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The table was set… the house was clean… the torches were all on.
Wil waited nervously, tugging at his turtleneck. Tommy peeked his head out from around Wil’s legs. “Will he know me?” His squeaky child’s voice asked. Wil smiled, picking Tommy up. “I think he will.”
Techno came out of the hallway, nervously running fingers through his long pink hair. “Okay.” He muttered, huffing. “Ready?” Tommy reached for him, his grubby three- year- old hands covered in this evening’s jam. Techno scowled, grabbing a tissue and wiping them off. “Come on.”
The door blew open softly, Wil and Techno’s shoulder’s stiffening. Tommy scrambled down and ran towards the door, a smile bright on his face. “Dad!” he yelled happily, launching himself at the winged man who’d just come through the door. “Ah!” Phil cried out, hugging Tommy tight to him. “You’ve grown an inch!” he crowed happily. Tommy giggled. “Two!” he said, holding up two little fingers.
“Great!” Phil laughed, lifting the little boy up.
A bundle swaddled by his chest began to wail.
Wil and Techno shared a look .
Of course.
Tommy gasped, scrambling down from Phil’s arms. He peered anxiously at the bundle. “What that?” he asked, reaching back for Wilbur.
Phil had the good sense to look guilty.
“I.. I found him in a box. He was so cold…” He handed the bundle to Wil, who scowled down at the little head, covered in brown curls. Two little horns stuck up from the mess. Tommy frowned, tugging Wil down for a look. The baby opened his eyes, yawning. Tommy was mesmerized… he stuck a finger out tentatively, hesitating a bit before placing it on his nose, like Wil did sometimes with him. “Boop?” he asked the bundle.
It smiled. Tommy grinned, jumping up and down. “I love!” he cried happily.
Techno tapped his hoof, impatiently staring at Phil. “We need to talk, I know, okay?” Phil sighed, shoulders slumping. “But can’t you welcome me home, first?”
Techno shrugged. “There’s food, in the kitchen.” he huffed, going over to Wil to peek at the bundle.
A shared look between brothers said everything it was supposed to.
Another one?
I know.
He’s never going to stop.
We’ll make him.
~~~
Tommy had gone to bed, after some convincing. He’d whined for an hour straight, saying that he wanted to spend time with the new one, and how he hadn’t seen Phil in ages- how would he know Phil would be there when he woke up?
Phil’s heart cracked a little more at that last one.
Wil had assured Tommy that Phil would be there, and kissed him on the head, and sent him to bed with Techno- who still hadn’t said a word past “there’s food.” He took his hat off, tossing it on the table.
Wil walked in, sighing. He sat down, gesturing for Phil to do the same. “It’s my house.” Phil grumped under his breath. He was sent a look that said, “Then why aren’t you ever in it?” by his son, but the boy kept quiet. Techno came in, sighing. “He bit me again.” He grumped. Wil laughed, a little. “Learn to keep your fingers away from his mouth. And anything else, really. Did he throw the blankets off again?” he asked, leaning forward on the table.
Phil raised an eyebrow. Tommy bit people? “No hats on the table.” Techno rolled his eyes, hanging Phil’s hat on a hook in the wall near him. “Oh. Sorry, mate.” Phil said sheepishly. Techno nodded, sitting down next to Wil.
“Phil.” Wilbur said, sighing. He rubbed at his temple. “I know-”
“You said no more.” Techno said quietly. “I know I did-”
“You missed Tommy’s first birthday, Phil.” Wilbur hissed. “I’m sorry-”
“And on top of that, you come home with a wildling ?” Techno interrupted. “He’s so little, Tech-”
“He’s fine. He’s healthy. Where are his parents, do you know?”
“Dead, I think. Or at least the woman next to him was. He was in a box.” Phil said quietly.
Techno sighed, looking at him. “Phil. Stay.” he said gruffly.
Phil nodded. “I promise, I’ll be here.” he said. He meant every word. “And you’ll stay to help us take care of them? We’re teenagers. We can’t do it all.” Wilbur said.
“Yes. Of course.” Phil nodded enthusiastically. He’d stay. He’d stay for them, of course he would.
For them, the world.
~~~
Tommy woke up bright and early, practically jumping out of bed in his hurry to get dressed. His dad was awake. He knew it.
He hurriedly pulled on clothes, struggling with the pants before abandoning them all together and running out to the hall. “DAD!” he bellowed, half scared that there would be no answer.
