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Chapter Text

“  The sleepy bois sea and research is one of the most active mermaid rehabilitation centers in the world! It is amazing to learn that almost 80% of the mers that are taken into their care can be released to safe areas with their pods. I have Mr. Craft here for an interview."

While watching the TV, Techno and Wilbur watched their father answer questions from the anchor. Neither enjoyed it when their father left since that meant they were on their own to manage the entire facility. Seeing what was coming, Wilbur paled just a little, praying it wouldn't be him. “Which one of us is going to feed tank 47” he drawls tilting his head at his twin who just sat there. 

“Uhhh suddenly tech Lovejoy has a gig they need to-” as he gets up his twin follows scruffing the younger. “Don’t you try that” he rolls his eyes letting out a chuff as he starts dragging Wilbur towards the Hallway that leads to all the quarantined Tanks, “You owe me Wilbur” Techno smiles a bit and Wilbur stares at him like he was insane.

“Yeah! But that doesn't mean you can drag me to my Death Tech!” He starts squirming trying to pry Technos hands off him but to no avail. This was surely his doom Wilbur went limp, there was so much he wanted to do with his life still oh woe is the cruel technoblade shipping him off to his doom.

“Stop being dramatic Will.” Techno's voice snaps him out of his sadness as he starts to look up now seeing the door with the jagged 47, Behind this door is a beast so terrible even their father struggles. “Please technoooo!” he whines clutching his twin's shirt. The taller one only rolls his eyes and hands, Wilbur, a tray prying his twin's hand off him. “Now go on. We both know we have to be on time.”

Wilbur sighs and stares at the ceiling praying for any type of god's blessing. Slowly he opens the door, Right in front of him sat a giant tank that could possibly house numerous orcas. He saw shredded clothes on the ground, those must have been from the last caretakers to come in here. With a deep breath, he continues forwards placing the plate on a platform and quickly backing away. The sound of splashing and a plate falling into the water indicated that it was taken and he could leave. 

Wilbur did not hesitate to leave, almost slamming the door behind him with how fast he was going. He puts a hand on his chest over his heart as he sucked air into his body, Techno rolls his eyes once again at how dramatic his brother was being, “see it wasn't that bad” He smiles and Wilbur sees a hint of snarkiness in that he was half inclined to test his luck with fighting techno. 

Realization suddenly dawned on Wilbur as he starts glancing around them. “Tech?” he looks up at his twin who hums as an answer starting to walk away, “Where is Tommy?” that got him to freeze staring at his brother now with big eyes. “Shit”

Wilbur nods slowly “Shit”

With that, they took off running looking for their little blonde brother who unbeknownst to them was in room 47 wanting to see the pretty mermaid that was kept there.

Now Tommy was a big man! Really he was! His brothers always spoke about how scary door 47 was and when he snuck a look at his dad's file he saw a very pretty green mermaid! Well, it wasn't the same shade of green that Mr sam was, and Mr sam was pretty Don't get him wrong! It was just that it said that this one was “in qua-ran-tine?” When he asked Phil he said it just meant that the mermaid had to be alone. Well, that won't do! No one likes to be alone.

Ignoring the scraps of clothes on the floor as he walks towards the tank, his plush cow in his hands, slowly he puts a hand on the glass of a tank, and out of the depths of the water comes a finned hand pressing against the side of the glass. Tommy let out a soft gasp as he moved his face closer to the glass and soon a mermaid moved forwards mimicking His movements, his eyes blown out as he stared at Tommy.

A smile breaks out on Tommy's face and he waves. “Hi, bigman!!” the mermaid tilts its head and points up towards the platform before swimming up to the platform that once held his food, Tommy nods determinedly to get up there since well he was a big man! And you can't stop him from making friends with the sad and lonely mermaid no sir! Climbing up the steel stairs was quite the task as they were a little old and his legs were not as nearly as tall as Wilbur's.

There was a splash as the Mer lifted himself halfway out of the water he stared at Tommy curiously once he crawled fully up the stairs. “Hi! I'm Tommy!” he giggles, waving happily to the mer. Dream tilts his head confused as he waves back a series of clicks and chirps left his throat, his eyes blow out wider as he slowly reaches for Tommy. Tommy, of course, scoots forwards leaving Henry safe on the platform, he was curious about what the mer wanted to do. “You looked lonely so I-I wanted to come to meet you,” Tommy says his voice cracked a little since well truth be told he was only a tiny bit scared. Dream smiles his sharp teeth shining in the light as he tugs Tommy into the water “Pup” he trills and Tommy let out a yelp his eyes wide he clings to dream who held him on his stomach being very gentle. 

He floated on his back with Tommy to his chest as he ran a webbed hand through the blonde's hair.  “Mine-Mine-Pup-Mine”   He kept pressing his forehead against tommys keeping up the Trills and chirps. Tommy giggles as he realized that Dream wasn't going to do anything else other than float there in the very warm water. It kind of made him sleepy, his eyes started to drift shut as he nuzzled into the hand in his hair.

The only sound that rang around the room was the soft purrs and chirps of a happy mer. That was until the door slammed open and the stupid researchers came in. “TOMMY!” Wilbur screams running up the stairs but dream only drifted away hissing at Wilbur who stood there frozen in fear. “Dream gives me back Tommy right now.'' He tries to remain calm but Dream shakes his head . “no! Fuck off this is my pup fuck you” he spoke for once clutching Tommy tighter. Wilbur sputters and he shakes his head looking back at Techno for some support but the other was on the phone he called Phil. “Dream he's not your pup! He's human he can't be your pup”

Dream shakes his head snarling at Wilbur; he made sure to stay still so that Tommy's head stayed above the water. “This is my Land pup Not yours!”

“What do you mean not mine! Tommy is my little brother!!”

“No mine! My Land Pup” He kept hissing at Wilbur and it was obvious he was about to attack so Wilbur had to back up, Tommy finally woke up rubbing his eyes as he pressed his cheek against Dream's shoulder he let out a soft whine and Dream was instantly all over making sure Tommy was okay making panicked trills and chirps, this is the first time Techno and Wilbur have seen this behavior displayed in the other.

Dream's head swivels when he hears the door open, In came a very frazzled-looking Phil as he rushed up the stairs. He smiles though it was obviously strained as he tried to reach over to Dream and Tommy, “Hey mate, howabout we give Tommy back okay?”

Dream huffs shaking his head and letting out a sad Trill but he quickly replaced it with Anger as he slashes at Phil with his Sharp claws, the older was quick to Retract his hand in case he were to lose a finger. “No!” He screeches. “My pup! He is my land Pup!” The blonde sighs watching Them wearily as they float farther into the tank, Dreams eyes never Leaving Phil yet he doesn't notice Techno behind him on a different platform Readying up a tranquilizer. “I understand that Mate but since toms a… land pup? He can't stay in the water forever and he will get sick.” Phil narrows his eyes at techno before raising his hand telling Techno to stop whatever the fuck he's doing.

The mer buffered for a second as he loosened his grip around the supposed ‘Land pup’ his frills move and his head snaps back facing Techno who stiffened he had the tranq gun pointing at him. This alarmed him since it could hurt his land pup! With an angry hiss he quickly took them to his cove, he ignored the sound of Phil yelling at Techno only focusing on Tommy's comfort

 Now outside was a frenzy. Phil was running a hand through his hair as he and Tech watch the cove, Damn them for respecting Mers privacy and not adding a hatch or anything to the top. Damn them for actually thinking of their comfort. “What the fuck mate!” Phil looks at techno who just groans placing the dart gun down, he stares at the entrance of the cove. “I thought-”

“No no you should have listened to me Tech I was getting somewhere!”

“But Phil we can't just leave Tommy in there! You know how much of a wild card Dream is. 

“Yes, but we know how mers work to an extent! He wouldn't have hurt Tommy, we were just being a threat to him, go out into the hall with Wilbur ill try and get Tommy out again.” he took off his hat putting it to the side slowly he gets into the water shivering at the feeling of wet jeans. “Phil are you sure-”

“Yes mate, I'm sure don't worry ill be okay alright?”

A sigh left the other. “If you die I'm not holding a funeral.”

Phil chuckles softly waiting till he heard the soft click of the door shutting before starting to drift towards the cove, He heard Dreams warning hiss before stalling and floating there. “Hey, mate I'm sorry For techno's reaction earlier.”

“I don't care fuck off” Dream warbles out squeezing Tommy closer to him he glared at Phil from his corner of the cove. Phil shakes his head messing with the water he floated in a little. “You know I can't Mate, Tommy is like me a land pup”

“You were going to dart me!” Dream lowers his voice quickly when he sees Tommy grow uncomfortable. “He's my land pup” 

Phil sighs floating there he stayed where he was as he thought of a resolution, he turns to Tommy “Heya canary, Has Dream been nice?” he asks tilting his head a smile spreading on his face as he sees Tommy start to Smile. He nods excitedly and he nuzzles Dream a little. “Yah!”

“Do you want to come back every other day to see Dream?” Phil asks making sure he kept his eyes on Dream watching as the mer shifted Tommy in his arms. Tommy nods quickly “He was lonely! So-so ill come back and be his friend!”

“Friends is an understatement,”  Phil thought as he nods a few times. “Okay howabout this Dream Every other day I bring Tommy to see you-” he's cut off by the other's tail hitting the surface.

“Dream you know I can't-”

“Every. Day.”

A sigh and the older blonde nods, “Okay okay every day'll bring toms to come to visit for a little while. Happy?” Dream nods a little before slowly swimming to Phil and stopping right in front of the other. With a few last Chirps and trills and one last hug he reluctantly gave Tommy back to his dad. Phil let out a happy chuckle of relief, “Thank you Dream. I'll see you tomorrow Yeah? With Tommy.”

Dream nods and he dives down

Phil sighs knowing he's going to be dealing with a very sulky Mer For a while until he gets everything settled.

Chapter Text

The next day Phil stayed true to his word and he brought Tommy back to say the mermaid was thrilled was an understatement as they watched Dream do flips out of the water and his trills bounced off the walls. “Whoa, there mate,” Phil says chuckling, moving Tommy back a little, this time they were more equipped for the water both in water suits and Tommy had his little water wings. Dream swims over and floats by the platform, his eyes dilated as he stares at Tommy ignoring Phil who only sighs fondly. “Let's get you in alright?” Phil lowers himself into the water and he helps Tommy In who just Splashes giggling happily.

