Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The day started out as they usually did during the fall; a cool breeze softly flowing through the air whilst Phil had got some of the kids ready to go to the park for sometime out of the house.

Phil’s nerves were a little haywire as expected from taking care of so many kids that came from so many different backgrounds with different stories on how they ended up there.

He just wanted this day to go smoothly but as life in this cursed town goes, it does not.

He, Tommy and Tubbo were walking at the same pace through the park, Tommy and Tubbo were talking about prime knows what while Phil was listening to them.

And Wilbur and Techno were walking not to far behind having their own conversation. Everything was peaceful. That was until Tubbo paused and pointed to the river that cuts through the park.

“Hey guys, do you see that?” Tubbo asked pointing a bit down the river.

“What? It might just be a piece of drift wood Tubbo” Techno replied thinking it was just Tubbo’s active imagination.

“No, I don’t think drift wood is blue, big man” Tubbo answered back mildly annoyed before quickly running closer to see what was floating in the water.

Phil called out to Tubbo to not run ahead which went unheard he saw what Tubbo was pointing at, a boy wearing a dark blue sweater in the river.

“Oh prime” Wilbur gasped backing up a little.

"Okay boys I need you to stay here. I need Wil or Techno to call the cops while I try to see if he's alive." Phil said swiftly before handing his coat and phone to the boys.

He quickly ran to the edge of the river before slowly waking and trying to grab the boy. He brought him to the side of the river before seeing his he had a heart beat still and thank prime he did although it was weak. Phil began to preform CPR while trying to also calm down and reassure the boys.

The boys being mainly Tubbo and Tommy were freaking out Wilbur said that the cops and ambulance would be there soon, Thankfully.

When the ambulance finally arrived they seemed to successfully get some of the water out of the boys lungs, he began coughing, or more like hacking and throwing up water.

It was possible the boy had hypothermia since it was fall and he was in the cold water he also seemed to be a duck hybrid by the looks of the small yellow wings attached to his back. The boy looked scared understandably so.

He was loaded into the ambulance and driven off to the hospital. After some questioning from the cops Phil and the boys were able to leave.
 
It had been a month since Phil had seen the boy he helped save. He told the others why they were gone much longer then they thought they'd be, he was trying to be a vague as possible but he knew they knew something bad had happened.

He was in the front room grabbing something when the door opened and Puffy walked in and held the door for someone else, it was the boy he helped.

Puffy smiled to Phil before turning to the boy and asked if he could introduce himself to Phil. He looked unsure for a moment looking at Phil before clearing his throat.

"Hi, my name is" the boy trailed off before speaking again but much quieter

"Alex, but please call me Quackity." The boy- Quackity messed with his sleeves looking down, Puffy smiled and gently patted his shoulder before looking back to Phil.

"Quackity is gonna be living here for now. I can fill you in right now or later just whenever" she said before looking down to Quackity "Do you want to be in the room when I tell the other workers?" Puffy asked Quackity. The boy shook his head. "Okay” she smiled reassuringly she handed Phil his file. “Okay here’s his file you can read it while I’ll go show him around” She said walking to hall door and gesturing Quackity to follow her.

Phil smiled seeing the boy seemed to be mostly okay at least.

Chapter Text

The room was lack luster it had just a twin sized bed and a closet with no door, a small dresser with a radio on it, it did have a window but it seems to be barred up.

Puffy spoke from the doorway “You should be able to decorate it soon” she paused for a second “It also might take a while for you to be able to go out, because of...” she trailed of but Quackity knew what she was hinting at.

Puffy handed him a small device it looked like a phone. “Here, this is so you can contact us encase of an emergency, but don’t try to contact anyone outside of here we’ll know if you try.” she smiled

“Well I’ll leave you to put what you want away, if you want you can meet everyone else in the common room” she finished before closing the door gently.

Puffy walked to the common room and was immediately greeted with shouting. While they tried to keep the cursing to a minimum but they (minus bbh) gave up seeing it was useless to try and get these kids to stop.

Bbh was sitting with the bulk of the kids some where in the library or in their own rooms.

He seemed to be struggling to keep the kids in line with Dream and Sapnap yelling about prime knows what, while Tommy was accusing Ranboo of random things.

Puffy quietly laughed before speaking over the chaos. “HEY EVERYONE!” She called out, everyone quieted down and looked to her “A new person has joined the Group Home, so try and not overwhelm them when they come out of their room okay?” There were several nods.

“Why would anyone want to join this hell hole?” Schlatt asked getting up from the coach he seemed to be annoyed by all the yelling.

Puffy shot him a glare. “What? You know I’m right” He said.

“You know no-one asked to come here right?” Wilbur answered but Schlatt just rolled his eyes and left the room with an annoyed grunt.

