Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Tommy knew their family’s kingdom was big, he knew their influence spread far. But he also wasn’t an idiot, and knew that their kingdom didn’t rule the whole entire world. He might have thought they did when he was younger, not truly being able to grasp how big a world is. But he was freshly nineteen now.

“So there are probably people who have never even heard of us before?” He asked through a mouthful of food.

His father chuckled as his brother Wilbur made a disgusted face at his eating habits.

“Yes Tommy.” His dad chuckled. “And please talk when there isn’t food in your mouth.”

“They never even learned about it?? Not in school?” He waved his hand a bit as he finished chewing.

“Some people aren’t educated.” Techno shrugged, and then gestured to Wilbur. “Like him.”

“Hey! At least I know how to chew properly. Tommy’s food is practically everywhere.”

“No it’s not!” He shouted.

Before any of them could bicker about something else their mothers’ laughter filled the room.

“Boys boys, calm down.” She said. “But yes Tom, there are plenty of people who don’t know who we are.”

Tommy hummed, sitting back in his seat.

What a whole different life that must be… not knowing about the awesomeness that was his family. Really it was a crime!

Hell, what if there was someone out there who was an avian, and his family weren’t actually the last of their kind. What if that person had no idea who they were - spoke a different language and lived so far away and never got educated? There… might be someone out there who thinks they’re all alone.

Damn. That got depressing quick.

It was probably unlikely though. He knew his parents had searched before - he can’t remember the story really, but he knows at some point, maybe before they started their kingdom, they had searched for their kind. Maybe that’s how they found each other.

The only avian really they could have missed would - would be… his brother. That they stopped looking for years ago. 

That might be a bit unfair, they didn’t technically stop. His father sent out guards every now and again to search the places they’ve visited. But…

What if Alexis was so far away, on practically the other side of the world, that they would never find him?

After Tommy had eaten his dinner and gotten to his room, these thoughts still plagued him. And he laid in bed above the covers frowning up at his ceiling.

He could be out there, in the one place his family would probably never check to look. So far away and out from where their territory and kingdom reaches. And would they ever send men that way? Surly it would take too many resources. And they’ve only just in the last few years gotten Techno to settle down. If his older brother found out there might be just one last place he didn’t check, he’d be up and out again. And the rest of the flock would surely be pissed at Tommy for mentioning it.

He sighed quietly to himself.

What was even the language they spoke there? He knew there were lots of different ones. Spanish, uh… the one sorta like Spanish but not. French? Wilbur knew some French, and he’d heard that his family had been there before.

He thinks it’s Spanish.

He knew that Techno knew the language, because he wanted to go visit the lands, but he never got the chance to. It just took too many resources and too much time to travel to the other side of the world.

Maybe… maybe Tommy can go?

Immediately at the thought he felt a tinge of anxiety build up in his chest.

The world was so big. He’d surely get lost instantly - and then his family would have two missing from the nest… Tommy didn’t want to become missing.

But… Alexis could be out there.

If he was alive - which Tommy had a feeling he was - then there’s no fucking way he would have immediately ran up to the kingdom gates the second he could. No one would just give up the chance the live there, yeah? If he realized he was the lost prince he’d immediately say something.

But if he didn’t know?

If he lived so far away he’d never even heard of them before?

Tommy quickly sat up in bed, and then got up and changed clothes again. He started to pack some clothes into a bag, since even though it was winter here he knew it may be different elsewhere. And… because this might take a while.

Shit is he really doing this?

He shook his head. Yes he fucking is. He’s Tommyinnit, one of the four princes, and he’s gonna find his goddamn missing brother.

He quietly snuck through the halls, going into the kitchen and getting the chefs to hand over some food that wouldn’t perish as quickly, as well as a waterskin.

Then he went to the stables.

He pointed at a random guard in front, who looked about Tommy’s age. Probably in training or some shit. No matter, he’d do.

“You! What’s your name?” He demanded.

The guard seemed to panic a bit, stuttering out.

“Oh uh - My names Harry you’re majesty- prince.”

His voice sounded a bit strange, and it took Tommy a second to realize the man had a lisp.

“I want you to go prepare my horse Clementine for a journey. A long one. As well as one other horse of your choosing.” Tommy shoved the bag towards him. “Put this over her.”

Without further instruction or explanation, Tommy turned around and quickly marched back inside.

He couldn’t let them know exactly where he was going. And he couldn’t say goodbye to his Flock. They’d drag him to the nest and not let him out until he gives up wanting to go out and find Alex. 

But he’ll write them a letter.

He went to the desk in his room, grabbing the quill and quickly writing down a note for them to find in the morning.

God - this was really the first time he was gonna sneak out for something like this? 

He snuck out once before when he was younger, trying to practice flying on his own. But after that day, a scolding from his parents, and a broken wing and arm for two pain filled months, led him to never wanting to sneak out again.

He did know he’d still probably have to lose some guards on the way out. But it was fine. He just had to be quick.

He was lucky with the guard outside the stable. If he was any more experienced he would have first gone to tell some other guard. But he had the same glittery nervousness as all the new guards did.

When he was done writing he looked over the note.

‘Alright mother fuckers, I’m too fucking tired to be formal so here’s what’s happening. I’ll be gone for a long while, and you probably won’t be able to find me. If I die, I’m sorry. I know I’m just following where Techno left off, so soon after you got him to stop. But I think I know where he might be.

I’m going to find Alexis.’

Yeah good enough. There were several ink smudges where his hurried writing led to mistakes, but it would do. Now he just has to be quick.

He made his way back to the stables, and to the confused guard who was standing in front of two horses. Clementine, Tommy’s beautiful gray stallion, and some random horse he didn’t know the name of.

To be fair, he did only really know Clementine, Sally, and Carl. It was too hard to remember all their names.

He hopped on top of his horse with one quick motion, his wings flapping a bit as if to try and give him a boost.

“Get on the other horse and follow me.” He commanded the guard.

“Y-yes sir.” 

The guy still seem scared, but he followed Tommy’s order nonetheless.

And then they were off. 

