A Step By Step Guide To Mortality

Just One Night

Once the situation is explained, Phil is more than happy to go to dinner. Wilbur was awkward when asking, convincing Phil that it wasn't necessary and he'd never be forced to go if he didn't want to.

It didn't make a difference to Phil.

Phil thought the offer to stay the night was strange, but it quickly dawned on him that Wilbur must have made that a condition of the agreement.

Besides, it was only one night. Phil knew they could all be pretty chaotic but how badly could one night go?

The drive over was a little bit tense, with Techno trying to crack some jokes and Tommy laughing a little bit too loud the whole time. Phil was nervous, but trying to make it look like everything was fine. So much had been going on recently, he wasn't sure how to juggle it all. The best thing he could do for Wilbur right now was be there for him.

When they finally reach Wilbur's house, a long circle driveway that's gated with a white fence, it's safe to say all of their jaws collectively drop.

"Okay..." Phil trails off, staring out the window at Wilbur's house.

"Holy fuck!" Tommy presses his face against the window. He leaves behind a grease mark on the glass. "Wilbur, you never told me you were rich."

" I'm not, my parents are." Wilbur sighs, playing with his hair. "And it's not something I mention to people."

"Clearly." Techno sucks in a breath. "When we eat the rich, I'll have to reconsider our relationship."

Wilbur laughs quietly and Phil drives in slowly, taking in the sight.

The house is massive; a huge multistory building with an older design that Phil is amazed at.

As they drive up towards the entrance Wilbur's parents are standing there waiting for them, dimly lit by the outdoor lights.

They weren't running late by any means so it was strange they were stood there. Phil tried not to give it much thought. He had this weird feeling in his chest, like a tightness ball of string he needed to unravel.

For a second he thinks it's him being nervous, but there's something deeper than that. It's almost uncomfortable how strong it is.

It feels like a protective energy, building inside him for Wilbur and the boys.

Phil wants the night to go well for Wilbur, of course he does. It would be ridiculous to not.

But a small voice in the back of his head still tells him that Wilbur is practically his kid and he can't seem to get it to shut up.

Techno wasn't a big fan of this place. He'd been to fancy foster houses before.

The ones with private domed greenhouses and massive glass windows with oil painted art on the walls.

He found those ones often harboured the worst secrets. As though the bigger the estate, the more room for hidden things to bury. Wilbur had never said anything terrible about his parents, but that didn't mean Techno was relaxed. Your parents have to be pretty shitty to convince your kid to go homeless for months.