Tommyinnit Oneshots

Gifted (Part 4)

Tommy had been in that town for two weeks. He had spent one of those weeks in school as a student. It should have been terrible for obvious reasons, but Tommy was having fun in some classes. He had teachers that made classes interesting, and he had uncharacteristically gotten closer to Ranboo and Purpled, Tubbo's friends. Tommy was even taken under Dream's wing when it came to MCC club. Tommy had tried out under Tubbo's and his sister, Niki's, encouragement. Puffy had even told Tommy that extracurricular actives were a good idea.

His home life was decent, too. Techno sometimes went out of his way to invite Tommy to practice with him for MCC. Tommy couldn't beat Techno no matter how hard he tried, but Techno was good at giving advice. Wilbur was extremely caring and involved with Tommy, allowing him to open up without pressuring Tommy to. Tommy felt comfortable doing more than just joking with Wilbur. Tommy felt like he could have a real conversation with Wilbur about serious topics. Phil was practically a blessing. He had this way of watching out for Tommy, and knowing when to help him with his homework because Tommy was too scared to ask. Phil could stop Techno, Wilbur, and Tommy from arguing with a look, and he make them have a peaceful conversation with a few encouraging words.

Tommy was happy. He didn't think he was capable of being happy anymore. He thought that he hit his head as a child, and had gotten some undiagnosed brain trauma that shut off his serotonin. Tommy realized that it was himself that made him unhappy. Tommy was opening up to these people and now he was happy. Tommy didn't need to be a genius to put two and two together. Tommy decided that he would tell Phil that he wanted to be officially adopted.

Tommy raced down the hallway to Phil's room. He felt a smile tugging his lips. His cheeks were blushing in embarrassment already, but Tommy wouldn't let that anxiety stop him. Tommy was going to do what he set his mind out to do. Tommy was often acquainted with the words stubborn for good reason. Tommy turned into the doorway, peering into the room. He opened his mouth to make his presence known-

Tommy opened his eyes. He looked around. He was sitting on a bench outside the school. Tommy rubbed his eyes to make sure he was seeing correctly. Wasn't he just at Phil's classroom? Was that a dream? It couldn't have been... but there had to be some reason Tommy was on the bench. Tommy didn't remember sitting down on that bench, so why was he asleep on it? Tommy sighed into his palm. What happened?

"Tommy?" Someone said his name. Tommy sat up quickly to see Puffy with a messenger bag over her red overcoat with painted dark gold buttons. She had her wild, white tied in a ponytail underneath her red velvet hat. Puffy was holding a load of papers and colorful folders. "What are you doing out here?"

"Umm... I don't know actually. I was going to Phil's class... and maybe I passed out? Nah, that doesn't explain shit. There's a blank space in my memories," Tommy tried explaining. He should have come up with a believable excuse. Puffy probably thought he was lying to her. He hated dishonest people and hypocrites. Plus, Tommy liked... Tommy tried to finish that thought, but he couldn't get himself to admit that he liked-. Say it. Say her name. Why won't you say her name?

"Oh, that sounds bad. Here, let me check to see if you hit your head," Puffy smiled at him. Tommy tried returning the smile, but he felt like puking instead. Puffy didn't seem to mind. She placed her papers on the bench beside Tommy. She placed her fingers on Tommy's forehead. She narrowed her eyes in concentration. Tommy was fighting against his instinct to flinch away from the touch. He wanted her gone. He didn't want Puffy there. I don't like her-

Tommy took a deep breath. Why was he thinking like that? Tommy went through the list of people he knew in his head. All he found was hatred and disgust. Tommy didn't like anyone in that town... and he didn't know why. He had liked them just fine earlier. That blank space in his memory... something must have happened that made Tommy hate the people of that town. But what could have made him hate everyone? What could Puffy have done that was bad enough for Tommy to want her to disappear?

"I don't think you hit your head, Tommy..." Puffy whispered, taking a step back. She leaned down to look Tommy in the eye. Tommy felt his fingers curl into a fist without his input. What the hell was going on? What in Prime's name was making Tommy have such violent responses? "It might be a repressed memory. Something must have happened that you're brain felt like you didn't need to know. Repression is a defense mechanism against things that will break our psyche."

"Something must have happened," Tommy agreed, standing up despite the fact his entire body was tense. Tommy took one look at Puffy before sprinting down the sidewalk. He needed to get away before the urge to hurt Puffy became unstoppable. Tommy wouldn't be responsible for hurting someone that he... used to...care about.

——

"What happened here, Phil?" Puffy said with her arms crossed as she glared at the man who was sitting at his desk. His students were practicing for an upcoming physical exam, but that didn't stop them from eavesdropping on the conversation. When Puffy got her angry face on, it was a sight to behold.

"As much as I want to answer, you'll need to be more specific. We've been practicing the entire period without incident," Phil said, looking at Puffy with a level stare that didn't express any particular emotion.

"I meant, what happened to Tommy? Someone erased his memory. The last thing he remembers is coming to the door of your class. His memory may be gone, but the emotions tied to it aren't. He hates us all now, and before the erasure, he wanted to ask you to adopt him. Something happened that made him want to physically hurt me," Puffy said with a harsh tone. She could hear the class having a reaction behind her, but Puffy had expected them to listen and react to the subject matter.

"Tommy hasn't been here all afternoon. I saw him pass the door earlier, but he didn't pass us a glance. I don't know what your talking about, Puffy, but it's clear that something has happened. I'll have to talk to him," Phil said while rubbing his chin in thought. Puffy agreed while saying she would continue investigating.

Someone had erased Tommy's memory. The question was who and why.