"Ready?" Wilbur asked, a wide grin on his face as he hugged Techno closer to his side.

Techno nodded, though even through his excitement he seemed a little worried. Wilbur was holding onto him tightly though and had yet to let him fall. He trusted his older brother to keep him off the floor.

Wilbur looked out the bus window one more time before turning back to his little brother, smile almost bubbling off him as he started to count down from five. Techno having to wait until he reached 'three' to count with him. Techno was a little behind and as he was saying 'one' both he, Wilbur and the rest of the kids in the small bus were heaved into the air as they hit a pothole with bit too much speed to be really safe.

A round of giggles and laughs erupted from the bus, the kids all being used to the bumpy ride. Techno had been scared of the bus rides to and from school for the first few months before Wilbur had thought to make a game of it. Bouncing just in time to get more air as if on a mini roller-coaster. Techno wasn't the biggest fan really, but it was better then tensing up and waiting for each jolt or jostle from below. It hadn't taken long before the other kids were joining in the game. However, Techno was the only one with an anchor for it. Techno was the only one with a 'Wilbur'.

It was a good thing too, because at the age of 5 Techno was still on the smaller side than what was expected for a kid his age. This tended to make him more timid around others and far more prone to be pushed around by even a slightly uppity breeze. It had been of some concern, of course, between Phil and Kristin on if Techno should still be enrolled in Kindergarten despite this, or to wait a year in the hopes he would grow into his age. However, at seeing Techno excited and chattering to Wilbur about being able to finally start school like him both parents had decided to let him try it out at the very least. After all, Wilbur was there to look after him.

Wilbur, now wheezing with his laughter as he held Techno against his side, slid them both to the back spine of the seat. That last bump had almost tossed them both down, but he'd stopped them, of course, by bracing his legs at the last second on the back of the seat ahead of them. He'd almost forgotten to do so since the last three bumps had been smaller. Still, Techno didn't seem to notice and was still smiling, so he figured it was okay. Just this time.

Leaning up Wilbur peered out at the passing buildings, trying to recall when the next bump would be. He had to be prepared. He had to count down to it. It made Techno feel better to know when they were coming. If Wilbur was entirely honest, he could understand that, and so, as the elder brother by three years, it was his job to memorize what he could to prepare them. By the age of 8 Wilbur knew most of the pothole locations for the bus route to and from school.

Outside the window a blue and gold sign passed by that Wilbur still couldn't read all the way. It made him relax though and look down at his little brother as he settled back against the seat. Techno looked up at him confused for a second before he seemed to realize the 'bump-bump-game' was paused. Wilbur knew they had at least one street and one dropped off kid to go before he'd need to worry about the next one. In the meantime they could just sit and enjoy the ride for a little.

"Techno, do you remember what day it is?" Wilbur asked after a few minutes of just swinging his legs.

Techno looked at him and shook his head with a questioning frown. He wiggled his feet, but unlike Wilbur, Techno's own reached just to the end of the seat but no further. Wilbur smirked at the fidgeting and placed a hand on his brother's head. He brushed back a bit of the sandy brown hair as he angled Techno's face so that their eyes would directly meeting. Techno beamed, knowing this was good news by the action.

"It's Friday!" Wilbur replied with extra enthusiasm as he let his smile grow wider, though he still was drawing it out and making Techno wiggle in his seat for what came next, "I didn't get into any trouble this week and you came home with another gold star."

As he mentioned the gold star Techno's hand ran over the sticker that was pressed into the front of his jacket. It was starting to peel, but Techno wouldn't dare lose it. He loved his gold stars.

"So." Wil started again, Techno's attention back on his brother as he started to wiggle in place once more trying not to giggle with his own excitement, "Sooooo-"

"-We get cookies!" Techno finished, unable to withstand the suspense his brother was building.

Wilbur laughed, ruffling the gently curling locks of his younger brother's hair a bit harder than needed to make his whole body sway at the action. Techno laughed but also tried to push Wilbur's hand from his head, though he wasn't successful.

"You stole my thunder. Little brat." Wilbur teased as his brother gave a short whine.

"I'm not a brat." Techno huffed out, he spoke low so only he and Wil could hear him, but it still made Wil smile a bit.

Techno had a hard time speaking, especially outside of the house. His voice always seemed so small and sometimes it left him breathless. Their parents seemed a bit concerned about it, but Wilbur was sure that with a big of growing he'd be fine. Until then, Wilbur would make sure Techno got plenty of talking practice between rests.

"You so are a brat. A short little brat that still can't count to ten without his fingers." Wilbur pressed on, this time pulling his hand away as Techno swatted at him now.

" You still count on your fingers too." Techno huffed back at him with the start of a pout.

