Last I Saw You

NINETEEN|ERIC

"Toby isn't here."

I felt my brows furrowing at Gale's words, I could sense his irritation, like he hadn't expected Toby to be gone either. According to Gale Vincent, Toby left some time around noon, hours before the time I had to get to work, and hadn't been back since. I came here as soon as my measly three hour shift ended but it's almost six. Toby wouldn't go somewhere this long without letting anyone know unless he was sneaking off to a watch or god forbid participate in a challenge.

"Do you know where he might have gone?" I asked, stepping through the door.

Closing it behind me Gale shook his before making his way to the recliner. "I don't know where he went. He left without saying a word and hasn't been back since."

"Oh." I nodded my understanding, moving towards the love seat. I sunk low into the cushions as silence engulfed us. Why did I feel so uncomfortable? I mean, now Gale wasn't just my best friend's dad but my boyfriend's dad. He knows about us but I don't know what to say to him now, especially after last night. He deserves just as much an apology as Toby though. I walked out on everybody and Toby probably told them what happened so I probably made them worry. Clearing my throat I wrung my hands together. "Um, Gale?"

"Yes." He looked to me. I was relieved to see the soft look on his face as he spoke. I relaxed a little.

"About Toby and I-"

"It's fine, I mean I don't think Toby should even be in any relationship at his age with how hard headed he can be but I have no problems with the two of you being together. You make each other happy," Gale said, giving me a soft smile.

"I wasn't going to say anything about that but thanks, for the reassurance. I wanted to ask you... Gale, did Toby tell you what happened last night?"

"No. He went straight to his room after you left. I haven't seen him since."

"Well... Eli... He-"

Frowning at me Gale sat up. "He didn't hurt you again did he? Eric I keep telling you that you and your mother don't have to put up with him. We're here for you if you need anything, you know that."

"I know but I'm worried about Toby. Eli saw us last night and Toby tried to get me to come back inside but I just... I couldn't. And now Toby's run off somewhere and he probably thinks I hate him." I surprised myself a little. I forgot how easy it is to talk to this man. He's always been so open minded and caring but it gets overshadowed by how tough his outer appearance looks.

"You're worried about him? With everything you probably have going on at home? Eric, Toby is gonna be fine, in a lot of trouble with me but fine. What happened with you?"

Scratching the back of my head I mumbled, "Eli just roughed me up a little. That's all, I'm okay."

"You're sure? We can make space for you."

"Yeah, I'm sure."

I didn't want to be a burden and I couldn't just walk out like that. Eli wouldn't take it well. Gale looked at me with concern but said nothing, instead turning to watch the TV.

I wonder where Toby could be. I mean I could go look but I'd rather wait for him to come back. What I have to say to him is important but if he's with Damon finding him won't be easy and I'm likely to miss him so waiting would be the best option. I just hope he wasn't out getting himself into trouble.

"Are you sure you have no idea where Toby might be?"

"Yes, I'm sure. He'll probably come home in a little bit and try to apologise but we both know how that's gonna end," Gale said, giving me a look.

"You're gonna ground him?"

"I should have been grounded him. The little sneak!" The look he was giving me now was starting make me a little nervous.

"I'm getting the impression that this isn't about him running off, is it?"

Looking a little frustrated with himself Gale said, "The two of you lied for months and it didn't occur to me until last night but there's no telling what you two could have been up to while I was gone. I'm his father for goodness sake, I should know these things and be able to teach him how to be safe."

"So you were gonna sit your son down and discuss safe sex between two males?"

"It would have been awkward but I'm his dad, it's my job to be awkward. You two weren't up to anything though were you? I mean you're a good kid Eric but you've never been able to say no to Tobias."

I could feel my face getting hotter and hotter as he looked at me. I wasn't a follower. I mean I had a tendency to be a bit of a people pleaser yeah, but that was because I didn't like making people upset. Toby understood that I had boundaries and wouldn't pressure me into those sorts of things though but I could just lie about the things we did do. He'd never know. I mean technically we didn't have sex we just played around a little, that's all. "No sir, we didn't do anything."

"You're not lying are you?" He frowned.

"Nothing outside of kissing, no."

"That counts as something." He gave me a look before signing. "At least you're not a girl. I'm still amazed that Peter didn't end up having kids before Callum did."

"Uh... Okay," I mumbled. "But believe it or not Toby's been keeping his hands to himself." He says as memories too explicit for young eyes to see flash through his mind. Yeah it's better to lie. If Gale knew he'd kill us, have a necromancer bring us back to life then kill us again.

A/N: I love how their conversation went from Eric being worried about Toby to Gale being worried that they were up to something while he was gone. And Eric just sat like: uuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhh...