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Most people manifest wings at around sixteen.
Tubbo though… he’s a bit of a late bloomer.
The boy sighs as he watches his family have fun in the skies. He can’t help the envy that pops up as they soar above the meadow, doing tricks and having fun together.
Now, he shouldn’t be jealous, he knows this. But no matter how many times he’s reassured that his wings will grow in “some day,” it doesn’t stop Tubbo from wishing he had them now.
He should’ve gotten them by now.
Heck, Tommy’s younger than him and his wings grew in about a month ago, the boy now sporting bright red and white feathers.
Tubbo is happy for his friend, of course. But he can’t help but be jealous.
Phil and Techno have been teaching Tommy to fly, and he’s learned pretty quickly. Tubbo idly watches them fly around as he daydreams about what his own wings could look like.
He wonders what colour they would be, green? Yellow? Both? Or something different? He wonders what size, big and powerful like Techno’s? Or long and slim like Ranboo’s? Most of all he can’t wait to find out what it would feel like to have feathers. He wonders what the instincts would be like. He wonders what it would feel like to be preened by his family.
Tubbo has wondered all of this, and he continues to wonder, until the day will come.
If the day will come.
Someone dives, coming up into a land, before they walk over to where Tubbo sits. Ranboo’s black and white feathers ruffle behind them as they approach with a smile, the taller boy slightly out of breath from the flying they just did.
“Hey,” he breathes, moving to sit down next to Tubbo in the grass.
Tubbo hums a greeting in response.
Ranboo looks at him, a twinkle in his eye. “Hey,” he says again, gently bumping his arm against Tubbo’s shoulder, demeanour relaxed and playful. “Whatcha thinking about?”
“Oh, uh…” Tubbo straightens up, casting a glance Ranboo’s way. “I just…” he sighs. “Just wish I had my wings already,” he complains. Then quieter, doubtful, “Do you think I’ll ever get them?”
Ranboo’s face turns more serious, though still kind. “Who knows?” they answer. “I think your wings will come in eventually, but… if they don’t? That doesn’t matter.”
Tubbo scoffs. “Easy for you to say,” he says, lightly whacking the boy’s wing. “I just… I just want to fit in with the rest of you guys,” he admits with a frown.
“Hey, don’t say that,” Ranboo says, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder, their wings spread behind them. “You’re still family, wings or not. You’ll always be a part of our flock.”
Tubbo smiles at the reassurance. “Thanks, Boo,” he says.
“Anytime.”
The two sit in silence some more, watching their other family members flying around. Tubbo can hear Tommy’s shrieks from down here, followed by Phil’s laughing. He stamps down on the jealousy that follows.
The other three eventually come down, one by one. Phil suggests they head back home, so they do just that. Tommy and Ranboo fly ahead, challenging each other, while Phil walks beside Tubbo, freely extending a dark wing to wrap around the younger. Techno takes the rear, pink and red wings ready for flight, ever ready to protect his flock.
Tubbo feels loved in this moment. Even if he never grows his wings, he knows his family, his flock will always love him.
Right?
A week later, Tubbo wakes up with his back hurting like hell.
“Fuuuuck,” he whispers, groaning in pain.
Oh fuck, did he sleep wrong? Fuck, this is the worst back pain he’s ever had in his life, it has to be.
It takes a while, but Tubbo eventually forces himself out of bed, back protesting all the way. It’s like his spine and muscles have been smashed by a ton of bricks. Fuck, he really needs to fix his posture.
Looks like Tubbo won’t be doing anything strenuous today.
Tubbo gets changed and shuffles out of his bedroom. It’s about midmorning, which is late for him. He walks into the kitchen, spotting Phil cleaning up by the sink, black crow wings relaxed behind him. Techno is at the table reading one of his books. Even when the man is relaxing his wings are poised and graceful, feathers barely touching the ground. Tommy and Ranboo are nowhere to be seen.
Phil turns around at the sound of the boy’s footsteps, a smile on his face. “Ah! Morning, Tubbo,” he greets. “How was your sleep?”
Tubbo’s back flares up in pain, and he hides a wince. “Mornin’, Phil,” he says groggily, pulling out a chair to sit at the table. He hunches over, making sure the back of the chair doesn’t touch his back. “Um, I slept ok, I guess.”
