You took advantage of your free day, sleeping in until you could no longer stand to be in bed, eating snacks whenever you wanted, reading until your heart's content. It was a day filled with peaceful silence, one that you've been craving for years.

However, the peaceful tranquility passed as quickly as it arrived, and you were thrown back into the chaos of life as you paced around your room, worried about what you were going to say at the family dinner.

From what you knew, the family consisted of Phil, Tubbo, Tommy, Tyche, and Technoblade. You'd met them all before and felt comfortable eating with them but for some reason being invited to something so personal to them made you feel like you needed to contribute something more. It was stupid and you knew that, but your mind wouldn't listen to you.

Your pacing stopped as you went through the list in your head again. An awful pit formed in your stomach, making you feel slightly nauseous.

Was Phil going to be there?

It was the question you were eager to know the answer to, but it was also the question that you dreaded to know the answer to. You still felt a sense of guilt at his absence in the Nether. You didn't know where he went after he sacrificed himself for you and Tyche. While you knew that Phil was strong and could handle himself in just about any situation, there was still something that nagged at you. Maybe you shouldn't have left him, maybe you should have just let him take Tyche to the Nether and sacrificed yourself.

Would he blame you?

You shook your head, not from denial but to just rid your head of the thought.

Shortly after, you took off to the small dining room, afraid to let your mind wander to such thoughts again. When you entered, Technoblade was sat at one end of the table with Tyche perpendicular to him. You scanned the area, realizing the table only consisted of 6 chairs. Partial reflex filled your system because that meant you didn't have to worry about meeting a lot more people. Quickly, you took the seat next to Tyche, offering them both a polite smile.

"I hope I'm not late." You knew you weren't late but you used it as an excuse to start a conversation.

"You're not," Technoblade responded, "We're still waiting for Tommy and Tubbo to show up."

"We could just eat without them," Tyche suggested, sending her dad a mischievous look.

The grown hybrid rolled his eyes at her but couldn't stop the small smile from forming on his lips.

"That would be rude, Tyche," Technoblade tried to scold her but it didn't sound very serious, especially with the slight smile still present on his face.

"It's their fault for not getting here early," Tyche tried to reason, plucking a dinner roll from one of the baskets in the middle.

Technoblade watched her as she took a bite out of the roll and sunk into her seat with a content smile. He shook his head at her but didn't say anything, finding her actions a bit amusing.

Just as Tyche opened her mouth again, Tommy and Tubbo walked through the door, giggling from their earlier conversation. When Tommy caught sight of the dinner roll in Tyche's hand, it suddenly went quiet.

"Hey, that's mine!" Tommy argued, stomping over towards the table.

Tyche's face twisted, "Doesn't have your name on it."

Tubbo took the seat across from you as Tommy glared at the girl, getting ready to make another comment. Technoblade quickly intercepted before he could say anything, though.

"Tommy, sit down."

Tommy grumbled under his breath but followed him anyway, taking a seat in the chair across from Tyche.

"You're (Y/n), right?"

Your attention switched to the boy in front of you.

"Yeah."

"I'm Tubbo!" He introduced himself, showing off his wide smile.

You couldn't help but smile back at him. "Nice to meet you, Tubbo."

"Likewise."

Silence.

"You both are so weird," Tommy deadpanned.

"Hey!" Tubbo whined.

"You're one to talk," Tyche laughed at the blonde-haired boy.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

You watched as Technoblade dropped his head and sighed at the two's bickering. Even if he tried to stop it, he knew they would just continue to fight. It's happened ever since Tyche could talk and even before that Tommy would claim that Tyche would give him 'weird looks'.

The bickering didn't last for long (surprisingly), causing the table to be surrounded in silence once again. No one made an attempt to grab food, the only thing on Tyche's plate was a half-eaten dinner roll. Something felt off but no one wanted to mention it. Maybe it was just too soon, people didn't want to acknowledge what might be true.

"Will grandpa show up?"

Tyche's big brown eyes peered into her father's, tearing every little heartstring he had left.

"I don't know," He answered simply, not meeting the eyes of his daughter. Technoblade didn't want to say it outright, he didn't want to admit something he was already beginning to feel was a problem. Everyone was aware of it, yet no one wanted to address it.

Tommy, trying to lighten the mood, snatched two dinner rolls with a grin. "Guess that means more for me then!"

