Chapter Text
Schlatt had been hanging out with Michael in his room for a couple of hours now. The little piglin still clutching the gold piece like a lifeline. Tubbo had come in to give Michael his lunch, but other than that not much else had happened.
It was nice. Just him and Michael making random drawings. Michael babbling on to Schlatt while he pretended he could understand what the kid was saying. It had been a really long time since Schlatt had felt like this. The whole room just radiated familial warmth. He felt safe, comfortable.
The little piglin cast his eyes up to Schlatt, still holding the smile that Schlatt knew was reflected on his own face. They both sat at Michael’s table. Pieces of paper scattered throughout the room holding drawings of flowers or Michael’s parents.
Yeah, this was nice.
A sunbeam shone through the window illuminating Michael and Schlatt’s current drawing of a flower-filled Snowchester. For it being so freezing outside it so comfortably warm inside. Michael had changed into yet a different bee onesie. He was really beginning to wonder just how many Tubbo had made him.
Then after drawing the final flower around Snowchester with his Crayons Michael got up using both his hands and ran over to the window. Curiously Schlatt followed suit, looking over Michael’s shoulder.
There didn’t seem to be anyone out there, not even Foolish looking for materials for the rest of the mansion. Sometimes he wondered if that guy even slept. It was almost noon out, the sun about halfway up in the sky.
It had snowed last night with some of the white powder on the windowsill. He could see the imprints of Tubbo’s footprints coming to and from the house. Further out he could see the boats on the docks covered in a few inches of snow.
Michael took his hand and put it up against the window looking up at the ram hybrid. Schlatt could see the question he was asking plainly enough.
Schlatt hesitantly looked down at the kid. “You want to go outside kiddo?”
The piglin nodded vigorously. A wider smile growing on his face and his ear perking up. If Tubbo or Ranboo catches him he’s gonna get murdered, but Michael would get to go out for the first time in a while so…
Ah, fuck it.
Surely Schlatt could take care of one kid. It’s not like he was drunk off his ass like he was when was president. He could do this.
Schlatt knew he couldn’t phase through the wall while he was holding Michael so he was going to have to get Micheal to jump to him while he was on the other side.
Schlatt gave one last glance at Michael then quickly went to the opposite side of the kid’s window. Now on the outside of the house he saw Michael’s eyes open wide for a moment before a determined glare took them over.
The toddler seemed to understand what Schlatt was doing as he opened the window. The kid looked down at Schlatt whose arms were currently open wide to invite the little piglin outside. Michael took one glance down at Schlatt and jumped.
Schlatt easily caught the little kid who was surprisingly light, though that may just be the fact Schlatt was a ghost. The ram felt his ears flick back in surprise. The kid really trusted me that much, huh?
He held Michael to his chest while the kid was slightly resting on his hip. Michael was gripping onto Schlatt’s sweater smiling as he looked around at his snowy surroundings. Schlatt was smiling down at Michael.
Schlatt briefly looked around. The question of where to actually go coming up. The ram didn’t want to keep Michael in the snow for too long, the kid was only wearing a onesie. Plus He had no idea where Tubbo kept Michael’s coats, if he even had any.
The kid had been drawing numerous flowers lately. He was sure Tubbo must have shown the kid some. Michael had made a couple dozen of flowers littering Snowchester in his drawings. It wasn't that far of a stretch that the kid wanted to see some flowers.
A flower forest couldn’t be a bad idea right? It was certainly warmer than Snowchester and Michael had seemed to take quite the interest in flowers recently. Maybe Michael liked bees as well if Tubbo had shown the kid some of his own interests.
Then it was settled, they would visit a flower forest. Thankfully there was one a bit south of Snowchester. Schlatt set his eyes south after smiling at Michael. Here's to hoping no one caught em’.
Schlatt, still being five or so feet above the ground, hovered down to the snowy earth below. Michael was still clutching one to him. His gold piece now shoved in the pocket of his onesie. The kid was trying to stay still the best he could, but Schlatt could tell he was buzzing with excitement.
