reunions

[espio]

Character(s): Espio, Tobias, Marco, Grell
Location: Balamb
Rating: PG - PG-13 for language and things.
Open/Closed/Finished: Closed
Summary: IT'S A FAMILY AGAIN.

To say that Espio was at a loss as to what to do regarding one Tobias Hayes and his sudden reappearance in Garden would be a bit of an understatement. Not only did he have no idea what to do, he didn't really want to do much of anything - the very thought of finding out that his closest friend in the Garden might not even remember him at all was far too unsettling. But the thing was, it was clearly a different Toby, and he could tell that by looking at him.

He just needed to get his head around it. But for the time being, he was just going to hide. In Balamb. As a human.

Just for the time being, obviously. He might spend the night out here, but he knew full well he couldn't avoid things all week.

He stood and watched the sea from the harbour, wondering if he should at least have given Grell and Marco a heads up before he left. Have they even encountered the kid yet?

Hmm.

Comments

[corruptedsouls]

"..."

More silence (but with Toby, what did you expect?), though he exhaled slowly before looking up at Espio as ordered. Both eyes may be back, but... it was certainly the one and only Tobias Hayes in them.

"...What is it?"

[espio]

Espio's eyes followed Grell momentarily. He had a strong feeling she was still watching him from somewhere, and that was not a comfortable feeling.

When he glanced back at Toby to find him looking up at him - not the most familiar feeling, given that he was used to Toby having more than a two foot height advantage on him - he almost melted. Wow. He was an idiot to freak out and not even bother finding out if his reasons were even valid first.

"I'm sorry. Okay?"

[corruptedsouls]

And that... that got Espio a smile, relieved and happy and relaxed all in one. Tobias was certainly an easy one to relax when it came to it, after all.

"It's okay."

The height difference doesn't matter to Tobias -- he throws his arms around Espio in a tight hug, almost as clingy as the ones given to Marco and Grell earlier.

[espio]

"Sure?"

Espio looks momentarily startled by the hug, but he should have expected it, really. After a moment of stillness, not knowing how to react, he lifts his arms up to squeeze Toby back, lowering his head to rest on his shoulder. "Good to have you back."

[corruptedsouls]

"I'm sure."

And that smile isn't wavering. Yes... this is Espio, even if the form's changed.

"I'm... really happy to be back too. I'm... sorry I didn't remember you until I came back here."

[espio]

Espio didn't release Toby, but he did loosen his hold, pulling back just enough to see his face properly again. "You didn't?"

[corruptedsouls]

"No. When I was home, I didn't remember... coming here or anything. But when I woke up here, everything sort of came back."

Tobias paused, not really sure how to phrase it.

"It's like... a puzzle. I'm putting it back together, but just because it fell apart, it's still my puzzle."

That's... a surprisingly insightful metaphor coming from him... then again, if it really is him, it wouldn't so strange to think he's reabsorbing what he was when he was here the first time.

[espio]

After a moment of watching Toby's face, he nodded. Yeah, he understood - the memories were definitely there, and definitely his own. "Got it," he said, with a nod, before the impossible happened - one big, beaming, genuine smile, from Espio of all people, as he just practically scooped Toby back into a hug.

[corruptedsouls]

That... was certainly not what he had expected, true, but Tobias laughed at the smile, hugging back just as tightly.

"...I'm glad I'm back."

[espio]

Toby momentarily loses an eye again for the sake of this.

"Believe me, you were definitely missed," Espio said, before gently pressing the gentlest kiss on Toby's lips. "And sorry. I stole all your clothes."

[corruptedsouls]

Ah... Tobias' face goes red at the sudden kiss, though it earns a laugh and an even brighter smile as well. Yeah... definitely glad to be back.

"I know. But I won't go away again. I promise."

[espio]

"I'll hold you to it."

[redcinemareel]

[There's a squeal of delight coming from those bushes before there's some rustling too.]

[fierybluebird]

"Stop that," Marco quietly muttered.

"They'll hear."

But actually he's pretty happy too. As is evidenced by the tips of his tail.

[espio]

You know how Espio's hearing is just a bit more sensitive in this form? Hear, he most certainly did.

Releasing Toby, he turned to glare directly at the bushes in question. "We're not putting on a show here! Get lost already!"

[corruptedsouls]

Tobias laughs a little at that, pulling on his hair embarrassedly.

"Mom... Dad..."

[redcinemareel]

Meanwhile, Grell was stifling a giggle, not budging from their hidey spot.

"I think they'll be fine~!"

[fierybluebird]

"I'm sure," Marco grinned. "Come on, ready to leave them alone for a bit?"

[redcinemareel]

She sighed, nodding before offering her hand for his. "Sure."