Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

This wasn’t supposed to happen. They were supposed to have a fun day out. His son was supposed to have a play date with his two best friends, finally able to leave the little cottage the family called home, after having spend so much time in it since his last visit to his grandfather a few weeks ago.
He himself had a day planned with his own best friend. They were supposed to explore a new area that they had found, as well as a village residing there, which they had not visited before. Maybe they could even create a new trading route. They could all benefit from that. Prime knows how bad the tundras can get with their snowstorms.

Instead, his babysitter called, saying he wasn’t available because their boss had some last-minute business for him to take care of. That was alright. Not the best of course, but he couldn’t be mad. The problem after all wasn’t that his babysitter and friend didn’t have time.

No, the problem was that his boss – out of nowhere – decided to show up at his front door, wanting to “talk”. How his boss managed to find out his exact whereabouts was a mystery. He didn’t have an answer and it was scaring him. After all, his boss has never asked him on where he lives. The young father had only ever said he’d live in a tundra, quite a few blocks away from his work place.

But that was still okay, right? It was just supposed to be a talk. Maybe because of work?
Whatever, nothing could possibly go wrong here, right? Maybe he should stop seeing everything so dark, expecting to get hurt at any given opportunity. His boss has also been a longterm friend of his. Right?

Wrong.

Oh, how wrong he was about that.

That talk – as it turned out – was not a talk, but rather a one-way ticket to the lands of pain and despair. He had tried his best to never let something like that happen ever again. But he had failed. And now he brought danger not only upon himself, but also upon his beloved ones, his family. His husband and his child.

He felt the pain seep into his bones, his soul. The blood seeped through his clothes and stained them an ugly red. It hurt and burned, past and long forgotten events flashed before his eyes, and he had to try his best to shake them off – now was not the time!

He had to get out. Get out of the place he once deemed safe and away from the person who he once saw as a friend. They may have had their misunderstandings and painful moments in the past, but they had been through so much together. Turns out it didn’t matter. Turns out the other turned into the same monster that caused them both so much pain. Turns out he changed to the worst of himself and would hurt anyone who stood in his way. Turns out his boss wasn’t any better than the people they both despised the most.

He knew he had to get out of there. If not for himself, then at least for his son.

He kicked the other, his foot landing in his stomach and successfully pushing him away. His boss landed on the table in the centre of the room and let out a loud cry in pain, his back having landed against the sharp edge of the wooden surface.

The younger grabbed his son from behind the chests in the corner, where the young parent asked him to hide as soon as the knock on the front door was heard. The father pulled his son close to his chest and ran. Ran as far away from the house that has kept him and his family safe for so long, and didn’t look back. He heard the other scream behind him; yell at him to come back and accept the punishment he deserved. Screaming it was his own fault, yelled that he would make it hurt less if he returned now, said he would make it quick.

But the teen knew it wasn’t going to turn into a lighter punishment. Oh, how he knew it would be so much worse than what already happened. He trusted that man once and that was a mistake. Could he even trust anyone now? Was there even one person that would want to help them after all that has happened? After having hurt so many people? Probably not. No, most definitely not. He was the bad guy after all, the one to always fuck everything up he touched and cherished deeply. He was the government after all, and not a person to care about.  

But there was one thing he could make right as of now. One last thing to do before he would meet his awaiting demise. He could save his son and bring him to a place where the teen was more than sure his little Piglin toddler would be loved dearly and be safe again.

So, he changed his direction, trying to find the way to the only place he knew would keep his family safe and sound under any circumstances. After all, he used to be a part of that family at some point in time.

He knew it was going to be a long journey and he wasn’t sure how much of a toll it would take on his already bruised and damaged body. But if there was one thing he could do, it was to keep his son safe. He made a promise, that he would never let anyone hurt his family again. And he was more than set on keeping that promise, in any way he can. Even if he wasn’t the one directly doing the protecting.

Tears ran down his cheeks and mixed themselves with the blood of the wound on his head. He could feel the red liquid running down his face and even his neck, but he couldn’t care about that right now. His sons safety was a much higher priority than his own well-being.
The pain shooting up his spine and leg, as well as the blood loss took it’s expected toll on his body, but he didn’t dare to stop with the adrenaline that was pumping on high speed through his veins. He had to take his son to a safe place, away from all that pain and the sight of such a gruesome act. That was the only thing on his mind as he ran and ran, dodging the branches in his way, ignoring the many times he slipped on the ice of the frozen over river, ignoring the animals he spooked with his loud footsteps, ignoring everything besides his son in his arms and the quietening shouts behind him. The others voice was faint and far away, but the teen didn’t dare to look back or let himself slow down.

The adrenaline in his blood didn’t dare to let him stop while the pain screamed at him to just take a break. But he ignored it and pushed through. He had fought in wars before and always had to ignore the pain in those times - this wasn’t that much different, only that he wasn’t in a war and completely alone. No one was there to help him. No, now it was his turn to protect someone once again, to protect his son from any sort of violence. The toddler was not supposed to grow up in a place surrounded by despair and hate, by blood and death. He was supposed to be happy, surrounded by love and joy, by care and laughter.

He had to make this right. He had to!

His own husband already wasn’t all that happy with him. The young father had to fear his title of a married man after an argument the two had. It was a stupid thing to argue about, really, but it had still ended in a bad fight. Even though his husband didn’t know the full story on what happened and what was the reason for things to turn out as they did, it didn’t matter in the end. His husband will probably never find out about what happened back in the past. The young father didn’t have much time left and he doubted that anyone would want to tell his husband the truth anyways. Everyone has lied for too long…

Trees. A little river, frozen over due to the icy temperatures. A cold breeze rustled to the leafs and sounded like a far off cry. A few polar foxes scattered through the forest - startled by the young father continuously stumbling through the woods.

The young father took note of the fact that the forest seemed to have grown even more since the last time he had visited his former family. It seemed a little surreal, but the teen wasn’t surprised, as there were literal gods under the people he’s come to know in the few years he had lived here. Gods of different kinds: Chaos, Death, War, Gods of different believes, the elements of earth. Besides the God of Nature – a literal Being full of Life.

Never have they shown themselves to anyone and the former people that used to reside in these lands have started to think that maybe this place never had the God of Nature to begin with.

Even the people here who are hybrids have different kinds of power. It’s no surprise to anyone that some people have some kind of power in them and different abilities, whether or not they come with what type of hybrid they are.

The boy shook his head, trying to get his thoughts back in order. He couldn’t risk getting distracted now and bring his son in danger. He had to focus!
That wasn’t easy though as the blood continued to leave his body and most likely left a red trail behind him, which would mean that his hunter would be able catch up to him eventually because of it.
However, he knew he had at least one high advantage of the other. After all, the young father was quick with his survivor instincts kicked in to the max, and he was even used to fighting and running in a state such as this due to the seemingly endless wars he took part in at some point in the long forgotten history.

Even so, he wouldn’t stand a chance fighting the other as his body was damaged too much already and the fact that he’s been running for the past while didn’t help his case at all.

He could see the end of the forest ahead of him and let out a cry in relief before starting to cough and setting bits of red flying. He pulled his son closer to his chest, hoping he didn’t spread any blood on his pink fur.

“It’s o-okay honey, you’ll be safe… you’ll be safe soon. Bee will ma-make sure of th-that. Just hold on a bit… a bit longer for me, yeah?”, the young father forced out.
His son just whimpered and tried to muffle his cries in his father’s jacket.

The teen bursts through the tree line and his gaze immediately found the two little cottages in the middle of the snowed ground surrounded by a fence in order to keep the mobs out. The brunette tried to hurry and run faster – a miracle that it was even possible at this point.

He came to a halt as soon as he saw the two big polar bears sleeping in front of the stairs. They were chained to a pole in the wall, but it was clear on how long the chain actually was. That meant if he did one thing wrong, the bears would most likely try and kill him (Why does everyone want to kill me today???). He had totally forgotten about them.
The young father took a deep breath and quietly walked past the bears, trying his best as to not wake them up. Walking up the stairs a new set of tears started to run down his cheeks – he couldn’t continue to hold them back any longer.

It was unfair. So, so unfair. His family wasn’t at fault. Why should they have to pay for the wrongs that he did? Why should they suffer if he was the one to make the mistakes?

He wiped his tear- and blood-stained face and crouched down in front of the door. He gently pulled his son a bit away from his chest in order to look at him.

“Hey honey”, he cooed. New tears rolled down his cheeks. “What do you say about staying with Grandpa for a bit?”

The little one only shook his head and tried to get even closer to his father than he already was. The young father pulled his son back into his embrace and kissed his forehead. “I’m sorry, honey. But you will have to stay here for a bit.” Once again, the child shook his head. A little sob escaped his throat.

“No, don’t cry! Shh shh, it’s okay.” The father cooed softly to his son and hummed a tune, rocking back and forth slightly. “Grandpa will take wonderful care of you, and Boo will be here with you soon as well. You’ll spend some time with them, alright? And you will even finally get to meet one of your other uncles!”

The toddler looked up, tears running down his cheek, his eye big and filled with tears as it looked at his dad. Worry, fear and sadness were visible in his eye.

“Don’t worry”, the young father said, “Bee will be alright!” He kissed his son all across his face, his fluffy pink side and carefully on his infected side. “Bee will be back soon, okay?”

“⊹ꈌ⌑≡ꑇ⌤≚?”, the child said, his voice tiny and oh so quiet, as if scared of the answer.

A choked sob escaped the father’s throat. “Yes. I promise. I love you honey.” The tears now freely ran down his cheeks, the teenager unable to hold them back.

“⋕⌑⋈≚  ⊒ϟ⊒⊒☩”, the child said, once again burying his head in the others chest.

Carefully, the father pulled out a necklace from a hidden pocket in his jacket and handed it to his son. “This was a gift from my oldest brother”, he said. “It’s handmade. After grandpa finally adopted me, your uncle gave it to me as a ‘Welcome to the family’ present. It was actually really sweet.” Another sob escaped his throat. “Can you promise me something, honey?”
The toddler slowly nodded his head.
“Take very good care of it for me, alright? Can you promise me that?”
“⊹ꈌ⌑≡ꑇ⌤≚”, the child said.

Big eyes watched as the hands of his father placed the necklace around his neck, the chain needing to be circled around him for a few times, as the necklace was way to big for the toddler.
“Thank you, honey. I trust you with this, alright?”
The child nodded and held his little hand up. His father giggled and took the little hand in his own. “Good.”

The father sighed, and then looked at the door. Without wasting another thought he banged his fist against the wood. Though there was no answer, he knew the person in the little cabin must have heard him.

