You haven’t said more than five words since the band left.

Wilbur notices. Of course he notices.

You’re curled on the couch, hoodie swallowed around you like armor. You haven’t touched your tea. Haven’t looked at him for longer than two seconds. You just keep shrinking.

He doesn’t want to overwhelm you.

But he does want to fix it.

So he goes quiet too. Puts on the kettle, mostly for background noise. Then grabs his guitar from the corner of the room and walks back over—flopping down onto the rug with a huff, half-dramatic, half-genuine.

“Reckon I’ll annoy you with a song until you blink at me like a confused deer.”

You don’t react.

He tunes the strings a bit. Starts strumming something slow. Familiar. You glance—just once—when you realize what he’s playing.

“Remember this one? Tour felt like five years ago. Kinda miss the noise.”

You hum softly. Barely there. But he hears it.

And then, like it’s nothing—like it isn’t the softest knife to your ribs—he starts singing.

"Isn't it funny? How I don't talk to you for days And you still made me feel Like we were okay."

His voice is low. Worn in. Not for performance. Just… because.

He looks down at the strings like they might answer the ache in his chest. You shift slightly, pulling your knees closer.

He keeps playing.

"Oh, it's fine, I was only in love."

The words hang in the air.

He doesn't look up. Doesn’t dare.

But the way his voice dips on “in love”… like he’s apologizing.

You don’t realize you’re crying until the wet hits your sleeve. Silently, the way you always do—tears sliding like ghosts down your face.

Wilbur hears your breath hitch. That’s all it takes.

He stops playing. Gently lowers the guitar beside him and crawls forward across the rug.

“Hey. Hey, no. You don’t have to—oh, love…”

He reaches for you. Hesitates. Waits.

You lean into his chest. He wraps his arms around you instantly, one hand behind your head, the other curled around your back like he could keep your soul from falling out.

“You didn’t have to say anything, you know,” he murmurs into your hair. “I already knew. I just wanted to say it back without scaring you.”

You grip his shirt tighter. His heart shatters a little.

“You can be quiet. You can disappear for a bit. I’ll still be right here. Always.”

He rocks you slightly, back and forth. You’re shaking. You’re safe.

He whispers the next lines into your hair. Just for you.

"You were everything I wanted But I just can't finish what I started…"