Techno wasn't fully annoyed yet, but Wilbur was sure he could fix that with his next sentence. The bus pulled into a stop and Techno as leaning now against the seat with his little arms crossed in mock anger as he waited to see how Wilbur would reply. It took everything in Wilbur to make his decision for words, going back to kicking his feet under the seat.

"Maths is hard." He stated plainly, feeling the passing of opportunity to make Techno devolve into his 'I'm really mad' whine.

Techno's way of throwing a tantrum had always amused Wilbur. A firm glare that was mixed somehow perfectly with a pitched whine that rose and fell as if Techno were somehow part whale or something and was trying to communicate his distress to any possible nearby sea life. Techno hated being compared to a whale call and that only made Wilbur more eager to do so. It was a brother thing for sure.

Techno, seeming to sense that the next tease wasn't going to arrive, turned back to poking at his little golden star on his coat.

xx-xx-xx-xx

The rest of the ride was mostly the same. A few bumps interrupted by chatter from Wilbur while Techno either nodded or shook his head. They were just about the last stop and by the time they were due to get off both boys were antsy and eager to dash up the aisle to escape. Wilbur lagged behind to help Techno as he stumbled over his bulky shoes.

Jumping off the last step of the bus and onto the pavement of their bus stop they boys looked around for the familiar sight of their of their mother. Expecting to see her long dark hair tousled by the wind as she hugged close a thick winter coat around her well pregnant belly to battle the seasonal chill. It was well into spring but she insisted she was absolutely freezing. According to their dad it was just something that happened during a woman's pregnancy.

Speaking of their father, both of the boys were confused when they caught sight of him, his blond hair roughly tied back and sporting an excited smile as he waved the two over. They both greeted him with a hug, though he started speaking before they could get a word to him about their mother.

"I know what your probably thinking, but just wait. Okay? We've got a surprise for you two." Phil stated, his smile widening as he tried to contain his joy.

It was contagious and both Wilbur and Techno looked at each other with bursting grins. This wasn't just 'cookies for snack' energy. Their dad was proper giddy about something and they wanted to know what.

The trio walked the few blocks to their house, Phil keeping them from running even if he most likely wanted to as well. He trusted the neighborhood enough to live in, but that didn't mean he didn't take precautions. It was the city after all. They had gotten lucky to get a small house with a workable space for a backyard, but they were almost walled in by apartment buildings packed with strangers. Excited as he was, Phil would rather walk and be mindful than to sprint ahead and teach any bad habits the boys might exhibit later on.

Wilbur made sure he was the first through the door, bursting through despite his father calling a warning to be quiet. Wilbur managed to get a few rushed steps into the house before stopping with a furrowed brow. He peered into the kitchen to find it empty, both of his mother and the delicious treat she'd promised. It didn't even smell like anything was or had been cooked at all.

Techno burst past Wilbur and stumbled towards the living room, find that too was empty. At this he looked back at his older brother and father questioningly. Wilbur could only stare back in similar confusion before likewise looking to their father. Phil opened his mouth to direct them but he never got past the initial 'come on' before a small cry broke into the air.

Wilbur and Techno looked at each other, startled, before moving to look down the hallway that lead towards the bedrooms. Phil barely had to raise a hand to motion them forwards before both children were darting down said hall, once more ignoring their father's calls to be careful.

Upon reaching the door to the parents room Wilbur had to brace himself for a moment as Techno had ran into him full steam, not having slowed down at all. There was another cry from inside the room which caused Wilbur to hesitate further before slowly opening the door and peeking his head in. Techno bounced impatiently at his side.

Kristin was sat in her bed, well covered with blankets as she held a small bundle in her arms. She was rocking it gently with a light hum, clearly tired but also contented. At hearing the sound of the door she looked up and over at Wilbur, her smile growing as she assured him he could enter.

"I-is that-?" Wilbur cut off, his brain momentarily stuttering as he processed the moment.

Kristin smiled at both boys before nodding her head, glancing at Phil at the door who was likewise watching the two. Up until now Wilbur had been unsure of the idea of having another sibling while Techno didn't want to not be the youngest anymore. It had been an ongoing back and forth and now as the real moment of truth. How would the two truly greet their new sibling.

"Wilbur! Be careful." Phil scolded, remembering to lower his own voice as Wilbur swiftly scaled onto the bed and crawled up to his mother.

Phil helped Techno up, placing him beside Wilbur as the older was peering over his mother's arms at the small child. Kristin had lowered the bundle down as much as she dared, earning a somewhat displeased whine from the infant that lay within.

Wilbur could only stare down at the tiny wiggling pink skinned newborn resting in the soft nest of pale yellow in his mother's arms. The wrinkled face was contorted in discomfort as it weakly writhed with another small sound. Without thinking he reached towards the babe and lightly, almost as if he scared to, he ran the back of his finger down the infants cheek.

