One And The Same (Toby X Reader) (Astro Boy 2009)

Coded Feelings

"I'll come back for you, I promise." Chains knocked against your bruised ankles as you attempted to reach the person standing a fleeting distance away from you, your tiny hand stretched before you.

"Please, don't leave me here... =======!"

You shot up out of your bed with a start, tears streaming down your cheeks. Your tired eyes darted towards the numbers etched into your skin and you scratched at it, as if that would do something. These tattoos... they were permanent. Leaving red streaks on your arms, you dragged your palms over your face, wiping your cheeks clean before bringing yourself into a seated position.

"Was that a dream? Who was that?" You whispered. Your throat felt congested, forcing you to swallow. Before you could fully register your thoughts, a sudden knock appeared at your door.

"Y/n, are you up? Breakfast is on the table." It was Angie, and your appetite was at an all time low. With a trembling hand, you brought back your blankets and swung your legs over the side of the mattress, dragging yourself out of bed. Your body felt unusually heavy as you carried yourself across the room, your head aching and your eyes swollen.

Crossing from your room into the dining area, you pushed past the other circus members and managed to find yourself a spot at the breakfast table. Isaac sat across from you serving himself two plates at the same time. It was weird seeing him without Malikai at his side. You wondered what he did with his spare time when the ring master wasn't around.

Thinking of Malikai worsened your headache, forcing a hand to your head. Isaac soon noticed your discomfort and discreetly set his two plates of food down.

"Y/n? Is everything okay?" His deep voice broke you from your trance, making you look in his direction.

"Yeah... I'm okay. Just a bit tired."

"Okay. Take care of yourself."

"Mhm." Isaac soon went back to his food, leaving you with your thoughts. It wasn't long before the door behind you opened up again and in came another familiar face. The seat beside you was then taken up by the circus' newest member, who looked just as dead as you were. You looked over and were taken aback by the bags hanging underneath Toby's eyes. "Couldn't sleep either?"

"No." Toby replied in a dry voice. He then let out a yawn before reaching for a plate. "Spike kept me up."

"Spike did? What did you guys talk about?" Toby silently plated himself some food before quietly eating his breakfast. It didn't seem like he was going to say. Your eyes wandered over the breakfast table in contemplation. Angie's food was always great, but today you had no desire to eat any of the food laid out in front of you. Your hand covered your stomach. Were you getting sick?

"...I think I'm going to skip out on breakfast today." You muttered, rising out of your seat. Toby paused mid-chew and eyed you worriedly.

"Is everything okay?"

"I'm fine. I'm just not too hungry this morning, that's all." You said and gave a reassuring smile. Toby did not seem convinced in the slightest. As the volume increased in the dining hall, you hurried away from your chair, not even bothering to push it back into place as you left the room. Toby could not tear his gaze from you as he watched you disappeared amongst the mass crowd. Suddenly, he could not stomach his breakfast either.

Exiting the dining room gave you immediate relief. The hallways were devoid of members as everyone ate their breakfast, creating the perfect ambience to sooth your headache. You debated on whether or not you should raid Bobby's medicine cabinet for some pain relievers, but the old coot never labelled his bottles.