Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Today was terrible. Simply awful .

Wilbur was running. Running from who? His brother of course, because the world just hated him.

He sprinted through the dense forest surrounding where he had been minding his business and finally, he saw it. His saving grace. A nether portal. Ruined, faulty and forgotten but functional nonetheless.

His chest heaved with each breath but he pushed on knowing it was his only chance away from his brother. Despite being a piglin, Techno fucking hated the nether. He found it hard to navigate, he hated talking to other piglin and he absolutely despised the humidity. It ruined his hair.

Wilbur's ears perked up trying to listen for him, swivelling around as they scanned the surroundings while his nose tried to catch his scent under all the smells of the forest. Nothing yet.

Hesitantly, he stepped through.

He wouldn’t have given up Wilbur's trail so easily considering he’d been hunting him since the second he heard Wil had been revived. Wilbur's legs burned as he waited for the magic to finish washing over him before the heat finally hit him.

The nether was nothing short of intense. The heat hits you like a punch to the face and the terrain is almost designed to either kill you or make you hopelessly lost. Personally, Wilbur hated the smell. 

That, however, wasn’t even the worst part. The residents of the nether were more deadly than any lava pool or ghast you can come across.

If you piss off a piglin the whole sounder comes after you, they injure you in the legs and follow your trail until you exhaust. From then on you’re at their mercy. That brutality and intelligence was the reason they were able to take over the nether from the pigmen.

No one knows the exact history of them stealing away the dimension, all the overworlders know is that suddenly new biomes appeared with the piglin felling hoards of pigmen and building bastions over the sites of the massacres.

A sign of victory. An insult to those who died.

Phil had talked about the pigmen before, having met them before their extinction. Apparently they were pretty useless, just kinda stood there waiting around and doing nothing. They only ever reacted if you killed one, from then on they’d swarm you.

Piglin were far more useful, they built, traded and brewed whatever you needed. All at a hefty price of gold, nether gold if you were unlucky, but if you had the money that's all they cared for. If you wore gold, had some extra on you and mind your manners you'd usually be safe.

Nether gold was such a finicky thing. Piglin coveted it more than anything else overworld traders gave them, though not without good reason. It was easier to enchant and mould into jewellery and armour, it was also far longer lasting than its overworld counterpart. It was harder to gather in large quantities without having to hunt miles for it and piglin were obviously territorial as shit over it. They’ll kill you if they see you mining it in a heartbeat.

That's probably why Techno almost exclusively wore it. It was a massive flex.

All that is to say, piglin were underestimated far too often. They are unpredictable, they're savage and they're greedy but they aren't animals and that's what makes them so dangerous. They were smart and they would do anything in their power and beyond to get whatever it is they wanted.

At any cost.

Techno was just as cunning as the rest of his species when he felt the need. The potato war is one of the less bloody examples of his intelligence. The man was a genius, only tempered by those voices in his head and a thirst for blood. 

People tend to forget that one can be smart and brutal. They think that because Techno isn't a smooth talker like Wilbur, he can't get half of what he wants done. 

That's usually their last mistake with Techno.

Wil didn’t know much about what had happened while he was dead but time had done nothing to smooth down his vicious streak judging by how relentless he was being in the chase.

He hadn't even had much time to be alive! How could he have already pissed him off?

Wilbur grumbled under his breath while he tried to think back on anything he could’ve done to piss off Techno, picking a random direction in the nether and walking that way. He was pretty sure it wasn't anyone’s birthday though he wasn't too sure what the date even was currently.

Maybe it was because he hadn’t come to visit? Techno never really worried about those things usually so why would he worry now? He shouldn't even want to talk to him after L'manburg!

Wilbur kicked a stray piece of netherrack near his foot.

The problem with dying was that he didn't stay dead like he planned, so now he has his very pissed off brother chasing him down without even a shred of mercy! His legs hurt, Techno knew he hated any kind of exercise and here he is making him run for his life! How cruel is that?

He kept his ears perked to try and listen for his brother, slowing his walk even further. There was no sense in running since he’d only sweat and make it easier for Techno to track. He doubted the scent of rot and smoke that clung to his jacket did much to mask what his brother had become so fond of.

There's also the horrifying fact that piglin chase their prey into exhaustion. Something that didn't look particularly good at the moment given his… situation. He didn't exactly want to end up like the hoglins Techno would haul in every Sunday for Phil to cook. He used to be so impressed that Techno could kill one of those one on one.