“I made pancakes,” Phil says. “Wasn’t sure when you were gonna come out so I left some batter for you. We’ve already eaten. Would you like me to make some for you?”
Tubbo nods as his stomach decides to let everyone know just how hungry he is. He blushes in embarrassment. “Thanks Phil,” he says, genuine.
“Of course, mate.”
About five minutes later, Tubbo has a plate of steaming chocolate chip pancakes in front of him, maple syrup generously poured on top, as well as some blueberries. Tubbo’s back pain has died down somewhat, but it still hurts enough for it to be a problem.
As Tubbo starts eating, Techno shifts in his seat.
“We’re headin’ out to the meadow today,” he rumbles, not even looking up from his book as he speaks. He turns a page. “You comin’?”
Now, Tubbo would never pass up the opportunity to head out to the meadow with his family. Even though he can’t join them in the skies, he still likes to spend time with them.
But his back hurts like shit.
Tubbo grimaces. “Actually, I think I’ll stay back this time,” he says.
Techno’s eyebrow twitches upwards as the man briefly looks up from his book to glance at him, surprise clear on his face. Phil seems to think the same way.
“Oh? How come?” the older man asks, concern leaking from his voice.
“I just don’t feel like going out today,” Tubbo answers, taking a bite out of his pancakes. The syrrup and the blueberries, as well as the chocolate chips, make a sweet combination, something that pleases a small part of Tubbo’s mind as the taste settles on his tongue. His back flaring up in pain distracts him for a moment. “I actually didn’t really sleep well last night.”
Phil frowns in concern, coming around the table with ruffled feathers to place a hand on Tubbo’s forehead. “You’re not sick, are you?”
Tubbo leans away from Phil’s touch, a part of him protesting the action (for some reason). “No, no, nothing serious,” he assures the older man. “I think I’m just gonna catch up on some sleep.”
Phil doesn’t exactly look convinced, but he backs off. “Would you like someone to stay back with you?” he asks.
“No thanks,” Tubbo says with a small shake of his head. “I’ll be fine on my own.”
“Ok then,” Phil says. “We’ll be heading off in about an hour, and we should be back around four. You sure you’ll be ok?”
Tubbo rolls his eyes with a smile. Phil is such a mother hen. “Yes, I’ll be fine! You guys go on and have fun without me.”
“You gotta stop worryin’ so much, old man,” Techno says idly, an amused glint in his eyes as he continues to read.
Phil’s wings ruffle behind him as he rolls his eyes. “Shush, I’m not old,” he responds, the same words he always repeats whenever someone, usually Techno, teases him about his age.
The three of them fall into a peaceful silence as Tubbo finishes up his breakfast, trying to ignore the steadily increasing pain in his back. If it gets any worse he might have to sneak a health potion or something. Tommy and Ranboo eventually emerge from wherever they were, Tommy whining and pouting light heartedly when he learns Tubbo won’t be joining them on their trip to the meadow.
Tubbo excuses himself up to his room as soon as he’s done eating. The pain in his back is starting to become unbearable, and he’d rather not let any of his family know about it (though he suspects that Ranboo must know that something is up, the taller boy sending him frequent concerned glances. Though for reasons unknown to him, they don’t say anything, which Tubbo is grateful for).
He wishes his family a safe trip before going up to his room, closing the door behind him. He closes the curtains, shutting out all of the light. Even though he is sure he isn’t sick or anything, and he told Phil as such, Tubbo can feel a headache coming on. Oh, maybe he is coming down with something. Is back pain a symptom for colds?
Whatever. What matters right now is sleep. So Tubbo curls up in bed, wrapping himself up in his blanket before he closes his eyes, trying to will the pain away.
The pain got worse.
It got so, so much worse.
Tubbo grits his teeth at the sheer agony he feels as something tries to tear through his back, fists curled in the bed sheets beneath him.
How did he not notice the signs? How did he not notice?
Tubbo gasps as another wave of pain hits him, just barely holding himself back from screaming.
He’s getting his wings.
He can’t hold back the cry of pain, tears beginning to freely stream down his face.
He should’ve taken those damn health pots.
