At Least We Have Each Other (SBI AU)

Chapter 24- The Door is Always Open

Wilbur POV

The next day, true to his word, Techno instructed them to say their goodbyes. Tommy was heartbroken. He wouldn't leave Kristin's side for hours, never wanting to leave her. Just glancing at them was enough to break his heart and refuel his frustration.

Wilbur tiptoed to the attic, hoping to say one final goodbye before their departure. Taking the instrument in his hands, he plucked the strings carefully. "I'm sorry Simone." he murmured, already feeling the loneliness radiating from the guitar. "I really did try."

The echo of footsteps made him jump. His eyes widened as he spotted Phil coming up the stairs. He still wasn't sure of the man. Whether it was from habit or experience, he couldn't bring himself to fully trust the man. Not like Kristin at least.

Phil paused, meeting his eyes. "I can leave if you want."

Wilbur took a deep breath. They were just talking, nothing more. He could do this. "No I-I trust you." His voice was hollow as the lie slipped through his lips.

Phil smiled gratefully, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. He sat a little away from the teen, keeping his distance. He didn't want to jeopardize the small amount of trust they had. "You're pretty good. Better than I ever was." He chuckled as if tickled by a memory.

"I doubt it." Wilbur tried to hide a smile.

"Well it's true." the man insisted. "There's a reason it was rotting up here... I never quite understood its strings..." His fidgeted with his hands, almost as nervous as Wilbur. "Did you name it?"

Wilbur paused, his fingers drifting across the smooth wood. "Simone."

Phil nodded, "Good name."

The brunette looked away, knowing there was history behind that name. "It was Mom's name." he said softly, like a lullaby to the instrument itself.

The man sighed, "I'm sorry you've had to deal with so much in your life. You're so young and yet you've seen more than most adults." Wilbur looked up, not expecting the sudden apology. He couldn't help but smile. It was a reminder that they didn't deserve it, that they were simply dealt a bad hand.

"It's alright. We... we always manage."

Phil smiled back. It seemed so genuine, more than Wilbur gave him credit for. He hesitated, "If you don't mind me asked, what did Techno say?"

Wilbur groaned at the mention of his brother. "That he's the oldest and he knows what's best for us. Which is the biggest lie I've ever heard. If it was true he would have accepted."

"Stubborn."

"Too stubborn." the brunette agreed. Thinking to himself, he knew he had other options. "Maybe I could stay here-"

But Phil cut in before the idea could truly fantasize him. "You need to stay together."

"I know but-"

"Our door will always be open. Besides, Techno will realize his mistake eventually."

"Not fast enough." Wilbur commented.

Silence lingered between them. Much to the teen's surprise, it wasn't at all uncomfortable. Instead it was something else. It was sad, almost.

Wilbur glanced up towards Phil, relaxing a bit at the man's reassuring look. "Thank you for everything."

Phil sighed, predicting exactly what he meant. "You're leaving today then?"

"Well Techno is..." But he couldn't finish his sentence.

But the man nodded, suggesting, "You should take Simone with you." He could see the bond they had already forged. And to break that, seemed like the worse crime of all.

"No!" Wilbur shouted, startling both of them. "No, I-I want her to stay here. I want her to be safe."

"Are you sure?" Phil looked on in worry.

"Yes... but I can always come back to play, right?" Wilbur looked up at him, full of so much hope. It would be cruel to even suggest to distinguish that light from his eyes.

"Of course." the man promised. "We would never turn you away."

"I wish I could stay. I wish I could change his mind." Wilbur sighed, his eyes burning with tears. He's was getting ripped away from the thing he wanted most.

Phil smiled sadly, wanting nothing more than to hug the boy. But he knew the boy required his space and he respected it. "We'll see each other again, I'm sure of it."

Wilbur could only hope he was right.

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