Once they were out of the immediate castle grounds Tommy broke into a gallop, the guard - Harry was it? Following quickly behind.

Tommy didn’t stop moving until the moon was down under the horizon. In a couple minutes the sun would start to come up.

They wouldn’t immediately notice. His family knew Tommy liked to sleep in sometimes. It would take them a couple hours to realize something was wrong, and at that point it would be too late.

He was getting pretty tired, and the guard seemed quite tired as well. But they couldn’t just rest here.

Tommy drank some water from his waterskin and watched as the guard did the same with his own.

“Can I ask - where we’re going? In such a hurry?” The guard asked.

“Nope.” Tommy said plainly. “Ask another question and I’m making you walk.”

Harry’s eyes widened a bit and he quickly nodded his head.

Tommy started moving, once again galloping. Harry following right behind him looking as nervous as he was before.

Eventually when the sun was in the middle of the sky, Tommy was too tired to continue.

“We can… rest here.” He said, jumping - totally not falling!! Off his horse.

He tied her reign to the trunk of a tree as Harry did the same.

“Why are-“

Tommy glared at him, Harry shutting up immediately.

But he sighed, sitting down against the tree.

This guard will be dead the second Tommy gets back. Or fired, if he’s lucky. He  deserves to at least know what’s going on, what Tommy’s dragged him into. 

“I’m finding my brother.” He said.

The guard just looked confused.

Tommy raised an eyebrow at him.

Why was he confused? Everyone knew about the lost prince, it was forbidden to talk about or utter his name - oh. Wait. He never fucking learned about Alex because no one talked about him.

Okay, that was a god damn fucking crime.

The thought of that - people from their kingdom not knowing who his brother is - the prince that was taken away and missing for years- it… it irked him. It felt rude, disrespectful. 

His brother deserves to be known.

Even… even if no one, especially not Tommy, really knew him. And if he’s still alive - which he is! There’s no telling what he’s like now.

“Right… No one’s allowed to talk about it. But right before I was born one of my brothers was stolen. He’s been missing for a while now, But I’m going to the other side of the world to try and find him. That’s what we’re doing.”

Harry’s eyes widened, and then he looked - angry.

“You - you’re dragging me along to the other side of the world to find a missing person?! The kings going to kill me!”

Fair.

Tommy growled a bit, his feathers raising. “Stop complaining, and don’t speak back to me! I’ll kill you before my father does.” He hissed.

Harry crossed his arms. “I’m going to die anyway now! It doesn’t matter when.”

Then the guard switched, seeming more sad as he looked away and put his hand atop his helmet.

“I won’t ever see my family again - I’ll die and they won’t even know why!” He wailed. “I didn’t even make it out of training…”

Tommy looked away from the guard.

His Flock would be missing him, just as Tommy’s is missing Alexis.

Except Harry wasn’t an Avian.

And… Tommy didn’t really miss anyone. His instincts… he never met his brother. To him the nest didn’t feel like it was missing anyone, because he never knew anyone for it to miss. But he knew the rest of his flock was missing Alexis.

He would fix that.

He’d make them happy.

“I’ll uh - tell your family or whatever what happened to you.” He said. “I’m not a monster.”

The thought of another family going without ever knowing what happened to their flock… it just rubbed him the wrong way. He knew how much it rattled his family.

He wasn’t totally heartless! Even though one time he tried to get his father to execute someone who said Tommy’s shirt was the wrong color.

It was fucking pink, not lavender.

“I guess that’s all I could ask for.” Harry said, sighing a bit.

“How old are you anyway?” Tommy asked.

“Eighteen.” Harry answered.

Huh, one year younger than Tommy. He smirked a bit.

He’s not the youngest here, hah!

Harry looked at him nervously, but Tommy ignored him.

He looked up at the sun, and wondered how close someone - probably the guards or, if Phil was mad enough, himself, were to reaching them. They should keep moving soon, but what about the night? They couldn’t stay up for that long. But if his father had sent people after and told them to not stop? To only take very small breaks?

No. They had to get much further. Only then could Tommy really be sure that they wouldn’t be easily found.

“We can’t rest for long, we’ll keep riding some more and rest tomorrow.” He decided.

Harry nodded. “Yes your majesty.”

—

“Oh my FUCKING GOD Charlie stop breaking my goddamn window!!” Quackity shouted at his friend, who was currently laying awkwardly on the ground surrounded by glass shards. Multiple imbedded in him, making his bird brain coo in worry.

“Well how else was I supposed to get in!?” Charlie half yelled back, clearly trying to hold back laughter.

“Through the door!?!? Pendejo!” Quackity grabbed the man by the shoulders, lifting him up and pushing him to sit on the couch.

“Stay here. I’m getting the medical bag.” He said firmly, quickly walking off to go to the bathroom.

They had been getting together ingredients to try and see if they could make a cake for their ‘birthday’, and Quackity made the mistake of sending Charlie outside to get wheat and carrots from the garden.

They weren’t in that much of a hurry to make the cake. It wasn’t their actual birthday, at least they didn’t think so. Quackity had way too many memory problems to know when his was, and Charlie had been a runaway orphan who just casually forgot his as time went on.

So every time the year passed and the snow started to melt, they’d get a bunch of gifts for each other and treat it as a sort of birthday. They could never buy much, but it was the sentiment that counts.

Quackity returned to the livingroom with the medkit, seeing Charlie idly picking at some glass stuck in his arms. Quackity sat beside him and got to work trying to patch him up. 

Charlie was a very clumsy person, small scars littering his body in places. Mostly because of stupid bits he did. Like jumping through a fucking window instead of using the door as if he didn’t know how to open them.

“I hate you so much.” He said with no actual heat.

Charlie just chuckled.

Quackity had his own fair share of scars, but they were larger than Charlie’s. Burn scars on his hands and up his arms, and a giant one that tore through his face and a bit down his neck. He also had scars around the base of his wings, but those were mostly hidden from view.

He did have a few small ones from accidents, but who didn’t?

