Chapter Text
In the dead of night is where Tobias found peace; when the city fell into a deep slumber, and not a single soul stirred— well, the only exception being the chirps of crickets that seemed to fill the night's endless void. In the weirdly comforting, yet messy embrace of his room, Tobias rested his eyes with wired headphones in each ear. A dimly lit room, mixed with notes of dust and skin created an optimal atmosphere befitting a cold winter night. Tobias tinkered on the edge of sleep. Familiar melodies floated through his head, deterring any unwelcomed, intruding thoughts that might find their way into his mind. Life was better when he had a distraction, even if it was just temporary. However, it was hard to truly relax when a daunting gaze was fixated on him.
"Jesus fucking Christ, what?" Tobias grumbled, suddenly ripping an earbud out of one ear while propping himself up on the bed. He glared at Joe.
"Hm? Whatever do you mean?" Said Joe, in an annoyingly snarky tone. It ticked Tobias off. As Joe continued to kick his feet while sitting on Tobias's desk, his sly grin remained unwavering. Tobias huffed in annoyance, and slight defeat as he plopped back down into bed, turning over while popping his earbud back in. Joe dropped his smirk. The silence between them shifted from tense, to just plain eerie. Suddenly, he hopped off the desk and made his way towards Tobias. Who, speaking of, had curled himself into a ball under his blankets. As Joe crawled onto the bed, it creaked under his weight. He creeped behind Tobias, his mannerisms unsettlingly similar to a shadow. From this distance, he noticed the music leaking out of Tobias's earbuds. It was a little irritating— wanting to socialize, but the only person who can see you, would rather mope around in their depressing feelings all day, everyday. Suddenly, with Joe's obvious lack of self control, he intrusively—forcibly, turned Tobias towards him. In a Swift, calculated manner, he straddled Tobias. Tobias's expression was the epitome of exhaustion, but as his earphones slipped out, the intimate proximity between the two became blatant. A feeling of nausea whirled in Tobias's stomach.
"Get—the fuck…off!" He grunted, trying to wrestle Joe off—a seemingly impossible act. Then, as he glanced up he noticed the expression on Joe's face. Unlike earlier, he no longer held a condescending smirk apon his face. Instead, it was replaced with an ice cold glare. It pathetically made him freeze up. He felt the grips around his wrists grow tighter.
"Joe.." Tobias gulped. He continued, "You're..you're not mad at me right?" His voice cracked. No answer. His words seemed to get stuck in his throat. "Joe?…" He paused, his eyes starting to water a bit. "You won't leave me—ever, right..?"
"You're disgusting." Joe growled. Tobias shrunk back. As he pushed Tobias further into the mattress, Joe continued. "Do you think anyone actually wants you around?" He laughed, "no—of course they fucking don't. You're worthless, and needy as shit Toby; but I'm sure you already know that."
It's quite apparent, the relationship between these two was far from healthy. It had been— from the very start. Despite being fully aware of Tobias's self destructive tendencies, Joe constantly pulled these kind of stunts. To him, it was his little way of keeping Tobias in line. His way of keeping Tobias dependent on him. Joe knew when things started looking a little too bright for Tobias, he got his hopes up—he was in his head after all. He also knew, with high expectations, you're bound to be let down in one way or another; and, true happiness doesn't exist in a world that isn't fair. Then, Joe's attitude suddenly did a complete 180.
"You know I'm doing this for you, right? For your safety?" Joe said warmly, releasing his grip from Tobias's wrists, and instead cupping his face. The latter laid seemingly lifeless beneath Joe, staring absent-mindedly off into space—his skin ached. Unlike Joe, Tobias didn't know what to make of their constant on-and-offs. It was like, at times, Joe was there to bring him relief. To re-direct his attention away from the harsh realities of the world; but in a way, it felt like Joe was the harsh realities he was trying so hard to run from. His indecisive attitude towards Joe resulted in constant up and downs between them. Joe really knew how to drive him off the edge—push his buttons if you will; and whether Tobias hated it or not, he couldn't say.
"Yea…" Tobias said, wrapping his arms around Joe, pulling him in and taking a deep inhale. His shaky hand snaked through Joe's hair, lightly gripping it. "I'm…sorry. Im sorry, it's my fault…all mine." He quietly pleaded.
"Mm." Joe hummed in acknowledgment. He happily wrapped his arms around Tobias, just as the just as the ladder did to him. A pleased expression settled on his face.