XX-X-XX

Warnings for strong descriptions of pulverized fruit and Sadbur.

Also, rando kid names cus ain't no one mentioned here aside from the fam important.

xx-x-xx

Wilbur kicked his legs as he peered out the window of the car. He recognized the area but hesitated to confirm with his parents where they were going. They'd said it was going to be a surprise after all. Still, he knew what was nearby and it put a smile on his face despite how bad he'd been feeling earlier.

Today was Wilbur's ninth birthday.

His parents had initially planned to throw him a party, at Wilbur's insistence of course. He wanted to invite his friends and classmates over, have fun and play games in the backyard and all that. But, if he were honest, he wanted to show off his baby brother more than anything.

Wilbur was the only one in his class that had a baby sibling right now. More than that though, Tommy had started to follow him around whenever he wasn't penned or in their parents arms. While Wilbur hated it when Tommy was in his walker he was more than thrilled when Tommy crawled after him, trying to keep up. He was even trying more and more to be on his feet, Techno helping him when the younger allowed. Not that Tommy didn't follow Techno too, but he'd seemed to latch onto Wilbur more often than not.

A birthday party would have been perfect to show off. Not only Tommy's affection, but with how good of a big brother he was. He could understand some of Tommy's baby talk now and had so much wanted to brag about how he could get Tommy to stop eating his feet or hands, which was a real feat that his parents expressed with pride.

But… There would be no party.

No matter the invites he'd given out, or friends his parents had called, no one had come. According to what his parents had explained, they had all been busy with prior plans. Though, Wilbur knew at least a few of them plain didn't like him. It was mainly stupid Sasha Keeting and her brother Liam. They'd not liked Wilbur since he joined their class and had made that fact well known. Wilbur, while he didn't understand, merely did his best to avoid them.

It wasn't like he hadn't been able to make any friends. He had two that he got on with really well. But...they were away visiting relatives for the weekend. This he at least trusted. His friends certainly would have come if they'd been able to. He…he trusted them. He-

Wilbur was shaken from his thoughts by a tug on his hair. With a small surprised yelp he turned to see Tommy, in his car seat just beside Wilbur, a tiny fist gripping on the bit of hair he could reach. A new habit Tommy was forming, wanting to hold and tug on any hair that got close enough. Wilbur rarely expected it seeing as his hair was fairly short and Tommy was much shorter. However, that didn't take into account when sitting beside one other in a car apparently.

"You alright, Wil?" His father asked, peering through the rear view mirror at his sons.

Wilbur, bringing a hand up to carefully detach Tommy, nodded to his father. Techno, sitting on Tommy's other side, was smiling with a light chuckle as he watched. He'd seen Tommy's little hand go searching and had almost laughed aloud just before the tug.

"Tommy's got my hair again is all." Wilbur explained, mock annoyance in his voice despite he small smirk that threatened to grow into a smile.

"Probably jealous how fluffy it is today." Phil chuckled as his wife turned to face the kids from the passenger seat.

"I think it looks super handsome being that fluffy." She stated proudly, having been the one to fluff it up in the first place.

Wilbur smiled at that and nodded his head, rather enjoying the bouncy feeling of it if he were honest.

"So, know where we are yet?" Phil asked, eyes once more glancing to the mirror before flickering back to the road, smirk on his face all the while.

Wilbur's grin grew as he tried not to squirm in his seat. He nodded his head though as he prepared to speak, hoping to keep his voice controlled and 'mature'. He was nine now after all.

"L'manburger." Wil stated, his smile growing with excitement as he noticed his father smiling wider at being called out.

It was a gimmicky food joint that was only a few years old at this point. It geared itself towards children and families, but made sure to make fun of itself enough that even parents could get a laugh in. Though that part went over Wilbur's head.

What Wilbur knew was that the place sold burgers, hotdogs and fries and had an open fountain drink area. But, more then that, it had a 'play palace'. It was a large room with foam covered walls and what, in Wilbur's opinion, was the largest jungle gym structure he'd ever seen. It had four slides and tunnels spanning across said room in every manner of direction. There were two ball pits, a small maze like structure on one end and a large hanging next section in mid air over the larger of the ball pits.

