Work Text:
The hum of the computer was filling the silence of the room, Tommy sprawled back on his seat - staring tiredly at the monitor in front of him. He furrowed his eyebrows, staring at the last message Wilbur had sent him.
I’ll call you soon, promise.
He scoffed as he read it over for the 100th time, glancing over to the time. It had been three hours since Wilbur had sent that message; and usually, Tommy would believe that the older male would be busy with something instead of sitting near a computer talking to a sixteen year old - and Tommy wouldn’t be so upset over it.
Except Tommy knew that wasn’t the case when he had gone onto Phil’s stream - hearing Wilbur laughing along to something that Techno had said. It had already been an hour and a half since Wilbur’s message at that point, so Tommy wasn’t as mad when figuring it out. It was okay, because Wilbur was allowed to talk with other people, surely it would only be for a little bit, right?
No, Wilbur never left the call with Phil and Techno. It was late at night, Phil’s stream going on for longer than it should have - and three out of four of the sleepy bois were present. Tommy knew he could just join the call with the three people he considered family, but he was stubborn. He didn’t want to join when Wilbur should have joined him hours ago, having to hear Wilbur be reminded of the blond he was supposed to call and apologize in front of thousands of people - and Tommy would be forced to play along, telling Wilbur that it was no big deal.
It was a big deal to Tommy, and he doesn’t want to forgive Wilbur just like that live in front of thousands. He wants to have a conversation about the older male forgetting about him, one on one with him. He wants to explain to Wilbur that it had genuinely hurt his feelings to be forgotten so easily - and that he left Tommy hanging. He wanted to kick and scream and cry, but all he could do was sit in his gaming chair, staring blankly at his monitor; listening to his friends laugh once more to something so stupid.
He felt the tears spring to his eyes as they laughed without him, not even daring to type out another message to remind Wilbur that he was still here, and he doesn’t sit well with being forgotten about-
Tommy watched as a donation came in, asking where he was. Phil had laughed and answered; saying that he was probably sleeping, and Techno snorting and saying a quick ‘lame’; yet Wilbur had stayed silent. He stayed quiet for a few minutes as Techno and Phil conversed with one another - until Wilbur had let out a poor excuse to leave, baring his farewells with the other two doing the same.
He heard Wilbur leave the call in the stream, just for his discord to start ringing a few seconds after. Tommy glared at the screen, wanting to just ignore the call; to ignore Wilbur and let him know that he’s upset about it. That he’s mad at him for leaving him waiting for hours on end.
He let out a sigh as the call ended, just for his discord to start ringing once more. Sitting in his chair properly, he opened up the application; answering the call.
“Wilbur.” He says tiredly, his voice lingering with different emotions, Tommy hearing as Wilbur got ready to start his rant. “You’re going to say sorry, and give whatever excuse for forgetting about me; and honestly, I don’t want to hear it. I know I'm replaceable and easy to forget about, and there are better people to talk to than me - but it still hurts, Wil.” He blurts out before Wilbur could even start; being met with silence from the brunette on the other end of the call.
“Tommy, what? No, no - you’re wrong! You’re not easy to forget about, or replaceable, Toms! I know you don’t want to hear it, but I am so so sorry. I got held up-” He begins, Tommy huffing out a laugh as the tears begin streaming down his face.
“You were on stream with Phil and Techno.” He mutters, Wilbur’s end of the call going silent once more for a few minutes; until the older male lets out a sigh.
“There is no excuse, I did forget we were supposed to call; but please believe me when I say that you’re not forgettable, Toms. You’re my little brother, I could never forget about you.” Wilbur says, desperation lingering within his words. Tommy furrowed his eyebrows, leaning back into his chair.
“Yet you forgot about me.”
Why couldn’t Wilbur just give in and agree that Tommy wasn’t important to him? He had to keep up the act that Tommy was something to him, and that Wilbur actually cared for him when Tommy knew that he didn’t.
He knows, so why keep up the act?
Why did this hurt so much?
“I know, and there's no words I can muster up to say an apology, or even give an excuse as to why I did. I know I screwed up, Toms. You can be angry with me, scream at me, cry; and I’ll take it. I will sit here and listen to everything you have to say, because I care about you. I love you, Toms. You’re my family, and I could never not love you.” Wilbur says softly, Tommy breaking at the words.
“I-I’m so tired of being left behind, Wilbur.” He whispers, Wilbur’s heart breaking at the words and wanting to drive over to hug his little brother. Wilbur wanted to go and reassure him that he’ll never be left behind, and that he’ll always be there for him.
“You’re never going to be left behind again, because you’ll always be by my side.”
Tommy cried. He cried for how stupid this whole thing was, and he cried because of how his mind was telling him otherwise. He felt so torn between believing Wilbur and pushing the brunette away once more; hanging up the call and just going to bed.
He cried for what had seemed like forever until he physically couldn’t anymore, head laying on the desk; using his arms to position it comfortably. He sniffled every now and then, his eyes beginning to grow more tired by the minute. Wilbur noticed, a small smile forming on his face. “Go to sleep, bubs.” He says quietly, Tommy humming softly in response.
“M’kay, night Wilby.” He mumbles, hanging up on the call without letting Wilbur get another word in. He got up from his chair, collapsing on his bed; falling asleep immediately.
And if Wilbur was at his house by the time he woke up the next morning, and Tommy had cried once more at the sight of him; none of them spoke of it.