Chapter Text
Tommy never knew why Wilbur, switched rooms.
Or why he stopped talking to him.
Whenever they had dinners as a family Wilbur avoided his eyes, if he even came down to eat in the first place.
With his parent closing the gates Tommy couldn’t help but feel alone.
But Tommy wasn’t giving up on his brother. The castle never felt colder, or maybe that was because of the snow slowly falling outside his bedroom window, wait-wait Snow! Tommy thought. His favorite memories with his older brother was during the winter, he remembered the cold nipping at his nose and not caring because of the warmth left in is heart while he laughed with his brother. All Tommy wanted was to be that way again.
Tommy opened the door to his bedroom as quietly has a could making his way through the castle in a way that wouldn’t alert his parents that he was awake. It’s not like they would fucking care, his mind hisses, Tommy pushed the thought away even though he knew it was true, his parents were just as distant as Wilbur was but Tommy couldn’t find it in himself to care. They were wronguns anyways.
At the end of the hall, practically on the opposite end of the castle from Tommy’s room, was Wilbur’s. Tommy grabbed the handle, fully prepared to barge into his brothers room and force the hermit to spend time with him.
As he turned the handle he noticed two things; first, the handle was cold to the touch, Tommy was surprised at that I didn’t think it was that cold outside? The second, it was locked. Of course it was fucking locked, he obviously doesn’t want to see you. Also it’s fuckin 11 at night he might be sleeping.
All of those thoughts cycled through Tommy’s head as he as he sat down in disappointment. There was light coming out from under the door, he HAD to be awake, so why won’t he let Tommy in? Why doesn’t he want to be with Tommy as much as Tommy wants to be with him? They used to be so close.
In one final act of desperation Tommy knocked.
It wasn’t loud or pounding, just a polite knock before taking a breath and asking “Wilbur?” ….nothing, just empty silence. One more try, “would you maybe wanna build a snowman?” Still nothing, Tommy’s eyebrows furrowed, a mix of frustration and devastation settling in his chest “just fuckin- just forget it” he chokes out before retreating to his room.
————
Wilbur knew from a very young age that he was dangerous.
If he didn’t know when he was ten, almost killing his own brother was enough for him to learn that.
And If he didn’t know it then, right now would probably be a great example.
He didn’t mean to hurt his father, Wilbur swears it, it happened like this:
The powers keep lashing out, Wilbur cant laugh, can’t cry, can’t dream, he can’t live.
Those were the words he was all but screaming at his father, Wilbur knew he should be more cautious around someone as prone to fury as his father, but he couldn’t handle it. His life was falling apart in his too cold hands and the one person who could help was practically banished to the other side of the castle.
No, Wilbur couldn’t be mad about that. It was for the best, he nearly killed the most important person in his life, Tommy deserved a life without the burden of his brother.
Tears were streaming down his face crystalizing into small pieces of hail as they fell, ice slowly creeped out from under his feet onto the floor and up his leg, like his powers were trying to get Wilbur to acknowledge them. Wilbur wasn’t even angry at his father, he just wanted him to understand how much he was hurting. That nobody hated Wilbur’s powers more than Wilbur.
Then father took a step forward, and Wilbur panicked. His father got closer and closer, reaching out towards him, Wilbur fell back onto his hands using one arm to cover his face, pleading “no, no- don’t touch me.”
A sharp sound cut through the room, then there was silence.
Wilbur tried to calm his breathing as he peeled his eyes open. looking down at the marble flooring of his bedroom, there was a small puddle of red forming in front of him, he looked up to find the source of the red drip. His eyes locked on his father’s wide ones, there was a large slash across his face, reaching from the base of his cheek to the bridge of his nose.
There was a giant spike of ice protruding from the floor where Wilbur’s hand was, the tip was covered in blood, father didn’t even say anything. He didn’t yell or hit, he simply turned and left, the look in his eyes said everything it needed to.
Wilbur struggled to get to his feet and tried to follow his father out only to find his bedroom door locked from the outside.
Wilbur knew in that moment, crumpled at his bedroom door begging to be let out.
He knew when he saw that look in his father’s eyes.
He was dangerous.
