Dahlia - The Flower Of Betrayal. || SBI Hero AU

-CHAPTER FOURTEEN-

He didn’t know what to do. It was cold, bitter, especially in his light-weight shirt and thin pants, though the puttees on each of his ankles provided the littlest of warmth. But, the weather was not on his mind right now. His hands were shaking, although not from the harsh iciness in the air, but from pure anger. He would find his brother, and he would find Tommy—if it was the last thing he did. 

He had one of the larger blades he could find, seeing it suited for not having another weapon just lying around. It was clutched tightly in his palm, his fingers wrapped around themselves, his own nails jarring into his skin. The pain, however, deemed a nice distraction to the ache in his stomach, the fear and guilt of his mistakes, and the undermining voice in the back of his head yearning for blood, for justice—whether that was the heroic way or not. 

He almost laughed at himself for thinking that. Heroic! Him of all people, a ‘hero.’ By classifications, sure, he was, but what really had he done that was so courageous and valiant that he deserved such a title? It wasn’t like he was such an indomitable foe, because the defeat was rising in on him faster than he could take it.

He had failed in protecting his family. 

He had failed at protecting Tommy. 

But no, he could not give in to the voices. 

His stomping came to an abrupt end, as he heard the voice. If not for the familiarity of it, he would have gone right past without another thought about it. He jerked his head towards the source, and he began to run. 

“Te– Techno?” 

“Wilbur!” Techno knelt at the side of his brother, reaching a hand down to his shoulder. The weaker man tried to push himself up, propping himself up on his elbows, but only in vain, as he fell right back. He was tired, weak, and barely able to keep his eyes on his brother because of the pure guilt. Techno acted fast to try and help him up, but ended up picking him up and setting him gently on both of his feet. “It’s alright, it’s alright, just lean on me. Stay upright.” 

“Just— I’m fine, okay? I’m not the one in danger.” 

“But you could barely stand up, Wilbur. You’re—” he paused, looking up and down at Wilbur’s figure. His scarred wrists, his beaten and bruised skin. His ruffled hair and his roughed up clothes. “Gods, what did he do to you? No, you’re injured, and I’d rather get you healed and then look for Dream. Keeping at least one of you safe is my priority.” 

Wilbur pushed himself off of his brother, straightening his posture, and wiping off his legs and pulling on his shirt. He checked quickly to make sure he didn’t have any stains of blood, then waited for Techno to stop staring at him in awe, and start moving. Techno noticed this, and quickly started his journey, though he slowed his pace for the sake of his brother. 

Wilbur made sure he stayed behind the man, just so he could hide his staggering, and try to muffle the pain while keeping quiet. He bit at his tongue, and kept going, only praying he was close enough to stop momentarily and rest his legs. 

For just a few seconds, he quickened, getting close to the man, before stopping—and just in case, he messed with his shoe to make it seem like he was fixing it, but went right back to following him. 

There was a few seconds of silence when Wilbur began to think he got away with it, but just soon after, Techno stopped. 

“You’re falling behind,” he pointed out. “Are you alright?” 

“I’m fine,” Wilbur lied, rolling his eyes sarcastically. He stopped next to Techno and shrugged. “You are just being slow.” 

Techno sighed, stepping to Wilbur. “I’m being slow because you are falling behind.” The man put a hand on the other’s shoulder, earning Wilbur’s snobby and annoyed eye contact. “Don’t lie to me, alright? I only want to—”