And some - that he can’t really remember… but he assumes those come from the same place he got the burn scars and the one across his eye. A group of horrible people that had since been taken over and destroyed.

He doesn’t… remember much from before they found him. Or why they took him in the first place. All he remembers is the torture.

He shook out his wings a bit to try and shake the memories, instead trying to focus on cleaning Charlie’s wounds.

Once he made sure they wouldn’t get infected he put bandages and bandaids all around the small cuts, and he tossed the glass shards in the trashcan.

“Now we can get back to making a cake.” He smiled.

As it turns out. He and Charlie soon found. Neither of them were good at making a cake. They laughed together as they stared at the charred - yet someone still raw inside - of the ‘cake’ they just pulled out of the stove.

“That is not fucking edible!” Charlie wheezed, doubling over where he sat at the table.

“I- I - Cómo- es eso posible??” Quackity laughed.

“Jesus Christ how have we survived this long???” Charlie threw his hands up in the air, before gesturing wildly at the cake. “What the fuck is that man?! That’s no cake! What did- we’re our ingredients bad?? Was the wheat corrupted? What is in the dirt?!?”

Quackity just laughed harder at that, trying to keep himself from falling over and his wings flapped a bit.

“Oh god…” he mumbled, trying to regain his composure. He leaned on the the table, trying to catch his breath.

“This is - this is fucked.” Charlie said as he calmed down as well.

“Let’s just go to Roier’s restaurant.” Quackity said, trying not to laugh as Charlie pouted at the idea.

“We go there every year.” He complained.

It was true. They’ve been going there since Roier first took over. They’ve become good friends with the owner, even went to his wedding -even if Quackity can’t remember it- when he married the tavern keeper Cellbit. Whose place was right next to Roier’s.

“What the fuck else do we do?” Quackity questioned with a shrug. “We didn’t make the cake right, and I want some kind of sweet treat.”

“Alright fine.” Charlie stood up and started making his way out of the kitchen. “Wait! Before we go - let’s give each other our gifts now.”

Quackity smiled, and rolled his eyes a bit. “You can’t wait until tonight, huh?”

Charlie chuckled, “Nope.”

Charlie went and grabbed the box on the couch, handing it to Quackity. A silent ask that he open his own gift first.

He complied, carefully opening the box - he didn’t want to damage it, it could be used for something else later. He gasped a bit when he saw it.

Inside was a red ribbon, of similar color to a ribbon an old pet chicken he had had, that passed away a couple months ago. He had put a small red bow loosely around the chicken’s neck so he could easily spot her.

“It’s a ribbon… just like Tílin’s…” He said, a few tears pricking at his eyes. He smiled, and looked back up at Charlie in a silent thanks.

“It took me forever to find one that was the same color. I uh - figured you could wear it yourself. Maybe ceep that raggedy hair tied up and out of your face.” Charlie teased.

Quackity rolled his eyes, but took his beanie off to tie the bow into his hair.

He loved it.

“Thanks Charlie. Now open yours!” He ushered.

Charlie laughed a bit, but complied.

Quackity had spent a bit saving up to get Charlie’s gift. He knew the man always sad that he didn’t need to get him anything expensive or shiny, but…

Something inside of Quackity was always very happy whenever Charlie accepted one of his shiny gifts.

Charlie’s mouth hung open when he saw what was in the box, and then he looked sad. A guilty, self destructive look that he often got.

He lifted the glasses up, frame carved from emerald with bits of gold.

“I don’t… Quackity…” he said slowly.

“Put them on!” He exclaimed. “I know you’ve been needing a new pair. That tape won’t hold forever motherfucker.” He said.

Charlie shook his head, and Quackity huffed.

“I don’t need something like this - it’ll just get all dirty with me wearing it-“

Quackity cut him off with a sharp chirp, Charlie awkwardly looking around.

He chirped again as he grabbed the glasses from his hands, yanking the ones off his face and putting the new ones in place. Charlie blinked a bit as his eyes widened.

“Shit! I can see better.”

“Yeah!? That’s because you’re old ones have fucking cracks in them dumbass!” 

Charlie laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Now let’s go eat.” Quackity started walking to the door, lifting a wing behind Charlie to make sure he’d walk with him. And to make sure he wouldn’t jump out of the fucking window again.

On the way to Roier’s restaurant they passed by Jaiden, who stopped them to say hi.

Jaiden was nice. She owned several birds and had helped Quackity learn how to take care of his wings. She even helped preen the appadedges once or twice, before teaching Charlie how to do it since he was around more often.

Technically him and Charlie didn’t live together, but, Charlie spent so much time at Quackity’s on account of him being homeless that he basically lived there.

“Hey! You two going to Roier’s again?” She asked.

“Yup!” Charlie smiled. “We tried to bake a cake.”

“Oh?” She raised an eyebrow, looking around a bit. “What uhm… happened to it?”

Quackity laughed nervously. “It burned.”

“Yeah, it burned.” Charlie repeated.

Jaiden laughed a bit at that.

“But hey, we didn’t almost burn the house down!” Quackity said. “That’s a plus, right?”

Jaiden nodded, “Sure is. Well, have a good day you two.”

Charlie waved as she continued to walk off. “You too Jaiden!”

When they got to Roier’s restaurant it was mostly empty. Probably because it was closed. That didn’t stop Quackity from pushing past the front doors however.

“Man! I’m not cooking anything, I’m off work!” Roier complained when he saw the two.

“Well too bad. Because we made cake and we burned it so now we’re here.” Quackity said with a smile and a cheery voice, saying the cake part as if he was proud.

“Yeah! And you’re gonna make us food-“ 

Right as Charlie finished his sentence a slice of bread hit him in the face, and Charlie laughed as Roier glared at him.

“We’ll pay you obviously.” Quackity said, lifting his wings a bit and making his feathers puff up to try and… eh, he doesn’t know, look cuter? Like a version of puppy eyes?

Roier huff and rolled his eyes. “Whatever! But only because you two are my friends.”

He disappeared around the back and Quackity and Charlie sat down at one of the tables.

When Roier came back out he had a plate with two brownies, both with a little candle on top and a small flame.

