Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

In The Beginning, There was Only Origin.

Just a presence—vast, formless, draped across the dark like breath over glass. A being older than time, wrapped in Rows of galaxies like a cloak, its silence echoing through the void and Beyond.

It possessed no form of its own, yet it was all forms. It was the silent observer, the omnipotent creator, the uncaring destroyer.
It did not move.
It did not speak.
It did not know love or pain or joy.

And yet... in that eternal quiet, something stirred.
For what it Stirred, it could not say. There was no word. Only a hollow ache in its endless Form, something strange and flickering and small.

-Curiosity.

From that curiosity, something new was born—not by design, but by accident. The first sparks of will. The first beings of The earth. Waiting., infinite and still. A body shaped as The nebulae and millions of galaxies, It Never Saw. It did not speak. It did not feel. It could not Think. It simply was. The first breath. The stillness before time moved. A yearning—small, strange, and warm—glimmered like a spark between the stars in its ribs. It had no name. It had no shape. But, unknowingly, longed. So it made the sun, then the moon, carving eyes into the heavens to gaze upon the Earth. Watching. Wondering. Forming.

Waiting.

And from that longing came the first gods, The First beings that Wandered Through Life.
To further shape its creations, to guide its delicate dance, the Universe Molded beings of immense power, fragments of itself given form and purpose. They were its avatars, its hands in the mortal realm.

There was Oracle. Aloof and serene, it Was both Clement and Diligent,It saw the tapestry of time, weaving the threads of fate with gentle precision. Past, present, and future were open books to Oracle, but intervention was rare, with a carefully measured dose of guidance.

Then came Distortion, the playful Manipulator of Dreams. A master strategist, Distortion delighted in chaos and Trickery, using cunning and deception to nudge events towards it's desired outcome. Purpose drove Distortion, but the path was always a convoluted maze of its own making Without the Guidance of It's reflectors.

There was Death, as sweet as it was deadly. it was the gentle hand that guided souls from one realm to the next, a comforting presence in the face of the inevitable. it's realm was not one of fear, but of peace, a pause between The Lives that Life Weaved.

Hand in Hand, There was the Being Where Death loomed and soured, The God of Life was a Gentle creator that nurtured life, coaxing it from the barren earth, offering solace to the suffering. it's compassion was boundless, It was meaningful as it was Mischievous.

And as Humanity was Created,so was The Blood God, Who had Taken the Title of the God of War. It was the embodiment of conflict, the force that shaped nations and tested the mettle of heroes. They were not cruel, but pragmatic, a necessary evil in a universe of constant struggle.

Origin wasn't Quite Pleased Per se, but it was Content enough, Content enough to avoid the Destruction of it's Own planet. Calm enough to Level and observe The New things and Realms it's Beings thought of Within Their Domains. idly Ignoring the forms and Sparks that willed between Life and Death.

But it wasn't Enough. All these beings, these Gods, were extensions of Origin, summoned at will, their powers subservient to its grand design. But Origin craved something more, something different. It wanted a connection, a focus, a window into the mortal realm unburdened by It's form,a way of Escapism.
It Did not matter whenever Something was amiss, Whenever Humans Sought the Gods and Seeked to Understand. Only to fall into the Grasps of Apathy and Cynicism.
Origin had observed a particular soul, a spark of pure, unadulterated joy, a ray of sun in the often bleak landscape of mortal existence.

Tommy.

Origin had watched Tommy through Oracle's eyes, seen him grow from a small, abandoned child into a vibrant, resilient young boy as Oracle Participated in The bland, Cozy Orphanage. It had seen him create silly little clay figures and place them in tables, just to brighten someone's day. It had seen his infectious laughter, his unwavering optimism, his fierce loyalty to those he cared about and Endless Futures Yet to come.
Tommy was an orphan, adrift in a world that seemed to offer little comfort. And Origin, in its own strange, cosmic way, felt a pang of something akin to Mortality, a desire to shield Tommy from the hardships of life. It wanted to scoop him up, cup him out of harm, to nurture and guide him. For as long as it Can Remember, An endless Entertainment that Turned into Hope, Bridled at it's Finest Overwhelming form, The Desire to Care.

The thought, so alien in the vast landscape of Origin's consciousness, resonated with a profound sense of rightness. It was a new sensation, a warm, mellow, overwhelming urge to cry. It didn't mind caring for someone, not at all!
Origin was powerful, yes, but it was also lonely, dramatic (and quite broody). It was always creating, always changing, always searching for meaning in its endless existence. And if it chose to send its Gods to watch over Tommy, to offer him guidance and support… well, who was any to stop it? Tommy would simply have a full family, And...

-actually Scratch that.

So, It Started to Create another Fragment, This time Formed by the Deepest part of it's Core and Willingness to Care, To Provide, To Be. a soul full of light and darkness.It was imperfect, flawed, human. And that was precisely what Origin desired.


This time, it would not just create and forget. This time, The feeling would stay. This time, It could interact with Something beyond it's Creation.
It didn’t understand love yet. But it knew This was worth The wait, And how much Time it had.

