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Tubbo was a light sleeper, or at least he had been one since he woke up on an island that wanted him dead.
Which means he was awake the moment someone walked into the base.
His first instinct was to stay frozen. They can’t know he knows they’ve found him. It ruins the element of surprise. His next thought was how to attack. Their footsteps sounded light, like they were small and trying to be as quiet as possible. He could take them out easy.
The person stopped next to his bed. They must be farming kills early. Has the group woken up yet? Why did no one raise the alarm? Are they already dead? He doesn’t have time to grind for new gear. Team Goose needs today’s win.
Small giggles echoed around the room. That’s something new. Purgatory did not have laughter.
Opening an eye, sunglasses and a crown hovered over his face. His heart dropped as he bolted upright, pushing himself against the wall. Sunny cautiously backed up.
Sunny. He’s home. How could he ever forget her laughter?
He took a breath and held a hand to his chest, trying to calm his nerves. “Sunny, poppet, don’t scare me like that!”
The mentioned girl looked confused and pulled a notebook out of her bag. Slowly she wrote, “I didn’t do anything. Are you ok, pa?”
Why does he feel like more and more people have been asking him that? “I’m fine. You just scared the shit out of me.”
Sunny fidgeted with the corners of her book before writing again. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.”
“Don’t worry about it.” He raised his arms over his head, popping his back, before pushing himself to the edge of the bed. “Why are you up so early? Is everything okay?”
A smile spread across his daughter’s face. Before he could ask any more questions, she grabbed his hand and dragged him out of the bunker.
Outside, a thick layer of snow covered the world. Sunny tugged on his shirt and held out her book.
“Is this snow?”
To be honest, Tubbo sometimes forgets how young his daughter is. He glanced around, taking in the winter scene.
“Yeah, that’s snow princess.” He pulled his communicator out of his pocket to see what the others had been saying. Most of the conversations were the same. People asking others to hang out and talking about the weather.
Sunny’s laughter once again grabbed his attention. This time, she jumped around and kicked at the snow while waving her book. It took longer than he would admit to read what it said.
“It’s so pretty!”
Before he could respond, she tripped on the snowbank. He could only laugh as he watched her stand and dust herself off. Frost covered her shirt and face. Slowly, she turned to him. Who knew a little body could hold so much sass?
“Why don’t I see if I can get you some warmer clothes?”
She brightened up at this idea. The first person to pop into his head was Tallulah. He was pretty sure she had some old winter clothes, but he doubted either girl would be happy sharing. The next idea was Leo. They had the same expensive fashion taste, but that idea was quickly dropped when he remembered the last time they met.
Luckily Bagi was awake, which means he could see if Empanada would share.
A few minutes later, it was all set up. Bagi and Em would stop by with some clothes. The kids would play while they caught up, and no one had to worry about freezing.
Satisfied that he had saved his daughter from a cold, Tubbo called out to Sunny. “Em and Bagi are coming by with winter clothes. Why don’t we wait in the factory? I’ll make hot chocolate today.”
To his surprise, she did not seem pleased in the least. She stood staring at him like he spoke tongue. After a few seconds, she opened her book. “So, no coffee?”
Tubbo was starting to think he created a coffee addict. “I just thought we would have something a little more festive since it’s snowing.”
Sunny pulled down her sunglasses to look him over. You’d think he would be used to her doing that by now, but every time he felt just as judged.
After scribbling a new message, she held the notebook up to his face. “Pa, we had a deal. You said I get one coffee a day, and the sun is up, which means it’s a new day. We can’t be negotiating terms and conditions now.”
To say Tubbo was speechless was an understatement, but he just shook his head and picked her up while walking to the factory. “You’re so right, queen. Let’s get you warmed up and then we can stop by StarBobby with Em and Bagi.”
Sunny wrapped her arms around her dad’s neck and hugged him, pushing her face into his shoulder to hide from the wind. It’s all Tubbo needed to know she’s pleased with the outcome and probably won’t plot some revenge scenario. Sometimes he thinks his kid learned some things on Egg Island. She’s quick to get even and knows how to negotiate her way out of an issue. Don’t get him wrong, he’s not scared of her, nor does he think she’s secretly evil or something…but he wonders if there is a reason she can’t remember anything past a month ago.
Silently, he made his way back to the factory, looking both ways at the tracks now that he's holding precious cargo.
They didn’t have to wait long before Empanada came barreling into the factory, running to Sunny and hugging her. Bagi followed with a smile and an armful of clothes.
“You are actually a lifesaver,” Tubbo said, walking over to greet his guest.
She held the bundle of pastel cloth towards him. “Anything for you, coach.”
He stopped in his tracks. That nickname was given to him in purgatory, and part of him wishes it would stay there. Every time he ends up being a leader who fails. Coach died to Philza in an arena and led his team down a path of bloodshed when they lost battleships. Now Tubbo has to live with the scars and nightmares. Coach was long gone and with him, any of Tubbo’s courage.
“Tubbo? Tubbo you alright?” A voice pulled him out of his thoughts. Bagi’s brow furrowed in worry. “Hey, you back with us, man?”
Em and Sunny had stopped chatting and watched him with the same concern. The latter of the two walked over and cautiously hugged his leg.
