Apparently there is a title limit. Full title name is
Sticks and Stones May Break My Bones (And Words Can Sometimes Hurt Me)
Its important to have the whole thing so there you go.
-x.x.x-
It was a fairly chilly day outside as Dream and Techno stood in the backyard of the house. It was a guitar day for Wilbur and so the two had it all to themselves and the small motorized car Techno had gotten for his last birthday. It sported a few cracks now as well as a few plasters in places, but it still looked pretty cool in Techno's opinion.
It 'had character' his mother said.
Dream seemed to agree and so Techno knew it was right.
"Do you think we could make ramps for it to jump off of?" Dream asked as Techno managed to get it to pop a wheelie before speeding forwards again, front of the car in the air still.
"I dunno. We had to throw out a lot of our old toys so I don't know if we have stuff for it." Techno replied, focusing more on driving around as much as possible before it fell forwards again.
"I should bring something next time then. See how far it can jump." Dream grinned wide and causing Techno to smile in turn.
"We could try to get it to jump over Tommy if he sat still long enough." Techno joked as he handed off the controller to Dream for his turn, "He likes to be run over though so he might get upset if it 'misses' him."
Dream let out a snort of a laugh at that as he accepted said controller. The boys continued to play like that for a while, enjoying their private time while they had it. Honestly it felt really good to Techno. It had been over a week since Schlatt had come over and Wilbur had…said those things. Being home without Wilbur around felt…good for a change.
Techno had managed to keep himself in Tommy's room for the first week, but his parents had insisted he go back to his proper bed after that. Tensions remained high with Wilbur, but the two exchanged a few minimal words now. Usually school related, but that worked for Techno. He wasn't ready to talk to Wilbur. Not until he apologized for what he said.
"Techno?" Dream asked snapping Techno back to attention.
He was holding out Techno's controller to him, brow now furrowed with worry. Techno didn't want to cause his friend to feel that way so he tied to put a smile on and forget about Wilbur and his dumb 'friend'.
"Are you okay?" Dream asked and Techno pushed a laugh from his mouth.
"Y-yea. I'm okay." Techno lied, and apparently badly from the look Dream took on.
"You don't seem 'okay'."
Techno shook his head and tried again.
"Just distracted, but I'm fine. We can keep playing." Techno insisted as he stated to take his turn with the motor car.
Dream didn't look any more convinced, but he dropped it there. Techno was grateful for that. He wondered if there was a way to show that without ruining the whole 'letting it go' thing.
"Can I ask you something?" Dream questioned a moment later and Techno was thankful for the potential new topic.
"Go ahead. I'm listenin'." Techno assured his friend as he peeled the car around one of the garden boxes.
"Why is Wilbur hanging out with Schlatt so much? I thought they didn't get along." Dream asked and Techno almost rammed the car into the fence.
He had to jerk the controls to get it to turn in time, but he managed it. It hadn't been a topic he expected. Especially since Techno had shot down every topic including his brother for the last few days.
"I'm only asking because one of my other friends was asking about it. You don't need to answer if you don't want to." Dream assured, though awkwardly.
Techno took a moment to think about it before he shook his head with a grimace.
" 'Cus he's apparently just another bully, just like him." Techno answered with a strong disapproval.
Dream raised his brows at this, clearly actually surprised by the answer. With another huffed breath Techno lowered his car controller and focused on his friend instead. For the next long while the boys, mainly Techno, talked about Schlatt. Techno explaining about his 'visits' to the house and how Wilbur had been each time.
Dream didn't look at all happy to hear about it all. In fact, he seemed pretty mad about it. Especially at Wilbur which Techno appreciated.
"Even if he is a cheat, I still thought Wilbur was like, maybe kind of cool. Sometimes." Dream stated as he shook his head with disappointment.
"Turns out cheating was just bully practice." Techno supplied as he kicked at the dirt at his feet.
"Probably. Though, I have to say I'm not surprised to hear about what Schlatt did. He's always been kind of a jerk. Even if he doesn't mean it." Dream went on to say as he too started to kick at dirt clumps.
Techno frowned at this but didn't say anything. He didn't want to hear how Schlatt 'didn't mean it'. It wasn't hard to not be mean to someone. You just…don't do the mean thing.
Still, he nods all the same, hoping to at least keep the conversation moving until it was over. Or at least until the 'Schlatt' part was over.
"My mom says that some people are just, built 'like a bad smell'." Dream stated and Techno started to laugh at the idea of it.
Dream was grinning back obviously just as amused by it.
"I bet he actually smells funny too." Dream added and that had Techno letting out a giggle as he nodded his head.
