It was noon when Roy and Famfay, who was wrapped around his shoulders, arrived at the address that Charlotte had given him. He had been here before, many weeks ago when he and Charlotte talked to Toby’s mother about him joining the Defenders. Now, Roy being here again after Toby had been suspended was kind of ironic.
Despite not being too far away from the Defenders HQ, the neighborhood had a completely different feel to the surroundings of the HQ. It was worn-down, the streets looked like the city hadn't taken care of them in years, there was trash on the sides of the road and not a single blooming flower in the pots standing around. Yet, it was still a very lively area, with signs of kids and teenagers hanging around here quite frequently.
Roy was about to ring the bell that said “Williams” on it when the door to the apartment opened and Toby came out. “Huh-” He noticed Roy. “Hey- What are you doing here?”
“Ah… Hello, Toby.” Roy gave Toby the once over. He was in casual clothing, a hoodie and sweatpants like he was last time they’d met. But for the first time, he wasn’t wearing his hair in a ponytail, instead lying open over his shoulders. Memis was with him by his feet, and Roy noticed a sleeve of Toby’s uniform hanging out of his backpack. “I was… Here to check on you. You know, uhm-” He deliberated for a second, it was probably not the best idea to tell him that Charlotte had sent him. “I… I heard you’ve been suspended.”
“...” Toby turned his head away. “Yeah...”
“Why are you carrying your uniform with you, then?”
“...” Toby took the backpack off and quickly shoved the sleeve back in there. “Mom doesn’t know I’m suspended. Apparently, Charlotte didn’t tell her…”
“Oh… I see.”
“Uhm…” Toby fiddled with a strand of hair. “I was about to go grab some food… Do you wanna come with me?”
“Ah- Sure of course.”
~~~~
~~~~
“I don’t know about this…” Roy inspected the slightly squashed burger in his hand.
“Oh come on, don’t tell me you never had fast food before!” Toby smiled.
They were seated at a table in the WcRonalds where Toby was a frequent visitor. Their Morpho Mons were with them, while dogs and pets were usually not allowed in these kinds of establishments, Morpho Partners were an exception as they weren’t really pets, and in case of an emergency, the defenders and their partners could easily jump in and help.
“Well, the last time I had food in a place like this, I was just a little child.” Roy held the burger near Famfay’s mouth, who took a small bite off of it.
“I’m here almost every week!” Toby had almost finished the first of the two burgers he had, and shoved some fries in his mouth.
“Really…?” Roy furrowed his brow. “How do you keep your shape when you eat this much fast food?”
“Hmm…” Toby frowned, thinking hard. “Beats me. Genetics, I guess.”
“Well, what I actually wanted to ask you, Toby…” Roy looked at him. “What have you done to be suspended?”
“Mhh…” Toby swallowed the food in his mouth. “I… I rushed after a Morpho Mon by myself and…” He pointed to his bandaged cheek. “I was attacked.”
“I see.” Roy sighed. “But didn’t you learn not to do that in class?”
“Of course!! You’re like- the tenth person to tell me…” Toby looked away. “I get it… I’m stupid and irresponsible...”
“I didn’t say that, Toby.” Roy tilted his head. “You did.”
“...” Toby faced him again. “I know what I did was rash… And I’m trying to be better. But… Sometimes I make a choice before my brain can process and think about the consequences. I know it sounds dumb but… It has been like this my entire life, and I do or say things I immediately regret and get myself into bad situations…” Toby threw a fry in Memis’ direction, who caught it mid air. “And… I don’t know how to fix it.”
“Hm. Sounds problematic.” Roy pushed up his glasses. “What does your mother say about this?”
“Mh… She usually says I’m not trying hard enough…”
“.... Your mother isn’t very nice to you, is she?”
Toby’s expression froze.
“Answer my question, Mr. Williams.”
“I- I mean- you know… She’s struggling… A lot… I don’t want to be a burden on her. I just want to help her...”
“But she’s still your mother, Toby. She’s the one who’s supposed to take care of you, to lift you up. Someone you can always talk to when you need it, and who should make sure your diet isn’t solely based on fast food.”