Quackity sat on his new bed in the cold empty room, he hugged himself he’d have to ask about the heat being turned on or having a heater in his room.

His hand twitched and he looked at the barred window groaning in annoyance
“Of course” he thought “Why would they allow the window to be usable?” He thought bitterly.

He pat his pocket “Puffy said they’d do pat checks” he paused reaching into his pocket and pulling out a box of cigarettes. “So why didn’t they check me?” He thought before hiding it in a small hole he found in the wall behind the radio. He shook his head and opened the door, he stretched his wings before folding them close to his back.

He braced himself to try and meet the others.

Puffy with the help of Niki and Tubbo began on dinner the lock on the fridge was off so everything in the fridge was accessible.

After telling a couple of the kids to stop opening the fridge unless they were grabbing something to drink it was re-locked to avoid anyone taking any food out of it.

A head poked into the kitchen and curious eyes looked around.
The kitchen was also pretty simple a large room that connected to the dining room.

The kitchen was all white with dark marbled counters. While the dinning room had a bit more colors with the lower half of the wall being a slightly minty green and a very large brown table with many chairs sat in the middle of the room not allowing much else to be in the dining area.

More chairs 3 on each side, sat in front of the counters. Another slightly bigger radio sat close to the microwave and 2 large wall ovens sat next to the doorway on the right right side of the kitchen.

Both the left and right doorways lacked a real door. And by the table had a large open area that led to the library/ study room and connecting to the left hallways set of room was the bathrooms.

“Hey Q, we’re just finishing up with dinner so you can sit in here or if you want you can tell the others dinners almost ready” Puffy said with a smile

“Oh! Niki and Tubbo, this is Quackity! He just got here” She quickly introduced drying her hands off.

Niki looked up from the bowl of chocolate pudding she was putting into a pie crust and smiled.
“Hello, I’m Niki nice to meet you.” Quackity nodded with a small unsure smile and looked to the other kid he was shorter then Quackity surprisingly.

“HI I’m Tubbo!” Two new people entered the kitchen “I’m 12” he said with a smile before looking behind him to the two others “That’s Tommy- he’s 11” he said the blondes name and then spoke quieter saying his age “And that’s Ranboo! He’s also 12” He motioned to a taller boy, who looked far too tall to be only 12.

Ranboo also had a two toned face Quackity noticed quickly the boy also looked rather uncomfortable at being mentioned and his eyes darted around the room before finally looking at Quackity for the first time.

“Hello-“ Ranboo started before he was cut off with an highly obnoxious scream and was basically pushed out of the way because 2 boys were chasing another.
“Sorry!” One yelled he wore a light blue sweater and looked like he wanted to be doing literally anything else then chasing a guy in a green hoodie and a boy in a white t-shirt with a flame embroidered on it.

“Well this’ll be interesting.” Quackity thought to himself listening to Tommy yell a mess of curses and incoherent words of ‘How dare you bump into Ranboo!’ While Puffy and Niki sighed and Tubbo observed the mess that unfolded in front of the bowl of Spaghetti he was helping Puffy make.

Chapter Text

Quackity sat at one of the chairs at the counter and observed how everyone else interacted before trying to jump into speaking to anyone, when someone caught his eye; Jschlatt.

Quackity knew him from school "So this is where he's gone." he thought picking up his cup of grape juice with his left hand. He squeezed his right hand shut after it began twitching for the hundredth time today.

He felt the urge to go to his room to try and smoke but didn't want to risk getting caught, it'd be a bad look to get in trouble his first day here so he held off and just bit down on the cups lip to try and distract himself.

Ranboo sat next to him and ate his spaghetti quietly trying to blocking out the loud volume of the others in the room.

Quackity although not very hungry tried eating as much as he could without worrying any of the adults. He thought Phil had looked familiar he couldn't place why the thought sat in the back of his mind mulling through possible answers on why.

Puffy and Niki were nice, Bbh was also nice if not he seemed a little to innocent Phil gave off tired dad vibes 99% of the time. Tommy was nice, but a little much most of the time same with Tubbo.

Wilbur simultaneously was trying to reel in Tommy while also pushing on Tommy's antics while Techno seemed to be having none of it.

Dream, Sapnap and George talked amongst themselves unless Tommy shouted at Dream for no reason or Wilbur threw a jab in just to try an agitate him.

Karl was sitting next to Sapnap half listening to the conversation and laughing at whatever he found funny.

Jack sat by himself at the other counter annoyed at Tommy rolling his eyes every so often and get a few jabs just to piss off (and to be completely honest, failing) Tommy while both Wilbur and Techno found Jack's jabs funny.

Foolish just listened in for the most part sometimes talking to Ranboo to tell him about something he wanted to try building sometime, while Ranboo nodded with the occasional 'yeah' ‘ooh’ or 'cool'.

