Ornery and a Smiling Act

Back home

I CHANGED THE COVER :D
(Art made by me)

We ain't gonna talk about how I've been gone for a long ass time- I literally have no motivation for this book ngl but I'm trying.

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Wilbur cracks the door open, and they see Phil pacing the floor and Techno trying to calm him down.

"Dad, they'll be fine," Techno says calmly.

"But what if-" Phil begins but gets cut off.

"We're home..." Wilbur says with an awkward smile.

Both of their heads snap toward the two culprits.

"Oh, thank fuck," Phil sighs and runs towards the two. Tommy's eyes grow wide, and his grip on Wilbur's hand becomes stronger.

'Oh shit, am I in trouble? What's he going to do? Is he mad at me? Is he angry? Wilbur said it would be okay, but what if he's lying-'

Phil then pulled Tommy close and gave him a hug, to which he blinked out of shock.

"What happened? Why didn't you answer your messages? Are you okay?" The oldest man says and holds Tommy tighter.

Tommy was not expecting that. It was an endearing hug, a sign of love and care. 'No other parent I have been with has ever radiated this kind of care.' It was gentle but firm.

Wilbur lets go of Tommy's hand, and he comes back to his senses.

"Big Man, you're kinda squishing me," Tommy laughs awkwardly, and Phil lets go hesitantly. Instead of hugging, he shows his affection another way; caressing Tommy's cheek.

Phil repeats his question, but softer this time, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, don't worry, I'm fine," Tommy looks away from him, feeling like he didn't deserve Phil's care.

But then he rubs his thumb across Tommy's cheek slowly, and the boy can feel tears forming in his eyes, 'No, I'm not going to cry because he's acting like he cares, I'm not gonna do it. I may be touch starved, but this isn't going to break me.'

Tommy leans into Phil's hand, and the man looks at Tommy fondly, "What happened? Why didn't you answer your messages?"

"I-" Tommy began speaking but was quickly cut off.

"He just wanted to come out with me, and his phone died," Wilbur says, rubbing the back of his head with a sheepish smile.

"Uh-huh," Phil pulls away from Tommy and looks at Wilbur as if he knows he's lying.

Tommy leans his head, searching for that warmth again but quickly snaps out of whatever daze he was in.

"Yes! Big man Wilbur is right," Tommy says, trying to sound convincing.

Phil raises one eyebrow and looks and both of them, "Well, I'm glad you're okay," He sighs with a smile.

"So, have you guys made up?" Techno butts in.

Tommy and Wilbur look at each other, then back at the pink-haired man, "Kinda?" They say at the same time.

Techno chuckles, "Good enough for me."

Tommy starts biting his nails, "Are you... Uh... Mad?" He says anxiously.

"No, I'm not mad; I was just scared, is all," Phil signs and puts his hands on his hips, "I'm getting too old for this," He finishes, and everyone laughs.

"We can talk more about this tomorrow. For now, Wilbur, you smell like straight alcohol, and Tommy smells like sweat. Both of you need showers, and after that, it's time for bed," Phil looks at the two boys sternly.