He ran his fingers through his daughter’s hair and took a breath. “Yeah. I’m here.”
Bagi didn’t seem convinced, but moved on with the conversation, to Tubbo’s relief. “Why don’t I help Sunny with her coat while you get yours?”
“Oh.” He knew he had forgotten something. “I don’t have a coat.”
She smiled a knowing smile. “I thought you might say that.” Reaching into her bag, she pulled out a blue hoodie. “Don’t tell Pac, but he left his jacket and Mike’s, and we have been passing it around the island. So far it has made it to five people, and your number six.”
Confused, he took the jacket. “So, it’s like a game of keep away?”
Bagi kneeled to button Sunny’s coat. “Yup!”
He slid the fabric over his head, not caring for how it could mess up his hair. It hadn’t been fixed since he had gotten back, anyway. The material was soft and slightly too big. He could see why it became a staple piece in Pac’s outfits. It was comfortable.
“What’s the plan for the rest of the day?” she asked, bundling up the young girl.
“Well, Sunny wants coffee, so I thought we should head to StarBobby.”
Sunny held her notebook out for the group to see. “Pa said I get one coffee a day, although today he tried to cheat me with hot chocolate instead.”
Bagi fake gasped, “How could you Tubbo! A deal is a deal! Come on, Sunny, let’s get that well-deserved coffee.”
His daughter took her hand and skipped to the Warpstone, smiling mischievously over her shoulder. Yup. He has created a coffee addict.
He looked over at Em, who shrugged; used to her sister’s antics by now.
“Let’s catch up before they can sneak another drink.” He said, shaking his head with a smile.
Before he could walk off, Empanada tugged at his sleeve and handed him her book. “Thank you for looking after my sister. She seems happy.”
The young girl’s words warmed his heart, or maybe it was Pac’s jacket. Seriously, it was like laying under a blanket. “Aww, don’t mention it, poppet. I love her to the moon and Saturn. I don’t know what I would do without her.”
She smiled and hugged him before heading to the warpstone. Tubbo made sure she left safely before following.
The brunch at StarBobby was cozy. The kids insisted on drinking outside because of “tradition”. Something Tubbo didn’t mind, but Bagi was warming her hands every five minutes.
They gossiped about the recent events on the island. Em made an obvious point to talk about Bagi and Tina. Her mom sunk in her seat from embarrassment while Sunny wrote the news into her gossip journal. Maybe his daughter would grow up to be a journalist. Lord knows she has a way of getting interesting information.
All was good until Bagi asked one simple question. “So Tubbo, if we are going to talk about me and Tina, how are you and Fred?”
His mouth felt dry while trying to think of a response. How do you explain you found someone you might love, just to have them ripped from your arms with only a rose and an empty hug to show for it?
The silence felt deafening.
Until his sunshine, the biggest icon, the light of his life, quickly wrote in her notebook. “Have you heard that Pac asked for Ramon’s blessing to date Fit?”
The subject quickly changed after that, and Sunny winked at him from behind her sunglasses. He would have to remember to get her an extra coffee tomorrow. She deserves it for always looking out for her dad.
The rest of the day went without a hitch. They traveled back to the Tubchunk after finishing their drinks. The girls made a castle out of snow while their parents sat in the warm factory and talked.
The conversation died down as the sunset.
Bagi picked her daughter up from where she dozed off next to her sister. “Make sure to get some sleep, Tubbo.”
“Yeah, yeah, I will.” He gently shook his kid, who swatted his hand.
“I’m serious. You haven’t been yourself lately.” Looking over, there was concern in her eyes that he hadn’t seen before.
He looked away, embarrassed. “I know. I’m trying.”
“And I’m proud of you for that.” Her voice was soft. “See you around Tubbo.”
“Bye Bagi.” There was a flash of purple from the warpstone, and they were gone.
Carefully, he picked Sunny up and headed back to the bunker where he laid her in bed. When he went to pull away, she didn’t let go, holding onto him like her life depended on it.
It was late, and he was way too tired to fight back, so with a sigh, he surrendered and pulled the blankets back to lie next to her.
Immediately, she curled up close to him, with her head resting on his chest.
It was nice. Tubbo could honestly say he felt somewhat safe. His daughter was in his arms, in a fortified bunker, on an island of people willing to kill for her. He let out a shaky breath and closed his eyes.
Just as he began to fall asleep, movement once again woke him up. This time, he wasn’t afraid to look around.
Sunny had sat up and leaned over him to grab her notebook. When she saw him awake, her face fell, and she sat back, clutching the book.
He propped himself up with his elbows. “Poppet, what’s wrong?”
In the dim light, Sunny hesitated before writing. Once finished, she tore out the page and slowly handed it over. “Pa, are you going to leave again?”
He stared at the page for a long time before laying back and pulling Sunny into a hug. “No. I’m not leaving again.” This time, he meant it. He would fight tooth and nail to stay by his daughter’s side.
Sunny curled up close for the second time that night. Gently, he rubbed her back and let himself fall into a dreamless sleep.
Waking up the next morning, he only had one issue to worry about. His communicator received a message in the night from Pac.
“Hey Tubbo? Do you have my hoodie?”