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1.
Quackity is eighteen when he meets Schlatt for the first time.
He's on his way to college when a man that was almost a head taller than him knocks him down, to be fair, he was distracted searching through his things for his phone on his backpack to be paying attention to what was in front of him, so in reality, he crashed into the other.
With the heat of the moment, he had just muttered a tiny sorry before he was standing up and running to get out of there before the stranger decided he wanted to fight or something.
The second time they meet, he didn't know it was Schlatt who had made him late for his economics class that one time.
"Hey, I know you," the man in front of him had said and while Schlatt could be appealing when he wanted to be, he's still not sure why he initiated a conversation like that when it was like 7 a.m. and they were both waiting to order in a fucking Starbucks.
Quackity remembers narrowing his eyes, sizing him up to contemplate what would be a good solution if (and at that moment, he would have bet he was) the guy was some kind of creep, "Uh, mind telling me how?"
Schlatt laughed, raspy and low, "Sorry, I probably sounded like a fucking serial killer or some shit, no, you bumped into me last week and you left before I could even ask for your number."
Smooth guys were his weakness, but he wasn't going to fall just for some good wording and a handsome face. "And why do you think I would have given it to you?"
He just shrugged, almost indifferent. "Well, why wouldn't you?"
Maybe that should have been the first red flag, acting like a bad boy in some cheap rom-com, but Quackity attributes to have fallen into his flirtation because of how early it was and because he hadn't had coffee yet.
That day, he left with a cute guy's number saved on his contacts, and a warm coffee paid for the said guy.
After an eventful date (in which Quackity learned he went out with a loaded dude) Schlatt tells him two things, that, again, should have been some red flags.
Schlatt not only is twenty-nine, but he has a fourteen-year-old son.
At that moment, nothing had seemed to be out of the ordinary, yeah, the age gap was something he considered, but he couldn't stop himself from wanting to try, the man in front of him had seemed so honest, talking about the mistakes he did in his adolescence and that he was trying to be better.
Of course, it was a fucking lie, one that Quackity believed without trouble.
The man who had asked for his number in a shitty Starbucks disappeared after a few months and an abusive bastard took his place.
To this day, he still doesn't regret shit, all things considered, because meeting Schlatt got him to meet Tubbo, a boy who deserved and still deserves the entire universe.
So, he takes Tubbo, who in that moment didn't consider him anything but his father's naive boyfriend, some things he considers theirs, and leaves without a second thought.
It's difficult for some time, some days Tubbo wouldn't talk to him, on others, the kid seems scared to even look away from him, as he might disappear if he does.
"I have nightmares sometimes," Tubbo whispers, they're both in Quackity's room, both silent while processing the aftermath of a fight that ended with venomous words neither meant.
Quackity waits, leaving Tubbo to gather his thoughts.
"They aren't that bad usually, the good ones are where we both escape, but the bad ones," Tubbo breaths shakily, "the bad ones…you leave without me."
Quackity turns so fast he feels lightheaded for a second.
Tubbo turns to look at him too, shameful. "I know you wouldn't- you didn't, but I feel, fuck, I feel like you ruined your life so I could have a better one."
"Tubbs-"
Tubbo interrupts him. "I know what you're going to say, I didn't ruin shit but I just- I'm sorry, that it had to happen that way, I- I don't know," He says, rubbing his eyes with enough force Quackity knows it's painful, "You're my dad I know I don't say it out loud but- you chose to be my dad and I know I'm a dick to you-"
He's hugging him before Tubbo can stop talking, there are tears in Quackity's eyes as well.
"I'm sorry too, you're my everything, okay? I'm not going to leave you, I promise abejita." Quackity mutters, separating enough to push one strand of Tubbo's hair behind his ear.
He tries, he really does, to make him feel secure, to give him the life he deserves.
And he's still trying now that two years have passed since they left the hell that Schlatt created especially for them.
"Tubbs, can you come here?" Quackity shouts, thank God it's Sunday, he woke up at nine, and for the first time in the month, he feels human, who would have guessed sleeping eight hours was good for you?
He nor Tubbo need to do anything today and if his son does need to do some homework or something, it's up to him to do it at the last minute, now, Quackity plans to finish lunch and then spend the rest of the day with his son.
Waiting to hear Tubbo's footsteps, silence makes him question if his son is even awake.
He should be, Quackity swears he saw him lurking in the bathroom when he woke up and his kid isn't one to get up if it isn't necessary.
"Tubbo?" He shouts again when he hears a low groan, Quackity frowns.
Sighing and cleaning his hands on the towel he keeps in the kitchen, Quackity makes his way to Tubbo's room.
"Hey, you okay kiddo? Can I come in?" He asks, slightly worried about Tubbo's attitude.
Another groan that he takes as a "yes" is what he needs before grabbing the knob and turning it so he can open the door, peeking out slowly, Quackity almost lets out an involuntary laugh at the sight that receives him.
Tubbo, is in fact, awake, but he looks like he rather be dead than be alive one more minute, peeking out of the jumble of blankets and pillows on his bed, it's not hard to guess why his son looks so bad.
"Oh shit, you're fucking sick dude." Quackity states, walking until he's in front of his son.
"Damn, thanks for telling me bossman, thought I was just being punished by God himself for existing, good to know it's not that," Tubbo mumbles while he glares at Quackity.
"Don't use the name of God in vain dickhead," Quackity snarks, putting his hand in the boy's forehead, "Fuck, you're burning alive, abejita." He says a little more worried.
"Don't call me that dude, it's embarrassing," Tubbo says weakly, leaning his head into Quackity's touch. "I prefer if you insult me, to be honest."
"Does your throat hurt?" Quackity asks instead, ignoring Tubbo's scoff at being ignored.
"No, but I can't breathe through my nose." And to prove his point, he obnoxiously snores and Quackity can only roll his eyes.
"Ew, okay stop that, I believe you," he says, smiling a little when Tubbo almost whimpers when his hand leaves his place on his forehead, "don't worry kid, I'll come back, it seems you just have a cold, I'll go for a wet rag and some medicine."
It's a good thing that Quackity has always preferred to be 3 steps ahead of everything, his med kit is pretty well stocked and an acetaminophen tablet is just what he needs to help Tubbo.
Taking the medicine along with the handkerchief and a bowl full of water, Quackity walks back to Tubbo's room.