He hadn't wanted to be mean about it at the time but…Schlatt did tend to have a 'funk', as his own father put it. Though when his father had said it he was talking about his own personal dirty laundry. It was the same smell though. It wasn't overbearing, but it was notable enough to Techno.
"My friend used to say how bad it was during gym and stuff." Dream explained making an exaggerated hand motion in front of his nose, "Schlatt was apparently really mean to people in class and even had to sit out for being 'too competitive' and stuff."
"Was he mean to your friend too?" Techno asked with a genuine curiosity.
Dream talked about his other friends a fair bit and they seemed to be really cool people. Enough so that Techno was maybe considering agreeing to meet them himself.
If Schlatt made fun of them too then…well, it would be a bad thing for one. But, at the same time it would mean it…it wasn't just Techno. There wasn't something wrong with Techno himself and even cool people like Dream's friends could be bullied.
He felt bad for thinking it, but it made him feel…a little better.
"Yea. He used to say mean things too him a lot. I couldn't even help him since they're both two grades up from me." Dream sighed out heavily.
Techno paused here and tilted his head.
"Two grades? I thought you and Wilbur where in the same grade?"
"Not the same grade. I just get moved into some of the older classes sometimes." Dream answered with a shrug, "It's a 'special placement' thing the school does. You have to take this long test and then they decide if you need better classes or something like that."
Techno furrowed his brow as he took that in. Dream was a third grader like him but…was taking fifth grade classes only sometimes. That was…skipping an entire grade still.
"Do you want to get back at him? At Schlatt?" Dream asked suddenly, regaining Techno's attention once more.
The question had surprised him and he needed to take a minute to think. Did he want to get back at Schlatt for being mean? Well, yea. Of course. But, wouldn't that make him a bully too? Or would it not because Schlatt started it?
"How?" Techno asked tentatively.
Dream offered a cheeky grin in response before he answered.
"By giving him back what he gives himself."
Now that…was an idea Techno could get behind.
X-x-X-x-X
The following week or so was a mix of emotions for Techno. Tensions between himself and Wilbur were still there, but they were talking almost like normal. Their parents seemed relieved by it, which is why Techno's plan probably worked. He had gone to his mother with the idea since he knew he could reason with her better.
Since Wilbur wanted to hang out with Schlatt still and Techno wanted to hang out with Dream, then surely it only made sense that both of the other boys come over at the same time. That way Techno and Wilbur both had someone someone to hang out with.
She hadn't been for the idea at first, but after talking it over with their father the two seemed willing to try it out.
Which is how three days from Halloween both Dream and Schlatt found themselves invited to the Watson household under the guise of 'making their costumes together'.
For his part Techno really intended to follow through with the costume. It just so happened that he and Dream had already come up with something that was easy to put together. They had planned it in their shared classes days prior and had been working on it bit by bit over the last few nights.
Which meant Techno and Dream had nothing but a fun evening planned tinged with bouts of vengeance in between. Technically they had even already started.
Techno had been sure to get to their bus first, snagging 'his' seat for himself and Dream to share. Wilbur and Schlatt had taken ages to get to the bus and so had ended up in the itchy torn seats near the back. That didn't deter Dream from his plan though as he made sure to laugh as loud as possible at anything they were doing. It didn't matter if it was actually all that funny, so long as they could be heard clearly.
Honestly, hearing Dream try to shout out a laugh was funny enough to Techno to get him going as well. Hearing the wheezy choked noise Dream made when he was surprised by a pothole bump had Techno genuinely belting them out beside his friend.
Techno didn't even notice the majority of the ride, genuinely enjoying the spectacle Dream was willing to make of it.
When it came time to get off the bus Dream had practically been shoved back into his seat by Schlatt as the other heaved himself down the isle. Wilbur had at least stopped to ask if he was okay, but he still wasn't far behind his 'friend' in exiting the vehicle.
The two older boys had walked a fair distance ahead of Techno and Dream, who were happily chatting up their father about their day. Techno personally was ecstatic that one his teachers was considering getting a class pet.
It was predictable that when Techno, Dream and their father reached the house that the older boys would have already vanished into the shared room. This time, however, Techno was more than pleased with that. He and Dream both took places at the table and started to do what little homework had been assigned, all the while their father informed them of the fresh snacks their mother had made that day for them before work.
As they worked away Dream made jokes and teases that had Techno laughing and enjoying himself more than he had before during homework time. Even more fun than when he and Wilbur were getting along. Any lingering anxiousness he had been feeling with Schlatt back in the house was gone at this point and all he could think about was being as loud as he could be with Dream.
