"She needs some more flowers for her grave."

Despite how much control Quackity had, how much fear and respect he had gained since becoming the Mister of his coven—his voice was soft and timid, as it was every time he spoke about anything regarding her. Despite the event having occurred ten years ago, the wounds were still fresh.

Wilbur put his forehand to the shorter one after sitting down to meet his level, giving him a tender kiss. He offered a weak smile to the sad brown eye and mismatched gray one, tracing the scar on his face that was created by the wretched hunters.

"It'll be okay," he assured. "She's happily living in heaven. We have Tallulah here to care for."

"Wilbur. . ." he trailed off, taking a step back as his eyes darted, refusing to meet Wilbur's eyes. "What if—Will we ever join her again?"

Wilbur frowned, reaching forward to grab his hands and pull him closer. "One day," he assured, "we'll succumb to the same fate as Tílin, and we'll join her in heaven. We must make sure Tallulah lives and grows up first, my dear. Until then, let us treasure the time we have here together, with our covenants."

Quackity finally gave a small smile. "Alright, mi amor. Now go get those flowers while you're out getting the rest of the supplies for Tallulah's surprise party. We'll be preparing what we can—food and gifts and such."

Wilbur smiled, bringing him into another soft kiss as he stood up. "Alright, my dear. We'll be back soon."

"You better," Quackity teasingly threatened. "You've survived for far too long to die now."

Wilbur laughed, waving goodbye as he left. He waved goodbye to some of the coven members as he left their homeland, not stopping for conversation as they were already all busy.

"Papa?" Tallulah's voice called, causing him to pause and turn around. "Where are you going? It's my birthday!"

Wilbur laughed. "Yes, it is, darling! Happy birthday! You're turning six! Papa will be right back though, so go get your Papi, okay?"

She frowned, hugging her stuffed doll to her chest. "Can I come with you?"

"Sorry, baby, but it's dangerous out there. You're safe here, okay? I'll be back soon and we'll celebrate your birthday! I just have to run a few errands, okay, darling?"

She pouted but gave a timid nod. "Alrigh'. Bye–Bye, Papi." She gave a little wave to which Wilbur chuckled, copying her wave.

"Bye–Bye, 'Lullah." He turned around and walked off, forcing himself not to turn back for her. He told himself it would only be an hour at most, and then he'd be back to wrap her in his arms.

When he finally got to the streets, it was bustling with people. Not only was it Tallulah's birthday, but, for the humans, it was the anniversary of his disappearance—the reason he gave himself a white highlight, wore red–tinted sunglasses with blue eye contacts, and wore dark clothing and a hood.

He shook off the nerves he got every time he reentered the town since his disappearance and started to move. He had a mission: a very short list that he needed from one store. He knew exactly where it was, and he fell into a fast–paced rhythm trying to get to it before he got noticed—not that he would, he could kill anyone that did, but it was always better to be cautious than careless.

He was almost there, when he froze. He swiftly turned around.

He heard a call for help—one of his coven members.

Tallulah.

Wilbur cursed as he swung around in the direction it came from, no longer caring if he got caught. He raced to reach Tallulah before it was too late, finally swinging into the alley it came from and landing in front of her.

He crouched in front of her, fangs baring at the Hunter with blonde hair and blue eyes, warning him that if he stepped closer, he'd rip his throat out.

The icy blue eyes narrowed in on the vampire, gun already in his hand.

"You fuckers killed my brother," the boy sneered, pure hatred in his eyes. "You don't deserve a family!" he declared, readying his gun. Wilbur got prepared to jump for him, glancing back at wide–eyed, freightened Tallulah who was shaking. He glanced back at the boy, stepping closer to Tallulah but not moving his eyes from the girl and the boy as another man joined the alleyway.

"William," the new man called, and Wilbur assumed it was the boy's name.

The blonde cocked the gun. "You're going to regret what you've done to my family," he cursed, hands slightly shaking from anger and sadness. Wilbur could see mourning behind the anger in his eyes, but he did not care. He backed up to get closer to his daughter, preparing to grab her and run.

"Tommy, stop," the man commanded. Wilbur paid no mind. He kept his eyes trained on the hunter, whose eyes glanced at the newcomer. The Hunter turned back, aiming the gun at Wilbur as the vampire began to move at the same time as the other man did, jumping for the Hunter.

"Tommy, NO!" he screamed as Wilbur jumped as Tommy pulled the trigger. The man pushed the Hunter's gun up as Wilbur pushed the human back, shoving all three to the ground.

"Phil, what the fuck?" the Hunter yelled as he sat up. Wilbur quickly scrambled to rejoin his daughter, who hadn't moved from fear. The only movement Tallulah made was a scream at the collision and possibly a flinch.

