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It was July 21st when Wilbur's younger brother and father left him without a word. Without a warning. Only with a letter on the kitchen table saying they'd be back in a month. Wilbur Soot Craft was 11 years old when they left. Left alone to take care of his 1-year-old twin brothers. He remembered how he sobbed for hours until he heard Tubbo and Tommy crying. They had lied. Phil and Techno sent him a package and letter 2 months after leaving saying they'd be a bit longer than expected. In the package were four stacks of diamonds and a stack of gold bars.
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It was September 19th when Wilbur met Sally, he was 17 and so was she. Sally was a mermaid hybrid and gorgeous, inside and out. She was kind, brave, and oh so very caring. Tommy and Tubbo loved her. Life was amazing. Until Sally got pregnant. She didn't tell him and disappeared for months. Wilbur's mental health went down, but he tried to keep a smile on his face. for his brothers. He would tell himself. Then one day while they were eating dinner there was a knock at the door. Wilbur got up and was greeted by a baby in a bassinet. The child appeared to be a fox hybrid. There was a note next to it.
My love Wilbur,
I am so very sorry. I should have told you. This is your son Fundy. I had gotten pregnant and panicked. I'm sorry for dropping this on you but hunters are after me and my family and I fear he is not safe. He isn't allergic to anything as far as I know. He doesn't have much of a nap schedule so you can come up with that. God, I feel terrible. fuck. I have to go the hunters are here
With much love and luck, Sally
Wilbur stood and picked up the boy from the bassinet. He was fucked. He would have to raise another child along with Tommy and Tubbo. He couldn't do this. He was only 17 he shouldn't have to. Wilbur fell to his knees as he cried cradling his newborn son in his arms. Tommy and Tubbo rushed over. Tommy hugged Wilbur and Tubbo shook his head against Wilbur's back. (Tubbo was doing that a lot more often now)
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It was December 27th when Wilbur met Quackity, he was 20, and so was Quackity. Quackity was a duck hybrid with average-sized, sunflower-yellow wings. Wilbur always knew he was bi. But holy shit did he like this boy. Quackity came into his life when Tommy's wings started to grow. He helped Tommy with the pain and taught him how to fly, and Wilbur was so very grateful for him. Quackity was beautiful. He had long mullet-like black hair and a blindingly bright smile. He was kind and caring. He was patient and passionate about the things he loved. He had even helped when Tubbo's horns grew in (Tubbo ended up being a goat hybrid) even though he knew nothing of it.
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It was August 29th when Wilbur got the letter saying Phil and Techno would be home in 5 months. Wilbur was 24, turning 25 in a month.
Dear Wilbur,
Hey, Will. Phil just told me that we're going home so we should be there like 4 months after your birthday. I sent you an early birthday gift in the package. I can't wait to see you again. Your brother, Technoblade Craft
Wilbur smiled a bit. He knew they weren't coming home. This happened every two years. Phil would promise Techno they were heading back and about a month later Wilbur would get a letter from a very upset Techno saying plans changed. But the fact that Techno remembered his birthday after all this time warmed his heart.
Suddenly there was a thud from the boys' room. Wilbur practically ran over and shoved the door open. When he opened the door he saw Fundy standing on the bed holding a cardboard sword, Tommy on the floor rubbing the back of his head, and Tubbo laughing his ass off on the floor. Wilbur smiled. "You beat him up, Fundy?" Wilbur asked, leaning against the doorway. "DAD!!!" Fundy yelled as he jumped off the bed and ran over to hug his dad. Fundy had grown up and over time he showed more fox-like features. His hair was bright orange with a white streak and he had fox ears and a tail. Wilbur wasn't sure why his son was a fox hybrid considering he was a siren hybrid and his mother was a mermaid hybrid. But Wilbur knew that Fundy was his son. He had the same dark brown eyes and the same nose and Wilbur also had a white streak in his hair. Wilbur ruffled his son's hair. "I beat Toms with a sword!" Fundy exclaimed, with a proud grin on his face. "I can see that!" Wilbur said, trying his best to match Fundy's excitement. Tubbo wheezed "Imagine getting beat by an 8-year-old!" "Fuck you," Tommy said. "Language." Wilbur spat. "Sorry, dad." the blonde blurted, standing up. (Tommy and Tubbo started to call Wilbur "dad" when they were 5 and although Wilbur had a panic attack, he learned to accept it. They weren't wrong. He raised them as if they were his children. Hell, they are his children. He raised them.)
It wasn't abnormal for a 15-year-old to curse, but Wilbur didn't want Fundy cursing until he was at least 10.