Wilbur suppressed a shudder as he thought back on the way their throats would be ripped out like some wild animal got to them. Sure, fox hybrids were predators in their own sense but what could he do against that? Nothing.

That was always something Techno took great pleasure in. He always loved the strength disparity between them, it made him feel like a much better protector. Soothed something in his brute instincts. Wilbur misses when his brother was his protector.

He used to find safety in that fact; His brother being so much stronger than him. Always being able to keep him safe and provide for him. Always willing to play with Wilbur, matching his boundless energy as a cub. Now he could only dread it.

To be honest, he wasn't even sure what would happen when Techno caught him. 

Not if, never if. When. He knew his brother like the back of his own hand, he knew he’d never fully escape him. His brother was always able to find him no matter how far he ran. It would’ve just been pretty pathetic to roll over and just let Techno do whatever it was he wanted. Wilbur's pride couldn't take it.

He didn't have that promised safety anymore anyway. He threw that away when he died. 

Wilbur ignored the way his ears drooped at that acknowledgement. He wasn't sulking. He had just… always been closer to Techno than anyone else. Sure him and the rest of his family were close, he trusted each and every one of them with his life… or at least what's left of it now.

It's just that Techno always got him.

He was unwavering in his loyalty, willing to do just about anything for the rest of them. He always just knew what Wilbur needed. Sometimes Wil didn't want to be the charismatic one, sometimes he wanted to be the one to listen and Techno would always pick up the conversation for him.

He would hold him to his chest at a moment's notice whenever Wil got a bit too… shaky. He was firm, steady in a way Wil always struggled to describe to others. He was Wilbur's baby brother, his younger twin. His other half.

People always thought that it was Wilbur with the boundless energy between the two. They couldn't be more wrong if they tried. Wilbur was the moon to Techno’s sun. Techno was the one that gave him the motivation and energy to be himself.

It’d be fitting for him being the one to take it away and finally kill Wilbur.

He could handle Phil being furious with him any day, Tommy’s bitterness could be swept away with just the right words but Techno? He could never handle Techno. He had only ever angered Techno once in his life.

It was a silly prank. A stupid one. He cut off some of Techno’s hair from that braid he adored so much and laughed at Techno’s shocked face. He was a stupid kid, for some reason he didn't expect Techno to get angry with him. He never had before.

Techno screamed at him for it. Ripped him apart with nothing but words but the killing blow? It was when he went quiet. He looked at him with blank eyes and told him to leave his sight and to not come back.

The next few days were as if Wilbur never existed to Techno.

Phil scolded him when he realised what he had done but it did little to make him feel any worse. Wilbur hated being ignored. It drove him mad. He needed to speak, to get his words out there in the world and to be recognised for it. 

Anything else is unacceptable.

Phil was busy with Tommy who was barely a year old so Techno was really the only one Wil ever spoke to. He had friends from school but they didn't matter. They were temporary. Time wasters until he could finally return to his brother.

But that's just what Techno did. He didn't even twitch as Wilbur would try to get in his face and scream. Wilbur begged, cried, insulted, tried to bribe and even got physical but nothing ever came of it. At some point, any attention would've been good attention.

Techno gave him absolutely nothing.

He didn't speak whenever Wil was brought into a conversation, he would move if Wil ever tried to touch him and he wouldn't even blink as Wil tore his books from his hands and threw them against the wall.

In the end nothing Wil did worked. It was only when Techno decided Wilbur felt sufficiently sorry that Wilbur was allowed to exist again. Allowed to be acknowledged by the one he held dearest. Even after that, Techno never trusted him with his hair again.

Wilbur's heart still stings at that.

It did teach him a lesson though, something Techno wanted him to never forget. Wilbur might be the loud one, he might be the sly fox that twists words and bends definitions until he gets what he wants but Techno? He’s the one that lets it happen.

He makes sure Phil never hears of Wilbur's particularly bad slip ups. He makes sure the ones that won't fall in line with Wilbur's words sit down and shut up. He is the one that Wilbur relies on to be Wilbur. Neither would have it any other way.

Wilbur liked being Techno’s and was willing to do whatever it was that Techno rarely demanded and Techno made sure Wilbur was allowed to be the spoiled brat he deserved to be.

