It was late in the night and the Watson household was quiet and still. Well, mostly quiet and mostly still. Techno rolled over in his bed with a frown already on his face. No matter what he tried he couldn't force himself back to sleep. He just couldn't. He…he really need to pee.

Biting his lower lip he sat up in his bed and looked around the room. The glow of Wilbur's seahorse nightlight painted the room in a soft pale ocean blue but it didn't do much for Techno at the moment. He looked over at his brother's sleeping form, tucked under the blankets in his own bed and facing the wall. He was sound asleep.

Taking a breath Techno looked towards the partly cracked door that lead into the hallway. Even at this distance he could hear the faint rumble that drifted in. It made Techno shiver and reminded him why he hated being awake at night. Thankfully his plushie, Technopig, was in his arms and able to remind him to be brave.

Trying to swallow his fear, though more urged by his bladder, Techno slipped from the safety of his covers and sat at the edge of his bed. His feet hovered over the stepping stool he used to get in and out of his bed, squinting into the darkness below as he reasoned how grab-able his feet would be from anything lingering in wait. Wiggling in growing discomfort Techno decided that sure the light from the seahorse was enough to keep them away. After all, why else would they use it if it didn't keep monsters away?

Carefully as he could, and with his plushie still in his arms, Techno slid off his bed and tip toed to the door, hesitating when he heard the noise again. He looked back at his brother once more, but Wilbur was still solidly asleep. Despite being closer to the door he didn't seem at all affected by the sounds drifting in from it.

Looking between his brother and the door Techno decided to peek out of it, wanting to see if he could see the thing making him shiver. He just wanted to be able to get to the bathroom so he could go back to sleep. If it was just a small…whatever it was, then…then maybe he could just…run for it.

The thought made Techno shudder harder and hug his plushie to his chest for comfort. The sound rumbled again and Techno couldn't help but whine and back up a few steps. He didn't like it. He didn't want to have to run away from something and then run away back after. He didn't want there to be something to run from. But, more then that, he didn't want to try to run, and fail. He didn't want to be eaten by whatever traveled their hallway at night.

With a second small whine Techno turned to Wilbur's bed and shuffled over to it. Wilbur didn't have a stepping stool and so Techno did the only thing he could think of besides bringing his over. He pulled on Wil's blankets to try to wake him up.

"wil….wiiiil.…wilbur….Wilbur." Techno whispered with a growing desperation to his voice.

After a few more sharp tugs of the blanket he heard Wilbur let out an unhappy groan as he started to shift. Not wanting to risk his brother going back to sleep now Techno tugged extra hard on the blanket, pulling a fair bit of it off of the older.

"Wilbur" Techno called a bit firmer this time, notes of pleading still in his voice.

This time Wil's head rose up as he squinted around him with some confusion. Turning over to his side he faced Techno with a raised brow and a sleepy frown on his face.

"Tech? What'r you doin' up?" He asked with a slur to his words as he rubbed at his eyes with his fist.

Techno bit his lip as he glanced at the door and back to his brother. His plush was once more tight to his chest as he released the blanket. He fidgeted in a mix of nervousness and the potty dance.

"I have to go to the bathroom." He whispered.

"...Okay? So go to th' bathroom." Wilbur replied as he furrowed his brow, "You know where it is."

At this Techno let out a distressed sound as he wriggled in place as the need to pee grew along with his anxiety at going into the hall alone. The noise was enough to make Wilbur sit up, his frown growing.

"Tech?" Wilbur questions as his brother's eyes linger on the door.

"there's something out there." Techno informs him with a scared shake to his voice, "it keeps growling. i think its hungry."

Wilbur looks to the door himself now, both confused and a bit scared himself now if he was honest. He crawled down his bed to be closer to it and tilted an ear to hear better. He waited. Techno held his breath.

A moment later a soft rumbling came from the hall once more making Techno whine and hug Technopig tightly. He wanted nothing more than to crawl back into bed and go back to sleep. Monsters couldn't eat you when you were sleeping. Dad said so. It was why sleep was so important at night.