—————
Tommy might have been getting a bit crazy, but it wasn’t his fault! It had officially been two years since the gates were first closed and to be honest there wasn’t much to do around the castle. he would go to his tutoring sessions, and talk to the castle staff of course. After the gates closed most of the staff had been let go, except for a few extremely trusted workers and to insure secrecy, Tommy’s parents had those staff members family’s live in the castle too.
Because of this, Tommy met a few people his age, those of which he was very grateful for in his solitude. One that stood out was purpled, the younger brother of one of Tommy’s father’s most trusted guards.
Him and purpled got along well, despite not seeing each other often. with purpled training to be a guard like his brother, the time Tommy got to spend with one of his only friend was time he cherished.
Other than that, Tommy spent most of his time wandering the castle. by the time he was eight, he had named every painting in the castle and given them backstories.
He would study, paint, read, and occasionally- attempt to talk to Wilbur. His tries were usually fruitless, ending in either silence on the other side of his brother’s bedroom door or a quiet “go away Tommy.” Being huffed from the elder. But no matter how many times Tommy was turned away, disregarded, and ignored, Tommy couldn’t bring himself to stop trying. To give up hope that one day his brother would open the door, smiling wide and fling his arms around Tommy.
It was foolish, and super unrealistic, but dreaming was the closest thing Tommy had hope nowadays and no matter how sad and more importantly fucking angry Tommy felt towards his brother, he knew he couldn’t give up on him.
Because he’s Wilbur, and Tommy loves Wilbur.
———
“Put these on, see if they help”
Wilbur’s mother said, taking off the dark purple satin gloves she had been wearing and placing them into his hands, before taking a few steps backwards. The king wrapping an arm around her almost protectively.
Wilbur knew he should feel hurt, at the obvious fear in his parents eyes. But he was also glad that they kept their distance, that meant less chances for Wilbur to act out and hurt someone, (or for them to hurt Wilbur.) he slipped the gloves on while murmuring a quiet “thank you mother.” They were a bit big on his slender hands but he would grow into them eventually.
Wilbur folded his hands in his lap and kept his eyes down, just like his father taught. And he waited patiently for instruction, trying to keep his breathing even.
“Elise, would you step out for a moment dearest.” Father’s voice booming in the silence of Wilbur’s room.
Wilbur still didn’t dare look up as he listened to the sounds of his mother leaving the room. He repeated in his head over and over, he’s not going to hurt me. I haven’t done anything. Until his father finally spoke, “Wilbur, go to the fireplace and put out the fire.”
Only then did Wilbur look up. “yes sir.” Wilbur said quietly, nodding as a sign of respect but not daring to look his father in the eye.
He kept his steps even as he walked over to the fireplace, outstretching his gloved hands towards the fire and letting go.
Using his powers felt like breathing, and Wilbur hated it. All he had to do was allow himself to feel. Feel his anger, feel his sadness, feel his desperation and it would come pouring out. It felt as though his powers controlled him more than he controlled them.
So when Wilbur allowed himself to breathe, allowed himself to push the fear and pain resting in his in his heart out through his fingertips he expected the warmth emanating from the fire to dissipate as the logs froze.
But nothing happened.
It was as if a dam was put up. No magic left Wilbur’s hands. And Despite the uncomfortable feeling overcoming his hands and body, like the anxiety he was trying to let go of being held in, Wilbur couldn’t help but smile,
He could control it.
Wilbur turned to his father with no hesitation, and with excitement filling his words, he blurted out. “it worked.”
And for the first time since the gates had first closed, Wilbur’s father smiled.
———
Tommy was watching the clock hands tick when he was so rudely interrupted.
Sam- Tommy’s personal guard- walked in announcing “prince tommy? Your presence is requested to see the king and queen off- what are you doing?” He cut himself off looking down at Tommy who was lying on the ground with his feet kicked up onto the glass of the old grandfather clock in the library.
“I’m trying to figure out if the minute hand is off or not” Tommy said not looking away from the clock “oh?” Sam said looking a bit amused “because most of the time it goes off right at the same time as the bell tower. but every three hours it’s a few seconds off” Tommy explained further.
