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Phil woke up that day to a chill along his skin. He let out a groan, sat up on his bed and checked the calendar. The time has come.
Flu season.
If he knows anything about his children, it’s that they are reckless. They'll leave their coats home and walk through freezing temperatures without even noticing. And as much as Phil loves to coddle his children—especially now since they’re older and won’t let Phil help them as much—he still hates seeing them struggling.
So, it was time to get another dose of the flu vaccine—even though it’s not guaranteed they won’t get sick, they at least won’t get too sick that they have to go to the hospital.
Phil got up and started making breakfast before calling his kids downstairs. “Boys! Time to get up!”
***
The moment Techno heard Phil call them down, he knew exactly what was happening. Phil never woke them up for breakfast. He’d usually let them sleep in if they want to, especially since it’s Saturday. The only time Phil does, is when they have to go somewhere in the mornings. And as far as Techno’s aware, they had no such plans.
A quick glance at the calendar, he could already tell what was on Phil’s mind.
Vaccination.
Now, don’t get him wrong. He’s all for vaccinations, it’s the needles that bothers him. The image of it pricking his skin was enough to make him feel nauseous.
“Tech?” Wilbur’s voice pulled him out of his head before he spiraled. “Are you up yet?”
“Yeah,” he called back. He stood up from his bed and opened the door.
Wilbur was standing there with a grin, “C’mon, Phil made pancakes,” he said his face slowly morphing into a frown. “What’s wrong?”
Techno shook his head, “Nothing’s wrong,” he said.
Wilbur rolled his eyes, “Bullshit,” he declared, “Techno, you look like you barely got any sleep, which is false, I heard your snoring all night, which means, something’s wrong.”
Techno stayed quiet for a moment, debating whether or not to tell him. “Check the date,” was all he said.
Wilbur frowned in confusion. He pulled out his phone and let out a sound of understanding, “Maybe we can convince Phil to move it back a couple days this year?” he suggested. “Just to, you know, get you more mentally prepared?”
Techno shook his head. As much as he’d love that, if they tell Phil he’s feeling anxious over the flu shot, he’ll hover over him the whole day and move Wilbur and Tommy’s shots as well. He doesn’t want them getting sick because of him.
Wilbur sighs, knowing he couldn’t change his twin’s mind no matter what he does (as he had tried before). His eyes wandered down, looking at how Techno was subtly twisting his fingers. “Wait here,” Wilbur said, rushing to his room next to Techno’s. He comes back with a fidget cube. “Here,” Wilbur handed him the toy. “If you really insist that we go today, at least take that. Might help with the nerves.”
“Good morning boys,” Phil greeted them. “We have a few things on our agenda today…well, one thing. It is once again flu season, so we’re gonna stop by at the local clinic to get your shots, yeah?”
“‘Kay,” Tommy said, mouth filled with food. Wilbur nodded, as he had claimed he had more manners than that.
“Tech?” Phil asked, “You alright with going today?”
Techno could feel the nervousness creeping up on him again. Maybe saying ‘no’ would be a better choice. Yeah, maybe, maybe he’ll stay home today.
***
The car stopped at the local clinic, which was filled with more people than usual. Luckily, most of them were just out to get vaccinated, and weren’t actually sick. Phil went up to the front desk and got him, and all three of his sons listed. Once they were given their numbers, the four went to look for seats.
Now, they wait.
They waited for 10 minutes before the nerves started getting to Techno. He tried distracting himself with the fidget cube Wilbur gave him, by staring out the window, tracing the lines on the tiles with his eyes, even so far as to count how many strands of hair he had. His foot bounced as he tried collecting himself, sitting up properly.
He tried his best, but the impending moment that the needle will pierce his skin, giving him a stinging sensation, followed by the subtle feeling of obstruction in his blood flow when the vaccine is mixed in his blood, won’t leave him alone.
“Tech?” Wilbur whispered beside him.
He looked at his twin with wide eyes. It alerted him for some reason. Next thing Techno knew, Phil was leading him out to a closed off area. “Techno? Can you hear me kiddo?” Phil asked.
“Huh?” Techno looked up. Everything was a bit blurry, but he could sort of make out Phil who was…crouched in front of him. Why was he on the floor?
“There we are,” Phil sighed in relief, “Just breathe with me, alright? In for four,” he instructed.
Techno didn’t realize how heavy he had been breathing. He tried following Phil’s advice, but your throat closing up on itself without your control really makes things harder.
“It’s okay,” Phil comforted, “Let’s try again. In for four…hold for seven…out by eight….”
Techno was able to follow through better this time. He feels his body shaking as his breaths steady. “Can I hold you?” Phil asked. With no hesitation, Techno nodded.
Phil gathered his kid in his arms, whispering reassurances in his ear. They stayed in—now that Techno got a good look at it—the storage room, for about another five minutes until Techno felt ready to go out again.
Phil led them to where his brothers were. Wilbur gave him a small smile and wave as he sat down at his previous seat. It didn’t take long for them to be called. First up was Wilbur.
“Are you okay now?” Tommy asked, switching from his seat beside Wilbur’s to the seat beside him.
Techno hummed. He wasn’t exactly okay, but, “Better,” he responded.
“It’s okay if you’re scared,” Tommy said as he stared down at his swinging feet, too short to reach the floor. “I’m a big man and I get scared too!”
Techno couldn’t help but let a small smile creep up to his face, “Oh yeah? Do you mind telling me what big man Tommy is scared of?”
Tommy looked around like he was making sure no one was listening into their conversation. “Plants,” he whispers, “they move alone, but they don’t have eyes like us!”
Techno had to stop a laugh from escaping him. He doesn’t think Tommy has grasped the full concept of wind. “Well, you’re very brave then,” he said. No wonder the kid didn’t like going to the garden.
“Tommy, your turn,” Phil called him over.
“Here ya go!” Tommy pushed his stuffed cow into his hands. Techno looked down at the toy then back at the blond who was smiling proudly at him. “Henry makes the scary go away!”
“Thanks,” Techno mumbled as Tommy walked over to Phil.
It took less than five seconds before Phil was calling for his name. Techno took a deep breath before standing up. He sat on the chair next to the nurse. He held onto Phil’s pant leg with his left arm, while his right hand held the fidget toy, and arm hugged Henry tightly. Techno had his eyes tight, leaning over to Phil who held his head gently as the nurse closed in with the needle.
Techno had to remember to breathe when he felt something prick his skin. “All done!” The nurse announced. Techno looked over and found a cotton ball under a plaster on his arm. He let out a sigh of relief.
It was done.
“Well done, mate,” Phil praised. The man gestured for Tommy and Wilbur to follow. “Who wants hot cocoa?” He asked.
“Me!”
“I want!”
Tommy and Wilbur rushed to the car, excited to get a warm drink. Phil looked over at Techno, “You can have extra marshmallows if you want.”
Techno scoffed, burying his face in his scarf, “I’m not a kid Phil.”
“So, no marshmallows?”
“Marshmallows sound great.”