Archive of Our Own ^beta

“You really hate this that much, huh?” Tubbo sighed. Michael only responded by splashing more water in his face. Tubbo grimaced, holding his arms up to block the waves his son was aiming at him.

“Bud, I don’t know what’s up if you don’t tell me,” he said weakly, leaning against the edge of the tub. Michael wasn’t usually the type to fuss about things, so the fact he was so adamant about hating this had to mean it was really terrible.

They’d been at this for about half an hour already, and there was more water and soap on him than on Michael. Frankly, he was exhausted. But that was no reason to get mad. Michael only knew a few key words in English, so Tubbo couldn’t exactly blame him for struggling to communicate.

“I don’t know how to read your thoughts, baby,” Tubbo continued. “Do you just not like the water or wha’?”

Michael crossed his arms and let out a big huff of air, turning his head away.

“Water’s only bad for Boo,” Tubbo tried to reason with him. “It doesn’t hurt Bee, and it doesn’t hurt you.”

He frowned, standing more upright with a feeling of concern.

“It’s not meant to, anyway. Does it hurt?”

Michael huffed again, but shook his head.

“Cold,” he grunted. “Hate.”

Tubbo exhaled. “...Right.”

Michael was from the Nether. Of course.

“You just don’t like it?”

A moment passed in silence. And then Michael finally nodded.

Tubbo sighed again, but this time it was with relief. At least now he knew why Michael had been fussing so much.

“Okay,” he relented. “We don’t have to do this then. We’ll have Boo take you to get a lava bath, sound better?”

Michael seemed to debate this, pouting slightly. But he eventually nodded, before holding his hooves out toward him.

“Alright. Come here, buddy,” Tubbo snorted, smiling as he pulled Michael out of the tub and grabbed a towel. “No more water baths.”

When they finally emerged from the bathroom to where Ranboo was waiting for them, the enderman took one look at Tubbo and hid a grin behind their hand.

“Don’t say it,” Tubbo grumbled. “I know you’re thinking it, but don’t.”

Ranboo snickered. “I thought- I thought you were supposed to give Michael the bath, not yourself.”

Tubbo sighed loudly. “Real original, Boo.”

He shoved Michael in the enderman’s arms.

“Now you’re giving him a lava bath, and I’m not helping out. You’ve made him think water is dangerous.”

“...Fair enough.”