“....... Ah-” Weirdly, Toby smiled. “You- you got me there.”
“So?”
“It’s really complicated… Yes, mom can be mean or seem like she doesn’t care… But I really love her. She’s the only family I have, and we had good times together…” Toby sighed. “But it’s true… I don’t like being at home when she’s there… It makes me uneasy and feel like I’m walking on eggshells. Which is why I usually eat out, go skateboarding or play the guitar in the park…”
“That sounds quite complicated… but I think I understand.”
“I’m sorry- I didn’t mean to overshare… Sometimes I really talk a mile a minute.”
“No, no- It’s fine.” Roy gave him a warm smile. “I asked you and you responded. You’re a good person, Toby. And a great son. Don’t forget that.”
“... Mmmm---” Toby fiddled with a strand of hair, blushing. “Stop iiit….”
Roy laughed a bit. “Really. I don’t understand why you don’t have a lot of friends.”
“Ahh… M-Me neither I guess.” Toby smiled back. “Hey, do you think if I ask nicely enough the staff will give me a free Jollymeal Toy?! I want to try it!” Toby got up and rushed to the counter.
Roy looked after him. “... Did you sense anything, Famfay?”
“Mmmm…” Famfay climbed off Roy’s shoulders. “He’s an interesting case. He doesn’t want you to feel sad for him. But also he’s trying to avoid the topic of why he doesn't have a lot of friends.”
“I see.”
“He’s a bit weird. Reminds me a bit of my little brother Scorpio…” Famfay sighed and grabbed a fry.
“You miss him a lot, right?”
“.... What hurts the most is not knowing what happened to him after I fell through the portal.”
“WRAFF!” Memis jumped up on Roy’s leg. “Don’t think that Toby is a bad person! He’s very nice!”
“Mh?” Roy looked down to the dog-like Morpho Mon. “Hey. Don’t worry. I’d never think that.”
“Hey Roy! Look!” Toby returned to their desk. “They actually did it! Isn’t this cool? It’s a wind-up dinosaur!”
“... Oh.” Roy looked at the plastic toy in Toby’s hand. “It’s… charming.”
“I wanna see how it walks!” Toby twisted the little nub on the dinosaur to wind up its gear and released it on the desk. It walked about five steps before it stopped and fell over. “Hahaha! That’s so cute!”
Roy blinked, then he smiled. “It’s fascinating… Despite everything, you never lose your childish joy.”
“What can I say~” Toby grabbed the little dinosaur and gave it to Memis, who inspected it closely. “I think it’s important to always find happiness in the little things… Especially now, when everyone expects you to take more responsibility and grow up to be an adult.”
“... I didn’t expect you to be so deep, Toby. But… I suppose you’re right.”
“That’s what you wanted me to teach you, right?” Toby smiled.
“Yeah… I think...”
“I have a few coins on hand, let’s go to an arcade!” Toby got up.
“A-An arcade?”
“Have you ever been to one?”
“... N-No… I don’t think so.”
“Oh my gosh you’re gonna love it! Let’s not waste our time~" Toby grabbed Roy by the hand and went ahead.
“H-Hey! Wait for me!” Roy tumbled, but quickly caught up.
Despite being a very different person compared to Roy, he enjoyed Toby’s company, and he was glad he could learn about his hardships while also learning how to have fun for himself.
In his nineteen years, Roy had never felt like this.
Like he was making a friend.
~~~~
Not far from them, a purple portal opened in the sky. It was gone as quickly as it appeared - and a shadowy, humanoid figure fell out of it, landing on one foot on top of a building.
Dark wings unfolded from their back, and magenta eyes pierced through their hair. With a quick look around, they scanned the area.
So. This is the other world… My portals lead to...
They went into a squat position, looking down to the streets.
There are… living beings… But they don’t seem to have souls?
An eye on their chest opened. “Servant. You have passed through the door to the other world. Now go…”
“Yes, Master.”
“You may return once your job is done.” The eye on their chest closed again.
With a quick jump they launched themselves into the air, flying over the city. Whispering their mantra to themselves.
I have to find the grey stars.
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