DARLING (yanderes x reader)

XXXIII- bad idea

Tobias had never been one for big social events or big gatherings. Even back as a kid, when keeping himself at a distance from others hadn't been on his mind, he had always preferred smaller crowds. Which is why he had never bothered with the Community Bonding ball that the government organized every year.

This year though? It seemed as if he wouldn't have a choice.

"Do we really have to go?" Tobias asked Marcus with an imploring groan, he had just finished putting on his tuxedo and already dreaded leaving the house.

Marcus had settled on a much more comfortable look. Tobias guessed that old age did have its perks sometimes, like not being forced into a pair of leather loafers that were sure to leave your feet blistered by the end of the night. Blisters were the least of Tobias's worries though, being forced to interact with other people was at the top of his list.

"I know you're not fond of these parties, but the mayor was very clear. Tonight's ball is mandatory. For all of us." Marcus said, placing an encouraging hand on Tobias's shoulder and giving it a squeeze. "Come on, my boy. We don't have to stay there all night, and I promise that when you see it as free food it becomes much more appealing."

Or at least as appealing as could be, for Tobias knew that this night's event wasn't a pleasure for Marcus either. No Uninfected would attend an Infected ball if they had a choice in the matter. Or any Uninfected with a well functioning sense of self preservation, that is.

Which Tobias had learnt not all of them had.

"Do you think (Y/n) will be there?" The question had left Tobias's lips before he had even processed it, catching both himself and Marcus by surprise.

Marcus scratched the back of his neck, eyes looking anywhere but at Tobias. It had been a while since the two of them had last talked about (Y/n), and although Marcus paid close attention to Tobias and how he was grieving her absence, he knew that part of Tobias probably still longed for her. And he was dead set on crushing this remaining part of Tobias's mind.

Too bad Marcus didn't know just how big this part of Tobias was.

"Well... If tonight's ball is mandatory, I guess she will be attending, yeah." Marcus said with caution, careful not to broach the subject any further. He finally looked up to meet Tobias's gaze. "Just make sure you don't go anywhere near her, alright?"

As if that would ever be possible.

Keeping himself away from her was already hard enough for Tobias, so if he knew she'd be in the same room? There was no way he could just pretend she wasn't there, that would just be pure torture.

Not that he'd tell Marcus, though. This would only warrant him a concerned look and an endless conversation on how the best cure for his Infection is to keep himself as far away from (Y/n) as possible. Tobias didn't feel like putting either of them through that.

Plus, was it so bad if he stumbled upon (Y/n) tonight? It's not like he could ever go and talk to her anyways, she probably hated his guts now, which was fair enough considering all the horrible things he had said to her. So what could happen, really? He'd probably just watch her from afar and make sure she stayed safe during the night. No harm done.

And after all, who knew what could happen during these gatherings? Although the Community Bonding ball was supposed to be violence and murder-free, nothing could guarantee that (Y/n) would be totally safe there. And who would look after her if Tobias didn't?

In retrospect, maybe Tobias attending was for the best, after all. Because like that he'd be able to look after (Y/n) and make sure she was alright.

Just like he was supposed to.