Chapter Text
“A support group!” Tommy yelled. ”I don’t need some stupid support group. What do I need supporting for anyways. I already have Tubbo.” Tommy had stood from the plush chair in Puffy’s tiny office and was staring defiantly at her, his hands balled into fists, crossed in front of him like a shield. His hair was longer, tied back with a tiny red ribbon, courtesy of Ranboo, golden blonde and pure white strands falling out from a hastily made pony-tail.
Tommy was regretting coming to therapy.
Puffy let out a heavy sigh. Tapping the side of her clip board with a hooved finger tip. She sat back in her chair, crossing her legs gently over each other, seemingly undeterred by Tommy's outburst.
“I think ye’d benefit from havin other people around who’ve gone through somethin similar to you.”
Tommy groaned, flopping back into his chair. He felt like he was being patronized, it sent memories of Phil running through him, talking to him like he knew better. Like he knew Tommy.
"Oh yeah?" He snapped his voice sarcastic and bitter. "I’m sure so many people can relate to being dead." His poorly made blue sweater-jacket was hanging off of one of his shoulders, uneven stitching dwarfing his skinny frame.
Puffy let out another sigh, shaking her head. The beads hanging from her horns clicked together in a gentle but random rhythm.
"Maybe not. But there are people out there who have been through trauma, ye weren’t the only person livin in L’manburg."
Tommy paused at that.
Puffy rose from her seat, tore off a small piece of paper from her clipboard, and handed it to Tommy.
"Take this, they meet every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday."
Tommy reluctantly accepted the paper from Puffy's outstretched hand, glaring suspiciously at it.
Puffy chuckled at him.
"It’s not gonna bite ye." She reassured him with a closed mouth grin.
"I'm not worried about that!" He said defensively. "I'm just- I don't think-" He waved his hands in front of him, trying to word his thoughts out loud.
Puffy interrupted his rambling, "I was just teasin ye, take some time to think on it. I really think it'd do ye some good."
Tommy got up from his chair with a huff.
"Alright, I'll be seein ye next week Tommy."
He opened the door to her office and swiftly slipped out before Puffy could utter another word.
Upon exiting the practice, Tommy was immediately greeted by Tubbo's grinning face.
Tubbo had insisted on coming with Tommy to every therapy appointment since he started living
with him, for support and to make sure Tommy actually went to the damn things.
Although Tommy found Tubbo's constant put-upon cheerfulness sometimes unsettling, he appreciated the gesture.
"So, how did it go?" Tubbo asked, tilting his head to the side, his long ears draping over his shoulders.
Tommy rolled his eyes, refusing to answer.
"That good huh?" Tubbo joked, trying to lighten the mood.
"She wants me to join a fuckin support group." He threw his head back in exasperation, holding
out the, now balled up, paper to Tubbo.
He took it, brushing his hair out of his eyes so he could squint at it.
"I'll take you there, if you want me to." Tubbo offered, gently folding the paper up and tucking it into the pocket of his bomber jacket. How Tubbo could stand wearing that everywhere still baffled Tommy.
"Who even said I’m gonna go to the fuckin thing?" Tommy glared at Tubbo, sticking his hands into his sweater jacket. He was starting to fidget again.
"I think it’s a good idea." Tubbo chirped.
"Ugh, you sound just like her." Tommy groaned.
Tubbo shrugged.
"Well it could help. Plus you need to get out more."
Tommy sputtered, indignant.
"I get out plenty!"
Tubbo raised the eyebrow over his good eye, levelling Tommy with a look.
"Oh yeah? When’s the last time you went out without me or Boo?"
Tommy paused, it had been a while. Actually he couldn’t remember when he’d gone out last was.
"Th-that doesn’t mean I have to join a fuckin support group." Tommy grumbled, his voice tinged with defensiveness.
Tubbo just grinned, reaching up to ruffle Tommy's hair with a gloved hand.
"It was just a suggestion Tommy."
Tommy grumbled under his breath as they walked down the prime path. The bright sun shining overhead, the occasional puff of cold white smoke coming out of Tommy's mouth as he breathed, the cool breeze of spring drifting around him. He shivered a bit, all skin, bones and tall lanky frame.
"Y'know if you wore a proper coat you'd be warmer." Tubbo teased.
"Fuck off Tubbo." Tommy flipped him off, Tubbo laughed.