Chapter Text
Toby groaned as he rested his head on his desk. Another fight between New York’s newest vigilante and the most well-known primeval criminal group happened last night. Sirens could be heard all over the city, meaning Toby didn’t get a wink of sleep.
The masked vigilante known as the Spider-Man was spotted last night on the corner of Madison and East Fifty-first street; engaging in combat with some wanted criminal group. Apparently, severe damage was done to the St. Patrick’s Cathedral, causing it to undergo some much-needed construction.
This criminal group has been around for a while, terrorizing the city with only minor misdemeanors. You know, the casual bank robberies, cargo robberies, military robberies… just a lot of robberies really. The reason behind them is still unknown. It was quite frustrating to Toby honestly. The fact that the reason behind the robberies isn’t known. What the hell could someone use military-grade weapons for anyway?
Spider-Man only just showed up recently, a few months ago maybe? It was a weird first appearance. He was seen capturing the guy that was robbing a corner store. Except the guy was the owner who had locked his keys inside and needed to break the window to get them. It was definitely a hilarious news story. But ever since, it's been nonstop reports about any sort of sighting. From seeing him web-up wrongin’s to him apparently buying eggs at the store? Yeah, not really sure why that was important to report on.
Point is, the sudden rise in Spider-Man’s appearance is something that has been getting under Toby’s skin. Spider-Man has been the only thing on Toby’s mind as of late, he doesn’t know if he finds it more frustrating or annoying at this point.
“Five bucks says you won’t ask where the spider’s dick is,” Tommy whispered as he kicked Toby’s chair. Toby rolled his eyes, lifting his head up with a shake.
“I’m absolutely not asking that,” Toby muttered back, swatting to get Tom’s foot away from his chair.
“Ten bucks then.” Another kick to his chair.
“No.” Another shake of his head, focusing back on his paper.
“Fifteen?”
“Piss off.” Toby hissed.
“Twenty, last offer.” Tommy pleaded as he stifled a laugh.
Toby glanced behind him to Tom, who had a teasing grin on his face as he wiggled his eyebrows mockingly. Toby sighed, lowering his hand to grab a twenty from Tom. After folding it up and stuffing it in his pocket, he raised his hand. “Ms., Tommy,” he gestured backward, “wants to know where the spider’s dick is.”
“Spiders don’t have the same reproductive organs as humans, Simons.” The teacher sighed before returning to labeling the different parts of the spider. Tommy groaned, kicking at Toby’s chair who was now trying to contain his laughter.
“Ask her if-”
“Ask her yourself, prick.” Toby silently laughed, trying to focus back on labeling his own diagram.
“Ms. does spider-man have the same anatomy as this spider?” Tommy asked with a raised hand. Not even bothering to wait for her to call on him.
“That’s enough questions. We aren’t learning about Spider-man, Simons.”
“Ok, but if spiders don’t have a dick, does that mean Spider-man doesn’t have one either?” Tom could barely hold in his laughter. Toby just rolled his eyes with a smile, keeping his head down while Tom continued to dig his own grave. “I feel bad for his girlfriend.”
“That’s a great question, Simons.” The teacher responded in a very sarcastic tone. “Why don’t you think about that while you’re in detention?” She huffed with a satisfied smile, scribbling something on a piece of paper before putting it on Tommy’s desk. He stared at her, wide-eyed and confused. “Any other questions?”
Tom just shook his head, groaning at the detention slip he was handed. “Shit,” he muttered.
“Dumbass.” Toby laughed back at him, receiving yet another kick to his chair.
The rest of the class went by without any further interruptions, from Tommy at least. About halfway through, however, a tardy student walked through the door- tugging his jacket’s hood off of his head, he looked like he was just struck by a bus. His hair was in disarray, clothes looked like he had just simply thrown them on in a hurry, not to mention the few visible cuts and scars that weren’t covered by the face mask he always wore- quickly and quietly making his way to his seat. His presence didn’t go unnoticed by the teacher who, with another satisfied huff, walked over to his desk and handed him the same slip of paper she had handed Tommy just moments ago. Not even giving the guy a chance to explain himself.
Tommy obviously noticed this, letting out ‘Ha!’ before quickly muttering an apology and turning back to his work.
That student- Ranboo, Toby thinks his name is- is constantly late; well at least to any of the classes they happened to share. Not that Toby pays him unwanted attention. It’s just when someone consistently walks into the classroom after a good hour of the class has passed, you tend to notice them.
Especially when they have such an emotionless yet intriguing face. With dirty blonde hair that barely covers their eyes- and oh their eyes- a beautiful shade of blue-grey, like the ocean after a stormy night.
Ok, maybe Toby does pay him a bit of unwanted attention. But who can blame him? Ranboo seems like such an interesting person. And if Toby wastes useful time wondering why he wears that mask daily, then that's no one’s problem but his.
“She can’t give me detention! That’s like the third time this week!” Tommy moaned, slouching against the bleacher seat. Finishing up the last few bites he had left on his apple. While Toby filled in the few notes he had missed during Tom’s circus act.
“I’m pretty sure she can, and she did.” Toby just sighed, he was about to hear the same rant from Tommy he hears every time he’s given detention; which is pretty much a weekly thing at this point. But this time Tommy just lets out a loud groan, chucking his apple core onto the playfield. An angry shout from one of the guys on the soccer team before the core was chucked back at him, missing his head by mere inches.