Quackity smiled.

It wasn’t much, but he honestly couldn’t ask for more.

—

They were starting to run out of food, which was annoying. But luckily Harry had been trained to recognize what berries were safe to eat - and what weren’t. So they had that going for them.

Tommy doesn’t know how long they’ve been traveling, but already it seemed the people they started to see were more and more often speaking in languages Tommy didn’t understand.

He kept his cloak on to hide his wings, even though it was getting warmer out.

Harry had packed sleeping bags and some other supplies you’d usually have on a long journey, which Tommy was thankful for. But he probably should have - no. He really should have prepared better for the trip.

But it was too late now. At least now he’s certain his family would’ve given up following him.

“So your majesty-“

Tommy sighed, interrupting him. “Just call me Tommy. The whole your majesty thing is getting fucking annoying Harry.”

“Right, sorry. So should we stop at the next town or village to get more food? Maybe we can find a tavern that has some sort of regional dish or something.”

Tommy hummed, nodding. “Yeah. We’ll go to a tavern. But I only bought so much gold.”

“That’s fine, I have a bit of my own.” Harry said, then added, “And we can always rob them.”

Tommy laughed. “I like the way you think, Harry.”

The guard smiled.

The guy had honestly been growing on him as the days past. Tommy would make sure his dad wouldn’t instantly kill the guy the second they got back.

Nah, he’d make sure they didn’t kill him at all. He couldn’t stop them from firing Harry or putting him in jail, but so long as he wasn’t dead.

“You know if my parents lock you up in some dungeon, I’ll make sure to sneak you some food sometimes.” He said.

“Aw, thanks Tommy. I’d also sneak you food, but I don’t really think you’d ever end up in jail.” Harry noted.

At that, Tommy smiled wide, showing his teeth as he looked at the man. A faux threat, just to be dramatic.

“Oh with the things I’ll do? They’ll be begging to put me in jail forever.” 

“Threatening! Thank you.” Harry said with false excitement.

Tommy just laughed.

They came across another small town, with a sight that said ‘Weclome to quesadilla’ with the word ‘island’ crossed out beside it.

“I wonder why they got rid of the island part.” Harry wondered allowed.

“Probably because it isn’t a fucking island.” Tommy snorted. “Dumb name, really.”

Harry chuckled slightly, sounding nervous. “Yeah..”

They went up to what looked like a restaurant, getting off their horses and tying them to a post out front before heading inside.

It wasn’t very crowded, with some people sitting at tables and eating, and one guy up front.

“Weclome to Roier’s restaurant! How my I help you today?” The man called out to them. He had an accent similar to the one Tommy had heard from the people they’d passed recently.

He looked up at the menu as he walked up, and Harry hummed beside him.

“Do you have any pastries?” Harry asked.

“Ooo yeah, pastries sound good.” Tommy added.

Harry could be quite smart sometimes.

Also, Tommy could not read a single fucking word on the menu board. Absolutely none of it.

“Sure sure! What do you want?”

Tommy pointed at one on display, something that looked like a baguette with strawberries on it.

“That, whatever that is.” He said, while Harry pointed at something else.

They paid for their stuff, and as the guy was getting their pastries for them Tommy had an idea.

“Hey, uh… sir.” He lowered his voice a bit, watching as the guy slowed his movements and raised an eyebrow.

“Have you ever met - like.. anyone with wings before? I’m looking for someone.” He practically whispered.

Immediately the guy’s posture changed, he straightened his back a bit as his eyes narrowed with distrust.

“Why…? Why’re you asking?” He said quietly.

Oh he definitely knew something.

Tommy carefully held out a bit of his cloak, lifting part of his wing out - hopefully not enough for anyone else to see, but enough for the guy to see Tommy’s own wings.

And his eyes widened when he saw them.

“Oh.” He whispered, before hurriedly handing them their pastries. “Off of a path near the house with the green gray and black flag, a bit into the forest there’s a house there. You’ll find him there.” He said quickly and quietly.

Holy shit.

Was it - has he actually done it?

Mindlessly he nodded, grabbing his pastry and dragging Harry out of the restaurant.

“Is it him??” Harry asked once they were outside.

“It… I think so.” Tommy let out a breath, and then narrowed his eyes. Anxiousness swirling in his gut. And.. a bit of hope.

“But it also may not be. We can’t be sure, not yet.” He said.

Once they both ate they got back on their horses, and Tommy led the way. He found the house with the flag the man described, and saw a dirt path not too far from it. They went down it into a very sparse forest, and found a small house with a garden up front and a boarded up window. He frowned.

Was it abandoned? No… the garden seemed like it was well taken care of.

He got off and tied Clementines reigns to the fence on the porch, and Harry did the same. He held out his hand to tell the man stay behind, and slowly Tommy made his way up the small steps to the dorm door.

He could hear faint chatter from inside, some in what didn’t seem to be English.

He slowly raised his hand up, letting the cloak fall back a bit and his wings spread out to be in clear view.

He hopes he wasn’t wrong about this.

But the thought that he could be right - that this could be Alex.. that Tommy could fix his flock and make them all happy - it sent sparks of warm hope fluttering through him.

He knocked, and after a few seconds someone opened the door with a friendly ‘hello?’

And god.

They- looked kinda fucked up.

Tommy’s eyes widened as he saw them, and their eye widened as they went to Tommy’s wings.

He was short, with long black hair like mum’s. He had a red ribbon tied in his hair, and a jagged horrid scar that ran across his face. His pupil looked like it had been split in half somehow, and multiple of his exposed teeth were replaced with wood. His hand, which was stretched out from holding open the door, was covered in a giant scar that twisted his skin and discolored it.

And on his back, not hidden, were two big wings. A soft golden color that made Tommy’s instincts go haywire.

He started to speak, and when he did his voice was a lot more shaky than he had intended.

“I - I think you might be my brother.”

-

Quackity blinked at the stranger in front of him.

The person who had wings. Like him…

Shit he thought he was the only one…

It took him a second to process what he had said though, and when he did Quackity blinked hard.

