puffy starts noticing some HUGE red flags with wilbur's behaviour + the final setup before c!phil loses his fucking mind at what he sees

HIIIIIII apologies for yet another short chapter but this one sort of ended itself T-T it just felt right to end there especially with what's coming so i let it be lol... anyways! hopefully u guys like it bc next chapter is going to be... intense... and Long...

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Throughout the ordeal Niki had been… conflicted. Originally she’d thought she’d been dreaming when her vision went dim and she found herself trapped in a room with other members of the server, but memory after memory had proven the entire thing to be painstakingly real . Fortunately for her, she had yet to be featured in any on screen memory and was silently thanking the gods.

No, it seemed the main attraction and center of it all was none other than TommyInnit. The name left a bitter taste in her mouth, and though she’d been working on moving past these things, the resentment she harboured towards him was not something that would simply vanish overnight.

Obviously, Ranboo had been lying to the syndicate about Tommy’s death, as he sat a few rows ahead, surprisingly docile. Of course, she didn’t blame Ranboo, bless his soul, but she found herself not sure what to make of the ‘death’ of Tommy. She hadn’t really cared, if she was being honest. Call it denial or apathy or whatever you want, it hadn’t done much to her.

Believe it or not, not everyone on the server’s worlds revolved around the kid.

She didn’t need to think about that. She’d started baking again, she’d built a new base, she’d started healing.

And then she’d shown up in the godforsaken room from hell and seen him , and everything had come rushing back. It was always about Tommy, wasn’t it? Even in a situation so out of the ordinary he was still the focus. Wilbur chose him. Wilbur had always chosen him.

Tommy’s words had perplexed her, however, and she found herself dwelling on it as she sat. Niki looked over at the boy again, and he seemed… different. Different from five minutes prior, even. Like a bucket of water had been dumped over his head and this newer, duller Tommy was revealed to the world.

Had he looked like that from the moment they stepped foot in that room? Longer? She didn’t know. She wasn’t sure.

“He cared about you too much.” The boy’s words bounced around in her mind as she tried to decipher what he’d meant. The statement had caught her off guard, and she wasn’t really sure what to say or if she should even bother speaking at that point. Why had he sounded so… defeated?

“How many of these things do we even have left?” George asked, looking perplexed, tearing Niki from her thoughts.

“When do we get to leave?” Tubbo whined, leaning on Ranboo’s side.

“The last memory you will be shown happened this morning,” Drista chimed in unhelpfully, “so buckle up losers.”

Tommy laughed at that, earning a few glares as others broke out into unhappy protests. Their complaints went unanswered, however, and they forced themselves to accept their fate in the dastardly chairs.

They settled in, staring ahead.

Wilbur sighed tiredly, dragging his feet through the grass as he slowly made his way back to their tiny shelter. There were large bags under his eyes, sagging down as if they had the weight of the world upon them. His hair was unkempt, messy and shoved angrily into a grey beanie. Gone was his revolutionary uniform, instead he adorned a large trench coat, making him look all the more deranged.

As he stepped foot in the sad little dirt house, Tommy looked up at him. The blond was knelt down at the furnace, placing some iron inside while humming to himself quietly. He wore a long sleeve white shirt, his trademark tee overtop. Wrapped around his neck was a green bandanna, tattered greatly but still intact all the same.

“Glow down.” Fundy piped up from the back, grinning.

“Fuck off ya prick.” Tommy replied, throwing up the middle finger without even bothering to turn around.

“Hey Wil!” Tommy chirped excitedly, standing and dusting himself off. The man in question smiled, though it came out as more of a grimace than anything. “What’ve you been up to?”

“Hello, Tommy.” Wilbur greeted, “same as usual. Grinding for resources. Hating Schlatt. Grinding for resources. Wanting L’Manberg back.” His tone had turned rather bitter near the end.

Tommy winced, smiling nervously. “Y-Yeah… It’s no fun out here…”

Something about that statement appeared to make the elder change. As Wilbur glanced over at his younger brother, his eyes glazed over. Tommy, who had gone back to shuffling through inventory, didn’t notice.