“Goodbye, my little honeybee. ꑇ ⋕⌑⋈≚ ☩⌑‡”, he once again repeated and pressed another kiss to his forehead. Before his child could react, he gently laid him down on the ground against the wall and fled down the stairs, startling the two bears and few foxes on the side of the forest he burst into.

Upon his father’s disappearance the child started crying and wailing out loud, needing to see his father again, not wanting to be left alone and be without him.

The whaling’s of the toddler definitely drew attention in the cottage it laid in front of.
Loud footsteps echoed in the cottage, heavy boots on wooden floor. Quickly, the door was opened to reveal a man. He had light sandy blonde hair and a short beard. A green and white hat rested on top of his hair. He had light blue eyes, looking like the sky on a clear sunny day or the warm ocean in the coral reefs. His forehead was slightly wrinkled, showing his worry and concern. He wore something that looked similar to a black kimono with green accents. A red heart was imprinted on his chest and glowed a faded crimson in the light of the day. Heavy black crow-like wings were folded on his back and twitched every few seconds.

His light blue eyes landed on the brown bundle on his doorstep. Recognition soon placed itself over his facial features and he quickly bent down to pick the little child up.
“What the… Michael?”, he asked.
His grandchild didn’t look up, only nuzzled closer to him. It was cold and all he wanted was to be held in his dads’ arms again. Was that too much to ask for?

“Let’s get you inside and warm you up.”
Philza looked around the clearing, noticing the footprints and – to his horror – red stains in the snow. Phil’s wings twitched and puffed out. Quickly he turned around and closed the door. Whatever happened, he had to find out as soon as possible. But first, he had to warm up his grandson.

He lit up the fireplace and sat down on the carpet in front of it, pulling Michael closer to his chest. The little Piglin child stared into the flames, holding onto one of Phil’s fingers.

Phil took out his communicator and called the first person that came to mind: Ranboo. Impatiently he waited for the other to answer, biting his lip in worry.

“Hello? Phil?”, came the answer after what felt like hours to Phil.

“Ranboo? Are you, okay?”, as much as Phil tried, he couldn’t keep the worry out of his voice.
Michael looked up at the mention of his father’s name.
“Me?”, the Enderman hybrid asked. “Yeah. Yeah, I’m alright. Why? Is…is everything okay?”
Phil looked down at Michael. “No, no it’s not. Where are you?”
“I just finished mining for the day, I was looking for more diamonds.”
“So, you’ll be back soon?”
“Yes, I am on my way back.”
“Could you hurry? Michael is here.” Phil looked down at his grandson, the little Piglin looking up at him with his big eye and slightly damp fur.
“Michael? Why is Michael with you?” Ranboo sounded irritated and just as worried as Phil felt.
“I don’t know. Just hurry!”
“Yes. I’m on my way. See you in a bit!”
“See you, mate!” And with that the call ended.

Phil looked back at Michael and smiled. “Don’t worry, Boo will be here soon.”
Gently Philza rocked back and forth, before remembering to call Tubbo. After all, Tubbo was Michael’s father just as much as Ranboo was.

However, the young father didn’t pick up. Nor did he pick up any of the other next five calls.
Phil bit his lip once again, drawing a bit of blood in the process.

Sure, he and Tubbo didn’t have the best relationship, but they were getting better. Or at least that is what he had originally thought.

Pick up, pick up, pick up! Come on!!

The young father knew his son wouldn’t be safe if he stayed with him.

It was getting hard to breathe, the pain of his wounds was slowly getting the best of him. Black spots filled his vision, and he could hear the other behind him.

The young father didn’t see the root in front of him and when he finally realised it, it was already too late. His body fell and he didn’t have any form of energy in him left to reach his arms forward in order to shield himself from the pain.

Once his head and chest hit the snowed ground, he knew he wouldn’t be able to get back up again. He knew he had lost. It was over. But at least Michael is now safe.

“Really? That was kind of pointless, wasn’t it?”

His hunter stood behind him, breathing heavily from the whole running he just did. “Oh well, now we just have to do things differently. Your punishment will have to be changed a little, mi querido.”
He crouched down in front of the younger and grinned. “Ready to meet some old friends?”

He laughed aloud. It was the last thing the teen heard before a sharp pain ran through his head and everything went black.

I am sorry, honey. I might be gone for longer than I thought…

Please forgive me, my dear, for having kept this all from you all this time…

Chapter Text

I am sorry, honey. I might be gone for longer than I thought…

Philza walked around nervously in the snow right in front of his house. The snow beneath his feet was almost completely melted, small patches of grass which somehow survived the cold peeked through. He didn’t notice it though, way too deep in his head to register anything around him.

Michael had stopped crying minutes (or has it been longer?) ago and fell asleep in his grandfather’s arms out of sheer exhaustion. Phil was just glad the little child got some rest.

Philza still hoped this was all only a big misunderstanding, that the bloody splotches in the snow were only from an injured animal which somehow went to close to one of the bears.

But if Phil thought about it, it could only have been Tubbo who could’ve brought Michael to his door. But then why didn’t he stay? If it was really his blood, why did he run away? Why didn’t he let Phil patch him up? What if he was badly injured? What if he was about to die?

Phil shook his head. He didn’t want to think about that possibility. It was probably just a misunderstanding. Totally a misunderstanding. Yeah.

But then why was Michael to scared?

The crows hidden in the trees tried to get Phil’s attention. Someone or something made its way through the trees. However, the Angel of Death didn’t listen, didn’t hear them. Too wrapped up in his thoughts.

He only realized something was going on when one of the crows jumped in front of his feet.

“Oh”, the man let out. “Sorry, didn’t see you there, mate.”

The crow didn’t make a noise, only flew up to sit on Phil’s shoulder and looked in the direction of the forest.

Only now did the man realize the crows flying around the tree line, clearly excited about something.

“What is it?”

A tall figure made its way through the trees and at first, Phil believed it to be an Enderman. But he quickly realized it was none other than Ranboo, the purple glow of his enchanted armor giving him away.

Ranboo hurried up as he noticed Phil standing in the snow. As he broke through the tree line, he put his axe away.

“Hey, mate”, the older said, a slight smile on his face though it didn’t fully reach his eyes.

“Where is Michael?” Ranboo wanted to see his son and make sure he was okay. He was scared the little one was hurt from the way Phil had talked about it on the phone. Something was definitely wrong here. His particles flew around him, all having a different kind of behavior. Some just appeared and vanished, others almost looked like they were glitching out of reality, again others flew from one side to the other, not standing still. Everything was in constant motion, showing the distress from the young Enderman hybrid.

“Come inside”, is all the other said. “He’s sleeping on the couch.”

Ranboo nodded and followed the other into the cottage.

The warmth of the fire in the back of the house had warmed up the whole place. A low orange light emitted from the back, the fire continuously burning bright from it‘s place on the Netherrack.

Ranboo tried taking his armor off, but his hands were shaking way too much, so he couldn’t open the leather straps holding the pieces together. Phil just sighed and stepped forward, gently pushing Ranboo’s long trembling fingers away. The Enderman hybrid bent down slightly, in order to let Phil reach the straps better. It would’ve been a comedic sight if the air hadn’t been so tense with the fear hanging heavy in the air.

Phil’s hands were trembling as well, though not nearly as much as the young Enderman’s. Slowly and carefully, he opened the straps of Ranboo’s armor freeing his arms and his chest. After a nod from Ranboo, he opened the straps on his legs, so the hybrid could step out of them.

Together they hung up the armor on its stand and Phil ushered his son in law into the living room.

Ranboo spotted his son and immediately and ran towards him in order to search him for any injuries. Though at taking a closer look, he noticed that his son had one of his arms slung around a purple shimmering crow. Besides it registering in his mind, he didn’t pay much attention to it anyways. He was way too focused on his son. Another smaller crow sat beside the two, cuddled close to them both.

“He’s fine, mate. I couldn’t find any injuries.” Phil sat down on the couch beside the father-and-son-duo.

Ranboo was about to look up when he noticed a dark spot on his son’s shirt.

“What the…” He ran a hand carefully over the spot, seeing the lighter speckles beside it. “Is that blood?!” Ranboo’s eyes were wide open, and his lip trembled as he couldn’t tear his eyes away.

Phil’s head snapped into his direction, before a relieved sign escaped him. “It isn’t his.”

Ranboos head turned so fast into his direction, the crack of his bones was easily able to make out. Unlike Phil, the younger didn’t flinch though.

“I have an idea on who’s it might be, but it is definitely not Michaels.”

“Who’s is it then?”

Phil only stared at him – he made sure not look into his eyes – before he averted his gaze and sighed.

Realization dawned on Ranboo, and he gasped. “Tu-Tubbo?”

Phil looked out the window, his wings twitched, and he ruffled his feathers.

“Most likely”, was all he said.

Ranboo stared at him, before he quickly reached for his communicator and tried to call Tubbo.

“He won’t answer you.”

Ranboo looked up, the line on his communicator ringing. “What do you mean?”

Another sign left Phils mouth.

Michael was finally asleep. After Tubbo hadn’t pick up the other ten calls Michael had started to cry again.

The little one had cried silently the whole time, didn’t answer any questions Phil had. Hell, he barely did anything that would even indicate that he was listening!

The only sign that Michael was somewhat with him mentally was the tight grip he had on Phils hand.

Even in his sleep he didn’t really let go. At some point though, Phil placed the little Piglin on the couch and wrapped a blanket around him. He had to pry the little fingers of his hand, that kid for sure had a strong grip.

Phil couldn’t just sit around here. He had to do something. Anything to ease his nerves.

So, he went through his front door, locking the door behind him. He knew it wasn’t exactly the best idea to leave his grandchild alone inside the house, but he couldn’t just sit around there and do nothing. Besides, he wasn’t far away anyways.

He stepped a few feet away from the cottage and called the crows residing inside the tall spruce trees.

The black birds sat around him, some right before him in the snow and others sat on his cottage. He knew even if they were further away, they would still hear what he had to say.

A bigger crow flew down from one of the trees and landed on his shoulder. The feathers glowing in different shades of purple – violet, lavender, lilac, amethyst and wine just being a few that came to mind – as the light landed on the feathers in different angles.

“Can you guys do me a favor?”

The crows looked up at him, ruffling their feathers. Even if they didn’t answer, he knew they were listening.

“Could you guys look to where those trails lead? It’s important.”

The crow on his shoulder cawed loudly and spread its wings. The crows followed its lead before they flew up into the air. Then they vanished into the trees.

Phil and the purple crow were left behind in the snow.

“I hope they find something.”

The crow beside him rubbed its head along his cheek, trying to comfort him.

“Most of all I hope Tubbo is okay.”

The crow let out a strangled sound and nuzzled closer to Phil, leaning its body against his neck.