If he wasn’t in so much fucking pain right now, Tubbo would’ve been overcome with excitement. After all, isn’t this what he wanted? Hasn’t he been waiting for this moment his entire life?
But no one told him it would be this fucking painful.
He needs… he needs someone.
He needs his family.
Tubbo’s starting to regret not speaking up about his back pain.
No, not your family, a small voice buzzes. They’re your-
Something tears through his back, warm blood pouring down onto the sheets. Tubbo screams.
Tubbo doesn’t know how long he was out for, but once he wakes up he instantly notices how… different he feels.
He is a bit disoriented at first. But then he notices the blood all over his clothes and bed sheets, making him look like the victim in a murder scene.
He must’ve passed out from pain and exhaustion. Growing a pair of wings takes a lot out of a person, it turns out.
Tubbo freezes in place, only now noticing the two new weights on his back.
He… he has wings.
A tired, yet excited smile appears on his face. They’re so light he barely noticed they were there at all. But he can feel the cool air against the new appendages as they twitch lightly behind him.
Only, as Tubbo twists around to get a better look at them, he frowns at what he sees.
The new wings aren’t feathery, like he expected. Instead, they are small, thin, and translucent, almost delicate, resembling that of an insect’s than that of a bird’s. There are four wings, he finds upon closer inspection, a larger pair and a smaller pair underneath. The round tips face downwards, and they twitch with a small buzz, as if they have a mind of their own.
Tubbo frowns in confusion at the sight, uncertainty swirling in his gut.
Are these… bee wings? Does he have bee wings??
One moment, Tubbo is excited, the delicate wings buzzing behind him.
He has bee wings! Tubbo has only heard of people getting bird wings. No one he knows has insect wings like him!
But then in the next moment, excitement turns to dread.
His family all have bird wings. How will they react when they see Tubbo’s bee wings? How will they react once they see just how different he is?
Will they even accept him? Will they still love him? Treat him like their hi- flock?
Tubbo doesn’t want to know the answer.
And so, he makes a decision.
His hiv-flo- family can never know about his wings.
Luckily, it doesn’t seem they’ve come home yet. So Tubbo, despite his lingering exhaustion, sets to work cleaning up the mess his bed has become. He can’t exactly put all of his bloody clothes and sheets in the washing, because that will raise a whole load of questions and concerns, so he’s just gonna hide them for now.
He’s just gonna have to find a way to sneak off to clean them some other time.
He changes into cleaner clothes, throwing an oversized hoodie over his wings. His wings are small enough to be completely hidden underneath (he wonders if they’ll grow bigger? That will be a problem for the future.)
As Tubbo cleans, he notices another change that came with his wings.
His new instincts.
There’s a small, but loud part of his mind that certainly wasn’t there before, whining and complaining about a “hive” or some shit. He can feel his own emotions become affected by his instincts, and he finds himself becoming increasingly more upset about something.
He doesn’t want to be alone right now, he realises.
He wants his hive. His colony.
Hive, hive, hive.
Tubbo frowns at the insistent voice, pushing down the sudden clingy yearning that arises in his chest.
He has to get a better control of his instincts. He can’t let his family (hive, hive, hive) see his change in behaviour. Can’t let them find out how different he is.
Tubbo sighs. He can get through this, he will.
He has to.
The others arrive home a few hours later. Tubbo greets them with a smile, desperately trying to ignore the sudden uproar of his instincts the moment he sees them.
His wings remain hidden, and his family remain none the wiser.
Everything had been fine for a few weeks.
Tubbo kept his new secret hidden from his hi- family without any issues. Though Ranboo, perceptive as ever, seems to tell that something is wrong with the brunet, and keeps asking questions. Tubbo shrugs them off every time, though they must’ve told Tommy about their concerns at some point, because there’s been a few times when the blond would (not so subtly he may add) try to check on him. So far, neither of them have found out.
True to Tubbo’s concerns, his wings have been growing bigger, the tips beginning to peek out from underneath his hoodie. He’s had to pull an extra long shirt over his wings, tucking them both under his pants (not very comfortably either) before throwing his hoodie on to hide it all. All of these extra layers would’ve been fine in winter, but it’s the middle of spring, so none of this is very comfortable for Tubbo in this warmer weather.
