Trigger warning: Mentions of blood, glancing over feather pulling, minor mention of injuries. Anxiety/Stress response.
XXX-XX-XXX
"So, are you going to tell me what happened now? I feel like I've been asking that to a wall for the last half hour." Phil said as he glanced over his oldest child.
Wilbur had left them barely three minutes ago and the pair had already managed to get a considerable distance from where they'd split up. They were nearing the forest path that would lead them finally to their house, but there was still time and distance to cross.
He looked to Tommy, held so securely against his brother as if the older boy feared any lighter of a grip might lose him. The unconscious blonde was panting with a strong flush, but didn't seem to be in immediate danger. He trusted this as Techno was mindfully checking Tommy's forehead every few minutes with either his chin or with a careful hand to make sure he wasn't overheating. Walking in the fair shade of the steadily growing trees was helping some at least.
Techno let out a sigh at his father's words, not looking at the man himself but at Tommy. It was a look of guilt that had Phil reaching a hand out to place on the other's arm.
"I'm sure it wasn't your fault, whatever happened. But, you're killing me here not filling me in. Please, mate." Phil begged at this point, his voice soft, "Tell me."
Techno slowly looked at his father, his gaze not losing the guilt, but mixing now with a sad sort of acceptance. There was still a drawn out pause as the other seemed to be debating where to begin. It didn't exactly put Phil at ease.
"You know how, you've been asking me to come home for a while? To visit at least?" Techno opened with after a few extra beats of silence.
Phil perked up at that despite his confusion at the chosen starting point. He nodded his head so that his son would continue.
"Well…I sort of, decided to like…actually do that." Techno stated with an obvious struggle.
"To visit or-?" Phil cut himself off here, not wanting to either pressure his son or cut off his story so soon.
"Sort of, both? I'm still kind of, working that out."
"That's fine, mate. Take your time on it. I'm just glad to see you again. Its been ages." Phil assured, giving the other a gentle squeeze to the arm, "Just, wish it were better circumstances."
Techno nodded back, a ghost of a smirk almost reaching his face before it was crushed down again at a sound from Tommy. It wasn't a whine or a chirp, but something in between. Something that noted a strong discomfort.
"You want me to take him for the rest of the way?" Phil asked softly, his eyes also having flown to his youngest, instincts prickling.
Techno, despite the mood, let out an amused snort.
"The kids a stalk, Phil. He'd be dragging the ground if you carried him."
"Mate." Phil huffed out as he rolled his eyes for good measure, "I'm not that short."
"The last time any of us were 'carry' sized for you we were, like, ten. Even that's being a generous guess." Techno went on, a grin forming on his face slowly, "Clearly we got all our height from our mother and not our 'shorter than the pre-teen' father."
"Oi, you little shit." Phil huffed out indignantly as he laughed, "I am not short just because you all are freakishly tall."
"Sure. Sure…. Petiteza"
"I still can and will thrash you across town, Techno. Don't test me." Philza threatened with entirely no heat to it as a grin spread over his face.
The slight mood breaker seemed to help put the eldest child at ease. Even his hold on Tommy softened to something less potentially bruising. The calm atmosphere lasted a few moments before it seemed to slowly ebb back with the clearing of Techno's throat. Though it wasn't as tense as before.
"So…yea, I'd kind of, decided to come back. Planned it for a while actually. To get a few things together."
"How long were you planning?"
"Uh, about a month?"
"Why didn't you say anything to me about it?" Philza tilted his head at this with genuine confusion.
Techno might be a private person, but this was hardly something to keep secret. From his family no less.
"Well, it was kinda gunna be a surprise." Techno replied, fidgeting a bit and clearing his throat once more.
A nervous habit, but Phil wasn't going to press on that for now.
"I told Wil though. He was, kind of helping me make arrangements." Techno began again.
"Is that why he was suddenly cleaning your room?" Phil asked as the behavior of his middle son now made a bit more sense.
"He cleaned it?" Techno asked now with a raised brow, "I just asked him to crack a window every few days so I'd not suffocate when I got back."
"He told me it was just 'better spring cleaning' since the pollen the last two years was bad. I assumed it was in case Tommy went in or something." Philza replied with a nod.
Techno couldn't help the crooked smirk that grew on his face as he glanced down at his younger brother.