“I am a bad father, aren’t I?” The crow looked at him, it’s head tilted slightly to the side. “If he is truly hurt right now, why wouldn’t he stay? He would’ve been safe here. But he left Michael here and ran away. I didn’t make him feel safe here, did I?”

The crows answer was a slap of its wing against his cheek. It didn’t hurt, but it was definitely more than unexpected. “What the hell, mate?”

The crow flew down onto the ground and sat down, a loud caw leaving its beak.

Phil was confused for a moment. Why was it so angry with him? He didn’t do anything!

The crow simply tilted it’s head, before turning around to the tree line and cawed loudly once again. It took Phil an embarrassingly long amount of time before he understood what it meant.

“He is the government! He hurt Wilbur, Tommy and Techno! He threw Wilbur out of L’manburgh, and Tommy even two times! And he tried to execute Techno! He didn’t even apologise for that as far as I am aware.He could’ve at least done that. But it doesn’t matter right now. We just gotta find him, make sure he’s okay, and then he can do whatever he was doing. And Michael can stay here with Ranboo, Techno and me.”

If he didn’t know any better he would’ve said that the look he was given by the shimmering crow was cold and judging. “What?”

It didn’t answer and simply flew in the direction of the cottage.

Phil went back up the stairs to his and Techno’s cottage to check on Michael.

The Piglin was still fast asleep, cuddled into the thick blanket.

Phil watched over his grandchild for a while, before a clicking was heard from the window behind him. Two of the crows had landed on the windowsill, trying to get his attention.

The violet crow sat down beside Michael and cuddled close to the child. It looked up at Phil and tilted its head.

Phil stood up and left the cottage. The crows from the window flew towards him and circled around his head before flying into the direction of the woods. He summoned his sword and followed his little bird friends.

On the way the others joined and cawed loudly in the trees, following close behind.

It took them a few minutes before they reached their destination.

Blood scattered all around the snow, here and there were patches of grass sticking out of a thin layer of snow, footprints stood in front of a big pool of blood, still looking fresh from the snow.

“Shit!”

He looked around a bit more, noticing one of the crows standing a bit further away in the snow on a patch of grass. It cawed at him as soon as it was noticed.

Phil approached it and noticed the light purple coloring of the snow around it.

Remnants of a teleportation with an Enderpearl.

Phil cursed again and let out a frustrated groan.

The crow bowed its head and made itself small.

The angel kneeled down in front of it and placed a hand on his back, running a thumb over its head.

“It’s not your fault, mate. You did good, thank you for showing me.” He gave it a smile which didn’t reach his eyes completely but still seemed genuine.

The crow cawed and looked up at him.

“Let’s go back, Ranboo will arrive soon.”

He put his sword back into his inventory and picked the crow in front of him up. It sat down and cuddled into the Angels’ hands. Phil let out a coo at that and ran a thumb over its head once again.

He turned around and whistled, the other crows cawed back. Together they all left the spot in the woods.

Back at their clearing most of the crows sat down in the trees, taking a rest. Others flew to the cottages and sat down on the roof or the railing which connects the two little houses.

Phil and the crow in his hands went towards the door and Phil tried his best to open the front door without letting go of the little bird in his hands.

Finally inside, he went straight into the living room, where he was greeted with the most adorable sight he has had in a while.

Michael was still asleep. However, he had an arm slung around the purple shimmering crow and held it close. The crow didn’t seem to mind it through, its head laying on the child’s arm.

Phil chuckled and walked closer, cooing at the crow. He sat down beside them and placed the smaller sitting in his hands beside them. It looked at the bigger crow for a moment before slowly tapping closer. As the purple one didn’t make any move to shoo it away it sat down beside it.

The bigger one let out a little sound and the smaller cuddled closer.

Phil cooed at the sight and smiled.

At that moment his communicator vibrated.

Ranboo had messaged him, telling him he arrived in the woods.

Phil looked at the adorable sight in front of him one more time, before he left out the door again. Now he only had to wait a few more minutes.

Ranboo had a distant look in his eyes, his hand still placed on his son’s stomach.

“Mate, I know that something happened between you and Tubbo. I don’t know what, but still. If you don’t want to talk about it, I can’t force you too. But do you think whatever happened would have something to do with this?”

Phil had scooted closer to the little family, and now sat right beside Michael.

Ranboo didn’t answer for a moment, only staring at his son.

“I don’t…I don’t think so. No.”

“Okay. That’s okay, thank you.”

Phil placed his hand on the little crow and ran a thumb over its head.

In that moment, Michael opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was the crow he had been cuddling with. Carefully, he pulled his arm back a little and carefully ran a hand over its feathers.

He knew he should be careful with birds, his Daddy taught him that while they both were in his room playing with his chicken. He remembered how his Daddy was chuckling while he played with his chicken. He also remembered him drawing a little picture which Michael wanted to hang up right above the head of his bed. Michael has begged his Daddy to draw him one, wanting to know how good he was.

Speaking of his Daddy,

Where was he?

Michael whined and tried to look around the room, only finding his grandpa and Papa.

“Papa?”

Ranboo smiled at the name, since he hasn’t heard it in a long time. He was mostly used to be called Boo. “Hey, Mikey.”

He carefully grabbed Michael under his armpits and picked him up, holding him close to his chest. Michael cuddled close to him, soaking up the warm Ranboo was giving out.

The Enderman hybrid put a hand behind his son’s head and ran a hand through his pink fur, careful with the missing part of his face that ran over his head.

He cooed and swayed slightly from left to right, happy to remember that his son took always a bit longer to fully wake up.

Just like Tubbo…

Ranboo shook his head and and tried to focus back on his son.

The little Piglin rubbed at its eyes with one of its hands and tried its hardest not to fall asleep again. Even if his Papa was warm and cozy. Usually Daddy would come cuddle in a few seconds as well, always playing with the Piglin’s fur and planting kisses on his head. But why wasn‘t Daddy cuddling with them as well?

Wait…

In a little cottage residing in a tundra was a little family relaxing and enjoying their morning together. In a few hours from that time, the son of the family was to leave the cottage in order to spend the next two days with a couple of his friends, while the father was to spend time with a close family friend. Said friend had already earned himself the title of  “uncle” in the child’s eyes.

It was a cozy morning for the two people living in the little cottage. While it was still rather cold outside (truth be told, it was always cold. But at the moment it was still much colder, as the sun had yet to warm the air).

Inside the cottage a fire burned in its place on the far back wall of the living space. Two figures cuddling in front of it, lazing on a big and thick blanket, with another one resting on top of the child’s small body. The father had draped himself around his child, letting it rest against his chest and stomach while it took in the flicker of the flames.

Tubbo runs one of his hands through Michaels hair and giggles at the look of his son, who stares into flams in wonder. Fire had always fascinated the Piglin child, the same way it did to his father a long time ago.

The flames warmed them both up and lit the living space up in a cozy orange light.

Michael and his father loved mornings like this. Cuddled up together in front of the fireplace and just relaxing in the shared warmth. Tommy and Ranboo used to be here often times as well, and they would all be one big cuddle pie. Nowadays it is Jack who would show up in the early mornings to check up on them both and spend time together.

And just like they usually do, the little family waits for Jack to show up in order to get their day really started. Jack and Tubbo would eat breakfast together while Michael would either sit with them or continue to play in front of the fire, with Tubbo never taking his eyes off of him.

Tubbo was very protective over his son, but Michael never minded much. Before he was found by Tubbo, and later rescued by him and Ranboo, he was part of a herd.

Piglins, as well as the infected ones, all belonged in a herd. Those herds all consist of a big family. Sometimes Piglins switch to another herd, due to courting. Other times. Some Piglins are deemed useless by the herd, or they’ve done something very wrong, so they will get thrown out of a herd, never to return.

Michael was deemed a runt in his herd. He was smaller than the usual infected children, and it took him a long while until he was able to move around. Even now he’s sometimes not able to keep his balance, and he still has problems with learning new stuff.

Back then, his herd tried their best to teach him everything and get him to be on the same level as the other children.

After a while though, the elders got tired of him and he got thrown out. It was a few days before he found a chicken wandering the hot Nether grounds. And then it took another few days before Tubbo finally found him. He fed him and built him a little room into the ground. Tubbo stayed with him a bit and decorated the hole with blankets. He even got him a chicken plushie! That plushie was still with him to this day.

Tubbo had to leave and Michael tried his best to let the teen stay. However he had to leave, and left him with enough food to last for a very, very long time, as well as with a promise to return.

And return he did. Together with Ranboo. Michael hadn’t known at that time that those two would become his new parents. Even sometimes he’s still unsure about how much those two love him.

Ranboo would come over to play with him occasionally and read him goodnight story’s.

But Tubbo? Tubbo always stayed with him, played with him, made him food and would light the fireplace up for him. He would teach him Common and wouldn’t get upset with him when it took him a lot longer to learn the few words. He would even talk Piglin with him lots and said it was to keep Michael in tune with his past and the mob side of him. The child didn’t mind, he was rather happy that he could finally talk to someone about anything that came to his mind without having to be afraid of  getting shut down.

Tubbo would make the best meals, and was never mad at having to give him more when he was extra hungry. Michael loved it. Michael loved Tubbo and Tubbo loved him , unconditionally. Michael was protected and taken care of, he was loved and surround by endless comfort given to him by his Dad.

Tubbo even gave him nicknames in common, which Michael learned to just adore. His favourites were Honeybee and Bug . Tubbo was either called Daddy or Bee .

Tubbo had honestly cried the first time the word “Daddy” in Common left Michaels mouth. The child was scared at first, thinking he did something wrong. But then Tubbo had hugged him close and kissed over his face (careful on his exposed skull) and told him over and over how much he loved him.

⊒ϟ⊒⊒☩? 〲☇≚ꈌ≚ ꑇ⌤ ⊒ϟ⊒⊒☩, ⊹ϟ⊹ϟ? ⊹ϟ⊹ϟ, ꑇ 〲ϟ⇌⌆ ⊒ϟ⊒⊒☩ ⌆⌑ ≠⌑≡≚ ☈ϟ≠⍩!

On the couch Phil’s attention was shifted to the two crows who were now cuddling, the purple one having thrown its wing over the smaller one.

Phil smiled at the two before his attention was grabbed by the little family in front of him.

“Not your thumb, Mikey!”

Michael had put his thumb into his mouth, sucking on it while looking as if he’d fall asleep any minute again. Ranboo pushed the thumb out of the little one’s mouth, but he just started whining again.

Phil chuckled and stood up from the couch, groaning. “Hold on a second mate, let me grab something.”

The Angel vanished from view and Ranboo was left confused.

The Enderman hybrid shrugged and moved to sit on the couch, trying to comfort the still whining Michael.

After a few minutes Phil came back downstairs, holding something in hand that Ranboo couldn’t make out.

“What is that?”

