Robbie tossed and turned, groaning, holding his head as he tried to come to grips with the realization he had just come to: he was in love with Sportacus.
All those months of fighting with himself about his feelings for his old enemy had wound up the same.
He loved the blue flipping athlete, and there was no denying it.
Robbie raised his head and looked wearily at the picture on his little table next to his chair.
It was a picture of Sportacus, smiling happily, like he always was.
Robbie smiled warmly at the photo, as a warm, tingling feeling swept through his body.
Sighing contentedly, he closed his eyes and willed the feeling of Sportacus's warm, well-muscled arms cradling him as he carried him down from a tree, the soft warm smell of Sportacus, and the gentle light in his eyes to come to him.
It didn't happen.
Robbie got to his feet and sighed again.
" Well, not like he'd ever love me back." He stated matter -of-factly. " He is a hero, and I'm a villain. He loves sportscandy and I hate it. He love to move and I don't. He loves those noisy kids and I avoid them. Drat, he loves noise." Robbie looked mournfully at the photo of Sportacus.
" All I want is you." He crooned softly, picking up the picture and looking at it lovingly. " And you are the one thing I may never have."
Robbie hugged the picture to his chest briefly, then put it back regretfully.
" Well, if I want to earn his love, I may as well start now." Robbie thought for a moment, trying to figure out a way to get into Sportacus's heart.
" Let's see, what does he care about the most… Sports, Sportscandy, kids, moving, kittens, kids, moving, kids, saving things, kids, sports, kids…" Robbie trailed off and shook his head.
" Those brats." he finally said in disgust. " If I don't make friend with those kids he loves so much, I'll never stand a chance."
Robbie climbed out of his pipe, blinking in the bright sun.
As he headed into town, he considered getting himself stuck in a tree again, like he had been doing almost every day just so Sportacus would carry him down.
Or maybe down a hole somewhere.
Robbie loved being held in his arms, and he knew Sportacus enjoyed rescuing him, or at least he hoped he did, and was not just acting for the kids who always were watching.
Robbie dismissed the thought and kept walking.
Robbie headed straight for the sports field, where he could hear the kids playing a game of hopscotch.
Looking up, he saw the blue airship floating above town.
Squinting, Robbie tried to see if Sportacus was in there, but as usual, he could not.
Robbie slowly strolled to the sports field, and leaned over the wall, trying to put a friendly smile on his face.
" Hi Robbie!" the pink girl called to him. He could never remember their names, but he thought she was Pinky or Sticky or Steppy or Hacky or something like that.
" Hi there." Robbie answered, and tried to hop over the wall, tripping and falling flat on his face as he did so.
All the kids laughed at him as Pinky rushed over giggling to help him up.
Robbie glowered at them all.
" Where's Sportakook?" he demanded, already regretting coming out here.
" Who?" asked the girl, with a confused look on her face.
" You know, troublesome, overly cute, blue trouble maker who flips around saving everything that moves, or doesn't." Robbie snapped.
" Overly cute?" The pink girl gave Robbie a funny look.
" Talking about me?" Sportacus's cheerful, accented voice came from behind Robbie.
With a swishing sound, Sportacus flipped over the wall and into the sports field.
" What-How'd ya know I was talking about you? Spying on me, huh? Some hero you are! And, I didn't even say your name!" Robbie was trembling, his heart pounding as he looked into the insanely blue eyes that twinkled merrily at him as the owner of those eyes looked up at him with an impish grin.
" Everything but the trouble making part fit me Robbie, oh, and the overly cute part, so I guessed you wanted me." Sportacus beamed at him. " And, I couldn't help buy overhear. You were shouting."
Robbie stared deep into Sportacus's eyes, unable to tear himself away.
Sportacus chuckled softly. " What do you want, Robbie? I am here now."
" I wanted to invite you for lunch." He blurted out suddenly.
He regretted it the instant he said it.
He had no idea what to feed the excited man in front of him, other than sportscandy, and Robbie had none.
" I would love to come." Sportacus told him, looking at the same time confused, surprised, and pleased. " But, isn't it past lunch now?"
It was Robbie's turn to look surprised and he fumbled with his pocket watch.
It was about 3 in the afternoon.
Robbie silently cursed himself and tried to recover.
" Then come for supper." he said grumpily.
" Okay. I'll be there. Thanks Robbie!" With that, Sportacus flipped off.
Robbie watched him go, and a dreamy smile crossed his face, then it vanished just as quickly as it had appeared.
" Are you okay Robbie?" The pink haired girl asked him.
" Huh? Yes, I'm fine." Robbie snapped, looking down at her irritably.
" You know, if you have a crush on Sportacus, you should just tell him." The girl said. " He's like a brother to me, and well, if you like him tell him. I know he won't really mind even if he has no interest back. It won't make him change, and if he likes you, then great. Enjoy the privilege."
The pink haired girl was looking at him earnestly, and for a moment, Robbie was taken aback.
" What's your name?" he asked suddenly.
" Stephanie." She told him smiling. " And that's Ziggy, Pixel, Trixie, and Stingy."
Robbie carefully memorized the names with the proper kid, then crouched down to look in Stephanie's eyes.
" Stephanie." He said quietly. " I need your help."
He didn't know how she knew, but he needed help if he was to win Sportacus's heart, and he figured she was his best bet for that.