SBI family AU

Part 2

Techno slammed the door behind him as he stormed outside. He was fuming, he couldn't believe Dad and Niki were so calm with the whole situation. He wanted to punch something, someone.

Wilbur watched Techno take his anger out on the air before punching the wall. Techno jumped back and held his fist, angrily cursing.

"You know, you really shouldn't be punching walls," Wilbur said as he exhaled smoke.

Techno looked around confused before looking up at Wilbur, "Shut up."

Wilbur tossed down a pack, "You're being unreasonable, now calm yourself down."

Techno took the pack and lit a cigarette, "I am calm."

"You're such a liar. I'm heading inside, don't give yourself an illness," Wilbur climbed back inside, leaving Techno alone.

Techno allowed himself to take a deep breath of smoke to calm himself down when the door opened behind him.

"Back to your bad habits? I thought you finally stopped," Tommy said, startling Techno and causing him to break into a coughing fit.

"Shut up," Techno finally managed to sputter out.

"I just wanted to say sorry, no need to get defensive," Tommy said as he threw up his hands.

"Defensive? Defensive? Tommy, my son almost died! I don't think that me getting worried is defensive!" Techno quickly turned to Tommy, his anger relit.

"He broke his wrist and got a mild concussion! You should be glad nothing worse happened!" Tommy yelled back, taking a step forward.

"It shouldn't have happened in the first place! I don't know what the hell went through your mind, but if he d-" Techno cut himself off before continuing, "If he died I would blame you!"

Tommy stopped himself as tears sprung to his eyes, "You're not the only one hurt by this! Stop being such an ass! He's my best friend too, you know! I already blame myself for what happened, some big brother you are!"

"You know, if you weren't my brother then this wouldn't have happened!" Techno internally flinched when he saw Tommy fully start to cry, "Tommy- I'm sorry-"

"No! Get away from me! I hate you!" Tommy turned and ran inside, leaving Techno alone once more. He sighed as he took in another breath, holding it in till it hurt.

Niki joined him in silence a few minutes later. They stood and watched the stars, Niki eventually taking Techno's hand.

"I really am an ass," Techno said quietly.

"You're just acting out of anger, you don't actually mean it."

"I meant it in the moment," Techno looked at her.

"You were still panicked from the whole thing, of course you do stupid things. You just have to apologize," Niki smiled at him.

"What if he doesn't love me anymore? He said he hated me, not like I blame him," Techno looked down.

"Techno..."

"Maybe he's right. Maybe... Maybe I'm not a good big brother or father. Maybe I've failed them both."

Niki frowned and took the cigarette from his hand, burning her fingers before she dropped it and stomped it out, "Stop thinking like that."

"It's true though."

"It's not."

"I haven't done enough and I probably won't ever do enough. You'd be a much better parent than-"

Techno was cut off as Niki hit his arm, "I said, stop thinking like that! You're a great father, Techno. You helped him with his dyslexia, you let him learn the piano, you fought tooth and nail to get him back! You've messed up a few times, yes, but you're human."

Techno looked at her before shaking his head, "I did those things because I had to. I was obligated to as a legal guardian."

"Legal guardian my ass! You love him, no doubt. I'll be damned if I let you lose him," Niki crossed her arms and looked back at the stars.

Techno stayed quiet as he watched her before moving to get another cigarette.

Niki turned and snatched it from his hand, "You need to learn to calm down without the use of this kinda stuff. Go back to tea."

Techno just shoved his hands in his pockets and muttered. He knew she was right, but he just wanted to sulk. It'd been so long since he'd been able to just be angry and not have to worry about Tubbo seeing him.

The pair stood there for another hour before Phil went out to grab them for dinner.