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“What else should we do?”
Tommy snapped his fingers at a lightbulb moment in his head, the sudden idea that sprung up that was just perfect. Everyone had already run through all the card games, board games, and other various forms of party play. Everyone was full, so there was no point in pulling out some snacks either. So, they all circled around, brainstorming on what to do next.
“We could watch a movie,” Wilbur suggested before Tommy could voice out his idea.
“Wil,” Tommy rolled his eyes fondly. “You only want to watch a movie so you could cuddle me.”
“Shut up!” Wilbur whined, failing at hiding the smile on his face. Everyone else giggled.
“He’s not lying,” Philza snickered.
“Aw,” Puffy cooed. “But it’s a very sweet thing you guys do. No shame in that.”
Jack coughed. “Brothers, your honor!” he muffled into his hands.
“Don’t say that, he will cry!” Tommy laughed, his own tears of joy threatening to fall as Wilbur’s own melodic laugh joined him. It was nice to see how well everyone knew him and Wilbur. After all, he was quite proud to have a brother like Wilbur. So to see everyone else acknowledging them as family, even without shared blood, was heartwarming.
Tommy cleared his throat. But he couldn’t let that distract him from his idea.
“Anyways, I was going to say- before Wil suggested movie time,” Tommy raised a playful eyebrow at the brunet, who broke into more laughter. “That I have a game we could play!”
“Really?” Tubbo chirped. “What game?”
Tommy beamed widely. “It’s called ‘Huggles!’”
Technoblade snorted. “What the fly is ‘Huggles?’ Sounds cringe.”
“No, I mean it!” Tommy leaned forward in his seat, excited to explain the game he invented himself years ago. “I used to play it with my family all the time! The rules are simple: it’s basically like zombie tag or infection, but instead of tagging people..” Tommy raised his hands in dramatic pause. “You tackle them with a hug!”
Techno crossed his arms. “I am not going to hug that guy,” he scoffed, pointed to Dream across from him. Dream let out his classic wheeze.
“No, guys, but seriously!” Tommy’s smile faltered. Did no one take his game seriously?
“I think it sounds fun,” Niki chimed in first, Tommy breathing a sigh of relief that someone did indeed take it seriously. “What do you all think?”
“I do too! I think it’s cool!” Tubbo clapped his hands excitedly.
“Yeah. Quite a creative twist on tag,” Ranboo agreed.
Dream eventually recovered from his previous wheeze. “Yeah it sounds great, Tommy!”
There were murmurs of agreement around the circle, encouraging Tommy. He felt a light, fleeting brush against his back, and he knew that Wilbur agreed too.
“So who’s supposed to be the one to start?” Schlatt asked.
“Hm,” Tommy hummed as he tapped his chin. “Usually my dad starts. I guess.. the biggest one among us? Y’know, so they’re like a giant cuddl- huggle monster!”
“Who’s the ‘biggest’ one then?” Schlatt waved a hand around the room, gesturing to each person.
There was a brief moment of silence before all eyes automatically fell on Wilbur.
“Wilbur, you’re the tallest. So I guess you start!” Tommy grinned. This was great! They’re playing his game! All of these amazing streamers- his friends- some of them he admired since he was young, were all agreeing that his game was creative and fun! And what better person to start it than the person Tommy loved most?
“Really?” Wilbur smiled smugly. “So I’m the huggle monster?”
Tommy nodded, unsuspecting of the smile. “Mhm!”
“And that would mean I can start by chasing whoever I want, right?”
Tommy shrugged. “I mean, it’s like tag- no one tells you who to chase.”
“Well, in that case…”
Wilbur cracked his knuckles- battle preparation? Then, without warning, he dove for Tommy, the boy squawking as he barely avoided the hug. Tommy pushed aside the people in front of him, running off into the hallway.
“Hey, rathead!” Tommy shouts echoed. “I didn’t even tell you to start yet!”
“Yes, but you’re way overdue for a cuddle, gremlin!” Wilbur’s high-pitched giggles echoed back.
