Predator (DWT x OC)

26

I swirl tea leaves around in the bottom of my cup, focused on the way they float in the dregs of cold tea that I left from the morning. Dream sits next to me, arm stretched over the back of my chair, his fingers playing with the hair on the nape of my neck. It's a peaceful moment, one of pleasant quaintness and comfortable silence. That is, until there's a knock on the door.

Dream jerks, dropping the papers he was holding. I jump up and hurry to the door, unlocking it and pulling it open. It swings open to reveal the last person I ever thought would be here.

Wilbur. 

I stand in shock, gripping the edge of the door tightly, taking in the man before me. Dream realises who's at the door and in a flash pushes me behind him, arm stretching out protectively over the door frame as he wedges himself between me and Wilbur. 

"So a month is up and your first thought is to come here and torment Rosie?" Dream snarls, Looking Wilbur up and down with contempt. Wilbur doesn't even blink, turning his gaze onto me, a controlled calm masking his face. I'm frozen on the spot.

"No, I simply wanted to talk to Rose." He says carefully, still staring at me.  

"No fucking way. You don't to waltz in my house and start calling shots, I don't give a shit that your month is up." Dream scoffs, but I put a hand on his shoulder. 

"It's alright Dream, I want to talk to him." I say, eyes locked on Wilbur's. He wants to talk? Let's fucking talk. Let's talk about the fact that I'm here, the fact that he threw me out of L'manburg, from my home and my family. Dream doesn't respond for a second, still sizing up Wilbur, but he drops his arm. Wilbur brushes past him as he comes into the house. 

Dream leans down to meet me at face level. 

"If he does anything, I'll be here ok?" He says. I smile back at him. 

"I'll be fine, don't worry." I reassure, but he doesn't calm down, muscles tensed and a watchful look in his eye, full of alert and distrust. I lead Wilbur into another room, with a couple of armchairs and a small table in the centre. We both sit, tense silence thickening the awkwardness that permeates the air. There's a rush of emotion bubbling up inside of me,  I'm so glad to see him until I remember what he did to me, then there's just anger and hurt. 

"Rosemary, I came here to apologise." He says softly. I just look at him in disbelief. Apologise? Are you fucking kidding me?

"Oh you came to apologise? Do you actually think your fucking words are going to fix this? You handed  me over to our enemies so you could be the hero for L'manburg, you selfish dick. You treated me like property to be traded! Do you have any idea about how demeaning that is? I'm a human being, a member of L'manburg, someone who has remained loyal after EVERYTHING I have been through and you still fucking tossed me away like I meant nothing. So go ahead Will, apologise. Get on your knees and fucking beg. Nothing is going to change this." I spit, hatred rearing its ugly head as anger boils beneath my skin. I'm gripping the arms of my chair so tightly my knuckles are glowing white, arms shaking. 

Wilbur looks taken aback, lips pursed into a thin line as he clasps his hands in his lap.

"Is that what you want Rose? You want me to beg for your forgiveness?" He asks, eyes locked in a piercing stare.

"Don't fucking condescend to me." I grit back, teeth clenched so tightly I think my jaw is going to snap. 

"Tommy and Tubbo have made me realise how wrong I was to call you a traitor. I see now the sacrifice you have made for L'manburg, how much you've helped us. I am truly sorry Rosemary, what I have done to you is unforgivable. I regret it so so so much, I'm so sorry." He croaks, voice breaking off at the end. It's my turn to be taken aback by his emotional outburst, and his change in tone.

"And yet, I'm still sitting here, I'm still barred from my home. Do you see this Will? This is it. This is the life I will live until I die. So thank you so much for your regret, and your realisation and your apologies. I'm sure they'll come in handy when I'm still trapped in this goddam shit hole and losing my mind." I snap venomously, hurling words I know will hurt him out of spite. I don't feel pity, or relief at his words. They only fuel my anger, because I am so sick of apology after apology  people give to me, sorry becoming an empty word bouncing around my skull. No matter how many times people are sorry, it does not change where I am, it does not erase the pain and hurt I have suffered and it does not make me feel any better. 

"Rose I-" He starts.

"Shut the fuck up. I'm still talking. For once in my life someone is going to listen to what I have to say. I am so tired of people ignoring me, and my feelings, so you are going to shut up and listen. I want to go home Will. I want to be back home with everyone, I want my family back. I'm still a member of L'manburg, and now it's your job to get me back." I finish, choking slightly as tears threaten to spill over my lashes, the world blurry and underwater. 

"You're right, you're still a member. I promise you Rose, I swear on my life, that I will get you back home to L'manburg. I am truly sorry, and I will prove to you that I am." He says urgently, conviction in his voice. I only nod, refusing to give myself hope. Looks around, then leans in and whispers. "Tommy and Tubbo have scrapped the plan, but I'm helping them work out a new one. We're going to try and negotiate with Dream before anything else." 

With that, he gets up, shooting me a look filled with sorrow and regret as he leaves. I hear the door slam shut, but I don't move. I'm trapped in my seat, eyes glued at the wall, mind buzzing with a billion different things. Tears slide down my numb face, but I don't know if they're sad or happy, or just because of the whole overwhelming mess of the situation I'm in. 

"Rosie what happened?" Dream's concerned voice snaps me out. He's kneeling in front of me, rough fingers hastily wiping off my tears. "I swear to god if he hurt you." He mutters, more to himself than me. 

"Its fine." I say, a little too tersely. He doesn't fight me on it though, even though I know he's just itching to punch Wilbur in the face. Instead, he wraps me up tightly in a rib cracking hug, brushing soft kisses to the side of my head. 

I only cry harder, because I just begged his enemy to help me leave him. 

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A/N Really sorry I didn't upload yesterday, I was super drained and exhausted. Anyway, I loved writing Rosie giving Wilbur a piece of her mind because that's my favourite Rosie to write, when she doesn't take any shit from anyone. I love Rosie because while she's been through so much, and is so vulnerable, she's also incredibly strong and it's inspiring to me.

Thankyou you all so much for your support!

Hope you enjoyed,

Oopsies x