"Sorry," Tubbo whispers when he swallows the pill and the rug is placed on his forehead, Quackity just hums curiously, laying the bowl of water on the nightstand.
"For what?" He genuinely asks when he gazes at his son again, "did you do something?"
He shakes his head and if not were for the rug, Quackity knows he would have tried to hide his face on his pillow. "Well, not exactly, just, 'm sorry for getting sick, now I ruined your free day 'cause you'll be worried about me and I know your job sucks and that you need to rest-"
Quackity snorts, "Abejita, you can't apologize for something you don't have control over, I thought I raised you to be smarter than that."
"You're the fucking worst, did you just call me dumb?" Tubbo whines, and trying to push Quackity off the bed, he almost succeeds, making Quackity laugh in surrender.
"Jesus, alright, stop! I'm sorry," when Tubbo accommodates again, Quackity puts the rug into place again and smiles softly at the teenager. "And don't ever think about saying sorry for shit like this, yeah? You're my son, it's my job to take care of you, yeah, my job sucks but it's just things about being an adult," he leans in to loudly kiss him on the cheek, giggling at the fake gag Tubbo makes, "and I worry about you all the time, so keep in mind it's not something I do only when you're sick, dumbass."
"Asshole," Tubbo pouts, but takes Quackity hand, gently squeezing, "thanks though."
"Try to rest, okay? I'll finish lunch and I'll bring it to you here." Quackity says before standing up again, making his way out of Tubbo's room.
It's good he decided to make soup, something like that will make Tubbo feel better instantly.
When they both finish lunch, Tubbo seems a little better, he sleeps almost all afternoon and when he gets Quackity to watch The Office for what must be the 100th time at night, he doesn't complain once, it's worth seeing Tubbo laugh so freely, even when he's still sick and looking more dull than normal, he feels proud every time he gets the teenager to slap him on the arm when he makes a dumb joke about why Dance Moms is a better show.
"Do I have to go to school tomorrow?" Tubbo asks when they're looking through his phone for a restaurant to order dinner from.
"Nah," Quackity says, squinting his eyes when he reads the reviews for the Italian place he wanted to try, "I pay for that shit anyway, missing a few days won't hurt you."
"Cool, can I invite Tommy to come after school?" Tubbo asks, tapping on their somewhat favorite pizza place, "Same order?"
Quackity sighs, "Yeah, why the fuck it's so difficult to find good food places nearby? And yes, you can invite Tommy, this place it's that kid's second home at this point."
While they end up eating pizza from the same place they found since they moved in, it feels special anyways, with Tubbo falling asleep with tomato on his face, Quackity takes a picture of him and while softly laughing, he stands up to clean up.
"Dad?" Tubbo whispers when Quackity enters the living room again, he's sprawled on their couch, his eyes closed, "stay?"
"Of course," He says, sitting on the floor next to him, "sleep well, mijo."
2.
In the beginning, Tommy was just Tubbo weirds friend who seem to never get short on things to talk about, Quackity liked the kid enough, but he didn't have a soft stop for him or anything like that, not like the one he has nowadays at least.
His first impression of the blonde teenager was that Quackity could see parts of himself reflected in Tommy, the boy was loud and abrasive, unapologetic in every step he takes, he's proud of being himself and if you searched for the word "extroverted" in the dictionary, you'll probably end up finding a photo of the blonde.
"Why are you so fucking short?" Tommy says the first time they see each other, he's looking directly at Quackity's eyes and he wonders if the kid thinks they're having a who blinks the first battle.
"Tommy for fuck's sake-" Tubbo groans.
Quackity snorts, leaving a kiss on Tubbo's forehead before waving at the blonde kid. "Don't get into too much trouble alright? And I don't know why I'm so short dude, maybe you should ask yourself why the fuck you're so tall."
Tommy blinks and Quackity has to bite his tongue before he compares the teen to an angry chihuahua.
"Yeah, whatever, get inside bossman before my dad decides you're going to give me rabies and won't let me hang out with you."
"What the fuck- Tubbo that's so fucked up!"
But while he is extremely independent and easy-going, what made him feel like part of their tiny family, after all, was that as much of a "big man" he could be, the kid still was sensible and a kind soul.
It's funny how everyone seems to label Tommy as annoying based on just some interactions with him.
Maybe it's for the better though, because the part that makes Tubbo smile when he's down and helps Quackity around the house every time he's there, as far as he knows, it's reserved for people important to him.
"Big Q, what the fuck are you doing?!" Tommy screams, looking like he's witnessing a murder.
Quackity looks at his hands full of his attempt at making cookie dough and frowns. "I'm painting, can't you see Toms?" he flatly asks, raising an eyebrow.
"Your terrible influence is what made Tubbo a fucking disaster in the kitchen, I'm sure," Tommy says, approaching him like he's about to go to war.
"Didn't you learn to respect your elders, Tomás? Get out of my fucking house if you're just here to insult me." Quackity huffs, but he steps away, watching amusingly how Tommy analyzes what, honestly, looks like anything but cookie dough.
"Fuck you bitch, you're not even that much older than me." The teenager easily responds, "Okay, give more flour and some milk and I think I can save you from getting intoxicated with this shit."
"One day, I'm going to die," Quackity says as solemnly as he can while he takes what Tommy asked for, "and you're gonna be like, Oh my God, why was such a nuisance to Big Q, now he's dead and I and I won't see his beautiful face nor will I hear his melodious voice anymore!"
Tommy looks at him like he's insane, taking the milk and flour from his hands. "That was an awful imitation of me, insulting even."
He giggles, hopping onto his counter. "That was the point, Toms."
He wouldn't say it aloud, mostly because Tommy would kill for it, but he almost sees the kid as his own, he would fight for him the same way he would fight for Tubbo.
After a long day, he's finally on his way home, it's as late as he's accustomed to, normally, it would be dark by the time he's parking outside his apartment, now, the sun shines softly in the sky and if he's lucky, he'll be home by the time it's setting.
But his plans rapidly shatter when he sees a familiar mop of blonde hair on the side of the road.
"Tommy?" He asks rolling down the window of his car.
The kid abruptly looks up, surprise all over his face.
"Big Q! Fuck- what are you doing here?" Tommy sniffs, trying (and failing) to wipe the tears from his face.
