Chapter Text
You weren't sure when exactly you'd fallen asleep, leaning over Toby's bed wasn't the most comfortable position but it seemed you really needed the rest.
When you looked up though the bed was empty. Toby wasn’t here anymore.
“Toby…?”
You got up looking around as you grew increasingly more concerned.
All that concern melted into annoyance when you found Toby in the kitchen trying to fry some eggs.
“What are you doing out of bed?” You asked, grabbing his attention.
Toby turned around with a smirk on his face. “I got hungry and I didn't want to wake you up. Don't tell me you're that worried about me.” He said teasingly.
You ignored his attempt at lightheartedness and pressed a hand onto his forehead, it was a little better compared to last evening but he was still way too warm.
“You still have a fever, get back to bed. I'll finish this for you.”
“Come on, I feel fine. I've had a fever before, nothing serious.” Toby tried, he really didn’t want to be fussed over but his attempts to make light of the situation only seemed to make things worse.
“Toby, you almost died!”
“…What?”
It seemed he really didn’t understand how bad he was doing before, it made sense, he was unconscious for the worst of it. He woke up for a little last evening and then went right back to sleep so he might not even remember it.
“Your fever was so bad you had seizures… I thought you were never going to wake up again…” You wanted to stay strong and ignore how panicked you were last night but thinking back you still got teary eyed.
Toby wasn't sure what to say, he wanted to make you feel better but he knew anything he'd say would fall flat so instead he hugged you tight. “I'm sorry.”
“For what?” You sniffled, drying your eyes. “You couldn't help it, I should've checked you over more, it was in a blind spot for you.”
It was quiet for a moment before you spoke up again. “Maybe I should start checking you over once a day, not just when you think you might've gotten hurt.”
Toby pulled away from you “Absolutely not. Our usual thing works just fine! I don’t need a check once a day!”
“Well clearly that doesn't work! I didn't check you over for just a week and it ended with you almost dying!”
“For fucks sake I'm fine!”
“You weren't yesterday!”
“You're starting to sound like Tim…” Toby cursed under his breath as he turned away. Despite the argument he didn’t look angry, just sad and disappointed as he turned back to his room.
You debated on following him but he might want some time alone so instead you focused on the eggs on the stove that had started to burn. Maybe making him breakfast would cheer him up a little, he did say he was hungry.
You threw out the burned eggs and grabbed some new ones from the fridge, you cooked them sunny side up and placed them on a plate with toast. You took a fork and knife and finally made your way to Toby's room.
“Knock knock, I made you breakfast”
As you stepped in you found Toby curled up in bed, he still looked very upset as you placed the plate on the nightstand.
“Thank you but can you leave?” Toby was visibly trying his best to stay polite but he really didn’t want to see you right now.
“What? You can't be serious. Can we talk about it at least?”
“No. Leave.” Toby pointed at the door
“Come on Toby, we're in this together. If you don't want me to check you over daily that's fine too just-”
“Get the fuck out of my house before i make you!”
“Toby-”
“NOW!”
Toby was actually fuming so you backed up and walked out of the cabin like you were told.
As much as you didn't want this to affect you it really hurt. You only started dating Toby a few weeks ago, things were still new and now he was practically kicking you out over something this small…
You debated going over to Tim and ask for advice but that might only make things worse so you just sat down on the small porch and waited, Toby would come for you eventually… right?
Minutes turned into hours and the longer you waited the worse you felt. What if Toby wasn't coming? What if he wanted to break up? The thought alone broke your heart.
You needed someone to talk to and the only person you could think of to go to was Tim so you got up and started walking. This may be a horrible idea but you didn't know what else to do. You weren't about to go back to that nasty mansion and be roommates with someone like Jeff again.
Once you got to Tim and Brian’s cabin you knocked and soon enough the door opened, greeting you was a man wearing a yellow hoodie standing in the doorway.
“Hey Brian. Um… is Tim here?”
