SBI family AU

Old Habits

Techno had been working for a few hours now, physically tired from keeping the boys occupied during the day. He'd normally spend a few hours working before the boys woke up and spent a few hours after they went to bed.

Looking up from his computer, he decided to take a few minutes for himself. Quietly opening one of the higher kitchen cabinets, he grabbed the cigarette box he'd stashed away. The bad habit from Wilbur had rubbed off on him and it was a lot safer than risking getting drunk around Tubbo.

He quietly opened Tubbo's door to find both him and Tommy asleep on some pile of pillows and blankets. He closed the door and headed downstairs, lighting the cigarette as he descended. Once he stepped outside, he leaned against the building and inhaled, closing his eyes and exhaled.

He lifted it back to his mouth and inhaled, "Dad...?" His eyes shot open and he doubled over, breaking into a coughing fit, "Dad!"

He shook his head and looked at Tubbo after regaining his breath, "What are you doing awake?" He coughed a little bit more before dropping the cigarette and stamping it out.

"I heard the door close. Are you smoking?" Tubbo looked at the pack in his hand alarmed.

Techno quickly pocketed it, "I don't do it often, it's a very rare thing."

"They tell us not to do it at all at school. It ruins your lungs," Tubbo looked at his feet, "My other dad used to smoke a lot too... You're not going to turn into him, are you?" Tubbo looked back at Techno.

Techno frowned, "Of course not, Tubs. Here," he pulled the pack out of his pocket and held it out, "I can't smoke if you have them, right?"

Tubbo nodded and hesitantly took the box, "Can't you just buy more?"

"I promise I won't buy more. I give you permission to attack me if I do. Now let's get you back to bed," Techno took Tubbo's free hand and led him back upstairs.

Once Tubbo was back in bed, Techno sat back down in front of his laptop. He typed out a few more emails before giving up and glancing at the cabinet door.

Standing up, he opened it and started emptying it, setting down an unopened beer case and another cigarette pack on the counter, along with a few snacks that he'd set aside just for him. He grabbed a plastic bag and quietly placed the cans and cigarettes into it before tying it and setting it in the trash. Tossing the extra snacks into the pantry, he closed the cabinet door and went to bed.

He was in the middle of an email when Tubbo gasped and came out of the pantry smiling, one of the snacks he had thrown in the night before in his hands.