Quackity looks at him worriedly, "Kid, you're on the side of the road on the way to my house, what are you doing here? And weren't you grounded?"
He gulps, looking away, "Uh, I was just…"
A sigh involuntary escapes his mouth and flinches when Tommy seems to go rigid at the sound of it, "Shit, sorry, I'm not mad Toms, just confused, get on the car, I'll take you wherever you want."
Now it's Tommy's turn to look confused, "Really?"
Quackity smiles softly, "Of course, you don't seem like you want to go home right now, so we won't."
The teenager nods slowly, standing up and hesitantly getting on the car.
"You're not mad?" Tommy asks, practically in a whisper when Quackity starts driving.
"Why would I be? I'm worried, now that I see you better," He comments, glancing at the boy next to him, "Is everything okay?"
He hears Tommy gulp and when he steals another glance at him, he sees the boy nervously biting his nails.
"Do I have to talk about it?"
Quackity frowns, "No if you don't want to, we can just keep driving or go for some ice cream, I don't know, whatever you want to feel better."
"Okay, um, can we just keep driving?" Tommy asks after a second.
Quackity smiles, nodding, "You got it, big man."
They drive around the neighborhood, the music from the radio being the only one responsible for not being silent inside the car, though, it wouldn't be an uncomfortable silence, more one of waiting for something.
It might be fifteen minutes after Tommy got in the car when he begins talking again.
"You're not gonna make fun of me if I tell you, right?" Tommy asks, nervously glancing at him.
"No, I wouldn't do that, you know you can tell me anything Toms." Quackity rapidly reassures, smiling encouragingly.
"I don't want to go to college." Then, Tommy blurts out, his voice weavers a little but there's the confidence that characterizes him so much in his voice again.
Quackity blinks. "That's okay, I'm almost sure Tubbo doesn't want either."
"I, I know Big Q but, both of my brothers are in college, they're the fucking best at it too and I'm not sure how Phil will take it- what if he's disappointed? I've always been so- shit- different? I'm not like Wilbur, that fucking smartass and I'm obviously- not like fucking Technoblade, the prodigy, the golden child of the Watson's, I'm nothing compared to 'em, you know?"
He parks in front of a dinner, it's one they've been more than once, alarmed, he turns to look at Tommy.
"What are you talking about?! Kid- Okay, be a little more honest with me for a second, yeah Toms?" Quackity asks, he waits until Tommy nods before he talks again, "did someone tell you something? Like, why do you think you need to be like your brothers for people to be proud of you?"
Tommy sighs shakily, he looks like he's about to break and Quackity feels like it too just by looking at the boy.
"I don't know, no one has told me the exact words but they always- they always compare me to them! And I fucking love them Big Q, they're my brothers, but I'm not like Wilbur or Techno and the people at school, the fucking teachers are so adamant on me being more like them, it's always the same shitty speech "why aren't your grades as good as Techno's" or "why won't you be as quiet as Wilbur?" I know I can be annoying sometimes, but they're crossing the line!"
Someone is going to pay hell if they think they can tell this type of shit to a kid, to one of his kids, he's definitely talking with Phil so they can fuck up whoever thinks they had the right to speak to Tommy like that.
Now, it's important to reassure the unsettled kid in front of him.
"Tomás, Toms, hear me out, okay? They're stupid fucking assholes who don't know what they're talking about and are probably projecting their shit onto you, you don't need to be like Techno or Wilbur to be someone successful or important, not everyone follows the same path, look at me! I was studying to be a lawyer and now I'm working my ass off in an office job I hate, do you think I'm less because I don't have a fucking degree?"
Tommy frowns, "No! You're strong as fuck Big Q, why the fuck would I think you're less because of that?!"
Quackity smiles, "Exactly, look, there's no shame in wanting a small life, you don't need to have big dreams if you don't want them, okay? Now, we'll go to your house and you don't have to tell Phil right away, but know that he is going to be proud of you, no matter what."
For a moment, Tommy searches for something on his face, probably a lie somewhere, but when he doesn't find it, he gives him a big smile.
"Thanks, uh, we can go to my house now," Tommy says, softly, but he smirks smugly quickly, "this doesn't change anything, by the way, I'll still insult you whenever I can."
"I know kid, glad to know all this feeling shit didn't make you a pussy." Quackity rolls his eyes, laughing at Tommy's indignant screams.
"Phil is going to kill me though, I'm still very, very fucking grounded." Tommy laments when Quackity stops laughing.
That only makes him laugh harder.
3.
It's not news Quackity hates his job, while the pay it's not terrible, it's still not worth the hours of sleep he loses thanks to it, neither having to deal with his horrible boss, nor how far away from his house is, or-
Okay, he really fucking hates the job, but it's the best he can do at the moment so he's not about to bite the hand that feeds him.
But it's not easy keeping that in mind with the awful day he's having, breakfast tasted like shit because he burned it, Tubbo was late to school because he didn't get up on time and his car decided it was the moment to die exactly in front of his son's school, so then he lost another twenty minutes waiting for the tug to take it to the mechanical workshop, he's tempted to call and say he's sick.
He doesn't, because in the end he still has to be a responsible adult, even when he doesn't want to, he still texted Charlie to tell their boss he was late because of a familiar emergency.
Seeing as if he still needed worse things to happen today, when he's like two buildings away from reaching his office, someone takes him the wrist and pushes him against the wall of an alley.
For fuck's sake, he's getting mugged.
"Shit, of course, this had to happen today," Quackity angrily mumbles, he studies the figure in front of him, the guy is looking at him too, the man is wearing a ski mask, the only feature he can see is the man's eyes, still staring at him almost confused, Quackity can see a knife peeking out from his hand, "Can you let go of me? I'll give you everything I have bla bla, we know the drill."
The guy laughs, surprised, and then tries to cover it with a cough.
"Dude, what the fuck, shouldn't you be, I don't know- begging so I don't take your things?" The man talks and okay, that's definitely a kid's voice.
"How old are you?" Quackity asks, taking his wallet from his pocket.
The man -who sounds suspiciously like a kid- glares at him. "That's not important."
Quackity snorts. "It is if you sound like you're my son's age." He sighs, grimacing at the sight of only two five-dollar bills inside.
"Is that all you have?" The kid asks, sounding weirdly preoccupied.
"Yeah, you can have it though," Quackity shrugs, "sorry I don't have more."