“He sure is. Hey Tim! There's someone at the door for you!” Brian yelled as he looked back into the room.
“I can hear you just fine, you don't have to yell” Tim grumbled as he replaced Brian’s spot at the door. “Hey kid, what do you want?”
“Can I talk to you about Toby? It has to do with yesterday…”
“What is it? Has he still not woken up yet or something?” Tim was hard to read but there was a flicker of concern in his voice.
“No, it's nothing like that… he just kinda kicked me out” it was hard to admit but you desperately needed advice
“I see… come in then” Tim led you inside and sat down on the couch, it seemed Brian had disappeared into his room, he must've overheard what they were talking about and doesn't want to be a part of it.
“What did you do to get kicked out?” Tim asked as he put a cigarette between his lips, not lighting it just yet.
“I only brought up the idea of checking him over for injuries more often. That way he wouldn't get an infection that bad ever again.”
Tim groaned “just because you're dating him doesn't mean he's suddenly fine with everything”
“I said it in the heat of the moment and when I tried to explain he wouldn’t have to do it if he didn't want to he just didn't listen…”
“Yeah that's Toby for you. The best you can do is wait it out, he’ll cool down eventually.” Tim finally lit his cigarette, the acrid smoke made you want to leave but you still hadn’t gotten an actual solution out of him so you tried pushing just a little.
“And where am I supposed to go if he’s still angry tonight? I'm NOT going back to the mansion.”
Tim just shrugged. “Should’ve thought about that sooner, you know how Toby is.”
“Seriously Tim you’re such a dick.” You stared at him for a second before getting up and storming out. You’re not going to wait around until you’re allowed back into your home, you’re going back right now and Toby will listen to you whether he likes it or not.
The track back to Toby’s cabin was fast, you were determined to get this sorted out and you weren't going to take no for an answer.
Once you got back you didn’t even bother knocking, you just stormed in like you owned the place. Maybe it was because you were pissed off, maybe you just felt over confident but Toby certainly wasn’t happy about it.
“What are you doing here!? I didn't tell you you could come back yet!” Toby practically jumped up from the couch half asleep still.
“You didn’t but I live here too! You can't just kick me out just because you’re uncomfortable with a suggestion I made!” You looked Toby over, he looked worse then you remember, that wasn’t good. He was supposed to be resting but it seemed he spent the whole day watching TV and snacking on junk food.
You felt your anger bubbling away at the sight of him, Toby was still sick and maybe this whole thing was all being fueled by the poor guy’s fever.
“Toby, look at yourself, you look awful. Go to bed so we can discuss this in the morning”
“No! Fuck you, you’re not my mom!”
“I’m not but I am your partner and I want you to get better. I hate seeing you like this.”
Toby paused at that. It was finally starting to click that you weren't doing this to bother him, you just genuinely wanted him to be alright.
“Fine… just… I don't want things to change between us…” Toby looked away, finally ready to compromise.
“And they won't. I'm sorry I brought up checking you over more often… I didn't mean to bring back bad memories.”
“Maybe you were right though… if it was really that bad…” Toby didn't look happy about it though, it was like he was just saying it to make you happy.
You shook your head. “How about it check you after every mission instead? That way you don't have to do it every day while we still make sure this whole thing doesn't happen again.”
Toby nodded “yeah… that sounds good.” He spoke before moving in for a hug, pulling you close before giving you a soft kiss. “I'm sorry for blaming you for everything…”
“It's alright but just talk to me next time. I won't dismiss your feelings like some of the others may have done in the past.”
Toby smiled softly. “And that's why I love you.”
“I love you too. Now let's get you back to bed, you're still recovering.” You said as you ruffled his hair. You missed messing around with him today.
“Alright alright, but only if you cook dinner.” Toby chuckled, already moving back to his room.
“Only because you asked nicely.” You smiled softly. As much as you wanted to be strict you just couldn’t. You cared for him too much.