, I can always come up too," Jack said, taking his turn to hug Tubbo. "I'm cooler," He added, which got him an elbow in the ribs from Niki.
"Bye Niki," Lani said sadly, holding out her arms to receive a hug from Niki, which she did gladly.
"Bye Lani," Niki hummed. "You can call or text me whenever you want too, alright? Do you have my number?"
"Yeah, I have it," Lani replied. She hugged tighter and sniffled."I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too, Lani. Stay well for me; I'll see you soon," Niki said, rubbing Lani's back soothingly.
"Yeah," Kani sniffled. "I'll see you soon."
"Don't forget about me, Lan," Jack said, going in for a hug. "Good job on beating me in practically every video game, by the way. I'm totally not salty about that or anything," Jack said sarcastically, which made Lani giggle. "In a bit."
"In a bit, Jack." Niki and Jack gave their last goodbyes to everyone and received them back, as well as multiple 'thank you's' from Tubbo's parents. It took them a while to leave but eventually they were out of the apartment, driving back to their own homes. Wilbur looked nervously at Tubbo, who just stood there like he was paused in the moment.
"Tubbo?"
"Hm?" He hummed in reply to Wilbur, turning away from the door to face him. He looked so tired.
"Nothing," Wilbur said, shaking his head. "Hey, uh, why don't we go to the park today?" He asked no one in particular.
"Yeah, that sounds nice," Tubbo's mom replied. "Get dressed everyone, we're going to the park! I know there's a nice little pond nearby, Tubbo has shown me pictures."
Tommy, Ranboo, and Tubbo left back to his room, gathering a pair of clothes to wear, then took turns changing in the closet, which had a door that could open and close easily. Tubbo came out still wearing his favorite red hoodie that he had been wearing since yesterday. Tommy changed after him, walking out with a pair of jeans and the jumper that Wilbur had gotten him a while back. Ranboo wore a similar outfit, but with a black hoodie instead, as well as his usual mask and glasses that he wore whenever streaming or going out.
"Hurry up, you're talking so long!" The three heard after a few rapid knocks on the bedroom door.
"We're coming Lani," Tubbo sighed in annoyance, walking over to open the door, where Lani stood impatiently. "Come on, let's go." The boys followed Lani out to the living room where Wilbur and Tubbo's parents were waiting. Tubbo could feel Wilbur staring at him. It made his skin feel hot and itchy. He glanced over, looking at the taller man. Their eyes met and stayed that way for a few seconds before Tubbo glanced away, the burning feeling getting too intense. He followed the others out the door and out of the apartment building. It was pretty warm out but there was still a bit of a nip in the air. Tubbo had shuffled himself in between Ranboo and Tommy, trying to avoid Wilbur's gaze. He knew he wasn't mad. Wilbur said he wasn't mad; he said that he didn't ruin everything. Then why did he feel afraid?
"You good, Tubs?" Tommy asked, putting a hand on his shoulder. Tubbo shrugged. He still felt a faint anxiety from this morning in the bathroom, even though he had taken his meds. He still was on his sertraline, and still had to take it every morning, and this time he had to remember to take it.
"Yeah, I'm fine, just a bit chilly," He said. It was a half truth.
"Oh, come here man," Tommy replied, moving his arm around Tubbo and pulling him closer to his shoulder. Ranboo moved a bit closer as well, but kept his hands in his hoodie pocket. They chatted for a bit, with Lani butting in to make a witty comment every now and then before going back to talk to WIlbur and her parents.
They were walking through a forested path now. Sun beams cut through branches covered in yellowing leaves, which had also scattered the ground of the gravel path.
"Why don't you say anything, Boo? You've been quiet," Tommy commented, looking over at the taller boy.
"Honestly?" Ranboo said, looking to Tommy's direction. "I'm just chilling. Plus, my glasses are fogged up and I can't see anything, so that's a bonus."
"Then why don't you take off the glasses you dumba- idiot!'' Tommy exclaimed, throwing his free hand up dramatically.
"That'd be too easy," Ranboo laughed. "For real though, is anyone around?" He said, tone shifting to a more serious and timid one.
"No, no one is around except us," Tommy assured.
"Cool. Cool, cool, cool," Ranboo replied, pulling off his mask and glasses. It was really beautiful out, and now he could properly see it without any fog distorting his view. "The leaves are pretty."