Schlatt really couldn't help the smile that only grew wider on his face. He started marching forward toward where he knew the flower forest was. He knew he could glide, but he didn't want to freak the kid out.
They passed by the mansion which Michael seemed enthralled by. Schlatt knew he had pretty much the same expression on his face when he had first seen it. It was a very beautiful build, one Schlatt would have liked to call his own.
As they passed behind the mansion he couldn't help but feel some of the excitement that was currently radiating off Michael. After a bit of a hike, not that Schlatt could get tired, they arrived at the far shore of the Snowchester territory.
Big ice sheets could be seen moving in the waves. Michael pointed to one of them and babbled some unintelligible words. Schlatt softly laughed at him, but his mind was more focused on the fact there were zero boats on the shore.
He would have to fly across the ocean unless he wanted to go all the way back and grab a boat he barely knew how to steer. Surely flying was gonna be faster anyway, so he just had to make sure to hold on tight to the kid.
“Hey kid,” Schlatt said softly, masking his own nervousness, “We’re gonna fly across the ocean okay? Y’know like those birds?”
Thank God Michael seemed to at least somewhat understand what he said as the kid clutched tighter to him. He knew his worries about suddenly phasing and dropping the kid were stupid, but his stupid nerves coudn't help but feel anxious.
Schlatt seriously couldn't believe he was worried this much about a kid. He was Schlatt. Y’know the heartless business man who had gotten his own country blown up? Floating here at the edge of the ocean going to take a kid he met 2 days ago to see some flowers while being worried he was going to drop him.
Being dead had seriously changed some things.
Schlatt looked down at the little kid who was clinging on to him, but maybe some things had changed for the better.
Schlatt wrapped his arms a little tighter around the kid and floated up. Not too high, just about 10 feet or so to make sure none of the freezing waves hit them. Schlatt could feel the fear leave him as Michael let out a delighted squeak at the ground quickly moving away from them.
Schlatt started forward. Michael was glancing around at the ocean below. Schlatt grinned down at the kid, thankful he wasn't scared of the ocean waves.
The vast expanse of water thankfully wasn't as vast as Schlatt had remembered it being as he could see the fog of land in front of them. The ocean had gotten noticeably more aquamarine and the ice rocks had long since passed (pointed out by Michael numerous times.)
“Kid you see the land over there?” Schlatt questioned gesturing with his head to show where to look.
He heard the kid let out a little gasp and excitedly point to the bay that was coming into view. Micheal looked up to Schlatt, his mouth hanging open in a smile, then looking back to the ever approaching bay.
Schlatt could see trees littering the coast, but most importantly there were flowers. What looked like thousands littered the ground. It was perfect.
Michael had apparently seen them to, as he started practically vibrating trying to keep his immense excitement contained so Schlatt could carry him. It showed plainly on the kids face though. His mouth was open in a massive smile and his sheer unfiltered excitement practically danced in the kids eyes.
Schlatt felt that warmth blossom in his chest again for what feels like the millionth time that week. The fact Schlatt managed to be happier now that he was dead was still a thought that baffled him, but there was no time to dwell on it now. They had reached the flower forest.
Michael could no longer contain himself and started wiggling in Schlatt’s arms desperate to better see the new surroundings. Schlatt quickly went down to the green ground below. He bent over, letting the kid to the ground.
The two of them were surrounded by flowers of every color imaginable. Some reached up to Michaels waist, others were taller than the kid himself. The kid was seemingly astounded by the new biome.
Schlatt let out a gentle laugh as the kid let out a squeal of excitement. His head shot back and forth taking in all the flowers and colors around him. He started to run around, thankfully staying close to Schlatt but still observing all the flowers.
The kid had a permanent smile on his face. Schlatt knew he did as well. Surprisingly to Schlatt though, Michael was careful not to harm any of the flowers as he ran around them.
The kid crouched down and gently touched a blooming orange tulip. Schlatt walked the couple steps over and sat down next to the kid. Michael looked over at Schlatt and his smile got impossibly larger.
