Chapter Text
'ONE DAY- I KNOW THAT YOU WILL BE THERE
'ONE DAY- I'LL FOCUS ON THE FUTURE
'MAYBE ONE DAY- OH BABY ISN'T LIFE SO'
"FUCK- ING- IN-CON-SIS-TENT!"
The words were yelled so deafeningly loudly by everyone present, Wilbur almost had to cover his ears, but he couldn't ruin the song for his fans. The parking lot of the Cloud Nine Café was completely packed, with cars parked on the street with people perched atop them. A crowd surrounding the café, screaming along as Wilbur played and sang. Among them all, he could pick out Techno and Ranboo towards the back, the latter with headphones on to lessen the noise. Above, Phil was hovering over the crowd, wearing his iconic green and white hat from his hero days, while Dream and his team hung back atop Schlatt's van, dressed in full hero gear, having come to the gig directly from work.
Schlatt himself was towards the front of the crowd with Tubbo and Tommy at his sides, all three of them in costume, masks and all, shouting the lyrics to Wilbur's music louder than the rest of them. Aimsey and Eryn were stood atop one of the cars in the street, wearing a bunny and devil mask respectively, with Bad leant against the car between them.
It was truly touching that so many of Wilbur's friends made it to his first gig, even if it was just outside Puffy's café. The song came to an end and the crowd roared with applause. Purpled and Punz sent gold and blue firework illusions into the air above them, and Wilbur waved to his fans as he walked off-stage.
Schlatt barrelled into him the second his foot was off the wooden stage and onto the concrete. A sudden, jarring pain spiked through his head, disorienting him for several seconds. "Oi! You can't keep doing that, you know." he grinned, phasing intangible to escaped his friend's death grip around his arms.
"Can't help it." Schlatt shrugged, quickly using his cane to correct his posture. He quickly pulled up his ram skull mask, revealing his bright smiling face. "That was incredible!" he grinned, pulling Wilbur into a hug again. Wilbur was glad he refrained from headbutting him again.
"You think so? It kinda sucked that the guys couldn't make it." Wilbur looked again at the now dispersing crowd. Foolish had taken immediately to selling refreshments and snacks from the café as the people began to leave, weaving between them all with a tray of hand-made biscuits and cupcakes, decorated on theme with Wilbur's band.
Would-be band. The backing tracks were pre-recorded in a studio, played over speakers set up on the small stage. The other members had cancelled last-minute, leaving Wilbur to perform his first gig alone. And while, yes, it had been incredible, he couldn't help feeling disappointed, and a little betrayed.
"Fuck yeah! That was mint!" Tommy shouted, coming up behind Schlatt. The boy had pulled off his opaque veil, but left the white silk wrap over his eyes. It's not like he needed them visible anyway.
"Agreed." Tubbo chimed. He had removed his gas mask from the lower part of his face, but seemed content to keep his thick bangs over his eyes. Wilbur didn't mind.
He smiled, somewhat flustered by the praise, and pulled out of Schlatt's embrace. Only to immediately be dragged into another from his father. Phil had landed silently behind them, now trapping Wilbur once again in a tight hug. All he could do was sigh. Exasperated, but glad for his families' support. Techno had, at some point, arrived to the little group, Ranboo beside him, clutching to one of his hands, and Dream's team above them shrouded in a green glow from Dream's powers.
"That's was so fucking cool!" Sapnap yelled the second Dream's power released the trio onto the concrete, presumably having been forcibly shut up just seconds ago.
"It was." Dream agreed. Wilbur knew they were smiling behind the mask. George made some incoherent noise of agreement, though it looked as though he'd slept through the whole thing.
"Is he.." Techno began, pointing vaguely at George. As if on cue, the brunette snapped awake, standing up straight and smoothing down his shirt like nothing had happened. Techno threw his hand about in some gesture of 'oh, okay' and tucked it back into his pocket.
"My boy's a famous singer! I'm so damn proud of you!" Phil cooed, finally relinquishing Wilbur from his hug, only to spin him around and squish his cheeks. Wilbur felt his face flush and phased intangible, letting his dad's hands slip through him. "Oi!"
"Sorry, not in the mood for face squishes." Wilbur apologised, his voice echoing around his own head. "Also I can't bend down that far for too long."
Phil made an offended squawk and attempted to swat at him, his hand once again passing straight through Wilbur. Instead, Tubbo stomped on Wil's foot for him, eliciting a startled yelp from the singer. He cursed a quiet 'bitch' he knew the kid wouldn't hear with his hearing aid turned low, and glanced around. The parking lot was almost entirely empty now, only Tommy's friends still lurking about, along with Karl and Quackity waiting for Sapnap, and Punz waiting for his brother Purpled.
Foolish was chatting with Quackity's associate, Charlie if Wilbur recalled, while his two kids ran circles around the lot, chased by Eryn while Aimsey looked on, still sat on top of the car. "I reckon it's probably time to head home." Wilbur said after a while. It was late, and the only light in the area came from the lights posted at the entrance to the parking lot, and inside the café itself.
"Aww, I don't wanna go home yet." Tommy whined.
"Come on, kiddo, we gotta be up early tomorrow." Dream sighed, ruffling his son's hair.
Nearly Three years had passed by since the adoption had been finalised. Four years since the heroes had been liberated and the system had been changed. Schlatt had done well in upholding the new standard and ensuring Tubbo's future. But it was still strange to think about. Sometimes, Wilbur would wake up in a panic, so sure he was late for work. Then, he'd find Fundy in the kitchen making pancakes for them both. He'd see Techno lounging on the sofa, the news on while he scribbled out ideas and drafts for his stories, and Ranboo running through the list of things they needed for that day.
Quackity would stop by the balcony for a chat before he headed for work, or Dream would bring his sister over to walk with Wilbur to drop Michelle and Fundy off at high school. It was strange. It was nice, just living his life without constantly fretting over the sanctity of the entire city. Or worrying if his son was next to be dragged off and beaten into submission by the wretched rat bastards at the hero academy.
Fundy was talking with Aimsey now, the two of them laughing about something, though Wilbur couldn't hear what. It was good. Life was good.
The drive home was a calm one. Quiet music playing through the stereo. Techno driving, with Wilbur in the passenger seat. Ranboo and Fundy in the back, the former sleeping against the window, the latter watching the nightlife of the city pass by as they drove, his tail gently flicking whenever they passed something remotely interesting. Wilbur was watching the city as well. Watching the streetlights pass overhead. Watching people wander by along the streets. Watching the lights in shops and apartment complexes flicker out as people retired for the night.
It was peaceful. The gentle rumbling of the car, the quiet radio filling the air- it was almost enough for him to drift off to sleep. Almost. Something kept him awake. Whether it was his instinct to protect, or the feeling of being stared at, he couldn't tell.