Dream was swift to Scoop Tommy up letting out happy trills  “Pup-mine-gold-”  He looked unhappy that Tommy had the water wings but knowing Phil would be upset he kept them on Tommy. They floated there in a happy little bliss before Phil's screeching voice interrupted them. Dream shot him an annoyed glare as he watched over Tommy, “So dream you've been here for months yet Kristin didn't tell me what happened. Could you tell me what happened out there?” He was careful with his words; he wasn't afraid that Dream would hurt Tommy.

Hell, he knew Dream wouldn't hurt anyone he considered his pod. He just didn't want to upset them enough that he would shut down. Dream let out a Soft chirr and he ducks his head under the water a little he shakes his head hugging Tommy closer. The smaller blonde looks up and tilts his head, “Dream?” he asks confused, patting the mers cheek gently trying to make him happy. “Happy! We are swimming now!” he started squirming off the other's chest and kicking his legs so that he would start to propel himself forwards. 

Dream let out a worried screech as he hovers around Tommy watching the child swim and Phil chuckles. “Okay let's go to yes or no answers alright? You haven't had any medical checkups yet, would you let us give you a checkup tomorrow if Tommy is here?” Dream freezes for a second and he looks at Tommy, he chews on his lip a little and he nods. “Yes” he croaks out, “Only if my Land Pup is here”

Phil let out a sigh of relief as he floats closer to Dream and Tommy, the other tries to drift away but he stops when he sees Tommy go toward Phil and hugs his dad Briefly before going back to dream. He was doggy paddling and it made Dream coo the mer swam around him trying to show Tommy how to swim like a mermaid yet Tom couldn't do it. Phil smiles weakly and he floats there watching, “He's a human mate he can't do that unless we make something for him, but that will wait till he's older.”

Dream looked upset at that and he blew a bubble in the water. He cards his hand through Tommy's hair causing the younger to giggle. “Now next question, will you ever tell us what happened to your pod?” Phil asks softly, watching as dream pupils shrink and he blinks away tears. “N-no never” he hisses, clutching Tommy to his chest suddenly. Phil nods, getting a picture of what happened.

Phil looks at the clock on the wall, “I'm going to leave you and Tommy here for an hour okay? I'll come back to get him. Don't hurt him I trust you won't just be careful- he's not a mer child remember?” Dream scoffs but nods, chirping softly as he watches Phil get out of the water. He didn't care about what Phil said he was a perfect guard he will keep his land pup safe. 

Phil rings out his hair as he left the room turning a corner to meet face to face with the twins, he flinches startled by their sudden appearance. “What's going on boys?” he asks with a sigh he can already feel the gray hairs appearing as he watches Wilbur's eye twitch. “What's going on?! You left Tommy with our most dangerous case!” he screeches but stops when Phil raises his hand, honestly Phil was just getting too old for this. “I know, I know Dream won't hurt Tommy,” he explains though the twins didn't think it was enough. 

“How DO you know Phil?” Techno asks, crossing his arms as he stares at his father who just raised an eyebrow at them. The blonde sighs and he leans against the wall cringing at the feeling of the wetsuit. “I've done this long enough I know Dream won't hurt whatever he sees as a pup, you know how special pups are to mer-”

“But Dream!?” Wilbur interjects pointing at the door and the obvious dents in it where people have tried to run out as fast as they could causing the wall to dent. 

“Yes Even Dream, he may be Dangerous to Us but to Tommy, he's fine Mate he may hurt us but he's still a mer.” Phil starts walking past them and to the lockers the feeling of the wetsuit was getting on his nerves. Seriously, who likes just standing there in a soaked wet suit?! It's heavy and you can feel it when the water drips and it's just ew. 

“But-”

This time Phil catches him and he turns to Wilbur with a soft smile on his face, “It's okay mate trust me when I say Dream will not hurt your brother.” He reaches up and ruffles Wilbur's hair who just stood there and took it. He calms down running a hand through his hair to try and smooth it back down, Wilbur didn't believe Phil but he would follow whatever order Phil gives him. The blonde seemed to relax at that and he nodded, “Now let me change. Please tell Ponk that Dream has agreed to do a medical exam.”

Wilbur blinks and he buffered for a second, Dream actually agreed to a medical? Now that. That was impressive! Wilbur nods, grabbing Techno's arm as he drags the other to the vet's side of the facility. “Oh ponk?” Puffy asks when they ask her where he is. “He was printing something out” she pointed down the hall to where the printing rooms are, Wilbur dragged Techno with him and Techno didn't understand why he was needed. 

“Ponk?” Wilbur calls and he stops at the door as he sees Ponk's tape, a picture that has the caption  “If you see this it's too late”  and it's a picture of Dream with a slight motion blur as he came after the cameraman. Turning around the Doctor practically jumps out of his skin, his heart to his chest, he reaches up and takes out some earphones. “Dear gods! You guys scared me” they mumbled, shaking their heads. 

Techno has to shake Wilbur out of his stupor as he reads the picture. “What…What is that ponk?” Ponk glances back at the picture before looking at the stack of them in his hands. “Uh, I thought they were funny?” He tried hiding his laughter but he was failing and it was clear. The brunette shakes his head and he gets back on task. “Phil got Dream to agree to do a medical.” The others eyes seem to light up as he slams the papers down. “REALLY?!” he shouts buzzing with excitement but he was swift with lowering his voice and clearing his throat. He laughs sheepishly. “When? Tomorrow?! I've been waiting to see how his health is doing!” He hurries past the twins.

Wilbur grabbed Techno's hand and followed the Doctor with a smile on his face. While he may not enjoy the dream to an extent he was happy the mer was getting the medical treatment he needed. “Tomorrow I think, There had to have been some deal that was done so you'll have to ask Phil for more details.”

The two remained with the doctor for a while to just chat with him or more of Wilbur was forcing Techno to socialize, By the time they looked at the clock it was already lunchtime. Phil was now back in a wetsuit so that he could try and get Tommy; he was now holding a different bath toy so that he could trade with the mer. Walking in with a smile seeing Tommy drifting to sleep laying once again on the mers chest as they floated there peacefully in the warm water. Going up the steps Phil dips his legs into the water. “Hey Dream” he spoke softly getting the mers attention who just trills softly starting to drift towards Phil. “You're taking the pup away now?” he asks a sad chirp left him he held Tommy closer, Phil understood he was upset but it was necessary. “Yeah, Do you have the bath toy I gave you yesterday?” he asks shifting so that he could pick Tommy up but waited till Dream was ready. 

“Mmhm..” he nods, giving the boy one soft kiss on the forehead before giving Tommy to Phil before diving down and getting the toy. He comes back up and gives it to Phil, His eyes widened in surprise as he gets another toy back. “We are gonna trade toys every day, okay mate? So that you don't miss Tommy too much.”

Dream cradles it close to his chest and he nods watching as the two leave.

The last thing Phil saw was the splash of water as the green mermaid went down into his deeper cave. 

What an odd day and tomorrow might be more hectic.

Chapter Text

It stressed dream out when they leave for long periods often he finds himself pressed against the glass for any sign of the human ‘Phil’ and his landpup “Tommy” he can see the moon cross from the glass dome above him as he sang his songs wishing for his pup back as he curled around the toy. He knows when the sun reaches its peak that they would be back it's just he misses the land pup a lot he just wants to keep him safe in a nest. 

By the time the sun hit his peak Dream was back to the glass swimming in slow circles as he watches the door open, in came Phil and his landpup along with a lot of other humans in white coats. Dreams spines flare for a second and he hisses when the one with the face covering seems to stick a paper to the glass somehow. 

Phil stares at ponk dumbfounded, “How many of these will you make?” he asks, staring at the paper that had a small sticky arrow that they could change and two signs that said ``Currently  Tommy time   and  Stay away if you want to live .” He made the arrow point to Tommy.

Phil facepalms.

“Let's just get this over with alright” he sighs fondly and he takes Tommy up who seemed excited to see the mer. Dream jumps out of the water a few times ecstatic to see Tommy before going out and holding his hands out to gently take Tommy. Phil let him before slipping in himself, “Okay Dream we are going to get you checked out by our vet, our healer?” He tried to remember it in mermaid terms. 

Dream nods a little and he floats there playing with Tommy's hair the smaller blonde giggles and waves to everyone who just as happily waved back. Ponk seemed nervous about Tommy being in the water, he signals for the stretcher to be lowered into the water. Gently Dream gets nudged towards the stretcher by Phil after he slipped into the water, Dream chirps nervously and he glances at Phil who just reassures him with a smile. 

Dream lays on the stretcher he hisses at Ponk a little bit he holds Tommy tighter who just hugs him, “It okay Dream!” he giggles, “I went and got a checkup a few weeks ago too! It's scary but okay!” Dream swallows nervously but nods calming down. Ponk gets into the water and starts to work, he measures Dream From tip to tail and checks his eyes and his mouth and teeth. There were some minor issues that ponk was worried about, a possible infection in his fin that needed to be treated so that it wouldn't get worse. “Dream I'm going to put on some cream and wrap your sailfin. Alright?” he asks and Dream just floats there confused about those words he just nods too busy playing with tommys hair. Tommy giggles and takes one of dreams hands- playing with it. The mer just trills letting ponk do whatever he needed as long as his time with Tommy was interrupted. 

Applying the cream was a nerve-racking process since Dream may not be verbally showing a threat but the way his sailfins start to raise said a lot more. He tried to wrap his fin as fast as he could before Dream finally snapped and ponk himself would become one of the pictures he made. “It's all good alright now Dream I want to ask a few more questions here..”

Dream nods turning towards him a little bit to show he's listening

“What is Tommy to you?” he asks tilting his head and was surprised to see all of his fins raise and a hiss starting up at the back of Dream's throat. Ponk raises his hands to show he wasn't a threat, “No no I'm not taking him away I just want to know what he is to you I won't take him away.” The reassurance caused Dream to relax along with Tommy's pat on his head. “Pup-landpup” he mumbles

Ponk nods getting out of the water and starting to write on a clipboard he had, “ why do you think of Tommy as a landpup dream?” he asks. It was clear Dream instantly got uncomfortable with that question and he looks at Phil, “Want to leave no I don't like this.” he hisses holding Tommy closer who looked worried for his friend, “Dream doesn't want to talk to you anymore” he pouts splashing at ponk who yelps taking his papers away. He glances at Phil who only nods saying, “Don't push it mate if Dream doesn't want to talk then we won't force him, Now do you think he's cleared to meet Sam today?”

