Chapter Text
tubbo felt like he was always tired recently. over the past few days, michael had been having nightmares, and while the parenting books said that this wasn't anything unusual, it still hurt tubbo and ranboo's heart to have to hear their child's heartbreaking cries.
usually, tubbo was the one who comforted michael. ranboo did his fair share too, but with his enderwalking and the fact that he was the one who went out more often, tubbo wanted him to catch up on more sleep.
currently, it was two in the morning. ranboo was out, either enderwalking or checking in on tommy. tubbo was sat in the rocking chair, trying to soothe michael enough he'd fall asleep. the child was sat on his lap, and clutching the thin cotton material of tubbo's sleep shirt. occasionally he'd let out little sniffles or whines, and tubbo's heart broke every time.
tubbo yawned, and michael looked up at him, tilting his head and snorting. tubbo tried to give his child a reassuring smile, but his lower lip wobbled, and his eyes stung with tears he didn't even know were there. god, he felt so guilty. crying in front of michael always left him feeling like a shitty father, especially when his kid felt this vulnerable. michael squealed, and lifted up a hoofed hand and placed it gently on tubbo's cheek, like he'd seen his parents do many times before, and tubbo lost it.
he sobbed, holding his child close. "i'm so sorry michael, god, i'm so sorry,"
michael let out a soft snort, looking more confused by the second.
tubbo took a deep breath and held it, trying to get a hold on his crying. when he succeeded, he looked down at michael, only to find the boy asleep.
instantly waves of crushing doubt flooded over tubbo. he sniffed again, feeling another wave of tears, but pushed it down. the least he could do was tuck michael into bed.
he stood up, cradling the child close, and softly laid him down on his bed. pulling the blanket over his son, he tucked in the corners just the way michael liked, the way that made the child feel like he was receiving a hug. before he left, tubbo gave his child a kiss on his forehead, just like he did every night.
climbing down from michael's attic, he threw himself down on the sofa, curling up small. a nagging voice in the back of his head telling him he was selfish.
as much as he hated to admit it, this was the norm for him.
he busied himself with reading as he waited for ranboo to get home.
things would get better.
he would get better.