Looking back on it, he knows it was manipulative of Techno to do. He had only refined his techniques with all of them as he grew up. Maladjusted, is what Phil said once. He reckoned that Tech simply skipped a couple milestones and that's how he became the way he is.

They're all maladjusted in some sense. The whole family was fucked up when you really peeled back the silly little mask they wore around others. Phil was homicidal on his best days, willing to do just about anything to keep his kids close. Techno was calculating and manipulative when he decided someone needed ‘adjustments’.

Wilbur himself couldn't tell the truth for the life of him. A dramatic, neurotic, compulsive liar with just enough charisma to get out of the consequences of his actions. Tommy developed unhealthy attachments to others and simply refused to let them go no matter how much they struggled away from him.

They all shared one thing though. They all loved just a bit too much.

Phil stole away Techno and Tommy from wherever they came from, probably razed the places to the ground so there was nothing left for them there. Wilbur is pretty sure he’s Phil's biological child but honestly he never knew with Phil sometimes.

Techno has frankly unnerving amounts of data on everyone any one of them interacts with, lists upon lists of notes of the person's quirks, behaviours, personality and actions that he deems wrong. Irredeemable. Unworthy. 

He keeps all of them nice and up to date until he can finally form the excuse of that person not being ‘good’ for them. Allowing him to demand them to be cut off from their lives. If that didn't work he’d just kill them.

It got so bad that at one point Phil had to force Techno to enlist a three strike system for those people. Their village population just couldn't handle the rate of disappearances. It calmed down as he got older though, that or he just hid it better.

Wilbur continued his trek through the nether, knowing the inevitable would come. His brother was probably stalking somewhere behind him, ready and waiting for his chance to scare the shit out of Wil before doing him a favour and killing him.

Maybe this time he’ll get to see their mother rather than be stuck in limbo. That'd be nice.

Wilbur stopped at the end of a ledge, he was nearing a basalt delta now. The smog that surrounded it was thick in the air and fuzzed up his eyes on contact. If he went in there he’d be unable to see two feet in front of himself. It'd be a gamble on whether he was landing on basalt or straight into a pool of lava.

That's when he heard it. The clopping of hooves on netherrack.

Oh fuck. Surely not.

Wilbur shifted towards the direction of the sound, his nose finally caught up. Hay, snow, that unmistakable scent of cinnamon that trailed behind only one person.

His heart stopped in his chest and his ears shot back, terrified. He didn't even have time to run.

Techno followed closer than Wil thought and he was following on that damned horse.

Just like a fox hunter.

How fitting.

Chapter Text

He considered his choices. On one hand, he was fucked. On the other? He was also fucked.

He didn't really expect him to be so close behind. His brother was a horrifyingly good tracker, no one in their right mind denied that. Wil just didn't expect his time to be up so fast.

He stood frozen as he watched his brother finally, finally, appear. He was rounding one of the particularly narrow bridges Wil had crossed to get where he was. His eyes were scanning around before they landed on Wil.

It was like time froze, Wil did his best to take in what his brother looked like. His hair was just as long as it was before, curly and wild while it stuck out of the neat braid he wore in his hair. The green ribbon signed that it was Phil that did it for him. At least Wilbur's bead was still in his hair.

That was nice.

He was just as scarred and broad as Wilbur remembered, the only new features being a couple of scars and streaks of white threading through his hair. From the execution no doubt.

He was draped in his usual poet's shirt and cape, his corset looser than usual around his middle from all the exercise he’d been doing while hunting Wilbur down like a damned dog. His boots were still stained with blood and his trousers were as unremarkable as usual.

He didn't even bother wearing armour to hunt him. He must've known Wil wasn't willing to fight. He was still dripping in gold, a vibrant mix of gems, netherite and nether gold tossed into the mix that made up his collection.

The moment ended as quickly as it came. Techno’s eyes narrowed into slits and he tapped his foot against his horse's side. Its queue to speed up. Wilbur's queue to start running.

He twisted around and immediately started booking it into the direction of the basalt delta. It was the only way he could run that wasn't towards Techno. Prime, he forgot how much his legs hurt, they were wobbly, even now, as he took off.

He pushed himself to run as fast as he could, ignoring the way his lungs instantly ached for oxygen, unused to breathing, let alone exercise. He was able to push through it before, hopefully he’ll be able to push through now.