"You should wait until we get to the pond, then. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised," Tubbo added with a smile on his face.
—-
"Holy- Wow," Tommy and Ranboo breathed, looking at the glittering pond that lay in front of them. Everyone admired the view of the area in silence, taking in all the details. The pond was large and sat in a grand, round opening in the forest surrounded by trees on most of the sides, except a grassy hill covered in late blooming wildflowers on the left side. All the tree leaves were in the beginning process of changing colors, and the crystal blueish-green water glittered from the beaming afternoon sun.
"Pretty, right?" Tubbo asked, putting a hand on Ranboo's arm. At least he couldn't feel Wilbur's eyes on him anymore; he was looking at the beautiful scenery too.
"Yeah. Pretty," Ranboo replied, looking down at Tubbo. He paused for a second. "Where'd you even find a place like this?"
"I'm not sure. I must've just stumbled across it at one point. "I don't see many people around here so sometimes I come out to think."
"Pretty lucky to stumble across. I'm glad you brought us here," Wilbur spoke up. "It's brilliant."
"Yeah, it's so much prettier in person," Lani commented. The seven of them walked around the pond, looking at the bugs and frogs that inhabited the slightly murky water. Tall grass and cattails rustled in the bitter wind. Shorter pieces of grass reached over the thinning gravel path and licked their ankles.
The group found themselves sitting on the hill together, chatting. Tubbo was leaning on Ranboo's shoulder, trying not to drift off. He wasn't supposed to be tired, he had just woken up. But then Ranboo had leaned back into the grass and wildflowers and laid down, and Tubbo followed him, laying his head on Ranboo's chest. The soft rise and fall from his breathing as well as the chatting of his friends and family and the birds in the trees lulled him to a peaceful rest.
"Mum, Tubbo's asleep," Lani said, pointing to the boy who was curled up against Ranboo, who was watching the clouds float above them.
"Just let him, honey. We'll wake him up later," Tubbo's mother replied, patting her daughter on the back.
"Well... speaking of Tubbo, do you guys know how to calm him down when he's panicking?" Wilbur asked, shifting a bit in his seat. "He had a bit of a rough time this morning."
"Did he have a panic attack?" She asked. Wilbur nodded.
""Yeah, he had, but he was able to calm down. I was just wondering if there was more that I'd be able to do to help."
"Well," Lani started. "He likes to be hugged. And he likes the lights off."
"Alright," Wilbur hummed, looking out at the tree tops meeting with the bright blue sky. Birds were chirping and bumblebees were buzzing by, clumps of pollen covering their legs. Tubbo loved bees.
"Oh! Also his white blanket is his favorite. The fluffy one," She added. Wilbur nodded. The air was starting to get a bit warmer; the wind had less of a bite to it.
"Looks like Tubbo's not the only one who fell asleep," Tommy teased, referring to Ranboo. His stormy blue eyes were shut peacefully and his breathing was deep and calm. "I should slap him."
"What- Why would you slap him?" Wilbur asked, eyes crinkled up in confusion.
"Cus," Tommy shrugged simply. "It'd be fuc- fricking hilarious!"
"Not for Ranboo!" Wilbur replied, laughing along with Tommy. They stayed at the pond for another while longer, enjoying their time outside together before eventually waking Tubbo and Ranboo and waking back home.
"You're not allowed to fall asleep now," Tommy said as Tubbo flopped down onto one of the couches. It was the first thing he did after unlocking the front door and kicking off his shoes.
"Ughhhh whyyyy," He groaned, pulling his hands down his face. "That's so unfair."
"How is that unfair, idiot?" Tommy exclaimed, flopping down on top of him. Tubbo groaned again.
"Because I'm tired."
"How are you tired? You slept until eleven forty-five and took a nap less than a half hour ago!" Lani commented, sitting down onto the unoccupied couch.
"My point exactly, Bee Boy. Let's play some video games instead," Tommy said, poking Tubbo's cheek."No sleeping!"
"Alright, alright. Fine, just stop pestering me," Tubbo sighed, slapping Tommy's hand away. He sat up, feeling a bit lightheaded as he did so. "I'd like to stream soon, too. I wanna- I wanna get back into it. A routine kinda thing."
"Are you sure you're ready for it, Tubs?" Wilbur asked. He looked a bit concerned.
"I think so... I hope so."