“Wh- what?” His own voice came out a bit squeaky and quiet.

In the corner of his eye he could see Charlie standing there in the hallway looking confused as fuck, and he almosted laughed at that.

“I, I said-“

“I heard what you said.” Quackity interrupted him, and then winced. “Sorry-“

Cucurucho never liked it when he interrupted others.

They were silent for a few moments, and he noticed someone else there, right in front of the porch near two horses - some guy without wings but wearing silver armor.

Eventually Quackity found his words again.

“Uhm… why don’t you two - come inside. I uh… I just finished making brownies.”

They weren’t particularly edible, but…

The man nodded. “Yeah, yeah..”

Quackity stepped aside to let him in, and then gestured for the other person to come inside as well. When they both entered he shut the door and led them into the kitchen, where Charlie was currently trying to eat a brownie.

He was failing.

Although, to give him credit, the brownies were overcooked and neither him or Charlie really had the most well-kept teeth. Quackity certainly tried, but Charlie swore that eating certain mint leaves and berries would clean his teeth for him. 

But try as they might - in their own… ways. Their teeth were still pretty sensitive and fragile. Quackity had a few chips off of some of his front teeth, and he remembered Charlie mentioning that he had a few molars missing.

So that combined with a basically burnt brownie meant they weren’t entirely edible.

Quackity… really needs to get barter at baking.

“What are these?” The person in armor asked, pointing at the tray.

Quackity winced. “Brownies…”

“Oh.”

The winged stranger - supposedly Quackity’s bother - narrowed his eyes.

“How do you fuck up brownies that bad?” 

Quackity’s feathers raised at the comment, and he huffed. “I don’t know man! But not all of them are burnt, at least.”

It was true, there were some on one side that were less charred. Not because of how he put them in, but because his stove just sucked. It was expensive though, so he couldn’t find it in himself to try and get a replacement.

Quackity’s ‘brother’ picked up one of the less burnt ones, slowly taking a bite out of it. Though his face was twisted in disgust. The one in armor reached for one of the more burnt ones, but he actually smiled when he bit into it.

“These are good!”

Quackity frowned at him.

His brother spoke before Quackity could say something in response to the guy. “These are hardly fucking edible. It’s probably one of the worst things I’ve put in my mouth.”

“Agreed.” Charlie finally piped up, laughing a bit as Quackity turned to glare at him. “You’re a shit cook Q-“

He grabbed one of the brownies and nobbed it at Charlie’s head, cutting him off and causing the man to yelp.

“Ow! Those actually hurt - what the fuck.” Charlie complained.

Quackity just laughed at his misery.

It was silent for just a moment before Quackity’s supposed brother spoke.

“We should introduce ourselves.”

Quackity nodded in agreement, straightening his posture slightly. Charlie continued to try and eat one of the brownies.

“I’m Tommy, and this is my guard Harry.” His brother said.

Quackity nodded again, this time slower. “You can call me Quackity. And that there is my dumbass roommate Charlie.”

“Haaay.” Charlie said, voice muffled from the food in his mouth. He swallowed after a second. “I’m not technically his roommate, I just live here.”

Tommy narrowed his eyes, and spoke slowly, “Isn’t… that what a roommate is?”

Quackity sighed. 

“He’s homeless so he stays at my place a lot. But he still refuses to permanently move in with me.” He explained.

He’s honestly been so close to just boarding up his windows and keeping Charlie there. Not even letting him leave to go into town.

Safe in Quackity’s weird pile of blankets - where he belongs.

“So he’s like your hostage?” Harry asked.

Charlie snorted at that, and Quackity quickly shook his head, chuckling.

“No no no! Nothing like that.” He said.

“Exactly like that.” Charlie unhelpfully said with a smile.

Quackity glared at him again, sighing.

Tommy was looking back and forth between the two with some expression Quackity couldn’t read, his wings and feathers shifting. Finally his gaze set on Quackity.

“I have a lot to tell you. About… our family.” He said.

Quackity froze for a second, and then blinked.

Right.

This was-

He actually had a family.

Nights of crying and feeling alone in the world, of being made to feel like he was a freak of nature. Of thinking he was the only one with wings… The whole being an orphan part wasn’t what had hurt him. He had always wanted a family, but he was more than happy to just find his own. Even if the fact that he never had a parent to help him had stung, somewhere deep down.

But it was the fact that he thought he was alone in… the whole wings thing. 

Quackity knew he wasn’t normal. It obviously wasn’t just the wings. Sometimes he’d ’be possessed’ as his friends and him joked. Make chirps and other birds sounds, not letting his friends leave his sight in those moments. He knew he absolutely loved water, and could hold his breath for far longer than normal people could. And he had that large pile of blankets in his room, and trinkets of fake gold and anything even relatively shiny that caught the sun’s light.

He’d always wondered… were his parents like that? Did he have a mother who did the same, making piles of blankets and collecting shiny things? Did his father have the same wings as him, and love the water?

He thought he was alone.

And yet here was Tommy. Someone who looked just a bit younger than Quackity, who had wings. Not like his own, but… wings nonetheless.

“You- uh… are you okay?” Tommy’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts, looking at Quackity with concern and a bit of panic.

Quackity felt something wet running down one side of his face, and he realized he was crying. He wiped the tears away as his feathers puffed up in embarrassment.

“I’m - I’m fine.” He stuttered a bit.

“Me and Harry will leave the room.” Charlie said, voice a bit softer as he got up. Taking the tray of burnt brownies with him as Harry followed.

Quackity just nodded.

Him and Tommy both sat down at the table after a moment of silence, Quackity still wiping tears away and trying to stop more from falling. He gave Tommy a small smile.

Tommy smiled back.

“So what - what happened?” Quackity asked, his smile falling away. “You said we’re family. How… how’d I end up…” here? Separated? Alone…

“You disappeared a bit before I was born. My family, mostly my older brother Tech, looked everywhere for you. But we could never find you. Eventually my father convinced Techno to stop going out.” Tommy explained.

