Toki is there, as always, with that energy that seems impossible to put out. He laughs at something Skwisgaar said you didn’t quite catch it but the sound of his laughter hits you right in the chest. And not because it’s cute. Well, okay, maybe it is. But that’s not the point. It’s because that laugh used to be yours.

He used to look for you with his eyes, with his fingers, with that high-pitched voice asking where you were, if you wanted to watch some dumb movie or play something. But now… now it’s Skwisgaar, Skwisgaar, Skwisgaar. That blond guy with the cheap-model attitude and “magic fingers,” according to himself.

—What’s wrong, you look like a damn abandoned puppy —murmurs Pickles with a crooked grin, passing by you with a beer in hand. —Did Toki get himself a new best friend forever?

You don’t respond. You just glance at him out of the corner of your eye. But of course, that’s more than enough.

Murderface lets out that nasal snort of a laugh. —Knew it! You're jealous, I knew it! This is like... like… a metal soap opera!

Nathan raises an eyebrow, not even looking away from the monitor. —Toki and Skwisgaar, huh? Aren’t you supposed to be the one he’s with?

And there it is. That moment of silence that gives you away more than anything else. Toki turns his head. His smile is soft. A little confused. A little guilty.

—Heis… are you mad at me? I was just talking with Skwisgaar…

He walks over to you, with that clumsy-sweet gait that always makes him look like an overgrown kid. He stops in front of you, raising his eyebrows, with that little face you hate because it melts you.

—But I… I likings more to be with you.

Your throat tightens. Pickles makes an “aww” noise. Skwisgaar just crosses his arms and rolls his eyes, annoyed, but says nothing. Toki smiles that smile he used to give you when you were his priority. And without another word, he takes your hand and pulls you out of the room, followed by whistles and teasing.

—Hey! Let us know if you need condoms or axes! —Murderface yells.