Strong arms picked him up, tossing him lightly before catching him again. “Good morning to you too, Tommy.” Phil said warmly, nuzzling his nose against Tommy’s face.
Tommy squealed- then immediately demanded to be put down, and for Phil to come with him to see the new baby.
Phil agreed, walking behind him silently in his pink bunny slippers. “Dad, what name does he has?” Tommy asked, wrapping a tiny hand around one of Phil’s fingers. Phil shrugged, quietly opening the nursery door. “You can name him, if you’d like.”
He went to the crib, smiling down at the sleeping baby inside. “Would you like to hold him?” Phil asked softly. Tommy nodded eagerly, holding his hands out.
Phil gestured to the rocking chair he’d shoved near the crib. “Sit there, would you?” Tommy did, hands held out. “Here, now.” Phil smiled, showing his son how best to hold the baby.
When he’d gotten it, Phil handed him the swaddled bundle- who was still sleeping soundly. The little boy looked down fondly at the bundle in his arms, trying to make the rocking chair work. Phil tipped it a little, making it tip. Tommy gazed down on the baby fondly.
“Tubbo!” he announced. Phil furrowed his brow.
“What?”
“Tubbo! Called him. His name.” Tommy blabbered, rocking the baby.
That broke the spell. The baby started wailing, kicking his little legs. Tommy frowned, shifting the bundle. “Tubbo. Stop. I’m loud.” he said sternly.
The baby didn’t stop, instead yelling louder. “No! I Loud!” Tommy yelled, covering his ears. Phil caught the baby just in time, shushing. “Tommy. Tommy, it’s okay. It’s fine. Babies are just loud.” he said.
Tommy pouted, crossing his arms. “I am loud.” he announced, hopping off the chair and running from the room. Phil followed, baby in arms.
“Morning, Phil.” Wilbur said, greeting him at the door. “Hey, Wil.” Phil replied, ruffling his hair.
He was getting too tall…
“Give him here. Milk time.” Wilbur said, reaching for the baby. “I can-”
“I’ve got it.” he said, whisking the baby away. Phil felt a little useless, standing there, hands empty.
He folded them, hiding them in the long sleeves of his robe.
Techno came in, yawning and sweaty. “Morning, Phil.” he grunted, heading straight for the upstairs bathroom.
His hooves clacked neatly on the stairs. Phil could remember a time where he couldn’t even walk up them.
From the kitchen, a loud banging noise was heard. He headed towards it, frowning at the sight of Tommy with a little pan on the stove. “Eggs?” The one- and- a- half year old asked.
Phil nodded, blinking. “Sit down!” He pulled him to the little table, heading to a little wooden kitchen- play set next to the real thing. Phil sat, folding his legs under him and tucking his wings in further. Tommy pretended to crack an egg in the pan, making little sizzling noises when it was “cooking.”
Phil tried his best not to smile.
“They’re almost done!” Tommy called over his shoulder. Phil nodded. “Okay!” he called back. Tommy slid the ‘eggs’ onto a plate, wiping the edge with a cloth and bringing it over to his dad. “Here you go!” he hummed happily.
Wilbur came in, a fed, burped, and dressed baby on his hip. “Morning, big man.” He said fondly, ruffling Tommy’s hair. “Shut it, Wilby, I’m eggs.” Tommy muttered.
“You’re eggs?”
“I am eggs.” Tommy huffed. Wilbur shook his head, getting out a real pan and real eggs and quickly scrambling a couple. “You’re making eggs, you mean?”
“‘Zactly.” Tommy said proudly, sitting down next to Phil. “Well, eat these. Then school.” Wilbur laughed, handing Tubbo to Phil. “School?” Phil asked.
Wilbur shrugged. “Techno got certified last year.”
“I can do ABDs!” Tommy said, puffing his little chest out.
“ABCs.” Wilbur said good- naturedly. “Das what I say.” Tommy frowned. “You said ABD’s. D is today’s letter.” Techno said, coming in fresh from a shower. He grabbed some eggs, nodding to Wil. “The baby?”
“All taken care of.”
Phil began to realize just how much he’d missed.
“D! Like…. Like… Like cat?” Tommy asked. He shoveled eggs in his mouth. “More like Dog.” Techno snorted.
“Das what I say.” Tommy huffed.
They all rolled their eyes good- naturedly. “Sure, Tommy. Let’s leave the school in the school-room, okay?” Wil huffed. Tommy nodded, wobbling as he stood.