It kind of hurt to hear that. That he had an older brother who was looking for him… but he’s sure there was more to it.

It still stung though, and Quackity found himself narrowing his eyes.

“We all tried to live normally for a while after that. Tech always seemed angry about it, but my dad still sent out search parties.”

Oh, so they were still looking.

Wait how the fuck could they afford whole search parties?!?

Before he got the chance to ask how much money they had, Tommy continued speaking. His face now lighting up with an excitement that made something in Quackity very happy.

“But then I thought, hey, what if you’re somewhere far away? So far away that you never would have even heard of us. And the search parties wouldn’t have reached. So I ran off and left my family a note. My dad’s probably pissed, but I’m far enough away now that they’ve probably given up and are just waiting for me to come back. But I found you!”

Quackity smiled.

“You did… But your dad is going to be pissed that you left.” He laughed. “At least I’m sure he’ll be happy you’re safe.”

Tommy nodded, “And he’ll be happy to see you too! So will mum.”

Quackity hummed.

He really has a mother… and a father - and a younger brother, right in front of him. And an older brother! He wonders if that’s it, or if he has other family.

It did make him feel bad for Charlie though… Quackity got his family, but Charlie… he still had no one. Besides Quackity that is.

At the very least he was human. Well, dubiously human. Quackity doesn’t know if humans can be that batshit insane and have that little self preservation. And be weird about bones and caves.

“What did your note to them say?” He asked.

Tommy shrugged, “It’s been a while since I wrote it, I can’t really remember. I know it wasn’t much, just a quick ‘I’m going out to find my brother, sorry not sorry.’ But that’s it.”

Quackity chuckled.

“Okay well… maybe you should send them another. Just to let them know you haven’t died. My friend has a messenger bird.” He said. “Her bird’s are all pretty fast too.”

Tommy nodded, but frowned slightly. “If I send a bird though they might all march their way over here… I don’t know if they could control their instincts with this.”

“Instincts…?” Quackity said slowly, raising his eyebrow.

“Oh shit…” Tommy’s eyes widened. “You know nothing about our species.”

“Is there - it’s a whole species? Is there more of us? If there are others how do you know-“ ‘if I’m actually your missing brother’ went unsaid as Tommy interrupted him.

“No there’s just… our family is the last of our kind.” Tommy said apologetically. “Sorry Quacks.”

He looked down at the table for a moment, frowning.

He guessed it made sense… but it was still sad.

He had family - but he was still alone wasn’t he? They all were.

He looked back up and put on a smile. “That’s alright. Uh… tell me more about our family?”

‘Our’ felt almost.. wrong to say. But at the same time it made something inside of him happy, and he stifled a chirp at the thought.

Bigger family-

His brain whispered to him. He usually referred to it as his ‘bird brain’ since it seemed to be the thing that caused a lot of the weird things he did.

Tommy’s smiled widened, and he puffed his chest out and held up his chin in pride.

“Well for starters, We’re rulers big man. Our parents are the king and queen of the Antarctic empire, on the other side of the world.” He said.

Quackity blinked, awkwardly chuckling. “Sure.. But what do they-“

Tommy interrupted him again, and Quackity’s eye twitched in annoyance.

“I’m serious! It may be hard to believe for you, since you’ve never heard of us. But I’m not lying! How do you think we’ve stayed alive being the last of our species? If we didn’t have a bunch a’ guards n’ shit we’d all have been kidnapped and fucking tortured or something by people who want our feathers!” Tommy exclaimed.

Quackity paled at the mention of torture, and he looked down at the table as his shoulders hunched and his wings pressed close to himself.

“Oh…” he heard Tommy whisper. “Shit… don’t tell me - those scars - fuck.” He sounded sad, but his last word - that swear - was filled with anger.

“They’re… They’re dead now. I - I think.” Quackity mumbled. “Cucurucho… C-Can’t hurt me anymore.”

Only in his nightmares can the man with the best mask get to him.

He watched Étoiles drive a sword through him. He knew he was dead.

“Well if he was alive I would like to have several choice words with him.” Tommy huffed, and Quackity looked back up at him with a small smile.

“I’m sure you would.” He chuckled.

“Wait so - so our family’s really…? Jesus.” He swore.

Tommy nodded. “Yup! And we live in a much better place than… uh - no offense Big Q, but your home is kinda shit.”

Quackity laughed, and then jokingly glared at him. “How dare you - royal scum - my home is the pinnacle of comfort! The rain dripping from the ceiling is ambience! The mold has a great smell-“

“There’s fucking mold in here!?!?” Tommy screamed. “What the fuck?!” 

Quackity burst out into laughter, and when he calmed down he shook his head.

“No no - that - that was just p- That was a joke. There’s no mold here. There are cracks in the roof though, rain does get in.”

Tommy’s face was still twisted into one of concern.

“I can’t believe you live like this…”

“Tom, thousands of people live like that.” Quackity frowned. “I hate to break it to you, but… this is normal.”

“It shouldn’t be.” Tommy huffed.

Quackity could not agree more.

“So who all is there?” He asked. “In our… family.”

“Well there’s me, you, our two older brothers Techno and Wilbitch-“ Quackity snorted at the nickname, and Tommy paused for a second to laugh. “Wilbur. And our parents, Phil and Kristen. Dad and mum.”

Quackity nodded.

“Do you have… anyone here?” Tommy asked slowly, like he was unsure if he should be asking. “Anyone you call family?”

Quackity hummed, going quite for a moment. 

“Well… I have Charlie, and all my other friends. There’s Étoiles. He’s the one killed Cucurucho.” Quackity smiled when it came to talking about his French friend, his wings shifting a bit.

Tommy made a strange face, and Quackity frowned, confused.

“What?”

“Nothing.” Tommy shrugged, smiling mischievously.

Quackity blinked. “Okay…”

“So!” Tommy stood up from the table. “Where’s that person with the messenger birds? I wanna send a note back to my family. I know it’ll still take a while for them to get it, but birds are a lot faster than people.”

Quackity nodded, standing up as well. “Yeah just, follow me.”