If it weren't for the Swiss knife in the hand of the kid, Quackity would have laughed at how surprised the kid looked.
"Wha- don't say you're sorry, I'm literally robbing you, dude." The kid says and in a fluid motion, he saves the weapon in his pocket.
"Again, you sound like you're my kid's age, so yeah, have it," Quackity says, opening the kid's hands to put the money there. "Now, if you excuse, I have to go to work."
The kid pauses, looking like he's about to say something but when he thinks better of it, he just glances at Quackity one last time before making his way out of the alleyway.
Quackity sighs, he counts to ten and promptly exits the alleyway too.
His boss is going to kill him.
He thinks about the kid that mugged him the way back home, he tells Tubbo about it, and after telling his son that yeah, he is okay and yes, he'll try not to get mugged again (and while the sentiment is there, Quackity can't stop giggling after Tubbo says it), the next day, he almost forgot about it but in the back of his mind, he hopes the kid is alright.
But Quackity has always been a magnet for shit like this, so he's not even surprised when he meets the kid again not even four days later.
"Uh, you okay, dude?" He asks, tapping his foot nervously against the floor, it's been like five minutes since the kid stopped in front of him and has been just…standing there, looking at Quackity with piercing eyes.
The kid isn't wearing anything to cover his face (which is a little surprising, but he probably saw enough to know Quackity isn't dangerous) but he would remember those eyes anywhere.
(Quackity tries to ignore the little pain he feels at seeing the kid look so tired, his eyebags incredible evident, and well, the kid has to rob so he can survive, so that makes him feel even worse.)
He gulps and looking almost pained by the action, he raises his hand to give Quackity something.
Quackity blinks and frowns when he notices that it's 20 dollars. "Okay…what the hell are you doing?"
The kid tsks. "What the fuck does it look like I'm doing? Come on, take it."
Quackity grimaces, trying to get a good look at the kid in front of him. "Kid, are you okay? Did someone beat you up or something and know you forgot how mugging works? You're supposed to take things from me-"
"For fuck's sake- you're so fucking annoying I don't even-" The kid stutters and Quackity wonders if he'll let him take him to the hospital for a revision. "I know how mugging goes but you were just, so pathetic the other day so I decided to humiliate you more by giving your money back."
They both look at each other for a moment and Quackity swears he tries to fight it, but in the end, he ends up laughing with so much force he fears one of his lungs is going to burst.
"I'll stab you if you keep laughing." The kid says and it sounds serious enough Quackity pauses.
He nods, still giggling a little, and pushes the money to the kid's chest.
"Well, I don't like when people make fun of me, so I don't accept the money, but tell you what," Quackity says, smiling, "you can keep trying if you let me take you to eat."
The kid takes him in for a second and like the first time they met, he laughs incredulous. "You're fucking crazy dude."
Surprisingly, the kid accepts, he stays true to what Quackity offers and keeps making little jabs about the fact he got mugged by a kid and that he's not the smartest person if he tries to befriend said kid by inviting him to eat.
"I'm Purpled, by the way." The kid, -Purpled, his brain provides- says, they've been fighting about who keeps the money (and Quackity bites his tongue to mention the fact he wanted to give him ten more dollars), and finally, Purpled huffed and puts the money in his pocket.
"I'm Quackity."
Quackity rapidly decides he's going to take care of Purpled as much as he lets him, which takes some arguments here and there whenever Quackity tries to give the kid something.
"Look, you'll be the one doing me a favor if you keep the key," Quackity says, frowning when Purpled just flips him off, "you won't let me buy you a phone so at least take the fucking key so you can come over and let me know you're alive, asshole."
Like the dramatic teen he is, Purpled sighs and takes the key like it's the most difficult thing he's ever done. "Okay, fine! But if you find your apartment without shit one day, don't come crying to me dipshit."
(Funnily enough, it's Purpled who sometimes brings things to his house, like cookies and snacks.)
"There was someone here." Purpled's voice says when Quackity steps into his apartment.
He hums, fighting a yawn. "You have to be more specific than that, kid."
Purpled huffs, frowning at him. "He's my age, I might be older, brown hair, he knew my name."
"Oh! You mean Tubbo," Quackity says, making his way to the fridge to take a water bottle, he drinks from it and then looks quizzically at Purpled, "he's my son, I'm quite sure I told you I have one."
Purpled groans, completely exasperated, and Quackity fights the urge to roll his eyes. "Yes, I know you have a son, my problem is why did he see so pleased to see me and why the fuck did he know my name!"
Quackity squints at him. "Did you think I was going to let you have a key to my house and not tell my son, who I live with, there could be someone here sometimes? I'm surprised this is the first time you've seen him!"
At this, Purpled pauses and a light blush adorns his face. "That's not- Ugh, he knew my name, but he didn't seem scared or- or something! He even said you talk non-stop about me and that if he didn't have plans he would have totally stayed- he seemed happy to see me."
"Well, I don't talk nonstop about you but I mentioned you a fair number of times and Tubbo thinks you sound badass or something, he wants to meet you, he thought it would be funny to have someone else to help him make fun of me."
Silence settles between them and Purpled just looks more annoyed for every second that passes.
"I don't need you." Purpled says, something hiding in his words.
"I know," Quackity responds, making his way to the couch next to where Purpled is sitting, "I never said you did."
"I'm not a charity work, Q."
"I know."
He stays silent and doesn't utter a word when Quackity half hugs him.
"I'm not looking down at you, Purp, but I need you to understand you can't stop me for caring about you or wanting to help you," Quackity says, not mentioning the tears he feels on his free arm, "now, what do you say you stay the night, 'kay?"
And while Purpled isn't there the next morning, Quackity smiles at the poorly drawn of him next to a "see you soon idiot" in the note the kid left.
4.
There aren't many things that scare Quackity, cockroaches? Lead the way, he's ten times bigger, heights? A little adrenaline never killed anyone! Spiders? He's still bigger than them, give him a real challenge!
He's been through a lot of shit, so he likes to think there's nothing that could surprise him, even less scare him.
That's it until he meets Technoblade.
He's on his way to the bar where he and Dream usually meet, the blonde was probably looking for him in there since Quackity was late (to this day, he's a little surprised Dream hasn't lost his patience, it's more ever than not that Quackity is late).