“Pants.” Techno reminded him. He ran back to his room to get some, blabbering about D and cats.
The baby sleepily rubbed his eyes, yawning.
“What’s his name?” Wil asked, taking his and Tommy’s plate to the kitchen. Phil shrugged. “Tommy said Tubs? Or something along those lines.” he muttered. Techno nodded. “Tubbo. It’s the name of his stuffed bee- he lost it a while back.” Wil winced, turning the sink on to run water for dishes. “Poor kid.” he said. “Maybe his real name… Toby? And Tubbo’s a nickname?”
Techno nodded. “Sounds fine.”
Phil blinked, looking at the kid on his hip. “Hey, little Toby.” he whispered happily to himself.
“Tubbo!” Tommy ran happily back into the room, pants on head. “See?”
Tubbo giggled, clapping his little baby hands. Tommy jumped up and down, giggling along. Techno caught him with one hand, swinging him upside down. “Pants go on legs, not heads.” he reprimanded, swinging his brother back and forth. Tommy giggled harder, shrieking something unintelligible.
Techno put him down, snatching the pants off Tommy’s little head and putting them on right. Tommy wiggled the entire time, scooting off Techno’s lap when he was done and running over to Wilbur, giving him a slobbery kiss. “Night!” he said, fondly patting his brother’s face.
Phil frowned. “But he has school?” He asked Wil quietly as Techno and Tommy left.
“Yeah. He doesn’t know what goodbye is, yet. And I don’t see him anyway, until bedtime.” Wilbur wiped his wet hands on a towel, sighing as he grabbed his coat from the hook by door.
“Are you okay here by yourself?” He asked.
“What are you doing?” Phil asked, shifting Tubbo to the other side so he could stand. Wilbur looked slightly uncomfortable, before shrugging and answering. “I have to go to the market. To sell.”
“Sell?” Phil found himself asking.
He knew- hypothetically- why they had to. But he didn’t want to think about it. Wilbur nodded. “We sell potions, wares, and music, the finest this side of the realm.” he boasted.
Phil nodded.
He didn’t want to think about it. He just watched his son leave, the youngest on his hip. Wilbur waved goodbye at the gate, wheeling out the decorative cart/stall/thing Phil had no words for.
He went back inside, sitting on the couch. Tubbo began snoring, head buried in Phil’s chest. His little horns poked Phil’s skin, but the winged god didn’t move, too afraid- too tired.
He slept, finally. For the first time, He was peaceful.
~~~
Techno had finally tired him out. Tommy’s ABC’s were solid. At least through E.
Aaaaand there he was, asleep again.
Well. It was nightfall- and Wil would be home soon, anyway. Techno picked Tommy up, giving in to a fond gaze for a second before returning his face to it’s natural stoic neutrality.
He carried the boy out, spotting a sleeping Phil and Toby on the couch. He smiled- a little, just a little- before deciding.
Wil got home a few minutes after he’d finally closed his eyes. Tommy was wrapped up in his arms, snug against Phil’s shoulder and Techno’s stomach. Wil looked in surprise at his oldest brother- his first friend, half- asleep on the man who’d dumped so much on them… who expected too much-
“Let it go, Wil.” techno hummed, gesturing to the spot on the other side of Phil. Wilbur frowned. “What? No-”
“Do it,” Techno growled. “How long has it been since everything was peaceful for five minutes?”
Wil tried to remember-
He couldn’t. His brown coat hung by the door, inviting him.
To leave, to go… somewhere, anywhere but here. With him .
But he stayed, curling up by Phil and Tubbo and Tommy and Techno, sighing contentedly as Phil shifted slightly to offer up a shoulder. He placed his head there, if a little hesitant at first.
Once there, though, he relaxed, arms going up simply to settle around his family.
~~~
When Phil woke up, he was smothered.
To his left, Tommy and Techno slept peacefully, Tommy drooling on his shoulder. Techno’s eyes were closed, but they were fluttering, like he was having an intense dream. He was smiling, though- so maybe it was good?
To his right, Tubbo and Wilbur sighed in unison, the baby’s sigh more a coo than anything- Wilbur’s arms were around him, the baby relaxed into him comfortably.
Phil smiled, tears collecting in the corners of his eyes. They were so grown- so mature, now. They were their own unit. Even without him.
But he wanted to be there. He wanted to see them grow, to see them mature. To be there.
He resolved to stay- breathing there, with his family. In the middle of their mess, in their lives.
He’d stay.
For them.
For them, the world.
~~~