Phil walked closer and moved the item into Ranboo’s view,

“It’s Michaels pacifier for when he and Shroud visit.”

He moved the black and yellow pacifier to Michael, who immediately tried to grab it. Phil only laughed at that and gently pushed it in Michaels little mouth.

Michael started to suck on it the second he felt the pacifier in his mouth and closed his eyes, hiding his face in Ranboos jacket.

“Thanks, Phil.” Ranboo smiled at the older.

“No problem, mate.”

It was silent for a few minutes; Michael had fallen asleep again.

Both parents were lost in their thoughts, trying to figure out what to do.

Ranboo had tried to call Tubbo a few more times, without any luck.

“Have you told Tommy?”

Ranboo looked at Phil after a few minutes of silence, dreading the answer.

“Shit”, was all that left Phils mouth, the older eyes were wide open. He ran a hand through his hair, his hat long been discarded on the table.

It was silent again for a bit.

“Maybe Tommy has an idea where Tubbo is. Maybe Tubbo even is staying with Tommy!”, exclaimed Ranboo and shot his head in Phils direction, trying to not wake up Michael.

Phil looked at Ranboo and weighed the options in his mind.

On one hand, Tubbo and Tommy are best friends and even though their relationship is a bit strained, they still depend on each other just like back when they were kids.

On the other hand, why didn’t Tubbo take Michael with him then? Why bring him to Phil if he could just stay with Tommy and Shroud.

Phil sighed, but nodded his head still, as he tried to think positive.

“Let’s go and pay him a visit then, mate.”

Michael was wrapped up in a blanket given to him by Phil and held close to Ranboos chest, trying to keep the cold away.

It had taken longer to get their armor on than the two parents would like to admit. Ranboos hands were still shaking and Phil was fussing around, scared of Tommys reaction to the news. Michael was just laying on the couch. Too tired to do anything besides cuddling with the crows.

The three of them and the two crows left the house and hurried to the nether portal. By the time they arrived in the red, hell-like dimension, Michael had fallen asleep again.

Ranboo had a tight grip on his sword and Phil wasn’t any better. Both of them were frustrated, worried and confused. They just hoped Tommy had any idea on where Tubbo was, or else they might both lose their minds.

As they arrived back in the overworld and back on SMP grounds, they were slightly glad no one else was around. They don’t know whether they would’ve lost it or not.

While walking around the SMP’s grounds and looking for Tommy, Phil and Ranboo noticed one other Member walking along the prime path: Sapnap.

At first, they ignored and deemed him not worthy of their attention at the time.

However, after seeing him another five times on the path, the two of them were rather careful. Sapnap was far away enough to make it seem like a coincidence he was there, but close enough to be worried for the two.

Phil and Ranboo decided to hurry up and tried to get as fast as they could to Tommys house.

As they arrived at the youngers house both of them took a deep breath. Slightly happy they would meet the younger, and scared of how Tommy would react.

Ranboo put his sword in front of Phil, before he walked up the door. The message was clear:

Stand back.

Ranboo put his sword back into his inventory and put his hand up on the iron door.

One long, three short and another six long knocks before the door was pulled open.

On the other side stood an exhausted looking Tommy, black circles under his eyes and his hair stood up in every direction.

Nonetheless, a big smile spread across the youngers face as he recognized who stood in front of him. “Ranboo!”

“Hey, Tommy”, the Enderman said and smiled down at the other, happy to see him, regardless of the situation. “Phil is here as well.” His voice was soft while talking to the blonde, fully aware Tommy was scared of loud noises and unexpected things, especially visits.

Tommys eyes widened but he nodded, thankful for the heads up.

He stepped to the sight in order to look behind Ranboo and waved slightly. “Hey Phil.”

The oldest looked at Ranboo, before slowly walking closer after given a nod. “Heya, mate. How’re you doing?”

“Am good, am good.” Tommy looked at Ranboo, then at Michael in his arms. He furrowed his brows and looked between his visitor for a bit, before stepping to the side and letting them in.

All of them stepped inside and Tommy closed the doors, locking it again.

Tommys house was now mostly empty. Only a few scattered around chests remained, a furnace and crafting table as well as a double bed was all that was still in the little house.

Tommy was only a few days away from moving into Snowchester as most of his stuff was already in his new room. Tubbo and Ranboo were supposed to help him with the last of his stuff so he could fully move in around two days later at max.

Well, that plan will have to be put on ice for a bit.

Shroud crawled down from the ceiling towards Tommy and let itself fall on Tommy back and put its head on its fathers.

Tommy smiled and patted the child’s head.

He moved towards the bed and sat down, gesturing for the others to do the same. Phil and Ranboo sat down on the few left chests still in the room.

“So? What do ya guys want?”

Shroud climbed of Tommys back only to sit down on his lap. Tommy didn’t react beside placing his hand on his child’s back.

Ranboo looked at Tommy and then at Phil, not sure on how to say this.

So Phil was the one to break the news.

“We think something bad happened to Tubbo, mate.”

Tommy was silent, only looking between the two guys sitting in front of him.

“What?”

Phil looked down at his hands and balled them to fists. “Michael was left on my doorstep and…bloody trails were left behind in the snow, some even left on Michael. We tried to call Tubbo, but he didn’t answer any of our calls. Our last hope was to meet him here, but it doesn’t seem like he’s been here.”

Another moment of silence was shared between the five.

Tommys breathing started to pick up and he grabbed tightly onto his blonde strands.

Immediately Ranboo stood up and walked to Tommy, placing the two children on the bed beside them.

Tommy didn’t notice, to wrapped up in his own mind.

Tubbo is hurt

Tubbo is hurt

Tubbo is hurt

He’s gone

He’s gone

Gone, gone, gone, gone, gonegonegonegonegone-

“Tommy? Can you hear me?”

A familiar voice made its way through Tommy hazy mind, slightly muffled due to the loud voices around him.

It took him an embarrassing long amount of time, but in the end he was able to give a slight nod – or at least he thinks so.

“Good, that’s good. Do you know who I am? It’s me, Ranboo.”

Again, it took him some to nod.

Yeah, he knows Ranboo. Ranboo is a friend, Ranboo is safe, Ranboo is good.

“Okay, that’s good. Am I allowed to touch you?”

Touch?

Touch means hurt.

Touch means pain.

Touch is bad.

But at the same time, it’s Ranboo. And Ranboo means safety. Ranboo is a friend, he wouldn’t hurt him.

Right?

No. No, Ranboo wouldn’t do that. He’s too nice.

So he nodded again.

“Okay. Okay, I’m going to touch you now, everything’s okay.”

He felt a gentle grip on his hand and knows it was moved, but he couldn’t tell into what direction.

The next thing he feels was the soft surface his hand was placed on. He could feel it moving up and down slowly.

Someone was breathing.

“Do you feel that?”

Tommy nodded and pressed his hand closer – or at least he hoped so.

“Can you copy my breathing? Is that okay?”

This time Tommy didn’t nod, only focusing on Ranboo’s breathing and his own.

It took him a bit, but slowly his breathing calmed down and his other senses came back to him.

He could see Phil kneeling in front of him, worry etched into his every feature, wings puffed out and a deep frown sat on his face.

Ranboo sat beside him, holding his hand to his chest and smiling sadly down at him.

Shroud was sitting beside Michael, two of its legs wrapped around the Piglin. It had its head turned away from its father and keeping its watch on Michael. For some reason Shroud was always protective of Michael when the two would meet up.

“Are you okay now?”

Tommy looked at Phil as he said it and nodded. “Yeah. Yeah, I’m fine.”

Phil and Ranboo both know that if they asked Tommy that question a few months earlier he would’ve replied differently. But they were all to aware of what happened in the last few months, so they couldn’t say they were surprised about the answer.

Tommy placed his hands in his lap but kept on sitting close to Ranboo, needing the comfort.

“So…Tubbo is gone?”

His voice was shaky, but no one commented on it.

“We…We think that something really bad happened to him.”

“Why?”

Phil looked conflicted, so this time Ranboo was the one to tell Tommy.

“Michael was sitting on Phils doorstep, and a blood trail was coming out of the woods.”

“Someone was following Tubbo, since I found a different pair of footsteps besides the one presumably from a different person. Remnants of an Enderpearl teleportation was also left behind”, Phil continued on.

Tommy was shocked and confused. His mind ran a mile per minute – it just didn’t make any sense. “But…but why? Dream is in prison and Schlatt that fucker is dead! No one would want to hurt Tubbo, he did nothing wrong!”

Phil sighed and slowly reached his hands forward and took Tommys in his. As the younger didn’t pull away and only flinched, Phil smiled at him sadly – it didn’t reach his eyes.

“We will find out what happened, alright? We will just need a bit of help I guess.”

Ranboo nodded and also smiled at Tommy. He knew that both Tommy and Tubbo depend a lot on each other, especially after the youngest got revived. That is also one of the reasons why he and Shroud were about to move to Snowchester.

“Have you told Wilbur yet?” Tommy had a sour look on his face, not happy at the mentioning of his older brother, but fully aware that the question is important.

Phil just shook his head. “Wilbur? No, we thought of you first.”

Tommy nodded. “But still, he needs to know, doesn’t he?”

Ranboo looked a bit perplexed at Tommy. “Why would Wilbur need to know? None of you have a great relationship from what I remember – even if I don’t have the best memory, I know at least that much.”

Tommy sighed and looked at Phils and his connected hands. “Wilbur is also still Tubbos brother. Right, Phil?”

It was silent for a moment, besides each other’s breathing the room was completely silent.

Eventually Phil nodded. “Yeah…I guess so.”

“He is”, is all what Tommy said.

Phil stood up and took of his hat in order to run his fingers through his long hair.

“I know where he might be…”

It was hot. Way too hot for what should be considered as an acceptable temperature. The lava in front of them illuminated the whole room in a warm bright orange. The obsidian walls saved the heat and were understandably burning to the touch.

He sighed and leaned against the chest digging into his back. His hair was slightly pulled out of its usual braid and curled along his forehead. He was exhausted to say the least.

Laughter could be heard from the other side of the lava wall and he immediately jumped up and stood in front of his friend…

Chapter Text

It was hot. Way too hot for what should be considered as an acceptable temperature. The lava in front of them illuminated the whole room in a warm bright orange. The obsidian walls saved the heat and were burning to the touch. 

He sighed and leaned against the chest digging into his back. His hair was slightly pulled out of its usual braid and curled along his forehead. He was exhausted to say the least.

Laughter could be heard from the other side of the lava wall and he immediately jumped up to stood in front of his friend…

It wasn’t unusual to hear them on the other side of the lava wall, as they were always trying to make sure the prisoners were aware of their presence as soon as they arrived in the room before their cell. However, it was unusual for him to visit them a day after he already hurt them. Hell, normally he would come once a week, maybe twice if he was being way to impatient. But on two following days? That was new. And probably everything but good. (Nothing was ever good when it came to their regular visitor.)

