Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Oh, yeah,” Phil continued. “Tommy is in his room.”

“I meant Techno…” Wilbur said quietly.

”Ah, of course. I don’t know why I assumed otherwise.” Phil laughed nervously. “Techno should be under that little nook under the stairs we transformed into a library.” Wil nodded his thanks, and headed back to the stairs.

“Techno?”

“Yeah Wil?” Techno asked, looking up from his book.

“Can I stay here with you until dinner?”

“Of course, Wilbur.”

And for the rest of the time before dinner, Wilbur curled up next to Techno in the little reading nook as Techno flipped through the pages of the Odyssey.

Eventually, Philza called everyone down for dinner. Pizza, as promised.

”So, how’re you guys feeling? Christmas tomorrow!” Philza exclaimed.

“So damn excited! I bet I got the biggest, bestest presents!” Wilbur’s foster brother shouted.

“Chew with your mouth closed, Tommy,” Techno said without missing a beat.

“Sorry, all mighty Blade,” Tommy responded, muffled by his now closed mouth. Techno jokingly rolled his eyes, and picked off a piece of pepperoni and popped it in his mouth.

“I’m excited to have my first ever normal Christmas,” Techno said. “But actually, I learned a theory that those old ancient people, I forgot what they were called, made up the fact that Jesus’ birthday was in December. Because you see, in the Bible, it says that when Jesus was born, there were shepherds out tending to their sheep. It would’ve been too cold to take sheep out during the winter, so Jesus must have been born in a warmer month, possibly in the spring or fall. And—” Techno stopped mid sentence, abruptly realizing that everyone at the table was staring at him.

“Excuse me.” Techno pushed the table, scooting his chair back, and calmly walked upstairs, to his room.

There, he crawled onto his bed, tucked his knees to his chest with his head in his arms, and started tearing up.

Techno didn’t cry. He never cries. But his eyes will sometimes leak. But what if he got booted back into the system? What if he was too nerdy for Phil? And what if he dragged Wilbur along with him, crushing his chances of having a normal family? Or, even worse, what if Techno and Wilbur got separated? He didn’t think he could stand it.

Of course, sensing something was wrong, Techno’s twin, Wilbur, came up to their shared room not long after Techno started crying.

“Hey, Tech. It’s ok. Please don’t cry,” Wilbur shushed. He forgot to close the door when he came in. It was a pet peeve of Techno’s something he always tried to get Wilbur to stop.

“I know I’m being dumb,” Techno muttered. “Phil’s different, he’s a good man. We've been with him for a while, and he’s never hit us once. I just don’t know what’s gotten into me.”

“Yeah, it’s fine Techno. I sometimes think like that as well,” Wilbur offered. “But it’s ok. There’s no need to cry.”

“My tear ducts just need fixing. They’re leaking everywh—”

“Techno?” Both twins turned to the small voice in the doorway.

“Hello, Toms,” Wilbur greeted. “Can you come here and help Techno feel better? He is a bit sad right now.” Tommy crawled on the bed alongside the brothers.

Out of the corner of his eye, Techno saw Philza in the doorway. Frozen and shocked. Unsure of what to do. For a split second, they locked eyes, but that moment was lost, and Phil fled down the hallway.

Chapter Text

“Do you think we’re gonna get sent back?”

Techno turned over to face Wil, seeing him fidgeting with a red beanie Tommy and Phil got him as a welcome gift.

“What do you mean?” Techno prompted, studying Wilbur’s face for some kind of sign.

“I know you saw him turn away at the door earlier.”

Techno was silent for a moment, contemplating this.

“We should go to sleep, Wilbur. Big day tomorrow,” Techno said without making eye contact. And with that, he rolled over to face the wall again, signaling the end of their conversation.

..{o0o}..

“Goodnight, Dad,” Tommy whispered.

“G’night mate,” Philza smiled. He closed the door to his son’s bedroom, and headed down the hall to his office. As he passed by the twins’ bedroom, he heard whispers, and almost knocked on the door to shush them before changing his mind, his fist halfway to the door.

He’d failed enough as a father today.

Taking a deep breath, Philza started walking again. He decided to give his wife a call, maybe she would have some advice for him.

Silently closing the door after him so he wouldn’t wake the boys, Philza sat down behind his desk and turned on his phone to call Kristin. A few rings later, he heard a familiar voice.

“Hello? Phil, you okay hon?”

“Kristin…I don’t know what to do,” Phil groaned, the hand not holding his phone going up to rub at his eyes. “The twins, they’re just so uncomfortable around me. At least, Wilbur is.”

