Chapter Text
It was finally summer in Britain. The days weren't as cold and miserable as normal, the rain has lessened, maybe stopped if you got lucky.
It was evening, sun setting and casting an orange glow through the window. Tubbo has settled himself at his desk, messaging Bekyamon for tomorrow's stream, they were supposed to play Astroneers together again.
He had a mug of water next to him, he picked it up and took a sip, smiling as he got confirmation that tomorrow's Astroneers session would happen.
He sent back a quick message, asking how Bekyamon was. Tubbo felt content with the response. She was well, things had been going great, and she had a nice stream earlier.
Tubbo was typing a response, telling her that he was glad things were well. He even asked of she wanted to go out tonight, grab a drink, enjoy the night and good weather while it lasted.
Then there was a knock at the door. He sat up a little more and looked out his bedroom door. Weird. It was 7:45pm.. who in the world would be at his door? Tubbo sent the message to Bek and got up from his chair.
Tubbo quickly took another sip if his water, then left the room. He took the mug with him and set it on the kitchen island, then approached his door. They had knocked again when he was halfway through the kitchen.
He opened the door. "Hel- oh.." He looked at the blond across from him.. "Hi." Tommy mumbled, words softer than his normal, relaxed tone. Tubbo looked at Tommy. "Tom?" He looked confused, "why are you here, it's almost 8 o'clock?" Tubbo asks.
Shame settles in Tommy's eyes. They avert Tubbo's matching blues, looking down the hall of building. Tommy's eyes finally meet Tubbo's, then move so they aren't making eye contact.
"Sorry I didn't call, I shouldn't have shown up." Tommy mutters, embarrassment sewn into each letter. Tubbo notices that he had a backpack on, it seemed full.
"It's fine, Tommy. Why are you here?" Tubbo repeats. Tommy breathes in deeply, he closes his eyes as he speaks.
"It's stupid, but I was wondering if I could crash here for a few days?" Tommy asked, shame lacing through the embarrassments seams.
Tubbo looked confused, but nodded and stepped back, letting Tommy walk into the kitchen. "Help me set up the air mattress, would you?" Tubbo asks politely.
Tommy nods. He followed Tubbo as he opened a closet door and pulled out the air mattress. Tommy awkwardly stood by as Tubbo used the air pump to blow it up.
As tubbo was grabbing some extra bedding for the Blond boy in his living room, he asked the obvious question.
"Can I ask why you wanted to stay here?" Tubbo watched as Tommy's shoulders tensed a bit. Tommy's hand messed with the other arms hoodie sleeve
"I just needed a break, go somewhere else for a bit." Tommy tensed more. He was visibly anxious. Tubbo sighed and stood up. Tommy only feared more, Tubbo had to hate him for that.
"I get that." Tubbo mutter. Tommy relaxed a bit. "But why here?" The brunet asked, "wouldn't you have gotten a hotel, gone to Eryn's or Freddie's instead?"
Tommy looked at the floor. Tubbo had a point. He had enough money to book a few nights, and he'd known both of those boys for years longer than he'd known Tubbo. Tommy sighed.
"I.." Tommy started.. he looked to the ground, there was hesitation before he spoke again. "I don't know." Tubbo looked at Tommy and sighed as well. "Well, if you do figure it out, let me know?" Tommy nodded.
Tubbo finished setting up the air mattress. "Well, here's your bed. Goodnight, Tom." Tubbo mutters to the blond. somehow thirty minutes had managed to pass. Tubbo walked off into his room, shutting the door.
Tommy stood there. Something in him itched for comfort as Tubbos door clicked shut.
He sighed and slipped his shoes off.. he opened his bag and quickly grabbed some basketball shorts. They were comfortable enough to sleep in. He changed in the bathroom.
As he walked out, his eyes fell on his bag, something in it. He closed his bag. "Not tonight." Tommy says softly to himself, then lays down. He watched a Schlatt VOD until he fell asleep.
---
Tubbo hadn't fallen asleep yet. When he went into his room he canceled his plans with Bekyamon and had a short conversation with her.
That was hours ago though. It was almost 2am. He was laying in bed on a discord call with Piso. They were screen sharing and watching a movie together. Mean Girls. Piso insisted.
Tubbo sighed. "I'm on Janis' side. That was fucked up of Cady." He stated. Piso laughed a bit from the other side. "Cady didn't know any better, she's never been to a real school!" He countered.
"It's common sense! You don't-" Tubbo cuts himself off. Piso speaks up. "Tubbo? Everything okay?" He sounded concerned.
"I heard something." Tubbo stated, "You know the friend I have over?" Piso hummed in response. "I think he's crying. I'll call you back." Piso mumbles a goodbye and a good luck and hangs up.
A sob could be heard from the bathroom. Tubbo stands up and walks to his door to the washroom.. he listens. Another sob. "Fuck."
Tubbo knocked. "Tom? You alright, man?" He asked. No response. He knocks again, saying the boy's name louder this time. Nothing again.
He tried the door handle, thankfully ot was unlocked. He opened the door and cautiously peeked in. "Shit, man." He mutters.
Tommy was sitting on the floor, back against the bathtub. He was quietly gasping, cheeks soaked in tears. Tubbo walked in and crouched down. He looked a bit panicked himself.
"Easy man, it's just a panic attack." Tubbo says, voice trying to soothe. Tommy looked so afraid. Tubbo's chest ached at the sight, but he felt a bit of relief as Tommy let the next sob tear through him. He trusted him still
"Come on, let's get you to the couch." Tubbo mutters and helps Tommy up.. he wraps the boys arm around his shoulder and guides him into the living room and sits him down. "Breathe, man. In 4, hold 5, out 6." He states.
Tubbo carefully sat next to Tommy and rubbed the boys back as he cried.. his breathing improved and he could talk again. "Tha-Thank you." Tubbo nods.
"Do you need anything, man?" Tubbo asks, hand still rubbing circles. Tommy hesitates. A sob escaping again. He nods. "What is it, I can get it."
Tommy points to his bag. "O-on top. Plea-please don't make fun of me." Tubbo nodded. "I won't, Tom." Tommy felt his chest tighten more as Tunno got uo and approached his bag.
Tommy choked on a cry quietly as Tubbo pulled a cream colored teddy bear from his bag. Tubbo smiled a bit and walked over. He handed it to Tommy. "Easy, man." He continues to rubs Tommy's back, feeling his own ease, watching the blond visibly calm when he hugged the bear.
They sat like that for another ten minutes, until Tubbo could confirm Tommy had calmed down.
Tommy was in a ball, knees to his chest, bear in his arms. Tubbo looked at it, hand still on the boy's back. Tommy felt fear. Tubbo was gonna judge him, laugh at him
"What's his name?" Were the words Tommy heard instead. He didn't respond, confused. Tubbo repeated himself. "What's his name, boss man?" Tommy hesitates.
"Arnold." Tommy mumbled. Tubbo smiled. "I like it, sounds respectable." Tommy felt himself relax again. "Thank you.."
Twenty minutes passed, and both were asleep again. The TV was playing South Park. Tommy was curled up with Arnold on the air mattress. Tubbo had fallen asleep on the couch.