Foolish, the bouncer smiles at him and lets him without a problem, by the time Dream is drunk and flirting with every pretty stranger he can lay his eyes on, Quackity will go out to talk to Foolish, the last time he heard about him, he had been trying to ask on a date someone named Ponk, (Quackity has seen them around the bar sometimes, they are really funny, Foolish and them would look cute together).
Making his way to their usual booth, he raises an eyebrow when pink hair catches his attention.
"Quackity!" Dream says and the blonde stands to hug him, "I feel like I haven't seen you in ages dude."
"Hey, good to see you too, Dreamy boy." Quackity laughs, giggling when Dream only elbows him while he rolls his eyes.
Dream signals to their booth, "Sorry I didn't tell you sooner, but I brought someone with me."
That's where he concentrates on pink hair again and a man who's probably taller as Dream, if not a little taller, turns to look at him.
Cold eyes stare right at him and even when they haven't spoken at each other yet, Quackity feels like he already offended the man.
"Quackity, this is Techno," Dream signals to him, and Quackity awkwardly waves at the other man, "and Techno, this is Quackity!"
Techno almost imperceptibly nods his head -in what Quackity supposes, is a greeting- and silence settles uncomfortably between the three of them.
Dream shrugs, but Quackity can clearly see how he glares at Techno. "Anyways, he's a friend of mine I've known for quite some time now and with college practically consuming all of his time, I thought he could use going out."
Quackity nods, pausing to consider if it's too late to tell Dream a half-assed excuse to get out of there. "Oh, yeah, no, I completely understand, uh, good to meet you, man."
"Same here." Techno deadpans, Quackity can't exactly tell if he's trying to be rude on purpose.
"Well, look at you! Already talking like you've known each other all your lives! So, if you excuse me, I need to talk to someone, catch you later."
"Dream-" Quackity begins, gulping nervously.
"No, you're not going anywhere-" Techno says at the same time.
But as if he had never been there, Dream disappears and a dreadful silence settles between them.
Quackity is going to make sure his friend doesn't see the light of the sun ever again, that's for sure.
"So, uh, is that your natural hair or…?" Quackity tries and he regrets learning how to talk when the stranger looks at him with the most unimpressed gaze he's ever had to see.
Okay, now he's just making himself look like a fucking idiot and the man continuing staring at him like he's about to jump him isn't helping in the slightest, is the guy going to murder him because he thinks he's an idiot.
Fuck, he hopes Dream chokes on whatever fancy drink he's probably drinking right now.
"Anyways, uh, it's getting late, sorry I have to leave you all by yourself but yeah, you know how it is! See you." He says in what's probably a tone evidencing he's trying to get out of there right now, Quackity doesn't care though because the exit makes him find his will to live again when it enters his line of sight.
"Leaving so soon, Q?" Foolish curiously asks.
"Yeah," Quackity laughs, "Dream left me so fuck him, I'll go home and I'll sleep as soon as I touch my bed."
They say goodbye and Quackity promptly starts his way home.
He should text Tubbo and tell him he's going to be home sooner than anticipated.
Quackity is about to take his phone before the sound of footsteps stops him.
He walks faster, texting Tubbo can wait, he's still not that near his house, but whoever is behind him copies his pace.
Shit, shit, shit.
"Wait-" someone says and Quackity is punching someone before he can process anything.
Catching his breath, Quackity blinks and looks at the man in front of him holding his nose.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?! Crazy motherfucker-"
The stranger's pink hair is what makes him stop in his tracks and as if that wasn't enough when Quackity involuntarily lowers his gaze, he can see Techno holding his cell phone.
"Shit, damn it, I'm so sorry-"
"Don't worry," Techno says and wow, the guy sounds too monotonous for someone who has just been hit, "this is on me, 'shouldn't have scared you."
Quackity still winces, reaching out to help the man.
He learns two things that night, the first one, Techno isn't all that scary when he sees him hesitate over the smallest things and how it almost pains him to make small talk, the second one, he punched his son's best friend's brother.
"He's Tommy's brother?!" He asks again, looking incredulously at Tubbo and then at Techno.
"Yeah! Techno? Technoblade? Come on dad, I know you heard about him before!"
(He decides to ignore that, because that one is on him, he can be a fucking dumbass sometimes).
Learning that Techno is Tommy's brother makes everything easier.
He's visiting for a few months to take a break from college and it's much easier to try and befriend him when Quackity runs into him even at the supermarket.
It turns out that Techno is simply someone who is not very social, according to him, all the social skills were taken by Tommy and Wilbur, but Techno is really kind and a person who knows how to listen incredibly.
It doesn't turn out to be a surprise because they end up fitting together so perfectly.
But something that can characterize Techno is that it doesn't know when to stop.
"Techno! Open up asshole!" Quackity bangs his door, apparently, according to Phil, his stubborn friend hasn't left his room for three days and that just won't do.
It's a little weird not even Phil could convince him to come out, but he's not about to question it right now when Techno hasn't bothered to even acknowledge him.
"You know I'm not going anywhere until you open this stupid door, puerquito, so stop being an idiot and let me in!"
"Stop shouting!" Techno's voice rumbles, Quackity rolls his eyes at his antics.
Soft steps sound and then he's staring face to face with Techno.
Quackity hums. "You look like shit."
Techno sighs, stepping to let Quackity in. "As always, it's a pleasure to see you birdie."
"You give so much shit when I call you a cute pet name and then you call me that," Quackity says, it's mostly automatic, the want to fight.
"You like birds, don't you? It makes sense." Techno says like it's supposed to be obvious.
"I like ducks, that's one bird." Quackity huffs, looking around at his friend's tidy room.
"It's better than calling me a pig in Spanish." Techno rolls his eyes, leaning against the wall and watching Quackity expectantly.
"Well, you have like ten plushies of pigs in your closet, just because I can't see them right now it doesn't mean they don't exist." Quackity points out, then he sighs, raising an eyebrow when he takes in Techno's aspect. "When was the last time you ate?"
Techno freezes, "Uh, today."
"Techno."
He looks away. "…yesterday."
"I think I hate you, Technoblade."
Techno nods, "Yeah, that's fair."
Quackity stares at him and Techno stares right back.
"Come here." That is all Quackity says before he's making his way to Techno's bed, pointing at the floor so he sits there. With trepidation, Techno sits up, his head between both of Quackity's legs and resting his back on the bed.
