Dream SMP - The Valley AU

Chapter Four

I heard every word. They were trying to hide something from me. Something dangerous. But Dad didn't hide whatever it was from Techno. My mind circled for the rest of the day, but I didn't investigate. Something in my head told me to stay away. Instead, I grabbed a notebook and started scribbling down everything I knew. Everyone I know insults my handwriting, but I could read it fine. People just know how to read their own handwriting, and I think my siblings knew that. Wilbur walked in and spotted me.

"Are you writing a story? I'm kinda surprised!" I rolled my eyes. I wasn't going to tell him what it really was.

"No, it's a notepad. I want to remember things in the future, and this is the best way to do it." Wilbur giggled. "What? Don't you want to remember things? For someone who takes so much time appreciating stupid things, you seem really weird about me writing things down." Wilbur's expression changed. He looked surprised.

"Tommy when I was younge-" He was cut off by the sound of the door opening. Techno slumped down onto his bed and closed his eyes. Why did it have to be now! Wilbur was about to tell me something. This was the first time in my life I had wished for Techno to be secretive. I knew he still wasn't going to tell me anything, but Wilbur was. I turned to the next page and started to write a note. I was writing very calmly and slow, trying to make sure it was easy to read.

Pick a time. I want to talk with you and Tubbo. Both of us have a couple of questions for you. Don't tell Techno. I can't tell you why, but just understand that he can't know what we discuss.

-Tommy

I carefully ripped the page out and dropped it below Wilbur's feet. Luckily, it lander upsidedown, so Techno couldn't have read it. Wilbur began to climb the ladder that leads to my bed, holding a pencil in his hands. I flipped to the very last page, and we began to talk with only our pencils.

"How about Tomorrow around 1pm. I should be bored with guitar by then. Phil will be out on a walk, so we won't have much trouble getting out of the house." He didn't mention Techno at all. He also used Dad's real name again, another thing I needed to figure out.

"What about Techno?" I wrote. Wilbur squinted.

"He won't care. Also, you should ask me to help you with your handwriting sometime; this is incredibly hard to read." I giggled. Techno looked up at us.

"What are you guys doing up there?" Wilbur glanced at me. I didn't give Techno time to notice.

"Were reading a funny story." I said.

"May I join you?" That gave me trouble. He needed an excuse and fast.

"We share this bed, and since it's our bed, only we can use it. This is the cool people bed." Techno smirked. My plan had worked.

"Well, if Wilbur is sharing the top bunk with you now, I guess the bottom is open for the taking." Wilbur leaned over. He grabbed his pencil and dangled it over Techno's head. "You wouldn't have the guts, Wilbur." Wilbur leaned forward, staring at the ground below with his pencil getting closer to the center of Techno's head. And then he fell. All I could do was gasp. Techno leaped, and caught Wilbur in his arms, and set him safely onto the floor. "You're not a pencil Wilbur, you are fragile." Behind the smile, I could still see the hint of fear in his eyes, but that wasn't all. There was something about Techno's face that looked disappointed. Was there really a part of him that didn't want to catch Wilbur? Was there a part of him that wanted to let him die? I wrote this as one of the things to discuss with Wilbur and Tubbo.

That night there was something off about Techno. Usually, he would play with his hair as Wilbur played guitar, but today he only stared into the sunset. Dad seemed to notice it too.

"Techno, is anything bothering you? You seem distracted." Techno didn't acknowledge him. He just sat. "Techno!" Techno jumped.

"Sorry, Phil. I'm thinking. I got a little lost in thought, that's all. What were you saying?" Phil didn't answer. None of us told Phil about what had happened earlier. If we did, he would have lost his mind.

I tucked the 'talking sheet' under Wilbur's pillow. I found it fun to talk to him like that. I awoke with a paper on my lap. When I saw the new message I smiled.

"Let's find a special notebook."

"We should do this more often." I wrote. It felt like having a pen pal that I lived with. Still, I knew the excitement of the day was only just beginning.