Work Text:
The soft tak-tak-tak of a keyboard cut through the absolute silence of the morning. Three computer monitors threw their bright glow across the living space, illuminating Tubbo’s hair and wide eyes as his fingers danced across the keys. He’d forgone his headset tonight, choosing to listen to the soft sounds of the others fast asleep rather than his 3AM Chaos Gremlin music of choice.
Drista was closest, her bedroom door half open. She never made much sound, only the barest puff of breath and the soft rustle of fabric letting him know she was still alive. He’d sent her to bed only half an hour earlier, promising to wake her in a little while (his fingers crossed behind his back the whole while). They’d been working on the software for an upcoming job together day and night, trying to work out the last kinks before the day arrived. He didn’t feel guilty for lying. The dark bruises sitting beneath her eyes and the wild blonde strands of her hair made him sure he made the right choice.
Just beyond her was Purpled. Though his door was shut, Tubbo could hear the quiet whistling of wind through his open window. Purpled was far more secretive and private than the others, but he let them know when he’d be gone on an early morning walk and when to expect him back.
Ranboo’s soft muttering and short snuffles came from across the hall, next to Tubbo and Tommy’s rooms. He was jittery and wired during the day, even more so at night. Often Tubbo and Drista had to lead him back to bed during a bout of sleepwalking, mismatched eyes glazed and distant. If it wasn’t sleepwalking it was insomnia, hushed words floating from under his door as he created new personas for a job.
Last was Tommy. Despite his constant movement and ever-present volume when awake, he slept still and silent. He’d never told any of them what happened to him before they came together, what he’d gone through to be the whirlwind he was, but Tubbo knew you don’t sleep like a statue and wake at a pin-drop for no reason. So Tubbo kept his clatter to a minimum, sipping his nightly Red Bull from a mug rather than a can.
The clack of the keyboard continued on as Tubbo kept his watch, content to stand sentinel over his family. After all, they’d be more than happy to watch over him when they woke.