He walked out to the kitchen and into the living room, seeing Charlie and Harry… trying to see who could stuff the most brownies in their face??

Quackity laughed at the scene, and when Tommy came up he laughed as well.

Charlie tried to say something but it was too muffled to hear, and Harry gave them a thumbs up.

“What the fuck??” Tommy laughed.

“Well uh - gods - I’m gonna take Tommy to Jaiden so he can get a letter to his family.”

Harry nodded and Charlie tried to say something again.

Quackity just snorted and left the house.

“So have you thought about what you’re gonna tell them?” Quackity asked.

Tommy hummed, shaking his head. “No… Not really.”

“Well… why don’t we hang out a bit before that? I can introduce you to some of my friends. So you have some time to think about what to write.” Quackity offered.

He wanted to spend some more time with… his family. That felt weird to say.

Was it odd that he felt like he wanted to stick around Tommy? Keep him safe? He doesn’t even know the guy, and yet something inside of him doesn’t care. Just happy to find their family.

Tommy smiled and nodded firmly. “Yeah, let’s do that.”

—

They were all, understandably, stressed.

The dining room was painfully quiet as they all ate, and Wilbur had the urge to get up and pace around.

Tommy’s been gone for a while now… two months. Two fucking months.

For two months his baby brother has been gone, and it was clear he wasn’t the only one shaken up by this. 

Philza had killed several guards and fired many more when he had first seen the letter, and things just got worse when no patrol could find him. Wilbur himself had gone flying out a few times. His mother tried to calm their father down some, but it was clear in the subtle movements of her wings and eyes that she was angry too.

They were all angry, and worried beyond belief.

If - no, the second they got Tommy back, he was staying in the nest for the next several years.

Things had mostly fallen to a stop at this point. They didn’t know where Tommy was or how long he’d be gone, and they couldn’t find him. So the only option was to wait for him to come back… and pray he didn’t die.

Wilbur will burn down a village if his brother doesn’t ever return.

“Soo-“ Techno started to speak, breaking the awkward silence. But before he could even say more there was a tap at the window, beak against glass.

But when Wilbur turned to look at the window, he raised his eyebrows at the bird that was certainly not a crow.

“It’s a Messenger bird.” His father said.

“I’ll get it.” Wilbur said, standing up before his family could. He opened the window and let the bird hop onto his arm, and he unhooked the rolled up message from around its chest.

When he turned around his brother was standing.

“Who is it from?” Techno demanded. He sounded on edge, which had been his brother’s mood for a while now since Tommy left.

Wilbur unrolled it and looked at the first line, letting out a sigh of relief. “It’s from Tom.”

He didn’t look up from the paper, but he could imagine the looks on his family members faces.

“What does it say?” His mother asked.

Wilbur cleared his throat, and started reading.

“It’s me, Tommy. I’m sorry for running away, but I did it. I-“ Wilbur cut himself off, eyes widened as he stared at the page.

There was no way.

There- He thought he had died. Did he actually-

“What’s wrong?” Dad asked.

“Wilbur?” Techno huffed, chirping a bit in concern.

He continued to read.

“I found him. I found Alex.” Wilbur paused again, looking back up at his family.

He felt like crying.

Philza and Kristen were both standing now, looking at him with wide eyes.

“Well what are you waiting for? Read the rest.” Techno ushered.

Wilbur nodded, looking back down.

“He goes by Quackity now, just so you know. He had mum’s hair and eyes, and his wings look like gold. He’s really nice, but he’s also pretty sad. His home is shit and his memory is worse. People hurt him before, he has a lot of scars.” Wilbur frowned.

“He has this giant scar across the side of his face, and burn scars up his arms. The person who hurt him is apparently dead now. I actually just met the guy who killed him - Quackity definitely has a crush on the guy. His wings give it away.”

“He doesn’t know anything about Avian stuff. He didn’t even realize he had a nest! He just called it a pile of blankets! Anyway, I hope you can forgive me for running off. By the time you get this letter I don’t think I would have left to come back home yet. I don’t think I can convince Quackity to come with me, but maybe you guys can?”

“I hope you get this letter. Jaiden said all of her birds knew how to avoid people who weren’t meant to get the message, but I’m not so confident. She can lead you back the way she came though, right to the small village here. It’s a nice place, I get why Quackity hasn’t gone somewhere else. From the best man to ever exist, Tommy.”

Wilbur took in a breath after he finished reading, and the room was dead silent for a moment.

He thinks he was crying.

His little brothers were both okay.

—

They had actually showed up. Half a month after Jaiden’s bird should have arrived - he’s guessing they flew. 

But Quackity was too nervous to go out and say hi just yet. Tommy had run out, but he stayed inside with Charlie. Nervously pacing in the kitchen.

“You’ll be fine, they’ll love you.” Charlie tried to assure.

Quackity just shook his head. “I - I have to watch the brownies. They’ll be done any moment now.” He excused.

He was getting much better at making them. His last two batches had been edible! It helped that Tom had the money to get him better ingredients.

“Suuure.” Charlie hummed.

He just - what if they didn’t like them? What if they hated Quackity?

He knows it’s probably stupid to think that but it didn’t stop his thoughts.

He let out a strange drawn out bird-like sound, and Charlie suddenly hugged him. Quackity melted into the touch, trying his best not to cry as he buried his face in the crook of his friend’s neck, wrapping his wings around him.

He doesn’t know why they don’t hug more often. Both of them loved hugs, even if neither of them admitted it.

After a few moments he pulled away, and Charlie pat his shoulders.

“It’ll be fine.” He said, smiling.

Quackity tried to give him a smile back. “Yeah… Yeah.”

The little timer went off, and Quackity pulled the brownies out of the oven. They looked good.

He smiled silently to himself, and he went to retrieve Tom.

Quackity slowed his steps as he entered his living room, and got closer to the open front door. He frowned slightly as he could hear arguing outside. When he peeked his head around he could see Tommy being scolded by several other people. The people he described to Quackity…

He took in a deep breath, and did his best to shove his nerves to the side as he stepped further into the doorway.