Quackity pulled the communication device and found that music could be put on it, he also found that you could only message the pre put numbers that were already in the device and any other numbers besides the police were unable to be contacted. Puffy walked in-front of him and asked if he wanted her to introduce himself or have her do it for him. "Uhm, I can introduce myself" he told her after deciding.

"Okay" she smiled and turned to the large table of people "Everyone, listen" she shouted and gestured to Quackity "He's about to introduce himself" she turned back to Quackity and smile encouraging "You can start". Quackity cleared his throat and looked to Phil who sat facing the table in a chair that was placed in the left corner of the dining room.

“Hello" an nervous inhale "My name is" he trailed off once again wondering if he should even bother saying his real name if he doesn't want the others to know it.

"Quackity"

he decided to not even mention it. "I'm 16 and a duck hybrid" he finished and looked to the others to try a gauge their reactions. Wilbur and Techno where staring at him before Wilbur smiled.

“Nice to finally put a name to your face, nice to meet you name's Wilbur- 17" Wilbur introduced himself to Quackity.

While Quackity found the whole 'put a name to your face thing' odd was he flirting with him? Techno spoke next.

“Techno, 17" It was quick he turned his attention back to the book he was reading, Quackity nodded slowly.

"Hey don't be scared Techno's always like this" Dream spoke up "My names Dream, aaaaand this is George" he motioned to the boy sat on his left George looked up at Quackity and nodded before looking back away looking like he wanted to go to sleep. The boy on Dreams right scoffed playfully.

“What, do I not get a special Dream introduction?" He asked jokingly "My names Sapnap I’m also 16 he added quickly.

After everyone else introduced themselves and dinner and desert was finished it was time to brush teeth and wind down before bedtime.

Many went ahead and headed to their room while others went to the common room and sat on the many couches and soft chairs they had. Tubbo had claimed the singular bean bag and not too long after getting on it and falling asleep.

Quackity was walking down the hallway heading to his room before he was stopped by Schlatt. "Long time no see ey?" Schlatt asked.

"Oh, yeah. I was wonder where you went man. You just kinda disappeared one day. Not gonna lie everyone thought you'd died." Quackity replied nonchalantly, Schlatt laughed.

"No, just got put here you know how some parents can be, Alcoholic and they try and push it on their kid." Schlatt shrugged "Same old, same old I guess.
“. Quackity eyebrows raised at that. "So what brings you here? To this lovely piece of paradise." Schlatt asked sarcastically

"Oh you know almost died, Parents try and kill their kid but they fail and get put in prison, while also get found out they were abusing said kid." Quackity spoke looking off to the side. A low whistle was heard.

"That's rough”

“Yeah" A slightly awkward silence. "Well I'm gonna head to bed" Quackity spoke suddenly ponying towards his room "Talk to you tomorrow?" he asked.

“I'll be here" Schlatt joked.

It was nice to know he knew someone here.

Chapter Text

The days had gone by basically the same. He quickly grew accustomed to everyone quickly and caught up with Schlatt.

It wasn’t bad here per say just very repetitive, at least he didn’t have to worry about anyone getting to high or drunk and coming into his room to hit him for doing nothing.

Still some nights he had the thought of “What if that did happen” they all seem too nice to do that though.

He rarely slept, it was something that happens when growing up in a household like that. The fear something bad will happen if you close your eyes for too long.

Plus when he did sleep he’d more often then not have nightmare that were mostly about drowning. He felt like he wasn’t supposed to be afraid of water being a duck hybrid and all but, as Puffy said, something traumatic did happen and he did almost die via water.

But he wasn’t about to seem like a big pussy that was afraid of water, even if no one thought he would be if he was afraid of water, which he isn’t.

“Hey man!” Quackity greeted Phil as the older male was grabbing down a cup.

“Hello, Big Q” Phil looked to him while pouring some juice in Tommy’s cup.

Another dumb thing he did whenever someone had a non-see through cup he liked to make sure it wasn’t any alcohol being poured in even though things like that weren’t allowed in the building or even the general area. But Quackity does go outside and hide behind the building to smoke every so often so what can he really say?

He’s surprised he hasn’t been caught but he’s not looking to jinx himself. He was finally allowed to be able to leave the building (with a worker) to go out and do stuff around the town because all the workers knew how boring staying inside the plain building can be. But he’s not allowed to go attend school like most of the other kids it probably has to do with him almost dying and that messing up his lungs severely. At least Schlatts here most the time.

He was sitting in the common room with Sam and Phil; A new worker; Sam was here he’s only met Sam two weeks ago since Sam has two other jobs he does one of those when he is here is being the security office to make sure no one breaks in or tries running away. He while still being inside the main house he had a laptop of all the outside cameras pulled up so he could still do that part of his job. Quackity loudly groaned at the math problem on his screen, Ranboo who was another kid who was this odd sort of homeschool was here because of his anxiety problems and something about his enderman hybrid side, he looked over to Quackity and raised an eyebrow at the noise.

