there is only us | wilbur soot x reader

Chapter 13 - Foolish

Dream POV

I strode into the throne room with purpose in my step.

In my new, kingly attire, I tugged on my shirt collar and cracked my knuckles. I hesitated by the entrance, looking up at the throne. My throne.

Instead of climbing to the balcony, I made my way to the wall of windows. I looked out upon my kingdom, soaking in the view of what now sat in the palm of my hand. The sheer power was exhilarating, and I had done nothing with it yet. The sudden urge to exercise it came like a bullet to my heart, leaving an open wound bleeding and waiting to be infected.

I admired the towering glass and the way it sparkled spotlessly in the morning light.

And that's when a handprint caught my eye. In the midst of crystal-clear perfection was a greasy stain, the remains of a hand pressed against the windows. It soured the rest of the wall, and I could no longer focus on the beauty. One small imperfection, one flaw, and it all seemed to crumble. It sounded like a metaphor far too relevant for my liking.

I spun on my heel, turning to snap at the guard who had accompanied me to the ballroom. "You. Go find someone to clean the glass."

I caught his shoulder as he passed, stopping him momentarily to whisper in his ear. "And you'll never let this happen again, understood? I will not stand for any inadequacy in my presence, and anyone who thinks otherwise will not stand at all."

When the guard disappeared around the corner, I let out a sigh and turned around to face the room again.

An unexpected guest stood before me, an old friend leaning up against the doorway. Sapnap studied me silently, like he was reading my mind with a single glance. He raised an eyebrow. "How's the king life fitting ya?"

I relaxed into the familiar presence, rolling my eyes. "It's okay. A lot more work than I thought," I replied.

"You put in a hundred times the effort as a general," He scoffed. "If anything, I should be the one complaining."

When I had assumed the throne in (Y/n)'s absence as the last royal member, leaving the spot for general open. I had always had George and Sapnap at my side, ready to take the position if I ever left. But with George sulking and moody, Sapnap had been the prime option.

I had been crowned this morning, the news being spread through the papers immediately after. My first act as king had been to officially appoint Sapnap, and it still felt bizarre how only a couple of hours ago I was dancing and enjoying festivities alongside my people.

I adjusted the surprisingly heavy crown on my head with a glance at my friend. His mouth was pulled into a frown, his eyes distant and unreadable.

"What's on your mind, Sap?" I asked, trying to slice the obvious tension.

He blinked out of his daze, keeping his eyes trained on the marble tile. "Sorry for eavesdropping, but..." He trailed off, fiddling with his thumbs. "Don't you think threatening to chop off someone's legs is a bit much?"

I sighed. Of course, he had overheard my - conversation with the guard a few moments earlier. "I only did what was necessary. I have to exercise my authority somehow, because I can't have my own guards doubting me," I assured him.

He huffed, unsatisfied with my answer. "You are not the man I used to know," He said with a sigh, and then he spun on his heel and walked away.

And he was right. That was the annoying thing about Sapnap; he was always right, even if I desperately needed him to be wrong.

But Sapnap has never known me without (Y/n). He has never known me without my twin, my other half. But now she is gone, and so is the man I "used to be." Sapnap always knew me as a brother. But I cannot be a brother if there was no sister, just as a kingdom cannot thrive without a ruler, someone to keep the throne warm.