[ic] Contact

[hisheartsdesire]

Tobias may one day learn to change the greeting on his voicemail. Until then, there's only the default.

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[takethestairs]

[He purses his lips together, breathing in through his nostrils, not quite meeting Toby's gaze]

There was a time where I had taken that fact for granted, assuming it was the natural state of things. And that's what made relationships so dangerous. You could never tell what secrets a person held in their heart, nor what they would do with yours should they uncover them.

[He breathes out and grips his glass, not lifting it up]

So I avoided them altogether. It seemed safer that way. However...

[He shakes his head]

I've started to question the wisdom in that.

[hisheartsdesire]

[He nods, understanding. But all the same, he still has something to hide.] So have I.

[He exhales a long, airy breath.]

Since coming here, hiding what I am and what I did has only caused problems. Not just for me, but others. Keeping these secrets... really hasn't been worth all of that. That said, I'm trying to be more open about it and am discovering people are far more accepting about it in this place, during these times.

[That's his way of dealing with the other secret he still keeps. Maybe in time, he'll mention it, but he doesn't want to ruin what's happening now.]

So, I guess all of this begs the question... What now?

[Where do they stand? Is this how it ends, a peaceful, accepting, and fairly understanding parting of ways? Are they starting sort of from scratch but not quite square one? Or are they at something of a neutral in-between?]

[takethestairs]

To be honest?

[He shrugs and shakes his head]

I don't know, and to be frank, I'm surprised that you still want anything to do with me. Our friendship, as it were, was based on misconceptions. Neither of us were as... kind as the other had hoped for. However...

[He meets Toby's gaze, his expression serious]

Whatever happens, I will hold no grudge against you. I will not hound you, I will not seek punishment, I will not rub salt in your wounds. It's true that you can't change what you've done. However, piling on additional penance won't do any good, either. Simply put, you're not the man I assumed you were when we last met. Like I've said, you've taken responsibility, as best as anyone in your situation can. So long as you continue to do so, I have no reason to mistreat you.

wrapping this thread up, i think

[hisheartsdesire]

[Edgeworth is right that Toby isn't who Edgeworth thought he was or expected him to be. And Toby wonders that perhaps he'd projected his own thirst for companionship on Edgeworth when they first met. It's possible both of them saw something they desperately wanted or needed to see in the other. Not necessarily from the very beginning, but as something that planted itself in their relationship and only continued to grow as time wore on.

At any rate, they're not exactly starting from scratch or a blank slate, nor are they writing each other off. It's like finding neutral ground, and if their paths cross, then so be it. So again, he solemnly nods.]

Thanks. I think I get it.