"He still sneaks in there?" He asked with a notable warmth in his tone.
Philza smiled for a second or so before it faltered. He…didn't really know. He hadn't seen Tommy near Techno's room in ages really. He realized it was one of the things that made Wilbur's cleaning of that room so suspicious in the first place. Half assuming Wil had been planning to make his own use of it once it was tidied up.
The pause wasn't entirely unnoticed by Techno as he looked back at his father, catching the uncertain look on his face before Phil had a chance to cover it up. The small smile that had started to grow was instantly dropped, falling into a more somber frown.
"At least its less cleaning for me." Techno stated under his breath, trying to move them back along.
Phil nodded, not even knowing what words he could offer to make he son feel better. Aside from a gentle pat to his arm again all he could do was offer his ear for the moment.
"So, Wilbur knew you were coming home." Phil stated after a short beat, helping Techno find his place.
With a nod the other continued, shifting Tommy carefully so his head was a bit higher up.
"I managed to get everything in order faster then I'd thought. Easily ahead by barely less than a month really. I headed out as soon as I could without a word. The only one who knew I was leaving and coming here of all places was Wilbur."
At this point Philza was starting to understand why Techno had started the explanation this way. He wouldn't lie and say the suspense wasn't killing him to get to where Tommy was involved, but he understood enough. After all, Techno was a very private person. If he said Wilbur was the only one who knew, then to Techno's understanding literally no one else should have had an idea.
"Okay. So, only Wilbur should have known." Phil nodded once more, verbalizing to let his son know he was on the same page.
Techno's expression was assured for only a moment before it dropped into something darker. Worry and anger mixing together and for a moment Phil was sure he could see the edges of red almost tint his sons eyes.
"We were meeting up the next town over, or planning to, before coming here." Techno spoke after a moment, his voice a touch more tense than before, "But instead Wilbur shows up screeching like a banshee, hours earlier than we talked about, yelling about Tommy being taken."
Considering how Wilbur had stormed the house earlier informing Phil himself the man knew exactly the panic that could, would and had well caused.
"He hands me over this note that says that whoever it was wanted me to make it to some meet up and I quote 'or else your bastard little brother becomes a chicken dinner'." Techno repeats as his eyes narrow, "Not exactly creative, but-"
"You still have this note?" Philza asked, this time it was his voice that grew sharper.
He didn't take threats against his family lightly. The more proof he had of the danger the more…justified his later actions could be made clear. After all, as the Angel of Death there were restrictions on what he could do outside of his work for Lady Death herself. Claims for self-defense wouldn't fly much anymore. Claims for defense of family though?
He could burn whole villages with enough proof.
"I have it." Techno nodded, similar thoughts in mind no doubt, "Wasn't signed or anything, but the coordinates given on it were pretty specific."
Phil huffed a sharp breath as his gaze narrowed ahead of him. His wings fluffed in agitation as he crossed his arms tightly over his chest. He'd prefer it if he could wrap them around his youngest son really, but he'd have to wait until they were at the house. Techno had had a point about the height differences which is the only reason he hadn't fought harder to reclaim Tommy earlier.
Though, as patient and understanding as he was, it still drew his nerves up sharper. Enough that he had to remind himself to not snap or scold his children for what he was learning. That didn't, however, keep all of his anger out of his voice as he spoke up again, gaze ahead so as not to place his glare on his son.
"And neither of you thought to tell me about this earlier? Your communicators, believe it or not, are perfect for this sort of situation." Phil stated bluntly, barely catching the cringe from the other.
When the silence stretched on Phil turned to look at Techno, noting the returned look of guilt as well as a bit of embarrassment when he let out a short chuffing sound. It was an apologetic noise that his son rarely ever used and it instantly cooled the heat Phil had been feeling. It Techno was using that noise then he must be feeling pretty strongly on that point, there wouldn't be reason in Phil scolding further even if he wanted to.
Techno opened his mouth to speak but fell short of doing so, brow furrowing as he fought to find the words he wanted. His eldest son, when given time and with calm, could build speeches and monologues comparable with kings or bards. However, when dealing with a certain level of emotion the man would clam up as if one syllable out of place might end him.
And so, Phil waited.
…
"I-" Techno started letting out a short breath before trying again, "I wasn't thinking about that. They…they sent a feather with the letter according to Wil. I just… got angry."
