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“Phil what are you- my home is the other way big man,” Tommy nervously rambled as he was pulled by Phil towards the direction that was very opposite of his house.
Phil hummed, not even looking in his direction. “I’m aware of that. It’s not safe for you to go home. Dream will head there next.”
Tommy swallowed as he stumbled a bit as his legs shook as he remembered running for his life from Dream. Again. “So where are we going?,” he quietly asked as his voice wobbled.
Phil tugged Tommy’s wrist lightly and Tommy moved forward more. Tommy flinched when Phil dropped the hand around his wrist and wrapped it around his shoulders.
Phil made a sound when Tommy flinched. ”s’ alright mate. I’ll keep you safe.”
Tommy blinked rapidly as he wanted to curl into a ball right then and there and sob hysterically. No one has offered to keep safe ever since Wilbur flung himself off of the deep end.
It was always Tommy looking out for himself. So you can see why this sudden offer made him agree to it considering the day he’s had. “Okay,” Tommy croaked out with his voice breaking halfway through the word.
Phil held him a bit closer and Tommy only flinched a tiny bit before he relaxed at the warmth Phil’s wing provided as it wrapped around him.
They walked in silence for a bit and Tommy slowly stopped flinching whenever Phil would squeeze his shoulder reassuringly every now and then. He only tensed up in response.
Tommy blinked as a certain cabin into view. “I can’t be here,” he immediately said as the words fell out of his mouth without consent. “This was a nice idea Phil,” Tommy rambled shakily as he tried to pry Phil’s hand off of his shoulder. “But I’m not supposed to be here and this is a very very bad idea and I think I should go home now and-,”
Phil suddenly chuckled, making Tommy’s words abruptly stop. Tommy’s eyes widened when Phil turned towards him and his pupils were narrow slits. He was completely frozen in place as Phil spoke. “I don’t think you understand. You really don’t have a choice here.”
Tommy shook when Phil leaned forward and cupped Tommy’s scarred cheek. Tommy made a choking sound and Phil’s pupils rounded a bit as he stroked his cheek with his thumb. “It’s alright Dream would be a fool to come here and try to get you,” he murmured.
As if saying the name reminded him of what was going on, Phil's hand dropped and his nails looked sharper. His pupils were back to slits again and he was leading Tommy into the cabin with an iron-clad grip on his shoulders.
Tommy let out a wet breath as Phil forced him into the cabin. He couldn’t fight Phil, well he could try but he’d immediately lose. Judging by Phil’s pupils his instincts were very active. Meaning Tommy never stood a chance.
Phil led Tommy towards the back of the house silently with a pleased pep in his step. Tommy was shaking too much out of fear and exhaustion to try and escape or even get Phil to let go of him. All he could only watch helplessly as Phil dragged him along.
They came to a sudden halt as Phil paused and had to open up a door. Tommy crashed into him lightly and Phil immediately murmured soft apologies under breath before opening the door.
Tommy stared wide eyed as a giant circular bed on the floor came into view. It was absolutely covered in all sorts of pillows and blankets. Tommy noted silently that two of his old blankets were in there along with an old sweater from Wilbur, and a cape from Techno.
“This was Phil’s nest,” Tommy’s mind whispered to him as he shuddered.
Phil wasted no time in leading Tommy towards the nest. Tommy wanted to curse him out, wanted to punch him and rip his hands off of him. He wanted to bite him and scream until he lost his voice.
However he spent an hour being chased, being hunted, by his abuser so he was weak. Physically and mentally. Plus Phil was lost in the fucking sauce of his instincts and although Tommy was suicidal he wasn’t that suicidal.
Tommy wouldn’t stand a fucking chance against Phil in this state. It would be useless to even try.
So when Phil lightly pushed him Tommy let himself fall into the pillows and blankets. Tommy was given two seconds of relief before Phil settled in next to him and pulled Tommy to his chest. Tommy let out a weak flinch at the motion.
Phil hummed and lightly ran through Tommy’s hair carefully being mindful of his talons. “It’s okay you’re safe now I promise,” he hummed.
“He’s gonna come for me,” Tommy whispered as he stared at Phil’s green cloak as he balled a weak shaking fist into the fabric of it. “And Techno- Tech is on his side Phil.”
