Work Text:
It was an average summer day when it happened.
A young 10-year-old Tommy was watching tv after dinner when his mom went to get groceries. It was only a couple of items, so it’d only take 10-30 minutes for it to be done. An hour passed before his dad rushed into the room, leaving for the hospital without Tommy.
His mom had gotten in a car accident.
He spent 2 hours alone. 2 hours wondering if his mom was dead. 2 hours wondering if his last words to her would be reminding her that he needed a new toothbrush. 2 hours crying hysterically with no one to comfort him.
His grandma came over (like every night) and stayed until his parents came home. They came home a total of 4 hours after his dad left. His mom had a severe concussion, but she was alive.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Tommy was basically jumping up and down with the amount of excitement he had. Wilbur was going to pick him up for a week at his house while his parents were on vacation. His parents had left a few minutes ago, and now he had to wait for Wilbur to pick him up at 1.
He had about an hour, but he just couldn’t stop waiting by the window. He could play games on his phone but he found himself staring at the clock app, watching the minutes go by.
Wilbur Soot - 12:55 p.m.
I’m going to be a bit late Toms - traffic is awful lol
Tom Simons - 12:56 p.m.
Stupid traffic
Tommy finally stopped starring at the clock and turned to people watching. It was boring, but it was less boring than watching a clock.
After a little bit, he found himself checking the clock obsessively. He knew Wilbur was going to be late, and he knew he drove safely, but as every second ticked by his heart rate went up.
1:15 p.m.
He shifted in his seat, fidgeting with his hands and humming to distract from the feeling of panic slowly making its way to his lungs.
1:16 p.m.
Tommy decided that youtube would be a fair distraction. Until his recommended showed one of Wilbur’s latest videos.
1:18 p.m.
Alarm bells rang inside his skull as his eyes showed him Wilbur, bloody and in a car that looked like a crushed soda can. Tommy’s face felt unusually warm and his heart and lungs felt like they were about to burst. Every second was a new image, every moment a new tragedy, until he was 10 again with his dad rushing out the door and he couldn’t stop crying and oh god his mom was dead and-
“Toms, I’m right here, it’s ok. I’m fine. Can I touch you?” Wilbur said voice laced with worry.
He wanted to scream yes and jump into his arms and make sure he was real but all he could manage was a small nod. It did the job though, as soon he was being held and being told how to breathe again.
“Toms, what happened?” Wilbur questioned, still holding Tommy tight.
“It’s going to sound pathetic Wil.” Tommy answered.
“It doesn’t matter. It obviously wasn’t pathetic to you. You were having a panic attack, Toms.” Wilbur wasn’t going to budge was he?
Tommy tightened his grip on Wilbur’s sweater and took a deep breath. “I thought you got in a car accident and died.” Tommy continued “My mom got in one when I was 10. Whenever someone is late my brain tells me they’re dead.” Tommy shook, swallowing down another panic attack from the memory alone. “Usually I’m able to shake it off, but I was home alone like when it happened.”
Wilbur felt his heart drop at the pure thought of being so young and alone and having that happen. “Oh Toms- I’m sorry, I can’t imagine how you felt when that happened. No wonder you were panicking. Next time this happens, just call me ok?” Wilbur assured the trembling teen.
They sat there for a few more minutes before putting Tommy’s bags in the car. Wilbur decided they weren’t going straight to his house, instead stopping at a park for a walk around. The walk calmed Tommy down and soon he was back to his usual loud self. After that, they went to Wilbur’s and watched UP.
Weeks later he’d find himself calling Wilbur, and this time he didn’t panic thanks to him.