Chapter Text
Tubbo was having a great day. Keyword here being was.
His day had started off really nice. He woke up slowly, the fuzzy blankets and golden light pouring in from the window making him feel warm and cozy. There was a sweet smell coming from the kitchen. He quickly changed into some clothes and headed to find the source of the smell.
His dad smiled when Tubbo entered the room. “Good morning! I made pancakes!”
Tubbo and his dad spent breakfast chatting lightheartedly over various random things. When he was finished eating, Tubbo immediately ran to get his boots on. It was Sunday! The market was in town, and he and his friends were going to buy as many different treats as possible. He opened the door and made it a couple steps outside when-
“Kid wait! You can’t buy anything without your coin purse.” His father reminded him with a chuckle, holding the pouch of money in his outstretched hand.
Tubbo flushed in embarrassment as he took the bag. “Oh. Yeah. Right.”
His father ruffled his hair affectionately. “Be safe, ok kiddo?”
“I will dad!”
Market day was the best thing that ever happened in their town, if you asked Tubbo. Sure, the market was technically open every week, but the last Sunday of every month was special. The streets would be decorated with lanterns and colored banners, and people from neighboring towns would visit to shop or set up stalls. The streets the market took place on were alive with joy and laughter as families spent the day together.
His excited grin widened when he saw his friends standing in front of a shop decorated in vibrant red and orange streamers. Matt was wearing his shirt backwards, and seemed to be in the middle of an animated argument with Anna. Neither of them noticed Tubbo’s arrival, but Jamie gave him an excited wave. It was a tradition for the four of them to spend market day together, ever since they were little kids.
Tubbo and Jamie had met when they were 7 and 8 respectively. He was the only one who was willing to help the dark haired girl in her quest to fill the schoolhouse with frogs. They had both gained a week of detention, and a lifelong friendship. Jamie had dark skin and long black curls. She could often be seen adjusting the large round glasses that had a tendency to slide down her nose. Her dresses were rarely free of rips, mud, and grass stains proudly gained from long days of adventure in the woods with Tubbo. It was on one such adventure that they met Anna and Matt, the twins having just moved to town and gotten lost on a walk through the forest.
Many residents jokingly said that the day the four kids had met was the last peaceful day their town had ever seen. You’d be a fool to underestimate the chaos that could be caused by four determined children. Of course, they were teenagers now, but they had never lost their chaotic spirits nor their ability to make puppy eyes to get out of trouble.
In preparation for market day, Anna had organized several scams which they helped her execute. You can’t buy from the market without coin to spend, after all! Anna was a natural born grifter. She may have been banned from several stores in town, but nothing would stop her! Matt, their group’s voice of reason, had certainly tried. The point was! They had plenty of money, and even more things to spend it on.
There were so many stalls to see. Tubbo was definitely impatient. Bouncing with anticipation, Tubbo turned his attention to the twins, who were still arguing.
“-Just saying, if they didn’t want me to steal their money they shouldn’t have talked to me!”
“You’re doing it too often! The more people you scam, the more people will be wary of you and then how will we get free money!”
“GUYS!” Tubbo shouted, startling them.
“Oh! Tubbo!” “When did you get her!” Matt and Anna spoke at the same time.
“He’s been standing here for three entire minutes!” Jamie said with a giggle.
Tubbo nodded in confirmation. “Can’t believe you didn’t notice me. This feels a bit like bullying.”
“It is!” Matt replied brightly.
Tubbo feigned despair as his friends laughed. The four of them headed down the rough cobblestone streets to search the various stalls. Matt purchased several random shiny trinkets, stating that they were essential for future health and happiness. Anna unwound the pink ribbon that had been braided in her honey-colored hair, and somehow managed to trade it for an entire steak. When asked what she was planning to do with the raw meat, she simply smiled and said “Crime!” Jamie and Tubbo both bought several sweets and pastries and made a game of trying to steal as many treats as possible from each other. Matt attempted to join in their game, only to be told on no uncertain terms that only those intelligent enough to have spent their money on sugary foods were allowed to participate.
Jamie attempted to snatch a brownie right out of Tubbo’s hand. He gasped in mock offense and ran off down the street, expertly weaving through the crowd. She was hot on his heels, and gaining ground. He needed a plan! Just when it seemed all hope for his precious double chocolate brownie was lost, Jamie crashed face first in a random stranger. Tubbo took full advantage of the momentary distraction and darted into the nearest alleyway.
Tubbo’s breath came out in puffs, the high speed chase had been as exhausting as it was fun. He smiled and let out a small cheer to celebrate his victory. Sliding his back down against the rough stone brick wall, he sat on the ground and unwrapped the brownie. Just as he was about to take a bite, he heard footsteps. Assuming it was one of his friends, he cradled the brownie protectively to his chest.
“I bought it with my own mone-“
“Shut up.”
Tubbo didn’t recognize that voice. When he looked up, the person he saw was most definitely not one of his friends. Whoever they were, they were tall. Their face was obscured by a dark cloth. Most alarmingly, they had a knife in their hand.
Eyes trained on the stranger’s knife, Tubbo’s voice shook as he spoke. “H-Hey boss man- are you a man? I don’t want to assume anything. W-“
“I said, SHUT UP.” They growled, stepping forward.
Tubbo’s mouth snapped shut with a click, and he attempted to melt into the wall. His already labored breath quickened, and his heart was pounding in his ears.
They held up their knife. “Give me your coin purse.”
Tubbo’s hands shook as he reached for the pouch of money he had tied to his belt. The brownie fell to the ground, forgotten. He tossed the nearly empty bag at the mugger’s feet, staring up at them with wide, fearful eyes. Their eyes remained fixed on the teenager as they bent down to retrieve their prize. Tubbo couldn’t see much of their expression behind the cloth obscuring their features, but from the knit of their eyebrows they seemed displeased.
“It’s so light. This can’t be all of it. This isn’t a game, give me all of your money.”
Tubbo noticed that his hands were trembling as the mugger stepped closer. “That’s- that’s all I have! I swear!”
They brandished the knife. “Stop lying to me.”
“I’m not! I promise I’m- I-“
Another step towards him.
“Please! I- HELP! SOMEONE HELP! JAMIE! MA-“
Tubbo wasn’t able to finish the second name, as the second he shouted his attacker lunged. He felt the cool metal of their blade as it entered his throat. Time stopped.
He had heard that your life is supposed to flash before your eyes when you die. That didn’t happen. Instead, Tubbo remembered his conversation with his father, right before he had left the house.
”Be safe, ok kiddo?”
”I will dad!”
The last thing Tubbo would ever say to his father, and it was a lie.
Everything went dark.