[BBS]

[corruptedsouls]

[Tobias has mostly been keeping to himself, his studies, and his family lately. With everything that's happened, he's really just wanted to introvert for a bit -- at least as much as he can with the people he cares about. But all this time, a question has been nagging at him. Bothering him. He's certainly not the naive child he was before, but some things he simply can't seem to understand.

Which is why he's turned to Garden for help.]

What makes a bad person "bad?" Is it when they hurt someone? Or destroy something? Or is just thinking about doing that enough to be bad?

And... why do bad people do those bad things?

[And yet, amidst this, there's something else on his mind.]

[PM to Marco]

Hey Dad? Why don't you and Mom have an egg?

Comments

[espio]

For me, it's an easy answer. They're attacking my friends, family, and my home. I'll fight to protect them.

[corruptedsouls]

That makes sense.

[espio]

Garden took me in when I had nowhere to go. It's important to me, and I'll protect it.

[Though he doesn't admit, at least to Toby, that he cares very little for the rest of the world. Back home? He fought for everyone. On this planet, where most of the world fears him for no good reason, he can't even bring himself to care.]

...you want to, too, right? Isn't that part of why you're doing healing?

[corruptedsouls]

Yeah, it is. But I still can't do it very well.

[He's a quick learner, but even para-magic requires practice for it. Tobias shifts on Espio a little, closing his eyes.]

I couldn't really help when it happened.

[espio]

[Slight squeeze.]

In case you hadn't noticed, neither could I. But if there's a next time, I'll be ready. Keep at it, and you'll be ready too.

[corruptedsouls]

Okay.

[He can do that! For now, though, he'll just snuggle into Espio more.]

[espio]

[Espio can deal with snuggles! ...well, he can now, anyway. Though he can't help but lean in a little and give him a quick kiss on the cheek.]

[corruptedsouls]

[Tobias makes a happy little noise at that and leans up to return it, though not quite on the cheek.]

[espio]

[Espio practically catches that kiss, returning it but pressing himself up into it as well, arms wrapping around the other's chest tightly. It's almost like he's seeking warmth or something, and he certainly doesn't want to let go.]

[corruptedsouls]

[Tobias is admittedly a bit surprised by this, though he tries to kiss back as best he can. With Espio holding him fairly tightly, he wraps his own arms around the chameleon to try and do the same.]

Are you cold?

[espio]

[Espio seems to go a little bit pinker.]

N-no. I just... wanted to be closer, that's all...

[corruptedsouls]

[And that gets a bright smile.]

Okay.

[espio]

[Espio can't help but feel that Tobias has missed the point somewhere. Probably because he always does. But that's fine. He was, after all, telling the truth.

Don't mind Espio, Toby. He's just gonna kiss your neck as well. Because... well, actually, it's mainly because it's in reach. Stupid height problem.]

[corruptedsouls]

[That seems to make Tobias a little bit confused, but... there is that height problem, yes. He just giggles a little quietly at it, still beaming away.]

[espio]

[Espio stops, but it's for the sake of snuggling more. Problem - position is uncomfortable. Solution - wrap legs around one of Toby's. Also his tail. And sort of snuggle into his chest. Yep, that's better, and warmer!

New problem: middle of the day or not, he could easily fall asleep now.]

...I know I said I wasn't cold, but... [squeeze]

[corruptedsouls]

[Well this is... a little uncomfortable, but Tobias really doesn't mind all that much. It is Espio.

He tries to squeeze him back a little, shifting somewhat in an attempt to make his own position slightly less awkward.]

I'm warm.

[espio]

[Espio, for his part, is quite comfortable now and is staying exactly where he's put himself.]

Yeah.

...y'know...

[Silence for a moment.]

I don't think I really realised how much I cared about you until you were gone...

[corruptedsouls]

[...Ah... Tobias' happy smile dissolves.]

I'm sorry.