I Had Strings, But Now I'm Free (Dream SMP)

The Final Act

tw: swearing, mentions of violence, threat, heavy sad angst, a long-ish speech (longest trigger warning ever lol)

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"Can I speak to you, quickly? In private?" Wilbur's voice came quietly, only letting the two near him hear it. Rain twisted in her seat, looking Wilbur dead in the eyes.
Unreadable, as usual.
"What for?" She whispered. Wilbur shook his head.
"In private, please." His eyes suddenly looked desperate. Rain blinked, glancing up at Techno. The pig-man's eyes were full of scepticism, seeming to stare straight though Wilbur. Rain tugged on his cloak like a small toddler. Techno glanced down, her eyes giving him silent protest. When he didn't speak, she stood up, still not meeting her brother's height but staring straight into his eyes.

"Techno, please. It's Wilbur." She asked. The pig-man looked at Wilbur again, the man in the trench coat giving him a soft smile and a single nod. Techno's eyes suddenly flashed with realisation, searching his adoptive brother's eyes for a moment. He huffed in defeat, nodding.
"Fine, but be safe please." He said. Rain smiled, hugging her brother briefly, which he returned. She turned to follow Wilbur, the pair of them passing a fence and walking up a hill beyond the sight of the others. Wilbur paused at the top of the hill, turning around to face Rain. The girl in purple paused a few feet away, furling out her cloak.
"We need to talk." He stated.
"About what?"
"Everything."

"That's a broad subject, Wilbur." Rain commented. Wilbur laughed, scratching the nape of his neck. "I guess so." His chocolate-coloured eyes softened.
"I believe you're already aware of the TNT under L'manberg?" He asked, his hands returning to his pockets. Rain gave pause, her purple eyes suddenly disappointed. She had wished it was just a lie Dream had told her to rile her up.
Turns out the man could tell the truth.
"So it's true, then. That's why you said it was 'important to say goodbye to a nation." Rain asked. Wilbur nodded once. She sighed, "What about the TNT?"
Wilbur's eyes were suddenly saddened. "I think you know the answer, already." He said.

Rain sighed. "You still wanna blow it up, even after winning it back?" She asked. Wilbur nodded, his gaze glancing away and his eyes becoming glassy.
"My hands are tied, Rain. Im holding up two deals as it is." He answered. Rain's eyebrows knitted together, pursing her lips slightly.
Two?

"Hang on, I know about the deal with Dream supplying you the TNT. What's the other one?" She asked, raising a hand towards the man standing opposite her. A soft gale brushed past the two, letting their clothes billow in the wind until it passed. Wilbur's eyes turned back to her, sighing.
"It's Techno. He made me promise not to blow up L'manberg until you and Tubbo were free." He stated simply, his now clouded gaze flicking between Rain's eyes. Rain's eyebrows drew closer together, still confused.
"So? What stopped you?" She puzzled. Wilbur approached her, standing only a foot or two away now.

"I wanted to opportunity to say goodbye properly first." He confided, placing a single hand on Rain's shoulder. Rain's brow flew up, her purple eyes growing wide and her muscles went ridged.
"Goodbye-? Wha- you're blowing up L'manberg...not offing yourself." Rain scoffed, tearing the taller man's hand away. Wilbur's hand remained at his side, his expression nonchalant.

"I'm not expecting to see you again after today. Or, anyone for that matter. Since I'm on my last life, I wanted to be up-front with you before I go." Wilbur sounded so kind, not blank or silently thinking like he normally was. He was just...Wilbur.
"You think this is where your symphony ends." Rain glared down at the ground like it was to blame for this. Wilbur's head snapped up, a small smile on his lips.
"No... no. My symphony will always be unfinished. Just like my L'manberg." Wilbur said, staring down the hill they had walked up. He turned back to Rain, hooking a finger under her chin to lift her head gently. He noticed small tears forming on her eyelashes, eyes flashing with surprise.
"Hey, hey! Don't cry. I know you'll be fine without me. You lived for years without knowing I existed, right? What's the harm in dropping out of the narrative now?" He asked.