Ponk nods a little, “Now Dream please swim slowly.” he points to the now wrapped Fin and Dream looks at him confused trying to touch it But Tommy stops him, “It's a boo boo you can't touch it or it might hurt, well that's what my dad says here!” Tommy goes and kisses the bandage, “There! Magic kisses always work right dad?!” he looks at Phil for confirmation, and the elder nods, “Your right Canary now Dream we are going to let you meet someone today okay? It won't be direct contact, you'll be separated by glass.”

Dream nods once and he drifts towards the closed glass his frills flick to where he hears Phil and ponk working, slowly the covering opened, and there revealed another mer. This one is a darker green with more golden eyes and green hair. 

He was much larger than Dream, in his hand, there was a trident. Dream was instantly Aggressive.

Ponk and Phil observe as dream backed away from the glass clutching Tommy to his chest letting out hisses and warming trills at Sam, the larger mer kept sending out more friendly and questionable chirps which didn't seem to work. Sam even set down the trident to try and make himself seem less aggressive to Dream yet it just didn't work.  “Mine-Leave-my landpup-”  The trills left Dream at a quick pace and soon the covering came back and Dream calmed down slowly hiding back into his cave with Tommy.

A sight left Phil as he and Ponk went over to talk to sam. Sam looks up at them half hoisted onto the deck, “That didn't go well.” he says, raising an eyebrow at them. Phil sighs and nods, “Yeah we are trying to figure out what's happening with him but if he's aggressive with you we have to come up with another approach.” Sam hums resting his head on his arms as he looks up at them, “Have you tried Kristin? I could go get her. She's the one who brought dream here after all.”

“I just thought that if he saw another protector he would feel safer,” Phil says, running a hand through his hair as he sits down. “Well, currently I think the only pod he's made is Tommy.” Ponk quips sitting down next to Phil, they sit there in silence before Phil stands back up and stretches his back pops a few times. Ponk cringes.

“You need to go rest old man all this swimming won't be good for you,” ponk says causing sam to let out a bark of a laugh, Phil stood there offended. “Shut! I'm not even that old!!”

They devolved into laughter for a little before Phil calms down, “Let's go open the gate and let Sam out alright? Please go get Kristin.” Sam nods and picks his trident back up, swimming over to the floodgates, Slowly as gears and cogs turn the gates open letting Sam into the open ocean.

Dream watches as the sun leaves his sight and the sky turns its orange hue, he watches as the human Phil walks in and he dreads the time he has to hand Tommy back over. Phil smiles albeit sadly, “I know Mate but Tom needs his rest too okay? As usual, we will be back tomorrow.”

They traded off bath toys and Phil leaves.

Dream watches with his hand on his glass as the door shuts.

Dream watches as the lights grow dim.

Dream watches as the moon rises and his song starts up again hoping for his landpup to come back soon.

Chapter Text

They were late

How did this happen? The sun was warming the room just right and Tommy hadn't woken up early either and it was just such a perfect morning that he had fallen back to sleep. But here he was now the fool scrambling to get dressed and get Tommy fed at the same time. “Toms!” he calls leaving his room and almost tripping over his own feet. “You ready bud?”

Tommy Runs over to his dad nodding “Mmhm! Let's go let's go!” he takes phils arm and starts tugging him, towards the door- Phil barely had time to put his shoes on as he goes with Tommy. He picks his son up and opens the back door placing Tommy in the car seat, the toddler was so excited he was bouncing in his seat. Phil smiles weakly at that before going to the front and starting the car. Soon they are down the street and Phil can assure you that he's being a safe driver.
 
He just

He just hates being late. 

Soon enough they get there and Phil gets Tommy out of the car seat and carries the boy to his office where he slams the door open. “You little shits, why didn't you wake me up?!” he asks his other two sons, Wilbur smirks a little and looks away trying to conceal his laughter. “Cuz you looked like you needed the rest old man” Phil lets out an outraged sound and looks about to strangle will but he remembered that that was illegal especially due to Wilbur being his son. 

He took a deep breath trying to calm down. 

“Okay, now I'm going to get Dream and Tommy set up. I'll handle you two later”

“Love you Dadza!” Wilbur calls as Phil leaves, Phil takes him and Tommy to the changing rooms. “Think you got it today mate?” he asks tilting his head at Tommy The boy nods determinedly to get into the wet suit all by himself.

It took a bit of struggle but eventually, the duo was out Phil waited for Tommy outside the room humming a soft tune. “Good job toms!” Phil says when the smaller blonde finally walks out giggling to his dad thinking he was silly as he was scooped up and held in the elder's arms. He runs into Ponk who looked a little pissed “Phil you were supposed to be here an hour agoooo” he whines, grabbing the blonde's arm and dragging him to Dreams room. “He's been upset this entire time saying something about a deal?”

Phil sighs running a hand through his hair he wonders if he should start buying the hair dye now or later…definately now with everything happening. “I know I know I'm sorry ponk” he opens the door for the doctor and walks in afterward, there he saw Dream sulking in the corner of his tank. Tommy was ecstatic, basically seeing Dream and not noticing his sullen look. “Dream!” he calls. Phil switches the stupid little sign ponk made to ‘Tommy time’ before going up the steps, he saw that dream instantly went over his tail hitting the water (comparable to a dog wagging its tail)

“Your late” Dream hisses, narrowing his eyes and reaching for the boy Phil handed him over and sat down letting his legs dip in the water. “I know I Know” he rolls his shoulders nodding. “I'm sorry it was my fault. 

Dream sticks his tongue out at Phil

“Today I'm just gonna sit here okay mate?” Phil asks, watching as Dream and Tommy drift back to the center of the pool Dream was always careful not to let the boy go. Phil remained silent so he could just observe their interactions throughout the day. Dream always seemed close by if Tommy started to swim off getting any of the toys Dream had and playing with them and the mer. The first one was the diving rings which the boy was enthralled by.

Tommy would throw the rings and he would watch Dream go down before quickly coming back up, the mer hands Tommy back the rings, and the process is repeated. Phil watches as Dream lets Tommy put the rings on his ear fins and his head the smaller clapping and saying Dream looked fancy. Dream seemed to agree before taking them off and oh so gently leading Tommy back to the box of toys. 

Their games lasted a few hours until Tommy started to get sleepy. Phil was surprised by how long it went on since playing in the water was even more tiring than normal playing. He was impressed by his son's stamina. He was also impressed by how little white hairs grew from his head. He smiled softly knowing it was a good idea, that Dream wouldn't hurt tommy. “Hey mate,” he calls over, causing Dream to start to drift over Tommy now on his chest once again. 

“I'm going to get us lunch alright? Be careful, remember?”

Dream trills softly watching as Phil leaves.

Phil runs back into ponk on his way back the doctor hums adjusting his mask. “Sams come back with Kristin so whenever you're ready we can go see them right?” He asks and Phil nods, “Yeah, of course, I'm just getting lunch for us” he looks back from where he was coming from and Ponk seems to understand nodding a little. “Yeah alright, Well I just wanted to let you know.

“Thanks mate '' Phil waves and continues to walk. He goes and checks on a few other creatures that they had in their care before getting the food for the three of them. Walking down the hall he can hear a soft song that's muffled out by the walls and doors. The song sounded beautiful, a song about happiness and love.

Phil stands out there for a little while before coming in

The song stops abruptly and he hears a splash of dreams facing toward him. Tommy was on the fake sand shore they had for the mers to bask in that was also conveniently under the warm sun. He had put Tommy under the shade luckily.

“Hey mate,” he says as he walks up the stairs. “Beautiful song you've got there. Ready for lunch?” he places his and Tommy's food on the platform before handing Dream a bucket. The mer took it quickly, nodding once and not answering what Phil was saying. “Will it be okay if you wake up Toms and bring him over for lunch? We will stay here I promise.”

Dream hands Phil back the bucket and he gathers Tommy up oh so gently. Tommy stirred a little when hes given back to Phil.

The rest of the time Dream had with Tommy was fun. Dream would always trill out to Tommy to make sure he was alright the boy would always respond. To dream, it was too quick that the sun had started to set and that Phil and his pup had to leave. “Alright canary it's time to go home” he gently scooped Tommy up after dream lifted the boy up. “We will see you tomorrow, dream alright?”

A sad trill leaves the mer and he nods, opening his hand to take the toy and he watches them leave.

Phil handed Tommy to his brothers “ill be home later order takeout or something alright? I have a meeting.” he says softly, kissing their heads. Wilbur nods and he tugs Techno along as he cradled Tommy close to his chest.

Turning and leaving, Phil goes to a meeting room that was different than usual. Inside there was a water canal where a certain green and gray mer floated. Let the meeting begin.

Chapter Text

The water was warm around them, The chirping of seagulls pass the currents were just right and the laughter of other mer surrounded him. This was his paradise, this was home. Looking around he sees his pod with a smile gracing his face as he swims to them. Soft greetings filled the air and The green mer relaxed, nothing could go wrong, he was their protector afterall. A sense of fear starts to seep in as he watches the water around him start to turn black, he watches as red seeps into the once crystal clear water he watches as he couldn't do anything to help. How could this have happened-

“Dream!”  The mer wakes up with a start; he looks around frantically still at the boring old glass tank. A sigh left him as he started to swim in circles again clutching the toy closer to his chest. He catches his reflection in the glass, his scales a duller green, his eyes more stormy than they used to be. He lets out another sigh as he goes to the surface seeing the moon at its peak.

He didn't deserve these memories, he didn't deserve to remember them. He stills as he looks at his hands, the scars that criss cross on them, the broken webs that had slowly healed back together. He looks back at his wrapped sailfin. His song starts back up one of mourning, one that told of a family he's lost oh so long ago. Sooner rather than later he watches as the sun comes back up he watches as phil brings his land pup in he watches as the older leaves and he held the pup closer to his chest. He didn't deserve this. He didn't deserve the chance to hold a pup and hear its soft trills again.

Today was a slow day with his land pup, it was a day where he was trapped in his memories that he wanted to lock away. Memories of soft hands and smaller mers holding onto him as he took them on rides, memories of blood and gore that he could have helped stop that he should have stopped. He shouldn't be alive. He shouldn't be here. 

Soft calls for their protector through the night when they thought their were sharks lurking in the dark. The warmth of the cuddle piles the warmth of just his pod; it was his and only his.

That night it was storming and he knew something was going to happen. He just didn't have enough time to prevent it, Dream watches their borders he watches as a rival mer pod has entered their borders. He tried! Dream tried his hardest but he was the only protector of their small pod, he watched as his pod was massacred he watched the pups he watches- They are calling for him- he has to move- he can't breathe he cant- everything hurts! Hes suffocating he can't-

“Dream??!” Tommys hands were on Dreams' cheeks when he saw the mers eyes widen and his breathing pick up. “Dream wake up please” he was frantic looking around for any way to get the mer to come back. Dream blinks a few times and he lets out a nervous trill, his eyes slowly coming back as he looks at Tommy.

