Mcyt -autistic- oneshots

A day at the zoo (Tommy and Phil+Kristin)

Phil's POV:

Tommy wanted to go to the zoo for the day, and seeming most of his friends were in America, and Tommy was claiming that Jack was 'too annoying', he invited me and Kristin. Of course we were excited to go. We both enjoyed spending time with Tommy, and were both aware that he him spending time with the two of us was very valuable for him. His parents were both busy people and had been since Tommy was a child. He always went to after school clubs, or friend's houses, or a babysitter, and so on. And whilst Tommy loved going to them, and all those holiday camps he did for things like drama, music and there was even a sport one once (which he did hate), nothing quite beats quality time with your parents. But it wasn't their fault.

Both Tommy's mum and dad worked all the time because money was a concern in their household and they wanted what's best for Tommy. I do not blame them, and I think it's horrible for anyone else to. It was just how things turned out. And to be fair to them, when they first found out Tommy was autistic when he was five, they really worked on getting what was best for him as much as they could with the time and resources they had. And I will always have such a high respect for them for that. 

But Tommy felt like he had missed out a little compared to his friends, so Kristin and I were happy to step in and do things with him. We weren't his parents and he didn't really see us as that. Instead he saw us as two adults he trusted, and could have a lot of fun with, and that's all he really wanted.

Because it was a vlog, Tommy organised it so we'd have the whole zoo to ourselves and so that he could get a day off college. What can I say he's a kid, all kids want days off school!

"So we're seeing what first?" He asked, pacing round the entrance to the zoo  and basically unable to contain all the energy he had inside.

"I'm not sure mate, I guess the zookeeper will have a better idea."

"Mhm." He fidgeted with his fingers and didn't look up from the floor.

"You doing alright?" My lovely wife asked but he didn't answer. "Tommy, is there something wrong?" Still no answer.

I shared a worried look with Kristin. "Tommy. What's up?" I asked.

"Hey guys! I'm Joe." The zookeeper approached us with a smile.

"Hey," I replied, "can you give us 5 minutes? Sorry we just need to run through some stuff."

He looked confused but then took one look at Tommy and Kristin who was desperately trying to help and nodded. "Yea, take as long as you need." Amazing how people finally understand that Tommy's autistic when it fits their stereotype.

I rushed over and felt helpless. "Tommy, what do you need?" Something must have clicked because he stopped pacing and walked right into me.

"A hug," he mumbled. I sighed out of relief and hugged him tightly.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Just in my head about stuff."

"What kind of stuff?" Kristin asked.

"Stuff, stuff. I shouldn't have mentioned it, I don't want to talk about it."

"Okay, well are you ready or do you need a little longer?"

"I'm fine, sorry for worrying you. Sorry Kristin."

"It's fine, as long as you're okay."

"Mhm."

"Last thing, the zookeeper over there, he's called Joe. Do you want to explain the fact you're autistic or do you want me to?"

"I'll do it." He said with a smile. It was weird how quickly he bounced back but Kristin and I both knew he was just slipping into his youtube 'persona'. "Hey."