Piece by piece to love | Sleepy bois inc

Chapter 24: Nightmares of the past

Wilbur suddenly sat up in his bed, thoughts rushing through his head, breath uneven. He looked at his hands in horror, gosh, he was trembling so much... he, he couldn't...

WHY DO YOU CARE, IT'S MY LIFE, NOT YOURS!

No, stop, stop this!

BUT YOU'RE MY SON!

Please, stop.... Just stop...

I DON'T GIVE A SHIT, OLD MAN, MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!

No... why... why... stop...

WILBUR, STOP SCREAMING AT DAD, HE DID NOTHING WRONG! HE'S JUST WORRIED AND SO AM I!

Please... end this...

I DON'T NEED YOUR PITY, I'M FINE! IT'S NOTHING BAD!

Please...

WILL, THOSE ARE DRUGS!

- Will?- a crying voice rang in the air, suddenly snapping him from his misery. Tubbo. Tubbo was standing in the doorway, clenching tightly to his bee, dried tears marking his cheeks. He honestly looked like he was about to cry again, scared and ridiculously small...

- Tubbo, what happened?- Wilbur brushed his own worries off, despite the voice still cracking and shaking. He didn't want to remember anyway... he was so stupid back then...

- I... I had a nightmare and... this is embarrassing...- Tubbo tightened his grip around the plushie, trying to hide his face in it.- Can you sing me a lullaby? Like back then?-

- Sure, come here, sit next to me- Wilbur lifted his blanket, tapping the place on the mattress next to him. His bed wasn't too big, but it should be enough for the two of them. Tubbo hesitated for a second, glancing once again at the empty hall as if he was considering getting back to his own room, but he finally moved towards the ghost. He was actually surprised that the sheets were warm, he suspected them to be cold... but when he leaned on the ghost he could feel the warmth of his skin as if he was a normal human, his steady breath, smell of old wood... the only thing that was missing was a heartbeat.

- Why are you awake, Wilbur?- he asked, looking at the ghost's face, tired eyes holding so much pain in them.

- You could say I had a nightmare as well- Will smiled faintly, before everything melted into sadness again. He was sixteen back then, school and depression was getting the best of him... no, there was no explanation for it. He was so stupid thinking that drugs were the solution to all of his problems. And dad was just trying to help him, he was so worried and scared for him... and back then, during that fight... Wilbur said too many hurtful words.- When I was a few years younger than you now I got into a fight with my dad. Of course it was me who was wrong, but I didn't want to admit it... And I told him that I didn't want to be his son anymore- his heart ached at that memory, seeing once again his dad's face, full of shock and pain. He wasn't even angry... it would be much less painful if he only got angry, but no, he was just so SCARED!

- Did you make up?-

- Yeah... and after that I got to both therapy and recovery session- Wilbur tried to smile once again, but his face wasn't listening, tears streaming down his cheeks. Gosh, he was so helpless...

- That's nice- Tubbo smiled distantly, his voice bitter and cracking.- Because my brother never said sorry- Wilbur looked at him in surprise.

- Your brother? I never knew you have one-

- Yeah... I HAD an older brother, once- Tubbo sounded so dry, as if without emotions. There was only pain behind those words, the kind that you fell opening old wounds.- He died in a car crash about two years ago. I wish I could miss him... I wish I could have been sad back then...- Wilbur was actually scared for the boy to continue. He looked so hurt, what in the world happened to him?- He was a terrible person and dad pretended not to see that... He would get drunk and beat me without a reason, just for fun... When I was twelve he nearly raped me too...- the ghost felt his heart claunch, cold dread washing through his mind. He... what?

- Tubbo! Why... why didn't you tell us about this?!

- There was no point- teenager stated, turning away from him as if he was trying to escape his gaze and worry.- He's dead and... I don't want to get back to those memories... I prefer thinking I was the only child... Only Tommy was someone I could call brother, so...- suddenly Wilbur hugged him tightly, surprising him. He strangely felt so safe in his warm arms as he heard him sob, while he was stroking his hair gently.

- Well, now you have us, right?- man smiled softly, fixing the blanket on the boy's shoulders.- Techno and I can be your responsible older brothers- Tubbo looked at him in disbelief before suddenly bursting into tears and tackling him harder with a hug.

- Yes... I would like that very much...- he sobbed, as Wilbur tightened his grip as well, starting to sing a slow, peaceful song. His voice sounded so magical in the silence of night... Soon Tubbo was sleeping soundly in his arms, tears dried and new dreams in his heart. But this time... it was their family. Just the five of them.