Claustrophobia

17

TW: Panic attack, drinking

The week had been great. Janus and Logan taught Tommy everything he needed to know. Irra and Remus' triggers, Damien's over protectiveness, Irra's age switching, the YouTube series and the lights vs darks in the series.

Para and Damien had been watching Tommy like a hawk, not that he minded. He understood that they were getting used to him and they needed time. He showed them unrelenting kindness none the less.

Janus didn't particularly mind Tommy. He was different from Patton and frankly way better. Definitely somehow more polite than his moral counterpart.

Logan was his normal self. He did have a more of a liking to him. Tommy found about the poly relationship that he had with the darks and Roman. Tommy smiled and shrugged saying that he didn't mind. That was a much better reaction than Patton who yelled at him for falling for the darks.

Remus liked this new side. He was fun, loud but not to loud as he kept in mind Remus and Irra's triggers, and can swear. Remus also liked that the new side wasn't morality but made decisions that helped everyone in a morally correct way.

Roman brought Tommy into the Imagination for the first time and was happy to learn he was able to take Tommy on adventures. Tommy was way more adventurous than Patton while still being dad like, but he wasn't over baring.

Irra was hesitant around Tommy. He couldn't stay in the same room as him and couldn't have a conversation with him without tripping over his words and stuttering. Tommy was patient with Irra and always asked before even coming near him knowing how paranoid Irra is.

The end of the week was not as amazing.

Tommy had to deal with one of Irra's nightmares and as anyone can tell you, it's no small feet.

Irra woke up screaming and mumbling no and not to touch him.

Tommy was the first one to run into the room. Irra was shaking and scratching his arms. Thankfully he was wearing his gloves so he didn't harm himself. "DAD I'M SORRY DON'T HIT ME AGAIN!" He screamed before going back to mumbling and begging.

"Irra dear?" Tommy called as he sat a good distance away from Irra. "Can you hear me?" He asked. Irra nodded still mumbling. "You need to breathe with me okay? Can I come near you?" He asked.

Irra hesitated but nodded. Tommy slowly went over and sat in front of Irra. He held out his hand as a silent way of asking to touch him. Irra slowly took his hand. "There we go. Now I need you to take a deep breath in and then out again, slowly okay?" Tommy instructed softly.

Irra nodded and did as he was told. It took a while but Irra finally calm down. "Want a hug Irra?" Tommy asked softly.

Irra nodded. "P-p-please." Tommy carefully pulled Irra onto his lap and hugged him. "All better now." Tommy said softly.

Irra smiled softly and cuddled up to Tommy. "Thank you." He mumbled. "Of course kid." Tommy looked up as he got the feeling someone was watching.

People where watching. Everyone was. You could see their silhouettes in the door and the darks glowing eyes. Tommy gave a thumbs up. "He's okay now."

The group in the doorway smiled softly. "He isn't so bad." They all thought before leaving. Paranoia disappearing into the twins room.

Tommy laid Irra down. "Please don't leave me alone." Irra begged half asleep. "Okay dear. Do you want me to stay with you and sleep here?" Tommy asked softly. Irra nodded. Tommy laid next to Irra and carefully pulled him close.

Irra cuddled into Tommy's chest and fell asleep. Tommy smiled and fell asleep with him. Irra had immediately grown more comfortable around Tommy.

-The next morning-

Tommy woke up and stretched. He looked at Irra who was still asleep next to him. He smiled softly at the orange side and gave him a stuffed animal to hold. Tommy left a note so Irra didn't freak out when he saw Tommy was gone.

The new blue side walked downstairs to see Janus drinking in the kitchen with Damien in their mini dragon form resting on Janus' shoulder.

"Uh Dee? Don't ya think it's a bit early to drink?" Tommy asked. "I know." He took a swig from the bottle. "I drink when I'm stressed."

"How about you tell me what happened and you put down the bottle. Save it for after all the kiddos go to bed." Tommy suggested. "I know I'm new here and you don't completely trust me, but I'm more than open to talk to."

Janus sighed and nodded. He made the bottle disappear. "I'm just tired. Irra woke up screaming and I honestly can't thank you enough for helping him and staying with him." Janus started with a soft smile. Tommy gave a smile back.

"Damien woke up and came to sleep with me an hour after Irra. It happens all the time but it took me forever to convince them that they were safe. I got a message from Roman saying the Remus just had a panic attack because of his nightmare. I was on my way downstairs and saw Logan awake. He pulled an all nighter and I had to put him back to bed. Everyone is tired, stressed and overwhelmed. I now have to cover for most of them which won't be a good thing for anyone." Janus explained. "I represent self care for Thomas but I'm not even taking my own advice because I have to take care of everything and everyone."

He finished his rant and glitched out, flashing through all the sides for a moment.

"Dee. I want you to breathe. You are stretching your self way to thin. I need you to take a break day. Something for yourself. Tomorrow, you take the day off and I will watch over everyone. I can get Logan to help me. You don't need to worry about anything." Tommy offered.

Janus sighed. "I don't know. I don't think they-." "Deceit. This is about you. Not them. It's a day to relax. You're a great mom to all of them, but you need a break." Tommy stopped him.

Janus sighed and nodded. "I will talk to Logan and I'll get him to tell you everything you need to know." Tommy smiled softly. "Hug? It's the best medicine."

Janus chuckled and hugged Tommy. Tommy hugged back tightly.