Phil let out an animalistic snarl at that causing Tommy to heavily flinch. Tommy let out a little pained noise at how it jostled his bruised exhausted body. Phil immediately softened and apologized. “I’m sorry- it’s okay. Techno won’t be on his side I can assure you do that.”
“How do you know,” Tommy weakley demanded. “He sided with Dream after my exile and he- he jokingly offered to hand me over to him.”
Phil was as still as a statue for a second before his hand started to work it’s way through Tommy’s hair again. “He won’t,” Phil simply said with something heavy and dangerous laced into his tone. “Trust me.”
Tommy sagged in relief at hearing that despite not fully believing it. “If you say so,” he murmured as exhaustion weighed him down.
“It’s okay to sleep,” Phil murmured back. “Nobody can touch you here. You’re safe here little one.”
“But Dream-“,
“If he tries his head will be off before he can even take a step towards you,” Phil immediately said, cutting Tommy off. “Nobody who means you harm will be able to come near you here. I swear it.”
Tommy made a noise that hopefully got across that he doubted him but was too tired to do anything about it. Tommy’s eyes fluttered as Phil’s wings covered him and cast him into a comforting darkness. It was warm and safe here.
“Sleep,” Phil hummed.
Tommy was only a seventeen year old traumatized child soldier. He was strong against everything, attacks, assassination attempts, war, abuse but when face with care and comfort he was no match.
So he allowed himself to sleep cradled in the wings and arms of his dad for the first time in years.
Phil stared at the unmoving form of his scarred and worn son silently. His face was stained with soot and dirt from running from Dream and falling over himself in fear.
Phil tightened his grip a bit before relaxing it. Dream, the parasite cowardly faux god. What he wouldn’t do to rip his head clean off of his body.
The lower feathers on his wings twitched and Phil’s head whipped towards the door.
It slowly opened and Phil locked eyes with Techno.
Phil sat in usual clothes cradling the unmoving and scarred form of Tommy to chest with his wings wrapped around him in his best. His pupils were slits and his claws were sharper than normal. His eyes glowed slightly as he stared at Techno.
Techno stood awkwardly in the door hunched over slightly. His cloak was signed and dirty. His eyebrows were pinched and he had a dark look in his eyes as he stared at Phil. He opened his mouth to say something but before he could Phil beat him to it.
“You offered to hand Tommy over to Dream after his exile,” Phil blankly said with no emotion in his tone as he stared at his son.
Techno winced at the reminder as he shrunk in on himself. “I- yeah I did but I wouldn’t have done it,” he weakly tried to defend himself.
Phil titled his head and pinned Techno in place with his unblinking stare. “You nursed your brother back to health, healed him from his injuries caused by Dream, and had a front row seat to the aftermath of his exile and you still “jokingly” offered to hand him over?,” he deadpanned.
Techno curled inwards tighter. “I-,”
“I wasn’t aware of what happened,” Phil continued. “I was told some of the events that took place today. But you knew Techno and you let me team up with the same asshole who abused and hurt what’s mine.”
It was silence as Phil bore holes into Techno’s form as he remembered Tommy curled into his chest sobbing and choking on his words as he explained some of what Dream had done to him.
“Even Wilbur came around,” Phil noted. “One look at how wrong and different Tommy was and one painful conversation later and Wilbur was apologizing and groveling at Tommy’s feet for forgiveness. So?,” Phil raised an eyebrow and stared at Techno expectantly. “What excuse do you have to offer this time?”
Techno swallowed as he ran a hand through his hair with a sigh. “I don’t have one,” he gruffly admitted. “We’ve been a shitty family to him- I’ve been shitty to him,” he amended. “I let my petty feelings blind me.”
“Dream hunted him like prey today,” Phil hummed as he ran a light hand through Tommy’s hair. “First thing he did when he got out of prison was to hunt Tommy for sport while swearing that he’ll kill Tommy again and bring him back and kill him again and keep bringing him back.”
Techno’s pupils shrunk. “What,” he snarled in a low voice.
“Dream won’t leave him alone,” Phil said as he stared at Techno expectantly. “So I’m keeping Tommy here with me for safety. I love you but if you choose to side with Dream after everything I will kill you where you stand. I hope you understand.”
