Work Text:
Contrary to popular belief, Tommy wasn’t a big fan of social situations with lots of people. On most days he could handle them, especially when he was hanging out with his friends in person. But on other days Tommy couldn’t handle them all too well.
And unfortunately today was one of those other days, one of the days where he would shut down at the smallest hint of someone not joking. Logically, Tommy knew that everyone was joking, he did. He was too far into his head though. Nothing sounded like a joke, and he couldn’t tell the difference between what was a joke and what wasn’t. And considering the fact that Tommy had already had a rough day and was mentally shut down, it made sense that he wasn’t acting like himself when he was finally able to meet up with his friends.
It was fine though. Tommy wanted to see his friends, he had been looking forward to it the entire week. Tommy was excited because typically he only saw his friends for vlogs, or special content, but they had all agreed this trip to see one another wasn’t going to be for filming or content, instead it was for laughing and playing Mario Kart together. No one was going to be posting about it online, no one was going to mention it on a stream. This was just for them, not the fans. He was looking forward to getting to talk to Niki about what she had been baking lately and the best part was he was going to see Wilbur. Except, Wilbur was running late.
Tommy was grateful they weren’t doing any sort of content right now, especially because of how he was feeling. But as he sat here with his friends, far too deep into his own head, as everyone laughed and was having fun around him, he couldn’t help the pit that formed in his stomach.
The laughs and cheers echoed around the room and around Tommy’s head instantly amplifying any sound to a much higher level than it actually was. Even as Tommy sat with his back against the far end of the couch furthest away from people he couldn’t help the claustrophobic feeling that surrounded him.
It was fine though, Tommy reassured himself. He was fine. He was excited to be here, and it wasn’t like anyone was doing anything wrong. Everyone was being themselves as they should be, except Tommy wasn’t… Tommy wasn’t himself today. He tried. He really, honestly, truly tried. But he couldn’t force himself to be the loud energetic Tommy that he typically was, and he couldn’t even force himself to be the more toned down version of himself that he typically was around his friends. Normally, when they all got together he could relax, he could embrace the toned down version of himself that he presented to his friends, but today it wasn’t working. Normally, when he had a shit day, when everything was too loud, too much, they helped. He could listen to Niki talk about her recipes for hours or he could watch a movie with Tubbo and Ranboo and afterwards things weren’t fixed, but they’d at least be slightly better. Today was not like normal. Today was different. Today, nothing was helping. He had tried to talk to Niki, he had tried to listen to Tubbo and Ranboo talk, but it was all too much .
“I’ll be back.” Tommy mumbled standing up from his spot on the floor.
He wasn’t sure if anyone had heard him or responded, but he didn’t care- he only cared about getting out as fast as he could. He wasn’t sure where his legs were taking him, he knew they were working on autopilot, but eventually after walking for some unknown amount of time Tommy found himself sitting on the front garden with his knees pulled close to his chest as he stared at the star scattered sky above him.
Wilbur hated the fact that he was running really really late to the hangout, but they had to finish a song at the studio and then they got distracted by another song and one thing led to another and now they have almost an entire other EP written. And now he was also 4 hours late to the hangout, but he had been assured over and over again by the others who were there that it was fine and if they were being productive then to not stop.
Which is how Wilbur found himself walking down the street, guitar case straps slung over his shoulders and hands shoved into his pockets at 11pm in the middle of January. He pulled his coat around himself tighter trying to get rid of the slight chill that ran through him as he got closer to Jack’s house. The walk from the studio wasn’t far, but it was far enough that Wilbur was almost regretting not taking a bus or calling an Uber. But it was too late for either of those things as he rounded the corner of Jack’s street.
Walking up the front pathway to the door Wilbur stopped in his tracks as he saw a figure sitting in the middle of the front garden.
“Tommy?” Wilbur questioned, rushing over to the boy and quickly taking off his own jacket to put around Tommy’s shoulders. “You’re freezing, what are you doing out here?”
“‘s loud.” Tommy mumbled his teeth chattering and voice shaking.
“Alright, Sunshine.” Wilbur said softly, his voice much quieter than before. “I’ll go get your stuff and we’ll head out for the night, okay?”
“I’m cold.” Tommy said, and Wilbur just accepted the response knowing he wasn’t going to get much more out of the boy when he was like this.
“I know, Sunshine. I’m just going to run inside and grab your bag and coat then we’ll get warm okay?”
Tommy only nodded this time and Wilbur pressed a soft kiss to the boys hair before hurrying inside. He found Tommy’s bag by the door and threw it over his shoulder and grabbed the coat he knew to be Tommy’s sitting next to it.
“Jack, get your damn keys.” Wilbur yelled walking into the living room where everyone was sitting. “I’m taking Tommy home and I’m taking your car.”
Everyone stared at Wilbur for a moment and Wilbur glared at them all in response. “I don’t have all night, come on now!” He shouted.
Jack shot up from his spot on the sofa quickly, grabbing his keys from the kitchen island and bringing them over to Wilbur who snatched them out of his hands.
Wilbur didn’t say a word as he stalked out of the house, his steps softening as he stepped out the front door, thoughts filled only with concern for Tommy. He gently pulled his coat off of Tommy’s shoulders and helped Tommy into his own before helping him stand and leading him to the car in the driveway.
Wilbur opened the passenger door and helped the shivering boy in, draping his coat over Tommy like a blanket. He quickly shut the door and moved around to the drivers side in order to start the car and crank the heat up to high. He tossed Tommy’s bag into the back seat before retrieving his guitar from the garden and putting it in the back as well.
Wilbur slid into the driver's seat and looked over at the boy, before adjusting his mirrors and throwing the car into reverse, backing out of the driveway and going home. Home where he could warm up Tommy. Home where he could provide Tommy with all the comfort he needed. Home, which only ever seemed to be home when Tommy was there.
Wilbur pulled his keys out and was quick to unlock the door to his apartment and ushered Tommy into the much warmer apartment. Dropping all their things by the door, Wilbur was quick to lead Tommy to the bathroom and sat him down and turned on the shower before rushing out and coming back moments later with warm clothes.
“Toms.” Wilbur said softly. “You gotta warm up bud, can you take a quick shower and put on some warmer clothes?”
Tommy stared up at Wilbur with blank eyes, but eventually nodded.
“I’ll be right on the other side of the door if you need anything.” Wilbur assured, pressing a soft kiss to Tommy’s curls before walking out of the bathroom and shutting the door behind him.
Wilbur sat with his back against the wall opposite of the door listening to make sure he could hear if Tommy called for him.
It was about 2o minutes later when the bathroom door finally opened, a cloud of steam escaping, with Tommy standing in the doorway staring at Wilbur. Wilbur quickly stood, wrapping an arm around Tommy’s shoulder pulling him tight to his side, as he began to make a beeline for his bedroom. Step 1: Get Tommy warm was nearly complete.
Entering his bedroom, he led the child to the left side of the bed before pulling the comforter down and helping the blond boy into the bed.
“Sleep, we’ll talk in the morning, Sunshine.” Wilbur whispered, pulling the comforter up to Tommy’s chin. “I’ll be in the living room if you need anything.”
“Stay.” Tommy mumbled, grabbing onto Wilbur’s wrist.
Wilbur thought for a moment before letting out a soft sigh. “Okay.” He said moving around to the other side of the bed climbing in next to Tommy.
The boy imminently curled into Wilburs chest and Wilbur wrapped his arms protectively around Tommy.
“I’ve got you Sunshine.” Wilbur spoke softly, pressing a light kiss to Tommy’s curls. “I’m here, always and forever.”
“Forever and always.”