"He's so much smaller than Techno." Wilbur muttered as a tiny, uncoordinated fist rose up and haphazardly moved towards its face.

"I wanna see!" Techno complained as loudly as he dared, a huff of breath leaving him as he bounced at Wilbur's side.

Wilbur turned to warn Techno not to jump around like that but stopped short as he felt something against his hand. Looking back he was surprised to find a set of tiny, oh so very very tiny fingers grasping onto his own. It was a tighter hold than he'd thought a baby could have, but at the same time it felt so…small.

Kristin watched on, a sort lived look of concern on her face before it was replaced with a more assured one as Wilbur brought his thumb over to lightly hold onto the smaller. Phil gave her a matching look as he picked up Techno, allowing him to better see without the threat of him accidentally leaping onto the bundle by accident.

"Why is he pink?" Techno asked as he looked up at Kristin with a furrowed brow.

"All babies look like this when they're first born." She answered with a light laugh, "You were too."

"I'm not pink though!" Techno argued as he looked from the baby to his parents.

"You were. We have picture proof of it." Phil replied with a chuckle as he lifted Techno off the bed a moment since he was fidgeting so much.

There was a moment of silence here as Techno seemed to take this in, either to accept or brush off.

"You said we'd all together when the baby was born." Techno stated after said moment had passed, his final decision kept to himself, "You promised."

"I know, but it sort of just, happened without our say." Phil tried to explain.

"Sometimes babies are just so eager to be born that they arrive earlier than intended." Kristin added with a smirk, "You almost did yourself Techno. Though, admittedly, you weren't trying to come this early."

"We were going to name him together!" Techno complained once more, this time getting a light shushing from Phil who rocked him a bit to calm him.

"We said we'd let you tell the nurse his name, not that you'd name him. He isn't a dog Techno." Phil laughed, "We already had one picked out."

"Its not 'William' is it? Pleased tell me you didn't name him that." Wilbur asked with a look on his face of actual worry.

"No Wil, we didn't name him 'William'." Phil replied with an eye roll.

Both he and his wife had gotten many a speech from their eldest about why 'William' was the worst name ever and that him being a 'Wil'bur was already too close for his comfort. He just 'wouldn't stand for a William in the family'. It was funny and impressive the fight he put on on it.

"His name is Tommy." Kristin informed in a softer tone as she watched Wilbur gently wiggle his finger that the tiny hand held onto.

"Tommy." Wilbur stated before his eyes darted between the parents, "So…so it IS a baby brother, not a sister? I- I guessed right?"

Phil and Kristin shared an amused look before nodding while Techno gave a huff.

"I wanted a little sister." He mumbled as he tried to cross his arms.

"Maybe next time bud." Phil consoled with amusement while Kristin gave them both an exaggerated mock look of bewilderment.

"Excuse me, 'Next time'?" She asked, a brow raising as Phil tried not to snort laugh at the response.

"I mean, you never know." Phil stated as he tried to tease back.

"I know a few ways to safely know." Kristin hinted though with no real intent behind it.

It was a short laugh between the adults that the two boys didn't get. Techno huffed again in his father's arms as he looked down at Wilbur and his new baby brother. Wil was still holding the child's tiny fist between his fingers, now looking at the babe with a new wonder. The child let out another whine and Kristin started to raise him back up to rest against her chest, carefully freeing Wilbur from he finger hold. He didn't seem happy at the freedom, but he accepted it.

"...Does this mean we don't get cookies?" Techno asked suddenly just as the room was about to go into a lull, "I got a gold star an' everything."

At this the parents were laughing again, Phil being the one to speak up as he gave Techno a gentle rocking once more.

"No cookies today, but will ice cream do?" Phil asked, already knowing the answer.

From both boys there were furious head nods. Cookies were good, of course. Especially the ones their mother baked. However, ice cream was something else entirely and they both could firmly agree on that.

Phil was chuckling to himself as he carried Techno towards the door and out towards the kitchen in turn. Meanwhile Wilbur hung back a few more seconds to stare at the bundle now pressed against his mother's chest.

"Are you okay Wilbur?" Kristin asked as she tilted her head ever so slightly.

"...I-y-yea. Yea, I'm okay." He nodded before moving to slide off the bed.

"Are you sure?" She pressed, trying to keep too much worry from her voice.

Wilbur fidgeted in place once he was on his feet, debating something before he looked his mother in they eyes.

"I have two baby brothers." He stated, to which Kristin nodded with a smile, "Does…does that mean I'm like, a super older brother now?"

Kristin paused to give him a soft smile, an airy laugh at her lips.

"You already were." She assured him.

It took a moment for the grin to spread over his face before he darted out of the room at his father's call.