Duchenne (DSMP Superhero AU)

Chapter 45

Icarus had picked up Thanatos and Dolus from the park, berating Dolus for being so reckless. The whole flight home was just "breaking promise" this, "You're gonna start a war" that. By the time they got home, Dolus just wanted to go home and hide. He sighed as they landed, making a beeline for the door.

"Yeah yeah, I won't do it again. Only attack if directly provoked."

Icarus sent him a nasty look.

"If you really had that in your brain, then how come you keep on attacking Dream and Arson? Last time that happened, you died!"

Dolus flinched, turning away. Thanatos just watched in silence, not commenting. Icarus glared at Dolus for a few moments longer, all three just standing outside. Eventually, Dolus took a deep breath.

"Dad, I-"

The door was flung open, Dolus stumbling back in surprise. Ranboo stood there, glaring at them.

"Stop squabbling and get inside, you're going to get found out! Plus, Tommy was screaming and crying just now and NONE OF YOU WERE HOME!"

----<>----

Wilbur sat next to Tommy, who was just drawing smiley faces all over the paper he had. He didn't show any signs of returning emotion, other than the red puffy eyes and tear stains on his cheeks. Phil was in the kitchen, making hot chocolate for everyone. Techno had locked himself in his room, talking to someone on the phone about something. Ranboo was in the bathroom, he said he was cleaning up something Tommy had done.

Wilbur could tell what that meant. Tommy may seem fine now, but Wilbur saw the bandages all the way up his arms and legs. He thought he saw some bandages under his shirt too, and he hated it. He hated that his brother was this broken. He wanted his happy Thomas back. He wanted to be able to joke around with Tommy, watch stupid movies and get insulted in every second breath. This Tommy was just heartbreaking to see.

Tommy tore off the smiley face page, his pen flying across the paper. Wilbur watched curiously as a crude drawing of Wilbur smiling slowly emerged. He grinned as Tommy turned to show it to him.

"Awe Tommy... I'm sorry if I seem sad, I just wish I could have been home to protect you."

Tommy stared at him for a while longer, before ripping off the page and witing something in the corner.

No matter what happens to me, keep smiling because someone will always be there for you.

He folded it and gave it to Wilbur. Wilbur took it with a gentle smile, ruffling his hair. Patches of it was missing but he ignored it for now.

"Thank you Tommy. I hope that I can see your smile again someday."

He willed for the universe to let Tommy smile. He willed for the muscles in TOmmy's face to work. He pleaded silently that Tommy would grin brightly back at him and say "Here you go Wilbur, you really need to stop being so sappy."

Instead he stared at those emotionless eyes. They looked away from him, back to the paper. He drew his own face smiling, ripped it off and held it in front of his face for Wilbur.

And that little action hurt more than if Wilbur had been stabbed.

----<>----

Dream took a deep breath. What happened to Sapnap yesterday was unforgivable. He needed Thomas back, away from those violent assholes. Away from the people he despised to call family. And there was only one thing he could do.

The elevator dinged.

Dream walked out of the elevator and towards the room where his biggest ally was. He flung the doors open, grinning at the goat man and his bee child.

"Hello Mr President, hello Tobias."

Tobias stared back at Dream wide eyed, turning to his father. But Schlatt just stood with a grin, walking around to Dream.

"Dream, old friend! Are you having fun with the revive book?"

Dream nodded, taking off his mask. Toby held back a gasp, recognizing him from the video that Wilbur had shown him and Ranboo. Clay held his hand out for a handshake, Schlatt accepting it with a grin.

"You may have noticed that Seirin and Theseus were affected by the book. However, that caused Seirin to become violent and a threat to public safety. I believe that you should start a war with the Syndicate and get rid of it, once and for all."

Tubbo stood up, slamming his hands on the table and drawing the attention of both men.

"That's ludicrous! You're the cause of this, you should be in prison!"

Clay sighed. Schlatt turned to Tubbo, glalring.

"Show a bit more respect Tobias, just because you're back now doesn't mean you call the shots."

Tubbo opened his mouth again to protest, but CLay butted in.

"Tobias, if it weren't for me you'd be dead. You were pretty young at the time, I don't know if you remember. I came to Schlat after hearing you had died and gave him the book. You should be grateful."

Tubbo stared at Clay for a moment longer. What? How? That... That wasn't true, right? He glanced at Schlatt, who nodded.

"That's another reason you should respect him. You'd be suffering in limbo if it wasn't for him."

He turned back to Clay, tightening his grip on his hand.

"I'll tell the heroes that we're arresting the Syndicate, you gather as many villains as you can. If any Heroes disrespect you, tell me and I'll make sure Sam fires them."

Clay nodded, locking eyes with Schlatt. A grin spread across his face.

"Let's cause some mayhem."