His friend stirred behind him; position too uncomfortable in order to continue a blissful dreamless sleep. But the laughter from across the bright orange lava wall was too loud and the voices to familiar in a place where they just weren’t safe-

The blonde of the two groaned and opened his eyes, gaze immediately landing on his friend in front of him, stance protective and ready to jump at whoever was to cross his path. But he was weak, and they both knew that.

As they never received enough to eat and drink, they were getting weaker day by day, their skin pale without the sunlight – the lava not much of a help. But both of them also knew how to continue to fight even though their body couldn’t handle the amount of energy it took from it and was ready to shut down. 

Anxiety made itself known; his stomach felt heavy and nausea started to overtake his mind. He tried to stand up, but his knees gave out and he sunk back onto the ground, his body was burning and achy, dried blood surrounded his wounds. They didn’t have any more clothes or rags they could use to clean up, so the blood had to stay on his body. (Using hands to clean themselves and each other up was not a good idea – it just hurt more.)

His gaze fell onto the ground, and he scrunched up his nose as he saw his own blood scattered across the obsidian floor.

Don’t get him wrong. He was used to the view and smell of fresh or dried blood, used to it splashed on his axe or sword, his clothes stained with the dark liquid he was never able to wash out.

But it was different to know that this blood is not from simple killing and freeing a soul but rather it’s from from torture; from hurting a soul and its body to such an extent, that death seems to be the kindest thing and ones most desperate wish.

But he wouldn’t lie, a part of him knew that he deserved it. After all, he did hurt a lot of people before; Prime, he hurt a child! He mentally and physically abused him, manipulated, and killed him three goddamn times.

A different part of him however couldn’t get over the fact that said child deserved it. Deserved the same pain the young teen had caused his so-called best friend and brother over the past years. Maybe he was a bit too harsh, but Tommy wasn’t that much better. Wilbur wasn’t either. Both of them were not innocent and were not the heroes that everyone made them out to be.

No, it was all a façade, a bad one at that but no one ever seemed to try and look behind it, no one ever asked questions.

Why did no one ever question it? Why did everybody just accept it? Couldn’t they see the pained smiles and strained laughs, the scared looks and distrust in the smallest eyes? Were they all that blind? Or were they all equally as bad? They were, weren’t they?

All he wanted to do was to avenge his little bee. Avenge his little brother figure. He didn’t do it because it was funny (who was he kidding, he was clearly satisfied to some extent watching the chaotic child and his older brother suffer), he only did it because they caused so much chaos on this server, on the server that was meant to be a safe place for friends and family. But also of course, because they hurt his little bee.

He has done so much to those people, in order to make them pay for what they forced on his bee. The smallest was forced to choose between a family that has been neglecting and refusing to show him any kind of love to him for as long as he has known the younger, and a family that forced an adoption, was abusive beyond believe and turned the younger into something that he never was. (How come that everyone knows hybrids and yet refuses to acknowledge that something was wrong, as soon as the changes started?) They should’ve just taken better care of him, should’ve given him more love and attention, should’ve paid attention as the changes started and he was turned into a hybrid he actually wasn’t against his will.

Now he, Dream, was the only one who could give it to the teen. He has always been the only one who could ever take care of the bee-loving boy, the only one with enough love and attention to give. Of course, George and Sapnap took wonderful care of him as well, but Dream? He was the little one’s older brother figure!

But then why hasn’t Tubbo visited him? Why did he leave him alone in here?

Did Sam not let him in? Was he keeping them apart? Did he refuse to let them see each other? Did they not allow it?

Dream couldn’t finish that line of thought. The voices got louder and now he was able to make out the sound of the lava slowly sinking down into the ground.

Why? Why was he here? Quackity wasn’t supposed to be here. He visited them already yesterday! He has already hurt him then! Normally he had a week in order to regain some strength and let his wounds heal. (Why he was granted that was beyond him, but he wouldn’t dare complain.) Sometimes Quackity came twice a week, but never on two following days. This was insane.

Technoblade was still recovering from the weakness potion he received on any of Quackity’s visits. This wouldn’t end well if the duck hybrid had another potion ready for his friend. Techno probably wouldn’t make it out alive. Even though Techno always said “Technoblade never dies”, he was still a mortal being, and right now he was at his weakest.

Both he and Techno wouldn’t be able to recover from this. They both would most likely die oh so quickly. Or more like Techno would die fast.

Dream couldn’t die. Not really at least.

(They may be split apart but they were still the same person, they still had the same ability’s, even if they were weakened after their split. They were still the same person just like before everything went to shit.)  

The obsidian wall pulled up, separating the two from the edge. The cell was now closed off and the rest of the lava vanished underground. The room across the lava wall was revealed and with it the people standing there, with the duck hybrid laughing.

Quackity held onto something behind him. It looked heavy and the two cell mates couldn’t make out what it was, though both had a sickening feeling crawling up their body’s. Something was definitely not right. Something was definitely wrong. (What happened?)

Techno turned his head slightly in Dreams direction but kept his eyes on the people in front of them. “What do you think that duck wants now?”

“I don’t know. I don’t know why he wants that stupid book either. He can’t even understand that language and wouldn’t be able to pronounce the words right. It’s completely useless to him!”

“But wouldn’t it be good if you gave it to him then? It would mean he would leave you alone after all.”

“Maybe, maybe not. He would probably come back and demand answers again and will try and force me to show him how to use it. Or someone could steal it from him. Prime, you know how this server is! Or what if Quackity does know how to use it somehow and will use it for the wrong thing? There are so many things that could go wrong here, Techno!”

The other was silent for a moment. “Well, when you put it like that…I mean- “ Techno was cut off, Quackity’s voice booming and echoing in the empty space. “Hola hola, chicos! How are we doing today?”

Quackity had a big smile on his face as he walked onto the bridge. He dragged that… something… behind him and had a seemingly tight grip on it.

“What is that? Is that a sack or something?” Dream squinted his eyes and looked over Techno’s shoulder, hoping with every fibre of his body that it wasn’t what he actually thought it was.

(It looked like a foot. Oh Prime, please don’t let it be another-)

“Do you think it could be a sack with potatoes?” Techno’s eyes had a strange sparkle to them.

“Oh Prime”, the other replied with a heavy sigh.

Techno only chuckled dryly and returned his focus back onto Quackity. “And what if it is another person?”

Dreams grip on Techno tightened and he started to shake slightly.

“I wouldn’t be surprised”, was all he said.

“Me neither, man.”

“I’m so happy to see you guys again! Aren’t you as well?” A giggle escaped Quackity. “A little surprise visit for my favourite inmates!”

Techno shook his head. “What a surprise, that’s right.”

The bridge connected with the cell and Quackity stepped down, dragging something (Please let it be something, don’t let it be another person!) with him. The bridge stayed connected to the cell and the walls were pushed down again.

And there he stood, Quackity, with his axe in hand and a sick smile on his face. A smile, that the two cell mates were more than familiar with. “Hola hola, Dream! Have you missed me already?”

“Not at all”, Dream murmured. Techno chuckled.

Quackity chuckled and shook his head. “Such a shame. Anyways, I came to bring over some news!”

Techno raised an eyebrow. “News?”

“Yeah, bad news actually.”

Dream froze and held a death grip on Techno’s shirt. Techno frowned, almost glared at him. “Bad news?”

“Yes, I sadly won’t be able to visit for a little while. There’s a big thing going on right now, so I will have to be away for some time, and I do not know how long that will be for. So, I have brought you guys a little something to entertain yourself with while I’m gone!” Quackity giggled again and kicked whatever that was laying behind him.

“A gift?”

“Yup! I don’t care what you do with him, just have some fun, yeah?”

Techno raised his eyebrows again as Dream pressed himself closer to him. “What is it?”, Techno asked.

“Him?”, Dream thought, his eyes widening slightly.

“You’ll see, you’ll see. In the meantime, while I am gone, you will also rethink your choice about whether or not you will give me the book, Dream.”

Dream rolled his eyes but kept himself almost completely out of sight behind Technoblade. “Sure, whatever.”

Quackity’s eyes darkened a little and his face was rid from any emotion that was once present.

“I expect him to be dead once I return.”

Instantly the smile and giddiness returned to his face after he spoke. “See you soon, boys! Adiós!”

With a last giggle, Quackity stepped over the bundle on the ground, giving it a last kick before stepping onto the bridge and the walls went back up.

“Remember my words, boys. Remember my words.”

Quackity stepped on the bridge and waved as he was brought back to Sam.

Techno and Dream stood frozen in place. They both didn’t know what to think, didn’t know how to react to Quackity’s words at all.

“The fuck?”, Dream whispered. Techno only nodded.

They both watched as Quackity returned to the main part of the prison, back to Sam. The lava flowed down from the ceiling once again and the last thing they saw was both Quackity and Sam, with the former waving and the later just looking at them.

As soon as they were out of sight, Dream’s eyes went to the person laying on the ground.

“Dream? What’s wrong?”, Techno asked as soon as he noticed the frown on Dreams face.

Dream hesitated, before loosing his grip on Techno’s shirt and taking slow steps forward.

“What are you doing?”, Techno asked.

But Dream didn’t listen. Something about that person seemed eerily familiar. The fact they seemed so small, curled up in a ball. A reaction of what happened earlier. But also that brown-blonde hair. The ram ears and tail, the horns and-

Wait. Ram?

Dream only knew three people with these traits:

- Puffy, but the good woman was a sheep hybrid. Her ears, tail and horns were slightly different from the ones of a ram hybrid.

- Schlatt, but that man was long gone. And Dream had never revived him, and the book has been in his hands the entire time since the others death.

And then there was Tubbo. The small bee-loving boy who was never a ram hybrid in the first place.

Dreams eyes widened and looked closer at the person – at Tubbo.

“No.” Dream shook his head. “Nononononononono!”  Dream fell down on the ground and crawled closer to Tubbo.

“Dream?” Techno slowly walked closer.

The dirty-blonde didn’t answer. Carefully, he grabbed the teens shoulder and turned the small body around.

Both Dream and Technoblade were left speechless. Right there in front of them, Tubbo’s bloody face came into view.

Even though most of his face was covered by his way too long hair, but the scarring on his cheek and neck was visible, as well as the blood trails running down from what seemed to be his forehead.

His shirt was ripped open at the front, the scarring from his death in the final control room and the execution stood out like the moon at night. But that was not the only thing that stood out. Fresh burn marks scattered his chest, as well as thin cuts on his right side that use to be mostly unharmed.