“Wilbur, don't you dare!” His brother roared as he saw Wilbur quickly making his way to the delta. 

Wilbur looked back at his brother, on top of that horse he’d managed to tame who knows how long ago. Rapidly approaching.

He looked back at the delta and grinned. He’d always been a gambling man, might as well see who gets him first. The lava or Techno.

He didn't know which he preferred.

He kept running.

He could hear the hoofbeats speed up, he could only do his best to try to push his legs to go even faster than before. He was just about to run into the smog when it happened. His jacket was tugged back and he was tossed to the ground.

He scrambled from where he was, sputtering and wheezing while his lungs were still trying to catch up. His brain was in overdrive, an instinctual need to burrow and hide now kicking in and taking over.

Next thing he knew, there was the sound of breaking glass right beside him, the contents of the bottle splashing right up onto his face and the rest of him. Particles filled his vision, greyish purple in colour. Slowness and weakness. He was so fucked.

He tried holding his breath in for a moment in an attempt to avoid inhaling the fumes but it was already too late. It's soaked into him now and in his shock he’d inhaled the main cloud, he hunched over stuck in a coughing fit as he heard Techno dismount.

Fuck. Smoking had already ruined his lungs, dying made them even worse, he could feel the heaviness of the particles soak into his lungs. Dizziness was starting to set in and the world was all suddenly so fast around him. 

He didn't even have time to react when Techno grabbed one of his arms and tossed him onto his back. His eyes were already narrowed and his lips pulled back in a sneer.

“What do you think you were doing, Wilbur?” Techno was standing over him, staring deep into his soul as he continued to wheeze.

“I was taking a lovely walk before you decided to just attack me.” Wil lied thoughtlessly, might as well have fun with whatever this is on his way out.

“Is that what you were doing?”

“Absolutely.”

“Are you sure? Because to me it looked like you were about to run straight into an absolute death trap of a biome.” Techno sneered.

“Is that what that was? I would've never known. You can be on your way now, thanks for being such a concerned citizen.”

“I’m going to knock your teeth out in a second if you don’t explain yourself.” Oops, 5 seconds into the conversation and he’s already pushed too far. That has to be a record.

“I don't know what you mean.” Wilbur sniffed petulantly, nose wrinkling at the smell of rotten spider's eye.

“You're not stupid Wilbur. I don't know why you insist on acting like you are.”

“Oh great. Now you're doing that thing you do.”

“What thing?” Techno raised an unimpressed brow.

“You say that, all disappointed and then you let me grovel until you finally decide your ego is full enough.”

“Well?”

“Well what?” Wil snapped, prime his head hurt.

Techno grabbed the side of his face and forced him to look into his eyes.

“Get to grovelling. Now.”

Wilbur couldn't stop the fearful grin that spread across his face or the way he tilted his head to expose his neck. Damn his instincts. Techno’s eyes darken at the sign of fear.

“Techno if you're going to kill me I’m at least keeping my pride. I’m not doing shit for you.”

“Wilbur what the fuck are you talking about?” Oh shit. He swore. Techno never swore.

“Shut up and get on with it. Just send me to mum already, I’m sick of looking at your fucking pig face!”

“Wilbur, why do you think I’m going to kill you?”

“Oh, I don't know Technoblade. Maybe it's the fact that you've been chasing me down for the last hour!” Fuck, his words were starting to slur.

“Don't call me my full name.”

“Yeah, sure, that's what we should focus on. Your fucking name. Hurry up and gut me on your sword before I do it myself. You're crazy, you know that? Absolutely batshit insane” he sneered.

“I see what you're doing Wil.”

“What am I doing then? Huh? Since you know me so well.” The words came out just as bitter as how he felt.

“You're trying to get me angry and provoke a fight with me to avoid the fact that you think I’d kill my own fucking brother.”

“Dad already did it. You two have always been so close, it makes sense you'd follow in his footsteps.”

“Is this what this is about? This is why you've been fucking avoiding me? Because you're jealous??” Techno was shouting now.

“Prime, Wil. You've been avoiding me for 2 weeks just because I got closer to dad after you killed yourself?” Wilbur opened his mouth to speak “Don’t. Don’t fucking try Wilbur. You know as well as I that you would have died that way even without dads help.”

“It's not about Phil you asshole! I don't give a fuck about him at the moment. Its about you chasing me down for no fuckin reason!”

