81 Harry's POV
"Think he's any closer to a decision?" I asked, two days after Danny had walked in on Tom trying to find something for him and Buzz to do together. Tom hadn't mentioned anything to us about a trip out so far, even after his conversation with Danny, and none of us had mentioned it, just in case he backed out due to pressure.
"Not a clue." Danny answered, putting some plates in the dishwasher. We had taken to doing some jobs around the house. Nothing too big, just emptying and loading the dishwasher, sometimes making dinner, small things, to get Tom used to the idea of us helping out. And that he didn't need to constantly be cleaning up after everyone. It was confusing him a bit, but he was accepting it as best he could, as in, had insisted that he could do it, but backed down when we told him that we wanted to do something around the house.
"He still looks deep in thought a lot of the time." Dougie joined in, placing clean plates in the cupboard.
"Probably shouldn't ask either, in case we push him into it." Danny was so thoroughly against pushing Tom in any way. He did his absolute best to subtly encourage, without ever saying anything that could be construed as taking over. It was difficult to do, and made conversations feel like a mine field, as so many things could seem to be orders when they weren't. But, he was learning, we all were. Slowly.
"He'll make his choice in time, it's got to be hard, to suddenly take charge, after so long without any agency." It had to be, I couldn't imagine not having any control over my own life, not being allowed to make decisions over what I did or anything. Getting used to having that power back had to be difficult, and tough to get used to again. Especially when it was over something like taking your child out for the day for the first time. Well, second. But the point still stood.
It took another day of deliberating before Tom seemed to make a decision. Or at least he stopped looking so worried and indecisive. After that, it took another day before he told us his plans. He chose to talk to us after Buzz had gone to bed, sneaking down the stairs as quietly as possible before hovering in the door way, almost like he was ready to run away the second things took a bad turn. Not that they would, we were prepared to support him, whatever his choice.
"I was thinking... I mean, I was... Natasha told me to, to take Buzz out somewhere. A-And I was thinking of maybe going, going to erm, to London Zoo. I was wondering if you... would you like, would it be okay if, if... would you like to come along too?" Tom stuttered horribly, fidgeting badly on the spot, clearly terrified of our reaction.
When was the last time he had asked someone to do something with him? When was the last time he had asked anything of anyone, even if they wanted to go somewhere nice with him? It had to be so long ago, judging by his reaction.
"Yeah, sounds like fun! When were you thinking of going?" I answered for all of us, since we'd all agreed that we would go along too, wherever he decided. If not just for moral support, and damage control, if he got overwhelmed.
"Next, next week. On Saturday." Tom was still cringing in fear, his hands were shaking. God, what had that wife of his done when he had asked for something as simple as a trip out with his son?
"I'm in!" Danny grinned, pride in his eyes.
"It's been years since I last went to the zoo, I'm definitely in." Dougie smiled.
"No way I'm saying no either. Looks like we're all in." I put my arm around Dougie's shoulders, feeling like the three of us should look as non-threatening as possible.
"Great, I mean... thank you. I'll, I'll find a way to get there." Tom disappeared up the stairs, slightly disappointingly. But he had done well, it was a good first step, and that was all we could ask for right now.