Provided Tommy was done with his nap by then.
x-x
Homework took no time at all and Techno took great pride in pulling open the fridge first for after school snack. Wilbur and Schlatt were still loudly goofing off in the bedroom meaning Techno and Dream had a comfortable amount of time to eat and enjoy themselves before they became an issue.
Techno looked over the try that held the little 'mudpie' pudding cups with the stacks of graham crackers beside them. There was one pudding cup per each of them with said cracker stacked in the middle for them to take from.
Techno happily handed over to Dream one cup and over half the cracker stack to split between them. That only left a few for Wil and his friend, but that was hardly Techno's problem.
The two boys stared at each other a moment with matching grins before heading into the living room to eat. They made sure to eat the crackers first, but took their time with their puddings. When the door to the bedroom opened they shared a look and tried to keep from laughing and giving themselves away.
Wilbur was the one leading the pair into the kitchen, but Techno could see Schlatt pulling ahead to reach the fridge. It was out of his line of sight, but he could hear the door whip open easily. Looking at Dream Techno could see the grin his friend was trying to hide by taking a large bit of his remaining pudding. Techno did the same as he heard a very annoyed 'what the hell Wilbur' from the kitchen.
It wasn't a moment later that the two boys were standing in the doorway of the kitchen, their own cups in hand with the few left over cracker being carried by Schlatt.
"Did you guys take all the crackers?" Wilbur asked, attempting not to sound as annoyed as he looked.
"We took some of them. Were there not any left?" Dream asked innocently and Techno had to hold his breath to keep from letting out a smile.
It didn't seem to work too well though because Schlatt sent him a glare.
"There's hardly any left. How many did you take?" Wilbur asked again, this time not hiding his feelings nearly as much.
"We weren't really paying attention. We were talking about our costumes for Halloween. Sorry if we took too much. We'll be more careful next time." Dream 'assured' them easily with a smile as he went back to eating.
Wilbur stared at Dream a moment before letting out a huff and turning to go.
"Really, Wilbur? You're just going to take that?" Schlatt asked in hardly a 'whispered' tone.
"What do you want me to do? Make them cough it back up?" Wil returned in kind as he glanced back at them.
Techno kept his face as still as possible as his brother held his gaze for a second or so. Wil let out another heavy breath and made to head back into the kitchen.
"Lets just, grab something else to go with it."
"so long as its not baby food" Schlatt muttered as he followed behind Wil.
While the two older boys went back into the fridge Dream looked to Techno with smug grin on his face that filled Techno with a sort of…giddiness.
They had done it.
They had paid Schlatt back with some of his own medicine and he hadn't had a choice but…but to accept it.
It felt good.
"hurry up and eat and we can get into the bedroom before they're done." Dream whispered as he leaned close.
And just like that the good feeling went away, replaced with uncertainty.
"i don't know, dream. why don't we just stay out here? we could watch tv and play with tommy when he wakes up." Techno reasoned as he squirmed in his seat.
"you said they take over your room every time. i think it's our turn. besides, we can have tommy come play with us in your room too. they wont be able to kick all three of us out, we'll out number them." Dream insisted as he already started to scarf down the last of his snack
Not seeing any real reason to argue further Techno followed suit in inhaling his snack and slipping off the couch. The two were swift in making their way into the bedroom, Dream making sure to close the door quietly for some reason. Techno wasn't going to ask and instead busied himself with gathering the pillows and blankets from his bed to widen the pre-made 'reading nook' his mother had set up for him.
It wasn't long before he and Dream were in a discussion about if Athena was a 'good' goddess or a 'bad' one. According to Dream Athena's punishments were 'too big' a retaliation to what the people generally did, though Techno only half agreed. Athena helped people more often than not really. It was just that, when it came to punishing mortals as a goddess, well, the scale for that was on the level of a goddess. Of course it was going to be over the top sometimes. That didn't make her a 'bad' goddess.
He was so engulfed in the conversation that Techno jumped when the door to the bedroom swung open. It wasn't particularly fast, but he hadn't been expecting it. Facing him and Dream first was Schlatt, who was staring at the two with a firm frown, with Wilbur just behind him.
Wilbur didn't look as annoyed as before, but he also didn't seem to like the idea of Techno and Dream being in the room right now. A thought that Schlatt readily made known from himself with a pointedly loud groan.
"Seriously? Is there no where else for you two to be right now? We're usin' this room."
"You can still use it. We're just in this one corner after all." Dream replied with such ease that Techno wondered at how he could manage it.
Personally his own stomach was starting to tie with a knot. He was regretting eating his pudding so fast now.