"At least split it with me," Tyche whined.

"No way!"

"But then it's no fair! You get two of them!"

"Just steal Tubbo's."

"What?! Don't take mine!"

The brunette quickly swiped a roll from the basket, just narrowly missing Tyche's hand.

Tyche lowered her head and glared at Tubbo menacingly. The blonde teenager chuckled, knowing the other teenager teasingly. Tubbo hesitated as he set the dinner roll onto his plate, eyes not wavering from the girl's glare. You could practically see the sweat begin forming on his face as he tried to stand his ground.

You suppressed your smile at the scene, deciding to turn your attention back to Technoblade. You really wondered how he kept all of them under control (for the most part). It seemed like all they did was try to fight but that was just how it was in their family. From how Tyche would talk about them. you knew none of their fights truly held any malice. It was all out of playfulness.... for the most part.

Technoblade apparently decided to ignore the situation unfolding across the table, already diving into a full plate of food. When he raised his head, your eyes snapped down to your plate, holding your breath. You really hoped he didn't see you staring at him eating.

In a haste, you grabbed a dinner roll from the basket, trying to ignore the thought of Technoblade catching you staring at him like a creep. You took out a knife and cut the roll in half, handing a piece to the girl next to you.

"You can have part of mine, Tyche."

Tyche's frightening gaze instantly switched as she turned towards you with large, round eyes. She shook her head vehemently, raising her hands up in surrender.

"No, no, I can't take yours," She refused, pushing your hand back.

"Oh, so you'll take mine but won't take theirs?"

Tyche swiveled back to Tubbo. "Yes."

Tubbo started to stutter from her blunt response. (He really should've expected it; she is Technoblade's daughter.)

Before they could launch into another debate, the door swung open, the hinges making a loud squeaking noise. Tyche gasped and launched herself out of her chair with a huge grin.

"Wilby!"

The brunette man who strolled in was tall and slender, wearing a long brown coat and beanie. Large curls peaked out of the beanie, bounding as leaned down to embrace Tyche, lifting her in the air for a few seconds before setting her back down. The girl squealed in excitement, clutching onto the man.

"I didn't think you'd show up, Wilbur," Technoblade commented from his seat.

The tall man tilted his head, pouting playfully. "Now don't be like that, Techno. I thought it'd be nice for me to drop by for a bit. Right, Tyche?"

The girl nodded, still latched onto him.

"Never said it was a bad thing," Technoblade defended, "It's just surprising."

"Well, I like to keep people on their toes."

Wilbur limped around the table with Tyche attached to his leg, stopping behind Tommy and Tubbo to give them both side hugs and a firm pat on the shoulder.

"Nice to see you again, Wilbur," Tommy said, making you do a double-take. Was Tommy being polite?

"Likewise," Wilbur responded, offering the boy a lopsided smile.

As Wilbur took the seat adjacent to you, he scanned over your face, the lopsided smile becoming more mischievous. "You must be the (Y/n) I've been hearing about."

"Oh, y-you've heard about me?"

"It's not every day that someone is able to sneak into the Nether portal."

"You do it all the time," Technoblade counters.

"That's different," Wilbur shrugged, "Plus you're letting them stay here."

The hybrid didn't argue with that.

"So," Wilbur whispered in a singsong voice, "How's Techno been treating you?"

You gave the man a questioning look, not sure what exactly he was trying to get at. Even Tyche looked up at him with narrowed eyes.

"He's very accommodating," You answered simply.

"Really?" He mused, laying his propping his cheek up with his hand.

The small girl unattached herself from his leg and whispered into his ear. You couldn't tell what she was telling him but from the raise in Wilbur's eyebrows, you could only assume it was something surprising. The young hybrid giggled, running back to her seat next to you.

Wilbur's smirk only grew bigger as he looked at you.

"Have you spent any time alone with him?"

"Uh, yeah, a bit," You hesitantly responded, eyes flickering to the hybrid in question.

"Stop scaring them, Wilbur. You're going to run them off," Technoblade spoke up from seeing you glance at him with pleading eyes.

Wilbur rose from the table and sat back in his chair. "Well, I can't help but be a bit curious. You did let them stay here."

"They helped Tyche, it's the least I could do."

"I've helped Tyche too and you still refuse to give me my own room."

