To Each Their Own, and Their Own to Each

Cucumbers

These three people were amazing. Tommy hadn't realized how much he had wanted to be around people. He hadn't realized he craved validation.

Tommy and Wilbur had gone to the shops by themselves so Tommy could try to get used to being around so many people. After a few attempts, Tommy came home, proudly announcing how he had conquered his fear. (That was a lie, he just had been able to keep calm). Techno and Phil congratulated him.

He liked the warm feeling their compliments gave him. Whenever he did something that made him feel proud of himself, the others' praise felt 10 times better than his own self-esteem.

One night they were eating when Tommy got frustrated. They had just gone to get vegetables from the market that day and they already tasted past-ripe and un-fresh. He threw his fork on his plate with a frustrated sigh.

"Tommy? What's wrong, mate?" Phil reached over and poked his arm. He was sitting closer to Phil at the table now. He thinks it's because he wants to be surrounded and not on the end.

He wasn't clingy.

"I'm tired of these shit grown vegetables."

Wilbur gave him a look.

"What do you mean? This is some of the finest prudence grown in the city!" Wilbur furrowed his brow.

Tommy scoffed.

"I could grow better in a basement."

"How do you outgrow a god, Tommy?" Techno muttered stuffing more of the cucumber in his mouth.

"You outgrow a god when your food doesn't taste like grass cum." Tommy snorted.

Techno laughed slightly.

"Alright then, if you're so cocky, show me how."

And that's how they ended up here. Techno put gloves on his hands and Tommy left his hands bare. They spent the day planting what was able to grow in season. They didn't see each other for a while.

"So, has everything been alright?" Techno shifted awkwardly to reach for a shovel.

"Yeah, I'm really grateful for you guys." He said, a small smile forming on his face that he tries to hide by turning away.

"That's good."

They gardened in silence. A comfortable silence.

They finished up their gardening and went inside silently just as they had been outside. Tommy thought that Techno just didn't have words to say.

Suddenly, Wilbur came rushing down the stairs, almost running straight into Tommy and knocking him over.

Tommy steadied himself and studied Wilbur's frame. He was on the verge of a panic attack and could barely form words.

"Dad collapsed! Call Niki!"