Chapter Text
Wilbur is sitting in a call with Phil, Techno, and Tubbo. They're all chatting well then wait for Tommy. They have a group stream in an hour but had planned to call and get set up early, however Tommy is late.
As their talking Tubbo's mom walks into his room. Wilbur watches him turn to her, not bothering to turn of his mic, "wha-"
Tubbo pauses. His mom looks upset.
"I need to tell you something," Tubbo's mom says, her voice soft and sad, "can you come downstairs."
"We're supposed to be streaming in a little bit, just waiting for Tommy," responds Tubbo.
Tubbo's mom winces, looking towards the camera. She looks like she's on the edge of tears. "I think that tonight's stream will have to be canceled, for now can you just come downstairs with your father and I."
Tubbo nods and turns back to his computer, "see you later I guess."
They all say goodbye and Tubbo leaves.
They sit in silence for a while. Wilbur unable to stop the sinking feeling in his gut.
Techno's voice cuts into the silence, "that was weird right?"
"I hope everything's okay with Tubbo's family," responds Phil.
Wilbur can't help but voice his concerns, "what if somethings happened to Tommy."
Wilbur sees Phil freeze, "what."
"You saw her reaction to Tubbo saying Tommy was late, and why would we need to cancel the stream rather than just go without Tubbo," Wilbur's voice is getting more and more panicked as he talks.
Phil responds in a calm voice, "Tommy is probably fine, we talked to him yesterday, he's just a bit late, no need to start panicking, just take a deep breath."
Wilbur takes a deep breath. Phil's probably right. He's probably just panicking for no reason. As he's taking another breath his phone begins to ring. He picks it up and feels his heart stutter.
"Tommy's mother is calling," Wilbur says, his voice not sounding nearly as emotional as he feels. He mutes his mic and answers his phone.
"Wilbur Soot?" He hears Tommy's mom say.
His response comes out a tentative, "yes."
"I'm afraid I have some bad new," says Tommy's mom and the pit in Wilbur's stomach triples in an instant. Tommy's mom continues, "Tommy passed away last night."
Wilbur brain freezes. He cannot comprehend what he just heard. He feels tears start to run down his face even if the reality of the situation hasn't hit him yet. He's just frozen in place. When his brain starts to work again all he can think is this can't be happening. It has to be a dream. A horrible fucking nightmare. The kid he views as his little brother can't be dead. How could this have happened.
Wilbur manages to stutter out, "wh- what happened."
Tommy's mother let's out a sad sigh, "Tommy has had severe heart issues his whole life. When he was born the doctors didn't think he would make it to his first birthday. After that first year he got stronger but we were told he wouldn't make it past ten. We were hoping he would keep defying the odds but last night his heart stopped well he was sleeping. By the time we went to get him up there was nothing that could be done."
Wilbur sobs. Once he's started he can't stop.
Tommy's mom sits there on the phone for a minute then asks, "do you think you'll be able to tell his other streaming friends?"
He looks up at Phil and Techno's faces staring at him with worry and fresh sobs come up, "I can't, I can't."
"That's okay honey," says Tommy's mom, "I'll have Phil's number as well. Take care of yourself okay."
Tommy's mom then hangs up. Wilbur drops the phone. His knees curl up to his chest.
Wilbur realizes he's still in the discord call. His video still on. He can't handle talking. He can't handle explaining himself. He brings a shaking hand up to his mouse and leaves the call.
He doesn't know how long he sits there. His phone occasionally buzzing. Until eventually he ends up stumbling out of the room. Through his house. Looking for something to drink. He soon finds himself on his kitchen floor. Sobbing and drinking from a bottle of vodka. Unable to deal with this fucked up reality he's found himself in.