In and out Tommy darted. Down the hallway and up the stairs. Tommy was glad he was in his own house, so he knew every little detail of it. He got tired as he climbed up the stairs, Wilbur with his absurdly long legs catching up. Once Tommy reached the top he took a sharp turn, picking a random bedroom and hiding in the closet.
He then realized he was in the master bedroom closet, which meant bigger space and more corners to hide. So he shuffled around, hiding behind his mother’s coats in the most secluded area of the room.
He waited and waited, doing his best to keep his breathing quiet and to stay still.
He should have known better! Wilbur was being such a clingy monster today. He should have known if he proposed a game that was based on hugging and practically implied cuddling, that the man would have chased him first. It was so obvious! Even when he was literally just talking about Wilbur being so clingy!
He froze as he heard footsteps. Then, a door opening. One more door to open and he’ll be in the same room. Tommy held his breath as the footsteps got closer. Teeth clenching as the doorknob turned.
Tommy peeked an eye out through the coats. There the tall brunet was, head turning as he surveyed the room. Like a cat hunting for a raccoon at night, Wilbur peered and bent low. Pausing at a few spots and looking twice. Eventually he came right up to Tommy’s spot.
A giggle.
“Toms, you know I can see you.”
Oh no.
Arms reaching out and scooping Tommy in a swift, practiced motion. A gleeful squeal escaped from Tommy’s lips before he could stop it. He felt Wilbur nuzzle into his cheek, heart fluttering at the notion. Tommy eventually let his little brother instincts take over, wrapping his arms around Wilbur’s neck and tucking his head under the man’s chin.
“Awww my baby Tommy!~” Wilbur squeaked. “My little baby baby baby bwother!”
“Stop it, you can’t cuddle me forever.” Tommy smiled against Wilbur’s neck, face turning bright red at the doting. “You gotta catch the others too!”
“I don’t care.” Wilbur swayed Tommy side-to-side, the younger wrapping his legs around the older’s torso so his legs wouldn’t swing. “You’re the only one I wanted to hug and cuddle.”
“Well I care,” Tommy huffed as he tried to pull away, trying to actually play the game. But before he could detach himself, Wilbur’s hand guided him back under his chin, humming a soft lullaby as he cradled his head, running gentle fingers through his marigold curls.
“Ah ah, you have to wait for the turning first, Tommy.”
“What is this now? Vampire-huggle-tag?”
Wilbur chuckled softly, the relaxing, familiar sound lulling Tommy into a deep sleep.
“Yes, very much. Sweet dreams, my sweet sunshine.”
“You are a disgrace to my own game,” Tommy mumbled half-asleep. He bet he could banter with Wilbur even in his sleep. “I created this game. I make the rules.”
“Yes, but sometimes games have revisions, right? That’s why there’s a second and third edition.”
“I hate you,” was the last pitiful attempt Tommy made as an insult.
Wilbur chuckled again, a soothing, deep sound.
“Love you too, Toms.”
—----
After about ten minutes or so, the group downstairs started searching for the two brothers, wondering what was up with the silence upstairs. Philza and Techno, both knowing the boys the best, shared a snicker as they roamed the halls. Eventually Philza was able to trace Wilbur’s path, Techno following behind.
And when they found the two boys snuggled up, asleep in the corner of the closet, they couldn’t help but melt at the sight. As Techno snuck a camera shot, they considered waking them up, but decided it would be funnier for them to wake up in the morning in each others’ arms, bleary and confused as to why they’re cuddled together, surrounded by the stuffy smell of coats and bags in a dark closet.
They were right. Eventually Tommy did wake up. And he had to admit, he wasn’t as confused as to why he was in Wilbur’s arms. That had become normal to him. But as he stirred, Wilbur woke up too. They blinked at each other, took in some of their surroundings, then stared back at each other again.
“Oh,” the two laughed together in realization.
Oh how silly together they were sometimes. But that’s what love does to you, right? Love makes you crazy sometimes. Perhaps you might not think straight, but that’s because your main focus is the person in front of you. Not as much the opinion of others.
And as Tommy buried his face into Wilbur’s chest, he concluded that would be fine with him.