“I would never,” Techno hissed.
“You already have,” Phil pointed out darkly, causing Techno to wince at the reminder. “So if you’re done trying to have a pissing match with your seventeen year old brother I’d appreciate it.”
Techno swallowed. “Of course Phil,” he quietly said.
Phil and him locked eyes and Phil relaxed at seeing the slitted pupils of the piglin hybrid and the sincere look in his eyes. “Can you get me a sleeping potion?,” Phil asked. “I want to clean him up and fix whatever wounds he has and I’d prefer for him to stay asleep.”
Techno nodded and silently turned and left to fetch the potion as his cape swayed at the motion. He returned shortly with two potions. One light pink one and one light blue one.
Healing and Sleep.
Phil smiled as he gently shifted Tommy and coaxed his uncipus form to drink while he slowly poured the liquid into his mouth and rubbed his throat to get him to swallow.
After they managed to get both potions into the boy they shared a look. This wasn’t going to be fun.
And it wasn’t.
Bruises in the shape of fingerprints were scattered on his arms from where Dream managed to grab him briefly. His legs and elbows were bruised from falling while running. Shallow cuts were on his legs and shins from not looking where he was running. Tommy also had a slice on his cheek from a branch.
And these were only the recent injuries.
Phil silently with a set jaw and livid eyes carefully put healing pots over old unhealed wounds and bandaged them as Techno got more supplies when they ran out.
Which they did.
Twice.
By the time they were finished Tommy was covered in bandages. Both hybrids were completely lost in their instincts by the sheer amount of scar tissue that was littered on his form.
Techno left and bent the bathroom counter when he could count Tommy’s ribs. His growling was heard completely across the house.
But Tommy was patched up and his face was gently wiped clean before he was tucked back into Phil’s arms and wings inside the nest. Techno was right next to Phil and joined in keeping watch of him.
“I won’t let Dream touch him,” Techno hissed more to himself than Phil. “I swear Phil.”
“I know Tech,” Phil murmured lightly as his instincts rejoiced at having his flock together. “We just have to keep him safe.”
Techno huffed as he looked at Tommy’s prone form with a frown. “We should probably get Wilbur here too.”
Phil tilted his head as he looked over to Techno. “If we don't, Wilbur will tear this server to shreds,” Phil agreed.
Techno startled a bit. “But I thought he didn’t want to cause any more destruction?,” he questioned.
Phil gave him a look. “He does mate. But for Tommy…,” Phil trailed off as he looked back down at the sleeping form of Tommy.
Techno slumped over as he ruffled his hair. “Yeah fair point,” he huffed as he got up briefly and rummaged through the pockets inside his cape before finding his communicator. Once in his hands he sat back down inside the nest as he called Wilbur.
“Techno I swear to god this better be important,” Wilbur said with something dangerous leaking through his tone.
Phil and Techno shared a glance before looking at the communicator. “I’m gonna take a guess and say you heard about what happened to Tommy,” Techno deadpanned.
“Techno I’m not in the mood for this-,”
“We have him mate,” Phil interrupted. “We’re at Techno’s. He’s safe and sound Wil. We patched him up and he’s asleep in the nest.”
It was silent for a few seconds. “I’ll be there in ten,” Wilbur responded.
Techno made a choking noise. “It’s literally a 30 minute trip?”
“Did I stutter?,” Wilbur simply said. “I’ll be there in ten Technoblade. If anything happens to Tommy I will rip your tusks clean off of your skull and keep them as a trophy.”
And just like that Wilbur hung up.
“Forgot to mention that Wilbur is a little bit mad after he learned what you did after Tommy’s exile,” Phil said, sounding a tiny bit sheepish.
Techno was just staring at the communicator in shock. Because that was not an empty threat. “Yeah no shit,” he said feeling a bit faint.
“Why don’t you go patrol the area,” Phil offered as he nudged him lightly with his elbow. “It’ll make you feel better.”
Techno nodded and he bumped foreheads with Phil before hesitating and lightly bumping Tommy’s head. “I’ll be back in 20,” he gruffly said as his red eyes met Phil’s blue.
Phil nodded his head and watched as Techno left with determination and purpose in his step. He smiled humorless when he heard the click of a crossbow being loaded before the door closed.
