At Least We Have Each Other (SBI AU)

Chapter 9- A Favor

Techno POV

"Techno? Is that you dude?!" a voice exclaimed through the phone, clearly surprised by the sudden call. It made sense, after all they hadn't spoken in a while. Even if they weren't as close as they used to be, they still had each other's backs no matter what. It was an unspoken rule that both of them refused to speak of, and also refused to break.

"Yeah, yeah it's me." Techno held his phone from his ear, attempting to protect his ears.

"How have you been?! I haven't talked to you in ages!"

"I- uh... I've been better." Techno shifted uncomfortably. He had never told Skeppy about his home life and he wasn't sure that he ever wanted to. "Look Skeppy, I need a favor."

"What's up?" Skeppy responded almost instantly.

"My brother and I need a ride." he began, making sure to keep the destination out of it. He didn't want to talk to Skeppy over phone about what had happened.

"Where are you right now? I can come pick you up right now." Skeppy replied.

Techno looked around, attempting to pinpoint their location. Luckily he spotted the library across the street. "We're right across from the library."

"Alright I'm on my way now." he paused, adding. "Hope you don't mind, but I brought Bad with me."

"Hey it was supposed to be a surprise!" a voice came from the phone, as the failed plan unrailed itself. "Why did you have to tell him?"

"To make sure he remembers to make sure not to swear as soon as he gets into the car." Techno laughed, entertained by their playful bickering.

"I'll see you when you get here." Techno hung up, turning to Wilbur who was shivering in the cold. Techno quickly pulled off his old jacket, wrapping it around the younger. It was soaking yet, but at least it would make him a little bit warmer.

"Who's Skeppy or Bad?" the brunette asked, adjusting the jacket, confusion filling his face. He had never heard these names before. So it puzzled him that Techno talked to them like he known them forever.

"Uh they're old friends of mine. I met them a while back... I haven't spoken to them in a while which is probably why you've never heard of them before. We lost touch after a while." he explained, glancing at the time.

"If you haven't spoken to them in a long time... how can you trust them?" Wilbur glanced at him in complete seriousness.

"They've had my back for a long time Wil." Techno met his eyes, smiling a bit. "They helped me through a lot of things and they didn't even realize it."

"You didn't tell them about... everything?"

"No." he shook his head. "Telling them would have brought them into it and that was the last thing I wanted to do. I didn't want them to feel like they were obligated to find a solution for my problems."

Wilbur nodded, seemingly understanding. He wrapped the coat tighter around himself, his teeth being to chatter. The rain still hadn't stopped, it was still as icy as ever. Techno wrapped an arm around the younger, pulling him into a hug in the hopes of helping him get a little warmer.

"I'm sorry I didn't call them first. I should have been smart." he apologized, burying his face in Wilbur's hair.

"It's alright." the brunette sneezed. "I would have come either way." He leaned more against his older brother, enjoying the warmth.

"I've got to get you out of this cold before you get sick."

Before Wilbur could even open his mouth to reply, a car skidded to a halt in front of them. It was definitely in rough shape, judging by the dents that lined the exterior. The bumper was being held on by bungee cords, with duct tape for extra support. Techno knew the car immediately. Only Skeppy would drive such a junky car. But it ran, that's all that really mattered.

"Techno! Good to see you man!" Skeppy exclaimed, almost forgetting to roll down the window. Bad waved from the passenger seat, a warm smile on his face. "Hop in!"

Techno guided Wilbur to the car, allowing him to get in first before sitting beside him. "Hey Skeppy, thanks for this."

"Of course!" Skeppy grinned.

Bad stared at them, studying them like a book. "You guys must be freezing! I'm buying you muffins hot chocolate!" he exclaimed, taking out his wallet.

Skeppy shrugged, "I can get on board with that." The car drove away from the sidewalk, heading towards the closest coffee shop.

"I didn't say I was getting you hot chocolate." Bad glanced towards him, obviously kidding.

"Hey I'm driving so you owe me." Skeppy reminded him.

Techno ran a hand through his hair, knowing he did not have the money to pay Bad back. "Bad, I don't know when I'll have time to pay you back." he admitted, hating himself for it.

But Bad smiled brightly, "Don't worry about it Tech! Consider it a gift!"

"Are you sure?" 

"Just accept it. You're not going to change his mind." Skeppy added, turning into a drive through. The four of them ordered hot chocolates, with Bad paying for all of them. After waiting a few minutes, the drinks arrived, much to Wilbur's relief.

Techno was grateful of course, but he was growing anxious with how long they had been away from Tommy. "We need to go to the hospital."

"The hospital?" Skeppy repeated, as though the words had a bitter taste on his tongue. "Why do you need to go there?"

"Tommy... Tommy hurt himself and we really need to get to him." Techno kept it short, still not wanting to get them involved. 

"Is he okay?" Bad asked, clearly worried by the statement. Techno used to talk about his siblings all the time. So even though they had never met Tommy, they still knew exactly who he was.

"Yes." Wilbur replied for Techno, noticing the brunette hesitate. "He should be fine."

Skeppy and Bad exchanged looks but allowed the subject to past. They respected the privacy the two wanted. They knew better than to pressure Techno into giving them more.

The rest of the ride was in silence, a sudden discomfort lingering in the air. It was difficult to joke around, knowing there was more to the puzzle. 

The car stopped in front of the hospital, allowing the brothers to step out into the rain.

But Skeppy stopped Techno before he closed the door. "If you need anything. Anything at all. Just give me a call, alright?"

Techno smiled gratefully before nodding. "Thank you Skeppy."

He shut the door, coming to stand beside Wilbur. His heart began to race at the anticipation. Was Tommy okay? Techno knew that he had to be.

Because he wasn't sure if he could handle anything else.

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