“No reason? No reason?? This reaction on its own is its own reason Wil. What are you? A child?? Can't handle the fact that you aren't allowed to just run off and ignore me like I don't even exist?”

Wilbur had nothing to say to that. He just stared up into his brother's blazing eyes, waiting for whatever was next to come. They stayed like that for an eternity, slowly the fire in his brother's eyes dimmed.

Techno knocked their foreheads together, his eyes closed as he sighed and inhaled Wilbur's scent.

“You have no idea how lucky you are Wilbur” he mumbled “if you were anyone else I would've killed you the moment I caught you.”

His hand rose and began brushing through Wilbur's curls. Greasy and knotted from neglect.

“You're not just anyone, though. You're mine. My Wilbur. You just need a bit of… correction.” Techno huffed as he slowly dragged Wilbur to curl up against his chest. It's been so long since he’d held him like this.

“Just tell me why. Tell me why you've been like this and I’ll fix it. Just like I always have, I’ll take care of you Wil. You just need to let me” Wilbur couldn't stop his tears anymore, they started flowing down his face freely.

That's all he ever wanted. All he’d craved. Fuck the potion was making his head fuzzy.

“I don't feel like Wilbur anymore, Techno. I’m not worth being your Wilbur anymore.”

“What makes you think that?” His voice was so gentle now. It was all Wil needed to continue.

It was getting hard to think. Harder to lie.

“I spent so long in that limbo, I didn't have you. I didn't have anyone. It was so long, too long. I was Wilbur and then I was Ghostbur and now I'm… whoever this is. I don't know who I am anymore. I regret it all but I don’t and I don't know what to do with myself anymore.”

He was so tired.

Techno hummed as he began pulling his cape around Wilbur, shielding him from anything and everything. Wil was shaking now, voice high and vulnerable. Wilbur could feel the weakness potion seeping into his very bones now. He could barely even twitch.

“You're the same Wil that you’ve always been. You're curled up in my arms just like when we were children, you talk the same, you think the same, you even insult me the same. Do you wanna know what I think? Before I take you home?”

His mouth was full of cotton and his limbs felt like when he'd just crawled out of his grave but he was still just barely able to hum an affirmative.

“I think you're reeling from everything changing so suddenly. You got too shaky and you were unsure if you could come to me so you did what you always do. You ran. You ran from me, you ran from the rest of our family and you ran from all your problems.”

His hand started running through Wilbur's hair again, Wil sighed and sank deeper into his fuzzy state of mind, barely clinging on to Techno’s words.

“But that's alright. I’ll forgive you. I wanted to break your legs when I first saw you running from me, I was gonna chase you down and snap them like twigs. Make you beg for the weakness potion and then drag you all the way home to take care of you until you love us again.” Techno hummed, the rumble in his chest was so nice. It was all Wilbur had been missing and more.

“I understand now, though. You never forgot your place, you never abandoned us willingly. You just… misunderstood the space I was giving you. That's fine. That's ok. I can fix that, dad will love being able to smother you again.” Techno huffed as he gently scratched behind Wilbur's ears, earning a few small yips.

“We’ll keep you right by our sides all day, always in our sight. You won't be left alone, that way you wont get these silly little thoughts again, yeah? You’ll settle and then when you're all better again we’ll work on building back up your confidence.” Techno shifted his grasp on him to be more secure.

“You're far too insecure for a Craft, Wil. Dads spoiling will help get that fixed, though.” Techno chuckled, the movement jostling Wil from where he was drifting off. Had Techno stood up? When did that happen? “You're alright Orpheus, don't think so hard. Just drift off and let me take care of you.”

That sounded so nice. It's been so long since Techno had taken care of him. He let his eyes slip closed, content to allow Techno to shift and move him around however he saw fit.

“That's right, just settle. We’ll be home in no time” Techno chuffed as he finally mounted Carl again, bidding the horse to begin their journey back “you'll never leave us again. I’ll make sure of it.”

That was a nice thought, wasn't it? Being kept again. Wil let it warm his heart as he finally let go, content to just rest on his twin and fall asleep. 

He was safe now.

Finally.

Chapter Text

The next however long was made up of a blur of sensations as Wil drifted in and out of sleep. He was warm, wrapped up in something wonderfully soft. Far better than the ratty jacket he’s been so attached to.