There have been questions, of course. “Aren’t you hot under all of that?” Phil would ask. Tubbo would have to reply that no, he is not, trying to ignore the sweat making his wings stick to his back. He was actually feeling a bit chilly, he would say. Phil seemed to accept that answer, despite the dubious expression on his face.
So, everything had been fine. Nobody knew about Tubbo’s wings.
Though he should’ve known he couldn’t keep his secret forever.
It was just one slip up, one moment where he let his guard down, and everything was exposed.
It was just after lunch, and Tubbo had been dying of heat the entire time, so he left the meal early, quickly going up to his room. He had practically ripped his hoodie and shirt off, letting himself cool off, sighing as his wings spread out behind him. He winces at the dull pain he feels from keeping them cramped underneath his clothes for so long, though this is nothing new at this point. He underestimated just how delicate they are. So Tubbo reaches out to one of his bigger wings, gently smoothing out the creases that had formed. A part of his mind, the instinctual part, is soothed by the motions.
He lets his guard down.
What he doesn’t know is, once Tubbo left the room, his family each expressed concerns for him, each one saying how worried they are for him. Phil suggests that someone should probably check on him.
So Tommy goes up the stairs to the brunet’s room.
He would’ve knocked. Everyone’s privacy is respected in their flock. In any other circumstance, Tommy would’ve knocked.
But, in his urgency to get away, Tubbo had accidentally left his door open.
So Tommy sees.
Tubbo hears a small gasp from the doorway, and he spins around, eyes wide and fearful as they meet Tommy’s. The blond is staring at Tubbo’s delicate translucent wings with nothing short of surprise and amazement, red and white wings lax behind him.
But Tubbo doesn't notice that.
Instead, he panics.
He’s seen his wings. Tommy has seen his non-avian, different wings.
Tubbo’s heart drops, wings freezing in fear behind him.
“I-I can explain,” Tubbo rushes out.
Tommy gapes at him for a moment longer, blinking in shock. “When did they-?”
“I can explain!” Tubbo says again, taking a step back, reaching to where his hoodie had been disregarded on the floor and quickly shoving it over his head, wings protesting as they are once again flattened by the cloth.
“Hey, what are you doing?!” Tommy exclaims, taking a step into the room. “You shouldn’t squash them like that!”
“Don’t tell anyone!” Tubbo says, no, he begs. Because this is Tommy, his brother and best friend. Surely he can be reasoned with?
“Why not?” Tommy demands, then frowns. “No, actually, first off-” Tommy fully steps in the room now, closing the door behind him and facing Tubbo with a critical gaze. He doesn’t seem mad though, just curious, and a bit worried. “-How long have you had wings? When did they grow in?”
That’s two questions, Tubbo would’ve snarked. But fear eats up those words before they even reach his tongue. Tubbo hesitates before he answers. “Um, like… a few weeks ago?”
Tommy almost looks alarmed as his frown deepens. The younger boy grows silent for a few moments, which scares Tubbo. Tommy is never silent, not unless something deeply troubles him.
Hive upset, hive upset, his instincts buzz insistently. Tubbo mentally swats them away.
Finally, Tommy speaks up, a bit of sadness in his gaze as he says, “When were you gonna tell us?”
Tubbo closes his eyes with a sharp inhale, shaking his head. “Never,” he mutters. “You… you weren’t supposed to know.”
Hurt flashes across Tommy’s face, quickly followed by worry. “But why?” he asks. “This is something we should all know about-”
“Because I’m different!” Tubbo shrieks, foot stomping on the ground. “Don't you see?! My wings are different from yours and-” his breath hitches. “Everyone’s gonna hate them. Hate me.”
“I'm not an avian, like you guys,” Tubbo says sadly. “I don’t have those instincts that tell me to make nests and preen my flockmates’ wings- hell, my instincts don’t even use the word ‘flock!’ I have these fragile, see-through, weak wings, so I couldn’t possibly keep up with you guys in the sky…” Tubbo takes a shaky breath, eyes blurring with unshed tears. He turns away. “I… I’m different from you guys, so… I can’t be part of your flock.”