“It’s your fault we’re out here, Tommy,” he began, tone laced with something indescribable, “I don’t want to hear you complaining.”

“Harsh…” Sam noted.

“It’s not your fault Tommy.” Puffy huffed angrily, “don’t listen to him.”

Thank god for Puffy, the youngest managed a small smile. He didn’t want to break it to her that he’d spent years listening to Wilbur.

Phil apparently had decided to remain silent.

Tommy looked up at that, brow furrowing as he cocked his head. “My fault?”

“ You invited Schlatt onto this server.” Wilbur hissed, shoulders hiking up, “ You did this to us.”

“Now hold on a second,” Tommy frowned, trying to bite back any anger in his tone, “ You were the one that started this whole election. How in god’s name is this my fault? ”

“Everything’s your fault, Tommy.” The former president growled, and there was no joking air, Wilbur was being dead serious.

Hurt flashed in Tommy’s eyes for a moment as he took a step back, before he hardened his gaze, gritting his teeth and taking two forward. “Just where do you think you get on telling me off like that? That’s a real dickhead move you kn-”

“Shut up !” Wilbur groaned, throwing his head back, “you are so goddamn annoying! I can’t pretend to like you right now, Tommy.”

The blond faltered, eyes growing wide. He opened his mouth to say something but nothing came out. Wordlessly, he turned, going back to counting inventory, ignoring the sinking feeling in his chest.

Wilbur pulled out his communicator, going over things nonchalantly as if he hadn’t just broken his little brother’s heart in two.

“Let’s not fight,” Tommy whispered after a few minutes of silence, “we only have each other.”

Wilbur frowned, eyes flitting over to the blond. “Yeah,” He sighed, shoving his hands into his pockets, “yeah whatever.”

“That was… not nice.” Tubbo decided on finally, “like, at all.”

“He was just stressed is all,” Tommy jumped in, defending Wilbur without even really registering it in his mind, “it was my fault anyways.”

“It wasn’t your fault though?” Karl tilted his head.

“Regardless of whether he’s stressed he shouldn’t take it out on you.” George pointed out, disapproving of the entire interaction.

“Oh like you’ve never snapped at someone,” Techno rolled his eyes, “and it’s Tommy ; he’s insufferable. That’s like, just a fact.”

“And Wil wasn’t just stressed,” Niki urged, “he was dealing with a lot. ”

“It’s a wonder he didn’t freak out on you earlier.” Jack shrugged towards Tommy.

Puffy, who had been stewing angrily in her seat, shot up at that. “What’s the matter with you guys!?” She demanded, “do you hear yourselves right now?”

The sheep hybrid turned to Tommy, who had been watching silently, face impassive. “Everything is not your fault, Tommy.” She insisted, “He was wrong then and he’s wrong now.”

“Well Wilbur’s always wrong,” Tommy snorted, rolling his eyes as he tried to lighten the mood. Puffy frowned at that, no doubt noticing how adamant he was when it came to deflecting any sort of serious conversation that he could deem ‘emotional’ or ‘pitying’. She sighed, sitting down.

“Anyways,” Wilbur muttered, looking over at Tommy’s hunched form, “you had something you wanted to tell me?”

The younger visibly brightened at that, as if he’d brushed the whole affair just moments before completely to the side. He nodded enthusiastically, grinning. “Uh-huh uh-huh!” He jumped to his feet, moving over to his jacket hung on the wall. Wilbur watched wordlessly as he fished around in the pockets, until finally pulling out a crumpled piece of parchment.

“Jesus,” Wil laughed, “is that a letter? Who sends letters in that condition?”

“Off the top of my head I could name two…” Karl said, pointedly glaring at his two fiances who laughed sheepishly.

“Paper bends and tears easily,” Sapnap insisted, “not our fault.”

“Well… it wasn’t exactly like this when I got it…” Tommy admitted, laughing nervously.