The blonde smiles weakly and he hugs dream tightly “you okay?” he asks tilting his head, dream only nods pressing his face into Tommy's hair as they floated there. Trying to get tommys mind off it, Dream got him the diving rings so that they can play, it seems to make his pup stress less. 

Dream loves his pup very much. He loves his little songs, he loves how he tries to copy his trills, he loves his pup so much but he was scared. He was scared that they would let rival mers into the tank like the other protector, it was scared that he would lose his pup again. 

It was a slow day.

But as per usual Tommy is forced to Leave and Dream is forced to watch as his pup leaves. He knows that it's for his own good, that's why he allows it, it just..it just hurts a little.

His song starts back up as he watches the moon rise, his eyes slowly drifting shut as he starts to fall asleep. The Memories flood back to him the same Dream he had returned as he's forced to relive his failure. The distressed song rang across the facility but he's unable to stop it until he wakes back up.

It was all his fault if he had just tried harder he promised to lay his life down for them and he failed. 

He failed.

“So you're telling me” Phil stares at Kristin and Sam watching them as they float there. “That he was surrounded by his pod when you found him?” he asks his voice soft his heart was shattering even thinking about it. Kristin nods a little, “Poor little thing was just there he didn't even resist me trying to bring him here. It was like he gave up.”

Phil lets out a sigh and he nods. “Not even the pups?”

She shook her head staring at her hands now, “What have you been doing.. I mean in a sense of getting him to open up?” Phil got up and showed her a picture of Tommy, she let out a soft croon nodding. “If I find any orphaned pups ill bring him here so that Dream can actually have another mer rather than Tommy.”

Phil nods but he knows that dreams grow a bond with Toms so he will keep true to his deal with the mer. “That sounds great, Kristen.” they stop for a second listening to Dreams song everyone in the room seems to have stopped to listen to the woes of the mer. 

Sam and Kristin leave and Phil decides that tonight he will stay in the facility Just in case he's needed.

Dream woke up once again when the moon hit its peak, as per usual he goes back to the glass so that he can see his reflection, the mer traces the scars on his hands and tail. He gently touches the bandages on his sailfin

And he weeps.

Chapter Text

“Is Mr. Dream Okay?” Tommy asks as he's once again carried to the containment room he was a smart boy, and his dad says so. Walking in they see the mer facing the corner. The song that was sung had been cut off abruptly as the mer looks back instantly brightening at the sight of Tommy, Phil sighs kissing his son's head as they walk up the stairs. “He's just a little sad right now canary but we are working with Kristin and Sam to help get him happy again.” Tommy nods determined now to try and keep Dream happy. “We go and make happy yes?” Tommy asks as they wait for Dream to pop up and Phil nods, smiling gently, “Yes that's what we are doing canary you're so smart.” it took the mer a bit longer to appear. It seems as though he was half asleep as he reached out and did their trade he gently lowered Tommy into the water and seemed keen just wrapping himself around the boy slowly taking him to the sandy beach that was over yonder. Tommy waves to Phil who was seen smiling gently before rushing out of the room as he seemed to have something to do that is a bit more important. 

The tiny child's brows furrow as he watches how Dream was acting he scoots closer and pats the mers cheek the other chirps confused as he held Tommy's hand making happier noise at the contact “Yous okays? My daddy says you're a bit sad” he tilts his head watching as Dream copied him with a giggle “I'm okay little pup don't worry” he whispers dragging himself onto the sand so he could sunbathe with Tommy a little purr started from the back of his throat. “Just keep safe happy if safe” he moves some of the wet hair out of Tommy's face. “I'll be happy if you're safe” he reiterated leaving Tommy for a bit. Tommy watches him leave, frowning a bit, he knew that Dream was just trying to keep him happy and that the mer wasn't doing what was good for him. He frowns and digs his hands into the sand. 

When Dream returns Tommy smiles again and accepts the dive rings that he had brought and happily starts playing with the mer. As the sun drifts across the ceiling Tommy's thoughts keep racing before an idea comes to his mind, “Dream!” he calls giggling as he reaches for the mer he's quickly grabbed and held in a soft yet firm hug. “Whatsup my pup is something bothering you?” he looks around in case there is some sort of unknown danger but this only leads to nothing. This causes him to relax greatly as he keeps smoothing the hair down, humming softly under his breath. Tommy tilts his head and leans into Dream and watches as the sun sets. “Are you sad when I leave my Dream?”

“Of course, I am” He was quick to answer but swiftly bit back what he really wanted to say he went back to trilling and cuddling Tommy he's heard muttering about pups sometimes Tommy heard apologies and that made him concerned. “Dream did you have brothers?” he asks out of the blue since well who would want to be lonely? Everyone he knew had brothers and while Dream was just in a tank with sand and flora yes but no friends besides Tommy's visits. He pouts to himself as he splashes Dream with some sand the mer remaining confused sneezing a little from the sand. “We need to get ya friends!” he exclaims happily reaching for Dream who was quick to scoop him up. Tommy smacks the water before a thought comes to him and he smiles happily giggling more “I'll get you a friend alright!” Dream only nods trusting him to stay safe while doing so they watch as Phil walks in and sooner than later they switch toys and Dream hands off Tommy, Phil takes Tommy out and Tommy watches as they leave he watches as Dream goes back to the depths of his tank. 

“Dad?”

“Yeah, Toms?

“Can we get Dream a friend?'' Tommy asks, tilting his head and swinging his feet a little watching as the floor blurs underneath him Phil was quick to get changed and back into his arms. “Hm what type of friend Toms?” he asks, curious about where the little boy was going with the question of a friend for their most dangerous mer in the facility. “A mer like him! Or maybe a fish I bet he would like a pet fish.'' Phil winces at the suggestion and he starts going towards the car sighing as he sees the other boys already passed out in their seats. “Lazy shits don't help me out,” he says fondly before answering Tommy. “I don't know if that's a good idea, Toms, what if Dream gets scared or eats it?”

Tommy pouts crossing his arms as he was strapped into his car seat the pout slips off his face as Techno starts to sleepily pat his head before passing back out. “Dream won't eat the fish! We gotta tell him it's a pet!” he squirms a bit taking Techno's hand and holding it in his much smaller hands. “I'll think about it okay? I can ask Ponk about it and we can see where we go from there.” the car ride was quietly filled with the snores of the boys and Phil smiles looking at the rearview and seeing them all asleep.

The night passes without any problems and when Tommy wakes up the only thing he's set on is getting Dream a friend. Squirming out of bed he gets himself changed since he's a big boy and leaves without telling his family since he's big and strong and can perfectly keep himself safe. Leaving the house and going down to the shore Tommy looks for anything that could serve to be Dreams slowly he ambles over the slippery rocks only stopping when he hears something. In front of him on the other side of the rocks, Tommy sees a red and orange mass heaving breaths that could be heard from it as it lay on the shore the waves knocking against it. Tommy frowns  a little and gets closer letting out a little while watching as the mer barely opens his eyes to look at him, right next to him was a mermaid's purse (shark egg) and Tommy grabs the webbed hand, looking down he sees the red sand and a gasp is let out from him before he gently places it down and running back home and slamming the door this surely woke up Phil who rushed out all ruffled his eyes widening as he sees Tommy “what-what's going on Toms?” Tommy was quick to grab his dad's hand.

This is when Phil notices the still fresh blood but he didn't see any injury on the boy, only letting him tug him towards the shore and towards the rocks, “hurt hurt!” was all Phil managed to get from Tommy as he was dragged along the shore. Crossing the sand and the rocks, that's when Phil smells the all too familiar scent of iron amongst the Seabreeze and once they cross the rocks he sees it. The red and orange mer was laying there with a spear in the side of his tail clutching desperately to a mermaid's purse. Phil grabs his phone from his pocket and starts to call, sending Tommy off to go get his brothers. “Oh boy” he whispers, bending down next to the mer.

“We've got a lot to do” was the last thing the mer heard before fully losing consciousness

Chapter Text

Having another mer come to the facility so quickly is an odd circumstance, in best cases, it's a year apart on when they come it's not as bad as it was just then. “Toms' ' Phil held his son close he had already washed the blood off the boy's hands a sigh leaves him rubbing the boy's hand as they watched the mer get wheeled into a truck and taken to the Rehab center. “Why were you out here? I know that it's now a good thing you were but you could have been hurt bud” he makes the younger lookup and he sees the watery blue eyes and the boy looks down a bit guilty. “Wanted to get Dream a present..” he mumbles, gripping his dad's shirt and hiding his face in it. “Daddy will Mr mer be okay?” he asks ever so softly a whine leaves him as he tries to get ever so close to Phil. 

Phil nods a little bit and he starts walking back to their coastal home, his eyes shut as he thinks of an answer, “I don't know Bud with our best hopes he will Be and you know us! We are the best in the country so we will make Mr. Mer very healthy in no time.” It was a fragile promise but one that made Tommy relax and snuggle back into his dad's shirt trying to calm down Phil rocked the boy gently as he walks making sure that Tommy was comfortable, When he gets home he was met by two very worried twins. Wilbur scoops Tommy into his arms as fast as he could while Phil goes to go talk to techno outside. “Okay toms let's get you changed okay?” he went up to their room and was quick to help Tommy into his day clothes, “You ready to head out?” picking the boy up once more and making sure he ate some breakfast beforehand (simple eggs and bacon since that's all Wilbur knew how to make) Tommy was happy to accept it anyways due to the fact that Phil and techno were outside talking about big adult stuff and not paying attention to him.

(He's got his big brother wilby anyways so he doesn't need anything else) Tommy hid his face into his brother as he starts to doze even though his day already started it was very tiring already, “Rest for now bud i'll get you to the facility soon okay? Just gotta wait for Phil and Techno to come back in'' he rocks the boy gently as they stood there and eventually he feels the boys breathing even out, he sits down on the couch humming softly as he runs his hands through Tommy's hair humming one of his songs gently under his breath.

Wilbur's head only lifts as he hears the soft  click   of the door shutting, looking over he sees Phil and techno walk in he tilts his head silently as if it was an unheard question. “They said he will be okay,” Phil says sitting down next to them he reaches over gently patting Tommy's head “But he's gonna be out of it for a while.”