“Just give him time, sweetie. They’ll both come around. Plus, at least you said Tommy is warming up to them, right?”

“Yeah. He seems to really idolize Techno. But speaking of…”

“Ah, Philza, what happened?” Philza could practically hear the frown in Kristin’s voice, and could have smiled if he had not been so tired.

“Techno cried today. Or, well, it wasn’t really crying. More like his eyes were leaking. But his face stayed exactly the same. I don’t know.”

“Philza Minecraft, you do realize children can cry differently right?”

…no, Phil did not know that.

“Well, I guess that’s another way I’m failing as a dad.”

“Oh, you’ll be fine, Phil. But I have to go now, ‘kay? It’s past midnight where I am.”

“Right,” Phil muttered. “Sorry about that Kristin. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Phil.”

Sighing, Philza hung up the phone and put it down, running his hands through his hair.

He had to trust that Wilbur and Techno would warm up to him eventually.

Philza didn’t remember how long he stayed in his office like that, but before he knew it, he was snoring Christmas Eve’s night away in the hard chair of his office.

Chapter Text

Christmas day. It only happens once a year, so why not make the most of it? Having fun ripping open wrapping paper, throwing it carelessly over your shoulder to reveal a handpicked present bought, or made, especially for you. Wilbur and Techno haven’t experienced a real family Christmas in as long as they could remember. For them, Christmas wasn’t something to rejoice for, it was a punishment. Their foster parents always celebrated with numerous drinks of alcohol, waggling it in the twin’s faces as if they could be jealous of the fact that they weren’t drinking the horrid liquid. It was a day they hated, despised. Couldn’t wait till it was over. And it always started with screaming of some kind.

Wilbur woke up to screams, sitting up quickly and flinging off his soft blanket. Six fifty seven in the morning. Ok. He was fine. Breath. Breath. Please he needed to breathe.

“GET THE FUCK OUT OF YOUR BED, YOU USELESS KID!” They would scream at him. It’s too early. He just wanted to sleep. Techno’s entire body ached as he curled up to Wilbur with a small pathetic whimper. Wilbur tried to sit him up, it hurt. What did they do yesterday to have his body aching this badly? When could he have a break for once?

“Please- Techno c’mon, I know it hurts but you have to get up please Techno,” Wilbur would beg. Techno wishes he could, wishes he was as strong as Wilbur in a time like this. He was really just as pathetic as everyone had told him, weak and puny. Good for absolutely nothing.

Please, he needed to breathe. Wilbur convinced himself he was fine, he just— he’s just—

“I-I’m sorry he’s not- He’s not getting up, I-I don’t–” Wilbur would shakily apologise, pulling Techno’s body onto his lap, tucking his head underneath his chin, a hand holding onto his back, keeping him close.

“WELL GET HIM UP!” They would roar, stamping their feet as Wilbur whimpered pitifully and pulled Techno closer to himself. “DO SOMETHING FOR ONCE, YOU TWO ARE SUCH WHINING FUCKING BITCHES!” Burying his face into Techno’s shoulder, clutching onto his twin like he was his life support and shaking like a leaf in a thunderstorm. Wilbur’s foster father stormed off, absolutely fuming, slamming the door behind him.

He was so scared. Tears ran down his face, onto Techno’s ratty old jacket, trembling and letting out choked sobs. Techno needed help. Wilbur believes he has a concussion from when their foster parent slammed his head into the kitchen sink multiple times. This house was so bad. Techno needed medical help. He needed it now. He had multiple gashes across his face, arms and legs; looking like they would leave nasty scars. Stars- Please wake up Techno–

Wilbur looked around in a frantic search for his twin, tears beginning to form in his eyes. Wilbur was alright, but where was Techno? Please. Please let him be ok. He pulled his legs up to his chest, hugging them and gently rocking forwards, and backward. Forwards and backwards. It was a self soothing thing both Wilbur and Techno found themselves doing on multiple occasions when things got a bit too much.

Through Wilbur’s panic, he barely noticed Phil knocking on his and Techno’s door. Trembling as he rocked back and forth, sucking in breath after breath. He needed to stay strong for Techno.

“I’m coming in, alright Wil?” Phil called from the other side of the door, gently pushing it open and shuffling towards Wilbur, who glanced over at Phil, still shaking like a leaf and scrubbing away tears in his eyes. “You alright there mate?” Phil spoke once more, sitting down in front of Wilbur’s bed, giving him a bit of space to calm down.

