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“I just wanted to apologize. I know what I did was wrong, but—”
“No.”
Wilbur looks up, startled by Fundy’s voice. They stand on opposite ends of the rope bridge, suspended over the giant Doomsday crater. His son’s sharp glare makes Wilbur flinch, his hands retreating deeper into his trench coat.
“...What?”
“Just stop, Wilbur. You always do this,” Fundy snaps. Wilbur can only watch, concern and confusion etched across his face.
“You don’t get to come back and think everything will be fine because of some half-baked apology.” The words drip with venom, and Wilbur is at a loss for once. He searches for something—anything—to say, but before he can speak, Fundy continues.
“You were there for me for so long, and then you weren’t! You don’t deserve my forgiveness. You can waste your breath apologizing, but I’ll never forgive you for what you did. You weren't there when I needed you most when I needed a father!” Fundy’s voice shakes with anger, his breath ragged as he exhales.
Guilt churns in Wilbur’s chest, leaving him adrift, stripped of the sharp wit he once prided himself on. What happened to him?
“Well? Got nothing to say?” Fundy challenges, his chest rising and falling with fury. Wilbur remains silent, a somber expression settling over his face. “I don’t… I mean, I was going to apologize, but I guess that doesn’t matter, does it?” There’s a hollow note of hopelessness in his voice.
Fundy says nothing, his hatred palpable as he stares at the man he once called father.
“You’re right… You deserve more than what I can give. More than I ever gave,” Wilbur admits quietly. “I know it won’t change anything, but… I’m sorry.”
They sit in silence for a long while, the weight of everything unsaid pressing down on them. Finally, Fundy exhales sharply, breaking the stillness. "Just stay away from me," he mutters, his voice quieter but no less final.
Wilbur nods, his expression somber. "Alright, if that's what you want... I'm sorry, Fundy."
But Fundy doesn’t respond. His gaze drifts to the massive crater beneath them, a quiet storm brewing behind his eyes. Without warning, he steps forward, swinging his leg over the rope railing. Before Wilbur can react, Fundy lets go and plunges into the abyss below, a single canon life slipping away as he vanishes into the depths.
Wilbur is left frozen, watching the space where his son had been only moments before.