Phil nodded, a burning flicking in his own chest at that new piece of information. He'd have to ask Wil about it further, obviously. For now he just continued to stare at Techno, barely watching where he was walking at this point.
"I went to the location and had Wil try backtracking where the letter came from. Figured it was most likely a trap and to…you know…cover our bases."
"It brought you to the house?" Phil questioned, growing impatient to be told about how Tommy was found.
"No, the coordinates were for a clearing in the forest west of it. Only had to break both legs and two ribs before they told me where they were keeping Tommy." Techno supplied, knowing what it was his father wanted and trying to both answer him and sooth his worry.
"And Wil-" Phil started before Techno started to shake his head.
"Wasn't there when I got there. Just a few more men on the main floor. I could hear noises in the basement though, so I knew more were there. I just…" Techno stated, his voice growing smaller at his next words "I knew it was Tommy."
Phil didn't want to know what sound he heard that made his son sure it had been the youngest. He didn't, but he did. Already he could feel the urge rise once more to set the place ablaze. Rules be damned.
"It was just one guy down there, but he was talking big. He had me disarm as if that was going to help him any." Techno went on, wincing slightly at the memory.
The pause stretched on into a silence as Techno seemed to sink into his thoughts. It wasn't comforting for Phil to see and he let out a worried warble as he set a gentle hand on the others shoulder once more.
"Tech?" He ask lightly, eyes asking more than his words if the other was okay.
Techno seemed to debate this briefly, not meeting his father's eye for more than a moment.
"He looked so scared, dad." Techno finally spoke, his voice just shy of a whisper and tinged with a tremor.
Techno's arms tightened around his brother carefully, cradling him like he used to when they were younger. Phil couldn't- or rather he didn't want to imagine what Techno had seen in that basement. Didn't want to know what that fear would look like on his youngest child's face. It already hurt enough to know that that imagery was most likely burned into his eldest sons mind. That it had unsettled the man enough to have him calling him 'dad' instead of 'Phil' for the first time in literal years.
"He's okay now though, Tech. Thanks to you." Phil tried to sooth.
"If it weren't for me he wouldn't have been picked up in the first place." Techno muttered with a slight hint of a growl at the edge of his words.
"Don't say that." Phil scolded with a firm warning even as he kept his voice soft, "For all we know they could have- they could have grabbed him anyway whether you were coming out or not. You being here might well have saved his life."
Phil felt his chest tighten at the thought.
He wasn't wrong. Tommy had been snatched up and Phil had had no idea for…for hours apparently. He had spent his day fishing and tending to the garden and doing a few chores since the house was empty. He hadn't questioned it.
God, Tommy could have been killed all the while Phil had been, what? Debating the merits of Leaping Potion over Slow Falling?
Taking in a breath Phil pushed his own tangle of emotions down for now. It wasn't the right time to deal with it. His boys needed him in a calmer head space.
"None of this is your fault. Or any of our faults, Tech." Phil tried to assure, though by the look on the other's face it wasn't entirely working, "The blame for this rests solely on the bastards that took him in the first place."
Though he meant his words Philza couldn't help but feel a bit hypocritical for them. They were true, he knew they were true but…. but what kind of father doesn't know when his children are missing?
…
"...Lets just get him into Wil's room before he gets sick. He feels half cooked already." Techno said after a moment of awkward silence.
Sighing internally Phil nodded and looked ahead. They were just about at the porch now, thankfully. He sped up to open the door for Techno, the air in the house slightly cooler thanks to the slight wind tunnel made from all the windows having been opened.
"I'll grab the ice packs, you head down first." Phil directed though doubted it was needed.
Even after four years they both knew their needed roles and how to work the most efficiently around one other. Techno still offered a nod of acknowledgement even if his steps never slowed as he made for the basement stairs. Down to the only part of the house free of sunlight at all hours and kept the coolest during the summer.
X-x
Wilbur's room hadn't changed all that much in four years really Techno couldn't help but note as he pushed the door open. It had been unlocked unsurprisingly. Wilbur, for all his fussing and fighting with Tommy at times, had always kept his door open for the other to barge in through. As far back as Techno could remember there were very few occasions where Wilbur had ever locked his door. With a singular incident leading him to leave an emergency key for his family to use only in serious situations.
