At Least We Have Each Other (SBI AU)

Chapter 2- I'm Still Here

Techno POV

Techno yawned, opening his eyes. He thought for a moment about the hard day ahead and found a smile forming on his face. Their father was going on his business trip today. They would alone for a couple days. And to make it even better he was off work. He could spend the entire day with his brothers!

He climbed down from the bed, smiling at his two brothers sleeping. It almost felt like a crime to wake them up, but if he didn't their father would. He moved to Wilbur, gently shaking him awake. 

The brunette groaned, shifting closer to Tommy, if that was even possible. Techno chuckled, shaking him again. "Wha-what?" Wilbur yawned, blinking his eyes open. 

"You guys have to get up." Techno whispered. "Dad will want to see us before he leaves."

"That's today?" Wilbur mumbled, slowly waking up.

"Yeah, now come on."

Wilbur nodded, gently shaking Tommy in his arms. He took Tommy's icepack, letting the bag drop to the floor. "Toms, wake up." he spoke gently, kissing the boy on the forehead. "We got to get up Tommy."

The blonde groaned, peeking his eyes open. The older two chuckled, watching the boy yawn before snuggling back into Wilbur's arms.

Techno knelt beside him. "Tommy, come on." A smirk appeared on his face, "Unless you want me to get the water..."

That did the trick, causing the younger to jump out of bed. "No! Anything but that! I'm up! I'm up!" he shouted, suddenly wide awake.

Techno chuckled, ruffling the younger's hair affectionately. "You make it too easy." 

"Boys! Where are you?!" a loud voice boomed through the house, immediately causing Tommy to cling to Techno. It was like all the laughter had been sucked out of the room. Techno always hated that.

Techno stood up, forcing his brothers to walk behind him. Sadness filled his chest as he noted the uncertainty in Wilbur's eyes. "I'm not going anywhere, I promise." he whispered, hating himself for ever thinking of leaving in the first place.

"Pinkie promise?" Tommy whimpered, holding his pinkie out. Sometimes Techno forgot just how the young the kid was. Still at the age where pinkie promises were unbreakable.

The older nodded, linking his pinkie with the younger's. "I promise." He hated how uncertain they were. But after everything that he had done, he couldn't blame them. He could only keep his word.

The brothers walked downstairs, each stair crying out in pain. Techno stood in front, his hand grasping Tommy's. Wilbur was close on his heels, gripping the sleeve of his sweatshirt.

Reaching the kitchen, he froze. The figure of their father stood there, not a scent of alcohol on his lips. Gulping, Techno took a deep breath, burying his fears deeper into himself. As deep as they would go. He couldn't run. He couldn't leave them. He couldn't.

Shaking his head, he spoke up, "You wanted to see us, sir?"

The man turned towards them, eyeing Techno as if he were expecting something. "I'm leaving for a couple of days. When I return I expect this house to be spotless. Am I understood?"

Techno nodded, squeezing Tommy's hand. "Yes, sir."

The man turned away from them, continuing to stuff papers into a bag.

Biting his lip, Techno found the courage to speak again. "Sir?"

"What do you want boy?" he snapped, whipping around to face him.

"I-I was just wondering-" he cleared his throat. "Can we have money for meals, sir?"

All at once it was like a fire ignited inside the man. "Do I have to pay for everything?! I give you a roof over your head and clothes on your back! Is that not enough you selfish little brat?!"

Techno took a step back, keeping Tommy and Wilbur behind him. Sometimes Techno believed the man was scarier sober than drunk. At least when he was drunk he was predictable and at least there was an end to it. This was something else entirely. To say Techno was terrified was an understatement. He had never felt the urge to run more in his life. But he planted his feet firmly. This time would be different. He would keep his word. He had to.

"I'm sorry sir." Techno apologized, looking down. He needed to keep the man calm. He had to keep his brothers safe.

"You should be." the man scoffed, once again turning away from him.

Grabbing his terrified brothers, he steered them back to their room, the safest place in the house. As soon as they stepped into the room, Tommy collapsed into Techno's arms, sobbing into his chest. The poor boy was petrified. Techno held him close, trying to calm his own racing heart. "It's alright Toms, I'm here." he whispered, trying to calm the panicked child.

Out of the corner of his eye, Techno spotted Wilbur. The brunette was gripping at his hair, tearing it from the roots. He muttered to himself, seemingly trying to calm himself down. But it wasn't working.

Carefully he moved towards the younger, still holding Tommy. Slowly he took the teen's hands in his own, guiding him towards them. "I'm here Wil, you're okay." he reassured, feeling the younger stiffen as he was brought into a hug. It took a few minutes before Wilbur finally melted into his embrace, wrapping his own arms around Tommy.

Techno didn't loosen his grip. He thought to himself, shaking his head. He had left his siblings to deal with that man alone. When they couldn't, they were just kids. He was supposed to be the protector. And he had failed, worse than he could have possibly imagined. And he hated himself for it.

Suddenly the front door slammed, throwing him back into reality. Tommy and Wilbur jumped, moving closer to him.

"It's okay, I'm here. I'm not leaving." Techno held them as close as he could, wishing he could take it all back. Wishing he could have been there.

How could he be so selfish?

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Hope you have a wonderful day!

-Snowy