"What's this for?" Techno mumbles, clearly annoyed.
Serves him right for being so careless.
"Let me braid your hair."
Techno doesn't even bother to turn around to look at him.
"Quackity, I swear to God if you fucking touch me, I will end you and not even Phil will be enough to stop me-" Techno begins but cuts himself when Quackity starts running his fingers through pink hair.
It's like a switch flipping off because, in an instant, Techno is letting the most content sigh he's ever heard.
He decides to spear him this time, gracefully stopping himself from making fun of his friend.
"You're actually a dumbass dude." Quackity whispers, smiling at Techno's not-so-subtle try of getting closer to Quackity's touch.
"I'll kill you when you least expect it," Techno says and it would have been intimidating if it weren't for the fact, he's practically purring against Quackity.
They stay like that for a while, content to not utter a word, but Quackity still has some talking to do.
"You can't keep doing this to yourself dude, it's not healthy." Quackity murmurs, beginning to braid Techno's hair.
"It's all I know," Techno says, his voice doesn't sound sad even with the statement he just gave, it's more resolute than anything.
"Well, then I'm going to change that, whether you want or not," Quackity says, admiring (and lowkey, envying) how silky the other's hair is.
"If you told me a year ago, a shorty with the attitude of a thousand men willing to die for fun, would punch me, then apologize to me and then continuing to bully me daily, would have the guts to force me to take care of myself," Techno murmurs, then pauses, "I don't even know what I would have said, that's how surreal this is."
Quackity smiles, "You're aware that I'm the one with your hair in hand, right? Like, I'm the guy you just called short and that could leave you bald in a matter of seconds."
"Being bald is more Bad's brand, please don't take that away from the poor man." Techno snorts and while it's the dumbest joke he's ever heard, Quackity still laughs.
"Alright big guy, you do whatever the hell you need to do, shower, finish your smartass shit, I don't know, I'll be in your kitchen making some tea and then we'll watch that stupid documentary about turtles you told me you've been dying to watch, sounds good?" Quackity says, finishing the simple braid in his friend's hair.
Techno sighs, but the fond tone doesn't go unnoticed. "Okay Q."
5.
A relationship isn't something Quackity would be interested in nowadays, especially not after the whole Schlatt fiasco.
He's not that excited about bringing someone new into his and Tubbo's life either, so he tends to turn down every flirtatious intention someone seems to have for him, it's easier to abandon that aspect of his life than having to go through more horrible shit, it's almost a rule he has for himself.
One he kind of forgets when the most beautiful men he's ever seen lay their eyes on him.
Dream tends to do these extravagant parties and annoys him until he tells him he's going and, in the end, he leaves him alone to go flirt with the British bartender he contracts for occasions like this.
Tonight may be the only time he's grateful Dream left him alone when the two strangers make their way towards him.
"Hey, what's a cutie like you doing here all alone?" A man with broad shoulders and black strands speaks, Quackity hears an insinuation of an accent there, rolling nicely from the stranger's mouth.
"What makes you think I'm alone?" Quackity smirks, drinking from his wine glass and hoping they can't see how nervous he's right now.
The other man, slightly taller than the other and with light brown hair, smiles kindly, "Well, no sane person would leave a man as gorgeous as you alone for so long."
Quackity almost chokes on his wine, while he always tends to reject everyone who approaches him with some flirtish intention, he can't stop himself from being interested in the two men in front of him.
"Oh, I see," He stutters a little, feeling like the place is ten times hotter than before, now it's more obvious than ever it's been a while since he's been interested in someone. "You're lucky, I suppose, I just came here because a friend asked me to, but then he ditched me like always."
"Mind if we keep you company, then?" The first guy says, easily smiling.
"Sure, I'm Quackity, a pleasure."
"I'm Karl! And he's Sapnap," The man with fluffy hair says, "and believe us, the pleasure is all ours."
Feeling like he's in high school again, all excited because the popular guys acknowledge him, Quackity goes home that night with the number of both Sapnap and Karl saved in his phone.
("You look weird," Tubbo says, Tommy is sprawled all over the couch, his legs in Tubbo's lap and when he hears his friend talk, he ignores his switch to scrutinize at Quackity.
He's only one step inside his house, they couldn't even begin their bullshit when he was completely inside.
"Yeah, Big Q, did something happen?" Tommy asks, still looking at him suspiciously.
"You probably met someone, didn't you?" Purpled mocks from his place on the floor, he doesn't even stop looking from the Tv, the rude brat.
Quackity pointedly ignores them, going to his room as fast as he can.)
"Tubbs! Open the door please." Quackity calls while he looks in the mirror for the hundredth time since he changed.
Surprisingly (and believe him when he says surprisingly) Karl and Sapnap still wanted to take him out on a date after learning he was a single father of -technically- three children, it was cute, though, seeing them trying to understand that he wasn't the father of two of the three children.
They seemed genuinely interested in getting to know him better and anyways, it was just a date! If Quackity found out that they were secretly assholes or something like that, he didn't have to see them again.
"Dad!" Tubbo calls in the usual voice he uses when someone is being too nice to him while they're out together.
Oh no, that fucking kid.
"I'm coming!" Quackity yells back, hurriedly taking his phone and wallet.
There, in all his teenager glory, is Tubbo, glaring at Sapnap and Karl who-
"Are- are those flowers?" Quackity asks in awe, they're sunflowers, his favorite flower.
Karl perks up when he sees him, looking back at the bouquet almost embarrassed. "Yeah! You mentioned them in passing last time and thought it could be a good idea to buy you some!"
Quackity feels himself blush too fast for his liking, smiling sheepishly, he takes the flowers, "Um, thanks, they're-"
"Who are you? You know, it's really rude to not introduce yourself to someone new." Tubbo interrupts, glaring slightly softer.
"Oh, yeah, sorry, I'm Sapnap," Sapnap says, waving a little awkwardly.
"And I'm Karl!" Karl animatedly says, "you must be Tubbo, right? Q talks so much about you."
Tubbo hums, "I see, what do we owe the pleasure?"
Quackity sighs, "Tubbs, we talked about this-"
"Well," Sapnap talks, smiling softly at Quackity, "We think your dad is amazing and we wanted to get to know him better, woo him a little too, so we were planning on taking him to the best place in town."