A shard of infinity, wrapped in mortal will. The first gift. The only one that mattered amongst the Fair Tales of Music.
.

.

.

.

.

On another Surface,a Young Bright haired child was already waking up in the last bits in the Morning, of course he was up! He was the Biggest man ever, second to Philza obviously, the man was simply too col to not be the first.

Like instructed, He went out to the Bathroom, making sure to clean Himself up before practically Jolting down the stairs, Today was the day!
He flung out the door across the side of a worn out Closet. taking one Grand, Sidelong Glance to the Sleeping Figure of his still Sleeping dad (Parental-Brother-Figure?) and Takes a Deep breath.

"WILL!!!! THE SUN IS UP!!"

Chapter Text

"IT'S MORNING, BITCH!!!"





Wilbur Snapped his eyes open, Uselessly flailing his hands off the Blankets. is heart beat one mile a minute.
Scrambling backwards from the source of the Noise, Only to curse under His breath When his forehead hit the Back of the Wooden Bed.

"Fuck!"


Tommy Cackled, Pointing at Wilbur's rubbing frame in a fit of Giggles as he Clutched his stomach.

"It’s morning! D’you know what day it is?! today's The day!"

The child quickly informed, practically Running inside to Jump up on the bed. Wilbur instilled a Little 'oomf' When Tommy decided to Collapse into his arms.
He gave a Tired, Withering Glare at the Grinning child Splayed up on Top of Him. It was Pretty endearing If the Fucker didn't Give him a Heart attack every time

"How Many times did I Tell you to Knock before waking me up? You Little Scoundrel,"

"Not enough times for me to remember. You never wake up anyway-I tried!"
Tommy Tried to inform With the most indignant lilt a 10 year old would Manage. Obviously he Tried, But Wilbur never opens!

Wilbur sighed, rubbing his Bleary eyes as Tommy hummed at him, glancing Through his Lashes for a moment. His Dad was Pretty handsome, Tommy could Conclude on his own if the Looks of the villagers hinted at anything, He could see that. only When Wilbur stops being a whiny drama queen,anyway-
He Folded his palms over his chin, his legs Swayed idly in the air as he kept Watching Wilbur Grumble. putting on His glasses by the Nightstand.

"soooo, How ar' we Feelin' Today?"

Wilbur sighed more weary at the answer, Looking up in a somber look.

"Like...a Six?"

Tommy hummed again, tilting his head with His big Puppy eyes (And damn,Wilbur felt his Tiredness melt down a Little, Just a little.)
"So, Half-half, Got it. You got enough energy' to go To the market?"

"Hmmmm, Only if a certain little Toms gives me my good day Hug," Wilbur trailed off, Booping Tommy's nose in a grin. watching the other cross their eyes.

Tommy pouted, shifting impossibly Closer to drag Wilbur in a death hug (Albeit a little more Gentle than a Death hug)
"Clingy bitch," Tommy huffed under Wilbur's chin as The man cuddled him up, Starting to Walk him out.

"child."

"OI! i'm not a child! I am a very manly man, we talked about this!"

"Sure child." Wilbur grinned, casually passing the kitchen to place Tommy in His (small) Seat behind the Dining Table, Humming to turn into the Kitchen.

"Prick!"

"Gremlin."

"Drama queen."

"RacoonInnit," Wilbur cooed Just as Tommy Scowled. But it was hard to take it Seriously with the Baby fat of His cheeks. Seriously, Wilbur couldn’t help but smile at how serious Tommy was,
even while looking like a sulky little gremlin settling his chin on the Table Boredly. It was a deep green contrasting the reddish chair he sat at, now that he Thinks about it the Table's Just like Philza's Dress- Actually, wasn't That a Ki-mono? Kristin said it was Like...old people Stuff, Still. It was a Pretty green. Tommy should try to Save money for a hat like that too, But he's sure Wilbur would buy him one. if he could...Wait- He was Getting offtrack!

"Seriously Wil, we can skip Market day if you're feelin' bad!"

Wilbur raised a questioning brow, Starting to open the drawers and get to work.

"I'd Certainly Know when my mind tries to Tell me something is Wrong, Tommy."

Tommy just gave an unamused brow back, Pointing a finger in the air to Prepare a List of all of the Things his Dad has, indeed Not been Fine with. Seriously
Wilby was Silly like that, Sometimes he could get all daze-y and sad but that was Okay, He could (Annoy) Remind Him, that's What Tommy's Here for! He's the Biggest man ever, and big Men can tell when they're Wrong.

"May I remind you the time you Fell down' the Stairs and didn't even flinch so you broke your ribs and nose or that time where you let Techno whench out the door and you didn't step back so it also broke your nose Or that time when' you slipped-"

Wilbur rolled his eyes In a Groan,Ruffling his Tossled Bed hair in clear embarrassment, Leaning in the Kitchen counter.
"Okay - Maybe not Always. But i'm Fine today, Seriously Toms..." 

"Wiiiiiiiil, the eggs are Burnin'!"