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It was July 10th when Wilbur heard the knock at the door. Wilbur, Tommy, Tubbo, Fundy, and Quackity were eating lunch while making light-hearted conversation. When the door knocked Tommy was the one to get up and grab it. "Hello there, is there a Wilbur Craft here?" A voice from the door sounded. "Dad there's someone at the door for you!" Tommy shouted. Wilbur stood up from the table and walked over to the door. "Who is it Toms-" Wilbur froze as he saw his younger brother and his "father" at the door. "Tommy go back to the table. I have to talk with these people." Wilbur said more sternly and upset than before. He knew Tommy felt it. Tommy was always very empathetic and he could always know the exact emotion someone was feeling. It was something Wilbur admired about his son. Tommy walked away.
Wilbur walked outside and shut the door behind him. "Why was Tommy calling you dad?" Phil asked in confusion. "Well seeing as I raised him I think he has every right to call me his dad." Wilbur said glaring daggers into Phil's skull.
Phil froze for a moment and took in his eldest son. He had changed a lot. He was much taller now, and he had aged. There were bags under his eyes, he had permanent wrinkles from what seemed to be smiling, and on the yellow sweater, he wore 4 pins. One green, one red, one orange, and one blue. Of course, there were still things that were the same. Like his white streak of hair and worn-out red beanie. "Can we come inside?" Phil asked. "Sure," Wilbur paused, "but first I'm gonna have to inform you of the house rules! Rule one; no shoes past the doorway, rule two; no cursing, rule three; if you respect us we'll respect you, rule four; don't expect me to do anything for you, and rule five; if you invade anyone's privacy I will kick you out." Wilbur spoke. It was basic house rules, but it still shocked Phil. Wilbur was treating them like- like strangers. They are family for XD's sake!
Wilbur walked inside and turned around to face them. "Shoes." He spoke. It wasn't meant to be rude, but it was stern. Phil and Techno took off their shoes and stood awkwardly at the doorway. "Kids! Q! come here for a moment!" Wilbur yelled and they all walked over to where Wilbur was standing. "This is Philza and Techno! They'll be staying with us." Wilbur said in a cheery tone. Tommy and Quackity were the only ones who realized it was fake. "I'm Fundy!" a young boy chimed. Phil and Techno looked at the young boy. Did Wilbur have a kid? Why wouldn't he tell us? And why did Wilbur introduce us like that? We're his family! Sure we were gone for a bit but that doesn't change the fact that we're family! Phil's thoughts were interrupted by another young boy "I'm Tubbo!" the brunette said, his usual grin spread wide across his face. He doesn't remember me. Phil thought. Oh my XD and Drista, he doesn't remember me. "I-I know...I'm your father Tubbo." Phil stuttered out. "No your not. My dads are right there." the young boy retorted, pointing towards Wilbur and Quackity. (The boys started calling Quackity dad after a year of Wilbur and him being together.) Phil's face dropped. The blonde looked over to his second oldest but the pinkette didn't seem fazed at all. He acted as if this was normal. "I'm Quackity, nice to meet you, sir." A man with black, raven-like hair spoke. Phil looked back over to him and shook his hand. "And who might you be to Wilbur?" the avian spoke. "His boyfriend sir." The ravenette said, stern but polite at the same time. Phils' eyes widened in shock. Not that he was homophobic, but Wilbur never mentioned liking boys so it was a bit of a surprise. Phil noticed that the man was only a bit taller than himself and appeared to also be an avian of some sort, with sunflower-yellow wings.
Speaking of hybrids and avians, Phil noticed that Tommy, his youngest, was an avian with bright red feathers that faded into orange at the tips. Tubbo was either a goat hybrid or a ram hybrid. He couldn't quite tell which it was but most likely a goat hybrid. The boy who Phil assumed to be Wilbur's son was a fox hybrid. The boy had bright orange hair and reddish-brown eyes that were scarily similar to Wilbur's.
After all the introductions were done Phil decided to spend as much time as he could with his sons and grandchild. He had to admit, it hurt not being called dad by his youngest children. Techno was currently in the kitchen with Wilbur while Quackity was out with Tubbo in the garden. "So Tommy, how's school been," Phil asked, in the little time he was here he would learn as much as he could. All he got was a confused look. "I don't go to school?' The red-feathered avian replied in confusion. "What do you mean?" The older avian asked, a confused look taking over his face. "We're homeschooled." Fundy said, not taking his eyes off Tommy's hair, which he was currently putting into a small ponytail. (Phil was quite surprised that Tommy had long enough hair to do that, it was a little past his ears in length so it made sense,) "Why's that?" The older blonde asked. "Dad wants to teach more than the normal cir- criscu- crocu-" "Curriculum." Tommy finished for his younger brother. That made sense, Phil supposed. "Say, what do you think of Wilbur's boyfriend, Quackity is it?" Maybe Phil was being intrusive, but so what!? Was it so wrong to want to know if his sons were being treated properly? "You mean dad? He's great." Tommy answered, a grin spreading on his face. "He helped me learn to fly and taught me how to preen my wings! And sometimes he'll preen them for me!" The younger avian gushed.