"Okay, stop- stop being so cheesy in front of my kid," Quackity finds himself stuttering, glancing at Tubbo and muttering a you gonna stop now?
"Just so you know, I'm pretty good at throwing punches and Purpled could disappear you without leaving traces." Tubbo says, folding his arms and looking far too comfortable about talking about a possible murder in front of the men Quackity wants to date, "Techno could make you see your nightmares like sweet, sweet dreams, so don't even think about hurting my dad."
Karl and Sapnap (rightfully so) can only stare at him.
"Well, have fun on your date!" Then he says, smiling as nothing had happened.
("Damn, Q, your kid is fucking hardcore." Sapnap says when they're in the car.
"You're not saying it like a bad thing, right?" Quackity asks, narrowing his eyes at the other.
"What? No way, he didn't even hesitate about threatening us," Sapnap easily responds, "and I guess I can understand him, I remember I wasn't all that excited about my dad dating someone when I was younger, he just wants to protect you, that is just evidence you raised him well."
Karl nods his agreement.)
"What a sight, darling." He hears a low voice speak from behind him, Quackity turns around, smiling at the image of his shirtless boyfriend, his disheveled hair evidencing he just woke up.
"You're not so bad yourself, hot stuff," Quackity says, turning off the coffee maker and therefore, taking it to be able to serve the coffee in three different cups.
Sapnap's hands find their place at his waist, hot breath makes him choke a pleased sigh, when the coffee is served, Quackity smiles at the light-headed kiss that are left on his neck.
In the end, the first date led to a second, a second one led to a fourth one, and then, in the blink of an eye, it's not new Quackity stays the night some days.
"Good morning, love." Sapnap murmurs, gently tightening his grip on his waist.
"Good morning, babe," Quackity responds in the same soft voice, whining when the kisses abruptly stop.
It feels like an eternity too short before Sapnap accommodates against him, his beard brushing against Quackity's chin in a way that does nothing more than increase the desire to kiss silly his partner.
"Is this one of my shirts?" Sapnap insinuates against his ear and Quackity, still new to this sort of affection, feels himself blush at being reminded of their position.
"Y-yeah, I didn't find mine so, uh, thought I could steal one of yours." He gasps, almost shuddering when Sapnap sneaks one of his hands to rest it against his stomach.
"Mmm, I like it," Sapnap utters before separating himself a little, leaving enough room for Quackity to regain his breath, "Makes you look mine."
"Oh, my fucking god, you're such a dick! Go away," Quackity stutters, embarrassed now that he can look at his boyfriend's face and the man doesn't look sorry at all.
"Whoa, sorry Q, I didn't know it was a crime to shower my gorgeous boyfriend with kisses and praise first thing in the morning." Sapnap dramatically says, pouting when he tries to hug Quackity again and he only slaps him gently on the arm.
"Fuck you, we're over, now Karl is my only boyfriend." Quackity laughs, quickly kissing away the pout from Sapnap's face.
"What did our favorite nimrod do that you broke up with him for the third time this week?" Another voice speaks and both Quackity and Sapnap turn to look at their boyfriend.
He's wearing one of Sapnap's hoodies and he smiles at the lovestruck gaze Sapnap is wearing that is now directed towards Karl.
"I was making coffee and he thought he could come here, looking all handsome and shit, and kiss me." Quackity says, then he turns to grab their mugs, leaving a kiss on their cheeks when he gives them their coffee, "Now, I prepared some pancakes, you can eat them with your coffee if you want, I know Sapnap had a meeting today so I left your shit ready on your desk and Karl, the exams you graded are on the couch, I organize them for you so don't worry about it, your notebook is there too and, oh! remember you have the parent's thingy today."
Moving around his boyfriend's apartment is like second nature at this point of their relationship, a similar thing happens when he decides to help them around the times he spends the night with them, so it shouldn't be something new for him to do things for them.
They still look like they might faint on the spot when he finishes talking.
"What?" He asks exasperated, his cheeks feel like they're turning red again.
Without warning, he's suddenly sandwiched between them, Karl's bright smile making the butterflies in his stomach flutter like crazy.
"You're absolutely amazing, do you even know that Quackity?" Karl whispers, his tone as sweet as honey makes Quackity lose the ability to formulate coherent thoughts for a second.
The praise sits weirdly in his mind, but he knows Karl and Sapnap appreciate whenever he lets it be instead of fighting it, so Quackity just tsks, "Yeah, yeah, drink your coffee baby, it's gonna get cold."
Sapnap hums nonchalantly from behind his back. "Or, we could smooch our pretty boyfriend before we go to work."
Karl giggles, all bright and soft. "You always have the best ideas Sap, though, I'm pretty sure I'm the only boyfriend Q has, isn't that right, darling?"
This, this isn't fair.
He says as much. "You can't- that's not fair." Quackity all but whines, feeling himself get more and more embarrassed.
"Aw, why are you getting so shy all of sudden? What's not fair, Q?" Sapnap whispers against his ear and while Quackity tries to fight the urge to shudder, he cannot stop the pleased sigh he lets out when Karl starts leaving light kisses on his neck.
"God, I can't even begin to imagine what incredible thing we did to deserve even a second of your time." Karl mutters they're both so close and yet, Quackity still thinks they can be closer, "You're everything we could ever have dream of."
"Our third part, our missing piece." Sapnap says, matching the reverent tone of Karl's voice, his hands sneak to hug him and their other boyfriend and if Quackity concentrates enough, he thinks he can hear the beating of their hearts.
"I love you," Quackity whispers, it's as easy as breathing, the word doesn't feel like a foreigner in his tongue, the tastes it and only wishes to say it over and over again.
All movement of soft touches and short kisses stop before they increase.
That morning, the three of them call in sick, spending the hours cuddling.
+1
Quackity is twenty-one and he has many people he loves and constantly worries about.
Whether it's his son or his partners, his other two not-exactly-sons or best friend, he can't help but want the best for them always, but sometimes, he forgets about someone else that's as important as them.
Himself.
"We're surprising Q with a party," Tubbo says once they're all settled in the house.
"Isn't his birthday until like, five months?" Purpled asks.
"Yeah, but he's been working too much lately and he's awful at taking care of himself," Tubbo frowns, tsking a second later, "and anyways, he deserves something nice every once in a while, he's always being such a mother hen to everyone, he should taste his own medicine sometimes."