The first few times he woke up, a hand started threading through his curls and a rumbling voice would tell him to go back to sleep. Wil had no issue with obeying, considering the splitting headache.

Eventually wherever he was going started getting cold, making him grateful for all the layers that were wrapped around him, he still snuggled into the shirt he’d been laying on. Feeling safe in the smell of cinnamon and home. 

The pleased rumble that rose up as a result was enough to settle the nausea that roiled in his stomach.

Eventually, he woke up semi-coherent, no longer lulled straight to sleep by the rumbling or the rocking of where he’d been laying. He opened his eyes and regretted it straight away, everything was so bright around him, he whined and nestled deeper into the chest he’d been resting on.

“Hush Orpheus, keep your eyes shut for now, we wouldn't want you getting snow blindness.” Techno’s voice rumbled from above, Wilbur tried to sink even deeper against his chest, wanting to merge into Techno and never leave “try go back to sleep, we don't have too much travel left. I’ll wake you when we’re home.”

“N’t t’red” Wilbur mumbled, words coming out jumbled and slurred. He could pick up the smell of herbs on Techno, traces of their father.

“No? You still look exhausted from all that exercise you did earlier” Techno snarked, earning unintelligible grumbles from him.

“Need water? Food? I know for a fact you haven't been taking care of yourself lately” Techno spat in return.

“Nah let Phil do all that, y’know how he is” Wil was slowly starting to properly wake up now, the cold and conversation helping his mind.

“The old man can dote on you but I can't?”

“Don't be like that Tech” he nuzzled up closer to his brother, baring his neck while he practically draped himself over him “you know how he gets when he can't fret.”

He does. They both do. Elytrians tend to be more finicky with instincts than other hybrids; their only real interest is in their chosen flock. The world could be falling apart outside but as long as all of their flock is in the nest they wouldn't even care. Since Phil considers Techno, Tommy and himself as his babies it only gets worse.

Mother hen would be the kinder words for what Phil is. He always needs one of them around to baby, he needs to see his children very regularly and he needs to nest with them weekly at absolute minimum. Anything less and he drags them back by the scruff and they're all trapped with him for weeks.

None of them are really able to… grow up in his eyes. They will always be fledgelings at absolute oldest, their age and how they're treated or handled will change depending on how they decide to behave around him. You wanna throw tantrums? You're a nestling now and he treats you like a toddler. You get a bit too independent? You're an unruly fledgeling who needs to be put back in their place.

All this is to say, Wil needs to be at least a bit scuffed up still when he gets to see Phil so he gets the baby treatment. If he’s not pitiful enough then he’ll register as a fledgeling and Wilbur did not want to be wrestled into the ground by their dad so he can re-establish flock rank. 

He still has scars from last time.

Techno huffed in displeasure over not being able to take care of him but he followed Wils line of logic all the same. He’d just have to wait for Phil to settle a bit before he can dote on the both of them, until then he’ll just have to grit his teeth and bare it.

The trip wasn't long after that, Wilbur snuggled closer to his brother, content to be held while he tried to push through the frankly killer headache the potions gave him. Techno’s grumbles slowly but surely shifted into low chuffs and purrs, instincts settled at having Wilbur so close to him.

Slowly, the fence that surrounded his brother's territory came into view, the houses not far behind it.

The wolves that called the property home all came up to see Techno and to try and sniff at the new addition in his arms. They were warded off quickly by a snap of Techno's teeth and a rumbling growl after one nipped at Wilbur's tail, making him yip.

They scattered after losing interest. Their master had no treats for them and wouldn't let them play with whatever he’d brought.

No point in sticking around.

Especially when there's an incredibly irate elytrian circling overhead.

It's only now that Wilbur realises that he hasn't visited in 2 weeks. Phil starts going nuts when its only been 1.

The flapping of wings and the crunch of snow under their fathers landing was the only warning he got before a low hiss escaped the man.

“That better be who I think it is mate.”

“Don't freak him out, I don't want him running off again.”

“Running? He knows better than that” a clawed hand seized his chin and forced him to look into his fathers icy blue eyes “you are in so much trouble young man.”

A whine left him as Phil bared his teeth at him. 

He leaned closer, almost tumbling off Techno’s horse so that he could push against their father and bare his throat. Techno scruffed him for his troubles but Phil's low hiss paused eased into a gentle coo, another hand raised to cup his cheek as his father looked at him for a moment longer before placing a kiss on his forehead.