“Stupid math problem” Quackity grumbled and Ranboo let out a soft “Oh” and turned to his own work. Quackity looked to Sam wanting to know more about the worker asked the totally not private question of; “So, you dating anyone?”

Sam jumped and sputtered slightly at the sudden question.
“Huh- what?” he cleared throat “Why do you ask?” He quickly asked and Quackity pointed to the ring on Sam’s necklace.

“Oh, uh- kind of? I guess. I don’t know really what to call it but this is a promise ring.” He said blushing slightly “He- uh- Ponk is applying here to help since he knows- medic stuff” Sam finished.

Quackity eyes widen slightly.
“A guy?” he thought to himself” he smiled slightly, “So Sam and the others might be more excepting-“his thought of cut off as his name was called by Sam who looked slightly worried.

“Are you okay kid? You zoned out for a couple minutes there. I was calling your name for awhile. Do you need to see Puffy?” Sam asked, Ranboo’s eyes where also on him slightly worried.

“If you need I can walk you to Puffy’s office in the other building” Sam offered lightly.

Quackity shook his head no.
“Nono- it’s okay I just- zoned out for a minute I guess, I’ve been super tired recently it might be because it’s winter now and, uhm. Ducks migrate?” He excused lamely with a small uncomfortable laugh.

“Oh! Do you need the heat turned up? If so I can go-“ Sam trailed off.
“Oh uh you can leave the normal heat as is but maybe a heater in my room would be nice? Or maybe some extra blankets?” He offered looking down to his sweaters sleeve.

The quiet was cut off by the hallway door opening and loud noises from the other kids entering the previously quiet house. Ranboo with a sigh got up picked up all of his school items and walked back to his room before the noise flooded into the common room.

Phil and Bbh walked in looking all sorts of frazzled like they need to sit or they’d pass out. Well taking care of this many kids/ teens would put many begging for mercy and to be let go. Not to mention that they were “troubled youth”. But the workers here are patient… for the most part. They try to keep everything in-line as much as possible.

Quackity closer his laptop and was shot a look of “Did you finish your work?” By Sam and Quackity just shrugged and looked to the doorless opening waiting for the others to come into the common room.

He and Schlatt had this… thing, going on he wasn’t quite sure what to call it. But it was there. Sometimes he, Sapnap and Karl would jokingly flirt and Schlatt would shoot him looks of ‘stop that’ even though it was all in good fun.

Sometimes whenever Schlatt would shoot him those looks he would respond with making obnoxious kissy faces and noises until Schlatt looked away with a look of disgust.

And when that happened Quackity would laugh. Tommy would be confused on why Quackity did that and Tubbo would whisper to Tommy and Ranboo “They’re definitely flirting” with a look of confidence he’d see sometimes on the younger boys.

And Ranboo would nod in agreement while Tommy looked on in slight conflict. While Wilbur would wiggle his eyebrows and Techno would just look on with his usual look of “why are you doing this around me stop it, let me leave now”.

Quackity’s main goal is to get another reaction out of Techno this his usual but he’s got to think of what’ll get him since he’s really hard to read.

But he’s sure he’ll win, one of these days he’ll get what he’s after, whatever that is.

Call him stubborn or dumb but he’s just being himself, and he knows Techno has more then just “leave me alone or I’ll simultaneously break your spine and knees”.

Yeah, he’s got this.

Chapter Text

Quackity was currently sitting outside at the back of the building, it was currently 9:30 pm and 30F (-3C) and it was raining heavily.

Although he no longer enjoyed going in deep bodies of water still enjoyed rain even if it wasn’t the right temperature for him to be out in.

He layered multiple sweaters and thick jackets to be able just to stand going out into the cold thanks to his duck instincts, he didn’t want to freeze himself.

He looked around the dark area before reaching into the inside of his coat pocket to pull out the box of cigarettes, it was risky since it was so late but he couldn’t go any longer without one, the itch to smoke had grown steadily over the past couple weeks and he couldn’t take the feeling no matter how much he tried to distract himself.

He’d been thinking about his family and everything that had happened, he hasn’t talked to anyone about it, because he doesn’t know how to bring it up but it was beginning to finally weigh in on him, along with the nightmares he’d get when he tried to sleep.

He rubbed his right wrist slowly to try and stop the burning sensation.

“Maybe that was a bad idea.” He thought grimly pulling his knees closer to his, also sore chest.

Pulling out one cigarette and lighter he lit one, an odd feeling stirring in his gut.

“Hey have you seen Q?” Phil asked Puffy as he helped roll out some dough for dinner.