"LOOK WHAT WE GOT!!!" Tubbo exclaimed, running in through the back door. He was holding at least 5 bouquets worth of flowers. "Tubs, be careful, you don't want to trip" Quackity advised, following Tubbo in suit. Tubbo walked over to the kitchen table and dumped all the flowers there. Tommy and Fundy quickly got up and ran over. "TUBZ YOU CAN PUT FLOWERS IN MY HAIR!!!" Tommy suggested excitedly. "OH MY XD, YOUR RIGHT!!!" the goat hybrid agreed, quickly ushering his younger twin to sit in the chair. He immediately started stuffing an array of flowers into Tommy's hair. "Mr. Technoblade, may I braid your hair?" Fundy asked, sheepishly. "Sure." the pinkette replied, walking over to sit in a chair. Fundy immediately got to work, separating the piglin hybrid's hair into three sections, crossing the left over the middle, then the right over the middle, and repeating until Techno had a medium-sized braid in his hair. "Can we put flowers in?" Tommy asked. Tubbo had finished putting the alliums, sunflowers, daisies, and a few violets into his ponytail. Techno complied and the three boys quickly started shoving the flowers gently into the older man's hair. Tommy finished it off by putting a white chrysanthemum into his hair. Tommy handed Techno a small mirror and let the older look. "'How's it?" the young blonde gulped. The three young boys bounced in place, eagerly waiting for a response. Techno sat there for a moment before looking down. Uh oh. The boys thought to themselves. "Is everything oka-" Fundy was cut off by Techno abruptly turning around and picking the three up. "I love it!!!" Techno exclaimed, flying the boys around before setting them on the couch. The three giggled wildly. Tommy sat up for a second, eyeing Fundy. Tommy started to tickle the young boy. Fundy shrieked as Tubbo promptly joined in. The others watched as Techno soon came in to save Fundy and started tickling Tommy while Fundy hastily tickled Tubbo. "HELP!- PA!" Tubbo called out to Quackity. "No can do cariño." The ravenette snickered, a wide grin on his face.
Phil watched fondly until his thoughts from earlier came back. He slowly pulled his oldest aside, farther into the kitchen. "What do you want?" Wilbur asked, his grin from earlier quickly fading. "Why did you introduce me and Techno like that? Also, why didn't you tell me or him that you had a kid!? Oh and that you have a boyfriend? And why do Tommy and Tubbo call you dad!?" the older avian rambled, visibly upset. Although Wilbur kept his stern, cold expression. "One, I addressed you as you are, strangers who will be staying with us. Two, I told Techno I had a kid, maybe if you sent any letters you would know too. Three, why does it concern you that I have a boyfriend, and again, Tech knows, he's known for 5 years. Four, maybe they call me dad because I raised them." Wilbur made sure to emphasize that last bit. Phil looks pissed. Wilbur didn't know why. All he said was the truth. Wilbur walked out of the kitchen and back next to his boyfriend, resting his head on the duck hybrid's shoulder. Quackity didn't say anything, he just grabbed Wilbur's hand, and that's all he needed.
Dinner was...awkward, to say the least. The tension was thick, as if there was a four-story building above the dining area. Wilbur refused to even look in Phil's direction unless it was mandatory. Phil was the exact opposite, burning holes into the side of his eldest's head. Tommy was glaring at the two. He could tell something was wrong. Wilbur took his glance off his plate and stared Phil directly in the eye. "Is there something you'd like to say.?" Wilbur barked. "Nothing I can say in front of the children." the older blond retorted, keeping his glare steady. There was a screeching of a chair and everyone saw Tommy stand up. The boy walked over to Fundy and picked him up. "Toms what are you-" "I'm going to take Fundy to the room so you, Fundy cover your ears," Fundy cupped his hands over his ears, "so you fucks can sort this out. Fundy and Tubbo have been bouncing their legs all dinner so get it over with. Tubs are you coming? Because I'm going to come back here." Tommy ranted, Tubbo shook his head, "I wanna stay." the brunette remarked.
Tommy took the young ginger to their room and set him on his bed. "Why can't I be out there?" The fox hybrid groaned, voice wavering towards the end. "Funds, I'm not even sure if me and Tubbo should be out there, just stay in here okay? You can go to bed or you can play, if you want I'll bring you the coloring supplies." The older boy argued with his younger brother. "Okay...can you go grab me my bear?" The young boy whispered, he had sounded so small. "Of course Funds" The blonde walked over to the shared closet and grabbed the stuffed bear off the top shelf. "Thank you," Fundy mumbled. Tommy walked out of the room to see Phil and Wilbur slightly arguing. "I cannot believe you." Wilbur snapped. "You can't believe me? You're the person who's been treating me like a stranger this entire damn time!" Phil growled, standing from his seat.
