#pat.writing

[ipatrichor]

wip for the future reflection au - twinsduo interlude

“You’re going to get yourself killed doing this, y’know.”

Across the campfire, Wilbur lifts his head and glances over. He seems- almost surprised, though Techno can’t quite tell if it’s because of the words themselves or the faint concern underneath them.

The silence hangs in the air, heavy in a way Techno can’t place. Then Wilbur smiles, and for a second it almost looks real.

“I’m aware of the risks. But it’s worth the danger.”

Techno makes a noise, not quite agreement, and continues to study the face of the person across from him. “I mean, sure. But you know we’re not talking hypotheticals. If you go through with this, you’re going to die.”

He doesn’t know why he’s pressing the issue. Since when does he care if people get themselves killed in completely preventable ways? It’s never been his business. Technically it still isn’t, except for the part where he invited himself along on this stupid quest as if that could possibly change the outcome. What business of his is it if this guy with a goal he convinced even Techno to believe in gets himself killed?

“It’s worth the danger.” Wilbur repeats, something almost- fragile in his expression. He looks back at Techno, holding himself stiffly, the same way he looked when they stood across from each other in an empty corridor- one with a hand outstretched, the other lowering their weapon.

Maybe fragile isn’t the right word. Maybe it’s something more dangerous, more resolved. Something splintering at the edges.

Techno shrugs, backing off. Whatever. It’s not his problem. He doesn’t even know this guy, not really.

He pretends not to see how Wilbur relaxes once the topic is dropped. It makes something unpleasant start to twist in his gut, something that if he examined it closer might start to feel a bit like worry, but he’s felt enough of that for a lifetime.

Not my problem, he thinks resolutely, and turns away.

[ipatrichor]

okay i’m v tired and going to sleep now, but i managed to make abt 600 words of progress and i’m very proud of myself so!! u guys get a wip of the new oneshot i’m hoping to have done tomorrow skgbh :}

“Are you scared of me?” Techno had asked once, when they were teenagers and he was still learning what it meant to be afraid of his abilities, before he was willing to cross so many lines. Before he’d learned to accept that he was someone who would do whatever is necessary.

Wilbur had just laughed, brushing aside Techno’s worries like that was all it took to make them disappear. “No. Why would I be?”

“I could hurt someone.” Techno hadn’t known why he was so insistent then, why he’d pushed it, except that a cold hand that felt a bit like fear held his lungs in a vice grip sometimes when he thought about what he had the power to do.  What he was just starting to suspect he’d be willing to do. “I could hurt you. You probably should be scared.”

Wilbur had frowned for just a second, there and gone on his face so fast Techno hadn’t noticed until years later when he’d been alone, analyzing their interactions to try and find where he went wrong besides the obvious. Then he’d smiled all the brighter, tucking his legs under him where he sat.

“Don’t be silly. I’ll never be scared of you. You’re my brother, you wouldn’t hurt me!”

At the time, Techno had relaxed at the unwavering trust. It was so easy to get swept up in Wilbur’s conviction, to believe whatever he talked about with so much passion. It was easy to trust him when Techno couldn’t trust himself.

Years later, the illusion shattered when Wilbur did. Something broke in both of them, Techno thinks, when he’d looked at his brother and seen fear on the face looking back. In the end, he was right after all.

It’s a hollow victory in that it’s really not a victory at all. He won the fight, but as he walks away and leaves the person who believed in him to the point of foolishness alone to die, he knows with sickening clarity that he’s lost something far more important.

[ipatrichor]

i enjoy writing outlines :}

[ipatrichor]

"I hate math," Atticus scowls, haphazardly running a hand through his hair.

Cole bites back an amused smile. After sitting through so many rants on the same subject, the way Atticus starts to look like a disgruntled cat when he complains is endearing enough that amusement far outweighs annoyance.

"It makes no sense!" He gestures wildly. With the ease of long practice, Cole leans to the side to avoid getting smacked. "There are all these nonsense rules, and they all have exceptions but follow no internal logic so there's no way to tell whether a rule applies or not!"

Cole pats him on the shoulder in commiseration, cutting to the heart of the matter. "Did you get another B in math?"

Atticus groans, slumping to rest his head on the desk. "It's so bullshit, Cole."

"Mhm."

"I study so hard!*

"You do."

"I have an A in everything else!"

"You do."

"It just doesn't make sense..." He turns to the side, looking up at Cole with an adorable pout.

...Adorable? Cole blinks, nearly forgetting to respond. The thought catches him off guard, sneaking in out of nowhere. Does he... think his friend is adorable?

Huh.

Huh.

"I'll study with you?" He offers, shoving that away to examine probably never. It's only after he's made the offer that he realizes it probably won't be helpful- his math grades are even worse. He can't help but flush a little embarrassed, but it's too late to take it back now.

Atticus lifts his head, eyebrows lifting slightly. There's a moment of surprised silence, and then his whole face lights up in a delighted smile.

"You'd do that? Thanks!"

Cole can feel his heart skip a beat, and inwardly curses the dark green blush he's sure is painted across his face.

"No problem," He manages, only a bit stiffly. "We'll figure it out together."

Atticus's smile turns distinctly fond in a way that leaves Cole unable to tear his gaze away, and he leans over to lightly bump shoulders.

"Yeah. Together."