It was glorious and Wilbur was determined to tame the thing by crawling through every tunnel and calling them his. Techno could follow him though. He didn't mind sharing with his brother.

Wilbur looked to Tommy beside him, the smallest of the siblings once more trying to reach for his hair, but now was out of reach. Wil offered his baby brother his hand instead, which seemed to appease him. He couldn't wait until Tommy was big enough to join them in the tunnels. He could just imagine rolling his brother down the netting similar to how their parents rolled the child across the bed during laundry day. Or pushing him down the large spiral slide, dumping him into the ball pi-

"Have you thought of a wish yet?" His mother's voice broke into his thoughts making Wil look over at her.

"Huh?"

"Your wish. For your birthday. Have you thought of one?" She asked again, smile as warm as ever, "You were torn between two of them last year. So, do you know what you want this year, or are you still debating it?"

Wilbur paused, head tilting in thought at the question. He'd…he'd not really thought about his wish since last night. He knew better than to share what it was, but…at this point not even he knew what it should be.

"I'll think of something." Wil stated with what he hoped sounded like confidence.

His mother only nodded to him as her lips curled up a bit more, turning back around in her seat as her husband turned into the parking lot.

"Well, you're on the clock for it now." She teased.

Xx-xx-xx

The moment the family had stepped through the door Wilbur had been itching to run to the play room. A move his parents seemed to be aware of as Phil had made sure to enter the building first, standing perfectly between the hall leading towards said room and the dinning area.

Biting his tongue and trying to keep both his excitement and mild annoyance in check Wilbur just smiled, looking between his family as his mother led them forwards. They had been quick to find a booth to sit at, Wilbur, Techno, and their father on one side with their mother on the other, Tommy being placed in a wooden high chair. Both Wilbur and Techno were squirming in their seats while their parents, namely their father, had gone through menu options with them. The second both boys confirmed what they wanted their father had shifted out of the booth, allowing them both free.

Wilbur had almost smacked into the doorway of the play room not a minute later, Techno hot on his heels. Bracing himself Wilbur waited until his brother had slammed into him, unable to sop himself properly, before entering into the room fully. There were other kids in the room, but still less than there were in his class. For the large area they were in they'd barely meet each other.

The thought made Wilbur pause. If…if they had planned the party to take place here in the first place…would the other kids had been more interested? Would they have showed up then?

Before Wilbur's brow could even fully furrow he felt his brother tug on his hand. Techno was dragging him towards one of the foam matted slopes that lead up into the jungle gym portion of the room. He didn't speak aloud as to what he wanted, even at the age of six he was still nervous to speak in public areas. However, following his line of sight Wilbur could see his intention.

The first of the four slides. It was dragon shaped and would dump them into the first and smallest ball pit.

Allowing a smile to break across his face once more Wilbur took hold of Techno's hand firmly and darted forwards, now being the one in the lead. He was careful, but pulled his brother along to the point of Techno almost stumbling up the ramps leading to the slides with an excited giggle. When they were just a few steps away from the slide he let go of Techno's hand and grinned as he himself darted towards the slide mouth.

"Me first!" He shouted out, hearing a small gasp from his brother who tried to scurry after him faster.

He quickly settled on the slide and was just pushing off to go down it as he felt his brother's hands reach his back. He looked over his shoulder with a laugh just in time to see Techno's face split into a wide amused smile just before he slipped out of sight.

It was a short ride and within moments Wil was dumped into the small ball pit with a rustling of thin plastics. He quickly struggled to roll out of the way so that Techno wouldn't crash into him when he came down, knowing his brother wouldn't have waited long to follow. He was proven right as not a moment after he was clear his brother's tiny form came shooting out the green colored tube, launching him a bit further into the pit than Wil had been.