"We were using it first." Schlatt insisted as he took a stomped step into the room.
He didn't get further than that before Wil had a hand reached out and grabbing at Schlatt's shoulder.
"Come on. We can just go watch tv now or something." Wil suggested with a motion to head back out of the room.
"I'm not in the mood to watch anything right now. The small fry can just get out and give us the space like usual." Schlatt 'suggested' in turn, though it…felt like more then that to Techno.
"That might be what you want, Schlatt, but this isn't your room. Its Techno's and he has more say about it than you do." Dream said as he crossed his arms for good measure.
"Its not 'just' Techno's room, its Wilbur's too, and he's older. Since it's been Wil's room longer then he has more say about how its used." Schlatt countered roughly as his eyes narrowed.
Techno squirmed where he sat, the pit of his stomach twisting and making him feel even more sick than a moment ago. A nervous glance to his brother showed that Wil was feeling just as uneasy about the stand off happening before them. Their eyes met briefly and Techno could see the worry that rested in them.
"Come on, Schlatt. Really. Lets go watch tv. It always takes you a while to flip through the channels anyway." Wilbur tried to insist with another pull to his friends arm.
Schlatt, however, pulled out of the hold and turned to send his glare at Wilbur now.
"I told you, I don't feel like it. We were here first so we're staying." He stated before turning on his heel and storming over to Wil's bed, hopping up onto it.
Schlatt made sure that when he settled he was able to cast glaring looks at Techno and Dream easily whenever he wanted. Dream wasn't facing him anymore and was instead using the fact that Schlatt was at his back to try to give Techno assuring looks. Techno just swallowed hard and tried to refocus on the book he had in hand.
It wasn't one they were talking about for Athena and now Techno wasn't even sure why he had it out to begin with. Seeing the struggle on his face or perhaps just trying to fill the recently silent air, Dream started to speak, but doing so louder than normal.
"I still think Athena went out of her way on some of those punishments. So still vote on her being a 'badie'." Dream stated as if their conversation before hadn't been interrupted.
Techno hesitated to reply despite the encouraging nod from Dream, but thankfully his friend had his back regardless. Without missing much of a beat Dream continued and once more Techno wondered how he could just, do that.
"You said it was like, because she was a goddess and all, but she was the goddess of wisdom. So, logically, shouldn't she have known better? Specifically about how to punish mortals?"
"t-technically-" Techno started, determined not to have Dream struggle through all the talking, "she was a goddess of more than just wisdom."
Dream gave a smile to Techno as he nodded his head, his next words said with a bit more energy.
"Okay, but like, she was still a goddess of wisdom so it still counts as she should have known better. Unless she did but didn't care."
"i…think it was more that she just, thought they earned it." Techno reasoned as he ran a hand over the book in front of him.
It might not be relevant to the conversation, but it made him feel a bit more at ease. Almost enough to ignore that Wilbur had crossed the room and was now sitting and trying to talk to Schlatt about something on their side of the room.
"So, then that means she didn't care about them being mortal or not. She did it on purpose, being that cruel about it. So then Athena was a bad Goddess, just with good skills." Dream reasoned with proud sort of smile.
This made Techno frown at him with a huff.
"She wasn't 'bad'. Not compared to like, the others around her. She was a good-"
"Is this really what you nerds talk about? Old, fucking, stories and shit? For old people?" Schlatt asked, pointedly ignoring Wil' warning about watching his language.
"Its not 'old people' stuff. Its 'smart people' stuff." Dream retorted earning another heated scoff.
"If you were smart you'd be into something cool. Not some dusty old religious stuff so bad they became stupid kids stories."
"Schlatt. Come on. Lets just, go do something else. We can play a video game instead of tv." Wilbur tried to insist once more.
"Shut up, Wil. You really just going to roll over rights to your room because they want to talk about lame shit?"
"Its not 'lame'." Techno defended suddenly, the words bursting out of him as he mustered a glare at the older boy.
He'd given Schlatt a bloody nose before so- so he could do this. He could stand up to him.
"Are you kidding me? I've seen drying paint that was more interesting."
"Then go stare at it some more-" Dream started to say, but Techno started to speak over him.
"They aren't 'stupid' or 'lame' at all. They're more older than you and- and a lot more interesting than anything you probably read." Techno stated as his breathing picked up with his rising anger, "Y-you're just jealous that you- you probably can't read anything so awesome!"
"Oh please. Only losers like that old people stuff. Old people and babies." Schlatt stated as he rolled his eyes extra big.