Wilbur sniffled, wiping away his remaining tears and drying his hands on his shorts. For now, the fact Phil was sitting in front of him didn’t matter one bit, he needed to calm down so he could face his foster father. Things never went well with anyone but Techno when he was crying, kids would point fingers, adults angry and overall enraged like normal. Phil was… different. Sure, he was always a bit hesitant when trying to supply comfort to him and his twin, but he always made an attempt to make the twins feel better, which felt nice to have someone care.

“I’m… I’m good now. Sorry.” Wilbur mumbled, shifting to sit on the edge of his bed, facing Phil. This was nice. Calming. Phil was here. Phil was safe. He thinks. I mean, he hasn’t done anything to make Wilbur think otherwise, other than the fact he wasn’t Techno, but no one was as kind and as safe as his twin.

“That's good Wilbur, do you want to come downstairs? Techno is down already,” Phil offered, standing up from his sitting position on the floor. Wilbur barely contemplated it, sliding off his bed and nodding eagerly. He followed Phil downstairs, only to immediately be screeched at by his foster brother, Tommy.

“PHIL! CAN WE OPEN PRESENTS NOW? PLEASE?” Tommy screeched happily, zooming around the corner of the stairs and almost crashing into both Phil and Wilbur, but just barely managing to skid to a stop before the sent the three of them tumbling.

Phil just chuckled. “I mean, if Techno and Wilbur are alright with it, sure, or we can build the gingerbread house first.” Phil offered cheerfully, glancing back at Wilbur.

“Wil? Gingerbread house or presents first? Your pick,” Phil asked Wilbur, offering a kind smile to his foster child.

“W-well, I mean, it’s Tommy’s presents, so honestly we can just do whatever he wants,” Wilbur muttered, shifting uncomfortably under Phil’s and Tommy’s gaze. Why would Phil get him presents? He was a pathetic kid that cried at every loud noise.

“Mate, we got you and Techno a few presents too, if you don’t like any of them we can always return them a-and you can buy something else you want alright?” Phil sounded slightly uncertain, cringing slightly at his stuttering. Wilbur just seemed shocked, his mouth gaping as he looked at Phil.

“Heh?” Techno exclaimed, clearly listening in on the close conversation, peeking his head around the corner of his reading nook, built underneath the wooden stairs, books littering the shelves. “Really?” Techno asked, letting out a yelp as he leant too much forwards on his chair, toppling off of it, although picking himself off the floor quickly and making his way over to Wilbur, standing in front of him.

“I’m not a complete monster, you guys get bedtimes but there’s no world that I wouldn’t get you guys presents,” Phil told them in response, giving Techno a grin. Phil was going to make this the best christmas for the twins they’ve ever had. And it was clear Phil was going to be very successful in doing so if they acted surprised that they got presents, the bare minimum in Phil’s opinion.

The twins just looked at Phil with shocked faces, Technoblade starting to tear up, but scrubbing away the water that filled his eyes, still just looking at Phil with a flabbergasted expression.

“My… My tear ducts are still faulty,” Techno muttered, wiping his damp hands onto his tracksuit pants. Wilbur rubbed his twin’s back, Tommy letting out a barking laugh at Techno’s words, Phil giving a small chuckle.

“Nah! The Blade is just crying! It’s alright! I did it way too much when I first got here for like… A year? I think so!” Tommy chirped happily, grabbing his foster father’s arm and pulling him to the kitchen, the twins trailing behind, intrigued at what Tommy was leading them all towards.

There, in the middle of the kitchen bench, sat a gingerbread house kit, although slightly different from those you would normally have in one’s household.

“Oh- I forgot to ask, you guys like kit kats, right?”

Chapter Text

A kit kat house. I mean, it had some white chocolate kitkats? Wilbur thought that was a plus. Everyone else, not so much. Instead of packets of frosting, it had a pack of white chocolate bits, ready to be melted in a microwave and coated heavily onto the house.

Six white chocolate bars for the roof, and six milk chocolate bars for the walls. With the chocolate melted and knives in hand, ready to spread.

Everyone sat around the table, Tommy ripping open the packets of kitkats, Phil stirring up the freshly melted chocolate and the twins sitting there awfully awkwardly. This was definitely new for them, how were they even supposed to make a house out of chocolate of all things? What if they messed up? Would Phil finally hit and scream at them?

“Alright, me and Tommy will do the walls, you two can do the roof, understood? Just glue the kitkats together with the melted chocolate and wait for it to dry,” Phil spoke, gathering the milk chocolate kitkats in front of him and Tommy, laying down a couple sheets of parchment paper on the wooden table so as to not get chocolate all over the dining room table.