His younger brother was laughing freely as he tried to push himself back into an upright position, Wilbur wheeze a bit himself watching said struggle take place. When he moved to help his brother up Wil's attention flickered to the far side of the pit. A few of the other kids present had gathered and were all laughing together as they threw the small plastic orbs at one other.

He watched as the group started to spread out, each armed and hurling the colorful plastics at each other like dodge ball or something. It looked fun, but he doubted he could get Techno to play something like that with him. He was too small to really keep up and one or two hits with the orbs would have his brother changing his mind. Wil also couldn't just ask to join their game for similar reason. Besides, Techno wasn't comfortable speaking as it was in public. Wil didn't want to make that worse by putting strange other kids into the mix.

"wil" An almost whispered plea came from his side catching Wilbur's attention.

Techno had failed to regain his balance and was reaching for his brother in order to get fully upright. His expression was anxious as he bit his lip, most likely from having to speak instead of just motioning to his brother like usual.

Wilbur offered an apologetic look as he moved closer, wrapping his arms around Techno a bit more than was needed and lifting him up, taking a step or two to the side of the pit as well.

"Sorry, Tech. Got distracted." He explained, not mentioning when he felt Techno's arms hug around him a bit tighter as well as they moved.

Wilbur let Techno go once he was sure the other's feet were fully on the ground, automatically giving him a pat to the head. Something their parents did to help comfort them when they were, or had gotten, upset. Techno didn't mention it but looked back at Wilbur with a small smile. Without a word Techno pointed to the next closest slide.

Wilbur smiled.

Wilbur nodded.

Xx-xx-xx

The pair were darting around the edge of the larger ball pit, Techno just shy of grabbing onto Wilbur's shirt as he'd run out of the plastic balls to tag him with, when they were both stopped by the voice of their father. The man was standing in the doorway to the play area, a smile on his face as he watched the two as they came to a less than graceful stop.

Wilbur had screeched to a stop first, grin on his face as he braced himself. Not a second later Techno crashed full body into him at full steam. It made Wil stumble and for a second he thought they were both going to tip over into the ball pit, but he managed to regain his balance just in time, an arm around his brother to hold him up as well.

"Come on boys. The foods ready." Their father called out to them, a hand raised to usher them over.

He was laughing at them openly as the two proceeded to dart towards him. Techno ran into his father's waiting arms as Wilbur waited beside him. As much as he wanted to rush back to the table himself he knew his parents would prefer he remain close to one of them at any given time out in public. Even at the age of nine he was content to listen for now. He would just prove to be more responsible that way, right?

Reaching the table Wilbur plopped down into his seat, making sure to pat Tommy on the head as he passed the high chair. Tommy didn't so much as look up at him, far to invested in the fruit salad that was splayed over his food tray.

Sitting on trays before both his and Techno's seat were burgers ready to be eaten, though Wil's had a little flag atop his. His brother is soon to join him as their father takes his own seat across the table.

"Getting tired yet?" Their mother asks with a half teasing smile.

Techno shakes his head at her, a wild smile on his face before he focuses on his burger instead.

"We only got through some of the tunnels so far." Wilbur stated with a shake of his own head, "We didn't even go across the net yet. But, that's cus Techno is scared to."

Techno, in response, let out an insulted huff of air as he gave Wilbur a push on his arm and a frown. Wilbur only laughed back at him.

"Its true." He stated before puffing out his chest, "I'm not afraid though. I'm going to go across it after we eat."

"You sure this time? You've only managed to get on it once so far." His father asked, amusement in his voice clearly, "If Maxi hadn't made you-"

"I can do it by myself." Wilbur insisted with a small but determined frown as he crossed his arms, "I'm nine and not afraid of anything. I can get across the nets."

Despite his words and his very real determination there was still a tinge of anxiety resting in his gut. The net was really high up and it swung about once you were on it. His best friend Maxi had forced him across the last time they had been here but…Wil hadn't been able to do it again since. Not only just from not going to the place often, but because the swinging of the ropes made Wilbur feel far too unsteady. But, if Maxi could do it then so could Wilbur. He could. He could do it and…and not need Maxi to help him. He didn't need any help. He…he could do it.

