hisheartsdesire | [ic] Contact

[ In between Toby drunkenly swaying (which Dorian does indeed notice because what) and Dorian being a little dizzy from blood loss, it probably takes them a little bit to scramble up out of the wooded area of the park. A little part of Dorian can't help but think God, they look like a disaster. Still, Dorian's slowly regaining his strength as his portrait works it's magic while Toby...isn't. ]

Are you alright?

He doesn't know about us now, [ Dorian responded, a little bit relieved. ] He might know who you are though, I can't remember. I might have told him about us back when we were together and I thought you were...

[ well, when he knew Toby was dead. Before he went back home, before Gwen and her tarot cards. Dorian isn't a hundred percent sure what he told Yuri. He would have told the man anything to try and coax him in and bring him closer. ]

What happens now is I just need you to stay safe. I can't lose you ag—to him. [ he can't lose Toby again. That's what he was about to say. But Dorian thankfully stops himself in time, stops himself from saying that, Toby's probably still beating himself up about what happened with Drew and the last thing Dorian wants to do right now, to this man he absolutely adores is be callous. ]

[How should he put this? He doesn't want to reference dying, not in any capacity. Because watching the sunrise was one thing—Dorian doesn't know about that little experiment with Abduxel.]

I... don't know. I've never felt this way before, it's strange. [A beat, and another swaying step.] It's everywhere.

[Ah, yes. Toby knew he'd disappointed Dorian again. He remembers how, back at home, he'd tried to pin the blame on Dorian for letting him die, when the reality was that he'd chosen it himself. After putting Dorian through that, Toby now has the audacity to cover up for not just one of his killers, but both of them. Dorian had said he'd be there for Toby, that he always would be, but how could that be if Toby wouldn't let him? All he ever does is hurt Dorian, and yet people believe that between them, Dorian is the worse one.

Slowly, quietly, he nods.]

I see. So you want to hide me from him—no, you want to hide us from him.

I don't want to hide us! [ Because he loved Toby, that much was obvious, it was apparent, it was practically common knowledge at this point. There was no need to hide it and Dorian didn't want to hide it. ] Just...certain aspects of us. I doubt Yuri will be forgiving of your nature in his judgement of "sinners."

[ Toby killed people. He didn't know he'd have to do that when he chose not to die, but they really couldn't ignore the fact that Toby had killed. He killed people in order to survive but he still killed people. How could Toby fit into Yuri's morality? He could see past the vampirism to see someone so beautiful, so kind, so lovely, but Dorian honestly didn't know if Yuri would do the same. ]

[ Whaaaaaat the hell. ]

What are you talking about? What's everywhere?

Screaming, somewhere inside and all around. The other times that I—

[He doesn't want to say it, doesn't want to admit that he died again, but he should.]

The other times I came back, there's never been anything like this. It's like I'm hearing things, sensing things. I don't know where from.

[Dorian's outburst pushes Toby to fight the loop of self-loathing, but it is far from easy. Still, he processes Dorian's words and realizes this really about his vampirism, about the things he's done in both this world and their home one.]

Then what am I to do? I've tried hiding it, and how many people know now?

[Kanaya, Abduxel, Drew, Sasha, Laurie, Elsa, Marceline, Chilton, Kitty, Lucifer... The fledglings, and possibly that Jeff guy who has his own show or whatever. Toby doesn't know much about him aside from that one conversation they'd had.]

All it would take to condemn me is for any one of them to breathe a single word to him...

[He shakes his head; everything feels hopeless.]

I don't know! [ Dorian responded, obviously confused, obviously exasperated, obviously stressed. Because really, he didn't know what to do. He's in over his head and it shows. Because really, what's to stop Yuri from sneaking into their apartment and killing Toby as he slept? Dorian was safe (for now), his portrait hidden away, but Toby...Toby was the main priority. ]

I don't think that anyone would willingly sell you out. I mean, you're not me. You haven't pissed people off to the point of violence and you certainly don't gloat in it. I just...I don't know.

[ And that was what was killing him the most. The fact that he had absolutely no idea how to deal with this, what to do, how to keep Toby safe no matter what. ]

That didn't happen when I came back either, [ Dorian admitted, with a frown on his face. But, admittedly, he had only died once. Maybe this was just something that happened when you died twice? Or maybe this was just some strange vampire response to death—Dorian had absolutely no idea. ]

We'll figure it out, though.