Tubbo’s left leg seemed to be broken, as it was turned at an awkward angle. The clothing on his right arm and leg was ripped off as well, burns and fresh cuts littering the skin.

Dream also noticed other scars on the arm and leg that were different. They looked, weird. What the fuck happened to his arm?

But Dream could not focus on that for the time being.

Instead he placed his hand on Tubbo’s chest and his ear to his nose. After a few seconds he let out a deep breath. The younger was breathing. He was alive!

Dream only noticed Techno now. The pink haired man sat beside them, his expression as unreadable as always, but something dark seemed to flicker in his eyes.

And while Dream was scared as he saw the same dark flicker in Quackity’s eyes every time the duck looked at him, he knew Techno wasn’t mad at either of them right now. The cellmates have both become great friends over the past two months they have spent in this cell together and knew where they stood with one another.

“What the fuck? I knew that Quackity wasn’t right in his head, but why would he…Tubbo’s a kid!” Techno balled his fists at his side. “Is he alive?”

Dream nodded slowly, eyes still fixed on Tubbo.

“Come on. Let’s get you two away from the lava.”

Dream hadn’t noticed how the obsidian wall was already down again. Together, he and Technoblade carried Tubbo away, both ignoring how weak they actually were.

They both sat down near the water source in the corner. Somehow it was still cool and clear besides the many times they had to clean the bloodied rags and how the surrounding obsidian blocks were sending out the heat from the lava.

Tubbo was placed down in Dreams lap, who held the younger close and ran a hand through his hair.

“You wanna tell me something?” Techno sat in front of them, an eyebrow raised once again.

“What do you mean?” Dream looked up from where he was watching Tubbo.

“I mean, do you want to tell me why you seem so…worried about him?”

Dream looked at him. “You’re telling me you aren’t? When you are supposed to be his older brother?”

Techno’s eyes widened and surprise was visible on his face. He was ready for a lot of things, but not for that question. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“A lot.” Dream looked back down at Tubbo. “Wilbur and Tommy were supposed to be his brothers as well.”

It was silent for a while, both men watching the youngest rest in Dreams arms. It was probably creepy, but neither of them cared, both too worried about the question whether or not Tubbo would live.

“But we are Tubbo’s brothers,” Techno replied after a while.

“Are you?” Dream looked back up at him.

“Well, as far as I am aware Phil did adopt him when we were younger.” Techno raised his eyebrow once again, the only thing showing his emotions.

“Then why weren’t Wilbur and Tommy acting like it?”

Techno’s eyes widened slightly. If Dream hadn’t been spending the last two months with him, he probably wouldn’t have noticed. “What?”, the Piglin hybrid ask.

Dream only looked back down at Tubbo and continued to run his fingers through his hair.

“Do not ignore me, Dream. Tell me what you mean.”

The sun was warm as it shined down on his exposed arms and face, his mask lying on the grass beside him. A breeze ran though his hair and the flowers surrounding him and his family. 

George was laying on the grass beside him, his goggles rested in his hair and an arm was placed over his eyes instead. A smile rested on his face and a hand was running through Sapnap’s hair. 

The fireborn had his head resting on George’s stomach and was mirroring the same smile the oldest had resting on his face. Sapnap’s left hand was weaving through the flowers resting beside him. 

All three of them were waiting for their new friend, who they have inofficially claimed as their now fourth member. He was a bit later than the time they were supposed to meet, but that was to be expected. It wasn’t easy to get away from the people who claimed to be the your family even though they were neglecting you. Even if they were ignoring his needs, the never let him go away too far away from them, which didn’t make all that much sense. 

“GUYS!”

Dream turned his head to the left and saw the youngest member running towards them, a wide smile plastered on his face. 

A smile spread across his face. He stood up and opened his arms, the brown and blonde haired boy jumped right into them. All four of them were laughing, joy filling up their veins at finally being together again. It was always peaceful and lovely to spend their time together, no one had a care in the world, besides the happiness of the others.

Dream sat back down and Tubbo plopped himself in the blonde’s lap. 

George and Sapnap both held up one of their hands, which the youngest immediately took in his, content with the affection he received from his friends and second family.

It had made their blood boil as they noticed how touch starved Tubbo actually was. 

“How are you doing, flower?” Sapnap was smiling up at him, not caring about the most likely painful angle he had to turn his head to.

“ I’m doing okay, thank you!” Tubbo squeezed the others hand and smiled brightly at him. 

George smiled and was about to say something before his eyes drifted off to something on the youngest face. “What is that?” George let go of Tubbo’s hand and instead placed it on his chin, turning his head slightly to the right. 

Both Dream and Sapnap immediately stopped smiling, their eyes drifting to what George was referring to. 

A dark bruise was forming on Tubbo’s temple and what seemed to be a handprint was resting on Tubbo’s cheek.

Tubbo looked down, not trying to turn his head away but too scared as to look directly at his new family. 

“It’s nothing…”

“Tubbo.” Dream was looking at him, a frown on his and the others faces. 

Tubbo squirmed slightly and the others waited for him to find the right words.

“It’s nothing serious. I was just acting out again…”

“Who was it?” Sapnap had turned around and was now on his stomach, a dark look on his face that was mirrored by the other two. 

Tubbo knew better than to keep quiet. While the three would never force him to do anything, he knew how protective and stubborn they could get every time he got hurt. And he himself promised to never lie to them, no matter what. 

“It was Wilbur…” Before the others could say something, he shook his arms widely and continued. “He said he was sorry though and looked really scared. He got me some ice, so it shouldn’t be too swollen right now.”

The other three scowled and it was silent for a while. 

George was the first to speak up again. “Do you want to make some new flower crowns, little flower?”

Tubbo’s eyes started to sparkle, and he nodded. “Yes, please!”

Sapnap and George chuckled, while Dream was still deep in thought.

How dare Wilbur hurt him!

He was pulled out of his thoughts by Tubbo however, as the younger booped his nose and giggled like the sweet child he was. It always sounded like small bells ringing in the wind.

Dream chuckled and all four of them created flower crowns once again.

Anything to make their flower feel loved.

“It would be too long as to explain all that to you now.” Dream shook his head, trying to shoo the memory away. Now was not the time for that.

Techno sighed. “If you haven’t noticed, we are stuck in a cell together. I’d say we have a lot of time to talk about that now.”

Dream sighed but nodded. “Fine. I’ll tell you…”

“I know where he might be…”

All three of them turned their heads, surprise written all over their faces. 

“What are you doing here?” The blonde teen asked, a frown on his face as he stood up.

The figure in the doorway tilted his head to the side. “I was looking for Tubbo. I thought he might’ve been with you and forgot the time again. Though it appears that he isn’t here either.”

“What? You and him are friends now?”

“Yes. We were supposed to meet up today.”

Another blonde figure besides the blonde boy stood up, green and white striped hat resting on blonde hair. 

“You know where Wilbur is?”

Chapter Text

“I know where he might be…”

All three of them turned their heads, surprise written all over their faces. 

“What are you doing here?” The blonde teen asked, a frown on his face as he stood up.

The figure in the doorway tilted his head to the side. “I was looking for Tubbo. I thought he might’ve been with you and forgot the time again. Though it appears that he isn’t here either.”

“What? You and him are friends now?”

“Yes. We were supposed to meet up today.”

Another blonde figure besides the blonde boy stood up, green and white striped hat resting on blonde hair. 

“You know where Wilbur is?”

“I said I might know. And Ranboo could have a pretty good idea himself.” He crossed his arms and leaned against the door.

“I do?” Ranboo tilted his head to the side.

“I mean, you should. After all you two work together, don’t you?” The man in the door raised an eyebrow behind his blue and red glasses.

Ranboo wrapped his tail around his leg and looked to the side nervously. “Wilbur is barely ever there though…”

Tommy sat closer to Ranboo and glared at the person in the doorway. “That doesn’t explain why you would know anything about Wilbur’s whereabouts, bitchboy.”

“I don’t want a fight Tommy, believe it or not, I don’t care either way. Right now, the only thing that I care about now is the whereabouts of Tubbo and whether or not he’s alright. And since none of you have any sort of idea, the last person I would ask is Wilbur, even if I like him as much as I like you. Absolutely not at all.”

Phil stood up and took a few steps closer to the man. “And what reason do you have to dislike my son?”

Jack stepped closer as well and looked directly into the elder’s eyes. “For the same reason that I dislike you, Tommy and Techno.”

Phil furrowed his brows; he was growing slightly irritated by the other. “That wasn’t an answer.”

“It was an answer. Now you just gotta think about everything that happened from the moment your sons joined this server. But oh wait, that’s right.” He took another step forward, their noses almost touching and stared into Phil’s eyes, his expression ripped of any kind of emotion. The rage he felt was only noticeable in his voice. “You know nothing.”

With that, he turned around and walked back out of the house, but stopped again in the doorway. “I will be looking for Tubbo now. And if any of you care about him at least half as much as you keep on claiming , you can come along. Or you can continue to just sit around and wait for the answer of Tubbo’s whereabouts to fall from the sky, while he could be hurt somewhere, alone. And I will not be risking that again.”

It was growing dark now, the sun started to vanish behind grey clouds and mobs started to crawl out of the surroundings caves. The SMP’s grounds were lit, the torches and lamps standing and hanging around the place, spreading their light across the area; light being the one thing the mobs hated the most.

He held a sword in hand, ready to slash at anything that he deemed a threat. And currently, everyone was a threat to him and his best friends safety.

He was angry. Very, very angry. His best friend was missing, and his so called family had no idea of his whereabouts.

The two were supposed to meet up hours ago, but his friend never showed up. He thought that maybe he had forgotten the time again – it happened before – or got caught up in a talk with his other best friend. He wasn’t happy about it, but he understood and tried to spend his time doing something else. But his friend never answered any of the calls or the occasional messages he sent him on the communicator. Half the day had passed by now and no one had seen him. Or at least, not the people that Jack talked to, which were only the supposed family of Tubbo. He hadn’t seen anyone else besides them.

He can’t say he’s surprised though. He didn’t really expect anything else from them. They were never there when Tubbo needed them in the first place. Ranboo was for a while. But even he stopped. Their focus changed, as did the importance of friends and family, just like what happened to the rest. And the one time they realise that Tubbo is actually gone, that’s when they start to care. As soon as they realise the shoulder they could always cry on is gone, they start to care.

But every time Tubbo needed something from them, they dropped him. They dropped him, turned their backs on him and left. Left him to cry himself to sleep, left him to fall victim to his own head and try anything that could possibly stop himself from spiralling, not realising he already had.

Jack tightened his grip on his sword as the memories started to replay themselves in his head. He didn’t want to be reminded of those days. Those days were rooms reeked of iron and salt, the water in the bathroom running, the red liquid all over the floor. He didn’t want to be reminded of soaked up bandages, tears staining his shirt and loud wailings echoing through the empty halls and rooms of the mansion.

