SBI family AU

Arguements and letters

Tubbo was walking up the stairs sorting through the mail. He had an okay day at school and he was just excited to get back home. Niki was staying over too, which meant that dinner was going to be amazing.

He opened the door and stepped in, "I'm home!"

"Welcome home, Tubbo! Your dad had to step out for a call," Niki smiled at him as he set the mail down on the table.

"That's fine, he's just got some mail. I'm gonna do some homework, call me if you need anything," Tubbo headed into his room and started on his work, shoving the English till the end.

Techno stared at the unlit cigarette in his hands before shoving it back into the pack. Wilbur had left it behind and it was extremely tempting, but he made a promise to Tubbo.

He sighed and headed back upstairs, "I'm back, Tubs home yet?"

Niki looked up at him from the couch, "Yeah, he's doing homework."

"Got it," Techno sat down and went through the mail. Most were bills, some ads, but one stuck out.

Niki joined him as he inspected it, "What is it?"

"Mail for Tubs. I don't recognize the name though," Techno fiddled with it, "Do we open it beforehand or..."

"I say let him open it and we can watch," Niki watched him lean back and knock on the door.

"Tubs, can you come out for a sec?" Techno asked as he leaned back a little too far and nearly fell out of his chair, earning laughter from Niki.

Tubbo came out to Techno steadying himself, "What's up?"

"You got something in the mail, but I didn't recognize the name," Techno held the envelope out.

"That's weird," Tubbo said as he took it, "I don't think I know any- ... one..."

"What's wrong?" Techno's eyes flicked between the envelope and Tubbo, his anxiety climbing.

"It's from my uncle, not Tommy or Uncle Wil but my other uncle," Tubbo looked back up at Techno, "Can I open it?"

Techno was about to protest when Niki cut him off, "I think you should."

"What? Are you insane?" Techno quickly turned to her, "It's never a good thing if they're reaching out, they just want to use you."

Niki frowned, "You don't know that, he hasn't even opened the envelope."

"It's called personal experience, which you lack," Techno turned to Tubbo, "Trust me, it's not worth it."

Niki looked at him too, "Not everyone's a horrible person, Tubbo. Your father is just being stubborn."

"I am not! They wouldn't have done the things they did if they weren't!"

"It's called being human, Techno!"

Tubbo watched as the two started to yell at each other, "Wait-"

They both turned back to him, "Tubs, you're not opening that letter and that's final."

"Tubbo, you can open it if you want to. Don't let Techno dictate your decision."

Techno looked back at Niki, "I'm trying to protect-"

"Shut up!" Tubbo cut Techno off and took a step back, "I- I'm going for a walk," he said as he walked out.

"Tubbo-" Techno called after him, but he was already closing the door. With a sigh, he got up and went into the kitchen.

"You're so dense sometimes," Niki said as she watched him start the kettle, "Wilbur was right. How can someone so smart be so stupid at the same time?"

"I'm just trying to protect him. Family can suck," Techno focused on the counter, desperately trying to zone out so he could leave the conversation.

"Look, I'm sorry that happened to you, but you haven't even given Tubbo's family a chance. Don't you think it'll be a good experience?" Niki moved to lean against the counter next to him.

"It's not a good experience. He's not going and that's final. I won't let him," Techno heard Niki scoff as he grabbed a mug.

"What if I take him?" Niki watched Techno tense up.

"I won't let you see him ever again."

"You wouldn't."

"I would," Techno looked at her as the guilt and frustration built up in him, "I'm trying to protect him, why can't you see that?"

Niki threw her hands up in the air, "Protect him from what? Why are you so scared-"

"What if he likes it with them more than he likes living with me!" Techno clenched his fist and turned to get a tea bag.

"So you're keeping him from his family because you're scared he'll leave you? Do you know how much of an ass you sound!" Niki yelled as he poured water into his mug.

Techno fell silent as he moved back to the table with his mug. He sat down and felt her glare on him before he responded, "I- Family is a trap that it's best to avoid entirely."

"Then Tubbo ought to avoid you seeing as you're his family," Niki watched Techno flinch and crossed her arms, "Let him read the letter at least."

"No."

"Fine. But if you lose him like this, I told you so."

Tubbo came back into the apartment and immediately wanted to leave. Tension and anger hung in the air and as much as the pair smiled and acted like normal, he couldn't help but notice the side glares they gave each other.

Tubbo sat down across from Techno, "Dad... I think I'm going to read it."

Techno felt Niki look at him and he hesitantly nodded, "Ok."