Wilbur wasn't so sure he could do it, but he wasn't going to let his family know that. After all, he was a big kid now. A super big brother. He needed to be brave like his dad for when his brothers needed him.

There was a bit more chatter before Wilbur moved to eat his burger, Techno already having dug into his own. As Wil was removing the flag from the top though Tommy's little fists were aimed in his direction. Apparently the small colorful item had grabbed his attention.

"Wiby, ib! Emba muh muh!" Tommy jabbered out, his hands grabby as he wiggled his whole body excitedly.

Wilbur smiled as his heart warmed at hearing Tommy's 'w' sounds once more, a recent achievement, and lifted the flag up higher to be seen, but not towards his brother any closer.

"Tommy, want give?" Wilbur baby talked back what he could make out for Tommy's words.

Tommy smiled wide back at him with a giggle, fingers clenching and unclenching at the desired item.

"Don't give that to him. Its pointy at the end." His father warned, but it was light and with a smile as he held out his hand, "If you don't want it though, we can remove the stick so he can have the flag bit."

Wilbur didn't think on it as he handed the item over to his father. He didn't care about the flag itself, but he did want to be the one to hand it over to his brother. Tommy's eyes remained on the flag, brow furrowing as it went into his father's hands and not his own. He let out a short huffed whined, but it wasn't his 'warning' sounds just yet.

Wilbur looked to his baby brother, his lips pouted up as he blew a spittle bubble. While his gaze remained on the flag his father was working on Tommy's hand was down in the fruit mess on his tray, squeezing a sliced grape until the juicy insides were squelched into pulpy mess and oozing down his fingers. Wil's nose wrinkled at the mess, but he laughed too. Even covered in fruit gunk or whatever, Tommy was still his cute baby brother who wanted nothing more than to play with the colorful thing.

His father handed back the paper part of the flag to Wil, who then promptly handed it out towards his baby brother. Not too close though, so Tommy still had to wiggle forwards for it with some effort. The little gushy bubbly noises he made doing so had Wilbur laughing once more as the paper item, soon to be mulch, left his grip.

Just as Wilbur was about to take a bite of his food he was distracted by a cheering further into the dinning area. Back in the far corner was a sizable group of people, including a few of the kids he'd seen in the play area just earlier. He could clearly hear the birthday song they were singing, the kids cheering out and the adults clapping hands. It made Wil's chest hurt and his stomach churn.

He stared over at the group for a moment longer before looking back at his burger with a small frown. It wasn't lost on his parents who shared a look between one other. Phil lifted his hand in the air to flag down a worker at the counter while Wil wasn't looking, while his mother leaned forwards on the table.

"How are you feeling, Wil?" She asked, gentle but also trying to keep the mood light.

"I'm okay." Wil replied automatically even as he slowly picked a bit of lettuce from his burger.

"You sure?" His mother pressed, reaching a hand out to brush a bit of hair from his face.

Wilbur huffed a breath before he dropped his arms to rest crossed in front of him on the table.

"Its just- Not even Maxi wanted to come." Wilbur stated as his frown came out in full force.

"Its not that he didn't want to, Wil. His parents took him out of town. You know if he was here he'd-"

"They know what time of year my birthday is cus he was here for it last year. So why couldn't he be here for this one? And- and everyone else-" Wilbur started to huffed, tears forming in his eyes even as he desperately wanted them to not be there.

He was a big boy now and big boys didn't cry.

Arms were wrapping around him before he realized his mother had gotten out of her chair. A hand was running soothingly through his hair as she hummed above him.

"Sometimes, things just don't work out how we want them to." She stated in a soft voice, "It can hurt when that happens, and you aren't wrong for feeling the way you are, Wil. Just know that it isn't intentional on their part. It was just, bad timing. We should have planned something a bit earlier to make sure everyone was available. I'm sorry."

Try as he might Wilbur could feel a few tears run down his face, which he tried to wipe away quickly. From his other side he could feel smaller arms wrap around his middle. Peeking over Wil could see Techno had slide from his seat and was pressed against him, head resting against Wil's arm as he looked up to his older brother.