They’d gotten a really late start being busy and ambushed with work, Puffy thought for a minute.

“Hmm, no, but I can go with you too help look for him.” She offered worry seeping into her voice. No matter how she asked Quackity he’d never open up about anymore personal matter other than the ones she already knew about.

He’d been talking more about death recently even if it was subtle and she was being to worry even more. Now he didn’t seem to be anywhere in the building, she could only imagine the worst.

They’d began searching in the building to make sure he wasn’t just hiding in his room, when they found nothing then they began to look outside the building.

The two both paired with a flashlight, they pointed the lights and tried to be as thorough as possible, finally making it to the backside of the build where they’d found him.

“Quackity?” Phil paused and sniffed the air, there was a subtle smell of cigarette smoke.

“Was someone smoking back here?” Phil looked concerned thinking someone who wasn’t supposed to be here was hanging out behind the building.

Quackity seemed to be frozen staring at the two adults. “Mate? Are you alright?” Phil asked.

No they weren’t, he came out here when they were supposed to be busy making dinner, so why are they out here?

Panic filling his head and bile rising in the back of his throat thinking it would be like all the other times he’d gotten in trouble. He could only thing of the flashbacks unable to answer Phil and Puffy.

Fortunately Puffy knew Quackity was about to go into a panic attack and began to try and ease him out of it.

Now that she was closer she could smell the smoker clearer, and she knew who’d been the one smoking.

Quietly sighing and going back to reassuring Quackity he was okay and nothing bad was about to happen she asked; “Quackity, have you been smoking back here?”

A small whimper from the back of Quackity’s throat was heard. He seemed to try and shrink into himself. “Hey hey, I just need to know, okay?” She said quietly and trying to comfort the 16 year old.

“I- uh- I” Tears stinging his eyes the smell of the smoke was unpleasant as was the taste but he’d, not meaning to and not by choice was slightly addicted even if he thought he wasn’t.

The grip on his shoulder was light seeming to try and coax his answer out of him. “Yes, I…” he trailed off curling up more into a ball putting his head on his knees. “I’m sorry, I just” Phil and Puffy stood in shock. How had they’d not noticed before? Quackity began rubbing his right arm again the stinging increasing tenfold the harder be rubbed the cuts. His crying had gotten harder as he tried to keep quiet.

Puffy moved closer crouching in front of him and hugged him and rubbed his back.

“Hey it’s okay, Is your arm fine? Does it need to be checked out? I can ask Ponk-“ she was stopped mid sentence by Quackity pulling up his sleeve he felt guilty. The workers had been trying so hard to help everyone and he’d ruin it by making them pay most of their attention on him.

Even though it wasn’t a problem, that he needed to be paid attention to as well. That he was also important to see he also needed help if he was in denial about it.

She lightly grabbed his forearm after making sure it was okay if she could touch him and she looked closely at the small cuts and bruises that decorated his arm. “When did? How long have you been?” She asked.

He swallowing to try and help his dry throat, he answered.

“For awhile now, before I came here I’ve been... like a year?” He said not entirely sure.

“And the smoking?” She asked cautiously.

“2 years? Ever since my mom- or parents made me try them. I’m sorry I didn’t mean to. I didn’t want to. I don’t even like them I was just getting stressed over… everything. School, the new environment, my brain finally began processing I almost fucking died and the lack of being able to sleep without getting a nightmare. Everything feeling like too much, every time I lay down or put clothes on after a bath it feels all wrong my skin gets all itchy like tiny hot knifes are poking me and everything feels uncomfortable.”

He ranted finally spilling what he’d been holding in.

“I’m sorry for not saying anything sooner.” He began sobbing.

Phil and Puffy heartbroken by the unload of trauma and baggage Q had been keeping to himself helped him up and have a small group hug to try and comfort him.

“Hey mate, your not in trouble, but you will be needed you to stay close to one of us when your awake to make sure nothing happens okay?”

“The smoking thing will be dealt with and monitored since it would be dangerous for you to suddenly stop without a other options to go to that’ll be much healthier” Phil told Quackity.

He answered with a head shake and reached into his coat pocket to grab the box of cigarette and the lighter before handing them to Phil.

Phil looked inside and saw not many were missing. So it was probably new or Quackity didn’t smoke very often.

With a nod Phil motioned to ask if they wanted to head back inside.

“Do you need the heater turned up?”

Chapter Text

Dinner went smoothly even thought Quackity wasn’t hungry, he could feel Phil’s and Puffy’s gaze every so often to make sure he was okay.

So much so that Ranboo picked up on it since he usually sits with Quackity at the counters.

A questioning look and a reply via shrug is all Ranboo got from Quackity. He seemed to accept this and went back his book that he writes in.