Though those were thoughts for another time and thus were pushed from his mind as he walked Tommy to Wil's bed and placed the younger atop the cool sheets. The basement walls were entirely stone keeping the space at an almost chilly temperature even during the summer. It helped that the whole northern side of the house was also pressed against the river that ran through their property. Conveniently that was the side of the house Wil's room was on, the ever present sound of water reaching Techno's ears through the stone.
Again Techno paid those thoughts little mind as he instead busied himself with checking over Tommy once more, a hand on the teens forehead to gauge temperature. Tommy was warm, of course. Far more than Techno thought he should be. They would need to cool him down carefully though least they put his body into shock. It really didn't need the extra stress.
First things first, Techno needed to remove any extra layers from Tommy. The kid was already in just a t-shirt and pants so at least the task would be a quick one. Once Techno got his brother's shoes and socks off he could tuck Tommy between the cooled blankets and let them help in balancing his temperature naturally. Between that and the ice packs their father was grabbing Techno figured they were more or less at the best of what they could do.
And if Techno happened to check both of Tommy's ankles while removing said shoes and socks that was his own business.
…
There were no further injuries to be found.
"Something wrong?" Phil's voice asked from behind him, concern openly showing.
"Nah, I was just…checking something." Techno answered as he stood back up, pulling the corner of the blanket over Tommy's legs.
"You sure, mate? You still seem worried." His father stated as he placed his own hand over Tommy's forehead, checking it briefly before placing an ice pack there instead.
Tommy let out an involuntary chirp as a brief shiver traveled through him before a contented sigh followed with a relaxing of his form once more. Phil brushed a bit of hair from his face, but it was pointless as the curl just bounced back to where it had been moved from.
"He's probably going to get sick in the end." Phil stated taking a deep breath as he ran a hand through his own hair.
"Considering he could catch a cold from the sneeze from a passing fly, you're probably right." Techno agreed, though he was far more relived about that than his father seemed to be.
At least Tommy was still around to get sick in the first place.
"I should light the fireplace down here. We're only trying to cool him down after all, not freeze him out." Phil commented, though he didn't move to follow through with the action.
Techno didn't say anything as they both stared at the currently slumbering blond for a few more moments. They probably would have stayed like that for some time if Techno hadn't managed to catch the scent of the lingering bile in the air.
Right. Tommy had thrown up earlier.
"You go light the fire, I'll-"
"No." Phil cut him before Techno could get far, earning a confused looked in turn.
"No?"
"I think I'd rather have you start the fire Techno. If you don't mind. I'd…I'd like to have a look at his wings before he wakes up and tries to hide anything else."
His father's words were gently spoken but Techno could hear the determination in them. The man had already made up his mind for what he was going to do. All Techno could do was nod in agreement, not that he would have fought against it at this point.
"You'll want a bucket of water with you." Techno informed him before nodding to Tommy, "He threw up on one of his wings. Its not much, but-"
"Right. Noted. Can you get that for me?" Phil asked as he instead was moving to sit by Tommy's side.
Techno was nodding his head before realizing his father wasn't looking enough to notice it.
"Everything where it used to be?" He asked, now halfway to the door.
"More or less. Buckets are still under the sink in the workshop." Phil didn't even look up to answer, but he didn't need to.
Techno left the room swiftly, turning down the hall and past the stairs leading to the upper floors. The hall opened up into a living room where the fireplace for the floor was located. It was initially built as the forge for the workshop in the next room, but their father had adjusted the back of it to double as a more cozy fireplace. A necessity when Tommy had kept getting sick while hanging out with Wilbur down here during the daylight hours.
Techno shook his head and kept moving, taking a right turn down the adjoining hallway that would lead to the workshop's doorway. Techno had spent a lot of time in this room when he was younger. Even now, pulling the door opening and stepping inside after so long, he could tell the room hadn't been used in days. Possibly a week. The air was cooled, but not entirely cold. The forge lay unlit but the room still smelled of recent smoke and metal.
In the corner was a large basin sink with three buckets below it. Wilbur had probably pilfered the fourth one, as usual.
