Infected

22 - Retreat

Techno knocked on Philza's apartment just after sundown. Kristen chuckled as she opened it and told them where Phil was.

"No," Philza said, seeing Tommy and Ranboo behind him.

"You don't even know what I was going to say," Techno said.

"I know you too well," Phil said, "And you only came to me cause you have a crazy plan and need my help."

"I think we're remembering wrong cause usually you were the one with the crazy plan, mine are well thought out I don't do anything more than necessary." Techno said, making Phil laugh. "I just want to get the kid to safety. I know quite a few good places."

"No, you're going to choose the worst place to be," Phil said.

"Then I'll just go without you. I'm the most powerful bender, and Ranboo is more than capable," Techno then turned to Tommy, "I know your situation but after what I saw.."

"It's fine, I know where I stand." Tommy said.

"See, even the kid's fine with it," Techno said. "I'll just take Baba without you. He'll listen to me."

"No!" Phil then swore at him, "I already told you."

"Okay," Techno shrugged, he could do this without him "Hey Kristen, you want to come?"

"Absolutely not!" Phil said, at the same time Kristen laughed and said "oh my gosh, yes please!"

"You should go then," Kristen said, "You haven't been out on one of your adventures in years."

"Come on old man, let's go break some bones," Techno said, making Tommy laugh after trying to hold it in for a while.

"I'm not old," Phil protested, then couldn't help but chuckle. "Fine, but I don't think I'll like whatever plan you have."

"I don't know what you're talking about. I have great plans," Techno said, Ranboo nodded in agreement.

"Can I get you boys anything," Kristen asked Tommy and Ranboo as the men were trying to come to an agreement.

"That would be great, Mo-Kristen!" Ranboo blushed as he quickly corrected himself, Tommy burst out laughing when he realized what Ranboo had nearly said.

"Did you call her 'Mom'?" Tommy exclaimed.

"No!" Ranboo said, burying his head in his hands. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"It's alright, you can call me Mom," Kristen chuckled. "I'm honored you think of me like that."

Ranboo mumbled something intelligible as she went to get them some snacks for their trip.

"Why do I keep doing this to myself," Ranboo said, Tommy was about to ask what else he had done. "I'm not telling you."

"But how am I supposed to joke about it," Tommy said.

"I get enough trouble from Tubbo," Ranboo said jokingly. "I don't need you joining in."

"You should see if he wants to join you boys," Kristen said, coming in with a bag filled with various airbender delicacies.

Much to their surprise Tommy objected. "No, I've seen what is in Republic City. Tubbo is the smartest airbender in the city, they'll need him while we're gone."

"Well good luck," Kristen said.

"Now I really don't like this plan," Phil said as they went back to the living room where the two men were talking. "It's not smart to take Tommy anywhere near that place."

"Yeah, sure, but back then you didn't have anyone like me," Techno said, Phil raised an eyebrow. "Fine, I won't endanger the kids. Come on, it'll be another adventure."

"It has been a while," Phil said wistfully.

"So you'll come," Tommy said, he didn't want to make the journey with two others he wasn't familiar with. But knew he needed to get out of the city, it was just preferable that Philza came as well.

"Yes, I can't let you boys get in trouble by yourselves." Phil smiled as he reached up and put an arm around Tommy's shoulders.

"You say that as if I can't be responsible for two teens," Techno said.

"I don't think you can handle these two together," Philza said, but he had heard from Tubbo what had happened with Tommy. He didn't think Techno could handle it in the right way if anything were to happen again. "They're both friends with Tubbo."

"He does have a point," Kristen said.

"Yeah, yeah," Techno grumbled, "I suppose you would be better with them than me."

Ranboo looked down at his feet, pulling at a loose thread on his clothes at Techno's words. Phil glanced over at him, wondering if there was more going on with the kid than he had let on.

Tommy cleared his throat, unsure what to do with the silence. "We should go. The sooner we get out of Republic City, the better."

"He's right," Techno said, bowing his head to Kristen. "It's been nice seeing you again, sorry to only come to steal your husband away."

"It's quite alright, Tech," Kristen said, "It's time he got back out into the world anyway. Come back safe. All of you."

"Yes ma'am," Techno said.

She watched with a smile as they filed out of the small apartment and headed to Airbender Island. She wished that Wilbur had also been there to wish his father farewell, but he never visited home despite being so close.

Yes. Read and weep as more Sleepy Bois lore is revealed. I live to make you all cry (not really, well maybe). Welp, we're never seeing those four in the city for a while. 

Thank you all for reading, please vote and comment. Peace out benders and Minecrafters from around the world!