Wilbur let out a breath and chuckled tiredly under it. He didn't' say anything though as he nodded and moved to slide off his own bed as well. His feet thumped onto the wood floor, the round carpet not reaching all the way to his bed. With a sigh he holds out a hand to his younger brother, once more rubbing at his sleep filled eyes with his other.

Techno didn't hesitate to take it, lower lip trembling as he did so.

"Come on, before you pee yourself." He smiled before leading them both to the door.

Techno paused as the sound came again, but Wilbur just held his hand tighter and pulled him along gently. Tucking himself closer to Wil's side Techno followed along, taking as careful of steps as he could.

It was a short walk and Techno was quick to duck inside once Wilbur promised to wait for him. With a small laugh Wilbur did indeed lean against the wall to do just that. Every so often the rumble could be heard down the hall, making him snicker under his breath. As funny as he found it he didn't want to laugh in front of his brother. He was clearly scared and didn't want to make him feel worse.

Before long the door peeked open once more, Techno peering out to spot his brother first before risking sticking a hand out to him. Wilbur took it in his own and started to lead the pair back to their room. When another rumble came from down the hall Wil could feel Techno's grip tighten.

"Its okay, Tech. You don't need to worry about that noise." Wil tried to comfort, but he could tell his brother didn't believe him.

He looked back at Techno and could see the clear doubt and fear in his face, his eyes slightly watery. With a unhappy hum to himself Wilbur decided this wasn't something he wanted his brother to keep being afraid of.

"I mean it Tech. Those noises are…they are keeping the monsters away from us." Wil tried as he pulled his brother close enough to put his arm around his shoulders, "As long as you can hear that at night then you don't need to worry about any monsters being around."

Techno shook his head, lips curling into a pout.

"How do you know? Cus it sounds like a monster to me." Techno huffed out, his voice quiet in case their talking attracted the thing.

He just wanted to go back to bed until morning, where the sun would chase all the scary things away.

"I know because….because I'm older." Wil responded weakly, which his brother seemed to take note of.

"Being older doesn't make you know things." Techno reasoned, thinking immediately of Wil's struggles with homework.

"No but…but I've-" Wilbur trailed off, brow furrowed as he tried to think of something, anything that would convince Techno he was telling the truth, "…I can prove it."

This seemed to get his brother's attention and Techno looked at him with doubt, but also hope. Techno tilted his head slightly as he seemed to fight a mental battle there. Wilbur waited, fidgeting his toes impatiently. He wanted to be able to show the other the truth, but he wasn't going to try to force Techno to come with him if he didn't want to. He didn't want to make Techno cry after all.

After a moment longer Techno nodded his head in agreement, though he still tensed as the rumble drifted down the hall once more. If…if what Wilbur was saying was true, then he wanted to know. His brother wouldn't bring him to a monster to get eaten. He was sure of that…He was mostly sure of that.

Wilbur gave his brother a soft smile before nodding to follow along, though it wasn't needed as they were still hugged together. Wil kept his arm around his brother's shoulders until Techno himself moved away so that they could hold hands instead. Techno wasn't big on hugs so Wil wasn't surprised and gave their hands a squeeze as they continued.

Wil stopped in front of their parents room and Techno looked at his brother in confusion. Wilbur just placed a finger over his lips in a 'shush' manner and they waited. Techno did as directed and stayed quiet, but was startled when not a moment later the rumbling noise came from the room before them. It was louder and clearly from beyond the door.

Before Techno could even think to question it, Wilbur pushed the door open gently, slowly, before stepping a tender foot inside. Peering around the room a moment he finally brings Techno in after him. He gives his younger brother another warning for silence but Techno had no plans of making noises anyway. Monster or not he didn't want to know what would happen if the two of them ere found out of bed so late in the night and sneaking into their parents room.

Techno was further confused as his brother seemed to be leading him closer and closer to their parents bed. Specifically to their father's side of it. Wil brought them right to the side, placing Techno in front of him and pointing towards their father. Techno's brow furrowed before his face shifted into one of surprise.