And they were off, chocolate covered hands attempting to stick kitkat bars to each other, insults thrown at both the chocolate and each other, Wilbur almost sent crying when Tommy absolutely attacked him for his reasoning of, and I quote, “YOU LIKE WHITE CHOCOLATE?!?”. The poor brunette boy in question splutters out a response in disbelief that Tommy didn’t like white chocolate; Can someone please check up on this man? White chocolate, seriously?

Eventually though, the house was built, random gumdrops and m&ms scattered the outsides of the kitkat house, the roof’s decorations much more organised and tidy compared to the very scattered m&ms stuck everywhere Tommy could stick them to.

☆

“PRESENTS!! PRESENTS!!” Tommy screeched as and ran down the hall, skidding on the wooden floors with his socks, wiping his freshly washed hands on his shirt, drying them off. The twins and Phil sat in the living room, surrounding the christmas tree as Tommy practically flew into the room, skidding to a stop and sitting down on the carpet.

Phil chuckled at his foster son’s antics, reaching into the pile of presents and picking out three presents of around the same sizes, one for Tommy, one for Techno and one for Wilbur, handing each to the respective kid.

Tommy squealed in delight as he ripped open his, uncovering a zelda game he had been wishing for a good couple of months. Wilbur found a pack of playing cards with cats instead of diamonds, spades, shovels and hearts. And finally, Techno found a Greek mythology book, a rare small grin making its way onto his face.

Eventually after opening gift after gift, all the kids amassed a decent sized pile of goods. Tommy with video game after video game, Wilbur with random books and physical games and Techno with many Greek mythology books and a few random handballs, which, if Techno was going to be honest, looked more like it was meant for dogs rather than a kid to play with.

“Now, I have one last gift for the two of you alright? This is kinda your ‘Welcome to the family!’ sort of gift!” Phil explained to the two twins, reaching over and grabbing the two presents and handing them both over to Techno and Wilbur, who were overwhelmed as it is, having received more gifts in the past hour than they have ever received in the past 12 or so years, give or take.

Wilbur tore open his gift to uncover a book of sheet music, his eyes flying open in shock, looking down at the book and then up at Phil, swapping between the two as he recovered from his shock. He… He didn't have an instrument to play the music though. That's… That’s alright. He’ll find some mangy old guitar at a thrift store and as long as he plays quietly, sure Phil wouldn’t mind?

Techno gently unwrapped his present, putting the wrapping paper in a pile next to him and staring down at his gift. Dog toys? A collar? For what? He didn't have a dog, and Phil certainly wouldn’t even consider the idea of getting a foster kid, that he’ll probably kick out anyways, a dog. Just for fun.

“Well- Uhm- Check your bedroom?” Phil hesitantly, unsure whether or not the analysing faces of the two boys was a good or bad reaction.

The two stood up, giving Phil a confused expression before starting to make their way up, opening the door to their bedroom only to be met with an excited ball of fluff barreling into Techno’s legs. They froze up in shock, looking down at the small puppy circling them.

“Phil?!” Techno called down in a panic. “Why is there a puppy in my room?”

Tommy shrieked something unintelligible, dashing up the stairs, Phil following behind him although much more slowly. The small dog barked at the twins, sniffing at their socks and occasionally nipping at their toes. A very excitable little puppy.

“That's your welcome present! If you’re scared of dogs we can probably go and get a cat or something, but I thought a dog would be better for you,” Phil responded before continuing. “I’ve just been calling him floof, but you can name him whatever you please!”

Techno crouched down to be on the same level as the excitable puppy, patting its very fluffy fur and scratching him behind its ears. It was so soft… Techno felt so much happiness flooding through his mind as he petted the small animal, scooping it up hesitantly, unsure if it would struggle in his arms.

Wilbur on the other hand, had gone into their room, his eyes immediately landing on the guitar case that sat on his bed, opened up to reveal a guitar sitting inside, waiting to be used. He raced over to it, sitting down next to it and picking at the strings, tears pricking at his eyes.

Best. Christmas. Ever.

Chapter Text

Phil watched as Techno crawled into his own bed across from Wilbur’s. They had just carried Wilbur and Tommy back down from the roof, and Phil was pleasantly surprised that Techno was able to carry Tommy all the way without breaking a sweat. 

Before he lost his nerve, Phil decided to go with it. 

“Um, Techno, mate? Can you come outside for a second?”