He could hear the heart beats of the humans, the new one's heart beating faster from fear. The blonde's heartbeat was as angry as his spirit—as wild as Wilbur is now.

But Wilbur was a father, and he was willing to do whatever it took to protect Tallulah. He failed with Tílin, he would never fail again.

When the new man—he was much older—stood back up, he looked at Wilbur with wide eyes. Wilbur finally moved from the hunter's eyes to the new man's when the Hunter didn't move, only carefully watching the elder in a confused manner.

Wilbur met blue eyes. He remembered them, but didn't know from where. It didn't matter much, considering half of the human world had blue eyes.

"William?" the man muttered, making Wilbur flinch back. No one had used that name for him in years—not since he went missing. The man cautiously took a step forward. "Son?" he asked, voice breaking as his eyes teared up. "Is that you?"

Wilbur studied his dull blonde hair that was turning gray. He wore familiar green robes with a green–and–white bucket hat, with emerald earrings.

Emerald earrings.

Earrings that matched Wilbur's own.

Wilbur's eyes widened as he faltered, taking a cautious step back. "Phil?" he asked timidly. "Dad?"

The man gasped. "William!" he called, racing forward as if to embrace Wilbur in a hug, but Wilbur only shot back, grabbing his daughter and pulling her into him. He paused at the sight. "I. . . I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you," his father apologized. "Is that. . . Is she your daughter?"

Wilbur gripped Tallulah tighter to his chest, glancing down. She had her face buried in his chest, Wilbur feeling the silent tears, as she had her arms tightly around Wilbur's neck.

Wilbur hesitated before he answered. "Yes," he finally said. "This is Tallulah."

"Does she have siblings. . ?" he asked.

Wilbur hesitantly shook his head. "No," he answered. "Not anymore. The other died to vampire hunters."

"Oh. . ." he muttered. "I'm sorry."

Wilbur gave a solemn nod. Nothing he could do about it.

"Phil," the other boy spoke up as he stepped forward, having regained some confidence and anger. "What are you doing? This is a vampire! They killed my brother—they killed your son!"

"Tommy, it was never confirmed!" Phil shot back, and suddenly Wilbur could faintly recognize him.

Tommy was six when Wilbur left. He was a man now—around sixteen. His eyes had filled as did his hair, not as bright yellow but still eye–catching. It was long, as if not taken care of properly—similar to Wilbur's own.

Even after all these years of him growing up without Wilbur to influence him, he could see that Tommy still resembled him in part.

"Tommy," Phil spoke up after a moment, breaths evident as day. "This is William, your brother."

The blonde's eyes widened as he shot back to look at Wilbur. "William?"

Wilbur hesitantly nodded. "I. . . I'm going by 'Wilbur' now."

"Where the fuck have you been?" Tommy demanded, eyes narrowing with anger again. He took some angry steps forward, making Wilbur flinch back and snarl as warning. Phil was quick to stop him.

"Tommy, stop it," he demanded. "Be nice."

Tommy's mouth dropped open. "Be 'nice'?" he shrieked. "We thought he was dead! He can't just pretend to be dead then waltz back into our fucking life as if nothing fucking happened!"

"He's not!" Phil yelled, making Wilbur grip Tallulah tighter as she flinched, a whimper escaping her. Wilbur let out a low, soothing hum. "Tommy, you were about to kill his daughter! He came to protect her!"

"So why couldn't he return home to us?" Tommy demanded, voice getting louder. Everytime one responded, their voice was louder than the last, making Wilbur and Tallulah flinch every time one of them spoke.

"Because he's a goddamn vampire, Tommy!" Phil shrieked, finally shutting up Tommy. They both stayed quiet as Phil breathed heavily at raising his voice so loud. "Look at us, we've been vampire hunters for years—for generations. We didn't make him feel safe when he got turned, so he had no choice but to leave, Tommy. His coven wouldn't have allowed him to put himself in danger like that, just for us. We ran him out." He turned to Wilbur, eyes glinting with something similar to hope. "I'd like to make it right. We won't hurt you, Wilbur, if you'd like to be a family again."

Wilbur glanced at Tommy, to see the boy seemingly having admitted defeat.

Upon noticing that Wilbur was looking at him, Tommy took a shaky breath. "I—I'll quit. I want—I want to at least try to be your brother again."

Wilbur carefully got up, setting a nervous Tallulah down. She hung onto his leg as he carefully walked forward, giving a timid smile as he offered his hand.

"Then I'd like to try again."

Phil smiled. "Glad to have you back, Wilbur."

"Glad to be back. . . Dad."