Though, to be honest, are there any other places that could support imPorts?

[He hums to himself for a moment, thinking]

It's possible that access is limited to the cities that can handle us effectively.

[BRRRRING BRRRRING BRRRING pick up the phone, pick up the phone, for the love of god please pick up the phone...]

[Toby is a crazy mess right now, and then sees Edgeworth's number calling him up. NOW what?]

Hello? This is Toby...

[Edgeworth breathes out, and grip his phone tightly. His relief, though, is shortlived]

What...

[What happened? What are you?]

...are you alright?

[He speaks quickly, his voice breathy. Of all the questions running through his head, this is the one that comes out first]

...For now, I think.

[He sounds like he's trying not to sulk, trying to restore the stupid balance on this dumb bond that Drew doesn't even want with him—well MAYBE DREW SHOULDN'T HAVE KILLED HIM IN THE FIRST PLACE. And all Toby's emotions are also Drew's, everything is really complicated.]

Um, I. Guess you must've seen... Drew's network video or whatever. [He sighs whilst struggling to feel less put upon by the entire situation.] So. I suppose you have questions?

Maybe, but did you forget that Kanaya took the fledgling from us? She still disapproves. Sasha and Laurie drove me out, you know that. Marceline is hardly impressed, I hardly understand what she really wanted when confronting me. And then, Drew—

[Toby feels a sting in his heart, it's not unlike betrayal, and he fights his stupid feelings because he'd rather Drew not make good on his threat to kill him again.]

... I can't believe I actually thought I had feelings for him, because he's made himself perfectly clear that he wants nothing to do with me. I was so stupid.

[If only he'd trusted Dorian, believed him about the hostage situation. None of this would've happened...

He sighs and is really struggling to regain sense and composure.]

Whatever. Any of them may have reason enough, and then what? I might as well give myself over, I'll come back anyway...

[He gives a series of small nods but has difficulty feeling reassured. Rather, he still feels queasy.]

You're right. Perhaps I'm still a little overwhelmed by what happened.

Several. But first, where's Drew now?

[His voice is firm and cold now. Right now, locating this mad dog is the top of his list of priorities]

If Marceline gives you shit, tell me. We're on good enough terms, I can try to win her over a bit. [ The same with Sasha and Laurie, though Dorian's not telling Toby that. He's also not telling Toby that he's deliberately trying to get on better terms with Sasha and Laurie in some vain attempt of trying to get the three of them to mend their friendship.

But yeah, Drew. Fuck Drew.

It's when Dorian hears that last statement that he can't help but frown, eyes narrowing as he looks over at Toby. He loved Toby so much, saw nothing but the beauty in him, and yet time and time again all Toby saw was the dark and ugly. ] Tell me, do you like dying?

He must be in Heropa. That's where he lives, and with this... thing, between us, I should be able to tell to some extent.

[And he takes a deep breath, steadying himself for what's to come]

Toby, tell me. Do you want justice for what was done to you?

I don't blame you, [ Dorian muttered, with a small little frown. ] But hey, no matter what it is, getting you out of this park and back home can only help.

—No. [His answer comes quick because it's true, he doesn't want to die, he never wants to die. And then he catches himself.]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that. I just... don't know anymore.

[Feeling hapless, Toby drops his gaze to the floor. Still sitting up in bed, he now pulls his knees to his chest and hugs himself. It's clear he's struggling to be all right, and that he just wants things to be normal... or as normal as they have been, for this world.]

Though you know... if he dies, I'll probably feel it. And if I do, then he will.

[A beat.] Oh... God, I just. Can't think straight anymore, this is ridiculous. I've gone straight from a monster to an abomination.

[Suddenly, he's anxious and uncertain how to answer the question. There's a challenging strength in Edgeworth's tone that, while compelling, also fills Toby with some measure of dread.]

How do you mean? As in, do I want him locked up or to otherwise pay?

Locked away, yes, before he can hurt anyone else. If he did this to you, then he can do this to anyone.

[ic] Contact

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Voice; After Drew's post

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inb4 finding out Drew outed Toby as a vampire

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