Tommy is silent for a few long moments. Tubbo doesn’t want to look, too scared of his reaction. But then the younger boy scoffs, feathers rustling. “Being different has never mattered.”
Tubbo looks up at that, eyes wide in disbelief. “What?”
Tommy takes a hesitant step forward, like he’s worried he’ll scare Tubbo off. Not like he could go anywhere if he tried. “I mean it,” he says, determination in his eyes. “Wings or not, we’ve always accepted you, and we’ll continue to do so. You could have the most fucked up wings imaginable and we wouldn’t care. That doesn’t change who you are to us.”
Tubbo hesitates, turning his eyes downcast. He needs to ask, needs to know. “And… what am I to you?”
Out of Tubbo’s view, Tommy’s face softens. “You’re my Tubbo,” he says simply, voice wrapped in love and adoration for the boy in front of him. “You’re my best friend. My brother.”
Tubbo’s breath hitches as he looks up to meet Tommy’s gaze, a single tear rolling down his cheek. “You mean that?” he breathes. “Even with my…”
Tommy steps in front of him, placing his hands on Tubbo’s arms, grounding him, reassuring him. “That doesn’t change anything,” he says, and it’s so full of conviction that Tubbo can’t help but believe him. “Besides,” Tommy grins, “I think your wings look fucking badass.”
Tubbo giggles, hand coming up to wipe his tear stained cheek. “Really?” he sniffles.
Tommy rolls his eyes lightheartedly. “Yes, gods, Tubbo, just accept my words of comfort already!” He moves forward to wrap Tubbo in a hug, wings curling around him. “Just accept that you are enough and we’ll always love you, no matter what.”
Tubbo sinks into the embrace, his own arms wrapping around the taller boy. “Clingy,” he teases.
“Shut up, you need this.”
Tubbo laughs, his wings twitching underneath the hoodie. Tommy adjusts his arms so he doesn’t accidentally hurt them.
Both are silent for a few moments, each enjoying each other’s embrace as Tubbo’s heart slowly begins to calm, Tommy’s words sinking in.
Tommy still loves him. His family will too. Even despite his bee wings.
“...Thank you, Tommy,” Tubbo says quietly, words slightly muffled by the other boy's shoulder.
Tommy gives the brunet a squeeze, wings ruffling gently. “Don’t mention it.”
Their moment is interrupted by a soft knock on the door. Tubbo and Tommy break out of the hug to turn towards the sound, but Tubbo already knows who it is before the person speaks.
“Tubbo?” Ranboo calls out softly, words muffled by the door between them. “Tommy? You guys ok in there?”
Both boys glance at each other. Tommy has a contemplative look on his face.
“I think you should tell them,” Tommy says quietly, sending a brief look to Tubbo’s hidden wings. “They deserve to know.”
Tubbo takes a long breath. Tommy’s right. He’s been hiding this secret from them for these past few weeks. About time he face the music.
“You’ll stay by me?” Tubbo asks, heart fluttering in his chest.
Tommy nods, reaching down to give Tubbo’s hand a reassuring squeeze. “Always,” he promises.
So with a deep breath, wings fluttering nervously underneath his hoodie, Tubbo approaches the door, Tommy close behind, hands held tight, refusing to let go. Tubbo opens the door, revealing Ranboo standing timidly behind, face full of concern. Their wings are pulled tight against their back.
Ranboo seems to notice Tubbo’s nervousness, because they tilt their head, a worried frown forming on their face. “Everything alright?” they ask, sending a quick glance towards Tommy, questioning, before focusing their gaze on Tubbo.
Tommy remains silent, gently squeezing Tubbo’s hand.
Tubbo takes a nervous breath. “I… have something to tell you guys…” he says hesitantly.
Ranboo’s wings briefly fluff up in surprise. “O- Ok!” he says, slightly unsure. “Um… is it a… good thing? A bad thing?”
Tubbo’s hidden wings quiver. “I’m… not sure…”
Ranboo’s frown deepens, clearly concerned, but seemingly accepting the answer for now. “Ok,” he says. “Do… you want me to get Phil and Techno?”
Tubbo shrugs, nervousness coiling in his gut. “Sure,” he says. He quickly glances at Tommy, who gives him a small smile. “But, um, we’re coming down anyway.”
