Chapter Text
Wilbur remembers his brother, Techno, shying away from the crowds under his arm, clinging to his sweater. It’s odd that he’s still reminded of that boy looking at his twin now. He was older, not by much, but still older. You could tell by the longer hair, though now turning into a pinkish color at the roots, and his developing facial structure. If anything, Techno definitely didn’t look like the shy kid he used to be. Wilbur could still feel him there though, even when everything about him is changing.
Dad stayed right next to him the entire time, only leaving when it was absolutely necessary. Wil had dinner by himself now, along with lunch and breakfast. He trained by himself too when he really wanted, but it felt so wrong to do it without his twin.
One night, when he was trying to fall asleep, he heard a strong cry come from Dad’s room, where Techno was staying for the time being. It lasted for what seemed like forever, and Wil wanted to go see his brother, but he knew that Dad would push him away and tell him to go to bed. He didn’t sleep that much that night, he woke up with purple spots under his eyes like his father has.
He’s tried to ask about it before, once, when it first started happening. Wil was training with Techno, but that day was odd. His twin got tired easily, breathing heavily at the end of every quarrel. Even if he was shorter than Wil, Techno was definitely the better fighter- it was easy to see. Dad seemed concerned even then, but it wasn’t as bad as it was now.
Wil was the first to notice a big change in Techno. They were outside in their treehouse that Dad made for them. He seemed pretty normal for the whole day, it was only when the sun hit his brother’s eyes did he realize they were lighter than the dark brown hue they shared. Once Wil told their father, he turned pale and took Techno away for the rest of the day. When he woke up the next morning, they were back- and that’s when Techno was moved to Dad’s room.
It’s been a week since, and Techno hasn’t left the room, to Wilbur’s knowledge. He finally got to see him yesterday when he was sleeping, which is how he noticed the change in his hair color. Dad didn’t say much at the time, only a few words being exchanged.
“Is he alright?” Wil asked, big doe eyes staring up into his father’s tired blue one’s.
“He’s just sick Wilbur.” Dad’s voice was hoarse.
Looking from his sleeping brother to his father, Wilbur’s voice got small, “Is he going to get better?”
Dad only sighed, leaving the question for the world to decide. He turned from Wil and leaned over, kissing his sleeping twin on the forehead. “Let’s get you to bed.” And so he did.
The next few days went on like that, Techno didn’t cry or scream at night, but he slept a lot. Wilbur got to see him only when he was sleeping, he was afraid that he would never get to train with his twin again. Or even forget the sound of his voice. Once when Dad was making dinner, he snuck into the room and cried next to Techno’s side, afraid for what was to come. Though he was so young, he somehow understood the situation enough to feel worse and worse about it each day.
Then weeks passed. Wilbur noticed the changes throughout time. The pink roots moved to the rest of his hair, only leaving the tips the same warm brown that he started off with. He also had a pink pair of pig ears sticking out of his chin long hair. Reaching out, Wil poked the fleshy ears, the tips bouncing a little bit. They were real! He let out a small gasp as his twin’s eyes fluttered open, his eyelashes still brown. Though his eyes weren’t. They were pink, and obviously so.
Techno stared up at his brother, doing nothing but blinking. In a few seconds, he sat up, and Wilbur smiled a great big smile.
“You’re awake! Dad said you were sick.” He said, patting the spot next to him. Techno scooted over to sit next to him instantly, his feet hanging off the edge. Except they weren’t feet, they were hooves.
Wil wasn’t startled or scared, just glad to have his brother back. And a little interested in the pink fur and hooved feet. “When did you get those?” He asked, pointing at the said pink hooves.
Looking down, Techno was not at all phased, but when he opened his mouth to speak, he widened his eyes. “I-” His voice sounded smaller than usual, “I haven’t talked in, awhile.”
“You sound the same!” Wil exclaimed, kicking his legs happily.
Frowning, his twin stared at his feet, flexing his toes, “Good, everything else changed.”
Somehow sensing the sadness in Techno, Wilbur frowned too but then grabbed his brother’s hand squeezing it, “Not really. You’re still my favorite twin!”
“I’m your only twin.” Techno said plainly.
Wilbur smiled a toothy smile, “Exactly, you’re irreplaceable.” Though Wil could still sense his restlessness, Techno smiled genuinely.
“You haven’t changed either.”
They sat there for a moment, Wil talking to Techno about all the things that happened while he was sick, though there wasn’t much to go over. Just about how Dad never left the room, and how lonely dinners and training were without his brother. Wilbur didn’t even step in the treehouse, thinking it would be bad luck to go in there without Techno.
Of course, Techno found this conversation pointless, though he enjoyed listening to another person again. The two didn’t go over details that kids found boring, like how much time had passed since Techno first got sick, or exactly how his hair turned pink, and how he acquired hooves. All that mattered was that he was here now, with Wil.