Quackity was sitting in a field, a dark sky over looking with dark clouds cracking with lightning every so often.

The grass felt soft against his skin as he stared at the sky. Suddenly the ground started to feel wet.

He was confused as it had yet to begin to rain.

The wet feeling suddenly rose to just above his hips. He looked down he saw the field was now swallowed by dark inky water.

The sky suddenly turned pitch black as a light flooded over his frame, by a door?

A person non-distinguishable by voice or body walked into the area looked down at Quackity before scoffing and grabbing his arm.

He was forced underwater as the other hand grabbed his throat cutting off his airways even more. The grip on his neck grew to feel like claws digging at his throat about to tear in. He was screaming under the water when he suddenly awoke.

He was scratching his neck to try and get the feeling away the watch/ monitor on his arm beeping alerting the workers of his increased heart rate.

Salty tears cascading down his face as he sobs were wrenched out loudly.

Multiple footsteps were heard running down the hallways as Wilbur opened his door to see what the commotion was about.

Looking around to see a couple of the workers running to the very end of the hallway into someone’s room. Looking out and to the side to see that Techno was also awake and was also looking to see what was going on.

They looked to each other communicating silently in their collective confusion.

Walking out and to the room to see if he could be any help he saw it was Quackity’s room and loud sobs where heard.

He was concerned as he hadn’t heard such noises from the younger before it made him worry of what could of caused such distraught from the seemly always happy and loud boy.

Wilbur tapped on Niki’s shoulder and asked if their was anything he could help with.

“Oh! Yes, can you grab a bottle of water?” She answered knowing that if Wilbur couldn’t help at least a little he’d feel useless.

He nodded and grabbed a plastic bottle from the large pile on the floor near the fridge.

He quickly walked back to the room to hand Niki the water to see a First aid kit opened and lots of

Blood.

Chapter Text

"Okay so this isn't going well"

Is the first thing Niki thought when in the middle of helping take care Quackity when she heard a thud and turned to see Wilbur passed out in the doorway.

She quickly handing off the cup to Puffy and began checking on Wilbur then asked Phil to help bring Wilbur back to his room. “This is going to be a long night”.

When Quackity calmed down enough to drink the water without accidently choking on it Puffy sat on the edge of his bed patiently with a concerned look on her face.

“Q, Are you feeling a bit better now?" She asked glancing down quickly to his now bandage wrapped arms and neck.

A 'mmm' with a nod is the only answer she received.

He was looking down to his lap his tears had stopped but his eyes were red, his breathing wasn't quite back to normal.

He rubbed his eyes periodically.

"Do you want to talk about what happened?" Puffy stood slowly offering her hand to grab to cup to get it refilled.

Quackity sat up he uncovered him and stood.

"Can we sit in the common room? I don't wanna be alone or in here right now"

Puffy gave a small smile and a nod putting her hand on his upper back and began to lead him.

He sat down on the couch and hugged his legs close and looked to Sam who joined them.

A quick glance around the room before he hid his face behind his legs and closed his eyes and slowly began nodding off.

Puffy and Sam looked to the now sleeping boy worry couvade heavily on their faces.

"Should we let him sleep him here or bring him back to his room?" Sam asked.

"I think it'd be better if he stayed in here for the night incase he has another nightmare." Puffy answered.

“Can you grab one of his blankets so he doesn't get too cold?" She turned to Sam
He nodded getting up.

"Lets hope he'll feel a bit better tomorrow" Puffy thought to herself.

Chapter Text

Being jolted awake and hearing a tired Sam exasperatedly tell Tommy to be careful wasn’t quite what Quackity thought he’d wake up to but what can he say? This place was weird.

“Big Q! Why are you sleeping on the couch? You gotta comfy-er-ish bed! That HAS to be much better then this dumb old couch!” Tommy asked after landing right next to him yelling in his ear.

“Also why do you look like you’ve seen a ghost?” Quackity looked to Tommy rubbing his eyes.

“Hey Tommy” Quackity mumbled back

“Just had a hard time sleeping last night”

Tommy blinked owlishly at Quackity

“I see, well as a big man, I never have trouble sleeping! But”

Tommy began his odd gloating but was cut off.

“Tommy” Sapnap stopped him and snickered quietly while sitting on the other side of Quackity.

“Didn’t you have trouble sleeping last week? You asked for Wilbur or Techno, not that anything’s wrong with that.” He finished quietly, and held out his arms to Quackity in offer for a hug.

Quackity leaned back slightly and took the offer and snuggled close to his friend.

Tommy began sputtering excuses and insults in offense of “how dare you spread slander about me?” While Quackity began to drift off back to sleep in the warmth of Sapnap’s hug.

Chapter Text

Quackity shifted awkwardly in his seat, he and Puffy where sitting a in small dimly lit room the white noise of a noise blocker just outside of the door so no one would be able to hear any private information.

