Chapter Text
“Please just shut up”
“Just shut up, Tom”
Tommy tries so hard not to whine. He stood still, back straight. He knows he was being needy, he spoke too loud, he talked with unruly mouth, he took too much space.
Head going miles with the lists of his wrongs. Of course he got the list right, afterall Father did just say it all. Tommy IS a burden, he is what made his parent bickered all the time.
Tommy is not a good boy, he tore everything apart. If only he stayed quiet, his home room teacher wouldn’t drag Father and Mother to the office to talk about Tommy’s condition or whatever that means. He was fine— no he IS fine .
In reality, Tommy clumsily stumbles his way towards nowhere. Aimlessly wandering in the dark corridor of the house. Body standing not too far from Wilbur’s door, yet mind floating farther. But Tommy keeps going. Eyes glazed over, incoherent quiet mumbles listing things unbeknownst even to himself. Subconscious hastily try to take cover for the lost mind.
Tommy is bad. He needed to be fixed. Or else he will be alone again. Yes yes. He is the bad apple. And now Tommy is about to ruin Watson good basket. He is a decease. He brings foul odors to what was supposedly a sterile environment.
Tommy takes a shaky breath, hands trembling not to fidget. Still standing next to Father, too terrified to make a move. Upon hearing Tommy’s huff of breath right next to him, Father once again put all his attention back to Tommy but not too much because he just tilts his head with eyes still lingering to the TV. His face cascaded by the sharp colorful light from the TV shrouded by the darkness of their living room.
“You know” Father clicked his tongue in disapproval. “Instead of just standing there, why don’t you be useful and make me a sandwich” With a flick of Father’s hand motioning him to go away, Father goes back to his sport channel. Not bothering to see Tommy jolted back to life and hastily goes to the kitchen.
‘Yeah he will make Father a sandwich’ Tommy gingerly walks to the kitchen. A few times he stumbles on his feet, not noticing the dark surrounding. Body moving purely based on habits that had been long drilled into his mind. His Father did always like sandwich, it would lift his mood and stir it away from Tommy. He will be good!
He finds his way to the kitchen, hand shakily fumbled in the bottom cabinet because Mother always put bread underneath. He is pretty sure they still have a loaf of bread left over from yesterday. ‘Huh nothing?’ His frazzled mind couldn’t accept the lack of bread. ‘Maybe Mother moves it to other places?’ Speaking of moving, he remembers Mother used to berate him for the dishes left unclean. Not having meals for days really hammered the lazy habit out of Tommy. He will be sure to never miss his chores so that this house won’t kick him out. What was he thinking about? This house? Tommy is being silly again, he just have one home—
Oh.
He found the bread. Tommy also somehow finished making the sandwich. Crustless bread with cold cheese and 2 sliced hams just like how Father likes it.
Like usual, Tommy stands behind the couch as to not disturb Father’s sport news. Father will eat it when it’s time, so in the meantime Tommy will hold Father’s plate of sandwich for him.
“Tom—? What ar—“
Tommy floats more, as time moves faster that way. His eyes focused on nothing in particular but the old santa figure on top of the TV. The static noises felt nice as its getting fuzzier to even think. Eyes blinking away crusty dry tear tracks from his eyes. Tommy felt nice. He feels good. He will be good, will be useful, will be a perfect kid that he is for Father.
For Wilbur.
“Tommy?”
Techno just got home from his part time on the university’s library. He pretty much can already feel the hot shower he is about to get. The keys jingle as Techno about to turn the front door key, only then he realizes the door is not locked. Heck, even the lights are not on. It’s pitch black here! Isn’t Wilbur and Tommy supposed to be home at this time? Jeez, these two will probably die if left alone in a apocalypse.
As Techno steps inside the dark hall, he removes his coat and hangs it on coat rack. Carefully not to jostle his papers and sheets inside his briefcase.
Just when he is about to turn the lights on, he notices a figure in a living room. Techno squints as to see who it is, while silently feeling the wall to find the light switch. With how loud Techno entered the house, he pretty much sure it either Wilbur or Tommy standing there. If not one of them, that figure would have scrambled to hide.
“Tommy?” Techno assumes with that height.
But to no luck, the figure still menacingly stands there with no recognition to being addressed. The lights finally flickered on and the figure turns out to be Tommy, standing behind the couch while holding —is that a plate of sandwich?
