Ticci Toby X Reader

Chapter 14

I NEARLY FORGOT I'M SORRY ;A;

The kitchen was empty when (Y/N) walked through the arched doorway, the light on overhead. Something was cooking in the oven; the girl smelt mince and wondered if her mother was making a pie for dinner. She thought it was a tad early, but shrugged it off as her mother trying to get back into the swing of things.

She set to work on making both herself and Toby some lunch, pulling the bread out, grabbing some cheese, ham, lettuce. The girl found herself wondering if Toby liked tomatoes, before ultimately deciding to leave them out. If he likes them, he can let her know for next time.

Next time...

A smile came to (Y/N)'s face at the thought of it, of making lunch for Toby, having his company while she ate sandwiches. They'd talk about nonsense things no doubt, she'd ask him personal questions he'd turn down, she'd make a snide comment, and then they'll just go back to rambling. It was really nice having someone to talk to, and even nicer having someone that listens to you, that understands your interests.

It was comforting, unlike her asshole father who would berate her, her mother who would blow her off, and her brother, Ethan, who would try to act interested but not care. Their fake, or lack of, love was pathetic compared to the attention she was getting from someone she had been reading about. The girl lifted her head to the window above the sink, her mind playing the memory of the orange glint.

She had known that meant something, she had guessed it was him; but to think she was actually right? To think that this whole time, Toby had been watching her as much as she had been researching him. It had to be destiny, or the fact that Slenderman really feared being outed to the world.

That brought another question to mind, one she hoped Toby would be allowed to answer, or at least have Slenderman answer it through him.

(Y/N) heard footsteps behind her, someone entered the kitchen. She turned to the doorway, expecting- no- hoping, Toby had gotten bored and somehow managed to limp out to keep her company; but her hopes were lost when her mother stood there, sending a cold glare her way. The girl blinked, tilting her head at her mother, and the older woman huffed, walking over and pushing past the girl to get to a cupboard behind her.

(Y/N) stumbled slightly but said nothing. Instead, she moved the breadboard and her sandwiches to another part of the kitchen to let her mother do her thing. She didn't want to get in the way of her right now, especially not with that look on the older woman's face. The girl couldn't understand why her mother was so sour, she had ditched (Y/N) at the cemetery, she came home on her own accord.

Did she not want her to come home? It really seemed that way.

But that can't be it, her mother was always caring; she would never be angry without reason. In all fairness, (Y/N) thought to herself, it was probably the grief affecting her, making her act differently. Grief did that to many people, changed them, twisted them. Surely her mother will return back to her kind state over time right? Wounds slowly heal, she'll get better.

The silence was now deafening, and (Y/N) cleared her throat, squirming in the tense room,

"So, what's Ethan doing today?" She asked the still air, "Has he gone out with friends, or is he chilling in his room?"

"Why's that any of your business?" Her mother responded in a snappy tone.

The girl stopped, staring at the half-made sandwiches. She placed the butterknife down and let out a sigh, turning to face the older woman. Her mother was hard at work chopping vegetables for dinner, even though it was only 1pm. She had her back to her daughter.

"Why are you being so bitchy towards me?" (Y/N) asked, feeling a slight boldness bloom in her chest.

Her mother froze, before she faced her daughter. The look od hate in her eyes was strong, and it took the breath from the girl's throat. If looks could kill, (Y/N) would be dust.

"You're the reason he's dead." Her mother uttered bitterly.

The girl faulters, her eyes widened. She really thought that? Her boldness shook slightly, but then she grew angry; the younger female stood tall, clenching her fists. She sent a slightly less aggressive glare towards the adult,

"The world is better off without that sorry excuse of a human being. He was a horrible person, especially to me." She said.

Slap!

The girl's head swung to the side, and her cheek had a stinging burn to it. Her mother's hand had moved from one side of her to another, her arm was across her chest. Tears filled (Y/N)'s vision, but she fixed herself up, processing what just happened. Her cheek hurt, she touched it lightly.

And then she went back to finishing the sandwiches, keeping her head lowered. When they were done she plated them and turned to leave the kitchen. But she stopped in the doorway, glaring over her shoulder at her mother, she could only feel hatred, betrayal.

"I fucking hate you." (Y/N) spat, before storming off down the hallway.

The tears still threatened to fall, but she fought to keep them at bay. She didn't need to cry, not in front of Toby. But... Her mother had never slapped her before, not across the face like that.

The girl sniffed as she walked down the hallway, instinctively stopping outside her brother's room. He'd always cheer her up when she was upset. But now, music was blaring from behind his door. The girl frowned to herself, he never played his music that loud, not even on a bad day. She sniffed again, this time noticing a strange smell coming from behind the door.

(Y/N) shook her head, the smell made her feel weird, lightheaded. She decided she'd shrug that off too and finished walking to her room. Once inside she kicked the door closed, it slammed behind her, making Toby jump from his spot on the bed. He ticked slightly, his shoulder twitching as he watched her, but she took no notice, as if he wasn't there.

Now that she was behind the closed door, the girl leant against it. Her cheek was still stinging, and her hands shook as she held the plate. She slid down the door, putting the plate beside her and hugging her knees. The girl hid her face in her arms, and Toby was instantly alarmed.

"(Y-Y-Y/N)...?" He stuttered, slowly climbing down from the bed and scooting across the floor. He reached over and touched her shoulder lightly with his fingertips, she didn't react, "A-Are... Are you alr-right...? Wha-at happened?"

Suddenly, she burst into tears, her shoulders shook as she pulled at her hair, trying to hide her face. Toby moved back slightly, startled by the sobbing girl. But he moved closer once again and touched her shoulder,

"Wh-What... Hap-ppened...?" He asked again, tilting his head.

The girl still didn't respond, instead she leant into him slightly. The boy had no clue what to do, so he slowly put an arm around her shoulders. His fingers twitched against her arm, and he sat ridged, but it was the best comfort he could offer. He's never had to look after a crying girl before, Slenderman would usually look after Sally, and Jane and Clockwork would keep to themselves when they were upset... Assuming they got upset.

Toby was totally unprepared for this. So he just let (Y/N) lean into him, let her grip onto his brown jumper. He wasn't aware of it, but he had started rubbing her back, as if an instinct. He'd seen Slender do it to Sally before to try to calm her down when she got upset, so he clearly assumed that worked.

"I... I want to get away from this place..." (Y/N) finally muttered into the now somewhat damp cloth of his jumper, "I just... I want to get away..."

Toby lowered his head to look at her; this had to do with her mother. There was no doubt this was linked to her. To think her mother was now treating her poorly...

"I-I... I know..." Was all Toby could bring himself to say. But he didn't really know what words would be right. Not in this moment. All he could do was hold her.

Toby had never felt so... Helpless