Mako ‘Roadhog’ Rutledge sat in a oversized arm chair with a book in his hand as he watched as his five year old daughter, Wilhelmina, and his three year old son, Benjamin, rubbing their old mutt, Bob, while peeking over at his eldest child, Molly, who was cleaning her accordion across the room. The two little ones wearing curious expressions on their faces as they watched her work.

Molly had been ten when the child services agent who checked in on them suggested that she take lessons of some sort to help her socialize with other kids her age better. After spending an hour or so tossing ideas of lessons she could take OUTSIDE the base (which had been a challenge since she did not want to go to lessons with kids her age), they finally settled on learning how to play an instrument and went into town with Rat (because Symmetra wanted a traditional Indian wedding and he wanted to get a book on what the fuck he was supposed to do as the groom of one of those). 

He had held up the usual things kids played, violin, recorder, flute, he even offered up a guitar. Rat offered a tuba and a drum and more of the louder instruments the store had to offer. (’If ya annoy th’ old Soldier enough with ‘er practicin’, he’ll tell tha’ councilor ta shove it with th’ lessons!’ he had explained when asked about why he was offering her those.)

But Molly was determined to get something different. Something most people on the island didn’t play... 

Something... squishy.

She originally went for the bagpipes, but after being told that Morrison would wreck it as soon as she walked into the base with it, she immediately clung to a neon green accordion, saying that Morrison would wreck this one over her dead body.

The kid had kept her word, Old 76 never laid so much as a finger on it.

The seventeen year old smiled as she got the last of the dirt off of it, “There!” she said, admiring her work before glancing over at her younger siblings, who immediately pulled their focus away from the teenager and back to the old bully basset (half basset hound, half bulldog) on the floor. “You two want me ta play ya a song?” she offered with a knowing smile. Although, if it was because she knew what they were thinking (since she wasn’t wearing tin foil today) or because they loved listening to her play the accordion in general, Roadhog didn’t really know or care. His kids were getting along and being cute, he wasn’t going to stand in the way of that. (Even if he wanted to, his wife would kill him if he did)

The two looked up at her, their eyes twinkling with eagerness as they quickly crawled over to her, making her laugh, “Don’ need ta be a moind reader ta know tha’ means yes!” she exclaimed before doing a quick chord to make sure everything was tuned properly before she began, Bob letting out a huff that he wasn’t going to get anymore rubs before getting up and plopping himself next to Roadhog’s feet. She paused halfway through her chord, looking at them, curious, “Ya want Da’ ta do a sing-a-long with us?” she asked.

Oh no...

“Yeah!” Wilhelmina cheered while Ben nodded silently in agreement, a soft smile on his face. Molly looked at their father, her violet eyes sparkling with impish glee, “I think I know a good song ta play...” she looked at her brother and sister, “But you two hafta sing along too, alroight? ‘Specially you, Ben.” They nodded with fervor as she quickly finished up her chord and tuned it up for a moment before playing a VERY familiar tune.

No. Please, no.

“I’ve been ‘round th’ world a couple toimes or maybe more...” she sang.

“I’ve seen the sights, I’ve had delights on every foreign shore!” Wilhelmina joined in, the two singing, “But when my friends all ask me ‘bout the place that I adore...”

“Da’.” Ben called, “Sing-a-long.” Roadhog sighed, the things he did for his kids.

“I tell them roight away.” he said as he got down from his chair to sit on the floor with them and scratched behind Bob’s ear.

“Give me a home among the gum trees!” the girls sang through giggles, “With lots of plum trees! A sheep or two...”

“A kangaroo.” Ben added.

“A clothes line out th’ back.” Roadhog went on, “Verandah out th’ front.”

“’N an old rockin’ chair!” the four of them sang. Bob starting to howl along with them. They continued on through the song, his kids giggling through the words until they finished up the last line.

“One more toime!” Molly exclaimed cheerfully, holding up her accordion like a rockstar would hold up their guitar at a concert.

“Yer grounded.” Roadhog said flatly.

“I thought it was a nice song.” a familiar female voice called from behind. He stiffened as Wilhelmina and Ben popped up to their feet, “Mummy!” they cried as they raced over to his wife, Bob getting up to trudge behind them as Wilhelmina eagerly asked what she thought of their singing. 

“It was wonderful! Can I join you this time?” she asked, making her Liechtli’s faces brighten with delight. 

Molly smiled as she scooted closer to him, “One more toime?” she asked again, holding up her accordion hopefully.

“Yer still grounded.” he murmured. 

“Worth it.” she replied, obviously pleased with herself. Roadhog sighed as the little ones and Bob lead her back into the room to sit on the floor with them, a smile curling up his lips despite his best efforts as they started up the song again. 

Screw the friggin gum trees, any place where his goofy family was was a place he adored. 

@glampyra owns Wilhelmina

@the-inline-rex owns Ben