“Tommy? What are you doing in the dark?” No answer, Techno’s voice probably too small. But Tommy doesn’t even seem to acknowledge his presence, his body is facing the black void of TV.
“Are you gonna watch some movies or something?” Techno’s eyes flicked to the TV. He is pretty sure no interesting TV shows is airing at this time aside from news broadcast and nature documentaries. He walks closer to Tommy and puts his hand on his shoulder. Tommy’s face is unreadable with a shadow casted over his face due to the low lighting in the TV area.
“Tommy?”
Techno about to wave his hand in front of Tommy when he seems to finally snap out of whatever state he was in with barely hidden body flinch. Any concerns Techno had on how eerie Tommy was immediately forgotten, his shoulder sagged with relief. Tommy’s eyes seems to frantically scanned the living room, until finally finds Techno’s brown eyes.
“You gonna watch or something? Cause the TV is off if you don’t notice” Techno ignores the fact he had asked that twice. The eerie silence seems to drag a few more seconds than Techno would like to.
“Uuh… Tommy are you—“
Whatever Techno wanted to say, Tommy beats him to it.
“I’m going to sleep. ‘Night Techno.” Tommy hurriedly left the living room, carrying his uneaten sandwich.
Techno thinks of nothing with that interaction.
He probably should have.
Because as the days went on, Techno no longer chalked it up as Tommy being weird or Tommy being tired.
Techno pretty sure— No, he really sure it all started on that night when Techno found Tommy standing in the dark living room.
It’s been about two weeks since that interaction, and Techno thinks he needs to do something about Tommy. To say he is worried about the kid is an understatement. But he doesn’t want to make assumptions, it’s not Techno if he doesn’t plan his way meticulously over things he focused on. Albeit slow. That’s why Techno found himself in front of none other than his good friend, (literally) brother even, Wilbur Soot.
He knocks once. Twice. Thri— Oop no need as he heard muffled come in! from who he assumes Wilbur himself. As he enters the room, Techno immediately notices the state of the room. How it looked like a Wilbur-sized tornado just ran rampant and threw all his belongings scattered all around the room. Honestly, the stuffs that are strewn about probably has their own respective reasons to be there. Either it to be quick access or Wilbur just doesn’t bother to tidy up the place. The only clear area is the desk Wilbur currently occupying.
Surprisingly, Wilbur seems to be not on the Rush Mode. His back no longer on the constant shape of C, but all relaxed into the padded chair. Hands on top of the sheets, with one hand holding the pen. Techno can see the numbers and tables from the book, so Statistics then. Despite the casual atmosphere, Wilbur has yet to face him. He seems to be deep into his assignment but still aware of his surroundings.
So Techno lets him be. He gives him time, but he does not leave the room. Techno pads his way to the bed, and makes himself comfortable enough to wait it out. Techno should have been concerned with how tense everyone is. How detached everyone from each other lately. Techno instead just focused on counting of how many pair of socks does Wilbur own that he can still have socks despite the 7 pairs sticking out on the laundry pile carelessly thrown to the corner of the room.
A moment later, Techno sees movement from Wilbur. “Finally!” Wilbur turned his chair and faced Techno. “Techno! Long time no see!” He chuckles. Techno just huffed. Though he agrees, it does feel like ages since he saw Wilbur despite living under the same roof for years. In the time Techno prepared himself to just brutally deliver what in his mind, Wilbur whirled himself back to the desk. Techno unimpressed face must have gone unnoticed, because Wilbur just continues to clatter here and there looking for something around his desk.
While his hands busy checking his bag, desk, drawers, Wilbur still does acknowledge Techno’s presence. “What’s up?” Techno tries not cringe with Wilbur attempt at idle question.
“When was the last time you talk to Tommy?”
The tense question Techno posed instead being dismissed with casual response, “huh probably yesterday? The day before that? No idea. What’s wrong?” At the same time, Wilbur lets out a small ‘There you are’ upon finding his little worn leather notebook. The lack of focus on the conversation making Techno hesitant whether to continue the talk or not. It seems Techno is the only one aware of the unseen and uncomfortable buzz in his stomach that had been stewing inside.
“Tommy has been acting weird these past few days..”
The next morning came. After a quick brush and clothes change, Techno made his way to the kitchen. With Phil still away in his business trip, Techno does not expect a breakfast is served neatly on the dining table let alone toasts and scrambled eggs, with wrapped sandwich on the side. Orange juice was fresh out of the fridge, visible from the dew on the surface of the gallon.