"Schlatt, knock it off." Wilbur tried to cut in again, this time sounding more angry than his previous attempts, "Its actually kind of coo-"
"You're such a jerk!" Techno snapped as he slammed his book to the floor, "Why are you like that?!"
"Well why is your voice like that?!" Schlatt snapped back with as he pushed himself up off of Wilbur's bed.
Techno's mouth dropped opened as a spike of shock seemed to bolt through his brain, stunning him in place. The knot in his stomach seemed to triple and drop all at once as any thought of words fled his entire being.
He couldn't tell if he wasn't hearing anything or if it was just that quiet, but no one seemed to be moving. No one aside from Schlatt as he raised his hands up in a sharp questioning motion. When the other opened his mouth to speak all Techno could hear was a ringing noise before the room itself seemed to burst around him.
x-x
Wilbur stood in shock as he stared at Schlatt, his harsh words ringing in his ears. Harsh words that he knew would hurt his brother, that were meant to hurt his brother. Schlatt had promised, promised Wilbur that he wouldn't bring up anything to do with Techno's voice ever. It was something he made sure of the first time he'd heard the other making a joke about it in school.
He…he thought Schlatt had understood. He thought he'd made sure it was off the table of joking since it wasn't something Techno was comfortable with himself.
He knew.
Schlatt knew and he did it anyway.
The worry that had been filling Wilbur's chest, the concern he had about trying to keep the peace- it was snuffed out in that instant. In its place was a heat he had never felt before.
He was furious.
It only grew hotter when Schlatt had raised his arms up aggressively at his little brother. A sharp and demanding 'Well?' breaking the silence of the room.
Wilbur didn't even have a chance to react as Dream somehow shot forwards from his spot on the floor. He was up and jumping onto Schlatt bringing them both to the floor as he started to throw punches.
"Ouch! You stupi-"
"TAKE IT BACK! TAKE IT BACK RIGHT NOW!" Dream was shouting into Schlatt's face as he continued to hit him wherever his fist could find.
"Get Off Me You Little Psycho!"
"APOLOGIZE TO HIM RIGHT NOW!" Dream yelled louder over him.
Wilbur watched with an open mouth unsure if he wanted to stop Dream or check on his brother instead. Looking over to Techno he could see his brother covering his mouth with his hands as his eyes welled up with tears.
The sight sent an ache through his chest and his mind was instantly made up. He started to turn to towards his brother when suddenly the door to the room burst open. It startled him back a step as their father stood there his expression one of alarm that Wilbur couldn't place.
The man took all of a second to take in the room before he was already reaching out mid stride and plucking the still thrashing Dream off of Schlatt. The two boys where still shouting at each other even as their father tried to speak over them, ordering them to calm down and breath. Similar, if not a bit more angry than when he had to break Wil and Techno out of a fight.
Wilbur was faintly aware of Tommy crying from his own room but it wasn't registering more than 'we woke him up' in the back of his head. Instead all Wil could focus on was Dream growling out more apology demands at Schlatt, Schlatt cussing as he held tightly at his eye, his father trying to quiet them all and…and Techno. Techno still frozen in place with a hand over his mouth and trying not to cry.
Unwilling to move his hands from his mouth Techno only squeezed his eyes closed as the first few began to fall.
Wilbur quickly moved to his side, reaching up to wipe the tears away himself. Techno flinched at his touch at first before pressing himself firming into his arms. Wilbur wrapped his little brother in a hug as he glanced back in time to see his father carrying both Dream and Schlatt from the room.
X-x-X
"-and after he said that? Of course I hit him." Dream finished recounting from his spot at the kitchen table.
Phil currently was icing down Schlatt's rapidly blackening eye as he listened. He was certainly mad to hear about the argument, specifically at the treatment of Techno, by this particular child once more. Especially at hearing that Wilbur hadn't stepped in sooner to stop it.
He knew it wasn't Wilbur's fault of course. He'd never hold someone else's actions on his son's head. But the only reason Schlatt had even been allowed back into their home after the last time was because Wilbur had promised they would be nice. Or at least nicer. 'Nicer' sounded like the word Wil used specifically.
So much for that.
On the other side of that matter, as much as Phil didn't want to…promote child violence…he had to admit Dream apparently had a mean left hook. As an adult he knew he shouldn't but, admittedly he was happy Dream had stepped in.
Hell, he was proud.
Dream was proving more and more to be a good friend for Techno. Loyal and protective to say the very least.
"Dream-" Phil started, hating that he had to give in to the adult part of his brain for this, "While I appreciate you protecting Techno, violence wasn't the best answer."