He felt the kid wrap his arms around the ram for the second time that day. The kid nestled into his soft sweater. Schlatt didn't hesitate to wrap his own arms around the little piglin. Just as quickly as Michael had come though he ran back to observing the flowers.
Schlatt looked at the flowers surrounding him and Micheal: lilacs, cornflowers, orange tulips, and dandelions. Schlatt let out a good natured sign and began picking some of them. Michael looked at the ghost curiously.
“Kid if you ever tell anyone about this I’m disowning you.”
Schlatt sat down criss-cross and started to weave the flowers together to make an ‘O’ shape. Michael walked over to him and sat down next to Schlatt to watch what he was doing. He let out a soft laugh and the perplexed expression on the kids face.
He skillfully wove the previously picked flowers into a flower crown. It was pretty good for having not made one in a couple years if he did say so himself.
He placed it onto Michaels head much to the kid’s utter delight. He reached both his hands up and gently touched the flower crown then proceeded to run around with it. Warmth grew in his chest as he watched Michael run around with the little crown Schlatt had made him.
He can’t believe it took him dying to figure out how joyful it was being around people. Well not that he's never enjoyed another person's company, it's just- it's been a while.
Schlatt wasn’t really the kind of person to think about his past though. He was more of a ‘in the future’ kind of guy. Always making up scams and schemes to get himself rich. Guess none of that really mattered too much anymore. Yeesh, who had even taken over his company?
The ram was pulled out of his thoughts by the little piglin. Michael was tugging on his sweater furiously pointing with his other hand. There was someone else here. Uh oh. Who was that. Did they know Michael? Please don’t let that be Tubbo.
Schlatt quickly recognized the semi-transparent figure. Oh...it was Wilbur. He nodded to Michael to assure the piglin he had seen the man coming towards them.
Schlatt stood up and looked to the yellow sweatered ghost, “Wilbur?”
Wilbur was audibly confused as he neared the two. “Schlatt? What are you doing here? And what is…” Wilbur’s eyes shot to Michael who was currently trying to hide behind the ram.
“Schlatt how can that thing see you?” Wilbur asked slowly looking back from Michael to Schlatt.
This was really not how he wanted his talk with Wilbur to go.
“Okay. Wilbur I have a lot I need to talk to you about, but uh,” Schlatt pointed at the piglin, “This is Michael. He can see us. I’ve got no idea why.”
“Wait Michael like- Tubbo’s kid Michael? Schlatt please tell me thats not-”
Schlatt’s ears flicked back. This wasn't going to end well. “Well Wilbur, listen I-”
He saw Wilburs already confused face contort into anger. Shit. “SCHLATT, WHAT THE FUCK. So killing Tubbo wasn't enough for you!? Now you steal his fucking child!? I thought-”
Of course Wilbur thought he was trying to hurt Tubbo. It was a fair assumption he supposed. Schlatt; evil dictator guy, right? But If Schlatt saw the sense in it then why did he still feel hurt?
Schlatt flinched like he was physically hit at the mention of Tubbo’s death. He opened his mouth to try to explain to Wilbur what was going on then he heard a tiny voice behind him.
“Sphat?”
Was that-
His ears perked as he whipped his head down to look at the owner of the voice. Michael. The kid had said his name. The kid who was clinging to his pant leg and wearing his flower crown had said his name.
“K-kid did you just say Schlatt?”
If the last feeling was a blossom of warmth then this was an entire fucking forest. Schlatt felt his scowl replaced with a massive smile. Before he could even think he picked up the piglin and held him close. He felt Michaels arms wrap around him.
Schlatt wished he could feel like this forever. Warm, safe, happy.
But Wilbur was still standing 2 feet away from them.
“Schatt...what is going on?” Wilbur said eyes shooting between the two of them as if he didn't want to believe what he was seeing.
Schlatt took a breath, still holding Michael. “I stumbled upon this kid while I was around Snowchester. Wil I know you’ve seen Tubbo and Ranboo, their gone for a pretty long time. So I kind of just started visiting Michael. It’s not like I have much better to do. He asked to go outside and I didn’t say no so…”
Wilbur was staring at Schlatt like he had just grown a pair of wings. “So this entire time, you’ve been babysitting.”
