Chapter Text
Clementine knew she shouldn’t have gotten her hopes up, but it was hard to not feel even a little bit hurt at her family brushing her off once again.
It was always like this. She was a hybrid like both her brothers, but Phil didn’t give as much time to help her through the transition, even if she had wings like both Phil and Wilbur. Part of her assumed it had to do with the fact that she had traits of her birth parents, whoever the fuck they are and Phil.
Techno and Wilbur were perfect in everything they did. Techno a strong piglin hybrid that was able to communicate with the mob and make deals with them if needed, he was an amazing fighter and few dared to go against him. Wilbur was an arian hybrid with bright, colorful scarlet macaw wings he loved showing off, with a silver tongue able to get almost anyone to help the small family unit and a decent enough fighter to last in a spar with Techno.
Which left Clementine to be the disappointment. A lanky mixed hybrid with too big wings that were muted and dull, and upon first inspection left Phil confused because ‘boys don’t have such plain wings’. Along with a large tail that left fur everywhere, ears that were too sensitive for everything around her, and pads covering the soles of her feet and palms of her hands that made certain experiences horrid.
Along with that, she was too loud, wasn’t a great fighter compared to her brothers, and was too reckless for Phil to ever take on a trip with him.
The three were going on a trip soon, once again leaving the youngest alone to take care of the house while they were away. Because Clemetine knew this, she was going to tell them before they left so if anything bad happened, she wouldn’t have to deal with them.
That leads us here. With Clementine sniffling and trying to shove down her tears as she stared out into the ocean. The encounter hadn’t gone well.
Not that it went badly, per say. It was more so, Clementine told the three boys only to get pushed aside and called ‘Tommy’ quite forcefully by Phil before they all went to their respective rooms to finish up packing. Wilbur was the only one nice enough to give a small smile and use her name real quick, but he still left.
Clementine glared down at her bare feet and shitty pants, angry tears falling down her cheeks, not having realized someone was near her.
-
Now, Schlatt wasn’t a family man. Never claimed to be. Never wanted to be.
But, he still had a heart.
Meaning when he saw the blond brat he knew his right hand man was fond of, huddled up staring into the calm water, gray wings wrapped around his arms and fluffy tail acting like a shitty comfort belt, his body tense, he knew something was up. The ram hybrid almost left, brushing it off to be teenage hormones or whatever.
Then he saw the kid’s shoulders start to shake, the only reason for that being either, the brat was crying or something was wrong with him.
Fuck, Schlatt should’ve stayed home.
He walked up to Tommy and sat down next to him a few feet away, ignoring the way the avian tensed up. The kid was still crying but didn’t say anything.
“What’s up kid? Been a while since I’ve seen ya’, whatcha’ doing all the way out here?” Schlatt didn’t want to have to have a deep talk or whatever with the kid, so he kept it casual.
Tommy snorted and wiped at his eyes. “Why’d you care, big man? Tubbo worried or something?”
“What? Can’t ask a friend about what they’ve been doing? Tough crowd,”
“Phil kinda, really sucks,” Tommy paused, “So does Tech ‘n Wil, but Wil’s like, alright.”
Schlatt hummed softly. Wasn’t Phil supposed to be the good parent of the server or something?
“If you don’t wanna talk about it that’s fine, but Puffy might be cooking dinner about now, and I don’t really want to miss that. Even if she is a shit cook.” The man shrugged, smiling slightly at the blonds loud bark of a laugh.
“I’ve had her food before, it isn’t all that bad! Plus, is the big bad evil president actually comforting little ‘ol me?” The kid's tone was teasing. Schlatt just rolled his eyes.
“I don’t care for the terms ‘bad’ or ‘evil’, I’m more… morally gray.” The kid snorted again. “But, whatever, if you don’t want Puffy’s cooking then I guess I can head out by myself.”
And as he said, Schlatt stood up and began walking away, ignoring the fact that he felt happy the brat was following him.
-
“Can I tell you something?”
The cigarette hanging loosely from Schlatt’s lips almost fell out at the sudden question, smoke surrounding him as the brat walked close by.
“Sure, kid, shoot.”
“Do you think it’d be cool if you were a girl?”
What the fuck kinda question was that?
“I dunno, never gave it much thought, guess I wouldn’t mind havin’ knockers' but that’s not really what you're asking is it,” The kid shook his head but was still smiling at Schlatt’s response, “Why D'ya ask? You think you’re a girl or something?”
The kid was silent. Oh no, Schlatt didn’t know anything about being gay or whatever the kid was gonna come out to him as. Puffy could help probably, they needed to get home even quicker.
“Hmm, yeah kinda. I don’t think I am, I am one, that’s why Phil sucks, didn’t care that I was a girl.” The kid- was it still Tommy?- was being far too relaxed about this, Schlatt was on the verge of a heart attack.
Ok, just stay calm Schlatt, you got this.
“Sick, picked out a cool name or are you sticking to Tommy?” Judging by the kid's smile he hadn’t fucked up yet.
“Yup! Clementine! Which is probably the coolest name ever!” The kid- Clementine Schlatt tried to burn into his brain- was happy, “Would you be nice enough to introduce me to Puffy? Give me a grand entrance to tell her my name?”
“Huh? Why should I introduce you to someone you know? Kid, I don’t believe I owe you any favors.”
“Well, the president should be the one to introduce the coolest person in the country to his citizens, plus you do this and I won’t distract Tubbo from work for two weeks.”
Schlatt knew that wasn’t true, the kid was very good at annoying people and stopping whatever work they were doing, but he’d indulge her. He grumbled about spoiled brats for a few moments as the kid cheered and laughed.
He didn’t even realize he forgot the booze he had gone out to get until he got home, too caught up in the kids over exaggerated stories and the thought that he was being domestic , about to eat family dinner with an ewe and a kid.
He was screwed, probably.