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“Good, let’s get something then. Don’t want to wear out your legs, you’ll need them later.” How could he not wink at that. Even Izzy knew the kinda joke it was, and that didn’t stop him from settling his arm on Toby’s waist and leading him somewhere to sit down.

“Okay, you just sit here and rest your legs then. I’ll get you something to drink, maybe a slice of pizza too. And if you want, we’ll go back out for more, but if you’d rather head on somewhere else, that’s fine too. I know I know, I keep saying that but I want you to know this day is for you. My favorite Toby’s birthday is nothing less than something special!”

With his mission given, off Izzy went, determined to get exactly what his friend wanted. And yet the people there were absolutely ravenous animals. Someone forgot to mention to him that today was the 'free skate day', and suddenly all these people began pouring in! Pushing and shoving and acting like a bunch of crazy maniacs! Most of them had to be 8 years old or something, yet still, they managed to beat him to the counter and down him out faster than he could get his order in.

He was defeated....

And in his defeat, he slowly dragged himself back to Toby with his head hung low, disappointed with himself, and with this god forsaken place.

"... Sorry Toby, I couldn't get to the counter in time. There's like, fifty kids there. Did you maybe want to go somewhere else? Or I guess I could be that person and order Uber Eats or something. This place doesn't have a 'no outside food' policy..."

"Dude, you're way too chill about all of this." Was Toby ever really disappointed in anything. Things were brushed off like water on a duck's back! It wasn't a bad thing, but Izzy seemed a little worried himself.

What if he really didn't like something and just never talked about it? Or what if he actually hated him and only tolerated him because no one else came around?

... Nah.

No one blushed like that and stuck around if they weren't comfortable, right?

"But whatever, if that's what you want, then we'll do it. We'll go to a proper skate shop and get you some fancier skates than these ugly ol' things." Using the tip of his skate, he nudged Toby's, seeing some oft he old leather of the skate peeling. "Take those off and we'll get outta here. Then you should tell me what you wanna do next."

"Hmm... Well, once you know your shoe size, it's pretty easy to just order them online. But it's best to get your foot properly sized and not just guestimate." Izzy tucked away the idea of getting Toby his own pair of skates for maybe Christmas. Ooh, and maybe they could go ice skating!

All of it sounded good, especially if it meant he could keep making his friend happy.

Speaking of which, he slipped his hand back into Toby's and began to swing their arms back and forth as they headed out of the place and back onto the street.

"Did you ever think of a gift you wanted? I mean, a good time is always a good gift, but you know, something physical would be nice."

"Internet or Cons... Does Destiny City have any Cons? You do like dressing up for those kinda things right? Oh, what if the next time there's a con, I go with you? Aaaaaand You can dress me up any way you want, so we can have matching costumes! You'd like that, right? I mean, you did like me in the maid outfit, so that's to be expected. Huh... I bet if I DID go to the con in my work uniform, then I can hand out coupons as advertisements! Mom would like that!" He was rambling, plots and plans swirling around in his head pretty quickly, but it only took a second to be put on pause when he looked back over to Toby.

"But, yeah, I can do something like that. And some fancy chocolates too! Do you have a favorite brand? I know some stuff really tastes cheap and fake and I insist only the best for My Toby!"

"Ehhh... Yeah, I'll let you figure out the details. I'm just along for the ride." It all sounded like alot of planning and effort and for something he wasn't quite invested in yet, didn't want to think about it.

Toby could take care of all of that. It was easier to just go with the flow in that matter.

But Chocolate... That he knew.

"Dude, I work at a fancy pantsy Cafe with special fancy chocolates and what not. I know exactly what kind you'd like, but I'll give that to you next time I see you. I don't want to just go and buy it while you're standing there. I feel like if there's no wrapping paper and silly bows or something it doesn't really feel like that much of a gift." Izzy knew it didn't make all that much sense, but whatever. Part of it was really just him not wanting to leave his friend's side just yet, and he couldn't shop for chocolate with only one hand. What if he wanted to taste something.

"I'm getting tired of people though. We can just go back to your place and order the pizza and watch some more of that Punch One Dude. Uh... That is, if you want, since it's YOUR birthday, not mine."

"Fine, fine." Izzy wasn't about to keep discussion the eccentricities of chocolate or gifts. He was too hungry for that.

"To home it is!" And home they went, with Pizza ordered to be delivered a little bit after they got there. The whole while, Izzy chattered away about random things, more birthday nonsense, something about his own, something about school, all different things. The only thing that didn't change was how firmly he grasped Toby's hand, and how he refused to let it go, regardless of who saw.

"I think I got up too early." He finally confessed, rubbing his cheek against Toby's shoulder as they waited to cross the street. "We can make it Pizza, One Punch, and Probably Izzy Takes a nap time When we get home, right? Please say right. I will fall asleep with pizza in my mouth, I swear."

“How else was I going to make sure you’d spend the whole time today with me? Early bird gets the worm and all that. I really, really, really really, really wanted to be with you today, you know? You’re like, really special to me, and my first friend after the whole ‘getting kicked out of school and then being good and then getting out’ thing. I like you, so I’m going to do my best to make you have a great day. Even if it means having you snap a picture of me with pizza slapped on my face.” It was a lot of rambling, and somehow between the part about bugs and pizza, his own face turned a little red.

Was that too honest? Yeah, that was probably way too honest.

Well, whatever! He got his point across and Toby should know that now too, so that’s all that mattered!

“But, uh, anyway, what kinda pizza do you want?”