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Wilbur wasn't supposed to be here, atop the sign declaring "Welcome to Las Nevadas", the land of luxury. It was chilly atop the sign in these moments before dawn had cracked. The cool breeze remained a reminder for Wilbur, that he could feel, that death had not stolen that from him.
It was nice up here, in the wee hours of the morning waiting for the sun to rise with its vibrant hues. It brought Wilbur a peace that shook away all of the discomfort that riddled his existence. As a bonus, it also pissed Quackity off every time he found Wilbur there, lurking in his country.
Today though, Wilbur's intent was not on angering Quackity, but rather a needed escape. His hut outside of Paradise Burgers did its intended job of sheltering him and giving him a place to sleep, but it was suffocating. The longer he remained within those four walls the deeper the feeling of rot sunk in.
He much preferred the cool air atop the Las Nevadas sign. His eyes looked out east where the first rays of the sunrise were just starting to peak their way over the horizon. He was alive, he was meant to be here and experience this sunrise.
"What are you doing up there?" Came a shout from a familiar voice below.
"Hello, Quackity," Wilbur said, not even bothering to look down at him.
They'd been through this song and dance many times before. Some days ending in blood, others with quiet, uncharacteristic moments. Today Wilbur just wanted to live, to breathe.
"You know you're not welcome here."
"Really? I hadn't the slightest idea."
"Ha ha, very funny, Soot," Quackity shouted back, not an ounce of humor in his tone. "Get down from there, I really don't want to have to deal with you today."
He sounded exhausted, weary. Wilbur was sure it was Quackity's own fault, he had a habit of dedicating himself too deeply, spending too much time on whatever it took to keep things running. As if stopping would result in a total collapse of power.
"I'm quite comfortable up here. If you want me to leave you'll have to make me," Wilbur taunted him, swinging his dangling legs back and forth over the sign platform.
"Fine."
Wilbur knew Quackity hated climbing up the ladder on the sign, he also knew that Quackity's wings were more of a showpiece than functional so he would have to use it if he really wanted to get to Wilbur. Inconveniencing Quackity was a full time job, and Wilbur worked overtime.
As he waited for Quackity to reach him he breathed in the crisp air. In and out. In and out. The air was filling his lungs, a welcome reminder that he wasn't too far gone from humanity. His small black wings twitched as the breeze blew through them. He knew his peace would soon be compromised, but maybe that was okay. As long as it was Quackity doing the compromising, He thought.
"You've really got to stop coming here," Quackity huffed, pulling himself up the last few rungs of the ladder onto the platform.
"You'd miss me," Wilbur hummed.
"As if," Quackity sat down next to Wilbur, leaning all his weight back against his arms. He let out a couple of labored breaths.
"I thought you were going to kick me out?" Wilbur teased, finally looking over at Quackity.
"Give me a minute to catch my breath. Then you'll be sorry."
He didn't mean it, Wilbur could tell. He could read Quackity's tells and it was evident that he needed some peace just as much as Wilbur did.
"Or— Hear me out— you could just relax and watch the sunrise with me. I've heard it does wonders on the blood pressure," He turned his gaze back to the sunrise which was filling the sky with magnificent pink and orange hues.
Quackity turned his gaze eastward and let out a breath. "Oh, shit, that is nice."
"I knew you'd get it."
"Don't think this means I'm okay with you loitering in my nation… I'm just making an exception. For one day."
"I wouldn't dream of overstepping my bounds," Wilbur said putting his hands up in mock defense.
"Yeah, yeah. Just shut up and be thankful I'm letting you have this." Quackity laughed.
"Will do," Wilbur leaned in to Quackity's shoulder and Quackity didn't push him away.
Sitting together, feeling the rise and fall of each others chests with each breath, and gazing out at a sunrise together was different, but it felt right. Quackity always made Wilbur feel alive in the weirdest ways, there was a comfort in their push and pull. But right now in this moment it was nice to slow down, and find peace where there was usually strife. To feel alive instead of rotten.