One of the walls were covered in drawings from people who’ve either currently live or have lived in the Group Home before.

Puffy had a Manila folder with Quackity’s information.

She looked up from the documents and gave a kind smile, the scent of mint from the aromatherapy wafting around the room.

“So your here today to begin discussing why your here. Like what you need personally, anything you need to vent, your nightmare, and the smoking”

Puffy began going back and forth from the papers to Quackity scanning the documents to refresh herself on why he’s at the Home.

“But since this is the start and your first therapy session we’ll begin with the basics” they gave a smile.

“Tell me anytime you want to take a break or if you need a cup of water or anything”

He cleared his throat and nodded.

“So your parents” Quackity looked up.

“My dad” He corrected.

“My mom doesn’t- or didn’t live with us” he paused.

“Sorry for cutting you off” he shrink into himself and put his hands together as if to ask for forgiveness.

“It’s okay! No need to apologize!” Puffy reassured to wrote something down on her notepad and turned back to Quackity.

“So your father tried to drown you in the lake at Snowchester park?” She asked softly.

Quackity nodded feeling a little sick his increasing anxiety making his stomach bubble and burn, He really wanted to smoke, he looked up a grimace tugging on his lips.

Puffy took notice and held her hand out for him to take, “It’s okay if you need a break just tell me” they softly reassured. Quackity nodded and asked to use the bathroom and to grab a snack.

After about 20 minutes he came back holding a cup of water and a granola bar.

“Ms Puffy- I know this is off topic and out of blue but I was wondering. How’d you find out your pronouns?”

Quackity was sitting and staring intensely at his cup of water.

Puffy jumped a little in surprise but quickly answered.

“Well I just thought and went over how I felt about each pronoun and how it felt with my friend, Niki and found that I felt comfortable with any.

But do he/him not feel right for you?” Quackity shook his head

“Well he/ him feel fine but sometimes I don’t feel all that uh- he/him-ish?” He answered uncertainly.

Puffy nodded to show she was listening.

“But it she/ her doesn’t quite fit I mean it sounds okay I guess but I’m not sure” Puffy thought for a second.

“How about they/them?” Puffy asked, Quackity thought over it quietly.
“It sounds” he paused “right or better more comfortable I guess” They answered smiling slightly.

Puffy smiled back closing the Manila folder a hint of pride in her eyes.

“Well you look tired, I know you didn’t sleep all that well last night we can continue this another time, Also! If you ever need me come get me or if I’m not here tell one of the other Staff you need to speak to me ASAP, don’t be a afraid to ask for help. I’m so very proud of you”

Puffy concluded before pulling Quackity into a light hug.

Chapter Text

Quackity rubbed their arms as a chill went through them “Damn why is this house always so cold?” They shivered and looked to Sapnap who was sitting alone at the big table in the kitchen/dining room.

“Cold?” Sapnap asked looking up towards Quackity, who got startled at the sudden question.

“If you want we could ask one of the staff to turn up the heat” Sapnap offered, Quackity shook their head no.

“It’s fine why, don’t we just go somewhere warmer?” Quackity offered back.

Sapnap looked confused for a second,
“It’s Fall though? but it is surprisingly warmer today then it’s been in a while, but it’s also still drizzling outside”

Sapnap finally replied mumbling the last part mostly to himself.

Quackity gave a sly smile and Sapnap blinked in confusion.

After grabbing Sapnap’s hand Quackity pulled Sapnap to the door that lead to the side yard of the building and to the back of building making sure no cameras had been installed at the back yet and sat close to the cool bricks of the house listening to the light patter of the rain.

Sapnap looked to Quackity quietly and saw the peaceful look on their face as the two listened to the rain, he scooted closer and put an arm around Quackity should pulling them into a kind of side hug.

Quackity laid their head on Sapnap’s shoulder and gave a small smile as they tried to hide the blush that spread across their face.

Let’s just say if Puffy did hypothetically find the two napping outside in the warm fall air while it was raining she didn’t say much and let them continue sleeping after bringing them back in.

Chapter Text

The itch to smoke was coming back stronger, but they couldn’t, they knew it wasn’t healthy plus they didn’t have anymore cigarettes hidden, Did they?

But anyways they were happy to find out their pronouns! But the sudden realization they like two people, yes two different people took them by surprise.

Who were the two people they like? Well dear old school friend Schlatt who was or seemed more possessive. And Sapnap who was much more laid back. Both boys were very warm (a very important factor for Quackity).

“Ugh why’s this all have to be so confusing? Why can’t it be simple?” Quackity put their face in their palms laying down on their bed they wondered if this is what that ‘first teenage crush’ thing feels like.

With a sigh they sat up and looked around their small room.