He was planning to just grab a coffee and going on his way to his morning class. So Techno invited himself over to the table, and sat on his unsaid designated seat. Only then did Techno notice Tommy, after he suddenly stood up out of nowhere, perhaps after squatting down to look at the contents of the lower cabinet. When Tommy turned his back just then he noticed Techno, Techno also noticed the flinch. ‘ I mean, anyone would what with his silent presence.’
Techno and Tommy just stared each other for a moment. Because Tommy chose to stay silent, “Tommy, you looking for something down there?” Techno asked while sipping his coffee. Tommy then proceeded to pour himself a glass of orange juice, Techno thought the jittery move and hesitant glance from Tommy of nothing. Before he sipped his drink, Tommy muttered “Just looking for bread.”
Techno perked at the mention of bread. “Oh have we ran out of bread already? I think we still have some from last week groceries.” Techno stood up from his seat, and went to the cabinet. He immediately found still one loaf of bread stored in the pantry. “The bread is here, Tommy.” Did Tommy just miss a whole loaf of bread? And then just went checking other shelves? Techno raised an eyebrow, while Tommy’s mouth just gapped like a goldfish. An awkward blinks then Tommy took the bread, resumed making the sandwich.
“You in the mood of making breakfast or something?” Tommy just hummed, and silently worked. Techno felt out of place, so he just put his empty cup of coffee into the sink. When Techno about to leave the kitchen, Tommy stopped him. “Techno, your sandwich” At Techno surprised look, Tommy continued talking. “For your brunch.” Techno took the wrapped sandwich and muttered a thanks, then leave the house feeling oddly warmed.
But the warm and sweet gestures didn’t happen once. It continues for days, soon becoming a routine of some sort. An invisible chores and tasks that seemed to bound Tommy. Techno never noticed the oddly clean and tidy home upon getting home after long days of study and works, so he regretted the late realization of the changes around the house. And especially his very little brother, whom he assumed the core of all these weird atmospheres around the house. Nothing and everything is changing.
Techno has since dismissed the silent and lack of conversation from Tommy as him having morning fatigue. Alas the false tranquility alluded something bigger happenings. That something Techno has no idea.
“Weird how?”
“I can’t explain it, It’s just it’s— It’s like a stranger.” Techno’s fumble and apparent concern finally makes Wilbur turn himself once again, giving full attention to what Techno is trying to discuss. The silence urging Techno to continue.
“He does nothing and it’s weird. Tommy always do something—” Dark brown eyes meeting chocolate brown. The moment unfortunately being cut by Wilbur’s phone ringing. “One second, Tech. Sorry.” The previous apprehension, in hope that Techno’s concern reaching Wilbur, ceases just like that.
“Wait it’s Wednesday?” At Techno disheveled hum confirmation’s, Wilbur hurriedly stands up. “What?” “Sorry Techno I forgot I got practice meeting today..” Wilbur unapologetically says while impetuously preparing himself to leave.
“I will get back to this later—“
One night Techno was awakened from his accidental short nap. He then went to the kitchen to get water. In the down of a dark hall, he stumbled upon Tommy. His face was shadowed by darkness. The little swaying had him worried whether Tommy was just being sleepy. But he noticed Tommy was holding a plate of sandwich, with mouth busy muttering incoherent words. Techno however caught one that repeatedly being said,
“For Wilbur”
The next morning Techno found uneaten sandwich in the trash can.
“You should talk to him, Wil” Wilbur stops himself, he almost walks out of his room. Techno’s oddly calm tone yet with storm raging in his face got him stumbled a bit.
“Yeah, yeah I will.”
“No, promise me. Promise me that you will talk to Tommy.” Techno is still stay seated on top of Wilbur’s bed, but the request weigh just as good as Techno screaming crying and begging.
Wilbur gulp the anxiety away, “I promise.” He talked under his breath. Nodding one last time, Wilbur bids farewell to Techno.
Once Wilbur left, Techno is laying splayed on Wilbur’s bed. He hopes Wilbur actually makes true to his word.
And despite the uneasiness and anxiety rolling off of Techno, Wilbur stayed oblivious. Too busy with keeping his life, at the same time losing one. The blissful caress of ignorance.