“I am so angry with you. Do you have any idea how worried I was? I've barely let Tommy out of the house because of you.”

“‘M sorry” he mumbled, not sure if he meant it or not. 

Phil hummed.

“You will be. You seem to at least be behaving for your brother, we’ll have to see if it stays that way” his voice was more gentle this time around, losing some of the harshness from before.

“He’ll get cold out here soon, old man. He’s practically falling off of Carl trying to get close to you.”

“Don't think I haven’t noticed how banged up he is, Techno. You know better than to try and hurt him.”

“He was running.”

“I was scared.”

Techno's hand tightened on the back of his neck, a silent demand to stay quiet.

He bit back a whine.

“Mate, be gentle” a hand brushed through his curls “he looks exhausted. Pass him over so I can get him all warmed up.”

“I can carry him.”

“He can stand and walk in on his own.”

“No, he won't. I’m carrying him in.”

“I don't think you're listening, Tech” Phil's voice was deceptively sweet. “Wilbur will be walking inside with me and you will be taking care of Carl before grabbing Tommy.”

“Tommy?” 

“Hush, Wil. Adults are speaking.”

“M’kay” he murmured as he tried to melt more into his fathers hands, chasing the warmth that he never failed to carry despite living in the tundra.

He zoned out as Phil and Techno bickered overhead, only stirred when he felt the hand on his neck tightened and his brother's voice raised. A sharp caw from their father had him snap his mouth shut, knowing better than to argue.

An arm wrapped around his sides and hoisted him down from where he was hanging from Carl, slowly setting him on his feet and holding him until he resurfaced mentally.

His fathers pupils were larger than usual, no doubt a hint for what's to come.

“Back with me, kit?”

“Hmm?”

“Not quite yet then. Come on, let's get you inside so we can warm you up.”

He tripped over his feet as he stumbled forward, guided by a hand wrapped around his arm and a wing pressed tightly against his back. The snow soaked through his flimsy boots but he had no time to complain as Phil tugged him along up the stairs and into their shared house. The door to Techno's was all but slammed open as he was dragged inside and tossed onto the couch by the fire. 

The room was bathed in a yellow and orange glow by the fire, crackles filling the room with their soothing monotony. His family's scent was stronger here, too; Cinnamon sticking to what was likely Techno's favourite spot, a herby almost mossy smell from Phil's chair swirling with the whirlwind scent of sunshine and sea that Tommy's always had following him.

He didn't move as he heard his father mumbling to himself and rummaging around, content to bask in the heat of the fire and Techno's cape. He’d heard in passing that they made the house bigger, allowing more room for it to be shared. It made sense if Tommy was staying here permanently, after all.

Phil’s own attached house has probably become nothing more than decorative storage at this point. It wouldn't surprise him if the man had planned it this way all along.

His thoughts were quickly cut off by a hand making itself home on his shoulder; a quick look up revealed his father grinning down at him, a dark look in his eye while the fire danced on the shine of his fangs.

Phil cooed down at him, a breathy and rattling thing but a coo nonetheless. His school friends once said that it was an unnerving sound, something that sent shivers down their spines. To him it sounded like safety. It sounded like home.

A tentative squeak left him at the sound, small and unsure. It's been so long since he was happy enough to squeak, the sound felt foreign in his throat.

“Let me take a look at you and see how much your brother roughed you up” he murmured as he rounded around the chair, pushing Wilbur's ratty old jacket off his shoulders before sighing. “You just can't stay out of trouble, can you?”

He stayed quiet, he knew better than to respond when his father was in one of his moods. His fathers eyes flicked up to him as he grabbed his wrist, a pitiful yip had him cooing again. A thumb traced over his pulse point as he continued.

“I suppose you won't need to worry about that anymore, your family has you now after all” a pleased grin spread across his face, his talons pricked at his skin “and we won't be letting you go anytime soon.”

The possessive words scratched something in the back of his brain, something he'd been pushing back and ignoring ever since his revival. That deep need to be wanted, to be kept by the people he held so dear.

He all but melted into Phil's arms.

“There you are, there’s my darling son” his voice was practically dripping with fondness now as hands cupped his face “how long has it been since you've been so sweet for me? You’re always far too independent for your own good.”

Tears slipped out of his eyes. When was the last time someone spoke to him so softly? When was the last time he was held so gently? How long had it been since he was something precious?

