Then Where Is Home?

Chapter 14

Tw for this chapter: Anxiety, vomiting, past self harm mention

It was a week later, a long week in fact, that Tommy woke up at 5:32am on his 16th birthday. He woke up, blinked a few times as he got up and then looked at Ranboo and Tubbo, who were on his floor on an air mattress. It clicked in Tommy's mind that the reason why they were there was to help with birthday anxiety like Dr. Simon suggested. Because they knew Tommy struggled with his birthday.

Tommy's birthday was planned out and the only surprise about the whole day was the gifts. It was clear Tommy was already anxious about the day but added anxiety might have made things worse, so nothing that could cause anxiety. Phil was taking Tommy out for breakfast, Wilbur and Techno for lunch were taking him out for lunch, Tubbo and Ranboo to the movies and then the party would be this evening.

Tommy laid in bed for a moment thinking about how it was his birthday and then after a moment he felt vomit rise in his throat and threw up in the trash can next to his bed, waking up Tubbo and Ranboo.

"Shit, Tommy are you okay?" Ranboo asked, quick to react to the situation. Tubbo was still struggling to wake up fully, and part of Tommy and Ranboo knew it because of how things were in foster care. Take care of the others quick, and don't let the adults find out.

Tommy just gave a thumbs up, head still in the trash can as he spit everything out of his mouth. He raised his head after a moment, panting a little bit and then he sighed.

"Feeling peachy." He said sarcastically and Ranboo laughed a bit. "Love anxiety vomiting. You guys can go back to bed, I'm going to go brush my teeth." Tommy said, peeling back his blankets and standing up out of bed. Tubbo just laid back down and immediately went back to sleep. Ranboo followed Tommy out of the room, closing the door behind him so Tubbo could still get some sleep.

"Just an anxiety vomit?" Ranboo asked as he leaned in the doorway as Tommy began to grab his toothbrush and toothpaste.

"I'm not pregnant, Ranboo." Tommy joked as he put toothpaste on his toothbrush. Ranboo rolled his eyes but still had a smile on his face.

"You know what I mean dummy, it wasn't a hard trigger or a flashback or a nightmare or anything?" Ranboo asked and while it was a bit much, Tommy appreciated Ranboo checking in with him like this.

"Nah, I'm all good man. Just anxiety rush, happens sometimes. I'm all good." Tommy said honestly and Ranboo nodded before yawning. "Go back to bed, I'm just gonna be up for the day, see if Phil wants to do a real early breakfast if he's up." Tommy said and Ranboo nodded again.

"Alright, my ringer's on if you need anything. Love ya Tommy." Ranboo said as he turned to go back to Tommy's room. Tommy smiled a bit as he looked up at the mirror.

"Love you too, Ranboo." Tommy called, and he heard Ranboo hum a bit as a recognition that he heard him. Tommy smiled more for a moment and then he began to brush his teeth.

Phil was already awake by the time Tommy changed clothes and made his way downstairs. He didn't mind going to breakfast a bit early, he just needed to at least put the coffee pot on for Techno who would be up in an hour. Tommy nodded and scrolled through his phone for a moment before Phil was done putting new coffee grounds and water in the machine before turning it on.

They left the house around 5:45, and they were off to a small cafe Phil wanted to show Tommy. They didn't talk much on the drive, but it honestly felt nice. It didn't feel forced, the radio was on and playing some nice soft music. The windows were rolled down and Tommy stuck his arm out the window. He watched the sky turn from dark blue to a lighter blue, with pink and orange from where the sun was coming out behind the mountains.