Hopesnare

in which a pair of idiots try to read

"What are you reading?" Tyooba quickly hurried over to Maxi's side, curiously bending over the sat other. Maxi groaned, before moving to the side. "Can't you just go back to reading one of the books that you found?" He demanded, folding the book's page and shutting it. The smaller troll grinned at him. "I'm just curious."

"You didn't answer my question." Maxi sighed, pushing up his glasses and rolling his eyes. "I don't need to, nor do I want to." The troll shot back, keeping the playful grin on his face. "Oh my goodness, stop it with that stupid grin!" The human complained, getting red in the face.

Tyooba took this advantage, and snatched the book off the desk. Maxi screeched, fumbling for the book, but the troll was much more dainty on his feet and easily avoided Maxi's attempts at retrieving the book. Tyooba leaned against the bookshelf across the room, holding the book above his head. "Come get it." He teased.

Maxi let out another exasperated groan, storming over to the latter and reaching for the book. "Give it!" He cried as Tyooba got onto the tips of his toes. Even though he was only a few inches taller than Maxi - it was a serious advantage. The troll rolled his eyes. "Let me just see what it is, then I'll give it right back." Maxi narrowed his eyes, dropping to his feet and sighing. "Fine."

Tyooba grinned broadly, relaxing his feet to the floor and nodding his head gratefully. Maxi rolled his eyes at this. The troll stared the book up and down, opening his mouth to state the title with a note of curiosity. "... The Plague?" He then paused, squinting his eyes and nervously smiling. "What the hell is a plague?" Maxi blinked, seeming somewhat surprised at this. "Like... a bout of very dangerous sickness. That a lot of people can get."

"I got a fever once." Tyooba commented. "Does that count?"

"No, of course not. Fatal means deadly. You know what that means, right? And I don't think you died from a fever." Maxi chuckled, shaking his head.

Tyooba puffed out his cheeks. "Don't make fun of my illiteracy, book boy." He gently smacked the paperback book on Maxi's head, before tossing it into his hands. "Go wild with your stupid plague book."

Maxi blinked, staring down at the book. For a moment, his face flashed with remorse. Maxi was just as illiterate, if not more. Seeing the chance in front of him, Maxi took it. "Hey, wait!" He linked arms with the troll, looking up at him with wide eyes. "Do you want to read it with me?"

The troll was somewhat taken aback with this sudden physical contact. He yanked his arm away, holding it behind his back. "... No. Thank you." He added quickly. Maxi pouted.

"I'm not a very skilled reader. You should know what." Tyooba yawned, looking to the side. "I think I'll go back to trying to read that book I took off the shelf." Maxi let out a whine at this, stomping his foot on the floor in frustration. "Read with me!" He begged. "We can be highly illiterate idiots reading a stupid book together!"

The both of them sat in an awkward silence for a moment, before Tyooba began giggling. In a few seconds, both were rioting. "Okay, okay. I'll read with you. Idiot." The troll grinned playfully at Maxi, linking arms with him again. Maxi smiled, walking over to the desk he was reading at. "I'll pick up from the start." He offered. As Maxi flipped open the book, Tyooba suddenly butted in.

"Hey, Maxi?"

"What?"

"Thank you."

"For what, exactly?"

"Oh my god, just accept the thank you, fuckface." Tyooba groaned, leaning his head on Maxi's shoulder.

"Alright, fine. You're welcome, idiot." Maxi inhaled, tightening his hands around the book. "I love you."

"I love you too."