A murky memory of the letter before was shown. It was in pristine condition, perfectly creased with elegant handwriting on both sides.

“What the hell did you do to that letter?” George laughed, earning a glare from Tommy.

“N-Nothing!” He protested, cheeks growing red, “I just shoved it in my pocket and it happened to come out like that!”

George laughed at that, definitely not believing him for a second.

“Our brother actually.” Tommy tilted his head up playfully, and Wilbur cocked a brow.

“You’re talking to Techno again? What about?” The former president moved over to the table, absentmindedly shuffling through papers.

Technoblade remembered the few months where Tommy had been ignoring him. It had something to do with him breaking one of Tommy’s things the last time he’d visited. It was stupid, really.

“About us, obviously!” Tommy laughed, “I asked him to come visit!”

Wilbur went very still at that, pausing in his movements as he craned his neck to look at the younger. He did not look amused, nor excited like Tommy had anticipated. A wave of silence washed over them for just seconds, but for the two it stretched on for eons; Just the sound of the wind in the trees and the birds chirping outside.

“You what?” Wilbur asked finally.

The piglin hybrid frowned at that, not sure what to make of that reaction. Wilbur hadn’t acted anything out of the ordinary when he’d arrived. Sure, he was… crazed and odd, but not to Techno specifically.

Tommy smiled nervously, not quite understanding the fear that washed over him in that moment. He clutched the letter a little tighter, wishing for his eldest brother silently.

“I uh… I told him we were in a bit of a rough patch. You’re really going through it big dubs so I figured who better to help you than your very own twin-”

Tommy was interrupted as his older brother slammed his hands down on the table, figure hunched and shadowed. The former blanched, rearing back as Wilbur was suddenly in his face, inches away.

“I don’t want to see Technoblade right now,” Wilbur smiled, both his tone and expression screaming ‘ danger!’, “I don’t even want to see you right now.”

Puffy let a dangerous sneer fall over her face, watching the memory with clenched fists. As time passed she was beginning to like the Wilbur fellow less and less. Stressed or not no one got to talk to Tommy like that.

Tommy tried to smile, placing his hands up in surrender, “I-It’s all good!” He laughed, voice trembling, “by the time he arrives you’ll already be over this little grumpy phase…”

Wilbur gave him a pointed glare, backing up and heading towards the door. He swung it open violently, stepping out into the autumn winds. “I’m going out.” He muttered angrily, “don’t wait up for me.”

The door slammed shut, making their little home shake, and dirt loosened from the roof, falling unceremoniously onto Tommy’s head. With that, he was alone, standing small. He sighed, moving over to the wall and sliding down it, pulling his knees up to his chest.

“I miss dad…” He whispered quietly.

The screen went dark.

“Tommy…” Phil began quietly, not quite sure what to say. Wilbur hadn’t done anything wrong, per say, but he didn’t know the youngest had felt like that.

“That’s awkward,” Tommy grimaced, laughing quietly, “bit of an embarrassing moment eh?” He avoided everyone’s gaze, pointedly staring at the ground.

Thankfully, another memory started up before anyone could get another word in.

It looked to be night, Tommy was hunched over at the table, hands clasped tightly. The torches around him dimly lit the area, and he looked to be alone in the abode.

Idiot! Why did you invite Techno without asking Wilbur first? Now he’s mad. He hates you. He doesn’t trust you. I wouldn’t trust you after that either. You-

Tommy’s bitter internal monologue was cut off abruptly by the sound of the front door creaking open. With speed that could’ve given him whiplash, he looked up at the entrance, watching with devout anticipation.

Wilbur stepped in, as tired and worn down as he had been when he left. His face was somber, brooding and shadowed. Tommy lit up at the sight of him, running over and nearly jumping at him. He bounced on his heels, gleaming up at the older man.

“Wilbur!” He cried excitedly, “you’re back!”

The man in question removed his coat, placing it on the wall and staring down at Tommy as though he was judging him silently. “Yeah?”

