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Tommy felt fucking fantastic. He was Tommyinnit of course he was great. He was a big man who didn’t cry. Especially not over something like a retainer. Alas here he was sobbing in the bathroom because his new retainer wouldn’t come off. And not just anyone’s bathroom but Wilbur fucking Soot’s bathroom. It was his second time meeting up with Wilbur in person and in turn Philza and Niki. The entire day they had been concerned about him and Tommy hated it.
“Do you want any food Tommy?” Wilbur asks as they walk along a street with a bunch of restaurants. “Niki?”
“I’ll get food.” Niki nodded and Tommys stomach turned upside. In order to eat food he had to take off his retainer and- well Tommy wasn’t very good at that. He had just gotten a retainer for the very first time and quite frankly he hadn’t had an actual meal in the few days since he got it. He had managed to take off his retainer once(the top one always got stuck) and he ate some eggs and toast but Tommy hadn’t managed to pull it off again.
“Um- no thank you! I’m good.” Tommy said nervously staring at the ground avoiding Wilburs scrutinizing gaze.
Suddenly Tommy felt a warm hand rest on his shoulder. “You sure Toms?” The comforting and fatherly voice of Phil spoke up.
Tommy gritted his teeth and nodded trying to put on a smile. “Yep! I’m completely fine Big Man. I am Tommyinnit after all. The catcher of many, many women.”
“If you say so.” Phil looks at him for a few moments as if to pressure him into spilling. “If you get hungry later mate don’t hesitate to speak up alright?”
“I get it Big P.” Tommy grinned and then as they stepped in line to get food watched Wilbur, Niki, and Phil enjoy their meals while his stomach strained for some actual food.
Wilbur glanced up at him for a second with an intense gaze and for a second Tommy wondered if Wilbur had him figured out. “Do you want some of my chips?” Wilbur says softly. “I can share with you you know if you’re not up for a full meal.”
Tommy squirmed underneath the caring look of his psuedo brother but shook his head. “I’m okay Will.”
Now, several hours later, it was around nightfall and they had ordered Chinese food but Tommy couldn’t get his retainer out. And he was panicking. Because there was no way they were gonna take the “Im not hungry right now” excuse again. Not too mention Tommy was actually very hungry. He hadn’t eaten all day.
Tommy jumped up startled as someone knocked softly on the door three times, “You okay in there mate?”
“Yeah.” He shut his eyes tight trying to wish away the throbbing pain in his mouth. “‘M fine Phil.”
“Will you come out and eat in a few minutes? At least a little bit?” Phil tried to bargain. “Afterwards we can play some Minecraft if you want. Will offered up his pc.”
“Give me a minute.” Tommy clenched his jaw as he heard a sigh from Phil.
“Take your time mate.” Phil says softly before Tommy hears his footsteps gradually disappear.
He took in a deep breath and leaned against the door sliding to his knees. He had to figure out how to take the retainer out or else his friends might get really worried. He could do this. It couldn’t be that hard could it?
Tommy stood up and gripped the edge of the pearl white counter before bringing his hands to his mouth. He winced as he slid his fingers to the back of his mouth edging up the very backs of the bottom retainer before making his way to the front. Tommy sighed in relief as he managed to snap the retainer upwards relieving it from his aching teeth.
Tommy took in three more deep breaths before putting his hands back in his mouth to attempt the top retainer. The one he always had trouble with. He could do this. He was Tommy fucking Innit for end’s sake! He was a big man who got so many women.
Tommy edged his hands to the back of his mouth and pulled. He heard a soft snap as the back parts of the retainer slipped off but winced when the rest of the retainer rubbed against his mouth in the wrong way causing his teeth to ache. One more side to go. He had this.
As he tugged on the front of it he heard the rising sound of voices. Concerned voices and the gentle pitter patter of steps making their way to the bathroom. He had to do this before Wilbur got to the bathroom.
Tommy tugged at the front and let out a groan as it didn’t pull free as easily as the back parts. He tugged again and it still didn’t come loose but he felt a few warm tears roll down his cheek. He tugged again and then cried out. It hurt so much! His mouth was sore and the buttons on his teeth felt weird and gross and everything hurt so much! What if he couldn’t get the retainer off? How would he explain that to Wilbur? And Phil and Niki? What would he do for the next 14 months? Starve to death probably.
Tommy burst into tears as all these thoughts ran through his mind and his teeth hurt so much. He hated being a teenager! This wasn’t fair! Tommy barely heard a knock on the door and a worried shout.
“Tommy? Toms? Open the door please sunshine.” A familiar voice begged. “Please Tommy!”
He squeezed his eyes shut and fumbled for the doorknob before collapsing into the arms of whoever the person was. Fingers ran through his hair as Tommy was embraced into a soft and warm sweatshirt. Wilbur. Wilbur was the only one who wore clothes that soft.
“Oh darling what’s wrong?” Wilburs soothing voice enveloped Tommy as the blonde teen sunk into his psuedo brother’s arms. “Why won’t you eat sunshine? What can I do to help you?”
“Not that.” Tommy mumbled burying his head into Wilbur’s chest.
“Is he okay?” He vaguely heard the soft and gentle voice of Niki before hearing Wilbur speak up, “Give us a few moments.”
“So sunshine? What’s up?” Wilbur puts a finger underneath Tommy’s chin lifting the head of the sobbing teen up. “You’re having trouble eating so what can I do to make this easier? I am to listen and support you.”
“Not that Will.” Tommy cried. “M’ ret- ner.”
“What was that Toms?” Wilbur repeated. “Can you say that again?”
“My retainer.” Tommy choked out. “It hurts so much Wilby.”
“Oh sunshine.” Wilbur’s voice seems to drop five octaves, if that was even possible, “Darling I am so sorry. I think we have tylenol somewhere and when we get your retainer off we’ll get you some soft foods that will be easier to eat.”
Tommy looked at Wilbur for a few seconds as a thumb was pressed to his cheek and wiped away some of his tears. “I’ll help you figure this out sunshine. There’s no need to worry. What we can do is have you gently pull on the front of the retainer and slowly pull it down. We’ll get it off. Don’t worry.”
Wilbur helped and held Tommy as he instructed the teen on taking out his retainer and afterwards guided him out to the kitchen where a concerned Phil and Niki were.
“Toms was just having retainer problems. He got it out though. On his own too!” Wilbur adds that with a proud smile ruffling Tommy’s blonde hair.
“That’s good!” Niki smiles, “Do you want food now Tommy?”
“Actually I was thinking we could get him some softer foods that might be easier on his mouth right now.” Wilbur said. “How does a milk shake and some soup sound right now sunshine?” The brown haired man turns to Tommy who nods with a small smile.
“That sounds great Will.” Tommy clings to Wilbur’s arm and Phil nods.
“Well then I’ll go pick up shakes for everyone and soup!” Phil agrees.
When Phil and Niki leave to grab the food Wilbur brings Tommy to the couch and puts on Tommy’s favorite movie, Up. The teen curls up beside Wilbur who strokes his hair and pulls him close.
“I will never let you deal with things on your own okay Toms?” Wilbur begins, “You don’t have to be alone sunshine. Not as long as I’m here.”