Wilbur stood up,
"YOU ARE A STRANGER PHIL!! YOU LEFT ME TO TAKE CARE OF TWO ONE-YEAR-OLDS WHEN I WAS ELEVEN."
"OH, BULLSHIT WILBUR! I DID NOT LEAVE YOU!"
"YES, YOU DID PHIL. YOU TOOK TECHNO AND YOU LEFT! NO WARNING. NO EXPLANATION. JUST SOME SHITTY LETTER SAYING YOU WERE GOING TO BE GONE FOR A MONTH! AND YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT "MONTH" IT TURNED INTO FOURTEEN YEARS PHIL."
"OH PLEASE. ARE YOU SAYING YOU DON'T LOVE YOUR BROTHERS ENOUGH TO TAKE CARE OF THEM!?"
"WE BOTH. KNOW THAT IS NOT WHAT I MEANT. I ALSO DIDN'T RAISE MY BROTHERS. I HAVE A BROTHER, TECHNOBLADE, BESIDES THAT I ONLY HAVE SONS. I BECAME A FATHER AT ELEVEN YEARS FUCKING OLD. YOU DO NOT GET TO WALTZ BACK INTO MY LIFE AS IF NOTHING FUCKING HAPPENED. YOU DO NOT GET TO PRETEND THAT YOU RAISED ME. I RAISED MY FUCKING SELF, AND I DID IT WHILE RAISING THREE OTHER KIDS. I WAS A KID PHIL."
Everyone stood frozen in place, Tommy didn't know when but Tubbo had gone to the room with Fundy. He stood there and watched as his dad's chest rose and fell, he watched as tears streamed down his father's face. He watched as his pa ran over to his dad and pulled him into a warm hug. "R’You happy now Phil?" A different voice spoke this time. It was Techno. The pinkette walked over to the other two and glared at what used to be his father. What now stood was the shell of a man. The insides were mere mush swirling around.
Growing up Tommy could always tell what others were thinking. Right now he could tell that everyone was upset, though that was apparent. What he noticed the most was Phil. He didn't seem guilty or remorseful, he looked confused and frustrated. That ticked Tommy off. How could he be confused when everything that happened was pretty understandable? Phil left Wilbur when he was eleven to take care of two one-year-olds on his own. Wilbur was rightfully upset. But Phil just didn't seem to get it.
Tommy walked back to his room, absolutely exhausted. Tubbo and Fundy watched as the young blonde collapsed onto his bed.
The next morning the three boys walked out of their bedroom and saw Techno on the armchair and Pa and Dad cuddled up on the couch. Phil was nowhere to be seen. Tommy noticed a paper on the table and grabbed it. He read aloud.
Dear boys,
I have to leave. I promise it's nothing to do with any of you at all. If I had the choice I would bring Techno along, but I fear this time it will be too dangerous. I know I shouldn't just leave but it is urgent. Please do not think for a second that this is because of the current situation. It's not. It never had been. I'll be back in 8 months at least. Fundy, Quackity, it was nice to meet you, I wish you all the most happiness possible. Wilbur, I'm sorry, sorry for so so much. I'm sorry I could not be there for you. I'm sorry I put the burden of fatherhood when you still needed a father. Tommy, Tubbo, I'm sorry for you as well. I'm sorry I wasn't there to raise you. I'm sorry Techno, for forcing you to grow up at the age of 9. To become a man in elementary school. I don't expect forgiveness, and I'm sure you're rolling your eyes right now Wilbur, but I don't. I can understand I can sympathize. With more love than you can imagine,
Your Father, Philza Craft
Tommy looked up from the piece of parchment and saw his father and uncle breaking down in tears. He wasn't sure when they woke up but he knew they had at least heard half of it. Tommy dropped the letter onto the table and ran over to his crying father and wrapped his short arms around him. Tubbo took the liberty of hugging Techno.
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It's been two years since Phil left once more. A lot has changed. Tommy is almost as tall as his dad, standing at 6''2. Techno adopted a young Enderian hybrid named Ranboo a few months after Phil left. Ranboo was a lanky teenager, and extremely tall, 6''11. To Tubbo's despair, he hadn't grown much, 5''5. Wilbur and Quackity were now engaged and happily planning for their wedding. Life was good. Great even! Everything was peaceful. Techno had started potato farming. (for reasons no one knows) Tubbo became a pyromaniac. (maybe that wasn't a good thing)
It was July 12th when there was a knock at the door. Wilbur got up to get the door.
"I'm home."
Wilbur's face dropped.