“Really?” Wilbur asks, humming softly watching as Tommy only shifts to press his head into Phil's hand and a smile spreads across his face as he watches the scene relaxing a bit. Phil nods and stands up with a huff he looks at the time and stretches a bit saying “welp it's time for us to start our day and we all know when the canary wakes up he's going to want to see the new mer and check if he's okay.”

“What happened to the mermaid's purse?” techno asks tilting his head and standing as well brushing off the stand on his pants. “What now?” Phil asks, his eyebrows screwing closer as he tries to remember the details of the entire rescue before his eyes widen and he nods. “Oh yeah! I was talking to Skeppy about it, there seemed to have been a tropical fish inside it so they took it in with the mer.” he nodded along with what he was saying before moving and putting his shoes back on. “If the mer asks for it back then we will give it back easily.”

Technoblade nods along as he stands getting his own shoes and jackets on before turning to Wilbur who was juggling the sleeping toddler while getting his shoes on, he let out a slight sigh of relief when the boy is taken from his arms and Phil is now the one holding him. “Let's get to the facility and let Dream stay with Tommy for a bit before checking on our newcomer.” The transfer to the car was quite easy as there wasn't much they had to take. 

The only thing they needed to get settled was Tommy himself and soon they were on their way toward the facility. “So Dream than the new mer?” Techno starts off watching as the facility slowly comes into view and Phil nods glancing at the rearview mirror. “You guys can check on the new mer first, dreams used to me watching over Tommy so it'll be the best choice.'' The other two merely nod unbuckling themselves once the car is parked. They went through their normal routine, the twins went off to the med bay where they quarantined new mers and Phil took Tommy to get changed and to Dreams tank, the Green mer looked irritated as he walked in Phil merely rolled his eyes. 

“I know I know” Phil chuckles sitting down and gently placing Tommy in the water, the boy splashing around with his floaties while the mer merely swims around him in quiet excitement trills leaving him as he plays with the boy as well. “We got a new mer today so it's been a hectic morning.” Phil lets his legs soak in the water as he watches the duo swim about, that sentence seems to catch Dreams' attention as the mer holds Tommy tighter and Phil raises his hands in surrender saying “No I'm not letting Them take Tommy I came here right as we got to the facility. 

Dream smiles a bit and relaxes, nodding along as he floats along the gentle current once again like a mother otter with its child on its stomach.

Techno and Wilbur were dealing with ponk as they watched the New mer swim about albeit weakly it stares at the glass at the three and pink pointed to the surface before climbing the stairs up to see the new one. Once they arrive they see the head poking out and pink smiles under his mask doing his best to keep the newcomer calm he places out letter blocks asking “Do you know English?” the mer nods and hoists himself out of the water, the gash on his side now all bandaged. He looked nervous but it didn't seem to be hostile. “If you can, could you please spell out your name?” He motions to the blocks and the mer nods his tongue sticking out as he starts to lay them out concentrating quite a bit before the word is now laid out.

“Sapnap”

Chapter Text

Before they could ask any more questions to their injured mer he was quick to start moving the blocks again causing the three others to stop and watch as the mer spells out “where is mars?” Wilbur makes a confused noise as he tries to connect out what mars was he crouches and sits by the blocks his eyes lighting up when he remembers the mermaid's pouch. “The fish?” he's met with vigorous nodding before Wilbur looks at Ponk who was quick to go through his files saying “Oh it's being treated for some minor sunburns but otherwise it's fine we can bring it in soon” Ponk nods smiling under his mask.

seems sapnap to relax as he lets out a happy trill, the fins on his face flare for a second but not in a threatening way more of a happy excitement. Wilbur looks at techno and Ponk saying “Maybe we get the fish here, it's okay, right? Don't want our new patient here being alone” Ponk nods and he's quick with leaving going and getting mars while Techno and Wilbur stay there in a sort of awkward silence while the mer ducked back into the water. “It's an odd series of events?”

Techno nods, taking a deep breath as he watches the new mer swim around in his new tank, “Think we can ask Phil to ask Dream? See if he knows this new mer?”  Wilbur hums thinking to himself as he leans against the wall watching the water ripple as the mer swims under it watching as the black figure darts from wall to wall. “I don't know honestly what if that's just a bad idea? Remember what happened with sam?” Techno rolls his head nodding as he did so.

“Who wouldn't? We went too fast and it become all jumbled” he answers gruffly his eyes shut but he stands up straight popping his back, “Dreams are only comfortable around Kristin and Toms, Even Phil is at a breaking point he barely trusts Phil since he knows if phils gone then Tommy would also be gone.” his monotone voice was the only thing that filled the air as Wilbur now remained silent.

“We can talk to Dream” Techno finally relents he rolls his eyes and goes over to his twin patting him on the back gently “you're being absurd okay fine we can talk to dream” Wilbur gasps and hugs his brother who only stood there awkwardly letting his arms be pinned to his side. “Thank you, Techie!”

“Don't even” Techno growls

Wilbur kept smooshing his cheek against his brother “Thank you!! Big brother techie always looking out for his little brothers” Techno at this point starts to shove Wilbur off him who clung onto him like a cicada would a tree. “WILBUR LET GO” techno keeps trying to pry him off him and once he finally does Wilbur stumbles and falls into the pool. 

Wilbur swims to the surface pouting and gets slightly dragged down by the weight of his now soaking coat “Hey!” all this caused was Techno to look away a smile graces his features and Wilbur pouts more “I'm not the one who fell” he merely shrugs. not going to any point to help his brother out of the water Wilbur claws his way out of the water like a wet rat (and much to the support of the mer residing in the pool) sapnap was heard making a laughter-like noise under the water once Wilbur managed to get out dripping as he stood there he blew wet hair out of his face. “Technoblade.”

“Yep?”

“Get over here” he tries to tackle his brother who runs away instantly trying to avoid the grimy hands of the wet rat chasing him “Wilbur!” he calls turning down the hall and freezing as he sees the dead end, he gulps and turns to put his hands up in surrender. “C'mon we don't have to do this do we will?”

Wilbur stood there ominously staring at his brother still dripping water from his clothes as he steps the closet and techno stepped back, his back pressing against the wall. “C'mon Im your big brother we don't have to do this' ' he laughs nervously watching as Wilbur gets closer, once his brother gets close enough he grabs the brunette's arm twirls and switches their place, and books it. 

Wilburs heard letting out a yell of frustration chasing him once again, this time techno ran to dream room, shutting the door behind him and moving a trolley so that it would make it harder for the door to open. Phil looks over startled at the sound of the door slamming shut and how almost instantly someone was pounding at the door.

He raises an eyebrow “Tech?” 

“Yes?”

The pounding continues

“What did you do?”

“Why do you assume I've done anything?”

The pounding stopped for a second before the door is shoved open Wilbur manages to stick an arm in. techno runs up the stairs laughing nervously as he stays by Phil. “Save me, Phil.”

Wilbur weasels his way into the room panting for his breath “Give him to me!” Wilbur goes up the stairs and once again technos is trapped “Phillll!” 

Phil chuckles, remaining where he was watching as his sons stay in this standoff not noticing Dream slowly slinking through the water towards the platform where Phil and techno sat. Wilbur was too busy doing a ‘villain monologue’ and before any of them could register it dream surged out of the water and grabs techno by the waist dragging him in. 

Techno let out a yelp and Wilbur and Phil was quick to run to the edge of the platform watching as techno swam up, his hair covering his face sort of mimicking a pink grudge from the ring. 

Dreams heard chirping in a soft laugh swimming away swiftly back to cackling Tommy who was sitting on the fake beach. Wilbur snorts watching his brother float there before he feels hands on his back and Phil pushes him in, wilbur goes in with a dignified yelp. 

Dream swam around them his clicking was heard from the water as he observes them from below, Wilbur and Technoblade look at each other nervously but dream just returns to the fake beach where Tommy was both of them relax when that was the case. “Philllll'' Wilbur whines, managing to get out of the water with technoblade following suit “You can't do that to us!” phils eyes sparkled and he says “What can you do about it heh?”

The twins look at each other, a mischievous smile plasters itself over slowly as they walk behind their father who was oblivious to their current attack as they grab him under his arms and legs. Phil struggles as he is lifted into the air. “C'mon let me go!” Phil laughs nervously before he's chucked in the water. The twins laugh at him Wilbur exclaiming “You said to let you go Phil!”

The day ended with laughter filling a previously devoid rehab room and a more than relaxed green mer. 

Chapter Text

“As much as I think it a bad Idea” Pink started his hands clasped together as they sat at the round table in front of him were Phil Wilbur and Techno and beside him were Kristin and Sam in their own water tunnel, “I think it would be a good shot if we try and introduce Sapnap to Dream.” Outcry burst from the room Phil and Wilbur were obviously worried while Techno outright said it was a stupid choice. Kristin and Sam were quiet both thinking about their choices as they reviewed the files they already have about the two mers. 

Kristin lets out a soft sigh as she nods looking at the same for a second before nodding the room quiets down when she starts to speak, “Me and Sam agree with Ponk.” she clears her throat as she starts to shift the files around putting them in a more cohesive order. 

“By Sapnaps frame, it seems like he wasn't a protector, maybe a hunter? Someone that would lure the prey in so that it could get taken down by other pod members easily.” She continues once the room has completely become silent she watches the three in front of her and nods. “There is a very high chance that just like Tommy Dream will adopt Sapnap into the pod.” 

The room returns to its silence as the three go through their files. Phil sighs running a hand through his hair as he takes a deep breath and places the papers down calmly. “We can try it if it's something you recommend Kristin.” he pursed his lips looking a bit more stressed than normal “how do we go about this kris?” there's a splash as she slips back into the water. There's a few moments where they wait before she pops back up saying. “First we don't have Tommy in the water that'll make it a bit more dangerous.” She starts to explain their plan and silently Phil prays that none of them lose a limb.

Dream knew something was up when Phil and the rest entered the room earlier than usual. He observes how they seemed nervous he observed how some of the water tunnels were unveiled his fins quivered in anticipation as he tasted the new water. He watches Phil as they take Tommy out of the water he couldn't care at the moment. Maybe Tommy was safer on the surface than in the water. His fins flair as he watches a figure swim through one of the tunnels, he lets out a hiss before a croon cuts him off. 