With a silent breath Techno lit the torch near the door to give himself enough light to maneuver safely within the room. The glow offered from the hallway not being enough to brighten the space adequately. As a Piglin his night vision was wanting on its own, and he was not going to ask Chat to help him with such a dull task. Not when he'd just managed to get them to go quiet.
The room wasn't all that large, but generally still needed four or five torches to get it properly lit. When working with hot metals and such it was best to have full visibility at all times. Between them and the forge fire it made the room not only toasty warm but positively beaming.
Such a contrast to the almost ominous darkness that currently filled it.
Techno ignored this as he set about his task, though his eyes still wandered as the water slowly filled the bucket. Along the wall he could see the forms of old weapons he had worked on with his father. Both for the practice and some for use. There were also a few new ones as well, but they looked made by far less sturdy hands.
Had Tommy finally been allowed to try his hand at it?
Techno stepped away from the sink and reached for one of the iron swords on the wall. He frowned as he felt how heavy it was. The hilt was too thick and the grip on it wasn't molded right. The blade, however, was sharp and only barely too short to balance against the hilt. Rookie mistakes, so it wasn't their father's work. But it still showed promise, so not Wilbur's.
Tommy wasn't lying when he'd said Wilbur was better off sticking to a bow. Or in Techno's opinion, just his guitar.
Looking up Techno replaced the sword in its holder. This wall was display meant for show instead of storing for use. A mark of progress as the family learned and perfected making…well, pretty much anything in the workshop. At the top of the wall Techno could still make out the first ever sword he'd crafted, no better than the one he'd just been holding.
He wondered how long ago it was made. By just how much he had missed the milestone of Tommy crating his first blade. The blond had always used to hassle him about teaching him how to do it. Showing him how the forge worked when their father wasn't home so that the man could be surprised by the sudden talent.
Techno had always refused him. Always. Even when he really wanted to say yes.
X-
Spilling over
X-
Techno snapped out of his thoughts at the barely whispered word. His eyes landed on the sink and, as warned, the water was spilling over the sides of the bucket, slowly filling the sink as the drain was currently blocked.
It was odd hearing chat so docile and soft, but he wasn't going to argue or question It. He was home in the first time in ages and he wanted the chance to enjoy that. For as long as he was able.
Pouring a bit of the water back out Techno turned to return to his father and younger brother. He stopped only briefly to grab a clean towel from the storage room across the hall, not bothering to note what item he knocked over in his haste. It already felt like he had taken too long.
When he once more entered into the room Techno could feel the odd tension in the air. Tommy was still sleep by the sound of it and their father was still seated at his side. The only difference was that Tommy's wing was pulled gently open and resting partially in their father's lap.
Techno watched with a heavy sinking in his stomach as their father ran his hand over the patch of missing feathers, speckles of blood lingering on the surrounding ones. Memory of a strangled pained cry echoed in his head and caused him to wince before it abruptly cut off.
X-
Safe now
Baby bird is back in the nest
Home
Safe and home
Need air
X-
Techno took a sharp breath, unsure of when he had stopped breathing in the first place. When he refocused his eyes he could see their father was now looking at him. Staring. The mans face was practically etched with concern and all Techno could think to do was shake his head as he drew near.
X-
Dadza is upset
Sadza
X-
"Didn't mean to take so long." Techno offered in way of apology.
"Its fine, but are you alright? Do you need to sit down?" Phil asked as the bucket of water was placed near his foot.
"I'm fine." Techno said in a surprisingly even tone.
When his father failed to appear convinced Techno waved his hand as if to further brush the subject and worry away.
"Really, I'm fine. Just, uh, forgot how cold it can get down here."
It was a weak lie but he hoped it would be enough. He didn't exactly want to get into it right now. Or ever, if he could pull that off.
"How bad is his wing?" Techno asked, hoping to change the topic entirely.
It had the desired effect…but he felt horrible for it. The moment he mentioned Tommy's wing his father's face fell and a distressed warble left his lips. The mans eyes were back to lingering over the plucked patch, fingers grazing over it as if he could feel the burn of pain it caused.
Even without leaning closer Techno could see patches of flesh that shouldn't have been visible at all, traced with trails of red that had since dried. He was no stranger to injury and pain, but without wings of his own Techno would never know this particular kind. He knew what it was like to be cut and stabbed by at least several types of blade, but he'd never know what it was to have a feather forcefully taken from him. Even then, he didn't need to know what it was like in order to know he never wanted his family to suffer it.