Jack nearly lost his friend more times than he can count, and he didn’t want to add another incident on top of that – an incident that might’ve just ended up with him actually dying. He didn’t want to lose him. He had no idea how he was supposed to deal with his best friend dying, with the person that has become like a brother to him.

All Jack could do now was to shake his head and march through the SMP with only one goal in his mind: Finding Wilbur and squeeze all the information out of him until he looked like a lemon with no more juice left.  He has made a promise to Tubbo, and he intends on keeping it. He would not be the one to break his trust. The other would simply not be able to handle that, no matter how hard he tries to act strong.

Jack knew that Tubbo had buried his trauma so far down his mind, so it could only reach him in his nightmares. The nightmares he falls victim to almost every single night. Jack knew that Tubbo thought he was not allowed to show his pain, to express his need of being promised love and trust, knew how Tubbo had a hard time showing his emotions because it had led to his death several times.

And who’s fault was that? The majority of the whole SMP. Everyone has watched him die, was a part of it and didn’t do anything. Everyone had looked away when Tubbo needed them the most, so the Hybrid turned his back to L’manburgh and left the crater with all its memories behind.

And Jack couldn’t blame him, no matter how many times he heard everyone talking about how Tubbo was just like him. Because Jack new that wasn’t true. He saw what Schlatt was capable of, and he knew with every fibre of his body that no matter how cold and stone faced Tubbo appeared to anyone beside his new family, he could never hurt the ones he loved and would never lay a hand on someone who didn’t deserve it. He just wished Tubbo would eventually come to learn to know this as well.

He heard an arrow fly through the air and leaned his head to the left, the arrow flying past him and getting stuck in the tree across from him. He sighed and swung around, his sword slicing through the bones like butter.

“Tsk. Stupid skeletons.”

He was about to turn around again, but he noticed the figures standing a few meters away. He sighed and raised an eyebrow. “It appears as though you decided to look for him after all.” It wasn’t a question and the others seemed to be aware of that as well.

Ranboo had his tail wrapped around his leg again, a sleeping Michael tucked close to his chest with Tubbo’s jacket around him. Tommy stood beside him, a scowl on his face and the head of a spider resting on his shoulder – Shroud. Phil stood beside them, wearing his armour and a sword in his hand as well. Crows were flying high up in the sky, some rested on the ground and surrounding buildings, watching the scene unfold.

“Don’t get me wrong, I really do not like you. At all. But Tubbo is my best friend, and I will be damned if something happens or already has happened to him.” Tommy glared at him once more. “And fuck you, bitch.”

Jack didn’t seem like he cared much about what Tommy said. His eyebrow twitched, but he just nodded and continued to walk ahead, the others following close behind.

At first, no one talked. Everyone just walked after the other. Though in the end, Phil decided to break the silence. “So? Where are we going?”

Jack continued to walk ahead, not looking at the family behind him. “We are paying Wilbur a little visit. It’s close to Las Nevadas. I would’ve gone there first, but Tubbo has a break from work for the next two weeks and Quackity is gone for whatever reason, with Foolish following along. I think Fundy has stayed behind in Las Nevadas and Purpled has left them, so the place is not of any importance currently.”

Ranboo crooked his head to the side. “How do you know all that?”

“Tubbo and I are friends. And if you would just think for a second you would realise that the fight you two have going on is complete bullshit. Tubbo has his reasons, just as much as you have yours.”

Ranboo looked down at the floor and his grip on Michael tightened.

“What the fuck, man?!” Tommy was glaring daggers at Jack. If looks could kill, Jack would be 6 feet under. But Jack was mad just as much, the anger making his blood boil right under the surface and any little thing could make him explode. And let’s just say, Tommy is really trying to get on his last nerve.

“Tommy, I am really trying my best here, but if you don’t shut up my hand might just slip”, Jack snarled.

Phil immediately stood before Tommy and held his sword in Jacks direction.

The other just groaned and threw his head back, frustration making itself clear. “I swear to Exdy, if you would act like that with Tubbo I don’t think we would even have this conversation. But quite frankly, you are all fucking idiots, so here we are now.”

“And what do you mean by that, mate?” Phil was glaring at him, his eyes darkened. But there also seemed to be confusion laced in them.

“What did I say earlier, Phil? I said that you know nothing. And I mean that. Because if you’d know anything, then you wouldn’t get that dark look in your eyes every time Tubbo was mentioned, and you wouldn’t have blown L’manburgh to shreds. So yes, I have my reasons to hate all of your guy’s guts.”

Jack continued to walk ahead, leaving a dumbstruck Phil, a glaring Tommy and a close-to-tears Ranboo behind.

The rain had stopped, the sun came out of its hiding spot behind the clouds and the mobs left for the safety of the shadows. Jack continued to hold tightly onto his sword. The others were still following behind him, but they were all now quiet, not knowing what to say. Even Tommy was at a loss of words, even though he had thousands of different swear words running through his mind.

Tommy wasn’t sure what Jack was talking about. Phil knew everything what happened in the SMP and with L’manburgh (right)? After all, Wilbur always told him when he wrote Phil one of his letters and even Tommy wrote some. So what the hell was Jack talking about? It didn’t make any sense!

As Tommy looked back up again, he could see the big white sign with the glowing red letters spelling out “Las Nevadas”. Tommy gaped at the sign, because to be fair, that sign was fucking massive! Even with the sun out in the open, the sign was fucking glowing.

Jack stopped for a moment and stared at the sign. He spit on the ground in front of it, before taking a sharp left turn and went down the sandy hill, the others following close behind. The three looked at each other; Ranboo shrugged, Phil furrowed his brows and Tommy just groaned and rolled his eyes. He really didn’t want to deal with the other for any longer. Jack was being fucking weird and it was fucking annoying.

A little further down that hill the burger van was standing in all it’s messed up glory, reminding Tommy of the good old days before L’manburgh was in its bloom, was in the making.

Jack stopped at the end of the hill, glaring at the van.

Phil stopped beside him. “You will stay behind.”

Jack just chuckled. “Don’t you worry about your oh so lovely son’s safety. I really don’t want to get any unnecessary blood on my hands today, Mister Minecraft.”

Phil growled at him and some of the crows surrounding them cawed loudly at Jack.

Ranboo walked up to Jack and placed Michael in his arms. Jack raised his eyebrows at him but didn’t say anything.

“The fuck you doing, Ranboob?” Tommy had his arms crossed and Shroud’s head was peeking over his shoulder.

Ranboo wrung his hands as he looked at Tommy. “Jack has been babysitting Michael a lot. He would stay over from time to time and spent time with him and Tubbo.” His eyes fell onto the van. “Tubbo didn’t want for Wilbur to know about Michael. I don’t exactly know why, besides the fact that he seems to hate Wilbur’s guts.” He looked back at Tommy and smiled. “I trust Jack with Michael. How about he also takes care of Shroud? I know you don’t like Jack for whatever reason, but I think it’s better if the kids stay outside. We three can talk with Wilbur. Does that sound good?”

Tommy was glaring at Jack, watching him holding onto Michael and swaying from side to side, cooing softly. Then he looked at Ranboo who was smiling at him and nodded. His gaze fell onto the van, seeing Wilbur walking around in there, rummaging through some chests. He bit his lip before looking back at Jack. “If anything happens to my child, I swear I will kill you with my bare fucking hands!”

Jack rolled his eyes but nodded. “As if I would hurt a child, Tommy. I’m not fucking crazy, man!”

Tommy rolled his eyes as well, though he carefully let Shroud crawl from his back towards his chest, where Jack took the Spider with his free arm. “Nothing will happen to the kids, I promise. Now you guys better make sure whether or not Wilbur knows anything.”

Some of the crows decided to stay behind with Jack and the two children.

“Hello there, Gentlemen!”

Wilbur stood in front of the door to the van, his arms spread wide as if he was waiting for a hug. But that hug would never come, and everyone knew that, it wasn’t a surprise. However, Wilbur’s expression changed to a kind of sad one. His smile faltered for a second, before it reappeared just as bright as before.

“Ranboo! It is great to see you, my man!”

“Hey, Wilbur.” Ranboo waved a little, his tail swishing from one side to the other nervously.

Tommy raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything. He was still wary of his older brother and quite frankly, no one could blame him. He risked a glance behind his back to check on Shroud. Jack and the children were resting on the sand, Michael in the elder’s lap and Shroud resting in front of them, both children babbling about something and Jack saying something in between, which in turn made the children laugh.

He was sitting far enough away from them, so that Wilbur wouldn’t be able to reach the kids. Just in case, of course.

No one knew Wilbur’s reaction to this whole ordeal, so everyone was in for a surprise.

Phil was explaining the story to Wilbur, trying to fill him in with everything that had happened that day, trying to refrain himself from talking about Michael and Shroud. Tommy was glaring Daggers at his older brother (fear was evident in the youngest eyes and his body was tense) and Ranboo looked everywhere but the brown-haired man in front of him and his tail was swishing from one side to another even faster than before.

“Wilbur.”

“Phil.” Wilbur continued to smile, though it was clear that something was darkening his tone. No one knew what it was though, and it was slightly confusing.

Phil sighed. “Have you seen Tubbo recently?”

Wilbur’s smile seemed to brighten at the mention of the young hybrid. “Yes actually. Why though?” He crooked his head slightly to the side.

Hope blossomed in the other three’s hearts. Finally!

Phil stepped closer to the man. “When? When was that? What happened?”

Confusion placed itself over Wilbur’s face. “This morning actually. Was quite a surprise to be honest. Thought he left yesterday for a break or whatever. Oh, and he didn’t look too happy. Tubbo has grown quite a mouth, you know – I never heard him or anyone for that matter, not even Tommy – swear this much before.” Wilbur chuckled at the memory. Tommy just scoffed.

“And? What happened after that?”

Wilbur looked at Las Nevadas. “Nothing. As far as I know he didn’t show up again. Like I said, I thought he left for his break already by yesterday.” Wilbur shrugged, but something else placed itself over his voice.

Ranboo let out a frustrated noise that sounded way too much like an actual Enderman in distress. Phil winced at the sound and Tommy put his hand on Ranboo’s back. Wilbur stood in front of them, not moving a single muscle, his gaze still fixed on Las Nevadas. Then – slowly – his gaze fell back on the three people in front of him, face rid of any emotion. “What happened to Tubbo?” His eyes landed on the jacket in Ranboo’s arms.

The Enderman decided to hold onto the missing hybrids jacket after he gave his son to Jack, trying to hold onto something to calm himself down.

“What?”, Ranboo croaked out.

“What happened to Tubbo?”, repeated the brown head. “Something happened, am I right?”