He lets his fins lower as he watches Kristin emerge and she smiles gently giving Dream his space. “Hello darling” she coos, watching as he gets closer Dream let out a happy noise and he quickly swims around her letting out happy trills and chirps, she copies him opening her arms, and was quick to get slammed into by the younger green mer. “It's been a while hm? I've heard you've been up to a lot of mischief” he trills softly relaxing when Kristin cups his cheek, his eyes shut as he relaxes in her hold. “We are gonna introduce you to someone okay?” Dream's eyes snap open at that and she glares at her. She giggles and rolls her eyes, “I'll be here the entire time okay?” he made some hissing noises showing his displeasure. 

“Hush darling it'll be okay and if you don't like him We will leave you alone alright?” Kristin nudges him watching as another water tunnel opens and slowly a bright red mer emerges and a few timid chirps are let out. Dreams flare on his face and he quickly detaches himself from Kristin and goes to the new mer observing him. They exchanged a few clicks watching as Dream gently poked and prodded at the new arrivals' bandages. A few more trills happen before Sapnap tries to bite him in a more playful sense.

Dream huffs and starts nudging Sapnap towards the cove but all Sapnap wanted to do was play and with that knowledge he once again tries to bite Dream before fleeing, Dream makes a frustrated trill and follows not noticing the small tropical fish going behind Sapnap. Kristin goes to the surface smirking at the rest as they watch Dream play with the other mer. “So I think my idea is absurd now Philza?” she trills slowly in a sort of mocking way Phil rolls his eyes and sits down “yeah yeah I didn't say it was absurd.”

“You just didn't think it would work”

“Well-”

“Oooooh, Phils in trouble” Wilbur calls from a few feet away as he looks at Tommy while he holds him. “Look Tom's Dad's in trouble” Tommy looks up giggling and pointing at Phil “bad bad!”

Phil sighs running a hand through his hair as he looks at Kristin, “Now can I have Tommy?” Wilbur raises an eyebrow “Tommy?” he asks, looking between the child and Kristin herself, concern flashes across his face. She nods a little bit before saying “We need to see how Dream reacts to Sapnap if Tommys in the equation.” Wilbur looks at Phil who nods and he gently gives his brother to Kristin.

It was almost funny how fast Dream appeared on the surface when Tommy was brought into the water Dream let out some happy croons taking Tommy from Kristin who really couldn't do anything to stop him. Dream watches Sapnap his pupils shrink a little and he hisses at Sapnap and the other mer hisses back trying to challenge it but was quick to go back down showing hr wasnt going to try anything else. Dream seemed content before drifting towards the beach again and Sapnap was soon to follow.

“It seems like an order has been established. '' Kristin croons. She splashes a little “they will be fine now, I assure just make sure to check on them every now and then. Phil let out a soft huff and nods. “Toms will be okay with the new mer?”

“Tom will be safe I assure you.” Kristin looks over at the fake shore watching as Sapnap seemed to respect Dream's space with Tommy but Tommy did not seem to care as he flops over both mer. It was accurate to say that Sapnap treated the human child like a piece of glass gently carding his claws through the blonde's hair.  Tommy pouts a little at the prompted grooming session but he leans into the hair nonetheless. 

Phil relaxes, letting his legs soak in the water as they hang off the platform. “I'm glad that Dreams settled well.” he shut his eyes and leaned back he heard a scoff from his sons and he looked up. “You sure that position doesn't hurt your back, old man?” Wilbur asks, tilting his head, Phil's eye twitches and he stands back up “I'm not that old!” he grabs Wilbur's arm and the brunette raises an eyebrow. 

In a blink of an eye a wet rat once stood in the rehab center and Techno was chuckling under his breath about how it was a ‘deserved karma’

Chapter Text

Sapnap and Tommy stare at each other, their gazes unwavering as they watch to see who wavers first. Slowly Sapnap raises a claw and gently boops Tommy on the nose causing the little boy to scrunch it giggling softly. The little one reaches up and gently takes the claw into his much smaller hand this causes Sapnap to croon. Dream was watching them making sure Sapnap didn't hurt Tommy in any way possible (hell knows what Dream would do if The red mer managed to hurt him.) 

Sapnap leans on his other arm as he reaches over once again, booping Tommy on the nose causing the boy to giggle more grabbing the other claw. The mer lifts him up and shifts so that Tommy was sitting on his chest. “Dream look!” Tommy looks over his eyes shining, “I beat him! I'm super duper strong now.” The green mer chuckles and nods, scooching over and nuzzling Tommy gently. “So strong Toms.” he purrs. 

Sapnap pouts and lets out a little huff of air he smacks Dream with his tail lightly and Dream rolls his eyes. “Don't be such a big baby Sapnap.” it was a joke and they both knew it. Dream relaxes resting his head on his arms Tommy crawls off of Sapnap a smile on his face he kept a hold of Sapnaps claw before gently prying one of Dream's hands from under his head he was comparing the sizes. “Why are your claws bigger?” he asks to Dream, his eyebrows furrowing as he sees that Dreams claws were sharper; more deadly. 

Dream only shrugs, “Cuz Technically Sapnaps is still a pup still” He ignored the mutters of ‘am not’ from the smaller mer only conceding to listening to Tommy as the boy explored. “Stay in a safe place pup,”  Dream says gently nudging Tommy back in-between him and Sapnap, Tommy huffs softly rolling his eyes “Im the biggest man ever meaning I can't get hurt!”

Dream chuckles fondly and he nods he thinks for a second before glancing at Sapnap and saying “Maybe if your good and nap her under the sun with us for a little while Sapnap will let you see his pet fish mars.” Tommy thinks about it for a second before nodding slowly he leans into Dream and he shifts them so that they were under one of the shaded areas ``naptime for the little one” was all he said resting Tommy on his chest yawning softly. He watches as the small pup fell asleep soundly and he let Sapnap lay next to them. 

“So why do you have a human pup?” Sapnap asks softly, trying not to wake Tommy up Dreams hands stop midway through carding through the younger hair and his eyebrows furrow before he says. “Cuz he's my pup I have to protect him.” he continues his actions, relaxing a little and enjoying how the heat of the sand feels against him. “He's too small to be out there on his own.”

Sapnap tilts his head and looks out towards the platform and past that towards the metal door before saying, “He's not alone.”

He doesn't get an answer.

A few hours pass and Tommy was once again very awake, giggling a little to himself as he swims about Dream was of course nearby just in case anything happened Tommy points up to the platform “I have an idea!” he calls giggling as Dream tilts his head and gently lifts Tommy towards the platform. “What is that pup?” Tommy shook his head and giggles more running down the stairs and he grabs the trolley that was by the door. Next to the stairs was a platform that would raise for bigger things that needed to be carried by said trolleys. 

Tommy messed with a few buttons and managed to hit the right ones and he and the trolley were lifted up he stumbled a little but corrected himself “We all go on a trip!” he says pointing towards Dream and Sapnap before pointing at the trolley. 

“A trip?” Dream asks lifting himself out of the water and next to Tommy he pokes the trolley with his claw “Is this safe pup?” 

Tommy nods vigorously and Dream looks at Sapnap who only shrugs “well after you” Sapnap trills watching as Dream hoists himself onto the trolley Sapnap follows after. Tommy presses the buttons and slowly they are lowered onto the floor Tommy grunts softly pushing them. He was shorter than the trolley and he underestimated how heavy the mers were. He manages to move them to the door and he opens it before rolling them out giggling under his breath “Adventure!”

Dream was more worried that Tommy was overexerting himself but was surprised to see that they were out in the hallway. “Where are we going hun?” he asks, watching as they rolled at a pretty decent speed. “I wanna show you guys the plant room!”

For someone so small to be pushing this amount of weight due to two mermaids in the cart it was a surprise, maybe the slope of the facility helped but Dream and Sapnap were certainly surprised. Dream let out worried trills and he looks around noticing how there was no one around he sighs, “Tom Hun maybe you should slow down.” his tail slaps against the cart nervously. He was ignored by the blonde as they turned down to long hallways and Tommy hops onto the side letting them roll down. 

Dream pats his head gently as a soft trill leaves him.

Meanwhile, while the trio was on their adventure Phil had stepped into Dreams tank so that he could take Tommy for a quick snack and some water only to see that both the mer and his son were missing. Dread instantly fills him as he runs out yelling out for Wilbur and Techno, unknowingly he runs past Tommy and both of the mer right as they enter the greenhouse. 

“What do you mean he's gone?!” Wilbur yells, getting up his eyes widened as he scurries to his feet quickly exiting the room with Techno and Phil is quick to follow, the Facility was on lockdown and the small boy didn't even know. 

Tommy was having a grand time showing Sapnap and Dream the plants and flowers the two mer expressed interest scooching a little so that they could be closer to the plants. It had easily been over an hour and before they knew it the door slammed open revealing a disheveled Ponk who calms down when he sees them. The confusion that laces his eyes slowly melts to amusement before he sighs and goes over to the boy who was now hidden behind the trolley. He raises his hands in mock surrender “I won't do anything Just going to call your dad”

He closes the door and exits and before long Phil walks in panting softly having just run from the other side of the facility, He let out a tired sigh standing straight up. “Toms what is this about?'' Even though he was a bit upset, amusement drips into his voice as he sees the predicament in front of him. “Hello Sapnap and Dream, I see Toms has taken you on an adventure.”

The duo nods Dream a bit more weary as he gently holds Tommy's hand. Phil sighs and walks over slowly; he glances at Dream before crouching in front of Tommy. “Toms hun what is going on?”

“Wanted to show them the flowers.” the boy mumbles clutching onto Dreams hand Phil hums softly and nods along to whatever Tommy was saying “I know you want to show them all of this but you have to at least tell me or your brothers my little canary,” Tommy grumbles letting himself be picked up by Phil who in turn gently places him on Dream. “Let's get them back to their tank I bet Dream and Sapnaps scales are really dry.”

All he's met with is a sleepy grumble as the little boy fell asleep.

—--

It was dark.

His eyes hurt, why do they hurt? He couldn't see everything because it was dark and it was hard to breathe. He couldn't give up, he had to keep going forwards. Why was it dark? 

Where was everyone?

Why did his eyes hurt?

Why was he alone?

Chapter Text

The day was slow in the start Tommy as per usual was left with Dream, Tommy was happy to just float there and was overjoyed when Sapnap came into play the younger mer knew exactly how to play and this was a thrill to Tom. Dream lets out a soft coo while watching them. He was finally relaxing, giving himself some time alone without having to fret over Tommy, which was a huge achievement for the mer. It had been a few days since Sapnap was introduced to them and Dream felt as though it was a perfect fit for their odd little pod. 

