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 Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 8:52 am
The idea of being separated, even if only for a moment, had been all but traumatic for Malus. They’d been out for a while and maybe had too much coffee to drink before patrolling—or, at least, Cambria had. She had assured him it would only take a moment to fix that problem, but that meant that for a full moment, he was standing outside, by himself.
All alone.
Naturally, that’s when something would have gone wrong.
A pained scream sent shivers down his spine and a wave of anxiety flushed through him. He tried to ignore it, but another noise put him into a cold sweat and his heart started to pound.
Someone was in trouble.
Evan wanted nothing more than to just power down and run into the bathroom to hide with Cambria.
But Malus was supposed to help people.
Evan had to tell himself he was Malus, a Senshi, with powers and purpose.
And Cambria was taking too long and if he didn’t hurry, maybe something really bad was going to happen to someone that didn’t deserve it.
Maybe if someone just showed up, everything would stop. Maybe the ‘something bad’ wouldn’t happen, and then they wouldn’t live the rest of their life wondering why it had happened, and who they would have been if it hadn’t happened, and if they were ever going to be okay again.
There was a lump in his throat and he was trembling; his hands balled into fists at his side.
His knees felt like they were going to buckle beneath him, but he forced them to move.
He ran towards the noise.
It took all of fifteen seconds to find a youma, fat and piglike with teeth that made Malus wish he’d brought his knives. It was small, but it was ferocious, and had six tusks protruding from its mouth.
The sight of a youma was enough to make Malus feel like he could just pass out and die—but if there was a youma, maybe there was an agent nearby. Maybe he was going to take this guy’s starseed. Maybe he was going to turn him into a youma.
Malus didn’t think; bad things happened when he thought too much. Instead, he acted.
He ran towards the youma and kicked it’s round little body as hard as he could; it wasn’t enough to dust it, but it was enough to send it flying through the air like a kickball, squealing all the way. He didn’t wait to see how it landed (though, it crashed on its back on top of a bush and began to flail wildly) before he grabbed the civilian’s wrist.
“Run,” he insisted, almost desperately, before he bolted—dragging the taller male behind him.
Cambria had no energy signature while she wasn’t powered up and he was so light headed that he couldn’t remember which direction he’d come from. So, he just ran in the direction he thought they could lose the youma in.
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Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 9:00 am
It wasn’t often that Tobias was caught off guard. And it wasn’t often that he ended up losing in something that amounted to a fight. But of all the things he had been expecting tonight as he made his way home, being attacked and bitten by some kind of wild feral…mutated hog was not one of those things. He had thought for a moment that if he acted like the bigger guy in the playground it would just leave…because that’s what wild animals tended to do most of the time…and Tobias knew how to act like the bigger guy in the playground.
But then…it had bitten him, and caused enough pain to force a scream out of him, it felt like a dozen knives sticking into his leg and honestly he had almost passed out from the pain of it, though…and then…
And then he was saved from this petite partially purple haired…person.
Who dragged him away from the crazy pig, and kicked the crazy pig…and didn’t seem to notice at all that his leg was bleeding everywhere and running was just a bit difficult at the moment. But he tried. Because Tobias wasn’t a quitter, and running did seem like it was the best idea.
When they stopped running though, the teal haired civilian fell hard to his knees, panting and scowling at his ripped jeans and bloody leg. “The ******** was that? Didn’t realize the city had a wild hog issue that bad. Think it got into some nuclear waste or something?”
He was breathing hard and finally he looked up at the guy who saved him and raised a brow. “Coming from a costume party or something? Or do you just really like the color purple?”
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Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 9:01 am
Malus was breathless, partially from running but mostly from just running into a youma. And being lost in the woods, without Cambria. With a stranger. In the dark.
He shuddered and almost missed the man’s words. “Huh?” he asked, shaking himself from his stupor. He was self conscious about his outfit and while he wanted to give some biting, scathing statement back to defend himself, he wound up with nothing.
“No,” he mumbled. He tried to say something else but wound up managing only, “It doesn’t matter. Are you okay?”
He could see the blood, of course; he had seen the youma biting him but he didn’t realize how bad it was until they stopped. He hesitated for a moment and looked around for something to wrap it with; the only thing he could see was the sash at his waist. Quickly, he fumbled with it and dropped to his knees. He didn’t ask the man if it was okay, he just picked up his leg and tried to wrap it as best he could to stop the blood.
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Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 9:03 am
Tobias watched him, frowning just slightly before turning his attention back to his leg. Damn. He might have to head to the hospital for this s**t. But.
But then the purple kid…was he a kid? He wasn’t really sure, he looked young but. What did he know.
He was wrapping his leg up with some purple and pink scarf thing…and didn’t seem to care about the fact that perhaps Tobias had personal space…and honestly, that sort of take charge attitude was not something that he was used to, and he grew quiet as the strange kid wrapped his leg up.