"it's okay. i'll always come to your birthday." Techno stated softly.

Wilbur shifted enough to pull Techno into a one armed hug, his other one still pressed between him and their mother. He nuzzled his face into Techno's hair to make up for it as his younger brother squeezed him back. Wilbur could feel his father's hand reach across the table to ruffle his hair as well since both hug spots were taken and there wasn't much space left for him to fit. It was enough though.

"Thanks, Tech." Wil said with a short sniffle, reigning in what he could for his emotions.

It wasn't easy, but he didn't want to spend his birthday crying in L'manburger. Especially when his family was trying to make him feel better. When he looked up and over to Tommy, who had gone quiet he noticed, he was met with curious eyes staring at him. A half crushed orange slice was in his tiny fist and at the return of attention Tommy had it halfway in his mouth and paused. With a small noise he brought it back out and held it out to Wilbur like a gift.

"N-no thanks, Tommy." Wilbur snorted, nose wrinkling at the idea of eating baby spit fruit.

Xx-xx

The family takes a few minutes to eat, but Wilbur can tell his father is anxious about something. He keeps looking over his shoulder and his leg is bouncing under the table. He tries not to think about it though and instead tosses one of his fries at Techno, who laughs and tosses it back.

Their parents don't scold them as they'd normally do and so the game continues. Right up until Techno tosses a fry around Wil and at Tommy instead, an invite for the smaller to join them. Tommy is startled by the new addition to his tray mush, but grabs at it quickly with a gleeful sound.

"Te-no!" Tommy squeals out as he kicks his feet, attempting to toss the fry back.

It just dropped down to the floor though, directly in front of Tommy's chair.

"Okay, that's enough of that." Their father states with a short lived chuckle and a mild look of tiredness on his face.

"Oh, its fine Phil. Its just a few fries. We can pick them up before we leave." Their mother argued, picking up her own fry and tossing it at the man as if to prove her point.

Their father let out a snort of a laugh before looking at his kids, to his wife and then picking up two fries and tossing them back at her.

Wilbur and Techno watched with amusement, Wil with his mouth agape with shock that his father would do that in public. Techno picked up two fries of his own and tossed one each at either parent and the game seemed to go on. That is, until Wilbur, a wild grin on his face, picked up a whole a fist of fries. His father paused as an alarmed look appeared on his face as he paled slightly and an arm stretched out in an attempt to stop the claymore of spuds about to be launched his way.

"No! Wil don't even-"

Wil did even.

With a pitched cackle Wilbur flung the spudy ammo across the table, pelting both parents in a wave of potato twigs. His mother was laughing heartily, almost to the point of wheezing, while his father looked like he was perhaps dying inside just a bit. It lasted only a second before the man was also laughing, though his defeated look was still there under the surface.

Wil knew it was because of the mess, but like his mother had said, they'd just clean up before they left.

"Wilbur." His father stated in a warning tone, though no real intent behind it as his smile failed to be held back.

Wilbur returns the look with an almost proud grin of his own, no shame or regret in the mess he caused.

"Chaotic little shit." His father muttered, earning a gasp from Techno and a laugh from his wife who nudged his arm.

"You can't say that in here. You'll get us kicked out." She warned, though it was clearly teasing.

Even so, she wasn't wrong. The establishment was family oriented and there were actual signs warning about 'harsh language' with the actual phrase 'adult words' in bold on some of them. It wasn't like they made it a habit of swearing in front of the kids anyway, but really, Wilbur had earned it today. Something that only seemed to make the boy smile all the bigger as he laughed.

"Incoming!" A far too chipper voice called out suddenly from up the isle from the family.