The green mer was watching over them, his eyes blinking sluggishly as he fought the lull of sleep, the heat of the sun being absorbed into his scales a soft croon left him as he started to fall asleep on the sand. Sapnap and Tommy watch Dream fall asleep from the water, the duo sharing soft little giggles as they start to play more quietly. 

It was a perfect day for them but unbeknownst to them those in the facility were preparing for a massive cleanup, tension filled the air as they got ready, The boats were placed in the water and they were off towards the ocean the disgusting scent of smoke and oil filled as they are soon in water that was once sparkling blue but now it was black and dead. “The guards saved as many things as they could '' Wilbur says grimacing and watching the water under them he cringes back in disgust. 

“And the local pod?” Phil asks looking over to his son who merely stays silent, Phil sighs, shakes his head, runs a hand through his hair, and walks towards the bow of the ship, “Good thing Kristin and Sam were in the facility, who knows what could have happened.” Wilbur nods and he watches as the boats start up their clean-up procedures. There was a slight splash and movement that caught his eye and he tugs Phil. “Phil what is that?” He points to where it was and Phil tilts his head following his hand watching the water, his eyes widening as he sees it move again. “Wilbur move us closer.”

Wilbur scrambles up to the controls quickly starting the boat and going to where they saw the movement. Phil takes a deep breath as he leans over the boat reaching his hand into the murky water and grimacing, he searches for anything before his arm grabs onto someone else's “Wil, Tech!” he calls up towards them he struggles to pull the person onto the boat only managing to do it due to Techno and Wilburs help, they dragged the dirty mer onto the boat oil and water dropping onto the white flooring of the boat.

The boat was instantly in a frenzy as they worked trying to clean the mer off and getting him fresh salt water. They dragged the mer as carefully as they could towards a pool of water they had in the center of their boat. They worked as fast as they could getting the oil and grime off the mers scale and slowly the water turns black and has to get flushed out and the mers scales slowly go back to a dull blue. The mer sank into the water curling into a ball. By the end of it his eyes remained squeezed shut, and Phil sighs softly wiping some oil off his arms and getting a tarp covering the pool with it so as to not disturb the mer. “Let's get back, this is an urgent case for Ponk to see. 

Techno nods once and goes to the controls once again starting up the boat and getting them back to the center. The blue mer was instantly wheeled in with Ponk thanking them for their hard work as he ran off, Wilbur glances at Phil who sighs nodding letting the brunette run off to follow Ponk. 

“A green mer a blue mer and an orange one” Phil mutters walking with Techno as they make their way to the medical wing, “Might as well be a crayon box got the primary colors up in here.”

“Only one of the colors you've listed were primary colors” Techno mumbles lowly watching the confusion spread across Phils face as the elder tilts his head saying, “I swear those are the primary colors.”

“Phil, two of those are secondary colors” he stops where he's walking, fishing his phone out of his back pocket as he starts to search for it. 

This sparks a short debate between the duo as they continue to walk toward the medical wing. 

When the mer woke up he was sitting in a shallow tank, it was deep enough for him to be fully submerged but the doctors were still able to reach him if they needed to do some tests. A scared trill left him as he flares his facial fins and tries to make himself look more threatening. 

That was until he saw another mer talking to the humans she let out a few comforting clicks watching the blue mer carefully. They observe each other as it remains at a standstill. He squinted trying to see her a bit clearer but it was obvious something was wrong with his eyes. He knew everything was the wrong color already but this time everything was darker. His eyes hurt. He let out a pained trill and started rubbing them viscously. 

The humans let out alarmed noises as they were quick to gently get the mer to stop, he heard a splash and when he opened his eyes once more the other mer was now in the shallow tank with him. He whines and she let out a more comforting trill gently holding his face in her hands, her thumbs gently rubbing his cheek.

He presses his face into the soft hands as he listens to her trills and a question appears that he could understand.

“Name?”

He pauses and looks up at her his eyes glistening under the water as he looks around slowly, pressing himself more into her as if to hide from the humans who were holding an odd object; she continues to let out soft purrs as he relaxes.

Gently he feels something get wrapped around his eyes and head and the fear pricks up again only to get reassured by the older mer once again. Opening his eyes he noticed he could see and that the burning had calmed down. 

Once again the question came up again “Name?”

He takes a deep breath, his gills fluttering with the now-fresh water.

“George”

Chapter Text

“George your being stubborn” Ponk was absolutely soaked as he stood there staring at the giggly mer in front of him. He sighs running his hand through his hair as he held the goggles in the other. “George, please you need to wear this so that you can see! Don't you want to see?” Ponk was begging as he slumped to the floor exhausted he leans against the glass and looks up watching as George peered over the glass staring at him.

He smiles showing off the rows of potentially deadly razor-sharp teeth Ponk chuckles shaking his head as he watches George, “You know what you're doing.” he stands up stretching out his back as he watches George who only floated there staring at his claws now as if they are the most interesting thing in the world. Rolling up his sleeves Ponk and George stare at each other neither of them moves as Ponk adjusted his grip on the goggles, It's only when the door opens and George makes the mistake of glancing at it does he strike. 

Ponk jumps forwards and manages to get the goggles onto the now surprised mers face. He secures the straps panting softly as he stands in the water now pouting George floats there Ponk looks at the doorway to see a confused Wilbur. “Hi, wil what can I do for you?” he asks, tilting his head curiously. Wilbur blinks and looks between George and Ponk “I- '' he seems to be buffering as he clears his voice raising his hand to his mouth and clearing out his throat. “I came to tell you he's been cleared to meet the others.” Wilbur watches as Ponk nods slowly getting out of the tub much to George's dismay he smiles and pokes the mers head gently watching as the other squints to try and focus on his hand.

“Ready to make some friends bud?” Ponk asks and the mer merely tilts his head causing Ponk to laugh shaking his head, “we are gonna get you in a smaller transfer tank okay? It'll be okay.” Ponk moves out of the way so that Wilbur can bring the tank in he's trailed by techno and Phil who are there to help. “Now it might be scary but it's safe and simple okay?” Wilbur says watching as George observes the cart nervously he trills and ducks into the water again when techno and Phil got close. the duo pause and glance at each other but they take it slow going at Georges's pace. Slowly the mer slips out of the medical tank and into the transport tank his head poking out watching the world glide past them as Techno pushed his tank towards Dreams holding site. 

“Ready to meet your friends?” Phil asks as they take the elevator up, once they get to the top they see Tommy who was taken out of the water as a safety measure. George looks into the water and trills as he sees Kristen in it already, he tries to squirm in but fails as techno stops him. “C'mon we gotta be gentle, Phil get the net.” techno and Phil struggle a bit but they manage to get the net underneath George and slowly lift him out and place him in the water. George floats there for a second as he takes in his new surroundings before he dives down to meet Kristin not noticing the green mer next to her. 

Kristin smiles and trills for George to come closer which he does.  “George-Dream-friends?”  She asks, showing George Dream, the other mer observing George tilting his head before lifting a hand slowly tapping at the goggles on George's face.  “Why-why-wrong?”  Dream asks swimming around George the other mer George hisses when he hears the last word shaking his head.  “Not-wrong-stupid”  Dream snorts and he looks at Kristin confused as she just smiles gently shaking her head. 

“Protector-safe”  Dream concludes pointing to himself and grabbing George swimming away from Kristin, the blue mer lets himself get tugged around. George looked unimpressed noticing that dream was younger than him by how big his sailfin was.  “older-younger- protector?”  Dream huffs  “Me-Protector'' George  left it at that watching as Dream goes onto the shore he emerges and sees Sapnap who was just sleeping in the sun, well was is the keyword as George watches as Dream splashes Sapnap with water, SApnap hisses when he jolts awake the sand splashes both Dream and George the red mer looks annoyed. “Drean what the fuck” 

Dream chuckles nudging George closer “Meet George?” he says it as a question as he only heard the name once and Sapnap finally realizes that there is another mer with them, “George?” The blue mers head perks up when he hears his name being called, he lets out a trill and tilts his head, “What's on his face?” He asks dream and the green mer only shrugs staring at the glasses George sits there and touches the glasses. He seems to think for a second before saying “Eyes… Not good.” he manages.

Dreams fins rise and he tilts his head “You can't speak English well?” George's head hangs a bit lower and he nods Dream is quick to try and comfort him, letting out trills as he tries to comfort George quickly trying to scoop the other into his arms and hide him away from anything that could hurt him. Sapnap shakes his head, “You're okay don't worry! Me and Dream will be the best teachers, alright?”

George smiles and nods understanding him well enough, Dream pat Georges back gently and he looks back to the platform where Techno Wilbur and Phil were standing. “We have another member of our pod,” he says his fins raise as he dives back into the water going over towards the platform his head pokes out as he reaches for Tommy. Phil raises an eyebrow and he bends down, “what do you ask first?”

Dream pouts his tail, slaps the water and he sighs, “can I please take Tommy?” he asks, reaching up once again, “Yes you may thank you for being so polite Dream.” he lets Dream gently Take Tommy, the younger blonde giggles squishing Dreams cheeks as they swim, his eyes sparkling, “new friend dream?” Tommy asks, pointing to George as they arrive at the shoreline Dream places Tommy on the sand as he goes forwards.

“George, meet Tommy! My landpup” he trills the last word hugging Tommy gently the child gasps and he waves to George who tilts his head curiously/

“Land pup?” he repeats curious, he's obviously confused. He looks at Sapnap for an answer.

“Yeah Dreams Adopted him as a pup and we've gotta accept it.” he was light-hearted as he gently tickles 

“My pod” Dream mumbles using his tail to make George and Sapnap lay down quickly making a sunbathing pile “I'm tired!”

Sapnap sighs, flopping over. “Whatever Dream”

It was a nice warm day for sunbathing anyways

Chapter Text

“So” Techno stares at the tank, his arms crossed as he watches the mer swim around playing their games. A soft hum leaves him as he glances back to his twin who stood there watching as well. “You’re gonna see what they can do? The new mer isn't like anything we've seen” he hears a scoff as Wilbur rolls his eyes he walks over now standing next to Techno. “Well they want to try and see how Dream would react-”

“You know Dream will do well with this,” Techno states shortly staring at Wilbur who only nods letting out a weak sigh and he stares at the tank once more. “They saw how Dream reacted with the other two-” he's once again cut off and this time he lets out an upset noise. “Those two were not protectors. Don't they remember how Dream reacted when he saw Sam? What are Kristin and sams input?” Wilbur shakes his head a little and he sits down staring up at the gallons of water that contained the little family of mermaids (along with their brother). “I don't know It's mainly dadza and Ponk talking, I'll suggest we talk to Sam and Kristin later though.”