So Tubbo and Tommy, still holding each other’s hands, follow Ranboo down the stairs. Tubbo quickly spots Techno and Phil, who are both clearing the table of the family’s lunch mess. They both look up at the sound of three pairs of footsteps approaching.
Techno seems impassive, as usual, but Tubbo knows him well enough to notice the worry lines on his forehead. Phil looks between the three teens in concern before his gaze lands on Tubbo, the man’s wings fluttering in worry. “Everything ok, mate?” he asks.
When Tubbo doesn't answer for a few long moments, Tommy answers for him. “Tubbo has something he’d like to tell everyone.”
Phil seems to become more worried, his wings fluffing up briefly before his feathers smooth out. Techno seems to be boring a hole through Tubbo’s soul, trying to find out the boy’s secrets, but failing. “Ok,” Phil says. “Shall we move to the living room, then?”
Tubbo nods wordlessly.
They all silently move to the living room. Techno and Phil decide to sit down on the couches, listening and attentive. But Tubbo decides to stay standing, too nervous to sit down, and so Tommy stands too. Ranboo, as a show of support, despite being just as clueless as the two adults in the room, stands with them.
Phil looks at Tubbo patiently, smiling kindly as he says, “What was it you wanted to tell us, Tubbo?”
Tubbo takes a shaky breath, eyes closing. This is it. This is where he lets out his secret, exposes himself to the flock he has been hiding from.
Tommy gives his hand two quick squeezes, silently encouraging him.
“If you’re actually not ready, you don’t have to tell them yet,” Tommy murmurs. Giving him an out.
“No, no,” Tubbo responds. “I… I have to get this out.”
Ranboo sends him a curious glance. Phil and Techno continue to wait patiently.
Tubbo takes a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “Um… There’s… a secret… that I’ve kept hidden from you guys.”
Ranboo tilts their head, a bit more curious, though they don't seem all too surprised by this information. Techno doesn’t outwardly react, impassive as ever, and Phil seems a bit confused. “You’re allowed to keep secrets, mate,” the older blond says slowly, not quite sure where this is going. “You don’t have to tell us if you’re not comfortable.”
Again, an escape is offered. But Tubbo holds firm. He shakes his head. He needs to do this. “No, I… I want to tell you. And… you guys deserve to know…”
The room falls into silence as Tubbo struggles to find the right words.
“I… There’s… I have…” After a few long moments, Tubbo sighs with a small “fuck it,” before reaching up and, in one smooth motion, forcefully tugs his hoodie off, letting it fall to the floor.
There are three various sounds of surprise as Tubbo’s bee wings are finally revealed, the see through appendages buzzing softly.
Tubbo refuses to meet anyone's gaze, keeping his eyes downcast. His secret is out now, his flo- hive can see how different he is from them. He doesn’t want to see their reactions, doesn’t want to see their disgust and anger when they realise what he already knows.
But there’s none of that. None of that at all.
Very much like Tommy, the other three all have reactions ranging between wonder and excitement. Ranboo jumps up in surprise, wings flaring out behind them. “You got your wings!” they exclaim, seemingly ecstatic over the fact. Techno leans forward in his seat in sudden interest, happiness and pride swirling in his dark eyes. A beaming smile spreads across Phil’s face, sharing the same sentiments as Techno, and he stands up in excitement, wings fluttering with happiness.
“Oh, they’re wonderful, Tubbo!” Phil exclaims. “I’m so proud of you!”
Beside him, Tommy’s face splits into a proud grin, absorbing the energy in the room, his own wings conveying his excitement.
Tubbo, meanwhile, is shocked. He looks between all of his family members in surprise and confusion. “You…” he starts, “You guys aren’t… mad?”
Ranboo makes a sad and confused noise, Techno tilting his head while Phil frowns with concern.
“No?” the older blond says. “Why would we be mad?”
Tubbo’s breath hitches, tears beginning to well up. “You guys don’t… hate me…?”
Phil makes a noise of concern, and even Techno looks upset.
“We would never hate you, Tubbo!” Ranboo stresses, face set in a deep frown, etched in worry. “Why would we?”
Hearing those words, hearing that confirmation, that reassurance, is what breaks him.
