Just a Job | DISCONTINUED |

Chapter Two

"What the heck are you doing on the couch?" Wilbur groaned and sat up, glaring at his brother. "What? It's a valid question." He just threw a pillow at Techno and sighed. He would say it's too early but it's already eight and he needs to be at the office by nine. Techno dodged the pillow and went to the kitchen. "Go check on your kid."

"He's not my kid," Wilbur grumbled, but stood up anyway. Techno was right, he should probably check on Tom. Not that he's Wilbur's kid, because he's not. Wilbur went up the stairs and saw the door to his room closed. Huh, he could've sworn he left it open last night. "Tom?" He opened the door cautiously, not wanting to wake the kid if he was still asleep.

Tom wasn't in bed.

"Shit-" Wilbur whispered and opened the door fully, looking around for the kid he brought home yesterday. "Tom where'd you go?" Then tiny little arms were wrapped around his legs. He felt water soak through his sweatpants at the knee and looked down. Tom was crying. "Hey hey hey, why are you crying bud?" Wilbur kneeled down to Tom's eye level and looked at the boy.

Tom just sniffled and let go of Wilbur. "You-" sniffle "you weren't there when I woke up!" sniffle "I thought you were gone! Like- like Matty." Wilbur's eyes widened, and he opened his arms for the boy. Tom immediately wrapped his arms around Wilbur's torso, well as far around Wilbur's torso as they could go.

"Oh, I'm sorry buddy, I didn't mean to. I didn't leave though, right? I'm right here Tom," Wilbur kept his voice quiet and started rubbing circles into Tom's back. How stupid of him to forget! When he was taken from the streets by Phil, Wilbur never wanted to leave Phil's side. It'd make sense if Tom had those same feelings right now.

Wilbur shifted so he was sitting on the floor instead of kneeling, so now Tom was in his lap. "I have to go in for work in a few minutes, do you want to come or stay here with Techno?" Tom just tightened his arms around Wilbur, and Wilbur took that as Tom wanting to come with him. The kid was still crying though, so Wilbur began to rock back and forth, rubbing Tom's back. "It's alright Tom."

Was he going to be late for work? Yeah, but did he care? No, so it's fine. Besides, it's his P.I. firm so he'll just make up some excuse if anyone tries to stop by. Tom's crying had come to a stop, and Wilbur smiled. "Do you want some breakfast? I can make you something or we can order in." Tom nodded his head, and Wilbur stood up, still carrying Tom.

They went downstairs, and Wilbur set Tom down on the couch. "Okay, what do you want? You can have whatever." The boy shrugged and wiped his eyes with a blanket. "Do you want eggs?" Tom shook his head, "Alright, a bagel?" Tom shook his head again, "What about pancakes? I make really good pancakes man."

Tom nodded, last time he had pancakes was... never. Wilbur smiled and went into the kitchen to gather the ingredients. He normally makes the batter from scratch, but he doesn't really have time today. Another time, he promises himself to make Tom his homemade pancakes from scratch. Even Techno said they were amazing. Wilbur just grabbed the pancake mix Techno uses from the pantry and started cooking. Tom saw Wilbur leave and quickly followed him. He didn't want to be alone, for good reason.

"Wanna help? You can stir the batter if you'd like Tom." Wilbur smiled at the boy and pointed to a step stool next to him that would allow Tom to mix the bowl. Tom looked up at Wilbur with a big smile and ran to the step stool. Wilbur chuckled and handed Tom the whisk. "Okay just like that," he showed Tom how to mix it without spilling stuff everywhere, "you got it?"

"Yep! Big man Tom can mix a bowl super awesomely!" Tom whisked the batter, and Wilbur started up the griddle. He pushed it away from Tom, not wanting the kid to get burned. Surprisingly, Tom didn't spill half as much batter as Wilbur expected him to. Wilbur smiled at the kid and took the batter, pouring it on the griddle.