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Tommy knew that school wasn't supposed to be easy, but he also knew that if he was getting panic attacks almost every day because of it then maybe it wasn't as easy as he thought it was.
One day, after school, Tommy had walked through the door and flopped face first onto the couch. That's when he let it all out. If he had to be honest, he couldn't handle it anymore. Part of him wanted to drop out, but what would be the point? He had came this far and all the money he spent on textbooks, classes, and to enroll into school itself would all go to waste. But, on the other hand, his mental health was important. He couldn't sacrifice his mental health to finish school. Very few people in the world had the ability to do that and Tommy wasn't one of them. He realizes that now.
So when Wilbur walked through the front door, guitar in one hand and a bag full of Tommy's favorite snacks in the other, he had made his decision. He ran into Wilbur's arms and began to sob.
Wilbur, who had known that this would happen eventually, wrapped his arms tightly around Tommy. "It's okay, Tommy. Everything's going to be alright." He comforted Tommy the best he could. Positive reinforcement and reassurance wasn't something he was always good at, but Tommy knew that it was the thought that counted.
"I got some of your favorite snacks," Wilbur began, quietly chuckling when Tommy looked up at him with the most love and admiration Wilbur has ever seen in Tommy's eyes. "Do you wanna move to the couch to be more comfortable?" Tommy quickly nodded his head and they moved to the couch with Tommy resting his head on Wilbur's shoulder as they ate some candy in silence.
The sounds of the city filled the silence. Cars honked and sped by the small townhouse they owned that was nestled between a flower shop and a bakery, people had casual conversations about their jobs, family, relationships. Everything was moving and going as any other day, but for Tommy and Wilbur, it felt as if time had stopped in their small townhouse.
"Do you wanna talk about it?" Wilbur suddenly asked, breaking the silence after they had been sitting on the couch for about an hour or so. Tommy nodded his head and sat up, looking at his hands that were folded in his lap. "You don't have to talk right away, Tommy. Just take your time." Wilbur reassured him after noticing that the younger seemed nervous at the thought of talking about his problems with Wilbur. Nervous as if the older of the two would be angry at Tommy for not wanting to continue with school, but Tommy knew better. He knew Wilbur wouldn't act that way. The Wilbur that Tommy knew would support him wholeheartedly and without any regret.
"I wanna drop out of school." Tommy blurted once he was confident enough to talk. "I'm not sure if it's worth it anymore. I don't think my mental health is worth sacrificing just so I know that I'll have a stable income in the future."
Wilbur hummed and ruffled the younger's hair. "Well, if that's how you feel then we can drive down to the school tomorrow."
Tommy smiled up at Wilbur and the latter smiled back. "I need a hug."
Wilbur tried not to laugh. "Well, then come here, you little gremlin." Tommy tried his best to not make a smart comment and he soon found himself laying in Wilbur's arms.
The older ran his fingers through his hair, rubbed small circles on his back, and sang a lullaby that never failed to calm Tommy down. "By the way," Wilbur began again, "when's the last time you've slept?" Tommy curled into Wilbur more and Wilbur assumed that the answer was not in a long time. He knew how Tommy was and deep down he knew that Tommy had not gotten enough sleep to function properly since he had started school a little over a year ago.
Wilbur smiled and pulled in closer. "Well, you're not getting out of bed until you're well rested again so snuggle up." Tommy chuckled quietly, mumbling a sarcastic comment as Wilbur stuffed his face with more candy.
Eventually, Tommy knew he was going to feel better, but for right now, he'll just focus on the present and catching on all the sleep he's missed.