They reached over and turned on the radio that resided on the dark brown dresser.

Some random pop song began playing something about drugs and sex the usual or whatever.

After that song ended the next song started; something like ‘Don’t Let Me Down’ by the ‘Chainsmokers’ feat. ‘Daya’. With a small huff they turned the radio down and got up to look around their still packed up stuff and unzipped their bags.

After finally putting their clothes in the dresser or hanging them up in the small doorless closet they felt accomplished. It may of been a small one but an accomplishment none the less.

The song ‘Fine Again’ by ‘Seether’ started playing quietly in the background.

A quiet knock on the door, it was Techno, he was here to tell them that lunch was ready.

With a nod the door was closed again and they were left alone in the small cold room with random songs playing on the radio they didn’t recognize.

How’d life end up like this?

Why couldn’t of their mom take them with her and his older siblings?

Why’d they have to be left with their dad?

A sigh

Quackity closed their eyes and the song ‘Meteor Shower’ by ‘Cavetown’ slowly began calming their mind.

{I’d trade my own bones for Sapphire stones cause blue is your favorite color}

They stared at the radio imaging if someone would do that for them.

If someone would love them so much they’d do what they could to make them happy

“Well I wouldn’t want anyone to lose any bones or to inconvenience themself for my own happiness”

Quackity looked down to the cold wood floor

“Oh right lunch”

Quackity suddenly remembered and turned off the radio before exiting their room the lyrics ringing around quietly in their mind.

Chapter Text

Quackity listened to the over lapping conversations catching little parts of each but never really joining they only added on to tell the occasional joke.

Sitting between Sapnap and Schlatt the tension (was there tension or are they just imagining it?) was slowly becoming so unbearable, luckily! Foolish took notice of Quackity’s awkward shuffling and shifting.

“Hey man! Wanna hear about what I’m working on for one of my architecture classes?” Foolish very loudly asked showing a messy blue print of a building to Quackity.

Quackity nodded getting up to stand next to where Foolish was sat at one of the island seats.

Foolish usually sat there being a bit to tall for the table and to have extra room if he wanted to work on projects for school (or for fun) while he ate.

Ranboo whispered a story of how Foolish practically lost his mind trying to find out how to make a blue print (and build) a chandelier from scratch.

Ranboo shivered as he have a rough summary of the whole fiasco not going into too much detail.

To be honest Quackit’s wasn’t sure if they WANTED the full story they took the rough summary and didn’t ask anymore details.

Eventually Ranboo turned to listen to VERY loud conversation, or more like screaming match Tommy and Wilbur were having as Tubbo watched in amusement.

While Techno just lightly huffed and read to his book shaking his head at the antics of the two.

Dream was also watching the loud conversation it was less noticeable but he was, Quackity didn’t quite know if Dream liked the brothers or not. Honestly he didn’t know much about the boy he didn’t really talk much, outside of the small group of himself, George and Sapnap.

Quackity has heard his laugh before the wheezy cackle that was honestly fun to listen to. But that about all they really knew about the other.

The staff right now was Bad and Niki, Quackity liked to poke at Bad’s nerves a little not too much they didn’t want to make the man angry at them so he stayed to light jokes and pokes at his no cursing rule that none of the other staff seemed to have, and to be honest Puffy also poked fun at Bad as well, as did most of the other staff.

Not too long after the loud conversation Wilbur and Tommy had finally died down a light ding rang from everyone’s communicators

[MCC GROUP HOME CHAT] *use only if you have an emergency or announcement*
>Tommy: AHEM
>Tommy: I HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT!
>Tommy: WILBUR IS A BITCH ASS BITCH WHO ISNT AS BIG AS A MAN AS ME!

>Bbh: LANGUAGE
>Bbh: Tommy this chat is only for important information/ announcements and emergencies.

>Phil: Tommy, mate Bad’s right you shouldn’t be messaging in this chat unless you absolutely need too.

>Tommy: BUT THIS IS IMPORTANT AND THE TRUTH!

>Wilbur: Suck it little man

>Phil: Will… Same goes to you as well.

>Wilbur: :p
>Wilbur: Mine was important.

Quackity looked up from the screen as Tommy began fuming about being called a quote unquote ‘Little man’ going on and on about how “He was the biggest man to ever Grace this earth with his mere existence” as Foolish looked on with a smile on his face (being the tallest in the room of course) and everyone eventually left not wanting to hear the same old one sided argument Tommy was having with himself.

Chapter Text

I have to write two new chapters so it might take a bit.

Chapter Text

Hey! I finished going through and editing the older chapters! If you’ve noticed I’ve moved them back so the chapter numbers make more sense. I’ll try and write 2 new chapters soonish? It might take a bit bc I do have a job.

But I do love hearing your feedback and any suggestions!