The flowers that come with loving you are suffocating me.

Why Does Loving You Hurt So Bad

It's been about a week since Tommy first started coughing up flower petals. Since then, he's noticed a pattern. Whenever he thinks or even talks about his family, he starts coughing, and the more he thinks and obsesses about it, the worse it gets.

So, all Tommy has to do is not think of his family!

Simple, right?

All he needs to do is not think about how much they used to care about him and how much they used to hug or spend time with him.

He lets out another cough.

He's his class right now, and Tommy's never been more thankful for the giant amount of work the teachers assigned him. He's never been more focused on it, either.

He's been so focused on his work and, for once, because he's actually doing it and turning it in, his teachers actually praised him for putting in so much effort.

Tommy tried not to think about how much their praises reminded him of Phil.

But he did, and he coughed again.

Thankfully, the class had just ended, so Tommy ran to the bathroom.

Tubbo and Ranboo don't share that class with him, so he doesn't have to worry about their concerned gazes as he runs to the nearest bathroom.

As expected, he hacked up flower petals mixed with blood into the toilet.

He awkwardly exited the stall when he was finished, and sadly for him, people were lingering in the corner, taking hits from some kind of vape.

As Tommy washed his hands, he noticed some people looking at him with concern until he made eye contact with them. They realized who he was, and he was met with fearful expressions.

He scoffed as he walked out of the bathroom and away from the newly tense atmosphere.

When lunchtime comes around, and Tubbo shares his food with the other boy, he tries not to think of the lunches his family used to pack him before they started forgetting he existed.

School flew by quickly for Tommy, sadly a little too fast, and he begrudgingly rode his bike back home.

This time, though, Tommy took his time riding back. He stopped several times to watch the cars go by and focused on the scenery. It was better than thinking about everything going on right now.

Eventually, he made it back home, and as he reached for the door handle, he paused.

Tommy truly didn't want to go inside. He just... He really doesn't want to be alone. He doesn't want to open the door and be welcomed with silence. He hates the silence so much...

With tight lungs, Tommy opened the door.

"I'm home!" He said, expecting to be met with quietness. Instead... A head popped around the corner of the kitchen entrance, and he was greeted with the biggest smile.

Holy shit.

It was Wilbur.

Tommy felt happiness and warmth flood through him, and his lungs felt clearer; he could almost cry. Of course, he didn't, though. If he did, then they would be worried. Tommy doesn't want that.

"Welcome back, Tommy!" Wilbur practically flew out of the kitchen with flour on his clothes. He ran and embraced Tommy with the biggest hug, getting flour on Tommy as well. Tommy didn't mind, though. He was just happy that someone was finally hugging him, and it was his family, no less.

"How've you been lately?" Wilbur wrapped an arm around Tommy's shoulder as they walked to the kitchen.

"Eh, I've been pretty good. Nothing out of the ordinary," Tommy lied, with a fake but convincing smile.