“Well although this seems like a very important investigation, you are needed in the main hall” Sam restated, now also looking at the clock with a furrowed brow “if the clock is bothering you I can have someone take a look at it?” Sam looked back to Tommy reaching a hand down to help him up from the floor. “I don’t wanna fuckin see my parents off. What am I supposed to say? ‘Bye, try not to die I guess!’ Or some bullshit?” Tommy huffed standing up and dusting off his pants “I probably won’t even realize they’re gone with how little time they spend with me anyways.”
Tommy knew he probably shouldn’t be saying things like that, but those who worked in the castle knew basically everything that went on inside. It wasn’t a secret that the royal family was a shit show, just no one outside the royal family could say anything about it or Tommy’s father would have them shipped off to another continent or something.
Regardless, Tommy took a deep breath and pasted on his ‘perfect, behaved, prince’ face and made his way out of the library. “so do you want me to get someone to look at that clock?” Sam asked holding the library door open, “oh fuck no, then what would I do for fun?” Tommy grinned at his guard.
“we really need to get you a hobby, your highness.” Sam sighed closing the door behind them.
———
a loud knock at Wilbur’s door startled him out of his thoughts, a guard spoke through the door as no one but the king and queen had authorization to enter Wilbur’s room without specific orders from his parents. “Your highness you are needed in the main hall too see the king and queen off.”
“Alright, give me a moment please.” He responded quickly as he stood and checked his appearance in the mirror. after messing with his hair for a bit he deemed himself good enough, he looked down at his hands to make sure his gloves were secure before opening the door to his room and nodding to the guard to walk him to the main hall.
As they walked, Wilbur tried to calm the shaking in his hands. His parents were finally leaving! Wilbur should be excited. Even for a short time, he would be free from stress, free from hurt and exhaustion. Maybe with them on a trip he could finally talk to Tommy- Wilbur cut that off immediately because what those thoughts failed to realize was that if his parents left, he would be completely alone.
And Wilbur was scared.
And no, them leaving doesn’t provide a lucky opportunity for him to spend time with his brother, Wilbur reasoned with himself. He actually couldn’t think of a WORSE time to try and see Tommy, when Wilbur is stressed and vulnerable and the only people that can control him are away to who knows where.
The door to the main hall was held open for him as he entered. His father waved, asking the guards and any other caste staff to give them a moment alone, once they were all gone and the doors had been securely shut, Wilbur approached his parents, bowing deeply while keeping a reasonable distance as his father taught.
“I trust that you are ready?” His father began, no sound of sympathy in his tone, just cold insistence. Wilbur took this as a sign that he may speak “father I-I’m scared. I don’t think I can do this on my own.” Wilbur grimaced at how his voice shook, vulnerability leaking out of him. “You must. And you will.” His father said with no room for argument. “What have I taught you?” The king asked, there was no warmth in his voice. “Conceal it, don’t feel it, don’t let it show.” Wilbur recited like a mantra, the words comforting in his mouth from years of repetition.
Just then, one of the doors to the hall opened, revealing one of the palace guards and a head of blond hair that made Wilbur’s breath hitch.
“Oh, forgive me your majesty. I was told to escort prince Thomas here, I apologize if I interrupted something.” The guard- Wilbur vaguely remembers his name being Sam- said in an even tone before leaving the hall, giving Tommy a comforting pat on the back as he left.
“Come here my sunshine” his mother said with a warmth she had never addressed Wilbur with, holding her arms out and smiling at the younger. Tommy seemed…surprised? Before give a soft smile and returning the hug.
“I’ll miss you” Tommy said, allowing his father to cup his cheek and kiss the crown of his head, “we will only be gone for a few weeks.” The king comforted before pulling away and looking back to Wilbur, the ice of his gaze returning. “Wilbur, I trust that you are ready?” He said, there was no smile on his face as he addressed his older son.
“I will try not to let you down father.”
———
The silence in the room was uncomfortable, and Tommy felt like his father and Wilbur were having a silent conversation that Tommy wanted no part of, considering their expressions.
Tommy didn’t realize that he had been staring at Wilbur till his mother took his head in her hands once again, “well we must be on our way. We love you very much.” She said, and Tommy had to resist rolling his eyes because the last three years say fucking otherwise but he kept his perfect prince face secure over his expression.
