#tober

heres the initial sketch

just getting the idea down

so here's the thing. Marlin is ace, but not aro. he doesnt want to fuck at all, but he aint about to say boo to anyone who enjoys it. but Tober, Tober fucks. he goes out every now and then and lets Marlin know where he's going (they both do this as a sort of safety thing). Tober is pan but hasnt caught feelings for anyone in his life. until he starts feeling things for Marlin.

wtf are these feelings? why's he nervous all of a sudden towards things they've always done? he starts going out a little more frequently to see if he's just pent up and displacing that onto Marlin. until one day, on one of his meet ups, he starts thinking about Marlin in his current partners place. he has to stop the night, apologize, and go for a walk, comes home late, and falls asleep. still wondering what the hell is going on.

weeks pass and Tober has tried a few more times, but eventually quits his hook ups. every time, Marlin is there in his mind. eventually, Marlin notices and decides to ask "you havent been going out as much." Tober panics a little and just responds "yeah, just havent felt like it lately." concerned, Marlin prods further, "are you ok? do you need to talk?" "no, i just have to... i have to figure something out. brain stuff, y'know?" he's avoiding eye contact. he's not even looking at him. "... if you say so. i'm always here if ya need to vent about someone." Marlin offers. Tober chuckles, "yeah, i know. thank you."

they both have their jobs and other lives, so Tober has some time to himself to think. why the hell does Marlin keep showing up in his mind? seeing him on his hook ups completely kills his drive, not that it angers him. he's just confused. where did this come from? why Marlin of all people? he just doesnt get it. after work, he lets Marlin know that he's gonna go for a walk. he finds the quietest park in the area so he can think. he digs and digs and digs, when did it all start. was there a single moment that kick started it?

he picks out memories. Marlin cooking, saying good morning, helping with laundry (how can someone be bad at laundry?), helping with nicks from work, listening to his woes, venting, the way he talks, his laugh, his crooked smile, his silly lil teeth, the way he moves- wait what? moving? why does that... and suddenly, all the stupid emotional movies Tober has watched with him start flooding in. oh. OH. OH NO. no no no no how does he have a crush on his best friend?? theyre just friends! could they even have a relationship? what kind of relationship does he want? what kind of relationship would Marlin want? of course theres different kinds but what if he rejects him? would one of them have to move? would it stay awkward? jesus fucking christ what the hell does he do???

he comes home, mind burdened by a whole new set of questions. Marlin is in the kitchen cooking dinner when he hears the door open and close. "youre back!" he shouts as he stirs a pot. "yup! had to do some thinking." Tober answers back while brushing the outside off his hooves. he should get those rubber shoes... they looked kinda comfortable. "uh oh, thats dangerous!" Marlin says as he turns off the potatoes. "oh shut up." Tober laughs as he walks to the island. "smells good. what for dinner?" he asks as he leans on his forearms. "some leftover fish from work and some potatoes i had in the fridge. there's some veg still in the fridge i havent done anything with yet if you want some green." Marlin replies, plating up the fish.

"hm, i'll see whats there when youre done plating." they stay in silence until Marlin puts the plates on the island and Tober asks "do you... do you ever see yourself in a relationship?" "well of course!" Marlin smiles, but it starts to drop. "some day. but its kinda hard when almost everyone wants sex included. which is fine, you know how i feel on that topic. but its just... a little daunting to try and start dating. im sure theres other people out there but im just nervous. heh, i know my way around knives and pans and fire, but i cant seem to even try to look for someone." he slouches as he sits next to Tober to start eating and Tober gives him a side hug.

they lean on each other for a few seconds, finding comfort in one another. eventually Marlin ends the hug to start eating. "anyway, why do you ask? what brought all that up?" he asks before taking a bite of fish. Tober freezes for a bit, food hovering in the air with his mouth open. "uuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhh i was just... um well... i was... have you... uh... i lost my train of thought, sorry." he laughs before finishing his bite. a lie, and Marlin knew it. but he wouldnt push. "eh, happens to me sometimes too. how was your walk?" helping switch the subject. an unfortunate subject to switch to. Tober comes up with another white lie. "it was good." no it wasnt. "just wanted to get some fresh air." partially true. "went to that secluded park and just walked laps. its like my way of meditating." "sounds nice!" Marlin says as he finishes his food. "wanna watch a movie? you pick?"

Marlin sure knows how to avoid a subject. for better or worse sometimes. "sure. im picking something actiony, though." Tober says as he picks up the plates and brings them to the sink. "pft im not even surprised. am i the only reason you watch anything emotional?" Marlin asks as he opens the fridge. "by the way, did you want a carrot or lettuce or something? theres some kale too. unless you wanna snack on raw cabbage." Tober grabs a pan to clean it "eugh no, i hate raw cabbage. i'll take 2 carrots." "got it, one while you wash and one while we watch?" he asks as he walks over, offering a carrot as he washes. "sure." he grabs the carrot with his teeth and works it back to his molars.

"dork. how the hell does your mouth have that much room?" Marlin says as he lightly punches his shoulder. "horf" Tober says with a mouthful of carrot. "see?" he opens his mouth "aaaaaaaahhhhhh." "GROSS!" Marlin shrieks as he dodges back and gently pushes up on his jaw. "so which movie do you want? i'll get it started while you clean and chill on the couch." "hmmmm tranfformerf." he says as he puts the pan away to dry and starts boxing up potatoes to clean the pot. "roger" Marlin says as he walks to the tv. Tober swallows his carrot "when did you start saying that! thats my word!" "you say it so much that i picked it up!" Marlin says as he puts the cd in and turns on the tv. "and im the dork." Tober playfully retorts as he finishes scrubbing the pot. "yup!"

Tober sits down next to Marlin as the last trailer plays, arm over his shoulder. who knows why he actually watches the trailers on a cd. but Tober finds it kind of... cute? is that the word? he's not sure, but it's one the quirks out of many that he has. "dont forget the subtitles" he says, pointing at the screen, " you know i cant hear without subtitles." "neither can i! why would i forget?" Marlin asks, already turning them on. "just in case i guess" Tober shrugs.