"I need to clean it up to know for sure." His father was saying, now reaching for the towel Techno still held, "Even if-"
Techno swallowed hard as his father's words cut off, the mans frown deepening as his brow creased further. When the older blond spoke again his words were quieter but more tense.
"I don't know if they'll grow back in, Tech. He's…he's not-" He struggled with his words as if saying them might bring about the worst scenario, "He hasn't even learned to fly yet, Techno. We barely got him started with gliding a month ago."
Techno could hear the tremor in his father's voice. The hurt and sorrow at the thought that this event might actually ground one of his sons permanently. Techno had no idea what to do or what to say. The idea had crossed his own mind earlier that day. Earlier, when he'd seen Tommy so casually tug out one of what looked to be his primaries just to free himself from those ropes.
"I-" Techno tried to start, awkwardly placing a hand on his dad's shoulder, "I'm sure he'll be fine. This is Tommy we're talking about here. He'd probably grow them back in just out of spite."
Phil didn't seem entirely ready for a laugh, barely nodding his head to Techno's words.
"I mean it. Seriously. This is the same Tommy that fell out of a tree at the age of ten, fell head first into a boulder and cracked a piece of it off without so much as bruise on him." Techno recounted, leaving out the part where the family had all panicked for a good fifteen minutes afterwards until Tommy called them all 'whiny bitches'.
It didn't need to be said though as Phil managed a smirk at the memory himself.
"Ended up spraining his ankle later that day tripping over Wilbur's guitar." Phil added with a small nod.
"Fragile when we least expect it and damn near indestructible when he shouldn't be." Techno nodded with an added assuring pat, "He'll be fine."
Taking in a steadying breath Phil nodded in agreement. Whether in hope or in true belief didn't matter. It was something to hold onto. Something just enough to allow Phil to get to proper work, hands trembling a little less as he wiped away the blood.
He didn't get far though before he paused, tensing up once more. Techno had turned by now and was just steps from the door when the man spoke once more.
"Techno."
"Hm?" Techno turned back enough to meet his gaze.
"Shouldn't Wilbur be back by now?"
Both of them went quiet and the air around them grew uneasy. Wil had left them a fair while ago now. He'd only had to pick up the things Techno had dropped in that basement and then retrace his steps back to the house. Even if he took his time to walk it surely, surely he'd have made it back by now.
"I'll go back and look for him. Probably got distracted by a cat or something." Techno tried to joke, though it fell flat even to his own ears.
Wilbur wasn't helpless, true, but he also wasn't a fighter. If anything happened to him like it had Tommy-
"Be quick." Was Phil clipped reply, his wings flexing anxiously at his back.
No doubt he wanted all of his children back under his roof right now. Back in the nest, back within the flock. No matter how they grew their father would always see them as his little boys at heart. His Nestlings.
Honestly Techno could understand the sentiment. Piglins were, after all, highly communal creatures. Very rarely was there a reason to leave the sounder. It had been so incredibly hard on him to leave all those years ago and now that he was back home it was like all his instincts he'd shoved down all this time were bubbling back up. Perhaps that was why Chat seemed so quiet…
Mostly.
X-
Lostbur
Taking too long
Three of four content
Bring him home
Four of four or bust
Any messages?
X-
Techno was half up the stairs leading to the main floor by the time Chat started to rile up again. It had been a nice break without them, but he couldn't deny the comfort at hearing them once more. His Chattering. The voices that plagued him and aided him all within the same breath.
Picking out the question among the muttering of words Techno looked to his wrist at where his communicator lay. It was silent as usual seeing as he kept it on mute most of the time. The only reason it would make noise would be due to messages from his family, ever the exception from the rule.
Opening it up he tapped over to Wilbur's name. The last communication between them being from the early morning. Wilbur had asked what they should do for lunch when they met up.
Oh how their worries had changed since then.
Techno: where are you?
Techno: how long does it take to grab a few weapons?
Techno's eyes never left the screen as he waited for a reply. Not as he walked through the house. Not as he exited the front door. Not as he descended down the few front steps of their porch. Every second that passed in wait added another needling of dread in his stomach.
His heart almost stopped when the buffering icon switched over to show a disconnection symbol instead.