"But-"
"no 'but's about it, mate. You can't just attack someone, no matter how mean they are being." Phil stated, making sure to point his last few words at the little brat he was currently still caring for.
Schlatt just rolled his good eye with a scoff.
Phil, in that moment, had never wanted to smack a kid with ice so much in his life.
…
Maybe he should have been slower in getting to the room.
"You don't solve things by hitting each other. If it can't be talked out then you should've come to me." Phil tried to explain as he looked over the boys.
Dream was frowning at the table with a pout but nodding along anyway. Schlatt didn't seem to be listening at all and oh, if that didn't just burn at Phil's nerves.
Changing his attention towards the living room Phil could see Wilbur's head over the back of the couch, tilted just enough to show he was listening.
He had come out of the bedroom some time ago and had been on the couch since. Techno wasn't with him and Phil honestly wasn't surprised. Though he was surprised Wil wasn't staying by his side right now. A concern to think about later, unfortunately.
"I think the best course of action is for you boys to apologize to one other. Then perhaps we can-"
"I'm not apologizing to him! Not after what he said to Techno!" Dream said as he flopped against the back of his chair and glared at Schlatt.
"Wasn't plannin' on apologizin' either." Schlatt huffed out as pull away from Phil's hands.
"Boys-"
"I wont! He's always being mean and- and doing things to Techno and my friends! He deserved it and I wont say 'sorry'!" Dream was shouting a bit at this point and Phil had to raise a hand up to motion 'calm' at the boy.
"I am not. You're just a liar. A bad one." Schlatt stated with a bored sort of confidence.
"He told me all about it! You always call him a 'baby' and laugh at him and-" Dream started to rattle off various offenses that Techno had apparently confided.
Things that Techno hadn't told Phil himself any of the times they had talked about Schlatt's last visit or potential future ones. For all the accusations being sent his way Schlatt didn't seem at all bothered and Phil wasn't sure if the kid really didn't care or…something else.
"Okay, Okay. Dream, calm down, mate. Take a breath." Phil stepped into the growing argument before it became a full screaming match or more.
"Don't hold your breath for an apology, cus I ain't givin' any. You can eat my ass." Schlatt stated boldly as he flipped Dream off.
Phil couldn't help the surprise that drew up on his face for a moment. He'd heard Schlatt cuss plenty of times but this caught him off guard. Where on earth does a ten year old learn this kind of behavior?
"Oookay, enough from the both of you." Phil corralled once more, this time with a bit of heat in his voice as he pointedly looked to Schlatt, "And certainly enough of that language from you, mr, while in this house."
Schlatt just rolled his good eye and held the ice pack more solidly over his injured one.
"You know what? I think its time I called your parents." Phil stated with a mix of defeat and relief at the idea, "I think visiting for the next while is going to be off the table until this can be figured out peacefully."
Dream glanced up at Phil with an indignant frown on his face and a disgruntled huff. It reminded Phil of Wilbur honestly, only instead of an annoyed glare Dream was giving him a more sad and regretful look.
Schlatt only seemed to be further annoyed as he kicked his feet harder in the chair.
He was liking this kid less and less every time he met him and today was particularly strong with the 'what does my son see in this kid' vibes.
"Dream, go sit at the computer desk, Schlatt, you stay here. No fighting while I make the calls, Understood?" Phil asked as he finally took a step back from Schlatt.
The kid didn't have any other injuries aside from the blackening eye and a mild bruise that was forming on his cheek just below it. If Dream ever wanted to become a boxer Phil would be more than happy to vouch for him.
For now, though, he was instead going to have to call Ms. Trapper and explain that Dream had attacked another child and that there was potentially another call in her future by an angry mother or father. He would, of course, offer to middle man since it happened on his watch (and in his opinion for a good reason). Though, from what he'd gathered so far on the woman she…wasn't probably going to need his help.
Dream might though.
x-x
Wilbur sat still as ever on the couch as he listened to his father on the phone from down the hallway. He couldn't make out words, but he didn't need to. He wasn't concerned about the calls being made in the slightest.
The only thing he could focus on was his little brother, who was sitting alone in their room, curled into the reading nook under whatever blanket had been available around him at the time.
"pst"
Wilbur didn't look up at first as he picked at some invisible itch on his hand.
"pst, hey"
This time Wilbur looked up, meeting Dream's worried gaze.
"where's Techno?" He asked in a whisper, clearly trying to not get Phil's attention even if he was out of hearing range.
Wilbur hesitated as he looked back to his feet.
"in our room." He answered in a soft voice as well.
Not because he thought he should match Dream's tones, but because he really didn't think he could speak louder right now anyway.
