[TOY] Plaything

[skinstealer]

...I can't just let this get worse.
There's so much on the line.
We can't fall apart now.

You meet his stare.

POLKA DOT: I am not trying to hurt you.
POLKA DOT: Or fight you, or any shit like that.
POLKA DOT: And...
POLKA DOT: I don't know everything.
POLKA DOT: But I know enough.
 

He doesn't move, not even blinking.

His red stare feels like daggers against your throat, challenging you to say the wrong thing.

POLKA DOT: When you change colors...it's like you're completely different.
POLKA DOT: ...You're not Devo, are you?
 

There's a moment of surprise on his face, breaking the gaze for just a moment-

But when he looks away, there's just a bitter laugh.

POLKA DOT: You switch back and forth, or something.
POLKA DOT: There's...there's you, and the yellow guy, from yesterday.
DEVO: ...figures.
 

He looks back at you with a completely different look now, his red eyes now full of...exhaustion.

DEVO: I figured Roulette would be the first to know, not you.
DEVO: Maybe it does.
DEVO: It always seemed...polite, about that sort of thing.
DEVO: Unobtrusive.
POLKA DOT: So-
DEVO: Do you want a prize, then?
DEVO: For figuring us out?
DEVO: What does it change?
????: I'm not Devo. Congrats.
????: You want him back, right?
????: I'm just a problem.
????: I don't like Tim-

Something changes in his voice, just slightly.

????: -and I'm mean-
 

A little more, a slight intake of breath.

????: -and I don't imagine any of you people like me.

You realize that there's tear embroidery at the corners of his eyes.

????: Why would you.
POLKA DOT: H...hey...

You reach out for a moment before pulling back, remembering his reaction to Tim.

The red bear is clearly barely holding it together, doing his best to keep a stern look on his face.

????: I'm f...fine.
POLKA DOT: You don't...have to be.
POLKA DOT: And we don't have to talk about Tim right now, either.
POLKA DOT: I don't, like-
POLKA DOT: I don't really know jack shit about what's going on.
POLKA DOT: But I just want to, like-
POLKA DOT: I just want to make sure you're getting help you need.
POLKA DOT: ...to do that I gotta know what's going on with you. Like, multiple...you.
POLKA DOT: You put me and Roulette in danger earlier, and the, uh, yellow guy did yesterday with the monster.
POLKA DOT: And I'm not-
POLKA DOT: I'm not saying that you're worse, or not good enough, or any of that shit-
POLKA DOT: I just want to know what's going on.
POLKA DOT: I just want to trust you.
POLKA DOT: Okay?
 

He doesn't speak, completely silent until a loud string of sniffles break through.

POLKA DOT: H-hey-
????: You-
 

The soft sob that escapes as he buries his face away from you, deep into his knees, is enough to make your chest ache.

????: It's-
????: It's not like I w-w-want to be like this-
????: You don't-
????: You don't have any goddamn idea what this is- what this is doing to me-
POLKA DOT: Which...part?
????: Existing.
????: H-having to wake up to some-
????: To some pervert next to me-
????: Thinking he has the r-right to touch me, and-
????: S...stealing him away....
 

He trails off, as if the words are too painful to say.

POLKA DOT: I don't-
POLKA DOT: I don't know if I get it, but-
????: You don't.
????: ...no one does.
????: And no one ever will.
????: Th-the closest person is- is Roulette, and-
????: It p-probably hates me now-
????: Over some stupid jerky.
????: Like I said.
????: Just a p-problem.
????: ....
 

He's quiet, trying to let himself get a grip.

It's a while before he speaks again, his voice back to that exhausted state.

????: I want-
????: I want to k-keep going.
????: This means a lot to Devo. To help.
????: I...
????: I would do anything for him.
????: But I can't stand-
????: M-men touching me. Especially not Tim.
????: But...I can t-try to...to behave.
????: I can't say the same for the others.
 

The red bear peeks up from his knees.

????: I want to see this through. For Devo's sake.
????: That's the point I'm trying to make.