He sulked, his knees pressed up against his chest, as he fiddled with a stray thread on the cuff of his pant leg. He let out periodic sighs, each more exaggerated than the last, till his eyes lit up. Putting on a soft, but sly, smile he turned to Toby. Grabbing his notebook from his hands he spoke,
“Tubs, you are my most dearest friend.”
“Whatever you’re about to ask, my answer is no.” Toby cut in, already having a feeling as to where this was heading. Snatching his notebook back and stuffing it into his bag.
“Oh Toby, please come hang in detention with me,” Tommy begged, drawing out his e’s and wrapping Toby in the tightest embrace he possibly could.
“God, you’re so clingy.” Toby laughed, trying to pry Tom’s arms off of him but to no avail. “Fine. But only because I don’t want to take the subway home alone.”
Tommy shouted in joy. “I owe you one, dude.” he smiled as he gave Toby his personal space back.
So that's how Toby found himself in his current situation. Sitting next to Tommy in after-school detention. Bored as hell.
“Wait, aren’t you, like, the fuckin’ valedictorian?” Tommy suddenly laughed towards one of the other students in detention. “Why are you in detention?”
“Lateness,” Ranboo responded with a mutter, not even bothering to look up at whoever asked him the question. Just pulled the hood of his jacket up, focusing his attention on the desk.
Tommy let out a loud laugh at that response. “Dude, that's so lame.”
Toby chuckled, “Tommy, don’t forget you’re in here cause you asked if Spider-man has a dick.”
Ranboo whipped his head towards the two, his eyes wide. “You asked WHAT?!”
“What can I say, I’m a curious fella.” Tommy shrugged with a smug grin, leaning back in his chair. Ranboo covered his face with his hands, trying to contain his laughter.
“I would say that's even more of a ‘lame reason’.” Ranboo struggled to keep in his laughter as he fully turned towards the two.
“If I’m gonna be honest, penis is a very intriguing topic,” Tommy spoke casually. Ranboo and Toby locked eyes for a brief second before they both weren’t able to contain their laughter any longer.
“Quiet.” The poor teacher that got stuck monitoring detention spoke, keeping his eyes on his phone, texting away.
Ranboo sucked in a deep breath, trying to steady his breathing, Toby doing the same.
“You guys are unbelievable,” Ranboo spoke after a good passing moment.
“You’re not too bad yourself, Ranboob.” Tommy smiled, taking his phone out.
“It's Ran- boooo .” He tried to correct, but Tom just shushed him, handing him his phone to put in his number. Ranboo accepted, putting in his number without a second thought. It’d be nice to have someone to talk to during school. Not that Ranboo didn’t have any friends…
Toby was next to hand him his phone. Biting his lower lip, eyes focused on Ranboo’s fingers typing as if it was the most interesting thing. To be fair, in detention where boredom eats away at ones’ mind, anything can be made interesting. Toby just happened to make that ‘anything’ Ranboo’s fingers
Is that residue from nail polish?
“Now a loner like you has some friends.” Tommy joked as he slapped Ranboo’s arm after he had given Toby his phone back.
“I- I have friends?” Ranboo meant to say it as a statement but it came out more like a question.
“Anyway,” Tommy deeply sighed with a stretch. “I’m bored so I’m getting out of here. See ya, losers.” He said as he stood up, throwing his bag over his shoulder and simply walking out. The teacher not paying him any attention.
Ranboo and Toby exchanged confused looks, “is he allowed to do that?” Ranboo asked.
“Tommy isn’t allowed to do anything he does. Hell, he’s technically not even allowed to have a bag at school but yet,” Toby waved his hand to end his sentence.
“Why…” Ranboo trailed off, “nevermind, I don’t want to know.”
Toby just giggled at that, leaning back in his chair. The rest of the remaining hour passed quickly with Toby and Ranboo engaging in small talk. Toby learned that Ranboo was actually a really interesting guy- who had eyes that practically lit up when he started talking about something he enjoys. It’s cute.
He’s cute.
Toby had mentioned to him that the only reason he was in detention was cause Tommy was and he didn’t want to ride the subway home by himself. Look how that turned out.
Ranboo had suggested that he could accompany Toby on the subway home. His voice was quiet as if his suggestion was an idiotic one. In fact he was able to go on a ramble about how he needs to take the subway home as well so it really wouldn’t be an inconvenience.
But Toby just smiled and accepted his offer.
That’s how their night ended. The two of them riding the subway- chatting about how Tommy had abandoned them along with other random school gossips- and Ranboo walking Toby to his apartment complex.
Though they had to quickly part ways after Ranboo had received what Toby assumed was an important notification on his phone due to his eyebrows furrowing and a disappointing huff. A swift wave and a ‘see you later’ was all that was spoken as a goodbye.
Much later that night, after Toby had realized that the distance police sirens weren’t going to stop anytime soon, he decided to send his new friend a text. It was a simple ‘hey you up?’ text that he sent with a chuckle, turning his phone immediately off. It’s almost 2 am, there's no way-
His phone buzzed a second later with a text notification. He smiled as the phone screen lit up his face. He really wasn’t expecting Ranboo to be up at this hour. Maybe the sirens were also keeping him up. Which is a good thing cause now Toby has someone to talk with!
He opened the text from Ranboo, smile only growing wider as he thought about how to respond to his text that he has yet to even read.
Ranboo's response was simple- one worded:
‘no’.