Tubbo bursts into tears, sobs wracking his body. Tommy and Ranboo are immediately by his side, guiding him to sit on the couch behind them. He feels wings wrap around him, protectively, lovingly, and Tubbo wails.
He hears Phil and Techno come closer, hovering around them, clearly distressed at seeing one of their flock mates so upset. And- oh, Tubbo is so glad they still think of him as such. They will always be his hive, but he wasn’t sure he would remain their flock.
“I- I wasn’t sure you would a- accept them,” Tubbo says in between hiccups. “That’s w- why I hid them. I didn’t want to be rejected by you guys, my- my hive.”
Cries fill the room as Tubbo sobs in the arms of his family, his hive, letting all of the pain and emotions from the past few weeks come pouring out.
“It… it hurt so much,” Tubbo cries, squeezing his eyes shut as the tears continue to fall. “Keeping this all from you, but also- When they first came in, it- it hurt. I thought I was dying, and I… I never felt so lonely.”
Ranboo makes a sad noise, and Tommy chirps once in distress. Techno lets out a soothing rumble.
“Oh, love,” Phil murmurs, voice incredibly sad. “When did they grow in?”
Tubbo sniffles. “Um… a few weeks ago,” he says, voice cracking. “It was that day you all went to the meadow, and… I stayed back.”
Phil lets out a heartbroken coo.
“It’s not s’pposed to hurt,” Techno says quietly.
Tubbo starts at that, looking up at the pinket. “What?”
“...He’s right,” Phil says. He looks at Tubbo with sadness and guilt written all over his face. “Your instincts are the most sensitive when your wings first grow in. The presence of flock- Well, hive, is supposed to sooth your instincts to make the transition mostly painless… Oh, Tubbo, I’m so sorry.”
“I didn’t even know this…” Tommy murmurs, mostly to himself.
Tubbo shakes his head. “Wasn’t your fault,” he croaks.
“I knew one of us should’ve stayed back,” Phil mumbles with a small frown, wings fluffed up in distress. “We could’ve saved you so much heartbreak.”
“It’s why you were so convinced we would reject you because of your wings,” Techno says, regret leaking through his usual monotone voice. “We weren’t there during such an important time of your life. Your instincts were confused.”
Tubbo grows silent, letting this information sink in. “Oh…”
Ranboo gently squeezes him. “Instincts can be a pain sometimes,” he says with a wry chuckle. “But we’ll always love you for who you are. The shape of your wings won’t ever change that.”
“You’ll always be a part of our flock,” Phil promises.
“Yep!” Tommy agrees. “We’ll always be there for you! Bee Boy!”
Tubbo giggles at the nickname. He has a feeling Tommy will use it quite a lot.
“Thank you guys,” Tubbo says, looking around at his hive, the hive that he loves, and who will continue to love him. His wings buzz with love and happiness.
“You can’t catch me, bitch!” Tommy laughs, running through the grass before taking to the skies.
Tubbo pants, out of breath. “Hey! No fair!” he yells after the blond, but he’s laughing too. “You know I’m slower than you!”
“Sounds like a “you” problem!” Tommy teases.
It’s about a month later, a month after Tubbo comes clean with the secret he was keeping.
And Tubbo does not regret it.
Ranboo runs up alongside him, wings spread behind them. Phil and Techno are somewhere behind, sitting in the grass. The taller boy grins down at Tubbo playfully.
“C’mon, let's team up against him,” Ranboo says with a devilish smile.
Tubbo copies them. “Let’s!”
So Ranboo takes to the skies in pursuit of Tommy. Tubbo jumps in the hair, wings buzzing behind him as he hovers in place with minimal difficulty.
He’s not the strongest flyer yet, he’s still learning after all, but he’ll get there!
Once Tubbo has his balance, he zips up into the air with a grin, towards his brothers.
Tubbo’s glad he revealed his wings to his family, in the end. Looking back, he’s not entirely sure why he thought it was a good idea to keep them hidden in the first place.
His hive loves him, has always loved him, and they will continue to do so. It’s just a fact. He doesn’t know why he ever thought otherwise.
Tubbo is loved, in this moment and for eternity to come. Even despite his different wings, he knows his family, his hive, will always love him.
And Tubbo will never forget that.