Chapter Text
- Last time on The Rodent Club -
“What are these?” he asked Phil.
“Read,” he deadpanned. Upon further inspection these tickets were for… Disney World?!
“What?!” Tommy said, looking at Phil with wide eyes.
“What are they?” Wilbur asked.
“Uh… we’re going to Disney World,” he laughed in disbelief.
“What?!” the twins yelled. All three boys lunged forward, tackling Phil and showering him in thank you’s. Tommy couldn’t comprehend what was happening anymore, life was insane in such a good way. He couldn’t be happier, the puzzle had fallen into place.
Tommy had found his place.
His people.
His life, one that he wanted to live.
Tommy found his stability.
- One Month Later -
Since Tommy’s adoption he graduated middle school with honor roll, earning all A’s and B’s. The feeling of immense joy was unmatched, receiving his certificate with his family cheering in the crowd. Also during June, the twins finished their junior year of high school and celebrated their 17th birthdays. Phil had surprised them with a new car, one very safe and comfortable to help them learn to drive. Although apprehensive, the two slowly began warming up to the idea of getting behind the wheel.
Only two weeks stood between the last day of school and the family’s much anticipated trip to Disney World. The children tried to play it cool, keeping themselves entertained, but in reality they could hardly wait for vacation. Tommy, who had never been on a trip before, was especially excited. Well unless you count visiting your alcoholic dad’s mother who has dementia and smells of cat piss, but that was never relaxing or fun in the slightest.
The day before the family’s flight the packing frenzy begins. Phil made sure to make a list to help guide each of the boys. Techno made sure to edit the list to meet all his needs while Wilbur ran around the house hardly remembering what to grab, even with the list, and Tommy was trying his best.
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Disney Trip Packing List
-7 underwear
-5 socks
-5 outfits
-pjs
-swim suit
-sneakers
-flip flops
-sunglasses
-toiletries
-medications
-chargers
-headphones….
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“Outfits… what outfits?” Tommy whispered under his breath, “and what are toiletries!?” He gazed around his room in despair, clothes dumped all over his bed, backpack and suitcase discarded on the floor. He hated to admit he was overwhelmed, but he was. What if he forgot something important? What if he doesn’t pick the right clothes? Defeated, Tommy threw his list to the ground and stomped down stairs.
Directly in front of him Wilbur whizzed by, “sorry Tommy,” he rushed, “oh by the way have you seen my- oh nevermind there it is,” he dashes to the couch, grabbing a shirt, and runs back up stairs. Tommy trudges back up, giving Techno a try for help next.
Cracking Techno’s door open, “hey Tech,” the teen looks to his brother, “sorry, are you busy?”
“I’m in the middle of packing, why?”
“Oh okay, never mind,” Tommy softly exits.
“Tom, wait, what’s up?”
“I, um,” he takes a deep breath, “I need help packing, I don’t know where to start,” Tommy admits.
“I’ll help, let's go,” he says, guiding Tommy to his room. “Dude you’re a mess,” Techno jokes after seeing his brother’s room.
“Shut up, I’m struggling!” Tommy whines, “the only time I’ve ever had to pack was when I was moving, aka shoving all my shit in a trash bag.”
“Alright drama queen, god you’re starting to sound like Wilbur more and more each day. So um, where’s the list Phil gave you?” Tommy hands the paper to Techno. “Okay, start by grabbing your boxers and socks and put them in the top pocket of your suitcase.” Tommy did as instructed. “Now put a pair of pajamas and a swimsuit in the bottom pocket.”
Tommy packs his comfiest sweatpants and hoodie, “I don’t have a swim suit,” he mumbles, looking to Techno.
“Oh shoot, I’m sure Phil can take you to the store once he gets home from work. We can make a separate list of things you need. For now go ahead and pick your five outfits.”
“But what outfits? Like my normal school clothes?”
“Just pick anything you want to wear to the parks. I’d recommend something light and comfortable since we’ll be outside and walking a lot.”
“Okay, uhm,” Tommy looks around his room, “these will work I guess,” he says, throwing his favorite jeans and joggers into his suitcase, along with some random shirts.
“You know we’re going to Florida in the middle of summer, it’s gonna be really hot and humid,” Techno informed.
“I know, I’ll be fine,” Tommy brushed off.
“Alright all you need now are shoes and toiletries.”
“What the hell are toilet treats!?” Tommy exclaimed, causing Techno to burst out laughing.
“Toiletries, not toilet treats! It’s your hygiene stuff, like deodorant, tooth paste, and shampoo. Grab a plastic bag from the kitchen and grab your stuff from the bathroom.” Five minutes later Tommy entered with his arms full of all his stuff from the bathroom causing Techno to smirk. “Since we’re flying, the airport has a rule that you can’t bring liquids more than three ounces, so we can either buy travel sized soaps or you can use what they give at the hotel.”
“Oooooo there’s fancy Disney soap?”
“Yup, smells like the beach.”
“I’ll use that,” and it’ll be free, he thinks, “for the experience of course.”
“Right… so Phil will pack your meds so all you need to worry about is what you want for on the plane. You can pack your phone, wallet, charger, headphones, blanket, and snacks. We can pick up anything else you want this evening.”
“Alright, sounds good,” replies Tommy.
Suddenly Tommy’s door slammed open causing the two to flinch, “Tom- oh hey Tech, have you guys seen my phone charger?” The two silently point to the charger, which is plugged into Tommy’s wall. “Oh thanks, must’ve left it here last night,” Wilbur giggles rushing back out.
“God, he needs to get on ADHD meds,” Techno facepalms as his twin leaves. “Alright,” he stands, “I’m gonna finish packing.” After some time on his phone, texting funny images back and forth with Tubbo, Tommy heard clattering downstairs signaling that Phil was home.
“Hey boys,” the man yells, “how’s packing going?”
“Good!”
“AAAAAAHHHHHHH!”
“Phil?” Tommy mutters from the top of the stairs.
“Hey bud, what’s up?”
Tommy took a deep breath, he still has difficulty asking for things especially when it involves spending money. “Uh Techno said that you might be able to take me to the store because I don’t have some things for the trip, but if not that’s okay I can make do with what I have, so it’s fine, actually nevermind,” he rushes out anxiously. This happens a lot, so between Tommy’s anxiety and Wilbur’s speedy brain, Phil’s gotten used to understanding fast speech.
“Calm down Tom, remember it is okay to ask for things you need,” Phil affirms, “let me go check on the twins and then you and I can head into town. How about you make a list of things you need on your phone so we have a game plan at the store.” Lists, a technique Phil began using with Tommy, who easily gets overwhelmed and distracted when shopping.
A couple hours later they arrived home, bags in hand. Tommy got some new swim trunks, one with neon palm trees and the other blue with sharks, a rashguard, sunglasses, flip flops, a new wallet, and some other summer time essentials, things Tommy hasn’t had the privilege of enjoying in almost two years. He even got to pick some snacks for the plane ride; gummy worms, goldfish, trail mix, and different types of gum.
Tommy could barely sleep that night due to the storm of anxiety and excitement raging in his brain. How do airports work? I can’t wait to ride on an airplane! What if the plane crashes? Oh and I get to stay in my first hotel! But what if there isn’t room for everyone or the sheets are too itchy? And I get to ride my first roller coaster! What if it breaks down or I get sick?
Sooner than he’d like, a very excited Wilbur shook him awake. His alarm clock glowed 5:00 am, time to head to the airport.