Looking towards the voice Wilbur could see a group of three on their way towards the table. Their table. His mother and father were grinning, his father seemingly in relief, as the trio approached. The group was only halfway to them when Wilbur's confusion turned to excitement seeing the rounded cake in their hands, a colorful candle shaped like a nine on top and already lit. Wil couldn't help but bounce in his seat as it drew closer. Techno, similarly giddy in the seat beside his elder brother, looked between the cake and Wilbur. Smile wide enough that his teeth were easily visible. Tommy himself hadn't seemed all that interested in the group until they were nearly to the table and the bright and flicking candle drew his attention to the cake in their hands.

Ignoring Tommy's fresh surge of 'gibs' and grabby hands at the cake the Watson family managed to survive the 'happy birthday' song that accompanied the arrival of said cake. It was over the top and dramatic and sung loudly as if the whole of the establishment were required to bear witness to it. Something that only proved to be more truth than not as one of the trio called out for all those in the eating area to shout a 'happy birthday to the birthday boy, Wilbur.' Wilbur was sure he would die of embarrassment even if part of him ate up the attention.

During the song and subsequent shout out to the dinning area, Techno had managed to sink down in his seat to the point of almost vanishing off of it. However, Wilbur held his hand firm, keeping his brother from taking full shelter under the table.

Once the overly energized trio had left the family to their celebration both Wilbur and their father had to coax Techno back into his seat. Their mother, at this point trying to calm a steadily agitating Tommy as he was still being denied cake just yet. The small boy had yet to ever eat cake but he seemed to be naturally inclined to desire it all the same.

"You want a family only birthday song?" Their father asked with a large grin on his face as Techno adamantly shook his head at his brother.

Wilbur let out a snorted laugh, a toothy smile wide on his face as he nodded to his brother with amusement. Not only was one birthday song good enough for him, but he didn't think he could survive another one. Especially if it encouraged the entourage to return for round two with them. Besides, he really wanted some of that cake. The frosting was glistening with a sugary sheen that promised regret to the parents that let him eat it.

"Have you thought up a wish yet?" His mother asked this time, Tommy now being bounced on her knee and for the moment content enough.

Wilbur bit his lip and stared at the lit candle before him. The top of the nine was now melted down enough that it was almost starting to look like a four instead. The colored wax oozed together muddling the shades into an oddly fascinating drippy pattern.

What was his wish going to be? What should it be? There were plenty of things he wanted. Plenty of things he could ask for. However, Wilbur liked to make his wishes count. If he only got one real wish a year, then it should be something worth it.

Glancing towards his younger brother Techno Wil could see how the other's eyes were almost stuck on the candle. Techno always loved blowing out the candles on his own birthday cakes, and even last year he'd tried to blow out Wilbur's when he was taking 'too long' to do it. Wil couldn't help but smile at the memory. He'd been upset at the time, but now it was more funny to him.

"Do you want to blow it out with me?" Wilbur asked, catching Techno's attention as the smaller boy perked up at the question.

"c-can I?" He asked slowly, looking towards their parents as well.

Phil watched Wilbur a moment before nodding to Techno, his wife doing similar. Just last year they'd had to explain to Techno why blowing out his brother's candles had been rude. But, if Wilbur was offering-

"If Wilbur's says its fine, then you can blow them out too." Their father confirmed with a swell of warmth in his chest as he watched the two.

Wilbur was sure to nod extra when Techno's gaze returned to him.

"If we both blow them out then we both might get a wish, right?" Wil asked his brother who didn't seem to find fault in the logic, "So, we just have to make sure it's at the same time."

Wilbur looked to his mother to confirm his statement even though his mind was made up on the matter. His mother offered a warm smile to him as she nodded.

"That makes sense to me." She stated with such a sure tone that it made Wilbur feel smarter for having guessed it in the first place.

Looking towards his younger brother Wilbur gave his hand a squeeze as they both leaned forwards.

"One."

Wilbur counted off, a smile on his face as he felt Techno wiggle excitedly beside him.

"Two."

He knew what he would wish for this time. Either it would come true or Techno's would so no matter what the wish wouldn't be wasted.

"Three!"

Sucking in a deep breath Wilbur puffed his cheeks and waited until he could hear his brother blowing out a breath beside him to let out his own.

The candle never stood a chance against them.