As she finally pulled away, he and Wilbur locked eyes. Coffee brown meeting icy blue, and for a moment Tommy could almost convince himself that Wilbur cared, that he wanted to run over and hold Tommy tight and just talk as badly as Tommy did.
Just for a second he had that look of desperation and love and wanting that Tommy saw every time he looked in the mirror, and then-
He ran away.
Wilbur turned around and left, nearly slamming the door behind him.
And Tommy was crushed. “Stay safe, come back quick.” Tommy rushed out, quickly turning to his parents and giving them a quick bow before walking as quickly as he could out of the door he came from.
As soon as he was out of sight, he sobbed.
———
When the news came that the king and queen were lost as sea, no one knew what to do.
Everywhere in the kingdom, people were devastated, and inside the palace walls there were two boys, neither of which shed a tear, not filled with grief, but fear.
It wasn’t until it was announced that the late king and queen had wanted Wilbur to claim the throne when he came of age that Wilbur allowed himself to cry.
———
It had been a few weeks since the funeral, and Tommy felt lost.
Maybe that’s why he found himself wandering the castle, he would listen into the gossip that circulated, maid, chefs, knights and guards discussing how they thought the king and queen died, and if they thought Wilbur could handle being king. Tommy knew he should shut those types of conversations down, in respect for the dead, but he couldn’t bring himself to care. He couldn’t bring himself to care about anything.
Maybe that’s why he found himself in front of his Brothers door, Hand raised to knock. Tommy wasn’t sure what he was going to say but he couldn’t make himself walk away, so he started simple.
“Wilbur?”
“Hey, i was just wondering how you’ve been.”
“Sorry I know that’s a dumb question, probably really shitty.”
“I just want you to know that I’m here for you.”
Tommy found it was kind of easy to pretend Wilbur was sitting with him, and he just let himself keep talking.
“I was thinking we could maybe take a walk? Or sit and talk? Maybe you could let me in?”
“Hey! You’re going to be king! That’s exciting. I’m sure you are going to do a fucking excellent job”
He thought about their parents
“You know, it’s just you and me now. We only have each other.”
And for the first time all week Tommy started crying.
“I don’t know what to do and I really need you.”
And Tommy couldn’t wait anymore. He couldn’t keep expecting Wilbur to be there for him. To open up that door.
So he walked away.
———
Wilbur’s room had become his own personal hell.
Ice spikes covered the ceiling and floor, boxing him in, The tears on his face crystallizing into ice that cut into his skin, sharp pieces of ice appeared on his hands as he squeezed his arms causing little red cuts to form on his upper arms.
the red of his blood mixing with the white of the snow covered his floor was almost beautiful.
And Wilbur couldn’t breathe, he couldn’t think, his parents were dead and now the kingdom looks to him. Little do they know they are looking to a monster in the making to rule their kingdom. Wilbur’s hands dug in more. He can’t do this. he can’t he can’t he can’t he can’t HE CANT HE-
“Wilbur?”
Suddenly a voice breaks through his panic, it’s quiet and timid but Wilbur could recognize his little brother’s voice anywhere. Wilbur has to try and steady his breathing in order to hear what is being said on the other side of the door, and as he breathes in for four, holds for four, and breathes out for four, he pushes his back against his door and just listens.
It’s not anything big or important, just ramblings and little thoughts that Tommy shares but just hearing his voice calms Wilbur down from his spiral and it doesn’t hurt as much to breathe anymore.
And then Tommy says somthing, and he sounds completely heart broken when he does.
“I don’t know what to do and I really need you.”
And Wilbur shatters.
If it weren’t for the circumstances, if it weren’t for Wilbur’s powers, if it weren’t for the danger the Wilbur posed just by existing, then he would fling the door open and hold his brother till the end of time, whispering promises and comforts and apologies until they are nothing but dust. But Wilbur can’t, He can’t put Tommy in danger like that, no matter how badly he wants it.
Wilbur breathes a tear making its way down his cheek as he grieves. Not his parents, but his little brother and the love he deserves, and whispers to a boy that is already gone,
“Do you wanna build a snowman?”