"Iis he okay?/I"
Wilbur shrugged here with little energy.
"Iwell, why don't you asked him?/I" Dream asked with a bit more snap to his words.
Wilbur let out a deeper sigh as he sunk into the cushion.
"he wont talk to me right now." Wil admitted, feeling the pit of his stomach drop more as he said it aloud.
"Pft, what a loser." Schlatt scoffed from the kitchen and instantly getting a glare from Dream.
"Shut up, Schlatt."
"shut up , schlatt." Wilbur huffed out himself at the same time with a scowl, refusing to look at his friend.
He didn't even want to think about Schlatt right now.
He knew Schlatt could be hard to get along with at times, but he…he thought it was going to be different with him. Wil thought that making Schlatt promise, on their friendship, to be nicer to Techno that…that maybe Techno could see when he was funny too. Would see that Schlatt was someone cool they could laugh with.
But…
But that hadn't happened. Schlatt had broken every promise made and had just made things so much worse. His father was probably never going to allow Schlatt to come over again.
Honestly…Wilbur didn't even want him to.
He'd heard all the things Dream had said about Schlatt. About what he'd done and said that bothered Techno in the past. Things that…Wilbur didn't know had bothered him. It had, just been jokes. Teases and names Wilbur himself had used before too.
It reminded him of something their mother taught them. Something about how words might seem like nothing at the time, but that it can change depending on who says them. Sometimes they can hurt a lot more than you realize.
Wilbur suddenly felt terrible about laughing along with Schlatt those times. He could have been hurting his brother the whole time and not even know it. But, Techno hadn't- He hadn't said anything so…
With a mental wince Wilbur grimaced to himself.
Techno had…maybe tried talking to him. Once. Right after Schlatt's first visit. Wilbur remembers they had been talking about something said but…but Wilbur had just called him a 'baby' and told him it was fine. That…that it was just Schlatt being 'funny'.
Techno hadn't talked to him again after that.
Wilbur, maybe, kind of wanted to throw up a little.
X-x-X-X-x-X
Days passed and despite best efforts made Techno refused to talk to anyone in his family. Not Wilbur, his father or his mother. He didn't even make baby noises back at Tommy.
Techno refused to go to school a well, remaining locked in Tommy's room, where he had chosen to reside once more after the fight had happened. Nothing Wil did or said could get Techno to respond to him other than turning in another direction and staring at some object or other.
It even got to the point where the Watson family had opted to skip Halloween for the year. Which didn't exactly bother Wilbur as he didn't feel particularly festive anymore. Even Tommy, without understanding why, didn't seem to mind staying indoors with his little costume on. Answering the door with either parent seemed to satisfy him enough.
It was was two days after the holiday that Phil and Kristin sat Techno down once more, this time in their own bedroom, to try to mend the situation. It was delicate waters and both of them were picking their words carefully, trying to explain that what happened never should have. That what Wil's friend said was wrong and rude and Techno shouldn't take something like that to heart.
Just when it was looking like Techno wasn't going to respond to this talk either he opened his mouth. His voice was small, but in the silent room they could hear him enough.
"why…why is my voice like this?" He asked, eyes cast down at the bed between himself and his parents, "is..is it broken or-"
"Oh, baby. No, of course not." Kristin was quick to sooth, her arms reaching out to wrap around her son, "Nothing about you is broken. Your voice is perfect just the way it is."
"You're exactly as you should be Techno. There's nothing 'wrong' about it." Phil added as he mirrored his wife's hold on Techno's other side, a hand going up to run through the back of Techno's hair as well.
"Everyone is made different. Unique. You're voice is just as special even of some people don't understand that." Kristin continue to assure her middle child, "Something perfectly unique for my perfectly special boy."
Looking down into his face she could see he didn't really believe her, yet he was nodding slowly anyway.
She didn't believe that a few words between herself and her husband would solve their sons feelings of course, complex things that they were. However, she still hoped that they would be the seeds to later bloom into the self confidence he deserved to have.
She would make sure of it.
x-x-x
It was almost the end of the second week of Techno staying in Tommy's room and Wilbur watched with an aching pain in his chest as Techno finished changing into his pajamas. He still needed to get dressed in their room and so Wilbur had had to suffer watching it every night before being left in the darkness of their…of 'his' room.
He hated it.
He hated it so much that 'hate' didn't even seem like a big enough word to contain what he felt. It was horrible and achy and it made it his insides feel like they were crushing together until it his whole body hurt.
He had hoped giving Techno space would work like it did last time. But…it was longer than last time and Techno still hadn't uttered a word to him. He wasn't sure what hurt more. The silence of the room alone at night, or the silence of it while Techno was still with him.