“I- well if you feel the need to call it that sure. I would say it’s more like a mutual deal.”
Wilbur looked at Schlatt like he was trying to figure out a puzzle. Now or never?
“Wilbur, I’m sorry,” Schlatt blurted at the fellow ghost. Never was the better option wasn't it?
“Your what? ” If last time Schlatt had grown a pair of wings now he must have been some sort of celestial god.
“Wilbur I’m sorry for kicking you out of your country and I’m sorry for even running for president in the first place and I’m sorry so, so fucking sorry for even having the thought to kill Tubbo. Wilbur I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”
Why the fuck did I just do that? I don’t say sorry what the hell am I doing?
And Wilbur looked scared? No, he had hope in his eyes. He looked scared to believe what Schlatt had said. He doesn't want to be disappointed. Schlatt felt guilt creeping all around him.
Michael was fidgeting with his flower crown clearly anxious at what was going on. He hugged the kid closer to him for a moment as reassurance that it was okay.
“Schlatt I don’t- I,” Wilbur looked lost.
“Wilbur I know you don’t have a reason to trust me, but please believe me when I say I want to make up for everything I’ve done,” Schlatt was slightly chewing the inside of his cheek, a nervous tick he had acquired from who knows where.
Wilbur blinked at Schlatt then an unreadable expression came on his face.
“I do too,” Wilbur looked at Schlatt and his lips drew up in a small smile. Wilbur actually smiled at him. Holy shit, thank God.
Michael seemed to have known the two had made up. He started to wiggle a bit, Schlatt let the little kid down to the flowered ground. He waved to Wilbur. He saw Wilbur break into a bigger smile as he waved back at Michael.
Michael looked at Schlatt and pointed at Wilbur “Ba!”
Schlatt let out a hardy laugh at that.
“Ba like Wil-ba?” He playfully asked the kid who nodded in return.
“Hear that Ba? You’ve been officially renamed,” he poked fun at Wilbur who was trying to look annoyed, but his smile gave him away.
“Yah okay Sphat. Should I just call you ‘Phat’ from now on?” Wilbur joked back at the ram. Not pronouncing the ‘S.’
“Low blow Wil,” Schlatt deadpanned. To the right of him he heard Michael snicker, “Oh, so now you're on his side Michael?”
The kid looked at him and smiled, picking an orange tulip to run over and give it to Schlatt. Schlatt thanked the kid for the flower with a terribly concealed smile on his face. Michael pulled the golden nugget out of his pocket to run over to show it to Wilbur, who complimented it accordingly.
Wilbur looked back at Schlatt “How’d he get this?”
Before Schlatt could answer Michael spoke up “Sphat!” The little piglin pointed to the hybrid.
Wilbur laughed at the embarrassed look on Schlatt’s face. There was something underneath his laughter though. Fondness? Schlatt didn't really want to dwell on it right now, he resolved to laugh with Wilbur.
This was all so strangely comforting to him. All of the feelings felt so foreign.
There it was again. That familial warmth. This time though, he just maybe felt it for more than just Michael. He was really starting to get addicted to that feeling. What better thing to be addicted to though?
The clouds across the sky started to turn pink as the whole world was bathed in a golden hue. Schlatt knew it was time for him and Michael to go. Tubbo would probably be coming soon and Ranboo might even be with him.
Schlatt took a breath. Why don’t I want to leave? “Wilbur thank you, really. We should probably head back now, I don't want to give Tubbo a heart attack.”
Wilbur chuckled, “Alright Schlatt, maybe I’ll see you soon?”
Schlatt nodded at Wilbur. Who was begging to dawn on Schlatt might actually be more than a tentative friend. Schlatt looked at Michael who had run over to him, ready to be picked up. He had his golden nugget back in his pocket and a flower in one of his hooved hands.
Schlatt turned around, the kid snuggled into his chest when he heard one last question from Wilbur.
“Hey Schlatt where did he get that flower crown?”
Uh-
“SPHAT!”
Shit.
Wilbur burst out laughing.