"That's because you never stay for more than two days."

"Touché."

"How long will you be staying?" Tyche asked.

Wilbur sent Tyche a comforting smile but it wasn't as enthusiastic as before.

"I'll be leaving tomorrow morning."

"What? Why?" Tommy spoke up.

"Can't stay in one place for too long," He answered simply.

"Oh no, are you in trouble again?" Tyche pouted.

"What did you do this time?" Tubbo accused at the same time.

"I didn't do anything," Wilbur rolled his eyes at the two.

"Can I join?"

"No, Tommy."

The boy huffed and slumped back into his chair, pushing around the food on his plate with his fork. Wilbur shook his head at his brother. They've had that conversation almost every time he would show up. The teenager was desperate to get out and explore like he did, but Wilbur knew he wasn't completely sure about what exactly he did while he was away. The excuse was always that Tommy was too young. Tubbo never questioned him like Tommy did, although Wilbur knew that if he ever let Tommy travel with him, Tubbo would be right next to him. They've spent so long doing everything together that it was hard to imagine them apart.

"(Y/n), can we make cookies for Wilbur?" Tyche asked, sending you the sweetest puppy eyes.

You smiled back at her. "I'm fine with it if your dad is."

Tyche pivoted her head to look at her dad, wearing the same large, innocent eyes. Technoblade sighed and nodded, causing Tyche to beam in excitement.

"You're helping!" She pointed towards Technoblade, not even waiting for him to agree to it.

You chucked as Technoblade groaned, rubbing his face tiredly with his hand.

•••

It felt as if you were sleepwalking, feet numb as they drifted across the dark red brick. Your head felt heavy, pleading for you to just lay down and go back to sleep but you refused. One day of sleeping in messed up your sleeping schedule as your body yearned for the extra (and unneeded) sleep. You chose to ignore it, knowing that as soon as you got a snack and something to drink, your body would stop complaining.

Once you finally made it to where you wanted, you placed your hand on the door to push it open. Instead, you froze, your mind beginning to clear as you stood behind the door and tried to process the quiet voices. Immediately, you started to feel guilty for your actions and pushed the door open before you could hear anything else.

Red and brown eyes were quick to shoot towards you, watching as you walked into the kitchen. Technoblade looked back down at the mug in his hands as Wilbur offered you a polite smile. You tried your best to give him one back but it was hard considering how early it was.

"You're up early," Wilbur commented as if he was reading your mind.

"I don't need to be reminded," You grumbled, grabbing a small snack from the counter.

The brunette chuckled. "I forgot to thank you for the cookies last night. They tasted really good."

"Thanks. Next time I promise I'll try to keep Tyche from eating half of them," You responded absentmindedly.

Wilbur couldn't help but smile teasingly at his brother. "Next time, huh?" He rubbed it in more, not missing the familiar red glare, "I look forward to it then."

You nodded, still not fully catching on to what you said.

"Well, I should get going, it was nice meeting you, (Y/n)."

"You too, Wilbur." You managed to give him a better smile than before.

"You better say bye to Tyche before you leave," Technoblade warned, "Otherwise, I won't hear the end of it."

"Not my problem," Wilbur shrugged, not bothering to hide his grin.

"It will be the next time you come over. You know she holds grudges."

"Mhm. I'll say bye before I leave," Wilbur waved his hand as he walked out.

You and Technoblade stood in the kitchen in silence. Weirdly, it didn't feel like the silence you experienced in the library. This time, the air felt awkward and tense, wrapping around you in a tight, uncomfortable grip.

After a few seconds, you couldn't take it. "We have a meeting today, right?"

Technoblade simply nodded, picking up his mug from the counter. His response almost made you sigh in relief, thinking you just imagined the unusual atmosphere. However, as soon as you felt relief, the tension washed back over you in full force. The door clicked behind Technoblade as he left without another word.

•••

Oh no, what's wrong with Techno?

Techno POV next chapter?? (I think there will be but I'm still planning it)

Quick note, does anyone use the TTS (text to speech) feature? If people do use the TTS, I'll have to change the way I write piglin speech. (I'm very surprised that this book got that feature because I never asked for it lol)

Does anyone have any questions, concerns, discussions, etc.? I feel open to talking about anything if it doesn't spoil too much.

I hope you all have a great day/night!