“You don’t talk much, do you?” It wasn’t that Tobias was trying to judge…sometimes that was just his face. “Thanks. For coming to get me, I suppose. That might have ended up being…a pretty messy situation, so. Thanks.”
Touching the sash, he nodded. “It’s pretty. Who are you? Do you often save people from rabid pigs?”
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Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 9:04 am
Malus shook his head, though it wasn’t clear at what he was actually denying. As soon as he wrapped the sash over the injury, he drew back. He didn’t seem to know what to do with himself so forced himself to stand—partially because he didn’t want to crowd the guy and partially because he didn’t want to be so vulnerable in case something came after the woods after them.
“No,” he said after a second; he chewed on the inside of his cheek and kept his gaze averted. “I don’t…make a habit of it. They kinda freak me out. I just. I didn’t want it to hurt you so I…”
Malus had to swallow the lump in his throat. It was okay.
This was fine.
Lysithea would be here soon and they’d be fine.
“I’m just not sure what to say, I’m sorry. I’m not good with strangers.” He tried to change the subject and force himself to keep talking. “Is your leg okay? Do you need to go to a hospital?”
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Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 9:06 am
Tobias took another few moments to process what Malus was saying, and to keep examining the bandage that he had wrapped over his injured leg. “So…what you’re saying is you’re a hero, hm?” Perhaps he was some renegade from Animal Control or something…or someone who wanted to work for Animal Control…but then he did say that the creature had freaked him out…
This kid was interesting. “So…you’re saying it freaked you out, but you came over to get it off of me anyway…just to make sure that I was okay? That’s pretty brave of you. And I suppose…I should be saying thank you.”
He watched Malus for a few more moments then grinned. “I should be fine. I mean, if it gets worse, I’ll go to the hospital, but it’s just a nasty bite, right? And you’ve wrapped it up so nice and snug.” Tobias winked, his grin growing slightly. “I’m Tobias. Who are you?”
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Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 9:08 am
Malus shook his head again. “I’m not a hero and I’m not brave. I just didn’t want you to get hurt.”
Lysithea was a hero. She saved people. She helped them. She was good. Michel was, too. Sort of. It was still Zac, and maybe he and Evan had their good few bumps in the road, and maybe Zac wasn’t the best role model, but he’d been as much of a hero as anyone could expect, especially to Evan after he’d come back.
He seemed to breathe a little easier knowing this guy was all right, and after Tobias introduced himself, he knew he was obligated to do the same.
“I’m…Malus,” he mumbled softly. He was still getting used to the name and he hadn’t really introduced himself to many people using it. It felt like a lie.
He swallowed the lump in his throat and tried to force himself not to make this any more awkward than he knew he already had. “You should be careful if you’re going out so late. You should bring something to protect yourself. Or just stay inside when it gets dark, maybe.”
It’s what he would have rather done.
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Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 9:09 am
Quirking a brow, Tobias laughed. “But if you don’t want someone to get hurt, that sort of qualifies you as hero-esque, at least in my book. A do-gooder, someone who cares more for the well being of others than their own skin, something I am absolutely not. Sorry, Malus, but if it had been you being attacked by that thing, I’m not sure I would have stopped to help. Not that I don’t think you’re a nice guy and all that, and I wouldn’t have wanted to see you get eaten…but I’m absolutely nobody’s hero.”
Not unless he was getting something out of it, that is.
“I’m normally not the type to just go walking around after dark, but my car’s in the shop right now and I had a thing I had to go to tonight, and my a*****e brother decided he didn’t quite feel like taking me. Said he had something ‘more important’ to do, so. Might have been fun to end up in the hospital, at least I could have told mom and dad when they got back that because Laurie was being selfish, look what happened to me.”
He sighed and shook his head. “Do you think you could help me home, Malus? I would really appreciate that, and I hate to ask it of you…but…” Shrugging, Tobias tried to give him a smile, holding out a hand for the senshi to help him up.
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Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 9:12 am
In that moment, Malus had to wonder if he was a do-gooder; he almost certainly did not care more for the well being of others than he did himself. He wanted to be okay, too.
There was a lump in his throat and he faltered when he was asked to help him home.
“Oh, uhm.” Awkwardly, he took the civilian’s hand to help him up.
“If you wait for a few minutes, my friend will be here. She’s a lot safer to be around than me, she could make sure you get home safe. I mean, I’d go with you, but it might be dangerous if you just go with me. I’m not very strong or anything. I mean, we could, but…”
He seemed so uncertain, so worried of messing things up.
Or getting into more trouble.
Malus’ brows seemed to be perpetually knit, and even just reaching out to take Tobias’ hand seemed to be making him hold his breath.