Techno lets out another huff before he starts walking up the stairs Wilbur lets out a confused noise and gets up dusting off his pants before following Techno up the stairs “What are you doing tech?” he asks, tilting his head curiously as he watches how his brother now stood at the end of the platform looking towards the water. “Why don't we ask Dream right now?” he states deadpan as always staring at his brother Wilbur walks up next to his brother tilting his head he makes a sort of confused hum noise. “Ask Dream?” he echoes watching as the Mer slowly swam over with Tommy in his arms. The blonde had already been dozing off a little and Dream had assumed that it was time for Tommy to get taken home. 

He clicks softly at Techno who bends down sitting at the ledge and he takes Tommy and hands him to Wilbur who rested him on his hip. “Dream,” he says simply causing the Mer to look up at him confused. Techno hums softly and he stares at Dream who only stares back. “They want to add another mer in this tank.” Wilbur watches as they talk he sighs deciding to go put Tommy down for a nap he leaves. 

“Techs talking about grownup things huh..” Tommy asks his eyes shut as he leans into his brother. Wilbur remains quiet, humming softly trying to lure Tommy to sleep. “Will Dream be okay?” he asks even softer and this time Wilbur stops and looks down at his brother with a gentle smile. “Of course, we wouldn't hurt Dream, that's against our motto” he says softly, smiling gently as he nudges Tommy gently with his head. “It's just we are conflicted is all that's what it is Toms.” he helps Tommy into dry clothes rubbing off the water from his head and making sure he towel-dried it. “Let's get you to bed bud, it's time for a nap and then after that, we can peer pressure Dadza into getting us McDonalds.” he chuckles softly watching as Tommy smiles he cuddled more into Wilbur as he fell asleep, the brunette was quick to go place him into the small on-site bedroom they had made whenever they were forced to stay there overnight. It was nothing too grand, A twin-sized bed, a desk, and some plushies for Tommy whenever he needed to take a nap while they were there. Just things for basic living. He lay the already sleeping boy down, tucking him in and handing him a plush for good measure.

Wilbur pressed another kiss onto Tommy's forehead before leaving, he strode down the hallways watching as the lights got a bit more dim as he was approaching the deeper sea mer holding sites. He watches as the claw marks on the walls appear slowly and he stops in front of the door. He hesitated before walking in, the door shut behind him. 

It took a while for it to happen

One could be surprised to see it had taken this long entirely!

The alarms were blaring and everyone was running around like headless chickens. The ambulance was waiting outside while the gurney was being wheeled out. Tommy was in Phil's arms as they watched them get wheeled out, the paramedics slammed the door shut and the ambulance was off, taking them to the closest hospital as possible. Phil sighs fear and worry obvious on his face, he carries Tommy close to his chest as he gets the boy settled into their car seat as he gets into their car quickly takes them After the ambulance. The hospital was packed, doctors were rushing to follow the gurney and Phil waited to go inside until they were clear from the view.

Techno ran to his father looking disheveled for once his eyes wide and his hair out of the braid he normally wore. “How is he?” he asks Phil who looks away sighing he looks back up at Techno. “I don't know they won't let us In yet.” he sighs again gently handing Tommy to Techno, the boy was dozing happily not knowing what had just occurred. “I'll go see if I can see him. Please keep Tommy safe okay?” Techno nods, holding his little brother close his eyes shut as he goes sits down and he lets out a sigh of exhaustion. 
As he watches his father leave through the double doors.
Techno shuts his eyes, he ignores the fluorescent lights that pound on him and he just tries to pay attention to Tommy's breathing as his little brother rests against his chest. He listens as the people come in and out of the hospital doors the scent of all the cleaning products used filled the air. He sighs again putting one of his arms over his eyes.

They knew it would happen eventually

They were just confused about why it took this long. 

Techno took his arm off his eyes and looked at the door right as they opened. 

There stood Wilbur, his hair frazzled and his eyes wide, he was pale his hands shook visibly and there was a little blood on him. “How- How is he?”

Techno only let out a sigh.

It would have happened sooner or later.

Chapter Text

The steady beeping of the heart monitor filled the room as Phil stood there running his hand through his hair for what seemed to be the 50 with time. He watches through the glass as Ponk looks lifeless laying there in the pristine white sheets, the area where his arm should be bandaged after the surgery. Phil watches as the doctors made sure he was stable and changed out his bandages. He snaps out of his stupor as she walks out into the hall that Phil was standing in looking at his friend in the bed.

“Well he's doing alright and his insurance should cover his stay and if he wants to get a prosthetic after he heals.” She states simply hearing this Phil breathed out a sigh of relief, a smile plastered onto his face though it was weary.

“Thank you, Doctor…”

“Puffy Doctor Puffy” she holds her hand out with a smile on her face, Phil is quick to shake it and he nods a few times repeating “Dr Puffy..”

“It was good that you brought him here immediately, any more blood loss and he might have died.” She looks into the room watching the heart monitor as it beeps, “But I suspect that he should recover within a few months.” she nods, looking a little determined to make that happen.

Phil smiles again and nods along with her words. “I guess I’ll be on my way then” he shakes Puffys hand once more before starting to leave, he fishes his phone out of his pocket before calling Techno first. He shuts his eyes as he listens to it ring but is left unanswered. His eyes squint as he reads the time, while it would be normal for Techno to be awake at this time, after the recent events he wouldn't put it past him to be Dead to the world asleep.

Getting into his car and starting to drive home.

By the next day Phil woke up to something hitting his window, he sighs and rubs his eyes, opening it and looking down into the sea where Sam floated staring at Phil with his big beady eyes. “Phil! Let me go see Ponk!” he yells and Phil groans rubbing his face as he stares down at the met. “Sam Ponk is resting. You'll see him when he can come back.” Sam did NOT look happy hearing that, slapping his fin against the water. Phil rolls his eyes and shuts the window before going back into bed.

Throughout the day Sam seemed to be everywhere Phil was.
Eating cereal?

“PHIL!” He's right outside Phil's window.

Doing paperwork?

“PHILL!!” he again at the window

Even just trying to take a nap since God knows he needs it?

“PHILLL!!!” Sams once again at the window where Phils at. He somehow knows where the blonde is no matter where he is. Curse Phil for living and working near the ocean. With another sigh (he's been doing that a lot) he goes and pokes his head outside the window. “Sam for the last time mate, Ponk is resting!” 

Sam only pouts and swims in a circle “But I want to see Ponkie Phil”

Phil hides his face in his hands and shakes his head before looking up “Fine! When Ponk is able to go home we will somehow in some way help you go see him. Okay?” he stares at Sam who nods, letting out happy trills and spinning once more in the water.

It took a few weeks before Ponk was allowed back to his house and Phil was staring down at Sam who was glaring at him from the water. Phil sighs looking back at his sons who stared at the floor not meeting their father's eyes, “So. who told Sam?”

Techno and Wilbur only pointed at each other.

Running a hand down his face he nods a few times and crosses his arms leaning against the window sill. “So how do you think we are getting Sam to Ponks house?” he asks raising an eyebrow, he was met with overall silence as they didn't seem to have any Idea on how to do it. 

Tommy was sitting nearby playing with some toy cars his tongue stuck out as he ignores his family before saying. “Why don't you cart him!” he giggles standing up and running to the window and looking outside waving to Sam who quickly wiped the glare off his face and waved back. “Like I did dream!”

Techno glances at Wilbur who looks back and a smile spreads across Wilbur's face, “yeah! See Tommy so smart” he picks up his little brother and squishes his cheeks a few times giggling as Tommy squeals trying to get out of his brother's arms. “Wilby let me gooo!!” he cries, eventually escaping and running to Phil's arms who quickly scooped him up. 

“Well as long as you two are pushing Sam ill go get a van ready” he rolls his eyes fondly and nuzzles the top of Tommy's head,  “My smart lil canary arent you? Now let's go get us settled.” he ignores the twins pouts as they grumble going to get Sam ready in a roller container full of water. Phil was practically done mer-proofing the van as Techno and Wilbur came into view heaving as they rolled the cart along since well Sam wasn't a small mer and easily weighed a lot out of the water. 

“Here-Here he is' 'Wilbur huffs putting his hands on his knees and Phil nods a smile on his face. “Good job boys, now let's get him into the van and to Ponk’s home.” This time he takes pity on his sons and helps them load Sam up into the van, Tommy was already strapped into his car seat waiting for them to move. 

Phil wipes any spilled water off on his pants before getting into the driver's seat smiling at his sons as they crash into their seats relaxing until they inevitably have to unload Sam and pull him it didn't take them long as Ponk lived fairly close to the rehab center. Much to Techno and Wilbur's regret they got there quickly and the duo were back to unloading Sam from the back of the van where he seemed ecstatic barely containing himself as he sloshed around. 

Phil chuckles carrying Tommy as he goes and knocks on Ponks door, it took a few minutes before Ponk answers looking drowsy, “Phil? Why are you here?” he asks tilting his head Phil smiles gently looking sheepish, “Sorry if we woke you Ponk, someone was just too excited to see you.”

Raising an eyebrow Ponk looks behind him and his eyes widen as he sees the tank holding Sam.

Sam's smile was impossibly bright as he waves his tail slapping the water “Ponkie!!”

The other laughs and goes over gently holding Sam's hand, his eyes soften and he hums happily, “Hello Sam” he says simply just happy to see the other.

For the first time in ages, Phil can finally relax

What a nice day.

Chapter Text

YALL?? 1K KUDOS??? THIS WRITING IS HORRID LMAO?

But seeing so many people enjoy it is making me want to write it to the end but this is no promise

Comment any ideas you have an ill try and do them justice

Your beloved

Neighborhoodsadbean

Chapter Text

So uh dream just dropping the hard R on Twitter for no damn reason?? Fucking WILD??? kKwhdjwhs he deleted that shit so fast but omfg ig that's the last straw and this will be abandoned for good now sorry everyone :((

Update: Okay pookies listen im just a little guy and i saw a tweet and i reacted to said tweet idrc for the full story nor am i going to go search for said answer :( in no way dropping the r slur allowed even if ur angy abt smth all of the sudden its just not OKAY this fic was peobably ganna end ip being abandoned since i found new fandoms and such, its just how it is yk? Also if u drop links to tumblrs in my comments im deleting them sorry (also pls don't get oddly paradocial with me abt anything I'm just a pookie trying to write fanfic on the interwebs Ty :( 

~ TheNeighborhoodSadBean