"Sorry to say that I'm not sorry! Giving a damn is just beyond me. If you could ever see me, you'd think, 'why free me?'" The brunette's voice echoed around the basement as he swept away the cobwebs off the couch. An immortal god, he still had to deal with spiders and their silk. That was probably why he often talked to this universes' Arachne so often. Or at least, the Arachne of his heart. He had pondered adding that into his love song for her, but had cut it out in the final draft. A gorgeous girl like her wouldn't want to be called anything close to a hideous spider. "Nobody would want to be compared to a spider", as Techno had told him when he asked. He decided to keep those words to himself instead after the rest of his conversation with his brother had gone down. Being constantly battled on whether or not to adopt a phrase into his own song with logical and yet angry content, he had it hardwired in. His spill of secrets hadn't tided well with the hybrid, evidently.

He found himself wondering why Techno didn't approve. He didn't need the others' approval. But he was curious why he wasn't receiving it. What did Techno have against his choices that they weren't letting on? Was it perhaps jealousy of his happiness, or maybe a paranoid worry? Wilbur didn't know. But as the golden light so gloriously streamed in through the white-washed window, he tried to imagine. Right now, he had flopped on the floor, carelessly swinging a sword left to right, right to left. Heavier on the right than the left, the sword swung idly with gravity's pull. Occasionally, it dipped low in the air, and Wilbur would have to raise it again. Sometimes, it nearly fell out of his hands and clattered to a rattling stop on the floor like a dropped silver coin at the end of its route. Other times, it stayed right there in his hand where it should have been— or so he thought.

It was only as he heard Techno coming that he halted this game, staring over at the steps. And there was the pink haired god, standing in an esteemed manner on their pig-like hind hooves. The sunlight fell splintered across their face as they stood, watching Wilbur for a minute or so. And then they spoke. "Tommy's here. Come upstairs— and put your sword in its sheathe before you poke your eye out." They said shortly. Then, they walked back upstairs before Wilbur could even mock their words. Rolling his eyes, he shakily got up with a sigh. Tommy was here... those were words he both enjoyed and regretted hearing. He hoped his younger brother would be more emotional this time. That way they wouldn't have to be so... formal. And then he sheathed his sword- as well as his thoughts- and walked up the winding wooden steps to the bottom floor of the ranch. Maybe this would end well. Maybe.

———

Techno watched Tommy as he was dropped off with an inquisitive look. It wasn't quite one of disdain, more one of searching. They were searching the other for his mood. It was surprisingly emotional this time, though not insanely so. As he walked in, Wilbur climbed the final step of the stairs and stood at the top, out of breath. Tommy knew where the two were, but put his stuff down first. A backpack half full of clothing, he had somehow downgraded his inventory significantly since last they had seen each other. He had upped his injury count however, as one, two, three, four, five new bandaged areas became visible. Techno shook their head with a sigh, walking in the room to greet Tommy. They didn't care if Wilbur followed. He did. As they all stood awkwardly in the room, Tommy started up. "So. I'm back. Hi." That was it. That was his perfect reunion. "Yeah, warm welcome to you too, jeez..." Wilbur muttered.

It was when Tommy glared over at the brunette with annoyance that Techno knew something was different. Very, very different. "Oh fuck you too, I was just saying hello." Wilbur looked over at Techno. Techno gave him a "what the fuck do you expect me to say? I'm just as confused" look. Whatever Wilbur wanted to convey back was unclear as he rolled his eyes, nodding. "Well alright Mr. Feisty-pants, calm down. Wouldn't want you having a heart attack from actually feeling anything." The wrong thing to say, definitely. Tommy proved this case and point by grabbing Wilbur by the ear, and yanking him close enough that he could even whisper his seemingly peeved rave and the other would still hear it. "Listen fuckface, I'm not in a good mood, and I'm willing to pummel you into the ground for it if you don't shut your fucking mouth and stop being a cunt. And hey Techno, long time no see." Techno waved, having been watching with an amused but almost scared expression the entire time.

When he let go of Wilburs' ear and walked the track he knew all too well back to his room, Techno followed. Wilbur did not, pissed off and quite frankly frightened himself. He had hoped for emotions, but he definitely didn't like these ones. And when Techno could have possibly questioned Tommy about them, they disappeared. The look on his face was back to its normal stone cold slate, waiting to be molded but never truly being so. So Techno didn't ask that. "You didn't have the best time with Nikki, then-?" "Of course not." Tommy's voice was clear, cutting through Techno's normally loud but also extremely reserved one. "What happen-" "You don't need to know." Techno rolled their eyes. Classic Tommy, avoiding it because it might actually be interesting. That seemed to be Tommy's way of life. If it's too breath-taking, don't bother getting suffocated. They hated that. If it was worth living it should be experienced at least once. That was their motto. But of course, Tommy was their opposite.

———

"Listen man, I really think it would be fun to live on a ranch, and-" "It's not happening, and I can promise you that." The crisp wind hit them both equally as hard, whipping around but not quite stinging. Wilbur had a look of disappointment preprepared for this moment, of course. But he never got to use it. Techno already knew he'd catch on Wilbur's bait eventually if never he said yes. And so hesitantly he changed his mind. "Okay fine, we can buy a ranch. But I get my own end of it where I don't have to deal with you and vice versa. Deal?" Wilbur smiled playfully, nodding. "Deal." And that was what set it. Or so they thought.

...

"Technoblade and WilburSoot Minecraft, how very pleasant to meet you. It's quite a nice day to try for fortune, don't you think?" Wilbur had been ready to answer no but oh so surprisingly Techno agreed. "Of course, of course. And what would the price be to test this?" Wilbur glared up at Techno but his open mouth only got a cold finger pressed to it. "Don't. It's my choice. It could be worth it anyways." The brunette had rolled his eyes at that, looking away in silent acceptance. "Excellent choice Technoblade. But of course, the price... free, so long as you promise me something. A favor, perhaps?" The pink haired man had looked at the ever-smiling mask in slight surprise for a minute. That was it? Fortune had never been offered cheaper. But would this be a scam? A trick? He supposed he'd have to find out. "I think I can manage that." He said. The mysterious masked man had nodded, holding out a hand. Techno shook. And just like that, he was rich. For how long he didn't know. But he was.