Deep rumbling echoed through the room from directly before him. He looked to Wilbur with wide eyes, but his brother only nodded forwards and pointed again. Looking back to their father Techno waited and stared. After a few beats the sound came again as his father breathed in, though this time it was quieter than the one before it.

Techno opened his mouth but before a single sound could come out Wilbur tugged on his hand. As careful as they entered the pair left. Wil lead them back to their room where Techno stared at him in bewilderment.

"Huh?" Was all little Techno could get out, words not forming just yet.

Wilbur grinned at him and crossed his arms, partially smug, but mostly just proud of himself. Techno's face no longer held the same apprehension as it did earlier.

"I told you. Its not a monster and it keeps monsters away." Wilbur restated, now more confident in his words.

"But…how?" Techno asked, drawing closer to his brother as he hugged Technopig.

Wilbur shrugged at this, much to his brother's annoyance.

"I don't know. But its a 'special dad noise' that keeps scary things away." Wilbur concluded vaguely.

"...all the scary things?" Techno asks, his confusion turning into awe.

Wilbur lets out a laugh before he nods his head.

"All the scary things. But," With a breath Wilbur leans over to give his brother a hug and pat his head like he's seen their parents do dozens of times, "If you want, I'll still walk you to the bathroom at night. Until you're not scared anymore."

Techno didn't say anything as he considered his brother's words, a wash of relief coming over him. He let out a breath and nodded his head, hugging his brother back.

"Thanks, Wil."

"You're welcome, Tech… …Do you want to sleep in my bed tonight?"

"Can I?"

"I don't think Jubilee would mind."

Xx-xx-xx-xx

The morning arrived with the smell of fresh cooked eggs and bacon along with the familiar smell of coffee. The boys, unlike on schooldays, woke easily and were quick to take their spots at the table. Their mother was already half through cooking everything while the boys squirmed in their seats behind her. Wilbur was munching on toast while Techno stared at the half made plates of eggs. He would have preferred pancakes, but eggs with bacon was good too.

Their father could be heard down the hall still, dealing with a fussing Tommy by the sound of it. Their brother had slept through the night for once it seemed, though he'd not waken up in a good mood. Or perhaps he just really didn't want to put clothes on today. Either way, by the time their father managed to join them their mother had finished cooking and setting the plates on the table.

"Okay, I dressed him, you're feeding him." Phil stated with a tired breath as he set Tommy into his highchair.

Kristin only chuckled as she watched, giving her husband a wide smile when he looked up at her.

"Okay. Deal." She stated simple before placing a paper plate of eggs before the small child.

Tommy, after Phil managed to get his fists unlatched from his shirt, didn't hesitate before digging in. Fists closing around the gooey substance before lifting to his mouth. Phil let out a defeated breath as he looked to his wife, who was staring back with a beaming pride.

"I swear they all love you more than me. They barely fuss with you." He stated with a smirk as his wife laughed.

"Its just 'mom' powers. I'm amazing." She stated easily before handing him his own plate.

"The most amazing ever." Phil agreed readily, and not just because there was more bacon on his plate then usual.

As he sat down he noticed Techno was looking at him curiously instead of eating his breakfast like his brothers.

"What's up, Tech?" He asked as he reaches for his fork.

"Mom has special 'mom' powers." He states as if he's deeply considering the conversation he'd just overheard.

Phil chuckled but nodded his head in agreement.

"All mothers have special 'mom' powers. But, yours is especially powerful." He adds on, facing lighting up once more as Kristin brought over two cups of coffee and handing him one before moving to sit down herself.

"Dad's have special powers too." Techno once more stated instead of asked.

"They do. It wouldn't be fair if only mom's had them would it?" His mother nodded with a smile as she reached over to move a few strands of hair from his face.

"How does the 'special dad noise' power work?" Techno asked point blank which instantly had Wilbur choking on his mouthful of eggs as he started to laugh.

Phil was quick to pat him on the back even as he looked between both boys with visible confusion.

"My what noise?"