He somewhat loudly cleared his throat, finding it amusing the way they all went quiet and turned to look at him. To make sure he didn’t instantly crumble into a puddle on the floor, Quackity just kept his gaze on Tommy.

“The brownies are done Tom - if you still want one.” He said.

It was awkwardly silent for a second, before Tommy cheered.

“Fuck yeah!” He ran up and past Quackity into the house, and suddenly he was left there.

He nervously turned his gaze back to the others. The first person to walk forward was a woman around his height, with hair and eyes like his own. Although his hair was a lot greasier and more unkempt, about the only thing helping the look being the ribbon in his hair.

She walked up to him, cooing in a way that made his brain feel all fuzzy. She gently grabbed the side of his face, and she smiled at him. She looked like she was close to tears.

“My son…” She half whispered.

Quackity was crying now. He could feel the tears moving down the unscarred side of his face. And she just whipped them away.

Chapter Text

Hey, it’s Tom.

I know you’re probably mad at me for running off. But I did it! I found Alex. He actually goes by Quackity now, but either way I found him.

I was going to send a letter right away, but then I forgot. Sorry if I made you think I had died or something. I hope you haven’t worried too much about me leaving.

I don’t know how long it took me to get here, but I’ve been with Quackity for a few weeks now. He’s great! He’s kind like mum, and has plays the guitar like Wil! He’s also pretty dramatic like Wilbur.

He has this garden outside his house and a bunch of potted plants inside. His house is really small, it only has a kitchen/dinning room, living room, bathroom, and one bedroom/nest room.

That reminds me! Quackity didn’t even know it was called a nest! He knows nothing about instincts and shit, and he definitely can’t control them.

He has this roommate called Charlie, and sometimes Quackity just locks him in the bedroom and won’t let him leave the nest. I had to distract him so Charlie could sneak out just so he could use the bathroom!

Quackity’s also really weird. You thought Wilbur was weird? Q’s worse! Somehow.

We were just walking outside when Quackity fucking lunged into this river - and he came out with a fish. He caught a fish. And then ate it, raw.

Guess I’m not the most feral family member after all.

I know this letter is kinda long, but there’s so much about him I wanna share with you guys!

It’s been great spending time with him. I’m not sure if I can convince him to come back with me though, he seems pretty happy here.

The town he lives in is called Quesadilla island. Except the island part is crossed out on the sign entrance.

Anyway please don’t ground me for all of eternity. If you do I will make your guy’s life a living hell and burn down Techno’s potato farm

-You’re favorite younger brother, Tommy.

-

Dear family,

This is Tommy speaking. Well, writing.

I know you’re all probably pretty mad at me for leaving, and not saying anything besides leaving a letter. I can’t really remember what I wrote, but I left to find Alex.

I wasn’t going to come back until I did.

I sort of lied though, I have found him. I’ve stayed with him for about a few weeks now? Quackity doesn’t have a calendar.

Oh that’s his new name by the way! Quackity. I like to call him Big Q though.

He’s really nice, but he also doesn’t know anything about being an avian. Whats weird is he also didn’t get his wings until he was around fifteen. Can you believe that?! He got them in so late!

Q lives in this small house in this small town called Quasidilla island. Which is a stupid name because it’s hard to spell and it isn’t on an island.

He has this friend named Charlie who’s basically his roommate. Charlie is really weird, but he gets a pass for being Quackity’s best friend.

Apparently the two found each other when they were teenagers, and stuck around each other. Neither of them remember their birthday either so they just celebrate it together on whatever day of the year they feel like.

I also got to teach Quackity how to fly! Apparently he never learned how. Big Q’s wings are this yellow gold color, and I swear they shine just like gold does when the light hits them.

He also has this really bad scar across his face. He told me people had hurt him, but that those people are dead now.

I got to meet the person who helped kill the people who hurt him, and Quackity totally has a crush on the guy. He keeps making those gross chirps dad makes at mum all the time! I don’t think he realizes what the chirps mean. It’s really easy to read him.

-From the one and only TommyInnit

-

Hi, this is Tommy. Sorry if you thought I was dead. But also how dare you! I would never let myself die.

Anyway, cutting straight to the chase, I found him. I found Alexis. Well, Quackity is what he calls himself now.

I don’t want to use up all the ink, so I’ll try and keep this short.

Quackity’s great. He’s really nice, but also very… he can be a lot. Some guy insulted me and Quackity blew up his house. I also watched him catch and eat a raw fish with his bare hands. It was disgusting.

He has long black hair like Mum, and yellow wings that look almost like gold. He has these scars over his hands and face, but Quackity told me the people who gave him those scars are dead now.

He works as a teacher in his small town, and though he complains about his job he seems to really like it.

There’s so much I want to say, but not enough ink.

Please, come over. Help me convince him to come back home. The small town he lives in is called quesadilla island - ps it’s not an island.

-

I’m sorry for darting off in the middle of the night. I know I’ve been gone for a really long time - oh this is Tom speaking by the way - but I did it.

I found Alexis. Or Quackity, as he now goes by.

I stayed with him a few days before I decided to write this letter to you guy’s. I’m sorry for not writing back sooner, but I got a bit carried away with shit. Then it just slipped my mind.

But Quackity’s great! He’s funny and kind. He doesn’t know much about his instincts, hell he didn’t even know how to fly. I taught him though, he took to it really quickly.

There’s so much I wanna say about him, and his life. But you know I think it would better if you guys came here. And also helped me try and convince him to come home with us - I brought it up once but Quackity shut the convo down pretty quickly.

He lives in this small town called Quesadilla island. It isn’t an island, by the way.

He also said he wanted to write something in the letter himself! He doesn’t want me seeing what he’ll write so you’ll all know before me.

-The Best, Tommy

Hi this is Quackity - come get your gremlin. He called me feral, well he is worse. Motherfucker ate a whole pan of cookies on his own! The whole god damn pan. They weren’t even that good, I’m a shit cook. Also he broke my front door. Please come retrieve him, my address is [_]

-Someone way cooler than Tom will ever be