“Why do you care?” Tommy’s face contorted into one of anger once again.

“Are you saying that I can’t?”

“Yes.”

“You guys are terrible.”

Tommy let out a high-pitched screech and spun around, nearly falling over. Ranboo caught him just in time, the same shocked expression on his face. Phil turned around as well, a hand over his sword. Wilbur only stared at the person standing behind the others.

“What the fuck?”, the youngest said, a tight grip on Ranboo’s arm and the angry expression on his face returned once again.

Jack didn’t even bat an eye during the whole ordeal. Shroud sat on his head and Michael was in his arms, both children seemed to be content where they were, as they were laughing at the expression on the elder’s faces.

Jack’s gaze fell on Ranboo’s and Tommys hold on each other, his face turning into a scowl. But he quickly looked back up at Wilbur. Tommy was left confused, as he was the only one to notice Jacks expression.

“Jack.” The revived man nodded in the others direction.

“Wilbur”, the other greeted back.

Wilbur’s gaze shifted to the Spider and the zombified Piglin. “You brought your pets?”

Jack scoffed. “Don’t call them that!”

“Why not?” Wilbur crooked his head to the side once more.

Instead or answering, Jack changed the subject. “Since these people don’t know how to communicate properly without starting a fight and since Phil doesn’t know on how to feel about this whole situation, I will be the one to talk from now on. What else do you know about Tubbo? Since you are so close to Las Nevadas.”

Wilbur didn’t say anything at first, only staring at Michael. You could practically see the gears turning in his head. “What do you really want to know?”, he finally asked after a long moment of silence.

“I only want to know one thing. Did anything else happen here that was out of the ordinary for you? Besides Tubbo swearing like a sailor?”

Wilbur hummed in thought and looked at Las Nevadas once again. His eyes went out of focus, and he seemed to be in deep thought. He stood still, not moving a single muscle in his body and Phil anxiously looked from Wilbur to Jack and back to Wilbur; his wings twitching and his hand staying on the hilt of his sword.

Wilbur blinked, his eyes went back into focus and he looked at Jack. “Something interesting did happen. I don’t know with who, but Tubbo seemed to have an argument with someone over a call. He sounded rather frustrated and angry and to be honest, Tubbo looked rather exhausted. However, I am in no position to talk to him since he doesn’t really seem to like me.” Wilbur’s voice sounded almost dismissive, but his eyes definitely showed something alongside guilt and sorrow.

Tommy nodded. “I believe that was Foolish. Think he told Tubbo he couldn’t babysit Michael and Shroud.”

“Who now?” Wilbur’s eyes went to Jack and then to the two children hanging off of him. “You mean those two?”

“Yeah.” Ranboo answered and his tail wrapped around Tommy’s leg. Jack scoffed again and rolled his eyes. “Doesn’t matter. Leave it.”

“What is your fucking problem, Jack?” Tommy glared at the other, face contorted into a frown.

Jack just sighed and shook his head. “If we look at it that way, all of you are my problem. But since we all seem to care about Tubbo in some way or the other, we’ll just have to deal with each other.”

“What’s your business with Tubbo anyways, mate?” Phil crossed his arms and looked at Jack.

The man with the red and blue glasses looked back at Phil, an unimpressed expression on his face. “I don’t have business with Tubbo. I simply want my friend back and to be okay. Tubbo does not deserve any more pain. Not from you, not from anyone!” Jack turned around and placed the two giggling children on the ground.

“Where do you think you’re going, bitchboy?” Tommy asked the other.

“I’ve texted Fundy and he said he was still in Las Nevadas. I told him to meet us in front of the gates.”

“Fundy?” Wilbur looked up, his eyes glistening with something like hope.

“Yup. If he doesn’t know where Tubbo is, then we’ve got a big problem.”

Jack took a hold of the little Piglin’s hand, who in turn took the Spiders front leg and then they headed up the sandy hill to get to the big gates. The children started talking to each other again and giggled occasionally. Jack smiled fondly at them, glad and thankful that Shroud was able to get Michaels mind off of the whole situation. Looking ahead he continued on his way, the others trailing behind him.

The five men stood at the front gates, waiting. Fundy hadn’t arrived yet and the men were getting nervous.

Michael and Shroud were playing in the sand with Philza watching over them. Tommy and Ranboo were sitting in the sand as well, the blonde taking a rest against the Ender Hybrid. Ranboo had his tail wrapped around the other and looked ahead where Jack and Wilbur stood. His hands were buried in Tubbo’s jacket with Tommy holding onto it as well.

Jack stood beside Wilbur, communicator in a tight grip and his bottom lip between his teeth. Wilbur held his hands behind his back and looked at Jack from time to time. After a long moment of silence, he sighed. “So, Jack.”

Jack glanced at the other. “Yes, Wilbur?”

The once dead man went quiet once again. Eventually he asked: “What is your relationship with Tubbo?”

Jack was taken back by that question. He didn’t expect Wilbur to ask that kind of question, nor did he ever think the other would be interested in that. He looked at the former president beside him, only hesitating for a second. “Tubbo is like a brother to me.”

Wilbur nodded at that, though he gritted his teeth slightly. “And…has Tubbo been doing good?”

The younger frowned. “Define the word good.”

For the first time, Wilbur actually seemed to show and not hold back his emotions. “Has Tubbo been smiling? Laughing? Has he been living?”

Jacks frown deepened at that, confusion placing itself like a blanket over his features. Wilbur seemed hesitant, genuinely curious, and if Jack had to be honest, he even seemed a little desperate. He bit his lip once again and stared at the gates in front of them, though he took a sidestep towards Wilbur. Jack was torn. He knew what Wilbur put Tubbo through. Mentally, physically. Known or unknown. Tubbo was scared shitless of Wilbur, his former older brother, one of the few people he used to looked up to. Wilbur has hurt him in ways no one should experience. But at the same time Jack could see genuine care in Wilbur’s eyes. He just wasn’t sure if he could trust it.

Jack sighed and thought of Tubbo. The times the two of them have spent together since building Snowchester, and about how the two of them have been growing closer once again. If he was being honest, Tubbo has grown to be truly his younger brother figure. And especially after Jack has found out about how Tubbo copes with his stress and the memories that haunt him. Ever since then, Jack has noticed that Tubbo trusted him the most. He couldn’t let him down now. Not like all the others did. The smell of iron and salt, the red stains in the bathroom and the youngest wails hanging heavy in his ears and he had to refrain from gripping his shirt right over his heart.

Then his mind went back to the times when Tubbo would laugh and smile, genuine happiness radiating off of him, his eyes glowing with appreciation and the way his body relaxed over time. Gone was the anxiety, the worry, the pressure. Tubbo was acting like he was a child again. As if the wars and bloodshed never happened, never tainted his hands red and his soul black.

But the darker parts of their time spent together also shoved themselves forward in his mind. The ugly nights when Tubbo would try to drink as much alcohol as his small and damaged body could handle, until he would eventually pass out. The nights when Tubbo would wail loudly in his room, the sobs wrecking through his body and the way he would pass out because his lungs couldn’t get in enough air. Jack remembered the nights when Tubbo would sit in the bathroom, surrounded by his own dark red liquid. The nights when he nearly lost Tubbo. The nights he had to dye the others hair so no one would suspect a thing.

His stomach sunk, his muscled tensed and his breathing stopped for a moment.

“Jack?” Wilbur, who has been staring at the other for the past few minutes, frowned and placed a hand on top of the others shoulder.

The younger flinched slightly and refused to face the former president. “Tubbo has been okay.” He paused for a moment. “But on some days it is far worse than on the others.”

Wilbur’s eyes widened and he stared at Jack for a while, the latter still wouldn’t meet his eyes. He instead continued to bite on his lip and stared at the gates before them.

“Thank you. For being honest and for being there for him.”

Jacks head took a fast turn towards Wilbur, mouth open in shock. “W-what?”

Before he could say anything else he heard a squeal and something bumped into his leg.

“∓ϟ≠⍩ꑇ!”

Jack turned around, a smile spreading across his face. “☇≚⋕⋕⌑, ≡ꑇ⍩≚☩!” He picked up the Piglin, who in turn giggled. “∓ϟ≠⍩ꑇ, ∓ϟ≠⍩ꑇ!”

Jack chuckled and booped the child’s nose. “☇⌑〲 ☩⌑‡ ⊒⌑ꑇ⇌∦, ☈‡☈⌤?”

Michael smiled brightly and started blabbering about what he and Shroud had done, with the Spider joining in. The three sat down on the ground , and Michael still smiled brightly up at Jack. “⋕⌑⋈≚ ☩⌑‡, ‡⇌≠⋕≚.”

Jack was stunned for a moment. Uncle? Tears started to gather in his eyes and he was glad to be wearing his glasses.

“ꑇ ⋕⌑⋈≚ ☩⌑‡ ⌆⌑⌑, ☈‡☈⌤.”

Michael threw his arms around Jacks neck and started laughing. While laughing he sounded a lot like Tubbo – it was surreal.

As Jack looked up again, he felt three pairs of eyes looking at him. Philza, Ranboo and Wilbur were staring with wide eyes at him. “What?”, he said, voice laced with confusion.

Phil narrowed his eyes. “You know Piglin?”

Jack just stared at him for a moment. “Obviously I do. You expect me to not try everything in my power to understand my nephew? Something as simple as learning a language?”

“I think what Phil means, is how you know how to speak Piglin”, Wilbur spoke up from beside him. The former president was definitely confused on what was going on. After all, why did Jack call the Piglin his nephew, and why did the Piglin in turn call Jack his uncle? Wilbur has missed out on a lot but he decided to let it slide for the time being. I wouldn’t deserve to know anyways.

“You do realise Tubbo and I are friends, right? And that we spend a lot of time together?”

Philza stood up and walked closer. “And what does that have to do with anything?

Jack growled. Actually fucking growled. “Did you forget that Technoblade is a Piglin hybrid and used to spend a lot of time together with Tubbo when they were younger? Tubbo learned it from him and I in turn learned it from Tubbo.”

Both of them could’ve probably continued this for longer, but at that moment the gates finally opened, giving a perfect view of the one person standing behind them and the buildings lining the street.

“Here goes nothing…” A sigh left someone’s lips, probably Wilbur’s.

His gaze flickered to the clock on his right once again.

He was growing more and more worried the more seconds passed by. Usually, he was a very calm and patient person, especially while hunting. But with all the events that took place today it wasn’t easy. 

The teen was sound asleep on his friends lap. From the way his body twitched from time to time, it didn't seem to be a very pleasant sleep. He was glad that it didn‘t seem to be a nightmare though. He deserved some rest. 

While his friend seemed to be debating on what to tell him now, he had some time to think about everything that had happened so far...