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Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 9:14 am
“Oh.” It seemed kind of like a cop out and Tobias frowned slightly. “I had…kind of just wanted to get to know you a little more, I don’t know if I want everyone around the town to know I almost got eaten by a mutant boar…how would that look to my reputation?” The frown turned to a rueful smile and taking hold of Malus’s hand, Tobias pulled himself up, wincing as he put weight on the injured leg. “Ah. Ow.”
It was a good thing his parents wouldn’t be back for another week. And a good thing he had the money to order take out, for he figured he’d be out of commission for at least a few days. At least a few days.
“Besides…I don’t live too far, I’m sure I can make it on my own if you don’t feel like helping me out…” He gave the senshi a look that had never failed to charm someone in the past, his own personal smolder, mixed with the best puppy dog eyes he could muster. It was foolproof.
“But…I would really appreciate some help.”
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Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 9:15 am
Malus seemed both flattered and horrified that Tobias wanted to get to know him. “Oh,” he said, quickly shifting positions as he tried to find a more confident stance.
He felt bad.
He wouldn’t want to be alone after being mauled by a youma, so Malus couldn’t blame him. This guy just wanted to get home safe—and who wouldn’t?
He swallowed and tried to dispel the negative thoughts, the worry. “Okay. I can help you. You’ll get home safe,” he promised—a promise he hoped he could keep.
“I’m afraid there really isn’t much to know, though,” he said bluntly, more self-conscious than anything. “I can try,” he insisted, partially to Tobias and partially to himself. “…But I am really not that interesting. I’m not…really even worth knowing, I’m sorry. But I’ll try.”
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Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 9:17 am
“I don’t live far, I’m about two blocks from here…if we’re in the park I’m thinking of…so I mean you won’t be stuck with me for long.” Stuck with him. Like anyone would consider time with Tobias Liebel time wasted.
He gave a smile, one that he made sure reached his eyes, though winced as he again put too much weight on his leg. “Thank you. Malus, seriously. Thank you for saving me. I owe you one. A big one, and I don’t forget things that I owe people.”
Of course, he really didn’t forget the things that people owed him either, and while he made sure his debts were paid off, well. That was a different thought for a different day.
“You seem worth knowing to me…seriously. I’d be dead if it wasn’t for you. So…I think you’re pretty amazing, and I’m glad we met.” He leaned against Malus and gave another smile, then looked away, trying to figure out the best way to get out of the area and towards his house.
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Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 9:20 am
Malus cast him a quick side glance, offering his arm to help support him. “I guess,” he said, but still sounded terribly unconvinced. He started walking, slowly, towards what seemed to be like a streetlight in the distance. If they could at least see where they were, then they could navigate their way back.
“But you don’t have to pay me back. Honest,” he insisted. “I don’t really have any need for anything.”
Nothing that could be given, at least.
“Just…be careful, that’s the only thing I can ask for. I’ve seen a lot of bad things.” He had to purse his lips and take a few seconds to calm himself down. “And I really don’t want to see them to happen to anyone else.”
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Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 9:22 am
“I’ll be as careful as I possibly can be, I promise, Malus.” He didn’t want this happening again, no sir. His leg hurt. And if there was one thing in the world that Tobias hated above all other things…it was hurting. He didn’t even like to get hangnails, he was a pampered guy, and that was how he liked to stay, thank you very much.
As the two of them walked, the teal haired male lapsed into uncomfortable silence, gritting his teeth the longer he was on his leg, and finally when his house came into view, he let out a long breath. “It’s that one, Malus. The light brown one with the dark trim.”
There was a bottle of pain killers with his name on it tonight, that was for dang sure. And thanks to his brother, he didn’t have the weak pansy stuff. He had the good stuff to use. Of course, his supply was running out just a bit…perhaps Laurie would stop by tomorrow to bring him a new bottle…
Or perhaps he wouldn’t even bother asking.
“You did it. You got me safely home, and you had doubts. That was silly, Mal. You did really good, I would be dead if you hadn’t been there. That’s really an uncomfortable thought.” Tobias gave a rather pained laugh and shrugged, grabbing hold of the railing that was on the steps which led to the front door. “You sure I can’t get you anything? Maybe a drink for the road? Some food? Money?”
He paused, then grinned. “Maybe just a kiss for thanks?”
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Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 9:22 am
Malus had already been a bit overwhelmed by the wealth the house obviously radiated; when Tobias mentioned a kiss, his eyes widened and he looked at him, clearly shocked.
“What?” he sputtered, face burning red.
“N-no, I said you didn’t need to do anything, it’s okay.”
His heart was pounding so loudly that he was certain Tobias could hear; he seemed like he’d been totally uprooted and hadn’t at all be expecting something like that.
Truthfully, he had no idea how to react; he just stood before Tobias, wide-eyed and red-faced. He was trying not to insult Tobias—It wasn’t that he was unattractive or unappealing by any means, Malus was just surprised.
…And had no idea how to respond to someone flirting.
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