"Tommy, it's about time," Techno said irritably. "Don't you know that it's rude to keep the king waiting?"

"My apologies, your majesty," Tommy said, his voice quiet to not irritate the king further. "I had to settle an argument between two shops before I could make my way here."

Techno scoffed. "Don't you know to just let them argue it out? They're grown, let them handle it."

"Sir, it would've started a bloody fight if I-"

"Shush now, child." The pink-haired king scolded the blonde teen. "Sit." He gestured to a seat not far from the teen. Tommy quickly obeyed, not wanting to infuriate the king. "Now, I'm sure you're aware you're not the only teenager in the guard, correct?"

The blond nodded. "Of course, I'm aware of that. There's also Tubbo and Quig."

The pink-haired king nodded. "Yes, yes, I know. But, don't you think that's awfully...suspicious? To have three teenagers in the royal guard, especially two with exceptionally high ranking?"

The teen eyed the king suspiciously. "What are you saying...?"

"I have a proposal for you, Tommy," Techno said, his unnatural golden yellow eyes glaring deep into the blond's soul, sending shivers down the teen's spine. "You can keep the role of captain, but..." He eyed the teen, watching his every move. Every jitter, every breath.

Everything.

"Tubbo cannot stay."

The blond felt his blood boil as he quickly stood up, slamming his hands on the oak table, and knocking his chair down behind him. "Hell no, there's no way in hell I'm kicking him out!"

"You care about your friend, do you not?" Techno asked, his voice unnaturally calm, but Tommy could feel every hint of malice laced within.

"Of course I do..."

"Then leave him behind." Techno snapped, making the teen flinch. "Otherwise, he will be killed."

Tommy felt like his blood had been replaced with liquid fire, it grew so warm. It took his entire being to not lunge over the table and murder the king right then and there.

"Fuck no," Tommy growled. "If you hurt a single hair on his head, I'll-"

"You'll what?" Techno growled, testing the teen. "Kill me? No offense, Thomas," The teen winced at the name. "But you don't stand a chance against me. Your head would be on a spike before you could even scratch me."

"What if I decide to just leave the guard altogether?" The teen tested, not letting the king win without a fight. "Tubbo is more important to me than the stupid position."

Techno chuckled darkly, standing and leaning in. The two men were mere inches apart, glaring each other in the eye, wondering who will crack down first.

"Then he wouldn't be the only one in a grave."

And just like that, Tommy felt his blood go from liquid fire to solid ice.

If he stayed in the guard, he would lose his best friend. However, if he left, both of them would share the same fate.

"Will I still be able to talk to him...?" He asked, hoping the king had some kindness in his heart.

"Not as long as I breathe," Techno muttered, causing the teen's blood to run cold.

~<•>~

The blond sat on the hill that night, hugging himself to contain as much warmth as possible. Tubbos's tear-stained face was ingrained in his brain, his pleas for an explanation echoing in his head.

He looked down at the black dahlia nearby, which had quickly grown into a small patch, that sat where his best friend would sit beside him.

What was that thing about black dahlias? That they symbolized betrayal?

How fitting.

~<•>~

677 words

I'm sorry this took forever!!! I was unmotivated and forgot about it.

But here it is! Just so y'all know, in this AU, everything that Tommy does is for Tubbo. The betrayal (and even his death) was to keep Tubbo safe.

For those curious about the death, I might make it into a oneshot, but it definitely wouldn't be in this book.