A mixture of shock and fear flashed across Techno’s face before it went back to its regular monotone. Phil watched nervously as Techno crawled back out of bed and quietly followed him out of the bedroom. 

Once Techno was outside, Phil quietly shut the door so their talking wouldn’t disturb the boys sleeping. He turned to Techno, but before he could say anything, Techno immediately spoke up.

“Look, Phil, if you’re gonna give us back to the system, please just let Wil stay here for a bit longer. He’s been through too much, and it’s fine if you want to get rid of me, but-” 

“No, mate, this isn’t about anything like that!” Phil interrupted, going to kneel in front of Techno. Techno, while not crying yet because he was just way too tough for that, was slightly shaking and tugging at his hair, and Phil debated putting his hand on Techno’s shoulder to comfort him before deciding not to, in the case that Techno might flinch away.

“Then what did you want to talk to me about?” Techno asked.

“Well, it’s uh- it’s a bit stupid really,” Phil muttered, laughing nervously. “I just had another um, gift, for you..?” Techno blinked, and froze mid hair-tug. 

“What?”

“It’s only if you want it,” Phil continued. “I got you a necklace with a nice jewel on it, I thought it would go nice with your eyes.” Phil gestured to Techno’s eyes, which were so brown they almost looked crimson. He took out a small green box and opened it, revealing a simple but expensive looking gold necklace with a small emerald on the end. 

“..thank you,” Techno said softly after a moment of hesitation.

“Look, I even have a matching earring,” Phil said, gesturing to his ear. He had tucked his hair away so the earring was easier to see, and Techno’s eyes dilated as the gold of the earring caught the light. Phil chuckled when he saw it. “Here, turn around mate, I’ll help you clip the necklace on.” Techno nodded silently, and turned around obediently while Phil’s lipped the necklace around Techno’s neck. 

After fastening the gold chain, Phil lightly nudged Techno to turn back around so he could see. 

“It looks beautiful on you, kid.” Phil’s smile was contagious. Techno couldn’t help but smile back, covering his mouth with his hands when his fangs showed. Phil tutted, and gently moved Techno’s arm down so it wasn’t covering his teeth anymore. “Never cover what makes you unique, Techno. I will love you no matter what.” 

If even possible? Techno’s smile got wider after that. 

“Thank you, Phil,” he whispered. “I love it.”

Phil grinned as he ushered Techno back inside the bedroom, carefully quiet as he tucked him in as to not wake up the other boys. The soft quilts were a nice change from the stained old blankets Techno used to be given at his old foster homes, the calming yellows and pinks welcoming him as he laid down in his bed, his very own bed.

“Night Techno, sleep well.”

“G’ Night Phil.”

The door creaked behind Phil as he backed out of the room, pumping a fist into the air, an exhausted yet proud grin on his face. 

He slipped his phone out of his pocket, the clear case that was slowly yellowing with age had a photo with him, Kristen and Tommy in it when they went to the annual fair that came to their town every year. Kristen always made the trek down for that, at least, she tried her best every year.

They would have to update it soon enough with Techno and Wilbur in it too, Phil was sure he couldn’t stuff this up anymore than he could’ve already, and Tommy turned out fine, so surely the twins would too? 

He walked down the hall, entering into his office and sinking down into his plush chair, dialing up a familiar number, quickly met with a cheerful voice he could listen to all day everyday.

“Kristen, I think Wilbur and Techno are starting to like me,” 

He was me with muffled giggles on the other end, a sweet honey voice soon speaking up.

“Nah- Have they really? Phil, you’re quite literally one of the best foster parents they could’ve ended up with, of course they like you.”

Phil rolled his eyes before chattering away to Kristen about the day he had, where he went wrong, what he thinks he’ll do again next year, the kit kat house, the opening of presents, how happy he was, he could talk to Kristen about this day for months on end if he was given the chance.

Best Christmas ever. 

☆

Techno couldn’t help feeling giddy with excitement as he lay down, the press of cool metal against his neck comforting. This day had gone by so much better than he had expected. Floof was definitely a big surprise, said surprise resting somewhere near his hip passed out in some dramatic display. Techno had always wanted a dog.

“Night Tech.” Wilbur spoke, cracking an eye open to shoot a glance over at Techno, who was staring up at the ceiling with a rare smile.

“Night Wil, sweet dreams.” Techno replied, a hand mindlessly feeling around for Floof, settling to rest on the puppy’s back.

Techno didn’t think any day could top this, it really was the best Christmas ever.