“You’re alright, Wil” a thumb swiped away his tears “I’m here, I’ll take care of you now.”

He was crushed to Phil's chest in a hug, wings wrapped around his back and held him as he shattered in his fathers arms.

Sniffles and coos are all that filled the room for a while, the shift of fabric and feathers occasionally breaking it up when Phil rubbed his back to try and calm him down. Slowly but surely his crying died down and he went quiet, finally letting himself rest.

“You feel better after that?”

“Can’t tell, I think so? My head hurts…” he all but whined.

“Let me get you a nice glass of water, maybe a warm towel while I'm at it.”

With that, he pulled himself from how he’d been holding Wil and tucked his wings back behind him.

Wilbur wrapped the cape tighter around himself as he watched his father disappear off into the kitchen, content to sit in silence as he waited, almost drifting off as he heard him start humming.

He snapped awake as the door was all but thrown open, a quick glance revealed Techno glaring at Tommy muttering something about property value and the hinges.

“Wilbitch! Where have you been? We’ve been looking all over for you man!” Tommy all but shouted as he threw himself onto the couch next to him, wings fluffed up and chaotic as usual.

“Inside voice!” came a shout from the kitchen making the boy wince.

“Yeah Tommy, inside voice. ” Techno teased as he took off his shoes by the entrance.

"You're not off the hook either Techno” Phil said as he left the kitchen, handing a cool glass of water and a meat bun to him before taking a warm towel and dabbing it around his eyes “Don't think I haven't seen all the scrapes on his hands!”

“They were there before I got him.” Prime Techno was a bad liar he thought as he bit into the bun, practically melting at the taste.

“Is that why there’s still blood all over them?”

“Probably! I mean no offence but” Tommy glanced at him “he looks like shit right now. It wouldn't be a surprise.”

He hunched in on himself, hiding away from everyone’s gazes. Phil's eyes narrowed.

“Be nice, Tommy” he scolded as he clicked his tongue “he’s not doing too good right now. I’m just cleaning him up a bit before he goes in the nest.”

Techno slapped Tommy on the back of his head, a low growl entering his chest.

“Apologise.”

“Sorry, Wil” Tommy drawled “I love you really.”

He only huffed as his father continued to fuss over him again, this time joined by Techno playing with his hair. Tommy took the silence as an offer to snuggle even closer, ignoring the displeased thwaps of his tail against his side.

“Maybe I’ll let you braid my hair in the morning Orpheus” Techno drawled “as a reward for good behaviour.”

For a while, he let himself drift again. Content to let his father brush a cooling towel over his teartracks, have his twin run his fingers through his hair while his baby brother snuggled into his side despite the initial irritation.

He wasn't as hungry now, the bun Phil gave leaving a comfortable weight in his stomach that he'd grown to miss over the last two weeks. He felt his eyes drooping as he sunk deeper into sleep, content to be fussed over.

A kiss on the forehead had him rising back to the surface, allowing himself to be pulled and tugged along yet again by this family, cape all but forgotten where he’d been sitting. Eventually he was met with a door to the nest room.

The room he thought he'd never see again, not after L’manburg, not after his death.

Phil grabbed him by the wrist and all but dragged him in, only pausing for him to kick off his boots and for Techno to rip the coat off his shoulders and toss it on the floor.

“Come on, time to get in the nest” a pointed look was aimed at his brothers “all of you.”

They raised their hands in surrender and quickly made their way onto the blanket pile, Tommy making sure to put his shoes right next to where Wils had been tossed before tucking himself in against the man, head resting on his stomach.

"I missed you" the boy mumbled as he raised his hand and tightened his fist into Wilbur's jumper, a thread of steel and desperation leaking into his tone "you were just gone for so long. You can't leave me again. I won't let you."

Phil had made his home right behind Wilbur, having him rest his head on his chest while his wings splayed out so he could wrap them all in them, hiding them all away from the world.

He felt Techno get comfortable right beside him, tossing his leg over both Tommy and Wil before resting his head against Phil's shoulder. The man was already purring, likely due to their dads hand instantly finding its way to scratch behind his ears.

“Finally, all my boys in the nest” a kiss was pressed against his forehead “right where you all belong.”

He smiled. 

This was where he belonged, cherished among the monsters he called family.

He wouldn't have it any other way.