Anyone who tries anything will be dead where they stand. Techno would make sure of it.
In exactly ten minutes Phil’s lower feathers twitched and Wilbur casually walked into the room although the dark red tint in his eyes gave him away.
Wilbur without hesitation hopped into the nest and pulled Tommy into his chest away from Phil. Before Phil could argue or lash out he froze as Tommy made a sleepy noise and nuzzled into Wilbur’s sweater.
“Wilby,” Tommy murmured in his sleep, gripping the sweater in a lax fist.
Wilbur pressed a light kiss to the crown of Tommy’s head before looking up and meeting his fathers eyes. Red tinted hazel met glowing blue.
Their silent stare off was interrupted when Techno walked into the room.
“Were you aware that Dream built tunnels under Tommy’s house and would stalk him in the beginning of the smp?,” Wilbur immediately asked him with something very dangerous laced in his tone.
“He fucking what,” Phil hissed as his wings bristled.
“Of course I wasn’t,” Techno snarled.
Wilbur inclined his head as stared wordlessly at Techno. “I only teamed up with him once and you’ve done it multiple times plus the prison visit,” he pointed out. “Dream had photos of him on the walls of the tunnels plus they both lead to both jukeboxes. It’s not exactly a stretch.”
“I didn’t know,” Techno spat before he hesitated lightly as he remembered something. “But in prison Dream kept obsessing over Tommy and making “plans” for him when he got out.”
“And you didn’t tell us this sooner,” Phil murmured in a dark tone as he stared at Techno with half lidded eyes.
Techno swallowed as he once again didn’t have an excuse. “We were busy with the syndicate at the time so I didn’t tell you,” he admitted. “I should have.”
All three sat in silence as they stared at one another as they all processed.
“Tommy’s safety is my number one priority now,” Phil said after a second of silence as he stared at both of his sons. “I promised him that Dream wouldn’t touch him. So both of you need to get your shit together.”
Wilbur inclined his head. “Of course Phil,” he murmured while Techno merely nodded.
“He’s only safe inside and we all know he’s not going to like being trapped here,” Techno quietly pointed out.
Wilbur snorted. “He doesn’t have to like it,” he said in a dark, loaded tone. “As long as he’s safe it doesn’t matter.”
“He’ll fight us on this,” Techno added.
Wilbur didn’t even hesitate to respond. “Of course he will, he’s Tommy. But with the three of us here and Dream out there his fight will die down.”
“We’ll be a family again,” Phil murmured. “Something I know Tommy’s always wanted since exile.”
Wilbur nodded firmly in agreement as Techno sighed. “Look I'm just being realistic.”
“Oh I know,” Phil hummed. “And you’re not wrong. But Tommy’s more safe here than anywhere. We all know this.”
Techno fell silent as he only slumped his shoulders in defeat. “True,” he huffed.
Wilbur stared at Tommy silently as he cradled him more firmly to his chest. “It doesn’t matter how long it takes,” he quietly said to both of them. “Tommy is safe here and soon he’ll realize it. And eventually he’ll be happy here. Besides with the three of us all in one place Dream won’t be a threat. He doesn’t stand a chance.”
Phil let out a humorless dark chuckle. “No. No he does not.”
All three of them exchanged a glance as a silent agreement passed between them. A family that was once split apart abruptly and silently came together. Whether one of them knew it.
Dream thought he was the predator, the hunter, the “god of life and death.”
But against an angel married to the actual god of life and death, the vessel for the blood god, and a bloodthirsty siren he couldn’t be more wrong.
Dream was the prey.
And soon after they managed to get Tommy comfortable and feeling safe for once in his life they’d deal with Dream once and for all.
They’d make that sniveling pathetic mess of a man beg for his worthless life just as he did to Tommy.
And it would be so sweet and fulfilling to watch the light die in that monster's eyes.
But for now they’ll settle for comforting Tommy and drowning him with care and love. To shower him in all the things the boy thought he would never get again.
Dream’s death can wait.
His soul will be ripped out of his body eventually, a parallel to how Dream’s filthy hands touched Tommy’s soul and forced back into Tommy’s body.
Dream will pay for his crimes.
They’ll make sure of it.
After all, anyone who touches what’s theirs deserves nothing but death itself.