He…he had to end this.
He had to try.
Slipping off his bed Wilbur managed to step up to Techno, just off to his side closest to the door. Techno probably knew he was there, but he was intently doing up the buttons on his shirt and ignoring him entirely.
"t-techno?" Wilbur started off, his voice quieter than normal as if breaking the silence too much would ruin…something.
Techno didn't stop what he was doing, struggling with a button that Wilbur knew he couldn't help with right now.
"i-i just-" Wilbur stammered as he swallowed hard and looked towards his feet.
Techno didn't made a sound or a move and so Wilbur forced himself to produce the words he wanted.
"i-i wanted to- to apologize...again." Wil managed, taking a breath to speak more evenly, "I didn't- I shouldn't have- I didn't mean for that to happen. I-I didn't mean for you to get hurt. You're my little brother and…I didn't mean for you to be hurt."
Wilbur's mouth felt dry as he swallowed again, looking up as he chewed on the inside of his lower lip once more. Techno was looking at him! He was…he was looking at him…right?
Techno's gaze was in his direction but…it..was like it wasn't focused.
When Techno moved to walk around him something inside of Wilbur seemed to finally break. A sob he hadn't even realized was building up burst through his lips as he spun enough to fling his arms around Techno. He hugged his brother tighter than he ever thought he could and buried his face into his shoulder.
"I-I'm sorry! I'm s-sorry- I'm so sorry! Techno, please! I'm so sorry! It hurts so bad and I'm sorry and I don't know what to do!" Wilbur bawled out, his voice broken in between his words, "I-I d-didn't- didn't know he-he-was- was like that! I never would have- I'm so sorry! Please- please don't hate me anymore, I can't- it-it hurts so bad! Please!"
Wilbur wasn't sure how long he went on like that for, but he eventually became aware of his brother's arms wrapped around him. One of his hands was patting at Wil's back and they both seemed to have found themselves on the floor now.
He could almost hear the faint 'shushing' sound his brother was making, forcing his hysterics down to hear it better. Techno had been so quiet lately that he ached for any noise his brother would make. Anything at all.
"i…don't hate you." Techno said in a whispered voice once Wil was quiet enough.
Wilbur could feel the ache in his chest ripple at the words, soft as they were.
"i'm just…really mad at you right now."
Wilbur hugged Techno tighter as he shuddered from another sob, though he choked a bit to stifle it.
"Y-you c-can be as-as mad as y-you want. I-I don't mind. J-just- just please- please talk to me." Wilbur pleaded as he tried to once more bury his face into his brother, "Y-you can yell at me- all-all you like. Just- just please- Don't- don't leave me alone anymore!"
Wilbur shook hard once more as he tried so hard to somehow pull Techno closer, as if the slightest give in his hold would have the other slipping out of his grasp forever.
"I don't want to lose my brother" Wilbur whispered, his voice cracking a final time before another sob took over him.
The two continued to sit on their bedroom floor, tangled in each others arms as the words lingered desperately in the air.
x-x
Neither of the boys noticed when the door to the room had slowly opened, allowing for their father to peek through. He closed it carefully as he leaned against the door frame with a hand over his chest and wrapped up tightly in the fabric there.
These were not exactly the emotional hurdles the parenting books prepared them for.
Every ounce of his being wanted to rush in and comfort his sons. Distressed and clinging to each other like the end of the world. He almost had, a few times even. But Techno had started to respond to Wil. Techno had comforted him and even found his words enough to answer.
Phil felt like a shit parent for just, coasting on that but…he didn't know what else to do. They'd tried to help the boys before but, this was the first time Techno actually acknowledged Wilbur being there. If he'd stepped in…what if he ruined that?
He didn't know what the right answer was. He really didn't. All he could hope for was that this would help to end the fight. Give them the stepping stones to do so.
He hoped and wished and he'd even go so far as to pray if he needed to.
Because if it didn't help then he'd have just left his kids to go through that for no reason.
Gathering his strength and wiping his eyes as dry as he could get them Phil turned back towards the door. It was about time he actually stepped in now. His boys needed comforting and it was long overdue.
x-x-x
Right or wrong it was hard to say, but at the very least there did seem to be progress made. After some much needed soothing from their father Wilbur and Techno were calmed enough, and exhausted enough, to sleep.
This time, instead of going into Tommy's room as he had been, Techno picked up his TechnoPig and crawled into Wilbur's bed. The two curled together under the thick blue duvet and for the first time in over two weeks a soft shared 'goodnight' could be heard in the room.