Sapnap smiles and Karl raises his hand. "Can we make him some cake? And decorate it with ducks? We saw one the other day and Q almost fainted with how much he liked it."
Tubbo shrugs, "Yeah, why not, we can order some Mexican food too and decorate the house."
"Yeah!" Tommy grins, "Oh, Big Q is gonna love that, let's buy shit for him too, like a car or something."
Techno snorts, "Maybe not a car, but a gift would be cool."
So that takes them here.
"What the fuck is that? It looks fucking disgusting." Tommy gags, looking indignantly at the supposed cake they're making.
"I don't know! I followed all the instructions, I have no fucking clue why it looks straight up like vomit." Tubbo whines, "I suck at this."
The blonde nods. "I'm no liar Tubbo, so I won't lie to protect your feelings, you really are the worst in the kitchen."
"I'm sure we still can go to the bakery, maybe if we're lucky it's still Eret's and Fundy's shift, they can give us a discount," Techno says.
"Come on, this was supposed to be special! We still have time before Q gets home, we can try to fix it." Sapnap intercedes, "I haven't learned a single thing about baking even when I grow up seeing Bad bake every time, he babysat me, but I know if we follow the recipe, there's no way in hell we fucked up."
Techno tsks, but nods. "Okay, but Tubbo, you should probably help Karl and Purpled with the decorations, at least so we can prevent things going south here."
The brunette frowns and mutters something under his breath, Tommy pats him in the back. "Don't worry king, we'll tell Big Q you helped make the cake."
They hear Karl's voice from the living room, "And decorating is way more fun anyway!" He says, dangling dangerously on the ladder he is using to place balloons on the roof of the house.
A Purpled with a worried face and who has his arms outstretched, moving them as Karl moves, look at them with a frown.
"It would also be good if you supervised that Karl didn't die of a concussion." Techno sighs.
"And that Purpled doesn't end up killing him himself," Sapnap says, looking with some concern at his boyfriend.
"Yes, yes, I'm going." Tubbo quickly answers, approaching the other two.
"Alright, Sapnap, you can go home and never come back, Techno, pass me the sugar and the vanilla," Tommy says, concentratedly looking at the book recipe.
"Toms," Techno warns, rolling his eyes.
"Oh, come on, it's funny!" Tommy defends, "sorry Sapnap, I'm still trying to get used to having you around, you know how it is."
Without skipping a beat, Sapnap tries to respond. "I actually don't-"
"You can pass me the eggs, Sapnap, the milk too." Tommy grumbles, mindfully stroking his chin.
It's not hard to fall into a functional rhythm after a few minutes, Tommy throwing out instructions to his other two companions and them following them to the letter.
"If I forgot that it's you, I would even call this fun." Tommy replies as they're putting the batter into the cake pans, it's looking like the recipe photo compared to the first try they made.
"I genuinely forget we share blood ties sometimes." Techno answers, smiling slightly when Tommy tries to hit him with a spoon near him.
"It's relaxing, maybe I'll keep learning how to do more shit like that for Karl and Q." Sapnap smiles, taking the tray from him and Tommy and placing them in the oven.
"Keep the mushy shit for yourself dude, I don't want to hear about what Big Q does in his free time." Tommy snorts, giggling at his own joke.
"I didn't say nothing remotely like that." Sapnap deadpans, closing the oven.
"Don't worry," Techno's voice cuts them, "it's just that he's allergic to love 'cause there's no girl crazy enough to want to date him."
A shriek makes both Techno and Sapnap flinch, a blonde mess of hair stuttering indignantly at them.
"I'll have you know bitch; every woman wants to date me; they don't call me the wife haver for nothing! I'm a heartbreaker, a bad boy, if you will," Tommy's protests fall on deaf ears when Techno straight up ignores him to pay attention to his phone and Sapnap makes his way to Karl.
"Why is Tommy shouting again?" Tubbo asks, he passes another balloon to Karl and a blue serpentine to Purpled.
"Something about me and my boyfriends relationship." Sapnap rolls his eyes, "did you order the food yet?"
"It should be here in…" Tubbo says and then frowns, "What? Shit, fuck, shit-"
"You okay buddy?" Karl asks, worriedly looking at the brunette.
"The food it's supposed to be here but no one knocked so they probably left it somewhere else," Tubbo says, "and this place is the only one dad likes and it's in the other side of the fucking city."
"We can order something else-" Purpled starts but is quickly disrupted by Techno's and Tommy's yells.
"Fuck- Tommy, how many degrees did you set the oven to?" Techno grunts, taking the pans and practically throwing them in the table.
"At two hundred ten! I thought it would cook them faster!" Tommy cries, miserably looking at the ruined cakes.
Karl frowns at the cakes. "Yeah, I was trying to stay positive but we're not eating that."
"Damn, dad is going to hate us." Tubbo laments.
The sound of a door opening makes them freeze, then a voice makes its way to them.
"Tubbs? What the hell is this? Did I forget my birthday or something?" Quackity calls, sounding rather amused.
And before they can go receive Quackity, he's in the kitchen.
"Um, hi." Tubbo nervously smiles.
"Hey, want some cake?" Purpled says, pointing at the pans.
Tommy nudges him, "Not the time, king."
"I just want to say," Techno talks, his tone monotonous as always, "I'm in college majoring in English, not cooking."
Quackity can only look at them before bursting out laughing.
"Are you, laughing at us?" Karl timidly asks, sounding just a little hurt.
"No- fuck, no baby, this is just-" he says, something fond in his eyes, "what were you trying to do? Is this for me?"
Sapnap nods, scratching the back of his neck, "Yeah, we thought you deserved something special because you're always doing things for us."
"But things didn't go according to plan." Tubbo grimaces.
"At least the place looks good," Purpled muses, "Me and Karl decorated."
"Don't take credits for the only thing that went fine, dickhead." Tommy says while crossing his arms, Purpled just flips him off.
Rolling his eyes, Quackity smiles, his day had been absolutely horrible, but coming home to find the most important people in his life, openly telling him they were trying to do something for him, it meant more even if it didn't go right.
"Alright, stop fighting, let's clean this while Tubbo orders something for dinner," Quackity says, then, he looks away, a little timid. "And thanks for all of this, it means a lot."
It's chaotic having to hear all of them trying to talk over each other, but Quackity wouldn't change it for anything else.