“Well it’s just that…” Tommy faltered, some of the excitement leaving him at the look, “it’s been two days…”

“He left you for two days?” Sam asked.

“I’m not a fuckin baby.” Tommy rolled his eyes.

“Well you proper upset me.” Wilbur glowered, not looking impressed in the slightest. Tommy shrunk under his gaze, frowning.

“I’m sorry Wil, really! I’ll never invite anyone here again without your permission! I won’t I promise!”

He didn’t need to ask where the elder was. It would probably only upset him more. It was none of his business.

Wilbur softened at that, smiling gently after a few moments. He reached out to the younger, cupping his cheek. Tommy instantly melted, leaning into the touch and practically purring. ‘I’m sorry Toms.” He whispered, pulling Tommy into a hug, “I shouldn’t have snapped at you like that. I was upset about a lot of things and I took it out on you.”

Tommy said nothing, merely soaking up the contact, burying his face in Wilbur’s chest.

“Can you ever forgive me, Tommy?” Wilbur asked, running his hands through the blond’s hair.

“Course I can…” Tommy mumbled, voice muffled as he pulled in even closer to his brother, “M just glad you’re back. ‘S not your fault. It’s mine.”

Wilbur grinned at that, a dark look in eyes, though Tommy couldn’t see it from where he was. The continued hugging, silently holding each other, and Wilbur’s grip just a little too tight to be normal.

Tommy frowned, taking a deep breath as the screen faded to black. Despite it all he felt himself grow… sad.

When was the last time he’d been hugged?

He crossed his pale arms, grateful for Ranboo’s sweater as he was frozen to the bone even with it. He shivered, rubbing his arms in a sad attempt to warm himself.

Still… he couldn’t shake the sickening pit building in his stomach.

Puffy was silently stewing, dread growing deep inside her. She wasn’t sure how much any of the others were able to pick up on, especially through tommy-hate-tinted goggles, but what she’d seen on screen was not an example of any type of healthy relationship.

Tommy was reliant on Wilbur in those memories. He doted on him without even realizing it, thinking he was still ‘Big Man Innit’ while chasing after his older brother. He craved Wilbur’s validation desperately, and was adamant on earning the man’s respect and trust.

“Tommy…” Puffy began nervously, grabbing everyone’s attention, “did Wilbur ever… hit you?”

There was silence in the room, and many people seemed to grow angry at her words. Phil and Niki in particular looked ready to start another fight.

“Okay that’s enough,” Phil shook his head, “Wilbur would never hit his brother.”

“Look at that!” Niki gestured to the screen, “he loved him!”

Puffy opened her mouth to object, to point out the clear red flags in Wil’s behaviour, but was interrupted by quiet laughter.

The people in the room looked over to Tommy, who was chuckling. He grinned at Puffy, rolling his eyes. “As if,” he dismissed, “Wilbur couldn’t lay a hand on me if he tried.”

Puffy frowned at that, wanting to go over to him. He was smiling, the familiar air of confidence (trademark Innit Incorporated) he always had, but it felt… shaky.

“Honestly,” Phil shook his head, “it’s like you have it out for him. How many more times do we have to say that my boy was a good man?”

Puffy looked over at him, and for the first time she really looked at him. She stared into his eyes, and was met with desperation she scarcely ever saw. Phil was scared. He was terrified that with each new memory would come another part of Wilbur he never knew, never bothered himself to know, and would have to face the truth. Philza had never really known Wilbur, and he was terrified of that fact.

She softened, feeling… sad for the man. “I’m sorry.” She backed down, much to everyone’s surprise, “I’ll let the screen do the talking.”

Sooner or later, Phil was going to have to come to terms with it, and soon enough he’d see Wilbur as someone he truly didn’t recognize. Puffy didn’t have to make him feel that prematurely.

twitter is @47bats instagram is @bi0sl

thanks so much for reading!! please read warnings for next chapter i'll have them in the beginning notes as things are... not gonna be pretty