Sleepy Bois Turnabout?

And The Clock Strikes Zero

Wilbur opened his eyes. Ugh. Ugh. Uuuuugghhhhhhhh... he had to go to work and talk to his bosses like an adult. He grimaced, reaching over to turn off his alarm. He laid there and for a moment- just a moment- considered going back to sleep. Maybe he should have. Maybe it would have solved everything if he'd just been an hour or so late. Maybe... but probably not. Too much was going wrong for a solution that simple. Besides, it doesn't matter now if it would have truly changed anything or not. He didn't. He threw off his covers and sat up, knowing if he laid down any longer he'd slip back into sleep, and then he'd never be up.

He stretched, rubbing his face. He needed to get moving or he'd fall asleep sitting here. Why was his bed calling to him so badly this morning? Yeah, it was early but he hadn't been up that late and he'd been able to get going just fine on much less rest. It wasn't even just that he was tired, it was that something inside him was crying to curl up safe and snug in his bed. It was- it was almost familiar. He stared at the pile of stuff on his floor (that he still needed to put away properly from yesterday) waiting for the rest of his brain to turn on, waiting for his mind to load a proper thought. It was... he shook his head. It was that fucking feeling again. Damn it. He thought it would go away after some sleep. It had been fine last night when he'd talked to Sally- oh.

He smiled, mind jumping ship. He and Sally had a date tomorrow. He needed to see if his family was on board. Phil was gonna be busy and Techno rarely wanted to go anywhere but Wilbur was certain they'd jump at the chance to meet his girlfriend. He shuddered, unable to decide whether he should dread or look forward to the event. He needed to- fuck! He needed to give Tommy back his phone! He quickly checked to make sure it was still in his coat pocket, okay, maybe he should go invite Phil in person and return it then?

He let his mind swarm around the possibilities as he got ready. He didn't really have much to do apart from getting dressed and grabbing some breakfast, this (combined with the fact he woke up with basically ten minutes to get out the door) meant he was on his way in no time. It was bitter and cold outside, essentially still dark, but it was winter. Still, something deep inside Wilbur couldn't help but feel a little fear at the foreboding weather. He might have driven a little (a lot) slower than needed on his way to the shop, and not just because of the potentially slick roads.

By the time he finally got to work he'd managed to swallow back most of the feeling. He'd have to tell Schlatt about it, that he might be getting sick, but there was nothing he could do until he actually was sick. He took deep breaths in of the frozen air, taking confident strides down the alleyway. He was compensating for the icky cowardly way he'd been feeling but fake-it-till-you-make-it could apply quite literally to emotion so it was intentional. It worked for a moment. By the time he got to the shop, he found himself feeling rather upbeat. Even when he remembered he'd lost his keys his mood only dipped for a second. He simply knocked on the door and waited.

It only took a moment for Schlatt to open the door. As Wilbur stepped in with a friendly smile Schlatt returned the gesture, motioning for him to follow. They walked to the backroom. Schlatt was in his usual get-up, despite the early hour. Wilbur didn't know what his obsession with suits was but he never was one to judge, good or bad. At least you couldn't deny the man looked sharp.

"Man, I don't know how you can bother to do that."

"Do what?"

"Dress so fancy all the time, I could barely be bothered to change out of my pajamas this morning."

"Oh, yeah I guess. Y'know, I dress formally, not 'fancy.' Besides, I've been up for hours, it was no big deal getting dressed. I'm a b-"

"Businessman, yeah," Wilbur laughed.