Moments earlier...
After classes were over, Toby and Roy went to the Brightgo park. They had decided to meet up again the day before via text, and Toby was terribly nervous.
Because he wanted to finally tell Roy how he truly felt about him.
He figured it would be nice to tell him in the Brightgo park, since that was where they had first made up to meet all those weeks ago. The thought was kind of romantic… though that was an odd word to think about for Toby now, as Roy was still only his best friend.
The two of them were sitting on a bench in front of the big tree that Toby had forced Roy to climb on during their first time in the park. Memis sat between the two, and Famfay rested on Roy’s shoulders as he usually did. After P.E. they had changed back into their casual clothes, as it would’ve felt a bit awkward for them to hang out in uniform.
“Mh… Maybe I should have showered after all…” Roy touched his neck with his hand, and his Morpho Partner Famfay poked it with his nose. “I’m sorry, I get so sweaty during P.E….”
“It’s okay, you’re not used to that much work out after all.” Toby smiled lightly, and his feet wiggled a bit on his outstretched legs. “But it’s fun, right? I love the feeling after doing some exercising… I always feel very happy and fulfilled.”
“Mh… I guess.” Roy crossed his arms. “After all, physical activity makes your body produce dopamine and serotonin, hormones which make you feel good and happy.”
“Man, you’re such a genius, you know so much… ”
Roy frowned. “I don’t like being called a genius. It undermines my work … I just like reading and learning, that’s all.”
“Oh… I’m sorry, I didn’t want to be rude.” Toby mentally hit himself with a hammer, god, he was so awkward.
“No, it’s okay, I know you wanted to compliment me. It’s appreciated.”
“Y-Yeah…”
Toby sat hunched over and folded his hands. There was an awkward silence for a few seconds. He felt like he should say something, but the words were stuck in his throat.
Just tell him. Do it. Just do it, you idiot.
Toby gulped and sat back up again. “Roy… I want to tell you something.”
“Mh?” Roy looked at him. “What is it?”
Famfay too lifted his head to look at Toby, squinting his eyes.
“Uhm… Roy I-...”
“You?”
“Ahm...”
“... You’re bleeding.”
Toby jumped. “What?”
“Out of your nose.” Roy pointed at him.
Toby touched his face, then looked at his hand. There was blood on it. He freaked out. “Ahh--” He got up. “Oh my God, I’m sorry- This is awkward-”
“Hey, hey- it’s okay.” Roy stood up from the bench as well. “Do you need a tissue?”
“No… No I’ll- I’ll wash it off- I’ll be back in a minute!” Toby held his face and ran off.
Memis jumped up. “Toby!!” He quickly turned to Roy, who looked confused. “I’ll look after him!! Wait for us!!” The dog Morpho Mon ran after Toby, leaving Roy and Famfay behind in a confused state.
“Toby! Toby!!” Memis barked. “Don’t run away!!”
“Mah…” Toby came to a halt behind a tree by the south exit of the park. “Hah…” He puffed out air, then began to sob. “Mehhhh….” He squatted down and pressed his face into his knees. “Why am I so bad at everythiiiiing….”
“Hey… Toby…” Memis went to stand before him, and gently poked him with his muzzle. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”
“I- I can’t do anything right… I just want to tell Roy how I feel but I make everything awkward… and embarrassing…” He wiped his tears away, accidently spreading the blood over his face. “I don’t even deserve to be in his presence… he’s so great… and clever… and handsome… and I’m stupid and look like a potato…”
“That’s not true… Toby… Hold up.” Memis turned into his Pegrandis Form, and laid down. “You’re distressed, come here!”
“...” Toby crawled next to the now big Memis and leaned into his fur.
“That’s better!” Memis licked over his head for a while, to destress him.
“I know you wanted this to be a good day to tell Roy how you feel about him, but it’s not the end of the world if you don’t manage to pull it off smoothly today. After all, you’re just a human person!”
“Human being…”
“That’s what I meant to say!” Memis tilted his head. “Now… You should try to calm down and return to Roy. He’s probably worrying about you.”
“... Yeah…”
“Also you should wash your face… You’re covered in blood.”
“Ah-” Toby got up. “Yeah- Wait for me here- I’ll be right back.” He went to the fountain of the park, and proceeded to wash his face and hands in the water, despite the weird looks of passerbys. He also had some blood on his hoodie, which he couldn’t wash out right now, it would’ve been too cold to just be in his undershirt.
How embarrassing … and I literally did the laundry yesterday…
Toby wiped the excess water on his pants and rushed back to Memis, almost running into a girl on his way back, mumbling a quick “sorry”.
“Okay-” Toby ran his fingers through his hair. “Let’s- Let’s get back to Roy… I feel bad for making him wait-” He turned around and wanted to leave with Memis, when suddenly, Sophia stood in front of him. “S-Sophia!”
“Ahh!” Sophia was startled. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I promise I wasn’t stalking you- I just saw you walk by and I- I was worried-”
“Uhm- It’s- it’s okay Sophia- everything is alright- you don’t have to worry!” Toby smiled weakly at her. “Actually, I have to go-”
“There you are, Toby.” Roy approached the two from behind. “I was worried something had happened, you told me you’d be right back.”
“Ahh--!!” Sophia jumped and looked up at Roy with an expression of fear. “I- I have to go- bye-” She stuttered those words and then ran off.
Roy and Toby looked after her, confused.
“I think she’s scared of you,” Famfay explained.
“Oh… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare her.” Roy shook his head, then faced Toby again. “Say, is everything okay? You look distraught.”
“Ahm-” Toby wiped his eyes. “No, it’s okay. I think I just had a little bit of a nervous breakdown. But I’m better now. Memis took care of me.”
“That sounds awful… I’m glad you’re better now.” Roy smiled lightly. “Oh, you have some blood on your lip…”
“Ah- S-Sorry, I’ll wipe it away-” Toby rubbed his lip, but the blood didn’t come off.
“It’s still there… Hold on.” Roy reached into his bag, got a package of tissues and pulled one out. “Let me help you.” He took a step forward, moved Toby’s head to make him look directly up at him and gently wiped his upper lip with the tissue.
Toby was frozen, and his heart pumped in his throat. Was this really happening? Roy was so close to his face, he felt like he was about to combust. He had never seen his face in that much detail.
Roy had stunning, bright blue eyes that moved slightly as he concentrated. Toby had never seen anyone with eyes this bright. They almost looked like they were glowing.
After a short while Roy noticed the stunned expression on Toby’s face, and took note of the weirdly intimate situation, so he quickly backed up, clearing his throat. “There. All clean now.”
“Ah…” Toby covered his mouth with his hand. “Th-Thanks-”
“I didn’t mean to stand this close to you, I apologize.”
“Ahm- It’s okay! Really-” Toby chuckled awkwardly. “H-Hey- what if we grab some burgers now? I’m starting to feel hungry.”
“Mh… You always think about burgers when you’re hungry.” Roy sighed. “But sure. Let’s go.”
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