"Shit-"


. . .< ^ >











As the Hours passed, It was finally time to get out of The comfort of the house warmth, (Wich means Wilbur fussing over him for the past ten minutes) after Wilbur's Careful Consideration of putting as many Frikin' Scarfs around Tommy-("They're not that many Tommy, it's so you don't Freeze out") Tommy huffs,
Wiggling his hands that unfortunately met the Dooming child's Gloves-("Tommy I swear to God- Stand still, They're just Convertible Mittens") It hurt his Manly pride. he can Put up with it, everything was tolerated in the Name of the Market quest. . . And Niki's Sweets.


"C'mon Wil! it's almost time for Techno's Crops to be plucked! I wanna help around!" Tommy exclaimed, his Voice breaking to a Whine as he yanked Wilbur's arm.

"We wouldn't be late if Someone Stopped making this more difficult than it is," Wilbur grumbled, shuffling out a woolen beanie over Tommy's head. He took a hold of the house Keys and urged them out.

"Now, Try to not freeze out your ass on the way over. you know what happened last Time you almost Freezed.." Wilbur trailed off in a concerned, But before he could go in the Guilty Spiral Tommy was already Parading around, guiding Wilbur around the Antartic road.


- - -

“D' You think if I yell ‘FREE BREAD’ someone’ll just give it to me? No? Okay but like, what if.”


"Maybe,Niki would let you."

“Hey, that guy waved at you. Are you gonna wave back or are we pretending to be mysterious strangers today? cause' if you're not gonna wave back I will do it for y-”


"Don't wave to Strangers Tommy."

“I swear on all the Rows of markets in this village- if They don’t Have strawberries, I will riot. This is not a threat, this is a declaration.”


"We can get them at Techno's."

“You know what would be funny? iff I challenged that goat to a staring contest. Look at him. He knows.”


"Mhhm."

“Ooh, mushrooms! Not the poisonous ones, relax—I’ve learned. . . Mostly.”


"Good."

“So, as I was saying- Are you even listening? I’m talking about tax evasion.”


"You're too young to worry about it."


“hey Wil, rate that man’s hat out of ten. Don’t think. First number.”


"Three."



Before they arrived, Wilbur let out a long Sigh. Stopping Tommy on his Tracks with tugging his hand Still.

"Just. . .Give me a minute."

“Alright, if you pass out in the carrot aisle again I am not dragging you back. I’ll just sit on you and claim the Wilbur as a public bench.”

---

The scent of cinnamon and roasted nuts hung gently in the morning air, a low sun catching on soft flurries of flour from the bakery stalls. Wilbur’s eyes followed the sway of the crowd, sluggish and dulled, until a familiar voice cut through the haze.

“Wil! Tommy! What a coincidence—”

She stood, Putting down a small basket of Products in front of the Store, cheeks dusted with flour, like she'd already wrestled a full batch of loaves that morning.
Niki Grinned in amusement. “I was just picking up Some berries and Apples. You two look like you’re on a mission.”

Wilbur's smile Softened at the words, looking at the Retrating Tommy.

“He was determined to harass a Goat with Eye contact and steal Food. I’m just the escort for Today.”
He nodded toward Tommy, who was already halfway to the next stall, waving.

Niki Laughs, moving to clean up the small bits of flour on her Hands with a towel.

“Yep. That sounds about right.”

The Room comforted in Quiet acceptance, one of those rare ones where Wilbur didn’t feel the need to fill the silence. Niki didn’t ask if he was okay. She just stood beside him, starting to Tie her hair up.


“You’re... baking again?”

“Mmhm. Someone ordered a whole tray of berry tarts— Wich was insane, Thought I’d make extras… you never know who might need one.”

That earned her a faint smile. Faint, Tired, but real.

"I would love some of them."

Tommy had plopped his elbows on Puffy’s counter like it was his personal Stool.

“Aunt Puffy! Guess what— we’re getting pastries! And Wilbur didn’t even fight me about it!”

Puffy raised a questioning brow, leaning an elbow over the stand.

“Oh no, is he finally dying? Blink twice if you’ve got his will.”

Tommy Cackled, Shrugging in faux thought before pointing.

“He blinked like, four times this morning. Does that count?”


“Alright,, Alright, These are Pretty fresh. Tell him I’ll bake the oat ones next time, if he’s still pretending not to have a favorite.”


"Woah!! thanks Puff!"


Puffy gave him an endeared Smile and leaned slightly, eyes flicking over to Wilbur at the next stall. Her smile stayed, but it Frayed at the edges.

“He sleeping okay?”

Tommy shrugs,gingerly Accepting the package without even looking at the other pair.

“He’s out of it. But he’s here I Think. That’s better than Most days, Innit?”

She hummed and slid the paper bag across the counter.

Tommy returned with the bag, waving it like a trophy.
“She says you’ve got a soft spot for oat cookies!! Is that true or false, Should we test that testimony?”

Wilbur humms, Waving Niki a Curt Goodbye, Walking Tommy hand in Hand in a Knowing Smirk.

“…Tell her she’s lying in public.”