[action] closed to Tobias/backdated to April 9th

[espio]

[Siiigh. Espio was still rather annoyed - it was rather frustrating when certain people seemed to think publically announcing "EVERYONE QUICK PAY ATTENTION TO THIS GUY" and throwing turnips everywhere was the best way to celebrate your birthday. I mean, what was wrong with just a cake? That said, he might have been a little disappointed if they hadn't been ridiculous about it...

Oh well.

He actually hasn't been back to his room all day - normally he at least pops in to make himself some lunch, but today he'd resorted to cafeteria food. By the time he walked in, all he wanted to do was flop onto his bed and lie there for a few minutes... which he did without actually looking.]

Ow!

What the -??

[Just between a fold in the covers, there was a thing.]

Toby!

Comments

[corruptedsouls]

What?

[It seemed Espio timed that perfectly -- Tobias was just coming back himself, looking in at his name. Seeing where Espio was, he broke out into a bright smile.]

You found it?

[espio]

I nearly broke it!

[corruptedsouls]

It's not really something you can break by laying on it.

[espio]

Isn't it?

[Lifts up package and examines it, almost looking suspicious of it. Yes, Espio, it's called a gift...]

You... uh, didn't need to get me anything, you know... and hey! Did you have to leave it on the bed like that?!

[corruptedsouls]

It's your birthday, so I wanted to. It was the best place to put it where I knew you'd find it coming back!

[Still smiling that smile of his, Espio! Can you stay grumpy at it?]

[espio]

Wouldn't the table have been better? The wrapping paper's even more offensively bright than those pajamas.

[NEVER!! And yes, he's being grumpy for the sake of being grumpy.

Sigh.

Oh well. Better unwrap this thing, revealing... a book and a pen? Well. That's something probably only Tobias would have thought of.

He's quiet for a moment, barely restraining a smile, then scrunches up the wrapping paper and throws it at Toby's head.]

[corruptedsouls]

[Tobias manages to catch it, still just smiling and laughing now.]

Happy Birthday! I remember you wanted my help in drawing pictures to the story you were writing about your home, so I looked everywhere until I found that and a good pen for you.

[espio]

Thanks.

[Goes over to give Toby a quick kiss on the cheek. Yes, he had to climb up the wall to do it, but it's not his fault he's a shortarse.]

Heh, I don't think anyone else would have thought of that, you know. Anyone'd think you're starting to get to know me!

[Teasing grin.]

[corruptedsouls]

I've been trying to.

[Hee, kiss. He returns it, if Espio stays still long enough.]

Look on the back of it.

[espio]

[Why must you always answer everything like he meant it so seriously, Toby? Oh, well... at this point, Espio's used to it. He stays put for a moment, then hops back off the wall to go lift the book up again. He didn't really pay attention to what was drawn on it...]

Is that...?

[And now he's beaming, because omg all his friends are drawn all over it!

He flips the book over though, and then the happy smile turns into a look of exasperated bafflement.]

I... I think I've been seriously turnip overdosed today.

[corruptedsouls]

[That's just how Tobias really is! He smiles as he sees Espio beam at the cover.]

I'm pretty sure I drew them all right. That's what I remember you said they looked like.

[Blink.]

Dad?

[espio]

[MOST DRAMATIC SIGH then falls face-first into his bed.]

Yes.

[His voice is muffled by the covers, so he tilts his head just enough to look at Toby.]

I brought a couple of good ones back but did he have to drown the whole Garden with them? Really? Ugh... why am I surrounded by such ridiculous people...

[corruptedsouls]

It's just because Dad loves you, too.

[espio]

He also wants to drive me insane and turn me into a criminal.

[corruptedsouls]

I wouldn't mind being a pirate if it was with Dad. [Said as innocently as anything.]

[espio]

Didn't think you would, somehow...

Just. Don't get into the pointless aggression side of things.

[corruptedsouls]

[Tobias gives him a kind of curious look. Really, Espio, do you think that's the kind of person Toby is?]

I won't.

[espio]

No. I suppose not. You're not that easy to influence anymore... but I can worry, okay? I want you to stay you, I'd hate to see you do something that far out.

[Sits up.]

I don't much suit piracy. Still haven't quite figured out how, why, and when I apparently became one.

[corruptedsouls]

Maybe that's just how Dad is.

[He beams a little, apparently taking Espio's words as praise.]

Nope. It feels a little weird, but I'm happy.

[espio]

Guess that's what matters, really. As long as you're happy... I'm happy.

[...he says, but his smile is kind of sad?]

[corruptedsouls]

[Which means Tobias is trying to make it better by a hug.]

[espio]

[Which... kind of works, in that Espio snuggles right into it with a soft, happy sound.]

[corruptedsouls]

[And gets a smile from Toby! Cuddles are nice.]

I'm really glad I have you.

[espio]

Mm...

[He still worried that Toby... doesn't need him anymore. He's kind of scared that one day, he won't want him, despite all Toby's assurances otherwise.]

I'm the lucky one.

[Very quietly, barely audible, he adds:]

Don't leave me alone.

[corruptedsouls]

[Even quiet, he hears it clearly, and leans down a little to put his head on Espio.]

I'll never leave you alone. I promise.

[It's a little strange to be the one saying that, really, but if it would reassure him...]

[espio]

[Reaches up to wrap his arms around Toby's chest.]

Ah, I'm being stupid. You can tell me so, you know!

Thanks for the gift.

[corruptedsouls]

You're not being stupid. That's how I felt too, remember?

[Smile!]

You're welcome!

[espio]

[Yeeeeah... Espio would have felt much better if Toby had told him he was being stupid. That he was being ridiculous to even suggest such a thing was even likely. It would have been better than basically saying to go ahead and worry.

Espio's grip momentarily tightens, then he releases Toby and silently goes to the door to... leave?]

[corruptedsouls]

...Espio?

[espio]

I'm... gonna go take a walk.

[corruptedsouls]

All right.

[And that's all Tobias will say to it.]

[espio]

[It's about two hours before Espio comes back, sneaking into the room invisibly.

After a bit of internal screaming at himself for being so goddamned weak and stupid and BLARGH he feels surprisingly better and clearer headed. Hah, Toby's not gonna ditch him any time soon! Just because he's grown up doesn't mean he doesn't need Espio! Hadn't they already proven that?! And besides, well, why not just handle the time they had now like a sane person? He was a sane person, right?

And for crying out loud, it was his birthday. Who the hell mopes about on their birthday over stupid shit like that!

So. Um. Toby?

Sneak. Sneak.]

RAH!

[corruptedsouls]

[There was a loud UWAH! as Espio impacted the surprised, formerly-doodling young man and sent them both crashing to the ground.]

Espio!

[espio]

Yup!

You know -

[Poke]

- I was thinking! You know what your problem here is? You try too hard to be nice and reassuring and junk. Some people - like me - really respond better to being called stupid. So that they know they're wrong! Which I am - was. Whatever.

But! I guess you can't help that, huh? You've kinda got inbuilt niceness.

[Hug squeeze and all the affection, grinning.]

I know you were trying to make me feel better, even if it didn't work out like that. It's fine!

[To tell the truth, he's still feeling pretty insecure, but like hell is he gonna drag Toby down with him. He would love to have someone to ask for relationship advice, but Marco and Grell are... Marco and Grell.]