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The moonlight shone on Wilbur as he entered the cozy home. He took in a deep breath as he took off his uniform jacket from a long day of work running his kingdom and placed it on the hook.
His bones ached. It was the first time he stayed up this late trying to get work done. The clock on the wall ticked and ticked as he looked at it. Midnight. He stayed up until midnight. Another sigh filled the hallway as he made his way upstairs to his room. He shivered at how quiet the house was. It felt almost empty. Usually Tommy would be up doing something, but nothing echoed in the house.
As Wilbur finally entered his room, he changed into something more comfortable. A yellow sweater and some sweatpants adorned him as he grabbed his guitar. He fiddled with the strings, trying to think of something for a new song. He was about to grab his notebook until a faint cry barely echoed in his room. He gently pressed his ear against the wall, knowing Tommy's room was on the other side. Soon, another cry erupted from the other side of the wall.
Wilbur soon left his room and went to Tommy's. The cries were barely audible outside in the hallway. Soon, he knocked on his brother's door.
"Can I come in?" Wilbur asked. Suddenly, the crying seemed to stop.
"Sure…"
Wilbur entered the room. In the corner sat a jukebox and armor stands stood near the wall. Swords and bows littered the floor and arrows pierced the wall opposite of the bed. A uniform jacket laid on top of a chest. And Tommy. Tommy sat in his bed curled up, sniffling. The moonlight from the window illuminated his red puffy face.
"You're crying."
"No I'm not, bitch…"
Wilbur sighed as he stared at Tommy.
"I just wanted to check on you. Do you want me to stay or no?"
There was a small pause as Wilbur took in another deep breath.
"Stay…"
Soon, Wilbur walked closer and sat on the chest next to Tommy's bed. Tommy hid his face into his knees. He watched as his brother's chest went up and down as he breathed in deep. His breaths were rhythmic, as if trying to calm himself down.
Wilbur frowned as he sat there. It had been awhile since he was really able to spend time with Tommy. Running his kingdom was taking up so much time nowadays.
"I don't disappoint you, do I?" Tommy suddenly asked, his face still hidden.
"Of course not! You're doing your best and I'm proud of you."
Tommy finally looked up and faced Wilbur. There was a pain in his eyes he knew all too well. The type of pain where you hope your efforts are enough.
"I'm just… scared my training hasn't been going well," Tommy said.
"I promise you, you've been doing amazing!"
Tommy suddenly hid his face in his knees again. Wilbur got up from the chest and placed a hand on his back.
"I know it's going to be a hard job, helping me run a whole kingdom, but I wouldn't have picked you as my right hand man if I knew you couldn't do it."
A pause filled the room.
"Thanks, Wilbur… I think I needed to hear that…" Tommy said as he yawned.
Wilbur smiled, "Sleepy, eh? Why don't I sing you something?"
"I'm not two, you dickhead," Tommy yawned, "But yeah, sure mate."
He grinned as he swung his guitar to the front of him. Soon, he strummed his guitar and sang a soft melody, filling the room.
"You can come home to me, when you're ready. I left the gate unlocked for you..."
Soon, Tommy's eyes started to drift close.
"'Til then I'm sending out smoke signals, hoping I'll see yours too..."
Wilbur continued to sing and play on his guitar until he finished the song. Tommy fell fast asleep, now snoring and dreaming. He smiled as he placed a blanket on him.
The moonlight hugged his little brother in warmth as he walked across the room to the door. He looked at Tommy one last time, and soon left the room, his brother now at peace.